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Las disgrammas suivants illustrent la mlithoda. 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 r#» [*• JOHN TODD, JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK, JOHN-TODD PAPERS. pr-.-r.r '-!TTo TO I i ■*TPh*' -»«*l««««l FERGUS' HISTORICAL SERIES, No. 3i JOHN TODD, JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK AND JOHN-TODD PAPERS. Historical Sketch and Notes, HY KDWARD GAY MASON, PRESiniNT OK THE Chilago Historical Society. REPRINTED FROM Vol.. IV, Chicago HisroRji^^^i, ^iowferv's Collections r. "Early ChicacJ) iN'iillLLiNois." «... •••.,•,' • f • • • « • • • • CHICAGO: FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY. 1890. .mmmm I \ t I > I • t > I < • <<■:.: • • I • • I < < « 1 . * I I HHl^fl JOHN TODD. By Edward G. Mason of Chicago. JOHN TODD, the first civil governor under the laws of Virginia of the region of which the State of Illi- nois is a part, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsyl- vania, on March 27, 1750. He was a son of David Todd and Hannah Owen, and was early left an orphan. He and his brother Levi came under the care of their uncle, Rev. John Todd, in distinction from whom the subject of this sketch was known as John Todd, Junior. He received his early education at the classical academy of this uncle, in Louisa County, Virginia. This county adjoined that of Hanover, where Patrick Henry spent his early life. Mr. Henry was elected to the house of burgesses, by Louisa County, and he afterward removed there. In its courts he practised law, and it is probable that he thys became acquainted with John Todd in his youth, and his early impressions of him may have had something to do with his after-selection of Todd for the important position of county-lieutenant of Illinois. Todd studied law with Gen. Andrew Lewis, and prac- tised his profession for a short time in the counties of Botetourt and Bedford, in Virginia. He served as aid to Gen. Lewis at the battle of Point Pleasant and in the campaign of 1774 against the Scioto towns. In the fol- lowing year he removed to Kentucky, and joined in the establishment of St. Asaph Station. He was one of those who met at Boonesboro' on May 23, 1775, "under the great elm tree near the fort," to establish the proprietary govern- ment of the so-called colony of Transylvania, comprising more than half of the present State of Kentucky; and II-33-I 155 516625 156 EARLY ILLINOIS. was a leading member of its assembly, the first legislative body organized west of the AUeghanies. He established himself at Todd's Station, near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1776, and in December of that year, with nine others, went through the wilderness to bring the powder which Virginia had granted for the defence of the frontier, from Limestone Creek to the Kentucky forts. His party was defeated on Christmas day by the Indians at the Blue Licks, and he narrowly escaped death near the very place at which he was destined to fall a few years later. • In the spring of 1777, he and Richard Calloway were chosen the fir.st burgesses from Kentucky to the general asseijibly of Virginia, and made the perilous journey to Williamsburg to perform their public duties. He rendered efficient aid in bringing about the expedition of George Rogers Clark to the Illinois, in 1778, and was with that famous soldier at the capture of Kaskaskia and of Vin- cennes. This has been doubted, but the fact is estab- lished by family papers that Todd accompanied Clark in this campaign, and there is a tradition that he was the first man to enter the fort at Kaskaskia when it was taken from the Briti.sh. In October, 1778, the general assembly of Virginia passed "an act for establishing the County of Illinois, and for the more effectual protection and defence thereof" It provides that all the citizens of Virginia settled on the western side of the Ohio shall be included in a distinct county, to be called Illinois County. This practically included the whole region afterward known as the North- west Territory. Of this county, the governor of the State was authorized to appoint a county-lieutenant or comman- dant, who could appoint and commission deputy comman- dants, militia officers, and commissaries, and pardon all offences except murder and treason. On December 12, 1778, Patrick Henry, as governor of JOHN TOUl). 157 jislative iblished icky, in ;rs, went Virginia mestone ated on and he hich he ly were general rney to endered George Ith that of Vin- 5 estab- l^lark in vas the ,s taken /irginia ois, and of." It on the distinct ctically North- e State >mman- m man- don all rnor of Virginia, by virtue of the aforesaid act, appointed John Todd county- lieutenant or commandant of the County of Illinois. He repaired to his new post in the following spring, arriving at Kaskaskia in May, 1779. He was ex- ceedingly busy with the duties of his government during the greater part of that year, and evidently found his position distasteful, for in a letter to the governor of Vir- ginia, dated Kaskaskias, August 18, 1779, he asked per- mission to attend the session of the legislature in the following spring, and "get a discharge from an office which an unwholesome air, a distance from my connexions, a language not familiar to me, and an impossibility of pro- curing many of the conveniences of life suitable, all tend to render uncomfortable." Col. Todd, however, does not appear to have been granted this permission, or to have availed himself of it, and during the few remaining years of his short life, although he seems not to have been in Illinois after 1779, his correspondence shows that he was earnestly attentive to its interests. In 1780, he was elected a delegate from the County of Ken- tucky to the legislature of Virginia, and was married while attending its session of that year, to Miss Jane Hawkins. In the summer of 178 1, Gov. Thomas Jefferson appointed Todd colonel of Fayette County, Kentucky; and in May,^ 1782, he was made one of the trustees of Lexington, in that State, by act of Virginia. In the summer of that year, as senior colonel, he commanded the little force of one hundred and eighty men who went in pursuit of the Indians retreating from Simon Girty's famous raid on the settlements south of the Ohio, and on August 19, 1782, he died heroically at the disastrous battle of the Blue Licks. His only child, Mary Owen Todd, was married first to a Mr. Russell, and afterward became the second wife of Robert VVickliffe of Lexington, Kentucky, and died childless. 158 EARLY ILLINOIS. a v- The original record-book kept by Col. Todd during his residence in the County of Illinois has been preserved to our time by the merest chance. In November 1879, a a visitor at Kaskaskia learned that the old documents formerly kept there had been removed to the neighboring town of Chester, when it became the county-seat of Ran- dolph County, Illinois. Upon inquiry at the latter place, he was informed that several chests of these papers had stood for years in the hall of the court-house, until the greater part of their contents had been lost or destroyed. A small box had been filled with those that remained a few years before, and placed in one of the rooms of the building. These also had disappeared, and it was finally ascertained that they had been distributed among the different offices to be used as kindling, and all had been burned except one old book, which was found in a recep- tacle for fuel in the county-clerk's apartment. And this upon exai lination proved to be Col. John Todd's Record- Book, which subsequently, by vote of the commissioners of Randolph County, was deposited with the Chicago His- torical Society for safe-keeping. Its contents are of suffi- . cient interest and value, in connection with the early history of Illinois, to justify its publication in full in this volume. And in connection with it, such letters of Col. John Todd and those associated with him as could be .found in the Canadian and Virginian archives are also published herein.* * Authorities: — Reynolds' "Pioneer History of Illinois," second editron; John Mason Brown's "Address at the Centennial Commemoration of the Battle of the Blue Licks"; and letters from John Mason Brown and William Wirt Henry. '(« V JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK.* From the original in possession of the Chicago Historical Society, No, 3437. [On the inside of the front cover of the book is written:] Kaskaskias in the Ilinois 29th april 1782. Eighty and touce. This day 10 oClock A:M Je vas Taken out of my house by Isreal Dodge on an order Given by Jno. Dodge in despite of the Civil authoroty Disregardled the Laws and on thcr Malitious acusation of jas. Williams and nicheul pevante as may appear by their deposition Je vas Confined By Tyranick military ff ..e without inaking any Legal aplication to the Civil Magistrates ^oth the attorney for the State La Buinierc presented a petition to the Court against Richard Winston State prisonner in their Custody the Contents of which he (the attornc}' for the State) ought to heave Communicated to me or my attor- ney if any J had.-f [Letter of Instructions from Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, pages i-6:] ^ / -, T- W^^BURG, Dec'r 1 2th, 1778. To John Todd, Esqr ' ' ' ^ By virtue of the act of Gen^ Assembly which estab- * This book contains thirty-nine pages of 10 x 15, laid, ledger-ruled paper, with water- marked "crown J' and letters "D V G" under, and "IV"; enclosed in combed-marbled thin paste-board covers. t This memorandum has no connection with the other contents of the Kecord-Book, and was apparently inscribed by accident on its cover. Richard Winston, by whom it was written, was living in the Illinois Country as early as July, 1773. He was appointed by John Todd captain and commandant at Kaskaskia, May 14, 1779; was also sheriff-in-chief of that district, elected by the people, and was left in command at Kaskaskia by Todd, during his absence in June, 1779. In January, 1781, Winston was still commandant at Kaskas- kia. This memorandum contains the only information we have concerning the revolution in his affairs which made him a State prisoner in 1782. — E. o. m. "ffi^dia&fv J^W5^ 1 60 EARLY ILLINOIS. c i lishes the County of Ilinoies, you are appointed County Liut, a- Command^ there, and for the genrall tennour of your Conduct I rcfur you to the law. The Grand Objects which are disclosed to the View of your countrymen will prove Benificial or otherwise accord- ing to the Valine and Abilities of those who are called to Direct the affairs of that remote Country. The present crisis rendered so favourable by the Good Disposition of the French and Indians may be Improv'd to Great pur- poses, but if unhapily it Should be lost, a returne of the Same attachments to us may never happen. Considering, therefore, that earley Prejudices are so hard to weare Out, you will Take Care to Cultivate and concilate the affec- tions of the French and Indians. Altho Great reliance is placed on your prudence in managing the people you are to reside amoung, yet con- sider'g you as unacquainted in some Degree with their Genius, usages, and maners, as vv^ell as the Geography of the Cuntry, I recommend it to you to consult and advise with the most inteligable and upright persons who may fall in your way. You arc to give perticklar Attention to Cob Clark and his Corps, to whome the State has Great Obligations. You are to cooperate with him on any military under- taking when necessary, and to Give the military every Aid which the circumstance of the people will admit of. the Inhabitints of the Ilinoiss must not .expect setled peace and safety while theire and Our enimyes have footing at Detroit and can Intercept or Stop the Trade of the Mis- sissippi. If the English have not the Strength or or Courage to come to warr against us Themselves, there practice has been and Will be to hire the savages to com- mit murders and depredations. Ilinoiss must expect to pay in these a large price for her freedom unless the ILnglish can be Expelled from Detroit, the means of giMi^^^iiaiisad JOHN TODD S RECORD-BOOK. i6i County tennour View of accord- railed to present sition of 2at pur- e of the iidering, are Out, le afifec- lence in yet con- th their aphy of i advise ho may \vk and gations. unde'r- ery Aid of. the peace 3ting at he Mis- i or or s, there o com- pect to 2ss the eans of Effecting this will not perhaps be found in your or Cob Clark's power, but the French inhabiting the neighbour- hood of that place, it is presumed, may be brought to see it Done with indiferrence or perhaps Joyne in the Enterprize with pleasure, this is but conjecture, when you are on the Spot you and Colo Clark may Discover its fallacey or reallity if the former appearf.s. defence only is to be the Object, if the latter or a good prospect of it, I hope the Frenchmen & Indians at your Disposial will shew a Zeal for the affaire eaquel to the Benefits to be Derived from Establishing Liberty and permanent peace. One Great Good expected from Holding the Ilinoiss is to overaw the Indians from warring on our Settlers on this side the Ohio, a close attention to the Disposition, carector, and movments bf the Hostile Tribes is therefore nessary for you the forces and militia at Ilinoiss by be- ing placed on the back of them may inflict timly Chase- tizement on these enemies, whose Towns are an easy prey in absince of their Warriors. You perceive by these hints that something in the mili- tary line may be Expected from you so farr as the Occa- sion calls for the assistance of the people composing the militia it will be necessory to cooperate with the Troops sent from here, and I know of no better Genl Direction to Give than this, that you Consider yourself at the head of the Civill department, and as Such having the Commd of the militia, who are not to be under the Comm<^l of the military untill ordred out by the Civil Authority, and to Act in conjunction with them. You are on all Accatons to inculcate on the people the Value of liberty and the DifferrencQ between the State of free Citizens of this Comonwelth and that Slavery to which the Ilinoiss was Destined. A free & equal repre- sentation may be Expected by them in a little Time, to- -■•^■Oli T 162 EARLY ILLINOIS. gether with all the improvm^s in Jurisprudence and police which the Other parts of the State enjoy. It is necessary for the Hapiness, increase, and prosperity of that Cuntrey that the Greaveances that obstruct these blessings be known in order to their removall, let it there- fore be your Care to obtain information on that subject, that proper plans may be formed for the Generall Utillity. Let it be your Constant Attention to see that the inhabi- tints have Justice administred to them for any Injury reed from the Troops, the omission of this may be fatalL Colo Clark has Instructions on this Head, and will, I Doubt not, exert himself to curb all licentious practises of the Soldiery, which if unrestrained would produce the most banefull effects. You will also Discountinence & punish every attempt to Violate the property of the Indians, perticularly in their lands. Our enemys have alarmed them much on that score, but I hope from your prudence and Justice that no grounds of CompU will be administred on thi& Subject. You will embrace every opertunity to manifest the high reguard and frendly sentiments of this Commonwelth towards all the Subjects of his Catholic Majesty, for whose safity, prosperity, and advantage you will give every possible advantage. You will make a Tender of the Frendship and Services of y people to the Spanish Commandant neare Kaskaskia, and Cultivate the Strictest Connection with him and his people. I deliver you you a letter which you will hand to him in person.