an allies for more than a
hundred years. The language of Massachusetts was but the language of all
the American colonies in regard to Great Britain at this period--the
language of gratitude and affection.

Down, therefore, to within thirteen years of the American Declaration of
Independence, the conduct of England to her American colonies is
acknowledged upon the highest authority to have been just and generous.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 223: "The French, upon recovering Louisburg, had laid the
scheme (the particulars of which shall be exhibited in their due place)
for engrossing the whole empire of North America, and in a manner for
extirpating the English interest there. Notice of this was, soon after
the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, given to the English Government by their
Governors in America, and proper instructions were dispatched to them to
resist all encroachments attempted to be made upon the English
territories. The Earl of Albemarle (British Ambassador in Paris) had
orders from his Court to remonstrate on this occasion; but his
remonstrances had so little effect that the French seemed rather
encouraged in than deterred from their usurpations. The English
Governors in America daily sent over complaints of the French
encroachments there, which were too little regarded, in hopes of matters
being compromised." (Rapin's History of England, Vol. XXI., p. 418.)]

[Footnote 224: "But their encroachments went further (than Nova Scotia),
and this year (1754) they began to make settlements upon the River Ohio,
within the limits of the British possessions in the western parts of
Virginia. They had likewise committed many hostilities against British
subjects in other parts of America."

"All the while the French were multiplying their hostilities and
strengthening their usurpations by new recruits of men, money,
provisions of all kinds, and ammunition, and some of the best officers
in France."

"When the Government of England complained to the French Court of those
encroachments, the Ministry gave evasive answers, and promised that
everything should be amicably adjusted; but without desisting from their
usurpations, which became every day more and more intolerable. The
English, perceiving this, sent general orders to all their Governors in
America to repel force by force, and to drive them from all the
settlements which they had made contrary to the faith of treaties, and
especially along the Ohio." (Rapin's History of