USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Cahokia > Cahokia records, 1778-1790 > Part 62
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
C'est pourquoi Messieurs qu'aprés avoir mis Sous vos yeux La position Fatale d'une circonstance dangereuse, J'ai tout lieu d'esperer, Non Come membre particulier des representation que J'expose a votre Cour, mais Comme Chargé de la part De toute Ceux qui respectent vos droits & vos Immunités, davoir pour agréable de Faire transporter Le Sr Piquet habitant dans votre district du grand ruisseau, pour le reprimer Dans Ses démarches, lui defendre d'éxercer & De S'ériger en Soidisan Magistrat et
601
WATT'S ADDRESS, SEPTEMBER, 1787
the most sacred sanctuary ? Is that not an open abuse of the funda- mental constitution of the United States? Where is the right of the people? Where is the public surety? Where is the love of country and where finally is that absolute authority which belongs to our metropolis? Ought you not to stay its course ?.. .I demand it of you! Do you fear this tempest which rum- bles already over our heads; do you fear the dangerous fire, the sparks from which you ought to dread; do you fear I say, gen- lemen, this outrage on the laws and the estates; and we shall see you soon answering to each individual for the justice which you owe him, at a moment especially when each faithful citizen is raising his voice in appeal to you to attract your benevolence to the evils which are always fomenting disorder and insubordination!
Yes, Gentlemen, I catch a glimpse of your looks favorable to the events which affect us all and severally, and the results of which could be only fatal; I see you stay the danger of a conduct so irregular in a handful of erring beings, who have not disdeigned to ask of you an asylum and retreat, when their own country was deaf to their needs; I see you, say I, break the silence and repress the sinful, bold crime of high treason. Let your justice be made manifest and let it blaze forth and there will be for you an increase in the glory which you owe the states and a monument to your benevolence; but if this same benevolence should pass in silence such outrages, you would soon see your rights and your justice trampled under foot.
That is the reason, gentlemen, why, after having placed before your eyes the fatal position of a dangerous event, I have every reason to hope, not as a particular member of the representa- tion which I am setting forth to your Court, but as intrusted by all those who respect your rights and immunities, that you will determine to cause M. Piggott, inhabitant in your district of Grand Ruisseau, to be transported in order to restrain his activities, and to forbid him to exercise the duties of and set himself up as a would-be magistrate and justice of the peace in the whole depart- ment and dependency of your Court, on pain of being treated as an insurgent and rebel to the United States and of being from now
60
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
Juge de paix Dans tout le ressort & dependance de votre Cour a peine d'être traité comme Infractaire & rebel aux états unis, D'être même dés a present regardé comme traitre a vos volontées & Constitutions, moriginer & molester en tant que de besoin Le Nomé benjamin roger habitant au même lieu du grand ruisseau, pour avoir méprisé & mal parlé de la Cour ici presente En Con- sequence Le faire transporter par devan votre ditte Cour Pour L'en faire rétracter & lui en faire Demander & prononcer les Excuses Suivant L'exigence du Cas ou telles autres Soumissions que Jugerés convenables pour la Satisfaction au respect qui apartien a votre Cour, aprés quoi Messieurs qu'il vous plaise lui ordoner reparation Envers Moi de la Grieveté de Ses Insultes dans les moments Surtout ou Mon devoir m'obligeoit de Soutenir le droit l'honeur & l'interest de votre auguste Cour.
