The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 22

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I > Part 22

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In 1771 Lieutenant McDougall had it surveyed by a Mr. Boyd, who reported that it contained seven hundred and four acres. The same year Mc- Dougall built a dwelling-house and out-buildings, and his tenant, one Cassity, cultivated about thirty acres. After a few years John Loughton took Cas- sity's lease. There were then two farms on the island, comprising eighty acres of cultivated land, together with houses and barns. One of the farms was cultivated by a man named Ridley.

On January 15, 1778, Lieutenant-Governor Ham- ilton wrote to Governor Carlton as follows :

The inhabitants having represented to me the losses and damage they suffer by being deprived of the commonage of Hog Island, I have directed Captain McDougall's brother-in-law, who is his attorney at this place, to acquaint him that, unless I have your excellency's orders to the contrary, the inhabitants shall be re-in- stated in the possession of it on the Ist day of May, 1779, which is time sufficient for him to prove a right.

Meantime McDougall died, and General Haldi- mand, who had succeeded Governor Carlton, wrote to Major De Peyster at Detroit that the executors of Colonel McDougall must not be allowed to offer Isle au Cochon for sale, as he intended to reclaim it for the use of the garrison at Detroit. He said further that Mrs. McDougall "need not be alarmed"; that he would see that her rights were protected.

On July 13, 1780, in a letter from Haldimand to De Peyster, after informing him that in order to raise food and diminish expenses he proposed to have ground cultivated at each post, he added : " I have therefore to desire you will immediately re- claim for his Majesty's use the ground commonly known by the name of Hog Island, and appropriate it to the above-mentioned purpose, exactly upon the same terms and footing with those at Niagara, agreeably to the enclosed articles." The articles alluded to provided that he should establish set- tlers upon the island, and furnish them with implements. This letter contained also this direc- tion : " As I wish to make Mrs. McDougall a reason- able compensation for what houses, etc., may be found upon the island, you will please to appoint proper persons to appraise them and transmit me their report."

Accordingly, on September 5, 1780, the buildings

on Hog Island were appraised by Nathan Williams and J. B. Craite, master carpenters. Their report was as follows :

I dwelling house £ 250 I old barn without a top £ 18 6

40 A fowl house

IO Some lumber 10

Total (N. Y. currency) £ 334

On September 9 De Peyster wrote to Haldimand, saying : "I propose to settle Mr. Riddle's family, with three other families, on the island as soon as possible, reserving part of the meadow ground for the grazing of the king's cattle."

On October 10 he wrote: "Agreeably to your excellency's desire, I have fixed loyalists upon Hog Island conformable to the terms prescribed. * * The island is, however, sufficient for two substantial families only, there being much meadow ground and swamp on it, and it being absolutely necessary to preserve a run for the king's cattle; that being the only place of security. * * * I have sent your ex- cellency a sketch of the island, which contains only seven hundred and sixty-eight acres."

Eventually William McComb, guardian of the heirs of McDougall, petitioned Sir Frederick Haldi- mand, the governor-general, for redress against De Peyster, who then offered six hundred guineas for the island. This offer was rejected, and De Pey- ster was compelled to restore the island, and to erect a barn and furnish a scow as compensation for the use of it.

On November 11, 1793, the heirs of McDougall sold the island to William McComb. Like all titles originating prior to American occupancy, the claim to this island was passed upon by the United States Commissioners. The deed from the Indians was of but little force, as neither the British nor the Ameri- can Government recognized deeds from Indians to private parties; but as the McCombs were in posses- sion before the Americans came, the commissioners, on November 6, 1809, confirmed the island, or six hundred and forty acres of it, to the heirs of William McComb. No one claim at that time was allowed to include more than six hundred and forty acres, and then, and even as late as 1833 (when surveyed by J. Mullett), it was considered doubtful if the island contained that amount of land. On January 7, 1817, the register of probate and a committee assigned the island to D. B. McComb, as one of the heirs of William McComb. On March 31, 1817, D. B. McComb conveyed it to B. Campau for $5,000, which amount, tradition says, was paid in bills of suspended Ohio banks. On November 1, 1823, the United States Commissioners on Claims recom- mended that the entire island be confirmed to B. Campau.

The island has borne no less than four different names. Originally called Mah-nah-be-zee, " The

THE BOULEVARD .- PASTURES AND POUNDS.

