The conference at Albany was appointed for the fourteenth of June, 1754, and was to be held in conjunction with a con vention of delegates from the several colonies, called to consider a The attendance plan for a general union for mutual protection. was not large ; the colonies were not fully represented ; the con federates were still halting between two opinions.

The proceed

ings were opened with an address by acting governor De Lancey, " renew and in which the tribes were invited to strengthen their " with the English, and to call back the clans ancient covenant

who

had removed

French,"

said he,

"

to

the

territory of

the

French.

" The

profess to be in perfect friendship with us

The Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, i, 422.

OF HUDSON'S RIVER.

as well as with you. Notwithstanding this they are making continual encroachments upon us both. They have lately done

so in the most insulting manner, both to the northward and westward. They are endeavoring to possess themselves of the

whole country, although they have made express treaties with the English to the contrary. It appears to us that their mea sures must necessarily soon interrupt and destroy all trade and intercourse between the English and the several Indian nations

on the continent, and will block up and obstruct the great roads, which have hitherto been kept open, between you and your allies and friends who live at a distance. want, therefore, to

We

know whether these things appear to you in the same light as they do to us, or whether the French, taking possession of the lands in your country, and building forts between the lake Erie