ing officer at Niagara, (Lieut. Colonel Bolton)135 by letters, one sent by land by a Savage, who was but 9 Days going, another in a batteau, by Lieutenant Chevalier Chabert - By these messengers the letters for the Commander in chief at Quebec got safe to Niagara -
9th. Monsieur de Celeron was dispatched with belts for the Indians of the Miamis and Ouabache rivers; He had orders to have the cannon at Fort Sackville spiked and the trunnions knock'd off; (if possible) his instructions were given him in writing -
11th. Learned the arrival of His Excellency General Haldimand at Quebec -
28th. Lieutenant Chevr. Chabert arrived from Niagara, and his Brother Joncaire Chabert with 70 Wyndatts from a scout.
September 7th. The Dunmore sailed for Niagara, with letters and returns for the Commander in chief.136
8th. receiv'd letters from His Excellency General Haldimand.137
15th. Mr. Bellefeuille arrived with letters from His Excellency.138
16th. wrote to the commanding Officer at Michillimakinac Major De Peyster, informing him of my design of going to the Ilinois -
17th. wrote to General Haldimand Lt. Governor Cramahe139 & Colol. Bolton.
18th. wrote to Lieutt. Govr. Cramahe, Major Carleton,140 Mr. Goddard (Inspector of Indian accompts at Montreal, & Baron de Longueville.141
20th. Major Hay review'd the 4 companies of militia on the N. side of the river, and made his report. - Memorandum Lieutt, Cassety of Captain J. Baptiste Campau's company did not appear, nor did one man of the Company turn out volunteer.
22. Monsieur Hypolite des Ruisseaux acknowledged he had had intimation of the design of the americans, before he left the Ilinois which was the 9th. of June142
This day Major Hay made his report of the 2 companies on the S. side of the river. Memorandum. Lieutenant Marantete of Captain Maisonville's company, of Militia, having declared aloud when under arms, that he would not march, and having repeatedly
absented himself from reviews was ordered to be reducd and to do his Corvée as a private man. -
23. orderd for the Miamis 15. large pirogues, under Captain McLeod Lieutenant Charles Gouin,143 and Mr. Nicholas Lorrain storekeeper at the Miamis - the loading consisted of 26,800 lb of Flour, in bags - 24 firkins of butter, - 37 half barrels of pork - 31 bales of dry goods, mark'd [with an arrow] - 2 pair of cartwheels shod, - 1 pair of cartwheels unshod - Total weight 33,200 lb -144
The Ottawas, Chippoweys, and Pouteouattamies were called to council, who told me they would accompany me - The Hurons who were also to have come, were prevented by bad weather but on the 24th. Dawatong or Sastaharitze and other Wyndatts came and offerd their services, which were accepted. &c.145
This day receiv'd the Volunteers from the several companies of Militia in the settlement to be formed into two detachments, under the name of volunteer chasseurs. - Being assembled on the common the oath of allegiance was tenderd to them, and to all the Officers and men of the militia and Indian department. I took this opportunity of disarming the disaffected, made them hawle the cannon from the Barracks to camp, appointed Officers to the detachment of chasseurs - Afternoon attended at an Indian feast - at 4 p m. the convoi of provision set off for the Miamis under the direction of C. McLeod, &c. and an escort of 50 of the Militia - 5 pairs of Bullocks ten horses with lastsaddles and geer for the carrying place, with 7 of the Militia -
25th. This day La Mothe's company with their arms & knapsacks at exercise, marched them to St. Bernards bridge, practiced them in defending and attacking from bloody bridge to St. Bernard's -146
wrote a letter jointly with Captain Lernoult to Louison Chevalier at St. Joseph's, requiring him to keep the Pouteouattamies at that Village till they should hear I was arrived at the Miamis - sent off the letter by Wyndeego chief of the P. of Detroit.147
