Asia had thus exhausted its exuberant population by such a great migration, it would require a very long period of time to produce a cooperation of causes, sufficient to effect another. The first mighty stream of people that flowed into America, must have remained free from external pressure for ages. Availing themselves of this period of tranquillity, they would devote themselves to the arts of peace, make rapid progress in civilization, and acquire an immense population. In course of time, discord and war would rage among them, and compel the establishment of places of security. At last, they became alarmed by the irruption of a horde of barbarians, who rushed like an overwhelming flood from the North of Asia.

A multitude, like which the populous North
Poured-from her frozen loins, to pass

Rhene or the Danaw, when her barbarous sons
Came like a deluge on the South, and spread
Beneath Gibralter to the Lybian sands.*

The great law of selfpreservation compelled them to stand on their defence, to resist these ruthless invaders, and to construct numerous and extensive works for protection. And for a long series of time the scale of victory was suspended in doubt, and they firmly withstood the torrent: but like the Romans in the decline of their empire, they were finally worn down and destroyed, by successive inroads and renewed attacks. And the fortifications of which we have treated, are the only remaining monuments of these antient and exterminated nations. This is, perhaps, the airy nothing of imagination, and may be reckoned the extravagant dream of a visionary mind: but may we not, considering the wonderful events of the past and present times, and the inscrutable dispensations of

* Milton's Paradise Lost, 1 book. p. 62.

an over-ruling providence, may we not look forward into futurity, and without departing from the rigid laws of probability, predict the occurrence of similar scenes, at some remote period of time. And perhaps, in the decrepitude of our empire, some transcendent genius, whose powers of mind shall only be bounded by that impenetrable circle, which prescribes the limits of human nature,* may rally the barbarous nations of Asia, under the standard of a mighty empire. Following the tract of the Russian colonies and commerce towards the north-west coast, and availing himself of the navigation, arms, and military skill of civilized nations, he, may, after subverting the neighbouring despotisms of the old world, bend his course towards European America. The destinies of our country may then be decided on the waters of the Missouri, or on the banks of Lake Superior. And if Asia shall then revenge upon our posterity, the injuries we have inflicted on her sons, a new, a long and a gloomy night of gothic darkness will set in upon mankind. And when after the efflux of ages, the returning effulgence of intellectual light shall again gladden the nations, then the widespread ruins of our cloud-clapt towers, of our solemn temples, and of our magnificent cities, will, like the works of which we have treated, become the subject of curious research and elaborate investigation.

* Roscoe's Lorenze De Medicis, 241.

APPENDIX, No. I.

M. de la BARRE's harangue, and the Grangula's

reply.

'THE King, my Master, being inform'd that the

'five Iroquese Nations have for a long time made 'infractions upon the measures of Peace, order'd 'me to come hither with a Guard, and to send • Akouessan to the Canton of the Onnotagues, in or'der to an Interview with their principal Leaders, in 'the Neighbourhood of my Camp. This great Mo'narch means, that you and I should smoak together in the great Calumet of Peace, with the Proviso, that you ingage in the name of the Tsonnontouans, Goyoguans, Onnotagues, Onnoyoutes, and Agnies, to make reparation to his Sub'jects, and to be guilty of nothing for the future, that may occasion a fatal rupture.

'The Tsonnontouans, Goyogouans, Onnotagues, Onnoyoutes and Agnies, have strip'd, rob'd, and 'abus'd all the Forest-Rangers, that travel'd in the way of Trade to the Country of the Illinese, of 'the Oumamis, and of several other Nations, who ' are my Master's Children. Now this usage being in high violation of the Treaties of Peace con'cluded with my Predecessor, I am commanded to ' demand Reparation, and at the same time to de'clare, that in case of their refusal to comply with 'my demands, or of relapsing into the like Robbe'ries, War is positively proclaim'd.

This Colier makes my words good.

The Warriours of these five Nations have in'troduced the English to the Lakes, belonging to

* Belt.

the King my Master, and into the Country of those 'Nations to whom my Master is a Father: This they have done with a design to ruine the Commerce of his Subjects, and to oblige these Nations to depart from their due Allegiance; not'withstanding the Remonstrances of the late Governor of New-York, who saw thro the danger that both they and the English expos'd themselves to. At present I am willing to forget those Actions; but if ever you be guilty of the like for 'the future, I have express orders to declare War.

This Colier warrants my Words.

The same Warriours have made several barbarous Incursions upon the country of the Illinese, and the Oumamis. They have massacred Men, 'Women, and Children; they have took, bound, ' and carried off an infinite number of the Natives of those Countries, who thought themselves secure in their Villages in a time of Peace. These People are my Master's Children, and therefore must hereafter cease to be your Slaves. I charge you to restore 'em to their Liberty, and to send 'em home without delay; for if the five Nations refuse to comply with this demand, I have express orders to declare War.

This is all I had to say to the Grangula, whom I desire to report to the five Nations, this De'claration, that my Master commanded, me to 'make. He wishes they had not oblig'd him to send a potent Army to the Fort of *Cataracouy, ' in order to carry on a War that will prove fatal

'to them: And he will be very much troubled, if it so falls out, that this Fort which is a work of Peace, must be imploy'd for a Prison to your Mi'litia. These mischiefs ought to be prevented by 'mutual endeavours: The French who are the 'Brethren and Friends of the five Nations, will 'never disturb their Repose; provided they make 'the satisfaction I now demand, and prove religi ⚫ous observers of their Treaties. I wish my words 'may produce the desir'd effect; for if they do not, I am oblig'd to joyn the Governor of New-York, 'who has orders from the King his Master, to as sist me to burn the five Villages, and cut you off.

This Colier confirms my word.

While Mr. de la Barre's Interpreter pronounc'd this Harangue, the Grangula did nothing but look'd upon the end of his Pipe: After the Speech was finish'd he rose, and having took five or six turns in the Ring that the French and the Savages made, he return'd to his place, and standing upright spoke after the following manner to the General, who sat in his Chair of State.

**Onnontio, I honour you, and all the Warriors that accompany me do the same: Your Interpreter has made an end of his Discourse, and now I come to begin mine.. My Voice glides to your Ear, pray listen to my words.

'Onnontio, in setting out from Quebec, you 'must needs have fancy'd that the scorching Beams ' of the Sun had burnt down the Forests which ren'der our Country unaccessible to the French; or ' else that the Inundations of the Lake had sur'rounded our Cottages, and confin'd us as Prisoners. This certainly was your thought; and it

* This Title they give to the Governor-General of Canada.

I