rye 1 Essays -}
even the people of our own colonies have frequently
been so exasperated against each other, in their disputes
 about boundaries, as to proceed to open violence
 and bloodshed.
2. Erecting Forts in the back Settlements, almost in no
Instance a sufficient Security against the Indians
and the French; but the Possession of Canada
implies every Security, and ought to be had, while
in our Power.
But the Remarker thinks we shall be sufficiently
secure in America, if we “raise English forts at such
passes as may at once make us respectable to the
French and to the Indian nations.* The security
desirable in America may be considered as of three
kinds: 1. A security of possession, that the French
shall not drive us out of the country. 2. A security
of our planters from the inroads of savages, and the
murders committed by them. 3. A security that the
British nation shall not be obliged, on every new
war, to repeat the immense expense occasioned by
this, to defend its possessions in America.
Forts in the most important passes may, I acknowledge,
 be of use to obtain the first kind of security;
 but, as those situations are far advanced beyond
the inhabitants, the expense of maintaining and
supplying the garrisons will be very great, even in
time of full peace, and immense on every interruption
 of it; as it is easy for skulking parties of the
enemy, in such long roads through the woods, to
I Remarks, p. 25.

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