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6 

THE 


CONSPIRACY  OF   PONTIAC 


AND    THE 


INDIAN  WAR 


AFTER 


THE    CONQUEST   OF   CANADA. 


BY 


FRANCIS    PAROIAN. 


KIMITII    KDITION,    RKVISKD,    WITH    ADDITIONS. 


Vol.  I. 


BOSTON: 
LITTLE,  BROWN,  AND    COMPANY. 


^ 


Ha   / 


1  7  4  0  4  t; 


/  f  y  k 


filtered  acconlin-^  to  Act  of  €011^,^6??,  in  the  year  1870,  by 

»-KA.\riS    I'AHKMAX, 

In  the  Oflice  <  1    the  Librarian  of  Coiiiiress  at  WaKhlngton. 


camuridge: 
i'hkss  of  john  wilsu.n  am)  son. 


TO 


JAKED    SPAKKS,  LL.D., 

PEKBIDENT      OF      HAllVARD      UNIVKU8ITY 


THESE    VOLUMES    AUB    DEDICATED 


AS    A    TESTIMONUL    OF    HIGH    rKHSONAL    REGARD, 


AND  A  TRIBUTE  OF  RESPECT 


FOB    HIS    DISTIN0UI8HED    SERVICES    TO 
AMERICAN  HISTOEY. 


PREFACE 


TO    THE    SrXTII    EDITION. 


T  CHOSE  the  subject  of  this  book  as  affording  bet- 
ter opportunities  than  any  other  portion  of  Ameri- 
can history  for  portraying  forest  Hfe  and  the  Indian 
character ;  and  I  have  never  seen  reason  to  change 
this   opinion.      In    the    nineteen    years    that    have 
passed  since  the  first  edition  was  publislied,  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  additional  material  has  come 
to  light.     This  has  been  carefully  collected,  and  is 
incorporated   in   the    present   edition.      The   most 
interesting  portion  of  this  new  material  has  been 
sui)plied  by  the  Bouquet  and  Ilaldimand  Papers, 
added  some  years  ago  to  the  manuscript  collections 
of  the  British  Museum.     Among  them  are  several 
hundred  letters  from  officers  engaged  in  the  Pontiac 
war,   some   official,   others    personal    and   familiar, 
affording  very  curious  illustrations  of  the  events  of 
the  day  and  of  the  characters  of  those  engaged  in 
them.     Among  the  facts  which  they  bring  to  light, 
some  are  sufficiently  startling  ;  as,  for  examplc'the' 
proposal  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  to  infect  the 


viii 

I'UKl'ACE. 

* 

hostile  tribes  with  the  small- [)ox, 

and  that  of  a 

dis- 

tinguished  sub( 

)i-dinate  officer 

to 

take  revenge 

on 

the  Indians  by 

permitting  an 

nnrestricted  sale 

of 

rum. 

Tlie  two  volumes  of  the  ])resent  edition  have 
l)een  made  uniform  with  those  of  tlie  seri(^s  "  France 
and  England  in  North  America."  I  hope  to  con- 
tinue that  series  to  the  i)eriod  of  the  (extinction  of 
French  power  on  this  continent.  "  The  Conspiracy 
of  Pontiac  "  will  then  form  a  se(iuel ;  (uid  its  intro- 
ductory chapters  will  be,  in  a  certain  sense,  a  sum- 
mary of  what  has  preceded.  'J'his  will  involve 
some  re[)etition  in  the  beginning  of  the  book,  but  I 
have  nevertheless  thoui^ht  it  best  to  let  it  remain 
as  orimnallv  written. 

o  - 

HosroN,   IG  September,    1870. 


1^' 

H  ^    ' 


PR H FACE 


TO    THE    FIIIST    EDITION. 


The  conquest  of  Canada  was  an  event  of  moment- 
ous eonseqnenec  in  Amcriean  history.     It  chani^ed 
the  political  aspect  of    the  continent,  ])repar(>d   a 
way  for  the  independence  of  the  British  colonies, 
rescued  the  vast  tracts  of  the  interior  from  the  rule 
of  military  despotism,  and  gave  them,  eventually, 
to  the  keepini,'  of  an  ordered  democracy.     Yet  to 
the  red  natives  of  the  soil  its  results  were  wholly 
disastrous.      Could    the    French    have    niiiintained 
their  ground,  the  ruin  of  the  Indian  trihes  might 
long  have  heen  postponed  ;  hut  the  victory  of  Que- 
bec was  the  signal  of  their  swift  decline.     Thence- 
forth they  were  destined  to  melt  and  vanish  before 
the    advancing   waves   of  Anglo-American    power, 
which  now  rolled  westward  uncliecked  and  unoj)- 
posed.     They  saw  the  danger,  and,  led  by  a  great 
and  daring  champion,  struggled  liercely  to  avert  it. 
The  history  of  that  epoch,  crowded  as  it  is  with 
scenes  of  tragic  interest,  with  marvels  of  suffering 
and  vicissitude,  of  heroism  and  endurance,  has  been, 


rilKFACE. 


as  ypt.  iitnvritten,  buried  in  tlio  nrcliivcs  of  govcrn- 
nu'iits,  or  atnoiii;  the  obscurer  records  of  jirivate 
adventure.  To  rescue  it  from  oblivion  is  the  object 
of  the  foHowinp:  work.  It  aims  to  ])ortray  the 
American  forest  and  the  American  In(ban  at  the 
period  when  botli  received  their  final  doom. 

It  is  evident  that  other  study  than  that  of  the 
closet  is  indispensable  to  success  in  such  an  attempt. 
Habits  of  early  readin<:^  had  greatly  aided  to  pre- 
pare me  for  the  task  ;  but  necessary  knowledge  of 
a  more  ])ractical  kind  has  been  supplied  by  the 
indulgence  of  a  strong  natural  taste,  which,  at 
various  intervals,  led  me  to  the  wild  regions  of  the 
north  and  west.  Here,  by  the  camp-fire,  or  in  the 
canoe,  I  gained  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  men 
and  scenery  of  the  wilderness.  In  1S46,  I  visited 
various  ])rimitive  tribes  of  the  Kocky  Mountains, 
and  was,  for  a  time,  domesticated  in  a  village  of 
the  western  Dahcotah,  on  the  high  plains  between 
Mount  Laramie  and  the  range  of  the  Medicine 
Bow. 

The  most  troublesome  part  of  the  task  was  the 
collection  of  the  necessary  documents.  These  con- 
sisted of  letters,  journals,  reports,  and  despatches, 
scattered  among  numerous  public  offices,  and  pri- 
vate families,  in  Europe  and  America.  When 
brought  together,  they  amounted  to  about  three 
thousand  four  hundred  manuscript  pages.  Con- 
temporary newspapers,  magazines,  and  pamphlets 


PREFACE. 


Xi 


have  also  been  cxaininod,  niul  carofiil  search  niadn 
for  every  hook  wliich,  dirc^'tly  or  iiidiroctly,  inii^lit 
throw  hijlit  upon  th(;  sul)ject.  I  liave  visilcd  tlio 
sites  of  all  the  ])rincipal  events  recorded  in  the 
narrative,  and  <^atliered  such  local  traditions  as 
seemed  wortliy  of  confidence. 

I  am  indebted  to  the  liberality  of  I  Ion.  liCwis 
Cass  tor  a  curious  collection  of  papers  relatini^  to 
the  siege  of  Detroit  by  the  Indians.  Oth(M*  impor- 
tant contributions  have  been  obtained  from  the 
state  paper  offices  of  TiOndon  and  Paris,  from  tlie 
archives  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  otlier 
states,  and  from  the  manuscript  collections  of  sev- 
eral historical  societies.  The  late  William  L.  Stone, 
Esq.,  commenced  an  elaborate  biograi)hy  of  Sir 
William  Johnson,  which  it  is  much  to  be  lamented 
he  did  not  live  to  complete.  By  the  kindness  of 
Mrs.  Stone,  I  was  permitted  to  copy  from  his  exten- 
sive collection  of  documents  such  portions  as  wo  ■  d 
serve  the  purposes  of  the  following  History. 

To  President  Sparks  of  Harvard  University,  Gen- 
eral Whiting,  U.  S.  A.,  Brantz  Mayer,  I'sq.,  of 
Baltimore,  Francis  J.  Fisher,  Esq.,  of  Pliila(leli)hia, 
and  llev.  George  ¥j.  Ellis,  of  Charlestown,  1  l)eg  to 
return  a  warm  acknowledijmcnt  for  counsel  and 
assistance.  Mr.  Benjamin  Perley  Poore  and  ^Fr, 
Henry  Stevens  procured  copies  of  valuable  docu- 
ments from  the  archives  of  Paris  and  London. 
Henry  11.  Schoolcraft,  Esq.,  Dr.  Elwyn,  of  Pliila- 


Xll 


TREFACE. 


dolphia.  Dr.  O'Callaghan,  of  Albany,  George  II 
Moore,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  Lyman  C.  Draper,  Esq., 
of  rhila(lel[)liia.  Judge  Law,  of  Viuceniies,  and 
many  otliers,  liave  kindly  contributed  materials  to 
the  work.  Nor  can  I  \yithhold  an  expression  of 
thanks  to  the  aid  so  freely  rendered  in  the  dull  task 
of  proof-reading  and  correction. 

The  crude  and  pro!niscuous  mass  of  materials 
presented  an  aspect  by  no  means  inviting.  The 
field  of  the  history  \yas  uncultured  and  unreclaimed, 
and  the  labor  that  a\yaited  me  ^yas  like  that  of  the 
border  settler,  \vho,  before  lie  builds  his  rugged 
d\yelling.  nmst  fell  the  forest-trees,  burn  the  under- 
gro\yth,  clear  the  ground,  and  hew  the  fallen  trunks 
to  due  proportion. 

Several  obstacles  have  retarded  the  progress  of 
the  work.  Of  these,  one  of  the  most  considerable 
was  the  condition  of  my  siu^ht.  Eor  about  three 
years,  the  light  of  day  w;»s  insupportable,  and  every 
attempt  at  reading  or  writing  completely  debarred. 
Under  these  circumstances,  tlie  task  of  sifting  the 
materials  and  composing  the  work  was  begun  and 
iinished.  The  papers  were  repeatedly  read  aloud 
by  an  amanuensis,  copious  notes  and  extracts  were 
made,  and  the  narrative  written  down  from  mv  die- 
tation.  This  process,  though  extremely  slow  and 
laborious,  was  not  without  its  advantages  ;  and  I 
am  well  convinced  that  the  authorities  have  been 
even  more  minutely  examined,  more  scrupulously 


rnEFACE. 


XII) 


■ge  II 
,  Esq., 
s,  and 
ials  to 
ion  of 
ill  tusk 

iterials 
The 
aimed, 
of  the 
ruG^sred 
under- 
trunks 


collated,  and   more  tlioronolily  digested,  tlian   thcv 
would  have  been  under  ordinary  circunistanees. 

In  order  to  escape  the  tedious  circundoeution, 
which,  from  the  nature  of  the  subject,  could  not 
otherwise  have  been  avoided,  the  name  English  is 
ai)i)Iied,  throughout  (he  volume,  to  the  British 
American  colonists,  as  well  as  to  the  ])vo\)]c  of  the 
mother  country.  The  necessity  is  somen  hut  to  be 
regretted,  since,  even  at  an  early  period,  clear  dis- 
tinctions were  visible  between  the  offshoot  and  the 
parent  stock. 

Huston.  August  1,   18:»1 


ress  of 
ilerable 
t  three 
d  every 
barred, 
ng  the 
un  and 
1  aloud 
ts  were 
mv  die- 
ow  and 
and  I 
c  been 
ulously 


f  1 


CONTEXTS    OT    XO],.    1. 


CHAPTER     I. 

LvTRODccTORv.  — TvniAv  TninES  Ea<>t  of  the  Mississirri. 

GenoralClK.r.r.-torisiic.s.  — Tribal  Divisi,,ns.—  .\r(),le(.f  Oovornmf.it. 

—  So.'ial  Harniuny.  — TliL'T,, ten.  — ClasMliratJon  of  Tribes. — 
Tbe  Inxiiiois.—  I'lieir  I'oMiion  and  ( 'barartiT.  —  Tbeir  Polit- 
ical Or-Mnization.— Tra.lition.s  of  their  Coiif.Mleraev.  —  1  beir 
Al.Viii.-i  and  l.e-eiiJ.-*.—  Tbeir   Kl.Miuence  and  Sau.ieitv.  —  Art.s 

—  Agriculture.  — Their  Duellim.-^,  Villa-es,  and  Fort<'  — Their 
Wniter  lale.-The  War  I'ath.  -  iVsiivals  and  I'astime.  - 
Pride  ot  tbe  Iro-jnoLs.  —  The  llurons  or  Wvandot...  —  Their 
CiLstom.s  and  (^haracter.  —  Their  I)i,.,,er.<ion"  —  The  \eutnil 
Isatton.  ],s  Fate. -The  Kries  and  Andastes.  -  Tri.Mnpb.s  of 
tbe  Cuiitederaey.  — Tiie  Adoption  of  J'risr.ners.  —  The  Tnsca- 
roras.  — Superiority  of  the  Iroquois  Haee.  — Tbe  Alu,)n,,nins. 

—  liio  Lenni  Lenape.  —  Their  ehanninrr  Fortune*  — 'I'he 
Sbawanoes.-The  .Miami.s  and  the  Illinois.- The  Ojihwas 
lottanattan.ies,  and  O.iawas.  _  The  Sars  and  Fo.ves.  -  The' 
i.lenonmnies  an<l  Kni.teneaux.  -  ("ustonis  of  the  Northern 
Aio-.,„q,nn...  — Their  Sununer  an,l  Winter  Li.^.  _  L^M^-nds  of 
the  A|o.,n,pui,s.  -  I?elini„us  Faith  of  tbe  In.lians. -Tl"e  Indian 
t  haraeter.  —  Its  lneon.si>ien>ies.  —  Its  l{„li„^r  Fjussions  — 
I-rido  -Hero-worship.-  CnMness,  Jealousy,  Suspicion.-  Self- 
euntrol  -  Intellectual  Traits.  -  Inllexibility.  _  (Jenerous 
vjiialities 


PAOE 


CIIAl'TFR   II. 
1008-1  TOlj. 

Fk.WCK    AM)    K\(i|.A.VI)    IX    A.Mr.KICA. 

Contrast  of  French  and   Kn.lish  Colonies.  _  Feudalism  in  Canad. 
-1  nests  and   M„„k:;.  _  FurilaniMu   and    Dem-cracv  in    Xew 
•.n..u,d.-  .,-eucl.     Lite    in    Canada.  -  Mihiary    Su-en^^tli   of 
C  anada.  -  Kehu,  .us  Zeal.  -Missions-  Tbe  Jesuits.  -  UreinHif 


XVI 


rnXTKNTS    OF    VOL.    I. 


rAuu 


ami  LiilliMiiant.  —  MMrtynlom  of  .la.^iios.  —  IJcstilts  of  tlio  Mis- 
siniis.  —  I''\i'iirli  I", xplditTs.  —  L;i  SmIIc.  —  llis  I'laii  of  1  )iscovt'rv'. 
—  His  Siitl'iTiip.'s — His  HiToisiii.  —  III' iliscoviTs  llio  Moiitli  of 
tlic  .Mis>is~i|i|)i. —  liOiiisiaiiM. —  l'"raiici'  in  tlif  \Vi':it.  —  (Jrowtii 
o\    I'aii^iisli  ( 'oluniL's.  —  Aiiiiroacliiii;;'  Collision 40 


CIIAl'TKR    TIT. 

]GOS-17t);5. 

Tin:   Fi!KN(Mi,  Tin;   I!n<;i.isii,  and  tiik  Indians. 

Cliaini>laiii  (li't'cats  the  Ir  i([iiois, — Tlio  Ii'o(|iioi:'.  Wars. —  Misery  of 
("anaila.  —  I'.viuMliiion  ot'  I^'rontcnac.  —  Suci'css  ot'  tlif  I-'rciicli. 
—  I-'ii'Mc'i  IiilliK'iicc  ill  the  \Vcst.  —  La  W'raniliyc. —  Tlit'  I'.iil;- 
iish  Fiir-iiaili'.  —  I'roii'stant  and  Koniisli  Missions  —  The 
Fiil^ilisti  ami  tlic  Iroijiiois.  —  Policy  of  the  l-'rench  — Tiie 
Fi't'iichnian  in  the  Wiuwaiii.  —  Coiii't'i  ■  des  I'ois  —  The  While 
Savage.  —  'I'lie  Fiiii'lish  I'lir-trader. —  W'iiiiain  I'cnn  ami  hia 
]''u!oi;ist,s. —  'I'he  Imlians  ami  the  (^iiakiTs.  —  Iniii-tire  oi'  reim's 
Siu'eessors.  —  'i'lie  Walkiiii;  I'lii'diasi'. —  Spin'rii  o!"  ("anassa 
tei^o. —  Kemoval  of  the  Deiawares  — Intrusion  of  SeiiliTs. — 
Success  of  French  Intrii;iies.  —  l-'ather  I'lcqiiet.  —  Sir  Wil- 
liam Johnson. —  Position  of  Parlies 


06 


CIIAPTFU    IV. 

1700-1 7r,.5. 

ror.i.isioN  01-'  Tin;  Kival  Coi.omks. 

The  Puritan  ami  the  Oanailian.  —  Fort  Frederic. — Acadia.  —  The 
French  on  tlie  Ohio. —  .Mission  of  Wjishinuton.  —  Trent  driven 
t'l'inn  the  ()hio. —  l)eath  of  -luinonville.  —  SL:rinis!i  at  the 
iii'eat  .Meadows.  —  Alarm  ot  the  Indians.  —  Concuss  at  Ai- 
liaiiy.  —  l''rt'm'h  and  Publish  I)i|ilomacy.  —  liraddock  and 
Oiesi^an.  —  ,\;ival  l'".m:;iL;cmciit,  —  Ti.e  War  in  F.uro|ie  ami 
,Vmeric,i.  —  I'raddock  in  N'ir-iiiia.  —  Marcli  of  his  .Vrmy. — 
Peaiijen  at  l-"ort  dn  <^iiesne.  —  .\inliuscadt'  at  the  .Monon- 
ti.aliela. —  Pout  ot'  liraddock. —  lis  ( 'on^cciueir  I's.  —  .\cailia, 
Ni.auara,  and  Crown  Point. —  15at;le  ot'  I.jiki'  ( Icorue.  —  Pro<e- 
(aiiioii  ot'  the  War.  —  ( )s\vt'uo  —  Fort  Wilfain  1  leiiiy.  — •  St(U  ni- 
iim:  of  Tic(aidcroLra. —  Stale  of  C;inada. —  Plnis  for  its  Keduc- 
lioii.  —  I'rouress  of  Mie  Fnglish  .\r'ns.  —  Wolfe  helore  (^iii'liec. 
.■\ssault  at  Monimorenci.  —  Heroism  ol  Woilc.  — The  HeiLrht.s 
of  Ai.ralaiii.  —  P.allU'  of  ()uehet'.  —  De.ilh  of  Wolfe.  —  I  )ealli 
of  .Montcalm.  —  Surrender  of  Quebec. —  Fall  ol'  Canada.     .     . 


95 


"% 


I'AtiE 


40 


tii5 


(■(i\Ti;.\'I\S    OF    Vol.    I. 
CIIAI'I'KK    V. 

1  :•".■■.- iTi;.;. 

Tm.  Wii,m;i;ni>s  a\i>  IK  'I'rwvi-;   w   iiii:  Ci.osi 

l'ni.N<ll    \V.\l;. 


XVll 


;  I) I-  TiiK 


!•  A 1 1 K 


MilIiTiiiL-^  (,r  tl„.  Froiiij^.r. —-I'lv:!!!,.^  uiili    il„.  WcM.tm    I'ril.os. 
('.'iriMi.iii  Fiv  ii-ric  |',,m.  — 'I'l,,.  In„,iini<.  _ -ll,,.  ,vinoi,.    l-rilvs. 

—  'I'Ik'  FmivsI.  —  Iii'li.'in    I'npMl.itiMii.  —  ( 'ninliii-m  .W  i;  c  TrilK.s. 

—  ()n,,ii(l;|n,|.  _'p|„.  1 ),,];, wari's  iiml  iici-liln.riim-  'rrit,,.s.  _ 
''''"■''■  "■il''t-<  fin. I  Condiii,,!!.  — 'I'lic  Sli;i\v;ii„„.s.  .Mi;,iiiis 
lliiii.-is,  ,111.1  \Vv;in.|:,t..  —  Fn.^li^h  Sriilriiicnis.  —  Fi.ivsi 
Thnn.iii^hDnv-;.-  l'iir-lr;i,|..|'s  — 'I'Ihmt  I|,-,l.its  iupI  Cliiirai'tcr.  — 
'I'Ik'  FoiT-t  'I'mvcll.T.  —  Till'  Frciidi  at  llif  Illi„, , is.  _  Military 
I. III.'    in    t!ic    Imti'si.  — 'I'll,.  .^av.iL^r  anJ  tho  i'liiropi'.-in.  —  Hiiiii- 

ers  aihl    rnti.jM'r.s.  —  ('ivil:za;i..ii  au.l  Hailiarisiii ]j 

cii.vFrriii   \-i. 

I7i;i». 

Tm;   Fscr.r^,,  tmci:   !',,.. ,;..,ov  or    i  lu:  Wi^u.us   I'., sis. 

Tlio  vivtnri. Ml-,  Annies  al  .Mniun,,].  —  .M.ijnr   i;nl„.i(  K'n^vrs  —His 

'■■^I"'' '■'   "!'  '!,.•  I.ak..s  -His  Mo.ti„-wi,i,  l"„Miiac.  -  A.n- 

hitioiis  \k-vvs  ,,f  I'nn-iac.  —  II,.  i,rfri(.n.ls  tiio  Fnuiish.  — 'rii,. 
Fnuiisli  taki'  i'M^sr-Miui  ..f  Dctniii.  —  OCoiIkt  Fivnch  I'o.^s, — 
IJrilisli  I'ciwcr  rriMloniiiiint  in  tin-  \\\.>| 


iin 


cil.\i'!i;!;   VI!. 

I  Tr.n- 1 7i;:i. 

An-(;i:i!  oi-   rm:   Indi  a\s.  _ 'i'l,,;  Cons,.,  ,;a,-v 

I)i^i"<.iit(M!t  of  til,. 'Iril,,... -!,„,„, ■;,!,.  (-,,„,,,>  ,,,•  ,.,^,  j.;„^|;,j,  _  ,,j^_ 
'>r<\ris  .,(■  t!u-  Fi.r-ira.ic  -Miliiarv  Im>.;!, ■„-,..  -Intnisi,,;,  of 
S,.ttl,-s.—  !•  ;■,.„, 'Ii  liiiri-uo.  — 'I'll,-  Di'lavv,.!-,.  !'n.j,!„.t  —Am 
nl„.rl,v,.  n,.t.-|'„n;ia,.'s    r„„s,„ra,.y.  -  Charu'ic.,- ,.f  I'oiii::,,.. 

—  (.•ln,,iiiy  I'ro-pcctsnf  the  Imlian  i;a,v.  —  I)i.-in„,s  „f  pnnii.,,. 

—  His   War  .M,.ss(.im,.rs._-i',ilH.s  cnLvn-e.!   in  I'lic  CoMspirarv 

—  Dissiinalati.M.   „f  iIk-    Iinli.ins.  _  Tlie    \Var-ii,.li    am.ui..-  tlic 
Miiunis    .... 


.       95 


C!i.\i"ri;r.  viii. 

ITtl:;. 
Tnim  AN   I'm  I'  u;a  I  io\. 

The  IiHiiansMs  a  military  !•,.,,.'„,._  Tli,.n-  in..m,.u.nt  Oi-ani/atioii. 

pwii.  —  ■riifir  ini'iiMviiJenee.  —  I'uliev 
6 


'I'lieir  iiis;ihi)r.liii.iiL,'  .'^' 


f!f[ 


xvm 


(•(i\'i'i;\'i's  OK  vor,   r. 


PACK 

of  the  li.ili.iii  I.cMilcis  -  l>;ili(iilliiM  nf  I"iiri"<l  WmiI'iic. — 
I  H'lcncrli'ss  ( 'iniciil  ion  ol  tlic  ( 'nldiiics.  —  'I'lic  TraiT  ol  I'iiris.  — 
K'iiv;il  I'riM'lMm.iiimi.  —  Tin'  NViir  rliid".  His  I'.is's  nml  N'i'ils. 
—  Till'  W.ir  I'cisl.  —  'i'lu'  \V,ii-  ihiiic.  —  1  )([ini  lull'  111  ilif  \V:ir- 
riiir.s,  —  Tlir  I'mrM  iii,u  of  l!,r  Sinnii     ....  l',(l 

(iiAi'ir.i;   ix. 

ITi'i:'.,  An; II,. 

'I'lii;    ('()!  veil,   w    Tiii;    K'lvi.u    I  Icoiti  is, 

Pi>iili:ic  imi-itMs  liis  \V;ininrs. —  Tlicy  m-si'miMc  ;it  llic  K'ivcr 
I'",i'(il\('s,  —  'I'lic  ('oilliril,  —  Spccrli  nf  I 'niil  iiii-,  —  ,\  li(".;iir  V  of 
tln'  |)cl:nv;ir".  —  Till'  Coilliril  dissulvcs,  —  ( '.ilil  inrl  D.iiUf  ;it 
Detroit.  —  I'liiii  to  .surpri.si' ^110  (J.irrisnii 'J()0 

(MI.M'ri'.i;    \'. 
17>;:;,  M\v. 

DiTl.olT. 

Str.-niuc  riiiMumuMion,  —  Oi-i-ln  niul  llisinry  of  I>i'tr<;ii.  —  ]\s  (^iii- 
ililii'ii  ill  \liV.\.  —  ( "li:ir:irlci'  ol  iis  1  nr.;iliil;nil:i  —  l''icni'li  I.ifo 
at  Ih'ir.'i:.  —  'I'lic  p'oit  ami  ( iarri^nn,  —  ronliac  ai  \-\v  ii  in 
I'l'clii'.  —  Suspii'ious  ("on.liirl  of  llic  iiuliaiis.  —  ( '.il  liariin',  tin' 
( »iiinva  (;ivl.  —  Sill"  rcvf.als  the  I'lul  —  I'lfcaniiniis  of  ilic  ( '0111- 
in.iiiilant. —  A  Ni,i;lit  ol"  .\ii.\ii.'ly 'jrj 

(MI.\l'ri:iJ    .\I. 

i7fi;!. 

'I'm:  AcniKV   <ii-  I'omi  \.r. 

'I'lio  .Moniini:  of  tln^  Council,  —  roniiac  iMih'r.-s  llu'  I'ort.  —  AiMrr^s 
and  Courauo  of  tlio  Conun.inii.ini. —  i'lio  Plot  (Icfcalod,  —  'i'lio 
Cliiofs  sutlori'il  to  ('«.a|H'.  —  Imliaii  Mea  of  ilniior.  —  I'ontiat; 
ULrain  visits  the  l''orl. —  I'alsc  .Marin  — I'ontiai'  throws  oti' tlie 
Mask.  —  I-'oroi'ity  ot'  his  W'.ii  riors. -— 'rin>  ()ita\\;is  la'o-^  the 
l\ivor.  —  I'aii'  of  P.ivfrs  and  l.'ohortson.  —  (hMUT.al  Atl;ick, — 
A  'I'rin'o  — Major  ( '.aniiilu'll's  Kinhassy,  —  \lv  is  maili-  I'ri.-^- 
oiier  hy  i'o-iti.ic 22t 

ClI.M'ri;!!    XII. 

1 TH:]. 

I'dNTi  \c  .\T  rm:   Sir.<;i-:  oi'   ninuoiT. 

Tlip  Chrisiian  Wyan.lots  join  I'ontiac.  —  roril  of  the  Harrison  — 
—  Indian  Courago.— 'I'lu'  I'.ngli^li  thioaiciii'd  with  ramiiie. — 


-« 


cn\  n:\i's  OF  V(»i.    I 


XIX 


•AOK 


I'll 


221 


Vonliiic'H  ('.Minril   uill,   il,,.    I'rvnrll.   _  His  S|m 1,.-  11,.  ,.x;ictH 

IVnvi>i,,n  iV.Mi,  ih,.  l'M.n,.l,,-||,.,.,|,|„„,|,s  ('niHmi.,ari..s.  -H,. 

l>sU(-i   I'n.llii-ur.v    .\,.l,.<.  _  III,   .\clll,.||,.,s  iiikI   S;|n;„.ity    —  HJm 

Aniju.rily  over  liis  Kollowcis  —  ijis  .MfiL^innitiiiiy". 

(•ii,\i'Ti:i;    XIII. 
IVi;:i. 


•J|:| 


l.'oir    or    r.VMK's     I),    ,   X,   HMIM-.  —  FmK    (>,.-    Mil-     FoKK 

<  i  A  l;i;i-.i)Ns. 


HI 


Iv,.-cnl..nv,nrnl  s.mK  In  1  )rlnMl.  —  Ai  iMck  om  tin-  Sc|„...iu.r.  —  Urii,.( 
••"  II.Hiil.  — I)is;:|.|,Minlinriil  of  H,,.  ( i;iii  ist.ii.  —  i;,r;,|„.  „r  j'ns 
"iMTs,  -  Cny Icr's  l),.|c;ii.  —  |,|,|i,,n  1  )..|,,,m.|i.  -^.  F,.,,,,  ,.(•  ,|',. 
('.■ipliv.s.  —  C.ii.lMiv  „f  I„,|  S„,Mlii-kv._,Stn.|in||.  „(■  t|„. 
IU.sH.M,.rs._C,.,|„i.n.  or  Fori  S( .  .J„s..,,l,.  _  ( ■;,,„ ,„■,.  ..f  Forf 
Mi'-li.lliin:uk,n,„.. —(■;,,,(,,,..  uf  Fori  n,,:,);,.,.,,,.  _  ( ■.,,,i„n.  „( 
K..rt  .Mi;m.i.-l)rl..nc '  Fun  I'lVMp,'  M,..  —  lis  ( ■;i,,i,n(. 

<iiAi'i'i:i.'   xiv. 
iTi;:;. 

'I'm.;    IVDIAVH    roNTIMK    TO    1!I,0(   KAI.K     DimtuiT 

AtUirk  c,„  ,1h.  Arnu.I  \Vsm.|.  _  N\.w.  nC  ,1,,.  Tn...,tv  of  l',ris  - 
r<)iili.'icsumM...i,s  th,.  (;,,n-iM„i. _(',„, nril,.,,  ||„.  Ottawa  Ca.np 
--l)i>Mi>i">inl.M,.„t  of  i'nntiar.-fl..  is  i,.i,„.,|  |,v  ,1,^.  C.up.mm-s 
'Ic  l.n.s.  _  Suriu.  „f  Ih,.  ( laniM.n.  -  i),.aii,  „r  .M,j„r  (',„„|,|„.|| 
-Attack  .m  l-Mntiar'.sCan,p.-Fi,v  iJafis.-TI.e  \Vyii..l„t,s 
ami  rollawatlamies  l.c-  lor  I'c.ac,. 

ClIAI'TKi;    XV. 

IT*;;;. 

Tiiio  FH;iir  OF   IW.ooi.v    I'.iiiDcp;. 

mW.vW,  n,.iaclHno„t.-i)al/,.ll  u,u'\u;  I),.,n,it  _  Strata.',.,,,  of 
tl,(.  \N  yai^lots.  — Nju-lit  Atla.k  o,i  I'ontia<.'s  V.ur,,  ~  Iwlnn 
A,„ln,s,.a,k..-Rotn.at  of  tl...  F„uli.h.  _ 'r,.,,-or  of  Dal/..)!'. 
In.ops.-lH.atl,  of  l)al/c.ll._I),.f,.,„vof  Catiipaii's  llo„so  - 
(.rant  con^liicts  the  K>,.,,,.at.  -  Fxultatioi,  of  the  l.i.lia„«. - 
Dck'iice  of  llie  Schooner  (ila.lwy,, 

C'lIAl'TFIi    XVI. 
170.3. 

MkIIIII  I\rArKIVAC. 

The  ^Vnyau'or    on    the      Fake..  _  Mir!,iMi„,aekinae     in     17(58  -. 
Oree,.    J}ay    a,„l    S,c.    Mari..._The    Northern    \Vi|,ler.,e..!  ~ 


2tK) 


287 


SOS 


XX 


conti:nts  of  vol.  i. 


TAOB 


Tribes  of  t)ie  Lakes.  — Atlventiircs  of  a  Trader.  —  Speecli  of 
Miiiavavana.  —  Arrival  of  l''.ii;:li-ii  Tmops. —  Dispd.xition  of  tlie 
I,„|j;iiis.  — 'I'iie  Ojihwii  War-ciiief  —  Aiiihassailoi's  from  I'oii- 
liiie.  —  Sinister  Desiniis  of  1  lie  <  Viiliwas.  —  Warnings  of  Danger. 
—  Wawat.'ini. —  Hve  of  tiiu  Massacre 


3'22 


CUAl'TKIi    XVII. 

TlIK    M.VSSACItK. 

he  ICin^r's  Rirthday. — Ileedlessness  of  tiie  fJarrisoii.  —  Indian 
I'.ail-iilay.  — 'I'lie  Slrataueni.  —  Sian>rliter  of  the  Soliliers. — 
Ksrape  of  Alexander  Ikiiry.— His  ajipailin^'  Situation.  —  His 
llidinti-piaee  discovered.  —  Survivors  of  the  Massacre.  —  IMan 
of  retaking'  tiie  l-'ort.  —  Advemures  of  Henry.  —  I'ne.xpecteil 
Behavior  of  the  Ottawas  — They  take  Possession  of  tiie  Kort. 
—  Tiieir  Coinicil  wiiii  tiie  ojil>\viis.  —  lleiny  and  hi^  Fellow- 
prisoners.  —  He  is  rescued  liy  Wawalani.  —  Cannilialisin.  — 
Panic  anionjr  the  Conquerors. — They  retire  to  Mackinaw. — 
The  I.>laiHl  of  Mackinaw.  ~  Indian  Carouse.  —  Famine  anu)ng 
the  Indians.  —  They  disper.se  to  their  Winterinj,'  (iroinids. — 
Green  Bav.  The  neii;hliorinu'  Tribes.  —  (^lorell.  llis  Adilress 
and  Prudence. —  He  conciliates  the  Indians.  —  He  abandons 
(Jreen  Buy.  —  The  Kni;lish  driven  from  the  Upper  Lakes     .     . 


338 


wi 


m  I; 


I'AOE 


3'J2 


838 


% 


j 


\>     : 


:!  I 


■vi:^'V^^ir" 

"'  /../,-,.,A(i-.',/„V'^t 


v.'V  .^" 


<rn 


"•^ 


^^:^QyQ^^^^ 


o"" -=- .    \^  ^v^^ 


^)  ^\jVJ_rjiJrjA 


. 


TJIK 


COXSriliACV    0¥    rONTIAC. 


-• — 


CHAPTER    I. 

INTRODUCTORY.-INniAN  TRIBES  KAST   OF  THE 

MISSISSIPl'I. 

The  Indian  is  a  true  child  of  the  forest  and  the 
desert.     The  wastes  and  soh'tudes  of  nature  are  his 
congenial    home.      His    hau.i^dity   mind   is   imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  the  wilderness,  and  the  lio-ht  of 
c-iydization  falls  on   him  with  a  blio-htino-  I'^wer 
liis  unruly  pride  and  untamed  freedom  are  in  har- 
mony with    tlie    lonely  mountains,   eataracts,   and 
livers    amon.i^   which    he    dwells;    and    primitive 
America,  with  her  savage  scenery  and  savage  men 
opens  to  the   imagination  a  boundless  world    un- 
matched in  wild  sublimity.  ' 
_  The  Indians  east  of  the  ^lississippi  may  be  di- 
vided into  several  great  families,  each  distinguished 
by    a   radical    peculiarity    of    language.     In    their 
moral  and    intellectual,   their  social   and    political 
state,  these  various  families  exhibit  strong  shades 

1  ° 


!i' 


J 


2 


INDIAN   THIUES. 


[Cn.\p.  I. 


i 

1  ■: 

I 

'            'i 

:               1 

} 

i            :i 
1            '' 

!      ,; 

ll  I 


ti       ! 


of  distinction  ;    but.   boforo    pointing    tliein   out,  1 
shall    indicate    a    few    prominent    characteristics, 
which,  faintly  or  distinctly,  mark  the  whole  in  com 
mon. 

All  are  alike  a  race  of  hunters,  sustaining  life 
wholly,  or  in  ])art,  by  the  fruits  of  the  chase.  Each 
family  is  split  into  tribes  ;  and  these  tribes,  by  the 
exigencies  of  the  hunter  life,  are  again  divided 
into  sub-tribes,  bands,  or  villages,  often  scatteied 
far  asunder,  over  a  wide  extent  of  wilderness. 
Unhappily  for  the  strength  and  harmony  of  the 
Indian  race,  each  tribe  is  prone  to  r(\gard  itself, 
not  as  the  mend)er  of  a  great  whole,  but  as  a  sov- 
ereign and  independent  nation,  often  arrogating  to 
itself  an  importance  superior  to  all  the  rest  of  man- 
kind ; '  and  the  warrior  whose  petty  horde  might 
muster  a  few  scores  of  half-starved  fighting  men, 
strikes  his  hand  upon  his  heart,  and  exclaims,  in 
all  the  pride  of  patriotism,  "  I  am  a  Jlfenomone.'" 

In  an  Indian  community,  each  man  is  his  own 
master.  lie  abhors  restraint,  and  owns  no  other  au- 
thoritv  than  his  own  capricious  will ;  and  vet  this 
wild  notion  of  liberty  is  not  inconsistent  with  certain 
gradations  of  rank  and  influence.  Each  tribe  has 
its  sachem,  or  civil  chief,  whose  office  is  in  a  man- 
ner hereditarv.  and.  amonii;'  miuiv,  thoui^-h  bv  no 
means  among  all  tribes,  descends  in  the  female 
line ;  so  that  the  brother  of  the  incumbent,  or  the 
son  of  his  sister,  and  not  his  own  son,  is  the  right- 

1  Many  Imliiiii  trihos  bear  naiiu'3  wliicli  in  tlieir  difilect  sitrnify  mm, 
imlioating  tliat  the  cliuractor  beloii^is,  pur  crnllt  mr,  to  tliem.  SoimMimes 
tlie  word  was  used  by  itself,  ai)'l  sometiiiics  an  adjective  was  joined  witlj 
It.  as  original  men,  men  surixtssiny  all  others. 


'^«*,> 


■A 


[CuAi'.  T. 

m  out,  I 
cteristics, 
.0  in  com 

ininp;   life 
se.    Each 
es,  by  tlie 
n    divided 
scattered 
rilderuess. 
11  y  of   the 
!ird  itself, 
t  as  a  sov- 
'osatiiiii:  to 
st  of  man- 
)rde  might 
iting  men, 
claims,  in 
omoney 
s  his  own 
other  au- 
d  yet  this 
th  certam 
tribe  has 
in  a  man- 
vh   by  no 
10   female 
nt,  or  i\\e 
the  right- 
It  signify  mm, 
Soiuetimea 
as  joineJ  witU 


CUAP.  I.] 


ORGANIZATION. 


Si- 


ful  successor  to  his  dignities.'  If,  however,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  old  men  and  subordinate  chiefs,  the 
heir  should  be  disqualified  for  the  exercise  of  the 
office  by  cowardice,  incapacity,  or  any  defect  of 
character,  they  do  not  scruple  to  discard  him.  and 
elect  another  in  bis  place,  usually  fixing  their 
:'hoice  on  one  of  Ids  relatives.  The  office  of  the 
sachem  is  uo  (Miviable  one.  IFe  lias  neither  laws 
to  administer  nor  power  to  enforce  his  commands. 
ITis  counsellors  are  the  inferior  chiefs  and  principal 
men  of  the  tribe  ;  and  he  never  sets  himself  in 
opposition  to  the  ])opular  will,  which  is  the  sover- 
eign power  of  these  savage  democracies.  His 
province  is  to  advise,  and  not  to  dictate  ;  but,  should 
he  be  a  man  of  energy,  talent,  and  address,  and 
especially  should  he  be  supported  by  numerous 
relatives  and  friends,  he  may  often  accpure  no  small 
measure  of  respect  and  power.  A  clear  distinc- 
tion is  drawn  between  the  civil  and  military  author- 
ity, thou2:h  both  are  often  united  in  the  same  i)(>r- 
son.  The  functions  of  war-chief  may,  for  the  most 
])art,  be  exercised  by  any  one  whose  prowess  and 
reputation  are  sufficient  to  induce  the  young  men 
to  follow  him  to  battle  ;  and  he  may,  whenever  he 
thinks  proper,  raise  a  band  of  volunteers,  and  go 
out  aij'ainst  the  conunon  enemy. 

We  miglit  imagine  that  a  society  so  loosely 
framed  would  soon  resolve  itself  into  anarchy  ;  yet 
this  is  not  the  case,  and  an  Indian  villai'-e  is  siiiijju- 

1  The  dread  of  female  infldolity  lias  been  assigneil,  and  with  prohahle 
truth,  as  tlio  oriiiin  of  this  custom.  Tiie  sons  of  a  chief's  =ister  must  ne- 
cessarily be  his  kindred  ;  thouu;]i  his  own  reputed  son  may  be,  in  fact,  the 
offspring  of  another. 


IXDIAN   TRIBES. 


[Chap.  I 


i't 


I       I' 


larlv  free  from  wraui^linii^s  and  nettv  strife.  Sev- 
eral  causes  conspire  to  tliis  result.  The  necessities 
of  the  hunter  life,  preventing  the  accumulation  of 
large  communities,  make  more  stringent  organiza 
tion  needless ;  while  a  species  of  self-control, 
inculcated  from  childhood  upon  every  individual, 
enforced  bv  a  sentiment  of  dignity  and  manhood, 
and  greatly  aided  by  the  peculiar  tem})erament  of 
the  race,  tends  strongly  to  the  promotion  of  har- 


mony 


Thouah    he   ow 


ns  n 


o   law,   the    Indian  is 


inflexible  in  his  adherence  to  ancient  usag'es  and 
customs  ;  and  the  ])rinciple  of  hero-worship,  which 
belongs  to  his  nature*,  ins[)ires  hiivi  witli  (lee[)  re- 
S})cct  for  the  sages  and  captains  of  his  tribe.  The 
very  rudeness  of  his  condition,  and  the  absence  of 
the  passions  which  wealth,  luxury,  and  the  other 
incidents  of  civilization  engender,  are  favorable  to 
internal  harmony ;  and  to  the  same  cause  nnist 
likewise  be  ascribed  too  many  of  his  virtues,  ^^  liich 
would  quickly  vanish,  were  he  elevated  from  his 
savage  state. 

A  peculiar  social  institution  exists  among  the 
Indians,  very  curious  in  its  character  ;  and  though 
I  am  not  prepared  to  say  that  it  may  be  traced 
through  all  the  tribes  east  of  the  Mississippi,  yet 
its  ])reyalence  is  so  general,  and  its  influence  on 
political  relations  so  important,  as  to  claim  especial 
attention.  Indian  communities,  independently  of 
their  local  distribution  into  tribes,  bands,  and  vil- 
lages, are  composed  of  several  distinct  clans.  ]'ach 
chin  has  its  emblem,  consisting  of  the  figure  of 
some   bird,  beast,  or  reptile ;    and   each  is   distin- 


r'  i 


J 


[Chap.  1 


CilA.'.   I.] 


TOTEMS. 


rife.     Sev- 
noccssities 
Lulutioii  of 
orguniza 
.4f-c'ontrol, 
individiuil, 
inanhood, 
•rain cut  of 
on  of  liar- 
Indian  is 
isagTS  and 
>hi|),  wliich 
h   dcc[)  ro- 
ribe.     I'he 
absence  of 
tbe  otiier 
avorable  to 
ansc   must 
ues,  \\liic'h 
I  from  his 

imong   t1ie 

11(1  though 

be  traced 

Issippi,  yet 

iuence  on 

|ii  especial 

idently  of 

\,  and  vil- 

Hs.     Each 

figure  of 

is   distin- 


o-uished  bv  th(^  name  of  the  animal  wliich  it  thus 
bears  as  its  device  ;  as.  for  example,  the  clan  of 
the  Wolf,  the  ])(>er,  tlu^  Otter,  or  the  Hawk.  In 
the  language  of  the  Algonquins,  these  emblems 
are  known  by  the  name  of  Tofons}  The  mem- 
bers of  the  samc^  clan,  being  connectiHl,  or  supposed 
to  be  so.  by  ties  of  kindred,  more  or  less  remote, 
are  prohibited  from  intermarriage.  Thus  AVolf 
cannot  marry  Wolf ;  but  he  may,  if  he  chooses, 
take  a  wife  from  the  clan  of  Hawks,  or  any  other 
clan  but  his  own.  It  follows  that  when  this  pro- 
hibition is  rigidly  observed,  no  single  clan  can  livi- 
apart  from  the  rest ;  but  the  whole  nuist  be  min- 
gled together,  and  in  every  family  the  husband  and 
wife  must  be  of  different  clans. 

To  different  totems  attach  different  degrees  of 
rank  and  dignity  ;  and  those  of  the  Bear,  the  Tor- 
toise, and  the  Wolf  are  among  the  first  in  honor. 
Each  man  is  proud  of  his  badge,  jealously  asserting 
its  claims  to  respect ;  and  the  members  of  the 
same  clan,  though  they  may,  perhaps,  speak  differ- 
ent dialects,  and  dwell  far  asunder,  are  yet  bound 
together  bv  the  closest  ties  of  fraternity.  If  a 
man  is  killed,  every  member  of  the  clan  feels  called 


1  Selioolciiirt,  Onrnfn.  172. 

The  oxtraonliiiary  figures  iiitondcd  to  represent  tortoise?,  deer,  snakes, 
and  other  animals,  wliich  are  ol'ien  seen  ai)iien<ied  to  Indian  treaties,  ar(> 
the  totems  ot'  the  ehiet>,  who  em]>io\-  tliese  devices  of  their  respective 
clans  as  their  siun  manual.  The  device  of  ins  clan  is  also  soiuetiiues  tat- 
toed  on  the  body  of  the  warrior. 

The  word  trlh(  mii;ht,  ]ierhaps,  h;ive  heen  einjiloyed  with  as  ninch  pro- 
priety as  tliat  of  (/(rn,  to  indicate  the  toteniie  divi.-^ion  ;  Imt  ns  the  former 
is  constantly  employed  to  represent  the  local  or  jiolitical  divisions  of  the 
Indian  race,  hoiiele-^s  confu-ion  wduld  ari!<e  from  nsinj;  it  in  h  douhlo 
capacity. 


:.J0 


INDIAN     lini'.KS. 


(riiAi..  1 


U|)<^n  to  avoii«;(^  liim  ;  and  tlic  wayfarer,  \\\v  hunter, 
or  the  warrior  is  sure  of  a  cordial  weh'oine  in  tho 
(Hstaut  lo(li;(^  of  tlu'  elausinau  whose  face  ii(M"liaj)S 
he  has  never  seen.  It  inav  i)e  ad(h>d  that  certain 
privilei^es.  hii^'Idv  ])ri/,(>d  as  iuM'echtary  i'i<;'Iits.  sonie- 
tiiues  r(^si(h'  in  particular  clans  ;  such  as  that  of 
ruruishins^  a  sacluMU  (o  the  trih(\  or  ol  perfonninjj; 
certain  ndiii'ious  ceremonies  or  juaiiic  iit(>s. 


Thi'    Indians  east  of  tiie    Mi 


ssissii)!)!   mav  1)0  ( 


li- 


\  ided  into  threc^  ij;reat  families  :  the  lro(|uois,  tho 
Al^-on([uin,  aiul  tlu^  MohiHan.  (>acl»  sp(\d\ini2^  a  lan- 
i;uai^o  of  its  own,  varic^l  hy  luunerous  diah^ctie 
forms.  To  these  families  must  he  addinl  a  few 
strai^ijfhn's  from  tlu»  <^-reat  w(^st(U'n  rac(^  of  tlu^  Dali- 
cotah,  hesides  scnhmmI  distiiut  ti'ihes  of  the  south, 
(\U'h  of  which  has  hi-en  re^ardiMl  as  sj)(\d\inij;  ;i 
tongue  peculiar  to  itself.'  'Tlie  Mohilian  t;;roup 
emhraces  tht>  motley  confedtu'acy  of  the  Creeks, 
the  crafty  C^hoctaws,  and  the  stanch  and  warlike 
Chickasaws.  Of  these,  and  of  the  distinct  trihes 
dwcdliuii:  ill  their  vicinitv,  or  within  their  limits,  I 
shall  only  ol)S(>rve  tJiat  they  offer,  with  many  mod- 
ifications, and  under  ditferent  aspects,  the  same 
{^ssential  features  which  mark  the  Iro([U()is  and 
the  AlLi()n([uins.  the  t\vo  i^vvwi  families  of  tiu' 
north."      'I'he    latttu',    who    were    the    conspicuous 

'   For  ;in  ample  view  of  lliose  ilivisions,  see  the  Syuopsis  oi  Mr,  (ial' 
latin,  'riiiiis.  Am.  Ant.  Snc.  U. 

■^  It  appears  tVom  several  ))assaL''('s  in  the  wrKiiins  of  Ailair,  Hawlcins, 
aiul  otlier.s.  tliat  tlu'  (oiein  prevaili'(l  ainonn'  the  southern  tfibes.  In  a 
conversation  with  the  late  .Vlliert  ( Jallatin,  h(>  intorined  inc  lliat  lie  was 
told  by  the  chiets  ot'  a  (Mioetaw  ileimlaiion,  at  \Vashini;t()n,  that  in  their 
tribe  were  ei,uiit  toteniic  elans,  divideil  into  two  classes,  of  four  eaeli. 
It  is  very  remarkable  that  the  same  n\nnber  of  elans,  and  the  same  di 
vision  into  classes,  were  to  be  found  among'  the  Five  Nations  or  Iroquois. 


(fllAI-.    1 


ciiAi-.  r.] 


'iiii",  iiifx^rois. 


the  luiiitor, 
'onu'  ill  tlif; 
iK'c  ])('rliiij)s 
that  (-(Mtain 
ii^hlM.  sonic- 
as  that  of 
l)ci-<oiniing 

OS. 

may  Ix'  di- 

■()(|U()is,  tlio 

kiiii,'-  a,  laii- 

is    dialectic 

1(1<m1   a   few 

r  (he   Dah- 

ihe  soutli, 

sj)eakini!^  a 

iaii    n-roiq) 

le    ('i-(>(dvs, 

id    warhke 

met   trih(N 

ir  hrnits,  I 

iiaiiy  mod- 

the   same 

qiiois    and 

'S    of    the 

iispiciious 

sis  of  Mr.  (ial- 


m 


'■I 


air,  Ilawkiiis, 

trilios.      Ill  a 

■V 

e  tliiit  III'  was 

1 

tliat  ill   tlii'ir 

of  four  each. 

« 

tiio  siaiiii'  ili 

w 

or  Iroquois. 

•Uv 

actors  in  tlic  cvcuIn  (tf  the  ensninj^  narrative,  de- 
mand a  (loser  attention. 


'I'm:   iiMXiiois   lA.Mii.v. 

I'Orcmost  in  war.  foremost  in  elo([nence,  foremost 
in  their  sa\ai;'e  arts  of  pohcy,  stood  the  fierce  peo- 
]»h'  called  hy  theiiiNch cs  the  //n(/t  j/osf/m/f c,  and 
hv  tile  I'Vench  the  Ii'ikjiiois.  a  name  whicii  has 
since  heeii  applied  to  the  eiitiic  family  of  wliicli 
thcN  formed  the  dominant  niemhei".'  Tliev  extend- 
ed  their  cominests  and  their  depredations  fioni 
Qn(d)ec  to  the  Caiolinas,  and  from  the  western 
])raiiies  to  the  lore.sts  of  Maine.'  On  the  sontli, 
they  forced  tril)nte  fiom  the  snhjn^-ated  J)(dawares, 
and  i)ierced  the  monntain  fastnesses  of  tlie  Che]"(j 


'  A  j^reat  irillicaily  in  llic  study  of  Imiiaii  lii^-tory  arises  from  a  rciliui- 
(lancy  of  iiaiiu's  ciiiiiloytMl  lo  (lc.-<i^iial(;  tiie  (saiiic  trilie;  yet  tiiis  liofs  not 
pri'voiit  tin;  .same  uaiiic  from  hciiii^^  oficii  iiscil  to  desit^iiato  two  or  more 
(iifli'ioiit  trii)(!.s.  'I'lio  following;  arc  tlic  cliict'of  those  wliicli  are  aiijjiieil  to 
tile  lidi|ii(iirt  liy  (lidi'i'eiit  wriiers,  {''reiieli,  I'.iiyli-ii,  an<l  (ieriiiaii  :  — 

iioi|iiois,  l''ive,  ami  afteruarijs  Six  Nations;  ( 'oiifeilcrales,  llcxlenosaii- 
iice,  Aiiuaiinseioui,  .\LC!4oiiMoii>liioni,  ()ii;_r\ve  ilonwe,  •Meiiy;\ve,  .Maquas, 
MaliaijuaM',  .Massawoiiu-cs,  l'alciia(:licnilcliir>ki,ii('i'i. 

'I'lie  name  of  Mas-awoiiices  has  l.i'cii  ai)iilici|  to  several  trihes  ;  ami  that 
of  MiiiLioes  is  often  restricted  loa  colony  of  the  IroqiKjis  which  esiahiisiied 
itself  near  tlie  <  >liio. 

^  I''raiii;ois,  a  well-known  Indian  helonuini;  to  the  remnant  of  the  l*e- 
nolncols  livini^f  at  Old  'i'own,  in  .Maine,  told  me,  in  the  siimnier  of  |sl:{, 
that  a  tradition  was  cmrenl.  anions  his  )ieoi)le,  of  their  Ihmui^  altat'ked  in 
ancient  time's  hy  the  Mohawks,  or,  as  he  (mIrmI  them,  Mohons,  a  trihe  of 
the  Iretjnuis,  who  (kv-iroyeil  one  (jf  their  villages,  killed  the  men  and 
women,  and  roasteil  ihe  small  children  on  forked  sticks,  like  ajiples,  hefore 
the  lire.  \\'hen  he  he'.:aii  to  nil  \\\>  stury,  f'ranvois  was  en_i;a^ed  in  ]>alch- 
in^'  an  old  canoe,  in  |ire|iaialioii  for  a  moij.-e  hunt  ;  hiiL  soon  ;;rowinji  waiin 
with  his  recital,  he  L!ave  over  his  work,  ami  at  the  (.'onclusiou  exclaimed 
with  yreat  wrath  and  earne.>ii.tvss,  "  Muiioy  all  devil !  " 


I 


' 


I 


I    .'  \ 


8 


INDIAN   TRIBES. 


[Chap.  1. 


kccs  with  incessant  forays.'  On  the  north,  they 
nprooted  the  ancient  setth'nients  of  the  Wyandots  ; 
on  the  west  they  exterminated  the  Eries  and  the 
Andastes,  and  s[)read  liavoc  and  dismay  among 
tlie  tribes  of  the  Illinois  ;  and  on  the  east,  the 
Indians  of  Xew  England  fled  at  the  first  peal  of 
the  ^lohawk  war-cry.  Nor  was  it  the  Indian  race 
alone  who  qnailed  before  their  ferocious  valor. 
All  Canada  shook  with  the  fury  of  then'  onset; 
the  peo})le  fled  to  the  forts  for  refuge ;  the  blood- 
besmeared  conquerors  roamed  like  wolves  among 
the  burning  settlements,  and  the  colony  trembled 
on  the  brink  of  ruin. 

The  Iroquois  in  some  measure  owed  their  tri- 
umphs to  the  position  of  tlicir  country  ;  for  they 
dwelt  within  the  present  limits  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  whence  several  great  rivers  and  the  inland 
oceans  of  the  northern  lakes  opened  ready  thorough- 
fares to  their  roving  warriors  through  all  the  adja- 
cent wilderness.  Ihit  the  true  fountain  of  their 
success  is  to  be  sought  in  their  own  inherent  ener- 
gies, wrought  to  the  most  effective  action  under  a 
political  fabric  well  suited  to  the  Indian  life;  in 
their  mental  and  moral  organization  ;  in  their  in- 
satiable ambition  and  restless  ferocity. 

In  their  scheme  of  government,  as  in  their  sor:ial 

^  Tlie  tribute  exactccl  tVoi  \  the  Delawares  coiisisteil  of  wampum,  or 
bearls  of  slioll,  au  article  of  iiio<tiiiial)le  value  with  tiie  Indians.  "Two 
oiil  men  eominonly  go  about,  every  year  or  two,  to  receive  this  tribute; 
and  I  iiave  ot'ien  iiad  opportunity  to  observe  wiuit  anxiety  the  po(»r  In- 
dians were  under,  while  tiies^e  two  old  men  remained  in  tint  part  of  tlio 
country  where  1  was.  An  old  Mohawk  .^^achem,  in  a  poor  blanket  and  a 
dirty  shirt,  may  be  seen  issuinu'  bis  nnlers  with  as  arbitrary  ni  authority 
its  a  Uoiiian  dictator." —  Colden,  I/iM.  l-'icc  yatiuns,  -1. 


li      lltii' 


[Chap.  I. 


Chap.  I.] 


THE  lUOQUOIS. 


lortli,   they 
Wyanduts  ; 
L?s  and  the 
lay  among 
!  cast,   the 
st  peal  of 
ndian  race 
ous  valor, 
eir  onset; 
the  blood- 
res  among 
r  trembled 

their  tri- 

:   for  thev 

te  of  New 

lie  inland 

thoron<»h- 

the  adja- 

of  tlieir 

ent  cncr- 

nnder  a 

life ;   in 

their  hi- 

^ir  sof;ial 

|vanij)iiiii,  or 
ins.     "Twf) 

lis  trihiuo  ; 
|lie  poor  In- 

part  of  tlio 
liiket  iincJ  a 
|i   autlioritj 


•^^1 


■,^ 


customs  and  religious  observances,  the  Iroquois  dis- 
played, in  full  symmetry  and  mutunul  strength,  tlie 
same  cliaracteristics  whicli  in  other  tril)es  are  found 
distorted,  withered,  decayed  to  tlie  root,  or.  j)erluips, 
faintlv  visible  in  an  imperfect  m>rm.  Thev  con- 
sisted  of  five  tribes  or  nations  —  th.e  Mohawks,  tlic 
Oiieidas,  the  Onondagas,  the  Cayugas,  and  the  Sen- 
ecas,  to  whom  a  sixtli,  the  Tuscaroras,  was  after- 
wards added. ^  To  each  of  these  tril)es  l)elon£j;ed 
an  organization  of  its  own.  Each  liad  several 
sachems,  who,  witli  tlie  subordinate  chiefs  and 
principal  men,  regulated  all  its  internal  affairs ; 
but,  when  foreign  powers  were  to  be  treated  with, 
or  matters  involving  the  whole  confederacy  re- 
quired deliberation,  all  the  sachems  of  the  several 
tribes  convened  in  general  assemblv  at  the  <?reat 
council-house,  in  the  Valley  of  Onondaga.  Here 
ambassadors  were  received,  alliances  were  adjusted, 
and  all  subjects  of  general  interest  discussed  with 
exemplary   harmony.-     The   order   of  debate   was 


'  The  following  are  sj'nonymous  names,  gatliered  from  various 
writers  :  — 

Moiiawks,  Anies,  Agniers,  Agnierrlionons,  Sankhicans,  Camingas, 
Maligna wogs,  dancagaonoh. 

Onoidas,  Oneotas,  Onoyats,  Anoyints,  Onneiouts,  Oneyjotecaronob, 
Onoiocin'iionons. 

Onoiuiagas,  Oniiontagues,  Onontlagaonolis. 

Cayngas,  Caiyoquos,  Goiogoens,  Gweugwehonoli. 

Seiiccas,  Siniiikes,  Clieiniessies,  Genesees,  Clienandoanef,  Isonncn- 
tonans,  Jcnontowauos,  Xuiulawaronoli. 

'••  "  In  tile  year  1745,  August  Gottlieb  Spangcnburg,  a  bisboj)  of  the 
United  Hretliren,  spent  several  weeks  in  Onondaga,  and  frequently  at- 
tended tbe  great  coiuieil.  The  council-bouse  was  built  of  bark.  On  eacb 
side  si.\  seats  were  placed,  eacb  contajuing  six  persons.  No  one  was  ad- 
mitted besides  tbe  members  of  tbe  council,  except  a  few,  wbo  were  par- 
ticularly honored.      If  one  rose    to  -peak,  all  tbe   rest  sat  in   profound 


10 


INDIAN    TKIIJKS. 


[t'llAl'.  I. 


piescribod  by  timo-honoiod  customs  ,  aud,  in  the 
fiercest  heat  of  controversy,  the  assembly  main- 
tained its  self-control. 

But  the   main   stay  of  Iroquois   polity   was   the 
system  of  fotenis/ilj).     It  was  this  which  gave  the 


structure  its  elastic  strenath 


an 


d  but  for  this,  a 


mere  confederacy  of  jealous  and  warlike  tribes 
nnist  soon  have  been  rent  asunder  by  shocks  from 
without  or  discord  from  within.  At  some  early 
period,  the  Tro{[uois  probably  formed  an  individual 
nation  ;  for  the  whole  people,  irres])ective  of  their 
separation  into  tribes,  consisted  of  eiglit  totetnic 
clans ;  and  the  members  of  each  clan,  to  what 
nation  soever  they  belonged,  were  nnitually  bound 
to  one  another  by  those  close  ties  of  fraternity 
which  mark  this  singular  institution.  Thus  the 
five  nations  of  the  confederacv  were  laced  toq-ether 
by  an  eiglit-fold  band  ;  and  to  this  hour  their  slen- 
der renuiants  cling  to  one  another  with  invincible 
tenacity. 

It  was  no  small  security  to  the  liberties  of  the 
Irocpiois  —  liberties  which  they  valued  beyond  any 

gileiK'o,  sniokinn'  tlieir  jiijies.  Tlie  s]K^;iker  uttcreil  his  wonls  in  n  sii)iiiii<]; 
(Olio,  always  risin.ir  a  tow  iiotos  at  the  close  of  eaeli  scMitonco.  Whatovor 
was  pleasing  to  the  council  was  contirnicd  by  all  with  the  word  N\\ ,  or 
Yes.  And,  at  the  end  ot'  each  sjieech,  the  whole  company  joined  in  ap- 
])lanilin^  the  speakoi'  hy  calliiiij;  Iloho.  At  noon,  two  men  enteietl  hearini^ 
a  larjio  kettle  tilled  with  meat,  ui)Oii  a  pole  acros.s  their  shoulders,  which 
was  first  presented  to  the  guests.  A  large  wooden  ladle,  as  liroad  and 
dee])  as  a  common  howl,  hung  with  a  hook  to  the  side  of  (he  kettle,  with 
which  every  one  might  at  once  helj)  himselt  to  as  much  as  he  could  eat. 
When  the  guests  had  eaten  their  till,  they  Ix'gged  the  t'ounseilors  to  do 
tlie  same.  The  whok>  \\  as  conducted  in  a  very  decent  and  tpiiet  manner. 
Indeed,  now  and  tlu'n,  one  or  the  other  would  lie  flat  ujion  his  hack  to  rest 
himself,  ami  sometimes  they  would  stop,  joke,  and  laugh  heartily."  — 
Loskiel,  Illst.  Moniv.  Miss.  188. 


[ClIAl'.  I, 

aud,  ill  the 
inbly   iiiain- 

ity  was  tlie 
'li  i^ave  tlio 

for  tliis.  a 
rliko  tribes 
shocks  from 
some  early 
11  individual 
ive  of  their 
ght  totemic 
n,  to  what 
ually  bound 
f  fraternity 

Thus  the 
•ed  together 

their  slen- 
1  invincible 

•ties  of  the 
)evond  any 

)rils  in  a  siii^iiij^ 
iu\'.  Wliiitever 
10  won!  Niv  ,  or 
ly  joiiK'il  ill  ap- 
(iitcriHl  liearim^ 
umliltTs,  wliicji 
,  as  brdail  ami 
lie  kottlo,  witli 
s  lie  could  oat. 
imsi'ilors  to  do 
(juiot  manner. 
lis  hack  to  rest 
1  heartily." — 


^Sw 


41 

-JUS 


ClIAl'.  I.] 


Till-:  iiiOQUOii-j. 


11 


other  possession  —  that  by  the  Indian  custom  of 
descent  in  tlu^  female  lin(\  wliich  amon<^  them  was 
more  rii>idlv  adhered  to  than  elsewliere,  the  office 
of  the  sacliem  must  i)ass,  not  to  ins  son.  l)ut  to  his 
bi other,  his  sister's  son,  or  some  yet  rtMiioter  kins- 
man. His  power  was  constantly  deilected  into  tlie 
collateral  brandies  of  his  family;  and  tiius  one  of 
the  stroni;'est  temptations  of  and)itioii  was  cut  off.' 
'i'he  Irotpiois  had  no  laws;  but  they  had  ancient 
customs  which  took  the  phute  of  laws.  Ivich  man, 
or  rather,  each  clan,  was  the  aveni^er  of  its  own 
wronj^s  ;  hut  the  manner  of  the  retaliation  was 
fixed  by  established  iisaj^e.  The  trilial  sachems, 
and  even  the  great  council  at  Onondagii.  had  no 
power  to  compel  the  execution  of  their  d(>crees  ; 
yet  they  were  looked  up  to  with  a  res[)ect  which 
the  soldier's  bayonet  or  the  sheriff's  staif  would 
never  have  commanded  ;   and   it   is   highly  to   the 

*  The  descent  of  the  sachemship  in  the  I'oniale  line  wsls  a  cnstonr 
universally  prevalent  ainoii}^  the  Five  Nations,  or  Iroquois  proper.  Since, 
anioiiu  Indian  tril)os  ^onorally,  the  riiiht  of  fiiniishiiii^  a  sachem  was 
vested  in  some  particular  totemic  clan,  it  results  of  course  that  the  descent 
of  the  sachemship  must  follow  the  descent  of  tlie  tottnii ;  that  is,  if  the 
totiMiisiiip  descend  in  the  female  line,  the  sachemship  must  do  the  same. 
Tius  custom  of  descent  in  the  female  line  prevailed  not  only  ainon<^  the 
Iroquois  proper,  hut  also  amoui;-  the  Wyandots,  and  jirohahly  amonjj  the 
Andastes  and  the  Krios,  extinct  menihers  of  the  grjat  iroqiioi.s  tiimily. 
'I'lius,  amoiiji  any  of  these  trihos,  when  a  Wolf  warrior  married  a  Hawk 
s.iiiaw.  their  children  wore  Hawks,  and  not  Wolves.  With  the  Creeks 
of  the  south,  accordiujj,  to  the  ohservations  of  Hawkins  (Gionjia  I/ist, 
Call.  III.  G'J),  the  rule  was  the  same  ;  hut  ainoii^-  the  Al^oiiqiiins,  on  the 
contrary,  or  at  least  ainonjf  the  northern  hranches  of  this  family,  the 
reverse  took  place,  the  totenishi])s,  and  ((insequently  the  chieftainships, 
desceiidin;;-  in  the  male  lijie,  after  the  aiiaJoj:y  of  civilized  nations.  For 
this  information  concerning'  the  northern  Aljioncpiins,  I  am  indebted  to 
Mr.  Schoolcrai't,  whose  opportunities  of  ohservation  amony;  these  trihes 
have  surpassed  those  of  any  other  student  of  indiiin  customs  and  char 
acter 


L!i  i 


ilJ 


12 


INDIAN   TKIBKS. 


ICllAP.  1. 


Iioiior  of  tlio  Tndiiui  rliariu-tor  thiit  tliov  could 
cxrrt  so  ^rrut  ;iii  uutliority  uiioro  tlirrc  was 
nothinir    to    enforce    it    but    the   weiuht    of   moral 


)()\ver, 


The  origin  of  tlie  Iro([uois  is  lost  iu  ho[)(>less 
obscurity.  That  they  came  from  tlie  west ;  tliat 
tliey  came  from  the  north  ;   thai  they  sprang  from 


the  soil  of  New  York,  are  the  test 


of  th 


monies  oi  rnree 
worthless  as  aids 


conflicting  traditions,  all  ecpially 
to  liistoric  inquiry.^  It  is  at  the  era  of  their  con- 
federacy—  tlie  event  to  whicli  the  five  tribes  owed 
all  their  greatness  and  power,  and  to  which  we 
need  assign  no  remoter  date  than  that  of  a  century 
before  tlu^  first  arrival  of  the  Dutch  in  New  York 
—  tliat  faint  rays  of  liglit  begin  to  pierce  tlie 
gloom,  and  the  chaotic  traditions  of  the  earlier 
epocli  mould  themselves  into  forms  more  palpable 
and  distinct. 

'i'aounyawatha,  the  God  of  the  Waters  —  such  is 
the  belief  of  the  Iroquois  —  descended  to  the  earth 

^  Ati  iU'L'oimt  ot'tlio  political  institutions  of  the  Iroquois  will  be  found 
in  Mr.  Moruan's  sltIos  of  iottors,  ])ul)li.siic<l  in  tiie  Amcricnn  Review  for 
1847.  Valiiahle  information  may  also  be  obtained  from  iSclioolcraJi's  Notes 
VII  the  I rmiiiiii^. 

"Sir.  Morpni  is  of  opinion  that  these  institutions  were  the  result  of  "a 
protracted  etlort  o['  legislation."  An  examination  of  the  customs  prevail- 
'\n\x,  amonii;  otiier  Indian  tribes  makes  it  probable  that  the  elements  of  the 
Iro(piois  polity  existed  amonn'  tiiem  from  ai\  indetinite  antiiiuity  ;  and  the 
loi?islation  of  which  Mr.  .Morj.can  speaks  could  only  involve  the  arrange- 
ment and  adjustment  of  already  ex'istinij  materials. 

Since  t!u!  ahove  chapter  was  written,  Mr.  Morgan  has  published  an 
elaborate  and  very  able  work  on  the  institutions  of  the  Iroquois.  It  forms 
an  invaliiable  addition  to  this  department  of  knowdedge. 

2  Hecorded  by  Ileckewelder,  Golden,  and  Schoolcraft.  That  the  Iro- 
quois had  long  dweit  on  the  spot  wiiere  tluy  were  first  discovered  by  tho 
whites,  is  remlered  probable  by  several  circumstances.  See  Mr.  Squier'a 
work  on  the  AhoridiiKU  Monuments  of  Nov  York. 


ICtlAP.  1. 


Chap.  I.] 


ATOTAIMlo. 


18 


I  lev    conld 

th(>ro    Wiis 

of   moral 

1  hop(>k'ss 
vest ;  that 
ran^-  from 
s  of  tlireo 
ss  as  aids 

tlioir  con- 
•ibi^s  owed 
which   we 

a  century 
Sew  York 
)icrce  tlio 
he  earlier 
^  palpable 

—  such  is 
the  earth 

will  be  found 
in  liaricir  for 
olcraft's  Notes 

result  of  "  a 
toins  ])revail- 

inoiits  of  the 
lity  ;  juid  tlie 

the  .arrange- 

)ublislie(l  an 
It  forms 

'hat  the  Tro- 
•cred  by  the 
Mr.  S'luier'a 


to  instruct  his  favorite  people  in  the  arts  of  savafj:c 
life;  and  when  he  saw  how  tliey  were  tormented  l)y 
giants,  monsters,  and  evil  spirits,  he  uri;(>d  the  divi- 
ded tril)es,  for  the  common  (lefenc(\  to  hand  them- 
seh(»s  toiietlier  in  an  everla>tin;j;  ]ea«4-ue.  \\'iii]o 
the  iniunction  was  as  vet  unfidtilled.  the  sacred 
niesseni.^er  was  recalled  to  the  (ircat  Spirit;  hut, 
before  his  departure,  he  promised  that  anotlKU" 
should  ajjpear,  emi)owered  to  instruct  the  peo|)le  in 
all  that  [)ertained  to  their  confederation.  And  ac- 
cordingly, as  a  band  of  Mohawk  warriors  was 
threading  the  funereal  lal)yrinth  of  an  aiicicMit  pine 
forest,  they  heard,  amid  its  blackest  dei)ths,  a  hoarse 
voice  chanting  in  measured  cadence^ ;  and,  following 
the  sound,  they  saw,  seated  among  the  trees,  a  mon- 
ster so  hideous,  that  they  stood  benumbed  with  ter- 
ror. His  features  were  wild  and  fright ("ul.  He  was 
encompassed  by  hissing  rattlesnakes,  whicli,  Medu- 
sa-like, hung  writhing  from  his  head  ;  and  on  the 
ground  around  him  were  strewn  implements  of  in- 
cantation, and  ma<dc  vessels  formed  of  human  skulls, 
liecovering  from  their  amazement,  the  warriors  could 
perceive  that  in  the  mystic  words  of  the  chant,  which 
he  still  poured  forth,  wcie  couched  the  laws  and 
]>rinciples  of  the  destined  confederacy.  The  tradi- 
tion further  declares  that  the  monster,  being  sur- 
rounded and  captured,  was  presently  transformed 
to  human  shape,  that  he  became  a  chief  of  tran- 
scendent wisdom  and  prowess,  and  to  the  day  of  his 
death  ruled  the  councils  of  the  now  united  tribes. 
To  this  hour  the  presiding  sachem  of  the  council  ut 


Il 


14 


i\i»i.\N   ii;ini.s 


iriiAiv  I. 


(^moikIm'^m  inlinils    iVom    liiiii  llic  limiorcd  niimc  of 
Atoljirho.' 

Tlic  lr:i(lilinn;il  r|)<M  li  which  |»rr(r(lr«l  (hr  ;ms|)i- 
('i()ii<  (Mcnl  (»r  ihc  «<»nrrilrr;u\ ,  ihniii^h  \\  rii|i|)C(l  in 
(loncis  iind  (liirkiicss,  :iii<l  ilrlNiiij;  liisioric  s(  iiiliin, 
lias  \c{  ;i  «  h;ir;i(l(M-  mikI  iiHMiiiiii^  <>('  its  own.  'I'lir 
j^Iiioiu  i-<  |tro|»h'(l  ihitk  ^^ill^  |ih;iii((>iiis  ;  \\ilh  iiion 
."tcrs  iiiul  |M(t(lii;i('s,  sli;i|»('>^  of  wild  niorniilN,  \r(, 
ullcriii;;',  in  \\\r  'r(Mil(»nic  slr('n;;(li  i^\  lln-ir  concci)- 
tiiMi,  the  «'\iil(MU'c  of  a  roluislnc^^  of  mind  nnpar 
alhdcd  anioni;'  triht's  ol  a  dillrrcnt  hnrai;;!'.  In 
lhr^(M^\il  da\s,  (he  scalh  red  and  di\i<h-d  hocinois 
wcrchcsiM  with  (Wcry  I'onn  of"  |i(Mil  and  disaslci". 
( iianls.  cased  in  armor  of  s|, inc.  d(>sc(>ndcd  on  ihcm 
iVom  ihc  monntains  i)\'  ihc  north.  Iln«jjc  Itcasis 
lram|»lcd  tlowii  ihcir  foii^sis  liUc  lichls  of  oriiss. 
Unman  heads,  with  slrcannni:;  hair  and  ^larinL!^  (\ve 
halls,  shot  ihroni^h  ihc  air  lik("  meteors,  shedding,' 
]>cstil(MU('  and  death  thronnhonl  the  land.  \  i;i'eat 
horned  ser|)(ait  rose  iVom  I  ,ak(M  )ntario  ;  and  oidv 
the  ihnnder  h(dts  ol'  lhc>  skies  conld  stav  his  rava- 
i::c's.  and  dri\(^  him  hack  (o  his  native  dccps.  The 
skidiMiMis  ol"  men.  \ictims  of  senu*  monstcM*  of  llu^ 
forest,  w (Ml'  s»H'n  swiniminii'  in  the  I  .ake  «)!' 'Tcnnnk- 
too  ;  and  around  llu^  SiMieca  \illaL;;t>  on  ihe  Hill  of 
( ienumU'w  ah.  a  lwii-lu\uled  s(M'immi1  coiled  himscH', 
ot' si/e  so  nionslriHis  ihal  the  wn^tched  |)eoj)le  w'(>re 
unahle   to  ascenil    his  scaly  sidcvs,  and    perished   in 


i 


•  This  invpostorous  U\s:onil  \v;is  first  brii-lly  ivl:\to(l  in  llie  pamphlet  of 
Oiisirk.  tlio  Tusi'anirn.  t\m\  atU'r  him  hy  Mr.  SdiooU'raft,  in  hie  Nods 
Tlie  ouriims  work  of  (''iiiiiii'k  will  again  ho  rolorreil  to. 


<mI   II.IIIU'  of 

1  llir  ;Misni- 
^^  iii|i|)(Ml  ill 
ic  s(  iiiliiiy, 
own.  The 
w  illi  (iiiin 
loriiiih.  \('t 
cir  <  (>n(»'|)- 
iiid   iiMpiir 

K'il.i^C.  Ill 

(I  iro(|iiois 
(I  (lis;is|(>r. 
mI  on  iIkmm 
iii^f  IxNisIs 
■<  of  <^r;iss. 
liiiiiiL,''  (>\(' 
1,  slicddiiiL;' 
\  i;|-(';il, 
;   and  oidv 

Ills  ravii- 
'ps.  The 
\rv  of  the 
1"  Tcnn^k- 
i(>  Hill  of 
d   hiiMself, 

)l)lo  wvve 
mmsIumI   in 


0  p!imi)IiIot  of 
in  liis  AoO's 


Cittr    I  I 


li.'fKjiois  i,i,(;i',\i>.s. 


i:. 


innllilndcs  l»v  lii*^  iicslilmliid  liiralh.  Morlally 
uonndrd  al  hn<;lli  h\  (lir  inai^dc  arrow  nC  ;i  rhild, 
he  rolled  ditwn  ihc  sleeji,  s\vee|iinj.^  awav  the  hnest 
\\\\\i  his  urilhiii^s,  :iiid  |ilMii^in:^'  into  Ihr  lake  l.e- 
low,  where  he  lathed  the  Idai  K  wahis  till  lley 
hoiled  wilh  hhiod  and  loiiin.  and  al  lenL;;lh,  e\h,inst- 
ed  wilh  his  ai,M»iiy,  saidv,  and  perished  at  llir  hullcmi. 
I'lider  Ihe  I'';dls  (if  Niai;ara  dwelt  the  S|>iril  of  llie 
'I  hnnder,  with  his  hroed  ol'  i^ianl  sons;  and  lii(» 
Iroipiois  lieinhled  in  their  \illa:;es  when,  amid  the 
MaeUenini;  shadows  nl"  the  storm,  they  lieiird  his 
deep  shont  rcdl  aloii;^  the  lirmament. 

'I'he  ener^v  of  lancN,  whenee  these  harharoHH 
creations  drew  their  liirlh.  displiiyed  ilseK".  al  a  later 
])eriod.  in  that  |ieeidiar  ehxpienee  which  the  wild 
democraev  of  Ihe  Irotpntis  tended  to  call  htith.aiid 
to  whieh  the  inonntain  and  Ihe  (ni-est ,  the  torrent; 
and  the  storm,  lent  their  stores  ol"  iioide  imai^eiy. 
'I'hat  lo  this  imaL;inali\('  \ii;or  was  joined  mental 
])owerora  dillei'enl  slamj),  is  witnessed  hy  the  canst  ic 
ironv  of  ( iaranL;id;i  and  SaL;;oyewalha,  and  no  less 
hv  (he  snhlle  policy.  sa^L^acions  as  it  was  lreacliei'()ns, 
>vhich  inaiked  the  dealinujs  of  the  Irofpiois  uilli 
snrronndinii'  trihes.' 


'   l''()r  Iriulilions  of  llic  In)i|U(>is  sec  Scli(»(il('r;i("t,  Xnli-i,  ('][■,[]).  IX.     (Ui- 
Sii'k,   I hstorii  of'tlir  Flrv  iV((//(i//s,  and  ('iaric,   Hist.  ( hiDniliK/ii,  I. 

Cusii'lv  was  an  did  'i'nsi'ati>ra  Indiiin,  who,  hciti'^  disalili'd  liy  an  iicci 
dent  tVoin  active  (n'ciipatioii-i,  cssaNcd  to  liccoinc  the  lii^torian  (>f'  liifl 
lu'opit',  and  jji-odiiccd  a  small  paniphlct,  written  in  a  lani^'Mat^e  alMK)Ht 
nnintoili^nhle,  and  lilleil  wiili  a  nie(||ey  of  Irailition'^  in  wliidi  a  lew  ^j;rain9 
of  trnth  aic  inexlrieahly  mingled  with  a  tan^,ded  mass  of  absnrditioH. 
He  relates  the  niniislroiis  lei^ends  at'  his  people  wilh  an  air  of  itTifilicit 
faith,  and  traces  the  presidiii;^  saelienis  of  the  eoiiU'deracy  in  resiidar 
descent  troni  the  first  Atotarho  downwaids.     His  work,  whidi  was  printed 


Ii 


1() 


I\i:)IAN   TRIBES. 


iClIAP.  I. 


With  all  this  mental  superiority,  the  arts  of  life 


among  them  had  not  emerged  irom  their  pnmitive 
rudeness  ;  and  their  coarse  i)ottcry,  their  spear  and 
arrow  heads  of  stone,  were  in  no  way  snpc^ior  to 
those  of  many  other  tribes.      'J'heir  agriculture  de- 

se.      In   1()9(),   the  invadinir 


serves   a 


hiiii 


ler 


pr 


11 


army  of  Count  Frontenac  fonnd  the  maize  fields 
extending  a  league  and  a  half  or  two  leagues  from 
their  villages  ;  and,  in  1779,  the  trooj)s  of  General 
Sullivan  were  filled  with  amazement  at  their  abnn- 
dant  stores  of  corn,  beans,  and  s(piashes,  and  at 
the  old  a[)ple  orchards  which  grew  around  their 
settlements. 

Their  dwellings  and  works  of  defence  were  far 
from  contemptible,  eitlier  in  their  dimensions  or  in 
their  structure  ;  and  though  by  the  s(^veral  attacks 
of  the  French,  and  especiariv  bv  the  invasion  of 
J)e  Nonville,  in  1()S7.  and  of  Frontenac,  nine  years 
latei-.  th(Mr  fortificnl  towns  were  levelled  to  the  earth, 
never  again  to  reappear  ;  yet,  in  the  works  of  Cham- 
plain  and  other  early  writers  we  find  abmidant  evi- 
dence of  their  pristine  condition.  Along  the  banks 
of  the  ATohawk.  among  the  hills  and  hollows  of 
Onondaga,  in  the  forests  of  Oneida  and  Cayuga, 
on  the  romantic  sliores  of  Seneca  Lake  and  the 
rich  l)orders  of  the  (iencssec,  surrounded  bv  wavini'- 
maize  fields,  and  encircled  from  afar  by  the  green 
margin  of  the  forest,  stood  the  ancient  strongholds 
of  the  confederacy.     The  clustering  dwellings  were 

at  the 'Piiscarora  villajje,  noar  Ijcwiston,  in  18'J8,  is  i!lu3tratetl  by  several 
riulL'  fiiuM-.'iviii^rs  n-pivsoining  tiie  Stuiiu  Liiants,  tlie  Flying  Heads,  and 
oilier  traLlitional  inunslers. 


'^ 


[Chap.  I. 


ClIAl'.  I.l 


lUOQUOIS   DWKLTJNT.R. 


17 


arts  of  life 
i*  primitive 
I*  spear  and 
superior  to 
culture  (le- 
e  invading 
laize  iields 
li^ues  from 
of  G(>neral 
their  abun- 
cs,  and  at 
ouud  their 

e  were  far 

sions  or  in 

ral  attacks 

ivasion  of 

nine  years 

the  earth, 

of  Cliam- 

ndant  ovi- 

he  banks 

ollows  of 

Cayuga, 

and  the 

)v  Ava^ini; 

lie  green 

■ongholds 

iugs  were 

(1  by  several 
Heads,  aud 


■>)^ 


encompassed  by  ])alis;,des.  in  single,  double,  or  triple 
rows,  pierced  with  loopholes,  furnished  with  plat- 
forms within,  for  the  convenience  of  the  defenders, 
with  magazines  of  stones  to  hurl  upon  the  heads  of 
the  enemy,  and  with  water  conductors  to  extinguisli 
any  fire  which  might  l)e  kindled  from  without,' 

The  area  which  these  defences  enclosed  w;is  often 
several  acres  in  extent,  and  the  dwellings,  ranged  in 
order  within,  were  sometimes  more  than  a  hundred 
feet  in  length.  Posts,  firndy  driven  into  the  ground, 
with  an  intervening  framework  of  poles,  formed  tlie 
basis  of  the  structure;  and  its  sides  and  arched 
roof  were  closely  covered  with  layers  of  elm  bark. 
Each  of  the  larger  dwellings  contained  sev(M'al  dis- 
tinct families,  whose  separate  fires  were  built  along 
the  central  space,  while  compartments  on  each  side, 
like  the  stalls  of  a  stable,  afforded  some  degree  of 
privacy.  Here,  rude  couches  were  prepared,  and 
bciir  and  deer  skins  spread ;  while  above,  the 
ri[)ened  ears  of  maize,  sus[)ended  in  rows,  formed 
a  golden  tapestry.^ 

1  Lafitaii,  ^f^rl(r'i  <Iis  Smirnrjr/t  A>nrri(iitai>!S.  TI.  t-lO. 

Fronteiiac,  in  liis  expedition  against  the  Oiumda^as,  in  inOf)  (see  Offi- 
cial Journal,  Ihr.  /fist.  \,'ir  York,  I.  HoL'),  found  one  of  their  viilaj;('s  hiiilt 
in  an  oblonj?  form,  with  four  bastions.  'I'iie  wall  was  titrnieij  nf  tlin-e 
rows  of  jiali.sades,  those  of  tlie  outer  row  liein^-  t'orty  or  fifty  fret  hiuii. 
Tiie  usual  fi<,nire  of  tiie  Iroijuois  viila<j:es  was  eirenlar  or  oval,  and  in  this 
instance  the  bajstions  were  no  doubt  the  sufifgestion  of  some  F.nropean 
adviser. 

-  Hartram  gives  the  following  aecoimt  of  tlie  yreat  eouiuil-house  at 
Onondaga,  which  he  visited  in  ITU?  :  — 

"  We  alighted  at  the  eouncil-hoiise,  wjiere  the  chiefs  were  already 
assembled  lo  receive  lis,  which  they  did  with  a  grave,  cheerful  coini>lai- 
8;\nce,  according  to  their  eustoin  ;  they  siiew'<l  ns  where  to  lay  our  bag- 
gage, and  repose  ourselves  during  our  stay  with  them  ;  whicli  was  in  the 
two  end  apartments  of  this  large  house.     The  Indians  that  came  wilii  ii.s 

2 


■J  J' 


'    I: 


' 


18 


INDIVN  TRIBES. 


[Chap.  1. 


In  the  long-  evenings  of  midwinter,  wlien  in  the 
"svihierness  without  the  trees  eracked  with  biting 
eohl,  and  the  forest  ])atlis  were  clogged  with  snow, 
^!ien,  around  the  lodge-fires  of  the  Iroquois,  war- 
riors, squaws,  and  restless  naked  children  were 
clustered  in  social  groups,  each  dark  face  brighten- 
ing in  tlie  fickle  Hrelight,  while,  with  jest  and  laugh, 
ihe  pipe  passed  round  from  hand  to  hand.  Perhaps 
some  shrivelled  old  warrior,  the  story-teller  of  the 
trib':^,  recounted  to  atteutive  ears  the  deeds  of  an- 
cient heroism,  legends  of  spirits  and  monsters,  or 
tales  of  witches  and  vampires  —  superstitions  not 
less  rife  among  this  all-believing  race,  than  among 
the  nations  of  tlie  transatlantic  world. 

The  life  of  tlie  Iroquois,  tliongh  void  of  those 
multiplying  ])hases  whicli  vary  the  routine  of  civil- 
ized existence,  Avas  one  rf  sliarp  excitement  and 
sudden   contrast.       The    chase,  the   war-path,   the 

were  ])laccil  over  iiiiainst  us.  Tliis  cabin  is  about  ei^lity  feet  long  and 
seventeen  l)roail,  tiie  eomnion  passage  si.x  feet  wide,  and  tbe  apartments 
on  eacb  side  five  feet,  raised  a  foot  above  the  passatje  l)y  a  lonij  sapbiig, 
liewed  s(|nare,  and  fitted  with  joists  tiiat  go  from  it  to  the  baek  of  tiie 
house;  on  these  joists  iliey  l.iy  large  pieces  of  l)ark,and  on  extraordinary 
ocH'asions  sjiread  uiat>s  made  of  rushes  :  this  favor  we  had  ;  on  these  floors 
tiiey  set  or  lye  down,  ever\'  one  as  he  will  ;  tiie  apartments  are  divided 
from  each  otiier  by  boards  or  bark,  six  or  seven  foot  long,  from  the  lower 
floor  to  the  u])])er,  on  wliicli  they  put  their  liuuber  ;  wlien  they  liave  eaten 
tlu'ir  h(<;v.on_\ ,  as  ♦hey  set  in  each  aparlnu'iit  before  the  fire,  they  can  put 
llie  bowl  over  iiead,  iiaving  not  ahtne  five  foot  to  reach  ;  they  set  on  the 
tlnor  sometimes  at  each  end,  but  mostly  at  one  ;  they  have  a  slied  to  put 
'eir  wood  into  in  the  winter,  or  in  the  summer  to  set  to  converse  or 
])lay,  that  has  a  door  to  the  south  ;  all  the  sides  and  roof  of  tlie  cabin  are 
made  ot  bark,  bound  fast  to  poles  set  in  t..e  ground,  and  bent  round  on  the 
top,  or  setaflalt,  for  tlio  roof,  as  we  set  our  rafters ;  over  each  fireplace 
they  leave  a  hole  to  let  out  the  smoke,  which,  in  rainy  weather,  they 
cover  with  a  pi'^ce  of  bark,  and  tiiis  they  can  easily  reach  wiili  a  pole  to 
push  it  on  one  side  or  quite  over  the  hole  ;  after  this  model  are  most  of 
their  cabins  built." —  Bartram,  Oliscrvations, -iO. 


'iil 
4 


d 


[ClIAP.   I. 


ClIAP.  I.] 


IROQUOIS    LIFE 


19 


on  in  the 
itli  bitin<^ 
^'ith  snow, 

Uois,    WWY- 

Ircn  were 
'  l)ri<»liton- 
und  laui;li, 
Porliaps 
Her  of  tlic 
eds  of  an- 
3nsters,  or 
:itions   not 


lau  among 


I  of  those 
c  of  civil- 
'laent  and 
-path,   the 

feet  lonp:  and 

e  npartiHeiite 

lonu:  sapliiifi, 

e  hack  of  the 

extraordinary 

;)n  tliese  floors 

s  are  divided 

oin  tlie  h)wer 

y  have  eaten 

they  can  put 

ley  set  on  the 

I  shed  to  put 

)  converse  or 

tlie  cabin  are 

roiuul  on  tlie 

eacli  firephice 

veatiier,  tliey 

vith  a  pole  to 

I  are  most  of 


dance,  the  festival,  the  game  of  hazard,  the  race  of 
])ohtical  ambition,  all  had  their  votaries.  When 
the  assembled  sachems  had  resolved  on  war  against 
some  foreign  tribe,  and  when,  from  their  great  conn- 
cil-honse  of  bark,  in  *he  Valley  of  Onondaga,  their 
messenii-ers  had  "fonc  forth  to  invite  the  warriors  to 
arms,  then  from  east  to  west,  through  the  farthest 
bounds  of  the  confederacy,  a  thousand  warlike 
hearts  caught  up  the  summons.  With  fasting  and 
praying,  and  consulting  dreams  and  omens  ;  with 
invoking:  the  war  j^od.  and  danciuij:  the  war-dance, 
the  warriors  sought  to  insure  the  triumph  of  their 
arms  ;  and  then,  their  rites  concluded,  they  be- 
gan their  stealthy  progress  through  the  devious 
pathways  of  the  forest.  For  days  and  weeks,  in 
anxious  expectation,  the  villagers  awaited  the  re- 
sult. And  now,  as  evening  closed,  a  shrill,  wild 
cry,  pealing  from  afar,  over  the  darkening  forest, 
proclaimed  the  return  of  the  victorious  warriors. 
The  village  was  alive  with  sudden  commotion  ;  and 
snatching  sticks  and  stones,  knives  and  hatchets, 
men,  women,  and  children,  yelling  like  fiends  let 
loose,  swarmed  out  of  the  narrow  port;il,  to  visit 
upon  the  captives  a  foretaste  of  the  deadlier  tor- 
ments in  store  for  them.  The  black  arches  of  the 
forest  glowed  with  the  fires  of  death ;  and  with 
brandished  torch  and  firebrand  the  frenzied  multi- 
tude closed  around  their  victim.  The  pen  shrinks 
to  write,  the  heart  sickens  to  conceive,  the  fierce- 
ness of  his  atronv ;  vet  still,  amid  the  din  of  his 
tormentors,  rose  his  clear  voice  of  scorn  and  defi- 
ance.    The  work  was  done  ;  the  blackened  trunk 


20 


INDIAN     TKIUKS. 


IClIAP.  I. 


<        9 

I 


w;is  ilim^  to  tli(»  doi^-s.  and.  with  clatnorous  slioiifs 
and  lu)()tini;s,  the  nuirdcrcrs  sonjjjht  to  driv('  away 
tlu^  s|)irit  of  their  victim.' 

'Vhc  Ir()(|uois  n^koncd  \]\csc  harhai'itics  anionic' 
*'i(Mr  most  r\(jnisito  enjoymonts  ;  and  y(>t  Ihcy  had 
other  souri'os  of  j)l(Msnri\  w!i;ch  mado  up  in  iVo- 
(jucMuy  and  in  innoccnco  what  ihcy  lacked  in 
intensity.  Ivich  passinjj^  season  liad  its  feasts  and 
dances,  oi'ten  mini;iinL!j  relii^ion  with  social  pastinu^ 
Tlu^  vouni;;  had  their  iVolics  and  mtMTV-makinijjs  ; 
and  tlie  old  had  tht'ir  no  !(\ss  iVecpuMit  councils, 
whcM'e  convei-sation  and  laui;ht(M'  altei-nated  with 
grave  dcdiherations  tor  the  public  weal.  'I'here 
AvcM'e  also  stat(nl  pcM'iods  marked  hy  tlu'  rtH'uriXMicc 
ot"  monuMitous  ciu'einonic^s.  in  which  the  whole 
cominunity  took  part  —  the  mystic  sacriiiciM)r  the 
doi>-s,  the  or<;ies  of  the  dream  t'east,  and  the  loath- 
some festival  of  the  exhumation  of  the  dead.  Yet 
in  the  iut(M'vals  of  war  and  huntinu^,  these  resour- 
ces would  often  lail ;  and,  while  the  women  were 
toilini*'  in  the  cornlields,  the  lazv  warriors  l)(>iiuiled 


;• 


1  "Bointj  at  tliis  placo  tlie  17  olMimo.  tlioro  canio  fifty  prisoiuTs  tVoiu 
tlie  soulli-wostwanl.  I'lioy  wore  of  two  nations,  sonio  wiioioof  iiavc  few 
{inns;  tlie  oilier  none  at  all.  One  nation  is  ahont  ten  days'  jonrney  from 
any  (."hristians.  and  trade  onely  with  one  preatt  house,  nott  farr  from  tlie 
sea,  and  t!ie  other  trade  onely,  as  they  say,  w  ilh  a  black  i>eo|>Ie.  Tliis  day 
of  them  was  burnt  two  women,  and  a  man  and  a  ehdd  killed  with  a  stone. 
Att  niulit  we  heard  a  jireat  noyse  as  if  y  houses  had  all  tallei:,  butt  itt 
was  only  y^'  inh.abitants  drivinti  away  y  ghosts  of  y"  niurthered. 

"The  18"'  ytiini;  to  C'ana^orah,  that  day  there  were  most  cruelly 
burnt  four  men,  four  women  and  one  boy.  The  cruelty  lasted  aboutt 
seven  hours.  When  they  were  almost  dead  IctLinj;  them  loose  to  the 
mercy  of  y  boys,  and  taking  the  hearts  of  such  aa  were  dead  to  foast  on." 
—  (ireenhalgh,  Journal,  1G77. 


!-■    i 


fill 
m< 


[CuAV.  T. 

)us  shouts 
iiv(^  away 

ics  anionic 
llu>y  had 
ip  in  i\v- 
lac'krd  in 
frasts  and 
1  pastime, 
inakinu^s  ; 
coinicils, 
iited  with 
I.  'I'hcio 
(H'nnxMico 
lie  wliolc 
\vc  of  11)0 
lie  loath- 
'ad.  Yet 
>c^  resour- 
uMi  wore 
beguih'd 


isoiKTs  fVotn 
of  linvt'  ti'w 
iiiriify  iVom 
iir  Irmii  tlie 
'I'liis  (lay 
witli  ii  stone. 
U>r.,  butt  itt 

lost  cruelly 

astoil  ahoiitt 

oose  to  the 

to  feast  on." 


eiiAi-.  I  I 


Ilidiil'ois    I'oi'lILA'I'ION. 


21 


m 


th(>  lionrs  willi  siuokiiii^  or  sl(!0[)iiig,  witli  ijjanihhng 
or  L;;dlantrv.' 

If  wcscck  for  a  siiii;l(>  trait  preeminently  r.liar- 
aeteristic  o("  \\\r.  Inxpiois,  we  shall  liiid  it  in  that 
hoinidless  ])i-i(le  Nvliich  impelled  them  toslyh^  them- 
selves, not  inaplly  as  re^^ards  their  own  rae(\  "  th(» 
men  surpassiui;  all  olhers/'^  "  Must  I,"  exclaimed 
one  o("  their  <4i-eat  wariMors,  as  hv.  fell  woinidful 
amon^'  a  eiowd  of  Ali;-oii([uins,  —  ''must  I,  who 
havc^  made  the  whole  eaith  ticmhle,  now  di(;  hy 
the  liaiids  of  children  {  "  Their  power  kept  pace 
with  their  ])iide.  'i'heir  war-p;iilies  roamed  over 
half  America,  and  their  namt^  was  a  terr(jr  from 
the  Atlintic  to  the  Mississippi  ;  hut,  when  we  ask 
the  numerical  str(Mi<;th  of  llie  di-eaded  confederacy, 
whvn  wt^  (li-^covor  that,  in  the  days  of  their  <^reatest 
triumj)hs,  their  united  cantons  could  not  have  nms- 
tered  tour  thousand  warriors,  we  stand  amazed  at 
the  folly  and  dissension  which  left  so  vast  a  re<^ion 
the  ])rey  of  a  handful  of  hold  marauders.  Of  the 
cities  and  vilhii^i^s  now  so  thickly  scattered  over  the 
lost  domain  of  the  Inxpiois,  a  single  one  nii^ht 
hoast  a  more  uutnerous  population  than  all  the  five 
united  tribes.^ 

'  I'or  an  account  of  tlie  liahils  an<1  cii^tonis  f)f  the  Iro(|uoi.s,  tlie  follow- 
injj;  works,  hesiilcs  liiose  aliiaily  cileil,  may  lie  referreil  to:  — 

{'harlov!ii.\',  l.ittirn  In  the  Ihiclnsn  nf  Lisiliiiuihfrs ;  f 'hatnptain,  Vni/ni/m 
<1f  III  Xniii\  Fntnre;  Clark,  ///s/.  Oiionilaijn,  I.,  ami  several  volumes  of  the 
Jesuit  /ii'/dlions,  especially  those  of  lOotl-lt;.')?  and  KJ.V.l-KJdO. 

-  Tiiis  is  Coiden's  translation  of  the  word  Oni^^wehonwe,  one  of  the 
names  of  the  Iroipiois. 

"'  La  Ilontan  estinjated  the  Tro(|uois  at  from  five  thoiisand  to  seven 
tliousaml  fi^hlinjx  nien  ;  hut  his  mci'is  of  information  were  very  imper- 
fect, and  till'  same  may  he  said  of  >cvcral  other  I'rench  writers,  who 
have  overrated   tiie  fori'e  o    tlie  confederacy.      In    Ji'iTT,  the  Kngiish  sent 


22 


INDIAN    TRIBES. 


ICuAJ-.  1. 


If 


II 


From  this  rcniiirkablc  pco])lo,  who  witli  all  the 
ferocity  of  tlicir  race  bknuled  heroic  virtues  and 
marked  endowments  of  intellect,  1  ])ass  to  other 
meml)ers  of  the  same  u'reat  family,  whose  different 
fortunes  may  perhaps  be  ascribed  rather  to  the 
("orco  of  circumstance,  than  to  any  intrinsic  inferi- 
ority. 

Tiic  peninsula  between  the  Lakes  Huron,  Erie, 
and  Ontario  was  occu[)ied  by  two  distinct  peoples, 
speaking  tiialects  of  the  Iro([uois  tons^ue.  The 
llurons  or  Wyandots,  including  the  tribe  called  by 
the  French  the  Dionondadies,  or  Tobacco  Nation,* 
dwelt  among  the  forests  which  bordered  the  east- 
ern shores  of  the  fresh  water  sea,  to  which  they 
have  left  their  name  ;  while  the  Neutral  Nation,  so 
called  from  their  neutrality  in  the  war  between  the 
Hurons  and  the  Five  Nations,  inhabited  the  north- 
ern shores  of  Lake  Erie,  and  even  extended  their 
eastern  flank  across  the  strait  of  Niagara. 

The  population  of  the  llurons  has  been  variously 
stated  at  from  ten  thousand  to  thirty  thousand 
souls,  but  probably  did  not  exceed  the  former  esti- 

one  Grccniiiilgli  to  ascertain  their  numbers.  He  visited  all  their  towns 
and  villages,  ami  reported  tlieir  ag^reuate  force  at  two  tiioiisaiid  one  inin- 
dred  and  lit'ty  ti::lit.in_i>'  men.  The  report  of  Colonel  Coursev,  agent  from 
\'irt;inia,  at  about  tlie  same  ])eriod,  closely  corresponds  with  this  state- 
ment, (ireeidialgh's  Journal  will  be  I'ound  in  Chalmers's  Pu/itinil  Aitnnh, 
and  in  tiie  Ihicinm iiiarjj  llit^hnij  of  Sno  Y'uk.  Siibse(iueiit  esl'iiiates,  uj) 
to  the  period  of  the  Hevolution,  when  their  strenjith  had  much  declined, 
vary  from  twelve  Inmdred  to  two  th<(Usand  one  humlrod  and  twenty. 
Most  of  these  estimates  are  f^iven  by  Clinton,  in  his  Discourse  on  the  Fire 
Natio)is    'nd  several  by  Jeflerson,  in  his  Xolis  on  I'in/lnia. 

1  llurons,  Wyandots,  Yendots,  Ouendaets,  Quatoi,nes. 

The   Dionondadies   are    also    designated    by    the   following   names 
TiouontHtez,  I'ctuneux  —  Nation  of  Tobacco. 


1. 


Chap.  I.] 


THE    IlUIvONS. 


23 


mute.  The  Franciscans  and  the  Jesnits  were  early 
among  them,  and  iVom  their  descriptions  it  is  ap- 
parent that,  in  legends  and  snperstitions,  manners 
and  hahits,  religions  ohservances  and  social  cns- 
toms,  they  were  closely  assimilated  to  their  hrethren 
of  the  Five  Nations.  Their  ca[)acions  dwellings 
of  bark,  and  their  ])alisade(l  forts,  seemed  copied 
after  the  same  model.'  Like  the  Five  Nations, 
they  were  divided  into  tribes,  and  cross-dividend  into 
totemic  clans  ;  and,  as  with  them,  the  office  of 
sachem  descended  in  the  female  line.  The  saine 
crnde  Tnaterials  of  a  political  fabric  were  to  ))e 
found  in  both  ;  bnt,  milike  the  Iroquois,  the  Wy- 
andots  had  not  as  yet  wrought  them  into  a  system, 
and  woven  them  into  a  harmonious  whole. 

Like  the  Five  Nations,  the  Wyandots  were  in 
some  measure  an  agricultural  peo})le  ;  they  bartered 
the  surplus  products  of  their  maize  fields  to  sur- 
rounding tribes,  usually  receiving  fish  in  exchange  ; 
and  this  traffic  was  so  considerable,  that  the  Jesuits 
stvled  their  country  the  Granarv  of  the  Akon- 
quins.^ 

Their  prosperity  was  rudely  broken  by  the 
hostilities  of  the  Five  Nations  ;  for  though  the  con- 
flicting parties  were  not  ill  matched  in  point  of 
numbers,  yet  the  united  counsels  and  ferocious 
energies  of  the  confederacy  swept  all  before  them. 
In  the   year    l()4i),   in  the   depth   of  winter,  their 

1  See  Sa^anl,  llann/s,  115. 

2  Biincrot't,  in  liis  elia|iter  on  tlie  Indiiuis  east  of  tlie  Mi!?si,«sij)pi,  falls 
ioto  a  niisUike  wlieii  lie  siiys  tliat  no  trade  was  carried  on  hy  any  of  the 
tribes.  For  an  account  of  tlie  trallic  between  the  llunHis  and  Alyumjuins, 
see  Alercier,  /Illation  J<s  llurons,  liJoT,  p.  171. 


^4 


INDIAN     TKIHKS. 


[Chap.  L 


warriors  invadiMl  tlie  rouutrv  of  tlio  Wvandots, 
stornu'd  tluMr  larijfcst  villages,  and  involved  all 
within  in  indiscrinunatc^  slan^htcr.'  The  snrvivors 
fled  in  panic  terror,  and  the  whole  nation  was 
brokcMi  and  dispersed. 

S()in(^  fonnd  reliige  ainon<^  the  French  of  Canada, 
wliere.  at  thi'  villaL>'e  of  Lorett  ,  near  Oviel)ec,  tlieir 
descendants  still  remain  ;  others  were  incor])orattd 
with  their  coiu^nerors  ;  while  others  ai^ain  fled 
northward,  beyond  liako  8n])eri()r,  and  sonL>-ht  an 
nsylnni  anionic  the  wast(*s  which  borden^d  on  the 
north-eastern  bands  of  tlie  Dahcotah.  Driven  back 
by  those  fierce  bison-hnnters.  they  next  established 
themselves  alxnit  tln^  ontlet  of  J^ake  .Snperior,  and 
the  shores  and  islands  in  the  northerr  ])arts  of 
Tiako  llnron.  Thence,  abont  the  vear  1G80,  tliev 
descended  to  ])etroit.  where  they  formed  a  ])er- 
nianent  settlement,  and  where,  by  their  snperior 
valor,  capacity,  and  address,  they  soon  actpiired  an 
ascendiMicy  ovcu'  the  snrronndin^  Ali>'on(pnns. 

The  rnin  of  the  Nentral  Nation  followed  close 
on  that  of  tlie  \\  }andots,  to  whom,  according  to 
Jesnit  anthorily.  they  bore  an  exact  resemblance  in 
character  and  manners.^  The  Senecas  soon  fonnd 
means  to  pick  a  qnarrel  with  them ;  they  were 
assailed  bv  all  the  streni'th  of  the  insatiable  con- 
federacv.  and  within  a  few  vears  their  destruction 
as  a  nation  was  com])lete. 

South  of  Lake  Erie  dwelt  two  members  of  the 

'  See  "Jesuits  in  North  AiiK'rica." 

'•^  AcconliiiL:  to  l.iilk'miint,  tlio  population  of  tiie  Neutral  Naticyi 
amouiitoil  to  at  it'a.->t  twelve  thousand  ;  hut  the  estimate  is  probahlj 
exaggerated.  —  RiUili'»i  fl(S  Unroit.t,  lti41,  p.  uU. 


ClIAl'.  1.1 


ANDASTES;   EHIES 


25 


Ir()(in()is  family,  "^riio  Aiidastcs  built  tlioir  fortified 
villaj^c^s  aloufj;  the  valley  of  the  liOwer  Sus(jiie- 
lianna ;  while  the  Kri<^as,  or  Eries,  occujjied  the 
borders  of  the  lake  which  still  retains  their  name. 
Of  these  two  nations  little  is  known,  for  the  Jesuits 
had  no  missions  amon^  them,  and  few  traces  of 
them  survive  beyond  their  names  and  the  record 
of  their  destruction.  'I'he  war  with  the  Wyandots 
was  scarcely  over,  when  the  Five  Nations  turned 
their  arms  aijainst  their  Eric  brethren. 

In  the  year  1(555,  using  their  canoes  as  scaling; 
ladders,  they  stormed  the  I'irie  stronghold,  leaped 
down  like  tigers  among  the  defenders,  and  butch- 
ered them  without  mercy.'  The  greater  ])art  of 
the  nation  was  involved  in  tlie  massacre*,  and  the 
renuiant  was  incorporated  with  the  concpierors,  or 
with  other  tribes,  to  which  they  tied  for  refuge. 
The  ruin  of  the  Andastes  came  next  in  turn  ;  but 
this  brave  people  fought  for  twenty  years  against 
their  inexorable  assailants,  and  their  destruction 
was  not  consummated  until  the  year  1672,  when 
they  shared  the  fate  of  the  rest.^ 

Thus,  within  less  than  a  cpiarter  of  a  century, 
four  nations,  the  most  brave  and  powerful  of  the 
North  American  savages,  sank  before  the  arms  of 
the  confederates.  Nor  did  their  triumphs  end 
here.     Within  the  same  shore  space  they  subdued 


1  The  Iroquois  traditions  on  tliis  subject,  as  related  to  tlie  writer  by 
p  cliief  of  the  Cayu<?as,  do  not  a^iree  witli  tiie  narratives  of  the  Jesuits. 
It  is  ncjt  certain  tliat  the  Kries  were  of  the- IroijUDis  tiiniily.  Tlieio  ia 
some  reason  to  believe  them  Alg'on(iuins,  and  po.-sibly  identical  with  the 
Shawanoes. 

-  Charlevoix,  Nouvelle  France,  I.  44o. 


2b 


INDIAN    TRIHKS. 


[ClIAV.  I. 


tliclr  southoni  neighbors  the  TiCniiipo,'  the  leading 
nn^nihcrs  of  the  Algonquin  family,  and  ox})elled 
the  Ottawas,  a  numerous  pe()})le  of  the  same  lin- 
eage. iVom  the  borders  of  the  river  which  bears 
their  name.  In  tlie  north,  the  west,  and  the  south, 
their  con([uests  embraced  every  adjacent  tribe  ;  and 
meanwhile  their  war  ])arties  were  harassing  the 
French  of  Canada  with  reiterated  inroads,  and 
yelling  the  war-whoop  under  the  walls  of  Quebec. 
They  were  the  worst  of  concpierors.  Inordinate 
pride,  the  lust  of  blood  and  dominion,  were  the 
mainsprings  of  their  warfare  ;  and  their  victories 
were  stained  with  every  excess  of  savage  passion. 
That  their  triumphs  must  have  cost  them  dear; 
that,  in  spite  of  their  cautious  tactics,  these  multi- 
plied conflicts  nnist  have  greatly  abridged  their 
strength,  would  appear  inevitable.  Their  losses 
were,  in  fact,  considcu'able  ;  but  every  breach  was 
rej)aired  by  means  of  a  practice  to  which  they,  in 
common  with  other  tribes,  constantly  adhered. 
When  their  vengeance  was  glutted  by  the  sacriiice 
of  a  sufficient  number  of  captives,  they  spared  the 
lives  of  the  remainder,  and  adopted  them  as  mem- 
bers of  their  confederated  tiibes,  separating  ^^•i^"es 
from  husbands,  and  children  from  p^n-ents,  and  dis- 
tributing them  among  different  villages,  in  order 
that  old  ties  and  associations  might  be  more  com- 
pletely broken  up.  This  policy  is  said  to  have 
been  designated  among  them  by  a  name  which 
signifies  ••  flesh  cut  into  pieces  and  scattered  among 
the  tribes." 

1  CiiiUatin  ])laces  tlio  final  subjection  of  the  Lenape  at  about  the  yeai 
IT.JO  —  a  printer's  error  for  IGoO.  —  Si/m/isis,  48. 


I 


CllAl«.  I] 


lUOQUUlS   FAMILY. 


27 


•li 


In  the  years  1714-15,  the  confiMleracv  received 
a  fijreat  accession  of  streni^tli.  Southwards,  ahout 
the  headwaters  of  the  rivers  Neuse  and  Tar,  and 
separated  from  their  kindred  trihes  by  inter^ening 
Alfj^()n([uin  coinniunities,  dwelt  the  Tnscaroras,  a 
warliivc  |)eo[)le  heh)n<4ing  to  the  <;eneric  stock  of 
tlie  Irocjuois.  The  wron'jjs  inflicted  by  white  set- 
tlers, and  their  own  nndistin<j;uishing  vengeance, 
involved  them  in  a  war  with  the  colonists,  which 
resulted  in  their  defeat  and  expulsion.  They  emi- 
grated to  the  Five  Nations,  whose  allies  they  had 
been  in  foruier  wars  with  southern  tribes,  and  who 
now  gladly  received  them,  admitting  them  as  a 
sixth  nation,  into  their  confederacv. 

It  is  a  remark  of  Gallatin,  that,  in  their  career 
of  conquest,  the  Five  Nations  encountered  more 
stubborn  resistance  from  the  tribes  of  their  own 
fiunilv,  than  from  those  of  a  different  lineage.  Tn 
truth,  all  the  scions  of  this  warlike  stock  seem 
endued  with  singular  vitality  and  force,  and  among 
them  Ave  must  seek  for  the  best  ty])c  of  the  Indian 
character.  Few  tribes  could  match  them  in  prow- 
ess, constancy,  moral  energy,  or  int(dlectual  vigor. 
The  Jesuits  remarked  that  they  were  nuire  intelli- 
gent, yet  less  tractable,  than  other  savages  ;  and 
Cliarlevoix  observes  that,  thougli  the  Algonquins 
were  readily  converted,  the ,  made  but  fickle  prose- 
Ivtes  ;  while  the  Ilurons.  thoui'h  not  easilv  won 
over  to  the  church,  were  far  more  faithful  in  their 
adherence.^  Of  this  tribe,  the  Ilurons  or  Wyan 
dots,  a  candid  and  experienced  observer  declares, 

1  Xoui'clk  France,  I.  196. 


28 


INDIAN  THIBES. 


fCinr.  1. 


that  of  all  the  Iiulinns  with  uliom  ho  was  ronvrr- 
sant,  they  ixhrnc  held  it  (lis^jfraccful  to  tiiin  from  the 
face  of  an  eneinv  when  the  fortunes  of  the  fijjrht 
were  adverse.* 

IJesides  these  inherent  qualities,  the  trihes  of  tho 
lro(iuois  race  derived  <i:reat  adv,inta<;es  from  their 
su])eri()r  social  organization.  Tiiey  were  all,  more 
or  less,  tillers  of  the  soil,  and  were  thus  enal)l(Hl 
to  concentrate  a  more  numerous  population  than 
the  scattered  trihes  who  live  hy  the  chase  alone.  In 
tlieir  well-p(>oi)led  and  well-constructed  villages, 
they  dwelt  together  the  greater  part  of  the  year ; 
and  thence  the  religious  rites  and  social  and  ])o- 
litical  ns;iges,  which  elsewhere  existed  only  in  the 
germ,  attained  among  them  a  full  develo]»ment. 
Yet  these  advantages  were  not  without  alloy,  and 
the  Jesuits  were  not  slow  to  remark  that  the  sta- 
tionary and  thriving  Iro(piois  were  more  loose  in 
their  ohservance  of  social  ties,  than  the  wandering 
and  starving  savages  of  the  north."' 


THE    ALGONQUIN    FAMILY. 


Except  the  detached  nation  of  the  Tuscaroras, 
and  a  f.w  smaller  trihes  adhering  to  them,  the  Iro- 
quois family  was  confined  to  the  region  south  of 
the  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  and  the  peninsula  east 


*  William  Henry  Harrison,  /h'urniirsc  on  the  Abornjines  of  the  Ohio.  See 
0/ii'<>  Iflst.  I'niiis.  Paii  Stcond,  I.  2')7. 

2  "  Heie  y  Indyans  were  very  desirous  to  see  us  ride  our  horses,  w^*" 
wee  did  :  they  luadf  uroat  feasts  and  dancinu:,  and  invited  us  y'  when  all 
y"  niaides  were  togeilicr.  liotli  wee  and  our  Indyans  might  ciioose  siioli  as 
lyketl  Us  to  ly  witii."—  Greenhalgh,  Jmuvul 


Chap.  I.J 


ALCJONfiUIXS. 


39 


of  liuko  Huron.  'I'liov  tornu'd,  a.s  it  wore,  an 
island  in  \\ic  vast  expanse  of  Al;;()n(iuin  ])()j)nlation, 
extending:  from  Hudson's  15av  on  tli(>  north  to  the 
Carolinas  on  the  south  ;  from  the  Athmtie  on  tlie 
east  to  tlie  Mississi|)])i  and  Lake  A\'inni])eu^  on  the 
west.  They  were  Algont^uins  wlio  i^reeti'd  .Ja(([ues 
Cartier,  as  his  sliips  ascended  the  St.  Lawrence. 
The  iirst  IJritish  colonists  found  sava«4:os  of  the 
same  race  hunting  and  fishing  along  the  coasts  and 
inlets  of  Virginia ;  and  it  Avas  the  daughter  of  an 
Algon([uin  chief  who  interceded  with  her  father 
for  the  life  of  the  adventurous  Englishman.  They 
Avere  Algonquins  who,  under  Sassacus  the  Peciuot, 
and  Philip  of  ^Fount  Hope,  waged  war  against 
the  Puritans  of  New  England ;  who  dwelt  at 
Penacook,  under  the  rule  of  the  great  magician, 
Passacouaway,  and  tremhled  before  the  evil  spirits 
of  the  White  Hills  ;  and  who  sang  aves  and  told 
their  beads  in  the  forest  chapel  of  Eatli?r  Ilasles, 
bv  the  banks  of  the  Kennebec.  Thev  were  Aljjjon- 
quins  who,  under  the  great  tree  at  Kensington, 
made  the  covenant  of  peace  with  William  Penn ; 
and  when  Erench  Jesuits  and  fur-traders  explored 
the  Wabash  and  the  Ohio,  thev  found  their  val- 
leys  tenanted  by  the  same  far-extended  race.  At 
the  present  day,  the  traveller,  perch:mce,  may  find 
them  pitching  their  bark  lodges  along  the  beach 
at  Mackinaw,  spearing  fish  among  the  ra[)ids  of 
St.  INlary's,  or  skimming  the  waves  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior in  their  birch  canoes. 

Of  all  the   members    of  the  Algonquin  family, 
those  called  by  the  English  the  Dela wares,  by  the 


80 


INDIAN  Tianr.s. 


I  Til  A  p.  I 


P 


French  the  TiOups,  Jiiid  by  thenisclves  Lcniii  liC- 
nape,  or  Original  ]\Icn,  liold  the  first  claim  to 
attention  ;  for  their  traditions  declare  them  to  be 
the  parent  stem  whence  other  Alj^onqnin  tribes  have 
sprnnf];.  The  latter  recoi^nized  the  claim,  and,  at 
all  solemn  conncils,  accorded  to  the  ancestral  tribe 
the  title  of  Grandfather.' 

The  first  European  colonists  found  the  conical 
lodges  of  the  Lenape  clustered  in  frequent  groups 
about  the  waters  of  the  Delaware  and  its  tributary 
streams,  within  the  jiresent  limits  of  New  Jersey, 
and  Eastern  Pcnnisylvania.  The  nation  was  sepa- 
rated into  three  divisions,  and  three  sachems  formed 
a  triumvirate,  who.  with  the  council  of  old  men, 
regulated  all  its  a!iairs.^  They  were,  in  some  small 
measure,  an  agricultural  ])eople  ;  i)ut  fishing  and 
the  chase  vrcvc  their  chief  dependence,  and  thrcugh 
a  great  part  of  the  vear  they  were  scattered  abroad, 
among  forests  and  streams,  in  search  of  sustenance. 

