USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 17
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Robert, son of Francis and Marie Suzor, born September 2, 1791; married Miss Duchane. Francis, son of Francis and Marie Suzor, born December 8, 1792; married Miss Mettez. Marie
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BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS.
Archange, daughter of Francis and Maric Suzor, born April 6, 1794. Joseph Navarre, son of Francis and Marie Suzor, horn December 3, 1795 ; married Miss Martin. Julia Navarre, daughter of Francis and Marie Suzor, born December 18, 1796. Hissalette, daughter of Francis and Marie Suzor, born June 15, 1798; David Navarre, son of Francis and Marie Suzor; married Miss Lasselle. Samuel Navarre, son of Francis and Marie Suzor. Paul or Perti Navarre, son of Francis and Marie Suzor. Victoria, daughter of Francis and Marie Suzor; married James J. Godfroy.
In the correspondence and files of Colonel Francis Navarre, translated from the French, preserved by Alexander T. Navarre and Mrs. James D. Machin, grandson and granddaughter of Colonel Francis Navarre, appears the fol- lowing proclamation by Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the Ohio, from which it appears a property qualification was essential to the exercise of the right of suffrage:
Whereas, by the ordinance of Congress for the government of the Territory northwest of the Ohio, it is ordained, "That so soon as there shall be 5,000 free male inhabitants of full age in the district, upon giving proof thereof to the Governor they shall receive authority, with time and place, to elect repre- sentatives from their several counties or town- ships to represent them in the general as- sembly ;" and whereas sufficient proof has been given to me there is a much greater number of free male inhabitants in the district than the 5,000 required by the ordinance, I do in conform- ity thereto authorize and require the inhabit- ants of the several counties in the Territory, qualified according to the said ordinance, to as- semble together on the third Monday in Decem- ber next, at the places hereinafter mentioned, and then and there elect representatives for the said counties respectively, according to the di- rections and restrictions of the aforesaid ordin- ance of Congress, and in the numbers and pro- portions following, to serve in the general assembly or legislature for two years, that is to say : The inhabitants of the county of Washington shall meet at Marietta and elect two representatives; the inhabitants of the county of Hamilton shall meet at the town of
Cincinnati and elect five representatives; the inhabitants of the county of St. Clair shall meet at the town of Cahokia and elect one rep- resentative; the inhabitants of the county of Knox shall meet at the town of St. Vincennes and elect one representative; the inhabitants of the county of Randolph shall meet at the town of Kaskaskia and elect one representative : the inhabitants of the county of Adams shall meet at the town of Washington and elect one representative ; the inhabitants of the county of Jefferson shall meet at the town of Steuben and elect one representative; the inhabitants of the county of Wayne shall meet at the town of Detroit and elect one representative, and the inhabitants of the county of Ross shall meet at the town of Chillicothe and elect one repre- sentative; and the representatives so elected shall meet in general assembly at the town of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton, on the 22d day of January next, to do and perform what is required of them for the benefits of the people and the good government of the dis- trict. The restrictions with respect to the elections in the aforesaid ordinance, are that no person shall be eligible or qualified to act as a representative unless he shall have been a citizen of one of the United States three years and be a resident in the district, or unless he shall have resided in the district three years, and in either case shall likewise hold in his own right, in fee simple, 200 acres of land within the same; and that a freehold in fifty acres of land in the district, having been a citizen of one of the States, and being a resi- dent in the district, or the like freehold and two years residence in the district, shall be necessary to qualify a man as an elector of a representative.
And whereas a strict adherence to the letter of the last restriction would exclude all those whose real estate consists of houses and lots only, in the several towns, from any share in the choice of representatives, while the spirit and intention of it is, that the right of election should not be extended to those who are not possessed of real estate of a certain value: all persons having a freehold estate in houses and lots in any of the towns in the counties where they respectively reside, equal in value to the medium value of fifty acres of land in the same counties, are to be considered duly qualified as to property. And the sheriff's
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of the counties, or the coroners in case of any contingency whereby it may be impossible for the sheriff's to attend, shall hold the said elec- tions in the counties for which they are respec- tively appointed, at the time and places before mentioned, and in the manner as by the writs to them directed is required.
Given at Cincinnati, in the county of Ham . ilton, under the seal of the Territory, the 29th day of October, 1798, and of the independence of the United States the twenty-third.
