USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 4
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The story of a notable institution has survived the general wreck in which so much of their tradition has perished. Upon the Sandusky river, and near where the town of Lower Sandusky now stands, lived a band of the Wyandottes, called the Neutral Nation. They occupied two villages, which were cities of refuge, where those who sought safety never failed to find it. During the long and disastrous contests, which preceded and followed the arrival of the Europeans, and in which the Iroquois contended for victory, and their enemies for existence, this little band preserved the integrity of their territories and the sacred character of peacemakers. All who met upon their threshold, met as friends, for the ground on which they stood was holy. It was a beau- tiful institution; a calm and peaceful island, looking out upon a world of waves and tempests.
This neutral nation, so-called by Father Sagard, was still in exist- ence two centuries ago, when the French missionaries first reached the Upper Lakes. The details of their history and of their character and privileges, are meagre and unsatisfactory; and this is the more to be regretted, as such a sanctuary, among barbarous tribes, is not only an anomalous institution, but altogether at variance with that reckless spirit of cruelty, with which their wars are usually prosecuted. The Wyandotte tradition represents them, as having separated from the parent stock, during the bloody wars between their own tribe and the Iroquois, and having fled to the Sandusky river for safety. That they here erected two forts, within a short distance of each other, and assigned one to the Iroquois, and the other to the Wyandottes and their allies, where their war-parties might find security and hospitality, whenever they entered their country. Why so unusual a proposition was made, and acceded to, tradition does not tell. It is probable, however, that superstition lent its aid to the pact, and that it may have been indebted for its origin to the feasts, and dreams, and juggling ceremonies, which constituted the religion of the Aborigines. No other motive was sufficiently powerful to stay the hand of violence, and to counteract the threat of vengeance.
Internecine quarrels finally arose in this neutral nation; one party espousing the cause of the Iroquois, and the other of their enemies, and like most civil wars, this was prosecuted with relentless fury. One informant says, that within his recollection, the remains of a red cedar post were yet to be seen where the prisoners were tied previous to being burned.
JOLIET, MARQUETTE AND LA SALLE
As the course of the French trade first took the route of the Ottawas' river, their establishments upon the Upper Lakes, preceded their settle- ment on the Detroit strait. Soon after the middle of the seventeenth century, trading posts were established at Michillimackinac, at the Sault Ste Marie, at Green Bay, at Chicago, and at St. Joseph. It was soon known, from the reports of the Indians, that a great river flowed
* See Martyrdom of Breboeuf.
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through the country beyond the lakes, in a southerly direction, and it became an object with the French authorities to ascertain its source, its outlet, and its features. Joliet, an inhabitant of Quebec, and Father Marquette, the distinguished Jesuit, were employed by the French Intendant to prosecute this discovery. They ascended the Fox river, crossed the Portage, descended the Ouisconsin, and entered the Missis- sippi, the 17th of June, 1673. They followed the current to the Arkansas river, when they were induced by untoward circumstances to return, leaving unsolved the great question of the place of discharge of this mighty stream, where it was supposed the French interests would require a powerful and permanent establishment. They returned by the Illinois, and reentered Lake Michigan at Chicago.
The consummation of this discovery was reserved for La Salle. He was a man of genius and cultivated talents. Resourceful, firm in his resolutions, persevering in his efforts, he seemed destined to enlarge the geographical knowledge, and to extend the dominion of his country- men. He built the first vessel that ever navigated these lakes. She was launched at Erie, and called the "Griffin." La Salle embarked in her, with everything necesary for the prosecution of his undertaking, and in 1679, ascended the Detroit river. He reached Michillimackinac, where he left his vessel, and coasted Lake Michigan in canoes, to the mouth of the St. Joseph. The "Griffin" was despatched to Green Bay for a cargo of furs, but she was never more heard of after leaving that place. Whether she was wrecked, or captured and destroyed by the Indians, no one knew at that day, and none can tell now. La Salle prosecuted his enterprise with great vigor, amid the most discouraging circumstances. By the abilities he displayed, by the successful result of his undertaking, and by the melancholy catastrophe which terminated his own career, he is well worthy a place among that band of intrepid adventurers, who, commencing with Columbus, have devoted themselves, with noble ardor, to the extension of geographical knowledge, and have laid open the recesses of this continent. Among these, there is none, whose bearing is more lofty or whose adventures, even now, excite a more thrilling interest, than those of Robert de La Salle.
