Isle Saint-Jean
After 1713, France engaged in a reaffirmation of it's territory in Acadia. Besides the construction of Louisbourg, France was resolved in organizing a colony on Isle Saint-Jean. The beginning of the colony was slow, only 297 inhabitants by 1728. During the years 1740-1750, hundreds of Acadians fled Nova Scotia to exile themsleves on this island. The colony went up to 4,000 inhabitants by 1755. Louisbourg fell to the british on July 26th, 1758. After two weeks, the order of deportation was given to the Acadians of Isle Saint-Jean. The authorities had decided to forego the initative taken to assimilate them in the thirteen British colonies, and wanted them returned to France. Around 4,600 Acadiens lived on Isle Saint-Jean. In August of 1758, 3,100 habitants were captured and deported to France. Others succeeded in hiding or fleeing. Of the twelve ships used to transport the Acadians, three sunk; Duke William (364 died), the Violet (280 died) and the Ruby (213 died). In all, 1 649 Acadians, around 53% of the total number deported will died from drowning or diseases.[1]
Notes et references
- ^ R.R. Palmer, A History of the Modern World 2nd ed. 1961, p. 234.