As to the first Point, the Inhabitants of this Country are Hunters, and as the Interests of a commercial Nation, in which it is to be VOL. II. 45

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protected and by which it may be commanded, is its Trade, so the great and main point with regard to these hunting Nations, if the expression may be allowed, is to have the Command of the hunting Grounds, which so far as regards the Beaver, the most valuable Bianch of it, lie in the Environs of the great Lakes.

With respect to the second Light in which this Object may be viewed, it must be observed, that there is no way of passing either to the East or' to the West, or from the North to the South but thro' the Lakes, or over the Streights, Falls and carrying Places in and about them, unless it be by going round them, which as to all Business or advantage is impracticable. Unless therefore the Indians be left in Possession of this Country, they must lose not only the Command of it, but also the Use and Benefit of their Hunting.

Possessed of this Country, they can descend by water-communication with the Streams to any part of the Continent from the Gulph of St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, for in this Country lie the Heads of the Delawar, Susquehanna, Ohio, S*. Lawrence, and Hudson's rivers ; and the Light in which they themselves consider it will clearly appear from the account which they themselves gave of it some time ago to a Person in whom they had Confidence at Onondage, viz*. That it has many advantages superior to any other part of America, the endless mountains (meaning the Apnlachian) separate us, say they, from the English from Albany to Georgia ; the falls of S*.