The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-02-12
From the Union Magazine foT Feb. 1879.
1hc Subject of Wa. BsongfciiOU's New Poem
BY EVELINA r.


derived from the very foundation Of the mar
raiive--the simple dignity and earnestness
Of the characters, and the deep religious
tone Of the interest, that we are surprised
Mr.. Longfellow did not in note, or else
where, give his readers the historical fact
which inspired him with so exquisite an
ideal picture. There are many, doubtless,
who have never read the cruel story, and
such will be glad 10 see it in few words,
condensed from the best authority on the
subject. To our thinking, the historical
accuracy of Mr.. Longfellow's picture en-
hances its beauty. The fact, as given by
Halliburton in his history Of Nova Scotia,
is, in brief, as follows:
Some dispute existing between the En-
glish and the French, respecting the terrific
rial limits of both parties, the region about
Hudson's Bay, and the province OF Acadie,
since called Novia Scotia, to settle the
matter, were coded to Great Britain, in
1913.
Acadie was inhabited by an excellent
French population. When these good peo-
pie found their country yielded to England,
and themselves no longer subjects of the
French king, they were grieved to be forced
to acknowledge another master. They
knew that the French and English were
hostile to each other, and they dreaded to be
compelled, some time or other, to take up
arms against Frenchmen; they, therefore,
entreated the English that they might never
be forced to so painful a service, and might
be excused from taking the oath of ale
glance.
This request received no special attention,
but, for time, kind forbearance was OK
ercised towards them. After a period of
forty years, the English government came
to the conclusion that these neutral French,
as they were called, might become danger
GUS to their interests by taking part with
the Canadian French, their active enemies.
On account Of this presumed danger, with
out the least alleged provocation, or the
least show Of justice, they took upon them
selves TO drive out oil their possessions, TINS
psaoeable, prosperous, and unotfending peo-
pie.
The Acadians had no warning Of their
fate. At harvest time they were ordered
to assemble in certain district, and being
collected, were informed they were prison.
ers-that their lands, cattle, and moveables
were no longer their own, but were coniis-
Gated by government-that they might take
what they could convey away, but must
Immediately quit the province.
In one single district, two hundred and
ffty-fve houses, as many barns, eleven
mills, and one church, were destroyed
Ships were in readiness to convey the per,
secuted Acadians TO different parts of the
Continent.-to Louisiana, to French Guiana
in South America, and to distant places in
the, then, British Provinces on the AT,
lantic
These people had been remarkable for
their industry, their skilful husbandry, their
pure morals, and their exemplary pieiy.
The lands produced wheat and corn, po,a.
toes and flax, abundantly. Their houses
were convenient, and furnished with all
things necessary to comfort Their numer-
Gus fiocks afforded the wool which was
manufactured in the family for their cloth
ing. They had no paper money, and lit
tie silver or gold; and lived by simple ex.
change of commodities. So little conten
ton arose among them, that courts and law,
yers were needless; the wise and expert
enced decided their small differences They
were Catholics; the priests drew up theiT
public acts, wrote their wills, and kept pos
session of the documents, until death called
for the execution of them. To requite these
services, the inhabitants allowed them one
twenty seventh OF the harvest for their sub.
sistence.
At the time Of the dispersion, the AGA.
dams were $4,000 in number. No want
existed among them; the poor were few,
aud the prosperous cheer(ully supported
those. These unfortunate people were the
victims Of their own integrity. Had they
taken the oath which demanded Of them to
violate the best affections, they might hays
retained their houses, their fields, and their
hocks. Their good feelings demanded only
the innocent liberty Of neutrality.
In September, 1855, Colonel Winslow,
an officer, usually resident at Marsh6eld,
Plymouth county, Massachusetts,, was sent
with the Kings Commission, to demolsh
the property Of the neutrals, and 70 expel
them, without exception, from the province.
Colonel Winslow deeply regretted that he
should be employed in this cruel service.
He knew, so he said, that they were OF
''the same species with himself, and "it
was disagreeable to his make and temper
to infct pain. His first measure, on land
ing at ST. Pre-, was to make prisoners Of
several hundreds Of the most considerable
Of the men OF the settlement ain conse-
9uence OF their earnest entreaties, the pris-
oners were permitted, ten at once, to return
to visit their wretched families, and to look,
for the last time, upon their beautiful fields,
and their loved and lost homes"
These unhappy men bore their mislol-
tune with frmness, until they were ordered
on board the transport ship, to be dispersed
among people whose customs, language
and religion, were opposed to oil they held
dear and sacred.
On the 10th Of September, the prisoners
were drawn up six deep; and the young
men, one hundred and sixty in number,
were ordered TO go on board the vessels.
They refused to do this, unless their fami.
lies might be permitted to accompany them.
This was denied, and the soldiers were or