Copy of letter from the Bishop of Baltimore, addressed to Colonel Francis Navarre, for the inhabitants of the River Raisin :
BALTIMORE, October 19, 1796.
Your petition that you had the kindness to address to me the 10th of May did not reach me before the month of August. I see in it, with great satisfaction, that you are sensible of the inexpressible advantages of the true relig- ion and of a ministry of salvation which re- sponds to its sanctity and may be worthy of it. Feeling all the weight of my pastoral duty, it is very pleasant for me to find the charges it imposes on me lightened by the Christian dis- positions of those who share my solicitude. I did not reply immediately to your request be- cause having already charged Mr. Labaudoux (my grand vicar of this part of my. diocese) to make report of the religious condition of the country recently added to the United States, I believed that I ought to wait until I received it. This report has just come to hand, and in this which has relation to you, I see that it confirms the favorable idea I had formed of your dispositions. In consequence I wrote to him to-day to make his arrangements to send you a very excellent priest, who dwells at pres- ent on the Illinois. If this cannot be brought about to advise me as promptly as possible, in order that I may send one from here as soon as I have the necessary means to furnish the ex- penses of his journey.
Your manners and habits of industry and love of order are to me a sure guaranty that you will make citizens peaceable and obedient to laws of the Government, and that you will never abuse the liberty in which you partici- pate to make a pretext of living without check, be it of religion or civil authority. I prize greatly the assurance which you have made
me of your respect for your fathers, and the good wishes you have offered me for my health. In return I beg of you to regard me as one having for you the most fraternal affection, and an earnest desire to see you and unite with you before the altar of the Most High, to pray to Him to bestow upon you and upon all our Catholics and wandering brothers, the choicest benedictions. I am, sir, with regards and grat- itnde for all which you have done for the wel- fare of religion, your very obedient servant and father in Jesus Christ,
BISHOP OF BALTIMORE.
Translated from old deed signed by chief of the tribe of Pottawatomies, then inhabiting River Raisin :
DETROIT, September 14, 1786.
Sir Askiby, chief of the Pottawatomies, of the River Raisin, given in my name and that of my nation and of the families inhabiting of my tribe: I declare that I have reserved a piece of land, three acres in size, in all its pro- fundity, for the building of a house of prayer, situated at that end of land, on right side of River Raisin, joining the concession of Francis Navarre Hutrow. This place, destined in per- petuity as a place of prayer, can never be oc- cupied for any other purpose but by the min- ister of the Great Spirit. For this reason it is expressly forbidden all persons, of whatever nation they may be, to touch said place to cul- tivate or build thereupon, under the penalty of having their work and labor utterly destroyed. For this reason I affix my signature, to the end that people may not doubt of my resolution, which will be forever irrevocable.
At Detroit the 13th of September, 1786.
As also the concession of land that we have given to the brothers and children of Robert Navarre ; as also that of Marie, widow of Alexis Campau, shall remain in perpetuity to her and her children, the peaceful possession of which she may claim undisturbed.
ASKIBY.
DETROIT, May 9, 1794. To Francis Navarre, Justice of the Peace, River Raisin :
SIR: I have the honor of informing you that I have discovered a plot to pass counter- feit money. The principal actor lives in your district, and is named Moses Powers. He is a
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BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS.
brother of the lawyer Powers, and he has only one eye. He pretends to be a carpenter, and has made a conract with Israel to build him a house. I have had the other two arrested. The sheriff has my warrant to arrest Powers, but as he delays to start, I fear that the man will escape, learning that the others are taken. I beg you instantly, as soon as you receive my letter, to have him arrested and sent to me under assurance that they will be tried by the court. I pray you, also, to have a search made of his house or lodgings and seize any tools he has made use of in making the money ; and also any material you may find which has been used in making it, and send all here.
As this is the first discovery of a conspiracy so dangerous for society in general, it is of the greatest importance to suppress it in its com- mencement, and the people of the River Raisin are more interested than others, for following the information that I have that Mr. Powers is the principal actor, I have - reason to be- lieve that he works in your canton ; inform your neighbors to take good care when they receive some bogus money. I have the honor of being very perfectly your very humble ser- vant,
JAMES MAY, J. P. County Wayne.
