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The following excerpts are what was being written about the Acadian/French Neutrals as they were either being deported of while in exile.
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EXTRACTS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE
These articles contain information being exchanged with Halifax leading to the Deportation of the Acadians and after. It is important to remember that at this time, Philadelphia was the center of government in the Colonies.
November 1, 1750
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, October 22.
By a Letter from Halifax we have Advice, that about a Fortnight ago, Capt. Rous in his Majesty's Sloop Albany, met with a Brigt. and a Schooner in the Bay of Fundy, the first of which he hail'd, to know who she was, and whiter bound, but not having a satisfactory Answer, he fired a Gun, upon which Monsieur hoisted French Colours, but returned no Answer: Then Capt. Rous fired a Shot across her Fore foot, which the Brig return'd with a Broad side, by which a Midshipman of Capt. Rous's was kill'd, and another wounded. Upon this a smart Engagement ensued, which continued about 3 Hours, when the Frenchman surrendered. Capt. Rous had two Men kill'd, and the French six, and several were wounded on both Sides. During the Engagement the French Schooner stood out to Sea, and escaped. They both came from Canada, and were bound to St. John's with Provisions and warlike Stores for a new French Settlement there. The Brig was a vessel of War, and serv'd as a Convoy to the Schooner. 'Tis said the Brig had commonly on board for some of the French Neutrals, as they are commonly (tho' improperly) called. Capt. Rous arrived at Halifax, a few Hours before the Vessel sail'd, by which we have this Intelligence.
Extract of Letter from a Gentleman, dated at Chinecto, Oct. 4.
"We have the most treacherous Enemy in the World to deal with: Since our being here we have had a great many Conferences by Flaggs of Truce, with both the French and Indians: Captain How was the Person who always went, as he understood their Language best, and sometimes he convers'd with them above an Hour; and there generally went with him Ten or Twenty Officers near the Place where they held their Conferences: ---But this Day, even within his fatal Hour, he went to answer their Flagg with only the Drum who carries our Flagg, and had half an Hour's Conversation with a French Officer; during which time their Dykes were full of either French or Indians under Cover; and as soon as Capt. How had finished his Conversation with the rascally French Man, and turn'd his Back to go to the Fort, the Villians from behind the Dykes rose up and fired a Volley at him and the Drum; one Ball proved fatal to him, which I believe went thro' his Heart. -----As soon as we saw the Fire of the Enemy, we sent a Party down to the Marsh to bring him off; but tho' they effected that, 'twas too late to bring him alive: The Drum was not hurt.---The Villains as soon as they saw our Men approach, altho' they were on the other Side of the River, which we could not get over, and were entrench'd up to the Chin, yet they ran like so many Dogs, and now and then fir'd a Piece. ---What Behaviour is this? That even Flaggs of Truce (which have ever been sacred) should be cut off in the midst of a Parley, by the base Treachery of worse than savage Brutes! But poor Capt. How was a Person they have always been afraid of; and one whom they all knew very well, and that he was a most serviceable Man among us, and had almost the chief Management of Things in his own Hands; and his Death they have try'd to accomplish these several Days, which he had Information of; but was too too confident of the Honour of M. Le Corne, by which poor Man he lost his Life."
By a Letter from Portsmouth, in New Hampshire, we have the following Particulars by Capt. Foss, who was within 100 Yards of Capt. How during the whole Time of the Conference, viz. That Capt. How first receiv'd a Wound in the Thigh, upon which he fell, and by the Marks of his Body in the Mud, it appear'd he crawl'd 30 Yards, but they keeping a constant Fire, he was thereupon observ'd to stop, which when they perceiv'd they ceased firing. He was afterwards taken up, and it appear'd he had a Ball through his Heart. Thus fell that brave Officer. Two or three Days before, Capt. Robinson, who now commands the Fair Lady, sent his Mate with four Hands for Water, and as they were going ashore at Gallop's Creek, opposite the Dykes, was discover'd by the French, about 30 of whom came down to the Water side, and fired upon the Boat, kill'd one Man, wounded three, and the other seeing no Hopes of Mercy, row'd ashore to them; they carried him to the Dykes, and placed him that Night amongst a Number of Indians, who all falling asleep, he made his Escape, and swam over two narrow Creeks, and got to our Army; and he says that of the whole that took him, there appear'd to be but one Indian among them. Capt. Foss also informs, that our Army had almost compleated a fine Fort there: That the Beginning of the Month there were 200 of the French regular Troops come from Canada; that between 300 and 400 of the neutral Men had join'd them. That vast Quantities of Wheat, Potatoes, and Turnips are left behind by the Neutrals: That Capt. How offer'd L 300 Sterling to release the Captives among the French, among which is Mr. Winnier, but to no Purpose.
July 3, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, June 23.
