| On several occasions, the Acadians were asked to
pledge their allegiance to the King of England, but they would only do so conditionally:
they would be allowed their tradition and religion, and would not become involved in the
continuing war with France or the British conflicts with the Indians. In the 1744-1748
England-France war, the Acadians did remain neutral and although participated in helping
the British in the reconstruction of their forts, they were still regarded as being
sympathetic with the French. By the 1750's they were again being persecuted by England who
wanted Acadia (with its fertile lands) for itself. Finally, in June, 1755, British
troops invaded the Acadian town of Grand Pre, seized whatever assets they could make use
of, and prepared to be rid of the Acadians. The priest was arrested, his rectory turned
into lodging for soldiers, and the church and its grounds became the headquarters of
Colonel John Winslow. On the 5th of September, 1755, he assembled all Acadian men from
surrounding villages at the church where he read the king's final proclamation concerning
the Acadians and declared them prisoners of the King of England.
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