Cahokia records, 1778-1790, Part 15

Author: Alvord, Clarence Walworth, 1868-1928
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 856

USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Cahokia > Cahokia records, 1778-1790 > Part 15

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

7. Collection of Virginia State Library: There is a quantity of unused manuscripts in Richmond, to which I have had partial access; but, since they have not been catalogued, there are many important documents which I have not seen.

8. Miscellanies: I have used letters and documents in the possession of other institutions and several private individuals, to which references are made in the proper places.

It is to be regretted that I have not seen several important collections, which might have thrown light on the subject. They are the following: Private library of C. M. Burton of Detroit, Michigan; collection of documents from Vincennes in Vincennes University and Indianapolis Public Library; private library of Colonel R. T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky; and the Bancroft Library of the University of California.

The printed sources for the history of the county of Illinois are numerous, and an effort has been made to see everything. Those used will be found listed in the bibliography at the end of this volume.

After considerable study of the problems of transcription and translation, I determined to make the former as similar to the manuscript in every particular as the printed page will permit. For this reason the superior letters and repetitions have been retained, as being very characteristic of the methods of the writers. All erasures, however, have been omitted, after a careful con- sideration of each case had made it certain that no information of value would be lost thereby. Insertions made by the clerk in the margin have been included in their proper places in the text.

1 A practically complete inventory of these papers is printed in "Bulletin of the Bureau of Rolls and Library," No. I.

clv

INTRODUCTION

The punctuation and paragraphing have been copied as in the original, with the exception of the periods placed at the end of each paragraph. These are not always found in the text. There were numerous cases of doubtful paragraphing, each of which has been decided in accordance with what seemed to be the in- tention of the clerk. In order to save space the list of judges is printed in double instead of single columns, as is the rule in the · record. Occasionally I have inserted a word in brackets which had been omitted by accident or torn out. Brackets throughout the volume indicate insertions by the editor, the word or words being in roman letters, where an evident omission or mistake by the original writer ; in italics, when merely an explanation. Assur- ance of the correctness of the transcription in cases of bizarre spelling, etc., has been indicated by the conventional sic, which has been used only when the mistake appeared very extraordinary or might be thought an oversight in the proof-reading. The writers of these records, like many of their contemporaries, preferred the phonetic to the historic spelling. The most common mistakes are made in the vowel before the nasals and in the endings é and er, these latter being spelled in any way that will produce the sound. Frequently the pronunciation of an unrecognized word will lead to its identification. To the duplication and transposing of letters are due such forms as deffendeur, effest, deffucnt. In tran- scribing I have followed this principle, that, when there was a legitimate choice between an apparent bizarre spelling and a possibly correct one, preference should be given to the latter. I feel quite confident that the number of mistakes in the transcrip- tion is very small, for, in the preparation of the manuscript and in proof-reading, Mrs. Alvord has collated it twice with the originals and I have made five such comparisons. This is true of all the transcriptions except those of the Cahokia records in Chicago, for which I have had to trust to my original copies.

The translation of the records has offered many difficulties, due largely to the haste with which the clerk was obliged to write the testimony as he heard it. The sentences are frequently involved, abbreviated, or not finished. The French is on the

clvi

ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

whole good, by no means a patois,1 and the legal phraseology excellent, particularly that of Joseph Labuxiere, who was a well- trained notary. In making the translation I have had in mind the needs of the many readers who do not understand the original language. The first requisite in such a work has seemed to be a faithful and clear interpretation, which should follow closely the original rather than the production of a piece of finished English. Since the translation may be used by the reader of French as a running commentary, it has obviated the need of numerous footnotes to the text. All proper names have been spelled in the translation in accordance with the following principle: in all cases where I have found a signature, that spelling has been adopted; in all other cases, the modern form as found in Canada has been used, provided identification was possible.

