Chapter I: Front Matter

A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT

BY FRANCIS PARKMAN

VOL. II

CONTENTS

CHAPTER XV.

1697-1741.

FRANCE IN THE FAR WEST.

French Explorers.--Le Sueur on the St. Peter's.--Canadians on the Missouri.--Juchereau de Saint-Denis.--Bénard de la Harpe on Red River.--Adventures of Du Tisné.--Bourgmont visits the Comanches.--The Brothers Mallet in Colorado and New Mexico.--Fabry de la Bruyère.

CHAPTER XVI.

1716-1761.

SEARCH FOR THE PACIFIC.

The Western Sea.--Schemes for reaching it.--Journey of Charlevoix.--The Sioux Mission.--Varennes de la Vérendrye.--His Enterprise.--His Disasters.--Visits the Mandans.--His Sons.--Their Search for the Western Sea.--Their Adventures.--The Snake Indians.--A Great War-Party.--The Rocky Mountains.--A Panic.--Return of the Brothers.--Their Wrongs and their Fate.

CHAPTER XVII.

1700-1750.

THE CHAIN OF POSTS.

Opposing Claims.--Attitude of the Rival Nations.--America a French Continent.--England a Usurper.--French Demands.--Magnanimous Proposals.--Warlike Preparation.--Niagara.--Oswego.--Crown Point.--The Passes of the West secured.

CHAPTER XVIII.

1744, 1745.

A MAD SCHEME.

War of the Austrian Succession.--The French seize Canseau and attack Annapolis.--Plan of Reprisal.--William Vanghan.--Governor Shirley.--He advises an Attack on Louisbourg.--The Assembly refuses, but at last consents.--Preparation.--William Pepperrell.--George Whitefield.--Parson Moody.--The Soldiers.--The Provincial Navy.--Commodore Warren.--Shirley as an Amateur Soldier.--The Fleet sails.

CHAPTER XIX.

1745.

LOUISBOURG BESIEGED.

Seth Pomeroy.--The Voyage.--Canseau.--Unexpected Succors.--Delays. --Louisbourg.--The Landing.--The Grand Battery taken.--French Cannon turned on the Town.--Weakness of Duchambon.--Sufferings of the Besiegers.--Their Hardihood.--Their Irregular Proceedings.--Joseph Sherburn.--Amateur Gunnery.--Camp Frolics.--Sectarian Zeal.--Perplexities of Pepperrell.

CHAPTER XX.

1745.

LOUISBOURG TAKEN.

A Rash Resolution.--The Island Battery.--The Volunteers.--The Attack.--The Repulse.--Capture of the "Vigilant."--A Sortie.--Skirmishes.--Despondency of the French.--English Camp threatened.--Pepperrell and Warren.--Warren's Plan.--Preparation for a General Attack.--Flag of Truce.--Capitulation. --State of the Fortress.--Parson Moody.--Soldiers dissatisfied.--Disorders. --Army and Navy.--Rejoicings.--England repays Provincial Outlays.

CHAPTER XXI.

1745-1747.

DUC D'ANVILLE.

Louisbourg after the Conquest.--Mutiny.--Pestilence.--Stephen Williams.--His Diary.--Scheme of conquering Canada.--Newcastle's Promises.--Alarm in Canada.--Promises broken.--Plan against Crown Point.--Startling News.--D'Anville's Fleet.--Louisbourg to be avenged.--Disasters of D'Anville.--Storm.--Pestilence.--Famine.--Death of D'Anville.--Suicide of the Vice-Admiral.--Ruinous Failure.--Return Voyage.--Defeat of La Jonquière.

CHAPTER XXII.

1745-1747.

ACADIAN CONFLICTS.

Efforts of France.--Apathy of Newcastle.--Dilemma of Acadians.--Their Character.--Danger of the Province.--Plans of Shirley.--Acadian Priests.--Political Agitators.--Noble's Expedition.--Ramesay at Beaubassin.--Noble at Grand-Pré.--A Winter March.--Defeat and Death of Noble.--Grand-Pré re-occupied by the English.--Threats of Ramesay against the Acadians.--The British Ministry will not protect them.

CHAPTER XXIII.

1740-1747.

WAR AND POLITICS.

Governor and Assembly.--Saratoga destroyed.--William Johnson.--Border Ravages.--Upper Ashuelot.--French "Military Movements."--Number Four.--Niverville's Attack.--Phineas Stevens.--The French repulsed.

CHAPTER XXIV.

1745-1748.

FORT MASSACHUSETTS.

Frontier Defence.--Northfield and its Minister.--Military Criticisms of Rev. Benjamin Doolittle.--Rigaud de Vaudreuil.--His Great War-Party.--He attacks Fort Massachusetts.--Sergeant Hawks and his Garrison.--A Gallant Defence.--Capitulation.--Humanity of the French.--Ravages.--Return to Crown Point.--Peace of Aix-la Chapelle.

APPENDIX.

A. FRANCE CLAIMS ALL NORTH AMERICA EXCEPT THE SPANISH COLONIES.

B. FRENCH VIEWS OF THE SIEGE OF LOUISBOURG.

C. SHIRLEY'S RELATIONS WITH THE ACADIANS.

A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT.