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To remedy this evil, and to prevent many other bad consequences to the province, we humbly apprehend the most effectual means will be speedily to remove these French prisoners, for the forgoing as well as the following reasons —
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1. From the extraordinary convention and insolence of the Indians this summer upon the coast, the threatenings of the French, and the intelligence they seem to have spread among them by French partizans, there is the highest reason to believe, that the designs of the enemy, could they have been carried into execution, were much more extensive than the invasion of Newfoundland with so small an armament.
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2. That such prisoners as could have escaped would undoubtedly have joined and taken arms with the enemy, in case they had appeared upon the coast, and attempted a descent; and that they still would do so on any future occasion.
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3. That these people seeing the English daily in possession and enjoyment of the lands forfeited, and formerly occupied by them, will for ever regret their loss; and consequently will lay hold of every favorable opportunity for regaining them, at any) even the most hazardous risk.
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4. That their religion, wherein they demonstrate the highest bigotry; and the early principles of policy which has been instilled into them by French Priests & emissaries Vizt. "that they are still Frenchmen and should pay obedience to the orders of their Grand Monarch," must constantly influence their conduct; and make them in their hearts, enemies to a British Government, however mild & beneficent.
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5. That being born & bred among the savages, and knowing their language, and strictly connected with many of them by intermarriages and ties of blood, as well as religion, they never fail to inculcate a sperite of dislike to English heretics, as they term it, and to paint them to those ignorant wretehes, in the most disadvantageous and horrid colors; and should a favorable opportunity offer, may easily prevail with them to break the peace, and to chace away the settlers from their habitations, to the great hurt and utter ruin of the province; and altho' we have possession of Canada and Cape Breton, yet there are numbers even of his Majesty's subjects, who from sordid views and an invincible avidity of gain, would be wicked enough to furnish them with as much amunition and provisions by stealth, for their peltry &c. as would be sufficient to do abundance of mischief; and this is what we have but too frequently and fatally experienced since the first settlement of Halifax.
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