To trace the incidents of his expedition would be interesting, but unimportant. It is enough to observe that he reached the Gulf of Mexico, and saw the mingling of the great waters. From that time, the French government conceived the splendid project of establishing a cordon of posts from Quebec, along these lakes and rivers, to the delta of the Mississippi, by which the Indian tribes might be overawed, the fur trade secured, and the colonies of their rival confined within com- paratively narrow limits. This plan was matured, and in the process of rapid execution, before it attracted the attention of the British government. Our own Washington commenced his eventful public life, by an embassy to the commanding officers of the French posts upon the Ohio and Alleghany, remonstrating against their advancing establish- ments ; and his journal evinces the sagacity, with which he foresaw their plan and its consequences. How different might have been the destiny of our country had the French program been carried out.
It is difficult, at this day, to trace the causes of the attachment and aversion, which were respectively manifested by the various tribes, for the French and English. The former seem to have had a peculiar facility in identifying themselves with the feelings of the Indians, and in gaining their affections. But even in this quarter, the seeds of disaffection were early sown and ripened, as we shall see, into an abundant harvest. The Fox or Outagami Indians, who then occupied this portion of Mich- igan, evinced a restless disposition from their first acquaintance with
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the French, and a determined predilection for the English. This was cultivated by the usual interchange of messages and presents, and an English trading expedition actually reached Michillimackinac in 1686.
DETROIT, THE KEY TO SUPREMACY
During such a contest for supremacy, both in power and commerce, the great advantages offered by an establishment upon the Detroit river, could not escape the observation of the contending parties. In fact, it is difficult to conceive why it was so long postponed, and it can only be accounted for by recollecting that the French had another and safer way by which they could communicate with the northwestern regions (that which was opened by the Ottawa river through Canada, thus avoiding the stormy Lake Huron). If the English entered the coun- try at all, they must enter by this former route, and a position here was in fact the key of the whole region above. Influenced by these motives, the English government seriously contemplated its occupation, but they were anticipated by the decisive movement of their rivals. A great coun- cil was convened at Montreal, at which were present all the distinguished chiefs of the various tribes occupying the country from Quebec to the Mississippi. It is described by the French historians as the most numer- ous and imposing assemblage ever collected around one council fire, and it was attended by the governor-general, and all that was impressive and powerful in New France. Its discussions, and proceedings, and results were fully recorded, and have come down to us unimpaired. The whole policy of the French intercourse with the Indians was considered, and the wants and complaints of the various parties made known. The Iroquois stated that they had understood the French general was about to establish a post upon the Detroit river, and objected strenuously to the measure, because the country was theirs, and they had already prevented the English from adopting the same step. The governor- general, in answer, informed them that neither the Iroquois nor the English could claim the country, but that it belonged to the King of France; and that an expedition, destined for this service, had already commenced its march. And we collect from the narrative of the proceed- ings, that in June, 1701, Mons. de la Mothe Cadillac, with one hundred men and a Jesuit, left Montreal, carrying with them everything neces- sary for the commencement and support of an establishment, and reached the site of Detroit in the month of July two hundred and eleven years ago.
Here, then, commences the history of Detroit and this vicinity, and with it the history of the Peninsula of Michigan. How numerous and diversified are the incidents compressed within the period of its exist- ence! No place in the United States presents such a series of events, interesting in themselves and permanently affecting, as they occurred, its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has changed, three differ- ent sovereignties have claimed its allegiance, and since it has been held by the United States its government has been thrice transferred, twice it has been besieged by the Indians, and once captured in war.