JUNE 3, 1796.
DEAR COUSIN : A favorable opportunity pre- sents itself for me to write you a letter, and have it delivered by Captain Chamberg, aid-de- camp of General Wilkinson, commander of the American troops. He is going ahead of the army to demand possession of Detroit. Colonel Hamtramck left here this morning with a large detachment to form the garrison at Detroit. As I know well your zeal for our American army, I have taken the liberty to assure Colo- nel Hamtramck that you and your friendly inhabitants of the River Raisin would take pleasure in accompanying Captain Chamberg to Detroit. He has asked for the names of persons that I consider as veritable patriots. I informed him that he could not pride himself on more honest people in the establishment of Detroit than my uncle Robiche and Mr. Buffet, who will be listened to by all the inhabitants, and who, I think, will give him all the assistance possible. Although I have offered to have him stay at Mr. Cecire's house, you can have him stay at your house. I think his horses will be
more safe in your stable than in the fields. Courage. I wish you good health, as well as all your family. Your sincere cousin,
GEO. MCDOUGALL.
DETROIT, MICH., October 8, 1796.
SIR: The Court of Quarter Sessions have held their first meeting to-day, and have ordered me to write a circular to the justices of peace of each district, to inform them that the first Tuesday of the month of December next, there will be a general Court of Quarter Sessions, at which you are required to be present.
This same day the court will divide the county into districts, will name three commis- sioners and one constable for each district. The court desires that you will give advice to all the inhabitants of your district that you will have occasion to see, in order that among themselves they recommend to the court a re- spectable man to be one of the commissioners of the district of the River Raisin. It is nec- essary that they recommend also an honest man to be constable of the district, who knows how to read and write, if it is possible. The court desires very much to name persons gen- erally agreeable to each district.
I have the honor of being, respectfully, your very humble servant,
PETER AUDRIAN, Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions.
DETROIT, MICH., April 23, 1797.
SIR: The present letter to you will be handed you by John Bt. Sanscrainte, who will present you a contract of land that the savages have given him the tenth of May, 1779. You will see that this contract is well made, but unfortunately for Sanscrainte there was no witness who has signed with the savages. In consequence it is necessary that the savage chiefs who are still living come before you to recognize their signatures, or better their marks, and that they make their marks again to the certificate that I have written immedi- ately under their names; that you and Monsieur Cecire will sign as witnesses under the words in presence of. After this you will sign your name as justice of the peace to the certificate that I have written below that of the savages,
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and Mr. Cecire will sign it also as witness un- der the words in presence of. But you will sign yours opposite that of Mr. Cecire.
All this is formality, but it is necessary in order to preserve to Sanscrainte a large prop- erty that the savages have, to my knowledge, given since to different persons. I know you too friendly to justice to doubt a moment that you would render justice to Sanscrainte, who appears to me to merit it.
I have the honor to be, very perfectly, your very humble servant, PETER AUDRIAN.
As Mr. Sanscrainte is going to the Fort at Detroit City for his business, I advise you to send me by him the title of your land, in order that I may register it immediately. This is a formality absolutely necessary in order to have the confirmation of the title and the continua- tion. Give the same advice to your brothers. PETER.
We, belonging to the chiefs of the Pottawat- omie Nation, on Raisin River, declare and assert the following :
That the lands situate between Stony Creek and Sandy Creek and bordering on Lake Erie, said lands measuring to the depth of one hundred acres, have been given long ago by the elders and principal chiefs of our Nation to Francis Pepin.
That the whole Nation being familiar with this fact, will protect him in the possession thereof. In consequence we entreat our American brothers to leave said Pepin in peaceable ownership.
We also declare that Mr. Portier Renais, who has a contract for a large tract of land, said contract having been made by himself alone, and as soon as he tried to appropriate these lands to himself, the chiefs, then still living, have said publicly and openly that these lands were never given to him, and that they have enjoined their successors to oppose themselves to it, and to which they hereby adhere and have this protest by their names.
(Signed by the Chiefs.)
Done at River Raisin, 10th May, 1797.
Advice to the public :
DETROIT, 26th November, 1798.