prepared a present for the Shawanese with a speech to be carried by Captain McKee, exhorting them to perseverance, and desiring that some of their chiefs should meet me at the Miami -
that the lake Indians were risen to accompany me &ca.148
26th. Charles Baubin arrived with letters from the Miamis Town,149 he brought the talk of the Chickasaas to the Ouabache Indians,150 and a letter from Mons: de Celoron -
27th. Captn. McKee set off - Lieutt. La
Piconiere de Quindre with a Serjeant and 12 of the militia, the boatbuilder,
master carpenter, with tools & 20 horses with provisions, set off for the
carrying place
28th. encamped the volunteer detachments on the common -
29th. met the 4 nations in council, read to them the speeches of the Chickasaas, and Peankashaas and other Ouabash Indians, also those of the Virginians to these last - They expressed themselves as I could wish -
30th. A strong party of Chippoweys of Massigaiash's band came to offer their services. wrote a letter in Spanish to the officer commanding at St. Genevieve on the W. side of the Mississipi opposite Kaskaskias -152 wrote to the Commr. in Chief enclosing monthly return of Officers on the enterprize, speeches of the Chichasaas - extract of a council held 24th. instt - copies of letter and orders -
October 2. A return was this day given in of 13 batteaus calked and fitted with oars & ca capable of carrying 39,300 Lbs, and 17 pirogues and canoes to carry 33,700, Tot. 73,000 lbs
This afternoon an Indian feast on the common, all seem'd in good temper and welldisposed -
enclosed to the commander in chief returns &ca. with the dates as follow - Copy of orders, and extracts of letters containing orders, 30th. Sepr: - Speeches of the Chickasaas &ca 27th. Do. Monthly return of the Garrison - 30th. Do. Extract of a council - 24th. Do. Return of officers &ca. on the enterprize to St. Vincennes 30th. Do. Copy of a letter to the Spanish Commandant at St. Genevieve 30th Do.153
5th. This evening arrived Lieutt. Charles Gouin of the Militia and his brother Nicholas, in two days from Captn. M Leod in the Miamis river, with advice that the rebels were advanced to Ouiattanon, that they were joined by 200 French, that they had
French and Spanish Flags, that they were expected to be immediately at the Miamis, and that Monsieur de Celoron was to be at Detroit on the 6th. -
6th. Tents struck before day - embarkd the 6 pounder, and part of the stores - This morning at 7 o'clock, three Hurons arrived with accounts which they said might be depended on, that the Rebels in several detachmts. of 400 men each were advancing by different routes to Detroit, that the advanced guard of 800 men preceded the main body - little credit given to this report, such being frequent, however sent for the Indian chiefs, told them the news with my opinion upon it - found them well disposed - This Evening a reinforcement of 50 Regulars under the orders of Captain Byrd -154 from Niagara -
7th Embarked at 1/4 past two p m. one single man of the whole appeard in liquor (an Indian) - The disposition of the boats which had orders to keep as close as possible to that one which carried a distinguishing flag, was as follows - The Indians with their Officers and interpreters were divided and formed the front and rear divisions in their canoes - next to them followed the subdivisions of La Mothe's company, one commanded by their captain, in the rear of the 1st division of the Indians, the other by his Lieutt. preceded the rear division of the Indians - The Militia in two divisions were next to them on each flank - a Plattoon of the Regulars of the Kings Regiment next to them one on each flank - The Gun Boat[E] with the Artillery men in the Center -
a b c d E d c b a
a a Indians b b Volunteers c c Militia d d Regulars
E Gunboat
The Surgeon had orders to keep at or near the center.
