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ed such removal took place within 12 months; otherwise to remain the subjects of Great Britain. In 1720 General Philips was appointed Governor; and the inhabitants having remained beyond the limited time, were called on to take the oath of allegiance: many scrupled this, and declared they would not take arms against the French. It is said that many who at last took the oath of allegiance did it under a promise that provided they behaved peacebly, they should not be required to bear arms against the French, but of this assertion there is no proof-nor could any Governor assume to himself such a dispensing power: however from this, they were usually stiled French neutrals, and so called themselves. In the meantime they enjoyed the free exercises of their religion; they had priests in every district, and were suffered to govern themselves by their own usages and customs.
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In the French war of 1744 they joined the Indians in the .attacks made against the inhabitants and garrison of Annapolis Royal, and supplied the Indians with provisions: to this purpose they were instigated, in some measure, by the Governor and the Bishop of Quebec and their priests, who were indefatigable in poisoning their minds with disaffection and enmity to the English.
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When the settlement was made at Halifax, in 1749, before the people had erected their huts, they, with their priests, excited the Indians to disturb the progress making in building the town, .and twice within the space of two years the Indians, with one of the Acadians (named “Beau-Soleli”) at their head, attacked Dartmouth, and put many people to death. The town of Halifax was palisadoed to prevent their irruptions, and no person was in safety who ventured one mile from the town; and it was to prevent such incursions that a palisadoed block house was erected on the hill near this town, so called from thence; and, as a further security a line of palisadoes, with guard-houses, was extended to the head of the North-West Arm.
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From this time until the end of the year 1755 this country was kept in an uninterrupted state of war by the Acadians who, following the dictates of the Governors of Quebec and Cape Breton, to break up the English settlements, excited and assisted the Indians to cut off all communication between Halifax and the different parts of the Province; and in these days letters from the Governor at Halifax to the garrison at Windsor, and the reports of the officer
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