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PREFACE.
moderate size," and "that such publication be proceeded with without delay." This report was adopted by the house on the 15th March, 1865.
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In preparing this volume, I have selected, as the portions of our archives which possess the greatest historicalvalue: — the documents relating to the Acadian French inhabitants and their removal from Nova Scotia, — to the encroachments of the French authorities of Canada on the territories of Nova Scotia, — to the siege of Fort Beausejour in 1755, and the war on this continent, which terminated in the downfall of the French power in America, — the papers connected with the settlement of Halifax in 1749, and the first British colonization of the province, — and, lastly, the official correspondence preparatory to the establishment of a Representative Government, in the year 1758.
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The expulsion of the French Acadians from Nova Scotia is an important event in the history of British America, and has lately derived peculiar interest from the frequent reference made to it by modern writers. Although much has been written on the subject, yet, until lately, it has undergone little actual investigation, and in consequence, the necessity for their removal has not been clearly perceived, and the motives which led to its enforcement have been often misunderstood. I have, therefore, carefully selected all documents in possession of the government of this province that could in any way throw light on the history and conduct of the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia, from their first coming under British rule, until their final removal from the country.
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The expulsion of the French Acadians from Nova Scotia is an important event in the history of British America, and has lately derived peculiar interest from the frequent reference made to it by modern writers. Although much has been written on the subject, yet, until lately, it has undergone little actual investigation, and in consequence, the necessity for their removal has not been clearly perceived, and the motives which led to its enforcement have been often misunderstood. I have, therefore, carefully selected all documents in possession of the government of this province that could in any way throw light on the history and conduct of the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia, from their first coming under British rule, until their final removal from the country.
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I have appended a few biographical notes which may be found useful.
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There are yet many documents of value and interest among our archives worthy of publication.
T. B. A.
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January, 1869.
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