, and the
transports, having provincial troops on board, returned to Boston.
General Nicholson remained at Fort George until he heard of the
miscarriage of the St. Lawrence expedition, when he retraced his steps
to Albany. The Canadians had made extensive preparations for defence.
The greatest possible enthusiasm prevailed in Quebec. The merchants of
Quebec, in 1712, raised a subscription and presented the Governor with
50,000 crowns, for the purpose of strengthening the fortifications of
the town. The peace of Utrecht was, however, concluded, in 1713, and
Canada was left to contend only with the Outagamis, a new Indian enemy,
who, in conjunction with the Iroquois, had determined upon burning
Detroit, the limit of civilisation to the north west. The French soon
caused their Indian enemies to bury their hatchets.

At the peace, Quebec had 7,000 inhabitants, and the population of all
Canada amounted to 25,000, of whom 5,000 were capable of bearing arms.
Already the banks of the St. Lawrence below Quebec were laid out in
seigniories, and the farms were tolerably well cultivated. Some farmers
were in easier circumstances than their seigneurs. The imported
nobility had dwindled down to the condition of placemen or traders. The
Baron Becancour held the office of Inspector of Highways, and Count
Blumhart made ginger beer. Three Rivers contained 800 inhabitants. A
few farmers lived in the neighbourhood of the mouth of the St. Francis.
Montreal was rising rapidly into importance, having obtained the fur
trade of Three Rivers, in addition to its own, and the island having
been carefully cultivated, through the well directed efforts of the
Jesuits. Above Montreal there was nothing but forts--Fort Kingston or
Cataraqui, Fort Niagara, Fort Detroit, and Fort Machillimakinac.

The Marquis de Vaudreuil having ruled Canada for twenty-one years, died
on the 10th of April, 1725. He was succeeded by the Marquis de
Beauharnois, under whose judicious management of affairs, the province
became prosperous. Cultivation was extended. The Indians were so much
conciliated, that intermarriages between the French and Indians were
frequent. And there was nothing to excite alarm but the growing
importance and grasping disposition of the New Englanders and New
Anglo-Hollanders. The Governor of New York had erected a fort and
trading post at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, with the view of monopolizing
the trade of the Lakes. Beauharnois followed the English