USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 7
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The secret instructions to Clark were to go west ostensibly for the purpose shown by his commission and open letter of instructions, and then under a private letter of instructions, suddenly to attack the British at Fort Chartres and Vincennes and then at Detroit. When he told his men at Louisville, Ky., the object of his expedition, a considerable part of them refused to go further. With one hundred and fifty-three men, instead of the three hundred and fifty which he expected to have, he concluded to press forward. He had been notified by spies whom he sent out for that purpose, of the condition of affairs at Fort Chartres and Vincennes. He passed down the Ohio in boats with his oars double manned and working night and day continuously, reached the soil of Illinois, landed and at once proceeded on foot without any sort of baggage wagons to Fort Chartres, which he reached in six days more, making ten days from Louis- ville to Fort Chartres. He arrived in the evening of the 4th of July, and con-
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cealed his men on the east side of the river until dark, in the meantime sending out spies to reconnoiter. After dark he proceeded to and took possession of the old ferry house about a mile above the town, making prisoners of. the family. They waited until the town was wrapped in slumber, when, with his men as- sembled around him, Col. Clark delivered to them a short address. This address is printed in full as nothing could so well, so authoritatively and plainly, describe the motives and feelings that compelled these men to undergo the privations they did :
"Soldiers, we are near the enemy for which we have been struggling for years. We are not fighting alone for liberty and independence, but for the defense of our frontiers from the tomahawk and scalping knife of the Indians. We are defending the lives of our women and children, although a long distance from them. These British garrisons furnish the Indians with powder and lead to desolate our frontiers, and pay gold for human scalps.
"We must take and destroy these garrisons. The fort before us is one of them, and it must be taken. We cannot retreat, we have no provisions, and we must conquer.
"This is the 4th of July; we must act to honor it and let it not be said in after times that Virginians were defeated on that memorable day. The fort and town, I repeat it, must be taken at all hazards.
"After these stirring remarks they began crossing the river in silence, to accomplish which took about two hours. He immediately divided his little army into two divisions and marched half his men quietly into the town at one end, and half at the other. When in the town they raised their horrible, un- earthly yell, which struck terror into all of the inhabitants, for it was the first intimation they had that the 'Long Knives' were in the country. The garrison oblivious of an enemy were taken completely by surprise.
"Simon Kenton, at the head of a small detachment, sought the quarters of Gov. Rocheblave, and found that official peacefully sleeping beside his wife, he having no intimation of danger until Kenton, tapping him on the shoulder. informed him he was a prisoner.
"The capture of the post was complete.
"What little knowledge of French the Americans possessed was utilized in proclaiming to the French inhabitants that if they remained in their homes quietly they would not be molested, but if they acted to the contrary, they would be annihilated."
Clark's policy was to terrorize the inhabitants at first and make them feel their helplessness and then show them leniency.
The next day when the priest came to ask permission to have religious services in the church to seek the divine blessing before leaving, and asked permission to take some of their provisions with them, Clark suddenly changing his aspect, wished to know why they wanted to go away, telling them that he had come to take them in as citizens of the United Colonies and did not wish to interfere with their religion, or their property. or their laws, or their business; but that if any of them desired to leave, they might peacefully withdraw. He also told them that the king of France had united his armies with those of the Ameri- cans, which was news to them and greatly pleased both the French and Indians and added to their confidence in the American cause. The inhabitants were so well pleased that the French immediately took the oath of allegiance to the United Colonies with enthusiasm.
Col. Clark was disposed also to deal leniently with Rocheblave, and invited him to dine with him; but instead of meeting his courtesies half-way and making the best of his misfortunes, the disgruntled Franco-British officer became violent and insulting. To such a length did he carry his insolence that the colonel felt compelled to place him in irons, and soon after sent him to Williamsburg as a prisoner of war. In 1780, breaking his parole, he made his way to New York, where, in 1781, he applied for a command and authority to recapture the Illinois
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posts. His slaves were confiscated and sold. the proceeds, amounting to five hundred pounds, being distributed among the troops of Col. Clark.
