Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1913-1914, Part 2

Author: Michigan. Dept. of State. cn
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Lansing : [State of Michigan]
Number of Pages: 1014

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The leader .- Pontiac, the originator and leader of the conspiracy, was an Ottawa chief. He was well fitted for the daring enterprise,-an effective speaker; a bold and crafty warrior, who had won the first place among the Indians of his day; and, more than all, a thoughtful and far-seeing general who could originate and manage com- plicated plans In the latter qualification he was probably the greatest chief that his race has produced.

The plan .- Pontiac's plan was to attack all of the English posts west of the Alleghany mountains at about the same time. The Indians were to massacre the soldiers of the garrisons, and thus, at a single stroke, they hoped and planned to rid themselves of the presence of a people whom they hated and looked upon as intruders in the valleys of the west. The plan of operations included a line of posts scattered from Niagara to Chicago, twelve forts in all, three of which-St. Joseph, Michilimackinac and Detroit-were in Michigan. Pontiac's ambassadors visited the various Indian tribes between the Ottawa and the lower Mississippi, and succeeded in enlisting all of the Algonquins, most of the Wyandots and some of the southern tribes in the enterprise.

A great council was held at a point on the River Ecorces, near Detroit, April 27, 1763, and arrangements were made to attack the posts in May.

The attack .- The attack on the fort at Detroit was led by Pontiac in person. The crafty chief sought an interview with Major Gladwyn, commander of the post, on the 7th of May, and was admitted. He was accompanied by a band of sixty warriors, who to all appearance were unarmed, as their weapons were carefully concealed under their blankets. It had been arranged that Pontiac should make a speech to the com- mander of the fort, and at the point where he should present a belt of wampum wrong end foremost the Indians were to strike down the officers, and the massacre was to be continued by the hosts of savages in waiting outside. Happily for the garrison, how- ever, the plot had been revealed to Major Gladwyn, by an Ojibwa girl, the evening before the proposed attack, and he was prepared for it. When the Indians entered the fort they found the soldiers in arms and ready for duty at a moment's notice. Feel- ing sure that his treacherous purpose was known, and that there was no chance to surprise the English, Pontiac scarcely knew what to do or say, and made his speech very brief. Major Gladwyn told the Indians that they should have the friendship of the English "so long as they deserved it," but, "that instant vengeance would be taken for any hostile act."

MICHIGAN MANUAL.

On the 9th of May the crafty chief tried to gain an entrance with a larger party of his followers, but was promptly refused. The Indians then set up the war-whoop, proceeded to murder several defenseless English persons who were outside of the stock- ade, and after these fiendish acts began the attack on the fort.

A reinforcement, with provisions and ammunition, was expected about the last of May; "and, on the 30th, the sentinel on duty announced that a fleet of boats was coming around the point, at the Huron church. The whole garrison flocked to the bastions, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their friends. But they were greeted with no sounds of joy. The death-cry of the Indians, that harbinger of misery, alone broke upon the ear. The fate of the detachment was at once known. The Indians had ascertained their approach and had stationed a party of warriors at Point Pelee. Twenty-three batteaux, laden with all the stores necessary for the defense of the town and the subsistence of the garrison, and manned by a detachment of troops, landed at this place in the evening, ignorant of danger and unsuspicious of attack. The enemy watched all their movements, and, about the dawn of day, rushed upon them. An officer and thirty men threw themselves into a boat and crossed the lake to Sandusky bay. All the others were killed or taken.

**. One of the most noteworthy episodes in the siege of Detroit was the massacre at Bloody Run. Captain Dalzell, who arrived at the post in July with re-inforcements and supplies, foolishly imagined that he could surprise the Indians in their camp by a night attack, and against the better judgment of Major Gladwyn, the attempt was made. "At two o'clock in the morning of July 31, 1763, 250 men marched out of the fort and up the River road, protected in part on the river by two large boats with swivels. Two miles above the fort the road crossed a bridge at the mouth of a stream then known as Parent's creek, but since as Bloody Run."* By some means Pontiac had learned of their movements and had prepared an ambush for them. "As soon as the troops reached the bridge they were assailed by a murderous fire, and the ravine became a scene of carnage. The darkness bewildered them and they were compelled to retreat, fighting against ambuscades all the way, until they reached the fort again at eight o'clock, after six hours of marching and fighting in that short road. Dalzell was killed while gallantly striving to save a wounded sergeant."t In this engagement seventy Englishmen were killed and forty wounded.

