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Papers Relating to an Act of the Assembly of the Province of New-York: For encouragement of the Indian trade, &c. and for prohibiting the selling of Indian goods to the French, viz. of Canada — John Shaqi

History

Papers Relating to an Act of the Assembly of the Province of New-York: For encouragement of the Indian trade, &c. and for prohibiting the selling of Indian goods to the French, viz. of Canada

Name: Papers Relating to an Act of the Assembly of the Province of New-York: For encouragement of the Indian trade, &c. and for prohibiting the selling of Indian goods to the French, viz. of Canada
Author: Great Britain. Board of Trade

Great Britain. Board of Trade

Fur trade -- New York (State); Indians of North America -- Commerce; Iroquois Indians; New York (State) -- Commerce -- History; New York (State) -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775

On the other hand, the Preamble of the Act sets forth, That it was found
by Experience, that the _French_ of _Canada_, by means of _Indian_ Goods
brought from that Province, had not only almost wholly engrossed the
_Indian_ Trade, but had in great Measure, withdrawn the Affections of
the _Five Nations_ of _Indians_ from the Inhabitants of that Province,
and rendered them wavering in their Allegiance to your Majesty; and
would, if such Trade were not prevented, altogether alienate the Minds
of the said _Indians_, which would prove of dangerous Consequence to
the _English_ Interest in _America_.

And Mr. _Burnet_, your Majesty's Governor of _New-York_, informs us,
That, since the passing of this Act, several of the far _Indians_ had
come to _Albany_ to trade; That some of them came above one thousand
Miles, and are now incorporated with the _Five Nations_: That he had
likewise Intelligence of more far _Indians_ that design'd to come to
_Albany_, which he conceives to have been a good Effect proceeding from
this Act: And likewise adds, That he did not doubt but the Cheapness of
Goods in _Albany_ would induce the _Indians_ to trade there, rather than
with the _French_ at _Montreal_; and that the Traders of _Albany_ began
to be sensible of their Error in sharing a Trade with the _French_,
which they now perceive they can keep wholly to themselves.

    *    *    *    *    *

_Upon the whole_, being doubtful of some of the Facts alledged by the
Merchants, and considering how far the _British Trade_ may be affected
by this Act, on the one hand; and how much the Security and Interest of
your Majesty's Colonies in _America_ may be concerned, on the other, we
are humbly of Opinion, That no Directions should be sent to _New-York_,
upon the Subject-Matter of this Act, till Mr. _Burnet_ shall have been
acquainted with the Objections of the Merchants thereto, and his Answers
and Observations received thereupon. For which end, if your Majesty
shall be graciously pleased to approve of this our Proposal, we shall
forthwith send him Copies both of the Merchants Memorial, and of what
Objections they have made before us to the Subject-Matter of this Bill.

Which is most humbly submitted. Signed,

    _J. Chetwind_,
    _T. Pelham_,
    _M. Bladen_,
    _R. Plummer_,
    _Ed. Ashe_.

  _Whitehall_,
  _July_ 14, 1724.

       *     *     *     *     *

    _The Report of a Committee of the Council held at_ New-York,
    November 6, 1724.

    _May it please your Excellency_,

Papers Relating to an Act of the Assembly of the Province of New-York: For encouragement of the Indian trade, &c. and for prohibiting the selling of Indian goods to the French, viz. of Canada

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