Swan," by the Indians; it was re-named by the French, Isle St. Claire. At one time it was overrun with rattlesnakes, and a number of hogs were allowed to run at large in order to destroy them; eventually the hogs became so numerous that the island came to be known as Isle au Cochons, or Hog Island. During the years just previous to 1845 the island became a very popular place of resort for picnic parties, and just prior to July 4, 1845, it was announced in the daily papers that on the Fourth a picnic party would give it a more euphonious name. Accordingly, about five o'clock P. M., a large number having assembled on the island, Morgan Bates was called to the chair, and William Duane Wilson elected secretary ; and on motion of Mr. Goodell, it was resolved that the island be known hereafter as Belle Isle, possibly in honor of the ladies who fre- quently patronized it on picnic occasions.

The island is covered with beautiful hickory, oak, maple, and elm trees interspersed with numerous natural lawns. At the time of its purchase by the city, two avenues, fifty feet wide, extended from end to end, and it was possible also to drive entirely around the shore. It was surveyed in 1882, and found to contain nearly 690 acres; in its greatest extent it is 10,800 feet long and 2,400 feet wide.

During the agitation of the Park question from 1871 to 1875 much was said concerning the advan- tage that would be derived from a boulevard extend- ing entirely around the city. Six years later the subject was again agitated, and on May 21, 1879, the Legislature provided for a Board of Boulevard Commissioners, to consist of one person each from the townships of Greenfield, Hamtramck, and Springwells, together with the mayor and Board of Public Works of Detroit.

The members from the townships were chosen on the first Monday in April, 1880, and were to serve three years, or until their successors were elected, and all were to serve without pay. The board was authorized to lay out a boulevard, not less than one hundred and fifty feet wide, from Jefferson Avenue in Hamtramck to such a point in Springwells as might be agreed upon, and were given power to condemn and take possession of lands in the same way that roads are opened ; they were also author- ized to construct and improve the boulevard when established, the cost of the boulevard to be raised by general taxation from both city and townships.

The commissioners from the townships have been : 1880-1883. Hamtramck, J. V. Ruehle ; Springwells, John Greusel, Jr .; Greenfield, E. Chope.

1883, Hamtramck, A. S. Bagg; Greenfield, E. Chope ; Springwells, C. Clippert.

1884, Hamtramck, J. V. Ruehle ; Greenfield, Thos. Langley ; Springwells, C. Clippert. Under the an- nexation act of 1885, the boulevard came within the

city, and since then it has been under the control of the Mayor and Board of Public Works.

The route was established on February 1, 1882, and the boulevard was formally dedicated on Sep- tember 28, 1882.

PASTURES AND POUNDS.

A large portion of the commons about the stock- ade of Detroit was once used for pasturage, and in comparatively recent years much of the land within the city limits was unenclosed and used as public property. Prior to 1850 the milkman's bell was un- known ; almost every family kept a cow or cows, or bought milk of their neighbors. The cows were turned out in the morning, and found their way to unoccupied lands, where they browsed at their leisure, or perchance, if this public feed grew scarce, they were driven to and from an enclosed field. These customs have almost entirely passed away. The milk-carts traverse every street, and the call of "Co' bos!" "Co' bos !" can no longer be numbered among the street cries of Detroit.

Prior to the fire of 1805 the narrowness of the streets made it necessary that animals and fowls should be prevented from running at large. Pounds were therefore established and pound-keepers ap- pointed at an early date, and if age confers dignity on an office, then that of pound-keeper is the most "ancient and honorable " in the city, for there is none other so old.

On March 12, 1801, Elias Wallen was appointed pound-keeper, and the old records of the Court of Common Pleas for Wayne County of that date have this entry :

The Court of Common Pleas, with the approbation of Major Hunt, commanding officer of the garrison of Detroit, order that the yard of the Council House be used as a Pound.

The council house referred to was located near the river, between what are now Griswold and Shelby Streets. Although the dignity of that local- ity may be somewhat disturbed by this reminiscence, there can be no doubt of its truth.

Under ordinance of 1836 any person could take up an animal running at large and be paid twelve and one half cents a day for its keeping. Notice was to be given within twelve hours to the marshal, and after advertising four days any animal was sold. The marshal received ten per cent on total proceeds for his services; the person impounding had one half of the balance, and the other half was to go to the Poor Fund. None of the early ordinances as to pounds were strictly enforced, and up to very recent times cattle were allowed to roam at their own sweet will in various parts of the city. By ordinance of 1855 two pound-keepers might be, and in 1861 two were required to be, appointed to serve for eight months, at a salary of $45 a month. Under ordi-

PASTURES AND POUNDS.

nance of March 24, 1870, amended May 4, the pounds were to be open between April I and December I, and the keepers were paid $60 per month for the term of eight months. After 1874 they were appointed for the full year, and paid the same amount per month.

