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admitted he had written it, and declared he had not spoken their sentiments but his own. We must allow that it is, in its way, a clever production, well calculated to influence the simple minded children of the forest. It also clearly indicates the line of argument followed. by the Americans in their endeavour to win the support of the Indians. Allan himself frankly admits the Indians were a simple minded people and very apt to be influenced by the sentiments of any person of consequence that chanced to be among them. Francklin was equally aware of this fact and at this critical moment he found himself able effectually to check-mate the designs of John Allan by the influence of a French priest, Father Bourg, who in response to the request of the government of Nova Scotia was sent from the Bay of Chaleur to Halifax by Sir Guy Carleton with the approbation of the Ecclesiastical authorities of Quebec.[1] The urgency of the situation that called Michael Francklin and Father Bourg to St. John in September, 1778, is thus stated by Francklin:—
"That being about to set out from Chebouctou [Halifax] he was greatly concerned to learn that the Malecetes had plundered one vessel, taken and ransomed another, robbed and disarmed many of the Inhabitants, and killed several Cattle belonging to the King's Loyal Subjects on the River St. John, whom they had styled Torys; that they had even proceeded the length to return to Fort Howe the King's Flag accompanied with a formal declaration of war in writing. That these unfortunate transactions had hastened him and Mr. Bourg to St. John to put a stop to them."
The services of James White at this time were invaluable. As early as the month of April, which was three months before he was appointed Deputy Agent by Colonel Francklin, and at various times during the summer, he went among the Indians to pacify them at the risk of his own life and liberty, returning in every
- ↑ Colonel Goold had on May 11, 1777, written a letter to the Indians in French telling them that they might have Fr. Joseph Bourg as their priest, and that he would be put upon the same footing as their late missionary Bailly. In February following Sir Guy Carleton wrote. "M. Bourg has already orders to proceed to Halifax to receive instructions for the establishment of his mission."