* The Ditaile of your Duty in the civil Department I need not give you, its best Direction will be found in * At this time the whole region west of the Mississippi was under the dominion of Spain, and "the Spanish commandant neare Kaskaskia" was- stationed at Ste. Genevieve, in what is now Missouri, a few miles southwest of Kaskaskia, and on the other side of the Mississippi River. The position at this date was occupied by Monsieur Cartabonne. — k. c, m. M si • 55 JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK. .163 d police osperity ct these it there- subject, Utillity. inhabi- ■ Injury )e fatalL will, I tractises luce the attempt larly in luch on Justice on this lie high )n\velth ty, for I give der of panish rictest 3u you nent I and in nder the ia" was- outhwest position I 1 yr innate love of Justice and Zeal, to be intencively use- full to your fellow -men. A general Direction to act according to the best of y Judgment in cases where these Instructions are Silent and the laws have not Other- wise Directed is given to you from the necessity of the Case, for y Great Distance from Goverm* will not per- mit you to wait for Orders in many Cases of Great Importance. in your negociations with the Indians confine the stip- ula" as much as possible to the single object of obtaining peace from them. Touch not the subject of land or bounderies till pertick^ Orders are rec^; where necessity requ^s it, presents may be made, but be as frugall in that matter as possible and let them know that Goods at pres- ent is Scarce with us, but we expect soon to Trade freely with all the world, and they shall not want when we can get them. The matters given you in Charge are Singular in their ature and Weighty in their Consequences to the people imediately concerned and to the whole State, they require the fullest exertion of y Abillitys & Unwearied Dili- gence. from matters of Genrall Consearn you must Turn Occasionally to Others of less Consequence. Mr. Rose- blave's* wife and Family must not Suffer for want of that property of which they were bereft by Our Troops; it is to be Restored to them if possible, if this cannot be Done the Publick muE ": Support them. I think it proper for you to send n.e an Express once in three months with a Gen' Accot of affaires with you & any perticklars you wish to communicate. It is in contemplation to appoint an agent to mannage * Rocheblave, the last British commandant at Kaskaskia, who surrendered the post to George Rogers Clark and was sent a prisoner to Virginia. His wife and family remained at Kaskaskia. — E. o, M. 'mr 164 EARLY ILLINOIS. Trade on Publick Accounts to Supply Ilinoiss and the Indians with Goods; if such an appointment tal-L_ ■T^-n-" Plan for Borrowing 33,333>^ Dollars of Treasury Notes, both belonging to this State & the United States: [pages 14-5] Whereas, owing to no other reason than the prodigious quantity of Treasury notes now in Circulation, the vallue of almost every Comody has risen to most enormeous Prices, the Preserving the Credit of the Said bills by Reduceing the Quantity requires Some immediate rem- edy, it is therefore Declaried: 1 That 21,000 acres of Land belonging to This Com- monwelth shall be laid of as Soon as may be. Bounded thus: Beginning on the bank of the Missisippe, In the District of Kohokia, at Richd McCartey's Cornor, thence runing up the said river 3500 poles, when reduced to a Straight line, from the Extremities of which at right Angles with the former on the Virginia side 2 lines of equal Length shall run so far, that with another line para- lel with the Course of the River, the Plat Shall containc the Quantity afouresaid. 2 That the said 21,000 (except one thousand to be Hereafter laid off by Government for a Town in the most Convenient part Thereof with In and Out Lotts) shall be a fund for the purpose afoursaid. JOHN TODDS RECORD-BOOK. 169 peratin^ ipted us thin my ^ernment d upon a he mode ays open procecd- isistance. easury odigious le vallue ormeous bills by ate rem- lis Com- pounded In the thence ced to a at right lines of ne para- :ontainc to be he most shall be ■1 1 Provided that every adventurer be Subject to all Laws & regulations in Cultivating & Selling to which Settlers in the County of Ilinoiss shall hereafter be Subjected. 3rd That the lender of money take a certificate from the Comissioners, for that Purpose appointed, for the sum but not being less than 100 Dollars, for which he, his heirs, Exe^, Adm«", or assigns Shall be entitled to Demand within 2 years a Title to his propotion of the land in the Said P"und or the Sum originally advanced, in Gold or Silver with 5 p ct. Interest p anum at the Option of the State. Provicd first that no assignment of such certifycate shall be made or Conveyance but in open Court by Deed to be recorded, (2) That a Deduction shall be made for all money here- after discovered to be Counterfeited. 4 That all persons may have reasonable Inducements to lend, the lender shall have assurance that no greater Sum shall be received than 33,333^ Dollars on said Fund, That Government shall Comply with the above Engagements, & this Plan be Recorded in the Recorder's Office of Kaskaskie. j^^^ ^^^^ PVcnch Translation: [The three following lines are erased.] Plan Pour Emprunter la somme de trente trois mil trois cent trente trois & un tiere piastres monoiss du tresoier de cet Etat ainsi que des Etats unies. Copy of the Instructions, &c., on the Borrowing^ Fund: [page 15] Sir: — You are hereby appointed a Commissionor for Borrowing money upon the Kohoskia Fund. Inclosed is a Coppy of the Plan, the Design you'll Observe is to abridge the Quantity in Circulation — the money paid in m' fff 170 EARLY ILLINOIS. \—* l''- .1 ^\L you will preserve untill you Shall be Caled upon for it. Let every man's Money be kept apart with his nam and Quantity Indorsid thereon, keep a book to Register the No., the Person's names, the Quantity of Money, the date your Receipt, thus: Kohoskia Fund (No. i). I do certify that I have received of the Sum of Dollars, which intiles the said to a propotionable quantity of land in the Kohoskia Fund or Gold & Silver, according to the Plan Recordid in the Recorder's Office of Kaskaskia. Witness my Hand this Day of 1779. HY Crutcher, Comr. [Bond of Commissioner, page 16:] Know all men by these presence that we, Henry Crutcher, George Slaughter & John Roberts, are held and firmly bound Unto Jno Todd, Esq', Commander in Chief of the County of Ilinois, in the Sum of Thirty three Thousand three hundred & thirty three Dollars & one third to be paid to the said John Todd or his successors, to which payment, will & truly to be maid, we do bind Ourselves & each of each of Our heirs, executors, firmly by These Presence. Sealed & Datid this 14th Day of June, in the year 1779. The Condition of the above Obligation is such if the above named Henry Crutcher, Commissioner for the Fund for borrowing certaine Sums of CORtinentall & State Currency, shall at all Times when Required pay and Account for all Sums so received, and in all things Comport himself agreable to Such Rules and Regulations as Shall be Adopted for prosecuting the same, then the Above Obligation to be Void, Otherwise In full force. Test: HY Crutcher. (Seal) Richd Harrison. Geo. Slaughter. (Seal) RicH^ Winston. John Roberts. (Seal) :m WKIKlt^'.Smk' •«!>*^-*i(smm on for it. nam and jister the the date the kia Fund id in the md R, Comr. , Henry- are held ander in -ty three » & one :cessors, do bind s, firmly Day of h if the for the ntall & ed pay I things ulations hen the rce. (Seal) (Seal) (Seal) '- ■pmihb!''^'^' P ^ «! l % W ' " »t j Wr«*'^ ■imim wm^ ■3 PMH ,/, .^ /aA^^ . /'J* .'.a^^ < / V 4 V'' I f '■■■'^****"*^*^*^«^iiN?/.^^ I m*m :f > » »t iw M«| T ■aw»y»v»»-.^yr ''''/U^.^ '^'y?^ iKr^^ y -^**-. 'y^*'%5 -VL^*' * x>^,'<^.^ -. J-o^^'" «WJI^^ yt.-'i... t - ■.>-.,-__^___.,^ / ^--f'?'(A V t^m^i/^ ^ 4lt -»^..> / yr*^ I'?- 'J.-lA.:'.^X*,//^ ' --V^ ^/V*. 'J '■ / « .;^> y^ic^^-o, V "^ ^i/i/yNft^-?** -*"* i^w ,jt\ae/ ^_ / >../ 6- Q/f>"<"* r:>.V-*^»^/ j4',:'-'^-^'^t .*»»«^ a^'-'tJ' , yv< < -/t^ - «^>»yr r .,<»-»«. ^4je'*"f ^ /- '^^ / «•* <»*«,. i)i.f-f-^- r: i '> JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK. 171 Proclamation: [page 17] Ilinois, to wit: Wliereas from the Furtilety & beauti- full Situation of the Lands bordering upon the Missisippy, Ohio, IHnois, & Wabash rivers, the Taking up the usual quantity heretofore allowed for a Setlement by the Gov- ernmnt of Virginia, would injure both the Strength & Commerce of this Country in Future, I do therefore issue this Proclamation strictly enjoining all persons whatsoever from making any New Settlements upon the Flat lands of the said Rivers or within one league of said lands, unless In manor and form of Settle- mt as heretofore made by the French- Inhabitints untill Further Orders given hereon. And in order that all the Claims to Lands within the Said Country may be fully known & some method pro- vided for perpetuating by records the just Claimes, every Inhabit! is required, as soon as conveniently may be, to lay before the persons in each District appointed for that purpose a Memmedo of his or her Land, with Coppys of all theire Vouchers & where vouchers have never been given or are lost, such Depositions & Certify as will best Tend to Support there Claims. Such memdo to mention the Quantity of land, to whome Origonally granted, or by whome Settled, and when; deducing the Title thro the Various Occupants to the Present possessor. The number of Adventurers who will Soon Over run This Country renders the above method necessesary, as well to Assertain the Vacant Land as to Guard against Tres- passes, which will probably be Committed upon Land not of Record, Given under my Hand & Seal at Kaskaskia, the 14th day of June, 1779. John Todd. 12-33-2 MM 172 EARLY ILLINOIS. ■si »J Warrant for Execution: [erased, page i8] Ilinois, to wit: To Richard Winston, Esq., Sherifif in Chief of the District of Kaskaskia: Negro Manuel, a Slave, in your Custody, is condemned by the Court of Kaskaskia, after having made honorable Fine at the Door of the Church, to be chained to a post at the water side & there to be burnt alive, & his ashes scattered, as appears to me by Record. This Sentence you are hereby required to put in Execution on tuesday next, at 9 o'Clock in the morning; and this shall be your Warrant. Given under my hand & seal at Kaskaskia, the 13th day of June, in the third year of the Common- wealth. [John Todd to Richard Winston, page 18:] Sir: — During my absence the Command will devolve upon you as Commander of Kaskaskia — if Colo Clark should want anything more for his Expodition, consult the members of the Court upon the best mode of pro- ceeding, if the people will not Spare wilingly, if in there power, you must press it, valueing valluing the Property by Two men upon Oath — let the Millitary have no pre- test for forcing property. When you Order it, & the people will not find it, then it will be Time for them to Interfere — by all means keep up a Good Understanding with Colo Clark and the Officers — if this is not the Case you will be Unhapy. I am, sir, y^ Hble Servt, John Todd, To Richd Winston, P^sqr. June 15, 1779. [John Todd to Nicholas Janis, page 19:] To Capt. Nicholas Janis: — You are hereby required JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK. 173 8] if in Chief jndemned lonorable to a post his ashes Sentence n tuesday il be your waskaskia. Common- 18:] il devolve olo Clark 1, consult le of pro- if in there Property e no pre- it, & the • them to irstanding the Case ODD, 15. 1779- 9:] r required to call upon a partey of your Militia to guard Morace, a Slave condemed to execution, up to the Town of Kohos. put them under an Officer they shall be intitled pay, Rashtions, & Refreshment dureing the Time they shall be upon Duty, to be certifyed hereafter by you. I am, sir, your Hble Servant, JnO Todd, 15th June, 1779. I recommend 4 or 5 from your Compy & as many from Capt. Placey's, and consult Mr. Lacroix about the Time necessary. J. T. ! i ■jm [Proclamation, pages 19, 20:] Ilinoiss, to wit: Whereas the emissions of Continentall money Dated the 20th May, 1777, and Apl nth, 1778, were required to be paid into some Continental Treasury by the first of June, which was a day imposible with the People of Ilinoiss, I do therefore notifye all persons who have money of the said emissions, that unless they shall as soon as posi- ble Comply with the said Resolution of Congress and Produce Vouchers of such there imposibility, the mony must Sink in there Hands; the Vouchers must be certi- fyed by myself or some Deputy Commandant of this County and have Reference to the Bundle of mony num- bred and seald. Signd by order of the Commandant in Chief, at Kas- kaskia, July 27th, 1779. John Todd. Coppy, HV Crutcher, Secy. D'autant que la Monnoye Ameriquaine en datte du 20 May, 1777, et celle du 1 1 Avril, 1778, ont ete requises pour etrc remises a Quelquc tresorier du Continent au premier des Juin, dernier chose impossible pour les gens des Ilinois. 174 EARLY ILLINOIS. Le present est pour avertir toutes personnes qui ont des cartes des susdits quantiemes de se conformer au sus- ditte Resolution du Congres et produire des certificats de la ditte impossibilite, si non I'argent sera perdu pour eux. Les certificats serons signe de moy ou de quelque Depute Commandant de cette Comtee ayant toujours recours aux liesses de Monnoye numerotec et cachcttee. Signe par ordre du Commandant en chef, July 27, 1779. [Order to hold Court, page 21:] To Gabriel Cerre, &c., Esqrs, Judges of the Court for the District of Kaskaskia: You are Hereby Authorized & required to Hold and Constitute a Court on Satterday, the 21st of July, at the Usiall place of Holding Court, within yr District, any adjournment to the Contrary notwithstanting. Provided that no Suitor or partey be compeled to an- sware any prosess upon said Day unless properly sumoned by the Clark & Shirriff. Given under my Hand & Seal at Kaskaskia, July 31st, 1779. John Todd. m [Letter to Spanish Commandant at Ste. Genevieve, page 21:] Aux Kaskaskas, 9 d'Aout, 1779. Monsieur Cartabonne, Comdt St. Genevieve: II sera a I'advantage de chaque Gouvernment que tout voitures en commerce partant des Illinois, seront oblige a livrer leur effets ou Carguaisons dans le Ports de Sa Majeste Catholique qui sont situe enbas de ce Poste, et qui les Proprictaires donne leurs obligations cautionc dans les Offices respectives, avant quils *iuront permission pour JOHN TODDS KECORD-BOOK. I7S leurs depart, Tadvantage d'un tel arangement avec le Gour- vernment Espagnole et trop clair pour en demander des explanations, en sort que tout commerce de notre Bord se jetterai parmis nos Amis.' L'advantage a I'Etat de Virginie sera que nos Enmis de Natchez et Manchac seront deprive de tout provisions decendons de notre Posts. Je soit d'avoir votre reponse a cet convention par le Porteur si ca sera possible. Comme de quasi sert til que je contraindre nos Inhabitants, quand les Garrisons des Anglais peuve etre fournis dans leurs besoins par vos Sujets. Jai aucune nouvelles a vous communique hors que le le Colonel Clark n'a pas encore parti du Post Vincennes. Si en cas quelques Ennemis vous interrompe et que nos forces peuve vous rendu Service, Je suis ordonne depart du Gouverneur de la Virginie de vous envoyer des Secours. Jai I'honneur d'etre tout parfait. [Proclamation, page 22:] The Inhabitants of Kaskaskia are for the last time invited to contract with the persons appointed for pro- vision, especially Flower, for the Troops who will shortly be here. I hope they'll use properly the Indulgeance of a mild Government. If I shall be obliged to give the military permission to press, it will be a disadvantage, and what ought more to influence Freemen it will be a dishonor to the people. . Published by order of the Commit in chief at Kaskas- kia, nth Augt, 1779. Sent to Mons' Leyba a Letter to the Same Eflfect & reed an Answer. 