Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-10-26

one time, nearly all the Western tribes Of
the Iroquois were on the point of receiv-
lug christianity at the hands of these mis-
4onaries and the influence Of France
seemed about to be planted in the finest
VALVES of central New York. But the
fierce unrelenting Mohawks interfered
The savage nature could not forget revenge,
nor cease to associate Frenchmen with AL
gonkins. In 1869 the French were expelle
by the confederated tribes from all their
districts.
This step was followed up by others OF a
more bold and aggressive character. In
dian war parties often traversed this lake,
attacked the scattered settlements on the
st. Lawrence, and even ventured to show
themselves under the walls of Quebec. The
French colony itself was threatened with ex-
termination, and the Hundred Associates,
despairing of being able to protect them
selves against such constant inroads which
every year grew more alarming surren-
dered their charter into the hands Of the
king The Jesuits made direct appeal
to the Royal power for protection against
the Iroquois An importation offresh troops
from the disciplined armies of France,
military governors and Il charge from the
policy of Champlain, restored matters for
the present, and kept the Indians in awe.
1t really seemed now as if something
might be done towards taking actual pos
session of this lake, with all the Northern
and Western part Of New York, which had
always been claimed as part of the terri
tory of New France But just at this
time, the settlements of the Dutch, or
New Netherlands, as it was called, fell
into the hands of the English. There were
now but two great colonies struggling for
Dredominance on this Northern continent,
the French Catholics at the North and
West, and the English Protestants at the /
East and South. Between them in this
quarter, though acting as a check upon the |
ormer, while they simply maintained their
towards the latter, was the !
still powerful and important confederacy |
IF the Five Nations. 1t was evident that /
whichever side could win them, must event |
IalIy have possession Of this lake together /
With all its natural dependencies. The /
question long remained undecided. The |
our nations in Western New York, who /
we're more or less under the influence Of /
heJesuit missionaries, we're inclined to tav-
II the French. But the Mohawks still re-
-arded their old enemies with the same IN /
eteratc hostility. The advice of the Mo- /
hawks and Of the Senecas, the western
most of the Five Nations, overruled that
f the others 1t was well it did so. For
he policy Of the French now took that
eciled direction which it retained for the
ext twenty-five years. That policy was
o break down the spirit of the insolent
roquois, as they expressed 1t, and thus
-udgr them tractable. To effect this the
-holc power Of France in the North, the
oval troops, the colonist5 and every In
ian tribe under their influence was to be
The Duke Of York, obse-
uious tool to a Catholic monarch, directed
ac governor Of his province not to inter-
ere with the French designs 1t would
AIRY me far beyond my bounds to attempt
Ven a sketch Of the events affecting the
estiny of this valley which now followed Z
lch other in rapid succession the attack
.ade on the Five Nations by the combined {
rench and Indians from the West, twice
'peated. both times repulsed the attack
nd capture of Montreal by 1900 Iroquois;
he panic and CONSERVATION occasionCd by
Iri h.,
Indians, who were on the point of desert I
L their Old ally: the restoration of con- ,
icace by the energy Of Frontenac, the
0st skiltul and active Of French governors:
is plan to take possession of the entire i,
alley OF Champlain and North river by a
DmbIned and simultaneous invasion from I
9TH its extremes the three forays t
rough this part Of the valley which re- t
ltei in the destruction of Ueerfeld, the d
assacre at Schenectady and the burning o
the Mohawk castles finally. the inva- !,
On led on by Frontenac himself; sudden
terminated, at the moment when it ap-
AIRED evident to all that but one more v
ow was needed to secure the object of so Y
any desperate struggles, by those words Ii
the weary old commander, " 1t was V
ne for him to repose. Il
Thus ended the long contest between the A
euch and the Indians for the possession 81
this valley. The struggle now passed Of
o other hands. 1t became a contest be- m
cen the colonies; a struggle not for the d
session Of a particular territory, but for ii
Q entire Northern continent. But W
st leave the subject at this point. And E
re it may be properly left Lake Cham di
in. it is true, was at the time of which | so
speaking still wilderness. Notwlth- h
ndng that more than hundred vears WI