Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

Records of the Deportation and Le Grand Dérangement, 1714-1768

THE ACADIAN FRENCH.

155

another advantage of retreating under the protection of the French, at their fort at Chignecto, where they cannot be pursued without giving umbrage to the French, nor unless without danger of exposing any party should it be attempted, to be cut off to a man, the French inhabitants, and their neighborhood of Chignecto with the French troops, being always under arms to oppose any attempt that way, so that when they have done mischief they can always retreat there to a place of security. Nor can it be supposed they will be wearied out with such attempts, seeing their subsistence depends upon it, — being wholly supported by the French, and further encouraged by a provision for every scalp and prisoner. The province, therefore, must instead of increasing notwithstanding the constant importation of men decreased as suddenly, for as soon as they have expended the bounty of provisions, the people, for want of employ, to get something for their subsistence, will naturally take the first opportunity to abandon the colony, and embark for the neighboring colonies which abound with plenty of provision, have employment for many more hands than they have, and where they can earn their bread in peace and security.

The living in inclosed towns can give bread to no other than to manufacturers and tradesmen, and not to them unless there be a number of farmers to take their work off their hands, nor even to fishermen unless there be more of substance to employ them, which happens only where is a general trade to procure it.

It is well known as many having left it as have been imported this year, and many more would have done it had it not been for the bounty given for the improvement of lands in and about Halifax, on the peninsula, where they could work with some security — the Indians having never attempted to come so near so numerous a garrison, which has been a support to many laborers.

It is also well known that a wild country, abounding in woods, without any other difficulties to grapple with, can but be a miserable support to its possessors at first, and nothing but an invincible industry, after a number of years, will make their circumstances tolerable, this is a known truth, that among all the settlers there is not one who supports himself by farming, nor will they be able to do it till they can, by taking up those pieces of land which are easy to cultivate, and have advantage of some meadows or marshes, where they can raise hay for the support of a small stock; and no