When Clark was about to proceed to Vincennes to capture that post, Gibault, the priest, persuaded him not to do it but to send him over as ambassador, which Clark did: Gibault went over with a small party and as there were no forces there except French and Indians, easily persuaded them to take the oath of allegiance to the United Colonies. Captain Helm of Clark's regiment, who had gone over with Gibault, took charge.
When Hamilton at Detroit learned what had happened, he took a detach- ment of three hundred fifty warriors in October, 1778, to retake possession of Vincennes. As he approached the fort and was within hailing distance, Captain Helm haulted him, standing by his gun with a lighted fuse. When Hamilton called for his surrender at discretion, Hehn refused unless he was granted the honors of war, which was done. He then surrendered himself and one man, all he had.
When news of what had happened came to George Rogers Clark, he knew that his own situation was desperate. He was receiving no support from Virginia and his forces were too small to withstand a siege, although he com- menced to prepare for one, the best he could. Just then Francis Vigo, an Italian trader of St. Louis, arrived from Vincennes and informed Clark that Hamil- ton was confident that nothing would be done until spring, at which time he proposed to make an advance in force ; but in the meantime had weakened him- self by sending out his force of Indians in different directions, especially down to the Ohio river to prevent Clark from returning to Virginia and to prevent reinforcements being sent to Clark. The genius of Clark came to his relief. He knew and said that he must immediately take Hamilton prisoner or Hamilton would take him. He thereupon called together all the forces he could, a con- siderable part of which were Frenchmen, and on the 7th of February started across the country to capture Vincennes. In eleven days he reached the edge of the drowned lands of the Wabash river, which were flooded. To cross these required five days more, during two of which they had to travel in water up to their breasts at times.
Hamilton was one of the most bloodthirsty of the representatives of the British government in this country. fle was methodical in his use of the In- dians. He gave standing rewards for scalps but offered none for prisoners, thereby winning for himself the nickname of "The Hair Buyer." His contin- uous volunteer parties composed of Indians and whites, spared neither men, women nor children.
He promised that in the coming year as early as possible all of the nations from the Chickasaws and Cherokees to the Hurons and Five Nations should join in the expedition against Virginia.
Clark's force on reaching dry land made no delay whatever but with drum beating and white flag flying, entered Vincennes at the lower end of the vil- lage. The town surrendered immediately and assisted in the siege of the fort, which was immediately invested. During the night Clark threw up in- trenchments within rifle shot of the fort, and under their protection his riflemen silenced two pieces of cannon. In the forenoon when Hamilton asked for parley, Clark demanded his surrender at discretion, to which the British replied they would sooner perish to the last man; and offered to capitulate on the con- dition that they might march out with the honors of war. and return to Detroit. Clark replied that he could by no means agree to that. He said, "I will not again leave it in your power to spirit up the Indian nations to scalp men, women, and children." Before night Hamilton and his garrison, hopeless of succor and destitute of provisions, and overestimating Clark's strength, surrendered as prisoners of war.
Steps were immediately taken to conciliate the Indians, "who, observing the success of the Americans in obtaining possession of so many important British
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posts, began to reflect whether it was not for their interest to make friends with the winning side. The consideration which most influenced their decision, how- ever, was the fact, repeatedly urged upon them, that 'their old father, the king of the French, had come to life again and was mad at them for fighting for the British.' A council was held at which all the tribes of the Wabash were repre- sented, who declared themselves to have changed their minds in favor of the Americans."
The forces that Virginia had raised to send to reinforce Clark were neces- sarily diverted to an attack upon the Cherokees, who were part of the force relied upon by Hamilton and who were terribly punished by those Virginia troops.
For the rest of the year the western settlements enjoyed peace, and the con- tinued flow of immigrants through the mountains of Kentucky and the country on the Holston river so strengthened them that they were never again in danger of being broken up by any alliance of the savages.