176 EARLY ILLINOIS. i 1 \ t ' I ■\ " t II II 1 1 i 6 [Form of Draft on Governor of Virginia, page 23:] To his Excellency the Governor of Virginia: Please to pay to C D or Order the sum of Dollars which is due to him from the State of Virginia for sun- dries furnished the Militia & Indians, as appears by Vouchers to me rendered. Given under my hand at Kaskaskia, the nth August, 1779. Mr. J. B. Z. LaCroix, Dol. 78, Augt 11, 1779. [Proclamation, pages 23-4:] Illinois, to wit: Whereas the Demands of the State require that a Stock of Provision be immediately laid for the use of the Troops of the Common- Wealth, and that an Embargo be laid upon such Provision for a limited time. I do therefore issue this Proclamation stritely enjoining all Inhabitants and others in the County of Illinois from exporting either by Land or Water any Provisions what- soever for the space of Sixty days, unless I shall have assurance before that time that a sufficient Stock is laid up for the Troops or sufficient Security is given to the Contractors for its delivery whenever required. The Offender herein shall be subjected to Imprison- ment for One Month and more over forfeit the value of such exported Provision. Given under my hand and seal at Kaskaskias, 22nd August, 1779. Les Demandes de L'Etat requerant qu'une quantite de Provisions soyent immediatement serree pour L'usage des des Troupes de la Republique, Et qu'un Embargo soit mis sur toutes Provisions pour un Tems limite. • U wm JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK. 177 age 23:] Dollars , for sun- pears by h August, 9- the State y laid for and that a limited enjoining nois from ons what- ihall have ck is laid en to the Imprison- e value of :ias, 22nd En consequence de quay Je public cette proclamation pour defendre strictement a tous les Habitants et autres I dans les Compte des Illinois, d'Exporter par Terre ou par Eau, aucunne Espece de revisions que ce Soit, a com- mencer immediatement et durer I'Espace de Soixante I Jours, amoin qu'une quantite suffisant pour les Troupes ne soit remise, ou que Surete soit donne aux Contracteurs V pour la delivree des dittes Provisions a leur demande. Touttes Personnes qui Contreviendront a la presente Proclamation, seront Sujits a Un mois d'Emprisonment, et a la Confiscation des Provisions qu'ils auront exporte ou la Valeur. Donne sous ma Main et Sceau aux Kaskaskias, le 22 d'Aout, 1779. [Notice concerning Called-in Currency, page 24:] Illinois, to wit: The publick are notified that after tomorrow no more Certificates will be Granted at Kaskaskia to Persons pro- ducing the called in Emmissions. Published by Order, Augt. 22nd, 1779. Le public est Notifie qua'pres demain, il ne sera plus donne de Certificat aux Kaskaskia, aux Personnes qui pro- duirent des Argents des dattes lappeller. Public par Ordre, Le 22 d'Aout, 1779. uantite de usage des o soit mis [Record of Order on Governor of Virginia, page 25:] October 7th, 1779. Order given pat. Mc Crosky on the Govt- for 140 Dollars, dated at Kasa 7th Oct. 1779 (No. 2) (140), by certificate from Mr. Helm. ;^ 178 EARLY ILLINOIS. jj [Condemnation Proceeding, pages 25, 26;] Advertised by notifying at the Door of the Church of Kaskaskia the Half a lot above the Church, Joing Picard on the East & Langlois on the West, that unless some person should appear & support their Claim to the said Lot within three Days it should he condemned to the Use of the Commonwealth. S^ notification was dated 4th Oct., 1779. Ilinois, to wit: Whereas after publickly calling upon any peron or persons to shew & make appear any Claim which they might have to a certain Lot of Land contain- ing one half acre be the same more or less lying in the Town of Kaskaskia near the Church, adjoining Mons. Picard on the East & Mons. Langlois on the West, & after delaying & waiting the appointed time & no person yet appearing to claim the same against the Commonwealth of Virginia, I do declare & adjudge the said Lot to belong to the said commonwealth, & that all persons whatsoever be thenceforth debarred & precluded forever from any Claim thereto. Given under my Hand at Kaskaskia the 13th day of October in the fourth year of the Common- wealth, Annog Domani 1779. JN© ToDD, Jr. Copy of a Grant to Col. Montgomery. [Page 26.] [Remainder of the page containing the Grant torn out] [Court Record, page 27:) La Cour a ete ouverte le cinq juin Mil sept cent quatre- vingt sept. Et La renvoye au cinq du mois juiliet prochain au Kaskaskias, le 5 juin, 1787, Henry Smith. ^i^m^ r^m JOHN TODDS RECOKD-HOOK. 179 [Oath of Allegiance, page 28:] I do swear on the Holy evangelists of almighty god that I Renounce all Fidelity to george the third, King of Great Brittan, his Heirs and Sucessors, and that I will bear true allegiance to the united States of America, as free and Independant, as declared by Congress, and that I will not do, nor cause to be done, any matter or thing that may be injurious or Prejudicial to the independce of said states; and that I will make Known to some one Justice of the Peace for the united States all Treasonous, all Treatorous, conspiracies, which may come to my Knowl- edge to be formed against said united States or any one of them. So help me God. Sworn at Kaskaskias, 10 July, 1782. jAMES MooRE. [Court Record, pages 29-36:] La cour ce tien le 25 e juiliet, 1787, a neuf heure Du matin. La cour est envoye au ventdeux du mois d'aous au Kas- kaskias, le 25 e juiliet, 1787. Antoine Bauvais. Fr. Corset. J. S. G. Bauvais. ViTALE Bauvais. La Chanse. L. Brazaux. 1787. La cour est ouverte ajourdhui vingt sept de Septem- |bre mil sept cent quatre vingt et sept. Present, M'- Antoine Beauvais, president et St. geme iBeauvais, et Vital Beauvais et frangois Corset et Louis iBrazeau. J. S. G. Bauvais. Vitale Bauvais. L. Brazaux. Antoine Bauvais, Fr. Corset. La cour est renvoye au quinze du mois Octobre au Kas., [le 27 7bre, 1787. Vitale Bauvais. Antoine Bauvais. Fr. Corset. J. S. G. Bauvais. L. Brazaux. i8o EARLY ILLINOIS. • ( (• Aujourd'hui quinzieme jour du mois octobre mil sept cent quatre vingt sept. La cour tenant a neuf heurs du- matin. La cour est renvoye a deux heurs apre midi ajourd hui. La Chanse. Vitale Bauvais. Fk. Corset. J. S. G. Bauvais. La cour est ouvert a I hcur dits deux heures apremidi. La cour est renvoye le quinze dumois Novembre, prochain au Kaskaskias, le quinzieme Octobre Mil sept cent quatre vingt sept (la cour tenante). La Chanse. J. S. G. Bauvais. Fr. Corset. Vitale Bauvais. Aujourd'hui vingt cinquieme Octobre mil sept cent quatre vingt sept. La cour par extra hordinaire a la de- mande, de Mr. demunbrunt, et fran9ois Carbonaux, defend- eur. Antoine Bauvais, prezidan. Vitale Bauvais. Fr. Corset. L. Brazaux. J. S. G. Bauvais. La Chanse. La cour est ouverte cejourd'hui quinzieme jour dumois Novembre Mil sept cent quatrevingt sept. La cour est renvoye a un heure apremidi. 15 gbre. Antoine Bauvais. Fr. Corset. La Chanse. Vitale Bauvais. J. S. G. Bauvais. La cour est ouverte a im heure apremidi ajourdui. La cour est renvoye dem-'iir pour un affaires Ic i6e gbre 1787. Antoine Bauvais. Fr. Corset. Vitale Bauvais. J. S. G. Bauvais. La Chanse. ■ La cour est ouverte a neuf heure dumatin le seize Novem- bre Mil sept cent quatrevingt sept. Et renvoye a mercredi le 2ie 9bre 1787. Antoine Bauvais, prezidan. Vitale Bauvais. L. Brazaux. J. S. G. Bauvais. La cour ajumee jus qua Samedi le vingt quatrieme jour ^■JMMiMl iLiiSSk JUHN TODD'S RECORD-HOOK. I8l mil sept ^leurs du- idi ajourd l^AIS. AIS. apremidi. prochain ;nt quatre VMS. UVAIS. sept cent e a la de- X, defend- AZAUX. ur dumois I cour est HANSE. as. urdui. La 5bre 1787. Bauvais, le Novem- 1 mercredi rezidan. AUVAIS. rieme jour du moi Novemble, Mil sept cent quatre vingt et sept. Est ouverte adeux lieurs apremidi le jour et ans susdit. Antoine Bauvais, prezidan. JSGB ViTALE Bauvais. Fr. Corset. L. Brazaux. La cour est renvoye au vingt Decembre prochain au Kaskaskias le 24e Qbre 1787. Antoine Bauvais, p:z. J. S. G. Bauvais. L. Brazaux. Fr. Corset. Vitale Bauvais. La cour est ouverte par Extrat ordinere ala demande de Mr. hugt hunard, le 26e Qbre, L'an 1787. L. Brazaux. Fr. Corset. Antoine Bauvais. Vitale Bauvais. N. 7, apartenant a M. hugt hunard. N. 4, apartenant a La Cour. La cour est ouverte par extra ordinaire le onzieme De- cembre pour repandre ala presentation De M. hugt hunard. L'an 1787. Antoine Bauvais, p z Vitale Bauvais. L. Brazaux. Fr. Corset. La cour est ouvert ajourdhui vingt Decembre l'an mil sept cent quatrevingt sept, aneuf heurs dumatin. Vitale Bauvais. L. Brazaux. Antoine Bauvais. Fr. Corset. La cour est renvoye au vint huit de mois. La cour tenant ajourd'hui 20 xbre 1787. Antoine Bauvais. Vitale Bauvais. L. Brazaux. Fr. Corset. La cour en renvoye au cinq de Janvier prochain au 1 5 Janvier prochain au Kas le 28 xbre 1787, par le president. Antoine Bauvais, prezidan. 1788. L'an mil sept cent quatrevingt et huit, le quinzieme jour T^m :^wr I 1 1 i^ l« • 182 EARLY ILLINOIS. dumois de Janvier, a neuf heurs Dumatin, La Cour est ouverte; La Cour a termine que chacque jure qui viendrai de la prairi du roche auront chacquun vingt cinq livre; avons renvoye la cour adeux heur apremidi, ajour dhui et pour cause dans le village dix livre. VlTALE BAUVAIS. L. BRAZAUX. Antoine Bauvais. Fr. Corset. La cour est ouverte adeux heur a pres midi au Kas. ce 15 Janvier, 1788. 1 M. George Atchison, Foreman ^ 2 — James Lomon 3 — George Bigges 4 — Thomas Bigges 5 — Michael Huff 6 — Francis Clerk 7 — Wm. Bayly 8 — Joseph Worley 9 — Joseph Ogle 10 — Samuel Stevenson 1 1 — John Clark John Edgar & Taitt Pit, agt Tiiomas Green, Deft De faux de Compa- rection. Also a Jury wherein Daniel McEl Duff, Pit and Thomas Green, Deft 12 — James Orr La cour a termine qui chacque jure qui viendront de Labelle fontaine, en cette qualite qui I'auront chacuii La somme de quarante cinq livre chacun, au Kas le 15 Janvier, 1788. La somme a chacque jure de quarant cinq- livre au Kas lejours et ans, aprouve si moi jur charge dc quarante cinqlivre. Antoine Bauvais, p nt Est comparu par nos ordres Monsieur Jean Edgar, aia requition de M. jean Duff, pour declarer cequil a'tendu dire par M. jean Dodge, a dit amondet lui, Edgar a mepar- lent amoi meme. Cinq jours apres mon arive, en cettc viile des Cas. Je suis capable de vous instruit des carater des gens de '" •••••■nfiairii ninn IM 1 w JOHN TODD S RECORD-BOOK. 183 ce peyees. Monsieur Enri Smith il a la une bonne habita- tion, M. Smits, est un grand vilHn coquin, M, Dodge ma dit quil ete capable de le faire venire sure un peau d'an pour le faire fouette. Consernant des Marchandisse roti au fort gefersonne;* M. Dodge lui a dit que M. Smith soutenoit ce le contraire jusqua ceque M. Dodge, lui a fait voir. Ces fautes alors M. Dodge laquitte. M. Dodge, a dit bon pour rester amis avec les gens la, par ceque Leurs argent est aussi bonne Comme celle d'un autres Et le dit jure a per- site a sa declaration que c'etait la verite a ]z cour tenant ce 25 juiiiet, 1787, et assigne, J NO. Edgar, Antoine Bauvais, Magistra. Vu Les deposition des opinions de jures qui ont termine L'affaire entre M. Tomas Green defendeur et Daniel Duff plentif. Lesquelle sont reconnu que M. green et Comptable, pour les dommages de M. Daniel Miche Duff la somme de vingt piastre, avec les frais qui enver re- sulte de la dite affaire au Kaskaskias, le quinze Janvier, mil sept cent quatre-vingt huit, et suivant L'ordonnance. ANTOINE Bauvais, p. nt. La Cour est renvoye au quinz de fevrie mil sept cent quatre-vingt huit. FR. CORSET, ViTALE Bauvais. L. Brazaux. ANTOINE Bauvais. La Cour est ouverte le quinzieme fevrie 1788. A neuf heure Du matin, Messire antoine Beauvais president, et St. gene Bauvais et Vital Beauvais, Louis Brazaux, et fran^ois Corsette, tous magistrat, ANTOINE Bauvais. ViTALE Bauvais. L. Brazaux. St. G. Bauvais. fr. corset. * Fort Jefferson was established in 1780 by Virginia, upon the recommen- Idation of Clark and Todd, at the Iron Banks on the east bank of the Missia- [sippi, just below the junction of the Ohio. It was evacuated June 8, 1781. — E. o. M. i 1 I Jilj- I \ 184 EARLY ILLINOIS. La Cour est renvoye jusqu'a qu'il soite fait une assem- bleee par Le public; Au Kaskias, le 15^ fevrie et que La Cour soit Complette de son magistrat, et qu'il soit con- voque par M. Barbau, Lt. de Courte, de jour et ans, . ANTOiNE Bauvais, m. L. Brazaux. fr. corset. VlTALE BEAUVAIS. Dr. Peltry Account, [pages 37, 38] To Government for my Drafts in favor of Monsieur Beaurgarde for 30000 Dollars value thereof received as pr his Acct. dated St. Louis, 14th Sept. 1779, Vizt: Peltrys gr. to the amount of ;^2iooo Paper Currency Dlls. loooo Per Contra. Cr. By m/a for Sundries 4 charges ;^349 10 — By Colo. John Montgomery paid as p his order 297 10 — By the Garrison at Kaskaskias furnished for them p Order Colonel Montgomery, Vizt: 2 Hhds Taffia @ 340;^ ;^68o 150 lb Sugar @ 35s 262 10 75 lb Coffee 35s 131 5 7 Bear Skins 3;^ 18 Charges Vizt: 2 Bags £7 Cart hire 2 Taffia & Bread to the Soldiers 6 15 II06 15 — By the Garrison at Cahokias purchased for and de- livered Capt. McCarty as receipt, Vizt : JOHN TODD'S RECORD-BOOK. 1 Hhd Taffia ;^34o 100 lb Gunpowder @ 6£ 600 300 lb Lead @ los 154 75 lb Sugar 35 131 5 30 lb Coffee 35 52 10 Charges Vizt: 2 Bags jCy Cart hire 2 9 185 1286 15 — By assumd to Capt. Janis 200 lb for Moses Henry. Oct. 24th By Francois Charleville 400 lb Pr Col. Montg. Ord — 25 By Baptiste Charleville 150 Pr Col. Montg. Charles Charleville 1290 P^ Col. Montg. a/c 3040 10 — [Entries by Col. Todd's Successor, page 39:] February 1782. Arrived a Small Tribe of the Wabash Indians Implor- ing the paternal Succour of their Father the Bostonians heaving their Patent from Major Linctot, in Consequence I did on Behalf of the Commonwealth give them Six Bushells Indian Corn, Fifty pounds of Bread, four Pounds of Gun Powder, Ten Pounds of Ball, and One Gallon of Taffia from Carbonneaux. March 22d. Came here Deputy's from the Delawares, Shawanoe, and Cherokee nations of Indians, Begging that the americans wold Grant them Pease as likewise the French and Spanish and after hearing their Talk, Smoaking the pipe of peace and friendship with them, and from their Conduct while here as well as many marks they gave us of their Sincerety I could not avoid Giving them On Behalf of the Americans the Following articles, Viz,, 10 Bushells Indian Corn, ■ ! I , 1 1 ! „ i I'- 1 86 EARLY ILLINOIS. 100 lb. Flour, and lOO lb. Bisquit, 6 lb. Tobaco, one Gallon Tafia, 5 lb. wampam and canoe— which cost me 20 Dollars. [In pencil] "The above [was written] by Thimothe Demunbrunt Lt. Comd. par interim, &c." [Written on the inside of back cover of book:] Memo. 1779- 14 June, M. Kemp, D. to i>^ yds. Blue Cloth for a Cape for Isaac. Mrs. to 2 lbs. Cotton from Mad. Bent- ley's Store, 14th June. • M. Smith, Hugh, To a Bill for 12 Dollars in pel- try, drawn upon Mr. Gratiot. T. T ^ , , . Nous, Thimothe Nota bene. ( ^ t 4. /- ^v ) Demunbrunt, Lt. Comd t. ( Par interim, &c., &c., &c. rv s: !! ^ '^' .! Ar w B !'! i 'ff mw T'* " lollars. Thimothe ok:] for a Cape lad. Bent- ars in pel- .t. Comd't. &c., &c. JOHN-TODD PAPERS. Col. John Todd, Jr., to Governor of Virginia.* From "Canadian Archives" — "Haldimand Papers" — Series B, Vol. 1 84- 1, page 124. Kaskaskias, 1 8th Augt., 1779. May it please your Excellency: — By Letters which I had the honour of writing to you by Col. Slaughter, dated early in July, I gave your Excellency a full account of the situations of this country, since which nothing important has happened here. Col. Clark, I suppose, is by this time at the Falls of Ohio, and as the Expedition aginst Detroit is declined he will probably wait upon you in person. Col. Rogers has arrived from Orleans & will be the Bearer hereof or send it by the earliest opportunity : I am uneasy in knowing that the accounts he will render concerning the quantity as well as the bad condition of the goods cannot be satisfactory. Who is to blame in it.^ The Batteau Masters who brought it up .'* The person in whose care it was left at St. Louis or the conductor of our stores or all of them, I cannot determine. The taking & disposing of them was (perhaps necessarily) planned, & in part exe- Icuted, before my arrival. The conductor's powers & in- jstructions were in no part derived from me, nor was he answerable to me for any malfeasance in ofifice. Col. Clark [will, I doubt not, satisfy you in this matter. I wish the opprotunity by Col. Rogers were safer: I * The original of this letter is among the "Haldimand Papers," and was jintercepted on its way from Kaskaskia to AVilliiimsburg by some one in the [service of Great Britain, and carried to C^n?da.