THE EAJRLY HISTORY OF MILITIA

carrier of govemmental orders, &c. He was the first amongst the habitants. Ail the actual settlers were called habitants (inhabitants) to distinguish them from the other Frenchmen engaged in trade, military, cirLl service, &c. The militia received its orders direct from the Governor-General through the cap tains of the parishes.

Snch was the military situation of Lower Canada when the war against the Iroqnois broke ont in 1684. Tive hundred men arrived from France, making ten independent companies: a militia contingent added to the garrisons of the forts were called to the front. The Goyernor-General formed two or three small brigades of ail thèse éléments, continning hostilities by marching to Lake Ontario. Peace was only restored seventeen years after, i. e., in 1701. The historians hâve given ns fuU détails concerning that long séries of opérations. I am merely explaining hère the organization of onr forces at that time. There were no régiments, nor any officers above the rank of captain, though sonie of them acted as majors at the head of varioiis detachments.

The struggle at first was confined to the shores of Lake Ontario, but in 1689 the Iroquois began their raids into Lower Canada, and on several occasions, until 1695, pushed as far as Lake St. Peter, afterwards keeping at a distance south and west of Montréal. The présent State of Maine was attacked in 1690 by a party from Québec; another one from Three Eivers made a point to ÎTew Hampshire ; a third band left Montréal and went in the direction of Albany. The autumn of the same year Phipps bombarded Quebœ without success. In the summer of 1691 Schuyler was repulsed at Laprairie. The French had to contend also with the western tribes in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Thèse constant and varied expéditions served as a school for the young French-