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NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS. |
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men to John Roberts'. Mr. Gorom came stealthily and at night, and carried off our pastor and our four deputies. He read his instructions, by which he is ordered to seize upon all the guns found in our houses, and consequently to reduce us to a condition similar to. that of the Irish. Mr. Gorom has returned to John Roberts'. He has pitched his camp there. and expects his brother with a hundred men.
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He is preparing to establish there a block-house and a small fort, in order to obstruct the roads and prevent the departure of the inhabitants. There is no doubt that the English, early in spring, will place vessels to guard the passage of the entrance. Thus we see ourselves on the very brink of ruin, exposed to be carried off, and transported to the English islands, and to lose our religion.
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Under these unhappy circumstances, we have recourse to your charity; and we earnestly ask you to assist us in getting out of the hands of the English, and in withdrawing ourselves to French territory, where we can enjoy the exercise of our religion. We ask you to strike a blow; and after we have driven Mr. Gorom from our parish, we will all go for our brothers at Pigiguitz, at Grand Pre, and at Port Royal,who will join us for the purpose of delivering themselves from the slavery with which they are threatened. We do not seek to make war. If the country belongs to the English, we will give it up to them; but as we are the masters of our own persons, we wish absolutely to leave it.
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It is your brothers who ask you for help; and we think that the charity, religion, and union that have always existed between us, will constrain you to come and rescue us.
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We are waiting for you: you know that the time is hurrying on; and we beg you to send us a prompt reply. This is what I have been requested to write to you, Gentlemen, in faith of which I have signed the present petition.
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J. L. LE LOUTRE,
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Missionary Priest.
His Majesty's Council. He held for many years the appointment of Lieut. Governor of the Military Post of Placentia in Newfoundland, having succeeded Capt. Otho Hamilton in that command about the year 1770. His seat in Council was declared vacant in June, 1772. It does not appear that he permanently resided at Placentia, as we find him despatched to Cumberland with his company of Rangers, on service, in 1776. Col. Gorham took a great interest in Indian affairs, and possessed much influence over the Chiefs of the Micmac Tribe. The service of the Church of England, in the Micmac language, was occasionally read to the Indians, at his house in Halifax, by the Rev. Thomas Wood of St. Paul's, during the year 1770. — N.S. Documents; N.S. Council Books; Reports S.P.G.; Army Lists.
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