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departure trom their lands, but that is not the concern of our profession. It was my opinion that we should neither say anything against the course pursued, nor anything to induce it. I reminded you a long time ago, that a priest ought not to meddle with temporal affairs, and that if he did so he would always create enemies and cause his people to be discontented.
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I am now persuaded that the general and all France will not approve of the return of the refugees to their lands, and the English government must endeavour to attract them. These refugees would do well to demand, 1st. The free exercise of their religion; and by no means to allow their priests to be placed in a position to be compelled to ask, as it were, a blessing from the governor. They should take care that the bishop shall have the power to visit them at least every five years. 2nd. That they shall neither take up arms against the French and their allies, nor even act as pilots. 3rd. That they shall have the right to leave the country whenever they think proper to do so. Exhort them strongly not to return to the English without these conditions; make it appear that without a precise explanation, religion would gradually disappear from among them.
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But is it right for you to refuse the sacraments, to threaten that they shall be deprived of the services of a priest, and that the savages shall treat them as enemies? I wish them conscientiously to abandon the lands they possessed under English rule; but is it well proved that they cannot conscientiously return to them, secluso perversionis periculo? I think this question too embarrassing to make it the subject of a charge; and I confess that I should have much trouble in deciding, even at the tribunal of penance.
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However, you have publicly decided that you wish me to pronounce upon it now.
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I did not explain myself to your deputies; I contented myself in representing to them the reasons they had for remaining with us, and in encouraging them to exact the conditions they ask for, as those of the treaty of Utrecht are not, sufficiently precise.
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Governor Lawrene to Captain Murray.
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(Letter Book.)
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HALIFAX 27th May 1755.
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SIR, —
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* * * * I woud have you use your utmost 16
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