ut it into French." It ran as
follows:--

By John Winslow, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander of His
Majesty's troops at Grand Pre, Mines, River Canard, and places
adjacent.

To the inhabitants of the districts above named, as well ancients
as young men and lads.

Whereas His Excellency the Governor has instructed us of his last
resolution respecting the matters proposed lately to the
inhabitants, and has ordered us to communicate the same to the
inhabitants in general in person, His Excellency being desirous
that each of them should be fully satisfied of His Majesty's
intentions, which he has also ordered us to communicate to you,
such as they have been given him.

We therefore order and strictly enjoin by these presents to all the
inhabitants, as well of the above-named districts as of all the
other districts, both old men and young men, as well as all the
lads of ten years of age, to attend at the church in Grand Pre on
Friday, the fifth instant, at three of the clock in the afternoon,
that we may impart what we are ordered to communicate to them;
declaring that no excuse will be admitted on any pretence
whatsoever, on pain of forfeiting goods and chattels in default.

Given at Grand Pre, the second of September, in the twenty-ninth
year of His Majesty's reign, A.D. 1755.

A similar summons was drawn up in the name of Murray for the inhabitants
of the district of Fort Edward.

Captain Adams made a reconnoissance of the rivers Canard and Des
Habitants, and reported "a fine country and full of inhabitants, a
beautiful church, and abundance of the goods of the world." Another
reconnoissance by Captains Hobbs and Osgood among the settlements behind
Grand Pre brought reports equally favorable. On the fourth, another
letter came from Murray: "All the people quiet, and very busy at their
harvest; if this day keeps fair, all will be in here in their barns. I
hope to-morrow will crown all our wishes." The Acadians, like the bees,
were to gather a harvest for others to enjoy. The summons was sent out
that afternoon. Powder and ball were served to the men, and all were
ordered to keep within the lines.

On the next day the inhabitants appeared at the hour appointed, to the
number of four hundred and eighteen men. Winslow ordered a table to be
set in the middle of the church, and placed on it his instruc