New Tork. 



205 



determined. For it is to be obferved, that each 

 Englijh colony in North America is independent 

 of the other, and that each has its proper laws 

 and coin, and may be looked upon in feveral 

 lights as a flate by itfelf. From hence it hap- 

 pens, that in time of war, things go on very 

 flowly and irregularly here: for not only the 

 fenfe of one province is fometimes direftly op- 

 pofite to that of another; but frequently the 

 views of the governor, and thofe of the aflembly, 

 of the fame province are quite different : fo that 

 it is eafy to fee, that while the people are quar- 

 relling about the beft and cheapeft manner of car- 

 rying on the war, an enemy has it in his power 

 to take one place after another. It has com- 

 monly happened, that whilft fome provinces have 

 been fuffering from their enemies, the neigh- 

 bouring ones were quiet and ina&ire, and as if 

 it did not in the leaft concern them. They have 

 frequently taken up two or three years in confi- 

 dering whether they fhould give affiftance to an 

 opprefled fifter colony, and fometimes they have 

 exprefly declared themfelves againft it. There 

 are inftances of provinces who were not only 

 neuter in thefe circumflances, but who even car- 

 ried on a great trade with the power which at 

 that very time was attacking and laying wafte 

 fome other provinces. 



THE French in Canada, who are but an incon- 

 derable body, in comparifon with the Englijh in 

 America* have, by this pofition of affairs, been 

 able to obtain great advantages in times of war; 

 /or if we judge from the number and power of 

 2 the 



