APPENDIX. xxxiii’

'ere against them. When the French had forfeited Louis- Iurg and possessed Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island "as their granary; and the French here, no doubt, aided nd abetted in all those hostile incursions and breaches of reaty which led to the expulsion of the Acadians from ova Scotia. Small blame to them for adhering to their Iwn flag and fighting for their own nation. But as they Iid so, they must accept the misfortunes and casualties of ‘Iar They lost their lands, as many other worthy people id before them. by adhering to the falling cause. In ., ova. Scotia and New Brunswick, though the French, who r»: re ever} where a. worthy and amiable people, now own ands and have thriving and populous settlements. it does Iot appear that any of the lands confiscated in 1758 were ver restored to them. However much, therefore, the .. ommissioners‘ might regret that it was so, it was quite pparenl that the French in Prince Edward Island must ollow the fortunes of those upon the Mainland.

The right of the Indians to the undisturbed possession If Lennox Island, and the hay lands that surround it, had- Iecn confirmed by the Commissioners.

Having run over, as briefly as I can, speaking from IIemory, the outlines of the Report, permit me to observe, nid Mr. Howe, that upon the public men of the Island it Iow depends whether any good shall result from the his mum of the Land Commission. If you. laying aside all Iersonal rivalries. party considerations, give legislative auction to this Report,l believe that these old vexed Iuestions will be adjusted and the rosperity of the Island ecuredt We have discharged ougduty. Do yours, and ll will be well. [do not mean to say that our Report is Ierfect. 1 am prepared for disappointment in many quar- ers where people have been taught to expect too much. Iut I am quite confident that when the award comes to be arefully read and pondered by the people, they will do us ustice. and that rational men will say that we have, under ll the circumstances presented, dealt fairly and justly by ll parties.

In the absence of my brother Commissioners, it may not Ie outof place for me to say that both these gentlemen Iischarged their very delicate duties with a degree of houghtful appreciation of the magnitude of the great in- erests committed to their care, and in a spirit so indepen- 'ent and yet so conciliatory, that they are entitled to your Iighest respect. Permit me also, in their names and my Iwn, to acknowledge the obligations which we are under 0 the people of this Island for the confidence, courtesy, nd kindness shewn to us on all occasions and in every