it they might float back to the Basin of Minas. This was in the depth of
winter, February, 1757. They came to the coast at Weymouth. There they
soon encountered the questioning of local authority, and to excuse their
intrusion Melanson made complaint against his Lancaster guardians, the
history of which is in Massachusetts Archives, xxiii, 356.

"The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Benoni Melanzan in
behalf of himself and sundrie other French People, Having met and heard
the Petition and one of the Selectmen of Lancaster, relating to the
several matters therein Complained of and also have heard the
Representative of Weymouth where the French People mentioned in s d
Petition at present reside: Beg leave to report as follows. Viz: That it
doth not appear that ye Petitioner had any Grounds to complain of the
selectmen of Lancaster or either of them relating the matter complained
of, and therefore Beg leave further Report that the Committee are of
oppinion that the said French People be ordered forthwith to Return to
Lancaster from whence they in a disorderly manner withdrew themselves,
all which is Humbly submited.

"pr order of the Comitte

"SILVANUS BOURN."


"In Council, February 24, 1757.

"Read and ordered that this Report be so far accepted as relates to the
Petitioners Complaint of his Treatment at Lancaster being without
Grounds, but inasmuch as the Petitioner offers to undertake for the
support of himself and the other French removed from Lancaster except in