The pounds are located on the same grounds as the wood and hay markets. The following persons have served as pound-keepers: 1854, D. L. Shaw; 1855, Peter Laderoot; 1856, J. J. Reid, D. L. Shaw; 1857, A. B. Solis, J. Normandin, William Barry; 1858, C. Gebhart, C. R. Page; 1859 and 1860, J. C. Schultz, F. Fulda; 1861, H. H. Covert, John Green- wood; 1862, J. Stork, John Brennan; 1863 and 1864, J. Stork, R. Sullivan; 1865 and 1866, N. Jungblut, John Ivers; 1867, J. Dieler, J. Ivers; 1868, J. Dieler, G. O. Walker; 1869, A. Taubits, George Ridette; 1870, A. Taubits, James Joy; 1871 and 1872, Harris Jacobs, Robert Watson; 1873 and 1874, A. Peine, F. C. Niepoth ; 1875, A. Peine, J. Ivers; 1876, Noah Sutton, George Crabb; 1877, Charles Schmidt, B. Reilly; 1878, E. W. Pindar, T. Mahoney; 1879, Eastern District, E. Fiertz, West- ern District, D. J. Spinning ; 1880, Eastern District, D. J. Briggs, Western District, H. Jacobs; 1881 and 1882, Eastern District, Thomas Rooks, Western District, Henry Gross; 1883, Eastern District, H. Stebner, Western District, H. Gross.

In 1805 the law provided that the owner of "every dog three months old and upwards, kept by any one person or family, shall pay a tax for the same of fifty cents." There can be no doubt that a dog tax was then necessary, for in 1805, with only five hun- dred and twenty-five heads of families, there were two hundred and nineteen dogs in the town of Detroit. A like proportion now would give eight thousand dogs, but there were only about two thou- sand licensed in 1883.

Dogs were deemed essential as a protection against the Indians in past time, and some families evidently believed in "protection." During the War of 1812,

after the arrival of Harrison's troops, a Frenchman came one day to the officer of the day, and com- plained, "The soldiers last night killed most all my dogs."-"How many did they kill?"-" Nine." -- "How many have you left?"-"Only eight." Considering the condition of things which then existed, and continued to exist for many years, it is no wonder that the question, "Would a diminu- tion of dogs in the city of Detroit and its vicinity redound to the public benefit?" was proposed in 1819, as a subject for discussion in the Detroit lyceum.

Coming down to recent years, we find that an ordinance providing for the licensing of dogs was approved on May 2, 1881, and a dog-pound estab- lished on July 1. No record was kept of the num- ber of dogs impounded until November 1, 1881. From that date up to November 1, 1882, there were captured eighteen hundred and sixty-eight unlicensed dogs, and of this number fifteen hundred and sixteen were drowned, one hundred and four- teen redeemed on payment of the pound or license fee, seventy-seven released on proof of having been licensed, seventy-five sold, sixty given to medical colleges for dissection, eighteen escaped, and eight died a natural death. The number of dogs captured in 1886, was nineteen hundred and five. Drowned dogs are delivered to the city scavenger.

Unlicensed dogs are captured by means of a net attached to a long pole, and are then deposited in a covered wagon for conveyance to the pound. A policeman is detailed to catch the dogs, and there is also a driver for the wagon. The license fee for male dogs is one dollar, for females two dollars, and ten cents additional must be paid for the brass license-check which is required to be attached to the collar of all dogs. The money from licenses, and all moneys obtained through the dog-pound, are required to be paid to the city treasurer.

The dog-pound is located at the foot of Military Avenue and is in charge of a policeman.

PART III. GOVERNMENTAL.

CHAPTER XV.

FRENCH AND ENGLISH RULE.

THE fish of Newfoundland, the furs of New France, and French jealousy of Spanish achieve- ments, were all prime factors in the efforts made by France to obtain possession of this new world. Added to these, there were political and religious ambitions that knew no limit, incarnated in men who feared nothing and would dare everything to further the interests of la belle France and the Jesuit order. They went everywhere, and every- where the Lily and the Cross marked the route they traveled. Colonies followed in their wake, and all deeds done in each were spread before the king, and discoursed upon by his ministers. From the time M. de Champlain visited the lakes, the French Gov- ernment claimed this region as its own. All of Canada, and what is now known as the Northwest, was variously designated as New France, Louisiana, or Canada.

