USA > Michigan > History of Michigan, civil and topographical, in a compendious form; with a view of the surrounding lakes > Part 29
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
The particular advantages of the prairies are, that being composed of a rich black muck, based on a stratum of clay varying from six to twelve inches in depth, and being free from timber and grubs, they oppose no obstacle to the plough. When such tracts lie adjoining to rail timber, improvements may be quickly made at comparatively small expense, and they yield certain and abundant crops. This land is of the most durable character, and possesses many advantages, which are counterbalanced, perhaps, by disadvantages. Wa- ter cannot easily be obtained. The soil is difficult to work, as it will not, from its consistency, scour a plough. In winter the bleak winds sweep over their surface as on the ocean. The smut is somewhat troublesome in the wheat, but the crops are, bountiful. From the fact that the prairies have been first selected for settlement, they often furnish to the emigrants of the timbered land their grain, until they have cleared their own soil and raised their crops. The expense of breaking and fencing this species of soil, where the rail timber can be procured at no greater distance than three miles, is about ten dollars per acre.
The marshes, or wet prairies, are another valuable species of land. These most usually skirt the margins of the streams, and furnish hay for stock, both in the summer and winter. Large herds of Canadian poneys are turned out to feed upon the prairies during the winter, and in spring they return in good order. Besides the general advantages of the soil fur- nishing abundant motive to immigration and settlement, an- other cause of the growth of Michigan exists in the charac- ter of the population. Its elements are of that kind which has ever been the most successful in advancing the progress of national improvement. They are descended from a race which, by vigorous enterprise alone, has made the rocky hills of New England bud and blossom like the rose ; and engrav- ed its impression, broad and deep, in the accumulated wealth and public improvement of the State of New-York. Slavery will never be permitted on the soil, and the laborer will always
326
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.
1
be presented with the most ample means and motives for ex- ertion.
From the immense extent and fertility of the soil, the com- mercial advantages, which are founded on its river and lake navigation, connected as it is with almost every section on the east by canals, rail-roads, and steamboats, the enterpris- ing and sturdy character of its population ; and the motives for immigration, both at home and from abroad, which it pre- sents ; it must be admitted that Michigan, in common with the other States of the north-west, is destined to a high and glorious career. In the breadth and richness of the soil, in its capacity for containing a dense population, it is admitted on all sides that the territory is exceeded by that of no other part of the globe ; and the rapidity of its growth has been heretofore unexampled. If the same general causes continue to exist, its future progress must continue in the same ratio of. increase. He who should judge rightly of the progress of the country, might stand in the harbor of New-York, amid the forest of masts which crowd that port, and in the tumult of a population of 300,000, view the ships which hug the land, as if receiving nutriment from its enterprise and wealth. Looking back two hundred and twenty-three years, he would see the present site of that city a silent and uninhabited forest .*
It requires no great effort of the imagination to suppose that the change of affairs upon the lakes in a single century will be as great as New-York has exhibited within that pe- riod. Besides the numerous smaller vessels which ply upon the lakes, fifty-four steamboats, some of costly structure, now plough their waters.t Surrounded as Michigan is, by four of these most fertile States, and encircled by inland seas, a pow- erful physical strength is already acting on the soil. The rail-roads and canals which are projected across the penin- sula, the geological investigations now in progress, and the
* New York is claimed to have been founded by the Dutch in 1615.
t The sumptuous arrangements of the steamboats upon the lakes cannot fail to strike the traveller. Among others of scarcely less size and elegance, are the Michigan, the Cleaveland, the Sandusky, and also the Buffalo and Illinois, which appcar literally like " floating palaccs."
327
ITS PROSPECTS.