The siege lasted from early May until late October, but the battle of Bloody Run was the only one fought outside the stockade. Within the fort the watchful garrison had little to fear from Indian arms or valor. The chief danger was that the siege might be continued until their provisions were exhausted; and this fear came near being realized before scarcity of food in the Indian camp made it necessary for the natives to raise the siege and go on their annual hunt. Major Gladwyn at once laid in a good supply of provisions for the winter, in anticipation of a possible renewal of hostilities, but the Indians made no further demonstrations until spring, when "the negotiations of Sir William Johnson and the approach of General Bradstreet * * * * * induced them to relinquish their vengeful purpose."}

Capture of Fort St. Joseph .- Fort St. Joseph was held by Ensign Schlosser and four- teen men. On the 25th of May (1763) a band of Pottawotamies gained admission to the fort through pretended friendship, suddenly fell upon the unsuspecting garrison and massacred all except the commander and three men, who were taken to Detroit and afterwards exchanged.

Capture of Fort Michilimackinac .- This fort-situated on the south side of the strait, about one-half mile southwest of the present site of Mackinaw city-was occupied by Major Etherington, ninety-two soldiers, and four English traders.

The commander had full and timely warning of the designs of the Indians, but fool- ishly disbelieved the reports and neglected all precautions. On the second of June (1763), the king's birthday, the savages engaged in a game of ball near the gates of the fort. The officers and soldiers, unsuspicious of danger, were idle spectators of the sport. About noon the ball was thrown into the fort and the dark skinned players

* Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan."

t Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan."

# Sheldon's "Early History of Michigan."

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

rushed after it through the open gate. A party of squaws standing near furnished the assassins with tomahawks which had been concealed beneath their blankets, and the massacre began. "The amazed English had no time to think or act. * *

* Some of the Indians assailed the spectators without, while others rushed into the fort, and all was carnage and confusion." Lieutenant Jamette and seventy men were killed. Major Etherington, three of the English traders, and twenty-three soldiers were taken prisoners and afterwards released.

After appropriating the goods of the traders and burning Fort Michilimackinac, the savages sought greater security from the deserved vengeance of the English by encamping on Mackinac island.

Result of the Conspiracy .- Eight out of the twelve posts attacked by the Indians, during the execution of Pontiac's plans, were captured, hundreds of Englishmen were killed, and a reign of terror prevailed throughout the valleys of the west. But in the chief object at which it was aimed-the removal of the English from the great interior- the scheme failed.

In the summer of 1764, General Bradstreet arrived at Detroit with an army of three thousand men. "The Indians, perceiving that they could no longer contend against o so powerful a foe, laid down their arms, and thus the war was brought to a close **

Conclusion of the English period .- Few noteworthy events took place during the remainder of the English period. Settlements grew slowly.

During the American revolution the scene of conflict was so far from Michigan that the few settlers in this region had neither occasion nor opportunity to take an active part in the war; but the posts of Michilimackinac and Detroit were still occupied by British garrisons.

Although the treaty of Paris, 1783, provided for the surrender of all these posts to the United States, Great Britain retained possession of Detroit and Michilimackinac until July, 1796, when Michigan for the first time, became an American possession.

TERRITORIAL PERIOD.

