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:a«i

Kii,,n,„<ih,rii.r,'i

I^HiiffpfflUiiin

iiiiiii'iiiiiiiiiiiiifiijiiiiiiiy i

■

MICHIGAN,

CIVIL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL,

IN A COMPENDIOUS FOIUM ;

WITH A

VIEW OF THE SULRROUNDING LAKES.

JAMES H. LANMAN.

WITH A MAP.

•

NEW-YORK:

E. FRENCH, 146 NASSAU STREET.

1839.

t •

* •

/ • N

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1839, by J. H. Lanman, in the
Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New-York.

3 4-^5

STEREOTVPED BY VINCENT L. DILL, 208 Wll.MAM STREET.

SCATCIIKRD AND ADAMS, PBI.NTKRS.

TO THE

PEOPLE OF MICHIGAN,

WHOSE ENTERPRISE FIRST URGED THEM INTO THE WILDERNE33,
WHOSE ENERGIES
ARE ADVANCING THE PROGRESS OP THE STATE,

THIS WORK

IS RESPECTPDLLY INSCRIBED.

PREFACE

The tract of territory now embraced in the State of Miclil-
gan, derives its name probably from the Indian word Michi-
sawgyerran, signifyincr a Great Lake. Its growing importance
has niduced mo to undertake this work. Endeavoring to ex-
hibit its history and its resources in a condensed form, I have
amied at accuracy in all its parts ; and to state nothincr but
that for which ample evidence may be produced. The" ma-
terials have been scattered around ; some ni rough frac^ments
half buried in the soil, some in sculptured masses, and^thers
had not been hewn from the quarry. If it be thought that
they are arranged into a well-proportioned fabric, I reap a full
reward. Besides a large body of documentary matter and other
sources from which focts have been derived, are the works
ot Hakluyt, Hennepin, La Hontan, Charlevoix, Henry, Car-
ver, Roger, Mackenzie, Schoolcraft, and the valuable discour-
ses which have been delivered by Lewis Cass, Henry R.
fechoolcraft, Henry Whiting, and John Biddlc before the His
torical Society of Michigan. I would also acknowledge mv
deepest obligation to several gentlemen of the Detroit bar
among whom are B. F. H. Witherell, A. D. Frazer, and
1- ranklin Sawyer, for aiding my researches in the prosecution
ot the work ; and especially to Mr. Henry R. Schoolcraft, for
his kind aid and advice when these were most required • an
assistance, springing not on.y from personal friendship,' but
from an interest in the north-west, whose history and re-

PREFACE.

• sources his literary efforts have illustrated and adorned. I
nm also indebted to the State Librarian of Michigan and the
Secretary of State, for facihtating my labors in their own re-
spective departments.

Independently of the interest which has been for some
tmie thickening around the Lake region of the country,
from the progress of emigration into that quarter and its ex-
traordmary advance, there are also other facts which aucr-
ment tliis interest. In the first place it has been excludeli
from the possession of the United States until the year 1796^
and, by consequence, its history is foreign pievious to that
date. Held by the French crown until 1760, it was made a
rallying point for its military and mercantile operations until
this period, connected uS they were with savages and the in-
fluence of French institutions and the CathoUc Church. It
is, moreover, a new and comparatively unknown field.
Whilp in the more densely settled States of the east the pro-
minent events of their growth have been carefully treo^-red
up and recorded, those of the north-west have been in a
great measure neglected. This is doubtless owing to the fact,
that the region which now comprises the American States in
this quarter had no distinct and independent government un-
til the year 1787. It was a howling wilderness, the border of
a vast jurisdiction belonging to monarchies abroad ; inhabited
by migratory traders, .v^andering hordes of savages, or tempo-
rary armies encamped for the purposes of defence or conquest.
But the time has now ar-ivod when the flicts should be em-
bodied, and the causes and consequences which have borne
upon that country clearly set forth.

There is a striking difference in the colonial character of
the Atlantic States and those of the north-west. The colo-
nial structure of the States of New England and New- York
was of the English and Dutch cast ; while that of Michigan,
previous to its conquest by Englar.d, was French. The hon
independence, the upright, sober, and self-denying character
ofthe founders of New England, chastening their appetites
and passions to a severe form of religious doctrine, was un-
like that of the class of Frenchmen, who were inspired with

PREFACB.

that loyalty which characterized the reign cf Louis XIV.
the volatile, reckless, and amiable class who now inhabit the
cottages of a great portion of the Canadas, and who we
have recently seen striving to shake off the British power ; the
class who had been accustomed to reverence the French
monarchy in their own country, and were willing to obey
their seigneurs in the American wilderness. Another diffe-
rence between the two colonies consisted in their religion.
While the auaker and the Puritan adhered, with the utmost
rigid firmness, to the forms of their own church, the region of
the lakes was the stronghold of that gorgeous fabric, the Church
of Rome; and for more than a century it was the ranging
ground of the most polished order of that church, the order of
the Jesuits.

The history of Michigan exhibits three distinct and strong-
ly marked epochs. The first may be properly denominated
the Romantic, which extends to the year 1 760, when its do-
minion was transferred from France to Great Britain. This
was the period when the first beams of civilization had scarce-
ly penetrated its forests, and the paddles of the French Fur
Trade swept the lakes, and the boat-songs of the traders
awakened tribes as wild as the wolves which howl around
their wigwams.

The second epoch is the Military. Commencing with the
Pontiac war ; and, running down through the successive stru<r.
gles of the British, the Indians, and the Americans, to obtahi
the domuiion of the country, it ends with the victory of Com-
modore Perry, the defeat of Proctor, and the death of Tecum-
seh, the leader of the Anglo-savage Confederacy upon the
banks of the Thames.

The third epoch is the enterprising, the hardy, the practi-
cal, the mechanical, the working age of Michigan ; and it
commences with the introduction of the public lands info
market. It -s the age of agriculture, commerce, and manu-
factures ; of harbors, cities, canals, and rail-roads ; when the
landscapes of the forest are meted out by the chain and com-
pass of the surveyor ; when its lakes and streams are sounded
and adjudged by iheir capacity to turn the wheel of a mill or

«t

via

PREFACE.

to float a ship ; and when these facts are set down hi the vahie
of dollars and cents to the price current of the exchange. It
IS the age when a sturdy energy, acting under the impulse of
our free government, is bounding forward with unprecedented
vigor ; founding states, developing resources, overcoming the
obstacles of nature by artificial means, and doing in years
what was formerly the work of ages. This energy, acting
upon our western States, cannot be viewed without amaze"-
ment ; its consequences no human foresight can fathom.

One cannot fail to be surprised at the too general want of
information which prevails at the east regarding the region of
the north-western lakes. Although the advance of emigration
has tended somewhat to enlighten the public mind on that sub-
ject, stil I it is even now be] ievcd by many to be a wilderness, filled
in a great measure with savages, and destitute of th3 advanta-
ges of civilization. Such expressions do not keep pace with the
advance of the times. They would have been well founded twen-
ty years ago ; for the great mass of the population and wealth
has sprung up within that period, while the bulk of the Ame-
rican people have been reposing along the Atlantic sea-board.
A concise account of the progress of the State of Michigan
will rectify such impressions, if any still remain.

Michigan attracts to itself interest from abroad on other
grounds. A considerable portion of the domain is now held by
non-resident owners, and, on account of the advance of the
country, must be valuable to that class of readers, as well as to
those who seek a place for settlement. This work is also de-
signed as a book of reference to the citizens of the State
where the prominent facts relating to its progress and present
condition may be found.*

The jurisprudential history of Michigan is somewhat sin-
gular in the various changes of ihe government from the '■ feu-
dal system " of the Coutume de Paris, the French colo-
nial law, to the forms of the law of England ; and thence
through the successive lorms of legislation prescribed by the
ordinance of 1787 for the government of the old nor*h-west-
ern territory down to the establishment of the present State
Governniciit.

PREFACE.

With the exception of the discourses to whicli allusion has
been made, tlie present volume is the first attempt to exhibit
in a counected form, the history of Michigan. At points I
have gone beyond the bounds of the State as now organized
when the facts appeared to have a bearing on the main object!
Tiie history of Michigan is traced back to the early history
cfCanada, because it was a province of that dominion, was
peopled by the same stock, and subject to the same govern-
ment under the French and English domination. In the pro-
secution of the work I have, in a few instances, used the lan-
guage of others ; and a portion of two articles which I had
prepared, and which were inserted in the North American Re-
view, has been here embodied, for the purpose of avoidino- the
labor which would be required in transcribing the parts relat-
mg to their subjects.

No one can be more sensible than myself of the deficiency
ofthe present volume. It has been sent in parcels to the
press, and locked up in stereotype plates before I could have
the opportunity to correct them as I could wish, being distant
from the place of publication. A law of Michigan, subscrib-
ing for the work, also limited the time of its delivery to the
first of May, 1839. This plea is put in to abate the severity
of criticism, which might be urged against any inaccuracies
that may be discovered, either in point of fact or literary ere-
cution. I have not sought to collect every incident which
has occurred at the north-west, and the evidence to support it
or oppose il, and to enter upon long hypothetical arguments
for the purpose of establishing them; liut it has been my de-
sign to group those prominent circu^^rtjces which seem to
have been founded on strong evidenc'^^hnd which have con-
trolled the destiny of the State, ibr the purpose of shovvino-
why Michigan is in its present condition, and to give a gene''-
ral sketch of its geographical features. In tliis labor I have
occupied that portion of time which ought to have been, and
will be hereafter, exclusively devoted to the labors of an ardu-
ous profession.

Thirteen years ago the author had occasion to spend one
year in what ^vas then the territory of Michigan. Upon the

/f!

* PREFACE.

banks of the River Raisin and the Detroit River, which* are
now adorned with heantiful spechnens of architecture, there
weretheu only two small settlements, Monroe and Detroit; and
near to these a (e'w French farms lay scattered upon the streams
of the frontier. The interior was a wilderness, then but little
known. In these villages the Indian was nearly as often
met as the white man. Tlie mercantile liouses in these settle-
ments were often surrounded by the pack-horses of the sava-
ges loaded with furs; and he has journeyed through the
forests towards Detroit with Canadian Frenchmen, who were
then transporting them to that place, which was the princi-
pal mart of the trade. In visiting the State of Michigan in
1837 the country could scarcely be recognized. A new class
of population had spread itself out upon the soil, villages had
begun to dot the wilderness from the banks of St. Clair to
Lake Michigan, and, under the progress of industry, the
State had sprung up in power and importance like a volcanic
island from the sea.

Having been cast as an emigrant two hundred miles into
the interior during the last year, it occurred to him that a new
and rich field was opened around him to research ; and that,
comparatively, little was known respecting the early condi-
tion of the country by many who had been long residents.
Measures were soon taken to collect the most interesting cir-
cumstances connected with its early history. The matter
soon grew upon his hands, and it was thought that the facts
thus accumulated were worthy of publication. The liberal
encouragement of the State furnished a further motive to that
end. It will be seen that the facts embodied in relation to the
later progress of the territory liave been thrown together in a
more rapid form, as there are no distinct epochs in the space
of four or five years. Even the first newspaper in Michigan
was issued as late as 1809. The recent history of the coun-
try is, indeed, little more than the history of rapid emigration
and settlement.

From the facts here embodied, it will be perceived that the
operations of the European Governments in this country
were actuated by a desire of dominion ; and that it was the

PREFACE.

desgn of the.r nval projects to grasp the wealth and juris,
diction of the soil. The country bordering the great C
which we call new, will be perceived to have been S
known. We shall perceive that the winding courses o"i?
rivers and us remotest forests have been explored, '"or me !
cantile and religious objects, from a distant period ; and that
the rich furs which abounded in the wilderness of the norm-
west have for two centuries adorned the robes of the mon-
archs of Europe, and contributed to the luxury of courts

The particular character of the religious exertions of the
Catholic missionaries exhibits prominently the influence of
their religion This remark is made without reference to
sects or creeds. The spirit which was frequently exhibited
by them, was not that which pines within iron bars and
rownson innocent enjoyment; not the religion which ex-
hausts Itself i^n forms and rubrics, in making professions and
counting beads, a religion which showed itself in words ra-
ther than m action. But it was a spirit which softened the
character and controlled the conduct, circulating through the
whole moral system as the blood through the veins of the
human body. It was a religion which waved its snow-white
banner-emblazoned with the star that glowed with clear
brilliancy upon the plains of Judea-above the strife of sa
vage passions, and encountered hardships, trials, and even
death itself, to benefit barbarians.

We shall see, in the contrast of the present condition of the
north-west with that of former times, the influence of politi-
cal freedom upon national growth. It shows that civil oqv-
ernment, by furnishing the means and motives for action
pushes forward the enterprises of communities ; and that na'
tional improvement is advanced or checked, j.ist in proper-
tion to the spirit of the people, and the frame of government
by which they are controlled.

Had more ample materials and greater leisure been aff-ord-
ed me, the work would have appeared in a more perfect
term ; 1 should have endeavored, under such circumstances
to give each fact in chro' ological order, and to arrange it under
separate years. This, uo /ever, was found to be impracticable,

»i

PaEPACE.

}

because the country contained no records of annual events.
I should, moreover, have given eacli incident its full propor-
tion and colorinor, and thus have thrown upon the canvas a
symmetrical painting ; whereas I have now only drawn a
group of crayon sketches, imperfect and unsatisfactory, I
fear, to the great mass of readers. It is a consolation, how-
ever, to know that these can be modified at a future time if
the general plan of the work meets the public approbation.

Perhaps the spirit in which the subject is treated may be
considered by the less excitable class of readers as too ardent.
To that class I would remark, that the nature of the subject
seems naturally to awaLon much of zeal. The example of
new States advancing in our western forests, not in steps but
in bounds, presents an extraordinary scene, calculated to call
forth whatever of enthusiasm the mere growth of a country
can kindle. The people of the new States of the west, carry,
mg from the east their habifs, their laws, their institutions,
and their principles, and erecting frames of government upon
common models, are composed, for the most part, of nmtual
acquaintances and friends. It is therefore itural for each to
regard the cau5.es which have acted on the soil of the other
and the institutions which both mav build up, with intense
interest; for their labors are the achievement of one common
people, shedding glory on one common country. They are
the offspring of free mind, secure in the reward of its exertion,
which has rent the manacles of past ages, and which is novv
accomplishing its own bloodless victories on a field as wide
and bounteous as the heart of man could wish. To trace
the causes which have acted upon the State, and to exhibit
its present condition, is, finally, the design of this work ; and
whatever may be its errors in point of statement or taste, if it
shall be thought that it adds any thing to the stock of State
history, and throws any light upon the resources of the north-
west, I shall be satisfied.

Detroit, Jan. Isl, 1839.

■m^iL

CONTENTS.

Chapter I,
General view of the French Colonization. Voyagcsof Jaquos Cartier. Hoche.

Canada "^ F f r uT °'''''' "' Cl'amplain. Rel.gious institutions in
Canada. Fa.lureof the Company of New France. Rival claims of the English

vernor""co r"' ,^'=°"'^"'"^- ^-^^ d'Argenson appointecT^-
ve nor. CondU.on of the eolonies. Count de Frontenac. Discovery of fho

Miss.ss.pp,. Discoveryofthe mouth of the Mississippi. . . ^ p„eei

Chapter II.

^i^uT'vV' ""r"^"""" ^"^'"'^ P"^""^^-^ -"' '" 'Chains to the French
galleys. Pohcy of Kondiaronk. Character of the colonists. The jZ^,

fZl c'Z' 7- ^'r''""''- ^---'-'J-Bois. Distrihutlo of
lands. Commerce and agneulture. Currency. Social condition of Canada

Chapter III.

Colonization of Michigan. Michilimackinac founded. Fort St Josenh Fort
erected on St. Joseph's River. Indian council held re^a i I tJ pit' at D

byTheFox^E ,.,:"'?• ^'^ O'^— Second a.tack of Detroit
by the h oxes. Early travellers through the region of the lakes The Baron
LaHontun. Peter Francis Xavier de Charlevoi.x The Baron

• • • • Ot>

Chapter IV.

"^tTs^'^H^'lf BL'^dT^T,"''"'^'^ '" '^''"-^^"- ^^^^•-^^- ^~^ •'es
Frn.hr The peasantry. Legal administration. Policy of the

F«nch Government. Indian mythology of the lakes. Land distribution
Colonization mcreased. Fur Trade on the lakes. . . ""^ ""'^^^'^^"^

Chapter V.
French and English claims to the country. Rival discoveries. Wars between

XIV

CONTENTS.

the two nations. Massacre of Schenectady. Projected conquest of Canada
Projected conquest of Nortli America by the French. Treaty of Utrecht.
Intrigue of Father Rallo. War renewed. Rival claims stated. Letter to
Uncas. Campaign of 1759. Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Surrender of
the country by the French to the Enghsh. Condition of Michigan at that pe-
"oiJ Pagers

Chaptlr VI.

Gereral Amherat orders Major Rogers to take possession of Michigan.
Rogers's Expedition. First appearance of Pontiac. Rogers travels around
Lake Erie. Letter to Bellestre, the French commandant of Detroit.
Rogers's speech to the hostile Indians. Reply of Bellestre. The Kffigy.
Prediction of the Indians verified. Rogers takes possession of Detroit.
Treaty with the Indians .85

Chapter VII.

Social condition of Michigan after tho conquest. Policy of Pontiac, Outbreak
of the Pontiac War. Siege of Detroit. Battle of Bloody Bridge. Hostile
demonstrations around Michihinackinnc. Speech of Minavavana. Speech
of a Chippewa ciiief to Henry the trader. Wawatam. Destruction of
Michilimackinac. Arrival of Bradstreet. Indians dispersed. . . 93

Chapter VIII.

Condition of Michigan after the Pontiac war. The Hudson's Bay company.
The North-west Company. The American Fur Company. Administration
of the law by the English. Silver found near Lake Superior. Project for
working the Copper minus of Lake Superior. Condition during the Ameri-
can Revolution. Byrd's Expedition. Governor Hamilton'.^ Expedition. In-
dian relations. Netawatwees. Captain Pipe. White Eyes. Grermaa
missionaries carried to Detroit. Indian Council. Speech of Captain Pipe.
Missionaries acquitted 126

Chapter IX.
Treaty of 1783. North-west territory organized. Arthur St. Clair appointed Go-
vernor. Retention of the posts by the English. Confederation of the savages.
Messages of the Hurons of Detroit. Division of Canada. Simcoe, McKee,
Elliot, and Girty. Message from the Spanish settlements on the Mississippi.
Campaign ofGon. Harmar. St. Clair's Defeat. Victory of General Wayne.
View of settlements in Michigan. Project of Randall and Whitney. Posts
of Mackinaw and Detroit relinquished. Condition of Michigan at that time.

Chapter X.

Condition of Michigan after the surrender of the posts. The territory of Michi-
gan erected. Gen. Hull appointed Governor. Detroit destroyed by fire.
Administration of the law. Indian confederation upon the lakes under Te-
cumsch. Speech of Le Marquoit. Speech of Walk-in-the- Water, and other
Wyandots. Memorial from Michigan to the General Government. Popula-

■kk

CONTENTS.

tioninlSll. Hostility of the savages. Land office established. Indiantrea-
tiea. Operations on the Wabash Page 168

Chapter XI.

War declared between Great Britain and the United States. Rcuresentations of
Governor Hull. Governor Hull appointed to the command of the western
army. Marches over to Sandwich, and addresses the Canadians. Policy of
Prevost. Surrender of Detroit. Indians under Tecumseh. Conduct of Go-
vernor Hull. Expedition to the River Raisin. Capture of Mackinaw. Battle
of the River Raisin. Gen. Harrison's Campaign. Naval Buttle on Lake Erie.
Harrison arrives at Maiden. Marches to Detroit. Battle of the Thames.
Attack of Mackinaw. Peace decrlaed : ; 186

CirAPTER XII.
Colonel Cass appointed Governor of Michigan. Condition of Michigan at that
time. Pi'blic lands brought into market. Population in 1S20. Exploring
expedition of the lakes. Modifications of the territorial Government. The
New-York and Erie Canal. Mr. Porter appointed Governor. Controversy
with Ohio. Mr. Mason elected Governor. Stale of Michigan erected. 219

Chapter XIIL
Face of the country. Rivers. Soil. Timbered land. Oak openings. Prairies.
Burr-oak plains. Animals. Interior Lakes. Geological structure. Mine-
rals. Cost of clearing lands. Roads. Climate. Beauty of the scenery.
Features of the north-western part of the State. Aboriginal monuments and
organic remains. Indian topographical terms. Internal Improvement. 249

Chapter XIV.
General view of the Lake. Coast of Michigan. Size of the Lakes. Fish.
Shore of Lake Erie und the Detroit River. Detroit. Lake St. Clair. '^ .ver
St. Clair. Fort Gratiot. Lake Huron. Saginaw Bay. Mackinaw. Falls
of St. Marie. Lake Superior. Green Bay. Lake Michigan. Length of the
coast of Michigan. . . :

Chapter XV.
County of Wayne. Monroe. Macomb. St. Clair. Lenawee. Hillsdale.
Branch. St. Joseph. Cass. Calhoun. Jackson. Berrien. Van Buren.
Kalamazoo. Washtenaw. Oakland. Livingston. Ingham. Eaton, Barry.
Allcghan. La Peer. Genessee. Shiawassee. Clinton. Ionia. Kent. Sa-
ginaw. Mackinaw. Chippewa. Production of the counties in 1837. 232

Chapter XVI.

Components of the population of Michigan. The character of the popiilation.
Amount of population in 1837. Character of the Indians. Their number.

295

Chapter XVII.

General features of the Lake country. Its commercial advantages. Ohio. In-
diana. Michigan. Illinois. Wisc-insin. National importance of the great

XVI

CONTENTS.

lakes. Causes of the former slow growth of the country. Relative importance
of Michigan. Future prospects of this region. . . . Page 313

APPEiXDlX.

^ule I. to page 5<
Memoir of the men and provisions ni.'cessury for the vessels which Francis I.
sent into Canada , 331

iNote [I. to page 14.
Advanceof the Iroquois upon the American shore of the lakes. . . 334

JiTute III. to pitge 34,
Massacres of the Jesuits by the Iroquois. ...... 336

JVuife IV. to page 40.
Copy of the first grant of land which wus made in Detroit by Antoine de la
Molhe Cadillac, Esq. Lord of Bouaget Mount desert, and Commandant for
the King at Detroit, Pontchartrain 33S

JSTote V. to page 61,
Petition of certain inhabitants of Detroit to prevent a trespass upon a mill. 33S

J^ote VI. to page 126.
Indian grant of 1771 . 339

J^ote VII. to page 166.
Treaty of Greeneville. : 340

JVo<e VIII. to page 2ld.
Early Travellers through the Lakes. ....<<< 915

J^ote IX.
Proclamation of Gen. Hull. . 346

JVote X.
Geology of Michigan. 347

J^ote XL
Principal Rivers. 366

JVo/e XII.
Constitution of Michigan 382

a I

I ,

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

33-1
336

333
339
340
345
346
347
366
382

CHAPTER I.

General vinw of French Colonization- Voyagos of Jacques Curtier-Hochclaaa
Roberval's Vov«.„-Samuel Cluunpla.n's' N^ovaKe-'jem.ita sent to Canafa
--Cornpany o .New France-Death of Cha,n,;iam-IU' .iou.s Inst tutlo .Tii
Canada-]; ailure o the Company of New Franco-llivuT claims of the l-] -
g hsl and h renc h- roquois and Al.o,K,„in8-Mar.,nis d' Argenson appo -
cd Governor-Cond.t.on of t he Colonies-Connt di Frontenac-DiacovS of
the Mississippi-Discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi. ^

During the fifteenth and a greater part of the sixteenth
century, the i)rincipal nionarchs of Europe devoted their en-
terprise to the discovery of new worlds. Now, the energies
of mankind are employed in their colonization, Tlie ItaUau
states, and especially the Republics of Venice and Genoa,
the Portuguese and the Spaniards, France and England, cm-
barked in the project of exploration. The design of the ad-
venturers was to aggrandize themselves by founding new
empires, and their motive was the love of gain and doininion.
A spirit of adventure kindled the more active youth of those
states, who were employed in the study of navigation and the
kindred sciences. They burned with zeal to traverse vast
and trackless oceans, stretching away thousands of miles
toward unknown coasts, which their fhncy had painted in
glowing colors as a second Eden ; and to plant the banners
of their country upon shores adorned with the richest scene-
ry, whose caves were encrusted with gems, whose streams
glided over beds of silver, and where the rocks were based
on solid gold. Monarchs and subjects, nobles and priests,
sailors, artisans, soldiers, and nuns, Ircely gave their patrona<re
or individual service to the great work. Columbus and the
Cabots, Gaspar de Cortcreal, Giovanni Verazzano, and other

U! !|

2 HISTORY OK MIf IIKiAN.

dariiiir mariiuTS, had each, in tlioir own belialf or under the
auspices of their resp(>ctivc jrovernnicnts, crossed the sea for
these objects. The French directed their projects to the dis-
covery and settlement of the more nordiern parts of the coun-
try around the St. Lawrence, bccmise the Spaniards occupied
the territory of Florida, and the English held possession of
the middle portion of the contment.

About ten years after the voyage of Verazzano, Jacques
Cartier, a mariner of St. Malo, was granted a commission
from Francis I. to push his discoveries into the then un-
known regions of America. On the iiOth of April, 1034, ho
accordingly embarked upon the expedition with two ships,
each of sixty tons burthen, and a good crew of sixty-one men.
This first voyage of Cartier was, however, limited to a sur-
vey of the northern coast of Newfoundland. When he
had landed upon the shores and seen the natives, he was in-
duced, from the precarious state of the wetther and the ad-
vanced season, to return to St. Malo ; and on the 15th of Sep-
tember, 1534, he came to anchor in that port, reserving fur-
ther discoveries for a future voyage.

On his return, Cartier was received with much favor, and
having given a favorable account of his voyage, he soon enter-
ed upon a second erpcdition. His squadron on this second
voyage consisted of three ships, the Great Hermina of about
120 tons, which Cartier commanded in person, the Little
Hermina' of 60 tons, and the Hermirillon of 40 tons. Before
they embarked, a solemn and gorgeous pageant was performed
in the church for their spiritual comfort. Having confessed,
and received the sacrament, the crew were drawn up in the
cathedral, and, standing before the altar, received also the
benediction of the Bishop, who was arrayrd in the most
costly sacerdotal robes.

On the 15th of May, 1535, Cartier, the Frcnc;h admiral,
weighed anchor, and set sail for Newfoundland. The voy-
age was tempestuous. Arriving within sight of Newfound-
land, the mariners passed to the west, and entering the gulf
on the day of St. I-awrence, they gave that name to the broad
.!. v et of water which was spread ou t before them. This name

CANADIAN COLONIZATION. 3

was afterwards extended to the river. In September, Cartier
ascended the St. Lawrence us far as the island of Orleans.
He was, however, bore opposed in his progress by a body of
Indians, who probal 'y considered the white men as intruders,
nlthougti in other respects lie was received with generous
hospitality by the natives. In order to discourage Ins advance
into the interior, they made him bountiful presents of corn
and fish. Finding this of no avail, the Indians resorted
to conjury, supposing they might terrify him into compli-
ance. A circle was drawn upon the sand by a prominent sa-
chem, and the savages, who had collected thick around it,
being ordered to retire, the French mariner was beckoned
within this circle. A speech having been concluded, Cartier
was presented two or three small children, amid the yells of
the surrounding savages. Finding these arts also unavailing,
the chief resorted to a species of deception, which is now in
common practice among the Indians. They dressed three men
like devils, wrapped them in black and white dogskins, their
faces were painted black as coal, while they had horns on
their head more than a yard long.' These Indian jugglers
having performed certain feats, declared that the Great "spirit
had uttered maledictions against the French, and that there
was so much ice and snow in the country, certain death
would await the white men if theyadvanccd. Theships of Car-
tier having been safely moored, he advanced up the St. Law-
rence, notwithstanding the opposition of the savages, and soon
arrived at the principal village on the island of Hochelaga,
where Montreal now stands. That region he found in the
possession of a branch of the Wyandot or Huron tribe of In-
dians, who had driven out the preceding inhabitants, and es-
tablished themselves in their place.

Having climbed the hill at the base of which lay the vil-
lage, he beheld spread around him a gorgeous scene of woods
and waters, promising glorious visionsof future opulence and
national strength. That Jiill he called Mont-royall, and this
name was afterwards extended to the island of Montreal. At
that period, more than three centuries ago, the village of

♦ Hakluyt, vol. 3, page 2G9.

HrSTOIlY OP MICHIGAN,

a J

Hochelagfa was surrounded by large fields of corn and stately-
forests. The hill called Mont-royall was fertile and highly
cultivated. " The form of the village was "ound, and encom-
passed with timber, witli three courses of ramparts, framed
like a sharp spire, but laid across above. The middlemost
of them was made and built as a direct line, but perpendicu-
lar. These ramparts w^ere framed and fashioned with pieces
of timber laid along the ground, very well and cunningly
joined together after this fashion. The enclosure was in
height about two rods. It had but one gate, which was shut
with piles, .stakes, and bars. Over it, and also in many places
of the wall, there were places to run along, and ladders to get
up, full of stones for its delence. In the town there were
about fifty houses, about fifty paces long and twelve or fifteen
broad, built of wood, covered over with the bark of the wood
as broad as any board, very finely ai.d cunningly joined to-
gether. Within these houses there were many rooms, lodg-
insfs, and chambers. In the midst of these there was a great
court, in the middle whereof they made their fire. They
lived in common together. Then did the husband's, wives, and
children, each one retire themselves to their chambers. They
also had on the tops of their houses, garrets, where they kept
their corn to make their bread, which they called cara-

At that time tlie savages prepared their corn with mortars
and pestles, and they made difi'erent kinds of pottage with
corn, peas, beans, and muskmellons ; and they had in their
houses certain vessels, us big as any " butt or tun," in which
they preserved their fish. Their main support was hunting,
fishing, and husbandry. The most valuable thing in the
world to them was called cornibofz, and ot these they made
beads, and wore tliem about their necks, " even as we do chains
of gold and silver."

* Tl 3 aspect of an Indian village in l.xJo may pcrliaps throw some light on
the Q.icient monuments of an unknown race, which are now scattered over (he
west, and whicii are supposed to belong to a people settled in North America
before the Indians. It was probably like a modern Indian village, somewhat
modified in its defences by the belligerent character of that age.

t .

CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

LS. lodfr-

Cartier was f^t that time told by the natives, tliat the rijrht
and ready way to Sa<rnenay was west- iiorth- west ; and that
there^Wfti-e people, far distant in fli:;f region, who were clad as
the Frejich, and lived in town^, who were very honest, and
haa "great stores" of gold and copper ; that there were west-
ward ^/iree ^rea^ ZaA-es and a sea of fresh water (probably
Lake Snperiorj, of which no man had found the end; that
there was a certain river running south-west, (the Mississip-
pi,) of which there was a month's sailing to go down to a
certain land, where there was no ice or snow, wliere the
inhabitants continually warred against one another, and where
there was a great abundance '^ of oranges, almonds, nuts, and
apples.*"

Erecting a cross and shield emblazoned with the arms of
France, the emblem of the state and church, denoting that
the French king was the rightful discoverer of the country,
Cartier named the region New Franc^. On the 5th of Oc-
tober the French mariner left the village of llochelaga, and
spent the wmter on the river St. Croix. The representations
of Cartier, who was known to possess a candor ecpial to his
energy and judgment, somewhat checked the progress of
French enterprise. The country which he visited abounded
with no gold or precious stones, and its shores were alleged to
be bleak and stormy. In consequence, the project of coloui
zation was not renewed until about four years after his re-
turn to France, which occurred during the next stmimer.

In 1510, Francois de la Koque, Seigneur de Roberval,'was
granted an extnsive charter by Francis I. which covered
the whole of that region, and it invested him with all the
power possessed by the French king within its bounds^
During the summer of that year, Roberval sailed for America,
with a squadron of five vessels under the supreme naval com-
mand of Cartier. This voyaire was eflected without any
serious accident, and a loit was erected on some part of the
coast now unknown, of which Cartier was left commandant.

* That re-ion is supposed to be Florida. Amonj other articles of curious
workmanship, whicii were presented to Cartier, was a great knife of red copper,
which came from Sagiienay.

; n

■

HISTORY OP nilCHIGAM.

Having suffered from the severity of thr, season and the an-
noyance of the Indians, who opposed the advance of the
French, he soon re-ernbarkcd his colony for France. On
his way back he met Roberval on the banks of Newfound-
land, with vessels laden with men, provisions, and arms • and
returning with him to the fort, he assumed the command
while Roberval sailed up the St. Lawrence. No authen-
tic accounts, bearing directly on the exploration of Canada for
the space of sixty years from that time, have come down to us,
excepting the disastrous expedition of the Marquis de la
Roche, and the voyages of M. de Chauvinto Tadousac, about
tne year 1600: domestic troubles, covering the French em-
pire with gloom, swept all projects of foreign discovery from
the face of the kinsfdom.*

At length a company of mercliauts was formed at Rouen
through the agency of M. Pontgrave, an intelligent partner
m a house at St. Malo, and M. Chatte, the governor of
Dieppe, for the purpose of foreign colonization. This Com-
pany was invested with the same privileges which had before
been granted to la Roque for the purpose of exploring the
country and establishing colonies along the St. I.-xwrence.
Samuel Champlain, who was a partner in the Company, Ipd
the expedition in 1603, and in 1608 this energetic and hardy
pioneer had founded the city of Quebect The design of
this Company was to reap the profits of the fur trade, a^s the
wilderness abounded with the fur-bearing animals ; and a spot
having been selected for his colonial establishment, Cham-
plain left at that point a few settlers, who soon commenced
building rude huts and clearing the lands.

The foundation of tha hatred of the Iroquois Confederacy
towards the French, whose wars with the Colonists are
identified with the early history of New France, was, doubt-

* The following is said to be the origin of the name of Canada, althoueh it is
a doubtful question. When the Spanish first visited the country in pursuit of
gold, they remarked in their disappointment Aca-nada, here is nothinu. The.e
words were so often repeated to the French by the Indians, that it was believed
to be the name of the country.

t auebec, say a Charlevoix, ia derived from Quebeis, an Algonquin word sie-
nifying a strait. ^

CANADIAN COLONIZATION. 7

less, laid at this time by Champlain ; although Cartier had
before advanced up the St. Lawrence, taken against their
will, and carried across the Atlantic, some of their principal
sachems, Donnaconna, Taignaogny, and Domagaia, the first
of whom died in France. The Hurons and Algonquins were
then in league against the Iroquois, and Champlain, as a
point of policy, joined these two nations against the latter tribes.
Having, however, explored the country and acquired a ge-
neral knowledge of its circumstances, he returned home, and
succeeded in organizing a new Company under the patronage
of the Prince of Condo, who assumed the title of viceroy of New
France. Arriving in Canada in 1612, he brought four Recol-
lets to the colony for the conversion of the savages, and five
years afterwards he was appointed lieutenant under Marshal de
Montmorency, who had succeeded the Prince of Conde in the
vice-royalty. During the same year he had introduced his
family into Canada, and employed his talents and enterprize
in encouraging the colonists in the disheartening labors of the
forest, in consolidating the French power, and in repelling
the attacks of the Iroquois.

The Duke de Ventadour had entered into holy orders in
1622, and, for the purpose of strengthening the influence of
the French and converting the Indians, he soon sent into
Canada a number of Jesuits. Troubles, however, soon
sprang up. The Sieur de Caen, with a body of Protestants,
had embarked in the Canadian fur trade, and from religious
jealousies or mercantile rivalry, they soon came to open and
bitter collision with the Catholics.

In order to adjust these dissensions, and to consolidate
the French power in the colony, Cardinal de Richelieu or-
ganized what was termed the Company of New France.
This Company was comprised of one hundred associates^
who engaged to send to Canada three fiundred tradesmen, and
to supply them with all necessary utensils for three years ;
after which time they were to grant to each workman surticient
land for his support, besides grain for seed. The Company
also stipulated to colonize the lands embraced in their charter,
with six thousand inhabitants before the year 1643, and to prol

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

■

vide each sottlomont with three Catholic priests, whom thry
wore to su|.i,ort liir fi/i,>en years. The cleared hind was
theu to I.C irranted to the Catholic clero-y ibr the mainte-
nance ol the ehurcli. Certain prerocratives were at the same
tmK^ reserved to the French kinff. The principal were, re-
hirions supremacy, homage as sovereign of the country, the
ri.^rht of nominating the commandants ol forts and the olHcers
ol justice, and, on (>aeh succession to the tiirone, the acknow-
ledgment of a crown of gold weigh ing eight marks. The
Company was also investrd with the right of conlerring titles
ol distmction, some of which were rccpiired to he confirmc^d
hy the kmg. The right to trallic in peltries, and to engao-e in
other commerce, (excepting the cod and whale tisheries, was
at the same time granted m the charter.

The king of France also presented the Company two ships
of war, upon condition that the value should be refunded if
fdteen Inmdred French iniiahitants were not transported into
the colonies l,y (heir agency within the lirst ten years. At the
same tune the descendants of l''r(;nchmen iniiabiting Canada,
and all savages who should he converted to the Catholic faith'
were permitted to enjoy the same privileges as natural-born
subjects; and all artihcers, sent out by the Company, who had
spent six years m the French colonies, were permitted to re-
turn and settle in any trading town in I'rance. The charter
granting these privileges was executed in U)27. and, under
more favorable circumstances, it niioht have coiilbrred upon
the partncsrs solid and permanent advantages. The desio-n
w-as to strengthen the rights of France to the territory which
she claimed in iNorth America, while the principal object of
the grant(!es si-emed directed to tlu; benellt of themselves by
the prosecution of the fur trade.

M. Champlain was soon appointed governor. For the first
few years, howc^ver, the colony, from various causes connect-
ed with Its remote position from the parent country, the hard-
ships ol the forest and the hostility of the savages, sulfered
extremely and was almost on the point of breakin.r down
Ships had l)een sent out from France iox supplies, but they
were captured by Sir David Kertk, then in the employment

CANAUIAN COLONIZATION. 9

Of the English crown. The doprcdaiions of the Iroquois
kept the enerj^ies of the colom.sts in check, and cripplecilheir
strength nnti the year U20, when the French adventurers
were myolved in the deepest distress. At this juncture Sir
David Kertic appeared before Quebec witli an Enghsh squad-
ron and compelled (•ham,,lain to surrender that fortress and
al Canada to England. Tlie generous terms of Kertk's capi
tulution, liowever, induced most of the French emigrants to re-
man, and in 1032 the country was restored to France by
Hie treaty of St. Germain. ^

Immediately on this event, vigorous efforts were made to
advance the colonization of the country. (Jhamplain, uho had
been re-apponued Governor, soon sailed with a squadron pro
vided wuh the necessary supplies and armaments and amved

A Un tt' T^" ".^"^ "-">^ •^^■^•- former colonists.
At that time the colonial system was better organized • mea-
sures were adopted to reconcile existing ditferSicesTgr'owirg
out of the mixed and somewhat immoral principles of the
emigrants, and to prevent the introduction into the colony of
any but individuals of fair character. In 1035 a college of
the order of the Jesuits was established at Quebec under the
direction of the Marquis de Gamache, and this ms^^L:

which had grown to a state of open licentiousness

tho r\? '^n/''' '^" '^•""^ '''^'''^ ^ ^^«^^ misfortune in
the death of Champlain. With a mind warmed into enthu^

siasm by the vast domain of wilderness which was stretched
around him and the glorious visions of future gr ndeur
which Its resources opened, a man of extraordinafy iZl
hood and the clearest judgment, a brave officer and 1
scientific seaman, his keen forecast discerned, in the magnifi
cent prospect of the country which he occupied, the eTm ms
<>f a mighty empire, .f which he had hoped \o 1^ the fouTd
^^ ith a s out heart and ardent zeal he had entered upon the

fedTof t ^"'"^'"'""' '''' ''''' '^''^^^^^^' valuaJ^lt
h flh ZTT '' '" -P'-«^--. -'d had cut the way

gress of the trench towards the lakes. Upon the death of

^8:

HISTORY OF MICHIQAN.

I *

Champlain, Montmagny was appointed Governor. But al-
though he entered into the views of his predecessor, Mont-
magny did not possess that practical knowledge and ripe ex-
perience wiiich might have enabled him to carry out the pro-
jects of Champlain ; and by consequence, the fur trade was all
that was prosecuted with any degree of energy under his ad-
ministration.

Aboiit that period a number of religious institutions were
founded in Canada, ostensil)ly for the chrisiianization of the
Indians, but probably for the extension of the French power
through the wilderness, by pressing the sanctions of the Church
upon the credulous minds of the savages. At Sillery, a
few miles above Quebec, a Catholic sen)inary was founded
for their instruction ; and it was placed under the superin-
tendence of three nuns from Dieppe, who had been sent
out through the agency of the Ducliessc d' Arguillon. The
ccnvent of St. Ursula was also established at Quebec by
M:idirn3 dj la Poltria, a young widow of rank, who had en-
gaged several sisters of the Ursulinos at Tours, with whom
she sailed from Dieppe in a vessel chartered at her own
expanse. A seminary of the order of St. Sulpicius was also
founded at Montreal. This was consecrated by the Jesuits
with great pomp, and the whole Island of Montreal was grant-
ed by the king for its support.

The Company of New FVance, however, did not fulfil the
object of its charter. Little was done by that body, either to
encourage the settlement of the country or for the advance-
ment of agriculture. The attention of the ministers of the
crown was, moreover, diverted from the complaints of the
French Colonists, by men who had an important interest in
directing the physical labor of the colonies into those channels
whence the most sudden wealth could be accumulated; by
the partners of the Companies desiring to concentrate the
energies of the people upon the tur trade. In the remote
points of the wilderness around the St. Lawrence, forts of
rude construction had been erected ; but these were merely
posts of defence, or depots of the trade, the dominion of
which, at that early period, stretched through tracts of wilder-

CANADIAN COLONIZATION-. JJ

ness large enough for kingdoms. The charjicter of the fe
males connected with the church was too generally impure
and that of most of the men was openly profligate. The sol^
diers, who had been from time to time despatched from France
to protect the French Colonies in Canada, were also lax in
then- morals, and they came without women. The enero-ies
of the people were cramped by the Iroquois, who huno-
hko hungry wolves around the track of the colonists, seek-
ing to glut their vengeance against the French, by butcher-
ing th.u- people and plundering their settlements whenever
opportunuy occurred. MoUnal bad been attacked by the
savages, and its entire destruction was only prevented bv
the arrival of M. d' Aillebout from France with a reinforce
rnent m 1G47. During the same year the institution of
the Daughters of the Congregation " was founded by Mar-
queriie Bourgeois. ^

While these French settlements were advancing in Cana-
da a riva power had sprung up on the Atlantic sea-board.
1 he English, whose discoveries and colonization were nearly
contemporaneous with thoseof the French, had spread their vil-
lages along the eastern sea-coast of the United States First
stimulated by the same general objects as those of the French
f^ie fishery and the fur trade, the English strength was crra'
dually augmented by colonies founded in this wilderness" on
account ol oppression abroad, and afterwards led by thestur
dy pilgnms of New England, the Dutch of New- York the
Quakers ot Pennsylvania, the liberal genius of Lord Baltimore
and other enterprising adventurers. While the Rncrljsh were
scattered along (he sea-coast, the French occupied, or pretend-
ed to occupy the vast wilderness around the Great I ,akes and
west of the Alleghany Mo.uitains. They both held possession
of then- respective tracts under the authority of their respec-
tive governments, and claimed them on the same crrounds-
pnority of discovery, conquest, and appropriation. They were
both rivals ni the fur trade, and it was the effort of each to
subvert the power of the other. The prize at stake was a
country of unbomided resources and magnificent features •
and the struggle to attain it was made between two nations,'

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

*l.

whose constitution has evinced in every period of their
subsequent history repugnant principles. In the Ameri-
can wilderness was exeniplitied, too, the all-grasping power
of national ambition. Here, waving over the same soil,
were found two hostile banners of rival nations, who
were striving to wrest from each other the dominion of a
country possessed and claimed by barbarians. Here also
was demonstrated that code of civilized ethics, founded on the
reasoning of the schools, which taught the two nations to
attach to themselves barbarians opposed to each other from
immemorial fends, and to place deadly weapons in their
hands. Quebec and Montreal, the French forts on the most
important streams in ('anada and the north-western lakes,
Oswego and Niagara, Le Boeuf and Duquesne, were the
strong-holds of the French power ; while the English settle-
ments, during the early period of French colonization, were
confined chiefly to the country now embraced in Virginia,
Pennsylvania, New- York, and New-England.

The French and English spared no pains to attach to Uieir
interests the confederates whom they found in the wilder-
ness. On the side of the English were the Iroquois, and the
French were supported by the race of the Algonquins — bar-
barian warriors, whose power was co-extensive with the con-
tinent and, in their customs and institutions similar, in many-
points, to the ancient Celtce of Britain. They exhibited no-
ble traits combined with savage ferocity. Clothed with the
skins of wild beasts, living in their retired villages made of
bark, under the overhanging boughs of the forest, cultivating
little patches of prairie for their corn, and acquiring food by
the chase or by fishing ; whose weapons of war were the bow,
the rifle, the tomahawk and the war-club ; lying in their wig-
wams in indolence upon the banks of the streams, or shootmg
their canoes across the glassy lakes of the wilderness like me-
teors through the heavens, leaving behind them a silver track,
unknown in their origin then, as now, — such men were the
allies of France and England.

On the side of the English was the confederacy of the Iro-
quois, called bv them the Six Nations. They comprised the

CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

of their
1 Ameri-
ig power
ime soil,
ns, who
ion of a
Icre also
ed on the
ations to
her from

in their

the most
rn lakes,
were the
ish settle-
ion, were

Virginia,

;h to iheir
e wilder-
s, and the
ins — bar-
1 the con-
', in many
ibited no-
with the
made of
ultivating
r food by
e the bow,
their wig-
r shootmg
;s like me-
ver track,
were the

>f the Iro-
prised the

most powerful Indian league which is known to have existed
.,, on the continent. It consisted of the Onondugas, the Cayu-
gos, the Senecas, the Otieidas, and the Mohawks ; and in 1712
the Tuscaroras were adopted into the confederation. The
warriors of these tribes were men of large stature and muscular
forms. More savage in their expression of countenance than the
Algonquin race, their determination seemed to mark every
feature of tiie liice and every nerve of the body. Military
skill, courage, shrewdness, forecast, energy, ambition, and
eloquence, were their i)rominent traits. Atliliated by imme-
morial connexion, and having exercised the policy of con-
quest over the other tribes, they held an extensive tract of
territory in their hands. They claimed, in fact, by patrimony
or conquest, the whole of the country " not occupied by the
southern Indians, the Sioux, the Kenisteneaux, and the
Chippewas, and by the English and French, as far west as the
Mississippi atid Lalce Winnipeg, as far north-west as the wa-
ters which unite this lake with Hudson's Bay and Labrador."*
In their policy the Iroquois appear to have had not only more
vigor, but more system, tiian the other Indian tribes. Their
general interests were managed by a grand council of chiefs,
who annually assembled at their central canton, Onondaga, in
the state of New- York. The beautiful region of the lakes \vhich
bear their names, in that state, was their favorite council ground.
Each nation was divided into three tribes, whose totems were
the tortoise, the wolf, and the bear. All their councils were con-
ducted with the greatest decorum, solemnity, and deliberation.
«In the characteristics of protound policy," says Gov. Clinton
of New- York, in an eloquent Discourse, "they surpassed an
assembly of feudal barons, and were, perhaps, not far in-
ferior to the great Amphictyonic council of Greece." " The
senators of Yonice," says an equally eloquent writer,t " do not
appear with a graver countenance, and perhaps do not speak
with more majesty and solidity than these ancient Iroqucses."

♦ Clinton's Discourse.

1 Fatiier Louis Hennepin, one of the most accomplished Catholic missiona-
r.fis upon the Lakes during the early period of French colonization, in his work
entitled, " Hennepin's Voyage lo North America."

''I

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

U I'l

11 \

The Iroquois were like the Romans in many points of tlieir
character and policy. Anions: these were their indomitable
spirit of freedom, tlicir martial energy, their mihtary policy,
their lofty bearinjr, their stirring eloquence, and their uU-
grasping ambition. As conquests accumulated, their van-
quished enemies were incorporated into their own tribes,
to supply the ravages of war ; and those were kept in
rigorous vassalage. Tributes of wampum, shell-fish, and
other articles of value, were periodually exacted from these
conquered nations with the utmost promptitude, and the
penalty of death was alUxed to the failure of their payment.
The warriors cherished a sort of Spartan discipline through-
out their confederacy. The young barbarians were urged
to emulate, and often advanced to, the dignity of their fath-
ers. They were taught to hunt the wild beasts almost be-
fore their muscles were sufficiently strong to bend the bow,
and to undergo the deprivations of iiunger and cold in remote
forests, in order to harden them for arms. Their character
was constituted of all those elements which in civilized or
savage life produce success, founded on cunning or courage.
They were equally crafty and ferocious. They could crawl,
unseen, along the track of their enemies, or rush down upon
the French, in fearless bands of naked and gigantic warriors.
The alledged ground of controversy with the other tribes,
on the part of the Iroquois, was generally the violation of
boundary lines, the rights of embassy, and individual wrongs ;
but the love of dominion and glory stimulated their con-
quests through the wilderness. That they regarded the in-
roads of the whites upon their territory with jealousy, there
can be no doubt. There is as little doubt that their ancient
feuds with the Hurons and Algonquins, their prejudices and
their caprice, as well as the policy which was exercised
towards them by the French, induced them to join the En-
glish ; and it is well known that their marches against the
French Colonists and the remote missionary posts, were like
the rushing of a tornado through the forest, « We may o-uide
the English to our Lakes. We are born free. We neither
depend on Onondio nor Corlaer, (France or England,"} said

CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

Haaskouitn, the Seneca chief, to I)e la IJarro, in KiSl. Fhishes
of heroism occasioiiully broke out, exhihitin,<f thu sterne^it ele-
ments of their character. An aged (Jnonduga warrior was
taken in UVJT, in an expedition of Frontenac, and delivered
over to an Algonquin savage, who stabbed hini with a
scalping knife for the pnrpose of ending his existence af-
ter he had inllicted horrible tortures. " Yon oiiwht not to
abridge my life,'' said this Roman of the wilderness, 'Uhat
you may learn to die like a man. For my own part I
die contented, because I know no meanness with which to
reproach myself."

On the side of the French was the race of the Algonquins.
This race extended imder ditferent names from the head of
Lake Erie along the upper Lakes, north to Lake Winnipeg
and Hudson's Bay, and .soutJi to the mouth of the Ohio river!
They were also afliliatcd with the tribes east of the St. Law-
rence, and their influence extended to the savjiges who roam-
ed the hills of New England. In the league of these two
powerful families there were, liowever, two exceptions. The
Wyandots or Hurons were of L-oquois stock, but from un-
known causes'" they had severed from their chain of tribes,
and attached themselves to the French ; while the Ottao-a-
mies or Foxes, who were originally of the Algonquin liunUy,
took part with the English.

Tiie friendsiiip of the Algonquin race for the French
seems to have been founded on obvious causes. It wfis the
studied policy of the French to .secure their good- will, and
solemn compacts were sought to be confirmed with them by
their French allies. The French explorers, traders, and mis-
sionaries, advanced to their remotest villages in the prosecii-
tion of their several objects. They lodged with them in
their camps, attended their councils, hunting parties, and
feasts ; paid respect to their c-remonies, and were joined in
the closer bonds of blood. The natural pliancy of the

• Charlevoix, in his journal, gives an account of the cause of this feud but
doos not vouch for its accuracy. It was founded, he states, in venatical rivalry
A stake was pledged for siiccji-s in hunting, at.d one party returned to camp
loaded with the flosh of elks, while lh-> other wa« unsuccessful.

';ii

IIIMTOIIV OK MU'IllnAN.

French chnracfer It-d them into frequent ami kind asso-
ciation with the s;ivai,'es, wliile tli(> Mn<r|ish were cold and
forl)iddinir ill thnir manners. |?..,sitl.x tli.- Jesuit inissionnrics
exerted no small inllnenre in strenjr(li,;i,ing the friendship
oftho Indians for the Tieneh. They ereeted little chapels
in their territory, carpeted with Indian mats uiid surmounted
l>y the cross, took loiij^jonriu-ys throiiirh tiie wilderness, per-
formed the ceremonies of their elMireli in their loinr hjadc
rohes, and showed them paiiitiiiirs and senlnlured miafrcs,
which the sav.iires viewed with superstitious uwe. j\dded to
this, they practised all the ollices oi' kiiuhiess niid sympathy
for the sick, and lield up the criieilix to the fadini^ vision of
luaiiy a dyiiiij neophytt(.

In KkIS, a new orj^anization was cllected in tlio social sys-
tern of Canada. The Marquis d' Arircnson was appointed
Governor-general, and during the following summer, l.aval
Abbe de Montigny, titular IJishop of IVtrie, arrived at Que-
bec, with a brief from the I'ope, by which he was constituted
Apostolic vicar. The condition of the colony, however, con-
tinued to be much dt'pressed. The Company, occupied by
their own projects of aggrandizement through the fur trade,
made but little exertion for its substantial advancement : and
its associates, reduced at hust to the uumher of forty, relin-
quished the tratlic li^r the scignioral acknowledgment of one
thousand beaver skins. It was also at the same time much
neglected by the parent government. The Iroquois, who
had urged a destructive war upon the Hurons and Algon-
quins on the borders of the great lakes, seemed jiow deter-
mined to undermine the power of their allies, the French,
mid, if practicable, to uproot them from the continent ; and
hostile bands of their tribes Iniiig upon the borders of the
F.ench settlements. They had, in Diet, advanced so far as
to massacre a number of the settlers on the Island of Mon-
treal, and kept Quebec in a continual state of alarm.

While the colony was in this condition, the Governor re-
quested to be recalled on account of ill health ; and in 1G61
he was succeeded by the Baron d' Avangour, aman of extra-
ordinary energy and the most inflexible decision. On his

CANADIAN ror.ONIZATION.

accession to odico, the Oovcnior prosnifcd (o Mm Kinjr of
FmruM!, wlio seemed to be i^i„)rani of its actual position and
resources, such favorable views of the country a:i to induce
hnn to order a reinforcement of (bur htmdred troops with tho
necessary supplies for the Colonists ; and it was j,r..bal)|y thi^j
fact whicli saved them from entire destruction. J{y that
timely aid they were placed in n condition to practise ngri-
cidturc to some extent, which had before been neglected from
the fear of tho savaces.

The (Company of New France had onliri^Iy failed in fulfil-
ling the objects of their charter. They had neither pushed
their settlements far into the interior, nor practised husbandry
with any considerable success. At length they surrendered it to
the crown, and in 1004 its privileges were transferred to the
« C^ompany of tho West Indies." 'J'he whole policy of tho
French colony in Canada had, in fact, been injudiciously
framed. They had no clearly deOiied jurispnidenre, and
were rent into factions comjjosed of the parties of the Gover-
nor, the Bishop, and the Jesuits, each of which was anxious to
supplant the other in power. The state of colonial morals was
necessarily loose, because a portion of the emigrants was taken
from the idle and corrupt classes in France. A council, how-
ever, was soon constituted for the administration of its affairs
comprised of tho Governor-General, Intendant-General, the
Bishop, and some others, who were removable at the will of
the Governor ; and the superior of the Jesuits presided at this
council while sitting as a Court of Justice. Forts were
erected on the principal streams in Canada, where it was
thought they might be required in order to keep the Iroquois in
check, and in 1(508 the affairs of the French interest in Ca-
nada seem to have been much improved. Reinforcements
had arrived from the West Indies, and a number of officers,
to whom had been granted lands with the rights o( seigneurs
settled in the Canadian territory. The colonial moral's, how-
ever, were not improved by the importation of about three
hundred women of licentious character, who were sent out
by the French government. These were soon disposed of
in marriage.

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

I r

r ■ .'

The Counf, tie r'rontcnac, a noblenum cf tlistiniEfuishrcI
family, and of most arbitrary but energetic character, was
soon invested with the administration of the French colonics ;
and he made extraordinary efforts to develope the resources
of the country, and to build up the scattered colonial esta-
blislmients. During that period the territory along the lakes
Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, was explored. Com-
pacts of peace were confirmed with the Indian tribes ; a por-
tion of the Hurons were settled at Michilimackinac ; and a
])arty of the Iroquois, who had been converted to the Catholic
fliith, was established at St. Louis near Montreal. A council
of the principal chiefs in that quarter was held at the Falls of
St. Mary in Michigan, which resulted in a stipulation that
the French should occupy that post; and a cross was there
erected, bearin<r the arms of France.

Expeditions were also despatched to the more remote west,
for the purpose ot discovering the resources of the country.
In 1672, M. Talon, a former Intendant-general, who had done
important service to the French interest by extending its
power to the remote points of Canada, concluded, by reports
from the Indians, that a great river, called by them the Michi-
s^pi'o, flowed from the extreme north-west in a southern
course ; and he soon projected an enterprise for its discovery.
For that object he employed M. Joliet, a merchant of Quebec,
and Father Joseph Marquette,* a native of Lann in Picardy,
descended from a fomily of distinguished influence abroad,
who had travelled far into the Indian territory, and from his
office as a missionary, was qualified to gain the confidence of
the savages, to advance into that quarter on an exploratory torn*.
The party soon proceeded to Lake Michigan. Crossing the
country to the river Wisconsin, they descended that stream un-
til they reached the Mississippi. Floating down the river in a
canoe, they soon arrived at certain villages of the Illinois In-
dians, where thi^y v.'ere treated with much hospitality by the
savages. They afterwards passed over to Arkansas. Being
convinced that the Mississippi flowed into the Gulf of Mexico,
they were obliged to return, from the exhausted state of their

♦ Cliarlevoix

'I n

CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

provisions, and having ascended tlie Mississippi to its conflu-
ence with the Illinois, they paddled up that stream, and cross-
ed over to Michigan. At tliis place they separated ; Joliet re-
turned to Quebec, and Father Marquette remained among
the Indians.

In 1678 Robert de la Salle, accompanied by the Clievalier
Tonti, arrived at Quebec. He had previously resided in
Canada, where he had cultivated a friendship with M. de
Frontenac, and he soon embarked in the enterprise of disco-
\-ery. Associated with Father Louis Hennepin, a Flemish
llecollet, and M. Tonti, he employed a portion of his time in
exploring the country, forming amicable leagues with the
savages, and prosecuting the fur trade. The party remained
during the winter of that year at Fori Niagara, which he
founded. In the summer, building the first ship which ever
navigated Lake Erie, called the Grifiin, tliey sailed across
that lake, and passed up to Michilimackinac Hennepin tra-
versed the greater part of Illinois, and reaching the Missis-
sippi, ascended that stream to the Falls of St. Anthony, which
he named. There he was taken prisoner by the Indians,
robbed, and carried to their villages. Hennepin, however,
soon made his escape ; and returning to the colonies, he cm-
barked for France, where he published a journal of his tra-
vels. About three years were spent by these intrepid adven-
turers in crossing the vast wilderness around the lakes, and
encountering the most formidable dangers and hardships.
On the 2d of February, 1682, La Salle reached the Missisippi
River, arrived at Arkansas, of which he took a formal posses-
sion in the name of tlie King of France, and proceeded on-
ward, until the expanding surfece of its waters showed where
it met the blue of the ocean through the Gulf of Mexico.
The glorious news of the discovery of the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi, which had long been a desirable object to the French
Government, opened a fresh channel of hope to the Canadian
colony.

The progress ofLa Salle through those immense regions
was attended with remarkable and touching incidents. Dis-
appointed in his progress, from not having received supplies

!f-;f

ill

i:.

i liH

i I

11 ^r

HISTOHY OP MICHIGAN.

from Green Bay, he was obliged to encamp on the banks of
the Ilhnois, where he built a fort, which, from that circum-
stance he named Creve Coeur, tlie Broken Heart. Although
he had found the great body of the tribes along liis cou?sc
friendly, and had pmchased from them a large quantity of
corn, he met some obstruction from the nation of the Illinois.
These, in common with many of the I^ake tribes, were at that
time at war with the Iroquois, and the former expected the
assistance of the French ; but from prudential motives this
aid was not granted. La .S.-xlle, indeed, considered the termi-
nation of the war as essential to his safety. The pacific poli-
cy which he advocated was construed into treachery by the
suspicion of the Illinois, aided by the perfidy of some of his
own men ; and he was, in formal council, sentenced to death.
Here broke forth the courage of his character. Unarmed, he
applied to tlie camp of the Illinois, defended his conduct, de-
clared his innocence of the charges alleged against him', de-
manded the author, and vindicated thepropxiety of terminat-
ing the war. His boldness and eloquence prevailed. The
calumet was smoked, and a treaty of peace concluded. The
death of this distinguished explorer of the Mississippi
was inglorious. When he had traversed that river, erected
several forts on its banks, named Louisiana in honor of the
French king ; after he had laid the foundations of Kaskaskia,
and Kahokia in Illinois, and departed for France in order to
fit out expeditions for a permanent colonial establishment at
its mouth near the present site of New Orleans, he was assas-
sinated by his own engages, while on his way over land for
his fort upon the Illii:ois, on the 19th of March, 1687. « Thus
fell," says Father Hennepin, his eloquent companion and eu-
logist, '< the Sieur de la Salle, a man of considerable merit,
constant in adversity, intrepid, generous, courteous, ingenious',
learned, and capable of every thing. He had formerly been
of the society of .Tesus for ten or eleven years, and quitted the
order with consent of his superiors. He once showed me a
letter written at Rome by the General of tlie order, testifying
that the Sieur de la Salle had behaved liimself prudently in

CANADIAN COLONIZATION.

every thing, without giving the least occasion to be suspected
guilty of a venial sin."*

What a contrast is presented, in the solitary condition of
the Mississippi at the period when la Salle descended that
stream, one hundred and forty-five years ago, and the present
time ! The Amazon of the North American wilderness and
the great highway of western commerce, stretching its broad
expanse thousands of miles longitudinally, through the
whole length of the inhabitable territory of the west, from the
cold regions of the north— the land of the grizly bear, which
delights to live among the snows— to the hot clime of Louis-
iana, the domain of the alligator and the cotton plantation,
where few but slaves venture contact with the burning
rays of the sun, it waters the widest and richest valley on
the earth. To that remote region, where sickly exhalations
rise from the stagnant fens and mouldering forests, and fill the
graves along its banks, emigration is fast pressing. Cities are
studding its shores. Harvests are gilding its fields. Its
waters are ploughea by a thousand keels of boatmen, loving
life less than gain. Hundreds of steamboats, laden with rich
freight for New Orleans, the metropolis of its trade, not ex-
ceeded in magnitude and splendor by those of the eastern
states, shoot up its rapid current ; and means are now in pro-
gress which will soon float the commerce of the North-west-
ern lakes, in a continuous line of navigation, through its
channel to the Atlantic.f

♦ For Hennepin's account of La Salle's expedition, see A rchaeologia America-
na, whern it is contained at lenglii.

t A project will be soon carried out, to connect the Fox river of Green Bay,
witli the Wisconsin and the Mississippi.

T 1?

lHaTORY OP MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER II.

:1J
I I!

A(l.nimsfration ol Dononvillo— Iroqueia prisoners sent in chains to the French

Ga leys-Policy ot Tvomharonk-Character of the Colnnists-The Jo.„it3

--Canadian J;.r.spr,uience-Pur Traders-Coureurs des Bois-Di.stribuUo,.

' Canada '"""'''" Asriculturc-Currency-Sociul Condition of

In 1683 the population of the Canadian colonies did not
exceed nine thousand. The principal check to their progress
sprang from the hostility of the Iroquois, who, from time to
time, hovered aroimd their settlements, seeking every opportu-
nity for massacre and devastation. The JMarquis of Denon-
ville was, ho ^ever, soon ajipointed Governor-general, and he
proceeded immediately to Cataraqui, with about two thousand
troops. F'om the spirit of uncompromising hatred which was
evmced by the Irocpiois towards the French, Denonville was
determined to strike a decisive blow. An order was according-
ly received to condemn to the galleys all able-bodied warriors
of those tribes who were taken prisoners ; and, to the black dis-
grace of Denonville, a number of the Iroquois chiefs were
decoyed by the Jesuit de Lamberville to Fort Frontenac, load-
ed with irons, and sent to the galleys of Marseilles,

About that period a treaty was signed at London between
France and England, by which it was stij)ulated that wh:it-
ever differences might arise between the two governments
abroad, neutral relations should be preserved by their subjects
in North America. Notwithstanding that treaty, and the re-
monstrances of tlie Governor of New- York, v.dio claimed the
Iroquois as English subjects, Denonville determined to build
a fort at Niagara in their own territory, when the passions of
the Iroquois were maddened against the French from the
fact that their chiefs had been seized by stratagem and sent
in chains to the French galleys. Scarcely, thercfore, had the
determination been made known, when Fort Frontenac was
attaclccd by the Iroquois, and the corn in tlie neighborhood

I u

EARLY COXDITION OF ('AXADA.

binned. A Frencli barque, lad.ni witli provisions, was aho
captured on Lake Ontario by five lumdred of their canoes
and on the side of the French, tlic Abcnaqtiies made a for-
midable descent npon the Iroquois of the Sore], and pushed
their bloody marches against the En-lisii villacrcs toward the
east.

During that period a council was held by the Iroquois with
Denonville, in whicli the policy of those tribes was advocated
byfive hundred of their warriors ; while twelve hundred of their
armefl bands were awaiting the issue near Montreal, ready to
fall upon the French settlements, in case a requisition was
not complied with, that their chiefs, who had been sent to the
galleys of France, should be returned to the wilderness.

The ratification of a treaty was, however, prevented by the
deep policy of Kondiaronl., or Le Rat, a Huron chief, amono-
the first in council and in arms. Kondiaronk disliked the
t rench, but he considered their alliance as useful in aidin-
him agamst the Iroquois, towards whom he had sworn eternal
war He also hated the English as the allies of the Iroquois •
but he found it profitable to maintain the semblance of good-
will toward the latter nation so long as he could sell his furs
to them with more advantage than to the French.

At this crisis occurred a singular fact, which "completely
changed the policy of the Indian tribes. The alliance of
Denonvine had been accepted by Kondiaronk, on condition
that the French should give their aid in the destruction of
the Iroquois. Acting on this assurance, the cliief left Mi-
chilimackinac on the northern part of the peninsula of
Michigan, with a hundred warriors, in order to attack their
camps. At fort Frontenac, he v.as informed by Denonville
hac a treaty ofpeace had been made with the Iroquois, and
hat It was necessary that he should return to Michicran with
his warriors. " The request is reasonable," said Kondiaronk,
while his eye kindled with rage that he had not been advised
of the ratification of the treaty witli the Iroqnoi.^, and that the
lergue made with him by the French had been broken

Instead, tlierefore, of returning to Michilimackinac he re-
paired to the "cascades," about thirty miles above Montreal,

!'i

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

ii I

! #

where it was ascertained tliat the Iroquois deputies would
pass with their hostages. Here he laid for some days in
ambush with his warriors. The deputies soon arrived with
forty young savages, and as they landed from their canoes,
Kondiaronk took them by surprise, massacred a i)art, and
made the remainder prisoners. At the same time he informed
the captured Iroquois, that he was directed by the French
Governor to occupy that position, and to attack a party of
Iroquois v/ho were expected .- :•" tnje ihuc way for the pur-
pose of descending upon the ' ' settlements, and to con-
duct the prisoners to Montreal. ^ ae Iroquois were, of course,
amazed, for they deemed themselves to have been the victims
of perfidy. Having related the object of their mission to
Kondiaronk, who feigned astonishment, and alleged that he
also had been the subject of treachery, the Iroquois prisoners
were released, with ammunition sufficient to defend themselves
on their way back, wliile their hearts were filled with grati-
tude at the humanity of the llurons, and they vowed eternal
war against the French. One prisoner of the Iroquois was,
however, retained, with whom Kondiaronk returned to Michi-
limackinac ; and the French commandant at that post, igno-
rant of the proceedini's of Denonville, condemned this prisoner
to be shot.

An aged Iroquois slave, who belonged to Kondiaronk, was
permitted to witness the execution of his countryman, while
the circumstances were withheld from his knowledge. This
Iroquois slave was then told to go back to his tribes, and re-
late the barbarous perfidy of the French. The anger of the
Iroquois was, of course, raised to the highest pitch, M. De-
nonville, when he heard of the act, declared that if Kon-
diaronk was taken, he should be executed; while the Iro-
quois were still expected to consummate the league. But
the convictions fastened upon the minds of the Iroquois by
Kondiaronk were not to be removed. When, therefore,
they reached Montreal, where the Governor was waiting
their arrival, they came net, as Denonville expected, with the
calumet and the belt of wampum — emblems of peace. A
band of twelve hundred warriors landed on the upper end

EARLY CONDITION OF CANADA.

It, aud

of the island, burned the houses and corn-fields, massacred
men, women, and children, cut in pieces about a hundred re-
gular troops and fifty Hurons who were sent to defend the
entrance to the town, took two hundred prisoners, and then
embarked in their canoes. The impression which had been
stamped on their minds by Kondiarouk could not be effaced,
and their revenge was fully glutted with the blood of the
French at subsequent periods. This masterpiece of savage
policy turned the current of f^rench plans and prospects— a
policy which, in blackness and diplomatic address, rivals tlie
basest intrigue of a civilized court.

The French government, after it had once obtained a foot-
hold in Canada, pushed its enterprises into the interior ; and
the progress of its settlements was attended with all the suf-
ferings connected with the enmity of the Iroquois and the
hardships of a trackless wilderness. The colonies which had
been sent out from France, were comprised mainly of gentle-
men in narrow circumstances, to whom lordships had been
granted, a large number of adventurers of luimbler preten-
sions, somewhat volatile and thriftless in their character,
and missionaries of the Roman Church, There were three
prominent and distinct orders in the religious establishments of
Canada. The Jesuits comprised the first, and consisting of gen-
tlemen of influence, whose minds had ripened in the mould-
ering cloisters of the church, their powers were paramount to
all others in the administration of the colonial policy. '< Th.ey
sought," says La Hontan, " to dive down to tiie bottom of
men's minds."* Artful, accomplished, learned, polished, they
were what the Jesuits have been in every age ; strivino- to
mould the affairs of the colony to their own purposes, "and
thus to wield a political influence for ecclesiastical ends,
they watched, witfi lynx-eyed vigilance, all the affiurs and
relations of individuals in the state as well as the church.
From their extensive knowledge and address, they devoted
themselves to the education of tlie youth of the colony, so far
as they were educated at all , and were the most active agents

iri

♦ La Hontnn's Voyofpa.

IIISTOHY OF MICHIGAN'.

■i i!

! ;

I n

in the exploration of the wilderness. The priests were mora
local in their hubits, and their eflbrts were mainly confined
to the ministrations of the altar ; while the RccoUcts, a very
humble class of ecclesiastics, daily practised self debasement,
and assumed vows of perpetual humiliation and poverty.
Ill the more remote settlements, rude log-huts were built and
n iii\Y fields were cleared. Cluebec and Montreal were the
central points of colonial entcrprize and influence, and into
these settlements was transfused something of the character
which belonged to the parent government abroad. Slight co-
lonial establishments were erected along the banks of the
streams and lakes for a three-fold purpose— trade, religion,
and military defence. Small forts, surrounded with pickets,
and constructed from the rude means at hand, were built up
to protect the Jesuits, who had their chapels near them ; and
they were also used as depAts of the fur trade.

The wars — which soon broke out between the French and
English for the purpose of obtaining the dominion of the
country— no less than the hostility of the Iroquois, soon made it
advisable to re-appoint the Count do Frontenac to the chief
command ; and in October of 1689 he arrived at duebec, with
the Iroquois chiefs, who had been sent to the French galley?
Notwithstanding the energy and address of Frontenac, little
was effected in securing the friendship of tlie Five Nations,
but more vigorous measures were prosecuted to advance the
French settlements, and to secure the cultivation of the lands.
At the same time the fur trade was carried on with increased
success ; and the military posts, which had been established on
the upper lakes, were strengthened. In 1098 peace was de-
clared between France and England, and the English and
French governors entered into arrangements by which ami-
cable relations were for some time preserved with each other,
and also with the Indians.

During the period of th? French domination in Canada, its
jurisdiction was somewhat extraordinary. Quebec and Mon-
treal were not only the seat of the fur trade, but also of civil,
military, and ecclesiastical influence. The machinery of the
colonial government was, in fact, made up of the civil magis-

EAULV CONDITION OP CANADA.

t acy, the military power, and the clergy. Althouah the
Cohtumc de Paris was adopted as the law of the hitul the
adniuHstration of the colonies was probably founded more
upon temporary expediency than clearly defined justice
1 here is, doubtless, great inconvenience attondino- the exer-
cise of a compact and well-organized frame of jurisprudence
in a new colony, separated from the parent state by three
thousand miles of ocean, and over a people scattered thronah
a trackless and unbounded forest. The administration of jus-
tice was accordingly unsettled and arbitrary. The command-
ants of the nnlitary posts in the remote points of colonial ju-
nsdiction, were recognized as general supervisors of the colo-
nists around their forts, and they were invested with a sum-
mary authority, subject, however, to the colonial government-
comprising the legislative, the judici;.], and the executive
powers. This authority was, however, in most instances ex-
ercised with great mildness ; and the French of that re-ion
look back upon the period as the golden age of jurispru-

The French Colonial government was under the general
supervision of the Governor-general, the chief magistrate of
the country. Subject to his general power, there were also
Intendants, under-governors, and a council. The Governor-
general of Quebec was allowed an annual salary of twenty
thousand crowns, which included the support of a company
of guards for his own protection, and also that of the fort
lo this sum was added a thousand crowns, which was the
annual present made to him by the " Farmers of the Beaver
Skins." He also had the disposal of all the military posts and
could bestow commissions on whom he pleased, with the ap-
probation of the King, excepting particular governorships, or
the place of a Lord-lieutenant of the province or the mayor of
any town. He was also empowered to make certain con-
ditional grants to the inhabitants all over Canada, with the
confirmation of the Intendant, to give twenty-five licenses a
year to those whom he might select for the purpose of tradino-
with the savages ; and his criminal jurisdiction extended to the
right of suspending executions against cri minals. By this re-

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

I I

■ i

I Hi

prieve he min^ht procure a pardon.* He was, however, not au-
thorized to dispose of the king's money without the consent
of the hitendaut, who alone had the power to draw it 'rom
the naval * usury. Beside these rights, the Governor-ge-
neral was invested with certain privileges, among which was
the exemption from duty on all his wines and other provisions
received from France.

The Supreme Council of Canada was a judicial body, but
when any complex question came up before them, they ge-
nerally required the aid of the Jesuits, who were, without ex-
ception, gentiemeu of extensive and accurate knowledge.
This body had the right of conveying their places to their
heirs with the approbation of the king. In making treaties
with foreign powers and the Indian tribes, the aid of the Je-
suits was also required, because they were in most instances
acquainted with the topography of the country, the princi-
ples of international law, and they had, moreover, great influ-
ence with the Indians. The influence of the Jesuits breathed
through every department of the colonial government.

When the Baron La Hontan visited Quebec in 1684, the
sovereign council, according to his statement, consisted of
twelve counsellors, who constituted the supreme judicature,
and decided causes without appeal. At that time no advo-
cates or attorneys appeared in court, and the litigant parties
argued their own causes. The result was, that suits were
quickly brought to a termination, and no court fees or other
charges were demanded. The judges were allowed four
hundred livres a year from the crown, and they also " had a
dispensation," says La Honfan, <'of not wearing the robe and
the cap."t Besides these officers, there was a'so a liieutenant-
general, both civil and military, an Attorney-general, a Chief-
Justice in Eyre, and a Grand Provost.:}: The Governor's an-
nual salary was a thousand crowns, which he increased in
some degree by engaging in the fur trade. The pay of the
inferior oflicers was small. The mayor of Quebec was al-
lowed a salary of six hundred crowns, the Governor of Mon-

• Charlevoix's .Toiimal.

t La Hontdn.

i Ibid.

i » i

( V

KAULY CONDITION OF CANADA.

trenl two thousand, the Govornor of Trois Rivieres a thou-
sand ; a captain h'ld a hundred and twenty livres a month a
lieutenant ninety, and a common sol J.jr's pay was six sous a
day.

The dazzlinjr hopes of gold and gems in the wilderness
having faded from the eyes of the French king, the attention
of his colonies in Canada was directed to the fur trade. A
large body of ad venturous and indigent men, taken from those
classes who had no employment at home, had emigrated from
France, to invest their energies in the north-western forests,
which then abounded in furs of the greatest value. Their
trading posts for the prosecution of this traffic were erected
on the most prominent avenues in the interior of Canada
and upon the lakes, at those points where the Indians
were most in the habit of resorting. The wilderness at
that time was tilled with the fur-bearing animals, and the
most valua])le kind were beavers. From various causes
springing from the want of system in their operations, so
great an amount of peltries was collected at the warehouses,
that they could not be disposed of. It appears, indeed, that
during the early stages of the French fur trade, there was
great improvidence on the part of the colonial government in
its prosecution, because thefur-bearinganimals were permitted
to be killed for amusement without discrimination, and the
Indians, who could not appreciate their value, and therefore
sold them for I rifles, were encourao;ed to do the same. The
necessary consequence was, that the most valuable furs were
accumulated at the different posts, and destroyed for want of a
mirket, while the forests were exhausf<^d of that which has
since been found a rich source of national wealth. As the
French market became glutted with peltries, the merchants
declined buying more, and the traders therefore transported a
large amount to the T^nglish provinces annually, and many
had permanent establishments in the province of New-
York.

From the class of the traders arose that original body of
men, the Coureurs dcs Bois. They consisted of those French
emigrants who volimteerod their services in the employ of

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

{i|>

tlie large fur companies. Obedient to their employers as sailors
to the coinmandors of their ships, they were accustomed to
advance up the northern lakes to Michiliinacicinac and be-
yond, to explore ihu nmiotest inland streams of Mu! forest, with
their large caia.es laden with d^y goods and trinkets, at
places in which they could exchange their manufactured Eu-
ropean articles witli the Indians for furs. The goods, as well
as the licenses for the traflic, were generally procured by the
traders from the merchants ; and they sold to the mer-
chants their peltries on their return. During eacli year, the
traders having ladon their canoes with peltries, swept down
the sparkling waters of the lakes to Quebec and Montreal,
through the Ottawas Kivcr or across the portage at Niagara
info Lake Ontario ; accompanied by numerous canoes of
the Ottawas and the Hurons, who supposed that they could
there find a better market for their skins than could be
obtained at Michilimackinac. Desertions of the French be-
came frequent ; some of tlie Courenrs dcs Bois absconded to
the English posts, and others wandered deep into the forests,
and became incorporated with the Indians.

In order to prevent this desertion, a plan was devised by
the French Colonial Government, which was humane as well
as judicious. This was the granting of licenses to trade to
those who were worthy of confidence, and the prohibition of
all others from going out of the colony. These licenses were
vended to old officers and poor gentlemen, who had the privi-
lege of selling them to the traders, according to their value.
The number of these licenses was regulated by the Court, and
their distribution belonged to the Governor-o-eneral. '• Permis-
sions," of more ample character, were also granted from the
same source to the commandants of the forts.

As Canada was settled by many indigent noblemen, to
whom lands had been granted, these were not exactly the
proper persons to advance agriculture. They were, for the
most part, officers and gentlemen who had not funds sufficient
to maintain the proper workmen upon tlieir domains. It was
therefore found necessary to settle the lands of those to whom
lordships were given, with tenants who were obliged to labor

I ' I

EARLY CONDITION OK CANADA.

hard, and expend all their udvunces of money before tlicy
could procure the nocussary sul).sistenre ; wliilo the fur trade,
wliich was the predominating spirit of tlie times, spread a
restless and miifratory disposition amouir the people. Another
fact which impeded tlie progress of agriculture, was tho /node
of tenure in the distrihution of lauds. The tenants iield their
farms trammelled with conditions us rigid and illiberal as the
villeins of the dark ages ; and this, of course, took away all.
interest of the tenant in the soil, excepting so far as he could
benefit himself. The fur trade, moreover, was soon taken out
of tho hands of the companies by the French king, and almost
every body embarked in it. This caused the utmost confu-
sion. As early as 17U(i the furs were purchased by the tra-
ders in Canada, frecpently at a higher price than tliey could
command in France. Such, however, was not the fact in the
English colonies along the Atlantic. In that quarter there
seems to have been more systematic organization. Their arti-
cles for the trafiic could be afforded cheaper than those of the
French ; their plans were conducted with greater judgment,
and the necessary consequence was, that while they were ac-
cumulating wealth by the fishery and the fur trade, the
French were growing poor.

The condition of commerce and anrriculture amonc the
French at that period, when the forests abounded with all the
sources of wealth exhibits strongly the want of national en-
terprise and enlightened legislation on the part of that go-
vernment. Had the French Government comprehended the
full value of the fertility of the soil, and of the furs which
abounded in the wilderness, it might have established penal
laws to prevent the wanton destruction of the fur-bearing ani-
mals, organised a liberal system of land distribution, which
would have furnished motive for exertion to agriculturists,
and planted vigorous colonies in this part of the continent,
which would have poured a broad stream of wealth upon that
empire, and perhaps have perpetuated the dominion of France
in this country. It is clear, however, that when none of the
precious metals were discovered, it permitted the colonies to
pine in comparative neglect and barrenness. Besides the furs

iiii

i 1

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

Which were annually shipped to France, trade in kimber was
prosecuted with the West Indies, and u large amount was sent
to those islands.

As the funds for the payment of the officers and soldiers o-e-
nerally arrived from France too late, certain local bills werels-
sued, and these were circulated in the place of coin. By virtue
of an ordinance of the Governor and Intendant, this money
was made of cards ; and its value, the mark of the treasury
and the arms of France were stamped upon it in Spanish wax
Paper money was afterwards struck in France, and impressed
the same as the current money. It was ordained that these
bills should be returned every year into the Canadian trea-
sury before the annual arrival of the French ships, in order
to receive an additional mark and to prevent counterfeits.
Ihis paper money was, however, soon disused, and card
money substituted, stamped with new impressions. All bills
to the value of four livres and upwards were signed by the
Intendant ; and all below that sum were only marked At a
subsequent period, the Governor-general signed those which
were of the value of six livres. During the first weeks of
autumn, these bills were carried back to the treasurer, and
bills of exchange were received in return. So lono- as these
bills of exchange were jjaid, the bills were preferred to specie
but they soon ceased to be honored ; and in 1713 they Jiad be-
come so depreciated in value, that the inhabitants proposed to
lose one half, on condition that the king should cause them
to be taken up. This was done in 1717. The paper cur-
rency was abolished, and the colonial officers were again paid
m current coin.

As early as 1084, the French Colonial establishments ia
Canada had grown to considerable importance. At that time
according to LaHontan, Quebec exhibited some architectural
excellence. There were six churches in the high city, and
also a cathedral, over which were a bishoo and twelve preben-
daries, who resided in the chapter liouse.' It was the head-
quarters of the Roman church and the rendezvous of the
priests, who were, as a general fact, men of correct morals,
and contented with the bare necessaries of life. Here was

EARLV CONDITION OF CANADA.

the church of the Jesuits, a massive edifice, with its ahar sup-
ported by four great columns of black stone, which La Hon-
tan calls "a sort of Canada porphyry." The Jesuit fathers
had large and stately apartments, looking out upon grounds
adorned with groves and gardens, and containing ice-houses
and other means of luxury.* It appears, that at that time the
influence of the church, moulded, in a great measure, the po-
licy of the colony ; because the directors of the seminary of
St. Sulpicius at Paris were proprietors of the Island of Mon-
treal, and had the power of nominating the bailiff and other
magistrates ; and they had, in fact, previously had the nomi-
nation of the Governor. These directors, who were lords,
had sent out missionaries to Montreal from time to time, and
they lived under the direction of a Superior. They had
apartments allotted to them in a large and convenient house,
built of free stone, which was constructed on the model of
St. Sulpicius at Paris. Cantons on the south side of the island
produced a considerable revenue, as the land was fertile, and
the inhabitants were rich in agricultural products, for which
they found in the city a ready market.

In 1720, duebec and Montreal had grown to a population
of many thousands. It consisted of nobles, nuns, priests, ar-
tisans, traders, and soldiers connected with the machinery of
the church and state. A polished form of society, instinctive
in the French nation, prevailed here. A great portion of their
time was spent in amusement, and much wealth was squan-
dered in extravagance. In summer the colonists embarked in
parties of pleasure, in their calashes or canoes : and in winter
they drove their carioles upon the snow or skated upon the
river. On the annual arrival of the French ships, the colony
was enlivened by interesting topics of news from the parent go-
vernment. Hunting was resorted to by the gentlemen, not
only for amusement, but profit. The least rusticity in lan-
guage or behavior was not perceived, from the bishop to the
most obscure menial of the church, from the aristocratic part-
ner to the humble and reckless voyagcur of the fur trade.

!f ;ii

* Lb Ilontan.

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

ill

" The Canadians," says Charlevoix, « drew in with their na-
tive breath the air of freedom." Tiie agricultural class were
contented with their lot, while the 7ioblesse of a chivalrous
cast of character, boasted of ancestral exploits and exulted in
military glory. The French language was spoken with the
utmost accuracy and elegance. There were at that time,
however, but few rich men in the country, because wealth,
which was easily accumulated, was seldom hoarded. The
most brilliant assemblies were given at the mansions of those
in power. At stated intervals the settlements were enlivened
by the traders, returning from the interior posts of the wilder-
ness like mariners from the ocean ; or by savages, who, sweep-
ing down from the clear and brimming waters of the upper
lakes, with their canoes laden with beaver skins, would land
upon the shores, hold their mercantile carnival in the market-
place, and fill the store-houses of the merchants with furs.

The early liistory of the F'rench domination in Canada is
intimately connected with the migrations of the missionaries,
the explorations of the traders, and the military expeditions of
the French, backed by their Indian confederates, against the
Iroquois. The missionaries were regarded by many of the
Indians as supernatural beings, jugglers, on whom the desti-
nies of life and death depended ; and strong prejudices were fre-
quently aroused against them on this account, causing the
most cruel murders. The Iroquois, as a body, not only dis-
hked the French, but they despised their religion ; and ac-
counts of the massacre and torture of the priests upon the
shores of Lake Huron, by their tribes, abound in the old Je-
suit journals. On one occasion, boiling water was poured
upon the priests in mockery of baptism, while they were
grasping the cross for succour ; and red-hot tomahawks were
thrown into their flesh when convulsed in the agonies of
death.*

We do not design to enter into a minute specification of
the military operations of that period. They were mainly
confined to expeditions sent out against the English colonies

+ Anonytnou? journal of a Catholic missionary, puhlished in Paris.

EARLY CONDITION OF CANADA.

and the Iroquois. The savages, in fact, kept the French in
continual consternation, by hovering around their settlements •
and the progress of agriculture and the advance of the colo-
nies were thus in a great measure checked. A council with
the Iroquois had been held by the French at Onondaga,
which resulted in no permanent league. Numerous expedi-
tions against the English were also sent out upon the bor-
ders ; and the massacre of Schenectady, on the 8th of Fe-
bruary, 1690, by a body of two hundred Canadians and In-
dians, who travelled through a wilderness covered with deep
snows, to accomplish the most infamous butchery which
blackens the annals of modern warfare, was followed by pro-
jects on the part of each of the two nations to undermine the
power of the other, which however, were not carried out to
any stable consequences.

In 1709 England and France being at war, hostilities were
re-commenced in their American colonies, which continued
until the treaty of Utrecht, in 1 712. After this event, peace
was enjoyed by the Canadian provinces. This peace was
peculiarly fortunate at that period, because, in 1714, there
Avere only about four thousand five hundred men in Canada
able to bear arms. Beneficial changes were, however, made in
the laws, and the fur trade was prosecuted with vigor. Such
were the circumstances in which the colonization of Michi-
gan was commenced.

lil

hi IP-

HISTORY or MICHIGAN.

Nl i:{,

CHAPTER III.

Colonization of Michigan— JVIichilimackinac founded— Fort St. Joseph— Fort
erected on St. Joseph's Riv^r— Indian Council held regurding tlie post at De-
i!J° u .!;?" founded— Early condition of the town— Indian allies of the
French— First attack of Detroit by the Otta we s-Second attack of Detroit by
the Foxes-Early 1 rave lers through the reyon of tlie Lakes-Baron Lalloi.-
tan— Peter Francis Xavier de Charlevoix.

Michigan was embraced in the Canadian jurisdiction, the
prominent features of which have been described. The
French settlements, which had been at first confined to
the eastern portion of Canada, soon spread upon the north-
western lakes, from Detroit to the remotest shores of Lake Su-
perior. They consisted originally of solitary forts, at the
point where the city of Detroit now stands ; at the present site
of Fort Gratiot ; at Michilimackinac, on the northern part of
the peninsula of Michigan ; at St. Marie ; at St. Joseph, on the
river of the same name ; at Chicago in Illinois, and at Green
Bay, within the organized limits of Wisconsin. These forts
were stretched at wide distances along the lake frontier, at
those points which commanded the largest tract of country,
where the Indians were in the habit of resorting from the fa-
tigues of the chase— and which afforded the iiTost extensive
communication by canoes with the inland streams of the forest,
and the most secure and convenient navigation across the
lakes to the headquarters of the fur trade, Quebec and Mon-
treal. Constructed of bark or logs, surrounded by pickets, and
near the chapel of the Jesuits, the forts were erected not only
to protect the trade, but also the ecclesiastics, in their mission-
ary operations among the savages. Michilimackinac, on the
penmsula, was one of the oldest forts erected; and it is of con-
siderable importance as connected with the progress of the fur
trade and the military incidents of xMichigan. Its foundation
was laid by Father Marquette in the year 1671, who induced
a party of Ilurous to make a settjo-ient at that place, as aim-

FIRST COLONIZATION OP MICHIGAN.

cleus for a future colony. A fort and chapel having been
built, it soon grew into great prominence as a trading post,
being situated on the grand avenue of commerce, between the
St. Lawrence and the Mississippi, and the most conspicuous
rendezvous of the traders, merchants, soldiers, Courcurs dcs
liois, missionaries, and savages of the north-west. As early as
1583 the Ottawas and the Hurons had small villages in the
vicinity of the chapel and the fort, separated by a single pali-
sade ; and the former nation had conunenced Iniilding a forti-
fication on a rising ground near that place. Near to the vil-
lage of tile Hurons, the Jesuits had a college, adjoining a
chapel, enclosed with pickets, in which they exercised their
exertions for the conversion oftlie Indians. Their ellortsfor
that object were, however, in the main unsuccessful, accord-
ing to their own acknowledgment ; and the utmost limit, to
■which they could bring the minds of the savages in their
cause, was to be permitted to administer die sacrament to their
dying children, and to aged Indians just ready to sink into
their graves.

The Coureurs dcs Bois had important settlements also at
Michilimackinac, as the goods which were to be traded for
furs with the Indians at Green Bay, in Illinois, along Ijake Su-
perior, and the country upon the banks of the Mississippi,
were obliged to remain at that post for some time before they
could be transported to the most conspicuous markets. The
savages at that post derived their principal subsistence from
the fish, which was found in great abundance in the straits
and neighboring streams ; and it was believed to possess great
advantages from the fact that the Iroquois dared not to venture
in their canoes to cross the " strait of Lake Huron ;" and it was
also surrounded by marshes, which prevented their passage by
land.* When Charlevoix visited Michilimackinac, in 1721,
however, the post had fallen into decay. At that time the
fort and missionary establishment were still retained, but the
Indians opposed formidable obstacles to the exertions of the
Jesuits. The post was subsequently much weakened by the

* Lallontan, vol. I, p. 83.

htfiif

I: i

■ 'f

di^

HISTORY OF MICrilOAN.

i
ill!

;! '

[; h

iversion of the fur trado,as the nortJicm Indians, who were ac
customed to bring their lias to tiiis phice, were enticed to Hud-
sou s Buy, where they traded with the En<rHsh.* The cause
assicrned for this by Charlevoix was the fact that M. Cadillac
the founder of Detroit, had drawn to that place a great pro-
- portion ofthe Indians, especially the Hurons, who had been
settled at Michilimackinac by father Marquette. There was
however, some trade carried on with the savages at that period'
mid It was a point of general resort by the French, who
deemed it necessary to retain a Jesuit at this post for the
preservation of the morals of the colonists.f

Soon after the occupation of Michilimackinac, the Saultdo
fet. Mane was founded. Like the other French posts, it was
comprised of a fort and chapel in 16S8, and was then a fa-
vorite point of resort for the traders and savages on tlieirway
to Mic Iiilimackinac from the forests of Lake Superior. At that
place there was then a settlement of Indians, called by the
1' rench the Salteurs, who procured their subsistence mainly
rom the fish which abounded at the foot of tlie rapids t It
had been populated for a long period previous to the mission
of Charlevoix in 1721 ; and bracelets for the Indians, as well
as cand esticks, crosses, and censers, were wrought for the
use of the church, by a goldsmith who resided at the villacre
Irom the masses of pure copper found there, as well as on the
shores of Lake Superior. 5

A settlement was also made, at an early period, at Fort
Gratiot, which was then called Fort St. Joseph, and a fort was
^lere erected by the Coureurs dcs Bois at the expense of M
Uulbut, and occupied by the French. This fort was soon"
destroyed ; Fort Niagara had been abandoned to the Iroquois
and as a measure of precaution, it was burned by the Baroti
La Hontan, m August 1688, under the order of the Marquis
de Denonvdle, the Governor-general of Canada

Besides another post somewhere on the river St. Clair, a fort
and chapel were also built up by the French on the St. Joseph

♦ Clmrlcvoix's Journal. t Ibid, vol. 2, p. 42.

\ La riontan, vol. 1, p. 93. § Charlevoi.v's Journall vol. 2, p. 45.

li La Ilontan, vol. 1, p. 84.

FIRST COLONIZATION OB' MICHIGAN.

3'J

river, the remains of which are still to bo seen. The desi^rn of
these establishments was to extend the dominion of the f'rench.
In 1721, this post had a mission, which was protected by a
Commandant and a small garrison. The house of the Com-
mandant, called the fort, was surrounded by pickets in the
vicinity of three villages— those of the Hurons, Potawata-
mies, and Miamies, converts of the missionaries, who were
stationed at this point during that period. Without the bounds
of Michigan, settlements were also made by the French at
Green Bay, in the territory of Wisconsin about the year 1670,
and also at Chicago in Illinois, for the purposes of religion
and trade ; and these exhibited the same fcaturcs with the
other posts. Their population was composed of a command-
ant who was called Governor, Jesuits, soldiers, traders, and
savages. The most marlccd features ofthcse posts were the fort
and the chapel, surrounded with small patches of cultivated
hmd, and the wigwams of the Indians. In 1G89 Green Bay
contained a fort and chapel, which were situated amid the
villages of the Sacs, Polawatamics, and Mcnominees. This
place was at that time a rich market for peltries and Inthan
corn, which the savages sold to the traders as they passed to
and from the Mississif)pi.*

The English and French having embarked as rivals in the
fur trade, it became an important object with the former na-
tion to secure its share of the traffic of the north-western lakes.
Accordingly, a trading expedition of the English arrived at
Michilimackinac in IGSO, through the connivance of the Otta-
gamies or Fox Indians, who then occupied the banks of the
Detroit River. These tribes had been for a long time un-
friendly to the French, and the English had exercised their
policy to strengthen the friendship of the Foxes for their own
cause, by frequent messages and valuable presents. At that
period, no permanent settlement had been made at Detroit
because the French had a more direct and safer route to the
upper lakes, from ]\[ontrcal to Michilimackinac, tlirouo-h the
Ottawas or Grand River.

fi«

♦ La Ilontun, vol. ], p. 105.

IILSTOHV OK MICIIKJ.W.

Ih'

The poht of Detroit liiid Ion-; hem rc-rardcd as a valiiahle
point of sottleineat for the fur tnui(>, iiiasmiicli as it comiiiiiU'l-
ed a broad tract of country, across the peninsula even to the
banks of the Mississippi, and furnished a dn-ect channel of
navigation to the I'hiirlish colonies in New- York by the way
of Lake Hrie. WJiilo the ('English were looking with eao-or
eyes to the acquisition of a post on the J)etroit River, they
were anticipated by their rivals the French. Taking coun-
sel by the movements of the l-lnglish, and determined them-
selves to establish a post at this ])Uico, they had ado[)tcd the
precaution to rail a grand council at J\roiitreal lor the pur-
pose of negotiating a treaty to that effect. This council was
one of great pomp, and was comprised of chiefs of the diiierent
tribes from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, the Governor-
general of Canada, and the most prominent scin-nei/rtf of the
country. It was the most imposing assemblage which had
ever collected in the wilderness. At this council, the grounds
on which the two nations based their claims to the country
were discussed, as well as their relations to the several hordes.
The complaints and wishes of the two claimants were also tho-
roughly weighed. In this discussion, the Iroquois alleged that
they had understood that the French were about to erect a
post upon the Detroit River, and opposed the measure ; because
they said the country belonged to them, and they had before
prohibited the English from mi ing an establishment at that
point.

To these remarks of the Iroquois, the Governor-general of
Canada replied, that the country belonged neither to the In-
dians or the English, but to the King of France ; and tliat
there was an expedition already on the march for the purpose
of establishing a colony on the banks of the Detroit. In ac-
cordance with this determination, Antoine de la Motto Cadil-
lac, Lord ofHouagetand Montdesert, and commandant for the
king at Detroit, anting under a commission from Louis XIV.
and being granted fifteen acres square, left Montreal in June',
1701, with one hundred men, a .Tesuit missionary, and all the
necessary means for the erection of a colony ; and reached
Detroit in .Inly of the same year, where they commenced the

FIR8T COLONIZATION Ol-' MK^IIIOAX.

■<

foundation of the settlements.'* Before that period Detroit had
n.t been unknown. As fur back as Ki^O it was the re-
son of the French Missionaries, and when first visited by
the French, its present site was occupied by an Indian village
named Teuchsa Grondie.t

'I'liese traders and missionaries had, liowcver. made no
permanent establishment at this place, but encamped at that
point as a convenient restintr jrround in their journeys through
the wilderness upon the lakes. As early as IG'.Jr a mission
Iiud been sent out amoni^ the Hurons near the Detroit
Jliver, but no permanent settlement was made. The colony ot
Cadillac, however, came prepared with all the means of colo-
niziition. A rudeibrt was erected, and surrounded with pickets,
which enclosed a few houses occupied by the French traders
and the soldiers attached to the post. This establishment was,
however, rude, frail, and mounted with small cannon, \'hich
w(;re mere ada{)ted to overawe the Indians than fors( .id and
etfective defence.

While the French settlements were thus extended alontr
the frontier of Michigan, they were surrounded by powerful
savage confederates in the Algonquin tribes along the lakes.
Among these were the agricultural race of the Ottawas, scat-
tered in their villages through the forest ; the Ilurons, a horde
which seems to have been most inclined to religion, and
consequently most willing to encourage the exertions of the
Jesuit missionaries ; the Potawatamies, the Mcnominees of
Green Bay, and the numerous and savage bands of Chippe-
was, living upon the shores of Lake Superior, obtaining sub-
sistence from the fish of the lakes ; a nation who had seldom
seen the white man ; wild as the deer of their woods, and un
bending as their granite mouatains. These were the stock,
who, in Michigan, during an early period, had leagued them-
selves with the French, while the Fox'^-', of Iroquois des-
cent, residing along the banks of the Detroit River, adhered to
the English cause, and soon made their power felt against the
French settlements.

♦ Cass's Discourse.

t Coldeii'3 1 ive Nations.

IIISTOllV OP MICHIGAN.

! ' J

Tho two Indian confederacies, the Iroquois nnd Algon-
quins, wlio had attached themselves to the l-Vench and Eu-
ghshjrovernments, while their causes ofaUiance are not clearly
known, were equally capricious and unstable in the leagues
which they had formed. They had, perhaps, attached them-
selves to these two rival powers, not so much from any strono-
friendship which they felt for the white men, as to increase
theirinfluencein battering down tho power of their savage
enemies, whom they hated with an intensify based on imnie-
morial feuds, and which had been strengthening for ages.

During the third year after Detroit was founded, the Indians
in that quarter were invited to Albany, probably with a view
to negotiations with the English government. It was, doubt-
less, the policy of those colonies to disaflect them. A number
of the Ottawa chiefs visited that place, and they returned witli
altered feelings.* During that visit they were persuaded
by the English, who still desired to obtain possession of the
post, that the French settlements on the Lakes were designed
to wrest the dominion of the country from their hands, and,
actmg on this conviction, they set tire to the town. The tire
was, however, discovered before any serious injury was done.
About the same time another party of the Ottawas, [laving re-
turned from a successful expedition against the Iroquoi',-,
Hushed with victory, paraded themselves in hostile array in
front of the fort, and endeavored to induce the other Ind.ans
to jom them in its demolition. M. de Tonti was the.i the
I'rench commandant. The Sieur de Vincennes was accord-
ingly despatched for the purpose of dispersing their hostile
bands, and he succeeded in defeating and putting them to
flight. In the hurry of their departure, they abandoned to
the French the Iroquois prisoners whom they had captured,
and these were sent back to the Iroquois tribes.

At the same time, three villages of friendly Indians were
established in the vicinity of Detroit, some of whom had been
brought by Cadillac from Michilimackinac. A Huron settle-
ment had been made on the banks of the river, about half a

* Casb'a Discourse.

COLONIZATION OF MICHIGAN.

mile below llie city of Detroit; a Potawatamie village was
founded on the same side, and avilkiije of the Ottawas had
been erected above the town, on the Canadian shore of the
stream.

The small settlements in Michigan, upon the lakes, conti-
nued inquietude until the year 1712. Jesuit missionaries were
from time to time sent out from Quebec and Montreal to the
lake posts, to perform their oflices among the savages ; and ad-
ditional security was extended to Micliilimackinac, St. Joseph,
nnd other French posts in this quarter. It appears, that what-
ever m.j^ht have been the assumption on the part of tlie
French in making their settlement at Detroit, the right of
domain to the land had been before acknowledged to be vested
in the Indians ; because it is well known that before any per-
manent settlement was made on the lakes, M. Perrot, a French
explorer, had visited the nations in that quarter, and the In-
dians afterwarc's sent deputies to meet the sub-delegate of the
Intendant of New France at the Falls of St. Marie. In ac-
cordance with negotiations there made with the Indians, it
was determined that the French should occupy that point in
the name of their king, and, as a seal of the agreement, a cross
was erected, bearing the arms of France.* This occurred
previous to the settlement of Michilimackinac.

The Iroquui 5 had occasionally sent out marauding parties
against the French and Indians upon the lakes, and the Je-
suits had been murdered with the most savage cruelty by their
wandering bands. During the month of May, 1712, the
Ottagamies or Foxes, who were then comparatively obscure,
but who, it appears, M'ere in secret alliance with the Iroquois,
perfected a plan to demolish the town of Detroit. They were,
doubtless, induced to do this by the Five Nations backed by
the English, who wished to destroy this post and erect a Ibrt
of their own on its ruins. Arrangements were accordingly
made for that object in silence and darkness. The Indians
were noticed at that time congregating, under various preten-
ces, around tlie fort, which was garrisoned by a small force of

* M'Gresor's British America.

i I!

HISTORY OP MICmovTV.

twenty French soldiers. M. Du Uuis.son was commandant.
The occupants of the throe Indian viilacjes at Detroit, the
Potuwataniios, tiie Ottawas,and the Flurons, were at that time
ubsent on n luinting party : and those were the only Iriendly
savages on whom lie could safely depend Ibr aid. The plan
which liad been secretly devised for the destruction of the fort
of Detroit was disclosed by a convert of their tribes, who had
adopted the Catholic faith, before it was ripe for execution ;
and M. Du Buisson immediately sent despatches through the
wilderness, to call in the aid of the friendly Indians, and^ com-
menced prcpariii<r the fort for a vigorous and effectual defence.
On the 13th of May, the attack of Detroit was commenced
by the Foxes." At this juncture, and when their aid was
most required, the Indians friendly to t!ie French appeared
through the wilderness, naked, painted, and armed fbr bat-
tle, and the gates of the fort were opened for their recep-
tion. Entering the council-house, they liad an interview
with Du Buisson, and repeated their friendship for the French,
and their determination to die in defence of the fort.

