Part 3

The _French_ have, with much Industry, settled small Colonies, and built stockaded Forts at all the considerable Passes between the Lakes, except between _Cataracui Lake_ (called by the _French Ontario_) and _Lake Erie_, one of our Five Nations of _Indians_, whom we call _Sennekas_, (and the _French Sonontouans_) having hitherto refused them leave to erect any Buildings there.

The _French_ have been indefatigable in making Discoveries, and carrying on their Commerce with Nations, of whom the _English_ know nothing but what they see in the _French_ Maps and Books. The Barrenness of the Soil, and the Coldness of the Climate of _Canada_, obliges the greatest number of the Inhabitants to seek their living by travelling among the _Indians_, or by trading with those that do travel. The Governor, and other Officers, have but a scanty Allowance from the King, and could not subsist were it not by the Perquisites they have from this Trade; neither could their Priests find any means to satisfy their Ambition and Luxury without it: So that all Heads and Hands are employ'd to advance it, and the Men of best Parts think it the surest way to advance themselves by travelling among the _Indians_, and learning their Languages; even the Bigotry and Enthusiasm of some hot Heads has not been a little useful in advancing this Commerce; for that Government having prudently turn'd the Edge of the Zeal of such hot Spirits upon converting the _Indians_, many of them have spent their Lives under the greatest Hardships, in endeavouring to gain the _Indians_ to their Religion, and to love the _French Nation_, while, at the same time, they are no less industrious to represent the _English_ as the _Enemies of Mankind_. So that the whole Policy of that Government, both civil and religious, is admirably turn'd to the general Advancement of this Trade. Indeed the Art and Industry of the _French_, especially that of their religious Missions, has so far prevail'd upon all the _Indians_ in _North-America_, that they are every where directed by _French Councils_. Even our own _Five Nations_, (the _Iroquois_) who formerly were mortal Enemies of the _French_, and have always liv'd in the strictest Amity with the _English_, have, of late, (by the Practices of the _French Priests_) been so far gain'd, that several of the _Mohawks_, who live nearest the _English_, have left their Habitations, and are gone to settle near _Monreal_ in _Canada_; and all the rest discover a Dread of the _French Power_. That much of this is truly owing to the _Priests_, appears from many of the Sachems of the _Iroquois_ wearing Crucifixes when they come to _Albany_: And those _Mohawk Indians_ that are gone to _Canada_, are now commonly known, both to the _French_ and _English_, by the Name of _The Praying Indians_, it being customary for them to go through the Streets of _Monreal_ with their Beads, praying and begging Alms.

But notwithstanding all these Advantages, the _French_ labour under Difficulties that no Art or Industry can remove. The Mouth of the River of _St. Lawrence_, and more especially the Bay of _St. Lawrence_, lies so far North, and is thereby so often subject to tempestuous Weather and thick Fogs, that the Navigation there is very dangerous, and never attempted but during the Summer Months. The Wideness of this Bay, together with the many strong Currents that run in it, the many Shelves, and sunken Rocks that are every where spread over both the Bay and River, and the want of Places for anchoring in the Bay, all increase the Danger of this Navigation; so that a Voyage to _Canada_ is justly esteem'd much more dangerous than to any other Part of _America_. The many Shipwrecks that happen in this Navigation, are but too evident Proofs of the Truth of this, particularly the Miscarriage of the last Expedition against _Canada_. The Channel is so difficult, and the Tides so strong, that after their Shipping get into the River, they never attempt to sail in the Night, tho' the Wind be fair, and the Weather good. These Difficulties are so considerable, that the _French_ never attempt above one Voyage in a Year to _Europe_, or the _West-Indies_, tho' it be really nearer _Europe_ than any of the _English Colonies_, where the Shipping that constantly use the Trade, always make two Voyages in the Year.

