On the whole Jeanne was not unhappy. She liked going to school at the convent. She thrived on and excelled at learning. She tolerated the religious lessons and etiquette classes well enough and would have enjoyed the crafts and sewing classes if not for the dreaded shawl. But she finished it, and before she left the convent Mère Saint-Joseph herself embroidered in one corner of the shawl the likeness of a small and beautiful Acadian bonnet. She embroidered her initials, MSJ, below. Jeanne would keep the shawl with her all her life, through all her travels and trials, as one of her most treasured possessions.
Joseph encouraged her to study. His own reading skills were skimpy. When he started to bring her documents and contracts to read for him, she saw the value of her schooling. When she complained that the convent had only religious books to read, Joseph went to Jacques Rolland’s boutique and bought a selection for her from the bibliothèque bleu series. These were booklets in soft blue covers, with folk tales, contes de mère l’oye and fantastical stories of myths and legends, as well as some pastorelles, stories in verse on pastoral themes. Jeanne was ecstatic.
—
While the first ships to arrive at Louisbourg in the spring were the most important source for direct news, the officers at the garrison seemed to know best what the consequences of such news might be. There were other sources, such as the many taverns in Louisbourg, where military men, merchants and sailors spent their idle hours. Some taverns catered to the ordinary people and others had a higher class of clients. Even the many boutiques, where imported luxury fabrics and fashionable accessories were sold, were good places to pick up gossip and rumour.
Monsieur de la Tour was well placed to take advantage of all these sources of information, and many discussions took place in the de la Tour home. Jeanne did her best to listen in, even if she did not always understand. Whenever Joseph caught her with a frown on her face, he would rub his finger on the crease and say, “Jeanne, what did I tell you about not worrying?” He kept his promise to keep her informed, although she sometimes wondered if he told her everything.
—
In the spring of 1742, the Colony learned that France and England were once again at war, each allied with opposing sides in a European conflict over who would succeed to the throne of the Hapsburg dynasty. The question on everyone’s mind was whether this would lead to direct conflict between the two old enemies, which would almost certainly mean war in the colonies.
Early that summer, the de la Tours and Joseph and his family again visited Grand-Pré, and stayed for a month. The mood during this visit seemed more sombre than the last time. Again there were discussions around the supper table, but Jeanne was not always allowed to listen in. On this matter, Joseph was very stern with her. “I will tell you what is going on, Jeanne,” he said. “I promise.”
Jeanne realized later that they must have been making plans in case the rumours of war became true. When they returned to Louisbourg, Angélique chose to stay behind in peaceful Grand-Pré with their elder brother Charles and his family.
—
An atmosphere of tension and unease still hung over Louisbourg. Rumours of war persisted, and the possibility of new hostilities kept many fishermen from risking a trip across the ocean, which only worsened the situation. Spring food shortages were a normal part of life here because of Louisbourg’s dependence on imported foods. Normally the hundreds of Basque fishing vessels would bring extra food supplies with them on their first voyage of the season, but the sharp decrease in traffic meant an accompanying decrease in much-needed food supplies. Of course it was the poor who suffered the most. Many faced starvation in the spring of 1743 and again in 1744.
Furthermore, the summer of 1743 was one of the worst seasons for the fishermen of Île Royale. There was a sense of gloom as the Feast of Saint-Michel approached in the fall. This celebration coincided with the end of the fishing season and it was the day when cod stocks were measured and compared with the fishermen’s debts. In fact, the day had become the deadline for all kinds of accounts, not just for that of the fishermen. The feast marked an end to another difficult year in Louisbourg.
That same year also brought the sad news of Angélique’s death in Grand-Pré. Joseph had the task of telling the family when he returned from his first voyage there in the spring. She had caught a fever that could not be treated and died in her brother Charles’s home after only a brief illness. She was eighteen. It was a shock to all the family and Jeanne felt especially sad, because she thought she might have been unkind to Angélique.
When Joseph and Marguerite’s second daughter was born a few months later, they named her Anne Angélique.
Chapter 7
Bad news arrived on May 3, 1744, on board a ship from Saint-Malo that carried the official dispatches of the Ministre de la Marine. A letter signed by le Ministre, the Comte de Maurepas, announced that France had declared war on Britain. It was not a surprise, but it was not welcome news. This would be the first time that Louisbourg would be caught in the crossfire.
It was difficult enough governing the colony of Île Royale during peaceful years. The declaration of war could make things intolerable, though some junior officers at the garrison no doubt looked forward to the opportunities that war would bring, and some merchants looked forward to making extra profits outfitting privateers. For the poor who were dependent on the fishery, however, war meant reduced catches and the danger of being captured at sea by enemy ships.
The officials at the garrison were faced with many difficult decisions – the most urgent was the food shortage. They organized a successful raid against the small British fort at Canceau at the eastern tip of mainland Nova Scotia. The fort was looted and destroyed, several British vessels taken, and more than 100 men taken prisoner. This bold move robbed the British of their shore base and freed the sea-lanes for vessels bringing supplies to Île Royale. And it gave the inhabitants of Louisbourg a victory to celebrate.
