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Gc 977.4 C15 412224
PUBLIC LIBRARY FORT WAYNE & ALLEN CO., IND.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01074 5666
-
OUTLINES 1
OF THE
POLITICAL HISTORY
OF
MICHIGAN.
BY
JAMES V. CAMPBELL.
.
DETROIT : SCHOBER & CO. 1876.
Copyright, 1876, By JAMES V. CAMPBELL.
SCHOBER & Co. PRINTERS AND BINDERS, 7 Fort St. W.
PREFACE.
THIS work was originally intended as a sketch to be used for the purposes of the Centennial Committee of Michigan, and was prepared in more haste than was otherwise desirable. The time allowed for it was not sufficient to permit any very extended researches among original materials. Although, for some twenty years past, the writer has made occasional collections of such material, yet his work must be regarded as largely compiled from his predecessors, who have been so fre- quently relied on that this general acknowledgment is more appropriate than would be any attempt to credit them in particular places. He has drawn freely from the Lanmans, and Mrs. Sheldon, from the " Historical Sketches of Michigan," and from the local sketches of Judge Witherell and Mr R. E. Roberts, as well as from Parkman and the French authors - especially Charlevoix, La Hontan, Hennepin, Tonty and Joutel, --- correcting them, so far as he could, by the French documents. In matters concerning the War of 1812, Mr. Lossing's "Field-Book" has been of much service Upon that war there is no lack of authentic documents and histories. 412224
Much, also, which has not been recorded by the historians, has been found scattered through early and modern biographies, books of travel, and other less pre- tentious works, as well as in newspapers and private
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PREFACE.
writings ; and many interesting facts appear incidentally in public documents and land books and other local records. The early recording officers placed on record a great many private papers which were not muniments of title, but related to family matters.
A long residence in Detroit has given some oppor- tunities for procuring information from living sources, and for observing things which were not without value for reference. It has also enabled the writer to understand and explain some things which could hardly be com- prehended from writings alone. Many gentlemen have busied themselves with gathering and preserving his- torical material, and have accumulated much that, with sufficient time and labor, will be some day made a very valuable addition to the annals of Michigan and the Northwest. Besides the numerous documents preserved by the Historical Society, and the narratives and sketches gathered by the Pioneer Society, it is not im- proper to mention Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, Hon. Charles I. Walker, Robert E. Roberts, Esq., Bela Hubbard, Esq., and Hon. Levi Bishop, as active workers in this field. It is to be hoped that the results of Judge Walker's diligent researches will be given to the public in a durable form. To all these gentlemen, as well as to Hon. E. A. Brush, and many other personal friends, who have aided him by information and suggestions, the writer records his acknowledgments.
He trusts that his imperfect sketch will not be without some value, as a contribution upon a subject which, as yet, has been very far from receiving ex- haustive treatment from any one.
DETROIT, May 1, 1876.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Preliminary. No popular government until Councils of 1824 and 1827. Chief growth has been since that time. Eventful close of the first half century of the United States. Michigan of French origin, and with institutions unlike those of English colonies. Part of New France and Canada. French writers and explorers. La Salle, Hennepin, Tonty, La Hontan, Char- levoix. Full records in the Department of the Marine. French régime despotic and peculiar. Attention of govern- ment extended to private affairs. Intrigues in Church and State. Publication of old records by New York. Collections in Canada and elsewhere
CHAPTER II.
I
Early explorations. Michigan was a part of New France. Settle- ments delayed by its Canadian connection, in the interests of fur trade and of missions. Date of discovery unknown. An- cient resort for beavers and furs. Hurons or Ouendâts. Le Détroit, or the Strait, known very early. Champlain and the Récollêt Missions. Michigan not held by the Iroquois. Mis- sions in the Upper Peninsula. Raymbault, Jogues, Mesnard. Mission of St. Ignace and Mackinaw. Père Marquette. Cou- reurs de bois and fur trade. Character of contraband adven- turers. Bushrangers the first explorers and soldiers. Jesuit missionaries opposed to settlements S
CHAPTER III.