The Foxes, having perceived the arrival of the friendly In-
dians, retreated to the eastern boundary of the city of Detroit,
where they entrenched themselves within their camp, for the
purpose of future action. In order to drive them from that
post, a block- house was erected by the French, which com-
manded their position .1 Here they were attacked with great
vigor, and cut off from nil supply of water by the constant
fire which was poured upon them by the forces of the French
and their savage allies. Their provisions were soon exhaust-
ed ; and, driven to despair by thirst and famine, they issued
from their camp and from having been the besieged, they be-
came the besiegers. Rushing out upon the French, they
succeeded in ac(iuiring the possession of a house near the fort
of Detroit. From this house, which they fortified, they at-
tacked the French, but were again dislodged by the cannon,
and driven back to their former intrenchmcnt.

Finding that their attempt to undermine the French post

* Cass's DiseourRe.

t Ibid.

if -•

ATi'viK ov DirriioiT nv thk i-oxks.

was likely to be unsuccessful, the Foxes sent a dopulation to
the French Couunaudaut, with pacific overtures ; but as no
confidence was placed in their promises, the capitulation was
rejected. This tended only to increase their raije and indijf-
nation. They now deemed themselves insulted, and, under
the influence of a determined and desperate revenge, they dis-
charged showers of blazing arrows upon the fort. Tlie
lighted matches which had been atlixed to the arrows, coming
in contact v/ith many of the roofs of the houses, which were
thatched with straw, kindled them iiuo flame, until the pre-
caution was taken to cover the rest with wet skins ; and by
that means they were preserved,

jM. Du LJiiisson was almost discouraged by the desperation
of the Foxes, and had nearly determined to evacuate the post,
and retire to Michilimackinac, when he was dissuaded from
that act by the friendly Indians, who promised to increase
their eflbrls to dislodge the Foxes. When the preparations
for the second attack had been concluded, the war-song and
the war-dance finished, the savages returned to their posts
and re-commenced tlie onset upon the Foxes with increased
fury. It was successful. A constant and unerring fire was
poured upon their intrenchmcnts, which were soon heaped
with the dying and the dead.

A capitulation was again demanded. Before any negotia-
tion was cftectcd, however, the Foxes retreated into that por-
tion of the peninsula of Michigan which advances into Lake
St. Clair, where they intrenclied themselves. This abandon-
ment was made at night, during a storm, without discovery,
and on the nineteenth day of the siege.

As soon as this escape was made known, they were pursued
by the Indian allies, aided by the French, and attacked in
their camp. On the first action, the Foxes gained considerable
advantage, and repulsed the French and Indians, who had
attacked them without sufficient precaution and judgment.
Another and more successful method was soon adopted to
dislodge tliem from that position. About four days were oc-
cupied by the French for that object ; a field battery was erect-
ed, and the entrenchment of the Foxes soon fell, battered

«'

mw i

1 tji

I '';!

IIISTOUV OF JIirilKiAN.

down by tlie Frencli cannon on the fifth day of that siege.
Entering the works in arms, the allies and French commenc-
ed a deadly slaughter upon the Foxes, destroyed about a
thousand of their warriors, while the women and children,
whose lives they spared, were divided as slaves among the
French confederates.

The discomfited bands of the Foxes, at war with every
power, civilized and savage, in this quarter, the Ishmaelites of
the American M-ilderness, soon after collected their scattered
bands on the bank's of the Fox River of Green Bay. Here
they commanded the country between the lakes and the Mis-
sissippi, so that no travellers could pass through their territory
unless they were in large bodies, and armed ; while their
warriors were sent out into the forest to seek objects of butch-
ery and devastation. The predatory spirit of these hordes
caused great alarm to the French missionaries and traders.
So great apprehension, indeed, was entertained by the Frencti
interest from their liostility, and zo great injury had already
been done by those tribes, that an expedition was fitted out
against them by the French, backed by Indian allies, most ot
whom had solid ground of revenge against the Foxes. These
tribes had selected a strong-hold on the banks of the Fox River
now called by the French Buttd cles Morts, the hill of
THE DEAD. That positiou was secured by a deep ditch and
three courses of palisades. At this place they collected
their women and children, and prepared for a desperate de-
fence. The fort was so strong, that De Louvigny, the com-
mandant of the expedition, declined a sudden attack, and pre-
pared for a formal siege. Advancing by a gradual proo-ress
to a proper position for undermining the works, he was "pre-
paring tor the final result, wlien terms of capitulation were
proposed and accepted. The warriors who had survived the
siege were spared. After this event, the pride of the Ottacra-
nns was humbled, and they sunk into obscurity durino- die
remainder of the French war. '^

The few scattered posts of ]\richigan, at that time without
any separate organization of colonial government, such as
prevailed in the English colonies at this period, exhibit no

LA HONTAN.

connected sequence ot prominent events. Tliey were a part of
the Canadian domain, inhabited by wandering hordes of sava-
ges and migratory traders, whose operations had reference to
the fur trade, and whose head-quarters were at Q,uebec and
Montreal. To the French soldiers and Jesuits who were sent
into that region, the freshness and magnificence of the scenery
spread out the most glowing visions. From the metropo-
lis of refinement and the arts, tlie depository of mo.st tliat was
valuable in sculpture, painting, and architecture, they were
transferred to a trackless wilderness, where all was unculti-
vated nature. If their reflections were somewhat tinctured
with romance, the scenes which surrounded them were emi-
nently calculated to call forth that spirit.

The vast alluvion, stretching from the St. liawronce to the
Mississippi, displayed a bountiful tract of fertile soil, adorned
with the richest vegetation, and watercu by sparkling streams —
those blue veins of the globe which circulate life and vigor
through every part of its system. Inland seas rolled along
like oceans through the wilderness. Herds of deer, elk, and
buffalo, wandered through the plains, fed on the islands of the
rivers, or drank at the rivulets of the oak-lands. FMsh of the
greatest value and abundance glided through the waves ;
flocks of water-fowl wheeled their course along the shores,
or dipped in the current; and snow-white gulls skimmed
the surface, or were tossed on the crest of the billows. The
adventurers, in advancing along the islands in Lake Erie, the
Detroit River, and river St. Clair, saw all around them a
glorious scene of waters and forests, as yet untouched by
the hand of civilization, and inhabited by savages as strange
as their own wilderness. Upon the frontier of Michigan,
dense woods of lofty trees extended across a belt of fifteen
miles, over a level surface, sometimes almost inundated by
heavy rains, now expanding into splendid tracts of scenery,
and now broken by dismal swamps. Grape-vines, of large
size, hung pendant from the boughs of the trees, or clustered
around their enormous trunks. As the travellers advanced
into the interior, across that belt, tlu'ough Indian trails, a
more beautiful scene opened before them. The country be-

U i

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

gan to swell into graceful undulations and mound-like hills-
covered, as far as the eye could reach, with groves of oak, free
of undergrowth, like extended parks-or to%xpand in rich
prairies and crystal lakes. Luxuriant liowers, of various and
gorgeous colors, which now eminently mark the forest scenery
of Michigan covered the whole surface of the ground
I seemed as if nature, amid the solitude, fresh in hei' virgin
bloom, had adorned her- bosom with the fragrant roses^f
spring lu honor of her Maker; and, vain of her charms, had
set these lakes upon the landscape, as watery mirrors, to reflect
her own beauty. It was such scenes which colored the des-
criptions of the French travellers through that region.

.JT u'l ^f """'""'* '''^'^''^^' °^^^^^^ accomplishments,
who travelled through the lakes about the year 1688, thus des^
ciiues lake hivic :

nnZnf P^""!"';^"' '' '^"'^'^ ^'-"'^'^ ^^^^'^ *''« illustrious
name of Conti, for assuredly 'tis the finest upon earth. You

may judge of the goodness of the climate from the latitude of
the countries that surround it.

'• Its circumference extends to two liundred and thirty
eagues ; Inn it afibrds every where such a charming prospec
that Its banks are decked with oak trees, elms, dieS. it trees
wa nut trees, apple trees, plum trees, and vines whidi S

of ground that lies as smooth as one's hand. Such orna-
ments as these are sufficient to give rise to the most agree be
Idea of a landscape in the world. I cannot express wh. I
vast quantities of deer and turkies are to be founS t hese

he lake. A the bottom of the lalce we find wild beeves

Titlfo; tt ^';"^^'"^^^^^ '^^' disembogue ■;'

n without cataracts or rapid currents. ft abounds with

sturgeon and white fish, but trouts are very scarce i it ^t

well as the other fish that we take in the lakes of Huron

and Illmese. -Tis clear of shelves, rocks, andbanlLf n^

and has fourteen or fifteen fathom water. The savages ll

1 1

CHARLEVOIX.

sure us that it is never disturbed by high winds, except in the
mouths of December, January, and February, and even then
but seldo 11 ; which I am very apt to beheve, for we had very
few storms when I wintered in my fort in 1688 ; though the
fort lay open to the hike of Hurons. The banks of this lake
are commonly frequented by none but warriors, whether the
Iro;iuese, the Illinese, the Oumamis, <fcc. ; and 'tis very dan-
gerous to stop there. By this means it comes to pass that the
stags, roe-bucks, and turkies, run in great bodies up and down
the"'shore, all around the lake. In former times the Errier-
rouons* and the Andastogueronons lived upon the confines of
the lake ; but tliey were extirpated by the Iroquese as well
the other nations marked on the map."t

Peter Francis Xavier dc Cliarlcvoix, the polished Jesuit
and accomplished historian of New France, liaving been com-
missioned by tlie French Government, passed through this re-
gion in 1721, and he breaks out in the following eloquent
and glowing terms, descriptive of the country ; addressed to
the Dutchess de Lesdiguieres, as he coasted along the bank of

Lake Erie :

" The first of June being the day of Pentecost, after having
sailed up a beautiful river for the space of an hour, which has
its rise, as they say, at a great distance, and runs betwixt two
fine meadows, we passed over a carrying-place of about sixty
paces in breadth, in order to avoid turning round a point,
which is called the Long Point. It is a very sandy spot of
ground, and naturally bears a great quantity of vines. The
following days I saw ncthing remarkable, but coasted along
a charmUig country, hid, at times, by very disagreeable pros-
pects, which, however, are of no great extent. Wherever I
went ashore I was enclianted by the beauty and variety of a
landscape, which was terminated by the noblest forests in the
whole world. Add to this, that every part of it swarms with
water-fowl. I cannot say whether the woods afTord game in

» Notwithstanding the account by Hrnnepin, it is fairly to he inferred that

l.oke Rrie derives its name from this tribe.

t New Voyages to North America, by the Baron La Hontan. Lord-heiitenant
of the French" colony at Placentia in Newfomidland, vol. 1, pagf' 217.

i!^

HISTORY OF MICIIIfiAN'.

),'.,! i't

equal profusion ; l„it I well know that on the so„(h side
there is a prodi-rious quantity of hniraioes. Wero wo all to
sail, as I then did, with a soren.3 sky, in a most rhannin<r rli-
mate, and in water as clear as that of the purest Ibnntain •
were we sure of Hnding every where socurc and a-reoahl,' pla-
ces to pass the ni-lit in, whore we ini<rht enjoy tlie pleasure
of hnntnicr at a small expense, breathe at our ease the purest
mr, and enjoy the prospect of the finest countries in the uni-
verse; we mi-ht possibly be t(.mpted to travel to the end of
our days. ] recalled to mind those ancient patriarchs who
had no fixed place of abode, who lived in tents, who were in
a manner the masters of all theconnlries they pass,>d throu-h
and who enjoyed, in peace and tranquillity, all tiieir produc-
tions without the plajrue inevitable in the possession of a real
and fixed estate. How many oaks represented to me tliat of
Mamre ! How many fountains put me in mind of that of Jacob '
Each day a new situation, chosen at phvisure, a neat and com-
modious house built and furnished with all necessaries in less
than a quarter of an hour, and floored with a pavement of
flowers, continually springi.io: up on a carpet of the most
beautdul jrrcen ; on all sides simple and natural beauties, un-
adulterated and inimitable by any art."*

In advancin.ir towards Detroit, Charlevoix remarks •
"It is pretended that thi,s is the finest part of all Canada-
and really, if we can judire by appearances, nature seems to
hare denied it nothina: which can contribute to make a country
dehjrhttul. Hills, meadows, fields, lofty forests, rivulets foun-
tains, rivers ; and all ofthem so excellent in their kind and
so happily blended, as to equal the most romantic wishes.
1 he lands, however, are not equally proper for every kind of
gram, but most of them are of a wonderful fbrtility • and I
have known some product; -ood wheat for ei-dueen years
runnin-, without any manure; and besides, all of tl-.em are
proper tor some particular use. The islands seem j^laced on
jmrpose lor the pleasure of the prospect; the river and lake
abound m fish, the air is pure ; and the climate temperate
and extremely wholesome."t

* CImrI.;voix-8 .Tou -.ml, vol. -2, pa;:o 2. f Un6, v.I. 2, page 6.

riiAnLEVoix.

After describing tlin ^[eiieral locntiou and cliaractcr of tlie
Indians aloiifi^ tlie batiks of the river near D(!troit, and the
advantu<f('s of that [)()sitioii as tbe site of a town, the jea-
lousy wbi(;h, at this eniiy piM'iod, existed b(!tw(!en tlie
French and bjii;Lrlisj|i in ()blaiiiin<^ (Ik; dominion of the coun-
try is exhibited in the subjoincid reiuarks. His desitjn was
to remove the objt^ctions wliich had been iirj^ed to a large
settlement at l)(!troit from its proximity to IJritish influence.
" As for what has been said, that iiy making a settlement
ut the Narrows we should brini<; llie fur trade too much within
reach, there is not a inim in (Janada who does not agree that
wc can never succeed in hindering the Indians from carrying
them their commodilics, let th(Mn be s(;ttl<'d where tiiey will,
and with all tlu; precautions we can possibly take, except by
causinjrthem to lind the sani(! advantaire in tradiu": with us
ns in the province of New- York." Charlevoix gives an m-
tercoting descri[)tion of a council of the chiefs of the three
villages which W(!re H(!ar Detroit. Its first objcict was to
persuade the chiefs of the three; villages to prohibit the selling
of brandy to their tribes, and the second point was to combine
these tribes with the b'rench in a war against the Foxes.
He was struck with the splendid and dignified eloquence of
tlie Huron and Potawatamie cliiels, in which they expatia-
ted upon the evil consecpiences of that stimulant upon the
Indian tribes ; but at the same time they anirmod that the
French migiit use their pleasure in selling the Indians bran-
dy ;* and that iliey had done well, liad they not supplied them
with any ; but that they had becoin(! so accustomed to it, they
could no lou<:er be without it. In regard to the second point,
it was concluded that nothing could be determined in refer-
ence to a war with the Foxes, until there was a general coun-
cil of all the nations who acknowledged Onondio (tlie In-
dian name of the French king) for their father. They
doubted not that the war might be deemed necessary ; but
the Indians would probably have but little confidence in the

* Niimeroua discussions had bofuro been held between the ecclesiastics and
M. do Frontenac, as well ns the Baron d'Avanijour, rosjardino the propriety or
selling ardent yptrits to the Indians ; and the Jesuits tinally prevailed in abal sh*
ing the practice.

HISTORY OP MICHTGAN.

Siia

French, who Iiad once before united with them in exterminat-
incr a common enemy, but wlio hud made peace with them
before they had consulted their allies.

The Ottawas took no part in the discussions, but tney
seemed to coincide in the deliberations of the council.

" On the 7th of June, which was the day of my arrival at
the fort (Detroit), Mons. de Tonti, who commands here, as-
sembled the chiefs of these villages I have just mentioned, to
communicate to them the orders he had received from the
Marquis do Vaudreuil. They heard him calmly and without
interruption. When he had done speaking, the orator of the
Hurons told him, in a few words, that they were going to con-
sult about what he had proposed to them, and would give
him their answer in a short time. It is the custom of^lhe
Indians not to give an immediate answer on an affair of any
importance. Two days afterwards, they assembled at the
Commandant's, who was desirous I should be present at this
council, to'M-ther with the oillcers of the garrison. Sasteratfi,
whom the French call king of the Hurons, and who is, in
fact, hereditary chief of the Tionnontatez, who are the truo
Hurons, was also present on tliis occasion, but as he is still a
minor, he came only for form's sake ; his uncle, who governs
in his name, and who is called regent, spoke in quality of
orator of the nation. Now, the lionor of speaking in the name
of the whole, is generally given to some Huron when any
of them happen to bo of the council. The first view of their as-
semblies gives you no great idea of the body. Imagine to your-
self, madamo, half a score savages, almost stark naked ; with
their hair disposed in as many different manners as there are
persons in the assembly, and all of them equally ridiculous ;
some with laced hats, all with pijies in their mouths, and wiih
the most unthinking faces. It is, besides, a rare thing to hear
one utter so much as a single word in a quarter of an hour,
or to hear any answer made, even in monosyllables ; not the
least mark of distinction nor any respect paid to any person
whatsoever. Wes/ioidd, however, be apt to c/mnn-e our opi-
nion, ofthe'ji upon hearing the result nf their dcliherations:'*

■' Charlevoix's .lournal, vol. 2, p. 9.

CONDITION OP MICHIGAN UNDER THE FRENCH.

CHAPTER IV.

Character of the French colonists in Michigan — Merchants — Coureurs des Bois
— Hulf-hreeds— The Pensantry— Legal Administration— Policy of the French
Government — Indian Mylholo'jy of the Lakes— Land Distribution — Coloni-
zatioa increased — Fur Trade on the lakes.

The French emigrants scattered along the hike frontier ot
Michigan, previous to the year 1760, were clnefly from the
provinces of Picardy and Normandy in France. Without
aspiring to \ho aristocratic rank of the nohlcsse, who had con-
ffreorated in th > region of Quebec and Montreal, they were
accustomed to reverence the authority which had before been
exercised over them under the French monarchy in their na-
tive land. The French colonies upon the shores of Michi-
gan had been founded for the purpose of extending the do-
minion and prosecuting the fur trade into the Indian territory.
The Frenchmen who were sent out from the head-quarters
of the colonial government, were expected to undergo the
hardships of the forest in accomplishing these objects; and
Ihey consisted of tlie conmiandants of the posts, merchants,
Jesnits, priests, traders, soldiers, and the peasantry. A small
part of the population was local. The inhabitants belonged
to a system of machinery in religion and trade, Avhich was
constantly being moved from post to post.

The most prominent individuals at the trading posts, be-
sides the commandants, were the Frcncli merchants, who
generally had their houses near the forts, and tho half-breeds,
the offspring of the rangers of the woods, and the Indians.
The old French merchant at his post was the head inan of his
settlement. Careful, frugal, without much enterprise, judg-
ment, or rigid virtue, ho was employed in procuring skins from
the Indians or traders in exchange for mannfactured goods. In
the absence of any better frame of government, the merchants
were reverenced as the patrons of their settlement. Their po-
licy was to exercise their influence with paternal mildness, so

s ;

f'ti

HI.STOav OP MICHIOAN

as to prevent rebellion, to keep on good terms with the Indians
in order to secure their trade; and they frequently fostered a
large number of laalf-breed children, who were the offspring
of their licentiousness.

The Cnnreurs des Bois, or rangers of the woods, were
either French or half-breeds, a hardy race, accustomed to la-
bor and deprivation, and conversant with the character and
habits of the Indians, from whom they procured their cargoes
of furs. They were equally skilled in propelling a canoe,
fishing, hunting, trapping, or sending a ball from their
rifles « to the right eye" of the buffiilo. If of mixed blood, they
generally spoke the language of their parents, the French
an J Indian ; and knew just enough of their religion to be re-
gardless of both. Employed by the aristocratic French fur
companies as voyageurs or guides, their forms were developed
to the fullest vigor, by propelling the canoe through the lakes
and streams, and by carrying large packs of goods across the
portages of the interior by straps suspended from their fore-
heads or shoulders. These voyageurs knew every rock and
island, bay and shoal, of the western waters. The ordinary
dress of the white portion of the Canadian French tracers was
a cloth passed a'unitthe middle, a loose shirt, a "molton" or
blanket coat, and a red milled or worsted cap.* The half-
breeds were demi-savage in their dress as well as their cha-
racter and appearance. They sometimes wore a surtout of
coarse blue cloth, reaching down to the mid leg, elk-skin
t owsers, with the seams adorned with fringes, a scarlet
woollen sash tied around the waist, in which' Wu. stuck a
broad knife, to be used in dissecting the carcases of ani-
mals taken in hunting; buck-skin moccasins, and a cap
made of the same materials with the surtout.t Affable, gay,
and licentious, these men were employed by the French mer-
chants as guides, canoe-men, steersmen, or rangers, to ad-
vance, in their large canoes, into the remotest wilderness, and
to traffic their European goods for peltries, depositing them at
the several French depots on the lakes, whence they were
transported to Quebec and Montreal.

♦ Henry, p. 34. f Some of this class may now be seen on the lakes.

CONDITION OK MICHIGAN UNDlCa TIIK FRr.NCII. 55

The peasantry, or that portion of the French population
who devoted themselves to agriculturG, inaiiituined the habits,
which were broujjht from thu provinces whence they emigrat-
ed ; and these are retained to the present time. While tiio
gentlemen preserved the garb of the age of Louis XIV, the
peasants wore a long surtout, sash, red cap, and deer-skin
moccasins. This singular mixture of character was made
more strange by the Indians who loitered around the posts,
the French soldiers, with blue coats turned up with white fac-
ings, and short clothes, and by the number of priests and
Jesuits who had their stations around the forts. xVgi'ic'iUure
was but little encouraged, either by the policy of the fur trade
or the industry of the inhabitants. It was limited to a few
patches of corn and wheat, which were cultivated in pro-
found ignorance of the principles of good husbandry. Their
grain was ground in windmills. The enterprise of the
French women was directed to the making up of coarse cot-
ton and woollen clothes for the Indian trade. Their amuse-
ments were confined to dancing to the sound of the violin, in
simple and unaffected assemblies at each other's houses ;
or in attending tlie festivals of their church, hunting in the
forests, or paddling their canoes across the silent streams.*
The wilderness gave them abundance of game; and the
lake-herring, the bass, the pike, the gar, the mosquenonge,
and sturgeon, swarmed in the waters. The Mackinaw trout,
sometimes weighing fifty pounds, pampered their taste ; and
the white fish, of which, says Charlevoix, « nothing of the fish
kind can excel it," flashed its silver scales in the sun.

The administration of the law was such as might properly
be expected, where no civil courts were organised and all
was elemental. The military arm was the only effective
power to command what was right and to prohibit what was
wrong. The commandant of the fort, under the cogmzance
of the Governor-general of Canada, was the legislator, the
judge, and the executive. Acompact and ripened frame of juris-

* For important tacts connected with this period, I am indebted to a manu-
script, submitted by the kindness of John R. Wilhams, and furnished h.tn by a
contemporary.

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

<■' <I

11 ■"

prudence can only exist, where there is suflicient intcMigence to
mark out ai.d adjudge the rule of civil right and physical pow-
er to enforce it. But the natural court(>.syorthe French of every
grade, the mild,.. \s; uf flu- jurisdiction' which was exercised
over them by the coaiinandants of the forts, tended to do away
that motive Ibr.iuariol which results from tii.> sliarp collisions
of men in densely-settled states. IJy consequence there was
little litigation. A notarial book was Im pt, in which were re-
corded all the circumstances and relations of the colonists,
the marriages, the conveyaneos pfluiids, contracts, the c -nduct
of the emigrants, the dau- of their emigration, the articles
delivered to them in consideration of their cultivating the soil,
so that the Catholic priest or the commandant of the fort
might look upon their condition as upon a map. No efforts
were made for general eduration, and all the knowledge
acquired by the younger portion of the colonists was obtain-
ed from the priests and referred to the tenets of the Catholic
church.

The social condition of the French upon the lakes was ac-
cordingly of a less ambi(i(ius cast than the colonial establish-
ments at Quebec and Montreal. At those places were concen-
trated all the pomp and splendor which belonged to the I^'rench
government in this part of America. There, were collected
the noblesse, the bishop, the colleges of the Jesuits, and all
that was imposing in tlie Canadian state as well as the church.
The emigrants on the lakes were of more humble origin, who
were despatched to these posts for the purpose of buildfng'them
up and arranging convenient dcp Ms for the trade, as it^circu-
lated through the whole extent of the north-western waters.
These emigrants were sent out from tli<' head-quarters of the
colonial establishments, and provided by the aijency of the
government, through the commissary's department, with cau-
vass for tents, hoes, axes, sickles, a certain amount of grain, ve-
nison, powder, ball, and cattle ; a part of which were to be re-
turned within a specified time when a certain amount of
land should be cleared.*

Mi^

• See a notariu! record of 1717 in Fren.i,, now preserved at Detroit

CONDITION OF MICHIGAN UNDEU TIIK FRENCH.

The volatile and mitjrntory disposition natural to tho
French people, increased by the rovinjj habits of the fur trade,
was under the rigid surveillance of the Catholic clergy. Tho
Jesuits and the priests exercised an inquisitorial power over
every class of the little commonwealth upon the lakes, and
the community became thus subjected thoroughly to their in-
fluence, \vhich was artful, though mild andbeneticent. The
utmost satisfaction was experienced by the French colonists in
attending the ordinances of the church, and kneeling upon the
floor of the rude chapel before the altar, counting their beads,
or mukaig the sign of the cross upon iheir foreheads with
lioly water from the baptismal font. The Jesuits and priests,
with their long gowns and black bands, were, however, not so
successful with the savages. By them the clorj^y were deemed
" medicine men" and jugglers, on whnn the destinies of life and
death depended. If a silver crucifix, the painting of a Ma-
donna, a carved saint, an ancient book, or the satin vestments
of the priests, embroidered with flowers of pur|)le and gold,
sometimes came before their eyes, it was believed that they
were hut implements of incantation, by which the souls of those
on 'arth were to be spirited away to heaven. It was naturnlly
thought that this was the peculiar province of the mission-
ttries ; and there is evidence of an Iroquois warrior, who threat-
ened the life of a Catholic priest who ministered beside the mat
of an ao-ed savage on the verge of death, unless ho should res-
cue tl '. dying Indian from the grave.* The contrast derived
from this state of things was extraordinary. The lonely al-
tar, erected from roUj,-h stones under the clustering boughs ot
the wilderness, adorned with rude indlesticks, crosses and
censers wrought from the copper ol 'he lakes, was often sur-
rounded by Indians, naked, or arrayrd in the rough costume
of their tribes, the wrought skin of the elk, the deer, and
the buffalo, with the cincture of the war eagle, only worn by
taiincnt warriors, crowning Ih'nr heads; witli necklaces of
bears' cluws, and moccasins embroidered with the stained
quills of the porcupine: and they gazed at the strange ' xor-

♦ Anonymous Missionary Journal of Travels in Canada, published in Pans.

m i

im I

III.SroriY OK MICflKi.VN.

cisms which they saw before thetn, or heard the cnant and the
requiem as they went up to heaven amid the yell of the panther
and the howlinjr of the wolf. The inHuence of religion acting
upon the rough and savajrc features of barbarism, stamps the
scene with a mild beauty springing from contrast, like the
rainbow which bends upon the storm ! No sculptured mar-
ble adorned the soil ; no golden lamps tlamed upon the co-
lumns of ancient cathedrals, attesting the presence of lurury
and the arts. But the solitary bark chapels of the missionaries,
surmounted by the cross, looked out upon a domain of prai-
ries, waters, and forests, the palace could not boast of.

" Iris all hues ; roses and jessamine,
Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought
Mosaic ; under foot the violet,
Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay
Broidered tho ground, more colored than with stones
Of costliest emblem."

Another fact, which tended to strengthen the singular charac-
ter of the coast of Michigan at that period, was the Indian
mythology of the north-western lakes. Whether this Indian
mythology was founded on the circumstance, that the region
of the lakes had been long the central point of the Algonquin
power, . where their systems had been organized for ages ;
whether it sprang from the bold and solitary features of tlie
lake scenery inspiring the savage mind with superstition ; or
how far it has since been moulded with the instructions of
the Jesuits, which assumed the form of allegory in order to
impress the savage mind— is not now clearly known. This my-
thology, did, however, in fact, exist, and has been transmitted
to the present time. The rocks and islands, lakes and streams,
groves and cataracts, around the shores of Michigan, like those
of the Grecian and Roman states, each had its presiding
genii, good or evil ; and the Indian legends not only accounted
for the creation of the earth and every prominent object of na-
ture, but also peopled the stars with spirits . Fairies of the land
and the water floated through the forests and danced along
the streams. Spirits, or " manitou's'' of darkness, performed
their orgies amid thunder-storms, upon the shores of tho

CONDITION or MICIIIOAN UNDER THE FRENCH. 69

great lakes, and its islands were alleged to abound in golden
sands, and to be watched, like the golden fleece, by huge ser-
pents, which lay coiled upon their banks ; birds of prey, and
enormous giants. To these they offered sacrifices of tobacco,
pipes and other articles of little value. When Charlevoix vi-
sited this region in 1721, ho was told by the Indians thatiWt-
chobou was the Mayiitou of the lakes, the God of the waters ;
that the island of Mackinaw* was the place of his birth, and
that he tbrmed all the lakes and streams of the country. Sacri
ficoswere at that time made by the Indians to Lake Superior, as
it was created by this deity in order to permit the savages to
catch beaver ; and they believed tliat the fragments of rock
which break the Falls of St. Mary, and the other rapids in this
quarter, were the remains of a causeway he had erected to dam
up the waters of the rivers.t If these forest-gods were ap-
peased by the savages, they were entitled to the celestial re-
gions beyond the mountains ; but if they neglected them, they
would be consigned to wander for ever " up and down," amid
dreary solitudes, under the care of monsters " sixty feet in
height," and to be " stung by gnats as large as pigeons."t

The form of land distribution in Michigan was calculated
to prevent agriculture, and to keep the French peasantry in
rigid allegiance to their lords. Grants of land were made by
the Frcnch'governor of Canada and Louisiana, which were
required to be confirmed by the king of France. The com-
mandants of the forts were also allowed to grant permissions
of occupancy to the settlers, and lands were occupied by the
French settlers without permission. On that ground are
based some of the old French titles to land in the state. The
reo-ular grants made to the settlers were encumbered with the
most illiberal and burdensome conditions, calculated to cripple
the freedom of the tenant and the progress of husbandry.

♦ The name of this island is derived from the words michi-mackinac, a great
turtle, from its resemblance to that animal ; or from the Chippewa terms michi
m maukinonk, signifying the place of g'ant fairies.

\ Charlevoix's Journal, vol. 2, p. 44, 45. See also, for an account of the
Indian mytholosy, the old Jesuit journals; Carver Henry ; and also a work of
Henry R. Schoolcraft, to be entitled " Algie Researches."

i See Henry's Travels.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN,

Even tlie first grant which was made at Detroit, in 1707, six
years after Detroit was founded, by Antoine de la Motte Ca-
dillac to Fraiigois Fufurd Delorme, interpreter for the king,
clearly exhibits the feudal spirit of the French policy. It con-
veyed only thirty-two acres. The following were its general
conditions.* The right of hunting hares, rabbits, and par-
tridges, was reserved. The grantee was required to pay five
livres quit-rent on the 20th of March of each year ; and also
the sum of ten livres in peltries, until a current money
should be establisiicd, and that sum was thenceforward to
be paid in money. He was also required to begin to clear and
improve the concession within three months from the date
of the grant on pain of forfeitare. He was required to plant,
or help to plant, a long May-pole at the door of the princi-
pal manor on the \st of May in every year. If the gran-
tee failed in this, he was bound to pay three livres in money
or peltries. He was also bound to pay for the right of grind-
ing at the monlin bannal, or mill of the manor. A pre-emp-
tion right was reserved to the grantor. All the timber wanted
for the construction of fortifications, boats, and other vessels,
was reserved ; and no person was permitted to uork on the
land at tlie trade of a blacksmith, gunsmith, armorer, or brew-
er, within the first ten years from the date of the grant, with-
out the consent of the grantor. On every sale of tlie lands, the
duty was to be paid called the lods et ventes. All effects
carried to or from Montrer ' were required to be sold by the
grantee or other person, who, with his family, was a resident,
and not by clerks, foreigners, or strangers. If the grantee
sold to a foreigner with permission, the duties required were
increased to a great degroe. The grantee was forbidden to
trade brandy witli the Indians, and in some cases he was
bound to obtain a brevet of confirmation within two years.!
Similar grants, equally burdensome, were also made in 1734,
by Charles Marquis de Bcauharnois, Governor for the king
in Canada, and Louisiana to St. Aubin ; and in 1750 by

* Consult American State Papers, class V!II. p. 191. Only three French
grunts at Detroit appear on record previous to 17?3.

t Consult u'jie A at the end dftliia volume, where the grant may be found.

CONDITION OF MICHIGAN UNDER THE FRENCH.

Da la Jonquiere to Antoiiie Robert, of lands on the Detroit
lliver.* Tlie abridgment of the rights of the tenants was
further effected in 1745, by an edict which was passed, or-
daining that no country-houses should be built on planta-
tions of one acre and a half in front and forty back, and the
scarcity of springs in the interior thus confined the settle-
ments alonsr the banks of the streams. The influence of na-
tional policy is nowhere more strongly exhibited than in the
contrast with that period, of the sturdy American enterprise
which is now acting on the «oil.

Beside the unequal and burdensome tenure of land dis-
tribution, springing from the Coutume de Paris,i equal
and exact justice could not be administered in doubtful
matters, except on application to the Governor of Canada.
At a subsequent period numerous grants were made by
Rquottlec de Bellestre, the commandant of Detroit ; and there
is on record a cause of Claude Campeau against M. Cabacier.
praying for an injunction to prevent the demolition of a mill
when M. Landrieve was commandant of that post. In 1753
a temporary order was given, sent to the Governor-general,
and finally received the signature of the Marquis Du Q,uesne.{
The record shows that the government of the posts on the
lakes was subject to the authority of the commandants
under the cognizance of the Governor-general ; and it also es-
tablishes the fact, that there was no organised court or settled
system of jraisprudence.§

In 1749 a number of emigrants were sent out at the ex-
pense of the French government, who were provided with
farming utensils, and all the mears necessary to advance a

+ See American State Papers, class VIII. p. 270, 1, 2.

t The principal conditions springing froni grants under the Coutume de Parh
wore, the (Itiinl, whicii was tlie fifth part of the purchas*? money of an estate held
in fief. Relief, the rent or revenue of one year, for mutation fine. Lods el Vcn-
tes were fines of alienation of one twclftli part of the purchase money, pan! to
tlie seigneur hy tlie purchaser on the transfer of property. Franc aleu uohle,
was a freehold estate, acknowledging no lord but the king. Ccnsive, was an es-
tate held in the feudal mode, suhjoct to the seignorial dues. Comnmnanle dt
Lien, was a partnership in property by marriage.

I Conanlt American Slate fapor^, class VHl. p. 27^

§ See Note B at tli.- end of this volume.

IH-!

HISTORY OF MICHIQA.V.

colony. These were settled at Detroit ; but no material advan-
tage was gained to tlie posts on the lakes, because there was
too little energy and system in the government, and too little
enterprise in the poonle. Surrounded by streams and forests
yielding abundance, removed from the settled portion of the
world, there was but little motive presented to their minds
for the exertion of energy and ambition.

About this period the policy of the Fn tich Government
Avas exercised to establish a chain of posts from Quebec to the
month of the Mississippi, in order to secure the trade, over-
awe the Indians, and environ the English power, which was
then confined to the Atlantic sea-board. In 1751 the fort of
Detroit, as well as those on the upper lakes, continued to be
in a weak coiidition. About thirty French farms or planta-
tions were scattered along the banks of the river, and the co-
lony contained a population of about five hundred, besides
the Indians in the three villages, who could at that time com-
mand about four hundred warriors. Detroit was then an im-
portant point of French influence on the north-western
lake.."

The progress of the country under the French government
was obstructed by the fact .:hat this region was long under
the monopoly of exclusive companies chartered by the French
crown. The design of these companies, especially the go-
vernors and intendants, was to enrich themselves by the fur
trade ; and accordingly they !iad little motive to encourage
agriculture or general settlement. By that policy the intend-
ants accumulated larire fortunes by the trade, while they avert-
ed from the observation of the French crown the actual con-
dition of the colonies in Canada. They much preferred that
the French inhabitants should undergo the labor of procuring
furs, while tliey might reap the profits, rather than that these
tenants should become the free husbandmen of a fertile soil-
It was reverence for rank, ignorance of the true principles
of republican frejdovn, and, in some measure perhaps, a vir-
tuous loyalty which they felt toward their monarch, that

♦ S(!(! a P,»mpMpf, enlitlod "Contcgt in America," &c., a part of which wag
publislieJ ill the (Jiiivcrsal Mii^azinc at London in ihe year 1759.

COXDITION OP MICHIGAN UNDER THE FRENCH.

induced them to yield their allegiance to the colonial admi-
nistration.

The fur trade was the principal subject of mercantile traf-
fic upon the coast of Michigan, and its central point was the
shores of the north-western lakes. Large canoes, laden with
packs of European merchandize, advanced periodically through
the upper lakes, for the purpose of trading for peltries with
the Indians ; and these made their principal deputs at Michili-
mackinac and Detroit. In order to advance the interests of
the trade, licenses were granted by the French king, and un-
licensed persons were prohibited from trading with the In-
dians in their own territory under the penalty of death. The
ordinary price of these licenses was six hundred crowns.
They were generally purchased from the Governor-general
by the merchants, and by them sold out to the Canadian tra-
ders or the Coureurs des Bois. The privilege granted in a
single license, was the loading of two large canoes, each of
which was manned by six men, and freighted with a f ■»
valued at about a thousand crowns. They were s Jid to ine
traders at an advance of about fifteen per cf~..t. more than they
could command in ready money at the ' ok r . The actual
profits on these voyages was generally ;.'^.at one hundred
per cent. In this traffic the merchant acquired most of the
profit, while the trader endured most of the fatigue. On the
return of the expedition, the merchant took from the bulk of
the profit six hundred crowns for his license, and a thou-
sand crowns for the prime cost of the exported goods. From
this sum the merchant took forty per cent, for bottomry, and
the remainder was then divided among the six Coureurs des
Bois, whose share, for all their hardship and peril, was only
a small consideration.

The active agents of the fur trade were the Coureurs des
Bois, the pilots of the lakes. Sweeping up in their canoes
throngh the upper lakes, encamping with the Indians in the
solitude of the forests, they returned to the posts, which stood
like light-houses of civilization upon the borders of the wil-
derness ; like sailors from the ocean, to whom they were not
dissimilar ,Jn character. They wore lavish of their money

'1 ^ \

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

in dress and licentiousness. They ate. drank, and played all
away, so long as their goods held out ; and when these were
gone, they sold their embroidery, their lace and clothes ; and
they were then forced to go on another voyage for subsist-
ence.*

The scope of French enterprise upon the lakes was niaiii!y
confined to the fur trade during the whole period of the
French domination ; and the general course of the trad;, may
be known by the words of La Hontan, written at Montreal
in 1685 :

" Much about the same day, there arrived twenty-five or thir-
ty canoes belonging to the Coiirenrs des Bois,hemg homeward
bound for the great lakes, and laden with beaver skins. The
cargo of each canoe amounted to forty packs, each of which
weighs fifty pounds, and will fetch fifty crowns at the far-
mer's office. These canoes were followed by fifty more cf the
Ottawas and Hurons, who came down every year to the colony,
in order to make a better market than they can do in their own
country of Michilimackinack which lies on the banks of the

♦ La Hontan, vol. l,p.20, 21.

It has been remarked, that the character of the French people can bo infer-
red from their songs. This is peculiarly true in regard to the boat-songs of the
Coureurs des Boh, which they timed with their nfiddles upon the waters. They
demonstrate the gay, licentious, and reckless character of these forest marincrf;.
Among the most popular are the two following, which are now heard upon the
north-western lakes ; and they were probably imported from the French provin-
ces whence the traders emigrated : —

Tons les printcmps
Tant de nouvclle,
Tous les ainantB
Changentde maitresses
Le bon vin ni endort
L' amour me reveille.

T' us lea amants
Cliangf?nt de maitressrs
du'ils changent qui voudrorit
Pour moi je garde la mienne
Le bon vin ni endort
L'amour me revcille.f

These songs have before been published in a work of talent, entitled " Talcs
of the North-west."

Dans mnn cliemin j'ai rencontre
Trois cavaheres bien montocs
Lon ion laridon daine
Lon lon laridon dai.

Trois cavalieres bien montces
L'nn a cheval rt I'autre a pied
Lon lon laridon dnine
Lon lon laridon dai.

CONDITION OF MlCHIOiAN UNDER THE FRENCH. 65

Lake of Hurons, at the mouth of the lake of the lUinese. Their
v^ay of tradingisas follows: upon their arrival they encamp at
tiio distance of five or six hundred prices from the town. The
next dayisspent inrangingtlieircanoes, unloading their goods,
andpitchingtlieirtents, which are made of birch bark. The next
day they demand audience of the Governor-general, which is
granted them that same day in a public place. Upon this oc-
casion each nation makes a ring for itself. The savages sit
upon the ground v.^ith their pipes in their mouths, and the
Governor is seated in an arm-chair ; after which there starts up
an orator or speaker from one of those nations, who makes an
harangue, importing that his brethren are come to visit the Go-
vcrnor-geucrul, and to renew witii him their wonted friendship :
that tlieir chief view is to promote the interest of the French,
some ot whom, being unacquainted with the way of traffic,
and being too weak for the transporting of goods from the
lakes, would be unable to deal in beaver skins if his brethren
did not come in person to deal with them in their own colo-
nies ; that they knew very well how acceptable their arrival
is to the inhabitants of Montreal, in regard of the advantage
they reap by it ; that 'n resrard the beaver skins are much
valued in France, and the French goods given in exchange
are of an inconsiderable value, they mean to give the French
sufficient proof oftheir read .: 3ssto furnish them with that they
desire so earnestly. That by way of preparation of another
year's f-argo, they are come to take in exchange, fnsees, pow-
der, and ball ; in order to hunt great numbers of beavers, or
to gall the Iroquese, in case they offer to disturb the French
settlements. And, in fine, that in confirmation of their words,
they throw a porcelain colUr, with some beaver skins, to the
Kitchi-Okima (so they call the Governor-general), whose
protection they lay claim to, in case of any robbery or abuse
committed upon them in the town. The spokesman having
made an end of his speecli, returns to his place and takes up
his pife and the interprciter explains the substance of the
huririgii J 10 the Governor, who commonly gives a very civil
answer, especially if the presents be valuable ; in considera-
tion of which he likewise makes them a present of some tri-

"I
V

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

' m

if 1

:tl'

fling things. This done, the savages rise up and return to
their huts to make suitable preparations for the ensuing truck,
" The next day the savages make their slaves carry the skins
to the houses of the merchants, who bargain with them for
such clothes as tliey want. All the inhabitants of Montreal
are allowed to traffic with them in any commodity but rum
and brandy ; these two being excepted upon the account that
when the savages have got what they wanted, and have any
skins left, they drink to excess, and then kill their slaves ; for
when they are in drink they quarrel and fight, and if they
were not held by those who are sober, would certainly make
havock one of another ; however, you must observe that none
of them will touch either gold or silver.*

" As soon as the savages have made an end of their truck,
they take leave of the Governor, and so return home by the
river Ottawas. To conclude, they did a great deal of good,
both to the poor and rich ; for you will readily apprehend that
every bofly turns merchant upon such occasions,"

Such was the condition of Michigan under the French
domination. The energies of the colonists were directed to
the aggrandizement of their seigneurs through the fur trade.
Agriculture was checked by feudal clogs. The few French
peasants scattered around their posts, or mixed with the sava-
ges, adored their lords and their priests. Amiable, contented,
removed from the populated parts of the world, dwelling in
bark or log cottages, stretching along the banks of' the
streams, and surrounded by pickets, niany of which are now
standing, they were goaded by no impulse of ambition or
avarice ; they felt no fear, save when bands of the Iroquois
advanced to the surrounding forests ; for the Iroquois, says
Charlevoix, « set all Canada on fire."t They yielded a cheer-
ful allegiance to their lords, because they loved monarchy.
The free schools of the east had scattered intelligence through

♦ LaHontar^, vol. 1, p. 47.

t The recollection of the incursion of the Iroquois now remains upon the
shores of Lake Supeiior, Hke that of the Mohawk upon the hills ofNew England.
At Uie sound oftheir name the infant savage of the Chippewaa will run to his
wig'A-am, and wrap himself closer in his blanket.

CONDITION OF MICHIGAN UNDER THE FRENCH. 67

the English settlements, but they were in ignorance. The
conciliatory and mild but artful spirit, first sent abroad by Ig-
natius Loyola in founding the order of the Jesuits, diffused
its influence through the frame-work of society in Michigan ;
and the thunders of the Vatican had crossed the ocean, and
rolled along the shore of the lakes.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

Ill

I !

'' !!

'Hi

CHAPTER V.

French and EngliHh claims to the country— Rival DiscovenoH— Wars between
the two Nations— Massacre of Schenectady— Projected Conquest of Canada
--Projected Conquest ol xXorth Anurica by the French— Treaty of Utrecht-
Intrigue of Father R.lle-War rencwed-Rival clnima stated-Letter to
Uncas-Campaip of 1759~Batlle of tlie Plains of Abraham-Surrender of
perio'd" ■'' ''"'''' '° ^''" '^"S'^il'-Condition of Michigan at that

The horizon is here widened in order to take a brief view
of facts which, altliotigh transpiring beyond the organized
bounds of Michigan, had an important bearitig in moulding
its destiny. For the full understanding of the grounds on
which were based the claims of France and England to the
domain of New France, it is proper to state their alleged dis-
coveries and appropriations in chronological order. In Octo-
ber, 1402, Columbus had discovered North America ; on the
fith of March, 1196, a commission was granted from the En-
glish crown, to John Cabot and his sons, to make discove-
ries, take possession, and carry on exclusive trade with the
natives in countries to the east, north, and west, then unknown
to Christian people. In May, 1498, Cabot embarked on that
enterprise, and continuing liis com-se west- -ard, after havino-
descried Newfoundland and St. Johns, he soon reached the
continent of North America, and sailin- along from the corst
of Labrador to Virginia, he endeavored to find some inlet
which miglit open a passage to the wcrt. Failing in this, he
returned to England without an attempt at settlement. The
foundation of the Englisli claim to the country reach in o- from
the Gulf of Mexico to the North Pole, m.y be traced lo that
expedition, and also to discoveries made in the interior durino-
the years 15G8, 1G54, ir,7->, 1078, and from 1725 to 1740.* "
The prominent ground of the French claim to the conti-
nent, was the fact, that I/L-^scarbot, who visited America in

♦ Pitkiu

GRNKRAI. VIEW OF OPEIIATIONS ABROAD.

ICiOi), iiflirmed that at that period the language which was
spoken on the eastern coast of Newfoundland and the Great
Bank was hah" Biscayan ; from which it was inferred that
fishermen from tlie western oasts of France had navigated
those seas before the expedition of Cabot in 1498. Ample
evidence is, in fact, adduced to show, that in 1504 the Biscay-
ar.s, the Normans, and the Britons had frequented the Great
Bank of Newfoundland, the coasts of tlie adjacent continent,
and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, for the purpose of fishing ; that
a map of the coast was published in 1506, and that a Cana-
dian was brought into France from those regions in 1508.
As early as 1000, the Northmen had navigated these shores,
and a particular account of their discoveries and explorations
has reccDtly been placed on record.*

In 1578 Sir Humphrey Gilbert of Compti;? in Devonshire,
had obtained letters patent from the Queer. ->f England, au-
thorizing him, his heirs and assigns, to discover and take pos-
session of such remote heathen and barbarous lands as were
not actually possessed by any Christian prince or people— pay-
ing to her Majesty the fifth part of all the gold and silver ore
which might be found within their bounds— and to exclude all
persons who might be found trading within these limits witli-
ont his license. Under this liberal grant, Gilbert embarked
for America, but from the pressure of causes beyond his con-
trol, he did nothing more than to take possession of New-
foundland in due form.

On the 26th of March, 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh, a noble-
man of romatUic temper but great energy, obtained a grant
similar to that of Gilbert ; and the same year despatched two
vessels, which approached the North American continent by
the way of Florida. They soon arrived at Roanoke, where
the mariners carried on a profitable traffic with the natives.
They then embarked for England. The glowing descriptions
which they gave of the country so pleased Elizabeth, that she
gave it the name of Virginia, denoting that it was discovered
while a virgin queen was on the throne. In 1585 Raleigh

♦ Antiqnitates Armricanoe.

HISTORY OP MICrilOAN.

fitted out seven small ships with the ne.rssary stores and ar-
maments, and placed them under the command of Sir K hard
GrenviUe lor the purpose of establishing a colony. This
coloiiy, consisting oi" 1U8 persons, was settled on the Island of
Koanoke, and its guidance was committed to Mr. Ralph 1 me •
and on the 25th of August the ships set sail for England'
Gold was the object of the expedition, as it was believed that
the precious metals abounded in this region. In 1586 Sir
Francis Drake found the colony worn out by toil for the dis-
covery of the precious metals ; neglecting agriculture, which
would have provided permanent means of support ; at enmity
with the savages, and in a state of the utmost distress. The
colonists requested to be returned, and on the 19th of Juno
they set sail for England in his flciet.

On the 10th of April, 1606, letters patent were issued under
tlie great seal of England, to Sir Thomas Gates and a com-
pany, by James I ; granting to them those territories in Ame-
rica lying on the sea-coast between the 34th and 45th decrees
of north latitude, and which either belonged to that monarch
or were not then possessed by any other Christian prince or
people ; and also the islands adjacent Uiereto, or within one
hundred miles thereof

In 1603 Henry IV. of France had granted to De Mont a com-
mission as lieutenant-general over that part of America, which
lies between the 40th and the 46th degrees of north latitude
with power to settle and to rule it. In consequence of the
grants to the Virginia companies, Captain Argal attacked and
dispersed the settlements made by the French on the Bay of
Fundy. Tfie settlements of the French had extended as for
south and west as St. Croix, and of the English as far north
and east as Penobscot ; and those of the English were n arlv
contemporaneous. '

In 1620, a grant was made to the Plymouth colony by
Janaes, of all the territory which lies between the 40th and
48th degrees of north latitude; and in 1621 he, as thekincrof
Scotland granted to Sir William Alexander, with the con-
sent of the Plymouth colony, the country bounded on the
north, and east, and south, by the river St. Lawrence and the

OINERAL VIEW OP OPRRAf jXS ABllOAn.

ocean, rind on the west by the river St. Croix, under the title
of Nova Scotia.*

These rival claims of the two goA^ernnients were the na-
tural ground o; jealousy between the French and l\ iglish
colonial cstabiishtneiits ; and in fact, as early as 1632, a party
of French fr- Ac: ii« .-onunitted a robbery on a trading posl,
established m ,627 by the people of New Plymouth at Pe-
nobscot. Information was also received that Cardinal de
Riclielieu had ordered companies to that station, and also
p >ts, Jesuits, and other parts of the colonial machinery. In
1641, the apprehensions of the English were quieted by a
treaty of peace and commerce between the Governor of New
England and M. U Aulney, lieutenant-general of the king of
France in Acadio.

The design he English and French powers was to un-
dermine the iuilucnce of c.ich other, and to grasji the domi-
nion of the country. The terriu \', claimed by the En-
glish, embraced the vast region bordering the St. Lawrence
and the north-western lakes. It was maintained, on the other
hand, by the French, that the St. Lawrence was the centre of
Canada, and that the Apalachian mountains had always been
regarded as the bounds of their colonics. Tlie English occu-
pied the country included in New England and New- York,
and south upon the eastern maritune frontier; while the French
settlements were comprised mainly in New France.

The conquest of Canada had therefore been long a favorite
object of the English colonists; and as early as kSs, Charles
I. had granted to David Kertk acommission to effectuate that
object. The expedition was undertaken, and in 1G29 Que-
bec had been captured. This Avas, however, restored by
Charles in 1632.

The French were found gradiially extending their settle-
ments into the disputed territory, by constructing forts, and
sending out colonies, which should connect their possessions
in Canada with Louisiana by a chain of fortifications extend-
ing froin Quebec to New Orleans. The progress of their

* See Marshal a;v] Pitkin, passiiii.

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colonies was viewed with apprehension and jealousy by the
English, and at an early period Sedgwiclc dislod-cd them
from Penobscot, where they had made settlements and had
subdued Acadie. New-Yorlf and New England, during this
period, were exposed to a desolating Indi.ai war : while the
English crown viewed with indignation the inliuence of that
voluptuous monarch, I.ouis XIY.— svliich was believed to en-
courage those hostilities in this country.

War soon broke out at home, bcnveen France and England,
and its influence was extended to their possessions in Anterica!
In 1683 De Calliers had projected a military expedition*
against New- York. While this was pending, however, he
ombarked for Quebec, and found Canada in the utmost con-
sternation. During the preceding summer the Irocpiois had
landed twelv. hundred men on the Island of Montreal, who
destroyed about a thousand of the F'rench. In October the
Island was again attacked, and the lower part laid waste. In
consequence of these incursions. Fort Frontenac on Lake On-
tario was evacuated. The savages roused the country into
such a state of dread, that agriculture could not be practised.
The projected attack on New- York was accoidino-ly pre-
vented. " ^

Count Frontenac, then in his sixty-eighth year, but possess-
ing all the animation and vigor of youth, embarked in a ca-
noe for Montreal, for the purpose of encouraging the Cana-
dian inhabitants, and terrifying the hostile savages. Sendino-
out hostile parties against tlie English, he held a council with
the Iroquois at Onondaga. This council, however, resulted
in no permanent league. The expedition sent out, against
New- York, to which allusion has before been made, was con-
stituted of a few Indians and about two hundred French.
These travelled through a wilderness covered with d(!ep
snows, with their packj upon their backs, by the aid of snow-
shoes ; and on the 8th of February, 1690, at eleven o'clock
at niglit, they arrived at Schenectady in New- York. Here
they divided themselves into small parties of six or seven, and,
entering each house at the same time, they massacred the oc-
cupants J and, slaying the mothers, cast the unborn infants

GENERAL VIEW OP' OrEuATIONS ABROAD,

into the flames of the burning viUage. At this attack, sixty
persons were killed and tv/enty-seven made prisoners. Hav-
ing burned and pillaged the settlement, and killed all the
cattle which could be found, the invaders retired. The
weather was intensely cold, and in their flight twenty-seven
lost their limbs from the cold, and twenty-five of the French
were killed arjd captured by a party of young men from Al-
bany, who followed in pursuit, accompanied by a body of
Mohawks. ^

The general court of Massachusetts well knew that these
disasters originated in Canada and Acadie, and they accord-
ingly soon planned an expedition against Port Royal and
Quebec. To carry out that project, eight small vessels, car-
rymg seven or eight hundred men, were despatched early in
the spring for Port Royal, and took possession of that point,
together with the whole line between it and the English set-
tlements. On the 30th of May the fleet returned. On the
other hand. Count Frontenac made a descent from Quebec
and Trois Rivieres izpon Salmon Falls and Fort Casco,. and
took a number of prisoners ; while the frontier was kept in a
continual state of consternation by the incursions of the sa-

vages.

The importance of the conquest of Canada was i;ro-ed
upon the English monarch, but his mind was too much oc-
cupied with domestic affairs to attend to the American colo-
nies, and it was soon conceived to be necessary for the colo-
nies to adopt vigorous measures for self-defence, It was
agreed that New- York and New England should furnish
troops to march by the route of Lake Champlain to attack
Montreal, and that a force from Massachusetts should procee-i
to Quebec by sea, for the purpose of its capture. That fleet
sailed from Nantasket on the 9th of August. It consisted of
forty vessels, contiiining in all about two thousand men. The
largest vessel carried forty-four guns. The troops from Con-
necticut and New- York were unsupported by the Iroquois
who rendered them no assistance by their warriors, or fur-
nished canoes to transport them over the lakes ; and, in con-
sequence, they returned without attacking Montreal. The

'ii

rr^^

Sjji

lUSTURY OF SIlCaiGAX.

fleet, under the command of Sir William Phipps, was delayed
m Its passage to Quebec, and was obliged to encounter the
whole French force. After an unsuccessful attaciv upon Mon-
treal, where he received more injury than he inflicted, on the
13ih of November he returned to Boston. That expedition
thus foiled.

A desultory war continued to be carried on fbr some time
between the two nations, backed by savages, producing great
damage and individual suffering. Canada was deemed the
mam source of tin evils which were incurred ; and at leno-th
Kmg William, in 1G03, determined to employ a force for the
reduction of Quebec ; but the plan was not carried into exe-.u-
tion. On the conquest of Acadie by Sir William Phipps, Mas-
sachusetts extended irs jurisdiction ove- that region ; but as no
body of troops could be retained in that quarter to maintain
the allegiance of the French, their aflcctions soon returned to
their native country, and the government of Massachusetts
was shaken off. Villebone had recovered Port Royal, and held
a commission from the king of France as governor of Acadie
About the same period a fort at Pemaquid was taken by a
body of French and Indians, by Iberville, whilo England as
yet rendered but liule assistance to the war. In ICOO a pro
mise was made to that effect, but this promise was not per-
formed. ^

During the same year a plan originated with the c binet of
Versailles for an expedition to be carried on in the year fol-
lowing against the English colonies. Its design was to gnvsp
the dominion of North America. Count de Frontenac was
ordered to hold in readiness fifteen hundred men, to co-operate
with the troops which should arrive from France ; but that
expedition was also relinquished. In December, peace was
declared between England and France ; and the hostilities be-
tween the subjects of those nations ceased also. Durino- the
war, New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New- York were
more particularly exposed to the depredations of the sava-es •
but the latter colony was covered by the Iroquois, who con-
tinued firm allies to the English notwithstanding the arts and
address of the French.

GENERAL VIKW OF OPKUATIONS ABROAD. 75

ny the treaty of peace between France and England, it had
been agreed that each nation should restore to the other the
conquests made dunng the war; audit was also stipulated
that comuHssioners should be appointed to determ ne the
c an.s 01 both monarclis to the places in Hudson's Bay"whL
the possession ..(places which had been taken by the French

'^ianle ;n "'f " ^^^^? ^"^^'-'^^ should're.nan. wUh
ZTa r , ^^°"»^^^"^« ^^ ^hese places, however, were not
T ^Fn fT ; ""' ?'^ --^auences soon became' manifet
TZfnnu ^^ •■^"^^^/'^^ ^vhole country west of St. Croix as
a part of the CO ony of Massachusetts, and France determined
to exc ude the English from the fisheries on the coa.V^nd
from the possession of the country east of Kennebec. Hos-
^ZJT T '" '''" re-commenced for the ostabiish-
Tt If '\ "?•, ^^^^^-^^y-f ""^tralitywas negotiated
oythetrenchwuhthe Iroquois; and New-Hampshire and
Ma sachusetts were obliged tostrug,,'. .nth the whole weight
ot the war. Numerous projects were discussed for the sublu
gat.on of the French, and depredations on the frontiers con-'
tmued to be committed until the treaty of Utrecht in 1713
terminated for a t'me the colonial troubles. Bv this treatv'
I ranee ceded to England all Nova Scotia or Acidic- with Is
ancient boundaries ; as also the city of Port Royal, low cal-
ed Annapolis Royai, and all other things in those p rts wh h
depend on the said lands.

The French missionaries, comprised of the Jesuits, priests
and Recollets, acquired great influence among the Indi!ms
and in the exercise of a principle common to our nature in a
few instances excited the prejudices of the savages against the

nl mT'T-. "^"'^"^^^^ P^"^"^'^^ to ^slwthat in
172b M Vaudreu.l exercised his influence Ibr the same ob-
.loct. After the cession of Nova Scotia to Great Britain, it was
proved that Father Ralle, a Canadian missionary, had kerted
an agency in rousing the resentments of the Indians ac^aiust
he bngl.sh; and a tbrce was detached to the village ^here
Ivo.lc resided, to seize his person. IJut Ralle had fled His
papers were however, found-wliich clearly demonstrated that
a correspondence had taken place between himself and Van

ifi

HISTORY OF nilCIlIGAN,

If:

drciiil, tlie Governor of Canada, in wliicli the Canndinn Go-
vernor had jMoniisfd t(; riirnisli tii.! Jndians arms and nnimn-
nition in case tlioy n:ado an attack upon ilu! Mnirlisli posts,
"^riiat fact was charifod upon VandnMiil, which ho at first de-
nied, and adirnied that tJio Inihans winv. independent tribes,
and eonid do as they pi(>ased ; hut when the evidence was
cxhihiied, naihn": n|)on him the Ihlseliood, he stated tlint he
would use his inlhience to suppress any luturo disturhances.
A treaty of peace was then eonchided with the Indians in
Canada, in which they engaged to terminate hostihtics.

Hut war aufain sprani>; up in Min-opo between the Enghsh
and French, and the i)eace of the I'lnghsli settlements was
soon disturl)ed by an attack from (Jape llreton on tlie [)art of
the hitter nation. Tlie Governor of that place, havin<r receiv-
ed itilormalion of a war !)etween l-'ranee and Muirland, con-
cluded upon the destruction of the I'lnirlish fishery at' Can-
scan. Dnvivier accordiinrly, with a force of armed vessels
and about nine hundred mcMi, attacked the island, and made
its inhabitants prisoners of war. An attack was also niado
upon Annapolis, but without success.

The l-'rencli had made great exertions to extend their do-
minions in this country, by sending out colonies, and erecting
forts at points which could command the largest extent oi
territory. During the year 1721 they had made large orants
of land on the banks of Lake Champlain, which was claimed
by New-^'ork, .New-Hampshire, ami Massachusetts ; i-nd they
had also built a fbrt at Crown I>.)int, on the shores r ' that
lake. Th.-y subsequently advanced uuthward from to irreat
lakes, and constructed Fort Duquesne on the Ohio Kivor
and had stretched (heir establishments from Quebec to the
month of the :\lississippi.' If was clahned by the French
that the Ohio, or La IJell.- Riviere, was the natural channel
of oommuiucation between Canada and Louisiana ; that it had

* In 1 '■':?< .Voir.. AVashinpton, then tw.M.ty-one year, ofngo, crossed ti.e ico
nn.l snows oftl.o Allo.hany mountnins to deliver a letter to Iho commanclmU of
J- on Duquesne. rrmon.Mrnlin£:,-.2;ninslthr8eadvnncins:cstablishnirnts He was
despatched for that ol-jPct by Lieut. G.nernor Dinwiddio. For his journal on
that »».Tpcdition, see ?pail;s's Wasliington, vol. ?, p. 4:^2.

OKNERAI, VIEW OP OPKUATION8 ABROAD.

Kftver been occupied or appropriated by the English ; and that,
nioroovor, it was originally traversed by their own people,
and discov'ired by La Salle as early as 1079. It was also
jill(>g(.'d that some English traitors had passed the mountains
of Virginia, and wanted to carry on a trade with the Indians
on the Ohio, and that the French took and carried them back
to Franco.

Tlie beiligeront measures of the French induced the En-
glish coloni<!s to establish some system of measures by which
the French power might be overthrown, and the English
combined into a well-organized system of co-operation. In
1745 Louisburg was captured by a force of combined troops
from Now Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut; and
(his conquest .saved Nova Scotia, because Duvivier — who was
intending to procure an armament for the .subjugation of that
province, and who was ordered to proceed to Louisburg,
and thenoe advance in tlie execution of his plan, as soon as
he had iioard of its surrender set sail for Europe and gave
up (he project.

The rival projects of France and i]ngland soon became
manifest.. The former contemplated the conquest of Cape
JJreton and Nova Scotia, and the devastation of the sea-coast,
as well as the conquest of the whole of New-England ; while
Great Britain anticipated the expulsion of the French from
the continent, and the subjugation of all Canada. A fleet, con-
sisting of forty ships, had been despatched under the Duke
d'Anville, with the necessary armaments, to co-operate with
the French and Indians against the English colonies; but tre-
mendous storms wrecked a greater part, and dispersed the
other during their voyage ; in addition to which, the troops
on l)oard the vessels which arrived in port were attacked by
a deadly sickness, which carried off a great number. The
French also intercepted a letter which had been despatched
to Louisburg, intbrming the English Admiral tliat a British
fleet would follow that of France, ^rho commander-in-chief
suddenly died, and the command of the French colonies de-
volved upon M. Le Jonquiere. The war soon grew hotter.
The power of Franco in (^inida was under th^ direction o|

I! I

IIISTOUV OK iMlCMKiA.V,

one frovomor, an.l ,1... ,n.„ius ol' ,ho ,H..p|. u-as .„i|,(a,y ;
wlul.. llu. I.M.h.sl, ,o|.„H.,s u-nr ,sn,((.n.(l ov.m- a wid. cxt..,;
^" "niiurv niMl d.o iMhaLiUmis, n.,accustc..,K.d (o anus, were
jwiloiis ol I he crown.

In Sr,.(..M.I.rr, I ;.-5:{, ,1,,. IIo,,nl <,|- Trad, sonl inslrnrtions to

no Cum-rnor ol Now-Vorl. ,o |,o!.l a t.vaty vv.tlul.o ln..,„ois,

to sat.sly ,|,nr .omplainlsan.l adjust tl.dr claims ; and also to

so."k .•.MMimss.onrrs (o bv. prcvsent, and nnite with Now- Vork ■

so .I.H all tlKM.:n,:,lislMwovin.vs nnoln 1,0 comprised m one
yvn.rahr.vnytolHMnad.i,,lnsAla,..s(v'snan... The Marl
o o|,iorno.ss, scrnMary olsin,,. at the- san.n tin., rc-onnncnd-
«xl (I. at the connnissionors ofil.is nu-elino- .ho,dd lonn a .ro-
noral plan ol colonial .n.ion ai:ainst the oncroaclnnonts of ti.e
iMcn.l.. |„n,ronlanccu'i(l. (his rcconnncndalion and the
n.slrnc.ionsofiho Hoard of Trade, ..onnnissioncrs lh,.u the
.st.-.(cs ol Alassachnsot.s, .\ow llan.pslnrc, Khodc Island. ( 'on-

' •;'ny u. Jnno, L .. I ; and havino- directed a treaty with the In-
dians, rcsolvcl nnanin.ously lha( annionofthe colonies was
ahsolnlcly nm-ssary lor ihc.r preservation. They clearly Ibn-
..w tlKH n ,1. ,..„ch were snlle^^^^^^
plans ol do.mnion, „u-,r oxtendinn-es.ahlishn.ents wonid soon
.econ..,oo,ornHdahie,oheunr.rn.u.ed. A plan of colon a

-n -. ,ranu.d hy |)octor ^Vankln^ and snhnn.ted to the
^n nsh (.ovcnnncnt ; hut i, was rejected, on the .ronnd that it
irianled (o ihe colonists loo n.nch of ,h.,t power winch ho-

;.;:ff,;";;r"r''-- '^"''-'-"-'"^'WH.op,anof..n::

J > d failed, tlH. colonies contnn.ed to co-operate m vi..orons
^l^;'-s've measures; and ,wen,y-(ive thonsand me.r w^^

a,sed ,or that oh,e..,-hve thousand of whon> were Irom cZ
n.rn.ut and s..ven thonsand irom Massachusetts. tZ

nn .vd h.nsand pounds s.erlin, were also .ranted irom
Mu. 1 ..t.sh treasury l.y act of parliament; and this sum

wasdistrihntedanion-vtlie l-lnHish enlnni , • ""^ ^"m

♦1, , 1 ,. ".- "" ' 'iiirnsu colonies m proportion to
the nun.b v ol troops which each had in the service

In h o;i, (;eneral Hraddock ..mbarked lor America, and im-
med.au y on h.s arr.val cnn-ened a council of the .ive 2
01 .he dilierent l-]n,hsh colonies, for the purpose of de^nnlim "

(iKNKUAl, VtKW OF OI'KIlATlo.NS AHflOAD. 79

n plan for tlu; military cjuii|)ai,<rn. Tj,,. objocls of tlicir utfark
wen- j.'oit DiKiucsiu-, .\i.-,irura, I'ort I'Voiltfuar, and Crown
Ponit. An expedition, wliicii was proj..el('d in Massachusetts,
was also carried ont a-ainst the l^'rcneh posts in Nova Seotia!
A force eonsistinir of a!,„nt three hinidred Jlritish and three
thonsand colonial troops, conqpored and took possession of that

province; andtheinhahitants, who were (l.undin astateofrehol-
hon a-rainsl the Uritish arnis,were(lisp,;rs(!daMion-t|„, Mncrlish
colonies, and reduced lioni adhieiiee to the uttermost depths of
poverty 8ince the arrival of IJraddock, the IJriti.sh arms had
heen nnsncc(!sslnl ; and his defeat and d.uith in 1755, from an
mvisihie (brc(! of Frmc..!, ,,nd hidians at l^'ort DiKpiesne, co-
vered the land with .rlo.)m. The Manpiis do Montcalm, a cal-
liint odicer, who had succ(;ededDieskeaiiin the command of the
French troops, advanced witli ahont five thonsand French
and Indians upon Oswe^ro, coiKiuered the jranison, and des-
troyed the Ibrt.*

In the year 1757, the vast and splendiil i^^eniiis of the Rarl
of Chatham was at the helm of l-:n^r|aud, and projecK-d u
vifforons campaicrn on the American continent ; and" dnrintr
the saine year ami htary conncil was iield at Boston, at which
the l'];u\ ,>r riondon opened his proposition with a speech
which was intended to hrin,- tlu; Fn^Hi.sh colonies into a sys-
tematic and viiTorons co-operation. Montcalm had captnred
l^rt Wilham Ifeiiry, and had thus oj)eiied away ihv the
French to Lakes Champlain and Georire, andhy the destruc-
tion of Oswego, had aniuired dominion of the lakes which con-
nect Canada with Louisiana. Fort DuqiK'sne had heeneap-
tured, and hy this means th(> j.^-eiich held ascendancy over
the Indians west of the Alleoliany mountains, and the En-
j?lish settlements were driven to the Hliie Kidiro. The exter-
mination of the French power in the North 'American pro-
vinces was soon determined on. The l-larl of London, Avho
had been invested with the conmiand of the English forces,
returned to England, and liis successor in command was
General 4bcrcrombie, Twelve thousand IJritish troops also

♦ I'^or facts in tliisj part of the work I am tnainly in-lebtcd ta Mar.slmll and
Pitkiii.

» U

■I •- -*

HISTORY OF MICHIOAN.

arrived, under General Amherst, from England. Bodies ol
rangers were trained to the liardshi|is of the forest, or wliat
was called the wood service. IJy these decisive measures,
Louisburg was taken as well as Crown Point ; and Ticonde-
roga was attacked without success, witli the loss of Lord
Howe, a young and gallant soldier.* The expedition against
these two last places was undertaken by General Abercromhie
in person. About the same time General Bradstreet captured
Oswego with a force of about three thousand men ; and Fort
Duquesne had beeu deserted, and left to the possession of Gen.
Forbes.

Colonel Robert Rogers had been commissioned by General
James Abercromhie, in 1757, under instructions from the
Earl of Loudon, to raise a body of rangers, who were accus-
tomed to the desultory mode of fighting peculiar to the sa-
vages ; and, in conjunction with General Putnam, backed by
royal troops and Indian allies, to advance into Canada, for the
purpose of pushing the Engish conquests in that quarter. For
the purpose of securing the attachment of the tribes favorable
to the English cause, he wrote to Uncas, the chief sachem of
the Mohegan tribes, in the following terms, sending him, at
the same time, a belt (ti wampum : —
''Brother Uncas,
" As it is for the advantage of his Majesty, Kmg George, to
have a large body of rangers employed in his service the en-
suing campaign, and as I am well convinced of the sincere
attachment you have to him, I therefore obey General Am-
herst's orders to me, to engage your assistance here early in
the spring.

" I hope you will continue to show that ardent zeal you have
all along expressed for the English ever since you have beeu
allied to them, by raising a company of your men with the
greatest expedition.

" Should you choose to come out a captain, General Am-
herst will readily give you the commission for it; if not, I
shall expect Doquipe and Nunnipad. I leave to you the

* A splendid monument to his memory, to bo erected in the collegiate church
of Westminster, was voted by the As3(Mnbly of Massachusetts.

GENERAL VIEW OP OPERATIONS AHHOAD.

choice of nn ensign and two serorennts, but I hope you will en-
gage the fittest men for tlieir stations. 1 would have the com-
pany consist of fifty private men, or more if you can get them •
and if those men that deserted from Capt. Brewer will join you',
the General will pardon them. You may employ a cleric
for the company, to whom General Amherst will allow the
usual pay.*

" I heartily wish you success in raising your men, and shall
be exceedingly glad that you join me with uU the expedition
you possibly can.

" I am, Brother Uncas,

" Your most obedient, luimble servant,
''To King' Uncas. ROBERT ROGERS."

An energetic campaign was projected in 1759, designed to
demolish at a blow the French power in New France. Three
grand divisions were made in the Englidx army, and Canada
was to be entered by three ditferent routes. Brigadier-gene-
ral Wolfe, a young and brave oflicer, was ordered to as'cend
the St. Lawrence and lay siege to Quebec ; Major-general
Amherst was to attack Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and
then advance over Lake Champlain and down the St. Law-
rence, so as to form a junction with Wolfe under the walls
of Quebec ; and the third division of the army was to be com-
manded by General Prideaux, and was designed to attack
Niagara, embark on Lake Ontario, and thence^procecd to the
attack of Montreal. If Montreal should surrender before
Quebec, he was then to join his forces with the grand army
at that place. General Amherst, after making gr^U exertions
to accomplish his object, was obliged to retire into winter-
quarters. Prideaux advanced against Niagara, where ho
found a body of French troops ftom Detroit , Venango, and
Prespue Isle. The place was besieged, and soon surrendered.
In the month of June, 1759, the English fleet under Wolfe,
containing eight thousand men, reached the Island of Orleans!
The French force, exclusive of the garrison of Quebec, com-
prised about ten thousand, with a reserve of two thousand.
General Wolfe first made an attack on Moiitmorenci, and

♦ Rogers's Jounal, p. 126, 7.

1. 1'^

iiJ

lIISTOnv OV MICltlOAN.

i »

7(.

, 1 ii

luiidod his trodps undor the cover of a fire from the ships of
war ; but he was repulsed, and alter some dehiy it was deter-
mined to gain the heights of Abraham. This daring cnter-
prizo was elfectcd on tlio 12th of September.

It is well known that the city of Quebec stands on the
north side of the St. Lawrence, and is comprised of an upper
and lower town. The lower town is situated on the strand,
while tlic upper town is bulwarked by an immense rock,
which stretches along the St. Lawrence with a bold and pre-
cipitous wall. On this side it is inaccessible, and on the west
it was protected by the river St. Charles. The position was
defended by the French army of ten thousand men, command-
ed by the Marquis de Montcalm, and strengthened by float-
ing batteries and armed vessels. The British ships of war
sailed nine miles up the river above Quebec, as a stratagem
to draw of!" a portion of the French army under M. Uougain-
ville. This stratagem was successful ; aiid a detachment of
the French army moved along the banks of the river to pre-
vent the English from debarking. About midnight, boats de-
tached from the British ships, and filled with soldiers, floated
in silence down the current of the St. Lawrence. On the
lofty banks of the river picket guards were stationed. As the
boats passed along the shore, they were hailed by a French
sentinel then on duty, " Qui vit — who comes there ?"' " La
France," said a soldier who understood the French language.
"Quel regiment— to what regiment?"' " De la reino — the
Queen's," said the soldier, who knew the name of one which
was with the force of Bougainville. ''Passe," said the
sentinel, supposing it to be a French convoy of provisions,
which was expected to pass down to Quebec; and the boats
passed on. Another sentinel, who distrusted the aspect of the
boats, ran down to the water's edge, and cried out, ^'Pour-
quo'is est ce que vous ne jmrler plus haut — why don't you
speak louder ?" " Jai toi nous serons entendres — hush, we
shall be overheard and discovered,"* said the Englishman,
and the boats floated along without further interruption.

♦ SmoUct, vol. 5, p. 56.

GKvr.u.vL VI1.W OF orr.RATiONa AnnoAD. 83

Abon; four o'clock i.i the morning the troops began to land.
At eight they «scend.xl oversleep rocks, closrged with formi-
dable obstn.etions, lor the purpose of gai;iing the plains of
Abraham ; for on the front they were protected by two f.eld-
pieces, and their lauding was covered by the Royal Americans.
1 lio light mf'uury and a single regiuient formed a reserve/

On the 13tii the Mar.juis do Montcalm, who was then at
Hoauport, marched across the St. Charles with only one
fiold-piece and before his forces could be concentrated, form-
ed .mprudcnty, before the British army. He advanced most
galantly; while his troops, composed chieflv of untrained
nnhtia, commonred a quick but ineffective firing when with-
in only two hundred and fifty yards of the British line. The
Brush, constituted of drilled soldiers, advanced regularly
wuh the mas.iff-like obstinacy which marks the re'dt of
Imt monarchy and opened a destructive fire, which was con-
tmued until wi.hiu about twenty yards of thL French. Tliey
^m,gavo a general volley. Hen, at last, on the banks of"
he St. Lawrence, were unrolled the hostile banners of the
Uvo nations, who felt toward each other a more than Tartha-
gm.an hatred. It was a decisive struggle. The glory of he
two crowns was at issue. The prize at stake was a maln^
ficent empire. Quebec was the Gibraltar of the wildenres
the strong-hold of French power. 13„t the French tr on'
soon gave way before the vigorous charge of British bayrets
and the stroke of the Highland broad-s^vord, alth ntl ut
ported by h teen hundred Indian and Canadian m r 1 Z
tationed behind the bushes and corn-fields of the neill bo .'
ood. The young and gallant Wolfe, during the ear?y po-

th a handkerchief, fought on. Soon after, another pierced
li gro.n, and this wound he concealed. A third penetrl ed
his breast, and he was carried from the field. At this mo
mont while leaning his head u,„n the shoulder of a 1 ome
nam he was aroused by the shout, " They fly." " Who fiv '"
said the wounded patriot. "The French.'' "Thin I die

* McGrp£or'3 British Americn,

r m

I <

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

; I

i''tt.

happy ;" and his spirit passed away to heaven upon the storm
of battle, with the exultation of victory trembling on his lips.*

The no less gallant Montca'ti also fell, mortally wounded,
and died a few days after, praying for death because he was
connnered. It was believed that this battle was precipitated
by the French commandant, on the ground that M. Vaudreuil,
the governor of Canada, who proposed a different plan of de-
fence from Monccahn, had doubted his courage, and that the
battle was hastened under the goadings of wounded honor.
Qtuebec capitulated on the I8th to Gen. Murray, who, after
tlie fall of Wolfe, succeeded to the command. The remnant
of the French army was concentrated around Montreal ; but
General Amherst having exhibited himself before that place,
with a force against which no resistance could be made, de-
man(" .d a capitulation. This capitulation, entered into in
November, 1760, surrendered to the crown of England. De-
troit, Michilimackinac, and all other places within the govern-
ment of Canada then remaining in tlie possession of France.

Before the conquest of the country, Michigan preserved no
distinct and independent character, and was far removed from
the seat of war. Tl)'~ eastern line of the state was a ranging
trround for .Tesuit missionaries and traders, in dieir mercantile
and religious operauons through the wilderness. The few
peasoulry scattered along the soUtary posts cultivated their
small patches ol land i i Arcadian quietude and happiness.
The interior had been but little explored, save by the savage or
the Jesuit, who travelled through the Indian trails, which
wound along pleasant landscapes, here stretching in a sunny
hill-side, and there overshadowed by silent and noble forests.
Drafts, indeed, had been made by the French government to
forward their campaigns, and a number of soldiers, drawn from
the lakes, were present at Braddock's defeat. Hostile bands
ofwarriors were also sent on emergencies, from its lake shores,
to devastate the English settlements ; but peace as yet smiled
on its domain.

• See a paint'ng of this scene in the Trumbull Gallery at New Haven, by an
American af «f, Col. John Trumbull,

ENGLISH TAKE POSSESSION OF MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER VI,

General Amherst orders Major Rogers to fake possession of Micnigan —
Rogers's Expedition — First appearance of Pontiac— Rogers travels around
Lake Erie— ,' .etter to Bellestero, the French commandant of Detroit —
Roaers's Speech to the hostile Indians — Reply of Bellestere — The Effigy —
Prediction of the Indians verified — Rogers takes possession of Detroit —
Treaty with the Indiana.

The war between the French and English had heretofore
raged without the bounds of Michigan, although detach-
ments of the French were occasionally levied from Detroit,
Green Bay, and Michilimackinac, to oppose the advances of
the English towiird the Lakes. Three days after the- capitu-
lation of Montreal, Major Robert Rogers, a brave and ener-
getic officer, of great experience in the service, was ordered
by General Amherst to advance with a proper force, take
possession of the posts of Michigan, and to administer the
oath of allegiance to the French subjects in tluit quarter.
That order was in the following words :

" By his Excellency Jeffery Amherst, Esq., Major-general
and Commander-in-Chief, of all his Majesty's forces in
North America, &.c. 6cc. &c.

" You will, upon the receipt hereof, with Captain Waite's
and Captain Hazen's companies of Rangers under your com-
mand, proceed in whale boats from hence to Fort William
Augustus, taking along with you one Joseph Powpno, alias
La Fleur, an inhabitant of Detroit, and Lieutenant Biehme,
assistant engineer.

" From Fort William Augustus, you will continue your
voyage by the north shore to Niagara, where you will land
your whale boats, and transport them across the carrying-place
into Lake Erie, a{)j 'lying to Major Walters, or the officer com-
manding at Niagara, for any assistance you may want on
that or any other occasion ; requesting of him, at the same time,
to deliv'^er up to you Monsieur Gamelin, who was made

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

prisoner at the reduction of said fort, and iias continued there
ever since, in order to conduct him, with the above-mentioned
Powpo.o, to their habitations at Detroit; where, upon taking the
oath of allegiance to his most sacred Majesty, whose subjects
tliey are become by the capitulation of the 8th inst. tliey shallbe
protected in the peaceable and quiet possession of their pro-
perties ; and so long as they behave as becometh good and
faithful subjects, shall partake of all the other piivileges
and immunities granted unto them by the said capitulation.

" With these, and the detachment under your command, you
will proceed in your whale boats across Lake Erie to Presque
Isle, where, upon your arrival, you will make known the or-
ders I have given to the officer commanding that post ; and
you will leave said whale boats and party, taking only a small
detachment of your party, and marching by land to join Bri-
gadier-general Monkton wherever he may be. Upon your
arrival with Iiim, you will deliver into his liands the despatches
you shall herewith receive lor him, and follow and obey
such orders as he shall give you for the relief of the garrisons
of the French posts at Detroit, Michilimackinac, or any others
in that district, for gathering in the arms of the inhabitants
thereof, and for administering to them the oath of allegiance
already mentioned; when you will likewise admhiistcr
the same to the before-mentioned Gamelin and Powpao ; and
when this is done, and that you have reconnoitered and ex-
plored the country as much as you can, without losing time
unnecessarily you arc to bring away the French troops and
arms to such place as you shall be directed by General Monk-
ton.

And when the whole of this service is completed, you will
march back your detachment to Presque Isle or Niagara, ac-
cording to <hc orders you receive from Brigadier Monkton ;
where you will embark the wiiole, and in like manner, as be-
fore, transport your whale boats across the carrying-place into
Lake Ontario, where you will deliver over your whale boats
into tlie care of the commanding officer, marching your de-
tachment by land to Albany, or wherever I may bo^to receive
what farther orders I may have to give you.

ENGLISH TAKE POSSESSION OP MICHIGAN.

■

" Given under my hand, at the head-quarters in the camp
of Montreal, 12th September. 17G0.

" Jeffry Amherst.
" By his Excellency's Command,

"J. Appy."

A secret order was at the same time given, to be shown
only to the commandants of the posts wliicli he might visit,
for the purpose of preventing any obstruction from the hostile
Indians whose territory he was to cross. It is here subjoined.

" Major Walters, or the officer commanding at Niagara,
will judge whether or not there is provision sufficient at
Presquc Isle ; and Major Rogers will accordingly take pro-
visions at Niagara. Eight days' provisions will take him from
Montreal to Fort William Augustus ; there he will apply to
the commanding officer for a sufficient quantity to proceed to
Niagara. Major Rogers knows where he is going and the
provisions he will want ; some should be in^store, likewise,
at Presque Isle for the party Brigadier-general Monkton

^^^" s^^n'i- Jeffry Amherst."

" Montreal, Sept. V4th, 1760." ^•

In accordance with this instruction Major Rogers embarked
from Montreal on the 13th of September, 17G0, with Captain
Brewer, Captain W^iit, Lieutenant Brheme, assistant engineer,
Lieutenant Davis of the Royal train of artillery, accompa-
nied by two hundred Rangers. The embarkation was made in
fifteen whale boats. Having arrived at the site of the old
Fort Frontenac, the party met a body of Indians who were
out on a hunting scout, and to these they communicated the
news of the capitulation. They seemed to be gratified with
the intelligence, and supplied the expedition with wild fowl
and venison. Another party of fifty Indians was also met by
the English detachment on a stream which flows into Lake
Ontario, where they were fishing for salmon. As soon as
these Indians descried the English colors, they ran down to
the edge of the lake, and fired their pieces in apparent joy ;
and when information was given them of the surrender of
the Frenchj they appeared also to be gratified. This, in foct.

i E if/-

lit

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

seemed to be the feeling of all the savages whom they met
on their journey. Passing through Toronto, and halting at
Niagara, where the detachment provided themselves with
shoes, blankets, moccasins, and other necessaries for the expe-
dition, they proceeded on their march toward Detroit. On
the 8th of October they arrived at Presque Isle. From that
point Rogers embarked in a canoe, with three men for Pitts-
burgh, where he delivered the despatches from General Am-
herst to Brigadier-general Monkton at that fort. Here Major
Rogers was reinforced by a detachment of Royal Americans,
who marched to Presque Isle under the command of Captain
Campbell; Rogers having returned to Presque Isle, which was
on the Pennsylvania shore of Lake Erie, despatched Captain
Brewer by land to Detroit with a drove of forty oxen, which had
been provided by Colonel Bouquet; and this expedition was
protected by Captain Monter with twenty Indians, compris(^d
of the Iroquois, the Delaware, and Shawanese tribes. Cap-
tain Wait was at the same time sent back to Niagara for pro-
visions, and was ordered to coast along the northern shore of
Lake Erie, and encamp about twenty miles east of the Detroit
river. The following was the order of march from Presque
Isle to Detroit, issued by Major Rogers :

" The boats to row two deep ; first, Major Rogers's boat ;
abreast of him Captam Croghan's ; Captain Campbell follows
with his company; the Rangers next; and lastly, Lieutenant
Holmes, who commands the rear guard, with his own boat
atid that of Ensign Wait's, so as to be ready to assist any
boat that may be in distress. Boats in distress are to fire a
gun, when Mr. Holmes, with the other boats under his com-
mand, are immediately to go to their relief, take them to the
shore, or give such other assistance as he thinks may be best.
When the wind blows hard, so that the boats cannot keep
their order, a red flag will be hoisted in the Major's boat ; then
the boats are not to mind their order, but put after the flag as
fast as possible to the place of landing, to which the flag boat
will always be a guide. It is recommended to the soldiers
not to mind the waves of the lake ; but when the surf is high,
to stick to their oars, and the men at helm to keep tho

ENGLU-;H take possession of MICIIIOAN. 89

boat quartering on the waves, and briskly follow ; then no
mischief will happen by any storm whatever. Ten of the
best steersmen amongst the Rangers are to attend Captain
Campbell and company in his boats. It is likewise .econi-
mended to his officers commanding in those boats to hearken
to the steersmen in a storm or bad weather, in managing their
boats. At evening (if it is thought necessaiy to row in the
mght time) a blue flag will be hoisted in the Major's boat
which IS the signal for the boats to dress, and then proceed in
the tollowmg manner ; the boats next the liindermost are to
wait for the two in the rear, the two third boats for the se-
cond two ; and so on to the boats leading a-head, to prev-nt
separation-which in the night would be hazardous.

« Mr. Brheme is not to mind the order of march, but to steer
as is most convenient for liim to make his observations ; he
IS, however, desired never to go more than a league a-head of
the detachment, and is to join them at landing or enmrnping
Onlandmg, the regulars are to encamp in \he cemre, and
Lieutenant Holmes's division on the right wing with Mr
Croghan's people. Lieutenant McCormick on the left wina
with his division ; Mr. Jequipe to be always ready with his
Mohegan Indians, which are the picquet of his detachment
partof whicli are always to encamp in the front of the party •
Captain i^ampbell will mount a guard, consisting of one sub-
altern, one sergeant, and thirty privates, immediately on
landing, for the security of his own encampment and battoes •
Lieutenant Holmes's division to keep a guard of one sergeant
and ten Rangers on the right, and Lieutenant McComick
the like number on the left; and likewise to act as adjutant
to the detachment, and the orderly drum to attend him to
be at the sergeant's call. The General to beat when orde'rcd
by the Major ; at which time the whole party is to prepare for
embarking, the troops half an hour after, when all the guards
are to be called in, and the party embark immediately after
There is to be no firing of guns in this detachment without
permission from the co.Ai.anding officer, except when in dis-
tress on the lake. No man to go without the sentries when
in the camp, unless he has orders so to do ; grcr.t care to be

. !

*, r-i.

HISTORY or MICHIGAN.

taken of the arms, and the officers to review them daily
Captain Campbell will order a drum to beat tor llie regulation
of his company when landed, at any time he thinks proper
for parading his men, or reviewing their arms, &c. It is not
doubted but due attention will be paid to all orders given.
Mr. Croghan will, at landing, always attend tlie major for
orders, and to give such intelligence as he may have froni the
Indians throughout the day."

. At this period there sprui ig upon the stage the most remark-
able savage who has ever figured in Indian history. He was
a chief of the Ottawa tribe, whicli claimed to be the oldest
of the Indian nations in this quarter ; and he was acknow-
ledged to be the principal sachem and warrior of the Algon-
quin Confederacy, the autocrat of the savages along the
lakes. Distinguished for his nob'e form, commanding address,
and proud demeanor, he seems to have allied to himself the
respect and confidence of all the Indians ii> his region, and
was a marked example of that grandeur which is sometimes
found among the savages of our American forest. He was
an avowed friend of the French and an enemy to the English ;
and he combined all those traits of character which distin-
guish men among civilized stales, whether in the forum or on
the field. He was grasping in his projects, while he had suf-
ficient dissimulation to conceal them ; his courage was uncon-
querable ; his pride was the pride of the proudest chief of the
proudest nation on the earth ; and as an orator he was more re-
markable for pointedness and vigor than for burning eloquence.
This chief had watched with jealousy the progress of the
English arms, and had imbibed a hatred of the English,
which had been handed down to his race. He had seen them
pushing their conquests through his country, destroying his
tribes, driving the game from his hunting grounds, which had
been bequeathed from his forefathers, and crimsoning his land
with the blood of his friends and companions the French.
The name of this Algonquin chief wus Poniiac.

About eight miles above Detroit, at the head of tlio Detroit
River, is Pechee Island. A green spot, set amid the clearest
waters, surrounded by dense forests, at all times cool from the

ENGLISH TAKE POSSESSION OP MICHIGAN.

breezes of the northern lakes, and removed from the rest of the

world, Pontiac made this island his summer residence, and in

winter lodged at the Ottawa village opposite, on the Canadian

bank, and which has been described as having been situated

above the town of Detroit. Poetry may imagine him here,

musing upon the inroads of the English and the declining

fortunes of his race, and looking upon the gorgeous domain

which was spread around him, and which now constitutes the

most beautiful part of Michigan — as a territory w dch was

soon to pass from his hands. To this land he held a right

of pre-emption, the time whereof the memory of man ran not

to the contrary ; and superadded to this, a patent from the

Great Spirit, which established his title on solid ground.

When, therefore, Pontiac was informed that Major Rogers,
accompanied by the first English detachment which had ever
advanced into this quarter, was on the march toward Detroit,
he roused like a lion attacked in his den. On the 7th of Novem-
ber, when Roger? arrived with his detachment at the mouth
of Chogage River, he was met by a body of Ottawa mes-
sengers, who requested him to halt his forces until Pontiac,
the king of the country he was in, and who was a little dis-
tance off, should come up. At the first salutation, Pontiac
demanded of Rogers the business on which he came, and
asked him how he dared to enter his country without his per-
mission.* He was informed by Rogers that he had no desio-n
against the Indians, and his only object was to remove the
French out of the country, who had been an obstacle in the
way of mutual peace and commerce between the Indians and
English. With this information friendly messages were
given by Rogers to Pontiac, and also several belts of wam-
pum. In answer, Pontiac told him that he should " stand in
his path" until the next morning, and at the same time pre-
sented him with a small string of wampum, indicating that
he must not advance farther without his leave. When he de-
parted for the night, Pontiac asked Major Rogers whether he
wanted any thing that his country contained ; and stated that

♦ Rogi^rs's concise arcotint of North America.

i m

niSTOKY OP MICIIJOAN.

i - '^

if he did, he would send his warriors and bring it. He was,
however, answered that any tiling which was furnished by
the Indians should be purchased. On tlie next morning
a council having been held, Pontiac appeared at the English
camp, and stated that he had made peace with the English
detachment, and as n pledge, the English commandant and
Pontiac both by turns smoked the calumet. He also inform-
ed Rogers that he would protect his party from the assaults of
the Indians, who were collected at the mouth of the Detroit
River to oppose his progress ; and he despatched a portion of his
warriors to assist Captain Brewer in driving the oxen which
had been sent from Prcsque Isle to Detroit. He also sent to
the Indian villages on the north and west end of Lake Erie
to inform the Indians that tlie English had his consent to pass
through the country. The Indians supplied Rogers with,
venison, trukeys, and several bags of parched corn ; and they
were in return provided with ammunition and wampum. After
this interview, Pontiac attended Major Rogers until his arrival
at Detroit. Having encamped some distance from the mouth
of the Detroit River, Rogers sent Mr. Brheme with the follow-
ing letter to Mr. Bellestre, at that time the French comman-
dant of the Fort of Detroit.*

To Captain Bellestre, or the officer Dommanding at De-
troit.

''Sir : — That you may not be alarmed at the approach of
the English troops under my command when I come to De-
troit, I send forward this by liicut. Brheme, to acquaint you
that I have General Amherst's orders to take possession of
Detroit, and such other posts as are in that district ; which,
by capitulation, agreed to and signed by Jlarquis de Vau-
dreuil and General Amherst, the 8th of September last, now
belong to Groat Britain. I have met with the Marquis de
Vaudreuil's letters to you, directed for your guidance on this
occasion ; which letters I shall deliver you when I am at or

♦ The name of the French commandant is written in different modes in
RirerB's correspondence and the rcords ot" lid t day. I have followed the
records.

ENGLUni TAKE POSSESSION OP MIflllOAN.

i)3

near your post, nnd shall encamp the troops I have vvitli mo
at some distance from the fort ; till you have reasonable time
to be made acquainted with the Marquis de Vaudreuil's in-
structions, and the capitulation ; n copy of which I have with
me likewise. i am, Sir,

" Your humble servant,

" Robert Rogkus."
When tills had been despatched, Rogers advanced to the
mouth of a river which nuis into Lake Erie. He there found
a number of Huron chiefs, who told him "that a body of
four hundred warriors was collected at the entrance into the
great strait, in order to obstruct our passage, and that Mon-
sieur Bellestre luid excited them to defend their country ; that
they were messengers to know my business, and whether the
person I had sent forward h.ad reported the truth, that Canada
was reduced." Rogers confirmed the report, and alleged
that the Fort of Detroit had been given up by the Frencirgo-
vernor. In order to appease their feelings, he made the sub-
joined speech, presenting, at the same time, a large belt of
wampum : —

" BiioTHERS— With this belt I take you by the hand ; you
are to go directly to your brothers assembled at the mouth of
the river, and tell them to go to their towns till I arrive at the
fort. I shall call you there as soon as Monsieur de Bellestre
is sent away, which will be in two days after my arrival.
We will then settle all matters. You live happily in your
own country. Your brothers have long desired to bring this
about. Tell your warriors to mind their flithers (the Fre'nch),
no more, for they are all prisoners to your brothers (the En-
glish), who pitied them, and left them their houses and goods,
on their swearing by the <^]ireat One who made the world, to
become as Englishmen foiever. They are now your broth-
ers ; if you abuse them, you affront me, unless they behave
ill. Tell this to your brothers the Indians. What I say is
truth. When we meet at Detroit, I will convince you it is
oil true."

Rogers continued to advance toward Detroit, and next en-
camped on the west side of Luke Erie, near the River Raisin,

rtt'

I L.I

m •

U ' S

HISTORY OP MirHir.AN.

where he could scarcely procure fuel, on account of the wet
prairies of that section of Michigan. On the next day he met
the Indian messengers, whom he had before seen, \'\\o told
him that their warriors had gone to Detroit, and that Bellestre
was "a strong man," and intended to fight the English.
Among these was a sachem of the Ottawas. The whole par-
ty set out with the English. On the 24th, sixty of the Indians,
who alleged that they had come from Detroit the day pre-
vious, arrived at the camp of Rogers in the evening. These
Indians offered to escort him to Detroit ; and stated that M.
Brhemo, who had been despatched with the letter to the French
commandant, had been confined. Tlie French command-
ant at Detroit, in order to work on the minds of the Indians,
— who, it is well known, are strongly impressed with symbols —
when he had heard of the advance of the English under Ma-
jor Rogers, erected a high flag-staff, with an effigy of a man's
head on the top, and upon this head he liad placed the image
of a crow. The image of the head, he told the Indians re-
presented Major Rogers, and the crow was himself. The in-
terpretation of this group was, that the French commandant
would scratch out the brains of the English. The Indians,
however, were sceptical as to the truth of this emblem, and
told him that the reverse would be the fact.*

When Rogers arrived near the mouth of the Detroit River,
he was requested by the Indians who had accompanied him
to call in the warriors of the party who had collected at that
point, to cut off* the detachment ; and he spent one day in in-
terchanges of kindnesses, for the purpose of securing their
friendship. On the next day he received the following letter
from Bellestre through M. Babeo : —

"Sir — I received the letter you wrote me, by one of your
oflicers ; but as I have no interpreter, cannot fully answer it.
The officer that delivered me yours, gives me to understand
that he was sent to give me notice oryour arrival to take pos-
session of this garrison, according to the capitulation made in

♦ I am indebted for a full account of this cxpodilion to the Journal of Major Ro-
gers, its commander. See that Journal, passim.

KNULISH TAKE POmSESSION OF MICIIIGAN, 95

Canudu ; that you have hkewise a letter from Monsieur Vau-
dreuil, directed to tne. I beg, Sir, you will halt your troops
nt the entrance of the river, till you send mo the capitulation
and the Marquis de Vaudreuil's letter, that I may act in con-
formity thereto.

" I am surprised there is no French officer sent to me along
with yon, as is the custom on such occasions. I have the

^T,V" ^' ^'-^ *^'- ^^^ Hkllesthe."

• Jo Mr. Rogers, Major, and commander )
of the English detachvient:' \

Soon after tliis, a French party beat a parley on the western
shore, and M. M'Cormick was sent over to enquire the object,
and soon returned with the following letter, whir» was pre-
sented through Captain Barrager ;—

" Detroit, 25th Nov. 1760.
Sm-I have already, by Mr. Barrager, acquainted you
wuh the reasons why I could not answer particularly the
letter which was delivered me the 22d instant by the officer
you sent to me. I am entirely unac(iuainted with the reasons
of his not returning to you. I sent my Huron interpreter to
that nation, and told him to stop them should they be on
the road, not knowing positively whether they were inclined
to favor you or us ; and to tell them from me they should
behave peaceably ; that I knew what I owed to my General
and that when the capitulation should be settled, I was oblio-1
ed to obey. The said interpreter has orders to wait on yoS,
and deliver you this.

"Be not surprised, Sir, if along the coast you find the in-
habitants upon their guard. It was told them you had seve-
ral Indian nations with you, to whom you had promised per-
mission to plunder, nay, that they were even resolved to force
you to it. I have therefore allowed the said inhabitants to
take to their arms, as it is for your safety and preservation, as
well OS ours ; for, should those Indians become insolent, you
may not, perhaps, in your present situation, be able to subdue
them alone.

" 1 flatter myself, Sir, thitt as soon as this shall como to
hand, you will x-uJ mu t)y huuo of the gentlemen you have

IHSTOUY OK MICHIOAN.

i,: '

with you, both the capituhition and Monsieur de Vaudrcuil's
letter. I huve the honor to he, Sir,

" Your very humble and obedient servant.
" To Major Ruircrs. "Pkin Ukm-k-stre."

On the next day Rogers advanced five niilos uj) tiio river,
and encamped. He here despatched Captain Campbell, ac-
companied by M. Barrager and Babee, with their i)arties. and
they curried to Bel lest re the letter which is here affixed :—

<-Siu— I acknowlediire the receipt of your two letters, both
of which were delivered to me as yesterday. Mr. Brheme
has not yet returned. The inclosed letter from the Marquis
deVaudreuil will inform you of the surrender of all Canada
to the king of Great Britain, and of the great indulgence
granted to the inhabitants ; as also of the terms granted to
the troops of his Most Christian Majesty. Capt. Campbell,
whom I have sent forward with this letter, will show you the
capitulation. I desire you will not detain him, as I am deter-
mined, agreeable to my instructions from General Amherst,
speedily to relieve your post. I shall stop the troops I have
with me at the hither end of the town till four o'clock, by
which time 1 expect your answer. Your inhabitants will not
surprise me ; as yet I have seen no other in that position, but
savages waiting for my orders. I can assure you, Sir, the in-
habitants of Detroit shall not be molested— they and you com-
plying with the capitulation ; but be protected in the quiet
and peaceable possession of their estates ; neither shall they be
pillaged by my Indians, nor by yours that have joined me.

" I am, &c.,

'R. ROGFRS."

To Capt. Bcllestre, cowvianding at Detroit.''^
As soon as this last letter had been sent " c p-i^hcd his
boats up the Detroit River, and drew up his detachment in a
field within half a mile of the fort. He was there soon joined
ny Capt. Campbell, accompanied by a French officer, wlio
stated that he bore M. Bellestre's complmients, signifyino- that
he ^^..u^nderthecommandof the English. Lieutenants Lefflie
'<ud M'^" ;rmick, accompanied by t"hirty-six Royal Americans,
rt tre then sent to take possession of Detroit. The Frcncli gar-

ENOLItJH TAKK HuartKasiON 01' MICIIIOAN.

rison surrendered their arms, nnd the first English dag was
raised upon the fort amid the shouts oi" seven hundred Indians
collected around that station, who exulted that their predic-
tion respecting the crow was verified.*

Contrary to the expectations of the English, the savages
around Detroit seemed amazed at the suhmission of the French,
expressed gratitude that they were not massacred, and declar-
ed, that <' they would always for the future fight for a nation
thus lavorcd by Him that ruled the world." Rogers having
arrived at the fort, received a plan and a list of the stores from
the commandant, disarmed the militia, and administered to
them the oath of allegiance. The commandant Bellestre and
the prisoners of war were placed under the care of Lieutenant
Holmes and thirty Rangers, to bo escorted to Philadelphia.
A party of twenty men were also sent to bring the French
troops from the posts on that side of Lake Erie,t and a com-
pany under the charge of Captain Campbell was placed in
command of Detroit.

