The K i n g's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.
Upon Reading this Day at the Board the humble Petition and
Representation of _Samuel Baker, Samuel Storke_, and several others,
Merchants of _London_, trading to _New-York_, in behalf of themselves,
and the rest of the Persons concern'd in the _New-York_ Trade, which
_Petition_ sets forth, That great Discouragements have been brought upon
the _British Trade_, by an Act passed in the said Colony of _New York_,
the 19th of _November_, 1720, entitled, _An Act for the Encouragement
of the_ Indian Trade, _and rendering of it more beneficial to the
Inhabitants of this Province, and for prohibiting the selling of_ Indian
Goods _to the_ French. And that as the said Act was to continue in force
only for three Years, they are informed the Government of _New-York_
either have, or are about passing an Act to revive and continue the
same: Wherefore they humbly pray, that the Governor of that Colony may
be ordered, not to pass any new Act for that purpose; and if any such
Act be already pass'd, that it may be repealed.
It is ordered by his Majesty in Council, That the said Petition (a Copy
whereof is hereunto annexed) be, and it is hereby referred to the Lords
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to examine into the same, and
report to his Majesty, at this Board, what they conceive fit to be done
therein.
Signed,
_James Vernon_.
* * * * *
_Extract of the Minutes of the Right Honourable the Lords
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, the_ 7_th of_ July,
1724.
Mr. _Sharp_ attending, as he had been desired, with several _New-York_
Merchants, their Lordships took again into Consideration the Order of
Council of the 30th of _April_, mentioned in the Minutes of the first of
_May_ last, referring to the Board their Petition against the Renewing
an Act passed in _New-York_, in _November_, 1720, entitled, _An Act for
the Encouragement of the_ Indian _Trade_, _and rendering of it more
effectual to the Inhabitants of this Province, and for prohibiting the
selling of_ Indian _Goods to the_ French. And Mr. _Sharp_, in behalf of
the several Merchants, acquainted their Lordships, That he conceived
this Act, tho' its Intention of gaining the _Indians_ to the _English_
Interest might be good, would have quite a contrary Effect, because, if
the Trade with the _French_ was prevented, and the Merchants should
discontinue that with the _Indians_, (as he was informed they would) the
_French_ might lay hold of this Opportunity to furnish themselves with
Goods from _Europe_, and supply the Five Nations of _Indians_, and
thereby gain them to their Interest: And this, by reason of their
Situation, would not be in the Power of the _English_ to prevent: That
they were two or three hundred Leagues distant from _Albany_, and that
they could not come to trade with the _English_ but by going down the
River _St. Laurence_, and from thence through a Lake, which brought them
within eighteen Leagues of _Albany_.
And that the _French_ having made Settlements along the said River, it
would be in their Power, whenever they pleased, to cut off that
Communication.
That this Act had been so great a Discouragement to the _British Trade_,
in general, that there had not been, by far, so great a Quantity of
Beaver, and other Furs, imported into _Great-Britain_ since the passing
the said Act, as there was before; nor half the Quantity of _European
Goods_ exported.
That several Merchants who had sent over to _New-York_ considerable
Quantities of _European Goods_, had received Advice from their
Correspondents, That should another Act of the like Nature be passed,
they could not find a vent for them, and desired they would send no
more.
Upon the whole, Mr. _Sharp_ desired, in behalf of the Merchants, that
Mr. _Burnet_ might be directed not to pass any Act of the like Nature
for the future.
To the K i n g's Most Excellent Majesty.
_May it please your Majesty_;
In Obedience to your Majesty's Commands, signified to us by your Order
in Council of the 30th of _April_ last, referring to us the Petition of
several Merchants of _London_ trading to _New-York_, setting forth "The
great Discouragements that have been brought upon the _British Trade_ by
an Act passed in _New-York_ the 19th of _November_, 1720, entitled, _An
Act for the Encouragement of the_ Indian Trade, _and rendering of it
more beneficial to the Inhabitants of this Province, and for prohibiting
the selling of_ Indian Goods _to the_ French. And that as the said Act
is now expir'd, the said Merchants are informed the Government of
_New-York_ either have, or are about passing an Act to revive and
continue the same; and therefore pray, that a stop may be put thereto."