This ended the control of the British, such as it was, over the state of Illi- nois and the northwest. It lasted for fifteen years, during which time the British government had shown itself unfriendly to the people of this country and during the last three years of which she had been carrying on the war of the Revolution, with the aid of the Indians. From this time on the govern- ment passed to the commonwealth of Virginia.
CHAPTER VIII
ILLINOIS AS A PART OF VIRGINIA-1778-1784
With the capture of Kaskaskia and the fort there on the 4th of July, 1778, the Northwest ceased to be a part of the British dominion and became a part of the Commonwealth of Virginia-at least as far north as the limits of the Vir- ginia charter-and it so remained until March ist, 1784.
During all of this time except the last months the Revolutionary war was still pending, and through all of that time there were murderous excursions by the Indians, prompted by the English, into all of the Northwest, into Kentucky and the western part of Virginia. These were stealthy parties, as a rule. and were of almost weekly occurrence, but they were at this time usually confined to the country now within the states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and western Virginia ; Illinois being comparatively free from them.
We have seen that the regiment that was raised by the Commonwealth of Virginia to re-inforce Col. Clark was diverted to intercept the Cherokees, who were preparing to come to the support of the British in the Northwest. That attack was very successful but it left Col. Clark unsupported. With wonderful ability he succeeded in securing and retaining the support of the French and Indians and managed to hold the country for Virginia.
The Virginia House of Burgesses or delegates proceeded immediately to extend a civil jurisdiction over the country. and in October. within three months of the capture of Kaskaskia, it enacted a law establishing the county of Illinois, which included then all of the Northwest. and provided for the appointment of a county lieutenant or commandant, who should take the oath of fidelity to the commonwealth according to his own religion, whatever that might be. All of the civil officers to which the inhabitants had been accustomed. necessary for the preservation of peace and the administration of justice. were to be continued and the officers, except those of the militia. were to be chosen by the majority of the citizens at elections to be convened for that purpose in their respective districts by the county lieutenant or his deputy. such officers to be commissioned by the county lieutenant.
Patrick Henry being then the governor of Virginia, thus became ex-officio the first governor of Illinois. He appointed Col. John Todd of Kentucky county. the first commandant of the county of Illinois and gave him a letter instructing him to cultivate the good friendship of the French and Indians, for. if unhappily this territory should be lost to the French. it might never be again secured. since early prejudices are so hard to wear out.
As the head of the civil government. Todd was to have command of the militia. who were however not to be under command until ordered out by the civil authority to act in conjunction with it.
Col. Todd was born in Montgomery county. Pa .. but was reared and edu- cated in Virginia by his uncle. the Rev. John Todd of Hanover county. Va., who conducted a school or college there. Todd studied law and settled in Fin- castle in Virginia, where he practiced for several years and about 1775 moved to Kentucky.
Col. John Todd immediately entered upon the duties of his office as county
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lieutenant and was seldom absent from his government up to the time of his death. He was authorized to raise a regiment for the defense of the frontier. His career was ended by his death in the Battle of Blue Licks. He was a man of fine personal appearance and talents, an accomplished gentleman, universally beloved, and died without a stain upon his character and without even one enemy upon earth.
The elections provided for by this act of Virginia are believed to be the first elections held in Illinois under authority of law, and, the settlers there being mostly French, they resulted in the election of Frenchmen to nearly all of the offices except those in the militia.
To prevent the taking up of large tracts of land by prospectors and specu- lators, Todd issued a proclamation enjoining all persons from making any new settlements of lands and requiring the exhibition to duly appointed officers of the evidence of title of those already in possession. To those who are ac- quainted with the difficulties arising from the complication of title in a new settlement or country by speculators under doubtful laws, and where the lands had not been properly surveyed in advance, this will be recognized as a very wise provision.
Licenses to erect factories, conduct stores and traffic in general merchan- dise were granted without restrictions.
