THE FIRST GUN Meanwhile the course of events was leading toward a new and unexpected goal.

Chief Justice Marshall said, as I have quoted, that 1763, the end of the French-Indian War, marked the greatest friendship and harmony between the Colonies and England.

The reason is plain.

In their incessant struggles with the French and the Indians, the Colonists had discovered a real champion and protector.

That protector, England, had found that she must really protect the Colonies unless she was willing to see them fall into the hands of her rival, France.