--E. c. m. 13-33-3 . 187 . ;. . ; : ,. lit 1 > ' 1 88 EARLY ILLINOIS. ti < I ! have 15 or 20 thousand dollars to send down on public account. I have required that all the money of the called in emissions be sealed up, & stopped from circulating, of which I expect we have in the Country 20 or 30 thousand dollars more. I have recommended that the People wait some future opportunity more safe for sending it down. The Resolve of Congress bears hard upon Illinois, where the risque is so great. If Congress have not yet made provision for the reception of the Money, I hope your Excellency will apply to Congress. I shall be cautious that none of the called-in Emissions be brought into this Country or certified which may come from any part of the States where the owners had an opportunity of exchang- ing it. 1 110 visiting the different Districts of my charge has so engaged me that I have not had time to prepare answers to the Queries delivered me by some Gentlen. of your Honble. Board. As to Indian Grants it may be necessary immediately to inform you, that they are almost number- less, only four of them are very considerable, the smallest of which will be near a 1,000,000 acres, and the whole between 7 & 8 millions of acres. The grantees all reside in Philadelphia, London, Pennsylvania, & Virginia, & are between 40 & 50, merchants chiefly. How far it may be proper to make such contracts binding upon the Indians, I cannot say. I submit it to your Excellency whether it is not necessary to prevent Indian Grants by other methods than making void the purchase. I mean by fines, and at the same time to prevent under-fines, &c. the making any settlements within the charter Bounds of this State, except under certain Permissions & Regulations: This I appre- hend to be necessary immediately, as some Land jobbers from the South side of Ohio have been making improve- ments (as they call ;thom) • upon the purchas'd Lands on this side the Rivej-J^pd ^re beyond the reach of punish- ' ' » • < • t .11 • • •• ♦ • • *,» iiMiiii mttmmmmtmm'^f •m JOHN-TODD PAPERS, 189 on public the called rulating, of thousand *eople wait y it down, lois, where yet made hope your •e cautious it into this part of the r exchang- irge has so re answers n. of your i necessary 3t number- le smallest the whole all reside inia, & are it may be le Indians, lether it is r methods les, and at laking any ate, except s I appre- id jobbers J improve- Lands on of punish- ment from me — with the arrival of New adventurers this summer, the same spirit of Land jobbing begins to breathe here. I expected to have been prepared to present to your Excellency some amendments upon the form of Govern- ment for Illinois, but the present will be attended with no great inconveniences till the Spring Session, when I beg your permission to attend and get a Discharge from an Office, which an unwholesome air, a distance from my con- nexions, a Language not familiar to me, and an impossi- bility of procuring many of the conveniences of Life suit- able; all tend to render uncomfortable. As to military affairs, Col: Clark will offer your Excel- lency observations on that Head, which I wish to defer, being more his province. Perhaps an additional Agent for supplying the Indians with goods may be necessary, Mr. Lindsay's Commission was for no more than 10,000 Dollars, which he will soon dispose of to the Indians & our soldiers, who, I suppose will expect their Clothing from him. I have given a Letter of Recommendation as an Agent to a Gentleman lately from New Orleans, who set off" with Col. Rogers, Mons. Perrault. If an expedition should be ordered against the Natchez,, there cannot be any great dependence placed on the Illi- nois furnishing more than 100,000 lbs. of Flour, and sup- porting the Troops now here, and scarcely any Beef I have not heard from Williamsburg since January. I am, with greatest respect, &c,, John Todd, Jr. His Excellency the Governor of Virginia. [Endorsed:] Copy of a letter from Jno. Todd, Jr., to the Governor of Virginia, dated Kaskaskias, i8th Augt, 1779. |h>«a r: w t1 !i! 190 EARLY ILLINOIS. John Page Lieut: Govr, to John Todd, Co Lieut: &c Illinois Co. From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, 326. Williamsburg, August i6, 1779. Sir: — Your several Letters of the ist & 2nd ultimo, by Col: Slaughter, this day were handed to me in the Gover- nors absence — I laid them before the Board, who were pleased with their contents & exprefsed their approbation of your Conduct & of your plan for supporting the Credit of the paper money, but this must be submitted to the consideration of the Afsembly, who alone can determine on, or give Efficacy to that measure. * * * It is to be wished that more Troops had been sent into the Illinois at first, however so much has been done by the few there, as to redound greatly to their Credit & that of their gallant Commander — We hope that the favourable Disposition of the Canadians, & our late succefses to the Northward & Southward will pave the way for Colo. Clarke to Detroit & make the acquisition of it easy — and that the Battalion which we are now raising to be marched into your Country will enable him to surmount any ob- stacle which way be thrown into his way. The Board approve of your erecting the small Fort you propose & giving the Command to Col: Slaughter — Being in haste I can only add that I am, yr: mo: obt humble Servannt Col. John Todd, Jr., to Col. P. Legras. From the original in the State Capitol at Richmond, Va. Kaskaskia, 23d Augst, 1779. 5/r.'— You'ill please to require immediately that both the called in Emmissions of Continental Money to be sealed up & stopped from Circulating, & give the person m ^ Servannt. JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 191 owing them a certificate, no matter whether in French or English. The Certificate will be necessary for this reason, because after the first June it was lost to the owner by- order of Congress, if it was not paid into some Continental office. The Congress, I expect, have made provision for Ilinois on account of the Impossibility of transmitting it down by the ist of June. It is therefore necessary that Ilinois money be prevented from mixing with any other, less the whole be rejected on that account. I inclose you a copy of the certificates granted by me, with the adver- tisement. It would be best to affix a day after which you will seal and certify no more. Let the whole be done with one seal, the better to prevent confusion. I cannot have the pleasure to see St. Vincenne by the time proposed. Col. Clark's Departure will occasion me to stay longer than I intended. Write me the news by every opportunity, and in cases of Importance send me an Express. I am, sir, your mo. obed. & humble servant, JNO. Todd, Jr. Col. P. Legras, or officer commanding the Villlage of St. Vincenne (per favor of Capt. Gamelin). I have prohibited by proclamation the exportation of I provision from this country for a certain time, which you I will endeavour to put in execution with you. J. Todd, Jr. Col. John Todd, Jr., to Oliver Pollock. From the original in the State Capitol at Richmond, Va. Sir: — Accompanying this are letters to Gov. Galvez and [yourself from the Virginia Board of Trade, to be sent by I the way of Kaskaskias. A late packet from Govt, to my- self have been miscarried, or I could inform you with more certainty whether Some Bank is not established in Europe I ^ 192 EARLY ILLINOIS. ■ I 1 1 m L n I. ]) to give credit to your Draughts made on behalf of this State. There is, or will be certainly, perhaps in l^ordeaux. I wish, as I before informed you, for a list of all the Bills drawn upon you, with notes of those ans'd and pro, jsted. I could wish you had been better informed of the authority and Rank of some of the United States officers, as well as our own. I fear numbers unauthorized have drawn for private purposes. Colo. Clark's & Roger's Bills were drawn from the necessity of their situation, and will undoubtedly be approved. Any other Bills are voidable, tho' perhaps not yet void. The purpose for which they were drawn may assist you in judging therein. But observe no per- sons whatever in the Western Department either is or ever has been authorised by the Govt, of Virginia to draw upon any person but the Govr. or Treasurer. The State will shortly need another supply of goods for the Troops in this quarter. The private authority given Mr. Lindsay last year, with the letter to yourself and my wants, are neither out of date, and you will still oblige me by observing their contents. I hope shortly to hear that the Missisipi harbours no nations the Enemy to the com- merce & Rights of America. Whether Britain be humbled by the arms of a powerful monarch or our Infant States, my Joy will be equal. Govr. Galvez' literary and military Character are much talk'd of in Virginia, amongst whom he is held in highest Estimation. I beg you would present him with profer of my services and thanks for the assist- ance he has render'd to a people who do not fail to repay him in Gratitude. (A copy.) John M'Dowell, Sec'y. Mr. Pollock, Feb. 9th, 1780. [Endorsed:] The above letter was found among Col. Todd's papers, without signature, but endorsed to Oliver Pollock, Esq., and appears to be Col. Todd's handwriting. J.D. ^^lygjil-y JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 193 alf of this l^ordeaux. 1 the Bills pro, jsted. : authority as well as drawn for ^ere drawn doubtedly o' perhaps ere drawn re no per- • is or ever draw upon goods for •rity given If and my oblige me hear that ) the com- e humbled .nt States, d military gst whom Id present the assist- 1 to repay iLL, Sec'y. nong Col. to Oliver idwriting. J.D. Oliver Pollock to John Todd, County Lieut: of Illinois, acknowledging receipt of his, without date, by the hands of Mons: Perrault— From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, 347. New Orleans, May 4, 17S0. By this he had received a bill on France for ;^65.8i4^8 for his advances made to Virginia, but is unable to nego- tiate it at that place, on account of the great scarcity of specie, which would continue until a supply be gotten from Havana. This gives him great concern, because it pre- vents his using the bills of Gen: Clarke and other officers, and therefore from procuring the supplies of Clothing so much needed by them. Gov: Galvez had captured Mobile, and is besiging Pen- sacola, — had been created a Field Marshall — fhould he be successful at Pensacola, and return to New Orleans, he should exert him to make use of him — By Post Script of the 26th he regrets to say — Gov: Galvez has returned to New Orleans: not hav'g been sup- ported in time by the expected fleet from Havana, had abondoned the Seige of Pensacola — He has made applica- tion to Galvez for pecuniary affistance but without success, as that officer required all his funds for his own purposes — had managed however, to negotiate Clarkes & Mont- gomerys' bills, and earnestly begs, that those officers will be as frugal as poffible with the purchases made. Col. John Todd, Jnr., to Gov. Jefferson. From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, page 358. 1780, June 2, Richmond. Ma}/ it please your Excellency: — On consulting with Col. Clark, we found it impracticable to maintain so many posts SLaiii: 194 EARLY ILLINOIS. . I :t . ■J ■ in the Illinois with so few men, & concluded it better to draw them all to one post. The Land at the Junction of the Ohio & Mississippi was judged best suited for the purpose as it would command the Trade of an extensive Country on both sides of each River, & might serve as a check to any Incroachments from our prese .Hies, the Spaniards, whose growing power might justly put us upon our guard & whose fondness for engrossing Territory might otherwise urge them higher up the River upon our side than we would wish. The Expenses in erecting this new post & victualing the men would have been obstacles in- surmountable without a settlement contiguous to the Gar- rison to support it, where adventurers would assist the Soldiers in the heavy work of Building their fortifications. I therefore granted to a certain number of families four hundred acres to each Family, at a price to be settled by the General Assembly, with Commissions for '' il & Mili- tary Ofiicers & the necessary Instructions. '^ js of the principal of which I herewith send you. The other being agreable to the printed forms heretofore delivered me by the Governor & Council. Lest the withdrawing our Troops from St. Vincenne might raise suspicions among the Citizens, to our dis- advantage, I have sent to Major Bosseron, the then Dis- trict Commandant, blank Commissions, with powers to raise one Company & put them in possession of the Gar- rison, with assurance that pay and rations sh'd be allowed them by the Governmnt. When Col. Clark left the Falls, his Officers & Men to the amount of perhaps 120 were all well cloathed except in the article of Linens. Mr. Isaac Bowman, with 7 or 8 men & one family, set off from Kaskaskia the 15th nov: last in a Batteau, at- tended by another Batteau with 12 men & 3 or 4 families in it, bound to the falls of Ohio. I judged it safer to send b . «,T-»«P^ f?r^v-..!.^»*.^^» -^- I. •^^^^K**. "l--*. . Jfc,., JOIIN-TODD PAPERS. 195 to the Falls many articles belonging to the Common- wealth, by Bowman, than to bring them myself by land. Bowman's Batteau fell into the hands of the Chicksaw Indians, & the other arrived in March or April at the French Lick on Cumberland, with the account that Bow- man and all the men except one Riddle were killed and taken. I inclose your Excellency a List of such articles as belonged to the State, as well as I can make out from my detached memorandums. My Books and many necessary papers being also lost. Many necessary Articles of Intelligence yet remain un- mentioned. I will enjoy no Leisure until I shall have fully acquainted your Excellency with the Situation of the Illinois. , I have the Honor to be, with the greatest respect, Yr. Excellency's most obt. & humble servant. Genl: Geo: Rogers Clark to Colo John Todd. From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, 338. Louisville, March, 1780. Dr Colo: — By the Acts from Every Post in the Illinois so nearly corresponding, I make no doubt of the English Regaining the Interest of many Tribes of Indians, and their designs agst the Illinois (Perhaps on Gov: Hamiltons' plan), and without some speedy check may prove fatal to Kentucky and the Total lofs of the Westrn Country on the Mifsifsippi. I am not clear but the Spaniards would fondly suffer their Settlements in the Illinois to fall with ours for the Sake of having the opertuaity of Retaking Both. I doubt they are too fond (of) Territory to think of Restoring it again. Although there is but few British Troops on the Lakes, defitiency is full Replaced by the ■■'.— ^-^ .-- -"--^^ „.4h«^^«.' *-'*«^^ •'•■♦W -. 