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the English. They deceive you. It is not the oath which a King aaministers to his subjects that makes them subjects. The oath supposes that they are so already. The oath is nothing but a very sacred bond of the fidelity of those who take it. It is only out of pity to your situation, and to your inexperience in the affairs of government, that we condescend to reason with you; otherwise, Gentlemen, the question would not be reasoning, but commanding and being obeyed. His Majesty himself, in his printed declaration, has guaranteed to you your possessions and your religion. Just think of what you are doing on your part. You talk a great deal of the services you have rendered to the government since my arrival in the province. What proofs have you given of your attachment and your zeal for your king.
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I should be delighted to be able to say to his majesty that you are acting as good subjects, and that you have done all in your power to assist this colony. If, instead of your frequent consultations — your messages to the French governors — your letters signed by a thousand persons, you had sent me a hundred of your inhabitants to work in the service of his majesty, you would have done much better, and would have found it very much to your advantage. Gentlemen, you have been for more than thirty-four years past, the subjects of the king of Great Britain, and you have had the full enjoyment of your possessions and your religion. Show now that you are grateful for these favors, and ready to serve your king when your services are required. On your return you will find a detachment of his Britannic majesty's troops at Mines. I have sent them for your protection. When I hear from them, I hope to hear that you have aided and assisted them as much as you could. I have ordered them to pay for everything in ready money, or in certificates which I shall cash immediately at sight.
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Manage to let me have here in ten days, fifty of your inhabitants whom I shall employ in assisting the poor to build their houses, to shelter them from the bad weather. They shall be paid in ready money, and fed on the king's provisions.
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Extract from a letter of Gov. Cornwallis to the Board of Trade, dated Chebucto, 11th Sept., 1749.
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* * * * The french deputies have been here with us this week; they came as they said with their final answer;
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