ECLAIECISSEMENTS SUR LA QUESTION ACADIENNE 69 



take up arms, it will require the whole force in the Colony to subdue them, & take ujj a considei-able 

 time to reduce them : ' It is difficult to conjecture how this may be effected... '^ 



Tnrs MODE If strong- detachments were placed in the Villages of Minas, Pizaq'' & Canard, at a 

 ADOPTED^ certain day they might be all summoned to attend, and then seize on all those that 

 attend ; or whether to invest their Churches on a Sunday to be agreed on & to seize on all present ; 

 or whether to invest their Villages in the night & seize them in bed ; their living in such scattering 

 situation will render this difficult ; a number of whale boats would be absolutely necessary if this 

 were concluded on to seize all those contiguous to the Bason, which would be best stationed at Minas, 

 as being near the centre of the settlements fi-om whence they may be sent out. 



In shoi't it is difficult to conjecture how it may be accomjjlished but the circumstances as they 

 arise will afford the best information of the most effectual methods of dealing with them. Happy 

 would it be if they in general come in of their '' accord ? 



Is it not possible to employ some person who can be confided in, & who has been among them, to 

 sound their present disposition & intention, & from thence to take measures accordingly ? ^ 



XXII 



Mode op desabmino the Acadians. "^ 



Dining the siege of Beausejour under the Command of General Monckton while many of the 

 Neutrals of the distant districts of Mines Canard Des Habitants Cobequid &c had taken up ai-ms for 

 annoying his Majesty's Troops on that Expedition — it was thought advisable to Draw the Teeth of all 

 the Neutrals in the Province by a seizure of their arms & amunition which in these Parts was 

 Effected with great secrecy & Expedition — by a Detachment of 100 men from His Majestys Out- 

 Garrison of Fort Edward-Pissiquid joined by another from Halifax consisting of 50 men — marched 

 from Fort Edward under the Command of Captain Alex' Murray the Commanding officer of Fort 

 Edward — reporting among the soldiers & men that they were going to Annapolis Eoyal and as going 

 thither marched about twenty five mile to a Bridge over w''' they were to cross and take another 

 course into Cornwallis — calculating their time so as to get there about sun sett — leaving at this 

 Bridge a Guard of men to prevent any of the Neutrals from passing or repassing & making all 

 Prisoners who came with Gun Shot — dividing into several Parties the Remainder of the Detachment 

 so as to proceed into Cornwallis by the several Eoads that Led to Each Village even to the Remotest 

 Part of those several Rivers where there was any settlements and as had been customary before lodged 

 the men in the French House but with this difference instead of the whole Party lodging in a Barn — 

 they separated and two or three men only in a house as tho they meant to lodge there that night 

 and by this method every house in all those settlements not only had two or three soldiei-s in it but 

 also every place where they forded the Eiver Centinels were j)lace to Stop & Seize all whom might 



' But ( Mot ajouté par le Dr Brown ). - & left to you (Mots ajoutés par le Dr Brown). 



^ Note en marue, du Dr Brown). * own (Mot ajouté par le Dr Brown). 



^ Halifax Sepf 1»' 1791. 



N. B. Tlie subject, it sliould seem, was referred by tlie Council to M'' Morris, as best acquainted with the 

 Country and the inliabitants. He wrote this report in consequence, little honourable to his heart, as it is replete 

 with unjustifiable stratagem, (cruel advice) and barbarous Counsel. His ideas are sound, but was he mild or 

 humane ? I found this paper amoung the Council files relating to the Acadian removal. From it I corrected a less 

 perfect copy put into my hands by his son, & from it got this transcript taken. (Note écrite de la main du Dr 

 Brown). 



'^ British Museum. — Dr A. Brown's MS. — Papers relating to Nova Scotia, 1749-1790. — Add. MSS., vol. 19073, 

 in-4o. fol. 121. 



En tête de ce manuscrit se trouve la note suivante de la main du Dr Brown : 



" I have the date of this from a Petition. It occurred about the middle of June. — Mode of desarming the 

 Acadians — Judge Deschamps present. One of the party s pretend a fishing frolic on the river. 



