HISTORY OF VERMONT. 273 



give it success and efficacy. A messenger ar- 

 rived from M. de Bane, go^en^or of Catiade^, 

 complaining that the Indians of the Seneca tribe 

 had interrupted the French, in their trade with 

 the more distant nations. I'he Senecas admit- 

 ted the charge, but complained in their turn 

 that the French had supplied some of the Indian 

 tribes ^vith whom they were at war, with arms 

 and ammunition. And it became known that 

 while De Barre was amusing the governor of 

 New York, and the Iroquoise with these com- 

 plaints, he was making large preparations for 

 the entire destruction of the five nations. That 

 nothing might be wanting to secure success to 

 his measures, he had procured fresh troops from 

 France ; and a letter of instructions from the 

 Duke of York, proprietor of the province, to 



. Col. Dongan his governor, enjoining him not 

 to oppose the French proceedings. Thus pre- 

 pared, De Barre proceeded with an army of 

 seventeen hundred men to lake Ontario ; and 

 sent to all the officers in the western posts, to 

 collect all the Indians they could in the upper 

 parts of the country, and rendezvous at Niagara. 

 The interference between the English and 

 French colonies in the affairs of the Indians, 



, though not avowed, had resolved itself iriio a 

 steady opposition for several years ; and was 

 now assuming the aspect of a regular UcVional 

 policy. Dongan had been appointed governor 

 of New York in the year 1682 ; and was the 

 first English governor that saw the advantages 

 which might ai'ise from the Indian conimerce 

 and alliance. Aware of De Barre's measures 

 and designs, he disregarded the orders wiiich 