We hear that the Forces raised in the Province of New
Hampshire, marched from thence to the Westward on Saturday
last, and not before.
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at St. John, in
Newfoundland,
By the last Ships from England, we are informed, that on
the 28th Day of April, 30 Sail of Men of War, of the Line,
sailed from Plymouth for the Coast of France; if so, we may
soon expect War to be declared."
Thursday last Capt. Homer arrived here in three Days from
Halifax, by whom we have Letters informing, that our Troops had
all been landed safe at Annapolis Royal, and on the first
instant sailed from thence for Chignecto. That a Flag of Truce
from Louisbourg had been at Halifax, for the Men taken in the
Schooner bound to St. John, as mentioned in this Paper some
Time since; the Master of which reported, that six French Men
of War had got to Louisbourg, one of which was a 64 Gun Ship.
That the French at Louisbourg were in great Distress for Want of
Provisions; and, that a Party of our Rangers had been at
Pisguit, and disarmed 3(300) or 400 of the French Neutrals, as they
are very improperly called.
July 24, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, July 14.
Extract of a Letter from Halifax, dated July 3, 1755.
That Governor Lawrence having sent for a Number of the
principal Neutrals (falsely so called) he informed them, that
they must all either take an Oath of Allegiance to his
Britanick Majesty, or be transported to France; and they
having desired Leave to return and consult their Friends and
Neighbours on this Important Affair, their Request was
granted, and on their Return they informed the Governor, that
they could not consent to take the Oath required of them.
That upon the Approach of Commodore Rous, with his three
Ships of War towards St. John, the French Garrison blew up
the Fort, spoiled the Cannon, and did what other Mischief they
could, and then marched off to old St. John, an abandoned
Fort a few Leagues further up the River; and that after Rous
was landed, 150 Indians came in, made their Submission, and
desired to put themselves under the Protection of the English,
on such Conditions as should be agreed upon between Governor
Lawrence and them, and in the mean time they left a Number of
their Chiefs in the Hands of the Commodore, as Security for
the faithful Performance of their Promises.
We hear, that a Letter from a Jesuit, directed to the
French Inhabitants of Nova Scotia, has been intercepted, and
in it he conjures them not to come to any Agreement with the
English, but to continue faithful Subjects to their lawful
Prince; assuring them, that the Man of War and Troops (then
expected) from France, were designed for their Protection, and
would soon recover the whole Province out of the Hands of the
English.
'Tis said the Flag of Truce lately sent to Louisbourg
with the Garrison of the Forts at Chinecto, &c. was returned,
and reported, that the People at Louisbourg were in great want
of Provisions; and that the St. JohnIndians had given the
same Account of their Wants at Quebeck.
By Letters from Halifax, we are told, that Governor Lawrence had caused a great Number of Cattle to be taken from
the French Inhabitants, an Hundred Head of which were arrived
at Halifax, and more expected: These were all fatted and
designed for the French Fleet on its Arrival.
By Letters from Annapolis Royal, of the 28th of July, we
learn, that the French People of that River, who fled to the
Woods when the rest of the Inhabitants were shipt off, are
daily skulking about in small Parties, and are more barbarous
than the Indians, having shot and scalped several of our Men.
A Party from the Garrison was lately sent out to lie in Ambush
for them; and the Lieutenant of the Man of War, with a Number
of Sailors and some of the Inhabitants, went up to Pre Ronde,
where they killed two Men, and took one Prisoner, who
conducted them to his Cabin, where they found his Wife and
three Daughters, whom they sent to the Garrison. Our Men
(taking the abovementioned Prisoner for their Guide) travelled
over the Mountains to the sea Shore opposite to Bolue
Johnson, where they destroyed several Canoes which the
French had drawn over the Mountains. They also took about 20
Bags of Bread, a great Quantity of Clothes, and some Powder
and Shot; and on their Return were attacked by a great Number
of the French, but luckily possessing themselves of a Point of
Wood, they sent two of their Men to swim across the River to
give Major Handfield, the commanding Officer of the Garrison,
an Account of their Situation; who immediately sent Boats with
Ammunition to them, and brought them all off, without having
one Man wounded, except the French Guide.
August 21, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
NEW YORK, August 11.
Tuesday last, his MajestySnow of War the Baltimore,
Captain Suckling, sailed from hence for Nova Scotia, in order
to join his Britannick Majesty Fleet, now cruizing off that
Place and Louisbourg.
We have Advice from Halifax, of the 24th of July last,
That one of the Transports sent from Fort Beausejour to
Louisburgh with the French Troops on board, had returned and
put into that Port, the Capt. of which reported, That the
French Garrison at Cape Breton was in great Distress for want
of Provisions and other Necessaries. It is therefore hoped,
that the excellent Laws passed by the several Legislatures on
the Continent, prohibiting the Exportation of Provisions to
that or any other the Dominions of the French King, or Places
at present in Possession of any of his Subjects, may continue
for several Months longer; it being not doubted but that we
shall thereby do as much with the Sword of Famine as with the
sword of Steel."
