Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

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

154

NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS.

their father, they have a favor to ask, having learnt by indirect means that several armed vessels were arrived from New England, and that they had pressed by violence several inhabitants of Annapolis Royal to go against the Indians nnd serve them as pilots, and hearing they were coming np the Bay to do the same, and to destroy all the inhabitants that had any Indian blood in them, and scalp them, that as there was a great number of Mulattoes amongst them, who had taken the Oath, and who were allied to the greatest families, it had caused a terrible alarm, which made many put themselves on their guard, being very much frightened, for which reason all the inhabitants being assembled of each district, had sent to him to submit themselves to his mercy, and to represent that in case they were obliged to make any Sorties or go against the Indians, that barbarous and inhuman nation would assassinate them every day, while they were at their work and separated from one another without being able to have any succour from the Government as it was so remote, which they had well foreseen when they reserved in taking the Oath of fidelity a dispensation from every thing that related to war; the favor therefore that they demand is to know whether the people of Boston have a right to force them, and expose them to such danger.

Another letter from Amand Bugand, inhabitant of Minas, giving an account of his voyage to Lewisburg, and being detained there and afterwards obliged to accompany the French in their expedition, acquainting him of the many threatenings which has hindered him from coming here as summoned to do, being afraid after such great menaces.

Another from Joseph Le Blanc alias Le Maigre informing him that he had done nothing against the King's interest since the beginning of the war but by pure force, hoping His Honor would not be suypris'd that he did not come (as summoned) to justify himself, as so many things were falsely imputed to him which made him afraid.

Another from Alexr. Bourg, containing many excuses for his negligence to act in his office.

The three inhabitnnts who were chosen by the three districts of the Grand Pre, Pizziquid and river Canard, to bring the letter above mentioned, were called in, His Honor thereupon signified to them his resolution to give the inhabitants his protection, provided they continued steadfast in the promises they had made not to do any thing against His Majesty's interest, and behaved like faithful subjects to His Majesty