George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 3, 15th edition.

[219] ‘that the French can go by water from Que-

Chap XXI.}

bec to Montreal. From thence they can do the like, through rivers and lakes, at the back of all your majes-

1710.

ty's plantations on this continent as far as Carolina; and in this large tract of country live several nations of Indians who are vastly numerous. Among those they constantly send emissaries and priests, with toys and trifles, to insinuate themselves into their favor. Afterwards they send traders, then soldiers, and at last build forts among them; and the garrisons are encouraged to intermarry, cohabit, and incorporate among them; and it may easily be concluded that, upon a peace, many of the disbanded soldiers will be sent thither for that purpose.’ At the same time, five sachems from the Iroquois had sailed with Schuyler for England. In London, amidst the gaze of crowds, dressed in English small-clothes of black, with scarlet ingrain cloth mantles, edged with gold, for their blankets, they were conducted in state in coaches to an audience with Queen Anne; and, giving her belts of wampum, they avowed their readiness to take up the hatchet and aid in the reduction of Canada.

At that time, the secretary of state was St. John,

1711

afterwards raised to the peerage as Viscount Bolingbroke, whom a keen observer described as ‘the greatest young man’ of his day. He possessed wit, quickness of apprehension, good learning, and excellent taste. Though fond of pleasure, he was prompt, and capable of close and long-continued application. Winning friends by his good temper and admirable conversation, he was the best orator in the house of commons; and the whole parliament, turned by his eloquence, would do nothing without him. But St. John had no faith, and therefore he could keep no faith. He could