QQQ [Assembly 



the grant, and thus exhibited an exercise over the region of one 

 of the highest prerogatives of sovereignty. 



The Crown Point of history is a beiiitiful peninsula, forming a 

 section of the present township of that name, which is disting- 

 uished for its agricultural fertility, and the rare and exceeding 

 loveliness of the landscapes its varied scenery atfords. The pen- 

 insula is formed by Bulwagga Bay, a broad estuary on the west, 

 and the lake upon the east, which, at that point, abruptly chang- 

 es its course nearly at right angles, and is compressed from a wide 

 expanse into a narrow channel. A vast wilderness, extended on 

 either side of Lake Charapjain, from the settlements on the 

 Hudson to the Canadian hamlets, broken by rugged and imprac- 

 ticable mountains and ravines, and traversed by deep or rapid 

 streams. No track penetrated it, except the path of the In- 

 dian. The lake, in its navigation, or by its ice, afforded the only 

 avenue of mutual invasion. Tlie most unpracticed eye, at once 

 perceives that Canada could be the most efficiently shielded by 

 the occupation of Crown Point, that position forming the portals 

 of the lake. Impressed, no doubt, by these considerations, the 

 French Vice-regal government, violating the sanctions of treaties, 

 and the immunities of a profound peace, suddenly advanced 

 througli the lake, and seized by a military force, a promontory 

 directly opposite Crown Point, and immediately after, that posi- 

 tion itself. 



The government of New-York, at that period fallen into 

 nerveless and ineincient hands, or ignorant of this -daring and 

 impetuous act of French audacity, remained supine, while the 

 formidable f )rtress of St. Frederic arose on the extremitv of Crown 

 Point, and secured to France the dominion of the lake. 



The protection of Canada from the inroads of the Iroquois, was 

 the ostensible reason and excuse of this measure, assigned by 

 France. Its real purpose, besides embracing the control of the 

 lake, contemplated a still deeper policy. Occupying a position 

 at the threshold of the English po- sessions, they could menace 

 and impede their progress, and at any moment direct against their 

 expanded and defenceless settlements, sudden and destructive 

 assaults. Crown Point w^as W'ithin the conceded possessions of 