survey of harbors, will develope the agricultural and mine- ral resources of the State, and furnish a ready market for its products. Free labor is here acting on a rich soil, and will always reap a certain and rich reward. Its solid wealth is locked up in the land ; and the plough and the harrow, wielded by vigorous arms, are all that is required to unbar its vaults. The spirit which is now acting on this region is the hardy, the practical, the utilitarian spirit ; which, if it is not destined at present to exhibit the most splendid monu- ments of art, will, within the age of him who is now living, stretch its fields of wheat from Cincinnati to the lakes, che- quer the soil with canals and rail-roads, drain its morasses into healthful meadows, mould the oaks of its forests and the granite of its hills into enduring forms of American archi- tecture, for the perpetuation of American principles, stud its waters with commerce and its inland coasts with sea-ports. Population will throng its hills and valleys. The canal will drag the wealth of the interior into a productive market on the Erie frontier ; and the rail-road car, which starts with the rising sun from the banks of the Detroit, will be illu- mined by its purple beams as they light the shores of Lake Michigan .* More successful in its achievements than the Grecian conqueror, American enterprise has here found, and is subduing, a new world ; not by the sword and the bayonet, but with the axe, the plane, and the plough ; not by the armies and navies of sceptred potentates, but by the sober convictions of a free people, the exertions of hardy in- dustry, and the sanction of righteous laws.
* It has been remarked, that the sun sets upon the upper lakes with a purple glow.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
NOTE I .- Page 5.
ORIGINAL COLONIZATION OF CANADA, BY FRANCIS I.
(From Sharon Turner's ' History of Henry VIII.')
As Canada is now become the most important relic of our North American possessions, and is daily increasing in its population, property, and commercial relations, and was first colonized in the reign of Henry VIII., it may gratify the reader to peruse the original instructions for the earliest settlement that was made upon it, from the European branch of the human race, as they were eith- er dictated or approved by Francis I.
This region was existing unknown to all the other parts of the globe until the year 1508, when some Norman and Breton adventurers, seeking their fortune at sea, under one John Denys, of Normandy, accidentally roved near it. They did little more than inspect some of its coasts ; but it became afterwards known to several of their countrymen, who went to fish near it shores, and whose reports about it at last interested Francis I. to desire that it should be more specially examined.
With this view, in the year 1534, he sent Jacques Cartier Malouin to recon- noitre the country, inspect its havens and ports, and by sailing up the great ri- ver which flowed from it, to learn all that he could collect of its soil, climate, and inhabitants. Cartier executed his commission with satisfactory diligence, and the information which he communicated on his return determined the French king to establish a colony in the country, near its principal river, now called St. Lawrence, which is the largest stream of water in North America. This im- portant river was then termed CANADA by the natives, and its name became transferred to the country itself, though it was afterwards also called New France.
His expensive wars with the emperor prevented Francis I. from pursuing his plan of colonizing Canada till the year 1538. But having at last agreed with Charles V. to establish a general truce between them for ten years, from the 18th June, 1533, he proceeded, three months afterwards, to the accomplishment of his colonial enterprise ; and it is in the September of this year that the follow- ing official document occurs, for the outfit of the expedition to establish the first settlement in this territory of North America, which has now become such an important member of the foreign dominions of Great Britain.
332
APPENDIX.
" Memoir of the Men and Provisions necessary for the Vessels which the King intends to send into Canada.
"To perform the voyage which the king our soverign lord desires to have made to Canada, it must go, at the latest, in the middle of May ; and must have the number of persons and ships hereinafter mentioned, to be increased or lessened as M. Le Connetable (the prime minister) shall think proper.
" It will be requisite to have, as well for guarding the ships that will remain there, as for the equipment of several boats which will be wanted to go into the ยท various streams and rivers, 120 mariners.
" Also forty men of war; harquebuziers.
" Also thirty carpenters, as well of ships as of houses, and sawyers who work lengthways.
" Ten master masons, who can be assisted by those of the country who will serve them.
" Three men who can make lime.
" Three makers of tiles.
" Two coalmen, to make charcoal.
" Four master farriers, each having a forge and two servants, with two lock- smiths.
" Four smiths, to search and ascertain if there be any mine of iron, and to make forges and work iron there.
" To take, at least, six vine-dressers and six laborers.
" Three barbers, and each a servant.
" Two apothecaries, with each a servant, to examine and see the useful qua- lities of the herbs.
" A physician and a servant.
" Two goldsmiths who are lapidaries, with their necessary utensils, and each a servant.
"Two master tailors, and two master hosiers, and cach a servant.
"Two joiners and two servants, with their tools.
" Two masters rope-makers and two servants, because there is hemp to make cordage.
"Four cannoneers at least, and the men-of-war will make use of these when need requires.
"Six churchmen, with all things necessary for divine service; in all 276 men.
" To be victualled for two years at least ; that if the ships which shall be sent there next year should not arrive, those now going may not want food.
