Exploration and Early Settlement (1497 - 1760)

An Act for the quieting of possessions to the Protestant grantees of the Lands formerly owned by the French Inhabitants; Nova Scotia, 1759

Document Summary:

All territory in Nova Scotia becomes the property of Great Britain forever under this act, including land formerly occupied by French Acadians. However, Acadians deported from their land from 1755 to 1758 are allowed to come back and live in the province again, so long as they followed the rules of British law and took an oath of allegiance to Britain.

The Acadians are also not allowed to take any legal action against British subjects to reclaim any extinguished land title. If they did, British-control courts were ordered under this act to ignore any of their lawsuits and immediately order damages to be paid to defendants.