The Navigation between _Quebeck_ and _Monreal_ is likewise very dangerous and difficult: The Tide rises about 18 or 20 Feet at _Quebeck_, which occasions so strong a Stream, that a Boat of six Oars cannot make way against it: The River in many Places very wide, and the Channel at the same time narrow and crooked; there are many Shelves and sunken Rocks, so that the best Pilots have been deceived; for which reason the Vessels that carry Goods to _Monreal_ are always obliged to anchor before Night, tho' both Wind and Tide be fair. The Flood goes no further than _Trois Rivieres_, half way to _Monreal_, and about ninety Miles from _Quebeck_: After they pass this Place they have a strong Stream always against them, which requires a fair Wind and a strong Gale to carry the Vessels against the Stream. And they are obliged in this Part of the River, as well as under the _Trois Rivieres_, to come to an anchor at Night, though the Wind be good. These Difficulties make the common Passages take up three or four Weeks, and sometimes six Weeks; tho' if they have the chance of a Wind to continue so long, they may run it in five or six Days.

After they pass _Monreal_ they have a strong Stream against them till they come near the Lakes; so that in all that, which is about one hundred and fifty Miles in Length, they force their Canoes forward with setting Poles, or drag them with Ropes along shoar; and at five or six different Places in that way the River falls over Rocks with such Force, that they are obliged to unload their Canoes, and carry them upon their Shoulders. They never make this Voyage from _Monreal_ to _Cataracui_ in less than twenty Days, and frequently, twice that Time is necessary.

Now we are come so far as the Lake, my Design leads me no further, for at this Lake all the far _Indians_, that go to _Canada_, must pass by our Traders. And from thence the Road to the _Indian Countries_ is the same from _Albany_ that it is from _Monreal_.

Besides these Difficulties in the Transportation, the _French_ labour under greater in the purchasing of the principal Goods proper for the _Indian Market_; for the most considerable and most valuable Part of their Cargo consists in _Strouds, Duffils, Blankets_, and other _Woollens_, which are bought at a much cheaper Rate in _England_ than in _France_. The _Strouds_ (which the _Indians_ value more than any other Cloathing) are only made in _England_, and must be transported into _France_ before they can be carried to _Canada_. _Rum_ is another considerable Branch of the _Indian Trade_, which the _French_ have not, by reason they have no Commodities in _Canada_ fit for the _West India_ Market. This they supply with _Brandy_, at a much dearer Rate than Rum can be purchased at _New-York_, tho' of no more Value with the _Indians_. Generally, all the Goods used in the _Indian Trade_, except _Gun-Powder_, and a few Trinkets, are sold at _Monreal_ for twice their Value at _Albany_. To this likewise must be added, the necessity they are under of laying the whole Charge of supporting their Government on the _Indian Trade_. I am not particularly informed of their Duties or Imposts, but I am well assured, that they commonly give six or seven hundred Livres for a Licence for one Canoe, in proportion to her Largeness, to go with her Loading into the _Indian Country_ to trade.

I shall next consider the Advantages the Inhabitants of _New-York_ have in carrying on this Trade. In the _first_ place, the Ships that constantly use the Trade to _England_, perform their Voyage to and from _London_ twice every Year; and those that go to _Bristol_ (the Port from whence the greatest part of the Goods for the _Indian Trade_ are exported) frequently return in four Months. These Goods are bought much cheaper in _England_ than in _France_: They are transported in less Time, with less Charge, and much less Risque, as appears by the _Premio_ for Insurance between _London_ and _New-York_, being only _Two per Cent_. Goods are easily carried from _New-York_ to _Albany_, up _Hudson's River_, the Distance being only 140 Miles, the River very strait all the way, and bold, and very free from Sandbanks, as well as Rocks; so that the Vessels always sail as well by Night as by Day, and have the Advantage of the Tide upwards as well as downwards, the Flood flowing above _Albany_. It may therefore be safely concluded, that all sorts of Goods can be carried to _Albany_ at a cheaper Rate than they can be to _Quebeck_, which is also three times further from the _Indian Country_ than _Albany_ is. To put the Truth of this out of all dispute, I need only observe what is well known both at _New-York_ and _Albany, viz_. That almost all the Strouds carried by the _French_ into the _Indian Countries_, as well as large Quantities of other Goods, for the Use of the _French_ themselves, are carried from _Albany_ to _Monreal_. There has been an Account kept of nine hundred Pieces of Strouds transported thither in one Year, besides other Commodities of very considerable Value. The Distance between _Albany_ and _Monreal_ is about two hundred Miles, all by Water, except twelve Miles between _Hudson's River_ and the _Wood-Creek_, where they carry their Bark Canoes over Land, and about sixteen Miles between _Chambly_ and _La Prairie_, overagainst _Monreal_. And tho' the Passage be so short and easy, these Goods are generally sold at double their Value in _Albany_.