Having made a treaty with several tribes of Indians in the
neighboring country, Major Rogers advanced toward Lake
Huron, for the purpose of taking possession also of Michili-
niackinac. The ice in that lake, however, obstructed his pas-
sage, and lie could not proceed by water. He therefore serious-
ly meditated crossing the country by land to tliat fort. He was
informed by the Indians that such a journey was impracticable
without snow-shoos ; and he was accordingly obliged to re-
turn to Detroit without accomplishing that object. The am-
munition which he had taken from the stores being deposited
at Detroit, he departed from this fort on the 21st of December,
17G0, for Pittsburgh, leaving Captain Campbell in charge of
the station. Thus the French power in Michigan was for-
ever overthrown.

• See Rogers's Journnl, passim.

t These forts are termed by Rogers Mlwnie ami Gatnnms. Rcers'g Jour-
nal, p. 229,

h :\

''mfm

HISTORV OF MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER Vn.

m i

■^'1

■Mi

it'

it 'I

Social condition of Michigin after the Conquest-Policv of Pontiac-Outbreak

oftherontmc war-Siege of Detroit-Battle of Bloody BridcP_Hostie dJ-

inonstrat.on, around M.chilimackinac-Speech of Men.A avana-Speech of a

nZn: trriv° S'V:' Trader-\^awatam-Destruction o? Miclnh-
nmcluuac— ArriVd! of Bradstrcet— Indians dispersed.

Thk social condition of Michigan was not much altered
by the transfer of its dominion from the French to the British
government. The French subjects were permitted, by the
capitulation of Montreal, to remain in the country, in the en-
joyment of their civil and religious rights; and the fin- trade
was prosecuted upon the lakes with much energy by English
companies, who employed French agents in it^s prosecmion.
So far at, the advancement of agriculture and colonization were
concerned, the policy of England in Michigan was not better
than that of France. About the year 1763 the British mo-
narch issued .1 proclamation, restricting the extinguishment ol
native title. The English governors were prohibited by this
proclamation to issue grants of land, excepting within certain
prescribed limits ; and the English subjects were also forbid-
den to make purchases of the Indians, or settlements, without
those bounds.* These gn.nts, purchases, and settlements,
were, however, made, and they form an important part of the
ancient claims to land, afterwards adjudged by the land board
of Michigan. Even after the treaty which granted the ricrht
of possession to the limited states, this power was assumed'on
the part of its inhabitants. Settlements were made by the
French along the principal streams of the lakes. The farms
scattered upon the banks of tne rivers were of narrow form
surroundedby pickets, which are now the French mode ot
enclosure ; and the cottages, about fifty in number, on the
strait of Detroit, with orchards by their side, were constructed
of logs, with roofs of bark or thatched with straw. It is stat-

♦ Rpport on land claims in Michigan, by the land board.

If!

CONDITION OP MICHIGAN AFTER VHT: CONQUEST. 99

ed by a contemporary of that npriod, that wheat was sown in
rows. Potatoes were first introduced by the English The
Canadian French were an affable and contented class of men
preserving the same habits as now prevail among them
throughout the state.* Schools were unknown, and the in-
struction of the children continued to be derived from the
Catholic priests. Coin began to be introduced under English
jUTisdiction, while peltries were chiefly the circulatingmedium.
1 he first horses used at Detroit wt e introduced from Fort
Duquesne, and these were taken from the English bv the In-
dians at Braddock's defeat.t

But the English government, although it had succeeded to
the dominion ofthe north-western lakes, did not inherit the
friendship ofthe Algoiu.ain tribes in that quarter. The tribes
ot Indians m this region at first regarded the white men as in-
truders, and the smile which played upon the countenance
ot 1 ontiac, when he first met the detachment of Roo-ers on the
shore of Lake Erie, only tended to conceal a settled hatred •
as the setting sunbeam bedazzles the distant thunder-cloud'
He had made professions of friendship to the English, doubt-
less as matter of policy, until he could have time to plot their
destruction. The French had been friends to his race They
had lodged in the same wigwam, drank at the same stream •
they had hunted and fought side by side, and were mixed in
blood.

Pontiac believed, and that conviction was probably sought
to be strengthened, that it was the design of the En<rlish to
drive him back from his lands. The French, doubtfess, felt
that dissatisfaction at the inroads of the English which'was
natural to a conquered people, although they professed, and in
a great measure practised, neutrality. As a harbinger of some
great calamity, it was believed in the superstition of the day
that a black and sulphureous matter, of the color and consis-
tency of ink, which rained on Detroit in 1762, and which was
said to have been bottled and used for that purpose, portended

♦ Documents in manuscript, submitted by John R. Williams
t The present small but ha,, race of hor.es in Michigan.'are of Norman
Block, but diminished in size by stinted fare, hard usage, and the cold

,>:-

100

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

IHi:

»ip

iiK

important events which were approaching.* Down to that
period Micliigan had rested in quietude, while war blazed at a
distance. Its streams had rolkid their liquid silver to the
lakes, broken only by the fish which flashed in their cur-
rent, or the swan which floated upon their surface. Vegeta-
tion flourished alone. Roses bloomed and died only to be
trampled by the deer or the savage ; and strawberries studded
the ground with rubies where tiie green and sunny hill-sides
reposed amid the silence like sleeping infants in the lap of
the forest. The rattlesnake glided undisturbed through its
prairies ; and the fogs, which hung in clouds over the stagnant
marshes, spread no pestilence. The panther, the fox, the wolf,
and the bear, roamed fearless through the more retired parts
of the domain, for there were none to dispute with them their
inheritance. But clouds thickened. In the darkness of
midnight and the solitude ot the v^ilderness, the tomahawk
and the scalping knife were forged for their work of death.
Counsels were held by the lake tribes, in which was di -cussed
their new position in regard to the power which had advanced
upon their lands. They determined on revenge. Speeches
were made under the voiceless stars, which were heard by
none save God and their allies ; and the war-song echoed from
the banks of lakes which iiad never been pressed by the
footstep of civilized man. The war belt was circulated
through the remotest Indian villages, and savage bands were
marshalled for tlie approaching storm.

The period now arrive! in which was enacted the most
impressive and dramatic scene in the history of Michigan.
Ponliac, the Algonquin chief, was the master spirit wlio
brought this drama into action ; and from its origin to its ter-
mination he was the prominent figure upon the stage. It
may be safely alleged that no American savage lias exhibited
ft more marked character, in his power of mind to grasp great
designs, or in his bold and strong arm in carrying diem into
execution. He had evinced great judgment and clearness
of discrimination in his interviews with Major Rogers. He

* See Carver for this fact.

WAR OF TIIF. rONTIAC CONFKDERACV.

101

sought to inform himself of the discipline of the English
forces, inquired the mode of manufocturing cloth and iron •
and, even wishing to see England, offered a part of his
country to the English commandant if he would take him
there. He also had stated to the English that he was willing
to remain in subordination to the king of Great Britain, pay
a yearly tribute in furs, and call him his uncle* After the
surrender of the country, he intimated that he was also ready
to encourage the settlement of the English in his country
so long as they treated him with respect ; but that if they
failed in this, he should exclude them from it and « shut up
the way." These remarks might have been merely policy,
but at all events it is clear that he did not consider himself
conquered.

No sooner, therefore, were the English established on the
lakeS; than he projected the design of undermining their pow-
er in this quarter by destroying their forts. His plan was to
attack the Fnglish posts at the same time by stratagem, to
massacre their garrisons, take possession of these points, and
oppose the advance of the British upon the north-western
waters. He presumed, on good ground, that the success of
the Indians m this enterprise would establish their confidence,
and combine them in one general confederacy against the
English government. In his operations, facts to excite their
passions were furnished in the conduct of the British soldiers,
who had not endeavored to conciliate the Indians, and in the
cold indifference manifested by tlie English traders, which
was strongly contrasted with the sociality and kindness of the
French. Some of his own tribe, the Ottawas, had been dis-
graced by blows from the English intruders. After the plan
of his policy had been matured in his mind, Pontiac called
a grand council of warriors at tlie river Aux Georce, and
he there addressed them with great vigor and eloquence. Ta-
king advantage of that superstition which belongs to the In-
dian character, he stated that the Great Spirit had appeared to
a Delaware Indian in a dream, in which the course of the In-

mi
m

♦ Rogers's nccount of North America.

102

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN,

! I iij

I'M

P r.t? to' r 1 "'""' ^'"" ^^ '''''''''' ^-- -dent
spirit , to cast away the manufactures of the white men. to re-
turn to the use of the skins of wild beasts for clothing/and to
s7rZtl7' -d war-clubs. « Why," sa.d tlt^ Great

frZv . T'"' ^' ^"" ^""^^ ^'^^^^ ^°=^^^ "^ r^d cloth-
ing, (the Enghsh), to enter your country and take the laud I

gave you ? Drive them from it ; and when you are in distress

I wjll help you." He also showed them a belt, which he p !

tended to have received from the French king, urgin^ hin. to

drive out tne British, and secure the return ^c^f the Fr nch

The speech of Pontiac had its full effect; for the n^otive s

urged appealed to the pride, interest, superstition, and nation-

e It to the Indians along the whole line of frontier, stretchino-
a housand miles on the lakes, in order to secure their co-opel
lat.on Among those who were inclined to join this p ot
were the Miamies, the Ottawas, the Chippewas, the Wy ndo ^s
the Potawatamies, the Mississagas, the Shawanese, the Otta
gam.es, and the Wmnebagoes ; and their plan wa^ successful
in reducing at the same time the forts of Le Bceuf, Venango,

onthrstT 't' °"'"'" ^"^^' ^••^^" ^'^y'Si. Joseph

the Wabash, Sandusky and Michilimackinac. Pittsburo- Ni
agaia, and Detroit, only escaped. '^

Dunng the month of May, 1763,t the attack was com-
menced on these several posts about the same time' be-
fore ariy suspicion had been excited on the part of the English
It broke out like lightning from the midnight cloud, litt

tlem it'fi f f " '"^^' """ --"cccssful in rising
Bonquet, who dispersed the besiegers with the bayonet
Detroit t was then deemed, from its location, the most impor-

* Cass. ^

WAR OF THE PONTIAC CONFEDEUACY,

103

tant English post, as it commanded an extensive region of
navigation and trade upon the upper lak-^s, and stood'^at the
very broad gate of the north-western waters. At the city the
Detroit River is about half a mile wide. The possession of
.IS post would break the allegiance of the French inhabit-
ants on the river, and form a chain of operation for the sava-
ges from Lake Michigan to Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Pontiac
determined, therefore, to undertake its capture in person. At
that time the town was garrisoned by one hundred and twen-
ty-two men and eight officers, of whom Major Gladwyn, who
had succeeded Captain Campbell, was commandant.* It was
environed by three rows of pickets, forming nearly a square.
At each corner, and over the gates, there were erected block-
houses ; and between the houses and pickets there was a cir-
cular space, called the Chemi7i du Ronde, which formed a
place of deposite for arms. Anchored on the river in front of
the town, were two armed vessels, one called the Beaver for
the purpose of its defence ; and the fort was protected by three
mortars— two six-pounders and one three-pounder. These
however, were badly mounted, and seemed to be better calcu-
lated to terrify the Indians than for substantial defence. In
the limits of the town there were also about forty-two traders
and persons connected with the fur trade, who were provided
with provisions and arms, besides the i^^^ families who
were settled within the palisade. Most of the houses were
enclosed within the pickets, for the purpose of securing them
by the protection of the fort, while only a {^^^ French farms
were scattered along the banks of the river.f

The plan which was devised by Pontiac to destroy the
fort of Detroit, exhibited remarkable cunning as well as
strategy. He had ordered the Indians to saw off their rifles
so as to conceal them under their blankets, gain admission to
the lort, and, at a pre-concerted signal, which was the delivery
of a belt of wampum in a certain way, to rush upon the

* Cass

^Xl^^ r'!r^ V *""''' """"'''"^ ^''^'^ '•^^ ^^" °^ ^^^^ P°"'i«c confederacy, I am
ndeb ed to LeCscourso of Lcw.s Cass, our minister to France, before L II.«.
torical Society of Michigan.

t!''i'

1^ »

104

HISTOUY 01" iMICHIGAN.

troops, massacre the officers, and open the gates t(f the war-
riors on the outside, who should stand ready to co-operate
Avith those within. In order to carry this plan into execution,
he encamped at a httle distance from Detroit, and sent word
to Major Gladwyn that he and his warriors wished to hold a
council with the English commandant on the following day,
that « they might brighten the chain of peace." This was the
8th of May, 1703. The council was granted. On the eve-
ning of that day, an Indian woman, who had been employed
by Major Gladwyn to make him a pair of elk skin moccasins,
which he intended to present to a friend, brought them to the
fort. These were finished in so handsome a manner, that he
requested the wom.an to take back the remainder of the
skin, and make them into others for himself. He then paid
her for those which she had made, and ordered his servant
to see her from the fort. Having arrived at the gate which
looks out upon the Detroit River, she lingered as If her busi-
ness had been unfinished ; and this conduct excited some re-
mark. The servant of the commandant was ordered to in-
quire the reason of her delay, but he could procure no satis-
factory answer. At length the commandant called her within
the fort, and inquired why slie loitered about the gate, and
did not hasten home before they were shut, so that she
might complete the moccasins at th^ proper time. She
replied that the commandant had treated her with great kind-
ness, and tliat she did not wish to take the skin away, as he
prized it so much, because she could '•' 7ievcr bring it backP
Something seemed to be struggling in her bosom for utter-
ance, and at length, after a promise that the disclosure should
not turn to her disadvantage, and that, if profitable, she might
be rewarded, this Indian woman, named Catharine, developed
the plot. Major Gladwyn mentioned his apprehensions to the
officer next in command, but he deemed it a mere trick to
frighten him, and not worthy of consideration. The night
was occupied in making the proper preparations ; the ammu-
nition was examined and arranged, and every man within the
fort, both trader and soldier, was directed to be prepared for

SIKOK Ol' DETROIT.

105

sudden and active service.* Tlie deCeucoa of ihe fort wore
strengthened, the arms made ready, and dnring tlie nio-ht
guards were kept upon the ramparts. The war songs and
dances of the Indians, wiiich generally precede any important
enterprise, breaking upon the silence of midnight, only
strengthened his suspicions that the Indian woman had told
the truth. In the morning of the 9th, about ten o'clock, Pou-
tiac and his warriors repaired to the fort of Detroit, and they
were immediately admitted to the coimcil-house, where they
were received by Major Gladwyn and his ollicers. During
their progress toward the fort, the savages had noticed a re°
markable parade of soldiers upon the ramparts and within the
town, and that the officers in the council chamber, and also
the Governor, had each pistols in their belts. When the In-
dians were seated on their skins in the council chamber, Pon-
tiac inquired what was the cause of this extraordinary mili-
tary preparation ; and he was told that it was necessary to
keep the soldiers to rigid discipline. The council commenced
by a speech from Pontiac, in which he professed the utmost
friendship for the English ; and as he approached the period
of the concerted signal, the delivery of the belt of wampum,
his gesticulations became more violent. Near the period
which had been described by the Indian woman as the time
when the belt was to be delivered, and the fire upon the gar-
rison commenced, the Governor and his officers drew their
swords from their scabbards ; and the soldiers of the fort, who
had been drawn around the doors of the council-house, which
had b<ien intentionally left open, made a clattering upon the
ground with their arms. Pontiac, whose eagle eye had
never quailed in battle, turned pale and trembled, and deli-
vered the belt in the usual manner ; while his warriors looked
at each other with astonishment, but continued calm.t

Pontiac's speech having been concluded. Major Gladwyn
commenced his answer ; but instead of thanking Pontiac for
his professions of friendship, lie accused him of being a traitor ;
and in order to convince him of his knowledge of the plot, ho

* Carver.

t Il)i(l,

IN'-

105

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

ndvanced toward the chief who sat nearest, and drawing aside
his blanket, disclosed the sliortened rifle, lie advised him at
the same time, to leave the fort before his young men slionld
discover the design and massacre the Indians ; and assnred
Iiim that his person should be held safe until he had advanced
beyond the pickets, as he had promised him safety. As soon
as the warriors Iiad retired from the gates of the fort, they
gave the yell, and fired upon the English garrison. They
then proceeded to the Commons, where an Englishwoman
and her two sons resided. These they massacred and scalped.
Tlie cannibalism of the savages at that time is exhibited in
tlie fact that a respectable Frenchman was requested to repair
to their camp and partake of some soup. He complied with
this invitation, and after he had finished his repast, was told
that he had eaten a part of this English woman.* About three
miles up the river Detroit, and in full view of the city, is
an island, which is named from the fact that it was former-
ly used as a pasturing ground for stock. It is called Isle
de Corhonor, and stands like a fortress guarding the entrance
of the upper lakes. A Frenchman by the name of Jocelyn,
who was herding cattle on this island, and a discharged ser-
geant from the fort, and his family, with the exception of one,
were also massacred about the same time by the savages ;t and
the siege of Detroit was then regularly commenced.

The savages soon stationed themselves befiind the buildings
which were scattered outside of the pickets, and from these
buildings, as well as the pickets, they commenced a constant
firing upon the British ; which, however, did but little da-
mage. So weak did the commandant consider his own posi-
tion, that he had nearly determined to evacuate the fort, em-
bark in the armed schooner on the river, and retire to Niagara,
as he feared a direct assault ; but he was assured by the
French inhabitants, that such a course would 'lot be underta-
ken by tlie Indians, and he gave up the project.! Measures

• Mrs. Tiirnbell, to whom Major Gladwyn had granted a plantation.

t In another account it is stated that James Fisher and his wife, and also four
soldiers who were with him, were murdered, and that iiis children and servant-
maid were taken prisoners. — Thatcher,

t Cass's Discourse.

I''

SIEGE OP DETROIT.

107

were immediately taken to bum the buildings which could
furnish covert to the Indians, by hot shot and occasional sor-
ties made from the fort. Shells were discharged, and the In-
dians practised running toward these shells, and blowitKr out
the matches before they had exploded, with exulting ?ells
The wilderness poured forth its ferocious bands of sava^^es
like vultures around the dead. Pontiac, although he was The
chief actor in this siege, was aided by several Chippewa and
Ottawa warriors, who maintained a subordinate part. Amoncr
these were Mah.gam the Wolf: Wabanamy the White Stur"
geon ; K,ttacolnsi he that climbs ; Agouchiois, a friend to
the trench, all of the Ottawa tribe; and also Gayash,,„e.
Wasson Macataywasson, and Pashquior, Chippewa chiefs.*
When the buildings around the fort had been demolished,
the Indians approached a low ridge which overlooked the
pickets, and from this they kept up a fire upon the garrison.
During the Pontiac war Detroit was stored with a lar-e
quantity of valuable goods, alleged to amount to the value'of
five hundred thousand pounds ; and in addition to that, its
demolition would unite the chain of operation amoncr the In-
dians, which was broken by the establishment of the'' Eno-Hsh
at that post. Its actual position during the siege may be in-
ferred from the following letter, dated Detroit, July 6th 1763 •
"We have been besieged here two months, by six hundred
Indians. We have been upon the watch nijjht and day, from
the commanding officer to the lowest soldier, from the 8th of
May ; and have not had our cloaks off, nor slept all nio-ht since
It began, and shall continue so till we have a reinforcement
up. AN^e then hope to give a good account of the savao-os.
Their camp lies about a mile and a half from the fort : and
that IS the nearest they choose to come now. For the first
two or three days we were attacked by three or four hundred
ot them, but we gave them so warm a reception, that they
don t care for coming to see us ; though they now and then
get behind a house or garden, and fire at us about three or
four hundred yards distance. The day before yesterday wo

♦ Manuscript documents from John R. Williams.

109

HISTOnV OP MICinOAN.

^ f il

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killed a chief and three otiiers, and wounded some more.
Yesterday went up with our sloop, and battered their cabins in
such a manner that (hey are glad to keep (hrther ofl"."

The letter here aflixcd, is dated the 9th : —

" You have long ago heard of our pleasant situation, but
the storm is blown over. Was it not very agreeable to hear
every day of their cutting, carving, boiling and eating our
companions ? To sec every day dead bodies floating down
the river, mangled and disfigured. But Britons, you kmw,
never shrink. We always appeared gay, to spite the rascals.
They boiled and eat Sir Robert Devers ; and we are informed
by I\Ir. Pan!!, wiio escaped the other day from one of the sta-
tions surprised at the breaking out of the war, and command-
ed by Inmself, that he had seen an Indian have the skin of
Captain Robertson's arm for a tobacco-pouch.

" Three days ago, a party of us went to demolish a breast-
work they had made. We finished our work, and were re-
turning home ; but the fort espying a party of Indians coming
Tip as if they intended to fight, we were ordered back, made
our dispositions and advanced briskly. Our front was fired
upon warmly, and returned the fire for about five minutes.
In the meantime Captain Hopkins, with about twenty men,
filed off to the left, and about twoity French volunteers filed
oir to the right, and got between them and their fires. The
villains immediately fled, and we returned, as was prudent ;
for a sentry, whom I had placed, informed me he saw a body
of them coming down from the woods ; and our party being
but about eighty, was not able to cope with their united bands.
In short, wo beat them handsomely, and yet did not much
hurt to them, for they ran extremely well. We only killed
their leader and wounded three others. One of them fired at
me at the distance of fifteen or twenty paces, but I sui<f ose
my terrible visage made him tremble. I think I shot him."*

• In order to show «hc power of Pontiac over the tribcc, it is stated in th- D: p
troit Diary, a somewhat garbled account of the Pontiac war, " that a Mr. Ruther,.
ford full into tlie hands of the savages, and that a Frenchman was employed by
one of the garrison to redeem him. Eighty pounds' worth of goods were given
for that object. 1 le had scarcely been released, when Pontiac sent a band of fifty

BIKOE OF DETUOIT.

109

The position of Pontiac had long been prominent ns the
principal chief of the Indian tribes upon tlie borders of tlic
lakes. He had before fought with great success ; and as early
as 17'IG he commanded a body of Indians, mainly Ottawas
in the defence of Detroit against the combined northern tribes
under Mackinac the Turtle.* The Ottawas had, in fact,
ever since the year UOn, been strong allies of the French ;*
and their friendship was of great assistance in facilitating the
colonial estal)lishmentN on the lakes. The French, in return,
were warm in their attachment to the lake tribes, and it is
well known that a part of them instigated the action of Pou-
tiac. This was oidy attributable, however, to individuals ; the
body of the French people preserved their faith, ond a num-
ber of the French also volunteered for the English against
the Pontiac confederacy at the siege of Detroit. The basis of
their attachment is exhibited in the subjoined extract of an
Indian speech made in 1046 :— " When the French arrived at
these falls," said a Chippewa chief, " they came and kissed us.
They called us children, and we found them fathers. We lived
like brethren in the same lodge, and we always had where-
withal to clothe us. They never mocked our ceremonies,
and they never molested the places of our dead. Seven gene-
rations of men have passed away, but we have not foro-otten
it. Just, very just, were they towards us."*

All tlie means which the savage mind could suggest, were
employed by Pontiac to demolisii the settlement of Detroit,
and a desultory war was carried on. IJIazing arrows were
shot into the chapel by his warriors, for the purpose of burn-
ing it ; and this would have been effected, had not a French
Jesuit convinced Pont-nc that its conflagration would call
down the judgments of the Great Spirit. During the siege,
the savages endeavored to make a breach in the pickets, a"d,
aided by Gladwyn, who, as a stratagem, had ordered his men
to cut also on the inside, this was soon accomplished, and the

Indians, to carry him back by force. " No nation," said ho, " should have hber..
ly to sell tlieir prisoners till the war was over."

* Were not thogo " Northern tribes" the Iroquois ?

t Cousiilt Schoolcraft's Discourse.

I',

!£4

110

IHHTOIIV OP MlCmOAN.

brca.I, \ms soon fill,.,l with liHlinns. At this instant n hrnss
lom-poinukT was {iischaiiri.;! „pon tli.' mlvanomir .sava^r,.s,
which niado a dostruclive havoc. After that period the lort
wns merely investtid ; supplies were cut oil] and the Kiijrhsh
were reduced to crrent distress from the diminulioa of Huur
rations.

Ahijor Rogers had iriven thn rommnnd of the fort of De-
troit to IMajor Campheli, and ho had held it since tlie surren-
der of (1... country, although he had been once supei-seded.
This olii.vr was well known to the Indians, and was est(>emed
for his kindness both by the l-'rench and savajres. It was
made a point of policy by I'ontiac to jrct this otHcer into his
jmssession, as n plodcro for the surrender of the fort ; and for
that object he requested some of the principal French inhabit-
ants to s.vIc an interview with M-.jor (.^unpbell, and inform
Inm that Ponliac wished him to come to Ins camp, in order
that that they miirlit terminate the war and smoke the pipe of
peace. C.odfroy and Chapoton, two estimable French citi-
zons, advised this interview, on the solemn promise by I'ontiac
that he should iviurn to the fort in safety. In order ♦o bring
the war to a peaceful termination if possible, he consented ;
and, accompanied by Lieut. McDoucrall, he repaired to the In!
dian quarters, and was, at first, well received. The crafty
cliiol, however, did not comply with his promise, and the
iMiirlish odicers were at len:rth detained at the house of M
Melvehi, near FJloody Ikid-e. Campbell was offered his life
for the surrender of the fort; but the unprincipled conduct
which Pontiac had before manifested, weakened all confi-
-encc in his word. I'he prisoners were permitted to walk
out from time to time, but little chance seemed offered for es-
cape, as they were surrounded by Indians. Lieut. McDou-
gall i)roposed to attempt it, but as his sight was somewhat
affected, he declined the proposition. McDougall, however,
afterwards made his escape, and reached the fbrt of Detroit
withct injury. Tlie fate of Major Campbell was of unfortu-
nate termination. An Ottawa chief of note had been killed at
Miclulimackmac, and liis nephew, who was in that siege, had
hastened lor revenge to Bloody Bridge. Here he found Ma-

.. I

8IKCJK OF DETHOir.

Ill

jor Campbell, and imrncdiatuly despatched him witfi his toma-
hawk ; niid the savn^ro thoii fled to Hagiiiuw, to escape the ven-
geance of I'ontiac, who was justly indi<r,iant at this act.

While the si(.<re was iu profrnjss, and on the 2U of' May
the smaller vessel, which had b.jen anchored in the river woi
despatched to iNiajfara to hasten thearrivalof a reinli.rcemcnt
with anus and provisions, which had been expected. Twen-
ty battoaux, which had been sent from that place wiUi a
detachment of troops and army stores, arrived at |>onl Pclce
apprehending no danger, and there they encamped. The de'
tachment consisted of Green's Hangers, amounting to nh.ety-
seven men, with Lieut. Cnylcr. The Indians who were station-
ed at that place, had watched their movements, and liad mark-
ed their place of encampment, and about th.j dawn of day they
were attacked and massacred. All tlie men in this expedition
wereeither taken or killed, excepting one ofhcer, who rushed to
a boat with thirty men, and crossed Lake Krie to Sandusky
Bay. These barges were guarded by the Indians, who com-
pelled the British prisoners to navigate the boats, while they
were escorted toward Detroit by the Indians on the Canadian
bank of the river. When they arrived near the fort, four
British soldiers in tlie first batteau determined to effect their
liberation or die in the attempt ; and by suddenly chancri„,r
(he course of the boat, they made their intentions known to
the crew of tlie armed schooner near the shore by loud cries •
The Indian guards on board this boat leaped overboard ; and
one of them dragged a soldier with iiim info the water, where
they were both drowned. The fugitives in their escape, wore
hred upon by the Indians in the other boats, and also by those
on the bank ; but no injury was done, excepting the wounding
Of one soldier, as the Indians were soon dispersed by the fire
from the armed schooner on the Detroit side. The other sol
diers escaped to the shore in the boat, which soon readied
the vessel. In order to prevent their escape, the remainino-
prisoners were immediately landed and marched up to IIo^
island, where tliey were massacred and scalped. On the 30th

♦ Cass.

•SJ*

,11 • '1
If- 1

^:|i

¥i

112

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

|i-' '

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instant, the sentinel had first announced that the fleet of boots
was coming round the point of the Huron Church, and the En-
glish had assembled on the ramparts to witness the arrival of
their friends ; but they were only greeted by the death-song of
the savages, which announced their death. The 1 ight of hope
flickered on their countenance only to be clouded with the
thick darkness of despair. It was these barges ; but they were
in possession of the savages, and filled with the scalps and
prisoners of the English detachment.

During the siege, the body of the French people maintained
a neutral relation toward the Indians and the English, although
a few Canadians had aided their cause, who were held in
contempt by their countrymen. They had taken the oath of
allegiance, and were prisoners of war under capitulation.
This neutrality was necessary to be preserved unless they
chose to place themselves in the attitude of revolution. The
fact that they did not take side with the Indians, roused a
feeling of disaffection in the minds of the savages ; and their
doors were broken open, their provisions plundered, and their
cattle killed by the forces of Pontiac Some remuneration
was, however, subsequently made by the Ottawa in levying
upon the French for his supplies. He appointed a commis-
sary, and issued bills of credit made of bark, with an otter, the
to/.e>n of his tribe, drawn upon them, and delivered these to
the French people. These bills, when payable, were faith-
fully redeemed.

But the Indians soon discovered that their power was insuf-
ficient for the reduction of the fort of Detroit ; and they were
anxious to form a league with the French for that object.
Pontiac therefore called a councfl cf his warriors and the prin-
cipal French inhabitants near Detroit, on the 23d of May,
1763, and addressed to them the following speech :—

" My Brothers," these were his words, " I have no doubt
but this war is very troublesome to you ; and that my warriors,
wlio are continually passing and repassing through your set-
tlements, frequently kill your cattle and injure your property.
I am sorry for it ; and hope you do not think I am pleased
with this conduct of my young men. And as a proof of my

m '!4 r

PONTIAC'S SPEIXH TO THE FRENCH. 113

friendship, recollpct the war you had seventeen years ao-o
(1746), and the part 1 took in it. 1'he northern nations com-
bined togctlier, and came to destroy you. Who defended you t
Was it not myself and my young men ? The great chief
Mackinac (tlie Turtle) said in council, that he would carry
to his native village the head of your chief warrior, and that
he would eat his heart and drink his blood. Did I not
then join you, and go to his camp and say to fiim, if he wished
to kill the French, he must pass over my Iwdy and the bodies
of my young men ? Did I not take hold of the tomahawk with
you, aid you in fighting your battles with Mackinac, and driv-
n)g him home to his country? Why do you think 1 would
turn my arms against you ? Am I not the same French Pon-
tiac who assisted you seventeen years ago ? I am a French-
man, and i wish to die a Frenchman.

" My brothers," said Pontiac, throwing a war belt into the
midst of the council, ■' I begin to grow tired of this bad meat
which is upon our lands. I begin to see that this is not your
case ; for, instead of assisting us in our war with the English,
you are actually assisting them. I have already told you,
and I now tell you again, that when I undertook this war. it
was only your interest I sought, and that I know what I was
about. I yet know what I am about. This year they must
all perish. The Master of Life so orders it. His will is
known to us, and we must do as he says. And you, my breth-
ren, who know him better than we do, wisli to oppose hi.$
will ! Until now, I have avoided urging you upon this sub-
ject, in the hope that if you could not aid, you would not in-
J7ire us. I did not wish to ask you to fight with us against
the English, and I did not believe you would take part'^with
them. You will say you are not with them. I know it •
but your conduct amounts to the same thing. You will tell
them all we do and say. You carry our counsels and plans
to them. Now, take your choice. You must be entirely-
French like ourselves, or entirely Englisli. If yviti are French,
take this belt fur yourselves and your young nwn, and join
ns. If you are Englisli, we declare war against you."
His solicitations, however did not prevail ; and the French

if i'

114

IIISTOUY OF MICHIGAN.

!,iMi

II a

];!.

continued steadfast in their nentrality. Many were, how-
ever, in tlie confidence of the Indians, and a French citizen,
M. Byaufuit, had been shown the sliorteiied rille, and informed
of the plot on the morning in which it was to lie executed, by
one of the w^arriors, the last in the party of Pontiac, and a
particular friend wliom lie had met with the band during that
morning upon Bloody Bridge. But the news arrived on the
3d of June of the treaty of peace of 17G3, by which the coun-
try was ceded to England, and thus furnished a double bond
to maintain their neutrality. When, therefore, Pontiac solicit-
ed them to join his cause against the EnglisI), one of the prin-
cipal citizens was authorized to speak in the name of that
people. Exhibiting the articles of peace between the French
and the British governments, he replied, "My brother, you see
that our arms are tied by our great fath< i, the king ; untie
this knot, and we will join you. Till that is done, we shall
sit quietly upon our mats."

About this time the vessel which had been despatched to
Niagara, arrived at the mouth of the Detroit River, with sixty
troops, and supplied with provisions and arms. The Indians
had made every attempt to capture this vessel, which had
been impeded from sailing up the river by the course of the
wind. For the purpose of boarding her as she ascended, the
forces of Pontiac left the siege of Detroit, and repaired to
I'ighting Island, which is just below the city. At the mouth
of the river the Indians had annoyed her in their canoes, but
she soon left luider a brisk wind, and reached the point of
that island, where it failed, andshe was there obliged to anchor.
For the purpose of concealing the strength of the vessel, the
Captain had concealed his men in the hold ; and as soon as
evening came on, the Indians proceeded in silence to board
the vessel from their canoes, while the men on board were
secretly ordered up to take their stations at the guns. The
Indians approached near the side, when the signal for a dis-
charge was given by a blow upon the mast with a hammer*
The power of the discharge killed and wounded many, the
rest escaped in their canoes ; and on the next morning the ves-
sel dropped down the river, and remained six days waiting

BIEGE OP DETROIT.

115

for a fair wind. On the 30th she arrived without accident at
Detroit.*

It now became an important object with Pontiac to destroy
the vessels whicli were anchored before the town of Detroit •
because they tended to protect the shore, and also furnished
means of communication by water to the other EngHsh posts
on the lakes. For that purpose the barns of many of the in-
habitants were torn down, and the materials made into a raft,
filled with pitch and other combustibles, which should burn
with great rapidity and intenseness. The whole mass was
then towed up the river, and fire was added under the suppo-
sition that the stream would carry it down in contact, and set
fire to the vessels. The attempt was made, but without suc-
cess. The English, aware of this attempt, had anchored boats
above the vessels connected by chains so as to ward off this
blnzing mass. Th*- plan was successful, and the burning
rafts floated down the river without doing any damage.

On the 20th of July, a fleet of gun boats sailed up the De-
troit River, each containing four swivels, two mortars ; and
the whole a detachment of three hundred regular troops, under
the command of Captain Dalyell, an aid-de-camp of Sir Jef-
frey Amherst, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in
Canada. When this fleet appeared in sight, a gun was fired
from the fort, and it was answered from the boats. They soon
arrived in safety. Supposing that Pontiac might be surprised
in his camp, a plan was concerted on that evening to march
against him for that object. Accordingly, on the mornino- of
the 31st of July, about two o'clock, Capt. Dalyell, with a force
of about 217 men, marched up two deep aloui; the Detroit
River, toward Ponliac's camp; while two gun-boa(s in the
river were pushed against the stream to cover the retreat and
take off the wounded and dead. Information of this contem-
plated attack had been in some mode communicated to the In-
dians, and they removed their women and children, and pre-
pared for the reception of the British troops. A party of war-

* Tlie ciimint nccotmf, connected with the order of the captain to blow np
this vessel wlion she was nttacked and the Indians were ascending her deck,
docs not appear to be well aiilhenticated.

f 1

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116

HISTORY OP !\1I('HIGAN.

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riors was stationed beliind the piclcets upon a neighboring
fiirm,* and another at Bloody Bridge, which is about a mile
and a Iialf from Detroit on the main ro d. Here they were
concealed in the high grass behind pickets and heaps of cord
wood.t The British party had readied the bridge, when a
sudden and destructive fire was poured upon them from the
cord wood and the grass. This threw them into the utmost
confusion. The attack in the darkness from an invisible
force was critical. At the first fire Capt. Dalyell fell.
The British fought with desperation, but were fittackedon all
sides, and a vigorous charge was made by the bayonet upon
the positions of the Indians ; but a scattering fire was kept up
by the savages from every place that could furnish them a
cover. At length, finding that their situation was perilous,
the British were ordered to retire, which was effected without
serious loss in this manoeuvre, under the direction of Captain
Grant, aided by that energetic and patriotic ofiicer. Major Ro-
gers.}: This retreat was covered on the shore of the Detroit
River by the armed gun-boats : and the whole party arrived
at the fort about 8 o'clock. It was only effected, however,
by driving the Indians from house to house and field to
field, until a line of defence could be made toward the fort.
In this action, according to the official returns, there were
19 killed and 42 wounded. Tlie place of its occurrence is
called Bloody Bridge.

♦ That, of Mr. Dcqnindrc.

f Consult Cass, Drake, and Thatil er.

I Mnjir Roi^ers deserves a passing notice. One of those iron men of early
times, which called forth the strongest powers of the mind and 'he firmest endur-
ance of the body. He was equally successful in wielding the sword and the pen.
After he had cut his way through the foresis against the Indians and the French,
he published a journal of hid travels. lie was a contemporary and rival of Gen.
Putnam ; and he is obnoxior.s to no charge but that of having turned Tory, ani
leaving this country for England. Caesar and Napoleon have made conquests,

" And fame, which all hunt after n their lives,
Lives registered upon their brazen tombs j"

while the reputation of those men who have borne the brunt of battle in a subor-
dinate character, is overshadowed. The name of Rogers should live as long ag
the records ©'"the [-'ngliRh government in this country.

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MICIIILrMACKIXAC,

117

" Her lake a sheet of silver, and lier plain,
Rent by no ravage save the gentle plough ;
Her aged trees rise thick, as once the slain
Lay where their rods are ; but a brook hath ta'en,
A little rill, of scanty stream and bed,
A name of blood from that day's sanguine rain."

Wliile these events were passing at Detroit, occurrences of
no less interest and more destructive in their consequences,
were transpiring at Michilimackinac, in the northern part of
the peninsula of Michigan. They were set in motion hy
Pontiac, the same master-mind which had plotted the over-
throw of the other posts on the lakes. At that time the
fort of Michilimackinac enclosed an area of two acres. It
was surrounded by pickets of cedar, was situated near the
water, and when the wind was at the west the waves broke
against the foot of the stockade. On the bastions there were
two small pieces of brass cannon, taken some years before by
a party of Canadians, in an expedition against the tradino-
posts of Hudson's Bay. The stockade contained about thirty
houses of commodious form ; and also a cliapel, in which
mass was regularly said by a .Tesuit missionary. The inha-
bitants at that time derived their principal support from the In-
dian trrders, wlio congregated at that point in their voyao-os
to and from Montreal. Here the furs were collected for trans-
portation from the upper lakes, and the outfits were prepared
for Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Mississippi, and there-
mote north-west. It contained, in 1763, about thirty families.
The garrison at that time was composed of ninety privates,
two subalterns, and the commandant ; and there were then
only four FiUglisli merchants at the fort. Alexander Henry,
an English trader, wli.o was invested with the right of traffic-
ing with the natives, owing to the prejudices which at that
time existed against the English, was oliliged to disguise him-
self as a Canadian on his passage to Michilimackinac. After
he arrived at that place, he was visited by a body of Chippe-
was, sixty iii number, each with his blanket thrown over his
shoulder, his tomahawk in one hand and his scalping-knife in
the other ; with feathers thrust through their noses, their
laces painted with grease and charcoal; and their bodies, which

I iS

118

niSTOIlY or MirHlOAN.

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were naked, wcro marked in various fiirures with white clay.
Attor seatinjr themselves around him, he was addressed in the
followino; speech by Minavavana tlieir chief, who at the same
time gave him a Uwv strings of wampum :—

''EngHshmen, it is to you that I speak, and I demand your
attention.

" Enghshmen, you knov ; French king is our father.

ITe promised to be such, ana ■ . in return promised to he his
children. This promise we have kept.

" Enghshmen, it is you tliat Iiave made war with this our
father. You are his enemy ; and how then could you have
the bohhiess to venture among us, his children ? You know
tliat his enemies are ours.

" Englishmen, we are informed that our father, tlie king of
France, isoldand infirm ; and tliat,being fatigued with nialdno-
war upon your nation, lie has liillen asleep. During this
sleep you have taken advantage of him, and j)os.sessed\our-
selves of Canada. But his nap is almost at an end. I think
I hear hnn already stirring and inquiring for Iiis children the
Indians ; and when he does awake, what must become of
you I He will destroy you utterly.

" Englishmen, although you have conquered the French,
yon have not yet conquered us. We are not your slaves!
These lakes, theso woods and mountains, are left to us by our
ancestors. They are our inheritance, and we M'ill part with
them to none. Your nation supposes that we, like the white
people, cannot live without bread, and pork, and beef; but
you ought to know that He, the Great Spirit and Mast'(>r of
I-ite, has provided food for us in these spacious lakes and on
these woody mountains.

" Englishmen, our father, the king of France, employed our
young men to make war upon your nation. In this warfare
many of them have been killed ; and it is our custom to re-
taliate imtil such time as the spirits of the slain are satislied.
But the spirits of the slain are to be satisfied in either of two
ways : the first is, by the spilling the blood of the nation by
winch they fell ; the other, by covering the bodies of the dead,

MICHILIIVIACKINAC.

119

and thus allaying llie resuiitment of their rchUious. Tliis is
done by nuikintr presents.

" Eiiglislnnen, your king has never sent us any presents,
nor entered into any treaty with vis ; wlierclbre lie and wo
are still at war ; and until he does these things, we must con-
sider that we have no other fjilher or hiend among the white
men than the king of France. 13ut for you, we have taken
into consideration that you have ventured among us in the
expectation that we should not molest you. You do not
come armed, witli an intention to make w(u-. You come in
peace to trade with us, and supi)ly us with necessaries of whieli
we p.rc in much want. We shall regard you, therefore, as a
brother ; and you may sleep trani[uilly, without fear of the
(vhippcwas. Asa token of our friendship, we present you
with this j)ipc to smoke."*

Henry was afterwards visited by a party of two hundred
Ottawa warriors, from L'Arbre Crocke, about seventy miles
west of Miciiilimackinac, at the entrance of Lake Michigan,
wliich was then the seat of the Jesuit mission of St. Ignace
de Michilimackinac. One of their chiefs addressed him in
these words, which exhibit the feelings of this tribe toward
the French and English.

This speech was addressed to Henry and two other mer-
chants, in the council-room of the commandant's house at
Michilimackinac, just as the trader was about to leave that
place with his goods : —

" Englishmen, We, the Ottawas, were some time since in-
form(!d of your arrival in this country, and of your having
brought with you the goods of which we have much need. A^t
this news we were greatly pleased, believing that, through your
assistance, our wives and children would be enabled to pass
another winter ; but what was our surprise when, a iaw days
ago, we were again informed that the goods which, as we had
expected, were intended for us, were on the eve of departure
for distant countries, of which some are inhabited by our ene-
mies. These accounts being spread, our wives and children

♦ Henry, p. 43.

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120

lUsiTOKV OK MIcnUiAN.

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cnme to us, crying, and desiring that we should go to the
fort, to learn with our cars their truth or falsoliood. We ac-
cordingly embarked almost naked as you see, and on our ar-
rival here, we have inquired uito the accounts, and found
them true. We see your canoes ready to de{)art, and find
your men engaged for the Mississippi and other distant re-

gions.

Under these eifcumstanecs We have considered the affair,
and you are now sent for ; that you may hear our determina-
tion, which is, that you shall give to each of our men, young
and old, merchandize and ammunition to the amount of fifty
beaver skins on credit ; and for which I have no doubt of
their paying you in the summer, on their return from their
wintering."*

Previous to the time of the attack upon Michilimackinac,
the Indians were noticed assembling from the siirrounding
forests in great numbers, with every appearance of friendship,
ostensibly for the purpose of disposing of their peltries ; and
during one night, four hundred lay around the fott. On
the 2d day of June, Powatan, a Chippewa chief, who had
manifested a strong attachment to Henry, came to his house,
and told him he was sorry the trader had returned from the
Sault ; that he was desirous himself to leave Michilimackinac,
and requested Henry to return with Iiim on the following
morning. The Chippewa chief also inquired of him wheth-
er the commandant, Major Etherington, had heard bad news ;
and stated that he himself had been disturbed by " the noise of
evil birds ;" and also informed the Ehiglish trader that there
were matiy Indians near the fort, who had not shown them-
selves inside. These requests and hints were urged again ou
the following day. Major Etherington was informed by
Henry of his suspicions, but no notice was taken of his re-
marks, as they were supposed to be the mere designs of the
Indians, to produce fear.

The next day was the king's bitth-day, and the morning
was sultry. In order to celebrate this event, a game was pro-

» llcniy, p. 48.

MICHILIMACKINAC DESTHOYED.

121

posed to be played between the Chippewns and Sacs for a
high wager. This game was called baggatiwaij, and it was
played with a l)at and l)all. The bat is about four feet lotio-,
carved, and it is terminated in a racket. Two posts are
planted in the ground about a milo ajiart, and each party
having its post, the game consists in propelling the ball
which is placed in the centre, toward the post of the adversary
in the game.

On the day previous, the Indians had been noticed repairing
in great numbers to the fort at Michilimackinac to purchase
tomahawks ; and they frequently desired to see silver arm-
bands, and otherbarbaric ornaments, which Henry had for s.ile.
These ornaments were not, however, purchased ; but .-ider in-
specting them, the Indians told him they would call the
next day. The manifest design of these visits was that they
might discover the place of their deposit, so that tliey might
know the point for pillage.

The design of the Indians was to throw the ball over the
pickets, and it was natural, in the heat of the game, that all
the Indians should rush after it. This stratagem was success-
ful. Major Etherington, the commandant, was present at the
game, and laid a wager on the side of the Chippewas, while
ail the garrison, who could be induced, were by some pretext
drawn outside of the picket for the purpose of weakening the
defences of the fort. In the midst of the game there was an
Indian war-yell, and the crowd of Indians who had rushed
after the ball within the pickets, were seen furiously cuttino-
down and scalping the English within the fort ; while many
of the English were struggling between the knees of the
Indians, who scalped them while alive. The Canadians
around the fort did not oppose the Indians, or suffer any in-
jury. Henry the trader had seen from his window the butch-
ery of the garrison, and finding that his unaided arm was in-
sufficient to cope with the savages, who had by that time ac-
quired the mastery, soon crawled over a low fence which di-
vided his own house from that of M. I-anglade, and enierino-,
requested some aid by which he could be preserved from the
general massacre. M. Langlade, a Canadian, who had been

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122

llIdTOKY OP MICHIGAN.

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loolunr Jt at his own window, turned for a moment to the
trader, »nd shrugging his shoulders, rephcd in French that
he could do nothing lor him. '• Q.uo voudriez-vous, que j'en
ferais ?" said this wliite savoge. At that moment, a slave be-
lono-ing to Langlade, of the Pawnee tribe of Indians, carried
him to a door, which she opened, and informed him that it led
to the garret, where he was desired to conceal himself. She
then locked the door with great presence of mind, and took
away the key. Through an aperture in the wall Henry
could command a complete view of the fort. He beheld the
barbarian triumphs of the savages in their foulest and blackest
form. Heaps of dead lay around the fort, scalped and mangled.
The dying were shrieking and writhing under the tomahawk
and scalping-knife, the bodies of the English soldiers were
gashed, and their blood was drank by the savages from the
hollows of joined hands, amid demon-like yells. Henry re-
mained in terrible suspense for some time, until he heard tho
cry, " All is finished," and at the same time some of tho In-
dians entered the house where he was concealed, and inquir-
ed of Langlade whether there were any Englishmen in the
house. M. Langlade replied that he could not say, that he did
not know of any, they might examine for themselves. The
Pawnee slave had secreted Henry by stealth, and did not
communicate the fact to any body. The Indians, however^
were brought to the garret door. The key was soon produc-
ed, and the Indians, besmeared with blood and armed with
tomahawks, ascended the stairs just as Henry had crept into a
heap of birch-bark vessels, which were used in making maple
suo-ar, and which lay in the further end of the garret. After
making two or three turno around the room, they departed
without discovering him. The dark color of his clothes, and the
absence of light in the room probably prevented his discovery.
There was at that time a mat in the room, and Henry fell
asleep ; and he was finally awakened by the wife of M. Lang-
lade, who had gone up to stop a hole in the roof. She was
surprised to see him there, remarked that tlie Indians had killed
most of the English, but that he might hope to escape. Hen-
ry lay there during the night. All chance of flight seemed to

MICIIILIMACKirAC DESTflOYED. 123

Ixj lost. He was without provisions, surrounded by savage
enemies, and was four hundred miles from Detroit

At len-th the wife of Langlade determined to "point out
Henry's place of concealment, and showed the Indians the
garret. Tier design, she stated, was to prevent the destruction
of her own children, whi-h would take place if an English-
man, was discovered concealed in her ho,u,e. Unlockiiro- the
door, she was followed by several Indians, naked down to
their wa,.st, and intoxicated, who were led by Wenniway,
a chief J his warrior was more than six feet in height, arid
Ins face and body were covered with charcoal and -rease
with the exception of a ring of two inches in diameter, which
eric.rcled each eye. At their entrance Henry roused him-
self from the bed which was in the garret, and Wenniway, a
chief, advancing with lips compressed, seized him by the
coat with one hand, and with the other held a large carvincr-
Kmfe,asiftoflungeitintohis breast, while his eyes were
steadfastly fixed on his. Gazing for a moment, he dropped his
arm, and said, " I won't kill you." He had been engaged in
many wars with the English, and had lost a brother^ whose
name was Musinigon. " You shall be called after him," said
the savage. Henry was afterwards stripped of his clothes
He was subsequently carried to L'Arbrc Croche as a prisoner'
where he was rescued by a band of three hundred Ottawas'
by whom, however, he was soon returned, and finally ransom-
ed by Wawatam. Several of the '„ ..-.'.ies of the English who
had been slain at Michilimackinac, were boiled and eaten ; and
Henry, when a prisoner, was given bread by the Indians
cut with the knife which had scalped his countrymen. At
thecapfnreofr.Tiohilimackinac only one trader, M. Tracv
bst his life. Seventy of the English troops were killed, and
the rest, together with the prisoners at St. Joseph and Green
Bay were kept in safety by the Ottawas until peace, and then
Ireely restored or ransomed at Montreal. The massacre of
the garrison, and the destruction of the fort by burnincr com-
pleted this project, which exhibits the strongest lines "of tra-
gedy. A number of canoes, filled with English traders, also
arrived about the same time ; and these M'ere dragged through

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124

HISTORY OP MICIIIGApr.

It f

flu; water, bcatoii, nnd inarched by the Indians to the prison
lodiTo. The massacre took place on the '3d of June; and the
sa\acr.'s, who wore about four hundred in number, enter-
taiuiiig apprehensions of the Enghsh and the other Indians
wfio had not joined tliom, soon retired to the island of
Mackinaw. There Henry was concealed by Wawatam from
the intoxication of the savages in the " salt rock," where ho
lay for one night on a heap of human bones. The post of
Michilimackiiiac having been destroyed, the savages seemed
to have glutted their revenge ; while some repaired to the post
nt Detroit, to aid Pontiac in that siege.*

The operations of Pontiac in this quarter soon called for
efficient aid on the part of the English Government ; and dur-
ing the season. Gen. Bradstrcet arrived to the relief of the
posts on the lakes with an army of three thousand men.
Having burned the Indian corn-fields and villages at Sandus-
ky and along the rich bottoms of the Maumee, and dispersed
the Indians whom he there found, lie reached Detroit with-
out opposition. The tribes of Pontiac, with the exception of
the Delawares and Shawanese, finding that they could not
successfiilly compete with such a force, laid down their arms
nnd concluded a treaty of peace. Pontiac,t however, took no
part in the negotiation, and retired to the Illinois, where he was
assassinated, about the year 1767, by an Indian of the Peoria
tribe. The Ottawas, the Potawatamies, and the Chippewas,
made common cause in revenging his death, by waging war
and nearly ext(.'rminating the tribes of the murderer. That

• I have had the inspection of a French manuscript, "Journal of the Pontiac
War," wrillen during its occurrence. The record is, however, discolored by time,
garbled, and unsatisfactory ; amplifying on unimportant detuils, and exhibiting
no connected chain of prominent facts. I am also indebted in this place to the
MSS. of John R. Williams ; also to Henry's account.

t A botiic of brandy was at one time sent to Pontiac by Col. Rogers ; and
his warriors cnutioncd him not to taste it, lest it might be poisoned. Pontiac, how-
ver, rejected their advice. " He cannot take my life," said the Ottawa chief, " I have
saved hi?." In commenting on this anecdote, the Abbe Raynal remarks :— " A
hundred traits of equal cluvation have fixed upon Pontiac the gaze of the savage
nations. He wished to rc-unilc all his tribes for the purpose of making their
territory and independence respected, but unfortunate circumstances prevented
the project." Rmjnal, Hist. Phil. Pel).

INDIANS DISPERSED.

125

terrific draniu, got up by this son of the forest, stamps his
name with greatness. The hving marble and the glowing
canvass may not embody his works ; but they are identified
with the soil of the western forest, and will live as long as the
remembranco of its aboriginal inhabitants, the Algonquin
race.*

• It ia stated oftho treatment by the Indians of Captain Campboll, that " ihey
boiled his heoftand ate it, and made a pouch of the skin of his arms." The
terms of submission proposed by Pontiac to Campbell, afier he wos secured as a
prisoner, were, that the British should lay down their arms, as their fathers the
French, had before beun obliged to do ; leave their cannon, magazines, and mer-
chants' goods, and bo escorted in batteaux to Niagara. He was answered by
that officer, that he had not been sent there to deliver up the fort to Indians or
any body else, and llmt he would therefore defend it so long as a single man
could stand by his side. The siege was thereupon recommenced, and it was
conducted with such perseverance, that for months the whole garrison, officers,
soldiers, merchants, and servants, were upon the ramparts every night, not one
having slept in a house, except the sick and wounded in the hospital.— Z>e<roit
Diary.

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126

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

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CHAPTER VIII.

Condition of Michiaan after the Pontiac war — The Hudson's Bay Company —
The Nortii-west Company — The American Fur Company — Adminiatratiou
of the law by the English — Silver found in Lake Huron — Project for working
the Copper Mines of Lake Superior — Condition during the American Revo-
lution — Byrd's Expedition — Governor Hamilton's Expedition — Indian relationa
— Netawatwoes — Captaui Pipe — While Eyes — German Missionaries carried
to Detroit — Indian Council — Speech of Captain Pipe — Missionaries acquitted.

After the Pontiac war, a system of conciliation was exer-
cised by the EngUsh toward the Indians as well as toward
the French citizens. The energies of the few scattered inha-
bitants continued to be devoted to tlie fur trade ratlier than
to the pursuit of agricuUurc. Grants were made by the En-
gUsh commandants of the forts on the lakes, and along the
principal streams in Michigan ; which, however, were unau-
thorized by the British Government. Similar grants were
also executed by the Indians. After the post of Michilimack-
inac was destroyed, the English made a permanent settlement
on the island of Mackmaw. On the accession of the English,
little attention was paid to the old French laws ; and upon the
treaty of 17G3, new courts of civil and criminal jiu'isdiction
were established, in which the laws of England were intro-
duced. This treaty, made at Paris, surrendered the dominion
of Michigan from France to England, the " Family Compact"
which had been made between Franco and Spain, to sustain
the jurisdiction of the country, having fallen to the ground.
In 1750 the French settlements extended along the banks of
the Detroit River for twenty miles above and below the town
of Detroit.* The country, then productive, was used in the
cultivation of oats, buck-wheat, peas, wheat, and Indian corn ;
and was also remarkable for fine pasturage. The town of
Detroit had about one hundred houses, a range of barracks,
and a spacious parade at the south end. A tract of land, call-

* Sec a pamphlet published in London in 177S, by Thos. Ilufchins, captain in
the 160th regiment of foot.

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KNOLISn AND AMERICAN FUH TRADE. 127

ed " the King's Garden," on the west side was handsomely
laid out and adorned. The main defence of the town was a
fence of pickets settled firmly in the ground, and lined with
palisades protected with bastions, which were mounted with
small cannon, just sufficient to cope with the Indians, or an
enemy not provided with artillery. The garrison consisted
of about two hundred men, under the command of a field of-
ficer, subject to the cognizance of the English Governor-o-e-
neral of Canada.* '^

The Hudson's Bay Company, which was chartered about
the year 1696 by the English crown, and had exercised a
broad and despotic dominion over the wilderness of the north,
now stretched its operations toward the lakes, upon the do-
main which had before been occupied for that object by the
French. The great value of the furs which then abounded
m that region, was the object which was sought. It was,
however, only in the year 1766 that the trade was carried on
to any great extent by the English upon the shores of Michi-
gan, although private adventurers had pushed tlieir enter-
prises to the remotest coast of Lake Superior. The Eno-lish
company, jealous of these individual expeditions, as they had
been of those under the French government, now enlarged
the circle of their operations ; and in 1774 came into frequent
and severe collisions with individual traders whom they met
in their wanderings. The consequences were injurious to the
trade, as the time and energies which might have been em-
ployed in securing advantages to themselves, were devoted to
petty quarrels, and the forest became a scene of brawls,
and a battle-ground of the contending parties. The war was
organized into a system. The traders of the Hudson's Ray
Company followed the Canadians to their difl^erent posts, and
used every method to undermine their power.t

During the winter of 1783, the merchants who had been
before engaged in the fur trade, formed a partnership, and es-
tablished the North-west Company. No capital was at that
time paid hi, but the stock was divided into sixteen shares, and

♦ Sec Henry and Carver.

t Consult Mackcnzio's Account of the Fur Trade.

All

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128

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

each partner engaged to pay his quota in goods requisite to
carry on the trade. The company then commenced opera-
tions. In 1787, a certain proportion of the shares was held by
the agents of the company, whose duty it was made to import
from England the goods destined for the fur trade, to store
them at Montreal, to cause them to be made into articles suit-
ed to the trade, to pack and forward them, and to supply the
money required for the outfits. Two of these agents went
annually to Detroit, Mackinaw, St. Marie, the Grand Portage,
and Montreal ; where they received the peltries which had
been collected from the interior, packed and shipped them for
England. The company for a time made vast profits. In
1798 it had imdergone some modification, and the sharL^
were increased to forty-six. The following table exhibits the
product of the trade for one year previous to 1774 : —

06,000 Beaver skins,

600 Wolverine skins,

2,100 Bear skins,

1,650 Fisher skins.

1,500 Fox skins,

100 Raccoon skins.

4,000 Kitt Fox skins,

3,800 Wolfskins,

4,600 Otter skins.

700 Elk skins.

16,000 Musksquash skuis,

750 Deerskins,

32,000 Martin skins,

1,200 Deer skins, dressed.

1,800 Mink skins.

500 Buffalo robes, and a

6,000 Lynx skins.

quantity of castorum.

The mode of proceeding in the fur trade, during the year 1794,
was modelled somewhat after the French plan. Eighteen
months before they could leave Montreal, and in the month
of October, the agents ordered the goods to be used in the fur
trade from England. In the following spring they were ship-
ped from London, and in the succeeding summer they arrived
in Canada. During the winter following they were made up
into such articles as were required by the savages, and are
then packed in parcels, each weighing ninety pounds. These
were sent to Montreal about the 1st of May. In the ensuing
winter they were exchanged for furs, which arrived at Mon-
treal during the next fall, and were then shipped to London.
In the following spring they were sold, and paid for as late

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ENGLISH AXD AxMKRIC/VN FUR TRADE.

129

as June.* The payments were thus made forty-two months
after the goods were ordered in Canada, and twenty-four after
they had been forwarded from Montreal. The articles im-
ported for the English fur trade were those which were in
demand by the Lidians. They consisted chiefly of coarse
woollen cloth of various kinds, blankets of various sorts and
sizes, arms, ammunition, tobacco, Manchester goods, linens and
coarse sheetings ; threads, lines, and twine ; common hard-
ware ; cutlery, brass, and copper-kettles ; sheet-iron ; silk and
cotton handkerchiefs, hats, shoes, hose, calicoes, printed cot-
tons ; and also all goods which were demanded in the market
of Montreal. The machinery of the fur trade was complex,
and to conduct it required a considerable amount of capital',
and many employees. They were comprised of clerks, inter-
preters, guides, canoe-mcn, who consisted of foremen, middle-
men, and steersmen.t The canoes, generally ot a large size,
containing eight or ten men each and about sixty-five pack-
ages of goods, were despatched for the expedition about the
month of May. There were also necessarily extensive estab-
lishments connected with the trade, such as store-houses, trad-
ing houses, and places of accommodation for the agents and
partners of the larger companies. The mode of livinir at the
Grand Portage on Lake Superior in 1794 was the foUowino- •_
The proprietors ofthe establishment, the guides, clerksfand
interpreters, messed together ; somethne.s lo the number of one
hundred, in a large hall. Bread, salt-pork, beef, butter, veni-
son, and fish, Indian corn, potatoes, tea, and wine, were their
provisions. Several cows were kept around the establishments
which supplied them with milk. The corn was prepared at
Detroit by being boiled in a strong alkali, and was called " ho-
mmee." The mechanics had rations of this sort of provi-
sion, while the canoe-meu had no allowance but melted fat and
Indian corn.

The Hudson Bay and the North-west Company, formed in
1737, soon came into active and desperate collision. The
struggle was founded on mercantile rivalry, and disputes re-

Mpxkcnzie.

f Ibid.

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IlISTOUV OF MICHIGAN.

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gnrdino: the lines of di-uiarkalion bountlt^d by their charters.
Lord Selkirk placed himselt at the head ol" tlio lludsoii's
Bay Company, for the jjiirpose of c.stahlisliin;^ what ho con-
ceived to he tlieir riiihts ; and fnially succeeded in anialgaiuat-
ing tiie stock, and (piietinfif the claims of his rivals. The con-
test was \vao;ed by the North-west Comj)any after they had
transferred all their riohts and posts south and west of the
lines of debarkation to the American V'nr Company, organiz-
ed by the mercantile veteran, John .lacob Astor. This last-
named company iias continued its trade up to this period, hold-
ing important establishments on the north-western lakes.*

The dress of the traders, most ol' whom had been employed
under the Frencli government, consisted of a blanket coat, a
shirt of striped cotton, trowsers of cloth, or lealiier leggins
similar to those of the Indians, ntoccasins wrougiit from deer-
skins, a red or parti-colored btlt of worsted, whicli contained
suspended a knife and tobacco-pouch, and a blue woollen cap
or iiat, in the midst of which wf\s stuck a red feather. Light-
hearted, cheerlul and courteous, they were over ready to en-
camp at night among the savages, or in their own wigwams
to join in the dance, or to awaken the solitude of the wilder-
ness with their boat-songs as tliey swept with vigorous arm
across the bosom of the waters.

Even as late as ISIO the island of Mackinaw, the most ro-
mantic point on the lakes, which lises from tlie watery realm
like an altar of a. river god, was the central mart of the traf-
fic, as old Michilimackinac had been for a century before. At
certain seasons of the year it was made a rendezvous for the
ninnerous classes connected with this trailic. At those sea-
sons, the transparent waters around this beautiful island were
studded with the canoes of the Indians and traders. Here
might then be found tlie merry Canadian voyageur, with his
muscular figure strengthened by the hardships of the wilder-
ness, bartering for trinkets at the various booths scattered along
its banks. The Indian warrior, bedecked with the most fan-
tastic ornaments, embroider . moccasins, mid silver armlets ;

* Sec Waahington Irving's Astorin.

ENGILSH AND AMERICAN PUR TRADE.

131

tho nortli-wcsters armed with dirks— the iron men who had
grappled with tlie grizly befir, and endured the hard fare ot
tho north ; and tlie soutli-westcr also put in his claims to de-
ference.*

Fort William, near the Grand Portage on Lake Superior,
was also one of the principal posts of the North-west Compa-
ny. It was the place of junction when the leading partners
from Montreal met the more active agents of the wilderness
to discuss the interests of the traffic. The grand conference
was attended with a demi-savage and baronial pomp. The
partners from Montreal, clad in the richest furs, ascended an-
nually to that point in huge canoes, manned by Canadian
voyageurs, and provided with all the means of the most lux-
urious revelry. Tho council-house was a large wooden
building, adorned with the trophies of the chase, barbaric or-
naments, and decorated implements used by the savages in
war and peace. At such periods the post would be crowded
with traders from the depths of the wilderness and from Mon-
treal ; partners of the company, clerks, interpreters, guides,
and a numerous host of dependents. Discussions of grave
import regarding the interest of the traffic, made up the argu-
ments of such occasions ; and the banquet was occasionally in-
terspersed with loyal songs from the Scotch Highlander or
the aristocratic IJriton, proud of his country and his kino-.
Such were the general features of a traffic which constituted
for a century, under the French and Fnglish governments,
the commerce of the north-W(\stfirn lakes. It was a trade
abounding in tho severest hardships and the most hazardous
enterprises. This was the most glorious epoch of mercantile
ent(Mj)rise in the forests of the north-west, when its hal (-sa-
vage dominion stretched upon the lakes for an hundred years
over regions large enough for empires ; making barbarism
contribute to civilization.!

Ill
I 1

♦ Consult Irving's Astoriii,

t The American Fur Company, now in existence, and extending its opera-
tio!;s from lUv slioros of tlio lakes to those of the Paci ic, modelled in its opera-
tioiis somewhat after tlio old Frcncliand English companies, has its trading es-
tablishments scattered throush the forests. They have connected with them the

132

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

X K i ' !,

The ndministrniion of the law under the EngUsh domina-
tion, aUliough more systematic than that under ihe French,
was yet crude and undigested. The powers of the governors'
jurisdiction who were the commandants of the forts, and the
rights of the governed, were not clearly defined. There were
no regularly organized courts, and no separate jurisdictions
marked out. How could such courts be organized, when only a
sparse and migratory population were scattered upon the fron-
tier? The commandant of the posts was the executive officer in
bringing subjects of litigation before a magistrate of his own ap-
pointment, and also the organ through which sentence was to
be executed upon the offender. The (Quebec act was passed in
1774. By this act the boundaries of Canada were establish-
ed, and they embraced Canada under its present limits, avast
region of country on Lake Erie, including Michigan, extend-
ing to the Mississippi and the Ohio, and north from the St.
Lawrence to the latitude of 52^, to the lands of Hudson's
Bay The act ordained that all the subjects of Canada, who
professed the religion of the church of Rome, might exercise
their religious faith, subject to the English crown ; and tliat
the clergy should hold their franchises with respect only to
such persons as professed the Catholic religion ; while it was
made lawful for the crown to make such provision as they
might think proper out of these fi-anchises, for the support of
the Protestant religion.* By that act, the body of the Cana-
dians, with the exception of the religious orders, were secured
in their property, with the right of recourse to the French laws
of Canada in all controverted matters ; but not extending to
lands granted by the crown in common soccage or fee-simple.

fishery. A larce amount of Mackinaw trout, white fish, and other products of the
lake, is packed'in barrels and shipped abroad. The progress of emisraliot. has
driven the fur trade from Lake Erie to the banks of Lake Huron and Lake Su-
pcrior. The most important point of the traffic is, however, on Lake Superior.
The American side of the lake is occupied by the American Fur Company as
well as individual traders ; and the English side by that of Hudson's Bay, which
was amalgamated with the North-west Company m 1S21. The furs wereformerly
shipped to England or China. A large ataouni now find a market m the cUios
of our own country.
♦ McGregor's British America,

ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION OP THE LAW.

133

The criminal laws of England were introduced. It prescrib-
ed a council, with the power to make ordinances with the
Governor's consent, but not to impose taxes except for
making roads. It also reserved to the crown the power of
establishing courts of civil, criminal, and ecclesiastical juris-
diction. This act continued until the year 1791, when
another act was passed through the agency of Mr. Pitt, which
was denominated the Constitutional Act.

Under the auebec act, rank injustice sprang up in the posts
of Michigan, from a Avant of legal knowledge and a proper
system in the legal administration. One example will exhibit
the mode in which this law was administered. Governor Ha-
milton, a rude officer, the Governorand commandant of Detroit,
ordered Philip Dejean, a respectable emigrant from France,
and a magistrate of the colony, to try certain criminals for their
offences. M. Moran, a prisoner, had before been tried in the
same mode, and executed. When the circumstances of the trial,
which IS contained in the subjoined record- a trial which was
conducted against the common rules of law— reached Quebec,
it was regarded with the utmost indignation. Lord Dorches-
er and the Chief Justice of the King's Bench conceived it to
be their duty to cause warrants to be issued against Hamilton
and Dejean, before whom the prisoners had been condemned.
Governor Hamilton, as well as Dejean, had left Detroit for
Vincennes before the warrants arrived at Detroit, and they
were both taken prisoners. The friends of the parties endea-
vored to make interest for Hamilton and Dejean, but they ne-
ver returned to Canada, and never visited England. Hamil-
ton died in the West Indies, where he was appointed to some
station ; and Dejean afterwards resided at New London in
Connecticut, where it is stated that he was appointed consul
for France. The record of a criminal trial in 1776 throws
hght on the general administration of the law at that period.*
" Detroit, ss.

" The jurors for our lord the king, upon their oaths present
that Jean Contencinau, a Canadian, formerly a servant to

* This record was found in the possession of Judge May. He knew the
judge and jury who tried the cause.

134

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

! -;•

Messrs. Abbot and Fincbloy, tlie 21th day of June, and in the
fourteentli year of our sovereign lord the kiug aforesaid, at
Detroit aforesaid, eight pounds of beaver skins, two otter skins,
and some raccoon skins, to the value of four pounds sterling,
of the goods and chattels of the said Abbot and Finchley,
subtilly, privily, craftily, and without the knowledge of the
said Abbot and Finchley, then and there did steal, take, and
convey away, against the pence of our lord the king, his
crown and dignity. And that Ann Wylcy, formerly slave to
said Abbot and Finchley, did steal, or was acccssonj to steal-
ing, a purse containing six guineas, the property of James
Abbot aforesaid, which purso and money were fonnd on the
person of the said Ann Wyley. The prisoners of the bar being
indicted for attempting to set fire to the house of the said Ab-
bot and Finchley, the jurors have not found suflicicnt proof
of the same, though the circumstances are very much against
them.

" Given under our hands at Detroit,
March, 1770.

" James Sterling,

Thomas Williams,

D. Baby,

B. Chapoton,

James Bannerman,

Jacques Campcau,

The Judgment.

" The jurors agreeing, and having brought in their verdict,
Guilty, the prisoners were set to the bar, and received sen-
tence to be executed on Tuesday the 26tli inst.,on the king's
domain."

On the back of the above record, the following appears m
the hand-writing of Philip Dejean, the justice before whom the
prisoners were tried. It is in the French language, and the
following is a literal translation : —

"The jurors for our sovereign lord tlie king, report that
John Contencinau, a Canadian, lately a domestic to Abbot and
Finchley,did,on the 2lth of June, in the fourteenth year of the
reign of the king, subtilly, privily, craftily, and secretly steal,

this TSth aay of

Gregor McGregor,
Joseph Gamelin,
Henry Bostwick,
Calapierre,
Colton Andrews,
Beaufort."

ENULIsa ADMlNiaTUATION OP THE LAW.

135

nsrainst the peace and dignity of onr sovereign lord the king,
eiirlK pounds orbcavcr, two otier, and several raccoon skins ; tho
wliolo appertaining to the siiid Abbot and Finchicy, amounting
to four pounds slerUng. Ann Wyley, formerly slave to the suid
Abbot and Finchley, stole, or was «fc«.ve(/ of having stolen, a
purst! containing six guineas, belonging to the said Abbot and
Finchley, which said i)urse was found upon her.

" Tiio prisoners of tlir ii.-ir were aeensed of havingset fire
to tlie house of the said Abbot and Finchley also. The jury did
not find the proof sullicient, although the circumstances were
very strong against them. The jury having madethciraforesaid
report, it is evident that the said prisoners arc guilty of a do-
mestic theft, and for the aforesaid theft have receive 1 sentence
of death, pronounced in the following terms :— 1' ,u shall be
hanged— huuffed—hmiffcd, and strangled / ulil you bo
dead, on the king's public domain {the common), the 26th
inst., precisely at twelve o'clock ; and the Lord have mercy
upon your souls."

" You see, my dear brother, that it is neither the jury nor
myself that has condemned you todeath — it is the law that you
have violated. It is for a domestic theft that you are now
going to lose your life. According to the English laws, a do-
mestic who steals a shilling, or tlie value thereof, merits death ;
and according to the laws of France, a domestic who steals
five sous (about four cents) also forfeits his life. Now, I ask
you, my dear brother, where was at that moment the fear of
God, which you ought to have laad before your eyes ? Can
you perceive, then, that it ./ould be just to pass this crime with
impunity, unpunished ? Sooner or later you would be disco-
vered. Blame yourself for the death t'ou are going to suffer
and say with me, ' Yes, my God, I aclcnowledge myself cul-
pable ; and T suffer without murmur the punishment which the
law pronounces against my crime. Pardon me, my God ! and
deign to give to me the strength and courage that is necessa-
ry for my situation. I exhort all those that hear me, and
that arc here present, particularly those who are obligated to
act as servants, to take an example with me, poor unfortunate
man, who is going to suffer so terrible a death. Keep always

c . '

» <5

ilill

13G

HISTORY 01' MICHIGAN.

il i

! *fl'

1' ■

«■!!'

the foar ov God before your eyes, nor ever abandon him : be-
cause he says positively, those who abandon him he will
abandon them. You will always bear in mind the laws whicii
are cno-raved on the tables ol your hoarts, and do not follow
any bad example. If your masters are wicked enough to
show them to you, understand that God andtlte laws will not
excuse you, and say with me the Lord's Prayer and Ave
Maria."

In conjunction with the fur trade, numerous projects were
commenced to discover the precious metals in the region of
tiie north-west, especially upon the shores of Lake Superior.
It was originally supposed that this region abounded in va-
luable mines ; and as early as 1772, Mr. Norburg, a Russian,
who accompanied Henry the trader in a part of his expedition,
found upon the shore of Lake Huron a mass of silver imbed-
ded in other ore, which produced the pure metal in the pro-
portion of sixty per cent. This mass was contained in a
fragment of eight pounds weight. The silver was carried to
England, and deposited in the British Museum.*

In 1 773 a more important, project was commenced for the pur-
pose of workmg the copper-mines of Lake Superior. Fo' that
object a charter was granted in England to a company, the
partners of which consisted of the Duke of Gloaces'er, Mr.
Secretary Townsend, Sir Samuel Tntchet, Bart., Mr. Baxter,
Consul of the Empress of Russia, Mr. Cruirkshank, Sir Wil-
liam Johnson, Bart., !VTr. Rosfwirk, and Alexander Hemy, the
trader. A sloop was purchased, and the miners commenced
operations and blasted thirty feet into the solid rock. It was
soon found, however, that the exp-:.o3 of blasting and of ex-
portation would not warrant the enterprise ; and the sloop
being sold and the miners discharged, it was soon relinquish-
ed. Scon after the "onquest of Canada, a company of adven-
turers from England hr \ commenced excavating the copper,
and transporting it ; but mat project was also given up on ac-
count of " the distracted affairs in America."!

The causes of the American revolution arc well known.
The people of the Colonies had proclaimed that taxation with-
♦ ConsultHenry'8 Travels, and also Carver. + Henry.

WAR OF THK RF.VOIATIOX.

137

out rcprescntntion was unjust ; that their pi-titions for the re-
dress of clear and acknowledged grievances had been rejeotrd ;
and they threw themselves for redress upon their arms. But ilio
struggle was enacted without the bounds of Michigan. The
people of Canada, within which Michignu was then included,
were removed from tlic more immediate causes of war, and they
did no*, thercfbre,jointlie Atlantic states inthai struggle. They
were, on the contrary, united witli England against the cause
of revolution. That monarchical spirit, which had grown
strong under the old French regime and the British crown,
coutmued lirmly leagued with aristocratic doctrines ; while
the iron men of New- York and New England, and the chi-
valrous sons of the south, who had fled from the very shadow
of the l]ritish monarchy, bore the brunt of the rebellion. The
French Imbitans, who had been accustomed to the restraints
of a monarchy, had colonized the cnmtry for the purposes of
trade and aggrandizement ; and the English portion v( the
population had emigrated to the Canadian territory in the em-
ployment of the British crown, or to secure the advantages
which were afforded by its trade. It is not extraordinary,
therefore, that the Canadians, English as well as French,'
should have been found opposed to the Atlantic colonifs dur-
ing that struggle. Michigan, although removed from the seat
of war, was the rendezvous of liostile bands of Indians, who
were sent out against the American wilderness, and the bloody
mart where the price of scalps was paid. War parties were
constantly going out from Mackinaw and Detroit, and re-
turning with these scalps, for which they were paid at the old
council-liouse in Detroit.

One expedition at that time despatched from Detroit, was
led by Captain Byrd. His force was composed of a body of En-
glish troops, militia and a large force of Indian warriors. This
force left Detroit in boats well manned and supplied, and they
ascended the Maumee to Ohio. Ttie design of the expedition
was to attack Louisville; but the high water having prevented,
he crossed over to Kentucky, and appeared suddenly before
" Ruddle's Station." Exhibiting a force that could not be en-
countered with success by tiiut garrison, it surrendered on

•t!

I' i>

?•

'./'

> n

imiiiiii

mwmHI

133

UISTOHY OF MICIUOAN.

promise of protection from the Indians. This promise, liow-
ever. was disregarded, and the garrison was massacred. Byrd
afterwards cajitnrcd a small stockade in tluit qnarter, called
Martin's Station, and his advance spread the ntmost consterna-
tion through the conntry. Hefoie, however, asnllicicnt force
could be organized against him, ho withdrew his forces from
that region.*

Another expedition was also sent out from Detroit, under
the command of Henry Hamilton, the governor of this post.
Gen. George Rogers Clark, a brave and energetic oliicer, had
been despatclicd by the Governor of Virginia for the defence
of the Kentucky frontier, which was then feeble and exposed.
Believing that the most direct means of accomplishing tliat
object was to capture the posts in the Illinois, he descended the
Ohio, reduced Kaskaskia,Caliokia, and several other small set-
tlements in this region. When Governor Hamilton, who was
then at Detroit, received information of his success, he collected
nil the force which could be obtained, comprised of regular
troops, militia, and Indians, and proceeded to Vincennes for
the purpise of dislodging him. There lie halted, in order to
commence operations as soon as the season would permit. It
was his purpose to recover the posts which had been taken,
to destroy the force of General Clark, and to devastate the in-
fant settlements of that territory.

Clark, who was watching liis movements, was advised by
a Spanish merchant that Hamilton, who was careless in his
operations, had despatclicd a part of his force to the Ohio
River, to watch that stream and harass the settlements along
its banks ; and he immediately secured a small armed boat
and supplied it with provisions for his troops. Ordering this
boat to proceed down the Wabash, a short distance below
Nashville, and to permit nothing to pass that river, he set
out with one hundred and thirty men, the only force he could
procure, he started for that place in mid-winter. During this
campaign the force of Clark suffered extraordinary hardship,
and was sixteen days in crossing the country, five of wliich

♦ Ciiss's Diatoursf.

EXPKniTIOiNS FROM DETUOIT.

139

wore employed iu wading through tlie overflowed banks oftho
Wabash. During five of these, his detachment marched with
water reaching to their breasts. Suddenly he appeared be-
fore Vinceiuies, witli a tree shaped hke a cannon ; by which
stratagem ho persuaded Ilarniiton that he had brought with
him artillery. The post was immediately surrendered. Ha-
milton, who hud been active in inciting the barbarity of tho
savages, was put in irons and sent to Virginia, while the mili-
tia who accompanied Iiim were permitted to retin-n to Detroit.'
During tho period of the Revolutionary war, the Indians
upon tho lakes were the subject of much anxiety to th<; En-
glish government, and it was their policy to enlist all the In-
dian strength which they could excite against the cause of
the colonies. At the commencement of the contest, a mes-
sage was received from the British king, calling upon them to
preserve the terms of peace. Among those most flivorable to
neutrality were the Delaware chief Netawatwees, and White
Eyes. As early as 1776 a message was received from the
Hurons in the vicinity of Detroit, 'requesting the Dclawares
to keep their shoes in readiness to "join the warriors." This
message Netawatwees would not receive, but despatched se-
veral belts of wampum to the cliicf of the Tlurons at Detroit,
admonishing them to remain quiet, and to remember the mi-
sery which they had brought upon themselves by engaging in
the former wars between the French and the English.' This
message was delivered to the chief of the Hurons at Detroit,
in presence of the English conunandant De Peyster. His
rage was ungovern.ible, as he had Jioped to engage the as-
sistance of the Indians in behalf of the British king! He cut
tlie belts in pieces, cast them on the ground before the In-
dian messengers, and commanded them to depart within half
an hour from that part of the country.t

There is evidence to show, that in 1778, as well as at a
later time, the Delawaros and the other Indian nations in this

r'i

• 4ri

* See Cns.s's ni>cnursf>.

t See Loskicl'8 Ili.-toiv of ilif Missions of the United Brethren; London.
1791, '

i IJ

C'^^

140

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

n •

i 1

■

quarter were urged by promises and throats to embark against
the American colonies in behalf of the British Government.

All the avenues were secured by which the British com-
mandant could attain his end. Certain Moravian missionaries,
who were established on the Muskingum, were believed to
exercise their influence over the Indians in favor of the colo-
nists ; as it was alleged that they had received a message from
the Congress of Philadelphia, couched in the kindest terms,
and stating that an Indian agent would be appointed, and that
the Indians of the missionaries should correspond with him
on all public concerns. In consequence of the reports made
by the enemies of the missionaries that they had influenced
tlic Indians, an officer marclied from Detroit, as early as 1779,
Avith the avowed object of taking the most influential of these
missionaries ; on the ground that if he was removed the De-
lawares and the other tribes would join the British.*

On these suspicions the English commandant at Detroit
determined, if possible, to remove the pacific influence of the
German missionaries. For that object, the English agent ot
Indian aftairs was sent to Niagara to attend a grand couiicil
of the Iroquois at that place, and request them to remove the
missionaries and their Indian congregation. The plan was
arranged ; but the Iroquois not wishing to undertake the ac-
tive agency of the mattei themselves, sent a message to the
Chipp"cwas and Ottawas with a belt, stating that tliey made
them " a present of the Indian congregation to make soup of."
This request was declined by those tribes, and in consequence
the same message was sent to the half-king of the Hurons,
and accepted by him, backed by Captain Pipe, the Delaware

chief.

In November, 1781, four of these missionaries, among
whom was lle^tkewelder, reached Detroit, and were soon
brousrht before the English commandant De Peyster. Ko-
guethagechton, called by the Americans White Eyes, was the
head chief of the Turtle tribe in Ohio; while Capt-un Pipe,
of the Wolf tribe, was an avowed friend of the British against

» Pec l.oskicl.

SPlCECn OP CAPTAIN PIPE.

141

the Colonies. A council for their trial was held at the coun-
cil-house at Detroit ; Captain Pipe was present with his Wolf
warriors. The tribes were ranged around the hall, which
was filled with the concourse. On each side of the comman-
dant a war-chief of each of the two divisions held a stick in
his hand of four feet in length, strung with American scalps
which they had just taicen. Captain Pipe was called upon
for his sentiments, and he arose and delivered the following
speech : — *

" Father !" he began ; mid here he paused, turned round to
the audience with a most sarcastic look, and then proceeded
in a lower tone, as addressing them—'' I have said father,
though indeed I do not know why I 'lould call him so, I
have never known any father but the French. I have only
considered the English as brothers. But as this name is
imposed upon us, I shall make use of it, and say— Father"-—
fixing his eyes again on the commandant—" some time ago
you put a war-hatchet into my hands, saying, « Take this wea-
pon, and try it on the heads of my enemies the Long-Knives,
and let me know afterwards if it was sharp and good.'

« Father :— At the time you gave me this weapon, I had
neither cause or wish to go to war against a foe who had
done me no injury. But you say you are my father, and call
mo your cliild, and in obedience to you I received the hatchet.
1 knew that if I did not obey you, you would withhold from
me the necessaries of life, whicli I could procure no where but
here. Father, you may perhaps think me a fool for risking
my life at your bidding, and that in a cause in which I have
no prospect of gaining any thing. For it is your cause and
not mine. You have raised a quarrel among yourselves,
and you ought to fight it out. It is your concern to fight the
Long-Knives. You should not compel your children, the
Indians, to expose themselves to danger for your sake. Fa-
ther, many lives have al-eady been lost on your account. The
tribes have sufil-red and been weakened. Children have lost
parents and brothers— wives have lost husbands. It is not

♦ Soo Tliatclier'3 " Lives of the Indians."

• i

h .

H » ax iitt, w

142

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

^?i il

known how many more may perish before your war will be
at an end.

" Father : — I have said you may perhaps think me a fool
for thus thoughtlessly rushing on your enemy. Do not be-
lieve this, fatlier ; think not I want sense to convince me,
that although you now pretend to keep up a perpetual enmity
to the Long-Knives, you may before long conclude a peace
with them. Father, you say you love your children, the In-
dians. This you have often told them ; and indeed it is your
interest to say so to them, that you may have them at your
service. But father, who of us can believe that you can love
a people of a different color from your own better than those
who have white skins like yourselves ? Father, pay atten-
tion to what I am going to say. While you, father, are setting
me on your enemy, much in the same manner as a hunter sets
liis dog on the game ; while I am in the act of rushing on
that enemy of yours with the bloody destructive weapon you
gave me, I may, perchance, happen to look back to the place
from whence you started me ; and what shall I see ? Perhaps
I may see my father shaking hands with the liOng-Knives ;
yes, with those very people he now calls his enemies. I may
then see him laugh at my folly for having obeyed his orders.
And yet I am now risking my life at his command. Father,
keep what I have said in remembrance. Now, father, here
is what has been done with the hatchet you gave me, (hand-
ing the stick with the scalps on it), I have done with the hatch-
et what you ordered me to do, and found it sharp. Never-
theless I did not do all that I might have done. No, I did
not. My heart failed me. I felt compassion for your enemy.
Innocence had no part in your quarrels ; therefore I distin-
guished, I spared. I took some live flesh, which, while I was
bringing to you, I spied one of your large canoes, on which I
put it for you. In a few days you will receive this flesh, and
find that the skin is of the same color with your own. Fatlier,
I hope you will not destroy what I have saved. You have
the means of preserving that which would perish with us for
want. The warrior is poor, and his cabin is always empty ;
but your house is always full."

MISSIONARIES AC(aUITTED.

143

Captain Pipe, however excited he might have been, that the
English commandant had evaded his own responsibiUty, and
thrown its whole weight upon the chief, at length avowed
himself in favor of the missionaries ; and they were acquitted
and discharged after having suffered much personal abuse
from the savages. They returned home, and reached San-
dusky in 1782, on the 22d of November. It was ascertained
that the only ground of complaint against them was the fact
that the missionaries had interpreted certain letters which had
been received by the Delaware chiefs from Pittsburgh. Ef-
forts of a similar character, calculated to arouse the friendly
savages against the United States, and to prevent neutrality,
by impressing them with the conviction that it was the de-
sign of the Americans to drive them from their lands, were
made by the British agents during the whole course of the
revolutionary war.

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144

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER IX.

Treaty of irSJ-Norl.i-wost territory organized-Arthur St. Clair appointed Go-
vernor-Retont.on ofthn posts by tiie Eni-lish-Conf-'deration ol the savai^es
j-Me.sa^n of thoHuroiiH of Detroit-Division of Canada-Sirncoe, MuKe.^
Elhor, and Girtv-Messaae from the Spanish setthments on the MisMs.ipp
-Canipaian of Gen. Harnmr-St. Clair's Defeat-Vietory of General Wayne
>^^.ew of settlements in Miehi-an -Project of Randall and Whitney-Posrs
ol Mackinaw and Detroit relinquished— Condition of Michigan at tinu time.

During the whole progress of the Revohitionaiy war, Michi-
gan was in a state of comparative quietude. Constitutiuir a
part of the Canadian territory, which comprised t[ie Freiicfi
and Enghsh loyahsts, it was opposed to the doctrines of the
American revokition. A magazine of arms for the savages,
and c. mart where the price of scalps was paid, it exhibited no
prominent events which give interest and coloring to the page
of history, because it was not made a theatre of'exciting auc-
tion. There was here no well-organized form of govcnu'iient
and no settled frame of jurisprudence ; and, by consequence,
there are few records of growth and production, commerce,
population, and military events, like those which are found in
the more densely-settled states. The mere outpost of the Ca-
nadian territory, it spread out a magnificent wilderness, in
which the axe had scarce felled a tree or the plough made a
furrow. It was trackless, save where the Indian trail wound
through the dense forests and the flowery oak-lands ; and un-
broken, excepting by the scattered Indian villages, the clear-
ings of Indian corn-fields, sometimes studding the prairies, or
the solitary posts of the fur trade, which variegated the land-
scape at wide intervals. The liunter's path lay along streams
winch had reflected little since the creation but the vegetation
upon their banks, or the wild beasts which drank at their cur-
rent and disputed the right of domain with the savage.

The wars which liad raged in the eastern part of the''counfry
were, however, soon brought to a termination, under tlie pure
and glorious administration of Washmgton, and the treaty of

NORTH-WESTERN TERRITOKV ORGANIZED.

145

peace of 1783 was claimed to include Michioran within Ameri-
can bounds. But peace found the country like a veteran sol-
dier — unconquered, houseless, and covered with wounds.
The nation was burdened with debt from the expenses of a
long war, and it became an important object to provide for its
liquidation. The people of the country had long regarded
the western lands as a fund to aid in the payment of this na-
tional debt. The lands, which were comprised in the territo-
ry north-west of the river Ohio, in which limit Michigan was
embraced, were claimed by several of the eastern states, on the
ground of original charters to the colonies from the crown of
England. These were, in consequence, deniiminated crown
lands. It was maintained, that since the war, prosecuted for
the general defence and benefit of the country, the states claim-
ing the lands in this quarter, and who could not realise any
special advantage from these possessions, ought to relin(|uisl'
them as a common fund for the benefit of the United States
rather than to see the whole nation sink under a burthen of
debt. A concession of these lands was, in fact, made an im-
portant object in establishing the confederation. The Ameri-
can people in this quarter also desired some eflicient system
wiiich should regulate their territory in order to afford them
organized defence in war and a settled frame of government.
Under the existing state of things, they were on the edo-e of
American jurisdictj. a, surrounded by enemies, and without any
adequate means of protection.

In order to induce the States to make liberal cessions of
lands to the general government. Congress, on the 10th of
October, 1780, declared that the territory ceded should be dis-
posed of for the common benefit of the Union, and be formed
into Republican states, possessing the same rights and privi-
leges with the other States ; and to be of proper extent of ter-
ritory, not less ihan one hundred, nor more than one hundred
and fifty miles square ; and that the expense incurred by any
State since the commencement of the war, in subduing any
British post, or in maintaining and acquiring the title, should
be reimbursed. In accordance with this recommendation.
New- York led the way in this compromise, and ceded to the

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14(3

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

United States, in March, 1781, all her claims to the lands
norlli-west of the River Ohio, In January, 1784, Virginia
fallowed the example of New- York, but was disposed to affix a
condition, which was not deemed liberal by some of the States,
and which was refused by the majority in Congress. This
condition was, that Congress should guarantee all the other
lands which she claimed between the Atlantic Ocean and tlie
so\ith-east side of the River Ohio, and the boundaries of Ma-
ryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. This condition,
whicli was refused by Congress, was afterwards withdrawn by
Virginia, and the cession was accepted, Massachnsetts made its
deed of cession in April, 1785, and surrendered all her right to
lands west of the line fixed by New- York. In September,
1786, Connecticut ceded all the lands included within her
chartered limits, lying one hundred and twenty miles west of
the western boundary of Pennsylvania ; and in August, 1787,
South Carolina granted to the United States her right to land
lying west of the chain of mountains which divides the east-
ern and western waters. In this mode Congress became pos-
sessed of the lands lying north-west of the River Ohio, and
in July, 1787, a government was established for this tract,
which was termed the North-ivesicrn Territory* This go-
vernment was comprised in the ordinance of 1787, and it was
framed by Nathan Dane, of Beverly, Massachusetts, The or-
dinance of 1787 is the basis of all the territorial governments of
the United States in this quarter, Tlie territory was made into
one district, subject to be divided into two at the will of Con-
gress, It was provided, that until the nnmber of free male
citizens should amount to five thousand, it should be vested
in a governor and three judges, who, as well as a secretary,
should be appointed by Congress, The governor and judges
were empowered to adopt and publish such laws of the origi-
nal states, criminal and civil, as might be suited to the circum-
stances of the district, and report them to Congress. These
laws were to be in force until disapproved by that body.
The governor was also invested with the power to divide

* See Report of Mr. Thomas, from the committee on Judiciary, March 2,
183G.

NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORY ORGANIZED. 147

the districts into townships or counties, and to appoint civil of-
ficers; and when the free male inhabitants of full age should
amount to five thousand, a general assembly— comprised of a
governor, a legislative council, and house of representatives-
was to be constituted. The representatives were to be select-
ed from the counties or townships, one for every five hundred
free male inhabitants, until the number amounted to twenty-
five, after which the number was to be regulated by the le-
gislature. They were to hold their offices for two years.
Each representative was required to have been a citizen of
the United Stat s for three years, and a resident iu the dis-
trict, or to have resided in the district three years, and to
possess in the district, in fee simple, two hundred acres of
land ; and an elector was required to have resided three years
in the district, and to be a citizen of one of the States, or pos-
sess a like freehold and two years' residence.

The legislative council was to consist of five persons, who
were, unless removed by Congress, to hold their offices for
five years. The following was the mode in v/hich they were
to oe appointed : — The house of representatives were autboriz-
ed to nominate ten persons, each possessed of a freehold of
five hundred acres of laud ; and out of this number Congress
were permitted to appoint five, as members of the legislative
council. The general assembly were allowed to make laws
for the district, in conformity to the ordinance, which were to
have the assent of the majority of both houses and that of the
governor. The legislative assembly were also permitted by
joint ballot to elect a delegate to Congress, who had the
right of speaking but not of voting.

Certain articles of compact were also established between
the original States and the people of the north-western terri-
tory, which might form the basis of their future connexion
which should remain unalterable, unless by common consent.
By this compact freedom of religion was guaranteed, as well
as the benefits of the writ of Habeas Corpus and trial by jury ;
and those other fundamental principles which constitute the
basis of the American constitutions. Education was to be
encouraged. The utmost good faith was to be preserved to-

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148

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

.
4

ward the Indians, their lands were forbidden to be taken without
their consent, and slavery was to be prohibited for ever. The
territory and States erected therein were to remain forever a
part of the American confederacy, and not less than three, or
more than five States were to be erected within its boimds.
At the same time the bounds of these States were so fixed, as
that Congress had a right to alter them by forming one or
two new States in that part of the territory lying north of an
east and west line drawn through the southerly bend or ex-
ti erne of Lake Michigan. Whenever either of those States
should contain a popu'ation of sixty thousand free inhabitants,
such State was allowed to be admitted intu the Union on an
equal footing with the original States, and to form a permanent
republican constitution and State government ; and before they
had attained that population, they wereallowed an admission in-
to the Union if it should be found consistent with the interest of
the confederation. Under this frame of government, Michi-
gan commenced its first existence within American jurisdic-
tion. The first step taken toward settling the north-western
territory, was the presentation of a memorial from the officers
and soldiers of the revolutionary army entitled to land boun-
ties under the resolves of 1776 and 1780. This memorial
was forwarded to Gen. Washington by Gen. Rufus Putnam,
in February of 1783.* The first set of laws was published
by being nailed upon a tree upon the banks of (^>t Muskin-
gum, and in 1788 Return Jonathan Meigs was appointed to
administer them, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, the governor, having
not at that time arrived.!

* See an elaborate article in thelvOlh number of the North American Review
entitled " Fifty Years of Ohio."

t The following ia an extract of an oration delivered on the 4th of July, 1788,
on the banks of the Muskingum, now Marietta, by James H. Varnum, who,
with S. H. Parsons and John Armstrong, had been appointed to the bench. It
relates to the non-arrival of the. Governor of the north-western territory, and is a
prominent specimen of grandiloquence : —

" May he soon arrive ! Thou, gently flowing Ohio, whose surface, as con
sclous of I by unequalled majesty, reflecleth no imajies but the grandeur of the
impending heavens, bear him, oh boar him satoly to this anxious spot; and
thou, beautifully transparent Muskingum ! swell at the moment of his approach.

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WESTERN POSTS RETAINKD.

149

The treaty of peace of 1783 did not terminate tne difficul-
ties between Great Britain and the United States. Several
minor questions sprang up, which were the cause of dissatis-
faction to both parties. Debts due hy Americans to British
subjects, wliose payment was guaranteed in the treaty, were
neglected ; and on the other hand, the negroes belonging to
American subjects, who were in the possession of British
officers, were not restored ; and when the Baron Steuben was
sent by Gen. Washington to Sir Frederick Haldimand at Que-
bec, to arrange matters for the occupation of these posts, v^ith
instructions to proceed to Michigan, he was informed that the
130sts would not be surrendered at that time, and was refused
his passports to Niagara and Detroit, ^'he Indian tribes scat-
tered along the north-western territory, goaded by the advance
of the white population upon that domain, and inflamed by
the people in tliat quarter, began to show undoubted si^ns of
dissatisfaction. As early as 1785 and 1786, they had carried
their acts of individual hostility to the feeble settlements of
Kentucky and the hanks of the Ohio. Two years had there-
f()re scarcely elapsed after the close ol the war, before a com-
bination of the savages along the north-west was formed, and
Thayendanegea, called Joseph Brant, the leading warrior of
the Six Nations, was requested by the Algonquin tribes to as-
certain what assistance could, in case of war, be derived from
Great Britain.*

In December, 1786, a grand confederate council of the In-
dians north-west of the Ohio was held near the Huron villatre
at the mouth of the Detroit River, which was attended by the
Six Nations, the Hurons, Ottawas, Miamies, Shawanese. Chip-
pewas, ( 'herokees, Delawares, Pofawatamies, and the confede-
rates of the Wabash. The ground of difference between the In-
dians and the United States was a question of boundary ; the
Indians maintaining that the Oliio River was not to be crossed
by the Americans. The council was pacific, providing that the
United States did not encroach on their lands. The Indians

and reflect no ol.jects but of pleasure and delight." See North American Review
Number 100 article on Ohio.
♦ See Stone's "Life of Brant," a valuable depository of facts.

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150

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

were not iuchided in the trentv, and it became a nice Ic^al
qiiesfir»n hnw fir ihe United States had a right to advance
upon the territory then occupied by the Indians. Tiie sava-
ges attributed the mischief and confusion to the fact that the
United States would " kindle the council-fires wherever they
thonulit proper without consultinw^ the Indians." The posts
in Micliio;an thus withholi^ iii.n ilie possession of the United
States, were Detroit and Mackinaw ; and Great Britain, in or-
der to strengthen the post against the incursions of the Ameri-
cans, took immediate measures to garrison the fort of Detroit,
under instructions from Lord Dorciiester.

It was finally proposed to call a grand council of the In-
dians in which the whole ground of complaint between the
savages and the United States should be discussed, and some
final determination made.

The following is the invitation of tlie Hurons of Detroit to
the Five Nations, requesting them to attend this council.

Message of the Hurons of Detroit to the Five Nations.

•^ January 2ist, 1788.
" Brethren : — Noi;hing yet has reached us in answer to
the messages sent to the Americans on the breaking up of
our general council, nor is it now probable that we shall hear
from them before our next meeting takes place, a circumstance
that ought to expedite us in our business. Tae nations this
way have adhered hitherto to the engagements entered into
belore we parted, at least as far as has come to our knowledge,
and we intend immediately to call them to this council-fire
which shall be uncovered at the time appointed ; that without
further delay some decisive measures may be finally fixed upon
for our future interest, which must govern hereafter the con-
duct of all the nations in our alliance ; and this we intend to
be our last council for the purpose ; thertfore it is needless to
urge ftu'ther the indispensable necessity of all nations being
present at the conclusion of atiairs tending so much to their
own future welftire and happiness. And we do in a particu-
lar manner desire you, the Five Nations, to be strong and
punctual in your promise of being with us early and in time ;

WKSTERN POSTS RETAINEU.

161

nnd that not only tlio warriors, but the chiefs of your several
nations, ntiond on this oc- asion. Wesliuli therefore endea-
vor to hav^ as many of the western nnd southern Indians as
possible collected. ^vW//^* ofxcannmm:^

No records of this council have been discovered, although
the account of the proceedings, it is beli-^vcd, were forwarded
to Lord Dorchester. It is probable that there was a division
m their deliberations, because two separate treaties were held
at Fort llarmar, which were attended by only a part of the
Indians. These treaties were held by Gen. Si. Cluir in Janu-
ary, 1789 ; ju the first place with th- Five x\ations, with the
exception of the Mohawks ; and the second was nade with the
warriors and sachems of the Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa,
C^hippewa, Potawatamie, and Sac tribes.

It appears, that from 1783, the date of the peace with En-
gland, to the reception of the address of the grand council of
Indians, which was held at the Huron village, Congross .-ted
on the ground that this treaty invested the United States with
the fee ofall the Indian lands within its bounds. The In-
dians, on the contrary, claimed that they alone had the exclu-
sive right to the soil ; and hence arose the ground of their
troubl. s with the Americans, who, they claimed, were tres-
passers upon their land. In 1790 the government of the
United States were .: issue on the riirht of navicjation to the
Mississippi, and the Enohsh attempt, i to take advantacre of
that difficulty for the purpose of fon. iting difficulties "with
the United States.

Mutual complaints were, in fact, made after the peace of
1783, both by the United States and Great Britain, that the
St Illations of the treaty had been violated by both parties.

On the ide of Groat Britain, it was alleged that loyalists to
the crown had been refused the poxrer of regaining posses.^ on
o/ their estates, and of recovering their debts before the hos-
tihties had been commenced. It was maintained, on the other
hand, thnt the military posts had not only been denied to
the Americans, whicli of right belonged to them ; but that the
Indians were melted to massacre the defenceless inhabitants

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162

HISTORY OF MICH GAN.

on the frontier, and also that commercial restrictions had been
imposed on American commerce.

By these restrictions American sliips trading with France
misjht be seized by EiigUsh cruisers and condemned.

The motives which actuated the pohcy of Great Hritain
regarding the western posts are manifest. They well knew
the Indian influence was strongly m favor of the English, and
that they might ur,e the savage strength in crippling the
growth of a sturdy rival, which was advancing with power-
ful strides into fertile forests, and constructing broader nnd
deeper the foundations of the republican edifice. Accordingly,
from 1783, when the treaty of peace between Great Britain
and the United States was made, down to the year 1796, the
whole north-western frontier, which was included within
American bounds, was withheld from the possession of
the country. The relations between the two governments
were in an unsettled state. Charges were made on the partot
the British, and pressed at the court of St. James, that the
Americans had not complied with their own agreements. It
is quite possible, although differences of opinion now exist on
the subject, that Great Britain had regretted the cession of the
wide and fertile region along the American shore of the lakes,
and was disposed to pursue a policy that would secure it al
first to the Indians, and subsequently to themselves.

But the war was about drawing to a close. Although in
1791 Canada was divided into an Upper and Lower Pro-
vince, which introduced upon the stage a number of promi-
nent actors, still no material injury was effected to the Ameri-
can cause by the change. The upper province was placed un-
der the admiu'stration of Colonel T. G. Simcoe, who was ap-
pointed lieutenant-iiOvernor to the newly-organised territory.
Col. Simcoe established his head-quarters at Niagara. Al-
though at first professing a pacilic spirit, it is manifest, that with
the growing difficulties between the two countries, he afterwards
exercised his influence most strongly against the United States,
aided by Colonel McKee,* Capt. Elliot, and the notorious Si-

WE8TEUN POSTS RICTAINiai.