When  ^\'illiam  IVnn  held  his  far-famed  council 
witli  the  sachems  of  the  Lenape,  he  extended  the 
hand  of  brotherhood  to  a  people  as  unwarlike  in 
their  habits  as  his  own  pacific  followers.  This  is 
by  no  means  to  be  ascribed  to  any  inborn  love  of 
peace.  The  Lena})e  were  then  in  a  state  of  degrad- 
ing vassalage  to  the  Five  Nations,  who,  that  they 
might  drain  to  the  dregs  the  cup  of  humiliation, 

'  Tlie  Lenape,  on  tlieir  part,  call  the  otlier  Algonquin  tribes  Children, 
i.Jranilohihlren,  Nephews,  or  Younger  Brothers  ;  but  they  confess  tho 
superio"i»y  of  ttie  Wyaiitlots  and  the  Five  Nations,  by  yielding  them  the 
title  of  Uncles.  Tiiey,  in  leturn,  call  the  Lenape  Nephews,  or  more  fre- 
quently Cousins. 

•^  Loskiel.  Part  I.  130. 


(Ill 


CnAf.  I.J 


DKLAWARES. 


31 


had  forced  them  to  assume  the  name  ef  Women, 
and  fore<;o  the  use  of  ainis.^  I)w'nin<.^  nn(hn"  the 
sliadow  of  the  tyrannieal  confederacy,  tlu^y  were 
h)ng  unable  to  wipe  out  the  blot ;  hut  at  lenjj;th, 
pushed  from  tlieir  ancient  seats  by  the  encroacb- 
ments  of  wliite  mer,  and  removed  westward,  par- 
tially beyond  the  reach  of  their  conquerors,  tiieir 
native  spirit  begiui  to  revive,  and  th(>y  assumed  a 
tone  of  detiauce.  DarinL""  the  Old  I'^rench  \V;\i' 
they  resumed  the  use  of  arms,  and  while  the  Five 
Nations  fought  for  the  ]Mig!ish.  they  espoused  the 
cause  of  France.  At  tlie  opening  of  tlie  devolu- 
tion, they  boldly  asserted  their  freedom  from  the 
yoke  of  their  con{[;:erors  ;  and  a  few  years  after, 
the  Five  Nations  confessed,  at  a  public  council,  that 
the  Lenape  were  no  longer  women,  but  men.'' 
Ever  since  that  period,  t'.iey  have  stood  in  liigh 
repute  for  bravery,  generosity,  and  all  the  savage 
virtues ;  and  the  settlers  of  the  frontier  have  often 
found,  to  their  cost,  that  the  loomen  of  the  Irocpiois 
have  been  transformed  into  a  race  of  formidable 
warriors.  At  the  present  day,  XXv.  small  remnant 
settled  beyond  the  Mississippi  are  among  the  l)ravcst 
marauders  of  the  west  Tlieir  war-parties  pierce  the 
farthest  wilds  of  the  Ilockv   ^Mountains  ;    and   the 

^  The  story  told  by  the  I.cniipo  tluMU<t'lvos,  and  rocordiMl  witli  tlie 
utmost  good  tiiitli  by  Loskiol  ami  HeckewoliltT,  that  llie  Five  Nations 
had  not  conciuerod  thcni,  lint,  by  a  cuiinintj  artifit-e,  had  ohoatod  tlu-in 
into  subjection,  is  wholly  unworthy  of  ore<lit.  It  is  not  to  he  believed  that 
a  people  so  acute  and  susiiieiou,-  could  be  tl^e  dii[)es  of  so  palpable  a  trick  ; 
and  it  is  equally  incredible  that  a  hij^di-spiritei!  trihe  con'  1  be  induwd,  by 
the  most  jiersuasive  rhetoric,  to  assiiine  the  name  of  Women,  which  in 
Indian  eyes  is  the  last  confession  of  aliject  aliascinent. 

2  lleckewolder,  llisl.  Ind.  Nat.  53. 


«MMMWilrf»M«MMMM 


(.»'5i 


;  i 

MS  ' 

H 


M? 


INDIAN     I' HI  MIS 


\^^u^r    I 


Uraiiic  l!;i\(']Ir"  m;iv  somclimcs  tmccI  (Ik*  I  )r|;i\v;n(» 
Wlinior  rclinitill;;-  iVoiii  m  si|-ccs-;('ul  I'oimn,  ;i  ;;;ii|(Iv 
h;ni(lk(M(lii(>(  liomul  ;il)()ii(  Ins  hrovvs,  liis  sn;ik(* 
l»nks  llnllcriiK';  in  tli(>  wind,  mikI  Iiis  ride  r(>s(iii!^ 
;i(r(iss  his  s;i(I(li(>  how,  while  (he  hiniishcd  iitid 
!M\':iim('d  (•(iiii|>iii."ii(s  of  liis  h.ilfwild  li(»rs(>  h(>;ir 
niliK'ss  that  ihr  rid(M-  has  \\a\hud  and  phnuhM-cd 
^omc  M(v  ican  cavalici-. 

Adjaccnl  h)  lh(<  I.cnapc,  and  assoriah'd  wilh  (Inan 
n»  sduic  of'  iht^  most  nolahio  |)assa^cs  ^^^'  (lu'ir  his- 
\oy\ .  (hv(dt  the  Sha\vano(>s,  the  ( 'liaonaiiDns  of  lh(» 
I'rcnch.  a  (riho  o{'  hoM,  icnin;;-,  and  ad\  (MihirnnM 
spiiil.  Thtar  (M-ctMidic  \vainl(ain;;s,  (hcii-  siuhhai 
ap|>tMran((\s  and  (hsapiKMranccs,  |)ci-|)I(>\  the  anli- 
(|nai-\,  and  Ac\\  vc^i'An\\  ;  hnt  iVdin  \arions  scal- 
l(Mt'd  niMicc^s.  \vi»  mas  j^atlicr  that  at  an  early 
ptM-iod  thi^y  iH'inpit'd  lh(>  \;\\\c\  ol'  the  Ohio;  that, 
heeiunini;-  tMnl>roihMl  \vith  the  l''i\('  Nations,  lh(^v 
slian^d  llu^  det'(>at  ol'  {]\o  Andast(\s.  and  ahont  i\\c 
ycAV  Itn'J  tied  to  eseaj)i^  di^strnetion.  Sonu*  found 
an  as\hiin  in  the  country  of"  thc^  l,enai)(\  wliero 
tlu^y  Vwcd  ttMiants  at  will  of  tlu^  I'ive  Xalious; 
otIuM-s  sought  r(>f'ni;(^  in  tlu<  Caroliiias  and  l-'lorida, 
wluM-c\  tiiu>  \o  their  nati\t^  instincts.  tlu^\  soon  came 
\o  hhnvs  \vith  th(>  owners  of'  the  soil,  Ai;-ain,  tnrn- 
iuiX  northwards,  tlu'y  tormeil  ucw  sottliMiuMits  in  th(> 
valh^y  o\'  the  Ohio,  wlu^rc  tluw-  were  noN\-  snifered 
to  dwidl  in  |)t\ict\  -And  wIumw  at  a  later  i)criod.  tlu^y 
wiu'c  joinetl  hy  such  o(  tlunr  brethren  as  had  found 
rot'um^  amoui;-  the  liOnapo.' 

1  Tho  ovivloivo  coiuvniiiij;  tlio  niovonionts  of  llio  Sliawanops  is  well 
numiiu\l  111' by  Calliitin.  ^^'I'/'s/.v.  Go.     Si>i>  also  Drako.  /  ■'/.  .>/'  'ro-innarli,  10 


ClIAf     I. I 


ILLINOIS. 


X] 


n- 


Or  llic  liilxs  \vliuli.  sin^^Ic   mid  dclncln'd,  or  co- 
lieriii^    in     loose    conrrdciMcics,    dwell     williiii    flie 
limils  ol    Lower  ( ';oi;id;i,  ,\e;idi;i,  iiiid  \ew  rini^hiiid, 
it    is  needless  (o  sjie;d\  ;    for  llie\'  o(rere<|  no   disline- 
li\('  li;ii(s  deniioidiiiL;-   nolie*-.       I';issin<^  tln"  eonnti'y 
ol    the    Len-'ipe  luid  tlie  Sli;i\v;moes,  :ind   descending 
the  ()liio,  llie  li;ivelle|-  woidd  liMV'e   lonnd    its  v;dl(;v 
eliielly   occn]»ie(l    by    two    niilions,    the     Miionis    or 
'rwijj^hlwees,  on  the  WMhiish  and  its   hranehes,  and 
the  Illinois,  who  dwell,  in  the  nei;^hl)orliood  of  fin; 
liver    to   which    they  have   ;j;iven    their   name,  while 
portions  of  them  extended    heyond  tin;   Mississippi. 
Thonji^h  never  snhjnj^aled,  as  were  the  Lenapf^,  hot.h 
the  Mianiis  ajid  the  Illinois  were  reduced  to  the  last 
extr(>inity  hy  the   repeated  attacks  of  the   I'ive   Na- 
tions;  and    the    Illinois,    in    particniar,    snflered    so 
ir.ucl!  I)y  these  and  other  wars,  that  the    popniafion 
of  ien  or  twelve  thonsand,  asciihed  to  them  h)    tin; 
early  V'rcnch  writers,  had  dwindled,  dnrinj^  the  first, 
(piartcr   of  the  eii^hteenth    centnrv,  to   a,  Uwv   small 
villa<^(^s.'      Aerordinj.^"  to  Marest,  they  were  a,  people 
snnk   in  sloth    and  licentionsiuss  ;    hnt  that    piiestly 
fatluM"  had  suffered  much  at  their  hands,  and  viewed 
them  with  a  janndiced  eye.      Theii'  a«,^rirnltnre  \yas 
not  rnnteni])tihle  ;    they    had    peirnanent   dwellin;;s 
as  well  as  p()r(id)l(^  lodj^es  ;   and  thon^h   wandeiinL,' 
throni>'h    many    months    of  the    year    amon^-    tlieir 
broad  prairies  and  forests,  tliero  wero  seasons  when 
their  whole  [)()[)nlatioii  was  {gathered,  with  feastiiif^s 


'  Fiitlior  Kiislos,  17'2;<,  f^.'iys  that  tlicro  were  cloven.     Marest,  in  1712 
found  only  tlirco. 


{'\ 


Ml 


31 


INDIAN    TRIP.KS;. 


IC 


IIAP 


and  TnoiTv-niakiiiif,  within   tlio   limits  of  their  viU 


1; 


I  ires. 


y 


urnuiir  nis  ronrso  nortnwan 


til 


(1.  t 


ravorsniii 


T.al 


ivOS 


Michigan  and    SiipcM-ioi-,   and   skirtiiii^   the  wc^stern 
niarLfin   of  Lake   llnron.   the   vovai»-i>r  wonld    have 


f 


onn( 


1   tl 


\o  so 


litnd 


es   o 


f  the  wild  waste  aronnd    him 


l»rok(Mi  by  seattered  lodj^-es  of  th(:  (^jihwas,  ]\)tta- 
wattamies.  and  Ottawas.  Ahont  tlu*  hays  and  rivers 
west  of  Lake   Michiiran,   he    wonld   have  scnni   the 


Saes.  the  Loxes,  and   the  Ar(Miomoni( 


's.  rue  I'oxes,  and   tne   .MfMiomomc^s  ;   and   pene 


1' 


tratinii"  the  fVo/(Mi  wilderness  of  the  north,  he  wonld 
ha\c^  hcvn  welcomed  hy  tlu^  rnde  hospitality  of  the 
wanderini*"  ('rees  or  Ivnisteneanx. 

The  Ojibwas,  with  their  kindred,  the  Pottawatta- 
mies,  jind  their  friends  the  Ottawas.  —  the  latter  of 
whom  w(M-e  fn^itives  from  tlu^  eastward,  whence 
they  had  tied  from  the  wrath  of  the  Iroqnois, — 
were  handed  into  a  sort  of  confederacy.'  They 
were  closelv  allitnl  in  blood.  lani'-n;ii;e,  manners  and 
characttn-.  The  Ojibwas.  b\  fu-  the  most  nnmtn'ons 
of  the  three,  occnpied  the  basin  of  Lake  Sn[)erior, 
and  extensive  adjaccMit  regions.  Li  their  honnda- 
ries,  the  career  of  L-oc^nois  con([nest  fonnd  at  length 
a  check.  The  fngitive  \\  yandots  songlit  refnge  in 
tlie  Ojil)wa  Imnting-gronnds  ,  and  tradition  relates 
that,  at  the  ontlet  of  T>ake  Snperior,  an  Iroqnois 
war-party  once  enconntered  a  disastrons  repnlse. 

Tn  flu^ir  mode  of  life,  they  were  far  more  rnde 
than  the  Tro(piois.  or  even  the  sonthern  Algonqnin 
tribes.     The  totetnic  svstem  is  fonnd  amon<»-  them 


'  Morse,  Riport,  Aj>piU(li.r,  141. 


Cl!AI>.   I.] 


OJIBWAS. 


35 


Idc 
liii 
nil 


in  its  most  iniporfcrt  state.  '^Plio  orii^iiiiil  cliuis 
liJivo  bcconio  broken  into  lVau;tn(Mits,  and  indefi- 
nitely multiplied ;  and  many  of  the  ancient  customs 
of  the  institution  are  l)ut  looselv  regarded.  A<j:ri- 
culture  is  littli;  known,  and,  tliroui^h  summer  and 
winter,  tliey  range  tlie  wilderiu'ss  witli  restless  wan- 
derin<^,  now  i^orged  to  repletion,  and  now  ])erishinj^ 
with  want.  In  the  calm  days  of  siunmer,  tin' 
Ojibwii  fislierman  pushes  out  his  bircli  canoe  upon 
the  <;r(>at  inland  oetMU  of  tlie  north  ;  and,  as  he 
gazes  down  into  the  [jellurid  dei)tlis,  he  seems  like 
one  balanced  between  earth  and  sky.  The  watch- 
ful fish-liawk  circles  above  his  head  ;  and  below, 
farther  tlian  his  line  will  reach,  he  sees  the  trout 
^lidc  shadowy  and  silent  over  the  g-limmeriiif^  peb- 
bles, '^riie  little  islands  on  the  ver<i;e  of  the  horizon 
seem  now  starting  into  spires,  now  melting  from 
the  sight,  now  shapiug  themselves  into  a  thousand 
fantastic  forms,  Avith  tlie  strange  mirage  of  the 
waters  ;  and  he  fancies  tliat  tlie  evil  spirits  of  the 
lake  lie  basking  tli(>ir  serpent  forms  on  those  unhal- 
lowed shores.  Again,  he  ex[)lores  the  watery  laby- 
rinths where  the  stream  sweeps  among  ])ine-tufted 
islands,  or  runs,  black  and  deej),  beneatli  the  shad- 


ow 


s  of  moss-bearded  firs  ;  or  he   draas   his   c 


uioe 


upon  the  sandy  beach,  and,  while  liis  cami)-iirc 
crackles  on  tlie  grass-plat,  reclines  beneath  the 
trees,  and  smokes  and  l.uighs  away  the  sultry  hours, 


in  a  lazy  luxury  ot  enjoyment. 

But  when  winter  dc^scends  upon  the  north,  seal- 
ing up  the  fountains,  fetttn-ing  the  streams,  and 
turniu":  the  i>'i'ecn  robed  forests  to  shiverinur  naked- 


IF' 


8(; 


INDIAN  Tinnr.s. 


(CiiAi'.  T. 


noss,  tluMi,  hearing  tlicir  fiiiil  dwell iii<:^s  on  tlicMr 
hacks,  (ho  Ojihwa  family  waiuhu'  forth  into  tho 
wildonu'ss,  clKHTod  only  on  thoir  dnMry  track  hy 
the  whistlinij^  of  tho  north  wind,  and  tho  hnnj^ry 
howl  ol"  wolvos.  15y  tho  hanks  of  sonu;  frozen 
sticMni,  wonuMi  and  childron,  nuMi  and  doi;s,  lie 
•  ronched  tof.';etlKM'  aronnd  tlu^  lire.  They  spread 
tluMr  hennnihed  lin^-ors  ovt'r  the  oinhers,  while  tho 
wind  shri(>ks  throni^h  the  fir-trees  hk(^  the  «;alo 
throni;h  the  riu^^ini^  of  ;i  frigate,  and  tho  narrow 
concave  of  the  wigwam  sparkles  with  the  frost- 
work of  their  con^cMlod  hreath.  In  vain  tlu^y  heat 
tho  inai;ic  drnin,  and  call  upon  tluMr  i;nardian  inan- 
itoes  ;  —  tho  wary  moose  keeps  aloof,  the  hear  lies 
close  in  his  hollow  tree,  and  ("amino  stares  them  in 
tho  fice.  And  now  the  hnntcn-  can  (i_nht  no  more 
against  tho  nijipini:!:  cold  and  hlindioi;-  sleet.  Stitt 
and  stark,  with  haggard  cheek  and  shrivolUnl  lij), 
he  lies  among  the  snow  drifts  ;  till,  with  tooth  and 
claw,  the  fimisluHl  wildcat  strives  in  vain  to  pierce 
the  (rigid  marbU^  of  his  limbs.  Snch  harsh  school- 
ing is  throAvn  away  on  the  incorrigible  nnnd  of  the 
northern  Algonipiin.  He  lives  in  misery,  as  his 
fathers  lived  bel'ore  him.  Still,  in  the  brief  honr 
of  plenty  ho  forgets  tho  season  of  want ;  and  still 
the  sleet  and  the  snow  descend  upon  his  houseless 
head.' 

I  have  thus  passed  in  hrief  review  the  more  prom- 


^  See  Tanner,  Loni:,  ami  Honry.  A  comparison  of  Tanner  witli  tlie 
accounts  of  tlio  Jesuit  Le  Jeune  will  show  that  Algonquin  life  in  Lower 
Canatla,  two  innulred  years  a^o,  was  essentially  tlie  same  with  Algonquin 
life  on  the  Upper  Lakes  within  the  last  half  century. 


CUKV     I  ] 


TIFKIIl  i,r,(;i:xi)AHY  lork. 


?n 


Ini- 


tlie 
Iver 
lain 


iiif'nt  of  the  AlijfoiKiuiii  trilx's  ;  tlioso  wliost^  Htvn<r 
•j;Ics  and  siiflrriiit^s  forrii  \\\o.  flicmo  of  tlio  onsiiiiis^ 
llistory.  In  spoakinii^  of  the  Iroquois,  some  of  tin? 
(listiiictivo  peculiarities  of  tlic  Al^'oiiqniiis  have 
already  been  hinted  at.  It  nnist  be  admitted  that, 
in  moral  stahility  and  inteiloctnal  vi^or,  they  are 
inferior  to  tin'  former;  thonL,di  somo  of  tho  most 
eoiispieuons  ()irs|)rin<i;  of  the  wilderness,  Metaeom, 
Tcc^nmseb,  and  Pontiac  himself,  owned  tlunr  blood 
and  lan<j;na^(\ 

'^riie  (ireside  stories  of  every  ])rirnitive  ]  eoplo  are 
faithful  reHeetions  of  the  form  and  color, n<j;  of  the 
national  mind  ;  and  it  is  no  jn'oof  of  sound  philos- 
ophy to  turn  with  contempt  from  the  study  of  a 
fairy  tale.  The  l(><r(Midary  loi"(!  of  the  Irocpiois, 
])lack  as  the  midni<^ht  forests,  awful  in  its  iijloomy 
8tren<jjth,  is  ])ut  another  manifestation  of  that  s])irit 
of  mastery  wliicli  n])rooted  whole  tribes  frorji  the 
earth,  and  delni^ed  the  wildc^'ness  with  blood.  The 
traditionary  tales  of  the  Al^onquins  wear  a  differ- 
ent as])ect.  The  credulous  circle  around  anOjibwa 
lodge-fire  listened  to  wild  recitals  of  necromancy 
and  "witchcraft  —  men  transformed  to  beasts,  and 
beasts  transformed  to  men,  animated  tr{>es,  and 
birds  wdio  spoke  with  human  tongue,  '^fliey  heard 
of  malignant  sorcerers  dwelling  among  the  lonely 
islands  of  spell-bonnd  lakes ;  of  grisly  v.teondigoes^ 
and  bloodless  fjeehi  ;  of  evil  manitoes  lurking  in  the 
dens  and  fastnesses  of  the  woods ;  of  pygmy  cham- 
pions, diminutive  in  statnre  but  mighty  in  soul,  who, 
by  the  potency  of  charm  and  talisman,  subdued  the 
direst  minsters  of  the  waste;  and  of  heroes,  who, 


38 


INDIAN   TRIBKS. 


[Chap.  I, 


not  by  downright  forro  and  open  onset,  but  by  sub- 
tle strategy,  tricks,  or  magic  art.  acliieved  tnarvellons 
triumphs  over  tlie  brute  force  of  their  assaihmts. 
Sometimes  tlie  tale  will  l)reathe  a  different  spirit, 
and  tell  of  orphan  cliildren  abandoned  in  the  heart 
of  a,  hideous  wilderness,  beset  with  fiends  and  can- 
nibals. Some  enamored  maiden,  scornful  of  earth- 
ly suitors,  plights  her  troth  to  the  graceful  manito 
of  the  grove  ;  or  bright  aeriil  beings,  dwellers  of 
the  skv.  desicnd  to  lantalize  the  gaze  of  mortals 
with  evanescent  foinis  of  loveliness. 

The  mighty  giant,  the  God  of  the  Thunder,  who 
made  his  home  among  tlie  caverns,  beneath  the  cat- 
aract of  Niagara,  was  a  characteiistic  conception 
of  Irc'Miois  imagination.  The  Algonquins  held  a 
sim^/ier  faith,  and  maintained  that  the  thunder  was 
a  bird  who  built  his  nest  on  tlie  pinnacle  of  tow- 
ering mountains.  Two  daring  boys  once  scaled  the 
height,  and  thrust  sticks  into  the  eyes  of  the  por- 
tentous nestlings  ;  which  hei'eui)on  flashed  forth 
such  wrathful  scintillations,  that  the  sticks  were 
shivered  to  atoms. ^ 


'  For  Algonquin  legonds,  see  Scliooleraft,  in  Af;iir  liCte'ircles  and 
Oneota.  Le  Joune  early  discoveivil  ilie!>e  lej^ends  among  tlie  tribes  of  liis 
mission.  Two  wnturies  ago,  among  the  Algonquins  of  Lower  Canada,  a 
talc  was  related  to  liim,  which,  in  its  in-incipal  incidenrs,  's  identical  \\!h 
tlie  story  of  the  "  Boy  who  set  a  Sr.are  loi  the  '^iin,"  recently  found  by 
^h.  Schoolcraft  among  tlie  tribes  of  the  UpjJLr  Lakes.  Compare  liciulion, 
lt')o7,  i>.  172,  and  On'ola,  p.  75.  The  coincidence  affords  a  curious  proof 
of  the  antiquity  and  wide  diffusion  of  some  of  these  tales. 

The  Dacotah,  as  well  as  the  Algonquins,  believe  that  the  thunder  is 
produceil  hy  a  bird.  A  beautiful  illustration  of  this  idea  will  l)e  found  in 
Mrs.  Eastman's  L^i/rtiils  of  the  Siouy,  An  Indian  jiropounded  to  Le  .b'une 
a  doctrine  of  ins  own.  According  fo  his  theory,  tlie  thunder  is  j)r()(luced 
by  tlio  eructations  of  a  monscrous  giant,  who  liad  Miiii  rtuni.u'ly  sw.illowed 


n.:^v 


and 
of  liis 
1.1,  a 


or  Id 
lul  ill 

iK.'eil 
)\vlm1 


Chap.  I] 


THKIU   1U;LIG1()US   BKLIEF. 


39 


The  rc^ligious  l)oli(^f  of  tlio  Al^on([uiiis  —  nnd 
the  remark  holds  <,m)o(1,  not  of  the  Algon([uiiis  only, 
hut  of  all  the  huntin<2^  trihes  of  Aineriea  —is  a 
elondy  hewildc-ment,  where  we  seek  in  vain  for 
system  or  eohereney.  Ainonij^  a  primitive  and  sav- 
age people,  there  were  no  poets  to  vivify  its  ijna;j^(^s. 
and  no  priests  to  ^ive  distinetiiess  and  liarmony  to 
its  rites  and  synihols.  To  the  Indian  mind,  all 
nature  was  instinet  with  deity.  A  spirit  was  em- 
hodied  in  every  monnt:iin,  hike,  and  cataract  ;  every 
hird,  heast,  or  npliie.  every  tree,  shrnh,  or  grass- 
hlade,  was  endued  with  mvstic  influence  ;  vet  this 
untutored  pantheism  did  not  (>\clude  the  conce])tion 
of  certain  divinities,  of  incongruous  and  (>ver  sliift- 
ing  attril)ut(>s.  The  sun.  too.  was  a  god,  and  the 
moon  was  a  goddess.  Conliicting  powers  of  good 
and  evil  divided  the  universe :  hut  if,  hefore  the 
arrival  of  Europeans,  the  Indian  recognized  tlie  ex- 
istence of  one,  almiuhtv.  self-existent  IJeini''.  the 
Great  Spirit,  the  I^ord  of  Heaven  and  lOarth,  the 
helief  was  so  va<2:ue  and  did)ious  as  scarcelv  to  de- 
serve  the  name.  His  perceptior-;  of  moral  good 
and  evil  were  ])erplexed  and  shadowy  ;  and  the  he- 
lief in  a  state  of  future  reward  and  punisliment 
was  by  no  means  universal.^ 

Of  the  Indian  character,  much  has  been  written 
foolishly,  and  credulously  believed.  By  the  rhap- 
sodies of  poets,  the  cant  of  sentimentalists,  and  the 

a  quantity  of  snakes  ;  and  tlie  latter  tailing  to  the  earth,  caused  the 
appearance  of  iightiiin^r.  "  Voilii  une  piiilosophie  bien  nouvelle!" 
exclaims  the  astonished  Jesuit. 

1  Le  Joune,  Schoolcraft,  .[.lines,  Jarvis,  riuirlevoix,  Sagard,  Brt^)euf, 
Mercier,  Vimont,  Lalleinaui,  Lalitau,  ])e  Sniet,  &c. 


I 


40 


INDIAN   TUIBKS. 


JCllAl'.  1. 


I 


extravaij^anco  of  somo  who  should  have  known  het- 
tor,  acountoiTcit  inia<,'o  has  hcen  tricked  out,  whicli 
miij^ht  seek  in  vain  for  its  likeness  through  every 
corner  of  the  hal)ital)le  eartli  ;  an  iiu'.i^e  hearini^no 
more  resenihlance  to  its  orii^inal.  than  tlu>  monarch 
of  t'  .'  trau'edy  and  the  hero  of  the  epic  poem  hear 
to  their  living-  i)r()totypes  in  the  palace  and  the 
camp,  'i'he  shadows  of  liis  wilderu'^ss  home,  and 
the  darker  mantle  of  his  own  inscrutahle  reserve, 
have  made  tlie  Indian  warrior  a  wonder  and  a  mys- 
tery. Yet  to  the  eye  of  rational  ohservation  there 
k  nothing  uninlelli«;il)le  in  him.  He  is  full,  it  is 
true,  of  contradiction,  lie  deems  himself  the  cen- 
tre of  greatness  and  renown. ;  his  pride  is  ])roof 
against  the  fiercesc  torments  of  fire  and  steel ;  and 
yet  the  same  man  would  heg  for  a  dram  of  whiskey, 
or  pick  up  a  crust  of  hread  thrown  to  him  like  a 
dog,  from  the  tent  door  of  the  traveller.  At  one 
moment,  he  is  warv  and  cautious  to  the  vera:e  of 
cowardice ;  at  the  next,  he  ahandons  himself  to  a 
very  insanity  of  recklessness ;  and  the  hahitual 
self-restraint  whicli  throws  an  impenetrahle  veil 
over  emotion  is  joined  to  the  unbridled  passions  of 
a  madman  or  a  beast. 

Such  inconsistencies,  strange  as  they  seem  in  our 
eyes,  when  viewed  under  a  novel  aspect,  are  but  the 
ordinary  incidents  of  humanity.  The  qualities  of 
the  mind  are  not  uniform  in  their  action  tlirough  all 
the  relations  of  life.  With  different  men,  and  dif- 
ferent races  of  men,  prid(>,  valor,  prudence,  have 
different  forms  of  manifestation,  and  where  in  one 
instance  they  lie  dormant,  in  another  they  are  keen- 


ClIAP.    1. 1 


Tin:    INDIAN    lIIAUACrKll. 


41 


ly  ;iw;ik(\  The  ('onjunction  of  «^iTatnoss  iiiul  little- 
ness, meiiniiess  and  pride,  is  older  than  the  days  of 
the  patriarchs ;  and  snrh  anti(piat(>d  phenomena, 
disjjlayed  nnder  a  new  form  in  the  nnreiUn'tinj^,  nn- 
disci])lined  mind  of  a  savati^e,  call  for  no  special 
wonder,  bnt  shonld  rather  he  classed  with  the  other 
enii]jmas  of  the  fa.thondess  hnman  heart.  The  dis- 
sectinijr  knife  of  a  llochefoncanlt  niiurht  lav  bare 
matters  of  no  less  cnrions  observation  in  the  breast 
of  every  man. 

Natnre  has  stamped  the  Indian  with  a  hard  and 
stern  physiognomy.  Ambition,  revenge,  envy,  jeal- 
onsy,  are  his  rnling  passions  ;  and  his  cold  temper- 
ament is  little  exposed  to  those  effeminate  vices 
which  arc  the  bane  of  milder  races.  Witli  him 
revenge  is  an  overpowering  instinct ;  nay,  more,  it 
is  a  point  of  honor  and  a  dnty.  His  prido  sets  all 
langnage  at  defiance.  He  lo;»tlies  the  thonght  of 
coercion  ;  and  few  of  his  race  have  ever  stoojxnl  to 
discharge  a  menial  office.  A  wild  love  of  liberty, 
an  ntter  intolerance  of  control,  lie  at  the  basis  of 
his  character,  and  fire  his  whole  existence.  Yet, 
in  spite  of  this  hanghty  independence,  he  is  a  de- 
vont  hero-worshipper ;  and  high  achievement  in 
war  or  policy  tenches  a  chord  to  which  his  natnre 
never  fails  to  respond.  lie  looks  np  w^ith  admiring 
reverence  to  the  sages  and  heroes  of  his  tribe ;  and 
it  is  this  principle,  joined  to  the  respect  for  age 
springing  from  the  patriarchal  element  in  his 
social  system,  which,  beyond  all  others,  contribntes 
union  and  harmony  to  the  erratic  members  of  an 
Indian  community.     With  him  the  love  of  glory 


4-2 


INDIAN   TRHlKS 


(  II  A  p.  I. 


kindles  into  ;i  burning  ])Mssi()n  ;  and  to  allay  its 
cmvings,  ho  will  dare  cold  and  fainino,  tire,  tcrn^x'st, 
tortnro,  and  (IcmtIi  itself. 

These  gcMierous  traits  arc  overcast  by  much  that 
is  dark,  cold,  and  sinister,  by  sleci)less  distrust,  and 
rankling  jealousy.  Treacherous  himself,  he  is  al- 
wjiyi:  suspicious  of  treachery  in  others.  IJrave  as 
he  is,  —  and  few  of  mankind  are  braver.  —  he  will 
vent  his  passion  by  a  secret  stab  rather  than  an 
open  blow.  His  warfare  is  full  of  ambuscade  and 
stratagem ;  and  he  never  rushes  into  battle  with 
that  joyous  self-iibandouTuent,  with  which  the  war- 
riors of  the  Gothic  races  flung  themselves  into  the 
ranks  of  their  enemies.  In  his  feasts  and  his  drink- 
ing bouts  we  find  none  of  that  robust  and  full-toned 
mirth,  which  reiii^ned  at  the  rude  carousals  of  our 
barbaric  ancestry.  He  is  never  jovial  in  his  cups, 
and  maudlin  sorrow  or  maniacal  rage  is  the  sole 
result  of  his  potations. 

Over  all  emotion  he  throws  the  veil  of  an  iron 
self-control,  originating  in  a  peculiar  form  of  i)ride, 
and  fostered  by  rigorous  discipline  from  childhood 
upward.  He  is  trained  to  conceal  passion,  and  not 
to  subdue  it.  The  inscrutable  warrior  is  aptly  im- 
aged by  the  hackneyed  figure  of  a  volcano  covered 
with  snow  ;  and  no  man  can  say  when  or  where  the 
wild-fire  will  burst  forth.  This  shallow  self-mastery 
serves  to  give  dignity  to  public  deliberation,  and 
harmony  to  social  life.  AVrangling  and  quarrel  are 
strangers  to  an  Indian  dwelling ;  and  while  an  as 
semblv  of  the  ancient  (jauls  was  ii^arrulous  as  a 
convocation  of  magpies,  a  Ilonian  senate  might  have 


J^ 


ClI.VI'.    I  ) 


llli;    INDIAN    CHAI.'ACTr.H. 


4:] 


tiikt'U  a  lesson  from  tlio  grave  solemnity  of  an 
Indian  conncil.  In  the  midst  of  his  family  and 
friends,  lie  hides  affeetions,  hy  nature  none  of  the 
most  tcnnler,  under  a  mask  of  icy  coldness  ;  and 
in  the  torturing  ih-es  of  his  enemy,  the  hn,ughty 
sufferer  maintains  to  the  last  his  look  of  grim 
dt'tianee. 

His  intellect  is  as  peculiar  as  his  moral  organiza- 
tion. Among  all  savages,  the  powers  of  perception 
preponderate  over  those  of  reason  and  analysis ; 
hut  this  is  more  especially  the  case  with  the  Indian. 
An  acute  judge  of  character,  at  least  of  such  parts 
of  it  as  his  experience  cnahles  him  to  com[)rehend  ; 
keen  to  a  proverh  in  all  exercisers  of  war  and  the 
chase,  he  seldom  traces  effects  to  their  causes,  or 
follows  out  actions  to  their  remote  results.  Thouiili 
a  close  ohserver  of  external  nature,  he  no  sooner 
attempts  to  account  for  her  phencnnena  than  he  in- 
volves himself  in  the  most  ridiculous  ahsurdities ; 
and  quite  content  with  these  puerilities,  he  has  not 
the  least  desire  to  push  his  inciuiries  further.  His 
curiositv,  ahundantlv  active  within  its  own  narrow 
circle,  is  dead  to  all  things  else  ;  and  to  attempt 
rousing  it  from  its  tor[)or  is  l)ut  a  hootlcss  task,  lie 
seldom  takes  cognizance  of  general  or  ahstract 
id(\is  ;  and  his  language  has  scarcely  tlie  power  to 
express  them,  except  through  the  mc^dium  of  fig- 
ures drawn  from  the  external  world,  and  often 
highly  picturesque  and  forcihle.  The  ahsence  of 
refiectiou  makes  him  grossly  inq)rovident,  and  unfits 
him  for  pursuing  any  com[)licated  scheme  of  war 
or  policy. 


} 


H!t 


i: 


iW 


44 


INDIAN    TRIRKS. 


[Chap.  I. 


Some  races  of  men  seem  moulded  in  wax,  soft 
and  meltinij^,  at  once  plastic  and  feeble.  Some 
races,  like  some  metals,  combine  tbe  <jfr(>atest  flexi- 
bility with  the  greatest  strength.  But  the  Indian 
is  hewn  out  of  a  rock.  You  can  rarely  change  the 
form  without  destruction  of  the  substance.  Races 
of  inferior  energy  have  possessed  a  power  of  expan- 
sion and  assimilation  to  which  he  is  a  stranger  ; 
;ind  it  is  this  fixed  and  rigid  quality  which  has 
])roved  his  ruin.  He  will  not  learn  the  arts  of  civ- 
ilization, and  he  and  his  forest  must  nerish  tofjether. 
The  stern,  unchanging  features  of  his  mind  excite 
our  admiration  from  their  very  immutability  ;  and 
w^e  look  with  deep  interest  on  the  fate  of  this  irre- 
claimable son  of  the  w'ilderness,  the  child  who 
will  not  be  weaned  from  the  breast  of  his  rugged 
mother.  And  our  interest  increases  when  w^e  dis- 
cern in  the  unliappy  wanderer  the  germs  of  heroic 
virtues  mingled  among  his  ^ices,  —  a  hand  boun- 
tiful to  bestow  as  it  is  rapacious  to  seize,  and 
even  in  extremest  famine,  imparting  its  last  morsel 
to  a  fellow-sufferer ;  a  heart  which,  strong  in 
friendship  as  in  hate,  thinks  it  not  too  much  to  lay 
down  life  for  its  chosen  comrade  ;  a  soul  true  to 
its  own  idea  of  honor,  and  burning  wath  an  un- 
quenchable thirst  for  greatness  and  renown. 

The  imprisoned  lion  in  the  showman's  cage  dif- 
fers not  more  widely  from  the  lord  of  the  desert, 
than  the  beggarly  frequenter  of  frontier  garrisons 
and  dramshops  differs  from  the  proud  denizen  of 
the  woods.  It  is  in  his  native  wilds  alone  that  the 
Indian  must  be  seen  and  studied.     Thus  to  depict 


Chap.  I] 


THE  INDLVN   CHARACTER. 


45 


ft 
e 
i- 
ti 
e 
s 


him  IS  the  aim  of  the  ensuing  Ilistorv ;  ana  if 
from  tlie  shades  of  rock  and  forest,  tlie  sava-e 
features  sliouhl  look  too  grimly  forth,  it  is  because 
the  clouds  of  a  tempestuous  ^var  liave  cast  upon  the 
picture  their  murky  shadows  and  lurid  fires. 


,1 


CHAPTER    II. 


1G08-17G3. 


FRAIsCE   AND   ENGL.VND   IN  AMERICA. 


!H^ 


The  American  colonics  of  France  and  "England 
grew  np  to  maturity  under  widely  different  auspices. 
Canada,  the  oft'spring  of  Church  and  State,  nursed 
from  infancy  in  the  la])  of  power,  its  puny  strength 
fed  with  artificial  stimulants,  its  movements  guided 
by  rule  and  discipline,  its  limbs  trained  to  martial 
exercise,  languished,  in  s[)ite  of  all,  from  the  lack 
of  vital  sap  and  energy.  The  colonies  of  England, 
outcast  and  neglected,  but  strong  in  native  vigor 
and  self-confiding  courage,  grew  yet  more  strong 
with  conflict  and  with  striving,  and  developed  the 
rugged  proportions  and  unwieldy  strength  of  a 
youthful  o'iant. 

In  the  vallev  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  alony:  the 
coasts  of  the  Atlantic,  adverse  principles  contended 
for  the  masterv.  Feudalism  stood  arrayed  a^-ainst 
Democracy ;  Popery  against  Protestantism ;  the 
sword  against  the  plougshare.  The  priest,  the 
soldier,  and  the  noble,  ruled  in  Canada.  The 
ignorant,  light-hearted  Canadian  peasant  knew 
nothing  and   cared   nothing  about    popular  rights 


1603-1703] 


THE   FRENCH   CANADL\NS. 


47 


and  civil  liberties.  Born  to  obey,  he  lived  in  con- 
tented submission,  without  the  wish  or  the  capacity 
for  self-rule.  Power,  centered  in  the  heart  of  the 
system,  left  the  masses  inert.  The  settletnents 
alonu:  the  maro'in  of  the  St.  Lawrence  were  like  a 
cami),  where  an  army  lay  at  rest,  ready  for  the 
march  or  the  battle,  and  where  war  and  adventure, 
not  trade  ^nd  tillage,  seemed  the  chief  aims  of  life. 
The  lords  of  the  soil  were  petty  nol)les,  for  the 
most  part  soldiers,  or  the  sons  of  soldiers,  proud 
and  ostentatious,  thriftless  and  [)oor ;  and  the  peo- 
ple were  their  vassals.  Over  every  cluster  of  small 
white  houses  glittered  the  sacred  emblem  of  the 
cross.  The  church,  the  convent,  and  the  roadside 
shrine  were  seen  at  every  turn ;  and  in  the  towns 
and  villages,  one  met  each  moment  the  black  robe 
of  the  Jesuit,  the  gray  garb  of  the  Kecollet,  and 
the  formal  habit  of  the  Ursuline  nun.  The  names 
of  saints,  St.  Joseph,  St.  Ignatius,  St.  Francis,  were 
peri)etuated  in  the  capes,  rivers,  and  islands,  the 
forts  and  villages  of  the  land  ;  and  with  every  day, 
crowds  of  simple  worshippers  knelt  in  adoration 
before  the  countless  altars  of  the  Roman  faith. 

If  we  search  the  world  for  the  sharpest  contrast 
to  the  spiritual  and  temporal  vassalage  of  Canada, 
we  shall  find  it  among  her  innnediate  neighbors, 
the  Puritans  of  New  J'lngland,  where  the  spirit  of 
non-conformity  was  sublimed  to  a  fiery  essence, 
and  where  the  love  of  liberty  and  the  hatred  of 
power  burned  with  sevenfold  heat.  'J' he  Enolish 
colonist,  with  thoughtful  brow  and  limbs  hardened 
with  toil ;  calling  no  man  master,  yet  bowing  rev- 


48 


FRANCE  AND  ENGLAND  IN  AMERICA.      [1G63-1763. 


1 


;ij  i 


erently  to  the  law  which  he  himself  had  made  ; 
patient  and  laborious,  and  seeking  for  the  solid 
comforts  rather  than  the  orniiments  of  life  ;  no 
lover  of  war,  yet,  if  need  were,  fighting  with  a 
stubborn,  indomitable  courage,  and  then  bending 
once  more  with  steadfast  ener<?v  to  his  farm,  or  his 
merchandise,  —  such  a  mar  might  well  be  deemed 
the  very  pith  and  marrow  of  a  commonwealth. 

In  every  quality  of  efficiency  and  strength,  the 
Canadian  fell  miserably  below  his  rival ;  but  in  all 
that  pleases  the  eye  and  interests  the  imagination, 
he  far  surpassed  him.  Buoyant  and  gay,  like  his 
ancestry  of  France,  he  made  the  frozen  wilderness 
ring  with  merriment,  answered  the  surly  howling 
of  the  pine  forest  with  peals  of  laughter,  and 
warmed  with  revelry  the  groaning  ice  of  the  St. 
Lawrence.  Careless  and  thoughtless,  he  lived 
happy  in  the  midst  of  poverty,  content  if  he  could 
but  gain  the  means  to  fill  his  tobacco-pouch,  and 
decorate  the  cap  of  his  mistress  with  a  ribbon. 
The  example  of  a  beggared  nobility,  who,  proud 
and  penniless,  could  only  assert  their  rank  by 
idleness  and  ostentation,  was  not  lost  upon  him. 
A  rightful  heir  to  French  bravery  and  French  rest- 
lessness, he  had  an  eager  love  of  wandering  and 
adventure  ;  and  this  propensity  found  ample  scope 
in  the  service  of  the  fur- trade,  the  engrossing  occu- 
pation and  chief  source  of  income  to  the  colony. 
AVhen  the  priest  of  St.  Ann's  had  shrived  him  of 
his  sins  ;  when,  after  the  parting  carousal,  he  em 
barked  with  his  comrades  in  the  deep-laden  canoe ; 
when  their  oars  kept  time  to  the  measured  cadence 


1663-1763.1 


THE   i-KENXll   CAXADLVNS. 


40 


of  tlieir  song,  and  tlie  blue,  sunny  bosom  of  the 
Ottawa  opened  before  them  ;  when  their  frail  bark 
quivered  among  the  milky  foam  and  blaek  roeks 
of  the   ra])id  ;  and   when,   around   their  eamp-fire, 

they  wasted  half  the  night  with  jests  and  laui^diter, 

tli(>n  the  Canadian  w;is  in  his  element.     His  font- 
steps  explored    the   farthest    hiding-places   of   thp 
wilderness.     In    tiie   evening   dance,   his    red    cap 
mingled  with  the   scalp-locks   and  feathers  of  the 
Indian  braves ;  or,  stretched  on  a  bear-skin  by  the 
side  of  his  dusky  mistress,  he  watched  the  gambols 
of  his  hybrid  offspring,  in   ha[)])y  oblivion  of  the 
partner  whom  he  left  unnumbered  leagues  behind. 
The  fur-trade  engendered  a  pecuhar  class  of  rest- 
less   bush-rangers,  more   akin   to   Indians   than  to 
white  men.     Those  who  iiad  once  felt  the  fascina- 
tions of  the  forest  were  unfitted  ever  after  for  a  life 
of   quiet  labor;    and   with    this    spirit    the   whole 
colony  was  infected.     From  this  cjuise.  no  less  than 
from  occasional    wars   with   the    English,   and    re- 
peated attacks  of  the  Iroquois,  the  agriculture  of 
the  country  was  sunk   to  a  low  ebb  ;   wliile  feudal 
exactions,  a  ruinous  system  of  monopoly,  and  the 
intermeddlings  of  arbitrary  power,  cramped  every 
branch  of  industry.'     Yet,   by  tlie   zeal   of  priests 
and  the  daring  enterprise  of  soldiers  and  exi)lorers, 
Canada,  though   sapless   and   infirm,  spread   forts 

1  Kaynal.  Hist.  Lu/;...,  VU.  87  {I Ami].  1788> 

Cliarlevoix,  Voi/ai/ps,  httiT  X. 

Tlie  Swcilisli  trave'lliM-   Kalin  -ivos  an  iiittTcstiiijr  account  of  manners 
in  Cana.la,  about  tlie  iiiiddlo  of  tlie  ei^r|„t-enth  centurv.     For  tlie  feudal 
tenure  as  existin-  in  Canada,  -=ee  Px.uciu.tte,  I.  Cluip.  XIV.  (Lond    181)1) 
ami  Garneau,  llist.  Canada,  l}„ok  Ul.  Cluip.  UI. 

4 


I 


.)U 


FUANXT:  and   EXOL.tNI)  IX  AMEIUCA.     [1008-1GG8. 


and  mission!^  through  all  the  western  wilderness. 
Feebly  rooted  in  the  soil,  she  thrust  out  branehcs 
which  ovcM'sliadoned  half  America  ;  a  magnilicent 
object  to  the  eye,  but  one  which  the  first  whirl- 
wind would  prostrate  in  the  dust. 

Such  (>xcursive  enterprise  was  alien  to  the  genius 


of  the   Uritish  colonies.     Dari 


n< 


activity  was   r 


ife 


anionic  tliein.  but  it  did  not  aim  at  the  foundinir  of 


military  outposts  and  forest 


By  the  i\ 


missions 

of  energetic  industry,  their  population  swelled  with 
an  unheard-of  ra[)idity,  their  wealth  increased  in  a 
yet  greater  ratio,  and  their  promise  of  future  great- 
ness opened  with  every  advancing  year.  But  it 
was  a  greatness  rather  of  peace  than  of  war.  llie 
free  institutions,  the  indei)endence  of  authority, 
which  were  the  source  of  their  increase,  were  ad- 
verse to  that  unity  of  counsel  and  prom])titude  of 
action  which  arc  the  soul  of  war.  It  was  far  other- 
wise with  their  militarv  rival.  France  had  her 
Canadian  forces  well  in  hand.  They  had  but  one 
will,  and  that  was  the  will  of  a  mistress.  Now 
lure,  now  there,  iu  sharp  and  rapid  onset,  they 
could  assail  the  cumbrous  masses  and  unwieldy 
strength  of  tlieir  antagonists,  as  the  king-bird 
attacks  the  eagle,  or  the  sword-fish  the  whale. 
Between  two  such  combatants  the  strife  must 
needs  be  a  long  one. 

Canada  was  a  true  child  of  the  Cliurch,  baptized 
in  infancy  and  faithful  to  the  last.  Champlain,  the 
founder  of  Quebec,  a  man  of  noble  spirit,  a  states- 
man and  a  soldier,  was  deeply  imbued  with  fervid 
piety.     ''  The   saving  of  a  soul,"  he   would  often 


1G0&-1CG3.1  RELIGIOUS  ZEAL   OF   CANADA. 


51 


say,  "  is  worth  more  tluiu  tlic  coiupicst  of  an  em- 
pire ; " '  and  to  forward  the  work  of  conversion, 
he  brought  with  him  four  Franciscan  monks  from 
France.  At  a  Liter  period,  the  task  of  coloniza- 
tion would  have  been  abandoned,  but  for  the  \\o\)e 
of  casting  the  pure  li<zbt  of  the  faith  over  the 
gloomy  wastes  of  heathendom.^  All  France  was 
filled  with  the  zeal  of  proselytism.  ]Men  and  wo- 
•Jien  of  exalted  rank  lent  their  counteuanco  to  the 
holy  work.  From  many  an  altar  dailv  ])etitioiis 
were  offered  for  the  well-being  of  the  mission ; 
and  in  the  Tloly  Flouse  of  ^lont-^Fartre,  a  nnn  lay 
prostrate  day  and  night  before  the  shrinu;  praying 
for  the  conversion  of  Canada.^  In  one  convent, 
thirty  nmis  offered  themselves  for  the  labors  of  the 
wilderness  ;  and  priests  flocked  in  crowds  to  the 
colony.'*  The  powers  of  darkness  took  alarm  ;  and 
when  a  ship,  freighted  with  ihe  apostles  of  the 
faith,  was  tempest-tost  upon  her  voyage,  the  storm 
was  ascribed  to  the  malice  of  demons,  trembling 
for  the  safet}'  of  their  ancient  empire. 

The  general  enthusiasm  was  not  without  its 
fruits.  The  Church  could  pay  back  with  usury  all 
that  she  received  of  aid  and  encouragement  from 
the  temporal  power  ;  and  the  ambition  of  Eiche- 
lieu  could  not  have  devised  a  more  efficient 
enginery  for   the  accomplishment  of  its  schemes, 


1  Charlevoix,  Xo>n'.  France,  I.  197. 

'i  Cliarlevoix,  I.  l'J8. 

3  A.  I).  10:35.     JUif.oi,  <Irs  [fiirons,  lO^P),  p.  2. 

*  "  Vivre  en  la  Nouvelle  Fiuiice  c'est  h  vray  dire  vivre  dans  le  sein 
de  Dieu."  Such  ai-e  the  extiavagant  words  of  Le  Jeune,  in  his  report  of 
the  year  1635. 


5'2 


rHANCK   AM)    KNdLAM)    IN    AMKKICA      [  U;(l8-1()73. 


tliiiii  tluit  su|)i)lit'.l  hy  tlic  zeal  of  (lie  devoted  prop- 


ajj^Miu 


list: 


Tl 


\v    piiest    aiul    the  soldier  went    Man 


It    h 


ill   hand;   and   the  cross  and   \\\v  jh  iir  dc  lis  were 
planted  side  by  side. 

Toreniost  anioni;-  tli(*  (Mivoys  of  the  faith  wero 
the  nuMnhers  of  that  mighty  order,  who,  in  another 
luMuitiphere,   had    a^  "ad\     on  ^    s(.'    inncli    to    Inni 


i'  ,('k    ihc  ailv;.  'cini^'    i  ide  im' 
stren^tlien   the  arm    )i    (i  =  >iiic 


lelij^ioiis  freedom,  an*l 
To  the  Jesuits  was 


assiiiuiHl  for  many  years,  the  vi/ire  eharj^e  of  the 
Cmadiaa  missions,  to  the  exelnsiou  of  the  Francis- 
cans, early  laborers  in  the  same  barren  lield.  In- 
spired w  itli  a  self-deyotini;  zeal  to  snatch  souls  from 
perdition,  and  win  new  empires  to  the  cross  ;  cast- 
iui'-  iVom  them  eyery  hone  of  earthly  i)l(>asure  or 
earthly  aiiirrandizcMnent,  tlu^  Jc  nit  fathers  buried 
theniselyes  in  deserts,  facini^  death  with  the  courage 
of  heroes,  and  enduring  torments  \"  "'h  the  constancy 
of  martyrs.  Their  story  is  replete  with  marvels  — 
miracles  c)f  patient  sutferiuL;-  and  daring  enter[)rise. 
'I'hey  were  the  pioniHM's  of  Northern  Atnerica.* 
A\'e  see  them  among  the  frozen  forests  of  Acadia, 
struggling  on  snow-shoes,  Avitli  some  wandering 
Algonquin  horde,  or  crouching  in  the  crowded 
hunting-lodge,  half  stitied  in  the  smoky  den,  and 
battling  ^vitll  troops  of  famished  dogs  for  the  last 
morsel  of  sustenance.  A^ain  we  see  the  black- 
robed  priest  Avading  among  the  white  rapids  of 
the  Otta\ya,  toiling  with   his  savage   comvades   to 

1  See  Jesuit  R<hitio»s  and  Ldircs  Edijhntis:  also,  Cliarlevoix,  [xissim ; 
Garnoaii,  IL'st.  Caiuuhi,  Book  IV.  Chap.  II.  ;  and  BaiKToft,  IJist.  U.  S. 
Chap.  XX 


ICJO  lot'.).] 


jKsrrr  mission  a  kii;s. 


53 


lied 

lud 

last 

•k- 

of 

to 

I' "I ; 


driiii^  tlio  cinioc  a<i;;i',ist  flic  hcadloiiL^  water.  .Xnain, 
•adiant  in  t.ie  v  ^tiiuMits  of  liis  j)riestly  ofhfc.  ho 
adiiiiiiist(>rs  ilir  sacraiiifnfip  Iji'cad  to  kticcliiiu; 
crowds  of  j)jMni('d  and  i)ai!;ted  proselytes  in  tlie 
forests  of  the  lliiioiis;  or,  hearing  his  life  in  his 
hand  can  (>s  ins  sacred  mission  into  thf  strong- 
holds of  the  Iroquois,  liU(?  one  who  invades  un- 
armed a  den  of  aui^ry  ti<^ers.  Jesuit  explorers 
traced  the  St.  I/awrenee  to  its  source,  and  said 
massef)  amoi;^  the  solitudes  of  ]>ake  Suix-rit,  , 
\vhere  the  hohlest  fur-tnider  scarcely  dared  to  ■  1- 
low.  They  planted  missions  at  St.  Mary's  '\d 
at  ]\richinima(d\inac  ;  and  CMie  of  their  fratci -lit;  , 
the  illustrious  Marqu(>tte,  discovered  the  >':  si- 
si])pi,  and  opeu(>d  a  uvw  theatre  to  the  houndless 
and)ition  of  France. 

The  piith  of  th(>  missionary  was  a  thorny  and  a 
bloody  one  ;  and  a  life  of  weary  a])ostles]iip  was 
often  crowned  witli  a  fri^htCiil  martyrdom.  Jean 
de  lU'eheuf  and  Gabriel  rialh^manL  preached  th(! 
faith  amouij  the  villaiics  of  tiie  Jfurons,  wlieii  their 
terror-stricken  flock  were  overwhelmed  by  an  iii-up- 
tion  of  the  Iro([uois.  The  missionaries  nii^lit  ha\(' 
fled  ;  but,  true  to  their  sacred  function,  they  re- 
mained behind  to  aid  the  woundcMl  and  bapti/x;  the 
dyin<j^.  Both  were  made  captive,  and  ])()th  wc^re 
doomed  to  the  fiery  torture,  l^rebeuf.  a  veteran 
soldier  of  the  cross,  met  his  fate  with  an  undaunted 
composure,  which  amazed  his  murderers.  With 
unflinching  constancy  he  endured  torments  too 
horrible    to    be    recorded,    and    died    calndy    as    a 


:!;■ 


i 


54  FHANCK  AM)  KNGL.IND  IN  AMEUICA.     |1G4U-104U. 

martyr  of  the  curl}   cliurch,  or  a  war-chief  of  the 


Moliawk 


vs. 


The  slender  frame  of  Tiallcmaiit,  ;i  man  youn«;er 
in  years  and  gentle  in  s[)irit,  was  enveloped  in  blaz- 
hv^  savin-hark.  A^ain  and  a^ain  the  tire  was  extin- 
guished ;  again  and  again  it  was  kindled  afresh; 
and  with  such  fiendish  inwnuitv  were  his  torments 
protracted,  that  he  lingered  for  seventeen  honrs 
before  death  came  to  Ids  reli(>f.' 

Isaac  Jogues,  taken  captive  by  the  Troqnois,  was 
led  from  canto'',  to  canton,  and  village  to  village, 
enduring  fresh  torments  and  indignities  at  every 
stage  of  his  progress.^  jNIen,  »vomeu.  and  children 
vied  with  eacii  other  in  ingenuous  malignity.  Ke- 
deemed,  at  length,  by  the  humane  exertions  of  a 
Dutch  officer,  he  re})aired  to  France,  where  his 
disfigured  [)erson  and  nnitilated  hands  told  the 
story  of  his  snflerings.  lUit  the  i)roinptings  of  a 
sleepless  conscience  urged  him  to  return  and  com- 
plete the  work  he  luid  begun  ;  to  illumine  the 
moral  darkness  upon  which,  during  the  months  of 
his  disastrous  ca[)tivity,  he  fondly  hoped  that  he 
had  thrown  some  ravs  of  li<>lit.  Once  more  he 
bent  his  footsteps  towards  the  scene  of  his  living 
martyrdom,  saddened  with  a  deep  presentiment 
that  he  was  advancing  to  his  death.  Nor  were  his 
forebodings  untrue.  In  a  village  of  the  Mohawks, 
the  blow  of  a  tomahawk  closed  his  mission  and 
his  life. 

Such  intrepid  self-devotion  may  well  call  forth 


1  Qiarlevoix,  I.  292. 


a  Charlevoix,  1.  238-  276. 


'>i? 


b 


1082-1700 


JKsnr    MISSIONAIMKS. 


00 


our  lii<j^]irst  admiialion  ;  Imt  \\\\vn  wo  scrk  for  the 
rosults  of  tlic'so  toils  aiul  saciiticcs.  wo  sjiall  sock 
in  vain.  Patience  and  zeal  wore  thrown  away  ni)on 
lothari^ie  minds  and  stnl)l)orn  hearts.  The  reports 
of  the  Ji'suits,  it  is  frui*.  display  a  copious  list  of 
conversions;  hut  the  zealous  falhiMs  i(u*koned  tln^ 
nninher  of  cou\'ersions  hy  th"  nnniher  of  i)aptis!ns  ; 
and,  as  TiO  ('lerc([  ohsorves,  with  no  less  trutli  than 
candor,  an  Indian  would  i)e  haptized  ten  tiin(N  ji 
day  for  a  ])iiit  of  brandy  or  a  pound  of  lol);icco. 
Neither  can  more  ilatteriui;'  couel'isions  hi;  drawn 
from  the  alacrity  which  they  showed  to  achu'n  their 
persons  with  crucifixes  and  medals.  The  flitter 
of  the  trinkets  phased  the  fancy  of  th(^  warrior  ; 
and.  with  the  emblem  of  luan's  salvation  pendent 
from  his  neck,  be  was  oft(Mi  at  heart  as  thorough  a 
heathen  as  when  he  wor(^  in  its  place  a  necklace 
made  of  the  dried  forefingers  of  bis  (Miemies.  At 
the  present  da)',  witb  the  (■xce[)tion  of  a  fev/  insi<^- 
nificant  bands  of  converted  Indians  in  Lower  Can- 
ada, not  a  vestiujc  of  early  Jesuit  influence  can  be 
fonnd  among  the  tribes.  The  sochI  was  sown  u[»on 
a  rock.* 

AVhilc  the  cbnrcb  was  rea])ing  but  a  scanty  bar- 
vest,  tlio  bibors  of  the  missionaries  were  fruitful 
of  profit  to  the  monaix'h  of  l^'rancc.  'J'he  Jesuit 
led  the  van  of  Frencb  colonization  ;  and  at  Detroit, 
Micbillinnickinac,  St.  ^larv's,  Green  I5av.  and  other 
outposts  of  the  west,  the  establisbment  of  ii  mission 
was  tlie  precursor  of  military  occu'pancy.     In  otlu^r 

1  For  remarks  on  the  fiiULity  of  Jesuit  missioiKiry  cf^«)rt^,  see  llalkolt, 
Historical  Xutes,  C'liap.  IV. 


5() 


FHAXCK  AND   KNT.LAXI)   IN  AMKUIPA      (lOiW-ICJjj, 


I't  'if 


respects  no  less,  tlie  labors  of  the  waiuUninj^  mis- 


sionaries   advanrec 


(1     tl 


If; 


le    nciiarc    o 


)f    tl 


le    cohMU 


Sa«j;;acions  and  kvcn  of  si^lit,  with  farnlties  stimu- 
lated by  zeal  and  sharpened  l)y  j)eril,  they  made 
faithfid  re[)ort  of  tlie  temper  and  movements  of 
the  distant  tribes  am()n<j^  whom  they  were  distribu- 
ted. The  inHueiiee  wiiieli  tliey  often  ^iiin(Ml  was 
exerted  in  behalf  of  the  government  nndtn*  whose 
auspices  tlieir  missions  were  carried  on  ;  and  they 
strenuouslv  l!d)ored  to  win  over  the  tribes  to  the 
French  alliance,  and  alienate  them  from  the  heretic 
Enji^lish.  In  all  thin<^s  they  api)rovcd  themselves 
the  stanch  and  steadfast  auxiliaries  of  the  imperial 
power ;  and  the  ^[arqnis  du  Quesnc  observed  of 
the  missionary  Pic(piet.  that  in  bis  single  person 
he  was  wortli  ten  r(\L;;iments,^ 

Among  the  ]''nglish  colonies,  the  pioneers  of  civ- 
ilization were  for  the  niost  part  rude,  yet  vigorons 
men,  impelled  to  enterprise  by  native  restlessness, 
or  lured  by  the  hope  of  gain.  Their  range  was 
limited,  and  seldom  extended  fir  beyond  the  out- 
skirts of  the  settlements.  With  Canada  it  was  far 
otherwise.  There  was  no  energy  in  the  bulk  of 
her  people.  The  court  and  the  army  supplied  the 
mainsprings  of  her  vital  action,  and  the  hands 
which  planted  the  lilies  of  France  in  the  heart  of 
the  wilderness  had  never  guided  the  ploughshare 
or  wielded  the  s[)ade.  The  love  of  adventure,  the 
ambition  of  new  discovery,  the  hope  of  military  ad- 
vancement, urged  men  of  place  and  culture  to  em- 


1  Picqnet  was  a  priest  of  St.  Sulpice.    For  a  sketch  of  his  life,  see 
Lett.  Jul  If.  XIV. 


i6tjrj-i()7M. 


LA   SALLE. 


57 


biirk  on  bold  and  ronij)rrhonsivc  rntorprise.  "Nfany 
a  <^allaiit  ;4;('ntl('nian.  many  a  nol)l(Mnan  of  I'raTirc, 
trod  tlir  black  inonld  and  oozv  mosses  of  t\w  forest 
\\\\h  feet  that  bad  i)ressed  tbe  carpets  of  Versailb^s. 
They  whose  youth  had  passed  in  camps  and  courts 
<^re\v  «>;ray  ai)ion«^  the  wigwams  of  sava«;es  ;  and  the 
lives  of  C'astine,  Joncaire,  and  Priber'  arc  invested 
with  all  the  interest  of  romiuice. 

Conspicuous  in  the  annals  of  Canada  stands  the 
memorable  name  ef  Kobert  Cavelic^r  de  La  Salle, 
the  man  who,  l)eyon«l  all  his  comj.>eers,  eontril)uted 
to  expand  the  boundary  of  Fn  vich  empire  in  the 
west.  ]iii  Salle  commanded  at  Fort  Frontenac, 
erected  near  the  outlet  of  hake  Ontario,  on  its 
northern  shore,  and  then  forming  the  most  ad- 
viinced  military  outpost  of  the  colony.  Here  lie 
dwelt  among  Indians,  and  half-breeds,  traders, 
voyageurs,  bush-rangers,  and  Franciscan  monks, 
ruling  his  little  empire  with  absolute  sway,  en- 
forcing respect  by  his  energy,  but  offending  many 
by  his  rigor.  Here  be  brooded  upon  the  grand  V*. 
sign  which  hrd  long  engaged  his  thoughts.  lie 
bad  resolved  [o  complete  the  achi(^vement  of  Fatluu- 
Mar(piettc,  to  trace  the  unknown  ISIississippi  to  its 
mouth,  to  plant  the  standard  of  his  king  in  th(3 
ncwlv-discov(  (^d  reij^ions,  and  found  colonies  which 
sliould  make  good  the  sovereignty  of  France  from 
the  Frozen  Ocean   to  [Mexico.     Ten  vears  of  bis 


1  For  an  account  of  I'riher,  see  Ailnir,  'J4().  I  liave  seen  mention  of 
this  niiin  in  conteni{)orary  provincial  newspaiiers,  wliere  lie  is  sometimes 
spoken  of  as  a  disjjnised  Jesuit.  He  took  up  liis  resilience  among  the 
Clierokees  about  the  year  M'M,  and  labored  to  gain  tiieni  over  to  tlu' 
French  interest. 


58 


F11AN(  F,  A'.sl)  KNGLAXJ)  IX  AMKRICA.     [167'J-ir.80. 


early  life  had  passed,  it  is  said,  in  connection  with 
the  Jesnits,  and  his  strong  mind  had  hardened  to 
iron  nnder  the  discijdinc  of  that  relentless  school. 
To  a  sonnd  jndgin(>nt,  and  a  penetrating^  sagacity, 
he  joined  a  houndless  enter[)rise  and  an  adamantine 


constancy  of  i)nri)ose 


pnrp 


X) 


nt  1 


us   natnre  was   stern 


and  anstere ;  he  was  prone  to  rnle  hy  fear  rather 
than  by  love  ;  he  took  counsel  of  no  man,  and 
chilled  all  who  approached  him  by  his  cold 
reserve. 

At  the  close  of  the  ycai  1G7S,  his  preparations, 
were  complete,  and  he  despatched  his  attendants  to 
the  banks  of  the  liver  Niagara,  whitlier  he  soon 
followed  in  person.  Here  lie  began  a,  little  fort  of 
palisades,  and  was  the  first  military  tenant  of  a  spot 
destined  to  momentous  consequence  in  future  wars. 
Two  leagues  above  the  cataract,  on  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  river,  he  built  the  iirst  vessel  which 
ever  explored  the  waters  of  the  upper  lakes.  ^  Her 
name  was  the  Grifhn,  and  her  burden  was  forty- 
five  tons.  On  the  seventh  of  August,  1679,  she 
began  her  adventurous  voyage  amid  the  speechless 
wonder  of  the  Indians,  who  stood  amazed,  alike  at 
the  unwonted  size  of  the  wooden  canoe,  at  the  flash 
and  roar  of  the  cannon  from  her  decks,  and  at  the 
carved  figure  of  a  grifhn,  which  sat  crouched 
upon  her  prow.  She  bore  on  her  course  along  the 
vii'gin  waters  of  Lake  Erie,  through  the  beautiful 
wiiuHng-  •  the  Detroit,  and  among  the  restless 
billows  of  Lake  Huron,  where  a  furious  tempest 
had  well  nigh  mgul[)hed  her.     La  Salle  pursued 

i  Spiuks,  Life  of  La  Sulk,  lil. 


1GS0-1G82.] 


LA    SALLE. 


59 


his  voyage  along  Lake  Micliigau  in  birch  canoes, 
and  after  protracted  suffering  from  famine  and 
exposure  reached  its  southern  extremity  on  the 
eigliteenth  of  October.* 

He  h^d  his  followers  to  the  hanks  of  the  river 
now  called  the  St.  Jose})li.  Here,  again,  he  built 
a  fort  ;  and  here,  in  after  years,  the  Jesuits  placed 
a  mission  and  the  governtnent  a  garrison.  Thence 
he  pushed  on  into  the  unkno\m  region  of  the  Illi- 
nois ;  and  now  dangers  and  dilHciilties  began  to 
thicken  about  him.  Indians  threatened  hostility  ; 
his  men  lost  heart,  clamored,  grew  mutinous,  and 
repeatedly  deserted;  and  worse  than  all,  nothing 
was  heard  of  the  vessel  which  had  been  sent  back 
to  Canada  for  necessary  sup})lies.  Weeks  wore  on, 
and  doubt  ripened  into  certainty.  She  had  foun- 
dered among  the  storms  of  these  wilderness  oceans  ; 
and  her  loss  seemed  to  involve  the  ruin  of  the 
enterprise,  since  it  was  vain  to  proceed  farther 
without  the  expected  sup})lies.  In  this  disastrous 
crisis,  La  Salle  embraced  a  resolution  character- 
istic of  his  intre[)id  temper.  Leaving  his  men  in 
charge  of  a  subordinate  at  a  fort  which  he  had 
built  on  the  river  Illinois,  he  turned  his  face 
again  towards  Canada.  He  traversed  on  foot  more 
than  a  thousand  miles  of  frozen  forest,  crossing 
rivers,  toiling  through  snow-drifts,  wading  ice- 
encumbered  swamps,  sustaining  life  by  the  fruits  of 
the  chase,  and  threatened  day  and  night  by  lurking 
enemies.  He  gained  his  (h^stination,  but  it  was 
only  to  encounter  a  fresh  storm  of  calamities.  His 
enemies  had  been  busy  in  his  absence  ;  a  malicious 

'  Ik'niiei)Ln,  New  Di^mvery,  98  ^Loii'l.  liVJif-} 


60 


FIJAXCK   AND    K\(iI,A\I»    I\    AMKIMCA       II.;82-16S4 


report  had    <rimo   aljniad    tliat    lio    was   dc^ad  ;    li 
croditors  had  scM'zod  his  propcM-fy  ;  and  Ihc  st 


IS 


wU'uh  lie  most  r(>li(>(I  had  h 


HMi  wr{>('k(Ml   at 


hist 


aiiioii^^   llio    rapids  of  lh(>  St.  LawnM 


ICC 


lio  hatthMl 


against  advcM'sitv  ^^ilh  Ins  wonted 


ores  on 
s(\i.   or 
Still 
viiror. 


and  in  Connt  l^'ront 


cnac.  Iho  n-ovcM'nor  of  Ihc  ])rov- 


m 


ee, — a.  spirit  Kindred  to  his  own.  —  ho   found 


firm  fri(Mid.      Viycvy  diincnlty  nave  wav  holoro  1 
and  with  frc^sh  supplies  of  miMi,  st 


lun 


ores,   and   ;un!nn 


1 


iiition,  h( 


iharked  for  tlu^  Illi 


1^ 


I- 


i,  ne  a^-ain  eniDarKeo  lor  ru(^  iiiuiois.  itounc 
ini;:  the  vast  eirenit  of  the  lak(>s.  lu^  reacluMl  the 
month  of  the  St.  Joseph,  and  hastened  with  anxious 
^])vcd  to  the  fort  where  he  had  left  his  f(dlowers. 
The  place  was  empty.  Not  a  man  remained. 
Terrified,  dc^pondiMit.  mutinous,  and  emhroilcMJ  in 
Indian  wars,  they  had  lied  to  seek  i)ea('0  and 
safety,  he   knew   not  whither. 

Once  more  the  dauntless  discoverer  turned  hack 
towards  Canada.  Once  morc^  he  stood  heforc  Count 
rront(Miac.  and  once  more  hent  all  his  resources 
and  all  his  cnvlit  to  j^'ain  nuMiis  for  the  prosecution 
of  his  enter[)rise.  lie  sncceeded.  With  his  little 
flotilla  of  canoes,  he  left  his  fort,  at  the  ontlet  of 
liako  Ontario,  and  slowly  retraced  those  intermi- 
nahle  waters,  and  lines  of  forest-hounded  shore, 
which  had  grown  drearily  fannliar  to  his  eyes.  Fate 
at  l(nii;th  seemed  tired  of  the  conflict  with  so  stuh- 
horn  an  adversary.  All  went  i)rosperonsly  with  the 
voya<j;-ers.  They  ])assed  the  lakes  in  safety,  crossed 
ilu'  rouL-h  portao-e  to  the  waters  of  the  Illinois,  fol- 
lowed its  winding  channel,  and  descendc'd  the  turbid 
eddies  of  the  Mississijipi,  received  with  varions  wel- 
come by  the  scattered  tribes  who  dwelt  alonf^  its 


I 


n 


1684-1751.1 


LOUISLVAA. 


61 


bunks.  Now  tlie  walcrs  grew  l)it((n*  to  the  taste  ; 
now  tlic  tr;inij)lin^  of  the  surf  was  IumhI  ;  and  now 
the  hroiid  ocean  ()[)ene(l  upon  their  sijLjht,  and  their 
^oal  was  won.  On  liie  ninth  of"  April,  IGS'i,  witli 
his  ioUowers  under  aims,  amid  the  hrinj^  of  mus- 
ketry, tin-  chantin*^-  of  tin;  7c  Dcani,  and  shouts 
of''\'iv(;  hM()i,"Jia  Salle  look  lorniid  possession 
of  the  vast  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  in  the  nanu;  of 
Louis  the  (jlicat,  Kin^  of  I'rance  and  Navurre.' 

The  iirst  stage  of  his  enterprise  wiis  ucconi 
plish(>d,  hut  hihors  no  less  aiduous  iciuHined  behind. 
Kepairini^  to  the  cotut  of  France,  \\v  was  welcomed 
with  richly  merited  faxor,  and  soon  set  sail  for 
the  mouth  of  the  iMississij)pi,  with  a  s([uadron 
of  vessels  freighted  with  men  and  material  for 
the  projected  colony.  But  the  folly  and  obstinacy 
of  a  jealous  naval  commander  blighted  his  fairest 
hopes.  The  s([uadron  missed  the  mouth  of  the 
river;  and  the  wr(H  k  of  one  of  the  vessels,  and  the 
desertion  of  the  con  tnander,  com{)leted  tlu;  ruin  of 
the  ex[)edition.  J^a  S.dle  landed  with  a  band  of  half- 
famished  folhjwers  on  the  coast  of  'I'exas  ;  and, 
while  he  was  toiling  with  untired  eneigy  for  their 
relief,  a  few  vindictive  miscreants  conspired  against 
him,  and  a  shot  from  a  traitor's  nnisket  closed  the 
career  of  the  iron-hearted  discoverer. 

Tt  w;is  lei't  with  another  to  complete  the  enter- 
prise on  which  he  had  staked  his  lite  ;  and,  in  the 
year  1()1)(\  Lemoine  d'lberAille  planted  the  germ 
whence  sprang  the  colony  of  Louisiana.'^ 


1  Pi'iii  ,  \'/ilf'l,  in  aiipc'iidix  to  S)iail<?,'.s  f.a  S/il/i , 

2  Du  I  ratz,  lltst.  /Muixiuna,  6.     C'liarluvoix,  II.  259, 


I 
^1 


62 


FHANCK  AND   F.Nia.AND   IX   A.MKKKA,     |I7:!()  1751. 


^  (\irs  |);iss(m1  on.  In  spite  of  a  vicious  |)l;m  of 
p:ovrriini(>nt,  in  spile  off  lie  hurstini;-  o;' tlw' memora- 
ble Mississippi  l)uhl)le.llie  new  colony  i^rew  in  xNcallh 
and  slren^lli.  And  now  it  remained  lor  I'Vance  to 
unite  (he  two  e\tr(Mnities  of  her  broad  American  do- 
main, to  (>\t(Mi(l  (b.'ts  and  s(>ttlem(Mits  acros's  the  ferlilc 
solitud(>s  h(>twe(»n  tin  \all(>y  of  the  St.  I>awrenc(>  and 
the  mouth  oi'  the  Mississipjii,  and  intr(>nch  herself 
amoni;-  tin*  forests  which  lie  W(vst  of  th(>  Alh^j^ha- 
nies.  l)(>fore  the  sw(dlini;'  tide  of  I)ritish  coloni/ation 
could  oviuilow  those  mountain  barrier's.  At  the 
middle  of  the  eii;hteeiith  c(Mitury,  lu^r  «;reat  ])ro)(>ct 
Avas  fast  achaminL:;  towards  completion.  'I'h(>  lakes 
Jind  streams,  the  thorouL>hiares  oi'  the  w  ilderiu^ss, 
weri^  s(M/ed  and  ^^uarded  1)\  a  seiies  of  ])osts  dis- 
tributed with  admirabU*  skill.  A  fort  on  th(^  strait 
of  Niagara  commanded  the  j^reat  entrance  to  the 
whole  interior  country.  Another  at  Detroit  con- 
trolhnl  the  jiassai^je  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  north. 
Another  at  St.  Mary's  debarred  all  hostile  access  to 
Lake  Sni)erior.  Another  at  Michillimackinac 
secured  the  mouth  of  Lake  Michij^an.  A  post  at 
Green  Bay.  and  one  at  St.  Joseph,  guarded  the 
two  routes  to  the  Mississip[)i,  by  way  of  the  riv(>rs 
Wisconsin  and  Illinois;  while  two  [josts  on  the 
"Wabash,  and  one  on  the  Maumee,  made  Fra.ncc 
the  mist^ress  of  the  i»-reat  tradinj^  lii^-hway  from 
Lake  Krie  to  the  Ohio.  At  Kaskaskiu,  Cahokia, 
and  elsewluMV  in  tlu^  Illinois,  little  French  settle- 
ments '\.(1  sprung!:  U]) ;  and  as  the  canoe  of  the 
voyager  ues-ierided  the  Mississi})[)i.  he  saw,  at  rare 
inter\als.  aloi.j-   its  swampy   nnirij;in,  a  few  small 


i 


i7;;(>-i7-)i.|     TiiKUi  ArnioAciiiNi;  collision. 


03 


stockiulc  fo'-N.  li;iir  l)iiri('(l  ;mii(l  tlir  ](Mlini(l;iiK'y  of 
forest  vc^cfut  ion.  until.  ;is  he  ;i])])1'o;ic1h'(1  Xatcin'Z, 
tli(Ml\\('lliii^s  ol"  \\iv  hdhlfaits  of  liOuisiium  l)(><^iin 
to  }ij)|(o;ii'. 

'lilt'  forest  posts  of  I'Vaiicc  were  not  cxrlusivcly 
of  ;i  iiiilitiiry  cluinictcr.  .\'lja((Mit  to  most  of  tlicm, 
one  would  li;(\c  found  a  little  fliistci-  of  Canadian 
du(dlini;-s,  whose  tenants  lived  under  the  pioteetioii 
of  the  <^arrisou.  and  oheyed  the  arhitrar\  will  of 
the  conunandant  ;  an  authority  whieh,  however, 
\vas  seldom  ''xerted  in  a  (les|)otie  snirit.  In  thes(> 
detached  settlements,  there  was  no  j)rinei])l(!  of 
inn-eas(>.  The  eharaetei"  of  the  ])(•()[)](■,  and  of 
the  <;ov(>rnnient  which  ruled  them,  were  alike 
unfa\(>ral)le  to  it.  A^ricnlture  was  nc'^le'tcul  for 
the  more  coni;(Mual  pursuits  of  th(>  fur-trade,  and 
the  re.>iless,  rovinu;  Canadians,  scattered  ahroad  on 
their  wild  vocation,  allied  themselves  to  Indian 
Avomen.  and  tilled  the  woods  with  ;i  monj^a'el  race 
of  hnsh-ran^'ers. 

'I'hus  far  scM'ure  in  the  west,  France  next  essayed 
to  ^ain  foothold  upon  the  sources  of  the  Ohio;  and 
ahout  the  vear   174S,  the   satracions  Count  Ga'    -- 


onnierc*  [)r()pose( 


1  to  1 


)rinLr  over  ten   thonsanc 


d 


ants  from  France,  and  plant  them  in  the  valh  of 
that  heautiful  riv(>r,  and  on  the  herders  of  the  hiA'js.^ 
But  while  at  Qnehec,  in  the  Castle  of  St.  '  "uis, 
soldiers  and  statesmen  were  revolving  schemes  like 
this,  the  slowly-moviui^  power  of  England  here  on 
with  silent  progress   from   the   east.     Already  the 


1  Smith,  Hist.  Canada,  I.  208. 


I 


64 


FKANCK   AND  KNGLVXl)  1a   AMKRK'A. 


[1754 


British  sottlcnicnts  wcvrc  creopiiiL?  aloiii;-  the  vulloy 
of  the  ]Mol);i\vk,  and  Jiscciuliiig  the  eastern  slopes 
of  the  AUeghaiiies.  Forests  crashing  to  tlie  axe, 
dark  spires  of  smoke  ascending  from  antiimnal  fires, 
were  hcrahls  of  tlie  advancing  host ;  and  wliik^,  on 
one  side  of  the  monntains,  Celeron  de  liienville  was 
burying  plates  of  lead,  engraved  with  the  arms  of 
France,  the  ])longhs  and  axes  of  Virginian  woods- 
men were  enforcing  a  surer  title  on  the  other.  The 
adverse  powers  were  drawing  near.  The  hour  of 
collision  Avas  at  hand. 


I 


CIIAPTEK    in. 

THE  FRKXCn,   THE    EXCI.ISII,   .WD    THE   INDIANS. 

The  French  rulonists  of  Canada  lield,  from  tlic 
bc^innini:;,  a  ])OcnViar  intimacy  of  relation  A\itli  tlio 
Indian  tril)es.  Witli  tlie  iMi^lish  colonists  it  was 
far  otherwise  ;  and  the  (htt"(M'cnrG  s]»rani4'  tVoni 
several  causes.  Tlie  fur-trade  was  the  lif  >  f  Ca.ii> 
ada  ;  agriculture  and  commerce  were  tiu^  ihi^^Hf 
sources  of  wealth  to  the  Bi'itish  ])rovinces.  'live 
llomish  zealots  of  Canada  l)uriied  tor  the  comer- 
sionof  tlie  heathen;  tlieir  In  retic  i-ivals  were  fired 
with  no  such  ardor.  And  tinally  while  the  am hi^ 
tion  of  France  i^rasped  at  empire  ^'^cv  the  farthest 
deserts  of  the  west,  the  steady  industry  of  the  hn^ 
lish  colonists  wa<  contented  to  cultivate  and  improve^ 
a  narrow  strip  of  seaboard.  'Thus  it  haj)pem*d  thij^t 
the  farmer  of  ^lassachusetts  and  the  Mimini;*ii 
planter  were  conversant  with  onh  a  few  b(.>inripriiiij;* 
tribes,  while  the  priests   and  emis-;aries   of  rr 

were  roaming  the  prairies  with  the  l)uffalo- 
Pawnees,  or  lodi>ini>'  hi   the  winter  cabio.^  of    ^f* 
Dahcotah  ;   and  swiuans  of  savaL>-(>>.  Avhose    .n      .    . 
names    were   strana-e   to    ]-ai<»'lish    earN.   (b^s^ceWeti 


66 


THE  i-ri:ncii,  knulish,  and  Indians. 


[IGO'J 


yearly  from  the  north,  to  hrins^  tlicir  beaver  and 
otter  -skins  to  the  market  of  ^lontreal. 

The  position  of  ('anada  invited  interconrse  with 
the  interior,  and  eniinentlv  favored  her  sell  mes  of 
eonnneree  and  pohey.  Tlie  river  St.-  I^awrenee, 
and  tlie  eliain  of  tlic  ii^reat  lakes,  opened  a  vast 
extent  of  inland  navigation;  while  their  trihnlary 
streams,  interloeking  with  the  branehes  of  the 
^lississippi,  afforded  reaVly  aeeess  to  that  mighty 
river.  ;nd  "ave  the  restless  vovacjer  free  ran<2:e 
over  half  th(^  continent.  lint  these  advantajj^es 
were  well  nigh  nentrali/ed.  Natnre  opened  the 
wav,  hnt  a  watchfnl  and  terrible  enemv  iznarded  the 
portal.  The  forests  sonth  of  Lake  Ontario  gave 
harborage  to  the  five  tribes  of  th(^  Troqnois,  impla- 
cable foes  of  Canada.  Thev  wavlaid  her  tradinu: 
parties,  rented  her  soldiers,  nnirdered  her  mission- 
aries, and  spread  havoc  and  woe  through  all  her 
settlements. 

It  was  an  evil  hour  for  Canada.  Avhen,  on  the 
twenty-eighth  of^  Ma},  KJOl),'  Samuel  de  Champlain, 
impelled  by  his  own  adventurous  spirit,  departed 
from  the  hamlet  of  Quebec  to  follow  a  war-party 
of  Algonquins  against  their  hated  enemy,  the  Iro- 
quois. Ascending  the  Sorel.  and  ])assing  the  rapids 
at  Chamblv,  lie  embarked  on  tlie  lake  which  betirs 
his  name,  and  witli  two  French  attendants,  steered 
southward,  with  his  savage  associates,  toward  the 
rocky  promontory  of  Ticonderoga.  Tlu>y  moved 
witli  all  the  prcn'aution  of  Indian  warfare  ;   when, 


I 


>  Champlain,  Vojaf/,s,  IPjh  ^l\\r\s   1082).     Charlevoix,  I.  142. 


I 
I 


1000-1700.] 


EXPEDITION   OF   CHA.Ml'LAIN. 


67 


Ids 

.rs 
'd 

lie 
d 


at  length,  ns  iii«;1)t  was  closing  in.  \\\v\  descrifMl  a 
band  of  the  Inx^nois  in  their  liirge  canors  of  (d?n 
hark  approaching  tlnoniili  the  gloom.  \\'ild  yells 
from  either  side  annonnccvl  the  mntnal  discovery. 
The  Troqnois  hastened  to  the  shore,  and  all  niglit 
long  the  forest  i-esoundcul  \yitli  their  discordant  nar- 
sonijrs  and  fierce  whooijs  of  defiance.  Dav  dawned, 
and  the  fight  hegan.  IJonnding  from  tree  to  tree, 
the  Iro(pn)is  j)ressed  forward  to  tlu^  attack  ;  hut 
when  C'hamplain  advanced  from  among  the  Algon- 
qnins,  and  stood  full  in  sight  before  tluMu,  witli  his 
strange  attire,  his  shining  breast[)late,  and  feature^- 
nnlike  their  own. —  when  they  saw  the  flash  of  hi.s 
arquebnse,  and  beheld  two  of  tluMr  chiefs  fall  dead, 
—  they  conld  not  contain  their  terror,  hnt  fled  for 
shelter  into  the  depths  of  the  wood.  The  Algon- 
qnins  pnrsncd,  slaying  many  in  the  Hight,  and  the 
victory  was  complete. 

Such  was  the  first  collision  between  the  white 
men  and  the  Iroqnois  ;  and  Cham])lain  flattered 
himself  that  tlie  latter  had  learned  for  the  future 
to  res[)ect  the  arms  of  France.  He  w'as  fatally 
deceived.  The  Iroqnois  recovered  from  their 
terrors,  but  they  never  forgave  the  injury  ;  and  yet 
it  would  be  nnjust  to  charge  n[)on  C'hamplain  th(> 
origin  of  the  desolating  wars  which  were  soon  to 
sconrge  the  colony.  The  Indians  of  Canada,  friends 
and  neighbors  of  the  French,  had  long  been  har- 
assed by  inroads  of  the  fierce  confederates,  and 
.under  any  circumstances  the  French  must  soon 
have  become  pra-ties  to  the  quarrel. 

Whatever    may   havc    been   its   origin,  the   war 


i 
I 


f,H 


Tin:  rK'F.xrn,  kxolisii,  and  inoiaxs.   [ituxt-noo, 


was    fruitful     of   niisory   tc    tlio    youthful    colony 
'I'ho   passes  were   i)eset   1)V   anil)uslie(l   war-parties 


The  routes  hetwceu  Quehec  and  Montreal  were 
watched  with  tiger-like  vi<j;ilauce.  lUoodthirsty 
warriors  prowled  ahout  tlie  outskirts  of  the  settle- 


ment? 


A 


/Xirani    an( 


airani 


tl 


le   nnsera 


hh 


])eo| 


»le, 


driven  within  tlie  pidisades  of  their  forts,  looked 
fortli  upon  wasted  harvests  and  hlazin^f  roofs.  The 
Island  of  Montreal  was  swept  with  tire  and   steel. 


The   fur-trad( 


lie  lur-tratie  was  niterrupted,  since  tor  niontlis 
to<j;ether  all  coinnuinication  was  cut  off  with  the 
friendly  trihes  of  the  west.  ALi'riculture  was 
cliecked  ;  the  fields  lay  fallow,  and  fre(pieiit  fam- 
ine was  the  necessary  result.'  The  iianie  of  the 
Iro(^uois  l)ecanie  a  hy-word  of  h()iT(n'  through  the 
colony,  and  to  the  sufferinir  CanacHans  thev  seenunl 
troops  of  incarnate  tiends.  Ivevolting  rites  and 
monstrous  sii]K'rstitions  were  imputed  to  them ; 
and,  among  the  rest,  it  was  curr(Mitly  l)elieved  that 
thev  cherished  the  custom  of  immolating  voung 
children,  hnrning  them,  and  drinking  the  ashes 
mix' d  with  Avater  to  increase  their  hravery.^  Yet 
the  wildest  imaginations  could  scarcely  exceed  the 
truth.  At  the  attack  of  Montre;d,  they  ])laccd 
infants  over  the  emhers,  and  forced  the  wretched 
mothers  to  turn  the  spit ;  ^  and  those  who  fell 
within  their  clutches  endured  torments  too  hideous 
i"or  description.  Their  ferocity  was  equalled  only 
by  their  courage  and  address. 


\ 


'  Vimont,  Colden,  Charlevoix,  passim. 

-  Vimoiit  seems  to  believe  tlie  story.  —  Rel.  de  la  X.  F.  1G40,  195 

•*  Charlevoix,  I.  o-i'J. 


1C'J<)-1T0<1 


F.xrr:DTTi<)X  or  i  rjoxTr.xAc. 


69 


i 


i 


At  intervals,  tlio  alfiictrd  colony  found  rosjiite 
from  its  suffcrini^s  ;  and,  thronnh  the  (efforts  of  t\n) 
Jesuits,  fair  !\opes  be^an  to  rise  of  propitiatini^ 
the  terrible  foe.  At  ono  time,  the  inHiieuce  of  the 
])riests  availed  so  fir.  that  under  their  auspices  ji 
l''ren('h  colony  was  fortncd  in  tlic  very  heart  of  the 
Irocpiois  country  ;  hut  the  settlers  were  soon  forced 
to  ii  prc(ipit;itt'  fliii'ht,  and  the  war  broke  out 
afresh.'  The  I'rench,  on  their  pait.  wore  not  idle  ; 
tliev  faced  their  assailants  with  characteristic  ^al- 
lantrv.  Courcelles,  Trac-y,  i)e  la  Harre.  and  J)e 
Nonvilh^  invaded  by  turns,  witii  ^■arious  success, 
the  forest  haunts  of  the  confedcrutes  ;  and  at 
length,  in  the  vear  1(51)0.  the  veteran  Count  Vron- 
tenac  marched  upon  tluMr  cantons  with  all  the 
force  of  Canada.  Stemmiufj;  the  suri^es  of  La  Chine, 
<i^lidin<^'  throui^h  the  romantic  channels  of  the 
'J'housand  Islands,  and  over  the  uliinmering  surface 
of  Lake  Ontario,  and  trailing-  in  long  array  up  the 
current  of  the  Oswego,  thev  disendjarked  on  the 
marii'in  of  the  T^ake  of  Ononda^ii ;  and,  startliuij: 
the  woodland  echoes  with  the  clanij^or  of  their 
trnm])ets,  m-ged  their  march  throuij^h  tlie  mazes  of 
the  forest.      Never  had    those  solitudes  beheld  so 


strange  a  pageantry 


The  Indian  allies,  naked  to 


the  waist  and  horribly  painted,  adorned  with 
streaming  scalp-locks  and  liuttering  plumes,  stole 
crouching  among  the  thickets,  or  peered  with 
Ivnx-eved  vision  through  the  labvrinths  of  foliafje. 
Scouts  and  forest-rangers  scoured  the  woods  in 
front  and  flank   of  the   marching   cohunns  —  men 

1  A.  D.  lOOi-l'.jOS,  —  Doc.  II, St.  ^.  Y.  I.  47. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.8 


1.25      1.4 

1.6 

< 6"     — 

► 

p^. 


^ 


/}. 


y 


A 


/A 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


<^ 


^ 


^ 


O 


% 


V 


6^ 


?Q 


^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  873-4503 


^^# 


4ro 


W^ 


Ua 


\U 


:( 


If 

fi- 


ll; 


i  : 


M 


^1 


70. 


THE  FHEN'Cll,   ENGLISH,  AND  INDIANS.     [lO'JG-lTOO. 


trained  anioiiL^  the  har(lsln|).s  of  the  fur-trade,  thin, 
sinewy,  and  stronij:,  arr.ived  in  wild  eostuinc  of 
bead(>d  nioccason,  searlet  lejj^gin,  <ind  frock  of  buck- 
skin, fantastically  garnished  with  many-colored 
embroidery  of  porcupine.  Then  came  the  levies 
of  the  colony,  in  gray  capotes  and  gaudy  sashes, 
and  tlie  trained  battalions  from  old  France  in 
cuirass  and  head-piece,  veterans  of  European  wars. 
Plumed  cavaliers  were  there,  who  had  followed 
the  standards  of  Conde  or  Turenne,  and  who,  even 
in  the  de])ths  of  a  wilderness,  scorned  to  lay  aside 
the  martial  foppery  which  bedecked  the  camp  and 
court  of  Louis  the  Magnificent.  The  stern  com- 
mander was  borne  along  upon  a  litter  in  the  midst, 
his  locks  bleached  with  years,  but  his  eye  kindling 
with  the  (pienchless  tire  which,  like  a  furnace, 
burned  hottest  when  its  fuel  was  almost  spent. 
Thus,  beneath  the  sepulchral  arches  of  the  forest, 
through  tangled  thickets,  and  over  prostrate  trunks, 
the  "aged  nobleman  advanced  to  wreak  his  ven- 
geance upon  empty  wigwams  and  deserted  maize- 
lields.^ 

Even  the  fierce  courage  of  the  Troquois  began  to 
quail  before  these  re[)eated  attac/is,  while  the  grad- 
ual growth  of  the  colony,  and  the  arrival  of  troops 
from  France,  at  length  convinced  them  that  they 
could  not  destroy  Canada.  AVith  the  opening  of 
the  eighteenth  century,  their  rancor  showeel  signs 
of  abatinu; ;  and  in  the  year  17'2().  by  dint  of  skil- 
ful  intrigue,  the  French  succeeded  in  establishing 
a  permanent  military  post  at  the  important  pass  of 

i  OHiciul  PaptTs  of  the  Expedition.  —Doc.  IJi:,t.  N.  Y.  I.  323. 


;  01)- 1 740.1 


TUIUMPIIS    OF   THE   FKKNCII. 


71 


M;iii:iira,    witliiu    the    limits    of    the    confederacy.* 
Meanwhile,  in   spite  of  every  ohstacle,  the   power 
of  France  had  rapidly  extended   its  honndaries  in 
tlie  west.     French  intlnence  diffnsed  itself  thronu:!! 
a  thonsand  channels,  among  distant  trihes,  hostile, 
for   the   most  part,   to   the   domineering-    Iroqnois. 
Forts,  mission-honses,  and   armed    trading  stations 
S(^cnred  the  principal   passes.     Traders,   and  cou- 
reurs  de  hols  pushed  tlieir  adventnrons  traffic  into 
the  wildest  deserts  ;  and  French  gnns  and  hatchets. 
Frencli     beads     and     cloth,    French    tobacco    and 
brandy,  were   known  from  where  the  stnntcd  Fs- 
(piimanx   bnrrowed   in  their  snow  cayes,  to  where 
the  Camanches  sconred  the  plains  of  the  south  with 
their  banditti  cayalry.      Still  this  far-extended  com- 
merce  continued  to  advance  westward.      In   17:^S, 
La   Verandye    essayed   to   reach   those    mysterious 
mountains  which,  as   the   Indiiins   alleged,  lay  be- 
yond the  arid  deserts  of  the  ^Missouri  and  the  Sas- 
katchawan.    Indian  hostility  defeated  his  enterprise, 
but  not    before  he   luid   struck  far  out  into  tliese 
unknown  wilds,  and  formed  a  line  of  trading  posts, 
one  of  which.  Fort  de  la  Heine,  was   planted   on 
the  Assinniboin,  a  hundred  leagues  beyond  Lake 
Winnipeg.     At  that  early  period,  France  left  her. 
footsteps  upon  the  dreary  wastes  which  ey(>n  now 
have    no   other  tenants   than    the    hidian    buffulo- 
hunter  or  the  roving  trapper. 

The  fur-trade  of  the  luiglish  colonists  op[)osed 
but  feeble  rivalry  to  that  of  their  hereditary  foes. 
At  an  early  j)eriod.  favored  by  the  friendship  of 

1  Due.  Hist.  X.  Y.  I.  44G. 


72 


Tin-:   FinCNClI,   KNGLISII,  AND   INDIANS.     1 1087-1750. 


1 


tlic  Iroquois,  they  attempted  to  open  a  traffic  with 
the  .\lg'()ii([uin  tribes  of  the  great  lak(>s  ;  and  in 
tlic  vc>ar  1()S7.  ^Fajor  M((irc><><)rv  ascended  with  a 
boat  load  of  goods  to  Lake  Huron,  wliere  his 
a])pearance  excited  great  commotion,  and  where 
lie  was  sei/ed  and  imprisoned  by  the  rrencli.^ 
I'roin  this  time  forward,  the  lliiglish  fur-trade  lan- 
guished, until  tlie  year  \1'2').  when  Govcrn^^i 
Ihiniet,  of  New  York,  estal)lished  a  post  on  Lake 
Ontario,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Oswego ; 
whither,  lured  by  tlie  chea[)ness  and  excellence 
of  the  English  goods,  crowds  of  savages  soon  con- 
gregated from  every  side,  to  the  unspeakable 
annoyance  of  the  French.-  Meanwhile,  a  consid- 
erable commerce  was  s[)ringing  up  with  the  Cher- 
okees  and  other  tribes  of  the  south  ;  and  during 
the  first  half  of  the  century,  the  })e()ple  of  IVnn- 
sylvania  began  to  cross  the  Alleghanies,  and  carry 
on  a  lucrative  trafHc  with  the  tribes  of  the  Ohio. 
In  1749,  La  Joiupiiere,  the  Governor  of  Canada, 
learned,  to  his  great  indignation,  that  several 
English  traders  had  reached  Sandusky,  and  were 
exerting  a  bad  intiuence  upon  the  Indians  of  that 
quarter ;  ^  and  two  years  later,  he  caused  four  of 
the  intruders  to  be  seized  near  the  Ohio,  and  sent 
prisoners  to  Canada.** 

These  earlv  efforts  of  the  English,  considerahle 
as  they  were,  can  ill  bear  comparison  with  the 
vast  extent  of  the  French  interior  commerce.     In 

1  Lii  Iloiitan,  1  oya^/cs,  I.  74.     Golden,  Mainoriat  on  the  Fur-Trade. 

■^  Dor.  Hist.  X.  y.l.  444. 

8  Smitli,  Ifist.  Cawuhi,  I.  214. 

«  Prt'cis  cks  Fails,  «'J. 


I62i>-17o0.|     Till-;   KXliLlSlI    AND    TlIK  IlIOQUOIS. 


73 


respect  also  to  missionary  enterprise,  and  the  polit- 
ical iiitluence  resultini;;  from  it,  the  French  had 
every  advanta<];e  over  rivals  whose  zeal  for  conver- 
sion was  neither  kindled  hy  fanaticism  nor  fostered 
hv  an  amhitions  i'-overnment.  Kliot  lahored  within 
call  of  Uoston,  while  the  heroic  Ih'ebenf  faced  the 
ghastly  perils  of  the  western  wilderness  ;  and  tlie 
wanderinu^s  of  Brainerd  sink  into  insi<»nilicance 
compared  with  those  of  the  devotefl  Ivasles.  Yet, 
in  jndging  the  relative  merits  of  the  Komish  and 
Protestant  missionaries,  it  mnst  not  he  forgotten 
that  while  the  former  contented  tliemselves  with 
sprinkling  a  few  drops  of  water  on  the  forehead 
of  the  proselyte,  the  latter  songht  to  wean  him 
from  his  barbarism  and  penetrate  his  savage  heart 
with  the  trntlis  of  Christianity. 

In  respect,  also,  to  direct  political  infinence,  the 
advantage  was  wholly  on  the  side  of  France.  The 
English  colonies,  broken  into  separate  governments, 
were  incapable  of  exercising  a  vigorons  and  consist- 
ent Indian  policy  ;  and  tlie  measnres  of  one  gov- 
ernment often  clashed  with  those  of  another.  Even 
in  the  se[)arate  provinces,  the  popnlar  natnre  of 
the  constitntion  and  the  qnarrels  of  governors  and 
assemblies  were  unfavorable  to  efficient  action  ;  and 
this  was  more  especially  the  case  in  the  province 
of  Xew  York,  where  the  vicinity  of  the  Irocpiois 
renden^d  strennons  yet  prudent  measures  of  the 
utmost  importance.  Tlie  powerful  confederates, 
hating  the  French  with  bitter  enmity,  naturally 
inclined  to  the  English  alliance  ;  and  a  proper  treat- 
ment would  have  secnred  their  firm   and    lastiu": 


I 


Ill 


;i 


7i 


THi;   riJKNClI,   KNl.LlSlI,  AM)   INDIANS.     [lf,-J5-1750. 


fVicndsliip.  15ut,  at  tlio  rarly  jxTiods  of  her  liistory, 
the  assembly  of  New  Yoi'k  was  made  up  in  great 
measure  of  narrow-minded  men,  more  eager  to 
consult  tluMr  own  jx'tty  int(M('sts  than  to  pursue 
any  far-siglited  selienu)  of  public  welfare.'  Other 
causes  coui^pired  to  injure  the  liritish  interest  in 
this  (piarter.  The  annual  present  sent  from  Kng- 
land  to  the  Iroquois  was  often  embezzled  by  corrupt 
governors  or  their  favorites.-  The  proud  chi(^fs 
w(U'e  disgusted  by  the  cold  and  haughty  bearing  of 
the  iMiglish  ofHcials,  and  a  pernicious  custom  pre- 
vailed of  conducting  Indian  negotiations  through 
the  medium  of  the  fur-traders,  a  class  of  men  held 
in  c(mtempt  by  the  Irocpiois,  and  known  among 
them  bv  the  significant  title  of  "  rum  carriers."^ 
In  short,  through  all  the  counsels  of  the  province 
Indian  affairs  were  grossly  and  madly  neglected.'* 

With  more  or  less  en.'phasis,  the  same  remark 
holds  true  of  all  the  other  English  colonics.^    With 

1  Smitli,  Ifist.  X.  Y.  /)(/,s's///j. 

2  Her.  MilitiVfi  Oinrations,  .!/<»*•«.  [list.  Cull.  1st  Series,  VII.  67. 

3  Colilon,  Jllst.  Fire  Xat.  IGl. 

*  MS.  Papers  of  Cadwallader  Cohlen.  MS.  Papers  of  Sir  William 
Johnson. 

"  Wo  find  tlie  Iiuliaiis,  as  far  back  as  the  very  confused  manuscript 
records  in  my  possession,  repeatedly  upbraiding  tiiis  province  for  tlieir 
negligence,  tlieir  avarice,  and  their  want  of  assisting  tliem  at  a  time  when 
it  was  certainly  in  their  power  to  destroy  the  infant  colony  of  Canaila, 
although  supported  by  many  nations;  and  this  is  likewise  confessed  by 
the  writings  of  the  managers  of  these  times."  —  MS.  Letter  —  Johnson  to 
the  Board  of  Trade,  May  '2A,  1765. 

5  "  1  apprehend  it  will  clearly  api^ear  to  you,  that  the  cohmies  had  all 
along  neglected  to  cultivate  a  proper  imderstanding  with  the  Indians, 
and  from  a  mistaken  notion  have  greatly  despised  them,  without  consider- 
ing that  it  is  in  their  power  to  lay  waste  and  destroy  the  frontiers.  This 
ojiinion  arose  from  om*  confidence  in  our  scattered  numbers,  anil  the  par- 
simony of  our  pet)ple,  who,  from  an  error  in  politics,  would  not  expend 
five  pounds  to  save  twenty."  —  MS.  Letter — Johnson  to  the  Board  of  Trade, 
Xo('i  iiilnr  13,  1703. 


16'Ji>-1750.] 


POLICY   OF   Tin:   I'UKNCII. 


75 


im 


all 


tliose  of  Franco,  it  was  far  othorwiso  ;  and  this 
diflcroncc  hotwcon  tho  rival  powers  was  naturally 
incident  to  their  different  forms  of  <^overninent,  and 
different  conditions  of  development.  l"'rance  lahored 
with  ea<jfer  dili^jjence  to  conciliate  the  Indians  and 
win  them  to  espouse  her  cause.  Her  agents  were 
husy  in  every  ^•illa^•e,  studyinj^  tiie  hini^uaj^e  of  the 
inmates,  complying  with  their  usa^^cs,  ilatteriin;- 
their  prejudices,  caressini^  them,  cajoling"  theiu,  and 
whispering  friendly  warnings  in  their  ears  against 
the  wicked  designs  of  the  I'lnglish.  Wheii  a  ])arty 
of  Indian  chiefs  visited  a  French  fort,  they  were 
greeted  with  the  firing  of  cannon  and  rolling  of 
drums ;  they  were  regaled  at  the  tahles  of  the 
officers,  and  hrihed  with  medals  and  decorations, 
scarlet  uniforms  and  French  flags.  Far  wiser  than 
their  rivals,  the  Frencli  nt^ver  rufHed  the  self-com- 
])lacent  dignity  of  their  guests,  never  insulted  their 
religious  notions,  nor  ridiculed  their  ancient  cus- 
toms. Tliev  met  the  savajje  half  wav,  and  showed 
an  ahundant  readiness  to  mould  their  own  features 
after  his  likeness.'  Count  Frontenac  himself 
plumed  and  painted  like  an  Indian  chief,  danced 
the  war-dance  and  yelled  the  war-song  at  the  camp 
fires  of  his  delighted  allies.  It  would  have  heen 
well  had  the  French  heen  less  exact  in  their  imita- 
tions, for  at  times  they  co[)ied  their  model  with 
infamous  fidelitv,  and  fell  into  excesses  scarcelv  cred- 
ihle  but  for  the  concurrent  testimony  of  their  own 
writers.     Frontenac  caused  an  Irocpiois  prisoner  to 


'  Adair,  Post's  Joiinittls,  Croyhan's  Journal,  MSS.  of  Sir  \V.  Jolinsun, 
etc.,  etc. 


Till":  kim:ncii,  kxolisii,  and  Indians.    \if>2:>iibO 


■'i 


i 


I 


ll- 


id 


he  l)nnit  iilivo  to  strike  terror  into  liis  fountrynicn  ; 
and  riOiivi^MV,  French  connnandiuit  iit  Michilliiniic- 
kiniir,  in  1()1)5,  tortured  an  Iro<[uois  iunl)assiidor  to 
death,  tliat  lie  iniglit  hreak  off  a  nej^otiation  between 
that  peopU'  and  tlie  Wyan(k)ts.'  Nor  are  these 
tlie  only  well-attested  instances  of  such  execrable 
inhnnianitv.  But  if  the  French  were  auiltv  of 
these  cruelties  a^-ainst  their  Tndiiin  enemies,  they 
were  no  less  guilty  of  unworthy  compliance  with 
tlie  demands  of  their  Indian  friends,  in  cases  where 
Christianity  and  civilization  would  have  dictated  a 
prompt  refusal.  ]'iVen  Montcalm  stained  his  bright 
ntune  by  abandoning  the  haph^ss  defenders  of 
Oswego  and  William  Henry  to  the  tender  mercies 
of  an  Indian  mob. 

In  general,  however,  the  Indian  policy  of  the 
French  cannot  be  charged  with  obsequiousness. 
Complaisance  was  tempered  with  dignity.  At  an 
early  period,  they  discerned  the  peculiarities  of  the 
native  character,  and  clcarlv  saw  that  while  on 
the  one  hand  it  was  necessary  to  avoid  j'iviny: 
offence,  it  was  not  less  necessary  on  the  other  to 
assume  a  bold  demeanor  and  a  show  of  power ;  to 
caress  with  one  hand,  and  grasp  a  drawn  sword 
with  the  other. ^  Every  crime  a":ainst  a  Frenchman 
was  prom})tly  chastised  by  the  sharp  agency  of 
military  law  ;  while  amonii:  the  Eniijlish.  the  offender 

1  La  Hontiin.  T.  177.     Potherie,  Hist.  Am.  S,'i>t.  II.  298  (Paris,  1722). 

Those  tacts  atii)r(l  no  {rroiiiul  tor  national  leHeotions,  when  it  is  recol- 
lected that  wiiile  Iroquois  prisoners  were  tortured  in  tlie  wilds  of  Canada, 
Elizalietli  Gaunt  was  burned  to  dcatli  at  Tvhurn  for  yielding  to  the  dio 
tates  of  compassion,  and  jiiviiifj  shelter  to  a  political  offender. 

^  Le  Jeune,  liel.  de  la  N.  F.  1(330,  1".)3. 


i62r>-i7r,o.] 


AMALGAMATION. 


77 


lO 


could  only  be  rcacluMl  tliroii'^h  tlie  medium  of  the 
civil  courts,  whose  delays,  uncertiuuties  and  evasions 
excited  the  wonder  and  provoked  the  contennjt  of 
the  Indians. 

It  was  by  observance  of  the  course  indicated 
above,  that  the  French  were  enabled  to  maintain 
themselves  in  small  detached  posts,  far  alo»)f  from 
the  parent  colony,  and  environed  by  barbarous 
tribes  where  an  Kui^lish  garrison  would  have  been 
cut  off  in  ti  twelvemonth.  They  professed  to  hold 
these  posts,  not  in  their  own  right,  but  purely 
through  the  grace  and  condescension  of  the  sur- 
rounding savages  ;  and  by  this  conciliating  assurance 
they  sought  to  make  good  their  position,  until,  with 
their  growing  strength,  conciliation  should  no  more 
be  needed. 

In  its  efforts  to  win  the  friendship  and  alliance 
of  the  Indian  tribes,  the  French  government  found 
every  advantage  in  the  peculiar  character  of  its 
subjects  —  that  pliant  and  plastic  temper  which 
forms  so  marked  a  contrast  to  the  stubborn  sjjirit 
of  the  Englishman.  From  the  beginning,  the 
French  showed  a  tendency  to  amalgamate  with  the 
forest  tribes.  "  The  manners  of  the  savages," 
writes  the  Baron  La  Iloutan,  "  are  perfectly  agree- 
able to  mv  i)alate  ;  "  and  manv  a  restless  adventurer 
of  high  or  low  degree  might  have  echoed  the  words 
of  the  erratic  soldier.  At  first,  great  hopes  were 
entertained  that,  by  the  mingling  of  French  and 
Indians,  the  latter  would  be  won  over  to  civilization 
and  tlie  church  ;  but  the  effect  was  })recisely  the 
reverse ;  for,  as   Charlevoix  observes,   the  savages 


7S  THK   FIJKNCII.    KNGLISII,   AND   INDIANS.     [lOilVlTCO. 

(lid  not  l)(^ronie  I'lTucli.  but  tlio  Frencli  became 
savajj^cs.  I  [mulreds  l)rtook  thornsclvos  to  tbc  forest, 
never  more  to  return.  Tbese  outfiowings  of  French 
civilization  were  merged  in  the  waste  of  barbarism, 
as  a  river  is  lost  in  the  sands  of  the  desert.  The 
wandering  Frenchman  chose  a  wife  or  a  concu- 
bine among  liis  Indian  friends;  and,  in  a  few 
generations,  scarcely  a  tribe  of  tlie  west  was  free 
from  nn  infusion  of  Celtic  blood.  The  French 
empire  in  America  could  exhibit  among  its  subjects 
cverv  shade  of  color  from  white  to  red.  everv  fxrn- 
dation  of  culture  from  the  biii-hest  civilization  of 
Paris  to  tlie  rudest  barbarism  of  the  wigwam. 

'J' he  fur-trade  engendered  a  peculiar  class  of 
men,  known  by  the  aj)propriatc  name  of  bush- 
rangers, or  cofO'curs  do  hoi.^,  lialf-civilized  vagrants, 
whose  chief  vocation  was  conducting  the  canoes  of 
the  traders  along  tlie  lakes  and  rivers  of  the  interior  ; 
manv  of  them,  however,  shakini?  loose  every  tie  of 
blood  and  kindred,  identified  themselves  with  the 
Tndinns,  and  sank  into  utter  barbarism.  In  many 
a  squalid  camp  among  the  plains  and  forests  of 
the  west,  the  traveller  would  have  encountered 
men  owning  the  blood  and  speaking  the  language 
of  France,  yet,  in  their  swarthy  visages  and  bar- 
barous costume,  scemincr  more  akin  to  those  with 
whom  they  had  cast  their  lot.  The  renegade  of 
civilization  caught  the  habits  and  imbibed  the  pre- 
judices of  his  chosen  associates.  He  loved  to 
decorate  his  long  hair  with  eagle  feathers,  to  make 
his  face  hideous  with  vermilion,  ochre,  and  soot, 
and  to  adorn  his  greasy  hunting  frock  with  horse 


lfi2.V17oO.] 


KN(>I.ISII    ITK-THADKUS. 


if) 


of 


hiiir  fiin«;rs.  His  (l\\('lliii<j^,  if  lie  liiul  ono,  n'ns  a 
U'i«j;wani.  IIo  loim^j^cd  on  a  boar-skin  wliilo  his 
s(inaw  l)()il((l  liis  venison  and  lighted  Ids  \n\n\  Tn 
hnntin;^;,  in  dancinjj^.  in  sin';in«»-,  in  tal\in«i;  a  scalp, 
he  rivalled  the  gennine  Indian.  His  nnnd  was 
tine  tnred  with  the  snjjerstitions  of  the  forest,  lie 
had  faitli  in  the  nia«;ic  drnin  of  th(^  ronjnror ;  he 
was  not  snre  that  u  thnnder  clond  ronld  not  he 
frightened  awav  hv  whistlinii*  at  it  throni^h  th(^  wini; 
hone  of  an  ea^le  ;  he  carried  the  tail  of  a  rattle- 
snake in  his  bnllet  ])oncli  by  way  of  anndet  ;  and 
he  placed  implicit  trnst  in  his  dreams.  This  class 
of  men  is  not  yet  extinct.  In  the  cheerless  wilds 
beyond  the  northern  lakes,  or  among  the  nionntain 
solitndes  of  the  distant  west,  they  may  still  be 
fonnd,  nnchnnged  in  life  and  clniracter  since  the 
dav  when  l<onis  the  Great  claimed  soverei^jntv  over 
this  desert  empire. 

The  borders  of  the  English  colonies  dis])liiyed 
no  snch  phenomena  of  mingling  races  ;  for  here  a 
thorny  and  impracticable  barrier  divided  the  white 
man  from  the  red.  The  English  fur-traders,  and 
the  rnde  men  in  their  employ,  showed  it  is  true 
an  ample  alacrity  to  fling  off  the  restraints  of  civil- 
ization ;  but  though  they  became  barbarijins,  they 
did  not  become  Indians  ;  and  scorn  on  the  one  side 
and  hatred  on  the  other  still  marked  the  intercourse 
of  the  hostile  races.  With  the  settlers  of  the 
fronttbr  it  wiis  m\ich  the  same,  llude,  fierce  and 
contemptuous,  they  daily  encroached  upon  the 
hunting-grounds  of  the  Indians,  and  then  paid  them 
for  the  injury  with  curses  and   threats.     Thus  the 


J 


so 


nil",  KKI'.NCII.    KNt.l.lSlI,   AM)    INDIANS.     [liVj:,  17:,(». 


w 


1 


I 


u;iti\('  |)()|>iiliiti()n  slnank  back  iVom  Ix-lorc  «),(•  I'n^- 
lisli.  as  iVom  Ix'f'oic  m  advaiu  iiii,'  iM-slilciicc  ;  Nvliilc, 
vn  fh«'  oilier  liaiul.  in  ihc  \v\\  lirarl  of  Canada. 
Indian  ((tininnnitics  s|trani^  np,  <  lirrislicd  hy  the 
UMi\  (MiiMitMit.  and  laNorcMl  l»v  llic  ('asv-((>ni|K'n'd 
l)«M>j)l('.  Al  l.orcttt'.at  ( 'ani^lmanai^a,  al  St.  I''ian- 
lis.  and  cNcu  Ium(*  \\itlnn  thr  jtroxincc,  lari^c  bands 
were  LjatluMcd  loi^cllicr,  consist  ini;  in  j)arl  of  liiii^i- 
tivcs  iVoin  tlic  borders  of  tlic  bated  I'ni^bsli.  and 
:ii(Hnij  in  time  ot'  war  to  swell  tli(*  loices  of  tbi^ 
l''r(Micb  in  rep(\»ti»d  l\n-ays  ai^ainst  tbe  settlcnKMits 
of  NtMv  ^'o^k  and  \(MV  Mni^buul. 

Tbcri'  was  one  ol'  tin*  I'iHi^lisb  ])i()vin('(^s  inarkinl 
(^nt  i'voux  amonij;  tbo  rest  by  tlu^  pecnliar  cbaractcr 
o(  its  ionndcrs.  and  bv  tbo  conrse  of  coiKbict 
wliicb  was  tluM'c  pnrsnod  towards  tbe  Indian  tribes. 
A\  iliiani  Pcnn,  bis  mind  warmtMJ  witb  a  broad 
])bilantbro|»y,  and  (Mdij^btiMied  by  JilxM'al  views  of 
liuman  i^overnmcMit  aiul  buman  ri^bts.  planttMl  on 
tbc  banks  of  tbc  Dcdawaro  tbr  colony  wbicb.  vivi- 
liiul  by  tbo  |)rincii)lcs  it  oml)odicHb  ^row  into  tbe 
tjrcat  ronHnonwi\dtb  of  IVnnsvlvania.  1  Vim's 
treatment  oi'  tbo  hubans  was  ocpially  ])rnd(Mit  and 
bumano.  and  its  rosnlts  woro  of  Inijjb  ad \. intake 
to  tbo  colony  ;  bnt  tliose  vosnlts  havo  boon  oxag- 
*;oratod.  ami  tbo  troatmont  wbicb  produced  tbcni 
niado  tbo  tbomo  of  inordinate  praise.  It  required 
no  i^roat  benevolence  to  urge  tbe  Quakers  to  deal 
kindly  witb  tboir  savage  neigbbors.  Tbey  were 
bound  in  connnon  sense  to  propitiate  them  ;  since, 
bv  incurrin<'  tboir  resentment,  tbev  woukl  involve 
tbomsolvos  in  the  dilonnna  of  submitting  their  necks 


I«ijr.-I7."^).| 


iiii;  <>!Ai<i  i;s  .\M>  rill,  imuanm. 


HI 


(o  III"'  l<)m;ili;i\\  1\,  or  wirldiiii;  tlir  (Mniiil  Wf-apmi, 
ill  f^liiriiii;  (Idiaiicc  (tf  tlirir  ii;i(ili(  |iriii(T)>lrs.  In 
li;i\iiii;  the  Iiidiiiiis  for  IIm-  I;iii(Is  \\lii(li  liis  coln- 
lli>fs  ((((UiniMl.  —  ;i  j>ic(('  of  jlislicc  wliicli  Ii;is  liccll 
Lj;r('(tc(l  will  I  ;i  ^ciicr;!!  chiiiifir  of  ;i|i|>I;iu^«'.  —  Prim, 
;is  lir  liiiMscir  <(»Ml'rsscs.  ;i(  led  on  tlic  |iin(|(Mt  coim- 
scl  (»f  ( 'oiii])l<>ii.  Uislioii  nl'  I.oiidoii.'  \()V  is  lliri'c 
;m\  liiitli  ill  (lie  rr|ircsciit;ili(iiis  of"  l»;i\ii:il  ;iii(l 
((filer  ciilo^^isls  ol'  lln-  (^ii;d\('r  Icoisliifor,  who  hold 
him  u|)  to  IIk'  world  ;is  the  onI\  r",iii'o|»<';iii  \\li() 
t'Ncr  iKMjuircd  liidi:iii  hinds  hy  |iiir(li;is(',  instead  of 
sei/ini;"  them  hy  IVinid  or  \  iojence.  The  e\aiii|»h; 
of"  |Mirehase  had  heeii  set  fifty  years  hefoic  hy  th<! 
Puritans  of  New  lainland  ;  and  sexcral  of"  the  other 
colonies  liad  more  recently  pnrsned  the  same  just 
and  ])rndent  course.''' 