et pour qui les choses ayent tout L'éffet que la Sureté publique a lieu d'atendre de vos bontés, prendre Conoissance Messieurs des motifs qui ont doné lieu aux habitants de la belle fontaine D'in- nover une Cour independante de la votre, sans autorité a cet éffet, sans droits sans soumission sans reserve & sans exception; (triste présage Messieurs lorsque le Germe de l'honeur a besoin d'une loy plus pressante & plus proche que la votre pour le faire eclore), . ou bien Messieurs est ce pour prendre chacun Son éssort ou bien encore est Ce pour enfreindre votre Justice & vos droits, ou plustot Messieurs en S'éloignant du Centre de votre autorité gravitante, est ce pour Secouer le joug & mepriser les bontes que vous avés en tout tems repandu sur chaque Individu; voila les éffets de la reconoissance que vous offrent ceux que la nature avare a transplanté dans vos climats
puissiés vous Messieurs en developan vos droits & votre au- torité, faire Germer, dans touts les Coeurs, les Sentiments inal- terables qu'inspirent le respect & l'attachemant qui est dû a votre auguste Cour; C'est bein Celui Messieurs qui m'oblige De vous dire Combien Je ne Cesserai Jamais d'être avec tout Celui qui vous apartien
Messieurs Le plus humble et le plus affectioné de vos cytoyens Aux Cahokia le 14 de 7bre 1787. Robt. Watts
603
WATT'S ADDRESS, SEPTEMBER, 1787
on regarded as a traitor to your will and constitution; and to repri- mand and punish, in so far as there is need, the named Benjamin Rogers, inhabitant of the same place of Grand Ruisseau, for having defied and badly spoken of the Court here present, and consequently to have him brought before your said Court in order to make him retract and to make demand of him therefor and to cause him to make his apology according to the exigences of the case, or to do such other acts of sumbission as you shall judge suitable to satisfy the respect which belongs to your Court; after which, gentlemen, that it please you to order him to make repara- tion to me for the heinousness of his insults made at the moment specially when my duty obliged me to sustain the right, honor and interest of your august Court.
And in order that the affair may have all the effect which the public has the right to expect from your benevolence, I hope that you will take cognizance, gentlemen, of the motives which have caused the inhabitants of Bellefontaine to inaugurate a court independent of your own, without authority to do so, without rights, without reserve and without pleas, (sad omen, gentlemen, when the germ of honor has need of a law more urgent and nearer than yours to make it develop). . . or indeed, gentlemen, it remains for each to make his own flight, or indeed, again, to violate your justice and your rights, or rather, gentlemen, drawing away from the center of your weighty authority, to shake off the yoke and defy the benevolence which you have at all times diffused for all pers- ons; such are the consequences of the gratitude, which those whom miserly nature has transplanted into your climate, are offering you.
May you be able, Gentlemen, by developing your rights and your authority, make germinate in all hearts the unalterable senti- ments, which inspire the respect and attachment which are due your august Court! It is indeed that, gentlemen, which obliges me to tell to you how I shall never cease to be in all that which appertains to you,
Gentlemen, the most humble and affectionate of
your citizens,
At Cahokia September 14, 1787.
Robt. Watts.
604
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
SENTENCE AGAINST PIGGOTT AND ROGERS, SEPTEMBER 17, 1787.
La cour du district des Cohos assemblee Sur Les representa- tions a elle faites par le Sr Robert Wath commandant Etably par ladite Cour, au grand Ruisseau en datte du quatorze de ce mois par laquelle il nous declare et nous previent de L'attentat et insubordination qui tend a une Conjuration populaire de la part des habitants americains du grand Ruisseau et de la ballefontaine tendante a Se Soustraire a la justice de cette Cour et L'anéantir par la suite, En Sarogeant Sur nos terres un droit d'independ- ance Et Envahir notre authorité et privileges Et Nomement le nommeé Jacques piquet habitant du grand Ruisseau En la de- pendance de ce district acusé de S'etre immissé En magistra et juge de paix en celle pretendue Soit disante jurisdiction au mepris de notre cour, Et le nomme Benjamain Roger aussi habitant dudt lieu du grand Ruisseau pour avoir meprise par termes des- placés la personne du Sr Wath que son devoir obligeoit de Soute- nir nos interest et les droits de notre Cour, et avoir voulû avillir nos ordres. Le tout examiné Et consideré la Cour deffend tres expressement audt piquet de Sassembler doresnavant a la belle- fontaine pour y tenir aucunne Seance ny former aucunne justice ny milice independante de la Cour des Cahos a peine d'Etre Chassé de ce district et Ses Biens Confisqués a qui il apartiendra. Et pour avoir accepté dans ladite assemblée tenue entreux Sans permission ny authorité la place de magistra Et juge de paix. la cour la condamné a Etre mis aux fers En ce village pendant lespace de vingt quatre heures Et condamne a pareille peine ledt Benjamain Roger pour son manque de respect tant Enver notre Cour. que enver ledt Sr Wath Lesquels Seront a la garde de notre huissier a leurs frais Et fera ledt Benjamain Roger excuses Convenables la Cour presente audt Sr Wath ce qui sera executé donne En Cour le dix sept Septembre mil sept Cent quatre vingt Sept. Signé - pierre Laperche - Bte Saucier - Philipe Engel - ducharme - fs Saucier presidant.