We humbly take leave to represent to your Majesty,
That we have been attended by the Petitioners, who informed us, that
they have found this Act, by Experience, to be so great a Discouragement
to the _British Trade_, that there has not been, by far, so considerable
a Quantity of Beaver, and other Furs, imported into _Great-Britain_,
from _New-York_, since the passing the said Act, as heretofore, nor half
the Quantity of _European Goods_ exported thither; in consequence
whereof the Price of Furs is raised _Five and Twenty_ and _Thirty per
Cent._ to the great Prejudice of several _British_ Manufactures.
They likewise affirmed, That it was impracticable to hinder the _French_
from supplying the _Indians_ with _European_ Goods: For tho' _New-York_
should not furnish them, the _French_ would find another way to be
supplied therewith, either from some other of his Majesty's
Plantations, or, it might be, directly from _Europe_. That it was of
dangerous Consequence to force this Trade into a new Channel, many of
the Goods which the _Indians_ want being as easy to be had directly from
_France_ or _Holland_, as from _Great-Britain_.
They further added, That it was not likely the Act, in question, should
produce the Effects expected from it, more particularly that of securing
the Five _Indian_ Nations firmly to the _British_ Interest; because, if
the _French_ should once get a Supply of the Goods necessary for the
_Indian_ Trade, from any other Place, as the Five _Indian_ Nations are
settled upon the Banks of the River of _St. Lawrence_, directly opposite
to _Quebeck_, two or three hundred Leagues distant from the nearest
_British_ Settlement in _New-York_, the Vicinity of the _French_ would
furnish them with the Means of supplying even the _Five Nations_ with
these Goods, and consequently of alienating their Affections from the
_British_ Interest. And that there was no Prospect of obtaining a Trade
with the _French Indians_ by this means, because the French would always
be able to prevent their Passage cross the Lakes and River of _St.
Lawrence_ to our Settlements.
These were the most material Objections made by the Merchants against
the Bill.
* * * * *
On the other hand, the Preamble of the Act sets forth, That it was found
by Experience, that the _French_ of _Canada_, by means of _Indian_ Goods
brought from that Province, had not only almost wholly engrossed the
_Indian_ Trade, but had in great Measure, withdrawn the Affections of
the _Five Nations_ of _Indians_ from the Inhabitants of that Province,
and rendered them wavering in their Allegiance to your Majesty; and
would, if such Trade were not prevented, altogether alienate the Minds
of the said _Indians_, which would prove of dangerous Consequence to
the _English_ Interest in _America_.
And Mr. _Burnet_, your Majesty's Governor of _New-York_, informs us,
That, since the passing of this Act, several of the far _Indians_ had
come to _Albany_ to trade; That some of them came above one thousand
Miles, and are now incorporated with the _Five Nations_: That he had
likewise Intelligence of more far _Indians_ that design'd to come to
_Albany_, which he conceives to have been a good Effect proceeding from
this Act: And likewise adds, That he did not doubt but the Cheapness of
Goods in _Albany_ would induce the _Indians_ to trade there, rather than
with the _French_ at _Montreal_; and that the Traders of _Albany_ began
to be sensible of their Error in sharing a Trade with the _French_,
which they now perceive they can keep wholly to themselves.