The next step was to arrange for French privateers to attack British commerce in the vicinity of Île Royale. In times of war, privateering provided ships and manpower for the king, and was a lucrative, if dangerous, occupation for its practitioners. They were authorized to capture and loot enemy vessels, whether military, commercial or fishery, and to take their crews as prisoners. Later they would be asked to give an accounting of their activities to the authorities and to forfeit a portion of their loot to the king.
In the month of June, French privateers still had the element of surprise on their side, as news of the declaration of war was slow to arrive among the British colonies. By the end of the month, about a dozen British ships and their cargoes had been captured and many others driven away from the nearby waters. The confiscated cargoes brought desperately needed supplies.
By mid-summer, the French privateers faced the prospect of conducting their raids farther south in the busier shipping lanes to and from Boston. There was potential for greater profits, but a greater potential for danger. At the same time, a schooner was hired to serve as a coast guard vessel to patrol the waters around Louisbourg to protect their fishing interests. The officials at the garrison also sent supplies to Port Toulouse and Port Dauphin, and nurtured their alliance with the Mi’kmaq.
—
The young colonial lieutenant in charge of Canceau at the time was one Jean-Baptiste Bradstreet – John, as he became known. He was taken prisoner, but because he was an officer, was related to the de la Tour family and had connections at Louisbourg, he was free to roam the fortress.
Chapter 8
The coming and going of the many ships and boats that anchored at the port the summer of 1744 brought an element of excitement to the inhabitants of Louisbourg. The vessels visiting the port had always been the source for news, but the war now created greater urgency for their reports. The most sought-after news concerned the activities of the Louisbourg privateers and the movements of the enemy. Of course, rumours
abounded, and it was part of the game to try to separate rumour from fact.
—
Conversation in Jeanne’s home reflected the tensions fuelled by war. Monsieur de la Tour argued bitterly that decisions would be made on the other side of the ocean by two governing bodies that saw Île Royale as only a bargaining tool in their larger plans, with no thought for the livelihood of the people who lived and worked here. Joseph believed that the Acadians and the French settlers on Île Royale should fight for their rights. Eventually even Jeanne got tired of hearing the same old arguments.
It seemed to her that Joseph at times looked envious when there were reports of successful raids carried out by the privateers. Monsieur de la Tour too seemed to relish stories of these successes. Jeanne heard Joseph mutter under his breath one day, “Well, why don’t you get one of your boats equipped and go out and try your luck?”
Joseph continued to carry freight and cattle from Île Saint-Jean and Nova Scotia to Louisbourg, with a token number of cattle from New France to fulfill the terms of his contract. One day when she was visiting Joseph’s home on rue Royalle, Jeanne asked him about all this.
“Well, Jeanne, it’s true that the privateers make big profits, but they take great risks too. I’m lucky to have the contracts that I have and I’m making good money. I don’t need to be involved in a war.”
Joseph’s wife, Marguerite, gave him an anxious look. “Please don’t even think of it,” she said. “There’s enough danger in what you’re doing now.” They both knew that Marguerite’s father, Joseph Leblanc dit Le Maigre, was very much involved in privateering.
Jeanne looked from one to the other. “What is going to happen, Joseph?”
“No one knows, Jeanne. No one knows. And no one wins when there is a war. No one. But a lot of people will take advantage of it.”
“If Louisbourg falls, will we still be Acadian, Joseph?”
“Jeanne,” Joseph smiled. “You have your stubborn face on again. Are you still worried about being Acadian? Remember what I told you? We will go back to Acadia.”
What Joseph did not tell her then and what she would learn only after the end of the war, was that he was in fact involved in the war effort. Because his shipping activities allowed him to move freely between Île Royale and Nova Scotia, and because of his contacts with Mi’kmaw scouts, he was able to supply military intelligence to the French.
—
Jeanne’s coming of age celebration that summer would be engraved in her memory as the first real turning point in her life. Many more would follow, forced on her by events beyond her control. She would live in the world of the fancy blue silk gown for a while longer, but not in the same carefree atmosphere as her sisters had.
Chapter 9
War stories circulated in the town. By the end of July, there were reports of many more British and New England privateers sailing closer to Île Royale, and the course of the war at sea was shifting. The arrival of privateers, with their prizes, prisoners and tales of high adventure, were eagerly awaited, but the early successes of the French privateers in June and July could not be maintained.
An exciting diversion occurred when six huge merchant ships owned by the Companie des Indes sailed into the harbour. The Companie had a monopoly over France’s trade with the Far East. The ships were on their way from India back to France, and they had been told to proceed to Louisbourg because of the war. The ships brought hundreds of sailors and an air of excitement with them, distracting the people of Louis-bourg from the worries of war for a brief moment. The event was discussed at length at the de la Tour home. But the worries of war remained.
In August, British privateers and warships were seen off the coast of Île Royale. They disrupted the French shipping lanes and in early August five French ships were captured.
