Can anyone ever really "own" land? As I cross this nation and stand amongst giant, 2000 year old Redwoods, I realize we are but a whisper passing through this place we call "our land". Oscar and I visited one small area in "our land" which has been contested by four nations during recorded history; Iroquois, French, British, and Americans all believed they were the possessors of this small corner of earth.
Peering over the earthen fortifications at Fort Niagara is the French Castle, built to resemble a trading house so the hostile Iroquois indians wouldn't think it was a military fort.
But when you get up close to the "trading house" you notice impressive outcroppings, not intended for guests to view the surrounding area from their penthouse rooms, or to allow Rapunzel to let-down her golden hair. They were cannon emplacements commanding a wide view of the surrounding area for defensive and offensive purposes.
Daniel Hyacinthe-Marie Lienard de Beujeau - French Commandant of Fort Niagara 1749- 1751
His soldiers did not share the same luxury.
Currently, the US Coast Guard Commander, at Coast Guard Station Niagara, viewed here from Fort Niagara, has nice a accommodation in "his country's land"
After pondering all of this, Oscar the Smiley Dog ran into the former French Castle, scurried up the stairs to the Commandants quarters, hopped up on the bed and declared "This is MY land"
Sheeesh
1 comment:
What arrogant folly to think that even the smallest part of Grandmother Earth can be owned. We are but temporary custodians at the very best.
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