U70 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



the northern settlements on Hudson^s river, had 

 been conducted by the Dutch. That people^ 

 incHned most of all to commerce, had so mana- 

 ged the Indians as to secure their friendship^ 

 derive much profit from their trade, and had al- 

 ways avoided any contests, or at least any open 

 hostilities with them. In 1664, the whole coun- 

 try, called at that time New Netherlands, was 

 surrendered to the crown of England. The 

 country assumed the name of New York, and 

 was governed by authority derived from the 

 king of England* The Indians who lived be- 

 tween the settlements in Nevv^ York and Canada^ 

 traded with either as best suited their conven- 

 ience or interest. But from this intercourse 

 tliey soon found that the English and French 

 were far from being friends ; that they were 

 often at war with each other, and were always 

 rivals in trade. With the spirit of sound policy 

 thev endeavored to avail, themselves of this state 

 of things, and to procure from the English a 

 plentiful supply of that kind of arms and am.- 

 jnunition, which had been so successfully em- 

 ployed against them ; and which could alone 

 be applied to the greatest advantage in all the 

 purposes of war and hunting. At the same 

 time they resolved to preserve their own inde- 

 pendence and importance, by trading with, or 

 favoring either, i^ their own interest might dic- 

 tate. 



The English and the French colonies were 

 both aware of the Indian temper and policy, 

 and they were anxious to secure the Indian 

 friendship and trade. It became of course 

 tiieir interest and endeavour to impart their own 