With  regard  to  tlu'  all<'!i;ed  results  of  the  pacific 
condnct  of  the  (^nak(M"s,  onr  admii-atioii  will  dimin- 
ish on  closelv  \ieuin;!4-  the  circumstances  of  tho 
case.  The  position  of  the  eolonv  was  a  most  for- 
tunate* one.  Had  th(>  (^iiakei  s  phmled  their  colony 
on  the  haul'--  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  or  amon^-  tho 
warlike  trih(>s  <\''  Xew  I'-nicland.  their  >hakin«^  of 
hands  and   as^  .nances  of  tender  re^'ai'd  wonld    not 


them 
uircd 
deal 
were 
since, 
Lvolve 
necks 


•  "I  have  exactly  followcil  the  Bisliop  of  Loiiildn's  coiiiisel,  liy  l)uy- 
inp,  ami  not  takiiiy;  away,  tin-  natives' land  "  —  /'inn's  L'tur  to  tin  Mln- 
istiij,  An:/.  11,  H;s:;.     .Sri-  ClialniiT's  /'ulit.  Ann.  Wi). 

'^  "  Ifatiy  nt' tilt'  silivam's  pri'lcnd  riuiit  of  iiilicritaticc  'diill  or  any  jjart 
of  tlie  lands  i^r.nited  in  mir  patent,  wi-  l)ray  ymi  ondt-avor  to  piircliase 
lln'ir  tylk',  tliai  wf  may  avoid  tin-  least  scrnple  of  intni.-ioii."  —  Instrnc- 
tmns  to  Kn<flr<it,  \i\2\l      See  Ila/aril,  S/alr  I'aj'rrs,  I.  '2C>?>. 

"  Tlie  inliai)itai!ts  ot'  \e\v  I'.n^land  had  never,  except  in  the  territory 
ot'the  I'lMHiods,  takt'U  p()>.-i-^:.ion  of  a  foot  of  land  vvitlionl  first  ohtainint,' 
a  title  from  the  Indians." —  Bancroft,  Hist.  U.  S.  II.  'Jb. 

6 


1(1 


1? 


S'J 


riii",  niiAcii.  i;N(iMsii,  and  Indians.   [ii>s2-i756. 


m 


loiiijj  liav(>  availed  to  sa\('  tluMii  froiu  tlio  visitations 
of  tlu*  scaljtiiii;' kiiilr.  Uut  tlic  Dclawarcs,  tlici 
]»('0|)li'  on  whose  (iMiihn)  tliev  had  setthnl,  were 
like  lluMHselNcs  (h'l)arred  the  hs(>  of  anus.  The 
li'o([uois  liad  <'oii([»i(M'ed  Hkmik  disarmed  tliein.  and 
forced  ihem  lo  a(h)|tt  the  oppiHjhrious  name  of 
H'onujt.  'Vho  InunhU^  I)(da\vares  were  l)ut  too 
liappv  to  nH(MV(>  thi'  hand  I'xtiMided  to  thiMn,  and 
dwell  in  fricMidsiiip  with  their  pacilie  ntMj^lihors  ; 
since  to  have  liftiul  the  hatchot  would  have  hron^ht 
u[)on  tluMr  heads  the  \(Mi<;'eance  of  their  coiuinerors, 
whose  i;i)od  will  I'enn  had  taken  pains  to  stu'ure." 

Tlu^  sons  of  IVnn.  his  succc^ssors  in  tln^  proj)rie- 
torship  of  the  j)roviuce.  did  not  evince  the  same 
kindly  feeliui;'  towards  the  Indians  which  had  dis- 
tinguished their  fatluM".  I''iarn(>st  to  acc^uiie  new 
kinds,  tlu^y  comnuMucMl  throui^h  tluMr  agents  a 
series  of  unjust  intMsures.  which  i;radually  aliim- 
ated  the  Indians,  and,  after  a  pc^ace  of  s(>venty 
years.  ]>rt)dnced  a  disastrous  rupture.  Tlu"  Quaki^r 
po[)ulaiion  of  the  colony  sympathized  in  the  kind- 
ness which  its  foundiu'  had  cherished  towards  the 
beniiihted  race.  This  feelinj;  wns  stren«^thened 
bv  M'ars  of  friendly  intercourse;  and  except  where 
pri\ate  interest  was  conccnnetL  the  ()uak(vrs  made 
iiooil  their  rinterated  professions  of  attaehnient. 
Kindness  to  the  Indian  was  the  i>lorv  of  their  sect. 
As  years  wiu'e  on,  this  feeling  was  wonderfully 
rcent\)reed  by  the  intiuenee  of  party  spirit.  The 
time  arrived  when,  alienated   bv  En^ilish  encroach- 


1 

■i 


^  Ho  paid  twice  forliis  lands  ;  (hico  to  tlio  IrDquois,  who  claimed  tliem 

liv  riglit  of  coiuiiiost,  and  oiico  to  tiioir  OL'cii[iants,  the  Dciawaivs. 


it;s-j-iTt'.;;  i 


(ilAKKKS    AM>    INDIANS. 


h;; 


i 


niciit  on  the  one  liaiid  imd  I'rcncli  seduction  (Hi 
i]w  other,  the  Illdi;lll^  he«;;iu  to  iissiiine  ie  tlii'e.iten- 
iii<j;  iittitude  towiirds  the  |)ro\iiiee  ;  and  many 
voices  urjj'ed  tlie  necessity  ol"  a,  I'esoit  to  arms, 
Tliis  measni'(\  repu^aiant  alike  to  their  ]»acilic 
])rincil)U"S  and  to  their  h)ve  of  tlie  Indians,  was 
strenuously  o|)|)os(>(l  hy  the  (Quakers,  'i'lieir  affec- 
tion for  the  injui'ed  rac(>  was  now  intlamed  into  a 
sort  of  henevolent  fanaticism,  'ihe  more  lahid  of 
the  sect  would  scarcely  confess  that  an  Indian 
could  ever  do  wroni;'.  In  their  view,  he  was  al- 
ways sinn(Mi  aL;-ainst,  always  th(!  innocent  victim  of 
injury  and  al)us(^;  and  in  the  da\s  ol"  the  final 
rupture,  when  the  woods  w«>re  full  of  furious  wai'- 
])arti(>s,  and  the  (ierinan  and  Irish  settlers  on  the 
frontier  were  hutchered  hy  hundreds  ;  when  the 
western  sky  was  darkened  with  the  smoke  of  hurn- 
in^  settlenuMits,  and  the  .yretch(>d  fuj^itives  were 
ilyiui^  in  crowds  across  th(>  Suscpudianna,  a,  lar<^o 
party  amoniij  tlu^  (^uak(>rs.  secure  hy  their  I'hila- 
d(dphiii  firesides,  could  not  see  the  necessity  of 
Avajiinii'  even  ii  defensive  war  a^iiinst  their  fayorite 
])eople.* 

The  encroachments  on  the  part  of  tlu^  ])ro])rie- 
tors,  which  ha\e  been  alluded  to  ahoye.  and  which 
many  of    the    Quakers   viewed    with    (lisa[)proyal, 


I  I'd  tliem 


•  17')'>-17iil).  'I'lic  t'oL'liiiLrs  of  tl;('  QiKikors  at  tliis  time  may  be  gatli- 
ered  from  tlio  follnwiiii,'  sourct's  :  MS.  .{■■(■'hikI  of  llic  llisr  inul  /'/>»//■(. ss-  of  the 
Fnendhi  Ax^oridtton  fir  (iiiiiiiini  und  jin nrrrim/  Piace  with  the.  /iidiniis  hi) 
jiorijic  .l/fr/.SK/vs.  Ai/ilrrss  of  (hi'  FriiiKlli/ Assoi'Kition  to  (I'oviriior  lAmiy. 
See  Proud,  ///,s/.  Pa.,  upp, ikHt.  Haz.,  /V.  /!,;/.  VIII.  273,  2',i8,  :r23.  But 
a  much  livelier  i)i('ture  of  the  itrevailititr  excifement  will  lie  found  in  a 
series  of  [larty  pamphlets,  I)ullli^lK■d  at  I'liiiadfliiiiia  in  tlie  year  17tJl, 


'*M 


i!  } 

■fe  I 
k  i\ 


If  :i; 


84 


THE  FHFACH,  KNtiLlSlI,  AND  INDIANS.     [1737-1763. 


consisted  in  tlio  fnuulnlcnt  interprctiition  of  Indian 
deeds  of  convc^yinice,  and  in  the  <j^rantin<jf  out  of 
lands  without  any  convevaiicc  at  all.  The  most 
notorious  of  these  transactions,  and  the  one  most 
lamentable  in  its  results,  was  comnuMiced  in  the 
}  ar  IT^n,  and  was  known  by  the  name  of  the 
iv(dlin(j  purdiase.  An  old,  forgotten  deed  was 
raked  out  of  the  dust  of  the  previous  century  ;  a 
deed  which  was  in  itself  of  doubtful  validity,  and 
W'iiicli  had  been  virtually  cancelled  by  a  8id)se{pient 
a<j^reement.  On  this  rotten  title  the  })ropriet()rs 
laid  claim  to  a  valuable  tract  of  land  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Delaware.  Its  western  boundary  was 
to  be  (letined  by  a  line  drawn  from  a  certain  point 
on  Neshaminev  (y'reek,  in  a  north-westerly  direction, 
as  far  as  a  man  could  walk  in  a  day  and  a  lialf. 
From  the  end  of  the  walk,  a  line  drawn  eastward 
to  the  river  Delaware  was  to  form  the  northern 
limit  of  the  purchase.  The  |)ro})rietors  sought  out 
the  most  active  men  who  could  be  heard  of,  and 
put  \\\v\\\  in  training  for  the  walk  ;  at  the  same  time 
laying  out  a  smooth  road  along  the  intended  course, 
tliat  no  obstructions  might  mar  their  s[)eed.  By 
this  means  an  incredible  distance  was  accom[)lished 
within  the  limited  time.  And  now  it  only  remained 
to  adjust  the  northern  boundary.  Instead  of  run- 
niiiii:  the  line  directly  to  the  Delaware,  accordino; 
to  the  evident  meaning  of  the  deed,  the  projn'ietors 
inclined  it  so  far  to  the  nortli  as  to  form  an  acute 
angle  with  the  river,  and  enclose  many  hundred 
tliousand  acres  of  valuable  land,  which  would 
otherwise  have  remained  in  the  liaiids  of  the  Ind  - 


-176:5. 


it:;:- 1 742.1 


TiiK  walkint;  iM'Kr-iiAsi:. 


85 


(lian 
It  of 
most 
most 
L  the 
f  tlio 
was 
i-y  ;  a 
•,  and 

(plCllt 

ictors 
riglit 

■V  was 
point 

ection, 

I  half. 

stwavd 

bitlun-n 
lit  out 
jf,  and 
ic  time 

Icouvse, 

1.    By 

Iplislicd 
maincd 
f  run- 
bording 
|)rictors 
II  acute 
lundred 

-\V()U1<1 

ic  lud"- 


,1 


nns.'  The  land  tlins  ol)tain('d  lay  in  the  I'orks  of 
tlio  Dolawnro.  ahovc  I'liston,  and  was  then  occupied 
l)v  a  powerful  branch  of  tlie  ])(^l:i\vares,  who.  to 
th(Mr  ainaz(Mnent.  now  heard  th(^  summons  to  (juit 
for  ever  tlieir  poj)ul()us  village  and  ficdds  of  half- 
jrrown  maize.  In  rai^e  and  distress  thev  refus(Ml 
to  obey,  and  the  proprietors  were  in  a  pcu'))l(^\iii:r 
dilemma.  Force  was  necessary  ;  but  a  Quai<er 
legislature  would  never  consent  to  fight,  and  espe- 
cially to  fight  against  Indians.  An  (expedient  was 
hit  u})on.  at  once  safe  and  effectual,  'i'he  Iro- 
(piois  were  sent  for.  A  deputation  of  their  chiefs 
ujtpeiired  at  riiiladelphia.  and  having  been  well 
brilxMl,  and  deceived  by  false  accounts  of  the 
transaction,  they  consented  to  remove  the  refrac- 
tory l)(dawares.  'i'he  delinciuents  were  summoned 
before  their  concpierors.  and  the  Trocpiois  orator, 
(.'anassatego.  a  man  of  tall  stature  and  imi)osiiig 
presence,^  looking  with  a  grim  countenance  on  his 
cowering  auditors,  addressed  them  in  the  follow- 
ing words  :  — 

"  You  ought  to  be  taken  by  the  hair  of  the  head 
and  shaken  soundlv  till  von  n^cover  vour  semises. 
You  don't  know  wlnit  vou  are  doing.     Our  brother 


1    (^llltls  of  the  Alicniitiiin  of  the  Dthvodi-f  und  S/kh 


Imli' 


1 1  iiiit 


Ih, 


linllslt 


iiiti 


(iS,  (F.ornl.  17o0).     This  \V(irk  is  a  pamplilci    wiiiti-ii  l>y 


Cliarlcs  Tliompsnn,  at'tcrwanls  .socrotary  of  ConiiTcss,  atui  <lcsiL;iiL'(l  to 
uxpiaiii  tlio  caii«L'.s  ot'tlie  ••iii)tiire  which  took  place  at  the  outhiciik  of  tlH> 
rivnch  war.  The  text  is  sujiporti'il  hy  copious  roferonccs  to  treaties  ami 
doc 


iimeii 


ts.     I  have  seen  a  copy  in  the  possession  of  Francis  Tisiier,  Ksq., 
of  riiiladelphia,  contaiinn^r  inarLcinal  notes  in  the  hand\vritin<f  of  Janius 


Hamilton,  who  was  twice 


p)vernor  of  the  pruvince  umic 


proprietary 


instructions.     In   these  noles,  Ihoii^di   he  cavils  at  several  unimportant 
points  of  the  relation,  he  sutlers  the  essential  matter  to  pass  unchallenged. 


'^    WilhdiH  Mhi'sIk's./ 


onnnu 


S6 


Tin:  I'KKNCII,  ENGLISH,  AND  INDIANS.     [1737-174'J, 


Onus's'  cause  is  very  just.  On  tlic  otlicr  liand, 
vour  rause  is  bad,  and  \()u.  arc  bent  to  break  tbe 
chain  of  friendsliip.  How  came  you  to  take  upon 
you  to  sell   land  at  all  ?     We  concpiered  you  ;   we 


m- 


made  wonuui  ot  von  ;  vou  Know  vou  arc  women, 
and  can  no  more  sell  land  than  women.  This  land 
you  claim  is  o-one  down  your  throats  ;  you  have 
Uvvn  furnished  with  clothes,  meat,  and  drink,  by 
the  i>'oo(ls  paid  von  for  it,  and  now  vou  want  it 
ai2;ain,  like  cliildren  as  vou  iue.  AVhat  makes  vou 
sell  land  in  the  dark  ?  ])i(l  vou  ever  tell  us  vou 
had  sold  this  land  I  Did  we  ever  receive  any  ])art, 
even  the  value  of  a  pipe-shank,  from  you  for  \t] 
AVe  charge  you  to  remove  instantly  ;  we  don't  give 
you  the  liberty  to  tliink  about  it.  You  are  women. 
Take  the  advice  of  a  wise  man  and  remove  i 
mediately.  You  mav  return  to  the  other  side  of 
Delaware,  where  you  came  from ;  but  we  do  not 
know  whether,  considerinii:  how  vou  have  demeaned 
yourselves,  you  will  be  permitted  to  live  there ;  or 
whctlier  you  have  not  swallowed  that  land  down 
your  throats  as  well  as  the  land  on  this  side.  We 
therefore  assign  you  two  phices  to  go.  either  to 
AVvominf]j  or  Shamokin.  We  shall  then  have  vou 
more  under  our  eve,  and  shall  see  how  you  behave. 
])on't  delil)orate.  but  take  this  belt  of  wampum, 
and  go  at  once."  ~ 

The  unhappy  Delawares  dared  not  disobey.    They 
left  their  ancient  homes,  and  removed,  as  they  had 


1  Onas  was  tlie  name  given  hy  the  Iiulians  to  William  Peim  anJ  his 
successors. 

-  Minutes  of  Indian  council  held  at  Pltiladklphia,  1742. 


37-1 74'J, 


1700-175.'..I  KXC'UOAC'IIMKN'I'  OF  SK  T  PLKHS. 


87 


liiind, 
ik  the 
■  ii])on 
I  ;  we 
omen, 
s  land 
I  have 
Ilk,  by 
,'ant  it 
PS  yon 
IS  yon 
y  ])art, 
ior  it? 
I't  <.';;ive 
romcn. 
ve  im- 
idc  of 
o  not 
loaned 
e ;  or 
down 
AVe 
ler   to 
e  yon 
cliave. 
npnm, 

They 

;y  had 

aiul  Ilia 


been  ord(>r(\l,  to  tlu^  Siis(|uehaniia,  wlu>r(^  '^onie 
settled  at  Sliatnokin.  and  soiiu^  at  ^^'yo^lill^.'  l''roni 
an  eailv  period,  the  liKhaiis  liad  bcn^i  aniioved  bv 
the  nnlieensed  iiitru^^ion  of  setth^rs  upon  tlieir  hinds, 
find,  in  IT'JS,  tliey  liad  bitterly  coinphiiniMl  of  the 
wroiiij^.^  'I'he  evil  continued  to  iner(>ase.  ^lany 
families,  chit^fly  (Jerman  and  Irish,  bei>an  to  cross 
(he  Susquehanna  and  build  their  cabins  alonij:  the 
vallevs  of  the  Juniata  and  its  tributary  waters.  The 
Delawares  sent  fre(iu(Mit  luMiionstranres  from  their 
new  al)0(l(\s,  and  the  Irociuois  th(^iiiselves  made 
an<^ry  complaints.  declarin<^  that  the  lands  of  the 
Juniata  were  theirs  by  riL>ht  of  conquest,  and  that 
th(^y  had  f^^iven  them  to  their  cousins,  the  ])(dawares, 
for  huntinij;'-<;ronnds.  Some  efforts  at  redress  w(n*e 
made  ;  but  the  remedy  proved  ineffectual,  and  the 
discontent  of  the  Indians  increased  with  every  year. 
The  Shawanoes,  with  many  of  the  ])elawares, 
removed  westward,  where  for  a  time  they  would 
b(^  safe  from  intrusion  ;  and  by  the  middle  of  the 
century,  the  Delaware  tribe  was  separated  into  two 
divisions,  one  of  which  remained  n[)on  the  Susque- 
hanna, while  the  other,  in  conjunction  with  the 
Shawanoes,  dwelt  on  the  waters  of  the  Alle<>hanv 
and  the  ^luskingum. 

But  now  the  French  b(\i^an  to  push  their  advanced 
posts  into  the  valley  of  the  Ohio.  Unhappily  for 
the  EnL>lish  interest,  they  found  the  irritated  minds 
of  the  Indians  in  a  state  which  favored  their  (efforts 
at   seduction,  and  held  forth  a  flatter iiiji^  promise 

^  Chapniiiii,  U'iM.  Wi/'uhIii'i,  I'J. 
2  Coloiiiiil  Rironls,  111.  340. 


h' 


88 


THE  Fin:\cir,  exglisii,  and  Indians.   [1700-1755 


that  tri1)es  so  long  faithful   to  tlie  Eiighsli   miglit 
soon  ho  won  over  to  tlio  canso  of  France. 

Whik^  tlie  1-nghsli  intorosts  wore  so  inanspicions 
nn  aspert  in  this  (piartor.  tlioir  prospects  were  not 
mncli  hotter  among  tlie  Iroquois.      Since  the  peace 
ofrtrecht.  in   ]!]•],  these  powerful  trihes  had  so 
far    forgotten    their    old    inalevolence    against   the 
French,  that   thv  latter  were   enahled   to  hring  all 
their  machinery  of  conciliation  to  hear  u])on  them. 
They  turncMl  the  opportunity  to  such  good  account, 
as  not   only    to   smooth   awav   the   asi)eritv  of  the 
ancient  grudge,  hut  also  to  rouse  in  the  minds  of 
their  former  foes  a  growing  jealousy  against  the 
English.       Several     accidental    circumstances    did 
much    [o    aggravate    this    feeling.       The    Tro(piois 
were   in  the  hahit   of  sending  out  frequent    war- 
parties  against  their  enemies,  the  Cherokees  and 
Catawhas,  who  dwelt  near  the  herders  of  Carolina 
and  Virginia  ;    and   in  these    forays   the   invaders 
often  hecame  so  seriously  emhroiknl  with  the  white 
settlers,  that  sharp  frays  took  place,  and  an  open 
war  seemed  likelv  to  ensue.' 

» 

It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  the  irritation 
caused  hy  these  untoward  accidents  was  allayed  ; 
and  even  then  enough  remained  in  the  neglect 
of  governments,  the  insults  of  traders,  and  the 
haughty  hearing  of  oificials,  to  disgust  the  proud 
confederates  with  their  English  alliens.  In  the  war 
of  1745,  they  yielded  hut  cold  and  douhtful  aid  ; 
and  fears  were  entertained  of  their  final  estrange- 


^  Letter  of  Governor  Spotswood,  of  Virginia,  Jan.  25,  1720. 
Colonial  Reconls  of  Pa.  III.  75. 


Sec 


17J'J-17.J').] 


DKKKCTION  OF  TLIK  IU(~>QU()IS. 


89 


fange- 


Soc 


mont.'  This  result  Loranic  still  more  imminent, 
when,  in  the  yeiir  1749,  the  French  priest  Piequet 
estahlished  his  mission  of  La  Presentation  on  the 
St.  liawrenee,  at  tlie  site  of  Oi^denshurg.'^  This 
pious  father,  like  the  martial  churclnnen  of  an 
earlier  dav,  deemed  it  no  scandal  to  <iird  on  eartldv 
armor  against  the  enemies  of  the  faith.  lie  hnilt 
a  fort  and  founded  a  settlement ;  he  nuistered  the 
Indians  ahout  him  from  far  and  near,  organized 
their  governments,  and  marshalled  their  war-parties. 
From  the  crenelled  walls  of  his  mission-house  the 
warlike  apostle  could  look  forth  u[)on  a  military 
colony  of  his  own  creating,  upon  farms  and  clear- 
inj^s,  white  Canadian  cabins,  and  the  bark  Iodides 
of  Indian  hordes  wdiich  he  had  gathered  under  his 
protecting  wing.  A  chief  object  of  the  settlement 
was  to  form  a  barrier  ai^ainst  the  Eu'ilish  ;  but  the 
purpose  dearest  to  the  missionary's  heart  was  to 
gain  over  the  Iroquois  to  the  side  of  France  ;  and 
in  this  he  succeeded  so  w(dl,  that,  as  a  writer  of 
good  authority  declares,  the  number  of  their  war 
riors  within  the  circle  of  his  influence  surpassed 
the  whole  remainins:  force  of  the  confederacv.^ 

Thoughtful  men  in  tlie  English  colonies  saw  with 
anxiety  the  growing  defection  of  the  Iroquois,  and 
dreaded  lest,  in  the  event  of  a  war  with  France,  her 
ancient  foes  miglit  now  be  found  her  friends.  But 
in  this  ominous  conjuncture,  one  strong  influence 
was  at  w^ork  to  bind  tiie  confederates   to  their  old 

1  Minutcx  of  Indian  (^oiiiinl,  174G. 

i  Doc.  Hist.  X.  Y.  I.  42:5. 

S  MS.  Letter  —  CuUkn  (u  Lord  IlaHfax,  no  date. 


\m 


J ; 

i 

J'' 


Ui 


If] 


1)0 


Tin:   riJFNCU,  KNGLISII,  AND  INDIANS.     (17;j4-17:)o 


;illiiiiiro  ;  iiiul  fliis  iuHuonro  was  wirldcd  by  a  man 
so  iviiiarkal)l(>  in  his  cliaractcr.  and  so  conspicuous 
an  ac(or  in  tlip  scenes  of  tlio  cnsnin*^  history,  as  to 
demand  at  least  some  ])assing  notice. 

About  the  year  1734,  in  consecpience  it  is  said 
of  the  liapless  issue  of  a  love  affair,  AVilliam  Jolin- 
son,  a  younii;  Irishman,  came  over  to  America  at 
th(^  age  of  niiu^teen,  wliere  he  assumed  the  cliarge 
of  an  extensive  tract  of  wild  land  in  the  ])rovince 
of  New  York,  belonging  to  his  uncle,  Admiral  Sir 
Peter  Warren.  Settlinij  in  the  vallev  of  the  ^lo- 
liawk,  he  carried  on  a  ])rosperous  traffic  with  the 
Indians  ;  and  while  he  rapidly  ros(»  to  wealth,  he 
gained,  at  tlie  same  t\uu\  an  extraordinary  influence 
over  the  neighboring  Iroquois.  As  his  resources 
increased,  he  built  two  mansions  in  the  valley, 
known  respectively  by  the  names  of  Jolinson  Castle 
and  Jolmson  ITall,  the  latter  of  which,  a  well-con- 
structed building  of  vrood  and  stone,  is  still  standing 
in  the  village  of  Johnstown.  Johnson  Castle  was 
situated  at  some  distance  higher  up  the  river.  Both 
were  fortified  against  attack,  and  the  latter  was 
surrounded  with  cabins  built  for  the  reception  of 
the  Indians,  who  often  came  in  crowds  to  visit  the 
proprietor,  invading  his  dwelling  at  all  unseasonable 
hours,  loitering  in  the  doorways,  spreading  their 
blankets  in  the  passages,  and  infecting  the  air  with 
the  fumes  of  stale  tobacco. 

Johnson  supplied  the  ])lace  of  his  former  love 
bv  a  vouuij,'  Dutch  damsel,  who  bore  him  several 
children  ;  iuid,  in  justice  to  them,  he  married 
her    upon    her    death-bed.      Soon    afterwards   he 


I7;u-i7f.;'..l 


SIl!    WII,I,IAM    JOHNSON. 


Dl 


love 
n'cral 
lirricd 
IS   he 


found  iniotli(>r  fiivorito  in  tlio  ])orson  of  ^lolly 
lii'iuit,  sister  of  (lu*  cclcbiatcd  Mohawk  war-chief, 
whose  black  e\(s  and  la\i<>]iinL!'  face  cani'ht  his 
fancy,  as,  Hutterin^  with  ribbons,  she  i^alloped  past 
him  at  a  nnister  of  tlie  'i'rvon  county  militia. 

Johnson's  importance  became  so  cons])icuous, 
that  when  the  Fnuicli  war  broke  out  in  ITo.';,  he 
was  made  a  major  <>-i>neral  ;  and,  soon  after,  the 
colonial  tr()()})s  under  his  command  <.'aine(l  the 
battle  of  Lake  (jJeorj'e  against  the  French  forces 
of  l^aron  Dicskau.  Tor  this  success,  for  which 
however  he  was  entitled  to  little  credit,  ho  was 
raised  to  the  rank  of  baronet,  and  rewarded  w  itli  a 
gift  of  five  thousand  [)ounds  from  the  king.  About 
this  time,  he  was  a})pointed  su})erinten(lent  of  In- 
dian aflairs  for  the  northern  tribes,  a  station  in 
which  he  did  signal  service  to  the  country.  In 
1759,  when  General  Prideaux  was  killed  by  the 
bursting  of  a  cohorn  in  the  trenches  before  Niag- 
ara, Johnson  succeeded  to  his  command,  routed  the 
French  in  another  pitched  battle,  and  soon  raised 
the  red  cross  of  England  on  the  ramparts  of  the 
fort.  After  the  peace  of  17G3,  he  lived  for  many 
years  at  Johnson  Hall,  constantly  enriched  by  the 
increasing  value  of  his  vast  estate,  and  surrounded 
by  a  hardy  Highland  tenantry,  devoted  to  his  in- 
terests ;  but  when  the  tempest  which  had  long 
been  brewing  seemed  at  length  about  to  brcidv,  and 
signs  of  a  speedy  rupture  with  the  mother  country 
thickened  with  every  dav,  he  stood  waverinj;  in 
an  agony  of  indecision,  divided  between  his  loy- 
alty to  the  sovereign  who  was  the  source  of  all  his 


ill. 


• 


I 

i 


'i 


il  'Ri 


tl 


1; 


92 


Tin:  Fiir.Ncii,  r.xfii.isn,  .wn  Indians.    [it;ii-1774 


(1  li 


^lurt! 


to  1) 


til 


It  of 


Honors,  iiiKi  ins  nMurranrr  ro  docotik 
n  iinirdrrous  Tndiiin  wiirfiiro  !i<;;iiiist  liis  comitry- 
iiRMi  aiul  frlonds.  His  final  resolution  was  nrvcr 
tiiken.  In  tli(*  suinnior  of  1774,  ho  was  attacked 
with  a  sudden  illness,  and  died  within  a  few  hours, 
in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  asj^e.  i»urri(Hl  to  his 
grave  hy  mental  distress,  or,  as  many  helieved,  hy 
the  act  of  his  own  hand. 

Nature  had  well  fitted  him  for  the  position  in 
which  his  |)ro|)itious  stars  had  cast  his  lot.  His 
person  was  tall,  erect,  and  strong ;  his  features 
grave  and  manly.  His  direct  and  upright  dealings, 
his  courage,  eloquence,  and  address,  were  sure  pass- 
ports to  favor  in  Indian  eyes.  Ho  had  a  singular 
facility  of  adaptation.  In  the  camp,  or  at  tli3 
council-hoard,  in  spite  of  his  defective  education, 
he  bore  himself  as  became  his  station ;  but  at 
home  he  was  seen  drinking  flip  and  smoking  to- 
bacco with  the  Dutch  boors,  his  neighbors,  and 
talking  of  improvements  or  the  price  of  beaver- 
skins  ;  while  in  the  Indian  villages  he  would  feast 
on  dog's  flesh,  dance  with  the  warriors,  and  har- 
angue his  attentive  auditors  with  all  the  dignity  of 
an  Iroquois  sachem.  His  temper  was  genial ;  he 
encouraged  rustic  sports,  and  was  respected  and 
belo^ed  alike  by  whites  and  Indians. 

His  good  qualities,  however,  were  alloyed  with 
scnious  defects.  His  mind  was  as  coarse  as  it  was 
vigorous ;  he  was  vain  of  his  rank  and  influence, 
and  being  quite  free  from  any  scruple  of  delicacy, 
he  lost  no  opportunity  of  proclaiming  them.  His 
nature  was  eager  and  ambitious  ;  anJ  in  pushing 


1734-175G.J 


I'USITIOX   OF  TAKTIKS. 


93 


hi^  own  wiiv,  ho  was  never  distin'niislicd  bv  lui 
unxiotis  solicitude  for  the  rights  of  others.' 

At  the  time  of  which  we  speak,  his  fortunes  hail 
not  reachtMl  tlieir  zenith  ;  yet  liis  inthu'nee  was 
great;  and  during  the  war  of  17  1."),  when  he  held 
the  chief  control  of  Indian  affairs  in  New  York, 
it  \<'as  exercised  in  a  manner  most  i)eneHcial  to  the 
l)rovincc.  After  the  i)eace  of  Aix  la  Cha[)elle,  in 
1748,  finding  his  measures  ill  sui)[)orted,  he  threw 
ii[)  his  office  in  disgust.  Still  his  mere  })ers()nal 
influence  sufficed  to  end)arrass  the  intrigues  of 
the  busy  priest  at  La  Presentation ;  and  a  few 
years  later,  when  the  pui)lic  exigency  demanded 
his  utmost  efforts,  he  resumed,  under  better  aus- 
pices, the  official  management  of  Indian  affairs. 

And  now,  when  the  blindest  could  see  that  be- 
tween the  rival  claimants  to  the  soil  of  America 
nothing  was  left  but  the  arbitration  of  the  sword, 
no  man  friendly  to  the  cause  of  l^ngland  could  ob- 
serve without  alarm  how  France  had  strengthened 
herself  in  Indian  alliances.  The  Iroquois,  it  is  true, 
had  not  quite  gone  over  to  her  side ;  nor  had  the 
Delawares  wholly  forgotten  their  ancient  league  with 
AVilliam  Penn.  The  Miamis,  too,  in  the  valley  ot 
the  Ohio,  had  lately  taken  und)rage  at  the  conduct 
of  the  French,  and  betrayed  a  leaning  to  the  side  of 
England,  while  several  tribes  of  the  south  showed 
a  similar  disi)osition.  But,  with  few  and  slight 
exce[)tions,  the  numerous  tril)es  of  the  great  lakes 

1  Allen,  Am.  Binq.  Dirt,  and  authorities  there  referred  to.  Camplioll, 
Ainiiils  of  Trijiiii  Cdunfi/,  oitjuudix.  Sahine,  .1//*.  I.<>i/iilist.^,  ."',l8.  PiijKrA 
rehitliii/  to  .^ir  W.  .lohiimm.  See  Uoc.  Hint.  New  York,  11.  ^JS.  Papers  fj 
Sir  W.  Johnson,  etc.,  etc. 


f 


94 


I  111:   lUKNCIl,  f.Mil.Isn.  AM)  INDIANS,     |17:'.J-1T&5 


niid  tlio  Mississippi,  hosidcs  ii  host  of  domiciliated 
siivam's  in  ('iniada  itself,  stood  readv  at  tiie  l)iddiii«' 
of  l''raiice  to  «^iiiid  their  toiualiawks  and  turn  loose 
their  ravenous  war-parties  ;  wliile  tiur  Ihitisli  colo- 
nists had  too  much  reason  to  fear  that  even  those 
tril)es  whicli  secm(>d  most  friendly  to  their  cause, 
and  which  fornu'd  tlio  sole  harrier  of  their  nnpro- 
tected  horders,  minht,  at  the  first  sound  of  the 
war- whoop,  he  fonnd  in  arms  against  them. 


^'k 


i 


'*»S 


CHAPTER    IV. 


1700-1 7 ').'). 


COLLISION   Ol'  THE    RIVAL   COLOXIICS. 


Tin:  pro[)le  of  the  iiortlicni  I'lnnlisli  coIour's  had 
leaniod  to  rr<j;ar(l  tlii'ir  ('unadiau  ncii^hhois  with 
tlu'  hitterost  (Miinitv.  With  them,  the  vorv  name 
of  Canada  ralh-d  up  honihh*  rccoUcctioiis  and 
ghastly  iniaijfcs :  tho  niidniujlit  massacre  of  Schen- 
ectady, and  tlie  desolation  of  nianv  a  New  Knur- 
land  handet;  hlaziuij;;  d\V(dlinij;s  and  rcH'kiii;^- scal[)S  ; 
and  chihh-en  snatched  from  their  mothers'  arms,  to 
be  immured  in  convents  and  trained  nj)  in  tlie 
abominations  of  ro])ery.  To  the  sons  of  tlie  Puri- 
tans, their  enemy  was  doubly  odious.  They  hated 
liim  as  a  Prenchman,  and  thev  hated  him  as  a 
Paj)ist.  Hitherto  he  had  waii^ed  his  mur(UM"ous 
warfare  from  a  distance,  wasting  their  settlements 
with  rapid  onsets,  fierce  and  transient  as  a  sununer 
storm  ;  but  now,  with  enterprising  audacity,  he  was 
intrenching  himself  on  their  very  borders.  The 
English  hunter,  in  the  h)nely  wilderness  of  Ver- 
mont, as  by  the  warm  glow  of  sunset  he  piled  the 
spruce  boughs  for  his  woodland  bed,  started  as  a 
deep,  low  sound  struck  faintly  on  his  (Mir,  the  eyen- 
ing  gun  ot  Port  Prederic,  l)ooming  over  lake  and 


fli; 
I 'I 


''J  i 


^1 


9G 


COLLISION-   (IK    Tin;  UIN'AL  C()L(JNIES.     [1700-1755. 


forest.  The  erection  of  this  fort,  better  known 
among  the  l-'n^lisli  us  Crown  Point,  was  a  piece  of 
darin<^  encroaclunent  wiiich  justly  kindled  resent- 
ment in  the  northern  colonies,  lint  it  was  not  here 
that  the  immediate  occasion  of  a  final  rupture  was 
to  arise.  15v  an  article  of  tlie  treaty  of  Utrecht, 
conHrmed  hy  that  of  Aix  la  Cha})elle,  Acadia  had 
been  ceded  to  I'amlaiid  ;  but  scarcely  was  the  latter 
treaty  signed,  when  debates  sprang  np  touching 
the  limits  of  the  ceded  proyince.  Commissioners 
were  named  on  either  side  to  adjnst  tlie  dispnted 
boundary;  but  the  claims  of  the  riyal  powers  proyed 
utterly  irreconcilable,  and  all  nogotiation  was 
fruitless.*  Meantime,  the  French  and  English 
forces  in  x^cadia  began  to  assume  a  belligerent 
attitude,  and  indulge  their  ill  blood  in  mutual  ag- 
gression and  reprisal.^  13ut  while  this  g.ime  was 
played  on  the  coasts  of  the  Atlantic,  interests  of 
far  greater  moment  were  at  stake  in  the  west. 

Tlie  peo[)le  of  the  middle  colonies,  placed  by 
their  local  position  beyond  reach  of  the  Trench, 
had  heard  with  great  composure  of  the  sufferings 
of  their  New  England  brethren,  and  felt  little  con- 
cern at  a  danger  so  doubtful  and  remote.  There 
were  those  among  them.  ho\N  eyer,  who  with  greater 
foresight  had  b(.M>n  (piick  to  perceiye  the  ambitious 
[)rojects  of  the  ri\al  nation;  and,  as  early  as  171(), 
►Spotswood,  goycn'iior  of  Virginia,  liad  urged  the 
expediency  of  securing  the  yalley  of  the  Ohio  by 


1  rr.irnoiin,  Book  VIIL  Chap.  ITI. 

■^  Holmes,   Anintls,   11.    18lj.     Me'imire  conlenant   Le  Precis   des   I'aitt, 
Piicis  Jitatijicatircs,  Piirt  I. 


[1700-1755. 


1  r  1^^-17'.:!  ] 


MISSION    OF    WASIIIXCTDN. 


1)7 


•    known 

^ 

piece  of 

1   rcseiit- 

^ 

iiot  here 

-1 

(ture  was 

S 

Utrecht, 

m 

acliii  had 

1 

the  latter 

M 

touching 

1 

lissioiiers 

J 

disputed 

M 

rs  proved 

m 

"ioii     was 

'm 

EngUsh 

M 

elligerent 

^H 

utual  ag- 

m 

;aine  was 

"m 

e rests  of 

M 

vest. 

m 

(Uiced  by 

:M 

:   French, 

w 

uifferiiii>s 

'$ 

ittle  con- 

vf 

.     There 

h  greater 

unhitions 

as  171(), 

; 

rged    the 

Ohio  by 

1 

s  des   Fatti, 

1 

a  :  eri(^s  of  forts  and  s(>ttlenieuts.'  Tlis  proposal 
was  coldly  received,  and  liis  [Ann  foil  to  the 
jxround.  The  tinK>  at  Icnuth  was  come  when  the 
(l;nig(^r  was  ap])roacliing  too  near  to  I)e  sliglitcd 
longer.  In  1 74S.  an  association,  calh^d  the  Ohio 
Coinpanv,  was  foriiKMl  witli  t]\v  Ai(^w  of  making 
settlements  in  the  region  b(n()nd  t]u>  Alle^lianies  ; 
and  two  Years  later,  (jist.  the  comi)anv's  snrvovor. 
to  th(^  great  disgust  of  llic  Indians,  carried  clniin 
and  comjiass  down  tlu^  Oliio  ;m  I'tr  as  the  falls  at 
Tonisville."  But  so  dilatory  wove  tlio  ]''nglish,  that 
before  any  effcTtual  steps  Avere  taken,  their  agile 
cncnii(N  appeared  nj)on  the  scene. 

Tn  the  spring  of  17-'):],  the  middle  ])rovinc(^s 
were  starthnl  at  the  tidings  that  I'rench  troops  Inid 
crossed  Lake  l-'rie.  fortified  themselves  at  tlie  ])oint 
of  Presqn'-Isle.  and  pusln^l  forward  to  the  northern 
brandies  of  the  Ohio."'  I'pon  this.  (Jovernor  ])in- 
widdie.  of  Virginia.  resolv(>d  to  (U^spatch  a  message 
recpiiring  their  removal  from  tei-ritories  wliich  he 
claimed  as  b(>longing  to  tlie  Britisli  crown;  and 
looking  about  him  f  )r  the  ])erson  Ix^st  ([ualiried  to 
act  as  messenger,  hv  made  choice  of  (ieorge  Wash- 
ington, a  young  man  twenty-one  years  of  age,  adju- 
tant general  of  the  A^iri^^inian  militia. 

Washington  departcnl  on  his  mission,  crossed  the 
mountains,  descended  to  tlie  bleak  and  leafless 
valley  of  the  Oliio.  and  thence  continnod  his  jour- 

1  Sniollott,  III.  870  (Kiliiiburi-h,  180.J). 

'^  Spiirks's  l.if  (tiiil  \\'n'ii):i/.'i  iif  ]\'.,sliliiiil<))i,  II.  -KS.      (I'lst's  Joiirnal. 

3  Olil-n  Time,  II.  '.),  10.  Tliis  oxcvlloiit  ;iiiti(|iiarian  ixibliciition  con- 
tains documents  rel;itini|  to  tliis  porioil  wliii'li  are  not  to  be  fbnn<l  else- 
where. 


ns 


COLLISION    OF    TIIK    KIVAL  COLOMF.S. 


[17: 


\w\  up  tlio  l)anks  of  (lie  Allci^'liiiiiy  until  the  fdurtli 
of  Doci^uihcr.  On  that  (lav  li(>  rcacluMl  Wuuui^o, 
an  Indian  town  on  tlio  AlU\i;;liany.  at  tlu>  mouth  of 
IVcnch  Creek.  I  lore  was  the  advanced  post  of  the 
I'Veneli  ;  and  here,  anioni;  the  Iiuhan  lot;-ea1)ins  and 
lints  of  l)ark,  he  saw  tlu'ir  iia<^  liyiut;'  ahove  the 
]ionso  of  an  l''ni;lish  trader,  wliom  the  rnihtary 
intrn(h>rs  had  uncerenioniouslv  (Mected.  Thev  iravo 
(he  younj;-  envoy  a  hospitahh'  reception,'  and  ref(>rred 
him  to  the  comman(hn<^  ofUcer,  wliose  head(piarters 
were  at  Le  I'oMd',  a  fort  wliicli  th(^v  liad  just  l)uilt 
on  Fnmcli  (/rcu'k,  sonu^  distance^  ahove  Venanii^o. 
Thither  AVasliini^ton  rejjaired,  and  on  Ills  arrival 
was  reccivcMl  with  statelv  eourtesv  hv  the  officer, 
I  ;(\«;ar(leur  de  St.  I'ierre.  wliom  ho  descrihes  as  ;m 
(dd(M'ly  gentleman  of  very  soldier-like  appearance. 
To  the  messai^e  of  Dinwiddic^  St,  Pierre  readied 
that  he  would  forwanl  it  to  the  governor  <;eneral 
of  (*ana(la  ;  hut  that,  in  the  mean  tim(\  his  orders 
were  to  hold  possession  of  the  country,  and  this  he 
should  do  to  the  hest  of  his  ahility.  With  this 
answer  AVashin^ton,  throui^h  all  the  rii>ors  of  the 

'  He  invitoil  us  to  sup  witli  tlicMU,  and  troatoil  us  witli  the  greatest 
cnMiplMisaiu'(\  Tlie  wiiio,  as  tlicy  flo-cil  tlicinsclvos  pretty  plentifully 
with  it,  soon  liani'^hcil  the  restraint  which  at  lii'st  app(>areil  iu  their  coii- 
vcrsatioii,  ami  uavi'  a  license  to  their  tonuiii's  to  reveal  their  seutiiueuts 
more  treely.  'I'hey  told  ino  that  it  was  their  ahsohite  desiiiiu  to  take  ]>os- 
Kession  of  tho  Ohio,  and  hy  (J — il  they  would  do  it  ;  fur  that,  alihounh 
they  were  seiisihle  the  I".ni;lisli  cuidd  r;iis(>  two  Mien  for  their  one,  yet  Ihey 
knew  their  motions  were  too  slow  and  dilatory  to  jtreveiit  any  iinder- 
takini;  of  theirs.  They  pretend  to  have  an  uudouhted  rii;ht  to  the  river 
from  a  discn\cry  made  hy  one  La  Salle,  sixty  ycai's  !i},jo ;  and  the  rise  of 
this  oxiieditioii  is,  to  prevent  our  settlin;^'  on  the  river  or  waters  of  it,  as 
tliey  heard  of  sotuc  families  movint^  ont  in  order  thereto."  —  Washington. 
Juurnul. 


[17G1 


1754.1 


DEATH    OF  JUMONVILLE. 


91) 


10  fouitli 
r^enniigo, 
louth  of 

)St  of  tliO 

ibiiis  and 
l)ovo   tho 

military 
'lu^y  <;avo 
1  referred 
h^uarters 
just  built 
V(>naiii2jo. 
is  arrival 
10  ofHoor, 
bos  as  ;in 
peariiuco. 
0  replied 
^(Mieral 

s  orders 

I  tliis  be 
kVitli  tbis 

s  of  tbc 


tlic  tireatc'st 
y  i)l('iitit'iilly 
ill  tlirir  con- 
ir  si'utiiiKMils 
1  til  tiiko  iv)s- 
iiit ,  iililM)ii<j,h 
one,  yet  tliey 
t  liny  under' 
I  to  the  river 
(1  tlio  rise  of 
Iters  of  it,  as 
-  \Vi\slun^;ton. 


■m. 

I 


niidwintor  fon^st,  rotrac(Ml  liis  steps,  witb  one  attend- 
ant, to  tbe  l'jii»;lisli  borders. 

AVitli  tbe  first  openinix  of  s])rini]^,  a  newly  raised 
eoinpan\'  of  A'ir^inian  baekwoods!n(>n.  under  Cap- 
tain Trent.  Iiastened  across  tb(^  mountains,  and 
])eiriin  to  build  a  fort  at  tbo  eontbuMU'e  of  tbe 
MononLrabelu  and  Mleirbanv,  wlnn'o  l^ittsburjx  now 
stands ;  wb(>n  sudd(Mdy  tbey  found  tbemselves 
invested  by  a.  best  of  I'reneb  and  Indians,  wbo. 
witb  sixty  bateaux  and  tbrc^o  bundred  ranoes,  bad 
dosconded  from  Ii(^  liOMif  and  VcMiani^o.'  Tin* 
Euij^lisb  W(>r(>  ordercMl  to  evaeuate  tbe  spot;  and, 
boinuj  quit(>  unable  to  r(>sist,  tbey  obeyed  tbo  sum- 
mons, and  witbdrew  in  jj^roat  diseonifituro  towards 
Viri>-inia.  Meanwbib^  Wasbiuj^^ton,  witli  anotlnu' 
])artv  of  baekwoodsnien.  was  advaneiuij^  from  tlie 
borders ;  and.  biNirinij;  of  Trent's  disaster,  be 
resolved  to  fortify  bimsolf  on  tbe  Aronongabola, 
and  bold  bis  <rround,  if  ])ossil)le,  until  fresb  troops 
eould  arrive  to  sui)port  bim.  The  l^'rcneb  sent  out 
a  seontinji;  party  under  M.  Jumotivillo,  witb  tin* 
desii^n,  i)robably,  of  watehinir  bis  movements  ;  but. 
on  a  dark  and  stormy  night,  Wasbin<;'ton  suri)rised 
them,  as  tbey  lay  lurking  in  a  rocky  glen  not  far 
from  bis  camp,  kill(>d  tlu^  otric(a-,  and  capttired  (be 
whole  d(^tacbm(Mit.^  Learning  that  the  iM-encb. 
enraged  by  tbis  nnerse,  were  about  to  attack  bim 
in  great  force,  lu^  thought  it  prudent  to  fall  back, 
and  retired   accordingly  to  a  spot  called  tbc  (jircat 

'   Sjjnrks,  fJ/r  ini<l  Wiitituix  of  Wn^lihuitim,  II.  0. 

'-i  Sparks,  II.  117.  'Ilie  eouiliict  of  Wastiinfrtnn  in  tliis  afTiiir  i? 
rof^anleii  hy  Frem-li  writers  as  a  stain  on  his  memory. 


**^,> 


'^ 


100 


COLLISION   OF   TIIL    UIVAL    COLONIES. 


[1754 


Meadows,  where  he  hud  hefore  thrown  up  a  slight 
intrcnc'hinent.  Here  he  found  himself  assailed  hy 
nine  hundred  French  and  Indians,  commanded  hy 
a  brother  of  the  slain  Jumonville.  From  eleven  in 
the  morning  till  eight  at  night,  the  backwoodsmen, 
who  were  half  famished  from  the  fiilure  of  their 
stores,  maintained  a  stubborn  defence,  some  fight- 
ing within  the  intrenchment,  and  some  on  the  plain 
without.  In  the  evening,  the  French  sounded  a 
parley,  and  offered  terms.  They  were  accepted, 
and  on  the  following  day  Wiishington  and  his  men 
retired  across  the  mountains,  leaving  the  disputed 
territory  in  the  hands  of  the  l"'rench.' 

While  the  rival  nations  were  beginning  to  quarrel 
for  a  prize  which  belonged  to  neither  of  them,  the 
unliap[)y  Indians  saw,  with  alarm  and  amazement, 
their  lands  becoming  a  bone  of  contention  between 
rapacious  strangers.  The  first  appearance  of  the 
French  on  the  Ohio  excited  the  wildest  fears  in  the 
tribes  of  that  quarter,  among  whom  were  those 
who,  disgusted  bv  the  encroachments  of  the  Penn- 
svlvanians,  had  fled  to  these  remote  retreats  to 
escape  the  intrusions  of  the  white  men.  Scarcely 
was  their  fancied  asvlum  gained,  when  they  saw 
themselves  invaded  by  a  host  of  armed  men  from 
Canada.  Thus  placed  between  two  fires,  they  knew 
not  which  way  to  turn.  There  was  no  union  in 
their  counsels,  and  they  seemed  like  a  mob  of  bewil- 


4 


1  For  tlie  Frcncli  acoount  of  tlicse  operations,  see  M<finoire  contenanl  le 
Precis  (Irs  /■'(lits.  T\ns  volume,  an  ofHcial  publication  of  the  FrLMieh 
court,  contains  numerous  documents,  amony-  wliicli  are  the  papers  of  the 
uiilbrtujiate  IJnKMuck,  left  on  the  liehJ  of  battle  by  his  defeated  army. 


[1754 


1754.] 


FRKNCII   AND    KNGLISII    DIPLOMACY. 


101 


I  slight 
liled  by 
ided  by 
leven  in 
3dsrncn, 
of  their 
ic  tii2;ht- 
ho  plain 
iinded  a 
ccopted, 
his  men 
disputed 

3  qiiarrel 
liem,  the 
a  z  erne  lit, 
between 
,'e  of  the 
rs  in  the 
le   those 
10  Pemi- 
treats   to 
vScarcely 
jthey  saw 
uni  from 
ev  knew 
union  in 
of  bewil- 


[e  amteiiant  k 
the  French 
iipors  of  the 

I'd  aruiy. 


1 


■^& 


dered  children.  Their  native  j(>alousy  was  roused 
to  its  utmost  pitch.  ^lany  of  them  thought  that 
the  two  white  nations  had  conspired  to  destroy 
them,  and  then  divide  their  lands.  "You  and  tlie 
French,"  said  one  of  them,  a  few  vears  afterwards, 
to  an  Phmlisli  cmissarv.  "  are  like  the  two  edges  of 
a  pair  of  shears,  and  we  are  the  cloth  which  is  cut 
to  pieces  between  them."  ' 

The  French  labored  hard  to  conciliate  them,  ply- 
ing them  with  gifts  and  flatteries,-  and  proclaiming 
themselves  their  champions  against  the  Englisli, 
At  first,  these  arts  seemed  in  vain,  V-  ..L  their  effect 
soon  began  to  declare  itself;  and  this  effect  was 
greatlv  increased  bv  a  siiunilar  i)iece  of  infatuation 
on  the  i)art  of  the  proprietors  of  IVnnsylvania. 
During  the  summer  of  17o4,  didegates  of  the  sev- 
eral provinces  met  at  Albany,  to  concert  measures 
of  defence  in  tlie  war  which  now  seemed  inevitable. 
It  was  at  this  meeting  that  the  memorable  plan  of 
a  union  of  the  colonies  was  brought  forward  ;  a 
plan,  the  fate  of  whicli  was  curious  and  significant, 
for  the  crown  rejected  it  as  giving  too  mucli  power 
to  the  people,  and  the  people  as  giving  too   much 

1  FirM  Jonrnnl  of  C.  F.  Post. 

'^  Lot  tors  of  I{i)hort  Stoho,  iin  Kii^lisli  liostaire  at  Fort  dii  Qticsne. 

"  Sliaiiiokiii  Daniel,  who  caiiio  witli  nio.  wont  over  to  tho  fort  [ihi 
Qtio<iio|  by  himself  and  oonnsoiioil  witii  tho  ^ovi-rnor,  who  presontcil 
hinj  witli  a  hioed  coat  and  hat,  a  hiaiiivot,  shirts,  liMions,  a  now  ^nn,  pow- 
der, lead,  i)^:c.  Wlion  lu'  rotiirnod  lio  was  (jniio  ohaii^od,  and  said,  '  .^oe 
here,  yon  fools,  what  tiio  Fronoh  liavo  t:ivon  mo.  1  was  in  Fhilaiiol|)hiii, 
and  never  reooivod  a  farthiiiu'  ;  '  and  (diroctiiiu-  liimsolf  to  me)  .said,  '  The 
Kniiiish  are  fools,  and  so  aro  yon.'  "  —  I'o.st,  /•'//■,s^  JunriKil. 

Wasinnirton,  while  at  Fort  Le  F.coiif,  was  miioh  annoyoil  hy  the  con- 
duct of  tho  Froncli,  who  die!  tlioir  utmost  to  seduce  his  Indian  escort  by 
bribes  and  proniises. 


;, 


l!  fi       5 


10-2 


COLLISION   OF    Till-:    HIVAL   COLONIKS. 


[1756. 


})onor  to  the  crown.'  A  council  was  also  held  with 
the  Irocpiois,  and  thoui^h  they  were  found  but  luke- 
warm in  their  attachment  to  the  Ijij^lish,  a  treaty 
of  frieudsliip  and  alliance  was  concluded  with  their 
deputies.^  It  would  have  been  well  if  the  matter 
had  ended  here  ;  but,  with  ill-timed  rapacity,  the 
pro])rietary  agents  of  Pennsylvania  took  advantage 
of  this  great  assend)lage  of  sachems  to  ])ro(ure 
from  them  the  grant  of  extensive  tracts,  including 
the  lands  inhabited  by  the  very  tribes  whom  the 
French  were  at  that  monumt  striving:  to  seduce.^ 
When  they  heard  that,  without  tlieir  consent,  their 
conquerors  and  tyrants,  the  Iroquois,  had  sold  the 
soil  from  beneath  their  feet,  their  indignation  was 
extreme  ;  and,  convinced  that  there  was  no  limit  to 
English  encroachment,  many  of  them  from  that 
hour  became  fast  allies  of  the  Frencli. 

The  courts  of  liOndon  and  Versailles  still  main- 
tained a  dij)lomatic  intercourse,  both  protesting 
their  earnest  wish  that  their  confiictiug  claims  might 
be  adjusted  by  friendly  negotiation  ;  but  while  each 
disclaimed  the  intention  of  hostility,  both  were 
hastening  to  prepare  for  war.  Early  in  1755,  an 
I'nglish  fleet  sailed  from  Cork,  having  on  board 
tW'O  rei'inuMits  destined  for  Virf>"inia,  and  commanded 
by  General   Braddock  ;  and    soon    after,   a  French 

'  Trumbull,  lUst.  Conn.  II.  ;]o5.  Iloliiies,  Annals,  II.  '20L 
2  At  this  council  an  Inxjuois  siiclicui  upbraided  tiie  Knuli.sli,  with  great 
boldness,  tor  their  iic<rk'ct  of  tlio  Imliaiis,  tlieir  invasion  of  their  lands,  and 
their  dilatory  conduct  with  rei;ard  to  the  French,  who,  as  the  sjjeaker 
averred,  had  behaved  like  men  and  warriors.  —  Mimilis  of  Conferences  at 
AIIkdii/,  1754. 

•*  Cdiciis  of  the  Alienation  of  the  Delaware  and  Shaivanoe  Indians  from  the 
Dritiah  Interest,  77. 


* 


>.  11756. 

licld  with 
but  luke- 
,  a  treaty 
witli  their 
he  matter 
)a('ity,  the 
advantage 
o   procure 
,  inchidiiig 
whom  the 
;o  seduce.^ 
iseut,  their 
id  sold  the 
;nation  was 
no  Umit  to 
from   that 

still  main- 
protesting 
aims  might 
while  each 
both   were 
1755,  an 
on   board 
•oinmanded 
',  a  French 

201. 

valish,  witli  great 
their  himls,  and 
),  as  the  speaker 

of  Confertnces  at 

Imlians  from  the 


1755.] 


THE   WAR   IN   EUROPE   AND  AMERICA. 


lOli 


fleet  put  to  sea  from  the  port  of  IJrest,  freighted 
witli  munitions  (4'  war  and  a  stroug  body  of  troops 
under  Huron  Dieskau,  an  otHcer  who  liad  distin- 
guislied  himself  in  tl)e  campaigns  of  Marsiial  Saxe. 
The  Knglisli  fleet  gained  its  destination,  and  hinded 
its  troops  in  saft^ty.  'l\\c  I''r(Micli  were  less  fortu- 
nate. Two  of  their  ships,  tlie  Lys  and  tlie  Alci(h^, 
became  involved  in  the  fogs  of  tlie  baidvs  of  New- 
foundland ;  and  when  the  weatlier  cleared,  they 
found  themselves  under  tlie  guns  of  a  superior  Ihit- 
ish  force,  belonging  to  the  s(piadron  of  Admiral 
13oscawen,  sent  out  for  the  express  purpose  of 
intercepting  them.  *•  Are  we  at  })eace  or  war?" 
demanded  the  French  connnander.  ■  A  broadside 
from  the  Englishman  soon  solved  his  doubts,  and 
after  a  stout  resistance  the  French  struck  their 
colors.^  News  of  the  capture  caused  great  excite- 
ment in  I'ngland,  but  the  conduct  of  the  aggres- 
sors was  generally  approved  ;  and  under  pretence 
that  the  French  had  l)e<2un  the  war  bv  their  alleijed 
encroachments  in  America,  orders  were  issued  for 
a  general  attack  upon  their  marine.  So  successful 
were  the  British  cruisers,  that,  before  the  end  of 
the  year,  three  hundred  French  vessels  and  nearlv 
eight  thousand  sailors  were  captured  and  brought 
into  port.^     The  French,  unable  to  retort  in  kind, 


1  Garncau,  II.  ;>'j1.     Ihnt.  Mm/.  XXV.  CoO, 

'•^  Smollett,  III.  4;;(). 

"Tlie  Freiieli  inveighed  a,uaii)8t  the  capture  of  their  sliip.-J,  before  any 
(leeiaration  ot'war.  as  tlamaiil  arts  of  piiacy  ;  am!  some  neutral  [jowers  of 
Kuro|)e  seemed  to  ronsidcr  them  in  the  same  point  of  vit-w.  It  was  cer- 
tainly hiiih  time  to  tlu'ik  tlie  iusok-iu'e  of  the  ImcucIi  hy  forci'  of  arms; 
and  surely  this  mi^lil  have  lieen  as  elleclually  and  expeditiously  exerted 


lOl 


COLLISION   OF  Tin:    KIVAL   COLONIES. 


[IToG. 


raised  an  outcry  of  indij^natioii,  and  ^lircpoix  their 
ambassador  witlidrow  iVoni  the  court  of  London. 

I'hns  l)(><^Mn  that  iiicinorahlc  war  niiicli,  kindling 
among  tlic  forests  of  America,  scattered  its  fires 
over  the  kini4(h)ius  of  Murope,  and  tlie  sultry  empire 
of  the  (jlreat  ^logul  ;  the  war  made  glorious  by 
the  heroic  death  of  Wolfe,  tlu^  ^ictories  of  Fred- 
eric, and  tlie  exploits  of  Clive  ;  the  war  which 
controlled  the  destinies  of  America,  and  was  first 
in  the  chain  of  events  which  led  on  to  her  Revo- 
lution with  all  its  vast  and  undeveloped  conse- 
quences. On  the  old  battle-ground  of  I'jirope,  the 
contest  bore  the  same  familiar  features  of  violence 
and  horror  which  had  marked  the  strife  of  former 
generations  —  fields  ploughed  by  the  cannon  ball, 
and  walls  shattered  by  the  e\[)loding  mine,  sacked 
towns  and  blazing  suburbs,  the  lamentations  of 
women,  and  the  license  of  a  maddened  soldiery. 
But  in  America,  war  assumed  a  new  and  strikiu"; 
aspect.  A  wilderness  was  its  sublime  arena.  Army 
met  army  under  tli(>  shadows  of  primeval  woods  ; 
their  cannon  resounded  over  wastes  unknown  to 
civilized  man.  And  before  the  hostile  powers 
could  join  in  battle,  endless  forests  must  be  trav- 
ersed, and  morasses  passed,  and  everywhere  the 
axe  of  the  pioneer  must  hew  a  path  for  the  bayonet 
of  the  soldier. 

Before    the  dedaration  of  war,   and  before  the 
breaking  off  of  negotiations  between  the  courts  of 

under  the  usual  sanction  of  a  lonnal  di-claration,  tlie  omission  of  wliich 
exposed  the  adniinistration  to  the  censure  of  our  neiuiibors,  and  fixed  the 
inipulation  of  tVaud  and  freelinotin,!^'  on  the  heuinnini:;'  of  the  war."'-- • 
Smollett,  III.  Ibl.     See  also  Malioii,  ///.s^  EikjUuuI,  IV.  72. 


ill 


•aji 


[1755. 

oix  their 
iOiidou. 
,  kiiuUiiig 
I   its  fires 
ry  cinpiro 
orious   by 
of   Vvvd- 
,'iir  wliicli 
I  was  first 
hcY  llevo- 
)(hI  consc- 
uro|u\  the 
)f  viokMice 
of  former 
iiiion  ball, 
lie,  sacked 
jtations   of 
soldiery. 
Lid  striking 
la.     Arniv 
,al  woods  ; 
1  known  to 
e    powers 
be  trav- 
where  the 
ic  bayonet 

before  the 
conrts  of 

ssion  of  wliicl) 
;,  iuid  tixtMl  tlie 
t'  the   will'.  ■'-" 


17.V).1        Tin-:    WAK   IX    KTROrK    AND    AMKKICA. 


105 


^ 


France  and  England,  the  I'nglish  ministry  formed 
th(>  plan  of  assaihng  tli(>  Frencli  in  America  on  all 
sides  at  once,  and  re[)elling  them,  by  one  bold  pnsh, 
from  all  their  encroachm(>nts.'  A  provincial  army 
was  to  advance  n[)on  Acadia,  a  second  was  to 
attack  Crown  Poinc.  and  a  third  Niagara  ;  while 
the  two  regiments  which  had  lately  arrived  in  Wv- 
♦jinia  nnder  (General  Ih'addock.  aided  bv  a  stronur 
body  of  provincials,  were  to  dislodge  the  Frencli 
from  their  newlv-bnilt  fort  of  l)n  (^nesne.  To 
Braddock  was  assigned  the  chief  connnand  of  all 
the  British  forces  in  America;  and  a  [)erson  worse 
fitted  for  the  ofhcc  conld  scarcelv  have  been  fonnd. 
llis  experience  had  been  am})le,  and  nonc^  conld 
donbt  his  conrago  ;  bnt  he  was  protligat(\  arro- 
gant, perverse,  and  a  bigot  to  military  rnles.-     On 

1  Instructions  of  GentTiil  lirinlilock.     See  Pr(fi;is  d'n  /-'((/Vs,  llJO,  108. 

-  Till'  tollowin;^-  is  Horace  Walpole's  testimony,  and  writers  of  l)elter 
niitliority  have  expressed  tlieinselves,  witli  less  liveUness  and  i)i(nian(y, 
to  tlie  same  eUt'et :  — 

"  Braddock  is  a  \ery  Iroquois  in  disposition.  lie  had  a  sister,  wlio, 
liavinir  tramcd  away  all  her  little  fortune  at  l?ath,  hanued  herself  with  a 
truly  I'JiLilish  deliheration,  leavinn'  oidy  a  note  upon  the  taiile  wiili  those 
lines,  '  To  die  is  lamlinji  on  some  silent  shore,'  &e.  When  I}ra<ldock  was 
told  of  it,  he  only  said,  '  I'oor  Faiuiy  !  I  always  tliouglit  she  would  play 
till  she  would  he  forced  lo  luck  In rsr/fnp.'" 

Here  foHows  a  curious  anecdote  of  Hradihu'k's  nieamiessand  jiroM'  '.'icy, 
which  I  omit.  The  next  is  more  to  his  credit.  "  He  once  had  a  duel  with 
Colonel  (Jumley,  Lady  IJath's  hrother,  who  had  heen  his  ^'reat  friend.  A* 
they  were  .uoiii^  to  en<j;aLie,  (iiimley,  who  had  good  iiumor  and  wit  ( IJrad- 
ilock  had  the  latter),  said,  '  nradilock.you  are  a  poor  dog  !  Here,  take  my 
purse.  If  you  kill  me,  you  will  he  forceil  to  run  away,  and  then  you  will 
n.it  have  a  shilling  to  support  you.'  ISraddock  refused  the  jnirse,  insisted 
on  the  duel,  was  disarmed,  and  would  not  even  ask  his  liti'.  However, 
with  all  his  hriitality,  he  has  lately  heen  governor  of  Giiirallar,  where 
ho  made  himself  adored,  and  where  scarce  any  governor  was  endured 
before."  — /^^^;s/o  Sir  II.  Maun,  CCLXV.  Cci.XVI. 

Washington's  opinion  of  Braddock  may  be  gathered  from  his  Writings; 
II.  77. 


it.  ' 


I"  !  ; 

i: 


!l 


10(3 


CULLISloN    ()V   Till-:    \{\\\L   COl.UMKS. 


[1755 


liis  first  arrival  in  Vir<j^iiiia,  he  called  to«;etlier  the 
governors  of  the  s(^\eral  i)rovin('es,  in  order  to 
e\i)lain  his  instructions  and  adjust  the  details  of 
the  projected  operations.  These  arranjjjenients 
cojuplete.  IJraddock  advanced  to  the  horders  of 
Virginia,  and  formed  his  camp  at  Fort  ('und)(>rland, 
where  he  spent  several  weeks  in  trainini^  the  raw 
hackwoodsmen.  who  joined  him,  into  such  disci- 
pline as  they  seemed  capahle  of;  in  collecting 
horses  and  waiifons,  which  could  onlv  be  had  with 
the  utmost  difficulty;  in  railing  at  the  contractors, 
who  scandalously  cheated  him ;  and  in  venting  his 
s})leen  by  copious  abuse  of  the  country  and  the 
])eople.  All  at  length  was  ready,  and  early  in 
June,  1755,  the  army  left  civilization  behind,  and 
struck  into  the  broad  wilderness  as  a  squadron  puts 
out  to  sea. 

It  was  no  easv  task  to  force  their  wav  over  that 
rugged  ground,  covered  with  an  unbroken  growth 
of  forest ;  and  the  difficulty  was  increased  by  the 
needless  load  of  baggage  which  encumbered  their 
march.  The  crash  of  falling  trees  resounded  in 
the  front,  where  a  hundred  axemen  labored  with 
ceaseless  toil  to  hew  a  [)assage  for  tlie  army.* 
The  horses  strained  their  utmost  streufjtli  to  dray: 
the  ponderous  wagons  over  roots  and  stumps, 
through  gullies  and  (piagmires ;  and  the  regular 
troops  were  daunted  by  the  depth  and  gloom  of 
the  forest  which  hedged  them  in  on  either  hand, 
and  closed  its  leafv  arches  above  their  heads.  So 
tedious  wa?  their  progress,  that,  by  the  advice  of 


i  MS.  Diary  of  tite  Expedition,  in  tlie  British  Museum. 


[1755 


1755.] 


MARCH   (»F   IJKADDOCK. 


107 


L'th(>r  the 
order  to 
Ic'tails  of 
no;cnients 
[ncU'rs  of 
iiibrilaiid. 
r  the  raw 
ucli  tlisci- 
coUectiiig 
had  Avitli 
ontractors, 
/exiting  his 

V  and  the 
d  early  in 
ichind,  and 
ladron  puts 

V  over  that 
en  growth 
ised  by  the 

)ercd  their 
ounded  in 
bored  ^vith 
the    army.' 
rth  to  drag 
id    stunij)s, 
the  rcguhu' 
1  "loom  of 
ither  hand, 
heads.     So 
advice  of 

useum. 


Washington,  twelve  hundred  chosen  men  moved 
on  in  advanci^  with  tiie  light(>r  l»aggage  and  artil- 
lery, leaving  the  rest  of  the  army  to  follow,  hy 
slower  stages,  witli  tiie  heavy  wagons.  On  the 
eiirhth  of  .lulv,  the  advanced  ixxlv  reaclunl  the 
^Nlonongahela.  at  a  point  not  far  distant  from  Fort 
(hi  Quesiie.  Tlie  rocky  and  imi)racticahle  ground 
on  the  eastern  side  debarred  their  passage,  and  the 
general  resolved  to  cross  the  river  in  search  of  a 
fimoother  path,  and  recross  it  a  few  miles  lower 
down,  in  order  to  gain  the  fort.  The  tirst  |)assage 
was  easily  made,  and  the  troo[)S  moved,  in  glitter- 
ing array,  down  the  wotern  margin  of  t\w  watcn-, 
rejoicing  that  their  goal  was  well  uigh  reached, 
and  the  hour  of  their  ex[)ected  triumj)h  close  at 
hand. 

Scouts  and  Indian  runners  had  broui>ht  the  tid- 
ings  of  Braddock's  api)r()ach  to  the  French  at  Fort 
dn  Quesne.  Their  dismay  was  great,  and  Contre- 
cccur,  the  commander,  thoui^ht  onlv  of  retreat; 
when  Beaujeu,  a  captain  in  the  garrison,  niiide  the 
hold  proposal  of  leading  out  a  party  of  French 
and  Indians  to  waylay  the  F^.uglish  in  the  woods, 
and  harass  or  interru[)t  their  march.  The  offer 
was  accepted,  and  Beaujeu  hastened  to  the  Indian 
camps. 

Around  the  fort  and  beneath  the  adjacent  forest 
were  the  bark  lodges  of  savage  hordes,  whom  the 
F'rench  had  mustered  from  far  and  near ;  Ojibwas 
and  Ottawas,  Ilurons  and  C'aughnawagas,  Abcna- 
kis  and  Delawares.  Beaujeu  called  the  warriors 
together,  flung  a   hatchet  on   the    ground   before 


M     1 


It  :  ' 


f|i 


I 


in 


I 'I 


It.  ^ 


i: 


il: 


108 


COI-MSION   OF    TIIK    IMVAF-   COI.ONIKS. 


1 1755 


tluMM.  Mild  invited  tliciii  (o  follow  'lini  out  to  battle; 
l)iit  the  l)old(^st  stood  ;ii;liiiNt  at  tlir  peril,  and  none 
would  accept  the  (liallcnge.  A  second  intervi(MV 
took  i)lace  witii  no  l)(>tter  success  ;  hut  the  l''reiich- 
Tiian  was  resolved  to  carry  his  ])oint.  ••  I  am  de- 
termined to  l;().''  he  exclainiiMl.  ••  W'iiat.  will  voii 
suffer  \our  lather  to  i^o  aloii(>  ? "  '  His  darini; 
])r()vcd  contau^ious.  'i"li(>  warriors  hesitated  no 
lonij:(M-;  and  when,  on  the  mornin;.''  ;^**  the  ninth 
of"  Jidy.  a  scout  ran  in  with  the  news  that  the 
Kn^lisli  army  was  hut  a  few  miles  distant,  the  In- 
dian cam|)s  were  at  once  astir  with  the  turmoil  of 
preparation.  Chiefs  haranij^ued  tluMr  yelling  fol- 
lowers, braves  b(Mlaubed  themselvc^s  with  war-paint, 
smeared  tluMiiselves  with  g-rease.  hung  feathers  in 
their  scalp-locks,  and  whooped  and  stamped  till 
tliev  had  wroui'-ht  themselves  into  a  delirium  of 
valor. 

That  morning.  James  Smith,  an  English  prisoner 
recently  captured  on  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania, 
stood  o.  Mie  rampart,  and  saw  the  half-frenzied 
multitude  throiiijring  al)ont  the  gatewav,  where  kegs 
of  bullets  and  gunpowder  were  broken  open,  that 
each  might  help  himself  at  will.^  Then  band  after 
band  hastened  away  towards  the  forest,  followed 
and  supported  by  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty 
French   and   Canadians,   commanded    by    Beanjeu. 

1  Sparks's  f.ifc  andWritln'is  of  Washiiujton,  II.  473.  lain  indebted  to 
tlie  kindness  of  President  Sparks  for  copies  of  several  Frencii  manuscripts, 
wiiieh  tlirow  much  iiyht  on  tlie  incidents  of  tlie  battle.  Tliese  manu- 
scripts are  alluded  to  in  the  Life  and  Writinjis  of  Washinfjton. 

-  Smith's  Xtirnitiri'.  This  interesting^  account  lias  been  several  times 
published.     It  may  be  found  in  Drake's  Tragedies  of  the  Wildernef*. 


P. 


I  l7o5. 

o  l);ittlo  ; 
111(1  none 
iitiMvicw 
I'lrnch- 
iim  (le- 
will  you 
•;  daring 
hitcd  no 
li(^  ninth 
thiit  the 
,  the  In- 
rinoil  of 
ilinj'  fol- 
'iir-paint, 
atliei's  ill 
iped  till 
irimn  of 

)risoner 

;ylvanici, 

-fien/icd 

ere  kegs 

)en,  that 

nd  after 

olio  wed 

md    fifty 

ieanjeu. 

indebted  to 
namiscripts, 
'liei«e  nianu- 

?veral  times 
rnenv. 


17r,:,.] 


Tin:  AMnrsrADE. 


100 


if 


3* 


There  were  the  Ottawas,  led  on.  it  is  said,  hy  the 
rernarkahh^  man  whose  name  stands  on  the  title- 
page  of  this  lustory  ;  tlu>re  were  the  Ilnrons  of 
l.orette  luidcr  their  chief,  whom  the  French  called 
Athanase.'  and  many  nior(>,  all  keen  as  honnds  on 
the  scent  of  hlood.  At  uhont  nine  miles  from  the 
fort,  they  reached  a  spot  where  the  narrow  road 
descended  to  the  river  throtigh  deep  aiid  gloomy 
woods,  and  where  two  ra\ines,  concealed  hy  trees 
and  hushes,  seemed  fornuMl  hy  nature  for  an  am- 
bnscad(\  Ueaujeau  well  knew  the  ground  ;  audit 
was  here  that  he  had  resolved  to  fight  ;  htit  he  and 
his  followers  were  well  nigh  too  late  ;  for  as  they 
ncared  the  ra\ines,  the  woods  were  resounding 
with  the  roll  of  the  British  drums. 

It  was  past  noon  of  a  day  hrightem>d  witii  the 
clear  sunlight  of  an  American  midsummer,  when 
the  forces  of  jhaddock  began,  for  a  second  time, 
to  cross  the  Monongahela,  at  the  fording-])lace, 
which  to  this  day  hears  the  name  of  their  ill-fated 
leader.  The  scarlet  colunuis  of  the  British  regu 
lars,  complete  in  martial  apjiointment,  tln^  rude 
backwoodsmen  with  shouldered  rifles,  the  trains  of 
artillery  and  the  white-topped  wagons,  moved  on 
in  long  procession  through  the  shallow  currt>nt, 
and   slowly   mounted   the   opposing  bank.'       Men 

•  "  Went  to  Lorette,  an  Indian  village  about  eiqlit  miles  from  Quebec. 
Saw  the  Indians  at  mass,  and  iicard  ilioin  siiij^  psalms  tolerably  well  —  a 
dance.  Got  well  acquainted  with  Athanase,  who  was  cnnnnaudor  of  the 
Indians  who  defeated  (Jeiieral  l5raddock,  in  ITTw  —  a  very  sensilile  fel- 
low."—  MS.  Jonnidl  (if  an  EinjHsh  (Senthmuin  on  <t  Tour  t/iiviit/h  Canada,  ifi 
1765. 

'^  "  My  feelini;S  were  lieij^htLMied  by  the  warm  and  glowinj;  narration 
of  that  day's  events,  l)y  Dr.  Widker,  who  was  iui  eye-witness.     lie  pointed 


Is-J 


IHJ- 


,i 


110 


COLLISION    OF    TIIL    lilVAL    COLoXIFS. 


[1755. 


were  there  -whose  iinmes  have  become  historic : 
Gnixe  \\\\o.  twenty  years  later,  saw  his  routed 
battalions  recoil  in  disorder  from  before  the  breast- 
work on  Bunker  Hill ;  Gates,  the  future  conqueror 
of  Burgoyne  ;  and  one  destined  to  a  higher  fame, 
—  George  Washington,  a  boy  in  years,  a  man  in 
calm  thouixht  and  self-rulin<2:  wisdom. 

With  steady  and  well  ordered  march,  the  troops 
advanced  into  the  great  lidjyrinth  of  woods  which 
shadowed  the  eastern  borders  of  the  river.  Rank 
after  rank  vanished  from  sii>ht.  The  forest  swal- 
lowed  them  up,  and  the  silence  of  the  wilderness 
sank  down  once  more  on  the  shores  and  waters  of 
the  ]\Ionongidiela. 

Several  engineers  and  guides  and  six  lig'ht  horse- 
men led  the  way  ;  a  body  of  grenadiers  under  Gage 
was  close  behind,  and  the  army  followed  in  such 
order  as  the  rough  ground  would  permit,  along  i 
narrow  road,  twelve  feet  wide,  tunnelled  through 
the  dense  and  matted  foliage.  There  were  Hank- 
ing parties  on  either  side,  but  no  scouts  to  scour 
the  woods  in  front,  and  with  an  insane  confidence 
Braddock  pressed  on  to  meet  his  fate.  The  van 
had  passed  the  low  grounds  that  bordered  the  river, 
and  were  now  ascending  a  gently  rising  ground, 
where,  on  either  hand,  hidden  by  thick   trees,  by 

out  the  ford  wliere  the  army  crossed  the  Monoiigahela  (helow  Turtle 
Cri'i'k,  8(¥)  y;mls).  A  finer  sit^'ht  oouM  not  have  been  beiieid,  —  the 
shining  barrels  of  the  muskets,  the  exeellent  order  of  tiie  men,  the  clean- 
liness of  their  appearance,  the  joy  depicted  on  every  face  at  being  so  near 
Fort  du  Quesne  —  the  highest  object  of  their  wishes.  The  music  re- 
echoed through  the  hills.  How  brilliant  the  morning  —  how  melancholy 
the  evening!"  —  Letter  of  Ju<hje  Yuite)> ,  dated  Auijust,  1776.  See  Ilaz., 
l\i.  licj.,  VL  104.      . 


-I 


[1755. 


17.V..] 


]?lJAni)()rKS    DF.IF.AT. 


Ill 


historic : 
IS  routed 
LC  breast- 
onquoror 
lier  fiinio, 
I  man  in 

le  troops 
els  which 
r.  Rank 
est  swal- 
^'ildcrness 
i^aters  of 

^•ht  horse- 

der  Gage 
in  such 
along  i 
through 

re  flank- 
to  scour 

onfidence 
The  van 

the  river, 
ground, 

trees,  by 

)elo\v  Turtle 
)elicl(l,  —  the 
jn,  tlic  clean- 
\)e'm<^  so  near 
le  music  re- 
melancholy 
See  Ilaz., 


tani2:led  underijrrowtli  and  rank  "-rasses,  lav  the  two 
fatal  ra\ines.  Suddenlv,  (iordon.  an  en<2;ineer  in 
advance,  saw  the  French  and  Indians  bounding 
forward  through  the  forest  and  along  tlie  narrow 
track.  Beanjeau  heading  them  on,  dressed  in  a  fringed 
liunting-shirt.  and  wearing  '^  silver  gorget  on  his 
breast.  He  stopped,  turned,  and  waved  his  hat, 
and  his  French  followers,  crowding  across  the  road, 
opened  a  nnirderous  fire  upon  tlie  head  of  the 
British  column,  while,  screeching  their  war-cries, 
the  Indians  thronged  into  the  ravines,  or  crouclied 
behind  rocks  and  trees  on  botli  flanks  of  the  advan- 
cing troops.  The  astonished  grenadiers  returned 
the  fire,  and  returned  it  with  <j:ood  eff(^ct ;  for  a 
random  shot  struck  down  the  brave  Beanjeau,  and 
the  courage  of  the  assailants  was  staggered  by  his 
fall.  Dumas,  second  in  command,  rallied  them  to 
the  attack  ;  and  while  he,  with  the  French  and 
Canadians,  made  good  the  pass  in  front,  the  Indians 
from  their  lurking  places  opened  a  deadly  fire  on 
the  right  and  left.  In  a  few  mouKMits,  all  was 
confusion.  The  advance  guard  f(>ll  back  on  the 
main  bodv,  and  evcrv  trace  of  subordination  van- 
ished.  The  fire  soon  extended  along  the  whole 
length  of  the  army,  from  front  to  lear.  Scarce 
an  enemy  could  l)e  seen,  though  the  forest  re- 
sounded with  their  veils;  thouii'l;  everv  bush  and 
tree  was  alive  with  incessant  flashes  ;  though  the 
lead  fiew  like  a  hailstorm,  and  the  men  went  down 
by  scores.  The  regular  troops  seemed  bereft  of 
their  senses.  'I'hey  huddhnl  togc^ther  in  the  road 
like  flocks  of  sheep  ;  and  hap[)y  did  he  think  him- 


m 


? 


I'l^;  ■ 


1.:! 


r 


\V2 


t'()M,lSl()N    OF    TIIK    lUVAI.    COI.ONIKS. 


i.ht 


si'ir  wlio  could  \v(m1i;(^  his  way  into  tlic'  niidsl  of 
\\\v  crowd,  and  i)lacc  a  hanicM"  of  Innnan  llcsli 
l)clwc(Mi  his  hie  and  the  sliot  of  the  an)l)nsh(Ml 
maiksinon.  Many  were  s(hm»  ca^cM'ly  loachnu"  their 
niusls,(«ls.  and  then  lirini::  thcni  into  th(^  air,  or  slioot- 
inj^  th(Mr  own  comradcvs  in  the  insanity  of  tlicir 
Icu'ror.  'l\\c  ofliccrs.  lor  tlic  most  part,  displayed  a 
conspicnons  ^aUantry  ;  hut  tlireats  and  coininands 
\V(M'e  wast(Ml  alik(>  on  the  panic-strickiMi  tiudtitude. 
It  is  said  that  at  the  outsi>t  lU-'ddock  sliowed  sij^'us 
of  tear  ;  l)ut  lie  soon  rcMoxcred  his  wont(Ml  intre- 
])idity.  I'^ive  horsi^s  w(>re  shot  under  hini,  and  tive 
tinuv^  h(>  moiuited  alV(^sh.'  1 1(>  storuKMl  and  shoutcHJ, 
and.  while  tlie  \  ii'i>inians  were  iinhtin<;-  to  <^oo(l 
purpose,  (Mch  man  Ixdiind  a  tre(\  lik(>  the  Indiiius 
t]uMns(dv(>s  \\c  oidiM'ed  tluMu  with  I'nrions  menace 
to  form  in  platoons.  wluM'e  the  tire  of  the  (memy 
mowed  tluMU  down  lik(^  j^rass.  At  hMiLjth.  a  mortal 
shot  sil(Mieed  him.  and  two  jirovin.cials  l)or(^  liiiii 
off  the  ti(^i(l.  \\'ashini;ton  vodc  throni>-h  the  tu;nnlt 
calm  and  nndanntiMl.  Two  horses  were  killed 
und(M' him.  and  four  hidlets  ])i(M'C(Ml  his  clotluN  ,  ^ 
but  his  hour  was  not  come,  and  he  escaped  with- 
out a  wound.  (^ates  was  shot  throu<;h  the  body, 
anil  (la^e  also  Avas  si^Acrely  wounded.  Of  eighty- 
six  oflicers.  only  twenty-three  remained  unhurt  ; 
and  of  twelve  hundriHl  soldiiM's  who  crossed  the 
Mononi^aluda.  more  than  si>veu  hundred  were  killed 
and  wounded.  None  suffered  more  severely  tlum 
the    Mrginians.  who  had   displayed   throui^liout    a 

1  T.otlor —  Captain  Oniu  ,  lu'a  itiih-di  -i-amp,  to ,  July  18. 

2  l^pal•ks,  I.  07. 


■   I  hi 


17  •')•"» 


\irir>.\ 


IJKSlTI/rs   (»!'    B!!.\I)I)(>(K  S   DKFKAT 


n:{ 


lidst     n\' 
111     llcsli 
ihiisluMl 
uiX  thoir 
)r  slioot- 
of  tluMi' 
)1;i\(m1  a 
mmaiids 
iiltitu(l(\ 
I'd  sii>'ns 
'd  intrc^- 
;md  iiv(^ 
slioutcd, 
to   ^ood 
li\(li;;ns 
iiKMiaco 
r  ciKMViy 
a  mortal 
nvo  ]\'\m 
c  tumult 
killed 
othos  ,  ~ 
d  with- 
V  body, 
oi<;lity- 
uiliurt  ; 
s(>d    the 
c>  killed 
ely  than 
ho  at    a 


dop^rer    of  courii^f^   and   stciuhiu'ss  wliich    put   th(^ 


co\vanlic(»    of  the    rcLl^ulars   to    shame 


'I'l 


ic    havoc. 


anionic  thoiu  was  tcnihlc.  for  of  tluMi"  whole    uum- 
l)er  scarcely  one-fifth  h'il  th''  fiehl  aliv(>.' 

The  slau^htci'  lasted  thi'cc  liouis  ;  wlieu,  at 
Iciin'tli,  the  sui-\i\()iN,  us  if  impelhMl  hy  a  li^eueral 
iiupulse,  rusli(>(l  tuinuhously  from  the  j)hi(('  of  car- 
nage, and  \vith  (histardly  precipitation  fled  across 
the  MoHouiXiduda.  'I'h(^  eiKU'iv  did  uot  ])ursue 
bevoiK  the  rivei*,  Hockiiiu^  hack  to  the  field  to  col 
l(M't  the  plunder,  and  gather  a  rich  hai'vest  of  scalps. 
The  routed  troops  ])ursue(l  their  fliglit  until  they 
in(>t  th(*  rear  division  of  the  army,  under  Colonel 
Dunhar;  and  even  then  their  senseless  tcri'oi's  did 
not  ahate.  Dunhar's  sohher's  caught  the  infection. 
C^innon,  baggage.  pro\isions  and  wagons  wer(>  (l(>s- 
ti'oyed,  and  all  fled  together,  eager  to  (>sc;ipe  from 
the  shadows  of  t]ios(>  awful  woods,  wliose  horrors 
haunted  tln^r  imagination.  I  h(\v  j)ass(Ml  the 
defenceless  settlements  of  the  boi-dcM'.  and  hurried 
on  to  Philadelpliia,  leaving  the  unliai)py  ])eo[)le  to 
defend  themselves  as  they  might  against  tlie  toma- 
hawk and  scai[)ing-knife. 

The  calamities   of  this  disgraceful   rout  did  not 

1  "  The  Vir^iinia  troojis  sliowcl  a  ^rood  ".(..'il  of  iiriiverv,  iiii'l  were 
iif'nrly  all  killed;  for  1  ln'licvc,  out  of  llircc  coiiiiiaiiics  that  ucri' tiicrc, 
ec^ircoly  thirty  iiifii  are  ii'ft  alive  (^aptaiti  IVyroiiiiy,  and  all  his  olli  cri', 
down  to  il  corporal,  wore  killed,  ('ai)taiii  I'olson  had  nearly  as  hard  a 
fate,  for  only  one  of  his  was  left.  In  siiort.  tlie  dastardly  behavior  of  those 
they  call  re^-nlars  exposed  all  oihers.  that  were  ineliniMJ  to  do  their  dn'.y, 
to  almost  eertain  death  ;  ami  at  last,  in  despite  of  all  tlu!  efll)rts  of  tlie 
oflieers  to  the  eontrary,  they  I'an,  a.s  sheep  pursneil  by  du[;s,  and  it  Wiis 
impossible  to  rally  them." —  Wrltini/s  iif'  Witsliinijion,  II.  87. 

'I'he  Kn^lish  themselves  bore  reliietant  testimony  to  the  good  conduct 
of  the  Virginians.  —  See  Hntick,  ///,s7.  hite  Wnr,  117. 

8 


.^ 


m  I    I 

Km  I 


■I' 

'5*1 


IV 


li  > ! : 


114 


COLLISION   OF   THE   RIVAL   COLONIES. 


[1755. 


cease  with  the  loss  of  a  few  hundred  soldiers  on 
the  field  of  hattle  ;  for  it  hrouglit  upon  the  prov- 
mccs  all  the  miseries  of  an  Indian  war.  Those 
among  the  trihes  who  had  thus  far  stood  neutral, 
wavering  hetween  the  Freneh  and  English,  now 
liesitated  no  longer.  Many  of  them  had  heen  dis- 
gusted by  the  contemptuous  behavior  of  Braddock. 
All  had  learned  to  des[)ise  the  courage  of  the 
English,  and  to  regard  their  own  prowess  with 
unbounded  complacency.  It  is  not  in  Indian 
nature  to  stand  ([uiet  in  the  midst  of  war ;  and 
the  defeat  of  Uraddock  was  a  signal  fov  the 
western  savajj^es  to  snatch  their  tomahawks  and 
assail  the  English  settlements  with  one  accord, 
murdering  and  pillaging  Avith  ruthless  fury,  and 
turning  the  frontier  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 
into  one  wide  scene  of  havoc  and  desolation. 

The  three  remaining  ex[)editions  which  the 
British  ministrv  had  planned  for  that  vear's  cam- 
paign  were  attended  with  various  results.  Acadia 
was  quickly  reduced  by  the  forces  of  Colonel 
Monkton ;  but  the  glories  of  this  easy  victory 
were  tarnished  by  an  act  of  cruelty.  Seven  thou- 
sand of  the  unfortunate  people,  refusing  to  take 
tlic  prescribed  oath  of  allegiance,  were  seized  by 
the  conquerors,  torn  from  their  homes,  placed  on 
shipboard  like  cargoes  of  negro  slaves,  and  trans- 
ported to  the  British  provinces.'  The  expedition 
against  Niagara  was  a  total  failure,  for  the  troops 
did  not  even  reach  their  destination.  The  move- 
ment  against   Crown    Point   met   with    no    better 

1  .laliburtoii,  Hist.  Noca  Scotia,  I.  Chap.  IV. 


[175- 


1755.] 


BATTLE  OF  LAKE   GEOTIOE. 


IM 


crs  on 
)  prov- 
Tliose 

CUtl'ill, 

I,  now 
HI  (lis- 
ddock. 
of  the 
s  with 
Iiidiiin 
■ ;  and 
in*  the 
cs  and 
iiccord, 
•y,  and 
'ii-ginia 
on. 

h  the 
s  cam- 
Vcadia 
oloncl 
ictory 
thon- 
I  take 
vd  by 
cod  on 
trans- 
dition 
troops 
n'love- 
better 


snccpss,  as  regards  tlie  main  object  of  the  enter- 
prise. Owing  to  tlie  lateness  of  the  season,  and 
other  causes,  the  troops  proceeded  no  fartlier  tlian 
Lake  George ;  but  the  attempt  was  marked  by  a 
feat  of  arms,  wliich,  in  that  day  of  faihires,  was 
greeted,  both  in  Enghmd  and  America,  as  a  signal 
victory. 

General  Johnson,  afterwards  Sir  William  .John- 
son, had  been  charged  with  the  conduct  of  tin; 
Crown  Point  expedition ;  and  his  little  army,  a 
rude  assemblage  of  hunters  and  farmers  from  New 
York  and  New  England,  officers  and  men  alike 
ignorant  of  war,  lay  encamped  at  tlie  southern 
extremity  of  Lake  George.  Here,  while  tliev 
languidly  pursued  their  preparations,  their  active 
enemy  anticipated  them.  Baron  Dieskau,  who, 
with  a  body  of  troops,  had  reached  Quebec  in  the 
squadron  which  sailed  from  Ih-cst  in  the  spring, 
had  intended  to  take  forcible  possession  of  the 
English  fort  of  Oswego,  erected  upon  ground 
claimed  by  the  French  as  a  part  of  Canada. 
Learning  Johnson's  movements,  he  changed  his 
plan,  crossed  Lake  Cham[)lain,  made  a  circuit  by 
way  of  Wood  Creek,  and  gained  the  rear  of  the 
En2:lisli  armv,  with  a  force  of  about  two  thousand 
French  and  Indiiins.  At  midnight,  on  the  s(>venth 
of  September,  the  tidings  reached  Johnson  that  the 
army  of  the  French  baron  was  but  a  few  miles 
distant  from  his  camp.  A  council  of  war  was 
called,  and  the  resolution  formed  of  detaching  a 
thousand  men  to  reconnoitre.  "  If  they  arc  to  be 
killed,"  said  Hendrick,  the  Mohawk  chief,  "  they 


|5Ji'' 


I! 


116 


COLLISION   OF   THE   RIVAL   COLONIES. 


[1756. 


are  too  many ;  if  tliey  are  to  fight,  they  are  too 
few."  His  remonstrance  was  nnheedcd  ;  and  the 
brave  okl  savage,  unable  from  age  and  rorpulence 
to  fii^ht  on  foot,  mounted  his  liorse,  and  joined 
the  J^ngUsh  detachment  with  two  hundred  of  his 
warriors.  At  sunrise,  the  party  defiled  from  the 
camp,  and  entering  the  forest  disappeared  from 
the  eyes  of  their  comrades. 

Those  who  remained  behind  labored  with  all  the 
energy  of  alarm  to  fortify  their  unprotected  camp. 
An  hour  elapsed,  when  from  the  distance  was 
heard  a  sudden  explosion  of  musketry.  The 
excited  soldiers  suspended  their  work  to  listen. 
A  ratriing  fire  succeeded,  deadened  among  the 
woods,  but  growing  louder  and  nearer,  till  none 
could  doubt  that  their  comrades  had  met  the 
French,  and  were  defeated. 

This  was  indeed  the  case.  Marching  through 
thick  woods,  by  the  narrow  and  newly-cut  road 
-svhich  led  along  the  valley  southward  from  I^ake 
George,  Williams,  the  English  commander,  had 
led  his  men  full  into  an  ambuscade,  where  all 
Dieskau's  army  lay  in  wait  to  receive  them.  From 
the  woods  on  both  sides  rose  an  appalling  shout, 
followed  by  a  storm  of  bullets.  Williams  was 
soon  shot  down  ;  Hendrick  shared  his  fate  ;  manv 
officers  fell,  and  the  road  was  strewn  with  dead 
and  wounded  soldiers.  The  English  gave  way  at 
once.  Had  they  been  regular  troops,  the  result 
would  have  been  worse ;  but  every  man  was  a 
woodsman  and  a  hunter.  Some  retired  in  bodies 
along  the   road ;    while   the   greater   part   spread 


1755.1 


BATTLi:   OF  LAKE   GEOUGE. 


117 


themselves  tlironi^h  tlie  forest,  opposing  a  wide 
front  to  tlie  eneniv.  iij^htinu:  stubbornly  as  tliev 
retreated,  and  sliootinii^  back  at  the  French  from 
behind  every  tree  or  l)ush  that  could  afford  u  cover. 
'J'he  Canadians  and  Indians  pressed  them  closely, 
darting,  with  shrill  cries,  from  tree  to  tree,  whih 
Dieskau's  regulars,  witli  steadier  advance,  bore  all 
before  them.  Far  and  wide  tlirough  the  forest  rang 
shout  and  shriek  and  Indian  whoop,  mingled  witli 
the  deadly  rattle  of  guns.  lletreating  and  pur- 
suing, the  combatants  passed  northward  towards 
the  English  cani]),  leaving  the  ground  behind  them 
strewn  with  dead  and  dvincf. 

A  fresh  detachmer,t  from  the  camp  came  in  aid 
of  the  English,  and  the  pursuit  was  checked.  Yet 
the  retreating  men  vvere  not  the  less  rejoiced  when 
they  could  discern.,  between  the  brown  columns 
of  the  woods,  tlie  mountains  and  waters  of  Lake 
George,  witli  the  white  tents  of  their  encampments 
on  its  shore.  The  French  followed  no  farther. 
The  blast  of  their  trumpets  was  heard  recalling 
their  scattered  men  for  a  final  attack. 

During  the  absence  of  Williams's  detachment, 
the  main  body  of  the  army  had  covered  the  front 
of  ^heir  camp  with  a  breastwork,  —  if  that  name 
can  be  ap])lied  to  a  row  of  logs,  —  behind  which  the 
maiksmen  lay  fiat  on  their  faces.  This  preparation 
was  not  yet  complete,  when  the  defeated  troops 
appeared  issuing  from  the  woods.  Breathless  and 
perturbed,  tliey  entered  the  camp,  and  lay  down 
with  the  rest ;  and  the  army  waited  the  attack  in 
a  frame  of  mind   which   boded  ill  for  the  result 


118 


COLLISION   OF  TlIK    IIIVAL   COLONIKS. 


1756. 


Socii,  at  tlie  cdgo  of  the   woods   which   hordcird 
the  open  space  in  front,  painted  Indians  were  seen, 
and  hayonets  i:;littered  anions  the   l()lia;;e,  sliinlui;'. 
in    (he    hoiuelv    comparison     of    a     New-]'ln<;land 
soldier,  like  a  row  of  icicles  on  a   Jannary  niorn- 
in<;*.      I'he  French  regnlars  marched  in  column   to 
the  edu-e  of  the  clearinj',  and  formed  in  line,  con- 
frt)ntini;  the  English  at  the  distance  of  a  hundred 
and  tiftv  \ards.     Their  com])lete  order,  their  white 
uniforms   and   hristlini;'  hayonets,  were  a  new  and 
startling-    .sight    to    tiie    eye;'    of    Johnsons    rustic 
soldiers,  who  raised  hut  a  feehle  cheer  in  answer 
to  the  shouts  of  their  enemies.     llaj)pny,  ])ieskau 
made  no   assault.     The  regulars  opened   a  distant 
lire  of  mnsketvy.  throwing  volley  after  volh^y  against 
the  Eniilish,  while  the  Canadians  and  Indians,  dis- 
persing  through  the  morasses  on  each  Hank  of  the 
camp,  tired  sharply,  under  cover  of  the  trees   and 
hushes.     In  the  rear,  the  l-aiglish  were   protected 
hv  the  lake  ;    hut  on    rhc    three   remaining   sides, 
they  were  hedged  in  hy  the  Hash  and  smoke  of 
nnisketry. 

The  tire  of  the  French  had  little  effect.  The 
Fndish  recovered  from  their  iirst  surprise,  and 
every  moment  their  confidence  rose  higher  and 
their  shouts  grew  louder.  Levelling  their  long 
hunting  guns  with  cool  precision,  they  returned  a 
fire  which  thinned  the  ranks  of  the  French,  and 
galled  them  beyond  endunmce.  Two  cannon  were 
soon  brought  to  bear  ui)on  the  morasses  which 
sheltered  the  Canadians  and  Indians  ;  and  though 
the  pieces  were  served  with  little  skill,  the  assail- 


17G5.] 


BATTLK  OF   LAKH   GEORGE. 


119 


ants 


wcr 

nioii 


0  so  tcniticd  hy  tlic  ( riisliiii*];  of  tlio  bulls 
the  trunks  and  hranclics,  that  tlu^v  ij^ave 
way  at  once.  J)i('ska)i  still  persisted  in  the  attack. 
I'roin  noon  until  past  four  o'clock,  the  fiiiu<^  was 
scarcely  abated,  when  at  leni>'th  the  l''r(Micli.  who 
had  sulfered  ext'i'tncdv,  showed  si<jjns  of  waveriiiLi;. 


At  tl 


lis,  w 


ith   a    ^xcMieral    shout,  the    i'aiiilisli   broke 


from  their  camp,  and  rushed  upon  their  eiu^iuies, 
strikini^-  tlicni  down  with  the  buts  of  their  ,S4;uns, 
and  driving  thc^n  throui^h  the  woods  like  deer. 
Dieskau  was  taken  prisoner.  danL>'erously  wounded, 


ai 


)f  a 


id  leaning  for  support  against  the  stu?)ij)  o 
tree.  'J'lie  slaughter  would  have  l)eeii  great,  had 
not  the  luiglish  general  recalled  th(>  i)ursui'rs.  and 
suffered  the  I'^rench  to  continue  their  flight  unmo- 
lested. I'resh  disasters  still  awaited  the  fugitives  ; 
for,  as  tliey  apjiroached  tlu^  sceiu^  of  that  morning's 
ambuscade,  they  were  i»rected  bv  a  vollev  of  nius- 
kctry.  Two  companies  of  New  York  and  New 
Ilanipsbire  rangers,  who  had  come  out  from  Fort 
Edward   as   a   scouting   i)arty.  had   lain   in   wait   to 


receive 


tl 


lem. 


Favored    bv   the   darkness   of  tlie 


woods,  —  for  nigl.t  was  now  approaching.  —  they 
made  so  suddcui  avid  vigoroyis  an  attack,  that  the 
I'rencli,  though  far  superior  in  number,  were  totally 


routed  and  di^ 


per 


jcd. 


1  Ilolinos,  II.  -210.  Tnunbiill,  His;.  Omn.  II.  ?M.  Dwiglit,  Trmuh, 
III.  301.  lloyt,  Iwlian  Wars,  'JTU.  Kniick,  Hist.  I.itt,'  War,  I.  1.7).  Hn- 
view  (if  Militiinj  Ojii  rntioiis  in  Xnrlh  Aincnfit.  Jolmson's  l.itler  lo  the.  Pro- 
vinciiil  Goi'crnoiti.  Jjlod^vtt's  Piusputire  Vino  of  the  Unltlc,  mar  Lake 
(icnn/e. 

ni;)(lm'tt's  ])aiiii)Iilot  is  iU'f(jniiKmit'il  liy  a  c'liriou.s  c'ii.maviii<r,  jiiviiii,'  a 
binl's  eye  view  of  tlic  l)atlic,  incl'idiuL;  tin-  surpriM'  nf  William.-,'  (iL-tacii- 
nient,  and   tiie  i^uli-eiiiu'iu  attack  on  tiio  camp  of  Johnson.     In  the  lirst 


T1 


!ji 


\^: 


II- 


11 


m 


IJO 


COLLISION   OF   TIIK    IJIVAf.  COl,*  NIKS. 


17oG 


'^riiis  inmior.ible  coiifiift  lias  cast  its  dark  associ- 
ations over  Olio  of  tlio  most  l)(>autifiil  spots  in 
America.  Near  the  scoiu"  of  tlio  evening  tight,  a 
pool,  half  overgrown  by  weeds  and  water  lilies,  and 
dark(ui(>(l  hy  the  siurounding  forest,  is  pointed  out 
to  the  tourist,  and  h(>  is  told  that  beneath  its  stag- 
nant waters  lie  the  bones  of  thrc^e  hundred  French- 
men, dee[)  buried  in  mud  and  slime. 

The  war  thus  begun  was  [)rosecuted  for  five 
succeeding  vears  with  the  full  eiKU'iiv  of  both 
nations.  The  period  was  one  of  sufiering  and 
anxietv  to  the  colonists,  who,  knowini»-  the  full 
extent  of  their  danger,  spared  no  exertion  to  avert 
it.  In  the  vear  IToS,  liOrd  Abercrombie.  who  then 
commanded  in  America,  had  at  his  dis[)0sal  a  force 
amounting  to  fifty  thousand  men.  of  whom  the 
greater  part  were  provineials.'  The  o])eratioiis  of 
the  war  embraced  a  wide  extent  of  countrv,  from 
Cape  Breton  and  Nova  Scotia  to  the  sources  of  the 


IimU'  of  the  fiinTaviiii;,  the  Fronch  ariuy  is  rt'iireseiited  lyiiiif  in  iimbiis- 
ciulo  in  tlie  t'onn  ot'  a  liorseshoe.  Ilcinlrick  is  conspicuous  among  the 
Eniclisli,  from  boin<.;  mounted  ou  liorscl)acli,  wiiile  ail  tlie  otiiers  are  on 
foot.  In  tiie  view  of  tiic  hattlc  at  tlic  ialve.  tiiu  Kn;^lisii  arc  represented 
lyinn  flat  on  tlieir  faces,  beiiind  tlu'ir  l>reast\V()rli,  and  busily  firini,'  at  tlie 
French  and  Indians,  wliu  are  seen  skullvinn'  among  the  woods  cind 
.  .ickets. 

I  am  ai^ain  indebted  to  President  S[)arks  for  the  ojiportunity  of  c.xan- 
iainif  several  curious  manuscripts  relating  to  the  battle  of  J^ake  Georgo. 
Among  tiiem  is  l)it'>kau's  otlicial  account  of  the  afliiir,  and  a  curious 
papt'r,  also  written  by  the  defeated  genural,  and  containing  the  story  of 
his  disaster,  as  related  by  himself  in  an  imaginary  conversation  with  his 
olil  connnander,  MiU-slial  Saxe,  in  the  Elysian  Fields.  Several  writers 
have  stated  tiiat  Diesk.'iu  died  of  his  woinids.  This,  however,  was  not 
the  case.  He  was  carried  i)risoner  to  Kngland.  where  he  lived  for  several 
years,  but  retiu-ned  to  France  after  the  [leace  of  ITGo. 

1  Hohnes,  II.  li-JO. 


I7o6-17o8.1 


LAKE   GEiUlGE. 


121 


Ohio ;  but  nowhere  was  tlie  contest  so  lU'tivclv  car- 
ried  on  as  in  the  neiglihorliood  of  Tiake  George, 
the  waters  of  which,  joined  with  tlio^e  of  Lake 
Cniain[)lain,  fonninl  tlie  main  ave-nue  of  comniuni- 
catiini  between  ('ana(hi  and  the  IJritish  [)roviuces. 
Lake  (ieorge  is  more  than  thirty  nuh's  h)nL;',  but  of 
width  so  sHgiit  that  it  seems  like  some  l)road  and 
placid  river,  enclosed  between. ranges  of  lofty  momi- 
tains ;  now  contracting  into  narrows,  dotted  with 
islands  and  sliadowed  by  cliffs  and  crags,  now 
spreading  into  a  clear  and  open  e\[)anse.  It  had 
long  been  known  to  the  French.  The  Jesidt  Isaac 
Jogues,  bound  on  a  fiital  mission  to  tli'?  vorocious 
Moliawks,  had  reached  its  banks  on  the  eve  of 
Corpus  Christi  Day,  and  named  it  Lac  St.  Sac 
rement.  Its  solitude  was  now  ru(k'ly  invaded. 
Armies  passed  and  repassed  u])on  its  tran(piil 
bosom.  At  its  northern  [)oint  the  French  planted 
their  strongliold  of  Ticonderoga ;  at  its  southern 
stood  the  English  fort  William  Henry,  while  the 
mountahis  and  w^aters  between  were  a  scene  of 
ceaseless  ambuscades,  surprises,  and  forest  skir- 
mishin<i:.  ThrouLrh  summer  and  winter,  the  crack 
of  rifles  and  the  cries  of  men  gave  no  rest  to  their 
echoes  ;  and  at  this  dav,  on  the  field  of  m;mv  a  for- 
gotten  fight,  are  dug  up  rusty  tomahawks,  corroded 
bullets,  and  human  bones,  to  attest  the  struggles  of 
the  [)ast. 

The  earlier  years  of  the  war  were  nnpropitious 
to  the  English,  whose  commanders  displayed  no 
great  dc^gree  of  vigor  or  ability.  In  the  summer  of 
1756,  the  French  general  Montcalm  advanced  upon 


p 


\'22  COLLISION  OF  THE   HIVAL  COLONIKS.     [1750-1758 


■'■ii; 


\   i 


SI' 


r-l 


f 


Oswof^o,  took  it,  ami  levelled  it  to  the  <^r()iiii(l.  In 
Aiiijfiist  of  the  following  year,  he  struck  a  h(>avier 
blow.  Passiiii;  Tiakc  (leoij^e  with  a  force  of  eijjjht 
thousand  in(Mi.  iiuludiuuj  al)()ut  two  thousand  Fn- 
dians,  leathered  from  the  farthest  ])arts  of  Canada, 
he  laid  siei2:e  to  I'ort  W'iliiain  ilenrv,  close  to  the 
spot  where  Dieskau  had  been  defeated  two  years 
before.  Planting  his  batteries  against  it,  he  beat 
down  its  ramparts  and  dismounttMl  its  guns,  until 
the  garrison,  aft{>r  a  brave  defence,  were  forced  to 
ca])itidate.  They  niiu-ched  out  with  the  honors  of 
war ;  but  scarcely  had  they  done  so,  when  Mont- 
calm's Indians  assailed  them,  cutting  down  and 
scal[)ing  them  without  mercy.  Those  who  escaped 
cam(»  in  to  Fort  Edward  with  exaggerated  accounts 
of  the  horror*  from  which  they  had  tied,  and  a 
general  terror  was  spread  through  the  covi  .ry. 
The  inluii)itants  were  mustered  from  all  parts  to 
repel  the  advance  of  Montcalm  ;  but  the  French 
general,  satisfied  with  what  he  had  done,  repassed 
liake  George,  and  retired  behind  the  walls  of 
Ticonderoga. 

In  the  year  175S,  the  war  began  to  assume  a  dif- 
ferent aspect,  for  Pitt  was  at  the  head  of  the  gov- 
ernment. Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst  laid  siege  to  the 
strong  fortress  of  Louisburg,  and  at  length  reduced 
it ;  while  in  the  south,  General  Forbes  marched 
against  Fort  du  Quesne,  and,  more  fortunate  than 
his  predecessor,  IJraddock,  drove  the  French  frotn 
that  important  point.  Another  successful  stroke 
was  the  destruction  of  Fort  Frontenac,  which  was 
taken   by  a   provincial  army  under   Colonel   Brad- 


1758.] 


ATTACK  ON   TICoNDDRoGA. 


\'2'.] 


street.     These  Jichievcrnents  were  counteilnilaiired 
by  51  <»re!it  disiister.     Lord   Abereroiubie,   with   au 
urniy   of    sixteen   tliousaud    wwu.   advanced   to  the 
liead  of  Lake  (jr(M)ri^e,  the   placi'  inach'  nieinorabk^ 
by  Dieskan's   defeat  and    the  h)ss  of  \'\nt  \\'iUiani 
llenrv.     On  a  ijriUiant  Jnlv  niorninjjr,  he  embarked 
his    whole    foree    for    an    attack    on    'ri('on(Un'Oijja. 
Many  of  those   [)resent  have  reconU'd   with  admi- 
ration   the    l)eanty  of   the    spectacle,   the  lines  of 
boiUs   tilled   with    troops   stretching  far  down  the 
lake,  the  tliLshing  of  oars,  the  ghtter  of  weapons, 
and   the  mnsic  rini^-in^;  l)ack  from  crags  and  rocks, 
or   dying   in  mellowed   strains   among    the    distant 
mountains.      At  night,  the  army  landed,  and,  driv- 
ing in   the  French  outposts,  marched  through  the 
woods    towards    Ticonderoga.     One    of   their    col- 
umns, losing  its  way  in   the  forest,  fell   in  with   a 
body  of  the  retreating  French  ;   and  in  the  contiict 
that  ensued,  TiOrd  Howe,  the  favorite  of  the  army, 
was   shot  dead.     On  the  eighth  of  July,  they  pre- 
pared   to    storm    the    lines    whicl.    Montcalm    had 
drawn  across  the  peninsuhi  in  front  of  the  fortress. 
Advancing  to  the   attack,  they  saw  before   them  a 
l)reastwork    of    uncommon    height    and    thickness. 
The   French  army  were   drawn  up  beiiind   it,  their 
heads   alone  visible,  as  they  levelled  their  muskets 
agiiinst  the  assailants,  while,  for  a  hundred  yards  in 
front   of  the   work,   the   ground  was   covered   with 
felled  trees,  with  shar[)ened  branches  pointing  out- 
ward.    The  signal  of  assault  was   given.     In  vain 
the  Highlanders,  screaming  with  rage,  hewed  with 
their  broadswords  among  the   branches,  stru<>i'lini' 


124 


COLLISION    OF  THE   lUVAL  CoLOMLS. 


IToO. 


§■ 


:  fi 


(I- 


!i!i 


1 1- 


1  \*v 


1 
iii 


fi 


III 


to  get  at  the  enemy.  In  vain  the  Eiiglisli,  with 
tlieir  deep-toned  sliout.  rushed  on  in  heavy  columns. 
A  tempesi  of  Tnusket  balls  met  them,  and  ^lont- 
calm's  cannon  swept  the  whole  i^round  with  terrible 
carnage.  A  fVnv  officers  and  men  forced  their  way 
through  tlie  branches,  passed  the  ditch,  climbed 
the  breastwork,  and,  lea[)ing  among  the  enemy, 
were  instantly  bavonetted.  Tlie  Eni'lish  fou'dit 
four  hours  with  determined  valor,  but  the  position 
of  the  French  was  im[)rcgnable ;  and  at  length, 
having  lost  two  thousand  of  their  number,  tlie 
armv  drew  off.  hwviu'  manv  of  their  dead  scattered 
upon  the  field.  A  sudden  panic  seized  the  defeated 
troops.  They  rushed  in  haste  to  their  boats,  and, 
though  no  pursuit  ^v•as  atteapted,  they  did  not 
regain  their  composure  until  Lake  George  was 
between  them  and  the  enemy.  The  fatal  lines  of 
'I'iconderoga  were  not  soon  forgotten  in  the  prov- 
inces ;  and  marbles  in  Westminster  Abbey  i)reserve 
the  memory  of  those  who  fell  on  that  disastrous  day. 
This  rei)ulse,  far  from  depressing  the  energies  of 
the  British  commanders,  seemed  to  stimulate  them 
to  new  exertion ;  and  the  cam])aign  of  the  next 
year,  1759,  liad  for  its  object  the  immediate  and 
total  reduction  of  C^^lUlda.  This  unhappy  country 
was  full  of  liiiscry  and  disorder,  rcculation  and 
every  kind  of  corru[)tion  [)revailed  among  its  civil 
and  military  chiefs,  a  reckless  licentiousness  was 
increasing  among  the  i)eople,  and  a  general  famine 
seemed  impending,  for  the  population  had  of  late 
years  been  drained  away  for  military  ser\  ice,  and 
the  fields  were  left  untilled.     In  spite  of  tlieir  suf- 


nr/x] 


INVASION  OF   CANADA. 


125 


fcrings,  the  Cuniidians,  strong  in  rooted  antipathy 
to  the  English,  and  liij^hly  excited  hy  their  priests, 
resolved  on  fi'ditinir  to  the  last.  Pravers  were 
ofTered  up  in  the  churclies,  masses  Said,  and  pen- 
ances enjoined,  to  avert  the  wrath  of  God  from  the 
colon V,  while  everv  thm<j:  w'as  done  for  its  defence 
whicl)  the  energies  of  a  great  and  patriotic  leader 
conld  effect. 

By  the  plan  of  this  snmmer's  campaign,  Canada 
was  to  be  assailed  on  three  sides  at  once.  Upon 
the  west,  General  Prideanx  was  to  attack  Niagara ; 
upon  the  sontli,  General  Amherst  was  to  advance 
upon  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point;  while  n[)on 
the  east,  General  Wolfe  was  to  besiege  Quebec ; 
and  each  of  these  armies,  having  accomplislird  its 
particular  object,  was  directed  to  push  for>vard,  if 
possible,  until  all  three  had  united  in  the  heart  of 
Canada.  In  pursuance  of  the  plan,  General  Pri- 
deanx moved  up  liake  Ontario  and  invested  Niagara. 
This  post  was  one  of  the  greatest  importance.  Its 
rapture  would  cut  off  the  French  from  the  whole 
interior  country,  and  they  therefore  made  every 
effort  to  raise  the  siege.  An  army  of  seventeen 
hundred  French  and  Indians,  collected  at  the  dis- 
tant garrisons  of  Detroit,  Presfpi'  Isle,  Le  Bcrnf, 
and  \'enango,  suddenly  appeared  before  Niagara.' 
Sir  AVilliam  Johnson  was  now  in  commiuid  of  the 
F^jU^lish,  Prideaux  havim^  been  killed  bv  the  burst- 
ing  of  a  cohorn.  Advancing  in  ordm-  of  battle,  lie 
met  the  French,  charged,  routed,  and  pursued  tiiem 


1  Annual  lu-^jislrr,  I'o'J,  p.  3J< 


1'2() 


COLLISION   OK    THE    lUVAL    COLONIRS. 


U 


ih 


II 


[175'.) 


for  five  niilrs  tliroiiii^li  flie  woods.  This  success  was 
soon  followed  l»y  the  surrender  of  the  fort. 

Tn  tlie  mean  time.  Sir  .I(^fiV(^y  Andierst  had 
crossed  \A\kc  (ieoi-i;(%  and  ai)i)e;(red  heforc  Ticon- 
deroi^^a  ;  upon  which  tlu^  I'lcMich  hlew  up  their 
works,  and  nMired  down  I-ake  Champlain  to  Crown 
Point.  lvetr(Mtini»'  from  this  position  also,  on  the 
approach  of  tlu^  l''nglish  army,  t1u\\  collected  all 
their  forces,  amountini;  to  little  more  than  three 
thousand  mn\,  at  Isle  Au\  Xoix,  where  they 
intrenched  themselves,  and  prepared  to  resist  the 
f  irtluu*  ])roj4ress  of  the  invaders.  The  lateness  of 
the  season  pn^vented  Amherst  from  carrying  out  the 
plan  of  advancing  into  Canada,  and  compelled  him 
to  go  into  winter-quarters  at  Crown  Point.  T'he 
same  cause  had  withheld  Prideaux's  armv  from 
descendiuLT  the  St.  Tiawrence. 

M'hile  the  outposts  o{  Canada  were  tlins  success- 
fully attackiMJ.  a  hlow  was  struck  at  a  more  vital 
part.  Early  in  June,  General  AVolfe  sailed  up  the 
St.  Tiawrence  with  a  force  of  eight  thousand  men, 
and  formed  his  camp  immediately  below  Quebec, 
on  the  Island  of  Orleans.'  From  thence  he  coidd 
discern,  at  a  single  glance,  how  arduous  was  the 
task  before  him.  Piles  of  lofty  cliffs  rose  with 
sIkhh"  ascent  on  the  northern  border  of  the  river  ; 
and  from  their  summits  the  boasted  citadel  of  Can- 
ada looked  down  in  proud  security,  >vith  its  churches 
and  convents  of  stone,  its  ramparts,  bastions,  and 
batteries ;  while  over  them  all,  from  the  brink  of 


»  Mante.  Hist.  Late  War,  238. 


hi: 


ITu'.t.j 


woLFK  I5i:f()Ki;  (M  i:i;kc. 