" These victuals must be well made, and so good as to last all this time ; and there must be some of the dry wines of Spain.
" These victuals may cost ten sols a month for each man, which, for the 276 men for 24 months, will amount to 33,120 livres.
" They must also be furnished with clothes, beds, coverings, and all other necessaries for two or three years ; and they must leave some money behind for their wives and children.
" Therefore they must be paid in advance for fifteen or sixteen months, and this will cost at least, one with the other, 100 sols a-month.
333
APPENDIX.
" Ten tons of iron, which will cost fifty livres.
" Eight or ten prises of salt, as well for the people of the country, who very much value it, as for those of the ships. This will cost in Brittany sixty sols for each prise.
" Four milliers yards of common linen, as well for the natives as for the ships.
" Three hundred pieces of crezeaus for natives and ships.
" Also millstones, to make water-mills, wind-mills, and hand-mills.
" They must also carry out as many as possible of all manner and kinds of domestic beasts and birds, as well to do the work as to breed in the country ; and all sorts of grains and secds.
" For their passage there must be at least six ships, of not less than 110 tons, with two barks of 45 or 50 tons each ; these, with the smallest of the six ships, will remain there, and the other five will return as soon as they have landed the victuals and goods. For the return of these five, each must have twenty men over and above the aforesaid number. They may take in going and coming, and in staying there, five or six months, for which time they must be victual- led ; and be paid two months on going out, and the remainder on their re- turn.
" There must be munitions of war to land for the forts ; artillery arquebuses, a croc, pikes, halberts, lead, balls, powder, and other things.
" In the ships must be three boats, ready to put out when there, to go out on the streams and rivers.
" All sorts of nail-work, pitch, and tar for the ships.
" The six ships, being from 700 to 800 tons, will cost a crown per ton a month, for moleage ; or about 900 crowns a month, and for the six months 4900 crowns.
" There must be also provided pay and victuals for 100 men, to bring back the shipping this year, who may be detained six months ; which would amount to 1000 livres a month, and therefore for the six months 6000 livres.
" Made the . .. September, 1538."
- I derive this curious paper from the collection of state letters made by Ribier in 1666, and addressed by him to Colbert, the celebrated minister of Louis XIV. This counsellor of state describes Canada as then " a vast country, uncultivat- ed like a desert, and in most places uninhabited, except by demons and wild beasts."
It was in 1540 that this colonizing expedition reached Canada, under the Sienr de Roberval, and in 1543 another fleet, under his superintendence, was sent to it by the same intelligent monarch, Francis I., who seems not to have suf- fered either of his contemporaries, Charles V. or Henry VIII., to have surpass- ed him in his encouragement to every laudable undertaking which the intellect and spirit of the day were inclined to pursue.
334
APPENDIX.
NOTE II .- Page 14.
1
1
THE following remarks, contained in the Discourse of Mr. Henry R. School- craft before the Historical Society of Michigan, exhibit the progress of the Iroquois upon the American side of the lakes, in their marches against the Algonquins :- They were not satisfied with their conquests toward the south and west. They pushed their war parties north to Lake Huron, by the route of Lake Simcoe and Nadowasaking, where they found and subdued the mixed tribe of the Mississages. They passed through this lake to the island of St. Joseph in the river St. Mary, where a severe action took place between them and the Hurons. This action was fought on the water, and in canoes. They were not deterred by the partial discomfiture attending it. They passed deep into the northern regions, and exhibited themselves in a strong body on the borders of Lake Superior, at a prominent point, which perpetuatcs their name and defeat.
Point Iroquois, or, as it is called by the Indians, the Place of Iroquois Bones,* is at least 900 miles from the general seat of the Iroquois Council Fire at Onon- dagua.
At this distant point, in the career of their conquest, flushed with victory and confident of success, they encamped.
It is said a prisoner was sacrificed, to stimulate the thirst of vengeance, and to swell the number of melancholy, but in general doubtful instances in which man has voluntarily polluted his lips with the flesh of man.
