A Neglected Chapter of our Colonial
History
FOR courage displayed and for importance of results few incidents in our colonial history can compare with the siege and capture of Louisburg, on Cape Breton Island, in 1745. The fact that the place ceased to be important when the whole country came under English rule has led to forgetfulness of an unsurpassed deed of bravery and skill.
A journal kept by one of the most interesting participants in that daring expedition throws much light on the event, and justifies a new account of the remarkable exploit of a few hundred New England colonists.
By the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 France gave to England all her possessions in the Hudson Bay region, with Nova Scotia. But with incredible stupidity on the part of England the island of Cape Breton was left in the possession of France. The power that held Cape Breton controlled the gateway to Canada, and undoubtedly the French hoped that by means of it they would ultimately regain all they had lost. They had not given up the hope of being the ruling influence in North America, and as a means of realizing their dream they proceeded at once to fortify English Harbor, which they rechristened Louisburg.
In thirty years they had with great labor and vast expenditure created a fortress so strong that it was commonly called the "Dunkerque of America." The plans were by Vauban, and when it was complete the French engineers declared that "Louisburg could be defended by a garrison of women." It mounted one hundred and fifty guns, many of which were the largest then in use. It commanded the entrance to the St. Lawrence. Its spacious harbor sheltered the privateers which preyed on the commerce of the New England colonies, and in time of war would be the naval rendezvous of the French.
The occasion came at last for its possessor to show his power.
The war in Europe of the Austrian Succession gravitated quickly into a bitter struggle between the intense rivals, France and England. They formally declared war against each other in March, 1744, and the colonies in America, which had absolutely no interest in the matter at issue, were involved in the conflicts of their sovereigns. Knowledge of open hostilities reached Boston June 2, and Louisburg somewhat earlier.
The French improved this advantage of their earlier knowledge by an attack, on the 13th of May, upon Canso, a little English station within easy reach. They valiantly captured the unarmed fishermen, burned their huts, and carried their captives to Louisburg, where they held them until autumn, when they sent them to Boston,—which, for their purposes, was the worst possible use they could make of them. They were not only the best persons to rouse the colonists to defence, but they gave valuable information as to the designs of the French and the condition and strength of the fortress at Louisburg.
An expedition of between four and five hundred men was also sent from Louisburg against Annapolis, the capture of which would involve the possession of all Acadia, occupied as it was with French settlers who were unwilling subjects of the British crown. It was in no condition for defence, having suffered from the neglect with which the British ministry treated the American colonies. But it was held by about a hundred good men under Major Mascarene. A sort of poetic justice is in the fact that this defender against French invasion was a
