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 234 
 
 GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 
 
 AND THE KASKASKIA 
 
 i:AiVlPAIGN, I 777-1 778 
 
 .DITED BY 
 
 FREDr:ivlCK J. TURNER 
 
 KECKINTKU FROM THE 
 
 ^m<*vlcau llisstovial '§mmv 
 
 VOL. Vlll NO. 3 
 
 -APRIL 1903 
 
Glass EI-XS^ , 
 
 PRF.SENTI-n BY 
 
[Reprinted from Thp: American IIistoricai, Keview, Vol. VIII., No. 3, April, 1903.] 
 
 I 
 
 I . George Rogers Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign, ijjj—ijjS. 
 
 The transcripts of the following documents are kindly furnished 
 by Secretary Thwaites, of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, 
 from the George Rogers Clark papers in the extensive Draper col- 
 lection. This collection includes more important material, among 
 the documents being the original of Clark's Memoir. From the 
 original documents of a single year a few have been selected to 
 show the kind of material on which Clark based his Memoir, and 
 are of value, therefore, not only in the detail which they furnish 
 for our understanding of the campaign, but also in the light they 
 cast upon the authority of the Memoir itself 
 
 Attention may be called to the use which was made of this col- 
 lection in the paper on " Western State-Making in the Revolu- 
 tionary Era," published in the first volume of the American 
 Historical Review. In the Report of the American Historical 
 Association for 1895 were reprinted many documents from the same 
 collection bearing upon the relations between George Rogers Clark 
 and Genet. The present installment deals principally with the con- 
 ditions immediately preceding and following the capture of Kas- 
 kaskia in 1778. In the Review for October, 1895, I. 90, were 
 published the intercepted letters and journal of George Rogers 
 Clark, 1779, from the Canadian archives. 
 
 Frederick J. Turner. 
 
 I. George Rogers Clark to [Patrick Henry?] ' 
 
 Sir — According to promise I haste to give you a description of the 
 town of Kuskuskies, and my plan for taking of it. It is situated 30 
 leagues above the mouth of the Ohio, on a river of its own name, five 
 miles from its mouth and two miles east of the Mississippi. On the west 
 side of the Mississippi 3 miles from Kuskuskies is the village of Mozier, 
 [Misere — St. Genevieve] belonging to the Spaniards. The town of 
 
 'Draper MSS., 48J13. This is a copy ; the original is lacking. The following 
 note precedes the copy : " Copy of an old and much decayed letter of Gen'. G. R. Clark, 
 written plainly in the summer orfall of 1777, and very likely addressed to Gov^ Patl Henry. 
 It is transcribed as fully as could be Sone — as the original has been wet, and is much 
 worn and faded. L. C. D[raper]." In his Memoir Clark states that he communicated 
 his views to Patrick Henry, December 10, 1777 : English, Conquest of the Northwest, I. 
 468. 
 
 491 
 
492 Documents 
 
 Kuskuskies contains about one hundred families of French and English, 
 and carry on an extensive trade with the Indians ; and they have a consid- 
 erable number of negroes that bear arms and are chiefly employed in man- 
 aging their farms that lay around the town, and send a considerable 
 quantity of flour and other commodities to New Orleans, [" wHch they 
 barter every year, and get the return in goods up the Mississippi," 
 erased] . The houses are framed and very good, with a small but elegant 
 stone fort ' situated [but a little distance from] the centre of the town. 
 The Mississippi is undermining a part of Fort Chartress ; the garrison 
 was removed to this place, which greatly added to its wealth ; but on the 
 commencement of the present war, the troops [were] called off to re- 
 inforce Detroit, which is about three hundred miles from it — leaving the 
 fort and all its stores in care of one Rosehlack '' as comdl of the place, 
 with instructions to influence as many Indians as possible to invade the 
 Colonies ; and to supply Detroit with provisions, a considerable quantity 
 of which goes by the way of the Waubash R., and have but a short land 
 carriage to the waters of the [Miami] . 
 
 In June last I sent two young men there : They '' [Rocheblave and 
 the French] seemed to be under no apprehension of danger from the 
 [Americans.] The fort, which stands a small distance below the town 
 is built of stockading about ten feet high, with blockhouses at each corner, 
 with several pieces of cannon mounted [" 10,000 lbs " erased] powder, 
 ball and all other necessary stores without [any] guard or a single sol- 
 dier.^ Roseblack, who acted as Governor, by large presents engaged 
 the Waubash Indians to invade the frontiers of Kentucky, was daily treat- 
 ing with other Nations, giving large presents and offering them great 
 rewards for scalps. The principal inhabitants are entirely against the 
 American cause, and look on us as notorious rebels that ought to be sub- 
 dued at any rate, but I dont doubt but after being acquainted with the 
 cause they would become good friends to it. The remote situation of 
 this town on the back of several of the Western Nations ; their being well 
 
 ' The location of this fort has been in controversy. See Winsor, Narrative and 
 Critical History of Ame7'ica^ VI. 719, n. I. 
 
 * Philippe de Rocheblave. His account of the .situation in Kaskaskia, and informa- 
 tion on his career may be obtained from the following documents : Mason, Philippe de 
 Rocheblave, Fergus Historical Series, No. 34; Chicago Historical Society Collections, IV. ; 
 Michigan Pioneer Collections, IX. 350; Report on Canadian Archives, 1883, pp. 75, 76, 
 82; 1886,461,552,672. Note also the references to Philippe de Rocheblave in Wiscon- 
 sin Historical Collections, III. 213, 215; VII. 132. 
 