But in the height of the infernal ceremony retribution was at hand. Their passage through the river, and the audacious and reckless spirit which they had everywhere manifested, had been narrowly watched. The Chippewas hastily mustercd their forces, and prepared to follow them. When they had reached the head of the straits opposite the Iroquois camp, the weather became threatening ; and it was debated whether they should not defer their passage till the next day. In this dilemma, their prophet or seer was appealed to ; and he, after the usual ceremonies, declared a favorable omen. They awaited the ap- proach of night, and embarked in two divisions. The darkness of the night was extremely favorable to their enterprize. The parties landed at separate places, and formed a junction in the woods in the rear of the Iroquois camp. The prophet here declared another favorable omen. They then sent forward some scoutes to observe the condition of the enemy, who appeared totally un- conscious of danger, and were still singing their war-songs. It was determined to remain in their concealed position till the enemy had gone to sleep. It then commenced raining. They advanced in the rain and darkness, cautiously feeling their way, to the edge of the woods. They then made their onset. The struggle was fierce, but of short duration, As had been concerted, each lodge was surrounded at the same moment; the poles lifted, and the tent precipitated upon the sleepers, who were dispatched, as they started up, bewil- dered and entangled in their tents. A great slaughter ensucd. Very few of the Iroquois escaped to carry the news of the disaster, nor did this nation ever renew their inroad.
About the same time (1630) some of the other northern tribes made a suc-
Nadowagaquining.
335
APPENDIX.
cessful effort to repair the injuries they had received from the Five Nations. A party of 400 Iroquois having, in one of their western excursions, reached the banks of the Maumee river, surprised the camp of the Miamis and Illinois, killed upwards of 30, and took 300 prisoners, among whom were a great pro- portion of women and children ; with this trophy they commenced their return, confident in their strength, and the dread their name had inspired among the western tribes. The discomfited Miamis prepared to avenge their loss.
They obtained the aid of some of the tribes in alliance with them, and made a hasty pursuit, keeping far enough in the rear to avoid premature discovery, and determined to improve the first opportunity to concert a stratagem. For- tune came to their aid.
A rain storm commenced, and continued with such violence that they were confident the Iroquois would stop.
The rain fell incessantly from morning till evening. Conceiving this a favor- able opportunity, they pushed on with such diligence that they got in advance of the enemy. They concealed themselves on the sides of the trail in meadow grounds, where the grass screened them, and the make of the ground afforded a favorable position for attack. When the Iroquois had entered the defile, the Miamis started up, and pouring in from all sides, threw them into confusion. The panic of the Five Nations was further increased on discovering that the rain had rendered their fire-arms useless, and they were compelled to rely chiefly on their war-clubs. In this contest, the superior activity of the western Indians in the management of their native weapons became manifest. One hundred and eighty of the Iroquois fell ; the rest retreated fighting till night put a stop to the conflict.
The Miamis recovered all their prisoners, and effected a safe retreat. A very different result, however, generally attended the Iroquois expeditions to- wards the west and north. Their track was literally marked with blood ; but it was blood doomed to be atoned for by future humiliation. Their career had terminated as inauspiciously as if they had never sacked villages and extermi- nated tribes. No foresight could have anticipated that the lapse of time would bring back this proud and conquering people into the upper lakes as supplicants to the north-eastern tribes for a small tract of ground to raise their corn upon, and to serve as a refuge for their children. Yet such are the facts exhibited by the treaty of purchase made by the Iroquois delegates of the Menominics and Winebagoes in 1821. This treaty took place at Green Bay, near which the Iroquois settlements have been gradually accumulating.
Six years later, at Butte des Morts, they formerly smoked the pipe of peace with the Northern Algonquins, after a war which, without any formal cessation, is known to have continued the better part of two centuries.
In looking to the causes which gave the Iroquois such a preponderance to the other tribes, the advantages of a close union, and their local position at the sources of so many important streams, have been mentioned by their eloquent historian .* But it is quite evident that the great and efficient cause of their success existed in their having early acquired the use of fire-arms, while the western tribes adhered with obstinacy to the bow and club. Even after the
Clinton,
*
336
APPENDIX.
lake tribes had obtained a supply of fusils, they still hankered after their ancient arms ; and twice, within half a century, (from 1762 to 1812,) they formed con- federacies against the whites, based on a total renunciation of the use of Eu- ropean manufacture. But little can be said in corroboration of the opinion which has been advanced, that the Iroquois were a superior race of men to oth- er of our tribes ; and in support of which, their valor and exploits, and parti- cularly their skill as diplomatists and orators, have been adduced.
