293 | To the Earl of Halifax

    Boston July 25 1764

    My Lord

    Since I wrote my letter to your Lordship dated the 9th inst1 I have seen the cheif Acadian (Robicheau by name) whom I employed to treat with his countrymen in this province about their settling in some part of his Majesty’s American Dominions: and He informs me that their obstinacy in persuading themselves that they shall be removed from hence by the order & at the expence of the King of France is still insurmountable.2 About 2 or 3 months ago they had a general meeting at Watertown about 10 miles from hence. Mr Robicheau would not go there himself; but he sent for some of them to Cambridge3 where he lives,4 & there endeavoured to persuade them that their Expectation from old France was vain & idle; and that they had best apply to the Governor: but they did not do it, nor, that I can learn, come to any resolution, but to wait longer. So I beleive it will be proper to leave them to themselves for some time: for to press them to come to a resolution will only make them untractable. I dont find that any other Emigration than the first is made or intended. I read in the public papers that a Ship from new London carried about 30 Acadians to Cape Francois:5 but I shall discourage such exportations from this Province.

    I am, with great respect, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant

    Fra Bernard

    The Right Honble The Earl of Halifax

    ALS, RC CO 5/755, ff 103-106.