CANADA. 



32.5 



formerly submitted to the government of France. 

 Tlu-y, of consequence, represented all the EngliHh 

 :>ts in North America, a absolute usurpations 

 tMicroachments upon their territories ; and they 

 are accused of having supported these unjust preten- 

 tious by equally unwarrantable means, by inventing 

 boundaries, by changing the names of places, and 

 even by delineating charts with such fictitious longi- 

 tudes and latitudes, as best suited their views. It 

 would be idle to pretend, that the English and their 

 allies were wholly guiltless of excesses in the course 

 of hostilities between those rival colonies ; but the 

 French and their Indian associates are unquestionably 

 chargeable with such barbarities, as no civilized and 

 Christian people could have been conceived capable of 

 countenancing ; and these were frequently commit- 

 ted, also, in defiance of express stipulations, treaties, 

 and promises of protection. As a striking instance, 

 or satisfying proof of this assertion, it is sufficient to 

 adduce the inhuman conduct of the French General 

 Montcalm, in quietly permitting, if not authorizing, 

 the massacre of the garrison of Fort William Henry, 

 in the year 1757. As this horrid butchery is altoge- 

 ther unparalleled in modern' warfare, except perhaps 

 among the savages of Russia, and as an authentic ac- 

 count of its particulars has been given by an eye-wit- 

 ness, it may deserve a place in this sketch of North- 

 American annals. " In consideration of the gallant 

 defence the garrison had made, they were to be per- 

 mitted to march out with all the honours of war, to 

 be allowed covered waggons to transport their bag- 

 gage to Fort Edward, and a guard to protect them 

 from the fury of the savages. The morning after the 

 capitulation was signed, as soon as day broke, the 

 whole garrison, now consisting of about 2000 men, be- 

 sides women and children, were drawn up within the 

 lines, and on the point of marching out, when great 

 numbers of the Indians gathered about, and began to 

 plunder. We were at first in hopes that this was 

 their only view, and suffered them to proceed with- 

 out opposition. Indeed it was not in our power to 

 make any, had we been so inclined ; for, though we 

 were permitted to carry off our arms, yet we were 

 not allowed a single round of ammunition. In these 

 hopes, however, we were disappointed ; for presently 

 some of them began to attack the sick and wounded, 

 when such as were not able to crawl into the ranks, 

 notwithstanding they endeavoured to avert the fury 

 of their enemies by their shrieks and groans, were 

 soon dispatched. Here we were fully in expecta- 

 tion, that the disturbance would have concluded, 

 and our little army began to move ; but in a short 

 time, we saw the front division driven back, and disco- 

 vered, that we were entirely encircled by the savages. 

 We expected every moment, that the guard, which 

 the French, by the articles of capitulation, had agreed 

 to allow us, would have arrived and put an end to 

 our apprehensions ; but none appeared. The Indians 

 now began to strip every one, without exception, of 

 their arms and clothes ; and those, who made the 

 least resistance, felt the weight of their tomahawks. 

 I happened to be in the rear division ; but it was not 

 long before I shared the fate of my companions. 

 Three or four of the savages laid hold of me, and 

 whilst some held their weapons over my head, the 



others soon disrobed me of my coat, waistcoat, hat, 

 and buckles, omitting not to take from me what 

 money I had in my pocket. As this was transacted 

 by the passage, that led from the lines on to 

 the plain, near which a French centinel was pouted, 

 I ran to him, and claimed his protection ; but he only 

 called me an English dog, and thrust me with vio- 

 lence back again into the midst of the Indians." 

 " By this tinr- the war-hoop was given, and the In- 

 dians began to murder those that were nearest to 

 them without distinction. It is not in the power of 

 words to give any tolerable idea of the horrid scene 

 that now ensued ; men, women, and children were 

 dispatched in the most wanton and crwl manner, and 

 immediately scalped. Many of the savages drank 

 the blood of their victims, as it flowed warm from 

 the fatal wound. We now perceived, though too late 

 to avail us, that we were to expect no relief from the 

 French ; and that, contrary to the agreement they 

 had so lately signed to allow us a sufficient force to 

 protect us from their insults, they tacitly permitted 

 them ; for I could plainly perceive the French offi- 

 cers walking about, at some distance, discoursing to- 

 gether with apparent unconcern."" As the circle, 

 in which I stood inclosed, by this time was much 

 thinned, and death seemed to be approaching with 

 hasty strides, it was proposed by some of the most 

 resolute, to make one vigorous effort, and endeavour 

 to force our way though the savages, the only pro- 

 bable method of preserving our lives, that now re- 

 mained. This, however desperate, was resolved on ; 

 and about twenty of us sprung at once into the midst 

 of them. In a moment we were all separated ; and 

 what was the fate of my companions I could not 

 learn, till some months after, when I found that only 

 six or seven of them effected their design. Intent 

 only on my own hazardous situation, I endeavoured 

 to make my way through my savage enemies in the 

 best manner possible." " Some I overturned, being 

 at that time young and athletic, and others I passed 

 by, dexterously avoiding their weapons ; till, at last, 

 two very stout chiefs of the most savage tribes, as I 

 could distinguish by their dress, whose strength I 

 could not resist, laid hold of me by each rm, and 

 began to force me through the crowd." ' But, be- 

 fore we had got many yards, an English gentleman 

 of some distinction, as I could discover by his 

 breeches, the only covering he had on, which were 

 of fine scarlet velvet, rushed close by us. One of 

 the Indiana instantly relinquished his hold, and, 

 springing on this new object, endeavoured to seize 

 him as his prey ; but the gentleman being strong, 

 threw him on the ground, and would probably have 

 got away, had not he, who held my other arm, quit- 

 ted me to assist his brother. I seized the opportuni- 

 ty, and hastened away to join another party of Eng- 

 lish troops, that were yet unbroken and stood in a 

 body, at some distance ; but before I had taken 

 many steps, I hastily cast my eyes towards the gen- 

 tleman, and saw the Indian's tomahawk gash into his 

 back, and heard him utter his last groan. I had left 

 this shocking scene but a few yards, when a fine boy, 

 about twelve years of age, that had hitherto escaped, 

 came up to me, and begged that I would let him 

 lay hold of me, so that he might stand some chance 



