Part 2

This is not true, for only carrying Goods to the _French_, which are proper for the _Indian Trade_, is prohibited. The Trade as to other Things, is left in the same State it was before that Act was made, as it will appear to any Person that shall read it: And there are yearly large Quantities of other Goods openly carried to _Canada_, without any Hindrance from the Government of _New-York_. Whatever may be said of the Severity and Penalties in that Act, they are found insufficient to deter some from carrying Goods clandestinely to the _French_; and the Legislature of this Province are convinced that no Penalties can be too severe, to prevent a Trade which puts the Safety of all his Majesty's Subjects of _North America_ in the greatest Danger.

Their next Assertion is, _All the_ Indian _Goods have by this Act, been raised_ 25 l. _to_ 30 l. _per Cent_. This is the only Allegation in the whole Petition, that there is any Ground for. Nevertheless, though the common Channel of Trade cannot be altered without some Detriment to it in the Beginning, we are assured from the Custom-house Books, that there has been every Year, since the passing of this Act, more Furs exported from _New-York_, than in the Year immediately before the passing of this Act. It is not probable, that the greatest Difference between the Exportation any Year before this Act, and any Year since, could so much alter the Price of Beaver, as it is found to be this last Year. Beaver is carried to _Britain_ from other Parts besides _New-York_, and it is certain that the Price of Beaver is not so much altered here by the Quantity in our Market, as by the Demand for it in _Britain_. But as we cannot be so well informed here, what occasions Beaver to be in greater Demand in _Britain_, we must leave that to be enquired after in _England_. However, we are fully satisfied that it will be found to be for very different Reasons from what the Merchants alledge.

The Merchants go on and say, _Whereas on the other Hand, this Branch of the_ New-York _Trade, by the Discouragements brought upon it by this Act, is almost wholly engrossed by the_ French, _who have already by this Act, been encouraged to send proper_ European Goods _to_ Canada, _to carry on this Trade, so that should this Act be continued, the_ New-York _Trade which is very considerable, must be wholly lost to us, and center in the_ French.----_Though_ New-York _should not furnish them, the_ French _would find another_ Way _to be supplied therewith, either from some other of his Majesty's Plantations, or it might be directly from Europe_.----_Many of the Goods which the_ Indians _want being as easy to be had directly from_ France _or_ Holland, _as from_ Great-Britain.

This is easily answered, by informing your Excellency, that the principal of the Goods proper for the _Indian Market_ are only of the Manufactures of _Great-Britain_, or of the _British Plantations, viz_. Strouds, or Stroud-Waters, and other Woollens, and Rum. The _French_ must be obliged to buy all their Woollens (the Strouds especially) in _England_, and thence carry them to _France_, in order to their Transportation to _Canada_. The Voyage to _Quebeck_ through the Bay of _St. Lawrence_, is well known to be the most dangerous of any in the World, and only practicable in the Summer Months. The _French_ have no Commodities in _Canada_, by reason of the Cold and Barrenness of the Soil, proper for the _West-India_ Markets, and therefore have no Rum but by Vessels from _France_, that touch at their Islands in the _West-Indies_. _New-York_ has, by Reason of its Situation, both as to the Sea and the _Indians_, every Way the Advantage of _Canada_. The _New-York_ Vessels make always two Voyages in the Year from _England_, one in Summer and another in Winter, and several Voyages in a Year to the _West-Indies_. It is manifest therefore, that it is not in the Power of the _French_ to import any Goods near so cheap to _Canada_, as they are imported to _New-York_.

But to put this out of all Controversy, we need only observe to your Excellency, That Strouds (without which no considerable Trade can be carried on with the _Indians_) are sold at _Albany_ for 10 _l._ a Piece: They were sold at _Monreal_ before this Act took Place, at 13 _l._ 2 _s._ 6 _d._ and now they are sold there for 25 _l._ and upwards: Which is an evident Proof, that the _French_ have not, in these four Years Time (during the Continuance of this Act) found out any other Way to supply themselves with Strouds, and likewise that they cannot trade without them, seeing they buy them at so extravagant a Price.

