202 ‘The French in Prince Edward Island

of justice. With the Sub-delegate, he conducted pre- liminary investigations in criminal cases and then awaited orders from Louisburg. He and the Sub- delegate were jointly responsible for the granting of lands and for the distribution of the settlements. The Sub-delegate of the Intendant was responsi- ble for the fiscal administration of the colony, the magazines of the King, the pay of the garrison, the distribution of seed and relief, the administration of civil justice. His task was heavy, owing to the red tape that tied the hands of the colonists making his permission necessary in the most trivial cases. This in turn destroyed the initiative of the settlers and caused them to lean more heavily upon him. During the entire period under review there were only two Sub-delegates: Poitier Dubuisson who assumed office under the Comte de Saint Pierre in 1722 and re- mained in the colony until his death in 1744; and Francois Marie Degoutin who was appointed in 1749 and died in 1752. Both were buried in the ceme- tery of Port La Joye. On the death of Degoutin, Deslongrais who had acted as his assistant during his last illness, carried on as warden of the stores. There was some thought of making Roma Sub-dele- gate but the idea was dismissed as impracticable. Later Sieur Pascaud was recommended but there is no record of his appointment. It is probable that in the last days of turmoil, when the distribution of relief to Acadians was the most pressing duty, the Commandant made temporary appointments from the officers of his staff, as warden of stores, while