1 ■ Jl""- — 196 EARLY ILLINOIS. Immence quantity of goods they have, the Efifects of which among the Savages you well know, not being apre- hensive of a visit, I make no doubt of their having planed some Expedition of Importance against our Posts, which if they gain, may be attended with greater consequences than I have Hinted at, they have greater opertunities of knowing our cituation, than we nave of theirs, which you know they could not deprive us of. you well know the difficulties we have laboured under with our Joint Efiferts to maintain our Ground, and support our Interest among the Savages in that Dept, and the Reasons why, which is now greater than Ever, as the bad Crops and the severity of the Winter hath Rendered it Impofsible for the Towns in the Illinois to make any further supplies until next Har- vest, the Troops being Intituled to a Discharge in a few weeks. Except those that have Reinlisted when Joined by Capt: Rogers, when armed will not amount to more than one hundred and fifty, which is too few under our present circumstances to think of Deffending the diferent post we now occupy. Letters from his Excellency, and a promifs- ing act from our Recruiting Officers may perhaps soon alter our apparent Circumstances, but as yet Receiving no advice from Either, already meeting with many disap- pointments in my Expectations much to the disadvantage of the Dept, a few weaks Hesitation may be productive of long future disadvantage. I think it best to act as though we had no Expectation of being afsisted Either with men or provitions. Your Councell not only necefsary, but which you know I prize, is what I want If we ware Tolerably formadable at any one post that we could subsist at, it might have a great and good Effect. As I Hinted, to lay afside all Expection of a Reinforce- ment, I see but the one probable method of maintang our Authority in the Illinois, which is this, by Amediately Evacuating our present posts, and let our whole force Ji^itmUiittk ,•'»•»*• fmmm MM JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 197 i^ffects of ing apre- ig planed its, which lequences unities of hich you -enow the It Efiferts St among , which is 2 severity iie Towns lext Har- I in a few oined by [lore than r present post we promifs- aps soon deceiving ny disap- dvantage iuctive of IS though with men >ary, but post that M Effect, einforce- maintang nediately ole force Center at or near the Mouth of Ohio, which will be too Contemnable to answer the good effect proposed, without we fall upon some method to draw of a Considerable Reinforcement from Kentuck of Militia. Families would be of the greatest service, as they are always followed by two or three times their numbers of young men, they would with their store of provitions be able to Victual great part of our Troops in proportion to their number, which if only one Hundred, by the Ensuing fall would be able to Victual a Ridgment, besides Establishing a post that his Excellency is very Anctious for (the Reason I imagine we are boat Acqd with) and the Interests of all the Western Countrey call for. One Hundrd Families, their followers, the Troops we have already Ingaged, those whose time of service is or shortly will Expire, that \.ould Remain at the place, when Join'd, would be considerable, the Report of which by the time it Reach our Enemies would be augmented perhaps to Trible our numbers, as such Intelligence is always agravated by the Indians, and I don't doubt but that it wonld put a stop for some time to their proceedings, as I know it would greatly Confuse the Indians they are like to win from us, as our temporary force, with the French Militia, probably counting the Spaniards, would be too Considerable for them to temper with, our only chance at present to save that Countrey is by Incouraging the Families, but I am sensible nothing but land will do it. I should be exceed- ing Cautious in doing any thing that would displease government, but their present Interest, in many Respects obvious to us boath, call so loud for it, that I think Sir, that you might even Venture to give a Deed for Forty or Fifty Thousand Acres of Land at said place, at the price that government may demand for it. it Interfears with no Claim of our friendly Indians, the greatest Barriour to the Inhabitants of the Illinois against the Southern Ind- 1 ■ , , I I ■ il 198 EARLY ILLINOIS. i ians, Security of the Genl: Commerce and perhaps the saving of the Countrey to the State, and probably in a few months enable us to act again on the offensive. I should be against suffering Families to settle promisly in any part of the Illinois at present, but the Establish- ment of the said post is so necefsary, and as it Cannot be Compleeat without the Families, I think it your Duty to give the aforesaid Incouragement and such Instructions as would confine the people for some time to a Fort, be- fore you could consult Government it might be too late. Sustenance for some time will be procured with difficulty, but I cannot think of the consequences of losing poff- effion of the Countrey without a more determined Reso- lution to Risque every point Rather than suffer it (for they the English, cannot execute any matter of very great importance among the Savages without it. I know your concern to be Eaqual to mine, if you Concur with me in sentiment, let me know Amediately, or such Amend- ment as you might think more advantageous. I am Sir, with Real Esteem, Your very Humble Servt. Lieut. Col. J. M. P. LeGras to Govenor of Virginia. Translation from the original in the State Capitol at Richmond, Va. Williamsburg, May 22nd, 1780. Sir: — The integrity with which your honorable assem- bly dispenses justice to the faithful subjects of the States emboldens me to represent to you the wrong impression you will receive from the papers with which Mr. Simon Nathan is charged in case your goodness orders payment. The inhabitants of St.Vincennes & the country of the Illinois ignorant of the act of Congress have sold their harvests to the army of Col. Roger Clark and have re- **».——--- JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 199 ceived in payment piastres of the Continent, upon the footing and for the value of the Spanish piastres. Persons in authority (by your orders) have circulated them as such and have assured us authentically that there would be nothing lost. They have even passed counterfeits. In the position of magistrate of this district, my duty and benevolence prompt me to beg you to take pity upon a people who by this loss find themselves reduced to the most urgent necessities. In addition to this there has been published at St. Vincennes an order by command of Col. Jean Todd to oblige the residents to receive this money as Spanish piastres and many have been impris- oned for having refused. Some time later the before mentioned Col. John Todd required me, as it appears from his letter, to stop the circulation in view of the quantity of counterfeit orders that many are circulating which I have done, to avoid confusion without lessening (or preventing) the value of the good. Earnestly hoping that the States will pay this money according to the denomination. I have the honor of being very respect- fully. Sir, Your very humble and very obedient servant, J. M. P. Legras, Lt. Col. Thos: Jefferson to the Hon: the Speaker of the House of Delegates— From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, 360. In Council, June 14th, 1780. Sir: — In a Letter which I had the Honor of addrefs- ing you on the meeting of the present Genera! Afsembly, I informed you of the necefsities which had led the Executive to withdraw our Western troops to the Ohio — Since the date of this letter, I have received the inclosed of the Second instant from Coll: Todd, communicating the measures he had adopted in conjunction with Colo; 200 EARLY ILLINOIS. !!l s- I (f Clarke to procure such a Settlement contiguous to the Post which shall be taken as may not only strengthen the garrison occasionally, but be able to raise provisions for them, as the confirmation of these measures is beyond the powers of the Executive, it is my duty to refer them to the General Afsembly. it may be proper to observe that the grant of Lands to Colo. Todd was made on a supposition that the post would be taken on the North side of the Ohio, whereas I think it more probable it will be on the north side in the Lands lying between the Tanessee, Ohio, Mifisiffippi and Carolina boundary. These lands belong to the Chickasaw Indians, who from intelli- gence which we think may be relied on, have entered into a war with us. The expenditures of the Illinois have been deemed from some exprefsions in the act establishing that county not subject to the examination of the board of Auditors as the Auditing these accounts is very foreign to the ordinary office of the Council of State, would employ much of that time and attention which at present is called to objects of more general importance, and as their powers would not enable them to take into consid- eration the justice and expediency of indemnifying Col. Todd for his lofses and services, as desired in the enclosed Letter from Him, of the thirteenth instant, they beg leave to submit the whole to the consideration of the General Assembly — I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem, Sir, Your most obedient, & most hum- ble servant. John Todd, Indian Agent, to Gov. Jefferson : From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, page 367. August 1st, 1780, Fort Jefferson. Sir: — I think it my indispensable duty to lay before you a true state of our situation in this Country since my JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 20 F arrival, which probably may throw some lights on the various reports which may reach you through channels not so well acquainted with its real wants as I am. On my arrival at the Falls of the Ohio, Col. John Todd gave me instructions to proceed to Kaskaskies, in order to take charge of the goods when arrived, which were pur- chased by M. Lindsay for this department, with farther orders to divide them into two parcels, one of which for the troops, and the other to be disposed of to our friendly indian allies: considering it better to sell them on reason- able [terms] than dispose of them in gifts; Horses and ammunition being articles much wanted for the Troops, I contracted for and received a quantity of lead and some horses before the arrival of the goods, and having discre- tionary powers, was constrained to accept of orders drawn on me for provisions which could not otherwise be obtained. Since the goods came into my hands, the troops and In- habitants at this place not having received the expected supplies from Government, and being well assured that without some timely relief the post and settlement must be evacuated, I was also constrained at divers times to issue quantities of the goods intended to be disposed of to our Indian Allies, in order to furnish them with the means of subsistence. The few troops that are now here are too inconsiderable to guard themselves: nor are the inhabitants much better, notwithstanding they remain in great spirits in expectation of relief from government, and have with great bravery defeated a very large party of Savages who made a regular attack on the village, at daybreak on the morning of the 17th ult. Col. Clark has divided his few men in the best manner possible so as to preserve the Country, the apprehension of a large body of the enemy in motion from detroit tow- ards the falls of Ohio, has called him there with what men 202 EARLY ILLINOIS. Im) ! H he could well spare from this Country, before he had well breathed after the fatigues of an expedition up the Missis- sippi — and Col. Crockett not arriving with either men or provisions, as was expected, has really involved both the troops and settlers in much distress, and greatly damped the spirits of industry in the latter, which till lately was so conspicuous. I see no other alternative, from the pres- ent appearance of our affairs, but that the few goods I have left, after supplying the troops, must all go for the purchase of provisions to keep this settlement from break- ing up: and how I shall ever support my credit, or acquit myself of the obligations I have bound myself under, to those of whom I have made purchases for the troops be- fore the arrival of the Goods, I know not. Our Credit is become so weak among the French inhabitants, our own, and the Spaniards upon the opposite side of the Missis- sippi, that one dollar's worth of provision or other supplies cannot be had from them without prompt payment, were it to save the whole Country; by which you will perceive that without a constant and full supply of goods in this quarter to answer the exigencies of Government, nothing can ever be well affected but in a very contracted manner. I observe that the distance the settlers, who come in general to this Country, have to travel, impoverishes them in a great degree. They come at the expense of their all, in full hopes and expectations of being assisted by Govern- ment. Were these hopes cherished and supplies of neces- saries of all kinds furnished them in the manner of the neighboring Spaniards, to be paid in produce, such as might answer for the troops or for exportation, many good consequences would be attendant, emigrants, on such encouragement, would flock to us in numbers, instead of submitting to the Spanish Yoke; the principal part of their new settlements would join us; all those from the Natchez in particular only wait the encouraging invitation to re- JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 203 move themselves and their property to our settlement, preferring the mildness of our laws to the rigours of the Spanish, which they detest, notwithstanding their great offers. Such encouragement would be a spur to industry which would never die. The troops would, in a little time, be solely furnished in provisions by our settlers, and in process of time, a valuable trade might be opened with the overplus. These hints I beg leave to offer to your own better judgement, conscious that if they are worthy of notice you will direct their proper uses. I have got a party of the friendly savages of the Kas- kaskie tribe to hunt and scout for us; they are of singular service, as the provisions in store are totally exhausted, and indeed their hunting, tho' it may afford an useful, yet it is a very precarious supply. As to the general disposition of these Indians in alliance with us, it appears at present to be very peaceable ; but as poverty is always subject to temptation, I fear their good intentions may be seduced by those who have it more in their power to supply their wants, being well convinced of the necessity of having proper supplies for them, which will not only keep thom in our interest, but even afford us a very beneficial traffic. The bearer of this travels to the Falls of Ohio, thro' the wood! I am uncertain what the fate of my letter will be, as I know he has a dangerous and tedious journey before him; however, by the next opportunity I shall do myself the honor of writing to your Excellency a few more of my observations, begging leave once more to remark the neces- sity of keeping at all times full supplies of goods in this remote quarter, in order to forward the service of Govern- ment, encourage the settlement of the frontiers, supply our troops with necessaries, provisions, &c., and finally open a very profitable and extensive trade in little time. 14-33-4 204 EARLY ILLINOIS. Forgive the freedom of my remarks, which you will please to do me the honor to correct. I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, &c., &c. ^- Col. John Todd, Jnr., to Gov. Jefferson: From "Calendar of Virginia State Tapers," Vol. I, page 393. Nov. 30th, 1780, Lexington, Ky. May it please your Excellency: — We have been for some time past & are still dreading an Invasion from the neigh- boring Northern Indians. Intelligence by the way of St. Vincent informs us that late in Oct. a great number of Indians & English were at the late-destroyed Shawnese Towns waiting at the rise of the water to make a Descent either against the Falls or this place. I have ordered upon Duty part of the militia of this County (Fayette) at three of the most exposed forts, and are purchasing up a quan- tity of Corn. The people seem fond at present to sell to the Country, & Corn will be almost the only article which Government may expect from this Quarter. I expect to procure between one & two Thousand Bushels by giving Certificates to be settled by the Auditors, or agreed upon by the Commissary, for 40 or 50 £ pr. Barrell, or 2/6 hard money. I hope I have not acted amiss in this Respect, altho' I have no Instructions. As the Assembly at last session recommended the plan, laid by the several County Lieutenants & there is a Certainty of a vigorous attack next Spring, I conclude that a delay for Orders is unnec- essary. The Indians are annoying us every Week in small parties. Two small detachments of militia are now in pursuit of some who stole Horses two nights ago from McConnells' Station. A Cargoe of Goods, I have heard is arrived at Fort JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 205 Jefferson, for the use of the State, said to be consigned by Mr. Pollock to myself as Co Lieutenant of Illinois. I propose writing to Capt. Dodge to store them up until further orders from [your] Excellency as soon as I shall liave an opportunity & the Report shall be authenticated. I hope to be excused in expressing my Desires that Your Excellency may have in contemplation an Early Expedition next Spring against our Savage neighbors. I will venture to assure you, that any Orders which may tend to that purpose will be executed with the greatest alacrity by Officers & Men. Capt: Quirk, I hear is on the the way with 30 or 40 men & I can hear nothing from Col: Crockett. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Your Excellencys' most obedt & humble Servant, &c., &c. Col. John Todd, Jr. to Gov. Jefferson : From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, page 460. January 24th, 1781, Lexington, Kv. May it please your Excellency: — I reed, the enclosed letters a few days ago; as they contain some matters of Consequence, I transmit them just as I receive thcni. They are written with a freedom which spare no charac- ter, tS: may with additional Letters which I expect you have rec'd, threw light upon our situation in Illinois. Winston is Commandt. at Kaskaskia. McCarty a Captain in the Illinois Regt, who has long since rendered himself disagreeable by endeavoring to enforce Military Law upon the Civil Department at Kohos. The peltry mentioned by Winston as purloined or embezzled by Montgomery, was committed to their joint care by me in Nov: 1779, ^ from the Circumstance of Col: Montgomery's taking up with an infamous Girl, leaving his wife & flying down 206 EARLY ILLINOIS. ^ I the River, I am inclined to believe the worst that can be said of him, being so far out of the Road of Business I cannot do the State that Justice I wish by sending down his case immediately to the Spanish Commandants in the Mississippi. A late Letter informed your Excellency of my Design of laying some Beef & Corn in store for the Expedition planned last year. I expect to get 30 or 40 thousand Weight of Beef & two or three thousand Bushels of Corn on Better Terms then will be got anywhere in this Country. A Prisoner, Martin Wistill taken spring was a year, at Wheeling by the Shawanese, tow weeks ago left his party being 7 Shawanese, about half a mile from Bryants Fort as they were stealing Horses. He says the Shawanese have built 4 Block Houses at Logan's Town 12 miles beyond the Pickaway: that they are much distressed for want of provisions and are keen for making an attack next Spring, upon the Kentucky settlements — that Black- fish & Logan are dead, &c. I am uneasy lest Crockett should not arrive timeously at Licking, & many of our settlers seem desirous to fly immiediately to the South side of Kentucky lest he should not. * * * I have the Honor to be with Greatest Respect Your Excellency's Most Obedient & humb servt. 1 1! Rich'd McCarty "To John Todd, Esq." From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, page 379. Enclosure in John Todd's letter, Jan. 24, 1 78 1, to Gov. Jefferson. October 14th, 1780, Cascaskia. Sir: — When shall I begin to appolagize for the Differ- ent light and Oppinion, I saw and had of You when hear last Year, and now, the Spirit of a free subject that you inculcated thro your better knowledge of things was hid | "■T" v' T*t' "■',?n!J '■ T ' *ff .fSfclH iV JOHN-TODD PAPKRS. 207 to nie. In short, Honour requires of me to render You the Justice you desarve, and at the same time to inform you the reason of my altering my notions of things. I then thought the Troops hear would be duly supported by the State, and the Legal expense for them paid to the people Justly. I had thought the Duty of an Officer who had any Command was to see Justice done his Soldiers, and that they had their Rights without wronging his Country. I then thought it was also his Duty to foresee and use all manner of economie in Laying up Provisions for these Soldiers, to carry on any Opperation that his supperiours should judge expedient to order him on, without any regard to private interests whatever, but for the Good of the State he served. I then never Immagined that an Agent would be sent hear to Trade in connection with a Private Person to Purchase the Certificates from the people at such rates which must appear scandulous cV: Dishonorable to the State. To the contrary of all which I am now convinced by occular Demonstration: in short we are become the Hated Beasts of a whole people by Pressing horses, Boats \:c »tc, Killing cattle, &c &c, for which no valuable consideration is given: even many not a certificate, which is hear looked on as next to nothing. • I have sent Col: Clarke, in an Extract from my Journal, the proceedings as far as I know, of one Col: De la Balme,* and his raising a Party to go against Detriot, Not being a Commander I cannot say whether he has proper authority so to do or not. * Augustin Moltin de la Balme, a Frencli cavalry officer of the rank of lidutenant-colonel, offered his services to the colonies at the outbreak of the Revolution, and came to this country in 1776, bearing the highest testimonials and recommendations from Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin, at Paris. He was appointed inspector-general of cavalry in the Continental army with the rank of colonel. In 1780, he came to the West to lead an expedition against Detroit, it being thought that his influence with the French in the 208 EARLY ILLINOIS. Th'' people have sent by him memorials to Congress or the French envoy at Philadelphia setting forth all the evils we have done. I think Government should be in- formed of this, as the people are now entirely allinated Agst us: he has told Indians, french Troops will be hear in the Spring. I have no right to find fault, or Blame my Supperiours, yet I have a right to see plain, and wish for the Credit of the State, that Government had eyes to see hear as Plaine as I do. I am Sir, with Esteem & consideration Your most obt & hble servt &c &c. W 1 Rich'd Winston to Col. John Todd: From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, page 380. Kaskaskias, October 24th, 1780. Bear Sir: — Yours by Mr. Lindsay was the last I had the Honour of receiving, since which no favourable oper- tunity has offered wherewith you could Expect to hear from me, untill Mr. William Gelaspies' departure, by whom I wrote you as fully as I could concerning this Country, and in Particular all that regarded your Department: all which I must think you have foreseen before you went off, the disagreeableness of which every thinking man would avoid, and of which I now send you a Duplicate, Together with some additions since that time. That State of Illinois is far from bein^ in o easy a Way as might have been expected from th larations • f the Illinois would enable him to readily enlist a suflK nt force He obtained recruits at Cahokia, Kaskaskia, and Vincennes, to the nu' iber of one hun- dred or more, and had also a band of Indian warriors. With these he attacked and destroyed the post of Kekionga, on the Maumee River; but while encamped on the river Aboite, his party was surprised at night by the Miamis and utterly routed. La Balme was slain, and his papers, which were quite voluminous, were carried by the Indians to the British commander at Detroit, and are now among the Haldimand papers in the British Museum. E. G. M. i .. ' ii l?'* ^ * JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 20 )ngress or h all the lid be in- allinated II be hear or Blame and wish id eyes to most obt resSo. :h, 1780. last I had I able oper- :t to hear by whom Country, ment: all went off, lan would Together isy a Way the Ll ons He obtained of one hun- ith these lie e River; but night by the , which were ommander at Museum. E. G. M. Genl: Assembly, or had their Officers a Little occonomy— Concerning which the majistrates did remonstrate, which Remonstrance was Treated as Insolence and Imperti- nence, for having dared to remonstrate against their ruinous proceedings I wish all may be looked into: in the hopes of which, all is on Record. As to the Peltries which you left with Colonel Mont- gomery and me, they were taken out of my hands, and I am left Behind hand for fifteen Packs — how I will or may be Indemnified I know not — Colonel Montgomery says that his estate is Sufficient to pay a great deal more I wish it may be so) I was by force obliged to give up, as I could not content with Bayonetts for a thing that is not my own. I refer you to Mr. Lindsay, concerning the Goods pur- chased by him at New Orleans, they are now in the Pessession of him . and the Illustrious Captain Dodge. I wish Government may gett a satisfactory acct. of them, yet I doubt it — this part of the world is too far from Government to call people to acct before it is too late — there is great Strides Taken for to make money at any rate — as to our Civil Department 'tis but in an Indiferent way ever since the Military has refused their prison, for which we offered to pay very handsomely and since which They Stretch greatly to bring the Country under the Military rod and throw of the Civil Authority. So fond they are to be medling with what is not within their Power. There is strange things carried on in this place — Colonel Montgomery is gone from here, with Brooks and Familt (thank God) — Capt: Brashears if Married to Brookes' Daughter, consequently has quit the service and gone with the rest: Col: Montgomery, on the day before his Depart- ure did Endeavor to settle the Peltrie fund with — In which he failed, and Besides the Drafts by him drawn on me, and by me Accepted to the amount of Fifteen packs, u 210 EARLY ILLINOIS. I he has fallen short Eleven Packs, and what the rest has been Expended in, is to be looked into by Higher Powers — there is r-> accts — receipts only for so many Packs, without saying for why or for what — Such is the proceed- ings of Col: Montgomery, who left this 19th inst. and Carried with him Large Quantities of Provisions, Boats deeply loaden, besides Five Black Slaves, for all which the Publick fund has sufifered. Since the arrival of this Captain Bentley, there has been nothing Butt discord and disunion in the place — he has left no stone unturned to Extinguish the Laws of the State, and to revive the Heathen Law, being well accustomed to Bribes and Enter- tainments. Government ought to regulate the Trade as there are many abuses Committed under Military sanction — there Passed this way a Frenchman, called himself Colonell de la Balme,* he says, in the American Service — I look upon him to be a Mai Content, «iust disgusted at the Virginians, yet I must say he done some good — he pacified the Indians, he was received by the Inhabitants Just as the Hebrews would receive the Masiah — was con- ducted from the Post here, by a large Detacht of the In- habitants as well as different Tribes of Indians — he went from here against Detroit Being well assured that the Indians were on his Side — Gott at this Plase and the Kahos about fifty Volunteers — and are to randezvous at Ouia. Capt: Duplasi from here, went along with him to Lay before the French Embasador all the Greivance this Country labours i nder by the Virginians, which is to be strongly backed by Monsieur de la Balme — tis the general Opinion, that he will take Baubin the Great Partizan at Miamis, and from thence to Fort Pitt — this is all that I can say, only tb^t he passed about one Month here, with- out seeing Col: Montgomery, nor did Montgomery see him. * See note on page 337. ^ I I I'll, ifmniw » "ssasB JOHN-TODD PAPERS, 211 It Being so long a time Since we had any news from you, we Conclude therefrom that (lovernment has given us up to do for Ourselves the Best we can, until such time as it pleases Some other State or Power to take us under their Protection — a few lines from you would give some of us great satisfaction, yett the Generality of the People are of Opinion that this Country will be given up to France — Be that as it will, a Line from you, will add much to the happiness of, Dear Sir, Your Most Humble and Obedt Servant kc kc. Col. John Todd, Jr., to Gov. Jefferson : From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. I, page 481. Lexington, Ky., February ist, 1781. May it please your Excellency: — Accounts from all Quar- ters lead us to expect vigorous measures from our Enemies the next Campaign. I have just received Duplicates of Letters sent from our Officers of Illinois to others at Louisville, which informs that the Spanish k American Ilinois Settlements are preparing defensively for heavy attacks. The original Letters I hear are sent. On conferring with Col: Bowman's k Trigg, We con- cluded it expedient to send 150 men to Garrison the Mouth of Licking, until Crockett shall arrive, which we shall expect weekly. We apprehended the expcnce wd be less to government that to wait until the Enemy arrive at our settlements, k better Conduce to the security of the people. [Sends recommenditions for Certain Officers — asks for some Blank Commissions, and assures him no abuses shall follow. There are vacancies for other officers, whose rela- tive ranks are not yet settled.] 212 EARLY ILLINOIS. ■^ , I Col. John Todd, Jr., to Gov. Jefferson: From "Calender of Virginia State Papers," Vol. II, page 44. Lexington, Ky., April 15 th, 1781. M^.y it please yoitr Excellency: — Your letter of 24 Dec: as also that of the 19th Jany: last inclosing sundry papers came safely to hand a few days ago. By the last Accounts I can procure from Jefferson and Lincoln, the Militia of the whole three Counties at present amount to about 1050 — Fayette 156 — Lincolon 606 — ^Jefferson 300 — I have just made a Draft of 78 from this county for Col: Clark, & if the other Counties draft proportionally your demand will be fully satisfied. I hear nothing as yet of Col: Clark, but I conceive I have just cause of expostulating with him on acunt of this County, its true state being probably unknown to your Excellency when the Draft was required to be propor- tioned to the militia — Exposed at every Fort, & weak- ened by daily removals of its Strength to the South Side of Kentucky, we are scarcely able to keep our Forts, Should Colo: Clark take his Rout by the Shawnese Nation, all cause of complaint must cease, as the Enemy will thereby be drawn off from our Forts. Being unable just now to spare Labourers & Guards at a distance from our Forts, for making Canoes, I have sent Mr. Lindsay to Lincoln for Assistance, which I make no doubt of procuring. I fear I shall meet with some diffi- culties in conveying the Stores at Lexington k> Bryants to the Canoes, for want of Horses, ours being nearly all taken by the Indians & Col: Bowman does not prove so friendly as I think he ought to be in giving me necessary Assistance. Our circumstances have received so material a change within twelve months that a draft of 18 Militia for the Continental Army w'd be singularly oppressive upon Fay- I JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 213 €tte or Jefiferson. Happy sh'd we be «&: readily would we spare them, if our situation were but as the Legislature expected. There is scare one fort in the county but once a month seems upon the eve of breaking for want of men to defend it. Such residents as had most property and Horses to remove their effects, have retreated to Lincoln. One half of the remainder are unable to Remove. We have no tax Commissioner in the County k, almost noth- ing to tax. All which circumstances plead I hope in Excuse sufficiently for the militia at present. Whenever our circumstances will admit of it, the people will, I'm satisfied enlist voluntarily in the Continental Army, from a genius they possess for war, as well as the greatness of the Bounty. * * I inclose you a letter from Mr. Pollock — I still receive complaints from the Illinois, that department suffers I fear thro' the Avarice &; Prodagality of our Officers : they all vent complaints against each other — I believe our French friends have the justest grounds of dissatisfaction. I have the Honor to be, with the greatest Respect Your Excellency's most obedient and very humble Servant. ' I Col. John Todd Jr., to the Governor of Virginia: From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. II, page 562. Lexington, Ky., October 21st, 1781. Maf it please your Excellency. • — I expect you will, long before this reaches you, have an acct. of our proceedings in this Country, by Letters from Genl: Clarke sent by Major Crittenden. After so much assistance given to our Country by Government to enable us to act either offen- sively or defensively: after so much money expended up on the Western Frontiers, I feel desirous and anxious to remove any censures that our little Country may possible 214 EARLY ILLINOIS. labour under in the opinion of your Excellency »Sz; the world. I do not pretend to know, to whom the failure in the intended Expedition is owing, but the officers & men of these counties have persevered in rendering all possible assistance. By letters from your Excellency's predecessor we were led to expect an early expedition. 