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On reading the numerous documents connected with the rival efforts of the French and the English to secure the support or at least neutrality of the Iroquois, one recognizes that these savages must have felt highly flattered. They could not but realize how completely they held the balance of power throughout the West. Had they been less shrewd or more civilized, they might well have had their heads turned and have committed many follies. On the contrary, maintaining a cynical indifference towards the flattery of the rival suitors, and fully aware of the advantages of their position, they encouraged the advances of both parties and gladly received whatever lucrative and other advantages the anxiety to gain their favour might produce. They declined, however, to commit themselves to either side, fully aware that the diplomatic strength of their position, and its capacity to produce a perennial supply of rival donations, consisted in their ability to appeal to one power against the other without destroying friendly, but not too intimate, relations with either. In social, religious and matrimonial matters they fraternized with the French, receiving their presents and exchanging complimentary speeches. At the same time they traded with the English, and enjoyed their rum, though they quite failed to appreciate the dry light of their Calvinism.

It was a vital part of the French policy towards the Indians never to admit that any of them were under British influence. The French could not compete with the English in regular trade, but they lavished presents upon the Indians, and employed the friendly services of the missionaries and traders steadily to press upon them the advantages of an alliance with the French. The claim of the British to the territory of the Iroquois was adroitly employed to alarm these tribes as to the ultimate designs of Great Britain.