Essay on Gods Wonder-Working Providence, Half title – Table of contents
Mr. Niles's ESSAY ON GOD's Wonder-working Providence for New-England, in the Reduction of Louisburg, &c.
A Brief and Plain ESSAY ON GOD's Wonder-working Providence FOR NEW-ENGLAND, In the Reduction of Louiſburg, and Fortreſſes thereto belonging on CAPE-BRETON. WITH A ſhort hint in the Beginning, on the French Taking & Plundering the People of CANSO, which led the ſeveral Governments to Unite and Purſue that Expedition. With the Names of the Leading Officers in the Army and the ſeveral Regiments to which they belonged.
By SAMƲEL NILES.
— Non Magis est quaerere, quam Tueri. —
If ye forſake the LORD, then he will turn and do you hurt, and Conſume you, after that he hath done you good,
Joſh. xxiv. 20.
The Victory that day, was turned into Mourning, unto all the People—
2 Sam: xix. 2.
N. LONDON, Printed and Sold by T. GREEN, 174…
The Introduction.
MY Pen, and Skill, fall exquiſitely ſhort,
To give the World, an adequate Report
Of what high Work was done, in wondrous wiſe,
By Providence, both on the Land, and Seas,
In this great Action, which I here relate,
'Gainst CAPE-BRETON, and of the Frenches fate.
In which ſage-Conſults, and each Motion prove
As by immediate Dictates, from above.
No inſtance like, Hiſtorians do relate,
Whether of Antient, or more Modern date.
What here is offer'd, in ſo mean a Dreſs,
Is not for you, whoſe Wits do far ſurpaſs:
Nor the Polite, of ſuch refined Tast,
'Ought but Poetick Strains, gives them diſgust.
But ſuch whoſe Candor, prompts them to Excuſe
Defects, in what's deſign'd for Common Uſe.
May theſe rude Lines, Excite and Stimulate,
Some better hand, this to Commemorate,
And hand it down to after Time, that may,
(As we ſhould do) GOD's Praiſes forth diſplay,
Who wrought for Us, Salvation did ordain;
But now behold! great Numbers he has Slain.
Which loudly Calls, to Lamentation ſore;
JEHOVAH's Name! and Sov'reignty …d…re.
AN INDEX.
The Introduction.
On the taking of Canſo by the French, pag. 1.
On the Motions of the ſeveral adjoining Governments in New-England ſoon after the Taking of Canſo, &c. ibid.
On Commiſſioning the Head Officers, and the Enliſtment of Men, pag. 3.
Some Hints on the Preparations made for Invading Louiſburg, pag. 6.
On ſhipping the Troops for Cape-Breton, pag. 7.
On the Forces from Connecticut, &c. pag. 9.
On the Forces when United under Sail, ibid.
On the Troops Landing at Cape-Breton, pag. 10
On the Siege laid against the City, pag. 11.
On Commodore Warren taking the Vigilant, and other Veſſels in the time of the Siege, pag. 14.
On the Modes of Devotion among the French, when thus diſtreſt & in great fear, pag. 15.
On the attempt made for the taking the Iſland Battery in Boats, pag. 16.
On the Stratagem of War in erecting a Battery at the Light-Houſe, & the Succeſs it had, p. 17.
On the Bravery ſhown to the Enemy by the principal Officers in the Army & Fleet, &c. pag. 18.
On the Surrender of Louiſburg and the whole Iſland of Cape-Breton to the Crown of G. Brit. 19.
The Names of the Leading Officers, pag. 22,—30.
A ſhort Remark on raiſing the advanced Bat. p. 31.
The Concluſion, pag. 33
A ſhort & very humble Addreſs to the Gov. &c. p. 34
On the Taking of CANSO by the French, and Plundering the People there, 1744.
POor Canſo! Thou haſt felt the force of Wars,
When all thy Buildings, whatſo'ere they were
Reduc'd to aſhes by devouring Flame,
Deſign'd to raiſe Renown and ſpread the Fame
Of thy near Nei'bours, & ſhew what they'd done
That dwellers were upon the Iſle-Breton.
Then leading Captive, the poor People thus
Spoil'd of their Subſtance, ſend them here to us
With Flags of Truce, repeated on our Coaſt,
In which with Pride, they vauntingly did Boaſt.
Triumphing in their Victim Trophies ſhow,
The fate of Arms from an inſulting Foe.