~LLI r sR1 Ire IB ilrrllulUlilla ulll(llllllsl(UBC llt la In!?!!?!?, re -asrr -Y- s —d~lllll III t I i i ii ii I i I i i ii II I I I I I I I I I r I I II I I I I I I~ =: i i = i i:= II I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I i3 i: I I I I I I I I I II I I? I I I IT 111,;; ilii i i 3 r~ II ii ilii I i I i i i i i is II I II!IIII s I i i i i i!I ~I I I I I I ~ I I I ~ I II I 11 11~11 ~ I II 11 11111 ii i ii iiiii ii iii II IIIII ii 11 11 1111111 1 II iii I 1 11111 ii S i i i i iiii ii iii iiiii i i i ii rga9i i i i i i i iiiii Iii II II 11 11111 11 II II ii i i ii - i i I i i i i I ii ii ii i ii iilii ii ii ii ~i i I II II 11 11111 11 II II --- -— 4 I P~~ IR1 'fl:)~ I THE JOHN ASKIN PAPERS VOLUME I: 1747-1795 I I c. p c~ THE DETROIT RIVER FRONT IN 1794 Reproduced from a contemporary drawing in the Burton Historical Collection The JOHN ASKIN PAPERS VOLUME I: 1747-1795 Edited by MILO M. QUAIFE SECRETARY-EDITOR THE BURTON HISTORICAL COLLECTION PUBLISHED By THE v X, tj DETROIT LIBRARY COMMISSION 1928 5(4 Copyright 1928 DETROIT LiBiRARY COMMISSION 1000 Copies Printed q444 CONTENTS Section I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. Ix. X. xi. INIDEX EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1747-1774. THE MACKINAC LETTER BOOK, 1778. LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1780-1785... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1786... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1787-1789. HUGH HEWARD'S JOURNAL FROM DETROIT TO TflE ILLINOIS, 1790...... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1790-1791... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1792.... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1793.... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1794.... LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1795.... Page 1 25 67 167 217 283 339 363 399 457 487 531 619 I ILLUSTRATIONS I The Detroit River Front in 1794....... Frontispiece Facing Page II Grant to Laurence Eustache Gamelin......... 26 III Fort Detroit and Environs in 1768........... 46 IV The Moravian Settlement near Mount Clemens..... 226 V Jacques Duperon Baby................ 292 VI Autographs of Partners of the Miamis Company.... 332 VII Letter of Lieutenant Pattison to the Commissioners of Police 384 VIII Conclusion of Cuyahoga Grant to Askin and Associates. 558 I INTRODUCTION Detroit is the oldest center of civilization in the vast area of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Valley. Mission stations, it is true, and sometimes fur trade posts were established earlier at other points in this region-at Chequamegon, Green Bay, Mackinac, Chicago, and possibly elsewhere, but at all of these places the torch of civilization was later extinguished, either temporarily or permanently. The missions at Chequamegon and Chicago were abandoned soon after their establishment, and save for the presence of a few fur traders, the modern settlement of these places dates from the nineteenth century. Mackinac, settled earlier than Detroit, still remains a center of civilization; but there have been several removals of the settlement as originally founded, and the present one on the island dates only from 1780, while the place has steadily dwindled in relative importance from the commercial center of a wide region to a mere summer resort. Detroit, on the other hand, throughout two and a quarter centuries has steadily maintained that importance which strategic considerations conferred upon her at birth, and is today one of the chief cities of the continent, both in population and in commercial importance. Nor does the interest which attaches to the story of Detroit's history suffer by comparison with that of any other American city. Here was the mildest climate of Canada and here beside the noble river which conveys the waters of the upper lakes to Lake Erie, developed the fairest settlement of Canada outside the lower St. Lawrence Valley. Here for a full generation-from 1760 until 1796-was the principal seat of British authority in the West and the center whence, for almost two decades, emanated the war parties, which harried the American frontier from Pennyslvania to Tennessee. By the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Great Britain conceded to the American nation the territory lying south and west of a 1 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS boundary line running through the middle of the Great Lakes, but not until a generation later, when drafting the Treaty of Ghent, did that government finally resign the hope of confining the United States to the south side of the Ohio River and erecting the territory which has since come to be known as the Old Northwest, into a permanent Indian barrier state which should forever be dedicated to savagery and to the mission of keeping the growing American nation at a safe distance from Canada. Fortunately, a better way was found of maintaining peaceful relations between the two countries, however, and over a century has passed since the extended boundary line between them has known other protection than the mutual agreement, honorably observed, drafted by their representatives at Ghent in 1815. Until 1760 Detroit was, of course, a purely French settlement. The advent of the British conqueror involved the addition to the community of a veneer of English officials and merchants, who intermarried, frequently, with the French element, producing thereby a certain admixture of Anglo-Saxon and Gallic civilizations. But so great was the French preponderance that until the end of the British regime Detroit continued essentially French in culture and outlook. The advent of the American government, in 1796, accentuated the Anglo-Saxon influence, which gradually waxed until in time the older Gallic civilization was submerged by the newer tide of race and culture. Although submerged, it was not banished. As recently as 1860 a wellinformed foreign visitor to Detroit wrote that the French language, pronounced "with a decided Norman accent," prevailed in the market place, and he even fancied that the men's cloaks and the headdresses worn by the women resembled those commonly seen on the banks of the lower Seine. Today, as a great and prosperous industrial center, Detroit has attracted to her limits representatives of many races and countries, yet the blood of the early French settlers flows in the veins of thousands of present-day citizens of Detroit, and family names which have been represented here for half a score of generations, are of frequent occurrence in the daily press. 2 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS It might reasonably be expected that such a community would be acutely conscious of its historic past and would have attended long since to the due preservation and to the dissemination of a knowledge of its records. In certain ways this historic consciousness is undeniably manifest. The local press carries articles catering to the historical interest of its readers more frequently, probably, than is the case in most other communities, particularly of the Middle West; and even the advertisements frequently exploit some local historical theme. Unless these alert interpreters of public opinion are mistaken, there exists among Detroiters a widespread historic interest which the seller of such prosaic commodities as bonds and real estate does not hesitate to invoke. Yet the fact must be admitted that until recently the community, as such, has done comparatively little in the way of preserving and exploiting its historical records. Quite different will be the story, however, in the years that are before us. In 1914 Mr. Clarence M. Burton of Detroit, who for upward of forty years had been assiduously engaged in developing the chief library of Detroit local history in existence, presented his great accumulation of material to the Detroit Public Library to be administered by that institution for the public use and benefit. Here is not the place to catalog the Burton Historical Collection, but without detracting from the value of the mass of material in print that has been brought together, it may fairly be said that the real heart of the Collection, at least from the scholar's point of view, is the great accumulation of manuscripts. In these scores of thousands of documents is preserved in large part the story of the past of Detroit and the Northwest. The life of a generation of mankind is short, and its memory is even shorter. The life of the city continues from age to age, and its history is to the community what memory is to the individual. Without memory there could be no civilization and no progress. Here in these records, henceforth to be guarded and fostered by the city itself, acting through the agency of its Public Library, is the memory of Detroit. Manuscript records, however, are both rare and fragile, and their study and elucidation is in itself a profession. In 3 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the nature of the case the masses of people have neither time nor opportunity to consult them, and their exploitation must be entrusted to certain workers whom the community assigns to this task. Their work it is to make the contents of the records available for the use of scholars generally and for ready reference by any who may care to consult them. Thus it is that practically all enlightened governments maintain historical agencies whose function it is to preserve and publish, with appropriate editing, their historical records, for until these sources of information are made accessible there can be no correct or accurate knowledge of the past to which they pertain. It becomes a primary duty of the Detroit Public Library, s therefore, in discharging the trust reposed in it by Mr. Burton, to publish the sources which are indispensable to those who essay the task of writing the city's history. To this end the present volume has been prepared as the first of a series to be issued under the general caption of the Burton Historical Records. In considering the question, which manuscripts should be given earliest publication in the series, there was little difficulty in reaching a decision. The papers of John Askin, a former resident and merchant of Detroit, constitute one of the valuable groups in the Burton Historical Collection. Although not the earliest in point of time, they are among the earlier papers; a more important factor determining their selection is the fact that John Askin's activities over a period of half a century in the Northwest, were so manifold that his personal papers illustrate practically every aspect of the life of his time in the region of the upper lakes, a fact which becomes more evident from a consideration of the outstanding aspects of his career. Although Askin was a native of the north of Ireland he was of Scotch descent; according to family tradition he was a kinsman of John Erskine, Earl of Mar, who headed the revolt in 1715 in favor of the Old Pretender. As a consequence of its failure, many of those concerned in it left Scotland for Ireland. Among others was the father of John Askin, who settled at or near Strabane in the county of 4 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Tyrone, and changed his name from Erskine to Askin. He married Alice Rea and to them were born three sons (named John, William, and Robert) and two daughters (named Mary and Sarah). For some reason, possibly because of the death of his parents, John was reared by his grandfather, John Rea, who lived within a mile and a half of Dungannon. He died in 1758 and the grandson, now in his twentieth year, turned his back forever upon his native haunts and migrated to the New World. The Seven Years' War was then at its height, and he soon found employment by joining the army. He served at Ticonderoga, and probably in other campaigns against Canada, although of this we have no certain knowledge. Before long (as early as 1761) the young immigrant was established as a merchant at Albany, engaged largely in the Indian trade. This business involved him in the affairs of the newly conquered western country and papers preserved in the Burton Historical Collection show that he visited Detroit as early as the spring of 1762. They also suggest the likelihood that he was here a full year earlier. In either event he was one of the first British traders to venture into the Northwest after the downfall of New France. At Albany he had as partners, in his various commercial enterprises, James Gordon, Abraham Steele, and Major Robert Rogers. It was a characteristic of the Indian trade that a man might be conducting at one time several different enterprises with distinct partners or groups of partners for each one, and such seems to have been the case with Askin during his business career at Albany. His partnership with Rogers ended disastrously, and not until 1771 did he succeed in freeing himself from the indebtedness incurred by it. Possibly this failure was the chief factor in his removal to a new theater of operations in the western country. The Pontiac uprising of 1763 set a temporary check upon all trading activities, and the precise date of Askin's removal to the Northwest is unknown. It has been stated that he came to Detroit with provisions for the relief of the garrison during the seige of 1763; we have been unable to verify this, but it is certain that in the following year Askin took up his 5 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS residence at Mackinac; whether he went there from Detroit or direct from Albany we have not been able to determine. At Mackinac fortune smiled upon Askin and he soon entered upon a period of steadily increasing prosperity. He held the appointment of commissary in the military department and this official connection undoubtedly forwarded in various ways the prosecution of his main business, the Indian trade. In addition to his own trading operations he engaged extensively in the transport business and in supplying the Montreal traders to the far Northwest with corn and other supplies essential to the prosecution of their operations. He conducted a trading house at the Sault in addition to the one at Mackinac, and near the latter place he developed a farm where, for several years prior to the Revolution, he conducted various experiments in plant cultivation, the earliest by many years of which we have record in the state of Michigan. He controlled a number of sailing vessels and acquired a commanding position in the carrying-trade of the upper lakes. He even contrived, by some method now unknown, to convey his vessels around the rapids of the Ste. Mary's into Lake Superior, an exploit whose very memory had long perished when it was again performed, as though for the first time, by certain enterprising Yankees three-quarters of a century later. During these early years at Mackinac, Askin formed a number of friendships with men who, for a generation, were among the foremost merchants of Canada-with James McGill, Isaac Todd, Alexander Henry, and many others who are famous in the annals of the western fur trade. These friendships, for the most part, were terminated only by death, and they proved of material advantage to Askin in his later years. He formed friendships, too, with army officers and such other agents of the government as there were in the country, and this process was continued, of course, during his years of later activity at Detroit. The commandants of the several western posts in the period with which we are dealing, wielded a power well-nigh absolute over the doings and fortunes of those who came within the orbit of their authority. Particularly was this the 6 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS case during the troublous years of the Revolution. With most of the commandants with whom he was thrown, Askin lived in harmony. With Colonel Arent Schuyler De Peyster, a notable figure in the western country during the Revolutionary period, who assumed the command at Mackinac in 1774, his relations were particularly cordial. In 1779 De Peyster was transferred to Detroit and the place he left vacant at Mackinac was filled by Patrick Sinclair. Although Sinclair was a man of