Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

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


ACADIAN FRENCH. 179


every duty they owe their Sovereign; You are hereby ordered to seize and secure as many of the Inhabitants as you can, or in case they quit their houses upon your approach, you are to seize and secure as many of their Wives and Children as you think proper, and deliver them to the first English Fort you shall come to, to remain as Hostages of their better behaviour. You will likewise search their Houses, and the House of the Priest Le Loutre for papers, arms or amunition and Warlike Stores of any kind, which you will take or destroy; and for so doing and executing everything contained in these orders, this shall be to you and all others concerned, a sufficient warrant.
 
Given under my Hand & Seal at Halifax the 13th of January 1749.      
 
ED: CORNWALLIS.      
 

By His Excellency's Command.
 
      HUGH DAVIDSON.



     
 
      At a. Council held at the Governor's on Monday the 5th of March 1749-50.


then on the coast of Acadia, in the capture of several small vessels laden with supplies and provisions for the British forces. The same summer he devised a plan for laying siege to Annapolis Royal, and we find him conferring with De Ramezay and others on that subject.
   He held the office of Vicar General of Acadia, under the Bishop of Quebec, a copy of whose letter, remonstrating with him on his departure from his sacred functions, is still extant. By means of his office, he contrived to obtain all influence over Daudin, Germain, Manach, (or Miniac) and other priests, who became his agents in reducing the Acadians and Indians to the most abject submission; and even over the French Canadian commanders at Beausejour, River St. John, &c., he is said to have exercised a controlling influence. The support which he received in his evil practices from Vaudreuil and Galissoniere, Governors of Canada, enabled him to hold his position, and carry on his machinations, in disregard of his clerical superiors and the remonstrances of the British authorities; and he appears to have had the confidence and support of the latter nobleman, not only while Governor of Canada, but after his return to France. By means of the large sums of money which he frequently received from France for the support of his mission, he was enabled to construct an aboiteau at Cumberland, whereby a considerable tract of land was reclaimed from the sea. — Collections Hist. Soc., Quebec, vol. 1833; French Docs. relating to Acadia, N.S. Archives.
    On the establishment of the British Colony at Chebucto in 1749, he became a most active disturber of the new settlement, by intercepting dispatches, and encouraging Jean Baptiste Cope, the Indian Chief of Shubenacadie River, and his Micmacs, in their attacks upon stragglers and those who ventured beyond the limits of the fortifications to procure firewood. He was also the means of' capturing a number of prisoners, some of whom the Government at Halifax were compelled to ransom with large sums of money. — Governor Cornwallis's letter to Secretary of State.
    He formed the project of seducing the French inhabitants to leave the coun-
 



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