The Iroquois are too considerable to be overlooked by a People so discerning and attentive to their Interest as the French. They earnestly courted, and with much Assiduity, the Friendship and alliance of the Iroquois. These Overtures were, for the most Part, rejected by the latter; owing in a great Measure to their Connection with us: And altho' the French were generally at War with the Troquois, yet their Priests had sufficient address to gain Admittance among them, and proselyte many. This gave

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1108 MEMORIAL CONCERNING THE IROQUOIS OR

them an Opportunity of throwing many. Difficulties in the Way of our Missionaries, which they have failed to improve. They stuck at Nothing however infamous for this Purpose. They invented and propagated the most glaring Falsehoods to prejudice the Indians against us. They did not even hesitate to persuade them that the English were the People who crucified Jesus Christ, and that the Books used by our Missionaries were written by the Devil. These Falsehoods gained Credit among the Ignorant Savages, especially the Popish Converts; and the Society's Missionaries sensibly felt their effects. They met with insuperable Obstructions in the Discharge of their Duty ; their Lives were often in Danger, and they were obliged to fly for their Preservation. The Scene is greatly changed at present; for although our Possession of Canada does not intirely Guard us against the Practices of Popish Emissaries ; yet it will secure us from the Incursions of an enemy, and enable us in some Measure to confine the Priests to their own Tribes. Any Interruption they may give, cannot defeat the Scheme; and may serve as a spur to the Industry of our Missionaries, who, having the Authority of Government on their Side, will thence derive great advantages ; such as must give them a Manifest Superiority.