Michigan in the Northwest Territory .- Although the ordinance creating the north- west territory was passed by congress in 1787, the retention of Michigan posts by the British until 1796 made the latter date the practical beginning of the American terri- torial period. This ordinance, providing for the government of the vast territory lying between the Ohio river and Lake Superior, was framed with such wisdom that it has received high praise from an eminent modern jurist. "No charter has so com- pletely withstood the tests of time and experience; it had not a temporary adaptation to a particular emergency, but its principles were for all time and worthy of acceptance under all circumstances. It has been the fitting model for all subsequent territorial governments in America."t

This ordinance contained six articles of compact between the original states and the people and states of the territory, and it provides that these articles shall forever re- main unalterable except by common consent. Provision was made for each of the following important objects:

I. Freedom of worship.

II. A bill of rights, with a provision making contracts inviolable.

III. "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be en- couraged."

IV. The states to be formed out of this territory were bound to remain in the Union and help to bear the expenses and obligations of the general government, and all navi- gable waters should be free to commerce.

V. The fifth article provided that not less than three nor more than five states should be formed from the northwest territory, and that these, as they attained a popu-

* Charles Lanman's "Red Book of Michigan."

t Judge Cooley's "Michigan."

MICHIGAN MANUAL.

lation of sixty thousand, should be admitted to the Union under republican consti- tutions.

VI. The sixth article declared that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in punishment for crime, should ever be allowed in this territory or in the states to be erected therefrom.

Thus at the very dawn of its political existence under the United States, this vast region was pledged to education, freedom, and equal rights for all.

In the fall of 1787 congress appointed General Arthur St. Clair governor of the North- west territory.

Owing to the failure of the British to surrender the posts in this section until 1796, however, the first pages of territorial history have slight connection with Michigan. After the Americans gained actual possession of the country, the lower peninsula formed the single county of Wayne in the northwest territory, and was entitled to one repre- sentative in the territorial legislature.

Indiana territory .- Indiana territory was organized by act of congress in 1800, and two years later (1802) the lower peninsula of the present state of Michigan was made a part of the new territory, and so remained until 1805. Nothing of importance to Michigan history occurred during the brief union with Indiana, except the passage of an act of congress (1804) "providing for the disposal of the public lands within the territory, to which the Indian title had been extinguished *

* By this act, section 16 in each township was reserved for the use of schools within the same, and an entire township was to be located in each of the districts afterwards forming Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, for a seminary of learning. This was the germ of the university fund in Michigan, and of the primary school fund."*

Michigan territory .- On the 11th of January, 1805, congress passed an act for the organization of Michigan territory. "It was to embrace all that portion of Indiana territory lying north of a line drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan, until it intersected Lake Erie, and lying east of a line drawn from the same southerly bend through the middle of Lake Michigan to its northern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States."+ General William Hull was appointed governor of Michigan territory, and arrived at Detroit in July, 1805. A few weeks before the arrival of the governor the town had been destroyed by fire, and he found the people encamped in the fields, with scanty food and little shelter. But they were not discouraged by misfortune, and at once began to rebuild on the site now occupied by the metropolis of Michigan. The population of the terri- tory at that time did not exceed four thousand persons, and unfortunately there seemed to be little inducement for emigration from the eastern states. Detroit was made the territorial capital.

About two years after the arrival of Governor Hull in Michigan, the Indians, in- stigated by the English fur traders, began to show signs of evil intentions concerning the frontier settlements. Tecumseh and his brother, generally known as the prophet, were the leaders. The plan, which resembled the scheme of Pontiac, was not ready for execution for several years, but well-founded rumors of ill feeling and evil designs reached the governor and people from time to time, which caused anxiety and retarded the settlement of the territory.

Second war with England .- Such was the condition of territorial affairs, when the impressment of American seamen, and other British insults, furnished occasion for another struggle with England.

The Indians were encouraged by the gathering war-clouds long before the breaking of the tempest, and, in 1811, they assembled in considerable numbers on the banks of the Wabash river. Fortunately for Indiana and the whole northwest, General Harrison, the governor of that territory, was a brave and energetic officer, who lost no time in taking vigorous measures against the redskins. With an army of about nine hundred men he marched to the Indian camp, called the prophet's town. He was met by some of the chiefs who professed surprise at his warlike movements, assured him that they had no thought of fighting, and asked for a conference on the morrow,

*Judge Campbell's "Outline of the Political History of Michigan."

t Judge Cooley's "Michigan."

