116 The French in Prince Edward Island

were needed for an expedition against Canada, that it would have cost from £6000 to £8000, and “as they are a poor miserable inoffensive people, and I have Hostages in my Possession, there is no Danger to

be apprehended from them”:

Articles of Indulgence to be granted to the Inhabitants of the Island of St. John, recommended by the Council of War to remain on the Island during His Majesty’s further pleasure.

Whereas the inhabitants of the Island of St. John being part of the Territory belonging to His Majesty’s Government have by their Deputys Jean Cheney and Louis Closquene represented to me that in as much as they have since the Reduction of this Fortress and Island, and its Dependencies to the Obedience of the King of Great Britain behaved themselves towards the English in an inoffensive manner and agreeable to the Articles of Capitulation dated the 16 day of June 1745; and also the terms of Indulgence granted them the 30th day of September 1745 by Rear Admiral Warren Sr. William Pepperrell and Governor Shirley, for leave to reside sometime longer in possession of their former Plantations, and that in pursuance of that liberty they have prepared their Land and Sowed and planted their Corn for the present year, and praying in behalf of themselves and the Inhabitants of the Said Island that they may still be indulged with a further time to gather in their Harvest or during his Britanick Majesty’s pleasure.

I having taken this their Request into Consideration do therefore Consent that the said inhabitants May remain unmolested upon the said Island of St. J ohn till His Majestys further pleasure shall be known, always