Labuxiere grefier. La presente Sentence a Eté Executé le meme jour Cotte L Invre soixante quinzieme
1 Menard Col., Tardiveau Papers, original manuscript. Transcription by the editor.
605
THE COURT'S JUDGMENT, SEPTEMBER, 1787
THE SENTENCE AGAINST PIGGOTT AND ROGERS, SEPT. 17, 1787.1
The Court of the District of Cahokia assembled, on the fourteenth of this month, to hear the representations made to it by M. Robert Watts, commandant established by the said Court at Grand Ruisseau, in which he makes accusation in informing us of the outrage and insubordination, which tend to a popular con- spiracy on the part of the inhabitants of Grand Ruisseau and Bellefontaine, in order to escape from the jurisdiction of this Court and to annihilate it finally, by arrogating to themselves a right of independence on our lands and by encroaching on our authority and privileges; and he has accused especially the named James Piggott inhabitant of Grand Ruisseau, in the dependency of this district, of having thrust himself into the office of magis- trate and justice of the peace in this pretended and would-be jurisdiction to the defiance of our Court; and the named Benjamin Rogers, also inhabitant of Grand Ruisseau, of having scorned by offensive terms the person of M. Watts, whom his duty compelled to support our interests and the rights of our Court, and of having wished to dishonor our orders : after all was examined and con- sidered, the Court forbids very expressively the said Piggott to call assemblies henceforth at Bellefontaine for the purpose of holding any session there or of devising any justice or militia independent of the Court of Cahokia, on pain of being driven from this district and of the confiscation of his property, for whom it shall concern; and for having accepted the position of magistrate and justice of the peace in the said assembly, held by the people without permission or authority, the Court has condemned him to be placed in irons in this village for the space of twenty-four hours; and it condemns to a like punishment the said Benjamin Rogers for his lack of respect both towards our Court and towards the said M. Watts; and they shall be in the custody of our huissier at their own expense; and the said Benjamin Rogers shall make in the presence of the Court suitable apologies to the said M. Watts; for which there will be execution. Given in Court the seventeenth of September, 1787. Signed, Pierre Laperche, Bte. Saucier, Philippe Engel, DuCharme, Fr. Saucier, president.
Labuxiere, Clerk.
The present sentence has been executed the same day. Page L, inventory seventy-five.
606
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
ORDINANCE OF THE COURT OF CAHOKIA, JULY 5, 1789. De la part de la Cour du district des Cahos.
La Cour ayant examiné que les circonstances ou se trouve ce village par les mauvaises intentions ou Sont les Sauvages contre nous qui Se manifestent depuis longtems, tant par l'assassin de plusieurs personnes aux Environs de ce village que par l'Enleve- ment continuel de nos chevaux et autres insultes commises par ces Barbares aux quelles il nous est presque impossible de nous oposer par le manque de force; nous trouvant continuement ex- posés a la fureur des partis qui viennent journellement Sur nos terres et Sur les chemains, pour y tuer et enlever les chevaux ce qui expose les habitans a être massacrez en faisant leurs travaux Et nous met hors d'etat de pouvoir Sortir Sans courir les Risques de la vie.
