58 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
1 
other of our subjects. This was interpreted by the New Englanders 
to signify that the lands of the French would be given to those taking 
part in the expedition if they desired to settle upon them when their 
regiments were disbanded. 
In November, 1711, Governor Vetch wrote to the Lords of Trade 
and Plantations in praise of the resources of Nova Scotia, the fertility 
of its soil, the abundance of its minerals, marts and naval stores and the 
richness of its fisheries. ‘‘What I am now about to say,” he adds, 
“is in my humble opinion the most effectual and easy way to make 
this a populous and flourishing country. The first thing is that your 
Lordships would be pleased to advise Her Majesty (Queen Anne) to 
give, as an encouragement to all her Protestant subjects of Britain 
and Ireland who are willing to come over and settle in the country, 
free transportation, tools and twelve months’ subsistence, as she was 
pleased to do with the Palatines in New York.” He also requested 
that two clergymen should be sent who could speak French, hoping 
that they would be able to induce many of the Acadians to become 
Protestants. He was convinced that the situation of the garrison of 
Annapolis Royal would be more secure if four or five hundred Protest- 
ant families were settled near them. However, the home authorities 
would not commit themselves to any policy of development, and their 
instructions to the Governors of Nova Scotia were largely directed to- 
wards the keeping down of expenses. 
By the treaty of Utrecht, such of the Acadians as were not disposed 
to become British subjects were allowed to remove with their effects, 
within the space of one year, to any part of the French dominions. 
Those who chose to remain as subjects of Great Britain were guaranteed 
the free exercise of their religion, and were by Queen Anne’s permission 
to enjoy their lands and tenements without molestation. Those who 
did not choose to become British subjects were permitted to sell their 
property before removing elsewhere. 
A large number signified their intention of removing to Isle Royale 
(or Cape Breton). Governor Vetch asserts that they would not have 
offered to go “had they not been not only importuned but threatened 
by the French officers, in the French King’s name, to be treated as 
rebels if they did not remove.” Vetch was anxious to have them 
remain upon their lands, as he was apprehensive that the accession of a 
large number of inhabitants would make Isle Royale a very powerful 
French colony. He argued that one hundred French, natives of 
America, familiar with the woods, able to march on snowshoes and 

1 Collections of the Nova Scotia Hist. Soc., Vol. IV, p. 22. 
Nova Scotia Published Archives, p. 7. 