some real ability, who ultimately attained the rank of lieutenant general, at Mackinac he succeeded in embroiling himself with almost everyone with whom he came in contact. We have no knowledge what the real ground of the enmity he soon conceived for Askin may have been; quite possibly the latter's friendship with De Peyster, of whom Sinclair was almost morbidly jealous, may have been a predisposing factor. At any rate the two men soon quarreled. Askin was deprived of his office as commissary, and in the summer of 1780 was even accused of acts of disloyalty. It is difficult to conceive of a man more ardently attached to his sovereign and government than Askin's conduct and expressions throughout his entire life prove him to have been, and in view of this unwavering record the accusation of Sinclair may unhesitatingly be designated as preposterous. Yet the commandant's hostility made it impossible for him to remain longer at Mackinac. Political considerations aside, there were substantial factors pertaining to matters of trade which suggested a removal to Detroit. In the summer of 1780, therefore, Askin terminated a fourteen-year residence at Mackinac by transferring his family and business to Detroit, where he continued to live until the spring of 1802. During the Revolutionary struggle the importance of Detroit was materially enhanced. The French residents were largely indifferent to the issues of the war between the colonists and the mother country, but they were at any rate not actively disloyal to the British government. There was no local colonial faction to engineer a revolt, and between Detroit and even the most western of the rebelling settlements lay 300 miles of wilderness. From Detroit emanated 7 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the leadership and the supplies which marshalled the savages of the Northwest for war upon the colonists, and here was the goal toward which all the military efforts of the latter in the West, throughout the war, were directed. It was the logical place, therefore, for one of Askin's extensive commercial interests to reside. Here for many years his abounding energy was concentrated on the prosecution of his business affairs. The fur trade was a hazardous and far-flung business. London was alike the source of the trader's supply of goods and the market for his furs. At Montreal were certain firms which enacted the role of middlemen as between the western merchants and London, procuring from that center the goods which the trader required and receiving his consignments of furs for sale in the London market. As much as three years might elapse between the time when a given shipment of goods left London and that when the furs for which they were given in exchange were received there. But London, in its turn, was but a distributing center for the furs, whose ultimate destination might be Paris, Vienna, St. Petersburg, or even distant China. The conduct of the trade was subject to so many hazards that only the shrewdest and most energetic traders could long continue in it. An outbreak of war on the Continent, a changing whim of fashion, an unexpected supply of a particular kind of fur, these were but some of the contingencies which might arise to set at naught the most patient calculations of the trader, involving him in insolvency and ruin. But the particular bane of the fur trade was the credit system on which it was conducted. With a period of two or more years required for a single turnover of goods, someone must evidently supply capital for the enterprise. More commonly, perhaps, this was found by the Montreal middlemen, but the cost of the service was paid by the western merchant. He, in turn, frequently parceled out the goods he thus obtained-practically always on credit-among adventurers who traded directly with the savages. The latter in turn received them on credit, and whether they ever paid for them or not depended largely on the outcome 8 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS of the winter's hunt. If the hunt turned out badly the Indian regarded it as an act of God for which he himself was not responsible, and from his point of view the debt was discharged. The London and Montreal merchants, naturally, did not thus easily discharge their western correspondents, who must pay the debts they had incurred or undergo financial ruin. It is significant of the hazardous character of the Indian trade to note that at Mackinac (and probably elsewhere, throughout the Indian country) the traders adopted the Indian point of view to the extent of observing, as a settled rule of procedure, the principle that the debts most recently incurred should be first discharged, leaving the earlier creditors to look for their pay to whatever balance might remain after this had been done. In short, the fur trade was little more than a huge gamble for most of those directly engaged in it. If the trader won, his profits were oftentimes very great; but it is significant of the general situation that at such centers as Detroit, Mackinac, Fort Wayne, and Vincennes, few traders accumulated wealth and the great majority were overburdened with debts, which in many cases they never succeeded in discharging. As for Askin, beginning shortly after the close of the Revolution, the passing seasons rolled up an ever-increasing indebtedness, which for years stood around the relatively enormous figure of twenty-five thousand pounds. Try as he might he could do little to effect the discharge of this incubus. Only the fact that his principal creditors, Isaac Todd and James McGill of Montreal, had been his firm friends since the early adventurous years at. Mackinac, saved him from complete ruin and a povertystricken old age. They had prospered at Montreal, and McGill was reputed before his death to be the wealthiest man in Canada. Their affection for Askin was such, and their belief in his integrity of character so great, that they accepted, in lieu of the cash due them, various tracts of land in and around Detroit, taken over at valuations far in excess of anything ever realized from them. Having effected this disposition of his major indebtedness, Askin, as the century drew to its close, prepared to enter 9 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS upon a new and final period of his career. Two factors were decisive of the change he now.contemplated. The first we have already dwelt upon-his inability to make ends meet in the Indian trade. The second was of a public nature. In 1796 Detroit, which had been for a generation under British rule, passed into the possession of the American nation. Askin's loyalty to his government was such that he had no desire to live under another flag. In advance of the American occupation, therefore, he resolved to abandon his home and establish a new one on the south side of the river where the British flag still waved. For various reasons the actual removal was delayed until 1802, but in the interval since 1796 Askin seems never to have wavered in his design of removing, and never to have entertained the slightest thought of becoming an American citizen. Among the pieces of real estate which Askin had turned over to Isaac Todd in the process of discharging his indebtedness to the latter, was a tract in the eastern section of what is now the city of Windsor, opposite the lower end of Belle Isle. This tract Askin fixed upon as the site of his new home and when Todd learned of his desire he graciously presented it to Mrs. Askin. Thither Askin removed in the spring of 1802, naming the place Strabane in memory of his north Irish birthplace. Henceforth he lived the life of a farmer, but even in these later years he engaged in various other activities, shipping ventures on the lakes, brick-making, distilling, and supplying lumber and other materials for the government at Amherstburg and other places. He acted also as agent in charge of the local property interests of Isaac Todd and James McGill, and he was almost continuously engaged in prosecuting his own claims to tracts of land over which he had acquired control during the years of his earlier business career. Although Askin never achieved any widespread renown he was for half a century, successively at Mackinac and Detroit and on the Canadian side, a man of outstanding influence locally. Herein consists his chief historical significance, for so numerous were his interests and so varied his contacts that almost every aspect of the history of the 10 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Northwest in this period is illuminated by his papers. He had few of the arts of the politician and seems never to have sought public office, yet he held over a long period of years several local appointments of public trust. While Detroit still remained under British rule as a part of the Province of Quebec, he served as a member of the Land Board and as local magistrate. In the winter of 1802 when Detroit was incorporated as a town, he was chosen by the legislature of the Northwest Territory, one of five trustees of the town, although it was perfectly well known that he was a British subject and had no desire to change his allegiance. For several years prior to the change of government at Detroit, he was captain of militia and he continued as an officer of Canadian militia during all the years from 1796 until his removal in 1802. He ultimately rose to the rank of colonel of the Essex County militia, a position which he held until advancing age and other considerations caused the government to confer the appointment upon another. Askin was greatly displeased over this demotion and strove vainly to influence the authorities to continue him in the command of the county militia. 'The government, however, having in view the strong likelihood of war with the United States, was undoubtedly wise in devolving this responsibility upon younger shoulders. As it was, the War of 1812 brought upon Askin a heavy burden of sorrow and difficulty. Although since 1796 an international boundary had separated the dwellers on the north side of the Detroit from their neighbors on the opposite shore, yet they had a common origin and were still intimately bound together by ties of business interest as well as of blood relationship. In short, around Detroit the War of 1812 bore most of the aspects of a civil conflict. Although Askin's sympathies were wholly British he did not escape the common lot, for while most of his sons and other kinsmen were fighting in the British ranks, one daughter was a resident of Detroit, her husband, commander of the Michigan territorial militia. When on August 16, 1812, General Brock crossed his army from Sandwich to Spring Wells and marched eastward along the river road to assail the 11 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS American force, Askin and his wife, from their vantage point on the opposite shore, viewed the entire spectacle, fully anticipating that their sons would presently be locked in deadly combat with their son-in-law, and that in the event of British triumph their daughter and grandchildren within the fort would be exposed to the mercies of the tomahawk and scalping knife of Brock's red allies. The surrender of Hull, of course, prevented these eventualities. As for Askin himself, during the months of British ascendency at Detroit, the security of his property and person was unquestioned; with the advent of General Harrison's army in the autumn of 1813, he procured from that commander an order of protection while he should conduct himself as a non-combatant. But the American advent brought other woes upon him. In September, 1812, he wrote that he had four sons, three sons-in-law, and ten grandsons in military service. All but one son-in-law were on the British side; with the Americans in control at Detroit those of them who lived in this vicinity were exiled from their homes. Two sons-in-law in particular, Thomas McKee and Richard Pattinson, fled with their families in the wake of Procter's retreating army, and Mrs. Pattinson, who was Askin's youngest daughter, died during the flight. Askin did not long survive the return of peace. Toward the end of March, 1815, a "Pacification Dinner" was arranged for at Detroit, and Askin, as an old Detroiter and a leading citizen of the Canadian side, was invited to attend. He declined in a respectful note, giving as his reason his "advanced term of life and weak state of health." A month later he was dead. Askin was the father of a numerous family of children. The three elder children, John Jr., Catherine, and Madelaine, were by an Indian mother, concerning whom we have no certain knowledge. Nor do we know the definite dates of birth of her children. It is a matter of record that John Askin Jr. was born at L'Arbre Croche, probablyabout the year 1762. L'Arbre Croche was an Ottawa town, and this fact would favor the presumption that Askin's consort was a member of this tribe. On September 9, 1766, Askin manu12 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS mitted, at Detroit, Manette (or Monette), a slave woman whom he had purchased from M. Bourassa at Mackinac. We have no further record of this woman, but the act of manumission, taken in connection with the chronological relation between the act and the births of Askin's children, suggests that she may have been their mother. However this may be, there is no slightest room for doubt that Askin ever regarded the children as legally his own, and discharged for them the complete obligation of a tender and loving parent. All were educated, in so far as lay within his power, reared to civilization, and all contracted honorable marriage unions, one with a member of a French family of Detroit, one with an army officer, and one with a lake captain and (second) with one of the foremost merchants of Canada. Whether Askin's union with the mother was terminated by her death or by a voluntary separation is now unknown; but the known facts concerning Askin's character during his long career are such as to give assurance that his treatment of her was both honorable and kind, judged by the standards of his time and environment. The commercial relations of Mackinac and Detroit were very close in the period we are dealing with, and Askin, while living at Mackinac, must have paid rather frequent visits to Detroit. One such visit was made in the spring of 1772, when on June 21 he was married here to Marie Archange Barthe, member of an early French family of Detroit. She outlived him several years, dying in 1820. She was French and Catholic; he was of Scotch blood and with no religious connection. By the union Askin, already affiliated with the native race, entered into close relationship with the French element of Detroit. Such an alliance was highly conducive to the furtherance of his social and commercial influence, although we do not mean to suggest that the marriage was dictated by such a motive. Like most of the old French families, the Barthe family was a prolific one, with widespread local connections. One of Mrs. Askin's sisters married Captain Daniel Mercer of the British army, and another Alexander Grant, the "Com13 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS modore," who for more than forty years commanded the British naval establishment on the upper lakes. To Askin and his French wife nine children were born, two of whom died in infancy and a third in early manhood. The marriage connections formed by the others are of interest to our story; with them may be grouped the three elder children, who seem to have occupied a family status identical with that enjoyed by the children born to Mrs. Askin. John, the eldest, married at Detroit, Oct. 21, 1791, Mary Madelaine Peltier. He spent his life in the Indian trade and in the service of the British Indian Department; although not especially successful in trade, his Indian blood and connections made him of particular service to the government, especially in the years of warfare which began in 1812. His great influence with the Chippewa and Ottawa tribes was, of course, at the command of his government. He led this contingent in the descent upon Mackinac in July, 1812, and the fall of that post proved