* * * * *
_Upon the whole_, being doubtful of some of the Facts alledged by the
Merchants, and considering how far the _British Trade_ may be affected
by this Act, on the one hand; and how much the Security and Interest of
your Majesty's Colonies in _America_ may be concerned, on the other, we
are humbly of Opinion, That no Directions should be sent to _New-York_,
upon the Subject-Matter of this Act, till Mr. _Burnet_ shall have been
acquainted with the Objections of the Merchants thereto, and his Answers
and Observations received thereupon. For which end, if your Majesty
shall be graciously pleased to approve of this our Proposal, we shall
forthwith send him Copies both of the Merchants Memorial, and of what
Objections they have made before us to the Subject-Matter of this Bill.
Which is most humbly submitted. Signed,
_J. Chetwind_,
_T. Pelham_,
_M. Bladen_,
_R. Plummer_,
_Ed. Ashe_.
_Whitehall_,
_July_ 14, 1724.
* * * * *
_The Report of a Committee of the Council held at_ New-York,
November 6, 1724.
_May it please your Excellency_,
In Obedience to your Excellency's Commands in Council, the 29th of
_October_, referring to us a Petition of several Merchants in _London_,
presented to the King's most excellent Majesty, against renewing an Act
passed in this Province, entitled, _An Act for Encouragement of the_
Indian _Trade, and rendering it more effectual to the Inhabitants of
this Province, and for prohibiting the selling of_ Indian _Goods to the_
French; as likewise the several Allegations of the said Merchants before
the Right Hon. the Lords of Trade and Plantations, we beg Leave to make
the following Remarks.
In order to make our Observations the more distinct and clear, we shall
gather together the several Assertions of the said Merchants, both in
their Petition, and delivered verbally before the Lords of Trade, as to
the Situation of this Province, with respect to the _French_ and _Indian
Nations_, and observe on them, in the first Place, they being the
Foundation on which all their other Allegations are grounded. Afterwards
we shall lay before your Excellency, what we think necessary to observe
on the other parts of the said Petition, in the Order they are in the
Petition, or in the Report of the Lords of Trade.
In their geographical Accounts they say, "Besides the Nations of
_Indians_ that are in the _English_ Interest, there are very many
Nations of _Indians_, who are at present in the Interest of the
_French_, and who lie between _New-York_ and the Nations of _Indians_ in
the _English_ Interest.----The _French_ and their _Indians_ would not
permit the _English Indians_ to pass over by their Forts."
The said Act "Restrains them (_the Five Nations_) from a free Commerce
with the Inhabitants of _New-York_.
"The _Five Indian Nations_ are settled upon the Banks of the River _St.
Lawrence_, directly opposite to _Quebeck_, two or three Hundred Leagues
distant from the nearest _British_ Settlements in _New-York_.
"They (_the Five Nations of Indians_) were two or three Hundred Leagues
distant from _Albany_; and that they could not come to trade with the
_English_ but by going down the River _St. Lawrence_, and from thence
through a Lake, which brought them within eighteen Leagues of _Albany_."
These Things the Merchants have thought it safe for them, and consistent
with their Duty to his sacred Majesty, to say in his Majesty's Presence,
and to repeat them afterwards before the Right Hon. the Lords of Trade,
though nothing can be more directly contrary to the Truth. For there are
no Nations of _Indians_ between _New-York_ and the Nations of _Indians_
in the _English Interest_, who are now six in Number, by the Addition of
the _Tuscaroras_. The _Mohawks_ (called _Annies_ by the _French_) one of
the Five Nations, live on the South-side of a Branch of
_Hudson's-River_, (not on the North-side, as they are placed in the
_French_ Maps) and but forty Miles directly West from _Albany_, and
within the _English_ Settlements, some of the _English_ Farms upon the
same River being thirty Miles further West.
The _Oneidas_ (the next of the Five Nations) lie likewise West from
_Albany_, near the Head of the _Mohawks-River_, about one Hundred Miles
from _Albany_.
The _Onondagas_ lie about one Hundred and Thirty Miles West from
_Albany_. And the _Tuscaroras_ live partly with the _Oneidas_, and
partly with the _Onondagas_.
The _Cayugas_ are about one hundred and sixty Miles from _Albany_.