Preparation for Western occupation. Territorial ambition of Louis XIV. Supposed route to China and the Indies. Contest be- tween friends and enemies of exploration. Expeditions sent out by Talon towards South Sea. St. Lusson at the Sault de Ste. Marie. Success of French in dealing with Indians La- Salle's first expedition not completed. Joliet, Dollier and Galineé. Dollier and Galinee destroy an idol at Detroit. Trade monopoly and contraband. Coureurs de bois restrained 1
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CONTENTS.
Page
by law. Eminence of their leaders. The regiment of Carig- nan Salières. English encroachments. Hudson's Bay Com- pany. New York ceded to the English. Colbert offers re- wards for discovery. The Religious Orders and their influence. Grandfontaine sends out Joliet. Voyage to Akansas country. La Salle ennobled, and authorized to explore. Tonty. Pre- parations for journey. The Griffin. Skilled mechanics. Ri- bourde, Membré, Hennepin, Missionaries. Launch and voyage of the Griffin. Reaches the Detroit August 10th, 1679. ... .. 20
CHAPTER IV.
Early settlements in Michigan. La Salle sends men to Michigan to wait for him. Teuchsa Grondie and the early settle- ments on the Strait. Karontaen, whether the same as
Carontouan. Many forms of the same names. Champlain's knowledge of the Strait. Griffin at the Detroit. At Lake Ste. Claire on St. Claire's Day. Lake Ste. Claire known as Otsi- keta, Chaudière, Kandekio and Ganatchio. La Salle reaches Mackinaw and goes southwest. At St. Joseph. Strife with Iroquois and English for the fur trade. Eminent adventurers. Du Luth, De la Forêt, Durantaye, Lusigny. Duchesneau complains of Frontenac and Du Luth as favoring contraband trade. Amnesty to coureurs de bois. Colonial intrigues. Dil- Luth goes to France. Importance of Lake Erie. Correspon- dence between De la Barre and Governor Dongan. Denonville sends Du Luth to build Fort St. Joseph, at the outlet of Lake Huron. McGregory and Roseboom expeditions and capture. Tonty, La Forêt, Durantaye, Du Luth and Beauvais de Tilly go east with the prisoners, to join the Seneca campaign. La- Ilontan sent to Fort St. Joseph. Lafontaine Marion, guide to
McGregory, shot. Grisolon de la Tourette, brother to Daniel Grisolon Du Luth. Iroquois claim against French control of the Detroit. Mackinaw an important point. Hurons and Ottawas. Industry of the Hurons. Fort St. Joseph abandoned. La Motte Cadillac. New York covets the western trade. Coureurs de bois or bushlopers valuable to the Colonies. Cadillac proposes a fort at Detroit. Livingston recognizes importance of getting Detroit or Wawyachtenok. Cadillac goes to France to lay his plans before the King. Authorized to found Detroit. Fort Pontchartrain 36
CHAPTER V.
Detroit under Cadillac. Iroquois complain of French occupancy. Convey their claims to William III. Lake' Erie and its vari- ous names. Iroquois not claimants of Michigan. Importance
vii
CONTENTS.
Page
of water-ways. Description of the Strait and its islands. Why the post was not placed on Grosse Ile. Bois-blanc Island. Fortifications at Detroit. Cattle and horses. Buildings. D'Aigremont's report. Indians settle at Detroit. Trouble with Jesuits. Cadillac and his measures. Restraint of liquor traffic. Monopoly of Canada Company. Danger from English intrigues. Intrigues against Cadillac. Ordered to Quebec for trial. Vindicated by Count Pontchartrain. Aigremont's spite. Congés or licenses. Delays in settlement. Census. Cadil- lac's seigneurie. Plans for improving Indians and enlarging settlement. Feudal grants of land. Wheat introduced. Mills. Enlightened views. Cadillac Governor of Louisiana
CHAPTER VI.