On Tryal of the Gunboat she proved too weak, the seams opening on the first discharge, none of the stores were damaged the men leaping out immediately, and assistance given from on shore, she was unloaded, and Lt. DuVernet had another very expeditiously fitted for the purpose - we proceeded without delay and encamped at Riviere rouge before Sunset -155 A Guard mounted, and Pickett warned - sentries posted &c -
8th. would have taken advantage of calm and Moonlight to
they fell to with great keenness and very shortly the bones were all that was left for even the Bear's skin, boiled first and then broiled and cut into thongs had found its way down their throats - The Master of the Feast then took up the Bear's head by a Thong of bark and having given the War shout which was ecchoed by all present, he sung his War song accompanied by the dance as usual, all the company marking the measure by a deep exspiration coming from the bottom of their lungs, with a correspondent action of the Body and head, having made the circuit of the fire he laid the head at my feet - I followed his example carefully avoiding stepping over the fire, which is against their rules - ('tis remarkable that when going to war, if an Indian burns or otherways hurts himself he must not start or complain, and if a spark of fire lights on him, he must quickly pick it off without expressing pain-) some Chiefs followed, and some took a bite of the head, saying 'twas the head of the Great Knife, so they stile the Virginians - after these a young Ottawa chief danced, and being of the Nation invited by the Chippoweys, kept the head for himself -
This Evening (14th) Neegik169 brother to Chamintawa whom I had sent to the Miamis for intelligence, arrived - He told me he had met the gros Loup,170 (a Miamis Chief) who acquainted him with what had passed at St. Vincennes in a conference with the Rebels - On their arrival at that place they pulled down the English Flag left there by Governor Abbott, wrapp'd a stone in it, and threw it into the Ouabache - They convened the Savages, and told them they did not come with any bad design against them - They then presented them with two belts, one red, the other green, telling them if they were disposed for war, to take the first, if for peace the latter -
The old Tobacco, a Peankashaa chief, told the Americans they did not speak to be understood, that he never saw an instance or heard tell of such a thing, as at a conference to present good and evil at one and the same time, therefore he kicked their belts from him - A Young chief of the Pouteouattamies (the son of Lagesse)171 told them, that if he had not listend to the advice of the old men of his nation, and considerd the situation of his wife and children, he would before then have struck a tomahawk in
plomb - At 3 o'Clock p m. this day met François Maisonville with Pacane & gros Loup, & Hibon (Miamis Chiefs)175 Maisonville told me he met Monsieur de Celoron, at Riviere a la roche, who inform'd him the rebels were at the Miamis. Pacane told me the Rebels honor me with the title of the Dog. that they mean to use me as such - that I am to be hawled like a fish out of the water, and to be sundryed - that the Ottawas at River grande glaize longd to see us, as also the Miamis, - that the carrying place of the Miamis was in good order -
18th. Before sunrise assisted at a feast with the Chippoweys on a she Bear and 3 cubbs presented to them by Lieutt. Chabert. embarkd a little after Sunrise, met 7 return pirogues with 2 Serjt. and 32 of the Militia of Grosse pointe (at Detroit) who had taken up the provision with Captain McLeod - Breakfasted below the pays plats, dined above l'isle aux Aigles, encampd a little above the mouth of Grande glaise river -176 At this place are about 40 Warriors of the Ottawa nation. -
19th. The Savages having saluted us last night on our arrival, we returned their compliment this morning with 3 rounds from the 6 pounder - The inhabitants of this village assembled this morning to the number of 60, as we could not conveniently furnish them from the boats, gave them an order for cloathing to be supplyed them at Detroit - 14 of their Warriors presenting themselves to join us, I thanked them for their goodwill, and taking off my Warbelt, joind it to that of their Chief, and sung the War Song - They said they would follow me wherever I went, tho' I had broke thro' an old custom, in not pouring some rum on the Grindstone which was to sharpen the War Axe - I owned myself in fault, & orderd two bottles of Rum - This with the delay of issuing provision delay'd us 'till ten o'Clock, when we put off well satisfied with the disposition of our Ottawas - The grande Glaize is a River larger than the Severn at Glocester, and subject to sudden & violent floods - Night coming on we were obliged to encamp a league and half below our destind station -
20th. encamped a league above the Marais de l'Orme,177 being 7 leagues for this day's progress, the water swift we poled the whole way -
21st. A Messenger arrived from the Rocher de bout with a
letter from Captain McKee, informing me that nine hundred Virginians had taken post at Kushaghking,178 that the Shawanese and some faithful Delawares, were preparing to oppose them, and wanted ammunition for the purpose, That those 900 men were as an advanc'd guard, to be followed by the remainder of the force destined for the attack of Detroit -
This day advance 7 leagues, the stream for the most part pretty strong -
22. Had struck tents and embarked at Sunrise - Memm. to send powder and ball to the Shawanese from the Miamis Town. To send a trusty Messenger to Ouiattonon for intelligence - To concert with the chiefs about sending to the Ilinois by way of Chicagou.