1. I would not undertake to pronounce upon the character of the written French without the support of other authority. A French traveler to the village of Vincennes in the eighteenth century was surprised to find that the language of the people was not a patois as he had been led to expect. (Volney, View of the United States, 373; see also Flagg, Far West, in Thwaites, Western Travels, xxxvii., 55.) Mr. Benjamin Sulte, who has read the proof of this book, writes that the French is next to the best and the legal phraseology excellent. My colleague, Professor Thomas E. Oliver of the .depart- ment of modern languages, who has given me great assistance in the translation, laid down the principle for guidance in the interpretation of difficult passages that aside from misspelling and abbreviated sentences, the writers follow the correct usage. By the appli- cation of .this principle many difficult problems of translation have been solved.

PETITION TO CLARK 1

To George Rogers Clark Esq'r Collonel and Commandant of the Eastern Illinois &ca.

The Pettition of Jean Bte DeCoste. Humbly Sheweth -

That he has had a Considerable demand against Mr Hanson of this Town and has never been able to make him answer thereto, and the Petitioner having heard that the said Mr Hanson is about leaving this Place he has recours to you, begging you will be Pleased to order the said Hanson not to depart without giving sufficient security for the Settlement of the affair between him and the Plaintif and will ever as in duty bound pray &c .-

Kahôs the 27th Augt 1778. his Jno. Bte. + De Coste. mark.

Ce que J. B. De Coste a payer pour la Societte

S D

pay sur leur Billet de son propre

. 3327.

14. 6

paye un Billet 120 1b peletier

240.

paye un autre 193 16 Di

386.

L 3953.

14. 6

De Coste a paye Hanson 1976.

I7. 3

3347.

14. 3

I35.

3482. 14. 3

1 Original manuscript; Chicago Hist. Soc., Cahokia Records. Transcription by the editor. These records were formerly in the treasurer's office of the courthouse in Belleville, Ill. Alvord, Eighteenth Century French Records, in Annual Report of Amer. Hist. Assn., 1905, i., 365.

2 Livre, which was equivalent to the modern franc.

STRAY LEAVES FROM THE COURT OF THE COM- MITTEE OF CAHOKIA1

Islinois ss By ordre of the Committe of Cahôs

Il est ordonner a Mr Antoine Harmand d' Sanfaçon de parroitre devant la Cour de Committee des Cahôs Vendredy prochain trent du present mois pour repondre a la Demand de Dominique O'flanigan a cela vous manquera point et de celluy faite votre retour Donne au Kahos 29™ d'Octob 17782

a Mons Gab1 Constante Richard Me Carty Clke3

pour Signifier celluy

Virginie Illinois ss

By Joseph Bowman4 Esq. Capt. Commandant, Presidt of the Court of Cahôs &ca. &ca.

Whereas Mr. De Breuil of St. Louis makes complaint to me that Mr Antoine Lepage of St. Josephs is indebted unto him in the Sum of eighty eight livres five Sols Peletries by his note of hand Dated IIth January 1770. and tho' several times Demanded

1 Original manuscripts; Chi. Hist. Soc., Cah. Rec. Transcription by the editor. The first is the earliest known document issuing from the court established by G. R. Clark at Cahokia. See Introduction, p. xlvi.

2 Translation: "M. Antoine Harmand called Sansfaçon is summoned to appear before the Court of the Committee of Cahokia Friday next, the thirtieth of the present month, to answer the prayer of Dominique O'Flanigan. In this you shall not fail and make thereof your return. Given at Cahokia, October 29, 1778. To Gabriel Constant, to make service there- of. Richard McCarty, Clerk."

3 Richard McCarty came from the colony of Connecticut. He was living in Cahokia before 1776, and built a mill there on some land he had preempted. See pp. 465, 529. At the coming of Clark, he joined the Illinois battalion and took part in the Vincennes expedition. In the fall of 1779 he was appointed commandant of Fort Bowman at Cahokia and made himself very unpopular with the inhabitants by his tyranny. Later he joined the French party and was killed in the spring of 1781 while carrying a petition from the inhabitants to the governor of Virginia. See Introduction, pp. Ixxiii., xcvii., ciii .; also post, pp. 543, 549.

