Acadia. A lost chapter in American History ... Illustrated

Front matter

jVC^DIA. A LOST CHAPTER IN American History BY PHILIP H. SMITH ILLUSTRATED "The beloved Acadian land, the land of Evangeline." (Longfellow.) "Let those who would persecute or proscribe for opinion's sake, and limit by political exclusion the right to worship God in the form by which he who worships, chooses ; who would, if let alone, join in the hunt or exile of those who, like the Acadians, cherish the faith of their childhood and ancestors, let them read the story of the Acadian Exiles, and beware of the sure retribution of History." (Memoirs Penn. Hist. Society.) PAWLING N. T. Published by the Author Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by PHILIP H. SMITH, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, D. C.

Preface

. The story of Evangeline, from its tender pathos, its touch ing appeals to the deeper emotions of the soul, and the sin gularly romantic historical episode on which the poem is based, has ever been, to the writer of this volume, a work of interest. A longing to behold the land of those Acadian Exiles, "who had aforetime dwelt by the Basin of Minas," imperceptibly grew up, which was at length gratified : the memory of the brief sojourn in the "Acadian Land," will ever remain among his most highly treasured recollections. Then came a desire to know more of that afflicted people, and of the facts attending their expulsion from the soil of their ancestors. The author was surprised that this chap ter of American annals had been passed over in almost ut ter silence by nearly every American historian, and that the only books treating of the subject at any length, with a sin gle exception, were a few old and rare volumes, many of which were scarcely to be had at any price, and none of them accessible to the general reader.

This suggested the preparation of these pages to meet the demand of those who might, like himself, feel prompted to peruse the details of this sad passage in the world's history. In accomplishing the task, the author wishes to state ACADIA that he has made free use of cotemporary history, not only as to facts, but likewise incorporating portions of the text, when such a course seemed preferable. Upwards of fifty authorises have been laid under contribution, and it is his own fault if some of the best portions in each have not been culled. To mention each of them by name would unneces sarily burden these pages, and he hopes this acknowledg ment will be considered sufficient without a pedantic dis play of marginal notes. The typographical work was done in a "country office," with a fifty-pound font of type and an old Liberty job press, the stereotyping being executed with home-made apparatus, after a process developed from personal experiment.

The illustrations, also by himself, whatever may be their artist ic worth, are believed to faithfully represent the subjects they are designed to elucidate, which, after all, must be ad mitted to be the prime and legitimate purpose of illustration. The author feels at liberty to make this statement out of justice to himself, inasmuch as the book must of necessity com pete, in an overcrowded market, with other books that have not only received the careful manipulation of half a score of artisans, skilled in as many distinct trades, but also have engaged in their manufacture complicated machinery to the value of thousands of dollars. Thus much touching the mechanical and literary execution of the work. As to the historical data given in the book, and the conclusions drawn therefrom, the author ex pects, and furthermore, cordially invites the most search ing criticisms, as he is well aware the subject involves national pride and prejudice, and all are entitled to a hearing.

PBEFA0E What he gives as facts are taken from what he believes to be reliable sources, and he has only stated his honest con victions, wherever the blame may falL Another departure is, the volume is put on the market without the imprint of an influential publishing house to give it currency among the people. The writer believes the subject to be one that will introduce the book, and prefers to control its sale himself ; and trusts that the mod esty of his pretensions will prompt the trade to extend a friendly hand. Could he be assured that the reader, under whose eye this book may chance to fall, may derive as much enjoyment in its perusal as he has had in the collection of the materials and subsequent compilation, then the pen will be laid down with the feeling that the labor has not been per formed in vain.

And should it cause one sympathetic heart to pause in the midst of the bustle of the present and drop a tear of compassion to the memory of the poor exiles, now gone from earth and almost forgotten, then the rec ompense will be still greater. With these explanations the volume is sent out into the world to buffet with the waves of competition and prejudice, to ride out the storm in safety, or be swallowed up as many a more meritorious book has been before. Pawling, Feb. 1st, 1884. CONTENTS. Introduction ----- 11 Preliminary Discourse - - - - 17 Early Explorations 24 Attempts at Colonization ... 35 Permanent Settlement - - - - 40 The La Tours ----- 56 From Grand-Fontaine to Menneval - - 83 Villebon on the St. John - . - 96 Fall op Port Royal .... 103 Troubles of the French - - - 114 Capture of Louisbourq .... 129 Refusing the Oath .... ii5 Fall of Beausejoub - - . - - 163 Preliminary to Expulsion ... 167 Expulsion of the French Neutrals - - 188 The French Neutrals in Pennsylvania - 228 " " " " Massachusetts - - 242 Affairs in Acadia - - - - 250 Downfall of French Eule in America - - 265 English Occupation .... 276 The Fisheries ..... 313 Legends - 322 Appendix ._..-.