1744-5] The war of 1744-8. 115 described by the French term la petite guerre, a restricted method of warfare which the French Canadians when left to themselves rarely exceeded. This mainly consisted of raids across the frontier, not only for purposes of plunder, but quite as much for intimidating the too venturesome and intrusive English settler ; and no lasting results accrued from it other than the loss and suffering of individuals. Another factor too, which, till the nations seriously engaged each other during the Seven Years' War, kept hostilities within limits, was that great Indian tribal league known as the Five Nations, who occupied the region on the south of the Canadian border and at the back of the English colonies. They were by far the most powerful Indian combination, and may be fairly said to have held the balance of power between the European rivals. They favoured the English with tolerable consistency, but their friendship was of a cautious and passive kind and would have stood no great strain. It was moreover being continually tested by the overtures of the French. In la petite guerre the French Canadians had a distinct advantage. From their own more thickly settled frontiers they could descend in sufficient force on the isolated settlements of New England or New York to achieve their object, whereas the banks of the St Lawrence could hardly be attacked except by a large and organised force. Half a century earlier, it is true, in Frontenac's time, Quebec had been seriously though unsuccessfully attacked by a large New England force. But military organisation was difficult at all times for the British colonists, while mere punitive and doubtful raids on Canada would not have seemed worth the special effort needed. In Acadia there was no British population whatever before the founding of Halifax in 1749. The officials, supported by a slender garrison, had not only to control the French inhabitants, but to watch vigilantly and, when necessary, to resist the jealous enterprise of the French soldiers on the borders of the province that they had lost and hoped to win back. The capture of Louisbourg in 1745, early in the first war, relieved Nova Scotia from very real and pressing danger, and, as we have said, was the only enterprise during this first and shorter period of strife between the two nations that calls for notice here or that had any effect on the fortunes of America. This was indeed the most brilliant military exploit ever performed by a British colony prior to the Revolutionary war, and was the work of New England alone, and mainly of the single colony of Massachusetts. The plan was conceived by Shirley, the governor of the colony, and readily adopted by its legislature. The preparations were carried forward with despatch and all possible secrecy. The British Government was solicited to order Admiral Warren with four warships from the West Indian station to the support of the expedition, and readily complied. On March 24, 1745, a fleet of New England ships carrying four thousand CH. iv. 82