And the _Sennekas_ (the furthest of all these Nations) are not above two
hundred and forty Miles from _Albany_, as may appear by Mr. _De
L'Isle_'s Map of _Louisiane_, who lays down the Five Nations under the
Name of _Iroquois_.
And Goods are daily carried from this Province to the _Sennekas_, as
well as to those Nations that lie nearer, by Water all the Way, except
three Miles, (or in the dry Seasons, five Miles) where the Traders carry
over Land between the _Mohawks-River_ and the _Wood Creek_, which runs
into the _Oneida-Lake_, without going near either _St. Lawrence-River_,
or any of the _Lakes_ upon which the _French_ pass, which are entirely
out of their Way.
The nearest _French_ Forts or Settlements to _Albany_, are _Chambly_ and
_Monreal_, both of them lying about North and by East from _Albany_, and
are near two hundred Miles distant from it. _Quebeck_ lies about three
hundred and eighty Miles North-East from _Albany_. So far is it from
being true, that the Five Nations are situated upon the Banks of the
_River St. Lawrence_, opposite to _Quebeck_, that _Albany_ lies almost
directly between _Quebeck_ and the _Five Nations_. And to say that these
_Indians_ cannot come to trade at _Albany_, but by going down the _River
St. Lawrence_, and then into a _Lake_ eighteen Leagues from _Albany_ (we
suppose they mean _Lake Champlain_) passing by the _French_ Forts, is to
the same Purpose as if they should say, that one cannot go from _London_
to _Bristol_, but by Way of _Edinburgh_.
Before we go on to observe other Particulars, we beg Leave further to
remark, that it is so far from being true, that the _Indians_ in the
_French_ Interest, lie between _New-York_ and our _Five Nations of
Indians_, that some of our Nations of _Indians_ lie between the _French_
and the _Indians_, from whence the _French_ bring the far greatest
Quantity of their Furs: For the _Sennekas_ (whom the _French_ call
_Sonontouons_) are situated between _Lake Erie_ and _Cataraqui Lake_,
(called by the _French Ontario_) near the great Fall of _Jagara_, by
which all the _Indians_ that live round _Lake Erie_, round the Lake of
the _Hurons_, round the Lake of the _Illenois_, or _Michegan_, and round
the great _Upper Lake_, generally pass in their Way to _Canada_. All the
_Indians_ situated upon the Branches of the _Misissippi_, must likewise
pass by the same Place, if they go to _Canada_. And all of them likewise
in their Way to _Canada_, pass by our Trading-Place upon the _Cataraqui
Lake_, at the Mouth of the _Onondaga River_. The nearest and safest Way
of carrying Goods upon the _Cataraqui Lake_ towards _Canada_, being
along the South-side of that Lake, (near where our _Indians_ are
settled, and our Trade of late is fixed) and not by the North-side and
_Cataraqui_, or _Frontinac Fort_, where the _French_ are settled.
Now that we have represented to your Excellency, that not one Word of
the Geography of these Merchants is true, upon which all their Reasoning
is founded, it might seem needless to trouble your Excellency with any
further Remarks, were it not to show with what earnestness they are
promoting the _French Interest_, to the Prejudice of all his Majesty's
Colonies in _North America_, and that they are not ashamed of asserting
any Thing for that End, even in the Royal Presence.
_First_, They say, "That by the Act passed in this Province, entitled,
_An Act for Encouragement of the_ Indian _Trade, &c_. All Trade
whatsoever is prohibited in the strictest Manner, and under the severest
Penalties, between the Inhabitants of _New-York_ Government, and the
_French_ of _Canada_."