It likewise appears, that none of the neighbouring Colonies have been able to supply the _French_ with these Goods; and those that know the Geography of the Country, know it is impracticable to do it at any tolerable Rate, because they must carry their Goods ten Times further by Land than we need to do.

We are likewise assured, that the Merchants of _Monreal_ lately told Mr. _Vaudreuil_ their Governor, that if the Trade from _Albany_ be not by some Means or other encouraged, they must abandon that Settlement. We have Reason therefore to suspect, that these Merchants (at least some of them) have been practised upon by the _French_ Agents in _London_; for no doubt, the _French_ will leave no Method untried to defeat the present Designs of this Government, seeing they are more afraid of the Consequences of this Trade between _New-York_ and the _Indians_, than of all the warlike Expeditions that ever were attempted against _Canada_.

But to return to the Petitioners, _They conceive nothing can tend more to the withdrawing the Affections of the_ Five Nations of Indians _from the_ English Interest, _than the Continuance of the said Act, which in its Effects restrains them from a free Commerce with the Inhabitants of_ New-York, _and may too probably, estrange them from the_ English Interest, _whereas by a Freedom of Commerce, and an encouraged Intercourse of Trade with the_ French _and their_ Indians, _the_ English _Interest might in Time, be greatly improved and strengthened_.

It seems to us a strange Argument to say, that an Act, the whole Purport of which is to encourage our own People to go among the _Indians_, and to draw the far _Indians_ through our _Indian Country_ to _Albany_ (and which has truly produced these Effects) would on the contrary, restrain them from a free Commerce with the Inhabitants of _New-York_, and may too probably estrange them from the _English Interest_, and therefore that it would be much wiser in us to make use of the _French_, to promote the _English Interest_; and for which End, we ought to encourage a free Intercourse between them and our _Indians_. The reverse of this is exactly true, in the Opinion of our _Five Nations_; who in all their publick Treaties with this Government, have represented against this Trade, as _The Building the_ French _Forts with_ English _Strouds_: That the encouraging a Freedom of Commerce with our _Indians_, and the _Indians_ round them, who must pass through their Country to _Albany_, would certainly increase both the _English Interest_ and theirs, among all the Nations to the Westward of them; and that the carrying the _Indian Market_ to _Monreal_ in _Canada_, draws all the far _Indians_ thither.

The last Thing we have to take Notice, is what the Merchants asserted before the Lords of Trade, _viz. That there has not been half the Quantity of_ European _Goods exported since the passing of this Act, that used to be_.

We are well assured, that this is no better grounded than the other Facts they assert with the same Positiveness. For it is well known almost to every Person in _New-York_, that there has not been a less, but rather a greater Quantity of _European Goods_ imported into this Place, since the passing of this Act, than was at any Time before it, in the same Space of Time. As this appears by the Manifests in the Custom-house here, the same may likewise be easily proved by the Custom-house Books in _London_.

As all the Arguments of the Merchants run upon the ill Effects this Act has had upon the Trade and the Minds of the _Indians_, every one of which we have shown to be asserted without the least Foundation to support them, there nothing now remains, but to show the good Effects this Act has produced, which are so notorious in this Province, that we know not one Person that now opens his Mouth against the Act.

Before this Act passed, none of the People of this Province travelled into the _Indian Countries_ to trade: We have now above forty young Men, who have been several Times as far as the Lakes a trading, and thereby become well acquainted, not only with the Trade of the _Indians_, but likewise with their Manners and Languages; and these have returned with such large Quantities of Furs, that greater Numbers are resolved to follow their Example. So that we have good Reason to hope, that in a little Time the _English_ will draw the whole _Indian_ Trade of the Inland Countries to _Albany_, and into the Country of the _Five Nations_. This Government has built a publick Trading-house upon _Cataraqui Lake_, at _Irondequat_ in the _Sennekas_ Land, and another is to be built next Spring, at the Mouth or the _Onondagas River_. All the far _Indians_ pass by these Places, in their Way to _Canada_; and they are not above half so far from the _English_ Settlements, as they are from the _French_.

