MILITARY AND CIVIL. 19

free exercise of their religion according to the usage of the Church of Rome, and have all the advantages and privileges of British subjects.” Her Majesty Queen Anne died in August, 1714, and in January, 1715, Commissioners were sent to the various French Settlements by Governor Nicholson, to proclaim King George, and to tender and administer the oath of allegiance to the inhabitants, which they to a man refused to take. A year later the people of Minas notified the Govern- ment that they intended to remain in the country, but when tendered the oath of allegiance objected to it. In I717, and again in I720, declarations acknowledging George the First to be sole Monarch of Acadia—declaring him their Sovereign King—was laid before the people for their signatures, with no better result.

The inhabitants in 1713, at the time of the treaty of Utrecht were divided into three principal settlements, viz.: Port Royal, Minas and Chignecto. The clergy from that period to 1755, were, with scarcely an exception, agents of the French Govern- ment, and resolute opponents of English rule; they having a strong'moral influence, the Acadians were induced by them to Continue faithful to France. They were taught to believe that they might remain in concealed hostility to England and hold their lands and possessions as neutrals. Thus, year after year, did the Acadians hold themselves in readiness to take up arms in favor of France the moment war was declared between the two Crowns. They incited the Indians to acts of hostility against the British Settlements throughout the Province. But it was never contemplated that the Acadians should establish themselves in the country a colony of enemies of British power, ready at all times to obstruct the authority of Govern- ment. »

In 1749, therefore, Governor Cornwallis issued a declaration defining the rights and duties of the Acadian people, in hopes thereby to induce them to become for the future, true and loyal subjects, and continue in the peaceable possession of their lands; assuring them at the same time that all must take the oath of allegiance on or before the 26th October, or in default, forfeit all their possessions and rights in the Province. Two weeks later, ten deputies, representing the settlements of Annapolis, Grand Pre, River Canard, Piziquid and Shepody, arrived in Halifax, with an answer stating that “the inhabitants