a powerful factor in the fall of Detroit the following month. Until the close of the war the British government kept Askin at Mackinac, where his influence over the Indians could be exercised to the fullest advantage. He died at Amherstburg about the close of the year 1819. Catherine, the eldest daughter, married in 1778, at the age of fifteen, Captain Samuel Robertson, skipper of a sailingvessel on the upper lakes. He died in 1782 and in 1785 Mrs. Robertson married (second) Robert Hamilton, who some years later located at the foot of the Niagara portage and became the founder of Queenston. William, a younger brother of Samuel Robertson, later became a leading merchant of Detroit and Canada, and he figures prominently in the Askin Papers. Robert Hamilton was a man of great shrewdness, who influenced powerfully all who came in contact with him. He became one of the most influential men of Upper Canada, and one of the wealthiest in all Canada. Madelaine, youngest of the mixed-blood children, became the wife of Robert Richardson, a surgeon in Simcoe's Rangers. They had many children, one of whom was Major John Richardson, who spent many years in the 14 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS British army, subsequently distinguished himself as one of Canada's foremost authors, and finally died in poverty in New York, whither he had gone in the vain hope of finding a better literary market than Canada afforded. Therese, eldest of the children of John and Mrs. Askin, married Thomas McKee, son of Colonel Alexander McKee of the Indian Department, who was one of the foremost figures on the British side in the western theater during the Revolutionary War and long one of the most influential men in western Canada. The career of Thomas McKee was ruined by drunkenness, and although he attained the rank of captain in the Sixtieth Regiment, the marriage of Therese Askin proved more unfortunate, probably, than that of any of her brothers and sisters. Archange, the second child of Mrs. Askin, married Captain David Meredith of the Royal Artillery Regiment. He was soon called back to England, and her charming and vivacious letters to her parents in Detroit serve to vivify many pages of the volumes that follow. Her husband rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and died at Halifax in March, 1809, this station being the nearest approach to their dream of some day returning to the vicinity of Mrs. Meredith's parents. Mrs. Meredith outlived her husband more than half a century, dying at Bruges, Belgium, in the autumn of 1866. Of all Askin's children, only'Adelaide married an American. In 1802 she became the wife of Elijah Brush, one of the first American lawyers of Detroit. When Askin removed from Detroit in the spring of 1802, Brush became the occupant of his home, which had been the ancestral home of Mrs. Askin, and several years later he bought the property. The names Brush Street and Brush farm, the latter still a familiar designation in Detroit, have served to identify permanently Brush's ownership of the property. At the outbreak of war in 1812 he was in command of the Michigan territorial militia. Following the surrender of the army by General Hull, Brush was paroled and, in February, 1813, departed for Ohio, leaving his wife and children to such protection as Askin could afford them. He died before the termination of his exile, and his family never saw him again. 15 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Charles Askin, next younger than Adelaide, was trained to a mercantile career, but when the War of 1812 began he was developing a farm in western Canada. He served throughout the war with some distinction and at its close returned to the parental home, apparently to assume charge of his father's estate. Until his death over half a century later he resided at Windsor, holding various local offices of public trust and enjoying the reputation of being one of the foremost citizens of his community. He married Monique Jacob, daughter of George Jacob, who was a resident of Detroit shortly after the Revolution, and who, remaining a British subject, served as a captain of militia in the War of 1812. James, the second youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Askin, also served through the war with the rank of captain. He married Frances Godet dit Marentette, descendant of an early Detroit family, and reared a large family, some of whose members have died only in recent years. Alexander, the youngest son, was a lieutenant during the war and died a few years later. Ellen Phyllis, the youngest daughter, married Richard Pattinson of Sandwich, who was for many years prominent in the Indian trade. He accompanied the retreating British army in its flight before General Harrison in the autumn of 1813, and Mrs. Pattinson died en route, at the home of George Jacob on the Thames River. Of the private papers kept by Askin during his long career, only a portion is known to be in existence. In the Burton Historical Collection are nineteen bound volumes of general correspondence, almost all of which bears date subsequent to 1780. There are also numerous volumes of business records, which likewise pertain to the latter half of Askin's career. The records' of his activities at Mackinac and Albany, which would doubtless be no less interesting than those originating after his removal to Detroit, have for the most part, vanished utterly; one fortunate exception to this generalization is the single letter book from the Mackinac period that has survived the ravages of time. Its contents shed much interesting light on the commercial activities of the region concerned in the mid-period of the American Revolution. In recent years the Archives Department in 16 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Ottawa has obtained from a grandson of Askin a great mass of family papers, pertaining largely to Charles Askin's career and activities. Included in it, however, is a considerable quantity of papers relating to John Askin and to certain of his contemporaries, and as many of these as seemed pertinent to our present editorial task have been copied for reproduction. It is possible, of course, that other of John Askin's papers are still preserved and will ultimately come into public knowledge and possession; if such be the case their historical exploitation must be the task of some future editor, since our various endeavors to resurrect such papers have produced only negative results. The volume now printed comprises selections from the John Askin Papers covering the period from 1747 to 1795 inclusive. Prior to the year 1778, however, it includes but a few scattering documents. It is the present expectation that a second volume, containing selections of the more important papers pertaining to the period 1796-1815, will be published in the near future, and the present Introduction is designed to serve for both volumes, which will comprise a single group of source material illustrating the early history of the Northwest and Detroit. To some extent every piece of historical editing presents problems peculiar to itself, to whose solution the editor devotes whatever measure of scholarly skill and judgment he may command. A statement of certain problems encountered in the editing of the Askin Papers, together with the solution hit upon, may prove advantageous to the reader who shall have occasion to consult the volumes. In general the printed document aims to present a scrupulously accurate copy of the original manuscript. But since it is impossible to represent in print numerous idiosyncracies of longhand manuscripts, the Editor has steadily endeavored to reproduce the evident intent of the writer, but to escape a slavish adherence to mere pedanticism. In the matter of punctuation, for example, it becomes frequently a matter for editorial interpretation whether a given mark of the penman shall be printed as a comma or as a period. Such interpretation we have not hesitated to supply. Of similar 17 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS import, the penman of a century ago often distributed dashes in liberal measure across his page, in a fashion which finds no precise equivalent in modern typography. We have made no pretense of reproducing these except in cases where their representation has some discoverable significance; and where the penman's dash has seemed to signify the equivalent of the comma or period as employed in modern printing, we have reproduced it as such. So too with words underscored in the manuscripts. The equivalent in print of this usage is the employment of italics, and all publishing houses have established rules governing the resort to such usage. But the underscoring of the penman, like his employment of dashes, commonly possesses no discoverable significance, and when such significance has seemed lacking we have not transferred the underscoring into print. In the matter of footnote annotation some explantion of the editorial policy seems also in order. Few American cities can vie with Detroit in the fullness of the records available for the reconstruction of their remoter past. The fact that Detroit has done comparatively little, as yet, in the way of printing and utilizing these records, but serves to render the opportunity for their present and future exploitation the greater. In initiating the Burton Historical Records, therefore, it seems desirable to provide, where possible, somewhat full biographical information concerning the individuals who figure in the documents, and this the Editor has undertaken to do. Probably few readers will ever realize how greatly this conception of the editorial task has served to increase its arduousness. A footnote which may be read in the fraction of a minute may have cost (and frequently has) many hours of toil to prepare. Frequently, too, with the acquirement of additional pertinent information, it has been revised again and again before reaching the form it finally assumes in print. Since the Editor is not omniscient, but must rely upon such sources of information as are open to him, it is not to be expected that these biographical sketches are free from error, or that they are insusceptible to future elaboration. For both the reasons here suggested, care has been 18 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS taken to supply, in almost every case, references to the sources from which the note has been drawn. The occasion is opportune, in this connection, to pay a much-deserved tribute to the memory of an earlier worker in the Detroit historical garden, whose fame remains unsung. Father Christian Denissen, a parish priest of Detroit, labored assiduously for many years to compile a genealogical record of the Catholic families of early Detroit. It was his ambition to publish the result of his labors, but when, in 1911, death stayed his hand, the cost of publishing the vast compilation of data he had brought together far exceeded the comparatively modest estate he had been able to leave for the purpose. The Denissen genealogies, therefore, still exist only in manuscript, and there seems no present prospect that the dream of their compiler with respect to their publication will ever be realized. Yet they constitute a well-nigh indispensable source of information for all who would delve in the early history of Detroit. In view of the remote prospect of their publication in extenso, it has seemed wise to incorporate in the footnotes to the present volume as much of the genealogical data accumulated by Father Denissen as the circumstances of the case permit. We have also brought into the footnotes such additional information procured from other sources as we have been able to find. Aside from the general historical value which may attach to these biographical sketches, they should possess a peculiar interest to the many thousand present-day citizens of Detroit who are the direct descendants of those who resided here in the French and British periods. This consideration, among others, has been responsible for the large amount of effort (and of space in the volume) devoted to annotating the documents. It seems advisable to inform the reader concerning a problem of peculiar difficulty which has been encountered in the preparation of these footnotes. The correct spelling of the proper names of the residents of French Detroit frequently presents a puzzle whose solution drives the Editor to despair. Perhaps the simplest aspect of this puzzle has to do with the given names: Should Marie Anne, for example, be written 19 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS thus, or according to one of the numerous variants which appear in the parish vital records? The priests themselves were not troubled by any urge after consistency, for it is a common occurrence to find the name of a given individual written several different ways in the Ste. Anne's and Assumption church records. The same is true of the surnames: such well-known Detroit names as Campau, Cicotte, Godfroy, Gamelin, and Tremblay are recorded with numerous variant spellings. On occasion, the priest in writing up his baptismal entry, spelled the name of a godfather other than the godfather himself signed it immediately below. Nor can it be said that the signatures themselves are conclusive authority, for it was a frequent practice for members of the same family to spell their inherited surname differently. To add to the perplexity of the Editor, the residents of French Detroit commonly possessed, in addition to the inherited surname, a nickname; more rarely a citizen might possess two nicknames; and frequently he was better known by his nickname than by his inherited name. This practice finds ancient and respectable precedent in the act of Christ in ordaining his twelve disciples: Finding two Simons in the group, he surnamed one of them Peter; and this example the residents of French Detroit imitated with appalling zeal. For illustrations of this generalization, the reader is referred to almost any biographical footnote in the volume. To contemporaries, who enjoyed first-hand knowledge of their neighbors, the custom presented, apparently, no particular difficulty; to the investigator of a distant generation the case is quite otherwise. In annotating the documents which follow, we have labored manfully to spell the proper names correctly, giving highest authority, ordinarily, 'to the individual's own usage where it has been possible to determine this; but to achieve entire consistency has proved impossible, and our rendition of an individual's name does not imply that some variant spelling of it may not be equally permissible. It remains to acknowledge my indebtedness to friends and fellow-workers who have aided in various ways the prosecution of the editorial task. Dr. Arthur G. Doughty, chief of 20 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the Dominion Archives, granted the unrestricted privilege of examining and copying the Askin manuscripts under his custody, and his obliging corps of assistants did everything in their power to facilitate the task. Mr. George McDonald of Windsor and Mr. Clarence M. Burton and Rev. George Pare of Detroit have responded freelyto levies upon their store of local historical knowledge, while Mrs. L. Oughtred Woltz, archivist of the Burton Historical Collection, in addition to assistance of like nature, has supplied the English translations of the French documents printed. To my immediate editorial helpers, Mrs. Clara N. DeSainz, Mrs. Winifred Moseman, and Miss Louise Rau, I am under a heavier debt of obligation for intelligent assistance cheerfully rendered than any mere formal acknowledgment can compensate. Upon Miss Rau, in particular, has been devolved the task of seeing the copy through the press and supplying the extensive Index. From Miss Gracie Krum, Librarian in Charge of the Burton Historical Collection, as from the Board of Commissioners of the Detroit Public Library, and Mr. Adam Strohm, Librarian, I have at all times received sympathetic cooperation and support. M. M. QUAIFE. Detroit Public Library. 