England and France were, at this time, at peace in Europe, although the troops of both nations were about to engage in conflict, in the forests of America.

Their position there was an anomalous one.

England owned the belt of colonies on the east coast.

France was mistress of Canada in the north, of Louisiana in the south, and, moreover, claimed the whole of the vast country lying behind the British colonies, which were thus cooped up on the seaboard.

Her hold, however, of this great territory was extremely slight.