October 9, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
HALIFAX, in Nova Scotia, August 30.
Last Saturday Capt. Broom, of the Royal Train of
Artillery, with a Detachment from the Troops under the Command
of the Hon. Col. Monkton, arrived here from Pisguit, and has
brought with him three French Priests, and eight other
Frenchmen, Prisoners, who had been taken by our Troops since
the Surrender of the French Forts at Beausejour, &c. and we
hear they are now confined on board one of his MajestyShips
in this Harbour.
It is reported, that Admiral Holbourn has taken three
other French Vessels since the fourth already arrived here;
one of which being very old, and only in her Ballast, he sunk;
another, having the Small Pox on board, he put on board her
the Crew belonging to the other two, and sent them into
Louisbourg; the third he saw fit to detain.
It is also reported, that Admiral Holbourn has taken 40
Sail of the French Fishing Shallops, 39 of which he destroyed,
and having put all the Hands on board he sent her into
Louisbourg, with Directions to inform the Governor, that if he
wanted fresh Fish, he must send out his Men of War for them.
Remains still at Louisbourg, an Admiral with five Ships of
the Line, and a Frigate, besides a considerable Number of
other Vessels, who do not care to venture out.
We have now in our Harbour ten French Prizes, viz. Four
Ships, five Snows, and a Brigantine, besides the Lys and
Alcide, taken by the Hon. Vice Admiral Boscawen.
ITEM #18840
October 16, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, October 6.
By letters from the Camp before Fort Cumberland, in Nova
Scotia, of the 8th ult. we have Advice, That on the 27th of
August, Major Fry, with several Officers and 200 Men, embark
on board the Sloop York, Capt. Cobb, and the Schooner Warren,
Captain Adams; and the same Evening, landed at Chipoudie, a
Village about 8 Leagues up the River, having Instructions to
bring off all the Inhabitants and set Fire to the Houses.---
That upon their first landing they marched with an advance and
two flank Guards to the Village, but found all the Inhabitants
were fled except 25 Women and Children, who were taken
Prisoners. The next Morning they set Fire to the Buildings and
burnt down 18 Houses and Barns, with all the Hay, Grain, &c.
therein.--- After this they proceeded to the Mass house,
which, with what was therein, was burnt to Ashes; --- then
putting the Prisoners on board one of the Transports which lay
ready for that Purpose, they embarkagain, and the next
Morning two of the Officers with 62 Men, were ordered to
proceed to Pitcoudiack; and having landed within Sight of the
ArmVessels, they found the Houses entirely evacuated; and
by the first of September, they laid the Buildings in Ashes,
for fifteen Miles in Length on the northerly Side of the
River; and about 6 on the other Side; and when they came in
Sight of a Mass House, they discoverFoot Tracks lately
made, and soon after perceived a Smoak; the Mass House being
cloase to a thick Wood, they posted proper Guards, and as they
were preparing to fire the House, a Signal Gun was fired by
the Enemy;and before the Guards, and the few Men with them,
could repair to the main Body, they found themselves almost
surrounded by them; upon which they were obliged to rush thro'
them as well as they could, firing their pieces, and receiving
their Fire; and while thus retreating, the Indians gained
Ground, shot lieut. March, and took and wounded some others.
But a Serjeant with 6 Men coming from a Cops of Wood, stop
their Pursuit, so that the rest of our Men gainthe Dyke and
secured their Retreat. --- At this Time it was impossible for
Major Fry to come to their Assistance, on Account of the
Rapidity of the River, being driven by the Current 3 Quarters
of a Mile below the intended Landing Place; but landing thee
rest of his Men as soon as he possibly could, drew up the
whole Body, and made a Stand; upon which the Enemy likewise
drew up in a Body, besides the Dykes lined with Indians, and
parties scouting in the Woods, supposed to be upwards of 300,
but they were not inclined to engage our Forces in an open
Manner, th'with such a Number they might have done almost as
they pleased. --- At high Water the two armVessels got in
as near the Shore as they safely could, and covering each of
the Flanks, sent their Boats ashore, and took or Men and
carried them on board; the Vessels during the Embarkation,
fired their Cannon and kept the Rebels off.--- Several of the
Enemy were killed, but how many is uncertain. --- 253 Houses
and Barns, besides the Mass House have been burnt.
We hear from Salem and Marblehead, That some Fishermen
there from Halifax inform, That two of Admiral Boscawen
Fleet had taken a French Man of War of 74 Guns.
