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After what I have already said, I hope it will clearly appear to your Lordship, that we cannot form any intentions in respect of these people, only in consequence of his Majesty's pleasure; for it has always been the opinion of this Government, and is at this time, that the Settlement of them in this Province is inconsistent with the safety of it, which has been at different times set forth to His Majesty's Ministers, and the measure of transporting them into another Country, without immediate necessity, cannot I apprehend be undertaken without your Lordships directions.
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As to the degree of safety and of satisfaction to themselves, from settling them in ally other Province, than that of Canada, I believe, My Lord, that both would be considerably greater, provided that in respect of the former, they were not settled in any of the Neighbouring Colonies of New England; for I conceive, My Lord, that their vicinity to Nova Scotia would on all occasions strongly induce them to be active in disturbing the Province, from the facility of returning into it, and the hopes that their assistance might be successful, in regaining them the possession of it. Of the probability of this, there was a strong proof after their expulsion in the year 1755, when several of them, from so considerable a distance as South Carolina, and many from the intermediate Provinces, returned; and not only opposed but had the audacity to attack the King's Troops more than once. This My Lord, among many instances which might be given is I hope sufficient to shew of what they are capable; and that the further they are distant, the greater our safety. As to what might be most satisfactory to themselves, I do not believe that Canada would by any means be so, for some of them who went there in the late War, to assist the french, were not only treated with the utmost neglect, but also with contempt and dislike by the Canadians; and as Canada borders on this province, I don't apprehend that it would be either safe for us or satisfactory to them, that their settlement should be in that Country.
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