In November 1755, the first ships packed with Acadians arrived in Boston Harbor.
Although the vessels were bound elsewhere, poor conditions on board prompted investigation by a joint committee of the Massachusetts General Court. A number of passengers were allowed to disembark. They were soon followed by nearly 2000 others for whom Massachusetts would be their final destination.
Having arrived destitute, the Acadians’ appearance prompted action by the provincial legislature to provide for their support. As they were dispersed among various towns, the overseers of the poor and selectmen were directed to provide for them at the province’s expense. Further legislation was passed when it became apparent that the Acadians’ stay would be extended. Legislators attempted to secure assurances of reimbursement from the government of Nova Scotia, but to little avail.
Being both French and Roman Catholic, the Acadians were not especially welcome in their new setting. Many townspeople feared they would escape or seek retribution under cover of darkness. Others simply balked at the expense of their support. There were some, though, who took pity on them and assisted them during their sojourn.
Thomas Hutchinson (1711-1780)
Portrait by Walter Gilman Page, 1900
As a member of Council and later Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, Hutchinson acted as a friend to the exiled Acadians, making attempts to keep families together that were threatened with separation and writing petitions for several illiterate Acadians wishing to address the General Court.
Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Art Commission
Letter from Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia, August 11, 1755
Letter from Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia, August 11, 1755. Addressed to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, it is similar to those sent to the governors of the American colonies to which the Acadians were deported, detailing the danger they posed to the security of Nova Scotia and the necessity of interning them in the receiving colony. Massachusetts Archives
Read a transcript of the Letter from Governor Charles Lawrence of Nova Scotia
Addressed to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts
Hallifax in Nova Scotia 11 th Augt 1755
Sir
The success that has attended His Majestys Arms in driving the French from Encroachment they had made ^ in this Province furnished me with a favourable Opportunity of reducing the French Inhabitants of this Colony, to a proper obedience to his Majesty's Government or forcing them to quit the Country. These Inhabitants were permitted to remain in quiet possession of their Lands, upon condition they should take the Oath of Allegience to the King, within One Year after the Treaty of Utrecht by which this Province was ceded to Great Britain: with this condition they have ever refused....
[1]
the prosperity of North America is esteemed in a great measure dependant, I have not the least reason to doubt of your Excellencys concurrence, and that you will receive the Inhabitants I now send and dispose of them in such a manner as may best answer our design in preventing their Reunion.
As the Vessels employed in this Service are upon Monthly hire, I beg the favour of you to expedite as much as possible their discharge and that they may be furnished with a Certificate of the time thereof agreeable to the form enclosed.
To His Excellency,
Wm Shirley Esq
I am Sir Your most obedient and most humble servant,
Chas. Lawrence
[2]
[This document consists of six pages, several of which are not displayed here. Those not displayed relate that three hundred of the French inhabitants were found armed at the surrender of Fort Beausejour, that those not in open rebellion have refused to take an unqualified Oath of Allegience, and, so, for the protection of British interests in Nova Scotia the property of the French inhabitants has reverted to the Crown and the inhabitants are being distributed among the British colonies.]
[Letter to William Shirley from Charles Lawrence, 11 August 1755. SC1, Series 45X, Massachusetts Archives Collection, 1603-1799, vol. 5, pages 427-432. Massachusetts Archives.]
General Court Committee Report, 1755
The intent of this report was to reveal conditions on board the first series of transports laden with Acadians and bound for Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Massachusetts Archives
Massachusetts General Court Acts 1755-1756, Chapter 35
The law required towns to provide Acadian exiles with houses and working tools and with general care in cases of necessity, to be reimbursed by the province. It also instructed the towns to provide them employment and authorized their indenture.
Massachusetts Archives
Read a transcript of Massachusetts General Court Acts 1755-1756, Chapter 35
An Act in Addition to an Act Made in the Present Year of His Majesty's Reign, Intitled "An Act Making Provision for the Inhabitants of Nova Scotia Sent Hither from that Government And Lately Arrived in This Province."
Whereas, since the passing of an act made this present year of his majesty's reign, intitled " An Act making provision for the inhabitants of Nova Scotia sent hither from that government and lately arrived in this province," a further number of said inhabitants have been sent to and are arrived with this government, and no special provision has been made, by law, for their regulation and support, and the aforesaid act has in other respects been found insufficient -
Be it therefore enacted by the Governour, Council, and House of Representves,
That the court of general sessions of the peace, the justices of the peace in the several counties, the selectmen and the overseers of the poor in the several towns where said inhabitants may have been, or shall be disposed of, by virtue of any votes or order of the general court, be and hereby are authorized and required to employ, bind out to service, or make provision for the support of the said inhabitants in like manner as the said courts of sessions, justices of the peace, selectmen or overseers, or any of them, would by law be authorized and impowered to do, were they, the said inhabitants of Nova Scotia, inhabitants of any town or towns within this province.
And be it further enacted,
That the selectmen or overseers of the poor in the several towns where said inhabitants have been or may be disposed of as aforesaid, be and hereby are authorized and required to provide necessary implements of husbandry-work, weaving, spinning, and other handicraft work, according to the capacity for labour and other circumstances of the several inhabitants aforesaid, not exceeding forty shillings for any one person, and also to provide an house or houses for any family or families, the heads whereof will undertake to the support of themselves and family, and also to afford relief and support to all such as are incapable of relieving and supporting themselves; and such selectmen or overseers shall keep an exact account of all charges in consequence of the act aforesaid, or of this additional act, - such account to be made up until the first day of June next, and so until the first day of June annually, during the continuance of this act, - and shall transmit the same, from time to time, to the secretary's office, in order to be laid before the governour and council for allowance and payment, and in order to ascertain the sums advanced by this governmt for the services aforesaid.
And be it further enacted,
That in any town where overseers of the poor shall be chosen, it shall be part of their duty and charge to take care and provide for the inhabitants of Nova Scotia sent to such town; and in any town where there shall be no overseers of the poor, it shall be the duty and charge of the selectmen.
This act to be in force until the twentieth day of June, which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven and no longer.
March 6 th : 1756. This Bill having been read three several Times in the House of Representatives. ----- Pass'd to be Enacted
T. Hubbard Spkr
March 6 th : 1756. This Bill having been read three several Times in Council ----- Pass'd to be Enacted.
J Willard Secry
March 6.----- 1756 By the Governour
I Consent to the Enacting of this Bill.
W Shirley
[Massachusetts General Court Acts 1755-1756, Chapter 35. SC7, Series 207, Engrossed Acts. Massachusetts Archives.]
Boston Gazette, 1756
Bostonians were wary of their Acadian prisoners. The author of this letter feared their escape in stolen ships under cover of darkness or worse, their destruction of the town or powder house, “heated with Passion and Popish Zeal.”
Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library