But as this Path has been thought extremely prejudicial to the Interest of this Colony, I shall leave it, and go on to another, that leads directly from _Albany_ into the _Cataracui_ or _Ontario Lake_, without going near any of the _French_ Settlements.

From _Albany_ the _Indian Traders_ commonly carry their Goods sixteen Miles over Land, to the _Mohawks River_ at _Schenechtady_, the Charge of which Carriage is _Nine Shillings New-York_ Money, or _Five Shillings Sterling_ each Waggon-Load. From _Schenechtady_ they carry them in Canoes up the _Mohawks River_, to the Carrying-place between the _Mohawks River_, and the River which runs into the _Oneida Lake_; which Carrying-place between is only three Miles long, except in very dry Weather, when they are obliged to carry them two Miles further. From thence they go with the Current down the _Onondaga River_ to the _Cataracui Lake_. The Distance between _Albany_ and the _Cataracui Lake_ (this Way) is nearly the same with that between _Albany_ and _Monreal_; and likewise with that between _Monreal_ and the _Cataracui Lake_, and the Passage much easier than the last, because the Stream of the _Mohawks River_ is not near so strong as the _Cataracui River_ between the _Lake_ and _Monreal_, and there is no Fall in the River, save one short one; whereas there are (as I have said) at least five in the _Cataracui River_, where the Canoes must be unloaded. Therefore it plainly follows, that the _Indian Goods_ may be carried at as cheap a Rate from _Albany_ to the _Cataracui Lake_, as from _Albany_ to _Monreal_. So that the People of _Albany_ plainly save all the Charge of carrying Goods two hundred Miles from _Monreal_ to that Part of the _Cataracui Lake_, which the _French_ have to carry before they bring them to the same Place from _Monreal_, besides the Advantage which the _English_ have in the Price of their Goods.

I have said, That when we are in the _Cataracui Lake_, we are upon the Level with the _French_, because here we can meet with all the _Indians_ that design to go to _Monreal_. But besides this Passage by the _Lakes_, there is a River which comes from the Country of the _Sennekas_, and falls into the _Onondaga River_, by which we have an easy Carriage into that Country, without going near the _Cataracui Lake_. The Head of this River goes near to _Lake Erie_, and probably may give a very near Passage into that Lake, much more advantageous than the Way the _French_ are obliged to take by the great Fall of _Jagara_, because narrow Rivers are much safer for Canoes than the Lakes, where they are obliged to go ashore if there be any Wind upon the Water. But as this Passage depends upon a further Discovery, I shall say nothing more of it at this time.

Whoever then considers these Advantages _New-York_ has of _Canada_, in the first buying of their Goods, and in the safe, speedy, and cheap Transportation of them from _Britain_ to the _Lakes_, free of all manner of Duty or Imposts, will readily agree with me, that the Traders of _New-York_ may sell their Goods in the _Indian Countries_ at half the Price the People of _Canada_ can, and reap twice the Profit they do. This will admit of no Dispute with those that know that Strouds (the Staple _Indian Commodity_) this Year are sold for _Ten Pounds_ apiece at _Albany_, and at _Monreal_ for _Twenty-five Pounds_, notwithstanding the great Quantity of Strouds said to be brought directly into _Quebeck_ from _France_, and the great Quantities that have been clandestinely carried from _Albany_. It cannot therefore be denied that it is only necessary for the Traders of _New-York_ to apply themselves heartily to this Trade, in order to bring it wholly into their own Hands; for in every thing besides Diligence, Industry, and enduring Fatigues, the _English_ have much the Advantage of the _French_. And all the _Indians_ will certainly buy, where they can, at the cheapest Rate.