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

General Harrison replied that he would be glad to give them an opportunity to disperse in peace and would grant the desired council. In selecting an encampment and in making arrangements for the night, however, every precaution was wisely taken to prevent surprise in case of a treacherous attack. True to their nature, the wily savages had only requested a conference for the purpose of throwing the soldiers off their guard and gaining an easy victory by a night attack. The Indians fell upon the camp about four o'clock in the morning, but, contrary to their expectations, they found the army ready for action at a moment's notice. This engagement, which is known in history as the battle of Tippecanoe, took place on the 7th of November, 1811, and resulted in a total defeat of the Indians.

Governor Hull was given command of a military force, for the protection of the frontier and the invasion of Canada, if war should be declared. With an army of about fifteen hundred men, he started from Dayton, Ohio, and after a tedious march of three weeks reached Detroit on the sixth of July (1812). War was declared on the 18th of June, but through some neglect, General Hull was not notified of the fact until the 2nd of July.

Capture of Fort Mackinac .- Fort Mackinac was garrisoned by a little band of fifty- seven men, under command of Lieutenant Porter Hanks. The British Commandant on St. Joseph's island learned of the declaration of war about the middle of July, and at once started for Mackinac with a force of nearly a thousand men. The British landed and proceeded to a commanding position above the fort.

As he was at the mercy of the foe, Lieutenant Hanks was obliged to surrender, and himself and his men were paroled and sent to Detroit.

Thus Fort Mackinac fell into the hands of the British, on the 17th of July, 1812.

General Hull's Canadian campaign .- General Hull had orders to cross the Detroit river, take possession of Canada, and dislodge the British at Fort Malden. The garrison at Malden was small, and would probably have surrendered at once if General Hull had moved forward in a vigorous manner. "Under pretext that heavy artillery was necessary to an attack on the fort at Malden, the army lay inactive at Sandwich from the 12th of July to the 8th of August."

While General Hull was waiting at Sandwich for "something to turn up," General Brock moved toward Fort Malden with a considerable military force. On the 9th of August, Hull recrossed the river, entered the fort at Detroit, and abandoned Canada.

The next day after his arrival at Malden, General Brock moved up to Sandwich and summoned General Hull to surrender. On the refusal of the latter, the British at once began a cannonade on the American fort, and the fire was returned, with little damage to either side.

Surrender of Detroit and Michigan .- On the morning of July 16th General Brock crossed the river and at once repeated his demand for the surrender of the fort. Brock had about thirteen hundred men and Hull not less than a thousand. Without con- sulting his officers and without waiting to make any stipulations or terms, General Hull hoisted a white flag and sent word to the British commander that he would sur- render.

The American officers and soldiers were provoked beyond measure at the cowardly action of the commander.

Hull was accused of treason, cowardice, and criminal neglect of duty; and although acquitted of the first charge, he was convicted by court-martial of the second and third, and sentenced to be shot. The president of the United States pardoned him in con- sideration of his services in the revolutionary war.

British possession of Michigan .- On taking possession of Detroit, General Brock placed Colonel Proctor, with a small force, in command of the fort and territory. Proc- tor soon proceeded to organize the civil government. He assumed the title of governor, and appointed Judge Woodward secretary. In this position the former chief justice had some influence with the cruel Briton, and won the gratitude of the people whose interests he tried to protect.

During the fall and winter following Hull's surrender, General Harrison collected an army and started northward for the recovery of the frontier posts. While at San- dusky, he sent General Winchester in advance to the Maumee. A few days later General Winchester moved forward and encamped on the River Raisin. On the 22d of Jan-

MICHIGAN MANUAL.

uary (1813) the camp was attacked by the British and Indians, under Proctor. The Americans were surprised and obliged to surrender, and during the following night the savages butchered the wounded soldiers and defenseless inhabitants of French- town without mercy.