During French rule, no less than three kings and three regents exercised authority over Detroit and its surroundings. After the death of Henry IV., on May 14, 1610, his widow, Mary de Medici, became regent, and continued as such until 1617, when Louis XIII., at the age of sixteen, assumed the kingship. The celebrated Cardinal Richelieu was appointed as his prime minister, and served until 1642. During his sway, on July 29, 1629, Quebec was captured by the English, and remained in their possession, with Louis Kertk as governor, until the treaty of March 29, 1632, when it was surrendered to the French. Louis XIII. died May 14, 1643, and his widow, Anne of Austria, became regent, with Cardinal Mazarin as prime minister. He continued in office until 1661. The regency of Anne of Austria ended in 1651, and Louis XIV., at the age of fourteen, became king. He reigned until his death, September 1, 1715. The Duke of Orleans then became regent, serving until 1723, when Louis XV., then only thirteen years old, was crowned king. During his reign, on September 8, 1760, Canada was surrendered by Marquis Vaudreuil to General Jeffrey Amherst, and on November 29, 1760, Detroit was given up by the French Com- mandant Bellestre to Major Robert Rogers. In 1763, by the Treaty of Paris, sometimes called the

Treaty of Versailles, it was fully surrendered, and George III. of England became the sovereign of Detroit. Four kings, therefore, have ruled this region.

Under the French Government, a governor-gen- eral, appointed by the king, commanded at Quebec. Local commandants were appointed for Detroit and other posts with almost plenary power, but they were supposed to, and probably did, conform their authority as far as possible to French law. They were held responsible to the governor-general, to whom they reported.

The following is a list of the French governors of New France :

1603-1612, M. Chauvin, Commander de Chastes, and M. de Monts.

1612-1619, Samuel de Champlain, with Prince de Condé as acting governor.

1619-1629, Admiral Montmorenci as acting gov- ernor.

1633-1635, Samuel de Champlain.

1636, M. de Châteaufort.

1637-1647, M. de Montmagny.

1647-1651, M. d'Aillebout.

1651-1656, M. Jean de Lauson.

1656-1657, M. Charles de Lauson-Charny.

1657-1658, M. d'Aillebout.

1658-1661, Viscount d'Argenson.

1661-1663, Baron d'Avangour.

1663-1665, Chevalier de Saffrey-Mesy.

1665-1672, Chevalier de Courcelles.

1672-1682, Comte Frontenac.

1682-1685, M. Lefebere de la Barre.

1685-1689, Marquis de Denonville.

1689-1699, Comte Frontenac.

1699-1705, Chevalier de Callieres.

1705-1726, Marquis de Vaudreuil.

1726-1747, Marquis de Beauharnois.

1747-1749, Comte de la Galissonere.

1749-1752, Marquis de la Jonquire.

1752, Baron de Longueuil, acting governor

a short time.

1752-1755, Marquis Duquesne de Menneville.

1755-1760, Pierre de Rigaud, Marquis de Vau- dreuil-Cavagnal.

[83]

FRENCH AND ENGLISH RULE.

After the surrender of Canada by the Marquis Vaudreuil to General Amherst, the following mili- tary governors were appointed: General James Murray to command at Quebec, General Gage at Montreal, and Colonel Benton at Three Rivers.

In 1763, by proclamation of George III., the boundary of Quebec and other provinces was estab- lished, but no part of the territory northwest of the Ohio was included in any of the provinces then created. The same proclamation appointed General James Murray governor-general, and provided for his forming a council composed of the lieutenant- governors of Montreal and Three Rivers, the chief justice, the inspector of customs, and eight leading citizens.

On June 22, 1774, under the so-called Quebec Act, a civil government was first provided for the territory which included Detroit. By the terms of this Act the legislative power was vested in the governor, lieutenant-governor or commander-in- chief, and a council of not less than seventeen nor more than twenty-three persons, to be appointed by the king.

None of the governor-generals, however, exercised any authority over this region, except as military officers. As under French government, so also under English rule, the resident commandant exer-

cised the functions of both a civil and a military officer, subject to the orders of the commanding general; and all posts west of Detroit were gov- erned from this establishment.

A law dividing the province of Quebec into the two general provinces of Upper and Lower Canada became operative on December 26, 1791, and as the Ottawa River was the dividing line, Michigan there- after formed part of Upper Canada.

The following is a list of the English governors : 1760-1763, General Jeffrey Amherst.

1763-1766, General James Murray.

1766- , Paulius Emelius Irvine (President of Executive Council), for 3 months.

