[Raymond] THE FIRST GOVERNOR OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 435 



The Acadians, who were interfered with by the soldiers, did not 

 fail to represent their grievances to the government; witness the fol- 

 lowing memorial: — 



To His Excellency Governor Carleton, 



Captain General and Commander in Chief, &c, &c. 

 The memorial of the French Inhabitants, which have been deprived of 

 their Lands by the disbanded Troops, as also of Joseph Daigle and Paul Potier 

 now residing at Madawaska — Humbly Sheweth — 



That the Memorialists are reduced to a most deplorable condition with 

 their numerous Families for want of Provisions, some having been under the 

 Necessity of selling the few Cattle they had to prevent them from starving. 

 That Mr. Biddle 1 now Possess the Proportion of Land allowed by Govern- 

 ment to one of the Memorialists, by name Joseph Doucette, without making 

 him the least restitution for it. 



That Bona Roy, 2 another of said unfortunate Memorialists has been- 

 forcibly compelled to leave his House and received no consideration. 



That Memorialists thus circumstanced was under the Necessity of having 

 recourse to your Excellency for redress of their complicated Miseries and a 

 supply of Provisions. 



And Mem'sts will pray, &c. 

 Fredericktown, Feb. 22nd, 1786. 

 The Governor and Council held their meetings at this time in 

 Saint John, where the Governor then resided, and it was agreed to 

 send a copy of the memorial to Colonel Allen for investigation. The 

 Colonel, being on the ground, it was doubtless felt would be able to 

 do justice to all parties and the Council had every confidence in his 

 fairness and integrity. Of the x<\cadians mentioned in the memorial 

 Joseph Doucet had been on the river since 1763, Paul Portier since 

 1767 and Joseph Daigle since 1769. Daigle had carried express 

 messages for Major Studholme and was deemed a leading man in the 

 Madawaska settlement in its early days. 3 



1 John Biddle was a surveyor, at this time engaged in laying out lands for settle- 

 ment. He died in 1801 and his widow Sophia Biddle advertised for sale by public 

 auction his estate of 500 acres "situate in what is called The Lower French Village, 

 nine miles above Fredeiicton, forty acres of which is cleared Intervale of the first 

 quality, and fourteen acres of Upland cleared and under cultivation; a comfortable 

 house and good barn thereon." 



2 Benoit Roy was reported by Studholme's Exploration Committee in 1783 as 

 having been on his location two years, having a wife and 5 children and 4 acres 

 cleared. 



3 See the following letter to Joseph Daigle, a copy of which is to be found in the 

 records of the provincial government: 



Fredericton, 17 Septr., 1796. 

 Sir, — I am directed to inform you, and to request you will notify the Inhabitants 

 in your District thereof, that His Excellency the Lieut. Gov'r. has been pleased to 

 dismiss Mr. Thomas Costin from the office of a Justice of the Peace, and he is no 

 longer qualified to act in any case whatever as a magistrate in this Province. 

 I am Sir, Your most Obedient &c 



(Signed) JON. ODELL. 



