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Your Lordships well know, that they have always affected a neutrality, and as it has been generally imagined here, that the mildness of an English Government would by degrees have fixed them in our Interest, no violent measures have ever been taken with them. But I must observe to your Lordships, that this lenity has not had the least good effect; on the contrary, I believe they have at present laid aside all thoughts of taking the Oaths voluntarily, and great numbers of them are at present gone to Beausejour to work for the French, in order to dyke out the water at the settlement I informed your Lordships they were going to make on the North side of the Bay of Fundy, notwithstanding they were refused Passes which they applied for to go thither. And upon their complaining that they could get no employment with the English, they were acquainted that as many as would come to Halifax should be employed, tho', in reality I had no employment for them, but I proposed to order them to widen the Road to Chibenaccadie, as I very well knew if I could get them once here it would put off their journey to Beausejour, and would be no expence to the Government, as I was sure they would refuse the work for fear of disobliging the Indians. But as they did not come, I have, by the advice of the Council issued a Proclamation, ordering them to return forthwith to their Lands, as they should answer the contrary at their peril.
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They have not for a long time brought anything to our markets, but on the other hand have carried everything to the French and Indians whom they have always assisted with provisions, quarters, & intelligence, and indeed while they remain without taking the Oaths to His Majesty (which they never will do till they are forced) and have incendiary French Priests among them, there are no hopes of their amendment. As they possess the best and largest Tracts of Land in this Province, it cannot be settled with any effect while they remain in this situation, and tho' I would be very far from attempting such a step without your Lordships approbation, yet I cannot help being of opinion that it would be much better, if they refuse the Oaths, that they were away.
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