French rule. Detroit the only civil settlement. Subject to English schemes. French system opposed to freedom of action. French settlers brave and enterprising. No courts of justice. Public notaries and their functions. Disposal of Cadillac's interests. Madame Gregoire, his grand - daughter. La Forêt succeeds Cadillac. Du Buisson commands during his absence. Detroit besieged by Mascoutins and Outagamies. Succored by Pota- watamies, Hurons, Illinois, Missouris and Osages. Fort re- lieved, and great slaughter of besiegers. Tonty the younger. La Forêt's views concerning the post. Description of Indians. Superiority of Hurons. Visit of Charlevoix. Domestic animals and crops. Prerogatives of the commander. Lands controlled by Governor and Intendant. Trade monopoly under younger Tonty. Licenses to privileged traders. Popular remonstrances and Tonty's annoyance. Improvement under Beauharnois as Governor, and Hocquart as Intendant. Beauharnois favors settlements and makes concessions of land. Boishébert, Com- mandant, sanctions a water-mill. Moulin banal. Detroit gov- ernment grants held in roture and not by feudal tenure. Hugues Péan and Bigot. Few grants perfected by patent as required. Cadillac and Repentigny the only grantees of seig- neuries. Trading licenses granted freely. Commanders at De- troit, Pajot, Deschaillons de St. Ours, Desnoyelles, Noyan, Sabrevois, Céloron, Longueuil, De Muy, Bellestre. Indian set- tlements in Michigan. L'Arbre Croche. Liberal views of Maurepas, Beauharnois, La Jonquière and De la Galissonnière .. The Phelyppeaux family, and places named in their honor. Ile Phelyppeaux in Lake Superior a national boundary. Its disappearance. Navarre Deputy Intendant at Detroit Notary and tabellion. Tenure of lands within the Fort. Conditions to keep up pickets. British and Iroquois intrigues with the Hurons at Detroit. Huron mission village at Bois-blanc. Iro-
55
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CONTENTS.
Page
quois on White River. Trade suffers. Celoron and Joncaire on the Ohio. Indian rising and massacre planned at Detroit. Chiefs sent to Quebec. Attack on settlement at Grosse Ile. Capture of ring leaders. One killed, and one commits suicide. Richardie and Potier, Huron missionaries. Huron Mission removed from Bois-blanc to Sandwich. Resistance to English advance on Ohio. Galissonnière urges sending out settlers. Fauxsaulniers or salt smugglers to be sent out. Colonial in- dustries favored by French, but opposed by English. Settlers sent out from France to Detroit. Scarcity. Detroit enlarged. Repentigny settles at Sault de Ste. Marie. War with England. Detroit sends troops and supplies. Piquote de Bellestre active. Acadian refugees. Bellestre the last French commandant. Detroit included in Montreal capitulation. Surrendered to Robert Rogers. Account of Bellestre
CHAPTER VII.
Michigan under British military rule. Few interests for law to oper- ate on. Detroit, Mackinaw and Sault de Ste. Marie the only settlements. Fort Mackinaw then in Lower Peninsula. Pop- ulation of Detroit. Slaves. Panis. Buffaloes. General Gage and Sir William Johnson. Chabert de Joncaire. Robert Rogers. Royal American Regiment. Pontiac meets the British near the Cuyahoga. Arrogant conduct of British officers to- wards Indians. Captain Donald Campbell first commandant at Detroit. Albany traders Trade regulations. Pontiac begins scheming. Effect of Treaty of Paris. French popular with Indians. Events at Mackinaw. Post captured by stratagem of ball-play. Conduct of various Indian tribes. Etherington. Gorrell. Henry. Tolerance of Indian barbarities. Detroit during the Pontiac war. Siege. Gladwin, Campbell, McDoug- all, Rogers, Dalzell. Massacre of Fisher at Hog Island. Cuillerier. Intervention of Chapoton, Godfroy and La Butte. Murder of Major Donald Campbell and escape of McDougall. Battle of Bloody Run. Siege raised. Bradstreet's Treaty. Tricks and