The autumn scarce began but we heare that the lower Iroquoits contrived a
treason against the ffrench. So having contrived & discovered that they
weare resolved to leavy an armie of 500 men of their owne nation, who are
esteemed the best souldiers, having the Anojot to assist them; a bold, rash
nation, and so thought to surprise the inhabitants of that place. As they
weare contriving and consequently seased upon the fort and towne, thinking
to execute their plot with ease, because of their assurance, trusting (if
contrary to their contrivance) to the peace, saying that the ffrench weare
as many hoggs layed up to be fatted in their country. But, O liberality,
what strength hast thou! thou art the onely means wherby men know all and
pierce the hearts of the most wild & barbarous people of the world. Hearing
such news, we make friends by store of guifts, yea such guifts that weare
able to betray their country. What is that, that interrest will not do? We
discover dayly new contryvances of treason by a Councellor. There is
nothing done or said but we have advice of it. Their dayly exercise is
feasting, of warrs, songs, throwing of hattchetts, breaking kettles. What
can we do? We are in their hands. It's hard to gett away from them. Yea, as
much as a ship in full sea without pilot, as passengers without skill. We
must resolve to be uppon our guard, being in the midle of our Ennemy. For
this purpose we begin to make provisions for the future end. We are tould
that a company of the Aniot nation volontiers was allready in their march
to breake heads & so declare open warres. This company finds enough to doe
att Mount Royall; ffor the ffrench being carelesse of themselves, working
incomparably afarre from their fortifications without the least
apprehension. They killed 2 french and brought them away in triumph, their
heads sett up for a signe of warrs. We seeing no other remedy but must be
gon and leave a delightful country. The onely thing that we wanted most was
that wee had no boats to carry our bagage. It's sad to tend from such a
place that is compassed with those great lakes that compose that Empire