Lt.-Col. John Winslow was ordered to expel the Acadians from Nova Scotia. (As portrayed by J. Anthony Robinow in Canada: A People's History)

"We are now upon a great and noble scheme of sendingthe neutral French out of this province, who have always been secretly ourenemies... and have encouraged our Indians to cut our throat. If we effect theirexpulsion, it will be one of the greatest things that ever did the English inAmerica, for by all accounts, that part of the country they possess is as good aland as any in the world... we could get some good English farmers in theirroom."

The new governor of Nova Scotia, Charles Lawrence, demanded that the Acadiansswear a new oath of allegiance to the King of England, this time with noreservations.

	Although they had become residents of an English colony, Acadians were initially promised that they would never have to fight against France if they swore an oath of allegiance to England. (As portrayed in Canada: A People's History)

"We, and our fathers, having taken for them and for usan oath of loyalty which was approved several times, in the name of the king...we will never be so inconstant as to take an oath that changes, however little,the conditions and privileges which our sovereigns and our fathers secured forus in the past."

On August 11, 1755, Lawrence wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel John Winslow,commander of a Massachusetts militia unit at Grand-Pré:

"You must have recourse to the most certain means to gather theinhabitants together and put them on board ship, using trickery or force ascircumstances dictate.
I wish above all that you pay no attention to thepetitions and memorials which the inhabitants will address to you."

"I order... all inhabitants, including the elderly andyoung under 10 years of age... to gather in the church at Grand-Pré onFriday the 5th of this month at 3 o'clock in the afternoon..."

And he added:

"The duty which I am now to discharge, althoughimperious, is very disagreeable to my nature and to my temperament as it will beto you who are of the same species as me... your lands, houses, livestock andflocks...