1696.] . BOASTS OF FRONTENAC. 415 



Fletcher had heard of his approach, and called the 

 council at New York to consider what should be 

 done. They resolved that " it will be very griev- 

 ous to take the people from their labour ; and there 

 is likewise no money to answer the charge thereof." 

 Money was, however, advanced by Colonel Cort- 

 landt and others ; and the governor wrote to Con- 

 necticut and New Jersey for their contingents of 

 men ; but they thought the matter no concern of 

 theirs, and did not respond. Fletcher went to 

 Albany with the few men he could gather at the 

 moment, and heard on his arrival that the French 

 were gone. Then he convoked the chiefs, condoled 

 with them, and made them presents. Corn was 

 sent to the Ononclagas and Oneidas to support 

 them through the winter, and prevent the famine 

 which the French hoped would prove their de- 

 struction. 



What Frontenac feared had come to pass. The 

 enemy had saved themselves by flight ; and his ex- 

 pedition, like that of Denonville, was but half suc- 

 cessful. He took care, however, to announce it to 

 the king as a triumph. 



" Sire, the benedictions which Heaven has ever 

 showered upon your Majesty's arms have extended 

 even to this New World ; whereof we have had 

 visible proof in the expedition I have just made 

 against the Ononclagas, the principal nation of the 

 Iroquois. I had long projected this enterprise, but 

 the difficulties and risks which attended it made 

 me regard it as imprudent ; and I should never have 

 resolved to undertake it, if I had not last year es- 



