544 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



comm^i-ce, and alliance, arid confine them to % 

 narrow limit along the sea coast, and prevent 

 their extending any further to the westward. 

 The English colonies saw their policy, and were 

 cilarmed with the measures they were so inces- 

 santly and zealously pursuing ; and determined 

 to employ their superior numbers and power, 

 to oppose the French proceedings ; and to ef- 

 fect some plan to produce a greater uniformity 

 in their councils and measures. Both parties 

 had long been in the habit of trying to engage 

 the Indian tribes in their quarrels, and to in- 

 fiame the savage vengeance against their oppo- 

 sers*. They had now approached so near to 

 each other in their settlements, that a constant 

 interference of views, interests and situations, 

 could not fail to make their commerce precari- 

 ous, and their neighborhood full of animosity- 

 and danger. As peace could no longer be ex- 

 pected between the English and French colo- 

 riies, the period seemed to be now come in 

 "which the grand contest must take place, which 

 of the countries should be subdued ; and whether 

 France or England for the futin-e, should have 

 the empire of North America. And all p.sriies 

 now set themselves very seriously to prepare 

 for the exertion of all their powers and strengths 

 Tfi E first step necessary for the English col- 

 onies, was to agree upon some plan of Uniorty 

 for their mutual protection and operations. The 

 British secretary of state wrote to the governors 

 of the colonies, urging such a measure, and a 

 favorable opportunity now presented to make 

 the attemi)t. A Contrress of Commissioners 

 from the colonies hiid been appointed at Albany, 



