The English were not without blame since it must be admitted they had covetous eyes upon the rich farms of the Acadians and an opportunity to take possession of them would not be unwelcome.

[Illustration:  Map of Annapolis and Kings Counties.]

The strife that had so long been going on between France and England to determine which should rule in the New World was now at a critical point.  England’s power seemed to be trembling in the balance.  Her defeat meant great disaster to the Colonies.  Alarmed by Braddock’s failure, the Colonists determined something must be done to prevent the Acadians giving assistance to the French.  To send them to Canada would be to strengthen the enemy, while to transport them to any one of the Colonies would be equally unwise since they would there be a source of danger.  It was finally decided to scatter them among the different settlements.  An order was issued requiring all the males of Grand Pre and vicinity ten years old and upwards to assemble in the church to hear a Proclamation of the King.  Failure to attend would result in a forfeiture of all property of the individual.  On the appointed day the men gathered in the church and heard the Mandate directing that all their property, excepting household goods and money, should be forfeited to the Crown and they with their families should be transported to other lands.  They were held prisoners until the time of sailing, the women and the children gathering their belongings on the beach.  The expected transports failed to arrive on time and fear of trouble led the English to hurry their prisoners aboard the few ships in the harbor.  These were so crowded nearly all the goods had to be left behind, and in the haste of embarking many families, lovers and friends were parted, being carried aboard different ships bound for different ports.

On October 29th, 1755, the Acadians sailed away into exile, an “exile without an end, and without an example in story.”

There is a considerable difference of opinion as to whether such extreme measures were justified.  The English Colonists evidently felt that it was a necessary act, an act of self-preservation.  It is, perhaps, no worse than many of the horrors of war.  On the other hand the Acadians had, as a whole, committed no overt act of disloyalty, though a few of them had done so.  Should a whole community thus suffer for the wrong doing of a few?  This is certainly a difficult question.

Those interested in the subject should read an article by Parkman in “Harper’s Magazine” for November, 1884, where he justifies the action.  For the opposite view, see “Acadia” by Edouard Richards, vol.  I, chap.  IV.

The following quotations will be found of interest.  The first is from Edouard Richards; the second and third from two of contemporaries of the exiled Acadians, Moses de les Derniers and Brook Watson.