So far is it from being true what the Merchants say, _That the_ French _Forts interrupt all Communication between the_ Indians _and the_ English, that if these Places be well supported, as they easily can be from our Settlements, in case of a Rupture with the _French_, it will be in the Power of this Province, to intercept the greatest Part of the Trade between _Canada_ and the _Indians_, round the Lakes and the Branches of the _Misissippi_.

Since this Act passed, many Nations have come to _Albany_ to trade, and settle Peace and Friendship, whose Names had not so much as been heard of among us.

In the Beginning of _May_ 1723, a Nation of _Indians_ came to _Albany_ singing and dancing, with their Calumets before them, as they always do when they come to any Place where they have not been before. We do not find that the Commissioners of _Indian_ Affairs, were able to inform themselves what Nation this was.

Towards the End of the same Month, eighty Men, besides Women and Children, came to _Albany_ in the same Manner. These had one of our Five Nations with them for an Interpreter, by whom they informed the Commissioners, that they were of a great Nation, called _Nehkereages_, consisting of six Castles and Tribes; and that they lived near a Place called by the _French Missilimakinak_, between the Upper Lake and the Lake of the _Hurons_. These _Indians_ not only desired a free Commerce, but likewise to enter into a strict League of Friendship with us and our _Six Nations_, that they might be accounted the _Seventh Nation_ in the League; and being received accordingly, they left their Calumet as a Pledge of their Fidelity.

In _June_ another Nation arrived, but from what Part of the Continent we have not learned.

In _July_ the _Twightwies_ arrived, and brought an _Indian_ Interpreter of our Nations with them, who told, that they were called by the _French Miamies_, and that they live upon one of the Branches of the River _Misissippi_.

At the same Time some of the _Tahsagrondie Indians_, who live between _Lake Erie_ and the Lake of the _Hurons_, near a _French_ Settlement, did come and renew their League with the _English_, nor durst the _French_ hinder them.

In _July_ this Year, another Nation came, whose Situation and Name we know not. And in _August_ and _September_, several Parties of the same _Indians_ that had been here last Year. But the greatest Numbers of these far _Indians_ have been met this Year, in the _Indian_ Country by our Traders, every one of them endeavouring to get before another, in order to reap the Profits of so advantageous a Trade, which has all this Summer long, kept about forty Traders constantly employed, in going between our Trading-places in our _Indian_ Country, and _Albany_.

All these Nations of _Indians_ who came to _Albany_ said, that the _French_ had told them many strange Stories of the _English_, and did what they could to hinder their coming to _Albany_, but that they had resolved to break through by Force. The Difference on this Score between the _Tahsagrondie Indians_ and the _French_ (who have a Fort and Settlement there, called by them _Le Detroit_) rose to that Height this Summer, that Mr. _Tonti_ who commanded there, thought it proper to retire, and return to _Canada_ with many of his Men.

We are for these Reasons well assured, that this Year there will be more Beaver exported for _Great-Britain_, than ever was from this Province in one Year; and that if the Custom-house Books at _London_ be looked into, it will be found, that there will be a far greater Quantity of Goods for the _Indians_, (Strouds especially) sent over next Spring, than ever was at any one Time to this Province; for the Merchants here tell us, that they have at this Time, ordered more of these Goods, than ever was done at any one Time before.

These Matters of Fact prove beyond Contradiction, that this Act has been of the greatest Service to _New-York_, in making us acquainted with many Nations of _Indians_, formerly entirely unknown and Strangers to us; in withdrawing them from their Dependance upon the _French_, and in uniting them to _us_ and _our Indians_, by Means of Trade and mutual Offices of Friendship. Of what great Consequence this may be to the _British Interest_ in general, as to Trade, is apparent to any Body. It is no less apparent likewise, that it is of the greatest Consequence to the Safety of all the _British Colonies_ in _North-America_. We feel too sensibly, the ill Effects of the _French Interest_ in the present War betwixt _New-England_, and only one Nation of _Indians_ supported by the _French_. Of what dismal Consequences then might it be, if the _French_ should be able to influence in the same Manner, so many and such numerous _Nations_, as lie to the Westward of _this Province, Pensylvania_ and _Maryland_? On the other Hand, if all these _Nations_ (who assert their own Freedom, and declare themselves Friends to those that supply them best with what they want) be brought to have a Dependance upon the _English_ (as we have good Reason to hope, in a short Time they will) the _French_ of _Canada_, in case of a War, must be at the Mercy of the _English_.

