( 343 ) 



LETTER XV. 



Tranfatfions between the Tfonnonthouans (a 

 tribe of the Iroquois) and the Englifh, on oc- 

 cafion of building a French fort at Niagara. 

 Defer iption of the country. Fire-dance •> 

 Jiory on this occafion. Defcription of the Fall 

 of Niagara. 



From the Fall of Niagara, May 14, if if. 

 Madam, 



IHave already had the honour to acquaint you, 

 that we have a fcheme for a fettlement in this 

 place ; but in order to know the reafon of this pro- 

 ject, it will be proper to obferve, that as the Eng- 

 lifh pretend, by virtue of the treaty of Utrecht, to 

 the fovereignty of all the Iroquoife country, and by 

 confequence, to be bounded on that fide, by Lake 

 Ontario only; now it is evident, that, in cafe we 

 allow of their pretenfions, they would then have it 

 abfolutely in their power to eftablifli themfelves 

 firmly in the heart of the French colonies, or at 

 lead, entirely to ruin their commerce. In order, 

 therefore, to prevent this evil, it has been judged 

 proper, without, however, violating the treaty, to 



Y 4 make 



