sufffered from the French and Indians of Canada on that account, particularly ten years ago, when 500 French and Indians came to our settlements, intending to attack Annapolis Royal, which, had their intention succeeded, would have made them masters of all Nova Scotia, it being the only place of strength then in that Province, they earnestly solicited us to join with, and aid them therein ; but we, persisting in our resolutiont to abide true to our Oath of Fidelity, and absolutely refusing to give them any assistance, they gave over their intention, and returned to Canada.
And, about seven years past, at the settling of Halifax, a body of 150 Indians came amongst us, forced some of us from our habitations, and by threats and blows would have compelled us to assist them in waylaying and destroying the English, then employed in erecting forts in different parts of the country ; but, positively refusing, they left us, after having abused us and made great havoc of our cattle, etc., etc. I myself was six weeks before I wholly recovered of the blows received at that time.
Almost numberless are the instances which might be given of the abuses and losses we have undergone from the French Indians, on account of our steady adherence to our Oath of Fidelity ; and yet, notwithstanding our strict observance thereof, we have not been able to prevent the grievous calamity which is now come upon us, and which we apprehend to be in great measure owing to the unhappy situation and conduct of some of our people at Beausejour, at the bottom of the Bay of Fundy, where the French erected a Fort. Those of our people who were settled near it, after having had many of their settlements burnt by the French, being too far from Halifax and Annapolis Royal to expect needed assistance from the English, were obliged, as we believe, more through compulsion and fear than inclination, to join with and assist the French, as it appears from the articles of capitulation of Fort Beausejour, agreed on between Colonel Monckton and the French commander, at the delivery of the said Fort to the English, which is exactly in the following words :
« With regard to the Acadians, as they have been forced to take up arms on pain of death, they shall be pardoned for the part they have been taking. »
Notwithstanding this, as the conduct of these people had given just umbrage to the Government, and created suspicion to the prejudice of our whole community, we were summoned to appear before the Governor and Council at Halifax, where we were required to take the oath of allegiance without our former exemption, which we could not comply with, because, as the Government was then situated, we apprehended we should have been obliged to take up arms, but we offered to take the Oath of Fidelity, and gave the strongest assurances of continuing peaceable and faithful to His Britannic Majesty with that exception. This, in the situation of affairs, not being satisfactory, we were made prisoners ; and our estates, both real and personal, forfeited to the king. Vessels being provided, we were sometime after sent off with most of
