182
Having mastered the Iroquois we shall have equal control of all the other Savages who willcome without hesitation and bring us all their peltries. This will cause the trade of our Colonyto flourish; will considerably augment H. M.’s revenues and eventually diminish the expenceshe is obliged to incur for the preservation of Canada .
It will firmly establish the Christian Religion as well among the Iroquois as among the otherSavages to whom we shall be able to speak as Masters when they are encircled on the side of Canada as well as of New York . It will secure and facilitate the Cod fishery which is carried on along ourCoasts of la Cadie and on the Great Bank. It will give H. M. one of the finest harbours in America which can be entered during almost all seasons of the year in less than one month of very easynavigation; whilst that from France to Quebec cannot be prosecuted except in summer on accountof the Ice which closes the River St. Lawrence , itself long and perilous.
It may be objected to this plan, that the Colony of Orange and Manathe may remain faithful tothe King of England, and in this case it would not be apropos to attack it and draw down an openwar with that English Colony to the prejudice of the Treaty of Neutrality concluded between thetwo nations.
It may be answered to this, that the colony of Manathe and Orange, being the same as that for-merly called New Netherland which the English took from the Dutch , and the greater part of whichis still of this latter nation and all Protestants , it is not to be doubted but that they would receive theorders of the Prince of Orange and even force their Governor, did he not consent, to acknowledgehim, and therefore we must look on as certain a war between that Colony and us, and not give itthe time to push its intrigues with the Savages to ruin us by means of them, if we do not anticipatethem. And in case that, contrary to all appearances, they remain faithful to the King of Englandduring the general rebellion of the English , we might, if H. M. thought proper, being on terms withthat King, confide to him the secret of this expedition, draw from him an order to the Commandantof Orange and of Manathe to surrender these places into H. M.’s hands, who would keep them forhim and prevent the Rebels becoming masters of them, so as to have an opportunity to treat themas rebels did they not obey that order, being besides this, in a position to force them to it, on con-dition of negotiating eventually with the King for that Colony, which is the only means of securingCanada, firmly establishing Religion, Trade and the Kings authority throughout all North America .If the favourable opportunity which presents of becoming master of that Colony be neglected, it maysurely be calculated that, through its intrigues with the Iroquois and other Savages, it will destroyCanada in a little time; whose ruin will entail that of the establishment at Hudson’s bay, the beaverand other peltry trade; that of Acadia, the local fishery, and that of Newfoundland ; and if we beforced to abandon Canada , it will, hereafter, in consequence of the frequent chasing of our fishermenby English vessels, render very difficult and dangerous for H. M.’s subjects the Codfishery on theGreat Bank, which produces several millions to France , and is one of the most profitable invest-ments that we have.