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