The governors had succeeded in adroitly counterbalancing the influence of the English over the Indian tribes.

The Iroquois, but lately implacable foes of France, had accepted a position of neutrality.

Agricultural development secured to the country comparative prosperity, but money was scarce, the instinct of the population was not in the direction of commerce; it was everywhere shackled by monopolies.

The English were rich, free, and bold; for them the transmission and the exchange of commodities were easy.

The commercial rivalry which set in between the two nations was fatal to the French; when the hour of the final struggle came, the Canadians, though brave, resolute, passionately attached to France, and ready for any sacrifice, were few in number compared with their enemies.