mistakes of interpreters. Need of civil government. Royal proclamation continued martial law. British suspicions against loyalty of French. Popularity of Scottish officers. British authorities opposed to civil settlements. Fur trade. . Indian grants. Temporary courts established by the command- ant. Dejean and Le Grand justices. Irregularities at Mack- inaw. Misconduct of Robert Rogers. Alexander Henry on Lake Superior. Mining and copper discoveries. Condition of Detroit settlements. ' Potawatamie grants. Royal officers at Detroit. No newspapers in Province. Quebec Act passed .. III
77
ix
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
Page
Michigan under British law. Purpose and operation of the Quebec Act. Opposed by liberals. Petitions for its repeal disregarded. Zachary Macaulay. Western posts continued under martial law. Lieutenant governors appointed. Henry Hamilton at Detroit. No regular courts till 1788. Lay judges. Justice Réaume. Dejean's multifarious duties. Continued in his limited magistracy. Liquor selling regulated by agreement among merchants. American Revolution did not reach Mich- igan. Garret Graverat charged with disloyalty. Execution of prisoners sentenced capitally by Dejean without authority. Captain Lernoult in command. Relations of Dejean with Lieutenant Governor Hamilton. Further unlawful Indian grants. Loyalty of French at Detroit. Difference between French and English colonists. Destruction of American settlements. Pol- icy of preventing civilization. Events in Indiana and Illinois. Hamilton's expeditions. DePeyster at Mackinaw and his aux- iliary attempts. Forays from Detroit. George Rogers Clark captures Vincennes. Hamilton, Hay, Dejean and others de- tained prisoners. Their treatment in Virginia. DePeyster commanding at Detroit. Acts as chaplain in marriages and other duties. His character. Bird's expedition to Kentucky. Moravians in Michigan. Zeisberger and others settle on Huron (Clinton) River of Lake St. Clair. New Gnadenhutten. John Hay lieutenant governor. First road in Michigan built to Moravian settlement. Fort Mackinaw moved to Island of Michilimackinac. Detroit and other posts retained by Great Britain, in violation of treaty of peace. Records removed to Quebec. Indian hostilities encouraged against the United States. Brant. Canada divided. Upper Canada made a com- mon law province. Simcoe lieutenant governor. Grants to American Tory refugees. British build fort at Maumee Rapids. Wayne's campaign and victories, Treaty of Greenville. Jay's treaty provides for surrender of posts to the United States. Fraudulent Indian grants in anticipation of surrender. Posses- sion taken of Detroit
CHAPTER IX.
Michigan under the Northwest Territory and Indiana. Territory cov- eted by the British. Plan to obtain it by purchase. Disloyalty at Green Bay and Sault de Ste. Marie. Election of many citizens to retain allegiance to Great Britain. Jonathan Schieff- lin. Pleasant social relations. Slaves. Rights preserved by Jay's Treaty. Wayne County organized. Militia. Courts.
153
CONTENTS.
Page
Ordinance of 1787. Courts at Detroit yearly. Jacob Burnet. John Cleves Symmes. Arthur St. Clair, Jr. Bluejacket. Buckongahelas. Honors to the Governor's son. Indians in- jured by contact with American settlers. Flourishing business at Detroit. Style of living. French noblesse. Marietta col- onists. Solomon Sibley. Lewis Cass in Ohio. Amusements. Elections for General Assembly. Character of legislation. Schools. Division of Territory. Seat of government removed to Chillicothe. Detroit incorporated. Chillicothe riots. Schieff- lin's courage. Ohio Constitutional Convention. Wayne County not represented. Michigan attached to Indiana. Detroit des- cribed. Domestic life. Dispute concerning national boundary. Boisblanc Island and Malden. Government trading posts. Commission to settle land titles. Michigan set off as a Territory
198
CHAPTER X.