Recapture of Michigan .- Commodore Perry's victory at Put-in-Bay, Sept. 10, 1813, by which the entire naval force of Commodore Barclay was surrendered to the Ameri- cans, was a fortunate and decisive stroke. "The engagement began a quarter before noon. At three o'clock the British fleet surrendered, after one of the closest engage- ments known in naval history. No entire British fleet had ever been captured before. The utmost bravery was shown on both sides. The American loss was 27 killed and 96 wounded; the British, 41 killed and 94 wounded."*

This victory prepared the way for the recapture of Michigan and the entire north- west. General Harrison used the captured vessels to transport his army across Lake Erie, and prepared to clinch the advantage gained by a vigorous campaign in Canada. Malden and Detroit were evacuated by the British and Proctor made a speedy retreat, much to the disgust of Tecumseh, but was overtaken and defeated at Moravian town. Tecumseh was killed in the engagement, and Proctor fled.

On the 29th of September (1813) the Americans again took possession of Detroit,

and Colonel Lewis Cass was placed in command.

On the 9th of October, 1813, Colonel Cass was made governor of Michigan Territory, by appointment of the president.

Fort Mackinac .- In the mid-summer of 1814 an attempt was made to recover Mack- zinác island, still held by the British. Lieutenant Croghan was sent to effect the re- capture, but delayed the attack so long that the English commander had an oppor- tunity to strengthen his position and increase his force, and the expedition ended in failure. The island remained in possession of the British until after the close of the war. The post was evacuated in the spring of 1815, and the fort was again occupied by American soldiers.

Condition of affairs .- At the beginning of his term of office, Governor Cass found a small population, confined to a few settlements on the eastern border, while the great interior was not only uninhabited, but an unknown wilderness.

Worse yet, it was often regarded as an impenetrable swamp, and people in the eastern states had no desire to gain a closer acquaintance with the country. Some of the civil engineers sent out by the United States government to survey lands for the bounty claims of soldiers, soon after the war of 1812, were responsible for false reports of this kind, which helped to injure the territory. Governor Cass took pains to correct these wrong impressions, made treaties with the Indians, and secured the cession of their lands to the United States government-always treating the natives fairly and honorably. After the necessary treaties had been made, the lands were surveyed and opened for settlement.

Survey and sale of public lands .- The survey of public lands was begun in 1816, and two years later, had progressed sufficiently to permit the authorities to begin the sale. Farmers would not come in large numbers until there was a chance to procure lands, and little growth or prosperity could be expected without the tillers of the soil. But with the settlement of the interior, which practically began in 1818, came sub- stantial growth and prosperity.

The steamboat .- The first steamboat on the great lakes-the Walk-in-the-Water- reached Detroit in the summer of 1818. From that time forth, westward-bound set- tlers found fewer difficulties in coming to Michigan. For although the Walk-in-the- Water was wrecked in 1821, the Superior and other steamers soon took her place, and steam navigation contributed not a little to the commercial prosperity of the grow- ing territory.

Public roads .- "Another matter of immediate and pressing importance was that of roads. Immigrants could not come into the territory in any considerable numbers so long as they must find their way through the woods by trails, or by roads cut out but never worked, and which in a little while by use became nearly impassable."t Roads around the west end of Lake Erie to Detroit, and from the latter place to Chicago,

* Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan."

t Judge Cooley's "Michigan."

AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

and other highways of importance were built as soon as possible, through the ener- getic and wise management of Governor Cass and his efficient assistant, Secretary Woodbridge.

The Erie canal .- The opening of the Erie canal, in 1825, was an event of great importance to Michigan.

Steamers and sailing craft became abundant on the lakes, and it was estimated that not less than 300 passengers a week were landed at Detroit during the fall of 1825.

Close of territorial period .- Geo. B. Porter of Pennsylvania was then appointed gover- nor of Michigan territory and Stevens T. Mason, secretary. As governor Porter was absent a considerable portion of the time, the secretary was acting governor; and after the death of the chief executive in 1834, no change was made, and Mr. Mason con- tinued to manage the duties of the office until the close of the territorial period.

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Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1913-1914, Part 2

Author: Michigan. Dept. of State. cn Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Lansing : [State of Michigan] Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Michigan. Dept. of State. cn
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Lansing : [State of Michigan]
Number of Pages: 1014