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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Le Grand Dérangement: Attempts at Relocation


With the end of the war and the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1763), the Acadians in Massachusetts began to signify their desire to leave.


Acadian Petitions
Petitions, some with over one thousand names, were submitted by Acadians to the General Court of Massachusetts beginning in 1763. Many sought to depart the province and settle in other regions, among them France, St. Domingue (present day Haiti), and Quebec. Having been prevented from migrating to French colonies, Acadians left the province not in a large-scale movement but in small, isolated groups. Some few, it would appear, remained in Massachusetts.

The name of the Charles Meuse family appears on both petitions, although the family had been reduced by half, having separated in order to provide for their own support.

Acadian Petitions, 1763-1766

Petitions submitted to the General Court contain the names of heads of families and number of family members of Acadians wishing to leave the colony and go to France

Acadian Petitions, 1763-1766

An old handwritten document on how Governor Bernard advised that permission be granted and funds allowed for the transport of Acadians to Quebec
Address of Governor Bernard to the House of Representatives, February 13, 1766
(page 1 of 2)
Forwarding several Acadian petitions to the House of Representatives, Governor Bernard advised that permission be granted and funds allowed for the transport of Acadians to Quebec, believing them to be industrious British subjects, temporarily disadvantaged by circumstance.
- Massachusetts Archives
An old handwritten document on how Governor Bernard advised that permission be granted and funds allowed for the transport of Acadians to Quebec
Address of Governor Bernard to the House of Representatives, February 13, 1766
 (page 2 of 2)
Forwarding several Acadian petitions to the House of Representatives, Governor Bernard advised that permission be granted and funds allowed for the transport of Acadians to Quebec, believing them to be industrious British subjects, temporarily disadvantaged by circumstance.
- Massachusetts Archives
A typed copy of an old handwritten message from the House of Representatives to Governor Bernard, June 26, 1766
Message of the House of Representatives to Governor Bernard, June 26, 1766
After consideration of additional request s by the Acadians for support during their proposed attempts at resettlement in Quebec, the House of Representatives denied them further aid. As a result, Acadians left for Quebec in small groups.
- Massachusetts Archives
A portrait of Francis Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts (1760-1769), portrait by Giovanni Battist a Troccoli, 1925
Francis Bernard, Governor of Massachusetts (1760-1769), portrait by Giovanni Battist a Troccoli, 1925
Following the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1763), Governor Bernard found himself having to deal with the matter of the Acadians wishing to leave the province and return home, settle in the French colonies, or settle in the newlyest ablished British colony of Quebec.
- Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission
Proclamation of Governor Francis Bernard, November 28, 1764
Proclamation of Governor Francis Bernard, November 28, 1764
Faced with the request s of nearly one thousand Acadians and their attempts to relocate to the French colony of St. Domingue (Haiti), Governor Bernard found it necessary to issue this proclamation forbidding their transport, claiming that it would tend to “st rengthen the dominion of a foreign prince.”
- Massachusetts Archives
Circular containing the Articles of Capitulation and the Proclamation of Governor James Murray, 1766
Circular containing the Articles of Capitulation and the Proclamation of Governor James Murray, 1766
This circular, published in French, details several articles agreed upon by French governor Pierre de Rigaud upon the surrender of Quebec, guaranteeing former French subjects freedom to practice the Roman Catholic faith. Newly appointed British governor James Murray promised land to persons of French origin wishing to settle in Quebec, a very appealing proposal to displaced Acadians.
- Massachusetts Archives
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