Cest pour prevenir les dangers ou nous sommes exposez par les sauvages qui viennent en ce village Sous le voile de L'union et de L'amitié et qui en S'en retournant, tuent, pillent, et En- levent les chevaux que la cour cherche les moyens de Remedier aux malheurs qui nous Environnent.
a cette fin par deliberation de laditte cour elle fait expresse- ment deffences a toutes personnes de telles qualité et condi- tions et profession quelles soient et Sous tel pretexte que ce puisse être Sans pouvoir aleguer aucunes raisons; de vendre traiter ni debiter aucunes Boissons Enivrantes aux Sauvages qui viendront au poste des Cahos Soit tafia ou autres liqueurs que ce puisse etre, faisons aussi deffences de leur traitter de la poudre, Balles, munitions et armes non pas meme en present a peine de cent piastres demande payable contant Sans moderation, de confiscation des Boissons, poudre, munitions et armes qui Se trouveront ches cux pour vendre Et d'etre chassez de ce district â perpetuite Sans esperance de pouvoir y revenir Enjoint ladite Cour a tous ceux qui auront connoissance des contrevenants de nous en avertir ou de les declarer au greffe a peine de se rendre complice Et ceux qui reserveront des Sauvages ches eux seront tenus den avertir le commandant a peine de prison aussi tost leur arrivee ce qui sera execute et la presente sera lue publiée Et
607
ORDINANCE, JULY, 1789
ORDINANCE OF THE COURT OF CAHOKIA, JULY 5, 1789.1 On the part of the Court of the District of Cahokia.
The Court having considered that the circumstances in which this village finds itself on account of the evil purposes which the savages have against us,2 which are shown, since a long time, both by the assassination of several persons in the neighborhood of this village and by the continual stealing of our horses and by other insults committed by these barbarians, to whom it is almost impossible to make opposition on account of the lack of military force; and finding ourselves continually exposed to the fury of the parties, which come daily on our lands and roads for the purpose of killing persons there and of stealing the horses, which exposes the inhabitants to being massacred while at work and makes it impossible for us to go out without risking our lives:
It is to prevent the dangers to which we are exposed from the savages who come to this village under the veil of union and friendship and who, on returning, kill, pillage and steal the horses, that the Court seeks means to remedy the evils which surround us.
To this end, by resolution of the said Court, it is expressly forbidden all persons of what quality, condition and profession soever and under any pretext whatsoever, without the possibility of excuse, to sell, trade or sell at retail to the savages any intoxicat- ing liquors of any sort; we forbid also trading with them in pow- der, bullets, ammunition and arms or giving them even as pres- ents, on pain of one hundred piastres fine payable in cash with. out mitigation and of confiscation of the liquors, powder, ammuni- tion and arms, which shall be found at their houses for sale, and of being driven from this district forever without hope of being able to return. The said Court enjoins all those who shall have knowledge of offenders to inform us thereof or to denounce them at the office, on pain of rendering themselves accomplices; and those who receive savages at their house shall be held to notify the commandant thereof as soon as they arrive, on pain of prison, for which there will be execution; and the present shall
1 Chi. Hist. Soc., Cah. Rec., original manuscript. Transcription by the editor.
2 At the close of this period there was almost continuous Indian war.
608
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
affichée demain dimanche a la porte de leglise aux Cahos le 5 juillet, 1789. Sa hBi fr Trottier
Louis + Chatel
Philipe Engel
At Girardin.
marque
Pierre Laperche
DuCharme
ORDINANCE, JULY, 1789
609
be read, published and posted to-morrow, Sunday, on the door of the church of Cahokia, July 5, 1789.
[Signed] his Louis + Chatel hBi F. Trottier. mark Philippe Engel. Ant. Girardin.
DuCharme. Pierre Laperche.
