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Essays and addresses" Although that reinforcement, so much wanted there, and which the frenrh, knowing their weak part, resolved to send at nil hnzanK will render its reduction more difficult: vet more troops great address in the preparation, and great resolution in the execution, which a Moral knows how to inspire, will surmount the difficulty. Whatever the capture costs of men and money the expence of both will be small to that of a defensive war and precautionary provisions, which may have little intermission, and no end, until the French be formally and really masters of that continent. The acquisition will be to us a temporary expence, instantly repaid by the fur trade and fishery ; the benefit perpetual : but in the hands of the French, their american power will soon grow so strong, and take such an extended and deep root, to which a defensive war will not a little contribute, that it will prove the severest thorn in the sides of England, to extract which, millions in vain may hereafter be expended. " I just beg leave to say a word of the navigation of the river St Lawrence: it appears, through all the affected obscurity of the french voyage writers, and the horror which former miscarriages and ignorance has thrown on it, to be safe, though sometimes tedious ; the mystery consists in timeing the Voyage and keeping the southern coast aboard, from Cape Eozier to Quebec, with due respect to some intervening shallows and islands. " If any suggestions of mine could contribute towards a system of operations for this or any other enterprize your Lordship will always very heartily command me, as the country will my service; and if any- thing here said appears interesting, Your Lordship will do me particular favor in communicating it to my Lord Halifax ["Hallifax" in the print] to whom I have not the honor of being known. prev next |