Events from the year 1744 in Canada.
Louis XV[1]
Charles de la Boische, Marquis de Beauharnois
Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vaudreuil-Cavagnial
Alerting Fort Albany to war with France, Hudson's Bay Company orders readying of men and arms and getting "Trading Indians" to patrol daily[4]
Louisbourg francophone man obtains Council warrant to capture chief and other "Chickinakady Indians" he says murdered crew of British ship[5]
Council meets with Saint John River Indigenous leaders who have heard rumours of British-French war and seek (and get) assurances of peace[6]
Duvivier's force of 900 regular troops and militia from Île-Royale takes Canso from its 80-man garrison on May 13 and burns settlement[7]
"Breaking the French measures;[...]timely Succours receiv'd [and] our French refusing to take up arms against us" halts Annapolis attack[8]
Nova Scotia Council reports that in June and August attacks, local Acadians helped enemy "while we were entirely Deserted by them"[9]
Word from Île-Royale is that 23 British fishing and commercial ships have been taken by large schooner and five other French privateers[10]
New York governor George Clinton tells Assembly he has increased defences (including Six Nations scouts) at Oswego, Saratoga and Albany[11]
In July and August, Boston privateer takes French ships on "great banks," plus other French fishers on northeast coast of Newfoundland[12]
Privateer brings in to Boston three French ships, including one carrying to Canada wine, brandy, iron and dry goods worth £8-9,000[13]
Under flag of truce, three vessels arrive at Boston from Île-Royale with 350 British prisoners taken from Canso and "sundry Vessels, &c."[14]
French abhor inhumanity of privateers who took New York ship by firing after it surrendered, including one "chew'd" musket ball[15]
New Hampshire privateer with Île-Royale prizes is attacked by "Indians on Cape Sables," and later by canoes (driven off by swivel guns)[16]
Report of arrival of 70-gun and three other French warships plus 18 armed merchant ships at Île-Royale with arms for Quebec-built warship[17]
Duvivier orders Minas Acadians to supply horses, handlers and gunpowder, and to pledge loyalty to French king (Note: "savages" used)[18]
Nova Scotia commander Mascarene reports skirmish and tactical issues (including Indigenous fighters' "sculking way of fighting")[19]
Acadians ask French not to take their meagre harvest and to withdraw, citing "mild" government they live under (Note: "savages" used)[20]
In October, captured French privateer's crew is found to include "Irish Roman-catholick soldiers formerly of" Canso regiment[21]
Nova Scotia Council allows commandeering of vessel and equipment to counter "great body of Indians" threatening from Minas and Chignecto[22]
Massachusetts declares war on French-allied Indigenous peoples in November, and sets bounties for scalps of men, women and children[23]
Mascarene says loyal as well as disloyal Acadians "must unavoidably share in the trouble that military people generally bring with them"[24]
Mascarene praises daughter of former seigneur for her loyalty, but will not defend property of her disloyal family (Note: "savages" used)[25]
Council hears of Cobequid Acadians' loyalty and non-participation "in the last troubles " (except when forced to assist)[26]
Annapolis River Acadians told loyalty includes supplying non-combatant personnel, no matter their fear of Indigenous people's "resentment"[27]
Map: lands surrounding Gulf of St. Lawrence and lower St. Lawrence River[28]
Dominique Nafréchoux of Montreal signs deed of emancipation for his slave Dominique-François Mentor to take effect on his death[29]
Joseph Robson wonders what keeps Hudson's Bay Company from competing with French upriver, and then finds it hard going up Nelson River[30]
Minister to Kanien’kéhà:ka reports having to calm them after "our restless Enemies the French" spread rumour of British attack[31]
New Hampshire proclamation summons volunteers for expedition against Cape Breton Island (Île-Royale)[32]
Soldier's widow and step-mother of his children has to ask Council's permission to sell his property, as "none Other would Accept of that Office"[33]
"There is a satisfaction even, in giving way to Grief" - On duty in Belgium, young James Wolfe writes home about his soldier brother's death[34]