CAHOKIA DOCUMENTS.
ENGLISH JOSEPH BOWMAN TO G. R. CLARK 1
Kahous May 28th 1779
Dear Sir
I Received you letter by Mr Charleville Which affords me the Greatest satisfaction to hear of The Arivel of Collo Mon- gomery & his success that I now can Rest Contentedly with Reguard to haveing success on our Intended Expedition. Our old saying was Everything Happens for the best, had Colº Mon- gomery arived soon' perhaps he wood have been Expencive with Reguar to provisons I Expect we shall be furnishd with Every Necessary Requird from this Post without makeing use of the Last Argument which affords me the greatist Pleasure to find that the Inhabitans seame desireous of furnishing what Lies in their Power, which I hope will Recommend them much to your Honour, Mr Shannon will Write to you more fulley upon that Head.
Mr Langtoe? is Just Arived with all the good news We could Expect from above and will be with you in A few days. Peace & Quietness seams to be Established Amongst the Indians in General, I have Just now Dismist a party of the Pottewottemies with Content &c. be Assured of a Company of Vollenteers from here & Expect the Same with you: I am Dr Sr with Respect your &c.
Jos Bowman
[Addressed] Collº Go. R Clark Esqr Commander in Cheif of the western Department Pr Mr Pappae Kaskaskia
1Dr. MSS., 49345, original manuscript. 2Linctot.
610
6II
BOWMAN'S LETTERS
BOWMAN TO G. R. CLARK 1
¢
Kahous May 28th 1779
Dr Sir,
It gives me Pleasure to Inform you of the bravery of the Volen- teers at this Place that after aplication was made to them for their Assistance, in less than twenty four Hours turnd out A Company larger than the other who hath Chosen Mr Langto for their Captn they with a few others that are Ingagd for Bullock Driveing &c amounts to forty odd men notwithStanding twenty odd of the Last Companey of Volenteers are Away, that had not that been the case I wood have asured You 60 men at Least. It was with great dificulty I Could Restrain maney of the old Married people from turning out With us as I New the Circumstance of their families- would Not Permitt them to be absent. I think you may depend on fifty at aney Rate; At first I was afraid Captn Langtoes Appoint- ment would Interfair with his other buisness. but - As he seams desireous to take his Rout by way of the Islinois River and to meet us at Ouiaws on the wabash in order to Recruit more men I think it wood answr Every purpose we could Requir, which Rout I hope youl grant him unless you should think it Quite Inconsistant. He farder purposes to purchace about forty Horses on his way for the state which will be wanting in case the waters Should be low, the Horses mought be purchased to a - Considerable Advantage. if so he will Require some goods And Taffee for his Voyage; he has furnishd us with some pelteries which is Applyd for the use of pur- chaceing provisions &c. he will wait upon you to Receive Your Orders. In order to Direct himself Accordingly he brought down five or Six Horses wich he has Delivered to Captn Shannon but None that would answer you so well as your Own, As to a state of Provisions &c; you1 be informd by Captn Shannon; If nothing Particular should Call for me I shall wait your farder orders, as my Presence here will be much required with Regaurd to forward- ing Every thing from this Place - If aneything Else should be Requird you1 be Pleased to Acquaint me, the measure I am Obligd to, At Present does not altogether agree with my Constitu-
1 Dr. MSS., 49J46, original manuscript. Preparations were being made for the proposed expedition against Detroit.
612
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
tion for you may depend upon it that I have Not been Idle, I have Inclosd you a Coppy of the Inventory of Every article that I have taken out of the Contine the [.M.S. imperfect] Store at St Louis which I drew from my Rec ts [MS. imperfect] & afterwards Presenting of it to Mr Bosalee he Refused to take it, for what Reason I know not.
My Compliments to Colº Mongomery and the Gentlemen Officers Likewise to the Volenteers and am In hopes to find them all in Readiness for a march.