 3 See English, I. 467, 580. 
 
 * De Peyster, at Michilimacinac, June 27, 1779, writes : " The Kaskaskias no way 
 fortified; the fort being still a sorry pinchetted enclosure round the Jesuits' college," 
 Winsor, America, VI. 720. Carleton wrote under date of Sept. 15, 1777 (Mich. Pio- 
 neer Colls., IX. 350), that the troops were withdrawn from the Illinois to avoid unneces- 
 sary expense and that Rocheblave's salary was granted to him, " to have an eye to the 
 King's Interests in these Parts, and to advise Government of whatever might be carrying 
 on against them, this is all the service required of him." Haldimand informed Sir H. 
 Clinton, Nov. 10, 1778, that he had desired to have seven companies of the Fourteenth 
 Regiment sent to the Illinois, but it was determined to retire these companies (Draper 
 MSS., SSJ2). 
 
 
 )Q 
 
 d' 
 
 <jui)j!XjdLSL- 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 493 
 
 supplied with goods on the Mississippi, enables them [" to carry " erased] 
 to furnish the different Nations ["with goods " erased], and by presents 
 will keep up a strict friendship with the Indians ; and undoubtedly will 
 keep all the Nations that lay under their influence at war with us during 
 the present contest, without they are induced to submission ; [" that be- 
 ing situated above the mouth of the Ohio, ' ' erased] they will be able to 
 interrupt any communication that we should want to hold up and down 
 the Mississippi, without a strong guard ; having plenty of swivels they 
 might, and I dont doubt but would keep armed boats for the purpose of 
 taking our property. On the contrary, if it was in our possession it 
 would distress the garrison at Detroit for provisions, it would fling the 
 command of the two great rivers into our hands, which would enable us 
 to get supplies of goods from the Spaniards, and to carry on a trade with 
 the Indians [a line obliterated] them might perhaps with such small 
 presents keep them our friends. 1 
 
 I have always thought the town of Kuskuskies to be a place worthy 
 of our attention, and have been at some pains to make myself acquainted 
 with its force, situation and strength. I cant suppose that they could at 
 any [day — time — rate — hour?] raise more than six [or seven] hundred 
 armed men, the chief of them [are French — the British at Detroit being 
 at so great a] distance, so that they more than 
 
 An expedition against [Kaskaskia would be advantageous] seeing 
 one would be attended with so little expense — The men might be easily 
 raised with little inconvenience Boats and canoes with about 
 
 forty days provisions would [answer] them : they might in a few days 
 run down the river with certainty [to the] Waubash, when they would 
 only have about iive to march to the town, with very little danger of 
 being discovered until almost within sight, where they might go in the 
 night ; if they got wind [of us they might] make no resistance ; if [they 
 did,] and were able to beat us in the field, they could by no means de- 
 fend themselves — for if they flew to the fort, they would loose posses- 
 sion of the town, where their provisions lay, and would sooner surrender 
 than to try to beat us out of it with the cannon from the fort, as [they] 
 would be sensible that should [we fire] it before we left it, which would 
 reduce them to the certainty of leaving the country or starving with their 
 families, as they could get nothing to eat. 
 
 Was I to undertake an expedition of this sort, and had authority 
 from Government to raise my own men, and fit myself out without 
 [much delay] , I should make no doubt of being in [full possession of the 
 country] by April next. 
 
 I am sensible that the case stands thus — that [we must] either take 
 the town of Kuskuskies, or in less than a twelve month send an army 
 
 1 Gautier's Journal covering the winter and spring of 1777-177S ( Wisconsin Histor- 
 ical Collections, XI. 100) shows that considerable numbers of Indians of Wisconsin and 
 Northern Illinois were already disaffected to the British by the messages of the " Boston- 
 niens," or Americans. Compare Winsor, West%oard Movement, 113, for evidence of 
 Kickapoo disaffection. Clark's negotiations with the Indians of this section were doubt- 
 less facilitated by these facts. 
 
494 Documents 
 
 against the Indians on Wabash, which will cost ten times as much, and 
 not be of half the service. 
 
 II. Patrick Henry to George Rogers Clark.' 
 
 W^'BURGH Jan 15'!" 1778 
 Sir 
 
 Col? David Rogers * is to go to New Orleans on the Business of 
 Trade I mentioned to you, and I have opened the secret Nature of your 
 Expedition to him as it was necessary for his Safety. I wish I had 
 known of his being acquainted with all the places you are going to. He 
 is intimately acquainted in all that country having been often times 
 through every place there and can give you valuable Intelligence and 
 Advice. I wish you to avail yourself of his Counsel and proceed as you 
 find the Interest of your Country directs when you get to the place you 
 are going to. AVhat I have in view is, that your Operations should not be 
 confin'd to the Fort and the Settlement at the place mention' d in your 
 Secret Instructions, but that you proceed to the Enemys Settlements 
 above or across, as you may find it proper." 
 
 Col° Rogers will be in Danger as he comes up the River Homewards 
 unless he can fall in with your party and return with them. If you should 
 return before he does, leave a Company of 50 men under a good Officer 
 somewhere down Ohio or wherever the Col° shall direct to escort him 
 Home with his Cargo. This is a JMatter of Consequence and I hope will 
 not fail, as the Danger otherwise about the lower parts of Ohio will be 
 great.* I am 
 
 Sir 
 
 ¥"■ mo. hble Servant 
 
 P. Henry 
 
 \_Superscription ;] Col°. George Rogers Clark far^ by Col° Rogers. 
 
