36 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



i. The Outlawry of the Acadians. The attempt to transport the 

 Acadians in 1755 from their chief centres of population to the American 

 Colonies was effected with much expedition and efficiency, but it was not 

 a complete success. It did, indeed, practically obliterate the Acadian 

 population from the peninsula of Xova Scotia, but at Beauséjour and 

 vicinity, and as well at Memramcook, Shepody, and Petitcodiac, the 

 Acadians mostly escaped to the woods and the English had to be content 

 with the total destruction of all their buildings and crops. On the 

 St. John the Acadians appear not to have been disturbed at this time, 

 doubtless because of their small numbers and few and scattered settle- 

 ments. These numerous fugitives, now to the English no more than 

 outlaws, were soon joined by others who had escaped from their trans- 

 ports or had managed by some means to return from their southern 

 exile, and, while some of them removed to the other French possessions, 

 most of them attempted once more to settle in the present New Bruns- 

 wick, doubtless thinking that it at least would remain French, xlccord- 

 ingly they formed con.siclerabie settlements along the St. John (at 

 localities for the mosit part well known to us from Monckton's Journal 

 f;nd Map of 1758) and upon the Petitcodiac, (probably at Bahineau in 

 Coverdale and perhaps upon the sites of their former settlements).^ But 

 most of them retired to the îsTorth Shore, where, apparently, they settled 

 in small numbers at Shediac, Cocagne, Buctouche, Richihucto, and no 

 doubt elsewhere in the simaller harbours along the coast. Their principal 

 settlement, however, was on the Miramichi, where, at Beaubear's Island 

 and vicinity they formed a settlement (Boishéhert) protected by batteries 

 at French Fort Cove (and perhaps at the island itsielf), of over two 

 thousand people, and there were probably settlements at Bay du Vin, 

 Burnt Church, and perhaps also elsewhere about the bay. The Acadians 

 ai Beaul)ear's Island suffered greatly from famine, desfpite aid sent 

 them from the French Government at Quebec, so that in 1757 many 

 of them retired nearer to Canada, founding probably the town of Petit 

 Eoohelle and a village on the site of Campbelltoii. near the head of 

 navigation on the Eestigouche. They did not, however, remain inactive 

 in their new settlements, but, fitting up privateers, they attacked tlie 

 English vessels, and joined with the Indians in harassing the British 

 settlements. These proceedings were natural enough to them under 

 the circumstances, but they confirmed the British in their idea that 

 there could be no safety as long asi any Acadians remained in the Prov- 



^ It is possible also that at this time some of them settled at Passamaquodd.v, 

 forming small settlements now marked by the cellars, reputed French, at Hills 

 Point in Oak Bay. as well as at some points in Cobscook Bay. Possibly the 

 Battery, locally said to have stood on Sandy Point, was formed at this time as a 

 protection to the settlement al)ove. 



