By the treaty of Utrecht in 1713 Acadia was ceded to the English, but the French colonists, in taking the oath of allegiance to their new rulers (1727-28), were promised that they should not be required at any time to take up arms against France. They were now in the position of Neutrals, and by that name were known, but this placed them in an awkward predicament, as they were suspected by both contending powers. The English hated them, believing their sympathies to be with the French, while even their countrymen in Canada were distrustful of them, urging them to withdraw.