This is not true, for only carrying Goods to the _French_, which are
proper for the _Indian Trade_, is prohibited. The Trade as to other
Things, is left in the same State it was before that Act was made, as it
will appear to any Person that shall read it: And there are yearly large
Quantities of other Goods openly carried to _Canada_, without any
Hindrance from the Government of _New-York_. Whatever may be said of the
Severity and Penalties in that Act, they are found insufficient to deter
some from carrying Goods clandestinely to the _French_; and the
Legislature of this Province are convinced that no Penalties can be too
severe, to prevent a Trade which puts the Safety of all his Majesty's
Subjects of _North America_ in the greatest Danger.
Their next Assertion is, _All the_ Indian _Goods have by this Act, been
raised_ 25 l. _to_ 30 l. _per Cent_. This is the only Allegation in the
whole Petition, that there is any Ground for. Nevertheless, though the
common Channel of Trade cannot be altered without some Detriment to it
in the Beginning, we are assured from the Custom-house Books, that there
has been every Year, since the passing of this Act, more Furs exported
from _New-York_, than in the Year immediately before the passing of this
Act. It is not probable, that the greatest Difference between the
Exportation any Year before this Act, and any Year since, could so much
alter the Price of Beaver, as it is found to be this last Year. Beaver
is carried to _Britain_ from other Parts besides _New-York_, and it is
certain that the Price of Beaver is not so much altered here by the
Quantity in our Market, as by the Demand for it in _Britain_. But as we
cannot be so well informed here, what occasions Beaver to be in greater
Demand in _Britain_, we must leave that to be enquired after in
_England_. However, we are fully satisfied that it will be found to be
for very different Reasons from what the Merchants alledge.
The Merchants go on and say, _Whereas on the other Hand, this Branch of
the_ New-York _Trade, by the Discouragements brought upon it by this
Act, is almost wholly engrossed by the_ French, _who have already by
this Act, been encouraged to send proper_ European Goods _to_ Canada,
_to carry on this Trade, so that should this Act be continued, the_
New-York _Trade which is very considerable, must be wholly lost to us,
and center in the_ French.----_Though_ New-York _should not furnish
them, the_ French _would find another_ Way _to be supplied therewith,
either from some other of his Majesty's Plantations, or it might be
directly from Europe_.----_Many of the Goods which the_ Indians _want
being as easy to be had directly from_ France _or_ Holland, _as from_
Great-Britain.
This is easily answered, by informing your Excellency, that the
principal of the Goods proper for the _Indian Market_ are only of the
Manufactures of _Great-Britain_, or of the _British Plantations, viz_.
Strouds, or Stroud-Waters, and other Woollens, and Rum. The _French_
must be obliged to buy all their Woollens (the Strouds especially) in
_England_, and thence carry them to _France_, in order to their
Transportation to _Canada_. The Voyage to _Quebeck_ through the Bay of
_St. Lawrence_, is well known to be the most dangerous of any in the
World, and only practicable in the Summer Months. The _French_ have no
Commodities in _Canada_, by reason of the Cold and Barrenness of the
Soil, proper for the _West-India_ Markets, and therefore have no Rum but
by Vessels from _France_, that touch at their Islands in the
_West-Indies_. _New-York_ has, by Reason of its Situation, both as to
the Sea and the _Indians_, every Way the Advantage of _Canada_. The
_New-York_ Vessels make always two Voyages in the Year from _England_,
one in Summer and another in Winter, and several Voyages in a Year to
the _West-Indies_. It is manifest therefore, that it is not in the Power
of the _French_ to import any Goods near so cheap to _Canada_, as they
are imported to _New-York_.
But to put this out of all Controversy, we need only observe to your
Excellency, That Strouds (without which no considerable Trade can be
carried on with the _Indians_) are sold at _Albany_ for 10 _l._ a Piece:
They were sold at _Monreal_ before this Act took Place, at 13 _l._ 2
_s._ 6 _d._ and now they are sold there for 25 _l._ and upwards: Which
is an evident Proof, that the _French_ have not, in these four Years
Time (during the Continuance of this Act) found out any other Way to
supply themselves with Strouds, and likewise that they cannot trade
without them, seeing they buy them at so extravagant a Price.