Under instruction from Governor Henry, Todd proposed to the Spanish authorities in St. Louis and St. Genevieve, the establishing of commercial rela- tions between the governments of Spain and Virginia and offered military as- sistance in case it should be needed. This offered friendship was in the end basely betrayed.
In 1779 Todd was commissioned colonel of a Virginia regiment and was thereafter actively engaged in military operations throughout the west but con- tinued to fulfill his duties as commandant as well as distance and the calls of (luty upon him would permit.
August 5th, 1779, Gen. Clark turned over his military command of Illinois to Col. John Montgomery with headquarters at Kaskaskia, who assigned Capt. Linetot to duty along the Illinois river.
It was feared that the English would endeavor to recover the territory of Illinois and it was not clear that the Spaniards would not willingly suffer these Illinois settlements-although they were their allies-to fall into British hands, hoping in that case for an opportunity to retake them and make them Spanish territory. The governor of Canada did proceed, under instructions from home, to organize an attack upon the Spanish posts along the Mississippi and upon the Illinois settlements, and the governors of the British garrisons were instructed by secret circular letters to co-operate in the movement. This was discovered by the interception of letters by the Spanish governor at New Orleans, who immediately attacked the English stations in the vicinity and thus prevented the re-inforcements expected by the British in their attack on St. Louis, St. Genevieve, and the Illinois settlements.
The English expedition arrived on May 26, 1780, before St. Louis and pre- pared to make the attack. Clark, who had been informed of this while at the Falls of the Ohio, hastened to and arrived at Cahokia with a small force twenty- four hours before the appearance of the British and their allies. His mere presence was a tower of strength.
The commander of the English expedition reported to his superior that they failed on account of the infidelity of some of their Indian allies but boastfully claimed that sixty-eight of the enemy were killed, eighteen black and white people made prisoners, many cattle destroyed, and forty-three scalps brought in.
The retreat of the English was a very hasty one, they being closely followed by Col. John Montgomery with a force of three hundred fifty men, including a party of Spanish allies. Montgomery followed them to Peoria lake and thence to Rock river, destroying towns and crops on the way. Thereafter, the In- dians were not disposed to attack the people of Illinois
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CHILDREN'S PLAY GROUND IN GLEN OAK PARK
ON ROSE ISLAND. GLEN OAK PARK
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TH ORK
BRAMY
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Some time after the repulse of this invading force of the British, a company of only seventeen Illinoisans, commanded by Thomas Brady, a patriotic citizen of Cahokia, retaliated by attacking the British post at St. Joseph in what is now the state of Michigan, and capturing it; but he was ambushed and defeated on his way back to Illinois and most of his command taken prisoners. He escaped and St. Joseph fell again into the hands of the British. Thereupon the author- ities at St. Louis and Cahokia, joining the forces of the Illinoisans and the Spanish, organized an expedition of about thirty Spaniards under the command of Don Ugenio Pourre, and about thirty French under the command of Jean (John) Baptiste Maillet, and some two hundred Indians, and proceeded to re- take it. The Spanish officer was senior in rank and had command of the ex- pedition. They placated the Indians on the way and captured St. Joseph again without striking a blow ; the British flag there was replaced by that of Spain and possession taken in the name of his Catholic Majesty who claimed not only St. Joseph and its dependencies but also the valley of Illinois river, an extreme exhibition of infidelity to the Illinoisans who had assisted in the campaign. The Spanish commander made such reports to Madrid as to create an important complication in the final settlement of the treaty between England and the United States and might have given Spain the country north of the Ohio river but that his Catholic Majesty demanded too much from the British, including the cession of Gibralter. To this demand the British never would consent but were prompted by it to release their claim to the Northwest to the United States to prevent it from falling into the power of Spain. Since St. Joseph at the time it was captured was not a part of the Illinois country, either as a district or territory, the claim of the Illinois river as a sequence to the capture of that fort was a barefaced fraud without a shadow of evidence to support it ; nevertheless, it required all of the sagacity, firmness, and wisdom of Jay, Franklin and Adams to prevent the claim from being allowed. If Spain had succeeded in making the Northwest Spanish territory instead of American, it would have been the death blow to the prosperity of Peoria and all of the Northwest, as well as to the whole United States, and would have made the Father of Waters a private Spanish canal.