By these presents, advice is given to the in- habitants of Wayne county who are qualified
according to the law to vote for a representa- tive in the general assembly of this Territery, that an election for a representative for the county of Wayne in the general assembly of this Territory, in virtue of writ of election, which has been addressed to me by his Excel- lency, the Governor of the Territory, to this effect, will open and hold in Detroit, for the said county, in the house where the court sits, Mon- day, the 17th of December next, in which elec- tion will be open from 10 o'clock and will con- tinue by regular adjournments until 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th day of the same month of December, at which hour the said election will be closed according to law. In consequence of, by these presents, all the in- habitants qualified, thus included, are sum- moned and required to be on hand at the time and place thus designated, in order to give their voice for the person whom they deem proper for a representative in the general as- sembly, in conformity with said warrant of election, etc.
LEWIS BOND, Sheriff County Wayne.
DETROIT, May 14, 1798.
SIR : I am ordered by the court to require you to inform the inhabitants of your district that those of them who are summoned for the petit jury of the next court, will be excused (if they so desire) by paying $2.00 for a sub- stitute; that is to say, that each person who prefers to rest or attend to his own business rather than serve on jury, can leave it entirely to his own option. I have the honor of being, respectfully, your very humble servant,
PETER AUDRIAN, Clerk.
DETROIT, May 22d, 1798.
SIR: I have the honor of announcing to you that the Judges of the Supreme Court, whom you have seen at your house, will hold, in Detroit, a Circuit Court next Tuesday, 29th of May. It is your duty to be there, also your associate, Mr. Jobin, with the constable of your district. It is very important that Sun- day next you should have announced at the church door that all persons summoned upon grand or petit jury for this Circuit Court, must be here Tuesday before 11 o'clock in the morn- ing, because they will be fined heavily if ab-
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sent. By doing so you will render service to many people who might fail to be present on account of not being instructed to do so. I have the honor of being, respectfully, your very humble servant, PETER AUDRIAN, Clerk.
P. S .- You will say, if you please, to Mr. Isadore Navarre that I will take for money ten hundred weight of flour, good and marketable at $4.00 a hundred, provided that it is delivered here.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSARY GENERAL OF TIIE } PRISONERS, July 28, 1814. S
A convention having been definitely resolved on the 16th of July, at Champlain, in the State of New York, between the agents duly author- ized on the part of the United States Govern- ment and that of Great Britain, by which all prisoners of war and all other prisoners, sub- jects or residents of one, or citizens or residents of the other, captured by the commandant in authority, Sir George Provost, or by the forces under his orders during the present war, before the 15th day of April past, which were paroled or otherwise left for their respective countries before said day, or who were kept by the authority of the United States, or Canada or Nova Scotia, by the authority of Great Britain, were exchanged without exception.
All officers and non-commissioned officers, soldiers and sailors, belonging to the forces by land or sea of the United States, regulars or militia, and all persons of all other description, who have been captured before the said 15th of April, by any of the military forces under said commander, and who were then in the United States under parole or otherwise, or who are to be released in conformity with said convention, are declared finally exchanged ; and all such officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers, sailors and other persons, are by these presents notified that they are at liberty to serve in any capacity as if they had never been prisoners. (Signed) T. MASON, Commissary General of the Prisoners.
Translated by order of General Cass.
G. MCDOUGALL, Adjutant - General T. M.
DETROIT, August 25, 1814.
To Mr. Colonel Navarre :
SIR: I have the honor of transmitting to you the original orders above mentioned, which
I beg you will give immediate attention, and make them public to the captains in your bat- talion, in order that they will furnish you with the return of their forces and ammunition with- out delay. I beg you to send the report the soonest possible. I have the honor of being your very humble servant,
G. GODFROY, Lieut. Col. Com. Ist Reg. of M., T. M.
P. S .- I pray you present my compliments to Captain Lacroix and urge him to aid you to make the returns required on the other side, because the governor expects the reports im- mediately, and see that you neglect nothing, fearing the consequences. G. GODFROY.
IN OFFICE OF ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE MILITIA OF TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN, GENERAL HEAD- QUARTERS, DETROIT, August 25, 1814.
The commissary general of the prisoners having declared that a convention has been concluded between the Governments of the United States and Great Britain, by which all persons, however taken, by either side since the declaration of war, and before the 15th day of April last, were exchanged without excep- tion, the commander-in-chief is gratified to be able to announce to the militia the glad tidings. They are at present as free to serve as if never taken prisoners. This situation re- quires imperiously that the entire corps of militia are placed in the most efficacions state for immediate service.
