REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I9II I97 



We have already said that the conversion of the Micmacs was 

 an elemental and influential factor in the historic conflict of Eng- 

 lish and French cultures on this continent. AVe are not likely to 

 exaggerate its importance, whichever way the tides of events 

 turned. It would be unfair and historically inaccurate to say that 

 the influence of the Grand Chief Membertou on the Micmac, tribe, 

 allied with the efforts of the devoted French missioners, finds its 

 counterpoise in the single personal hold of Sir William Johnson 

 who by force of his own personality kept back the Iroquois from 

 alliance with the French. The two opposed facts are of different 

 magnitude and unlike in quality, but similar in their antagonistic 

 effect. Let us give to this historic event of 1610 all its true mean- 

 ing in the century-long struggle between the French and English 

 cultures. That struggle took its final direction in the contest for 

 this continent, and the spectacular victories of Amherst and Hardy 

 and Wolfe were made possible only by the strong hand of His 

 British Majesty's Indian Agent, which held back the Iroquois from 

 the French interests. 



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