Ul 


the  ])ro('ii)i('(\  towoird  tlio  niassiv(»  walls  of  the 
Castlo  of  St.  Louis.  Ahovc,  for  niaiiv  ;i  loaii:uc,  tlic 
bank  was  guanU'd  U\  an  unbroken  ran«^o  of  steep 
acclivitit^s.  Tx^low,  (lu;  Iviver  St.  C'liarles,  flowinuj 
into  the  St.  Lawrence,  washed  the  base  oi'  tlie 
rocky  jjioniontoi'v  on  which  the  city  stood.  Lower 
yet  lav  an  arniv  of  fourteen  thousand  men,  under 
an  able  and  renowned  commander,  the  ]\[iir(tuis  of 
]\Iontc;dm.  His  front  was  covered  by  intronch- 
mcnts  and  batteries,  which  lined  the  bank  of  the 
St.  Tiiiwrence ;  his  right  wing  I'estcMl  on  the  city 
and  the  St.  Charles;  his  left,  on  th(^  cascade 
and  de(>j)  gulf  of  Montmorenci ;  and  thick  forests 
extended  along  his  rear.  Opposite  (Quebec  rose 
the  high  ])romont()ry  of  Toint  Levi;  and  the  St. 
Lawreni'e,  contracted  to  less  than  a  mile  in  width, 
flowed  between,  with  deep  and  powerful  current. 
To  a  chief  of  less  resolute  temper,  it  might  well 
have  seemed  that  art  and  nature  were  in  l(>ague  to 
thwart  his  enterprise  ;  but  a  mind  like  that  of 
Wolfe  could  only  have  seen  in  this  majestic  combi- 
nation of  forest  and  cataract,  mountain  and  river,  a 
fitting  theatre  for  the  great  drama  about  to  be 
enacted  there. 

Yet  nature  did  not  seem  to  liavc  formed  the 
young  English  general  for  the  conduct  of  a  doubt- 
ful and  almost  desperate  enter[)rise.  His  person 
was  slight,  and  his  features  by  no  means  of  a  mar- 
tial cast.  His  feeble  constitntion  had  been  undcM'- 
mined  by  years  of  protracted  and  painful  disease.' 

^  "  I  have  this  day  si}i;iiifleil  to  Mr.  I'itl  tliat  he  may  dispose  of  my 
slight  carcass  as  ho  ploasos ;  and  that  I  inn  icady  tor  any  undertaking 


128 


COLLISION  OF   TILE  RIVAL   COLONIES. 


[1759 


M  i 


w:.i.\ 


ii 


His  kind  and  genial  disposition  seemed  better  fitted 
for  the  qniet  of  domestic  life  than  for  the  stern 
dnties  of  military  conmiand  ;  but  to  these  cfentler 
traits  he  joined  a  high  enthusiasm,  and  an  uncon- 
querable spirit  of  daring  and  endurance,  which 
made  him  the  idol  of  his  soldiers,  and  bore  his 
slender  frame  through  every  hardship  and  exposure. 
The  work  before  him  demanded  all  his  courage. 
How  to  invest  the  citv,  or  even  briny;  the  army  of 
Montcalm  to  action,  was  a  problem  which  might 
have  perplexed  a  Hannibal.  A  French  fleet  lay  in 
the  river  above,  juid  the  preci[)ices  along  the  north- 
ern bank  were  guarded  at  every  accessible-  point  by 
sentinels  and  outposts.  Wolfe  would  have  crossed 
the  ^Nlontmorenci  by  its  upper  ford,  and  attacked 
the  French  army  on  its  left  and  rear  ;  but  the  plan 
was  thwarted  by  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  the 
vigilance  of  his  adversaries.  Thus  baffled  at  every 
other  point,  he  formed  the  bold  design  of  storming 
Montcalm's  position  in  front ;  and  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  thirty-first  of  July,  a  strong  body  of  troops 
was  embarked  in  boats,  and,  covered  by  a  furious 
cannonade  from  the  English  ships  and  batteries, 
landed  on  the  beach  just  above  the  mouth  of  the 
Montmorenci.  The  "grenadiers  and  Roval  Ameri- 
cans   were   the   first  on  shore,  and  their  ill-timed 


witliin  the  reach  and  compass  of  my  skill  and  cunning.  I  am  in  a  very 
bad  condition,  botli  witli  the  gravel  and  rlieuniatis^m  ;  bnt  I  had  much 
rather  die  than  decline  any  kind  of  service  that  offers  :  if  I  followed  my 
own  taste,  it  would  lead  mo  into  Gorniany  ;  and  if  my  poor  talent  wa3 
consulted,  they  should  place  me  to  the  cavalry,  because  nature  has  given 
mc  good  eyes,  and  a  warmth  of  temper  to  follow  the  first  iinpre.s.<ions. 
However,  it  is  not  our  p.irt  to  choose,  hut  to  obey."  —  Letter —  Wolfe  to 
William  liicL:<on    Snlishary,  December  1,  1758. 


1750.] 


ASSAULT    AT    MoNTMoUF.XCT. 


1'29 


impetuosity  proved  tlie  ruin  of  tlie  [)l:in.  Without 
WJiitini^  to  reeeive  their  orders  or  form  tlieir  ranks, 
they  ran,  pell-mell,  across  the  level  ground,  and 
witii  loud  shouts  hei»an,  each  nnin  for  himself,  to 
scale  the  heights  which  rose  in  front,  crested  with 
intrenchments  and  hristliui^:  with  hostile  arms.  Tlie 
Fr(;nch  at  the  top  threw  volley  after  volley  among 
the  hot-headed  assailants.  The  slopes  were  soon 
covered  with  the  fallen ;  and  at  that  instant  a 
storm,  which  had  long  heen  threatening,  hurst  with 
sudden  furv,  drenched  the  combatants  on  b(jth  sides 
w^ith  a  deluii'e  of  rain,  extiuijjuished  for  a  moment 
the  fire  of  the  French,  and  at  the  same  time  made 
tlie  steeps  so  slij)pery  that  the  grenadiers  fell  repeat- 
edly m  their  vain  attempts  to  climb.  Night  was 
coming  on  with  double  darkness.  The  retreat  was 
sonnded,  and,  as  the  English  re-embarked,  troops  of 
Indians  came  whoo[)ing  down  the  heights,  and  hov- 
ered about  their  rear,  to  murder  the  stragglers  and 
the  wounded  ;  while  exulting  cries  of  Vive  le  rol. 
from  the  crowded  summits,  i)roclaimed  the  triumph 
of  the  enemy. 

With  bitter  a<i:onv  of  inind,  Wolfe  belield  the 
headlong  follv  of  his  men,  and  saw  more  tlian  four 
hundred  of  the  tlower  of  his  army  fall  a  useless 
sacritice.^  Tlie  anxieties  of  the  si(\ge  had  told 
severely  npon  his  slender  constitution  ;  and  not 
long  after  this  disaster,  he  felt  the  first  symptoms 
of  a  fever,  which  soon  confined  him  to  his  conch. 
Still  his  mind  never  wavered  from  its  purpose ; 
and  it  was  while  lying  liel[)less  in  the  chamber  of  a 

'     'VIMX.  J'riniuU,   I.   o")S. 

9 


•  ■<' 


■I 


i 


130 


COLLISION    OF   THE    TUVAL   COLONIES. 


[1759. 


Canadian   house,   where   lie    luid    fixed    his    head- 
quarters, tliat  he  emhiaeed  the  phui  of  the  enter- 


pr 


ise   wliich    robbed    him    of   hfe,   and    irave   him 


immortal  fame. 

This  [)lan  had  been  first  proposed  durinij^  the 
height  of  Wolfe's  illness,  at  a  council  of  his  subor- 
dinate generals,  Monkton,  Townsliend,  and  IMurray. 
It  was  resolved  to  divide  the  little  armv  ;  and,  while 
one  })ortion  remained  before  Quebec  to  alarm  the 
cnemv  by  false  attacks,  and  distract  their  attention 
from  the  scene  of  actual  operation,  the  other  was 
to  pass  above  the  town,  land  under  cover  of  dark- 
ness on  the  northern  shore,  climl)  the  guarded 
heights,  gain  the  plains  above,  and  force  Montcalm 
to  cpiit  his  vantage-ground,  and  })erhaps  to  offer 
batt-le.  Tlie  scheme  was  darinij:  even  to  rashness  ; 
but  its  audacity  was  the  secret  of  its  success. 

Early  m  September,  a  crowd  of  shi[)s  and  trans- 
ports, under  Admiral  Holmes,  passed  the  city 
under  the  hot  fire  of  its  batteries  ;  while  the 
troops  designed  for  the  expedition,  amounting  to 
scarcely  five  thousand,  marched  upward  along  the 
southern  bank,  beyond  reach  of  the  cannonade. 
All  wTre  then  embarked  ;  and  on  the  evening  of 
the  twelfth,  Holmes's  fieet,  witli  tlie  troops  on 
board,  lay  safe  at  anchor  in  the  river,  several 
leagues  above  the  town.  These  operations  had 
not  failed  to  awaken  the  suspicions  of  ^lontcalm  ; 
and  he  had  detached  M.  Bougainville  to  watch  the 
movements  of  the  English,  and  prevent  their  land- 
ing on  the  northern  shore. 

The  eventful  niaht  of  the  twelfth  was   cic  ar  and 


1759.] 


IIKROISM   OF   WOLFE. 


131 


city 
the 
■  to 
tlie 
idc. 
of 


Lm 


the 
nd- 


Imd 


calm,  witli  no  li<^lit  but  that  of  tlic  stars.  Witliin 
two  hours  before  davl)reak.  tliirtv  boats,  crowded 
with  sixteen  hundnMl  soldiers,  cast  off  from  the 
vessels,  iiud  tloated  downward,  in  i)erfect  order, 
with  the  current  of  the  ebb  tide.  To  the  boundless 
lov  of  the  annv.  Wolfe's  inaladv  bad  abated,  and 
he  was  able  to  command  in  person.  His  ruined 
health,  the  gloomy  [)ros|)ects  of  the  siege,  and  the 
disaster  at  Montmorenci,  had  oppressed  him  with 
the  deepest  melancholy,  but  never  impaired  for  a 
moment  the  [)romptness  of  liis  decisions,  or  the 
impetuous  energy  of  his  ju-tion.'  lie  sat  in  the 
stern  of  one  of  the  boats,  pale  and  weak,  but  borne 
up  to  a  calm  height  of  resolution.  Every  order 
had  been  given,  every  arrangement  made,  and  it 
onlv  remained  to  face  the  issue.  The  ebbin<x  tide 
sufficed  to  bear  the  boats  alonij:.  Jind  nothini^;  broke 
the  silence  of  the  iiiiiht  but  the  j'uri'lini'-  of  the 
river,  and  the  low  voice  of  Wolfe,  as  he  repeated 
to  the  officers  about  him  the  stanzas  of  Gray's 
"  Elegy    in    a    Country    Churchyard,"    which    had 

'  Entick,  IV.  111. 

In  liis  letter  to  the  Ministry,  dated  Sept.  2,  Wolfb  writes  in  these 
desponiling  words  :  — 

"  Hy  tlie  natiire  of  the  river,  the  most  forniidiihle  part  of  tliis  anna- 
ment  is  dejirived  of  tlie  power  of  i.ctinij  ;  yet  we  have  almost  the  whole 
force  of  Canada  to  oppo.^e.  In  this  situation  there  is  such  a  choice  of 
ditHculties.  that  I  own  myself  at  a  lo-^s  how  to  determine.  The  afliiirs  of 
(ireat  Britain  I  know  recjuire  the  most  viu'orous  measures,  Init  then  the 
conrage  of  a  handful  of  i)rave  troo{)s  should  he  e.xerted  only  where  there 
is  some  hojie  of  ii  favorahle  event.  However,  you  may  he  assured,  that 
the  small  part  of  the  eampaiyii  which  renniins  sh  dl  be  employed  (as  far 
as  lam  ahle)  for  the  honor  of  his  Majesty,  and  the  interest  of  the  nation  ; 
in  which  I  am  sure  of  heiti;j;  well  si'conded  hy  the  admiral  and  by  the 
generals  :  iiapjiy  if  our  etforts  here  can  contribute  to  the  success  of  liig 
Majesty's  arms  in  any  other  part  of  America." 


fill ' 

mi' 


Jt;-i 


J|: 


If?' 


1^1^' 


1  I 


132 


COLLISION   OF   THE    RIVAL    COLONIES. 


[17o0. 


recently  appeared  and  which  he  had  just  received 
from  England.  Perhaps,  as  he  uttered  those 
strangely  appropriate  words, — 

"  The  pjiths  of  filory  lead  but  to  the  grave," 

the  shadows  of  his  own  ap])ro!i('liing  fate  stole  with 
mournful  propheey  across  his  mind.  "  Gentlemen," 
he  said,  as  he  c1os(h1  his  recital,  "  I  would  rather 
hi\e  written  those  lines  th'ui  take  Quebec  to- 
inorro\v." ' 

As  they  approached  the  landing-place,  the  boats 
edged  closer  in  towards  the  northern  shore,  and 
tl'.e  woovly  })recipices  rose  high  on  their  left,  like  a 
Widl  of  undistinguished  blackness. 

'■'Qui  vive'^''  shouted  a  French  sentinel,  from 
out  the  impervious  gloom. 

^'  La  France!"  answered  a  captain  of  Fraser'8 
Highlanders,  fi'om  the  foremost  boat. 

"■  A  quel  refjbnent?'''  demanded  the  soldier. 

'•'  De  la  Ixcliie!''  promptly  re})lir  \  the  Highland 
captain,  who  chanced  to  know  tliat  the  regiment 
so  designated  formed  part  of  Bougainville's  com- 
mand. As  boats  were  frequently  passing  down 
the  river  with  supplies  for  the  garrison,  and  as  a 


il 


1  "  This  anecdoto  was  related  by  tl,.  late  celebrated  John  Robison, 
Professor  of  Xatiirid  \  iiilosnpliy  in  tiie  University  of  Eilinburuli,  who,  in 
iiii>  youtli,  was  a  niidsliipnian  in  tlie  I'ritisli  navy,  and  was  in  the  same 
boat  with  Wolfe.  His  son,  my  kinsman,  Sir  John  Robison,  commu- 
nicated it  to  me,  and  it  has  since  been  recorded  in  the  Transactions  of  the 
Royal  Society  of  Edinbur<ih. 

'  The  paths  of  glory  lead  but  to  the  grave' 

is  one  of  the  lines  which  Wolfe  must  liave  recited  as  he  strikingly  exem- 
nlifiod  it;  ai)plication." — Graiiame,  IllM.  U.S.  IV.  50.  See  also  Phiij- 
fair's  Works,  IV.  llitj. 


[1759. 


17-30.] 


woM-rrs  covK. 


1:33 


from 


^ 


convoy  from  Bougainville  was  exported  that  very 
ni<T^lit.  tlie  sentinel  was  deceived,  and  allowed  the 
Englisii  to  ])roceed. 

A  few  moments  after,  they  were  challeni^ed 
aiijain,  and  this  time  thev  could  discern  the  soldier 
runninj^  close  down  to  the  water's  edj^^e,  as  if  all 
his  suspicions  were  aroused  ;  hut  the  skilful  rejdies 
of  the  Highlander  once  more  saved  the  party  from 
discovery.' 

They  reached  the  landing-])larc  in  safc^ty, —  an 
indentation  in  the  shore,  ahout  a  ieague  ahovc  the 
city,  and  now  hearini''  the  name  of  WoKe's  Cove. 
Here  a  narrow  path  led  up  the  face  of  the  heights, 
and  a  French  guard  was  posted  at  the  top  to  defend 
the  pass.  ]3y  the  force  of  the  current,  the  fore- 
most hoats,  including  that  which  carried  Wolfe 
himself,  were  home  a  little  helow  the  spot.  The 
general  was  one  of  the  first  on  shore.  He  looked 
upward  at  the  ruirii'ed  hei<i:hts  which  towered  ahove 


1 


nm 


in  tl 


le  irioom 


You  can   try  it,"  he   coollv 


ohserved  to  an  officer  near  him  ;  "  but  I  don't  think 
you'll  get  up."'  ^ 

At  the  point  where  the  Tlighlanders  landed,  one 
of  their  captains,  ])onald  Macdonald.  apparently 
the  same  whose  presence  of  mind  had  just  saved 
the  enter})rise  from  ruin,  was  climbing  in  advance 
of  his  men,  when  he  was  challenged  by  a  sentinel. 


exem- 

.  Play. 


1  Smollett,  "V.  56,  mtp  (Edinbiirirh,  1^05).  Manto  simply  mpmi()I^3 
that  the  Knfjiish  were  cliiillenged  by  Ihe  seiitiiiols,  and  oscapoil  discover^' 
by  roplyinu;  in  PVench. 

'-  This  incident  is  montionod  in  a  manuscript  jotirnal  of  the  siege  of 
Q.iebec,  Uy  .John  JoIiiisdii,  clei-k  atul  (juiirterniastor  in  the  oHtli  re;^iinent. 
The  journal  is  written  with  yreat  care,  and  altuiinds  in  curious  <letails. 


V  "ir 


II..  \ 


m 


I:  1' 


13-1 


COLLISION   OF   TUB   RIVAL   COLONIKS, 


[1759. 


IIo  ropliod  in  V'rtMuli,  l)y  clc('l;irin<i;  that  ho  had 
been  sent  (o  ivlicve  the  <;iiaril,  and  ordorin*^  the 
sohlicr  to  withchaw.'  IJefore  tlie  latter  was  nnde- 
v'cived,  a  crowd  of  Iliij^lilanders  were  close  at  hand, 
while  the  steej)s  helow  were  thronged  with  ea<j;er 
climbers,  dragi^inijf  thetnselves  np  by  trees,  roots, 
and  bnshes.^  The  <^uard  tnrned  ont,  and  nia.de  a 
1  ''ef  thong-h  brave  resistance.  In  a  moment,  they 
were  cut  to  j)ieces,  dispersed,  or  made  prisoners  ; 
while  men  after  men  came  swartninj^-  n\)  the  height, 
and  (piickly  formed  upon  the  plains  above.  Mean- 
while, the  vessels  had  dropped  downward  with  the 
current,  and  anchored  op[)ositc  the  landinfj-placc. 
The  remaining;  troo[)s  were  disembarked,  and,  with 
the  dawn  of  day,  the  whole  were  brought  in  safety 
to  the  shore. 

The  sun  rose,  and,  from  the  ramparts  of  Quebec, 
the  astonished  people  saw  the  riains  of  Abraham 
glittering  with  arms,  and  tlie  dark-red  lines  of  the 
English  forming  in  array  of  battle.  Jireathless 
messengers  had  borne  the  evil  tidings  to  Montcalm, 
and  far  and  near  his  wide-extended  camp  resoiuided 
with  the  rolling  of  alarm  drums  and  the  din  of 
startled  preparation.  He,  too,  had  had  his  struggles 
and  his  sorrows.  The  civil  power  had  thwarted 
him  ;  famine,  discontent,  and  disaffection  were  rife 
among  his  soldiers ;  and  no  small  portion  of  the 
Canadian  militiii  li;id  dispersed  from  sheer  starva- 
tion. In  spite  of  all,  he  had  trusted  to  hold  out 
til]  the  winter  frosts  should  drive  the  invaders  from 


1  Knox,  Journal,  II.  68,  note. 

'^  Despatch  of  Adaiinil  Saunders,  Sept.  20,  1759. 


II!- 


H! 


[1759, 


had 


17 


BATTLK   OF   QrKHKC. 


VVl 


hoforo  tho  town  ;  wlicn.  on  tliat  disiistroiis  moniiiii^, 
till'  nows  of  their  successful  temerity  fell  like  a 
ranuon  sliot  upon  his  (Mr.  Still  he  ;tsssunie(l  a 
tone  of  coutidence.  '*  'V\\v\  have  f^ot  to  tlu^  weak 
side  of  us  at  last,"  he  is  reported  to  have  said, 
"and  we  must  crush  thetn  with  our  numl»ers." 
AN^ith  headlong'  haste,  his  troops  were  pouriuij;  oNcr 
the  hrid^e  of  the  St.  Charles,  and  <;atherin<;-  in 
heavy  masses  under  the  western  ramparts  of  tho 
town.  Could  nund)crs  o^ivo  assurance  of  success, 
their  triumph  would  have  heen  secure ;  for  tiv(^ 
French  hattalions  and  the  arme(l  colonial  peasantry 
amomited  in  all  to  more  than  seven  thousinid  five 
hundred  men.  Full  in  siij;lit  Ix^fore  tliem  stretched 
tho  lon<j^,  thin  lines  of  tlu>  British  forces.  —  tin* 
half-wild  llii^hlanders,  the  steady  soldi(>ry  of  FiUi*'- 
hind,  and  the  hardy  levii^s  of  the  provinces,  —  less 
than  five  thousand  in  numher,  hut  all  inured  to 
hattle,  and  stroma:  in  the  full  assurance  of  .'■■^iccess. 
Yet,  could  the  chiefs  of  that  <jjallant  army  have 
pierced  the  secrets  of  tho  future,  could  they  have 
foreseen  that  the  victory  which  they  hurned  to 
achieve  would  have  rohhod  En*^land  of  her  [)roud- 
est  hoast,  that  the  con([uost  of  Canada  would  ])ave 
tlu^  way  for  the  independence  of  America,  their 
swords  would  have  dropped  from  their  hands,  and 
the  heroic  fire  have  gone  out  within  their  hearts. 

It  was  nine  o'clock,  and  the  adverse  armies  stood 
motionless,  each  ga/iui^  on  the  other.  Tho  clouds 
hung  low,  and,  at  intervals,  warm  lif^ht  showers 
descended,  hosprinkling  hoth  alike.  The  cop])ice 
and  cornfields   in  front  of  the  British   troops  were 


% 


I 


"  >i   t 


'.m 


l:\ 


f'V 


l:U) 


COLLISION   OF   TIIK   RIVAL   Col.oMKS. 


[1759. 


tillod   with    French   sh:ir[)slH)oti'rs,  ulio   kept  up  a 


distant,   snattciinir  tii'o 


II 


vvv   aiH 


i'vW 


\i\  the  ranks,  anc 


d  til 


ic  iiiii)  was 


1  tl 
Hlled 


loi'o  a  sohhci* 


ni  .siionce. 


At  a  httle  hcfdic  ten,  tlio  Hritisli  conld  sec  that 
Mdutcalni  was  prcparinj^  to  advance,  and,  in  a  few 
motuents.  all  his  troops  apjx^ared  in  rapid  motion, 
'riu'V  came  on  in  three  divisions,  shoutinu:  after  the 


manner  ot  then-  nation,  and  hnni^-  heavily  as  soon 
as  ihev  came  within  raniic.  In  the  Hritish  ranks, 
not  a  trii^i^er  was  pulled,  not  a  soldier  stirred; 
and  their  ominous  com[)osnre  seemed  to  damp  the 
S[)irits  of  the  assailants.  It  was  not  till  the  French 
were  within  fortv  yards  that  the  fatal  word  was 
given,  and  the  Ihitish  muskets  hlazcd  forth  at  once 
in  one  crashing  explosion.  Like  a  shi[)  at  full 
career,  arrested  with  sud(U>n  ruin  on  a  sunken 
rock,  the  ranks  of  Montcalm  staggered,  shivered, 
and  hrokc  before  that  w^asting  storm  of  lead.  The 
smoke,  rolling  along  the  field,  for  a  moment  shut 
out  the  view  ;  but  when  the  white  wreaths  were 
scattered  on  the  wind,  a  wretclu'd  s])ectacle  was 
disclosed  ;  men  and  officers  tumbled  in  heaps,  bat- 
talions resolved  into  a  mob,  order  and  obedience 
gone  ;  and  when  the  British  muskets  were  levelled 
for  a  second  volley,  the  masses  of  the  militia  were 
seen  to  cower  and  shrink  with  nncontrollable  panic. 
For  a  few  minutes,  the  French  regulars  stood  their 
ground,  returning  a  sharp  and  not  ineffectual  fire. 
But  now,  echoing  cheer  on  cheer,  redoubling  vol- 
ley on  volley,  trampling  the  dying  and  the  dead 
and  driving  the  fugitives  in  crowds,  the  Britisii 
troops  advanced  and  swept  the  field  before  them. 


i.iii 


175'J.] 


DKAllI    (»K    WOLFK. 


137 


TIk'  ardor  of  the  incn  burst  nil  rc^straint.  'I'lioy 
broke  into  a  run,  and  with  unsparing  sliniu^htpr 
rliasod  tlu'  flying  multitude  to  tlu^  gates  of  Quebec. 
I'oreniost  of  all.  the  light-footed  iligldandcM's  dashed 
along  in  furious  pursuit,  hewing  down  tlie  Freneli- 
nion  with  th(Mr  broadswords,  iuid  slavini'  many 
in  the  very  ditch  of  the  fortifications.  Never  was 
victory  more  (juick  or  more  decisive.' 

Ill  <he  short  action  and  pursuit,  the  rrench  lost 
tlfte(^n  hundred  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken. 
Of  tl'c  remainder,  some  escajied  within  the  city, 
and  others  i\vd  across  th(^  St,  Charles  to  rejoin  riieir 
comrades  who  had  been  left  to  guard  the  cam[). 
The  pursuers  were  recalled  by  sound  of  trumpet ; 
the  broken  ranks  were  formed  afresh,  and  the  I'aig- 
lish  troo[)S  withdrawn  beyond  reach  c/  the  cannon 
of  Quebec.  Bougainville,  with  his  v;or[)s.  arrived 
from  the  ii])per  country,  and,  hovering  about  their 
rear,  threatened  an  attack  ;  but  'vhen  he  saw  what 
greeting  was  pre})ar(Hl  for  him,  he  abandoned  his 
purpose  and  withdrew.  Townshend  an  1  Afurray, 
the  only  gener.al  officers  who  remained  unhvirt, 
])assed  to  the  head  of  cxcry  regiment  in  turn,  ;;nd 
thanked  the  soldiers  for  the  bravery  they  had 
sliown  ;  yet  the  triumph  of  the  victors  was  min- 
gled with  sadness,  as  the  tidings  went  from  rank  to 
rank  that  Wolfe  had  f  lUen. 

In  the  heat  of  the  action,  as  he  advanced  at  the 
head  of  the  grenadiers  of  Louisburg,  a  bullet  shat- 

'  Despatch  of  Ciciioral  TowiisIumkI,  Soj)t. '20.  G[ir(Vmor.  Miiitoirs  of  the 
Sir<]p  (if  Qiiihrc,  118.  .loiinid!  iif  till-  Sii(/i  n/Qmhrc,  hij  (I  (if  nili  iiKiii  in  an 
Eminent  Station  on  llw  Sj'oi,  4i).  Lifti-r  to  a  Rti//d  Hnnoralile  Patriot  on  the 
Glorious  Success  of  Qiubi.c.     Aiuinal  f!i'/isf,-r  tor  IIG'J,  40. 


\m 


■■i 


.1 


..f  •- 


(!i 


»p' 


1  , 

n 

■i 

1  ■ 

■t  , 

li 


i:38 


COLLISION   OF   THE   RIVAL   COLONIES. 


[1759 


tcrcd  his  wrist ;  but  he  wrapped  his  handkerchief 
about  the  wound,  and  showed  no  sign  of  pain.  A 
moment  more,  and  a  ball  pierced  his  side.  Still 
he  pressed  forward,  waving  liis  sword  and  cheer- 
ing his  soldiers  to  the  attack,  wlien  a  third  shot 
lodged  deep  within  liis  breast.  He  paused,  reeled, 
and,  staggering  to  one  side,  fell  to  the  earth. 
Brown,  a  lieutenant  of  the  grenadiers,  Henderson, 
a  volunteer,  an  officer  of  artillery,  and  a  private 
soldier,  raised  him  together  in  their  arms,  and, 
bearing  him  to  the  rear,  laid  him  softly  on  the 
grass.  Tiiey  asked  if  he  would  have  a  surgeon  ; 
but  he  shook  his  head,  and  answered  that  all 
was  over  with  him.  J  lis  eyes  closed  with  the 
torpor  of  approaching  death,  and  those  around 
sustained  his  faintinii;  form.  Yet  tliev  could  not 
withhold  their  gaze  from  the  wild  turmoil  before 
them,  and  the  charging  ranks  of  their  companions 
rushing  through  tire  and  smoke.  "  See  how  they 
run,"  one  of  the  officers  exclaimed,  as  the  French 
fled  in  confusion  before  the  levelled  bayonets. 
"  Who  run  ? "  demanded  Wolfe,  opening  his  eyes 
like  a  man  aroused  from  sleep.  ''  The  enemy, 
sir,"  was  the  reply ;  "  they  give  way  everywhere." 
"  Then,"  said  the  dying  generid,  "  tell  Colonel 
Burton  to  march  Webb's  reiiimont  down  to  Charles 
River,  to  cut  off  their  retreat  from  the  bridge. 
Now,  God  be  praised,  I  will  die  in  peace,"  he  mur- 
mured ;  and,  turning  on  his  side,  he  calmly  breathed 
his  last.* 

1  Knox,  II.  78.     Knox  ilerivcil  liis  iuforniation  from  the  person  who 
supported  Wolfe  in  his  dying  niomei.t&. 


M\ 


[I75y 


1759.] 


DEATH   OF   MONTCAT.M. 


l:3i) 


eyes 


idge. 

Inur- 

thcd 


Almost  at  tlic  same  moment  fell  his  great  adver- 
sary, !vlonicalm,  as  he  strove,  with  vain  bravery, 
to  rally  his  shattered  ranks.  Struck  down  with 
a  mortal  wound,  he  was  placed  upon  a  litter  and 
borne  to  the  General  Hospital  on  the  banks  of  the 
St.  C'harles.  The  surgeons  told  him  that  he  couhl 
not  recover.  '•  I  am  glad  of  it,"  was  his  calm 
reply.  He  then  asked  how  long  he  might  survive, 
and  was  told  that  he  had  not  many  hours  remain- 
ing. ''  So  much  the  better,"  he  said  ;  "  I  am 
ha])py  that  I  sliall  not  live  to  see  the  surrender  of 
Quebec."  Officers  from  the  garrison  came  to  his 
bedside  to  ask  his  orders  and  instructions.  "  I  will 
give  no  more  orders,"  replied  the  defeated  soldier ; 
"  I  have  much  business  that  nuist  be  attended  to, 
of  greater  moment  than  your  ruined  garrison  and 
tliis  wretched  country.  My  time  is  very  short ; 
therefore,  pray  leave  me."  The  officers  withdrew, 
and  none  remained  in  the  cliamber  but  his  con- 
fessor and  the  liishop  of  Quebec.  To  the  last,  he 
expressed  his  contempt  for  his  own  nuithious  and 
half-famished  troops,  and  his  admiration  for  the 
disciplined  valor  of  his  oi)pouents.'  He  died 
before  midnight,  and  was  buried  at  his  own  desire 
in  a  cavity  of  the  earth  formed  by  the  bursting  of 
a  bombshell. 

The  victorious  army  encamped  before  Quebec, 
and  pushed  their  preparations  for  the  siege  with 
zealous  energy ;  but  before  a  single  gun  was 
brought  to  bear,  the  white  tiag  was  hung  uut,  and 


who 


1  Knox,  II.  77. 


140  COLLISION   OF   THE   KIVAL  COLONIES.     [17.V,t-l7i;0, 


the  garrison  surrendered 


On  the  eighteenth  of 
Septembei-,  1759,  the  rock-built  citadel  of  Canada 
passed  forever  from  the  h.'nds  of  its  ancient 
masters. 

The  victory  on  the  Plains  of  Al)raham  and  the 
downfall  of  Quebec  filled  all  P^ngland  with  pride 
and  exultation.  From  north  to  south,  the  land 
blazed  with  illuminations,  and  resounded  with  the 
ringing  of  bells,  the  firing  of  guns,  and  the  shouts 
of  the  multitude.  In  one  village  alone  all  w^as 
dark  and  silent  amid  the  general  joy ;  for  here 
dwelt  the  widowed  mother  of  Wolfe.  The  popu- 
lace, with  unwonted  delicacy,  respected  her  lonely 
sorrow,  and  forbore  to  obtrude  tlie  sound  of  their 
rejoicings  upon  her  grief  for  one  who  had  been 
through  life  her  pride  and  solace,  and  repaid  her 
love  with  a  tender  and  constant  devotion.' 

Canada,  cri[)pled  and  dismembered  l)y  the  dis- 
asters of  this  year's  campaign,  lay  waiting,  as  it 
were,  the  final  stroke  which  was  to  extinguish  her 
last  remains  of  life,  and  close  the  eventful  story 
of  French  dominion  in  America.  Her  limbs  and 
her  head  were  lop[)ed  away,  but  life  still  fluttered 
at  her  heart.  Quebec,  Niagara,  Frontenac,  and 
Crown  Point  had  fallen  ;  but  ^Tontreal  and  the 
adjacent  country  still  ludd  out,  and  tliither,  with 
the  opening  season  of  1760,  the  British  conmrand- 
ers  turned  all  their  eneri^ies.  Three  armies  were 
to  enter  Canada  at  three  several  points,  and,  con- 
quering as  they  advanced,  converge  towards  jMon- 


»  Annual  Rrrjlster  for  M!j9,i3. 


Ill 


17t)i) 


SURRENDER   OF   QUEBEC. 


14] 


treal  as  a  rommon  cr  Urc.  In  accordance  with  this 
plan,  Sir  JeftVc^y  Amherst  embarked  at  Oswe-o, 
crossed  Lake  Ontario,  and  descended  tlie  8t.  Law- 
rence with  ten  thonsand  men  ;  while  Colonel  Uavi- 
land  advanced  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain  and  the 
Kiver  8orel,  and  General  :\lnrray  ascended  from 
Quebec,  with  a  body  of  the  veterans  who  had 
fought  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham. 

By  a  singular  concurrence  of  fortune  and  skill, 
the  three  armies  reached  the  neighborhood  of 
Montreal  on  the  same  day.  The  feeble  and  dis- 
heartened garrison  could  offer  no  resistance,  and 
on  the  eighth  of  September,  17G0,  the  Marqnis 
de  Vaudreuil  surrendered  Canada,  with  all  its 
dependencies,  to  the  British  crown. 


m 


I;  m 

i 


■I 
II 


CHAPTER    V. 

1700-1703. 

THE   WILDERNESS   AND   ITS  TENANTS  AT   THE    CLOSE 
OF   THE   FRENCH    WAR. 

We  have  already  seen  how,  after  the  defeat  of 
Braddock,  the  western  tribes  rose  with  one  accord 
against  the  l^iglish.  Then,  for  the  first  time, 
Pennsylvania  felt  the  sconrge  of  Indian  war  ;  and 
her  neighbors,  Maryland  and  Virginia,  shared  her 
misery.  Throngh  the  antnmn  of  1755,  the  storm 
raged  with  devastating  fnry  ;  bnt  tlie  following  year 
bronght  some  abatement  of  its  violence.  This  may 
be  ascribed  ])artly  to  the  interference  of  the  Iro- 
qnois,  who,  at  the  instances  of  Sir  William  Johnson, 
urged  the  Delawares  to  lay  down  the  liatchet,  and 
partly  to  the  persnasions  of  several  prominent  men 
among  tlie  (Quakers,  wlio,  by  kind  and  friendly 
treatment,  liad  gained  tlie  confidence  of  the 
Indians.'  By  these  means,  that  portion  of  the 
Delawares  and  their  kindred  tribes  who  dwelt 
upon  the  8ns(piehanna,  were  induced  to  send  a 
deputation  of  cliiefs   to  Easton,  in  the  summer  of 

1  Gordon,  Hist.  [^<')in.  n'2\.      Causes  of  the  Alienation  nf  the.  Delaware  and 
Shawanese  Iiulians  from  the  British  Interest.     Mi.  .fuhnson  Papeis. 


1758] 


THE    1)^;LA WAKES   AND    SlIAWAXUES. 


U3 


1757,  to  meet  the  provincial  delegates  ;  and  here, 
after  much  delay  and  diflicnlty,  a  treaty  of  peace 
was  concluded. 

This  treaty,  hovve-.er,  did  not  embrace  tlie  Indians 
of  the  Ohio,  wlio  comprised  the  most  formidable 
part  of  the  Delawares  and  Shawanoes,  and  who 
still  continued  tlieir  murderous  iittacks.  It  was 
not  till  the  sunnner  of  17.)8,  when  General  Forbes, 
with  a  considera!)lc  army,  was  advancing:  aii;ainst 
Fort  du  Quesne,  that  these  exasperated  savages 
could  be  brought  to  reason.  Well  knowing  that, 
should  Forbes  prove  successful,  they  might  expect 
a  summary  chastisement  for  their  misdeeds,  they 
began  to  waver  in  their  attachment  to  the  French ; 
and  the  latter,  in  the  hour  of  p(u-il,  found  tliem- 
selves  threatened  witli  desertion  by  allies  who  had 
shown  an  ample  aliicrity  in  the  season  of  pros[)erity. 
This  new  tendencv  of  the  Ohio  Indians  was  fos- 
tered  by  a  wise  step  on  the  part  of  the  laiglish.  A 
man  was  found  bold  and  hardy  enough  to  venture 
into  the  midst  of  their  villages,  bearing  the  news 
of  the  treaty  at  Easton,  and  the  approach  of 
Forbes,  coupled  with  proposals  of  peace  from  the 
governor  of  Pennsylvania. 

This  stout-hearted  emissary  was  Christian  Fred- 
eric Post,  a  Moravian  missionary,  who  had  long 
lived  with  the  Indians,  ha<l  twice  married  among 
them,  and,  by  his  upright  dealings  and  plain  good 
sense,  had  gained  their  confidinice  and  esteem. 
His  devout  and  conscicMitious  s[)irit,  his  fidelity  to 
what  he  deemed  his  duty,  his  imperturbable  cour- 
age, his  prudence  and  his  address,  well  fitted   him 


m 


i!4 

til 


m 

I 


Uil 


HH 


in 


^lil 


144 


THE  WILDERNESS  AND  ITS  TENANTS. 


[1758 


for  the  critical  iiilssion.  His  journals,  written  in 
a  style  of  qu.iiut  simplicity,  are  full  of  lively 
details,  and  afford  ii  ^'urious  i)icture  of  forest  life 
and  character,  lie  left  Philadelpliia  in  July, 
attended  by  a  party  of  friendly  Indians,  on  whom 
he  relied  for  protection.  Ivcaching  the  Ohio,  he 
fonnd  himself  beset  with  perils  from  the  jealousy 
and  malevolence  of  the  savage  warriors,  and  the 
machinations  of  the  French,  who  would  gladly 
have  dcstroved  him.'     Yet  he  found  frieuds  where- 

¥ 

^  Tlio  followlntr  are  extracts  from  Iiis  jonniiils  :  — 

"  We  set  out  from  Kushkuslikoi'  for  Saiikoiik;  my  c,)mj)any  consisted 
of  twenty-five  horsemen  and  fifteen  foot.  We  arrivetl  at  Sankonk  in  the 
afternoon.  Tiie  people  of  the  town  were  mucli  (listi.rhed  at  my  coniinj:?, 
and  received  me  in  a  very  ronf^li  manner,  'liiey  surrounded  me  witii 
drawn  knives  in  tin'ir  hand.s,  in  sueli  a  manner  thit  I  could  lianlly  {j;et 
aloiifi  ;  rumiin<4'  up  against  mo  witli  their  breasts  open,  as  if  tiiey  wanted 
some  ])retence  to  kill  me.  I  saw  l)y  tlieir  (•ountLnan'>es  they  sou.yht  my 
deatli  Their  tiices  were  quite  distorted  with  rai;e,  and  they  went  so  far 
a.><  to  .say,  I  sliould  not  live  lonj; ;  but  some  Indians,  with  whom  I  waa 
formerly  aeipiainted,  coininj,'  up  and  salulinj,'  me  in  a  friendly  manner, 
their  behavior  to  me  was  quickly  chanj;ed."  ..."  Some  of  my  i)arty 
desired  me  not  to  stir  from  the  fire,  for  that,  the  French  had  oflered  i\ 
great  reward  for  my  scalp,  and  that  there  were  several  parties  out  on  that 
l)urpose.  Acccordin^ly  I  stuck  constantly'  as  close  to  the  fire  as  if  I  had 
been  ciiained  tiiere.   .   .   . 

"  In  the  afternoon,  all  the  captains  gathered  toj^etlier  in  the  middle 
town  ;  they  sent  for  us,  and  desired  we  should  f^ive  them  information  of 
our  messa_ne.  Acconliiiyly  we  ;!id.  We  read  the  message  with  jiieat 
satisfaction  to  them.  It  was  a  <,freat  pleasure  both  to  them  and  ns.  The 
ninnber  of  captains  and  counsellors  were  si.xteen.  In  tlie  eveninu:,  mes- 
seiiuers  arrived  from  Fort  Du(|uesne,  with  a  strinjf  of  wampmn  from  the 
commander  ;  iiiioii  wiiich  tiiey  all  came  together  in  the  house  wiiere  we 
lodged.  'I'he  messi'ii^icrs  di'livered  their  string,  with  these  words  from 
their  father,  the  I'^rench  king:  — 

" '  My  children,  come  to  me,  and  hear  what  I  have  to  say.  The  Kng- 
lisli  are  coming  witli  an  army  to  destroy  both  you  and  me.  I  therefore 
desire  yon  immediately,  m}'  children,  to  hasten  with  all  the  young  men; 
we  will  drive  the  Englisli  and  destroy  them.  I,  as  a  fatlier,  will  tell  yoti 
always  what  is  l)est.'  He  laid  the  string  before  one  of  the  ca|)tain9. 
After  a    ittle  conversation,  the  Ciiptahi  stood   up,  ami  said,  'I  have  just 


■ 


i 


Ii 


1758.] 


WESTEIJN  INDIANS. 


U5 


ever  he  went,  and  finally  succeeded  in  convincing 
the  Indians  tliat  their  true  interest  lav  in  a  strict 
neutrality.  Wlu>n,  therefore,  Forhes  a[)|)(\ired 
before  Fort  du  Quesne,  the  French  found  them- 
selves abandoned  to  tlieir  own  resources ;  and, 
unable  to  hold  their  ground,  they  retreated  down 
the  Ohio,  leaving  the  fort  an  easy  con(][uest  to  the 
invaders.  During  tiie  autunui,  the  Oliio  Indians 
sent  their  deputies  to  I'^aston,  where  a  great  council 
was  held,  and  a  formal  peace  concluded  with  the 
provinces.^ 

AVhile  tho  filendship  of  these  tribes  was  thus 
lost  and  regained,  their  ancient  tyrants,  the  Iro- 
quois, remained  in  a  state  of  very  doubtful  attach- 
ment. At  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  tlu^y  had 
shown,  it  is  true,  many  signs  of  friendship  ;  ~  but 
the  disasters  of  the  first  campaign  had  given  them 


»l 


he.ard  sometliing  of  our  bretlircn,  the  Kny;lisli,  wliicli  ploiisclli  me  iimch 
better.  I  will  not  go.  Give  it  to  tlie  otiiers  ;  majhe  tlioy  will  go.'  The 
inessonger  took  vip  again  the  string,  anil  said,  'He  won't  go;  he  ha.s 
heard  of  the  l'>nglish.'  Then  all  cried  out,  '  Ye.s,  yes,  we  have  hoard 
from  the  Knglish.'  He  then  tlnx'W  the  .string  to  tlieotiier  Ihvplace,  where 
tiie  other  captains  were  ;  bnt  they  kicked  it  from  one  to  anotlicr,  a-;  if  it 
was  a  snake.  Cai)tain  IVter  took  a  stick,  and  with  it  flmig  liie  string 
from  one  end  of  t!io  room  to  tiie  otlier,  and  said,  '  (Jive  it  to  tlie  French 
captain,  and  lei  him  go  with  his  young  men  ;  lie  boasted  i\iucli  of  iiis 
fighting;  now  let  us  see  his  lighting.  Wo  have  often  ventured  oiir  lives 
for  him;  and  had  iiardly  a  loaf  of  bread  when  we  came  to  him;  and  now 
he  thinks  we  should  jump  to  serve  him.'  Then  we  saw  the  French  caj)- 
tain  mortified  to  the  uttermost;  he  looked  as  pale  as  death.  The  Indians 
discoursed  and  joked  till  midnight  ;  and  the  French  caiitain  sent  messen- 
gers at  midnight  to  Fort  Duijuesne." 

The  kicking  about  of  the  wampum  belt  is  tiie  usual  indication  of  con- 
tempt for  the  message  of  which  the  belt  is  the  token.  The  uses  of  wam- 
pum will  be  described  hereatter. 

1  Miiiiiti's  of'  (Joiiiifil  III  /'Huston,  1758. 

'^  Account  of  <  ''iii/'i  iiiicis  livlircf'H  Mdi'm-fiioicni!  Sir  W.  Johnson  and  (he 
Chi(J' Sdchdiis  (iiiil  W'arn'ors  of'  the  Six  iVations  (liond.  17o'j). 


I 


I  il 


•[ '  t 


;  l: 


1 

i 

1  H 

1 

:  1    ' 

if' 

1 

i 
1 

1 


!'S 


14()  Tin-:  WILDERXKSS  ANI"'   ITS  TKXANTS.     [17.-)8-17i;0 

a  ('oiit('in[)til)Io  idea  of  PiritMi  prowess.  This 
impression  was  (le(^peiie(l.  when,  m  the  following 
year,  tlu>y  saw  ()swe<j^o  taken  by  the  rencii,  inul 
the  British  g(>neral,  Wehh,  retr(>at  wn.i  dastardly 
haste  from  an  enenis  who  did  not  dre  •  i  of  ])nr*u- 
ing  him.  At  this  time,  some  of  the  onfederates 
actually  took  n[)  the  hatcliet  ),'  th^.'  side  of  Franc  , 
and  there  was  danger  that  the  rest  might  follow 
then*  example.'  But  now  a  new  element  was 
infns(Hl  into  tlu^  15ritisli  counsels.  'I'he  fortunes 
')f  the  contlict  began  to  change.  ])u  Quesnf:  and 
Louisbnrg  were  taken,  and  the  Iroquois  conceived 
a  better  opinion  of  the  Ih'itisli  arms.  Their  friend- 
slii})  was  no  longer  a  matter  of  doubt ;  and  in  17(30, 
when  Amherst  was  preparing  to  advance  on  ^[on- 
treal.  the  warriors  flocked  to  his  cam[  like  vultures 
to  the  carcass.  Yet  there  is  little  doubt,  that,  had 
their  sachems  and  orators  followed  the  dictates  of 
tl"^ur  cooler  judgment,  they  would  not  have  aided 
in  destrovini"'  Canada  ;  for  thev  could  see  that  in 
the  cohjuies  of  France  lav  the  onlv  barrier  ai>'ainst 
the  growing  power  and  ambition  of  the  English 
provinces. 

The  ITurons  of  Forctte,  the  Abenakis,  and 
other  domiciliated  trib(^s  of  Canada,  ranged  them- 
selves on  tlie  side  of  France  throughout  the  war; 
and  at  its  conclusion,  the;-,  in  common  with  the 
Canadians,  may  be  regarded  in  t^  ?  light  of  a  con- 
quered people. 

The  numerous  tril)cs  of  the  remote  west  had, 
with    few   exceptions,   played    the   part   of    active 

'  MS.  Jolinson  Papers. 


I'  / 


i ' 


1 


1760.] 


THE    FOREST. 


147 


tied 

in 

inst 

isli 


•;ir ; 

tlie 

ton- 


! 


'i 


I 


«" 


allies  of  the  Fr(Mic'h ;  inul  warriors  niiii^lit  bo 
found  on  tlio  fiirtliost  slioros  of  ]a  e  Su[)ori(n-  who 
garnisliod  tlioir  w;ir-dn^ss  with  ^;i'  scalp-locks  of 
nnirdorod  Jsnulishmen.  With  .^^  conquest  of 
Canada,  these  trilies  subsided  into  a  state  of  inac- 
tion, which  was  not  lon^  to  c'ontinue. 

And  now.  before  lannchinLr  into  tlie  storv  of  tlie 
snnguinary  war  which  forms  our  proi)er  iind  iiiune- 
diate  theme,  it  will  be  well  to  survey  the  «jjrand 
arena  of  the  strife,  the  jifoodlv  heritn<]je  which  the 
wretch(Hl  tribe  o '  ^he  forest  struggled  to  retrieve 
from  the  ham'  -  of    '\c  s})oiler. 

One  vast.  •  v,i  nmous  forest  shadowed  the  fertile 
soil,  covering  i  ^'  land  as  the  grass  covers  a  garden 
lawn,  swce  in<,'  over  hill  and  hollow  in  endless 
undulation,  ourying  mountains  in  verdure,  and 
mantliuir  brooks  and  rivers  from  the  lii>-ht  of  dav. 
Green  intervals  dotted  with  browsing  deer,  and 
broad  nlains  alive  with  buffalo,  broke  the  same- 
ness of  the  woodland  scenery.  Unnumbered  rivers 
seamed  the  forest  witli  their  devious  windings. 
Vast  lakes  washed  its  boundaries,  where  the  Indian 
voyager,  in  liis  birch  canoe,  could  descry  no  land 
beyond  the  world  ol'  waters.  Yet  this  prolific 
wilderness,  teeming  with  waste  fertility,  was  but  a 
hunting-ground  and  a  battle-field  to  a  few  fierce 
hordes  of  savages.  Here  and  there,  in  some  rich 
meadow  opened  to  the  sun,  the  Indian  squaws 
turned  the  black  mouhl  with  their  rude  imple- 
ments of  bone  or  iron,  and  sowed  their  scanty 
stores  of  maize  and  beans.  Human  labor  drew  no 
other  tribute  from  that  exhaustless  soil. 


,H 


'     ii 


i|  f^ 


i  f^ 


t 


148 


TlIK  \VII-I)KUNI;SS  AM)  US    ir.NAN  IS.     Il7i;()-170;{. 


So  tliiii  aiul  scuttiMi'd  \\iis  the  native  population, 
tliat,  even  in  those  parts  which  were  thonLi^hr  well 
peopled,  one  might  sometimes  journey  lor  days 
toij:et]ier  throjigh  the  twilight  forest,  and  meet  no 
human  lorm,  Ihoad  tracts  were  left  in  solitude. 
All  Kentuclxv  was  a  vacant  waste,  a  mere  skirmish- 
ing  ground  for  the  hostile  war-])arties  of  the  north 
and  south.  A  great  part  of  Upper  Canada,  of 
Michigan,  and  of  Illinois,  hesides  otlu-r  portions 
of  the  west,  were  tenanted  hv  wild  heasts  alone. 
To  form  a  close  estimate  of  the  numhers  of  the 
erratic  hands  who  roamed  this  wilderness  would 
he  impossihle  ;  hut  it  may  l)e  ailirmed  that,  he- 
tween  tlu>  Mississippi  on  the  west  and  the  ocean 
on  the  east,  hetween  the  Ohio  on  the  south  and 
Lake  Superior  on  the  north,  the  whole  Indian 
population,  at  the  close  of  the  French  war,  did 
not  greatly  exceed  ten  thousand  fighting  men. 
Of  these,  following  the  statement  of  Sir  William 
Johnson,  in  17()o.  the  Iroquois  had  nineteen  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  the  Delawarcs  about  six  hundred, 
the  Shawanoes  about  three  hundred,  the  Wyandots 
about  four  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the  Miami  tribes, 
with  their  neighbors  the  Kickapoos,  eight  hun- 
dred ;  while  the  Ottawas,  the  Ojibwas.  and  other 
wanderiui^  tribes  of  the  north,  defy  all  efforts  at 
enumeration.' 

A  close  survey  of  the  condition  of  the  tribes  at 
this  period  will  detect  some  signs  of  improvement, 

'  The  estimates  fiivon  by  Cro^liaii,  Boiuiuet,  and  Hutching,  do  not 
quite  accord  with  that  of  Johnson.  But  tlie  discrepancy  is  no  {greater 
tiian  iniglit  liave  been  oxpoctcd  I'roin  tlio  ditlicultics  of  tiie  case. 


■f 


ITOfV-lTfin.] 


NA'I'IVr,    I'olM'I.A'I'loV. 


WJ 


Is  at 
nit, 

not 
leater 


1 

.if- 


l)iif  inimv  inorc  of  (l('«^(MKM*iK'y  imd  decay.  To 
cotiniKMKc  with  tlic  Irodiiois,  for  to  tlictn  witli  jus- 
tire  tlio  ])iiority  belongs:  Onoiulaga,  the  ancient 
c;ij)ital  of  (lieir  confederacy,  wlieie  tlieir  council- 
fire  hiid  burned  from  innneinoriid  time,  was  now 
no  louiicr  what  it  had  been  in  the  days  of  its  <;reat- 
ness,  when  Count  FrontcMiac  had  nuistcred  all 
Canada  to  assail  it.  The  tliickly  clustered  dwcll- 
in<;s,  with  their  tri[)le  rows  of  jjalisiides,  had  van- 
ish(>d.  A  little  stream,  twistiui^  alon<jf  the  valley, 
choked  n[)  with  loj^s  and  drif'twood,  and  half  hid- 
den l)V  woods  and  thickets,  some  forty  houses  of 
bark,  scattered  aloni;  its  banks,  amid  rank  <>rass, 
neglected  clum[)s  of  bnslu^s,  and  ragged  patches 
of  corn  and  ])eas,  —  such  was  Onondaga  when 
IJartram  saw  it,  and  such,  no  doubt,  it  remained  at 
the  time  of  which  I  write.'  Conspicuous  among 
the  other  structures,  and  distinguished  only  by  its 
superior  size,  stood  the  great  council-house,  whose 
bark  walls  had  often  shelter(>d  the  congregated 
wisdom  of  the  confederacy,  and  heard  the  hi<>hest 
efforts  of  forest  ehxpienct;.  The  other  villages  of 
the  Iroquois  rcseml)led  Onondaga  ;  for  though  sev- 
eral were  of  larger  size,  vet  none  retained  those 
defensive  stockades  which  had  once  protected  them.- 
From  their  Euro])ean  neighbors  the  Inxpiois  had 
borrowed  many  appliances  of  comfort  and  subsist- 
ence.    Horses,  swine,  and  in  some  instances  cattle, 

1  Bartram,  Ohsprvifimis,  41. 

'^  I  am  indebtoil  to  tlie  kindness  of  Rev.  S.  K.  Lotlirop  for  a  copy  of 
flio  journal  of  Mr.  Kirkland  on  iiis  missionary  tour  amonj;  tlie  Iroquois 
in  1705.  The  journal  contains  mucli  information  respecting  tlieir  man' 
ners  and  condition  at  lliis  period. 


l.M) 


TIIK  WILDKIINKSS  AND  ITS  TENANTS.     [1700-17^ 


wore  to  1)0  found  inuonuf  tlioni.  Gmis  and  i^iiu- 
|)(>u(lor  iiidod  thorn  in  tho  cliase.  Jvnivos,  liatcliots, 
kotth's,  and  lioos  of*  iron,  liad  su])iilantod  tlioir  rndo 
honst'hold  utensils  and  itnploinonts  of  tillaj^o  ;  but 
with  all  this.  I'm^llsh  whiskov  had  nioro  than  can- 
collod  ovorv  bonotit  which  ]"ln;'lish  civiHzation  had 
conforrod. 

High  u[)  tho  Sus([uoh;inna  wore  seated  the  Nanti- 
rokos,  Conoys,  and  Mohioans.  w  ith  a  portion  of  the 
])olawares.  Dotachod  bands  of  tho  western  Iro- 
([uois  dwelt  upon  tho  head  waters  of  the  AUo- 
<4hany,  tnini^lod  with  their  uoi^hl)ors.  the  Dolawarea, 
who  had  soxcral  villa<^os  upon  this  stream.  The 
groat  body  of  the  latter  nation,  however,  lived 
upon  the  Beaver  Creeks  and  the  Muskingum,  in 
numerous  scattered  towns  and  hamlets,  whose  bar- 
barous names  it  is  useless  to  record.  Squalid  log 
cabins  and  conical  wigwams  of  l)ark  wore  clustered 
at  random,  or  ranged  to  form  rude  streets  and 
s(piares.  Starveling  horses  grazed  on  the  neigh- 
boring meadows ;  girls  and  children  bathed  and 
laughed  in  the  adjacent  river ;  warriors  smoked 
their  pipes  in  haughty  indohnice  ;  squawks  lal)ored 
in  the  cornfields,  or  brouglit  fagots  from  the  forest, 
and  shrivelled  hags  screamed  from  lodge  to  lodge. 
In  each  village  one  large  building  stood  prominent 
among  the  rest,  devoted  to  pur})osos  of  public 
meeting,  dances,  festivals,  and  the  entertainment 
of  strangers.  Thither  the  traveller  would  be  con- 
ducted, seated  on  a  bear-skin,  and  plentifully 
regaled  with  hominy  and  venison. 

The  Shawanoes  had  sixteen  small  villages  upon 


1700-1703.1 


NVTlVi;   I'ul'LI.ATloN. 


1.31 


ered 
nul 

md 

vt'd 

3i'cd 

est, 
•re. 

(Mlt 

lie 
lent 
on- 


pon 


the  Scioto  ;iiid  its  brandies.  I'iirt1i(>i'  towards  th^ 
west,  on  tlic  watiis  of  tli(;  ^Val)asll  and  the 
'>ranineo,  dwelt  the  ^liatnis,  who,  less  e\])osed, 
from  iheir  jiosition,  to  the  poison  of  the  whiskfv- 
l\e^-,  and  the  exMniple  of  dchauclicd  tiaders,  re- 
tained their  ancient  charactri-  and  cnstonis  in 
greater  purity  than  their  eastern  neinhhors.  'I'his 
cannot  l)e  said  of  the  Illinois,  who  dwelt  near  the 
borders  of  the  Mississippi,  and  wlio,  ha\in;^-  lived 
for  more  than  half  a  century  in  close  contact  with 
the  French,  had  become  a  corrupt  and  de;^i'iierate 
race.  The  AN'vandots  of  Saiidiiskv  and  Detroit  far 
surpassed  the  surrounding-  tiihes  iu  en(>r<^y  of 
character  and  in  social  progress.  Tludr  loi;  dwell- 
iiii^s  were  stroni^  and  commodious,  their  a^n'icultnre 
was  very  considerable,  tiunr  name  stood  liijih  in 
war  and  policy,  and  tliev  were  regarded  with 
deference  by  all  the  adjacent  Indians.  It  is  ii(>ed- 
less  to  pursue  farther  this  cataloL^ue  of  tribes, 
i^ince  the  position  of  each  will  appear  hereiifter  as 
they  advance  in  turn  npon  the  stasjje  of  action. 

The  Kngli.^  settlements  lay  like  a  narrow  strip 
between  the  wiluL.ness  and  the  sea.  and,  as  thi.  sea 
had  its  ports,  S()  also  the  forest  had  its  places  of 
rendezvous  and  outfit.  Of  these,  by  far  the  most 
important  in  the  northern  ])rovinces  was  the  frontie;- 
city  of  Albany,  l^'rom  thence  it  was  that  traders 
and  soldiers,  bound  to  the  country  of  the  Iroquois, 
or  the  more  disttnit  wilds  of  the  interior,  set  out 
npon  their  arduous  journey.  Embarking  in  a 
bateau  or  a  canoe,  rowed  by  the  hardy  men  v. ho 
earned  their  livelilif  od  in  this  -ervicc.  the  tra\ellei 


152 


THE  WILDERNESS  AND  ITS  TENANTS.     [17G0-1763 


would  ascnul  the  "Mohawk,  passing  tlic  olJ  Diitcli 
town  of  Schenectady,  the  two  scats  of  Sir  WilHain 
Johnson,  Fort  Hunter  at  the  mouth  of  tlie  Scoharie, 
and  Fort  Ilerkitner  at  the  German  Fhits,  until  he 
reached  Fort  Stanwix  at  the  head  of  the  river 
navigation.  Then  crossing  over  land  to  Wood 
Creek,  he  would  follow  its  tortuous  course,  over- 
shadowed by  the  dense  forest  on  its  bunks,  until 
he  arrived  at  the  little  fortification  called  the  Tloyal 
l)lockhouse,  and  the  waters  of  the  Oneida  Lake 
spread  before  him.  Crossing  to,  its  western  ex- 
tremity, and  passing  under  tlie  wooden  ramparts 
of  Fort  Brewerton,  he  would  descend  the  Kiver 
Oswego  to  Oswego,^  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Ontario. 
Here  the  vast  naviijjation  of  the  Great  I^akes  would 


i  rt 


11- 


,■  i 


1  M^.  Jniirmil  nf  fjii'iitt'Danf  (jorelJ  ^MCZ.  Awonymnw^  "M^.  Journal  of  a 
Tour  to  Xi<i(jiini  ill  lit);").      J'lic  I'ollnwinj^  i,s  an  t'xtraet  from  llie  latter:  — 

"July  2(1.  Dineil  with  Sir  Wm.  at  Joiiiisoii  Hall.  The  office  of 
Suporintenilent  very  trouhlosonie.  Sir  Win.  continually  ])la^iie(l  with 
Indians  about  him  —  generally  from  liOO  to  UOO  in  number  —  spoil  his 
garden,  and  keep  his  house  alway;;  <lirty.  .  .  , 

"  lOtli.  Punted  and  rowed  up  tlie  Moluiwk  Kiver  against  the  stream, 
wliioh,  on  account  of  the  ra])idity  of  the  current,  is  very  liard  work  for 
tiie  poor  soldier.-*.  Encamped  on  the  baidis  of  the  river,  about  9  miles 
friHn  Harkimer's. 

"  Tlie  inconveniences  attending  a  man-ied  Subaltern  strongly  appear  in 
this  tour.  Wliat  witii  the  sickness  of  their  wives,  the  .squealing  of  their 
children,  and  the  smallness  of  their  pay,  I  think  the  gentlemen  discover  no 
common  share  of  philosoi)liy  in  keeping  themselves  from  running  mad. 
Officers  and  soldiers,  with  their  wives  and  children,  legitimate  and  ille- 
gitimate, make  altogether  a  pretty  com]V)uiid  oglio,  whicli  does  not  tend 
towards  showing  military  matrimony  ofr  to  any  great  advantage.  .  . 

"  Monday,  Mtli.  Went  on  horseback  by  the  side  of  Wood  Creek.  20 
miles,  to  the  lioyal  Blockhouse,  a  kind  of  wooden  castle,  proof  against 
any  Indiiui  attacks.  It  is  now  abandoned  by  the  troops,  and  a  sutler 
lives  there,  who  keeps  rum,  milk,  rackoons,  etc.,  which,  though  none  of 
the  most  elegant,  is  comfortable  to  strangers  jiassing  that  wa^;.  The 
Blockhouse  is  situated  on  the  east  end  of  the  Oneida  Lake,  and  is  sur- 
rounded by  the  Oneida  Indians,  one  of  the  Six  Nations." 


■'^  I'! 


\" 


I 


1760-1703.] 


THE   FUIl   TRADERS. 


1.5:3 


be  open  before  him,  interrupted  only  by  the  difficult 
portage  at  the  Cataract  of  Niagara. 

The  chief  thoroughfare  from  the  middle  colonies 
to  the  Indian  country  was  from  Philadelphia  west- 
ward, across  the  Alleghanies,  to  the  valley  of  the 
Ohio.  Peace  was  no  sooner  concluded  with  the 
hostile  tril)es,  than  the  adventurous  fur-traders, 
careless  of  risk  to  life  and  property,  hastened 
over  the  mountains,  each  eager  to  be  foremost  in 
the  wilderness  market.  Their  merchandise  was 
sometimes  carried  in  wagons  as  far  as  the  site  of 
Fort  du  Quesne,  wluch  the  English  rel)uilt  after  its 
capture,  changing  its  name  to  Fort  Pitt.  From 
this  point  the  goods  were  packed  on  the  backs 
of  horses,  and  thus  distributed  among  the  various 
Indian  villages.  More  commonly,  however,  the 
whole  journey  was  performed  by  means  of  trains, 
or,  as  they  were  cidled,  brigades  of  packhorses, 
which,  leaving  the  frontier  settlements,  climbed  the 
shadowy  heights  of  the  Alleg'hanies,  and  threaded 
the  forests  of  the  Ohio,  diving  through  thickets, 
and  wading  over  streams.  The  men  employed  in 
this  perilous  calling  were  a  rough,  bold,  and 
intractable  class,  often  as  fierce  and  truculent  as 
the  Indians  themselves.  A  blanket  coat,  or  a 
frock  of  smoked  deer-skin,  a  rifle  on  the  shoulder, 
and  a  knife  and  tomahawk  in  the  belt,  formed 
their  ordinary  equipment.  The  principal  trader, 
the  owner  of  the  merchandise,  would  fix  his  head- 
quarters at  some  large  Indian  town,  whence  he 
would  despatch  his  s(il)ordinates  to  the  surrounding 
villages,   with   a   suitable   supply  of  blankets   and 


I' 


1 ')4  TIIK  WILDERNESS  AM)  ITS  TENANTS.     [17<'.0-17C.3. 


1:1  J 


:t 


red  clotli,  guns  and  liatcliots,  ruiuor,  t()i)a(To,  paint, 
beads,  and  hawks'  hells.  This  wild  traffic  was 
liable  to  ev(>rv  species  of  disorder;  and  it  is  not  to 
he  wondiu'ed  at  ihat.  in  a  n^uion  where  law  was 
nidviiown.  tlu>  jealousies  of  rival  trader's  should 
beeome  a  iruitiul  source  of  broils,  robbericvs,  and 
murders. 

In  the  backwoods,  all  land  travelling  was  on 
foot,  or  on  horsel)ack.  It  was  no  easy  matter  for 
«i  iiovie(\  end)arrassed  with  his  cumbrous  gun,  to 
urge  his  horse  through  tlu^  thick  trunks  and  under- 
growth, oi  ev(Mi  to  ride  at  sjieed  along  the  narrow 
Indian  trails,  when^  at  everv  vard  the  imixMidimr 
branches  switched  him  across  the  fac(\  At  night, 
the  camp  Avould  be  formed  by  the  side  of  some 
rivulet  or  8j)ring ;  and,  if  the  traveller  was  skilful 
in  the  nse  of  his  rifle,  a  hauncii  of  vimison  would 
often  form  his  evening  meal.  If  it  rained,  a  shed 
of  elm  or  bass-wood  bark  was  the  ready  work  of 
an  hour,  ;i  pile  of  evergreen  boughs  formed  a  bed, 
and  the  saddle  or  the  knapsack  a  pillow.  A  partv^ 
of  Indian  wayAirers  would  often  be  met  journeying 
through  the  forest,  a  chief,  or  a  wari^ior,  perha])s, 
with  his  scpiaws  and  family.  The  Indians  would 
usually  make  their  camp  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  white  men  ;  and  at  m(>al-time  the  warrior 
would  seldom  fail  to  seat  himself  bv  the  traveller's 
i\n\  and  gaze  with  solemn  gravity  at  the  viands 
before  him.  If.  when  the  repast  was  over,  a  frag- 
ment of  bread  or  a  cup  of  coffee  should  be  handed 
to  him,  he  would  receive  these  highly  prized 
rarities    with    an    ejaculation    of    gratitude ;     for 


"k 


I7t;i»-i7f;;j.j 


THE   roUEST   TRAVELLER. 


155 


1 


n()tliin<j^  is  moro  rcmarkiiblo  in  tlir  cliaraclor  of 
this  people  than  th'>  union  of  inordinate  pride  and 
a  generous  lo\(>  of  jLjlory  with  the  mendicity  of  ;i 
begi^ar  or  a  child. 

lie  who  wislied  to  visit  the  reinolt^r  tribes  of  the 
]\Iississippi  ^■a]ley  —  an  attempt,  hou'excr,  which, 
until  scncral  years  after  the  coiupiest  of  Canada, 
no  Enf^lishnian  conld  have  ina(U>  without  great 
risk  of  losing  his  scalp  —  would  iind  no  easier 
course  than  to  descend  the  v)hio  in  a  canoe  or 
bateau.  He  might  float  for  more  than  eleven 
liundrt'd  miles  down  this  licpiid  highway  of  the 
wihku'uess,  and,  except  the  deserted  cabins  of 
liOgstowu,  a  little  below  Fort  Pitt,  the  remnant 
of  a  Shawanoe  village  at  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto, 
and  an  occasional  handet  or  solitary  wigwam  along 
the  dee[)ly  wooded  banks,  he  wouki  discern  no 
trace  of  human  halutation  through  all  this  vast 
extent.  Th'~  body  of  the  Indian  population  lay 
to  the  northward,  about  the  waters  of  the  tributary 
streams.  It  behooved  the  voyager  to  observe  a  sleep- 
less caution  and  a  hawk-eved  vii'ilance.  Some- 
times  his  anxious  scrutiny  would  detect  a  faint 
blue  smoke  stealing  up>,ard  above  the  grecMi  bosotn 
of  the  forest,  and  betraying  the  encamping  |)lace  of 
some  lurking  war-[)arty.  Then  the  canoe  would 
be  drawn  in  haste  beneath  the  overhanii:ini''  bushes 
which  skirted  the  shore ;  nor  \vould  the  voyage  be 
resumed  until  darkness  closed,  when  the  little 
vessel  would  drift  swiftly  and  safely  by  th(3  point 
of  danirer.' 

^  JMitcliell,  Couti'sl  in  Amcric'i.     Poucliot,  Gni'irf  iln  rAiiKfrif/ite.     Erpe 
dition  aqainst  (he  Ohio  Indiuns,  cipjimdix.     llutcliins,  To/>o;/iii]ihicid  Descrip- 


Mi 


ii 


:^4aS-,  ' 


n 


\  K 


l0() 


THE  WILDERNESS  AND  ITS  TENANTS.     [1700-1703 


"*>yitlnn  the  nominal  limits  of  tlic  Illinois  Indians, 
ano.  owards  the  sontliern  extremity  of  the  present 
state  of  Illinois,  were  those  isolated  Canadian  set- 
tlements, which  had  subsisted  here  since  the  latter 
])art  of  the  jireceding  century.  Kaskaskia,  Caho- 
kia,  and  Vincennes  were  the  centres  of  this  scat- 
tered population.  From  Vincennes  one  might 
paddle  his  canoe  northward  u\)  the  Wabash,  until 
he  reached  the  little  wooden  fort  of  Ouatanon. 
^J'hence  a  path  through  the  woods  led  to  the  banks 
of  the  Maumee.  Two  or  three  Canadians,  or  half- 
breeds,  of  whom  there  were  numbers  about  the  fort, 
would  carry  the  canoe  on  their  shoulders,  or,  for  a 
bottle  of  whiskey,  a  few  Miami  Indians  might  be 
bribed  to  undertake  the  task.  On  the  Maumee,  at 
the  end  of  the  path,  stood  Fort  Miami,  near  the 
spot  where  Fort  Wayne  was  afterwards  built. 
From  this  point  one  might  descend  the  ^laumee  to 
Lake  Erie,  and  visit  the  neighboring  fort  of  San- 
dusky, or,  if  he  chose,  steer  through  the  Strait  of 
Detroit,  and  explore  the  watery  wastes  of  the 
northern  lakes,  finding  occasional  harborage  at  the 
little  military  posts  which  commanded  their  impor- 
tant points.  Most  of  these  western  posts  were 
transferred  to  the  English,  during  the  autumn  of 
1 760  ;  but  the  settlements  of  the  Illinois  remained 
several  years  longer  under  French  control. 

Eastward,  on  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie,  and  the 
Alleghany,  stood  three  small  forts,  Presqu'  Isle,  Le 

tioii  (if  Vin/inid,  etc.  Pownall,  TnpiKjraf.hic.al  Description  of  North  Ameriea. 
]';>-aiis.  AiHih/sis  of  (I  Mnp  of  the  Middle  liritish  Colonics,  licatty ,  Journal  q/ 
a  J'oiir  in  America.  ^\n'\ih,  yarnit  ire.  M'CnWouixh,  jXar  rat  ire.  Jetumison, 
Xarratin.  Post,  Joitrnah.  Wajsliiiigton,  Journuls,  1753-1770.  Gist, 
Journal,  ITfiO      Crogliaii.  Journal,  170;j,  etc.,  etc. 


to 

San- 

of 

the 

the 

)or- 

cre 

1  of 

incd 

the 
I.e 

lericn, 

nxi!  of 

lison, 

Gist, 


17GO-17G3.] 


THE   rUKEST    GAIIIJISUNS. 


1.^7 


BcDuf,  and  Venungo,  which  had  passed  into  tlie 
hands  of  the  English  soon  after  the  ca})tnre  of 
Fort  dn  Qiiesne.  The  feeble  garrisons  of  all  these 
western  posts,  exiled  from  civilization,  lived  in  the 
solitnde  of  military  hermits.  Tlirough  the  long, 
hot  days  of  summer,  jind  the  protracted  cold  of 
winter,  time  huu<^  lieavv  on  their  hands.  Their 
resources  of  employment  and  recreation  were  few 
and  meagre.  They  found  partners  in  their  loneli- 
ness among  the  young  beauties  of  the  Indian  camps. 
They  hunted  and  fished,  shot  at  targets,  and  played 
at  games  of  chance  ;  and  when,  by  good  fortune,  a 
tniveller  found  his  way  among  them,  lu?  was  greeted 
with  a  hearty  and  open-handed  welcome,  and  plied 
with  eager  questions  touching  the  great  world  from 
which  they  were  banished  men.  Yet,  tedious  as  it 
was,  their  secluded  life  was  seasoned  with  stirring 
danger.  The  surrounding  forests  were  peopled 
with  a  race  dark  and  subtle  as  their  own  sunless 
mazes.  At  any  hour,  those  jealous  tribes  might 
raise  the  war-cry.  No  human  foresight  could  pre- 
dict the  sallies  of  their  fierce  caprice,  and  in  cease- 
less watching  1    •  the  only  safety. 

When  the  i  ropean  and  the  savage  are  bronghi. 
in  contact,  boiti  are  gainers,  and  both  are  losers. 
The  former  oses  the  refinements  of  civilization, 
but  he  gain^.  in  the  rough  schooling  of  the  wil- 
derness, a  nudged  independence,  a  self-sustaining 
energy,  and  })()\vers  of  action  and  perception  before 


unthought   of. 


The  savage  gains  new  means  of 


comfort   and   support,  cloth,  iron,  and   gun[)owdev; 
yet  these  a[)parent  benefits  have  often  proved   but 


I 

1:  *:■■  ■ 


w 


M 


fm 


i 


\')S  'rilK   WILDKHNKSS  AND   ITS  TKNANTS.     I17i;0-1703. 

instnniuMits  of  ruin.  TIh^v  soon  hocoiiu'  necessi- 
ties, and  the  iinliaj)]))-  liuntor,  f()r<;-ottin<j;  the  wea- 
pons of  liis  fatlnn's,  must  thenceforth  depend  on  the 
wliite  man  for  ea<(\  happiness,  and  life  itself. 

Those  rudt^  and  hardy  men.  hunters  and  traders, 
scouts  and  guides,  who  raui»'(Hl  the  woods  Ixnond 
the  l^nglish  horders.  and  formed  a  connectii  <i^  link 
h(^tw(VM\  harharism  aiul  civilization,  have  Ixhmi 
touched  upon  already.  'I'hey  were  a  distinct, 
peculiar  chiss,  marked  with  strikin<j^  contrasts  of 
£1^00(1  and  evil.  ^Tany.  though  hy  no  means  all, 
were  coarse,  audacious,  and  unscrupulous ;  yet, 
even  in  the  worst,  one  might  oft(^n  have  found  a 
vigorous  growth  of  warlike  virtues,  an  iron  endur- 
ance, an  undespairiug  courage,  a  wondrous  sagacity, 
and  singular  fertility  of  resource.  In  them  was 
renewed,  with  all  its  ancient  energy,  that  wild  and 
daring  spirit,  that  force  and  hardihood  of  mind, 
which  marked  our  harharous  ancestors  of  Germany 
and  Norway.  These  sons  of  the  wilderness  still 
survive.  We  may  tind  them  to  this  day.  not  in  the 
valley  of  the  Ohio,  nor  on  the  shores  of  the  lakes, 
hut  far  westward  on  the  desert  range  of  the  huffalo. 
and  amonii:  the  solitudes  of  Orei>'on.  Even  now, 
while  I  wriie.  some  lonely  trapper  is  climhing  the 
l)erilous  defiles  of  the  Rocky  ^[ountains,  his  strong 
frame  cased  in  time-worn  huck-skin,  his  riiie  griped 
in  his  sin(Mvy  hand.  Keeidy  he  peers  from  side  to 
side,  lest  Blackfoot  or  Arapahoe  should  amhuscade 
his  path.  The  rough  earth  is  his  bed,  a  morsel  of 
dried  meat  and  a  draught  of  water  are  his  food  and 
drink,  and  death  and  danger  his  companions.     No 


17C0-1703,J 


TIIK    rUACTISKl)    WOODSMAN. 


ir>9 


)(mI 
to 

idc 
of 

Ind 

^0 


anchorite  could  fare  worse,  no  hero  could  dare 
more  ;  yet  his  wihj,  hard  life  has  resistless  charms  ; 
and,  wliile  he  can  wield  a  rifle,  lie  will  never  leave 
it.  Go  with  him  to  the  rendezvous,  and  he  is  a 
stoic  no  more.  Here,  riotin^i'  amonij^  liis  comrades, 
his  native  appetites  hreak  loose  in  mad  excess,  in 
deep  carouse,  and  desperate  s^amini^;.  Then  foUow 
close  the  quarrel,  the  chaHenge,  the  fight,  —  two 
rustv  rifles  and  fiftv  vards  of  ])rairie. 

The  nursling  of  civilization,  [)la(e(l  in  the  midst 
of  the  forest,  and  abandoned  to  his  own  resources, 
is  liei[>less  as  an  infant.  There  is  no  clew  to  the 
labvrinth.  Bewildered  and  amazed,  he  circles 
round  and  round  in  ho[)elcss  wanderings.  ])es[)air 
and  famine  make  him  their  prey,  and  unless  the 
birds  0^  ■i?aven  minister  to  his  wants,  he  dies  in 
misery.  Not  so  the  [)iactised  woodsman.  To  him, 
the  forest  i^s  a  home.  It  yields  him  foi.d,  shelter, 
and  raiment,  and  he  threads  its  tra(  kless  de[)ths 
with  nnde\iating  ft*«>t.  To  lui'e  the  ga!uc,  to  cir- 
cumvent the  lurknig  foe,  to  guide  his  course  l)y  the 
stiairs,  the  Avind.  the  streams,  or  the  tret^s.  —  such 
are  the  arts  wiiich  the  white  man  has  learned  from 
the  red.  Often,  indeed,  the  [)npil  has  outstrip[X'd 
his  master..  He  c.ui  hunt  as  well ;  lie  can  ti^ht 
better;  and  yet  there  are  niceties  of  the  :* >imx1s- 
man's  cr:ufe  in  wiiich  the  white  man  must  yie^u  the 
palm  to  bi-i  savagie  rival.      Seldom  c;.  .  C 


ttiteiit  *^ihtiety  of  soTf^".  more  akni  to 
t^ie  instiarr  of  •"irnit!i"<  thitn  to  hui    la  vea>^'n,  which 


equal  m{ 


reads  th*^ 


fore>t  as-  ti.ie  sch<oiar  rea 


ids 


the  printt  1       ;ge,  "to  wlrirh  th«e  whistk   of  a,  biH 


IGO 


TlliC  WILDKHNESS  ANU  ITS  TENANTS.     [17GO-17C3. 


■I' 


ran  spcuk  cloarly  (is  the  tongue  of  man,  and  the 
rustle  of  a  leaf  give  knowledge  of  life  or  death.' 
Witli  us  the  name  of  the  savage  is  a  hy\vo)-d  of 
reproach.  The  Indian  would  look  with  equal  scorn 
on  those  who,  hurieil  in  useless  lore,  are  blind  and 
deaf  to  the  great  world  of  nature. 


P 


\ 

f 

J 

\'-  ■ 

i 

A  strikinir  oxamiilo  of  Indian  acutcness  once  came  under  my  ohser- 
vatii'ii.  Travelliiiii'  in  company  with  a  Canadian  named  Haymond,  and 
an  Ojiiilailali  Indian,  wo  camt'  at  nij^litfall  to  a  small  stream  I'allcd  ("liu^- 
watiT,  a  liranci  of  Laramie  Crook.  As  we  prcpari'd  to  encamp,  wo  ol)- 
Bcrvod  tiio  ashes  of  a  fire,  the  footprints  of  men  and  horses,  and  other 
indications  that  a  party  had  hoen  upon  the  spot  not  m.'iny  days  hefore. 
Ilavinj;  secured  our  horses  for  the  ni^lit,  Kaymond  and  I  sat  down  and 
lighted  our  pipes,  my  companion,  who  had  spent  Ids  whole  life  in  the 
Indian  country,  hazarding  various  conjectures  as  to  the  numher.s  and 
character  of  our  {predecessors.  Soon  after,  wo  wore  joined  by  tiie  Indian, 
who,  meantime,  had  been  prowling  about  the  place.  Kaymond  ;iskcd 
what  discovery  he  had  made.  He  answered,  that  the  party  were  friendly, 
and  that  they  consisted  of  eight  nu'u,  botli  whites  and  Indians,  several  of 
whom  he  named,  alHrming  tiiat  he  knew  them  well.  To  an  inquiry  how 
he  gained  his  information,  he  would  make  no  intelligible  reply.  On  the 
jioxt  da\',  reaching  Fort  Laramie,  a  post  of  the  American  Fur  Company, 
we  found  that  he  wascon'cct  in  every  particular,  —  a  circumstance  the 
more  remarkable,  as  lie  had  been  with  us  for  three  weeks,  and  could  have 
iutd  no  other  means  of  knowledge  than  we  ourselves. 


^1 


I      , 


CIIAITER    VI. 

17C0. 
THE  ENGLISH   TAKE   POSSKSSIOX   OF   THE   WESTERN 

rosrs. 


■s 


The  war  was  over.  The  plains  around  ^rontrcal 
were  (lotted  with  the  white  tents  of  three  victorious 
armies,  and  the  work  of  conquest  was  complete, 
Canada,  witli  all  her  dependencies,  had  yielded  to 
the  Britisli  crown  ;  but  it  still  remained  to  carry 
into  full  effect  the  terms  of  the  surrender,  and  take 
possession  of  those  western  outposts,  Avhere  the 
lilies  of  France  had  not  as  yet  descended  from  the 
flagstaff.  The  execution  of  this  task,  ncnther  an 
easy  nor  a  safe  one,  was  assigned  to  a  provincial 
officer,  Major  Robert  Rogers. 

Rogers  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire.  He 
commanded  a  body  of  provincial  rangers,  iuid  stood 
in  high  repute  as  a  partisan  officer.  Putnam  and 
Stark  were  his  associates;  and  it  was  in  t  lis  wood- 
land -warfare  that  the  former  achieved  many  of 
those  startling  adventures  and  hair-breadth  escapes 
which  have  made  his  name  familiar  at  every  New- 
I'vUgland  fireside.     Rogers's  Rangers,  half  hunters, 

half   woodsmen,   trained   in   a    discipline    of  their 

11 


rti 


■J  :} 


■'    V. 


162 


THE  ENGLISH  IN   THE   WEST. 


[1760. 


own,  iind  iirnied,  like  Indiiins,  witli  liatrhet,  knife, 
and  gun,  were  eniployod  in  a  .sorviro  of  pt'cnliar 
hardship.  Their  cliirf  thoatrc  of  action  was  tlie 
nionntainons  rcj^ion  of  Tiakc  Gt^orgn,  tiic  d(^ba<al)le 
gronnd  Ix^twocn  tlic  luxfilo  forts  of  Ticondcroga 
and  William  II(>nrv.  The  dco[)ost  recesses  of 
tliese  romantic  solitndrs  liad  lieard  tlie  Frencli  and 
Indian  yell,  and  the  answering  shont  of  the  hardy 
\e\v-England  men.  In  snnnner,  they  passed  down 
the  lake  in  whale  boats  or  canoes,  or  threaded  the 
pathways  of  the  woods  in  single  file,  like  the 
savages  themselves.  In  winter,  they  journeyed 
throngh  the  swamps  on  snowshoes,  skated  along 
the  frozen  snrface  of  the  lake,  and  bivonackcd  at 
night  among  the  snow-drifts.  They  intercepted 
French  messengers,  encountered  I'rench  scouting 
parties,  and  carried  off  prisoners  from  under  the 
very  walls  of  Ticonderoga.  Their  hardships  and 
adventnros.  their  marches  and  countermarches, 
their  frequent  skirmishes  and  midwinter  battles, 
had  made  them  famous  throughout  America  ;  and 
though  it  was  the  fashion  of  the  dav  to  sneer  at 
the  efforts  of  provincial  troops,  tlie  name  of 
TvOi^ers's  Ran^-ers  was  never  mentioned  but  with 
honor. 

Their  commander  was  a  man  tall  and  strong  in 
person,  and  rough  in  feature.  lie  was  versed 
in  all  the  arts  of  woodcraft,  sagacious.  j)rompt,  and 
resolute,  yet  so  cautious  withal  that  he  sometimes 
incurred  the  unjust  charge  of  cowardice.  His 
mind,  naturally  active,  was  by  no  means  uncul- 
tivated ;    and    his    books    and    unpublished  letters 


« 


1700. 1 


MA.mi:  i;(>i;i;i!r  Kocir.us. 


XCu] 


and 
'cv  at 
of 
witli 

vy  in 
rsed 
,  and 
times 
His 
ncul- 
jtters 


l)enr  witnc^ss  tliat  his  style  as  a  writer  was  not 
font(Mn|)til>lo.  lint  his  vain,  rrstloss.  and  <ijras{)in<j^ 
spirit,  and  inoro  tlian  donhtfid  honc^sty,  proved  tlic 
rnin  of  an  (•n^iahlo  repntation.  Six  years  after 
tlie  (expedition  of  wliicli  I  am  ahont  to  s])eak,  lie 
was  tried  hy  a  oonrt-martial  for  a  meditatcMl  aet  of 
treason,  the  snrrender  of  Fort  Miehillimaekinae 
into  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards,  who  wcnv  at  that 
time  masters  of  l^p[)er  Lonisiana.'  Not  lon<^  after, 
if  wo  may  trnst  his  own  acconnt,  he  passed  over 
to  the  Barharv  States,  entercul  the  service  of  the 
])ev  of  Aimers,  and  fonirht  two  hattles  nnder  his 
hanners.  At  the  opening  of  the  war  of  indo- 
])eadenre,  he  retnrned  to  his  nati\'e  eonntry,  where 
he  made  professions  of  patrioti^an,  hnt  was  strongly 
snspected  hy  many,  including  Wasldngton  hiin-^elf, 
of  acting  the  part  of  a  spy.  In  fact,  he  soon 
openly  esponsed  the  British  canse,  and  received  a 
colonel's  commission  from  the  crown.  His  ser- 
vices, however,  proved  of  little  conseqnence.  In 
177S,  he  was  proscrihcd  and  hanished,  nnder  the 
act  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  remainder  of  his 
life  was  passed  in  such  obscurity  that  it  is  diflicult 
to  determine  when  and  wdicre  ho  died.^ 

1  ^rS.  (liup:  Paprra. 

-  Sabine,  Anuriran  f.iv/fillstif,  570.  Sparks,  Writings  o-'  Witslii'n'/ton, 
III.  I'OS,  L'H,  4;;',l ;  IV.  128,  u-_'i»,  524. 

Altliouj;!i  Holders,  especially  where  his  poeiiniary  interest  was  con- 
cerned, was  I'ar  t'roin  seriiinilons,  I  hiive  no  hesitation  in  followin;^  his 
aeeouiit  of  the  expedition  up  the  lakes.  Tlie  incidents  of  eacli  day  are 
minuted  down  in  a  dry,  ujiarnhitious  s'yle,  heariut,'  the  clear  iinj)re.ss  of 
ti'uth.  Kxtraets  from  the  orderly  hooks  anil  olher  otlici.il  papers  are 
.i;iven,  while  j)"-t; r.;is  of  the  narrative,  verified  hy  contemporary  docu- 
ments, may  stand  as  earnests  for  the  truth  of  the  whole. 

Ilogers's  published  works  consist  of  the  Jonrnuls  of  his  ranginij  service 


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Till'    KNGLISII   IX   Tin;    WEST. 


[l- 


i! 


Oil  tlio  twelfth  of  Se[)tcinbci'.  17()0,  llo<;ors.  tlu'U 
at  tlic  height  of  his  reputation,  n^eeiviHl  oi^hn's 
from  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst  to  asc-fMul  tlie  hikes  witii 
a  detachment  of  rani>'ers,  and  take  possession,  in 
tlie  name  of  his  Britannic  ^Faiestv,  of  Detroit, 
Micliinimackinac,  and  other  western  posts  inchidcd 
in  th(>  late  capitulation.  He  left  Montreal,  on  the 
followini>-  (lav.  with  two  hundred  ranirers,  in  fifteen 
Avhale  boats.  Stemnuni^  the  surges  of  La  Chine 
and  the  Cedars,  they  left  behind  them  the  straggling 
hamlet  which  bore  \\\v  latter  name,  and  formed  at 
tbat  day  the  western  limit  of  Canadian  settlement.' 
Tbev  gained  Lake  Ontario,  skirted  its  northern 
shore,  amid  rough  and  boisterous  Aveather,  and 
crossing  at  its  western  extremity,  reached  Fort 
Niagara  on  the  first  of  October.      Carrvin<^   their 

;iii(l  liis  Conrhe.  Arrnnnt  nC Xnrlh  AiiKrica,  a  sniiill  volumo  cnnfiiiiiiiiix  much 
ViiliiiitiU'  intnriiiMlidii.  Hutli  ajiin'iiroil  in  liOiidoii  in  IT'i").  To  ilieso  may 
lie  ailiiiMJ  a  iiirimis  (liama.caili.Ml  /'(nitinfli.or  thv  Sara  ji^  'if  Aim  iir'i,\v\\ic\\ 
ainicars  to  havo  Ix'cii  writlen.  in  \y.\vt,  al  iea^t,  liy  iiiiii.  It  is  very  lare, 
iiiiil  lii'siilcs  tilt'  copy  in  my  iiosscssion.  I  kt\n\v  ot'  Imt  one  otlicr,  which 
may  bo  f'oim<l  in  tlie  libiary  of  tlie  Iiiiti>li  Museum.  Tor  an  aiu.'oimt  of 
this  curious  ])ro(hiction,  see  Ai)|)enili.\',  IJ.  An  eni^raved  fiill-leiij;tli  por- 
trait of  Kogers  was  imlilislicil  in  Lomlon  in  177<i.  He  is  representeil  as  a 
tall,  stronj^  man,  dressed  in  the  eostunie  of  a  rani^'er,  with  a  jiowdcr-liorn 
slun;..;  at  liis  side,  a  f^un  restint^  in  the  iiollow  ot"  his  arm,  and  a  eoun- 
ti'iiance  hy  no  nu'ans  ])rep()ssessin!.?.  Jk'liind  him,  at  a  little  distance, 
slaml  his  Indian  followers. 

The  steep  mountain  called  Roj,'ers'  Slide,  near  the  northern  end  of 
Lake  (leor^^e,  derives  its  name  from  the  tradition  that,  durinif  the  French 
war,  lieinj.;'  jiursued  hy  a  imriy  of  Indians,  he  slid  on  snowshoes  down  its 
inecipiioiis  front,  for  more  than  a  thousand  feet,  to  the  frozen  lake  below. 
On  bcholdiiiL,'  the  achievement,  the  Imlians,  as  well  they  miiiht,  believed 
him  under  the  protection  of  the  Great  Sjiirit,  and  ,uave  over  the  chase. 
The  siory  seems  untiiunded  ;  yet  it  wa.s  not  far  from  this  mountain  that 
the  rangers  fon<;ht  one  of  their  most  desperate  winter  battles,  against  a 
force  of  many  times  their  mnnher. 

'   Ilenrv,  Tri:rih  (iml  Ai/r,  i,tiiris.  '.^. 


:    1  , 


HI 


[IT''.  •, 


17*)0.] 


TIIK    I?AN(i::i{S    nx   THE    LAKHS. 


u;.") 


.  then 
)r(ler-s 
;  with 
)n,  ill 
L'troit, 
•ludcd 
n  tlie 
liftfen 
Cliinc 

-nlinnr 

ird   at 

MUMlt.^ 

rtlioni 
r,  and 
I  l-oi-t 
•  their 


<I  much 
c'so  may 
;,\vliich 
ly  laro, 

which 
omit  of 
Utli  por- 

1  as  a 

iT-lioni 

a  ctnin- 

listanco, 


ti 


(M\(l   of 

FiL'iich 

lowii  its 

holow. 

hc'liovcil 

(iliase. 

lain  that 

;ainst  a 


boats  over  tli(^  portai^c  tli(>y  laiinchod  them  once 
more  al)ove  the  rataract,  and  slowly  pnrsued  their 
vovaiJ:c ;  while  Ivoiicrs.  with  ;i  few  att(Midants, 
hastenf^l  on  in  advance  to  Fort  Pitt,  to  deliver 
(lesj)atelies.  with  \vhi(h  lu^  was  ehar^ed.  to  General 
Aloid^fon.  '['hi>  (>rrand  aeeoni])lishe(l.  he  n^joined 
his  eomniand  at  rrcscpr  T->le,  abont  the  (Mid  of  the 
month,  and  the  whole  ])roeeed(Ml  toi!;etb(n'  ah)ni; 
the  southern  margin  of  J.ake  I'h'ie.  The  season 
was  far  advanced.  The  wind  was  chill,  the  lake 
was  st(UMny.  and  the  woods  on  shore  were  tinged 
with  the  fading  lines  of  autumn.  On  the  seventh 
of  Xovend)(>r.  they  r(>aclied  the  mouth  of  a  river 
called  by  lvog(>rs  the  C'hogage.  No  body  of  troops 
under  the  Ih'itish  flag  had  ever  before  penetrated 
so  fir.  The  dav  was  dull  and  raiiiv.  and.  resolvinfj 
to  rest  until  the  weatli(>r  should  improve,  lvog(>rs 
ordered  his  men  to  prepare  their  cncam[)mcnt  in 
the  neighboring  forest. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  th(^  rangers,  a  party 
of  Indian  chiefs  and  warriors  entered  the  camp. 
They  proclaim(>d  themselves  an  embassv  from 
Pontiae,  ruler  of  all  that  country,  and  directed, 
in  his  name,  tliat  the  I'nglish  should  advance  no 
farther  mitil  they  had  had  an  inter\iew  with  the 
great  chief,  who  was  already  closo  at  band.  In 
truth,  before  the  day  cIosimI.  j*onti.ic  himself 
appeared;  and  it  is  Inae.  for  the  tirst  time,  that 
this  remarkable  man  stands  forth  distinctly  on 
the  ])age  of  history.  He  greeted  Uog(M-s  with  the 
haughty  demand,  what  was  his  l)u<iiie<s  in  that 
country,  and  how  he   dared   enter  it   witliout    hid 


Hi: 


16U 


Till:   ENULI.SII    IN    THE    WEST. 


[ITCO. 


I     ! 


t  • 


permission,  llogcrs  iiifuiinrd  him  tlmt  the  French 
were  tlefcated,  tliat  Ciinada  had  snrrondcred,  and 
thai,  he  was  on  his  way  to  take  [)0'^session  of 
Detroit,  and  restore  a  general  peace  to  white  men 
and  Tnchans  alike.  Pontiac  listened  with  attention, 
hut  only  replied  that  lu^  should  stand  in  the  patli 
of  the  J'higlish  nntil  morning.  Having  inquired  if 
the  strani»crs  were  in  need  of  any  thini''  which  hU 
country  could  afford,  lie  withdrew,  with  his  chiefs, 
at  nightf  ill,  to  his  own  encampment ;  while  the 
English,  ill  at  ease,  and  suspecting  treachery,  stood 
well  on  their  guard  throughout  the  night.* 

In  the  morning,  Pontiac  returned  to  the  camp 
with  his  attendant  chiefs,  and  made  his  reply  to 
llogers's  speech  of  the  previous  day.  He  was 
willing,  he  said,  to  live  at  [)eace  with  the  English, 
and  suffer  them  to  remain  in  his  country  as  long 
as  they  treated  him  with  due  respect  and  d(>ference. 
The  Indian  chiefs  and  provincial  oihcers  smoked 
the  calumet  togetlier,  and  perfect  harmony  seemed 
estahlished  hetween  tliem.^ 

Up  to  this  time,  Pontine  had  been,  in  word  and 
deed,  the  fast  ally  of  the  French  ;  hut  it  is  easy  to 
discern  the  motives  that  impelled  him  to  renounce 
his  old  adherence.  The  American  forest  never  pro- 
duced a  man  more  shrewd,  politic,  and  ambitious. 
Ignorant  as  he  was  of  what  was  passing  in  the 
world,  he  could  clearly  see  that  the  French  power 

1  Tliere  can  he  no  reasonable  doubt,  tliat  the  interview  witb  Pontiac, 
described  by  Uojxcrs  in  bis  Acrninit  of  Xorlh  AiikiIcii,  took  place  on  the 
occasion  indicaleti  in  liis  ./oiinidls,  under  date  of  the  7th  of  November. 
The  Indians  wiioni  he  atlorward?:  met  are  staled  to  have  been  Iliirons. 

'^  Hoycrs,  Jwtnia's,  "Jll ;  Acfditut  <>/ North  America,  210,  2i3. 


1 1700. 


17G0. 


VIEWS   OF    r()NriA( 


1(17 


'1-cnch 
d,  aiul 
on    of 
te  men 
cut  ion, 
0  path 
lircd  if 
it'll  li'-i 
chiefs, 
lile  the 
y,  stood 

e  camp 
i-eply  to 
lie  was 
EngUsh, 
as  long 
?  fere  nee. 
smoked 
seemed 

ord  and 
easy  to 
•enounce 
ever  pro- 
[uhitious. 
y  in  the 
h  power 


\\ 


ith  Pontiac, 
Iihice  on  the 
f  November, 
II  Ilurons. 
i3. 


was  on  tlie  wane,  and  lie  knew  liis  own  interest 
too  wt'U  to  prop  a  faUing  cause.  \]\  making 
tViends  of  tlie  Jviighsli.  hv  lio|)ed  to  gain  pow(>rl'ul 
allii'>.  who  would  aid  liis  ambitious  proj(>cts.  and 
give  him  au  increased  intiuence  ov(U'  tlie  triixvs  ; 
and  he  flattered  himself  that  tli(>  new-comers  would 
treat  hitn  with  the  same  respect  which  the  l-'rench 
had  always  observed.  In  this,  and  all  his  other 
ex[)ectations  of  a(l\antage  from  the  J-aiglish,  he 
was  doomed  to  disapj)ointment. 

A  cold  storm  of  rain  set  in,  and  the  rangers 
were  detained  several  da}s  in  their  encampment. 
J)uring  this  time,  llogers  had  several  interviews 
with  Fontiac,  and  was  constrained  to  admire  the 
native  vigor  of  his  intellect,  no  less  than  the  sin- 
gular control  which  he  exercised  over  those  around 
him. 

On  the  twelfth  of  Novcnd)er,  the  detachment  was 
a<2:ain  in  motion,  and  within  a  few  da\s  thev  had 
reached  the  western  end  of  I^ake  l-lrie.  Here  they 
heard  that  the  Indians  of  Detroit  were  in  arms 
against  them,  and  that  four  hundred  warrioi's  lay 
in  ambush  at  the  entrance^  of  the  river  to  cut  them 
off.  l)Ut  the  })ow(>rful  iutlui'uc(>  of  I'ontiac  was 
exerted  in  behalf  of  his  new  friends.  The  warriors 
abandoned  their  desii'ii.  and  the  rani>'ers  continued 
their  progress  towards  Detroit,  now  within  a  short 
distance. 

In  the  mean  time,  Lieutenant  Ih-ehm  had  been 
sent  forward  with  a  letter  to  Ca[)tain  Beletre,  the 
commandant  at  Detroit,  informing  him  that  Canada 
had  capitulated,  that  his  garrison  was  included  in 


t 


I;  ■ 


t    :  I 


I    ii 


11 


(I 


!    4 


■     Ji 


108 


Tin;   KN(iLISIl   IX   TIIH   wi:sT. 


[17G0. 


the  cu])itulatioii,  ;iiid  tliat  an  Kiifjjlisli  detachment 
was  api)n)achin<jj  to  rc^heve  it.  The  Frencliniun, 
in  great  wratli  at  the  tidings,  (hsregarded  tlic  mes- 
sage as  an  informal  conunnnieation,  and  resolved 
to  kee[)  a  hostile  attitnde  to  tlio  last,  lie  did  his 
best  to  rouse  the  fiirv  of  the  Indians.  Among 
otlu^r  deviees,  he  dis[)laye(l  upon  a  pole,  before  the 
jelling  nudtitude,  the  etligy  of  a  crow  pecking  a 
man's  head  ;  tlu^  crow  representing  himself,  and 
the  head,  observes  llogers,  "  being  meant  for  my 
own."  All  his  efforts  were  unavailing,  and  his 
faithless  allies  showed  une([uivocal  symptoms  of 
defection   in   the   hour  of  need. 

Ivoii-ers  had  now  entered  th(^  mouth  of  the  River 
Detroit,  whence  he  sent  forward  Ca[)tain  Campbell 
with  a  co[)y  of  the  capitulation,  and  a  letter  from 
the  ^lanpiis  do  Vaudreuil,  directing  that  the  plaoe 
should  be  given  u[).  in  accordance  with  the  terms 
agreed  upon  between  him  and  (ieneral  Andierst. 
Beletre  was  forced  to  yield,  and  with  a  very  ill 
grace  declared  himself  and  his  garrison  at  the 
disi)osal  of  the  I'lnglish  commander. 

The  whale  boats  of  the  rangers  moved  slowly 
u])\vards  between  the  low  banks  of  the  ])etroit, 
until  at  leuirth  the  iireen  uniformitv  of  marsh  and 
forest  was  relieved  bv  the  Canadian  houses,  which 
began  to  a})pear  on  either  bank,  the  outskirts  of 
the  seclu(l(Ml  and  isolated  settlement.  JJefore  them, 
on  the  right  sid(\  they  could  see  the  village  of  the 
Wvandots.  and  on  the  l(>ft  the  clustered  lodges  of 
the  Pottawattamies ;  while,  a  little  beyond,  the 
Unix  of  France  was  tlviii!>'  for  the  last  time  above 


II 


'■'     .,  i 


117G0. 


the 


|slowly 

ctroit, 

I  and 

Iwhicli 

ts  of 

them, 

)f  the 

es  of 

II,   the 

cihove 


ii 


ITGO.J 


TIIH    l{AN(ii;US   AT    l)i:riI()lT. 


lOI) 


tlie  l)ark  roofs  and  weather-beaten  palisades  of  the 
little  fortified  town. 

The  ran^j^ers  landed  on  the  o[)i)osite  bank,  and 
pitched  their  tents  upon  a  meadinv,  wliile  two 
ofhcers.  with  a  small  detachment,  wont  iieross  the 
river  to  take  [)os>o>si()n  of  tln^  place.  In  obedience 
to  their  sn'^mons.  tlie  l''rench  garrison  deliled  n[)on 
the  ])lain,  and  laid  down  their  arms.  'V\\o  Jhun'  (id 
lis  was  lowered  from  the  tlaf^statf,  and  the  cross  of 
St.  (jeori>e  rose  aloft  in  its  place,  while  seven  hnn- 
dred  Indian  warriors,  lately  the  active  allies  of 
France,  greeted  the  sight  with  a  bnrst  of  tri- 
umphant yells.  The  Canadian  militia  were  next 
called  toi)-(>th(n-  and  disarmed.  The  Indians  looked 
on  with  ama/enuMit  at  their  obscquions  behavior, 
(pute  at  a  loss  to  understand  why  so  many  men 
shtndd  lunnble  themselves  before  so  few.  Nothing 
is  nu)re  effective  in  gaining  tlu^  respect,  or  even 
attachment,  of  Indians  than  a  display  of  power. 
The  savage  spectators  conccixed  the  loftiest  idea 
of  ]-aiglish  prowess,  and  were  astonished  at  the 
forbearance  of  ihe  concpierors  in  not  killing  their 
vanquished  enemies  on  the  spot. 

It  was  on  th(^  twenty-ninth  of  Xovember,  17(50, 
that  Detroit  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Knglish. 
The  garrison  were  sent  as  prisoners  down  the  lake, 
but  the  Canadian  inhabitants  were  allowed  to  reti 


lUl 


ses,  on   CO 


nditi 


)f 


ion  or  swearniiT 


tlieir  firms  and  hon 
allegiance  to  the  Ihilish  crown.  An  officer  was 
sent  sonthward  to  take  possession  of  the  forts 
^liami  and  Onatanon,  which  guarded  the  connnu- 
nication  between  J.ake  Erie  and  the  Ohio;   while 


f! 


in 


i    ■!. 


i  « 


171) 


Tin:  i;n(;i.i^ii  in   rin:  wkst. 


[17G0. 


Koi^ors  liiinsclf,  with  :i  siiiiill  party,  ])rococdc(l 
northward  to  relieve  flie  l-'reiicli  ijarrisoii  of 
]Mi('lnlliinarkiiiae.  The  storms  and  j^-athering  ice 
of  Lake  Huron  forci'd  liiin  hack  without  acconi- 
])lishiiii;  his  ohj(>ct ;  and  Michilliinackinac,  with  the 
three  remoter  posts  of  St.  Marie,  Cireen  IJay,  and 
St.  Josepli.  remained  for  ;i  time  in  tlie  hands  of  the 
]*'rencli.  DuriuL?  the  next  season,  however,  ;i 
detachment  of  the  OOth  regiment,  then  called  the 
lvo\al  Americans,  took  possession  of  them;  and 
nothin<^  now  remained  within  the  power  of  the 
French,  except  the  few  posts  and  settlements  on 
the  Mississippi  and  the  Wuhasli,  not  included  in 
the  capitulation  of  Montreal. 

'I'he  work  of  conquest  was  finished.  The  fertile 
wilderness  heyond  the  Alleghanies,  over  which 
France  had  claimed  sovereij^nty,  —  tlnit  houndless 
forest,  with  its  tracery  of  interlacing  streams,  which, 
like  veins  and  arteries,  gave  it  life  and  nourishment, 
—  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  her  rival.  It  was 
hy  a  few  insignificant  forts,  separated  hy  oceans  of 
fresh  water  and  uncounted  leagues  of  forest,  that 
the  two  great  European  powers,  France  first,  and 
now  Eni>land.  endeavored  to  enforce  their  claims 
to  this  vast  domain.  There  is  somethini'-  ludicrous 
in  the  disparity  hetween  the  importance  of  the 
possession  and  the  slenderness  of  the  force  em- 
ployed to  maintain  it.  A  region  embracing  so 
many  thousand  miles  of  surface  was  consigned 
to  the  keeping  of  some  five  or  six  hundred  men. 
Yet  the  force,  small  as  it  was,  a})peared  adetpiate 
to  its  object,  for  there  seemed  no  enemy  to  contend 


^J?» 


i 


'tf 


m 
a 


11760. 

ocecdcd 
yon  of 
•ing  ice 

accom- 
rvith  the 
»iiv,  and 
s  of  the 
evcvr,  a 
lied  the 
11 ;    and 

of  the 
?nts  on 
idcd  in 


17G0.] 


CUXQUKST   OF  THK    WKST 


171 


With,      llic  hands  of  (lie  l-'rench  were  ti(>d  l,y  tlie 

n4>'fulation,  and  little,  apprdien.sion  was   felt  from 

lie  red   inhal,itants  of  tlie  woods.     The   lapse  of 

^vo  years  suilic-ed  to  siiow  how  complete  and  fatal 

was  the  mistake. 


3  fertile 

which 
undless 

which, 
>hment, 

It  was 
3ans  of 
st,  that 
rst,  and 

claims 
dicrous 
of  the 
ce  cm- 
ing  so 
isi<»iied 
:1  men. 
leqnate 
ontend 


li 


CllAlTKR    VI  r. 


:} .. 


:.    I 


17G0-17G3. 
ANGKIl   OF   Tin:   INDIANS.  — THE   CONSPIRACY. 

Tm;  countrv  was  scarcely  transferred  to  the 
English,  when  smothered  ninrrnurs  of  discontent 
beujan  to  be  andible  amoni!:  the  Indian  tribes. 
From  tlie  head  of  the  Potomac  to  Lake  Superior, 
and  fro!n  the  Alleglianics  to  the  Mississippi,  in 
every  wigwam  and  liamlet  of  the  forest,  a  deep- 
rooted  hatred  of  tlie  English  increased  with  rapid 
growth.  Xor  is  this  to  be  wondered  at.  We  have 
seen  with  what  sagacious  jjolicy  the  French  had 
labored  to  ingratiate  themselves  with  the  Indians  ; 
and  the  slaughter  of  the  Monongahela,  with  the 
horrihh^  devastation  of  the  western  frontier,  the 
outrages  perpetrated  at  Oswego,  and  the  massacre 
at  Fort  William  llenrv,  bore  witness  to  the  sue- 
cess  of  their  efforts.  Even  the  Delawares  and 
Shawanoes,  the  faithful  allies  of  AVilliam  Penn, 
had  at  length  been  seduced  by  their  blandishments  ; 
and  the  Iroquois,  the  ancient  enemies  of  Canada, 
had  half  forgotten  their  former  hostility,  and  well- 
nigh  taken  part  against  the  British  colonists.  The 
remote  nations  of  the  west  had  also  joined  in  the 


.700-170;',.|        INDIFFKIIKNCK   OF   TllK   MXGLISII, 


173 


CY. 

to    the 
scoutcnt 
tribes, 
luporior, 
;ippi,  in 
;i  decp- 
th  rapid 
Ve  have 
iich  had 
udiaiis ; 
ivith  the 
lor,   the 
uassacre 
the  siic- 
ircs   and 
u   Penu, 
linients ; 
Canada, 
nd  well- 
s.     The 
1  in  the 


war,  descend in<j^  in  tlieir  eancus  for  Imnihcds  of 
miles,  to  li^ht  a^^ainst  tlie  enemies  of  France.  All 
these  tril)es  entiM'tained  towards  tlie  I'lniilisli  that 
rancorous  enmity  which  an  Indian  always  feels 
ai^ainst  tliose  to  whom  he  has  been  opposed  in 
war. 

Under  tln^se  circinnstances,  it  Ix-liooved  the  laig- 
lisli  to  use  the  utmost  care  in  their  conduct  towards 
the  tribes.  Hut  e\en  wIkmi  the  contlict  witli  Franco 
was  impending,  and  tlie  alliance  with  the  Indians 
was  of  the  last  importance,  they  had  treated  them 
with  indifference  -and  iK^^lect.  They  were  not  likely 
to  adopt  a  different  course  now  that  their  fri(Midship 
seenu'd  a  matter  of  no  consequence.  In  truth,  the 
intentions  of  th(^  lai^lish  W(M'e  soon  apparent.  In 
the  zeal  for  retrenchnuMit,  which  ])revaihMl  after  the 
close  of  hostilities,  the  presents  which  it  had  always 
been  customary  to  <^iye  the  Indians,  at  stated  inter- 
vals, were  either  withheld  altogether,  or  doled  out 
with  a  niuurardlv  and  reluctant  hand ;  while,  to 
make  the  matter  worse,  the  au^ents  and  olRcers  of 
government  often  ap[)ropriat(Hl  the  presents  to 
themselves,  and  afterwards  sold  them  at  an  exorbi- 
tant price  to  the  Indians.'  "When  the  '•'rench  had 
possession  of  the  remote  forts,  they  were  accus- 
lonied,  with  a  wise  liberality,  to  su[)ply  the  sur- 
rounding Indians  with  guns,  annnunition,  and 
clothing,  until  the  latter  had  forgotten  the  weapons 
and  garments  of  their  forefatlun-s,  and  depended  on 
the  white  men  for  support.  The  sudden  withhold- 
ing  of  these  supplies  was,    therefore,    a  grievous 

^  MS.  Johnson  Pa/HTS. 


t; 


17  4 


ANTiKU    OF    TFIK    INDIANS. 


[17i-.n-i7r,;{, 


Mi  I 


f 


calnmitv.  Wmit.  siiffcMinijr,  and  dratli,  wrvr  tlio 
cousO([nouc('-i  ;  and  this  cause  alone  would  have 
been  cnouyli  to  produro  u^cMicral  discontent.  Hut, 
mdiappily,  other  j^riovances  were  superadded.' 

TIk*  T'n^lish  fiir-trade  hud  never  Ix^en  well  regu- 
lated, iind  it  was  now  in  a  worsc^  condition  than 
ever.      Miinv   of    the    traders,   and   those   in    their 

'  Kxtnict  tViiin  a  MS.  lettiT  —  Sir  11'.  ./'Jtrntun  Id  dovernor  f^o'drn, 
Doc.  'J I,  17':.!. 

"  I  sli.ill  iiof  t;iko  upon  mo  to  jxiint  out  the  '  )ri^riii;ill  rarsiiiiony  v<i'.  t(» 
w''  tlie  first  (Ii't'i'i'tioii  of  tlio  Iiiiliaiis  (••■iii  witli  ju<ti('(!  &  cortainty  lie  at- 
triliiittil,  liiit  oiiiy  olisiTvt',  ii.s  I  iliil  ill  a  fcriiu'r  letter,  tliat  tlie  Indians 
(wlinso  fVieinl-liip  was  iieviT  ciiltivateil  liy  tiic  I'li^li^li  witli  that  atten- 
tion, c'XiK'iixe,  v^  assiduity  witli  w''  y"  IVeiu'li  ohtaiiii'd  tlieir  favour)  wore 
for  many  years  ji-aions  ot Our  ^rowiiiLj  power,  were  rcpcjitetlly  nssurcil  by 
tlio  Froncli  (wlio  wen*  at  y"'  pains  of  liavinL'  Jiiany  proper  emissaries 
anionic  tliem)  tliat  so  soon  as  wo  beeamo  masters  of  iliis  country,  we 
slioidd  iiiiiiic'di.atoly  treat  tliein  wiili  neuloct,  liem  tlioin  in  witii  Posts  & 
Forts,  encroai-'li  upon  tlioir  Lands,  and  (iiiaily  destroy  them.  All  w'' after 
tlie  reiliiction  of  ('ai\;ida,  seeineil  to  appe.ir  too  ch'ariy  to  tlio  Indians,  wlio 
tliereby  lost  the  ^Teat  advantaijes  resullin.LC  from  tlie  possession  w"*  the 
French  fornu'ily  ii:i  1  of  Posts  &  Trade  in  tlieir  Comiiry,  neither  of  which 
they  could  li.ave  ever  enjoyed  but  for  the  notice  they  took  of  ttie  Iridians, 
&  the  presents  they  bestoweil  so  bountifully  uj)on  them,  w''  however 
expensive,  they  wisi-ly  foresaw  was  infinitely  cliciper,  and  much  more 
cfTectnai  than  the  keejiinii  of  a  larjjc  body  of  l?ojjular  Troops,  in  their  sev- 
eral Countrys,  ...  a  Plan  which  has  endeared  their  momor\'  to  most  of 
the  Indian  Nations,  wIkj  would  I  fear  jxenerally  go  over  to  them  in  case 
tliey  ever  pot  footing  again  in  this  Country,  &.  who  were  repeatedly  ex- 
horted, &  encouraged  by  the  French  (from  motives  of  Interest  &  dislike 
v/i'  they  will  always  i)ossc'ss)  to  fall  upon  us,  by  representing  that  their 
liberties  &  Coimtry  were  in  y"  utmost  danger."  In  January,  17')8, 
(^)lonel  Bouquet,  commanding  in  Pennsylvania,  writes  to  General  Am- 
herst, slating  the  discontent  produced  among  the  Indians  by  the  sup- 
pression of  pre-^ents.  The  comm;mder-in(!liief  replies,  "  As  to  appro- 
priating a  particular  sum  to  be  laid  out  yearly  to  the  w.'u-riors  in  presents, 
v.^c.,  th.it  I  can  by  no  means  agree  to;  nor  can  I  tliink  it  necessary  to  give 
tlicin  any  presents  by  w.ay  of  /in'his,  tor  if  they  ilo  not  behave  properly 
they  are  to  be  i)imished."  And  again,  in  February,  to  the  same  ollicer, 
"  As  you  are  thoroughly  acquainted  with  my  sentiiuents  regarding  tiie 
treatment  of  the  Indians  in  general,  you  will  of  course  order  Caj).  Fcuyer 
.  .  .  not  to  give  those  wlio  are  able  t^)  provide  for  their  faiuilies  any 
encoura'ieiijunt  to  loiter  away  their  time  iu  idleness  about  the  Fort." 


[17()0-l7f5;]. 


ITOO-lT.iS]  niSoHDKI.'S   oK   TI'K   rril-TUADF, 


n: 


xvvr  the 

lid   liiive 

it.      I5ut,    . 

(>(1.' 

ell  YOiX^\- 

ion   tliaii 

in    llic'ir 

'riior    Ci'hlin,      ' 

ijnony  v<:c.  to 
-tMiiity  lio  at- 
t  the  IiKlians 
1  tliat  atton- 
Cavotir)  were 
ly  as>.iircil  l>y 
T  t'lnissaru'S 
comiti-y,  we 
witli  Posts  & 
All  w'"  aftor 
Tiidiaiis,  who 
?ssion  w**  the 
thor  of  which 
tilt'  Imlians, 
w''  however 
iimch  more 
ill  their  sev- 
to  most  of 
K'lii  in  ca.«e 
loatedly  ex- 
st  &  dislike 
;:  that  their 
miary.  17t)3, 
iieral  Ain- 
y  the   siip- 
s   to  appro- 
ill  presents, 
sary  to  give 
ive  properly 
same  oHicer, 
irarding  the 
Cap.  Keuyer 
families  any 
Fort." 


cniplov.  wcir  nifUaiis  of  \\\v  coarsrst  stamp,  wlio 
vied  with  fucli  otluM-  in  rapacity,  violoiicc  and 
protiii^Mcy.  'I'hoy  cluMted.  cnrscd.  and  plnndcrtMl 
tlic  Indians,  and  (intray^cd  tluMi*  families;  otfcrin*;, 
when  rompart'd  with  \\\v  I'rcnch  traders,  who  were 
nnd''r  better  re<^nlation.  a  most  nnfav()ral)lc  example 
of  the  character  of  their  nation. 

'I"he  otiicers  and  soldiers  of  the  <^arrisons  did 
their  full  part  in  exciting  the  general  resentment. 
l''ormerly.  when  the  warriors  came  to  the  forts, 
thev  had  heen  wehonuMl  hv  the  French  with  atten- 
tion  and  resp(Mt.  The  inconv(>ni(Mic(*  which  tlu>ir 
presence  occasiontul  had  heen  disregarded,  and 
their  jx'cidiarities  ov(>rlooked.  But  now  they  were 
received  with  cold  looks  and  harsh  words  from  the 
officers,  and  with  oaths,  menaces,  and  sometimes 
blows,  from  the  reckless  and  brutal  soldiers. 
"\Mien.  after  their  tronhlesome  and  intrnsive  fash- 
ion, thev  wer(*  loiniiiinL'"  evervwhcro  ubont  the  fort, 
or  lazily  reclining  in  the  shadow  of  the  walls, 
they  were  met  with  muttered  cjacnlations  of  im[);i 
tience,  or  abrupt  onk^r.-  i">  be  gone,  enforced,  per- 
haps, by  a  touch  from  tl.  >  butt  of  a  sentinel's 
musket.  These  marks  o'  contempt  were  nnspcak- 
ably  g;dling  to  their  hanghty  spirit.' 

'  Sdine  of  the  princiiial  causes  of  the  war  are  exhihited  with  spirit  and 
truth  in  the  old  tnigedy  of  Paiiti-nrli,  written  in-ohalily  hy  AFajor  Ilot^ers. 
Tlie  portion  of  the  play  referred  to  is  uivcii  in  Appendix,  15. 

"  The  iuitiiisli  treat  us  with  much  l)i>r('~:p('et,  and  we  have  the  'jrentest 
l^enson  to  believe,  hy  their  Ik'havinr,  they  intend  to  Cut  ns  off  en- 
tirely ;  They  have  possessed  thi-inselves  of  our  Country,  it  is  now  in  oiir 
power  to  Dispossess  them  and  l^-cvivcr  it,  if  we  will  but  Embrace  the 
opportunity  before  they  have  time  to  n.>scnib!e  to:,'ether,  and  fortify 
themselves,  there  is  no  time  to  lie  lost,  let  us  Strike  i  mmediately." — 
S/Kech  of  a  Settera  r/u,ft„  th,-  ]Vijmul»ts  and  Ottnmus  of  Ihtroit  Jii/i/,  1701. 