153

nion Girty. The throe last were British agents. Lord Dor-
chester, it is allinncd, exercised his own iiiniience for iho
same end, by the delivery ola speech, whose gcnuinetiess, how-
ever, has been denied, to the deputies of the seven nations of
Canada, as well as all the other Indians at tlic grand coinicil
of tlie preceding autumn. After the delivery of this speech
Governor Siincoe repaired over land to Detroit, and, proceed-
ing Willi a strong detachment to the foot of the Miami Rapids,
he erected a fortress at that place. During the whole progress
of tiie war Detroit was made the scene of its most interesting
councils ; and the haU-brccds of that place constantly exercis-
ed their address and duplicity by operating upon the minds of
the credulous savages around the post. It was represented to
them, and also to the remote tribes, that Governor Simcoe was
to march to their aid with fifteen hundred men; that he was
givmg them clothing and all necessary supplies; that all the
speeches sent to them were red as blood. The wampum and
feathers were painted red; the war pipes and hatchets were
pamted red ; and even the tobacco was painted red. The
minds of the savages were swayed by such influences. This
was not, however, the case witii the Shawanese prisoners who
were captured. Tiiey said «' they could not depend upon the
British for elfeclual support; that they were always settino-
the Indians on like dogs after game, perchance to go to war
and kill the Americans, but they did not help them."

The design of the British to confederate the tribes of the
north-western Indians was fully demonstrated, although the
object was not avowed. To effect this plan, public co^lmcils
find individual stratagems were used. At one time Alexan-
der McKenzie, an agent of the British Government, was em-
ployed to paint himself as an Indian; and furnishing him-
self with pipes and wampum as the credentials of his authori-
ty, a grand council was convened at Detroit. The concourse
of Indians there assembled was addressed by Elliot and other
British agents. It was alleged that McKenzie was an am-
bassador, who Iiad retm-ned from the remote tribes of the Up-
per Lakes, and that their bands were armed with the toma-
hawk and scalping-knife, and were ready to fall upon the

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154

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

It-J

Americans ; and that the hordes of savages upon the banks of
the Mississippi were preparing to descend that stream, and to
attack the settlements of Virginia and Ohio, Tlie fraud thus
practised was made successful by the fact, that McKonzie
preserved his character to the Hfe, as he spoke the Indian lan-
guage witfi perfect precision, and was supported by a poriiot)
oftlie Wyandotsand Sliawnees, who were acquainted with ilie
secret. By such means the Ottawas, the Miamis, the Potawa-
tawies, the Delawares, the Shawanese, the Chippewas, and the
seven nations of Canada were brought into tlie field against
the United States. Many of the French traders from the
settlements in Michigan, particularly at Detroit, were induced
to take up arms against the United States for the alleged reason,
that if they did not embark in the Indian cause, they would not
be permitted to trade with the Indians in their own territor/-

Early in May, 1794, a new messenger appeared from tiie
Spanish settlements on the banks of the Mississippi, and he
was conducted to the Miamis by a deputation from the Dela-
wares. He then otfered assistance from the Spniiish and
French settlements in the south-west, who, he said, were pre-
paring to come to their aid.

" Children,"' said the Spaniard, " you see me on my feet
grasping the tomahawk to strike them. We will strike toge-
ther. I do not desire you to go before me in the front, but to
follow me.

"Children : I present yon with a war pipe, which has been
sent in all our names to the Musquakies, and all those nations
who live towards the setting sun, to get upon their feet, and
take hold of our tomahawk ; and as soon as they smoked it,
they sent it back with a promise to get immediately on their
feet and join us, and strike this enemy.

" Children : you hear what these distant nations have said to
us, so that we have nothing further to do but put our designs
into immediate execution, and to forward this pipe to the three
warlike nations who have so long been stnig<rling for their
country, and who now sit at tlie Glaize. Tell them to smoke
this pipe, and forward it to all the Lake Indians and their
northern brethren. Then nothing will be wanting to complete

UsU

WESTERN POSTS RETAINED.

155

our general miion from the rising to the setting of the sun
and all nations will be ready to add strength to the blow wo
are going to make." °

The English iKid not, to any great extent, encouraged the
settlement of the country ; and the Indians, who at that time
occupied Its whole length and breadth, were disposed as a

i^nde. of the north-western terntory into their own hands.
The country had, in fact, been ceded to the United States-
but^new negotiations were in progress, and it was the policy
of Gnu-jt Britain to encoui-age the hostility of the savJes in
OideiM at they might derive whatever ofletiefit co.ildle ob
ta.ned by tne surrender of the cotintry to India.i domii.ion.

The Indian iiitluence, as has been before remarked, had
gradually strengthened into a confederation of tribes i,; the
veste.-n forests ; and a pacific negotiation was attempted with
these tribes, but without success. Gen. Hanr^ar was there-
fore despatched With a force amou.iting to about fourteen
hundred men, in order to subdue them, or at least brine- them
to subjection. Owing to a subdivision of his army, he was
unfortunately defeated with great massace by the Indians
near Chilicothe, Ohio ; not, however, before he' had succeTd!
edm destroy.ng the villages, and laying waste the fields of
many of the savages. Gen. Harmar having failed in the en-
tei-pnze, was succeeded in command by Major Gen. St Clair
tlie then governor of the noi-th-westrrn territoi-y. Gen St'
Clair, w-th a,i army of about two thousand mei, hastened to'
protect the defenceless mhabitants of the fi-ontier from Indian
butchery, andin the month of October, 1792, he inarched into
the Wilderness. With a force whicli had been reduced by de-
sertion and detacliment to about fourteen hundred, h^ en-
camped withm a few miles of the Miami villo^es, intending
to remain there until he was reinforced. Notwithstanding
the similar disaster which had befallen his predecessor. GoZ
St. Clair was surprised by that savage and desperate warrior,
the Little Turtle ; and his troops, which were arrayed in front
were driven back upon the regulars in the utmost confiusiou!
St. Clair endeavored to rally his retreating forces, but without

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HISTORY OK MICHIGAN.

,"11

success. Tliey poured in like the locusts of Egypt from the
surrounding country, raid with their destructive rifles heaped
the battle-ground willi the dying and the dead. After an ac-
tion of about three hours, the force of the Americans was so
crippled by the savages, that the General deemed it prudent,
in order to save theni from entire destruction, ♦o order his ar-
my to retreat. They were pursued by the conquering sava-
ges for about four miles, when they returned to the battle-
ground in order to enjoy the spoils of the slaughter. Tiie
numbers engaged on both sides were about equal ; but the loss
on the side of the Americans was estimated at about six ium-
dred and thirty killed and missing, and two lumdred and sixty
wounded. Tlie loss of the savages is not accurately ascer-
tained, but the American camp and artillery fell into the hands
of the Indians. Gen. St. Clair, who was disabled by indis*
position from performing the active duties of commander, or-
dered a retreat to Fort Jeilerson, and thence to Fort Wash-
ington.

Cono-ress, on liearing of this disastrous conflict, determined
to prosecute the war with extraordinary vigor, to increase the
army by enlistments, and to place the frontier in a strong
posture of defence. In accordance with this determination,
Washington, acting under a resolution of Congress, endeavor-
ed to raise a powerful force ; but the defeats ofllarmar and St,
Clair had created such a panic, that a sufficient strengtii could
not be collected to warrant an expedition against the Indians.
Tlierc was, moreover, a formidable opposition to the war,
and it was deemed advisable to undertake another eflort for a
pacific negotiation with the unfriendly savages, but without
success.

Gen. St, Clair, upon his defeat in ITGl, resigned his com-
mand, and was succeeded by Gen. Anthony Wayne. Gen.
Wayne was a chivalrous officer, full of energy and spirit. He
was the object of much fear to the Indians, who deemed him
possessed of uncommon prowess, and from his supposed cun-
ning he was entitled by the Indians the " Blaclc Sna/ce.''^
Near the close of the year 1703 Gen. Wayne built a stockade
on the ground which had three years before been made me'

■i i-

WESTERN POSTS RETAINED.

157

niorable by tne defeat of Gen. St. Clnir, and called it Fort
Recovery, While employed in tlie erection of this work, he
offered a small reward for every human skull which might be
picked upon the battle-ground ; and it is alleged that more
than five hundred of these mournful relics were collected on
the field of carnage, and entombed in one of the block-houses.
Having loft a proper garrison at Fort Recovery, Gen. Wayne
returned to Fort Jelferson, determined to winter there with
the main body of his army. Ho had before been admonished
of the character of his enemy, as his rear-guard was harassed
by a band of siivages on his way to Fort Jeflerson.

A detachment winch had left Fort Recovery, where it had
been detached in Jimc, 1794, to escort provisions to that
place, and before the army of Gen Wayne had left its winter-
quarters, were attacked when within about a mile from the
fort by the Indians who had laid in ambush, and was driver,
back into their very gates, where the savages attempteu at the
same time to enter, but were prevented. On ih ; tth of July
of the same year he followed the Indian trac'- ? .:< die depths
of the wilderness.

At the crossing of the St. Mary's River, Fort Adams was con-
structed ; and while the American army halted at that point,
a man deserted to the er»em>y, and carried to them informa-
tion of the progress of the American forces. When, thcrelbre,
Gen. Wayne arrived at the confincnce of the Au Glaize and
Man mee rivers, lie found the Indian v. ii ages deserted. He
remained at that place a few days, in order to wait for the re-
turn of certain spies, whom lie had d-'spatched under Captain
Welles for the purpose of ascertainmg the movements of the
savages, and while there, lie «.'onstructed Fort Defiance.

The army soon moved v/i>l; extraordinary ouutiondowu tfie
left bank of the Mauniee. Gen. VVayi^ke made orw? more effort
to bring the Indians to pacific measures by despatching mes-
sonoers with terms of peace; ;i ' without su-- On the

19lh of August he reached the Rapids of the ,M. nici, about
four miles above the IJritish post, and erecting - -mAl work
for the protection of his baggage and stores, cailtd Fort De-
pnsite, he advanced upon the eiiemv. The British post had

'Ipp

15S

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

been fortified by a force sent from Detroit the preceding
spring, and the Indians were entrenched under the very sha-
dow of the English fort. It is clear, from various facts, that the
Indians received the secret co-operation of the British, althongh
tlie particular part which they acted in the Indian war was
not apparent. It is equally evident, that had the confed. at-
ed tribes of the ravages again succeeded against the Ameri-
cans, that circumstance would have induced them openly to
espouse their cause. This fact induced Gen. Wayne to take
his steps with the utmost caution in order to prevent the re-
currence of those disastrous defeats which had followed in the
track of his predecessors. The British Government had bo-
fore demanded, as a condition of peace, the independence of
the savages wlio occupied tlic norlh-western frontier, in grai.t-
ing their domain to whomsoever they might think proper.
The American General, in consequence of the refusal of this
demand, had reason to believe that the Indians would receive
the immediate protection of the British fort, and .his suspi-
cion was based on the solid ground that the Indians had plant-
ed tliemselves within a short distance of the British works.
He was, however, prepared to act defen ivelyagainst a civilized
or savage foe, as he had received secret instructions, in case of
aid from the British to the Indians, to treat them according to
the usages of war. The army under Gen. Wayne amounted
to about three thousand men ; and the Indian force, embracing
a league which extended over the whole north-western fron-
tier, is estimated at about the same number. As he advanc-
ed toward the entrenchment of the savages. Gen. Wayne sent
forward a battalion of motmted riflemen, with the instruction
that in case of an atta.-,k they should retreat in feiijned confu-
sion, in order to lure the savages into a more disadvanlao-eous
position. This stratairem was successful, :-nd tie advancing
party having met the enemy, was fired upon, and fell back,
being pursued by tlie Indians, to the main body of the army.
The mornmg of th3 attack was rainy, and the drums, which
were to give t)ie concerted signals, could not be distinctly
heurd ; and accordingly a secret plan to turn the riyht flank of
the enemy was not executed. The success of Geu. Wayne,

WESTERN P0ST3 UETAI.NEn.

159

however, was signal. The Indians, after an obstinate resist-
ance, were defeated, and retired in great disorder, havin^r suf-
fered a loss of about one hundred killed. Gen. Wayne hav-
ing built Fort Recovery where the Americans had been defeat-
ed in 1791, and erected Eort Defiance at the confluence of the
An Glaize and Miami, liad endeavored to bring the Indians to
terms, but without success ; as Col. McKee, the Indian agent,
concealed the true import of the letter which was forwarded
for that object. The American ibrce consisted of about two
thousand regulars o,nd eleven hundred mounted militia nnder
Gen. Scott of Kentucky, and they soon advanced to the Ra-
pids of the Maumee. The force of the Indians was command-
ed by Mesiecunnaqua, or the Little Turtle, and Blue .Jacket,
a Sliawanese warrior. The Indians were themselves posted
in dense forests almost under the shadow of the British fort,
with their left secured by the rocky bank of the river and a
breast-work of fillen trees, and extended in three lines wi'hin
supporting distance of each other. Wayne's leijion had its
flank upon the river, a brigade of mounted volunteers under
General Todd the left, and Gen. Babee the rear. Major
Price, with a select battalion, was ordered to advance to re-
connoitre the enemy, and he 'vad scarce advanced five miles
before they were attacked ; Wayne's legion advanced in two
columns with trailed arms, and with orders to press upon the
enemy with the bayonet, to arouse them and give a close fire
upon their backs, so as to permit them no opportunity to es-
cape. By this mancEUvre the Indians were successfully rout-
ed, and fled to the very walls of Fort Maumee.

No intercourse appears to have existed between the British
garrison and the savages while Gen. Wayne remained in the
neighborhood of die fort. During the whole period of the ac-
tion the gates were shut, and the FiUgiish gazed with apparent
imconcern upon the surrounding slaughter. After the Indians
had retreaud, Gen Wayne devastated the fields and burned
the bui'ding', some of which were under the very battlements
of the fort. In the general conflagration, the liouse of Col.
McKoe, who was believed to have exercised a great influence
ill stimulating t!ie barbarity of the savages, was destroyed. la

IGO

niSTO/lY OF MICHIGAN.

( (

consequence of these acts of devastation, a bellioerent corre-
spondence took place Letu'cen Major Campbell; the IJritish
comman<lant,and Gen. Wayne ; but owing to the forbearance
ot the uencral, who answered by mere remonstrance, no attack
was made ,ipon the American forces by the crarrison The
hostility of the British, however, was carried so far, that (Jene-
ral Wayne, m bis official report of his victory at the Maumoe
al cges that a detachment of militia from Detroit was associat-
ed and ionght whh the Indians. It is also well known that a
Mi: teimth, the clerk of the Court at Detroit, was at the head
of a company which fought against the Americans, and was
killed ni the saiue action.' The Indians, doubtless, re-rarded
the conduct of the Llnglish in this matter with dissatisfaction,
as tliey had looked upon the fort, in case of extremity, as the
last rekigo ; and this fact isdeducible from the speech which
was made by Tecumseh to Gen. Proctor in 1813 after ihe vic-
tory of Commodore Perry upon Lake Erie.

Gen. Wayne, on tlic morning before his army made i(s
movement back towards Fort Defiance, having paraded his
force so that the enemy uiight view its strength, advanced
with his stair toward the glacis of the British post, and rocon-
noitredit with the utmost deliberation. As they approached
It they beheld the soldiers of the garrison prepared with match-
es lighted, and standing armed fbr any emergency at tlieir
gnus. The party of Gen. Wayne, >vhile standino- „oar the
lort, overheard one of the subordinate otiicers of the British
appealing to the commandant, Major Campbell, for permission
to revenge this insulting parade before the British guns hv
firing upon the American force. The American General was.
however, permuted to retire without any attack, and to ad-
vaiice by easy marches toward Fort Defiance. On his way
he destroyed the Indian corn-helds which were spread over the
fertile bottom lands of the Maumee, presuming that famine
would be a powerful argument in the savage mind in procur-
ing a pacific termination of the war. Gen. Wayne moved up
the Miami River to the old Maumee towns, wh.re he builf
Fort Wayne, having left Major Hunt in command at l-\,rt Dc-

» Wliiting's Discoiirso.

SKTTLEMENTS IN MICHIGAN.

161

• fiance. Thence he proceeded to Greenville with the body of
his army, Col. Hamtramck remaining at the post which he
had last constructed. This campaign had continued about
three months, and the Indians were most signally overthrown.
The defeat of the Indians also demolished the insidious pro-
jects of the British Government, and military posts of great
importance were established on the ground which had before
been occupied by the Indians.

The social progress of Michigan for a long period is not
marked by those exciting facts which give coloring and in-
terest to tiio historic page. The solitary and silent advance
of emigration along the rivers of a remote and howling wil-
derness exhibits but a dead level of unexciting circumstances.
It IS well known, that soon after the extinguishment by Great
Britain to the French possessions in North America by the
treaty of Paris in 17G3, tlie then monarch of England issued
a proclamation forbidding further extinguishment of title to
Indian lands. Notwithstanding this positive order, the sub-
jects of that king continued to make pvwchases and settle-
ments within the prescribed bounds. Trie substance of the
scUlements which were made within the territory of Michi-
gan for a period of forty years may now be ascertained. In
1765 Patrick Sinclair, a British officer, and commandant of
Fort Sinclair, purchased ofthelnlians about four thousand
acres of land lying on that river, called, in honor of the com-
mandant, the River Sinclair. I.uke St. Glair derived its name
liom a different oflicer, who was m the French service. Sin-
clair remained in possession about seventeen years, acquiring-
great advantage from the use of the land as a j)inery, and then
sold it to a Canadian, whence it was handed down to its pre-
sent proprietors, who are in possession of valuable improve-
ujents. In 1771 seven Canadians made a purchase of about
two thousand acres "on the strait called Detroit, below the
town of Detroit ;" and Henry Basset, an officer in tlie British
service, and at that time commandant of the post at Detroit
imdertook to confirm the purchase. In (77r) Pierre Francois
Combe purchased about four thousand acres on La Riviere a

1*1

•it

162

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

I'Ecorce, and soon after established upon it a settlement/ —
During tiie same year William Macomb purchased of the
Indians the island at the mouth of the River Detroit, called
Grosse Isle. That purchase embraced also an adjacent
island, called Limestone Island, from the fact of its possess-
ing a valuable limestone quarry. In 1806 there were ten
tenants on the first-named island, and it contained more than
six thousand acres of land. In 1779 a Canadian purchased
from the Pottavvatamie, Chebois, and Ottawa tribes about eight
thousand acres on Otter Creek ; and in 1780 another Canadian
purchased about six thousand acres on Sandy Creek. He
conveyed this tract, about twelve years after, to actual settlers,
and the second year following this sale settlements were made
on the preceding purchase. During the same year three settle-
ments, were added to the seven which had been made in 1771
upon the strait. During that same year thirty-eight settle-
ments were made on the River Rouge, and four at Pointe au
Tremble. In 1782 there were nineteen settlers added to the
tract of Patrick Sinclair, and in 1783 twenty settlements were
made on Lake St. Clair. In 1784 a small body of Canadians
settled on the River Raisin, and laid the foundation of French
Town. In 1785 four settlers were added to those at Pointe au
Tremble. In 1786 Francois Pepin purchased about three thou-
sand acres on Rock River, and that tract has since been vastly
improved. During the same year William Macomb acquired
L'Isle a Cochon, or Hog Island, which lies in the strait, by a
purchase from George McDougall. This island had, up to
the year 1764, been appended by the French to the Detroit
garrison. In 1788 twenty settlements were made on the
Huron River, and Gabriel Godfrey purchased the same quan-
tity with Francois Pepin on the Rock River. In 1790 a few
emigrants were added to the settlemants at Pointe au Trem-
ble, and in 1792 two settlements were added to those on La
Riviere a I'Ecorce, and a body of Canadians settled durino- the
same year upon Sandy Creek. In the year 1793 a considera-
ble addition was made to the settlements on the River Huron,

♦ See Note ti, at the end of this volume.

SETTLEMENTS IN MICHIGAN.

163

and in the following year the settlement on the River Ecorce
was considerably increased, and .. large body of emigrants set-
tled on Otter Cr6-ek. In the year 1797 a large number of Ca-
nadian families established themselves on what is called Milk
River, and in the region of country north of that stream ; and
during the same and the following year, the settlements along
the River Rouge and La Riviere a I'Ecorce were considera-
bly anniented. In the year 1800 four settlers were added to
the establishments on the river Hnron, and during the same and
the subsequent year six families were added to the settlements
on the River Sinclair. In 1801 claims were also urged to the
property of a salt spring in that region. This is the substance
of the settlements which were made in the territ.>.y of Michi-
gan previous to the organization of the Territorial Govern-
ment. The subjoined table, exhibiting them chronologi-
cal order, was drawn up by Augustus B. Woodward, Chtef
Justice of the territory of Michigan, and sets forth the settle-
ments in the territory in a more condensed and accurate form.
It was contained in a report from the Governor and presiding
Judge of the territory of Michigan, made in 1806, relative to
the state of that Territory.

A chronological Table, exhibiting t/ie settlements in the
Territory of Michigan.

IWe of the Set-
tlements.

1763.
1765.
1771.
1776.

1779.
1780.

Geogra; hical position of the
Settlements.

Detroit or the Strait,
La Riviere de Sinclair,
Detroit or the Strait,
La Riviere a I'Ecorce,
La Grosselsle,
La Crique aux Loutres
La Criqne a Sable,
Detroit or the Strait
La Riviere Rouge,
Pointe au Tremble,

Whether No. of farms,
withm the or distinct
American title. Settlements.

Within

Without

Within

Without

Within

"Within

Doubtful

77.

7.
10.
10.

3.
38.

II jl

164

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN

1782. La Riviere de Sinclair,

1783. Lake St. Clair,

1784. La Riviere aux Raisins,

1785. Pointe au Trembl6,

1786. La Riviere aux Roche,

L'Isle a Coclion,

1788. lia Riviere aux Huroiis,

La Riviere aux Roches,

1790. Pointe au Tremble,

1792. La Riviere a I'Ecorce,

La Crique a Sable,

1793. La Riviere aux Hurons,

1794. La Riviere a I'Ecorce,

La Crique aux Loutros,

1797. La Riviere au Lait,

La Riviere a I'Ecorce,

1798. La Riviere Rouge,

1800. La Riviere aux Hurons,

1801. La Riviere de Sinclair,

The Salt Springs,

Without

19.

Doubtful

20.

Both

121.

Doubtful

Within

Without

20.

Within

Doubtful

Within

15.

Without

10.

Within

Without

22.

Doubtful

30.

Within

Without

Doubtful

442.

In this table the titles and claims in the town or city of De-
troit are omitted. The population comprising these settlements
were, for the most part, Canadian French, and they spread them-
selves along the banks of the more eligible streams, where t^e
mouldering ruins of some of their ancient cottage now re-
main. The French, relying on other sources of j lofit, still
gave little attention to the productive and solid pursuits of
agriculture, and the exhausted farms of the early emigrants
scattered a'ong the banks of the rivers which have been men-
tioned exhibit a want of careful and scientific husbandry.
The titles to the several tracts enumerated, as well as others,
rested on an unsound basis. The grants which constituted
their claims, had issued from the French and British Go-
vernments, as well as from unauthorized grantors, subjects of
those nations, and from the Indians ; and it became a nice

, <|: IP-

PROJECT OF RANDALL AND WHITNEY.

165

fDe-

lents
hem-
e tAe
V re-
still
ts of
rants
meu-
idry,
hers,
tuted
Go-
:ts of
nice

legal question how far these grants ought to be connrmed to
the occupants i>y the Ciovcrnment of the United State.

Before tin- oxen i ion of Jay's treaty, a project vvas devised
between ' fc adventurers of the states, and a numbtr

of merchant-, and traders of Detroit, which, had it succeeded,
would have produced great injury to Michigan. In 1795
^ ibcrt Randall of Pennsylvania, and Charles Whitney of
ermont, were taken into custody by the House for an un-
warrantable attempt to corrupt the integrity of its members.
Randall had visited Detroit in pursuit of some object in
which he had failed, and he soon adopted a comprehensive
plan to impr'M'o his fortune. In connexion with Charles
Whitney an< ther individual, he entered into an agree-
ment with seven merchants residing at or near Detroit,
through which the parties bound ti.emselves to obtain a pre-
emption right from the Unied States of a certain territory
therein defined, which was to be purchased from the Indian?.
The tract contained, it i supposed, nearly twenty millions of
acres, and was embraced by Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michi-
gan. It vvas given in evidence before Congress that Randall
and Whitney had unfolded to several members their scheme,
and by this it appeared that the territory was to be divided
into forty-one shares, five of which were to belong to the
traders of Detroit, who were parties to the agreement, six
were to be appropriated to Randall and his coadjutors, and
the rest were to be divided among tlie members of Congress
who might give their influence to the measure. The amount
proposed to be paid for the right to make this purchase was
from u half to a million of dollars. These merchants, it was
maintained, exercised so great influence over the Indians as
to make an advantageous purchase practicable. It was
maintained, in opposition to this measure, that there was a
bar in the fact that the treaty gave an exclusive pre-emption
right to the United States. But it was urged on the other
side, that the Indians were dissatisfied with this treaty, and
would not be bound by it ; and that this plan would, by ap-
peasing the savages, restore tranquillity to the coimtry. Hav-
ing been brought before the House, Whitney was dis-

i. i

.Ai

elk

IMAGE EVALUATJON
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1.25

1^ ~

^ ■"0

IM lllili

[Z2

1.8

i^ 11 1.6

166

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

discharged, while Randall received a public reprimand, and
was obliged to pay the fees which had accrued in the trial of
his cause.*

During the year 1794, Detroit and French Town were the
principal settlements on the eastern side of the peninsula of
Michigan. Detroit was included in picKets, and was a ge-
neral depot of the fur trade. The population was comprised
of Scotch, French, and English merchants, all connected
with the trade, beside the military force which was there sta-
tioned. The goods used in this traffic were transported in
canoes from duebec ; and bills of credit, for sm.all surns^ were
permitted to be issued by the merchants, payable annually at
Quebec or Montreal, on the condition of their giving security
in double the amount of their value.

French Town consisted only of a few log cabins, inhabited
by the French bordering both banks of the River Raisin, and
with the surrounding land enclosed with pickets. The first
American settler was established at that place in 1793
and a Catholic chapel was soon erected for the accommoda-
tion of the French. A narrow path ran along the bank, and
bordered the French plantations. Two Indian villages, that
of the Ottavi'as and Pottawatamies, formerly occupied that
point ; while that of the Hurons was established at Browns-
town. ' A depot of the fur trade for the North-western Com-
pany, for a long period it was made the concentrating point
for the surrounding Indians, who were constantly repairing
to the village in order to exchange their furs for blankets, red
cloth, silver ornaments, arms and ammunition. It is a some-
what singular fact that money was refused by the traders for
goods, and the Frenchmen were required to bring in produce
in exchange for them, which was transported to the Upper
Lakes for the use of the fur companies.

This most decisive campaign of Gen. Wayne disheartened
the savages, as well as thg British Government. Their
hordes soon dispersed, and the treaty of Greenville, made in
August, 1795, terminated for a time the troubles of the fi-ou-

♦ Discourse of Henry Whiting before ihe Historical Society of Michigan.

SURRENDER OF THK I'OSTS.

167

tier. Tlie posts of Mackinaw and Detroit were evacuated
after the wells of the latter station had been filled with stones,
the windows broken, the gates of the fort locked, and the
keys deposited with an aged negro, in whose possession they
were afterwards found. These were, however, soon garrison-
ed by detachments from Wayne's army, aid in 1796 Captain
Porter first raised the American banner upon the soil of Mi-
chigan.

We have thus traced, in a brief way, the condition of Mi-
chigan under the French, and its transfer to the British Go-
vernment ; and now a new power sprang up on the land.
Tha succession of its changes shows us the mortality of
empires as well as of men. They rise before us like the
pageantry of a theatre ; scene after scene opens upon us
with all the array of human passions, the curtain falls, they
sink from our sight, and another is now spread out under
the auspices of a Republic.

I '

f',i

'i
■ \

t»

' f

I!; J

CHAPTER X.

Condition of Michigan after the aunrender of the posts— The Territory of Mi-
chigan erected — Gen. Hull appointed Governor — Detroit destroyed by fire

Administration oF the Law—Indian Confederation upon the Laiies under
Tecumseh— Speech of Le Marquoit— Speech of Walk in the Water and
o'her Wyandot^— Mfimorial from Michigan to the General Government-
Population in ISll— Hostility of the Savages— Land Office established— In-
dian Treaties — Operations on the Wabash.

Michigan having^ been surrendered to the United States,
in common with the other portions of *he north-western ter-
ritory, it came immediately under the jurisdiction of the or-
dinance of 1787. At that period it was populated chiefly by
the French and English, and their sparse settlements were
confined to the banks of the principal streams, and to the
military establishments and trading posts along the Lakes.
But few American settlers had at that time emigrated from
the east, excepting those belonging to the forL. The land
itself, the basis of controversy between the savages and the
United States, removed from the more densely populated
parts of the country, presented but few of the means and
motives for emigration and settlement ; and that 'gorous
enterprise, which is now acting on the soil under the influ-
ence of well-organized institutions, was then unknown.

But the jealousy which existed on the part of the English
at the rich conquest which had been effected by American
arms, soon tended to sow discord among the Indian tribes.
The argument which was urged for that object, was the same
which had been used against the English by the French,
namely, that it was the design of the American Government
to overrun the country and drive the Indians from their land.
There is little connected with the progress of the country
like that which belongs to densely settled states. There are
no records of growth, r:7riculture, and navigation. Roads
had not been constructed, cities had not been built. The

TERRITORY OP MICHIOAN ERECTED. 169

greater part of its domain was " fro.*, untouched, unbounded
mag:n,ficen. ,„ dcrness," excepting the linle cleanngs around
the villages the scattered French settlements, tl,; tradin<.
posts and the forts, a battle ground of rival and z Z!
powers, ,.raspmg at the dominion of the country. The fi
governor of tl,,,. north-western territory, as we have befo^
remarlted, was Arthur St. Clair, who was therefore theflra
Amertcan mag.strate under which .Michigan was piacS
Thts part of the north-western territory w.as, howcve the
mere outslcrt of that wide extent of jurisdicti'on, the c m7a
r of whose government was first at Marietta and af
terwards at Cincinnati The population was so t "

year 1,.,S, the north-western territory assutned the second
grade of terntorial government ; „„d the territory of MiCZ
as afterwards established, comprised a single county „C
rntory, the County of Wayne, T^ ,he„ sent one Tepre „
ta ,ve ,0 the general assembly of ,he north-western tefritorv

made m Mielngau under the American Government A
court of Common Pl.as was established, and the general „u„

L 80"Te"r'"",'"''"^ -as sometimes held a, Detroit
In 1802 the peninsular portion was annexed to the territory
of Indiana, by the act of Congress which authorized Z
erection nito a State of that par, of the north-westeri ,e r"
lory xdnchconstmites Ohio. The people, military i„ their
habitudes of mind, had neither means nor the iucliuatio , to
devote themselves to a,, iculn.re ; and the commercial op r

On he 11th of .January, 1811.9, Michigan was erected into a
separate territory by act of Congress. The government was

jJdtX"r.n ™.:::'""''' "'° ""'-' '- "" """" ">" •■»

Solamon Sibley, Chri.li.n Olcmer,, J.„., H„„,j., coi H„„,

D err'"' '™ "*•"■'". Kiij.. B„,.i, ■ It' !.„*„

Jo"™^"*" Legislative Council, Sept. 7. 1820.

1 li

170

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

ill

wliicli had been

ordained to be established on the p
scribed by the ordinance of 1787, The Ico^islative power
was to be vested in the governor and judges, who were au-
thorized to adopt and pubUsh its laws from the codes of the
original States ; and William Hull was appointed governor ot
this territory, and also Indian agent, which was tlion embo-
died in the office of executive magistrate. This appointment
was made under the administration of Jefferson. On the second
Tuesday in July, 1805, the oaths of office were administered
to the several officers of the territory, and on that day Michi-
gan commenced its governmental operations. This was, how-
ever, done under unfavorable circumstances. On the morn-
ing of the 11th of June, the Toicn of Detroit had been des-
troyed by fire. It then covered only two acres of ground.
The buildings were closely compacted, with narrow streets ot
only fourteen or fifteen feet wide ; and, as a matter of defence
against tho Indians, the village was environed with stn iig
and solid pickets. The houses being so closely built, and
comprised of combustible materials, were soon swept away
by the conflagration ; and when the officers of the govern-
ment arrived, they found the body of the people encamped
housely on the public grounds within the vicinity of tlip
town, while some had taken refuge in the neighboring coun-
try on both banks of the Detroit River. Some houses had,
however, been re-erected on the old site, and it was made the
object of the new government to direct the attention ot
Congress to the distressed condition of the people. Courts
were organized. A judicial sys' .n was establishc and the
territorial militia was disciplined and brought into tlie field.
The attention of Congress was also called to the land claims
which were made by the settlers, founded on occupancy, or
grants under the French and English Governments. On
October 10th, 1805, a report was made of the affairs of the
territory and forwarded to Congress, and in May, 1806, the
first code of laws was adopted and published for the territory
of Michigan, which was called the "Woodward Code."
This code was signed by Governor Hull, and Augustus B.
Woodward and Frederick Bates, the judges of the territory.

TERUITORY OF MICHIGAN ERECTED. 171

The bounds of the territorial government embraced all
that country on the American side of the Detroit River east
of a north and south line drawn through the centre of l,ako
Michigan.

The records of the court of Common Pleas of Wavho
County, Detroit, in the north-western territory, in 1788 ex-
hibit singular facts, which denote a crude and ill-organized
Irame of jurisprudence.

On Saturday, the 10th of December, the court was opened
by proclamation of the governor, and the commission of the
judges and other officers was read, namely, Louis Beaufait,
Esq senior justice; James May, Charles Gerardin, Patrick
McNiif, Nathaniel Williams, Esq., justices associates; Geor-e
M Dougall, Esq., sheriff. The verdict given at these counts
was frequently that the defendant shall give to the plaintiff
— day's work, without any other pay than his victuals ; and
another verdict of the jurors was, that the plaintiff was to re-
ceive his wood at the landing.

During the March term of the Common Pleas in 1799
Judges Louis Beaufait, James May, and Charles Gerardin'
being present in the case of James Abbot & Sons :

Tavid vs. Powers, (Attorney) exception was taken to tlie
proceedings of the court by the attorney for defendant on
the ground that the court wus under duresse. Detroit was
at that time garrisoned, and Lieutenant Col. Strono- then
commandant of the fort, had placed a centinel at the door
The court was then held in a private house. The court
It IS alleged, were very much hurt at the fact ; and a
letter was addressed to the acting commandant, requesting
that the centmel might be removed. This letter, howeve?
was returned unanswered. After a long consultation, ex-
amination, and arguments as to the fact of what constituted
duresse, what door mignt be considered the court-house door
and the measure of restraint which the centinel had upon tho'
minds of the judges, certain formal questions were pro-
pounded to the attorney then acting for the county of
Wayne, by the justices of the Court of Common Pleas of the

172

HrSVORY OP MICHIGAN.

W, 11

county of Wayne, on which he was nquired to give on an-
swer.

1. Do you know by wha. authority the sentinel is placed
at the back door of the house where the court is now sifting /

2. Do you consider this being placed there an obstructioa
to justice being administered ?

3. Are the jud;,res of the court liable to indictment for
holding the court in this house while the sentinel stands
there ; and do you consider it as under duresse?

4. Do you consider that the causes which are determined
in this court, while the sentinel stands there, will be legal ?

Answer to the fust question, That the sentinel is placed at
the door of M. Dodemead by Lieut. Col. Strong, command-
ing the U. S. regiment at the post of Detroit, in order to pre-
v(;nt all soldiers and followers of the U. S. army subject to
military law from entering the house to purchase liquor.

As to the second question, it was determined that the sen-
tinel was placed at the door of M. Dodemeads, and not at the
door of the court-house.

As to the third question, it was answered that duresse was
a matter which divided its into two parts. First, duresse ,
iind second, the consequences attending thereon. First, du-
resse is a matter of law, so far as to judge what is duresse and
what not. Should the fact exist that the court held its ses-
sion under duresse, they would undoubtedly be subject to iu-
dictment on information, and punished by the general court
therefor.

Answer to the fourth question. The town of Detroit has
long been a garrisoned town, with sentinels placed at the se-
veral gates thereof. There have been divers courts held
therein within the lines of sentinels. To give an opinion
upon the last question, would, in my humble opinion, call in
question the legality of the proceedings of all courts held in
this place.* Before I gave an opinion of such magnitude to

* Among other tilings atftached, as appears of record in the June term of the
Court of Comn,on Pleas in 1800, are the following :_the property of Isaac
W.llmms, 1 sword, IC scalping Lnives, 1 silver-mounted whip, 4 volumes Black-
8t«ne, 4 volumes Burn'a justice, I Bailey's Breech,,, 1 barrel spirits, 2 silk

COURT UNDER THE N, W. TERRITORY, I73

the interests of the citizens of the County of Wnyne I
must obtaui further information, both from ti>e law as weli'as
the gentlemen of the bar,*

To the Hon. Court of Common )
Pleas of the County of Wayne. )
In order to provide for those who had suffered from the
conflagration of Detroit, Cotic^ress passed an act in 1806 au-
thorizmg the governor and judges of the territory of MichicrMn
to lay out a town, including the old town of Detroit and "ten
thousand acres of the adjoining land, with the exception of
the traa to be reserved for military purposes. It also autho-
rized any three of the.n to hear and adjust claims to any lots
therein, and to grant deeds of lots not exceeding five thou-
sand square leet,to all those.or theirrepreseMtaiives,over seven-
teen years of age, who owned or inhabited anv dwellin<r-house
in Detrou when it was burned ; and who did'not, at that tiu.e
own or profess allegiance to any foreign State. All the land
remaining after such claims were satisfied, was to be sold by
the governor and judges, and the proceeds to be devoted to
the erection of a new court-house and jail, A that period,
however, the population was scarce; and was comprised
mamly of the English and French, and the few emiarants
who had hazarded t!ie dangers of the wilderness in th'e em-
ployment of the government, or connected with the military
posts. The country languished because there was little mo-
tive for emigration from the eastern States, The Indian title
to the soil had not been generally extinguished, and no land
was brought into market. There was, in consequence, little
mducement for emigrants to remove from the eastern States
to forests inhabited by savage enemies, and provided with
but weak defences.

The territory of Michigan had been scarcly erected, and

gowns, 1 silk petticoat, 1 full riding dress, green rnporfine cloth, 19 Indian shirts
18 bunches of beads, 3 deer-horn handle scalping-knives, red satin cloak, capote'
Dutch oven, 4 pr. white corduroy breeches, 24 raccoon skins, 8 fox and cat 10
deer skins. Id bears and two cubs, 3 muskrats, and a pledge by Catherine

JJuT".?' ^^*^r",""'' •=°"^'^''"g°*" ''°"'- "hrouds, 13 pr. of leggins, 1 shirt, one
Bilk handkerchief, 1 pr. gaiters, 1 pr. moccasins, and II hogs.
* See Records of the court of the north-western territoryr

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174

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

American institutions organized wi\iin its bounds, when a
new calamity broke out in another quarter. The Indian title
had bepn extinguished only to a small portion of the soil, and
the Indians who occupied and claimed the greater part of the
country were dissatisfied at the inroads which were made by
the Americans on their lands. They claimed that the trea-
ties which had been effected with the American government
were conducted on unfair grounds, when the savages were
intoxicated ; that they were deluded in the construction of
these treaties ; and that they had not the consent of all th«?
tribes. The ageius of the British Government, especially
those in the employ of the North-west Company, were also
active in fomenting the jealousies of the Indians against the
United States, It was doubtless the policy of the English to
wrest the country from the hands of the Americans, in order to
secure to themselves the advantages of the territory. For the
purpose of exciting the prejudices of the Indians, the English
traders were active in sowing the seeds of discontent among
their tribes; and British agents in disguise were despatched
to the remotest tribes of the forest to secure their co-operation
against the United States. Doubtless the spirit of land job-
bing existed to a great extent, and this furnished good ground
for action. It was p point insisted on by the Indians that
they should have the undisturbed control of the north-western
lands, without surrendering the right of pre-emption to the
United States.

The British were not wanting in savage agents to carry out
their projects ; and at this juncture, Tecumseh, or the Tiger
crouching for his prey, and Ellshwatawa, or the Prophet, the
twin brother of Tecumseh, sprang forward into prominence.
The subordinate chiefs were Myeerah, or Walk in the Water,
Round Head, and Blue Jacket. Tecumseh was a warrior of
the Shawanesfi tribe, without any hereditary claim to distinc-
tion, a seceder from the legitimate authority of his nation, the
builder up of his own fortune. Although equally energetic
and determined, and a more desperate warrior, he had not
the imperial and overbearing grandeur of Pontiac, He was
an open and avowed hater of the Americans, and was deter-

MICHIGAN A TERRITORY.

175

mined in his opposition to the advance oftMs nation on the
Indian domains ; and perhaps nrged by the English to orf^a-
nize a general confederacy against the United States, he ado'pt-
ed tiie same argnments for that object which had before been
used by Pontiac. The Prophet was to be the first mover of
this expedition, which was directed to unite in a general con-
federacy all the Indians of the north-west, against the progress
of American settlements. For that object, the same superstition
which had been used to prevent Jacques Cartier from ascend-
ing the St. Lawrence, and by Pontiac, in 17G3, against the
Bruish, was called in aid of this work. As early as 1806 the
Prophet, like Pontiac, commenced his project. It was affirmed
that lie had had a dream, in which he had seen the Great
Spirit, and that he v/as made his agent on earth. That he
had been directed to inform the Indians to throw away the
arts of civilization, and to resume the ancient customs of their
ancestors. He alleged that the Americans had driven the
Indians from the sea-coast, and wished to push them into the
lakes ; that they were to take a stand where they were, and
drive them to the other side of the Alleghany Monntains
War belts were circulated along the whole chain of tribes on
the north-western lakes, to induce them to join in this great
Indian confederation. Knowing the strong influence wTiich
hereditary rank possesses with the Indians, it was also affirmed
that the Shawanese were the oldest tribe on earth ; and that
all men, both Indians and English, sprung from them.

As early as 1807 the efforts to organize this confederacy
on the lakes had been commenced, and the fame of the
Shawanese Prophet spread like the wind through the tribes of
the north-west. The decline of the Indian power was con-
sidered, the advance of the American settlements was disput-
ed, and the minds of the Anglo-savage portion of the Indians
was excited to desperate action. Agents were despatched
from the head-quarters of the Shawanese to the Lake Indians
with messages and belts of wampum. On the 4th of May of
that year, Le Marquois or The Trout, an Indian warrior, de-
livered the subjoined speech in council at Maiouitonong, near
the entrance of Lake Superior, which purported to be the first

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176

HISTORY OP MICniOAN.

speech from tlio first man whom God lind created, to all the
Indiini tribes, suid to be in llio Sluiwatiese country.

l^pccch of Le Mavqunis.

"I am tlic father of the Enj^lish, of the Frencli, of the
Spaniards, and of the Indians ; I created the first man, wlio
was tlu! common father of all tlicse people, as well as your-
selves; and it is through him whom I have awaked from fiis
long sle( p that 1 now address you. Hut the Americans I did
not make. They are not my children, but tiie ehildreti of
the Evil Spirit. They grew from the scum of the great water
when it was trouhled by the Mvil Spirit, and tlie froth was
driven into the woods by a strong east wind. They arc nu-
merous ; but I hate them. My children, you must not speak
of this talk to the Whites; it miut be hidden from them. I
•Am now on the earth, sent by the Great Spirit to instruct you.
Each village! must send me two or more principal chiefs, to
represent you, that you may be taught. The bearer ol this talk
must point out to you the path to my wigwams; I could not
come mvself to l/Arbre Croche, because the world is changed
from what it was. It is broken and leans down ; and as it
declines, the Chippewas and all beyond will fall off and die.
Therefore you must come to sec me, and be instructed.
Those villages which do not listen to this talk, and send me
two deputies, will be cut off from the face of the earth."*

This speech was sent l)y the prop' et, -uid a deputation of the
Ottawas was dispatched to convey messages and wampum
along the shores of I <ake Superior. By the instigation of the
Prophet a vast body of the Indians from the shores of the
lakes crowded to the Pro))het's station ; and it is estimated that
about eight lumdred left the shores of Lake Superior for that
quarter, one third of whom died on their way from want and
hardship. The comet which appeared in 18U was made
use of by the Prophet to advance his own views, and to ripen
the savages for the last great struggle which they were to
make — the war against t'lo Americans.

The subjoi'^ed speecli of the principal chiefs and warriors

* American State Papers.

MICHIGAN A TERRITORV.

177

of the Wynndots, which wns delivered to Gen. Hull on the
'MMh of Sfjitumbor, 1809, exhibits the dissatisfaction of the
Indions ut the execution of the former treaties.

" To His Excellency, Governor Hull.

" Fathkh : liisten to the speech of you children, the Wy-
andots, delivered by their chiefs and warriors, in which they
let you know their sentiments.

"Father, listen : for we speak to you now, to let you
know the sentiments of our minds. Wo thought the land
we resided upon wns our own ; formerly our old chiefs, who
are now dead and scone, made a great promise to the Great
Spirit above that they never would move from the land we,
their children, now live upon and occupy. Father, listen.
You informed us that tlie land we occupy belonged to you. At
the treaty of Greenville, made with our father. General V/ayne,
he promised to us the land on which we live ; and for that
reason we never will consent to give up talking upon this sub-
ject. Father, listen ; you will remember that some of our
principal cliiefs went last fall to visit our great father, the
President of the United Slates. Our chiefs were very sorry
that they could not get an opportunity to talk with our great
father, the President of the United States, personally.

" Father, listen : When you arrived at this place among
your children, you always gave your children good advice to
cultivate the land. Your children of the Wyandot tribe of
Indians have followed you advice to their great benefit and
satisfaction. Blither, we were astoiUNlied when you told us
that there was a small tract of land at Brownstown and
Monguagon for our use for lifty years, and a vacancy in the
middle between the two villages.

" Father, listen to what your children, the Wyandats,
say. This small tract of land is entirely too small for ns.
What will become of our cb'Idren that are nowgrowino- up?
Father, listen ; you have cut off from us the best part of our
land. Your children, the principal chiefs, the old warriors,
head warriors, with some of our sensible young men of the
Wyandot nation, request you to grant them the following fa-

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HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

vor,— that the boundary of our lauds should commence at
a small run, about half a mile from Walk in the Water's
dwelhng-house, on the north-east side, to run from thence
along the Detroit River untU it crosses the River Huron, for
one mile, that is, the River Huron beyond Brownstown to
the south-west, thence to extend back to the United States'
purchase on a line established by the treaty of Detroit ;
beyond which to Rocky River we will for ever ai)andon fur-
ther claim. Fa.her, you know there is a bed of land be-
tween the two villages. The chiefs of the ^A yaudots and sen-
sible young men of our nation vn.shyou to let them have that
bed of land which lies between the two villages. Father,
the reason why your children like this bed of land so well is'
they have made valuable improvements thereon, which have
cost them, both labor and expenses ; and, what is still more
sen-'ble to our feelings, we love the land tliat covers the
bones of our fathers.

« Father, listen : Those lands; are our sole dependence for
cultiv^ating and huntino-.

" Father, listen again : You inform us concerning our land,
that we are only to enjoy them for fifty years. Your chil-
dren are very unea-y at this information ; tliey suy, let us en-
joy and have our land for ever.

" Father, listen . Your children say,— Let your children, the
Wyandots, have their land for one hundred years. Tiie rea-
son why we say one h-mdred years, is this ; 'if your children
the principal old chiefs of the Wyandot tribe of Indians, live
so long in peace and quietness, wJien that day comes, at the
end of one hundred years, father, we will again talk on the
same subject.

"Father, listen: It surprises us, your children, that our
great father, the President of the United States, should take as
much upon himselfas the Great Spirit above, as he wants
all the land on this island. Father, we think he takes the
word out of the mouth of the Great Spirit. He does not con-
sider that he is master. Father, he does not think of the
Great Spirit above, that he is omnipotent, and master of us all
mid every thing in this world.

MICHIGAN A TERRITORY.

179

« Father, listen to the request of all your Wyandot children
Grant us, we supplicate you, our land, in the quantity we have
requested in tliis speech ; then, father, we will thank the
voice of the Great Spirit above, and thank our father the
President of the United States, in granting this.

" Father, listen : You requested your children last sprino-fo
take mio consideration this subject concerning our land
^^e have complied with your request, and now give this an-
swer.

« Father, listen : We hope you will not think it is for want
of respect to you that we make known our sentiments oii
paper by our friend Jacob Visger. Father, as you have repeat-
edly promised your children that you would assist them, we
will never forget your paternal care of us, if you will assist
us at this present time in forwarding these our wishes and
sentiments to our father, the President of the United States.

{Siffned.)

Schow-Han-ret, The Black Chief.
Maera, Walk in the Water. Ha yane me-dac, Isedore.
Sin dac we no Yuch Sha Wa, no.

Teyuch-quant Rone-yae ta. Sky light.

Han-nac-saw, Split Log. Ta-han none-ka.

The design of Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet, was
to combine i\w. tribes along the lakes into one gciieral confe-
deracy. The points insisted on were, that the Americans
should be driven back over the Alleghany Mountains, and that
the war should not be terminated until that object was ac-
complished. That after this was effected, the Indians should
have undisturbed possession of their ancient hiintin2--ffrounds.
and be placed under the protection of the British Govern-
ment ; and that the warriors who dstinguished themselves in
the war, should receive a present from the British monarch
of very large medals. A large belt of wampum, upon which
was worked the figures of the tomahawk and such symbols
of war, was passed from tribe to tribe, with presents of tobac-
co and other customary ceremonies, as a pledge of belligerent
co-operation. By this means a considerable portion of the

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180

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

Mianiis, the Ottawas, Cliippowns, Wyandots, Potawatamios,
Mcsscssao^as, the Shawancsc, and the VViiuiebagoes, were in-
duced to joiu that oiiterprizc. In consequence of hostile de-
monstrations founded on this Indian confederacy, it was found
necessary to incretisc the defences of Detroit, and a stockade
was erected around the new town in 18U7. At tliis period
but few settlements had been made in the interior. The
minds of the inhal)itants were more occupied in defendiuf
their settlements ajrainst the dauirers which threatened them
from tlie enmity of the surroundina: savasfes, than in extend-
ing- their settlements further into tlie forest.

Tiie plan of the Indian confederation was, in more than one
respect, sunilur to that of Pontiac. It was proposed to surprise
by stratayein the posts at Detroit, Fort Wayne, C'licatjo, St.
Louis, and Vincennes ; and to brin<r into the confederacy all
the tribes upon the Mississippi. The British aijent, Elliot,
who was stationed at Maiden, addressed a Miami chief in
these words, " .My son, keep your eyes fixed on me ; my toma-
hawk is now up, be you ready, but do not strike till I give
the signal."' I'lie Pro|)het and Tecumseh were doubtless in-
stigated by the Britisii Government to cffiict this confedera-
tion, in order to co-operate with the English when war
should be declared between England and the United States.
This confederation having been ripened, the flame of war at
length broke out in ISll, near the Prophet's town on the
banks of the VV^abash. During the engagement between the
troops of Gen. Harrison and the Indians at that place, in
which the Indians practised the utmost address and perfidy,
Tecumseh was absent. While the battle was raging, the
Prophet was seen on an eminence, singing a war-song in
order to inspire the Indians wi':h greater confidence.

While these events were transpiring, the territory of Mi-
chigan was in a coniparativ'ely defenceless state. For the pur-
pose of securing protection from the United States, a memorK-\l
was presented to Congress on the 27th of December 1811,
setting forth the condition of the territory, and praying for
aid from that body against the augmenting hostility of the sa-
vages. There were then in Michigan only nine principal

MICHIOAN A TERRITORY.

181

settlements. These were on the River Miami, the Raisin,
the Huron of Lake I'irie, Ecorce, Rouge, Detroit, Huron of
St. Clair, the River Sinclair, the Island of Mackinaw, besides
several g'roups ofcahins scattered through the forest. Those
on the Miami, the Raisin, and the Huron of Lake Erie, com-
prsed a population of KMO; the establishments at Detroit, (he
river Roufje, Ecorce^ and the Huron of St. Clair, contained
!i227 inhabitants ; and the Island of Mackinaw and the de-
tached colonies constituted a population of 1070. The fort
at Detroit was garrisoned by 94 men, and that of Mackinaw
by 79. The atrgregate population of Michigan at that time
was 48(H) ; four fifths of whom were French, and the re-
mainder Americans, with a small portion of British.*

Tlie hostile spirit, which had been thus excited by Tecum-
seh and the Prophet upon the lakes, soon manifested itself
upon the Michigan irontier. The scattered settlements along
the inland streams were at that time much exposed to the
depredations of the Indians ; and the emigrants found their
horses and cattle slaughtered around their huts. At French
Town this devastation was carried on to the most formidable
extent before the declaration of war between England and the
United States. At one time bands of naked warriors, with
feathers in their heads, whom the French called des Iroquois,
made descents upon that village ; and in silence proceeded to
destroy all property which was supposed to be required for
the support of t'le army in the coming contest. Entering the
houses of the French peasantry, they plundered the defence-
less tenants of the provisions within them without exchang-
ing a word with the occupants; cut down the cattle in the
fields, and witli their tomahawks demolished the bee-hives
which were found in their gardens. At that period, which
was but a year before the declaration of war, the agency of
the British was also manifest in the fact that a blacksmith's
shop was erected near Kalamazoo ; and here were forged scalp-
ing-knives and hatchets for the use of the savages ; and near
it was a retired spot, nearly enveloped with vegetation, where

Memorial from Michigan. For this document, see American State Papers.

wrr

182

HISTORY OF MICHIOAN.

tho Iiidi.-ui women wore collected to plant corn, while the
warriors were assembling along tho Irontior unci the British
posts.

In the year 1804 a land office had been established at Dc
troit ; but its prn.cipal design was donbtless to adjnst certain
land titles springing from Frencli grants, which were fonnd to
be detective, nnder the sanction of the Couiumc dc J'aris-
1 10 law of France which governed the territory while under
the French dominion. The pnblic lands, which have been
found to be a mine of immense value to the United States
could not tlion be regularly brought into market, bncauso the
Indian title had then been only partially extingnishcd

In the year 1785 a treaty had been held with the tribes of
the Ottawas, Cliippewas, Delawares, and Wyandots, at Fort
Mcintosh, by which a belt of land, commencincr at the
Rivor Raisin and extending to Lake St. Clair, with a breadth
of SIX miles along the strait, was ceded to the United States •
and to this was added a tr.-^ct of twelve miles square at Mi-
(^hihmackmac. In the treaty of Fort Harmar, in the year
1/8/, all the aipnlations embraced in the former treaties were
confirmed ; and in 1795 the belt of land, which },as befoi-
been mentioned embracing Detroit, was again granted to the
United States by the treaty of Greenville ;* and also twelve
miles square at the Rapids of the Miami, together with the
islands of Bois Blanc and Mackinaw; and also a tract of
laud, six miles by three, on the main, to the north of the Tslard
of Mackinaw. The gifts or grants to the British and Frt-nch
were also ceded to the United States. The tract of land first
described as running from the River Raisin to Lake St (^liir
was the only soil which could be appropriated by the Whites
to cultivation. " "

The foundation of many of the old French claims to land
is^an act which passed the Congress of the United States in
1807, granting a confirmation of claims, to a certain extent, to
those who had been in the possession of lanes in the year 170(5
when the country came nnder the actual jurisdiction of tho'

* See Appendix.

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MICHIGAN A TKURITOUY.

183

United States, mid who hud maiiitaiiied their occupaiicv un
to the date of that act. Subsequent acts passed Coi,.rr,ss J
tending the sumo ad.antajre to tlie •settlements npon tie upnor

In 1807 the Indian title to the soil hejran re<.ularly to be
extinguished. During that year Gov. Hull entered into a

and Wyandot trihes, which annexed the lands that had Ji
been ceded under Ibrmer treaties within tlie line running on

Washtenaw, and Lenawe. These, however, were not broiudu

into market until the year 1817. The southern boundary^of

-s cession was the river and bay of the Miami, and enib.Ld

o t he An Chuze, unlil it mtersected the parallel of the outlet
of ake Huron, and extending in a north-eastern course to

1 11 ' r "P"V'"' '''^'- '■' '"'' ^''^^-^ '^'^^ -^o»t four
Hundred farms in the territory.

A. this time there was no Mibstantial defence to Detroit be-
sides the iort which was situated outside of the stockade, and
n the rear of the original town, until the year 18U7. Durincr
hat year a stockade was constructed around the new town o"f
De.roit, on account of certain threatening movements of the
Indians, vyincli continued until the year 1817. The progress
of the settlemont at this period was slow, but as rapid L could
be expected Irom the circnmslances of a remote and small
village, located far away from the Atlantic coast, wliich con-
tamed the bulk of the American population, and dostituto of
any extraordinary means of advancement. Enterprize had
not then pushed its energies so far into the wilderness as in
modern times, and capital floated along die shores of the east-
ern States. In fact a great portion of that cultivated tract of
country, winch constitutes the splendid scenery of western
JNew-\ ork, adorned, as it now is, with large cities and villaires
and intersected by rail-roads and canals, was a dense forest'
The principal business of the settlements in Michigan was
the fur trade ; and the -.-rlornoss around, inste;ul of ix^vealiuo-
US treasures to the substantial labors of agriculture, was pre^

,ad

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1 H!

!'.!

i (

!' i

P I

184

HISTORY OP MICIIiQAN.

served a waste for the propagation of wild game and the
fur-bearincr animals. No permanent settlements of any con-
siderable importance had been made throughout tins section
of the country besides those at Detroit, Michilmiackmac, a
small establishment on the St. Mary's River, Fox River, o
Green Bay, Prarie du Chien, and certain tradmg posts ot
eastern companies, some of which are now in rums. '• Gnm-
visacred war had smoothed her wrhikled front ;" and the coun-
try which had been for so long a period drenched m blood,
now shone out in the m.ld butglorious light of peace.

But a crisis had now arrived which again called forth the
military energies of this section of the conntry,andbroughtde-

vaslation upon the frontiers. Thedifferences which had gradu-
ally spruncr up between Great Britain and the United States, on
the crround of international rights, soon ripened into open re-
beliron. It was preceded, however, in 1811, by hostilities
upon the Wabash, under the histigation of Tecnmseh, aided
by his brother the Prophet. The has. of these host.hti s
was the fact that Elshwatawa the Prophet, who pretended to
certain supernatural power, had formed a league wi h Te-
cnmseh, to stir up the jealousy of the Indiairs against the Uni-
ted States. It seems that this was an act of pre-concert on the
part of these brothers, in order to produce a general confede-
racy of Indians against the United States. MiUual comp amts
were uro-ed on both sides. It was maintained by Governoi
Harrison that the Indians had endeavored to excite insur-
rection acrainst the Americans, had depredated upon their
property, and murdered their citizens; and that they were,
LLver, in league with the British. He ordered them
therefore,to return to their respective tribes, and to yield up the
property which they had stolen, and also the murderers^ 1 e-
cumseh in answer, denied the league. He alleged that
only design, and that of his brother, was to strengthen the
amity between the different tribes of Indians, and to improve
their moral condition. In answer to Governor Harrison s de-
mand for the murderers of the whites who had taken refuge
among their tribes, he denied that they were there ; nnd se-
condly, that if they were there, it was not right to punish

MICHIGAN A TRnRlTORY.

185

them, and that they ought to be forgiven, Jis he had forgiven
those wlio had murdered his people in Illinois. The Indians,
comprised of seceders from the various tribes, were incit-
ed by the conviction that their domain was encroached
upon by the Americans ; that they were themselves superior
to the white men ; and that the Great Spirit had directed them
to make one mighty struggle in throwing off the dominion of
the United States. British influence, which had before exert-
ed its agency in the previous Indian war, was active on the
American side of the Detroit River ; and it must be idmitted
that it had strong ground of action. An ardent correspond-
ence had for some time existed regarding the conduct of the
savages, and powerful efforts were made to dissuade them
from advancing in their projects. In a speech which was sent
to Tecumseh and his brother, complaining of injuries which
had been committed by the Indians, and demanding redress,
Gov. Harrison, who then resided at Vincennes, remarks, " Bro-
thers, I am myself of the Long Knife fire ; as soon as they hear
my voice, you will see them pouring forth their swarms of
'hunting-shirt men,' as numerous as the mosquitoes on the
shores of the Wabash. Brothers, take care of their stings."

■ 'f.

IBG

HISTORY or MICHIGAN.

CHAPTER Xr.

War tlcclnrcd brtwccn Great Rritiiin ond tlic TJnited Sfatos — RrprPHrntntions of
Ciovernor Hull — Governor Hull nppointed 'o llio command of the wesicni
nruiy — Marches over to Sandwich, and nddrcsses the Cunadians — Policy of
Prt'vost — Surrender of Detroit — Indians under Tceunisi'li — Conduct of Go-
vernor Hull — Expedition to the River Raisin — Capture of Chicago — Battle of
tii<! River Raisin — Gen. Harrison's Campaign — Navul Rattle on Lake l-'.rii)
— Harrison arrives at Maiden — Marches to rJctroit — Attack of Mackinaw —
Peace declared.

In June of 1812, an act was passcil by tlic Congress of the
United States, declaring war against Great Britain. The nia-
nilbsto alleged, a.s grotnids for this war, the violation of the
American flag upon the high seas by the impressment of
American seamen ; the harassment of American vessels as
they were entering or departing from British harbors ; the
shedding of American blood within tho bounds of her juris-
diction ; blockading the ports of the enemies of Great Britain,
and not supporting these blockades by the application of fleets
adequate to make them legal ; in consequence of which Ameri-
can commerce had been plundered, and her products cut of!
from their markets ; and for Iiaving employed secret agents
to subvert the Government and to destroy the Union ; and
for stimulating the Indian tribes to hostility against the
United States. At that period the country was unprepared
for war. The regular army was small, and comparatively
undisciplined, ]\Iost of the patriots of the RevoliUion had
smik into their graves, and the energies of the nation had be-
come somewhat enervated by a long peace. Nor was the re-
vemie adequate to the support of a long campaign. The
navy, which had become somewhat disciplined by contact
■with the Barbary powers, was in a mucli better condition than
the other branches of national defence. About one year
before the declaration of war. Gen. William Iltdl, then Go-
vernor of Michigan, made an official statement to tho general
government of the condition of the American forces upon tho

WAn OP 1812.

187

upper lakes. He alleged that the Americans J.ad milifarv
posts at Chicago, Detroit, n.id Michilimackinac; and that the
IJiitisn at the two last-named posts was about equal to that of
the Americans at Chicago, Michilimackinac, and Detroit • and
m case of war, should the forces in Upper Canada join the
IJnt.sh their success in subjugating the American iorce on
tins side would be almost certain ; as (he militia in Canada
amounted to about one hundred thousand men, while the
orce on the American side consisted only of about five
.ousand. Ho alleged that it was probable the services of
the Indians, who infested the forests for two hundred miles
nround Detroit, would be enlisted in favor of Uritish influence
IIo staled, also, that Detroit was the key to the upper region
of the north-western lakes, and to a vast extent of buck coun-
ty ; and that this post might command a wide tract of terri-
tory, and serve to keep the northern Indians in clieck Ho
therefore suggested that a naval force should be sent forward
immediately on Lake Erie, sufficient to command the lake
and which might co-operate with the post at Detroit. In case
that project should be defeated, Gov. Hull proposed that ^if
war should be declared, Canada should be invaded byapow-
cful army sent over from Niagara, which should co-operace
with the force at Detroit and subjugate the British provinces
f his was not done, he declared (hat the American posts musi
iall into (he hands of the British.

In consequence probably, of this suggestion, a campaign
was projected by the government of the United States, which
doubtless Imd for its object the conquest of Montreal. But
the American troops, instead of concentrating at that point
were scattered along the whole line of the north-western fron-
tier. 1 he design seems to have been to invade Detroit and
JN.agara contemporaneously, on the supposition that the ar-
mies at these posts would n ore forward to Montreal, meeting
on their way the force at Plattsburgh. For this object an
army destined for Detroit, was collected at Dayton, Ohio
even before the war was declared. It was comprised of abou!
tu.e ve lumdred men, drafted from that State by the Preside
of the United States; and this number was conLorab ly at "

- 1

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188

inSTORY OP MICHIOAN.

moiitcd by voliiiitcprs. TIio nrniy was divided into three
regiments, and ihoso wore placed under the ctininmnd of Cols.
M'Arthur, Cass, and Tinelly. To these wore addtid the (buith
regiment, consisting of infantry and a low regulars, constilut'
ino- in the whole about three hundred men ; and these wero
placod luider the command of Col. Miller. 'I'his force, to-
gether with an addition of a munher of stragglers, was placed
U4ider the command of Gvn. Hull. The prominent position
which was sustained by (jien. Hull, as governor of Michigan ;
tlio fact that from his odicial station he was presumed to pos-
sess an nccurate knowledge of the north-western frontier, and
that ho had formerly served with brilliant success in the ar-
my of Washington, were circumstances which were? deemed
sudicicnt to establish the propriety of vesting in this indivi-
dual the first connnand. The (.General, therelore, having been
ordered to proceed to Detroit, and to await there for i'urther
orders, lell Dayton with tha army about the middle of June,
and passed through the trackless regions from that i)lace
to the Maumeo of the lakes. The army was obliged to
cut its way through the forest, but after sutibring extraordi-
nary hardship, it finally arrived, on the 3()di day of June, at
the Ilupids.

There was gross negligence on die part of Uie war depart-
ment in furnishing to the western frontier information of the
declaration of war ; because on the 2{3th day of the month
Gen. Hull received intelligence by express from the Secretary
of War, which contained no information of that event, al-
though war had then been declared. The British diploma-
tists, however, as soon as diis had occurred, immediately con-
veyed information of that fact to die frontiers to th(ur own
men ; and Uius the English had already received information
of the declaration before it had reached the American side.
Gen. Hull, who had visited Washington, in order to relieve his
army in some measure from its incumbrances, hired at the
Rapids a vessel to convey to Detroit his baggage, a few who
wore sick, and certain hospital stores as well as valuable docu-
ments ; and this vessel took the usual course to Detroit by tho
wav of the Maiden chnnnel. On her approach to that point,

i . I

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WAR OP 1812.

189

tlio vcssol was capliircd, nnd the information of the dcclnra-
tion ofwiir first hroko upon the astonisliod crow from Uritisli
li|>.s IIS tiioy bo.irtlcd llic Anioricuii vosscl. From tlicsn facts
it will lu! iKMccivcd that jVIicliiira,,^ from hor exposed location
on tlin very fronlior of the western territory, licr proximity to
the Mritish provinc(;s and distance from military aid, was made
the first victim of the war of 1812. CJen. Hull reached De-
troit on the nth of July, wliere iiis forces were for some time
employed in recrnitinff their strenirth and cleaninfr tfieirmtis-
kets, which had hecomo foul from u lonir ex|>osnro to the
rains and damps of the forest, (hi the 9th of that month ho
received orders fronj Mr. Mnstice, the then Secretary of War,
to the following vtlhct :— "Should the force under your com-
mand beerpial to tla-enterprizc, and consistent with the safety
of your own posts, you will take posses.^ion of Ma .m, and
extend your conquests as circumstances will allow."

ilis army were anxious to prosecute this enterprise imme-
diately, and urged it upon Gen. Hull with great vigor. Tho
garrison at Maiden was at that time quite weak, and had no
defence of any considerable consequence, excepting a few of
the Canadian militia, who were of insufhcient force to main-
tain an encounter with Gen. Hull. It was perceived hy the
instructions of the Secretary of War, that to invade Canada or
to remain on the defensive was left discretionary with Gen,
Hull. Maiden was at that time the key to tf e Canadiai; pro-
vinces, and its possession would Iiave Ijeen an immensely
advantageous point in the subsequent campaign. Having
made arrangements for the expedition, Gen. Hull crossed the
River Detroit on the 12th day of July, and established his forces
at Sandwich. Here iio issued a proclamation, which was an
impi tvssive and energetic paper, and, backed by the bayonets of
his army, had a powerful influence in keeping the Indians
and the Canadians, many of whom were at heart opposed to the
American cause, upon neutral ground. He invited the sur-
rounding people to come in nndcr the American banner?, pro-
mising protection to the persons and property of the inhabitants
of Canada in the name of his country, but extermination if they
jomed the British and savages against the United States. He at

190

msTOUY op MICmOAN.

V I

Ihe snmo time spread out to their view tlic advaiirnirc..s of Ix-coni-
iiiirmcorporatod Willi «n>piil)|icanjrov<!rmiu'nr,iiisf(.ad of lu-in.r
usorvdo «ppoiid;i-o to tlio Mritisli ii.oiiaiTliy. "Had I any
doubt of ulliiuatu success," says this proclaumtioii, " [ should
nsic yournssistaiico ; but I come prepared for every contiu-rpucy.
1 have a force which will break down all oj.positiou, aud that
force is hut ihe vaii-jruard of a much j^nvater." This bold
and elo(pie!it document was from the pen of Governor Cass.
Under this invitation, many of the Canadians came over to
the American side. Some of the oflicers of his army wero
disposed to proceed immediately to the stormin<r of ]\Ialden ;
but tJen. Hull, countenanced by a council of war, consider-
ed it expedient to wait for his heavy artillery, which, it was
alleged, was preparin<r at Detroit. The American army, there-
fore, remained at Sandwich, while occasional fora-i,„r parties
were sent out in order to procure provioions. Col! Cass, with
a force of about two hundred and ei-rhly won, soon after the
army crossed, left the camp to reconnoitre the crmimd towards
Maiden, and he drove in a picket of the Mritish which was
stationed on a brid2:e crossing the river Canard. That
bridge was only about four miles from Maiden. After killinn-
ten of the enemy, he took possession of the brido-e It was
deemed important as a post by Col. Cass, and he proposed to
Gen. Hull to maintain it as a prominent point for a future at-
tack. That snggestioii, however, was not regarded Gen
Ifull considered, or pretended to consider, that such a move-
ment would probably bring on a general action, whicli it was
desirous at that time to avoid, as it had been determined to
wait for artillery, and Col. M'Arthur had already drawn oif a
considerable force from the main strength of the army.

During this delay at Sandwicli, an eV'Jitioii wa^ instl^at
ed and actually sent out against Mackinaw. The (ir^t inti-
mation which the connnandant, Liculeiiant ^.'n!,-. rec-ivod
of the declaration of war, was the summons from tlio British
force to surrender under the very walls of the fort. It seems
that the Indians were instructed to enter upon an indiscrimi-
natG massacre m case any resistance should be made ; and as
Jus o.^c was mcompetcnt to withstand the combined attack

WAii OK IB 12.

191

Jvlllmnp

of tlio Uritish mid Indinns, Lioiit.ninnt n,.iik.ssnrrondor..don
the irth of July. Lieutenant Hanks had at his command
only abont fdly-sevcn men, and the combined .strenjrth of the
Untish and Indians amonntcd lo one thousand and twoniy-
/our, coniiiosed of the Whites, Siouxs, Winnebagocs, Talles-
wani, Chijipewas, and Ottawas.

fJov. Meigs of Ohio, had, in answer to the request of Gen
I nil, despatched Captain lirush to his aid with provisions
He was soon n.fonned, however, that a party, constituted of
iintish and Indians, l,ad been sent out from Maiden to
IJrownstown, m order to intercept him. Accordingly, on tho

4th,C,en Hull huTiselfdespatclicd aparty, comprised of abont
two hundred men, under tho command of Major Van Horn
to escort Captain Urush (o the camp. The American partvl
reached IJrownsiown on tho 8th, but were surprised by tho
Indians, and tho savages fired upon them from an ambuslide.
1 he American party icturncd the fire, but they were soon over-
powered by numbers, and fled from the field, where they left
eighteen dead, and returned to Detroit.

From these facts, the enmity of the north-western sava-es
was manifest, and it was anticipated that tliey would soon
pour out from the wilderness, like the Goths and Vandals
..pon the American forces. In fact, it had been the policy
ot Great Britain, as the war thickened, to excite a creneral
confederacy of the Indian tribes against the Americans, un-
der British protection. For this object councils were held
presents were forwarded, and the war-belt was circulated
through the tribes. That volcano, which was pressed down
by Gen. Harrison at the Prophet's Town in the battle with the
1 rophet, only slumbered to break out elsewhere with tenfold
t«ry, and to pour its storms of fire upon the earth. Formal
councils were held at Brownstown and Maiden, in order to
consider the propriety of their taking up arms against the
Americans ; and we have seen that tliey were instigated by
J^llint, llie Indian Agent, to sharpen their tomahawks for tho
conflict. The policy of Great Britain was to brin- over to
their cause tlie powerful influence of Tecumseh, "aided by
that of Ins brother the Prophet. It must l)e admitted that

flY*
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^],'

'■M

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()

192

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

A II

the grievances of this warrior had a strong basis. Governor
Harrison, as early as 1809, in his annual message to the In-
diana legislature, declared, that owing to defects in the law
of the United States, " every person has been allowed to trade
with the Indians that pleases, which proves a source of num-
berless abuses, of mischievous effect both to them and our-
selves." In his message, two years after, is the following
statement :— that " the utmost efforts to induce them to take
up arms would be unavailing if only one of the many per-
sons who have committed murders on the people could be
brought to punishment." It is clear, therefore, that although
the country, in its corporate capacity, was not instrumental
in committing wrongs upon the Indians, still it cannot be de-
nied that base wrongs were actually committed by many
Americans, as individuals, upon the Indians. The grand ar-
gument used by Tecumseh to induce the Indians to take up
arms against the United States, was the fact that the white
men v/ere encroaching upon them, and taking away their
lands, which the Great Spirit had ordained should be the
common property of the Indians.

On the 8th of August, Gen. Hull called a couticil of war,
in order to adjudge the question of expediency in proceeding
upon the attack of Maiden without the artillery from Detroit,
and it was agreed to wait two days for the ordnance ; and in
case it did not then arrive, to attack the fort. Between the fifth
and the eighth day, the period which had been concluded upon
as the time of attack, information was received by Gen.
Porter, who then commanded the Niagara frontier, that the
enemy were fast advancing to meet him ; that he need expect
no diversion from the Niagara ; and that some of tlio British
forces had already arrived at the garrison of Maiden. These
circumstances operating upon the somewhat timid mind of
Gen. Hull induced him to re-cross the river without any at-.
tempt at subjugating Canada. This he did on the 9th of
August. His alleged ground for this proceeding, was the
foct that Gen. Brock would soon arrive with succor to tue
British troops ; that the Indians were disengaged from Macki-
naw, and would pour down in hordes upon lum ; besides that

WAR OK 1812.

193

his supply of provisions would be cut off from his want of
communication with Ohio,

This unfortunate exigency was brought about by the ad-
mirable policy of Sir George Prevost, the then Governor-ge-
neral of Canada. As General Dearborn had been instructed
to mvade Canada from Niagara, and to co-operate with Hull
at Detroit, it became the policy of the British to divide the
two forces, in order that the English might prosecute their
own ends. For that object Col. Baynes was sent from Mon-
treal with a flag of truce, carrying to the American forces
dispatches from his government containing a repeal of the
British orders in oouncil ; and upon the probable ground that
these might produce a peace, he demanded an armistice
His design was to cause a delay, by which Gen. Dearborn
might be separated from ^en. Hull, and that the British force
might through this means be able to concentrate its strength
upon the single army of the last-mentioned general. It was
stipulated by General Dearborn, that should the President of
the United States disapprove of the armistice, hostilities
should re-commence between the forces after four days' notice
of that fact. But the delay occasioned by the communication
from Washmgtou would afford ample time foi the Governor
general to effectuate his design. The armistice was disap-
proved by the President, but the Govrrnor-general had gained
fiis point before the news arrived to that effect

p*^" n', tV'' '^^^^'^^«"- H»'l re-crossed the Detroit
Kiver, Col. Miller was despatched with the fourth regiment
and a body of militia, consisting of about 600 men to es-
cort the provisions whicli were expected from Ohio • and his
advance guard, under the command of Captain Snelling met
the enemy near Monguagon. The guard maintained its
position until it was backed by the main body. The enemy
consisted mainly of British and Indians, who were defended
by a rough breastwork. After a brief but sharp contest, they
were dislodged, and driven in boats across the river, leavino-
the Americans masters of the field. As provisions weiS
expected. Col. Miller remained for s.)me time on the battle-
ground, but he soon received orders from Gen. Hull to re-

■■\

■■"•/i

'■^■y

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194

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

1 1
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turn to Detroit. Gen. Hull, in a letter to the Secretary
of War, as matter of discouragement to the campaign, alleged
that no advantage was gained by the American arms farther
than th'3 points of their bayonets extended. The battle of
Monguagon was contended on the part of the British, by the
English Canadians and Indians, vho, having embarked from
Maiden, were drawn up in regular order of battle on the
western banks of the river, and about fifteen miles below
Detroit. In their defeat by Col. Miller, they retreated, under
the cover of their armed vessels, toward which they were
pursued for about two miles. Communications having been
sent by Col. Miller to Detroit, Col. M' Arthur was detached
with provisions for the American camp ; but a storm of rain
coming on, the detachment was ordered by General Hull to
return to the fort. In this action Tecumseh, the Shawanese
warrior, leading on the savage hordes, maintained his bril-
liant reputation ; and, although wounded, maintained his
ground while the British regulars gave way, leaving about
forty Indians dead upon the field. Arrangements were now
made convey the expected provisions by a more circuitous
and less exposed route ; and Colonels M'Arthur and Cass,
having selected three hundred and fifty of the best troops
from the army of General Hull, left Detroit on the 13th of
August, for this expedition.

Gen. Brock, one of the most energetic and able of the Bri-
tish commanders in Canada, arrived at Maiden on the 14th
of August, just five days after the armistice before-mentioned
was to have taken effect ; and moving up to Sandwich on the
15th day of August, he summoned General Hull to surren-
der. It appears that the British General heid inquired re-
garding the weak points of the character of his opponent,
and had taken measures accordingly. As matter of in-
ducement, he had sent a message to Gen. Hull to the fol-
lowing effect : — " It is far from my intention to join in a
war of extermination, but you must be aware that the nu-
merous body of Indians who have attached themselves to my
troops, will be beyond my control the moment the contest com-
mences." To this communication Gen. Hull answered : " I

WAR OP 1812.

195

le Secretary
aign, alleged
arms farther
he battle of
ritish, by the
ibarked from
attle on the
miles below
eated, under

I they were
having been
/as detached
torm of rain
eral Hull to
?! Shawanese
[led his bril-
intained his
aving about
iS were now
e circuitous
ir and Cass,
J best troops

the 13th of

3 of the Bri-
on the 14th
■e-mentioned
Iwich on the

II to surren-
inquired re-
is opponent,
atter of in-
1 to the fol-
io join in a
that the nu-
selves to my
contest com-
iiwered : " I

hare no other repiy to make, than that I am prepared to
meet any force which may be at your disposal." A know-
ledge of the character of Gen. Hull convinced Gen. Brock
that he had only to assume a boldness and appearance of de-
termination to accomplish his own designs. His procrasti-
natmg and indecisive spirit while in Canada, was in itself a
demonstration of the character of Gen. HuP ; and it is alleged
that the vessel which had been captuicd at Maiden contained
a correspondence exhibiting a want of energy and firmness.
On the return of the answer of Gen. Hull, Gen. Brock com-
menced an immediate cannonade upon the American fort,
which was returned with some effect on the American side
from batteries which had before been muzzled. As it was
probable, from the appearance of an armed vessel near the
British side, that Gen. Brock intended to cross the river at
fcjprmgwell, which is about - miles below Detroit, either at
night or m the morning, Captain Snelling was sent to that
point in order to prevent his passage. It was proposed that a
heavy piece of ordnance should be placed on that bank, to
compel the removal of the armed vessel, and also to prevent
the crossmg of the British force. Gen. Hull, however, dis-
regarded this advice. Such a piece of ordnance would have
done effective service, and, if abandoned, it might have been
spiked. The detachment under Col. Snelling sent out for
that object, was ordered to return by break of day to the fort
The Indian confederates of the English on the frontier of
Michigan in 1812, were led by Tecumseb. This warrior
was remarkable, not only for his courage, but for moral traits
of character which made him prominent among the savages.
There is evidence that during the whole course of the wax
he was opposed to the savage barbarities which were com-
mitted by the Indians on their prisoners, and that he disdamed
those httle personal adornments which form a striking feature
of Indian taste. His form and countenance were of a noble
cast. About five feet ten inches high, he was muscular and
agile ; and had a dignified expression of countenance, with an
eye like that of the eagle. Like Pontiac, he exhibited more of
mquisitiveness regarding the customs of the whites than is

; 111
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196

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

usual with his race. In the battles of Brownstown, and at
the surrender of Detroit, he was conspicuous. As an evi-
dence of his aptness in war, Gen. Brock, before he crossed
the river to Detroit, consulted Tecumseh as to the character
of the country which he would be obliged to cross in case
he advanced farther, Tecumseh, stretching a roll of elm
bark upon the ground, with stones placed on each corner,
etched with his scalping-knifc a correct map of the woods,
swamps, and streams of this portion of Michigan. Gratified
with this display of aptitude, as well as for his boldness in
inducing the Indians, not of his own party, to cross the De-
' troit River, Brock took off his sash, and publicly preserUed it
to that warrior as an evidence of his approbation ; but Te-
cumseh presented it to the Wyandot Chief, Round-Head, be-
cause, as he said, the Wyandot Chief was an older and better
warrior than himself. Although Tecumseh had been invest-
ed with the rank of a Brigadier-general in the British army,
he took no satisfaction in the military tinsel of civilized war-
fare, and he adhered with mideviating perseverance to the
Indian garb. During the whole course of the war his dress
was a deer-skin coat and leggins, and in that dress he was
found when killed at the battle of the Thames. An excellent
judge of position, his counsel was at all times valuable to the
British commanders. When Detroit was surrendered by
Gen. Hull, Tecumseh was at the head of the confederated
Indians ; and being requested by Gen. Brock, after the capitu-
lation, not to allow his Indians to massacre the prisoners,
" No," said he, " I despise them too much to meddle with
them." He was naturally of a silent and contemplative cast
of mind, better fitted for the stormy duties of the field than
the discussions of the council ; but, when roused, he could
pour forth volumes of indignant and burning eloquence.
Though he levied large subsidies to carry on his operations,
it can be truly said to his credit that he preserved but little
to himself. He fought not for profit or glory, but for the
forests and the wigwams which gave him birth, for the rights
of his fallen race. The American interest in his quarter, at
that period, was environed with a powerful antagonizing in-

WAR OF 1812.

197

wn, and at

As an evi-

he crossed
le character
ross in case

roll of elm
ach corner,

the woods,
. Gratified
boldness in
OSS the De-
presented it
n; but Te-
id-Head, be-
!r and better
been invest-
itish army,
vrilized war-
ance to the
ir his dress
ess he was
Ln excellent
uable to the
3ndered by
onfederated
' the capitu-
} prisoners,
.eddle with
plative cast

field than
I, he could

eloquence.

operations,
i but little
)ut for the
r the rights
quarter, at
jnizing in-

fluence. Besides the open and avowed enemies of the British,
there were large bodies of traders connected with the British
fur companies, which would have leagued themselves with
the British if their aid was granted in the war. It was
for the interest of these traders to exclude the Americans
fi . the possession of the country, as they would, in the event
of the conquest of the soil, secure a wider scope for the exer-
cise of their trading operations. At all events, the embodying
of these traders was a subject of great dread to Gen. Hull
before his capitulation. The numerous tribes of savages on
the lakes, led on by the British, contributed in no unaW de-
gree to increase the terror of the then Governor of Michigan ;
commanded, as they were, by Tecumseh, Marpot, Logan,
Walk-in-the-Water, Round-Head, and Split-Log, each able
and determined chiefs of malignant bands, who, under the
conviction of real or imaginary wrongs, hated the Americans
with the utmost in tenseness, and had determined, by the aid
of the British, to drive them, if possible, from the land.

Early on the morning of the 16th, the British crossed the
river under cover of the armed vessel, and arrived without
opposition at Springwell. Gen. Brock moved with his army
in solid column along the bank of the river toward Detroit.
At that period the Indians might be seen creeping along the
edge of the forests back of Detroit, armed and painted for
battle, like tigers crouching for their prey. When about a
mile below the city, the British halted and took breakfast,
when suddenly an order was given by Gen. Hull for the
force which had been posted without the fort, to annoy the
enemy, to retire within its walls. This order was received
with the utmost indignation by the army, as the men retired
within the fort, s'. eked their muskets, some of them dashing
them with violence upon the ground. Soon after a white
flag streamed out from the fort, an emblem of peace, but also
of disgrace to the vanquished. Negotiations were immediately
commenced, the regular troops were surrendered as prisoners
of war. The public property was given up. No stipulation
was made in favor of the Canadian allies, and the militia were
ordered to return to theii homes, not to serve again during

17/

]' ' (I

'r^

198

HISTORY OP MICHIQAN.

I. ii'«i '

1 1

1^ !•

'.;l

S 'W

f: 'M

L,"

■

the war unless they were exchanged. Thus ungloriously
terminated the campaign of Gen. Hull upon the north-western
frontier. For this surrender he was tried before a court-
martial for treason an i cowardice. The court gave a ver-
diet of acquittal on the first count, but condemned him on
the second, for cowardice and unofficer-like conduct ; and
sentenced him to death, at the same time recommendino- him
to the mercy of the President of the United States. He was
pardoned by the Executive, but at the same time exiled from
all military command. The British force is stated by Gen,
Brock to have been thirteen hundred, seven hundred of whom
were Indians ; while Gen. Hull, in his official report, states the
number of his own men to have been only eight hundred.
Many of the Canadian militia were dressed in red coats, in or-
der to appear like British regulars. It seems, in fact, that before
Gen. Brock had reached Springwell, he received information
from an Indian of the arrival of M'Arthur's detachment in the
rear, and he hastened forward to prevent the defeat of his plans
before the American forces should be combined. Col. M'Ar-
thur surrendered on his arrival at the fort, although the party
temporarily under the command of Captain Rowland, and
which had been dispatched under Captain Brush, being then
near the River Raisin, rejected the terms and retreated to Ohio.

TheforceunderCol.Casswasalsoembracedinthecapitulation.
A feeling of deep apprehension seemed to pervade the
breast of Gen. Hull on his first arrival at Detroit from the
Canada side. He had sent to Captain Heald at Chicago, to
evacuate that place and to conduct his force to Detroit. This
was attempted, and the fort was destroyed. Before the de-
tachments under Col. Cass and M' Arthur, he suggested to
his officers the propriety of removing his whole force to the
Rapids of the Maumee, on the ground that the whole British
power from Niagara east along the upper lakes was collect-
ing at Maiden ; that Lake Erie was shut up by an opposing
force ; and that all his stores would be cut off, as the entire
road from Ohio to Detroit was infested by hostile Indians.
This resolution, however, was not countenanced by his offi-
cers, and he was told that the Ohio militia would desert in a

WAR OP 1812.

199

body if the matter was attempted. In fact, before the sur-
render of Detroit, Gen. Hull communicated his design to
send a flag of truce ; but he was advised to cull a council of
war, in order to consider the subject ; but he was answered
that there was no time for consultation. Gen. Hull subse-
quently made a defence of his conduct, and a public testimo-
nial was given in his favor in the city of Boston. Some of
the older citizens of Detroit allege that he had an interview
with the British commandant on the evening previous to the
capitulation, and that boxes of gold were carried to his
house as the price of his treason. Of that charge he stands
acquitted by the verdict of his country. Party feeling at
that time ran high; and it was alleged that his soldiers
would not obey him. It is proved that the guards in the
fort were allowed to sleep at midnight when the enemy
were impending. Notwithstanding the want of forecast in
the war department of the United States, in not furnishing a
knowledge of the declaration of war, and providing tlie means
ofdefencefor the north-western frontier. Gen. Hull, if not
adjudged guilty of downright treason, ought to be convicted
at the bar of public opinion of a want of ordinary general-
ship and firmness. He allowed Col. Proctor, who had suc-
ceeded Col. St. George in the command at Maiden, to erect
batteries under the very guns of the American fort, upon the
British bank of the river, without an attempt at prevention.
He ordered Col. Miller to return to Monguagon, when he
should have permitted him to proceed to the "River Raisin.
He. neglected the nocturnal attack upon General Brock's
forces, which bad been recommended by Gen. Jesup. He
allowed Gen. Brock to cross at Springwell without molesta-
tion. He was guilty of procrastination in prosecuting the
siege of Maiden, and gave up the foothold which he'' had
already gained in Canada ; and, last of all, when the British
were advancing against a fort, fortified with defences and
fitted in every way for a siege, with the ramparts strong, the
ditches broad and deep, upon a ground filled with the means
ofannoyance, and mounted with cannon loaded with grape
shot, which would have mowed down harvests of death, with

4} ,

^ P..

200

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

Bi ) i

■

. nn orchard on one side aflbrding advantn^reous posts for rifle-
men, and on the other side a wide river, lie hoisted the ban-
ner of peace, and gave up all to Jiritish conquest. Gen. Hull
had bad advisers, but he ou<rht to have relied on his own
judtrnient. It is the province of History to rake out truth,
even from the ashes of the dead, although no voice of defence
can issue from the silence of the tomb, nnd the grave bars
the door to human nassions. Time had sriven decrepitude to
his mind and body, and ago had bleacfied his silver locks.
The stone which covers his grave may bo inscribed with the
brightest records of his early fame, and Pity sheds a tear upon
the blot which blackens the monumental marble.*

As it was made an important object to open a communication
with the River Raisin, six hundred men were detached under
the command of Lieutenant Col. Miller, to carry out that design
and protect the provisions under the escort of Captain Brush.
The force was comprised of tlie fourth United States Regi-
ment, and two small detachments under I'ne command or
Lieut. Stansbury, and a portion of volunteers from Ohio and
Michigan. When the detachment had proceeded so far down
the Detroit River as Mongnagon, about fourteen miles from
Detroit, they were fired upon by a long line of British troops
and Indians from Maiden, which was formed behind a breast-
work of logs, and stretching along the dense woods on the
left. The Indian portion of the British force was under the
command of Tecumseh. Lieutenant Miller ordered his whole
line to advance, and with only a single fire, to proceed imme-
diately to a charge with the bayonet. At this cliarge, which
was executed in a most gallant manner, the British and In-
dians commenced a retreat, and continued moving on ; while
the Indians at the left, under the command of Tecumseh,
fought with the utmost desperation. So great, indeed, was
the obstinacy of the savages, that a single Indian, whose leg

♦ It is stated by a negro, who was in the employment of Gen. Hull, that tlie
American coicmandcr passed across llie Detroit River in a boat on the night
preceding the surrender ! that he there met a number of British officers, and re-
ceived several boxes of gold as the price of his treason. It is due to justice to
say that no credit should be given to such a statement.

WAR OP 1812.

201

was

wns broken by a muslcct ball, and, wlieu disabled and wriih-
incr upon the ground from the aijfony occasioned by tho
wound, deliberately loaded liis rifle and sbot a horseman bo-
lon2:ing to the cavalry, who had straggled in that direction.
This savage continued loading and firing until he was
despatched by the breach of a inusket. Many of the Indians
were at that time seen lodged in the trees, where, with their
arrows and rifles, they elFectcd the most dreadful havoc. At
this time the cavalry did not charge upon the enemy as they
retreated ; had they done so, the victory would have been
complete and brilliant. On the British side, the regulars and
volunteers consisted of about four hundred, together with a
largo lumibcr of Indians, commanded by I\Iajor Muir of tho
forty-first regiment. Major Muir and I'ecumseh were wound-
ed, while forty Indians were found dead upon the field. The
Americans lost ten non-commissioned officers and privates
killed, and forty-five wounded ; and of the Ohio and Michigan
volunteers, eight were killed and twelve wounded.

Captain lleald was captured under the walls of Chicago.
Gen. Hull, while in Canada, actuated by a fear of the hostile
Indians, had sent an order for Lieutenant Heald to evacuate
that post, and to return to P\)rt Wayne. The garrison had
at that time the amplest means of defence, but the order
was received on the 9th of August, and left nothing to the
discretion of the commandant. Captain Wells, who°was not
at that time connected with tho Indian department, having
substantial grounds to doubt the fidelity of the Potawattamio
tril)e, advised that the fort should be immediately evacuated
before the Indians should have time to concentrate around it •
but his advice was disregarded. In consequence of this neg'
lect, before tho occupants had made arrangements to leave the
fort, about four hundred Indians had collected in the neigh-
borhood. A promise was made that all the surplus stores of
the fort should be at their disposal if they would forbear
harassing the garrison on their march. It was conceived
that a large quantity of powder and whiskey, which had been
collected in tho fori, would be an impolitic gift to the In-
dians : and Captain Ilcald therefore ordered tlie powder to bo

( s

202

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

F .5.

thrown into the well, mid the whiskey wasted. This was
accordingly done. Durinrr the night, by sonic means which
are not known, the Indians received intimation ol' this liict,
mid regarded the waste as an infringement of their vested
rights. The act naturally tended to exasperate them greatly,
mid they therefore assembled in considerable numbers around
the fort. It was then suggested ! y Captain Wells and Mr.
Kenzie, an Indian agent, that a r(!treat would be unsafe at that
time, but without elfect. Tlie whiskey having been destroyed
and the ammunition lost, the means of defending the fort
were gone ; and the garrison, comprising several families,
twelve militia men, and also fifty-four regular troops, took
their line of march from the fort. When about a mile irom
the fort, the Indians were jierceived making provisions for an
attack, and the garrison prepared for a deieiice. After a short
conflict, Capt. Heald surrendered ; when several women, chil-
dren, and about half his garrison had been killed. The
prisoners were distributed among the tribes, and on the fol-
lowing morning the fort was burned to the ground. Captain
Wells was an early victim to this disastrous conflict. Dis-
appointed at the blind wilfulness of Captain Heald, in ac-
cordance with the Jiabits of the savages in fits of disap-
pomtment, he had blackened his face, and was thus found
among the slain. Captain Wells was a remarlcablc man.
He had been captured, when a mere child, by the Indians,
and was adopted by Mackinac, the Little Turtle, one of the
fiercest warriors who had figured in Indian history. Durino-
the sanguinary defeats of Harmar mid St. Clair, Captain
Wells had commanded an Indian force of about three hun-
dred young warriors. I'hese were posted immediately in
front of the artillery, mid covering themselves behind logs and
posts under knowls on which the guns were placed, they lite-
rally heaped up around the guns the bodies of the artillerists.
After that contest, Wells, foreseeing the advancing power of
the whites, icsolved to abandon the savages. His mode of
expressing his determination was peculiarto the savage cus-
tom. Being alone in the wilderness with his adopted\lher,
he remarked : <'When the sun reaches the meridian, I leave

iii

4:^

WAR OP 1813.

This wns
aus which
f this fact,
leir vested
iui i|;reiitly,
crs (iioiind
s ond Mr.
safe at tliat
destroyed
,^ the fort
I faiiilHes,
Dops, took
mile iroiii
ons for an
ter a sliort
men, chii-
ed. Thn
1 the fol-

Captaiu
ict. Dis-
Id, in ac-
of disap-
us found
bic man,
Indians,
nc of tlic

Durino;
Captain
rec hun-
iately in
logs and
they lito-
tillerists,
lower of
mode of
ag-c cus-
d father,
I; I leave

203

yon for the Whites ; and whenever yon meet me in hnnu
nmst 1.11 n., as I shall endeavor to do' the .salt ^ou ""^I^^
We Is short y alter ,,on,ed the army of Gen. Wayne andTv
US knowledge of Indian enstoms was of essont^ s'erv ce to
1.0 Amcr.ean forces, and fonght with signal snccess wT
however, the war was conclnded, and p^^a w f .tored^
ween , he Indmnsand the United States he returned This fo '
tor-father, the Lntle Turtle, and continued in unbroken i^^
ship With Inm until the latter died in 1812 J^f" ""^

After the capitulation of Detroit, tlio Rrifi.J, n.f i r i ,

The scene of the military operations of the Ooven.men,
m 18 .) eomprtsed the whole „or.h-weste™ fronfe ol ,"
Untted States. To proseeute the eamp,.ig„, the Tr, w rf he
Wes w.., organized with General Harri on ™he eom
mander and w.a., stationed at the head of Late ErL tie
army of the centre w.ts stationed between the two hi IV n
tano and Erie, and was eotntnanded by Oe « d ^ 1°":
and the army of the north oecnpied the shores of L he

d ^rof't'l,:"' "" """"'""'^^ "' •"•'-»' H""' P.on Th
h^d I ,Ie , f °?'""=" '™ "' ='"'■'"""'"' C""'"!' . mid they

*.'i

}■!■

11'^

niSTORY OF MIcmOAX.

grcssod ns far as Sandusky, he despatched Gen. Winchester
to tho IMainnee in advance of his troops. Gen. Winchester
liad sent out a forafrjnu- party to tiie Kivcr Kaisin, and it ar-
rived at that i>\im'. on the I81I1 of January, lHi:{. Tiiero
tliey dislodged a body of the Indians On tlie next day, Gen.
Winchester, having a force of about a thousand men, joined
tho advance party, and encamped on tho north bank of tho
River Kaisin. At tlic commencement of tho winter Gen.
Harrison's head-quarters were at FrankHnton in Ohio. Gen.
Winchester remained at Fort Defiance, with about eight huu.
drcd men, comprised of the most respectable young men ol
Kentucky, until information was received that French Town
was in danger from the British and Indians. A force was
despatched to Presiju' Isle, there to remain till it sliould be
joined by tlie main body of his army, lie was warned of tho
approach of the llritisli from Maiden, but he made no extra-
ordinary ertbrts in self-defence. On the 22d, early in the
morning, Iiis force was attacked by the combined force of tho
British and Indians under Proctor, and tho noted Indian
chiefs, Round-Head and Split-Log. The left flank, under
Major Madison, defended themselves with the utmost vigor
and success, but being without any general comnmnder, it
soon fell back. An atteni[)t was then made to retreat across
the river ; but that movement was anticipated, and die savages
were posted in a position to oppose their progress. During
the night. Gen. Winchester had taken lodgings upon the op-
posite side of the river, at tlie house of Col. Robert Navarre,
and was not therefore prepared to make a defence. Major
ATadison, who liad fought with so much gallantry, was soon
informed by Gen. Winchester, who was then a prisoner, that
the party had been surrendered, lie had, however, taken
the precaution to enter into a formal stipulation with Gen.
Proctor to jirotect his troops from the ferocity of the savages
after tliey should have surrendered.

The Imttle of the River Raisin developes one of the most in-
famous transactions which marked the operations of the war of
1812. Gen. "Winchester having arrived at French Town, en-
camped on the banks of the Raisin, which now constitutes tho

WAR OF 1812

205

Winchester
Winchester
and it ar-
il There
t diiy, Gen.
uon, joined
tink of tho
inter Gen.
hio. Gen.
eight hun
iig men oJ
nch Town
force was
slioiild he
rnod of tho

no extra-
iriy in tho
brce of the
cd Indian
mk, under
Host vigor
nuinder, it
"eat across
he savages
. During
on the op-
t Navarre,
;e. Major

was soon
soner, tliat
ver, taken
with Gen.
le savages

'le most in-

the war of

Town, en-

stitntes tho

Fronch Town side of tho river, and while Col. T.nwis and Ma-
jor Madison seemed to l^e on the alert, tlie American troops oc-
cnpied a greater part of the night in ranging ahout the village.
During the evening, a Frenchman brought information that a
force, consisting of Hritish and Indians, supposed to comprise
nhoiit tliree thousand men, were about to march from Maiden
soon after he left that place. This information, however,
seemed to bo discredited, because no preparations of any con-
sequence were made in the American camp to guard them-
selves against surprise. Guards, however, were placed as
usual around the encampment, although no picket guard was
placed on the road through wliich the enemy might be sup-
posed to advance. The night was extremely cold, and on
the morning of the 22d. the reveille beat as usual at day-
break. A few minutes after tliree, guns were fired in quick
succession by the centuiels. The troops were soon formed,
and the American camp was immediately attacked by a hea-
vy fire from the British, with bombs, balls, and grape shot.
At night the Hritish had taken advantage of the darkness,
and planted their cannon on the right behind a small ravine.
The fire from the cannon was suddenly succeeded by a gene-
ral discharge from the fire arms of the British regulars, to-
gether with the onset of the savages with the most fiendish yells.
The regulars of the British soon approached within reach
of the fire arms of Lewis's camp, and they were soon repulsed
in the left and centre. Gen. Winchester having arrived from
tlie opposite bank of the river with a reinforcement, opposed
to the heavy fire of the British, and unprotected by any breast-
work, soon fell back. The order was then given for the re-
treating troops to rally behind a fence and the second bank
of the river, to incline toward the centre, and take refuire be-
hind the pickets. This order was either not heard or under-
stood ; and the necessary consequence was, that the retiring
line, being pressed by the British, and attacked on their right
by the Indians, retreated in great disorder over the river.

In the mean time the right wing was attempted to be rein-
forced by a detachment sent out from the pickets of the Ame-
rican camp, together with Colonels Lewis and Allen, who

Ifi'^;',

206

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

I f vi i

'i :!?

exerted their eflbrts to rally the retreating soldiers, and also
those who hud been scattered through the gardens and pick-
ets of the village. This, however, was done without success.
The ^suddenness of the attack, the want of preparation, and
the British force, whose vigorous onset, together with the In-
dians, who made the battle-field more Jiorrible by their yells,
caused a general panic among the American troops. Indians
\V(r,> stationed upon almost every avenue which could com-
mand a retreat, and upon the edge of the bordering forests.
A long narrow lane leading froin'the village, and which the
soldiers attempted to pass through, was guarded on both sides
by Indians ; and the retreating Americans were shot down
in great numbers. A party of a hundred men, who liad
fled to the borders of the woods, were surrounded and mas-
sacred witJi the tomakawk ; while the flying soldiers wore
met at every point by the Indians, who, with that refinement
of cruelty which belongs to their vindicative character, brained
them with the war club and the hatchet.

Col. Allen behaved with extraordinary courage during tlie
whole action, having several times endeavored to rally his
men, but without success, although he was wounded in the
thigh. Having escaped about two miles from the spot where
the action had chiefly raged, and exhausted, from the loss of
blood as well as from fcitigue, sat on a log, when lie was seen
by an Indian, who knew from his dress that he was an ofliccr
of distinction, and therefore wished to take him prisoner.
Coming near the American, the savage, who was an Indian
chief, threw his gun across his lap, and told him to surrender.
At the same time another Indian, who advanced with hostile at-
titude, was laid dead at his feet by one stroke from the sword
of Col. Allen; Col. Allen, one of the most respectable citizens
of Kentucky, was then shot by a third Indian. Detached
parties of men, who had escaped to those points where escape
seemed possible, were shot down, and their unburied bodies
were left to feed the wolves and Indian dogs. About three
quarters of a mile from the village. Gen. Winchester and Col.
Allen, together with a few others, were captiu'ed at a bridge,
and taken to the British lines after having been stripped'of

WAU OF 1812.

207

their coats. It is affirmed that Round-Head, who, too-etlier
witli Spht-LoiT, commanded the savages, was seen arrayed in
his dress on that occasion.

Wliile these scenes were passing aronnd, Majors Graves and
Madisonhad maintamed then- position within the pickets of the
American camp, aUhougli assailed by Proctor and his savages.
A cannon was posted by tJie British bcinnd a honse about Uvo
hundred yards down the river. By this the camp was con-
siderably annoyed. No ground, Iiowever, was yielded. " Ne-
ver mnid me, but fignt on," said Major Graves, a gallant offi-
cer to Ins soldiers, while he bound up his own wound which
Had been received in the luiee.

The American army having been routed, a'llag was seen
advancing from the liritish lines, and conveying an order
trom Gen. Winchester, directing the officers of the Ameri-
can lorces to surrender them prisoners of war. Col. Proctor
demanded an immediate surrender, and threatened if this was
denied, the village should be burned, and the Indians should
be permitted to go forward in an indiscriminate massacre
He was answered by Major Madison, that it had been custo-
mary for the Indians to massacre the wounded and prisoners
after a surrender, and that he would not agree to any capitu-
lation which General Winchester might^ direct, unless the
salety and protection of his men were stii.ulated. " Sir," said
Col. 1 roctor, " do you mean to dictate to me r' <; No " said
Madison ; " I mean to dictate for myself, and we prefer sellino-
our ives as dear as possible, rather than be massacred in cold
blood.' A surrender was accordingly ogreed upon in the
following terms : that private property should be respected ;
that the next morning sleds should be sent to convey the sick
and wounded to Amherstburgh ; and that the side arms of the
ollicers should be restored to them at xMalden. These terms
were perfected, while the Indians commenced a general plun-
der. Major Madison havi.ig received information of this con-
duct, ordered his men to exclude all Indians from his lino
and li they came into the lines and attempted violence, to
slioot or charge them witli the bayonet.