I am Dr Sr your most Obdt friend & Humb1 Ser Jo' Bowman
[Addressed]
Collº G. R. Clark Esqr.
Commander in Cheif of the western Department
Kaskaskias Received 31st of May 1779
BOWMAN TO G. R. CLARK 1 Kahous June 3d. 1779
Dear Sir
By the bearer Mr I have Just received the follow- ing Inteligence from Micha1 Mcanoy? who Informs me that he left that the Sh of April Last with permition to go as far as Labai with orders to Longloid & Gouchey from Majr Depoister forbiding them from Raising aney more Indians against the americans that Majr Depoister has but forty men and 100 at Detroit by Report, the Indians Informes them of our armey beeing near Detroit that in two days they Can fetch in a scalp from our People, he on his way here Receivd the kindest treatment from the Indians who seam Intirely disposd in our favor he has brought with him a large Quantity of goods that was Conceald to him by Mr Bentley who was to start in ten days after him in case he could obtain A permitt otherways he wood make his Escape the best way he could
I begin to be Impatiant to start and am In hopes by Next mon- day to make a move with Everything from here with hoops of
1 Dr. MSS., 49J49, original manuscript. .
2 Michillimackinac.
613
BOWMAN'S LETTERS
finding you all in Readiness for a start which I make not the least doubt of; if in case your purchacers has been as buis [MS. torn] Imployd as we where. I expect Mr Shannon back Every hour. The weather begins to grow warm & the waters Low so that no time Ought to be lost with regaurd to preparing Every Necessary required for our Expedition, pray make Every officer Exert himself as I have been obliged to do, as much depends on Industry, their is maney Thanks to be paid to the Inhabitants here, as they have Spaird their Cattle & Horses past Expectation they have furnishd Every fifth head of Cattle instead of the tenth, which amounts to 80 odd 40 odd Horses & 150000 1b of Flower with [MS. torn] ing to press one thing.
The reason of not getting more Flower from this Place is owing to the scarceity, as their has been sold out of this town since your Departure from here between twenty and thirty Thousand weight I am afraid that Unless you send up a boat for the flower I shall be disappointed I have had the offer of severl Bark boats but none of them in order, or strong Enough to trust A Load in,
My respects to the Gentlemen officers whilst I remain Dr Sr your most Obdt friend & Humle Ser
Jo9 Bowman
N B in my letter instead of orders forbiding the Indians to be raisd against the Americans they are cauld for to Michal Meanoy to a counsel.
[Addressed] Colº George Rogers Clark
Commandr in cheif of westrn Deprt
pr Mr pravoe Kaskasias Received 5th June 79
BOWMAN TO G. R. CLARK.1
Kahous June 6th 1779
Dear Sir
I Expected to start from here tomorrow but finding that the man who was appointed by Mr. Lacroix to Brand all the Cattle as they were Purchased had done it in such a manner that out of Eighty head their does not appear the Brands of above twenty so ....: 1 Dr. MSS., 49J51, original manuscript.
614
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
that we shall now have near as much trouble Collecting of them from the diferent Inhabitants as in Purchasing of them at first; Also Mr Shannons not Returning according to Promise, as well as the want of a boat or Boats to transport the flower from here, has disappointed me Intireley; I should be glad you would let me know what day you Intend to start so that I may be able to direct Every thing Accordingley; I should at Least want to be at Kaskaskias three Days before hand in order to settle my accounts & Con- scarns of my Companey.
Mr Parault addresses himself to me to go with us on the Ex- pedition Observing that he beeing A Cripple & the Imployment he is now in does not Afford him sufficient Livelyhood, on account of his Imployer not haveing Merchendise Sufficient for traid as to afford him better wages.
But at the same time his Implover beeing Willing to advance to the said Perault a Quantity of Liquors &c provided You would grant him permition to act as a setler to the Ridgements as well as your pertection otherways. I have therefore Recommended him to you to know whether you will Grant him that Permition or not.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.