—
The atmosphere at the de la Tour home was becoming more sombre. Joseph visited often and his discussions with Monsieur de la Tour sometimes became heated arguments. Monsieur de la Tour wanted the family to leave Île Royale in the fall before winter set in, but Joseph was very reluctant to go. They also could not agree on where to take refuge. Monsieur de la Tour wanted to go to Grand-Pré where they had family and property. Joseph preferred Île Saint-Jean, which was more convenient for his cabotage activities and closer to Île Royale should the war turn in their favour.
Monsieur de la Tour accused Joseph of being a dreamer if he believed that the war would turn in their favour. In turn Joseph thought de la Tour was the dreamer, if he thought they would find a safe and permanent refuge in Grand-Pré under British rule.
“If Louisbourg falls, then we lose the French colony and that means both Île Royale and Île Saint-Jean,” Joseph said. “Do you think the British will want to keep the Acadians around then? It’s only your generation that believes the Acadians can go on living here indefinitely.”
Monsieur de la Tour paused and seemed to be considering his next comments very seriously.
“Joseph, I’m as much an Acadian as you are, or Jeanne,” he said smiling at her, “but I think we are looking at simple survival here, unless we want to be deported to France when Louisbourg falls. And I think none of us wants this.”
Joseph grimaced and hung his head.
“I may be getting old,” Monsieur de la Tour continued, but we have to think of our families. We have plans to go to Grand-Pré and I believe that is our safest option now. Joseph, are you being influenced by your father-in-law? He seems to me to be a rash man. This is no time for that.”
The two men’s wives exchanged a worried look. Joseph’s wife said to him, “You know I love my Papa, but I trust Monsieur de la Tour’s judgement in this.”
In the end, Monsieur de la Tour’s views prevailed and the two families made plans to leave for Grand-Pré by the end of September. It was agreed that they would make their preparations quietly and not draw unnecessary attention to their departure.
One day Joseph found Jeanne trying to decide what to pack for their voyage, the familiar frown on her face. “Jeanne,” he asked, “what’s troubling you?”
“Oh, Joseph, should I bring my blue silk gown with me? I haven’t had much chance to wear it and I don’t know if I’ll be able to wear it over there.”
“I know,” he said, “and I’m sorry. Take it with you, but don’t pack it yet. You’ll be able to wear it for the feast day of Saint-Louis.”
But the feast day of Saint-Louis, on August 25, normally Louisbourg’s largest public celebration, was cut back that year. The huge bonfire and military salutes were cancelled. Jeanne wore her gown, but the festivities were very subdued, especially for the de la Tours and the Dugas, whose planned departure lay heavy on their hearts.
—
The officials at the garrison were very worried. The biggest problem was a serious food shortage, caused mainly by British ships intercepting French supply vessels off their coast. Louisbourg was facing a British blockade of its port and winter was approaching.
In September, two heavily armed French warships, the Ardent and the Caribou, arrived off the coast of Île Royale. They drove away enemy ships, and some Louisbourg privateers and warships regained access to British waters. However, Ardent and Caribou were to return to France before winter and there was no assurance that they would come back in the spring.
A few weeks before the families left Île Royale, Jeanne’s favourite nun, Mère Saint-Joseph, also sailed away. She had been the superior of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame since 1733. On the day of her departure, Joseph took Jeanne to the quay to say farewell to her. Jeanne told her that she would soon be leaving too and started to weep.
“Jeanne,” Mère Saint-Joseph told her, “you are strong and you must be brave too. I have faith in you and I will pray for you. Are you taking your beautiful shawl with you?”
“Yes, of course,” Jeanne smiled through her tears. “I’ll keep it
with me always.”
—
The de la Tour and Dugas families left for Grand-Pré in September. On the last day of November, following the worst year in the history of the cod fishery, fifty ships set sail from Louisbourg for France, leaving only a few vessels tied up in the harbour for the winter. Many men who would normally have spent the winter in the colony chose to leave with the ships because of the uncertainty over war.
Part 2
Flight to Grand-Pré
Chapter 10
After the settling of accounts on the Feast of Saint-Michel, the de la Tour and Dugas families left for Grand-Pré. Monsieur de la Tour and his household sailed on his schooner, the Cygne. Joseph Dugas and his family sailed on his schooner, the Marie-Josèphe.
They brought only clothes and personal items with them. Their removal to Grand-Pré had been discussed at length on their previous trips there and they knew they would be welcomed and taken in by family. Once again they were to dress “Acadian.” Maman had allowed Jeanne, Marie and Louise to bring only one French-style gown each, and a few mementoes. Marie and Louise brought souvenirs of their life in Louisbourg, invitations and favours from social events they had attended; the twins each brought their favourite doll. Jeanne brought her blue silk gown, the necklace and her portrait, as well as her embroidered shawl. She had also sneaked most of her bibliothèque bleu books into her bundle.
They were indeed welcomed with open arms. Their older brother Charles was especially glad to see them. “You don’t know the stories we hear about what’s going on in Louisbourg,” he said. “And Joseph, my brother, you’re here too. You’re here.”
“Yes, well, I am here à contre-gré, but very happy to see you for all that, Charles. I don’t know how our relatives here are going to cope with all of us.”
Jeanne Dugas of Acadia Page 4
