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French, in faving the French that were Prisoners from the Cruelty of the Indians, as before obferved.

In 1664. New-York was taken by the English, who immediately entred into an Alliance and Friendship with the Five Nations, which has continued without the least Breach to this Day. Hiftory, I am afraid, cannot inform us of an Inftance of the Moft Chriftian or Moft Catholick King Obferving a League fo ftrictly, and for fo long a time as thefe Barbarians have done.

Both the English and French (Peace being every where settled) endeavour to extend their Commerce and Alliances among the Indians which lie to the Westward of New-York. The French in their Measures discover'd a Defign of Conquering and Commanding; for Mr. de Frontenac, who had fucceeded in the Government of Canada in the Year 1672, perfwaded the Indians to allow him to build a Fort at Cadarackui, under the Notion of a Store for Merchandize and fecurity for his Traders, and under the fame pretence built fmall Forts at fome other eonfiderable Paffes far in the Country.

The English and Dutch Prosecuted their Measures only with the Arts of Peace, by fending People among the Indians to gain their Affections, and to perfwade them to come to Albany to Trade; but ev'n these honeft

Defigns

Defigns met with Obftruction, and had not fo confiderable Succefs, by reason of the War with the Dutch, as otherwise they might have had; for in the Year 1674. New-York being Surpriz'd by the Dutch, and Reftor'd, the alterations in Government and of Mafters, obftructed very much the defigns of gaining the Indians. Their Trade was likewise confiderably hindred by the War, which the Five Nations had with the (c) River Indians, which forced many of the River Indians to feek fhelter among the Utawawas, who fell under the French Government.

At last the English, Dutch and French having made Peace in Europe, and the Governor of New-York likewife having obtain'd a Peace between the Five Nations and Mahikanders or River Indians, the English and French were at full liberty to profecute their defigns of extending their Commerce among the Indians, which both did with very confiderable fuccefs and advantage to the Inhabitants of their Colonies.

But this Juftice must be done to the French, that they far exceeded the English in the daring attempts of fome of their Inhabitants, in travelling very far among unknown Indians,

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(c) The Indians living on the Banks of Hudsons River within or near the English Settlements.

dians, difcovering new Countries, and every where fpreading the Fame of the French Name and Grandeur, by making themselves the Arbitrators in all difference between the Indian Nations. The Sieur Perot deferves to be remember'd, who pushed his Discoveries as far as the Putewatemies and Indians living round the farther Lakes, with the greatest Fatigues and Danger. He acquired the Languages of many Nations, and brought them to Canada to Trade, before the Peace was made with the Five Nations. In the Year 1667 he accomparied the Officer that was fent to the Fall of St. Mary, to take Poffeffion of all that Country, in the name of the French King, in the prefence of many of the Sachems of the Nations that liv'd round the Lakes, where there was an Alliance agree'd to with the French," but (ev'n by the French Books) no Subjection was Promised.

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In the Year 1697." Mr. De la Sale built a Sloop or Bark of fixty Tons on Obfwego Lake, and provided her with great Guns. He carried this Veffel as far as Miffilimackinack, and there loaded her with Furrs and Skins, and then went on the Discovery of the Mififfipi. He only left five or fix French on board to carry her back to Oniagara: But the Indians entertain'd fuch a Jealoufy of this floating Castle, that they refolv'd fecretly to destroy

it,

it, tho' they expreft nothing to Mr. De la Sale, but Admiration of the extraordinary Machine, and fent for all the Nations round to come to feee it. When they were together they confulted how to furprize and deftroy it; and this defign they kept fo fecret, not only before the Execution, that Mr. De la Sale had no fufpicion of it, but afterwards likewife, for it was long before it was known what bceame of this Veffel. At first they thought of killing all the French among them, and throwing themfelves on the English for their Protection; but their Courage fail'd them. They thought they might act with more fecurity after Mr. De la Sale and his Company should be gone on their intended Discoveries. The French having no fufpicion of their defigns, permitted a Number of Indians to come on board in a Bay where the Bark came to an Anchor, in her return, and the Indians taking advantage of their Nunbers, and the fecurity of the French, murder'd the Men and burnt the Veffel.38

The Courage and Refolution of these Gentlemen ought to be taken Notice of, for their Honour, notwithstanding that the English fay, that the Barrenness and Poverty of Canada pushes the Men of Spirit there

upon

upon Enterprizes they would not attempt if they liv'd in the Province of New-York.

CHAP. III.

The Affairs of the Five Nations with the Neighbouring English Colonies.

THE

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He Five Nations being now amply fupply'd with Fire-Arms and Ammunition, give full fwing to their War-like Genius, and therefore refolv'd to Revenge the Affronts they had at any time receiv'd from their Neighbours. The nearest Nations as they were attackt, commonly flying to those that were further off, the Five Nations pursued This, together with a defire they had of Conquering and of making all the Nations round them their Tributaries, or to acknowledge the Five Nations to be their Masters, made the Five Nation over-run the greatest part of NorthAmerica. They carried their Arms as far South as Carolina, and to the Northward of NewEngland, and as far Weft as the River Misissipi, over a vaft Country which extends 1200 Miles in Length, from North to South, and about fix hundred Miles in Breadth, and entirely Destroyed many Nations that made Refift

ance.

These

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