 1 Draper MSS., 4SJ17. 
 
 2 Governor Henry wrote, January 14, 1778, to the Governor at New Orleans to the 
 efifect that his messenger, Colonel David Rogers, would receive commands with reference 
 to common action on the Mississippi. Governor Henry suggests as desirable the annexing 
 of West Florida to the American Confederacy, and informs the Spanish governor that 
 he has thought it necessary to build a fort near the mouth of the Ohio, but " that shall 
 depend on what your excellency shall please to write me on the subject." He further 
 asks a loan of 150,000 pistoles to Virginia. Colonel Rogers was to receive the goods said 
 to be lodged at New Orleans for Virginia. Rogers's letter to Henry, October 4, 1778, 
 describes his reception. This and Galvez's reply to Henry are in Draper MSS., 58J, 
 84-91, 103, loS, being copies from the Carleton papers. Colonel Rogers was killed by 
 the Indians while returning with the goods, a little .above Licking Creek on the Ohio 
 (English, I. 554; Roosevelt, II. 136), and his papers fell into the British hands. 
 
 ' This probably refers to Vincennes and possibly to Detroit. Compare English, I. 
 412. 
 
 ^George Rogers Clark, February 3, 1779, wrote to Governor Henry of his projected 
 expedition against Vincennes, and of the arrangements he had made for the galley 
 to join Colonel Rogers on the Mississippi if his attack failed. See English, I. 262, 
 263. 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 495'' 
 
 III. Patrick Henry to George Rogers Clark.' 
 
 W°;'BURGH Janry 24'" 1778. 
 Sir 
 
 Being just now informed that you had given a Commission, with • 
 recruiting Instructions to some Person as low down as the County of 
 Amelia, to enlist men for the Service which you are appointed to com- 
 mand, I am under a Necessity of expressing my Concern at your Conduct, 
 well knowing that men inhabiting that part of the Country are by no 
 means proper to be employ' d on the Expedition which you are to direct, 
 indeed you must certainly remember that you inform' d me, that you 
 expected to get men enough to compleat the seven Companies, partly at 
 Kentuck and partly within the Carolina line, and that if you shou'd fail 
 in your Expectation, any Deficiency cou'd easily be made up in the 
 frontier Counties in the neighborhood of Fort Pitt the South Branch and 
 the Frontiers : I must therefore desire You to pursue your first Inten- 
 tions, for by enlisting any Men in the lower Counties You will not only 
 procure improper Persons, but you may also throw those Counties into 
 great Confusion respecting the Act of Assembly passed this Session 
 for recruiting the Continental Army. The men you enlist will not be 
 exempted from this Draught. I am Sir 
 
 Y-: hble Servf 
 
 P. Henry 
 Col° G. R. Clark. 
 [Superscription .■] To George Rogers Clark Esq. supposed to be at Fort 
 
 Pitt. 
 
 IV. Major W. B. Smith to George Rogers Clark.' 
 
 HoLSTON River 7"" March 1778 
 Dear Col"! 
 
 It has never bin in my power to informe you of my proceedings 
 Since I left Williamsburge till now this day I fitted of A Company of 
 forty four men to kintuckey under the Command of Cap' Thomas Dil- 
 lard all of which are well fixl young harty fellows — three Companies 
 moore '' I Expect to be ready to March from this the Twentieth of this 
 Instant provisions in this Quarter is Very Scarce and I Expect to sink 
 more [than] three hundred pound in fitting them off Corne from Seven 
 an!* Sixpenc. to too doller pf bushel and bacon Seven pound ten a hun- 
 dred — and Scarce to be had — you may Depend on my being as indus- 
 terous as in my power lies — a few days ago there Came an Express from 
 kentuckey here and informed me of Capt. Daniel Boone with Twenty 
 
 1 Draper MSS., 48J18. 
 
 "Draper MSS., 48J19. Clark writes in his Memoirs (English, I. 469): "I ad. 
 vanced to Major William B. Smith £ 150, to recruit men on Holston, and to meet me in 
 Kentucky (He never joined me)." For Clark's statements of his disappointment in 
 failing to receive these four companies, and for the desertion of part of Dillard's com- 
 pany after the announcement of the destination of the expedition see English, I. 414, 
 469, 471. Clark received this letter March 29. 
 
496 Documents 
 
 eight men being taken prisonners from the Salt licks on licking Creek, 
 with out Sheding one drop of blood. This is all the news I have to 
 Informe you of part of which I am sorry for — The barure of this to you 
 . is a Soldier in Dillards Company — I hope Sir you will provide him a 
 Gun as he is with out - — 
 
 I have nothing moore to informe You of at this Time in hopes you 
 will Excuse me for not Complying with your orders sooner as it was not 
 in my power before — I am Dear Sir — 
 
 Yours for Ever god bless 
 You 
 To Col° Goorg R Clark W" Bailey Smith 
 
 V. Major W. B. Smith to George Rogers Clark.' 
 
 HoLSTON River 29'." March 1778 
 Dear Col". 
 
 I wrote you from this quarter to Fort pitt — informing you I should 
 be out at kentuckey by the 20. day of April but sir I am under the Neces- 
 saty of informing you it is out of my power to meet you according to the 
 Time I appointed You must no Sir I have failed in gethering my troops 
 According to Expectatation I had all the Suckcess in the world before 
 the draught- Came on — and the Arival of Squire Boone in this quarter 
 which informed the Inhabitant [s] of Daniel Boone with 2 7 Men being 
 taken prisonners from the Salt Springs on licking creek these infurnal 
 reports has turned back, too Companies of Men — that was on ther 
 March th[r]ough the Mountains and I must of cours wate here till I Re- 
 cruite others — the county Lieut! in this quarter gives me but small 
 incouridgment — tho I dont in the least despair but I Shall make my 
 Companies Compleet — after wating hire. Some time I, have officers now 
 in the differant sets, that are yousing — there utmost indeavour in that 
 business and you may Rely on my doing doing every thing for you in my 
 power in this business — I have but one Company yet march'' which are 
 Stationd at Boonsborough : Commanded by Col" John Donalson from 
 pittsylvania and Col Dillard as first Lieutenant — thirty Moore are now 
 on there march — and the rest I am deturmd to have gethered before I 
 leave this if possable — I have nothing Moore to say on this Scoore. etc 
 — but if you have not retired to Dranings Lick ' I would give it as my 
 opinion you had better make the place of Rondavous at the big bone 
 lick where I am informd there will be a garrison arected — as soon as 
 Col° Bowman Can get out — which will be as Convenient to me as if 
 we meet at Dranings Lick — be it as it will Sir, I hope you will send 
 letters to Boonsborough as soone as you arive as I may know where to 
 