To these Advantages must be added, that many of our young Men having been induced by this Act to travel among the _Indians_, they learn their Manners, their Languages, and the Situation of all their Countries, and become inured to all Manner of Fatigues and Hardships, and a great many more being resolved to follow their Example; these young Men, in case of a War with the _Indians_, will be of ten Times the Service, that the same Number of the common Militia can be of.

The Effects of this Act have likewise so much quieted the Minds of the People, with Respect to the Security of the Frontiers, that our Settlements are now extended above thirty Miles further West towards the _Indian_ Countries, than they were before it passed.

The only Thing that now remains to answer, is an Objection which we suppose may be made, _What can induce the Merchants of_ London _to petition against an Act, which will be really so much for their Interest in the End_? The Reason is in all Probability, because they only consider their present Gain; and that they are not at all concerned for the Safety of this Country, in encouraging the most necessary Undertaking, if they apprehend their Profit for two or three Years may be lessened by it. This Inclination of the Merchants has been so notorious, that few Nations at War with their Neighbours, have been able to restrain them from supplying their Enemies with Ammunition and Arms. The Count _D'Estrade_, in his Letters in 1638 says, That when the _Dutch_ were besieging _Antwerp_, one _Beiland_, who had loaded four Fly-boats with Arms and Powder for _Antwerp_, being taken up by the Prince of _Orange_'s Order, and examined at _Amsterdam_, said boldly, _That the Burghers of_ Amsterdam _had a Right to trade every where: That he could name a Hundred that were Factors for the Merchants at_ Antwerp, _and that he was one. That Trade cannot be interrupted, and that for his Part he was very free to own, that if to get any Thing by Trade it were necessary to pass through Hell, he would venture to burn his Sails_. When this Principle so common to Merchants, is considered, and that some in this Place have got Estates by trading many Years to _Canada_, it is not to be wondered that they have acted as Factors for _Canada_ in this Affair, and that they have transmitted such Accounts to their Correspondents in _London_, as are consistent with the Trust reposed in them by the Merchants of _Canada_.

In the last Place, we are humbly of Opinion, that it may be proper to print the Petition of the Merchants of _London_, and their Allegations before the Lords of Trade, together with the Answers your Committee has made thereto, in Vindication of the Legislature of this Province, of which we have the Honour to be a Part, if your Excellency shall approve of our Answers: That what we have said may be exposed to the Examination of every one in this Place, where the Truth of the Matters of Fact is best known; and that the Correspondents of these Merchants may have the most publick Notice to reply, if they shall think it proper, or to disown in a publick Manner, that they are the Authors of such groundless Informations.

All which is unanimously and humbly submitted by

_Your Excellency's_

_Most obedient humble Servants_,

_R. Walter_, _Rip Van Dam_, _John Barberie_, _Fr. Harrison_, _Cadwallader Colden_, _Ja. Alexander_, _Abraham van Horn_.

* * * * *

_A Memorial concerning the Furr-Trade of the Province of_ New-York.

_Presented to his Excellency_ William Burnet, _Esq_; _Captain General and Governor_, &c. _by_ Cadwallader Colden, _Surveyor General of the said Province_, the 10_th of_ November 1724.