These troops were comprised, in airreat measure, of volun-

s." .

■ii

208

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

1 '^

r
j

I fi

■"! !

1 .

> ";

1 1, »l

,1 :r

; ^f

1 IL

; i' '4i*

i ■ 5 , ■

teers from some of the most respectable families of Kentucky,
young men of chivalrous character, in the full bloom and glory
of ripening manhood.

But the crowning disgrace of this transaction remains to he
described. AVliile the principal part of the Indians went to
Stony Creek, about six miles below Maiden, a few stragglers
remained, who went from house to house in quest of plunder.
The prisoners of the British still remained at French Town.
About sunrise, a large body of Indians, comprising about two
hundred, returned, painted black and red ; and a council being
held, it was determined to massacre the Americans in revenge
for the loss of their warriors. The savages soon began to yell,
and to plunderthe housesof the inhabitants. Breakinginto the
houses where the wounded prisoners were lying, they stripped
them of their blankets, and then brained them with their toma-
hawks. Two of the houses, which contained a greater part of
the prisoners, were set on fire, and most of the wounded were
consumed. Those who were able to crawl about, and who en-
deavored to escape from the windows, were wounded with the
hatchet and pushed back into the tlames ; while others on the
outside were killed, and thrown into tlie conflagration, others
were massacred and left in tin; highway. Major Woolfolk, the
secretary to Gen. Winchester, was shot through the head,
and left in the street, where he was partly devoured by the
hogs before he was removed.* The few prisoners who re-
mained were taken towards Maiden, but as soon as they be-
came by their weakness unable to march, they were massa-
cred, and left dead upon the road. Thus ended this affair of the
River Raisin, a foul blot on the character of General Proctor.f

■ "Their very graves are gone, and what are they ?
The tide washed down tlie blood of yesterday f
And all was stainless, and on tliy clear stream
Glassed with its dancing light the sunny ray,
But o'er the black en'd memory's bligliting dream.
Thy waves would vainly roll."

♦ Sec Life of Gen. Harrison, by Moses Dawson.

f It is stated, by a respectable citizen of Monrno, formerly an Indian trader,
that the Indians were provided with whiskey at Stoney Creek, by the British, in
order to excite tliem to tliis massacre.

WAR OF 1812.

209

The information of the capture of Gen. Winchester reached
Gen. Harrison while on the way to aid tlie American CJene-
ral. As there was, therefore, no benefit in advancing-, Gen.
Harrison was induced to stop at the Rapids, where he con-
structed a fort, called Fort Meigs. At that place he was be-
sieged by Gen. Proctor, with a force of about one thousand
regulars and militia, and twelve hundred Indians, lor the
space of nine days. Finding this siege ineffective, Gen.
Proctor soon retired to Maiden. Gen. Harrison then pro-
ceeded to Franklinton, leaving the fort in charge of Gen.
Clay. A remforccment, of about twelve hundred men, was
sent out from Kentucky. Gen. Harrison, on returning to the
fort, was summoned to surrender to the Britisli, but lii^ reply
was worthy of Leonidas. He answered, " That he would not,
while he commanded, surrender to a force in-ged on by savage
allies." General Harrison was soon reinforced by eight hun-
dred men under General Clay. They destroyed the batteries
which had been erected on the otlier side of the river. Soon
afterwards a sortie was made from the fort, and the British
and Indians fled, pursued by Col. Dudley. In then advance,
however, they soon came upon an ambush of the Indians'
and only one hundred and fifty of their men escaped. This
ambush was laid under the direction of Tecumseh. The suc-
cessive disasters wliich had befallen the Territory of Michi-
gan covered it witli gloom, and it was feared that the British
power would gain the ascendancy upon the north-western
frontier ; although the operations of Gen, Harrison upon the
Ohio frontier occasionally threw flashes of hope across the
darkness. The actual position of Michigan, in connection
with the war, was not, however, altered until the action of
Conmwdore Perry with the British fleet on the lOtli of Sep-
tember, 1813, which connected Michigan once more with
the Union, by the establishment of a free passage for the
American forces across Lake Erie.

Ohio and Kentucky had aroused at tlie call of Gen.
Hull for aid at the commencement of the north-western
campaign, and a force was raised consisting of about seven
thousand men from Kentucky, and about half of that num-

i'iW>'.

210

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

'■ »

ber from the adjoining- Sfato of Ohio. Virginia and Penn-
sylvania had also liirnishcd tlieir quota of men for the same
objects. But these troops, taken, as they were, from the vo-
lunteers of the several States, exhibited more of courage and
patriotism in the cause of their country, than military disci-
pline and subordination. An army constituted of such men
were actually on the advance throucrh Ohio to the aid of
Gen. Hull when they received the information of liis sur-
render at Detroit. A general confederation of Indians upon
the north-western frontier, similar to that which had before
been established by Pontiac, had also been efl'ected by Te-
cumseh, aided by his brother, the Prophet. This alliance,
instigated by the British against the United States, harassed
the Americars on every side.

The great disadvantage which was experienced by the Ame-
ricans in conducting the war, was, the fact that they were cut ofl
from all aid from the Eastern Slates by the way of Lake Erie.
It was an important object, therefore, for the American cause to
obtain the command of that inland sea. That lake was watched
with lynx eyed vigilance by a British fleet under the command
of Commodore Barclay, which constantly hovered around the
Canadian shores. In order to secure the command of ihe lake,
an American fleet was built under great disadvantages at
Erie, in Pennsylvania, a port on the lake shore. She was
placed under the command of a young officer, Commodore
Oliver Hazard Perry. The fleet of Commodore Perry could
not cross the bar at the mouth of the Erie harbor with her
armaments, and lie was watched with sleepless scrutiny by
the British commander, under the conviction, that if he ven-
tured out at all under these circumstances he would be de-
feated. Commodore Perry was induced to ride at anchor for
some days in tlie harbor of Erie. At this tryingjuncture, the
British fleet somewhat relaxed its vigilance, and in September
retired to the upper end of the lake. The American com-
mander then sallied across the bar, and prepared his fleet for
action. The American and British fleets were now both on
the wide expanse of Eake Erie, the tonnasfe of both fleets was
about equal, and a young American officer was about to con-

1 1

WAR OP 1812.

211

lend with Commodore Barclay, a veteran in the British ser-
vice, and on the iwaf^^ted element of the Biitisli navy.

On the evening of the 9th of September, 1813, Commo-
dore Perry called alongside the ship of Capt. Elliot, and left
word that he wished to see Capt. Elliot and Capt. Brevoort in
the evening on board the Lawrence. The unhealthy con-
dition of the crew was at that time stated. But, after delibe-
ration, it was deteimined, if opportunity presented, to attack
the enemy in the Detroit River. Captain Elliot was to lead
and attack the ship Detroit at her moorings, and Commodore
Perry was to silence the battery which covered her on the
main land, and act as circumstances required. At daylight
on the next morning, while the anchors were a peak and the
crew were shaking out the top-gallant sails, the enemy was
discovered near the Middle Sister, an island in Lake Erie,
coming down under a light sail. After J)eating out of Put in
Bay, the fleet ranged alongside of the Lawrence, when Capt.
Brevoort was requested by Commodore Perry to name the
different ships of the enemy. This he did. Tlie following
was found to be the force of the British squadron :

Ship Detroit, 19 guns, 1 on pivot, 2 howitzers.

Queen Charlotte, 17 guns, 1 do.

Schooner Lady Prevost, 13 guns, 1 do.

Brig Hiuiter, 10 guns.

Sloop Little Belt, 3 guns.

Schooner Cliippeway, 1 gun, 2 swivels.

The squadron of the United States consisted of the
Brig Lawrence, 20 guns.
20 guns.

Niagara,

Caledonia,

Schooner Ariel

Scorpion,

Somers,

Sloop Trippe,

Schooner Tigress, 1 gun

Porcupine,

3 guns.

4 guns, one burat early in the action.
2 guns.
2 guns and 2 swivels.

1 gun.

'1 I

i VI

1 1
a*'

III

iiliii

212

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

After the force of the enemy was discovered, the arrano-e-
mentofthe previous evening was reversed, and it was de-
termined by Commodore Perry to attack the fK\?-ship him-
self; to oppose the Caledonia to the Hunter, the Niagara to the
Hoyal Charlotte ; and the rest of the American fleet were or-
dered to attack tlieir opponents by signal, and act according

'me the v.md was hght and

lo the circumstances. At *'

ahead, but fmaily changed ; of the Americans. Pre-

vious to the action, the Ariel ■. Scorpion were ordered to
take post on '• the weather bow and ahead "' of the Lawrence,
in order to draw off a part of tlie fire of tlie enemy, as they
carried long guns, which did great execution.

The action was commenced by the British from their flag-
ship before a gun was fired from tlie American squadron, as
tlie last were at too great a distance. At length a fire was
opened upon her by the Lawrence, and as they neared, it was
commenced by the whole fleet. The breeze soon freshened,
and the Niagara shot ahead ; Lieut. Turner of the Caledonia
was requested by Capt. Elliot to put his helm up, and permit
him to pass to the relief of tlie Lawrence. About that time
the ball of the Niagara getting short, the hold was broken up
for the purpose of procuring some of thirty-two pounds, which
was stored as ballast ; when it was found that the Niagara had
received several shots between wind and water. Several
having been killed and wounded on board the Niagara, and
after she had repaired her rigging, which had been conside-
rably damaged, a boat was despatched to the Lawrence for
large ball. At the same time a boat was descried coming
from the Lawrence to the Niagara, whose top-sails were
thrown aback for the purpose of allowing her to come along-
side. It was Commodore Perry. He was met at the gang-
way by Captain Elliot and Captain Brevoort. " I am afraid"^"
says he, " the day is lost, these d— d gun boats have sacrificed
me." « No," said Elliot, " take charge of my battery, and I
will bring them up, and save it ;" and immediately depa..ed
for that object in tlie same boat.

The Niagara having before driven the Royal Charlotte out
ofline with grape and langrade, continued her course, and

WAR OP 1812.

213

attacked the enemy's fl.ijr-ship with tremendous discharges of
grape shot. Thi; whole crew of the British sliip was driven
below. AI)ont this time Capt. Elliot came up, and took a
raking position under the Detroit's stern, and by the first dis-
chargt! killed and wounded si.xty on board the enemy's 11a"--
ship, which terminated the action. It appears that the tiug
of the Royal Charlotte had been nailed to the mast, and, as
the crew was driven below from the severity of the fire, it
was a matter of surprise, that the British flag should be flying
while no resistance was made ; and. amid the confusion o°f
battle, the Charlotte, which was abreast of the Detroit when
she was grappled by the American fleet, and actually shot
through the bulwarks.* At length a white garment w;is shaken
from the end of a pike, both at the bough and stern, which
indicated the surrender of the British fleet to the Americans.
The number killed and wounded on board the American
fleet was one hundred and twenty-three— twenty-seven killed
and ninety-six wounded. f

The success of the American fleet on Lake Eric opened
the way for the progress of General Harrison, who, on the
23d of September, advanced towards Maiden. On his ar-
rival at Amherstbnrgh, instead of finding the British arms
ready to oppose him, he met the Canadians, with their wives
and daughters, bearing in their hands tlie emblems of peace,
who had there assembled to solicit his protection. General
Proctor had evacuated Maiden, after liaving burned the fort
and public store-houses, and retired to the Moravian Towns
on the Thames about eighty miles from Detroit. The Ame-
rican force then took possession of ]:)etroit. On the next day
General Harrison marched in pursuit of Proctor ; and the
Battle of the Thames, in which Proctor was defeated together
with an army of two thousand men, many of whom" were
Indians, concluded the brilliant campaign of General Harri-
son upon the north-western frontier.

* For an account of this battle, the author ia indebted to Capt. H. B. Brevoort,
who is mentioned in terms of higii commendation in the olHcial despatches of
Commodore Perry.

t Brannan's OfHcial Letters.

'; r

214

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

But tlie most important battle of this section of the country
nfTecting tlie prosperity of Michisian, was that of the Moravian
Towns upon »hn Tlianios. Col. Proctor had been advised
by the chief of tlic Indian forces, Tecumseh, to hazard an
encounter at Maiden, but neglecting this advice, he had pro-
ceeded to the post which has been mentioned. His force at
this time consisted of eight or nine hundred British troops,
and fideen iiundred Indians, commanded by Tecumseh in
person. The American army was composed of twenty-seven
hundred, of whom one hundred and twenty were regulars,
thirty were Indians, and the remainder were militia infantry
and mounted vohm'.ecrs, armed with rifles and muskets.
Some of these, however, were constituted of the chivalry of
Kentucky, men in the vigor of youth, who were burning
with revenge at the dastardly massacre, which had been per-
petrated by the agency of Proctor, of their brothers and friends
at the Ptiver Raisin. The Indians were posted in a swamp.
Extending in a line of unknown distance, they formed tlie
right wing; while the British troops, drawn up between the
swamp and a river which was not fordable, formed the le^t.
It was evident that the British wing was the weakest part of
the position, and accordingly it was determined by Gen. Har-
rison to attack the British with his right reinforced with all
the disposable force of his left. The lines of the right wing
were therefore increased to two or three, and presented a front
as extensive as the British infantry, while a refused wing was
thrown bade in a line at right angles with the other troops,
])resenting a front parallel to the swamp. The regular troops
formed a detachment to seize the enemy's artillery, and the
lew friendly Indians were ordered to attack his flank from
their position under the bank.

While these arraiigeinents were in operation, they were
in front of the British troops, and, as they could not cross
the river, they were directed to penetrate the swamp, and
turn the right of the Indians. The American infantry
were on the point of being set in motion, when Major
Wood, who had been sent to reconnoitre the position of the
enemy, returned, and informed the American General that

Jii.

HARRISONS VICTORY ON THE TIIAMI03.

215

I ^:l

and

the British were in two lines, and beinor unable to occupy
the whole space between tlie swamp and the river in
close order, they had accomplished it by openintr their files.
At this instant a sudden tfionght flashed upon Gen. Har-
rison,— " Instead of sending Johnson to the swamp, he shall
charge upon the British lines. Although without sabres, and
armed only with rifles and muskets, he will break tlirongh
them." This was no sooner said than done. A desperate
charge was made, the enemy were routed and put to flight ;
and Tecumseh, the leader of the savages, was killed, it is
supposed, by the present Vice-President of the United States,
Col. Richard M. Johnson. The army remained during the
6th upon the battle-field, to lake care of the wounded, to bury
the dead, and to provide for the transportation of stores which
had been taken from the enemy. Having left the command
of the army with Governor Shelby, Gen. Harrison set out on
the morning of the 7th, accompanied by Commodore Perry
and his aids-de-camp, and arrived at Detroit on the succeed-
ing day.*

It was in anticipation to despatch a body of troops to re-
duce Mackinaw. Certain vessels and troops were designated
for that purpose, but it was prevented by the non-arrival of
two schooners, the Chippeway and Ohio, which had been
sent to Cleaveland and Bass Islands lor provisions. I'hey
had arrived otf Maiden, but a storm from the westward drove
them to tlie lower end of the lake, where they stranded. The
supplies which they contained were found necessary for the
expedition, and Conunodore Perry was unwilling to hazard
the vessels upon the Upper Lakes, unless they could depart
immediately. This movement of Gen. Harrison thus effec-
tually uprooted the British power from this part of the north-
west, and General Cass was left with a brigade to protect tlie
territory of Michigan.

Tecumseli, the Shawanese warrior, in connexion with his
brother, was the grand instigator of the anglo-savage confe-
deration. The most powerfid chief since the age of Pon-

* See Dawson's Life of Harrison, p. 43S.

y: :■■(

I-

ti''

K
.A

/ ' I

'He

I .

.; 'i

216

niSTORY OP MICHIGAN.

tiac, he was (listino:uisliod alike for his brnvory on tho field
and his r' .jucnco in conncil. An alien from the tribes, he
soon became their loader against the United States. With ail
the boldness,he had also all the nobleness of a lion. The spirit
which burst forth like a meteor upon the shores of the Wa-
bash was only quenched in death. At that period, like Han-
nibal, he had sworn eternal war against the United States
before the altar of the Great Spirit, and he died as he had
lived, with the hatred of the white man on his lips. In the
following October a treaty of peace was concluded by the
Gentiral Government with the Indian tribes, constituted of
the Ottawas, Chippewas, Miamis, and Pottawatamies ; in
which they agreed to " take hold of the same tomahawk with
the Americans, and strike at the enemies of the United
States, whether they be British or Indians." In the memo-
rable defeat of Gen. Procior at the Moravian Towns, six
brass field-pieces were taken by the army of Gen. Harrison,
which had been surrendered by Hull at Detroit, and on two
ofthe.se were engraved the following words — Surrkndered
BY BuRGOYNE AT SARATOGA. Geu. Ilarrisou having elfect-
ed the object of his campaign, left Gen. Cass in command at
Detroit, and moved down toward the Niagara frontier.

The only part of the territory then remaining in the hands
of the British was the Island of Michillimackinac. ^I'liis
island is about three miles in diamer, and was then covered
with a dense mass of forest, occasionally broken by a patch
of cleared land. It was intersected by crooked trails and
bridal paths. On the one side was the fort adjoining the vil-
lage, and on the other this heavy mass of wilderness. Lieu-
tenant Col. Croghan, a young man, who had with signal va-
lor defended Sandusky durmg the early part of the war, had
command of the land forces ; and Commodore Sinclair, of the
fleet which was to transport the force sent out on an expedi-
tion to capture that post. In the month of July, 1814, they
started upon that enter^.rise, and without accident reached the
island. The fleet, however, having reconnoitred the coast
without attempting an attack, set sail in a few days for the
Island of St. Joseph. At that point they destroyed several

WAR OP 1812.

217

tho field
tribes, he

With all
The spirit
• the Wil-
li ke H an-
ted States
IS he had
i. In the
•d by the
stituted of
amies ; in
tawk with
he United
he memo-
owns, six
Harrison,
d on two

KNDERED

-^ing effect-
mmand at
ier.

the hands
ac. This
n covered
y a patch
trails and
ng the vil-
ss. Lieu-
signal va-
3 war, had
lair, of the
\n expedi-
[814, they
cached the
the coast
ys for the
ed several

minor posts, and also a British fni eotablishmcnt. This be-
ing accomplished, they retnrned to tho Island of Mackinaw.
Tlie British commandant had occupied tho intermediate time
in strengthening his works and calling in aid from the adja-
cent country ; and he succeeded in collected as his associates
a considerable body of savages from the surrounding tribes.
It was proposed by Col. Cro,']-han to attack the post near the
village. That point was the least encumbered with the un-
dergrowth, which furnishes a cover for the savage mode of
warfare, and the banks were accessible. That proposition
was objected to by Sinclair, on the ground that his tieet
would then be subject to the fire of the fort. It was final I y
determined to land on the north-eastern side of the island,
and the fleet was placed in the right position for that object.
The landing was effected without difficulty, but the troops of
Col. Croghan were obliged to traverse nearly the whole
breadth of the island in order to reach the fort. The
Americans were jermitted to advance nearly to the centre,
when they arrived at one of the clearmgs. They were im-
mediately attacked by the Indians who were posted in the
surroiuiding thickets. A tiring commenced of an irregular
character from the opening, which, however, did great execu-
tion. Major Holmes, an accomplished and gallont officer,
was ordered to charge upon the savages in the thicket, and
while in the act of performing this order with great energy,
he fell by a rifle ball from the Indians. The Americans re-
treated upon the main body, and wcr • obliged to return to
their boats. Thus failed the enterprise, and the British held
Michillimackinac until the peace.

The war of 1812, subsequent to the victory of Commodore
Perry, raged more at the East bf^yond the bounds of Michi-
and by consequence it had but little intimate con-

gan.

ncxion with its social condition. In 1814, it languished only
to be renewed with double vigor. The policy of the British
cabinet was, doubtless, twofold in its operation ; first, to pro-
tect the provinces of Canada, and so much of the adjoinin<-^
territory as was necessary to its defence ; and secondly, to
iixvado the sea-coast, and induce the northern States to join

'^M8

IIISTOUV OF MICMItlAN.

I 'i*

their cause. For that object, fourteen thousand men, who
had f'outjht under the Duke ot" Welhngfon, were embarked
froni Bordeaux for Canoda, and a powerful naval force was
dcspatclieJ for the purpose of attackinjr the Athuitic frontier,
to ravage tlie coasts and to maintain rigid blockades. The
war, however, which had cost boili governments so great an
ninount of blood and treasure, was soon brought to u peace-
ful termination. On the 17th of February, 1815, a special
coumiissioner arrived with a treaty of peace, which had been
concluded at (jJhent. That treaty, wliich was legally con-
lu'med, established that the boundaries between the territori(;s
of the United States and Great Britain should be revised, and
that all the places which had been taken by the FiUglish dur-
ing the war sliould be restored. Although America had
failed, as the armed neutrality had before done, to compel
Great Britain to renounce the arrogant claims wliich she had
made during the commencement of the war, the causes of the
war had ceased to operate. American seamen were no longer
impressed, and the orders in council were repealed. Thus
was peace declared. The reflections which naturally spring
from that last war between the United States and a civilized
power, is the innnense magnitude of the sacriiices which
have secured the independence of the country.

3 i'MS

m a

CHAPTER XII.

P,.?r, J'^^ . Govrrnorof Michisan-Condition of Michigan at that time-
1 .. hclamU brought Miro .n«rk..t-Po,,„lution in I820-Exp7orin» ExpedUi^
of h,. Lak.,,_Mo.l.hcul,c.„« of .h« Territorial Oovernment-The NeKork

Mr M„",''"r'7w:-. ''""■' "'''""""■'' (J"v...rnor-Controversy with Ohio-
Mr. Mason dt'ctud Governor— ritute of Michicjan eret'ted.

In October, 1813, Col. Lewis Cass, who f.ad served with
approhatioii diiriiicr iho war, mid also as military commandant,
was appointed Governor of the territory of Michicrnn. Dur-
ing that di.sasfrous period the country had snnk'under the
devastations of the IJritish, aided hv their numerous hordes
ot Indian allies on the Lakes, who had been encouracred to
depredate upon the property of its citizens. Morals we're cor-
rupted, laws wore disoraranized ; and the familie.s who had
fled from the country, found, when they returned, their do-
mestic establishments a scene of ruins. The territory was,
m fact, left at one time in such a defenceless state subsequent
to Hull's capitulMion, that only one company of regulars,
comprising twenty-one men and the local militin," were
obhcrcd to protect the country against the hostile Indians who
Jiovered around Detroit. Little inducement had been held
out for emigration from the east, because the lands were not
surveyed and brought into market; roads had not been con-
structed through the interior; access to the territory by land
was only afforded through tlie Black Swamp and along the
Detroit River ; a military work, constructed by the general
Government, almost impassable, and strewed with broken
gun carriages, and the skeletons of o.xen which had been em-
ployed in dragging the munitions of war and army stores in
Harrison-s campaign. French Town and Delroit, the two
drmcipal settlements on the peninsula, had been nearly de-
molished. The operations of Governor Cass were, therefore,
first directed to the rebuildmg the interests of the State or-

»hj4'0''-

!; I.

HISTORY OP MICIIIfiAN.

ganizing a system of local policy, and forming amicable re-
lations with the Indian tribes.

Since the erection of the territory in 1805, when Detroit
was established as the seat of Government, the frame of its
legislation was that prescribed by the ordinance of 1787 ; but
in 1819, on the 16th of February, an act of Congress provid-
ed for the election of a delegate to the Congress of the United
States, and extended the right of suffrage to the citizens of
the territory. This right of suffrage was limited to every
free white male inhabitant over twenty-one years, who had
resided within its bounds one year preceding its election, and
who had paid a county or territorial tax. As early as 1807
Governor Hull had made a treaty at Detroit with the Ottawa,
Pottawattamie, Chippewa, and Wyandot tribes ; and it ceded
a wide belt of land on the eastern frontier, extendir^g from the
mouth of the Au Glaize to Lake Huron ; and in 1819 a
treaty was also made at Saginaw, which ceded a considerable
portion of land, extending from a point nearly west from
Detroit, in a line now known as the principal meridian, thence
west sixty miles, thence to the head of Thunder Bay River,
and along the bank of that river to Lake Huron. The interior
of the country was as yet unsettled, because no motives were
furnished for emigration, inasmuch as no solid title could be
acquired to the land. One fact may be mentioned as evi-
dence of the ignorance which at that time prevailed in regard
to the actual quality of the land. By an act of Congress,
passed on the 0th of May, 1812, two millions of acres Avere
ordered to be surveyed in Michican for the soldiers dur-
ing the war of 1812 ; and commissioners were sent into this
country for that object ; but in consequence of their jepresen-
talions, which went to show that the land was low, sterile,
and filled with swamps, the act was repealed, and the survey
was directed to be made of the same quantity in Arkansas
and Illinois. The population of the State continued to be
chiefly French, together with Americans, who where engaged
in the little commerce which was then carried on in the
country ; while the energy of the people was directed in a
great measure to the fur trade.

MICHIGAN APTEll THE WAR.

221

In ISIS a portion of the public lands of Michigan, which
had been surveyed during the two preceding years, was
brought into market ; and this produced a new epoch in its
jM-ogress. Inciting emigration and settlement by the price
affixed, and the easy terms of payment, which was then based
on the credit system, it soon brought into the country a laro-e
increase to the population. In 1820 this population had
grown to 8,896. The fact of the representations of the sur-
veyors who had been appointed to survey the bounty lands in
this territory for the soldiers in the war of 1812, was doubt-
less a fortunate circumstance for the country, as it would
have subtracted that immense domain from the purchases of
actual residents, who, by their individual exertion, would
have developed the resources of the soil. But few public
works had been constructed in western New- York, and a great
portion of that country was as yet a wilderness. The sparse
inliabitants who then resided in the country, were principally
confined to the lake shores, with the exception of the few
French habitans who had planted themselves on the banks
of the more important streams. No vigorous system of pub-
lic improvement was effected, because the population was
small and scattered ; and the position of the territory then on
the edge of civilization was cut off from the means and mo-
tives of commerce.

Detroit, French Town, Mackinaw, and the Sault de St.
Marie, in 1820, were the principal settlements in the present
organized limits of Michigan. At that period Detroit con-
sisted of about two hundred and fifty buildings, and contained
n population of fourteen hundred and fifteen inhabitants, ex-
clusive of the garrison ; and was then a point of considerable
activity and business. The Island of Mackinaw, which
was at that time a central mart of the fur trade, had a po-
pulation of four hundred and fifty, whicli was augmented to
two thousand at certain intervals by the accession of voya-
geurs, Indians, and traders, on their return from their hunting
and trading expeditions in the forests upon the Upper Lakes.
These were accommodated, for the most part, in one hundred
and fifty houses, which comprised the village. Fort Michili-

.1, . i

I ;l

I s

t <i

222

HISTORY OP MICH la AN.

mackinac stood on a eminence above the town, and Fort
Holmes was located on the hio;hest point of the island. This
was afterwards called Fort George. Sault de St. Marie con-
tained a village of fifteen or twenty buildings, which were
then occupied by five or six French and English families,
and was then, as in previous times, a prominent point of the
the Indian trade. It would seem that the principal ground
of mercantile enterprise at that period was the fact, "that a
large amount of public money was here distributed in main-
taining the garrisons connected with the public defence,
which were then established at Detroit, Fort Gratiot, and
Mackinaw.

The Walk-in-t he. Water was the only steamboat which
plied on the lakes, and this was deemed sufficient to transact
the commercial business of the territory. This boat was
named after the Wyandot chief, and in the summer of 1819
she made her first visit to the Island of Mackinaw.

During the year 1820 an important expedition was effect-
ed in the exploration of the country, whose actual resources
were then but little known. On the preceding year Gover-
nor Cass had projected an enterprise for the purpose of ob-
taining a more precise knowledge of the resources of the
territory around the norlh-western lakes ; its design was to
examine the soil, the number, condition, character, and insti-
tutions of the Indian tribes ; to investigate the mineraloo-ical
resources of the country, especially the copper mines alono-
Lake Superior, and to collect the materials for a map ; to se-
lect the site for a garrison at the foot of Lake Superior, and
also to perfect treaties with the Indian tribes. For that ob-
ject a memorial was forwarded to the Secretary of War, Mr.
Calhoun, which was favorably received, and the ex})edition
was encouraged. For this purpose an escort of soldiers was
also provided ; the commandants of the garrisons along the
lakes were ordered to flvcilitate its progress ; and a mineral-
ogist, topographical engineer, and a physician, were appointed
to carry out the work. The section of the republic along
the north-western waters was then but little known, except
by the gorgeous descriptions of the Indian traders and Jesuits,

MICHIGAN AFTER THE WAIl.

223

to se-

aiong

who mixed up their accoimts with superstitious traditions, and
the glowing spirit of poetry which belonged to their educa
tion and their church. On the 24th of May, 1820, the expe-
dition under Governor Cass started in bark canoes, manned
by Canadian voyageurs and Indians, and adventured into the
inland seas of the north-west.

The objects of the expedition were fulfilled. They coursed
along a track which, although as yet a wilderness, where the
forests in an almost unbroken expanse met the waters of the
lakes, had, nevertheless, been made classic ground by the in-
stitutions and wars of savages, and the migrations of the early
traders, soldiers, and missionaries of the Prunch government
The disaffection of the Indians on the Upper Lakes toward
the United States continued to exist in a great deo-ree and
their attachment to the English was fully shown inthe expe-
dition of Governor Cass. By the treaty of Greenville, made
m 1795, the United States were entitled to all land in the
north-west territory which had been granted by the Indians
to the French and English governments ; and on that ground
the American Government claimed the concession which
had formerly been made to the French at the Sault de St.
Marie, through which it had been occupied as a militarv
post. A council was accordingly held by the expedition'
for the purpose of settling the bounds of this grant. The
object of the council was distinctly stated by ttie interpre-
ter. The savages were opposed to the proposition which was
made by Governor Cass, and endeavored to evade it by denv-
ing their knowledge of the original grant ; and when the fiict
was pressed upon their conviction, they exhibited great dissa-
tisfaction, and gave a qualified refusal. Some of the chiefs
were in favor of establishing the boundary, provided it should
not be occupied as a garrison ; alleging, at the same time, that
their young men might prove unruly, and kill the cattle which
should stray from the post. This was intended and under-
stood as a threat. Governor Cass, in an answer remarked,
that as to the establishment of a garrison at the Sault, he
would spare them all trouble ; for, so sure as the rising 'sun
should set in the west, there would be an American garrison

I' I

224

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

established at that place, whatever might be their decision.
This council was composed of chiefs dressed in costly broad-
cloths, epaulets, medals, silver ornaments, and feathers of
British manufacture ; by which it was understood that English
agency was influencing their deliberations. It was then em-
ployed several hours in animated discussion ; and the last chief
who spoke, a brigadier in the British service, drew his war
lance and stuck it furiously in the ground ; and when he left
the marque, where it had been held, he kicked away the pre-
sents which had been placed before him, and the council was
soon dispersed in that spirit. In a few moments the British
flag was erected in the midst of the Indian encampment.
Governor Cass immediately ordered the expedition under
arms, and proceeded, with an interpreter, to the lodge of the
chief who had raised it, and took down the insulting flag;
telling the Indian— the same who had manifested such rage in
the council — that it was an indignity which they were not
permitted to offer to the American soil ; that we were their
guardians and friends, but that the flag was the emblem of
national power ; that two standards could not float over the
same land ; tjiat they were forbidden to raise any but our
own ; and if they should presume again to attempt it, « the
United States would set a strong foot upon their necks, and
crush them to the earth." The intrepidity of the Governor
produced a powerful effect.

In ten minutes after the return of Governor Cass to the
American encampment, the Indian lodges were cleared of
every woman and child, and the river was covered with In-
dian canoes. The expedition of the Americans was com-
prised of about sixty-six men, thirty of whom were United
States soldiers; and the savages could muster seventy or cigfity
well-armed warriors. The Indians occupied an eminence
upon the site of the old French fort, while the American en-
campment was stationed upon the banks of the river. The
two parties were separated only by a small ravine, and by a
distance of only five or six bnndred yards. Some tinie hav-
ing elapsed, in which the I, aans exhibited no marks of hos-
tile intention, the soldiers were dismissed to their tents. An

MICHIGAN AFTER THE WAR.

225

overture was soon after made by a few of the older chiefs
wiio had not been present at the former council ; and at seven
o clock in the evening a treaty was conchided, in which thev
ceded to the United States a tract of land, four miles square
commencing at the Sault, and extending two miles up and
the same distance down the river, with a depth of four miles
mcludmg the portage, and the site of the old fort, and the
village ; reserving to themselves the right of fishino- at the
lalls and of encamping upon the shores. The calumet liav-
nig been smoked, and the shaking of hands having been con-
cluded, the signatures of the Indians were obtained to the
treaty, for which they were paid on the spot in blankets,
knives, broad cloths, and silver wares.*

At that period the interior of xMichigan was a mere rano-.
mg ground for savages and wild beasts, intersected by Indian
trails, which wound through the oak lands, and studded at
wide distances along the banks of the lakes or streams by a
Imt of a Frenchman or the soliary post of a fur trader,
rhe extensive tract of forest bordering the upper kikes, was
devoted to the interests of the North- West and American fur
companies; and the Island of Mackinaw was enlivened by
barges of the voyageurs and the canoes of the Indians laden
with furs for the trading establishments at those points. The
Indian trade at that time was prosecuted on the upper lakes
chiefly by the American Fur Company, conducted in that
quarter by Messrs. Stuart and Crooks, its agents. This com-
pany had extensive establishments on the Island of Macki-
naw, and also on the St. Louis River and other streams run-
ning into Lake Superior, which had before been occupied bv
the North- West Company. ^

In 1818, when Illinois was erected into a State, the limits
of Michigan had been extended by the annexation to the
territory of all the land lying north of that State and Indi-
ana. A partial extinction of the Indian title had been effect-
ed in the year 1785, by a treaty lield at Fort Mackintosh

* For an account of this transaction, sec a narrative of the Expedition under
Governor Cass, by Henry 11. Schoolcraft, a member of the expedition

ST '

If.*

'" ! W

ifi n '

i !>'

22G

IIIdTOllY OK MICHIGAN'.

with the Wyandot, Ottawa, Delaware, and Chippewa tribes,
by which a tract of land, six miles broad, from the strait ex-
tending from the River Raisin to Lake St. Clair, and also
twelve miles square at Michilimackinae, were ceded. This
treaty was confirmed at Fort Harmar in 1787 ; and in the
treaty of Greenville, in 1795, the cession of the belt of land
embracing Detroit was confirmed, and twelve miles square at
the Miami Rapids, and the Islands of Mackinaw and Bois
Blanc were ceded to the United States. In 1804 a land of-
fice had been established at Detroit, but its olijcct was to settle
the land titles of the territory, because no lands were then
brought into market. Many of the early settlers, who had
derived their claims from the French and English command-
ants of the posts, or who had settled on the land without au-
thority, were anxious to have a solid title to the land which
they claimed by occupancy. Cadillac, the founder of Detroit,
had made grants of land, which were confirmed by the king
of France ; and the Governor and intendant of New France
and Louisiana, in 1735 and 1737, had also made similar grants,
which were also confirmed. Numerous grants had also
been made without authority, by Bellestre and other French
commandants of Detroit, and enlargements of oriirinal crants.
Other posts on the upper lakes, which held never been con-
firmed, and similar claims, were based on alleged grants of
English commandants when tliey obtained possession of the
country. But few of these grants were held by legal titles.
It became an important object, therefore, to establish these
claims by act of Congress, so that the old settlers might be
secure and quiet in their possessions. In order to accomplish
that object, an Act of Congress was passed, in 1S07, confirm-
ing to settlers the lands which they had occupied continuous-
ly from the year 1796 to the date of the act ; and subsequent
acts embracing the settlements on the upper lakes, established
the claims of these old settlers. Besides the cessions of land
which had been made under the administration of Governor
Hull, a treaty was held in 1821 at Chicago, with the Ottawa,
Chippewa, and Potawatamie tribes, in which a tract lying
west of the cession of 1807 and 1819, and reaching from the

MICHIGAN AFTER THE WAR.

227

southern boundary to the Grand River, and its most northerly
source, was secured to the United States. Tf.ese cessions of
land from the Indians, which were required to be made before
a hill and complete title could be acquired by the United
States, were honorable to the American Government. What-
ever may be the abstract right, founded on the purposes of
nature, of civilized nations to wrest from barbarians the soil
wlHch IS not employed in agriculture, it is clear that the Go-
vernment of the United States had a right to the land by c( n-
quest. They had a just claim by conquest from the Eno-lish
and subsequently from the Indians in Wayne's war and the
war of 1812 ; while they only claimed the right of pre-emp-
tion when the Indians should see fit to sell their lands

In 1823 the territory of Michigan was invested with a
more energetic and compact government, by an act of Con-
gress providing for the establishment of a Legislative Coun-
cil, winch was to consist of nine members. These members
were lo be appointed by the President of the United States
with the consent of the Senate, out of eighteen candidates
elected by the people of the territory ; and, with the Governor
they were invested with the same powers which had been
b' -ore granted by the ordinance of 1787 to the Governor
Legislative Council, and House of Representatives of the
north-western territory. By that act, the legislative power of
the Governor and Judges was taken away, the term of ju-
dicial office was limited to four years, and eligibility to office
required the same qualifications as the right of suffrao-e On
the 7th of June, 1821, the first Legislative Council of Michi-
gan was held at the council-house in the city of Detroit
Governor Cass at that time delivered his message, in which
he briefly reviewed the progress of the territory, and marked
out what he considered the proper line of its policy as well as
Its existing condition. In reference to the devastations under
the war of 1812, he remarks, "The whole population was
prostrated at the feet of relentless savages ; and with such
atrocious circumstances as have no parallel in the annals of
modern warfare, menaces, personal violence, imprisonment,
and depopulation, were indiscriminately used, as either an.

228

mSTOIlY OK MirinoAN.

pcared Ixist caiculalod to clli'ct tlio olijoct, which avowedly
was to sever our citizens from the alleiriunco they owed to
tlieir country, l-'orliniately their patriotism and eners^y re-
sisted these eliorls, and prohably in no portion of the Union
was 3nore devotedness to the general cause nianiliisted tlian
here."*

At that period the few roads whic^h had Injen constructed
tlnonjrh the wilderness aloui; the sparse seldenients were iu
a miserable condition ; and the CJovernor called the attention
of the council to that su!)ject, as well as to (he orn^anizalion
of a solid and eilective system of jiu-isj)rndence. As the
clouds of war had cleared away, and the public lands were
in market, additional motives were j)resented lor settlemenf,
and emiijration beiran to How into the country. The lo<;-
liouses of hardy ])ioneers studded the wilderness, and the
li)rests resounded with (he echo of the woodman's axe. As
the population became thus scattered, it was found neces-
sary to devise a system of Township Government, by which
the local aflairs of the dilforent sections mi<rht bo rei,ndatcd
by its own local iiolice. In 1S25 an Act of (Congress was
passed, probably in accordance with the recommendation of the
Governor, providing that the. Governor and Council of tlie
territory of Michigan should liave the right to divide the ter-
ritory into townshijjs, to incorporate the same, to delinc their
privileges, and to provide by law lor the election of their oilicers,
and repealing all laws inconsistent with this Act which liad
been embodied in tlie ordinance of 17H7, or in the laws of the
United States. The same Act also granted to the Governcn'
the power, wiUi the consent of the l.ogislative Council, to ap-
point the civil oilicers of the territory ; and the numbevof the
liCgislative ( 'ouucil was increast-d to thirteen. During the first
session of the Uegislative Council great elforts were also made
for the cstablishuieut ol' roads through the territory by the
General Govenunent, and a memorial for that object was draft-
ed, in order to call the attention of Congress to this subject.
'J'ho progress of iMichigan during the remaining jjortion ol

* Gov. T'liss's message to tlic first Legislative Council in 182-1.

MKMIUfAN AFri:il TIIK WAH.

MKiruliMmisiraiionofCovmiorf^'iss, ahomids with no sud
....u crisis mid startliiiiT fhcls vvlii,;li |,„|„njr i„ jr,,)at ruuTir,.,,
(-•K's, and wliidi markod tlio wlu.lo pmiod of its ^rn,wih "^

Tlu! rauiioii mid ilio ImyoiK^t Imd now given ''pi nco to tl».
axi. ilH) plane, and the plotiirl, ; and these were accon.plishinir
the victories of p.aee. I^hnigration, in its silent pro^rr.ss, w.-is
i^radnally scait(;nn<r its settlers over th.; ibrest. |}y examina-
ti-.n It was fonnd that the report whieh had heen mad.; hv
Gen. llrown, who had b(;en appointed to examine the (,naliiy
o( the land n, this r.-ion, was .mlireiy inaccurate, as his
.|u.l-.nent had he(,n lorin.d without due inv.^stiJration aii<l
np'.n narrow premises. The settlers advancin<r into the in-
termr, (ound a fertile, dry, and undulutinjr soil, clothed with
the richest scenery, intersected |,y clear and rapid streams
.'ind studded with lakes ahoimdinjr with (ish. TJi. e fl.cts
huvm- s,,read al.road, invited the emicrrant from il,o\nore
barren sections of the country, which contained a inoro dense
population, and where th(! avenues to W(!alth and distinction
were mainly occupied. During the first few yc.-ars after the
administration of Governor (.'ass but a small portion of the
land had been broiiirht into market, and this was in the east-
ern portion of Michifran, and was included in the land dis-
trict of Detroit. The system wfiich was introduced mto the
terriUiry o( Michigan, of surveys, which is understood to have
been recom.iumdcd by (^en. Harrison, is of remarkable accu-
racy as well as beauty ; and it now jirevails. Two straight
hues were drawn through the centre of the territory, iioNli
and south, and east ind west. The line north and south,
was denominated tlu; principal meridian, and the line east
and west, the base line. The territory was then surveyed
into townships six miles square, these wore subdivided into
sections a mile s.piare, and tfiese towns! ps were numbered
inmierical order, iucrcvasing from the m.iridian and base lin<;s.
The mathematical certainty of this mode of survey, and the
fact that each section and township were blared or marked
by the surveyors on the trees at the corner of each section,
and the lines of the s(>ctions also marked by shaving off the
bark of the trees, furnished clear landmarks as to tlic actual

J-f

;

230

lUSTOIlY OP MICIIIfiAX.

■f

boundaries of each tmot. The smallest lot which can be
purohasccl at the present time is eijrhty acres, or a fractional
lot wh.ch IS made by a township lino or the course of a
stream. Amid the clearings of the forest, the lonely log-hut
of the pioneer curled its smoke to the heavens from the banks
of the lakes and streams ; and amid the stumps and felled
trunks of the trees, little patches of wheat glowed in the sun
like green islands amid the vast and magnificent ocean of
wilderness. At that time no important settlements had been
made in the interior.

The increasing settlements of Michigan soon called for
the construction of public works which might facilitate the
emigration into its diliereiit sections, and also lay open to
public view the resources of the soil. As early as the 12th
of fllay, 1S2(), a re[)ort had been made to Congress in refer-
ence to the construction of a road across the uTack Swamp ;*
and extraordinary eilbrts were also made to secure the aid of
the General Government in advancing these works of internal
imprcvement. These calls werci liberally responded to on
the part of the General (jovernment. An appropriation was
made for the opening a road between Detroit and tiie Mi imi,
and it was expended on that work with great advantage. Bills
also passed Congress, providing for the construction'of a road
frcn Detroit to Chicago, and also a road from Detroit to Fort
Gratiot, as well as the improvement of La Plaisa.ice Bay.
Liberal grants of land were also made lor the objects of edu-
cation ; and as early as I804,t a township of land was granted
by Congress for the supjiort of a college. Section number
sixteen in each township was also graiued for the support of
common schools; and in 1S2G an additional grant had been
mad(! for the support of a semin.x/ of learning, which now
amounted to two townships ; and authority at the same time
was given to make these locations in small tracts.

The grand roads which were thus projected, tended to fur-
nish important avenue? 'o the difiercnt points of Michigan at

♦ By Tlon. William Woidhridge.

t III 1817 a law was pnssed by the Governor and Judges, providing for tho
establishment of the Cathole pestemiad, or Unircrsity of Jlichisan

MICniOAN AFTER THK WAR.

231

which they terminnted. These roads, snys Governor Cnss,
commencing? at Detroit, the great depot of the oonntry, passing
through the most important parts of the peninsula, and ter-
minating at the borders of the great lakes wiiicii ahnost encircle
it, are essential to the security and prosperity of the country.
There was, however, but little interest mani(i!sted on the part
of the General Government in providing a solid defence to the
Michigan frontier when this would seem to have befsn most
reqni.jd. In reference to the military works about Detroit,
Gov. Cass remarked : " The fort at Detroit is in a dilapidated
state. No repairs iiave been made on it since 181:2, and it
IS, in fact, incapable of defence. The platform could not bear
the discharge of an eighteen-pound gun, nor is there a single
piece of artillery mounted upon tlie works. The pickets and
abbattis arc rotten, and the gates unhung. It is in a Ihr worse
condition than it was at the commencement of the late war.
The military works at Fort Wayne, Fort Gratiot, «ault de
St. Marie, at Green Bay and Mackinaw, were in but little
better condition. During the year 18:^5 Detroit progressed
as rapidly as could be expected under the existing drcum-
stances. Fifty-eight new buildings were constructed during
that year; twenty-two of whicli were two stories in height',
seventeen were one and a half, and nineteen wc;e of one story!
In 1827 the rightof electing the members of the l,ngislative
Council was granted to the electors of the territory, and the
representation was ordered to be apportioned among the sevo-
ral districts or counties according to their populatio"!! ; and in
1828 an Act was passed, coniirming certain claims to land
in Michigan; and another Act, authorizing the Governor and
Council to take charge of those lands which haxl been granted
for the support of common schools.

The construction of that giganfic work, the Erie Canal,
first suggested by Governeur Morns in 1777, a glorious mo-
nument of the patriotism and genius of Dewitt Chnton, which
was commenced in 1817 and opened to Buffalo duriiiir the
year 1825, unfolded a new avenue to the prosperity of Michi-
gan. Itself a wilderness, and Ijounded on the east by a great
lake, which was skirted by a wilderness, removed by this lake

/'
.^'!

232

HISTORY OP MICIUOAN.

from (Fio more dcsely svulvA Stut.^s, the territory was obliged
o grapple witf, the obstacles springing from its rcn.ote posi-
t.on and the want of convenient modes of transportation of
ar clos o large bnllc over the hmd between Albany nnd Lake
i.rc he estabhshment of this work, connected with the
r ver and lake navigation to New- York, brought the trade of
tl^ great commercial metropolis of the Union to its own
doo s, and from that period it sprung forward with powerful
strides. I-mugrants could now be provided with cheap and
easy transportation Ibr themselves and their merchandise, and
tus Ime of communication continued to be crowded with set-
Jof the "'r"''/'^"' ^'^'^'^"■^'''^^"'^ i» the less generous

he la, d^r"''" T' ''^^'''^"^'"^ '° I"^»^ themilvesiu
the and of promise ou the lakes. No events of an extraordina-
ry character niarked the progress of the country. Wi h c e^r

l^;:.::'"'"' "'■' T' ^ ^^'^■■^'^ P"l""«tion,'the nJ..
s Isistence were ample. As population advanced, the re-
sources of the country were gradually developed. The Z
'-n-d extent of the sales of public domai.i had in.luc I
tousands/rom the eastern States to leave their sterile la d
. nd t^ emigrate to her fertile plains; and with the increa^ -
tcihties for travel through western New-York and ae o " 1 o
inountams, c-vme the increase of emigration. Althon d n II
-ttlements had been made in the interior, the ^^^^^^^^^
points w.uch now constitute the florishing tillages Tf
Arbor, Ypselanti, Tecumseh, Adrien, Clinton, M rsl.U /a
M Joseph, had not then been founded. Farms had be
abhshed a the three iirst-named points, but they were 1 e"e
cated with the same prospects, and for the same object a
tliose on the other streams of the peninsula. IJut the pro'^e
soon broadened and brightened. A mighty enterpri e v f.
^.ork under the action of free and equallaL, and' it clt Id
us nfluence through the forests of Michigan and the dinn
as he ceded his domain to the General Gov'ernmen i" j
iarther and fartlier into the wilderness, and his bark vilw
^ave place to the log-hut of the settler. The echo of the "
er s axe started the wolf from his den, and he soon fol owed n
the track ol the savages. The inland seas, which for ceiUi

MIClllliAN AI'TKIl Tire, WAIt.

233

hnd mirrored littlo but th(! settinjr siui tipoii tljoir surface
uuhrokoM, except l,y the Indian, the jiiissiouary, or the trader,'
or dashed their surges iu solitary grandeur alon-r tfio sliores'
wero now studded with ships and steaiulH)ats, and all the ma-
chmory of couiuierco ; and as it passcid on, tho canoe of the
Indian sliot nito the retired hays which border its hanks It
is to the Erie Canal that the first rapid advauco of Michig/ui
can be traced, and it is u[)ou iiUernal improvement fiirnishlno-
the moans und motives for transporlatioii that its future
growth must depend. This, as well ns the other western
States, owe, in fact, their unexampled growth more to mc-
chamcal philosophy acting on internal improvement, than to
any other cause. What stupendous conse(pience3 does Ame-
rican mechanical philosopliy, the characterizing feature of the
present ago, exhibit throughout the country? The rail-road,
the canal, the steamboat, the thousand modes nud powers by
which machinery is propelled, hf)w vastly has it autrmcnted
the sum of human strength and human happiness.'' What
glorious prospects does it open before us ! It has bound to-
gether the wealth of the north and the south, the east and the
west, the ocean and the lakes, ns a sheaf of wheat ; and urged
forward the progress of improvement in mighty strides.
Pouring its millions into the wilderness, it has sent forth, not
serfs, but hardy, practical, enterprising men, the foimders of
empires, who have finished the work of erecting States be-
fore the wolf and the panther had fled from their dens. Be-
striding the lakes and the streams which discharge their wa-
ters through the Mississippi, it has studded them'with nearly
seven hundred floating palaces, to conquer winds, waves, and
tides.* In a single day it lives almost a century. It has 'built
short and certain paths along the Atlantic, which has abridged
the distance at least two-thirds ; and the English flag, which
floated in the docks of Bristol and Liverpool, are, four-
teen days after, seen waving in our ports, above a foreign
crew and foreign merchandise. More powerful than Xerxes
when he threw manacles into the Hellespont, it has chained the

* There are at present about six hundred Bteamboats on the waters of the
iMissiiifiippi.

■ '- ' 11
, ' I

""SPT"

234

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

lul

;:* r

gV^ih -pCi'.'

current of nvers by the dam, the mill-race, and the water-wheel •
and made them its slave ! It has almost nullified space, by en'
abling us to rush across its surface like the wind ; and pro-
longed tune, by the speed with which we can accomplish our
ends. It can do the work of innumerable armies and navies
m war and in peace. It has constructed rail-roads across the
mountams; and m the sublime language of another, the "bucks
of the Alieghanies have bowed down like camels."

As early as 1S2] a treaty was perfected at Chicago through
the agency of Governor Cass, by which all the countVy
wuliin the boundaries of Michigan, south of Grand River,
which had not before been ceded, was granted to the United
States. la 1823 Governor Cass also concluded a treaty with
the Delaware Indians, which resulted in the cession of valu-
able tracts of land on the Muskingum in Ohio ; and, two years
afterwards, in conjunction with Gen. Clark, he conchided a
treaty of general pacification with the north-western savages
at Prairie du Chien. Besides these several treaties, there was
also one treaty perfected at Green Bay, and another at St Jo-
seph, m the year 1827. During the following year another
treaty was also held at Greenville, and another at St. Joseph
and a valuable cession was also made for Indiana. '

One important advantage derived from the expedition upon
the north-western lakes under Governor Cass, in 1820. was
the fact, tfiat the boundaries between the Indian tribes on* tiieir
waters, which had been long the source of great contention
were defined and established. The tomahawk, which is the'
last reason of savages, as is the sword of civilized nations had
been lifted up ; and these tribes had been long in a state of war
regarding these limits. In order to adjust these disputes, facts
were collected from tradition and evidence, and the assent of the
Indians was acquired to certain well-known geographical
bounds. By this adjustment much bloodshed was |)reventcd,
and also further disputes upon the same grounds. From State
documents, which were submitted to Congress on the 2rtii of
January, 1825, it appears that there were then twenty-ei.frht
thousand three hundred and sixteen Indians, exclusive of the
Chippewas, upon Lake Superior and the heads of the Mississippi

MICHIGAN AFTEU TllK WAR.

235

Dunng the year 1S25, a memorial was submitted by
Governor Cass to the Committee on mih'tary affairs, to whom
had been referred a resohuion making inquiry what furthe
neas,ires were necessary to be adopted for the protection of
the nonh-western frontier. This memorica was desi<.ned to
set forth the actual position of the territory of Michigan at
lhat,me and to invoke aid from the General Government

a d tlf "rn : ^""'^'"'^ '' ' '""' ^'"^ '' ^"'i^h coast,
ad the unstable character of the Indians, which made them

able at aiiy moment to break out into open war, made an
augmented defence necessary for its protection

Besides the roads which were encouraged by the General
Government from Detroit to the M.unee, Saguiaw, to Fort
Gia not, to Chicago ; another road was also projected by the
United States fro.n La Piaisance Bay to interseil the Detroit
and Chicago road and also from Detroit to the mouth of the
Giand River ; and appropriations fbr that object were passed in
1832 Provision was also made, in 1831, for the erection of
l.ght-houses ac tlie head of Lake Erie, on Bois Blanc Island
near Mackinaw, at Fort Gratiot at the entrance of Lake Hu
ron, at St Joseph River, Lake Michigan, on outer Thunder
Bay Island m Lake Huron ; and also for the establishment of
a light-boat m the straits between Lakes Huron and Michi<ran •
and also buoys on the fiats of Lake St. Clair '' '

The principal settlement was as yet confined to the eastern
portion of the peninsula of Michigan, and the interior was an
almost unbroken wilderness. By consequence, counties were
organised only so far as the advance of settlements establish!
ed the necessity of a direct representation and a frame of lo-
cal policy. As early as 1826 the counties of Michillimacki-
ac Saginaw, La Peer Shiawassu, St. Clair, Macomb, Oak-
land, \V ashtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe, were erect-
ed ; and township governments were organised within their
T^onnds; while an immense extent of country west of the
principal meridian, extending to Lake Michigan, which hod
not been surveyed, and which was then but sparsely settled
was subject to the counties of Monroe and Oakland. In'
1830 the population of Michigan had grown to 31' ,030 By

,. fr

f. "

i if ' :

236

HISTORY OK MICHIGAN.

this it appeared that there had been an accession to its popu-
lation of more tlian twenty-two thonsand since the census of
1820.

The whole administration of (jov. Cass was occupied in
strengthening the foundations of the prosperity of Michigan,
and increasing tlie wealtli of the United States by perfecting
treaties with tiie Indian tribes, developing (lie resources, de-
fining and establishing the legislation of the territory. In
1831 Governor Cass, after having occupied it eighteen years,
resigned the gubernatorial chair of Michigan, and took his
seat as Secretary of War in the cabinet of the United States.
He found the country weak from the devastations of war, and
left it strong. He had given general satisfaction to the peo-
ple, in etf jting substantial improvements for the benefit of
the State. Although endowed with few of the brilliant qua-
lities of an orator, he possessed a solid and discriminating
judgment. Discreet, sagacious, prudent, politic, he sought
the best good of the territory, and made friends wherever
friends were to be made. His contributions to the leadincr lite-
rary journals of the country, as well as to historical societies, in
illustration of Indian history and institutions, had established
his taste and learning ; his collisions with the British and the
Indian tribes had maintained his reputation as a soldier ;
and his beneficent administration of the government of Mi-
chigan for eighteen years, had marked his character with the
broad impression of a statesman. It can be aflirmed safely,
that the present prosperity of IMichigan is now more in-
debted to Governor Cass than to any other man, living or
dead. During this year the population of the territory had
grown to about thirty-five thousand, according to a fair esti-
mate.

Governor Cass was succeeded during the same year
by Mr. George B. Porter, a lawyer of Lancaster, Penn-
sylvania. He was appointed by General Jackson ; and,
although possessing little brilliance of talent, he was
universally acknowledged to be an active and thorough
man of business. The administration of Governor Porter
was marked by no extraordinary vicissitude affecting the

MICHIGAN AFTER THE WAU.

237

co.id.iiou of .A.'ichigau, excepting the erection of Wisconsin
whicii had formerly been annexed to Michigan, and theexpe-
<Iition against Black Ilawlc. The treaty of Chicago, in wliich
the chief magistrate had an agency, terminated in a lar^e ces-
sion of the Indian lands to the United States. During the
administration of Governor Porter, the emigration to the ter-
ritory was very much increased. The commerce of Lake
I'.rie rapidly augmented with the increase of emigration
Appropriations had been made for public works afono- its
•shores, and also within the then territory of Michigan. Sp^'eco-
lation began to move into this region, and large companies
were formed at the east, which had for their object the pur-
chase of extensive tracts of the public domain. Besides the
increase of a non-resident proprietorship, vast masses of ac-
tual settlers came out in order to improve the land. As tlio
resources of the country became known, the most elio-ible
tracts for the establishment of towns were sought out by the
lynx-eyed capitalist, and villages sprung up as if by maaic
on the banks of the streams which afTorded any degree^cf
hydraulic or commercial advantages. Michigan nowlooked
forward to the period when she could apply for admission
as a State into the Union, whicli could happen when she had
a population of sixty thousand. A census was taken, and in
April of 1831, it, was found that this population had grown
to eighty-seven thousand two hundred and seventy-three

The gubernatorial chair of Miciiigan was again leftvac.nt
by the death of George B. Porter. Here commenced the in-
terregnum state of its administration, when it was vaciUatino-
between a State and territorial government ; when it was
without a common head, a territorial system of laws, and a
constitution of government made by itself professincr to be a
Slate, but not a member of the Union, °

During that period, and while Michigan was yet without a
chief magistrate, the controversy which had ^rmerly agitated
the territory regarding its southern boundar line, was a<.ain
revived. 1 his controversy was of long standing, and had been
made the subject of ardent discussion from the commencement

of the adrahiistration of Governor Cass.

ft grew out of a

238

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

I, U

:i--

>■ 'm

t ;

clause in the ordinance of 1787 for the government of t{ie
north-western territory. In the fifth article of that ordi-
nance, It was estabhshed that there should be formed, in the
north-western territory, not less than three nor more than
five States '^ Provided, however, and it is further under-
stood and declared, that the boundaries of these tin-ee States

Tuu ?"^''''' '''"'^ ^''''^^'''' ^"d it expedient, they

shall have authority to form one or two States in that part of
the said territory which lies north of an east and west line
drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake
Michigan ; and whenever any of the said States shall have
sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such State shall be
adinitted by its delegates into the Congress of the United
Sta OS on an equal footing with the original States in all re-

siituiion and State government.-"'

In the Act of Congress to divide the Indiana territory into
twoseparate governments, which was approved Januarv 11,
180a, It was established that "from and after the 3()th day of
June next all that part of the Indian territory whicMies
nonh of a hue drawn east from tiie southerly he'd or extreme
o Lake Michigan until it shall intersect Lake Erie, and e^s
of a niedrawn from the said southerly bond th ou^h X
middle of said lake to its northern extremity, and the.^l d e
north to the northern boundary of the United State lit

he purposes of temporary government, constitute a sen arl
territory, and be called Michio-an " ^

In nf h' L '"''^'' '^' '"'I'^bitants of the eastern por-
tion .d's^T"'"" '""'"-^ (^"■") '^ ^°™ ^ -'tl
tution and State government, it was provided "that the boun

daries of the future State (of Ohio) shall be on th as y
the Pennsylvania line, on the south by the Ohio Rive to thl
n^outh of the Great Miami River, on the west by l ^

diwn due north from the mouth of the great M.L i ali^e
aid, and on the north by an east and west line drawn hroul
the southern extreme of Lake Michigan, running ]^^S^

MICHIGAN AFTER THE AVAR.

239

intersecting the due north line aforesaid, from the mouth of
the great Miami, until it shall intersect Lake Erie on the ter-
ntonal hue, and thence with the same through Lake Erie to
the Pennsylvania line aforesaid."

The sixth article of the Constitution of Ohio, which was
organized m 1802, and confirmed by the General Govern-
ment, ordains as follows : " Provided always, and it is hereby
fully understood and declared by this convention, that if the
sourthern bend or extreme of Lake Michigan should extend
so far south tliat a line drawn due east from it should not in-
tersect Lake Erie, or if it should intersect the said Lake Erie
east of the mouth of the Miami River of the lake, then, and
m that case, with the assent of tlie Congress of the United
fetates, the northern boundary of this State shall be establish-
ed by and extended to a direct line running from the south-
erly extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly Cape
of Miami Bay ; after intersecting the due north line from the
mouth of the Great Miami, thence north-east to the territorial
line, and by the said territorial line to the Pennsylvania line "
These several national and State enactments were made
the basis of a clashing claim between Ohio and MichLmn.
The disputed tract was a belt of land about fifteen miles wide
From the fact, that this tract of land contained the outlet of
the Miami River, was itself a fertile soil, and the key to a
wide and rich back country, and also a prescribed terminus
for the Erie a.ul Wabash Canal, a work of gigantic enter-
prise and brilliant promise, its acquisition was deemed an ob-
ject of great importance. To substantiate her claims, it was
co.Uended, on the part of Michigan, that the ordinance of
1<8^ was a solemn compact between the United States and
the i)eople who should l)e comprised in the north-western
territory, unalterable except by common consent ; and that this
compact established the southern boundary line of Michigan
as a direct east and west line drawn through the southerly
bend or extreme of Lake Michigan. It was also maintained
on the part ot i\Iichigan, that the act of Congress of 1S05
organizing tlio territorial government, conlirtnod the same
line, by prescr.buig as her territorial domain, all that part of

fig'- ' I I

240

niSTOUY OF MICHIGAN.

. i wi

P i

•II' I

'fh i

the Indiana territory wliich lies north of a hne drawn east
from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Alichigan until
it shall intersect Lake Erie.

It was maintained on the side of Ohio, that tlie lino pro-
scribed in the orduiance of 1787 was not, in the Ic^al and
technical sense, a boundary line ; but a parallel and purlial
line introduced for the purpose of limiting the action of the
States below, and confining temporarily the jurisdiction of the
territory above it ;and that the right boundary was defined in
llie Constitution of the State of Ohio, which had been ac-
cepted by Congress, as the line running from the scuthoriy
extremity of Lake Michigan to the ?nost 7iort/iciii/ cape or
the Micifni Bay.

It was also claimed by Ohio, that the ordinance of 17S7
was superseded by the adoption of the constitution of the
Unitrd States ; and they maintained that argument by tl:e fol-
lowing clause in that instrument : " Congress shall have the
power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regula-
tions respecting the territories or other property belonging to
the United States." On the other side, it was alleged that this
clause of the constitution referred to the public lands ; but if
it did not, the argument was fiilly answered in another clause
of the same instrument, establishing that all debts contracted
and engagements entered mio, before the adoption of this
Constitution, shall be as valid against the United Stales under
this Constitution as under the confederation.

Here then arose a clashing of jurisdiction. It was deter-
mined by the people of Otiio to have the northern boundary
line claimed by that State re-marked by the surveyors. Mi-
chigan, about the same period, passed a coimter-act,prohibitin,"-
any aggression by another State upon her domnin. In con-
sequence of that act, the surveying expedition of Ohio, while
in the perlbrmance of their duties, were attaclced and driven
off by a military posse cotnitatus. Subsequent to that period,
the militia of Michigan were drafted to enforce her laws upon
the Ohio frontier, and actually marched on to the disputed
ground with Mr. Stevens T. Mason, the then Secretary and
acting Governor of the territory, at their head : but finding r,o

MICHIOAN AFTER THK WAR.

211

enemy, thoy were soon disbanded. On tiiis jinicturc, the
President of the United States, ioresecin«r disturbances, ap.
pointed two Commissioners, Mr. Richard Rush of Pennsyl-
vania, and Mr. Benjamin C. Howard of Maryhmd, to repair
to the disputed territory, and to settle, if possible, the ditfer-
ence between the parlies. By their ajrency a compromise
was etfected, throufrh which the people on the disputed terri-
tory might acknowledge, at their option, the jurisdiction of
Ohio or Michigan, until the matter could be satisfactorily de-
termined by the proper authority. This arrangement, how-
over, was attended witli no permanent advantages, as the dis-
sensions w re soon renewed.

In the nKaiitimc Michigan, under the clause in the ordi-
nance of 17S7, empowering the territory to Ibrm a permanent
Constitution and State Government when she should attain a
population of sixty thousand, had, on IVIay 11, 1835, called a
convention in the city of Detroit for that object. The Con-
stitution was framed, and sent for acceptance to Congress.
Under the State organization, Stevens T. Mason of Kentucky,
who had been secretary under Governor Porter, was elected
Governor by the people. Michigan then applied tor admis-
sion into the Union o!i her own terms, but that admission was
refused on the part of the General Government. An act,
however, was passed, providing for her conditional admission,'
which was in the following words : " An Act to establish the
northern boundary line of tlie State of Ohio, and to provide
for the admission of the State of Michigunin to the Union upon
tlie conditions therein expressed." " Be it enacted by the
Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America, in Congress assembled, that the northern boundary
hne of the State of Ohio shall be established at, and shall be a
direct line, drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Mi-
chigan to the most northerly Cape of the Maumee Bay ; af-
ter that line so drawn shall intersect tiie eastern boundary
line of the State of Indiana, and from the said north Cape of
the said bay, north-east to the boundary line between the
United States and the province of Upper Canada in Lake
Eri<i ; and thence with the said last-mentioned line to its inter-

hh\

242

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

' ;

section witli the western line of the State of Pennsylvania.
And be it further enacted, that the Constitution and State
Government, which the people of Michigan have formed for
themselves, be, and the same is hereby accepted, ratified, and
confirmed ; and that the said State of Michigan shall be, and
is hereby declared to be one of the United States of America,
and is hereby admitted into the Union upon an equal footing
with the original States in all respects whatsoever ; provided
always, that this admission is upon the express condition that
the said State shall consist of and have jurisdiction over all
the territory included witliin the following boundaries, and
over none other, to wit: Beginning at the point where tlie
above-described norihern boundary of the State of Ohio
intersects the eastern boundery of the State of Indiana;
and running thence with the ;aid boundary line of Ohio as
described in the section of this Act, until it int(,'rsects the
boundary line between the United States and Canada in Lake
Erie; thence with the said boundary line between the United
States and Canada, through the Detriot River, Lake Huron,
and liake Superior, to a point where the said line last touches
Lake Superior; thence in a direct line through Lake Supe-
rior to the mouth of the Montreal River ; thence througn the
middle of the main channel of the said River jMontreallo the
middle of the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to
the nearest headwater of the Menominie River; thence
through the middle of that fork of said river first touched by
the said line to the main channel of the said Memoninie Ri-
ver ; thence down the centre of the main channel of the
same, to the centre of the most usual ship channel of the said
Bay to the middle of Lake Michigan ; thence through the
middle of Lake Michigan tn the northern boundary "of the
State of Indiana, as that line was established by the act of Con-
gress of the 19th of April, 1816; thence due-east with the
north boundary line of the said State of Indiana to the north-
east corner thereof; and thence south with the east boundary
line of Indiana to the place of beffinnino-.

" And be it further enacted, that as a compliance with the
fundamental condition of admission contained in the last pre-

IM \i-

MICHIQAN AFTER THE WAR,

243

Cfidmsr section of this Act, the boundaries of the said State
o Michigan, as in that section described, declared, and esta-
Dished, shall receive the assent of a convention of delegates
elected by the people of said State for the sole pnipo.se of
giving the assent herein required ; as soon as the assent herein
required shall be ^iven, the President of the United States
shall announce the same by proclamation, and thereupon, and
without any further proceeding on the part of Cono-ress the
admission of the said State into the Union a. one of the
United States of America, on an equal footing with the ori^i.
pnal States, shall be considered as complete; and the senV
tors and representative who have been elected by the said
Slate as its representatives in the Congress of the United
States, sh.n^l be entitled to take their seats in the Senate and
1-louse^ of Representatives respectivelv, without further delay "
111 September, 183G, a convention was called at Ann Arbor
for the purpose of considering the condition annexed to the
admission of Michigan into the Union and it was rejected
Ihis rejection was based on the fact that Couirress hud no
right to annex such condition to the admission of Michio-an
into the Union, because her boundaries had been already'de-
ftnedby the ordinance of 1787, and her Constitution had
been declared republican, and had been organized in con-
fin-mity to the ordinance, which provided, tliat when she
should have attained a population of sixty thousand, she
..ould be admitted upon the floor of Congress upon an equal
looting with the original States.

On this question local dissensions sprung up, and public
opinion was divided. Subsequent to this convention, a new
convention, comprised of delegates from the different counties
was called on the 14th day of December of the same year'
and the condition was recognized. This accession was
made on the ground of expediency, and to secure the
benefits of union and the divisions of the surplus reve-
nues. The question then arose, whether this second conven-
tion was empowered to accede to the terms of admission pre-
scribed in the Act of Congress providing for the admission of
the State of Michigan into the Union. The President of tho

Si I

244

IIISTOIIY OF MICH 10 AN.

?;!

Uiiitea States rlid not deem himsolf authorized to issue his
proclamation on tiie notion of this second convention, but
conchulf"! 'i. i;i\ the whole matter helbre Consrress, to be ad-
judged. In opposition to the validity of this second conven-
tion, Mr, joiui C Calhoun, of South Carolina, and others,
mad-; the point that this convention was, in the first place,
unauthorized by the Act of Con^iss; and, secondly, tliat
tlie only legal convention authorized by that act fiad rtyected
the terms prescribed by CnKo^iv'^s ; and lastly, thai the con-
vention itself was not a fair expression of the willof the peo-
ple of Michigan. Mr. Thomas If. Benton took ground in
behalf of admission, and solemnly declared that he would en-
camp upon the floor of the Senate until Michigan wks admit-
ted as a State into the Federal Union. After a protracted dis-
cussion, the question was decided in favor of admission, and
she was admitted as a State into the Federal Government.
In addition, therefore, to the tract included in the peninsular
portiou of tlie territory, there is a tract of about twenty-five
thousand square miles north-west of Lake Michigan append-
ed by the terms of the late Act of Congress ; so that, at the
present time, the dom-^in of tlie State embraces an aggregate
of about sixty-five thousand square miles. Previous to this
period her territorial domain had been abridged by the or-
ganization of the territory of Wisconsin in 1836. Subjoined
is the Constitution of the State.

In April of 1834, it was ascertained that there were eighty-
seveu thousand two hundred aad seventy-thre^ free inhabit-
ants within the then limits of Michigan. The establishment of
a constitution, and the admission ot Michigan as a member of
the Union, constituted a marked epoch. From this period
she burst forth with newness of life. Before she had been in a
state of wardship and dependence ; her officers were appoint-
ed, and her policy conirollcd, by the Federal Government, a
power which could not appreciate all her local wants. Her-
cules had sprung from the cradle. A system of measures
was now adopted to effect a vigorous and extensive system of
internal improvements throu^hout the Slate. From her
great local advantages she had already become an important

i| M i

1 'I! '

MICHIGAN AFTEU THE WAR.

215

mart for castcrri capital ; and the rapid increase of populnlion
called n|)oa the State to uffccttKUe substantial and thorou<.li
benehts, hotli for the improvement of their moral and i)hysi-
c.il condition, and to dev» lope the resources of the country
^V itlun the last few years, it is probal.j.; that no section of the
Unit(;d (States has advanced more rapidly than the State ot
Michigan, and it seems to be a matter of great importance to
proportion the public works to the arrowing wants of the State.
The villages, whicli had sprung up in its different sections,
and the settlements which had been scattered ovjr the wholo
penmsula, seemed to call upon the State itself to carry for-
ward these works. Besides remodelling its laws, it was made
an important feature of state policy to project certain impor-
tant works across the peninsula.* In order to prosecute these
prou>cfs the C^vernor was authorisod to effect a loan not ex-
coeding five, millions of dollars, on which the credit of
the State was to he pledged. The Board of Commis-
sioners of Internal Improvements were authorised to cause
surveys to be made of three railroad routes across the penin-
su. of Michigan. The firstof these routes was to commence
at Detroit in the county of Wayna and to terminate at the
mouth of the St. Joseph River in the county of Berrien • this
vvas to be called the Central railroad. The second was
to commence at the navicjable waters of the River Raisin
passth ough thevillageofMonroeinthocountyofMonroe and
to terminate at New Buflalo in Berrien county. This is deno-
minated the Southern railroad. Th ■ third is to commence
at Palmer near the mouth of tiie Bla* < River, in the county
of St. Chur, and to terminate at the i .vigable waters of the
Grand River in the county of Kent, or on Lake Michigan la
the county of Ottawa. This last is denominated the Northern
railroad. For the construction of these three works, the sum
ot live hundred and fifty thousand dollars has been appropriated
by the legislature. The sum of twenty thousand dollars has

* Four States have thus been carvrdo.it ot the North-western Territory W,.-
consm rema.Ms to he create,!. Tho ConstituUon of Ohio was organized in 1«02
Indmua m 1816. Illinuis i„ ISIfi, Mid.igan in 1835 '

240

HISTOUY OK MICHIUAN.

If:

7 ^l! f

also boon nppropriatcd for the survey of a canal, or n canal
mm railnmd, commencing «t 1\1(. Clement on the Clinton
Kivcr, and to t.-rmmuie at or near the month of the Kalnmaroo
Kiver ; tor the survey of a canal to unit,, the waters oftlio Sa-
ginaw u'lth the navi-able waters of the Maple or (inmd
llivers; and for the purchase of surveyors' and other instru-
ments ; and uLso for the survey of the St. Joseph, Kalanuizoo,
and Grand Rivers, for the purpose of i.nprovin? the navicra.
tion. Forty thousand dollars were also appropriated for The
construction ofac.nal, or a canal and railroad on the route
ivoin Mt. Clemens to Kalamazoo, ,f such a work was deemed
necessary. Fifteen tliousand dollars was also appropriated
ior the constr.iction of a canal which should unite the waters of
the M-ru.aw with the Grand or Maple Kivers, if such a work
was deemed nec-ssary to be constructed. A project for a ship
canal around the Sanit deSt. Marie, opening navigation with
i^ake Superior, is now in action. These several projected
works 01 u.iernal improvement lay the foundation for the ra-
pid devel.>pu)ent of its resources. They will furmsh means
and motives lor unnngration lothe State, will bru)gal! its pro-
ducts mto niarket, and hind together, as with iron chains, its
interests and its action. Besides these projected improve-
meuts, a geological survey has been commenced under the
cognizance of the State, which will doubtless reveal its sour-
ces of as^yet undiscovered wealth beneath the surface of the
State. 1 l.e nnportant cause of education, which is acknow-
ledged to he at the (bundation of good government and na-
nonal happiuess, has received extraordinary ullention imder
State cognizance. The beneficent provision, which has been
made by Government fbr the erection of a State university
1ms been carried out, by framing this establishment on a wise
ond liberal foundation. Its endowment, tf well husbanded,
will make It probably the wealthiest institution of the
imted Slates. The cause of popular education is now ri-
pening, and a vigorous system of common instruction will
soon be felt throughout every section of the State

nnbb I /'T°^ '^' superintendent of Public Instruction,
published on January 5th, 1S37, it appears that there are m the

MICHIGAN AFTER THE WAR.

247

peninsula of Michigan 1,100 .s,i.,aro niilos dovotod to the causo
of primary education, which, estimated at the niinimum price of
their actual vnhie, will produce 8520,000. The erection of the
University of Michigan, which is endowed with resections
oi land will also go forward upon the same magnihcent scale
Besides the ample provision which has been made for pub-
ic education by the establishment of common schools and
libraries, the erection of the university of Michigan will ex-
exhibit a literary institution, as founded on a wider scale, and
wi ha more liberal endowment, than any other on this side
of the Atlantic. Its design, as expressed in the .statute under
which It IS organized, is « to provide the inlmbitauts of the
State with a means of acquiring a thorough knowledo-e of the
various branches of literature, science, and the arts"" The
government of the university is vested in a board of twelve
regents, and the course of instruction is divided into three
grand departments:-!, Law; 2, Medicine; 3, Literature,
Science, and the Arts. lu the department of literature
science, and the arts,are established fifteen protessorships • con
sist.ng of one of the ancient languages, the modern lan^ua^es'
rhetoric and oratory, philosophy of history, lode and philoso-
phy of the human mind, moral philosophy and natural theo-
locry, lucludmg the history of all religions, political economy
mathematics, natural philosophy, chemistry and pharmacv
geology and mineralogy, botany and zoology, ibe fine arts'
civil engmeenng and architecture. The department of law is
constituted of three professorships ; one of natural, interuatio-
nal and constitutional law, one of common and statute law
and of equity, and also one of commercial and maritime law
The department of medicine consists of a professorship of
anatomy, surgery, physiology and patholy, practice of physic
obstetrics, and the diseases of women and children, and also
one of materia modica and medical jurisprudence.

This chapter cannot i)erhaps be concluded better than bv
showing, in a tabular form, the names of the several o-overnors
and administrators under whose jurisdiction MichVan has
been placed since the erection of the royal government in 16G3.*

• Sec Boueliettu'a Dritisli dominions. Vol. I. p. 447,

'■:/ -(l

1^-

ii^

248

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

'kli
[,; iff

FUENCH.

Sieur de Mesy

Sieur de Courceile

Sieur de Frontenac

Sieur de Barre

Sieur Marquis de Nonville

Sieur de Frontenac

Sieur Chevalier de Callieres

The Marquis de Vaudreuil

The Marquis de Beauharnois

Sieur Comte de la Gallisoniere

Sieur de la Jonquiere

The Marquis du Quesne de Menneville

Sieur de Vandreuil de Cavagnal

DATE OF OFFICE.

1663.

1065.

1672.

1682.

1685.

1689.

1699.

1703.

172G.

1749.

1752.

1755.

ENGLISH GOVER^OUS AFTER THE CONQUEST.

James Murray

Paulus Emelins Irving, Pres.

Guy Carleton, Lieut. Gov. and Com. in Chief

Hector T. Cramahc, Pres.

Guy Carleton

Frederick Haldimand

Henry Hamilton, Lieut. Gov. and Com. in

Chief
Henry Hope, Lieut. Cov. and Com. in Chief
Lord Dorchester, Gov. General of Canada
Alured Clarke, Lieut, Gov. and Com. in Cliief
Lord Dorchester

AMERICANS.

William Hull

Lewis Cass

George B. Porter

Stevens T. Mason, Act. Gov.

John S. Horner

Stevens T. Mason

1765.
1766.
1766.
1770.
1774.
1774.

1774.
1775.
1776.
1791.

1798.

1805.
1814.
1832.
1834.
18?5.
1836.

CHAPTER XIII.

The State of Michigan yet bears the general aspect of a vast
wilderness, occasionally studded with villages, intersected by
numerous streams, and nearly surrounded by mediterranean

Si T. ""'''^'"''^ "^ ^'^''' ^"^' S^- Clair, Huron.

Michigan, aiid Superior. In approaching its eastern bordo

from New-York through Lake Erie, the lace of the country
appears low. consisting of lands heavily timbered with a class of
forest trees, growing from a rich soil of clay loam, or a sort of
muck, which IS composed of decayed vegetable matter. This
character of land seems to prevail upon a belt, varying from
five to forty miles along the borders of the lakes, which
gives evidence that it has been once submerged. The trees of
th.s heavily timbered land, with their massive shafts standinc.
close together, cast a gloomy grandeur over the scene • and
when stripped of foliage appear like tlie black colomiado
ot a vast sylvan temple. The streams on this level and
densely wooded soil are sluggish. In advancing into the
interior, a more picturesque and rolling country opens to
view, covered with oak openings, or groves of white oak
thmly scattered over the ground, which have the appearance
of state y parks. The configuration of the soil is as if it wa^
covered with mounds disposed without order, sometimes risincr
to the height of two hundred feet, but more usually maintain!
ing an elevation of only about thirty or forty. Accordingly
there is a delightful alternation of hill and dale, which is
sometimes varied by a ricli prairie or a burr oak grove, which

rli

250

HLSTORY OF MICHIGAN.

resembles a cultivated orchard studded with the largest pear
trees. The peninsular portion of the State exhibits no rocks
of granitic character, excepting the boulders, which seem to be
foreign to the soil. The rocky formation is comprised of
liine, sand-stones, aiid shales ; the first of which forms the
beds of many of the streams. This undnlating portion of the
State extends through a great part of the oounties of Hill.sdale,
Jackson, Washtenaw, Ingham, Eaton, Livingston, Oakland,
Ionia, and Kent ; and also far north of the Grand River,
through the unsurveyed district. The character of thiit por-
tion of the country bordering on Lake Superior is, however,
far diiferent. I'liere the soil gives evidence of priminy for-
mation, and is broken into deep valleys and rugged mountain
chains, covered with pine, generally barren, with the excep-
tion of the valleys and the elevated plains. These furnish a
fertile soil.

The rivers and streams which water the State are .-^mall,
but numerous. The principal are, the Grand, the St. Joseph,
the Kalamazoo, the Saginaw, the Raisin, the Clinton, the Hu-
ron, and the Rouge. The first of these streams is the largest
in Michigan. It is two hundered and seventy miles in length,
about fifty rods broad at its mouth, and has a free navigation
for steamboats and batteaux which now ply from Lake Michi-
gan to the Grand Rapids, a distance of about forty miles.
The St. Joseph River, another beautifiil and clear stream, wa-
ters a fertile and picturesque tract of the State, consisting of
oak openings, prairies, and heavily timbered land ; and emp-
ties into lake Michigan about seventy-five miles south of the
Grand River. That river maintains an average breadth of
about thirty rods for one hundred and twenty miles from
its mouth. The Kalamazoo is a small, winding, and trans-
parent stream, running over a bed of lime-stone rock, and
pebbles. This also empties into Lake Michigan. The Sagi-
naw, which is on the northern part of the peninsula, runs into
Lake Huron, and is navigable for sixty miles from its mouth.
The Raisin, so called from the grapes which flourish on its
banks, is a small stream, winding through a considerable por-
tion of thickly timbered land. It affords water power, and ernp-

SCENERY, SOIL. AND PRODUCTION. 251

ties into Lake Erie. The Clinton is also a beautiful stream
which waters the eastern portion of the State. These riv^^rs'
beside numerous others of less size, interlock their branches
hroucrh different parts of the State; and while they beautify
the landscape, afford water power and navigation, and at the
same time fertilize the soil.

The soil of Michigan is various. It may be divided into,
heavily timbered land, barrens, oak openinors, burr-ook plains
and prairies; and the growth of the vegetation indicates the
character of the land. The heavily timbered land, comprised
of the largest class of forest trees, indicates a soil of day a
wet niiidc, or a dry, black, sandy loam, based on a close soil
of reddisn earth. The two last species of soil are hiahly pro-
ductive, and will yield, with the careless tillage of a upvv
comitrv, from twenty to thirty-five bushels of wheat by the
acre : and they bear in abundance every kind of gram whi-'
IS produced in the State of New- York. This soil -'hoi,
as pro-hictive as any in the State, .. mr-r-e d^'Rcult to dear^
as it usually costs from ten to fifteen dollar^ an ere to fit it.
for cultivation. There is, hov.ever, one a-..., u .,ge in the tim-
bered land to an emigrant with small mr-a. s. After the tim
her is cut down, the soil does not require nlou-hina ■ a harrow
drawn by one yoke of oxen will render it fit for "cultivation
as the surface of the land is highly mellow. '

The barrens are a soil but thinly covered with stunted oaks •
and It IS found, that altho^igh not the iwost ferlik. taev nro'
dune well. ' ^ ^

The white oak openings, which constitute a rr^-at propor
tton of the soil of the State, is w&relv different from the tim-
bered lands. Extending as far as th« eve can reach like lof-
ty parks, their surface is covered with a thiw layer of black
vegetal)lo mould intermixed with gravel. A proportion of
marl IS found under this surface; and l«ne-stone, p-bbles
sand, and frequently clay and vellow loam, may be found in
the second stratum. This spee.es of soil is eminentfy favor-
able for the production of wheat, and i« suppc^d by many
practical farmers to be the most valuable whew lands in the
eounlry. It is easy of tillage, and seldom fails to produce a

252

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

ill

good crop during the most unfavorable seasons. Although
not favorable for grass, oats and corn thrive well. These
oak openings present the finest trait of scenery in Michigan.
Their scattered and lofty trees, resembling the most cherished
parks in En<^^land, now swell into mound like hills, and now
sweep down to a level prairie, a deep glen, or the brovv of
a lake. This land presents uncommon motives for i^ tlement.
The only disadvantage is, that the soil, from the thick tuft
of the matted grass on its surface requires four or five yoke of
oxen to break it up for the seed. The low grounds are often
covered with tamerack groves.

The jirairies, which are scattered over the State, resem-
bling lakes, sometimes studded with wooded islands, bordered
by shores of forest, and indented with bays, consist of a black
vegetable mould, intermixed in small measure with cloy, sand,
or gravel. This mould varies in point of depth from one to
five feet, and is based on a stratum of clay, rock, or gravel.
In some instances a deep black sand constitutes the first stra-
tum. The prairies are particularly favorab'o for Indian corn
and oats ; grass is their natural product. Wheat grows in
great abundance, but the last is generally inferior in quality
to that of the oak openings, as i' is less clean. From the fact
of the abundant produce, this species of land is sought by set-
tlers in preference to other lands, as it requires no clearing,
and produces abundantly. There are two kinds of prairies,
the wet and the dry. The last have been noticed. The wot
prairies are marshes, and seem to have been once the beds of
lakes ; and there is evidence of the subsidence of the waters in
the little islands of timber which are frequently set upon their
sm-face. They are usually covered in summer with a long
and coarse grass, which is suitable for winter stock. By drain-
ing, these may be made into good meadow land. The prin-
cqial productions of Michigan, at the present time, are wheat,
rye, corn, oats, buck-wheat, flax, pot ashes, pearl aslies, and
hemp. Fruit also thrives well ; and this is demonstrated by the
old French apple and pear trees which prevail, although they
are but little cultivated.*

♦ It has been peon that La Hontan alhides to the plum and apple as growing

fo 1

SCENERY, SOir>, AND PRODUCTION.

253

^ The burr-oak plains appear liko cultivated orchards.
The soil is comprised of a mix'n.re of the earth of the prairies
nod the white oak openings. These bear a scattering growth
of small timber of rough bark and a deep green foliage" ' From
the intermixture of lime, wliich makes up a great proportion
of the soil, this land is eminently productive, and, next to the
prairies, ;s preferred by the farmers. That part of the State
which lies on the nortli has been but little exploreu. It would
appear, from the description of those who have examined it,
that It contains extensive groves of pine ; and that the laud, al-
though broken by small hillocks and swamps, is in many
parts favorable for agriculture.

The wild animals of Michigan have been much diminished
by the advance of emigration and the progress of the fur trade.
Bears, beavers, otters, wolverines, porcupines, panthers, be-
sides numerous smaller animals, abound in the State. In
the northern parts of the peninsula numerous herds of elk
traverse the silent landscape; and in winter it is not unfre-
quent to see packs of wolves in pursuit of the deer across the
crusts of snow.

Nearly the whole surface of the peninsula is studded with
small lakes of clear water, which abound with fish These
afford, in some cases, water power. The transparency of the
lakes the alternations of forest and praine, the clear streams
which wind their current through the scenery, and the new
villages, which stud the principal roads at wide distances, im-
press the scene with a freshness which makes up for the ab-
sence of any very interesting works of art.

The peninsnlar portion of Michigan being of alluvial for-
mation, does not abound m minerals; sand-stone, lime-stone,
coal gypsum, salt, iron, and sulpiiur springs, marl, sand, clay
and bog iron ore,exist in diiTerent parts of the State; and the in-
vestigation, now progressing under the geological departments,
are constantly developing new treasures, while the upper por-

upon th . «I.„., of Lake Erie. He refors to the wild apple and wild plum which
are .„ „.,ou. ,o Michigan. Charlevoix say. the citron is found, but ^IT^
pears to be a m.stakc. It .s possible ti.at he means the pawpaw ^

! i

I 1

554

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

I .

1'* I

tion of the State, along Lake Superior, abounds in copper, lend,
and iron, radiated zeolyte, crystal, irid quartz, clialcedony,
prase, jaspar, opal, agate, sardonyx, and cornelian.

The cost of clearino; the heavily timbered soil, it has been
seen, is about fifteen dollars by the acre. This is done in the
followuig mode : the trees are felled, and if not split into rails
for the fences, the logs are rolled together and burned. The
oak openings are a lighter soil than the timbered land, but
from thegruhy and matted grass upon its surface, it will re-
quire a team of about five yoke of oxen to break it up for the
seed. The cost will be about twelve dollars, though varying
accordmg to circumstances. Such land requires but little
clearing, and the trees are generally girdled to let in the sun.
ihe burroak plains require about the same physical streno-th
to break up the soil. This is probably the most valuable kind
of land. The trees are cut down or girdled, the deep and mel-
low land is ploughed up, and in a few months it waves with
a goldeu iiarvest of wheat, producing from twenty to forty
bushels to the acre, and other products in the same proportion.
During the spring and fall, the roads across the State are
such as to try the patience of the traveller. Those on the
level and heavily timbered land are almost impassable.
Along the most muddy tracts, however, a rail-road has beep,
constructed, namely, from Detroit to Ypsilanli, and from To-
ledo to Adrian. These are no win operation. Composeu, as the
soil IS, of a new rich loam and clay, which retains and mixes
with the water, it forms a deep nnid, excepting during the
summer and the winter, when it is dried up or frozen. " The
climate of Michigan is more mild than that of New Eno-land
within the same parallels of latitude, and comparatively lit-
tle snow falls during the winter. ^Vhatever exaggerated
descriptions may have occurred reirardincr the ^natural
scenery of the State, it must be admrtted that' nature, when
m full vegetation, presents a most imposing scene. The ex-
tensive tracts of dense forests, clothed with the richest verdure,
fresh as when it first came from the hand of the Almio-hty •
the prairies and the lakes, which stud almost its entire'' sur-
face ; the yride parks, whose soil is entirely covered for miles

SCENERY, SOIL, AND PRODUCTION. 255

With large and rich flowers, present a striking and acrreeable
contrast The beach and black waln.U, the elm. th? maple!
the hickory, the oaks of diiferont species and of lar^e size
the lynn and the bass wood, and various other kfnds of
forest trees, indicate the fertility of the soil from wliich they
spring Grape-vines often hang from the brandies a foot in
circumference, cluster around their trunks, or thicken the
undergrowth along the banks of the streams; and while the
glades open to the sun like cultivated grounds, the more
th.ckly-timbered forest, shut out from the slcy by the njass of
vegetation, and dampened by the rains which saturate the
soil, present ui summer a ifloomy twili<rhl.

To the character of mere hrauty, which marks the penin-
sula there IS a contrast in the aspect of the scenery upon the
southern shore o Lake Superior, the north-western boundary
of the State Those undulatmg tracts of alluvial soil, the
lofty oak-lands, the rich burr-oak groves, and the wavincr prai-
rjes are no where to be seen. As a general fact, it is%old,
broken, and barren. Well might I.a Hontan call that region

Ifit '?p'f ■"''''''■^^" ^^'^'^'^ '-' P--d through it in
1688. To him it m.ght have appeared like an ocean in a

deep dells, the fragments of rockv mountains, which seem
wrenched from their beds by violent convulsions of nature
ana the extreme solitude of that region one hundred and fift^
years ago, warranted the rcmarlc.

In travelling along the main roads of Michigan, splendid
racts park-like lawns sweep along your path for miles,
carpeted with flowers, broken by prau-ies, thick forests, and
lakes. Here a field of wheat or oats is spread out to the
eye, and there a well-b.ult house, constructed of boards or
logs, o» a tavern sign, painted with all the art that the conn-
try can furnish, holds out its inducements to the traveller
Present y you will come upon a new village, indicatin.r a re-
markab e freshness and vigor in the enterprise of its found-
ers. Wagons, loaded with household furniture and the
families of emigrants, are met at numerous points durino- the
season of emigration ; and in looking away from the roads

256

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

you will see clearings through the woods, and the cnrl of
the smoke from the prostrate trunks of smouldering trees,
which show that the emigrant is there with his axe. The
settler goes into the country lor the purpose of practising
agriculture. When he has made a selection, his neighbors,
for miles around, assist him in building a house of logs. The
droves of cattle, which he has carried with him, feed upon
the lierbagc which surrounds his hut ; without expense he
clears and ploughs his land ; and the next year, porhajis, finds
hmi an independent freeholder, with a market for his pro-
duce at his own door. The emigration has lieretofore ex-
ceeded the produce of the soil ; but it is well known that large
qiiantities of wheat, during the past year, have been exported.
The seuler, however, must expect to grapple with hardships ;
bilhous attacks, which are the prominent diseases of that
country, may surprise him ; and the labor of clearing his land
may be greater than was expected ; but under ordinary circum-
stances, by the exercise of industry, the second or third
year will find him in comfort and independence; for he
derives a threefold advantage in his labor,— he derives an
annual product from the soil, increases the actual value of
the land cultivated, and also that of the surrounding land, by
his improvement. It is not, however, to l)e understood
that the country is destitute of handsome houses, althouo-h,
in their construction, comfort is less rer:./ded than it should
be. x\ot only does the frontier of Michigan along L.alce Erie
and the Detroit River exhibit very handsome specimens of
architecture, but the interior villages present many tasteful
and substantial buildings, and particularly the banks of some
of the lakes. These, however, seem to be less designed for
show than for the convenience of a working population.

Michigan contains, so far as is known, but iew of those
ancient monuments of an unknown race which are scattered
over the western soil, increasing in magnitude and spendor,
from the southern shores of Lake Erie, to the City of Mexico.
The imagination of antiquarians, looking for forms of art
where they do not exist, has doubtless exaggerated extraor-
dinary appearances on tlie surface of the soil into evidences

ABORIGINAL MONUMENTS, (fcc. 257

Of cultivation Many hypotheses have been formed regard-
ng these ancient works, and '',e arguments which were n
ended to estabhsh them have ended^vhere they om^^o e "
n darkness After all, u must be granted that cir urn
ta.ces funush a foundation for the beUef that a a e of mm
have hv^d m this country previous to the voya.es UfeZ
Cartier, who were much further advanced in civ iSon
than the present race of Indians. Whatever m y e he

weU kn 7" r'^f"' ^'" ^"«'" ^' ^hese ro.naL , it i
we 1 known tliat fortifications have been discovered, many of

sWe L7'^'"" "\"""' ^^"^'P^^^°^ mathematLa
science , and specimens of art are also exhumated which

bofvl b r^^ 'T''\ '^ ^^""^^° form,-vases, crucibles
bowls, bracelets, and implements of unknown -se.-are found
buried in the earth throughout a great part o. t! e westi P r-
.u any in the States of Ohio, Kentucky, and along the ba'X
of the Mississippi. Vegetable remains of plants, whose spe-

tle soil ""u M ''"'\' "V' "^'^"^-^^^^ ^^^°^^ *he surfoce of
the soil. If this IS the fact, and it cannot be denied, as the

Tvtl^Zr'^TV''''''' '"^'^^ different cabinets of
the United States, and the ruins of these ancient works still

remain, then it must be granted that these reliques of a
Kprang from a higher degree of civilization than I possessed
by the present race of Indians. The degree of civUi a on
^rhlch these works evince, has probably been magnified, aiid
utensils and ornaments, winch might have beeif left by tfe
early French emigrants, are attributed to that unknown race
But the remains of rude fortifications, villages, and wells ; and
the several utensils which have been discovered, evince a hi^h
er de^gree of civilization than that which is possessed by the
Indians. Some of these works occupy places which were once
covered with water. The utensils give evidence of a mo e
remote date, than the immigration of the French The r
form IS not of French origin ; and it is clear that they were
manufactured by a distinct race of men, or that the Indians
have gone back from a certain degree of civilization
It IS somewhat remarkable tlmt the State of Michigan is

h. 1 1

258

HlSTOllV OK MICHIGAN.

in a g lent measure destitute of these ancient woi s in the
more complex forms. Mounds exist in dinereiit parts of the
State, principally along the hanks of tlie Detroit River, Lake
St. Clair, and I lie Grand River, besides appcurancciS on the
soil near Kalamazoo and the Grand River, which resemble
the remains of tlower gardens. In Wisconsin, mounds are
discovered in the shape of mammoths, elephants, and turtles.
The mounds which have been opened in Michigan are of a
round form, and they generally stand in lines. Bones have
been dug out from some of them. These mounds are similar
to those which are found in connexion with the larger works.
Whether they have had any rehi ion, is a matter ofunccrtain-
ty. These works are, at best, but semi-barbarous remains ;
and although the opinions of those who have examined the
subject are concurrent that the Indians did not produce tliem,
their arguments can only have a conjectural foundation.
Besides these aboriginal works, there have been found in
Michigan the remains of a mammoth, in Van Buren county,
near the bank of the Paw-paw River. One tusk, it is alleg-
ed, was about seven feet long ; and parts of the back-bone
were collected which were of immense size. Most of these
fragments crumbled on exposure to the air. They were dis-
covered about seven feet below the surface. We have seen a
tooth which weighed three pound ten ounces. This was dug
up at that place, and it appears to be in a state of petrifaction.
It is probable that the future explorations of the State will
develope more of these organic remains.

It is contended by many that these ancient reliques belong
to the Indians ; and the condition of Montreal, when Cartier
first visited that place, might lead somewhat to ( >nfirm the
fact, because it would seem to evince a somewhat higher degree
of civilization than the Indians now possess.* But the hearths
and fire-places which have been found along the Ohio River
six feet below the surface, the chimneys on the banks of the
Muskinghum, at its mouth and also at Point Harmar, oppo-
site Marietta, the patriarchal wells near Portsmouth, the wall-

* Sec tlie first chapter of this work, where it is described.

;

ABORIGINAL MONUMENTS, &C.

269

ed town on Paint Creek in the state of Ohio, the potter's ware
which has I, , i found in the same State and along thf>
nortfiern watcr.s of the Scioto, the Ohio, and the Missis-sippi,
tlie idols which ha' hoen dug up near Nashville and Nat'-
^^'i'^^' ''"' I which was found near Columbus, and

the triune vch.ol made oi clay, and consisting of tfiree heads
ol Chinoso form, whicli lias been discovered on the Tuuy fork
of the Cumberlatid ; also the ancient ruin of Aztalan, do not
s^^m to belong to tliat people. The Mammoth, whose bones
are found so far below the surface, might have been wrecked
in the deluge ; md the soil, by vegetable deposite, heaped over
its remains ; but the ancient works seem to refer to a later
age. The racf to which tliese reliques belong, probably had
no great degi relinenient. We find among the ruins

of their ancient cities no subterranean aqueducts or written
scrolls. We dig up from the soil no marble foundations,
no enamelled vases no wor.vs of sculpture and painting,
which mark the country of Phidias and Apelles as the land
of luxury and the arts. .Monuments, other than those which
might be conceived to belong to a remote people, demi-civiliz-
ed, and yet versed somewhat in science, have not, as yet, on
this region seen the day. Extraordinary exertions have been
recently made in Mexico to decypherthe origin of the works
in that quarter, with which it is thought that these may be
somewhat connected. But although the concentrated blaze
of knowledge h : been poured upon the exhumated reliques
and sunken ruins of this unknown race, it has only made the
darkness visible. No record, or column, has recorded their
history. The Mammoth and the urn, the city, the vase,
and the skeleton, lie in their sunless chambers like the spirits
of the past, as if in mockery of an age which arrogates to it-
self the term of an age of light. They will probably remain
for ever a signal rebuke upon the learning of modern times,
assuming the pride of universal knowledge.*

• For a collrction of zoological, botanical, and geological specimens of
Michigan production, see tlie valuable cabinet of Dr. Douglas Houghton, the
enterprising geologist of the State.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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i mJiugiajjiuL

Sciences
Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-45C3

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-^-^o-

2G0

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN,

The Indian names which marked the prominent points of
Michigan, as well as other parts of the nortli-west, exhibit the
mode in which the savages defined the topography of the
country. From the extent of the region througli which they
roamed, these names are rather general than particular, and
were used as land-marks to guide them in their migrations. A.
general term, founded on a certain feature of natural scenery,
the depth and current of a stream, the size of a rock or the
form of a lake, was often used to designate a wide tract of ter-
ritory. The following are subjoined :—

ENGLISH.
Kalamazoo

River Rouge
Milwaukee
River Raisin
Detroit

Lake Superior
Gibralter
Niagaia Falls
Ecjuabavv
Wassawassebee

Moskegon

Pocagonk

Chicago

Titabawassee

Ontonagon
Huron River
Owosso

River Ecorce
Saginaw
Lake Michigan
Mississippi
Michiliinackinac

INDIAN.

DEFINITION.

Kik-alatnazoo

Looming or mirage

river, causing the

stones to appear liku

otters.

Minosa-goink

Singeing skin river.

Minwarikee

Rich land.

Numtna sepee

River of Sturgeons.

Waweawtonong

Place you go round the

sun in approaching.

Gitchigommee

Sea water.

Kechiessining

Great stone.

O, ni, 64-garah (Iroquois)

The thunder of waters.

Equabaw

End o'" deep water.

Wassawasaepee

The River whore the

fish is hunted with

lights.

Moskego-sepee

Marshy river.

Pocagonk

The rib.

Sheckawgo

The place of wild on-

ions, or locks.

Titebawassee

A River that runs along-

side.

Nundee Norgon

Hunting River.

Wrockuiniteogoc

Clear River.

Owosso

Person warming him-

self.

Nagaikur sebee

Bark River.

San-e-noni'

Sac Town.

Michisawgyegan

Great Lake.

Michi sepee

Great River.

Michenemackinong, orMi-

Place of Giant Fairies,

chiinackinac

Great Turtle.

'!li

INDIAN TOPOGRAPHICAL TERMS.

2GI

Sliiawassoe
Onisconain

Grand River

Grand Rapida

Sault St. Marie

Detroit

Au Glaize River

Miami of thoLake

Sandusky River

Cincinnati

Chillicothe
Muskinghunj
Kentucky River
Mad River
Licking River
Cumberland River
Blanchard's fork of the Au
Glaize

Scia-wassec
Oni3con3-,4ebee

Wash-bee-yon, also Wash
tenong

Powetink (Ottawa)

Powating (ChippcTva)

Yondotia (Wyandott)
Cowthenake sepee
Ottawua sepee
Potake sepee
Tu ent a hah e waghta

Tat a ra ra

Wakelamo sepee

Kentuckee

Athenee sepee
Nepepenime sepee
Magnehoque sepee
Q.uegh tu wa

Strait running.

River where the wood

is scorched by fire.
A body of water run-
ning over shining ca-
nals.
The noise of falling wa-
ters.
Water shallow on the

rocks.
Great town.
Falling timber river.
Ottawas River.
Rapid River.
The place where the
road leaves the river.
Leaning bar.k.
Town on the river side.
At the head of a river.
Smooth stone river.
Salt river.

Free with a large knot.
Claws in the water.

Gibraltar, the new village at the mouth of the Detroit Ri-
ver, was known by the Indian term which signifies a ^reat
stone, from the rock at that point. Lake St. Clair, the Round
Lake, from Its form. River Rouge, the Singeing River, from
the fact that the Indians were accustomed to dress their game
on Its shores. Milwaukee, the Rich Land, from the quality of
the soil. The Huron, the Clear River, from its comparative
transparency. The River Raisin, the Sturgeon River, from the
number ofthat fish within its waters during certain seasons
of the year. Kalamazoo, the Mirage River, from its reflective
power. The Moskegon, the Marshy River, from its wet prairies
River Ecorce, the Bark River, as the Indians were accus-
tomed to procure their bark at this place for their canoes and
mococks, and wigwams. Michilimackinac was also called
the Land of Great Fairies, from the mythological superstition
which peopled this singular island ; and Chicago was named
from the vast quantity of leeks which abound in that region.'
• It is not claimed that these Indian topographical terms are given with per.