 1 Draper MSS. , 48J20. 
 
 2 Compare Henry's letter to Clark, No. II., ante. 
 
 ^Drinnon's Lick near the Kentucky River. See also English, I. 558. Bowman 
 mentions that the expedition landed salt kettles at the mouth of the Kentucky en route 
 to the Falls. 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 497 
 
 march to on my arival in that quarter — Col° Bowman I Expect will 
 send and Express to as Soone as he gits out — I am Dear Col° 
 Yours for Ever god bless you — 
 
 W" Bailey Smith 
 
 VI. John Campbell to George Rogers Clark./ 
 
 Pittsburgh June S'l" 1778 
 Gentlemen 
 
 As the Opportunitys from the Seat of War and Congress into your 
 Country is so very seldom and the late Accounts from Europe are so in- 
 teresting I can not refrain from communicating them to you tho I am 
 necessiated to be concise the bounds of a letter not admiting of any thing 
 more 
 
 The 26* of May last we Celebrated the Joy full News here with the 
 Discharge of Thirteen Pieces of Canon and a Tripple discharge of Mus- 
 quetry 
 
 On or about Christmas Eve last Two Treatys were concluded 
 between the Plenepotentiarys of the United States of America and The 
 French King whereby the French King cedes all North America and the 
 Bermudas Islands to the United States of America and declares their 
 Independence will Trade with them and protect their Trade The 
 Americans are under no Restrictions whatever except they shall not 
 return to their Dependance On Great Brittain these matters are made 
 known to the British Court by the French Ambassadore the Consequence 
 is that Brittain has recalled ther Ambassador from France and Ordered 
 theirs Home. Therefore we daylay expect to hear of War being De- 
 clared between the two powers and consequently We must assist France. 
 Lord North has moved for Conciliatory Methods with America and two 
 Acts of Parliment are passed one Suspending several Acts of Parliment or 
 rather explaining the right of Taxation in America and the Other Ap- 
 pointing Commissioners to Treat with the Americans both of Which ac- 
 cording to the Way they are now understood by Us will be rejected with 
 the Contempt they deserve. 
 
 General How is said to be on the Wing from Philadelphia and I 
 hope to have the pleasure of informing you soon that there is not a Brit- 
 ish Soldier except Prisoners on any part of the Continent of America. 
 M' Wells is just waiting he can inform you of some of the particulars of 
 these Glad Tidings to whom I must refer you and am 
 
 Your Hum? Servt. 
 
 John Campbell. 
 
 \_Superscriptwn : ] Col. George Rogers Clark In His Absence to the In- 
 habitants of Kentuckey. 
 
 1 Draper MSS., 4SJ22. This is doubtless the letter mentioned by Clark in his 
 Memoir (English, I. 474) where he speaks of his hope of attaching the Illinois French 
 to the American interest, and adds, " fortunately I had just received a letter from 
 Colonel Campbell, dated Pittsburg, informing me of the contents of the treaties between 
 France and America." 
 
498 Documents 
 
 VII. Cesirre to George Rogers Clark. ^ 
 Monsieur 
 
 Les travaux De naux Res Colte Mond enpaichez Davoir honneur De 
 vous aller faire Maresverance Et Moblige de vous Envoiyez Par un autre 
 Macommition chause que Jaures Este flatte Defaire Mois Maime Jes Paire 
 au Plus taux quil Me Sera Posible Deme rendre a Mondevoir Je Crois que 
 vous vous deres Bien Mes Cusere un Peux Etgand Esposez Mes Raison 
 au Cappitaine qui Est venud ice Jenes Rien Denouvaux avous Marque 
 que de Me Croire avec tous Le Res Pec Posible 
 
 au Kashaux le Monsieur Votres humbles 
 
 10 Juliette Obeisand Serviteur 
 
 1 7 78 — Cesirre 
 
 \_Siipei-scripiioti : ] Monsieur Monsieur Colonel Gorge Rogers Clark 
 
 Commandand enChef Des Illinois pour les Etat unis De la Merique 
 
 au Kaskaskias 
 
 [Translation.] 
 S/r 
 
 The labor Of our Harvest hinders Me from having the honor Of 
 going to express to you My reverence and obliges Me to [have] Sent 
 from you By another person My commission a Thing which I had hoped 
 To do My Self I Hope at Least that it Will be Possible for Me To per- 
 form My duty, I Believe that you will Certainly excuse Me in a Small 
 measure when My reasons are Explained to the Cappitaine who came 
 from here I have Nothing New to inform you of only Believe Me with 
 all Possible Respect 
 
 Sir Your humble Obedient Servant 
 
 At the Kashaux Cesirre 
 
 the 10 July 1778 
 \_Superscription .•] Colonel George Rogers Clark Commander in Chief of » 
 
 The Illinois for the united States of America at the Kaskaskias. 
 
 viii. Cerre to George Rogers Clark. 2 
 
 Monsieur 
 
 Jai ete extremement mortifie de ne metre pas trouve en mon domi- 
 cile lors de votre arrivee aux Caskakias 
 
 Jaurias eu L' honneur de vous donner des preuves de mon Entiere 
 Soumission a mes Superieurs mais mon Etat etant detre marchand et par 
 
 'Draper MSS. , 4SJ23. The signature is a tritie difficult. There was a Joseph 
 Cesire at Cahokia ( Kashaux is Cohoes, or Cahokia ) . See Illinois Historical Society Pubs. , , 
 IV. 205. Set the document 'X.,post, where he is called captain. The document is 
 chiefly remarkable for Its French. 
 
