Song: Deportation of the Acadians Journal Sept 10-11 1755
Viewed: 11 - Published at: 8 years ago
Artist: Ben Caplan
Year: 2021Viewed: 11 - Published at: 8 years ago
September 10th:
The whole of the French inhabitants were drawn together in one body, their young men as directed to the left. I then ordered the prisoners to march, but they all answered that they could not go without their fathers. I told them that was a word New England did not understand, for that the King's command was to me absolute and should be, on my part, absolutely obeyed. That I did not love harsh means, but the timе did not permit of parleying. Then I ordеred the whole troops to fix their bayonets and advance toward the French with the repeated order to march. The which they then did, though slowly, and they went singing and crying and praying, being met by the women and children all the way (the road is rough and a mile and a half long) with great lamentations and upon their knees. I began at once to embark these inhabitants who went so sorrowfully and unwillingly, the women in great distress carrying their children in their arms and others carrying their decrepit parents in their wains, and all their goods moving in dire confusion. It appeared indeed a matter of woe and distress. Thus proceeds a troublesome job, and little to my liking.
September 11th:
I shipped one thousand five hundred and ten Inhabitants from Grand-Pré on certain vessels to strange parts, where these French will needs find themselves houses. The brig Hannah, Captain Adams in command, will take her away to Philadelphia. The Industry and the Leopard, Goodwin and Church being their masters, are on their route to Maryland. I have started the Prosperous, the Mary, and the Sally and Molly to the region of Virginia. Winter will be coming on apace in this camp and the sea beats desolately against the shore.
The whole of the French inhabitants were drawn together in one body, their young men as directed to the left. I then ordered the prisoners to march, but they all answered that they could not go without their fathers. I told them that was a word New England did not understand, for that the King's command was to me absolute and should be, on my part, absolutely obeyed. That I did not love harsh means, but the timе did not permit of parleying. Then I ordеred the whole troops to fix their bayonets and advance toward the French with the repeated order to march. The which they then did, though slowly, and they went singing and crying and praying, being met by the women and children all the way (the road is rough and a mile and a half long) with great lamentations and upon their knees. I began at once to embark these inhabitants who went so sorrowfully and unwillingly, the women in great distress carrying their children in their arms and others carrying their decrepit parents in their wains, and all their goods moving in dire confusion. It appeared indeed a matter of woe and distress. Thus proceeds a troublesome job, and little to my liking.
September 11th:
I shipped one thousand five hundred and ten Inhabitants from Grand-Pré on certain vessels to strange parts, where these French will needs find themselves houses. The brig Hannah, Captain Adams in command, will take her away to Philadelphia. The Industry and the Leopard, Goodwin and Church being their masters, are on their route to Maryland. I have started the Prosperous, the Mary, and the Sally and Molly to the region of Virginia. Winter will be coming on apace in this camp and the sea beats desolately against the shore.
( Ben Caplan )
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