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

The system of Internal Improvement, which has been pro-
jected to unite the eastern portion of the peninsula with Lake
Michigan, sheds honor upon the State, and demonstrates the
vigor and enterprize of the people of Michigan. Tiiese pub-
lic works are the Clinton and Kalamazoo canal, commeucinsr
at Mt. Clemens, passing through the counties of Macomb, Oak-
land, Livingston, Ingham, Eaton, Barry, and Allegan, and ter-
minating at Naples, on the Kalamazoo River, about a mile from
the lake. The Northern rail-road commences at Palmer on the
St. Clair, and running through the counties of St. Clair, La Peer,
Genessee, Shiawasse,Clinton, Ionia, and down the valley of the
Grand River, terminates at the Grand Rapids in Kent county.
The Middle rail-road commences at Detroit, and running
through the countie.i of Wayne,Washtenaw, Jackson, Calhoun,
Kalamazoo, and Berrien, it terminates at the mouth of the St. Jo-
seph on Lake Michigan. The track of the Southern rail-road
commences at Monroe ; and running through the counties of
Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Branch St. Joseph, Cass, and
Berrien, is designed to terminate at New Buffalo on Lake Mi-
chigan.

(ect philological precision, a8 they ate inserted according to their sound. They
are however, I beheve, generally accurate, so far as they show points of dernark-
ation. I am indebted for these names to Mr. Hanry Connor, an intelligent
Indian trader, .,ho has spent the greater part of a long life in the Indian terri-
tory, and to Henry R. Schoolcraft, Esq. for their supervision.

nmr itmi

CHAPTER XIV.

i .'

4ln?i Tt f l*^^ ^''^^^?e'* "'^ Michigan-Size of the Lakes-Fish-
Shore of Lake Ene and the Detroit RiverlDe.roit-Lake St. Clair-Hiver
.?"s? m~^°''t «'-*^'f»-Lake Huron-Saginaw Bav-Mackinaw-Fallfl
Coai ^""^L'^^ Supenor-Green Bay-lake Michigan-LengO. of the

The State of Michigan comprises an area of more than
fifty thousand square miles, and its shores are washed by
Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron, Superior, and Michigan.

These lakes constitute much the largest continuous body
of fresh v/ater on the globe, affording, with the exception of
the obstruction which is caused by the Falls of St. Marie
around which is projected a ship canul, a connected chain of
navigation. They open to Michigan a coast on three sides.
This expanse of lake commerce extends from the remotest
shores of Lake Superior to the State of New- York. The
subjoined table exhibits the elevation and magnitude of these
lakes.

Lake Erie is two hundred and seventy miles long, sixty
miles wide, one hundred and twenty feet deep ; and its surface
IS estimated at about five hundred and sixty-five feet above
tide water at Albany. Lake Huron is two hundred and fifty
miles long, and its average breadth is one hundred miles.
It IS nine hundred feet deep, and its surface about five hun-
dred and ninety-five feet above tide water. Lake Michigan
IS four hundred miles long, sixty miles broad, nine hundred
feet deep, and its surface near five hundred and ninety-five
feet above tide water.

Green Bay, which expands from Lake Michiiran, is about
one hundred miles long and twenty miles wide. Lake St.

! Ml

him

264

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

f ,

umi,:^

i mi>.i

Clair is estimated at thirty rniles ia length and tweutv-five
miles wide.

Lake Superior is four hundred and eighty mi'.js long, one
hundred miles broad, nine hundred feet deer, and its surface
SIX hundred and forty feet above tide watCi. This extent of
lakes constitutes more than one half rl the fresh water upon
the face of the earth.

The magnitude and depth of these lakes, the resources
and vast extent of territory which they wash, extending from
the remotest Canadian shores of the North-west to the" State
of New- York ; the advantages which they afford for the con-
struction of safe harbors, and the probable denseness of
population along their banks ; will doubtless cause this section
of country to be of vast importance in the future commerce
of the country.

These lakes abound also with fish ; some of the most de-
licious kinds. Among these are the Sturgeon, the Macki-
naw Trout, the Mosquenonge, the white fish, and others
of smaller size peculiar to fresh water. The Sturgeon ad-
vances up the stream from the lakes during the early part
of spring to spawn, and are caught there in large qi -ntities
by the Indians. The Mackinaw Trout is a delicious fish
somewhat resembling, in taste and appearance, the Salmon •
and are frequently caught, weighing fifty pounds. These
form a principal article of luxury in the markets. The
Mosquenonge is also a fish of fine flavor, somewhat similar
to the Pike, a- are found weighing sometimes fifty pounds.

The White x'ish is abundant, and constitutes a valuable ar-
ticle of commerce along the lakes ; somewhat smaller than
the Shad, and of a form more symmetrical. When first
caught, they glitter in the sun like burnished silver. They
swim in immense shoals, and are taken in large quantities
around Mackinaw, at the falls of St. Marie, and in most of
the connecting waters of these lakes.

Herring, Pike, and Pickerel abound also in these waters.
Some fish of the larger size are caught in winter by the In-
dians through the ice, although the greatest part is taken in
the summer and autumn, by individual enterprise as well as

Wf- ^

LAKE COAST OP MICHIOAX.

265

by the Htidson's Bay and American Ftir Companies on the
lakes partjeularly on Lake Superior. These are pad ed in
barrels and transported to New-Yorlc and (3hio, wher 1 y
command a gooa price. The fish of the lakes have been
cdebrated by the Jesuits and travellers to this r^ on W
the earliest periods. °

on^L7n7 T'j;"^ '" '"''''"« "'»"» *« ™^"=™ *ore
wWch if , k", °""'"" '"™'' '^ ^'i-^ly ="=""'=' fi-°m that

dte Lelr T ''?™'' •:• '=^=' ^""""' --«" »'* ■■>
aense lorcst, at points raeelin? the cdo-e „f ,!,„ bnnl- -.n,!

occas,o„„l y studded with a .?i,„ge j„s. founil A„ !
no e whtch have been recently commeneed directly 7° °e
shore are Havre, Brest, Gibraltar, and Truao-o \ IrouDof
beauttmi islands are set in the ,n„„„. „f the Dettf er
winch, m connection tvith the distant view of the lake ^i^Ts
a Pictnrescine character to the scenery. The na.„ a c'ht 1
of h,s conntry, clothed in fnll verdure, did no. faiUo I^
foah from the early French explorers glowing enlog e

Abont twenty miles from the mom h of the Detroit River
JS the cty of Detroit, standing on a level a few fee above
he immediate bank of the river. I. now contains more tZ
ten thonsand inhabitants. This place has at the prTsent t m"
a somewhat foreign aspect, „s it is a general depot for the
emigrants to the north-wes, on thei, wa°y to the npp r Tal es
A grea proportion of this popniation are from the New
iiigland States and the State of New-York cn™l iT
«.h English. Dntch, Irish, Swiss, an":t Frr 'nt
he remnants of the early Canadian founders of the con", "'
Hero also, at stated times, may be seen the savages Ttho
emote north-west, the half breed Indian, v. i.h deer^^^^^in c"l!
m^ and moecasiiis enamelled with beads, qnills of the pi
ciipnie, red bands and feathers on their hat , bine frock a^d

?f „f M-,..-"°':° "" '''"•'" "' "'° D«™" River the lolt
of the old French peasantry strike the traveller's eye stond
ingin a continnons line below the city. The descendant

iKrs of their fathers, and to «ie Catholic faith which they

i i

20(1

IlISTOUV OF MlCIIUiAN.

I Si

VI'

professed. Some may be ^een wilfi a lon^ blue gown, red
cap and sash, with colored leggins, by which tliey are dis-
tinguished.

The same character marks the scenery as you advance up
the river. The American shore is adorned with Frencli
farms, enclosed in pickets, comprising on the river a width of
about four acres, and extending back until they meet the for-
est. The cottages have a neat appearance, are constructed in
tho French stylo, of small size, and surrounded with flourish-
ing orchards. The horses and cattle, grazing by the river
side, cast over the prospect an air of great pastoral comfort
and tranquil repose. The country along the river has an
ancient aspect. The soil is a deep black loam, adapted to
all the products of agriculture common to these regions, but
somewhat worn by imprudent tillage. About six miles from
Detroit, advancing upward, Lake St. Clair, the smallest of
the chain, expands itself towards the liorizon. On tho Ameri-
can Side the banks of this lake are undulating, and elevated
about twenty feet from its surface. The soil "is alluvial, and
of a rich quality.

The principal streams which flow into Lake St. Clair,
is the Clinton river from the west or American side, and the
rivers Chenala Ecartc, and Thames, on the side of Canada.
The latter is made remarkable as the scene of Harrison's
victory. The river St. Clair connects Lake Huron with Lake
St. Clair. It is a clear and picturesque stream, maintaining
an average breadth of about three quarters of a mile. The
American shore is settled mainly by French farmers, and
consists of elevated land, well covered with oak, elm, maple,
and beach woods. An Indian canoe occasionally darts out,
like a silver arrow, from the shore, and then disappears behind
the woodlands. The same wooded islands, the same clear
waters, massy and verdant foliage, the same steam-boats,
ploughing the field of glass, and the same vessels with their
snow-white canvass floating along the unrufiied surface, give
the landscape the same mild character as that around Detroit.
Belle and Black river, both pour their waters into the river
St. Clair on the American side. Along a great part of this

' r

I.AKR COAST OP MICHIQAN.

2C.7

«horo the French settlements are extensive. At the foot of
Lake Huron staiuls Fort Gratiot. This battery commands
he entrance mto the upper lakes, and would be of ffreat mi
htary miportance incase of war, in furnishing a bulwark
agamst the encroachments of the Savages, and controlling
the conimerce of these waters. The advantages of this no
sition, as a trading and military establishment, were fully ap-
preciated from a remote period ; and here the early French

IvZ'v T'''^ " ^"^' "'"'^ ^^" subsequently occupied
by the I rench government, by the name of St. Joseph. That

fort was abandoned and burned by the commandant Baron

La Hontan as early as 1G88, in consequence of a peace

wh.ch^vas effected between tue Governof of Canada, Mar

The present fort, consisting of a stockade, magazine, and
barracks, was erected about the year 1814. Lake Huron soon
spreads out its wide surface to the traveller's eye. The skv
and the waters seem to meet each other along the horizon
while on the left appears a long alluvial shore, covered with
a growth of pine, poplar, birch, and hemlock; and a wide
beach of sand, skirting the margin of the lake, occasionally
diversified by masses of limestone and granite. The native
trees growing on the shore indicate the quality of its soil
wh.di grows more barren and desolate as you advance from
the head of the river St. Cluir. Proceeding further upon tlTe
shore of Lake Huron, the banks are found more elevated, ris-
nig to forty fi3et in height, and so continue for about six rrliles
1 hese are composed of blue clay, and constitute a firm abut-
meiit against the billows of the lake. The features of the
coast are not marked with much that is interesting. No his-
toncal fiicts of much importance are connected with it The
perils and privations of the Canadian voyageurs, in by-gone
days, have left no trace to mark the sterile shore. The uni
forrnity and dead level of the lake shore is maintained until
within about fifty-three miles of Fort Gratiot. Here there is
seen an enormous rock, lifting its summit from the deep
about a mile distant from the shore, and is called the White

I!
I

■* ft

■ it ^

i |;l

lite B

lil

t) ft

2G8

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

Rock. From time inimoiiiorial tliis rock has been an nltnr
or a landmark. As tlio latter, by tlu; voyaircius ; but by the
savages as a place; ol' Dijhitioii, where saeriCiees were oflercd
to the (Jreat Spirit,— an aj)pr()priale altar (or such a sacriCico.
^ At the Point aux IJanincs, opijosite the widest part of tho
lake, the waves have beaten against the banks, and the storms
driven the crninhled stones into a vast sand iieap, now cover-
ed with trees ol' pine. Islands of rocks, clothed with forest
trees, are formed on this jj.ut of (he shore.

Saginaw JJay is a large indentation of the shore lino, and
is estimated to be sixty miles deep and thirty miles broad.
Near the centre it is studded with islets. Twenty miles
from the mouth of the bay stands the thriving city of Sagi-
naw.

Saginaw river waters in its course one of the most beau-
tiful and eligible portions of the State. From the north-
westerly Cape of Saginaw liay to Flat Rock Point, the shoro
of l,ake Huron exhibits a bank of alluvial soil, with a mar-
gin ol sand along its border, intersected with frequent mass-
es of limestone rock, in some places ground to fragments by
the surghig waves ; at others lifting its backs above them.
Many interesting specimens of organic remains are to be
found along this shore. The absence of any work of art
or historic iissociations, occasions a destitution of lively interest
in the scenery on the Michigan side of Luke Huron. The wide
expanse of water on the north, which exhibits no change but
that of the elements, when its forehead scowls with tempests
or the peaceful calm spreads out its crystal mirror to the skies,
preserits little that is worthy of record. The steamers from
l^etroit ply along its shores, burdened with freight for tho
north-western ports, and the canvass of numerous vessels of
all sizes' may be seen on the same errand.

To the political economist, the practical farmer, and the pa-
triot, this lovely and comparatively now lonely scene presents
a diderent aspect. To these it seems a great highway of com-
merce, which will at some future day, and that not distant,
connect the treasures of its coast with the markets of the east :
and whose surface will bear upon its bosom the wealth of

T.AKK C'0\HT OK MICIIKJAN.

5iC)9

fttnpir.s. Tliis cIi.iiiiK'l of nmiirratioii will unlock the fortilo
^ardc-tis of t!i(! iioith-wi'st to wiNtcrn capital and its wHI-
known ontorpriso. Tlio ininionso line of ionjst honkninir i|,o
litkf, JHi.irinjr ii jrrowth of tlio pint;, tli(«liornIo.;k, and tlio iJircli,
indicafe.<(iHt(!rile soil ; while ranjres of horn(;l,lcnd, lirnostono
and jrranito, do not present oncourairornont to th(5 a-rricnitnrist,
aloncr its hanks ; ulthonirli iho proniinont points and indon-'
tations will invite the estahlishmuntof lar<re sea-ports fbr active
bufiniess, as the interior shall expand its settlements. About
three hundred miles from Detroit, upon the straits of Macki-
luiw, winch comiect the Lukes Ih.ron and Michi-an, lies the
Island of Michilimackinac, a brilliant diadem on tlic brow
of the north-western lak(!s.

On the shore of Lake Huron, about lialf-way to this island
i.s Thunder Hay. It is so d(Miominated from the impression'
that the air is more than ordinarily char^red with li<,ditnin»r.
This, doubtless, is without (bundation. Durinjr the rage whidi
has not long since prevailed for speculation, it was proposed
to lay out a city for eastern capitalists on its shores, with the
striking name and fame of Tkandcrslmrfrh.

The middle island on luake Huron is celebrated as a place
o{ shelter for the vessels and canoes of the numerous voya^
geurs and others engaged in the lake tnide.

Michilimackinac is about nine miles in circumference.
Its highest elevation is about thnjo hundred feet above the
level of the lake, and it stands connected with some of tho
most interesting historical associations, as well as natural
monum.Mits, which this region supplies. Among the latter,
are the Skull Rock; the Natural Pyramid; and Uie Gianti
Arch. This lust name is given to an immense curve, formed
and tlfowu out from tlic precipice on the north-eastern side
of the island. It is one hundred and forty feet high above
the lake, and stands supported by abutments of calcareous
rock. The Natural Pyramid is a huge and rugged column,
about thirty feet broad at the base and about ninety feet iti
height.

The Skull Rock is distinguished mainly as an ancient
tomb, where the bones of the dead, probably sacrificed at

(■

•I

ii 'I

■ it

, h

> ii

t '

1 1

270

IIISTOnV OP MICHIOAN.

at feasts, were not long since abundmitly to be found. Ahovo
the town, at some distance, stands Fort l\Iiciiiliniackinac,
upon a rocky hill. Here a garrison has g»!nerally been niaiu-
tainod. During the late war the Uritish took possession of
the island, end erecfnd a battery calleu Fort St. (ieorge. Sub-
sequently, and after the unsuccessful attack upon it by Major
Croghan and the fall of the gallant Holmes, it received the
name of Fort Holmes. It is now evacuated, and in ruins.
From the position of this island, almost in the centre of the
lake navigation, it has long been an important rendezvous
for the Indian tribes, and those connected with the fur trade ;
and also the theatre of some of the most important military
events connected witii the colonization of the north-western
territory.

Mackinaw proper, as the term is used in modern times, is
confined to the island ; whereas the ancient town of Michili-
mackinac was three leagues distant on the peninsular coastf
of Michigan. The foundations of the old town were laid by the
French,as has been noticed ; and the settlement made by thorn
soon became a nucleus for an extensive and valuable fur trade.
After the surrender of Quebec in l7o9, it fell into the hands of
the British, against the will of the Indians. So keen was
their prejudice, that Alexander Henry, an English trader,
found it necessary to assume the dress of a Canadian in his
intercourse with them, in order to avoid the consequences of
the animosity which they entertained toward his countrymen.
The demolition of this fort, in the year 1703, furnished
them with a prominent occasion for the exercise of their
•native cunning and cruelty. The town, too, which had been
for ninety-two years a seat of the trade in furs, was razed
from its foundations by their fury. After the destruction of the
ancient village and fort, the English proceeded to take pos-
session of the island of Mackinaw, which they fortified ; and
for a course of years it advanced with a gradual and solid
growth.

During the war of the American Revolution, this place
was a rallying-point of the Indians hostile to the United
States ; and in the year 179G it came under the jurisdiction

|i»t

I.AKK COAST OF MICIIIOAN.

271

"f llio Amoricau Governmmt. The fort, during the Iiito
war, was occupied and maintained hy liritish troops until
the treaty of CJhent, when it was finally surrendered, and now
constitutes a part of the State of Michigan. Around a small
bay, and stretching along the southern side of tfio island,
in a compact form, stands the village. In the year 1819 it
consisted of one hundred and fifty houses, containing ahout
four hundred and fifty iidiabitants ; although the number
was at that time somewhat swelled by the accession of In-
dians and American traders. The position and scenery, on
and about this island, distinguish it as the most romantic
point in the State of Michigan. Rising with peculiar boldness
out of the watery realm, it strikes the eye like a gigantic throne,
where the native sons of ilie wilderness might well come to
pay their homage to Him who held sway over their boundless
range of inland seas. Its waters are supplied with excellent
fish in the greatest abundance, while the game of the adjoin-
ing forest seldom disappoints the hunter. The canoe of
the Indian, buoyant and fleet, darting througli the clear wa-
ters; the clean-painted houses of the village, on grounds gen-
tly ascending ; tlie mansion of the Indian agency, marked by
the American banner, sporting like the spirit of freedom, in all
the wildncss of this lovely scene from the walls of the fort; im-
press on the mind a sentiment of admiration which might well
awaken the fictions of poetry and the glories of the canvass.
In the year 1820 tliis town was the seat of an Indian agen-
cy of the United States, a council-house, a post-oflice, and

Fine building stone abounds on the island. It was

g;iol.

long the depot of the fur trade, conducted by the American
Fur Company under the agency of Messrs. Stewart and
Crooks. A large portion of the town plot was occupied by
the buildings and fixtures connected with that establishment.
Their warehouses, offices, boat yards, stores, «fcc. were nu-
merous, affording employment for a great number of mechan-
ics, clerks, and engagees, necessarily connected with so great
an establishment. It is now unoccupied, but the trade is ex-
tensively carried on by individual adventurers. Steam-boats
almost daily visit this place upon their voyages to the north-

r--:

f y

272

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

r P

iim

H.M

western ports ; while the numberless canoes and vessels, dur-
ing the period of navigation, which daily go into the station,
give an air of business and bustle to this beautiful island.

The coast of Lake Huron, as you proceed towards the
Saull St. Marie, until within about three miles of that place,
is composed of low swamps, in some places intersected by
sandy plams, covered at different points with fragments of
hmestone, hornblend, and granite.

The village of St. Joseph, situated on the island of that
name, and which was destroyed by Col. Croghan before his
attack on the island of Michilimackina<;, may now be seen
a heap of mouldering ruins. This island was occupied by
the British in 1795, and contains an area of about fifty seven
thousand acres of land. The old British fort elevated ilfiv-
four feet above the level of the lake, maintains a military po-
sition somewhat commandino-.

The British v^overnment, tfter the tall of St. Joseph, forti-
fied Drnmmond's Island, near the mouth of the strait, which
lias since been a valuable position in aid of the fur trade

The fldls of the Sau.t St. Marie essentially obstruct the
ship navigation of the upper lakes. The village of that name
which is there situated, is about fifteen miles below Lake Su'
perior, and ninety miles north-west of the island of Macki-
naw. Its situation is elevated, and the scenery is picturesque.
1 he enterprise of Michigan has recently projected a plan for
a ship channel around these falls. The erTect of this bold
and honorable adventure, when executed, will be to open to
the shores of New- York the sources of the vast and unlimit-
ed mineral region surrounding this magnificent world of wa-
ters.

It is estimated that the fall is here about twenty-three feet
in half a mile. At this place nature assume s an air of un-
i^sual grandeur and sublimity . Vast fragments of rocks, con-
sisting of granite and hornblend, lie imbedded in the stream
which opposed to the current of (he rapids, scatter its foain
around the maple, the pine, the hemlock, and the elm, min-
gled in green forests upon its banks. The canoes of the In-
dians engaged in fishing, and which are seen playing around

LAKE COAST OF MICHIGAN.

273

the foot of the fells ; and the distant mountains of Lake Su-
perior, which stand like mighty battlements on the horizon
impress the scenery with a character of solitary grandeur'
Boats destined for the fur trade can ascend these rapids with
half a load, but in returning chey may be filled with freight.
The town, consisting, in 1820, of twenty buildings, is on the
American side. Daring that year it was occupied chielly by
French and English, who were engaged in the fur trade.
The country around is elevated, and the village bears the as-
pect of an ancient settlement. Charlevoix visited it in 1721
not long after it was founded. In 1762 it contained but four
houses-^ two of which were occupied as barracks, with a
stockaded fort and garrison. The old fort is totally destroy-
ea In the year 1820 the village contained forty lodo-es of
Chippewa Indians and two hundred inhabitants. Their
principal subsistence was the White Fish, which are taken in
great abundance in these waters.

On the north bank of the river there were at that time six
or seven dwelling-houses, occupied by French and English
mhabitants,beMde the establishment of the north-west comoa-
ny of fur traders. These consisted of a saw mill, a boat yard
some stone houses, and a dwelling-house. The company
had constructed a canal, with a lock and towing path, fitted
for ascending with barges and canoes on their trading expe-
ditions. They had also erected a pier from one of the fslands
at the head of the rapids, constituting a harbor, where the
goods destined for the trade were shipped. Here also lay a
vessel to receive the merchandize intended for the reaions
around the Great Lake and the Grand Portage. In the^pro-
gress of the country, the Saultde St. Marie must of necessity ,
become a place of great commercial importance. At the head
of navigation, below Lake Superior- it was early deemed so
important in the prosecution of the fur trade, as to be selected
by the French Canadians for that purpose, and has been used
for that purpose both by the French and English, as well as
Americans, ever since. By the late act of Congress defin-
ing the boundaries of JVIichigan, this station is embraced with-
in It; and the enterprise of the State will doubtless make itau

HISTOnV OF MICHIGAN.

.1^

a^ent of great wealth, by furnishing a free navigation to the
Jake, which may be justly called the Father of the North-
western waters. A passage of fifteen miles through a wide
and pleasant stream, called the River St. Mary's, brings one
to the lake. Here the Superior stretches out itf, broad ex-
panse far to the west, like an ocean. Before vou is exhi-
bited a display of scenery, the most grand and "magnificent
which can be found within the borders of the State. It is a
scene of simple grandeur. The mountains upon the Cana-
dian shore and at the south lie piled along the skies, and ap-
pear like distant clouds upon the horizon. " In a calm, the wa-
ters, fresh and clear as crystal, move over -a bed of rocks.
II When It was calm," says Carver, « and the sun shone bright,
" I could bit in my canoe, where the depth was upwards of
"six fathoms, and plainly see huge piles of stones, of differ-
" ent shapes ; some of which appeared as if they had been
"hewn." Storms rage, at times, on this lake, as upon the
Atlantic. Navigation, however, has not yet advanced in any
great degree upon these remote waters. The barges and ca-
noes employed in the fur business hug the shores [n their ex-
peditions upon them, and, of course, are subject to compara-
tively few accidents of much consequence.

When the French held Canada, a small schooner plied
upon this lake. As yet the march of enterprise has not scat-
tered its vessels and steamers upon its surface. It is now at
the point where Lake Erie was found in the year 1800 Tlnj
lower shore of the lake is a margin of sand. A few miles
back It terminates in highlands of considerable elevation.
The timber consists of oak, aspen, bir^h, hemlock, and pine.
The shore is broken by marshes, creeks, ravines, and sand
hills, which give evidence of volcanic eruptions.

The pictured rocks, so called, extend twelve miles aloin*-
the margin of the lake, and are in height about ihree hun-
dred feet. The various colors of red, black, brown, and yel-
low, winch they exhibit and their name imports, are caused
by the different mineral waters which are exuded. Aloncr
the borders of this lake are seen villages of Chippewas, scat-
tered along its shores. These procure their subsistence from

t\ i

LAKR COAST OF MICHIGAN.

lliB lakes, and, neglecting agriculture, many actually die of

famine

The distance from Mackinaw to the mouth of the Ontom
gon R.ver on Lake Superior, . about four hundred and "x
teen miles. Here is the rock of pure copper, which is safd
to be the largest body of that metafto be Znk In e or '
w th but one exception. Evidences of pure copper are, in fact
exhibited on the adjacent island, and on thVshore of he
lake, in sufficient quantity to warrant the conviction that this
country abounds to a great extent in this ore. A difference
of opinion on this subject, however, exists, which it is pre
sumed experiments will soon do away. T^is copper w 1
as that around St. Mary, was formerly beaten out by the In
d lans into various utensils, as also into rings, bracele and
other barbaric ornaments; and by the early CahoTcrfomie^
uito crosses and censers. ^ ' '^

The principal islands in this lake are Maurepas, Philinoux
ho island of Yellow Sands, and Isle Royale 'Th E
vto:rTf?b'^^ '' a hundred miles Length andt-
Le if.:..- ? . 1 ""T^ surroundmg Lake Superior, but
little IS satisfactorily known ; at least so far as to warrant an
expectation of minute description in this work. We mus^
loUow in the track which has been travelled by pjiound

belief that it IS a country of great mineral wealth.

The country bordering Lake Superior is not, however
genera y adapted to agriculture. Wild rice or oits . ow in
great abundance around the sources of the rivers aiKlTkes

n this quarter ; and it was not only a grain of conside ab e
importance during the early operations of the fur trade but
1 IS now much used by the Indians for subsistencf i
following IS tlie mode in which it is gathered by the savaJ
Before in is ripe, the Indians bind it sheafs, when standiw'

y strings of bark. After standing for som; time ex ose^ i^'
tins way, 1 IS collected by bending the sheafs over into the r
canoes, and by beating off the grain with large sticks umi
these canoes are full. It is then poured intoadeer-sc
which IS placed in holes upon the ground, and trampled w th

276

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

Alterwards it is either

i ■. i ;*

the bare feet until the hulls are off.
parched, or boiled for use.*

Large boihes of iron sand are found alon^ the coast ot
Lake Superior, greater, probably, than in any other section of
^ the country. The water along the coast is clear and deep ;
and there are two natural harbors, which can hardly be ex-
celled, at Grand Isle and Chegormcgon Bay. This region
will doubtless be a great place of export of minerals in the
future commerce of the country.

It is enough for Lake Superior tc say, that it is the largest
body of fresh water on the earth, and that its waters swell
the whole chain of the lakes of the north-west, fill the chan-
nels of its streams and the tide of the St. Lawrence, thunder
down Niagara, and go on in their everlasting journey to the
ocean. The scenery, instead of being beautiful as in the pe-
ninsular portion of Michigan, is here bold and sublime. Na-
ture seems to have appropriated this domain to herself, where
she can be enthroned amid enduring rocks, and reign in
undisturbed solitude. Here, too, she has practised painting,
sculpture, and architecture. The pictured rocks, painted
in gorgeous colors by mineral alluviations, spread out their
smooth canvass to the eye ; and now the barrier is broken
into vast fragments in the form of temples, arches, towers,
cities, and monuments. Among the most striking of these
are the Doric Rocic and the Urn. From those solid walls of
rock, cascades leap out, and pour their waters into the lake.
Turbid swamps stretch out their dismal morasses in the hol-
lows of these waves of rock. It seems as if nature had rent
these rocks into fragments by some powerful convulsion,
and had strewed their wrecks upon the sho:es, in mockery
of human art. But a small proportion of the emigration,
which is pressing to the west, lodges in this cold and in-
hospitable region. Scattered bands of the Chippewas and
Sioux may be found npcn its shores ; and its darkness is
sometimes illumined by the camp fires of the Coureicrs des

S.i_i ii JJ .

r f

♦ It is said that Monominee River owes the origin of its name to the Indian
word which signifies wild rice-catere.

•Jt

LAKE COAST OP MICHIGAN.

277

region
in the

Hols, who have adventured there in search of furs. The
bear and tlie famished Indian wander upon its hills, and
tlie bald eagle sits upon the cUff, and whets his beak, or
watches for his prey upon the broad expanse of Lake Su-
perior, which thunders at its base.

Green Bay, which is an indentation of Lake Michigan, is a
place some interest, as containing a French settlement of an-
cient date. This settlement was made by the French as
early as 1G70. In 1820 the village consisted of sixty dwell-
ing-houses, five hundred inhabitants, and a garrison. Seven-
ty of the citizens were then enrolled as soldiers ; the main
part of whom were the French who had intermarried with
the Indian women. During the last war, the influence of
this people was strongly allied to the English. The vil-
lage was formerly included within the territory of Michigan,
and was tne seat of justice for Brown County under tha^ or-
ganization ; but by the late act of congress it has been placed
within the bounds of Wisconsin. The fort of Green Bay is
located on the north bank of Fox River, near its mouth. It
consisted, in 1820, of a range of log barracks, opening upon
three sides of a square parade. It had block-houses at each
angle, and was surrounded by a stockade about thirty feet in
height ; and was then garrisoned by three hundred men.
The military establishment here has, however, become much
enlarged ; and a thriving settlement has been built on its
present site, which is probably the nucleus of a large sea-port.
The watersof Green Bay are very clear, and its banks are a rich
alluvial soil, crowned with hemlock, poplar, elm, and oaks ;
and the verdant vegetation, which is generally much more
forward here than in the surrounding country, has oricrinated
the name. "

The shore of Lake Michigan, which stretches like a sea
on the western side of the peninsula, is an alluvial sand,
based on transition lime-stone, covered at intervals with
fragments of rock of the primitive and secondorv classes ;
and bearing at points a growth of beach, oak, ,,ine, birch^
poplar, and maple. Petrifactions of some interest are found
among masses of hornblend, quartz, limestone, and gnmite.

i ,i.

I i'it.

yrs

/' :

l! iJ

f I

U4 .} ±

mSTOllY OF MICIUUAN.

1 he diflcront swlioiis of iho shore of th.; lake do not, how-
ever, oxh.hit a uniibriu eharaclor. M somo j.oi.it.s th.^ banks
arc elevated nearly sixty tcot, with a sand l.oadi crowned
with maplo. Dnrniir certain periods, violent thin.der storms
rage up.)n it ; and tlio shore has been known to be covered
with the skelet.)i:s of ].igeons and gnlls, which had been
drowned ni crossnig at sueh times, l-lagles, in i,a-cal nntn-
bers, also Ireqnent these shores, in order to <rlnt \liomselves
upon their dead bodies, which are thrown npon the beach.
Here the bank stretches into a succession of pine-covered
sand hills, and there it swells into verdant and pictureM.uo
landscapes, bearing a qmwth of lorcst trees, which indicate
a soil ot the greatest richness. The progress of emigration
has increased the settlements, which were Ibrmerly the site
ol Indian lodges or small trading-houses, into important vil-
lages. *^

Among tliosc places are Milwaukee and Ohica<ro. The
forn V 01 these ports was, in JS2(), the site of a Potawatainio
village, and but two American lamiles resided there at that
time ; whereas it is well known as a village of considerable
population and wealth. The Milwaukee River is about six-
ty yards wide at the mouth. At this point is tlie city of Mil-
waukee. Chicago is two hundred and seventy-live miles
from Green Bay, a city standing upon a rolling and beantilul
praine, and consisted during the same year of on'y twelve
dwelling-houses, and a population of only about sixty A
garrison stands on the south side of Chica'ro Crock

Miclngan City, New nutlido, and St. Jose,,h, at t'he month
of the St. Joseph River, have sprung up within the last /bur
years. Twenty miles up this river on the bank was the old
F rench fort, St. Josc|)h, together with the missionary esta-
blishment. Along this part of the coast of Lake Michicmn
tlic immediate shores exhibit a sterile prospect, althoii<rh''the
interior abounds in extensive agricultural resources ; vi^st hil-
locks of sand, driven into varying heaps at every storm
cover the banks, scattered as they are with occasional pines
and poplars. The principal rivers which enter into Lake
Michigan from the peninsular portion of the State, arc the

I.AICK COAST OP MICIUOAN.

279

Grand, Moskcgon, St. Joscpli, and ihm which is called l»crc
Mar(|iicttc.*

Tiw. distant from Detroit to tho mouth of the OutotKuron
Uivor, on [,ake Superior, with the interme.hate places of anv
Fonmience, IS comprised in the (hllowiu^r table, for.ned !,y
Mi. Schoolcralt ju his expediliun into that region in imi

From Detroit to tho cntrnncc into l.akc St.

r<„ '^n , MILKS TOT A f, MILES.

Cjirossol'oi It,

Mouth of Flint River, of St. Clair,

Mouth of St. Clair River,

liclle Rivor at St. Clair settlement,

Black River,

Fort Gratiot,

White Rock,

I'llm (y'rcck,
Black Rivor,

Point aux Barques,

Point aux Cficnes, on Saganaw Bay,

Shawangunk Islands,

River anx Sable,

Thunder Bay Island,

Flat Rock Point, near Middle Island,

Prcsquc [sl(f,

Lower end of the Island of Bois Blanc,

Michilimackinac,

From Michilimackinac to Detour,
To the Sank do St. Marie,
Point aux Pins,

• 1 l.m hlHt river dcnvn.s ,ts nam. from the following fuct, m related Ly Char-

r^x.- , f f "°"'' "''^■"'"""'■y' '■'"""'•^ MurciMotte, „. travelling fr„m Chica-
go to M.c nii,nnck,..ac-, entorcl thin river on the Hlh ,Iny of May, 1(575 Hero
he erected an altar, and «aid mn.n. Heafterwar.l.s .v. ;.t a nhort di^tanVe from
h.« compan-onH to return thankn. They «oon found him de,,d, and buried him
on he „nk. Lrou. that tune, the river, .ay« rjha.levoix, h„ retired, out of rea-
p«ct to hi3 rcinams, and opened for itself a new pasaarru.

120

13G

148

100

178

181)

.'{()

210

2.50

2f)8

288

Of)

348

360

4.5

I i^i

280

HISTORY OK MICHIGAN.

MILES.

TOTAL

Point Iroquois, entrance of Lake Superior, 9

100

Tonquamenon River,

115

Shelldrake River,

124

White Fish Point,

132

Two-Hearted River,

157

Grande Marrais, and Commencement of

Grande Sables,

178

La Point La Grande Sables,

187

Pictured Rocks La Portaille,

199

Doric Rock and Miner's River,

205

Grand Island,

217

River aux Trains,

226

Isle aux Trains,

229

Laughing Fish River,

235

Chocolate River,

250

Dead River (in Presque Isle Bay,)

256

Granite Point,

262

Garlic River,

271

St. John's River,

286'

Salmon Trout, or Burnt River,

298

Pine River,

304

Huron River (Huron Isles lie (

jff this

river,)

313

Point Abbaye, East Cape of Kevveena

Bay,

319

Mouth of Portage River,

Head of Portage River, through Keweena

Lake, 24

Lake Superior, at the head of the Portage, 1
Little Salmon Trout River, 9

Graverods River (small, with flat rocks at

its mouth,) 6

Riviere au Misiere, 12

Fire Steel [liver, 18

Ontonagon, or Copper Mine River, 6

340

364
365
374

390
392
410
416

»^r

Thus the whole distance from Detroit to the Ontonagon

LAKE COAST OP MICHIGAN.

281

River, which is situated near the north-west line of Michi '
gan, follownig the indentations of the shores throuo-h the
great chain of the north-western lakes, is about seven hun-
dred and seventy-six miles, calculating the length of Lake
Michigan at four hundred miles, the length of the coast of
Michigan is nearly twelve hundred miles.

The long line of navigation which has been thus brieflv'
described, constitutes the Lake coast of Michigan. Stretch
ing along the east, the north, and the west ; connecting with
«ie rising territory of Wisconsin the States of Illinois, Indiana
Pennsylvania Ohio, and New-York; each having ports on
the lakes, and constituting a vast extent of territory, amble
in mineral and agricultural resources, and with innumerable
streams reaching far into the interior ; the lake territory
opens a long line of navigation to the remotest sections of the
north-west and will circulate vigor and commercial wealth
along nearly the entire borders of the State of Michigan.*

♦ For the material of a ^reat proportion of this chapter I am indebted to H,«
valuable work of Mr. Henry R. Schoolcraft, entiUed « xMarraU e of the Exol
d.Uo„ under Governor Cass, in ,820, through the great chai.rof t.^rat

li'i
■I ii

CHAPTER XV.

County of Wayne— Monroe— MBcomb—St. Clair— Lenawee— Hillsdale-
Branch— St. Jogeph— Cass— Culhoun— Jackson— Borrien— Van Buren—
Kalamazoo— Washtennw— Oakland— Livingston— Ingham— Eaton— Barry
Alleghan— La Peer— Genessee— Shiawassee— Clinton— Ionia— Kent— Sa-
ginaw— Mackinaw— Chippewa— Production of the counties in 1837.

Michigan is bounded on the north by Lake Superior ; on
the south by Ohio and Indiana ; on the east by Lake Erie, De-
troit River, Lake St. Clair, River St. Clair, and Lake Huron ;
and its western boundary is formed by Lake Michigan and
the territory of Wisconsin.

The County of Waijne is bordered by the Detroit River,
and its seat of justice is Detroit. The north-eastern part of
the county, included in the towns of Hamtramck, Detroit,
and Springvvells, is low, level, and but poorly supplied with
water, although it is occasionally broken by marshes and wet
prairies. The towns of Nankin and Plymouth are watered
by the Rouge and its branches. These afford valuable
water-power, which has been improved by the erection of
grist-niills and saw-mills. The soil of the town of Nankin
is somewhat rolling, consisting of sand, loam, and clay ; and
is heavily timbered with the white and black ash, while and
black oak, beech and sugar-maple. The middle is comprised
of plains and openings of a light soil. The soil of Plymouth
is rolling, and contains, beside the timber which has been
mentioned, thrifty groves of the black walnut. The Huron,
a clear and rapid stream, flows through a town of the same
name in this county, bordered by high banks and sloping
glades. A greater part of this town is destitute of streams ;
the soil is rich, and easy of tillage. The eastern part is com-
prised of oak openings and plains, intermingled with groves of

1 il

THE COUNTIES OP MICHIGAN.

283

r ; and

le and

iprised

mouth

5 been

4uron,

3 same

loping

cams ;

3 com-

»vcs of

dense timber, broken by a swamp, a wet or dry prairie The
south part is timbered with white and black ash, white-oak
beech, and maple, with occasionally a white wood. The
south-M-est corner is low land, and contains a large wet prai-
rie. Brownstown is not well watered, and exhibits oak
openings, plainsand prairies, intermingled with groves of heavy
umber. The south-eastern part is level, excepting at the
mouth of the Huron River. It is watered by Muddy and
Brownstown Creek. Monguagon is situated on Detroit
Kiver. This township is fertile, and has a good quarry of
lunestone It embraces Grosse Isle. Dearborn is a beauti-
^1 township. The village of Dearbornville contains the
United States arsenal ; and a large amount of cannon and am-
munition 1. . here stored for the defence of the State. Detroit
the largest city in Michigan, now contains a population of
more than ten thousand ; and a polished and agreeable so-
Z7f f.-'^^^f housesareofbrick. A generat thorough-
fare for the travel of the north-west, it is, during the proper
season, a „.ost filled with emigrants from the differenf part
of the United States. The County of Wayne contains the
owns of Brownstovvn, with a population of 846; Canton,

field, 897; Hamtramck, 1772; Huron, 481; Livonia,
107.; Monquagon, 404; Nankin, 1160; Plymouth, 2246-
Redford, 1021; Romulus, 389; Springvvells, 960- Van

AhZ fir.^^\ ^^^^ '''''^' constitutes an aggregate of 23,400.
About fifty steam-boats stop at Detroit, besides vessels amount-
mg to a considerable tonnage.

The County of Monroe is bounded on the ea.t by Lake
Erie. This county is well watered. The north-eastern part
IS low, level, and heavily timbered ; while the southern part
IS rolling land, alternated by tracts of heavy timber, oak open-
ings, and prairies. The soil is generally very fertile The
towns are, Ash, containing a population of 1011 ; Bedford,
4ol ; Erie, 999 ; Exeter, 156 ; Frenchtown, 1503 ; Ida 200 •
La Salle 826 ; London, 456 ; Milan, 270 ; Monroe, 2795 '

fn«T %u^^' ^""^"^^'•^^•d' 1128; Whiteford, 257. Total,'
10,646. This county is watered principally by the River

jlSjij

rHl

284

HISTORY OP MI( HIQAV.

A.-.'r

Raisin, a serpentine stream which flows into Lake Erie.
The prominent village is Monroe, a settlement extending
along the banks of the River Raisin, containing several
handsome pieces of architecture. Among tlieso are three
\ handsome churches and a court-house, whose cost is estimat-
ed to be about 40,000 dollars. The village is about three
miles from the mouth of the river. Mrniy of the population
of Monroe County, who are di' linrjuisht.d (or their energy
and enterprise, are French. A ship canal has been com-
menced from the mouth of the rivur to the villiige ; and a
rail-road is now in operat'' u from Lake Erie to that point.

The County of Macomb is comprised of rolling land in the
western part, occasionally broken by hills, but variegated
by oak openings, plains, and prairies ; while the north-eastern
and western part is level, and heavily timbered. The plains
are remarkably free from undergowth, and the soil is highly
productive. It is watered by the Clinton River, a beautiful
stream, which with its branches supplies water-power, ferti-
lizes the soil and beautifies the landscape. Its seat of justice is
Mount Clement, a picturesque village, which lies four and
a half miles from Lake St. Clair. Its towns are, Armada,
with a population of 1001 ; Bruce, 889; Clinton, 1193;
Harrison, 502 ; Hickory, 249 ; Jefferson, 523 ; Lenox, 234 ;
Macomb, 736; Orange, 297; Ray, 78G ; Shelby, 1153;
Washington, 1329 : and the aggregate population is 8892.

The County of St. Clair lies in its eastern line upon tho
River St. Clair and Lake Huron. The llvce of this county
is level, although the eastern and southern parts are generally
undulating, heavily timbered and fertile. The northern and
wester. 1 i'a:ts of the county are of a comparatively light and
sandy soil, mt^rpersed \\ \]\ swamps, lowlands, and groves of
tameiack. Large tracts of pine timber abound here, some-
times intermingled with spruce and white cedar. Some
of the most extensive saw-mills in the territory are found
here ; and a large a quantity of beards are exported from this
county. It is watered by Black, Belle, and Pine Rivers ; and
the manufactured timber can be exported by water from this
county to numerous points upon tho lakes. Palmer, a thriv-

THE COUNTfES OP MICIIIQAN.

285

jako Erie,
extending
g several
are thre«
is estimat-
}out three
wpulatioii
5ir energy
)een com-
^e ; and a
It point,
and in the
variegated
th-eastern
^he plains
is highly
beautiful
wer, ferti-
f justice is
four and
, Armada,
n, 1193;
lox, 231 ;
y, 1153;
1 8892.
upon the
is county
generally
hern and
light and
groves of
re, some-
Some
re found
from this
^ers ; and
from this
•, a thriv-

mg village, founded by an enterprising gentlem-a of that
nutno, is the county-seat. It stands upon the banks of the
iiiver St. Clair, and is fast increasing in population. The
towns m tins county are, China, containing a population of

m) ' , TjMo'V ''^''''' '''' ^'•^'""^^"«' 85; Cottrelville,
f»2); Ira, ^02; Lexuigton. 205; Port-Huron, 824 ; St. Clair
501 ; and the aggregate amount is 3673. '

ThcCounty of Lenawee abounds, in its northern part, with
oak openings, burr-oak plains, and prmries; and its southern
part IS heavily tunbered land. The county-seat is Tecumseh,
a beautiful village, situated upon a rolling country upon the
north branch of the River Raisin, whic! , with its tributaries,
waters the eastern section. The towns are, Blissfield, contain-
mg a population of 559; Cambridge, 523; Dover, 680;
J^ airfield, 203; Franklin, 989; Hudson, Lenawee, 1161 •
Logan, 1962; Mason, 1,111; Medina, 420; O-rden 198-
Palmyra, 898 ; Raisin, 1076 ; Rollin, 608 ; Rome" 826 • Se-
neca, 431 ; Tecumseh, 2464 ; Woodstock, 541. Total,

The County of Hillsdale consists, in the northern part of
oak-openings of a good (,uality ; but the southern is heav'iiy
timbered with sugar-maple, white-wood, beech, and black-
wa nut. The St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan, the St. Joseph's
01 Maumee, and the Grand River, all head'in this county, and
variegate it in a beautiful manner. Indeed, the whole county
IS well supplied with water. The principal towns are, Adams,
wuh a population of 279; Allen, 3.53; La Fayette, 685
Honda, 156 ; Litchfield, 314 ; Moscow, 496 ; Pittsford, 550
Reading. 277 ; Scip.o, 469 ; Somerset, 441 ; Wheatland 729
lotal, 4/29.

The County of Branch. The southern part of this county
IS heavily wooded with black-walnut, white-wood, and lynn.
1 he north-eastern part of this county contains a number of
ancient forts It abounds also with oak-openings, occasion-
ally broken by prairies. The towns are, Batavia, containina-
a population of 357 ; Bronson, 635 ; Col d water, 960 ; Eliza-
beth, 177 ; Gerard 448; Giload, 184 ; Ovid, 209; Quincy,
569; Sherwood, 217; Union, 260. Total, 4016.

f I

i.i

.f • ••

!-■•!

if i>

286

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

The Count]/ of Si. Joseph is of remarkable fertility, and

beaiUiful in the face of its scenery. The face of the coinitry

is rolling in a moderate degree, consisting of oak-openings,

burr-oak plains, and prairies ; the principal of which are

Sturges, Nottawa rfepee, and White Pigeon. The climate

is mild, and the land is watered by the purest streams. The

ordinary mode of cultivating these prairies is to plough up

the soil and drop in the corn, which is covered by the next

furrow. From thirty to fifty bushels of corn are thus produced

by the acre. The St. Joseph, with its transparent and rapid

current, floats through this county along banks of heavy

forests, burr-oak groves, and fertile prairies; furnishing

abundant water-power. Hog Creek, Pigeon, Portage, and

Crooked Rivers are its branches ; and afTord great hydraulic

power, which is much improved. The towns are, Bucks,

with a population of 782 ; Colon, 368 ; Constantine, 842 ;

Florence, 440 ; Flowerfield, 406 ; Leonidas, 374 ; Mottvilie',

497 ; Nottawa, 713 ; Sherman, 1043 ; White Pigeon, 872!

Total, 6337.

The County cf Cass is somewhat similar to that of St. Jo-
seph, yet more level, and bearing a growth of oak, ash, elm, ma-
ple, cherry, hickory, black and white walnut ; besides other
kinds. The country is free from undergrowth, and one may
ride through a greater part of the county with a coach and six ;
although a wide belt of luavily timbered land runs along the
banks of the Dowagiake River. This county abounds with
several beautiful prairies. Among these the principal are
Four-mile, Beardsley's, Towhsend's, McKenny's, La Grange,
Pokagon and Young's ; and numerous others of more limit'ed
extent. Lakes of the purest water are scattered overthis county;
and the streams, which are transparent and rapid, run over beds
of limestone or glittering sands, and, as well as the lakes, abound
with fish. The county-seat is Cassopolis. Edwardsburgh,
situated upon a beautiful and sloping tract, commandsaview of
Beardsley's Prairie, of four miles in extent, and the^alm sur-
face of a crystal .-^heet of water called " Pleasant Lake." In
this lake. you can seethe bottom, where the water is fifteen
feet deep. The towns are, Calvin, with a population of 201 ;

THE COUNTIES OF MICHIGAN.

287

Howard, 366; Jeffeison, 395; La Grange, 699 ; Masou "o-l .

s,rV"f • ,„?'"■ ''^ ■■ '■°"»«''"- ^»« : Pon ' ul :

S^ve^ Crealc, 108 ; y„li„i„, 42r ; Wayne, 223. ToH

zoo and St. Joseph Rivers, and their branches. The first ol
these nvers ,s navigable for boats from Lake xMichil to its
forlcs near the cotmty-line of Jaeltson, and affords a Irea
quantuy of water-power. The county of Calhoun abounds
wh the richest tract, of burr-oak groves, springing from a

a mt»l ™^,™™'y^»' ■» Marshall, a city which exhibit.,
h™r H^"'' ""'' T""'''"^ P^P"'""""- A 'Church

*tabM n!n r r™ ■•"■'='''"='^">"=; "nd manufacturing

delight, and spread its .counties to the wants of man. The
towns are, Albion, with a population of 773 ■ Athens 288
Burlington, 178 ; Convis, 170^ Eckford. 530 ; Home 1 019 !
Marengo 737; Marshall, 1801; Milton, 1632; SherUan:
6i>3 ; Tehonsha, 278. Total, 7960.

The County of Jackson, in the western part is undulatin-
and bears a growth of burr-oaks and white'oak openmgT n-
termmgled with prairies, well-watered by limpfd spfing"
while the northern-eastern part is heavily timbered, and bfo^
ken by marshes and small lakes. The soil, however, is fer-
tile, and particularly adapted to meadow. The Grand
River Hows through this county, and is navigable in small
boats and canoes to Lake Michigan. The county-seat is
Jacksonburgh, a handsome village, situated in a rollino- coun-
try, and contamiag several thriving manufacturing establish-
ments. The towiis are, Concord, East Portage, Gra.s Lake,
Hanover, Jackson, Leoni, Liberty, Napoleon, Parma, Rives
Sandstone, Spnng Arbor, and West Portage ; the whole con
tammg a population of 8702.

The County of Berrien is comprised, in a great measure,
of heavily timbered land, watered by small creeks; and also

iry

ill

;H'

l> I '

V , L<,

■

288

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

of barrens, a light although not unproductive soil, covered
with a stunted growth of white and black oak. The soil is a
loose and black sand of great richness, bearing a growth of
oak, poplar, ash, lynn, beech, hickory, elm, and maple. The
western bounds of this county are washed by Lake Michigan ;
and the St. Joseph River with its branches, Dowagiake and
Pawpaw Rivers, here flow into that lake at St. Joseph, a
thriving village, which has been founded at the junction of
the River St. Joseph and Lake Michigan. The county-seat
is Berrien. Niles is also a handsome village, which is situated
above the junction of the Dowagiake and the St. Joseph.
The towns are, Bainbridge, containing a population of 99 ;
Berrien, 496 ; Bertrand, 1262 ; Buchanan, 172 ; New Buffa-
lo, 199; Niles, 1497; Oronoko, 248; Royalton, 175; St.
Joseph, 596; Weesaw, 116. Total, 4863.

T/ie Cotinty of Van Buren contains a great proportion of
heavily timbered land, and is watered by the Pawpaw River
and the south branch of the Black River. It is watered by
numerous la';es, and broken by a number of prairies. T'le
towns are, Antwerp, containing a population of 232 ; Clinch,
108 ; Covington, 183 ; Decatur, 224 ; La Fayette, 248 ;
Lawrence, 202 ; South Haven, 65. Total, 1262.

The County of Kalamazoo is generally undulating or
rolling, comprised of burr-oak openings intermingled with
rich dry prairies and heavily timbered land. The soil is
generally either a black sand or a rich loam, and in the
south-eastern corner there is a large tract wooded with sugar-
maple. This county also has a number of prairies, the prin-
cipal of wnich are Gull Prairie and Prairie Rovde. Gull
Prairie is near a beautiful and clear lake of the same name,
about four miles long, and abounding with fish. Near this
prairie there is a creek, which affords uncommon hydraulic
advantages. Prairie Ronde is in the south-western part of
the county, is four miles wide, surrounded with woodland ;
and contains near its centre, a grove of timber, consisting of
maple, black-walnut, and hickory, of about a mile in diameter.
The Kalamazoo winds its grateful stream through the north-
eastern part of this county. The county-seat is Bronson, a

THE COU.VTIESOF MICIIIGAX,

2S9

small but handsome village, situated upon that river. Tho
towns are Brady, containing a population of 1292 ; Comstoclc'
1383; Cooper, 386; Kalamazoo, 1373; Pavilion, 548-
Praine Rondo, 665 ; Richland, 720. Total, 6367.

Tke County of Washtenaic, in the face of tho scenery is
gently rolhng, and the soil is composed of a black sand, loa'm
or clay. Alternated by prairies, oak openings, and tracts of
gloomy forest, it spreads out a scene of the greatest variety to
the traveller. The red and the black oak, the beech, the wal-
nut, white wood, the bass, elm, butternut, and maple, consti-
tute Its forest trees, together with other kinds that irrow in this
region. The couiuy is watered by the River Huron of Lake
l^rie, which runs through its centre, and is navigable for boats
and rafts to the lake ; the head waters of the Shiawassee run
through the north. The rivers Raisin and Saline water the
southern part of the county. Ann Arbor is the county-seat a
village surrounding a green plain, containing many handsome
^ores, dwelling-houses, and manufacturing establishments.
1 his place 1.-9 established as the site of the University of Michi-
gan. Ypsilanti is another thriving village, which is situated
upon the River Huron ; it contains several mills. Dexter is
another pleasant village on the same stream, containino- seve-
ral manufacturing establishments. This place was founded
by the enterprise of Samuel Dexter, the son of the distino-uished
lawyer of Boston. The towns in this county are Ann Arbor
containing a population of 29 14; Augusta, 5.39 ; IJrid^rewater'
923; Dexter, 596; Freedom, 795; Lima, 895 ; Lodl, 1063 •
Lyndon, 3(51 ; Manchester, 805 ; Northfield, 793 ; Pitt r>08 •
Salem, 1354; Saline, 1130; Scio, 1442; Sharon, 782 -"^ Su-
perior, 1378; Sylvan, 480; York, 1 196 j Ypsilanti, 2280 :
Webster, 832. Total, 21,817.

The County of Oakland, in the south-eastern part, consists
of timbered land, wooded with black and white walnut, white,
red, and black oak, with some plains interpersed with marsh-
es. Oak openings and timbered laud constitute the township
ot Bloomrteld. Pontiac consists of oak openings, and Oak-
hind IS timbered, and possesses a rich soil. The north part
has plains and prairies of a good quality. The county is

'!.

i tl

290

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

Studded with the clearest lakes. The Clinton, the Huron,
and the Rouge, interlocking in the different parts, extend their
branches throughout its different parts, and leriilize its timber-
ed forests and sloping plains. Pontiac and Oakland are water-
ed by the Clinton River, Point, and Stony Ci pk, possessing
great hydraulic advantages. This county potises a great
amount of water power considering its level surface. The
towns are, Addison, which contains a population of 343 ;
Avon, 1289 ; Bloomfield, 1485 ; Brandon, 263 ; Commerce,
747 ; Farmington, 1724 ; Groveland, 664 ; Highland, 440 ;
Independence, 668 ; Lyon, 1051 ; Milford, ^667 ; Novi,
1335; Oakland, 803; Orion, 593 ; Oxford, 384; Pontiac,
1700; Rose, 202; Royal Oak, 825 ; Southfield, 956 ; Spring-
field, 403 ; Troy, 1439 ; Waterford, 828 ; West Bloomfield,
1004 ; White Lake, 363. Total, 20,176.

The Comity of Livingston is heavily timbered, and some-
what broken by lakes. It comprises the town of Byron, con-
taining a population of 317; Deerfield, 369 ; Genoa, 361;
Green Oak, 1435 ; Hamburg, 490 ; Hartland, 404 ; Howell,
442 ; Marion, 202 ; Putnam, 367 ; Unadilla, 642 ; Total,
5029.

The County of Ingham is also heavily timbered, and but
sparsely populated. It is watered by the Grand River.
The towns are, Aurelius, Ingham, and Stockbridge, containing
a population of 822.

The County of Eaton is also heavily timbered, and is wa-
tered by the Thorn Apple and the Grand River. It contains
the towns of Bellevue, which has a population of 438 ; Ea-
ton, 330; Vermontville, 145. Total, 913.

The County of Barry is studded with numerous lakes
and is watered by the Thorn Apple, and has a popula-
tion of 512, all in the town of Barry.

The County of Allegan is a beautiful tract of land, studd-
ed Vv'ith lakes and prairies, and watered by the Kalamazoo
River. The principal town is Allegan, on that stream, which
contains several manufacturing establishments. The towns
are, Allegan, containing a population of 621 ; Newark, 190 ;
Otsego, 341 ; and Plainfield, 317. Total, 1409.

THE COUNTIEa OP MICHIGAN. 291

The County of La Peer is watered hv the Flinf r;
It contains the towns of Atlas, Bristol, Hadl y La p eflo'

The County of Genessee is watered by the Flint River
1^88 ,^Grand Blanc, 691 ; Mundy, 234 ; Vienna, 107 To-
ed '^^iiu"'T "^ :^'""«^«-'^^« ^^hibits a rolling soil, cover-
ed wt,, o,k openings and heavy groves of timber The

The County of Clinton is watered by the Manlp .n^

ana Va^rtovvn. 1 he aggregate population is 529.

Ihe County of Ionia is comprised of heavily timbered
land broken by prairies and oak openings. Tho G and m

are, Ionia, with a population of 511 ; and Maple, 5ir • and
the aggregate population of the county is lO'^S '

The County of Kent is watered by the Grand River and
e Thorn Apple. A considerable portion of the soilTs Zber
ed land, sometimes broken by burr-oak plains, white oak open
ings, and prairies. The principal settlemen is at thfGrand
Hapids, which is situated on a Rapids of a mile C Zt

l^:S'^^"""^^' ''''\ '^^ — "« -r^ded^
beautiful buir-oak groves and prairies. Gypsum abounds in

large quantity upon Gypsum Creek ; and several aTpdn is

are near this place. From the Grand Rapids to GrS

^H, country abounds in oak openings and extensive met of

burr-oak groves. Granville is a place of considerable L

portance,and has several large sawmills. The ^^^^^^^

> I

m^i

202

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

Kent, containing a population of 16G0; and Byron, 303. To-
tal, 2022.

Tke County of Saginaio is eminently favorable for agri-
culture. It is watered by the Saginaw, a river navigable for
sloops twenty miles to the village which bears the same name.
The town of Saginaw has a population of 920; and the ag-
gregate population is 920.

The CoHHly of Mackinaw is situated upon the northern
section of the peninsula of Michigan, and is not favorable to
agriculture. Holmes, in this county, contains a population of
664. Total population, 664.

The County of Chlpjmoa is but little settled. The town
of St. jMarie contains the main part of the population. The
aggregate population is 366.

From the spirit of speculation which has heretofore pre-
vailed throughout the State, too little attention has been paid
to agriculture. It is perceived, however, that the mere ex-
change of titles to property and paper promises, has tended
but little to develope the substantial resources of the soil ;
and that here, as well as elsewhere, labor is the only true
source of wealth. Accordingly it will be found that the en-
ergies of the population, which have been diverted from that
branch of industry to the purchase and sale of " paper cities,"
will be hereafter be employed in production. The subjoined
Table, although probably not entirely accurate, has been re.
turned to the office of the Secretary of State, and is the best
census which we have for that year.

ITS PRODUCTION.

203

S
+—1

Eh
o

Q
O

0^
0^

Hows.

Sheep.

Horsea.

Neat stock.

Pounds of
hemp.

Pounds of flax.

Bushels of
buck wheat.

Bushels of oats

Bushels of
corn.

Bushels of rye.

Bushels of
wheat.

Merchants.

Distilleries.

Cloth dresBJng
shops.

Card inu-
chines.

Saw Mills.

^i.?2=:?2k.

r^n

So «o 7» kO o^ c
O t~ 55 :o 3
^•«J« W Tt ^ y

SJ2

. -o 5» t-
) t- X t'.

1 — lODO

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»5 'jS m m u-^ -H ^

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i^^SliSs^

t « crs 05 (55 g S! « I -i

Oi_^ W T)<_Oi 00 1-1 CO M

23g

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in o ■— -H 51
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to to — to CO SS
"^ CO

to ■o^(N io_t^ to m to CO

2 of ■<1<"(N"fO(N''«f ^o^
~ to O ^^ CO TJ<

?: S " 2J «> M COIN to Tt<

^3 *™' CO t^ ^m *ma

*" £:: 2! = 00 CO o>

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CO -. (N

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fO "> CO ~ « lO .- CO -^

Grist Mills.

3
O

lO "T TT *0

' ■"• <N <0 CO (N CO ■<}> CO

/' i

'.i/'^i

294

HISTORY OF MICHIQAN.

I M^'.

CO
00

h
o

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O

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GCiO

Merchants.
Distilleries.

IN Oi

Cloth dressing
shops.

Card ma-
chines.

-H ^ to

(N — 00

(N -1

M U5

Saw Mills.

Grist Mills.

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• ft.
8

CHAPTER XVI.

The Population of Michigan-Tho particular character of the population-
Amount of Population in 1837-Character of tho Indians-Their number.

It has been remarked that emigration to the west, from
the different sections of the east, has generally been confined
withm their several parallels of latitude. By consequence,
the mass of the population of Michigan is comprised of emi-
grants from New England and New- York. New Jersey and
Pennsylvania have each, it is true, contributed their quota ;
and the merry plains of England, Ireland, and the German
forests, have sent a portion of their population to this as well
as the other States. The local character of the State, consti-
tuted of these different elements, is now, therefore, not alto-
gether formed. It is undergoing the process of amalgamation.
The sober, careful, and straight-forward perseverance of the
New England States is so mixed with the more daring enter-
prise of New- York, as to give vast impulse to the character
of the people, and momentum to the projects which necessa-
rily belong to the rapid progress of a new country. One
fact, however, is obvious,- the population of Michicran ex-
hibits uncommon practical intelligence as well as enterprise.
Removing from the eastern States, where the avenues of wealth
and distinction are occupied, to a wider field, where they can
vest their enterprise, it is clear that the energy which has led
them to emigrate will induce a great degree of activity in a
country where every thing is to be done, and comparatively
few to do any thing. The people of the Stale, now amount-
mg to more than one hundred and seventy-five thousand,
collected in the cities along the frontier, and scattered throucrli

29G

IIISTOttY OF MICUIOAN.

|!r:

r <

the wilderness, in their log-houses, or along the banks of the
streams in the new villages which are just springing up, or
in the cotta?es of the habitans or old French peasantry, as
merchants, manufacturers, farmers, mechanics, and profession-
al men, employed in building villages, clearing woods, drain-
ing marshes, establishing cities, and building roads, is com-
pounded of New England, New- York, and foreign elements.
The original white colonists are altogether comprised in the
Canadian French peasantry, who were sent over when the
country was under French jurisdiction, and they are, for the
most part, engaged in agriculture.

The emigrants to Michigan find uncommon means and
motives to exertion in this country. Forests are to be clear-
ed, fields are to be cultivated, roads are to be made, streams
are to be explored, deepened, and navigated ; cities to be built ;
rail-roads and canals to be constructed ; and frames of civil
policy to be organized. They are called upon, as founders of
the country, to co-operate in eiTecting these works. The fact
that there is no argument like necessity to stimulate a man to
great achievements, is felt in that energy of mind which has
brought so many emigrants of this character into the State.
They have found the field at the east occupied by men who
have grown old in talent and influence ; and their own ambi-
tion and indigence perhaps have inclined them to seek out
fresher sources of aggrandizement in the broad and growino-
region of a new country. In such a state of tilings all class-
es find ample scope for the exercise of their industry.

It is manifest that no man would venture upon the hard-
ships of a wilderness unless he was backed by considerable
resolution and perseverance. The consequence is, that ihe
State of Michigan is rapidly filling up with an active class of
people from the east, wlio have left the Atlantic frontier to im-
prove their fortunes, or perhaps from that restless and migrato-
ry character which belongs to this country. Men of opulence
stay at home. The men who are, from necessity as well as
education, habituated to shoulder the burdens of life, are the
emigrants to a country where these burdens are to be endur-
ed. Wealth and honor, therefore, are the grand motives of

POPULATION. 207

emigration. Speculation and politics are th« ..i •

emi,.ration, which h evornr •^^^""^'^^^^ 5 «»d the tide of
^ ", wulun IS ever rushino- mfn tho «to*^ ■ l

"pon its bosom new sources of wrh '^ :■ ^'""'"•^
comes into the country witi ll T r''^ ^'^'■'^^^' ^^''«

collected under t;^,:,st oVZ^T 'T"'"" ^"°^^
oxen which are to plouT his loT ^°"' '^'"'"'^ ^^ ^'^°
hnild a house, a boat or an ''''^ "'''''" ''^' '« ^'^

alo.-house on Z 1^. " '^"^ ^^^^^3^ «^"l<'^r who erects

tends to advance he Itidvn'r'" "'" '°'' ^'"^'^«^'°".

ti- custom of ' rw^' 'J:;"""! "'" "'"^' ^^'^^-'^ '
speculator. One canZ^?^^ "/^^^^ ^^^^^ individual a

accurate financial ImowL c^r't''.' ^"'' '' ^'' '"^P"^^^ ^t the

ed through an c^iLs^ott^ ''^^"^'"^^■

what every thin^ is xvonh ll\ » ^- '^^ '"""^^ '° '"'^^^

consequences oflhl^lV^^^^^^^^ ?/'/- ^^^e

are discussed in almost JZio^^tH, ^ ^'"^"'^ ^'^tes

tary log-cabin uponTh "ho f^^^^^^^^ ^^^ -'i-

New-York Merchants' Exclave ''^^f '^'"^^^".- i'^ the

progressof the country wl„S-btloTl '" ^'^

imity to New-York- fL f i ,■ "*^^^ ^<-^"'t^ ^om itsprox-

*o difeen. sec.i„„li-teti 's.rr 'l,""T'^ "■°'»
.lects are conceived, aud even executed L ""■-'""<=™' P""

been limited to the few naternl ! , • '?^'' """''' h"™

Ploughed hefo. thrci:::r:tf*""^"'^-^

i" Acght and action. In .e Nei Elf T^'' 'ndependen.

298

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

,|'l

arrn, and influence, are marked out ; and the yoiUh are con-
fined to the shadows of the cloister; large masses of wealth
are accumulated and hoarded up. Here it is far otherwise.
The people find themselves ihc occupants of a wide and
bounteous soil, and in a community which is orn^nnized by
themselves. The spirit of our institutions seems to impress
them with a conviction of their own independence. They
are bound down l^y no prescriptive forms of opinion, because
no prescriptive forms of opinion exist. Wealth is so easily
accumulated, that it does not possess that social influence
which is discernible in the older States. Throui,Hiout the
wiiolc extent of the State there is a commonwealth of associ-
ation, becavise there is a commonwealth of action. The
settler in his log-cabin, or the mechanic in liis workshop, is
actuated by a spirit of sturdy independence, which holds
nothincT above him but " God and the laws." He has no re-
verence for stars, or garters, or crowns. While the minds of
men have become liberalized by contact with large interests,
the circle of enterprise is widened in the same proportion.
To build a city, is deemed a labor of less importance than
formerly to construct a house. Space is abridged ; iUid a jour-
ney of two hundred miles on horseback through the wilder-
ness, is considered a fourfold less labor than was the same
distance, twenty years ago, in the eastern States.

Although the colleges of the east have doubtless sent out a
o-reat number of professional men into Michigan, as well as
the other western States, literature is very far from being the
characteristic spirit of the people. They, in fact, seem to have
little confidence in that theoretic knowledge which men ac-
quire from books, and great confidence in that practical infor-
mation which is derived from the study of men and things;
conseiiuontly a greater share of practical business men are
found in Michigan than in most of the States,-— men, who are
unacqufiinted with the classic literature of Greece or Rome,
but with human nature and the facts about them. In nil
matters of religion and government they are liberal and inde-
pendent. Doubtless largo masses of ignorance prevail in the
more remote sections of the State, which give ground to fana-

POPULATION.

299

ficisni ; but common sense is more frequently the miide in
matters otroli,ion. To all ar,uments\vhich woufd sho^

he moqnal.ty m n.er, they would interpose that wide doc-
t ne ot the declaration of Independence, which dechires - that
all men are horn free and equal." Throuc^hout the whole
ra.iirc ol enterprise, the constantly advancing prorrress of the
country, and the n.otives to cxorLn, which \u-e Ctinunt
pressing upon the mind, induce a constant stimulus to o,c.'t
excneuKMU; and the labors which the emigrant encounters,

sa ly br.ng ,o b.s mind an amount of knowledge, which
could be scarcely acquired where the foundations o> the so
c ml system have been already constructed and settled. If the
iterature and the blandishments of an older form of society
mewantmo thereis a counterbalancing advantage in that
^os^n,ess and v.gor of utihtarian pursuit, which secerns to en
gloss the mind.

The French are the offspring of the colonies which emiarat-
ed during t e possession of the country by France, and '^also
the sc utered settlers, who have from time to time cr;)ssed over
horn Canada to the American shores. These are spread
along the banks of the principal streams upon the Michigan
frontier, and their houses border the Detroit River for a lon<>-
distance They may be known from their antique coustruc"!
lon, and the picket fences which surround their fhrms. The
trench population of Michigan are a quiet and eourteous
race of men, who are content to live upon the domain of their
ancestors without exercising any considerable derive of en
terprise. From long connexion with the Indians, die French
population in the interior seem to have become somewhat in-
corporated with them in sympathies and pursuits; and vou
see many in the remote villages arrayed in a demi-savLe
dress. Some have intermarried with the sav.ages, and not'a
few possess m their veins an intermixture of Indian blood
In the advancing progress of the country, their lands, which
are of the most eligible location, and which have also been
confirmed to them by the laws of the United States, are the
sues of important towns. They are distrustful of the whites

I fi

li'

300

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN,

and are not generally anxious to sell their property, although
many have been made rich by the advanced value of real
estate.

The following is the population of Michigan according to
the census of 1837. ^

!* Ik"

•1^

CENSUS OP MICHIGAN IN OCTOBER, 183T

ALLEGAN COUNTY.

BRANCH COUNTY.

Allegan
Newark
Otsego
Plainfield

Townships.

Batavia
621 Bronson
190 Cold water
341 Elizabeth
317 Gerard

Goliad

Total, 1,469 Ovid

Q,uincy

BARRY COUNTY. ShorWOOd

Union
Township.
Barry 513

357
635

960

177

448

184

£09

569

217

260

Total, 4,016

Total, 512

CALHOUN COUNTY.

BERRIEN COUNTY.

Bainbridge

Berrien

Bertrand

Buchanan

New Buffalo

Niles

Oronoko

Royal ton

St. Joseph

Weesaw

99
496

1,262
172
199

1,497
248
175
599
116

Total, 4,863

Albion

Athens

Burlington

Con vis

Eckford

Homer

Marengo

Marshall

Milton

Sheridan

Tekonsha

773

288

378

170

530

1,019

737

1,801

1,632

353

278

Total, 7,960

.!;.[*! i

', although
ue of real

lording to

POPULATION.

301

fTY.

357

635

960

177

448

184

£09

569

217

260

a], 4,016

Ty.

773

288

378

170

530

1,019

737

1,80J

1,632

353

278

.1, 7,960

CASS COUNTY.

GENESSEE COUNTY.

Calvin

Howard

Jefferson

La Gransre

Macon

Ontwa

Penn

Pokagon

Porter

Silver Creek

Volinia

Wayne

201 Argentine

366 Flint

395 Grand Blanc

699 Mundy

224 Vienna
1,012
693
506

442 HILLSDALE COUNTY.

434
1,288
691
234
107

Total, 2,754

108 Adams
427 Allen
223 Fayette
Florida

Total, 5,296 Litchfield
Moscow
CHIPPEWA COUNTY. Pittsford

St. Marie

Reading

366 Scipio

Somerset

Total, 366 Wheatland

279
353

685

156

314

496

550

277

469

441

729

CLINTON COUNTY.

Total, 4,729

Dewitt
Watertown

INGHAM COUNTY.

Aurelius

Ingham

Total, 529 Stockbridge

EATON COUNTY.

Bellevue
Eaton
Vermont ville

438

330 Ionia

145 Maple

Total, 913

Total, 822

IONIA COUNTY.

511
517

Total, 1,028

't.

,> '

302

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

JACKSON COUNTY.

Bristol

Concord

Iladley
La Peer

East Portage

Lomond

Grass Lake

Beckfield

Hanover

Jackson

Leoni

Total, 2,602

Liberty-

LENAWEE

COUNTY.

Napoleon

Parma
Rives

Blissfield
Cambridge

559
523

680
203
989

Sandstone

Dover

Spring Arbor

Fairfield

West Portage

Franklin

Hudson

Tota

I, 8,702

Lenawee

1,151

KALAMAZOC

) COUNTY.

Logan

1,962

Brady

1,292

Macon
Medina

1,111

420

Comstock

1,383

Ogden

198

Cooper
Kalamazoo

386

Palmyra

898

1,373

Raisin

1,076

Pavilion

548

Rollin

508
826
431

Prairie Ronde

665

Rome

Richland

720

Seneca

Tecumseh

2,414

Total,

6,367

Woodstock

541

KENT COUNTY.

■

Byron

362

Total, 14,540

Kent

Total,

1,660

LIVINGSTON

Byron

COUNTY.

2,022

317

Deerfield

369

LA PEER COUNTY

•

Genoa

361

Green Oak
A^^^ Hamburg

1,4

.50

490

)tal, 2,602

559
523

680
203
989

1,151
1,962
1,111
420
198
898
1,076
508
826
431
2,414
541

14,540

TY.

3ir

369

361

1,435

490

Hartland

Howell

Marion

Putnam

Unadilla

POPULATION.

404 La Salle
442 London
202 Milan
367 Monroe
642 Raisinville
Summerfield

Total, 5,029 Whiteford

305

826
456
270

2,795
614

1,128
257

MACKINAW COUNTY.

Holmes 664

Total, 10,646

OAKLAND COUNTY.

Total, 664

MACOMB COUNTY.

Armada

Bruce

Clinton

Harrison

Hiclcory

Jeiferson

Lenox

Macomb

Orange

Bay

Shelby

Washington

1,001
889
1,193
502
249
523
234
736
297
786
1,153
1,329

Total, 8,892

MONROE COUNTY.

Ash

Bedford
Erie
Exeter
French town
Ida

1,011
431
999
156
1,503
200

Addison

Avon

Bloomfield

Brandon

Commerce

Farmington

Groveland

Highland

Independence

Lyon

Milford

Novi

Oakland

Orion

Oxford

Pontiac

Rose

Royal Oak

Sonthfieid

Springfield

Troy

Waterford
West Bloomfield
White Lake

343

1,289

1,485
263
747

1,724
664
440
668

1,051
667

1,335
803
593
384

1,700

202
825
956
403
1,439

828
1,004

363

Total, 20,176.

r H s

ftTI

304

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

0T'r.AWA COUNTY. Florence

— Flowcrfield

Total, 628 Leonidas

Mottville
SAGINAW COUNTY. Nottawa

«„„• Sherman

Sagmaw ^^^ White P,geon

419
406
374
497
7J3
1,043
872

Total, 920

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY.

Burns
Owasso
Shiawassee
Vernon

Total, (5,337

VAN BUREN COUNTY.

Antwerp
Clinch
Covington
Decatur

-„ La Fayette

J'otal, 1,184 Lawrence

South Haven

ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

232
108
183
224
248
202
65

China

Clay

Clyde

Columbus

Cottrelville
Ira

Lexington
Port Huron
St. Clair

603
394
339

85 Ann Arbor
520 Augusta
202 Bridgewatcr
205 Dexter
824 Freedom
501 Lima
Lodi
Total, 3,673 Lyndon

Mancliester
sr. JOSEPH COUNTY. Northfield

^'f ^ 782 Salem

P^'''" . 368 Saline

Constantnie §43 g^.^

Total, 1,262

WASHTENAW COUNTY.

2,994
559
923
596
795
895

1,003

805
793
1,208
1,354
1,130
1,412

440

374

497

713

1,043

872

233
108
183
224

248

202

2,994
559
923
596
795
895
1,063
361
805
793
1,208
1,354
1,130
1,412

Sharon

Superior

Sylvan

York

Ypsilanti

Webster

WAYNE COUNTY

Brownstown
Canton

Dearborn
Detroit

POPULATION.

782 Ecorce
1,378 Greenfield
480 Hamtramch
1,197 Huron
2,280 Livonia
832 Morjo-uagon

~- Nankin

Total, 21,817 Plymouth
Red ford
Romulus
Springwclls
846 Van Buren
1,050
1,317
8,273

COLORED POPULATION.

Calhoun County
Chippewa
Mackinaw
St. Joseph
Washtenaw

24
3
I

4
62

Wayne
Jackson
Monroe
Oakland

INDIANS TAXED,

Cass County
Chippewa

Genessee

24
1
2

Allegan

Barry

Berrien

Branch

^'alhoun

Cass

Total, 27

TOTAL WHITE POPULATION.

1,469
512

4,863

4,016
7,960
5,296

Chippewa

Clinton

Eaton

Genessee

Hillsdale

liigham

305

709
897
1,772
481
1,076
404
1,160
2,246
1,021
•^89
990
799

Total, 23,400

228

Total, 379

366

529

913

2,754

4,729

822

I' ■! I

' II

306

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

",' f

P i '

■ A'

Ionia

1,023

Oakland

20,163

Jackson

8,693

Ottawa

628

Kalamazoo

6,367

Saginaw

920

Kent

2,022

Shiawassee

1,184

La Peer

2,602

St. Clair

3,673

Lenawee

14,540

St. Joseph

6,337

Livinofston

5,029

Van Buren

1,262

Mackinaw

664

Washtenaw

21,817

Macomb

8,892

Wayne

23,400

Monroe

10,611

Total white population.

174,369

Colored population,

379

Indians taxed,

Add for two townships not returned, say

423

Population, exclusive of Indians not taxed

175,000

The other class of people in Michigan are the Indians ; and
they consist, for the most part, of mutilated fragments of tribes,
which war and civilization have spared from the general de-
clension of their race. They are comprised chiefly of the
Ottawas, the Wyandots, the Potawatamies, the Menommies,
and the Chippewas. The origin of this singnlar race has
been the subject of voluminous discussion, but no certain con-
clusion has been yet established. The better opinion seems to
be, that they are of Chinese or Tartar stock, and that they
passed over to America from the peninsular portion of Kam-
schatka across Bhering's Strait. This is confirmed by a simi-
larity in language, mode of wearing the hair, and certain cus-
toms, between the savages of Asia and America. The sava-
ges are scattered throughout this wilderness in rude huts made
of bark, and attached to poles, which are stuck in the ground
for support. During the early periods of the country, before
European manufactures were introduced, they dressed entire-
ly from ihe skins of wild beasts, — the bear, the elk, the deer, or
the buffalo, wrought with colored porcupines' quills, and tan-
ned into considerable pliancy and neatness. Their shoes or moc-
casins were made from buffalo or deer skins, sometimes formed
with the hair inside. Their ornaments were curiously cut out

111-

20,163

628

920

1,181

3,673

6,337

1,262

21.S17

23,400

THE INDIANS.

307

171,360

379

425

175,000

ians ; and
s of tribes,
3neral de-
iy of the
iiommies,
race has
rtain coti-
1 seems to
that they
of Kam-
iy a simi-
rtain cus-
^he sava-
ints made
le ground
ry, before
;ed entire-
le deer, or
, and tan-
5s or moc-
es formed
ly cut out

from shells into beads, which were called wampum, and worn
about their necks and suspended from their ears. The most
distinguished warriors wore necklaces of bears' claws, and
upon their heads the plumes of the war eagle. They adorned
their hair with ornamented skins, and wore copper upon their
breasts. Their weapons of war were hatchets and daggers
of stone, and wooden war-clubs and bows made from the
trees, and arrows barbed with flint. Pipes of clay or redstone
were used both as a luxury and as symbols of peace. Tlioy
navigated the streams in canoes of bark ; and their domestic
utensils were of the rudest form. Their food consisted of
corn, which they cultivated, wild rice, fish, and the flesh of
beasts.

Since the advancement of the whites, they have preserved

the same general garb, but use a different material. They

clothe themselves with blankets enclosed with a woolen or

leathern girdle, in which is stuck a steel scalping knife or a

tobacco pouch ; leggins of red or blue cloth reach from the

ancle above the knee, so as to leave the thigh bare. They

have substituted the rifle and the steel tomahawk for the bow

and the stone hatchet, and silver or tin ornaments for those of

stone, shells, or copper ; but in all their essential habits they

are the same as when Jacques Cartier first ascended the St.

Lawrence. The squaws generally wear blankets like the men ;

and leggins and moccasins, adorned with beads or porcupines'

quills ; but the whole of their persons are generally covered,

with the exception of the head, upon which they wear hats!

Their hair, which is smooth and glossy, is worn combed be-

Iiind their ears. They often wear a calico frock inside of the

blanket, which is covered upon the breast with silver broaches,

or thin plates of the same metal in a circular or crescent form!

Some of these medals are given to the chiefsboth by the British

and American Governments. These people are similar in

their general traits to the savages of the other sections of the

United States.

It would seem that the tribes of this region had accustomed
themselves to migrations from remote points in the forest, and
these migrations have been pretty accurately traced. In the

III'

308

HISTORY OB' MIC ilGAN.

year 16 10, when the Alj^onquiii nations of the Ottawa River
were nearly destroyed by the Iroquois, a portion of the Otta-
was of tiiat river, as well as a part of those who lived on the
western shores of Lake Huron, accompanied by five hundred
Hurons, constituting in all about one thousand, removed to
the south-western shore of Lake Superior ; and in 1071 the
Potawatamies were settled on the island called Noquet, near
the entrance of Green Bay. Forty years afterwards this last
tribe migrated to Chicago, and the river St. Joseph upon the
southern bank of Lake Michigan ; occupying those lands
which had before been held by the Miamis in 1670. About
the year 1671, the Ottawas of Lake Superior had removed to
the vicinity of Michilimackinac, and finally retired to their
ancient hunting-grounds on the west side of Lake Huron, send-
ing back word to the Miamies that they were " tired offish and
must have meat." In the year 1721 the Missisagies, according
to Charlevoix, had villages near the outlet of Lake Ontario,
and also near Niagara and Detroit. Until within a recent
date, the Ottawas occupied a considerable portion of the penin-
la of Michigan north and west of the Potawatamies : and the
Chippewas are situated chiefly around Lake Superior. On the
dispersion of the Algonquin tribes upon the river Ottawa in the
middle of the seventeenth century, apart sought protection from
the French, and reside in Lower Canada ; and the Nepissings
and other tribes escaped to Michilimackinac, the Falls of St.
Marie, and the northern shores of Lake Superior. About the
year 1800 a considerable portion of the peninsula of Michigan
was occupied by the Ottawas ; and the Potawatamies held that
portion of territory upon the shore of Lake Michigan ;the Wy-
andots occupied the eastern shore of Lake Huron, and the
Chippewas the southern bank of Lake Superior.*

The character of the savages is made up of mixed traits
of good and evil. They are barbarians, and can never ap-
preciate the advantages of civilization. In their customs,

* See Synopsis of the Indian Tribes of North America, by the Hon. Albert
Gnillatin, published in the second volume of the collections, of the American An-
tiquarian Socinty.

THE INDIANS.

309

iwa River

the Otta-
id on the
! hundred
moved to

1071 the
juet, near
sthis last

upon the
ose liuids
I. About
moved to
d to their
ron, send-
>f fish and
according
! Ontario,

a recent
;he penin-
: and the
>r. On the
iwa in the
jtion from
fepissings
ills of St,
ibout the
Michigan

held that
; the Wy-

and the

:ed traits
lever ap-
customs,

Ion. Albert
lerican An-

tJieir feasts, their wars, tlieir dress, and their amusements,
they resemble the savages of other nations, although they are
of more elevated caste. Their minds do not grasp great con
sequences, and they are deficient in the power of reasoning.
In their enterprises they seldom overstep a prescribed circle
of action ; for their future state, they never look beyond the
western sky. All those qualities which are founded in in-
stinct and habit they possess in a high degree, and but few
of the higher qualities of intellect. Their oratorical efforts
are impassioned and figurative, but seldom contain arguments.
The ideas which are expressed in these efforts are founded in
obvious suggestions, and entirely fail in close logic. Their
vanity exceeds that of most savage nations ; anJ il is this
which induces them to paint their faces, to cover their
heads with feathers, and adorn their bodies with gewgaws.
To their friends they are generous, and will share with them
the laj:! morsel of venison and the shelter of their lodge.
Their enemies they will fliwn upon and flatter, only to
watch the time for their destruction. As a general fact, it
will not be established that they are brave in battle. They
rather prefer to delude by hypocritical assurances of friend-
ship, and to surprise like assassins. With the exception of
the Iroquois, the history of the north-west fiirnishes but few
instances of honorable and open Indian combat. Pontiac, in
1763, devised the destruction of the English forts by a rank
and fraudulent deception; and the Prophet, iii the battle of
Tippecanoe, practised a miserable stratagem, which would
rank him not much above a murderer. Their rules of war
are base and disgusting when tested by the code of civilized
nations. They will scalp an unarmed and fallen enemy, a
woman or an iufuat; torture them and drmk their blood, or
eat their flesh. Individual instances of signal sfenius have
been exhibited ; and the character of Garangula, Pontiac,
Brant, and Tecumseh, stands out, among merely barbarian
connnunitics, for courage and eloiiuence, when adjudged by
barbarian standards. If they have exhibited occasional suc-
cess, it has been generally when they could escape dauijer
by standing behind trees and shooting their enemies. Their

i
1

310

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

manliness is exhibited by binding upon the women burdens
which belong to the stronger sex. Combinedwith this is a
lofty bearing, which impresses us witii a sense of respect ra-
tlier than disgust at their presence, which would ari.se in the
absence of that quality.

A stoic in his temperament, the north-western savage seems
to be a fatalist, and will look with the same composure on
success or misfortune ; he is contented to remain in the woods,
and to gain a scanty subsistence from the forest ; or when that
is wanting, owing to his indolence, he kills and consumes his
horses or dogs. As civilization advances, the means of his
subsistence diminish. There are many examples of Indian
gratitude and humanity which relieve this dark picture ; and
he is honest and true to his word. We do not blame him
for what he is, because the savage is ingrained in his consti-
tution ; we only describe what he seems to be.

In their dispositions the Indians of the lakes are peace-
able, and they will meet you in the forest with the French
words of salutation, Bon Jour. During the early spring
they retire from their villages to what are called Sugar Camp?,
where they manufacture a large quantity of maple sugar, and
collect it in mococks of bark ; either for their own consump-
tion, or for sale at the settlements of the whites, in exchange
for head trinkets, cloths, or intoxicating liquors. The furs
which they may have collected at such times are sold for the
same articles. It is useless to remark that intoxication is their
besetting sin when the means are obtained.

This singular race will long remain an enigma to the mind.
Unchanged in their habits and opinions, they have defied
the efforts of civilization to improve their condition. What-
ever may be the soundness of the logic which claims that
civilization had a right to this soil because it was uncultiva-
ted and occupied by savages, an argument which would wrest
a considerable portion of the world from the hand of its pre-
sent possessors ; it is clear that the Indians have been defraud-
ed less by government than by individuals. The enactment of
the United States, which declares that their land shall not be
taken without their consent, is founded in justice ; but improper

THE INDIANS.

311

influence lins doubtless been exercised by individuals to in-
duce them to sell their lands. Many will soon retire west o*"
the Mississippi ; and as the plongh-share is driven over their
hunting-grounds, cities are built on the site of their ancient
camps ; and civilization digs up the bones of their forefathers
in order to lay the foundation of a canal or rail-road, dissipa.
ting their fading memorials like ghosts at the rising sun ; it
should be our most cherished consciousness, that, as a nation,
we have acted in justice, and softened the pangs of their mis-
fortunes.

INDIAN POPULATION OP MICHIGAN IN 1837.

and

HESIDBNCG.

Monroe County, estimate

MQcomb do. Do.

St. Clair do. Do

Valley of the Soginaw, Do.

Valley of Grand River, Pay rolls of 1837, 945
Maskigo River,

TRIBE, OR BAND.

Wyandots,

Chippewas of Swan Creek,
Chippewas of Black River,
Chippewas of Saginaw,
Ottawas of Grand River,

Ottawas of Maskigo,

Ottawaa & Chippewas of White Ri- East Coast of Lake

Michigan,
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do,
Do,
Do.
Do.
Little Traverse Bay,
S. coast of Lake Huron

Do,
Lake Michigan,

POPULATION.

60
ISO
230
800

ver,

Do. do. Pierre Marquette R
Chippewas of Manistee,

Do, of Osigomico,

Do. of Carp River,

Do. of Grand Traverse Bay,
Ottawas of Little Traverse Bay,

Do. Village of the Cross,

Do. L'Mre Croche,
Ottawas of Cheboigon,
Chippewas of Thunder Bay,
Chippewas of the Beaver Islands,
Chippewas & Ottawas of Drummond

Island, Lake Huron,

Chippewas of the Chenoux, N. coast Lake Huron,

Do. bands of Ance&Missutigo Do. (straits of Michili

mackinac)
Do. of North Manistee,
Do. of Little Bay de Nocquet,
Do. Shawonegeezhig's band,
Do. Esconabee River,
Do. of Chocolate River,
Do. of Grand Island,
Do. of Tacquimcnon River,

Do.

N. end of Green Bay,

Do.

S. East Lake Superior,

Do. Do.

Do,

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Dob
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do,
Do.
Do.
Do.

Do,
Do.

Do.
Do.

Do:
Do.
Do.
Do,
Do.
Do.

142
63
33

103
292
249
305
426
102
103
105

61
56

104

83
76
86
88
75
53
Gl

!l;lil

312

HiarORY OF MICHIGAN.

TRinc, OR Band. residkncl. POPirtATioM.

Chippcwas ofSault St. Mario, Straits ofSt. Mary. Pay rollsof 1837, 152
Chippewas & Uttawas oflho Islands

orUoig-blanc& Mackinaw, Lake Huron, Do. 69

Ottawas south or Grand Uivor, E. coast Lake Michigan estirnato 200

Potawatamies of the St. Joseph's, Do. Do. 150
Monomonies N. of Monomonee Ri-

*'''> Green Bay, Do. 90
Chippewas of Upper Michigan, west

of Chocolate Uivui, Lake Superior, Do. 2,200*

The policy of the government, it is well known, has been
exercised to remove the savages of the country to the west of
the Mississippi, and a considerable portion of the Indians of
Michigan have consented to this removal. It is not improba-
ble that the number has been already much diminished by
emigration. Indeed, we witnessed, during the last year, a
large encampment on the banks of the Detroit River, who
were understood to be making arrangements for that object.

• For this census I am indebted to tho kindness of Henry R. Schoolcraft,
Esq., Indian Agent for the United States.

' ».

N' 'H

soo

180
00

2,200*

CHAPTER XVIL

"Zn'J ^"Tr "'" "'n,.^^"'"' ^^?!'""'y- '« ^"•" -ercial advantage8-Ohio-In-
oiMicliigan— future prospucls of ih ■ „..

Michigan, as a prominent State of the north-west, opens
a brilliant prospect of future opulence and power. Adjoining
a territory of remarkable extent and resources, its future pro*^
gress must depend not only upon its own local enterprize and
means, but also upon the indncements which that territory
holds out to immigration and settlement from other parts of
the United States, as well as from abroad. At the thresh-
• hold, we are forcibly struck with the physical features of
what may be denominated the lake region of the country. Un-
like most of the older States of the east, which spread out
their rugged and sometimes mountainous scenery, abounding
with the luxuries of civilization, their cultivated fields, cities,
villages, farm-houses, and monuments, broken only by limited
groves of primeval forest, which remain as the solitary reliques
of the departed wilderness, we feel, in advancing to that region,
as if we were entering more directly the dominion of nature.
While the arts of civilization, in the older sections of the coun-
try, have moulded almost the entire face of nature to their
own ends, the domain of the north-west seems to have been
but partially invaded. While man has been ranging almost
every other part of the globe, building up and demolishing
empires, this domain seems to have been reserved from his
his dominion. It seems as if the veil which enveloped it had
been but recently drawn aside, and disclosed to view, as the
last theatre of human action, a gigantic scene of %voods and
waters, fresh, silent, solitary, magnificent.

'¥

n- •

314

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

1; . Si.

■ ill

J ! I

Aloiiir the courses of the rivers is generally found a l)elt of
gloomy forest, varying in width ; where the trees, close toge-
ther and of large size, send up their shafts high into the air,
and interlock their branches so as to shut out the sun from
the damp and deep vegetable matter which moulders in the
twilight around their trunks. As you advance across these
belts into the interior, extensive tracts of groves expand be-
fore the eye, on an undulating surface ; sometimes broken
by a prairie, which appears like a lake, studded occasionally
with wooded islands, and surrounded by forest shores. These
prairies, composed of a rich and deep vegetable mould, often ex-
tend as far as the eye can reach ; and through a distant avenue,
resembling a strait made by the wilderness, another prairie
may be often seen, stretched out in an irregular form. Groves
of burr-oak, resembling orchards, may be descried ; and now
a swamp, where the inire is so deep as to render it impervious,
opposes a formidable obstacle to the traveller. Sometimes
the prospect is bounded by wide tracts called barrens, afford-
ing a stinted growth of trees and a tolerable soil, but stretch-
ing along hillock and dale in beautiful undulation.

The navigable advantages of this region are scarcely ex-
ceeded by its agricultural resources. Besides numerous
small streams which afford inland navigation, water-power,
and channels for rafts and flat boats, the Ohio waters a va-
luable portion of the north-west. The Mississippi, taking its
rise in the remote north, and receiving as tributaries several
large riA'^ers, fertilizes nearly three thousand miles of country
in its progress to the Gulf of Mexico ; and the great lakes,
Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, constituting much the
largest body of fresh water on the globe, watering the shores
of Ohio, Indiana, lUinois, and Wisconsin, and giving to
Michigan a longer line of coast than any other State in the
Union, seek the ocean through the St. Lawrence.

The State of Ohio, containing a population of more than
fifteen hundred thousand, has, from its age and proximity to
the east, become already more densely settled than any other
portion of this territory. Such a measure of physical strength
acting on the soil, must have made vast inroads upon the

i. ,

ITS PROSPECTS.

d a l)elt of
close loge-
ito the air,
; sun from
[ers in the
ross these
xpaiid be-
les broken
jcasionally
;s. These
d, often ex-
nt avenue,
ler prairie
1. Groves
; and now
Tipervious,
Sometimes
ins, aflford-
ut stretch-

larcely ex-
numerous
iter-power,
iters a va-
taking- its
ies several
)f country
reat lakes,
much the
the shores
giving to
tate in the

more than

oximity to

any other

III strength

upon the

315

wilderness ; and, accordingly vve find in that a greater mea
7i: -^P-vement than u. any other of the nfrth-lTem
States Here wider clearings have been made. Broader
harvests gUd the fields, which are spread out below; soli a';
rees, whose massive trunks spring from the vegetable mould
t wards the heavens « hke the lone columns of a fallen Tm
pie," which the axe of the emigrant has destroyed. mZ
frequent herds of cattle, with tinkling bells to show Teir
ranging grounds, rove the natural pastures of the wilderness
within sight of the smoke which curls from the lo.-house h
he forest. Roads are more beaten ; and the silence of th
streams is more often broken by the voice of the boatman or
the hoarse puff of the steamboat as it shoots along ui SnJ
banks crowned with forest, loaded with freight for Cine mnti

ngastuidy frame of enterprise, acting on a bountiful soil
w iich only requires age and industry fo mould i^^
into luxury and refinement. i"i"«-u

Indiana soon opens to view, with its broad and fertile
plains ; exhibiting less improvement than Ohio, but iiihab ted
by an agricultural class of population, amounting tosix h n
dred thousand, who are content to live in their comfortable
viHages aiid farm-houses in comparative indolenceTrot
mg that the seed which is thrown broad cast up^n theL
ploughed oak- ands and savannas, will yield them bounties
returns ; intelligent, cheerful, and independent

Michigan* soon appears in sight, with its picturesque land-
s apes and lakes, Us parks of oak-lands and flowery glades
1 his may b3 properly termed the Lake State ; for it iZe
lakes wash Its shores, giving rise to the Indian origin of the
name, and its whole domain is studded with litrie crystal
P^ds, which are set like gems in the soil to beautifyihe

Then comes Illinois, with its wide prairies ready for the
plough, where the mould varies from one to five fL deep ;

^^■j^ See Gazetteer of Michigan, containing a valuable collection of statistical

!pl

II ;<:'

n\i

316

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

which in summer are covered with gorgeous flowers ; and as
winter approaches, present the aspect of black and cheerless
plains, from the auumnal fires which sweep over this region.
^ Here the prairies, which in Michigan seem like small ponds,
stretch into a form which may be compared to chains of seas ;
with their indentations, bays, bends, timbered islands, and
straits, all bounded by forest shores. And the inducements
which are here held out for settlement have not been offered
in vain ; for, although of recent growth, the emigrants who
occupy its rich fields, and the wood-lands which fringe its
streams, amount, together with Michigan, to about seven
hundred thousand.

At last the territory of Wisconsin, containing a population of
more than nineteen thousand ; a hilly region, abounding with
water-power and mineral wealth, washed by Lake Michigan
and the upper Mississippi, sweeps forward among the sister
States, like a young maiden in green and flowing robes, to
win the emigrant to her home.

The great lakes are the prominent feature of the north-
west and of the country. Stretching from the State of New-
York beyond the extreme north-western boundaries of Michi-
gan, they will soon furnish a continuous line of navigation
from the remotest shores of Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexi-
co through the Mississippi, and to the Atlantic Ocean through
the St. Lawrence. Nor is the scenery of the lakes less remark-
able than their commercial advantages. In advancing from
New- York through Lake Erie, Pennsylvania bounds a part of
its southern shore, and exhibits the ttu'iving settlement of Erie,
her only port on that lake ; and further onward, Ohio is met
on the same line, with its heavily tnnbcred banks. Cleave-
land, a flourishing city, soon appears, showing in its new but
muscular aspect the evidence of a vigorous cnterprize ; and
a little onward, the village of Sandusky heaves in sight. In
approaching its western shore, between the wooded islands
which dot that part of the lake, the land appears more low,
damp, and level. In advancing towards the coast of Michi-
gan, and up through the Detroit River and the transparent
waters of the Lake and River St. Clair, a new aspect of things

•s ; and as

cheerless
lis region,
all ponds,
IS of seas ;
mds, and
lucements
en offered
ants who
fringe its
)ut seven

)nlation of
ding with
Michigan
the sister
f robes, to

he north-
e of New-
of Michi-
avigation
f of Mexi-
n through
is reniark-
cing from
s a part of
U of Erie,
io is met
Clcave-
s new but
rize ; and
iight. In
;d islands

more low,
of Michi-
ansparent
t of things

ITS PROSPECTS.

317

is presented. The Michigan shore of the lake exhibits hea-
vily timbered forests, indented at wide distances by small vil-
lages, which seem to fill rp the entire space of the clearings
which are made in the forest ; and the evidence of foreign
influence is soon seen in the character of the improvements.
The inlets which divide the stream give a picturesque cha-
racter to the view ; and both the Canadian and American
sides of the Detroit River, the Lake and River St. Clair, exhi-
bit the little cottages of the old French peasantry, construct-
ed sometimes of planed logs, and surrounded by orchards of
pear and apple trees, whose seed was brought from the pro-
vinces of France during the age of Louis XIV. Behind
these orchards are narrow fields enclosed with pickets ; while
here and there, amid the continuous settlement, a windmill
is seen; or a little chapel, surmounted by the cross, evinces
that the religion of the class of French settlers is Catholic.
Indeed, the mixed French and English character of the little
villages of Maiden, Sandwich, and Atnherstburgh on the
British side of the strait, the silence and pastoral quietude of
the scene, are strongly contrasted with the activity, as well
as the sturdy and substantial form of architecture which pre-
vails upon the American bank. The comparative growth of
the two sides of the strait, and the genius of the two govern-
ments, are shown by the fact that while Canada presents on
this line only a few small settlements, Detroit has advanced
within a short period to a population of more than ten thou-
sand.

At the head of the river St. Clair, Lake Huron spreads it-
self out in a surface as clear as crystal, bounded on the north-
ern coast of Michigan by thickly timbered and uninhabited
shores. Lake Michigan expands toward the south with bold
banks of sand, sloping glades, and dense forests ; disclosing the
cities of Green Bay and Milwaukee in the Wisconsin territo-
ry, and Chicago in Illinois. Last of all, though first in mag-
nitude, Liike Superior stretches itself out like the Atlantic.
Navigated only by the bark canoes of the Indians, or the tra-
ders which skulk along its shores, or the two or three small
vessels of the Hudson's Bay or the American Fur Company,

1/ ii

318

HISTORY OP MICHIGAN.

which have appropriated the British or American side to
the Fur trade, seemingly disdainful of civilization, which is
subduing the adjoining region, and bowing to none but God;
It sleeps like a mirror, or heaves and dashes its surges against
nigged and rocky shores, which are almost as silent and so-
htary as they have been since the creation.

The causes of the slow progress of improvement when this
rast domain was under the French domination, are obvious.
They are founded on the policy of the French Government
and the character of the people*' It has been seen that the
French colonists were wanting in energy and enterprise. They
were laboring under a political servitude, which, if the genius
of the people had been active, would necessarily have cramp-
ed their operations. The policy of the laws prevented settle-
ment, and the colonists were devoted to the employment of
seigneurs in the pro.secution of the Fur trade.* Without
that stability and perseverance which might have enabled
them to become substantial tenants, encouraging settlement
and advancing the progress of agriculture, their enjoyments
consisted in traversing the lakes, in shooting the buffaloes
which moved along the shores of Michigan, or across the
vast prairies of Illinois, like black pirate fleets upon the ocean.f
And they were contented with their lot ; for the forests swarm-
ed with game, the rivers with fish, water-fowl blackened the
crystal shores of the streams, oi- fed in the sedgy marshes

♦ The whole system of operation under the French Government, as has been
before seen, was smgular. In Michigan the accounts were itept in beaver skins
and if these were wanting, other furs were received in payment for goods after
havmg been reduced to their vah.e in beaver skins. As late as 17G5 heaver at
Michihmackinac was two shillings and sixpence per pound, " Mirhi'limackinac
currency ;" otter skins were six shillings each ; marlin was one shillin.^ and six-
pence ; and other peltries were in like proportion. The prices for a Stroud blank-
et were ten beaver skins, for a white blanket eight, a pound of powder two a
pound of shot or of ball one, a gun twenty, a.i axe of one pound wri"ht two' a
knife one. Peltries were generally used as a circulating medium in the absence
of a better currency, although the notes and coin of duebec and Montreal some-
times found their way to the lake ports. See Ilcnn/'s Travels, p. 195.

t The buffalo paths are now seen on the prairies of Illinois.' They formerly
roamed on the banks of the Detroit River, but have since been driven to the
plains of Missouri and the base of the Rocky Mountains.

pwp

ITS PROSPECTS.