 ^Draper MSS., 48J24. Cerre was a principal merchant of Kaskaskia. Clark 
 describes his dealings with him in his Memoir (English, I. 477, 47S, 4S1, 4S4-7). 
 Compare Ulirh. Pioneer Colls., X. 294; IX. 4S4. Rocheblase desired that relief to 
 his family after his capture should be transmitted by orders on Cerre {^Chi. Hist. So. 
 Pubs., IV. 418). Paschal L. Cerre (born 1773) tells (Draper MSS., 8J51) that Clark 
 peeped through the windows of the Cerre residence on the night of the capture of 
 Kaskaskia, to the indignation of Mme. Cerre. 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 499 
 
 consequent oblige de voyager dans les differens postes de ces pays pour 
 faire Subsister ma famille, ma mauvaise Etoile ou pour mieux dire Ihabi- 
 tude annuelle ou je Suis de commencer mes voyages dans ce temps ont 
 cause mon malheur ,et Suivant le bruit public mes Ennemis Jaloux des 
 peines que je me donne pour me procurer une heureuse mediocrite ont 
 profite de mon absence pour me noircir et me metre mal dans lesprit des 
 personnes dont je nai pas L'honneur detre connu bien persuade que ma 
 conduitte passee et celle avenir vous etant connue une fois vous me 
 rendrez la justice qui est due a tout bon Sujet Soumis Je Grains que dans 
 le premier instant les faux raports de mes Ennemis ne portent quel qua 
 teinte a ma fortune Seul objet de leur haine, dailleurs ayant entre les 
 mains les affaires de defunt M' Viviat coUoquees avec plusieurs personnes 
 des Caskakias et qui demandent ma presence. Jose vous Supiier Mon- 
 sieur devouloir bien maccorder un Sauve conduit pour me transporter en 
 mon domicile afin quen vertu dicelui je puisse me laver des accusations 
 que Ion vous afait contremoy et vaquer aux affaires qui mappellent au dit 
 lieu Cest lagrace quespere de vous le Sujet le plus Soumisqui a Lhon- 
 neur dfitre avec le plus profond respect 
 
 Monsieur Votre tres humble et tres 
 
 obeissant Serviteur 
 
 A S' Genevieve > Cerre 
 
 le 11." Juillet 1778 
 
 Monsieur Gf Clark 
 
 [0« backing -r^ Letters Inclosed in one Cover To Col° Clark July 11"' 
 
 1778. 
 
 [Translation. ] 
 
 Monsieur 
 
 I was extremely chagrined that I was not at home at the 
 time of your arrival at Caskaskia. I would have had the honor of giving 
 you proofs of my entire submission to my superiors But my profession 
 being that of a merchant, and consequently obliged to travel to the dif- 
 ferent posts of this country to make a living for my family, My unlucky 
 star, or to speak more correctly, the annual habit I am in of commencing 
 rny journeys at that time caused my misfortune. 
 
 According to public rumour my enemies jealous of the efforts I make 
 to obtain a comfortable mediocrity, have profited by my absence, in 
 order to blacken me and destroy me in the opinion of persons to whom I 
 have not the honor of being known ; well persuaded that my past conduct 
 and that to come being once known to you, you will render me the jus- 
 tice that is due to every good and submissive subject. 
 
 I fear that in the first moment the false reports of my enemies may 
 cause injury to my fortune, the only object of their hatred, besides hav- 
 ing in my hands the affairs of the deceased Mr. Viviat to arrange with 
 several persons of Kaskaskia and who require my presence. 
 
 I venture to solicit you Monsieur to have the goodness to grant me a 
 passport to go home in order that I may be able to clear myself of the 
 accusations that have been made to you against me, and attend to the 
 
500 
 
 Documents 
 
 affairs that call me there. It is the favour that the most submissive sub- 
 ject hopes from you, and who has the honor of being with the most pro- 
 found respect Monsieur your very humble and 
 
 very obedient Servant 
 
 Cerre. 
 St. Genevieve 
 
 II July 177S 
 Monsieur Gf Clark. 
 
 IX. Cesirre to George Rogers Clark.' 
 ATonsieur 
 
 Jes Resud Lonneurre de lavotre Et vous Suit infinemez oblige de 
 la Bonte que vous nous Marquez et Jes Pairre que vous nesere Jamais 
 Dans le Cas devous Repantire Devos nouvaux Suges Soiyez Persuade que 
 Jemettere tous Cequisera amonpouvoire Pour tenire Luniondans Lestas 
 Jevous Pris Sy vous me faitte Lonneure de Mes Crirre Daurenavay Demes 
 Crire Enfrancois vud que Jenes persone qui Soid Capable de Minterprette 
 Jenes poind Denouvelle avous Marquere qui Meritte votre attantion M' 
 Ihomme Porteur Delapresante vous dira Cequi Sepase Jevous pris deme 
 Croire avec tous Leres pec posible 
 
 Votres humb' 
 au Kashaux Obeisand Serviteur 
 
 Ce 23, Juliette 
 
 1778 — Cesirre 
 
 {Superscription .■] Monsieur — Monsieur George Rogers Clark Command- 
 ant Enchef Des Illinois pour Les Etat unit De la Merique Au Kaskas- 
 kias. 
 
 [Translation.] 
 