Governor Hull's civil administration. Political contests of that period. No new settlements in Michigan away from the border. Pop- ulation. Importation of Territorial officers. Evils of their local ignorance. Governor, Secretary and Judges. Burning of Detroit. New town planned. Legislation of Governor and Judges. Court districts. Lotteries for public purposes. Wood- ward's plan of Detroit. Militia. Land titles. Discords among the Governor and Judges. Bank of Detroit incorporated, and annulled by Congress. Kidnapping British deserters. Slaves. Indian treaty concessions of land. Delays in public surveys. Indian alarms. Detroit stockaded. Negro soldiers. Quarrels of Hull and Woodward. Social affairs. Schools. First print- ing press. "Michigan Essay." Father Gabriel Richard. In- dian troubles. Tecumseh and the Prophet. British intrigues. Malden agency. Elliott and McKee. Henry's mission to New England. Indians defeated at Tippecanoe. Governor Hull goes to Washington. Evils of having no newspapers. Sweep- ing repeal of all old laws, British, French and Territorial. No local self government. Currency. Taxation. Imperfect legal system. Burr's conspiracy and neutrality laws
CHAPTER XI.
Governor Hull's military administration. Early omissions and mis- takes of the Government. Hull's antecedents. His opinions on military policy. Rated by his Revolutionary services under different circumstances. War measures adopted. Troops levied. Call on Ohio for soldiers. Hull in command of Ohio troops and regulars. March towards Detroit. Baggage and invalids
232
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CONTENTS.
Page
sent by vessel and captured. Hull receives notice of war on the way from Maumee to Detroit. British received earlier notice. Reaches Detroit. Delays crossing till advices from Washington. Enters Canada and issues proclamation. Expe- ditions of Cass and McArthur. Delays offensive measures. Mackinaw captured. Traders in British interest. Proctor at Malden. Battles of Monguagon and Brownstown. Hull retires from Canada. Chicago massacre. Brock at Malden. Batteries built at Sandwich without interference from Hull. Discontent. Cass and McArthur sent towards River Raisin. British open fire from Canada. Cross Detroit River without resistance. Hull sur- renders. Dishonorable terms of capitulation. Captain Brush refuses to be included. Sustained by court martial. Court
called to try Hull. Dissolved because he has not been exchanged. New court called on his exchange. Conviction and sentence that he be shot. Sentence remitted. Hull's defence and sub- sequent effort at vindication. Discussion of the subject . . 266
CHAPTER XII.
British possession and American reconquest of Michigan. Cass, re- ports at Washington upon the facts of Hull's military trans- actions. Brock's proclamation. Discussion upon true contents of articles of surrender. Proctor in command. Organizes tem- porary government. Depredations and spoliations. Attempt to turn citizens to disloyalty. Indian threats. Excitement in the West. Capture of Revolutionary trophies at Detroit. Brock knighted. Capture of the Detroit and Caledonia, armed vessels, by Elliott, near Buffalo. Harrison's forces gathering in Ohio. Malden to be assailed. Winchester's defeat on the Raisin. Proctor's treachery. Massacre of the wounded. Fate of Wool-
folk, Hart, Graves and others. Dr. McKeehan's adventures. Ransom of prisoners, and Proctor's prohibition of further ran- som. Woodward's spirited conduct. Cruelty to prisoners. Banishment of Americans from Detroit. Kentucky volunteers. Ohio campaign. Fort Meigs besieged. Capture of relieving force, and Indian barbarities. Tecumseh more merciful than Proctor. Siege raised. Failure of plan for second attack. As- sault on Fort Stephenson, and brave defence by Major Croghan. Retreat of British and Indians. Governor Shelby raises volun- teers and leads them. The mounted rangers. Richard M. Johnson. Okemos. Perry prepares a fleet and sails from Erie. Deteats British fleet in Battle of Lake Erie. Transports troops to Canada. Proctor's cowardice. Retreats from Malden. Evacuates Detroit and retreats up the Thames. Detroit occu-
xii
CONTENTS.
Page
pied by American troops. Hull's flagstaff not used. Pursuit of Proctor and Battle of the Thames. Tecumseh killed. In- dians submit to Harrison. Expeditions of McArthur and Holmes. Failure to retake Mackinaw. Neglect of Michigan to commemorate her rescuers. Honors to Captain Hart. Re- union of veterans at Monroe
329
CHAPTER XIII.