319

in side to
, which is
but God ;
es against
It and so-

when this
! obvious,
vernment
I that the
ise. They
he genius
ve cramp-
ted settle-
yrnent of

Without
i enabled
settlement
ijoyments

buffaloes
cross the
le ocean. t
:s swarm-
:ened the

marshes

as has been
3aver skins,
?oods, after
i, lieavor, at
ilimackinac
ng and six-
'oud blank-
'der two, a
ii;ht two^ a
he absence
Ireal some-
5.

;y formerly
•en to tlie

which fringed them, and the wide savannahs of this region,
and the clustering grapes which hung from the trees, remind-
ed them of the champaign districts of France, from which
they emigrated.

The same general causes imp-^ded the growth of the coun-
try after the English obtained its dominion. It was then held
as a matter of conquest, and settlement was encouraged only so
far as it might tend to support the military establishments which
were erected for its defence. Troops were quartered on the coun-
try to defend it from invasion, and individuals were prohibited
from purchasing tracts of the savages, or from making any set-
tlements, unless by the permission of the English monarch. Nor
had population advanced into this quarter in sufficient strength
to stamp their influence upon the country. Accordingly we
find that there are but few vestiges of foreign enterprise in that
portion of the territory which now belongs to the United States.
Even after the treaty of 1783, which ceded the north-west-
ern territory to the United States, and liberal cessions had
been made by the eastern States to the General Government,
the country remained a comparative wilderness. The confe-
deration of the Indians upon the lakes opposed the advance of
emigration. Even the few settlers who had established them-
selves upon the banks of the Muskingum found their path
beset by savages, who were influenced by that vindictive jea-
lousy whicli they at this time entertained toward the Ameri-
can people ; and while the emigrants held the rifle near them
as a defence against the savages, they were obliged to wield
their axes upon the oaks which beset their path. Indeed, it was
only about forty years since that the State of Michigan came
into the possession of the United States, and American emi-
grants had scarcely obtained a strong foot-hold upon the soil,
when the war of 1812 broke out, which resulted in the devas-
tation of the territory.

When the last peace was declared, and the possession
of Michigan was regained, formidable obstacles were op-
posed to its progress in a fear of the Indians and the igno-
rance which prevailed respecting the resources of the inte-
rior. The low belt of soil which borders its surrounding

320

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

P-P

lakes was deemed a specimen of the whole territory. The
, interior was occupied, foi the most part, by Indians and trad-
ers, who hud just emerged from a struggle with the United
States to secure the domain. But few motives were present-
ed under these circumstances for any thorough explorations.
It was for the interest of these traders and Indians to describe the
country as low, wet, and almost submerged by swamps.* When
an occasional party adventured into the forest, their horses
sunk deep in the mire which abounds along the frontier ; and
they were induced to return without advancing further, for
their own experience confirmed the current reports. They
were not aware of what facts have since proved, that the cen-
tral portion of Michigan abounded with a dry, undulating, and
fertile soil, in every way adapted to the purposes of agricul-
ture. Accordingly it was twenty years since believed that what
now constitutes the State of Michigan was a vast morass, sur-
rounded only by a narrow rim' of inhabitable land.

After the survey had been made of the territory, the public
lands brought into market, and the Erie Canal haJ been con-
structed, the full action of American enterprise was felt upon
the north-west. It appears that the present convenient mode
of surveys, which is now employed, ^vas first recommended
by General William H. Harrison in 1799, when a delegate of
the north-western territory. Albert Gallatin subsequently
gave his aid in the framing of the law which was afterwards
established for that object. Prior to the year 1820, the price
demanded by government for land was two dollars by the
acre, one fourth of which was required to be paid on the pur-
chase, and the remainder in three annual instalments : a dis-
count of eight per cent being allowed if the whole amount was
paid in advance, but subject to forfeiture on failure of payment.
The operation of this system was found to be aUended with evil
consequences. The quality of the soil, and the probable ad-
vance of its value, induced m.any to adventure into large pur-

■

* The savages always opposed the progress of settlement. The first survey-
ors of Michigan met with opposition from the Indians. At a place callid Battio
Creek, in this State, tlic surveyors and Indiana came to open warfare. Hence
arose tliat name.

ITS PK0SPECT3.

321

chases and ^vhile a feu. realized fortunes by their investments
others did not possess the means of paying their instaZt's
ana consequently lost the whole. Land wa's diminish;dTn va-'
lue on account of the large quantity in market. The whole po-
pupation became purchasers. Produce was increased in the
amount ra.sed, m such a degree as to exceed the demand for its
onsumpfon ; and the profit from that source was also cut off
while the emigrants required labor and money in cder to im
prove the,r farms. The purchase of lands and the m o2
lon of iorergn goods drained the population of their means •
the amount raised and the market for products were not suffi!
c.enttoequahzethebalanceoftrade. The credit system wS
however, soon abolished. Tracts might be purchased in smaU-'

1 Ir n^ ""'". '■ ''^' '^'"'^ ""''^^'^^ ^he husbandman, by the
abor of a week, to procure sufficient land to maintain him for
lUB year.

From the recent emigration, the development of the re-
sources of the country, the establishment of public works, the
increased commerce of the lakes, which opens a ready mar-
ket to all the productions of the west, the state of things has
be ome much changed; and it is fotmd, that those who are
wi hug to exert their enterprise in agricultural labor seldom
fail to receive bountiful returns, as all the productions which
are not required by the local population find a ready market
at the east. Large capitalists secure a profitable subject of in-
vestment in advancing the progress oftb.se improvements
which are now going on, and everywhe. 3 the motives for
production are increased.

It is to the period of the introduction of the public land
into market, and the establishment of internal improvement,
furnishing a market for the products of the soil, that the
growth of the State of Michigan, as well as the other nortt
western States, nmy be dated. The agricultural classes of
he eastern population, wliich comprised the great body of
the emigrants, were induced to advance into this region, where

♦ Seellall's Statistics of tho West.

iji

322

HISTORY OK MICHIGAN.

t)U ^

the best legal title could be procii •cd to the richest soil, and
the labor of a week would provide suflicient land for their
support during a year. We here subjoin n tabic from the of-
ficial revision, which exhibits the growth of the north-west-
ern territory at the different periods of the enumeration.
Some variations are to be considered as depending upon the
change of state and territorial boundaries.

Ohio,

fndiuna,

Illinois,

Michigan,

Wisconsin,

ISOO

15,365

4,875

ISIO

!30,7Bn

24,520

2,282

4,762

1^20 I 1830

581,434 937,!)03

147, 1 7^343,03 1

55,211 1 157,455

8,896 31,639

1838

1,600,000
600,000
525,000
175,000
•18,148

Total population in 1838, according to the
received estimate.

2.918,148

Numerous causes combine, which will eventually make the
State of Michigan among the most prominent of the north-
west ; the principal of which are, the fact that it is almost en-
circled by the great lakes, and that it possesses a fertile soil,
various in its character, possessing but little waste land, and
capable of holding a dense population. The rich, black
mould of the timbered land, the best quality of whose soil is
indicated by a growth of black walnut, white wood, ash,
buck-eye, and sugar maple, is eminently adapted to agricul-
ture. Although there are parts of timbered land which con-
tain a growth of sugar maple, these are comparatively few ;
such tracts comprise a most fertile soil. When deadened, the
trees are easily burned ; but when green, are hard to Cl^. The
poorest quality of this species of land is that on which there
is a growth of beech a.id soft maple, and that soil is a grey
sand based on a stratum of blue clay. The average price of
clearing and fencing this soil is believed to be about fifteen
dollars per acre. It is, however, not un frequently the case
that potashes are made upon the soil in sufficient quantity to
pay for the clearing and fencing. The first crop of corn
may be got in with the hoe, and will often yield 40 bushels to
the acre ; it is excellent for grass and wheat, is often watered

* See American Almanack for 1838.

iff il

ITS PROSPECTS.

5t soil, and
I for their
om the of-
orth-west-
inieration.
upon the

323

r make the
the north-
almost en-
fertile soil,
I land, and
ich; black
ose soil is
wood, ash,

agricnl-
k^hich con-
ively few ;
iened, the

c.n. The
hich there

1 is a grey
^e price of
out fifteen
]■ the case
piantity to
ip of corn
bushels to
in watered

by clear springs, and produces vegetation a fortnight earlier
than the openings. '' ^"'"«^

Along the margin of the streams of Michigan are what
nre called bottom lands, sometimes running back a mile from
the bank ; maintaining the same general character with the
heavily timbered forest, and bounded frequently by a rid^e
of an avernge height of twenty feet. From these bluffs
springs often gush out, and flow into the streams. Durino-
the freshets these bottom Lands are most generally overflowed!
Saw logs, of black walnut and white wood, as well as other
forest trees are obtained when the stream is of sufficient depth
to admit of rafts in sufficient quantity to pay for the clearing.
This land IS favorable /or corn, which will yield in greater
quantity than the timbered uplands. It is also adapld to
i^-^nglish grass, which, got in with the harrow in the fall, will
produce two tons to the acre. Thi., in the present scarcity
of that article, is a profitable crop.

There is a striking contrast presented in the oak openings
of Michigan Comprised, as they are, of white oaks intt^r-
speised with black and yellow oaks, as well as hickory, ma-
ny of the trees have a .haft of sixty feet of hewing timber.
The growth of hickory indicates a soil of bright yellow
oam. Being free from under-growth, it produces wheat of
the first character, as the grain is plump and round, and free
from smut or cheat. In preparing this land for cultivation
he ordinary course for the emigrant is, to cut down and rol
together all the timber under the size of a foot in diameter,
together with the fallen and dead timber ; to girdle the re-
mai.idor when he has taken off enough rail timber to fence
It ; to break up the land in the months of June and Julv the
sop oeuig then in the grass, and causing the turf sooner to rof
and then sow a bushel and a iialf of wheat to each acre b^
he midd e of September. The expense of doing this will
probably be about ten dollars per acre. The fi^st crop of
w.ieat will be about twelve bushels per acre, which will be
annually increased until it amounts to thirty bushels. In the
openings there is also another description of timber and soil
J he growth is frequently a grove of small trees, not more

r (-1

''*l!.

324

IIiaTOUY OF MUHIGAN.

'^1

IK t

^ t?i

than eight inches in diameter, and of uniform size. Perhaps
nn occasional plain withont vegetation, breaks the scene ; vrith
here and there a tall and thrifty oak springing from a yellow
loam, and on a gently undulating soil.

Openings, which adjoin timhered land, are not unfrequently
distinguished by an nnder-growth of bushes ten feel high,
consisting, among other products, of sassafras, hazel, and.
hickory. The soil of the openings is loose ; and the grass,
although sometunes growing knee high, .ind affording a beau-
tiful range for stock, is not closely matted together iike that
of the prairies ; so that three yoke of cattle arc generally
sufficient to break it up.

Each kind of openings is subject to what are called grubs.
Those are formed by the fires which annually run through
the \A oods, and burn the tops of the vegetation, leaving a root
which spreads over the ground sometimes three feet square,
and is firmly imbedded in the soil. Six yoke of cattle are fre-
quently required to tear up these grubs, which is done by the
plough. It is often necessary to hitch one yoke of cattle on the
rear of the plough, and pull it back three or four feet before
it can go on. The expense of clearing this land will depend, in
great measure, upon the conveniences at hand. An occasion-
al pond or running brook furnishes abundant water; and
vater may also be found by digging twenty-five feet.

The soil of the burr-oak plains, being of a deep brown
sand ov loam, is mor" productive than openings. It is easily
broken up when free from grubs, and can be improved at
less expense when lying convenient to oak openings and tim-
bered land ; the burr-oaks being generally eiglit inches in di-
ameter, of a scrubby nature, and thinly scattered over the
surface of the soil. The length from the body to the root of
the tree generally maintains an average of about fourteen
feet. As the burr-oak is difficult to split, it does not usually
make more than one rail ; and the soil, like that of the open-
ings, grows black by cultivation, which is caused by the lime
which makes up a great part of its composition, producing
the finest cmps of wheat : it is not equal to the timbered land
ior corn or grass. The usual cost of breaking and fencing

ITS pnosi'ncTS.

325

Perhaps

ene; \rith

a yellow

frequently
feel high,
inzcl, niid
the grass,
ig a beau-
like that
generally-
led grubs.
I through
ing a root
3t square,
tie are fre-
ne by the
ttle on the
feet before
lepend, in
occasion-
ater; and
t.

!p brown
t is easily
)roved at
! and tim-
;hes in di-
over the
lie root of
fourteen
)t usually
the open-
r the lime
)roducing
ered land
i fencing

this land is about ten dollars for the acre ; and the purest wa-
ter may be obtained by digging twenty-live feet.

The particular advantages of the prairies are, that beiu"-
composed of a rich black muck, based on a stratum of clay
varying from six to twelve inches in depth, and being free
from timber and grubs, they oppose no obstacle to the plough.
When such tracts lie adjoining to rail timber, improvements
may be quickly made at comparatively small expense, and
they yield certain and abundant crops. This land is of the
most durable character, and possesses many advantages,
which are counterbalanced, perhaps, by disadvantages. Wa-
ter cannot easily be obtained. The soil is difficult to work,
as it will not, from its consistency, scour a plough. In winter
the bleak winds sweep over their surface as on the ocean.
The smut is somewhat troul lesome in the wheat, but the
crops are, bountiful. From the fact that the prairies have
been first selected for settlement, they often furnish to the
emigrants of the timbered land their grain, until they have
cleared their own soil and raised their crops. The expense
of breaking at ;d fencing this species of soil, where the rail
timber can be procured at no greater distance than three miles,
is about ten dollars per acre.

The marshes, or wet prairies, are another valuable species
of land. These most usually skirt the margins of the streams,
and furnish hay for stock, both in the summer and winter.
Large herds of Canadian poneys are turned out to feed upon
the prairies during the winter, and in sprinjr they return in
good order. Besides the general advantages of t!ie soil fur-
nishing abundant motive to immigration and settlement, an-
other cause of the growth of Michigan exists in the charac-
ter of the population. Its elements are of that kind which
has ever been the most successful in advancing the proo-ress
of national improvement. They are descended from a race
which, by vigorous enterprise alone, has made the rocky hills
of New England bud and blosscm like the rose ; and engrav-
ed its impression, broad and deep, in the accumulated wealth
and public improvement of the State of New- York. Slavery
will never be permitted on the soil, and the laborer will always

396

iiistohy op MicnioAN.

i ':.(«

be presented with the most ample means and motives for ex-
ertion.

From the immense extent and fertility of the soil, the com-
mercial advantages, wliich are fo-inded on its river and lake
navigation, connected as it is with almost every section on
the east by canals, rail-roads, and steamboats, the enterpris-
ing and sturdy character of its population; and the motives
tor immigration, both at home and from abroad, which it pre-
sents; It must be admitted that Michigan, in common with
the other States of the north-west, is destined to a high and
glorious career. In the breadth and richness of the soil in
Its capacity for containing a dense population, it is admitted
on all sides that the territory is exceeded by that of no other
part of the globe ; and the rapidity of its growth has been
heretofore unexampled. If the same general causes continue
to exist, Its future progress must continue in the same ratio of
increase. He who should judge rightly of the progress of
the country, might stand in the harbor of New- York amid
the forest of masts which crowd that port, and in the tumult
of a population of 300,000, view the ships which hug the
land, as if receiving nutriment from its enterprise and wealth
Looking back two hundred and twenty-three years, he would
see the present site of that city a silent and uninhabited forest *
It requires no great effort of the imagination to suppose
that the change of affairs upon the lakes in a single century
will be as great as New- York has exhibited within that pe-
riod. Besides the numerous smaller vessels which ply upon
the lakes, fifty-four steamboats, some of costly structure, now
plough their waters.t Surrounded as Michijran i.^ by fom of
these most fertile States, and encircled by inland seas, a pow-
erful physical strength is already acting on the soil. The
rail-roads and canals which are projected across the penin-
sula, the geological investigations now in progress, and the

♦ New York is claimed to have been founded by the Dutch in 1G15
t The sumptuous arrangements of the steamboats upon the h.k.s cannot fail
to stnke the traveller. Among others of scarcely less size and elecmnre. are the
Michigan, the Cleaveland, the Sandusky, and also the Buffulo^nd Illinois
which appear literally like " floating palaces." ' '

ITS PROSI'KCTS.

327

survey of harbors, will devclope the agricultural and miuc-
ral resources of the State, and furnish a ready market for
its products. Free labor is here acting on a rich soil, and
will always reap a certain and rich reward. Its solid wealth
is locked up lU the land ; and the plough and the harrow,
wielded by vigorous arms, are all that is required to unbar
its vaults. The spirit which is now acting on this regioti is
the hardy, the practical, the utilitarian spirit; which, if it is
not destined at present to exhibit the most splendid monu-
ments of art, wilt, within the age of him who is now living,
stretch its fields of wheat from Cincinnati to the b '■ ■,. -he-
quer the soil with canals and rail-rouds, drain its n ■ ,isses
into healthfiil meadows, mould the oaks of its forests and
the granite of its hills into enduring forms of American archi-
tecture, for the perpetuation of American principles, stud its
waters with commerce and its inland coasts with sea-ports.
Population will throng its hills and valleys. The canal will
drag the wealth of the interior into a productive market on
the Erie frontier ; and the rail-road car, which starts with
the iising sun from the banks of the Detroit, will be illu-
mined by its purple beams as they light t!ie shores of
Lake Michigan.* More successful i,i its achievements than
the Grecian conqueror, Anierican enterprise has here found,
and is subduing, a new world ; not by the sword and the
bayonet, but with the axe, the plane, and the plough ; not by
the armies and navies of sceptred potentates, but by the
sober convictions of a free people, the exertions of hardy in-
dustry, and the sanction of righteous laws.

+ it has been remarked, that Ihe sun sets upon the upper lakes with a purple
glow.

It <!

t '.t

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ill

I-:

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I fe

1 .
« 1

APPENDIX.

IS :

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APPENDIX.

Note I.— Page 5.
ORIGINAL COLONIZATION OF CANADA, BY FRANCIS I.

(From Sharon Turner's ' llUtonj nf Henry VIII.')

Aa Canada is now bccomo the most important relic of our North American
po«08s.on«, and is daily incrensing in its pop.dation, property, undcommern.l
feltttions, and was (irst colonized in the rei.., of Henry VIII, it nmy gratify the
reader to peruse the ori<;inal mstrtictions for the earliest settlement that wag
made upon it, from the European branch o( the human race, as they were cith-
er dictated or approved by Francis I.

This region was existing unknown to all the other parts of the globe until the
jear 1508, when son.e Norman and Breton adventurers, seeking their fortune at
«ca under one John Denys, of Normandy, accidentally roved near it. Thov
did httlo more than inspect some of its coasts ; but it becamo al^erwurds known
to several of their countrymen, who went to fish near it shores, and v hoso reports
about It at last mterested Francis I. to desire that it should bo r.ore specially
examined. ' '

With thi. view, in the year If.M, he sent Jac,,ues Carlier MrJouin to rcron-
noitre the country, inspect its havens and ports, and by sailin" up the -reat -I-
ver which Ho ved from it, to learn all that he could collect of its soil, clK.mte and
inliabitanta. Cartier executed his commission with satisfactory diligence anj
the informal.on which he communicated on his rcturt) !..termincd t7.o French
king to establish a colony in the country, near its principal river, now called St
Lawrence, which .s the largest stream of water in North America. This im-'
portantnver was then termed Caka..* by the natives, and its name becamo
transferred to tho country itself, though it was afterwards also called New
1* ranco.

His expensive wars with the emperor prevented Francis I. from pursuing his
plan of colonizing Canada till tho year 15:(8. Hut having at last agreed with
Charles V. to establish a general truce between them for ten years, from tho
i8th Jurie, 1538. he proceeded, three months aft.rwards, to the accomplishment
of his colonial enterprise; and it is in the September of this year that the follow-
mg oirioal document occurs, for the outfit of the expedition to establish tho
l.rst settlement in this territory of North Amenca, which has now become such
u.i imporUnt member of the foreign dominions of Great Britain

^l-i

.< '^l,

332

APPENDIX.

h . ft, <

■■« i

" Mevwir of the J\len a:id Provisionn nccasary for the Vessels which the King
intends to send into Canada.

" To perform tlie voj'age which the king our sovcrign lord desires to have
made to Canada, it must go, at the latest, in the middle ofiVlay r and must liavo
the number of persons and ships liercinaftcr mentioned, to be increased or
lessened as M. Le Conneiable (tlic prime minister) shall think proper.

" It will be requisite to have, as well for guarding the ships that will remain
there, as for the equipment of several boats which will be wanted to go into the
various streams and rivers, 120 mariners.

" Also forty men of war ; harqucbiiziers.

" Also thirty carpenters, as well of ships as of houses, and sawyers who
work lengthways.

" Ten master masons, who can be assisted by those of the country who will
eervo them.

" Three men who can make lime.

" Three makers of tiles.

" Two coalmen, to make charcoal.

" Four master farriers, each having a forge and two servants, with two lock-
smiths.

" Four smiths, to search and ascertain if there be any mine of iron, and to
make forges and work iron there.

" To take, at least, six vine-dressers and six laborers.

" Three barbers, and each a servant.

" Two apothecaries, with each a servant, to examine and see the useful qua-
lities of the herbs.

" A physician and a servant.

"Two goldsmiths who are lapidaries, with their necessary utensils, and each
a servant.

" Two master tailors, and two master hosiers, and each a servant.

"Two joiners and two servants, with their tools.

" Two masters rope-makers and two servants, because there is hemp to make
cordage.

" Four cannoneers at least, and the men-of-war will make use of these when
need requires.

"Six churchmen, Vvilh all things necessary for divine service; in all 276
men.

" To be victualled for two years at least ; that if the ships which sliail be sent
there next year should not arrive, those now going may not want food.

" These victuals must bo well made, and so good as to last all this time ; and
there must be some of the dry wines of Spain.

" These victuals may cost ten sols a month for each man, which, for the 27G
men for 24 months, will amount to .'53,120 livres.

" They must also i)e furnished with clothes, beds, coverings, and all niher
necessaries for two or three years ; and they must leave some money behind
for their wives and children.

" Therefore they must he \r.iu\ in advance for liftcen or sixteen months, and
this will cost at least, one witli the other, 100 sols a-month.

APPENDIX.

333

" Ten tons of iron, which will cost fifty jivres,

" l''.igl.t or to,, ,,r,se3 of salt, as well for the people of the country, who very

rrcach priso' " "' "'"' "'"""' ""'"' '^'''" ^'" '"''' *" ^""■'"^ ''^'^ «»>«
^ J' Four milliers yards of common linen, as well for the naUvcs as for the

" Three hundred pieces of crezeaus for natives and ships.
"Also millstones, to make water-mills, wind-mills, and hand-mills.
1 hey must also carry out as .nany as possible of all manner and kinds of

ZT r r '"'^ '"''' '' "•^" '' ""^ "" "'^^'^ '^^ "^ ''-'^d i» 'ho country ;
and all sorts of grams and seeds. '

'■For their passage there must be at least six ships, of not less than 110 tons,
v^ h two barks of 45 or 50 tons each ; these, w.th the smallest of the s..v ships

Urn,a.n there and the other five will return as soon as they hav. landed th
V ctuals and good.. For the return of these five, each nrnst Imve twenty men
over and above the aforesa.d number. They may take m goin. and dm
and m staymg there, five or si. n.onths, for wh.eh Un.e they' m^st be v ZiT
led^; and be pazd two months on gon.g out, and U>e remLder on their re-

a 1T'"T ""Tu" """f '""' "'" *''"■ '° '''"'' ^°' '^' '■°^'« i "'il'^^y arquebuses,
a croc, pikes. halberts. lead, ball.., powder, and other thm.g.

U:^^Z :r ^ '"'' ''''-' ''^'^ ^° P"' «"' -^- "-' ^o io out on

"AH sorts of nail-work, pitch, and tar for the ships.

"1 he s,x ships, beingfrom 700 to 800 tons, will cost a crown per ton a month,
f r moe«se; or about 900 crowns a month, and for the six months 4900

" There must be also provided pay and victuals for 100 men, to bring back the
h pp.ngtius year who may 1,0 detained six rnon.hs; which would amount to
1000 l.vros a month, and therefore for the six months 6000 livres.

" Made the . . . September, 1538."
I derive this curious paper from the collection of state letters made by Ribior
;. 00, and addressed by n:m to Colbert, the celebrated minister of Loul XIV
1 his counsellor ol state dascribes Canada as then " a vast country, uncultivat

Willi reattJr"' ^"' ' "''-' •"-- -'""^'>''«'^. --Pt ^y ^-ons :„d

{..eurde obervul, and in 1543 another fleet, under his supenntendence, wn, sei^t

fered ether ol his contemporaries, Charles V. or Henry VIIF., to have surpLs
ed him m his encouragement to every laudable undertaking whch he „tZ;
and spirit ol the day were inclined to pursue.

i *!

884

APPENDIX.

f":

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IP IfBf

Note II.— Page 14.
The following remarks, contained in tlio Discourse of Mr. Henry R, School-
craft before the Historicul Society of Michigan, exhibit the progress of the
Iroquois upon the American side of the lakes, in their marches against tho
Algonquins ;— They were not satisfied with their conquests toward the south
and west. Tiiey p-ished their war parties north to Lake Huron, by the route
of Lake Simcoe and Nadowasakin?, where (hey found and subdued the mixed
tribe of the Missisaages. They passed through this lake to the island of St.
Joseph in the river St. Mary, where a severe action took place between them
and the Huron.^. This action was fought on the water, and in canoes. They
were not deterred by the parlinl discomfiture attending it. They passed deeo
mto the northern regions, and exhibited themselves in a strong body on the
borders of Lake Superior, at a prominent point, which perpeuates their name
and deCcaf.

Point Iroquois, or, as it is called by the Indians, tho Place of !-oquois Bones,*
IS at least 900 miles from the general seat of the Iroquois Coun .1 Fire at Onon-
dagua.

At this distant point, in the career of their conquest, flushed with victory
and confident of success, they encamped.

It is said a prisoner was sacrificed, to stimulate tiie thirst of vengeance, and
to swell the number of melancholy, but in general doubtful instances in which
man has voluntarily polluted his lips with tho flesh of man.

But 111 the height of the infernal ceremony retribution was at hand. Their
passage through the river, and the audacious and reckless spirit which they
had everywhere manifested, had been narrowly watched. The Chippewas
hastily mustered their forces, and prepared to foUov/ them. When they had
reached the head of the straits opposite the Iroquois camp, the weather became
threatening ; and it was debated whether they should not defer their passage till
the next day. In this dilemma, their prophet or seer was appealed to ; an^d he,
after the usual ceremonies, declared a favorable omen. They awaited the ap-
proach of night, and embarked in two divisions. The darkness of (he nic^ht
was extremely fav„rable to their enterprize. The parties landed at separate
places, and formed a junction in the woods in the rear of the Iroquois camp.
The prophet here declared another favorable omen. They then sent forward
some scoutes to observe the condition of the enemy, who appeared totally un-
conscious of danger, and were still singing their war-songs. It was determined
to remain in (heir concealed position till the enemy had gone to sleep. It then
commenced raining. They advanced in the rain and darkness, cautiously
feeling their way, to the edge of the woods. They then made their onset.
The struggle was fierce, but of short duration. As had been concerted, each
lodge was surrounded at (he same moment; the poles lifted, and the tent
precipitated upon the sleepers, who were dispatched, as they started up, bewil-
dered and entangled in ilieir tents. A great slaugliter ensued. Very few of
tlie Iroquois escaped to carry the news of the disaster, nor did this nation ever
renew their inroad.
About the same time (1630) some of the other northern tribes made a suc-

* Nadowagaquining.

APPENDIX.

335

y R. School-
gress of the
against tho
rd the south
by the route
ed the mixed
sland of St.
tween them
loes. They
passed deeo
body on the
I their name

lois Bones,*
ire at Onon-

vith victory

geance, and
;e3 in which

ind. Their
which they
Chippnwas
en they had
iher became
passage till
to ; and he,
lited the ap-
f (he night
at separate
luois camp,
ent forward
tnt:illy un-
determined
p. It then
cautiously
heir onset.
;erlcd, each
nd the tent
I up, i>cwil-
r''ery fuw of
nation ever

lade a auc«

cessful efibrt to repair tho injuries thoy liad received from the Five Nations A
party of 400 Iroquois having, in one of their western excursions, reached tho
banks of the Maumee river, surprised the camp of the Miamis and llhnois
killed upwards of 30, and took 300 prisoners, among whom were a -real pro^
portion ot women and children; w.th this trophy they commenced their return
conhdent m their strength, and the dread their name had inspired amon- the
western tribes. The discomfited Miamis prepared to avenge their loss. °

They obtained the aid of some of the tribes in alliance with them, and made
a hasty pursuit, keeping far enough in the rear to avoid prematu- discovery,
and determined to improve the first opportunity to concert a stratac^em. For'
tune came to their aid. °

A rain storm commenced, and continued with sucli violence that they were
confident the Iroquois would stop.

The rain fell incessantly from morning till evening. Conceiving this a favor-
able opportunity, they pushed on with such diligence that they got in advance
of the enemy. They concealed themselves on the sides of the trail in meadow
grounds, where tho grass screened them, and the make of the ground afforded a
favorable position for attack. When the Iroquois had entered the defile, tho
Miamis started up, and pouring in from all sides, threw them into confusion.
Ihe panic of the Five Nations was further increased on discoverin.^ that the
ram had rendered their fire-arms useless, and they were compelled to rely
chiefly on their war-clubs. In this contest, the superior activity of the western
Indians m the management of theirnative weapons became manifest. One
hundred and eighty of the Iroquois fell ; the rest retreated fighting till ni<rht
put a stop to the conflict. o o a

The Miamis recovered all their prisoners, and efTected a safe retreat A
very different result, however, generally attended the Iroquois expeditions to-
wards the west and north. Their track was literally marked with blood • but
It was blood doomed to be atoned for by future humiliation. Their career had
terminated as inauspiciously as if they had never sacked villages and extermi-
nated tribes. No foresight could have anticipated that the lapse of time would
bring back thisproud and conquering people into the upper lakes as supplicants
to the north-eastern tribes for a small tract of ground to raise their corn upon,
and to serve as a refuge for their children. Yet such are the facts exhibited by
the treaty of purchase made by the Iroquois delegates of the Menominies
and Winebagocs in 1321. This treaty took place at Green Bay, near which
the Iroquois settlements have been gradually accumulating.

Six years later, at Butte des Morts, they formerly smoked the pipe of peaca
with the Northern Algonquin?, aflera war which, without any formal cessation,
is known to have continued the better part of two centuries. ,

In looking to the causes which gave the Iroquois such a preponderance to the
other tribes, the advantages of a close union, and their local position at tho
sources of so many important streams, have been mentioned by their eloquent
historian.* But it is quite evident that the great and efficient cause of their
success existed in their having early acquired the use of fire-arms, while the
western tribes arihered with obstinacy to tho bow and club. Even after tha

* Clinton.

sf '

336

APl'ENniX.

l '

•I

V Ti

'-i';'«

lake tribes had obtained a supply of liisils, they still hankered after tlinir ancient
arms ; and twice, within Imlf a century, (from 17G2 to 18ia,) they formed eon-
federacies against the whites, based on a toi.il renunciation of the use of Ku-
ropean manufacture. But little can be said in corroborulion of tiio opinion
which has been advanced, that the Iroipiois were a superior race of men to nth-
cr of our tribes ; and in support of which, their valor and exploits, and parti-
culariy their skill as diplomatists and orators, have !)een njidiiccd.

Brave they undoubtedly were, according to the Indian idea of bravery. As far
as mere brute force could triumph, they triumphed.

But with all their achievements they never acquired the moral courage to
spare the vanquished after battle. They never elevated themselves above tho
savage principle which does not distinguish between a public and private foe.

Note III.— Page 31.
Massacres of the Jesuits by the Iroqvnis.
Father Hennepin, who was for some time a missionary among the Iroquois,
Etates that the savages believed him to be a conjurer ; and a burnished sil-
ver chalice, which he had in his possession, was the subject of much fear.
"The Indians," says Pere Jerome Lallamant, "fear us as the greatest sorcer-
ers on earth." The first religious mission of the Jesuits to the savages of North
America was about the year 161 1. Their zeal, their endurance of deprivation
m the necessaries of life, evinced their religion ; which was most frequently
crowned with the most intense tortures of martyrdom. Pere Brebeuf, who l»d
suffered the hardships of the wilderness for twenty years, was at last burned
ahve, together with his coadjutor, Pere Lallamant, upon the shores of Lake Hu-
ron. A number of other Jesuits were also put to death by the Iroquois. Among
these were Daniel Gamier Buteaux, La Riborerde, Liegeouis, Goupil, and
Constantin. 1 heir deprivations may be known in some measure from the work
of Pere Lallamant in his " Relation de ce qui s'csl dans le pays dcs Ihirons,
1 6 10. " For bed," says he, « we have nothing but a miserable piece of bark of a
tree; for nourishment a handfuU or two o*"' \ cither roasted or soaked in wa-
ter, which seldom satisfies our hunger ; and, allt all, not venturing to perform even
the ceremonies of our religion without being considered as sorcerers." In ro-
gard to the success of their exertions, Pere Lallamant remarks, " With respect
to adult persons in good health, there is litttle apparent success ; on the contrary
there have been nothing but storms and whirlwinds from that quarter." '

Note VV.—Page 40.

" The following grant, being the first in Detroit, was made by Antoinc de
Lamothe Cadillac, Esq. Lord of Bouaquet Montdesert, and Commandant for
the king at Detroit Pont Chartrain.

His Majesty, by his despatches of the 14th, 17th, and 19th June, 1705 and
1706, having given us power to concede the lands of Detroit in the manner
which we shall judge good and convenient ; We, by virtue of the said power
from hiB Majesty, have given, granted, and conceded to Francois Falard Do-
lorme, interpreter for the king in this place, his heirs and assigns, an extent of
land of two arpents in front by twenty in depth, joining on one side our manor.

AITKNDIX.

337

fthnir ancient
f formed con-
3 iiHO of Eu-
' tlio opinion
f men to otli-
Is, and porti-

Lvcry. As far

I coiirngo to
OS above tho
private foe.

the Iroquois,
urnished sil-

mucli fear,
itest sorcer-
ies of North

deprivation
it frequently
iuf, who liad
last burned
)f Lake Hu-
ms. Among
roupil, and
)m the work
ks Iliiroiix,
of bark of a
iked in wa-
icrform even
rs." In ro-
l^'ith respect
lie contrary,
or."

A.ntoinc de
landant for

1705 and
he manner
said power
Falard Dc-
n extent of
our manor.

and on tho other, Francois Hasscron, and on the Woi.lh, the Ci rand lUvor ; which
two arponts ill front sliallbu drawn and alienated in (ho depth by the'conrno
north north-west ; and m case any part short of two ur|..MitH was f„un,l in tho
ahenation, tho sa.no .p.antity shall ho furnished to him in another place, not yet
conceded, without any expense ; which suid two arponts in In.nt by twenty in
depth, the Paul Francois Fafard, his heirs and ossigns, sinll l.obl and enj..y for
ever, xyith the privilege of li.hing, huntin<r, and trading hares ; rabbit., partridges
and pheasanrs excepted. Said Francois Fafard, his heirs and a..-ns
shall be bound to pay us, our heirs and .asi^ns, in onr easllo and p°rin.
ci|.al manor, each year on the 2()th of March, for tho said habit ition, the sum
of hvo livrcs quit rent and rent, and over and above, for other ri-bts whereof
we h„ve divested ourselves, tho «n., of ten livres in peltries good and mer-
cbantablo; and when a cu.rent money shall be c.tnbhsli.d in this country,
the said l.ranco:s Fafard shall pay the said rent in said money f.,r ever. Ho
shall I.Kowiso be obliged to begin to clear and improve the said conces-
sion within three montlis from the ,late of iheso presents, in .lefanlt whereof
wo shall concede his habitation to whom it shall appertain. He, his heirs and
assigns, ...all be moreover o!,liged to comply with tho following cbar.'es, clai.ns
and cond.t.OMH : to wit : to come a.id carry, plant, or help to plant, a Ion- May
pole belore the .loor of our piincipal .nanor on the lirst .lay of May in "every
year ; and ,1 ho fails, ho shall pay .,3 three livres in money or .'ond peltries- he
shall l.kew.so be obl.ged to come a,.d grind his grains in the mills * which
we have or shall have hereafter, on paying for the right for grinding of what-
ever kind the grains may be, cigh( pn„nds weight by the b..shel ; and in caso
he shall sell his habitation in the whole or in part, ho shall be obliged to i„r„rn,
ns ot It, and we reserve to o.irselves the preference for the price anil su,n wl.i.d,
i.iay be ort,.rod to h.m ; a.id, on the same con.lition, lawful and pennitte.l, ho
shall not sell, a.le, or transfer it, by mo.tgago but with o.ir consent, and he bs
Mi .ject to tho public cnargea and servitudes, as also to the foes for ri"ht ol
ali.Mialion. °

Said Francois Fafard shall not be permiitoil diirin- fen yars t,. wo-k or
cmso any person to work, directly or ...di,oclly, at the profession and trade of
a blacksnuth, locksmith, n.morcr, or brewer, without a permit ..nder our hand •
reserving, besides, the timber whi,.h may b • wanted for the torfKieations ■, d for
the construction of boats or other vessels. Said Francois Fafard may setirl down
Jo Montreal, or other places of the lower colony, all the articles h,- pleases in
as large a quantity us bo chooses ; and to bring from thenee merehandises and
other efT.'cts, in as largo a (piantity as Ik; chooses, o,, the condition that be shall
Bell his said efiocts and merchandises by himself only, or by other inhibitanta of
this place, but not by engagees or clerks, or foreigners or stran-ers not osta-
bl.shod residenters in this place, with their family, on pain of conliscntion and
lossofsiud e(F!cts and merchandises; and in caso tho said Francois Fafard
Bhall sell, c(^de, or transfer his habitation in the whole to a foreigner, or ano-
ther not established in this place, the possessor or purchaser of said habitation
in any manner, whatever he may he, or beeome such, shall be liable to the same
quit rent and rent as tho said Francois Fafard ; and if tho said Francois Fafard
Bells,ccdes, or transfers part of his habitation toaforoigner, tho purchaser in what-
• This mill was called .Moulin Bannaiil, or tho Mill of tho Manor

4:i

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338

Ari'ENDIX.

WW?

ill ' !

S i.

^IHHS.

ever manner l,c bo or become such, .hall bo obliged to pay ns, our heirs and
nss.gns forever, iii proportion ofthe said rem and quit rent ; and besides over and
above, (or the rights whereof wo havf, divested ourselves, (he sum of ten livrea
for each year on the 20th day of March. Said Francois Fafard shall not he
permuted to sell or trade brandy to Indians, on pain of confiscation and loss
or his ImhUalion, and of the brand found thereon, oi effects received for the
i«a.nej and .f the said purchaser in the whole or in part is an inhabitant, and
pays the sum „. ten kvres for the rights wl.e,«,f we have divested oiirsrlves,
he shall pay us only tlv< quit rent and rents of his acquisition, and not the
sum ot ten l.vres over and above; and if the habitation of the said Francois
^aJard pa^-.-s into ether hands, in whatever manner it may be, and that ho
be or become proprietor of another piece of ground, house, or habitation, the
Slid Francois Fafard shall pay iw, o„r he.r. and assigns for ever, the sum often
l.vres (or the rights whereof we hav., divested ourselves, besides the quit rent
and rent of the habitation, piece of ground, or house; and in case tl,,; said
Francois Palard remains without possession of any land, house, or habitation,
he shai be divested of all the privileges to him granted by this present conces-
B.on. In consideration and generally of all the , laims, charges and conditions
atoresaid towards us, our heirs and assigns, thr aid Francois Fafard, his heira
and assigns, shall hnld and enjoy the snid concession ; shall sell and trade ag
well with the French as with the Indians, in conforming himself to the re-
gulations and to the orders o( his Majesty,

Done at F.rt Pontchartrain, lOi of March, 1707,

Ti,»=„ . „ Lamovhe Cadillac.

r,iese grants were gen -rally required to be rontirmed by th.> Kin^ of France -
but from certain causes which prevailed at that perio.l, only three le.,-,1 cranta
were made under the French Govrrnment. lo some of these tracts ba.k con-
cessions were subsequently granted. Snbr.quent grants were made to French
citizens by Bellestre and other ofthe French commandants; but it appears
that these were unauthorized, t^nd were never confir ,.ed by the king of France,

Note V.—Page 61.
The subjoined petition fiom sundry inhabitants of Detroit, to stay a ' e.pns»
on a mill, exh.hts the mode of legal ,.roceeding3 throughout the posts in Michi-
gan undnr the French dominion.

" To Messrs. De Celoron, Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St
Louis, Commandant for the King at Fort Detroit, Landrieve, doin- the duty of
Commissary and Deputy Intendent of New France in the said phcc

"The inhabitants of Detroit humbly represent to you. gentlemen, that the
mil situated on the farm of Claude Campeau of an indispensable necessity
and convenience for the public. They have h. d that the named Cahncier an
mhabitantof Detroit, was seeking the meann to have , irmolished under'the
pretext that th, corner of his meadow was inundated by the said mill It is ea
8ily seen, that il is by a spirit of incompatibility and contradiction towards his
neighbors ; for lu summer his meadow is dry, and in winter the water has its
natural course, the said mill not going on account of the ice. This mill was
constructed by the consent of M. De Boishcbert, formerly commandant m this
lort, as a thing useful to the public, and along time before the concession ofthe

f't

APPENDIX.

880

118, our licirs and
besides over and
sum of ten livn s
[ird shall not i o
iacation and loss
rcci'ived for the
1 inhabitant, and
irested ourselves,
ion, and not the
e said Francois
be, and that ho
r habitation, the
r, the sum often
es the quit rent

I case tlw; said

e, or habitation,

present conces-

and conditions

'afard, his heira

II and trade as
nself to the re-

Cadfllac.
ing of France ;
Be le<;al grants
racts back con-
made to French
but it appears
ting of France,

stay n :.e9ptt8»
posts in Michi'

' Order of St.
ino; the duty of
act'.

imen, that the
lable necessity
i Cahncier, an
'bed under the
mill. It is ea>
1 towards his
i water has its
This mill was
antlant in this
icession of the

s™.. . p.r.r ;./.;, ot'h","^ ™'r° ""■ '■•"••"'' "'■'"• s"-""

"Pierre Rhf.aume,
Chapoto.v,
Le Grand,

Jean Baptistr Mallet,
Zacinthe Reaume,
Cecire,
Jean Pilet,

Ja<IUES GoDDEr.TE,

Nicholas Lenoir,
Laurent Parknt,
J

Jaques Cardinal,
Carle Moran,
Belle Perche,
Widow f'AnRON,
Antoine Campeab,
Jean Borde,

Jean Baptiste Campeacx,
La Butte,
Jean Mil Homme,
Barthe,
Blondeau."

" Done at Detroit, the 30th June, 1753

« A ff„- k • . „ " Landrieve, Celoron.

be i^:;::::^r::^:;JS^- order thatthe named Campeaux
n.on of Messrs. Celoron and Land.ieve: ' ' '"'" '" ''-"' '" '"^ "P'"

" Done at M., treal, 22d August, 1753.

" Do dUESMK."

26th M
1771

)qua

Note Vl.—Page 12C.

'■.0,1, .,o„.,l.|,|,„eet do„„„ de „„,re volonie „„e ,e„! d^
jours afin nu'il ait som de nnx ,n 7. donnons celte terre pou tou.

L ». „,: .;- 1": z ;,r„rd:;rLr '""- - ••»■

unknown totem, tt ,

„ ' Unknown,

OCIATENNI, ri.,

TT„1 'JfABIDCCHIOOI,

Unknown jt i

^. Unknown,

MATCHEOCEOt;iFFE, KlOGOCET,

840

APrexuix.

4f^

Unknown,
Chiuanaoo,
Two Arrow»,

KlA,

Unknown,
IVIahi^abifit,
A Doer,

EsKIBI,

A Fish,
Hanclouis,
An Elk,
Oachig,

Unknown,
Alchima,

Singoin,

NiNTA.

Rotifie par L'honorable Henry Banset, Major Commandant au Detroit, La
quinzo jmliei, 1772, presence de Mr. George McDougall, el le CliefsPoute-
owateinis, et llobnrt Navarre fils mis en ponenion dans lea forme presenter au
nom de sa Mujosfie, ct conformemcnl aux ordres do son Excellence.

Note Vll—Pagc IGG.

A theatt of peace between the United States of America and the tribes
of Indians called ilieWyandots, Delawnres, Shawnces, Oitawas. Chippewas,
Potawatamies, Miamis, Ecll River, Weeas, Kitkapoos, Kankashaws and Kaa
kaskics.

To put an end to a destructive war, to settle all controversies, and to restore
harmony and a frii^ndly intercourne between the said United States and Indian
tribes: Anthony Wayne, Major-Geiieral, commanding the army of the United
States, and sole commissioner for the good pnrposes ahove-menlioned, and iho
snid tribes of Indians by iheir sachems, chiefs, and warriors, met together
at Greenville, the head-qnaiters of the said army, have agreed on the following
Articles, which, when ratified by iho President with the advice and consent of
the senate of the United States, shall be binding on them and the said Indian
tribes.

Article I. — Henceforth all hostilities shall cease; peace is hereby esta-
blished, and shall be perpetual ; and a friendly intercourse shall lake place be-
tween the said United States and Indian tribes.

Article 2. — All prisoners shall on both sides be restored. The Indians, prison-
ers to the United Stales, shall be immediately set at liberty. The people of
the United States still remaining prisoners among the Indians, shall be deli-
vered up, in ninety days from the date hereof, to the General or commanding
ollicer at Greenville, Fort Wayne, or Fort Defiance ; and ten chiefs of the said
tribes shall remain at Greenville as hostages, until the delivery of the prisoners
shall be effected.

Article 3. — The general boundary line between the lands of the United
States and tiie lands of the said Indian tribes, shall begin at the mouth of
Wyalioga river, and run thence up the same to the portage between that and
the Tiiscaroras branch of the Muskingum ; thence down that branch to the
crossing place above Fort Lawrence, thence westerly to a hart of that branch of
the Great Miami River, running into the Ohio at or near which Kerk stood,
Loromie's store, and where commences the portage between the Miami of the
Ohio and St. Mary's River, which is a branch of the Miami which runs in-
to Lake Erie ; thence a wcstciiy course to Fort Recovery, which stands on
a branch of the Wabash, thence south-westerly in a direct line to the Ohio,
80 as to intersect that river opposite the mouth of Kentucky or Cattawa

APPENDIX,

341

Detroit, La
^JhefsPouto-
^rescnter au

id the tribes
Ciiippewan,
W8 and Kas

id to restore
I and Indian
fthe United
led, and iho
let together
he following
I consent of
said Indian

lercby esta-
te place be-

ians, prison-
he people of
hall be deli-
lommanding
8 of the said
he prisoners

the United
e mouth of
en that and
anch to the
lat branch of
tterk stood,
liami of the
lich runs in-
1 stands on
o the Ohio,
or Cattawa

Rivpr. And, in consideration of the peace now cstablinhe.f, of the gnods
formerly rt-ceivud from the United StatcH, of those now to be d.liverod and of
the yearly delivery of goods now stipulated to he made her.altoi- j and to in-
d.^mnify the United States for the injuries and expenses lliey have sustained
during the war ; the said Indian tribes do hereby cede and relinquish for
ever all their claims to the lands lying eastwardly and southwardly of tho
general boundary line now described ; and those lands, or any part of them,
shall never hereafter be mode a cause or pretence, on the part of the said
tubes, or any of thoin, of war or injury to tho United States or any of the
people thereof.

And for the same considerations, and as an evidence of the returning friend-

ship of ihe said Indian tribes, of their confidence in the United States, "and de-

sire to provide for their accommodation, and for that convenient intercourse

which will be beneficial to both parties, the said Indian tribes do also cede

to tho United States the following pieces of land ; to wit, (I) One piece of

land, SIX miles s-iuare, at or near Loromie's store before mentioned : (2) one

piece two miles square at tho head of the navigable water or landin- on the

St. Mary's River, near Giity's town : (3) one piece six miles square, at the head

of the navigable water of the AuGlaize river: (4) one piece six miles square at

the confluence of the Au Cilaize and Miami river, where Fort Defiance now

stands: (3) one piece, six miles square, at or near the confluence of the

rivers St. Mary's and St. Jo«eph's, where Fort Wayne now stands, or near it •

(6) one piece, two miles square, on the Wabash River, at the end of the porta-re

from tiic Miami of the Lake, and about eight miles westward from Fort

Wayne: (7) one piece, six miles square, as the Ouatanon, or old Weea towns

on the Wabash River: (8) one piece, twelve miles square, at the British Fort

on the Miami of tho Lake at the foot of the Rapids: (9) one piece, six miles

square, at the mouth of the said river, where it empties into the lake: (10)

one piece six miles square, upon Sandusky Lake, where a fort foimerly

stood: (II) one piece, two miles square, at the lower rapids of Sandusky

River: (12) the Post of Detroit, and all the land to the north, the west, and

the south of it, of which the Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or

grunts to the French or English governments : and so much more fund to

be annexed to the District ot Detroit as shall be comprehended between the

River Rosine on the south. Lake St. Clair on the north, and a line, the gene-

ral course whereof shall be six miles distant from the west end of Lake'^Erie

and Detroit River: (13) the post of Michilimackinac, and all the land

on the island on which that post stands, and the main land adjacent of

which the Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or grants to the

French or English Governments ; and a piece of land on the main to

the north of the island, to measure six miles on Lake Huron, or the strait

between Lake Huron and Michigan, and to extend three miles hack from

the water of the lake or strait ; aid also the island de Bois Blanc, being

an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation : (14) one piece of

land, of six miles square, at the mouth of Chikajo River, empiyins into the

south-west end of Lake Michigan, where a fort formerly stood: "(15) one

piece, twelve miles square, at or near the mouth of the Illinois river, emptying

into the Mississippi : (16) one piece, six miles square, at the old Piorias fort

342

APPENDIX.

and village near the south end of the Illinois Lake on aaid lUinoia River ; and
whenever the United States shall think proper to survey and mark the bound-
aries of the land hereby cflded to »hcm, they shall give timely notice thereof
to the aaid tribes of Indians, that they may appoint some of their wise chiefs to
attend, and see that the lines are run according to the terms of the treaty.

And the said Indian tnbi; • vill allow to the people of the United States a free
passage by land and by vv» .tr, as one and the other shall be found convenient,
through their country, alon^ *he chain of posts herein before mentioned ; that
is to say, from the commencement of the portage aforesaid at or near Loromie's
store ; thence along the said portage to the St. Marys, and down the same to
Fort Wayne, and then down the Miami to Lake Erie. Again, from the com-
mencament of the portage at or near Loromie's store along the portage ; from
thence to the river Au Glaize, and down the same to its junction with the Mia-
mi at Fort Defiance. Again, from the commencement of the portage to San-
dusky River, and down the same to Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie ; and from
Sandusky to the post which shall be taken at or near the foot of the rapids of
the Miami of the Lake ; and from thence to Detroit. Again, from the mouth
of Chikago to the commencement of the portage between that river and the Illi-
nois, and down the Illinois River to the Mississippi ; also from Fort Wayne
along the portage aforesaid which leads to the Wabash, and then down the
Wabash to the Ohio. And the aaid Iridinn tribes will also allow to the people
of the United Slates the free use of the htirbora and moutha of rivers along
the lakes adjoining the Indian landa, for sheltering vessels and boats, and liber-
ty to land their cargoes when necessary for their safety.

Article 4. In consideration of the peace now established, and of the ces-
faions and relinquishments of land made in the preceding article by the said
tribes of Indians, {ind to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great
means of rendering this peace strong and perpetual, the United States relin-
quish their claims to all other Indian li-nds northward of the river Ohio, east-
ward of the Mississippi, and westward and southward of the great lakes, and
the water? uniting them, according to the boundary line agreed on by the Uni-
ted States and the King of Great Britain in the treaty of peace made between
them ill the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-lhree.

But from this relinquii*hmeni by the United Slates the following tracts of
land are explicitly excepted :

1st. The Tract of one hundred and fifty thi aand acres near the rapids of
the river Ohio, which has been assigned to General Clark for the use of himself
and his warriors.

2nd. The Post of .St. Vincennes, on the river Wabash, and the lands adja-
cent, of which the Indian title has been extinguished.

3r(l. The Landa at all other places in possession of the French people, and
other white settlers among thorn, of which the Indian title has been extinguish-
ed as mentioned in the third article ; and,

4th. The Post of Fort Massae, towards the mouth of the Ohio. To which
several parcels of land so excepted, the said tribes relinquish all the title and
claim which they or any of them may have.

And for the same considerations, and with the same views as above men-
tioned, the United States now deliver to the said Indian tribes a quantity of

APPENDIX.

343

herebvaeit > T ''r'""' '°""^' "'^ '"^-'P' -''ereof they do

he eby acknowledge , and henceforward every year for ever, the United sL-s
will deliver, ut some convenient place northward of the river Ohio like useful

nv. hundred dollars,- reckon.ng that value as the first cost of the goods in
ihe f °7'rr'"'^ ^"'^'^'^ «^"'^« -h-« they shall he procured' The

am 1 ofVn! h '7 n'' "' ''^ '■°"""''"» = '^'- ^^ ''^^ ^yandots the

Z //n '"^ ^°"'''''- ^"'^^ '^^ the Delawares the amount of one

TothtM;:- 't^<''^««'^™ the amount of one thousand dollar:^
4th. To the M.amaa the amount of one thousand dollars. 5th. To the Otto-
Was the amount of one thousand dollars. 6th. To the Chippewas th amo ^t
nd d .:r 8th t" ., '' K? '" ^otawattamies the amount of one thou-

KaskaskK ; K \ '"P""' ^"'''' ^'^" River, Kankaahaws, and

Kaskaskias tribes, the amount of five hundred dollars each

verv"oTte'rT;r '' r'.T "' '," 7' '''''' ^''"" •>'^'--''^-' »^ ^ -"-' ^^11-
shL be fl- h H ?' g^-'^^fo^-ai.l desire that a part of their annuity
should be furnished m domestic animals, implements of husbandry, and other
utensds convenient for them, and in compensation to useful art.ficers vho may

ZslZe^'r ':7r' '^ ""P'"^'-"^ '■"^ '''^^ ^-^"^' ^'^ same shall It
the subsequent annual deliveries be furnished accordingly

^.'"^'l^' J° P'"'^^''"' ^"y misunderstanding about°the Indian lands relin-
quished by the United States in the fourth article, it is now explicitly declaed
tht the meaning of that relinquishment is this: The Indian tibes, who hT.a
a nght to those lands, are quietly to enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and d„'!

S al ri' 'k .^ " '''^ P'^^^*' "'^''°"' ''"y -"'-tation from" the Un ted
States ; but when those tribes, or any of them, shall be disposed to sell the'r
an s or any part of them they arc to be sold only to the u'Tited States and
un such sales the United States will protect all the said Indian tnbes i^ the

al^ st"-'M"iK .; ■■ '"'' "'"'''' ^" ''''""^ ''' '^' ^^"'ted States, and
aganst oil other wh.e persons who inf.ude upon the same; and the said I dian
tribes again acknowledge themselves to be under the protection of the Un. ed
States, and no other power whatever. ^'^umieu

Article 6 If any citizen of the Uniled States, or any other white person or
per ons, shall presume to settle upon the lands now relinquished by the uTited
Sta es, such citizen or other person shall be out of the protection o' the U ited

drive off the settler, or pumsh him in such u manner as th. y shall think fit • and
because such settlements, made without the consent of the United States' wm
be injurious .o them as well as to the Indians, the United States shall be ^til
berty to breaK them up, and remove and punish the settlers as they shall think
'Ttlir? - ,ff /.•^f^ P-'-f " of the Indian landsherem beforl st.piilat d

fc tl\ ll .K " °^ ^"''""'' P"^'''^^ '° this treaty, shall be a liberty

to hunt w.thin the territory and lands which they have now ceded to the Un 2
States v^ithouthmdrance or molestation, so long as they demean thrmse vis
peaceably, and offer no injury to the people of the- United States """''''"'
Article 8. Trade shall be opened with the said Ii.dian tribes", and they do
hereby rospecUvely engage ,o afford protection to such persons, with their pro!

W"^

344

APPENDIX.

perty, as shall be duly licensed to reside among them, for the purpose of trade,
and to their agents and sf-rvants : but nn person shall he permiltcd to reside
p.t any of (heir towns or hunting camps as a tiaHor, wlio is not furnished with a
license fur tiiat purpose under the hand and seal of the superintenoant of the
department norlh-we.^t of the Ohio, or such other persons as the President of
the United Slates shall authorize to examine such liccns' a, to ihe end that the
said Ind'uns may not be imposed on in their Iniile; nmi if any licen-rd (lader
shall abuse his privilege by imfair dealing, upon comjilamt aru' proof thereof
his license shall be taken from him, and he shall be further punished accoidmg
to the laws of the United States. And if any person shall intrude himself aa
a trader without such license, the said Indians shall take and bring him before
the superintendant or his deputy, to be dealt with according to law ; and to pre-
vent impositions by forged licenses, the said Indians shall, at bust once a year,
give information to the superintendant or his deputies of the names of the tra-
ders residing amonj them.

Article 9. Lest the firm peace and friendship now established should be in-
terrupted by the misconduct of mdividnals, the United States and the said
Indian tribes agree, that for injuries done by imfividunls on eirh. r side no pri-
vate revenge or retaliation shall take place ; but, instead th.-reof, complamt shall
be made by the party injured to the other, —by th" said Indian trilx b or any of
them to the President of the United States, or the superintendant by him ap-
pointed ; and by the superintendant or other person appointed by the President,
to the principal Chiefs of the Indian tribes, or of the tribe to which the offender
belongs ; and such prudent measures shall then be puisued, as shall he neces-
sary to jreserve the said peace and friendship unbroken, until the Legislature
(or Great Council,) of the United States shall make other equitable provision
in the case to the satisfaction of both parties. Should any Indiin tnbf s medi-
tate a war against the United States, or either of them, and' Ihe same shall come
to the knowledge of the before-mentioned tribes or either of them, thev do Isere-
by engage to give notice thereof to the General or officer commanding the
troops of the United States at the nearest post. A nd should any tribe, with hos-
tile intentions against the United States, or either of them, attempt to pmm
through their country, they will endeavor to prevent the same ; and in like man-
ner give information of such attempt to the General or officer commanding aa
soon as possible, that all causes of mistrust and suspicion may be avoided^bc-
tween them and the United Stales.

In like manner the United States shall give notice to the said Indian tribes of
any harm that may be meditated against them, or either of them, that shall
come their knowledge ; and do all in their power to hinder and prevent the
same, that the friendship between them may be uninterrupted.

Article 10. All other treaties heretofore made b-tweon the United States and
the said Indian tribes, or any of them, since the treaty of 1783 between the Uni-
ted States and Great Britain, that come within the provisions of this treaty,
ehall henceforth cease and become void.

Done at Greenville, in the territory of the United Slates, north-west of the
river Ohio, on the third day of August, one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-five.

Anthont Watnb, (L. S.>

APPENDIX.

343

Note VII[,—Pa»-< 219.
Early Travellers through the Lakes.

be'^i^LTTf '''"f<=°^«'-y''"-«"g»' the region of the north-western lakes may
be dated back to a d.stant penod. The sources of our information have bZ
.ncreased from t.me to fme by numerous adventurers who pubhshed journal;
othe,r travels Among those volumes to which reference has here been made

Tere LtiLi "" "'"" ^'"'""^ '° "^^ ^^" ''''^ °"^ ^ "^^ ^^ ^^^^ *•

and was one of a party which explored the Mississippi River, and orioinall J
accompanied La Salle from France. The journal which he published ff^«
travels throws hght on the condition of Canada.

The Baron La Hontan, a French soldier in the employment of the French

Government, was for some time commandant of a fort on the lakes. In ms

e pubhshed m London his voynges to North America, in which he . sty ed

This wor^ ? "" "^""'^ ^°'°"-^ "^ ^'•''=^"^- '" Newfoundland »

tllhTn'' '" '—lames; it abounds m graphic sketches, and aU

shS rbseTair" ^^"""■^^' ^^'''^'^ '""^'^ '"°^'^^»- °^ '"^^ --'^ -<i

tir!Cnnh ^ of U,e American lakes in 1721 under the auspices of

th . t rench government. The Mississippi scheme was then creatin.. areat J
atement, and individuals were engaged in seeking gold and silver inl^ stna

!! Trt '^"""' ^'''" ''"'"' H"^°"'^"^ M-higan. He then de
s ended he Illinois and Mississippi to New Orleans, which^ad been hen re.
cent^y settled ; and he there embarked for Prance. Beside a General H torv

the lakes. These works bear the stamp of a rich and well-regulated mind
and^are written m a style of great beauty and eloquence. Charfevoix di" .^

Robert Rogers was a citizen of New Hampshire. He was a sturdy and ad
venturous so dier, and for some time Governor of Michil.m^kinarTo him
was entrusted the expedition which was sent out by Gen. Amherst after Vh?
.urrender of Michigan by France to England in ,7'59. fifsrd r; le i
tied ; A Concise Account of North America," .',0 published a journal of 1 "x
pedi u.n to Detroit when he took possession of the po.sts of Michigan

Alexander Henry, Esq. visited the lakes in 1760, and spent sixt^een vear« in
^aversing the wilderness of the north-west. He' publiLd Ins ^e'rvaZ
upon the country in 1809. ooaervaiiona

Jonathan Carver was decended from a family in Connecticut, and was d.«
in^nshed for a persevering and adventurous mind. The date ^f his travels^
1^.. 1777 and 17:8 ; and the result of his observations was published nU^
*», and afterwards republished in this country.

346

APPENDIX.

Note IX.

BT WILLIAM HULL,

Brigadier-general ttod Commander-in-chief of the North-western army of the
United States.

A PROCLAMATION.

Inhabitants of Canada,

After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been dri-
ven ♦ 1 arms. The injuries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of Great
Britam, have left them no alternative but maniy resistance or unconditional sub-
miiSsion. The army under my command has invaded your country, end tho
standard of the Union now waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceable,
unoffending inhabitants it brings neither danger nor difficulty. 1 come to find
enemies, not to make them ; I come to protect, not to injure you. Separated
by an immense ocean and an extensive wilderness from Great Britain, you
have no participation in her councils, no interest in her conduct ; you have felt
her tyranny, you have seen her injustice ; but I do not ask you to revenge the
one or to redress the other. The United States are sufficiently powerful to af-
ford every security consistent with their rights and your expectations. I tender
you the invaluable blessing of civil, political, and religious liberty ; and their
necessary result, individual and general prosperity. That liberty which gave
decision to our councils and energy to our conduct in a struggle for independ-
ence, and which conducted us safe and triumphantly through the stormy peri-
od of the revolution. That liberty which has raised us to an elevated rank
among the nations of the world, and which afforded us a greater measure of
peace, and security of wealth, and improvement, than ever fell to the lot of any
country. In the name of my country, and by the authority of Government, 1
promise you protection to your persons, property, and rights. Remain at your
homes ; pursue your peaceful and customary avocations ; raise not your hand
against your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the freedom and inde-
pendence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the same family with us,
and heirs to the same heritage, the arrival of an army of friends must be hailed
by you with a cordial welcome. You will be emancipated from tyranny and
oppression, and restored to the dignified station of freemen. Had I any doubt
of eventual success, I might ask your assistance ; but I do not ; I come prepared
for every contingency. I have a force which will look down all opposition,
and that force is the van-guard of a much greater. If, contrary to your own
interest and the just expectation of my country, you should take part in thi ap-
proaching contest, you will be considered and treated as enemies ; and the hor-
rors and calamities of war will stalk before you. If the barbarous and savage
policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the savages be let loose to murder our
citizens and butcher our women and children, this war will be a war of exter-
mination. The first stroke of the tomahawk, tho "irst attempt with the scalp-
ing-knife, will be the sequel of one indiscriminate src-'o of desolation. No
white man found fighting by tho side of an Indian w'M bo lai.cn prisoner ; in-
stant destruction will be his lot. If the dictates ot -eaflo-i duty, justice, and
humanity cannot prevent tho employment of a force which respects no rights
and knows no wrong, it will be prevented by a severe and reientless system of
retaliation. 1 doubt not your courage and firmness ; I will not doubt your at-

APPENDIX.

347

tachment to liberty. The United States offer you peace libertv «nJ
your choice lies between these, and war. sl^4ZTel^.:^n^lZ7^^
but choose w.8cly ; and may Ho who knows the justice of our caus^ and wh '
holds .n h,a hands the fate of nations, guide you to a result the most colaU
ble with your rights and interests, your peace and happiness. ^

By the General,
_ , . ^ A. P. Hull.

Captam of the )3th U. S. Reg't. of Infantry and Aid-de-Camp.
Head-duarters, Sandwich, July 12th, 1812.

Note X,

That portion of our State usually denominated the Peninsula, while few if
any, port.ons o U, are of so rugged a character as to prevent its u e for the p^ -
IT U T'T'' "' "--"-'-^. f" f™- what was once supposed a le"l
str troftr P'""' 'T'''' -"-^'"g'-- 'he most partof nearly horizonta
strata of hmestones sandstones, and shales, give character to a beautifully va-
ned succession of hills and valleys, as also to a soil admirably adapted to the
purpos s of agriculture. It is surrounded by a level belt of country, whch

fn width V T " =7'" ''"^"°" "' "^ '''''''' '"-"'^^ 'he interior.'Cng
m width from five to fo.ty miles, and miles, and for the most part covered lith
a dense forest ; wnile the interior and more undulating portions give 2170 a
vaned succession of prairie, oak openings and timbered lands. ^

This general description, which may be supposed to apply more particu-
larly to hose counties of the state already organized, will, I have no doubt ap.
ply nearly equally well to that portion of the state ^ot y^ surveyed dluda
to his the more particularly, since the opinion is abroad among our cit ens
It .he nor hern portions of our state are of little or no value, except for I m
be^and that .t cons.sts of alternating barren ridges of pine and marl

This opinion so far as the country has been examined, and from the best in-
formation which can be obtained on the subject, is far fro n the truth l r
whi e It embraces like the southern counties, fairies "ak open ng I'd ia^nd^
.mbcred with hard wood, many of those portions timbered with ptn , i^ is con
ceived, will eventually prove of groat value in an agricultural point of view.

rh™^'"',' """!!".' °\ '"■'""' ''""'"= '^'''' ^""^'^^^ '" 'he central portions of
the pen nsula, and di«chargmg their waters in every direction into the lakes by

sit. ''r'T^"'^' ^'"" ' P''""" ^''''''' '° the geography of the country
Several of these streams are navigable for boats of light draft for a much longi
dis ance than could have been anticipated, and they give rise to an amount of
hydraulic power far exceeding what has usually been supposed, and which will
eventually prove of immense value to our state. In pursuing the investigation
of the past season, I have found it necessary to examine several of ihe most im-
portant of these streams through their whole extent, and I could not fail to ob-
serve the great purity of their waters, together with the rapidity of their des-
cent. T heir sloping banks, which are usually of but moderate height, are com.
posed oi the richest soil ; but occasionally their banks attain, at an inconsider-

349

appi:ni)ix.

able distance from the stream, an altitude of from one liundred to two hundred
feet, as at some points in the valley of Grand river.

Portions of the central and most elevated counties of the peninsula are con-
siderably rough and broken, though, it is believed, in few instances sufficiently
so to prevent a successful cultivation of the soil. This undulating or hilly por.
tion of our state extends through parts of the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson,
Washtenaw, Ingham, Eaton, Livingston, Oakland, Ionia, Kent, and some por-
tions of the adjoining counties ; as also far to the north of Kent county, in the un-
surveyed district. The hills do not appear to be disposed with any regularly
formed valleys, but consist of an irregular assemblage of somewhat conical ele-
vations and depressions, occasionally attaining an elevation of from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred feet, but ordinarily not more than from thirty to forty
feet.

The topography of that portion of our state bordering upon Lake Superior, is
very different from that of the peninsula. The occasional appearance of pri-
mary and trap rocks forming mountain chains, and the great disturbance which
has taken place since the deposition of the red sandstone, has given to the wholo
country a more rugged aspect; and while many of the valleys and elevated
plains furnish a rich and permanent soil, covered with a dense forest, the moun-
tain chains of primary rock have all the meagreness of soil usually attendant
on these formations.

Upper Sandstone oftlie Pe7iinsula.

Occupying the central and most elevated portions of the peninsula, and over
a large district of country, embracing parts of the counties of Hillsdale, Jackson,
Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Ingham, Eaton, Barry, Shiawassee, Clinton,
the eastern part of Ionia, and probably portions of the adjoining counties, which
want of time did not permit me to examme, the outcropping edge of sandstone
is seen, occasionally alternating with shale. Its friable nature is such that the
rock soon becomes covered with soil from disintegration and vegetable depo-
sites, in such a manner as to conceal it from view, and thus to have led our ear-
ly inhabitants to suppose the 0|.pearance of rock near the surface to be of rare
occurrence ; but as the country a^i become settled, rock has been found near the
surface in hundreds of places where it was formerly supposed not to exist, and
it may be fairly inferred, that as the country becomes cultivated, this will con-
tinue to be the resi)lt.

This rock formation, which is referable to the carboniferous series, will, with-
out doubt, bo found to be a continuation of the great coal measures of Ohio,
and present appearances would seem to warrant the conclusion that it extends
nearly or quite to the northern termination of the peninsula. I have thus for
boen unable to arrive at any very satisfactoi^y conclusions as to its thickness or
general inclination.

Its superficial extent has undoubtedly been much lessened ; fur, after passing
the edge of the sindstone, the soil is invariably found to contain disintegratfd
portions of the rock, with occasional loose pieces of bituminous coal, the latter
sometimes appearing in quantities of several bushels at a single place.

Portioni of the sandstone on the western slope of the peninsula, more particu-
larly in tha countifls of Calhoun, and parts of Jackson and Hilis/^ale, the forma-

ArPENDIX.

849

d stncts of country, a result wl.ich could scarcely be conceived to l.ave taken
P ace by any other than rapid and irregular motion. The original continu.ty of
8 rata ,s almost completely destroyed, and so much is the rock shattered that
at several points m Calhoun county, wells were seen sunk through tWrock
from twenty to forty feet, and where the excavation required but little more labor
than would have been required to sink through an equal depth of earth. The
maeses of rock thrown out rarely exceed a foot or eighteen inches in superfical

tinnTlV^h ""T ""'' "^^ ''"""" ''^' ' ^'"'> "'""Sh so much broken, no por-
t ons of the rock were much inclined, and .t appeared to have retamed measur-

rock nfu^ nTT'^u P°'"'°"- ^^' ""^"'**=*=« '^'^^^«*=" t'"'^" portions of

h result ;r"M "f """''' "''"*' '''' '''' ^'''^"'''' «"''" '''-"gh them,
the result of which >s, the appearance, at particular points, of larc'esprin-.s of
water, and a paucity of small streams upon the surface.

Near Jonesville, in Hill.dale county, several quarries of sandstone have been
opened, but not sumc.ently to g.vo very much mformation of their true conclifion"
fTurinT'^^i r"' f " '°°'*' ""'^ ^"'^^' ""^"^''' '»"'' 'he layers from two to
fZ. te!T T . ;" = ?"' "'"^ ''^ '''''"''''"' ^"^^^ ^''- -'-d to - depth of

Ir of t t"r • "''^''""" " "'"'"'''^ ''^"^"^'y --^ <■-'. ^-'^ the char-
acter of the rock, for economicol purposes, is much improved.

At Napoleon, in Jackson county, the sandstone appears at numerous points,
J.av,ng a shght mclmation south-westerly. It is composed of angular grains of
quar,.ose sand, united by a very slight calcareous dent. The ston'eTof a
good quality for architectural purposes, and admits of being easily quarried. It
has already been considerably used for buildings, grindstones, &c.

In descending Grand river, the rock appears again at Jacksonburgh, and over
many milesof the surrounding country.havngaslightdip, like that at Napo

vicinity of Jacksonburgh, and a finely shaped and tolerably compact and durable
material for bu.hl.ng, furnished. I here first noticed fossil vegetable remains,
chiefly referable to the genera Lepidodendron, Stigmaria, and Calamites, to-
gether with small masses of carbonaceous matter, associated with the sand rock.
A iitle north of the village, clay ironstone occurs, disseminated throu-h the
rocks ; as also in thin beds and veins, but not in sufficient quantities to be of any
pracUcal importance. Numerous kettle-shaped excavations, similar to those pro-
duced by pebbles when set in motion by the action of a strong current, occur
m the sandstone, and not unfrequently at a distance from the river, and at an
elevation of some thirty or forty feet above if.

In the bed and bank of the river, a little above the crossing of the road at
Jacksonburgh, the sandstone is seen to embrace a bed of bituminous shale,
rhe shale is overlaid by two and a half feet of slatv sandstone, and about two
feet appear above the surface of the water. Portions of this shale have nearly
he appearance of semi-indurated clay, much charged with carbonaceous mat-
ter; but at a distance of several rods below, the water, by fallin- over a dam.
has thrown out large qunntites of shale, intermixed with very th.n fayers of coal ;
and the whole bang highly charged with bituminou.s matter, was at first mis-
taken by the inhabitants for coal. Those indications were matters of consider-
able mterest, smce the shales are well known to be the usual associates of coal,

350

APPENDIX.

i .t.

and occurring, a3 they do, in the coal-bearing rock, a reasonable hope may un-
doubtedly bo entertained of the existence of coal in that section of country.

Near the mouth of Portage river, a few miles north of Jacksonburgh, a stratum
of line rock appears, and what is probably a continuation of the same stratum,
is seen westerly at Bcllvue and several intermediate points. This lime rock,
which occurs in flat, irregular masses, separated by thin coverinj;B of an exceed-
ingly tenacious clay, and without any regular lin of stratification, upon burning
produces a superior lime, and, aside from its irregular "hape, would prove a val-
uable building stone. The stratum must, however, be considered as of no great
thickness, since the sandstone appears again at a lower level, a few miles north
westerly. The limestone is of a light greyish color, and exceedingly compact ;
and although numerous perforations of hthodomous moUusca were observed, af-
ter a minute examination I was unable to detect any fossils.

In descending Grand river, the sandstone is seen at intervals in the bed of the
stream, as also sometimes attaining a considerable elevation upon its banks,
through the counties of Jackson, Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and the south-eastern
part of Ionia. It was last noticed in the bed of the stream a few miles above
the mouth of Looking-glass river. In general character it bears much resemblance
to that at Jacksonburgh, and bituminous shale is occasionally seen alternating
with it.

In the northern part of Eaton county, the rock is seen at several places in a
mural wall of from thirty to forty feet in height.

At many points where the rock was examined in the counties enumerated,
carbonaceous matter and vegetable impressions were associated with it. These
were more particularly noticed in Ingham and Eaton counties, where very thin
beds of coal, varying from half an inch to three inches, and in one instance two
feet in thickness, occur in slate, usually underlaying an irregular and inconsid-
erable deposite of clay ironstone.

Sand rock occurs on the Kalamazoo river at Battle Creek, and quarries have
been partially opened at that place. Portions of the rock which have been
quarried, furnish a tolerably good building stone ; but from the frequent occur-
rence of nodular masses of iron pyrites, much care is required in its selection.

auarries have been opened more extensively at Marshall, and a building
stone s>f good quality is found ; but here, as at Battle creek, iron pyrites, though
not in so large quantities, occasionally occurs, embedded in it.

In ascending the Kalamazoo river, via Albion, the sand rock occurs at short
intervals, having much the same appearance at Marshall, as also at numerous
points between the latter place and Spring Arbor, in Jackson county.

On the Shiawassee river in Shiawassee county, the sand rock was first seen in
the bed of the stream from four to five miles above Corunna, (the county town of
Shiawassee co.,) and continues at intervals as far as from four to five miles below
Owasso on the same river. The dip is here slightly north or north-easterly. The
rock was not seen at any point to attain any sreat elevation. In general ap-
pearance it bears a strong resemblance to that of Jackson county, but much of it
contains sufficient mica to give it a somewhat slaty structure. About one mile
Hbove Corunna, upon the right bank of the river, it has been quarried in small
quantities ; and although loose in its texture, will answer tolerably well for walls.
Here numerous indistinct impressions of plants were seen, with small pieces of

M'l

APPENDIX. 3gi

coal the latter retaining its general ligniform structure, but perfectly charred.
Half a mile below Owasso the rock appears in the bed of the stream, and is
more compact in its structure.

Near Shiawassee town, (above Corunna.) the outcropping edge of a stratum
ot limestone, similar in general appearance to that at Jacksonburgh, makes its
Zdatonr "^'"^^'"^ '""•'.easterly. It is evidently a stratum embraced in the

Grey Ldmeatmie.
Underlaying the sandstone already described; and occurring near the bor-
ders ol the peninsula, is a grey colored limestone, which may, without doubt,
be considered identical with the mountain limestone of European geolo-nsts.

The outcropping edge of this rock may be traced from the rapids of Maumeo
mer m Ohio, directly to the rapids of the River Raisin at the city of Monroe
At the latter place, and in the country immediately surrounding, where there is
only a superficial covering of earth, extensive quarries have been opened, and
imestone of a superior quality for building, as also tolerably well adapted to
the manufacture of lime, is procured.

In ascending the River Raisin this rock is occasionally seen as far as Dun-
dee, where it forms the bed of the river. As we ascend the river from Mon-
roe, so far as a limited examination enables me to judge, the rock becomes
mord quartzose in its character, which renders it nearly unfitted for the manu-
tacture of lime, but does not lessen its value as a material for building.
About five miles north-west from Monroe, and two miles distant" from the

hZ'If k''".J ,""' u"'" """' '''" '" " ''"'^ "'■ di«i"tegration, giving rise to
beds of beautifully white quarlzose sand, better adapted to the manufacture
ot the finer k-nds of glass than any I have seen in our state.

Between Monroe and Brest the lime rock appears in the beds of the small
streanis, and occasionally at other points; and in no place is it covered by a
great depth of soil. At Stoney Point the rock again appears, and at several
pomts along the coast, or a little in the interior. It also occurs in the vi-
cinify of Gibraltar, and is last seen on this shore, at Monguagon, fifteen miles
below Detroit, at which place quarries of considerable extent have been opened
tor the purpose of supplying the city of Detroit with building stone and lime'
A quarry has been for many years opened on Grosse Isle, as also on the Cana-
da shore in the vicinity of Ainherstburg.

Proceeding north-easterly from Monguagon, the rock soon becomes covered
with a considerable depth of superincumbent earth, and at Detroit is found
to be a little more than one hundred feet below the surface of the river

Nothing indicating the approach of the rock to the surface was observed in
Macomb county; but in the western part of St. Clair, angular fragments of
the rock were seen, occurring under circumstances which would seem to indicate
the approach of the formation to the surface. The same was also noticed in por-
tions of the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, the northern part of Shiawassee,
and m Midland, near the forks of the Tittabawassa river. The rock occurs
m a place ou Charity islands of Saginaw bay, and also on the northern shore
at Point au Grea.

On the westerly slope of the peninsula, a lime rock occurs at the rapids of
Grand river, which is undoubtedly identical with that last noticed. About two

^. i

i^^«- -1

352

AM'ENOIX.

If if

<- 1 rs

i. :i

miles iiurlh uf Grand rapids, tUe mck app. ari of a superior quality for eco-
nomical purposes, in a s! tn^; talus of from twenty to thirty feet. It also oc
curs at the rapids of Masii sjoii river, and wdl, no duubt, bi I 'id extending
a long distance north from ilu- last-mentioned stream,

Asaocuited with the roei«, .j hnd calcareous spar at nearly all the localitiei
noted; irregular ho--tooth spar at Monroe; sulphate .. "t ai Brest

and Grosse Isle; i molite at Brest; sulphate of bun un .par, and

gypsum at Grand ru|) ds; and the latter mineral will, undoubu .Jly, b. found a.+.
sociated at the rapids of Masiikegon, and on iho north shore of Saginaw bay.

The rock is more or less fossiliferous at m"-' if the points where it was ex-
amined, but more particularly so at Monguu and Grand rapids. At the for-
mer place thin pieces ol carbonaceous matter, as also small cavities filled with
bitumen, are occasionally seen ; and the rock is extremely fcetid. Theexcava^
tions in the rock have been so slight, and so small a portion is exposed, that
the opportunilies for examining the (basils ire extremely limited, and many of
those procured for examination were in so mutilated a condition, as to preclude
all possibility of drawing any specific distinctions,*

The limestone is, for the most part, of a eubgranular stn quite com-

pact, and well adapted to agricultural purposes ; and, although at maay points
it is capable of producing a valuable lime upon burning, it is not unfrequently
too siliceous to answer that purpose.

Lower Sandstnne or Graywack Group*
About thirty miles above Fort Gratiot, and on the immediate shore of Lake
Huron, a greenish colored clay slate, alternating with compact and slaty sand-
stone, is seen attaining an altitude of from ten to twenty feet. In coastin<»
along the shore, rocks of a similar character occur at intervals as far as Point
Aux Barques. But at the latter place, and for several miles around, the sand-
stone is not accompanied by shale.

The sandrock at Point Aux Barques diflers materially in general character
from that in the central portions of the state ; for it is nearly or quite destitute
of fossils, and is highly micaceous and flaggy in structure. The sandstone first
noticed, as alternating with slate, is of a deep grey color, and the cement is
mostly argillaceous.

The general dip of these rocks is south-westerly ; and although not actually
seen in contact with the mountain limestone, there can be no doubt but it pass-
es under that rock formation, A rock stratum, which may be referred to the
lower portion of this group, is seen in that portion of our state north of Lake
Huron, on the St. Mary's river, where it is of a mottled or variegated color.
The channel of the St. Mary's river appears to have been chiefly excavated
from this rock, precisely at that point where its edge rested upon the primary
rocks of Upper Canada.

In ascending Lake Superior, this rid sandstone appears at numerous points,
and occasionally attains a considerable altitude, as at the Pictured Rod's, where
k rises in a mural wall of from two to three hundred feet. In the vicinity of

♦ The genera Terehratula, Producta, and Cyathophyllum, were observed
both in the eastern and western portions of the state : Orthocera, Bellerophon,
Sarcinula, Spirifer, Natica, Encrinus, Gorgonia, Madrepora, Reterpora, Caly-
mene and Asaphus at Monguagon, and Pecten at Grand rapids.

\i r

ArrLNDix.

353

Granite Pomt u .s seen, scarcely di.turbu,), resting upon nob, of primary rocks •
wh.lo .n th, Trap m -.ons of Lake Sup.,nor, as in tho vicinity of '^the For ° p.ne
n..u„ a,„. .a se. .lipping irregularly at „ ., ,. angl. fro.!, the elc IZd s
tnctofco.: y,an. < there of a deep reddish-brown color

These .ndston.« are, for the most part, auflicc.tly compact to furnish a
tolerably cuduring material for building.

Coal.
Since that rock formation occupying tho central portion of tho peninsula, as
ha area y been stated, may be referred to the carboniferous form'a.ion, I ;"
ca I ed t., conclude that examinations for coal might be conducted with a prc-
bab,h.y of success; and as far as these examinations have been carried, I havo
not been disappointed m these conclusions. For the reason that the outcrop,
ping ed^o of the rock is almost invariably covered with soil, but few points oc-
curling where .t can be seen, these examinations are attended with the grcafr-
l.nic,.lt.es ; and, much time will, in all probability, be required to test the qiics-'

areMi" "T"""" "^' T^- '"''"''"' ''"''• ^°°'' ?'•-'"« °<" bituminous coal
are found quite universally, ,„ excavating the sand and gravel of the counties

enumerated as bounding the carboniferous formation, an<l, no doubt, have their
ongm from the disintegration of the coal-bcaring rock, and Ihey occur over a
formTtio°n """"^""^ ^""^i^crably more extensive than that now occupied by that

Indica.icns of coal were more particularly noticed at several places in Jack-
son, Ingham. Ealon, and Shiawassee counties, and it was occasionally seen in
beds, rarely exceeding two or three ind.es in thickness. On Grindstone creek,
m Eaton county, and in the immediate vicinity, a bed,having an average thick-
ness of eighteen inches, and not exceeding two feet at any point. Was c^amine.l
along tlH. b,..e of the hills for about three fourths of a mile, where, in conse-
quence of Its dipping below the surface, I was unable to trace it farther. This
bed IS embraced in a succession of compact sandstones and fissile shalc<. varyl
Jng in thickness from five to thirty feet. In consequence of the shuttered con-
dition of the sandstone at one point, 1 was enabled to remove some twenty or
thirty bushels of tho coal, which proved to be highly bituminous, and of a very
good quality, though occasional pieces were observed sli^^htly contaminated with
iron pyrites. It ignites easily, burns with a bright flame, and leaves only a
small quantity of earthy residuum. ''

The dilficultie. which surrounded the investigation of this important subject,
•t IS to be hoped, will in a measure be overcome as the c„„ ,„y becomes more
settled ; and wo may look for much valuable information from the construction
of our contemplated internal improvements, and more particularly that of tho
proposed canal, which will cross tho coal formation at a point where we have
reason to hope that beds of this mineral will be brought to light.

Oypsum.
Near Grand rapids in Kent county, a bed of gypsum occurs, apparently of
considerable extent. It is embraced in a bed of gypseous marl, and overlays
tl«j limestone belore noticed as occurring in this neighborhood. AlthouH. the
gypsum IS only seen upon the surface at two or three points, and the bedrhave
never been opened, I became satisfied, after a somewhat cursory examination that
.1 exists, covered wit!, a few feet of soil, over a considerable district of count: y,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT.3)

1.0

■ •JO

!.4 1 1.6

I.I

1.25

"" A"

yO.^^iv.

riiuttJgrapmc

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 873-4503

^^^

t^»c*Mff^

354

APPENDIX,

'Jir^

ft *■

l' !

and that it cannot Tail to prove a suhject of much value to the agricultural inte-
rests of this and the adjoining parts of the state.

The gypsum is of the fibrous variety, nearly free from earthy matter, and ia
well adapted to nearly all the uses to which this valuable mineral ia applied.
The bod is distinctly stratafied, the layers varying from twelve to fifteen inches
in thickness, and they are sepe.rated from each other by argillaceous matter
and earthy gypsum.

Plaster is also known to exist at several other points m our state, but suffi-
cient examinations have not yet been made to throw any light upon the proba-
ble extent of the beds.

Brine Springs.

Looking upon every thing connected with the manufacture of salt is of the
most vital importance to the interests of the state, and also bearing in mind the
necessity of designating those springs selected for state purposes at as early a
day as possible,* most of my minute examinations during the past season have
been devoted to the brine springs of the peninsula ; and since the n:ost of these
occur in those counties which are but sparsely populated, the examinations
have been attended with labor of the most severe kind. Little or nothing of a
definite character has hitherto been known respecting either the location or
quality of these springs, and nothing of the geological circumstances under
which they occur.

It has been known, from the earlies* settlement of the country, that the In-
dians formerly supplied themselves with salt from Bprintjs occurring on the pe-
ninsula ; numerous reservations of lands supposed to contain salt springs, have
been made by the United States ; and many years ago several unsuccessful
attempts were made by individuals to manufacture salt. But after all, the fact
that most of the springs reserved by the United States contain little else than
some of the salts of lime and -.on, and the failure in the original attempt to
manufacture salt had, with much reason, given rise to doubts as to the exist-
ence of saline springs to any extent. In the examinations which have been
made d'-ring the past season, I have endeavored, so far as has been in my pow-
er, to determine the southerly boundary of the saline district, the geological and
geographical position of the different springs which have come under my ob-
servation, together with the comparative strength and purity of their M-aters.
As tliese examinations, from the short time which has elapsed, have only been
partial, and the deductions must necessarily be crude, I shall only offer at this
time such observations and suggestions as I conceive to be of immediate prac-
tical importance, or as may tend to a better understanding of the general facts
connected with the subject.

Saline indications of any importance have not been noticed south of a lino
drawn from Monroe, in Monroe county, to Granville, in Kent county ; and al-
though there are several indications in Wayne county, if the eastern point wore
removed to Mount Clemens, in Macomb county, the country lying north of
that line would embrace all of much, or, in fact, of any consequence, with the
exception of those on Saline river in Washtenaw couiUv This will be more

* It will be recollected, that by the act of admission, our state was lermitted
to select seventy-two sections of salt spring lands.

APPENDIX.

356

)ermitted

T^il'^i^^Tn^V"^''''''' '" *'•' ''''='"'°" °f tl^^ "Pring" enumerated in
Table No. 1,* which mcludes the most important springs examined

1 tiese may be conveniently described as occurring in five somewhat dl«tin.t

rrr':;w ^^^\?"7" "^""^ "^"' ^^'^'^ ^"^ ""'^"^ second;tZ t
r ver, towns eight and nme north : third, those on the Tittabawassa river town
fi teen north: fourth, those of Macomb county, town three north: fifth hoso

are ^1:1"^ ^"'T''^ •^''^"'^y' '-" ''^^^ «-th. Several other Vou"
are already known, and some additional aprings have been partially exar^iZ'

ThP relative strength and purity of the waters of these springs will be seen

b t th : is'bv' ""'''' ': ''' — P-y-g ^«b'-. numbered one nd two
but th. .s by no means to be taken as a standard of the amount of solid rnaUer

ter „ ,hT° ""'" "''"^'^ circumstances be found to conta n T^wa
n ne'.r --Pt'on of those taken from ,he springs numbered eilhteen and

n n ,ecn, were mvar.ably taken from the surface, and with the sin. le exrption
of that numbered fifteen, under the most unfavorable circumstances In coC
quence ot the l.avy rains of the past summer, most of the mar hes "n which
hesa- ecur have been deluged with fresh water ; the streams h ve been

whcfh h""*; '""v"'^"" "'"''"'' '" P^*'^""""^ eventhediluted v or
wh, h has been the subject of this analysis, and in more than one instance has
th h,gh state of the water compelled me to abandon the exannnation

In ascendmg Grand nver from its mouth, we first notice the appearance of
. ae spnngs some three to four miles below the rapids in Kent couy These
m .catmns occur m the small marshes in the valley on either sid- /he river
The r.er ,s here bounded by hills having a considerable elevation, ndXh
give to t.ie country a somewhat ruggid aspect.

It has already been mentioned th^t the bed"of the river, at the rapids is of
.me rock, and it does not lie at any great depta in the neighboring p^Jons o
the valley. The gypsum, before noticed, occurs in the immediafe vi Z o
le more important springs. vicmiiy oi

JlT ^/P""'^ ""'"^""'■^'^ f""--. five, six, seven, and eight, in Table No. 1
(although of a superior quality,) may Le taken as the ty^e of the others mv
doscripfons will be confined to these alone. From these' ,hc ndian ' Z
surroundmg country are reputed to have procured their salt at an earird^'
and hese springs have been known from the earliest settlement of the country'
1 hese salines occur separated only a few rods from each other, near the ed.^
of a marsh contaimng about twenty acres, and their waters are discharged rom
small tumnli m general appearance not unlike flattened ant hills. They ar^
a most completely surrounded by an exuberant growth of Chara, upon the rooU
ra V T'^ "h : " %P;^'--'-t deposite of lime, which is usudly con d
rably co ored by iron. The calcareous deposite has not produced any ind, ra-
tion, an, he marsh is so completely softened in the immediate vicinil of the
springs, that they are only approached by using the utmost caution.' SmaU
streams of water are constantly discharged from these several springs wS
uniting at a short distance, and being joined by numerous springs'of fresh wa-

cJoS" ■n'^S "' '" ""' '"""'^ '" '""^ ^^P-' °f Dr. Houghton, the State

l! >W

J; !

■

356

APPENDIX.

ter, give rise to an inconsiderable but permanent brook, which enteri Grand river
at a distance of a httle less than eighty rods. Upon examining the several
springs more closely, they are found to have a variable depth of from a few
inches to two or three feet, and to vary in diameter from two to three feet.
When the bottom is not concealed by the loose vegetable and ferruginous mat-
ter, which is sometimes retained by the exuberant growth of plants by which
these springs are surrounded, it is seen to be composed of yellow sand with
comminuted shells chiefly of Lymnea, Melanea, and Pupa, portions of which
are kept in constant and rapid motion by the jets of water. This yellow sand
is found to be based upon, or to contain, numerous boulders of primary rocks,
at a very slight depth. The water discharged is perfectly trp.nsparen., with a
slightly bluish tinge, and contains sufficient carbonic acid to give it a flavor not
disagreeable. In only one spring was sulphuretted hydiogen observed, and it
was in that instance regarded as purely accidental. The temperature of the
different springs was tbund to range from 48° to 61° Fah., while the springs cf
fresh water in the vicinity would not vary very much from 52°.

The salines being situated at a lower level than most of the surrounding
country, must necessarily be liable to great variation in strength and purity, ac-
cording as the lateral springs are more or less increased or diminished. The
sandy soil with calcareous gravel being superimposed upon lime rock, and con-
taining small quantities of both sulphuret and carbonate of iron, must be a con-
stant source of contamination, more particularly during, and immediately after,
heavy rains ; and to this admixture of substances perfectly foreign, must bo
ascribed the great variation shown by the analysis to exist in the mineral con-
tents of waters taken at a distance of only a few rods from each other, and evi-
dently having a common source.

Slight indications of saline waters are seen in the valley of Grand river near
Ionia, but none were observed on that river above that point.

In ascending Maple nver, saline indications were firsf observed in town eight
north, range four wes ; and were seen to occur at distant intervals between that
point and what may l.e considered a- the head of navigation of the stream
not far from the line betv.c,,.. 'anges one and two west. The Maplj river be-
tween these points is a sluggish stream, having so slight a current as to resem-
ble a succession of narrow lakes; while the alluvial shores, scarcely risin^ above
the water, even when lowest, are covered with a dense forest of soft maple,
giving to the whole stream, at hrst, rather a forbidding aspect. But in passing
from thi'j valley, which varies from half a mile to two or throe miles in width
we come upon a beautifully elevated and undulating country, for the most part
heavily timbered, and well adapted to the purposes of agriculture. The bottom
of the stream is seen to be composed of a yellowish sand, as is also the alluvial
depositc which bounds it on either side, with which are frequently seen bould-
ers of primary rocks, but no rock was seen in place at any point upon the river.
In Clinton county,* and where, by a somewhat sudden turn, the river ap-
proaches near to the elevated boundary of the valley just described, saline indi-
cations of a decided chara,;ter appear in the narrow marsh or alluvial bottom
which bounds the river upon its northern side. Two marshes, acarccly elevate

♦ Town eight north, range four west, section fifteen.

■

I Grand river
; the several
f from a few
o three feet,
uginoua mat-
its by which
)w sand with
ons of which
yellow sand
imary roclia,
arenv, with a
t a flavor not
erved, and it
atiire of the
le springs cf

surrounding
d purity, ac-
ished. The
ck, and con-
1st be a con-
Jiately after,
gn, must bo
mineral con-
ler, and evi-

id river near

» town eight
ictween that
the stream
Ij river be-
ns to resem-
rising above
soft maple,
\ in passing
3a in width,
ic most part
The bottom
the alluvial
ieen bould-
)n the river,
e river ap-
salineindi-
vial bottom
ccly elevafc

APPENDIX.

357

ed above t!ie surface of the river, and partially separated from each other, occur
in the lower, of which no distinct spring can be said to exist ; but the water is
aeon at several points oozing through the san.ly soil in connexion with the wa-
tor of the river ; and although no means could be devised for preventing the con-
stant accession of fresh water and foreign matter, it will be seen by "reference
to spring U, Tables No. 1 and 2, a much more favorable result was obtained
than could under those circumstances have been anticipated. At the upper
marsh, an excavation had been made to the depth of a few feet, but not suffi-
ciont to prevent the free ingress of fresh water. There was a constant discharge
of water in small quantities perfectly transparent, and having a temperature tf
4^^, and, as was also the case with that at the lower marsh, having a si lit
odor of sulphuretted hydrogen. The result of an examination of the water,
taken under these favorable circumstances, is given in Tables No. t and 2*
spring No. 13. ' '

Since my visit to that place, I am informed a shaft has beei sunk through al-
teruating beds of sand and coarse gravel, to l depth of about forty feet, and has
been attended by a considerable increase of the saline contents of the water +

As we continue to ascend the Maple River, indications of saline water occa-
sionally appear until we arrive near the source of navigation of that stream in
Gratiot county, some fifteen to trt-enty miles above those already described.
Here two saline marshes occur, one upon each side of, and scarcely elevated
above the water of t'. ■ • ream at its medium height. That upon the northern
side was estimated to contain between forty and fifty acres. They are simi-
lar in appearance, consisting of a deposite of sand, intermixed with vegetable
matter. Numerous small pools of brackish water are irregularly distributed
ever them, and the soil is apparently saturated through their whole extent of it ;
lut as the looseness of the earthy material admits the free percolation of tho
water of the river, the results of the analysis given in Tables No. 1 and 2,
springs 11 and 12, can only be looked upon as an approximation to the present
strength and purity of the surface water. In a single instance, upon the south-
ern side, and where the soil becomes slightly argillaceous, the water was seen
rising to the surface, and running ofT in small quantities ; but after minute ex-
amination, I was led to infer that a large amount of water, which would under
other circumstances rise to the surface, is discharged laterally through the sand

* Since writing the above, I have received, through the politeness of Messrs,
Faiks and Warner, the proprietors of the spring, several bottles of the water
taken since the shaft was sunk. One hundred cubic inches (three and a half
ilsufts'" ^ '^ ^''^^'' ^"''•i^'^'^'' ^ ^'^^ analysis, gave the following

Muriate of soda, 143.88 grains.
Muriate of lime, 439

Muriate of magnesia, 12.83

Carbonate of lime, giss

Carbonate of iron, _'Qg

Sulphate of lime, 13.47

Total solid matter, 190.80 grains.

By a comparison of this analysis with that numbered 13, in Table 1, it will
be seen that there has been an increase of 92.42 grains of solid matter, and
77.0.-. grains of salt, in one hundred cubic inches of the water, in consequence
of the shaft which has been sunk.

> 1)

868

APPENDIX.

Iffi

and gravel, into the river. These marshes are the favorite resort of wll.i ani-
male j and pafhs, deeply worn by deer, were seen in every direction.

On .he T.ttabawttssa River in iM.dland County, numerous indications of the
existence of bnne springs wore noticed, extending from near the mouth of Chip,
pewa River as far as I ascended the former stream, being a fewm.les above the
mouth of Sa t R.ver. Upon either side of the Tittabawassa, between the points
noted, small pools of brackish water were observed, as also, occasionally,
springs discharging a similar water in small quantites; and although an .'!
ammation showed the waters to contain large quantities of the salts cHime, and
occasionally of iron, they were never destitute of more or less salt.

bprings of a more decidec. character occur in the vicinity of the mouth of
bait river. The first observed occurs in the stream near the banks of the Tit-
tabawassa, a little beluw Salt river, and at the time of my visit wan .overed by
some two to two and a half feet of wnt.r. Aftnr much labor, by partly encir-
cling the spring with two rows of stakes, and falling a.ound wi^i earth, I was

but ' r ': " r :"" '"'.' T'' ^^ '" """^'^ "" -P-**-' ^ami^ation ;
but the loose nature of the material composing the bed of the stream, (it beii..^

sand and gravel,) together with the imperfect manner in which the crib surt
jnding the spring w^seonsiructed, did not prevent the constant accession
of considerable quantities of fresh water ; for which reason the result of the ex-
amination given in Tables No. 1 and 2. 3pring No. 1, must be considered as
nothing more than an, approximation to the real .,uantity of solid matter the
water would contain were it taken under more favorable circumstances

Ihe spring was found by actual admeasurement to discharge about seventy
gallons of water per hour, free from all sedimentary matter, perfectly transpa-
rent and to have a temperature of 47°, while the temperature of the river was
51 Fah. A small quantity of some gaseous matter was discharged at inter-
vals of several minutes, which, although I had no means of determining to a
certainty, was supposed to be carburetted hydrogen.

Nearly a mile above this spring, upon the same bank, and elevated from eioht
to ten feet above the water of the river, is a second spring, discharging a some-
what larger quantity of water. Its general appearance and temperature arc
precsoly the same as in that already described ; but in strength it is inferior
as will be seen by reference to Table No. 1, spring No. 2. '

Near by, but at a greater elevation, seven-' small springs of brackish water
were seen issuing f. ... the sloping bank r/ ■. river, which, upon examination,
were found to contain a notable quantity of salt.

At the distance of about tiiree-fourths of a mile from the locality last men-
tioned, and some forty rods from Salt River, on its left bank, several brine
springs, closely resembling those before described as occurring near the rapids
ol Grand River, are seen to issue from a marsh of about an acre in extent The
quantity of water discharged from these springs is small, but when considered
in connexion with those already noticed, they become matters of considerable
interest, smce they serve to show that the salines are not confined to one or
two springs, but are widely dispersed over a large district of country By refer-
ence to spring No. 3, Tables I and 2, the strength and purity of one of the
Bprmgs, occurring in this marsh, will be seen ; but since the marsh from which
this water was taken, had been completely deluged by the rains that had fallen

APPENDIX.

S59

the night before, perhaps no greater allowance should be medc for any water
that wa« analyzed, than for this.

Brine sprin^^s are known lo exist near the mouths of the Flint and Cass
ll.vers m Saginaw county, as also in Sanillac county j but as they occur in a
Hat section of country, the unfavorable season coinpelied ino to defer examining
them until some future time. °

On the eastern declivity of the peninsula, in the counties of St. Clair, Ma.
comb, Wayne, and the eastern part of Oakland, numerous indications of saline
water occur; but the waters are in most instances weak, and much contami-
nated with the salts of liir*e, magnesia, and iron. The only exceptions to this,
(among those which have been examined,) will be seen by reference to springg
numbered 16, 17, 18, and 19, in Tables 1 and 2.

Thequanlity of water discharged from the brine springs, (so far as examined,)
18 niuch greater upon the western aud northern than upon the eastern declivity
ot the peninsula.

The solution of this ditTerenc- may be looked for, chiefly, from the dilTerenoe
m dip of the roLk strata ; but it is also, probably, dependant in part upo'i the
earthy superstratum through which th« waters reach the surface. Thus, while
the springs enumerated as occurring upon the western and northern declivities
rise to the surface through a sandy soil, those in the counties la^t mentioned
chiefly hnd their way to the surface through beds of tough clay, with occasion-
al interstratified beds of sand and gravel, though not unfrequently, for a sliaht
depth, the soil may be sand and loam. A little reflection upon this subject will
serve to show the n.anner in which the water, in rising to the surface, may fol-
low the frequently inclined direction of these beds of sand and gravel, and ap-
pear at numerous points where least resistance will be ottered to its ascent, and
noc unfrequently at some distance from the real source of the spring. This source
ol perplexity, which mast necessarily at times lead to erroneous conclusiong,
would bo less liable to occur were the earthy matter superimposed upon the
rock of a homogeneous character so far as texture is concerned. For this rea-
8on, as also for the others connected with the position of the rock strata, the
certainty of obtaining salt water by boring must be looked upon as less upoQ
the eastern than upon the northern and western slopes of the peninsula.

From the earliest settlement of the country, brine springs have een known
to exist in Macomb county, on Salt River, a small stream which is discharged
mto Lake St. Clair: and many years ago an attempt was made to manufac
ture salt from one of them. But although salt was manufactured in small quan-
tities, the water did not prove of sufficient strength to render it a source of pro-
fit, m consequence of which the attempt was abandoned. When I visited the
spot, an old gum or hollow sycamore, sunk to the depth of a few feet, near the
edge of the stream, marked the spot from which the water was taken, and a few
remaining bricks the site of the furnace.

