Colonial battles in Canada

«   In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht—which ended the War of the Spanish Succession—changed the North American political map.

England received Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, part of Acadia, and a protectorate over the Iroquois.

New France was limited to Canada, part of Acadia (Île Saint-Jean and Île Royale, today Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton Island, respectively), and Greater Louisiana.   Today's New Brunswick became a "disputed land" between the British and French, as England maintained under Section 12 of the Treaty of Utrecht that this territory was part of "Acadia, according to its former boundaries." Starting at that time, the British dealt with native populations in the conquered lands, especially in "English Acadia." Certain Amerindian alliances changed, but the French managed to retain the loyalty of the Micmac in a large portion of English Acadia—then Nova Scotia.   However, the British were suspicious of the good relations between Acadians and Amerindians.

Colonial authorities prohibited interaction between Acadians and the Micmac, and accused the Acadians of encouraging the Micmac to attack British colonists.

In addition, the British, who believed that their taking of Acadia gave them authority over the local natives, interpreted French-Indian treaties to their advantage.

But the natives had never ceded their land to the French and wanted to retain it under the English regime.   During the French-British conflict, France's Amerindian allies in the St.

Lawrence Valley, Great Lakes region, and Ohio Valley had previous agreements with the Grand Onontio ("father" in Huron), the governor of New France and "war chief" of the French.

Under these agreements, the natives were paid to transport goods and received a monthly payment for supplying troops with game.

But it was even more profitable for them to bring in scalps and capture English prisoners: They received up to 33 pounds for an "English scalp" and 120 to 140 pounds for an "English prisoner." A black man, for example, was worth 600 to 1,500 pounds since he was considered "permanent property." And for participating in organized raids in the southern British colonies, the natives were allowed to help themselves to the "spoils" of pillaged sites.. »