('28 ) 



ed with a dignity, an attention, and, I may add, 

 with a capacity equal to the mod important affairs % 

 and theirs are fometimes of greater confequence 

 than they feem to be : for thofe, who are depu- 

 ted for this purpofe, have commonly fecret inftruc-* 

 tions ; fo that the outward motive of their deputa- 

 tion is no more than a veil which covers their 

 real defigns. 



The nation, which has made the firft figure in 

 Canada, for two centuries pad, is that of the Iro- 

 quois : their fuccefs in war has given them a fu- 

 periority over mod of the others, which none of 

 them are, any longer, in a condition to difpute with 

 them ; and from being pacifick, which they for- 

 merly were, they have become very troublefome 

 and pragmatical. But nothing has contributed 

 more to render them formidable, than the advan- 

 tage of their fituation, which they prefently difco- 

 vered; and whereof they have made all poflible 

 advantage. As they were fituated between us arid 

 the Engiifb, they foon found that both would be 

 under the neceflity of keeping well with them and, 

 indeed, it has been the chief care of both colonies, 

 fince their eftablifhment, to gain them over to 

 their own party, or, at lean:, to perfuade them to 

 Hand neuter : and as they were perfuaded that if ei- 

 ther of thefe nations fhould entirely get theafcendant 

 over the other, they muft foon be fubjecled them- 

 felves ; they have found the fecret of ballancing 

 their fuccefs and if we reflect that their whole 

 force united has never exceeded five or fix thou- 

 fand combatants, and that it is a great while fince 

 they have diminifhed more than one half, we 

 muft needs allow, they muft have ufed infinite 

 abilities and addrefs. 



Wkh' 