No attempt appears to have been made to improve the water any farther
than by simply excluding that from the stream. The gum was so far decayed
as to permit a free communication with the water of the stream, and that near
the surface in the gum was to the taste apparently free from saline matter • but
a bottle sunk to the bottom, about five feet, brought up the water which was the
subject of the examination noted as spring No. 16, Tables 1 and 2. No esti-

I 11

: i^<

860

AITENDIX.

mate could be formed of Iho q.:- dty discharged, but it was inferred to bo in-
con«uieral,le The temperature of the water at the bottom of the gum was
found to be 50O, h hile that of the stream was 60° Fnh.

On the opposite side of the stream, and only a few rods from that last describ-
h!' V.7n'T '^"''""'y "'' "''""« ""^t" i'^'J^d ^'om a bed of clay. That num-

catinn. 1 .u '""^ '^' ''"' '"'''" '■'■°'" "''^ ''■"'=''• Nuruerous similar indi-

cations occur m the immediate vicinity.

South-west from the springs last noticed, and about twelve miles distant, in-
.no the mi n T «'";'''";,'^''-'^t" "PPeur on a small stream which discharges
nto the m ddle branch of CImton R,ver. Here, upon a bed of clay, and scarce-

■n which brackish water is seen at numerous points. A shaft has been sunk

and flrilf fh ''?' '""^' ""'' S^'^^'^'' •" " ^^P'h o»- twenty-three feet ;

TabltT and 2^ IT "'"^V^ ^ «"4-t of the analysis, num'bered 18, in

Fah. The quantity of water dischrr^!:; irZl'L^ do^e! ^t rpX^ I'
oeen materially improved by the slight excavation which has been made e.
cept so far as the curb may serve to exclude the surface water

,hptr"°T"'' "'"•"' '■'•""'h'^t last noticed, and in a sm^Il marsh where
here does not appear to have been any distinct spring, but sim.Iy brackish wa

gravel. The water which was subjected to the analysis, Nofig, Tables and

o^eXti Th rbet^'1\ ^'''^"""'"'^^-^^-^^'^^

one toot in he tube, there did not appear to be any discharge of water from it

In he valley of Saline River in Washtenaw County, ne^r the vJale o7sa.

Imebnnespnngs, closely resembling those already notLd in Macomb County

ot 1 ?:':;: boT"- 7'^' "^ r " '^^"'-^ '-^^ ^ ^^^ ^^ ^^-^ -perimposTd'
on c ay, at the bottom of a somewhat deep valley, and givin. rise to several

sma. pools and marshes, as also appearing in one or two instances in leap
of springs, whicn discharge small quantities of water. That from which the
analysie numbered 15, Tables 1 and 2. was taken, appears to be of the mos'
importance. " •« most

In a communication from an intelligent gentleman of Saline on the subject
of thisspnng he says: "From the stories of Indians and reports of the old
French mha itants, both of Detroit and Monroe, we are assumed, that a an
early day salt was tnanufactured here in considerable quantities. And from
he c-ondifon m which the spring was found when we Srst explored the couT-
try, we have good reason to place confidence in these reports

" When I first visited this place, in 1823, the spring was about sixteen feet
deep, firm^ set round with pickets of logs, and the surrounding water ellTd
by an embankment Tho spring IS now filled up, the picket^ destroyed and
1 :i"!"""' '"' '""" "' '" '''''' °^ "«^'-^ "-y ^y ^>- operation of

Thus having described, perhaps somewhat more minutely than the subject
under cr,..ary circumstances would have called for, the principal brine s^S,i
examined during the past season, it becomes a matter of primary importance fo

ArruNDtx.

3G1

inquire what practical concluaiona can be drawn from these examinations. Tho
question will naturally present itself under two somewhat distinct heads • first
will the water, from either of the springs examined (by the simple exclusion of
the surface water,) conlam sufficient sail, and is it discharged in sufficient
quantity to enable a profitable jnanufacture to bo carried on? Secondly, can the
water be improved in strength, purity, and quantity ?

The first of these questions involves so lew considerations as to admit of a
ready and positive answer ; for, although the strongest of our brine contains
nearly two-thirds as much salt as would be contained in an equal quantity of
sea water, (taken at a distance from the coast,) and by a simple exclusion of
the surface wafer, might, undoubtedly, be obtained of a strength fully equal and
of much greater purity, from our proximity to extensive manufactures where
water of a superior quality is used, and with the facilities for transportation
which now exist, we would bo enabled to procure our salt from abroad at a
cheaper rale than it could possibly bo manufuctured at home. And a<rain no
spring, which was examined, discharges a sufficient quantity of water "to war-
rant the erection of works ; although, in several instances, the* objection mi-ht
possibly be removed by a simple and very slight excavation.

In order to arrive at satisfacfcry conclusions upon the second question, it
may not be misplaced to institute a comparison between those sprin-rs which
occur on the peninsula, ond those in other sections of the United States

The springs of New- York, which are perhaps more universally and deaerv.
they known than any others, and which have been to that State a source of
so much wealth, are so difTerently situated that we can scarcely institute a satis-
factory comparison between those and our own. Emanating as they do. from
the direct outcropping edge of the rock, forming a great saliferous basin, their
waters possess all the requisites of purity, strength, and quantity, without any
other than superficial excavation. Thus, while the springs of New- York are
discharged directly from the edge of the saliferous rock, those of our peninsula
.0 far a, examined, rise to the surface through a superincumbent mass of lime-
stone, sandstone, and shale.

Tho general resemblance between the geology of the valley of the Ohio and
that of our own state has already been noticed ; but from facts which it is un-
necessa y to detail at this time, I am led to infer that the rock formations of
our saliferous district are somewhat lower in the series than those occurring at
the principal salines on the Ohio. If this inference be correctly drawn it
would follow that the salt-bearing rock would lie nearer the surface here than
at the points mentioned in Ohio, and that the borings would not be required to
be carried to so great a depth in our own as in that state.

In pursuing this subject, we may arrive at some general conclusions by a
comparison of the surface waters subjected to analysis, and of which the re-
suits are given in Tables numbered 1 and 2, with that which was first used on
the Kenhawa, and of which a general description has been given. It has at
ready been stated that the making of salt was commenced on the Kenhawa
When the borings had been carried in the rock to the depth of tv enty-six feet,
the gum occupying a space of fourteen feet of superincumbent sand and grave)
and thar three hundred gallons were required to manufacture a bushel of salt!

t'lim

APPENDIX.

If fifty-six pounds bo taken as the standard weight of a bushel of salt,* it will
be found, by calculation, '.hat it will recjuiro of the water numbered 1, in Table
1, and which, it will be recollected, was taken under most unCavorablo circuni-
■tances, three hundred and thirty-seven gallons nearly, to produce that quanti-
ty. Now, since this water was taken where the walur of the river was from
two to two and a half Icet deep, and under such circumstances that the free ac
cess of large quantities of fresh water could not be prevented, I think it will be
■afeto say that the waters of this spring are quite equal to that first used on
the Kenhawa, even after the excavation ol forty feet, which had been made at
the last-mentioned salines.

The importance of this comparison ia much enhanced by the striking simi-
larity of circumstances under which the salines of our own state and those of
Ohio appear ; but, aside from these comparisons, when the geological relatiorM
of those portions of our state in which these springs occur are considered, wo
cannot fail to lookupor> them as capable of being vastly improved, and as bein^
Bubjects of vital importance to the state. It will be recollected, that at the
spring mentioned on the Kenhawa, where originally three hundred gallons of
the water were required for the manufacture of a bushel of salt, seventy gallons
are now suflicient to produce that quantity. As on the Ohio and its tributaries
shafts are required to be sunk to unequal depths, and water of very unequal
strength and purity is obtained, bo in our own state we may look for great va-
riation in this respect.

We can only hope to obtain a permanent supply of brine, of sufficient
strength, from the springs of our state by sinking shafts through the rocky strata,
nntil the salt-bearing rock be reached, be the distance more or less. If judi-
ciously conducted, a reasonable doubt could scarcely bo entertained but this
would he attended with success, and that our springs might be made to produce
a supply of salt more than sufficient for the wants of the state. But it must not
be imagined that this will be unattended with difficulties ; for, after the most
minute examinations of our salt region have been made, and those points which
offer the most reasonable prospects of success selected for the commencement
of operations, no little skill, labor, and expense will be required to sink such
shafts as may bo of any permanent benefit. J allude to this subject t'le more
particularly, since excavations are not unfrequently commenced by individuala
without " counting cost," under the delusive expectation that a simple superli-
cial excavation is all that is required. The result is a failure to attain the ob-
ject sought, and a distrust of the whole matter. Since it is not yet known to
what depths the boring will require to be carried at any of the points in the
ealt district, and the sinking of a shaft to any great depth being attended with
considerable expense, individuals should enter upon these experiments, (for
they must be looked upon in this light,) with extreme caution. When the
depths to which shafts must be sunk are fully determined, the expense and pro-
bability of success may be calculated with considerable certainty ; but it is not
by any means to be presumed that water will be procured of equal strength
and purity at all the points which have been enumerated, or that operations
might be commenced at all those points with prospects of success.

♦ The legal weight of a bushel of salt in the state of New- York, by the act
ori797 ; but the measured bushel will considerably exceed this.

APPENDIX.

363

Comparatively littln \a yet knowr. of the minute geology ot our lalt district
or even of >U geographical extent; and since we may reasonably hope to find
those portions, yet to be examined, rich in brine springs, the policy of imm*.
didtely commencmg the improvement of those which bid most fair to produce a
strong brine in sufficient quantities, demands serious consideration. Whilo
It IS of vital importance to the state thot operations be commenced with the
least possible dclny, it is also desirable that the very best points should be first
selected, and that the subject should be as perfectly understood as circumstances
will permit ; but should it be deemed advisable to take the steps preparatory to
this improvement, 1 do not hesitate to give it as an opinion, drawn from a car*,
ful examination of the subject, that points may be selected where these opera-
tions may be conducted with the strongest prospects of eventual success.

Clay.

Marly clay of rather a coarse character, is distributed quite universally
through the different counties of the state. These deposites of clay are fre-
qucntly associated with pebbles of lime, which render them unfit for the manu-
tacture of bricks ; but since these pebbles in many instances assume a stratified
and alternating position, the clay may, with a little care, be obtained nearly or
quite free from them.

In Washtenaw county, near Ann Arbor, a bed has been opened, and tha
clay used in the manufacture of earthen ware with very good success

Near the middle branch of the Clinton river, in Macomb county, a bed of
clay occurs, of superior quality, both in fineness of texture and freedom from
calcareous matter, and is belter fitted for the manufacture of pottery than any
I have seen in our state.*

Sand.
Nearly the whole western coast of the peninsula, immediately upon Lake
Michigan, IS bordered by a succession of sand dunes, or hills of loose sand not
unfrcqnently attaining a considerable altitude. These hills are in many places
free from all vegetation, while in others they are covered by a growth of dwarf
pines and cedar ; and, more rarely, by olher timber. When free from ve-reta-
tion, the hills are constantly undergoing change from the action of the wrnds
the sand gradually encroaching upon the land. The moveable sands, which
are now unnoticed, may hereafter become matters of serious inconvenience, more
particularly in those portions where the timber may be heedlessly rer^oved
These dunes are not unfrequently composed of sand tolerably well adapted to
the manufacture of glass, though its value is unfrequently much impaired by
the presence of particles of dark-colored minerals.

Five to six miles north-west of Monroe, the disintegration of a siliceous lime-
rock has given rise to a bed of sand of a very superior quality, and of consider-
able extent. The sand is of a snowy whiteness, formed of exceedingly email
and angular grains, and is nearly pure quartz. These qualities render it better
adapted to the manufacture of glass than any other that has been seen in tha
state.

* My attention was called to this by Isaac W. Avorill, Esq. who exposed
the bed while conducting operations with a view of improving the salt sprincrg
of Macomb county. «- a r t,

APPENDIX.

^/|

Marl.

Oar sfito abound! in depoiitei of marl, compofted of recent ihells, and in
•ome few instancei it haa been used in tlio manufacture of lime. Inexhausti-
ble bedi exist in the northern partof St. Joseph and the adjoininji; counties, and,
as a manure, will provo invaluable to the agricultural interests of those portion!
of our state. Several extensive beds were seen in Jackson county, as aleo in
Monroe county, near the city of Monroe.

The great value of these beds of marl to the agricultural interests of our state it
by no means appreciated, and its value as a manure appears to be but littla
understood by those to whom the information ia of the utmost practical impor.
tance. My mind was colled more emphatically to (his subject from having
•een, m the early part of the acason, one of our farmers making use of plaster
(transported from a distance and at a great expense,) upon the sandy portions
of his lands, while the marl, in his immediate neighborhood, and which would
have answered his purpose nearly equally well, was wholly neglected.

Bog Iron ore.
Deposites of bog iron ore were seen at numerous points on the peninsula, but
it exists in so small quantities at most of the places examii'°d as to be of littla
value.

Near the village of Kalomazoo, a somewhat extensive bod of this ore waa
Been, which, it is conceived, may prove of some practical importance. It was
cursorily examined over an extent of perhaps forty to fifty acres, and was found
to vary from a few inches to three or four feet in thickness. Three specimens
of the ore subjected to analysis gave the following mean result for one hundred
grains

Peroxid of iron, 78^45 grains.

Silica and alumina, 7 95

Carbonate of lime, | jq

Water, 12^50

<i
<i

100,00 grains.

At a distance of six or seven miles norm- west from Detroit, and in the county
of Wayne, bog ore occurs at intervals, over an extent of several hundred acres,
but I have not been able to examine it with sufficient care to determine its ex-
tent ; I think, however, there can be little doubt but it exists in sufficient quan-
titles to be turned to practical account.

Near the mouth of Grand river, in Ottawa county, is a somewhat limited
bed of bog ore, but the specimens subjected to examination were found to con-
tain too many impurities to bo of much if any value.

Mineral Springs.
Several springs, charged with sulphuretted hydrogen, occur near Monroe, in
Monroe county, and the waters being also charged with carbonate of lime, give
rise to considerably elevated mounds of calcareous tufa, and from which the wa-
ter is usually discharged in a constant stream. A spring ol much larger size
occurs in a marsh near the town of Havre in that county. This latter^spring,
which has a circumference of a hundred and fifty feet and a depth of thirty'
five feet, discharges a sufficient qnantity of water, were it favorably situated,

APPENDIX.

360

to .urn a mill. Tho .,uantity of iulphurettcd hydrogen conUined by thi.
•prmg, .. al.o Ihco near (ho city of Monroo, tho.igh not great , ,« »uHiciont
to characterize them, and to render thc.nof con.ider.blo value in !»». treatment,
more particularly, of nitaneo.w ducaHOH. • ircaimeni,

rec)'io"n "Tn'ZT."'' ^'T^ "'"^ ''''""'"«^' ""-^^ '*•" "'°''' '"""-'-to di-
rection of Dr. Abraham Sager, principal aa.i.tant, have received duo atlen-

Eiton.ive collectiona of plant, havo been made, and the preparatory atop,
taken towards arranging a Flora of tho state. '

The geaHon wa» conaiderably advanced before wo were enabled to turn our
attention to the zoolo<;y of the state, yet several hundred specimens, n.os.ly in
he department, of Ornithology and Ilerpetology, have been collected, and w 11
furnish aid m studying these departments of natural history

ropo^rapWeU mapsol the several counties of the state, reduced from the

3t T k""": """°^'' "" '" " """•' P^°S— "- --"..ances wd!
permit and wo hope during the progress of the geological survey to be enabled
to render them minutely accurate. enuoica

In order to place our state university in such a condition that it may hold a
rank among the institutions of our country, it is very impor- ,.t that the parent
mslitution, as well as ,t branches, be amply supplied with a collection of all that
appertain, to the natural history of our own state at UaU. This may be accom-
pushed during the continuance of the geological survey which is in progress
but not without much labor and expense. Since the making these collection^
would so far ciipple our operations in the other departments, in consequence of
the inadequacy of the appropriation, it remains to be decided whether these de-
partments, which are being carried forward with so much zeal by the states
cltX u? ^"^ continued as commenced, or shall be abandoned to a bare

In conclusion it may .,ot be misplaced to allude to the numerous difficulties
to which we are subjected in carrying forward the investigations before us. Our
«tate ,8 ,„ us infancy ; and although it is rapidly populating with an intelli<.ent
and industrious people, they are at present, (with the exception of those in a%e.
ry tew of the counties,) thinly spread over a large district of country. The nu-
merous difficulties and privations by which tl.cy are surro-.ndcd have prevent-
ed much attention even to the general character of the country around them
For his reason, the amount of local information, which can be obtained is
Bjnall, and exceedingly liable to error. We have on the peninsula no mountain
chains, no lofty mural walls or deep valleys, where the actual superposition of
the rocks can be seen at a glance; our quarries of stone have scarcely been
opened, all which subject us to many difficulties. In addi.ion to all ihis those
portions to which the immediate interests of the state call our attention have
no avenues by which they can be reached, excepting by the streams or the trails
of the Indians. The ascent of a rapid stream by canoe, the only feasible mode
of travelling, and the only manner by which examinations can be satisfaclorilv
conducted is anended by fatigue, labor, and hardships of the mostsev.re kind.
Wading the strums by day, and annoyed by mosquetoes at night, separated
for weeks together from all society, were it not that the mind is constantly oc
cupied m the contemplation of objects which, from their symmetry aud beauty,

m ■:

366

APPENDIX.

furnish a constant mental feast, there would be nothing which could possibly
compensate for the hardships endured.

Note X[.
PRINCIPAL RIVERS,

KALAMAZ-tQ AND GRAND RIVER.

{J. Mny^s Report of the Survty of the Kalamazoo and Grand River.)
To the Hon. Justice Burdick,

President of the Board of Internal Improvement :
Sir: In obedience to my instructions, and in pursuance of the act of the
legislature, authorizing the surveys of certain rivers, I have mide an examina-
tion and sjrvey of the If alamazoj and Grand rivers, which were committed to
iny charge.

In performing the responsible duties appertaining to this service, I have en-
deavored to adopt such a system of examination as would best enable me
to lay before your honorable board the information sought for, or contemplat-
ed by the act making appropriations for this object.

Such of the rivers as have been designated as objects of attention, so much
80 as to be embraced in the general system of internal improvement, have, no
doubt, merited this distinction from the well-known fact of their having al-
ready afforded unusual facilities for transpcrto'ion ; and upon the principle that
the rights and interests of the citizens of the state should be equa'.ly cherished
and protected. It is believed to be the duty of the government to extend the
operations of internal improvement as far as a just regard for the interests ot
all. and the capabilities of the treasury, will permit, t< >e navigable rivers and
waters within our state.

Every day brings with it additional proof of their intrinsic value to the
agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial interests of 'he state.
' But a few years have elapsed since the bircti canoe of the Indian and the
battcau of the trader were the only craft to be seen upon their placid waters ;
now the imposing spectacle of a " steamboat" arrests the attention of the re-
tiring son of the forest, teeming with emigrants and implements of husbandry,
ready to deface the last print of his foot in that soil once so dear to him and to
his nation.

Some facts may be stated in regard to what facilities are now oiTered by these
rivers for navigation and transportation, and such a statement would seem to be
necessary for the purpose of enabling those unacquainted with the circum-
stances to arrive at a jrst conclusion as to the propriety of making appropria-
tions for improvements.

I would here remark, that most of the rivers flowing out of this peninsula
have a greater c'istnnce from their mouths than any other streams of equal vo-
lume of water within my observation or knowledge : this is accounted for
from the fact that they have a very uniform descent, and the fall not so gi at in a
gi\\.-n distance as to produce a very rapid flow of the element ; "and i-. many
instances it only requires a reasonable amount of labor and money to be ex-
pended, in order to render these natural channels available fo: ali tlie purposes
ef navigation.

APPENDIX.

367

■••ion, «li, 1 1,„., fu,„i.h .„™ tolZ . ?,'°°,'" "■=''"""'■ of tr.n.p.,-

for transportation, that no more cap ?ahTK • ""'"^^'- "^ "aft to b. used
and absolutely required, "''''"'''P'"'^ ^^' ^een mvested than was profitable

riv?r"wef:';;„ra";onheT' "^^^ °' "'^ ■'''^'^ ^« -- -P'oyed on Grand
York cana,r Th e . Z:TZ rT'^Y '''''-'' '"^ -^w-
twccn the mouth of the rTve ana G 2 r"^ ""-"'' " "'"''"' "^' ^^-
of open boats, carrying fom tea o fifteen 7 ^ ^"' ^''='="'- ^'th a class

required business. i'„ c^ns^; ene wher of a"LT °""' '"^'"^^'^"^ '" ^« "^«
v.amns destined for the Rapids and the Int^^K^ ^°°''' ''"^ P^°-

Grand Haven the precedin' winter ^^ ''°'' ''^^ '" ^'^'^ ^'^-'x'^^' at

their wharf on or about the fir^t of jlly pa,t " "'"'' ""^^ '^"""^"^^^ f™'"

th^^er^;r;;£x s^:rt "t ^^^ ^^ -- -^ ^- -

river and Grand Rapids daUyShelsfn I'' ''^^"'=«" "'^ -0"th of tho
the different ports on Lake Miehtan ? ""u" '""" ""^"^'^ ^^^^''''l ^rips to
-outh of the Kalamazoo CbS' ZZT^' T' '' ^-^--d' the
ted by her enterprizi..^, o;„ers tha their Z "''^°" ' ="'^ '* '^ ^^n^it-

realized .s to hel- perf^rmancrX -fiL""' ""^"'"' expectations have beea

^^el,:::::^^:- -^Ej--;^-of two^^^^ boats Of tho

the rapids, the other from the basb of "he Kent P "'^''" '' '''' '"^^^ of

of Lyons, in the county of Ionia! Company's canal to the village

^'7yl'«»I^o proper at this time to adv».t to another f *u
'Rg what benefits and advanta-^es a-e deriv;H f lu *' ^^ "^"^ °^ «''ow-

and which are now available tol ose engZ^rmt- "T' ^'-^^'^^^^-^on,
port,on of which is consumed in a foreign nrnk^" ""'''"^ '"""^er. the greater

number ar. double m'ills. Thre':;,-:? f trjol' t ^ ^^^^^^' °^ '^'«
the. erage amount of lumber cut by these m.lirt.:: l^Z::^^:-

same has been put into rafts ^'''" '" '^'^'y^'ght hours after the

868

APPENDIX.

■r

ll>'

The Kalamazoo is now navigated by the largest class of what are termed
Durham boats, from its mouth to the village of Allegan, a distance, by the river,
of thirty-eight miles ; at certain stages of the water this operation is extended
to the village of Kalamazoo, a distance from the mouth of the river of seven-
ty-five miles.

Had measures been taken to obtain from authentic sources the amount of
transportation and businesson this stream the last season, I make no doubt but
that the result would have abundantly proved its value and importance to the
population of the interior, as a convenient avenue to the trade and commerce of
the lake.

What has been remarked in relation to lumbering operations on the Grand
river, will apply with peculiar force to the Kalamazoo ; at no single period with-
in the limits of this state, to my knowledge, has the business of manulacturing
lumber been so exclusive an object of attention as at the village of Allegan ; 1
speak unadviaably, but nevertheless I will hazard the assertioli that the mills
at this place have cut the last season more than four millions of feet, a great
proportion of which has been floated down this river to Lake Michigan, to be
there shipped for market.

These facts are here introduced merely for the purpose of showing, that in
the event of there being a disposition on the part of the legislature To appro-
priate money for the improvement of these rivers, that some evidence may bo
at hand by way of showing that the present business operations on the same
will justify such an amount of appropriations as will be sufficient to remove
some of the obstacles which have heretofore embarrassed the business of navi-
gation.

In making the examinations upon which the following estimates have been
predicated, reference has been had to a system, which I have confidence to be-
lieve was the only proper one to be adopted under exisiting circumstances. It
must appear evident from a single glance at the nature of the case, that that
which demands the tirst attention, and which involved the question of the prac-
ticability of improving the navigation of these streams, independent from slack
water operations, was an examination by soundings of the depth of water, and
acquiring full information and knowledge as to the nature of the impediment
that now exists, and necessary to be abated.

Having, therefore, decided upon the manner and mode of acquiring these
facts, it became necessary to have reference to the waters in these rivers re-
spectively, before any labor could with propriety or profit be bestowed towards
the attainment of the object ; as it was important that soundings and other . t-
aminations connected with this operation, should be made at a time when the
rivers were at their low water mark, lest false and delusive results might be the
consequence.

I therefore was deterred from making the said surveys until some of the last
days of July, when by observation I found that these streams were down to
their minimum stage.

On the 27th of July last I entered upon the duties appertaining to this
investigation. Beginning at the mouth of the Kalamazoo, provided with the
necessary instruments and assistance to enable me to prosecute the survey with
economy and despat h ; having in view,

•:.v-^^

APPENDIST.

369

First, to determine how far this river was susceptible of being made navi-
gable by merely removng the existing obstacles and impediments

Second, to devote as much time to the examination of the character position
and nature of such impediments, as would enable me to form a just JstJma Hf
the expense of their abatement and removal. "snmatc of

1 shall proceed now to give the results of these examinations, by dividin-. the

mto three divisions orsections, embracing the following distances viz from h!!
mouth to the village of Ricl.nond, a distance of twelvL mile ;om Richmol
to where the river crosses the north line of town.hip 2 north, an^eH wes a
distance of ten miles ; and from the last place to the village of Illegan a 1
tance of sixteen miles. ° -^"egan, a ciis-

The soundings on the first division of twelve miles indicate an avera-odpnth
of water for the distance of eight miles, of twelve feet ; and tLTast Zf oft«
and a-ha f ; the channel of ,he stream maintains an average wdhf about two

h u?%h:';nrobr"r^'°"-'"1 -^ ''-'''' ^' onetndfh'rf'mt p^
nour. i he only obstructions noticed were in the la«t four milr-, onnoio.- c

trees which had fallen from the banks, with their tops ;cTt 'into t 'San
ne of ,he nver, forming serious obstacles to navigation, Iside^s prcduc n ' a

beZdC' ' ""'^ "' ''"""'' *^"'' '^P°^''^^ °^ ^""-' ^" ^"^^^
We have now arrived to a point in this rivei where it becomes necessary to

sand bars. The examination now must have reference to the practicabdi v of

improving the same by what is termed slack water Practicability of

The Kalamazoo has a average fall of about three feet per mile from the vil

fetm trrr!'^°"" ' andcnnsecuentlymayL conlilerd apS
stream. At low water it presents a continual series of ponds and rnnirl« . tl,«
greyest fan in any given distance, and which is now use^^^r^lX^r; i:

In> reviewing the result of my labors on this part of the river I find mv
self involved m much doubt as to what should I the proper\Ut o„ S

The embankments, however, do not arise from any peculiar difficulty in de-
termimng as to the construction of the necessary iorks, cither in te Tatur^
of dams or locks but from the danger of inundating much o the v^ able bol
tom lands on both margins of this river. valuable boU

In projecting a series of improvements and structures, such as become nece«.
sary in order to accomplish the object in this case, must, I app ehend caU
jnto .quisition the best judgment and skill, combined wUh pr'a'cticaTkno:'

heawTrel?:.m ';lr "PP-'-'^^ "f" -'"essing the effect of damming

of en. n err.' '^ "°""T '^' ^'""""'''^ ^°""''^t*='- ^^'"' ^^is specie:

of engineering. In every case where an obstruction is placed in a stream for

the purpose of raising its waters abo.-e its customary level, as a necessary co^

I'cam. ^ ^^'' '" ''■"P"'''"" '" ''"' ^'"'""'^ °^ "•"'•'^ fl°-i"S in the

8T0

/PPENDIX.

It.

h -I T

It is therefore plain, that in order to attain the desircJ object, as in this case,
it is not nccejsary that tho aggregate altitude of all the dnrns should equal the
total amount of fall in the strea.ii ; and in order to arrive at correct conclusions
as to what proportion the height of all the dams should bear to the whole fall,
questions of the most subtle and embarrassing nature present themselves for so-
lution, involving hydrostatic principles, and the laws regulating the gravitatioo
and flow of fluids.

The attention I have given to the investigation of this subject has enabled
mo to arrive at the following conclusions, viz :

That it will require twenty-one dams, located with reference to the different
rapids, having in the whole an aggregate height of seventy-five feet, in connex-
ion with suitable lochs, in order to approximate anywhere near to the desired
object and not injure tho bottom lands on tho river.

By this arrangement, no dam would have a higher elevation than four feet.
In one or two cases side cuts may be necessary, made by way of abridging the
distance.

GRAND RIVER.

Before entering into the details and estimates appertaining to Grand river, it
may not be amiss to advert to some things not boibre noticed in my general and
preliminary remarks.

The mouth of Grand river is the only natural harbor on Lake Michigan.
It is access ble at all times during the season of navigation, and has, in a multi-
tude of instances, afforded a safe retreat, and protection to life and property,
from the tremendous storms on the lake.

The mouths of all other rivers and harbors on this lake are more or less ob-
' structed by deposites of sand, and in some cases, after a severe storm, their en-
trances are nearly closed by a deposite of this kind.

Hence the harbor at the mouth of Grand river has become of utmost conse-
quence to the commerce of our lakes, as a safe and convenient retreat from
storms and danger. The value of this river, as a natural avenue of communi-.
cation to the interior of the state, can only be appreciated but by keepinc con-
stantly in mind the facts before adduced, of its present use and importance as a
medium of transportation. It must, I apprehend, if these things are kept in
view, strike even those the most indifferent to the subject of internal improve,
ment, as correct and sound policy to extend the fostering hand of government
to the impiovement of this river by adequate appropriations.

This river has been examined from its mouth to the village of Lyons, in Ionia
county, a distance, by the stream, of ninety miles. But before I proceed to no«
tice the several obstructions and impediments, it may be proper to obserra
something in relation to its general features.

I found by repeated observations that this stream from its mouth to the foot
of the rapids, a distance of forty miles, has an average width of eight hundred
feet ; and, in fact, at the rapids it exceeds a thousand, and from the head of the
rapids to the mouth of the Maple at Lyons, its average width is 500 feet.

In this distance it receives several large tributaries, to wit : Flat river. Thorn-
apple, and the Rouge ; its bends and curves are large and easy, and its gene-
ral course nearly west, with the exception of the great bend between the mouth

APPENDIX.

371

of the Thornapple and the rapids. The fall in the river from Lyons to the head
of the rapids .3 31 feet ; from head of rapids to foot 15 feet • IZ f r ! c

1 would take this opportunity a^ain to remark that tu^ ■ """''•

other a narrow bar, of coarse gravel and stone. '

I presume there is not to be found a stream, in any State of iho TT •

/ .^mediately connected with tide water, so fr^ from flood woo^sunC^^^^^^

:;:;::ts;i;:::;s;dSr '-'''-- ^--.asthear^r^

anJ?o?f'h?r"'-'""r ^ '°""' "'*"''"" upon which to found an estimate-
sunken ,0,, together wi.h deepening rso^th cZ;: „'! r^r ItoVe'

it J- 'If ''r! '*? ,P'''° "'" '^'^"''''^ ^y " ^t'^'"-" °f "'"e rock, which shows

a ' 11 ?'';' '■?' ■■"" """^ '" "''^'^ ^-•-' f- -^ distance o a rl 1 e nd ^
I'alf. Its inclination ,s remarkably uniform ; causing the water of the river t^
descend with a velocity due to a filleen feet fall, wiUiout noile clZt on
comrnrr" " rP;"'°" '' "^ P^^P^^'y - ^^e east side of tireTapid"'

fZT h TZT ''' ?'"' ''""'P''"^' '^^^•'' "^^ "^ g-«' '^'^P-'-. cut a canal
f'om he head of the rapids to within a hundred yards of the present steam
boat anding This canal is 80 feet wide, and ha' a depth of four and t^f

ever be"?' 1" r", '' "''"""^ '" ''' P''^^"''"^ ^''^^ '-S-t boats that w 1
ever be found useful or convenient for river navic^ation

Could the state enter into any arrangement wilh this company, for the use of
the,r works upon equitable terms, it would be by far the least' xpei^ivep an
for passing these rapids ; and I have not the least doubt but that such an ar-
rangement could be made to the satisfaction of both parties

I shall now proceed to make a summary statement of the obstacles noticed
•n my examination from the head of the rapids to Lyons, descri n. he n ure
of the obstructions and place of location, as follows • °

From the head of the rapids to section 27, town 7 north, ran^e 10 west a
shor d,stance below the mouth of the Thornapple, being a distance of about 18
miles, the water ,s of good dep'.h : but at the foot of a small island opposite ad

nd 5 t7w ''r'tn "'' "^"^"■'-^^ and sunken logs; opposite sections 4
and 5, town 6 north, range 8 west, flood and sunken; at section 10, town 6
nor I , . :.,e 8 west, a gravelly bar, and large stones, 40 in length; opposite
«ect.o„ s. , town G north, range 7 west, snags and flood-wood ; at a b;nd oppo-

372

APPENDIX.

J I r,

t 'H

Bite section 31, fown 7 north, range 7 west, flood wood, and snags; at bend
opposite section 19, town 7 nortli, range 6 west, snags and flood.

At and below tiie mouth of Prairie creek, a gravelly and stony bar, 80 rods
long J from thence to the mouth of the Maple, all clear.

ST. JOSEPH RIVER.

(Charles F. Smith's Report of the Survey of the St. Joseph river.)

To the Honorable, the Commissioners of Internal Improvement of the Stale of

Michigan.

Gentlemen — Having received instructions from you to make a strict and
careful examination of the St. Joseph river, for the purpose of ascertaining the
practical>il.ty and cost of improving its navigation, including directions to notice
its rise, depth, width, islands, and character of its bed and banks, particularly
where any obstructions exist and improvements might be made, with the difli-
culties to be overcomo, the means of doing it, and the effect of the improvement
on the adjoining country ; together with the size, navigability, and hydraulic
power of its tributaries, comprising in my observations every thing necessary
to describe and make a complete map of the river. By the assistance of Mr. J.
R. Grout i have completed the survey, and am now enabled to present you the
following report •

The river is now navigable, in ordinary water, for small steamboats as far as
Niles, and for keelboats, propell by poles, as far as Three Rivers : but at cer-
, tain seasons of the year the navigation is attended with much difficulty, owing
to numerous bars and the velocity of water; tire former of which is attributed
to several causes. The most prominent are, a variation in the volume of water,
direction and action of the current, unequal hardness of the soil, and the mat-
ter with which the stream is often charged. The rise of the water increases
the velocity and action of the current, in consequence of which, from those parts
of the stream where the earth is not of sufficient hardness to resist this action
it is torn up and transported to other parts, where the force of the current is le.«s
and being there deposited, forms bars ; and in many cases a second channel is
made, which, by a division of the water info two courses, renders the depth of it
too little in either. The difference between the high and low water mark vanes
from four to six feet, according to the width of the stream. The action of the
current, even in low water, is in many places too great for the tenacity of the
soil. To diminish, therefore, the current where it is necessary, and to render
the water of sufficient depth for the purposes of navigation, appears to be the
principal object for consideration in the improvements of the stream. For effect-
mg thorn, is recommended a system of damming, locking, and occasionally ex-
cavating where economy renders it advisable. In making the examination, I
have had in view the full improvement of the river. The survey was com-
menced by taking as a plane of reference the surface of the water at Messrs.
Porter & Go's warehouse in tlio vilhge of St. Joseph. The river at this place
is nine hundred feet in width, and of ample depth for the largest vessels that
navigate the lakes. A^ its mouth it is narrower and of less depth ; but by the
judicious location of the pier which is now const: ucting, the bar, which former-

! [I'

ArPENnix.

373

jy obstructed the mouth of the river, rendering its entrt 'ce difficult and often
dangerous, has in a great measure washed away, opening a direct and safe com-
munication with the laite, which promises, when the pier is completed, to render
this a safe and commodious harbor. On the north side of the river, opposite St.
Josepli, is an extensive marsh, tiirough which flowe the Paw Paw, and enters
the St. Joseph just below the bridge. This stream at its mouth is one hundred
and fifteen feet wide and six feet deep. The current for several miles is slow ;
the adjacent land, in high water, liable to be overflowed. Keelboats occasion-
ally ascend it as far as Waterford, about thirty miles ; but owing to its circuitous
route and want of depth at certain points, it is not much used for the purposes
of navigation. Above the commencement of quick water, hydraulic power to
a considerable extent can be obtained, and there are now upon it three mills in
constant operation.

On the south side of the St. Joseph, commencing just above the village, a
marsh puts out from the bluflT, around which the river makes a large bend. This
marsh extends a distance of three-fourths of a mile, to the orchard farm, appo-
site whirh are two islands. The main stream flows between them. Its bed is
sand, and the water in the shoalest part is six feci. Should this depth diminish,
to the injury of the navigation, by the widening of the other channels, they may
be closed at a small expense. Half a mile above this is the mouth of Pine
creek, which comes in from the south. It is fifty feet wide and four deep, and
for bome distance is sluggish. The quantity of its water is variable. There
is a saw mill about six milej from its mouth, and valuable mill sites at other
points.

Just below the village of Royalton, three miles from St. Joseph, is a large is-
land, occupying the middle of the stream. The right channel is shoal near the
head of it, being but fivo feet in depth. Its bed is a fine compact sand, which
the ordinary current does not move. The left channel at the foot of the island
has but four and a half feet of water. Its bed is a coarse loose gravel, and in
consequence of the action of the water upon its banks, is gradually widening.
At present it is unnecessary to improve this place ; but should the left channel
continue widenintr, owing to the direction of the current, it may be advisable to
close the other. Yellow creek enters from the south, two and three-fourths miles
above Royalton. Its width is twelve, and depth four feet. It dischorges a con-
siderable quantity of water, but as its fall has not been ascertained, the extent
of its water power is unknown. Until we arrive at the Oxbow, the state of the
river requires but a single remark : opposite Valparaiso it is broad, and the cur-
rent too strong for the permanency of its banks, but at present the depth of wa'.dr
is suflicient.

Pipestone creek enters the St. Joseph seven miles from its mouth. It is one
hundred feet wide and two and a half deep. The current is rapid, and three-
fourths of a mile from its junction with the St. Joseph there is a saw-mill with
ten feet fall, and above it are several valuable mill sites, but unimproved. From
St. Joseph to Niles, the river varies in width from three to four hundred feet ;
and the valley from one fourth to three fourths of a mile wide, through which it
runs with a winding course, sometimes crossing it obliquely, at others neariy at
right angles, and occasionally, after making a large sweep, returning to the
point which it had just passed. The O.xbow is an instance of this kind. Here,

374

APPENDIX.

r;^!

after making a circuit of a mile and one-fourtii, it returns to within two hun-
dred and sixty feet where the current, by the direction of the stream, is deflect-
ed agamst the upper and lower hanks, which it is fast wearing away, and will
undoubtedly soon force a passage through. The channel on the upper side is
much obstructed by the trees that have been undermined and fallen into it.
By a cut across this place, the distance will be much shortened. These con-
siderations, together with the necessity of slackening the current above, renders
It advisable to construct here a dam of two and a half feet in height. Frora
this point to Little Russia, four and a half miles, the distance to which the in-
fluence of the dam will extend, there are no obstructions, except a few snags,
which can be easily removed. The banks that are now in peveral places wear-
ing away, would, by diminishing the current, be protected ; a remark that is
ahke applicable to similar places on the river.

At Little Russia, a dam of three feet, which is the most that can be given
without overflowing the land, will be required ; and another at the bend below
the Devil's Elbow, opposite Mr. Barns' farm, of three and a half feet. Between
these dams two small creeks discharge themselves. Kimmel's from the south,
affords water for a saw-mill, and Walling's from the north, is a permanent stream,
affording sufficient power for ordinary milling purposes. The dam at the Devil'a
Elbow will overcome the difficulties of the icmainder of the river to Ber-
rien, 22J miles from St, Josepli. At the Devil's Elbow the stream is broad,
and shallow, and so rapid as to render it extremely difficult in ascending it.
The bed and banks at these different points are favorable to th-1 con-
struction and permanency of dams, and materials for them may be had
with facility in the immediate vicinity. At Berrien are two islands. By clear-
ing the south branch, the navigation will be made good past them. A fhort
distance above them, a dam of three feet is required. At the foot of Shoema-
ker's island. Spring brook comes in from the north. There are two saw-mills up-
on it, which may be kepi in operation during the year. Three miles further up,
another dam of four feet is necessary. The water by this dam will be slacken-
ed to O. Sneyder's, a distance of 2i miles, where a dam of five feet may be
built, rendering the navigation good to Moccasin shoals. Between Berrien
and this place are numerous small springs and rivulets of excellent water, and
though not of sufficient size for milling purposes, yet of great value to the'agn-
eulturist. Lyback's falling branch, however, which comes in from the south,
half a mile above Bartlott's island, is a stream of considerable value. It has a'
fall within three hundred feet of its mouth, of fifteen feet, and is capable of
driving two run of stone. The Moccasin shoals, together with the ripple, em-
brace a distance of about two miles. The stream is broad, shoal, and much
broken by islands, the largest of which are the Needle and Moccasin. A dam
of five feet, to overcome these difficulties, will be required at the elbow below
the shoals. Materials for this, as well as for the last three, are to be had on
the spot. Two and three-fourth miles above the Moccasin ripple, the river is a
deep, navigable stream. Opposite the village of Benton is McCoy's creek, an
important stream, twelve feet wide and two deep, and having on it three saw-
rnillb of S, 10, and 15 feet head. It is about seven miles in length, and takes
its rise in a large marsh. Two miles above t.iis creek, a dam of 3i feet will

APPETHmX.

375

blacken the water to Wesaw village, and at this point 9 dam of five feet will
correct the state of the stream to Niles, forty -one miles fiom St. Joseph.

The Dowagiac, which enters from the north half a mile below Niles, is an
important stream. The width at its mouth is 75 feet, and depth 2 J feet. ' There
is a Houring and saw-miU at this plane, and also half a mile above it, and other
valuable sites still higher up. The water privilege at its mouth is owned by a
company, who contemplate taking the whole stream to the brow of the bluff-
just below Niles. This operation, the expense of which will be moderate, will
command a fall of twelve feet, creating a power sufficient to propel ei-'htor ten
run of stones. °

At Niles the navigation is greatly interrupted by the ripple below the bridge
and the island above it. The dam required will be four feet, and placed at
some point between Beeson's warehouse and the bridge. The ne.xt dam of
three feet, at Grandad ripple, two miles above Niles, will effect the object as
far as the village of Bertrand ; here a dam may be built, cither above or below
the bridge. The former place would be preferable, because it will there admit
of a greater height, being five feet. This is the last dam required on this part
of the river in the state of Michigan. The distance from the mouth of the
stream to the Indiana line is 48J miles. The whole rise is 68J feet. The
number of dams 12. The amount of rise they overcome, 46^ feet. Sprin<»
brook coming in from the right at the village of Bertrand, is half a mile in lenath"
and discharges w^ter sufficient to run a saw-mill the greater part of the year ;
and one-fourth of a mile above, on the same side, is a small brook, afl^ording
water sufficient for some light machinery, as a carding machine. Three-iourths
of a mile above the village, Pokagon creek enters from the left. It is about
three miles in length, and the fall at its mouth is such as admits of the most ad-
vantageous application of its water as a power, which is probably sufficient to
drive two run of stones constantly.

The bluffs, through the portion of the river described, vary from thirty to sixty
feet in height. From JMr. Grant's observations, they are found to be composed
of several different strata. The most extensive and prevailing being sand, marl,
indurated or earthy, and clay. The latter, though sometimes occupying a mid-'
die position, is generally the lowest. In some places it is nearly pure*^ but in
the greater number of instances, contains such a portion of gravel as renders it
a very hard earth. The natural bed of the stream is composed of it. Aware
of the great value of stone in a quarter where it is so scarce, a careful examina-
tion has been made of the places near the river where there are indications of
it Boulders are occasionally seen in almost every bluff, but the first appear-
ance of stone in any quantity is in the bluff on C. Farley's land, opposite the
extreme of the Oxbow. By an examination, it proves to be sand and gravel
united by a calcareous cement. It has not sufficient strength and durability
for building-stone, but is suitable for dam or crib work. Five miles further up,
on the land of Messrs. Porter & Co., and at the place fixed upon for the second
dam, is a species of lime rock called calcareous tuffa. It differs from the
others, in containing a much greater quantity of lime, the solid carbonate often
prevailing for several inches. Stone of both the kinds just mentioned, is to be
found in the bluffs at several places below Niles, and frequently boulders in the
bed of the stream, particularly at the ripples above Niles. That part of the

376

APPENDIX.

mer above Niles, and extending through Indiana, difflrs in many respecti. from
the portion already described. It., valley i.s narrower, being often no wider than
the B ream Itself, and its banks higher. The prevailing earth which forms it.
fteu, though clay and gravel are common in many places, is a loose sand and
gravel. The rise of the water is more rapid and less uniformly distributed
causing ripples that are not easily surmountrd. The pec.ilmr condition of the
stream at the ripples is evidently caused by the power of the current. The
Avhole distance in Indiana is 4.1 miles. The whole rise 99 feet, being at the
rate of 2J feet per mile : a rate aufficient to communicite a velocity to water
that will wear away even hard earth, and which moves with great ease that ot
which the bed of this part of the St. Joseph is composed. Hence the ori-^in ot
that state of the stream of which we are speaking. Intelligent individual" in-
torm me they have known the strongest ripples, as that of Mr. McCartnev's
and that above Elkhart, formed in a single winter: the passage of the iee
being obstructed, a dam >s formed, and the water, as it forces its way beneath,
carries with it the earth, the heavier parts of which are deposited immediatelJ
below ; and here the natural section of the stream being diminished, the bank,
are gradually worn away till that is restored. The bed of the stream appears
not to have the requisite permanency for dams, either on, or immediately above
the ripples. It is therefore advisable in its improvement to avoid these places
and select for the dams such places as have a permanent bed, hi^h banks a
medium width, depth, and current, and which are favorably adapted to hydrau-
lic purposes. •'

The whole rise to be overcome by dams in Indiana is 54^ feet. The whole
number of these is twelve. That at Bertand, the last in Michigan, will improve
the mer to the head of Huiler's ripple, a distance of two and a half miles be-
yond the state line. At this place a small stream, called Huiler's Branch, comes
m from the north. It has a flouring and saw-mill on it, and water sufficient the
greater part of the year. The first dam in Indiana will be required at the head
ot the island, hall a mile above this creek, of five feet in height. It will over-
come the swift water at this place, at Portage, and at McCartney's ripple • the
latter of which is one of the broadest and most rapid places on the river At
Its head IS the little Kankakee, which takes its rise in a large marsh of the
same name. The want of water power along this part of the river renders
this a very valuable stream. The quantity of water it discharges, which is suf-
hcient for two run of stone.^ varies but little at any time of the year The se
cond dam of ,1^ feet in height, placed at the bend below Stump ripple will im-
prove the stream at that and other points above, as far as the South Bend ripple
A dam at this place is in contemplation by a Company. They have nearly
completed a canal across the point, commencing at the head of the ripple and
another season design to construct a dam of eight feet in height. This is more
than IS necessary for the improvement of the stream. One ol" s\x feet and anc
therof 5 J feet, two and a half miles above, will slacken the water sufficiently to
Mishawakee. The location of the latter is between Twin ripple and the large
island below it. This ripple, and that of H. Combs, just above it, are at present
difficult points of the strea.n. At Mishawaka, the experiment of damming the
St. Joseph has been fully tried That of the St. Joseph Iron Company, which
IS completed, promises to be a very permanent work. The difficulties wliich

ArruNDix.

377

it is linown wore encountered in this instnncp, wero chiefly owin^ to t!ic injudi-
cious location of llie dam, and tlio plan pursued in its cunstruction. hit liti>'lit
11) live feet, and tlie back water caused by it extends to Twin islands. Tim
stream at this point is broad, shoal, and divided into thrco cliunni'U by the la.
landa. To improve it, it is advisable to add a foot to tlio Mishawakcc darn,
and excavate one of the channels. The litlh dam, of four feet, hall' a mile abovo
these islands, will slacken the water to Baw Baw ripple. Within this distanci
are four small ripples, at all of which the stream will be rendered of sulHtient
depth, except the last, where a slight excavation will be refpiirtd. The stream
at the Baw Baw has already attracted the attention of individuals, as being a fa-
vorable site for an extensive water power. They propose damming the river be-
low the month of the creek, and cutting a canal across llio point l'(irmi;d by ihe
bend. Probably a more judicious plan for improving the river cannot bo proposed.
By excavating the right channel at the head of the island below Cobert's crerk,
the height of this dam need be but IJ feet. The Baw Baw comes in fioni tho
south just above it. If is a rapiu stream, and very variable, often swelling after
a rain to double its ordinary magnitude. At nil seasons, however, it alTords
sulFicient water, properly apjylied, for a grist ""^d saw-mill ; and of the latter thera
are several upon it. Cobert's creek, whu . enters from tho north, two and a
half miles above the Baw Baw, is a quick but uniform stream, being hut sliijlit-
ly affected by rain. It is second only to the Dowagiae in respect to its water
power. There are two saw-mills upon it, at parts above and at its moulh ; a
foundry, and extensive milling works are in contemplation. ]N'o dam is ne-
cessary above the Baw Baw, until we arrive at the foot of the island below Pen-
well's ripple, a distance of five miles. The strtam makes several large bends,
but is sufficiently deep, except at three or four places, where, by wearing away
one of the banks, it has made a wide channel. At each of llicse the current
may be deflected, and the channel deepened by a wing dam. At the foot of tho
island abovo mentioned, the seventh dam, of 4J feet, will slacken and deepen
tho water to Sturges' ripple, overcoming that of Penwell's and Burntman's.
Sturges' ripple is decidedly the n'ost formidable on the river, the fall through it
being at tho rate often feet per mde. The eighth dam, of seven feet, just below
it, will, by excavating the right channel at the head of the island above Elkhart,
secure sufficient depth to the mouth of Christiana creek. This creek is one of
the most valuable streams that discharge themselves into the St. Joseph. It is
long and very uniform, never varying more than twelve inches. It lias a larco
amount of fall, which is distributed at intervals, forming valuable mill sites,
many of which are unimproved. The Elkhart, which comos in just above tha
bridge, is a large and important stream. It has many brandies, extensive water
power, and is navigable for rafts as far as Goshen. The fall in it below that
place is from three to five feet per mile.

The rise of water for some distance above Elkhart, as it has been observed
to be below, is more rapid than in any other portion of the river of an equal dis-
tance. To overcome it, two dams will be necessary in the space of two miles.
The most favorable place for tho first is just above tho bridge ; but as it can-
not be made at this place of sufiiciont height without destroying the water pow-
er at the mouths of the Christiana and Elkhart, and overflowing a large portion
of land, thereby injuring property and endangering the health of the adjacent

378

AITENDIX.

country ,t .. advmahio to locate it ju.t above the mouth of the latter .trram
The ninth Ham. 01 .14 feci, at t!..3 place, w.ll improve the nver one and o^o
^lua ter m. en. and .he tenth, of f.vo feet at that d,«.ance, w,ll render it good to
^..glo pomt at w .d. place the eleventh dam of 2J feet w.ll slacke , he . t«

valley of the river 13 broader, the bottoms lower, and the current, except in the
plT L: ^'"f •/•"^^"- »-" '^''•-'-n'" "PPI.-. and the inland, hi.;

£ W JT '''T'Tr ""' '"" '"-"■'^ 'l-.of ".-0 fee,, is neee««ary
below the former U.yond the extent of ..a influence, no other improvement i.
necessary on the Indiana side of the line. "vemeni is

mZt''Tl""7"^T!^ "T"' •""'^'^•'"S i"'""'" river in the last fiHeen
m les. Among those below Bristol, Pine creek is the largest, and di, nr...,

01 Its «.dth at the mouth is fifty feet, and three deep. It ban a hiuhly va-
h^able water privilege at this place, which is yet unimpLed ; , n a la f

mdes above Bristol is Trout creek, which is also a valuable strea;,, or.iinar I y f^

at Its mou I, The distance from the state line to the Three rivers is 21 miles •
and the whole is 345 feet. That overcome by dams is 1 , foe,. The ar ,e;
o tlie rn^er is much like the last part of the portion last described, the bo. . m
being m many places too low ,0 admit of high dams. The who e number is

L7a' Z m"' '?.' ''°"^^^""^' '"" '^"'y "^'^ '^-"'"-^ = 'he firs a sho
d. tan below Mottvdle, 2i feet in height ; the second of 3 feet, at the bend
b low the islands. H miles above that place. At two places bel w Constan-

At ;, yr"'ToV° ""''"" *"° ^'"''' ''"» ^°"- improvement is required.
At the distance ot 2 1 . 3 miles, the left channel, ^^ormed by an island at tha
pom , should be closed, and the right one excavated, and L same n r L
ments made at the islands, 1^ miles below Cons.antine. The distance be-
ween this place and Three rivers will only recp.ire two dams ; the firs a mi
from the former of 2J feet ; the second, at the foot of Knapp- ripple ,4 ,nT!
be ow Three rivers of 4 feet. In a portion of the stream, elmencn.'.l m
below that place, the course of it is interrupted by several inlands. O^e o^ ho
channels past two them it is necessary to close ; the northern of the firs
and the southern of the second. ' "• me nrsi,

This portion of the river receives a number of valuable tributaries Piarnn
river enters the St. Joseph three-quarters of a mile northerly of Ue "tat! 1 ne
Its size IS ,00 feet wide by 21, deep at its mouth. Its fall below Whit Pi 'on
.s moderate, and money to some extent has been expended to render it navigable
for keel-boats to that place ; the project, however, has been abandoned as im-
practicable. Mil s are constructing ai I'i.oo,:, ab,„e which its hydraulic power
8 valuable. Mill creek comes in from f.e r.-.th alnrntonemile :..ove Motlville
Its size IS 15 by 2 feet, and it di. ' ,..,., . uat-, sufficient for several run oi
stones. At its mouth is a valuable water privilege, but unimproved ; and h.It
a mde above It are extensive milling works. Fawn river, uhi,:h enters from
the south a short distance above Constantine, is a stream of nearly the same
I jnagnitude as the Pigeon. The value of its hydraulic power, within one and a
half miles of its mouth, is not inferior to that of any stream which cters the
St. Joseph below. The fall in this distance is 10 feetj and the water of tic

APPENDIX.

379

wholo .troam may be bro.-sht out at diflerent points upon tl.o bluff and twi.«

Prairio river, wh,ch discharg.e itsulf nt K«chol, is only a little smaller than
t'^wn ■ an, as water power at .(, mouth, and other point, above T.earcei;

I na, t,, low. Through some portions of it the water is slow and deep but at

iune nvtrs and Sturgeon lake, a distance of iCA miles Tim fir ■» nf •» r ♦

y. W.I1 be about the same as that of the first and second p^ort ons of t T

B es dammmg and excavating, several important cuts will'be ren Led for th

purpose of straightening the stream. All of these will be exhibited o„ h«

maps. The Nottawa river enters the St. Joseph 21 miles bo^Treerver;

t IS a rapid stream near its mouth, and of about the size and water o he Rok'

d FroS"" 7'"'^'"«;'7'^-"'- Po--. of which but a portion mprov
ed. From Sturgeon lake to Union city the distance is 20* miles The avi

with the necessary bottom excavation, will be seven, each of small 1 ft SwTn'
creek enters the St. Joseph from the south at Sturgeon lake f ll ! ;„ll

Tl.o ,i,„, al tl,i. pl.ce, bong .0 m,,oh da,..,ed i„ ,ltc, i, „,, deomej J„

880

APPENDIX.

> i;

■ JBB

Agreeable to instructions, a line was surveyed to ascertain tlie feasibility of
connecting Union city with IIo>ner. on the Kalamazoo, by a canal navigation.
Tlie distance bein:; 20 miles, two lines were run at the commencement of the
route; tlie first, from a [)oint of the river half a mile below the village, and
paasmg up a ravine in the rear of it ; the second, rising on the highland of the
village, and intersecting the point at the head ot t'>e ravine. The ravine
contains a train of small marshes, which are admirably calculated for basins
for a canal. The esliuiates arc based upon this line-

From the head of the ravine the route runs by a straight course across Wil-
der's prairie to the head of Fiah lake, and thence by a direct line passes Cam-
ley's prairie to Adamsville ; beyond which it runs between a range of hills and
tlie river, and follows a direct route to Tekonsha. From this place it continues
a due course to the second range of hills which approach the river about a mile
above Tekonsha, and passing between them and the river, follows near the val-
ley of the latter to the head of the lake near the village of Homer. The route
is, in most respects, a highly favorable one. The only objeclionablfc feature of
it is the amount of lockage, which is 9S feet; bemg the elevation of the lake
a!>ove the river at Union city. The lake, which is the summit, can be used as
a feeder, and will always afford sullicient water ; and by a cut of half a mile
in length, and not exceeding in the deepest part seven feel, and generally not
riore than four, the water of tho Kalamazoo, taken from the pond at Homer,
can be connected with the lake and the St. .Joseph river. The estimates for
the canal are based upon a plan of 23 feet uottom, four feet depth, with wooden
locks, culverts, &c.

The St, Joseph river rises in Hillsdale county, passes through Calhoun,
Branch, and St. Joseph counties ; and winding southerly into Indiana, again
returns, and pas?:ing through Berrien county, empties into Lake Michigan at
yt. Joseph. It is a large and beautiful stream, and flows through a country
which, in salubriiy of climate, excellency of water, and richness and fertility of
Boil, is unsurpassed by any part of the west. Its numerous tributaries, many
of which arc important streams, offer strong encouragement to the milling and
manufacturing interests. These, and other attractions, have already rendered
this a wealthy and populous part of the state. Every diversity of grains, fruits
and vegetables, yield herein abundance. The soil of the bottoms is x deep,
black vegetable mould, and of remarkable fertility '; that of the prairies, com-
bining with this earth a considerable portion of lime and sand, is still more
productive; and the ojjenings and timbered land by continued cultivation pro-
dace abundant crops. This is the character of the laud through the whole ex-
tent of the survey. Scarcely a waste spot has been met with ; though every
variety of products is cultivated, yet wheat is, and will always be, the great
nnd stap''^ article of grain. The amount of Hour which is shipped is now
very largo, and is annually and rapidly 'ucreasing. Timber affords another
important article of transportation in the various kinds of lumber ; as the oak,
whitewood, black walnut, and many other valuable kinds of timber, abound
in every direction. Amon^t the mineral resources are lime andiron. At se-
veral places below Niles, a species of lime rock is found, which produces an
excellent quality of lime ; and above that place, a beautiful quality of line
ia manufactured from mail, which exists in large quantities at variou? points

APPENDIX.

381

and

on the streams, ar,d is th-j p.nduct of the decomposition of sheila. Iron ore, of
excellent quality, ah ;unds in Indiana, and also within the .orders of Michi-^'an.
Ancxtensivoni.-.ufactory of it is carried on at Mishauakee, and is in con-
templation at other points of the river. Facilities of transportation bv steam-
boat would induce enterprising citizena to extend the manufacture of this pro
duct to a great amount. All these important articles of transporlalion, and
the great variety of others which a find a market up and down the .ver, were
i»s navigation easy and extended, would create a large and flourishing 'trade.
And in the present state of the stream, such are the wants of the count'ry, that,
though at great expense for transportation by water, a heavy business is carried
on. One steamboat to Niles, and occasionally to South Bend, and eight or ten
kcclboats to different points of the river, have been in constant operatron during
the past season ; but they have proved so far inadequate to the performance o1
the business, that three additional steamboats are now building, and will be in
readiness for the trade of the river in the early part of next season.

Nature has formed, by this noble stream, a partial water communication to
the heart of this peninsula. In improving the facilities of intercourse between
the different parts of it, to perfect what she has done appears to be the dictate
of sound policy. And when we consider the ease with which it can be made,
compared with any other mode of communication, and the great and paramount
advantages which will result from it to so wide an extent of the richest portion
of the west, the importance of the work appears fully to justiiy the undertaking
of It. And it is the opinion of your engineer, that no delay should be suffered
in rendering the navigation practicable and easy for light draft steamboats,
through the whole extent thu it has been examined. This object can be ao-
oomplished much short of the general estimates submitted. These estimates
Mere made in accordance with instructions, with the view to the perfect slack
waternavigation of the stream. The immediate undertaking of its improve-
ment lo such an extent is not deemed advisable.

The improvement of those parts only which present the principal difKcuIties,
is recommended to be immediately undertaken. And were it determined to
commence the entire improvement at once, policy would dictate the removal of
the principal obstructions first, in order to facilitate the progress of the work,
and secure the earliest benefits aris-ing from it. Estimates, exhibiting the cost
of such an improvement, are also submitted. By the inspection of them it will
be seen that they amount to but about one-third the general estimates ; and the
seat of the principal difTiculties and improvemenis will also he seen.

It i.- unnecessary to dwell upon the many advantanes attending the comple-
tion of this work. Those arising from the increased facilities of intercourse
are numerous ?nd important. There is one, however, of surpassin-r value to
tlie cnuntry— the vast amount of water power which will be created. The
whole extent of the river is admirably situated, and calculated to derive the
greatest benefits from extensive water power. The excellency of the water, and
salubrity of the climate, insure health; the great and universal fertility of the
soil, cheapness and plenleousness of subsistence; the country abounds with
materials, and they tan be brought with case from abroad. These circumstan-
ces, which are of such primary importance to the prosperity of the arts, com-
bined with an unlimited extent of water power, will court capital, and render

382

APPENDIX.

)*f|

this, at an early day, a great and flourishing mannfactiiring, as well as agricul-
tural country. The value of tiie water power, created at the points where ihe
dams are ioca^jd for the partial iinprovemont, will unquestionably exceed the cost
of their conatructlon.

The co-operation of the state of [ndiana in the work is all important. She
has now in contemplation the construction of a canal along the bank of the
Btream from Elkhart to South Bend, a part of an unbroken line from Fort Wayne
to Michigan city. And though she may no' be induced to abandon this project
from Elkhart westwarc n favor of the contetnplated improvement of the river,
yet it is confidently believed so great are the advantages which she will derive
from this improvement, that she will be ready to embark in it at as early a pe-
riod as her sister state.

The shortness of time since the completion of the survey has rendered it im-
possible to make as full a report as is desirable. Much matter, which it would
be proper to introduce, is in consequence omitted. All information, however,
that can be placed upon the maps and profiles, will be. Those whicii are in
progress by Mr. Win. Main will be completed and submitted at the earliest pe-
riod practicable. It is proper to remark, that this survey, which has been an
extensive and thorough one, will greatly reduce the future expenditures in the
improvement of the river ; and much credit is due to the gentlemen who have
assisted in carrying out, to the full extent, the letter of instructions.

Note XI.

CONSTITUTION OP THE STATE OP MICHIGAN.

In Convention, begun at the city of Detroit, on the second Monday of May,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five :

We, the people of the Territory of Michigan, as established by the act of
Congress of the eleventh of January, eighteen hundred and five, in conformity
to the fifth article of the ordinance providing for the government of the territory
of the United States north-west of the river Ohio, believing that the time has
arrived when our present political condition ought to cease, and ttie n^ht of seit-
government be asserted ; and availing ourselves of the aforesaid ordinancn of
the Congress of the United States of the thirteenth day of July, seventeen hun-
dred and eighty-seven, and the acts of Congress passed in accordance there-
with, which entitled us to admission into the Union, upon a condition which has
been fulfilled, do, by our delegates in convention assembled, mutually agree to
form ourselves into a free and independent state, by the style and title of " The
State of Michigan," and do ordain and establish the following constitution for
the government of the same :

AnTICLE I.

1. All political power is inherent in the people.

2. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the
people ; and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, and to
abolish one form of government and establish another whenever the public good
requires it.

3. No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate privileges.

4. Every person has a right to worship Almighty God according to the die-

APPENDIX.

3S3

tatcs of his own conscience; and no person can of Mgl.t be compelled to at-
Z\Z'r ^"PP°^\"S".-t h.. will, any place of rehgious worsl.ip, or pay

cii":rZz;r r ;s::rr:r^^ '-' ''- '--'' °^ -^^^-^ -

sh!ni!!>^Hi""M"'!,'''''^'T" "!''"' P"'''^'Ses,nud capacities of no individual
matters of religion. =

7. Every person may f.cely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all
subjects, bemg responsible for the abuse of that right; and no laws shall be
passed to restram or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In ull pro-
secutmns or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the j.iry •
and.f ushal appear to the jury that the matter charged as libellous, is true'
and was published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall
ber:qu,tted; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the

8. The person, houses, papers and possessions of every individual shall be
secure from unreasonable searches and seizures ; and no warrant to search any
place, or to seize any person or things, shall issue without describing them nor
without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.

9. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate.

10. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the riaht to a speedy
and pubnc trial by an impartial jury of the vicinage; to be confronted with the
witnesses against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in
his favor; to have the assistance of counsel for his defence; and in all civil
cases, m which personal liberty may be involved, the trial by jury shall not be
refused.

11. No person shall be held to answer for a criminal ofll-nce, unless on the
presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases of impeachment or
meases cognizable by justices of the peace, or arising in the army or militia
when in actual service in time of war or public danger.

12. No person for the same offence shall be twice^put in jeopardy of punish-
ment ; all persons shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties ex-
cept for capital offences, when the proof is evident or the presumption great •
and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless
when, m case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it

13. Every person has a right to bear arms for the defence of himself and the
state.

14. The military shall, in all cases and at all times, be in strict subordination
to the civil power.

15. No soldier shall, in time of peace, bo quartered in any house Mithout
the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner prescribed by
law. '

16. Treason against the state shall consist only in levying war a<Tainst it, or
m adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort ; no person shall' be
convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same
overt act, or on confession in open court.

EBB

3S4

ArrENDix.

17. No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of
contracts, shall be passed.

18. Excessive bail sliall not be required ; excessive fines shall not bo impus-
ed ; and cruel and unjust punishments shall not be inflicted.

19. The property of no person shall be taken for public use without just
corn[)ensation therefor.

80. The people .«hail have the right freely to as.?omhle together, to consult
for the cominDU good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the le-
gislature for redress of grievances.

21. All acts of the lei;islature, contrary to this or any other article of this
constitu'ion, shall be void.

Article II. — Electors.

1. In all elections, every white male citizen above the age of twenty-one
year.<3, having resided in the state six months next preceding any election, shall
be entitled to vote at such election ; and every white maleinhnhitnnt of the e^e
aforesaid, who may be a resident of this state at the time of the signing of this
constitution, shall have the right of vutinij as aforesaid ; but no such citizer. or
inhabitant shall be entitled to vote except in the district, county, or township, in
which he shall actually reside at the time of such election.

2. All votes shall be given by ballot, except for such township officers as may,
by law, be directed to be otherwise chosen.

3. Electors shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, or breach of the peace,
be priviliged from arrest during their attendance at elections, and in going to
and returning from the same.

4. No elector shall be obliged to do militia duty on the days of elections, c.t-
cept in time of war or public danger.

5. No person shall bo deemed to have lost his residence in this state by rea-
son of his absence on business of the United States, or of this state.

6. No soldier, seaman, or marine, in the army or navy of the United States,
shall be deemed a resident of this state, in consequence of being str tioned in
any military or naval place within the same.

Article III. — Division of the powers of Oovenvnenl.
1. The powers of the government shall be divided into three distinct depart-
ments : the legislative, the executive, and the judicial ; and one department
shall never exercise the powers of another, except in such cases as are expressly
provided for in this constitution.

Auticlf: IV. — Legislative Department.

1. The legislative power shall be vested in a senate and house of representa-
tives.

2. The number of the members of the house of representatives shall never
be less than forty eight nor more than one hundred ; and the senate shall, at all
time=, equal in number one-third of the house of representatives as nearly as
may be.

3. The legislature shall provide by law for an enumeration of the inhabitants
of this state in the years cicrhieen hundred and thirty-seven, and eighteen hun-
dred and forty-five, and every ten years after the said last-mentioned time; and

APPENDIX.

385

at tlieir first session after each enumeration so made as aforesaid, and also after
each enumeration made by the authority of the United States, the legislature
shall apportion anew the representatives and senators among the several coun-
ties and districts according to the number of white inhabitants.

4. The representatives shall be chosen annually on tiio first Monday of No-
vember, and on the following day, by the electors of the several counties or dis-
tricts into which the slate shall be divided for thtt purpose. Each organized
county shall be entitled to at least one representative ; but no county hereafter
organized, shall be entitled to a separate representative until it shall have at-
tained a population equal to the ratio of representation hereafter established.

5. The senators shall be chosen for two years, at the same time and in
the same manner as the representatives are required to be chosen. At the first
session of the legislature under this constitution, they shall be divided bv lot
from their respective districts, as nearly as .nay be, into two equal classes'; the
seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the
first year, and of the second class at the expiration of the second year, so that
one-hall", as nearly as may be, shall be chosen annually thereafter.

6. The state shall be divided, at each new apportionment, into a number of
not less than four, nor more than eight, senatorial districts, to be always com-
posed of contiguous territory, so that each district shall elect an equal number
of senators annually, as nearly as may be ; and no county shall be divided in
the formation of such districts.

7. Senators and representatives shall be citizens of the United States, and be
qualified electors in the respective counties and districts which they represent ;
and a removal from their respective counties or districts shall be deei.i'id a va-
catjon of their seats.

8. No person holding any office under the United States, or of this state,
officers of the militia, justices of the peace, associate judges of the circuit and
county courts, and postmasters excepted, shall be eligible to either house of
the legislature.

9. Senators and representatives shall, in all cases except treason, felony, or
breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest ; nor shall they be subject to any
civil process, during the session of the legislature, nor for fifteen days nest be-
fore the commencement and after the termination of each session.

10. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business •
but a sr.ialler number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the atten-
dance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each
house may provide. Each house shall choose its own oflicers.

11. Eiich house shall determine the rules of its proceedings, and judge of the
qualifications, elections, and returns of its own members ; and may, with tlie
concurrence of two-thirds of all the members elected, expel a member ; but no
member shall be expelled a second time for tho same cause, nor for any cause
known to his constituents antecedent to his election.

12. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same,
except such parts as may require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the mem-
bers of eithei house, on any question, shall, at the request of one-fifth of the
members present, be entered on the journal. Any member of either house shall
have liberty to dissent from and protest against any act or resolution which he

386

APPENDIX.

■M

I \u

■'^i

Ik ' '

^^^^E^

HIS

may think injurious to the pubhc or an individual, and have the reasons of this
diflsent entered on the journal.

13. In all elections by either or both houses, the votes shall be given vi-
va voce ; and all votes on nomination made to the senate shall be taken by yeas
and ays, and published with the journal of its proceedings.

14. The doors of each house shall be open, except when the public welfare
shall require secrecy ; neither house shall, without the consent of the other, ad-
journ for more than three days, nor to any other place than that where the legis-
lature may then be in session.

15. Any bill may originate in either house of the legislature.

16. Every bill passed by the legislature shall, before it becomes a law, be pre-
sented to the governor ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall re-
turn it, with his objections, to that hou.se in which it originated, who shall en-
ter the objections at large upon their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If,
after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all the members present agree to pass
the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other house, by whom it shall
likewise be reconsidered ; and if approved also by two-thirds of all the mem-
bers present in that house, it shall become a law ; but in such cases the votes
of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the
members voting for or against the bill shall be entered on the journals ol
each house respectively : And if any bill be not returned by the governor with-
in ten days, (Sundays excepted,) after it has been presented to him, the same
shall become a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the letns-
lature by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be-
come a law.

17. Every resolution to which the concurrence of the senate and house of re-
presentatives may be necessary, except in cases of adjournment, shall be pre-
sented to the governor, and, before the same shall take effect, shall be proceed-
ed upon in the same manner as in the case of a bill.

18. The members of the legislature shall receive, for their aervi'-os, a com-
pensation to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the public treasury ; but no
increase of the compensation shall take effect during the term for which the
members of either houae shall have been elected ; and such compensation shall
never exceed three dollars a day.

19. No member of the legislature shall receive any civil appointment from
the governor and senate, or from the legislature, during the term for which he is
elected.

20. The governor shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies as may
occur in the senate and house of representatives.

21. The legislature shall meet on the first Monday in Januarj' in every year,
and at no other period, unless otherwise directed by law or provided for in this
constitution.

22. The style of the laws of this state shall be— Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the Slate of Michigan.

Article V. — Executive Department.
1. The supreme power shall be vested in a governor, who shall hold his of-
fice for two years ; and a lieutenant governor shall bo chosen at the same time
and for the same term.

AFPENDIX.

387

S. No person shall be eligible to the office of governor or lieutenant governor
Mho shall not have been five years a citizen of the United States, and a resident
of this state two years next preceding the election,

3. The governor and lieutenant governor shall be elected by the electors at
the times and places of choosing members of the legislature. The persons
having the highest number of votes for governor and lieutenant governor shall
be elected ; but in case two or more have an equal and the highest number of
votes for governor or lieutenant governor, the legislature shall by join* vote
choose one of the said persons so having an equal and the highest number of
votes, for governor or lieutenant governor.

4. The returns of every election for governor and lieutenant governor shall
be sealed up and transmitted to the seat of government, by the returning offi-
cers, directed to the president of the senate, who shall open and publish them in
the presence of the members of both houses.

5. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the militia, and of the army
and navy of this state.

6. He shall transact all executive business with the officers of government,
civil and military ; and may require information, in writing, from the officers in
the executive department, upon any subject relating to the duties of their res-
pective offices,

7. He shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

8. He shall have power to convene the legislature on extraordinary occa-
sions. He shall communicate by message to the legislature, at every session,
the condition of the state, and recommend such matters to them as he shall
deem expedient.

9. He shall have power to adjourn the legislature to such time as he may
think proper, in case of a disagreement between the two houses with respett
to the time of adjournment, but not to a period beyond the next annual meet-
ing.

10. He muy direct the legislature to meet at some other place than the seat
of government, if that shall become, after its adjournment, dangerous from a
common enemy or a contagious disease,

11. He shall have power to grant reprieves and pardon after conviction, ex-
cept in cases of impeachment.

12. When any office, the appointment to which is vested in the governor
and senate, or in the legislature, becomes vacant during the recess of the legis-
lature, the governor shall have power to fill such vacancy by granting a com-
mission, which shall expire at the end of the succeeding session of the legisla-
ture.

13. In case of the impeachment of the governor, his removal from office,
death, resignation, or absence from the state, the powers and duties of the office
shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor until such disability shall cease or
the vacancy be filled.

14. If, during the vacancy of the office of governor, the lieutenant governor
shall be impeached, displaced, resign, die, or be absent from the state, the pre-
sident of the senate, pro tempore, shall act as governor until the vacancy be
filled.

15. The lieutenant governor shall, by virtue of his office, be president of the

388

APrCNDIX.

t k'

fll;

■ i

■enate ; in committee of the whole, he may debate on all questions ; and when
there is an equal division, he shall give the casting vote.

16. No member of congress, nor any other person holding office under the
United States, or this state, shall execute the office of governor.

17. Whenever the office of governor or lieutenant governor becomes vacant,
the person exercising the powers of »^overnor for the time being shall give no-
tice thereof, and the electors shall, at the next succeeding annual election for
members of the legislature, choose a person to fill such vacancy.

18. The governor shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensa-
tion, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the terms for which
bo has been elected.

19. The lieutenant governor, except when acting as governor, and the presi-
dent of the senate pro tempore, shall each receive the same compensation aa
shall be allowed to the speaker of the house of representatives.

20. A great seal for tiie state shall be provided by the governor, which shall
contain the device and inscriptions represented and described in the papers re-
lating thereto, signed by the president of the convention, and deposited in the
office of the secretary of the territory. It shall be kept by the Escretary of state ;
and all official acts of the governor, his approbation of the laws excepted, shall
be thereby authenticated.

21. All grants and commissions shall be in the name, and by the authority,
of the people of the state of Michigan.

Article VI. — Judicial DcpaHmenl.

1. The judicial power shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such
other courts as the legislature may from time to time establish.

2. The judges of the supreme court shall hold their offices for the term ot
seven years ; they shall be nominated, and with the advice and consent of the
senate, appointed by the governor. They shall receive an adequate compensa-
tion, which will not be diminished during their continuance in office. Bui they
shall receive no fees nor perquisites of office, nor hold any other office of
profit or trust under the authority of this state, or of the United States.

3. A court of probate shall be established in each of the organized counties.

4. Judges of ull county courts, associate judges of circuit courts, and judges
of probate, shall be elected by the qurilified electors of the county in which they
reside, and shall hold their offices for four years.

5. The supreme court shall appoint their clerk or clerks ; and the electors of
each county shall elect a olerk, to ba denominated a county clerk, who shall
hold his office for the term of two years, and shall perform the duties of clerk to
all the courts of record to be held in each county, except the supreme court and
court of probate.

6. Each township may elect four justices of the peace, who shall hold their
offices for four years ; and whose powers and dutit's shall be defined and regu-
lated by law. At their first election they shall be classed and divided by lot
into numbers one, two, three, and fou ,tobe determined in such manner as shall
be prescribed by law, so that one justice shall be annually elected in each town-
ship thereafter. A removal of any justice from the township in which he was
elected, shall vacate his office. In all incorporated towns or cities, it shall ba
competent for the legislature to increase the number of justices.

APPENDIX.

389

7. The style of all process shall be " In the name 0/ the People of the Slate
of Ajichignn ;" and all indictment shall conclude, against, the peace and dignity
oi the same.

Abtici.e YU.— Certain Stale and County Officers,

1. There shall bo a secretary of state, who shall hold hia office for two years,
and who shall be appointed by the governor, by and with tlie advice ond con-
sent of the senate. He shall keep a fair record ol the olTicial acts of the legis-
lative and executive departments of the government; and shall, when required,
lay the same, and all matters relative thereto, before either branch of the legis-
lature ; and shall perform such other duties as shall be assigned him by low.

2. A state treasurer shall be appointed by a joint vote of the tv,o housea
of the legislature, and shall hold hi° office for the term of two years.

3. There shall be an auditor general and an attorney generol for the state,
and a proseouting attorney for each of the respective counties, who shall hold
their offices for two years, and who shall be appointed by the governor, by and
with the advice and consent of the senate, and whose powers and duties shall
be prescribed by la'v.

4. There shall be a sheriff, a county treasurer, and one or more coroners, a
register of deeds and a county surveyor, chosen by the electors in each of the seve-
ral counties once in every two years, and as often as vacancies shall happen.
The sheriff shall hold no r'her office, and shall not be capable of holding the
office of sheriff lonr;er than four in any term of six years ; he may be required
by law to renew his security from time to time, and in default of giving such se-
curity, his office shall be deemed vacant ; but the county shall never be made
responsible for the acts of the sheriff.

AnTicLE VIII. — Impeachments and Removals from Office.

1. The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching all
civil officers of the state for corrupt conduct in office, or for crimes and misde-
meanors ; but a majority of ail the members elected shall be necessary to direct
an impeachment.

2. Ail impeachments shall be tried by the senate. When the governor or
lieutenant governor shall be tried, the chief justice of the supreme court shall
preside. Before the trial of an impeachment, the members of the court shall
take an oath or affirmation truly and impartially to try and determine the charge
in question according to the evidence ; and no person shall be convicted with-
out the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. Judiment in casea
of impeachment, shall not extend further than to removal from office • but th»
party convicted shall he liable to indictment and punishment according to law.

3. For any reasonable cause which shall not be sufficient ground for the im-
peachment of the judges of any of the courts, the governor shall remove any
of them on the address of two-thirds of each branch of the legislature ; but the
cause or causes for which such removal may be required, shall be stated at length
in the address.

4. The legislature shall provide by law for the removal of justices of tho
peace, and other county and township officers, in such manner and for such
cause as to them shall seem just and proper.

390

APPENDIX.

Article IX. — Militia.

1. The logisliture shall provide by law for organizing and disciplining the
militia, in such manner as thiry shall doom expedient, not incompatible with the
conaiitution and laws of the Onited States.

2. The legislature shall provide for the efficient discipline of the officers, com-
missioned and non-commissioned, and musicians ; and may provide by law for
the organization and discipline of volunteer companies.

3. O Wcon of the militia shall be elected or appointed in such manner as the
legislature shall from lime to time direct, and shall be commissioned by the
governor.

4. The governor shall have power to call forth the militia, to execute
the laws of the state, to suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.

Article 'K.— Education.

1. The governor shall nominate, and by and with the advice und consent of
the legislature, in joint vote, shall appoint a superintendent of public instruction,
who shall hold his office for two years, and whose duties shall bo prescribed
by law.

2. The legislature shall encourage, by all suitable means, the promotion of
intellectual, scientifical, and agricultural improvement. The proceeds of all
lands that have been or hereafter may be granted by the United States to this
state, for the support of schools, which shall hereafter be sold or disposed of,
shall be and remain a perpetual fund ; the interest of which, together with the
rents of all such unsold lands, shall be inviolably appropriated to the support of
schools throughoirt the state.

3. The legislature shall provide for a system of common iciiools, by which
a school shall be kept up and supported in each school district at least three
mmths in every year ; and any school district neglecting to keep up and sup-
port si-.ch a school, may be deprived of its equal proportion of the interest of the
public fund.

4. As soon as the circumstances of the state will permit, the legislature shall
provide for the establishment of libraries, one at least in each township ; and
the money which shall be paid by persons as an equivalent for exemption' from
military duty, and the clear proceeds of all fines assessed in the several counties
for any breach of the penal laws, shall be exclusively applied to the support of
said libraries,

5. The legislature shall take measures for the protection, improvement, or other
disposition of such lands as have been or may hereafter be reserved or granted
by the United States to this state for the support oi a university ; and the funds
accruing from the rents or sale of such lands, or from any other source for the
purpose aforesaid, shall be and remain a permanent fund for the support of
said university, with such branches as the public convenience may hereafter de-
mand for the promotion of literature, the arts and sciences, and as may be au-
thorized by the terms of such grant: And it shall be the duty of the legisla-
ture, as soon as may be, to provide effectual means for the improvemenr and
permanen security of the funds of said university.

Article Kl.— Prohibition of Slavery.

1 . Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever be introduced into this

f !f

i .J

API'ENUIX.

391

•late, except for the punishment of crime, of which tlie party .hall have been
duly convicted.

Article ^ll.—Miscellimeou!i Provhioiia.

1. Members of the legislature, and all officers, executive und judicial except
■uch inferior officer, as may by law be exempted, shall, before they enter on the
duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affinn-
ution : " I do solemnly sw ear (or affirm, as the case may bo) that 1 will support
the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of this state ; and that

I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of accordin<' ro the

best of my ability." And no other oath, declaration, or test, shall be "required
as a quahhcation for any office or public trust.

2. The legislature shall pass no act of incorporation, unless with the assent
ol at least two-thirds of each house.

3 Internal improvement shall be encouraged by the government of this state-
and It shall be the duty of the legislature, as soon as may be, to make provision
by law for ascertaining the proper objecU of improvement in relation to roads
canals, and navigable waters ; and it shall also be their duty to provide by law
for an equal, systematic, economical application of the funds which may bo an.
propriated to these objects.

4. No money shall be drawn from tho treasury but in consequence of appro-
priations made by law, and an accurate statement of the receipts and expendi-
tures of the public money .hall be attached to and published with the laws
annually.

5 Divorces shall not bo granted by the legislature ; but the legislature may
by law authorize the higher courts to grant them, under such restrictions as they
may deem expedient.

6. No lottery shall be authorized by this state, nor shall the sale of lottery
tickets be allowed. '

7. No county now organized by law shall ever be reduced, by the organiza.
tion of new counties, to less than four hundred square miles.

8. The governor, secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor general, shall kecD
their offices at the seat of government.

0. The seat of government for this state shall be at Detroit, or at such other
place or places as may be prescribed by law, until the year eighteen hun.
dred and forty-seven, when it shall be permanently located by the le-isla-
ture. •' °

.u'« ?!!t^f governor and lieutenant governor shall hold their offices until
the first Monday of January eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, and until others
shall be elected and qualified ; and thereafter they shall hold their offices for
two years, ..nd until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

11. When a vacancy shall happen, occasioned by the death, resignation or
removal l.om office of any person holding office under *his state, (he^successor
thereto shall hold his office for the period which his predecessor had to serve
and no longer, unless again chosen or reappointed. '

AancLE Xm.—Mode of amending and revising the Constitution.

1. Any amendment or amendments to this constitution may be proposed in
the senate or house of representatives j and if the same shall be agreed to by a

sm 4

392

APPENDIX.

.t*f

majority of tlio mambors oloctod to each of the two houaes, luch proposed
atnmidinont or aint)ndtnouts ihall bo outortvl on their jaiimaU, with the yeai
and nays tak m theroun, an I rolorrod to tlio Ingislaturc then next to bo chosen ;
and Hhiill bo pubhshod fur thrco months previous to the time of inuking such
choice : And if in the 1 'gislntiiro next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed
amondinent or amandin 'nts shill bo agreed to by two-thirds of all iho inomben
cloctud ti) oich home, then it shall hi) the duty oftho legislature to admit such
proposed amondn !nt or ainiMidmuits to tho people, in such manner and at such
time M the le:»islaturo shall prescribe : and if the people shall approve and ra-
tify such mendmont or amendments by a majority of the electors qualified to
vote for members of the loijisliiture voting th;reon, such aiM'n'Jment or amend-
ments shall become part of the constitution.

2. And if at any time two-thirds of the senate and house of represcntativea
shall think it necessary to revise or change this entire constitution, they shall
recommend to the electors at the next election for incmbora of the Icislaturo. to
vote for or agamst a convention : and if it shall appear that a majority of the
electors voting at such election have voted in favor of calling a convention, tha
legislature shall at its next session provide by law for calling a convention, to be
holden within six months after the passage of such law ; and such convention
shall consist of a number of members not less than that of both branches oftho
legislature.

Note XIII.

JURISPRCDRNCE OP MICHIGAN.

Within the last year, u revised code of local law has been digested under the
the auspices of Mr. Fletcher, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the State
of Michigan. Tlie immense mass of obsolete law, comprehended in the sta-
tutes, which had been increasing in bulk and complexity from the period oftho
legislation oftho old North-Western Territory through the rnodilications of the
territorial governrniuit down to the erection of the State, opposed a formidable
obstacle to research in this department. By the adoption of the revised statutes,
which are modelled on the enlightened system of jurisprudence which prevails
in the State of New- York, the citizens of the State are now provided with
nn accessible and comprehensive body of statute laws, tending to the adminis-
tration of cheap and easy justice to all classes of the people. The condilirn of
the legislation of the Territory, when the governor and judges held the power
not only to estabiisii but adjudge t!ie same, exhibits a singular phenomenon in
the jurisprudential system; and although a minute account of the operation of
that system in Michigan might furnish cuiious matter for detail, it would not, it
is conceived, subserve any very valuable purpose ; and, moreover, it belongs
rather to the more technical department of legal literature than to general
history.

■Ji

APPENDIX.

Note XIV.

a93

Mant facts connected with tlie early history of Michigan have been utatod
on the authority of the iiplendid work of CImrhivoix, piibhshcd under the au-
•picci of the French government, and entitled " A Uoneral lliblory of New
France." '

Since the foregoing was written, however, an article has appeared in an
American periodical which throws new light upon the timt exploration of the
North-Wcsi. It in a labored and critical examination of contemporaneoua
records, which may be conmdcred good authority, connected with the settlement
of the West. Among those good fathers whoso benevolent exertions dislin-
gmshed that period, the men who lived on «' Indian corn grinded small," and
"little frogs gathered in the meadows," the most distinguished wos Father
Marquette, whoso life has recently been written i.y Mr. Jnred Sparks. By
this it appears that Mar.iuette, having founded a setilcmcnt at Michil.maeku.ac,
labored m the surrounding regions until 1C73, when M. Talon, the Intcndant
General of the colony, requested him to start for the discovery of the Missis-
Bippi. On the I3th of March, 1673, M, Joliet, Marquette, and five other French-
men, left thot place in two canoes. Passing through Green Bay, and toihng
along the rapids of Fox River, they ot length came to an Indian village. Hero
they found a cross, on which were hung bows and arrows, skins and belts, aa
an ofTermg to the Great Spirit because he had given them a successful chase
On the 10th of Juno the adventurous party left tliis village, beyond which no
!• renchman had before gone, and soon arrived at the Wisconsin. On the I7th
of the same month they came to the Mississippi, on the banks of which they
deseried deer and buffaloes. On the waters of the Mississippi they also saw
swans floating '< wingless," and their canoes were nearly dashed to pieces by
Bome " great fish" which were found in those parts. Marquette and Joliet
floon came to a village of the Illinois, where they were treated with hospitality
by the savages. Leaving the Illinois, the travellers passed certain rocks on
which were painied monsters, against whom they had been warned upon Lake
Michigan by the Indians. Reaching the Missouri and the Ohio, th«y went
down to « Akamsca," where they ascertained that the Mississippi flowed into
the sea. From this point they started, on the 17th of July, to retrace their
steps, and soon reached the Illinois, and from that, Lake Michigan " No-
where," says Marquette, "did we see such grounds, meadows, woods, buffa-
loes, stags, deer, wild cats, bustards, swans, ducks, purroqucts, and even
beavers," as on the Illinois river. Father Marquette aftertrards remained on the
Illinois in the exercise of his missionary functions until 1675 ; on the 18th of
May of that year, he died on the western shore of the peninsula of Michigan
and was buried near the mouth of the river now called by his name inlhis
state.

A portion of the article, to which allusion is made, is devoted to a considera-
tion of La Salle's explorations. On the winter days of 1678, when Lake Erie
frozen lay before them like a "plain paved with fine polished marble" La
Salle's men built the Griffin, for the purpose of exploring the mouth of the
Mississippi. In August, 1679, the Griffin was -eady to sail, and she started
on her voyage with the sound of Te Dm and the discharge of arquebuses ;

0\)

394

APPENDIX.

while the Iroquis, who had regarded (hoir operations with jealousy, and who
had once attacked the blacksmith of the expedition, loo' ed on with amaze*
ment. Thus the voyagers passed across Lake Erie by Detroit, through Lake
St Clair and Lake Huron ; and on the 28th of August arrived at Michilimack-
inac. Here La Salle founded a fort. He then went down to Green Bay,
where he collected a cargo of furs, and despatched them to Niagara in the
Griffin. La Salle, with fourteen nicn, now paddled down Lake Michigan in
canoes marking the shallows by bear skins stuck on poles, and feeding on
bears' flesh ; and on the 1st of November, 1G79, he founded the old fort upon
the St. Joseph River of Lake Michigan ; Hennepin preached patience and
courage; and Toiiti, the Italian, who was his lieutenant, soon appeared with
some good venison ; but the Griffin, which was expected, did not return. Hav-
ing placed a garrison of ten men in his fort of St. Joseph, he started from that
fort with the remainder, " thirty working-men and three monks."

From this point they dropped down the Illinois. La Salle soon arrived at a
village which appears to have been the present site of Rockfort, Illinois, at an
Indian settlement. In this region he built the fort Creve Coeur. The winter
thus wore away ; and finding that the Griffin did not make her appearance, La
Salle despatched Father Louis Hennepin, and M. Dacan to explore tlio
sources of the Mississippi, and they started upon their voyage on the last day
of February, 1680.

The second voyage of La Salle, for the discovery of the Mississippi, it is alleged
by this writer, commenced upon the Illinois River in January, 1683. This is
stated on the authority of Tonti. On the 7th of February they reached the
Mississippi, and on the 9th of April they came to its mouth.

On the 24th of July, 1684, La Salle again sails for America from Rochelle ;
and his assassination ' lok place, according to Joutel, on the 20lh day of the
month in 1687, near the mouth of Trinity River, according to the map in
Charhvoix. By Joutel's account. La Salle was a man of science and accom-
plishments, although haughty, arbitrary, and severe towards his men, m a
degree which cost him his life. By the people whom La Salle sent out, the
forts of Kaskaskia, Kahokia, and Peoria were founded. As he also laid the
foundation of the fort on St. Joseph River, and also of that at Michilimackinac,
his name desenrea an important place in the annals of Michigan.

INDEX.

Algonquins, side with the French, 12 ;
their character, 15.

Argenson, Marquis, appointed Gover-
nor of Canada, 16.

Avangour, Baron, appointed Governor
of Canada, 16.

Allegan, County of, 290.

Agriculture in Canada, 30.

Barclay, Commodore, commands a
fleet on Lake Erie, 210.

Boat Songs, Canadian, 64.

Belieslre, Commandant of Detroit, 92.

Blucik Swamp, road of, recommended,
230.

Boundary Line, disputed with Ohio,
237.

Branch, County of, 285.

Berrien, County of, 237.

Barry, County of, 290.

Buffiloes on siiore of Lake Erie ; ac-
coimt of, by La Hontan, 48; by
Charlevoix, 50.

Bissett, Henry, Commandant of De-
troit, 161.

Brock, General, takes Detroit, 197.

Cass, Lewis, Governor of Michigan,

219 ; his exploring expedition. 222.

Cartier, Jacques, arrives at Montreal,

Celoron, Commandant of Detroit, 338.

Champlain, Samuel, foundii duebec,
6; Governor of Canada, 15.

Company of New France surrender
their charter, 17; of West Indies
organized, 17.

Courcnrs dos Bois, 30; their charac-
ter, 54.

Currency, Canadian, 32 ; of Michili-
mackinac, 318.

Charlevoix, P. F. X. de, sent out from

France to Canada, 49 ; his descrip.
tion of Lake Erie, ibid; of Detroit,

50 ; of an Indian Council at Detroit,

51 ; of citrons in Michigan, 253.
Chnton, Dewitt, establishes Erie Ca-
nal, 231.

Clinton County, 292.

Constitution of Michigan established.

241.
Chippewa, County of, 292.
Courume de Paris, law of Canada, 27.
Cadillac Antoinede la Motle, founds

Detroit, 40 ; first grant by, 336.
Chippevvas, allies of the French, 41.

Detroit founded. 40 ; attacked by the
Ottawas, 42; by the Foxes, 43;
taken by the Ea'ilish, 97 , attac4<ed
by Poniiac, 10(5 ;" surrendered to the
Americans, 167; destroyed by fire,
170 ; re-taken by the English, 197 .
restored to the Americans, 213.

Do Louvigny, Commandant ot Michi-
limackinac, attacks the Foxes, 46.

Du Buisson, Commandant of Detroit
44. '

Duquesne, Marquis, signs an order
for Detroit, 339.

De Peyster, Commandant of Detroit,
140.

Erie, Lake, La Hontan's description
of, 48; naval battle of, 211 ; canal
established, 231,

Eaton, County of, 290,

Frontenac, Count de, appointed Go-
vernor of Canada, 18.
Foxes, their battles, 46,
Frenchtown, battle of, 20.5.
French emigrants of Michigan, 53.
Fur trade, French, of the lakes; La

396

INDEX.

Hontan'8 account of, 64 ; English, of Michigan, 55; English of Michi.
127. gan, 135.

Francis I., his colonization of Canada,
331. K

Gallatin, Albert, cited about the In-
dians, 303 ; his agency in establish-
inw land surveys, 320.

Green Bay, French settlement there,
39.

Greenville, treaty of, 22(5 ; cited, 340.

Govern' u- of Michigan, 248.

Grar.t, firsi made at Detroit, 336 ; In-
dian grar.t at, 339.

Geology of Michigan, 347.

Grand River, report on it, 336.

Harmar, Josiah, surprised by the In-
dians, 155.

Harrison, AViliiam Henry, defeats the
Indians and English, 215 ; his sys-
tem of surveys, 229.

Hillsdale, County of, 285.

Hennepin, Louis, travels through the
Lakes, 19 ; his eulogy of La Salle,
20.

Hurons, allies of the French, 41.

Huron Lake, 263.

Hamilton, Henry, Commandant of
Detroit, his capture, 139.

Heckewoklpr tarried to Detroit, 140.

Hudson's Bay Company chartered,
127.

Henry, Alexander, trader of Michili-
mackinac, 117.

Hull, William, Governor of Michigan,
170; surrenders Detroit, 197; is
deposed, 198.

Indian Chiefs carried to France, 7.

Indians of Michigan, 306.

Iroquois side with the English, 12 ;

their character, 13; chiefs of, sent to

the galleys, 22.
Ionia, County of, 291.

Jackson, County of, 287.

Jesuits, College of, founded at due-
bee, 9 ; their missionary exertions
among the Indians, 57.

Joutel, his journal, 394.

Jurisprudence, Canadian, 27 ; French

Kalamazoo, County of, 288.
Kalamazoo River, report on it, 366,
Kondiaronk, his policy, 23.
Kent, County jf, 201.

La Salic explores the west, and builds

the first vessel on Lake Eric, 19;

founds fort MichiiimacUinar, 394 ;

fort of St. Joseph, 394 ; his death, 20.
La Hontan, Baron, his description of

Lake Erie, 4S ; his account of the

Fur Trade, 64.
Lands, Canadian tenure of, 31 ; ofMi-

chiHan first brought intoniarket, 183.
Land Oflicc, first established in Michi-
gan, 182.
Legislative Council, established, 227 ;

modifications of it, 231.
Lakes, first ncrount of them, 5 ; their

dimensions, 263.
Lake Coast of Michigan, 263.
Lenawee, County of, 285.
Livingston, County of, 290.
La Peer, County of, 291.
Lcsdigiiieres, Duchesse de, addressed

by Charlevoix, 49.

Mason, Stevens T., Governor of Mi-
chigan, 241.

Montreal, its condition in 1535, 4-
in 1720, 33.

Mississippi River, discovery of, 19.

Marquette, Joseph, explores the Mis-
sissippi, 19 ; his death, 279.

Marquette River, of Michigan, 279.

Michilimackinac founded. 36 ; de-
stroyed, 121.

Mackinaw, Island of, attacked, 216 ;
Countv of, 292.

Morris, Govcrneur, first suggests Erie
Canal, 231.

Montcalm, Marquis do, defends Que-
bec, 82 ; his death, 84.

Michigan, population of in 1811, 181 ;
in 18.30, 285; in 1831, 236; in
1834, 237; in 1837, 300; eenernj
8\irfucc of, 249 ; rivers, 250 ; soil,
251 ; animals, 253; interior lakes,
253; mineral productions, ibid;
roads, 254 ; ancient monuments,
256 ; internal improvements, 263.

iif 1

INDEX.

397

Michigan Lake, 263.
Monroe, County of, 283.
Macomb, County of, 284.
Menominees, allies of the French,
Minlvavana, speech of, 1 18.
Marquoit, speech of, 176.

North-West, its general features, 313 ;

navigable advantages of, 314 ; Ohio,

314; Indiana, 15; Illinois, 316;

Wisconsin, 316 ; scenery of the

lakes, 316.
North- West Company, 127.
North- West Territory organized, 145.
Names, Indian, 260.

Oakland, County of, 289.

Ottawas, Indians, allies of the French,

41.
Ottawas, River, early channel of the

Fur Trade, 30.
Ohio River, la belle riviere, discovered

by La Salle, 77.

Pontiac, his first appearance, 91 ; his
Confederacy, 101 ; his attack, of
Detroit, 106 ; his death, 124.

Perry, Oliver Hazard, his victory on
Lake Erie, 211.

Proctor, General, takes Frenchtown,
208.

Porter, George 3., appointed Gover-
nor of Michisan, 236.

Production of Michijjan in 1837, 293.

Priests, Catholic, their province, 26.

Petition from Detroit in 1753, 338.

Potawatamies, allies of the French,
41.

duebec, founded, 6 ; its condition in
1684,32; in 1720,33; surrendered
to the English, 83,

Roque, Francois de la, cnils for the

Gulf of St. Lawrence, 6.
Richelieu, Cardinal, organizes the

Company of New France, 7.
Ro2ers, Robert, hia letter to Uncas,

80 ; addresses Belleatre, 92 ; his

speech to the Western Indians, 93 ;

takes possession of Michigan, 97.

Recollots, their character, 26.
S

Seminary, Catholic, founded at Sille-
ry, 10.

Sault de St. Marie founded, 38.

St. Joseph, fort, founded, 33; St.
Joseph River, fort founded, 394 ; sur-
vey of river, 372.

Steam Boat, first on Lake Erie, 222.

St. Clair, County of, 284.

Shiawasse, County of, 291.

Saginaw, County of, 292,

Superior, Lake, 264.

St. Clair, Lake, 264.

St. Clair, Arthur, Governor of North-
West Territory, 148.

Silver found near Lake Superior, 136.

Superior, Lake, 136.

Settlements, Spanish, message from,
154.

Travellers, French, through the lakes,
345

Thames, battle of the, 214.

Tecumseh, excites the Western In-
dians, 174 ; encounters the Ameri-
cans at Monguagon, 194; his death,
215.

Tonti, M. de. Commandant of Detroit,
42.

Ursula, Convent of, established, 10,

Verrazzano, Giovanni, his expedition,

2.
Van Buren, County of, 288.

Washington, George, his advance to
Fort Dnquesne, 76.

Wawafam, his friendly services, 120,

Woodbridge, William, his public ser-
vice, 230.

Wolfe, General, takes ducbec, 83 ;
his death, 84.

Wayne, Anthony, his defeat of the
Indians, 161.

Wayne County, 289.

Wheat, production of, in Michigan,
described by Charlevoix, 50.

Wenniway, a chief in the attack of
Michilimackinac, 123.

ERRATA.

Page 3, line 9, for ccnjury, read conjuring ; p. 21, 1. 21, for for, read from ; p.
21, 1. 5, for 145, read 155 ; p. 47, 1. 8, for most, much ; p. 47, 1. 19, for buffalo, bujh.
Ices ; p. 49, 1. 19, for Dutchess, Diwliesse ; p. 59, 1. 2, for to be, to have been ; p. 60,
note, for A, IV; p. 61, 1. If), for Pquottlee, Piqn ; p. 61, note, for B., V; p. 101, 1.
32, for Georce, Ecorce; p. 103, 1. 19, for Cohonnor, Corhon; p. 104, 1. 22, for gate
entes; p. 109, 1. 17, for 1645, 1826; p. 110, 1. ?6, forMelveri, Meloche ; p. 119, f. l?)
lor Crooke, Croche ; p. 120, 1. 20, for Powatnn, Wawalam ; p. 124, 1. 7, for salt,
skuU; p. 128,1. 15, for 1774, 1794; p. 131, 1. 31, forstrstched, A«d s/re^rAerf; p 1.12.
1. 23, for they, it; p. 155, 1. 29, for 1792, 1790; p. 156, 1. 31, for 1761, 1791 ; p. 201,
1. 23, for amplest, mosi am/ite ; p. 201, 1. 25, omit no^• p. 210, 1. 7, for were, «xjs;
p. 212, 1. 3\ for langrade, langrage ; p. 213, I. 12, for and, was; p. 213, 1. 13, for
bulwarks, bulwarks by that ship; p. 216, 1. 25, for diamer, diameter; p. 217, 1. 5, for
collected, collecting ; p. 226, 1. 22, for is, are; p. 22", 1. 38, for depopulation, depor-
tiilinn ; p. 229, 1. 32, for a mile square, a smia^e mile ; p. 229, 1. 33, for numericalor-
der, in numerical order ; p. 2?9, 1 35, for blared, blazed; p. 233, 1. 33, for are, j's ; p.
235, 1. 31, for Sheawassu, Shiawassee ; p. 233, 1. 32, for it was provided, provided i
p. 239, 1. 22, for 15, 7 ; p. 240, 1. 12, for was. Were ; p 247, 1. 3, for 520,000, 3,520,-
000 ; p. 251, 1. 24, for is, are; p. 253, 1. 34, for are, is ; p. 254, 1. 2, lor crystalirid,
tn/stalized; p. 255, 1. 12, for present, presents; p. 259, 1. 23, for has recorded, con-
tains; p. 261, 1. 6, for canals, sands; p. 261, 1.22, for free, tree; p. 264, I. 12, for
denseness, density ; p. 264, 1. 24, for are. is; p. 264, I. 27, for are, is ; p. 273, 1. 22,
for stone, store ; p. 275, 1. 33, for in, it; p. 276, 1. 21, for alluviations, deposition ; p.
277, 1. 7, for some, of some ; p. 292, 1. 24, omit be ; p. 316, 1. 17, for flowine, j^ojoerv ;
p. 378, 1. 20, for Umited, «/m<ed. r - . 6..; yi

-4 -

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