H 


li.  I 


■'11 


f      ( 


176 


ANGER   OF   THE  INDIANS. 


[1700-1703. 


I      ! 


i  II 


w 


But  wliat  mo.st  contributed  to  the  growing  di.s- 
contcnt  of  the  tribes  was  the  intrusion  of  settlers 
upon  tli(>ir  lands,  at  all  times  a  fruitful  source  of 
Indian  hostility.  Its  effects,  it  is  true,  could  only 
be  felt  by  those  whose  country  bordered  upon  the 
English  settlements ;  but  among  these  were  the 
most  powerful  and  influential  of  the  tribes.  The 
Delawares  and  Sbawanoes,  in  particular,  liad  by 
this  time  been  roused  to  the  liighest  pitch  of  exas- 
jieration.  Their  best  lands  had  been  invaded,  and 
all  remonstrance  liad  been  fruitless.  Tliey  viewed 
with  wrath  and  fear  the  steady  progress  of  the 
n'hite  man,  whose  settlements  had  passed  the  Sus- 
quehanna, and  were  fist  extending  to  tlie  Allegha- 
nies,  eating  away  the  forest  like  a  spreading  canker. 
The  anger  of  the  Delawares  was  jibundantly  shared 
by  their  ancient  concpierors.  th(^  Six  Nations.  The 
threatened  occupation  of  Wyoming  by  settlers  from 
Connecticut  ij^ave  <n'eat  imibraii^e  to  the  confcdcracv.* 
The  Scnecas  were  more  especially  incensed  at  Eng- 
lish intrusion,  since,  from  their  position,  they  were 
fartliest  removed  from  the  soothing  influence  of  Sir 
William  .lohnson,  and  most  exposed  to  the  seduc- 
tions of  the  French ;  while  the  Mohawks,  another 
member  of  the  confederacy,  were  justly  alarmed  at 
seeing  the  better  part  of  their  lands  patented  out 
without  their  consent.  Some  Christian  Indians  of 
the  Oneida  tribe,  in  the  simplicity  of  their  hearts, 
sent  an  earnest  petition  to  Sir  William  Johnson, 
that  the  English  forts  within  the  limits  of  the  Six 


1  il//riv^'s  nf  Confcrrnce  with   tfw  Sir  yafions  at   Uartfard,  1763,  MS. 
Letter  —  Hamilton  to  Amherst,  Mav  10  17^1. 


1+  I--5-'' 


[17G0-17G.3. 

growing  dis- 
i  of  settlers 
il   source  of 
5  could  only 
m1  upou  tiie 
0    were   tlie 
ribes.     The 
lar,  liad  by 
:ch  of  exiis- 
nvaded,  and 
'hey  viewed 
fress   of  the 
ed  the  Sus- 
lie  Alleixha- 
ling  canker, 
uitly  shared 
tions.     The 
et tiers  from 
)nfcderacy.' 
sed  at  Enj]:- 
they  were 
lence  of  Sir 
the  seduc- 
vs,  another 
alarmed  at 
tented   out 
ndians  of 
ir  hearts, 
Johnson, 
f  the  Six 

k  1763,  MS. 


3r 
m 


1700-1703.]     SINISTER  M(3VI:MKNTS  OF  TIIE  FRENCH.     177 

Nations    miyht    be    removed,    or,    as    the    petition 
expresses  it,  klvhd  okI  of  iho  uudj} 

The  discontent  of  the  Indians  gave  great  satis- 
faction to  the  French,  who  saw  in  it  an  assurance 
of  safe  and  blood}  vengeance  on  their  con([ui'roi-s. 
Canada,  it  is  true,  was  gone  beyond  hope  of  recov 
erv  ;  but  thev  still  niii>lit  boi)e  to  revenue  its  loss. 
Interest,  moreover,  :;>-  well  as  passion,  prompted 
them  to  iniiame  the  resentment  of  the  Indians  ;  for 
most  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  French  settlements 
U[)on  the  lakes  and  the  ^Iississi])pi  were  engaged 
in  the  fur-trade,  and,  fc-aring  the  English  as  formid- 
able rivals.  t1}ey  would  gladly  have  seen  them  driven 
out  of  the  country.  Traders,  Jiahltam^j  conreffrs  tie 
hols,  and  all  classes  of  this  singular  population, 
accordingly  dispersed  tliemselves  among  the  vil- 
lages of  the  Indians,  or  held  councils  with  tliem  in 
the  secret  ])laces  of  the  woods,  urgiig  them  to  take 
n[)  arms  against  tlie  Fnglish.  'V\\o\  exhibited  tlie 
con(hict  of  the  latter  in  its  worst  liglit.  and  sj)ared 
neither  misrepresentation  nor  falsehood.  They  told 
their  excited  hearers  that  the  I'iUglish  had  formed 
a  deliberate  sclieme  to  root  out  the  whole  Indian 
race,  and,  with  that  desiij-n,   had  alreadv  beiiun   to 


'  "  \Vo  are  now  loft  in  Peace,  and  liave  notliin'_r  to  do  Imt  to  jilant  oiir 
Corn,  limit  t.!ie  wild  IJeasts,  smoke  our  I'ipes,  and  mind  lieiij^ioii.  But 
iu-i  the-e  Forts,  wliicii  are  liuilt  amonii'  lis,  distiirh  onr  I'eace,  X:  are  a  u'reat 
hurt  to  Kelinioii,  because  some  ol' om-  Warriors  are  t'oolisli,  &  some  of  our 
IJrotlier  Soldiers  don't  fear  (Jod,  we  tiierefore  desire  tiiat  those  Forts  may 
he  i)uird  down,  X:  kick'd  out  of  the  way." 

At  a  (.'oiiterenco  at  Philiideliihia,  in  August,  I"*')!,  an  Iro(iuois  sneheni 
saiil,  "  We,  your  Hi-elhren  of  tiio  several  Nations,  iire  penned  u\\  like 
l.'otiirs.  There  are  Fnv\-<  all  arnunil  us,  and  therefore  we  are  appreheusivo 
th.vt  Death  is  coming  up<in  us." 

12 


I 

fi 


,JP 


ih 


ii 


!     'Hi 


I       } 


1.' 


1 


(O 


AN(Ji:U   OF   THE   INDIANS. 


[1760-1763. 


hem  tliiMu  ill  with  settlements  on  the  one  ..and,  and 
a  chain  of  forts  on  the  other.  Among  other  atro- 
cious })hins  for  their  destruction,  they  had  instigated, 
the  Cherokees  to  attack  and  destroy  the  trihes  of 
the  Ohio  vaHey.'  These  giHnnuUess  cahnnnies 
found  ready  belief.  Tlie  French  declared,  in  addi- 
tion, til  t  tlie  King  of  France  had  of  late  years 
fallen  asleej) ;  tliat.  during  his  slumbers,  the  Eng- 
lish iiad  seized  u[)oii  Canada  ;  but  that  he  was  now 
awake  again,  and  that  his  armies  were  advancing 
u[)  the  St.  Jiawrence  and  the  Mississippi,  to  drive 
out  tlie  intruders  from  the  country  of  his  red  chil- 
dren.  To  tliese  fabriciitions  was  added  the  more 
substantial  encouragement  of  arms,  ammunition, 
clothing,  and  provisions,  which  the  French  trading 
companies,  if  not  the  officers  of  the  crown,  distrib- 
uted with  a  liberal  hand.'"^ 

The  fierce  passions  of  the  Indians,  excited  by 
their  wrongs,  real  or  imagined,  and  exasperated  by 

'  Crnjjluin,  Jouniiil.  Seo  llildrcth,  Pioneer  ITistory,  68.  Also  Butler, 
Hist.  K(iiliic/.i/,  Ai)]ii'ii(lix. 

'^  Kxamiiiatiun  of  (iorsliom  llicks,  a  epy.  Sou  Penusi/lvmiia  Gazette, 
No.  IS  It). 

.Many  i)assa<ios  tVoin  coiitemporarj  lottors  'ind  docimu'iits  ini<.dit  bo 
c'itoil  ill  .sujiport  of  tliL'  above.  'I'lio  followinj^  extrat;t  from  a  letter  ot" 
li'uMit.  Kilwanl  Jenkins,  coniniaiidinu'  at  I'ort  Oiiaianon  on  tlie  Wabash,  to 
Major  liladwin  <'oniniandin,n'  at  Detroit,  is  a  f;(to(l  example.  Tlie  date  is 
28  Mareli,  ITii:').  ''The  Canadians  here  are  eternally  telling  lies  to  the 
Inilians.  .  .  One  La  Pointetold  the  Indians  a  few  days  a.^^o  that  we  should 
all  be  prisoners  in  a  short  time  (showinj:;  when  the  eorn  was  about  a  foot 
hijih),  that  there  was  a  ^leat  army  to  conie  from  the  .Mis.sissijipi,  and  that 
they  were  to  have  ai^reat  niimlier  of  Indians  with  tiieni  ;  tlierefore  advised 
them  not  to  help  us.  That  they  would  soon  take  Detroit  and  these  small 
posts,  and  then  they  would  take  <iueln'c,  Montreal,  v<:('.,  and  ;.n)  into  our 
eouiitry.  This,  I  am  infornuHl,  they  tell  them  from  one  end  of  tlii'  ye  r 
to  the  oilier."  lie  adds  that  the  Indians  will  rather  give  six  beaver-skino 
for  a  blanket  to  a  Freiichmaii  than  three  to  an  Kii":lishiuau. 


'^'*»» 


[17GO-1763. 

.jind,  and 
ther  utro- 
instigatcd. 

tribes  of 
caluiuuics 
d,  ill  addi- 
late  years 
,  the  Eug- 
LC  was  now 

advancing 
;i,  to  drive 
is  red  cliil- 
l  the  more 
mniunition, 
ich  trading 
\vn,  distrib- 

excited  by 
:)erated  by 

i.    Also  Butler, 

ajlcania  Gazette, 

u'lits  ini^'ht  be 
roin  a  letter  of 
tlio  Wabash,  to 
Tlie  (late  is 
iiij:  lies  to  the 
tliat  wo  slioiilil 
vas  about  a  foot 
ssippi,  and  that 
t'lelbic  ailviscd 
and  tliese  ^niall 
md  ^o  into  nur 
?nil  of  the  ye  r 
lix  beavor-skioo 


1700-17(53.] 


DKLAWARE   PROPIIKT. 


179 


the  representations  of  the  Frencli,  wrre  yet  firther 
wrought  upon  by  influences  of  tiiiotber  kind.  A 
pro})het  rose  among  the  Delawares.  'I'his  man 
may  serve  as  a  (•oiinter[)art  to  tlie  famous  Sliawanoo 
prophet,  wlio  figured  so  conspicuously  in  tlic  Indian 
outbreak,  under  Tecumscli,  immediately  before  tlH> 
war  with  En<^dand  in  1812.  Many  otlu>r  parallel 
instances  mii^bt  be  shown,  as  the  great  suscepti- 
bility of  the  Indians  to  superstitious  irn[)rossions 
renders  the  advent  of  a  prophet  among  them  no 
very  rare  occurrence.  In  the  present  instance,  the 
inspired  Delaware  seems  to  have  been  rather  an 
enthusiast  than  an  impostor ;  or  perhaps  he  com- 
bined both  characters.  The  objects  of  his  mission 
were  not  wholly  political.  15y  means  of  certain 
external  observances,  most  of  them  sufficiently  friv 
olous  and  absurd,  his  disciples  were  to  strengthen 
and  purify  their  natures,  and  make  themselves 
acceptalde  to  the  Great  Si)irit,  whose  messenger 
he  proclaimed  himself  to  be.  He  also  enjoined 
them  to  lay  aside  the  weapons  and  clothing  which 
they  received  from  tlie  white  men,  and  return  to 
the  primitive  life  of  their  ancestors.  By  so  doing, 
and  by  strictly  observing  his  other  precepts,  the 
tribes  would  soon  be  restored  to  their  ancient  great- 
ness and  power,  and  be  enabled  to  drive  out  the 
white  men  who  infested  their  territory.  The  pro- 
phet had  many  followers.  Indians  came  from  far 
and  near,  and  gathered  together  in  large  encamp- 
ments to  list(>n  to  his  exhortations.  His  fame 
spread  even  to  the  nations  of  the  northern  lakes  ; 
but    though    his    disciples    followed    most    of    his 


1^1 


180 


ANGKIl   OF    TllK    INDIANS. 


[lTGO-1703, 


Uli 


injunctions,  flinging  away  flint  and  steel,  and  mak- 
ing copious  use  of  emetics,  with  other  observances 
equally  troublesome,  yet  the  reipiisition  to  abandon' 
the  use  of"  fire-arms  was  too  inconvenient  to  be 
cofuplied  with.' 

With  so  many  causes  to  irritate  their  restless  and 
warlike  spirit,  it  could  not  be  su[)posed  that  the 
Indians  would  long  remain  (piiet.  Accordingly,  in 
the  summer  of  the  year  17G1,  Captidn  Campbell, 
then  commanding  at  Detroit,  received  information 
that  a  deputation  of  Senecas  had  come  to  the 
neighboring  village  of  the  ^^'yandots  for  the  pur- 
pose of  instigating  the  latter  to  destroy  him  and 
his  garrison.'     On  farther  in([uiry,  the  plot  proved 


,'      ! 


1  ,l/'0///r«(7/i',s  Xnmilhr.  See  fnriilriits  of  Border  fJ/c,  98.  M'Cul- 
louf^h  was  a  prisoner  among  tlie  Dolawares,  at  tlie  time  of  tlie  propliet's 
appearance. 

-  MS.  Minutca  of  a  Ci)}iuril  Ik  Id  hi/  Deputies  (if  tlip  Sir  Nations,  iritli  the 
W'l/iuiildts,  (Jltmcii.'i,  OJiliinis,  und  Poll(iiriitt(Uiii(S,  (it  the  Wijandut  town,  near 
Detroit,  July  ;],  ITtJl. 

Extract  from  a  MS.  Letter —  Cuptnin  Cdin/ilull,  commnndin'j  at  Detroit, 
to  Major  W^alli  IS,  coiuiiiundinii  nt  Xiaijdiu. 

J  "Detioit.  ■limo  17th.  ITfil, 
/  two  o'clock  ill  the  inorning. 
"Sir: 

"  I  liad  the  favor  of  Yours,  with  General  Amherst^s  Dispatches. 

"  I  iiave  sent  You  an  K.xiness  with  a  very  Importai.t  piece  of  Intelli- 
gence I  have  had  tlie  ^ood  fortune  to  Discover.  I  iiave  heen  I/itelv 
alarmed  with  lieports  of  the  had  Dt'si^nis  of  the  Indian  Nations  against 
this  jilace  and  the  Knglisli  in  (ieiu'ral  ;  I  can  now  Inform  You  for  certain 
it  Comes  from  tlie  Six  Nations  ;  and  tliat  they  have  Sent  Belts  of  Wam- 
I)um  &  Deputys  toalltiie  Nations,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  Illinois,  to  take 
up  tlie  iialcliet  against  the  Knglish,  anil  have  employed  the  Messagues  to 
send  Belts  of  Wampum  to  the  Northern  Nations.  .  .  . 

"Their  project  is  as  folhjws  :  the  Six  Nations — at  least  tlie  Scneeas 
—  are  to  Assemhie  at  the  head  of  French  Creek,  within  live  and  twenty 
Leagues  of  I'resqu'  I.>le,  part  of  the  Six  Nations,  the  Delawares  and 
Shanese,  are  to  Assemhie  on  the  Ohio,  and  all  at  tlie  same  time,ahout  the 
latter  Knd  of  this  Month,  to  surprise  Niagara  i.^  Fort  I'itt,  and  Cut  ofV  the 
Communication  Every  where;  1  hope  this  will  Come  time  Enough  to  put 


[17GU-17G3. 


l7liO-17C3.1 


COXSPIIIACIES. 


181 


and  iiuik- 

jser  villi  ces 

,0  abandon' 

icnt  to  be 

« 

Listless  and 

\  that   the 

rdingly,  in 

Campbell, 

nformation 

ne    to    the 

1-  the  pur- 

y  him  and 

lot  proved 

r<>,  98.     M'Cul- 

uf  the  prophet's 

\(i/lons,  with  the 

iH 

(iinhA  town,  near 

M 

xdinij  at  Detroit, 

8 

me  17th.  1701, 

•W 

in  tlie  moniing. 

;]>iitclies. 

piece  of  Intelli- 

■ik 

e  lieeii  Lately 

s'atioiis  ii^iiinst 

i:S' 

Voii  for  certain 

Belts  of  Waiu- 

Illinoi:*,  to  take 

!  Messagues  to 

'W 

,st  tlie  Scnecas 

.'e  ami  twetity 

)ehi wares   ami 

inie,  ahoiit  the 

ml  Cut  otr  tlie 

Enouifh  to  put 

to  be  general ;  and  Xiai^ara,  Fort  Pitt,  and  otlier 
posts,  were  to  share  tlie  fate  of  Detroit.  Cam])l)ell 
instantly  desj)ate]ied  messengers  to  Sir  Jeffrey 
Amherst,  and  the  commanding  officers  of  the  dif- 
ferent forts ;  and,  bv  this  timelv  discoverv.  tln^ 
conspiracy  was  ni[)ped  in  tlie  bnd.  During  the 
following  snmmer,  \H]2,  another  similar  design 
was  det(>cted  and  suppressed.  They  proved  to  be 
the  precnrsors  of  a  tempest.  AVhen,  early  in  1703, 
it  was  announced  to  the  tribes  that  the  King  of 
France  had  ceded  all  their  conntrv  to  the  Kiiiij: 
of  Knglund,  without  even  asking  their  leave,  a 
ferment  of  indignation  at  once  became  apparent 
among  them  ; '  and,  within  a  few  weeks,  a  ])lot 
w^as  matured,  such  as  was  lun'er,  before  or  since, 
conceived  or  executed  by  a  Xorth-Amcrican  Indian. 
It  was  determined  to  attack  all  the  Jjiglish  forts 
upon  the  same  day  ;  then,  having  destroyed  their 
garrisons,  to  turn  upon  the  d* "fenceless  frontier, 
and  ravai2:e  and  lav  wiiste  the  sc^ttlements.  until,  as 


You  on  Yonr  Gunrd  aiKl  to  semi  to  Oswoi^o,  ami  nil  the  Posts  on  that 
eonimimication,  they  Expect  to  he  Joitioii  hy  the  Nations  that  are  Cotne 
from  the  North  hy  Toronto." 

1  Letter,  deo.  Cni'/lnin  to  S!r  ./.  AnJursf,  Fort  Piff,  April  SO,  17(')8, 
MS.  Amherst  replies  characteristically,  "  Whatever  idle  notions  they 
may  entertain  in  reiianl  to  the  ccv-isions  maile  hy  the  i'rench  Crown  can  he 
of  very  little  cunsefim'nce." 

Crofjhan,  Sir  William  .lohnson's  deputy,  and  a  man  of  exjiericnce,  had 
for  some  time  heen  anxious  as  to  the  results  of  the  arrou:ant  policy  of  Am- 
herst. On  March  I'Jth  he  wrote  to  Colonel  I5ou(ineI  :  "How  they  {the 
Indians)  may  heliave  I  can't  pretend  to  say,  hut  I  do  not  approve  of  Gen'- 
Amherst's  plan  of  distressing  them  too  much,  as  in  my  ojiinion  they  will 
not  consider  consequences  if  toi)  nnicli  distrest,  tho'  Sir  Jetl'rev  thinks  they 
will." 

Croghan  urges  the  same  views,  with  emphasis,  in  other  letters;  but 
Amherst  was  deaf  to  all  iK'rsuasion. 


it! 


i   \ 


182 


ANGKll   OF  THE   INDL\>>S. 


[1 700-1 7t>3. 


.     ( 


mrny  of  the  Indians  fondly  believed,  tlie  Enj^^lish 
sliould  all  be  driven  into  the  sea,  and  the  conntry 
restored  to  its  primitive  owners. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  which  tribe  was  first 
to  raise  the   crv  of  war.     There   were  many  who 

•  » 

niii^ht  have  done.so,  for  all  the  savages  in  the  back- 
woods were  ripe  for  an  outbreak,  and  the  movement 
scrmed  almost  simultaneous.  The  Delawares  and 
Senecas  were  the  most  incensed,  and  Kiashuta,  a 
chief  of  the  latter,  was  j)erha})s  foremost  to  apply 
tile  torch  ;  but,  if  this  was  the  case,  he  touched 
fire  to  materials  already  on  the  point  of  igniting. 
It  belongeil  to  a  greater  chief  than  he  to  give 
method  and  order  to  what  would  else  have  been  a 
wild  burst  of  fury,  and  convert  desultory  attacks 
into  a  fornndable  and  ])rotracted  war.  But  for 
Pontiac,  the  whole  might  have  ended  in  a  few 
troublesome  inroads  ni)on  the  frontier,  and  a  little 
whooping  and  yelling  under  the  walls  of  Fort  Pitt. 

Pontiac,  as  already  mentioned,  was  principal 
chief  of  the  Ottawas.  The  Ottawas,  Ojibwas,  and 
Pottawattamies,  had  long  been  united  in  a  loose 
kind  of  confederacv,  of  which  he  was  the  virtual 
head.  Over  those  around  him  his  authority  was 
almost  despotic,  and  his  power  extended  far  beyond 
the  limits  of  the  three  united  tribes.  His  influence 
was  great  among  all  the  nations  of  the  Illinois 
country ;  while,  from  the  sources  of  the  Ohio  to 
those  of  the  Mississipi)i,  and,  indeed,  to  the  farthest 
boundari(^s  of  the  wide-spread  Algonquin  race,  his 
name  was  known  and  respected. 

The  fact  that  Pontiac  was  born  the   son  of  a 


m  \ 


mi 


[1700-1703. 


1700-1763.] 


PONTIAC. 


183 


le  English 
10  country 

D  was  first 
many  who 
1  tlie  hack- 
movement 
wnres  and 
iaslmta,  a 
it  to  apply 
e  touched 
f  igniting, 
e  to  give 
ve  heen  a 
ry  attacks 
But  for 
in  a  few 
id  a  little 

Fort  Pitt. 

principal 
Ihwas,  and 
1  a  loose 

le  virtual 
|()iity  was 
lir  heyond 

influence 
Illinois 

Ohio  to 
farthest 

race,  his 

ton  of  a 


■V;' 


chief  would  in  no  degree  account  for  the  extent  of 
his  ])o\ver ;  for,  among  Indians,  many  a  chit^f  s  son 
sinks  l)ack  into  iiisignificiiiice,  wliile  the  offspring 
of  a  common  warrior  may  succeed  to  liis  ])lace. 
Among  all  the  wild  tril)es  of  tiie  continent,  p(M-- 
sonal  merit  is  indispensahh^  to  gaining  or  preserving 
dignity.  Courage,  resolution,  address,  and  elo- 
(pience  are  sure  pass])orts  to  distinction.  A\'ith 
all  these  Pontiac  was  ])re-eminently  (Midowed.  and 
it  was  chiefly  te-  them,  urged  to  their  highest 
activity  l)y  a  vehement  aml)ition,  that  he  owed 
his  greatness.  ][v  [)ossessed  a  commanding  energy 
and  force  ot"  mind,  and  in  suhtlety  and  crat't  could 
match  the  hest  of  his  wily  race.  Ihit.  though 
ca])al)le  of  acts  of  magnanimity,  ho  was  a  thorough 
savage,  with  a  wider  range  of  intellect  than  tliose 
around  him.  hut  sliaring  all  their  ])iissions  and 
])r(Judic(\s,  their  fierceness  and  treachery.  His 
faults  wore  the  faults  of  his  race  ;  and  tlu^y  cannot 
eclipse  his  nobler  ([ualities.  Tlis  memory  is  still 
cherished  among  the  remnants  of  manv  Ali>on- 
qnin  tnl)es,  and  the  celebrated  Tecumseh  ado])ted 
him  for  his  model,  proving  himself  no  unworthy 
imitator.^ 

1   Drake,  Lif'nfTen,m>^'h,  138. 

Sevoral  tribes,  tlie  Miamis,  Sacs,  and  others,  liave  claimed  connection 
witli  the  ^reat  chief;  hut  it  is  certain  tliat  lie  was,  b\- adoption  at  least, 
an  Ottawa.  Ileiuy  Conner,  t'ornierly  p)vernnient  interpreter  lor  tlie 
nortlieni  tribes,  declared,  on  tiie  fai'ii  of  Indian  triniition,  tiiat  he  was 
born  anionti'  the  Ottawas  of  an  Ojihwa  inotlier,  a  circinnstaneo  which 
proved  an  advantage  to  him  by  increasiii','-  his  inthience  over  both  triljcs. 
An  C)jil)wa  Indian  told  the  writer  that  some  portion  of  his  power  was  to 
be  a.scribed  to  his  beint^  a  ciiief  of  the  Mclai,  a  magical  association  amonjj 
tlie  Indians  of  the  laJies,  in  wliich  character  lie  exerted  an  influence  ou 
the  superstition  of  his  followers. 


S 


!l 


;!] 


■v;; 


I  Hi 


\  I" 

I;  'jii'f 


fl:; 


i  ■  I 


;i 


y 

184 


THE  CONSl'IHACY. 


[17CO-17r.H 


Pontiar  was  now  iibout  fiftv  vears  old.  Until 
"Major  lv()<^crs  ranic  into  thr  country,  he  had  been, 
from  motives  probably  botli  of  interest  and  incli-' 
nation,  a  firm  friend  of  tln^  French.  Not  long 
befoi'c  the  l'ren(  h  war  broke  out,  he  had  saved  the 
u^arrison  of  Detroit  from  the  imminent  peril  of  an 
attack  from  some  of  the  discontented  tribes  of  the 
north.  During  the  war.  he  liad  fouglit  on  the  side 
of  France.  it  is  said  that  he  commanded  the 
Ottiiwas  at  tlie  memorable  defeat  of  Braddock  ; 
and  it  is  certain  that  he  w;is  treated  with  much 
honor  by  tlie  I'rench  officers,  and  received  especial 
marks  of  esteem  from  the  Marquis  of  Montcalm.* 

We  have  seen  how.  wlien  the  tide  of  affairs 
changed,  the  subtle  and  ambitious  chief  trimmed 
his  bark  to  the  current,  and  gave  the  hand  of 
friendshii)  to  the  English.  That  he  was  dis- 
appointed in  their  treatment  of  him,  and  in  all 
the  ho[)es  tliat  he  had  formed  from  their  alliance, 
is  sufficiently  evident  from  one  of  his  speeches. 
A  new  light  soon  began  to  dawn  upon  his  untaught 
but  powerful  mind,  and  he  saw  the  altered  posture 
of  affairs  under  its  true  aspect. 

It  was  a  momentous  and  gloomy  crisis  for  the 
Indian  race,  for  never  before  had  they  been  exposed 
to  such  imminent  and  pressing  danger.  With  the 
downfall  of  Canada,  the  tribes  had  sunk  at  once 
from  their  position  of  importance.  Hitherto  the 
two  rival  Euro[)ean  nations  had  kept  each   other 

^  The  venerable  Pierre  Clioutean,  of  St.  Louis,  remembereil  to  have 
seen  Pontiac.  a  few  days  before  liis  deatii,  attired  in  tlie  complete  uni- 
form of  a  French  oflicer,  which  had  been  given  him  by  the  Marquis  of 
Montcalm  not  long  before  the  battle  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham. 


[17GO-17G8 


1700-170:1]     (iL(H)MV  I'UOSPECTS  OF  TIIK  INDIANS.  185 


)l(l.      Until 

had  been, 

and  inoli-' 

Not   long 

I  saved  the 

)eril  of  an 

bes  of  the 

)n  the  side 

anded   tlie 

Ih'addock  ; 

vith  much 

d  especial 

ontcalni.* 

of  affairs 

■f  trimmed 

J  hand   of 

was    dis- 

md   in   all 

r  alliance, 

speeches. 

untanght 

'd  posture 

s  for  the 
1  exposed 
With  the 
at  once 
lerto  the 
ich  other 

tered  to  have 
complete  uni- 
e  Marquis  of 
ill. 


ill  check  u|)on  the  American  continent,  and  the 
Indians  had.  in  some  measure,  held  the  b;dance  of 
])()\ver  betueen  them.  To  conciliate"  their  good 
will  and  gain  their  alliance,  to  a\()id  offending 
them  by  injustice  and  encroachment,  was  tlw 
policy  l)()th  of  the  French  and  l''nglish.  ]5ut  now 
the  face  of  affairs  was  changed.  The  Knglish  had 
gaine  an  undisputed  ascendency,  and  the  Indians, 
no  longer  important  as  allies,  were  treated  as  mere 
barbarians,  who  might  be  trampled  upon  with  im- 
])unity.  Abandoned  to  their  own  feeble  resources 
and  divided  strength,  they  must  fast  recede,  and 
dwindle  away  before  the  steady  progress  of  the 
colonial  })ower.  Already  their  best  hunting- 
grounds  were  invaded,  and  from  the  eastern 
ridges  of  the  AUeghanies  they  miglit  see,  from 
far  and  near,  the  smoke  of  the  settlers'  clearings, 
rising  in  tall  columns  from  the  dark-green  bosom 
of  the  forest.  The  doom  of  the  race  was  sealed, 
and  no  human  power  could  avert  it  ;  but  they,  in 
their  ignorance,  believed  otherwise,  and  vainly 
thought  that,  by  a  desperate  effort,  they  might 
yet  uproot  and  overthrow  the  growing  strength 
of  their  destrovers. 

It  would  be  idle  to  suppose  that  the  great  mass 
of  the  Indians  understood,  in  its  full  (^xtent,  the 
danger  which  threatened  their  race.  AN'ith  them, 
the  war  was  a  mere  outbreak  of  fury,  iind  they 
turned  against  their  enemies  with  as  little  reason 
or  forecast  as  a  panther  when  Ivj  lea[)s  at  the  throat 
of  the  hunter,  (joaded  bv  wronti^s  and  indi^iMiities, 
they  struck  for  revenge,  and  for  relief  from  the  evil 


\h 


n 


ff  •  .■' 

m 


If! 


i\ 


I  'i 


I  h 


n 


'  :i 


ill 
'  i 

I.  la 


|{ 


If  III 


Mrtf  ♦ 

rji 

.'Mf- 


I    t  ^  I 


1H6 


THE   CONSPmACY. 


[17GO-17C3. 


of  tlie  momoiit.  But  tlio  mind  of  Pontiar  could 
rnil)rare  a  wider  and  dcopcr  view.  Tiio  ])(M*il  of 
the  times  was  unfolded  in  its  full  extent  before 
him,  and  he  resolvcnl  to  unite  the  tribes  in  one 
grand  effort  to  avert  it.  lie  did  not,  like  many 
of  his  people,  entertain  the  al)snr(l  idea  tliat  the 
Indians,  by  their  unaided  stren<^th,  could  drive 
the  I'iUglish  into  the  sea.  lie  adopt(Hl  the  only 
plan  consistent  witli  reason,  that  of  restoring  the 
Frencli  ascendency  in  the  west,  and  once  more 
opposing  a  check  to  British  encroachment.  AN'itli 
views  like  these,  he  lent  a  greedy  ear  to  the 
l)lausible  falsehoods  of  the  Canadians,  who  assured 
him  that  the  armies  of  King  T^ouis  "svero  already 
advancing  to  recover  Canada,  and  th<it  the  French 
and  their  red  brethren,  fighting  side  by  side,  would 
drive  the  English  dogs  back  within  their  own 
narrow  limits. 

llevolving  these  thoughts,  and  remembering  that 
his  own  ambitious  views  might  be  advanced  by  the 
hostilities  he  meditated,  Pontiac  no  longer  hesitated. 
Revenge,  and)ition,  and  patriotism  wrought  upon 
him  alike,  and  he  resolved  on  war.  At  the  close 
of  the  vcar  1762,  he  sent  ambassadors  to  the  dif- 
ferent  nations.  They  visited  the  countrv  of  the 
Ohio  and  its  tributaries,  passed  northward  to  the 
region  of  the  upper  lakes,  and  the  borders  of 
the  Itivcr  Ottawa  ;  and  far  southward  towards  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi.^  Bearing  with  them 
the  war-belt  of  wampum,'  broad  and  long,  as  the 

1  MS.  Letter  — J/.  D'AhhuUeto  M.  Xn/on,  1764. 
'^  Wiuii|)\iin  was  an  article  miicli  in  use  ainnii!,'  many  tribes,  r.,)t  only 
for  ornament,  but  lor  tlie  yraver  purposes  of  oounciLs,  treaties,  and  einbas* 


ii 


17CO-17G3.1 


AMnASSADOKS  OF  rONTIAC. 


18' 


iniportaiicc  of  tlio  nu'ssiij^cMloMiiindcd.  and  the  tojuu- 
liawk  staiiu'd  rod,  in  token  of  war,  thcv  went  from 
cainj)  to  cainj).  and  villa<j;e  to  village.  \\'h(«r('vcr 
they  appeared,  the  sachems  and  ohl  men  assemhUMl, 
to  liear  the  words  of  the  <j;rt'at  Pontiae.  'I'lien  tlie 
cliief  of  the  emhassy  linni;  down  tlie  tomahawk  on 
the  i;ronnd  hefore  them,  and  liolchn^  the  war-helt 
in  his  hand,  delivered,  with  vehement  gesture,  word 
for  word,  the  speech  witli  which  he  was  cliarged. 
It  was  heard  everywhere  with  appioval ;  the  Ix  It 
was  accepted,  the  hatchet  snatched  up,  and  the 
assembled  cliiefs  stood  pledged  to  take  part  in 
the  war.  The  blow  was  to  be  struck  at  a  certain 
time  in  the  month  of  May  following,  to  be  indicated 
by  the  changes  of  the  moon.  The  tribes  were  to 
rise  together,  each  destroying  the  English  garrison 
in  its  neighborhood,  ai  .1  then,  with  a  general  rush, 
the  whole  were  to  turn  against  the  settlements 
of  the  frontier. 

The  tribes,  thus  banded  together  against  the  Eng- 
lish, comprised,  with  a  few  unim])ortant  exceptions, 
the  whole  Algonquin  stock,  to  whom  were  united 
the  ^Vyandots,  the  Senecas,  and  several  tribes  of 
the  lower  Mississippi.  The  Senecas  were  the  only 
members  of  the  Iroquois  confederacy  who  joined 
in  the  league,  the  rest  being  ke})t  quiet  by  the 
iniluence   of  Sir  William   Johnson,  whose  utmost 


sies.  In  ancipnt  times  it  consisted  of  small  shells,  or  frajfments  of  shells, 
rudely  perforated,  and  strung  tojxetlier ;  but  more  recently,  it  was  manu- 
factured by  the  wiiite  men,  from  tlie  inner  portions  of  certain  marine  and 
fresh  water  shells.  In  shape,  tiie  ^M-ains  or  heads  resembled  small  pieces  of 
broken  pipe-stem,  and  were  of  various  sizes  and  colors,  black,  purple,  and 
white.    When  used  for  ornament,  they  were  arranged  fancifully  in  neck- 


HI 


fi 


if 

•ii)  ■ 


I, 


t  : 


!    i 


1  i 


188 


THE  CONSnUACY. 


(1700-1763. 


oxci'tiniis,  however,  were  bfirely  sufficient  to  allay 


n 


I 


icir  irritation 
^^'llilc  tlius  on  the  verv  cvc  of  an  ontbn'ak,  the 
Indians  concealed  their  designs  witli  the  dissimu- 
lation of  their  race.  'I'he  warriors  still  louni^ed 
Mi)ont  the  forts,  with  calm,  im[)enetral)le  faces, 
l)e|Lji;ini^,  as  usual,  for  tobacco,  fj^unpowder,  and 
whiskey.  Now  and  then,  some  slight  intimation 
of  danger  would  startle  the  garrisons  from  their 
security.  An  Eujilish  trachu".  cominij  in  from  the 
Indian  villages,  would  report  that,  from  their  man- 
ner and  behavior,  he  suspected  them  of  brooding 
miscliief;  or  some  scoundrel  half-breed  would  be 
heard  boasting  in  his  cups,  that  before  next  sum- 
mer he  would  have  English  hair  to  fringe  his  hunt- 

laccs,  collars,  ami  pinbroidory  ;  but  wlii-ii  omi>li>ypil  for  public  purposes, 
they  were  disjio.seil  in  a  great  variety  of  patterns  an<l  devices,  which,  to 
tlic  iniiiils  of  the  Imliaiis,  had  all  the  siumificanc  c  of  iiieroi;lyiihics.  An 
Imlian  orator,  at  every  clause  nf  his  speech,  delivereil  a  belt  or  striii<;  of 
waiiiiiuiii,  varyiuf^  in  size,  nccordinLr  to  the  iniportance  of  what  lie  had 
^aid,  and,  by  its  li;;ures  and  colorinj;,  so  arranj^cd  as  to  perpetuate  the 
reineinhraiice  of  his  words,  'riiese  bolts  were  carefully  stored  up  like 
written  documents,  and  it  was  generally  the  office  of  some  old  man  to 
interpret  their  meaning. 

Wiieu  a  wampum  belt  was  sent  to  summon  the  tribes  to  join  in  war,  its 
color  was  always  red  or  black,  while  the  prevailing  color  of  a  peace-belt 
was  white.  Tobacco  was  sometimes  used  on  such  occasions  as  a  substi- 
tute for  wampum,  since  in  their  councils  the  Indians  are  in  the  habit  of 
constantly  smoking,  and  tobacco  is  therefore  taken  as  the  emblem  of 
deliberation.  With  the  tobacco  or  the  belt  of  wampum,  jtresents  are  not 
uiifrequently  sent  to  conciliate  the  good  will  of  the  tribe  whose  alliance  is 
souglit.  In  the  summer  of  the  year  1840,  when  the  western  bamis  of  the 
l)ahcota.li  N\ere  jjreparing  to  go  in  concert  against  their  enemies  the 
Crows,  the  chief  who  was  at  tlie  head  of  the  design,  and  of  whose  village 
tlie  writer  was  an  inmate,  itnpoverished  himself  by  sending  most  of  iiis 
horses  as  presents  to  the  chiefs  of  the  surrounding  villages.  On  this 
occasion,  tobacco  was  tlie  token  borne  by  the  messengers,  .is  wampum  is 
not  in  use  among  the  tribes  of  that  region. 
1  MS,  Jiihntion  Papers. 


(17r,0-1763. 
to  allay 

(mIv,  the 
(lissimu- 
loimj^ccl 
i»  facrs, 
]v\\  and 
tiniatioii 
)in  their 
from  tlie 
rir  man- 
l)r()(){ling 
oiild  bo 
)Xt  sum- 
liis  hunt- 
lie  purposes, 
>s,  wliit'li,  to 
ypliics.  An 
or  strin<x  of 
liat  ho  had 
pc'tuate  tlio 
It'll  up  like 
old  man  to 

h  in  war,  its 
la  i)eace-helt 
as  a  suh.sti- 
|iu'  hahit  of 
■nihifni  of 
iits  are  not 
a  1  ha  nee  is 
ands  of  tiie 
lioniies  tiie 
iose  villaije 
iiost  of  his 
On  tliis 
vamputn  i8 


1703.] 


DISSIMULATION'   OF   'nil'.    INDIANS. 


189 


in<j;-fro{k.  On  one  occasion,  the  plot  was  nearly 
discovered.  I'arly  in  March,  iHV^,  Idi^i^u  Ilohnes, 
commanding  ut  Fort  Miami.  \v;i^  told  1»\  n  fVicndlv 
Iii(Han  tliat  tlie  warriors  in  the  n('ii'ld)()rin<j  viUau-o 
had  lately  received  a  war-helt,  with  a  messiinr(»  nrjj:- 
iiig  tliem  to  destroy  him  and  his  garrison,  and  that 
this  they  were  preparing  to  do.  Holmes  called  the 
Indians  tou'ether,  and  i)oldlv  chaiy:ed  them  with 
their  desi<rn.  Tliev  did  as  Indians  on  such  occa* 
sions  have  often  done,  confessed  their  fault  with 
much  ap[)arent  contrition,  laid  the  Maine  on  a 
neighboring  tribe,  and  professed  eternal  friendshi[) 
to  their  brethren,  the  I'aiglish.  IJolmes  writes  to 
report  his  discovery  to  Major  (jladwyn,  who,  in  his 
turn,  sends  the  information  to  Sir  Jett'rey  Amherst, 
expressing  his  opinion  that  there  has  been  a  general 
irritation  among  the  Indians,  but  that  the  affair  will 

and  that,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
post,  the  savages  were  })crfectly  tranquil.' 
AVitliin  cannon  shot  of  the  deluded  officer's  pidi- 
sades,  was  the  villaae  of  Pontiae  himself,  the  arch 


soon  blow  over 
his  own 


J  MS.  Sprfichnfd  .}fitt)iii  Cliicfto  Ensliin  ffdliii'S.  MS.  liOttcr —  Ihihiica 
to  (ihitl(n/)i,  Mitrch  1ft,  17()3.      (rlixfiri/it  to  Ain/ii-rst,  yfurrh  L'l,  IT'Vl. 

IC.xtract  from  a  MS.  Letter  —  Knsiiju  Ilulmis  coiiiiikiikHihj  <tt  MIdinis,  to 
Major  a  lad  wi/ II :  — 

(      "  Fort  Miiinii'J. 
I  Miin  li  aotli,  17'.a. 

"  Since  my  Last  Letter  to  Yon.  wlierein  I  Acquainted  Von  of  the 
Uloody  Belt  heinjr  in  this  V'ili.ino,  I  have  made  all  the  search  I  could 
ahont  it,  and  have  fonnil  it  out  lo  he  True  ;  Whereon  I  Assemhled  all 
the  riiiot's  of  this  Xation,  &  after  a  loni,^  ami  irnuMoome  Sjiell  witli  them, 
I  Ohtained  the  IJelt,  witli  a  Speech,  as  Vou  will  Receive  Knclo<eiI ;  This 
Afiiiir  is  very  timely  Stopt,  and  I  hope  the  Ni'ws  of  a  Peace  will  i)iit  a 
Stop  to  any  further  Trouhles  witii  these  Indians,  who  are  the  I'rinciiJal 
Ones  of  Setting'  Miscliii'f  on  Foot.  I  »end  you  the  Helt,  with  this  Packet, 
which  I  hope  You  will  Forward  lo  the  General." 


lb 


'^  11 


•f' 

~~^i 

r 

Blj 

JHi 

FTp 

190 


THE   CONSPIRACY. 


[1763. 


enemy  of  the    English,  and    prime   mover  in  the 
plot. 

With  the  approach  of  spring,  the  Indians,  com- 
ing in  from  tlicir  wintering  grounds,  began  to  appear 
in  small  parties  al)out  the  various  forts  ;  but  now 
they  seldom  entered  them,  encamping  at  a  little 
distance  in  the  woods.  They  were  fast  pushing 
their  preparations  for  the  meditated  blow,  and 
waiting  with  stifled  eagerness  for  the  appointed 
hour. 


■n 


M 


:n 


CHAPTER    Vlll. 


17G3. 


INDIAN  PREPARATION. 


I  INTERRUPT  the  progress  of  the  narrative  to 
glance  for  a  moment  at  the  Indians  in  their  mili- 
tary capacity,  and  observe  how  far  they  were  qual- 
ified to  prosecute  the  formidable  war  into  which 
they  were  about  to  [)lunge. 

A  people  living  chiefly  by  the  chase,  and  there- 
fore, of  necessitv,  thinlv  and  widely  scattered ; 
divided  into  numerous  tribes,  held  together  by  no 
strong  principle  of  cohesion,  and  with  no  central 
government  to  combine  tlieir  strength,  could  act 
with  little  efficiency  against  such  an  enemy  as  was 
now  opposed  to  them.  Loose  and  disjointed  as  a 
whole,  the  government  even  of  individual  tribes, 
and  of  their  smallest  separate  communities,  was  too 
feeble  to  deserve  the  name.  There  were,  it  is  true, 
chiefs  whose  office  Avas  in  a  manner  hereditary  ; 
but  their  authority  was  wholly  of  a  moral  nature, 
and  enforced  by  no  com[)ulsory  law.  'J'lieir  prov- 
ince was  to  advise,  and  not  to  command.  Their 
influence,  such  as  it  was,  is  chiefly  to  be  ascribed 
to  the   principle  of   hero-worship,   natural   to  the 


\% 


!l 


19'2 


INDIAN    PKKl'AHATION. 


[17P3 


Iv  \ 


I  i 


I  ^'  I' 


¥, 


Indian  rliaractcu',  and  to  tlie  reverence  for  age, 
wliicli  l)(*lon<;s  to  a  state  of  society  where  u  patri- 
jirelial  elc^mcMit  lar<;(dy  })revails.  Tt  was  tlnnr  otficc 
to  declare  war  and  make  peace  ;  but  wlien  war  was 
declared,  tliev  liad  no  ])ower  to  carry  the  declaru- 
tion  into  effiu't.  Tlie  warrior.-;  foui»lit  if  they  cliose 
to  (h)  so  ;  hut  if.  on  the  contrary,  they  i)referred  to 
remain  cpiiet,  no  man  could  force  them  to  raise  tlie 
hatch(>t.  TIk^  war-chief,  whose  part  it  was  to  lead 
tliem  to  haltle,  was  ji  mere  ])artisan,  whom  his 
bra\ery  and  ex[)loits  had  k>(l  to  distinction.  If  he 
thought  proper,  he  sang  his  war-song  and  danced 
his  war-dance  ;  and  as  many  of  the  young  men  as 
were  disposed  to  follow  him,  gathered  around  and 
enlisted  themselves  nnder  him.  Over  these  volun- 
teers he  had  no  h^gal  authority,  and  they  could 
desert  him  at  any  moment,  with  no  other  penalty 
than  disgrace.  A\'hen  scyeral  war  parties,  of  differ- 
(>nt  hands  or  tribes,  were  united  in  a  connnon  en- 
terprise, their  chiefs  ehu'ted  a  leader,  who  was 
nominally  to  command  the  whole  ;  but  nnless  this 
leader  was  a  man  of  nncommon  rei)ntation  and 
id)ility,  his  commands  were  disregarded,  and  his 
authority  was  a  cipher.  Among  his  followers, 
eyery  latent  eV  ment  of  discord,  pride,  jealousy, 
and  ancient  half-smothered  feuds,  were  ready  at 
any  moment  to  break  out.  and  tear  the  whole 
asunder.  His  warriors  would  often  desert  in  bodies  ; 
and  many  an  Indian  army,  before  reaching  the 
enemy's  country,  has  been  known  to  dwindle  away 
nntil  it  was  reduced  to  a  mere  scal[)ing  i)arty. 
To  twist  a  rope  of  sand  would  be  as  easy  a  task 


1763.] 


INDIANS   AS   A   MILITARY  PEOPLE. 


103 


as  to  form  a  pcrmmiont  and  cfFoctivo  arniv  of  such 
matoriiils.  'V\w  wild  love  of  freedom,  and  impa- 
tience of  all  control,  which  mark  the  Indian  race, 
render  them  utterly  intolerant  of  military  discipline. 
Partly  from  their  individnal  character,  and  partly 
from  this  ahsence  of  snbordination,  sprinji;  resnlts 
hijihly  nnfavt)rahle  to  continned  and  extended  mil- 
itary  operations.  Indian  warriors,  when  acting  in 
lar«^e  mass(>s,  are  to  the  last  degree  wayward,  ca- 
pricious, and  unstable  ;  infirm  of  purpose  as  a  mob 
of  children,  and  devoid  of  providence  and  fore- 
sight. To  provide  su])[)lies  for  a  campaign  forms 
no  part  of  their  system.  Hence  the  blow  must  be 
struck  at  once,  or  not  struck  at  all ;  and  to  post- 
pone victory  is  to  insure  defeat.  It  is  when  acting 
in  small,  detached  parties,  that  the  Indian  warrior 
puts  forth  his  energies,  and  displays  his  admirable 
address,  endurance,  and  ;ntre[)idity.  It  is  then  that 
he  becomes  a  truly  formidable  enemy.  Fired  with 
the  hope  of  winning  scalps,  he  is  stanch  as  a  blood- 
hound. No  hardship  can  divert  him  from  his 
purpose,  and  no  danger  subdue  his  patient  and 
cautious  courage. 

From  their  inveterate  passion  for  war,  the  Indians 
arc  always  prompt  enough  to  engage  in  it ;  and  on 
the  present  occasion,  the  prevailing  irritation  gave 
ample  assurance  that  they  would  not  remain  idle. 
While  there  was  little  risk  that  they  would  capture 
any  strong  and  well-defended  fort,  or  carry  any 
important  position,  there  was,  on  the  other  hand, 
every  reason  to  apprehend  wide-spread  havoc,  and 
a  destructive  war  of  detail.     That  the  war  might 

13 


I, 


li: 


194 


INDIAN  PREPARATION. 


[1763. 


be  carried  on  with  effect,  it  was  the  part  of  the 
Indiiin  leaders  to  work  upon  the  passions  of  tlieir 
people,  and  keep  alive  their  irritation  ;  to  whet 
their  native  apj)etite  for  blood  and  glory,  and  cheer 
them  on  to  the  attack  ;  to  f^uard  ai^ainst  all  that 
might  quench  their  ardor,  or  cool  their  fierceness  ; 
to  avoid  pitched  battles  ;  never  to  fight  except  under 
advantage  ;  and  to  avail  themselves  of  all  the  aid 
which  craft  and  treachery  could  afford.  The  very 
circumstances  which  unfitted  the  Indians  for  con- 
tinued and  concentrated  attack  were,  in  another 
view,  highly  advantageous,  by  preventing  the  enemy 
from  assailing  them  with  vital  effect.  It  was  no 
easy  task  to  penetrate  tangled  woods  in  search  of 
a  foe,  alert  and  active  as  a  lynx,  who  would  seldom 
stand  and  fight,  whose  deadly  shot  and  triumphant 
wdioop  were  the  first  and  often  the  last  tokens  of 
his  presence,  and  who,  at  the  a])proach  of  a  hostile 
force,  would  vanish  into  the  black  recesses  of  for- 
ests and  pine  swamps,  only  to  renew  his  attacks 
with  unabated  ardor.  There  were  no  forts  to  cap- 
ture, no  magazines  to  destroy,  and  little  property 
to  seize  upon.  Xo  warfare  could  be  more  perilous 
and  harassing  in  its  prosecution,  or  less  satisfactory 
in  its  residts. 

The  English  colonies  at  this  time  were  but  ill 
fitted  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  impending  war. 
The  army  Avhich  had  conquered  Canada  was 
broken  up  and  dissolved ;  the  provincials  were 
disbanded,  and  most  of  the  regulars  sent  home, 
A  few  fragments  of  regiments,  miserably  wasted 
by  war  and  sickness,   had  just  arrived   from  the 


,•1 


[1763. 

;  of  the 
of  tlu'ir 
to  whet 
1(1  cheer 
all  that 
L'ceness  ; 
pt  under 

the  aid 
lie  very 
for  con- 

another 
e  enemy 

was  no 
■arch  of 
1  seldom 
imphant 
kens  of 
a  hostile 
of  for- 
attacks 

to  cap- 

u'operty 
[perilous 

sfactory 

but  ill 

hg  war. 

Ida    was 

Is    were 

home. 

w^asted 
[om  the 


17^)3.] 


THE    PEACE    OF   PARIS. 


1{)5 


"West  Indies  ;  and  of  these,  several  were  already 
ordered  to  Eiii^land,  to  he  disbanded.  Tlien^ 
remained  barely  troops  enougli  to  furnisli  feeble 
garrisons  for  the  various  forts  on  tlie  frontier  and 
in  tlie  Indian  country.'  At  the  head  of  this  dilapi- 
dated arinv  was  Sir  Jeffrev  Ainherst.  wlio  liad 
achieved  the  reduction  of  Canada,  and  cHucIkmI 
the  nail  which  ^^'olfe  had  driven.  In  sonic 
respects  he  was  well  fitted  for  the  emergency ; 
but,  on  the  other  hand,  iie  hc^ld  the  Indians  in 
supreme  contempt,  and  his  arliitrary  treatment  of 
them  and  total  want  of  every  quality  of  con"'''a- 
tion  where  they  were  concerned,  had  had  no  little 
share  in  exciting  them  to  war. 

Wiiile  the  war  was  on  tlie  eve  of  breaking  out, 
an  event  occurred  wliich  had  afterwards  an  im[)or- 
tant  effect  upon  its  progress,  —  th(^  signing  of  the 
treaty  of  peace  at  Paris,  on  the  tenth  of  February, 
1763.  By  this  treatv  France  resigned  her  claims 
to  the  territories  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  that 
q-reat  river  now  became  the  western  boundarv  of 
tlie  British  colonial  possessions.  In  portioning  out 
her  new  acquisitions  into  separate  governments, 
England  left  the  valley  of  tlie  Ohio  and  tlie  adja- 
cent rcixions  as  an  Indian  domain,  and  bv  tin- 
proclamation  of  the  seventh  of  October  following, 
the  intrusion  of  settlers  upon  these  lands  was 
strictly  prohibited.  Could  these  just  and  neces- 
sary measures  have  been  sooner  adopted,  it  is 
probable   that  the   Indian   war   might    have    been 

1  Mautc,  485 


I- /i(  i. 


li  m  i; 


if ' 

'■i    '• 

a 

i                        '  * 

SI 

I  ii"! 


:u',  I 


m 


196 


INDIAN  niErAKATION. 


[1703. 


prevented,  or,  at  all  events,  rendered  less  general 
and  violent,  for  the  treaty  would  have  made  it 
apparent  that  the  Frencli  couhl  never  repossess 
tlieniselves  of  Canada,  and  would  ':ave  ])rovcd  the 
futility  of  every  hope  which  the  Indians  entertained 
of  assistance  from  that  ipiarter,  while,  at  the  same 
time,  the  royal  ])roclamation  would  have  tended  to 
trancpiillize  their  minds,  hy  removing  the  chief 
cause  of  irritation.  Ihit  the  remedy  came  too  late, 
and  served  only  to  inflame  the  evil.  While  the 
sovereigns  of  France,  England,  and  Spain,  were 
signing  the  treaty  at  Paris,  countless  Indian  war- 
riors in  the  American  forests  were  sini'inj'  the 
war-song,  and  whetting  their  scal[)ing-knives. 

Throughout  the  western  wilderness,  in  a  hundred 
camps  and  villages,  were  celehrated  the  savage  rites 
of  war.  A\'arriors,  women,  and  children  were  alike 
eager  and  excited ;  ma<;icians  consulted  their  ora- 
cles, and  prepared  charms  to  insure  success  ;  while 
the  war-chief,  his  hody  painted  hlack  from  head  to 
foot,  concealed  himself  in  the  solitude  of  rocks  and 
caverns,  or  the  dark  recesses  of  the  forest.  Here, 
fasting  and  praying,  he  calls  day  and  night  n])on 
the  Great  Spirit,  consulting  his  dreams,  to  draw 
from  them  auguries  of  good  or  evil ;  and  if,  per- 
chance, a  vision  of  the  great  war-eagle  seems  to 
hover  over  him  with  ex[)anded  wings,  he  exults  in 
the  full  conviction  of  triumph.  When  a  few  days 
have  elapsed,  he  emerges  from  his  retreat,  and  the 
people  discover  him  descending  from  the  woods, 
and  approaching  their  camp,  hlack  as  a  demon  of 
war,  and  shrunken  with   fisting  and  vigil.     They 


[1703. 


1703.] 


Tin:   WAU-Fi: AST. 


197 


general 

iulo    it 

)OSS0SS 

ed  the 
rtaincd 
)  same 
ded  to 
cliiof 
30  late, 
ile  the 
,  wore 
ill  war- 
iig  the 

uiidrcd 
jxe  rites 
•e  alike 
r   ora- 
while 
lead  to 
vs  and 
Here, 
upon 
draw 
if,  per- 
Mns  to 
dts  in 
w  days 
nd  the 
woods, 
lou  of 
They 


flock  around  and  listen  to  his  wild  haranujue.  He 
calls  on  them  to  aveni^e  the  blood  of  their  slauirli- 
tered  relatives;  he  assures  them  that  the  (ircat 
Spirit  is  on  their  side,  and  that  victory  i<;  certain 
"With  exultini^  cries  they  disperse  to  their  wi^j^wauis, 
to  array  themselves  in  the  savage  decorations  of 
the  war-dress.  An  old  man  now  passes  throui^;!! 
the  camp,  and  invites  the  warriors  to  a  feast  in  the 
name  of  the  chief.  They  gather  from  all  (piarters 
to  his  wigwam,  where  they  find  him  seated,  no 
longer  covered  with  i)lack,  but  adorned  with  the 
st.irtling  and  fantastic  blazonry  of  tin?  war-i)aint. 
Those  who  join  in  the  feast  i)ledge  themselves,  by 
so  doing,  to  follow  him  against  tlie  enemy.  The 
guests  seat  themselves  on  the  ground,  in  a  circle 
around  the  wigwam,  and  tlie  tiesli  of  dogs  is  placed 
in  wooden  dishes  before  them,  while  the  chief, 
though  goaded  by  {]w  [)angs  of  his  long,  unbroken 
fast,  sits  smoking  his  pipe  with  unmoved  counte- 
nance, and  takes  no  part  in  the  feast. 

Night  has  now  closed  in  ;  and  the  rough  chvir- 
ing  is  illumined  by  the  blaze  of  fires  and  burnin<» 
pine-knots,  casting  their  deep  red  glare  upon  the 
dubkv  bouii'hs  of  the  surroundinir  forest,  and  luum 
the  wild  multitude  who.  fluttering  with  feathers 
and  bedaubed  with  paint,  have  gathered  for  the 
celebration  of  the  war-dance.  A  ])ainte(l  post  is 
driven  into  the  ground,  and  the  crowd  form  ;i  wide 
circle  around  it.  Tlie  chief  leaps  into  the  vacant 
s[)ace,  brandishing  his  hatchet  as  if  rusliing  upon 
an  enemv,  and.  in  a  loud,  vehement  tone,  chants 
his  own  exploits  and  those  of  his  ancestors,  enact- 


1  ' 

I ' 

till 

I  i.f' 


h- 

:'ii[ 

i 
i     i 

u 

'  ':    ? 

i 

i 

.  :'  ji 

i 

, 

l| 

}\ 

,- 

i 

j 

'   ) 


198 


INDIAN    rUHI'AIiATlON. 


[1703. 


ing  the  deeds  wliich  lie  describes,  yelliiij^-  the  war- 
whoop,  throwing  himself  into  all  the  ])ostures  of 
actual  tight,  striking  the  post  as  if  it  were  an 
(uieniy,  and  tearing  the  scalp  from  the  head  of  the 
imaginary  victim.  Warrior  after  warrior  follows 
his  example,  until  the  whole  assembly,  as  if  tired 
with  sudden  frenzy,  rush  together  into  the  ring, 
leaping,  stam[)ing,  and  whooping,  brandishing 
knives  and  hatchets  in  the  tire-light,  hacking  and 
stabbing  the  air,  and  breaking  at  intervals  into  a 
burst  of  ferocions  yells,  which  sounds  for  miles 
away  over  the  lonely,  midnight  forest. 

In  the  morning,  the  warriors  prei)arc  to  depart. 
They  leave  the  camp  in  single  tile,  still  decorated 
with  all  their  finery  of  paint,  feathers,  and  scalp- 
locks  ;  and,  as  they  enter  the  woods,  the  chief  lires 
his  gun,  the  wari'ior  behind  follows  his  cxam[)le, 
and  the  discharges  pass  in  slow  succession  from 
front  to  rear,  the  salute  concluding  with  a  general 
whoo]).  They  encam})  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  village,  and  divest  themselves  of  their  nuicli- 
prized  ornaments,  which  are  carried  back  by  the 
women,  who  have  followed  them  for  this  })urpose. 
The  warriors  pursue  their  journey,  clad  in  the 
rough  attire  of  hard  service,  and  move  silently  and 
stealthily  through  the  forest  towards  the  hapless 
garrison,  or  defenceless  settlement,  which  they 
have  marked  as  their  prey. 

'['he  woods  were  now  tilled  with  war-parties 
such  as  this,  and  soon  the  first  tokens  of  the 
approaching  tempest  began  to  alarm  the  unha})py 
settlers  of  the  frontier.     At  first,  some  trader  or 


mi 


1703. 


WAK    PAKTIKS. 


109 


liuiitcr,  wcnik  and  ciiiaciiiti'd,  would  coino  in  from 
the  forest,  and  rcluto  that  liis  companions  liad  hcc^n 
butcheird  in  the  Indian  villages,  and  that  he  alone 
had  escaped.  Next  snccecMJed  vaj^iie  and  nn- 
certain  minors  of  forts  attacked  and  i^arrisons 
slangiitered  ;  and  soon  after,  a  report  gained 
ground  that  every  post  thr()uglu)ut  the  Indian 
country  had  been  tak(>n,  and  every  soldier  killed. 
Close  upon  these  tidings  came  tlie  enemy  himself. 
The  Indian  war-parties  broke  out  of  the  woods 
like  ginigs  of  wolves,  murdering,  l)urning,  and 
laviu"^  waste ;  while  hundreds  of  terror-stricken 
families,  abandoning  their  liomes,  tied  for  refuge 
towards  the  older  settlements,  and  all  was  misery 
and  ruin. 

Passing  over,  for  the  present,  this  portion  of 
the  war,  we  will  penetrate  at  once  into  the  heart 
of  the  Indian  country,  and  observe  those  pas- 
sages of  the  conflict  which  took  place  under  the 
ausi)ices  of  Pontiac  himself,  —  the  siege  of  Detroit, 
and  the  capture  of  the  interior  posts  and  gar- 
risons. 


CIIAPTEIl    IX. 


17G3. 


THE  COUNCIL  AT   THE  RIVF.K  ECORCES. 


I'-i''.! 


l\h. 


ii  's 


To  bonriu  the  war  was  reserved  bv  Pontiac  as  hia 
own  peculiar  ])rivilege.  With  the  first  oj)eiiin»if  of 
s[)riiig  his  preparations  were  coini)U'te.  Jlis  hght- 
tboted  messengers,  with  their  wampum  heUs  and 
i^ifts  of  tobacco,  visited  many  a  hjuely  hunting  camp 
in  the  gh)om  of  the  northern  woods,  and  caHed 
.  hiefs  and  warriors  to  attend  the  general  meeting. 
The  appointed  spot  was  on  the  banks  of  tlie  Httle 
lliver  Ecorces,  not  far  from  Detroit.  Thither  Avent 
Pontiac  himself,  with  his  squaws  and  his  children. 
Hand  after  band  came  straggling  in  from  every  side, 
mitil  the  meadow  was  thickly  dotted  with  their  frail 
wiii'wams.^  Here  were  idle  warriors  smokinii:  and 
laughing  in  groups,  or  beguiling  the  lazy  hours 
with  ganibling,  feasting,  or  doubtful  stories  of  their 
own  martial  ex[)loits.  Here  were  youthful  gallants, 
bedizened  with  all  the  foppery  of  beads,  feathers, 
and  hawks'  bells,  but  held  as  yet  in  light  esteem, 
since  they  had  slain  no  enemy,  and  taken  no  scalp. 


I  Pontiac,  MS.     See  ApponJix,  C. 


17fi3   AiMtiL.I 


A   MOTLKY   ENCAMI'MKNT. 


•201 


lloro  too  wore  yoiiiif];  dunisfls,  mdiiint  witli  IxsuV 
oil,  niddy  with  vcniiilioii,  and  verged  in  all  the 
arts  of  forest  roc^nctry  ;  shrivelled  ha;j;s,  with  linihs 
of  wire,  and  the  voices  of  scrcecli-owls  ;  and  troojjs 
of  naked  children,  with  small,  hlack,  niischievons 
eyes,  roaming  al()n<j;  the  ontskirts  of  the  Avoods. 

The  great  Roman  historian  ohserves  of  the 
ancient  (jiermans,  that  when  snmmoned  to  a  pnh- 
lie  meeting,  they  wonld  lag  hehind  the  a[)i)oint(Ml 
time  in  order  to  show  their  independence.  The 
remark  holds  trne,  and  perhiips  with  greater 
emphasis,  of  the  American  Indians  ;  and  tlins  it 
happened,  that  several  days  elapsed  hefore  tlio 
assembly  was  complete.  In  snch  a  motley  con- 
conrsc  of  hiirharians,  where  different  hands  and 
different  tribes  were  mnstered  on  one  common 
camp  ground,  it  wonld  need  all  the  art  of  a  pru- 
dent leader  to  prevent  their  dormant  jealousies 
from  starting  into  open  strife.  No  peo[)le  are 
more  prompt  to  quarrel,  and  none  more  prone,  in 
the  fierce  excitement  of  the  present,  to  forget  the 
purpose  of  the  future ;  yet,  through  good  fortune, 
or  the  wisdom  of  Pontiac,  no  rupture  occurred  ; 
and  at  length  the  last  loiterer  appeared,  and  farther 
delay  was  needless. 

The  council  took  place  on  the  twenty-seventh 
of  April.  On  that  morning,  severiU  old  men,  the 
heralds  of  the  camp,  passed  to  and  fro  among 
the  lodges,  calling  the  warriors,  in  a  loud  voice, 
to  attend  the  mcetinsjr. 

In  accordance  with  the  summons,  thev  issued 
from  their  cabins:   the  tall,  naked  figures  of  the 


2i)'2 


THE  COUNCIL. 


[1703,  Ai'RiL. 


H:!- 


V   ^ 


5  %l 


h  ''1-;f 


hrn 


I  i 


I   ! 


■ 


wild  Ojihwas,  with  ([ulvors  slunj^  at  their  backs, 
and  li;^lit  war-(lul)s  rcNting  in  the  Iiollow  of  tlicir 
anus;  Ottiiwas,  wra[)[)('(l  close  in  their  ^aiuly 
blankets ;  Wvaiidots,  fiutteriiig  in  j)ainti'(l  >hirts, 
tlieir  heads  adorned  with  feitliers,  and  their  le;;i;-ins 
jiarnished  witli  Ixlls.  All  were  soon  seated  in  a 
wide  circle  npon  tlie  grass,  row  within  row,  a  grave; 
and  silent  assembly.  ]']ach  savage  conntenance 
seemed  carM'd  in  wood,  and  none  conld  have 
detecti'd  the  ferocious  passions  hidden  btmeath 
that  inunovable  mask.  Pi[)es  with  ornamented 
stems  were  lighted,  and  passed  from  hand  to  hand. 

'i'hen  Pontiac  rose,  and  walked  forward  into  the 
midst  of  the  council.  According  to  Canadian  tra- 
dition, he  was  not  above  the  middle  height,  thongli 
his  muscular  figure  was  cast  in  a  mould  of  remark- 
able symmetry  and  vigor.  His  complexion  was 
darker  than  is  usual  with  his  race,  and  his  features, 
tliouufh  bv  no  means  regular,  had  a  bold  and  stern 
expression  ;  while  his  habitual  bearing  was  impf- 
rious  and  peremptory,  like  that  of  a  man  accus- 
tomed to  sweep  an  ay  all  op[)osition  by  the  force 
of  his  impetuous  v.ill.  llis  ordinary  attire  was  that 
of  the  primitive  savage,  —  a  scanty  cincture  girt 
about  his  loins,  and  his  long,  black  hair  tlowiiig 
loosely  at  his  back ;  but  on  occasions  like  tliis 
he  was  wont  to  appear  as  befitted  his  power 
and  character,  and  he  stood  doubtless  before  the 
council  plumed  and  painted  in  the  full  costume 
of  war. 

Looking  round  upon  his  wild  auditors  he  began 
to  speak,  with  fierce  gesture,  and  a  loud,  impas- 


11 


1763,  Ai'iiiL.] 


SPKICCll   UF    I'UNTIAC. 


2():j 


()WlIlt» 

this 

)0\VC4' 
L'C     tllO 

stiime 


inpas- 


sioiu'd  voice  ;  and  iit  cvcr\  pause,  dvv\),  j^uttuial 
(Juculatious  of  assent  and  a[)|>ro\al  responded  to 
liis  words.  He  invei«^lied  ai,Minst  the  arroirnnce, 
rapacity,  and  injustice,  of  the  Mni,dish,  iuid  con- 
trasted them  with  the  l-'rcnch,  wlioin  thev  iiad 
(h'iven  from  the  soih  II"  declared  that  the  Ihitish 
commanchmt  had  treated  him  with  ne<^lect  and 
contempt;  tliat  the  sohliers  of  tlie  <;arrison  had 
abused  the  IncHans;  and  that  one  of  tiiem  had 
struck  a  folh)wer  of  his  own.  I!e  re[)rosented  tlie 
danj^er  tiiat  wouhl  arise  from  the  supretnacy  of 
the  En<;lisii.  Tliey  had  ex[)ehed  the  Frencli,  and 
now  they  oidy  waited  for  a  pn.'text  to  tiu-n  upon 
the  Inchans  and  destroy  tlicm.  'I'lien,  lioldini;-  out 
a  broad  belt  of  wam[)um,  he  told  the  council  that 
he  had  received  it  iVom  their  j'reat  father  the  Ivinji: 
of  France,  in  token  that  he  had  heard  the  voice  of 
his  red  children  ;  that  his  sle(>p  was  at  an  end  ; 
and  that  his  great  war  canoes  would  soon  sail  u[) 
the  St.  Lawrence,  to  win  back  Canada,  and  wreak 
vengeance  on  his  enemies.  The  Indians  and  their 
French  brethren  wouhl  fight  once  more  side  by 
side,  as  they  had  always  fought ;  they  would 
strike  the  EngUsh  as  they  had  struck  them  many 
moons  ago,  when  their  great  army  marched  down 
the  Monongahehi,  ;ind  they  had  shot  them  from 
their  ambush,  hke  a  flock  of  pigeons  in  the 
woods. 

Having  roused  in  his  warlike  listeners  their 
native  thirst  for  blood  and  vengeance,  he  next 
addressed  himself  to  their  superstition,  and  told 
the  following  tale.     Its   precise  origin  is  not  easy 


204 


THE   COUNCIL. 


117C3,  April. 


Ilf^ 


I'    i'' ;    I 


V  ■'' 


to  (Ictermiiic.  It  is  possible  that  the  Dehiware 
prophet,  mentioned  in  a  former  chapter,  may  have 
had  some  part  in  it ;  or  it  might  have  been  the 
offspring  of  Pontiac's  heated  imagination,  dnring 
his  period  of  fasting  and  dreaming.  That  he 
dehberatelv  invented  it  for  the  sake  of  the  effect 
it  wonld  prodnce,  is  the  least  probable  conclnsion 
of  all ;  for  it  evidently  proceeds  from  the  snpersti- 
tions  mind  of  an  Indian,  brooding  npon  the  evil 
davs  in  which  his  lot  was  cast,  and  turnim;  for 
relief  to  the  mysterious  Author  of  his  being.  It  is, 
at  all  events,  a  characteristic  specimen  of  the 
Indian  legendary  tales,  and,  like  many  of  them 
bears  an  allegoric  significancy.  Yet  he  who 
endeavors  to  interpret  an  Indian  allegory  through 
all  its  erratic  windings  and  puerile  inconsistencies, 
has  nndertaken  no  enviable  task. 

"  A  Delaware  Indian,"  said  Pontiac,  "  conceived 
an  eager  desire  to  learn  wisdom  from  the  Master 
of  Life  ;  but.  being  ignorant  where  to  find  him,  he 
had  recourse  to  fasting,  dreaming,  and  magical 
incantations.  By  these  means  it  was  revealed  to 
him,  that,  by  moving  forward  in  a  straight,  nnde- 
viating  course,  he  would  reach  the  abode  of  the 
Great  Spirit.  He  told  his  puri?ose  to  no  one,  and 
having  provided  the  equipments  of  a  hunter, — 
gun,  powder-horn,  ammunition,  and  a  kettle  for 
preparing  his  food,  —  he  set  out  on  his  errand. 
For  some  time  he  journeyed  on  in  high  hope  and 
confidence.  On  the  evening  of  the  eighth  day,  he 
stopped  by  the  side  of  a  brook  at  the  edge  of  a 
meadow,   where     he    began    to    make    ready    his 


Mi:i       * 


1708,  Apkil.]     allegory   OF  THE   DELAWARE. 


205 


»g 


evening  meal,  when,  looking  np,  he  saw  three 
large  openings  in  the  woods  before  him,  and  three 
well-beaten  paths  which  entered  them,  lie  was 
mnch  snrprised  ;  bnt  his  wonder  incr(>ased.  wlion, 
after  it  had  grown  dark,  the  three  paths  were  m(n-e 
clearly  visible  than  ever,  llememberinu:  the  iinnor- 
tant  object  of  his  jonrney,  he  conld  Vi  either  rest  nor 
sleep  ;  and,  leaving  his  fire,  he  crossed  the  meadow, 
and  entered  the  largest  of  the  three  openings,  lie 
had  advanced  bnt  a  short  distance  into  tlie  forest, 
when  a  bright  flame  sprang  ont  of  the  ground 
before  him,  and  arrested  his  steps.  In  great  amaze- 
ment, he  turned  back,  and  entered  the  second  path, 
where  the  same  wonderful  plienomenon  again 
encountered  him  ;  and  now,  in  terror  and  bewilder- 
ment, yet  still  resolved  to  persevere,  lie  took  the 
last  of  the  three  paths.  On  this  he  journeyed  a 
whole  day  without  interruption,  when  at  length, 
emerging  from  the  forest,  he  saw  before  him  a  vast 
mountain,  of  dazzling  whiteness.  So  precipito'.is 
was  the  ascent,  that  the  Indian  thought  it  hopeless 
to  go  farther,  and  looked  around  him  in  despair : 
at  that  moment,  he  saw,  seated  at  some  distance 
above,  the  figure  of  a  beautiful  woman  arrayed  in 
white,  who  arose  as  he  looked  upon  her,  and  thus 
accosted  him  :  '  IIow  can  you  lio])e,  encumbered 
as  you  are,  to  succeed  in  your  design?  Go  down 
to  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  throw  away  }our  gun, 
your  ammunition,  your  provisions,  and  your  cloth- 
ing ,•  wash  yourself  in  the  stream  which  flows 
there,  and  you  will  then  be  prejiared  to  stand 
before  the  Master  of  Life.'     The  Indian  obeyed, 


8  i 


*       3 


1 


I)  i' 


1 '    - 

f  ':  j     i  1 

w]    11 

'n'   ^     I  ^1 

iUiil,    . 


I    it  ! 


206 


THE   COUNCIL. 


[17o3,  Arm  I,. 


and  again  began  to  ascend  among  the  rocks,  while 
the  woman,  seeing  him  still  discouraged,  hiughed 
at  bis  faintness  of  heart,  and  told  him  that,  if  he 
wished  for  success,  he  must  climb  by  the  aid  ^f 
one  hand  and  one  foot  only.  After  great  toil  and 
suffering,  he  at  length  found  himself  at  the  summit. 
The  woman  had  disappeared,  and  he  was  left  alone. 
A  rich  and  beautiful  plain  lay  before  him,  and  at 
a  little  distance  he  saw  three  great  villages,  far 
superior  to  the  squalid  wigwams  of  the  Delawares. 
As  he  approached  the  largest,  and  stood  hesitating 
whether  he  should  enter,  a  man  gorgeously  attired 
step})ed  forth,  and,  taking  him  by  the  hand,  Avel- 
conied  him  to  the  celestial  abode.  lie  then  con 
ducted  him  into  the  presence  of  the  Great  Spirit, 
"wher''  the  Indian  stood  confounded  at  the  unspeak- 
able splendor  which  surrounded  him.  The  Great 
Spirit  bade  him  be  seated,  and  thus  addressed 
him  :  — 

"  '  I  am  the  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth,  the  trees, 
lakes,  rivers,  and  all  things  else.  I  am  the  Maker 
of  mankind  ;  and  because  I  love  vou,  vou  must  do 
my  will.  The  land  on  which  you  live  I  have  made 
for  you,  and  not  for  others.  Why  do  you  suffer 
the  white  men  to  dwell  among  you  ?  My  children, 
you  have  forgotten  the  customs  and  traditions  of 
your  forefathers.  Why  do  you  not  clothe  yourselves 
in  skins,  as  thev  did.  and  use  the  bows  and  arrows, 
and  the  stone-pointed  lances,  which  they  used? 
You  have  bought  guns,  knives,  kettles,  and  blank- 
ets, from  the  white  men,  until  you  can  no  longer  do 
without  them  ;  and.  what  is  worse,  you  have  drunk 


170?,,  AiMUL.]     ALLEtJORY    OF   THE   DEEAWAIiE. 


•207 


the  poison  fire-water,  which  turns  you  into  fools. 
TVuv^  all  these  things  pwuy  ;  live  as  your  wise 
forefathers  lived  before  you.  And  as  for  these 
English,  —  these  dogs  dressed  in  red,  who  have 
come  to  rob  you  of  Your  huntiuij-ijrounds,  and 
drive  awav  the  game, — you  must  lift  the  hatchet 
against  them.  Wipe  them  from  tlie  face  of  the 
earth,  and  tlien  yon  will  win  my  favor  back  again, 
and  once  more  be  ha])py  and  prosperous.  The  cbil 
dren  of  your  great  father,  the  King  of  France, 
are  not  like  the  Knglisli.  Never  forget  that  they 
are  your  brethren.  They  are  very  dear  to  me,  for 
they  love  the  red  men,  and  understand  the  true 
mode   of  worshipping   me.'  " 

The  Great  Spirit  next  gave  his  hearer  various 
precepts  of  morality  and  religion,  such  as  tlie 
prohibition  to  marry  more  than  one  wife  ;  and  a 
warning  against  the  practice  of  magic,  which  is 
worshipping  the  devil.  A  prayer,  embodying  the 
substance  of  all  that  he  had  lieard,  was  then  pre- 
sented to  the  Delaware.  It  was  cnt  in  hieroglypli- 
ics  upon  a  wooden  stick,  after  tlie  custom  of  his 
peo{)le  ;  and  he  was  directed  to  send  copies  of  it  to 
all  the  Indian  villages.' 

The  adventurer  now  departed,  and,  returning  to 
the  earth,  reported  all  the  wonders  he  nad  seen  in 
the  celestial  ret»-ions. 

Such  was  the  tale  told  bv  Pontiac  to  the  conncil ; 


'  Pontiac,  IMS.  —  M'rhvujnl,  MSS.  M'Doup;,il  states  that  lie  derived 
his  information  from  an  Indian.  Tiie  autlior  of  tlie  P^mthm  MS.  probably 
writes  on  the  authority  of  Canadians,  some  of  wliom  were  |)',-escnt  at  the 
council. 


I,:.i;  1 . 


Ill  1'^ 


M 


i   I 


n 


f '  iit 


1'   i 


208 


THE   COUNCIL. 


[1763,  A  PHIL. 


and  it  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  not  he  alone,  but 
niJiiiy  of  tlie  most  notable  men  who  have  arisen 
among  the  Indians,  have  been  opponents  of  civili- 
zation, and  stanch  advocates  of  primitive  barbiirism. 
K(h1  Jacket  anl  Tecumseli  wouhl  gladly  have 
brought  hack  tlieir  peo[)le  to  the  rude  simplicity  of 
their  original  condition.  There  is  nothing  i)rogres- 
sive  in  the  rigid,  inflexible  nature  of  an  Indian. 
lie  Avill  not  open  his  mind  to  the  ide.i  of  im- 
provement ;  and  nearly  every  change  that  has 
b(^en  forced  upon  him  has  been  a  change  for  the 
worse. 

Many  other  speechos  were  doubtless  made  in  the 
council,  but  no  record  of  them  has  been  preserved. 
All  present  were  eager  to  attack  tlie  British  fort ; 
and  P(nitiac  told  them,  in  conclusion,  that  on  the 
second  of  May  he  would  gain  admittance,  with  a 
j)arty  of  his  warriors,  on  pretence  of  dancing  the 
calumet  dance  before  tlie  garrison  ;  that  they  would 
take  note  of  the  strc^ngth  of  tlie  fortification  ;  and 
that  he  would  then  summon  another  council  to 
determine  the  mode  of  attack. 

The  assemblv  now  dissolved,  and  all  the  eveninjj 
the  women  were  em[)loyed  in  loading  the  canoes, 
which  were  drawn  up  on  the  bank  of  the  stream. 
The  encampments  broke  np  at  so  early  an  hour, 
that  when  the  sun  rose,  the  savage  swarm  had 
melted  away  ;  the  secluded  scene  was  restored  to 
its  wonted  silence  and  solitude,  and  nothing  re- 
mained but  the  slender  fr.une-work  of  several 
hundred  cabins,  with  fragments  of  broken  utensils, 
pieces  of  cloth,  and  scraps  of  hide,  scattered  over 


■■i 


> 


h,  ti  > 


i^ 


moos, 
rciini. 
hour, 
ri  li;id 
(h1  to 


ig   rc- 


> 


^ 


]7t)3,  AiMUi..] 


THE   CALUMKT   DANCE. 


'2m 


the  traiiiplcMl  grass ;  wliilo  the  smouhloring  oinbcrs 
of  nunihork'ss  fires  iniiiglod  tlu'ir  dark  sinoko  with 
tli(^  wlute  mist  which  rose  fVoni  the  littU"?  river. 

Every  si)riiii^^  after  the  winter  hunt  was  over,  tlic 
Indians  were  accnstonuHl  to  return  to  thcMr  villa^'(>s, 
or  |)erinan(>nt  en('anij)nu'nts,  in  tlie  vicinity  of  De- 
troit ;  and,  accordingly,  after  the  council  had  broken 
up,  they  made  their  ;ippearance  as  usual  about  the 
fort.  On  the  first  of  May,  Pontiac  came  to  the 
gate  with  forty  men  of  the  Ottawa  tribe,  and  asked 
permission  to  enter  and  dance  tiie  calumet  dance, 
before  the  ofiiccu-s  of  the  <^arrison.  Aftt>r  some 
hesitation,  he  was  admitted  ;  and  j)r()ceedini;  to  tlie 
corner  of  the  street,  where  stood  th(>  housc^  of  the 
commandant,  Maior  Gladwvn,  he  and  thirtv  of  his 
warriors  i)e<i;an  their  dance,  ea.ch  recountin<^  his 
own  exploits,  and  boasting  liimself  tlie  l)ravest 
of  mankind.  The  offic(>rs  and  men  gathered  ai'ound 
them  ;  while,  in  the  nuMii  time,  the  ri'maining  ten 
of  the  Ottawas  strolhul  about  the  Ibrt,  ohservinjj: 
every  tiling-  it  contained.  When  the  dance  was 
over,  they  all  ([uietly  withdrew,  not  a  suspicion  of 
their  designs  having  arisen  in  the  minds  of  the 
J'jiglish.' 

After  a  few  days  had  ("lapsed,  l*ontiac's  messen- 
gers again  passed  among  the  Indian  cabins,  calling 
the  principal  chiefs  to  another  council,  in  the  Pot- 
tawattamie village.  Here  there  was  a  large  struct- 
ure of  bark,  erected  for  the  ])ublic  use  on  occasions 
like  the  present.     A   hundrcul  chiefs  were  seated 

1  Pontine,  MS. 
11 


210 


THE   COUNCIL. 


[1763,  April. 


s\ 


m 


{ 


\  ; 


[\U 


around  this  dusky  council-house,  the  fire  in  the 
centre  shedding  its  fitful  light  upon  their  dark, 
naked  forms,  while  the  pipe  passed  from  hand  to 
hand.  To  prevent  interruption,  Pontiac  had  sta- 
tioned young  men  as  sentinels,  near  the  house,  lie 
once  more  addressed  the  chiefs  ;  inciting  them  to 
hostility  against  the  English,  and  concluding  by  the 
proposal  of  his  plan  for  destroying  Detroit.  It 
was  as  follows :  Pontiac  would  demand  a  council 
with  the  commandant  concerning  matters  of  great 
importance ;  and  on  this  pretext  he  flattered  him- 
self that  he  and  his  ])rincipal  chiefs  would  gain 
ready  admittance  within  the  fort.  They  were  all 
to  carry  weapons  concealed  beneath  their  blankets. 
While  in  the  act  of  addressing  the  commandant  in 
the  council-room,  Pontiac  was  to  make  a  certain 
signal,  npon  which  tlie  chiefs  were  to  raise  the 
war-whoop,  rush  upon  the  officers  present,  and 
strike  them  down.  The  other  Indians,  waiting 
meanwhile  at  the  gate,  or  loitering  among  the 
houses,  on  hearing  the  yells  and  firing  within  the 
building,  were  to  assail  the  astonished  and  lialf- 
armed  soldiers ;  and  thus  Detroit  would  fall  an 
easy  prey. 

In  opening  this  plan  of  treachery,  Pontiac 
spoke  rather  as  a  counsellor  than  as  a  conunander. 
Haughty  c<s  he  was,  he  had  too  much  sagacity  to 
wound  the  Dride  of  a  bodv  of  men  over  whom  he 
had  no  other  control  than  that  derived  from  his 
personal  character  and  influence.  No  one  was 
hardy  enough  to  venture  opposition  to  the  propostd 
of    their    great    leader       His    plan    was    eagerly 


I  i 


fi  f 


, 


' 


M 


V  i 


3,  April. 

in  the 
'  dark, 
and  to 
lid  sta- 
2.  lie 
leni  to 
by  the 
)it.  It 
council 
f  great 
d  him- 
d  gain 
ere  all 
ankets. 
lant  in 
certain 
ise  the 
it,  and 
waiting 
iig  the 
lin  the 
1  lialf- 
fall   an 

Pontiac 
lander, 
icity  to 
,om  he 
oni  his 
le  was 
L'oposal 
;^agerly 


P   I 


i 


17CS.  Apuil.] 


INDIAN  PREPARATION. 


211 


adopted.     Hoarse  ejaculations  of  a])plause  echoed 
his  speech  ;   and,  gatliering  tlieir  blankets  around 
them,  the  chiefs  witlidrew  to  their  respective  vil- 
lages, to  prepare  for  the  destruction  of  the  unsus 
pecting  garrison. 


'f  i; 


CHAPTER    X. 


17G3. 


DETROIT. 


M  Hi 


h    1 


To  the  credulity  of  mankind  each  ^reat  calamity 
has  its  dire  pro<j;nostics.  Sio;ns  and  portents  in  the 
heavens,  the  vision  of  an  Indian  bow,  and  the  fig- 
ure of  a  seal})  im})rinted  on  tlie  disk  of  the  moon, 
warned  the  New  England  Puritans  of  im])ending 
war.  The  apparitions  passed  away,  and  Philip  of 
Mount  Hope  burst  from  the  forest  with  his  Narra- 
gansett  warriors.  In  October,  17()2,  thick  clouds 
of  inky  blackness  gathered  above  tlie  fort  and 
settlement  of  Detroit.  The  river  darkened  beneath 
the  awfid  shadows,  and  the  forest  was  wrapped  in 
double  gloom.  Drops  of  rain  began  to  fall,  of 
strong,  sulphurous  odor,  and  so  deeply  colored 
that  the  people,  it  is  said,  collected  them  and  n^cd 
them  for  writing.'  A  literary  and  philoso])liical 
journal  of  the  time  seeks  to  explain  this  strange 
phenomenon  on  some  principle  of  physical  science  ; 
but  the  simple  Canadians  held  a  different  faith. 
Throughout  the  winter,  the  shower  of  black  rain 
was  the  foremost  topic  of  their  fireside  talk  ;   and 

1  Carver,  Tnnrls,  153.     Gent.  Marj.  XX\IV.  408. 


m  11  i  i 


' 


\ 


17G3,  May.] 


THE  FORT. 


213 


forebodings  of  impoiuUng  evil  distuibcd  the  breast 
of  many  a  timorous  matron. 

La  ^lotte-Cadillac  was  tlie  fonnder  of  Detroit.  In 
the  yenr  1701,  he  [)lanted  the  litth^  military  colony, 
svhic'h  time  has  transformed  into  a  thrivinu:  American 
city.'  At  an  earlier  date,  some  feeble  efforts  had 
been  made  to  seenrc  the  possession  of  this  impor 
tant  pass;  and  when  Tia  Hontan  visited  the  lakes, 
a  small  post,  called  Fort  St.  Joseph,  was  standing 
near  the  ])resent  site  of  Fort  Gratiot.  The  wan- 
dering Jesnits,  too,  made  freqnent  sojonrns  upon 
the  borders  of  the  Detroit,  and  baptized  tlic  savage 
children  whom  they  fonnd  there. 

Fort  St.  Joseph  was  abandoned  in  the  year  1G8S. 
The  establishment  of  Cadillac  was  destincnl  to  a 
better  fate,  and  soon  rose  to  distingnished  impor- 
tance among  the  western  ontposts  of  Canada. 
Indeed,  the  site  was  formed  by  natnrc  for  pros- 
perity ;  and  a  bad  government  and  a  thriftless 
people  conld  not  prevent  the  increase  of  the 
colony.  At  the  close  of  the  French  war,  j\s  ^Injor 
Kogers  tells  us.  the  place  contained  twenty-five 
hundred  inhabitants.^  The  centre  of  the  settle- 
ment was  the  fortified  town,  currently  called  tlie 
Fort,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  straggling  dwellings 
along  the  river  banks.  It  stood  on  the  western 
margin  of  the  river,  covering  a  small  part  of  the 
ground  now  occupied  by  the  city  of  Detroit,  and 
contained  about  a  hundred  houses,  compactly 
pressed   together,   and   snrrounded   by   a   palisade. 

1  Memorial  of  Tm  Molte  Cadillac.     See  Schoolcraft,  Oneota,   407. 

2  A  higli  estimate.     Compare  Raraeau,  Coloiiie  dii  Detroit,  28. 


214 


DETROIT. 


(i7t;;!,  Mav. 


i"-  i 


\  [  \. 


Both  jibovc  and  below  the  fort,  the  biiuks  of  the 
stream  wore  lined  on  both  sides  with  small  Cana- 
dian dwellings,  extend iii<^  at  varions  intervals  for 
nearly  eijj^ht  miles.  J''aeli  had  its  j^arden  and  its 
orchard,  and  each  was  enclosed  by  a  fence  of 
ronnded  pickets.  To  the  soldii'r  or  the  trader, 
fresh  from  the  harsh  scenery  and  and)nshe(l  perils 
of  the  snrronndini^  wilds,  the  secluded  settlement 
was  welcome  as  an  oasis  in  the  desert. 

The  Canadian  is  usnally  a  ha])py  man.  Tiife 
sits  lightly  upon  him  ;  he  laughs  at  its  hardships, 
and  soon  forgets  its  sorrows.  A  lover  of  roving 
and  adventure,  of  the  frolic  and  the  dance,  he  is 
little  troubled  with  thoughts  of  the  past  or  the 
future,  and  little  plagued  with  avarice  or  ambition. 
At  Detroit,  all  his  pro[)(>nsities  fonnd  ample  scope. 
Aloof  from  the  world,  ihe  simple  colonists  shared 
none  of  its  pleasnrcs  and  excitements,  and  were 
free  from  many  of  its  cares.  Nor  were  luxuries 
wantiuij  which  civilization  micrht  have  envied  them. 
The  forests  teemed  with  game,  the  marshes  with 
wild  fowl,  and  the  rivers  with  fish.  The  apples 
and  pears  of  the  old  Canadian  orchards  are  even  to 
this  day  held  in  esteem.  The  poorer  inhabitants 
made  wine  from  the  fruit  of  the  wild  grape,  which 
grew  profusely  in  the  woods,  while  the  wealthier 
class  procured  a  better  qnality  from  ^Montreal,  in 
exchange  for  the  canoe  loads  of  furs  which  they 
sent  down  with  everv  year.  Here,  as  elsewhere  in 
Canada,  the  lonsjr  winter  was  a  season  of  social 
enjoyment ;  and  when,  in  summer  and  autumn,  the 
traders   and  voyageurs,  the   coureurs  de  hois,  and 


i 


1 


1 


1703,  May.] 


ITS  OCCUPANTS. 


215 


I 

I 


h;ilf-l)roc(ls.  fj^nthrrod  from  the  distant  forests  of 
the  iioith-wcst,  till'  wliolc  s('ttU>niont  was  alive 
witli  (lancing  and  feasting,  drinking,  gaining,  and 


caronsnig. 


AVithin  the  limits  of  the  setthunent  were  three 
large  Indian  villages.  On  tlu>  western  .shore,  a 
little  helow  the  fort,  were  the  lodges  of  the  Potta- 
wattainies  ;  nearly  opposite,  on  the  eastern  side, 
was  the  villa«j:e  of  the  Wvandots ;  and  on  the 
same  side,  five  ndles  higher  np,  ]*ontiac's  band  of 
Ottawas  had  fixed  their  jibodi'.  'I'he  settlers  had 
always  maintained  the  best  terms  with  their  savage 
neighbors.  In  truth,  ther(>  was  much  congeniality 
between  the  red  man  and  the  Canadian.  Their 
harmony  was  seldom  broken ;  and  among  the 
woods  and  wilds  of  the  northern  lakes  roamed 
many  a  lawless  half-breed,  the  mongrel  offspring  of 
the  colonists  of  Detroit  and  the  Indian  scpiaws. 

We  have  alreadv  seen  how,  in  an  evil  hour  for 
the  Canadi;  ns,  a  party  of  British  troops  took  pos- 
session .of  Detroit,  towards  the  close  of  the  y(  ar 
17G0.  The  British  garrison,  consisting  partly  of 
regulars  and  partly  of  provincial  rangers,  was  now 
quartered  in  a  well-built  ninge  of  barracks  within 
the  town  or  fort.  The  latter,  as  already  mentioned, 
contained  a1)0ut  a  hundred  small  houses.  Its  form 
w'as  nearly  S(piare,  and  the  palisade  "which  sur- 
rounded it  was  about  twentv-five  feet  hiiifh.  At 
eacli  corner  was  a  wooden  bastion,  and  a  block- 
house was  erected  over  each  gateway.  The  houses 
were  small,  chiefly  built  of  wood,  and  roofed  with 
bark   or   a    thatch    of   straw.      The    streets    also 


.  J' 


liM    :  i  i 


UiX       ILL 


ll-l. 


I 

>   t 
( 


ii 


216 


DETROIT. 


[1763,  Mat. 


were  extremely  narrow,  thongli  a  Avide  passage 
way,  known  as  the  chemin  du  rondn,  surrounded 
the  town,  between  the  houses  and  the  palisade. 
Besides  the  barracks,  the  only  public  buildings 
were  a  council-house  and  a  rude  little  church. 

The  garrison  consisted  of  a  hundicd  and  twenty 
soldiers,  with  about  forty  fur-traders  and  enfjarjes  ; 
but  the  latter,  as  well  as  the  (■.uiadian  iuhabitants 
of  the  place,  could  little  be  trusted,  iu  the  event  of 
an  Indian  outbreak.  Two  small,  armed  schooners, 
the  Beaver  and  the  Gladvv'vn,  lay  anchored  in  the 
stream,  and  several  light  pieces  of  artillery  were 
mounted  on  the  bastions. 

Such  was  Detroit,  —  a  place  wliose  defences 
could  have  opposed  no  resistance  to  a  civilized 
enemy ;  and  vet,  far  removed  as  it  was  from  the 
hope  of  speedy  succor,  it  could  only  rely,  in  the 
terrible  struggles  that  awaited  it,  upon  its  own 
slii2:ht  streniirth  and  feeble  resources.' 

StandiuG:  on  the  water  bastion  of  Detroit,  a 
pleasant  landscape  spread  before  the  eye.  The 
river,  about  half  a  mile  wide,  almost  washed  the 
foot  of  the  stockade  ;  and  either  bank  was  lined 
with  the  white  Canadian  cottages.  The  joyous 
sparkling    of  the    bright    blue   water ;    the   green 

^  Crojilian,  Journnl.  Rofjo'N.  Afrnur*  of  North  Ameri'rrt,  168.  Various 
MS.  .Toiirnals,  Lutters,  and  Plans  liave  also  been  consuittHl.  Tlie  most 
rcMiiarkahle  of  tliose  is  the  Plan  Tnjini/raiililijnf  du  fJdroit,  made  by  or  for 
General  Collot,  in  17'.)6.  It  is  accompanied  by  a  drawint'  in  water-colors 
of  tlie  town  as  it  appeared  in  that  year.  A  fac-simile  of  tiiis  drawinfif  !3 
in  my  i)osse8sion.  The  regular  fortification,  whicli,  witiiin  the  recollec- 
tion of  many  now  living,  covered  the  ground  in  the  rear  of  tiie  old  town 
of  Detroit,  was  erected  at  a  date  subsequent  to  the  period  of  this  his- 
tory. 


'.ili 

r 

. 


a. 


1763,  Mat.] 


AMBITION   CF  t^ONTIAC. 


217 


luxuriance  of  the  Avoods ;  the  white  d\ve]lin<j:s, 
looking  out  from  tlie  foliage  ;  and,  in  the  distance, 
the  Indian  Avi":\vams  ctulincf  their  smoke  anjainst 
the  sky,  —  all  were  mingled  in  one  hroad  scene  of 
wild  and  rural  heauty. 

Pontiac,  the  Satan  of  this  forest  paradise,  was 
accustomed  to  spend  tlie  etirly  part  of  the  summer 
upon  a  small  island  at  tlie  opening  of  tln^  T^ake  St. 
Clair,  hidden  from  view  l)y  the  high  Avoods  that 
covered  the  intervening  Isle  an  Cochon.'  "  Tlie 
king  and  lord  of  all  this  country."  as  Ivogers  calls 
him,  lived  in  no  royal  state.  Tlis  cahin  was  a 
small,  oven-shaped  structure  of  hark  and  rushes. 
I  Fere  he  dwelt,  with  his  squaws  and  cliildren  ;  and 
here,  doubtless,  he  might  often  liave  l)e(Mi  s(>en, 
lounging,  half-naked,  on  a  rush  mat.  or  a  bear- 
skin, like  anv  ordinarv  warrior.  We  mav  fuicv 
tiie  current  of  his  thoughts,  the  turmoil  of  his 
uncurbed  passions,  as  he  revolved  tlie  treacheries 
which,  to  his  savage  mind,  seemed  fair  and  honor- 
able. At  one  moment,  his  fierce  heart  would  burn 
with  the  anticipation  of  vengeance  on  the  detested 
Engtish ;  at  another,  he  would  meditate  how  he 
best  might  turn  the  approaching  tumults  to  the 
furtherance  of  his  own  ambitious  schemes.  Yet 
we  mav  believe  that-  Pontiac  was  not  a  straniier  to 
the  high  emotion  of  the  [)atriot  hero,  the  champion 
not  merelv  of  his  nation's  rii>-lits,  but  of  the  verv 
existence  of  his  race.  He  did  not  dream  liow 
desperate    a    game    he    was    about    to    play.      He 

1  Ti-iiilitim,  cominuiiicMted  to  IT.  "K.  Schoolcraft,  Esq.,  by  Henry  Con- 
nei',  forniorly  Iniliai;  intcriirctL'r  at  Detroit. 


'ilS 


Dirrnmi". 


[ITCi's  I\Iav. 


'iV'i 


'    ii 


•n 


litnnlv  1I;i1((M(m]  ])ims.>ll*  willi  llic  I'liliK^  Ii(>|m'  of 
;ii(l  iVom  I'Vimcc.  imd  (Ik.'iljIiI  in  his  iij^nonmcc"  llnit 
(IK'  lirilish  culoiiiivs  luiisl  i;i\(<  miy  liclnre  flic  riislj 
(if  Ins  s;i\;i^('  warriors;  \v1i«m»,  in  Irnlli,  all  flic 
comhincd  (iilx-^  oi  llic  (or<'sl  mii;lit  lia\c  ("lialcd  in 
\ain  ram'  ai;ainsl  Ihc  rock  like  slrcn;;(li  of  (ho 
Anijlo-Saxcn. 

l.cckin:^  across  an  infcrvcniii!.;  arm  ol'  Ihc  rivcf, 
Ponliac  could  sim'  on  ils  (M-^lcrn  hank  (he  nnnicions 
Knli^cs  of  his  ()||a\\a  (rilx^^^nicn,  hall' hidden  ainon^jj 
lh(^  iaL:i;("d  ;;roulh  of  (i(m>s  and  hushes,  ()ii  (he 
ai'liMiioon  oi  (he  lilih  ol  Ma\,  a  ('anadian  \\onian, 
(h(^  wile  of  Si.  Aidnn.  one  ol  (he  |>riiici|>al  scMllcis, 
crossed  OMM'  iVoiu  (he  \vt\^(cin  side,  and  \isi(ed  Ihc 
Olfawa  \illa^e.(i>  ohlain  (vo\\\  (he  Indians  a  snj)|dv 
of  majde  siii;ar  and  \(Miison.  She  was  sni-|)riscd  at 
(imUni;'  sc\(Mal  ol  llu^  uairiors  cnu;a^c(i  in  lilin<i^ 
o\\'  \]\c  nui//les  ol  ihcir  i;inis,  so  as  lo  r(Mliicc  Ihcin. 
stock  and  all.  lo  the  lcni;ih  of  ahont  a  yard.  Ivc- 
Inrnini;"  home  in  the  cNtMiini::.  she  nienlion("d  what 
she  had  secMi  lo  st^cral  o['  \\ov  neiL;hhors.  llpoii 
this,  one  o\  ihtMU,  the  hiaeksmith  ol'  the  villaL;'e, 
imiarkinl  that  many  n(  (he  Indians  had  lately 
visit(\l  his  shop,  and  athMuptcd  (o  hoiiow  JiUvs 
and  saws  t'or  a  ]Hiri)osi'  which  they  wonid  not 
explain.'  These  ciinnmstanees  c\ci(e(l  {h(>  stisj)i- 
cion  ol"  (he  o\]>orionc(Ml  Canadians,  I)o(d)(lcss 
thoro  wore  man\  in  the  scltliMncnl  who  ini<;ht,  had 
thoy  choson.  havo  rev(\diHl  tlio  plot;  hnt  it  is  no 
loss  t'ortain  (hat  the  move  nnnun'ons  ami  re8[)oct;ible 


. 


^  .S/.  AuNu's  Arcoiitil,  MS.     Soe  Appomlix.  C. 


I*  '  ' 

t;     ■ 


Mav 


1TC>:!.  May 


Till,    I'l,<»|     l!l,VI,A[,r,I) 


•Jill 


i(^    ni 


lli;if 


rush 


the 


('(I  III 


llu 


nvcr, 
nous 

IM(»U!JJ 


I   ih(< 


)UlilU. 


I.MS, 


1   II 


IC 


Jit 


(Ml 


llllULT 


iKMll, 


lie 


11; 


hat 
|)()ii 


latcl' 


111 


es 


not 


>US1)1- 


l)tl 


I'SS 


:,  had 
is  110 
stable 


class  ill  tlif  liltlf  coinrnuuity  liii'I  too  (lrf>|)  :iii  iiit'i-. 
(>st  ill  the  ii)(-scrv;ilioii  of  pr'aff,  fo  (■ouiifctiancf 
tlif  (l('si<j;iis  of  roiiliiif.  M.  (ioiiiii,  an  old  and 
wealthy  settler,  went  to  lli"  e<)niniaiid;uit,  ;iiid  ef)ii- 
jure(l  liitii  to  stiiiid  u|ioii  liis  ^Mi;ird;  hut  (iliidwyn, 
ji  man  of  leurless  teni|)ei-,  <^',ivr  no  heed  to  the 
i 


neiidlv  advice 


In  the  rott;i\vatlarnie  villa^^e,  if  tlierr-  he  triitli  in 
tradition,  lived  an  Ojihwii  <;irl,  who  eonld  lioast  a 
larLrer  slinre  o("  henutv  lli;in  is  cornrnoii  in  the  \vi''- 
wani.  She  had  attracted  the  eye  of  ^  ihidwyn.  I(e 
had  fiMiiied  a  connection    with  lie 


lino  s 


he   had   he 


conie  niiich  attached  fo  him 


On  tl 


d'f 


ernoon  o 


f 


the  sixth,  Catharine  —  for  so  the  officers  called  Imt 
—  cmiie  to  the  fort,  and  rejjuired  to  (iliidwyn's  (jiiar- 
tcrs,  hiin^injjj  with  her  ;i  jKor  of  (Ik-skin  mocf;i-oii-, 
orna.iiieiited  with  porcupine  work,  '.vhich  he  liinl 
rcM[UCsted    her    to    m;ike.        '{'here     was     soinethini^ 


iimisual  in    her   look    and    ni;iiine 
sad   and   downcast.      SI 


11 


er    [;iee    w;is 


le    s;i 


id    little.    ;iiid    <o()ii    \( 


ft 


the  loom 
lingering 


:   hut  the  sentinel  at  the  door  saw  hf>r  still 
at  tin,!  stnM't  cf)riier.  thf;u'di   the    hour   for 


closing  the  gates  w 


;is  nearly  eome.      At  h>nirtli  she 


attracted  the  notice  of  (iladwMi  hiin-elf;  and 
Cidling  her  to  him,  he  jiressed  her  to  dechir''  wli;it 
was  weighing  n[)on  her  mind.  Still  she  remained 
for  a  lon<>-  time  silent,  and  if  was  oidv  after  much 
iirffencv  [ind  many  ])romises  not  to  Ix-tray  her.  that 
she  reyealcMl  her  momentous  secret. 


o-morrow 


die  said.   Pontiac  will  com(>  to  the 
fort  with  s"   ty  of  his  chiefs.     Each  will   he  armed 


'  (?')U(»,'s'  A<'r'mnt.  MS. 


;p-; 


1                 : 

I  u 

1                       t      '  1 

,1 

220 


DETROIT. 


[1703,  Mat. 


"vvith  a  gUTi,  cut  short,  and  hidden  nndcr  his  blanket. 
Pontiac  will  demand  to  liold  a  conncil ;  and  after 
he  has  delivered  his  speech,  he  will  offer  a  peace 
belt  of  wampum,  holding  it  in  a  reversed  position. 
This  will  be  tlie  signal  of  attack.  The  chiefs  will 
spring  up  and  tire  upon  the  officers,  and  the  Indians 
in  the  street  will  fall  upon  the  garrison.  Every 
Englishman  will  be  killed,  but  not  the  scalp  of  a 
single  Frenchman  will  be  touched.^ 


1  Letter  to  the  writer  from  II.  R.  Schoolcraft,  Esq.,  contarning  tlie 
tnuhtional  account  from  the  hps  of  the  iiiteq)reter,  Henry  Cornier.  See, 
liUo,  Carver,  Tnivils,  lo")  (Loud.  177S). 

Carver's  account  of  tlie  consiiiracy  ami  the  sieiie  is  in  several  points 
inexact,  which  throws  a  siiade  of  (h)uht  on  tliis  story.  Tradition,  iiow- 
ever.  as  related  hy  the  interj)reter  Connor,  sustains  liirn  ;  with  the  addi- 
tion tliat  Catiiarine  was  the  mistress  of  Cladwyn,  and  a  few  other  points, 
including  a  very  nnroniantic  end  of  the  heroine,  wjio  is  said  to  iiave  per- 
islied,  by  fallinj;',  when  druidv,  into  a  kettle  of  hoilint;'  maple-sap.  Tiiis 
was  many  years  after  (see  Appemhx).  Maxwell  agrees  in  the  main 
with  Carver.  There  is  another  tradition,  that  tlie  plot  was  discloseil  by 
an  old  sfiuaw,  A  third,  current  anions;  the  Ottawas,  and  sent  to  me  in 
ISoS  by  Mr.  Ilosmer,  of  Toledo,  declares  that  a  yoimu  s(|uaw  told  the  plot 
to  the  commandin<j;  otHcer,  but  that  he  would  nothelievi-  her,  as  she  had  a 
bad  name,  heinn'  a  "  stra<rs.der  amon^'  the  private  soldiers."  An  Indian 
chief,  pursues  the  same  story,  afterwards  warned  ilie  ollicer.  The  rontiac 
MS  says  that  (jiadwyn  was  Avarned  by  an  Ottawa  warrior,  ihounh  a 
woman  was  suspected  by  the  Indians  of  havinjj;  betrayed  the  secret.  I'el- 
tier  says  that  a  woman  nameil  Catharine  was  accMsed  of  revealiiiji,'  the 
l)lot,  and  severely  ttotiged  by  I'ontiac  in  conse<pience.  There  is  another 
story,  that  a  soMier  nameil  Tucker,  adopted  by  the  Indians,  was  warned 
by  his  Indian  sister.  liiit  the  most  distinct  and  satisfactory  evidence  is 
the  following,  from  a  letter  written  at  Detroit  on  the  twelfth  of  July,  ITU!}, 
and  signeil  James  Macdonald.  It  is  among  the  lldhUnuimJ  Paprrs  in  tiie 
British  Museum.  There  is  also  an  imperfect  coi)y,  foinid  among  the 
]»apers  of  Colonel  John  Brodhead,  in  the  library  of  the  Historical  Society 
of  Pennsylvania:  "About  six  o'clock  that  afternoon  [May  7],  six  of 
their  warriors  returned  and  brought  an  old  squaw  prisoner,  alleging  that 
she  hail  given  us  false  information  against  them.  The  niajor  declared 
she  had  nevtr  given  us  any  kind  of  advice.  They  then  insisted  on 
naming  the  author  of  what  he  had  heard  with  regard  to  the  Indians, 
which  he  declined  to  do,  but  told  them  that  it  was  one  of  themselves, 


m\i. 


I  I 


1763,  Mat.] 


A   NIGHT    OF   AXXIKTY, 


•J'21 


Such  is  the  story  toUl  m  1708  to  the  tnivoUer 
Carver  at  Detroit,  and  preserved  in  local  ti*adition, 
but  not  susttdned  by  contem])oniry  letters  or  diaries. 
AVhat  is  certain  is,  that  (iladwyn  received  secret 
information,  on  the  night  of  the  sixth  of  ^lay,  Huit 
an  attempt  would  be  uiadc  on  the  morrow  to  c;i])- 
tnre  the  fort  by  treachery.  lie  cidled  some  of  his 
officers,  and  told  them  what  lie  had  heard.  The 
defences  of  the  ])lacc  were  feeble  and  extensive, 
and  the  garrison  by  far  too  weak  to  repel  a  general 
assault.  The  force  of  the  Inrhans  at  this  time  is 
variously  estimated  at  from  six  hundred  to  two 
thousand  ;  and  tlie  commandant  greatly  feared  that 
some  wild  im[)ulse  miglit  preci[)itate  their  plan, 
and  that  thev  would  storm  the  fort  before  the  morn- 
ing.  Every  preparation  was  made  to  meet  the 
sudden  emergency.  Half  the  garrison  were  ordered 
under  arms,  and  all  the  officers  prepared  to  spend 
the  night  upon  the  ramparts. 

The  dav  closed,  and  the  lines  of  sunset  faded. 
Only  a  dusky  redness  lingered  in  tlie  west,  and 
the  darkeniuix  earth  seemcl  her  dull  self  au-ain. 
Then  night  descended,  heavy  and  black,  on  tlie 


whose  nnine  lie  promiseil  never  to  reveal;  wliereu[K)ii  they  went  oH',  inul 
carrieil  the  ohl  woman  i)risi)ner  with  them.  Vv^hiMi  thi-y  arrire*!  at  tlieir 
camp,  PtintiaL',  their  <,'reatest  chief,  sicizeil  on  the  ))ris<iner,  ami  uave  her 
tiiree  strokes  witli  a  stick  oi,  tlie  head,  wliicli  laid  her  Hat  on  the  ground, 
and  the  wliole  nation  assembled  round  her,  and  called  rei)eated  times, 
'Kill  her!  kill  her!'" 

Thus  it  is  clear  that  the  story  told  by  Carver  must  be  taken  with 
many  grains  of  allowance.  The  greater  juirt  of  the  evidence  given  above 
has  been  gathered  since  the  first  edition  of  this  book  was  published.  It 
has  been  thought  best  to  retain  the  original  passage,  with  the  necessary 
qualifications.  The  story  is  not  without  interest,  and  those  may  believe 
it  who  will. 


'•      i 


222 


DETROIT. 


[1763,  Mat 


fierce  Indians  and  the  sleepless  English.  From 
sunset  till  dawn,  an  anxious  watch  was  kept  from 
tlie  slender  palisades  of  Detroit.  The  soldiers  were 
still  ignorant  of  the  danger  ;  and  the  sentinels  did 
not  know  why  their  numbers  were  doubled,  or 
why,  with  such  unwonted  vigilance,  their  officers 
repeatedly  visited  their  ])osts.  Again  and  again 
(iladwyn  mounted  his  wooden  ramparts,  and  looked 
forth  into  the  gloom.  There  seemed  nothing  but 
rei)ose  and  peace  in  the  soft,  moist  air  of  the  warm 
spring  evening,  with  the  {)iping  of  frogs  along  the 
river  bank,  just  roused  from  their  torpor  by  the 
genial  influence  of  May.  But,  at  intervals,  as  the 
night  wind  swept  across  the  bastion,  it  bore  sounds 
of  fearful  })ortcnt  to  the  ear,  the  sullen  booming 
of  the  Indian  drum  and  the  wild  chorus  of  quaver- 
ing yells,  as  the  warriors,  around  their  distant 
camp-fires,  danced  the  war-dance,  in  preparation 
for  the  morrow's   work.^ 

i  Maxwell's  Account,  IMS.     See  Appendix,  C. 


,'  t ' 


1  •  ,: 

! 
■  \ 

pj 

1 

5WHI 

!:'■■' 

: 

IzlBf' 

CHAPTER    XI. 


1763. 


TREACHERY  OF  PONTIAC. 

The  night  p^ssf.-d  without  alarm.     Tlie  sun  rose 
upon  fresh   fields  and   newly  budding  woods,  and 
scarcely  had  the  morning  mists  dissolved,  when  the 
garrison  could  see  a  fleet  of  birch  canoes  crossin- 
the  river  from   the  eastern  shore,  u^thin  raii<>e  of 
cannon  shot  above  the  fort.       Only  two  or  dire-- 
warriors  appeared  in  each,  but  all  moved  sloulv 
and  seemed  deeply  laden.     In  truth,  thev  were  full 
of  savages,  lymg  flat  on  their  flices,  that  their  num- 
oers  might  not  excite  the  suspicion  of  the  English.' 
At  an  early  hour  the  open  common  behind  the 
tort  was  thronged  with  squaws,   children,   and  war- 
riors, some  naked,  and  others  fantastically  arrayed 
m  their  barbarous  finery.     All  seemed  restless  and 
uneasy,  moving  hither    and    thither,    in    apparent 
preparation  for  a  general  game  of  ball.     :^Iany  tall 
warriors,   wrapped    in   their   blankets,   were    seen 
stalking   towards   the   fort,  and   casting   malignant 
furtive  glances   upward    at   the   palisades.     Then 

1  Meloche's  Accoimt,  MS. 


i  11 


THKACIIKlfY    OK   roNTIAC. 


[1708,  Mat 


with  an  air  of  assumed  iiulift'erciu'e,  they  would 
move  towards  the  gate.  They  were  all  admitted  ; 
for  Gladwyn,  who,  in  this  instance  at  least,  showed 
some  knowledge  of  Indian  character,  chose  to  con- 
vince his  crafty  foe  that,  though  their  plot  was 
detected,  their  hostility  was  despised.' 

The  whole  garrison  was  ordered  under  arms. 
Sterling,  and  the  other  English  fur-traders,  closed 
their  storehouse!  and  armed  their  men,  and  all  in 
cool  confidence  stood  waiting  the  result. 

MeanwJiile,  Pontiac,  who  had  crossed  with  the 
canoes  from  the  eastern  shore,  was  approaching 
along  the  river  road,  at  ihe  liead  of  his  sixty  chiefs, 
all  «i:ravelv  marcbiuij:  in  Indian  tile.  A  Canadian  set- 
tier,  named  Beaufait,  had  been  that  morning  to  the 
fort.  He  was  now^  returning  homewards,  and  as  he 
reached  the  bridge  which  led  over  the  stream  then 
called  Parent's  Creek,  he  saw  the  chiefs  in  the  act 
of  crossing  from  the  farther  bank.  lie  stood  aside 
to  give  them  room.  As  the  last  Indian  j)assed 
Beaufait  recognized  him  as  an  old  friend  and 
associate.  The  savage  greeted  him  Avith  the  nsual 
ejaculation,  opened  for  an  instant  the  folds  of  his 
blanket,  disclosed  the  hidden  gnn,  and,  with  an 
em])hatic  gesture  towards  the  fort,  indicated  the 
[)urpose  to  wliich  he  meant  to  'vpply  il.^ 

At  ten  o'clock,  the  great  war-chief,  with  his 
treacherous  followei's,  reached  the  fort,  and  the 
2'atewav    was    throui/ed    with    their    sav  \i2:c    faces. 


:-n- 

1 

>     1 

i' 

i 

'(Iff 

in:'-  . 

\ 

1 

|: 


»  Pr.171.  a,-.  No.  1808. 

2  This  inciik'iit  Wius  related,  hy  tlie  son  of  T^eiuifait,  to  Cciieriil  Cass 
See  Cass,  Discourse  bi-f.re  the  Michi(jun  Historical  Society,  30. 


\  i 


17G3,  Max.] 


THE   PLOT   DKFKATED. 


2'2r)  ^ 


his 
the 

ilCCS. 
Il  Cass 


■6 


All  wore  wrnpped  to  the  throat  in  cohirrd  hhnilvcts. 
Sorno  wcro  rrostod  with  liuu'k,  (M^dc.  f)r  nnon 
phunes ;  otiiors  liad  shaved  thoir  li(>ads.  kMviiiij; 
oidv  the  Unttcriiii'  srali)-loc'k  on  tlio  crown  ;  wliih^ 
others,  ai^aiii.  Avore  tlirir  Ion*;-,  hlack  hair  llowini,^ 
h)os('ly  at  tlieir  harks,  or  wildly  han;;ini;  ahout 
their  hrows  like  a  lion's  mane.  Their  bold  yet 
crafty  features.  tluMr  cheeks  hesmeared  with  ochre 
and  vermilion,  wliite  lead  and  soot,  their  keen, 
deep-f^t  eyes  gleannng  in  their  sockets,  like  those 
of  rattlesnakes,  i^ave  them  an  aspect  <j:rim.  nncouth, 
and  horrible.  Vor  the  most  part,  they  were  t.dl, 
stronnj  men,  and  all  had  a  gait  and  bearing  of 
pccnliar   statcliness. 

As  Pontiac  entered,  it  is  said  that  h(^  started, 
iiiid  that  a  deep  ejacnlation  half  escaped  from  his 
breast.  Well  miglit  his  stoicism  fiil,  for  at  a 
glance  he  read  the  rnin  of  his  ])lot.  On  either 
hand,  within  the  gateway,  stood  ranks  of  soldiers 
and  hedges  of  glittering  steel.  The  swartliy  euga- 
ffh  of  the  fnr-traders,  armed  to  the  teeth,  >tood  in 
gronps  at  th*^  street  corners,  and  the  measnred  ta]) 
of  a  drum  fell  ominously  on  the  ear.  Soon  rei::ain- 
ing  liis  composure,  Pontiac  strode  forward  into  the 
narrow  street ;  and  his  chiefs  tiled  aftcM-  liim  in 
silence,  while  the  scared  faces  of  women  and 
children  looked  out  from  the  windows  as  they 
passed.  Their  rigid  muscles  betrayed  no  sign  of 
emotion  ;  vet,  lookinijr  closelv.  one  might  have  seen 
their  small  eyes  glance  from  side  to  side  with  rest- 
less scrutiny. 

Traversing  the  entire  width  of  the  little  town, 

16 


* 


1?' 


TT  1 


(U 


;  It 


fi  |i 


22fi 


TRKACIIKllY   OF  PONTIAC. 