21 SECTION I LETTERS ND PAPERS: 747 LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1747-1774 1I A FEUDAL LAND GRANT CHARLES Mi8 de BEAUHARNOIS Commandeur de l'ordre Royal et Militaire de St Louis, Chef d'Escadre des Arm6es Navalles de sa Majest6; Gouverneur et Lieutenant General pour le Roy en la Nouvelle france et Province de la Louissane. GILLES HOCQUART CHEV: Conseiller du Roy en ses Conseils, Intendant de Justice, Police et finances en dt Pais. SUR les demandes qui nous est6 faites par Eustache Gamelin habitant au Detroit du Lac Eri6 de luy Octroyer et concedes une Terre Scitu6e sur le bord du Detroit du Lac Eri6 de deux arpens de front sur quarante de profondeur tenant d'un Cost6 vers L'Ou6st sud-Ouest a la Banlieue du fort Pontchartrain born6e par une ligne qui court Nord Nord-Ouest Et Sud Sud Est et d'autre Cost6 vers L'Est Nord Est A la Terre de Jean Marie Barrois par le devant sur le Detroit du Lac Eri6 et dans la profondeur par une ligne Est Nord Est et Ouest Sud Ouest joignant pareillement les Terres non Concedes. Nous en vertudu pouvoir a nous conjointement donn6 par sa Majest6 Avons donn6, accord6 et conced6, donnons accordons et concedons a Titre de Cens et rentes d6s maintenant et a toujours au dt Eustache Gamelin pour luy ses hoirs et ayant cause A l'avenir une Concession de Terre Scitu6e sur le Detroit du Lac Eri6 de la Contenance de deux Arpens de front sur quarante de profondeur, born6e et sur les Rumbs de vent design6e cy devant pour enjouiir, faire et disposer par le dt Gamelin ses hoirs et ayant Cause aux charges, Clauses et Conditions cy apres, Scavoir que le dt Eustache Gamelin ses hoirs et ayant Causes seront tenus de porter leurs grains moudre au Moulin bannal lorsqu'il y en aura d'6tabli a peine de confiscation des grains et d'amende Arbitraire; d'y tenir ou faire tenir feu et lieu dans un an d'huy au plustard; d6couvrir les deserts des voisins A mesure qu'ils en auront besoin, Cultiver la dt 25 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Terre, y souffrir les Chemins qui y seront juges n6cessaire pour l'utilite publique; faire les Clotures mitoyennes ainsi qu'il sera regl6 et a payer par chaqu'un an au Receveur du domaine de sa Majest6 en ce pais ou au Commis du dt Receveur qui residera au Detroit un Sol de Cens par chaque Arpent de front et vingt Sols de Rente pour chaque vingt Arpent en superficie, faisant pour les dt deux Arpent de front sur quarante de profondeur, deux Sols de Cens et quatre Livres de Rente, et en outre un demy minot de bled froment pour les dt deux Arpens de front, le tout payable par chaque ann6e au jour et f6te de St Martin, dont la premiere annee Echera au onzieme Novembre 1748 et continuera d'ann6e en ann6e; Les dt cens portant profit de Lots et Vente, deffaut et amende avec tous autres droits royaux et Seigneuriaux quant le Cas y Echera, Suivant la Coutume de la Prevote et Vicomt6 de Paris. sera cependant loisible au dt Gamelin de payer le dt quatre Livres de Rente et deux Sols de Cens en Pelleteries prix du Detroit jusques A ce que il y ait une monnie Courante d'etablie: reservant au nom du Roy sur la dt habitation tous les bois dont sa Majest6 aura besoin pour Charpente et construction de Batiments et fort qu'elle pourra Etablir par la suite ainsi que la propriet6 des mines minieres et mineraux s'il s'en trouve dans l'Etendue de la dt Concession et seront le dt Gamelin ses d9 hoirs et ayant Cause tenus de faire inc6ssament alligner mesurer et borner la dt Concession dans toute sa largeur et profondeur a ses depens et d'Executer les Clauses [port6es] par le present Titre et de prendre un brevet [de] confirmation de sa Majest6 dans deux ans, le tout a peine de nullite des presentes fait a Quebec le pre May 1747. (sign6) BEAUHARNOIS (sign6) HOCQUART (L. S.) (L. S.) Par Monseigneur Par Monseigneur (sign6) BENARD (sign6) DESCHESNEAUX Nous COMMANDANT pour le Roy au Detroit SUR les demandes qui nous ont 6t6 faites. par Jacques Pilet propri6taire de la terre cy dessus Conced6e par le 26 A It 5 Ioa ar t c., L A S $ &J,%,c, ~ tir n c a ti f c4 VO a t 4'ets Qil w / c~flt GRANT To LAURENCE EUSTACHE GAMELIN Reproduced from the original manuscript in the Burton Historical Collection JOHN ASKIN PAPERS titre et autre part de luy accorder une continuation de quarante Arpents de profondeur au bout de cette terre cit6e cy dessus, Avons en vertu des pouvoirs que nous en a donn6 Monsieur le General, donn6 et Accord6 au dt Pilet la cette Continuation de deux arpents de large et de quarante de profondeur, aux memes allignements Cens et Rentes et droits et servitudes port6s au Contract cy devant dont le premier terme de payment echeoira au onze Novembre Mil sept cent Cinquante neuf. Plus delaisser entre la premiere Concession et la d6 Continuation une distance de 36 pieds de large au moins pour servir de chemin public aux habitants qui obtiendront les Continuation. fait au Detroit le quinze Mars 1759 (sign6) Piquot6e de Belestre Translation CHARLES MARQUIS de BEAUHARNOIS,' Commander of the royal and military order of St. Louis, Commodore of the royal fleet, Governor and Lieutenant General for the King in New France and the province of Louisiana; GILLES HOCQUART,2 Knight, King's Councilor, Comptroller of Justice, Police and Finance in the said countries. On the petition presented to us by Eustache Gamelin,3 an inhabitant of the Straits of Lake Erie, praying that we i Charles de la Baische, Marquis de Beauharnois, was governor of Canada from August, 1726, to Sept. 19, 1747. He was born about the year 1670 and is supposed to have been a natural son of Louis XIV. He was trained for the navy, and after his term as governor of New France had expired he returned to France and became lieutenant general of the naval forces, but died in June, 1749. A later descendant of the family was the Empress Josephine's first husband. See sketch in Wisconsin Historical Collections, XVII, 6-7. z Gilles Hocquart was intendant of Canada from Feb. 21, 1731, to Sept. 1, 1748. He was recalled from office at the same time as Governor Beauharnois, but owing to the non-arrival of his successor in office he remained in Canada a year longer. His commission describes him as already "commissary general of the marine, commander in Canada." The intendant had the supervision of the administration of justice, and acted as chief justice in all civil matters, and as a final court of appeal. He presided over the council during the absence of the governor, supervised colonial finances, and exercised many other functions. By the home government the intendant was viewed as a check upon the governor, and the holders of the two offices were frequently at variance. Hocquart enjoys the reputation of having been an honest and conscientious official. 3 The Gamelin family was both prominent and numerously represented in eighteenth-century Detroit. Its American founder was Michael Gamelin dit Lafontaine, 27 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS would grant and concede to him a tract of land situated on the said Straits, of two arpents in front by forty in depth, joining on the west-south-west side the suburbs of Fort Pontchartrain, bounded by a line running north-north-west and south-south-east, and on the other side towards the east-north-east the land of Jean Marie Barrois, in front by the Straits of Lake Erie, and in rear by a line running eastnorth-east and west-south-west, joining also the unconceded lands; We, in virtue of the power intrusted to us jointly by His Majesty, have given, granted and conceded, and do give, grant and concede under the title of cens et rentes, from henceforth and forever, unto the said Eustache Gamelin, for himself, his heirs and assigns hereafter, a concession of land lying and being on the Straits of Lake Erie, containing two arpents4 in front by forty in depth, bounded by and on the rhumb lines hereinabove designated, to be enjoyed, held and disposed of by the said Gamelin, his heirs and assigns, subject to the charges, clauses and conditions hereinafter mentioned, to wit: That the said Eustache Gamelin, his heirs and assigns, shall be held to carry their grain to be ground at the common mill, when one shall have been erected, on pain of the confiscation of the said grain and of an arbitrary fine; that he shall keep, or cause to be kept thereon house and home within one year at the latest; a native of St. Aubin, diocese of Blois, France, who became a surgeon and migrated to Canada, where in 1663 he married Margaret Crevier, a native of the diocese of La Rochelle and widow of James Fournier. Their grandson, Laurence Eustache Gamelin, born in 1704, married in 1740 Mary Joseph Dudevoir dit Lachine, born in 1721, daughter of Claude Dudevoir dit Lachine and Barbara Cardinal. Laurence Gamelin engaged in the Indian trade and was living at Detroit as early as 1741. In 1755 he was captain of militia; he was buried at Detroit, March 7, 1771. Mary Joseph Dudevoir was buried, Jan. 10, 1803. They reared a large family of children. Information adapted from Father Christian Denissen's manuscript compilation of Detroit genealogies in the Burton Hist. Coll. 4 The arpent was a French linear measure of slightly less than 193 feet. The tract here granted was one of the characteristic French "ribbon" farms, whose existence has proved such a powerful factor in determining the arrangement of streets and holdings in modern Detroit. It had a frontage of about 386 feet on the river and extended back into the interior almost a mile and half. It lay immediately east of the Commons and was owned and occupied by John Askin prior to his removal to the south side of the river in 1802, when it was occupied, and subsequently (1806) bought, by Elijah Brush. It is legally designated as Private Claim 1, and is still popularly known as the Brush farm. 28 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS that he shall open the clearings of his neighbors as they may require it; that he shall cultivate the said land, and leave therein the roadways which shall be found necessary for the public use; that he shall make the division fences as the land shall become settled; that he shall pay each and every year to the receiver of His Majesty's domain in this country, or to the clerk of the said receiver residing at Detroit, one sol of cens for each arpent in front and twenty sols of rente for every twenty arpents in superficies, making for the said two arpents in front by forty in depth two sols of cens and four livres of rente, and moreover half a bushel of wheat for the said two arpents in front, the whole payable every year on the festival day of St. Martin, the first year whereof shall become due on the eleventh day of November, 1748, and thus continue from year to year, the said cens bearing profit of lods et ventes, 5 on pain of loss and fine, and all other royal and seigniorial rights, when the same become due, agreeable to the Custom of the Provostship and Viscounty of Paris;6 however, it shall be at the option of the said Gamelin to pay the said four livres of rente and two sols of cens in furs at Detroit prices until a current money shall have been established; reserving in the King's name on the said habitation all the timber which His Majesty may require for the building of ships and such forts as he may hereafter erect, as well as the ownership of the mines, ores and minerals if any be found within the extent of the said concession; and the said Gamelin, his heirs and assigns, shall 5 Feudal grants were made either en roture or en fief. Lands granted en roture were town lots or small farms, as distinguished from large tracts, which were granted en fief. All the feudal grants at Detroit were made en roture. By virture of an edict of March 20, 1673, the King had the right to an alienation fine, called lods et ventes (privilege of consent and sale) upon any sale or exchange of lands granted by the Crown en roture, which were made by a title called lease for cens or cens et rentes. This alienation fine amounted to one-twelfth of the value of the land, but in practice one-fourth of the fine was commonly remitted. 6 Feudal law was extremely complex, so much so that the term "system," as applied to the feudal r6gime, is largely a misnomer. The Custom of Paris was a codification of feudal law and practice for the district centering around Paris, first drawn up in 1510 and subsequently revised in 1579-80. By a decree of 1664 Louis XIV established the Custom of Paris as the basic law of New France. Thereby the feudal system, already decaying in France, obtained a fresh lease of life in the New World. The Custom of Paris continued to operate at such places as Detroit, Green Bay, and Prairie du Chien-in fact wherever French population and customs were founduntil well into the nineteenth century. 29 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS be held to have the said concession immediately measured and bounded in its whole width and length at his own cost, and to execute the clauses mentioned in this title deed, and to take out a patent of confirmation from His Majesty within two years; the whole on pain of nullity of these presents. Done at Quebec, May 1, 1747. (Signed) BEAUHARNOIS (Signed) HOCQUART (L. S.) (L. S.) By command of his Lordship By command of his Lordship (Signed) BENARD (Signed) DESCHESNEAUX WE, COMMANDANT for the King at Detroit: On the petition presented to us by Jacques Pilet,7 proprietor of the tract of land above conceded by title and otherwise, to grant to him a continuation of forty arpents in depth at the rear of the said tract, by virtue of the power intrusted to us by the [Marquis de Vaudreuil,8 Governor and Lieutenant] General, do give and grant unto the said Pilet the said continuation of two arpents in breadth by forty in depth, corresponding in alignment, quit rents, mutation fines, rights and conditions with the above mentioned contract, the first payment whereof shall become due on the eleventh of November, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine. Moreover, between the former concession and the said continuation there shall be allowed a space of at least 36 feet in width for a public road for such inhabitants as shall receive continuations. Done at Detroit, March 15, 1759. (Signed) Picot6 de Bellestre9 7 No record of Jacques Pilet's career has been found. Presumably he is the individual who, according to Lieut. George McDougall, lived on Belle Isle for several years prior to the British conquest, and who is also reported to have been a particular friend of Pontiac. See Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society Collections, VIII, 356 and X, 240. 8 Pierre Frangois Rigault, Marquis de Vaudreuil, was born in Canada in 1698, the son of a former governor of Canada of the same name. He entered the army and attained the rank of major. In 1733 he was governor of Three Rivers, and from 1743-53, of Louisiana. In the spring of 1753 he left Louisiana for France, and there, on Jan. 1, 1755, was commissioned governor of Canada. He continued in this office until the English conquest of Canada. He died at Quebec in 1793. See sketch in Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 31 and XVIII, 150. 9 Francois Marie Picot6, Sieur de Bellestre, was the last French commandant at Detroit. He was born in Montreal in 1719 and there married and reared his family. 