Euclide Chiasson, president of the National Society of Acadians, said Thursday there is hope the Queen may acknowledge the infamous 1755 deportation during her visit in October and help allay generations of bitterness over the expulsion of Acadians.

But Chiasson said the Acadian people are patient and will understand if the Queen decides to postpone an acknowledgment until 2005, the 250th anniversary of the deportation of his ancestors from what are now the Maritime provinces.

"We're not talking apologies, but more a recognition of the wrongs that were done during the deportation," Chiasson said in an interview.

"It's a question of degree but we think it's important. We don't want to embarrass anyone. It's a question of putting history straight."

Chiasson said his organization, which represents Acadians as far away as Louisiana, has sent a letter and supporting documents to Buckingham Palace asking for the royal acknowledgement.

He said he was surprised this week when he saw the Queen's itinerary for the New Brunswick leg of her Canadian tour celebrating the Golden Jubilee.

She will be stopping in the Acadian community of Dieppe on Oct. 12.

There has been a groundswell of support for the Acadian society's position.

The Quebec legislature recently passed a motion asking the British monarchy to officially recognize its role in the 18th- century expulsion.

In New Brunswick, Liberal leader Shawn Graham wrote to Buckingham Palace asking for the acknowledgment.