4 Joseph Bowman was one of the captains with Clark in the Illinois expedition and was sent by the latter to receive the submission of Cahokia. He remained in command of the village till the Vincennes expedition and seems to have won the hearts of the French. After his return from Vincennes he remained in Cahokia for a short time. He established the first popular court of justice in the Illinois and was himself elected to the position of president of the same. For further particulars see Introduction, p. xlvi. He died at Vincennes, August 14, 1779 .- English, Conquest of the Northwest, i., 108 et seq.

CAHOKIA RECORDS, 1778

hath not been paid and whereas said D Breuil is afraid If said Ant'ne Lapage Leaves this Country that he will Loose his said Debt.

These are therefore in vertue of the Power and authority to me Given to Command you to Seize so much of the Effects of the Said Antoine Lapage If to be found in this district to pay & Satisfie said Debt & Costs (or that Sd. Lapage pays Sd. sum & Costs,) and them safely keep, return whereof make to next fryday the 27th Inst Court of Committee hereof fail not this being your Sufficient Warrant.

Given under my hand at Fort Bowman 24th of Nov. 1778. Jos. Bowman.

To Gab. Constant constable this to execute

En vertue de cet Warrant, je a été a la requisition de Mr De Breuil, je a saisé une Barrique de taffea dans la maison de Mr Lapage, de laquelle Mr Ant. Girardin sa rendue Caution au Cahôs 24 de Novr 1778.

Gabriel Constant.

Il est due encore 641b 15 Sols en peletries et les frais.1

1 Translation: "In virtue of this warrant and on the requisition of M. Dubreuil, I have attached a barrel of tafia in the house of M. Lepage, for which M. Ant. Girardin has given bond. At Cahokia November 24, 1778, Gabriel Constant. There is still due 64 livres 15 sols and the costs."

The sol is the modern sou, and was pronounced like it.

COURT OF THE COMMITTEE AT CAHOKIA1

[Ist sheet]

Execu . . [MS. torn] .. ecuring any slave so found in the . . [MS. torn] .. or elsewhere, Contrary to this order, and to in- form & prosecute in behalf of the Publick any other person that Should act Contrary to the same

Thursday 3Ist Decr 1778.

Joseph Bowman Esqr Capt Touranjeau Mr. Gratiot

Mr. Langlois

Present?

Bapt Bastien Neagor of Mr Saucier alias of Belcour call'd & Examined touching his Poisoning the negor of Marie Laurant of St Louis as sd neagor hath Declared.3

1 Four leaves from the record of the court founded by George Rogers Clark in the archives of the courthouse at Belleville, Ill. They have been bound by mistake with the Minutes of General Court of Illinois Territory, St. Clair Co., April term, 1811. Transcription by the editor. Except for the time of the Vincennes expedition, McCarty was clerk.

2 For the convenience of repeated reference, all biographical notes on those who were living in Cahokia in the year 1787 will be found with the census of that year, p. 624. Notes on others will appear in their proper place and may be found by consulting the index.

The full name of Turanjeau was Pierre Godin called Turanjeau. He died in 1779.

The parents of Charles Gratiot were French, but on account of their Huguenot faith were dwelling in Switzerland, when their son Charles was born in the year 1753. Charles Gratiot received a mercantile education, and before he reached his majority went to Canada to engage in the fur trade. In 1777 he was in Cahokia and in August of the next year opened a store in partnership with some British merchants from Canada, although in the month before Illinois bad submitted to the Virginians. From letters of his it appears that he maintained relations with his uncle in Canada and probably with his partners as long as he remained in Cahokia. He gave financial assistance to Clark, as did all the other French inhabitants. Gratiot was elected a justice of the court established by Clark and later of the court at Cahokia under the county of Illinois. Finding the conditions on the American bank too stormy for his business interests, he moved to St. Louis in 1781, where he became wealthy and prominent. His sons held many important positions in public life. Charles Gratiot was a cultivated man, traveled extensively both in this country and Europe and was favorably known both for his business capacity and social qualities. Wisconsin Hist. Col., x, 239 et seq .; Menard Col., Tard. Papers; Dillon, Annals of St. Louis, I., 214, 481 et seq.

