TRAVELS Itf 
432 
plantations, in league and friendfhip with the In- 
dians, in a few years they became a populous, 
rich and growing colony; when through the im- 
prudent and tyrannical conduct of the command- 
ant towards the Matches, the ancients of the 
country, a very powerful and civilized nation of 
red men, who were fovereigns of the foil, and 
poffeffed the country round about them, they be- 
came tired of thefe comers, and exafperated at 
their cruelty and licentioufnefs, at length deter- 
mining to revenge themfelves of fuch inhumanity 
and ingratitude, fecretly confpired their deftruc- 
fion; and their meafures were fo well concerted 
with other Indian tribes, that if it had not been 
for the treachery of one of their princeffes, with 
whom the commander was in favour (for by her 
influence her nation attempted the deftrudt ion of 
the fettlement, before their auxiliariesjoined them, 
which afforded an opportunity for fome few of 
the fettlers to efcape)., they would have fully ac- 
compli (Led their purpofe. However the fettle- 
ment was entirely broken up, moft of the inhabi- 
tants being fiaughtered in one night, and the few 
who efcaped betook themfelves to their canoes, 
defcending the river until they arrived at this 
place, where they eftablifhed themfelves again ; 
and this gentleman had only time and opportu- 
nity to take into his boat one heifer calf, which he 
allured us was the mother of the numerous herds 
he now pofTeffes, confiding of many hundred head® 
Here is now a very refpeff able village, defended 
by a ftrong fort refs and garrifon of Spaniards* 
the commander being governor of the diftnct. 
The French here are able, ingenious and in- 
duftrious planters : they live eafy and plentifully, 
and are far more regular and commendable in the 
Cca/ t, 
enjoy- 
