266 



late successes of tlie Confederates, so great was the fear of an 

 invasion from Canada, that on the 28th June, 1689, four scouts 

 were sent from Albany, with directions to proceed to Crown 

 Point, and acquaint the Council from time to time of the move- 

 ments of the French, The stockadoes around Albany were 

 repaired ; and to give the guard an opportunity of observing 

 the enemy in time to sound an alarm, all the fences, wood and 

 houses, that stood without the gates, were removed and taken 

 within the stockadoes. On the first of August, news arrived 

 of a declaration of war between England and France. When 

 these tidings reached the Colony, the disaffection of the inha- 

 bitants was so great, that it was found impossible to maintain 

 even a few scouts stationed upon the fi-on tiers. The Civil and 

 Military Council at Albany, not insensible of the importance 

 of their city, and aware of the deep-rooted enmity of the 

 French, immediately Resolved, " Since there is news of war 

 between England and France, that the gentlemen now met 

 at this convention, doe each bring a gunn, with i lb. of pow- 

 der and ball equivolent ; and that the traders and other inha- 

 bitants be pursuaded to doe the same, to make up the number 

 fifty, to be made use of upon occasion." 



This timely warning, however, was entirely lost upon the 

 populace ; instead of arousing them to a proper sense of their 

 danger, and encouraging them to be prepared to give the 

 French a suitable reception, it only increased their fears, al- 

 ready excited by false reports. The excitement was so great, 

 that many were preparing to emigrate to the east, and the 

 Council found it expedient, on the 7th of August, to issue a 

 proclamation, forbidding any to leave the county of Albany, 

 under the penalty of the law, " to be esteemed, pursued and 

 followed after as cowards, runaways and vagabonds, and as 

 such to be prosecuted by the utmost severity of the law." On 

 the 21st of August, the news of war was confirmed, and in- 

 formation sent to Kinderhook, Schenectady and Canastagione. 



The affairs of the French at this time were under the su- 

 perintendence of Count Frontenac, an accomplished soldier. 

 Although advanced in years, he stiU retained all the buoyancy 