Brave they undoubtedly were, according to the Indian idea of bravery. As far as mere brute force could triumph, they triumphed.
But with all their achievements they never acquired the moral courage to spare the vanquished after battle. They never elevated themselves above the savage principle which does not distinguish between a public and private foe.
NOTE III .- Page 34. Massacres of the Jesuits by the Iroquois.
FATHER Hennepin, who was for some time a missionary among the Iroquois, states that the savages believed him to be a conjurer ; and a burnished sil- ver chalice, which he had in his possession, was the subject of much fear. " The Indians," says Pere Jerome Lallamant, " fear us as the greatest sorcer- ers on earth." The first religious mission of the Jesuits to the savages of North America was about the year 1611. Their zeal, their endurance of deprivation in the necessaries of life, evinced their religion ; which was most frequently crowned with the most intense tortures of martyrdom. Pere Brebeuf, who had suffered the hardships of the wilderness for twenty years, was at last burned alive, together with his coadjutor, Pere Lallamant, upon the shores of Lake Hu- ron. A number of other Jesuits were also put to death by the Iroquois. Among these were Daniel Garnier Buteaux, La Riborerde, Liegeouis, Goupil, and Constantin. Their deprivations may be known in some measure from the work of Pere Lallamant in his " Relation de ce qui s'est dans le pays des Hurons, 1640. "For bed," says he, " we have nothing but a miserable piece of bark of a tree ; for nourishment a handfull or two of corn, either roasted or soaked in wa- ter, which seldom satisfies our hunger ; and, after all, not venturing to perform even the ceremonies of our religion without being considered as sorcerers." In ro- gard to the success of their exertions, Pere Lallamant remarks, " With respect to adult persons in good health, there is litttle apparent success ; on the contrary, there have been nothing but storms and whirlwinds from that quarter."
NOTE IV .- Page 40.
" THE following grant, being the first in Detroit, was made by Antoine de Lamothe Cadillac, Esq. Lord of Bouaquet Montdesert, and Commandant for the king at Detroit Pont Chartrain.
His Majesty, by his despatches of the 14th, 17th, and 19th June, 1705 and 1706, having given us power to concede the lands of Detroit in the manner which we shall judge good and convenient ; We, by virtue of the said power from his Majesty, have given, granted, and conceded to Francois Fafard De- forme, interpreter for the king in this place, his heirs and assigns, an extent of land of two arpents in front by twenty in depth, joining on one side our manor,
337
APPENDIX.
and on the other, Francois Bosseron, and on the South, the Grand River; which two arpents in front shall be drawn and alienated in the depth by the course north north-west ; and in case any part short of two arpents was found in the alienation, the same quantity shall be furnished to him in another place, not. yet conceded, without any expense; which said two arpents in front by twenty in depth, the said Francois Fafard, his heirs and assigns, shall hold and enjoy for ever, with the privilege of fishing, hunting, and traeting hares ; rabbits, partridges and pheasants excepted. Said Francois Fafard, his heirs and assigns, shall be bound to pay us, our heirs and assigns, in our castle and prin- cipal manor, each year on the 20th of March, for the said habitation, the sum of five livres quit rent and rent, and over and above, for other rights whereof we have divested ourselves, the sum of ten livres in peltries good and mer- chantable ; and when a current money shall be established in this country, the said Francois Fafard shall pay the said rent in said money for ever. He shall likewise be obliged to begin to clear and improve the said conces- sion within three months from the date of these presents, in default whereof we shall concede his habitation to whom it shall appertain. He, his heirs and assigns, shall be moreover obliged to comply with the following charges, claims, and conditions : to wit : to come and carry, plant, or help to plant, a long May pole before the door of our principal manor on the first day of May in every year ; and if he fails, he shall pay us three livres in money or good peltries; he shall likewise be obliged to come and grind his grains in the miils * which we have, or shall have hereafter, on paying for the right for grinding of what- ever kind the grains may be, eight pounds weight by the bushel ; and in case he shall sell his habitation in the whole or in part, he shall be obliged to inforni us of it, and we reserve to ourselves the preference for the price and sum which may be offered to him ; and, on the same condition, lawful and permitted, he shall not sell, cede, or transfer it, by mortgage but with our consent, and he be subject to the public charges and servitudes, as also to the fees for right ot alienation.
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.