pork, etc., etc., provisions and much merchandize for the supply of the Indians and French inhabitants were taken in Fort Beauséjour, neither distributed as a reward to the captors nor accounted for, except some small quantity of beef and pork sold to the Commissary Mr. Saul on Mr. Baker’s supply, which was extremely bad and decayed, and certified by Governor Lawrence as provisions sent by Governor Shirley.
That the Transports were kept near three months after the French Neutrals were ready for embarcation at an immense expense, and the New England troops kept six months after their service was over, and this for two special reasons : one to oblige them to enlist into the regulars, and the other to defeat General Shirley in raising a sufficient number of troops necessary for the summer’s campaign. By which means Oswego was lost, and the expedition to Crown Point rendered abortive. We appeal to General Shirley for the truth of this.
That the cattle, etc., etc., of the Acadians were converted to private uses, of which we know 3,600 hogs and near 1,000 head of cattle were killed and packed at Pigiguit alone and sent by water to other places ; and what at other forts is yet a secret, all unaccounted for to the amount of a very large sum ; and he and his Commissary are now under great perplexity, and contriving to cover this iniquitous fraud.
That 30,000 £ has been laid out on batteries not worth thirty pence for the defence of this place in the judgment of every person acquainted therewith.
It is possible he may produce vouchers to cover all his frauds, for, if the true ones should fall short, he has those under him who have been used to such kind of work and can readily supply the deficiency. But, if a Governor was sent out with orders to enquire into these, or at least to take depositions, we are very sure the whole will be clearly made to appear.
No. III.
To His Most Excellent Majesty, King of Great Britain, etc., etc.
The humble Petition of his subjects, the late French inhabitants of Nova Scotia, formerly settled on the Bay of Mines, and rivers hereunto belonging ; now residing in the Province of Pennsylvania, on behalf of themselves and the rest of the late inhabitants of the said bay, and also of those formerly settled on the river of Annapolis Royal, wheresoever dispersed.
May it please Your Majesty,
It is not in our power sufficiently to trace back the conditions upon which our ancestors first settled in Nova Scotia, under the protection of Your Ma-
