Acadia

   The name Acadia or "la Cadie" is found as early as Nov. 8, 1603, in the commission of Henry IV appointing Pierre du Gua, Sieur de Monts, lieutenant-general in La Cadie, extending from the fortieth to the forty-sixth degree of north latitude. The limits were afterwards reduced, and the boundaries of Acadia became a cause of contention between France and England. France claimed that the English possessions were restricted to the peninsula of Nova Scotia, and that the territory now known as New Brunswick had not been ceded to England. The first settlement in Acadia was on the Island of St. Croix in 1604, but the following year it was transferred to Port Royal, and abandoned in 1607. Three years later the Sieur de Poutrincourt established a new settlement at Port Royal, which was destroyed by Argall in 1613. In September, 1621, James I granted the territory of Acadia, under the name of Nova Scotia, to Sir William Alexander. This grant was renewed in July, 1625, by Charles I. A small Scottish settlement was established at Port Royal by the grantee. Acadia was restored to France by the treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye in 1632, and during the same year new settlers were brought from France. Acadia was finally ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

   Index: Ch Its resources and limits, 18; English king indisposed to restore, 213. F Attempt to form settlement in, 6; seized by English under Kirke, 22; subsequent vicissitudes, 268-272; seized under orders from Cromwell, 268; settlers disposed to trade with New England, 270; Port Royal (Annapolis) made capital, 270; visited by Meulles and Saint Vallier, and census taken, 271; Port Royal and other posts captured by Phipps, who establishes government, 274; passes again under French control, 316.

   Bib.: Champlain, Voyages; Lescarbot, New France; Denys, Acadia; Parkman, Pioneers of France; Rameau de Saint-Père, Une Colonie Feodale; Calnek and Savary, History of the County of Annapolis; Moreau, Histoire de l'Acadie; Hannay, History of Acadia; Campbell, History of Nova Scotia; Murdoch, History of Nova Scotia.