23. Lieutt. F. de Quindre, Mr: McBeth the Surgeon, and Serjt. Sanscrainte joind from Detroit - We lay this night en bas des prairies -
24th. Julien (nickname Charlotte) was sentenced to run the Gauntlope for insolence to his Serjeant, Baron of La Mothe's company - We proceeded about 8 o'clock, and put ashore at the plain near the Miamis Village,179 where the Young men of that nation saluted as usual with several discharges of small arms, Our Savages returnd the compliment, after which was a kind of mock battle with blank powder - 7 rounds from the six pounder as a salute to the Miamis - In the afternoon aired the damaged powder - Assembled the chiefs of all the Nations present, informd them of the cause of my coming, and thanked all present for their cheerfull and quiet behaviour - told them they were to have an Ox to each nation tomorrow, but no rum -
It appears by all accounts, Monsieur de Celoron had been six or seven days at this place - Memm. to send François Maisonville and a Pouteouattamie, to St. Joseph for Wyndeego - Charles Baubin has 50 bushells of hulld corn, 150 in Ear & 2000 lb Pork - The Miamis at this Village had been told by Celoron, that the Rebels were at Ouiattonon, which alarm'd them so much, that several hid their Stores in the woods - The Gros loup is my authority -
25th. Remain in Camp - order an Ox for the Soldiers, another for the Miami, and one for the other Indians - sent off
six Batteaus with 20,000 lb of Provision for the carrying place - Lt. St. Cosme 1 Serjt. 17 Men - visited the Chiefs of the Miamis in their Village - The Petit Gris,180 and Gros Loup made me a present of 3 large basketts of Young corn, dried pumpion, and Kidney beans, saying that such coarse fare might serve for my cattle if I could not eat it myself but that they thought I would not scorn their present tho so inconsiderable as it was presented with sincere goodwill -
26th. Met in council in the open field, the chiefs of the Ottawas of Detroit, of the Glaise river, and of the Miamis, of the Chippoweys, Wyndatts, Miamis, and some Shawanese - Having smoaked in the pipes of the Quiquaboes, Ouiattonons, Mascoutainges, Shawanese and Cherakees, I addressd the whole present, returning thanks to the master of life for all favors, our prosperous journey hitherto, happy meeting &ca.
