|
an ACADIAN EXILE article
Cultures
of Acadiana |
Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser, March 30, 1999
Citizens of Maryland petitioned to have Acadians removed
by Jim Bradshaw
The Acadians were received in Maryland more hospitably than in many places. But they were a burden upon the citizens, who resented it. In February 1757, some of the residents of Talbot County on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, petitioned the Maryland government to have the Acadians sent someplace else.
Then, 10 years later, when the Acadians began to leave Maryland, the citizenry got nervous because the exiles were going to Louisiana. Spain controlled Louisiana by then, but the Marylanders thought Louisiana was still French. They didn't want the Acadians, who had no love for England, reunited with a French government that was constantly at war with Great Britain.
Here is a part of the text of the petition from Talbot County to have the Acadians sent elsewhere.
The wretched Acadians ... are become a grievance, inasmuch as we are not at present in a situation ... capable of seconding their numerous families, as a people plundered of their own fruitless endeavors to support their numerous families, as a people plundered of their effects. For though our magistrates have taxed us, perhaps sufficient to feed such of them as cannot fed themselves, they cannot find houses, clothing and other comforts ... without going from house to house begging, whereby they are become a nuisance to the country (which is) unable to afford necessary comfort to (its) own poor. And its is no easy task for a Christian to withstand the unfortunate cravings of their distressed fellow citizens, those among us who especially possess the greatest degree of humanity, must, of course, be the greatest sufferers. But this is not all.
Their religious principals in a Protestant country being dangerous particularly at this juncture, and their attachment to their mother-country added to their natural resentment of the treatment they have met with, slightest news in favor of the French and Indians.
We therefore pray that you will use your endeavors in the Assembly to have this pest removed from among us, after the example of the people of Virginia and Carolina, at their own expense, as they request, or otherwise as the Assembly shall, in their wisdom, think fit. We humbly conceive that any apprehensions of their adding to the strength of the enemy, if transported into their colonies, would argue a degree of timidity not to be approved of. That, on the contrary, would rather be burdensome to their country in their present circumstances encumbered with their wives and children whose immediate wants will for a long time employ the utmost industry of a few able-bodied fathers among them.
Besides, they need not be discouraged without binding them as strongly as people of their principals can be bound by and oath of neutrality for so long a time as may be judged needful. If will have perhaps this further effect, that since they so earnestly desire to quit his Majesty's protection, in a manner renouncing it, they enfeeble their claim to restitution and restoration.
Here is a part of the petition drafted in the spring of 1767 by citizens from Baltimore who were upset that the Acadians were moving to Louisiana.
We the inhabitants of Baltimore Town, ever desirous of showing our loyalty to the best of kings; beg leave to address Your Excellency on an affair which we deem important and and if not attended to in time many of his Majesty's faithful subjects.
About eight months past a number of French Neutrals from this place and other parts embarked as we always understood on a voyage to Pensacola, but have since learnt they have landed at New Orleans and are become subjects of the French King; another body of these people near 300 in number are now preparing to embark from hence in order to go to the same place.
When we consider how well these people are acquainted with the navigation of our bay, that of Delaware and of Fundy (and) that many have piloted vessels into the harbor of Boston and New York, we have but too much reason to apprehend that in case of a future rupture with France or Spain they must do inconceivable prejudice to the commerce of this continent.
When we reflect on the inveterate hatred they retain against this nation on account of their having been supplanted from their lands in Acadia, we think it highly impolitic (not to say imprudent) to suffer them to settle among our avowed enemies (in) a new colony where they may possibly foment a misunderstanding between us and the Indians to the great detriment of his Majesty's faithful subjects. With the strictest truth we can assure you Excellency that no public animosity or private pique to these people (has) induced us to address your Excellency on this subject but merely duty to our King and justice to our country. We flatter ourselves that your Excellency will take the premises into consideration, and as to the premises into consideration, and as to the northward his Majesty has territory enough to accommodate them and millions more, that your Excellency will not permit them to depart fro New Orleans or any other French settlement, notwithstanding other governments have permitted it."
The "best of kings" apparently did not think much of the arguments. Another wave of exiles left Maryland shortly after the petition was sent to him. They arrived in Louisiana in the summer of 1767. Other groups of exiles left Maryland for Louisiana in 1768 and in 1769.