 Sir 
 
 I Received the letter you did me The honor to write And am in- 
 finitely obliged for the Favor that you Accord us and I hope that you 
 will Never be In a Situation to Repent concerning your new Subjects Be 
 Persuaded that I shall do all that is in my power To maintain union in 
 The state I Beg you If you do me The honor of writing Me in the future 
 To write to me in french since I have no one who Is capable of inter- 
 preting for Me I have nothing New to Inform you of that is Worthy of 
 your attention The man who Carries This to you will tell you what is 
 occurring I beg you to Believe me with all possible respect 
 Your humble Obedient Servant 
 
 Cesirre 
 At the Kashaux July the 23 1778 
 
 {Superscription ;] Mr. George Rogers Clark, Commander In chief of the 
 Illinois for The united States Of America At the Kaskaskias. 
 
 ^ Draper MSS., 4SJ25. 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 501 
 
 X. George Rogers Clark to Messrs. [?] ' 
 
 Kaskaskias 24°"' Juilliet 1778 
 Messieurs 
 
 Je recu ce matin vos Lettres des plaintes de chaque'un et je suis 
 fachez de trouvez qu'il y'a des difficultie occassionez par de vue d'in- 
 terets dans La commerce, par des individu parmi Les Savages si nuisible 
 au Paix et tranq [uillite] de notre paiez J'espere Messieurs que vu pren- 
 drai en consideration, que ce le devoir de chaq'un de nous de suprimer 
 Les insults des savages des une aux autres qu'enfin le desir de gagne 
 n' occasion pas une Division parmi nous. Commes des gens Libre nous- 
 avons Droit de faire une commerce Legitime sans etre Sujets aux insults 
 d'un fier citoyen, Mais ni pas sur Les possessions on bien d'autres [sans 
 leur] consentment, J'ai appris que Le voiture de Mons [MS. torn] etait 
 sur Le Mississippi apre traitte. Si [MS. torn] comme une faut enver 
 Monsieur M'rCarty^ il est oblige [de] repondre pour sa conduite. Mon- 
 sieur M'Carty rendrai Les Butins de Monsieur Gagne, Mais pour L'ar- 
 anger L' affaire ou Les dispute a L' amiable, Capt Cecire nommerai une 
 persone pour agir avec Lui — au nomme de La republique et chaq' un des 
 disputants, prendront deux personnes pour terminer Leures disputes par 
 arbitration — une coppie de Leur decissions me serai envoye pour etre 
 approver et si je Lapprouve sa sera final Je suis 
 
 Mess? 
 Je Certifie La traduction cy dessus Votres humble Serviteur 
 Juste et veritable selon L' intention 
 de celle ecrite en Englais par M' G : Signe 
 
 R: Clark Comm.'. des Illinois etca G. R. Clark 
 
 etca etca — 
 
 Hansen 
 
 [Translation.] 
 
 Kaskaskias, July 24, 1778. 
 Messrs. — 
 
 I received this morning your Letters complaining of one another 
 and I am sorry to find that there are difficulties occasioned by 
 the consideration of commercial interests, by different persons among 
 the Savages so hurtful to the Peace and tranquility of our country. I hope, 
 sirs, that you will take it into consideration, that it is the duty of each 
 one^of us to suppress The insults of the savages toward any one [of us] 
 and also that the desire for profit will not occasion a Division among us. 
 As Free people we have Right to carry on a legitimate traffic without 
 being subject to the insults of a proud citizen, But but none over The 
 possessions or goods of others [without their] consent. I have learned 
 that The Conveyance of Mons[ieur] [MS. torn] was on The Mississippi 
 
 1 Draper MSS., 48J26. 
 
 2 This is probably the trader Richard McCarty, whose letter to DePeyster gave in- 
 formation of the capture of Kaskaskia [Mick. Pioneer Colls., IX. 368). He afterwards 
 accepted a captain's commission under the Americans. There are numerous letters from 
 him in the Draper MSS. and in the Calendar of Virgi7iia State Papers, e. g., I. 379. Cf. 
 English, I. 278. 
 
502 Documents 
 
 after being treated. If [MS. torn] as a trespass against Monsieur McCarty 
 he is obliged to answer for his conduct. Monsieur McCarty will 
 return The Booty of Monsieur Gagne, But in order to arrange the 
 affair or The dispute amicably Capl. Cesire will name one person to act 
 with Him in the name of The republic and each of the disputants, will 
 take two persons to terminate Their disputes by arbitration — a copy of 
 Their decisions will be sent me for approval and if I approve It that will 
 be final I am, Sirs, 
 
 Your humble Servant 
 
 (Signed) G. R. Clark 
 I Certify The translation of the above [to be] Just and correct according 
 to The intention of that written in English by Mr. G : R : Clark Comm' 
 of the Illinois etc. etc. etc. 
 
 Hansen 
 
 « 
 XI. Perrault to George Rogers Clark. ^ 
 
 Monsieur, 
 
 Jeprends la liberte devous ecrire au sujet d'un billet que J'ai consenti 
 a I'ordre de Mf De Rocheblave le i6. X.'"" dernier dela somme de huit 
 cent seize livres dix sols en pelleterie a compte duquel mon cher pere a 
 paye sur un mandat que Cd' Sf a tir^ en faveur de Mf Pratte le 13. may 
 1778. la somme de sept cents livres en pelleterie comme vous pourez le 
 voir par les pieces que Jai remiser au Sf Thomas Brady 
 
 En outre il y a encore adeduire la quantite de soixante cinq livres 
 en pelleterie convenue avec M.' de Rocheblave pour le ossailler ^ qui se 
 sont trouvees dans le lard que je lui ai achete. 
 