[17C3,  Ma\. 


tlicy  r(NU'liC(l  tlio  door  of  tlic  councillioiiso,  a  large 
biiildiiiiT  standiiii!:  near  tlio  inary-iii  of  tlio  river. 
Oil  (Mitcring,  thrv  saw  Gladwyn,  witli  several  of 
his  ofHccrs,  sea'cd  in  readiness  to  receive  them,  and 
the  ohservaiu  chiefs  did  not  fail  to  remark  tliat 
everv  ]'ji<dishnian  wore  a  sword  at  his  side,  and  a 
])air  of  p'stols  in  Ins  helt.  The  conspirators  eyed 
each  otlier  with  uneasy  'glances.  "  Whv,"  demanded 
Pontiac.  "  do  I  see  so  manv  of  mv  fatlier's  vonnijr 
men  standing  in  the  street  with  tlieir  guns  ? " 
Gladwyn  replied  througli  his  interpn^ter,  Tia  Butte, 
that  lie  liad  ordered  tlie  soldiers  under  arms  for 
tlie  sake  of  exercise  and  discipline.  With  much 
delav  and  manv  siij^ns  of  distrust,  the  chiefs  at 
length  sat  down  on  tlie  mats  prejiarcd  for  them  ; 
and.  after  the  customary  pause,  Pontiac  rose  to 
speak.  Holding  in  his  hand  the  wampum  helt 
which  was  to  have  given  the  fatal  signal,  he  ad- 
dressed the  commandant,  professing  strong  attach- 
ment to  the  English,  and  declaring,  in  Indian  phrase, 
that  he  had  come  to  smoke  the  jupe  of  peace, 
and  hrighten  the  chain  of  friendship.  The  officers 
watched  him  keenlv  as  he  uttered  these  hollow 
words,  fearing  lest,  though  conscious  that  his 
designs  were  suspected,  he  might  still  attempt  to 
accomplish  them.  And  once,  it  is  said,  he  raised 
the  wampum  belt  as  if  about  to  give  the  signal 
of  attack.  But  at  that  instant  Gladwyn  signed 
slightly  with  his  hand.  The  sudden  clash  of  arms 
sounded  from  the  passage  without,  and  a  drum 
rolling  the  charge  filled  the  council-room  with  its 
stunning  din.     At  this,  Pontiac  stood  like  one  con- 


I 


W-  i  ' 


l! 


7G3,  Man. 


i:r.n,  Mat.] 


'''::i-.    IT.ol"    DF.FKATKD. 


n  large 
»    riv(M'. 
oral  of 
Pin,  and 
rk    that 
,  and  a 
irs  eyed 
niaiuled 
3  voun^ 
guns  { 
a  Butte, 
irms  for 
h  much 
■hiefs   at 
r  them  ; 
rose   to 
urn   belt 
,  he  ad- 
r  attach- 
i  phrase, 
peace, 
■!  officers 
hollow 
lat    his 
empt  to 
c  raised 
e   signal 
1   signed 
of  arms 
a   drum 
witli  its 
one  con- 


■T/. 


f()im(l(>d.  Some  writers  will  have  it.  that  (iladwyu, 
rising  from  his  scat,  drew  tiie  chief's  hlnuket  aside, 
e\pos(Ml  the  hiddcMi  gun.  and  sternly  rel)uked  him 
for  his  treachery.  I'ut  the  commjindant  wish(>d 
only  to  prevent  the  consummation  of  the  plot, 
without  bringing  on  an  o[)en  rupture.  II is  own 
letters  affirm  that  he  and  his  oiHcers  remained 
seated  as  hefor(\  Pontiac,  seeing  his  unruffled 
brow  and  his  calm  eve  fixed  steadfastly  iipou  him. 
knew  not  what  to  think,  and  soon  sat  down  in 
amazement  and  per[)lexity.  Another  pause  ensued, 
and  (iladwyn  commenced  a  brief  reply.  I  le  assured 
the  chiefs  that  friendship  and  protection  should  Ix^ 
extended  towjirds  them  as  long  as  they  contiiuu'd 
to  deserve  it,  but  threatened  ample  vcuigeance 
for  the  first  act  of  aggression.  The  council  tluMi 
broke  up  ;  but,  before  leaving  the  room,  Pontiac  told 
the  officers  that  he  would  return  in  a  few  days, 
with  his  squaws  and  children,  for  he  wished  that 
they  should  all  shake  hands  with  their  fathers  the 
English.  To  this  new  piece  of  treachery  Gladwyn 
deigned  no  reply.  The  gates  of  the  fort,  which 
had  been  closed  during  the  conference,  were  again 
flung  open,  and  the  baffled  savages  were  suffered 
to  depart,  rejoiced,  no  doubt,  to  breathe  once  more 
the  free  air  of  the  open  fields.* 

1  C'arver,  Travels,  15U  (London,  1778).  M'Kcnney,  Tour  In  the  TmI-cx, 
130.  Ciisg,  Disrom-fiP,  32.  Pfn/i.  (Jti::.  Nos.  1807,  1808.  Poiitmr  MS. 
M'Doufjdl,  MSS.  Gonin'x  Arrounf,  MS.  MpMw's  Arromit,  MS.  St. 
Aubin's  Account,  MS. 

Extract  from  a  MS.  Letter —  Major  Ghidnvjn  to  Sir  J.  Amlnrst : 

"  Dotroit,  M:iv  14, 1708. 
"Sir: 

"  On  the  First  Instant,  Pontiac,  the  CliiotOf  the  Ottawa  Nation,  came 

here  with  about  I'lfty  of  his  Men  (forty,  Pontiao  MS.),  and  told  me  that  in 


r!    r 


Tlii:A(  111:11  V    OF   ruNTIAC. 


[17G3,  Mat 


(iladwyii  lias  Ixhmi  ccnsuicd,  and  perliaps  witli 
justice,  for  not  (lotaiuing  the  chiefs  us  hostages  for 
the  «^a)od  conduct  of  their  followers.  An  entrapped 
wolf  meets  no  ([uarter  from  the  huntsman  ;  and  ;i 
savaj^e,  caught  in  his  treachery,  has  no  claim  to 
forhearancc.  Perhaps  the  connuandant  feared 
l'*st,  should  he  arrest  the  chiefs  when  gathered  at 
a  public  council,  and  guiltless  as  yet  of  open  vio- 
lence, the  act  might  he  interpreted  as  cowardly 
and  dishonorable.  He  was  ignorant,  moreover,  of 
the  true  nature  of  the  plot.  In  his  view,  the 
whole  affair  was  one  of  those  impidsive  outbreaks 
so  common  among  Indians ;  and  he  trusted  that, 
could  an  immediate  ruptun?  be  averted,  the  threat- 
ening clouds  would  soon  blow  over. 

Here,  and  elsewhere,  the  conduct  of  Pontiac  is 
marked  with  the  blackest  treachery ;  and  one  cannot 
but  lament  that  a  commanding  and  magnanimous 
nature  should  be  stained  with  the  odious  vice  of 
cowards  and  traitors.  He  could  govern,  with 
almost  despotic  sway,  a  race  unruly  as  the  winds. 
In  generous  thought  and  deed,  he  rivalled  the 
heroes   of    ancient  story;   and   craft   and   cunning 


a  few  days,  when  the  rest  of  liis  Xation  came  in,  lie  Intended  to  Pay  me  a 
Formal  Visit.  The  7tli  he  came,  but  I  was  .uokily  Informed,  the  Night 
let'ore,  that  he  was  coming  with  an  Intention  to  Surprize  Us  ;  Upon 
wiiicii  I  took  sucli  rrocautions  tliat  wiien  tliey  Entered  tlie  lAjrl,  tlio' 
they  were,  1)y  tlie  t)est  Accounts,  about  Tliree  Hundred,  and  Armed  witli 
Knives,  Tomyhawks,  and  a  great  many  with  Guns  cut  s'.iort,  and  hid 
under  tlieir  Blankets),  they  were  so  nmcli  surprized  to  see  our  Disjjo- 
sition,  tliat  tiioy  would  scarcely  sit  down  to  Council :  However  in  about 
Half  an  hour,  after  they  saw  their  Designs  were  Discovered,  tlnjy  sat 
Down,  and  Pontiac  made  a  speecli  which  I  Answered  calmly,  without 
Intimating  my  suspicion  of  their  Intentions,  and  after  receiving  some 
Triding  Presents,  they  went  away  to  tlieir  Camp." 


il' 


I 


!      i 


703,  Mat 


1763,  May.]  TIIK    INDIAN    AND    KUUOPKAN. 


IS  with 
ges  for 
trappcnl 
;  and  :i 
laim   to 

fcaivd 
crcd  at 
ton  vio- 
owardly 
:)vcr,  of 
DW,  the 
ithrcaks 
ed  tliat, 

threat- 

mtiac  is 
p  cannot 
miinous 
vice  of 
n,  witli 
winds, 
led    the 


cunning 


o  Pay  me  a 

tlie  Nii,'ht 
Us  ;  Upon 
Fort,  ,tlK)' 
rniod  with 
t,  anil  liid 
our  Dispo- 
er  in  about 
1,  tli'j.v  sat 
y,  witliout 
ving  some 


il 


nn'glit  well  se(Mn  aH(>n  to  ;i  mind  like  his.  Yet 
Pontiac  was  a  thoroui;li  sava<^(%  and  in  him  stand 
forth,  in  stroni^est  liiijht  and  sliadow,  tlie  native 
fanlts  and  virtues  of  the  Indian  race.  All  children, 
savs  Sir  Walter  Scott,  are  naturallv  liars;  anil 
truth  and  lienor  arc?  di^vc'lopments  of  later  educa- 
tion. IJarliarism  is  to  civilization  what  childhood 
is  to  maturity  ;  and  all  savages,  whatever  may  be 
their  country,  their  color,  or  their  lineage,  are 
prone  to  treacher\  and  deceit.  'i'he  barharous 
ancestors  of  our  ov  n  frank  and  maiilv  race  are  no 
less  obnoxious  to  the  charge  than  those  of  the  cat- 
like Hengak'e  ;  for  in  tluis  childhood  of  society 
brave  men  and  cowards  an*  treacherous  alike. 

The  Indian  ditf(>rs  widely  from  the  l'airo[)can  in 
his  notion  of  militarv  virtue.  In  his  view,  artifice 
is  wisdom  ;  and  he  honors  the  skill  that  can  circum- 
vent, no  less  than  the  valor  that  can  subdue,  an 
adversary.  The  object  of  war,  he  argues,  is  to 
destroy  the  enemy.  To  accomplish  this  end,  all 
means  are  honorable  ;  and  it  is  follv,  not  bravcrv, 
to  incur  a  needless  risk.  Had  Pontiac  ordered  his 
followers  to  storm  the  palisades  of  Detroit,  not  one 
of  them  would  have  obeved  him.  Tliev  mi<j;lit. 
indeed,  after  their  strange  superstition,  have  rever- 
enced him  as  a  madman  ;  but,  from  that  hour,  his 
fame  as  a  war-chief  would  have  sunk  forever. 

Balked  in  his  treachery,  the  great  chief  with- 
drew to  his  village,  enraged  and  mortified,  yet  still 
resolved  to  persevere.  That  (iladwyn  had  suffered 
him  to  escape,  was  to  his  mind  an  am[)le  proof 
either  of  cowardice  or  ignorance.     'J'he  latter  sup- 


230 


TREA..HERY  OF  PONTIAC. 


[1703,  Mat 


K\. 


l\l\ 


position  seemed  the  more  probable  ;  and  he  resolved 
to  visit  the  English  once  more,  and  convince  them, 
if  possible,  that  their  susj)icions  against  him  were 
untbunded.  Early  on  the  following  morning,  he 
repaired  to  the  fort  witli  three  of  his  chiefs,  bearing 
in  liis  hand  the  sacred  calumet,  or  pipe  of  peace,  its 
bowl  carved  in  stone,  and  its  stem  adorned  with  feath- 
ers. Offering  it  to  the  commandant,  he  addressed 
him  and  his  officers  to  the  follow^ ing  effect :  "  My 
fathers,  evil  birds  have  sung  lies  in  yonr  ear.  We 
tliat  stand  before  you  are  friends  of  the  English. 
^,^e  love  them  as  onr  brothers  ;  and,  to  prove  onr 
love,  we  have  come  this  day  to  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace."  At  his  departure,  he  gave  the  pipe  to 
Captain  Campbell,  second  in  command,  as  a  fartlier 
pledge  of  'is  sincerity. 

That  afternoon,  the  better  to  cover  his  designs, 
Pontiac  called  the  young  men  of  all  the  tribes 
to  a  game  of  ball,  which  took  ])lace,  w-ith  great 
noise  and  shouting,  on  the  neighboring  fiekls.  At 
niglitfall,  the  garrison  were  startled  by  a  burst  of 
loud,  shrill  yells.  The  drums  beat  to  arms,  and 
the  troops  were  ordered  to  their  posts  ;  but  the 
alarm  was  cansed  onlv  bv  the  victors  in  the  ball 
])lay,  who  w^ere  announcing  their  success  by  these 
discordant  outcries.  Meanwhile,  Pontiac  was  in 
the  Pottawattamie  village,  consulting  with  the 
chiefs  of  that  tribe,  and  with  the  Wyandots,  by 
what  means  they  might  compass  the  ruin  of  the 
English.^ 

Early  on  the  following   morning.    Monday,  the 

1  Pontiac  :MS. 


i 


L7C3,  Mat 


1763,  May.]    PONTIAC  THROWS   OFF  TILE  MASK. 


231 


csolvcd 
e  them, 
III  were 
iiig,  lie 
bearing 
eace,  its 
til  ftnitli- 
klreiised 
t:  "My 
r.     We 
Enijflisli. 
ove   our 
pipe  of 
pipe   to 
1  farther 

designs, 
e  tribes 
til  great 
Ids.  At 
burst  of 
•lus,  and 

but  the 

the   ball 

by  these 

was  in 

ith  the 
dots,  by 
Li  of  the 

day,  the 


ninth  of  May,  tlie  Frenc'li  inhabitants  went  in  pro- 
cession to  the  principal  church  of  the  settlement, 
which  stood  near  the  river  bank,  about  half  a  mile 
above  the  fort.  Having  lieard  mass,  tliey  all 
rclurned  before  eleven  o'clock,  without  discovering 
anv  sims  that  the  Indians  meditated  an  immediate 
act  of  hostility.  Scarcely,  however,  had  they  done 
so,  when  the  common  behind  the  fort  was  once 
more  thronged  with  Indians  of  all  the  four  tribes  ; 
and  Pontiac,  advancing  from  among  the  multitude, 
a[)proached  the  gate.  It  was  closed  and  barred 
against  him.  He  shouted  to  the  sentinels,  and 
demanded  wliy  he  was  refused  admittance.  Glad- 
wyn  himself  replied,  that  the  great  chief  might 
enter,  if  lie  chose,  but  that  the  crowd  he  had 
brought  witli  him  nuist  remain  outside.  Pontiac 
njoined,  tliat  he  wished  all  his  warriors  to  enjoy 
the  fragrance  of  the  friendly  calumet.  Gladwyu's 
answer  was  more  concise  than  courteous,  and 
im})orted  that  he  would  have  none  of  his  rabble 
in  the  fort.  Tlius  repulsed.  Pontiac  threw  off  the 
mask  wliich  he  had  worn  so  lonix.  With  a  <rrin 
of  hate  and  rage,  he  turned  abruptly  from  the  gate, 
and  strode  towards  his  followers,  who,  in  great 
multitudes,  lay  flat  upon  the  ground,  just  beyond 
reach  of  gunshot.  At  his  a[)[)roach,  they  all  leaped 
up  and  ran  off,  •'  yelping,"  in  the  words  of  an  eye- 
witness, '•  like  so  many  devils."  * 

liOoking  out  from  tlie  loopholes,  the  garrison  could 
see  them  running  in  a  body  towards  the  house  of 

1  MS.  Letter —  Glmi/n/u  to  Amherst,  May  1-i.     Pontuu.  MS.,  &c. 


TKEACIIKRY   OF   rONTIAC. 


[1763,  Mat. 


\    i 


lUi 


.  i 


V     i  ! 


ail  old  English  woniiiii,  who  lived,  with  her  family, 
on  a  distant  part  of  the  common.  'I'hey  beat  down 
the  doors,  and  rushed  tumultuously  in.  \  moment 
more,  and  the  monrnful  scalp-yell  told  the  fate  of 
the  wretched  inniiites.  Another  larije  body  ran, 
yelling,  to  the  river  bank,  and,  lea[)ing  into  their 
canoes,  paddled  with  all  speed  to  the  Isle  an 
Cochon,  where  dwelt  an  Englishman,  named  Eislicr, 
formerly  a  sergeant  of  the  regulars. 

They  soon  dragged  him  from  the  hiding-place 
where  he  had  sought  refuge,  murdered  him  on  the 
spot,  took  his  scalp,  and  made  great  rejoicings 
over  this  miserable  trophy  of  brutal  malice.  On 
the  following  day,  several  Canadians  crossed  over 
to  the  island  to  inter  the  bodv,  which  thev  accom- 
plished,  as  they  thought,  very  effectually.  Tradition, 
however,  relates,  as  undoubted  truth,  that  when,  a 
few  davs  after,  some  of  the  party  returned  to  the 
spot,  tliey  beheld  the  pale  hands  of  the  dead  man 
thrust  above  the  ground,  in  an  attitude  of  eager 
entreaty.  Having  once  more  covered  the  refrac- 
tory members  with  earth,  they  departed,  in  great 
wonder  and  awe  ;  but  \yhat  was  their  amazement, 
when,  on  returning  a  second  time,  they  saw  the 
hands  protruding  as  before.  At  this,  they  repaired 
in  horror  to  the  priest,  who  hastened  to  the  spot, 
sprinkled  the  grave  with  holy  water,  and  performed 
over  it  the  neglected  rites  of  burial.  Thenceforth, 
says  the  tradition,  the  corpse  of  the  murdered 
soldier  slept  in  peace. ^ 


I 


n,  \ 


1  St.  Aidiin's  Account,  MS. 


iiHIn 


1708,  May.] 


RAGE   OF   PONTIAC. 


233 


eager 


Pontiac  had  borne  no  part  in  t.ic  wolfisli  deeds 
of  his  followers.  AVhen  he  saw  his  plan  defeated, 
he  tnrned  towards  the  shore  ;  and  no  man  dnrst 
ap[)roach  him,  for  he  was  terrible  in  hi^  rage. 
Pnshing  a  canoe  from  the  bank,  he  nrged  it  with 
vigorons  strokes,  against  the  cnrrent,  towards  the 
Ottawa  village,  on  the  farther  side.  As  he  drew 
near,  he  shonted  to  the  inmates.  Xone  remained 
in  the  lodges  bnt  women,  children,  and  old  men, 
who  ail  came  flocking  ont  at  the  sonnd  of  his  impe- 
rions  voice.  Pointing  across  the  water,  he  ordcned 
that  all  shonld  prepare  to  move  the  cam[)  to  the  west- 
ern shore,  that  the  river  might  no  longer  inttn-pose  a 
barrier  between  his  followers  and  the  l-jiglish.  The 
sqnaws  labored  with  eager  alacrity  to  obey  him. 
Provisions,  ntensils,  weapons,  and  even  the  bark 
covering  to  the  lodges,  were  carried  to  tlie  shore  ; 
and  before  evening"  all  was  readv  for  embarkation. 
]Meantime,  the  warriors  had  come  dropping  in  from 
their  bloodv  work,  nntil,  at  ni<ditfall,  nearlv  all 
had  retnrned.  Tlien  Pontiac,  hideons  in  his  war- 
paint, leaped  into  the  central  area  of  the  village. 
Ih'andishing  his  tomahawk,  and  stamping  on  the 
gronnd,  he  recounted  his  former  ex])loits,  and 
denounced  vengeance  on  the  English.  The  Indians 
flocked  about  him.  Warrior  after  warrior  caught 
the  fierce  contagion,  and  soon  the  ring  was  filled 
with  dancers,  circling  round  and  round  with  frantic 
gesture,  and  startling  the  distant  garrison  with 
unearthlv  veils.' 

The  war-dance  over,  the  work  of  emljarkation 


1  Parent's  Account,  MS.     Mduvlie's  Account,  MS. 


\VI 


n 


i     1' 


In 


J;  m 

,  '  >.    I   . 


I 


f| 


If  '-I 


1 1 


2U 


TREACHERY  OF    rOXTIAC. 


[17G3,  Mat. 


was  commenced,  and  long  before  morning  the 
transfer  was  complete.  The  whole  Ottawa  popu- 
lation crossed  the  river,  and  pitched  their  wigwams 
on  the  western  side,  just  above  the  mouth  of  the 
little  stream  then  known  as  Parent's  Creek,  but 
since  named  Bloody  llun,  from  the  scenes  of  terror 
which  it  witnessed.' 

Daring  the  evening,  fresh  tidings  of  disaster 
reached  the  fort.  A  Canadian,  named  Desnoyers, 
came  down  the  river  in  a  birch  canoe,  and,  landing 
at  the  water  gate,  brought  news  that  two  English 
officers.  Sir  llobert  Davers  and  Captain  llobertson, 
had  been  waylaid  and  murdered  by  the  Indians, 
above  Lake  St.  Clau-.^  The  Canadian  declared, 
moreover,  that  Pontiac  bred  just  been  joined  by  a 
formidable  band  of  Ojibwas,  from  the  Bay  of  Sagi- 
naw.^ These  were  a  peculiarly  ferocious  horde, 
and  their  wretched  descendants  still  retain  the  char- 
acter. 

Every  Englishman  in  the  fort,  whether  trader  or 
soldier,  was   now  ordered   under  arms.     No  man 


1  Goitln's  Account,  ^IS. 

2  Pmn.  Gaz.  Xos.  1807,  1808. 

Kxtraot  from  an  anonymous  letter  —  Detroit,  July  9,  17*33. 

"  You  iiave  long  ago  hoard  of  our  jjloasant  Situation,  but  tlie  Storm  Is 
blown  over.  Was  it  not  very  agreeable  to  hear  every  Hay,  of  their  cut- 
ting, carving,  boiling  and  eating  our  Companions  ?  To  see  every  Day 
(leail  Bodies  tloaling  down  tlie  River,  mangled  and  disHgured  ?  J5ut 
IJritons,  you  know,  never  shrinli  ;  we  always  appeared  gay,  to  spite  the 
Rascals.  They  boiled  and  eat  Sir  liobert  Davers  ;  and  we  are  informed 
by  Mr.  I'auly,  wlio  escaped  the  otlier  Day  from  one  ot  llie  Stations  sur- 
prised at  tiie  breaking  out  of  the  War,  and  connnandod  by  himself',  that 
he  iiad  seen  an  Indian  have  the  Skin  of  Captain  Robertsi^n  b  Arm  for  a 
Tobacco-Pouch !  " 

3  Pontine  .MS. 


703,  Mat. 


1763,  May.] 


GENERAL  ATTACK. 


235 


ig    tiie 

popu- 

g  warns 

of  the 

?k,  but 

f  terror 

lisaster 
no  vers, 
anding 
English 
)ertson, 
ndians, 
rehired, 
?d  by  a 
)f  Sagi- 
horde, 
le  char- 


idcr  or 
[o  man 


e  Storm  Is 
■  tlieir  cut- 
evury  Diiy 
rud  ?  JJiit 
u  xpite  tlie 
;  intbriiK'd 
iitions  sur- 
inselt',  that 
Arm  for  a 


!!> 


hiy  down  to  sleep,  and  Gladwyn  Iiiniself  walked 
the  ramparts  throughout  the  night. 

All  was  quiet  till  the  approach  of  dawn.  But 
as  the  first  dim  redness  tinged  the  east,  and  fi(dds 
and  woods  grew  visible  in  the  morning  twilight, 
suddenly  the  war-whoop  rose  on  every  side  at  once. 
As  wolves  assail  the  w^ounded  bison,  howling  their 
gathering  cries  across  tlie  wintry  prairie,  so  the 
fierce  Indians,  pealing  their  terrific  yells,  came 
bounding  na-:ed  to  the  assault.  The  men  hastened 
to  their  posts.  And  truly  it  was  time  ;  for  not  the 
Ottawas  alone,  but  the  whole  barbarian  swarm  — 
A\'yandots,  Pottawattamies,  and  Ojibwas — were  upon 
them,  and  bullets  rapped  hard  and  fast  against  the 
palisades.  Tlie  soldiers  looked  from  the  loopholes, 
thinking  to  see  their  assailants  gathering  for  a  rush 
against  the  feeble  barrier.  But,  thougli  ♦^heir  clam- 
ors filled  the  air,  and  their  guns  blazed  thick  and 
hot,  yet  very  few  were  visible.  Some  were  ensconced 
behind  barns  and  fences,  some  skulked  among 
bushes,  and  some  lay  flat  in  hollows  of  the  ground  ; 
w^hile  those  who  could  find  no  shelter  were  leaping 
about  with  the  ajj^ilitv  of  monkevs,  to  dod^e  the 
shot  of  the  fort.  Each  had  filled  his  mouth  with 
bullets,  for  the  convenience  of  loading,  and  each 
was  charging  and  firing  without  suspending  these 
ao'ile  a-vmnastics  for  a  moment.  There  was  one 
low  hill,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  fort,  behind 
which  countless  black  heads  of  Indians  alternately 
appeared  and  vanished ;  while,  all  along  the  ridge, 
their  guns  emitted  incessant  white  pufi"s  of  smoke. 
Every  loophole  was  a  target  for  their  bullets  ;  but 


^ 

?';>l 


236 


TREACHERY   OF  PONTIAC. 


[17n;3,  Mat. 


[•■  l! 


I   ; 


the  fire  was  returned  witn  steadiness,  and  not 
without  effect.  The  Canadian  cpgru/h  of  the  fur- 
traders  retorted  tlie  Indian  war-whoops  with  outcries 
not  loiss  discordant,  while  tlie  Ih'itisli  and  provin- 
cials paid  hack  the  clamor  of  the  enemy  with 
musket  and  rifle  halls.  Within  half  ijjunshot  of 
the  palisades  was  a  cluster  of  outhuildings,  hehind 
which  a  host  of  Indians  found  shelter.  A  cannon 
was  hrought  to  bear  upon  them,  loaded  with  red-hot 
spikes.  They  were  soon  wrapped  in  flames,  upon 
which  the  disconcerted  savages  broke  away  in  a 
body,  and  ran  off  yelpin<ij,  followed  by  a  shout  of 
laughter  from  the  soldiers.^ 

For  six  hours,  the  attack  was  unabated ;  but  as 
the  day  advanced,  the  assailants  grew  weary  of 
their  futile  efforts.  Their  fire  slackened,  ihcir 
clamors  died  away,  and  the  "-arrison  was  left  once 
more  in  peace,  though  from  time  to  time  a  solitary 
shot,  or  lonely  whoop,  still  showed  the  presence  of 
some  lingering  savage,  loath  to  be  balked  of  his 
revenge.  A  mono-  the  yarrison,  only  five  men  had 
been  wounded,  while  the  cautious  enemy  had  suf- 
fered but  trifling  loss. 

Gladwyn  was  still  convinced  that  the  whole  affair 
was  a  sudden  ebullition,  which  w'ould  soon  subside  ; 
and  being,  moreover,  in  great  want  of  provisions, 
he  resolved  to  open  negotiations  with  the  Indians, 
under  cover  of  which  he  miulit  obtain  the  neces- 
sary  supplies.  The  interpreter.  La  Butte,  who, 
like  most  of  his  countrymen,  miij^ht  be  said  to  hold 


I 


1  Ponfiac  MS.      Peim.  Cmz.  No.  1808.     MS.  Letter  —  Glad wi/n  to  Am- 
herst, May  14,  etc. 


1703,  Ma  v.] 


A  TRUCE. 


237 


a  neutral  position  l)ctwccn  tlie  English  and  the 
Indians,  was  despatched  to  the  eanip  of  Pontiae.  to 
demand  the  reasons  of  his  conduct,  and  declare 
that  the  commandant  was  ready  to  redress  any  real 
grieyance  of  which  he  might  complain.  Two  old 
Canadians  of  Detroit,  Chapeton  and  Godefroy,  ear- 
nest to  forward  the  negotiation,  offered  to  accompany 
him.  The  gates  were  opened  for  their  de[)arture, 
and  many  other  inhabitants  of  the  })lace  took  this 
opportunity  of  leaving  it,  alleging  as  their  motive, 
that  they  (Hd  not  wish  to  see  the  ap[)roaching 
slauMiter   of  the  En<»•li^h. 

lleaching  the  Indian  Camp,  the  three*  ambassa- 
dors were  received  by  Pontiae  with  great  apparent 
kindness.  La  Butte  delivered  his  message,  and 
the  two  Canadians  labored  to  dissuade  the  cliief, 
for  his  own  good  and  for  theirs,  from  pursuing 
his  hostile  purposes.  Pontiae  stood  listening, 
armed  with  the  true  impenetrability  of  an  Indian. 
At  every  proposal,  he  uttered  an  ejaculation  of 
assent,  partly  from  a  strange  notion  of  courtesy 
peculiar  to  his  race,  and  partly  from  the  deej)  dis- 
simulation which  seems  native  to  their  blood.  Yet 
with  all  this  seeming  acquiescence,  the  lieart  ot 
the  savage  was  unmoved  as  a  rock.  The  Canadi- 
ans were  C()mi)letely  deceived.  liCaving  Chapeton 
and  Godefroy  to  continue  the  conference  and  push 
the  fancied  advantage.  La  Butte  hastened  back  to 
the  fort,  lie  reported  the  happy  issue  of  his  mis- 
sion, and  added  that  peace  might  readily  be  had 
by  making  the  Indians  a  few  presents,  for  which 
they  are  always  rapaciously  eager.   When,  however 


18         '' 

\w  * 

1       ■■        '         1 

i            I                            T 

|! 

1             > 

1  'i^ 

i 

! 

r 

■•! 

SI 

^ 


in 


i 


23S 


TUEACIlKllY   or    rONTIAC. 


[irtW,  Mat 


:i'!iiH; 


li(*  returned  to  the  Indian  camp,  he  found,  l.»  l\is 
(luiij^rin,  that  his  companions  had  made  no  progr  ■  =; 
in  the  negotiation.  Thoui^h  still  professing  a  stroi-g 
desire  for  peace,  Pontiac  liad  evaded  every  (tefini  e 
])roposal.  At  La  Ihitte's  ap[)earance,  all  thechi'^s 
withdrew  to  consult  among  tlu^nsel^'^f  s.  'I  ney 
red''  led  after  '\  shor^  dehale.  and  Pontiac  declared 
rlia.i  out  of  their  earnest  desire  for  firm  and  lasting 
pi^urf,  they  wished  to  hold  council  with  their  Kng- 
lish  fatli?  i^  themselves.  With  this  view,  they  were 
especially  desirous  that  Ca[)tain  Camphell,  second 
in  command,  should  visit  their  camp.  This  veteran 
officer,  from  his  just,  upright,  and  manly  charact'n', 
h:i(l  gained  the  confidence  of  the  Indians.  To  the 
Canadians  the  pro[)osal  seenu^d  a  natural  one,  and 
returuiuix  ^o  the  fort,  thev  laid  it  before  the  com- 
mandant.  Gladwyn  suspected  treachery,  but  Cap- 
tain Campb'  n  urgently  asked  permission  to  comply 
witli  the  request  of  Pontiac.  He  felt,  he  said,  no 
fear  of  tlie  Indians,  with  whom  he  had  alwavs 
maintained  the  most  friendly  terms.  Gladwyn, 
with  some  hesitation,  acceded  ,  and  Campbell  left 
tlie  fort,  accompanied  by  a  junior  oficer,  Lieutenant 
M'Dougal.  and  attended  by  La  Bu'ite  and  several 
other  Canadians. 

In  the  mean  time,  M.  Gouin,  anxious  to  learn 
what  was  passing,  had  entered  the  Indiar  cam]), 
and.  movinu;'  from  lodq-e  to  lodw.  soon  saw  and 
heard  enough  to  convince  him  that  the  two  British 
officers  were  advancmg  into  the  lion's  jaws.'  He 
hastened  to  despatch  two  messengers  to  warn  them 

1   Gouin's  Account,  MS. 


:    i 

■  i     ,                , 

f 

UgJ 

1 

[irtW,  Mat 


1703,  ^r\v.^    i:mfv\ssv  or  captain  camimu-jj,. 


'2'V,) 


i,  to  his 
pro«;r  '  ^ 
a  sin;  g 
/  (lofii'i  e 
ho  c'lr,'  fs 
1  iioy 
(lec'liuod 
(1  lasting 

icy  worn 

* 

,  scTond 
5  veteran 
liaract'n*, 

To  the 
me,  ind 
he  com- 
)ut  Ciip- 
►  comply 
said,  no 

always 
iladwvn, 
bell  iVft 
Mitenant 

several 


1:0  learn 
camp, 
law  and 
British 
s.'  He 
n  them 


of  the  peril.  The  party  had  scarcely  left  the  gate 
when  they  were  met  by  these  men,  breathless  wi  . 
riiniiiiig ;  but  the  warning  came  too  late.  Cor  ; 
embarked  on  the  embassy,  the  officers  would  i.  t 
be  diverted  from  it;  and  passing  up  the  river  road, 
they  approached  the  little  wooden  bridge  that 
l(>d  over  Parent's  Creek.  Crossing  this  bridg*-,  and 
ascendinix  a  risinji:  {jrround  beyond,  they  saw  before 
them  the  wide-spread  camp  of  the  Ottawas.  A 
dark  multitude  gathered  alon-  its  outskirts,  and  no 
sooner  did  they  recognize  t!'  '  :  I  uniform  of  the 
officers,  than  they  all  raised  »t  (.;:.e  a  h()rri1)le  out- 
cry of  whoops  and  howlir  ;>.  Indeed,  they  st^emed 
disposed  to  give  the  ambas.-auors  the  rece[)tion 
usually  accorded  to  ca})t!  ^  icdven  in  war  ;  for  the 
women  seized  sticks,  stones,  and  chibs.  and  ran 
towards  Cam})bell  and  his  companion,  as  if  to  make 
them  pass  the  cruel  ordeal  of  running  the  gauntlet.' 
Pontiac  came  forward,  and  his  voice  allayed  the 
tumult.     He  shook  the  officers  by  the  hand,  and, 


^  WHion  Ji  party  rotiimpd  with  prisonors,  the  wliolo  pi^juilntioii  of  the 
vilIa<:o  tunicd  out  to  receive  them,  armed  with  sticlis,  (:l'il)s,  or  even 
deadlier  weapons.  The  captive  wu3  ordereil  t,'  run  to  a  \i\\vn  point, 
u.suaily  some  eonspieuous  iod;j:e,  or  a  post  driven  into  the  firound,  winle 
his  tormentors,  ranfzini;  ttiemselves  in  two  rows,  infhetcd  on  him  a  mer 
ciiess  tla;;x'lhition,  which  only  ceased  wlien  he  had  reached  tlje  gojil 
Among  .lie  Ii'ocjuois,  ])risoners  were  led  tliroui^ii  tlu'  whole  cont'ederaoy, 
mider,i,n)in;4  tins  martyrdoni  at  every  village,  and  seldom  esc-apinj^  without 
the  loss  of  a  hand,  a  lin<;er,  or  an  eye.  .Sometimes  the  sutlerer  wjie  made 
to  dance  and  sing,  for  the  better  entertainment  of  the  crowd. 

The  story  of  CJeneraJ  Stark  is  well  known.  J}jin<r  captured,  in  Ida 
youth,  by  the  Indians,  and  told  to  run  the  gauntlet,  lie  instantly  knocked 
down  the  nearest  warrior,  snatched  a  club  from  his  hands,  and  witdded  it 
with  such  good-will  that  no  one  dared  ai)proacli  him,  and  he  reached  the 
goal  scot  free,  while  his  more  timorous  companion  was  nearly  beaten  to 
death 


\ 


240 


TRKACUKHY  OF  roNTIAC 


[1763,  Mat 


J  !i 


iiii'ii 


tuniinii;,  led  tlio  way  tliroii<^]i  tlio  camp.  It  was  a 
confused  assemblage  of  huts,  chictiy.  of  ii  conical 
or  lialf-splicrical  sliapc,  and  constructed  of  a  slcn- 
d(>r  franu'work  covered  witli  rush  mats  or  slie(>ts 
of  hirch-hark.  Many  of  tlie  graceful  birch  canoes, 
used  by  the  Indians  of  the  upper  lakes,  were  lying 
here  and  tluMC  among  ])addles,  fish-spears,  and 
blackened  kettles  slung  above  the  embers  of  the 
fires.  The  camp  was  full  of  lean,  wolfisli  dogs, 
who,  roused  l)y  the  clamor  of  their  owners,  ke])t  up 
a  discordant  baying  as  the*  strangers  passed.  Pon- 
tiac  paused  before  tlie  entrance  of  a  large  lodge, 
and,  entering,  pointed  to  s(>v(n'al  mats  placed  on 
the  giound,  at  the  side*  o[)posite  the  opening. 
]I(>re,  ob(Hlient  to  his  signal,  the  two  ofHcers  sat 
down.  Instantly  the  lodge  was  thronged  with 
savages.  Some,  and  these  were  for  the  most  part 
chiefs,  or  old  men,  seated  themselves  on  the  ground 
before  the  strangers  ;  while  the  remaining  sjjace 
"was  filled  by  a  dense  crowd,  crouching  or  standing 
erect,  and  peering  over  each  other's  shoulders.  At 
their  first  entrance,  Pontiac  had  spoken  a  few 
words.  A  pause  then  ensued,  broken  at  length  by 
Campbell,  who  from  his  scat  addressed  tlie  Indians 
in  a  short  speech.  It  was  heard  in  perfect  silence, 
and  no  reply  was  made.  For  a  full  hour,  the 
unfortunate  officers  saw  before  them  the  same 
concourse  of  dark,  inscrutable  faces,  bending  an 
unwavering  gaze  upon  them.  Some  were  passing 
out,  and  others  coming  in  to  supply  their  places,  and 
indulge  their  curiosity  by  a  sight  of  the  Englishmen. 
At  length,  Captain  Campbell,  conscious,  no  doubt, 


I 


11703,  May 

Tt    WJIS    Jl 
>f  II   coiiiful 
I  of  a   slon- 
s   or  sliccts 
ircli  ciinors, 
wcro  hiiii; 
^piars,   and 
hers   of  tlio 
olHsli   do<^s, 
3rs,  kept  up 
isod.     Pon- 
iirgc  lodge, 
placed  on 
3    o[)ening. 
officers  Silt 
ingcd   with 
most  part 
the  ground 
iug  space 
standing 
ders.     At 
en   a   few 
length  hy 
le  Indians 
't  silence, 
hour,  the 
lie    sfune 
iiding  an 
passing 
aces,  and 
^lishmen. 
10  douht, 


)^- 


17A.1,  Mat.]  CAMPnK LL  MADE  PRISONER. 


211 


of  the  danger  in  which  he  was  placed,  resolved  fidly 
to  ascertain  his  true  jio^^ition,  and.  rising  to  his  fc(>t, 
declared  his  intention  of  n^turning  to  tli(>  fort. 
l*oiitiac  made  a  sign  that  he  should  res'.'.nu*  his  seat. 
"  ^^y  father,"  he  said,  "  will  shn^p  to-night  in  the 
lodges  of  his  red  children."  Thv  gray-haired  sol- 
dier and  his  com{)anion  were  hetrfiyed  into  the 
hands   o»    their   enemies. 

Many  of  the  Indians  were  eager  to  kill  the  cap- 
tives on  the  spot,  hut  Pontiac'  would  not  carry  his 
treachery  so  far.  lie  protected  them  from  injury 
and  insult,  and  conducted  them  to  the  house  of  M. 
^Feloche,  near  l^u•ent's  CnM'k,  where  good  quarters 
were  assigned  them,  and  as  much  liberty  allowed 
as  was  consistent  with  safe  custody.'  The  peril 
of  their  situation  was  diminished  by  th(>  circum- 
stance that  two  Indians,  who,  several  days  before, 
had  been  detained  at  the  fort  for  some  slight  offence, 
still  remained  prisoners  in  the  power  of  the  com- 
mandant.* 

1  yfelnrhe'x  Anroimf,  MS.  Pnm.  Gaz.  No.  1808.  In  n  letter  of  James 
MacBoiiald,  Detrr)it,  Jiily  12,  the  oircuiiistaiices  of  the  detention  of  the 
officers  are  related  somewliat  differently.  Sin^:ularly  enont;ti,  this  letter 
of  MacDonald  is  identical  with  a  rei)ort  of  the  events  uf  tiie  sifj^e  sent  hy 
Major  Robert  Koyors  to  hir  Williaui  Johnson,  on  the  Sth  of  Au^rnst. 
]{ogers,  who  was  not  an  eyewitness,  appeiirs  to  have  borrowed  the  whole 
of  his  brother  officer's  letter  without  acknowledj,Mnent. 

^  Extract  from  a  MS.  Letter  —  Sir  ./.  Amlurst  to  Mtijur  (ildilin/n. 

"New  Yc.rk.  22ii.l  .limo.  17»13 

"  The  Precautions  you  took  when  the  Perfidious  Villains  came  to  Pay 
you  a  Visit,  were  Indeed  very  wisely  Concerted  ;  And  I  Ajiprove  Entirely 
of  tiie  Steps  you  have  since  taken  for  the  Detence  of  tiie  Place,  wiii(.'h,  I 
hope,  will  have  Enabled  You  to  keep  tlie  Savaj,'es  at  Bay  untill  the  Rein- 
forcement, wiiich  Major  WiJkins  Writes  me  he  had  sent  you,  Arrives  with 
you. 

"I  most  sincerely  Grieve  for   the  Unfortunate   Fate  of  Sir  Robert 

16 


01'> 

V  T^  •W 


TRKACIIERT   OF  POXTIAC. 


[17G3,  Mav. 


r-  ! 


.M! 


itlil 


I  ' 


(!     -I 


Tiiitc  in  the  evening,  Tiii  Rntte,  the  interpreter, 
retnrned  to  the  fort.  His  face  wore  a  sad  and 
downcast  look,  whicli  snfliciently  expressed  the 
Tn(>lancholv  tidinijs  that  he  hroujj:ht.  On  hearinyr 
his  acconnt,  some  of  the  officers  snspected,  thon<j^h 
j)robahly  witliont  gronnd,  that  he  was  privy  to  tlie 
(U'tention  of  tlie  two  and)assadors  ;  and  La  Bnttc, 
feeling  hinis(>lf  an  ol)j(H't  of  distrnst,  lingered  about 
the  streets,  sullen  and  silent,  like  the  Indians  among 
whom  his  rough  life  had  been  spent. 


Dii vers,  Lieut.  T?n1)orfsnii,  and  tlie  l?est  nf  (lie  P  ir  People,  who  liave  fallen 
into  the  Haml^s  of  the  Merciless  Villains.  I  Trust  you  diil  not  Know  of 
the  Murder  of  those  litntlenien,  when  Pontiac  cjinie  with  a  I'ipe  of 
Pence,  for  if  you  had,  you  certainly  wotdd  have  put  him,  and  Kvery  Indian 
in  your  Power,  to  De.itli.  Suili  Retaliation  is  the  otdy  Way  of  Treating 
sucli  Miscreants. 

"  I  cajuiot  but  Approve  of  your  havinj;  Permitted  Captain  Camphell 
and  Lieut.  MacHouu'iiJ  to  <ro  to  the  Indians,  as  yoti  had  no  other  Method 
to  Procure  Provisions,  by  which  means  you  may  have  iK'en  lOnabled  to 
Preser\o  the  Cii.rrison  ;  for  no  ( )ther  Inducement  siu)uld  have  prevailed 
on  you  to  Allow  those  Gentlemen  to  Entrust  themselves  with  the  Sav- 
ajies.  I  am  Nevertheless  not  without  my  Fear,s  for  them,  anil  were  it  not 
tiiat  you  have  two  Indians  in  your  Hands,  in  Lieu  of  tho?e  Gentlemen,  I 
shoulil  fiive  them  over  for  Lost. 

"  I  shall  Add  no  more  at  present ;  Capt.  Dalzell  will  Intbnnyou  of  the 
steps  taken  tor  Keintbrciiijf  you:  and  you  may  be  assured  —  the  utmost 
K.xpedition  will  be  used  for  Collectinj^  such  a  Force  as  may  be  Sutlicient 
for  briuijiinf^c  Ample  Venjjeance  on  the  Treacherous  and  Bloody  Villains 
wIh)  have  so  Perfidiously  Attacked  their  Menetactors."  IMacDonald, 
and,  after  him,  Poijers,  says  that,  after  the  det^'iition  of  the  two  otiicers, 
Pontiac  summoned  the  fort  to  surrender,  threatenin<r,  in  case  of  refusal, 
to  put  all  within  to  the  tortiu'e.  The  anonymous  author  of  the  />Hin/qf' 
the  Slciji'  adds  that  he  sent  word  to  Gladwyn  that  he  kej)!  the  officers  out 
of  kindness,  since,  if  the}'  returned  to  the  fort,  he  should  be  obliged  to 
boil  them  v/itli  the  rest  of  the  garrison,  the  kettle  being  already  on  the 
fire. 


[1703,  May, 


^ 


I  iiitorpivtor, 
:'  ii  sad  and 
pirssod  the 
On  licarini^ 
'ted,  tlioiin^h 
l)rivv  to  the 
i\  \/d  I'utte, 
ijjjered  al)()ut 
ilians  among 


CHAPTER    XII. 


17G3. 


PONTIAC   AT   THE   SIEGE   OF  DETROIT. 


c,  wliolinvc  fallen 
(lid  not  Know  of 
witli  ii  I'ipe  of 
nid  Every  Iniliaii 
Way  of  Troatiii!^ 

""aptain  Camplit'll 
no  otiior  Mctliod 
l)oen  Enabled  to 
d  liavo  provailcMl 
•es  with  the  Sav- 
,  and  were  it  not 
ise  Gentlemen,  I 

nt'onnyou  of  the 

od  —  the  utmost 

lay  he  Sufficient 

liloody  Villains 

"    JVIacDonald, 

the  two  ofTicers, 

ease  of  refusal, 

of  the  Ditiij/  of 

t  tlie  officers  out 

he  ohliijed   to 

;  already  on  the 


On  the  nioniitig  after  tlie  detention  of  the  offi- 
cers, Pontiae  crossed  over,  with  several  of  his  cliiefs, 
to  the  Wyaiulot  vilhige.  A  part  of  this  tribe,  influ- 
enced hy  Father  Pothier,  their  Jesuit  ])riest,  had 
refused  to  take  np  arms  aL!:ainst  tlie  EnL,dish  ;  hut, 
beincjnow  threatened  with  destruction  if  tliev  sliould 
longer  remain  neutral,  they  were  forced  to  join 
the  rest.  They  sti])ulated,  however,  that  they 
should  be  allowed  time  to  hear  mass,  befon^  da!i- 
cing  the  war-dnnce.*  To  this  condition  Pontiae 
readily  agreed,  "  although,"  observes  the  chronicler 
in  the  fulness  of  his  hori"  '  and  detestation,  "  he 
himself  had  no  manner  of  wai.lnip,  and  cared  not 
for  festivals  or  Sundays."  These  nominal  Christians 
of  Father  Pothier's  flock,  together  with  the  otlun* 
Wyandots,  soon  distinguished  themselves  in  the 
war ;  fighting  better,  it  was  said,  thiva  all  the  other 
Indians,  —  an  instance  of  the  marked  superiority 
of  the  Iroquois  over  the  Algonquin  stock. 

Having  secured  these   new  allies,  Pontiae  pre- 


«  Pontine  MS. 


|ii     '; 


t    I 


.1 

( 

1 
1 

i 

i 

1 

9 

1                   1    : 

1 

l!^' 

i; 

)  i                  1 

%'"■ 

:          k 

'■} 


I     I 


!i  I 


i        \ 


'JU 


PONTIAC  AT   DETROIT. 


[1763,  May. 


paicd  to  resume  liis  operations  ^vith  fresh  vigor ; 
and  to  this  intent,  he  made  an  improved  disposition 
of  his  forces.  Some  of  the  Pottawattamies  "were 
ordered  to  He  in  wait  along  tlie  river  hank,  below 
the  fort ;  while  others  concealed  tliemselves  in  the 
woods,  in  order  to  interce))t  any  Englishman  who 
might  approach  by  land  or  water.  Another  band 
of  the  same  tribe  were  to  conceal  themselves  in 
the  neighborliood  of  the  fort,  when  no  general 
attack  was  going  forward,  in  order  to  shoot  down 
any  soldier  or  trader  who  migiit  chance  to  expose 
his  person.  On  the  eleventh  of  ^fay,  when  tliese 
arrangements  v.cve  complete,  several  Canadians 
cane  early  in  the  morning  to  the  fort,  to  offer  what 
they  called  friendly  advice.  It  was  to  the  effect 
tluit  the  garrison  should  at  once  abandon  the  place, 
as  it  would  be  stormed  within  an  hour  bv  fifteen 
hundred  Indians.  Gladwyn  refused,  whereupon 
the  Canadians  departed  ;  and  soon  after  some  six 
hundred  Indians  began  a  brisk  fusillade,  which 
they  kept  up  till  seven  o'clock  in  tiie  evening.  A 
Canadian  then  appeared,  bearing  a  summons  from 
Pontiac,  demanding  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  and 
promising  that  the  English  should  go  unmolested 
on  board  the"r  vessels,  leaving  all  their  arms  and 
effects  behind.  Gladwyn  again  gave  a  flat  refusal.' 
On  the  evening  of  that  day,  the  officers  met  to 
consider  what  course  of  conduct  the  emergency 
required ;  and,  as  one  of  them  writes,  the  com- 
mandant was  almost  alone  in  the  opinion  that  they 

1  MS.  Letter  — James  McDonald  to ,  Detroit,  July  12. 


[1763,  May. 


1763,  Mat.]      INDIAN  IDK A  OF  MILITARY  HONOR. 


245 


resh  vigor ; 
I  disposition 
amies  were 
ank,  below 
ilves  in  the 
shman  who 
lothcr  biind 
cmselves  in 
no  general 
shoot  down 
?  to  expose 
when  these 

Canadians 
)  offer  what 
)  the  effect 
n  the  place, 
r  by  fifteen 
whereu[)on 
)v  some  six 
idc,   which 

ning.  A 
imons  from 
10  fort,  and 
unmolested 

arms  and 
at  refnsal.^ 
ers  met  to 
emergency 

the  com- 

that  they 

ily  12. 


ought  still  to  defend  the  place.'  It  seemed  to 
the  rest  that  the  only  course  remainiui::  was  to 
embark  and  sail  for  Niagara.  Their  condition 
appeared  desperate  ;  for,  on  the  shortest  allowance, 
they  had  scarcely  provision  enough  to  sustain  the 
garrison  three  weeks,  within  which  time  there  was 
little  hope  of  succor.  The  houses  being,  moreover, 
of  wood,  and  chiefly  thatched  with  straw,  might  be 
set  on  fire  with  l>urning  missiles.  But  the  chief 
apprehensions  of  the  ofRcers  arose  from  their  dread 
that  the  enemy  would  make  a  general  onset,  iind 
cut  or  burn  their  way  through  the  pickets,  —  a 
mode  of  attack  to  which  resistance  would  be  un- 
availing. Tlieir  anxiety  on  this  score  was  relieved 
by  a  Canadian  in  the  fort,  who  had  spent  half  his 
life  among  Indians,  and  who  now  assured  the  com- 
mandant that  every  maxim  of  their  warfare  was 
opposed  to  such  a  measure.  Indeedji  an  Indian's 
idea  of  militarv  honor  widely  differs,  as  before 
observed,  from  that  of  a  white  man  ;  for  he  holds 
it  to  consist  no  less  in  a  warv  rej'ard  to  his  o^vn 
life  than  in  the  courage  and  impetuosity  with 
which   he   assails   his    enemv.       His   constant  aim 


is    to    gain     advantajj:es     without 


incurrmg 


lo 


ss. 


lie  sets  an  inestimable  value  on  the  lives  of  his 
o\.'n  party,  and  deems  a  victory  dcNU'ly  pui'chasi>(l 
by  the  death  of  a  single  warrior.  A  war-chief 
attains  the  summit  of  his  renown  when  he  can 
boast  that  he  has  brought  home  a  score  of  scalps 
without  the  loss  of  a  man  ;  and  his  reputation  is 
wofullv  abrid<i;ed   if  the   mournful  wailinijrs  of  tlie 

»  Ptnn.  (lu:.  No.  1S08. 


24() 


PONTIAC   AT    DKTROIT. 


11763,  MAt 


li 


iH 


M 

.. 

t 

^^H  - 

11 

\ 

r 

1 

! 
'       1 

women  mingle  with  the  exuUing  yells  of  the  war- 
riors. Yet,  with  all  his  subtlety  and  caution,  the 
Indian  is  not  a  coward,  and,  in  his  own  way  of 
iii^htiuii;,  often  exhibits  no  ordinary  courage.  Steal- 
in<»:  alone  into  the  heart  of  an  enemy's  countrv,  he 
prowls  around  the  hostile  village,  watching  every 
movement;  and  when  night  sets  in,  he  enters  a 
lodge,  and  cahnly  stirs  the  decaying  embers,  that, 
by  their  light,  he  may  select  his  slee[)ing  victims. 
AVith  cool  deliberation  he  deals  tlie  mortal  thrust, 
kills  foe  after  foe,  and  tears  away  scalp  after  sca][), 
until  at  length  an  alarm  is  given  ;  then,  with  a 
wild  yell,  he   bounds  out  into  the  darkness,  and  is 


gone. 


W^  it 


t  II  '^ 


Time  passed  on,  and  brought  little  change  and 
no  relief  to  the  harassed  and  endangered  garrison. 
13ay  after  day  the  Indians  continued  their  atti'cks, 
until  their  war-cries  and  the  rattle  of  their  guns 
became  familiar  sounds.  For  tnanv  weeks,  no 
man  lay  down  to  sleep,  except  in  his  clothes, 
and  with  his  weapons  by  his  side.'  Parties  of 
volunteers  sallied,  from  time  to  time,  to  burn  the 


'  MS.  Letter  from  an  diHcer  :it  Detroit  —  no  signatiire  —  July  Gl. 

Kxtnict  I'roiii  ii  letter  diiteil  Detroit,  July  G. 

"  We  liiivo  been  be.siejied  liere  two  Mouths,  by  Six  Iliiiulretl  IiidiaiiH. 
We  iiave  been  iijioii  tlie  Watcb  Nij,'lit  ami  Day,  tVoin  the  C^)minaiiiliiij? 
(Mlicer  to  tlie  lowest  soldier,  iVom  the  Slli  of  May,  and  have  not  bad  our 
Cloatlis  off,  nor  slept  all  N'iiilit  since  it  beii'an  ;  and  shall  continue  so  till 
we  have  a  Keinlorei'inent  up.  We  then  ho[)e  soon  to  give  a  good  ac- 
count of  the  Savages.  Their  (\iinj)  lies  about  a  Mile  ami  a  half  from  the 
Fort;  and  that's  the  nearest  they  choose  to  come  now.  For  the  first 
two  or  three  Da^'s  we  vvere  attackeil  by  three  or  four  Ilinidred  of  tiiem, 
but  we  g-!ive  them  so  warm  a  Keeeption  that  now  they  don't  care  for 
coming  to  see  tLi,  Iho'  they  now  luid  then  get  l^ehind  a  House  or  (iardeii, 
and  tire  at  us  about  three  or  four  Hundred  yards'  distance.     The  Day 


11763,  Mat 


)7iio,  Mav,  June.]     I'EllIL   OF   THE   GAKRISUN. 


247 


of  the  Wiir- 
caiition,  the 
own  w!iy  of 
•age.     Steal- 

couiitrv,  he 
X'hiiig  every 
he  enters  u 
•inbers,  that, 
ing  vietini.s. 
)rtal  thrust, 
after  scalp, 
len,  with  a 
ness,  and  is 

change  and 
(1  garrison. 
LMr  attaxks, 
their  guns 
weeks,  no 
lis  clotlies. 
Parties  of 
)  hnrn  the 

—  July  31. 

iii(lrc'(i  Indians, 
e  Conimandinj^ 
ivi;  nol  lifid  our 
continiio  su  till 
;ivi'  a  <;o()d  ac- 
i  li.'dt'  from  tiie 
For  ti\e  firsf 
ndrt'd  of  tlieni, 
don't  oaro  tor 
use  or  (iardcn, 
ice.     The  Day 


outbuihlings  which  gave  slielter  to  the  enemy. 
They  out  down  orcliard  trees,  and  1(  velhnl  fences, 
until  the  ground  about  th(>  fort  was  clear  and 
open,  and  the  encMU)'  ha;!  no  cover  left  from 
whence  to  tire.  'rh(>  two  M'sscIs  in  the  riv(M-, 
swecj)ingthe  northci'u  and  southern  curtains  of  tlie 
works  with  tlieir  lire,  deterred  the  Indians  from 
ai)[)roaching  those  points,  and  gave  material  aid  to 
the  ii'arrison.  Still.  woi-miiiLi"  tlieir  wav  throui'-h 
the  grass,  sheltering  themselves  behind  ev(U'y  rising 
ground,  the  pertinacious  savages  would  crawl  close 
to  the  palisade,  and  shoot  arrows,  tipped  Avith  burn- 
ing tow,  upon  the  roofs  of  the  houses  ;  but  cisterns 
and  tanks  of  water  were  everywhere  provided  against 
such  an  emergency,  and  these  attem[)ts  proved 
abortive.  The  little  church,  which  stood  near 
the  palisade,  was  particularly  ex[)()sed,  and  would 
].'r()bably  have  been  set  on  tire,  had  not  the  })riest 
cf  the  settlement  threaten.ed  Pontiac  with  the  ven- 
geance of  the  Great  Spirit,  should  he  be  guilty  of 
such  sacrilege.  Pontiac,  who  was  tilled  with  eager- 
ness to  get  possession  of  the  garrison,  neglected  no 
expedient  that  his  savage  tactics  could  sup[)ly.  lie 
went  fa'-ther,  and  begged  the  Freucli  inhabitants  to 
teach  him  the  Kuro[)ean  method  of  attacking  a 
f(»rtitied  place  by  regular  approaches  ;  but  the  rude 
Canadians  knew  as  little  of  the  matter  as  he  ;  or 
if,  by  chance,  a  few  were  better  informed,  they 
wisely  preferred  to  conceal  their  knowledge.     Soon 

before  Yesterday,  we  kiilfd  a  Cliit'f  and  tlirco  nthcrs,  and  wounded  some 
more  ;  yesterday  went  up  with  our  Sloop,  and  haltered  tlieir  Cabins  in 
SiU'h  a  .Manner  that  lliey  are  glad  to  keep  liullier  otf." 


2  IS 


I'OM'IAC   A  r    l)i;i'HOlT.      [1703,  Mav.Jlnk 


aftrr  tl:o  first  attack,  tlio  Ottawa  cliiof  liad  sent 
in  to  (jil,..""isvvn  a  sninnions  ti)  snrrcnder,  aysnrin<j;. 
liiin  that,  if  tlio  [)la('o  w(mv  at  once  «^iv{Mi  np,  iio 
might  (Mnl)ark  on  hoard  the  V(>ss('ls.  with  all  his 
men  ;  hut  that,  it'  lio  jxTsistod  in  liis  defence,  ho 
would  tr(Mt  him  as  Indians  treat  each  othiM" ;  tliat 
is,  he  would  burn  him  aliv(\  To  this  (iladwyn 
made  answer  that  \\c  canMl  nothing  for  his  tlireats.' 
'i'he  attacks  were  now  renew(Ml  with  increased  ac- 
tivity, and  the  assailants  were  soon  after  inspired 
with  fresh  ardor  hy  the  arrival  of  a,  hundred  iind 
twenty  Ojihwa  warriors  from  (irand  lliver.  Kvery 
man  in  the  fort,  otlicers,  soldiers,  traders,  and 
i'iHj(U/('s,  now  slept  u[)on  the  ramparts  ;  even  in 
stormy  weatlun-  none  were  allowed  to  withdraw  to 
their  (]uarters  ;  '  yet  a  s])irit  of  coniidencc  and 
cheerfulness  still  prevailed  among  the  weary  gar- 
rison. 

Meanwhile,  great  efforts  were  made  to  procure  a 
supply  of  provisions.  Every  house  was  examined, 
and  all  tliat  could  serve  for  food,  even  grease  and 
tallow,  was  collected  and  ])laced  in.  the  ])ublic 
storehouse,  compcMisation  Inning  first  been  made  to 
the  owners.  Notwithstanding  tliese  precautions 
Detroit  must  have  been  abandoned  or  destroyed, 
hut  for  the  assistance  of  a  few  friendly  Canadians, 
and  especially  of  ^[.  Baby,  a  prominent  ItabUanf, 
who  lived  on  the  opj)osite  side  of  the  river,  and 
provided  the  garrison  wdtli  cattle,  hogs,  and  other 
8U[)plies.     These,  nnder  cover  of  night,  were  car- 


itil 


1^' 


»  Pontine  MS. 


■-!  Pain.  Gaz.  No.  1808. 


(17t3;j,  Ma  V,. Junk 


i?v.],  >rAv,  ji:ni..]   i)i:im:tati()n  to  pontiac. 


249 


lic'f  liiid  sent 
•<l(u\  assin-iijn' 
^'ivcii  uj),  ho 
^viHl  all   his 
!  (lefcMic'i*,  ho 
I  otIi(>r :  that 
'lis   (jladwyi) 
■  Ins  threats.' 
ncrcascd   acs 
f'tor  inspired 
mndrod  and 
vor.      l':v(>ry 
raders,    and 
s  ;    even  in 
withdraw  to 
iidonce  and 
weary  gju- 

0  ])rocure  a 
'  examined, 
grease  and 
tlio   ])nl)lic 
'n  made  to 
)rocantions 
d(^stroycd, 
Canadians, 
hahltwit, 
riv(u-,  and 
and  other 
v»ere  car- 
ls. 


ried  from  his  farm  to  the  fort  in  boats,  the  Indians 
lonp,  remaining  ignorant  of  what  was  going  for- 
ward.' 

Tljc^y,  on  their  ]Kirt,  began  to  snfFer  from  hnnger. 
Thinkir."^-  to  liave  taken  Detroit  at  a  single  stroke, 
they  liad  nei^lcetcd,  with  tlieir  nsual  im[)rovidence, 
to  provide  against  the  exigencies  of  a,  siege  ;  and 
now.  in  small  ])arties,  tlicy  woidd  ^isit  tlie  Cana- 
dian families  along  the  river  shore,  passini^  from 
honse  to  honse,  demanding  ])rovisions,  and  threat- 
ening violence  in  case  of  refusal.  This  was  tin? 
more  annoying,  since  tiic  food  thus  obtained  was 
wasted  with  characteristic  recklessness.  UnabU*  ♦;(> 
endure  it  longer,  the  Canadians  appointed  a  de[)u- 
tation  of  fifteen  of  the  eldest  anu)ng  them  to  wait 
upon  Pontiac,  and  complain  of  his  followers'  con- 
duct. The  meeting  took  place  at  a  Canadian 
house,  probably  that  of  M.  Meloche,  where  tin? 
great  chief  had  made  his  head(piarters,  and  wluic 
the  ])risoners,  Campbell  and  M'JJougal,  were  c^m\- 
fined. 

1  Kxtnict  t'roiii  a  MS.  Letter  —  yfajn,        nhrijn  to  .s>  ./.  Am/icrst. 

"Detn.it  .luly  8tK.  17i'3. 

"  Since  tlie  Coiiimeiicpinoiit  of  this  1  raordiiiary  i\tli(ir,  I  have  heon 
IntoriiK'il,  tiiat  many  of  the  Iiihahitaiit-  ,,1  tliis  I'lace,  sec  •iideii  hy  ^ome 
Fi'('ii''ii  Trailers  from  Montreal,  have  'nmle  ttie  Indians  Believe  that  a 
I'rencli  Army  i^  I'Mcet  wert-  in  the  l{i'  i  St.  Lawrence,  aiwi  that  Armiher 
Army  would  come  trom  the  Illino'-  And  that  when  1  I'uljjished  tlio 
cessation  of  Arm-;,  they  said  it  was  i  iv  Invention  of  .Mine,  puiposely 
Caiciilated  to  Keep  the  Indians  (.^iiict.  as  Wi-  were  Atlraiil  of  Iheni  ;  hut 
they  were  not  such  Fools  as  to  Helieve  me  ;  Whicii,  with  a  thousand 
other  Lies,  calculated  to  Stir  up  .Mischief,  have  liuhiced  tiie  Imlians  to 
take  up  Arms;  And  I  dare  say  it  will  Appear  ere  lonp:,  tlnit  One  Half  of 
the  Settlement  merit  a  (iihhet,  and  the  Other  Half  ou^dit  to  he  Deci- 
mated ;  Nevertheless,  there  is  some  Iloui'st  Mi'n  anionic  them,  to  whom  I 
am  Intiniti'ly  Ohliiicil  ;  I  nu'aii.  Sir,  M'  i-ieur  Navarre,  the  two  Bahj -,  >!i 
my  Interpreters,  St.  Martin  >.<:  La  IJute." 


rri       I" 


iil  f 


if  ill 


;;>     i 


i:i 


250 


PONTIAC  AT   DKTKUIT.      [17u:J,  Mat,  June. 


When  Pontine  saw  the  deputation  approaching 
along  the  river  road,  he  was  seized  witli  an  exceed- 
ing eagerness  to  know  tlie  purpose  of  their  visit'; 
for  havin<2:  h:)n<>'  desired  to  «^ain  the  Canadians  as 
idhes  against  the  ErigUsli,  and  made  several  advan- 
ces to  that  effect,  he  hoped  that  their  present  errand 
might  relate  to  the  ohject  next  his  heart.  iSo 
strong  was  his  curiosity,  that,  forgetting  the  ordi- 
nary rule  of  Indian  dignity  and  decorum,  he  asked 
the  husiness  on  which  they  had  come  hefore  they 
themselves  had  communicated  it.  Tlie  Canadians 
replied,  that  they  wished  the  chiefs  to  he  convened, 
for  they  were  ahout  to  speak  upon  a  matter  of 
nnich  importance.       Pontiac   instantly   despatched 


messeuiiers   to   the   different 


and    villaiies. 


.,^....    .w    ...^   ....XV.X.-..V    camps   .v....    ......J,, 

The  chiefs,  soon  arriving  at  his  summons,  entered 
the  apartment,  where  they  seated  themselves  upon 
the  floor,  having  first  gone  througli  the  necessary 
formality  of  shaking  hands  with  the  Canadian  depu 
tie-.  After  a  snitahle  })ause,  the  eldest  of  the 
Fi'ench  rose,  and  lieavily  comi)lained  of  the  out- 
rages which  they  had  committed.  "  You  pretend," 
he  said,  ''  to  he  friends  of  the  French,  and  vet  vou 
])lunder  us  of  our  hogs  and  cattle,  you  trample 
upon  oui'  fields  ol  young  corn,  and  wiien  you  enter 
our  houses,  you  enter  with  tomahawk  raised.  When 
your  French  father  comes  from  ^Montreal  with  his 
great  army,  he  will  hear  of  what  you  have  done, 
and,  instead  of  shaking  hands  with  you  as  brethren, 
lie  will  punish  you  as  enemies." 

Pontiac    sat    with    his    eyes    riveted    upon    the 
ground,  listening  to  every  word  that  was  spoken. 


«!1k 


•iilS 


I !"•>!,  -Mat,  Jcse. 

n  appi-oarliiug 
^'itli  an  cxceed- 
of  their  visit'; 
Caiiiuliaiis  as 
several  advan- 
[)reseiit  errand 
is   heart.     .So 
ing  the  ordi- 
t'lim,  he  asked 
3  hefore  they 
le   Canadians 
he  convened, 
a  matter  of 
'  despatched 
ind    villages, 
ons,  entered 
nselves  npon 
le  necessary 
ladian  depu 
(lest  of  the 
of  the   out- 
'U  pretend," 
ik1   yet  you 
ou    trample 
I  you  enter 
^(h1.   AVhen 
ill  ^vith   his 
i;'ve  done, 
s  brethren, 

npon    the 
^s  spoken. 


1763,  Mat,  Jdne.]        SrKECII   OF   roXIIAC. 


L>:)1 


When  the  speaker  had  concluded,  he  returned  the 
foUowini;;  answer :  — 

''  Brothers  : 

'•  We  havt»  never  wished  to  do  you  harm,  nor 
allow  anv  to  be  done  vou  ;  but  aniou*;  us  there  are 
mauv  vouui^  num  who,  thoui'h  strictlv  watclied, 
find  opportunities  of  mischief.  It  is  not  to  revenge 
mvself  alone  that  I  make  war  on  the  Eniilish.  It 
is  to  revenge  vou,  my  Brothers.  When  the  English 
insulted  us,  tliev  insulted  vou  also.  I  know  that 
they  have  taken  away  vour  arms,  and  made  vou 
sign  a  paper  which  they  have  sent  home  to  their 
country.  Therefore  you  are  left  defenceless  ;  and 
I  mean  now  to  reveuij^e  vour  cause  and  mv  own 
to^-ether.  I  mean  to  ^V'strov  tiu-  Eunlisli,  and  leave 
not  one  upon  our  L  us.  You  do  not  know  the 
reasons  from  whiih  I  act.  I  have  told  you  those 
onlv  whicli  concern  vourselves  ;  but  vou  will  learn 

•  ♦  • 

all  in  time.  You  will  cease  then  to  think  me  a 
fool.  I  know,  my  hrothers.  th;it  there  are  many 
among  you  wliw.)  take  part  witrll  the  English.  I  am 
sorry  for  it,  tor  their  own  ^dvcs  ;  for  when  our 
Father  arrivc^s-,  I  shall  poiut  them  out  to  him,  and 
they  will  see  whether  they  or  L  have  most  reason 
to  be  satisfied  with  the  part  we  have  acted. 

"  I  do  not  doubt,  my  Brotncrs,  that  this  war  is 
very  troubk^some  to  yom.  for  oiiti*  warriors  are  coitt- 
tinually  passing  and  rf*pn9tsinii!2:  tl*  Migli  your  settU'- 
ment.  I  am  sorry  '  i  'k.  nut  think  t'  •  I 
approve  of  tlie  damaiM  tn.»^  -«  «i<*.ne  hy  them  ;  -uiu, 
as  a   proof  of    this.       i  war  witm   the 

Foxes,  and  the  part  wiiicn  i  to<»n.  n;  it.      It  is  now 


i^; 


I'oNriAf    A'l"    Dl/ritOil'        |17(;;!.  Mvv.,liiNK 


s('\(Mil(M>n  NcniN  sinr(>  llic  ()jil»\v;is  of  Michillimiick- 
iiiac,  coinhiiKMl  with  the  Sues  n\u\  l''<)\('s,  ciinu^ 
down  lo  (Icstrov  \()ii.  >\'li()  tlicn  ddriuhMl  von? 
A\'iis  il  not  I  iiiid  niv  yoinii;  men  (  M  ickinac,  i;r('nt 
(•lii(>l' ol"  all  lli(>s('  nations,  said  in  conncil  that  in* 
wonld  cany  to  hi^  \  illai^c  tlio  head  of  yonr  cotn- 
mandant  —  that  ho  wonld  oat.  his  luMit  and  drink 
liis  hlood.  Did  I  not  tako  vonr  |)art  I  Did  1  not 
•^•o  to  his  cainj).  ;•  ^d  sa\  to  him.  that  if  In^  wished 
to  kill  tho  l''r(MU'h.  h(>  nnist  lirst  kill  mo  and  my 
wanicns?  |)id  1  not  assist  von  in  rontinir  tluMn 
and  dri\ini;'  thom  away?'  And  now  yon  think 
that  1  wdnld  tnrn  mv  arms  ajj-ainst  yon  !  No, 
mv  l^rotlnns  ;  1  am  [\\r  s:\u\c  VvcwcU  Pontiac  who 
assist(Hl  Mm  s(W(M\t(MMi  V(Mrs  ai;o,  I  am  a  I'l'iMich- 
man.  and  I  wish  to  dii>  a  I'ronchman  ;  and  1  now 
r(^p(Ml  to  yon  that  yon  and  1  aro  oni^ — that  it  is 
for   hoth   t)ur  inlcn^sts   that    I  should   ho   avoniicd. 


J    \ 


l,> 


«•'-, 


'  'I'lii'  ,inn;ils  i>t'tlu'si>  rcnintc'  Mini  i^lomnv  i-i';_;iiins  arc  iuvolvcil  in  sucli 
oliM'tirily.  lli.it  il  is  liaiil  lo  ilisr.ivi-r  llic  prcci!:!'  cliMracliT  of  the  (MciiIs 
to  wliiiii  rontiac  iu'ri>  ii'lcrs.  Tlu'  o\\\y  allusion  lo  IIkmu,  wliicli  tlio 
wriliT  lias  nu't  willi.  is  the  t'ollowiiii;,  iiiscrilu'il  on  ii  taltiToil  scrap  of 
Koilcil  paiicr.  loiuiil  aminiLr  llic  M'noupil  maiuiscripls  :  — 

"l''i\c  mill's  lu'low  ilu'  iiioiilli  ot  Wolf  Kivi'r  is  tlic  (iicat  Death 
lirtHiml.  This  tiiok  iis  name  tVoiu  the  circumstance,  that  some  _vear,>i 
hettM'c  tiie  t^Kl  Kri'iich  \V.ir,  a  ;^reat  haltle  \v;is  t'oii^lit  hetweeii  liie  I'rench 
troojis,  Ms>i>leil  li\  Ihc  Meii'Mnn'Mi's  aiul  <  )|ia\vays  on  ilie  one  siili>,  ami 
the  Sac  and  Fox  liiilians  on  ll'.»'  other.  Tiie  Sai's  and  l''oxes  were  nearly 
nil  cut  otl';  and  this  proved  the  cause  ot'  their  evi-ntiial  expulsion  tVom 
ill  il  comiiry." 

'I  lie  MlVuiiial  manuscripN,  ahove  referred  lo,  heloni^ivl  to  a  son  of  the 
l.ieiUenani  M'nou,i;al  who  was  the  t'ellow  inisoner  of  Major  Campbell. 
t>n  the  death  ot'  the  yoniiiier  M'Doimjil,  the  p.ipers,  which  were  very 
^  iilnminoiis,  and  cont.iine  1  various  noii-s  iMiirerniiiL;  the  Indian  war,  and 
the  captivity  of  his  father,  came  into  the  iiossession  of  a  family  at  tli« 
liuvn  ot'  St.  Clair,  in  Michij;an.  who  |)ern\ilied  such  of  them  as  related  to 
the  :?ubjeets  in  iiueslion  to  he  copied  by  the  wrivtM". 


I  ITCi.;,  Mav,  .hiNK 


nr.li,  May,  JiiNi;!         I'oMCV    OF    PoN'MAC. 


253 


MicliilliiMiick- 

'lriHl(Ml  \()\i  f 
iclviii;ic,  i;i(>;i|, 
incil  tli;il  Ii(> 
i  your  coni- 
i'(  ;iii(l  (liiiik 
?  Di.l  I  iiol 
if  lie  uislicd 

me  :iii(l  my 
(Miliiio-  IIkmh 
k'    you    lliiiilv 

you  !  iNo, 
Pontine  wlio 
II   ;i    I''r(Mi('li- 

;iu(l  I  now 
~  th.if   it   is 

•I'     ilVCMlJicd. 
involved  ill  siicli 

IM-  of   (ll(>    I'Vcllts 

luMii,   whicli    i1h< 

tcrcil     S<T!1[)     of 

Lit  some  vi'jiiH 
('I'll  tlu'  I''rcncli 
t'  one  side,  jiiid 
Nos  were  iic'irly 
cxiiulsioii  tVoiu 

to  !i  son  of  the 
••ijor  (';im|)l)i'l(. 
licli  were  very 
iiiliiiii  \\.[\\  (iiul 
I  tiiiiiily  iit  tli« 
III  as  roliiUnl  to 


Let  luc  iilonc.  I  do  iiof  ask  you  for  aid,  for  it  i^^ 
not  in  vour  power  to  i^ive  it.  I  oidy  a^k  j)rovisioiis 
lor  ruNseir  and  men.  ^'et,  if  vou  are  inclined  to 
assist  me,  I  shall  not  refuse  nou.  It  would  i»lea.so 
me,  and  you  \ouis(dv(^s  would  \)C  sooner  rid  of 
your  trouhle^  ;  for!  j)romise  you,  that,  as  soon  a^4 
the  Ilii  dish  are  diiveii  out,  we  will  ;^o  hack  to  our 
villa<;(>s,  and  there  await  the  arrival  of  our  ]''reneh 
leather.  ^'ou  have  heard  what  I  have  to  say; 
remain  at  jteaee,  and  I  will  watch  that  no  harm 
(shall  he  done  to  you,  either  hy  my  men  or  hy  tho 
other  Indians." 

'I'll is  speech  is  reported  hy  a  writer  whose  chief 
characteristio  is  tho  scrupulous  accuracy  witli 
which  he  Inis  clironi(ded  minute  details  without 
int(M"est  or  importance.  He  ii(>«;lects,  moreover,  no 
opportunity  of  castin<^  i;j^n()miny  and  contempt  upon 
the  name  of  Pontiac.  Mis  mind  is  of  so  dull  and 
commonplace  an  order  as  to  exclude  the  supposi- 
tion that  he  himself  is  author  of  the  words  which 
he  ascrihcs  to  the  Ottawa  chief,  and  the  speech 
may  ])rohal)lv  be  taken  as  a  literal  translation  of 
the  original. 

As  soon  as  the  council  broke  up,  Pontiac  took 
measures  for  brin<^ing  the  disorders  complained  of 
to  a  close,  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  })rovi(led 
sustenance  for  his  warriors  ;  and,  in  doing  this,  he 
dis[)laycd  a  ])olicy  and  forecast  scarcely  paralleled 
in  the  history  of  his  race.  lie  first  forbade  the 
commission  of  farther  outrage.^     He  next  visiced  in 

1  Peltier's  Account,  MS. 


f  * 

\] 

m 

w>l 

I  lif 


IM! 


ii 


'^ 

(•I 


254 


roNTIAC   AT  DKTUUIT.       [ITti;!,  M  \v,  June. 


turn  the  families  of  the  Canadians,  and,  inspecting 
the  property  belonging  to  thcni,  he  assigned  to 
each  the  share  of  provisions  which  it  must  furnish 
for  the  support  of  the  Indians.'  The  contributions 
thus  levied  were  all  collected  at  the  house  of 
Meloche,  near  Parent's  Creek,  whence  they  were 
regularly  issued,  as  the  exigence  required,  to  the 
savages  of  the  different  cam])s.  As  the  character 
and  habits  of  an  Indian  but  ill  qualify  him  to  act 
the  part  of  commissary,  Pontiac  in  this  matter 
availed  himself  of  French  assistance. 

On  the  ri.'cr  bank,  not  far  from  the  house  of 
IMeloche.  lived  an  old  Canadian,  named  Quilleriez, 
a  man  of  exceedinijr  vanitv  and  self-conceit,  and 
noted  in  the  settlement  for  the  gaycty  of  his  attire. 
He  wore  moccasons  of  the  most  elaborate  pattern, 
and  a  sash  plentifully  garnished  with  beads  and 
wampum.  lie  was  continually  intermeddling  in 
the  affairs  of  the  Indians,  being  anxious  to  be 
regarded  as  the  leader  or  director  among  them.^ 
Of  this  man  Pontiac  evidently  made  a  tool, 
employing  him,  together  with  several  others,  to 
discliarge,  beneath  his  eye,  the  duties  of  his  novel 
commissariat.       Anxious   to   avoid   offending    the 

1   Gnm'n's  Accofint,  IMS. 

-  'J'raditioii  related  by  M.  Baby.  The  followinfr  is  from  tlie  Diari/  of 
the  SiDfp;  "  Mr.  St  Martin  said  .  .  .  that  one  Sibhnld  tbatcame  here  last 
winter  with  his  Wife  from  tlie  Illinois  had  told  at  Mr.  Cnellierry's  ^  Quil- 
leriez) ;hat  they  niiL^iit  expect  a  French  Army  in  tliis  Spring,  and  tiiat 
Kejiort  took  rise  from  liim.  That  the  Day  Capt.  Campbell  &  Lt.  MoDoii- 
gal  was  detained  hy  the  Indians,  Mr.  C  tiel  I  lerni  accepted  of  their  Offer  ofheiig 
iiiiide  Commandant,  if  this  Place  was  taken,  to  which  he  spoke  to  Mr.  Cuel- 
liorry  abont  and  ask'd  him  if  he  knew  what  he  was  doing,  to  which  Mr. 
Cuellierry  told  him,  I  am  almost  distracted,  the;'  are  like  so  many  Dogs 
about  me.  to  which  .Mr.  St.  Martin  made  him  no  Answer." 


[ITi;;!,  Mvv,  June. 


ITG!],  May,  .Tlni;.]     THAITS  Ol-    HIS  CIIAUACTKn. 


235 


nd.  inspecting 
10  assigned  to 
t  must  furnish 
?  contributions 
the  house  of 
nee  thev  were 
'quired,  to  the 
the  character 
fy  him  to  act 
n    this   matter 

1 
-'  • 

tlic  house  of 

led  Quilleriez, 

f-conceit,  and 

of  his  attire. 

3rate  pattern, 

th  beads  and 

irmeddling  in 

nxious   to  be 

imong  them.^ 

ade    a     tool, 

d    others,   to 

of  his  novel 

fFending    the 


from  the  Diarn  of 
that  came  here  last 
CuelHerry's  (Qiiil- 
Spring,  and  tliat 
hell  &  Lt.  McDoii- 
fthair  Offer  ofUhf} 
spoke  to  Mr.  Ciiel- 
inp,  to  wliich  Mr. 
ke  so  many  Dogs 
ler." 


French,  yet  unahln  to  make  compensation  for  the 
provisions  lie  had  exacted.  Pontijic  had  recourse 
to  a  remarkable  expedicMit.  sui^i^ested,  no  doubt,  by 
one  of  these  European  assistants.  lie  issued  pro- 
missory notes,  drawn  upon  birch-bark,  and  signed 
with  the  figure  of  an  otter,  the  totem  to  which 
he  belonged  ;  and  we  are  lold  by  a  trustworthy 
authoritv  that  thev  were  all  faithfullv  redeenunl.' 
In  this,  as  in  several  other  distances,  he  exhibits 
an  openness  of  mind  and  a  power  of  adaptation 
not  a  little  extraordinary  among  a  peo[)le  whose 
intellect  will  rarelv  leiive  the  narrow  and  deei)lv 
cut  channels  in  which  it  has  run  for  ages,  who 
rej(>ct  instruction,  and  adhere  with  rigid  tenacity  to 
ancient  ideas  and  usai^es.  Pontiac  alwavs  exhib- 
ited  an  eager  desire  for  knowledge,  llogers  repre- 
sents liim  as  earnest  to  learn  the  militarv  art  as 
practised  among  Europeans,  and  as  inc[uiring 
curiously  into  the  mode  of  making  cloth,  knives, 
f.nd  the  other  articles  of  Indian  trade.  Of  his 
keen  and  subtle  genius  we  have  the  following 
singular  testimony  from  the  pen  of  General  Gage . 
"  From  a  ])aragraph  of  M.  D'Abbadie's  letter, 
there  is  reason  to  judge  of  Pontiac,  not  only  as  a 
savage  possessed  of  the  most  refined  cunning  and 
treachery  natural  to  the  Indians,  but  as  a  person 
of  extraordinary  abilities.  He  says  that  he  keeps 
two  secretaries,  one  to  write  for  him,  and  the  other 
to  read  the  letters  he   receives,   and   he  manages 


1  Rogers,  Account  of  Xorth  America,  244.     The  anonyraoug  Diary  of  the 
Siege  says  that  they  hore  tlie  figure  of  a  "  coon." 


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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


fei 


1^ 


25  G 


PONTIAC   AT  DETROIT.      [ITG?,,  May,  June. 


!    U 


i      i 


-: 


''         I 


!i 


S.      ' 


them  so  as  to  keep  earh  of  them  ignorant  of  what 
is  transacted  by  the  other."  * 

jNIajor  Kogcrs,  a  man  familiar  with  the  Indians, 
and  an  acntc  judii^e  of  nuinkind,  speaks  in  the 
higliest  terms  of  Pontiac's  character  and  talents. 
"  11(»  puts  on,"  he  says,  "an  air  of  majesty  and 
princely  grandeur,  and  is  greatly  honored  and 
revered  by  his  subjects."  ^ 

In  the  present  instance,  few  durst  infringe  the 
command  he  had  given,  that  the  property  of  the 
Canadians  should  be  respected  ;  indeed,  it  is  said 
that  none  of  his  followers  would  .cross  the  culti- 
vated fields,  but  always  followed  tbe  beaten  paths  ; 
in  such  awe  did  they  stand  of  his  displeasure.' 

Pontiac's  position  was  very  different  from  that  of 
an  ordinary  military  leader.  When  we  remember 
that  his  authority,  little  sanctioned  by  law  or  usage, 
•was  derived  chiefly  from  the  force  of  his  own  indi- 
vidual mind,  and  that  it  was  exercised  over  a 
people  singularly  impatient  of  restraint,   we  may 

1  MS.  Letter—  dofje  to  Lord  Halifax,  April  j6,  17G4. 

Extract  from  a  MS.  Letter —  William  Smith,  Jr.,  to . 

"  New  York,  22(1  Not.  1763. 

"  'Tis  an  old  saying  tliat  the  Devil  is  easier  raised  than  laid.  Sir  Jef- 
frey lias  found  it  so,  with  these  Indian  Demons.  They  have  cut  his 
little  Army  to  I'iec'os,  &  almost  if  not  entirely  ohstnicted  tlie  Conmiu- 
nication  to  the  Detroite,  where  tiie  Enemy  are  grown  very  numerous; 
and  from  whence  I  fancy  you'll  soon  hear,  if  any  survive  to  relate  them, 
very  tragical  Acccmnts.  The  Besiegers  are  led  on  by  an  enterprising 
Fellow  called  Pondiac.  He  is  a  Genius,  for  he  possesses  great  Bravery, 
Art,  &  Oratory,  &  has  had  the  Address  to  get  liimself  not  only  at  tiie 
Head  of  his  Conciuerors,  but  elected  Oeneralissimo  of  all  the  confederate 
Forces  now  acting  against  us  —  Perhaps  he  may  deserve  to  be  called  the 
Milhridatcs  of  the  West." 

^  Rogers,  North  America,  240. 

3  (louin's  Account,  MS. 


1763,  Mat,  Junb.J      TRAITS  OF  HIS  CHARACTER. 


257 


nu 


22(1  Nov.  17fi3. 

laid.     Sir  Jef- 

iiave  cut  ilia 

tiie  roiuniu- 

ry  numerous ; 

)  reliite  tiioin, 
enU'iprising 

rent  Bravery, 

t  only  at  the 

le  confederate 
be  called  tlie 


i 


better  appreciate  the  commanding  energy  that 
could  hold  control  over  spirits  so  intractable. 

The  glaring  faults  of  Pontiac's  character  have 
already  appeared  too  clearly.  ]le  was  artful  and 
treacherous,  bold,  fierce,  ambitious,  and  revenge- 
ful ;  yet  the  following  anecdotes  will  evince  that 
noble  and  generous  thought  was  no  stranger  to 
the  savage  hero  of  this  dark  forest  tragedy.  Some 
time  after  the  ])eriod  of  which  we  have  been  speak- 
ing, Rogers  came  up  to  JJetroit,  with  a  detachment 
of  troops,  and,  on  landing,  sent  a  bottle  of  brandy, 
by  a  friendly  Indian,  as  a  present  to  Pontiac.  The 
Indians  had  always  been  suspicious  that  the  Kng- 
lish  meant  to  poison  them.  Those  around  the  chief, 
endeavored  to  persuade  him  that  tlie  brandy  was 
drugged.  Pontiac  listened  to  what  they  said,  and, 
as  soon  as  they  had  concluded.  ])onred  out  a  cup 
of  the  li(pior,  and  immediately  drank  it,  saying  that 
the  man  whose  life  he  had  saved  had  no  power  to 
kill  him.  He  referred  to  his  having  prevented  the 
Indians  from  attacking  llogers  and  his  party  when 
on  their  way  to  demand  the  surrender  of  Detroit. 
The  story  may  serve  as  a  counter[)art  to  the  well- 
known  anecdote  of  Alexander  the  Great  and  his 
physician.' 

Pontiac  had  been  an  old  friend  of  Pabv ;  and 
one  evening,  at  an  early  perioil  of  the  siege,  he 
entered  his  house,  and,  seating  himself  by  the  fire, 
looked  for  some  time  steadily  at  the  embers.  At 
length,  raising  his  head,  he  said  he  had  heard  that 
the  English  had  offered  the  Canadian   a  bushel  of 

1  lioyers,  Xurth  Aincrica,  244. 
17 


mi: 


258 


PONTIAC  AT  DETROIT.      [1763,  Mat,  June. 


silver  for  the  scalp  of  his  friend.  Baby  declared 
that  the  story  was  false,  and  protested  that  he  would 
never  betray  him.  Pontiac  for  a  moment  keenly 
studied  his  features.  "  My  brother  has  spoken  the 
truth,"  he  said,  '•  and  I  will  show  that  I  believe 
him."  lie  remained  in  the  house  through  the 
evening,  and,  at  its  close,  wrapped  himself  in  his 
blanket,  and  lay  down  upon  a  bench,  where  he 
slept  in  full  confidence  till  morning.* 

Another  anecdote,  from  the  same  source,  will 
exhibit  the  power  which  he  exercised  over  the 
minds  of  his  followers.  A  few  young  Wyandots 
were  in  the  habit  of  coming,  night  after  night,  to 
the  house  of  Baby,  to  steal  hogs  and  cattle.  The 
latter  complained  of  the  theft  to  Pontiac,  and 
desired  his  protection.  Being  at  that  time  igno- 
rant of  the  intercourse  between  Baby  and  the  Eng- 
lish, Pontiac  hastened  to  the  assistance  of  his 
friend,  and,  arriving  about  nightfall  at  the  house, 
walked  to  and  fro  among  the  barns  and  enclosures. 
At  a  late  hour,  he  distinguished  the  dark  forms  of 
the  plunderers  stealing  through  the  gloom.  "  Go 
back  to  your  village,  you  Wyandot  dogs,"  said  the 
Ottawa  chief;  '"if  you  tread  again  on  this  man's 
land,  you  shall  die."  They  slunk  back  abashed ; 
and  from  that  time  forward  the  Canadian's  property 
was  safe.  The  Ottawas  had  no  political  connec- 
tion with  the  Wyandots,  who  speak  a  language 
radically  distinct.  Over  them  he  could  claim  no 
legitimate  authority  ;  yet  his  powerful  spirit  forced 


1  Tradition  related  by  M.  Fran9ols  Baby. 


AT,  JO'E. 


17G3,  May,  June.]     RESPECT  FOU  POXTIAC. 


259 


cclaved 
3  would 

keenly 
ken  the 

believe 
igh  the 
f  in  his 
here  he 


respect  and  obedience  from  all  who  approached 
liim.^ 

•  Tradition  related  by  M.  Fran9oi9  Bab}',  of  Windsor,  U.  C,  tbe  son 
of  Poiitiac's  friend,  who  lives  opposite  Detroit,  upon  nearly  tlie  same  site 
formerly  occupied  by  bis  fatlier's  lioi;se.  Tliougb  I'ontiac  at  tbis  time 
assumed  tlie  attitude  of  a  protector  of  tbe  Canadians,  be  bad  i)reviously, 
according  to  tbe  anonymous  Ularij  of  the  Siejfc,  bullied  tbem  exceedingly, 
compelling  tbem  to  plougb  land  for  bim,  and  do  otber  work.  Once  be 
forced  tbem  to  carry  bim  in  a  sedan  cbair  from  house  to  bouse,  to  look 
t'cr  provisions. 


ill 


I'.: 


rce,  will 
)ver   the 
V^yandots 
night,  to 
le.     The 
tiac,    and 
ime  igno- 
the  Eng- 
e    of   his 
he  house, 
nclosures. 
forms  of 
|»m.     "  Go 
said  the 
this  man's 
abashed ; 
's  property 
•al  connec- 
language 
claim  no 
)irit  forced 


tf 


:'   1 


I 


l!l 


CHAPTER    Xm. 

1763. 

ROUT  OF  CUYLKR'S  I)I-:TACIIMENT.  —  FATE  OF  THE 
FOREST  GAUKISONS. 

While  perils  wore  thickening  around  the  garri- 
son of  Detroit,  the  British  commander-in-chief  at 
New  York  remained  ignorant  of  its  danger.  In- 
deed, an  unwonted  quiet  liad  prevailed,  of  late, 
along  the  borders  and  about  the  neighboring  forts. 
Witli  the  opening  of  spring,  a  strong  detachment 
had  been  sent  up  tlie  lakes,  with  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions and  ammunition  for  the  use  of  Detroit  and 
the  other  western  posts.  Tlie  boats  of  this  convoy 
were  now  i)ursuing  their  course  along  the  northern 
shore  of  Lake  Erie ;  and  Gladwyn's  garrison, 
aware  of  their  approach,  awaited  their  arrival  with 
an  anxiety  which  every  d;iy  increased. 

Day  after  day  passed  on,  and  the  red  cross  of  St. 
Geori^e  still  floated  above  Detroit.  The  keen-eved 
watchfulness  of  the  Indians  had  never  abated  ;  and 
woe  to  the  soldier  who  showed  his  head  above  the 
palisades,  or  exposed  his  person  before  a  loophole. 
Strong  in  his  delusive  hope  of  French  assistance, 
Pontiac  had  sent  messengers  to  M.  Neyon,  com- 
mandant at  the  Illinois,  earnestly  requesting  that  a 


17G;5,  May.] 


CONDITION   OF   THE  FOIiT. 


261 


\1\ 


'   THE 


I  garn- 
;liicf  at 
sr.     In- 
3f  late, 
jT  forts, 
chmcnt 
of  pro- 
oit  and 
convoy 
orthern 
arris  on, 
^al  with 

s  of  St. 
cn-cycd 

(I  ;  and 
)ove  tlie 

ophole. 

istance, 
com- 


4 

V. 


n, 


that  a 


force  of  regular  tro()])s  might  he  sent  to  his  aid  ; 
and  Gladwyn,  on  his  side,  had  ordered  one  of  the 
vessels  to  Niagara,  to  hasten  forward  the  expected 
convoy.  Tlie  schooner  set  sail;  hut  on  the  next 
dav,  as  she  lav  hecalmed  at  the  entrance  of  liake 
Eric,  a  multitude  of  canoes  suddenly  darted  out 
upon  her  from  ihe  neighl)oring  shores.  In  the 
prow  of  the  foremost  the  Indians  had  placed  their 
prisoner,  Captain  Camphell,  with  tlie  dastardly 
purpose  of  inter})0sing  him  as  a  screen  hetween 
themselves  and  the  fire  of  the  Eni^lish.  Ihit  the 
hrave  old  man  called  out  to  the  crew  to  do  tJieir 
duty,  without  regard  to  him.  Happily,  at  that 
moment  a  fresh  hreeze  sprang  up  ;  the  flapping 
sails  stretched  to  the  wind,  and  the  schooner  horc 
prosperously  on  her  course  towards  Niagara,  leav- 
ing the  savage  flotilla  far  hehind.^ 

The  fort,  or  rather  town,  of  Detroit  had,  hy  this 
time,  lost  its  wonted  vivacitv  and  life.  Its  narrow 
streets  were  gloomy  and  silent.  Here  and  there 
strolled  a  Canadian,  in  red  cap  and  gaudy  sash ; 

1  Penn.  Gnz.  No.  1807.     MS.  Letter—  Will-ins  to  AmJiprst,  June  18. 

Tliis  incident  may  have  suifj^ested  tlie  story  toM  hy  Mrs.  Grant,  in 
her  Memoirs  of  an  Atiwriain  Ijitdij.  A  yoiiii}i  Hritisli  ollicor,  of  nohk'  hirth, 
liarl  been  Uving  for  sometime  amonp  the  Imlians.aml  havinjj  encountered 
many  strange  adventures,  lie  was  now  returning,'  in  a  canoe  with  a  party 
ot'liis  hite  associates,  —  none  of  tiiem,  it  appears,  were  aware  tiiat  liostiH- 
tiea  e.xisted,  —  and  approaclied  the  scliooner  just  before  the  attack  com- 
menced, expecting  a  friendly  reception.     Sir  Jlobert  I) ,  the  younfj 

otlicer,  was  in  Indian  costume,  and,  wishinj;  to  surprise  his  frieiuls,  he 
made  no  answer  wlien  hailed  from  the  vessel,  wlierenpon  he  was  instantly 
fired  at  and  killed.  —  The  story  is  without  <onfirmHtion,  in  any  contem- 
porary document,  and,  indeed,  is  impo.«sihle  in  itself.  Sir  Robert  Davers 
was  killed,  as  before  mentioned,  near  Lake  St.  Clair;  but  neither  in  his 
character,  nor  in  the  mode  of  his  death,  did  he  at  all  resemble  the 
ronuintic  adventurer  whorie  fate  is  commemorated  by  Mrs.  Grant. 


^11 


I 


,';i 

:  % 


.'* 


•  1- 


202 


TinVT  OF  CUYLER'S  DKTACIIMEN  T.     [ITGH,  Mat. 


;    :i 
.1; 


the  weary  sentinel  walked  to  and  fro  before  the 
quarters  of  the  commandant;  an  officer,  perhaps, 
passed  along  with  rapid  step  and  anxious  face  ;  or 
an  Indian  girl,  the  mate  of  some  soldier  or  trader, 
moved  silently  by,  in  her  finery  of  beads  and  ver- 
milion. Such  an  aspect  as  this  the  town  must  have 
presented  on  the  morning  of  the  thirtietli  of  May, 
when,  at  about  nine  o'clock,  the  voice  (♦f  the  senti- 
nel sounded  from  the  south-east  biistion ;  and  loud 
exclamations,  in  the  direction  of  the  river,  roused 
Detroit  from  its  lethargy.  Instantly  the  place  was 
astir.  Soldiers,  traders,  and  habitants,  hurrying 
through  the  water-gate,  thronged  the  canoe  wharf 
and  the  narrow  strand  without.  The  half-wild 
courcurs  de  hois,  the  tall  and  sinewy  provincials, 
and  the  stately  British  soldiers,  stood  crowded 
together,  their  uniforms  soiled  and  worn,  and 
tlnnr  faces  haggard  with  unremitted  watching. 
Yet  all  alike  wore  an  animated  and  joyous  look. 
The  long  expected  convoy  was  full  in  sight.  On 
the  farther  side  of  the  river,  at  some  distance  below 
the  fort,  a  line  of  boats  was  rounding  the  woody 
projection,  then  called  Montreal  Point,  their  oars 
flashing  in  the  sun,  and  the  red  flag  of  England 
flvinj?  from  the  stern  of  the  foremost.*  The  toils 
and  dangers  of  the  garrison  were  drawing  to  an 
end.  With  one  accord,  they  broke  into  three 
hearty  cheers,  again  and  again  repeated,  while  a 
cannon,  glancing  from  the  bastion,  sent  its  loud 
voice   of  defiance  to  the  enemy,  and  welcome  to 

»  Pontiac  MS. 


11^:1 


i,  Mat. 

D  the 
haps, 
c;  or 
viidcr, 
d  ver- 
it  have 
•  May, 
;  scnti- 
h\  loud 
roused 
ice  was 
urrying 
;  wharf 
.alf-wUd 
vinciais, 
crowded 
)ru,  and 
atchiug. 
us  look. 
;ht.     On 
cc  helow 
ic  woody 
heir  oars 
England 
The  toils 
ng  to  an 
iito   three 
while  a 
t  its  loud 
elcome  to 


17G3,  Mw]  A    DISArPolNTFJ)   GAIIRISOX. 


'2(]ii 


•i , .  ■41 


approaching  fiiend>^.  T^ut  suddiMily  every  clieek 
grew  pale  witli  liorror.  Dark  nakcnl  fi<;ures  were 
seen  rising,  with  wild  gesture,  in  the  bouts,  while, 
in  place  of  the  answering  salute,  tlie  distant  yell 
of  the  war-whoop  fell  faintly  on  their  ears.  The 
convov  was  in  the  hands  of  tlie  enemv.  The 
boats  liad  all  been  taken,  and  the  troo})s  of  the  de- 
tachment slain  or  made  captive.  Officers  and 
men  stood  gazing  in  mournful  silence,  when  an 
incident  occurred  which  caused  them  to  forget  the 
general  calamity  in  the  absorbing  interest  of  the 
moment. 

Leaving  the  disappointed  garrison,  we  will  pass 
over  to  the  principal  victims  of  this  deplorable 
misfortune.  In  each  of  the  boats,  of  which  there 
were  eighteen,  two  or  more  of  the  captured  soldiers, 
deprived  of  their  weapons,  were  compelled  to  act 
as  rowers,  guarded  by  several  armed  savages,  while 
many  other  Indians,  for  the  sake  of  farther  security, 
followed  the  boats  along  the  shore.*  In  the  fore- 
most, as  it  happened,  there  were  four  soldiers  and 
only  three  Indians.  The  larger  of  the  two  vessels 
still  lay  anchored  in  the  stream,  about  a  bow-shot 
from  the  fort,  while  her  companion,  as  we  have 
seen,  had  gone  down  to  Niagara  to  hasten  up  this 
very  re-enforcement.  As  the  boat  came  opposite  this 
vessel,  the  soldier  w-ho  acted  as  steersman  conceived 
a  daring  plan  of  escape.  The  principal  Indian  sat 
immediately  in  front  of  another  of  the  soldiers.  The 
steersman  called,  in  English,  to  his  comrade  to  seize 


■'A  1 


'•il 


1  Pontiac  MS. 


f-f" 


201 


ROUT  OF  CUYLi: R\S  DKTACIIMKNT.     [1703,  Mat. 


i 


the  savn^e  and  tlirow  hi?n  ovnhoard.  Tlio  man 
answcivd  that  lio  was  not  strong  eiiotigh  ;  on  whicli 
the  steersman  direrted  him  to  change  places  with 
him,  as  if  fatigued  with  rowing,  a  movement  which 
would  excite  no  suspicion  on  the  ])art  of  their 
guard.  As  the  hold  soldier  stepped  forward,  as  if 
to  take  his  companion's  oar,  he  suddenly  seized 
the  Indian  hy  the  hair,  and,  griping  with  the  other 
liand  the  girdle  at  his  waist,  lifted  him  hy  main 
force,  and  flung  him  into  the  river.  The  hoat 
rocked  till  the  water  surged  over  her  gunwale. 
The  Indian  held  fast  to  his  enemy's  clothes,  and, 
drawing  himself  upward  as  he  trailed  alongside, 
stahhed  him  again  and  again  with  his  knife,  and 
then  dragged  him  overhoard.  Hoth  went  down  the 
swift  current,  rising  and  sinking ;  and,  as  some 
relate,  perished.  grai)pled  in  each  other's  arms.' 
The  two  remaining  Indians  lea})ed  out  of  the  boat. 
The  prisoners  turned,  and  pulled  for  the  distant 
vessel,  shouting  aloud  for  aid.  The  Indians  on 
shore  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  them,  and  many 
canoes  paddled  swiftly  in  pursuit.  The  men 
strained  with  desperate  strength.  A  fate  mex\  res- 
sibly  horrible  was  the  alternative.  The  bullets 
hissed  thickly  around  their  heads  ;  one  of  them 
was  soon  wounded,  and  the  light  birch  canoes 
gained  on  them  with  fearful  rapidity.  Escape 
seemed  hopeless,  when  the  report  of  a  cannon 
burst  from  the  side  of  the  vessel.  The  ball  flew 
close  past  the  boat,  beating  the  water  in  a  line  of 

1  Another  witness,  Gouln,  affirms  tlmt  the  Indian  freed  himself  from 
the  dying  Rrasp  of  tlie  soldier,  and  swam  aahoro. 


I 


'J 


r.3,  Mat. 


170.1,  Ma  Y.J 


KscAi'K  OF  rinse )Ni:us. 


2(1 


)} 


p  man 
which 
s  with 
which 
their 
,  as  if 
s(;izcd 
'  other 
y  main 
c   ho  at 
iiiwale. 
s,  and, 
iiigside, 
ifc,  and 
)wii  the 
,s  some 
arms.* 
e  boat, 
distant 
ians  on 
d  many 
le    men 
lex}  res- 
bullets 
f  them 
canoes 
Escape 
cannon 
all  ilew 
line  of 

imself  from 


foam,  and  narrowly  missiiiij:  the  foremost  canoe. 
At  this,  tlie  pursuers  (h'cw  l)ack  in  distnay  ;  and 
the  Indians  on  shor(%  heinu:  fartluu*  saluted  by 
a  second  shot,  ceased  tiring,  and  scattered  among 
the  hushes.  The  ])risoners  soon  reached  the  vessel, 
wliere  tliey  were  greeted  as  men  snatched  from 
the  jaws  of  fate;  "a  living  moiniment,"  writes  an 
officer  of  the  garrison,  "  that  Fortune  favors  the 
brave." ' 

They  related  many  particulars  of  the  catastrophe 
which  had  befallen  them  and  their  companions. 
Lieuteuiuit  Cuyler  had  left  Fort  Niagara  as  early 
as  the  thirteenth  of  May,  and  erfibarked  from  Fort 
Schlosser,  just  above  the  falls,  with  ninety-six  men 
and  a  plentiful  supjdy  of  provisions  and  ammuni- 
tion. Day  after  day  he  had  coasted  th(^  northern 
shore  of  Lake  Erie,  and  seen  neither  friend  nor  foe 
amid  those  lonely  forests  and  waters,  until,  on  the 
twenty-eighth  of  the  month,  he  landed  at  Point 
Pelee,  not  far  from  the  mouth  of  tlu^  River  Detroit. 
The  boats  were  drawn  on  the  beach,  and  the  party 
prepared  to  encamp.  A  man  and  a  boy  went  to 
gather  firewood  at  a  short  distance  from  the  spot, 
when  an  Indian  leaped  out  of  the  woods,  seized 
the  boy  b}  the  hair,  and  tonudiawked  him.  The 
man  ran  into  camp  with  the  alarm.  Cuyler  imme- 
diately formed  his  soldiers  into  a  semicircle  before 
the  boats.  He  had  scarcely  done  so  when  the 
enemy  opened  their  fire.  For  an  instant,  there  was 
a  hot  blaze   of  musketry  on  both  sides ;   then  the 


i« 


1  Penn.  Gaz.  No.   1807.     St.  Aubin's  Account,  MS.     Peltier's  Account, 


MS. 


?()(; 


TJnr  r    nr   CIVLKKS    DKTAril.MKN'I'.     [170:!,  Mat. 


li 


I; 


Tii(li:iMs  l>r()k('  out  of  the  woods  in  ;i  Ixxly,  and 
rushed  li(M'crly  upon  tlic  ((Mitrc  (»!'  tlic  line,  which 
•j^avo  way  in  ("very  part ;  tlic  men  thnu^ini^  down 
their  i^nns.  rnnninjj^  in  ii  hhnd  panic  to  tlie  l)oats, 
and  stnii^L^hiiL^  with  ill-directed  (Mhirts  to  sh.ovo 
them  into  the  water.  l''ive  were  s(>t  afloat,  and 
pushed  off  IVoin  the  shore,  crowded  with  the  terri- 
fied soldiers.  Cnvler.  s(>einjj:  himself",  as  he  savs, 
deserted  hy  his  nuMi,  waded  uj)  to  his  neck  in  the 
lake,  and  elimhed  into  one  of  the  retreatin*^  boats. 
'I'he  Indians,  on  theii*  part,  pushinu;  two  more  afloat, 
went  in  ])ursuit  of  the  fuj.jitives,  throe  hoatdoads  of 
whom  allowed  themselves  to  he  recaptured  without 
resistance  ;  but  the  remainin<;  two,  in  one  of  which 
was  Cuyler  himself,  mad(^  their  cscaj)e.'  They 
rowed  all  nii;ht,  and  landed  iii  the  morning  upon 
•I  small  island.  Ik'tween  thirtv  md  fortv  men, 
some  of  whom  were  wounded,  were  crowded  in 
these  two  boats  ;  the  rest,  about  sixty  in  number, 
beiuii:  killed  or  taken.  Cnvler  now  made  for 
Sanduskv,  which,  on  his  arrival,  he  found  burnt 
to  the  ground.  Innnediately  leaving  the  spot, 
he  rowed  along  the  south  shore  to  Presqu'  Isle, 
from    whence   he    proceeded    to    Niagara    and    re 


If 

r 


'  t 
I  i 


^ 


1  "  Boinjr  abaiuloned  by  my  men,  I  wns  Forced  to  Retreat  in  the  best 
nianiier  I  could.  I  was  left  with  6  men  on  the  Boecli,  Kndeavorinfj  to  get 
o(Va  Boat,  which  not  boinjx  able  to  EfU'ct,  was  ObliLTcd  to  llun  up  to  my 
Neck,  in  the  J/ike,  to  szct  to  a  Hoat  tiiat  had  pushed  ofV,  without  my 
Knowledge.  —  When  I  was  in  the  Lake  I  saw  Five  Boats  manned,  and 
the  Indians  having  manned  two  Boats,  ])ursued  and  Brought  back  Three 
of  the  Five,  keeping  a  continual  Fire  from  otfthe  Shore,  and  from  the  two 
Bo.its  that  t'ollowed  us,  about  a  Mile  on  the  Lake;  the  Wind  springing  up 
fair,  I  and  the  other  Hemaining  Boat  Hoisted  sail  and  escaped." — Cnyler'a 
Rejmt,  MS. 


.S 


;?.  Mat. 


17i;3,  Mav  I 


INDIAN  nr.nArcn. 


'2i\l 


,     Miul 

down 
boats, 
sliovp 
t.  iuid 
tcrri- 

•  says, 
in  the 

boats. 

ailoat, 

lacls  of 
vithont 

*  which 

They 
g  upon 

V     llU'll, 

(UhI  in 
unher, 
do  for 
burnt 
spot, 
u'  Isle, 
md    re 


in  the  best 
:)rins  to  get 
,n  up  to  my 
.vitliDUt  my 
iMimeil,  anil 
lack  Three 
■oin  the  two 
l)nn<j;ing  up 


f% 


])ort<Ml    Ills  loss   to    >fajor  Wilkin^,   the    coiiiiuand- 
inij  ofliccr.' 

The  actors  in  tliis  bold  and  wcll-cxccutcil  stroke 
were  tlie  Wvandots,  who.  for  some  davs,  liad  lain 
in  ainbusli  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  to  intercept 
ti'adini^  boats  or  parties  of  troops.  Scmmiiu;  the  fright 
and  confusion  of  ('nvler's  men.  tliev  had  forgotten 
tlieir  usual  caution,  and  rnshed  upon  them  in  the 
manner  described.  'IMie  ammunition,  provisions, 
and  other  articles,  taken  in  this  attack,  formed  a 
valuable  prize  ;  but,  unfortunately,  tliere  was,  amoni^ 
the  rest,  a  <,n'eat  quantity  of  whiskey.  This  the  In- 
dians seized,  and  carried  to  their  respective  camj)s, 
which,  throughout  the  night,  presented  a  scene  (>( 
savage  revelry  and  riot.  'I'Ik^  li<[uor  was  pourtMl 
into  vessels  of  birch-bark,  or  any  tliinii;  capable  of 
containing  it;  and  the  Indians,  crowding  around, 
scooped  it  U])  in  their  cu[)s  and  ladh^s.  and  (piaffed 
the    raw    whiskev    like    water.      AN'hilc    some    sat 

»    Cuf/Irr'H  nrpnrt,  MS. 

Extract  from  a  MS.  Letter  —  MnjorWiU .,  ■  /(  Sir  ./.  Amfitrn. 

"  N'iiiKiirii,  »5th  .lunp,  170.1 

"Just  as  I  was  sondin}?  off  my  Letter  of  Y"-  >n':iy,  Lioutcnani  ("iiy- 
ler,  of  the  Queen's  IJariL'ers,  Arrive'!  from  1.,.,  ..itenilfil  N'oya^'c  to  tlie 
Detroit.  He  lias  heen  very  Unfortunate,  Having  been  Di-feutcil  hy  Inilian-^ 
witliin  80  miles  of  the  Detroit  l?ivor;  I  nbserveil  tli.it  he  was  Woiiti'Ied 
and  Weak,  and  Desired  iiini  to  take  the  Surgeon's  Assist.'ince  Jirid  some 
Rest,  and  Kecolleet  tlie  I'articuhirs  of  the  Affair,  and  let  me  havf  theiu  in 
Writing,  as  perhaps  I  should  find  it  Necessary  to  Transniit  tlicni  to  Vour 
K.xcellency,  wliich  I  have  now  Done. 

"  It  is  probable  Vonr  Kxcelleiicy  will  have  heard  of  what  has  Hap- 
pened by  way  of  Fort  Pitt,  as  Knsign  Christie,  f'oinmandinir  nt  I'resqu'  Isle, 
writes  me  he  has  sent  an  Express  to  .Acquaint  the  roinm:Midin<_'  fifficer  at 
that  Place,  of  Sanduskie's  being  Destroyed,  and  of  Lieut,  ("uyler's  Defeat. 

"Some  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  are  now  with  me.  The}'  seem 
very  Civil  ;  The  Interpreter  has  just  told  them  I  wms  writing  to  Your 
Excellency  for  Hum,  and  they  are  very  glad." 


268 


ROUT  OF  CUYLEirS  DETACHMENT.    [1763,  Mat. 


..H 


apart,  wailing  and  iiioaniug  in  maudlin  drunken- 
ness, others  were  maddened  to  the  ferocity  of  wild 
beasts.  Dormant  jealousies  were  awakened,  old 
forgotten  (quarrels  kindled  afresh,  and,  had  not  the 
squaws  taken  the  ])recaution  of  hiding  all  the 
wea})ons  they  coukl  find  before  the  debauch  began, 
much  blood  would,  no  doubt,  have  been  spilt.  As 
it  was,  the  savages  were  not  entirely  without  meiins 
of  induly'inijr  their  drunken  raij^e.  Many  were 
wounded,  of  whom  two  died  in  the  morning ;  and 
several  others  had  their  noses  bitten  off, — a  singular 
mode  of  revenge,  much  in  vogue  upon  similar  occa- 
sions, among  the  Indians  of  the  upper  lakes.  The 
English  were  gainers  by  tliis  scene  of  riot ;  for  late 
in  the  evening,  two  In(Uans,  in  all  tlic  valor  and 
vain-glory  of  drunkenness,  came  riuining  directly 
towards  the  fort,  boasting  tlieir  prowess  in  a  loud 
voice  ;  but  being  greeted  with  two  rifle  bullets,  they 
leaped  into  the  air  like  a  pair  of  wounded  bucks, 
and  fell  dead  on  their  tracks. 

It  will  not  be  proper  to  pass  over  in  silence  tlie 
fate  of  the  unfortunate  men  taken  prisoners  in  this 
affair.  A.fter  night  had  set  in,  several  Canadians 
came  to  the  fort,  bringing  vague  and  awful  reports 
of  the  scenes  that  had  been  enacted  at  the  Indian 
camp.  The  soldiers  gathered  round  them,  and, 
frozen  with  horror,  listened  to  the  appalling  narra- 
tive. A  cloud  of  deep  gloom  sank  down  upon  the 
garrison,  and  none  could  help  reflecting  how  thin 
and  frail  a  barrier  protected  them  from  a  similar 
fate.  On  the  following  day,  and  for  several  succeed- 
ing days,  tney  beheld  frightful  confirmation  of  the 


763,  Mat. 

•iinkcu- 
of  wild 
Lcd,  old 
not  the 
all   the 

began, 
lit.  As 
t  means 
y  were 
ijj ;  and 
singular 
[ar  occa- 
s.     The 

for  late 
dor  and 

directly 
in  a  loud 
CIS,  they 
d  bucks, 

cnce  the 
;  in  this 
nadians 
reports 
Indian 
m,  and, 
Ig  narra- 
ipon  tlie 
low  thin 
similar 
mccecd- 
b  of  the 


1763,  May.1 


FATE  OF  THE   CAPTIVES. 


2()9 


rumors  they  had  heard.  Naked  corpses,  gashed 
■with  knives  and  scorclicd  with  fire,  floated  down 
on  the  pure  wavers  of  the  Detroit,  whose  fish  came 
up  to  nibble  at  the  clotted  blood  that  clung  to  their 
ghastly  faces.* 


1  "Tlie  Indians,  fearing  that  tlie  other  barges  might  escape  as  tlie  first 
had  done,  clianged  their  plan  of  going  to  the  camp.  Tiiey  hinded  their 
prisoners,  tied  them,  and  con(hicted  them  hy  land  to  the  Ottawas  village, 
and  then  crossed  tlioin  to  Tondiac's  camp,  where  they  were  all  hntctiered. 
As  soon  as  the  canoes  reached  tlie  shore,  the  harharians  hmded  their 
prisoners,  one  after  the  other,  on  the  1 1'ach  They  ma<Ie  tliem  strip 
tliemselves,  and  then  sent  arrows  into  ditlerent  parts  of  their  bodies. 
These  mifortnnate  men  wislied  sometimes  to  throw  themselves  on  the 
ground  to  avoid  the  arrows  ;  but  they  were  beaten  with  sticks  and  forced 
to  stand  up  until  they  fell  dead  ;  after  which  those  who  had  not  lired  fell 
tipon  their  l)oilies,  cut  them  in  pieces,  cooked,  and  ate  them.  On  others 
they  exercised  ditlerent  modes  of  torment  by  cutting  their  flesh  with 
flints,  and  piercing  them  with  lances.  They  would  then  cut  their  feet  and 
liands  off,  and  leave  them  weltering  in  their  blond  till  they  were  dead. 
Others  were  fastened  to  stakes,  and  children  employed  in  burning  them 
with  a  slow  fire.  No  kind  of  torment  was  left  untried  by  thesi.  ..ndians. 
Some  of  the  bo<lies  were  left  on  shore  ;  others  were  thrown  into  the  river. 
I^ven  the  women  assisted  their  husbands  in  torturing  their  victims.  They 
slitted  them  with  their  knives,  and  mangled  them  in  various  ways.  There 
were,  however,  a  few  whose  lives  were  saved,  l)eing  adopted  to  starve  as 
slaves."  —  Piintiar.  MS. 

"  The  remaining  barges  proceeded  up  the  river,  and  crossed  to  the 
hou.se  of  Mr.  Melot'he,  where  I'ontiac  and  his  Ottawas  were  encamped. 
The  barges  were  landed,  and.  the  women  having  arranged  themselves  in 
two  rows,  with  clubs  and  sticks,  the  prisoners  were  taken  out,  one  by 
one,  and  told  to  run  the  gauntlet  to  Tontiac's  lodge.  Of  si.xty-si.{  i)ersons 
who  were  brought  to  the  shore,  si.xty-four  ran  the  gMuntlet,  and  were  all 
killed.  One  of  the  remaining  two,  who  had  had  his  thigh  broken  in  the 
firing  from  the  shore,  and  who  was  tied  to  liis  seat  and  compelled  to  row, 
had  become  by  this  tiiue  so  much  exhausted  that  he  couM  not  help  him- 
self. Ife  vvas  thrown  out  of  the  ho.'it  and  killed  with  clubs.  The  other, 
when  (iirecteil  to  run  for  the  lodge,  suddenly  fell  upon  his  knees  in  the 
water,  and  having  dippcil  his  hand  in  the  water,  he  maile  the  sign  of  the 
cross  on  his  forehead  and  breast,  and  darted  out  in  the  stream.  An  expert 
swinmier  from  the  Indians  followeil  him,  and,  having  overtaken  him, 
seized  him  b\'  the  hair,  and  crying  out,  '  You  seem  to  love  water;  you 
shall  have  enough  of  it,'  he  stalihed  the  [loor  fellow,  who  sunk  to  rise  no 
more.  '  — Gouin'i  Account,  MS. 


? 


