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

1747.] THE ACADIANS THREATENED. 201he told them that their country had been reconqueredby the arms of the King of France, to whom he commandedthem to be faithful subjects, holding no intercoursewith the English under any pretence whatever,on pain of the severest punishment. "If," he concludes," we have withdrawn our soldiers from amongyou, it is for reasons known to us alone, and with aview to your advantage." ^Unfortunately for the effect of this message, Shirleyhad no sooner heard of the disaster at Grand Prdthan he sent a body of Massachusetts soldiers to reoccupythe place. ^ This they did in April. The Acadiansthus found themselves, as usual, between twodangers ;and unable to see which horn of the dilemmawas the worse, they tried to avoid both by conciliatingFrench and English alike, and assuring each oftheir devoted attachment.They sent a pathetic letterto Ramesay, telling him that their hearts were alwaysFrench, and begging him at the same time to rememberthat they were apoor, helpless people, burdenedwith large families, and in danger of expulsion andruin if they offended their masters, the English. ^1 Ramesai/ aux Deputes et Habitants des Mines, 31 Mars, 1747.At the end is written " A true copy, with the misspellings : signedW. Sliirley."2 Shirley to Newcastle, 24 August, 1747.3 "Ainsis Monsieur nous vous prions de regarder notre bonCoeur et en meme Temps notre Impuissance pauvre Peuple chargezla plus part de families nombreuse point de Recours sil faloisevacuer a quoy nous sommes menacez tous les jours qui nous tiendans uue Crainte perpetuelle en nous voyant a la proximitet denos maitre depuis un sy grand nombre daunes " (printed literatim).— Deputes des Mines a Ramesay, 24 Mai, 1747.