CANADA. 



Canada. 



powerfully seconded by warnings and exhortations of 

 the clergy, that a general reformation was effected, 

 both among the French and Indian residents. The 

 baneful commerce in spiritous liquors was universal- 

 ly proscribed ; nothing was to be seen but penances, 

 processions, and pilgrimages ; and the affairs of New 

 France began to assume an entirely new and highly 

 promising appearance. The company of Canada, 

 however, either unwilling or unable to support, any 

 longer, so unprofitable a settlement, made a voluntary 

 surrender of their rights to the French king in 1664, 

 who entirely new modelled the government of the 

 colony ; but committed the trade of the country to 

 the company des Indes Occidentals. Considerable 

 reinforcements, both of troops and settlers, were sent 

 from France. Numerous forts were erected along 

 the lakes, to check the encroaching commerce of 

 New England, to protect the Canadian traders in 

 their excursions, and to keep 'the hostile Indians 

 in awe. The attention of the French court was 

 strongly attracted to its American possessions, by 

 the able representation of M. Talon, intendant of 

 Quebec ; and it is from the active administration of 

 this enlightened magistrate, that the province of New 

 France dates its prosperity. 



About the same time the Jesuit missionaries began 

 to have at least more political success among many of 

 the more distant savage tribes. Besides the Hurons, 

 Algonquins, Outaouais, and particularly the Abena- 

 quis, who had long been their allies, the Outagamis 

 or Foxes, the Illinois, the Sioux, the Assiniboils, the 

 Knistenaux or Creek Indians, the Nipissings, &c. 

 were brought to a friendly intercourse with the co- 

 lony. Many powerful chiefs, also, among the Onon- 

 dagas or Onnontaguese, the Agniers, the Onneyouths, 

 the Tsonncwithouans, and other nearer branches of 

 the hitherto hostile Iroquois, became converts to 

 Christianity, and were of the greatest service in at- 

 taching their countrymen to the French interest. 

 But the colonists of New France, always intoxicated 

 with the idea of their national greatness, were conti- 

 nually exciting the jealousy and hostility of their In- 

 dian neighbours, by attempting to treat them as sub- 

 jects rather than as allies, or by endeavouring to gain 

 advantages over them, through manoeuvring and 

 treachery ; while, by imitating the savage practices 

 of the natives in the field of battle, and wasting their 

 strength in ill-concerted expeditions, they only ex- 



posed their own inferiority, and incurred the con- Canada, 

 tempt of their enemies. Their trade with most of v 

 the Indian tribes was thus daily declining, while the 

 influence of the English, on the contrary, was rapid- 

 ly gaining ground ; and hence it was resolved, in the 

 year 1689, seriously to attempt the conquest of New 

 York, as the only mean of securing the prosperity of 

 Canada. The French court readily approved of the 

 plan ; and though a negociation was actually pending 

 at the time, for adjusting the claims of the two na- 

 tions in America, the government of Canada was au- 

 thorized to make a secret expedition against the Eng- 

 lish, without any formal intimation of hostilities. The 

 measure was as bloodily executed, as it had been dis- 

 honourably devised ; and, in a cowardly assault upon 

 some of the settlements in New York, even the de- 

 fenceless women and children were cruelly put to the 

 sword. The English being thus well advertised of 

 -the inveteracy of their enemy, soon discovered, on 

 their part, that the reduction of New France was 

 equally essential to the existence of their colonies ; 

 and from this period to the final conquest of Canada, 

 the history of that province exhibits a continued and 

 systematic struggle between 1 the French and English 

 colonies in North America, to enlarge their Indian 

 alliances, to extend their share in the fur-trade, to 

 encroach upon each other's boundaries, and to hasten 

 the complete subjugation of the rival seitlement. 



It would not be easy, and it is now altogether im- 

 material, to ascertain the justice of their respective 

 claims, and alleged reasons of invasion. It may be 

 mentioned, however, in general, that the English had 

 fairly bargained and faithfully purchased from the 

 Indians the greater part of their territories ; and that, 

 therefore, they had a just title both to claim a pro- 

 perty in the lands themselves, and to regard as sub- 

 jects of Great Britain, those savage tribes who re- 

 mained upon the soil, under the protection of their 

 government. They enforced this claim, however, so 

 gently, that the Indians, while they enjoyed the great- 

 est advantages, experienced no sense of subjugation, 

 but were always treated as a free and independent 

 nation, even while receiving pay as auxiliaries in the 

 field. The French, on the other hand, claimed a direct 

 dominion over all the native tribes in North America, 

 and even over such as, by long residence, had become 

 naturalized subjects of Britain ; because, as they al- 

 leged, they were the descendants of nations who had 



ing with the shore a convenient harbour, well sheltered from all winds. Lower down the river, towards Point Allonettes, an 

 entire forest,' of considerable extent, was loosened from the main land, and slid into the river St Lawrence, where the trees 

 took fresh root in the water. There are three circumstances, however, which have rendered this extraordinary earthquake 

 particularly remarkable. The first is its duration, it having continued from February to August, that is to say, more than six 

 months, almost without intermission. It is true, the shocks were not always equally violent. In several places, as towards the 

 mountains behind Quebec, the thundering noise and trembling motion continued successively for a considerable time. la 

 others, as towards Tadoussac, the shocks continued general for two or three days at a time, with much violence. The second 

 circumstance relates to the extent of this earthquake, which we believe was universal throughout the whole of New Frances; 

 for we learn, that it was felt from CIsle Percee and Gaspe, which are situated at the mouth of the St Lawrence, to beyond 

 Montreal ; as also in New England, Acadia, and other places more remote. As far as it has come to our knowledge, this 

 earthquake extended more than 600 miles in length, and about 300 in breadth. Hence, about 180,000 square miles of land 

 were convulsed at the same day, and at the same moment. + The third circumstance which appears the most remarkable of 

 all, regards the extraordinary protection of Divine Providence, which has been extended to us and our habitations ; for we 

 have seen near us the large openings and chasms, which the earthquake occasioned, and the prodigious extent of country, 

 which has been either totally lost, or hideously convulsed, without oar losing either man, woman, or child, or even having a hair 

 /' their head touched." 



f It was afterwards found to have extended through Upper Canada, where it overturned a chain of free-stone mountains', 

 more than 300 miles in length. 