It has of late been generally believed, that the Inhabitants of the Province of _New-York_ are so advantageously situated, with respect to the _Indian Trade_, and enjoy so many Advantages as to Trade in general, that it is in their Power not only to rival the _French_ of _Canada_, who have almost entirely engrossed the Furr-Trade of _America_, but that it is impossible for the _French_ to carry on that Trade in Competition with the People of this Province. The enquiring into the Truth of this Proposition, may not only be of some Consequence, as to the Riches and Honour of the _British Nation_, (for it is well known how valuable the Furr-Trade of _America_ is) but likewise as to the Safety of all the _British Colonies_ in _North-America_. _New-France_ (as the _French_ now claim) extends from the Mouth of the River _Misissippi_, to the Mouth of the River _St. Lawrence_, by which the _French_ plainly show their Intention of enclosing the _British Settlements_, and cutting us off from all Commerce with the numerous Nations of _Indians_, that are every where settled over the vast Continent of _North-America_. The _English_ in _America_ have too good Reason to apprehend such a Design, when they see the _French_ King's Geographer publish a Map, by which he has set Bounds to the _British Empire_ in _America_, and has taken in many of the _English Settlements_ both in _South-Carolina_ and _New York_, within these Boundaries of _New-France_. And the good Services they intend us, with the _Indians_, but too plainly appears at this Day, by the _Indian War_ now carried on against _New-England_.

I have therefore for some Time past, endeavoured to inform myself, from the Writings of the _French_, and from others who have travelled in _Canada_, or among the _Indians_, how far the People of this Province may carry on the _Indian Trade_, with more Advantage than the _French_ can; or what Disadvantages they labour under, more than the _French_ do. As all Endeavours for the good of ones Country are excusable, I do not doubt but my Intention in this will be acceptable to your Excellency, though I be not capable of treating the Subject as it deserves.

I shall begin with _Canada_, and consider what Advantages they have either by their Situation, or otherwise. _Canada_ is situated upon the River of _St. Lawrence_, by which the five great Lakes (which may properly be called, _The five Inland Seas of North-America_) empty themselves into the Ocean. The Mouth of this great River is in the Lat. of 50 Degrees, overagainst the Body of _Newfoundland_. It rises from the _Cataracui Lake_, (the Eastermost of the five great Lakes) about the Lat. of 44 Degrees, and runs from thence about North-East to the Ocean, and is about nine hundred Miles in Length, from that Lake to the Ocean. The five great Lakes which communicate with each other, and with this River, extend about one thousand Miles Westward, further into the Continent. So far the _French_ have already discovered, and their Discoveries make it probable, that an Inland Passage may be found to the _South-Sea_, by the Rivers which run into these Lakes, and Rivers which run into the _South-Sea_.

The Method of carrying Goods upon the Rivers of _North-America_, into all the small Branches, and over Land, from the Branches of one River to the Branches of another, was learned from the _Indians_, and is the only Method practicable through such large Forests and Deserts as the Traders pass thro', in carrying from one Nation to another, it is this; the _Indians_ make a long narrow Boat, made of the Bark of the Birch-tree, the Parts of which they join very neatly. One of these Canoes that can carry a Dozen Men, can itself be easily carried upon two Men's Shoulders; so that when they have gone as far by Water as they can (which is further than is easily to be imagined, because their loaded Canoes don't sink six Inches into the Water) they unload their Canoes, and carry both Goods and Canoes upon their Shoulders over Land, into the nearest Branch of the River they intend to follow. Thus, the _French_ have an easy Communication with all the Countries bordering upon the River of _St. Lawrence_, and its Branches, with all the Countries bordering upon these In-land Seas, and the Rivers which empty themselves into these Seas, and can thereby carry their Burdens of Merchandize thro' all these large Countries, which could not by any other means than Water-carriage be carried thro' so vast a Tract of Land.

This, however, but half finishes the View the _French_ have, as to their Commerce in _North-America_. Many of the Branches of the River _Misissippi_ come so near to the Branches of several of the Rivers which empty themselves into the great Lakes, that in several Places there is but a short Land-Carriage from the one to the other. As soon as they have got into the River _Misissippi_, they open to themselves as large a Field for Traffick in the southern Parts of _North-America_, as was before mentioned with respect to the northern Parts. If one considers the Length of this River, and its numerous Branches, he must say, _That by means of this River, and the Lakes, there is opened to his View such a Scene of inland Navigation as cannot be parallel'd in any other Part of the World_.