30 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS A MARRIAGE DOT Pardevant le notaire roial au Detroit y resident Soussign6, fut present Sieur Jacques Campau Pere habitant Demeurant au Detroit log6 en la maison du Sr Desmouchelle Size rue St anne, ou il a fait election de Domicile pour lexecution du contenu aux presentes, lequel en reconnoissance des bons services que luy a rendus detous tems Sieur Louis Campau son fils, et notament dans une grosse maladie qui lui est Survenue ces anne6s dernieres aux fraits delaquelle, 1e d. Sr LOuis Campau a fourni autant queles affaires de sa famille luy ont pu permettre, a fait transport et delaissement au dit S' son fils Ce acceptant pour ce comparution d'un emplacement Siz rue St anne au fort du Detroit de la consistance de vingt peids de large sur la ditte rue, Entre Sr Barthe et Sr Desruissaux reconnoissant qu'il luy a dejA fait Verbalement la presente cession il y a plussieurs ann6es sans aucune reserve de sa part, pour par le dit Cessionnaire ses hoirs et aiant Cause user, faire Jouir et disposer du dit emplacement en toute propriet6 et a perpetuity dans toute sa largeur et profondeur sans aucune chose en retenir ou Excepter par le dit Sr Cedant lequel a promis en outre faire ratifier ces presentes par ses Enfants pour la plus grande suret6 du Cessionaire et de ses aiant Cause, en les faisant Consentir aux renonciations requises de fagon que de leur part il ne puisse en arriver aucune trouble aux personnes qui pourront a la venir faire lacquisition du dit emplacement; Et a linstant de la passation des presentes est Comparu en personne le dit Sieur Louis Campau Cessionnaire habitant demeurant au dt Detroit en sa maison size rue Ste anne ou il a fait election de Domicile pour l'execution du Contenu cy apres, avec Marie Robert sa femme qu'il authorise a l'Effet que Ensuit, lesquels ont declar6 qu'en faveur du mariage de D1'e Thereze In early manhood he embarked upon a military career which led him repeatedly into the wilderness for long periods of time. In 1739 he engaged in a campaign against the Chickasaw. He was in the West and Northwest at various times, at Detroit in 1747, and at St. Joseph (modern Niles, Michigan) for a considerable period about this time. He came to Detroit as commandant in 1758, and remained to surrender the post and the Northwest to Major Robert Rogers in the autumn of 1760. He thereupon retired to Canada, where he aided in repelling the invasion of the American colonists in 1775. He died at Quebec in May, 1793. See Mich. Pio. Coils., XXXIV, 336-40. 31 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS................,....................... Campau leur fille avec Sr Andr6 Barthe ils ont donne et donnent le dit emplacement sans reserve a la ditte D11 leur fille Ce acceptant par le dt Sr son mari, pour luy etre et demeurer propre et aux siens pour en Joiiir et disposer a toujours et le prendre en avancement dHoirie, le dit Emplacement pris6 a la somme de Deux Cens Cinquante livres, quoi qu'il n'ait et6 fait aucune mention de la sus ditte somme au Contrac de Mariage des dits Sieur et Dame Barthe et neanmoins Vaudra la presente Donation non obstant revocation et toutes choses a ce contraires. prommettant au Surplus le dit Sr et Dame Campau indemnifer le Sr Barthe dans le cas qu'il fut evinc6 du dit Emplacement luy enassurant la jouissance sous lobligation et hypoteque De tous leur biens presents et avenir, car ainsy &" et ne seront les cessions et Donations cy dessus declar6es Sujettes a insinuations, vu que le transport qu'a fait le dit Jacques Campau au d. S' son fils du dt emplacement n'a d'autre motif que celuy de la rembourser d'une parties des sommes qu'il a pai6es pour sa maladie. promettant &" renoncant &o obligeant &W fait et pass6 au Detroit etude du dt Notaire apres midy le trois Juin mil sept Cens Cinquante presence des Sr alexis Desruissau et Zacharie Cicot negotiants demeurants en ce fort temoins lesquels ont avec le Sr Jacques Campau, le Sr Louis Campau la ditte Dame Marie Robert sa femme le S' Bondy et notaire signe a la minutte lecture faire. Navarre Et apres la passation des presentes, les Sr" Andr6 Barthe et Louis Campau ont regl6 entr'eux les affaires qu'ils ont eues Du pass6 Jusqua ce jour au moyen dequoi le Sr Barthe a reconnu avoir regu du Sr Louis Campau en avancement d'hoirie et des droits qu'pourront appartenir a D"e Thereze Campau Epouse du Sr Barthe, La somme de Douze Cens livres y compris le prix de lemplacement a luy ced6 au contract cy Joint, de laquelle somme de Douze Cens livres le dt Sr Barthe promet tenir Compte au dt Sr Louis Campau a Ses Enfants lors des Partages qui procurront se faire a la venir de la succession et droits successifs a Echoir aux heri32 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS tiers du dt Sr et Dame Louis Campau et ont 'ign6 a la minutte lecture faite. Louis Campau, Barthe Navarre notaire. Pour Copie Navarre A premiere Expedition Endorsed: transport fait par Sr Jacques Campau le Pere d'un Emplacemt au Detroit a Sr Louis Campau Idem par cidernier au Sr Barthe 3e Juin 1750 Premiere Expedition Translation BEFORE the undersigned royal notary of Detroit there resident, appeared Jacques Campau, 1 senior, habitant, living at Detroit, in the house of Desmouchelle, on Ste. Anne Street, which house he names as his dwelling place for the execution of the contents of these presents, who, because of the kindness he at all times has received from his son, Louis Campau,1 and especially during his severe illness of recent years, the expenses of which the said Louis Campau has furnished to the extent that his own domestic affairs would permit, has conveyed and relinquished to the said son, who accepts the io Jacques Campau was a grandson of Leonard Campau and his wife, Frances Mauger, who were natives and residents of France. Their son Etienne, born in 1638, migrated to Canada, where he married at Montreal, Nov. 26, 1663, Catherine Paulo, a native of La Rochelle. Etienne Campau was a mason by trade and resided at Ville Marie, Montreal. To him and Catherine Paulo were born numerous children, descendants of some of whom figure prominently in the history of Detroit. Their ninth child was Jacques Campau, who was born at Montreal, May 31, 1677, and married there on Dec. 1, 1699, Cecilia Catin, daughter of Henry Catin and Jane Brossard. In the autumn of 1708 he removed with his family to Detroit, where in 1734 he obtained from the government the grant of land lying between Mt. Elliott and Beaufait avenues, now known as Private Claim 18, or the Meldrum farm. He followed the trade of toolsmith. He was buried May 14, 1751. He was the father of a large family. Denissen, op. cit. 11 Jean Louis Campau, the eldest child of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin, was born at Montreal, Aug. 26, 1702. He married at Detroit, Aug. 26, 1724, Mary Louisa Robert, widow of Jean Francis Peltier and daughter of Pierre Robert and Angelica Ptolom&e, who was born at Lachine, Dec. 15, 1698. They reared a large family of children, one of whom is noted in the present document. Jean Louis Campau obtained a grant of land east of the fort, July 5, 1734, since known as Private Claim 733, or the Chene farm, extending eastward from Chene Street toward Joseph Campau Street. Jean Louis Campau was buried at Detroit, March 15, 1774; Mary Louisa Robert was buried, April 2, 1776. Denissen, op. cit. 33 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS same by this act, a lot, situated on Ste. Anne Street, within the fort of Detroit, with a frontage of twenty feet on the said street, between Mr. Barthel2 and Mr. Des Ruisseaux13 admitting that he has already given the said lot verbally several years ago, with no reservation on his part, for the said grantee, his heirs and assigns, to enjoy and dispose of the said lot in full ownership and forever, throughout its whole extent of length and breadth with no exception Iz Charles Andrew Barthe of Detroit, father-in-law of John Askin and of Alexander Grant. The founder of the Barthe family in America was Theophile Barthe, a native of Gascony, born in 1695, who migrated to Canada, where he held the title of "gunsmith to the King." On March 18, 1721, he married at Montreal, Margaret Charlotte Alavoine, whose father, Charles Alavoine, was captain of the militia. We have not learned when the family moved west to Detroit, but Charles Andrew, eldest son of Theophile and Margaret Barthe, born at Montreal, Feb. 22, 1722, married at Detroit, April 24, 1747, Mary Therese Campau, a native of this place; and Pierre, another son of Theophile and Margaret Barthe, married here on March 3, 1760, Mary Charlotte Chapoton, also a native of the place. Pierre Barthe was a gunsmith, and lived on St. Louis Street. Charles Andrew is referred to in 1756 as "Arquebusier" (gunsmith) of the post and as "Grand Voye" (chief overseer of roads) of the post and its dependencies. Prior to 1763 he bought from Eustache Gamelin the farm known later as Private Claim 1, or the Brush farm. Both Charles and Pierre Barthe established wide-flung family connections, and many present-day Detroit families trace connection with them. To Charles and Mary Barthe twelve children were born between the years 1748 and 1765. Six died in infancy; among the others who are mentioned in these letters were Marie Archange (wife of John Askin), Therese (wife of Commodore Alexander Grant), Jean Baptiste, and Louis Theophile (or Louison). Probably Lavoine Barthe was also a son of Charles and Mary, but his identity has not been established. Charles Andrew Barthe died at Detroit, March 14, 1786, and was buried two days later. Denissen, op. cit. 13 Julius Trotier, born at Ige, in Perche, France, in 1590, married Catherine Loyseau. He migrated to Canada about the year 1645 and was buried at Three Rivers, May 10, 1655. The couple had two children, Julian Trotier, born in France in 1636, and Antoine Trotier, Sieur Des Ruisseaux, also born in France. Antoine Trotier married at Three Rivers, Sept. 2, 1663, Catherine Lefebvre, a native of that place. She was buried at Batiscan, Nov. 20, 1705; he was buried there, Dec. 6, 1706. Of the children of Antoine Trotier and Catherine Lefebvre several lived and died in Lower Canada. One daughter, Catherine Trotier dit Beaubien, born in 1676, married at Batiscan, May 3, 1696, Jean Cuillerier, a native of Montreal. He died before 1712 and Catherine married (second) Frangois Picote de Bellestre, widower of Ann Frances Bouthier and son of Pierre Picot6 de Bellestre and Mary Pars. Francois Picote de Bellestre was an army officer, and was assigned to Fort Ponchartrain at Detroit, when his brother-in-law, Alphonse de Tonty, was commandant here. He was buried here, Oct. 9, 1729. One of his wife's brothers was Alexis Trotier dit Des Ruisseaux, the subject of the present sketch. He was born at Champlain, Oct. 21, 1688, and married at Detroit, Jan. 6, 1735, Mary Louisa Roy. She was buried, Dec. 3, 1735, and Alexis married (second) Mary Catherine Godfroy, daughter of Jacques Godfroy de Mauboeuf and Mary St. Onge dit Chene, Dec. 30, 1739. He was the first trustee of Ste. Anne's Church, and the first captain of the local militia. He was buried, June 5, 1769; Mary Catherine Godfroy was buried under the church, July 21, 1777. They had four children, all of whom died in infancy. Denissen, op. cit. 34 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS whatever by the said grantor, who further promises to have these presents ratified by his children for the greater security of the grantee and his assigns by having them consent to the requisite renunciations so that no future trouble because of them may occur for any one who shall acquire title to the said lot; and at the moment of the writing of these presents has appeared in person, the said grantee, Louis Campau, habitant, living at the said Detroit, in his house situated on Ste. Anne Street, which house he names as his dwelling place for the execution of the contents hereinafter expressed, with Marie Robert, his wife, whom he authorizes as such for the purpose of what follows, who have declared in favor of the marriage of their daughter, Therese Campau,14 with Andr6 Barthe, and have given and do give the said lot without reserve to the said young lady, their daughter, accepting the same for the said gentleman, her husband, to belong to her and to remain her own possession and that of her heirs to enjoy and dispose of forever and taking it in advance as her inheritance, the said lot being valued at the sum of two hundred and fifty livres, although there has been no mention of this sum in the marriage contract of the said Mr. and Mrs. Barthe, but nevertheless, the present grant will be worth that sum without any repeal whatever and anything else to the contrary notwithstanding. Moreover, the said Mr. and Mrs. Campau promise to indemnify the said Mr. Barthe in case he should be evicted from the said lot, assuring to him its possession under bond and mortgage of all their present and future property, for their &c., and the said cessions and grants above mentioned will not be subject to registration seeing that the conveyance which the said Jacques Campau has made to his son of the said lot has no other motive than to reimburse his son for a part of the sum paid for his illness. Promising &c., renouncing &c., obliging &c. Executed at Detroit in the office of the said notary, in the afternoon of June the third, one thousand seven hundred and fifty, in the presence of Mr. Alexis Des Ruisseaux and I4 Mary Therese Campau, the third child of Jean Louis Campau and Mary Louisa Robert, was born at Detroit, Feb. 7, 1729. She married Charles Andrew Barthe, April 24, 1747, and was buried June 13, 1765 For further data concerning her see ante, 34. 35 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Zachary Cicotte,l5 merchants, living in this fort, witnesses, who have signed the original, after reading, with Jacques Campau, Louis Campau, the said Marie Robert, his wife, Mr. Bondy16 and the notary. Navarre17 And after the execution of these presents, Andr6 Barthe and Louis Campau have arranged between them the business which they have transacted from the past until this day, because of which the said Mr. Barthe acknowledges to have received from Mr. Louis Campau in advance of inheritance and claims which may belong to the said Therese Campau, wife of Mr. Barthe, the sum of twelve hundred livres including the price of the lot ceded to her by the annexed contract, which sum of twelve hundred livres the 15 The Detroit Cicottes are descended from William Cicotte (Chiquot, Cicot, Sicotte), who married Jane Fafard and lived on the island of Oleron in the diocese of La Rochelle, France. Their son, Jean, born there in 1631, came to Canada and on Oct. 23, 1662, married Margaret Maclin, who was the daughter of Nicolas Maclin and Susanne Larose of the parish of Sesanne, in Brittany. Jean Cicotte was buried at Montreal, June 8, 1667, leaving two children, Catherine and Jean. Catherine, born Oct. 24, 1663, married at Montreal on Nov. 27, 1679, Joseph Huet dit Duluth (Dulude), a native of the city of Dulude in France. Jean Cicotte, the immediate progenitor of the Detroit line, was born at Montreal, March 22, 1666, and married at Boucherville, March 20, 1697, Magdelene Lamoreux, a native of Montreal, daughter of Louis Lamoreux and Frances Boivin. Their second son, Zacharias Cicotte, born in 1708, married at Detroit, Jan. 8, 1736, Mary Angelica Godfroy, who was born at Detroit, Nov. 21, 1720, daughter of Jacques Godfroy de Mauboeuf and Mary St. Onge dit Chgne. They had ten children in the following years, eight of whom died in infancy. For many years Zacharias Cicotte lived in the fort and engaged in trade. On April 1, 1750, he obtained a grant of land 3 arpents by 40 west of the fort now known as Private Claim 726, extending westward from Wabash Street to the alley between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets. In 1762 he settled on this farm and lived here until his death. He was buried Aug. 11, 1775; Angelica Godfroy was buried, Dec. 28, 1791. Denissen, op. cit. i6 The founder of the American line of Bondy was Thomas Douaire de Bondy, born in France in 1636, who married at Quebec, July 26, 1656, Margaret de Chavigny, daughter of Francis de Chavigny and Eleonora de Grandmaison. Thomas Bondy was drowned near Isle of Orleans in 1667. His eldest son, Jacques Douaire de Bondy, born at Quebec, Feb. 21, 1660, in 1697 married Magdelene Gatineau dit Duplessis. Their son Joseph was the witness who signed the present document. He was born at Montreal, Feb. 27, 1700. He came to Detroit prior to 1733 and married here Mary Ann Cecilia Campau, daughter of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin. In 1748 Bondy returned to Verchdres, Quebec, where he was buried April 6, 1760. The couple had seven children born at Detroit prior to 1748, and at least one born after the removal to Verch~res. Denissen, op. cit. 17 The Navarres of Detroit were descended from Antoine of Bourbon, Duke of Vendome and King of Navarre. Robert Navarre, founder of the Detroit line, was born at Villeroy in Brittany, in 1709. In 1729 he came to Detroit and