Our last Accounts from Halifax, broby Capt. Hall who
arrived here Yesterday in 9 Days, are --- That Capt. Rous had
taken 5 or 6 Prizes near Newfoundland, and a Dogger off
<< Louisbourg>> , with a considerable Sum of Money on Board, and
carried them into Halifax: That a 20 Gun Ship and a Snow, were
cruizing off << Louisbourg>> , to observe the Motions of the French:
And that the French Men of War in that Harbour had got out,
and were seen standing to the Eastward with all the Sail they
could croud.
November 20, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20.
Extract of a Letter from Bohemia, on Cecil County, Maryland,
November 10, 1755.
Some Vessels are in the River from Halifax with French
Neutrals, one of which came up to Town on Tuesday Night, but
is since ordered down again.
September 11, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, September 1.
Capt. Pote, who arrived here Yesterday in 13 Days from
Chignecto, advises, That as he came out he saw the Transports
from Halifax bound in, who were going to take off the French
Neutrals there; a Number of which were already taken, and
thought the Remainder would soon be.
December 18, 1755
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Extract of a Letter from Charles Town, in South Carolina,
dated November 25, 1755.
"Our Assembly has been sitting some Days, in order to
determine what to do with the Neutral French brought here; and
I believe we shall send them further. They are insolent
Rascals, talk in a high Strain, call themselves Subjects of the
French King, own they were Neutrals, and that they took up
Arms against us, but allege for Excuse, that Col. Monckton
used them ill. They say they will settle here, if we will
allow them such Privileges as they require, particularly the
publick Exercise of their Religion, with their Priests, &c.
and unless we agree to their terms, they choose to be
transported to some of the Territories of the French King:
They will not even upon any Terms take the Oaths of
Allegiance: By this we may judge, what a pernicious dangerous
Gang they were in Nova Scotia."
January 29, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
From the Publick Advertiser, November 11, 1755.
To the PRINTER, &c.
SIR,
THERE have lately appeared in the Publick News Papers two
very different Articles from Paris, on the same Subject. The
first offers as the Basis of a Negotiation to deliver up all
the Countries claimed by the English, demolish the French
Forts, and restore the Neutral Islands: This is somewhat to the
Purpose.
The second comes under great Restrictions. It indeed
proposes to evacuate and demolish the Forts at Crown Point,
Niagara, and the Fork of Ohio, also to quit Pretensions to
settle on this River, but not to evacuate the adjacent
Countries, much less to deliver up all which the English claim:
They likewise require, that we should not dispute with them St.
JohnRiver in Acadia, because they cannot do without it.
This Article is aid to be insisted on in a Piece
lately published by the Government Direction, relating to the
ancient Limits of Acadia, and the Stipulations in the TReaty of
Utrecht relative thereto, on which Occasion they would be glad
to know, what Arguments the English have to oppose to the
Reasons of their Court Writer?
But what signifies producing our Arguments; since the
Writer of the Paragraph, who may be the Court Writer himself,
at the same time tells us, it may be from the Manner
in which this Point is treated (in said State Pamphlet) that
whether their Ministry be in the Right or Wrong, they will
resque a War, rather than give it up; because Canada will be of
little Advantage to them, unless the Limits of Acadia be
settled to their Liking."
People who will have Things right or wrong, are not to be
satisfied, however convinced by Arguments; and therefore I
shall not give myself the Trouble to gratify their Curiosity:
However, to satisfy our Countrymen, that the River St. John
ought by no Means to be yielded to the French, I shall offer
the following Reasons.
1. Because the Limits of the Country are to be settled no
as they would like to have them settled, but as they have
agreed by the Utrecht and Aix la Chapelle Treaties they should
be settled, that it, to the Liking of the English.
2. Because, without that River, Nova Scotia would be of as
little Use to us, as they say Canada will be to them: And I
hope they do not think they have been such good Neighbours,
that we ought to hurt ourselves in any Respect to oblige them.
3. It would be no less Folly on our Side to give, than it
argues Effrontery on theirs to ask, the Possession of a River
which runs thro'the Hear of one Country.
4. Because the River St. John passing with a Sweep, from
the Borders of New England, thro'the Countries of Sagadahok and
Nova Scotia, the Giving it up would be giving up to them both
those Provinces.
5. Because, if possessed of this River, they would settle
and fortify it, gain all the Indians with their Fur Trade, and,
by their Help, become Masters of the Whole.
6. Because the Mouth of the River being directly opposite
to Port Royal, the Possession of it might enable them at any
Time to annoy that or any other of our Settlements in the Bay of
Fundi, and the neighbouring Coasts.
7. Because, from what has been said, it appears that the
three Forts, &c. which they offer, are by no Means an
Equivalent for a River, without which that Country will be of
no Use to them: And who would part with a River, the Keeping of
which will rid us of such unsufferable Neighbours, without
being at the Trouble to drive them out.
