even the Cherokees and Choctaws, old friends of the British colonies, seemed on the point of turning against them.[486] The Five Nations were half won for France.  In November a large deputation of them came to renew the chain of friendship at Montreal.  “I have laid Oswego in ashes,” said Vaudreuil; “the English quail before me.  Why do you nourish serpents in your bosom?  They mean only to enslave you.”  The deputies trampled under foot the medals the English had given them, and promised the “Devourer of Villages,” for so they styled the Governor, that they would never more lift the hatchet against his children.  The chief difficulty was to get rid of them; for, being clothed and fed at the expense of the King, they were in no haste to take leave; and learning that New Year’s Day was a time of visits, gifts, and health-drinking, they declared that they would stay to share its pleasures; which they did, to their own satisfaction and the annoyance of those who were forced to entertain them and their squaws.[487] An active siding with France was to be expected only from the western bands of the Confederacy.  Neutrality alone could be hoped for from the others, who were too near the English safely to declare against them; while from one of the tribes, the Mohawks, even neutrality was doubtful.

[Footnote 486:  Vaudreuil au Ministre de la Marine, 19 Avril, 1757.]

[Footnote 487:  Montcalm au Ministre de la Guerre, 24 Avril, 1757; Relation de l’Ambassade des Cinq Nations a Montreal, jointe a la lettre precedente.  Proces-verbal de differentes Entrevues entre M. de Vaudreuil et les Deputes des Nations sauvages du 13 au 30 Dec. 1756.  Malartic, Journal.  Montcalm a Madame de Saint-Veran, 1 Avril, 1757.]

Vaudreuil, while disliking the French regulars, felt that he could not dispense with them, and had asked for a reinforcement.  His request was granted; and the Colonial Minister informed him that twenty-four hundred men had been ordered to Canada to strengthen the colony regulars and the battalions of Montcalm.[488] This, according to the estimate of the Minister, would raise the regular force in Canada to sixty-six hundred rank and file.[489] The announcement was followed by another, less agreeable.  It was to the effect that a formidable squadron was fitting out in British ports.  Was Quebec to be attacked, or Louisbourg?  Louisbourg was beyond reach of succor from Canada; it must rely on its own strength and on help from France.  But so long as Quebec was threatened, all the troops in the colony must be held ready to defend it, and the hope of attacking England in her own domains must be abandoned.  Till these doubts were solved, nothing could be done; and hence great activity in catching prisoners for the sake of news.  A few were brought in, but they knew no more of the matter than the French themselves; and Vaudreuil and Montcalm rested for a while in suspense.

[Footnote 488:  Ordres du Roy et Depeches des Ministres, Mars, 1757.]