It likewise appears, that none of the neighbouring Colonies have been
able to supply the _French_ with these Goods; and those that know the
Geography of the Country, know it is impracticable to do it at any
tolerable Rate, because they must carry their Goods ten Times further by
Land than we need to do.
We are likewise assured, that the Merchants of _Monreal_ lately told Mr.
_Vaudreuil_ their Governor, that if the Trade from _Albany_ be not by
some Means or other encouraged, they must abandon that Settlement. We
have Reason therefore to suspect, that these Merchants (at least some of
them) have been practised upon by the _French_ Agents in _London_; for
no doubt, the _French_ will leave no Method untried to defeat the
present Designs of this Government, seeing they are more afraid of the
Consequences of this Trade between _New-York_ and the _Indians_, than of
all the warlike Expeditions that ever were attempted against _Canada_.
But to return to the Petitioners, _They conceive nothing can tend more
to the withdrawing the Affections of the_ Five Nations of Indians _from
the_ English Interest, _than the Continuance of the said Act, which in
its Effects restrains them from a free Commerce with the Inhabitants of_
New-York, _and may too probably, estrange them from the_ English
Interest, _whereas by a Freedom of Commerce, and an encouraged
Intercourse of Trade with the_ French _and their_ Indians, _the_ English
_Interest might in Time, be greatly improved and strengthened_.
It seems to us a strange Argument to say, that an Act, the whole Purport
of which is to encourage our own People to go among the _Indians_, and
to draw the far _Indians_ through our _Indian Country_ to _Albany_ (and
which has truly produced these Effects) would on the contrary, restrain
them from a free Commerce with the Inhabitants of _New-York_, and may
too probably estrange them from the _English Interest_, and therefore
that it would be much wiser in us to make use of the _French_, to
promote the _English Interest_; and for which End, we ought to encourage
a free Intercourse between them and our _Indians_. The reverse of this
is exactly true, in the Opinion of our _Five Nations_; who in all their
publick Treaties with this Government, have represented against this
Trade, as _The Building the_ French _Forts with_ English _Strouds_: That
the encouraging a Freedom of Commerce with our _Indians_, and the
_Indians_ round them, who must pass through their Country to _Albany_,
would certainly increase both the _English Interest_ and theirs, among
all the Nations to the Westward of them; and that the carrying the
_Indian Market_ to _Monreal_ in _Canada_, draws all the far _Indians_
thither.
The last Thing we have to take Notice, is what the Merchants asserted
before the Lords of Trade, _viz. That there has not been half the
Quantity of_ European _Goods exported since the passing of this Act,
that used to be_.
We are well assured, that this is no better grounded than the other
Facts they assert with the same Positiveness. For it is well known
almost to every Person in _New-York_, that there has not been a less,
but rather a greater Quantity of _European Goods_ imported into this
Place, since the passing of this Act, than was at any Time before it, in
the same Space of Time. As this appears by the Manifests in the
Custom-house here, the same may likewise be easily proved by the
Custom-house Books in _London_.
As all the Arguments of the Merchants run upon the ill Effects this Act
has had upon the Trade and the Minds of the _Indians_, every one of
which we have shown to be asserted without the least Foundation to
support them, there nothing now remains, but to show the good Effects
this Act has produced, which are so notorious in this Province, that we
know not one Person that now opens his Mouth against the Act.
Before this Act passed, none of the People of this Province travelled
into the _Indian Countries_ to trade: We have now above forty young Men,
who have been several Times as far as the Lakes a trading, and thereby
become well acquainted, not only with the Trade of the _Indians_, but
likewise with their Manners and Languages; and these have returned with
such large Quantities of Furs, that greater Numbers are resolved to
follow their Example. So that we have good Reason to hope, that in a
little Time the _English_ will draw the whole _Indian_ Trade of the
Inland Countries to _Albany_, and into the Country of the _Five
Nations_. This Government has built a publick Trading-house upon
_Cataraqui Lake_, at _Irondequat_ in the _Sennekas_ Land, and another is
to be built next Spring, at the Mouth or the _Onondagas River_. All the
far _Indians_ pass by these Places, in their Way to _Canada_; and they
are not above half so far from the _English_ Settlements, as they are
from the _French_.
