It is worthy of note here how great was the territory of France in America at this time. It was a vast region, embracing within its limits the Hudson’s Bay territory, Acadia, Canada, a great part of Maine, portions of the States of Vermont and New York, with the whole of the valley of the Mississippi. And a great portion of this ought, to-day, to form part of Canada, some of which would, were it not for the indifference, or stupidity of English commissioners, and the contemptible trickery of Americans, such as the act of concealing the fact of the existence of a certain map by Daniel Webster, which would prove adverse to his pretentions. It has been deemed appropriate to follow La Salle in his steps, not alone because he was the first settler in Upper Canada, who held land property; but because we learn of the way in which the French, originally struggling to gain a footing in the Lower St. Lawrence, gradually extended westward, carrying in one hand the Cross, and with the other, planting forts for the purpose of trade, and erecting such defences as the uncertain character of the natives rendered necessary. We learn how it came, that fort after fort, whose ruins may yet be traced across the continent, were planted along a route which commenced at the mouth of the mighty St. Lawrence, extended along the western lakes, and then turning southward terminated at the mouth of the majestic Mississippi. INTRODUCTION. (CONTINUED.) CHAPTER II. CONTENTS—Cataraqui fort strengthened—Kente Indians seized and carried captive to France—Massacre of Lachine—Commencing struggle between New England and New France—Siege of Quebec by Sir Wm. Phipps—Destruction of Fort Cataraqui—Its re-erection—Treaty of Ryswick—Death of Frontenac—Iroquois in England—Another attempt to capture Quebec—Decline of French power—Population of Canada and of New England—Continuation of the contest for the fur trade—Taking of Fort Louisburg—Col. Washington, dishonorable conduct— Inconsistency of Dr. Franklin—Commencement of seven years’ war— Close of first year—Montcalm—His presentiment—Taking of Fort Oswego—Of Fort William Henry—Fearful massacre—The state of Canada— Wolfe appears—Taking of Frontenac—Duquesne—Apathy of France—The spring of 1759—Reduced state of Canada—The overthrow of French power in America—The result—Union of elements—The capture of Quebec—Wolfe—Death of Montcalm—Fort Niagara—Johnson—Effort to retake Quebec—Wreck of the French army—Capitulation at Montreal— Population—The first British Governor of Canada—The Canadians as British subjects—The result of French enterprise—Rebellion.