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A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

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180 ACADIAN CONFLICTS. [1745-1747.frighten the Acadians <strong>in</strong>to do<strong>in</strong>g his bidd<strong>in</strong>g. Theworst charge aga<strong>in</strong>st him, that <strong>of</strong> excit<strong>in</strong>g the Indians<strong>of</strong> his<strong>of</strong>ficer,mission to murder Capta<strong>in</strong> Howe, an Englishhas not been proved; but it would not havebeen brought aga<strong>in</strong>st him by his own countiymen ifhischaracter <strong>and</strong> past conduct had ga<strong>in</strong>ed him theiresteem.The other Acadian priests were far from shar<strong>in</strong>gLe Loutre's violence; but their <strong>in</strong>fluence was alwaysdirected to alienat<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>habitants from theirallegiance to K<strong>in</strong>g George.Hence Shirley regardedthe conversion <strong>of</strong> the Acadians to Protestantism asa political measure <strong>of</strong> the first importance, <strong>and</strong> proposedthe establishment <strong>of</strong>schools <strong>in</strong> the prov<strong>in</strong>ce tothat end. Thus far his recommendations are perfectlylegitimate; but when he adds that rewardsought to be given to Acadians who renounce theirfaith, few will venture to defend him.Newcastle would troublehimself with none <strong>of</strong> hisschemes, <strong>and</strong> Acadia was left to drift with the tide,as before. " I shall f<strong>in</strong>ish my trouble<strong>in</strong>g your Graceupon the affairs <strong>of</strong> Nova Scotia with this letter,"writes the persever<strong>in</strong>g Shirley.And he proceeds toask, "as a proper Scheme for better secur<strong>in</strong>g theSubjection <strong>of</strong> the French <strong>in</strong>habitants <strong>and</strong> Indiansthere," that the governor <strong>and</strong> Council at Amiapolishave special authority <strong>and</strong> direction from the K<strong>in</strong>gto arrest <strong>and</strong> exam<strong>in</strong>e such Acadians as shall be"most obnoxious <strong>and</strong> dangerous to his Majesty'sGovernment;" <strong>and</strong> if found guilty <strong>of</strong> treasonable

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