There exists nowhere a connected account of the progress of the col- ony ; occasional allusions are interspersed through the writings of the French historians, and detailed descriptions are given of a few of the more important events, but the whole subject is involved in much obscur- ity. Statistical facts are altogether neglected. We have no comparative estimates of population or production ; no critical investigation into the character and condition of the country, which render modern history so valuable and satisfactory. A small stockaded fort was erected at Detroit, extending from the old arsenal long since demolished and forgotten, to
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Griswold street, and enclosing a few houses, occupied by the persons attached to the post and the traders. The whole establishment was com- paratively slight and rude, intended rather to overawe than seriously to resist the Indians. Only the third year after the position was taken the Indians in its vicinity were invited to Albany, and many of the chiefs of the Ottawas actually visited that place. They returned, dis- affected to the French interest, and convinced that the post was estab- lished here to restrain and eventually to subdue them. They set fire to the town, but it was fortunately discovered and extinguished before much injury was done. In the same spirit, and about the same time, a war party, on their return from a successful expedition against the Iroquois, paraded in front of the fort and attempted to induce the other Indians to join them in an attack. Monsieur de Tonti, who then held the com- mand, detached the Sieur de Vincennes to repulse them. That officer executed the duty with so much valor and ability that the Ottawas were defeated, and in their precipitate flight abandoned their prisoners, who fell into the hands of the French and were restored to their countrymen.
At that time there were three villages in the vicinity of the fort. One was a Huron village, the site of which was upon the farm of one Col. Jones. Another was a Pottawattomie village, afterwards the farm of Francis Navarre, on the banks of the River Raisin, and the third was a village of Ottawas, on the Canadian shore and above the town of Detroit. These were permanently occupied, and great numbers occasionally resorted here; it is evident from many circumstances that the country was populous and the people well supplied. Charlevoix, who visited the River Raisin country in 1721, represents it as the most desirable part of New France. Game and fish was abundant, and herds of buffalo were then ranging upon the prairies about the River Raisin. The crops of fruit were abundant, and there was peace and plenty.
The first serious calamity, which threatened the infant colony with destruction, arose from an unexpected quarter. Until this time the Outagamies or Foxes were little known, and no striking event had directed the attention of the French towards them. We are therefore unable to trace the causes which induced them to take up arms or the means they had provided for the accomplishment of their daring enter- prise. They appear to have been connected with the Iroquois and with them to have embraced the English interest. Their history for fifty years succeeding this period is a history of desperate efforts directed against the French and many of the tribes around them, evincing a firm- ness of purpose, a reckless valor and a patient endurance of misfortunes worthy of a better cause and a better fate.
OUTAGAMIES THREATEN FRENCH COLONY
In May, 1712, they determined to destroy the town of Detroit, and in conformity with the usual tactics of the Indians, made their arrange- ments secretly and executed them suddenly. Under various pretences they collected in the neighborhood in great numbers. Du Buisson was then the French commandant, and his garrison consisted of but twenty soldiers. The Ottawas, Wyandottes and Potawatomies, upon whose friendship and assistance he could rely, were absent from their villages engaged in hunting. An Outagami, who was a Christian convert, dis- closed to the commander the plot to surprise him before it was ripe for execution, and he took immediate measures to counteract it. Messen- gers were sent to call his allies to his assistance, and preparations were made for a vigorous defence. The Outagamies, finding their object dis- covered, commenced the attack, but on the 13th of May the French were
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greeted with the sight of a powerful body of their friends, naked, painted and prepared for battle. The gates of the fort were immediately opened to them and they entered the council house, where in a conference with Du Buisson they professed their attachment to the French and their deter- mination to defend them. They were received and answered cordially, as their professions and services well merited.