soon thereafter 36 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS said Mr. Barthe promises to hold to the credit of said Louis Campau and his children whenever, in future, the estate and inheritance claims of the said Mr. and Mrs. Louis Campau shall be divided among the heirs, and have signed the original, after reading. Louis Campau, Barthe, Navarre, notary. A copy Navarre First copy of the record. Endorsed: Conveyance made by Jacques Campau, senior, of a lot at Detroit to Louis Campau. The same by the latter to Mr. Barthe, June 3, 1750. First copy of the record. SALE OF REAL ESTATE Expedi6 Pardevant Navarre notaire royal au Detroit y une fois resident sous signe faisant fonctions de subdeN legu6 de Mr lintendant de la nouvelle france au dt lieu fut presente De Agathe Casse, Veuve de Sr Nicolas Campau vivt demeurt au Detroit, Tutrice Naturelle des Enfants mineurs issus d'ell et du d. feu Sr Campau, laquelle au dt nom En Consequence de lavis des Parents des dits mineurs par acte du six du mois de may de was appointed sub-intendant and royal notary of Fort Ponchartrain. He was a man of education and good sense, and so well did he discharge his official duties, that after the English conquest the conquerors found it desirable to continue him in the office of notary. In the French period, "No matter of local importance was taken up and discussed without the approval of Navarre. He saw that the taxes were levied and collected. He collected the tithes and church dues. He listened to the complaints of citizens against the increase of taxes or the unjust treatment of citizens by the officers. He was the judge between quarreling citizens, and it was by his judgment that delinquents were forced to pay their just debts or become bankrupt." CM. Burton, City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922 (Chicago, 1922), I, 166. Navarre married, on Feb. 10, 1734, Mary Lootman dit Barrois, who was born in 1719, daughter of Francis Lootman dit Barrois and Mary Ann Sauvage. In 1747 he received from the government a grant of land west of the fort since known as Private Claim 22 or the Woodbridge farm, whose approximate boundaries are Tenth and Eleventh streets. On the advent of the British in 1760 Navarre's position as sub-intendant disappeared but he retained his appointment as notary. About the year 1762, he located on his farm, where he lived until death. He was buried, Nov. 24, 1791; Mary Lootman dit Barrois was buried, Dec. 20, 1799. The Navarre line has been distinguished through several centuries for the ability of its members. Among the descendants of Robert Navarre may be mentioned the Anthon brothers of New York (scholar, jurist, and preacher) and more recently, Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish. Denissen, op. cit. 37 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS la presente ann6e de nous ratifi6 et approuve le meme jour, portant pouvoir a la ditte Dame Camparante de vendre a l'amiable ou outrement adjuge au plus offrant la terre cy apres declar6e et choses independantes lequel avis de parents est demeur6 annex6 a la Minutte des pretes [presentes] en la presence de Mrj Jean Bte Campau oncle Paternal des dits mineurs et des Sr Jean Bt Campau, Jadis Claude Campau; oncle des dits enfants mineurs, nomm6s au sus dit avis, nomm6s au sus dit avis [sic] des Parents pour assister a la Passation du pret Contrat, a Vendu et adjug6 a Sr Charles Andr6 Barte son neveu armurier demeurt au Detroit au present acquereur pour luy Ses hoirs et ayant Cause apres trois Cri6es et publications faites pendt trois Jours de festes et dimanches a la sortir de la Messe Paroissiale par Bazile Marois huissier Royal au dt lieu a la porte de l'Eglise depuis le six du present mois jusque et Compris le Dimanche vingt sept du meme mois-Deux arpents de terre de large sur quarante de profondeur avec une petit Maison sur iceux, consistant au terres labourable et bois debout Et les clostures endependantes Size a la Cote du Nord de la Riviere du Detroit, tenant les dits deux arpents de terre de large parledevant a la dt Riviere et dans la profondeur aux terres nonconced6e, tenant dun cote a l'Est Nord Est a Jean le Duc et de l'autre cote a l'ouest Sud ouest, aux Deux arpents de terre que la ditte Veuve Camparante a cy devant vendus au d. Sr Barthe par Contract du Cinq Decembre mil Sept cent cinquante Sept pass6 devant le Nre soussigne dont il a la minutte, les dits deux arpents de terre etant en la Censive du Roy dont se meurent charges au profit de sa Majest6 de quatre livres deux sols et d'un demy Minot de ble par Chaque ann6e que la ditte De vendeur promet payer du pass6 au onze novembre mil sept Cent Cinquante huit affirmant la dte Dame n'avoir Engag6 aucune Chose de la ditte terre, et promettant garentir le d. Sr acquereur de toutes dettes evictions hypoteques et empechements quelconques provenants de ses faits et actions, et remettre au d. Sr acquereur le contract de concessions de la ditte terre dont Son deffunt mari etoit pourvu avant leur mariage ce que dit savoir le d. Sr Barthe et etre Content de la dte terre 38 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS en 1'Etat quelle luy est apparu pour par luy enjouir a perpetuit6 et en toute propriet6 a Commencer la Jouissance au jour et f6te de st. michel prochain. Cettes vente faites aux Conditions sus dittes et des cens et rentes, droits Seigneuriaux ou Royaux et servitudes Champetres a l'usage du pais et de la Coutume de pais aux quels s'est soumis le dit Sr acquereur, en outre moyennant la somme De trois mille livres que la ditte Dame Veuve a reconnu et Confess6 avoir eue et recue du d. Sr Barthe en belles et bonnes pelletries valables au prix et Cour actuel du Detroit dont elle le tiens quitte et tout autre, au moyen de quoy et de tout ce que dessus la ditte Dame en vertu de l'avis de Parent et par les pouvoirs qui luy en ont ete donnes a transport6 au dit Sr acquereur ses hoirs et ayant Cause tous droits de propriete [illigible] quelle et les siens peuvent avoir la ditte terre dependances vouloir qu'ils en soient saisis, vestus, mis et recus au bonne et suffisante possession et saizine par qui et ainsy quil appartiendra en vertu des presentes, constituant a cette fin son procureur irrevocable le porteur du present contract luy en donnant pouvoir. car ainsy &0 et pour l'execution des pretes et dependances a elu son domicile irrevocable en sa maison auquel lieu &W promettant &O obligeant &0 renoncant &0 fait et pass6 au Detroit etude du dit notre apres midy le vingt huit may lan mil sept cent Cinquante neuf presence de Sr" Eustache Gamelin et Jean petit mil homme-temoins instrumentaire Demeurants au Detroit temoins lesquels ont avec les Srs Jean Bte Campau et Claude Campau oncles des mineurs et Le Sr Barthe Signe a la minutte et pour la ditte De Veuve elle a declare ne savoir signer de ce interpeller Lecture faite. Claude Campau, J. Bte Campau Ch Barthe Navarre Nre Eustache Gamelin Milhomme. Endorsed: 28e May, 1759 adjudication de deux arpents de terre au Detroit au Sr Barthe et vente par le Veuve Nicolas Campau. 39 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS cy Joint une deliberation faite dans une assembl&e de parents et plusieurs petits billets concernant la succession de Nicolas Campau, N~ 84, Translation"5 First BEFORE the undersigned royal notary, Naduplicate. varre of Detroit, and there resident, acting as N. subdelegate of the Intendant of New France at the said place, appeared Mrs. Agathe Casse, widow of Nicolas Campau,19 in his lifetime a resident of Detroit, the natural guardian of the minor children of herself and the late Mr. Campau, who-as above named-following the decree in council of the relatives of the said minor children, by act of the sixth day of May of the present year, as ratified and approved by us on that day, giving authority to the said lady now present to sell without legal action or as otherwise decided to the highest bidder, the land hereinafter described and other things separately, which decree of council of relatives is affixed to the original of these presents, in the presence of Jean Baptiste Campau,20 paternal uncle of said minor children, and of Jean Baptiste Campau formerly I8 This document serves to illustrate the care with which matters affecting land titles and other important transactions were conducted in French Detroit. "An idea once prevailed," observes Silas Farmer, "that affairs in remote French posts were conducted without much regard to legal correctness. The more closely the question is examined, the more careful the local authorities appear to have been." History of Detroit and Michigan... (Detroit, 1884), 20. 19 Nicolas Campau dit Niagara, son of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin, was born at the Niagara portage in July, 1710, from which circumstance his nickname was acquired. He married at Detroit, Sept. 4, 1737, Agathe Casse dit St. Aubin, daughter of Jean Casse dit St. Aubin and Mary Louisa Gaultier. He succeeded his father on the farm, Private Claim 18, and was buried at Detroit, Dec. 16, 1756. Agathe Casse was buried, May 12, 1808. They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom died before their father. Denissen, op. cit. 10 Jean Baptiste Campau, son of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin and brother of Nicolas Campau dit Niagara, was born at Montreal, Aug. 4, 1711, and married at Detroit, Jan. 27, 1737, Catherine Perthuis, daughter of Pierre Perthuis and Catherine Mallet. In 1749 he bought the land east of the fort, since known as Private Claim 15, or the Leib farm, whose eastern and western boundaries were identical with those of present-day Mount Elliott Cemetery, but sold it in 1750. In 1762 he was a royal notary and resided on St. Joseph Street. He was buried at Detroit, June 12, 1783. Catherine Perthuis was buried,Feb. 20, 1763. They were the parents of fifteen children. Denissen, op. cit. 40 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS called Claude Campau,21 uncle of said minor children, named in the above mentioned decree of council of relatives to assist at the drawing of these presents-has sold and adjudged to Charles Andr6 Barthe, her nephew, gunsmith, living now at Detroit, purchasing for himself and his heirs and assigns after three announcements and publications made by the public crier of the said place, Bazile Marois,22 at the church door on three holy days and Sundays after parish mass, beginning on the sixth day of the present month, up to and including Sunday, the twenty-seventh of this same month, a tract of land of two arpents front by forty in depth with a small house upon the same, consisting of arable land, forest and fencing, situated on the north side of the River Detroit, the said two arpents fronting on the said river, having unceded land in the rear, adjoining land of Jean Le Duc23 on the east-north-east, and on the other side, the west-south-west, the two arpents of land which the said widow now present formerly sold to the said Mr. Barthe by deed dated the fifth of December, one thousand seven huniI Claude Campau, son of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin, was born at Montreal, Aug. 25, 1715, and married at Detroit, Jan. 22, 1742, Catherine Casse dit St. Aubin, daughter of Jean Casse dit St. Aubin and Mary Louisa Gaultier. Claude Campau was buried at Detroit, May 31, 1787. Catherine Casse dit St. Aubin was buried March 7, 1805. No record of children born to them has been found. Denissen, op. cit. 22 Charles Marois married Catherine Livrade and lived in the parish of St. Paul, Paris. Their son William, born in 1660, migrated to Canada and was appointed recorder in the seigniory of Beaupre. On April 14, 1687, he married Catherine Laberge, who was born at Chateau Richer, Sept. 15, 1667. Their son, Bazile, born at Chateau Richer in 1698, married at Quebec, Feb. 28, 1718, Mary Teresa L'Hereux. The town crier of the present document was their eldest child, born at Quebec, April 15, 1719. He married (third) at Detroit, Oct. 4, 1756, Frances Pimpar6, daughter of Charles Pimpar6 and Louisa Bouhours. Denissen, op. cit. z3 The American progenitor of the line of Le Duc was Jean Le Duc, who was born in the parish of St. Martin, diocese of Ige, France, in 1624. He migrated to Canada and on Nov. 11, 1652, married at Montreal Mary Soulinier, daughter of Elias Soulinier and Mary Fouber. They lived at Montreal, where Jean was buried, April 19, 1702, and Mary on Sept. 3, 1701. They had two sons, Jean and Joseph. Both spent their lives in Lower Canada, but descendants of both came to Detroit and their lines are represented here. The eldest child of Jean was the Jean Baptiste of the present document. He was born at Montreal, Dec. 12, 1684. On June 9, 1721, he married there Catherine Descary, daughter of Michael Descary and Mary Cuillerier. He had been in Detroit as early as 1710, and about the year 1732 he settled here with his family. Five children had been born at Montreal and four more were born after the removal to Detroit. Jean Le Duc was buried at Sandwich, April 24, 1768. Catherine Descary was buried at Detroit, April 15, 1761. Denissen, op. cit. 41 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS dred and fifty-seven, executed before the notary undersigned, of which he has the original, the said two arpents of land being subject to royal quit-rents, charged with the same for His Majesty's revenue, of four livres two sols and one half minot of corn annually, which the said lady vendor promises to pay from the past up to the eleventh of November, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight, the said lady certifying that she has never made any contract for the said land and promising to guarantee the said purchaser against all debts, evictions, mortgages and hindrances whatsoever arising from her own deeds and actions and to place in the hands of the said purchaser the contract of cession of the said land which her late husband had in his possession before their marriage as the said Mr. Barthe knows and is satisfied with the said tract of land as he has seen it, for his enjoyment forever and full rights of ownership, to commence from the day of the feast of St. Michael next. This sale is made on the conditions above set forth of cens et rentes, seigniorial or royal rights and ground service according to the usage and custom of the country, to which the said purchaser agrees, and furthermore for the sum of three thousand livres which the said widow acknowledges and confesses to have received from the said Mr. Barthe in good, choice peltries, valued at the present Detroit price and currency, holding him acquitted of this payment and of all else, in consequence of which and of all herein before set forth and of the decree in council of relatives, and by virtue of the authority given to her for that effect, has conveyed to the said purchaser, his heirs and assigns, all rights of possession belonging to her and her heirs, that he may be seized and vested therewith, placed and received in good and sufficient possession and seizin, by which and because of which it may belong to him by virtue of these presents, constituting for that purpose the bearer hereof as her attorney in fact by giving to him power thereof. For thus &c., and for the execution of these presents and conditions she has chosen, without repeal, her home in her own house to which place &c., promising &c., obliging &c., renouncing &c., duly executed at Detroit in the office of 42 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the said notary on the afternoon of the twenty-eighth day of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and fiftynine in the presence of Eustache Gamelin and Jean Baptiste Campau and Claude Campau, uncles of the minor children, and Mr. Barthe, the said widow having declared that she cannot sign this instrument, the same having been read. Claude Campau J. Bte. Campau Ch Barthe Navarre, Notary Eustache Gamelin Milhomme Endorsed: May 28, 1759. Adjudication of two arpents of land at Detroit to Mr. Barthe, the sale by the widow of Nicolas Campau. Attached is the decree in council of the relatives and several notes concerning the estate of Nicolas Campau.24 No. 84. JOHN ASKIN DISCHARGED FROM BANKRUPTCY To all People to whom these presents shall come We whose Names are hereunto Subscribed & Seals affixed Creditors of John Askin & Robert Rogers25 Late of the City of Albany in the Province of New York Copartners send Greeting-Whereas the said John Askin & Robert Rogers on the Day of the Date hereof do owe & are Indebted unto us the said Several Creditors whose names are hereunto z4 The decree in council and the notes here alluded to are no longer preserved with the document. z5 Robert Rogers was famous at this time by reason of his exploits as a leader of rangers in the French and Indian War. It was Rogers to whom was assigned the hazardous service of taking over Detroit and the other western posts from the French upon the surrender of Canada in 1760. He later bore a notable part in the defense of Detroit against Pontiac in 1763, and still later (1766-67) served as governor of Mackinac and dependencies. Rogers' failures as administrator and business man were no less marked than was his success as a partisan leader. The fiasco with Askin, of which this document preserves record, was merely one incident in a long list of financial disasters. The best available biography of Rogers is by Allan Nevins, Ponteach or the Savages of America. A Tragedy by Robert Rogers With an Introduction and a Biography of the Author (Chicago, 1914). On his administration as governor of Mackinac see, also, M. M. Quaife, Wisconsin; Its History and Its People, 1634-1924 (Chicago, 1924), I, 22542. 