Peace returned to the tormented borders; the settlements advanced again, and the colonists found a short breathing space against the great conclusive struggle of the Seven Years’ War. [245] Temple and Sheldon, _History of Northfield_, 237, give the items from the original account. This is one of the best of the innumerable town histories of New England. [246] Temple and Sheldon, _History of Northfield_, 218. [247] _A short Narrative of Mischief done by the French and Indian Enemy, on the Western Frontiers of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay; from the Beginning of the French War, proclaimed by the King of France, March 15th, 1743-4; and by the King of Great Britain, March 29th, 1744, to August 2nd, 1748. Drawn up by the Rev. Mr. Doolittle, of Northfield, in the County of Hampshire; and found among his Manuscripts after his Death. And at the Desire of some is now Published, with some small Additions to render it more perfect. Boston; Printed and sold by S. Kneeland, in Queen Street. MDCCL._ The facts above given concerning Mr. Doolittle are drawn from the excellent _History of Northfield_ by Temple and Sheldon, and the introduction to the _Particular History of the Five Years’ French and Indian War_, by S. G. Drake. [248] French writers always call him Rigaud, to distinguish him from his brother, Pierre Rigaud de Vaudreuil-Cavagnal, afterwards governor of Canada, who is usually mentioned as Vaudreuil. [249] _Journal de la Campagne de Rigaud de Vaudreuil en 1746 ... présenté à Monseigneur le Comte de Maurepas, Ministre et Secrétaire d’État_ (written by Rigaud). [250] “Le 19, ayant fait passer l’armée en Revue qui se trouva de 700 hommes, scavoir 500 françois environ et 200 quelques sauvages.”--_Journal de Rigaud._ [251] See _N. Y. Col. Docs._, x. 103, 132. [252] _Ibid._, x. 35. [253] These Dutch settlements on the Hoosac were made under what was called the “Hoosac Patent,” granted by Governor Dongan of New York in 1688. The settlements were not begun till nearly forty years after the grant was made. For evidence on this point I am indebted to Professor A. L. Perry, of Williams College. [254] “Mes enfans, leur dis-je, le temps approche où il faut faire d’autre viande que le porc frais; au reste, nous la mangerons tous ensemble; ce mot les flatta dans la crainte qu’ils avoient qu’après la prise du fort nous ne nous réservâmes tous les prisonniers.”--_Journal de Rigaud._ [255] The term “blockhouse” was loosely used, and was even sometimes applied to an entire fort when constructed of hewn logs, and not of palisades. The true blockhouse of the New England frontier was a solid wooden structure about twenty feet high, with a projecting upper story and loopholes above and below.