500 men with canoes &c were required from these Counties to be at the Falls by March last. The men required were drafted & set apart for the Expedition & the canoes chiefly made, during the course of the spring & summer the Drafts nec- essarily decreased. At a meeting of the Field Officers at Louisville summoned on Genl: Clarke's arrival the begin- ning of September, we found the strength of the three Counties to amount to only 760 men. We offered the General two thirds of them, if he chose to go an Expedi- tion, but rather advised him to proceed in garrisoning the Ohio upwards, agreeably to a recommendation of the Assembly, or at least to attempt nothing more than a small Expedition up the Miami, it was our opinion, if but one Garrison sd. be built, it sh'd be at the mouth of Kentucky as the most valuable post. If there sh'd be afterwards troops to spare, another sh'd be at the mouth of Licking opposite the big Miami, at Lawrence's Creek or Limestone Run: but we seemed unanimous that the mouth of Kentucky, in a war with the Western & Lake Indians, was a post of the utmost consequence. The sentiments of Genl: Clarke were different from ours in this Respect. He imagined the Falls to be a Post of the first Importance, being as he always expressed it, the Key of the Country. As I wish to see military .service always properly hus- banded, I beg leave to offer a few reasons to your excel- lency, to show that keeping our principal post at the Falls is injudiciously wasting of our strength. ■.WMri^ltMWjt JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 215 & the iailure in 3 & men possible we were h canoes he Falls & set y made, afts nec- licers at e begin- he three ered the Expedi- ning the of the I than a )inion, if nouth of sh'd be le mouth 's Creek that the & Lake e. The ours in at of the the Key jrly hus- ir excel- ;he Falls 1st. The situation of the mouth of Kentucky is more in the road of the enemy in their war Excursions to any part of this Country, than any part of the Ohio below that place, a few Settlements in Jefferson County only excepted. 2ndly. The River Kentucky wd. afford a ready and cheap transportation of provisions which so abound in the upper Settlements, whereas if the main army staid at the Falls, an out-post at the Mouth of Kentucky wd. always kept close in Garrison, & being in continual terror could afford no protection towards transporting the pro- visions & rather be a trap for the exposed watermen. 3dly. The Mouth of Kentucky must be much health- ier than the Falls, being free from the stagnated pools which overspread the flat lands near the Falls & which everyyear kill or incpaacitate for service great numbers of our soldiers. To say that the Falls is the Key to this Country, seems to me unintelligible. It is a strong Rapid, which may in an age of commerce, be a considerable obstruction to the navigator, but as we have no trade, we neither need, nor have any keys to Trade. If it be understood in a Military sense, I think it a mistaken appellation, as the Enemy can & do pass with as little molestation just above the Falls & just below the Falls, as they could on any other part of the River. On parting with Genl: Clarke we expected to furnish assistance in building the Garrison at the Mouth of Ken- tucky from the Militia, but expected it to be built princi- pally by the Regulars & wholly garrisoned by them, since which a Requisition has come to Colo: Logan and myself to furnish Tools and build the Garrison and after- wards defend it by men drawn from the Body of our mili- tia until he sh'd have Leisure to relieve them, which we are satisfied wd. not happen in any short time. <*;;asr^4»iai»a««!iti«k, .«^ 2l6 EARLY ILLINOIS. '4 w ik- on consulting with Col: Logan we concluded to defer building the Garrison, because we had no intrenching Tools, no professed Eugineers, no money & we conceived it to belong to men who draw constant pay to garrison it. The result of our consultation we sent to the General^ with a promise to lay the matter before your Excellency or the General Assembly. If the State had no troops on pay, we should have no cause to remonstrate, but when they have troops, and those Troops kept in the more interior & secure posts: when so much has already been expended: to augment the Expence by putting the militia on duty at a place distant from 60 to 120 miles from home, we conceive to be impolitick & contrary to the opinion of your Excellency, to whom we submit the matter. A Recommendation for Justices will be handed your Excellency by our delegates also for several militia officers. If it is not inconsistent with the practice, I would wish for a few Blank Commissions to be sent to the Court. Owing to so great a distance from the Seat of Govern- ment, officers loose generally half a year in the date of their commissions. I have the honor to be, with <-he greatest Respect — Your Excellency's most ob't & very h'ble Serv't. (' M *Col: John Todd to Gov: Jefferson. From "Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. Ill, 130. Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky., April 15th, 1782. May it please your Excellency: — The Inhabitants of Fayette County have been so harrassed this spring by the * Accompanying this letter is a well-drawn plan of the Fort, and account current of cost of building — with description thereof as follows: "Laid down from a Scale of 20 feet to the Inch — 80 feet in the clear — walls 7 feet thick of Rammed Dirt, inclosed with good Timbers 9 feet high only, from 4 feet upwards 5 feet thick— The Top of the Wall is neatly picketed 6 feet High, proof against Small Arms— Ditch 8 feet wide and between 4 & S feet deep. In iirt.«iiiri,rsi«B^. ijab aiiTnwTOnai JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 217 to defer enching nceived rison it. Greneral^ cellency oops on Lit when le more ly been e militia Ti home, jinion of ed your I officers, uld wish e Court. Govern- : date of Lespect — 30. 1, 1782. titants of ig by the and account " Laid down 7 feet thick from 4 feet } feet High, feet deep. Indians, that I was for some time apprehensive that the whole country w'd be evacuated, as Panicks of that Kind have proved very catching, and the fate of the neighbor- ing garrisons at Licking last year was fresh in their minds — The only plan I could devise to prevent it & sufficiently secure the provisions laid up at Bryants & this place, was to build a new Fort upon a very advantageous situation at this place & make it proof against Swivels & small Artillery, which so terrify our people. I laid off the Fort, upon the simplest plan of a Quadrangle & divided the work equally among four of the most push- ing men, with a Bastion to each authorizing them to employ workers from this & the neighboring Stations & assuring them of their pay myself. On the Faith of such assurances considerable sums of money have been lent & advanced to the workmen, so that the work in about 20 Days has been nearly completed in a workmanlike manner. The Gate is nearly finished & the magazine contracted for. The whole Expence amounts to ii^ii,- 341. 1 OS, as will appear by the account herewith Sent. It is in vain for me to assure your Excellency that Diligence and Economy has been used in this Business, as the Work so abundantly proves it. I believe four times the expence never before made for the Publick a work equal to this. An Emulation among the overseers, & Rewards in Liquor to the men proved powerful Incentives to Industry. Being a charge of an uncommon nature, I thought proper to present it to your Excellency & the Council, being better Judges of the Necessity & Expediency of the Work than the Auditors, who are probably unacquainted with the Circumstances of this Country. By either of the Delegates your Excellency may have an opportunity of transmitting the money — I have the Honor to be, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's mo: obedient & humble Servant. I J % 'I 'f I !f 218 EARLY ILLINOIS. Board of Commissioners to Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia, concerning Col. John Todd Junior's Accounts, etc. From the original in the State Capitol at Richmond, Va. Jefferson County, Feb. 17th, 1783. Sir: — The Board of Commissrs. wrote the 23d of De- cember in return to your Excellency's favours of Octobr. 1 6th, & Novn. 4th. In compliance with your orders, we have diligently searched all the papers in our possession that would throw light on the nature of the Bills in Mr. Pollock's hands, yet remain much in the dark, as Colo. Todd's books & accounts are suposed by the Executor to be some where in the Interior parts of Virginia, and he can only lay before us some detached papers, amongst which we find a letter from the Exective, dated in Coun- cil Williamsburg, August 20, 1779. In which the Honble. the Lt. Governor, acknowledges the receipt of several letters from Colo. Todd by Colo. Slaughter of the ist & 2d of July, 1779, which were laid before the council who were pleased with the contents, and approved Colo. Todd's con- duct and plan for supporting the credit of the paper money, but that it must be submitted to the assembly who alone can give it efficacy. That the eight draughts Colo. Todd mentions have not been presented, but shall be duly attended to, as the gentlemen to whom they are payable are highly desirous of the grateful attention of the Gov- ernment. The Board likewise found a Peltry account amongst Colo. Todd's papers, by which it appears wc purchased a quantity of Peltry from Mr. Beauregard some time in the fall of the year 1779, amounting to ;{^2 1,000, for which it is probable he drew bills to the amount. The peltry by this account seems to be paid to sundry per- sons. Colo. Montgomery's certificate & information to the board, likewise accompanies this. On the whole as JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 219 no bills of Colo. Todd's drawing have appeared before us, nor are mentioned in the list transmitted to us, we imagine the bills in Mr. Nathan's possession may probably be for the above purchase, but as we are not favoured either with the amount or date of these bills, and no direct light can be got here, we cannot be positive. On the supposition that the bills were given at that time and on that account, the Commissioners have to observe that 210 packs of Peltry cost the state 2 livres per lb, and that at the time the purchase was made — Peltry and silver were nearly on a par, as it appears. Colo. Todd is said to have given a high price for the Peltry, allowing three livres per lb., which is 50 p. ct. higher than it generally is, shews the purchase was made with depreciated paper money, at a little more than five & a half for one, if the Bills in question were drawn on the above accounts the Commissers. think they should be taken up at the above discount, but the Board wish to refer your Excellency to Colo. Todd's letters of the I & 2d July, 1779, which we suppose lodged in the Council chamber, to elucidate the affair, as we can not meet with copies of them. The Board have finished Capt. George's draughts on Mr. Pollock in favour of Capt. Barbour, but not thinking it prudent to trust the papers relative thereto by this con- veyance, they hope your Excellency will dispcnce with the principles, they went on till they have an opportunity of laying the papers before the executive. As no invoices were produced either by Capt. George or Capt. Barbour, the Board afiixed the prices to the cargo delivered at Fort Jefferson from the best lights they could get, at seven thousand five hundred & Eighty eight Dollars, one liver % as the prime cost at New Orleans, on which the Board allowed two hundred & twenty five p. Ct. advance for the cargo delivered at Fort Jefferson, amounting in the whole to Twenty four thousand six hundred and sixty one 15-33-5 m,' y • ■■ "-1 ■ I ■ T-W^"^ 220 EARLY ILLINOIS. hi . I! dollars four livers, Six sous, Eight deniers including all expenses. We have not yet closed Genl. Clark's accounts as we find them so connected with the other accounts, both the Quarter Master's and Commissary's as well as the officers, that we could not finish them before we had a general view of the whole, we will be able to settle his in ten days. To examine all the Accounts minutely will take up a great deal of time, perhaps more than the Executive can imagine, as double receipts have always been taken for sums paid, the vouchers require to be listed alphabetically to prevent double entries. None of Mr. Pollock's bills he presented for payment have ap- peared before the board, but one, of Jan'y 1st, 1781, for five thousand dollars which appears to be for part of the same cargo Capt. George purchased from Capt. Barbour and was a second bill, and is considered as part of 24661, 57^ allowed as above. By depositions it appears these Bills drawn by Wm. Lynn, in 1778, were for goods purchased by Lynn on his own acct. at Kaskaskias & Mesuri, and ought not to be charged to the state. It likewise appears that Robt. Elliot's draughts and the invoices of goods shiped on Acct. and at the risk of the United States, but charged to the state of Virginia by Mr. Pollock was in consequence of the cargo being lost in the Mississippi, and some of the articles that were saved from the wreck being made use of by the troops in the Illinoise. Inventories of the whole cargo and what was saved & applied to the use of the troops are copying, but as we have not fully examined the affair we defer giving our opinion in it. The Board informed your I^xcellency in theirs of ye Dec. 23, that an I'Lxpress was sent to Kaskaskias to which they had a re- turn last evening, informing them they might expect some of their principle inhabitants would wait on them with the unsettled accounts, &c., in a short time. Mr. Carbonaux .•'y'ii.iifflaarii JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 22 I who will present this, is one of the inhabitants of Kaskas- kias and comes to get some private affairs settled but we suppose him principally a deputy to represent the confu- sion that country is in, which if not settled by this state, we aprehend he will proceed to Congress. None of the post mentioned in Your Excellencys favour of the i6th of Octr. are yet erected. The general we expect will lay before you his reasons for defcring that business, an ad- dress from the civil and Military officers of Fayette praying us to report our opinion to Government accompanies this. We think could a fort be erected at or near the mouth of Limestone it would tend greatly to encourage the settling of that country, and that it should be garrisoned by a company of regulars aided by the Militia, & fur- nished with Flower from the neighborhood of Pitsburg. When we get a little more through the business we will inform your Excellence by express of our proceedings with such remarks on these bills which have been pre- sented for payment and are not laid before us as may be necessary for the Executive to have, before we can return our whole proceedings. We are with great respect your Excellencys. Most obed't Humble Servts. To His Exellence WiLLM. Flkminc;, The Hon. Benjamin Harrison, Esq., T. Marsii.vll, Govr. of Virginia. Caleb Wallace' Col. John Montgomery to the Hon. the Board of Commissioners, for the Settlement of Western Accounts/" ?