Page:Historical records of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) regiment.djvu/30

 1717–23. Location of the Regiment in Nova Scotia. During the years 1717-20 the regiment was stationed at Annapolis Royal and Placentia, under command of Colonel Richard Philipps who in 1719 was appointed Governor of Nova Scotia.

A Council for the management of the Civil Affairs of the Province was formed; but few English families having removed to the province, the Council was mostly composed of officers of the regiment. A Mr. Adams was the only inhabitant adnvitled to the Board.

The French inhabitants were prevailed upon to take the oath of allegiance, which, although kindly treated, they had heretofore refused to do. In fact, they appeared only to be waiting fur a rupture, to re-establish the former state of things, and were daily holding secret intercourse with the Indians, plotting murder and robbery. Several times their hostility was shewn by bodies of Indians being allowed to seize and plunder English vessels, and carry away the crews as prisoners, in the midst of some of the principal French settlements. Indeed, such was the state of the province at this time that the only place of any strength was the fort of Annapolis. Here some companies of the regiment, hardly mustering one hundred and fifty men, were quartered, and around the fort the few English

Companies at Placentia, Newfoundland, now composed into a regiment and commanded by Coll. Philips, most humbly sheweth: “That Yr Petitioner was preferred to a Lieutenant’s post by the Rt. Honble. the Earl of Gallway, and served at the battle of Almanza, in Spain.

“ That in 1710 he was at the reduction of Annapolis Royal. That in 1711 he was detached with a party and taken prisoner by the Indians, where he suffered inexpressible miseries at the hands of those Savages, being shipwrecked and for four months together had not bread to eate, only for sustenance clam fish and sealoyle, travelling though the woods—1800 miles—naked, and nearly escaped being roasted alive. The truth of which appears by the annexed certificates.

“That by these, his sufferings his Family, consisting of an aged mother, a wife and two small children, one a cripple, are reduced to the greatest extremities.

“That the Earl of Gallway has been pleased in compassion to his unfortunate circumstances to recommend him to the Rt. Honble. Lord Viscount Stanhope to promote him to a company.

“Your Petitioner most humbly prays that in consideration of his services and sufferings, not to be paralled by any living officer except those taken with him. Your Majesty will be pleased to grant him a company in any part of your Majesty’s Dominions.

“And Yr Petitioner will ever pray.”