 J'ose esperer. Monsieur, de votre equite que vous voudrez bien endosser 
 ces objets sur Cd' billet et charger quelqu'un de vos ordres pour recevoir 
 le montant de cinquante et une livre dix sols qui restent duex. 
 
 J'ai I'honneur detre avec respect, 
 Monsieur, Votre tres humble 
 
 et tres ob' ■ Serviteur 
 
 A S' Louis le 23. Juillet 1778. H. Perrault 
 
 A M' le Colonel Clark Commandant aux Cas. 
 
 {Superscription .•] Monsieur Monsieur le Colonel Clark Commandant 
 aux Caskaskias 
 
 [Translation.] 
 Sir 
 
 I take the liberty of writing you on the Subject of a note that I gave 
 to the order of Mr. De Rocheblave December 16 last for the sum of 
 eight hundred Sixteen livres ten Sols in peltry on which my dear father 
 has paid At the demand of the said Gentleman, drawn in favor of Mr. 
 Pratte May 13 1778 the Sum of Seven hundred livres in peltry as you 
 may see by the receipts that I remit to Mr. Thomas Brady. 
 
 1 Draper MSS., 48J27. This is interesting in its information as to the kind of 
 subjects presented to Clark. 
 
 2 For ossekt ? 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaig7t 503 
 
 Besides there is still a deduction amounting to Sixty five livres in 
 peltry agreed upon with Mr. de Rocheblave for the bones that were 
 found in the pork that I bought of him. 
 
 I dare hope, Sir, that by reason of your equity you will certainly en- 
 dorse these sums on the aforesaid note, and give some one your orders to 
 receive the remaining fifty one livres ten Sols I have the honor of being 
 with respect, sir. Your very humble and very obedient Servant 
 
 H. Perrault 
 
 At St. Louis the 23 July 1778 
 To Colonel Clark commanding at the Cas. [caskias] 
 
 \_Superscription .•] Colonel Clark Commander at the CasKaskias. 
 
 XII. Winston to Ofb'icers.^ 
 Sir 
 
 I am to aquaint you that there is Something Incomprehensible a 
 Carrying on in Town this night tis Suspected that Cerre * is this Night 
 in Town [MS. illegible] of M.'. Le Chance this I give you from mere hearsay 
 and the Maneouvres I See Slighly Carried on by the People in the 
 Dark 
 
 I am Sir Yours'and the States 
 Truely Faithfull friend and 
 Hum!° Serv'. 
 
 Rich" Winston.' 
 [Superscription .•] To The Office of the Guard Fort Clark 
 
 XIII. Memorandum by George Rogers Clark.* 
 
 On our first taking possession of the Illinois in 1778 having no public 
 money to advance, to the Commissaries Quartermasters etca I generally 
 examined their Accounts and gave Bills of Exchange on Government 
 for the amount this was the practice for some time but engrossing too 
 much of my attention on business of greater moment to the public I com- 
 plained of it and Cap' Shannon was appointed by Order of the Governor 
 Conducter General etca I then had no further business with accounts in 
 that department (nor knew very little about them) Purchases, Issues 
 etca etca was then immediately under his direction for the payment of 
 which he drew Bills on me and I countersgned [countersigned] them but 
 never looked at his Accounts. I know that he was obliged sometimes 
 to barter a good deal to procure necessaries as he had Orders to make 
 use of every means to collect what Stores he could as we had by the ex- 
 pectation of the assistance of the Kentucky Malitia a designe of taking 
 possession of Detroit what Posts I was at when I signed the Bills in con- 
 templation I do not remember as I was too deeply engaged in my mili- 
 
 ' Draper MSS., 4SJ28. 
 ^ See the letter from Cerre ante. 
 3 Richard Winston was afterwards Todd's lieutenant. 
 
 < Draper MSS., 4SJ29. This illustrates the kind of difficulties which led to the 
 contest between Clark and Virginia over his unsettled claims. 
 
504 Docjiments 
 
 tary arrangements to think much of things that had at that time so little 
 weight in the Scale of affairs : but a considerable time after I had made 
 my final Settlement with Government 1783 Mr Gratiott ' as attorney in 
 fact for Cap' Langtott" presented those Bills to me in richmond for pay- 
 ment I argued that it was Cap' Shannon's business to arrange them, 
 nothing would do but the payment a Suit was ordered and brought forward 
 by Mr Tazwell not doubting but I should hereafter be refunded I paid 
 off the Bills on my return to Kentucky Cap' Shannon informed me that 
 he should shortly make his final Settlement with Government when 
 things would be arranged and that I was in no danger of suffering this 
 was the case from time to time till he was sent Delegate and actually did 
 settle and on his return did inform me that on my application to the 
 assembly I would get paid for the large Bill the other he would settle for 
 in lands if agreeable which [was agreed to] and wrote a letter explain- 
 ing the nature of the large Bill which I sent with a Petition to my brother 
 of Spotsylvania to present to the assembly which he twice did to no pur- 
 pose Col? Thruston brought the enclosed to me which I got from him 
 last spring which shows that Cap' Shannon Settled for those Bills with 
 the State of Virginia, those and similar circumstances hath prolonged 
 this business to the present pereod — The whole of the Staff was then 
 under his derection however complicated this may appear I have paid 
 this money and for which I have rec!" no satisfaction — Dec 3!* 1794. 
 
 G. R. Clark 
 
 XIV. Jos. Bowman to George Rogers Clark.' 
 
 Kahokal' October 30^ 1778. 
 Dear Col". 
 
