510 KATURAL AND CIVIL 



and transported ; and more than one Inindred 

 battoes, and as man}^ birch canoes were con- 

 structed for crosbing the hikes. Three forts 

 were built at Wood creek, besides many block- 

 houses and stores for the provisions, winch 

 had been provided and transported with great 

 dispatch. 



' Every thing ncv bore the appearance of 

 success. The public aiFairs of Great Britain 

 were conducted Yty a v/ise and able ministry. 

 Their arms had been attended with uncommon 

 success in Flanders, under the celebrated duke 

 of Marlborout!;h ; and France was so weakened 

 by her repeated defeats in that country, that 

 she was not in a condition to give assistance to 

 £0 remote a colony as Canada. The Indians of 

 the five nations, throirgh the address and soli- 

 citations of Schuyler, appeared to be heartily 

 engaged in the business. Joy seemed to spar- 

 kle in every eye, and the expectation ap- 

 peared to be universal, that the time was now 

 come, when Canada was to be reduced ; and 

 an end put to those horrid scenes of destruc- 

 tion and slaughter, v, hich had so long distressed 

 and wasted the country. 



The scene of joy and expectation was not 

 hov.'e\rcr of a long duration. The armament 

 expected from England did not arrive ; nor 

 any intelligence that it was ready to sail. A 

 great mortarny began to prevail am< ng the 

 troops at Wood-creek. With the sickness 

 and disappointment, the pul^lic humour and ex- 

 pectation ber;an to change ; and the spirit of 

 discontent and suspicion became apparent, and 

 increasijig. The delay of the fleet spread a 



