The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-12-26
W0MEN'S CLUBS
tcontinusd from PaS. rhr.>)

tually British and Protestant. The
larger part OF the Acadians steadily
refused 20 take the oath OF allegiance
10 Great Britain and while protesting
to be neutral between the English
n French. secretly aided the latter.
When George l came 20 the throne
the governor again tried TO induce the
Inhabitants to swear allegiance to
him. The Acadians asked advice OF
the governor OF Louisburg. who sent
then elaborate directions how TO an
swer the English demand and remain
faithful 10 France at the same time.
The treaty OF Utrecht gave the Acad-
ians a year In which 10 choose be-
tween remaining I'm the province and
becoming British subjects or leaving
II as subjects OF the king OF France.
The year had long since expired and
most OF them were still in Acadia. I'M
willing 10 leave Il. yet refusing 10
own King George. Their advisors
placed every obstacle in the way OF
their complying with the English de
mand. some even going SO far as to
say that they would endanser their
immortal souls N they submitted TO
hereto rule. Finally. however. the
Acadians did sign the oath but its
effect was qualified by a promise
made them by the British commander
that they should not be required to
take mp arms against the French or
Indians-they on their part promis-
Ing never to TAX up arms against the
English-from this agreement they
became known as Neutral French.
The English during a period OF IN
years after the treaty OF l7l2 had
not succeeded I'm founding a single
English settlement or adding 20 the
Engllsh speaking population OF the
province. The Acadians. on the other
hand, had gone on increasing and
spreading themselves over the land
they were strong and formidable. nor
only by reason OF their number but
because OF their knowledge OF wood
craft, OF the MANAGEMENT OF canoes.
etc, which are almost Indispensable
qualifications for soldiers i'm such a
land as Acadia. All that tho English
had 20 show for their 20 years occu-
patton Of the country were the forti-
iications OF Annapolis and a ruined
fishing station az Canso. All the sub
stantisl gains belonged TO France.
for the Acadians were nearly three
times as numerous as when Port
Royal fell and quite as devoted 70
the mother country az their fathers
had been. In short. Acadia in I7fq
was rs much n French colony as II
had been 40 years before: the only
difference was that the English were
at the expense OF maintaining n gar
rison, The year 1855 saw England
and france embarked upon "A great
war, which. although 70 ended disas-
trously for the latter power. certain
" commenced with the balance OF ad-
vantage in Frances favor. In such
a struggle II was evident that half
way measures were not %expadienr
and that a weak policy would be IA
tai 10 British power. Here IN Nova
Scotia was a French colony on sup
posedly English soil. a continual
menace. as the Acadians might enter
The field AZ any time. especially as
the English garrison was always in
adequate. At one time l4OO AGA
dians emigrated from the province
and settled in French territory. Tn
English at n time tried 20 prevent
them leaving. At this time. however.
hey were nonplused - different
schemes were suggested as 10 how to
deal with the Acadians. These people
were said 70 be most innocent and
~virtuouS, living on terms Of perfect
equality without distinction Of rank
or title. They lived simply, and even
the Injuries they entoyed were pro-
duced by their own labor Without
a~varice, they were liberal and hoe
pitAble and would frequently lend
each other money or other property
without interest They were deeply