Nova Scotia Archives

Acadian Heartland

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


ACADIAN FRENCH. 67


ercise of their religion, but even the enjoyment of their Estates and the rights and other immunities of his own free born subjects of Great Britain; and that for his part, while he had the honor to command, his endeavours should always be to maintain to them what His Majesty had so graciously vouchsafed to grant.
 
      Whereupon at the request of some of the inhabitants a French translation of the Oath required to be taken was read unto them.  
      Upon which, some of them desiring that a clause whereby they may not be obliged to carry arms might be inserted.  
      The Governor told them that they had no reason to fear any such thing as that, it being contrary to the laws of Great Britain, that a Roman Catholic should serve in the Army His Majesty having so many faithful Protestant subjects first to provide for, and that all that His Majesty required of them was to be faithful subjects not to join with any enemy, but for their own interest to discover all traitorous and evil designs, plots and conspiracies, any wise found against His Majesty's subjects and Government, and so peaceably and quietly to enjoy and improve their estates.  
      But they upon the motion made as aforesaid still refusing and desiring the same clause,  
      The Governor with the advice of the Council granted the same to be writ upon the margin of the French translation in order to get them over by degrees.  
      Whereupon they took and subscribed the same both in French and English. *  
      Then His Honor the Lieut. Governor of the Province desired the Deputies might acquaint such as were absent to come next Sunday or sooner, in order to be also qualified for the enjoyment of their estates and the privileges of British subjects and recommended to them the duty of submission and loyalty and their own interests in behaving themselves like good faithful subjects-they gave repeated promises, and having drank his Majesty's the Royal families and several other loyal health, the Governor bid them good night.



     
 
      At a Council held at the Honble. Lieut. Governor John Doucett's house in His Majesty's Garrison of Annapolis Royal on Tuesday the 11th of October 1726 P.M.


    * This has reference to the Inhabitants of the River Annapolis and that neighbourhood only.
 



Selections NSHS II ~ Brown NSHS III ~ Winslow NSHS IV ~ Winslow
               

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