>om " Calendar of Virginia State Papers," Vol. Ill, patje 441. February 22d, 1783, New Holland. Gentlemen: — As I am sensible that many reports pre- * As the leUers of Col. Todd of Jan. 24, 1781, and of Richard Winston of Oct. 24, 1780, enclosed therein, both printed above, rellect severely upon i .MMiUbidMiMliil 222 KARLY ILMNOIS. 1^ hi" judicial to my character hath been spread by persons of an Kvil disposition, and perhaps their character not known, may of course make some impression on you; and as my accts, are now on the carpit, I take the liberty of address- injT this short narrative to you, the Contents Being an un- deniable truth, I am in hopes will have the desired effect and disperse any suspitions you may have, originated by these Characters alluded to. In 1777, being ordered with my Company from Wholstons to the Kentucky Countr)- for its defence, I remained there until the year following, when Col: Clark arrived at the falls of the Ohio with a body of Troops on his way to the Illinois. I Joined him. and on the presumption of our being Suckcessful, it was thought prudent to Establish a small Post at that place for the conveniency of a communication between the Illinois and Kentuckey Countries, after which we set out on our intended enterprise, and met with all the suckcess we could wish for, principally owing to the secrecy of our movements, after remaining in that country untill circum- stances appearantly permited our Return, I came of with the volunteers, having Instructions from Col: now Genl. Clark, to wait on his Excellency the Governor as soon as possiable with Letters and verbal messages, when I re- ceived Instructions to raise three hundred men and Join Genl. Clark as soon as possiable. raising the greatest part of the Troops, I proceeded down the tennisse river, after .destroying the lower Cherokee Towns in concert with Col: Shelby's division. I proceeded on my rout and arrived Col. Montgomery, it seems l)Ut just to print also this letter containing hi- 4efence. John Montgomery, an Irishman, joined Col. Clark at the Falls of the Ohio, and accompanied him on his expedition to the Illinois. He com- manded the garrison of the fort at Kaskaskia after its surrender by the British, and Aug. 5, 1779, as lieutenant-colonel of the Illinois battalion, was assigned to the military command of the Illinois by Ceorge Rogers Clark, colonel of the Illinois battalion and commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces in iIk western department, — K. c. M. ssoisansesss^^ rsons of known, 1 as my address- j an un- :;d effect ated by ed with Counti)- )llovving, 3 with a jed him, 1, it was at place een the 2 set out suckcess y of our I circum- ; of with 3W Genl. 5 soon as len I re- and Join test part ver, after ,vith Col : 1 arrived utaining lii> the P'alls (if He com- the British, vas assigned , colonel of jrces in tin. ^^m JOIIN-TODI) I'APKKS. 223 at Kaskaskia the 29th of May, 1779. an Kxpedition being already planed, or rather a manouver to prevent the l^Lnemy's taking the Field and Distressing the Frontiers, I was ordered to conduct the Troops by water to St. Vin- cent on the Wabash, Genl: Clark crossing by Land to to that post with a small escort, the appearance of a design of atacking the Enemy on the Lakes being kept up untill the aprentions of all danger of their attempting anything Capital that Season Vanished, a Garrison was ordered .to be left at St. Vincenne. The body of the batalion marched back to the Mississippi to Garrison the Towns Kaskaskia and Kohas. Genl. Clark finding the Public interest required that he should reside at the Falls of the Ohio until provision should be made for the Insue- ing Campaign, I was ordered to take command of the Troops in the Illinois; make often reports of the State of the Department to Genl. Clark, and to be carefull to have Expences of government as moderate as possible: draw- ing bills of exchange on him or the Treasury of Virginia for the payment of the Expences of the Troops, studying the general Interest of the State and Tranquility of the Inhabitants of the Different posts leting all kind of opres- sions be the last shift: this is the Substance of orders I received, I .set out for Kaskaskia the 14th of August, and disposed of my Troops according to order, drawing Bills on the Treasurer for the suport of the Troops, after some time the Inhabitants refused to Take Bills drawn any other way than on Mr. Pollock of New Orleans or the Treasurer addressed to both which I was necessitated to do or suffer my troops to perish, not dareing, from the nature of my Instructions to Impress provisions, if to be got by any other mains on moderate Terms. What might have been Genl: Clark's views for giving Such orders I can't acct. for any other way than that of his views of future oppera- tions being such that he suposed it to be our interest to iwmnwiiui " ' 'I - — ^ f.l' -^ 224 EARLY ILLINOIS. '4 1 4 W: keep the Inhabitants attached to us by Every means in our power, knowing the influence they had over the minds of a great number of Savage Tribes. My Troops suffered, as the credit of the State fell: no payment being made for the Bills that was Drawn, and never haveing any goods, or other property in my possession to have purchased pro- visions, which was generally in Specie notes, which the vouchers to my accts. will best show. Bills I gave cash, for the recruiting Service was Depreciated, it required all the Industry we could possiable make use of to support ourselves, by hunting Czc. in the Spring 1780, we were threatened with an Invasion. Genl. Clark being informed of it Hurreyed his departure with a small body of Troops to the Falls of the mouth of the Ohio, when he receiving other expresses from the Spanish Comm'dts and myself, luckily joined me at Cohos, time enough to save the coun- try from Impending ruin, as the Enimy appeared in great force within twenty four hours after his arrival, finding that they were likely to be disapointed in their Design, they retired after doing some mischief on the Span'h Shore, which would have prevented, if unfortunately the the high wind had not prevented the signals being heard, in a few days a number of prisoners and Disarters left the Enimy Confirming a report that a body of near thousand P2nglish and Indian Troops ware on their march to the Kentucky Country with a Train of artillery, and the Genl: knowing the Situation of that Country appeared to be alarmed and resolved to attempt to Get there previous to their arrival, at the same time he Thought it necessary that they Enimy was retreating up the Illinois River, should be pursued so as to atact their Towns about the time the might have been disbanded, distress them, con- vince thein that we would retaliate and perhaps prevent their joining the British Emisarys again, previous to my knowledge of the above Resolution I had informed Genl; .53i-;;iiva-iSii£Sii£i JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 225 Clarke of my Desire of Leave of absence for some time, in order to return to my family, it was then he informed me of his resolution; and that the Publick Interest would not permit of my request being Granted, that I must take command of the Expedition to Rock River, while he would attempt to interrupt the army i ^rching to Ken- tuckey, and if they got them before him Except the weakened the country too much he would raise an army and atempt t? play them the same Game in the Miami country, as he hoped I would go towards Miskelemacknor, and if we Should be Tolerable sucksessfuU and the busi- ness properly arranged, I might absent myself for four or five months in the fall or winter, after Given me Instruc- tions he left Kohos the forth of June with a small Escort for the mouth of the Ohio on his rout to Kentuckey. I immediately proceeded to the Business I was order'd and march'd three hundred and fifty men to the Lake open on the Illinois River, and from thence to the Rock river. Destroying the Towns and crops proposed, the Enimy not Dareing to fight me as the had so lately Been Disbanded and they could not raise a sufficient force, after return- ing, takeing every method in my power to regulate busi- ness, 1 was resolved to return home, but after Deliberating some time, was convinced that the Risque by land was Great without a Guard, which our circumstances would not admit off, and that I could posably as soon or sooner return by Water than land, what might also induce me in a great measure to Take my rout by Orleans, was the probability of Recovering some deserters from the Span- ish Governor, and put a stop to that pernicious practice. which I in a crreat measure effected as that Gentlemen • '^ ..... appeared willing to comply with any proposition in Ins power to promote our interest, finding that a passage to Virginia was not expected in a short time, I resolved to Return Emediately, and according to my resolution set J 226 EARLY ILLINOIS. out on the fifteenth of March and returned to my Com- mand the first day of May, 1781. the want of provisions obh'ged us to Evacuate Fort Jefferson the Eight of June & the Genl interest required my attention at the falls of the Ohio, when I arrived the second of July a few days before Genl: Clark, on my return from New Orleans, I was alarmed to find by some letters for Genl: Clark seting forth many allagations and Instructions in consequence to the Comd's of Fort Jeff"erson. I was Emediately con- vinced that some malicious person in my absence had made reports much to my prejudice asserting that I had made large purchases pretendedly for the State and appro- priated them to my use, which is a palpable falsity, as it is well known that I never attempted anything that could give the least suspicion of such practices, of course these reports have originated from false Malitious persons so Common in the Western Country and so apt to be credited by persons that ought, and would despise them, could the know their charactar. You are sensible how fond some perticular classes of people are, of spreading reports pre- judicial to others, a low charactor, in the Eastern part of the state, he fits himself out, come to the fronteers, sup- poses on his rout, that although of an Inferior Class in his own neighborhood will be at least Equal to the first in the Country he \ a going to push himself into Company and perhaps Gets kicked out, and Emediately makes a point of Exclaiming, not only for sake of Revenge, but is in hopes that strangers will view him as a man of conse- quence, but Sirs, you are too well acquainted with the world to make it necessary for me to say ivnything more on the Subject of such Characters. I flatter myself that you will at least find, that too great credit have been paid to party reports, and that officers zealous in the interest of their Country, that have sacrifised their all for it, have suffered by those very men, who not having virtue enough 10HN-TODD PAPERS. 'y> 27 to step forth in its Defence, have maid their fortunes under the banner of those ofticers they wish to Destroy, no person but those that have been witne.sses can have a just idea of the adress and Fatigues that it hath required to suport this Department that have been the Salvation of all our frontiers, and saved much blood and Treasure, always Labouring under every Kind of Difficualty, the the want of men, money and provision, and havcing not only to Counteract, the designs of a Powerful savage Tribe, incouraged by British Emissaries and others Equally Dangerous to the State. A duty I owe myself and Coun- try require that I should give you every information in my pow^r which will always give me pleasure, whenever you call on me, I am Gent, with every sentiment of respect Your very ( Hjedient Servant. Thomas Jefferson to Colonel Todd:'' From "Canadian Archives," .Series 2, Vol. 17, p. 125. WiLLTAMSBUKd, March 19th, 1780. Sir: — Your Letter from the falls of Ohio, of Dec. 23d, came safely to hand. You mention therein that you have not in a twelvemonth received any Letters from hence, I know not what were written before the ist of June last, but since that time I have written several to you. The Expences attending the support of our Troops in the Illinois has obliged us to call them all to the -y^aih. side of the Ohio, where our paper money is current. * The originals of this letter and one of the same date written by rhom.is JelTerson to (leorge Rogers Clark were intercepted on their way to the West, and sent to Major de Peyster, the British commandant at Detroit. He for- warded them to Cen. llaldimand at (^)iiel)ec, who acknowledged their leceipt July 6, 1780 and forwarded them to the Home (iovurnmeat. — "Canadian Ar- chives, Haldimand Collection." — E. (;. M. siesjfi J 228 EARLY ILLINOIS. Hard money is not to be got here, and we find the diffi- culty of sending commodities to New Orleans, very great. The Draughts from yourself and Colonel Clarke on Pol- lock, those presented us by Le Gras and Lintot, others for about 50,000 Dollars presented by a Mr. Nathan from the Havannah, who took them up at New Orleans, being all claimed in hard money or commodities at the hard money price, have rendered us bankrupt there — for we have no means of paying them. Mr. Brusegard's bill for 30,000 dollars will be on a foot- ing with these. We will accept it. Promise payment, and make it, — as soon as we shall be able. We have no bank in France, or any other Foreign Place. There being an absolute necessity of obtaining from New Orle- ans supplies of clothing and military stores for Colonel Clarke's men, we shall endeavour that our Board of Trade shall send commodities there for that purpose. But to prevent the injury and disgrace of protested bills, we think that in future all bills must be drawn by them, in which case they will take care to make previous provision, for their payment. I am therefore to desire you hereafter to notify to us your wants^ which shall be provided for as far as we are able, by bills from the Board of Trade, sent to you or to New Orleans. Provisions and all other articles, which our Country affords, will be sent on the south side of the Ohio. I must beg the favor of you to send me a list of all the bills you have at any time drawn on us, specifying where they are drawn in dollars, whether silver or paper dollars were intended, and if paper, at what rate of depreciation they were estimated ; the known price of commodities in hard money or peltry will servo you as a standard to Uk the rate of depreciation. We cheerfully exert ourselves to i)ay our debts, as far i«57!r;r.Ky;;"-'t,'.'"i' HHB^iS JOHN-TODD PAPERS. 229 as they are just, but we are afraid of imposition, for which the rapid progress of depreciation has furnished easy- means — yourself alone & Colonel Clarke can guard us against this by timely and full information in what man- ner your several draughts ought in justice to be paid. I am sorry you think of resigning your office in the Illinois, the withdrawing our troops from thence will ren- der the presence of a person of established authority more essential than ever. Your complaints concerning your allowance we think too well grounded and will lay them before the Assembly in May, who we doubt not will remove them, the other objections, I am in hopes you can get over. It would give us much concern should any necessity oblige you to leave that Country at all, and more especi- ally so early as you speak of. I am Sir, with great esteem your most humble'servant. [Signed,] Thos. JEFFERSON. To Colonel Todd. [Endorsed:] Copy of a Letter from Mr. Jefferson to. Col. Todd, dated at Williamsburg, March 19th, 1780. In Govr. Haldimand's No. 57. FERGUS' HISTORICAL SERIES, N-v 33. rtnous poiNTiNS companv, chicaqo. 1