1766-1770, Sir Guy Carleton (Lieut .- Governor). 1770-1774, Hector T. Cramahe (President of Ex- ecutive Council).

1774-1778, Sir Guy Carleton.

1778-1784, General Frederick Haldimand (Lieut .- Governor).

1784- , Henry Hamilton (Lieut .- Governor).

1785- , Colonel Henry Hope (President of Council).

1785-1792, Guy Carleton, as Lord Dorchester.

1792-1796, John Graves Simcoe (Lieut .- Governor of Upper Canada).

CHAPTER XVI.

TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.

THE question as to what State, by virtue of its original colonial charter, possessed this portion of . the West has been frequently discussed. The claim of Virginia seems as well founded as that of any of the other States, and her claims were fortified by the fact that she was the only colonial State that ever attempted to exercise authority or jurisdiction in the Territories north and west of the Ohio. In October, 1778, as appears by the Statutes at Large (Vol. IX., page 557), the Assembly of Virginia organized the territory on the west of the Ohio, adjacent to the Mississippi, into the county of Illinois, and appointed Colonel John Todd military commandant. It is also shown by a letter from Winthrop Sargent, addressed to the President on July 31, 1790, and quoted in American State Papers, Public Land Series, Vol. I., that Todd transferred certain powers to a Mr. Legras, and that a court was held at Vincennes and various acts performed under direction of its judges. This would seem to be almost conclusive evidence of the rights of Virginia.

Dissensions in regard to the claims of the several States hindered the formation of the Union; but all of the States finally surrendered their claims.

To prepare the way for the cession, a law was passed in October, 1780, providing that the territory to be ceded should be disposed of for the common benefit of the whole Union ; that the States erected therein should be of suitable extent, not less than one hundred nor more than one hundred and fifty miles square. After the passage of this law, on March 1, 1781, New York released her claims ; Virginia, on March 1, 1784 ; Massachusetts, on April 19, 1785 ; and Connecticut, on September 14, 1786, and May 30, 1800. The particular region embrac- ing Detroit was ceded by Massachusetts.

The Northwest Territory.

On July 13, 1787, Congress passed an ordinance for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio. Nathan Dane, of Beverly, Massachusetts, founder of the Dane Law School of Cambridge, has been generally credited with the authorship of the ordinance. There is, however, no probability that the vital points of the ordinance were originated by Mr. Dane. As long ago as October, 1841, an article appeared in the

North American Review containing copious extracts from the diary of Dr. Manasseh Cutler, in which he distinctly claimed the authorship, without amend- ment, of portions of the ordinance. As the ordi- nance was expressly framed in the interest of the land company he represented, it is presumably the portion excluding slavery and providing for schools that is attributable to him. Further evidence of his authorship is contained in an elaborate article in the same periodical for April, 1876, written by William

N. W. TERRITORY By Ordinance of 1787, Treaties of 1783 & 1795.

Mississippi R.

CANADA.

Detroit.

Ohio River.

MAP OF TERRITORIAL BOUNDARY .- NO. I.

F. Poole, librarian of the Public Library of Chicago. He shows that at the time the ordinance was framed the country was in debt and in great need of money; and that the ordinance was designed to insure the sale to Dr. Manasseh Cutler, agent of the Ohio Com- pany of Associates, of one and one half million acres of land in the Northwest Territory. Further, by the history and language of all the preceding pro- posed ordinances, and of the committees on them ; by a comparison of the language of the ordinance as passed, with the style of Mr. Dane and the state- ments of his own biographer ; by the names of the committee who reported the final ordinance; by an analysis of the vote by which it was passed ; by a history of the organization in 1786-1787 of the Ohio

[85]

TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.

Company of Associates ; and, finally, by direct quo- tations from Dr. Cutler's own memoranda, in which there are evidences of clear-headed business capa- city, and rare ability as a writer, diplomat, and cor- respondent, he proves that Dr. Cutler was the author of the language which gives character to that most remarkable document.

Mr. Poole also shows that General St. Clair, then president of Congress, was induced to aid in the promotion of the scheme by the promise of being made governor; and that Winthrop Sargent, the first secretary of the Northwest Territory, was one of the officers of the company which founded the first settlement at Marietta, Ohio.

The ordinance provided for the appointment, from time to time, by Congress, of a governor, whose commission should continue in force three years, unless sooner revoked. He was to reside in the district, and, while acting as governor, was required to have therein a freehold estate of one thousand acres of land. The secretary, whose commission was to continue in force for four years unless revoked, was also to reside in the district, and was required to possess five hundred acres of land while in office.

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The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 22

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902 Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096