The Great Upheaval 1755-1763

, With the founding of Halifax in 1749 as a British naval base, the Acadians became the target of concern and possible displacement. Demands on them to accept and sign an "oath of allegiance” to the British crown were made several times but the Acadians refused, unless two clauses of concern to them were changed: 1) they would not have to take up arms against the French or the Mi'kmaq in the event of conflict, and 2) they would not have to abandon the practice of their Catholic faith. In summary, they wished to remain "neutrals" and live in peace in their communities. The British of Halifax did not know how to deal with this and hastily put forward a "Deportation Order” as an answer to this dilemma., On September 5, 1755, Colonel Winslow, on orders from Governor Lawrence of Halifax, had all the men and boys of the Grand Pré area assemble in St. Charles Church to be read a message from the Governor. Once in the church, the doors were locked and the Deportation Declaration was read. It stated that all families would be loaded together on ships anchored in Minas Basin and transported to the New England colonies where their governors were awaiting them and would treat them well. The reality was very different from the Declaration. Men were assembled, and under the careful eyes of military guards were led to Horton's Landing for a small boat shuttle to anchored ships for departure. Families, separated and torn apart by this poorly organized procedure, were cramped into small holds of ships and sent mostly to colonies where governors either knew nothing of their arrival refused to accept them or both. Rampant sickness caused by exposure, poor diet and unhealthy living conditions in the ship cramped quarters caused the deaths of many of these unfortunate exiles.,