LANCASTER COUNTY. 303 



that most of us have been prevented by sickness from 

 procuring the necessary subsistence for our famiUes; and 

 therefore are threatened with that which we esteem the 

 greatest aggravation of all our suffering, even of having 

 our children forced from us and bound out to strangers, 

 and exposed to contagious chstempers unknown in our 

 native country. This, compared with the atiluence we 

 enjoyed, shows our condition to be extremely wretched. 

 We have already seen in the province of Pennsylvania, 

 two hundred and fifty of our people, perish through 

 miseries and various diseases." 



This memorial, says Halyburton, in his History of 

 Nova Scotia, had not the effect of procuring them 

 redress ; they were left to undergo their punishment in 

 exile, and to mingle with the population among whom 

 they were distributed. 



In this county, the citizens petitioned the Legislature 

 for the passage of an Act to disperse the inhabitants of 

 Nova Scotia, thrown upon them. An Act was passed 

 March 5, 1756, by which Ca.lvin Cooper, James Webb 

 and Samuel Le Fevre, were appointed to carry its 

 several provisions into execution. The Act empowered 

 and required them, or a majority of them, or their sur- 

 vivors, and enjoined it, that within twenty days after the 

 passage of the Act, to order and appoint the disposition 

 of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia imported and per- 

 mitted to be landed, in such manner and proportions as 

 to them appeared most equitable under certain limita- 

 tions, to have regard to such lands and plantations, or 

 other employment as they might procure for them 

 towards maintaining themselves and families, and there- 

 by easing the province of the heavy charge of support- 

 mg them.. The act further provided in these words : — 

 "^ And for tht more effectual settling and employing said 



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