These are Reasons, methinks, more than sufficient to hinder
us from complying with their menacing Request. But, supposing
we had none of them, yet we ought not to do it; because after
endeavouring for so many Years past to trick us out of the
Province by Fraud and Force, they have now the Audacity, seeing
themselves likely to be disappointed, to threaten right or
wrong to get it from us. This is adding to Injury the highest
Insult, and ought to be resented by Britons with all their
Strength and Indignation. I am, Sir, your, &c. P.C.
February 5, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
NEW LONDON, January 22.
Yesterday Capt. Rockwell arrived here in a Ship from
Annapolis Royal in Nova Scotia, with 277 French, called
Neutrals, as did also Capt. Worcester in a Sloop with 173.
February 5, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
WILLIAMSBURG, December 26.
The Vessel on board of which the French Neutrals were, and
was apprehended to be lost, is arrived at York Town, having
lost her Mast at Sea, and being obliged to put into North
Carolina to refit; Part of them remain at York, Part are near
this City, and Part are sent to the Eastern Shore.
March 4, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Charles Town, in South Carolina, Feb. 5.
Two Parties of the French Neutrals have already attempted
to make their Escape from this Town, by traveling towards the
Northward, but have been retaken and brought back, one of
them, we hear, had gone as high as MonckCorner, but the
other no farther than Goose Creek Bridge.
Feb. 12. Tho'two Parties of Acadians, who attempted to
make their Escape from this Town, have been retaken and
brought back, we hear there are still thirty of the Men
missing. And we have just received an Account, that five or
six of them, on the third Instant, went to the Plantation of
Mr. John Williams, junior, at Santee, while he was from Home,
terrified his Wife very much, robbed the House of Fire Arms
and Clothes, and broke open a Box, out of which they took some
Money, &c. and that the Neighbourhood, having gone in Quest of
them as soon as they were informed of this Transaction, had
trackthem into the River Swamp. As it is apprehended to be
the Duty of every Civil and Military Officer throughout the
Province (as it is indeed of every Inhabitant) to prevent such
Outrages, &c. &c. hoped these Acadians will not be
suffered to commit any more Robberies, or even to appear
beyond the Limits prescribed them.
We hear that more French Captures have been carried into
Jamaica, and St. Kitts, since those we have lately mentioned.
By Letters from Antigua, we are informed, that on the 19th
ult. the Snow Edward, Capt. Cook, bound for Connecticut, with
260 Acadians (commonly called French Neutrals)on board, and
on the 22d the Brig Experiment, Capt. Stoddard, bound for New
York, with 200 more of those People, had put in there; having
then been out six Weeks from Nova Scotia, met with very bad
Weather, and beat off the Northern Coasts.
March 11, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, March 1.
Extract of a Letter from an officer at Fort Cumberland, in
Nova Scotia, dated February 6, 1756.
"Col. Scott having fitted out a Party of Men in the same
Dress of the Canadians and Indians, which Party Ensign Brewer
Commanded, being 30. They set out after a Snow fell towards
Memramcook, and had not gone far in that Road before he met
with three Acadians, who came to him imagining them to be one
of their own Parties, and would have taken six more
immediately, but by the Eagerness of the Serjeant who fired,
discovered the Wolf; therefore were obliged to return without
other Success. These Prisoners upon Examination acquainted
Col. Scott, That Monsieur Beauhebere, Mon. De ber Villee and
15 Regulars, with 18 Canadians, and about 300 Indians, with
their Families, to the Number of 1000, were assembled at
Shediac (opposite the Isle of St. John) to live upon the
Cattle of the Country. That Monsieur Beauhebere was preparing
to come with a Party to fall upon our People when getting
their Wood. Upon which Col. Scott proposed going to visit
Monsieur Beauhebere; and by a Council that he call, it was
greed to prepare 500 Men for this Undertaking: Whereupon all
the Taylors were employed in making Indian Stockings, cases
for their Firelocks, Mittens and Waistcoats, and the French
Prisoners in making Mogasons. When our Preparations were about
two Thirds compleated a Deserter came to us (a German who had
been one of the first at Halifax) who acquainted us of M.
Beauheberebeing marched with about 130 Indians, and that he
came with a Certainty of Success, as he had sent a Party 10
Days before to reconnoitre, who had it in their Power alone
(as they reported) to have kill50 of our Men; but their
Orders were no to discover themselves. The Deserter assured us
that he knew the very Place where M. Beauhebere would halt,
and that he would lead a Party directly up him in the Night.
