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 296 INTRODUCTION. chap, vm. ments against the English. He represented 1723. them as intruders, and in a particular manner pointed the indignation of the natives against the forts erected in their neighbourhood for the protection of the country. By his arts, and those of other missionaries, all the eastern Indians, as well as those of Canada, were com- bined against New England. They made some incursions into Massachussetts, in con- sequence of which, a body of troops were detached to the village where Ralle resided, for the purpose of seizing his person. He received intimation of their design in time to make his escape, but they secured and brought ofFhis papers, among which are some showing that in exciting the savages to war against the colonists, he had ; acted under the authority of monsieur Vaudreuil, the governor of Canada, who had secretly promised to supply them with arms and ammunition. This attempt on the person of their spiritual father was highly resented by the Indians, who determined to revenge it. Several of the fron- tier settlements were attacked with great fury, and their hostility was so open, that war in form war with was declared aarainst them. It was carried on the savages. ° for some time with considerable loss on both sides. The Indians had been so notoriously excited to this war by the governor of Canada, and were so openly supported by him, that it was