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England discovered in New York a ready source of beaver pelts; France, from its Canadian base, also sought to monopolize the fur trade. The geographic location of the Iroquois Confederation of Indians in western New York gave them a position as the balance of power between the French and English colonies in North America. England and New York continued a policy of preserving Indian good will throughout the late 17th and 18th centuries. However, the reason behind the Indian balance of power changed with the passage of time.