eparated by immense tracts of unpeopled desart_.--As to the effect
which it is supposed the colonies may have to increase and promote the
fur trade, and to prevent all contraband trade or intercourse between
the Indians under your Majesty's protection, and the French or
Spaniards; it does appear to us, that the extension of the fur trade
depends entirely upon the Indians being undisturbed in the possession
of their hunting, grounds; that all colonizing does in its nature, and
must in its consequences, operate to the prejudice of that branch of
commerce, and that the French and Spaniard would be left in possession
of a great part of what remained; as New Orleans would still continue
the best and surest market.

"As to the protection which it is supposed these new colonies may be
capable of affording to the old ones, it will, in our opinion, appear
on the slightest view of their situation, that so far from affording
protection to the old colonies, they will stand most in need of it
themselves.

"It cannot be denied, that new colonies would be of advantage in
raising provisions for the supply of such forts and garrisons as may be
kept up in the neighbourhood of them; but as the degree of utility will
be proportioned to the number and situation of these forts and
garrisons, which upon the result of the present enquiry it may be
thought adviseable to continue, so the force of the argument will
depend upon that event.

"The present French inhabitants in the neighbourhood of the Lakes will,
in our humble opinion, be sufficient to furnish with provisions
whatever posts may be necessary to be continued there; and as there are
also French inhabitants settled in some parts of the country lying upon
the Mississippi, between the rivers Illinois and the Ohio, it is to be
hoped that a sufficient number of these may be induced to fix their
abode, where the same convenience and advantage may be derived from
them; but if no such circumstance were to exist, and no such assistance
to be expected from it, the objections stated to the plan now under our
consideration are superior to this, or any other advantage it can
produce; and although civil establishments have frequently rendered the
expence of an armed force necessary for their protection, one of the
many objections to these now proposed, yet we humbly presume there
never has been an instance of a government instituted merely with a
view to supply a body of troops with suitable prov