This to us all was welcome News; and immediately
resolved upon to set out with 350 Men which Col. Scott himself
went to command. We began our March at 11 o'Clock, and thro'
as bad a Road as was ever march, being half Leg deep all the
Way in Snow Water: We got to the wishfor Place just before
Dawn, but to our great Mortification there were no Enemy
there; and by the Hurry and Eagerness of our Front, who first
came to the house where we imaginthey were, and fira
Platoon, which making an Alarm, we concluded it would be in
vain to seek further. We made Fires there and refreshed our
Men and in two Hours set out upon our Return; but we had
scarce quit the Woods with our Rear when they set up their
Yell, and gave us a Fire, which our brave New England Men
quickly return, and answered their Cry; and the whole facing
about pursued them into the Woods, but to little Purpose.
The Indians in their first Discharge kill poor Serjeant
Read, and another of Warburton, which were all that were
hurt; the Indians upon seeing them fall, endeavourto scalp
them; but the Rear which consisted of two New England
Officers, and about 15 of their Men, kept them off until more
came. Several of our People followed the Enemy into the Woods,
but it began to blow and snow extremely hard, and our Men
fatigued with the NightMarch, we call back our People and
return: Those that followed the Indians and French into the
Woods, assured us, that they found the Blood in two or three
Places of kill or wounded Men, and brought off with them 8
or 10 Pair of Snow Shoes, with a Pistol and other Trifles:
Upon our going off the second Time, they came and fired upon
our Rear (who killone Indian) without hurting a Man of
ours. This Deserter is a most knowing clever Fellow, he has
been a Sort of Prime Minister to the Priests Le Luther and
Pere Jermin, in their Indian Affairs, which he knows
thoroughly, and all the Country: He says, that the St. John
Indians now have the Small pox, having lost lately 15 by it,
that the Penobscots brought it amongst them, which Tribe is
now almost reduced to nothing, having lost 160 last Summer and
this Winter. The Peasants that remain in the Country are in
the greatest Misery, living in the Woods, and must soon
surrender or starve, if they cannot get off to the Island of
St. John, which is their Design, that being the Reason of
Mons. Beauhebere making Shedlack [Shediac] his Quarters on Account of
the Contiguousness of that River with St. John."
Last Friday came to this Town, from Virginia, the Hon.
Colonel Washington.
Another on March 11, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Charles Town, South Carolina, January 15.
Feb. 19. Since our last, we have learnt, that the Acadians
who lately robbed the House of Mr. John Williams at Santee,
tho'it was thought they would have laid their Bones in the
Swamp they had got into, have escaped from thence, and crossed
the River at Maxwell Bluff, on a Bark Log. We hear, that
People in the Country are determined that no more of them
shall escape that Way, or any other by Land; but it is
probable these may reach Fort du Quesne, or Canada (as we
hear, some have hinted they could easily find the Way) unless
intercepted in some of the neighbouring Colonies thro' which
they must pass.
March 25, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
WHEREAS the wife and seven children of Francis Tibaudau, nine
Children of Germain John Petre, and Anthony Landry and his
wife, the two first of Pisguit river, and the latter of the
Inhabitants river, have been sent to some of the king
colonies, and the said Francis Tibaudau, Germain John Petre,
and some of the children of the said Anthony Landry being in
the city of Philadelphia; This publick notice is given, that
if possible intelligence may be received by the abovementioned
late inhabitants of Nova Scotia, or by the commissioners
hereunder named, WILLIAM GRIFFITTS, JACOB DUCHEE, and THOMAS
SAY.
April 15, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
The SPEECH of the Honourable ROBERT DINWIDDIE, Esq; his
MajestyLieutenant Governor, and Commander in Chief, of the
Colony and Dominion of Virginia, to the General Assembly,
summoned to be held at the Capitol, in the City of
Williamsburg, on Thursday the Twenty fifth Day of March, 1756.
Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the
House of Burgesses,
The Monies disbursed from the last Vote of Assembly will
be laid before you by the Treasurer and Committee, when you see
proper to call for the Account.
I recommend to you the Arming of the Militia, and to have
their Arms of one Bore, which are not so at present; if they
should be called out on any Attack of the Enemy, great
Inconveniences may occur by having Guns of different Bores.
After you have seriously considered and determined on the
above Affairs recommended to you, I desire to engage your
Attention and Regard to a Number of People, upwards of Eleven
Hundred, who have lately been sent here from Nova Scotia, under
the Name of French Neutrals: Governor Lawrence acquaints me,
that his Majesty Council, assisted by Admirals Boscawen and
Mostyn, advised him, as the most for his MajestyService, to
divide these People among these different Colonies; I shall
cause to be laid before you Governor Lawrence Letter, and the
different Receipts for these People when landed.
By Advice of his Majesty Council they were received, and
have been supported until this Time, from the Two Shillings per
Hogshead Revenue; but, as that Fund is near exhausted, I must
recommend it to you to provide for the future Disposition of
these People, and to put them under such Regulations and
Restrictions as may keep them in a due Submission to our
Constitution, and from being burthensome to the different
Parishes, and probably they may become useful Members of this
Community.
