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NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS. |
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[ COPY.]
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To the Inhabitants off This River & Menis.
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Notwithstanding the many favours, & Intentions of kindness, His most Gracious Majesty the King of Great Brittain &c has been pleas'd to order me to communicate to the french Inhabitants dwelling in this his Province of Nova Scotia and L'Accadie which on my part I have accordingly made publick, in a Proclamation bearing date April 19th 1720 0S, and have since used all methods possible which I have thought might be conducive particularly to the welfare and interests of the said Inhabitants, to which marks of kindness shewed them, they have hitherto answered with ingratitude, — especially in their late contempt and disobedience of what I required for their immediate and future good, as also in ye attempt (as I am inform'd) the Inhabitants of this River, have now taken in hand, of Cutting a communication through the Woods to Menis, who have sent likewise to demand of those Inhabitants to assist in cutting their part, without desireing my leave or so much as acquainting me with it, which rash and ill concerted proceedings gives me just reasons to believe, that they have very ill designes on foot, either to bring by the said communication a number of people to molest this his Majesty's Garrison, or otherwise to carry and drive their effects and cattle from hence, and form a general assembly at Menis or Chignecto, to stand in opposition and defiance to his Majesty and Govermt.
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I therefore do hereby positively Order and Command, all persons whatever to desist immediately, from any such undertakeing, which commands, if they should be so obstinate to disobey, I shall be obliged to look upon it, as an act of defyance to the King's authority, and take such methods as shall be most proper for the preservation of this his Majesty's Government and Province, and I do further forbid any person to quitt their Habitations clandestinely, & without my leave.
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Given under my hand at Annapolis royal 18 May 1720.
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RICHD. PHILIPPS.
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