In the meantime the Outagamies had retreated to an entrenched camp they had previously formed near the spot where Jefferson avenue inter- sects the eastern boundary of the city. Here they were invested by the allied forces, and a blockhouse was erected overlooking the defences of the Outagamies, from which so severe a fire was kept up that they could not procure water. Their provisions were soon consumed, and hunger and thirst reduced them to extremity. Despair, however, invigorated them, and becoming the assailants they succeeded in gaining possession of a house adjoining the fort. They strengthened this new position and annoyed their adversaries, who were at length dislodged by the cannon and driven back to their entrenchments.
At this time they made an effort to terminate hostilities, and with this view a deputation was sent to Du Buisson. No confidence, however, being placed in their declarations, either by the French or friendly Indians their offer was rejected. When the deputation reported the result to the warriors their indignation excited them to renewed and desperate efforts, and not less than three hundred arrows, with lighted fagots attached to them, were discharged at the fort. The houses were generally thatched with straw and several of them were burned. The others were preserved by covering them with wet skins.
OUTAGAMIES DESTROYED
This determined resistance almost discouraged the French com- mander. He seriously contemplated evacuating his post and retiring to Michillimackinac. He convened his allies and disclosed his intention. They remonstrated against this measure and promised to redouble their efforts. The war-song was again sung and the parties repaired to their posts. The attack was so vigorous that the Outagamies were compelled to withdraw. Many of their bravest chiefs were killed and their fort was filled with the dead and the dying. They again demanded a parley and the negotiations were renewed. While these were pending, on the nine- teenth day of the siege, a tremendous storm arose, and during the night they abandoned their fort without discovery, and with their women and children fled to the neck of ground which advances into Lake St. Clair (east of Mt. Clemens in Macomb county ). Here they were pursued, and being incautiously attacked, the allies were repulsed with considerable loss. Four days were occupied in efforts to carry this new position, and on the fifth they succeeded by means of a field battery erected by the French. The assailants entered the works in arms, and put to death almost all who had been opposed to them. The women and the children were spared and divided as slaves among the confederate tribes. The Outagamies lost more than a thousand warriors in this disastrous expe- dition.
The subsequent fate of this tribe is not worthy of extended notice. They collected their scattered bands and established themselves upon the Fox river. But the same restless and reckless disposition accompanied them. Like the sons of Hagar, their hand was against every man, and every man's hand was against them. They commanded the communica- tion between the lakes and the Mississippi, so that it could only be trav- ersed by large bodies of armed men. Their war parties were sent out
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in all directions and they kept the whole region in a continued state of alarm and danger. Their hostile attitude so seriously menaced the French interest in that quarter that an expedition was prepared and detached to subdue them. It was accompanied by the warriors of all the other tribes, who had been provoked to take signal vengeance by their fierce and troubled spirit.
The Outagamies had selected a strong position upon the Fox river, since called Butte des Morts, or "the hill of the dead," which they had fortified by three rows of palisades and a ditch. They here secured their women and children and prepared for a vigorous defence. Their en- trenchments were so formidable that De Louvigny, the French com- mander, declined an assault and invested the place in form. By regular approaches he gained a proper distance for mining their works, and was preparing to blow up one of the outer defences when they proposed a capitulation. Terms were eventually offered and accepted, and those who survived the siege were preserved and liberated. But the power of the tribe was broken and their pride humbled. And since this period no remarkable incident has occurred in their history.
From 1720 to 1760 solitary facts may be here and there gleaned, but no continuous account can be given of the condition and progress of events in this vicinity. The materials are too scanty for an unbroken narrative. It struggled with all the difficulties, incident to a remote and exposed position. The savages around, although not often in open hos- tility, were vindictive and treacherous, and no one could tell when or how they might attack it. In 1749 considerable additions were made to the settlements, and emigrants were sent out at the expense of the gov- ernment, supplied with farming utensils, provisions and other means of support. The continued wars between France and England, which filled so large a portion of the eighteenth century, extended their influ- ence to this quarter, and a company of militia detailed from the inhabi- tants fought in the great battle where Braddock was defeated and killed. But it was under the walls of Quebec that the fate of this country was decided. Upon the plains of Abraham the victor and the vanquished poured out their lives together, displaying in death, as they had displayed in life, traits of magnanimity and heroism, worthy of the best days of chivalry. "Who flies?" asked the expiring Wolf to an exclamation of one of the mourning group around him. He was an- swered, "The enemy!" "Then," said he, "I die happy," and imme- diately expired; a fate at once picturesque and glorious. Victory crowned alike their standards and death sealed their careers. His rival in fame, and in all but fortune, Montcalm, nobly supported the honor of France.