3 See Transcripts from the Cahokia Record, p. 13. The following is the translation of a document of the Cah. Rec. in the Chicago Hist. Soc. lib .: "The year 1778, the 20th day of December at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, in virtue of the order of Don Fernando de Leyba, lieutenant governor of the Illinois, which was given me this day, I, Bernard Gibkins, physician at this post, betook myself into the house of the woman Laurant, inhabitant of this post, in order to examine her negro. I found the said negro in bed, and after a careful exam- ination, I perceived that the sickness, by which he was attacked, proceeded from a violent poison. His body was in convulsions and his limbs rigid on account of the corrosive poison, which had insinuated itself into all parts of his body. The negro is in danger of death and it will be only the result of chance, if he recovers; in which case the use of his limbs may be lost for the rest of his days. In faith of which I give the present report, which I affirm to be true, to you, M. Lieutenant-Governor. At St. Louis the said day, the 29th of December, 1778. B. Gibkins."

From a photograph of a crayon portrait, in the library of the Missouri Historical Society.

CLARK'S COURT AT CAHOKIA

Questioned whither he gave any Cake or anything Else to eat to sd Neagor.

answers that sd neagor met him and after salutations sd neagor says, I am told you intend fighting with me. I asked for what, on accot of Martin's wench. oh Brother says I. we shall never Quarelle for that your Country people besides she is every ones Whore, therefore shall never Quarelle about that. after which sd neagor sd he had a peine in his Breast. I asked him if he had over strained himself. he sd not unless it was by Carrying 30 Bush1 of Corn that day into the Garret, and that he Neither Eat or Drank with Him nor gave him Even a pipe of Tobacco.

Bapt Le Neagor d'Mr Robert. Declare n'avoir Veu Donne pr Bastienne au'cune Gallet ni autre chose a man[ger] ou à Boir a la d' Neagor de Md Laurant.

Bt neagor of Mr Robert Declares that he did not see Bastienne give Cake or any other thing to Eat or Drink to Mª Laurant's Neagor.

the other neagor . . [MS. torn] .. he was at no Place with the neagor of Mª Laurant except at his masters house where he gave him a Glass of wine as he was going off that he did not see Bastienne with him.

Thursday 7th January 1779. MICHEL BEAULIEU US L8 LACOMPTE

a Summons to appear fryday 8th to answer such alligations which shall be made against him with his witness if he has any.

a summons to appear fryday 8th to give Testemony in the above Cause. Jean Racette & Haugon La Croix.

Fryday 8th January 1779.

Jos. Bowman Esqr Mr Langlois Mr Graciot

Capt Trottier

Present

MR BEAULIEU US LS LACOMPTE

Plt Demands that proves what he has advanced to Mr Lan- glois, that he Mr. Beaulieu said to his Neagor take care dont Confess anything or you will be hanged.

Defendt say's he heard it from Jean Raccette, who say's he

ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTION

heard it said at the Court house the day the neagor's were punish- ed but of whom or from whom he dont kno'.

Louis Louisgaut Sworn, that Mr LaCroix told him in the street, after the neagor of La Croix was whiped that Mr Beaulieu staid in the Ct house with him, and that LaCroix said I believe Beaulieu tells his neagor not to Confess or you will be hanged.

[2nd sheet]1

sworn into office as President of the Court of Committee at Cahôs.

