“The late Secresy of the Inhabitants of Minas with regard to the Enemys Motions, and the very certain Intelligence which the Enemy gain’d of the particular Quarters of the English Officers, notwithstanding their Supplying the King’s Troops with Provisions, and the Curtesy of their Behavior to ’em before this Surprize, and their professions of being sorry for it afterwards seems to shew the necessity of his Majesty’s Keeping a strong Blockhouse there with a Garrison of 150 men; And the constant ill behavior of the Inhabitants of Schiegnecto seems to make another Blockhouse with a like Garrison 344 there equally necessary, as I at first propos’d to your Grace from Louisbourg; and these two with a Fort and Garrison at Chebucto of 300 Men at least, and the continuance of a Garrison of 300 at Annapolis Royal as it is at present, with a strong Blockhouse at Canso garrison’d with 100 Men would through the constant Correspondence that might be kept up between the several Garrisons be an effectual Security to the Province against the Enemy, and oblige the Inhabitants in a little time to contribute towards the protection & Expence of the Government, and for ever frustrate any hopes the French could Entertain of making themselves Masters of it, by their constant Endeavours to Seduce the Inhabitants from their Allegiance; all which would make Nova Scotia really His Majesty’s which it seems scarcely to have been yet: And I would Submit it to your Grace’s Consideration whether a Company of Rangers consisting of 100 Indians, or rather two Companies, consisting of 50 each, one to be posted at the Blockhouse at Minas, and the other in Schiegnecto would not be of the greatest Service, in Scouting thro’ every part of the Province and in the Woods upon all Emergencies (for which the Regular Troops are by no means fit) and particularly in preventing the French from Introducing Men from Canada into the Province by the Bay Vert; I think the great Service which Lieu^t Colonel Gorham’s Company of Rangers has been of to the Garrison at Annapolis Royal, is a demonstration of the Usefulness of such a Corps, besides that it may be a means of bringing Indians out of the French Interest into his Majesty’s Service, and go far towards reclaiming ’em in general; especially if (as I have before propos’d for your Grace’s Consideration) two Trading or Truck Houses were to be maintain’d one at Minas, and the other at Chiegnecto, for supplying the Indians with all necessaries in Exchange for furrs, 345 and proper presents were made to ’em in the manner which the French use to Keep ’em in their Interest.