 When the Society of Jesus was suppressed in 1773, Briand forwarded a letter from the Holy see to the Jesuits in Pennsylvania and Maryland with a form acknowledging their acceptance of the decree, which they were to sign.However, he did not get involved beyond that, choosing not to engage in ecclesiastical matters outside his jurisdiction, so the priests remained free to manage their ministries and property.Under the terms of the peace treaty, Canadiens who did not choose to leave became British subjects.