DETROIT FALLS TO THE BRITISH
In 1760 the British under the capitulation of Montreal took posses- sion of Detroit and the upper posts, and in 1763 these were finally ceded by France. At this period the French had establishments at St. Joseph, at Green Bay, at Michillimackinac, at Detroit, at Frenchtown, at the Maumee and Sandusky. As fortifications, most of these were slight and temporary intended rather as depots of trade than as military establish- ments. The positions were selected with much judgment and knowledge of the country, and they commanded the great avenues of communication to the world of woods and waters beyond. In succeeding to the power, however, it was soon found that the English had not succeeded to the interest and influence of the French. Whatever may have been the cause,
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the fact is certain that there was, in the French character, a peculiar adaptation to the habits and feelings of the Indians, and to this day the period of French domination is the era of all that is happy in Indian reminiscence.
No sooner had the English obtained possession of the country than a spirit of disaffection became visible, which extended to all the tribes in this region and finally led to the conception and execution of a plan equally able and daring for their overthrow.
PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY
There was then upon the stage of action one of those heroic men who stamp their own characters upon the age in which they live and who appear destined to survive the lapse of time like some proud and lofty column which sees, crumbling around it, the temples. of God and the dwellings of man, and yet rests securely upon its pedestal, time-worn but time-honored. This man was at the head of the Indian confederacy and had acquired an influence over his countrymen such as had never before been seen, and such as we may never expect to see again. To form a just estimate of his character we must judge him by the circumstances in which he was placed; by the profound ignorance and barbarism of his people; by the circumstance of his own utter lack of education, and by the jealous, fierce and intractable spirit of his compeers. When meas- ured by this standard we shall find few of the men, whose names are familiar to us, more remarkable for all they purposed and achieved than Pontiac. Were his race destined to endure, until the mists of antiquity could gather round his days and deeds, tradition would dwell upon his feats as it has done in the old world upon all who, in the infancy of nations, have been prominent actors for evil or for good.
Pontiac was an Ottawa, a celebrated and successful warrior. His virtues seem to have been his own, and his vices those of his age and nation. Major Rogers, who conducted to Detroit the first British detach- ment, was met upon his route by Pontiac and his warriors. He states that the chief sent to demand why he entered his country and informed him that he stood in the path and that the troops could not proceed until their objects were satisfactorily explained. At an interview between them the British commander assured him his object was not to claim the country, but to remove from it the French troops who had prevented a friendly intercourse between the English and the Indians. Wampum belts were interchanged and the desired permission was given. Pontiac accompanied them, and by his authority prevented an attack, which was meditated at the mouth of the river. Major Rogers states that during the subsequent operations of Pontiac he issued a currency, which was received by the French settlers and faithfully redeemed by him. These bills of credit were drawn upon bark and represented the article which had been delivered to him and were authenticated by the figure of an otter, the totem of his family. If Rogers has given a faithful narrative of his proceedings his arrangements were combined with skill and judg- ment and his designs prosecuted with great inflexibility of purpose and a daring, yet cool and tempered courage. We are nowhere told the cause of disaffection which separated him from the British interest and, in fact, we have no authentic history of the remarkable occurrences upon this frontier which accompanied and followed his enterprise. A manuscript journal has been preserved which records the more prominent facts, but it is a crude and ill-digested memoir, dilating upon unimportant topics and worthless as a record. Unfortunately, too, it is mutilated, and the narrative terminates in the middle of the battle of Bloody Bridge.
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