So far is it from being true what the Merchants say, _That the_ French
_Forts interrupt all Communication between the_ Indians _and the_
English, that if these Places be well supported, as they easily can be
from our Settlements, in case of a Rupture with the _French_, it will
be in the Power of this Province, to intercept the greatest Part of the
Trade between _Canada_ and the _Indians_, round the Lakes and the
Branches of the _Misissippi_.
Since this Act passed, many Nations have come to _Albany_ to trade, and
settle Peace and Friendship, whose Names had not so much as been heard
of among us.
In the Beginning of _May_ 1723, a Nation of _Indians_ came to _Albany_
singing and dancing, with their Calumets before them, as they always do
when they come to any Place where they have not been before. We do not
find that the Commissioners of _Indian_ Affairs, were able to inform
themselves what Nation this was.
Towards the End of the same Month, eighty Men, besides Women and
Children, came to _Albany_ in the same Manner. These had one of our Five
Nations with them for an Interpreter, by whom they informed the
Commissioners, that they were of a great Nation, called _Nehkereages_,
consisting of six Castles and Tribes; and that they lived near a Place
called by the _French Missilimakinak_, between the Upper Lake and the
Lake of the _Hurons_. These _Indians_ not only desired a free Commerce,
but likewise to enter into a strict League of Friendship with us and our
_Six Nations_, that they might be accounted the _Seventh Nation_ in the
League; and being received accordingly, they left their Calumet as a
Pledge of their Fidelity.
In _June_ another Nation arrived, but from what Part of the Continent we
have not learned.
In _July_ the _Twightwies_ arrived, and brought an _Indian_ Interpreter
of our Nations with them, who told, that they were called by the _French
Miamies_, and that they live upon one of the Branches of the River
_Misissippi_.
At the same Time some of the _Tahsagrondie Indians_, who live between
_Lake Erie_ and the Lake of the _Hurons_, near a _French_ Settlement,
did come and renew their League with the _English_, nor durst the
_French_ hinder them.
In _July_ this Year, another Nation came, whose Situation and Name we
know not. And in _August_ and _September_, several Parties of the same
_Indians_ that had been here last Year. But the greatest Numbers of
these far _Indians_ have been met this Year, in the _Indian_ Country by
our Traders, every one of them endeavouring to get before another, in
order to reap the Profits of so advantageous a Trade, which has all this
Summer long, kept about forty Traders constantly employed, in going
between our Trading-places in our _Indian_ Country, and _Albany_.
All these Nations of _Indians_ who came to _Albany_ said, that the
_French_ had told them many strange Stories of the _English_, and did
what they could to hinder their coming to _Albany_, but that they had
resolved to break through by Force. The Difference on this Score between
the _Tahsagrondie Indians_ and the _French_ (who have a Fort and
Settlement there, called by them _Le Detroit_) rose to that Height this
Summer, that Mr. _Tonti_ who commanded there, thought it proper to
retire, and return to _Canada_ with many of his Men.
We are for these Reasons well assured, that this Year there will be more
Beaver exported for _Great-Britain_, than ever was from this Province in
one Year; and that if the Custom-house Books at _London_ be looked into,
it will be found, that there will be a far greater Quantity of Goods for
the _Indians_, (Strouds especially) sent over next Spring, than ever was
at any one Time to this Province; for the Merchants here tell us, that
they have at this Time, ordered more of these Goods, than ever was done
at any one Time before.