I     k 


i 


270 


ROUT  OF  CUYLKU'S  DETACHMENT.     [1703,  Mat, 


Late  one  afternoon,  at  abont  this  period  of  the 
siege,  the  garrison  were  jjgain  greeted  with  the  dis- 
mal cry  of  death,  and  a  line  of  naked  warriors  was 
seen  issuing  from  the  woods,  which,  like  a  wall 
of  foliage,  rose  beyond  the  pastures  in  rear  of  the 
fort.  Each  sava.  ?  was  painted  black,  and  each 
l)ore  a  scalp  fluttering  from  the  end  of  a  pole.  It 
was  but  too  clear  that  some  new  disaster  had  be- 
fallen ;  and  in  truth,  before  nightfall,  one  La  Brosse, 
a  Canadian,  came  to  the  gate  with  the  tidings  that 
Fort  Sandusky  had  been  taken,  and  all  its  garrison 
slain  or  made  captive.'  This  post  had  been  attacked 
by  the  band  of  Wyandots  living  in  its  neighbor- 
hood, aided  by  a  detachment  of  their  brethren  from 
Detroit.  Among  the  few  survivors  of  the  slaugiiter 
was  the  conunanding  officer,  Ensign  Paully,  who 
had  been  brought  prisoner  to  Detroit,  bound  hand 
and  foot,  and  solaced  on  tlie  passage  with  the  ex- 
pectation of  being  burnt  alive.  On  landing  near 
the  camp  of  Pontiac,  he  was  surrounded  by  a  crowd 
of  Indians,  chiefly  squaws  and  children,  who  pelted 
him  with  stones,  sticks,  and  gravel,  forcing  him  to 
dance  and  sing,  though  by  no  means  in  a  clieerful 
strain.  A  worse  infliction  seemed  in  store  for  him, 
when  happily  an  old  woman,  whose  busband  had 
lately  died,  chose  to  ado})t  him  in  place  of  the 
deceased  warrior.  Seeing  no  alternative  but  the 
stake,  Paully  accepted  the  proposal ;  and,  having 
been  first  plunged  in  the  river,  that  the  white  blood 
might  be  w^xshed  from  his  veins,  he  was  conducted 


1  Pontiac  MS. 


1703.  Mat.] 


FORT   SANDUSKY. 


271 


to  the  lodge  of  the  widow,  and  trciitod  tlicncoforth 
with  all  the  consideration  dne  to  an  Ottawa  warrior. 
Gladwyn  soon  received  Ji  letter  from  him,  throni^li 
one  of  the  Canadian  inhahitants,  giving  a  full 
account  of  the  capture  of  Fort  Sandusky.  On  the 
sixteenth  of  May  —  sucii  was  tlie  suhstance  of 
the  comnnniication  —  Paully  was  informed  that 
seven  Indians  were  waiting  at  the  gate  to  speak 
with  him.  As  several  of  tlie  numher  werc^  well 
known  to  him,  he  ordered  them,  without  hesitation, 
to  he  admitted.  Arriving  at  his  (quarters,  two  of 
the  treaclierous  visitors  seated  themselves  on  each, 
side  of  the  commandant,  while  the  rest  were  dis- 
posed in  various  parts  of  the  room.  Tlie  })ip(>s 
were  lighted,  and  the  conversution  hegan,  when  an 
Indian,  who  stood  in  the  doorwav,  suddeidv  made 
a  signal  hy  raising  his  head.  Upon  tliis,  tlie  aston- 
ished officer  was  instantly  pounced  upon  and 
disarmed. ;  while,  at  the  same  moment,  \x  confused 
noise  of  shrieks  and  yells,  the  firing  of  guns,  and 
the  hurried  tramp  of  feet,  sounded  from  the  area 
of  the  fort  without.  It  soon  ceased,  however,  and 
Paully,  led  by  his  captors  from  the  room,  saw  the 
parade  ground  strown  with  the  corpses  of  his  mur- 
dered garrison.  At  nightfall,  he  w-as  conducted  to 
the  margin  of  the  lake,  where  several  birch  canoes 
lay  in  readiness ;  and  as,  amid  thick  darkness,  the 
party  pushed  out  from  shore,  the  captive  saw  the 
fort,  lately  under  his  conunand,  bursting  on  all 
sides  into  sheets  of  flame.' 

1  MS.  Offlciul  Document  —  Ripnrt  of  tlte  hiss  of  the  Posts  In  tin-  Indmn 
Coniitr;/,  ouolosed  in  a  letter  trom  Mujur  Uhnlwyii  tu  Sir  Jellivy  Amlierst, 
July  8,  1703. 


n 


27-2 


FATE  OF  THE  FOREST  GARRISONS.     [1763,  June. 


i  V 


i:  ' 


I       ■ 


Soon  after  these  tidings  of  the  loss  of  Sandusky, 
Gladwyn's  garrison  heard  the  scarcely  less  unwel- 
come news  that  the  strength  of  their  besiegers  had 
been  re-enforced  by  two  strong  bands  of  Ojibwas. 
Pontiac's  forces  in  the  vicinity  of  Detroit  now 
amounted,  according  to  Canadian  computation,  to 
about  eight  hundred  and  twenty  warriors.  Of 
these,  two  hundred  and  fifty  were  Ottawas,  com- 
manded by  himself  in  person  ;  one  hundred  and 
fifty  were  Pottawattamies,  under  Ninivay ;  fifty 
were  Wyandots,  under  Takee  ;  two  hundred  were 
Ojibwas,  under  Wasson ;  and  added  to  these  were 
a  hundred  and  seventy  of  the  same  tribe,  under 
their  chief,  Sekahos.^  As  the  warriors  brouijht 
their  squaws  and  children  with  them,  the  whole 
number  of  savages  congregated  about  Detroit  no 
doubt  exceeded  three  thousand  ;  and  the  neighbor- 
ing fields  and  meadows  must  have  presented  a 
picturescpie  and  stirring  scene. 

The  sleepless  garrison,  worn  by  fatigue  and  ill 
fare,  and  harassed  by  constant  petty  attacks,  were 
yet  farther  saddened  by  the  news  of  disaster  which 
thickened  from  every  (piarter.  Of  all  the  small 
posts  scattered  at  intervals  through  the  vast  wilder- 
ness to  the  westward  of  Niagara  and  Fort  Pitt,  it 
soon  a[)peared  that  Detroit  alone  had  been  able  to 
sustain  itself.  For  the  rest,  there  was  but  one 
unvaried  tide  of  calamity  and  ruin.  On  the  fif- 
teenth of  June,  a  number  of  Pottawattamies  were 
seen  approaching  the  gate  of  the  fort,  bringing 
with  them  four  English  prisoners,  who  proved  to 


1  Pontiac  ]MS. 


33,  JCNE. 


(7G3,  Mat.) 


FORT   ST.   JOSEl'II. 


•273 


dusky, 
unwel- 
;rs  had 
jib  was. 
it  now 
tion,  to 
s.  Of 
LS,  corn- 
ed  and 

v;   fifty 

pd  were 
sc  were 
,  under 
brought 
c  whole 
;troit  no 
icighbor- 
;ented  a 

and  ill 
is,  were 
(r  which 
lO   small 
wilder- 
It  Pitt,  it 
able  to 
)ut   one 
the  fif- 
lics  were 
lbrin<i;inijr 


L-ov 


ed  to 


be  Ensign  Schlosser,  lately  commanding  at  St. 
.Tosepli's,  together  with  tliree  private  soldiers. 
The  Indians  wished  to  excliange  them  for  se\(>ral 
of  their  own  tribe,  wlio  had  been  for  nearly  two 
montlis  prisoners  in  tlie  fort.  After  some  de'ay, 
this  was  effected;  and  th(^  garrison  then  learned  tlie 
unhappy  fate  of  their  conu'ades  at  St.  Joseph's. 
This  ])Ost  stood  at  the  moutli  of  tiie  lliver  St. 
Joseph's,  near  tlie  head  of  Luke  ^licliigan.  a  spot 
which  had  long  been  the  site  of  a  Koman  Catholic 
mission.  Here,  among  the  forests,  swamps,  and 
ocean-like  waters,  at  an  unmeasured  distance  from 
any  abode  of  civilized  man,  the  indefatiij:al)k'  Jesuits 
had  labored  more  tliau  half  a  century  for  the 
spirituid  good  of  the  Pottawattatnies,  who  lived 
in  great  numbers  near  the  niargin  of  the  lake. 
As  early  as  the  year  171'2,  as  Father  Marest 
informs  us,  the  mission  was  in  a  thriving  state, 
and  around  it  had  gathered  a  little  colony  of  the 
forest-loving  Canadians.  Here,  too.  the  l''rench 
government  had  established  a  milit:u"y  post,  whose 
garrison,  at  the  period  of  our  narrative*,  had  been 
supplanted  by  Ensign  Schlosser,  with  his  command 
of  fourteen  men,  a  mere  handful,  in  the  heart  of 
a  wilderness  swarming  with  insidious  eiu'iuies. 
They  seem,  however,  to  have  aj)prehended  no 
danger,  when,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  ^lay.  early  in 
the  morning,  the  officer  was  infornu'd  that  a  large 
party  of  the  Pottawattamies  of  Detroit  had  come 
to  pay  a  visit  to  their  relatives  at  St.  Joseph's. 
Presently,  a  chief,  named  Washashe,  with  three  or 
four  followers,  came  to  his  (juarters,  as  if  to  hold  a 

IS 


III 


1  ; 


■!       .   ^ 


274 


1- ATE  OF  Tm:  FOKKST  GAKHISONS.      [17G3,  May 


I 


friendly  ''talk;"  and  innncdiatrlv  after  a  Canadian 
came  in  with  intrlligcnco  that  the  fort  was  sur- 
round(>d  hy  Indians,  who  evidently  had  hot.ii!e 
intentions.  At  this.  Schlosser  ran  ont  of  the  a])art- 
ment,  and  erossin<i^  the  parade,  which  was  fnll  of 
Indians  and  Canadians,  hastily  entered  the  barracks. 
These  wer(^  also  crowded  with  savai^es,  very  inso- 
lent and  disorcU^rly.  Callini;  npon  his  ser«j^eant  to 
get  the  nuMi  under  arms,  he  hastened  ont  again 
to  the  parade,  and  endeavored  to  nuister  the 
Canadians  together;  bnt  while  hnsying  himself 
with  these  somewhat  nnwilling  anxiliaries,  he 
heard  a  wild  cry  from  within  the  barracks.  In- 
stantly all  the  Indians  in  the  fort  rnshed  to  the 
gate,  tomahawked  the  sentinel,  and  opened  a  free 
passage  to  their  comrades  withont.  In  less  than 
two  minntes,  as  the  officer  declares,  the  fort  was 
plnndercd,  eleven  men  were  killed,  and  himself, 
with  the  three  snrvivors,  made  prisoners,  and 
bonnd  fast.  They  then  condncted  him  to  Detroit, 
where    he    was    exchanged    as    we    have    already 


I  I 


seen.^ 

1  Loss  of  the  Posts  in  the  Indian  Coitnfry,  MS.  Compare  Diari/  of  the 
Sieffe,  25. 

The  t()llowiii<i  is  from  a  eurious  letter  of  one  Riclianl  Winston,  a  trader 
at  St.  Josepii's,  to  his  I'ellow-tratiers  at  Detroit,  dated  I'J  June,  17G8:  — 

"  Gentlemen,  I  address  myself  to  you  ail,  not  knowinj;  who  is  alive  or 
who  is  dead.  1  have  only  to  inform  you  that  hy  the  Idcssing  of  God  and 
the  help  of  M.  Louison  Ciievalie,  I  escaped  l)ein;jc  killed  when  the  unfor- 
tunate ijtarrison  was  massacred,  Mr.  Ilamhoutjh  and  me  being  hid  in  the 
liouse  of  the  said  Chevalie  for  4  days  and  nights.  Mr.  Hamlmugh  is 
brought  by  the  Savages  to  the  Illinois,  likewise  Mr.  Chim.  Unfortunate 
me  remains  here  Captive  with  the  Savages.  I  must  say  that  I  met  with 
no  bad  tisage;  however,  I  would  that  I  was  (with)  some  Christian  or 
other.  I  am  quite  naked,  &  Mr.  Castacrow,  who  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Cole, 
would  not  give  me  one  inch  to  save  me  from  death." 


63,  May 


1763,  June]     LKTTKR  FROM  TAl'T.  K  rill.KINdTON. 


J  1) 


nadiiin 
IS    siiv- 
V,  OS.  tile 
;  apurt- 
full   of 
in'iif'ks. 
ry  inso- 
jeiint  to 
t  a«;ain 
tor    the 
himself 
L-ics,    he 
ks.     In- 
l  to  the 
'd  a  free 
ess  than 
fort  was 
liimsclf, 
rs,    and 
Detroit, 
ah-eady 

Diary  of  the 

iton,  a  trader 

1768 :  — 
\o  is  alive  or 
of  God  a!itl 
II  tlic  iinfor- 
ii  liid  in  the 
iimbougli  is 
Unt'ortiinate 
t  I  met  with 
Clnistian  or 
to  Mr.  Cole, 


Three  days  after  tliesc'  tidiniijs  re  aclied  l)(>troit, 
Father  Joiiois,  a  Jesuit  priest  of  tlie  Ottawa  mis- 
sion near  Mirliillimackinac.  rame  to  rontiac's  camj), 
together  with  tlie  son  of  Minavavana,  <^reiit  eliicf 
of  the  Ojil)was,  and  several  other  IncHans.  On  the 
following  morning,  he  ai)pea,re(l  at  tlie  gate  of  thf 
fort,  hringing  a  letter  from  Ca[)tain  ]\therington. 
commandant  at  Michillimackinae.  The  commence- 
ment of  the  letter  was  as  follows  :  — 


(( 


Sir: 


"  Micliilliinacliiii.'ic,  lli  June,  lUi'.i. 


"  NotwithstandinLj  what  I  vn'ot(?  vou  in  mv  last, 
that  all  the  savages  were  .arrived,  and  that  every 
thing  seemed  in  perfect  tran([uiHity,  yet  on  the 
second  instant  the  Chi[)])eways,  who  live  in  a  plain 
near  this  fort,  assembled  to  ])lav  hall,  as  tliev  had 
done  almost  every  day  since  their  arrival.  They 
played  from  morning  till  noon  ;  then,  throwing 
their  ball  close  to  the  gate,  and  observing'  Lieu- 
tenant Lesley  and  me  a  few  paces  out  of  it,  they 
came  behind  us,  seized  and  carried  us  into  the 
woods. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  the  rest  rushed  into  the  fort, 
where  they  found  their  s([uaws,  whom  they  had 
previously  planted  there,  with  their  hatchets  hid 
under  their  blankets,  which  they  took,  and  in  an 
instant  killed  Lieutenant  Jamet,  and  fifteen  rank 
and  file,  and  a  ti'ader  named  Tracv.  Thev  wounded 
two,  and  took  the  rest  of  the  garrison  prisoners, 
five  of  wdiom  they  have  since  killed. 

"  They  made  prisoners  all  the  English  traders, 
and  robbed  them  of  every  thing  they  had  ;  but  they 


Mi] 


i  ' 


i    i 


. 


HI 


I 


f 


I 


i!  I 


276 


FATK  OF  Tin:  FOKF.ST  OAHRISONS      |  ITf.^.,  Junk 


offd'cd  no  violence  to  the  persons  or  property  of 
any  oi"  ihc  Frenclunen." 

Ca])t;iin  l'!tlierin<;ton  n(>xt  relatcul  some  ])articu- 
lars  of  the  massacre  at  MichilHinackinac.  sufhciently 
starthnij.  as  will  soon  appear.  \\c  s])oke  in  hi^h 
terms  of  tlie  character  and  condnct  of  ]''ather 
.lonois,  and  re([»ieste(l  that  (iladwyn  wonld  scmkI 
all  the  troops  he  conld  sjiare  np  Lake  llnron.  that 
the  post  mi<i^ht  he  recaptured  iVotn  the  Indians,  and 
garrisoned  afresh,  (iladwyn,  heini^  sc;ircely  al)le  to 
defend  hiinsi^lf.  could  do  nothini;'  for  the  relief  of 
his  hrother  ofiic(>r,  and  the  .lesnit  si>t  out  on  his 
loni;  and  toilsome  canoe  voyage  hack  to  Michilli- 
mackinac'  The  loss  of  this  plac(»  was  a  very 
serious  misfortune,  for,  next  to  l)(>troit,  it  was  the 
most  important  post  on  tlu^  upper  lakes. 

'i'he  next  news  which  came  in  was  that  of  the 
loss  of  Ouatanon.  a  fort  situated  upon  the  AVahash, 
a  little  helow  the  site  of  the  jiresent  town  of  Tia 
Fayette.  Gladwyn  received  a  letter  from  its  com- 
mand in<^  ofHcer,  Lieutenant  Jenkins,  informiuijj 
him  that,  on  the  first  of  June,  he  and  ^several  of 
his  men  had  heen  made  prisoners  hy  strataij^em,  on 
which  the  rest  of  the  garrison  had  suiTendered. 
The  Indians,  however,  apologized  for  their  con- 
duct, declaring  that  thev  acted  contrarv  to  their 
own  inchnations,  and  that  the  surrounding*  trihes 
compelled  them  to  take  up  the  hatchet.^     These 


•'Ouatanon,  June  1st,  1763. 


1  Pont  lac  y\S. 

"Sir: 

"  I  liave  heard  of  your  situation,  wliicli  ffivc  me  ijroat  Pain  ;  indeed, 
we  are  not  in  much  better,  for  this  morning  the  Indians  sent  for  me,  to 


G3,  Jt.NK 

'ity  of 


larticu- 

icicntly 

n  liiufh 

Fatlirr 

(1     S(M\(l 

)n.  thiit 
ins.  and 

able  to 
A'wii  of 

on  liii^ 
aicbilU- 

a  voiy 
was  the 

(-.  of  the 
A'abash, 


1    o 


f  T/a 


ts  com- 
for  nuns': 
al  of 


-cv 


|<;(Mn,  on 
dercd. 


Ml 


leir  c'on- 
Ito  their 
tribes 
These 


I  1st.  1" 


lin  ;  indeed, 
It  for  me,  to 


ITi;:;,  May.] 


rnirr  mi  ami. 


277 


excuses,  so  consolatory  to  the  sufferers,  might  ])rob- 
ably  have  been  f  )iin(le(l  in  truth,  for  the-<e  sava;x<'^ 
wi're  of  a  character  less  ferocious  (ban  many  of  the 
others,  and  as  they  were  farther  removed  from  the 
settlements,  tbey  had  not  felt  to  an  e([ual  decree 
the  effects  of  ]'in<;lish  insolence  and  encroachment. 
C'loso  upon  tliese  tidiiins  cime  the  news  that 
]''ort  Miami  "as  taken.  This  post,  standini;  on  the 
Itiver  Maumee,  was  commaiided  i)y  I'lnsi^ii  1  [obue^. 
And  here  I  cannot  but  remark  on  the  forlorn  situa- 
tion of  thes(»  oflicers.  isolated  in  the  wilderness, 
hundreds  of  miles,  in  some  instances,  from  any 
coni4;euial  associates,  se[)arated  from  every  human 
being  except  the  rude   soldiers   under    their  com- 

spoak  to  iiic,  aii'l  Immediately  lioimd  me,  when  I  <,'')t  to  tlieir  r'aliliin,  and 
I  soon  litimil  some  <it'  my  Soldiers  in  the  same  Conilition  :  'rhey  told  mu 
Detroit,  .Miamis,  and  all  them  I'ti.-ts  were  ent  otV,  and  that  it  was  a  Folly 
to  make  any  IJesistanee,  therefore  flesired  me  to  make  tlii'  I'ew  Soldiers, 
that  were  in  the  Fort,  surrender,  otiierwise  they  wonid  put  us  all  to 
])e;ith,  ill  <;i.-e  one  tnan  was  kilk'il.  'i'licj-  were  to  have  tell  on  us  and 
killed  us  all,  last  niyht,  hut  Mr.  Mai-oiii,r\  ilk'  and  I>orain  ^'■ave  them  wam- 
pum not  to  kill  us,  &  when  they  told  the  Interpreter  that  we  were  all  to 
l)e  killed,  v.<i  he  knowing  the  condition  ot'  the  Fort,  heg'd  ot'  them  to  make 
us  prisoners.  'I'hey  have  put  us  into  l-'rencii  houses,  i<:,  hoth  Indian-  and 
Freiieh  use  us  very  well  :  All  these  Nations  say  they  are  very  sorry,  hut 
that  they  were  ohli;.;ed  to  do  it  hy  the  Other  N.atioiis,  The  Helt  ilid  not 
Arrive  here  'till  last  ninht  ahout  Ki^dit  o'C.'loek.  Mr.  f-orain  can  inturm 
you  of  all      Just   now   Keceiveil    the    News  of  St.  Joseph's  heiii'j'  taken, 


Kleven   men   killed  ami   three  taken   rrisonei's  with   the 


Olii 


cer  : 


I 


lave 


I',  ani 


nothini,^  more  to  say,  Imt  that  I  .-ineerely  wi^h  you  a  spee(|y  smrou 
that  we  may  he  ahle  to  Revenue  our>elves  on  those  tliat  Deserve  it. 
"  1  liemuiii,  with  my  Sineerest  wishes  for  your  safety, 
"  Your  ino>t  huinhle  servant, 

"  Knwo  Jkkkins. 

"  N.B.  We  expect  to  set  off  in  a  day  or  two  for  the  Illinois." 

This  expectation  was  not  fulfilled,  and  JenlJns  remained  at  Ouatanon. 

A  letter  from  him  is  hefore  me.  written  from  thence  to  fJladwyn  on  the 

2'Jt\\  July,  in  which  lie  cumitlains  that  the  Canadians  were  secretly  advis- 


ing 


tliu  Indians  to  municr  all  the  Fnylisli  in  the  West. 


'•*  f 


i 


I 

if  I 


i  '  s 


!  "    i 


278 


FATK  OF  TlIK  FUUHST  GAKUlbONS.     [ITOa,  May 


iMiiiul,  and  the  white  or  red  s!iva<j;es  ulio  laiii^ed 
the  suirounding  woods.  Hohnes  suspected  thf» 
intention  of  the  Indians,  and  was  therefore  on  his 
guard,  when,  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  May,  a 
youn«^  Indian  girl,  who  lived  with  him,  came  to 
tell  him  that  a  Si^uaw  lay  dangerou>ly  ill  in  a  wig- 
wam near  the  fort,  and  urged  him  to  come  to  her 
relief.  Having  confidence  in  the  girl,  Holmes  for- 
got his  caution  and  followed  her  out  of  the  fort. 
Pitched  at  tlie  edge  of  a  meadow,  hidden  from  view 
by  an  intervening  spur  of  the  woodland,  stood  a 
great  number  of  Indian  wigwams.  AVhen  Holmes 
came  in  sight  of  them,  his  treacherous  conductress 
pointed  out  that  in  which  the  sick  woman  lay.  He 
walked  on  without  suspicion  ;  but,  as  he  drew  near, 
two  guns  flashed  from  behind  the  hut,  and  stretched 
him  lifeless  on  the  grass.  The  shots  were  heard  at 
the  fort,  and  the  sergeant  rashly  went  out  to  learn 
the  reason  of  the  firing.  He  was  immediately  taken 
prisoner,  amid  exulting  yells  and  whoopings.  The 
soldiers  in  tiie  fort  climbed  u[)on  the  palisades,  to 
look  out,  when  Godefroy,  a  Canadian,  and  two  other 
white  men,  made  their  a})peai.'unce,  and  summoned 
them  to  surrender ;  promising  that,  if  they  did  so, 
their  lives  should  be  s[)ared,  but  that  otherwise  they 
would  all  be  killed  without  mercy.  The  men,  being 
in  great  terror,  and  without  a  leader,  soon  threw  open 
the  gate,  and  gave  themselves  up  as  prisoners.' 

^  Loss  of  the.  Posts,  MS.     Coni])iire  Diari/  (iftln-  Siei/p,  22,  2G. 

It  ajjpears  by  a  deiiDsitioii  taken  at  Detroit  on  the  lltli  Jnno,  that 
Godefroy,  mentioned  above,  left  Detroit  witii  four  other  Canadians  tln-ee 
or  ibur  days  after  the  siejic  be^^an.  Their  profe.ssed  object  was  to  bring 
u  F'renuli  officer  from  the  Illinuis  to  induce  Fontiac  to  abimdon  las  hostile 


i    ; 


17G3,  JuNE.j 


FOUT  PUKSQU-  ISLE. 


Tid 


Had  (h^taclimcnts  of  Uorjcrs's  Kaiiy;ors  ijarrisoncd 
these  i)osts,  or  had  thev  been  hehl  1)V  such  men  as 
the  Uocky  Mountain  trappers  of  the  present  day, 
wary,  skilful,  and  almost  ignorant  of  fear,  some  of 
them  might.  pi>rhaps,  iiave  been  saved  ;  hut  the 
soldiers  of  the  (iOth  Uei'lmi^nt,  tliouLjh  manv  of 
them  were  of  provincial  hirth.  were  not  suittul  by 
habits  and  discipline  for  this  kind  of  service. 

The  loss  of  Presqu'  Isle  will  close  tliis  catalogue 
of  calamity.  Humors  of  it  first  reached  Detroit  on 
the  twentieth  of  June,  and,  two  days  after,  the  gar- 
rison heard  those  dismal  cries  announcing  scal[)s 
and  prisoners,  which,  of  late,  had  grown  mourn- 
fully familiar  to  their  ears.  Indians  were  seen  ])iiss- 
ing  in  numbers  along  tlie  opposite  bank  of  the  river, 
leading  several  English  prisoners,  who  proved  to  be 
Ensign  Christie,  the  commanding  ofHcer  at  I'rcs(pi' 
Isle,  with  those  of  his  soldiers  who  survived. 


On    the    third    of    June,    C'hristi(\    the 


n    sa 


felv 


ensc 
written 


onccd  in   the   fort  which  he   commanded,  had 


as 


folic 


ows  to  his  superior  ofhcer,  i.ieutenant 


m( 


1. 


Gordon,  at  Venaui^o 


Tl 


lis  niorniuLT 


I 


leutenant 


Cuyler  of  Queen's  Company  of  Hangers  came  here, 
and  gave  me  the  followinii:  nu-lancholv  account  of 
his  whole  ])artv  beinii:  cut  oft"  bv  a  lar<>-e  bodv  of 
Indians  at  the  mouth  of  the  Detroit  Iliver."  Here 
follows  the  storv  of  Cuvler's  disaster,  and  Christie 


designs.  At  the  inoiitli  of  tlie  Arauiiu'C  tlit-y  iiict  .Idlni  Wcl>li.  iiii  I'.iiulisli 
trader,  with  two  ciiiiocs.  luiuiid  lor  Detroit.  'I'liey  seized  iiim,niid  divided 
his  furs  amonji  tlieinselves  and  a  party  of  Indians  wiio  were  with  tlieni 
Tlicy  then  proceeded  to  Fort  Miami,  and  aided  tlie  Imhans  to  eapturu  it. 
Welsh  was  afterwards  carried  to  Dt  troit,  where  the  Ultawas  nuirdereJ 
hitu. 


V 


m 


th 


i  «f"i 


>\ 


I 


I 


, 


Y' 


it 


2S() 


FATK  OK  nil:  roKKsr  gahkisons.   [it*);'.,  Ji-sk 


closrs  MS  follows  :  '-  I  have  sent  to  Xiiii'iiia  a  let 
tcr  to  the  Miijor,  dcsiriu;^  some  more  anumiiiition 
iiiiil  provisions,  and  have  kept  six  in(Mi  of  Lieu- 
tenant Cnyler's,  a>  I  expect  a  visit  from  the  hell- 
lionnd-.  I  have  ordered  everyl)ody  here  to  move 
into  tiu>  l)lo(khonse,  ami  bhall  be  ready  for  thcin, 
conu^  when  they  will." 

Fort  l'res(pi'  Isle  stood  on  the  sonthern  shore 
of  liake  Krie,  at  the  siie  of  the  present  town  of 
Krie.  It  was  an  im[)crtant  ])ost  to  bo  commanded 
by  an  llnsign,  for  it  controlled  the  commnnieation 
between  the  lake  and  Fort  Pitt ;  l)nt  the  hlock- 
honse,  to  which  Christie  allndes,  was  sni)})0se(l  to 
make  it  impreij;iial)le  against  Indians.  This  block- 
bouse,  a  very  large  and  strong  one,  stood  at  iiu 
angle  of  the  fort,  and  was  built  of  massive  logs, 
with  the  proj(*cting  upper  story  usual  in  such  struct- 
ures, bv  means  of  whicli  a  vertical  fire  could  be 
had  upon  the  heads  of  assailants,  through  openings 
in  the  projecting  part  of  the  tioor,  like  the  viachi- 
coidis  of  a  media' val  castle.  It  had  also  a  kind  of 
bastion,  from  which  one  or  more  of  its  walls  could 
be  covered  bv  a  Hank  fire.  The  roof  was  of  shin- 
gles,  and  might  easily  be  set  on  fire ;  but  at  the 
top  was  a  sentry-box  or  look-out,  from  which  water 
could  be  tlirown.  On  one  side  was  the  lake,  and 
on  the  other  a  small  stream  whicli  entered  it. 
Unfortunately,  the  bank  of  this  stream  rose  in  a 
high  steep  ridge  within  forty  yards  of  the  block- 
house, thus  attording  a  cover  to  assailants,  while 
the  bank  of  the  lake  offered  them  similar  advan- 
tages on  another  side. 


Ii  ! 


1703,  Junk.) 


FORT   I'HKSQU'   ISLE. 


esi 


After  his  visit  from  Ciiylcr,  Cliristir,  uliosc  <^ar- 
rison  now  consisted  of  twenty-seven  men,  pre- 
]);ire(l  for  a  stnhUorn  defeneo.  Tiie  doors  of  the 
l)loek-lionse,  and  tlie  sentry-box  at  tlie  top.  were 
lined  to  make  them  l)nllet-proof ;  tlie  angles  of 
tlie  roof  were  covered  with  j^reen  turf  us  a  pro- 
tection ai^ainst  fire-arrows,  and  j^nitters  of  hark 
were  laid  in  such  a  manner  tliat  streams  of  water 
could  be  sent  to  every  [)art.  His  e\[)ectafion  of  a 
*' visit  from  the  hell-liounds  "  proved  to  l)e  j)erfectly 
well  founded.  AI)out  two  hunch-ed  of  them  had 
left  Detroit  ex[)ressly  for  tliis  object.  At  early 
dawn  on  the  fifteenth  of  June,  thc>y  were  first  (lis 
covered  stealthily  crossini^  the  mouth  of  the  little 
stream,  where  the  bateaux  were  drawn  up.  and 
crawlinij  under  cov{>r  of  the  baidvs  of  the  lake  and 
of  the  adjacent  saw-pits.  AVhen  the  sun  n)>e,  they 
showed  themselves,  and  beaan  their  customary  velb 


in 


ir."    Christie,  with   a  ver 


nnnecessarv  re 


luct; 


uu'e 


to  bei>in  the  frav,  ordered  his  men  not  to  fire  till 
the  Indians  had  set  the  example,  'i'he  conse([uencG 
was,  that  they  were  close  to  the  blockhouse  before 
they  received  the  fire  of  the  <^arrison;  and  many  of 
them  spran*^  into  the  ditch,  whence,  beinii;  well  shel- 
tered, they  tired  at  the  loop-lioh's.  and  amused  them- 
selves by  throwing  stones  and  handfuls  of  gravel,  or, 
what  was  more  to  the  purj)ose,  fire-balls  of  i)itch. 
Some  ffot  into  the  fort  and  sheltered  themselves 
behind  the  bakery  and  other  buildings,  whence  they 
kept  u[)  a  brisk  fire  ;  while  others  pulled  down  a 
small  out-house  of  plank,  of  which  they  made  a 
movable  breastwork,  and  approached  under  cover 


IV 


1 


' 


K  'I  I 


« 


282 


FATE  OF  THE  FOREST  GARRISONS.     [17G3,  Junh 


of  it  by  pusliing  it  l)eforc  them.  At  the  same  time, 
great  numbers  of  them  lay  close  behind  the  ridges 
by  the  stream,  keeping  up  a  rattling  fire  into  every 
loophole,  and  si  looting  burning  arrows  against  the 
roof  and  sides  of  the  blockhouse.  Some  were 
extinguished  with  water,  while  many  dropped  out 
harmless  after  biu'ning  a  small  hole.  The  Indians 
now  rolled  logs  to  the  top  of  the  ridges,  where  they 
made  three  strong  breastworks,  from  behind  which 
they  could  discharge  their  shot  and  throw  their 
fireworks  with  greater  effect.  Sometimes  they 
would  try  to  dart  across  the  intervening  space 
and  shelter  themselves  with  their  companions  in 
the  ditch,  but  all  who  attempted  it  were  killed  or 
wounded.  And  now  the  hard-beset  little  garrison 
could  see  them  throwing  up  earth  and  stones  behind 
the  nearest  breastwork.  Tlieir  implacable  foes 
were  undermining  the  blockhouse.  There  was 
little  time  to  reflect  on  this  new  danger ;  for 
another,  more  imminent,  soon  threatened  them. 
The  barrels  of  water,  always  kept  in  the  build- 
ing, were  nearly  emptied  in  extinguishing  the 
frequent  fires  ;  and  though  there  was  a  well  close 
at  hand,  in  the  parade  ground,  it  was  death  to 
approach  it.  The  only  resource  was  to  dig  a  sub- 
terranean passage  to  it.  Tlie  floor  was  torn  up  ; 
and  wdiile  some  of  the  men  fired  their  heated 
muskets  from  the  loo})h()les,  the  rest  labored 
stoutly  at  this  cheerless  task.  Before  it  was  half 
finislied,  the  roof  was  on  fire  again,  and  all  the 
water  that  remained  was  poured  down  to  extin- 
guish it.     In  a  few  moments,  the   cry  of  fire  was 


17G3,  JuNB 

ne  time, 
e  ridges 
to  every 
linst  the 
lie   were 
)pecl  out 
'  Indians 
lere  they 
id  whicli 
ow  their 
lies    they 
Lig  space 
iiiions  in 
killed  or 
'  garrison 
cs  hehind 
able   foes 
here  was 
iger ;    for 
ed  them, 
he  build- 
thing    the 
well  close 
death   to 
Llig  a  sub- 
torn  up  ; 
r   heated 
labored 
was  half 
d  all  the 
to  extin- 
fire  was 


17G3,  June.] 


A   NIGHT    OF    ANXIKTY 


288 


again  raised,  when  a  soldier,  at  imminent  risk  of 
his  life,  tore  off  the  burning  shingles  and  averted 
the  danger. 

By  this  time  it  was  evening.  The  garrison  had 
had  not  a  moment's  rest  since  the  sun  rose.  Dark- 
ness l)i'()ught  little  relief,  for  guns  flashed  all  night 
from  the  Indian  intrenchments.  In  the  morning, 
however,  there  was  a  res[)ite.  The  Indians  were 
ominously  quiet,  being  employed,  it  seems,  in  push- 
ing their  subterranean  a})proaches,  and  preparing 
fresh  means  for  firing  the  blockhouse.  In  the 
afternoon   the   Jittack  bei»an  a^ain.     Thcv  set  fire 

Of?  J 

to  the  house  of  the  cotnmanding  officer,  whicli  stood 
close  at  hand,  and  whicli  they  had  reached  by  means 
of  their  trenches.  The  pine  logs  blazed  fiercely, 
and  the  wind  blew  the  flame  against  the  bastion  of 
the  blockhouse,  which  scorched,  blackened,  and  at 
last  took  fire  ;  but  the  garrison  had  by  tliis  time 
dug  a  passage  to  the  well,  and,  half  stifled  as  they 
were,  they  plied  their  water-buckets  with  such  good 
will  that  the  fire  was  subdued,  while  the  blazing 
house  soon  sank  to  a  glowing  pile  of  embers.  The 
men,  who  had  behaved  througliout  with  great  spirit, 
were  now,  in  the  words  of  their  officer,  '•  exhausted 
to  the  greatest  extremity  ;  "  yet  they  still  kept  up 
their  forlorn  defence,  toiling  and  fighting  without 
pause  within  the  wooden  walls  of  their  dim  prison, 
where  the  close  and  heated  air  was  thick  with  the 
smoke  of  gunpowder.  The  firing  on  both  sides 
lasted  through  the  rest  of  the  day,  and  did  tict  cease 
till  midnight,  at  which'  hour  a  voice  was  heard  to 
call  out,  in  French,  from  the  enemy's  intrenchments, 


1! 


if  ' 


284 


FATE  OF  THE  FOREST  GAKKISOXS.    [17G3,  Junb, 


I 


warning  the  garrison  that  fartlicr  resistance  would 
1)0  nsoless,  since  preparations  were  made  for  setting 
tlie  blockhouse  on  fire,  above  and  below  at  once. 
Christie  demanded  if  there  were  any  among  them 
who  spoke  Englisli ;  upon  wliicli,  a  man  in  the 
Indian  dress  came  out  from  behind  tlie  breastwork. 
He  was  a  soldier,  who,  having  been  made  ])ris- 
oner  early  in  the  Frencli  war,  had  since  lived 
among  the  savages,  and  now  espoused  their  cause, 
figliting  with  them  against  his  own  countrymen. 
He  said  that  if  they  yielded,  their  lives  should  be 
spared  ;  but  if  tliey  fought  longer,  they  must  all  be 
burnt  alive.  Christie  told  them  to  wait  till  morn- 
ing for  his  answer.  They  assented,  and  suspended 
their  fire.  Christie  now  asked  his  men,  if  we  may 
believe  the  testimony  of  two  of  them,  "  whether 
they  chose  to  give  up  the  blockhouse,  or  remain 
in  it  and  be  burnt  alive?"  They  re})lied  that  they 
would  stay  as  long  as  they  could  bear  the  heat,  and 
then  figlit  their  way  through.'  A  third  witness, 
Edward  Smytli,  apparently  a  corporal,  testifies  that 
all  but  two  of  them  were  for  holdini>'  out.  lie  savs 
that  when  his  opinion  was  asked,  he  replied  that, 
having  but  one  life  to  lose,  he  would  be  governed 
by  the  rest ;  but  that  at  the  same  time  he  reminded 
them  of  the  recent  treachery  at  Detroit,  and  of  the 
butchery  at  Fort  William  Henry,  adding  that,  in  his 
belief,  they  themselves  could  expect  no  better  usage. 

1  PJrldnice  of  Brnjnmin  Grni/,  soliliir  in  !l:r  ^sf  IhtttaJlon  of  the  (JOtli  Tii'i/i- 
7U(ut,  hi  tore  a  Court  of  fiiquiri/  laid  ill  Fort  Pill,  Vltii  S<pt-  176o.  Eridciice 
of  David  Smart,  soldier  in  t/ie.  iWtli  fiiyimciit,  ho  fore  a  Court  of  Inquirfj  Ii'ld  at 
Fort  Pitt,  24//i  Dec,  1768,  to  tithe  eviihiire  nlatice  to  the  losa  of  Ihrsqu'  hie 
whicli  did  not  uppinr  ichen  the  last  court  sat. 


171,;],  JrxK  I     SURUHXDER  OF  THE  BLOCKHOUSE. 


285 


"When  moniini;  ciuno,  Cliristir  sent  out  two  sol- 
diers as  if  to  treat  with  tlie  eneinv.  hut.  in  rcahtv, 
as  he  siivs,  to  learn  the  truth  of  what  thev  had 
told  him  respectini^  their  ])rc|)arations  to  hum 
the  hlockhouse.  Ou  reaching  the  hrcastwork,  the 
soldiers  made  a  signal,  hy  wliicli  their  ofHeer  saw 
that  his  worst  fears  were  well  founded.  In  jiur- 
suanec  of  tlieir  orders,  tliey  then  demanded  that 
two  of  the  ])rinripal  cliiefs  should  meet  ^vith 
Christie  midway  hetween  the  hreastwork  and  the 
hloekhonse.  The  chiefs  appeared  accordingly  ;  and 
Christie,  going  out.  yiehled  uj)  the  l)lockhouse  ;  hav- 
ing first  stipulated  that  the  lives  of  all  the  garrison 
should  be  spared,  and  that  tlu^y  might  rctir(>  unmo 
lested  to  the  nearest  post.  The  soldiers,  -pale  and 
haggard,  like  men  who  had  passed  througli  a  fiery 
ordeal,  now  issued  from  their  scorched  and  bullet- 
pierced  stronghold.  A  scene  of  plunder  instantly 
beffiin.      Beniamin  Grav,  a  Scotch  soldic^r,  who  had 


»' 


just  been  employed,  on  Christie's  order,  in  carrying 
presents  to  the  Indians,  seeing  the  confusion,  and 
heariuir  a  scream  from  a  sergeants  wi 


woman  in  the  garrison,  spr 


fe.  Ihe  only 
auir  off  into  the  woods 


and  succeeded  in  making  his  way  to  I'ort  Pitt  Avitli 
news  of  the  disaster.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  no 
faith  was  ke])t  with  the  rest,  and  they  had  good  cause 
to  be  thankful  that  they  were  not  butchered  on  the 
spot.  After  being  detained  for  some  time  in  the 
neighborhood,  they  were  carried  prisoners  to  De- 
troit, where  Cliristie  soon  after  made  his  (>scape, 
and  irained  the  fort  in  safetv.' 


d  I' 


m 


1   /x»s.s-  nf  the  PostK,  MS.      Pniilinr  MS.      Hi  port  of  Knsn/ii  (Vtristie,  MS. 
Testimony  of  Edward  Smyth,  MS.     This  last  evidence  waa  taken  by  order 


2S() 


FATF.  OF  THE  FORKST  GARRISONS.     [ITOn.  J.  si: 


After  Presqu'  Isle  was  taken,  the  neiglii)()ring 
posts  of  Le  Bceuf  and  Venango  shared  its  fate  ; 
while  fartlier  southwiird,  at  the  forks  of  tlie  Ohio, 
a  host  of  Delaware  and  Shawanoe  warriors  were 
gathering  around  Fort  Pitt,  and  blood  and  havoc 
reigned  along  the  whole  frontier. 

of  Colonel  Bouquet,  commandirif^  the  battalion  of  tlie  Royal  American 
Regiment  to  which  Christie  helonfred.  Cliristie's  surrender  had  been 
thoujiht  censurable  both  by  General  Amherst  and  by  Bouquet.  Accord- 
in<?  to  Christie's  statements,  it  was  unavoidable  ;  but  according'  to  those 
of  Smyth,  and  also  of  the  two  soldiers,  Gray  and  Smart,  the  situation, 
thougli  extremely  critical,  seems  not  to  have  been  desperate.  Smyth's 
testimony  hears  date  30  March,  1705,  nearly  tsvo  years  after  the  event. 
Some  allowance  is  therefore  to  he  made  for  lapses  of  memory.  He  places 
the  beginnii'g  of  the  attack  on  the  twenty-first  of  June,  instead  of  the 
fifteenth,  —  an  evident  mistake.  The  DIanj  of  t/ir  Sinje  of  Drfioit  saya 
that  Christie  did  not  make  his  escape,  l)nt  was  brought  in  and  surrendered 
by  six  Huron  chiefs  on  the  ninth  of  July.  In  a  letter  of  Bouquet  dated 
June  18th,  17G0,  is  enclosed  a  small  plan  of  Presqu'  Isle 


I 


I      I', 


.ii'l 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


i-t 


17G3. 
THE  INDIANS   CONTINUE   TO   BLOCKADE  DETROIT. 

We  return  once  more  to  Detroit  and  its  belca 
gnered  garrison.  On  tlie  nineteenth  of  .Tune,  a 
rumor  reached  them  that  one  of  tlie  vessels  had 
been  seen  nesu'  Turkey  Island,  some  miles  below 
the  fort,  but  that,  tlio  wind  failing  her.  slic  had 
dropped  down  with  the  current,  to  Wiiit  a  more 
favorable  op])ortunity.  It  may  be  remembered 
that  this  vessel  had,  several  weeks  before,  gone 
down  Lake  Erie  to  hasten  the  advance  of  Cuyler's 
expected  detachment.  Passing  these  troops  on  her 
way,  she  had  held  her  course  to  Niagara  ;  and  here 
she  had  remained  until  the  return  of  Cuyler.  with 
the  remnant  of  his  men,  made  known  tlie  catas- 
trophe that  had  befallen  him.  This  officer,  and 
the  survivors  of  his  party,  with  a  few  otlier  troo))s 
spared  from  the  garrison  of  Niagara,  wer(*  ordered 
to  embark  in  her,  and  make  the  best  of  tlieir  way 
back  to  Detroit.  They  had  done  so,  and  now,  as 
w^e  have  seen,  were  almost  within  siglit  of  the  fort ; 
but  the  critical  part  of  tlie  undertaking  yet  re- 
mained.    The    river  channel  was  in  some  places 


fT 


288 


BLOCKADE   OF  DETROIT. 


[17C3,  JuxB 


m  1 


• ;:   '  1 


I 


il 


narrow,  and  more  tlian  eight  liniuln'd  Indians  were 
on  the  alert  to  intercept  their  passage. 

For  several  days,  the  officers  at  Detroit  heard 
notliing  fartlier  of  the  vessel,  \\'hen,  on  the  twenty- 
third,  ;i  great  connnotion  was  visihle  among  the 
Indians,  large  ])arties  of  whom  were  seem  to  ])ass 
along  the  ontskirts  of  the  woods,  hehind  the  fort. 
The  canse  of  these  movements  was  nnknown  till 
eveninij:,  when  ^I.  15abv  came  in  with  intelli<j:ence 
that  the  vessel  was  again  attempting  to  ascend  the 
river,  and  that  all  the  Indians  had  gone  to  attack 
her.  Upon  tliis,  two  cannon  were  fired,  that  those 
on  hoard  might  know  that  the  fort  still  held  ont. 
This  done,  all  remained  in  much  anxiety  awaitin": 
the  result. 

The  schooner,  late  that  afternoon,  began  to  move 
slowly  upward,  with  a  gentle  breeze,  between  the 
main  shore  and  the  long-extended  nnirgin  of  Fight- 
in""  Island.  About  sixty  men  were  crowdcnl  on 
board,  of  whom  only  ten  or  twelve  were  visible  on 
deck  ;  the  officer  havini^  ordered  the  rest  to  lie  hid- 
den  below,  in  hope  that  the  Indians,  encouraged  by 
this  apparent  weakness,  might  make  an  open  attack. 
Just  before  reaching  the  narrowest  part  of  the 
channel,  the  wind  died  away,  and  the  anchor  was 
dro])ped.  Inunedlately  above,  and  within  gunshot 
of  the  vessel,  the  Indians  had  made  a  breastwork 
of  l()<i:s,  carefully  concealed  by  bushes,  on  the 
shore  of  Turkey  Island.  Here  they  lay  in  force, 
waiting  for  the  schooner  to  pass.  Ignorant  of  this, 
but  still  cautious  and  wary,  the  crew  kept  a  strict 
watch  from  the  moment  the  sun  went  down. 


m 


[17G3,  JuxB 

lans  wove 

)it  heard 
c  twriity- 
nong  the 
1  to  pass 
tlie  fort, 
nown  till 
telH^encc 
lscoikI  the 
I  to  attack 
thtit  those 
[  held  out. 
\-  awaiting 

m  to  move 
^twecn  the 
1  of  right- 
owdcnl  on 
visihle  on 
to  lie  hid- 
uvagcd  hy 
en  attack, 
rt   of  the 
ichor  was 
|i  gunshot 
-east  work 
„    on    the 
in  force, 
lit  of  this, 
)t  a  strict 
lown. 


17G:;;,  June.]         ATTACK   ON   TIIK   SCIIOONKU. 


28!) 


Hours  Avore  on,  and  nothing  ha  1  l)r()ken  the 
deep  repose  of  the  night.  The  cuncnt  gurgled 
with  a  monotonous  sound  around  the  l)()ws  of  the 
schooner,  and  on  either  hand  the  wooded  shori^s 
lay  iimid  the  ohscurity,  hlack  :v.hl  silent  as  tln^ 
grave.  At  length,  the  sentinel  could  discern,  in 
the  distance,  various  moving  ohjects  u[)()n  tlie  dark 
surface  of  the  water.  The  men  were  ordennl  up 
from  below,  and  all  took  their  posts  in  perfect 
silence.  The  blow  of  a  hammer  on  the  mast  was 
to  be  the  signal  to  fire.  The  Indians,  gliding 
stealthily  over  the  water  in  their  birch  canoes, 
had,  by  this  time,  ap[)roaclied  within  a  few  rods 
of  their  fancied  prize,  when  sudd'^nly  the  daik  side 
of  the  slumberini»:  vessel  burst  into  a  blaze  of  can- 
non  and  musketry,  which  illumined  the  night  like 
a  flash  of  lightning.  Grape  and  musket  shot 
flew  tearing  among  the  canoes,  destroying  several 
of  them,  killing  fourteen  Indians,  wounding  as 
many  more,  and  driving  the  rest  in  consternation 
to  the  shore.'  Kecovering  from  their  surprise,  they 
began  to  fire  upon  the  vessel  from  behind  their 
breastwork  ;  upon  which  she  weighed  anchor,  and 
dro})ped  down  once  more  beyond  their  reach,  into 
the  broad  river  below.  Several  davs  afterwards, 
she  again  attempted  to  ascend.  This  time,  she  met 
with  better  success  ;  for,  though  the  huHans  iircd 
at  her  constantly  from  the  shore,  no  man  was  hurt, 
and  at  length  she  left  l>ehind  her  the  perilous  chan- 
nels of  the  Islands.  As  she  passed  the  Wyandot 
village,  she  sent  a  shower  of  grape  among  its  yelp- 

1  Poiitiac  MS. 
19 


:«ri 


)  ? 


Mi 
4 


I 


i  i 


ft     *! 


h 


.'il 

liii. 

I!  '( '  • 


1' 


5  ' 


f     } 


l;.i! 


•:t-i 


i 

'I 


i 


It 


*  < 


III 


290 


BLOCKADK    OF   DF/inOIT. 


[17fj3,  JONE. 


in<^  inhabitants,  by  wbicli  sevoral  were  killed  ;  and 
then,  furlini^  her  sails,  lay  peaeefnlly  at  anchor  by 
the  side  of  her  companion  vessel,  abreast  of  the 
fort. 

The  schooner  bronght  to  the  garrison  a  mtich- 
needed  snpply  of  men,  amimmition,  and  provisions. 
81ie  bronght,  also,  tlie  itnportant  tidings  that  peace 
was  at  leni'th  concluded  between  France  and  Yamx- 
land.     The  bloody  and  momentous  stru<><»'le  of  the 

.  OCT 

French  war,  which  had  shakt^n  North  America 
since  the  wiw  1755,  had  indeed  been  virtually 
closed  by  the  victory  on  the  Flains  of  Abraham, 
and  the  junction  of  the  three  British  armies  at 
Montreal.  Yet  u[)  to  this  time,  its  end)ers  had 
continued  to  burn,  till  at  length  [)eace  was  com- 
pletely established  by  formal  treaty  between  the 
hostile  powers  France  resigned  her  ambitious 
project  of  empire  in  America,  and  ceded  C'anada 
and  the  reijion  of  the  lakes  to  her  successful  rival. 
By  this  treaty,  the  Canadians  of  Detroit  were  i)laced 
in  a  new  position.  Hitherto  they  had  been,  as  it 
were,  prisoners  on  capitulation,  neutral  spectators 
of  the  (piarrel  between  their  British  conquerors 
and  the  Indians  ;  but  now  their  allegiance  was 
transferred  from  the  crown  of  France  to  that  of 
Britain,  and  they  were  subjects  of  the  English 
king.  'J'o  many  of  them  the  change  was  extremely 
odious,  for  they  cordially  hated  the  British.  Thev 
went  about  among  the  settlers  and  the  Indians, 
declaring  that  the  i)retended  news  of  peace  was 
only  an  invention  of  Major  Gladwvn  ;  that  the  kins' 
of  France  would  never  abandon  his  children ;  and 


t 


703,  JONE. 

'd  ;  uiid 

clior  by 

of  the 

I  iimch- 
3visioiis. 
lit  po.ice 
nd  luig- 
c  of  the 
America 
virtually 
brahiini, 
riiiicj5   at 
)ers   had 
vas  coin- 
vecn   the 
mhitious 
Canada 
fid  rival, 
•c  placed 
:cii,  as  it 
pectators 
iKpierors 
nee   was 
tliat  of 
Knglish 

xtremely 
,  They 
Indians, 
lice  was 
the  king 
en ;  and 


17G3,  Jlly]  FIVAL    KFFORT   (»F   rONTIAC. 


•291 


that  a  great  French  army  w;is  even  then  asctmdmg 
the  St.  Lawrence,  while  another  was  a})pr()aching 
from  the  country  of  the  Illinois.'  This  oft-repeated 
falsehood  was  implicitly  believed  by  the  Indians, 
who  continued  firm  in  tlie  fiith  that  their  (ireat 
Father  was  about  to  awake  from  his  sleep,  and 
wreak  his  vengeance  upon  the  insolent  I'aiglish, 
who  had  intruded  on  his  domain. 

Pontiac  himself  clung  fast  to  this  delusive  hope ; 
yet  he  was  p:reatlv  vexed  at  the  saf(>  arrival  of  the 
vessel,  and  the  assistance  she  had  brought  to  the 
'obstinate  defenders  of  Detroit,  lie  exerted  him- 
self with  fresh  zeal  to  gain  possession  of  the  place, 
and  attempted  to  terrify  Gladwyn  into  submission. 
He  sent  a  message,  in  winch  he  strongly  urged  him 
to  surrender,  addincf,  by  way  of  stinndus,  tliat  eii'ht 
hundred  more  Ojibwas  were  every  day  expected, 
and  that,  on  their  arrival,  all  his  influence  could 
not  prevent  them  from  taking  the  scalp  of  every 
Englishman  in  the  fort.  To  this  friendly  advice 
Gladwyn  returned  a  brief  and  contemptuous  ;ui- 
swer. 

Pontiac,  having  long  been  anxious  to  gain  the 
Canadians  as  auxiliaries  in  the  war,  now  deter- 
mined on  a  final  effort  to  effect  his  object.  For 
this  purpose,  he  sent  messages  to  the  ])rincipal 
inhabitants,  invitinsjf  them  to  meet  him  in  council. 
In  the  Ottawa  camp,  there  was  a  vacant  spot,  quite 
level,  and  encircled  by  the  huts  of  the  Indians. 
Here  mats  were  spread  for  the  reception  of  the 
deputies,  who  soon  convened,  and  took  their  seats 

1  MS.  Letter  —  Gladwi/n  to  Amherst,  July  8. 


TT 


292 


BLOCKADK   OF    DpyniOlT. 


[17i'.3,  Jl'ly. 


■f-' 


i  y 


in  ii  wi(l(»  iin<^.  One  ])iiit  was  orcupiod  by  tlio 
('anadiiins,  ani()n<;  whom  won*  several  wlioso  with- 
ered, leathery  features  proelainied  tliein  the  patri- 
arehs  of  the  secluded  little  settlenicut.  Opposite 
these  sat  the  stern-visagcul  Pontiae.  with  his  chiefs 
on  either  hand,  while  the  intervening;  portions  of 
tlie  circle  were  tilled  by  Canadians  and  Indians 
promiscuously  minj^led.  8tandin<jf  on  tlie  (uitside, 
and  looking  over  the  heads  of  this  more  dignified 
assend)lagx%  was  a  motley  throng  of  Indians  and 
Canadians,  half  breeds,  trap[)ers,  and  voyageurs, 
in  wild  and  picturcscpie,  though  very  dirty  attire, 
Conspicuous  among  th(>m  were  nunuu'ous  Indian 
dandies,  a  large  class  in  every  aboriginal  com- 
munitv,  where  thcv  hold  about  the  same  relative 
l)osition  as  do  their  counterparts  in  civilized  society. 
They  were  wrapped  in  the  gayest  blankets,  their 
necks  adorned  with  beads,  their  checd^s  daubed  with 
vermilion,  and  their  ears  hung  with  pendants.  They 
stood  sedately  looking  on,  with  evident  self-compla- 
cency, yet  ashamed  and  afraid  to  take  their  places 
among  the  aged  chiefs  and  warriors  of  repute. 

All  was  silent,  and  several  pipes  were  passing 
round  from  liand  to  hand,  when  Pontiae  rose,  and 
threw  down  a  war-belt  at  the  feet  of  the  Canadians. 

"  My  brothers,"  he  said,  "  how  long  will  you  suf- 
fer this  bad  tlesli  to  remain  upon  your  lands'?  I 
have  told  you  before,  and  I  now  tell  you  again, 
that  when  I  took  up  the  hatchet,  it  was  for  your 
good.  This  year  the  English  must  all  perish 
throughout  Canada.  The  ^Master  of  Life  com- 
mands   it ;   and   vou.  who    know  him  better  than 


I   T    ' 


ft 


,7tj3,  July. 

by  the 
se  with- 
ic  patri- 
")|)p()site 
is  cliicfs 
rtions  of 
Iiidiuns 
(lutside, 
(liguifirtl 
ians  and 
)yagcMU's, 
•ty  attire, 
s  Indian 
lal    coni- 
)  relative 
d  society, 
cts,  tlieir 
ihed  with 
ts.    They 
-conipUx- 
ir  phiccs 
epnte. 

passing 
lose,  and 
lanadians. 
you  suf- 
ands 1  I 
u  again, 
for  your 
1  perish 
ife  coul- 
ter than 


170.3,  J L- 1. Y.] 


SrKKCII  OF   roxTiAC. 


•J93 


we,  wish  to  oppose^  Ins  will.  Until  now  I  have 
said  nothing  on  tliis  nnitter.  I  have  not  urged  you 
to  take  part  witli  us  in  the  war.  It  would  have 
been  enough  had  you  heen  content  to  sit  quiet  on 
your  mats,  looking  on,  while  we  were  fighting  for 
von.  Hut  vou  liave  not  done  so.  You  call  vour- 
selves  our  friends,  and  yet  you  assist  the  English 
with  provisions,  and  go  about  as  spies  among  our 
villaijjes.  This  must  not  continue.  You  ninst  b(> 
either  whollv  French  or  whoUv  ]']n<dish.  If  >ou 
are  French,  take  up  tliat  war-belt,  and  lift  tlie 
hatchet  with  us  ;  but  if  you  are  I'^nglish,  then  wc 
declare  war  upon  you.  My  brotliers,  I  know  this 
is  <i  hard  thing.  We  are  all  alike  childr'Mi  of  oiu* 
Great  Father  the  King  of  France,  and  it  is  hard  to 
fight  among  brt^thren  for  the  sake  of  dogs.  But 
there  is  no  choice.  Look  upon  the  belt,  iind  h-t  us 
hear  your  answer."  * 

One  of  the  C^anadiiins,  having  suspected  tlie  pur- 
pose of  Pontiac,  had  brought  with  him,  not  the 
treaty  of  peace,  but  a  copy  of  the  capitulation  of 
Montreal  with  its  dci)endencies,  including  Detroit. 
Pride,  or  some  other  motive,  restrained  him  from 
confessing  that  the  Canadians  were  no  longer  cliil- 
dren  of  the  King  of  France,  and  he  determined  to 
keep  up  the  old  delusion  that  a  French  army  was 
on  its  wav  to  win  back  Canada,  and  cha>tise  the 
English  invaders,  lie  began  his  spcecli  in  rej)ly 
to  Pontiac  by  professing  great  love  for  the  Indians, 
and  a  stroni?  desire  to  aid  them  in  the  war.  '•  P)ut, 
my  brothers,"  he  added,  holding  out  the  ai'ticles  of 

1    I'iilltliir  MS 


294 


BLnCKADK   OF   DKIIiOlT. 


[17tJ3,  JlJLT. 


il^'l 


( 


rii|»i(iil!itinii,  "  you  inust  first  untie  tlio  knot  with 
which  our  (ircat  l*'iithtu',  the  Kiii«i:.  has  hound  us. 
In  tliis  paper,  ho  tells  all  his  Canadian  children  to 
sit  ([uiet  and  ohey  the  ]'aiL,di^li  until  he  comes, 
hecause  he  wishes  to  punish  his  enemies  himself. 
AN'e  dare  not  disol)ey  him,  for  he  would  tluMi  be 
ani4:rv  with  us.  And  vou,  my  brothers,  who  si)eak 
of  inakiui;  war  upon  us  if  we  do  not  do  as  you 
wish,  do  you  think  you  could  escape  his  wrath,  if 
vou  should  raise  the  hatchet  ai^ainst  his  French 
children?  He  would  treat  you  as  enenues,  and 
not  as  friends,  and  you  would  have  to  fi^'ht  both 
l-nL>lish  and  French  at  once.  Tell  us,  mv  brothers, 
what  can  you  reply  to  this  ? " 

Pontiac  for  a  moment  sat  silent,  mortified,  and 
l)erple\ed  ;  but  his  ])urpose  was  not  destined  to  be 
wholly  defeated.  '"  Amonuf  the  French,"  says  the 
writer  of  the  diary,  '•  were  many  infamous  charac- 
ters, who,  having  no  pro[)erty.  cared  nothing  what 
became  of  them."  Those  mentioned  in  these  oppro- 
brious terms  were  a  collection  of  trappers,  voya- 
geurs,  and  nondescript  va<^,i.)onds  of  ti)e  forest, 
who  were  seated  with  the  council,  or  stood  look- 
ing on,  variously  attired  in  greasy  shirts,  Indian 
leggins,  and  red  woollen  caps.  Not  a  few  among 
them,  however,  had  thought  proper  to  adopt  the 
style  of  dress  and  ornament  peculiar  to  the  red 
men,  who  were  their  usual  associates,  and  ap- 
peared among  their  comrades  with  paint  rubbed 
on  their  cheeks,  and  feathers  dangling  from  their 
hair.  Indeed,  they  aimed  to  identify  themselves 
with  the  Indians,  a  transformation  by  which  they 


, 


1703,  Jlne] 


KKNr.r.ADi;  wihtks. 


1>J)5 


m 


<r:\\\wd  ii()tliiii<; ;  for  these  rcncijado  wliiti^s  were 
held  ill  liijlit  esteem,  both  h\  those  of  tlieir  own 
(•oh)r  and  tlie  HUViii'es  themselves.  'V\\c\  were  for 
tlie  most  part  a  li»;ht  and  tVivolons  er<'\\ .  htth'  to 
he  rehed  on  for  enerijv  or  stahihtv  ;  thoni-h  anionii: 
them  were  men  of  liai-d  and  rnthan  featnres,  the 
rin<^h'aders  and  hnlHes  of  the  voyaj^enrs,  and  (>\(MI 
a  terror  to  the  Jjour(j(ois^  himself.  It  was  one  of 
these  who   now  took  up  the  war  helt,  and  declared 


^  This  name  is  always  apjilioil,  ainony  tlie  Canailians  of  tlie  Nortli- 
wost,  to  tilt'  (.•oiidiK'tor  of  a  trailing'  party,  the  ('(unmimiii-r  in  a  tradiiij; 
fort,  or,  iiKJt'Cil,  to  any  person  in  a  pnsiiion  ot  iiutliurity. 

Extract  from  a  \jvUvv— Iktroil,  Ju/i/  'J,  IIW',  {/'mn.  r/./:,  .V-.  ls08). 

"Jinluc  of  tin'  ('omliic't  of  tin.-  •'.inailians  licre,  liy  tlie  UeliMviniir  of 
tlii'si'  tew  Sacrt'.-i  IJon^nx'S,  I  have  nieiitioiietl ;  I  can  as>nre  you,  with 
iniieh  Certainty,  that  there  iire  Imt  very  few  in  the  Settlement  who  are 
not  eiijiaj:etl  with  the  Imlians  in  their  ilainnM  l)e.«iuii  ;  in  >lM>ri.  Monsieur 
is  at  the  IJottom  ot  it  ;  we  have  not  only  (•inivinriiiL,'  I'riMifs  anil  Cireiim- 
btanees,  hut  iiiMleiiiahle  I'rout-.  of  it.  Tiieie  are  tour  or  live  .-iii^ihle,  hon- 
est Frenchmen  in  tin-  Place,  who  have  hceii  of  a  ^reat  deal  ol  Service  ',o 
us,  in  lirin^in;,'  us  Inlellineiice  ami  l'rovi>ions,  even  at  the  l!i«(|Ue  of  their 
own  Lives  ;  1  hope  they  will  he  rewanled  t()r  their  j^ooil  Services  ;  1  hope 
also  to  see  the  others  exalted  on  Iliuh,  to  reap  the  Fruits  of  their  Lahours, 
as  soon  as  our  Army  arrives;  the  Discoveries  wc  have  made  ot  their 
horrid  villianies,  aie  almost  incivdihle.  Hut  to  return  to  the  'lernis  of 
Capitulation  :  I'oiidiac  proposes  that  we  should  iiiiuicdialely  ^i\e  up  the 
Garrison,  lay  down  our  Anns,  as  tiie  French,  their  I'atliers,  were  ohli^n-d 
to  do,  leave  the  Cannon,  Ma'.vazines,  Merchants'  (joods,  and  the  two 
^'essels,  and  be  escorted  in  IJattoes,  by  the  Indians,  to  Nia<uara.  i'lie 
Major  returneil  Answer,  that  the  (Jeiieral  had  not  si'iit  him  there  to 
deliver  up  the  Fort  to  Indians,  or  anybody  else;  ami  that  he  woiilil 
defend  it  whilst  he  had  a  siiij^le  man  to  tiudit  aloii^tside  of  him.  I'poii 
this.  Hostilities  recommenced,  since  which  'i'ime,  heiiij;  two  months,  the 
whole  Garrison,  OtHcers,  Soldiers,  Merchants,  and  Servants,  have  been 
upon  the  Hamparts  every  Night,  not  one  iiaving  plept  in  a  House,  except 
tlie  Sick  and  Wounded  in  the  Hospital. 

"Our  Fort  is  extremely  large,  considering  our  Xumbers,  tlie  Stoikade 
being  above  1000  Faces  in  Circumference;  judge  what  a  Figure  we  make 
on  the  Works." 

The  writer  of  the  above  letter  is  much  too  sweeping  and  indiscrim- 
inate in  his  denunciation  of  the  French. 


i'i 


I,. 


&t'*.i:aj^'^iC!i*;.i:vi':.s.Jsa-J'-3A«aiae£i*'w^*ii^^^ 


'2\n\ 


BLOCKADK   OF    DHTKOIT. 


[17G3,  Jinu 


•     i 


that  lie  and  liis  coiiiradcs  \\(M('  n^ady  to  raise  tl:e 
liatchet  for  Poiitiac.  'I'lic  Ix^ltcr  class  of"  Cuiia- 
diaiis  wvvv  sIiocKcmI  at  this  [)ro('e(Mliii<j;.  and  vainly 
])r<)lest(Ml  against  it.  l*ontiac,  on  his  ])art,  was 
nnich  j)l('as('d  at  such  an  accession  to  his  forces, 
and  li(>  and  his  chiefs  shook  hands,  in  turn,  with 
each  of"  their  ucw  auxiliaries.  ^Fho  council  had 
heen  prolraclcHl  to  a  lat(^  hour.  It  was  dark  heforc 
the  asseinhly  dissolved,  "  so  that,"  as  the  chronicler 
ol)S(>rves,  •'  these  new  Indians  had  no  opportunity 
of  disj)laying  their  e\})loits  that  day."  'I'hey  re- 
mained in  the  Indian  camp  all  nii;ht,  h(nng  afraid 
of  the  reception  tlu^y  inii;ht  meet  among  their 
fellow-whit(^s  in  the  settlement.  The  whole  of 
the  followini*;  morning  was  employed  in  giving  them 
a  feast  of  W(dcome.  For  this  entertaiument  a  large 
numher  of  dogs  were  killed,  and  s(>rved  up  to  the 
guests  ;  none  of  whom,  according  to  the  Indian 
custom  on  such  formal  occasions,  were  permittc^d 
to  tak(^  their  leave  until  they  had  eaten  the  whole 
of  the  enormous  portion  placed  before  theui. 

Pontiac  derived  little  advantage  from  his  Cana- 
dian allies,  most  of  whom,  fearing  tlie  resentment 
of  the  I'inglisli  and  the  other  inhabitants,  fled,  be- 
fore the  Mar  was  over,  to  the  countrv  of  the  Illinois.' 
On  the  night  succeeding  the  feast,  a  party  of  the 
renegades,  joined  by  about  an  equal  nund)er  of 
Luhans,  approached  the  fort,  and  intrenched  them- 
selves, m  order  to  fire  upon  the  garrison.  At  day- 
break, they  were  observed,  the  gate  was  thrown 
open,  and  a  file  of  men,  headed  by  Lieutenant  Hay, 

1  Croghan,  Journal.     Sue  BiUler,  Hist.  Kentucky,  463. 


\h 


m 


1703,  Jink 


ITfia,  JiNi;  ]         DKA'III    OF   CAVT.  rAMTHKLL. 


'291 


raise 


)f   Caiiii- 
i\(l  vainly 
)art,   ^vas 
is  forces, 
urn,  witli 
uu'il    i»''Hl 
rk  before 
chronicler 
)|)ortnnity 
They  ve- 
in g  ufraitl 
,on^  their 
wliole   of 
ving  them 
nit  ii  lar<,^e 
I  lip  to  the 


V  Iiulian 
)erniitted 
he  Avholo 
em. 

his  Cana- 
esentment 
s,  tied,  bc- 
e  Illinois.^ 
rty  of  the 
imher  of 
hcd  them- 
At  day- 
as  thrown 
nant  Hay, 


8alii(Ml  to  (lislod^-e  tliem.  This  was  effected  witli- 
ont  mucli  diflicidty.  Tlie  Canadians  tied  with  such 
(lespatcli,  that  all  of  them  escaped  unhurt,  though 
two  of  tlie  Indiiins  were  shot. 

It  happen(>d  tliat  ainoiiii;  the  En<^lish  was  n 
so](Her  wlu)  had  been  prisoner,  for  several  years, 
amoni^  tlie  Delawares,  and  who,  wliile  he  liad 
learned  to   hat(>  the  whole  race,  at  the  same  time 

hal)its  and  ])ractices. 


had 


ac([uire(l   many  ot  tneir 


f  th 


lie  now  ran  forward,  and,  kneeling  on  the  body  of 
one  of  the  dead  savages,  tore  away  tlie  scalj),  and 
shook  it,  witli  an  exultant  cry,  towards  the  fugitives.' 
This  act,  as  afterwards  appeared,  excited  great  rage 
among  the  Indians. 

Li(Mitenant  Iliiy  and  his  party,  aft(n-  their  suc- 
cessful sally,  had  retired  to  the  tort  ;  when,  at 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  a  man  was  seen 
running  towards  it,  closely  pursued  by  Indians. 
On  his  arriving  within  gunshot,  they  gave  over  the 
chase,  and  the  fugitive  came  ])anting  beueatli  the 
stockade,  where  a  wicket  was  flung  open  to  receive 
him.  lie  ju'oved  to  be  the  commandant  of  San- 
dusky, who,  having,  as  before  mentioned,  been 
adopted  by  the  Indians,  and  married  to  an  old 
squaw,  now  seized  the  first  opportunity  of  escap- 
ing from  her  embraces. 

T^hrough  him,  the  garrison  learned  the  unhappy 
tidings  that  Captain  Cani[)hell  was  killed.  Thiss 
gentleman,  from  liis  high  personal  character,  no 
less  than  his  merit  as  an  officer,  was  held  in 
general    esteem  ;    and    his    fate   excited  a  feeling 

1  Poiduic  MS. 


'I\ 


298 


BLOCKADE  OF  DETROIT. 


[1763,  June 


,;  J 


1 1 


of  anger  and  grief  among  all  the  English  in 
Detroit.  Tt  appeared  that  the  Indian  killed  and 
scal[)cd,  in  the  skirmish  of  that  morning  was 
nephew  to  Wasson,  chief  of  the  Ojihwas.  On 
hearing  of  his  death,  the  enraged  nncle  had  im- 
mediately blackened  his  face  in  sign  of  revenge, 
called  together  a  party  of  his  followers,  and  re})air- 
ing  to  the  house  of  Meloche,  where  Captain  Camp- 
bell was  kept  prisoner,  had  seized  upon  him,  and 
bound  him  fast  to  a  neighboring  fence,  where  they 
shot  him  to  death  with  arrows.  Others  say  tha*" 
they  tomahawked  him  on  the  spot ;  but  all  agree 
that  his  bodv  was  mutilated  in  a  barbarous  manner. 
His  heart  is  said  to  have  been  eaten  bv  his  mur- 
derers,  to  make  them  courageous  ;  a  practice  not 
uncommon  among  Indians,  after  killing  an  enemy 
of  acknov.ledged  bravery.  The  corpse  was  thrown 
into  the  river,  and  afterwards  brought  to  shore  and 
buried  by  the  Canadians.  According  to  one  author- 
ity, Pontiac  was  privy  to  this  act ;  but  a  second, 
equally  credible,  represents  him  as  ignorant  of  it, 
and  declares  that  Wasson  fled  to  Saginaw  to  escape 
his  fury ;  while  a  third  affirms  that  the  Ojibwas 
carried  off  Campbell  by  force  from  before  the  eyes 
of  the  great  chief.^  The  other  captive,  M'Dougal, 
had  previously  escaped. 


r 


1   Gom'n's  Account,  MS.     St.  Aubin's  Accoiitif,  ^IS.     Dinrij  of  the  Slcrje. 

James  MjicDonald  writes  from  Detroit  on  the  12th  of  July.  "  Half  an 
hour  afterward  the  savages  carried  (the  body  of)  the  man  they  had  lost 
before  Capt.  Campbell,  strip[)ed  him  tiaked,  juid  directly  murthered  him 
in  a  cruel  manner,  which  indeed  jiives  me  ]iain  l^eyond  expression,  and  I 
am  sure  cannot  n)iss  but  to  atli'ct  sensibly  ail  his  acquaintances.  Although 
he  IS  now  out  of  tiie  question,  I  must   own  I  never  had,  uor  never  shall 


fl 


m 


1763,  June 

iilish  in 
illed  and 
ing  was 
as.      On 

had  im- 

revcngo, 
d  i-c})air- 
Lii  Camp- 
liini,  and 
Liere  they 
5  say  tha*- 

all  agree 
5  manner. 
'  his  mnr- 
actice  not 
an  enemy 
IS  thrown 
r^hore  and 
le  author- 
second, 

ant  of  it, 

0  escape 

Ojibwas 

the  eyes 

'Bengal, 


17G3,  JuLV.] 


THE  ARMED   SCHOONERS. 


21)9 


y 


of  the  Sl('(je. 

"Half  an 
tliey  hiul  lost 
iirtliered  him 

ession,  and  1 
s.     Although 

r  never  shall 


The  two  armed  schooners,  anchored  opposite  the 
fort,  were  now  become  objects  of  r.^ve  and  aversion 
to  the  Indians.  This  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  for, 
besides  aiding  in  the  defence  of  the  place,  by  sweep- 
ing two  sides  of  it  with  their  fire,  they  often  caused 
great  terror  and  annoyance  to  the  besiegers.  Sev- 
eral times  thev  had  left  their  anchorajje,  and.  takinu: 
up  a  convenient  position,  had  l)attered  the  Indian 
camps  and  villages  wdth  no  little  effect.  Once  in 
particular,  —  and  this  was  the  first  attempt  of  the 
kind,  —  GLidwyn  himself,  with  several  of  his  offi- 
cers, had  embarked  on  board  the  smaller  vessel, 
while  a  fresh  breeze  was  blowing  from  the  north- 
west. The  Indians,  on  the  banks,,  stood  watchinii: 
her  as  she  tacked  from  shore  to  shore,  and  pressed 
their  hands  against  their  mouths  in  amazenif^nt, 
thinking  that  m-agic  power  alone  could  enable  her 
thus  to  make  her  way  against  wind  and  carrent.' 
Making  a  long  reach  from  the  oi)posite  sliore,  she 
came  on  directly  towards  the  camp  of  Pontiac,  her 
sails  swelling,  her  masts  leaning  over  till  the  black 
muzzles  of  her  guns  almost  touched  the  river.  The 
Indians  watched  her  in  astonishment.  On  she 
came,  till  their  fierce  hearts  exulted  in  the  idea 
that  she  would  run  ashore  within  their  clutches, 
wlien  suddenly  a  shout  of  command  was  heard  o:i 
board,  her  progress  was  arrested,  she  rose  upright, 
and   her  sails  flapped   and  fluttered  as  if  tearing 

have,  a  Friend  or  Acquaiiitan'.'e  tiiat  I  valued  more  than  he.    My  j)res<eiit 
comfort  is,  iliat  if  Charity,  benevolence,  innocence,  and  intef,'rity  arc  a 
suttieient  dispensation  for  all  mankind,  that  entitles  him  to  happines-s  in 
the  world  to  come." 
i  Penn.  Guz.  No.  1808. 


-I 
I  I 


!?ffl 


300 


BLOrKAl")K    OF    DF/rHOIT. 


|17f.:'.,  July. 


'•  ?' 


loose  from  tlu'ir  fastcniiiixs.  Steadily  she  c;iiiio 
rouiul,  broadside  to  the  shore  ;  then,  leaning  once 
more  to  the  wind,  bore  awuv  ijjallantlv  on  the  other 
tack.  She  did  not  go  far.  The  wondering  specta- 
tors, quite  at  a  loss  to  understand  her  movements, 
soon  heard  the  h»;arse  rattling  of  her  cable,  as  the 
anchor  dragged  it  out,  and  saw  her  furling  her  vast 
white  wings.  As  they  looked  unsuspectingly  on, 
a  puff  of  smoke  was  emitted  from  her  dide  ;  a  loud 
report  followed  ;  then  another  and  (uiother ;  and 
the  balls,  rushing  over  their  heads,  liew  through 
the  midst  of  their  camp,  and  tore  wildly  ;imong  the 
forest-trees  beyond.  All  was  terror  and  consterna- 
tion.  The  startled  warriors  bounded  away  on  all 
sides  ;  the  squaws  snatclied  up  their  children,  and 
fled  screaming  ;  aiul.  with  a  general  chorus  of  yells, 
the  whole  encampment  scattered  in  such  haste,  that 
little  damage  was  done,  except  knocking  to  pieces 
tluMr  frail  cabins  of  bark.' 

This  attack  was  followed  by  others  of  a  similar 
kind  ;  and  now  the  Indians  seemed  resolved  to  turn 
all  their  energies  to  the  destruction  of  the  vessel 
which  caused  them  such  annoyance.  On  the  night 
of  the  tenth  of  July,  they  sent  down  a  blazing  raft, 
formed  of  two  boats,  secured  together  with  a  rope, 
and  filled  with  pitch-pine,  birch-bark,  and  other 
combustibles,  which,  by  good  fortune,  missed  the 
vessel,  and  floated  down  the  stream  without  doing 
injury.  All  was  (piiet  throughout  the  following 
night ;  but  about  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
the   twelfth,  the   sentinel   on   duty  saw  a  glowing 

1  Pontiac  MS. 


I    I 


!-••' 


17G3,  JuLT.] 


THE    R.VFT. 


301 


spark  of  fire  on  the  surface  of  the  river,  at  some 
distance  ahove.  It  grew  Lirger  and  l)rigliter ;  it 
rose  in  a  forked  tiame,  and  at  length  burst  forth 
into  a  broad  contiagration.  In  this  instance,  too, 
fortune  favored  the  vessel ;  for  the  raft,  which  was 
hirger  than  the  former,  ])assed  down  i)etween  lier 
and  tlie  fort,  brightly  gikling  her  tracery  of  ropes 
and  si)ars,  lighting  up  the  old  palisades  and  bastions 
of  Detroit,  disclosing  the  white  Canadian  farms  and 
houses  along  the  shore,  and  revealing  the  dusky 
margin  of  tiie  forest  behind.  It  showed,  too,  a 
dark  group  of  naked  spectators,  who  stood  on  the 
bank  to  watch  the  effect  of  their  artifice,  when  ii 
cannon  flashed,  a  loud  report  broke  the  stillness, 
and  before  the  smoke  of  the  gun  had  risen,  these 
curious  observers  had  vanished.  The  raft  fioated 
down,  its  fiames  crackling  and  glaring  wide  through 
the  night,  until  it  was  burnt  to  the  water's  edge, 
and  its  last  hissing  embers  were  quenched  in  the 
river. 

Though  twice  defeated,  the  Indians  would  not 
abandon  their  plan,  but,  soon  after  this  second 
failure,  began  another  raft,  of  different  construction 
from  the  former,  and  so  large  that  they  thought  it 
certain  to  take  effect.  Gladwyn,  on  his  part,  pro- 
vided boats  which  were  moored  by  chains  at  some 
distance  above  the  vessels,  and  made  other  pre})ar- 
ations  of  defence,  so  effectual  that  the  Indians,  after 
working  four  days  upon  the  raft,  gave  over  their 
undertaking  as  useless.  About  this  time,  a  ])arty 
of  Shawanoe  and  Delaware  Indians  arrived  at  De- 
troit, and  were  received  by  the  Wyandots  with  a 


iiH 


111! 


It' 


302 


BLOCKADE   OF   1)I-:TU0IT 


[1703,  .Idly  . 


Ruluto  of  nirisk(^trv,  which  occasioned  some  uhirm 
among  tlic  En<j;lish,  who  knew  notliing  of  its  canse. 
They  i'e])orte(l  the  proij^ress  of  the  war  in  tlic  sonth 
and  cast ;  and,  a  few  days  after,  an  Ahenaki,  from 
Lower  Canada,  also  made  his  apjiearance,  hrini»-in<^ 
to  the  Indians  the  tlatterini^  falsehood  that  tluMr 
Great  Father,  the  Kinu^  of  France,  was  at  that 
moment  advancinii;  np  the  St.  liawrencc  with  his 
army.  It  may  here  he  ohserved,  that  the  name  of 
Father,  given  to  the  Kings  of  France  and  England, 
was  a  mere  title  of  conrtesy  or  policy  ;  for,  in  his 
hanghty  independence,  the  Indian  yields  snbmission 
to  no  man. 

It  was  now  between  two  and  three  months  since 
the  siege  began  ;  and  if  one  is  disposed  to  think 
sliiihtin^ly  of  the  warriors  whose  nnmbers  conld 
avail  so  little  aijainst  a  handfnl  of  half-starved  En<>-- 
lish  and  provincials,  he  has  only  to  recollect,  that 
where  barbarism  has  been  arrayed  against  civiliza- 
tion, disorder  against  disci))lino,  and  migoverned 
fnry  against  considerate  valor,  snch  has  seldom 
failed  to  be  the  result. 

At  the  siege  of  Detroit,  the  Indians  displayed  a 
high  degree  of  comparative  steadiness  and  perse- 
verance ;  and  their  history  cannot  furnish  another 
instance  of  so  large  a  force  persisting  so  long  in 
the  attack  of  a  fortified  place.  Their  good  con- 
duct may  be  ascribed  to  their  deep  rage  against  the 
English,  to  tlieir  hope  of  speedy  aid  from  the 
French,  and  to  the  controlling  spirit  of  Pontiac, 
which  held  them  to  their  work.  The  Indian  is 
but  ill  qualified  for  such  attempts,  having  too  much 


rG3,  July. 

?  aliirm 
5  cause, 
e  south 
ii,  from 
riii<^-iu«^ 
iit  tlioir 
at  that 
vitli  his 
lanic  of 
luglaud, 
',  in  his 
iniissioii 

lis  since 
:o  tliink 
•s  could 
ed  Eng- 
X't,  that 
civiUza- 
ovcrncd 
seldom 

ayed  a 
pcrse- 
motlier 
ong  in 
d  con- 
inst  the 
Dm  the 
ontiac, 
dian  is 
0  much 


1703,  JuLT.]     CHANGING  TEMPER  OF  THE  INDIANS.         HO.'i 

caution  for  an  assault  by  storm,  and  too  little  pji- 
tienc(^  for  a  ])locka(le.  The  Wyandots  and  Totta- 
wattamies  had  shown,  from  the  l)e<^inninL;:.  less  zeal 
than  the  other  nations ;  and  now,  like  children, 
thev  he^an  to  tire  of  tlie  task  thev  had  undertaken. 
A  deputation  of  the  Wyandots  came  to  tlie  fort, 
and  hedged  for  peace,  which  was  granted  them  ; 
hut  when  the  Pottawattamies  came  on  tlie  same 
errand,  they  insisted,  as  a  preliminary,  that  sonie 
of  their  people,  who  were  detained  prisoners  hy 
the  English,  should  first  he  given  up.  Gladwyn 
demanded,  on  his  part,  tliat  the  English  captives 
known  to  be  in  their  village  should  he  l)rought  to 
the  fort,  and  three  of  thetn  were  accordingly  pro- 
duced. As  these  were  but  a  small  part  of  the 
whole,  the  deputies  were  sharply  rebuked  for  tlieiv 
duplicity,  and  told  to  go  back  for  the  rest.  They 
withdrew  angiy  and  mortified  ;  but,  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  a  fr(>sh  deputation  of  chiefs  made  their 
appearance,  bringing  with  them  six  prisoners. 
Having  repaired  to  the  council-room,  they  were 
met  by  Gladwyn,  attended  only  by  one  or  two 
officers.  The  Indians  detained  in  the  fort  were 
about  to  be  given  u[),  and  a  treaty  concluded,  when 
one  of  the  prisoners  declared  that  there  were 
several  others  still  remaining  in  the  Pottawatta- 
mie village.  Upon  this,  the  conference  was  brok(>n 
off,  and  the  deputies  ordered  instantly  to  dejjart. 
On  being  thus  a  second  time  defeated,  they  W(>re 
goaded  to  such  a  pitch  of  rage,  that,  as  afterwards 
became  known,  they  formed  the  desperate  resolu- 
tion of   killing    Gladwyn   on    the    spot,  and   then 


m 
P 


I    M: 


:!()l 


ni,(»("KAi)i;  OK  DiriMii' 


[iTt^M.  Jrt.T 


inMlvini;  IImmt  ('sc;i|)(>  in  the  Ix  si  \v;iv  llicy  cnuM  ; 
l»ul,  li;ii>|>il\,  ;il  lliiil  iiioiiiciit  the  coiimiMiKliiiil, 
(>l)S(>rN(Ml  III)  ()lla\v;i  Miuonu;  lliciu,  .iiid,  r('solviii<r 
lo  s(M/<>  Ilim,  called  upon  llie  i^iiard  willmul  jo 
JissisI  ill  doiiii;  so.  A  lilc  of  soldicMs  ciilcrcd,  and 
flic  cliicl's.  scciiii;'  it  iinpossihlc  (o  ('xcculc  llicir 
<li\si<4n.  wilhdrcw  iVoiii  \\\r  luil,  uilli  l)la(k  and 
sullen  brow  .  A  day  or  Iwo  afUMWiirds,  liowcvrr, 
lh(>y  rolimiod  with  llic  rcsl  of  (lie  |)rison('rs,  on 
which  j)cacc  was  nrranlcd  Ihciii,  and  their  [x'oplc 
st^t  at    lil)ertv,' 


'  Whafi'vcr  m:iv  li.ivo  1h>i'm  tlii<  ia»(>  with  the  I'otliiwiillMinirs,  (licio 
were  iiulicatious  tVoiu  llio  first  llml  llio  Wvimilnls  \vt'n>  liikcwnmi  or  even 
rcliirlaiil  in  lakiii};  part  willi  I'diiliac.  As  carlv  as  May  'J'J,  hi>iiu>  of 
llii'in  complaiiioil   thnt  lu>  liiul   loirfd  tlioin  into  tlu*  war.     h'uvii  of  tlw 


!?    if 


coultl  ; 

•solving 
liont  to 
{h\,  and 
r  llicij- 
ck  Mild 
owcvcr, 
UMS,  oil 
people 


1)1  III  or  t'Vi'M 
l)i(Vif  of  tJw 


ciiAi»'n:ii  XV. 


17  <;.'{. 


TMic  ridiri'  OF  \u.()()\)Y  mnnfjE. 

FnoM  tlu»  tinu^  wlimi  pciicf*  was  foncliidcd  with 
tlic  \Vy:mdols  and  I'oltawatlaTtiics  niilil  the  end  of 
.Inlv,  lillli!  worthy  of  notice  took  place  at  Detroit. 
The  fort  was  still  watched  closely  hy  th(^  Ottuwas 
and  Ojihwas,  who  almost  daily  assaih'd  it  with 
petty  attacks.  In  tin;  mean  time,  unknown  to  the 
li^ari'ison,  a  strong  re-enforcejnent  was  cominjjj  to 
their  aid.  (/aj)tai.i  J)al/(!ll  had  left  Niagara  with 
twenty-two  harf^^es,  hearing  two  hundred  and  ei^^hty 
men,  with  sevcM'al  small  cannon,  and  a  fresh  sup[)ly 
of  provisions  and  aTnmnnition.' 


•  Kxtract  ftorii  a  MS.  Letlur 


Sir: 


«S'/V  ./.  Amfi'rst  to  Sir   W.  Jolnison. 

"  NVw  York,  liJUi  .liiii<',  1703. 


"  I  Mill  lo  tliaiik  yoii  for  your  Letter  of  tli(!  ')th  Instant,  uliieli  I  have 
tliis  iiiotiieiit  IJoiviveil,  vvilli  some  Advices  from  Niat,'ara,  con'crnin'j;  I  lie 
Motions  of  the  Indians  t'.at  \^'ay,  they  havin;,'  attacked  a  Detachment 
iiiidiM"  the  Comiiiaiid  of  Lieut,  v'uyler  of  Ilojikins'.s  Ilan^fcrs,  who  were 
on  tlieir  Woiite  towards  the  Detroit,  and  Ohlii^ed  him  to  Ue'nrn  to  .Via^^ara, 
witli  (I  am  sorry  to  say)  too  few  of  his  Men. 

"  Upon  this  Intelhi^eiice,  I  have  tlioiii_;lit  it  Necessary  to  Dispatch 
Captain  Dalycll,  my  Aid  de  ('amp,  with  Onh'rs  to  ("arry  witli  him  ail 
aiieli  Heintbrcements  as  can  jiossihiy  he  collected  fhaviii'^',  at  the  same 
time,  a  due  Attention  to  the  Satii'ly  of  the  I'rincipal  I''(>rts),  to  Niat^ira, 
ami  to  proceed  to  tlie  Detroit,  if  Necessary,  and  Judged  I'roper." 

20 


■i 


\\i 


■it  "ji 


;iO() 


TlIK   FIGHT   OF  HLOODY    P.l{II)(.i:.     [1703,  July. 


'  'I 


I  f 


\  1 


Coiistiiiij^  tlio  soutli  shore  of  J/akv  Va''u\  they 
soon  niU'luHl  l*ros([u'  TsU\  where  tliey  found  tlic 
seorclied  and  liattered  hlockhonsc  eaptured  ji  few 
wecOvS  before,  and  saw  with  surprise  the  mines 
and  intrenchrnents  made  l)v  tln^  luchans  in  assailini' 
it.'  'I'henee,  proreedin<^-  on  th(>ir  voyage,  they 
readied  Sanduskv  on  the  twentv-sixth  of  July  ;   and 

•  *  • 

here  thev  marelud  inland  to  the  neiij^ld)orincr  vil- 
hige  of  th(>  Wyan(U)ts,  which  ttiey  burnt  to  the 
ground,  at  the  same  time  destroying  the  corn, 
which  tliis  tribe,  more  provident  tlian  most  of  the 
otliers,  had  ])hnited  there  in  the  spring.  Dalzell 
tlicn  steered  northward  for  tlio  moutli  of  the  De- 
troit, wliich  he  reached  on  the  evening  of  tlie 
twentv-eijjhth.  and  cautiously  ascended  under  cover 
of  nii'-lit.  "  It  was  fortunate,"  writes  Gladwyn, 
"  that  tlu'V  were  not  discovered,  in  which  case 
thev  must  have  been  destroyed  or  taken,  as  the 
Indians,  being  embohlened  by  their  late  successes, 
figlit  nuicli  better  tlian  we  could  have  expected." 

On  the  morninii:  of  the  twenty-ninth,  the  whole 
country  around  Detroit  was  covered  by  a  sea  of 
fog,  the  precursor  of  a  hot  and  sultry  day ;  but  at 
sunrise  its  surface  began  to  heave  and  toss,  and, 
piirting  at  intervals,  disclosed  the  dark  and  burn- 
ished surface  ''f  the  river ;  then  lightly  rolling, 
fold  upon  fold,  the  mists  melted  rapidly  away, 
the  last  remnant  clinging  sluggishly  along  the 
margin  of  the  forests.  Now,  for  the  first  time, 
the  garrison  could  discern  the  approaching  con- 
voy.^     Still    they    remained   in    suspense,    fearing 

1  Pom.  Gaz.  No.  1811.  '^  Pontuic  MS. 


Il 


!'  I 


I 


iTo;',,  ,ii;i,Y.]      di:taciimi:nt  from  Niagara. 


307 


lest  it  miglit  liiivc  met  tlie  fate  of  the  former 
detacliment ;  but  a  salute  from  the  fort  was 
answered  by  ii  swivel  from  tlie  boats,  and  at 
once  all  appreheiisiou  passed  away.  The  convoy 
soo'i  reached  a  point  in  the  river  niidway  between 
the  villaiies  of  the  Wvandots  and  the  Tottawatta- 
niies.  About  a  fortnight  before,  as  we  have  seen, 
these  capricious  savages  had  made  ii  treaty  of 
peace,  which  they  now  saw  fit  to  break.  ()[)ening  a 
hot  fire  upon  the  boats  from  citlu-r  bank.'  It  was 
answered  by  swivels  and  nnisketry  ;  but  before  the 
short  engagement  was  over,  fifteen  of  the  English 
were  killed  or  wounded.  This  dangcn-  passed, 
boat  after  boat  came  to  shore,  and  landed  its  men 
fimid  the  cheers  of  the  garrison.  The  (l(>taclunent 
was  composed  of  soldiers  from  the  .")")! h  and  SOtli 
Ilegiments,  with  twenty  independent  rangers,  com- 
manded by  Major  Kogcrs  ;  and  as  the  barracks  in 
the  place  were  too  small  to  receive  them,  they 
were  all  quartered  upon  the  inhabitants. 

Scarcely  were  these  arrangements  made,  when 
a  great  smoke  was  seen  rising  from  the  Wyandot 
village  across  the  river,  and  the  inhabitants,  appar- 
ently in  much  consternation,  were  observed  pad- 
dline:  down  stream  with  their  houseliold  utensils. 
and  even  their  dogs.  It  was  supposed  that  tliey 
had  abandoned  an  I  burned  their  huts  ;  but  in 
truth,  it  \>as  only  an  artifice  of  these  Indians,  who 
had  set  fire  to  some  old  canoes  and  other  refuse 
piled  in  front  of  their  village,  after  which  the  war- 
riors, having  concealed  the  women   and   children. 

'  MS.  Letter  —  }fajor  lioijfrs  to ,  Aug.  5. 


lili 


,    i 


Nil 


^91 


» 


\^ 


m 


ih^ 


f: 


!.!; 


'   « 


'F 


008 


TlIK  ri(JHT  OF  liLUUDY   lUilDeiK.     [ITW,  Jllt. 


rctunuHl  and  lay  in  ainbiisli  anioii*^  the  biislics, 
hoping  to  hue  some  of  the  ]'lii<;lish  within  reach 
of  their  guns.  None  of  them,  however,  fell  into 
the  snare.' 

Captain  Dal/ell  was  the  same  ofRccr  who  was 
tlie  (•om})ani()n  of  Israel  Putnam  in  some  of  the 
most  adventurous  passages  of  that  rough  veteran's 
life ;  but  more  recently  he  had  acted  as  aide-de- 
camp to  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst.  On  the  day  of  his 
arrival,  he  had  a  conference  with  (iladwvn.  at  the 
quarters  of  the  latter,  and  strongly  insisted  that  the 
time  was  come  when  an  irrecoNcrable  blow  might 
be  struck  at  Pontiac.  He  rectuested  permission  to 
march  out  on  the  following  night,  and  attack  the 
Indian  camp.  Gladwyn,  better  ac(piainted  with 
the  ])osition  of  affairs,  and  perhaps  more  cautious 
by  niiture,  was  averse  to  the  attempt ;  but  Dalzell 
nrged  his  request  so  strenuously  that  the  connnand- 
ant  yielded  to  his  representations,  and  gave  a  tardy 
consent.^ 

Pontiac  had  recently  removed  his  camp  from  its 
old  position  near  the  mouth  of  Parent's  Creek,  and 
was  now  posted  several  miles  above,  behind  a  great 
marsh,  which  protected  the  Indian   huts  from  the 

1  Pontine  IMS. 

^  J^xtract  from  a  MS.  Letter —  Major  Gladwijn  to  Sir  J.  Amhorst. 

"  Detroit,  Aug.  8th,  ITfia 

"On  the  8lst,  Captain  Dalycll  Requested,  as  a  particular  favor,  that 
I  would  jiive  hiiu  the  Command  of  a  Party,  in  order  to  Attempt  the  Sur- 
prizal  of  Pontiac'.s  Camp,  under  cover  of  the  Night,  to  wliich  I  answered 
that  I  was  of  opinion  lie  was  too  much  on  his  Guard  to  Effect  it ;  lie  then 
said  ho  thoM<i:ht  I  had  it  in  my  power  to  gwe  him  a  Stroke,  and  that  if  I 
(lid  not  Attempt  it  now,  he  would  Run  off,  <ind  I  shoulil  never  have 
another  Opportunity;  this  induced  me  to  give  in  to  the  Scheme,  contrary 
to  my  Judgement." 


03,  JULT. 

)iis]ica, 

rciich 

11   into 

ho  was 
of  the 
'teraii's 
ii(lo-(le- 
'  of  his 
,  at  the 
hat  the 
V  mi«5ht 
ssion  to 
ack  the 
h1   with 
Niutious 
DalzcU 
nniaiid- 
a  tardy 

Vom  its 

|ek,  and 
la  great 
om  the 


mcrst. 

8th,  lTr„3. 

pvor,  that 

It  the  Snr- 

answereii 

he  then 

i\  tliat  if  I 

3ver  have 

contrary 


1703,  JuLV.I 


A    NK.lIi    ATTA(  K. 


•MV.) 


cannon  of  the  vessel.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
tliirtietli,  orders  were  issued  and  preparations 
made  for  the  meditated  attack.  Thiough  tlie 
inexciisahle  carelessness  of  some  of  the  ofheers, 
the  design  hecame  known  to  a  few  Canadians,  the 
bad  result  of  which  will  appear  in  the  sequel. 

Ahout  two  o'clock  on  the  niornin";  of  the  thirty 
first  of  July,  the  gates  wer(>  thrown  open  in  silence, 
and  the  detachment,  two  hundred  and  fifty  in  num- 
ber, passed  noiselessly  out.  They  filed  two  deeji 
along  the  road,  while  two  large  bateaux,  each  hear- 
ing a  swivel  on  tlie  how,  rowed  up  the  river  abreast 
of  them.  Lieutenant  Hrown  led  the  advance 
guard  of  twenty-five  men  ;  the  centre  was  com- 
manded h\  Captain  (iray,  and  tlie  rear  by  Captain 
Grant.  The  night  was  still,  close,  and  sultry,  and 
the  men  marched  in  light  undress.  On  their  riglit 
was  the  dark  and  gh>aming  surface  of  the  river 
with  a  margin  of  sand  intervening,  and  on  their  left 
a  succession  of  Canadian  houses,  with  barns,  or- 
chards, and  cornfields,  from  whence  the  clamorous 
barking  of  watch-dogs  saluted  them  as  they  passiul. 
The  inhabitants,  roused  from  sleep,  looked  from 
the  windows  in  astonishment  and  alarm.  An  old 
man  has  told  the  writer  how,  when  a  child.  h(^ 
climbed  on  the  roof  of  his  father's  house,  to  look 
down  on  the  i'limmerini*-  bavonets.  and  liow,  lonii 
after  the  troops  had  passed,  their  h<avy  and  nuNis- 
ured  tramp  sounded  from  afar,  through  the  still 
niijht.  'J'lius  the  Eniilish  moved  forward  to  the 
attack,  little  thinking  that,  behind  housi^s  and 
enclosures,  Indian   scouts   watched  everv   vard   of 


I 


310 


THE   FIGHT   OF  BLOODY  BRIDGE.     [1763,  July. 


I  h!  r 


their  progress  —  little  suspecting  that  Pontiac, 
apprised  by  the  Caiuidiairs  of  their  plan,  had 
broken  up  his  camp,  and  was  coming  against 
them  with  all  his  warriors,  armed  and  painted 
for  battle. 

A  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort,  Parent's  Creek, 
ever  since  that  night  called  Bloody  llun,  descended 
tlirough  a  wild  and  rough  hollow,  ;nid  entered  the 
Detroit  amid  a  growth  of  rank  grass  nnd  sedge. 
Only  a  few  rods  from  its  month,  the  road  crossed 
it  by  a  narrow  wooden  bridge,  not  existing  at  the 
present  day.  Just  beyond  this  bridg  ,  the  land 
rose  in  abrupt  ridges,  parallel  to  the  stream.  Along 
their  summits  were  rude  intrenchments  made  by 
Pontiac  to  protect  his  camp,  which  had  formerly 
occupied  the  ground  innnediately  beyond.  Here, 
too,  were  many  piles  of  firewood  belonging  to  the 
Canailians,  besides  strong  picket  fences,  enclosing 
orchards  and  gardens  connected  with  the  neighbor- 
ing houses.  Behind  fences,  wood-})iles,  and  in- 
trenchments, crouched  an  unknown  number  of 
Indian  warriors  with  levelled  guns.  They  lay 
silent  as  snakes,  for  now  thcv  could  hear  the  dis- 
taut  tramp  of  the  approaching  colunui. 

The  sky  was  overcast,  and  the  night  exceedingly 
dark.  As  the  Eni^lish  drew  near  the  dan<>'erous 
])ass,  they  could  discern  the  oft-mentioned  house 
of  ^Sleloche  upon  a  rising  ground  to  the  left,  while 
in  front  the  bridge  was  dimly  visible,  and  the  ridges 
beyond  it  seemed  like  a  wall  of  undistinguished 
blackness.  They  pushed  rapidly  forward,  not 
wholly    unsuspicious    of    danger.      The    advance 


i  \ 


7fi3,  JULT. 


1763,  JcLT.]  Kr.TRKAT   OF   THE  ENGLISH. 


311 


^'ontiac, 

111,  had 

against 

painted 


1  Creek, 
scended 
?red  the 
I  sedge. 

crossed 
g  at  the 
he  hind 
Along 
iiade  hy 
formerly 
Here, 
Ig  to  the 
nclosing 
eighbor- 

aiul  in- 
nher    of 

ley    lay 

the  dis- 

cediimlv 
inuerous 
d  houses 
ft,  while; 
He  ridges 
iguished 
ird,  not 
advance 


guard  were  half  v/.iy  over  the  bridge,  and  the 
main  body  just  enteriiig  u[)on  it,  when  a  horrible 
burst  of  veils  rose  in  tbeir  front.  ;»nd  tiie  Indian 
"Uiis  blazed  fortli  in  a  ii'cneral  diseharji^e.  Half 
the  advanced  party  were  sliot  down  ;  the  appalled 
survivors  shrank  back  aghast.  The  confusion 
reached  even  the  main  bodv,  and  the  Avhole  re- 
coiled  together  ;  l)ut  Dalzell  raised  his  clear  voice 
above  the  din,  advanced  to  the  front,  rallied  the 
men,  and  led  them  forward  to  tlie  attack.'  Again 
the  Indians  poured  in  tlieir  volley,  and  again  the 
English  hesitated ;  but  Dalzell  shouted  from  the 
van,  and,  in  the  madness  of  mingled  rage  and  fear, 
they  charged  at  a  run  across  the  lu'idge  and  up 
the  heights  beyond.  Not  an  Indian  was  thert^  to 
oppose  them.  In  vain  the  fui'ions  sol(H(U's  sought 
their  eneniv  behind  fences  and  intrenchments.  The 
active  savages  had  tied  ;  yet  still  tlu^ir  guns  llashed 
thick  throu!''h  the  "ilooni-,  and  their  war-crv  rose 
with  undiminislied  clamor.  The  English  pushed 
forward  amid  tlu  pitchy  darkness,  cpiite  ignorant  of 
their  wav,  and  soon  became  involved  in  a  maze  of 
out-houses  iind  enclosures.  At  every  pause  they 
made,  the  retiring  enemy  would  gather  to  renew 
the  attack,  firinj;  back  liotlv  noon  the  front  and 
flanks.  To  advance  farther  would  be  useless,  and 
tlie  only  alternative  was  to  withdraw  and  wait 
for  daylight.  Captain  Grant,  with  his  company, 
recrosscd  the  bridge,  and  took  up  h!s  station  on  the 
road.  The  rest  followed,  a  small  party  remaining 
to   hold   the  enemy  in  clieck   while   the  dead  and 

I  Penn.  Gaz.  No.  1811. 


t 


1    : 


i 


f 


m< 


l»  if! 


,1  'it 


li 


li  I 
'1  ! 


u 


r 


1312 


THE   ITGIIT   OF   BLOODY  BRIDGE.      [1703.  July. 


wounded  were  placed  on  boaid  the  two  bateaux 
whicli  had  rowed  up  to  the  bridge  diu'ing  the  action. 
This  task  was  conunenccd  amid  a  shar[)  fire  from 
both  sides ;  and  before  it  was  completed,  heavy 
volleys  were  heard  from  the  rear,  where  Ca})tain 
Grant  was  stationed.  A  great  force  of  Indians 
had  fired  u[)on  him  from  the  house  of  Meloche 
and  the  neighboring  orchards.  Grant  pushed  up 
the  hill,  and  drove  them  from  the  orchards  at  tlie 
point  of  the  bayonet  —  drove  them,  also,  from  the 
house,  and,  entering  it,  found  two  Canadians  within. 
These  men  told  him  that  the  Indians  were  bent  on 
cutting  ofi"  the  English  from  tlie  fort,  and  that  they 
had  gone  in  great  numbers  to  occupy  the  houses 
which  commanded  the  road  below.*  It  was  now 
evident  that  instant  retreat  was  necessary  ;  and  the 
command  being  issued  to  that  efi"ect,  the  men  fell 
back  into  marching  order,  and  slowly  began  tlieir 
retrograde  movement.  Grant  was  now  in  tlie  van, 
and  Dalzell  at  the  rear.  Some  of  the  Indians  fol- 
lowed, keeping  u[)  a  scattering  and  distant  fire ; 
and  from  time  to  time  the  rear  faced  about,  to 
throw  back  a  volley  of  musketry  at  the  pursuers 
Having  ])roceeded  in  this  manner  for  half  a  mile, 
they  reached  a  point  where,  close  upon  the  right, 
were  many  barns  and  outhouses,  with  strong  picket 
fences.  Behind  these,  and  in  a  newlv  dui?  cellar 
close  at  hand,  lav  concealed  a  i>reat  multitude  of 
Indians.  They  suffered  the  advanced  party  to  pass 
unmolested ;  but  when  the  centre  and  rear  came 
opposite  tlieir  ambuscade,   they  raised  a  frightful 

1  Detail  of  the  Action  of  the  Zlst  of  July.     See  Gent.  Mnj.  XXXIII.  i^^ij. 


i 


1703,  July. 

bateaux 
3  action, 
ire  from 
,  heavy 
Captain 
Indians 
yieloclie 
shed  up 
Is  at  tlie 
rom  the 
;  within, 
bent  ou 
lat  they 
I  houses 
vas  now 
and  the 
[uen  fell 
an  their 
tlie  van, 

ins  fol- 
nt  fire ; 
)out,  to 

rsuers 

a  mile, 
e  right, 

picket 
cellar 

ude  of 

to  pass 
came 

■ightful 

XIII.  4So. 


1763,  Jolt.] 


BRAVERY  OF  DALZELL. 


313 


yell,  and  poured  a  volley  among  them.  Tlie  men 
had  well-nigh  fallen  into  a  panic.  The  river  ran 
close  on  their  left,  and  the  only  avenue  of  escape 
lav  alon*?  the  road  in  front.  Breakini»-  their  ranks, 
they  crowded  u[)on  one  another  in  hhnd  ea^jerness 
to  esca[)e  the  storm  of  bullets  ;  and  but  for  rlie 
presence  of  Dalzell,  the   retreat   would  have  been 


turned    into    a   tliirht. 


The 


writes    an 


.j^....  ^....  enemy, 
officer  who  was  in  the  fight,  "  marked  him  for 
his  extraordinary  bravery ; "  and  he  had  already 
received  two  severe  wounds.  Yet  his  exertions 
did  not  slacken  for  a  moment.  Some  of  the 
soldiers  he  rebuked,  some  he  threatened,  and 
some  he  beat  with  the  flat  of  his  sword ;  till  at 
length  order  was  partially  restored,  and  the  fire  of 
the  enemy  returned  with  effect.  Though  it  was  near 
daybreak,  the  dawn  was  obscured  by  a  thick  fog, 
and  little  could  be  seen  of  the  Indians,  except  the 
incessant  flashes  of  their  guns  amid  the  mist,  while 
hundreds  of  voices,  mingled  in  one  appalUng  yell, 
confused  the  faculties  of  the  men,  and  drowned  the 
shout  of  command.  The  enemy  had  taken  posses- 
sion of  a  house,  from  the  windows  of  which  thev 
fired  down  upon  the  English.  Major  llogers,  witli 
some  of  his  provincial  rangers,  burst  the  door  with 
an  axe,  rushed  in,  and  expelled  them.  Captain 
Gray  was  ordered  to  dislodge  a  large  party  from 
behind  some  neighboring  fences.  He  charged 
them  with  his  company,  but  fell,  mortally  wounded, 
in  the  attempt.'  They  gave  way  however;  and 
now,  the  fire  of  the  Indians  being  much  diminished, 

1  rmn.Gaz.  No.  1811. 


il|| 


3U 


THE  FIGHT   OF  BLOODY  BRIDGE.     [17C3,  Jult. 


i: 


the  retreat  was  resumed.  No  sooner  had  the  men 
faced  about,  than  the  savages  came  darting  through 
the  mist  upon  their  flank  and  rear,  cutting  down 
stragglers,  and  scalping  the  fallen.  At  a  little 
distance  lay  a  sergeant  of  the  55th,  hel[)lessly 
wounded,  raising  himself  on  his  hands,  and  gaz- 
ing with  a  look  of  despair  after  his  retiring  com- 
rades. The  sii»ht  caui^ht  the  eve  of  Dalzell.  That 
gallant  soldier,  in  the  true  spirit  of  heroism,  ran 
out,  amid  the  firing,  to  rescue  the  wounded  man, 
when  a  shot  struck  him,  and  he  fell  dead.  Few 
observed  his  fate,  and  none  durst  turn  back  to 
recover  his  body.  The  detachment  pressed  on, 
greatly  harassed  by  the  pursuing  Indians.  Their 
loss  would  have  been  much  more  severe,  had  not 
Major  llogers  taken  possession  of  another  house, 
which  commanded  the  road,  and  covered  the  retreat 
of  the  party. 

lie  entered  it  with  some  of  his  own  men,  while 
many  panic-stricken  regulars  broke  in  after  him,  in 
their  eagerness  to  gain  a  temporary  shelter.  The 
house  was  a  large  and  strong  one,  and  the  women 
of  the  neighborliood  liad  crowded  into  the  cellar 
for  refui»:e.  While  some  of  the  soldiers  looked  in 
blind  terror  for  a  place  of  concealment,  others 
seized  upon  a  keg  of  whiskey  in  one  of  the 
rooms,  and  quaffed  the  liquor  with  eager  tliirst ; 
while  others,  again,  piled  ])acks  of  furs,  furniture, 
and  all  else  within  their  reacli.  against  the  windows, 
to  serve  as  a  barricade.  Panting  and  breathless, 
their  fices  moist  with  sweat  and  blackened  with 
gunpowder,    they    thrust    their   muskets    through 


1763,  July.]      GRANT  CONDUCTS  THE  RETREAT. 


315 


the  openings,  and  fired  out  upon  the  Avhooping 
assaihuits.  At  intervals,  a  buUet  flew  sharply 
whizzing  through  a  erevice,  strikiuiij  down  a  man, 
perchance,  or  rapping  harmlessly  against  tln^  par- 
titions. Old  Campau,  the  master  of  the  house, 
stood  on  a  trap-door  to  prevent  the  frightened 
soldiers  from  seeking  shelter  among  the  women 
in  tlie  cellar.  A  ball  grazed  his  gray  head,  and  • 
buried  itself  in  the  wall,  where  <i  few  years  since 
it  might  still  have  been  seen.  The  screams  of  the 
half-stifled  women  below,  the  quavering  war-whoops 
without,  the  shouts  and  curses  of  the  soldiers,  min- 
gled in  a  scene  of  clamorous  confusion,  and  it  was 
long  before  the  authority  of  llogers  could  restore 
order.' 

In  thp  !nean  time,  Captain  Grant,  with  his 
advanced  party,  had  moved  forward  about  half  a 
mile,  where  he  found  some  orchards  and  enclosures, 
by  means  of  which  he  could  maintain  himself  until 
the  centre  and  rear  should  arrive.  From  this  point 
he  detached  all  the  men  he  could  spare  to  occupy 
the  houses  below ;  and  as  soldiers  soor  began  to 
come  in  from  the  rear,  he  was  enabled  to  re-en- 
force these  detachments,  until  a  complete  line  of 
communication  was  established  with  the  fort,  and 
the  retreat  effectually  secured.  Within  an  hour, 
the  whole  party  had  arrived,  with  the  exception  of 
llogers  and  his  men,  who  were  quite  unable  to 
come  off,  being  besieged  in  the  house  of  Campau, 


m 


1  Many  particulars  of  tlie  flf^ht  at  the  house  of  Campau  were  related 
to  nic,  on  the  spot,  hy  John  R.  Williams,  Esq.,  of  Detroit,  a  connection  of 
the  Campau  family. 


n 


It' 


M  ; 


1:1 


If 


'^ii 


' 
I 


I  *! 


'!' 


1         >■■ 


iK 


it 
ill' 


h, 


31G 


TIIK   FIGHT   OF  BLOUDY  liHIDGE.     [17(i;5,  Jdly. 


by  full  two  huodred  Iiidiiins.  The  two  tirmed 
bateaux  had  gone  down  to  the  fort,  hiden  with  the 
dead  and  wounded.  They  now  returned,  and,  in 
obedience  to  an  order  from  Grant,  proceeded  np 
the  river  to  a  point  opposite  Cam  pan's  honse,  where 
they  opened  a  fire  of  swivels,  which  swept  the 
^Tonnd  above  and  below  it,  and  completeh'  scat- 
tered the  assailants,  llogers  and  his  party  now 
came  out,  and  marched  down  the  road,  to  unite 
themselves  with  Grant.  The  two  bateaux  accom- 
panied them  closely,  and,  by  a  constant  fire,  re- 
strained the  Indians  from  makiniij  an  attack. 
Scarcely  had  Kogers  left  the  honse  at  one  door, 
when  the  enemv  entered  it  at  another,  to  obtain  the 
scalps  from  two  or  three  cori)ses  left  behind.  Fore- 
most of  them  all,  a  withered  old  squaw  rushed  in, 
with  a  shrill  scream,  and,  slashing  open  one  of  the 
dead  bodies  with  her  knife,  scooped  np  the  blood 
between  her  hands,  and  quaffed  it  with  a  ferocious 
ecstasy. 

Grant  resumed  his  retreat  as  soon  as  Rogers  had 
arrived,  falling  back  from  house  to  house,  joined 
in  snccession  by  the  parties  sent  to  garrison  each. 
The  Indians,  in  great  numbers,  stood  whooping 
and  yelling,  at  a  vain  distance,  unable  to  make  an 
attack,  so  well  did  Grant  choose  his  positions,  and 
so  steadily  and  coolly  conduct  the  retreat.  About 
eight  o'clock,  after  six  hours  of  marching  and  com- 
bat, the  detachment  entered  once  more  within  the 
sheltering  palisades  of  Detroit. 

In  this  action,  the  Englisli  lost  fifty-nine  men 
killed    and    wounded.      The    loss    of    the    Indians 


i! 


17(il],  Jdly. 

)  armed 
with  the 
,  and,  in 
cded  up 
e,  where 
ept  the 
3ly  sciit- 
rtv  now 
to  unite 
:  acconi- 
fire,  re- 
attack, 
ne  door, 
jtaiu  the 
[.  Fore- 
ishcd  in, 
|e  of  the 
le  blood 
erocious 

rers  had 
,  joined 
)n  each, 
liooping 
luike  an 
[ns,  and 
About 
id  com- 
Ihin  the 

le   men 
Indians 


1763,  JuLT.]  ELATION  OF   THE   INDIANS. 


817 


could  not  be  ascertained,  but  it  certainly  did  not 
exceed  fifteen  or  twenty.  At  the  beginniu<^  of  the 
fi<^ht,  their  numbers  were  probably  much  inferior 
to  those  of  the  Kn<;lisli ;  but  fresh  parties  were 
continually  joining  tliem,  until  seven  or  eight  hun- 
dred warriors  nuist  have  been  j)resent. 

The  Ojibwas  and  Ottawas  alone  formed  the 
ambuscade  at  the  bridge,  under  Pontiacs  com- 
mand ;  for  the  Wvandots  and  Pottawattamies  came 
later  to  the  scene  of  action,  crossing  the  river  in 
their  canoes,  or  passing  round  through  the  woods 
behind  the  fort,  to  take  p:'rt  in  the  fray.^ 

In  speaking  of  the  fight  of  Bloody  Bridge,  an 
able  Avriter  in  the  Annual  Rei^fister  for  the  year 
1763  observes,  with  justice,  that  although  in  Euro- 
pean warfare  it  would  be  deemed  a  mere  skirmish, 
yet  in  a  conflict  with  the  American  savages,  it  rises 
to  the  importance  of  a  pitched  battle  ;  since  these 
people,  being  thinly  scattered  over  a  great  extent  of 
country,  are  accustomed  to  conduct  their  warfare 
by  detail,  and  never  take  the  field  in  any  great 
force. 

The  Indians  were  greatly  elated  by  their  success. 
Runners  were  sent  out  for  several  hundred  miles, 
through  the  surrounding  woods,  to  spread  tidings 

•  MS.  Letters  —  MnrDonald  to  Dr.  Camphrll,  An;?.  8.  (la/jr  fo  Lord 
Hd^i/dT,  (^ct.  1'2.  Amlwrst  to  Lord  E'lrrinonf,  Sc'l)t.  3.  Mi'lix'lif'a  Armunt, 
MS.  Goiiin's  Account,  MS.  St.  Aithin'.f  Account,  MS.  Pflficr'.s  Arconnt, 
MS.  MarwelVs  Account,  IMS.,  etc.  In  the  D!<irif  of  the  Sifi/c  is  tho  fol- 
lowinpr,  under  date  of  Aufju.st  1st  :  "  Young  Mr.  Canipo  (Cauipiiu)  hroiiLfht 
in  tlie  Hody  of  poor  Capt.  Dalycl  (DalzoU)  about  three  o'clock  today, 
which  was  manjjcled  in  .sucli  a  liorrid  .Manner  tliat  it  was  siiockinf^  to 
liunian  nature;  the  Indians  wip'd  his  Heart  about  the  Faces  ot  ouj 
Prisoners." 


v 


1^1 

;1|    ' 


i 


It' 


'■!■■ 

>   I 


11 


!•■.  ,     i 


•I;    ) 
I 


'^ 


f 


I;;" I  ■ :  Hif 


|i» 


nis 


THK    KKlIir    OF    UI.odDY    HiniXil-:.     [ITM,  Si:i-i. 


of  llit^  victory  ;  and  rc-cnforcoiiH'nts  soon  Ix^j^an  to 
conic  in  to  swell  the  force  of  Pontiac.  "'  r'resh 
warriors,"  writes  (jladwyn,  '•  arriv(^  almost  every 
(lav,  and  I  believe  that  f  shall  soon  l»e  h(>si(^u:ed  hv 
upwards  of  a  thonsand."  The  I'ini^lish,  on  tluMr 
part,  wcn'e  well  pre])ared  for  n^sistance,  sincc^  the 
j;arrisoii  now  coin[)rised  more  than  three  hnndred 
effective  men  ;  and  no  one  ent(Mtain(Ml  a  donht  of 
tlieir  nltimatc  sncccss  iii  defendiiiii^  the  place. 
Day  aft(M*  ilav  ])assed  en;  a  few  skirmishes  took 
pla(('.    and    a   few   men   were    killed,    hnt   nothing 

worthv   of  notice  occnrred.   nntil   flu^  niiiht  of  the 

•  *> 

foniili  of  September,  at  which  time  Avas  achieved 
one  of  the  most  n\emorable  teats  which  the  chroni- 
cles of  'hut  day  can  boast. 

