Section II., 1914 [415] Trans. R.S.C. 



The First Governor of New Brunswick and the Acadians of the River 

 Saint John. 



By Ven. Archdeacon Raymond, LL.D. 



(Read May 27, 1914). 



A recent American writer has said: "If we are to have history, 

 let's have history. If men would occupy place and power, let it be 

 known that the wrong, if wrong they do, will be found out, and the 

 knowledge thereof will be perpetuated to posterity for all time. In 

 American history we want the truth, not shadows, nor myths, nor 

 demigods, but real men, just as they were and not as fancy, or pride, 

 or even patriotism would have them." 



This observation will apply with equal force to Canadian history, 

 and it is in this spirit that we are now to consider the attitude of 

 Governor Carleton and his advisers in their dealings with the Acadians 

 who were domiciled on the banks of the River Saint John when the 

 U. E. Loyalists came to the country in 1783. It will be found that 

 the chief actors in this chapter of early provincial history emerge from 

 the scrutiny with little if any injury to their reputation. 



Lord Bacon has said "History maketh men wise." But it does 

 not follow that every student of history adds to the world's knowledge, 

 for unfortunately we must add to the Baconian aphorism another 

 equally true, though not ascribed to Bacon Verulam — "We generally 

 find what we are looking for." 



Among the questions bound up with the history of the Atlantic 

 provinces none has given rise to greater controversy or to conclusions 

 more hopelessly divergent than that of the Acadian Expulsion. 



In a paper read before the Society a few years ago I ventured to 

 express the opinion that the conduct of all who were concerned in this 

 unfortunate and sad event, victims as well as those responsible for 

 the Expulsion, was quite natural under the existing circumstances. 1 

 The policy of the Marquis de la Galissonnière and of his successor 

 de la Jonquière was not in accord with the highest standard of ethics, 

 yet it was not an unnatural policy in those who were endeavoring, 

 under trying and perplexing conditions, to hold Acadia for the King 

 of France. The attitude of the French missionaries too was very- 

 natural under the conditions which prevailed. 



1 Transactions of the Royal Society, 1910, Section ii, pp. 76, 77. 