These Matters of Fact prove beyond Contradiction, that this Act has been
of the greatest Service to _New-York_, in making us acquainted with many
Nations of _Indians_, formerly entirely unknown and Strangers to us; in
withdrawing them from their Dependance upon the _French_, and in uniting
them to _us_ and _our Indians_, by Means of Trade and mutual Offices of
Friendship. Of what great Consequence this may be to the _British
Interest_ in general, as to Trade, is apparent to any Body. It is no
less apparent likewise, that it is of the greatest Consequence to the
Safety of all the _British Colonies_ in _North-America_. We feel too
sensibly, the ill Effects of the _French Interest_ in the present War
betwixt _New-England_, and only one Nation of _Indians_ supported by the
_French_. Of what dismal Consequences then might it be, if the _French_
should be able to influence in the same Manner, so many and such
numerous _Nations_, as lie to the Westward of _this Province,
Pensylvania_ and _Maryland_? On the other Hand, if all these _Nations_
(who assert their own Freedom, and declare themselves Friends to those
that supply them best with what they want) be brought to have a
Dependance upon the _English_ (as we have good Reason to hope, in a
short Time they will) the _French_ of _Canada_, in case of a War, must
be at the Mercy of the _English_.
To these Advantages must be added, that many of our young Men having
been induced by this Act to travel among the _Indians_, they learn their
Manners, their Languages, and the Situation of all their Countries, and
become inured to all Manner of Fatigues and Hardships, and a great many
more being resolved to follow their Example; these young Men, in case of
a War with the _Indians_, will be of ten Times the Service, that the
same Number of the common Militia can be of.
The Effects of this Act have likewise so much quieted the Minds of the
People, with Respect to the Security of the Frontiers, that our
Settlements are now extended above thirty Miles further West towards the
_Indian_ Countries, than they were before it passed.
The only Thing that now remains to answer, is an Objection which we
suppose may be made, _What can induce the Merchants of_ London _to
petition against an Act, which will be really so much for their Interest
in the End_? The Reason is in all Probability, because they only
consider their present Gain; and that they are not at all concerned for
the Safety of this Country, in encouraging the most necessary
Undertaking, if they apprehend their Profit for two or three Years may
be lessened by it. This Inclination of the Merchants has been so
notorious, that few Nations at War with their Neighbours, have been able
to restrain them from supplying their Enemies with Ammunition and Arms.
The Count _D'Estrade_, in his Letters in 1638 says, That when the
_Dutch_ were besieging _Antwerp_, one _Beiland_, who had loaded four
Fly-boats with Arms and Powder for _Antwerp_, being taken up by the
Prince of _Orange_'s Order, and examined at _Amsterdam_, said boldly,
_That the Burghers of_ Amsterdam _had a Right to trade every where: That
he could name a Hundred that were Factors for the Merchants at_ Antwerp,
_and that he was one. That Trade cannot be interrupted, and that for his
Part he was very free to own, that if to get any Thing by Trade it were
necessary to pass through Hell, he would venture to burn his Sails_.
When this Principle so common to Merchants, is considered, and that some
in this Place have got Estates by trading many Years to _Canada_, it is
not to be wondered that they have acted as Factors for _Canada_ in this
Affair, and that they have transmitted such Accounts to their
Correspondents in _London_, as are consistent with the Trust reposed in
them by the Merchants of _Canada_.
In the last Place, we are humbly of Opinion, that it may be proper to
print the Petition of the Merchants of _London_, and their Allegations
before the Lords of Trade, together with the Answers your Committee has
made thereto, in Vindication of the Legislature of this Province, of
which we have the Honour to be a Part, if your Excellency shall approve
of our Answers: That what we have said may be exposed to the Examination
of every one in this Place, where the Truth of the Matters of Fact is
best known; and that the Correspondents of these Merchants may have the
most publick Notice to reply, if they shall think it proper, or to
disown in a publick Manner, that they are the Authors of such groundless
Informations.