The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1860-02-02
MiarelIansnua Rraaina.
step-p -paughter vs.. stem -Mother.


present IL enjoys, Of Nova Scotia, or New Scot
land, title much more appropriate than that OF
" Acadia" which to us means nothing At this
time the French Colony was slowly recovering
from the effects OF the Argall Expedition. that
eight years before had laid waste its fair posses
sions Among a number Of cmigrants from the
Loire aud Seine, two gentlemen of birth and ed.
ucation, La Tour by name, father and son, set
out to seek their fortunes in the New World. II
must be remembered that in the original patent
Of Acadia, given by Henry Nv to De Monts, free
dom of religious opinion was one Of the condi-
tons of the grant, and therefore, the fact. that
both the La Tours were Huguenots, did not pre-
vent them holding commissions under the French
crown, the father having in charge small feet
Of transports ready to sail from the harbor of
Brest; the son being the commander Of q fort
and garrison at Cape Sable, upon the western
end Of Acadia. 'T .s
AfIair' being in this condition; IL CHANGED TINT
the English and French ships set sai for the same
port ut about the same time; and it so happen
ed that Sir William Alexander's fleet, meeting
with the elder La Tours in fog, not only cap.
tured that gallant cheftain, but also his trans
ports, munitions Of war; stores artillery, &c. and
sailed back with the prizes to England 1 beg
you to observe, my dear reader, that occurrences
OF this Kind were common enough at this period,
even In times OF peace, and not considered pira-
cy either; the ocean was looked upon rs
mighty chessboard, and the game was won bv
those who could command the largest number Of
pieces. Clarde de la Tour, not as q prisoner Of
war, but us an enforced guest Of Sir William.
IN
goods, but treated like gentleman, introduced
al Court although deprived Of his purse and
liberty, and, in word, found himself surround
ed with the most hostile aud hospitaLle condi-
lions in life. 1t is not surprising. then, that,
with true French philosophy, he should have
made the best of it; gained the good will of the
Queen, played off n little 6adindye with the la,
dies OF the Court. and forgetting the late Lady
de la Tour, asleep in the old graveyard in the
city of Rochelle, essayed to wear his widower
weeds with that union of grace and sentiment
for which his countrymen are so celebrated -
The consequence was, one Of her Majesty maids
of honor fell in love with him the Queen en-,
couraged the match; the King had Just institut,
ed the new order Of knights Baronet, of Nova
Scotia La Tour, now in the way of good for
tune, was the first TO be honored with the new
atie, and, at the same time, placed the mat.
rimoniai ring upon the finger of the love-sick
maid OF honor. Indeed, Charles Etienne de Ia
Tour, commandant of the little fort at Cane Sa.
bie, had scarcely lost father, before he had
gained step mother. That the French widow.
er should have been SO captivated by these marks
of royal favor as TO lose his discretion, In the
fuliness or his gratitude and, that, after receiy
ing grant of land from his patron, as q further
incentive he should volunteer to assist in bring.
ing Acadia under the British Crown, as a prima.
ry step undertake to reduce the fort at cape
Sable; cay, that when state this nobody will
be surprised, except chosen few, who cherish
some od-fashioned notions, in these DAYS more TO
mantle than real. 1.-TWO ships Of war being placed
under his command" he set sail, with his guns
and a step mother, TO attack the Fort at Cane
Sable The latter was but poorly garrisoned
but then it contained daughter.in.lawl Under
such circumstances, 1t was plain to be seen that
the contest would be continued 10 The last ounce
OF powder. Opening the trenches before the
French fort and parading his Scotch troops in
the eyes Of his son, the elder La Tour attempted
70 capture the garrison by argument In vain
he "boasted Of the reception he bad met with
In England of his interest at court, and the hon.
or OF knightbood which had been conferred upop
him." In vain he represented "the advantages
that would result from submission" the benefit.
OF British patronage; and paraded before the
eyes OF the young commander the parchment
grant, the zeal, the royal autograph, and the
giittering title of Knight Baronet, which had in.
spired his Perfidy. His son, shocked and indig-
nant declined the proffered honors and emolu-
ments that were only to he gained by an act Of
treason j"and intimated HE intention I" to defend
the Fort with his life, sooner than deliver IL up
to the enemies Of his country The father used
the most earnest entreaties, the most touching
and parental arguments. Charles Etienne was
proof against these. The Baronet alluded TO the
large force under his command, and deplored the
necessity Of making an attack, in case his propo.
sitions were rejected. Charles Etienne only
doubled his sentinels, and stood more firmly en-
trenched upon his honor. Then the elder La
Tour ordered On assault For two days the
storm continued, sometimes the mother.in-law
led the Scotch solders 10 the breach, but Che
French soldiers, under the danghter-in law, drove
them back with sueh bitter fury that of the as
sailants 1t was hard to say which numbered
most, the living or tha dead. At last. La Tour
the elder abandoned the siege; and " ASHAMED
to appear in England, afraid to appear in France.
accepted the humilaiing alternative Of request.
ing an asylum from his son. Permission to reside
in the neighborhood was granted by Chafle,
Etiennc. The Scotch troops we're re.embarked
for England and The younger and elder Mrs de
la Tour smiled at each other grimly from the
plain and from the parapet Further than thii