159
Corlars Lake; to secure us that way from the Incursion of either French , or Indians, another atCayonhage upon the great Lake , and another at Onyegra @ two or three little other Forts betweenSchonectade @ the Lake to secure our people going @ coming
This cannot possibly be done without 4 or 500 men out of Europe, @ in case Connecticut @ thetwo Jerseys be added to this Government, with some help from Pensylvania , @ the three lowerCountys it may be effected without any charge to the King, and will be a great security to all theseparts of America
If the metes @ bounds could be adjusted at home it would be very convenient, provided alwaysthat the Country were first well discovered by us in which the French at present have much theadvantage. And it is very unreasonable that the French who lye so much to the Northward of ussh d extend themselves soe far to the Southward @ Westward on the Backside of his Maty 8 Planta-eons when they have so vast a quantity of land Lying Directly behind y e dominions they now pos-sess, to the Northward @ Northwest as far as the South sea
Whether Peace or War it is necessary that the Forts should be built, @ that religious men liveamongst the Indians.
I have that influence over our Indians, that I am sure they will not war on any Indians livingamongst His Maty 8 subjects.
The monies that are now to be raised is for defraying the charge of Arms, Powder, Lead @ otherpresents given to the Indians this summer as also to make some preparations against the Spring inCase of Necessity.
Whatsoever is his Maty 8 pleasure I desire that My Lord Sunderland, will by the first conveniencyeither by the way of Maryland, Virginia or Boston let me know and send me orders, how I shall pro-ceed in this affair,
You are so well acquainted with all that has passed in this Government, concerning this affairwith the French , and my constant Endeavors to preserve a good correspondence with them, thatwhat I have here omitted I desire you will take care to inform his MatL
Thos Dongan
Dated the 8 th
September 1687
M. DE DENONVILLE TO GOV. DONGAN.
[ Paris Doc. III. 5 Lond. Doc. V. ]
August 22, 1687.
Sir—The respect I entertain for the King your Master and the orders I have from the King tolive in harmony with His Britannic Majesty’s Subjects induce me, Sir, to address you this letter onthe present state of affairs, so as not to have any thing to reproach myself with.
On seeing, Sir, the letter you were at the trouble to write me on my arrival in this government Ipersuaded myself by your frank discourse that we should live in the greatest harmony and bestunderstanding in the world, but the event has well proved that your intentions did not at allaccord with your fine words.
You recollect, Sir, that you positively asked me in that same letter to refer the difference aboutboundaries to the decision of our Masters; letters more recently received from you fully convinceme that you received that which I wrote you in reply to your first to shew you that I willingly left