May 27, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Charles Town, in South Carolina, May 1.
We hear that an Offer has been made to the Acadians here,
to supply them with Vessels, &c. at the Publick Charge, for
transporting themselves elsewhere, as they have frequently
solicited (or rather demanded;) but that having refused to
accept the Offer, because not exactly corresponding with their
own Humor, a Method has been fallen upon that will render it
less troublesome and less expensive.
Those that went from hence some Weeks since, stopt at
several of the Inlets (if not all) on our Sea Coast
(Northward) and at Winyah raised their Boats to proceed, with
the more Safety, farther.
May 7. This Day upwards of 80 Acadians went from hence in
Canoes, for the Northward: The Country Scout Boats accompany
them as far as Winyah.
Yesterday upwards of 50 more of those People went for
Virginia, in the Sloop Jacob, Capt. Noel.
July 1, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
NEW YORK, June 28.
We hear a great Number of the French Neutrals, some say
seven Boat Loads, who were permitted to leave Georgia and South
Carolina, are arrived and stopt in Monmouth county, somewhere
near Shrewsbury, in the Jerseys; and a Council is called at
Elizabeth Town about them.
October 28, 1756
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, October 18.
Captain Shippy, from Chignecto, for New York, touched at
Portsmouth last Thursday in three Days, and informed, that
there had been lately discovered a large Body of French and
Indians; upon which the English demolished Fort Lawrence, and
Fort Monkton, at Bay Vert, and repaired with all their Force
to Fort Cumberland; and that there was also a Talk of
demolishing the Fort at Pisguit.
March 29, 1759
The Pennsylvania Gazette
PHILADELPHIA, March 29.
Capt. Wright arrived here from Fyal, and
brought Advice, that the Ruby Transport, William Kelly,
Master, bound to St. Maloes, with 310 of the Inhabitants of
the Island of St. John [Ile St-Jean] on board, sprung a Leak in a Gale of Wind, and being in great Distress, the Captain made the best
of his Way for the Western Islands, and thought to have got to
Fyal; but the Wind shifting, they were obliged to stand for
the Island of Pico, where the Ship struck on the Rocks, and
soon went to Pieces, when 200 of the French perished. They had
no Advice at Fyal of Commodore Keppel putting into Madeira,
nor of his receiving any Damage at Sea.
April 19, 1759
The Pennsylvania Gazette
To the Printers of the PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE.
GENTLEMEN,
YOU will very much oblige some of your Reader, in giving a
Place in your Gazette to the inclosed Letter, wrote by the
Master of the Duke William Transport, which it is hoped may
have a Tendency to lessen, if not remove, the strong
prejudices which prevail in the Minds of many with respect to
those distressed People, known amongst us under the Name of
<< French Neutrals>> ; as they are in a great Measure the same Sort
of People with those mentioned in this Letter; many of the
Inhabitants of the Island of St. John having retired from Nova
Scotia, especially at the breaking up of their Settlement, to
that Island. And by Letters which our Neutrals lately received
from Liverpool, they have an Account, that several of their
Children and Relations perished on board the Duke William.
It must be acknowledged, that the imprudent and self
willed disposition which those unhappy People have repeatedly
shewn amongst us, has justly rendered them obnoxious to those
of this Province: Nevertheless, if, in a Spirit of Christian
Charity, we will take the Pains to look into their Case, and
fully consider it; especially the easy and plentiful Situation
they formerly lived in, and the Straits and Difficulties to
which they are now reduced, whereof the frequent Want of
Health, so as often to disqualify them from Labour, is not the
least; such will certainly be led to sympathise with them in
their Distress; especially when it is considered, that what
appears to us in them Imprudence and Self will, with respect
to binding out their Children, &c. arises chiefly from a Want
of Knowledge of Mankind, the Prejudices of Education, and
their inviolable Attachment to their religious Persuasion; out
of which they are taught to believe that there is not
Salvation. In other Respects they are, especially the Old and
Middle aged, generally a virtuous People; and that which
appears Obstinacy in them, arises rather from a Stedfastness
of Heart, which no worldly consideration will induce to
forsake what they apprehend to be Truth; a Principle, which,
tho'it requires Pity when, by the FOrce of Education, or
Prejudice, it is fixed on the wrong Object, yet as it is noble
in itself, so it strongly calls for Forbearance and Charity
from every considerate Mind: And indeed, the Patience and
Resignation to the Dispensations of Providence, which has
appeared, in the Close of Life, in most all the grown Persons,
who have died amongst us, is a plain Indication of their
Fortitude of Mind, and of that Divine Support which the
Almighty has favoured them with, in that most trying Hour.
