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qui fut infligé à Wroth, dans cette même délibération du conseil d’Annapolis, du 13 novembre 1727, une décision bien plus extraordinaire encore : après avoir décidé que les actes souscrits par Wroth étaient nuls et sans effet, « il est résolu que néanmoins, comme les dits habitants ont signé ces actes, qu’ils ont proclamé Sa Majesté, et reconnu son titre et son autorité sur toute la province, ils sont bien devenus ses sujets, et qu’ils jouiront de tous les privilèges » (ce qui implique aussi sans doute toutes les obligations) « des autres sujets anglais[1]. »
- ↑ « At a Council held, etc, the 13th november 1727 : Ensign Wroth delivered into the Board the Journal and account of his proceeding etc. Then the Honble. Lt. Gov. Cosby moved that his instructions from Gov. Armstrong might be rcad, as also the Oaths taken by the inhabitants on the articles and concessions granted by him, winch being read, the Board after some debate voted that the said articles and concessions are unwarrantable and dishonorable to His Majesty’s Government and Authority, and consequently nul and void, and that the Lieut. Gov. of the Province be desired not to ratify and confirm the same. Then Mr. Wroth was called in, and asked how he came to grant such articles, answered that he had in every respect acted according to the best of his knowledge, and as he thought for the good of His Majesty’s Service… Resolved that the inhabitants of the places aforesaid, having signed and proclaimed His Majesty and thereby acknowledged his title and authority to and over this province, shall have the liberties and privileges of English subjects and that the trade to and from those parts be open until His Majesty’s pleasure therein shall be known… » — Nova Scotia Documents, p. 78-9.
Toute cette délibération est une pure chinoiserie : elle implique une évidente contradiction.