This Jean Baptiste Maillet is the same man who settled in Peoria in 1778, and in 1779 was commissioned captain of militia for Peoria, receiving his com- mission from Cahokia to which district Peoria then belonged. It is probable that at the time this expedition started, he was at Cahokia, for the French had been driven down there temporarily and most of his men, although they may have been Peorians, were probably there at the time they started for St. Joseph. This is the same Maillet also who started Ville de Maillet or Lower Peoria about 1778 about where Bridge and Harrison streets are, which new village was named for him. Maillet deserved to have the new village named for him for in his time he was one of Peoria's greatest men. He extended his trading operations far and wide even to the Rocky Mountains. He was killed in 1801.
This is the last expedition during the Revolutionary war in which Peorians or other Illinoisans took part.
On account of the attention of Virginia being diverted to resisting the at- tacks of the Indians nearer home, the county of Illinois received very little at- tention and was practically without a government until it passed beyond the control of Virginia by the cession of the country to the United States.
Through this interim the French inhabitants were the greatest sufferers, be- ing easily imposed upon and not being of the character of people to defend themselves.
Several years before the close of the Revolutionary war, it began to be ap- parent that the confederation of the colonies did not confer power enough upon the general government to enable it to preserve its own existence, and that a closer bond of union must be provided or the government would fall to pieces ; but the smaller colonies which had no territory west of the mountains, feared to Vol. 1-4
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go into a closer bond with the large colonies with their great expanse of terri- tory for fear they would be overruled and be deprived of their equal rights in the government. Congress, therefore, in 1780 recommended to those states which owned territory in the west, to cede it all to the United Colonies. This they finally concluded to do.
Virginia by an act passed January 2, 1781, authorized her delegates in the confederate congress to transfer her claims to western lands, as well as her jurisdiction over the country, to the United States on certain conditions. This tender was accepted by the general government and Virginia by a new act of December 20, 1783, authorized her delegates in the confederate congress, by proper deed under their hands and seals, to convey, transfer, assign, and make over to the United States in congress assembled, for the benefit of said states, all right, title, and claim, as well the soil as the jurisdiction which the common- wealth had to the country within the limits of the Virginia charter lying north- west of the Ohio river-upon the condition that the territory so ceded should be laid out and formed into distinct republican states, having the same right of sovereignty, freedom, and independence as the other states, congress to pay Virginia the necessary reasonable expenses incurred by that state in subduing the British forts and maintaining forts and garrisons and defending them. That the French and Canadian inhabitants who had professed themselves citizens of Virginia should have their possessions confirmed to them and should be pro- tected in the enjoyment of their rights and liberties. Also, that a quantity of land, not exceeding one hundred fifty thousand acres, promised by Virginia to George Rogers Clark and the soldiers of his regiment, should be laid off in one tract, to be afterwards divided among the said officers and men in due propor- tion according to the laws of Virginia. All other lands, which were more than one hundred and sixty-six million acres, should be considered as a common fund for the use and benefit for the United States, including the state of Virginia.
The provisions of this act of the House of Burgesses were carried out on March 1, 1784. by a deed of cession signed by Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee, and James Monroe, who were then delegates for the commonwealth of Virginia in the confederate congress. Two of the signers of this deed by Virginia to the congress afterwards became presidents of the United States.
This document was signed, sealed and delivered in a little less than seven weeks after the definitive treaty of peace with Great Britain was ratified by con- gress, and from that time forth Illinois ceased to be a part of the State of Vir- ginia or in any way under its control and became territory of the United States.
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