Page:New Brunswick Magazine Issue 1.djvu/18

All that has hitherto been published with regard to the founding of the first permanent English Settlement at the mouth of the river St. John is of a fragmentary character. The story really remains to be written, and in view of the abundant materials available it is a matter of surprise that some competent hand has not long since been found to undertake the task.

As early as the year 1755, Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia suggested to Sir Wm. Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts, the desirability of establishing a fortified post on the St. John river: he also recommended that steps should be taken to induce the people of New England to occupy the lands left vacant by the removal of the Acadians as well as other eligible situations in Nova Scotia—which colony at that time included the present province of New Brunswick. In reply, Sir Wm. Shirley expressed the opinion that all that could then be attempted was to make known as widely as possible the terms on which the lands would be granted, coupled with an assurance of protection for the settlers from the French and Indians, whom they had come to regard as their hereditary enemies. Unfortunately for the designs of the two royal governors, the exigencies of the war then being waged with France required the withdrawal of most of the forces stationed in Nova Scotia, and Governor Lawrence was unable either to secure possession of the St. John river, where Boisherbert the French commander has established himself, or to garrison the fort at St. John harbor captured by Captain Rous the previous summer.

Meanwhile the Lords of Trade and Plantations, who