Lieut Perrault, Presidant Mr Girirdin

Mr Graciot Mr Trouttier

Present.

[MS. torn] .. Complains to the Ct that whereas he has .. [MS. torn] .. several artecals to Mr Wills & has Received his money in Payment thereoff & as the money is now Cried down in the Vilage he Demands that the said Wells should gave [sic] further security for the goodness of the money before he shoud take the affects out of the vilage.2

Mr Wells in answer says that he Bought the artecals of the said Marthan & as he is a man fair from home and on Business, therefore he Desires that the Ct would Either Prove it and Condemn his money to be bad, or if not to Gave [sic] him his Effects that he Bought of said Marthan and that he Does not understand that the Voice of any Disaffected Person should without any Lawfull grounds be hurtfull to his trading in this Country as he has a Proper Passport from all the officers of Post on the Ohio River & that he Could Prove that Mr Marthan Refused to Deliver the affects.

Mr. Bournes sworn says that this morning sd Marthan came to Mr Wells Lodging and said that sd marthan Refused to .. [MS. torn] .. go out of the Village without .. [MS. torn] .. Further security for the goodness of the Currency that wells had Payed him.

Mr. Wells further says that if any Person would Come before

1 The first and fourth sheets are in McCarty's handwriting and the other two were written by some one else.

2 On the assurance of the Virginians the French accepted in payment for their supplies the continental paper at face value in gold. It was not until the winter of 1779 that they began to suspect that they had been deceived. The above is the earliest reference to their suspicions.

CLARK'S COURT AT CAHOKIA

the Ct and Refuse to take the said money for Payment of Debt that upon the same he would Gave good security for his Remain- ing in this Place till Col Clark some other officer should Return to this Place that was Proper Judges of the sd money.

Upon which Mr. Marthan sent for Jos Beautheau whome he said Refused to take the money for a note he had Given him sd Beautheau said that he did not Demand his Payment as not Being Due till spring Come a Year so he had not Refused any sort of Payment that was Lawfull.

[3d sheet]

Lieut Perrault President Mr. Beaulieu

Capt Trouttier

Mr. Girirdin

Mr Graciot

Present

LOUIS LASOUDRAY Pltf Mr DENEAU & Mr LAPADGE Deft Mr Deneau & Mr LaPadge appeared the third time to satisfy themselves of the Crime laid to their Charge [and] no Person Came to Prosecute them & They Declared themselves Innocent of The Crime laid to their Charge. The Honorable Court There- fore thought Proper to Dis[charge] them and Clare them of the said Crime laid [to] their Charge &c ordering that the said Lasoudray [should pay all Cost and Expence whatsoever the said [De]neau and La Padge has been at to Justify themselves of this Hanious Crime Laid to their charge also Gaving The said Deneau & LaPadge Privalage to Prosicute the said Lasoudray for the same on the other side.

Adjourned Mr Perrault.

Fryday the 2nd day of April 1779.

Ct Oppened.

Lieut Perrault Presidant Mr Graciot

Capt Trouttier Mr Touranjeau

Present. J. Bt LACROIX PIff. vs MICHEL CHARLE Deft.

J. Bt LaCroix Complains to the Court that whereas he Engaged Micheal Charle in his service for the space of one y[ear] and his time of servace not yet Being accomplish[ed] Refuses to serve him any longer & Therefore .. [MS. torn] .. to kno. some

ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTION

lawful Reason for his so doing. sd Charle in his defence says that the said La[Croix] imposed upon him too hard by ordering him to [work] late & Early & in the night which he Refused [MS. torn] upon which they had some Despute after which he the sd Charle Left his house & Refused to serve him any longer.

After Desputing some time between the. . [MS. torn]

[4th sheet]

him do it and that it was with this Depot Gun.

Ct are of opinion that it was not the shot Caused the Death of the .. [MS. torn]

Plt. to pay costs.