It must naturally be objected, _That if those things are true, how is it possible that the Traders of_ New-York _should neglect so considerable and beneficial Trade for so long time?_

In answering this Objection, I shall show the Difficulties _New-York_ has labour'd under, by giving a short History of the Country, so far as it relates to this Trade. Which Method, I think, can be liable to the least Objection, and put the whole in the truest Light.

When this Country (the Province of _New-York_) came first under the Crown of _Great-Britain_, our _Five Nations_ of _Indians_ were mortal Enemies of the _French_ at _Canada_, and were in a continual War with them, and all the _Nations_ of _Indians_ round the Lakes; so that then it was not safe for the _English_ to travel further than the Countries of the _Five Nations_; nor would our _Indians_ permit the far _Indians_ (with whom they had constant War) to pass thro' their Countries to _Albany_. Besides, the _Five Nations_ of _Indians_ were at that time so numerous, (consisting of ten times the Number of fighting Men they now do) that the Trade with them alone was very considerable for so young and small a Colony. In the latter End of King _Charles_'s Reign, when the _Duke of York_, and _Popish Councils_ prevail'd, the Governor of _New-York_ (who was likewise a _Papist_) had Orders to use all his Endeavours to make up a Peace between our Nations (the _Iroquois_) and the _French_; and that he should persuade the _Five Nations_ to admit _French Priests_ among them, in order to civilize them. The Consequence of which was, that the _French_ thereby obtained a free Commerce upon the _Lakes_, and obtain'd leave to build _Cataraqui Fort_ upon the North-side of _Cataracui Lake_, and have two Vessels of Force upon the same Lake. From this Time, during all King _James_'s Reign, the _French_, whenever they had any Differences with our _Five Nations_, threaten'd, that the _English_ of _New-York_ would join with them, and destroy the _Five Nations_; by which, and the Practices of the _French Priests_, our _Five Nations_ became very much alienated in their Affections from the _English_, and look'd upon them as a People depending upon the _French_. The Consequences of this appeared so dangerous to Colonel _Dungan_, the Governor of _New-York_, (though, as I have said, a _Papist_) that he again and again complain'd to his Master of the ill Offices the _French Priests_ did the _English_ among _our Nations_. When the _English_ had thus procur'd a Peace for the _French_, they thought they might justly reap some Advantage from it; and it's hardly to be doubted but that they had Promises of that kind. They were therefore encouraged to send forty Men, with great Quantities of Goods, into the _Lakes_, under the Command of Major _McGregory_, to trade with the far _Nations_. At this time Mr. _Denonville_, Governor of _Canada_, was gathering together all the Force of _Canada_, and of the _Indians_, (Enemies of the _Five Nations_) in order to surprize the _Five Nations_, and destroy them, at the Time they thought themselves secure by the Peace so lately made. Major _McGregory_, and his Company, were met by a _French_ Officer on _Lake Erie_, coming with a great Number of Men to the general Rendezvous of the _French_, and he, with all the _English_, were made Prisoners. They were used with such Severity as has never been practis'd between _Christian Nations_ in open War, tho' the two Crowns, at that time, were not only at Peace, but under the strictest Ties of mutual Friendship; for the _French_ used these People as Slaves in building _Cataraqui Fort_, and a poor _Frenchman_ that had conducted them, was publickly shot to Death, as if he had brought an Enemy into their Country. Such was their Apprehensions then of the _English_ getting any Footing among the _Indians_.

