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which they make to you proceed from the French governors, why do they not themselves appear in all that. It is true that they would be acting very badly to intermeddle at all with the affairs of this province, or with the subjects of his majesty settled here. If we do anything contrary to the treaties they have only to complain of it to the two courts. I represented some time ago to the king my master, all these intrigues of which I speak, and I do not doubt that you will see that the court of France will disavow them, and will issue an order on the subject for the future.
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We have good reason to complain of your having recourse to the counsels of the French governors their officers and missionaries. If you had grievances, it was to us and to the council that you should have applied for the remedy, and after us to his majesty himself.
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For once more my friends, you are the subjects of the king of Great Britain, and not of France. It is true that you refused to take the oath of allegiance to our king last autumn after the declaration which I published by the king’s command; I informed you then that neither your situation nor your duties as subjects were at all changed by that act. It was at that time that you were indebted to us for not having made you leave the country even during winter.
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But after having passed the winter in the province and commenced to prepare the lands in the spring, it is ridiculous to come and tell me that you will not sow having resolved to withdraw. My friends, you must go and sow your lands in order that they may be left in that condition in which they ought to be at this season. Without that you will have no right to expect the least favor fr'om the government. When you have done your duty in this respect, I will give you a more precise reply to your request.
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In the mean time as it is my determination to act always in good faith with you and not to flatter you with vain hopes, I will now let you know my sentiments on two important articles. I declare to you frankly that according to our laws nobody can possess lands or houses in the province, who shall refuse to take the oath of allegiance to his king when required to do so. As to those who shall leave the province, the order of no government permits them to take with them their effects. All their goods are confiscated to the king. I have just issued my orders to the effect that all shall be arrested and brought back who are found carrying off such effects.
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