The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-07
For the National Era.
THE NEUTRAL FRENCH IN MASSACHUSETTS,
PART II.


By Braddock's death, Shirley had become
commander chief Of the Kings forces il
America. He was at that time away from
Massachusetts,, engaged in making prepare
tiOns for his expedition against the French
tort at Niagara; and the various duties which
devolved upon him prevented his return until
the close of January, i'll tie following year.
The Lieutenant Governor, Spencer Phipp,
IN the mean time was at the head of affairs
The Assembly, after a short session, held from
the h to The 9Sh Of September, ocoasioned by
the necessity of raising reinforcement for
Gen. Johnson's army, stood prorcgued to the
10th of October.
OF the exiled Acadians, a thousand were des-
tined to Massachusetts and about fortnight
after the commencement of the October ses-
Dor. Although the r2LIU passengers 10 Jue
tonnage Of the vessels was originally intended
not t. exceed two to a ton, still they were
loaded much beyond this proportion. %
nearly every vessel, many had been obliged to
sleep on deck during the entire passage The
allowance of provisions and water was scGDty,
and there was much sickness and suffering.
OsinS 70 the crowded state Of the vessels,
there bad been little opportunity for any to
carry with them even a small share Of their
household goods, 80 that most were in state
utter restitution.
The notifications from Governor Lawrence,
Of Nova Scotia, to the GoySrnoIs CT the other
Provinces requesting them to prepare for the
reception of the Acadiaus, were sent during
the second week in August; aud that directed
to Massachusetts, was received by Pima for
Shirley had left the Province On the 2S5h OF
June. The administration Of Lieutenant
Governor ia generally cautious; and when the
vessels arrived, much time was spent in delib-
Grafton as to tho proper course for the Govern
ment to pursue. There was no positive obiga-
ton upon the Province to receive the Neutrals
and considerable debate arose in the Assem-
bly,, concerning the cxpediency of allowing
such a burden to be imposed upon them, and
also concerning the proper mode of disposin :
Of them, in case they should be permitted ~
land.
In the mean time, several Of the aged and
some Of the most dangerously sick passengers,
together with many wOmen, had been tacitly
permitted to como on shore and, through tie
benevolenco of private citizens, had been pro-
vided with shelter.
Their condition was truly most distressing
Notwithstanding Winslow's declaration, at
Grand Pre-, " that whole families should 90 in
the same vessel" many families had been sep
srated, and the different members embarked
All uiucE6nb NSSSSlS DUIBO W NdElOuS QUITS.
At length, resolve passed the Legislature
and was approved by Phips, permitting them
all to land, and, on November 7th, committee
was appointed TO direct in the disposition oil
such of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia as are
or may be sent hther, and that they dispose Of
them in such manner as may be least inc0nve-
nient to this Government This was the first
IF long series of committees appointed at in
teryals for years to examine into the condition
of the Neutrals, and adopt whatever measures
should appear advisable for their support and
welfare. The duties of this committee were in
the highest degree laborious and difficult. The
whole population of the Province of that time
hardly amounted to two hundred thousand
Tho treasury had cuff red from the many ex
penses necessarily incurred by the prosecution
of the extensive military operations of the cam
paign which had Just closed. The winter wa
fast approaching, and there was need of prompt
action to prevent extreme suffering among the
exiles 1t was finally resolved to distribute
them among the towns. But here there were
MANY difficulties to be encountered. To-day
even when Massachusetts, has five times the
population and more than fifty times the wealth
It had hundred years ago, when myrisdS ol
Irish emgrants are daily landing at Boston
many of them Immediately imposing themselves
upon the public charity for their entire support
and when the foreign paupeIs are numbered by
tens of thousands, the arrival Of single vesse
crowded with sick, wretched, penniless beings
some incapable and many unwilling TO labor
attracts no slight attention. And it will read
iIy be conceived how much greater disturbance
was excited by the arrival Of feet with near
ly a Thousand exiled Acadians, In 1855.
It was considered inexpedient to distribute
many of them throughout that part of the Prov
ince which is now embraced within the State
of Maine, for the inducements and facilities
for escape from the settlement there, to Acadie
would have been too great. So the towns o.
Massachusetts, proper were loaded with almost
all the burden.
On December 10Th, it was voted a. that hi;
honor the Lieut.. Governor be requested to write
to his excellency Gov. Lawrence, to acquein'
him tina. this Government have admitted mum
Der of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia, (sen'
hither By his order) who arrived when the sea
son was 30 far advanced that they could do but
little for their own support; that the Govern
ment here received them in expectation OF being
indemni6ed from all charges that might arise