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NOVA SCOTIA DOCUMENTS. |
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Governor Wilmot* to Board of Trade.
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HALIFAX,
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NOVA SCOTIA,
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10th December, 1763.
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My LORDS, —
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Since my arrival here I have received Letters dated at London from a person named Jacques Robins, who calls himself a protestant, and mentions a considerable possession of Lands at Mirimichy in the River St. Lawrence, which he says he is to obtain from the King. I enclose copies of these Letters for your Lordships perusal; at the same time he transmitted Letters to the leading persons among the Acadians inviting them in the strongest terms from all quarters wherein dispersed to collect themselves at Mirimichy to settle on those Lands, of which for their encouragement he assures them of a very ample distribution, and a sufficient supply of provisions. He advises them to cultivate a perfect intercourse with all the Indians, and as the highest inducement he can offer, he assures them of the free exercise of their religion ; for which purpose they are to build a Chapel, and that he will do his utmost to bring with him a French Priest named Manach. This Man Manach has formerly been a Missionary from France amongst these people; and his furious Zeal in Religion and Politics became so turbulent and he althogether so negligent of any decorum, that the Government of this Province about two years ago, found it highly necessary to Arrest and send him to Europe in one of the King's Ships; but I find his zeal is not abated, for he has, in the most pressing manner, wrote to the leading Acadians, entreating them to use their supplications with the Government for his return, and promising to quit his habit and wear that of a layman, on condition of such a liberty.
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As these letters have come to my hands, I thought it my Duty to take this notice of them to your Lordships, and at the same time to submit to your Judgment the following Observations on any such project.
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That the people who are to form this Settlement are a very
* Montague Wilmot succeeded Mr. Belcher as Lieut. Governor in 1763, and was sworn in Governor-in-Chief May 31st, 1764, on the resignation of Mr. Ellis, who had been appointed but never assumed the government of the Province. Mr. Wilmot became Lieut. Colonel in the Army in April, 1755, and served for a short time under Governor Lawrence who sent him with a party of 400 men to Fort Cumberland in 1756. In 1758 he was in command of Warburton's Regiment of foot (the 45th). Governor Wilmot died at Halifax on 23rd May, 1766. N.S. Council Books; Army Lists.
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