 Inclosed you! Receive two Letters from Denow which I made free to 
 open In order to compair them and another from the said person to a 
 Certain Gentleman together, which treated upon one subject, but at a 
 great Advearance [sic] In your letters I find you are still Incouraged 
 about Receiving your Horses whearin it mentions of their only waiting 
 upon one Nation of Indians, whome they had sent for other ways they 
 wood have Returnd by this time with the Horses — in the other Gentle- 
 mans Letter they say that they have yet five Horses — besides the six 
 they have sent, and Desiref that he will purchace six or seven Hogheads 
 of Taffee more with the Greatist saifty; as the Expence they have already 
 against State amounts to fifteen Hundred Livers. 
 
 I have sent you by Cap!;; Winston a half moon of Silver which I got 
 out of the Continantle store, which seam'' to have been Provided for offi- 
 cers. I have taken one for myself and some more yet Remaining, if 
 they are wanting they Can be had at any time I likewise got five for 
 
 1 Charles Gratiot. See Wis. Hist. Colls., X. 239. 
 
 ^Linctot. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XI. 113. 
 
 ^Draper MSS., 48J43. For the career of Major Joseph Bowman, brother of Colonel 
 John Bowman, see English, I. 108 et passim. He was descended from George Bowman 
 and a daughter of Joist Hite, the German pioneer of the Shenandoah Valley. 
 
Clark and the Kaskaskia Campaign 505 
 
 Indians but made Lite and not so compleat ; tlieir has been some Indians 
 of the sack ' Nation here, which I despatched A few days ago with them 
 caime one cheif and another of the Iwayo ^ Nation which had never been 
 in, their complyance has not satisfyed me with a Regard to peace, as 
 they confess? to me that their principal cheifs whear gone to Montreall to 
 fight against the big Knife. I sent them off and gave A Kag of Rum 
 and told them to go and hold a counsel with their.Nation and give them 
 choice which side to join with — Drinking their Health with the Rum. 
 
 My Compliments to the Gent" Officers, Includeing M' Camron 
 
 I am D'' Sy your most Obd! friend and Hie Sar' 
 
 Jo' Bowman. 
 
 \Superscription .■] G. R. Clark Col° and Commander in Cheif of the 
 Islinois Country Kuskuskia pr Cap'." Winston 
 
 XV. John Bowman to [George Rogers Clark].' 
 
 Harrodsburgh October 14'!' 1778. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 This day I Receved yours by W'f Miers, and with deficulty I shall 
 furnish him with a Horse to Ride to the Settlement on. 
 
 The Indians have Pushed us hard this Summer, I Shall onley Begin 
 at the 7'.'' of Sep' when three Hundred and thirty Indians with 8 French 
 Men Came to Boonesburg Raised a flag and Called for Cap! Boone who 
 had Lately Came from them, and offred Terras of Peace to the Boones- 
 burgh People. Hearing that the Indians Gladly Treated with you at 
 the Illinois, gave them Reason to think that the Indians were Sincear ; ' 
 two days being taken up in this Manner till they Became Quite fimeleyer 
 with one another ; but finding the Boonesburgh People would not turn 
 out, and having Col° Calloway MajT Smith, Cap' Boone Cap! Buchanan, 
 and their Subalterns Eight in Number, in the Lick, where they had 
 their Table, (you Know the distance about 80 yards) the Indians Getting 
 up, Blackfish made a long Speach, then gave the word go. Instantly a- 
 Signal Gun fired, the Indians fastened on the Eight men to take them 
 off, the white People began to Dispute the Matter, tho unarm!" and 
 Broke Loose from the Indians though there were two and three Indians 
 to one White Man. In Runing the above Distance upwards of 200 
 Guns fired from Each Side and yet Every man Escaped But Squire 
 Boone, who was Badly wounded though not Mortally he got Safe to the 
 fort. On this a hot Ingagement Insued for Nine days and Nights con- 
 stant fire with out any Intermission. No More damage was Done how- 
 ever But one Killed and two wounded. The Indians then Dispersed to 
 
 1 Sauk. 
 
 2 loway ? 
 
 'Draper MSS., 48J42. 
 
 * This is an interesting contribution to the explanation of this episode in the siege of 
 Boonesburgh. See Thwaites, Daniel Boone^ 161, 166, and Ranck, Booned>orou^h, 
 Filson Club Publications, No. 16. On Colonel John Uowman, see English, index, 
 passim. 
 
 AM. HIST. REV., VOL. VHI. ^2. 
 
5o6 Docunients 
 
 the Defrent forts where they Still Remain in greate numbers and way 
 laying our Hunters — General Mcintosh who commands the Armey 
 Intended against Detroyt, I understand Receved Instructions to Strike 
 the Indians and not meddle with Detroite, For other Northern News I 
 Refer you to the Gazettes I hearewith Send you. The Indians have 
 Done More Damige in the Interior Settlements this Summer than Ever 
 was Done in one Season before. Absolute Neadesysity obliges me to 
 send Cap' Harrod for salt, that we May be Able to Lay up a Sufficient 
 Quantity of Provision for the next Summer. I hope you will Send us 
 one hundred Bushels for that Purpose, Send me an Accomp' of the Same 
 and I will Send you the Money by Cap' Muntgomery in the Spring, 
 Your Complyance in this Matter will Inable us to Keepe our ground ; if 
 not — we Shall be oblige'.' to brake up for the want of Provision, for 
 Neadesysity will Brake through stone walls — I was obliged to promis 
 6/P.' day to Every man that Returns with Cap? harrod that I sent. I 
 Beg this as a favour to let Every Man of them have the value of forty 
 Dolers in goods as May best Sute them and I will Pay it with the above. 
 
 I am Dear Sir your Hum!f Serv' 
 N. B. Pray forward the — Jn° Bowman 
 
 News Papers to my Brother 
 after your Looking over them. j. B. 
 
 We have ben Reinforce!" from Washington County with Eighty Men but 
 thir time is near out Before the [y] Come this Lenth so the [y] Return 
 Imediately agane. 
 
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