The Adjutant-General will announce the ap- pointments and promotions of officers which have taken place.
The Second Regiment of Infantry will be consolidated with and form a part of First Regiment, but remain a distinct battalion. The Lieutenant-Colonel Navarre will retain his rank and command, but will make his re- port direct to Lieutenant-Colonel Godfroy. Lieutenant-Colonel Godfroy and Lieutenant- Colonel Smyth will make their reports (the soonest possible to the Adjutant-General) of the forces and situation of their respective com- mands.
By order of his Excellency, the Commander- in-Chief.
GEO. MCDOUGALL, Adjutant-General T. M.
8
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Copy of General Proctor's order :
To Thomas Caldwell, River Raisin, Mich .:
Mr. Thomas Caldwell, or any other person acting under him, is hereby authorized and directed to impress for his Majesty's service in the Territory of Michigan, twelve horses and eight yoke or pairs of oxen, with their yokes and chains, and such other articles as may be requisite to work the said horses and oxen.
Dated at Detroit this 16th day of April, 1813.
(Signed) HENRY PROCTOR, Brig. Gen'l Commanding.
In perusing the correspondence and files of Colonel Francis Navarre, I am impressed with the belief that he was a very devout and ex- emplary member of the Catholic church, and that no man outside of the priesthood has con- tributed more time, labor and means in lay- ing the foundation thereof in the Northwest. His patriotism, energy and worth were appreci- ated and held in high esteem by the territorial governors and officers of the American forces, as it is evident the greater part of orders and correspondence from them to the River Raisin settlement before and during the war were addressed to him. His power and influence were well known by officers of the British Gov- ernment, and for years a standing offer of a reward of $500 was proclaimed for his capture or scalp. He was hunted as a spy; was twice taken prisoner by the British, but escaped. The last escape savored of the miraculous, for he was captured by a British officer and delivered into the hands of infuriated and brutal Indians, and tied to a stake prepared for burning, at Sand- wich ; but the barbarians to whom he was de- livered went out to welcome about 500 In- dians who were invited to the great sacrifice and feast, and on their return found their vic- tim gone. Their fury knew no bounds; torches were lighted, and their yells and whoops filled the air. The colonel, knowing their manner of hunting their victims, took advantage thereof by creeping into a hollow log a short distance from where he had made his escape. They hunted for him for days, houses were burned, feather-beds ripped open, and one day entered a barn where he was concealed under the hay three feet under the surface. They thrust their bayonets through the hay, one just graz- ing his backbone. On leaving the barn they set fire thereto, but fortunately it did not burn.
He loved his church and country, and for his Christian and civil virtues and sacrifices on the battle field, his memory deserves grateful remembrance.
At the close of the war he returned to his home to find none of its former comforts, but in- stead desolation and devastation. Courageous in his declining years, he gathered around him the semblance of what had been the ambition of his early years, " A Home," the hospitality of which was proverbial.
JOHN ANDERSON
Was born in Scotland, and emigrated to Can- ada when a boy. From Montreal he came to Michigan to trade with the Indians. He estab- lished himself upon the River Raisin in the year 1805, where he successfully prosecuted his affairs until the War of 1812. His residence and store were on the site on the north side of the river where T. E. Wing now resides. Dur- ing the war he was captured by the British and Indians, but soon escaped and fled to Day - ton, Ohio, where he remained until peace was restored. On returning to Monroe he found his property had not escaped the ravages of war, for his house and store were burned to the ground and his goods confiscated ; but his energy and perseverance soon restored in part what he had lost. His influence among the carly settlers and Indians did much to mitigate their hardships. He found homes for those left orphans and unprotected by the war, and sought at Washington a redress for their wrongs. His thorough knowledge of the In- dian character rendered him efficient in restor- ing peace among the various tribes of Michi- gan, and as he was fluent in eleven Indian dialects, he was welcomed at all times by the Indians as an interpreter. He filled with credit many local offices of honor and trust, and his habitual kindness and ingenuousness carried him safely through many trying scenes in his career. He died at his home in Monroe in 1841, leaving two sons, John and Alexander, and a danghter, the wife of Judge Warner Wing, of Monroe.
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