18 OUR ISLAND STORY

The “extensive settlement” of French people that was hoped for as a result of the concession did not, however, ensue. The followers of Denys, or Doublet, or both, came to the shores of this Island in the spring, fished in the surrounding gulf throughout the summer and autumn, and left for their European homes in

the fall and early winter. After the peace concluded by the treaty of Utrecht, in the

year 1715, a large number of French families came from Nova Scotia—which was given over to the British-—to this Island. Others came from Cape Breton and others direct from France. These people founded Fort La Ioie and settled on the land near by. They made clearings of the forest around the Eastern border of Hillsborough Bay and established commercial and fishing depots and farming districts at St. Peter’s, Tracadie and Malpeque. Already Isle St. Jean had an established reputation for the fertility of its soil and for the excellence of the fisheries surrounding it.

In January, 1720, the Count de St. Pierre obtained from the King of France letters patent by which he was authorized to encourage and effect settlements on this Island and the Islands adjacent. Late in the spring of that year he sent out from France three vessels carrying about three hundred immigrants. They did not arrive at Port Joie until August. But they were in time to erect for themselves comfortable log houses and to make ready supplies of food for the following winter. They also built a breast- work at the entrance of the harbor upon which were placed eight cannon, manned by thirty soldiers. Under the direction of the Abbe de Breslay, by whom they were accompanied, a church was built and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, and a tall cross was set up on the most prominent site in the settlement.

For some time, all went well with these early settlers. They made large clearances in the forest primeval, and were rewarded by good harvests. But the Count, in view of the great cost of his enterprises and the comparatively small amount of his personal profit, became alarmed. He failed to assist the immigrants according to their anticipations, and they became discontented. A number of them, yielding to the lure of the prospects held out in Cape Breton departed for that Island. In the meantime the

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