The  schooner  Glad  yn,  the  smaller  of  the  two 
armed  vessels  so  often  mentioned,  had  been  sent 
down  to  Niagara  with  letters  and  despatches.  She 
was  now  retnrning.  having  on  board  Ilorst,  her 
master.  Jacobs,  her  mate,  and  a  crew  of  ten  men, 
all  of  whom  were  provincials,  besides  six  Iroqnois 
Indians,  snpposed  to  be  friendly  to  the  English. 
On  tlie  night  of  the  third,  she  entered  the  lliver 
Detroit ;  and  in  the  morning  the  six  Indiiins  asked 
to  be  sc^t  on  shore,  a  reqnost  which  was  foolishly 
granted.  They  disappeared  in  the  woods,  and 
probably  re])orted  io  Pontiac's  \Aarriors  the  small 
numbers  of  ihe  crew.  The  vessel  stood  ui)  the 
river  nntil  nightfall,  when,  the  wind  failing,  she 
was  compelled  to  anchor  about  nine  mdes  below 
the  fo;-t.  The  men  on  board  watched  with  anxious 
vigilance  ;  and  as  night  came  on,  they  listened  to 


ili 


|17C,:i,  Ski'X. 

I  1)(»«>;:ni  to 
''  Fresh 
lost   every 
»sie«j;e(l  by 
on   tluMr 
since  tho 
^  ]iiiii(lr(Ml 
I  doubt  of 
he    |)l;ie(\ 
ishes  took 
it   notliiiig 
^ht  of  the 
i  achieved 
he  chroni- 

Lif  the  two 

been   sent 

hes.     She 

ovst,  her 

ten  men, 

Iroqnoi:^ 

I'ng-hsh. 

tlie  1  liver 

ms  asked 

foolishly 

oor^s,   and 

ttic  small 

)(1   UD  the 

iling,  she 

ies  belov/ 

li  anxious 

istened  to 


176-5,  Ski't.]     AirACIv  oX  SflK  XlNI- f{  CLAnWVX. 


;n9 


every  sound  wliich  broke  tlie  stillness,  from  the 
stranj^e  cry  of  tbc  ni^btliawk.  wbecliuL;  ab()V(*  tbeii 
hciids,  to  tbe  baik  of  tli(^  fox  frrmi  t]\o  woods  on 
shore.  Tbc  nij^lit  set  in  with  darkn(>ss  so  com- 
plete, that  at  tbc  distance  of  a  few  I'ods  notbin<^ 
could  be  discerned.  Meantime,  tbree  buudi-ed  and 
fifty  Indians,  in  their  bir(b  canoes,  ujlided  silently 
down  with  tbe  current,  and  were  close  u])on  the 
vessel  befor(>  they  w(>re  sc(>n.  Tbcre  was  only  time 
to  fire  a  siui^le  cannon-shot  amoni^  tbcm,  before 
they  were  beneath  b(>r  bows,  and  cbnubcrini^  up 
her  sides,  holding  their  knives  clinched  fast  be 
tween  tbeir  teeth.  The  crew  <^avc  them  a  close 
fire  of  nnisketry,  without  any  effect;  then,  flinging 
down  their  guns,  tbey  seized  tbe  spears  and  batcbets 
witb  wbicb  they  were  all  provided,  and  met  tbe 
assailants  with  such  furious  enerj'V  and  couratje, 
that  in  the  s|)ace  of  two  or  tbree  minutes  tbey  bad 
killed  and  wounded  more  tban  twice  tbeir  own 
number.  But  the  Indians  were  only  checked  for  a 
moment.  '^fbe  master  of  the  vessel  was  killed, 
several  of  tbe  crew  were  disabled,  and  tbe  assail- 
ants W('rc  leaping  over  the  bulwarks,  wben  Jacobs, 
tbe  mate,  called  out  to  blow  up  tbe  schooner.  Tbis 
desperate  command  saveo  her  and  her  crew.  Some 
Wyandots,  who  had  gained  tbc  deck,  caught  tbe 
meanin":  of  his  words,  and  <i;avc  tbe  alarm  to  their 
compiinions.  Instantly  every  Indian  leaped  over- 
board in  a  j)anic,  and  tlie  wliole  were  seen  diving 
and  swimming  off  in  all  directions,  to  escape  the 
threatened  exi)losion.  Tbe  schooner  was  cleared 
of  her  assailants,  who  did   not  dare  to  renew  the 


320 


TIIF.   FIGHT   OF  BLOODY  BRIDGK.     [\ltv:^  Skpt. 


•|!^ 


::! 


, 


\l 


attack  ;  niul  on  tlu'  followiiiLij  inoniiiifif  slie  sailed 
for  the  fort,  whicli  slio  reaclioil  without  inolestii- 
tion.  Six  of  licr  crew  cscaprd  unliurt.  Of  the 
remainder,  two  \>'erc  kiHed,  smd  four  seriously 
wounded,  while  the  Indians  had  seven  men  killed 
upon  the  spot,  and  nearly  twenty  wounded,  of 
whom  eight  were  known  to  have  died  within  a 
few  days  after.  As  the  jution  was  very  hrief,  the 
fierceness  of  the  strugi^le  is  sufficiently  apparent 
from  the  loss  on  hoth  sides.  "  The  appearance  of 
the  men,"  says  an  eye-witness  who  saw  them  on 
their  arrival,  "  was  enouj^h  to  convince  every  one 
of  their  hravery  ;  they  being  as  bloody  as  butchers, 
and  tlieir  bayonets,  spears,  and  cutlasses,  blood  to 
the  hilt."  The  survivors  of  the  crew  were  after- 
wards rewarded  as  their  courage  deserved.' 

And  now,  taking  leave,  for  a  time,  of  the  garri- 

1  MS.  Teener  —  Gladu'i/n  to  Amherst,  Sept.  9.  Carver,  101.  ReJafhn 
of  the  (iaihiiit  /)rf'cnr>'  of  tlie  Srhuoiior  mar  [htroit,  publislied  by  Drder  of 
General  Amlierst,  in  the  >Je\v  York  papers.  Finn.  Guz.  No.  181G.  MS. 
Letter  —  Am/i(rst  to  Lord  Eijrcmont,  Oct.  13.  St.  Anhlii's  Account,  IMS,  Pd- 
tier's  Account,  MS.  Relation  of  some  Transactions  at  the  Detroit  in  Sept.  and 
Oct.  1703,  MS. 

Tlie  Coniinander-in-cliief  ordered  a  medal  to  be  strnck  and  presented 
to  eacii  of  the  men.  Jacobs,  the  mate  of  tlie  schooner,  appears  to  have 
been  as  rash  as  he  was  brave;  for  Cajitain  Carver  says,  that  several 
years  after,  wlien  in  command  of  the  same  vessel,  he  was  lost,  with  all 
his  crow,  in  a  storm  on  Lake  Erie,  in  consequence  of  having  obstinately 
refused  to  take  in  ballast  enough. 

As  this  atlijir  savors  somewhiit  of  the  marvellous,  the  following  evi- 
dence is  given  touching  the  most  remarkable  features  of  the  story.  The 
document  was  coi)ied  from  the  archives  of  London. 

Extract  tVouj  "  .1  Relation  of  the  Gallant  Defncp  made  by  the  Crew  of  the 
Schoon(  r  on  Lake  Erie,  when  Attacked  bij  a  Lan/e  IJodif  of  Indians  ;  as  Pub- 
lished 1)1/  Ordi  r  of  Sir  •Jeffriji  Amherst  in  the  New  York  Papers." 

"  Tlie  Schooner  Sailed  from  Niagara,  loaded  with  Provisions,  some 
time  in  August  last:  Her  Crew  consisted  of  the  Master  and  l^leven 
Men,  with    Six  Mohawk   Indians,   wiio  were   Intended  lor  a  particular 


I  I. 


[]li\^  Sept. 

slie  siiilrd 
I  molestii- 
.     Of  the 

seriously 
noil  killed 
imkUmI,   of 

\vitliiii  ii 
brief,  tlic 

apparent 
'arance  of 

thoiu  on 
every  one 

butchers, 
;,  blood  to 
tore  after- 
1.' 

the  garri- 

ir.t.  Rehition 
h1  by  order  of 
1816.  MS. 
)ioi/,  MS.  Pvl- 
>it  in  Sept.  and 

and  presented 
)l)ears  to  have 
,  that  several 
9  lost,  witli  all 
iig  obstinately 

following  evi- 
le  story.   The 

the  Crew  of  the 
Hans ;  as  Pub- 

^visions,  some 
and  Eleven 
)r  a  particular 


ITCn,  Skpt.] 


TIIK  WAT? 


THE   NOUTll 


321 


son  of  Detroit,  whose  fortunes  we  have  followed 
so  louf^,  we  will  turn  to  observe  the  pro«jjres8  of 
events  in  u  quarter  of  the  wilderness  yet  more  wild 
and  reniot(\ 

Service.  She  entered  the  Detroit  l{iver,  on  the  8''  Septemln'r;  And  on 
tlie  t'^  in  tlie  .Morning',  the  MolmwUs  seemed  vory  Di-siroiis  ot  brin;,'  put 
on  Shore,  whieh  the  Master,  vlmv  Iiicniisider.itc 'y,  agreed  to.  The  Winil 
proveil  contrary  all  that  Day;  ami  in  flie  livening,  the  Vi'si>ell  lit-ing  at 
Ancior,  about  Nine  o'ClocU,  tlie  lloat-swaiii  discovereil  a  .N'linib'.T  of 
Canoes  coining  down  the  Kivcr,  witli  about  Three  Hundred  and  Fifty 
Indians  ;  Upon  which  the  IJow  (lun  was  Immcdijitcly  Fired  ;  but  before 
the  other  (Juiis  could  be  brougiil  to  Hear,  tiie  I'.neuiy  got  under  the  How 
and  Stern,  in  Spite  of  the  Swivels  vt  Small  Arms,  and  Attemptt-d  to 
Board  the  Vessell  ;  Whereupon  the  Men  Abandoned  their  Small  Anns, 
and  took  to  their  Spears,  with  whirh  tiiey  were  provided  ;  And,  with 
Amazing  Hesolution  and  I'.ravery,  knocki'd  the  Savages  in  the  Head; 
Killed  many  ;  and  saved  the  Vessell.  .  .  It  is  certain  Seven  of  the  Savages 
were  Killed  on  the  Spot,  and  Fight  iiad  1  >iLMl  of  those  that  were  Wouiideil, 
when  the  Accounts  came  away.  The  Master  and  One  Man  were  Killed, 
and  four  Wounded,  on  Hoard  the  Schooner,  and  the  other  Si.\  brought 
her  Sate  to  the  Detroit." 

It  is  somewhat  singular  that  no  mention  is  here  made  of  the  commarnl 
to  blow  up  the  vessel.  The  most  explicit  aiithorities  on  this  point  are 
Carver,  who  obtuined  his  accomit  at  Detroit,  three  years  after  the  war, 
and  a  letter  ])uhlisiieil  in  the  J'<iiiisi/lr(iiil(i  d'dzdti',  No.  ISIG.  This  letter 
i.s  dateil  at  Detroit,  live  days  after  tiie  attack.  The  circumstance  is  also 
mentioned  in  several  traditional  accounts  of  the  Canadians. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


17G3. 


MIC  IlIL  LI  MAC  KIN  AC. 


h  m 


:i! 


In  the  spring  of  tlio  yotir  17G3,  before  the  war 
broke  out,  severiil  KngHsh  traders  went  up  to 
^lichilhmackinac,  some  adopting  the  old  route  of 
the  Ottawa,  and  others  that  of  J)etroit  and  the 
hdves.  We  will  follow  one  of  the  latter  on  his 
adventurous  progress.  Passing  the  fort  and  settle- 
ment of  Detroit-,  he  soon  enters  Lake  St.  Clair, 
which  seems  like  a  broad  basin  tilled  to  overflow 
ing,  while,  along  its  far  distant  verge,  a  faint  lino 
of  forest  separates  the  water  from  the  sky.  lie 
crosses  the  lake,  and  his  vovaii^eurs  next  ur<j:e  his 
canoe  against  the  current  of  the  great  river  above. 
At  length,  Lake  Huron  opens  before  him,  stretch- 
ing its  liquid  expanse,  like  an  ocean,  to  the  farthest 
horizon.  His  canoe  skirts  the  eastern  shore  of 
Michigan,  where  tlie  forest  rises  like  a  wall  from 
the  water's  edge;  and  as  he  advances  northward, 
an  endless  line  of  stiff  and  shaggy  fir-trees,  hung 
with  long  mosses,  fringes  the  shore  with  an  aspect 
of  monotonous  desolation.  In  the  space  of  two  or 
three  weeks,  if  his  Canadians  labor  well,  and  no 
accident  occur,  the  trader  approaches  the  end  of 


u 


1703] 


FORT   ^!I^I1IM,IMA^KINAC. 


:V2') 


tlic  war 
t   up    to 
route  of 
and  the 
r  on  his 
id  settle- 
It.    Clair, 
overflow 
iut  lino 
y.     lie 
irge  his 
r  above, 
stretch- 
farthest 
lore  of 
dl  from 
thward, 
es,  hung 
n  aspect 
■  two  or 
and  no 
end  of 


his  voya<:;e.  Passing  on  his  right  the  extensive 
Island  of  liois  I'lanc.  he  sees,  nearly  in  front,  tlic 
heautiful  Mackinaw,  rising,  witli  its  white  cliffs 
and  green  foliage,  from  the  I)road  hr(>ast  of  tlie 
waters.  He  doc^s  not  steer  towards  it,  for  at  that 
dav  the  Indians  were  its  onlv  tenants,  hut  keens 
aloni?  the  main  shore  to  the  left,  whih*  liis  vov- 
agenrs  raise  their  song  and  chorus.  Douhling  a 
point,  he  sees  hefore  him  tln^  red  Hag  of  llngland 
swelling  lazily  in  the  wind,  and  the  palisades  and 
wooden  bastions  of  lort  Miv  iiillitnackinac  standing- 
close  upon  the  margin  of  .he  lake.  On  the  beach, 
canoes  are  drawn  up,  and  Canadians  and  Indians 
are  idlv  loiuii^iuff.  A  little  bevond  the  fort  is  a 
chister  of  the  white  Canadian  houses,  roofed  wiJi 
bark,  and  protected  by  fences  of  strong  round 
pickets. 

'i'he  trader  enters  at  the  gate,  and  sees  l)efore 
him  an  extensive  square  area,  surrounded  by  high 
palisades.  Numerous  houses,  barracks,  and  other 
buildings,  form  a  smaller  square  within,  and  in  the 
vacant  space  which  they  enclose  appear  the  red 
uniforms  of  British  soldiers,  the  gray  coats  of 
Canadians,  and  the  gaudy  Indian  blankets,  mingled 
in  picturesque  confusion ;  while  a  nndtitude  of 
squaws,  w'ith  children  of  every  hue.  stroll  restlessly 
about  the  place.  Such  was  Fort  Michillimackinac 
in  1763.^  Its  name,  wliicli,  in  the  Mgoncpiin 
tonnue,  siirnifies  the  Great  Turtle,  w^as  first,  from 


1  This  description  is  drawn  from  traditional  acconnts  aided  by  a  per- 
gonal exauiination  of  liie  spot,  wIilmv  tlie  siiiiiiii>  ut  the  pickets  and  the 
foundations  of  the  liouses  niav  still  be  traec-d. 


324 


MICIIILLIMACKIXAC. 


[1763. 


•ii 

■1;  ! 


a  fancied  resemblance,  a})i)lied  to  the  neighboring 
island,  and  thence  to  the  fort. 

Though  buried  in  a  wilderness,  Michillimackinac 
was  still  of  no  recent  origin.  As  early  as  1671,  the 
Jesuits  had  established  a  mission  near  the  place, 
and  a  n^.ilitary  force  was  not  long  in  following  ;  for, 
under  the  French  dominion,  the  priest  and  the 
soldier  went  hand  in  hand.  Neitlier  toil,  nor  suf- 
fering, nor  all  the  terrors  of  the  wilderness,  could 
damp  the  zeal  of  the  undaunted  missionary  ;  and 
the  restless  ambition  of  France  was  always  on  the 
alert  to  seize  every  point  of  vantage,  and  avail 
itself  of  every  means  to  gain  ascendency  over  the 
forest  tribes.  Besides  ^lichillimackinac,  there  were 
two  other  ])osts  in  this  northern  region,  Green  Bay, 
and  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie.  Both  were  founded  at 
an  early  period,  and  both  presented  the  same  cliar- 
acteristic  features  —  a  mission-house,  a  fort,  and  a 
cluster  of  Canadian  dwellings.  They  liad  been 
originally  garrisoned  by  small  parties  of  militia, 
who,  bringing  their  familie>  with  them,  settled  on 
the  spot,  and  were  founders  of  these  little  colonies. 
Michillimackinac,  much  the  largest  of  tlie  three, 
contained  thirty  f\milies  within  tlie  palisades  of 
the  fort,  and  about  as  many  more  without.  Be^ 
sides  its  military  value,  it  was  important  as  a  centre 
of  the  fur-trade ;  for  it  was  here  that  the  traders 
engaged  their  men,  and  sent  out  their  goods  in 
canoes,  under  the  charge  of  subordinates,  to  the 
more  distant  regions  of  the  Mississippi  and  the 
North-west. 

During  the  greater  part  of  the  j'^^ar,  the  garrison 


■m       ■•'■ 


11763. 


1763.  J 


THE  nkigiibouint;  tribes. 


325 


^hboring 


iiiickiniic 
.671,  the 
10  pliice, 
iniij ;  for, 
and    the 
,  nor  suf- 
'ss,  could 
iry  ;  and 
ys  on  the 
md   avail 
over  the 
icre  were 
reen  13av, 
lunded  at 
ime  char- 
rt,  and  a 
lid    been 
mihtia, 
.eltled  on 
coh)nies, 
le   three, 
sades  of 
ut.     Be- 
a  centre 
e  traders 
oods  in 
;,  to  the 
and   the 


(>•( 


garrison 


and  tlie  settlers  were  completely  isohited  —  cnt  off 
from  all  connection  with  the  world  ;  <md,  indeed, 
so  great  was  the  distance,  and  so  serious  the  perils, 
which  separated  the  three  sister  posts  of  the  north- 
ern lakes,  that  often,  through  the  whole  winter,  all 
intercourse  was  stopped  between  them.' 

It  is  difficult  for  the  imagination  adecpiately  to 
conceive  the  extent  of  these  fresh-water  oceans, 
and  vast  regions  of  forest,  which,  at  the  date  of 
our  narrative,  were  the  domain  of  nature,  a  mighty 
limiting  and  fishiug  ground,  for  the  sustenance  of  \ 
few  wandering  tribes.  One  might  journey  among 
them  for  days,  and  even  weeks  together,  without 
beholding  a  human  face.  The  Indians  near  Micli- 
illimackinac  were  the  Ojibwas  and  Ottawas,  the 
former  of  whom  claimed  the  eastern  section  of 
Michigan,  and  the  latter  the  western,  their  respec- 
tive portions  being  separated  by  a  line  drawn 
southward  from  the  fort  itself.^  The  princi])al 
village  of  the  Ojibwas  contained  about  a  hundred 
warriors,  and  stood  upon  the  Island  of  Michilli- 
mackinac,  now  called  Mackinaw.  There  was 
another  smaller  village  near  the  head  of  Tliunder 
Bav.  The  Ottawas.  to  the  number  of  two  bun- 
dred  and  fiftv  warriors,  lived  at  the  settlement  of 
L'Arbre  Croche,  on  the  shores  of  Lake  ^lichigan, 
some  distance  west  of  the  fort.  This  place  was 
then  the  seat  of  the  old  Jesuit  mission  of  8t.  Ig- 
nace,  originally  placed,  l)y  Father  Marquette,  on  the 
northern  side  of  the  straits.     Manv  of  the  Ottawas 

I  MS.  Joitnutl  of  Lientenant  Gurell,  cominaniling  at  Green  Buy,  1701-03. 
*  Carver,  Tmvih,  29. 


326 


MICIIILLIMACKINAC. 


[17G1 


f^ 


t<    \ 


m 


.  1 ; ) 


m 


fii  ii 


were  nomiiiiil  Catholics.  Thev  were  all  somewhat 
improved  from  their  original  savage  condition,  liv- 
ing in  log  houses,  and  cultivating  corn  and  vegeta- 
bles to  such  an  extent  as  to  supply  the  fort  with 
provisions,  besides  satisfying  their  own  wants. 
The  Ojibwas,  on  the  other  hand,  were  not  in  the 
least  degree  removed  from  their  primitive  barbar- 
ism.' 

These  two  tribes,  with  most  of  the  other  neigh- 
boring Indians,  were  strongly  hostile  to  the  English. 
Many  of  their  warriors  had  fought  against  them  in 
the  late  war,  for  France  had  summoned  allies  from 
the  farthest  corners  of  the  wilderness,  to  aid  her  in 
her  struggle.  This  feeling  of  hostility  was  excited 
to  a  higher  pitch  by  the  influence  of  the  Canadians, 
who  disliked  the  English,  not  merely  as  national 
enemies,  but  also  as  rivals  in  the  fur-trade,  and 
were  extremely  jealous  of  their  intrusion  upon  the 
lakes.  The  following  incidents,  which  occurred  in 
the  autumn  of  the  year  1761,  will  illustrate  the 
state  of  feeling  which  prevailed  :  — 

At  that  time,  although  Michillimackinac  had  been 
surrendered,  and  the  French  garrison  removed,  no 
English  troops  had  yet  arrived  to  supply  their  place, 
and  the  Canadians  were  the  only  tenants  of  the  fort. 
An  adventurous  trader,  Alexander  Henry,  who, 
with  one  or  two  others,  was  the  pioneer  of  the 
English  fur-trade  in  this  region,  came  to  Michil- 
limackinac by  the  route  of  the  Ottawa.  On  the 
way,  he  was  several  times  warned   to   turn  back, 

1  Many  of  these  particulars  are  derived  from  memoranda  furnislied  by 
Henry  li.  Schoolcraft,  Esq. 


[17G1 

somewhat 
lition,  liv- 
id v^geta- 
fort  with 
n  wants, 
lot  in  the 
;e  harbar- 

ler  neigh- 
e  English. 
■it  them  in 
lilies  from 
aid  her  in 
as  excited 
^madians, 
s  national 
■rade,  and 
upon  the 
ccuned  in 
strate   the 

had  been 
noved,  no 
leir  place, 
■  the  fort, 
iry,  who, 
er  of  the 
o  ^licliil- 
On  the 
irn  back, 

furnished  by 


1^- 


1761] 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  TRADER. 


327 


and  assured  of  death  if  he  proceeded ;  and,  at 
length,  was  com])elled  for  safety  to  assume  the  dis- 
guise of  a  Canadian  voyagcur.  When  liis  canoes, 
laden  with  goods,  reached  the  fort,  he  was  very 
coldly  received  by  its  inhabitants,  who  did  all  in 
their  power  to  alarm  and  discourage  him.  Soon 
after  his  arrival,  he  received  the  verv  unwelcome 
information,  that  a  large  number  of  Ojibwas,  from 
the  neighboring  villages,  were  coming,  in  their 
canoes,  to  call  upon  him.  Under  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances, such  a  visitation,  though  disagreeable 
enough,  would  excite  neither  anxiety  nor  surprise  ; 
for  the  Indians,  when  in  their  villages,  lead  so  mo- 
notonous an  existence,  that  tliev  are  readv  to  snatch 
at  the  least  occasion  of  excitement,  and  the  pros 
pect  of  a  few  triiiing  presents,  and  a  few  pi[)es  of 
tobacco,  is  often  a  sufficient  inducement  for  a  joiu*- 
ney  of  several  days.  But  in  the  present  instance 
there  was  serious  cause  of  apprehension,  since 
Canadians  and  Frenchmen  were  alike  hostile  to  the 
solitary  trader.  The  story  could  not  be  better  told 
than  in  his  own  words. 

"  At  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  Chippewas 
(Ojibwas)  came  to  the  house,  about  sixty  in  num- 
ber, and  headed  by  Minavavana,  their  chief.  They 
walked  in  single  file,  each  with  his  tomahawk  in 
one  hand  and  scalpiug-knife  in  the  other.  Their 
bodies  were  naked  from  the  waist  upward,  exce[)t 
in  a  few  examples,  where  blankets  were  thrown 
loosely  over  the  shoulders.  Their  faces  were 
painted  with  charcoal,  worked  up  with  grease,  their 
bodies  with  white  clay,  in  [)atterns  of  various  fan- 


( 


K    <  .1 1.   I       I 


|l   .' 


^  1 


f .         !i 


!  '  Ht       I 


ii 


Hi  ;V 


1          ■ 

1^ 

828 


MlClIILLI.M.vCKINAC. 


[1761. 


cies.  Some  had  feathers  thrust  through  their 
noses,  and  their  heads  decorated  with  the  same. 
It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  on  the  sensations  with 
Avhicli  I  beheld  the  approach  of  this  uncouth,  if 
not  frightful  assemblage. 

"  The  chief  entered  first,  and  the  rest  followed 
w^ithout  noise.  On  receiving  a  sign  from  the  for- 
mer, the  la  tier  seated  themselves  on  the  floor. 

"  Minavavana  appeared  to  be  about  fifty  years 
of  age.  lie  was  six  feet  in  height,  and  had  in  his 
countenance  an  indescribable  mixture  of  good  and 
evil.  Looking  steadfastly  at  me,  where  I  sat  in 
ceremony,  with  an  interpreter  on  cither  hand,  and 
several  Canadians  behind  me,  he  entered,  at  the 
same  time,  into  conversation  with  Campion,  inquir- 
ing how  long  it  was  since  I  left  Montreal,  and  ob 
serving  that  the  English,  as  it  would  seem,  were 
brave  men,  and  not  afraid  of  death,  since  they 
dared  to  come,  as  I  had  done,  fearlessly  among 
their  enemies. 

"  The  Indians  now  gravely  smoked  their  pipes, 
while  I  inwardly  endured  the  tortures  of  suspense. 
At  length,  the  pi[)es  being  finished,  as  well  as  a 
long  pause,  by  which  they  were  succeeded,  IVlina- 
vavana,  taking  a  few  strings  of  wampum  in  his 
hand,  began  the  following  speech :  — 

"  '  Englishman,  it  is  to  you  that  I  speak,  and  I 
demand  your  attention. 

"  '  Englishman,  you  know  that  the  French  King 
is  our  father.  He  promised  to  be  such  ;  and  we, 
in  return,  promised  to  be  his  children.  This  prom- 
ise we  have  kept. 


[1761. 

^li  their 
le  same, 
ons  with 
icouth,  if 

followed 
the  for- 
oov. 

fty  years 

lad  ill  his 

^ood  and 

I  sat  in 

land,  and 

:d,  at  the 

n,  inquir- 

.,  and  ob 

em,  were 

nee   they 

y  among 

eir  pipes, 
suspense, 
ell  as  a 
d,  ^lina- 
m   in  his 


dv,  and  I 


iich  King 

and  we, 

lis  prom- 


i7(;i.| 


SPEECH  OF  mixavava>;a. 


3*20 


" '  Ensi;lishman,  it  is  vou  that  liave  made  war 
with  this  our  father.  You  are  liis  enemy  ;  and 
how,  then,  could  you  have  the  boldness  to  venture 
among  us,  his  children'?  You  know  tliivt  his  ene- 
mies are  ours. 

'• '  Englishman,  we  are  informed  that  our  father, 
(he  King  of  France,  is  old  and  infirm  ;  and  that, 
being  fatigued  with  making  war  upon  your  nation, 
he  is  fallen  asleep.  During  his  sh^ep  you  have 
taken  advantage  of  him,  and  possessed  yourselves 
of  Canada.  But  his  nap  is  almost  at  an  end.  I 
think  I  hear  him  already  stirring,  and  inquiring 
for  his  children,  the  Indians  ;  and  when  he  does 
awake,  wdiat  must  become  of  you]  He  will  de 
strov  vou  utterlv. 

" '  Englishman,  although  you  have  conquered 
the  French,  you  have  not  }et  conquered  us.  W'" 
are  not  your  slaves.  These  lakes,  these  woods  and 
mountains,  were  left  to  ns  by  our  ancestors.  They 
are  our  inheritance  ;  and  we  will  part  w^ith  them 
to  none.  Your  nation  supposes  that  we,  like  the 
white  people,  cannot  live  without  bread,  and  pork, 
and  beef!  But  you  ought  to  know  that  lie,  the 
Great  8[)irit  and  Master  of  Life,  has  provided  food 
for  us  in  these  spacious  lakes,  and  on  these  woody 
mountains. 

"  '  Englishman,  our  father,  the  King  of  France, 
employed  our  young  men  to  make  war  lipon  your 
nation.  In  this  warfare  manv  of  them  have  been 
killed  ;  and  it  is  our  custom  to  retaliate  until  such 
time  as  the  spirits  of  the  slain  are  satisfied.  But 
the  spirits  of  the  slain  are  to  be  satisfied  in  either 


T" 

T7^ 

ji 

! 

i 

1  f?i 

! 

1 

■ 

8)30 


MICIIILLIMACKINAC. 


[1761. 


of  two  ways  ;  tlio  first  is  by  tlic  spillin<^  of  the 
blood  of  tlie  nation  by  which  they  fell ;  the  other, 
by  cover  hi  (/  the  bodies  of  the  dead,  and  thus  allay- 
ing the  resentment  of  their  relations.  This  is  done 
by  makini^  presents. 

"  '  Englishjnan.  your  king  has  never  sent  us  any 
presents,  nor  entered  into  any  tn^aty  with  us  ; 
wherefore  he  and  we  are  still  at  war  ;  and,  until 
he  does  these  things,  we  must  consider  that  we 
have  no  other  father  nor  friend,  anionic  the  white 
men,  than  the  King  of  France  ;  but  for  you,  we 
have  taken  into  consideration  tliat  you  have  ven- 
tured your  life  among  us.  in  the  ex[)ectation  that 
we    should    not    molest    you.     You   do  not  come 

» 

armed,  with  an  intention  to  make  war ;  you  come 
in  peace,  to  trade  with  us,  and  supply  us  with 
necessaries,  of  which  we  are  in  much  Avant.  We 
shall  regard  you,  therefore,  as  a  brother ;  and 
you  may  sleej)  tranquilly,  without  fear  of  the  Chip- 
pewas.  As  a  token  of  our  friendship,  we  present 
you  this  pipe  to  smoke.' 

"  As  Minavavana  uttered  these  words,  an  Indian 
presented  me  with  a  pii)e,  which,  after  I  had  drawn 
the  smoke  three  times,  was  carried  to  the  chief, 
and  after  him  to  every  person  in  the  room.  This 
ceremony  ended,  the  chief  arose,  and  gave  me  his 
hand,  in  which  he  was  followed  bv  all  the  rest."  ^ 

These  tokens  of  friendship  were  suitably  ac- 
knowledged by  the  trader,  who  made  a  formal 
reply  to  Minavavana's  speech.  To  this  succeeded 
a  request  for  whiskey  on  the  ])art  of  the  Indians, 

1  Henry,  Trunh,  4.3. 


[1761. 


1701.] 


Ki:S0LUT10N  OF  THE  TIIIIEE  TKADKIIS. 


331 


<^  of  the 
tlio  other, 
hus  alhiy- 
is  is  done 

lit  us  any 
with  us  ; 
and,  until 
•  that  we 
the  white 
r  you,  we 
have  ven- 
ation that 
not  come 
you  come 
V  us  with 
ant.  AVe 
licr  ;  and 
the  Chip- 
,'e  present 

Ian  Indian 
ad  (h'awn 
he  chief, 
111.  This 
Ive  me  his 
|he  rest."  ^ 
[itahly  ac- 
a  formal 
ucceeded 
Indians, 


with  wliich  Ileury  uuwilhii<;ly  comphcd  ;  and,  liav- 
in<j;  distril)uted  several  small  additional  presents,  he 
beheld,  with  profound  satisfaction,  the  departure 
of  his  <i^uests.  Scarcely  had  he  ceased  to  coiif^ratu- 
late  himself  on  haviiii^  thus  i^ot  rid  of  the  Ojibwas, 
or,  as  h(^  calls  them,  the  Chippewas.  wIhmi  a  more 
formidahlc  invasion  once  more  menaced  him  with 
destruction.  Two  hundred  L'Arl)re  Croche  Otta- 
was  came  in  a  body  to  the  fort,  I'nd  summoned 
ll(>nry,  together  with  (ioddard  and  Solomons,  two 
other  traders,  who  had  just  arrived,  to  meet  them 
in  council.  Here  thev  informed  their  startled 
auditors  that  they  must  dlstribuie  their  goods 
among  the  Indians,  adding  a  worchless  promise  to 
pay  them  in  the  sjiring,  and  threatening  force  in 
case  of  a  refusal.  Being  allowed  until  the  next 
morning  to  reilect  on  what  they  had  heard,  the 
traders  resolved  on  resistance,  and,  accordinjilv, 
arming  about  thirty  of  their  men  with  muskets, 
tlu^y  barricaded  themselves  in  the  house  occu})ied 
by  Henry,  and  kept  strict  watch  all  night.  The 
Ottawas,  however,  did  not  venture  an  attack.  On 
the  following  day,  the  Canadians,  with  jiretended 
sympathy,  strongly  advised  compliance  with  the  de- 
mand ;  but  the  three  traders  resolntely  held  out.  and 
kept  ])OSsession  of  their  stronghold  till  night,  when, 
to  their  surprise  and  joy,  the  news  arrived  that  the 
body  of  troo])s  known  to  be  on  their  way  towards  the 
fort  were,  at  that  moment,  encamped  within  a  few 
miles  of  it.  Another  night  of  watching  and  anxiety 
succeeded  ;  but  at  sunrise,  the  Ottawas  launched 
their  canoes  and  departed,  while,  immediately  after, 


i       !;  K 


IP:.   'I 


ini 


83i 


MirniLLiMArKixAC. 


[1763. 


tlic  \o5its  of  the  Englisli  detiichmcnt  were  seen 
tc  approac'li  the  liuiding-placo.  ^licliilHniiickirac 
received  a  strong  garrison ;  and  for  a  time,  at  least, 
the  traders  were  safe. 

Time  passed  on,  and  tlie  hostile  feelings  of  the 
Indians  towards  the  English  did  not  diminish.  P. 
neccssarilv  folh/WiL"  from  the  extremelv  loose  char- 
acter  o^  h>6\...>>  gc  /ernm^'nt,  —  if  indeed  the  name 
governmt  rv  it.>  ipplicable  at  all,  —  that  th-^  sepa- 
rate membt.A  of  -''^  same  tribe  have  little  political 
connection,  and  are  often  united  merely  by  the 
social  tie  of  totemship.  Thus  the  Ottawas  at 
L'Arhre  Croche  were  quite  independent  of  those 
at  Detroit.  They  had  a  chief  of  their  own,  who  by 
no  means  acknowledged  the  authority  of  Pontiac, 
though  the  high  reputation  of  this  great  warrior 
everywhere  attached  respect  and  influence  to  his 
name.  The  same  relations  subsisted  between  the 
(^jibwas  of  Michillinijukinac  and  their  more  south- 
ern tribesmen ;  and  the  latter  might  declare  war 
and  make  peace  without  at  all  involving  the  former. 

The  name  of  the  Ottawa  chief  at  li'Arhre  Croche 
has  not  survived  in  history  or  tradition.  The  chief 
of  the  Ojibwas,  however,  is  still  remembered  by  the 
remnants  of  his  people,  and  was  the  same  ^vllom 
Henry  calls  ]\Iinavavana,  or,  as  the  Canadians 
entitled  him,  by  way  of  distinction,  Le  Grand 
Smiteur,  or  the  Great  Ojibwa.  lie  lived  in  the 
little  village  of  Thunder  Bay,  though  his  power 
was  acknowledi^ed  h\  the  Indians  of  the  nei<dibor- 
iiiij  islands.  That  his  mind  was  of  no  common 
order  is  sufficiently  evinced  by  his  speech  to  Henry; 


i ' 


[17G3. 


1763.] 


rON'TIAC  iXVITES   AID. 


333 


ere  seen 

niickinac 

at  least, 

Ts  of  the 
iiish.     It 
ose  eiiai- 
the  name 
tb-"  se pa- 
political 
^  by   tbe 
tawas    at 
of  those 
1,  who  by 
'  Pontiac, 
it  warrior 
ice  to  his 
ween  tlie 
)re  south- 
?lare  w^ar 
e  former, 
c  Croche 
'he  chief 
(1  ov  the 
nc  Avhom 
anadians 
Grand 
d  in  the 
is  power 
leighbor- 
common 
0  Henrv; 


but  he  had  not  the  commanding  spirit  of  Pontiac. 
His  iuMuence  seems  not  to  have  extended  beyond 
liis  own  tribe,  lie  could  not,  or  at  least  he  did  not, 
control  the  errat  j  forces  of  an  Indian  community, 
and  turn  them  into  one  broad  current  of  steady  and 
united  enerffv.  Hence,  in  the  events  about  to  be 
described,  the  natural  instability  of  the  Indian 
character  was  abundantlv  disi)lavod. 

In  the  spring  of  the  )ear  17G3,  Pontiac,  in  com- 
passing his  grand  scheme  of  hostility,  -^-ent,  among 
the  rest,  to  the  Indians  of  MichillimiK 'vi;  c,  invit- 
ing them  to  aid  him  in  the  war.  IJ  mv  engers, 
bearing  in  their  hands  the  war-br  o/  black  and 
purple  wampum,  appeared  before  th.  assembled 
warriors,  flung  at  their  feet  a  hat  '<"  ^)ainted  red, 
and  delivered  the  speecli  with  which  tliey  had  been 
charged.  The  wiirlike  auditory  answered  with 
ejaculations  of  applause,  and,  taking  u])  the  blood- 
red  hatchet,  pledged  themselves  to  join  in  the  con- 
test. Before  the  end  of  May,  news  readied  the 
Ojibwas  that  Pontiac  had  already  struck  the  I'ng- 
lish  at  Detroit.  This  wrought  them  up  to  a  high 
pitch  of  excitement  and  emulation,  an(^  <^hey 
resolved  that  ])eace  should  last  no  longer.  Their 
numbers  were  at  this  time  more  than  doid)led  by 
several  bands  of  their  wandering  peo])le,  who  had 
gathered  at  Michillimnckinac  from  far  and  near, 
attracted  probably  by  rumors  of  impending  war. 
Being,  perhaps,  jealous  of  the  Ottawas.  or  willing 
to  gain  all  the  glory  and  plunder  to  themselves, 
they  determined  to  attack  the  fort,  without  com- 
municating tbe  dc^sign  to  their  neighbors  of  L'Arbre 
Croche. 


hH'i    I 


m. 


I '  ,  1     I 

I 


I'  ' 


^ 


m 


,-ii'' 


33^ 


MICIIILLIMACKINAC. 


[1703. 


At  this  time  there  were  ahout  thirty-five  men, 
with  their  officers,  in  garrison  at  Michilhmackinac* 
Warning  of  the  tempest  that  impended  had  been 
clearly  given ;  enongh,  had  it  been  heeded,  to  have 
averted  the  fatal  disaster.  Several  of  the  C'ana- 
dians  least  hostile  to  the  English  had  thrown  ont 
hints  of  approaching  danger,  and  one  of  them  had 
even  told  (Captain  Ktherington,  the  commandant, 
that  the  Indians  had  formed  a  design  to  destroy,  not 
only  his  garrison,  bnt  all  the  English  on  the  lakes. 
AN'ith  a  folly,  of  which,  at  this  i)eriod,  there  were 
several  jiarallel  instances  among  the  British  officers 
in  America,  I'therii  gton  not  only  tnrned  a  deaf  ear 
to  what  he  heard,  bnt  threatened  to  send  prisoner 
to  Detroit  the  next  person  who  shonld  distnrb  the 
fort  with  snch  tidings.  Henry,  the  trader,  who 
was  at  this  time  in  the  place,  had  also  seen  occa- 
sion to  distrnst  the  Indians  ;  bnt  on  commnnicat- 
ing  his  snspicions  to  the  commandant,  the  latter 
tn^ited  them  with  total  disregard.  Henry  accnses 
himself  of  sharing  this  oificcr's  infatnation.  That 
his  person  was  in  danger,  had  been  plainly  inti- 
mated to  him,  nnder  the  following  cnrions  circnm- 
stances :  — 

An  Ojibwa  chief,  named  Wawatam,  had  con- 
ceived for  him  one  of  those  friendly  attachments 
which  often  form  so  pleasing  a  feature  in  the  In- 
dian character.  It  was  about  a  year  since  Henry 
hiid  first  met  with  this   man.     One  morning.  Wa- 

'  Tliis  ai)pe;irs  tVom  tlii'  letters  offaptaiii  Etlieriiifiton.  Henry  states 
the  mimlier  at  ninety.  It  is  not  unlilvely  tiiat  lie  meant  to  include  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  fort,  both  soldiers  and  Canadians,  in  his  ennnieratiou 


[1763. 

e  men, 
?kiiiac.* 
id  Won 
to  have 
}  Caiiii- 
)\vn  out 
em  had 
andaiit, 
rov,  not 
e  hikes, 
re  were 

officers 
leaf  ear 
prisoner 
turh  the 
er,  who 
3n  occa- 
Qunicat- 
.e  hitter 

iU'cuses 
That 

ily  inti- 

circum- 

id  con- 
limcnts 
the  hi- 
ll enry 
ig.  AVa- 

enry  states 
ink'  nil  tlie 
uenuiou 


1703,  Junk.] 


WAU.N'IXGS   OF   DANGER. 


335 


watam  had  entered  his  house,  and  placin*;  hefore 
liim.  on  tlie  «j;n)und.  a  hirj^-e  present  of  fiUN  ntid 
dried  meat,  delivered  a  speech  to  tlu>  followiui^ 
effect:  Early  in  life,  he  said,  he  had  withdrawn, 
after  the  ancient  usai^e  of  his  people,  to  fist  and 
pray  in  solitude,  that  he  mi^ht  propitiat<>  \\w  (jr(>at 
Spirit,  and  learn  the  future  career  marked  out  for 
him.  In  the  cours^  of  his  dreams  and  visions  on 
this  occasion,  it  was  revealed  to  him  that,  in  after 
years,  he  should  meet  a  white  man.  who  should  he 
to  him  a  friend  {ind  hrother.  No  sooner  had  he 
seen  Henry,  than  the  irrepressihle  conviction  rose 
U[)  within  him,  that  he  was  the  man  whom  the 
Great  8[)irit  had  indicated,  and  that  the  dream  was 
now  fulfilled.  Henry  replied  to  the  speech  with 
suitahle  acknowledgments  of  gratitude,  made  a 
present  in  his  turn,  smoked  a  pipe  with  Wawatam, 
and,  as  the  latter  soon  after  lef"t  tiie  fort,  speedily 
forgot  his  Indian  friend  and  hrother  altogether. 
Many  months  hud  elapsed  since  the  occurrence  of 
this  very  characteristic  incident,  when,  on  the 
second  of  June,  Henry's  door  was  pushed  open 
"without  ceremony,  and  the  dark  figure  of  Wawa- 
tam glided  silently  in.  He  said  that  he  was  just 
returned  from  his  wintering  ground.  Henry,  at 
length  recollecting  him,  iii([uired  after  tlie  success 
of  his  hunt ;  hut  the  Indian,  without  replying,  sat 
down  with  a  dejected  air,  and  expressed  his  sur- 
prise and  regret  at  finding  his  hrother  still  in  the 
fort.  He  said  that  he  was  going  on  the  next  day 
to  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  and  that  he  wished  Henry 
to  go  with  him.     He  then  asked  if  the  English  had 


330 


MICIMLIJ.MACKINAC. 


[ITl)!'.,  JlNB 


■,l 


>      * 


liranl  no  bad  news,  and  said  tliat  tliroiigli  the 
winter  lie  liimself  had  been  nuich  disturbed  by  the 
sini^inj^  of  evil  birds.  Seein«i^  tliat  Hcm-y  j^ave 
little  attention  to  what  he  said,  he  at  len<;t]i  went 
away  with  a  sad  and  monrnful  face.  On  the  next 
niornin<;  he  eaine  ai^ain,  to^M'tlier  with  his  s(|uaw, 
and.  offering-  tlie  trader  a  present  of  dried  meat, 
again  pressed  him  to  <j:o  with  him,  in  the  afternoon, 
to  the  Sault  Ste.  ^laric.  When  Henry  demanded 
his  reason  for  snch  nri>enev,  he  askcMl  if  his  brother 
did  not  know  that  many  bad  Indians,  avIio  had 
never  shown  tliemselves  at  the  fort,  were  encamped 
in  the  woods  aronnd  it.  To-morrow,  he  said,  they 
are  coming  to  ask  for  whiskey,  and  wonld  all  get 
drnnk,  so  that  it  wonld  be  dangerons  to  remain. 
Wawatam  let  fall,  in  addition,  varions  other  hints, 
which,  l)nt  for  Henry's  imperfect  knowledge  of  the 
Algoncpiin  langnage,  conld  hardly  have  faihnl  to 
draw  his  attention.  As  it  was,  however,  his  friend's 
words  ^vere  s[)oken  in  vain  ;  and  at  length,  after 
long  and  persevering  efforts,  he  and  his  scpiaw 
took  their  departnre,  bnt  not,  as  Henry  declares, 
before  each  had  let  fall  some  tears.  Among  the 
Indian  women,  the  practice  of  weeping  and  Availing 
is  nniversal  ni)on  all  occasions  of  sorrowfnl  emo- 
tion ;  and  the  kind-hearted  sqnaw,  as  she  took 
down  her  hnsband's  lodge,  and  loaded  his  canoe 
for  departnre,  did  not  cease  to  sob  and  moan  alond. 
On  this  same  afternoon,  Ilenrv  remembers  that 
the  fort  was  fnll  of  Indians,  moving  abont  among 
the  soldiers  with  a  great  appearance  of  friendship. 
Many   of  them    came    to    his   honse,   to    pnrchase 


1 1 


[ITil:',  JiNB 

roiigli  tlie 
»ed  by  the 

nL>tll   \V(Mlt 

I  tilt'  next 
lis  s(|Uiiw, 
•ied  moat, 
iiftcriioon, 
dcmaiuU'd 
is  broflicT 

Avlio  lllld 
eiic'iimpod 
said,  they 
lid  all  get 
o  remain, 
lier  liints, 
l<;c  of  the 

failed  to 
lis  friend's 
igth,  after 
lis  squaw 
'  declares, 
mong  the 
id  wailiiii' 
vfiil   cmo- 

she  took 
his  canoe 
)aii  aloud, 
[ibers  that 
ut  am  one: 
riendship. 

purchase 


1763,  Junk.] 


EVE  OF  THE  MASSACRE. 


8;]7 


knives  and  small  hatcliets,  often  asking  to  sec  silver 
bracelets,  and  other  ornaments,  with  the  intention, 
as  afterwards  appeared,  of  learning  their  places  Ji 
deposit,  in  order  the  more  easily  to  lay  hand  on 
them  at  the  moment  of  pillage.  As  the  afternoon 
drew  to  a  close,  the  visitors  quietly  went  away  ; 
and  many  of  the  unhappy  garrison  saw  for  the  last 
time  the  sun  go  down  behind  the  waters  of  Luke 
Michigan. 


11 


'  'C  • 


CIIArTER    XVII. 


17G3. 


THE  MASSACRE. 


!       I 


'flf 


The  followiiiix  morning!:  was  warm  and  sultrv.  It 
Was  the  fourth  of  June,  the  birtliday  of  Kin«^ 
George.  Tlie  discipline  of  the  garrison  was  re- 
hixed,  and  sonic  license  allowed  to  the  soldiers.* 
Encamped  in  the  woods,  not  far  off,  were  a  large 
number  of  Ojibwas.  lately  arrived  ;  while  several 
bands  of  tlie  Sac  Indians,  from  the  lliver  Wiscon- 
sin, had  also  erected  their  lodges  in  the  vicinity. 
Early  in  the  morning,  many  Ojibwas  came  to  the 
fort,  inviting  officers  and  soldiers  to  come  out  and 
see  a  grand  game  of  ball,  which  was  to  be  played 
between  their  nation  and  the  Sacs.  In  consequence, 
the  place  was  soon  der>'Mted  by  half  its  tenants. 
An  outline  of  Micliillimacki.nac,  as  far  as  tradition 
has  preserved  its  general  features,  has  already  been 
given  ;  and  it  is  easy  to  conceive,  with  sufficient 
accuracy,  the  «  ppearance  it  must  have  presented 
on  this  eventful  morning.  The  houses  and  bar- 
racks were  so  ranged  as  to  form  a  quadrangle,  en- 
closing an  extensive  area,  upon  which  their  doors 

1  The  above  is  Ilonij's  date.     Etheringtoii  says,  the  second. 


1703,  Jum;.] 


INDIAN    BALL   I'LAY. 


3;]  9 


sultry.    It 

of   King 

u  Avns   ro- 


1 


soldiers 
're  a  large 
ile  s  eve  ml 
,*r  Wiscon- 
le  vicinity, 
me  to  the 
)  out  and 
[)e  played 
iisocpience, 
s  tenants. 
s  tradition 
eady  been 
sutficient 
presented 
and  bar- 
•anglc,  en- 
heir  doors 

(coiiiL 


all  opened,  wliile  Ix^hind  rose  the  tall  palisades, 
forming  a  large  external  s()uare.  The  ])i((ures([ue 
Canadian  li()us(>s,  with  their  rude  porticoes,  and 
])rojecting  roofs  of  bark,  sufficiently  indicated  the 
occupations  of  their  inhabitants  ;  for  birch  canoes 
were  lying  near  many  of  them,  and  fi^liing-nets 
were  stretched  to  drv  in  the  sun.  Women  and 
children  were  niovini;  about  the;  doors  ;  knots  of 
Canadian  voNagcurs  reclined  on  the  ground,  ;  mok- 
iu'f  and  conversiuii: ;  soldiers  wen^  lounu^iiiij:  list- 
lessly  at  the  doors  and  windows  of  the  barracks, 
or  strolling  in  careless  undress  about  the  area. 

Without  the  fort  the  scene  was  of  a  very  differ- 
ent character.  The  gates  were  wide  o[)en,  juid 
soldiers  were  collected  in  groups  under  the  shadow 
of  the  ])alisades,  watching  the  Indian  ball  play. 
INIost  of  them  were  without  arms,  and  mingled 
among  them  were  a  great  number  of  Canadians, 
while  a  multitude  of  Indian  squaws,  wrapped  in 
blankets,  were  cons[)icuous  in  the  crowd. 

Captain  Etherington  and  Lieutenant  Leslie  stood 
near  the  gate,  the  former  indulging  his  inveterate 
English  p.ropensity  ;  for,  as  Henry  informs  us,  he 
had  promised  the  Ojibwas  that  he  would  bet  on 
their  side  against  the  Sacs.  Indian  chiefs  and  war- 
riors were  also  among  the  spectators,  intent,  appar- 
ently, on  watching  the  game,  but  with  thoughts, 
in  fact,  far  otherwise  em[)loyed. 

The    i)lain    in    frotit  was    covered    by  the    ball 
players.     The  game  in  which  they  were  engaged, 
called  hafj(jattaw(tij  by  the  Ojibwas,  is  still,  as   it 
always    nas    been,    a    favorite    with    many    Indian 


HV 

f     ^ r- 

Ill 

b3 

'  '  MM 

( 

Jl 

1  ti 

"V           '■ 

J' 

■i  m,           '•  f 

■i    ^  - 

1 

*   I 

H      ' ;  1' 

,; 
1 

■:\ 

::: 

I               , 

-' 

ifiii 

ri  III  i  . 

: ' ,  i     ■ 

ii-   ''^ 

111 . 


.1,  rr 


r 


'if 


;i 


i.r 

II ; 
.■■■I 


340 


THE   MASSACRE. 


[1703,  June. 


tribes.  At  cither  extremity  of  the  ground,  a  tall 
post  was  ])lant('d,  marking  the  stations  of  the  rival 
])arties.  The  object  of  each  was  to  defend  its  own 
])ost,  and  drive  the  ball  to  tliat  of  its  adversary. 
Hundreds  of  lithe  and  agih?  figures  were  leaping 
and  bounding  upon  tlie  plain.  Each  was  nearly 
naked,  liis  loose  black  hair  tiying  in  the  wind,  and 
each  bore  in  his  hand  a  bat  of  a  form  pecuHar  to 
this  game.  At  one  moment  the  whole  were  crowded 
together,  a  dense  throng  of  combatants,  all  strug- 
gling for  the  ball ;  at  the  next,  they  were  scattered 
again,  and  running  over  the  ground  like  hounds 
in  full  cry.  Each,  in  his  excitement,  yelled  and 
shouted  at  the  height  of  his  voice.  Hushing  and 
striking,  tripping  their  adversaries,  or  hurling  them 
to  the  ground,  they  pursued  the  animating  contest 
amid  the  laughter  and  applause  of  the  spectators. 
Suddenly,  from  the  midst  of  the  multitude,  the  ball 
soared  into  the  air,  and,  descending  in  a  wide 
curve,  fell  near  the  pickets  of  the  fort.  This  was 
no  chance  stroke.  It  was  part  of  a  preconcerted 
stratagem  to  insure  the  surprise  and  destruction  of 
the  garrison.  As  if  in  ])ursuit  of  the  ball,  the 
players  turned  and  came  rushing,  a  maddened  and 
tumultuous  throng,  towards  the  gate.  In  a  moment 
they  had  reached  it.  The  amazed  English  had  no 
time  to  think  or  act.  The  shrill  cries  of  the  ball- 
players were  changed  to  the  ferocious  war-whoop. 
The  warriors  snatched  from  tlie  squaws  the  hatch- 
ets, which  the  latter,  witii  this  design,  had  concealed 
beneath  their  blankets.  Some  of  the  Indians  as- 
sailed  the  spectators  without,  while  others  rushed 


V  ' 


703,  Jdne. 


17r,;],  ,Ti;.vE.J      ESCAPE   OF  ALEXANDER  HENRY. 


341 


I,  a  tall 
he  rival 
its  own 
vcrsary. 
leaping 
;   nearly 
nd,  and 
•uliar  to 
crowded 
.1  strug- 
cattered 
hounds 
led   and 
ing'  and 
aix  them 
contest 
Rctators. 
the  ball 
a   wide 
lis  was 
3nceited 
iction  of 
ill,  the 
aed  and 
moment 
had  no 
le  ball- 
whoop, 
hatch- 
ncealed 
ians  as- 
rushed 


into  the  fort,  and  all  was  carnage  and  confusion. 
At  the  outset,  several  strong  liands  had  fastened 
their  gripe  upon  ICtherington  and  Leslie,  and  led 
them  away  froui  tlie  scene  of  massacre  towards  tlie 
woods.'  Within  the  luea  of  the  fort,  the  men  were 
slau^-htercd  without  mercv.  But  here  the  task  of 
description  may  well  be  resigned  to  the  pen  of  tho 
trader,  Henry. 

"  I.  did  not  go  myself  to  see  the  match  which  was 
now  to  be  played  witlioiit  the  fort,  because,  there 
being  a  canoe  prepared  to  de})art  on  the  following 
day  for  Montreal,  1  employed  myself  in  writing 
letters  to  my  friends  ;  and  even  when  a  fellow- 
tr.ider.  Mr.  Tracy,  hapi)ened  to  call  upon  me,  say- 
ing that  another  canoe  had  just  arrived  from 
Detroit,  and  proposing  that  I  should  go  with  him 
to  the  beach,  to  incpiire  the  news,  it  so  happened 
that  I  still  remained  to  finisli  my  letters  ;  promising 
to  follow  Mr.  Tracy  in  the  course  of  a  f.\v  minutes. 
Mr.  Tracy  hat^  not  gone  more  than  twenty  paces 
from  my  door,  when  I  heard  an  Indian  war-cry, 
and  a  noise  of  general  confusion. 

"  Going  instantly  to  my  window,  I  saw  a  crowd 
of  Indians,  within  the  fort,  furiously  cutting  dowa 
and  scalping  every  Englishman  they  found :  iu 
particular,  I  witnessed  the  fate  of  Lieutenant 
Jamette. 

"  I  had,  in  the  room  in  which  I  was,  a  fowling- 
piece,  loaded  with  swan  shot.  This  I  inunediately 
seized,  and  held  it  for  a  few  minutes,  waiting 
to  hen;   th«  drum  beat  to  arms.     In  this  dreadful 

1  MS.  Letter  —  Ethmivjlon  to  Gladwi/n,  June  12.     See  Appendix,  C. 


If'i 


:!, 


*!!|li 


i^       I:        I'k 


342 


THE  MASSACRE. 


[1763,  June. 


interval  I  saw  several  of  my  countrymen  fall,  and 
more  than  one  strug<j;ling  '  :t\veen  tlie  knees  of  an 
Indian,  who,  holdinji;  hiui  in  this  manner,  scalped 
him  whih>  vet  livin^:. 

"  At  lengtli,  disappointed  in  the  hope  of  seeing 
resistance  made  to  the  eneinv.  and  sensible,  of 
course,  that  no  effort  of  mv  own  unassisted  arm 
could  avail  against  four  hundred  Indians,  I  thougiit 
only  of  seeking  shelter  amid  the  slaughter  which 
was  raiifinii:.  I  observed  manv  of  tlie  Canadian 
inhabitants  of  tlie  fort  calmly  looking  on,  neither 
opposing  tlie  Indians  nor  suffering  injury  ;  and 
from  this  circumstance,  I  conceived  a  hope  of  find- 
ing security  in  their  houses. 

"  Between  the  yard  door  of  my  own  house  and 
that  of  M.  Langlade,'  my  next  neiglibor,  there  was 
only  a  low  fence,  over  which  I  easily  climbed.  At 
my  entrance,  I  found  the  whole  family  at  the  win- 
dows, gazing  at  the  scene  of  blood  before  them. 
I  addressed  nivself  immediatelv  to  M.  Lani^ladc, 
begging  that  he  would  })ut  me  into  some  place  of 
safety  until  the  heat  of  the  affair  should  be  over  ; 
an  act  of  charity  by  which  he  might,  perhaps,  pre- 
serve me  from  the  general  massacre ;  but  while  I 
uttered  my  petition,  jNE.  Langlade,  who  had  looked 
for  a  moment  at  me,  turned  again  to  the  window, 

1  Charles  Lavgladk,  wlio  is  praised  by  Etliorinjiton,  though  spoken 
of  in  oiiiiivocal  terms  by  Honry,  was  the  son  oi'  a  Froncliinan  of  good 
liiinily  and  an  Ottawa  sijuaw.  lie  was  Ixirn  at  M,.cl<inaw  in  IT'Jl,  and 
served  witli  great  reputation  as  a  partisan  officer  in  the  ol<l  Frencii  war. 
Ill)  and  Ills  father,  Augustin  Langl;ide,  were  the  lirst  pcrnianent  settlers 
vitliin  tl,o  present  State  of  Wisconsin,  lie  is  said  to  have  saved  Etlier- 
iugton  and  Leslie  from  tlie  torture.  See  the  R< collections  of  Awjustin  (Urig- 
^■H'li,   lis  grandson,  in  CoLctioits  <>/ the  Hist.  Soc.  of  Wisconsin,  III.  197. 


17G3,  June. 


17C3,  Jim:.]       KSCArH  OF  ALEXANDER  IIEN'IIV. 


343 


fall,  and 

[^s  of  an 

scalped 

f  seeing 
•;il)le,  of 
ted  arm 
thought 
'V  which 
>inadian 
,  neither 
ry ;  and 
!  of  find- 

5nse  and 
lere  was 
jcd.     At 
the  win- 
re  them. 
any;lade, 
place  of 
be  over ; 
ips,  pre- 
whilc  I 
looked 
window, 

)iiflh  spoken 
nan  of  gooil 
a  17'24,  and 
''rencli  war. 
lent  settlers 
taveil  Etlier- 
H(]HStin  (irig- 
il.  197. 


shrnjxixiiis  his  slioulders,  and  intimatinu:  that  he 
conld  do  nothing  for  me  — '  Qae  voudriez-vous 
que  fen.  ferais  f ' 

"  This  w,\3  a  moment  for  despair  ;  hnt  the  next  a 
Pani^  woman,  a  slave  of  ]M.  Langlade's,  heckoned 
me  to  follow  her.  She  hronght  me  to  a  door, 
which  she  opened,  desiring  me  to  enter,  and  telling 
me  that  it  led  to  the  garret,  where  I  mnst  go  and 
conceal  myself.  I  joyfully  obeyed  her  directions  ; 
and  she,  having  followed  me  np  to  the  garret  door, 
locivcd  it  after  me,  and,  with  great  i)rescnce  of 
mind,  took  away  the  key. 

"  This  shelter  obtained,  if  shelter  I  could  ho[)e 
to  find  it,  I  was  naturally  anxious  to  know  what 
might  still  be  passing  without.  Through  ar.  aper- 
ture, which  afforded  me  a  view  of  the  area  of  the 
iort,  I  beheld,  in  shapes  the  foulest  and  most  ter- 
rible, the  ferocious  triumphs  of  barbarian  conquer- 
ors. The  dead  were  scalped  and  mangled  ;  the 
dying  were  writhing  and  shrieking  under  the  unsa- 
tiated  knife  and  tomahawk ;  and  from  the  bodies 
of  some,  rii)ped  open,  their  butchers  were  drinking 
the  blood,  scooped  np  in  the  hollow  of  join  liands, 
and  quaffed  amid  shouts  of  rage  and  \  Lory.  I 
was  shaken  not  onlv  with  horror,  but  with  fear. 
The  sufferings  which  I  witnessed  I  scei  * d  on  the 
point  of  experiencing.    Xo  long  time  el   ''^ed  before 

^  This  name  is  oomnionly  written  Pauiirp.  Tlie  tribe  wlio  bore  it  lived 
west  of  the  Mississippi.  Tiiey  were  at  war  with  many  surronniling 
nations,  and,  umont;  tiie  rest,  with  tiie  Sacs  and  Foxes,  wiio  often  broiiffht 
their  prisoners  to  the  Frencli  seillenicnts  for  sale.  Il  tliu-  bapin'iied  tiiat 
Pawnee  slaves  were  to  be  fonml  in  the  principal  families  of  Detroit  and 
Michillimackinao. 


?■■:        ■ 

■1^        I 


[•rras-r 

i       ; 

'      '       '        1 

• 

■1 

^W^L' 

1 

■ 

I' 

■i 

i     ■! 

■,  \ 

,            / 

1 

',1      : 

■ 

i 

1 

I  1  , 

i 

1 

1 

k    t 

1'' 

:■'     ■ 

|i 

■i     ' 

Ml;'       ' 
1   I 

1' 

1    ■ 

1 : 

'       - 

! 

1 

♦ 

su 


THE  MASSACRE. 


[1703,  June, 


every  one  being  destroyed  who  could  be  found, 
there  was  a  general  cry  of  *  All  is  finished.'  At 
the  same  instant  I  heard  some  of  the  Indians  enter 
the  house  where  I  was. 

"  The  garret  was  separated  from  the  room  below 
only  by  a  layer  of  single  boards,  at  once  the  floor- 
ing of  the  one  and  the  ceiling  of  the  other.  I 
could,  therefore,  hear  every  thing  that  passed  ;  and 
the  Indians  no  sooner  came  in  than  they  inquired 
whether  or  not  any  En<i:lishmen  were  in  the  house. 
M.  Langlade  replied,  that  '  he  could  not  say,  he 
did  not  know  of  any,'  answers  in  which  he  did  not 
exceed  the  truth  ;  for  the  Pani  woman  had  not 
only  hidden  me  by  stealth,  but  ke})t  my  secret  and 
her  o\\n.  M.  Langlade  was,  therefore,  as  I  pre- 
sume, as  far  from  a  wish  to  destroy  me  as  he  was 
careless  about  saving  me,  when  he  added  to  these 
answers,  <"liat  '  they  might  examine  for  themselves, 
and  would  soon  be  satisiied  as  to  the  object  of  their 
question.'  Saying  this,  he  brought  them  to  the 
garret  door. 

"  The  state  of  mj  mind  will  be  imagined.  Ar- 
rived at  the  door,  c-ome  delay  Avas  occasioned  by 
the  absence  of  the  key  ;  and  a  few  moments  were 
thus  allowed  me,  in  which  to  look  around  for  a 
hiding-})lace.  In  one  corner  of  the  garret  was  a 
lieap  of  those  vessels  of  birch  bark  used  in  mnple- 
siigar  making. 

"  The  door  was  unlocked  and  opening,  and  the 
Indians  ascending  the  stairs,  before  I  had  com- 
pletely crept  into  a  small  opening  which  presented 
itself  at  one  end  of  the  heap.     An  instant  after, 


[1703,  June, 


1763,  JuKE.|      ESCAPE  OF  ALEXANDER  IIEXRY. 


34o 


)e  found, 
icd.'     At 

axis  enter 

)m  below 
the  floor- 
otlier.  I 
scd  ;   and 

inquired 
lie  house, 
t  say,  he 
e  did  not 

had  not 
ccret  and 
as  I  pre- 
LS  he  was 
[  to  these 
?mselves, 
t  of  their 
n  to   the 

ed.     Ay- 

ioned  by 
}nts  were 
nd  for  a 
et  was  a 
n  maple- 

and  the 
ad  corn- 
resented 
nt  after, 


four  Indians  entered  tlie  room,  all  armed  with 
tomahawks,  and  all  besmeared  with  blood,  upon 
every  part  of  their  bodies. 

"  The  die  a])peared  to  be  cast.  I  could  scarcely 
breathe  ;  but  I  thought  the  throbl)ing  of  my  heart 
occiisioned  a  noise  loud  enou<j:h  to  betray  me.  The 
Indians  walked  in  every  direction  about  the  garret ; 
and  one  of  them  approached  me  so  closely,  that,  at 
a  particular  moment  had  he  put  forth  liis  baud,  he 
must  have  touched  nie.  Still  I  remained  undiscov- 
ered ;  a  circumstance  to  which  the  dark  color  of 
my  clothes,  and  the  want  of  light,  in  a  room  which 
had  no  window  in  the  corner  in  which  I  was,  must 
have  contributed.  In  a  word,  after  taking  several 
turns  in  the  room,  during  which  they  told  M.  Lang- 
lade how  many  thev  had  killed,  av!'.)  how  manv 
scalps  they  had  taken,  they  returiiL*...  downstairs ; 
and  I,  with  sensations  not  to  1h^  expresscvJ,  heard 
the  door,  which  was  the  barrier  between  me  and 
my  fate,  locked  tor  the  second  time. 

"  There  was  a  feather  bed  om  the  floor  ;  on 

this,  exhausted  as  I  was  by  trine  agitat"')n  ■»  my 
mind,  I  threw  myself  down  and  fell  asleep.  In 
this  state  I  remained  till  the  dusk  of  the  evening, 
when  I  was  awakened  by  a  second  o]>^nin<i:  of  the 
door.  The  person  that  now  entered  was  ]\L  Lang- 
lade's wife,  who  was  much  surprised  at  tinding  me, 
but  advised  me  not  to  be  uneasy,  obserring  thrut  tiie 
Indians  had  killed  most  of  the  Enizfikli.  bunt  HJEut 
she  hoped  I  might  myself  escape.  A  hImiiiwiii'  i  of 
rain  having  begun  to  fall,  she  had  m9m>  ^wp  a 

hole  in   the   roof.     On  her  going  away   i       _ ._  d 


1'^ 


M    t 


V 

-Hi''* 


ii^ 


ilii 


I  1 


S^Q 


THE   .MASSACRE. 


[1763,  JuNM. 


her  to  send  me  a  little  water  to  drink,  which  she 
did. 

"  As  night  was  now  advancing,  I  continned  to 
lie  on  tlie  hed,  ruminating  on  my  condition,  but 
unable  to  discover  a  resource  from  which  I  could 
hope  for  life.  A  flight  to  Detroit  had  no  i)robable 
chance  of  success.  The  distance  from  Michilli- 
mackinac  was  four  hundred  miles  ;  I  was  without 
provisions,  and  the  whole  length  of  the  road  lay 
through  Indian  countries,  countries  of  an  enemy 
in  arms,  where  the  first  man  whom  I  should  meet 
would  kill  me.  To  stay  where  I  was,  threatened 
nearly  the  same  issue.  As  before,  fatigue  of  mind, 
and  not  tranquillity,  suspended  my  cares,  and  pro- 
cured me  farther  sleep. 

"  The  respite  which  sleep  afforded  me  dui'ing 
the  night  was  put  an  end  to  by  the  return  of  morn- 
ing. I  was  again  on  the  rack  of  apprehension. 
At  sunrise,  I  heard  the  family  stirring ;  and,  pres- 
ently after,  Indian  voices,  informiiiij:  ^I.  Laiijilade 
that  they  had  not  found  my  hapless  self  among 
the  dead,  and  they  supposed  me  to  be  somewhere 
concealed.  ]M.  Langlade  appeared,  from  what 
followed,  to  be,  by  this  time,  acquainted  with  the 
place  of  my  retreat ;  of  which,  no  doubt,  he  had 
been  informed  b\  his  wife.  The  ])oor  woman,  as 
soon  as  the  Indians  mentioned  me,  declared  to  her 
husband,  in  the  French  tongue,  that  he  should  no 
longer  keep  me  in  his  house,  but  deliver  me  up 
to  my  pursuers ;  giving  as  a  reason  for  this  meas- 
ure, that,  should  the  Indians  discover  his  instru- 
mentality in  my  concealment,  they  might  revenge 


[1703,  Jdnb. 

Iiicli  she 

iiuicd  to 
ition,  but 
1  I  could 
probable 
:Micbilli" 
5  without 
road  lay 
\i  enemy 
uld  meet 
ireatened 
of  mind, 
and  pro- 

e  dui'ing 

of  morn- 

hension. 

nd,  pres- 

anii'lade 

among 

mewherc 

fm    what 

Avith  the 

he   had 

loman,  as 

d  to  her 

lould  no 

me  up 

Ills  meas- 

instru- 


revenge 


1763,  .Tine.]       ESCAIM'    OF  ALEXANDER  HENRY. 


847 


it  on  her  children,  and  that  it  was  better  that  I 
should  die  than  they.  M.  Langlade  resisted,  at 
first,  this  sentence  of  his  wife,  but  soon  suffered 
her  to  ])revail,  informing  the  Indians  that  he  had 
been  told  I  was  in  his  house  ;  that  I  had  come 
there  without  his  knowledge,  and  that  he  would 
put  me  into  their  hands.  This  was  no  sooner 
expressed  than  he  l).'gan  to  ascend  the  stairs,  the 
Indians  following  upon  his  lieels. 

"  I  now  resiij^ned  mvself  to  the  fate  with  which 
I  was  menaced ;  and,  regarding  '^very  effort  at 
concealment  as  vain,  I  rose  from  the  bed,  and 
presented  myself  full  in  view  to  the  Indians,  who 
were  entering  the  room.  They  were  all  in  a  state 
of  intoxication,  and  entiridy  naked,  except  about 
the  middle.  One  of  them,  nam(>d  Wenniwav, 
whom  I  had  previously  known,  and  who  was 
upwards  of  six  feet  in  height,  had  his  entire  face 
and  body  covered  with  charcoal  and  grease,  only 
that  a  wdiite  spot,  of  two  inches  in  diameter,  encir- 
cled either  eye.  This  man,  walking  up  to  me, 
seized  me,  with  one  hand,  by  the  collar  of  the  coat, 
vdiile  in  the  other  he  held  a  large  carving-knife,  as 
if  to  plunge  it  into  my  breast ;  his  eyes,  meanwhile, 
were  fixed  steadfastly  on  mine.  At  length,  after 
some  seconds  of  the  most  anxious  suspense,  he 
dropped  his  arm,  saying,'!  won't  kill  you!'  To 
this  he  added,  that  he  had  been  frequently  engaged 
in  wars  against  the  English,  and  had  brought  away 
many  scalps  ;  that,  on  a  certain  occasion,  lie  had 
lost  a  brother,  wdiose  name  was  ^Nlusirigon.  and  that 
I  should  be  called  after  him. 


'I'll If  • 


348 


THE  MASSACUE. 


[17G3,  JCNB. 


"  A  reprieve,  \pon  any  terms,  placed  me  among 
the  living,  and  gave  me  back  the  snstaining  voice 
of  hope ;  hut  Wenniway  ordered  me  downstairs, 
and  there  informing  me  that  £  was  to  be  taken  to 
his  cabin,  where,  and  indeed  everywhere  else,  the 
Indians  were  all  mad  with  liquor,  death  again  was 
threatened,  and  not  as  possible  only,  but  as  certain. 
I  mentioned  my  fears  on  this  subject  to  M.  Langlade, 
begging  him  to  represent  the  danger  to  my  master. 
M.  Langlade,  in  tliis  instance,  did  not  withhold  his 
compassion  ;  and  Wenniway  immediately  consented 
that  I  should  remain  where  1  was,  until  he  found 
another  opportunity  to  take  me  away." 

Scarcely,  however,  had  he  been  gone  an  hour, 
when  an  Indian  came  to  the  house,  and  directed 
Henry  to  follow  him  to  the  Ojibwa  camp.  Henry 
knew  tliis  man,  who  was  largely  in  his  debt,  and 
some  time  before,  on  the  trader's  asking  him  for 
payment,  the  Lidian  had  declared,  in  a  significant 
tone,  that  he  would  pay  him  soon.  There  seemed 
at  present  good  ground  to  suspect  his  intention ; 
but,  having  no  choice,  Henry  was  obliged  to  follow 
him.  The  Indian  led  the  way  out  of  the  gate  ; 
but,  instead  of  going  towards  the  camp,  he  moved 
with  a  quick  step  in  the  direction  of  the  bushes 
and  sand-hills  behind  the  fort.  At  this,  Henry's 
suspicions  were  confirmed.  He  refused  to  proceed 
farther,  and  plainly  told  his  conductjr  that  he 
believed  he  meant  to  kill  him.  The  Indian  coolly 
replied  that  he  was  quite  right  in  thinking  so,  and 
at  the  same  time,  seizing  the  prisoner  by  the  arm, 
raised  his  knife  to  strike  him  in  the  breast.     Henry 


>iiiih 


11  ' 


[1 703,  June. 

le  anions; 
ing  voice 
iwustiiirs, 
taken  to 
else,  the 
'f^'din  was 
3  certain, 
ianglade, 
y  master, 
ihold  his 
onsentcd 
he  fonnd 

an  honr, 

directed 

Henry 

eht,  and 

him  for 

nificant 

seemed 

itention ; 

to  f()lk)\v 

le   gate  ; 

e  moved 

e  bushes 

Henry's 

proceed 

that   he 

n  coolly 

■  so,  and 

he  arm, 

Henry 


IT'Jo,  JuNIi.] 


AIA'KNTUUES   OF   HENRY. 


3-19 


parried  the  blow,  flung  the  Indian  from  him, 
and  ran  for  his  life.  He  gained  the  gate  of  the 
fort,  his  en?my  close  at  his  heels,  and,  st>eing  Wen- 
niway  standing  in  the  centre  of  the  area,  called 
upon  him  for  protection.  The  chief  ordered  the 
Indian  to  desist ;  but  tlic  latter,  who  was  foaming 
at  the  mouth  with  rage,  still  continued  to  pursue 
Henry,  vainly  striking  at  him  with  his  knife.  See- 
ing the  door  of  Langlade's  house  wide  open,  the 
trader  darted  in,  and  at  length  found  himself  in 
safetv.  He  retired  once  more  to  his  mirret,  and  lav 
down,  feeling,  as  he  declares,  a  sort  of  conviction 
that  no   Indian  had  power  to  harm  him. 

This  confidence  was  somewdiat  shaken  when, 
early  in  the  night,  he  was  startled  from  sleep  by 
the  opening  of  the  door.  A  light  gleamed  in  upon 
him,  and  he  was  summoned  to  descend.  He  did 
so,  when,  to  his  sur[)rise  and  joy,  he  found,  in 
the  room  below,  Captain  Et'.ierington,  Lieutenant 
Leslie,  and  Mr.  Bostwnck,  a  trader,  together  with 
Father  Jonois,  the  Jesuit  priest  from  L'Arbre 
Croche.  The  Indians  WTre  bent  on  enjoying  that 
night  a  grand  debauch  upon  the  li([uor  they  had 
seized  ;  and  the  chiefs,  well  knowing  the  extreme 
danger  to  which  the  ])risoners  would  i)e  exposed 
duriu":  these  revels,  had  conveved  them  all  into  the 
fort,  and  placed  them  m  charge  of  the  Canadians. 

Including  officers,  soldiers,  and  traders,  they 
amounted  to  about  twenty  men,  being  nearly  all 
who  had  escaped  the  massacre. 

When  Henry  entered  the  room,  he  found  his 
three  companions  in  misfortune  engaged  in  anxious 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


A 


4i. 


"m^^  '  /  O  #j  ^   /^/ 


1.0 


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1.25 


llfi^  IIIIM 

•^  1^    ill  2.2 
^   y^    lllll^ 

t  ■;£   12.0 


1.8 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


350 


THE   MASSACRE. 


[1703,  Jdnb 


■ ;    :m 


V'   :i 


debate.  These  men  had  supped  full  of  horrors ; 
yet  they  were  almost  on  the  point  of  risking  a 
renewal  of  the  bloodshed  from  wliich  tliev  had 
just  escaped.  The  temptation  was  a  strong  one 
The  fort  was  this  evening  actually  in  tlie  hands  of 
the  white  men.  The  Indians,  with  their  ordinary 
lecklessness  and  improvidence,  had  neglected  even 
to  place  a  guard  within  the  palisades.  They  were 
now,  one  and  all,  in  their  camp,  mad  with  liquor, 
and  the  fort  was  occupied  by  twenty  Englishmen, 
and  about  three  hundred  Canadians,  principally 
voyageurs.  To  close  the  gates,  and  set  the  Indians 
at  defiance,  seemed  no  very  difficult  matter.  It 
might  have  been  attem})tcd,  but  for  the  dissuasions 
of  the  Jesuit,  who  had  acted  throughout  the  part 
of  a  true  friend  of  humanity,  and  wlio  now  strongly 
represented  the  probability  tliat  the  Canadians  would 
prove  treacherous,  and  the  certainty  that  a  failure 
would  involve  destruction  to  every  Englishman  in 
the  ])lace.  The  idea  was  therefore  abandoned, 
and  Captain  Etherington,  with  his  companions, 
that  night  shared  Henry's  garret,  where  they 
])asscd  the  time  in  condoling  with  each  other  on 
their  common  misfortune. 

A  party  of  Indians  came  to  the  house  in  the 
morning,  and  ordered  Henry  to  follow  them  out. 
The  weather  had  changed,  and  a  cold  storm  had 
set  in.  In  the  drearv  and  forlorn  area  of  the  fort 
were  a  few  of  the  Indian  conquerors,  though  the 
main  body  were  still  in  their  cam[),  not  yet  recov- 
ered from  the  effects  of  their  last  night's  carouse. 
Henry's  conductors  led  him  to  a  house,  where  in  u 


I    ■  i 


[1703,  June 


17G3,  Juke.]     INTERVENTION  OF   TUE   OTTAWAS. 


351 


honors ; 
risking'  a 
tlicv  had 
rong  one 

hands  of 
•  ordinary 
cted  even 
'hey  were 
th  liqnor, 
glishmen, 
rincipally 
e  Indians 
atter.  It 
issnasions 

the  part 
^  strongly 
Lins  would 

a  failure 
ishman  in 
:)andoned, 
mnanions, 
lere    they 

other  on 

se  in  the 
hem  out. 
;torm  had 
f  the  fort 
10 ugh  the 
yet  recov- 
3  carouse, 
here  in  u 


room  almost  dark,  he  saw  two  traders  and  a  soldier 
imprisoned.  They  were  released,  and  directed  to 
follow  the  party.  The  whole  then  proceeded 
together  to  the  lake  shore,  where  thcv  were  to 
emhark  for  the  Isles  du  Castor.  A  chilling  wind 
blew  stronii;lv  from  the  nortli-east,  and  the  lake 
was  covered  with  mists,  and  tossing  angrily.  Henry 
stood  shivering  on  the  beach,  with  no  other  up[)er 
garment  than  a  shirt,  drenched  with  the  cold  rain. 
He  asked  Langlade,  who  was  near  him,  for  a 
blanket,  which  the  latter  refused  unless  security 
were  given  for  payment.  Another  Canadian  proved 
more  merciful,  and  Henrv  received  a  coverinij  from 
the  weather.  With  his  three  companions,  guarded 
by  seven  Indians,  he  embarked  in  the  canoe,  the 
soldier  being  tied  by  his  neck  to  one  of  the  cross- 
bars of  the  vessel.  The  thick  mists  and  the  tem- 
pestuous weather  compelled  them  to  coast  the 
shore,  close  beneath  the  wet  dripping  forests.  In 
this  manner  they  had  proceeded  about  eighteen 
miles,  and  were  approaching  L'Arbre  Croche,  when 
an  Ottawa  Indian  came  out  of  the  woods,  and  called 
to  them  from  the  beach,  inquiring  the  news,  and 
asking  who  were  their  prisoners.  Some  conversa- 
tion followed,  in  the  course  of  which  the  canoe 
approached  the  shore,  where  the  water  was  very 
shallow.  All  at  once,  a  loud  yell  was  heard,  and  a 
hundred  Ottawas,  rising  from  among  the  trees  and 
bushes,  rushed  into  the  water,  and  seizf^l  upon  the 
canoe  and  [)ri8oners.  The  astonished  Ojibwaa 
remonstrated  in  vain.  Tlie  four  Kuglishmen  were 
taken   from   them,  and  led  in   safety  to  the  shore. 


352 


THE  MASSACRE. 


[1763,  June. 


Good  will  to  the  prisoners,  however,  had  by  no 
means  prompted  the  Ottawas  to  this  very  unex- 
pected proceeding.  They  were  jealous  and  angry 
that  the  Ojibwas  should  have  taken  the  fort  with- 
out giving  them  an  opportunity  to  share  in  the 
plunder ;  and  they  now  took  this  summary  mode 
of  asserting  their  rights. 

The  chiefs,  however,  shook  Henry  and  his  com- 
panions by  the  hand,  professing  great  good  will, 
assuring  them,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  Ojibwas 
were  carrying  them  to  the  Isles  du  Castor  merely 
to  kill  and  eat  them.  The  four  prisoners,  the 
sport  of  so  many  changing  fortunes,  soon  found 
themselves  embarked  in  an  Ottawa  canoe,  and  on 
their  way  back  to  Michillimackinac.  They  were 
not  alone.  A  flotilla  of  canoes  accompanied  them, 
bearing  a  great  number  of  Ottawa  warriors  ;  and 
before  the  day  was  over,  the  whole  had  arrived  at 
the  fort.  At  this  time,  the  principal  Ojibwa 
encampment  was  near  the  woods,  in  full  sight 
of  the  landing-place.  Its  occupants,  astonished  at 
this  singular  movement  on  the  part  of  their  rivals, 
stood  looking  on  in  silent  amazement,  while  the 
Ottawa  warriors,  well  armed,  filed  into  the  fort,  and 
took  possession  of  it. 

This  conduct  is  not  difficult  to  explain,  when  we 
take  into  consideration  the  peculiarities  of  the  Indi- 
an character.  Pride  and  jealousy  are  always  strong 
and  active  elements  in  it.  The  Ottawas  deemed 
themselves  insulted  because  the  Ojibwas  had  under- 
taken an  enterprise  of  such  importnnce  without 
consulting  them,  or  asking  their  assistance.     It  may 


r    i 


1763,  June. 


1703,  June.] 


SPF.KCII  OF  MINAVAVANA. 


303 


I  by  no 
y  unex- 
id  iingry 
3rt  witli- 
3  in  the 
L*y  mode 

his  coni- 
3od  will, 
Ojibwas 
r  merely 
lers,  the 
n  found 
,  and  on 
ey  were 
:d  them, 
)rs ;  and 
•rived  at 

Ojibwa 
dl  sight 
ished  at 
ir  rivals, 
hile  the 

brt,  and 

hen  we 
le  Indi- 
s  strong 
deemed 

under- 
without 

It  may 


be  added,  that  the  Indians  of  L'Arbre  Croche  were 
somewhat  less  liostile  to  the  Englisli  thiin  the 
neighboring  tribes  ;  for  the  great  intiuence  of  tlie 
[)riest  Jonois  seems  always  to  liave  been  exerted 
on  the  side  of  peace. 

The  English  prisoners  looked  upon  tlie  new- 
comers as  champions  and  protectors,  and  conceived 
hopes  from  their  interference  not  destined  to  be 
fully  realized.  On  the  morning  after  their  arrival, 
the  Ojibwa  chiefs  invited  the  principal  men  of  the 
Ottawas  to  hold  a  council  with  them,  in  a  building 
within  the  fort.  They  placed  upon  the  (loor  a  val- 
uable present  of  goods,  which  were  part  of  the 
plunder  they  had  taken  ;  nnd  their  great  war-chief, 
Minavavana,  who  had  conducted  the  attack,  rose 
and  addressed  the  Ottawas. 

Their  conduct,  he  said,  had  greatly  surprised 
him.  Thev  had  betraved  the  common  cause,  and 
opposed  the  will  of  the  Great  Spirit,  who  had  de- 
creed that  every  Englishman  must  die.  Excepting 
them,  all  the  Indians  had  raised  the  hatchet.  Pon- 
tiac  had  taken  Detroit,  and  everv  other  fort  had 
also  been  destroved.  The  Enjjjlish  were  meetinjj: 
with  destruction  throughout  the  whole  world,  iind 
the  King  of  Erance  was  awakened  from  his  sleep. 
He  exhorted  them,  in  conclusion,  no  longer  to 
espouse  the  cause  of  the  English,  but,  like  their 
brethren,  to  lift  the  hatchet  against  them. 

When  Minavavana  had  conclnded  his  speech,  the 
council  adjourned  until  the  next  day  ;  a  custom 
common  among  Indians,  in  order  that  the  auditors 
may   have   time  to   ponder   with   due   deliberation 

23 


3.j-t 


Till'    MASSACRE. 


(17G;>,  June. 


upon  what  they  liave  lieard.  At  the  next  meetin<^, 
the  Ottawas  expressed  a  readiness  to  coneur  with 
the  views  of  the  Ojibwas.  Thus  the  difference 
between  the  two  tribes  was  at  leui^-th  amicably  ad- 
justed.  The  Ottawa^  returned  to  the  ()jil)was  some 
of  the  prisoners  whom  they  had  taken  from  them  ; 
still,  however,  retaininj^  the  officers  and  several  of 
the  soldiers.  These  they  soon  after  carried  to 
]/Ar!)re  Croche.  where  they  were  treated  with 
kindness,  pr()ba!)ly  owin<^  to  the  influence  of  Fa- 
ther Jonois.'  The  priest  went  down  to  Detroit 
with  a  letter  from  Captain  Etherington,  acquaint- 
ivu;  ]\Iajor  Gladwyn  with  the  loss  of  Michillimack- 
inac,  and  entreating  that  a  force  might  be  sent 
innnediately  to  his  aid.  The  letter,  as  we  have 
seen,  was  safely  delivered ;  but  Gladwyn  was,  of 
course,  unable  to  render  the  required  assistance. 

Though  the  Ottawas  and  Ojibwas  had  come  to 
terms,  thev  still  looked  on  each  other  with  distrust, 
and  it  is  said  that  the  former  never  forgot  the 
slight  that  had  been  put  upon  them.  The  Ojibwas 
took  the  prisoners  who  had  been  returned  to  them 
from  the  fort,  and  carried  them  to  one  of  they* 
small  villages,  which  stood  near  the  shore,  at  no 
iifreat  distance  to  the  south-east.  Amoui?  the  other 
lodges  was  a  large  one,  of  the  kind  often  seen  in 
Indian  villages,  erected  for  use  on  public  occasions, 
such  as  dances,  feasts,  or  councils.  It  was  now 
to  serve  as  a  prison.  The  soldiers  were  bound 
together,  two  and  two,  and  farther  secured  by  long 
ropes  tied  round  their  necks,  and  fastened  to  the 
pole    which    supported    the    lodge   in    the    centre. 

1  MS.  Letter  —  Ethaitvjton  to  Gladwyn,  June  28. 


[170;!,  Jc>fE. 

meeting, 
rur  with 
iffcreiice 
ciibly  ud- 
vas  some 
m  them  ; 

3VCl'ill  of 

irried  to 
ted  with 
'e  of  Fii- 
3  Detroit 
iicquuiiit- 
liUimack- 
;  be  sent 
\\G  have 
1  was,  of 
istance. 

come  to 
1  distrust, 
3rgot   the 

Ojibwas 
|l  to  them 

of   thei.r 
|)ro,  at  no 
the  other 
seen  in 

ccasions, 

was   now 

e    bound 
[\  by  long 

?d  to  the 
centre. 


17f».j.  JtJN'EI 


SPKKCII  OF  WAWATAM. 


So.") 


ITenrv  and  the  other  traders  escaped  this  iiwrons 
treatment.  The  spacious  h)dge  was  soon  filled 
with  Indians,  who  came  to  look  at  their  captives, 
and  gratify  themselves  by  deriding  and  jeering  at 
them.  At  the  head  of  tlie  lodge  sat  the  great  war- 
cliief  ^linavavana,  side  bv  side  with  Henrv's  master, 
Wenniwav.  Thinurs  had  remained  for  some  time 
in  this  j)osition,  when  Henry  observed  an  Indian 
stoo})ing  to  enter  at  tlie  low  aperture  which  served 
for  a  door,  and,  to  his  great  joy,  recognized  his 
friend  and  brother,  Wawatam,  whom  he  had  last 
seen  on  the  dav  before  the  massacre.  Wawatam 
said  nothing  ;  but,  as  he  j)assed  the  trader,  he 
shook  him  by  the  hand,  in  token  of  encouragement, 
and,  proceeding  to  the  head  of  the  lodge,  sat  down 
with  Wennivvay  and  the  war-chief.  After  he  had 
smoked  with  them  for  a  while  in  silence,  he  rose 
and  went  out  again.  Very  soon  he  came  back, 
followed  by  his  squaw,  who  brought  in  her  hands 
a  valuable  present,  which  she  laid  at  the  feet  of 
the  two  chiefs.  AVawatam  then  addressed  them 
in  the  following  speech  :  — 

"  Friends  and  relations,  what  is  it  that  I  shall 
say  ?  You  know  what  I  feel.  You  all  have 
friends,  and  brothers,  and  children,  whom  as  your- 
selves you  love;  and  you,  —  what  would  you  ex- 
perience, did  you,  like  me,  behold  your  dearest 
friend  —  your  brother  —  in  the  condition  of  a  slave  ; 
a  slave,  exposed  every  moment  to  insult,  and  to 
menaces  of  death  ?  ^I'his  case,  as  yon  all  know,  is 
mine.  See  there,  [pointing  to  Henry.]  my  friend 
and  brother  among  slaves,  —  himself  a  slave  ! 


Ik 


']'j() 


TlIK    MASSACRi:. 


[17(53,  June. 


(( 


li 


mn 


Yon  all  well  know  that,  long  before  the  war 
began,  I  adoijtcd  him  as  my  brother.  From  that 
moment  he  became  one  of  my  fumilv,  so  tliat  no 
ehantjc  of  circunibtanees  could  break  the  cord 
whicli  fastened  ns  toi'ether. 

••  He  is  my  brother;  and  because  I  am  your 
relation,  he  is  therefore  your  relation  too  ;  and 
how,  being  your  relation,  can  he  be  your  slave] 

"  On  the  day  on  which  the  war  began,  you  were 
fearful  lest,  on  this  very  account,  I  should  reveal 
your  secret.  You  recjuested,  therefore,  that  I  would 
leave  the  fort,  and  even  cross  the  lake.  I  did  so ; 
but  I  did  it  with  reluctance.  I  did  it  with  reluc- 
tance, notwithstanding  that  you,  ]\Iinavavana,  who 
had  the  conunand  in  this  enterprise,  gave  me  your 
promise  that  you  would  protect  my  fric>nd,  deliver- 
ing him  from  all  danger,  and  giving  him  safely  to 
me. 

"  The  ])crformance  of  this  projuise  I  now  claim. 
I  come  not  with  empty  hands  to  ask  it.  Y^ou,  Min- 
avavana,  best  know  whether  or  not,  as  it  respects 
yourself,  )  on  have  kept  your  word ;  but  I  bring 
these  .goods  to  buy  off  every  claim  which  any  man 
among  you  all  may  have  on  my  brother  as  his 
prisoner."  ^ 

To  this  speech  the  war-chief  returned  a  favor- 
able answer.     Wawatam's  request  was  acceded  to, 

1  Henry,  Travels,  102.  Tlie  autlienticity  of  tliis  very  interesting  book 
lias  never  been  questioneil.  Henry  was  living  at  Montreal  as  late  as  the 
year  1809.  In  ITltT  he,  with  others,  clainieil,  in  virtue  of  Indian  grants, 
a  large  tract  of  land  west  of  the  River  t'nyalioga,  in  the  present  State  of 
Oiiio.  A  letter  from  him  is  extant,  dated  in  April  of  that  year,  in  whieh 
he  oflors  this  land  to  the  Connecticut  Land  Company,  at  one-sixth  of  a 
dollar  an  acre. 


[17ti3,  June. 

the  war 
rom  that 

that  no 
the    cord 

am  your 
too  ;  and 
slave  ] 
you  were 
1(1  reveal 
t  I  would 
I  did  so ; 
ith  reluc- 
ana,  who 
me  your 
1,  deliver- 
safely  to 

3W  claim. 

ou,  Min- 

respects 

I  bring 

my  mau 

tr  as  his 

a  favor- 
ceded  to, 

■resting  book 
IS  late  as  the 
uUan  grants, 
ent  State  of 
.^ar,  in  wliicli 
ne-sixth  of  a 


170n,  June.] 


rAVMnAI.TSM. 


3.)  7 


the  present  was  nrrr'pted.  and  tlie  ))risoner  re- 
leased. ll(^nrv  soon  found  himself  in  tlu^  Iodide  of 
his  friend,  wli(>re  furs  w(ue  sj)read  for  Inm  to  lie 
upon,  food  and  drink  brought  for  his  r(>freshment, 
iind  every  thing  done  to  ])romote  his  comfort  that 
Indian  hospitality  could  suggest.  As  he  lay  in  tlit^ 
lodge,  on  the  day  aft(>r  his  release,  he  heard  a  loud 
noise  from  within  the  prison-house,  which  stood  close 
at  hand,  and,  looking  through  a  crt^vice  in  the  bark, 
he  saw  the  dead  bodies  of  seven  soldiers  dragged 
out.  It  appeared  that  a  noted  chief  had  just 
arrived  from  his  winteriuij:  jj-round.  IlaviuLT  come 
too  late  to  take  part  in  the  grand  achievement  of 
his  countrvmen,  he  was  anxious  to  manifest  to  all 
present  his  entire  approval  of  what  had  been  done, 
and  with  this  design  he  had  entered  the  lodge  and 
despatched  seven  of  the  prisoners  with  his  knife. 

The  Indians  arc  not  hal)itual  cannibals.  After 
a  victory,  however,  it  often  happens  that  the  bodies 
of  their  enemies  are  consumed  at  a  formal  war- 
feast —  a  superstitious  rite,  adapted,  as  they  think, 
to  increase  their  courage  and  hardihood.  Such  a 
feast  took  ]dace  on  the  present  occasion,  and  most 
of  the  chiefs  partook  of  it,  though  some  of  them, 
at  least,  did  so  with  repugnance. 

About  a  week  had  now  elapsed  since  the  mas- 
sacre, and  a  revulsion  of  feeling  began  to  take 
place  among  the  Indians.  Up  to  this  time  all  had 
been  triumph  and  exultation  ;  but  they  now  began 
to  fear  the  consequences  of  their  conduct.  In- 
definite and  absurd  rumors  of  an  ap])roaching 
attack  from  the  English  were  afloat  in  the  camp, 


358 


THE   MASSACRE. 


[1763,  JuNB. 


hi 


and,  in  their  growiiii,'  une;isiness,  they  tliouglit  it 
ex[)cdient  to  shift  their  position  to  some  point 
more  capahle  of  defence.  Tliree  hnnched  and 
fifty  warriors,  with  their  famihes  and  honseliold 
effects,  emharked  in  canoes  for  tlic  Island  of  Mich- 
ilHmaekinac,  seven  or  eij^ht  tniles  distant.  Wa- 
watam,  with  his  friend  Henry,  was  of  the  numher. 
Stronijf  gusts  of  wind  came  from  tlic  nortli,  and 
when  the  fleet  of  canoes  was  half  way  to  the  Ishind, 
it  blew  a  gidc,  the  waves  pitching  and  tossing  with 
snch  violence,  that  the  frail  and  heavv-laden  vessels 
were  mnch  endangered.  Many  voices  were  raised 
in  prayer  to  the  Great  Spirit,  and  a  dog  was  thrown 
into  the  lake,  as  a  sacrifice  to  appease  the  angry 
maniton  of  the  waters.  The  canoes  weathered  the 
storm,  and  soon  drew  near  the  island.  Two  scpiaws, 
in  the  same  canoe  with  Henry,  raised  their  voices 
in  monrnful  wailinii:  fi'Hd  lamentation.  Late  events 
had  made  him  sensible  to  every  hnpression  of  hor- 
ror, and  these  dismal  cries  seemed  ominons  of  some 
new  disaster,  nntil  he  learned  that  they  were  called 
forth  by  the  recollection  of  dead  relatives,  whose 
graves  were  visible  npon  a  neighboring  point  of  the 
shore. 

The  Island  of  ^Michillimackinac,  or  Mackinaw, 
owing  to  its  situation,  its  beanty,  and  the  fish  which 
the  snrronnding  water  snpplied,  had  long  been  a 
favorite  resort  of  Indians.  It  is  about  three  miles 
wide.  So  clear  are  the  waters  of  Lake  Huron, 
which  wash  its  shores,  that  one  may  count  the  peb- 
bles at  an  incredible  depth.  The  island  is  fenced 
round  by  white  limestone  cliffs,  beautifully  contrast 


t'^ 


^:  j: 


[17G3,  JcNB. 


171)3,  JcvE.] 


MA^KIXAW  ISLAND. 


359 


liouj^lit  it 
nic  ])oint 
died  and 
lonsoliold 

of  :siuh- 

it.  Wii- 
)  number. 
)rtli,  and 
le  Island, 
sing  with 
en  vessels 
?re  raised 
IS  tlirown 
the  angry 
hered  the 
o  squaws, 
eir  voices 
ite  events 
n  of  hor- 
s  of  some 
n'o  called 
s,  whose 
int  of  the 

ackinaw, 
h  which 

been  a 
ee  miles 

Huron, 
the  peb- 
is  fenced 
contrast 


fr 


ing  witli  the  green  foliage  that  half  covers  them, 
and  in  tlie  centre  the  land  rises  in  woodv  hei-Hits. 
The  rock  wliich  forms  its  foundation  assumes  fan- 
tastic sliapes  —  natural  bridges,  caverns,  or  slmrp 
pinnacles,  whicli  at  this  day  are  ])oiute(l  out  as  the 
curiosities  of  tlie  region.  Fu  many  of  the  caves 
have  been  found  ([uautities  of  human  bones,  as  if, 
at  some  period,  the  island  had  served  as  a  grand 
dei)ository  for  tlie  dead  ;  yet  of  tliese  remains  the 
present  race  of  Indians  can  give  no  account.  TiC- 
gends  and  superstitions  attacluMl  a  mysterious  celeb- 
rity to  the  ])lace,  and  here,  it  was  said,  the  fairies  of 
Indian  trathtion  might  often  l)e  seen  dancing  upon 
the  wliite  rocks,  or  basking  in  the  moonliglit.' 

I'he  Indians  landed  at  the  marii^iu  of  a  little  bav. 
Unlading  their  canoes,  and  lifting  them  high  and 
dry  upon  the  beach,  they  began  to  erect  tlieir 
lodges,  and  before   niglit  had  completed  the  work. 

1  Tradition,  preserved  by  Henry  Conner.  See  also  Scliooicraf't,  A/^/ic 
lieacarr/Ks,  II.  I'j'J. 

"  Tiieir  tradition  concerning  the  name  of  this  little  island  is  curious. 
They  say  tliat  Micliaiious,  the  chief  of  spirits,  sojourned  lonj;  in  tiiat 
vicinity.  Tiiey  believed  that  a  mountain  on  tiie  i)i)rder  of  the  lake  was 
the  place  of  his  abode,  and  they  called  it  by  his  name.  It  was  here,  say 
tliey,  that  he  first  instructed  man  to  fabricate  nets  for  taking  fish,  and 
where  he  has  collecteil  tiie  greatost  (piantity  of  these  finny  inhaliit.ints  of 
the  waters.  On  the  island  he  'eft  spirits,  named  Imakiiiakos;  and  frotu 
tliese  aerial  possessors  it  has  receivi'd  the  apiwllalion  of  Micliillimakinac. 

"When  the  savages,  in  thnse  quarters,  make  a  feast  offish,  tliey 
invoke  the  spirits  of  the  island,  thank  them  for  their  bounty,  and  entreat 
them  to  continue  their  protection  to  their  families.  They  demand  of  them 
to  i)reserve  their  nets  and  canoes  from  the  swelling;  ami  destructive  bil- 
lows, when  the  lakes  are  agitated  by  storms.  All  who  assist  in  the  cere- 
mony lengthen  their  voices  togetiier,  wiiich  is  an  act  of  gratitude.  In 
the  observance  of  this  tluty  of  their  religion,  they  were  formerly  very 
punctual  and  scrupulous  ;  but  the  Frencli  rallied  them  so  much  ui)on  the 
subject,  that  they  became  ashamed  to  practise  it  openly."  —  lJ«;riot, 
Travels  in  Canada,  185. 


i     I 


lif 


:':  i 


'!i- 


■■i 


J360 


TIIK   MASSACIJR. 


[17'')^,  JUSR. 


^IcsscMi^cM's  arrived  on  the  \\v\t  day  from  I'outiiic, 
infonniii'^  tluMii  that  he  was  l)('si('«;iii^  Detroit, 
and  ur^iii;^  tliLMu  to  coino  to  his  aid.  But  tlioir 
uarlikc  ardor  liad  \vrll-ni<j;h  died  out.  A  sense- 
less alarm  ])reNaiIed  amonj^  tliem,  and  they  now 
thon;j;ht  morc^  of  seeurinij^  their  own  safety  than  of 
injuring'  the  enemy.  A  vi«j;ilant  watch  was  kept  up 
all  (lay,  and  the  nnusnal  precaution  taken  of  plac- 
ing guards  at  night.  TluMr  fears,  however,  did 
not  prevent  them  from  seizing  two  English  trad- 
ing canoes,  which  had  come  from  ^Montreal  hy 
way  of  the  Ottawa.  Among  the  hooty  found  in 
them  was  a  ([uantity  of  whiskey,  and  a  general 
dehauch  was  the  immediate  result.  As  night 
closed  in,  the  dolorous  chanting  of  drunken  songs 
was  heard  from  within  the  lodges,  the  prelude  of  a 
scene  of  riot  ;  and  Wawatam,  knowing  that  his 
friend  Henry's  life  would  he  in  danger,  ])rivately 
led  him  out  of  the  camp  to  a  cavern  in  the  hills, 
towards  the  interior  of  the  island.  Here  the  trader 
spent  the  night,  in  a  solitude  made  doubly  dreary 
by  a  sense  of  his  forlorn  and  perilous  situation. 
On  waking  in  the  morning,  he  found  that  he  had 
been  lying  on  human  bones,  which  covered  the 
floor  of  the  cave.  The  place  had  anciently  served 
as  a  charnel-house.  Here  he  spent  another  solitary 
night,  before  his  friend  came  to  apprise  him  that 
he  might  return  with  safety  to  the  camp. 

Famine  soon  begin  among  the  Indians,  who 
were  sometimes  without  food  for  davs  t()":ether. 
No  complaints  were  heard  ;  but  witli  faces  black- 
ened, in    sign    of   sorrow,  they  patiently  endured 


17t<3,  June. 

l^)ntiac, 
Detroit, 
lit  tlieir 
V  sense- 
ley  now 

than  of 
kept  n[) 
of  1  )1  ac- 
re r,  did 
sli  trad- 
treal  by 
onnd  in 

general 
s  night 
)n  songs 
iide  of  a 
tliat  his 
)iivately 
lie  hills, 
e  trader 
dreary 

nation. 

he  had 

cd  the 
served 

solitary 

im  that 

IS,  who 
)gether. 
black- 
?ndured 


ITC],  June.] 


GKKKN   BAY. 


'MW 


the  privation  W'th  tliat  resignation  under  inevit- 
able suffering,  wliieh  distingiiislies  the  whole  In- 
dian race.  They  were  at  lengtii  coniixdled  to 
cross  over  to  tlie  north  shore  of  Lake  Huron, 
where  fish  were  more  al)undant ;  and  liere  they 
remained  until  the  end  of  suninun*,  wlnm  they 
gradually  dispersed,  each  family  repairing  to  its 
winter  hunting-grounds.  Henry,  painted  and  iit- 
tired  like  an  Indian,  followed  his  friend  Wawatam, 
and  s[)ent  a  lonely  winter  among  the  frozen  f(n-ests, 
hunting  the  bear  and  moose  for  subsistence.' 

'Die  ])osts  of  Green  Hay  and  the  Sault  Ste.  Marie 
did  not  share  the  fate  of  Michillimackinac.  During 
the  preceding  winter,  Ste.  Marie  had  been  partially 
destroyed  by  an  accidental  tire,  and  was  therefore 
abandoned,  the  garrison  witlidrawing  to  ]\Iicliilli- 
mackinac,  where  many  of   them    perished   in  tlie 

1  Tlie  following?  description  of  Miiiavavana,  or  the  Grand  .Sauteur,  wlio 
was  the  leader  of  the  OjibwaH  at  the  massacre  of  Michillimackinac,  is 
drawn  from  Carver's  Tnirrls  :  — 

'■  The  first  I  accosted  were  Chipoways,  inhahiting  near  the  Ottowawr 
lakes  ;  who  received  me  with  great  cordiality,  and  sliook  m^  hv  the  hand, 
in  token  of  friondship.  At  .^ome  little  distance  behind  the  '  tood  a  chief 
remarkably  tall  and  well  made,  but  of  so  stern  an  aspect  tha  the  most 
undaunted  person  couhl  not  behold  him  without  feeling  soin  egrce  of 
terror.  He  seeineil  to  have  parsed  the  meridian  of  life,  an(!  i,\  the  mode 
in  which  he  was  painted  and  tatowed,  I  tliscovered  tliat  he  was  of  high 
rank.  However,  I  approached  him  in  a  courteous  manner,  ami  e.\i)ected 
to  have  met  with  the  same  reception  I  had  done  from  the  others  ;  hut,  to 
my  great  surprise,  he  withheld  his  hand,  and  looking  fiert'ely  at  me,  said, 
in  the  Chipeway  tongue,  '  (\iirin  niahishin  s(ui<in<is}i,'  that  is,  '  The  Kngli.xh 
are  no  good.'  As  he  had  his  tomahawk  in  his  hand,  I  expected  that  tiiis 
laconick  sentence  would  have  been  followed  by  a  blow  ;  to  jjrevent  which 
I  drew  a  pistol  from  my  belt,  and,  holding  it  in  a  careless  position,  passed 
close  by  him,  to  let  him  see  I  was  not  afraid  of  him.  .  .  .  Since  I  came 
to  England,  I  have  been  informed,  that  the  (Jrand  Sautor,  having  ren- 
dered himself  more  and  more  (hsgustful  to  the  English  by  his  inveterate 
enmity  towards  them,  was  at  length  stabbed  in  his  tent,  as  he  encamped 
near  Michillimackinac,  by  a  trader."  —  Carver,  96. 


<  i 


^'401 


•i  ',  s- 


HI  m* 


I  nil 


362 


THE   MASSACUE. 


[  1  :*•,:;,  Ji;xK. 


■) 


Tviiissiirro.  The  fort  at  Grocn  Hay  first  iTccivtMl  an 
Eiiu:lisli  {garrison  in  the  vear  17()1,  at  thv  <:\mv  time 
with  tlio  otlior  posts  of  tliis  rofjjioii.  'i'lio  force 
consisted  of  seventeen  nwu,  of  tlie  GOth  or  Koyal 
American  reiiimiMit,  cotnmanded  bv  I/ienteniint 
(jtorell.  Tboii_i;;li  so  {cw  in  nnmber,  their  (hities 
were  of  ;i  very  im[)ortant  character.  In  the  n(M^h- 
borhood  of  (Jrecu  J5ay  yww  numerons  and  powcr- 
fnl  Indian  tribes,  'i'lie  Menomonies  Hv(>d  at  tlie 
montli  of  Vox  Iviver,  clos(>  to  tlie  fort.  The  Win- 
nebagoes  ]iad  sev(M"al  villa<j^<>s  on  tlic  bdvc  which 
bears  their  name,  and  tlie  Sacs  and  Foxes  were 
estabUshed  on  the  Iviver  Wisconsin,  in  a  birge  vil- 
higo  coinposed  of  lionses  neatly  bnilt  of  lou^s  and 
bark,  and  snrronnded  by  fields  of  corn  and  vei^eta- 
blcs.'  AVest  of  the  ]\lississi})pi  was  the  powerfid 
nation  of  the  Dahcotab.  whose  strentjth  was  loosely 
estimated  at  thirtv  thonsand  fiijlitini;-  men,  and 
who,  in  the  excess  of  their  hanghtiness,  styled  the 
snrronndinix  tribes  their  doy;s  and  slaves.^  The 
commandant  of  Green  Bay  was  the  representative 
of  the  British  government,  in  commnnication  w'itli 
all  these  tribes.  It  devolved  npon  him  to  secnre 
their  friendship,  and  keep  them  at  peace ;  and  he 
was  also  intrnsted,  in  a  great  measure,  with  the 
power  of  reg'dating  the  fur-trade  among  them.  In 
the  course  of  each  season,  parties  of  Indians,  from 
every  quarter,  would  come  to  the  fort,  each  expect- 
ing to  be  received  with  speeches  and  presents. 

1  Carver,  IVavch,  47. 

'^  Gort-ll,  ./oitriKil,  MS.  The  oriji;inal  manuscript  is  preserved  in  the 
library  of  tlie  Maryland  Historic  il  Society,  to  which  it  was  presented  by 
Itobert  Gilmor,  Esq. 


17<'i:;,  Junk, 


17C;?,  Jl!NK.] 


TACT   OV  GOllHLL 


;](;:] 


mv(m1  an 
u\v  time 
ir  force 
r  1  loyal 
Miteiiant 
r  duties 
c  iuMi»;li- 

powor- 
(1  at  tlie 
lie  AViu- 
e  wliicli 
:cs   were 
ar<^e  vil- 
l()<:;s  and 
I  ve<i;eta- 
[)owerful 
s  loosely 
en,    ;ind 
vied  the 
Tlie 
sentative 
ion  with 
o  secure 

and  he 
yith  the 

m.     In 
Ins,  from 

expect- 

its. 


[ved  in  the 

lesented  by 


Gor(^ll  seems  to  have  ac(piitted  himself  with  great 
judgment  and  prudence.  On  first  arriving  at  the 
fort,  he  had  found  its  defences  decayed  and  ruin- 
ous, tlie  Canadian  inhahitants  unfriendly,  i»ud  many 
of  th(^  Indians  disj)osed  to  hostility.  His  good 
con(hict  contrihuted  to  allay  their  irritation,  and 
he  was  ])articularly  successful  in  conciliating  his 
innn(uliate  neighhors,  the  Menomonies.  They  had 
taken  iui  active  i)art  in  the  late  war  !)etween  France 
and  England,  and  their  spirits  were  humhled  hy  the 
losses  they  had  sustained,  as  well  as  hy  recent  rav- 
ages of  the  small-pox.  Gorell  summoned  them  to 
a  council,  and  delivered  a  speech,  in  which  he 
avoided  wounding  their  pride,  hut  at  the  j^-ame  time 
assumed  a  tone  of  firnmess  and  decision,  such  as 
can  alone  command  an  Indian's  respect.  He  told 
them  that  the  King  of  England  had  heard  of  their 
ill  conduct,  but  that  he  was  ready  to  forget  all  that 
had  passed.  If,  however,  they  should  again  give 
him  cause  of  complaint,  he  would  send  an  army, 
numerous  as  the  trees  of  the  forest,  and  utterly 
destroy  them.  Flattering  expressions  of  confidence 
and  esteem  succeeded,  and  the  whole  was  enforced 
by  the  distribution  of  a  few  ])resents.  The  Meno 
monies  replied  by  assurances  of  friendship,  more 
sincerely  made  and  faithfully  kept  than  could  have 
been  expected.  As  Indians  of  the  other  triljes 
came  from  time  to  time  to  the  fort,  they  met  with 
a  similar  reception  ;  and,  in  his  wliole  intercourse 
with  them,  the  constant  aim  of  the  commandant 
was  to  gain  their  good  will.  The  result  was  most 
happy  for  himself  and  his  garrison. 


jl 


11%' 


% 


< 

I 


!-, 


1 1: ;: 


I:  .' 


364 


THE   MASSACRE. 


[17C3,  JCNB. 


On  the  fiftocntli  of  June,  1760,  an  Ottawa  Indian 
bronglit  to  Gorcll  the  following  letter  from  Captain 
Ethcrington :  — 

"  Michillimackinac,  June  11,  1763. 

"  Dear  Sir : 

"  This  place  was  taken  I  y  snrprise,  on  the  sec- 
ond instant,  by  the  Chippeways,  [Ojil)was.]  at  which 
time  Iii(uitenant  Jamet  and  twenty  [fifteen]  more 
were  killed,  and  all  the  rest  taken  prisoners ;  bnt 
onr  good  friends,  the  Ottawas,  have  taken  Lieuten- 
ant Lesley,  me,  and  eleven  men,  out  of  their  hands, 
and  have  promised  to  reinstate  us  again.  You'll 
therefore,  on  the  receipt  of  this,  which  1  send  by 
a  canoe  of  Ottivwas,  set  out  with  all  your  garrison, 
and  what  En^'lish  traders  von  have  with  vou,  and 
come  w-ith  the  Indian  who  gives  you  this,  who  will 
conduct  vou  safe  to  me.  You  must  be  sure  to  fol 
low  the  instruction  vou  receive  from  the  bearer  of 
this,  as  you  are  by  no  means  to  come  to  this  post 
before  you  see  me  at  the  village,  twenty  miles  from 
this.  ...  I  must  once  more  beii:  vou'll  lose  no 
time  in  coming  to  join  me  ;  at  the  same  time,  be 
very  careful,  and  always  be  on  your  guard.  I  long 
much  to  see  you,  and  am,  dear  sir, 

"  Your  most  humble  serv't. 

"  Geo.  Etherington. 

"J.  GOKKLL, 

"  Royal  Americans." 

On  receiving  this  letter,  Gorell  summoned  the 
Menomonies  to  a  council,  told  them  what  the  Ojib- 


'0 


M.U 


7C3,  JCNB. 

,  Indian 
Captain 

le  11,  1763. 

the  sec- 
it  which 
i]  more 
!rs ;  but 
Lieuteii- 
L*  hands, 

You'll 
send  by 
garrison, 
,ou,  and 
vho  will 
e  to  fol 
carer  of 
lis  post 
es  from 

ose  no 
;ime,  be 

I  long 


LINGTON. 


1763,  June.] 


GREEN  BAY  ABANDONED. 


3G5 


Led  the 
e  Ojib- 


was  had  done,  and  said  that  he  and  his  soldiers 
were  going  to  Michillimackinac  to  restore  order ; 
adding,  that  during  his  absence  he  commended  the 
fort  to  their  care.  Great  numbers  of  the  Wiiine- 
ba"oes  and  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  afterwards 
arrived,  and  Gorell  addressed  them  in  nearly  the 
same  words.  Presents  were  given  them,  and  it 
soon  appeared  that  the  greater  part  were  well  dis- 
posed towards  the  English,  though  a  few  were 
inclined  to  prevent  their  departure,  and  even  to 
threaten  hostility.  At  this  juncture,  a  fortunate 
incident  occurred.  A  Dahcotah  chief  arrived  with 
a  message  from  his  people  to  the  following  import : 
They  had  heard,  he  said,  of  the  bad  conduct  of  the 
Ojibwas.  They  hoped  that  the  tribes  of  Green 
Bay  would  not  follow  their  example,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  would  protect  the  English  garrison.  Un- 
less they  did  so,  the  Dahcotah  would  fall  upon 
them,  and  take  ample  revenge.  Tliis  auspicious 
interference  must,  no  doubt,  be  ascribed  to  the 
hatred  with  which  the  Dahcotah  had  long  regarded 
the  Ojibwas.  That  the  latter  should  espouse  one 
side  of  the  cpiarrel,  was  abundant  reason  to  the 
Dahcotah  for  adopting  the  other. 

Some  of  the  Green  Bav  Indians  were  also  at 
enmity  with  the  Ojibwas,  and  all  opposition  to  the 
departure  of  the  English  was  now  at  an  end.  In- 
deed, some  of  the  more  friendly  offered  to  escort 
the  garrison  on  its  way ;  and  on  the  twenty-first  of 
June,  Gorell's  party  embarked  in  several  bateaux, 
accompan'ed    by  ninety  warriors  in  canoes.     Ap- 


■ 


U' 


366 


THE   MASSACKK. 


jlTr,;},  .luLT. 


])roii(']iin<j;  Tslo  du  Castor,  near  the  mouth  of  (nrcn 
15ay,  an  alarm  was  given  that  the  Ojihwas  were 
Iviiiji:  th(Mc  in  amhusli ;  on  wliich  the  ^[enomonies 
raised  the  war-song,  stripped  tliemselves,  and  jjrc- 
j)ared  to  do  hattU^  in  hc^half  of  tlie  Enghsh.  The 
ahirin,  however,  proved  false  ;  and,  having  erossed 
Tiake  ^lichigan  in  safety,  the  party  arrived  at  the 
village  of  I/Arhre  C'roche  on  »the  thirtieth.  The 
Ottawas  came  down  to  the  heaeh,  to  salute  them 
with  a  discharge  of  guns  ;  juid,  on  landing,  they 
were  pnvsented  with  the  pipe  of  peace.  Captain 
Etherington  and  Lieutenant  Eeslic,  with  (deven 
men,  were  in  the  village,  detained  as  prisoners, 
though  treated  with  kindness.  It  was  thought  that 
the  Ottawas  intended  to  disarm  the  party  of  (Jorell 
also  ;  hut  the  latter  gave  out  that  he  would  resist 
such  an  attempt,  and  his  soldiers  were  permitted 
to  retain  their  weapons. 

Several  succeeding  days  were  occupied  hy  the 
Indians  in  holding:  councils.  Those  from  Green 
Bay  requested  the  Ottawas  to  set  their  prisoners 
at  liberty,  and  they  at  length  assented.  A  diffi- 
culty still  remained,  as  the  Ojihwas  had  declared 
that  they  woidd  prevent  the  English  from  passing 
down  to  Montreal.  Their  chiefs  were  therefore 
summoned  ;  and  being  at  this  time,  as  we  have 
seen,  in  a  state  of  nuich  alarm,  they  at  length  re- 
luctantly yielded  the  point.  On  the  eighteenth  of 
July,  the  English,  escorted  by  a  fleet  of  Indian 
canoes,  left  L'Arbre  Croclie,  and  reaching,  without 
mterruption,   the    portage    of    the    River    Ottawa, 


i 


i '. 


tif 


1703,  Aco.] 


ARRIVAL  AT  MONTREAL. 


n()7 


descended  to  ^Nrontreal,  where  tliey  all  arrived  in 
safety,  on  the  thirteenth  of  August.'  Except  the 
garrison  of  Detroit,  not  a  Britisli  soldier  now 
remained  in  the  region  of  the  lakes. 

•  Gorell,  Journal,  MS. 


KM)  OF   VOL.  I.