Administration of Governor Cass. Lewis Cass Governor and William Woodbridge Secretary of the Territory. Indians troublesome. Treaty of peace with tribes. Insolence of British officers in Canada. Search of American vessels at Malden. Bounty lands appropriated in Michigan for soldiers. Report of surveyors that no fit lands could be found. False statements concerning the country. Counties organized. Indiana and Illinois organized, and part of Michigan annexed. Territory extended beyond Lake Michigan. Visit of President Monroe. Sword presented to General Alexander Macomb from the State of New York. "Detroit Gazette" established. Unsound currency. Michigan University chartered, and receives various gifts. Sales of public lands. New counties. County Commissioners appointed. In- crease of lake commerce. Land carriage by pack horses. Ponies. People reject offer of representative government. Re-interment of Captain Hart. The steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, the first lake steamboat. Symmes's Hole. Churches incorporated. Dele- gate to Congress authorized to be elected. Bank of Michigan. First steam-voyage to Mackinaw Governor Cass's expedition to the sources of the Mississippi. The British hold Drummond's Island and subsidize Indians. Thomas, the great chief of the Menominies. Indians at the Sault insolent and raise the British flag. Cass pulls it down. Treaty concluded. Territorial system of criminal law. Mischief of British presents to Indians. Con- gress creates new court for the upper country. Large business there. Territory re-organized with legislative council. Judges legislated out of office. Changes in offices. Court house built and used as capitol. Curious manuscript. Meeting of council and change of officers. Erie canal. " Michigan Herald" estab- lished. Governor Cass appoints officers on popular selection. Captain Burtis's horse-boat, and the steamer "Argo." Indian captives. Cass and McKenney's expedition. Roads. Fort Shelby at Detroit abandoned. Kishkaukon charged with murder. Commits suicide. Councilmen to be chosen directly by the people. Supervisor system adopted in counties. Laws concern- ing colored people. Export of flour and tobacco. Changes on the bench. Sheldon contempt case. First railroad charter to
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CONTENTS.
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Pontiac and Detroit Railroad. Excitement over French Revolu- tion of 1830. De Tocqueville hears of it between Detroit and Saginaw. Political removals and appointments of General Jack- son. Cass made Secretary of War. Leading men and social affairs in his time. Revised Code of 1827 376
CHAPTER XIV.
Last years of the Territory. Rapid increase of population. Judicial system. Good character of settlers. People desire to manage their own affairs. Dislike of foreign appointments. Stevens T. Mason appointed Secretary while under age. Public remon- strance. George B. Porter made Governor. Turbulence of young politicians. Death of Judge Trumbull, the author of McFingal. George Morell and Ross Wilkins appointed in lieu of Judges Woodbridge and Chipman. Popular vote to become a
State. Black Hawk war. Cholera. Extension of Michigan Territory beyond the Mississippi. Death of Governor Porter. Boundary commission. Henry D. Gilpin nominated as Governor and rejected by the Senate. Preparations to organize Wisconsin. Preliminary steps for State organization. Difficulties with Ohio about boundary. Adoption of State constitution, and election of State officers and representatives in Congress. Charles Shaler appointed Secretary of the Territory and declines the appoint- ment. John S. Horner accepts it. Arrives and is not well received. Lucius Lyon and John Norvell chosen Senators. Con- gress refuses to admit the State until the people in convention yield their southern boundary to Ohio. Regular convention rejects the terms. Irregular or " Frostbitten" convention accepts them, and the State is admitted. Co-existence of State and Territorial officers for certain purposes.
425
CHAPTER XV.
Michigan under the Constitution of 1835. Sketch of the constitution. Condition of public travel in 1835. Sanguine expectations of prosperity. Educational measures. Internal improvements. Geological survey. Banking laws. Bounties for manufactures. Five million dollars loan and its unfortunate history. Large appropriations for railroads and canals. Frauds and defaults in the agents of the loan State scrip and State warrants resorted to to meet liabilities. Canal at Sault Ste. Marie stopped by United States troops. Remarks on government reserves. Gov- ernor Mason. Revised statutes of 1838. New revision in 1846.
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