Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

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

NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS.

Insinuations among the people as fast as they can be coyned. Among other things they are told that the promise made them of enjoying their Religion is but a Chimera, and what they must not depend on, for they will quickly be reduced to the same state with his Majesty's Popish Subjects in Ireland and their Priests deny'd them. I endeavour all I can to undeceive them, but scarce hope to find more credit with them than their Priests: if these prevaile, there will a great many fine possessions become vacant, I believe it would not be difficult to draw as many people almost from New England as would supply their room, if it Were not robbing a neighbouring Colony, without gaining much by the exchange, therefore hope there are schemes forming at home to settle this Country with Brittish Subjects in the Spring, before which time these Inhabitants do not think of moving, haveing the benefit of inlargement of time I granted until! I shall receive your farther Commands. What is to be apprehended in the resettling these farmes is disturbance from the Indians, who do not like to hear of the F'rench goeing off and will note want prompting to mischief.

This day I have received a letter from Cape Breton about this affair which I have the honour to lay before you. It may be necessary to explane to you that the Convention therein mentioned was an affair transacted by General Nicholson, who can give the best accot: thereof, and how far his Majesty stands obliged to make good at this time of day, what should have been executed seven yeares agoe according to that Treaty.

The wants of the presents which I have expected for the Indians, has made me delay speakeing with them hitherto, but finding it no longer adviseable to deferr that matter, upon information that the disaffected French are dayly practiseing to posess them with notions of some ill designes form'd by the Govermt. against them, have sent an Express over the Bay (where the most considerable of them keep) to assemble their Chiefs with whome I shall indeavour to settle a peaceable & friendly correspondence. But I am sorry to find that the french have so well made their advantage of our neglect of this Country, that their Goverment prevailes both among the Inhabitants and Natives. And the King's Authority (whch is confin'd within this ffort for want of meanes to extend & diffuse its influence over the several inhabited parts) is in a manner dispised & ridiculed. This I have the mortification to Experience almost every day, in many respects, particularly by letters that have fallen into my hands from some principal