I remain, &c. A. B. [A.B. was Antoine Benezet. He left France for Philadelphia and became a Quaker. He did a great deal to relieve the conditions of the Acadians exiled in Pennsylvania.]
Extract of a Letter from Capt. William Nicholls, of the
Duke William Transport, Pensanze, (a Market Town of Cornwall,
sit 8 Miles East of the Landend, and 65 m. S. W. of
Launceston) Dec. 16.
UNDER the greatest Affliction, I acquaint you. I have been
obliged to leave the Duke William, with 300 French inhabitants
on board, from the Island of St. John, North America, to
sink about 35 Leagues from the Landend, WEdnesday the 13th
inst. about 4 oin the afternoon, and believe she could
not keep above water till eight at night. We sailed from St.
Johnon the 5th of November, and on the 29th out ship sprung
a leak, and in a short time had five feet of water in the
hold, but having two spare pumps on board, and a great many
hands to bail, in about 24 hours gained on her, and kept her
in this situation about eight days. On the 9th, being more
moderate, hoisted out the boats, and soddered the ship, by
which means the leak stopped, so that we could keep her with
one pump continually going, having hove everything off the
decks, and out of the hold, we possibly could, to ease her,
but on Monday the 11th, the leak broke out again, and
notwithstanding the four pumps, and such a number of hands
bailing from every hatchway, they could not keep her, so that
by Wednesday morning about five oher hold was full of
water, and left off pumping, and hoisted out the boats with
great difficulty, that in case any ships came in sight, we
might save our lives: At nine in the morning we saw two ships
steering towards us, which gave us great hopes; we hoisted the
signal of distress, and fired a great many guns, but they
hoisted their ensigns, and kept away from us; we then cut away
our mainmast, to shew them ore perfectly our distress, but
they took no notice of us, going clear away. At eleven a Snow
passed by, viewing our unhappy situation, and hearing our guns
as plain as we could see their men on the decks, but he
behaved as the other had done before, by running away from us.
The French then gave over all hopes, and said, God had
forsaken them, and they were resigned to death. As in the term
of the Voyage under our misfortunes, they had behaved with the
greatest intrepidity, so in their last moments they behaved
with the greatest fortitude; for seeing our attempts were
frustrated, they came and embraced me saying, they were truly
sensible that I, with all my people, had done all in our power
to save the ship, and their lives, but as I could be of no
farther service to them, begged I would save my own life and
my men. Taking their priest with me, whom I put into the boat
before I went myself over the stern, there being so much sea
the boats could not lie along side her, after we were in, the
boats laid off the ship about half an hour, when their cries,
and waving us to be gone, almost broke our hearts. We then
left them about four oin the afternoon, being ourselves
in a most unhappy situation, being persons in number, upwards
of thirty leagues from the LandEnd by our reckoning, and
our whole provisions amounting to about eight or nine pounds
of bread, our provisions in the gun room being all expended,
and the hold full of water, our mainmast cut away, could get
nothing from thence. In this melancholy situation it pleased
God to conduct us safe to this place.
On Tuesday captain Sugget, in the Violet, with 500 French
on board, hoisted a signal of distress, his fore yard was gone
in the sling, and his mizen mast cut away; I spoke to him the
night before, he told me he could not keep her with his pumps,
so I am afraid he suffered likewise.
All I have to comfort myself under this misfortune is
being sensible I did all in my power to save the ship and
lives, which the poor unhappy sufferers were truly sensible
of, and which made them so willing to let us go; if they had
not, so great a superiority as 300 to 34, might easily have
hindered us.
December 31, 1761
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, December 14.
We hear from Nova Scotia, that some time last month, Capt.
Mackenzie, of Fort Cumberland, having armed two vessels at Bay
Vert, proceeded as far to the Northward as the Bay Chaleurs,
in order to break up a nest of French vermin on that coast,
who have done us so much mischief these two or three years
past, in intercepting our vessels bound to Halifax,
Louisbourg, and the river St. Lawrence, which he happily
effected; and having taken about 240 men, women and children
prisoners, brought them to Bay Vert, together with 8 or 10
small vessels, laden with their effects. All the other small
craft upon the coast he destroyed, so that there need be no
apprehension of any interruption in going up the river next
year, as all the ringleaders of the mischief hitherto done,
with their families, are now prisoners.
October 13, 1763
The Pennsylvania Gazette
BOSTON, September 26.
Extract of a Letter from a Merchant in Halifax, to his
Correspondent in Boston, dated Sept. 8, 1763.
"One of the neutral French was apprehended a few Days ago;
he came from France Via London, and arrived here in one of the
last Ships; he has been tampering with the Indians, and has,
in the Name of Duke d'Auvergne, given Assurances to the
French, that they shall be soon in Possession of their Estates
again: His Name is Beau Soleil."