JACQUE METHOD Plt vs RENOCH LOCAT Deft for his sister Md Vve METHOD

Plt Demands the rent of 3 years for a piece of Land Deft has occupied amount'g to 991b in Pelet[ries].

Deft says there is no writing to produce and Desire's to kno in whose Name sd Lands were Cried to hire and B Method Pfts Brother held said Land, only for making the fence.

Ct are unanimous of oppinion that the widow has no Right to pay any Part of rent, & Plt to pay Costs.

Ct adjourned to fryday next 30th. Apr Inst.

Jos Bowman

: Fryday 30th. April 1779.

Major J8 Bowman Presidt Lt Beaulieu

Madame Capitaine, by authority from her Husband desires to give up a house Bought of Deceased Mr De Lintot, being in- capable of paying the same. Mr McCarty the Executor named by this Court, in consequence of her giving up same prays that the Court will order that said house be sold by publick outcry for the paying a Certain Sum due on said house by said Mr Delintots Estate, pr mortgage to Mad™ Detolsey and the over- plush If any for the Good of his sd Lintots Creditors.

Members not being present Sufficent to form a majority ajourned to fryday next the 7th. May.

Fryday 7th. May 1779.

JO3 BOWMAN PRESIDE

CAPt TROTTIER

CAPt TOURANJEAU Lt BEAULIEU

members Present.

ACT CREATING THE COUNTY OF ILLINOIS1.

AN ACT for establishing the County of Ilinois, and for the more effectual protection and defense thereof.

WHEREAS by a successful expedition carried on by the Vir- ginia militia, on the western side of the Ohio river, several of the British posts within the territory of this commonwealth, in the country adjacent to the river Mississippi, have been reduced, and the inhabitants have acknowledged themselves citizens thereof, and taken the oath of fidelity to the same, and the good faith and safety of the commonwealth require that the said citizens should be supported and protected by speedy and effectual reinforce- ments, which will be the best means of preventing the inroads and depredations of the Indians upon the inhabitants to the west- ward of the Allegheny mountains; and whereas, from their remote situation, it may at this time be difficult, if not impracticable, to govern them by the present laws of this commonwealth, until proper information, by intercourse with their fellow citizens, on the east side of the Ohio, shall have familiarised them to the same, and it is therefore expedient that some temporary form of govern- ment, adapted to their circumstances, should in the meantime be established :

Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That all the citizens of this commonwealth who are already settled, or shall hereafter settle, on the western side of the Ohio aforesaid, shall be included

1 Hening, Statutes at Large (Virginia), ix., 552. A committee was instructed by the Vir- ginia assembly on November 19, 1778, to prepare a bill for the formation of the county. This was presented to the assembly November 30, 1778, and passed in its final amended form on December 9th. It was signed by the speaker of the senate on the 17th and subsequently, if at all, by the speaker of the house of delegates. On the 12th of December Governor Patrick Henry issued the instructions in accordance with the provisions of the act .- Jour. H. of Del. (Va.), Oct. Sess., 1778, p. 106; Jour. of Senate (Va.), Oct. Sess., 1778, p. 52; Rowland, George Mason, i., 307; Boggess, Immigration into Illinois, 1778-1830 (a thesis in manuscript). Dr. Boggess was the first to work out the history of the act, and I am greatly indebted to him for the loan of the thesis, from which this note is taken. No writer had previously determined the exact date of the passage of the act and all but one (Rowland, George Mason) have been indefinite or incorrect in giving it .- Winsor, Westward Movement, 122; Poole, in Winsor, Nar. and Crit. Hist., vi., 729; Thwaites, How George Rogers Clark Won the Northwest, 64; Boyd, in Amer. Hist. Rev. iv., 623; Roosevelt, Winning of the West, ii., 168; and many others.

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Cahokia records, 1778-1790, Part 15

Author: Alvord, Clarence Walworth, 1868-1928 Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 856

Author: Alvord, Clarence Walworth, 1868-1928
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 856