A HALF-CENTURY OF CONFLICT
BY FRANCIS PARKMAN
VOL. II

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 16
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 17
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 18
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 19
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 20
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 21
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 22
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 23
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 24
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.