The _French_ Governor surprized a Village of the _Five Nations_, who, on the _French_ Faith, liv'd in great Security, but seven or eight Leagues from the _French_ Fort, and sent these miserable People to the Galleys in _France_. He afterwards fell upon the _Sennekas_, and burnt their Villages, but without any Advantage to the _French_, they having lost more Men than the _Indians_ did. This renew'd the War with greater Fury than ever, between the _French_ and _our Indians_. For some time afterwards, _our Indians_, in a great Body, fell upon the Island of _Monreal_, while Mr. _Denonville_ was in the Town: They burnt and destroy'd all the Villages and Houses round _Monreal_, and kill'd some hundreds of Men, Women, and Children. Afterwards they came into the open Fields before _Monreal_, and there defy'd the _French_ Governor, who did not think it proper to fight them. And when they had done all the Mischief they could, they retir'd without any Loss.

About this Time the Revolution happen'd in _Great-Britain_, which was succeeded by a War between _Great-Britain_ and _France_. In _February_, 1689/90, a Party of three hundred Men, consisting of equal Numbers of _French_ and _Indians_, surprized _Schenechtady_ in the Night-time, when the poor People were in their Beds, in the greatest Security, where they barbarously murdered sixty-three Men, Women, and Children, in cold Blood, laid the Village in Ashes, and then retir'd, without reaping any other Advantage besides this cruel Revenge on innocent People, for the Mischief _our Indians_ had done them. This rais'd a cruel War between the two Colonies, in which there was much Mischief done, and Blood shed, without any Advantage to either side.

In Time of this War, the _most Christian King's_ Governor of _Canada_ was so much provoked, that he thought fit to follow the Example of our barbarous _Indians_, and burn his _Indian Prisoners_ alive, in the most cruel Manner, in sight of all the Inhabitants of _Quebeck_, and to deliver up the _English Prisoners_ to the _French Indians_, who indeed had more Mercy, for they kill'd none of them.

King _William_'s Peace put an End to this War; but the Peace lasted so short a while, that the People of this Province hardly had time to re-settle their Farms on the Frontiers, which they had deserted in the Time of the War, much less to adventure trading in the _Indian Countries_, so lately the Scene of so much Cruelty. But both Colonies having now an Abhorrence of the Cruelties of the last War, agreed on a kind of Neutrality for the _Indians_, during Queen _Anne_'s War, in which Time we lost much ground with our own _Indians_: For the _French_ having learn'd, by dear Experience, that it was not possible for them to conquer _our Five Indian Nations_, resolv'd to try all Means to gain their Affections, and in this Art the _French_ are always more successful than in that of War; and the _English_ failing in two ill-concerted Expeditions against _Canada_, the _Indians_ lost much of the Opinion they had of the _English_ Power and Valour.

In Time of this last War, the clandestine Trade to _Monreal_ began to be carried on by _Indians_, from _Albany_ to _Monreal_. This gave Rise to the _Kahnuaga_, or _Praying Indians_, who are entirely made up of Deserters from the _Mohawks_ and _River Indians_, and were either enticed thither by the _French Priests_, or by our Merchants, in order to carry Goods from _Albany_ to _Monreal_, or run away for some Mischief done here. These _Indians_ now consist of about eighty fighting Men, and live about four Leagues above _Monreal_: They neither plant nor hunt, but depend chiefly upon this private Trade for their Subsistence. These _Indians_, in time of War, gave the _French_ Intelligence of all Designs here against them: By them likewise the _French_ engaged our _Five Nations_ in a War with the _Indians_ Friends of _Virginia_, and from them we might expect the greatest Mischief in Time of War, seeing every Part of the Province is as well known to them as to any of the Inhabitants. But if this Trade was entirely at an end, we have reason to believe, that these _Indians_ would return to their own Tribes, for they then could not long subsist where they now are.

As soon as the Peace was proclaim'd, an open Trade with _Monreal_ was carried on with such Earnestness, that _Monreal_ was fill'd with _Indian Goods_, and _Albany_ exhausted; by which means _Monreal_ became the principal, if not the only _Indian Market_, and the _Indians_ depended entirely on the _French_ for what they wanted.

Our Merchants were fond of the _Canada_ Trade, because they sold large Quantities of Goods without any Trouble, the _French_ taking them from their Doors; whereas the Trade with the _Indians_ is carried on with a great deal of Toil and Fatigue; and as to the Interest of the Country, they either never thought any thing about it, or if they did, had no regard to it.

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