They were saluted with three rounds from the six pounder - I then shewed them the piece of Wampum which had been presented to me by the Ottawas, Chippoweys, and Pouteouattamies (which those Nations had given me at Detroit) and called their heart, desiring me to carry it with me where ever I should go - This gave me an opportunity of thanking those Nations for having risen and followed me so cheerfully - I then produced a road belt, by which they were to understand, that I should proceed to any part where the Rebels might be found, in order to dispossess them, and that the road should be constantly kept clear of all incumbrances - Turning to the Shawanese, desired them to mention in their Villages, the good understanding that subsisted among the Nations there present, exhorting them to act with their usual spirit upon the Frontiers - The War Belts were then produced, when taking up my own and that of Major Hay, I sung the War Song, in which I was followed by the Deputy agent, the chiefs, and principal warriors of the different nations - Most of them complained, that I did not wet the Grindstone with Rum, and that they had great difficulty in sharpening their father's Axe. The council was closed with 4 rounds from the six lbr. as a salute from the lake Indians to the River Indians - Memm. To send Lt. DuVernet to the portage tomorrow, with the Powder boats and Gun boat -
Gave a medal to the Old La Toupee - At night had a conference with the Gros loup, who promised to go before us to Ouiattonon (markd on the map Great Ouiat) report the disposition of the Indians there; & send intelligence if any was to be procured -
27th. Lt. DuVernet and Scheffelin set off for the Portage with 4 boats and an escort of 32 men -
Some Pouteouattamies from St. Joseph arrived with Louison Chevalier, and the Old Chief Nanaquìbé - The chiefs of the Lake Indians came in the evening to my Tent and talked upon the belt of the Chickasaas sent to the Shawanese and Delaweys, and by them to the Miamis, which they produced, the purport of this belt was to exhort them to unite for the purpose of repelling the Virginians, and to invite the other nations to join them. They also produced the String which the Virginians had sent to the Indians on the Ouabache, informing them of their intention of going to Detroit, and seizing me &ca. - It appears the Old Tobacco and his son (called the young Tobacco) are strong with the Virginians - The Grande Coéte181 (a Peankasháa chief) had declared he should act in conformity with his elder Brothers, meaning the Quiquaboes and Ouiattanons - The Spaniards advised the Indians not to credit the Virginians on their assurances, as they are incapable from their poverty to make good their promises - Egushewai told me the Miamias were desirous of having an axe presented to them - I agree to it -
28th. Wrote to General Haldimand -182 C Lernoult - Mr: Macomb - Sent off Captain La Mothe to the portage with orders to assist with his men in passing the boats -
Had a conference with the Pouteouattamies of St. Joseph - 183 Met the chiefs of the several nations assembled on the plain, at a feast given by the Ottawas to the Miamis and other Indians - prefaced a spirit of union - then addressed Nanaquibé an old chief of the Pouteouattamies of St. Joseph, commended his
zeal in coming so far at his advanced age to give an example to the young men - having touched upon the impropriety of his wearing a Medal of the French King while the King of G. Britain supplied them with ammunition and all necessaries - having an English Medal ready, I made the exchange - The War Song was then sung first by myself, then by the Chiefs & principal warriors of the different nations - The Sun was just setting when I took my leave, and proceeded to pied froid, where the boats were ready for transporting, on the other side of the river St. Joseph -
29th. The Gun boat was got on the Carriage with great difficulty - Lorimier from the Shawanoe Towns -184 directed him to proceed to Detroit and take his orders from Captain Lernoult - Left Major Hay and Captain Maisonville to forward the boats over the portage, and walked to the further end of the carrying place 3 leagues, where Captain Mc.Leod had a guard on the Provisions &ca Orderd Off Lieutenants DuVernet and Schieffelin with the six lbr. and fixed ammunition to go down the Creek in Pirogues -
This creek is one of the sources of the Ouabache and takes its rise in a level plain which is the heighth of land near the Miamis Town - the creek is called petite riviere185 Where the pirogues were first launched it is only wide enough for one boat and is much embarassd with logs and Stumps - about 4 miles below is a Beaver dam, and to those animals the traders are indebted for the conveniency of bringing their peltry by water from the Indian posts on the waters of the Ouabache - The Indians are sensible of the advantages they draw from the labors of the Beaver at this place, and will not suffer them to be killed in this neighbourhood - On my return met Lt. DuVernet with 7 pirogues loaded, orderd him to proceed and join Lt. St. Cosme who was below the Dam with some men employed to clear the chemin couvert,186 a narrow part of the Creek, so narrow and embarrassd with logs under water, and boughs over head that it required a great deal of work to make it passable for our small craft - In Summer the trees overarch the Creek, and as the snakes get into the branches it is very disagreable to pass, as they frequently fall into the canoes -
30th. sent Lt. De Quindre with 7 pirogues loaded with provision, & 14 men to follow Lt. DuVernet - In the evening
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