43 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Subscribed & Seals affixed in Several Sums of money which they are at present unable to pay and Satisfy, And Whereas the said Robert Rogers having departed the said Province and gone beyond Sea The said John Askin in order to obtain a final Discharge for himself Hath Conveyed Assigned & Delivered up unto Abraham Dow of the City of Albany aforesaid and Hamilton Young of the City of New York Merchants in Trust for all the Creditors of the said Askin & Rogers All the Estate Real & personal as well belonging to the said Copartnership as to him the said John Askin to be applied towards Payment of all the Debts due by the said Copartnership as far as the same will extend Now therefore Know Ye That we the said Creditors do for ourselves severally and Respectively and for our several and Respective Executors and Administrators Remise Release and for ever Quit Claim unto the said John Askin his Heirs Executors & Administrators all & all manner of Action & Actions Cause & Causes of Action & Actions Suits Bills Bonds Writings Obligations Debts Dues Duties Reckonings Accounts Sum & Sums of money Judgments Executions Extents Quarrels Controversies Trespasses Damages & Demands whatsoever both in Law & Equity which we the said Subscribers any or either of us now have or which we. any or either of us our or any or either of our Executors Administrators partners or Assigns shall or may have Claim Challenge or Demand against the said John Askin his Heirs Executors or Administrators for or by reason or means of his the said John Askin having been a Copartner with the said Robert Rogers or for or by reason or means of any other Act Matter Cause or Thing from the Beginning of the World to the Day of the Date hereof Provided always that nothing herein Contained shall extend or be Construed to extend to Debar us the said Subscribers any or either of us or any or either of our Executors Administrators Partners or Assigns from making use of the name of the said John Askin in any Suit or Suits hereafter to be Commenced or prosecuted against the said Robert Rogers In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & Seals 44 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS this Twenty fourth Day of December in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred & Seventy one. Sealed & Delivered Greg Cunningham & Co. & for (L. S.) In the presence of Greg & Cunningham Jacob Allbright Theophylait Bache for himself and as an assignee to the Estate William Wilson of Hymen Levy (L. S.) John Alsop Assignee to H. Levy (L. S.) Oliver Templeton for himself and Attey for Hugh Cairns and Edward Agnew Sole Heir and Administr to the (L. S.) Estate of Henry Agnew Decsd Chas MoEvers for. the Estate of Jas McEvers (. S) Hamilton Young Trustee to the Estate (L. S.) of Abram Lyle Hamilton Young Trustee to John Dunlop he being (L. S.) Assignee to Peebles & Wells Gerard Wm Beekman Trustee to People & Wells (L. S.) Gerard Wm Beekman Trustee to Kennede & Lyle (L. S.) Alexr Stewart (L. S.) Benson & Turner (L. S.) Endorsed: Discharge from the Creditors of John Askin [In another hand:] Albany 1771 45 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS RECEIPT FOR FEUDAL DUES Recu au Detroit le 28 de Fevrier 1773. de Badishon Labadie trois Minots de B16 et Vignt quatre Livres douze Sols en Argent en consideration de la permission lui accord6e de cultiver une Terre de quatre Arpens de front sur quarante de profondeur embas de Village de Poutewatamis et une autre de quatre Arpens de front sur Quatre vignt de Profondeur au Village ancien des Outawas le tout pour une Ann6e echue au Onze de Novr dernier. P Ordr de Major Henry Basset Commandt James Sterling Endorsed: Receipt J Sterling for Quit Rent 1773. Translation Received at Detroit, Feb. 28, 1773, of Badishon Labadie,26 three minots of wheat and twenty-four livres twelve sols in cash, in consideration of the permission granted to him to cultivate a tract of land four arpents in front by forty in depth below the village of the Potawatomi,27 and another 26 The founder of the Detroit Labadie family was Pierre Descomps dit Labadie (La Badie), born in La Rochelle, France, in 1702, who married at Montreal, Nov. 17, 1727, Angelica Lacelle, a native of that place. The family removed to Detroit about the year 1740, where Pierre was buried, Sept. 10, 1782. The second son of this couple, Anthony Louis Descomps dit Labadie, was born at Montreal in 1730 and married at Detroit, Feb. 26, 1759, Angelica Campau, daughter of Nicolas Campau dit Niagara and Agathe Casse dit St. Aubin. She died in December, 1767, leaving several children. Thereafter for many years, the widower consorted with Marie, a Chippewa woman. In Oct., 1784, he married Charlotte Barthe, widow of Louis Rdaume and daughter of Pierre and Mary Chapoton Barthe. He was buried at Sandwich, Dec. 17, 1807; Charlotte Barthe was buried at Detroit, Feb. 11, 1849. By his several unions Anthony Labadie became the father of twenty-three children, the mother of eight of them being Marie, the Chippewa woman. These children are all designated as Labadie dit Badichon, evidently because the appellation Badichon had in some way become attached to the father, Anthony Labadie; possibly it was given him by the kinsmen of Marie. Labadie was a man of considerable wealth, owning two mills, besides lands and slaves and other property. By his will he bequeathed two of his slaves, his horsemill, and other property to his widow. The widespread ramifications of the Labadie family are in part suggested in this note, compiled from data given by Denissen, op. cit.; notes on the Labadie family printed in Essex Hist. Soc., Papers and Addresses, I, 38-55 and C. M. Burton, "The Labadie Family in Detroit," ms. in Burton Hist. Coil. 127 The Potawatomi village and cemetery were west of the enclosed town of Detroit, in the vicinity of Twenty-first and Twenty-fourth streets-land since known as Private Claim 20, or the Brevoort and Porter farms. In 1771, the tribe deeded the 46 I I e' I,-f 0 J(, a(U40 c/ c Al I M IC S i y t, r lb 'o I I CC r,L I,, V ^ ^ I FORT DETROIT AND ENVIRONS IN 1768 Reproduced from a contemporary chart in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa 'V. Bo z M l; 2J^ JOHN ASKIN PAPERS tract of four arpents in front by eighty in depth at the old village of the Ottawa, the whole being for the year which expired on the eleventh of November last. By order of the Commandant, Major Henry Bassett.28 James Sterling29 Endorsed: Receipt for quit rents. J. Sterling. 1773. GEORGE ANTHON DISCHARGES A MORTGAGE Resu par Monsieur George Entony La Somme De trois Cents Soisante quinzes Livres Contenu Dans Laubligation site to Robert Navarre, the younger, forever, "that he may cultivate the same, light a fire thereon, and take care of our dead." The natives' faith in Navarre's ability to preserve the burial place of their dead from desecration proved vain. Long since the cemetery was displaced by the demands of the growing city. It is stated that in 1867, in the course of grading Woodbridge Street, some twenty-five or thirty skeletons were uncovered. See Farmer, History of Detroit, 22, 50. 28 Major Henry Bassett of the Tenth Regiment commanded the post of Detroit for two years, 1772-74. He seems to have been a man of energy and ability, who exerted himself in various ways to promote the interests of the Crown at Detroit. In the spring of 1774, the garrisons at Detroit and Mackinac were relieved by detachments of the Eighth Regiment, and ordered down to Canada preparatory to the return of the Tenth Regiment to England. Thus terminated Major Bassett's connection with Detroit. See C. M. Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, I, 124-26, and Mich. Pio. Colls., X, passim. 2.9 James Sterling was a native of Ireland who came to America during the. Seven Years' War and served as commissary of provisions under General Haldimajid. On the conquest of Canada in 1760, a group of associates, several of whom had been army officers, embarked upon the Northwest trade; the partners were Capt. Walter Rutherford of New York, of the Sixty-second Regiment; Lieut. John Duncan of Schenectady, of the Forty-fourth Regiment; Lieut. George Coventry of Schenectady, of the Fifty-fifth Regiment; and James Syme of Schenectady. They obtained from General Amherst a provisional grant of 10,000 acres of land at the upper end of the Niagara portage, and early in 1761 built a storehouse there and prepared to engage in the carrying trade. Sterling supervised the initial operations at Niagara, and in July, 1761, came on to Detroit, where he opened a store and served as general western agent of the partners, sending out ventures to Miamis (modern Fort Wayne), Mackinac, Sault Ste. Marie, and other tributary points. He won the confidence of the French settlers, whose language he spoke, and during the Pontiac siege of 1763, they chose him to act as commander of the local militia. In particular, he stirred the interest of beautiful Angelique Cuillerier, niece of the late French commandant, Bellestre. On Feb. 19, 1765, they were married, and in a letter written a week later, Sterling describes his bride as "a prudent woman, a fine scholar; has been used to trade from her infancy & is generally allowed to be the best interpreter of the different Indn languages at this place." There is considerable reason for believing that it was she, moved by the desire to save Sterling, who disclosed to the British the plot of Pontiac in 1763. During the Revolution, Sterling was suspected by the authorities of sympathizing with the colonists, and during Governor Hamilton's regime at Detroit, he was arrested and sent to Lower Canada. Apparently he never returned to Detroit. Information adapted from copy of Sterling letter book (ms.) in Burton Hist. Coll.; Buffalo Hist. Soc., Publications, VI, 33 ff.; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 47 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Cy Contre ausit La Somme de dix sept Livres dix Sols pour Les Interest de huits moy acont6 du premier octobre 1772 Jusquau premier de Juin 1773. Ces pour quoy ge [je] transporte La de ipoteque amondt Sieur Antony avec mes Droit que je luy abandonne donn6 ce le Juin 1773 Jacques Campau Appended: Detroit 10me June Recu de Monr Rivarre Quatre Cent treize Livres, c'est pour Argent preter a Madame Losonett. Interest ajoute depuis ce temps ainsy Je tins quitte la dte Dame aussi Mr Rivarre. Geo. Anthon Endorsed: Obligation of Madme Losonet for 392" 10. Translation Received from George Anthon30 the sum of three hundred and seventy-five livres, the amount of the mortgage herewith, also seventeen livres ten sols interest for eight months from October 1, 1772, to June 1, 1773. I therefore convey the said mortgage to the said Anthon and make over to him all my claim thereto, this 1st day of June, 1773. Jacques Campau.31 3o George Christian Anthon was a native of Germany who studied medicine and found his way to America as a young man. He entered the British army as a surgeon's mate and in 1760 came to Detroit with Major Rogers' expedition which received the surrender of the French garrison. Anthon remained at Detroit until 1786, when he removed with his family to New York. In August, 1770, he married Mary Ann Navarre, the widow of Jacques St. Martin, interpreter to the Huron, and in 1778 he married (second) Genevieve Jadot, a niece of his first wife. Several children were born of this marriage, three at least of whom became widely known: John Anthon, as a lawyer and jurist; Henry Anthon as a preacher; and Charles Anthon as a classical scholar and teacher. Information condensed from M. M. Quaife, "The Mansion of St. Martin" in Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, III, 3641. 31 The signer of this document was probably Jacques, the son of Jean Louis Campau for whom see ante, 33. Jacques Campau was born March 30 1735, and on Aug. 17, 1761, married Catherine Menard, daughter of Jacques Menard and Susanne Projean dit Prudhomme. He married (second) Mary Frances Navarre, widow of Lieutenant George McDougall, the owner of Hog Island (modern Belle Isle). Jacques Campau was the father of a large family of children. He acquired ownership of a farm extending westward from Chene Street toward St. Aubin Avenue, which had originally been granted by the government to Pierre Esteve, July 3, 1734, and which is now designated as Private Claims 91 and 14. It was in his house that Major Rogers and his fellow soldiers sought refuge during the disastrous Battle of Bloody Run in 48 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Appended: Detroit, June 10. Received of Mr. Rivard82 four hundred and thirteen livres, for money loaned to Madam Losonet, with interest added since that date, hereby acquitting the said lady of that obligation, also Mr. Rivard. George Anthon Endorsed: Obligation of Madam Losonet for 392 livres 10 sols. PERMISSION TO BUILD A HOUSE I do hereby certify having given permission to Mr Jn~ Askin Depy Commissary & Barrack Master of the Fort of Missilimakinac to enclose from three to five Acres of Ground near a Spot call'd the three Miles pond from its said suppos'd Distance from the Fort & to build thereon a House with such other Conveniences as He from Time to Time may judge necessary of which I advis'd His Excellency the Honble The Gage33 Esq., Commander in Chief in the Course of Summer 1773 Given under My Hand at Missilimakinac this 7th Day July 1774 1763. Francis Parkman, who has vividly described the scene, mistakenly characterizes Campau as "old" and "gray"; in fact, he was twenty-eight at the time and had been married but two years. Campau was an officer of the militia of the Northeast Coast of Detroit, and in 1770 he was Marguiller comptable (treasurer) of Ste. Anne's Church. He was buried Feb. 16, 1789. See C. M. Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, II, 1363 -66, and references in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 32 Jean Baptiste Rivard was born at Grondines, Canada, Nov. 22, 1729, and married at Detroit, Feb. 15, 1762, Mary Catherine Yax, a native of Detroit, whose parents, Michael Yax and Catherine Herbinne, were Detroit's first German settlers. The founders of the Rivard family in America were two brothers, Nicolas Rivard dit Lavigne and Robert Rivard dit Loranger, who came from France to Canada about the middle of the seventeenth century and settled and died at Batiscan. Both became progenitors of families which were represented at Detroit in the eighteenth century and later. Jean Baptiste Rivard was a grandson of the elder of these brothers. In 1762 he obtained a concession of land at Grosse Pointe, now known as Private Claims 299 and 300, and this became his permanent home. He was buried at Detroit, June 23, 1805; his wife was buried Sept. 27, 1792. To them were born numerous children, who figure in the life of Detroit in succeeding generations. Denissen, op. cit. 33 Thomas Gage, born in 1721, entered the army as a lieutenant in 1741, and a dozen years later came to America with General Braddock's force as a lieutenant colonel. He led the advance of Braddock's army, and was wounded in the notable defeat of July 8, 1755. On the capture of Montreal by the British in 1760, Gage was appointed governor and his administration of the conquered city was marked by its mildness. He was made major general in 1761, lieutenant general in 1770, and general in 1782. From 1763 to 1772 he was commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, with headquarters at New York. In the last-named year he returned 49 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS J VATTAS34 Captn Regt Tenth Commdt of said Fort & Garrison &" &c Endorsed: July 1774 [In Vattas' handwriting:] Mr John Askin [In Askin's handwriting:] Capt Vattas's permission for a Settmt near Michilimackinac. DIARY OF JOHN ASKIN AT MACKINAC, 177436 1774 April the 16th the lake first broke up a little. 19th I sett the first potatoes same day the first Wild Ducks was brought to the Fort 20th I began to harrow my Ground at the farm 228t Sowed some pease at the farm the first Geesse killed by my Brother 23d the large Boat taken out of the Fort by my Man. M' Boyez36 Sewed Pease 26h The lake now passable in Boats 27th Some Ice returned, Sowed Buck Wheat at the farm & Sett the first potatoes there Apr' the 28th Mr' Ainsse37 went in a Boat for the Grand Travarse or to meet the Ottaways; Sowed Parsnips & Sett Potatoes at the farm also sowed Oates to England, coming back in 1774 as captain general and governor of Massachusetts. He was unable to stay the course of revolution, and, although again appointed commander-in-chief of the forces in America in August, 1775, he was superseded by General Howe a year later and in October, 1776, returned to England, where he died in 1787. In December, 1758, Gage married, in America, Margaret Kembal, daughter of Peter Kembal, president of the provincial council of New Jersey. To them five daughters and six sons were born. One son, born in 1777, was long an admiral in the British navy. See Dictionary of National Biography. 34 John Vattas was made captain in the Tenth Regiment, May 5, 1760. He commanded the post of Mackinac in the interval between the commands of Captain George Turnbull and Major De Peyster, or about the years 1772 to 1774. On Jan. 13, 1776, he received the commission of major in the regiment. See British army lists. 35 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 36 Probably Charles Boyer (Boyez), for whom see post, 93. 17 The Ainse family had been established at Mackinac for several decades before 1774. August 30, 1741, Joseph Ainse married there Constance Chevalier. After 50 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 29th The first Indians Arived from the Other Side in a Canoe planted Onions for seed, also Beans Squash seed & Cucombers 30th Sowed onion & Spinage Seed May 1st the land Gate Shutt 2d began to plow a very hard frost this Night, & a strong West Wind 3d Cold Weather frost & Snow more than Common at this Season Agreed with Elizabeth Staniford yesterday for my Washing & all my familys-for 8/ N.Y. C per week 1774 May the 4th Continued plowing & setting Potatoes the Weather more Moderate 5th More potatoes Sett 6th Sowed Pease & sett potatoes several Showers of Snow to day. Messr' Lyons38 & Oakes39 arrived from a Hunting Party an Indian Canoe came from the opposite side 7th Sowed Oates & sett Potatoes fair Weather Westerly Wind 8th Hired Chabotte from this day to the arrival of the C08 Canoes from the G Portage40 for 10018 in pel[try]: or 20018 in Montreal also 1 pr Trowsers a Shirt & pair of Legons. he Obliges himself dureing sd time to work faithfull whither on a Voyage or Otherwise Employed his death she married (1751) Franqois Louis Cardinal, royal notary in the closing years of the French period. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 140 and 470. A son of the former marriage was Joseph Louis Ainse, born May 1, 1744, whose career is sketched post, 69. We are unable to identify the Mrs. Ainse here mentioned, but in view of her trading activities there is some reason for supposing her to be the Sarah Ainse whose career is noted post, 194. 38 Benjamin Lyon was for a time a partner of Askin at Mackinac. Apparently this place was his permanent residence, for in 1787 he signed a petition to Captain Scott in the capacity of merchant and trader at Mackinac, and as late as July 28, 1800, his name is recorded as a witness in the Register of marriages at that place. 39 Forrest Oakes came to Mackinac as early as 1769, and figures prominently in Dr. Daniel Morison's journal of misdeeds at that post. See ms. in Burton Hist. Coll. In May, 1780, and in April, 1781, he signed memorials of protest to General Haldimand as one of a group of traders to Grand Portage and the Northwest. Mich. Pio. Coils., IX, 550-52 and XIX, 620-21. In the latter document he is described as a "merchant of Montreal." 40 Grand Portage, at the western end of Lake Superior, for which see post, 74. 51 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS May the 8th 1774 The first Herring caught to day. 9th plowed & Harrowed some Ground 10th Sowed the last Oats & Pease 11th Sett the last potatoes Mr Cadotts41 Brother in Law an Indian arrived to day 12th Messrs Chaboulliez42 Cain6[?] & Mr Sans Chagrin43 Arrived from the Grande Rivire today 15th a Canoe of Mr St Pierres44 arrived from Milwakee with Corn 18th Sowed Squashes or pumkin Seed at the farm Mich. May 22d 1774 hired Clutiez from the Time of his being free this Year which will be the 27th of Augt Next Untill the 1st of June 1775 for Two hundred & fifty Livers in peltry & an Equipmt which I now have delivered him " Mr" Ainsse Arrived with the Ottaways. 41 Jean Baptiste Cadotte, grandson of a follower of St. Lusson, who in 1671 at the Sault took possession of the Northwest for the king of France, passed his life in the western fur trade, with permanent headquarters at the Sault. He contracted a forest marriage with a Chippewa woman, whom in 1756 he formally married at Mackinac. According to Otto Fowle, Sault Ste. Marie and its Great Waterway (New York and London, 1925), 483, she was a relative of Matchekewis, the chief who plotted the massacre of 1763 at Mackinac. Cadotte's influence over the Chippewa of the Sault was all-powerful, and in 1763 he exerted it to restrain them from joining in the plot for the massacre of the garrison at Mackinac. A few years after this event, Cadotte entered into a partnership with Alexander Henry and others to exploit the Lake Superior copper deposits, but the enterprise did not prove economically feasible and was abandoned after a courageous trial. In 1796 Cadotte turned his property and business over to his two sons by his Chippewa wife, Jean Baptiste Jr. and Michel. These men were prominent in the Lake Superior fur trade (particularly of modern Wisconsin and Minnesota) for another generation. The elder Cadotte died in 1803. See Quaife, Wisconsin: Its History and Its People, I, 262-66. 42 Probably Charles Chaboillez, for whom see post, 91. 43 Alexis Sejournee dit Sanschagrin, was a sergeant of the troops at Mackinacin 1749. Apparently he became a permanent resident of the place, for his name appears at various times in the Mackinac birth and marriage registers. He married Mary Angelica Tareau; a daughter, named Mary Angelica, born at Mackinac on March 10, 1749, married (first), May 4, 1764, Jean Baptiste Cauchois and (second), on June 26, 1778, Pierre Cardinal of Detroit. Alexis Sejournee was living at Mackinac as late as 1764, when he witnessed the marriage of his daughter as noted above. 44 A trader bearing this name was in Wisconsin and on the upper Mississippi as early as 1763. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 267-68. Captain Samuel Robertson, who visited Milwaukee in the autumn of 1779, recorded in his log book considerable information about his interview with St. Pierre. Ibid., XI, 210-11. In 1839 an aged Indian identified the southwest corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, Milwaukee, as the site of the former home of a family named "St. Peter or St. Pierre," Parkman Club Publications, (Milwaukee, 1896), I, 81. St. Pierre was the earliest trader, so far as present information goes, to locate on the site of Milwaukee. 52 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 23d Began to plant Indian Corn. May 26th the first Vessell Arived from Detroit 28th Sowed Garden Pease, Beans, Clover & Rye Grass 30th planted Potatoes July 19th 1774 began to Cutt Hay July 21St The Archange Sailed from hence at half pas 2 oClock in the Afternoon July 26th the Angelica with the remdr of my Liquors &C Arived July 28th the Angelica Sailed this Night. -Augt 3d Barth45 Arrived from the Grande Portage Augt 4th the Gloster Arrived recvd by her from M~Farlin 12W Barl rum Mr Ellis 5 Kegs Hogs lard 2 Books 2 Barrells of lime 2 D " Tar & Turpentine Sunday Augt the 7th the Gloster Sailed for Detroit Monday Augt 8th The Archange Arrived at Night Monday Augt 22d the Archange Saled for Detroit 2 past 1 oClock Tuesday Augt 23d Reaped Some Oates Thursday Augt the 25th the Dunmore Arrived. Augt 31st Went to Detroit Octr 21st Arrived from Detroit same day the Archange Arrived from Detroit Sunday Nover the 6th 1774 About 12 oClock the Watter began to rise here & continued doing so for About 4 of an Hour in which time it rose 3W4 foot perpendicular & afterwards fell Gradually to its former plane the Wind was S. W & blew hard. no Such thing as this Ever happened here in my time which is now ten years the same Evening & Night a fall of Snow About 4 Inches 45 Apparently Jean Baptiste Barthe, Askin's brother-in-law, for whom see post, 74. 53 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 8th Dug my Potatoes at the farm 14th Dug the last of my Potatoes Novr 13th Capt Robison46 began the Paterns for the Petiauger 14th he went to the Woods to get the Timber to make her 30th Took up my Cabage out of my Garden JanY 7th 1775 The poor Blk Sow took Boar. 12th Capt Cornwalls47 Sow took the Boar. the first hen laid Yesterday Ganniez[?] began to make Kegs 13th Capt Robison began the Petiauger Febr 24th 1775 The Ewes began to Lamb March 4th a Cow Calfed at the farm 15th a Cow Calfed at the farm in the Woods the Weather so good & Grass almost Every place Marcli 26th The lake is now so Clear of Ice that has been driving back & forward for Above three Weeks past that a Boat or Vessell may go on it. Apr' 1st The Weather has been Uncommonly Cold Since the 26th March Some of my Cows have lain Out for Near a fortnight at difft times 7th The first Canoe Arrived from the Other shore. Mich. Apr' 7th 1775 Mr Henry gone from this in a Canoe for St Mary's The Second time we have seen Pidgons this Season, the first was four days ago. Some Geesse flew past to day & some Other some days Ago 8th The red Sow piged had Seven Pigs. 46 This was Samuel Robertson, a native of Scotland and a sailor from youth, who in 1774 was sent to Detroit by the firm of Phyn and Ellice of London to take command of a vessel in the interest of some merchants engaged in the Northwest fur trade. Robertson continued to sail the upper lakes for several years. The log of one of his cruises (in 1779) is printed in Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 203-12. In the winter of 1779-80 he was arrested at Mackinac by Governor Patrick Sinclair and sent to Montreal for trial. See documents printed in Mich. Pio. Colls., IX, 618 ff. In 1782 Robertson was at Quebec, still awaiting trial; he died soon after this. In the winter of 1777-78 he married at Mackinac Catherine Askin, eldest daughter of John Askin. See post, 68. Two of his younger brothers were William and David Robertson, merchants of Detroit in the period 1785-96. 47 Probably Richard Cornwall of the naval establishment, for whom see post, 178. 54 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 10th The Lake very Clear of Ice 11th Pidgions now plenty 12th the poor white Sow had one Pig.13th The Black Sow Piged pidgons plenty J/ 18th This day Petter Ord began to work for me at 7/ Sterg per Week per Agreemt he to find himself in Everything Apr' 22d Harrowed the large Garden at the Fort Sowed some Garden pease in my Gardin Sett a Herrin Nett yesterday & caught Seven Herring 24th This day the little Vessel the Cap' De Peyster taken out of the Fort Hired La Boneau[?] this day of Mr Campau for the remdr of the time he has to Serve at ~3 per Month 28th This Evening About 6 'OClock my man Toon was Drowned out of a small Canoe coming from the Vessell 29th this Morning he was found near the Stern of the Vessell Sowed the large Garden at the Fort with Oats Monday May the 1st The Schooner Cap' De Peyster left this for the Great Carrying Place on Lake Superior Sowed the large Garden with Clover Seed X to 66 foot Square Sowed Garden pease in drills 3 foot apart Sowed Turnip Seed in drills 2 foot apart with dung in the trench under the Seeds also parsnips Tuesday May 2d 1775 Sowed Persley, Beets, Onions, Lettice & Barley Seeds Mess"r Sans Chagrin & Chaboulliez arrived from the Grande Riviere Wensday May 3d Sowed More Garden Seeds & sett Shallotts & beans The small black Sow piged & had six Pigs Thursday May the 4th Pomp48 Entered on Board the Sloop Archange 48 Pomp was one of Askin's negro slaves. 55 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Saturday the 6th Capt Cornwalls Sow piged & had Eight Pigs Sowed Peas Oates & Clover all this last Week at the farm Monday May 8th Sett the first Potatoes at the Fort Sowed pease at the Farm Tusday 9th The Blk Cow & Mr Morrisons49 Cow Calfed Wensday the 10th The Sloop Archange Saild for St Mary's Sowed some More Lettice & carrott Seeds. planted the last of my Potatoes at the Fort Thursday May 11th the Chippewa from Detroit Arrived here about 7 oC at Night Monday the 15th May The Chippawa Saild for Detroit abt 12 oClock The first potatoes planted at the farm Thurday May the 25th Mr LaRonde Borrisa Arrived [with] the first canoe from Montreal Friday May the 26th a Shower of hail as big as my finger afterwards rain & thunder Monday May the 29th 1775 Transplanted Parsnip & some Cabbage plants three days Ago. Tuesday May 30th Sowed some Turnip Seeds Wensday June 6th Sowed Pease to the 10th Inst 22d June Sowed Buck Wheat Planted Some Potatoes here in June 49 Charles Morison came to Detroit in June, 1762, in the capacity of clerk in the service of James Sterling and associates. His service proved so unsatisfactory that Sterling discharged him in August of the same year. Notwithstanding this unpromising beginning, Morison devoted his life to the Northwest trade, residing at Mackinac for upwards of forty years. His presence there in 1769 is shown by the journal of Dr. Daniel Morison (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.). He was a friend of Askin for many years, and numerous letters, written by him in a beautiful hand, are preserved among the Askin Papers. In his will, which was made at Niagara, August 24, 1804, Morison describes himself as "now of Niagara,... but late of Michilimackinac." See Ontario Hist. Soc., Papers and Records, XXIII, 350-51. He was buried at Niagara and his tombstone inscription states that he died Sept. 6, 1802 (evidently an error for 1804), aged 65 years. It further describes him as "a native of Scotland, who resided many years at Michilimackinac as a merchant and magistrate, and since the cession of that post to the United States became a British subject by election-for loyalty to his Sovereign and integrity in his dealings he was ever remarkable." See Niagara Hist. Soc. Pubs., No. 19 (2 ed., Welland, 1910), 14; James Sterling letter book, ms. copy in Burton Hist. Coll. 56 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Augt 29th planted in a hole of about a foot deep to the right of the Old Garden Gate 6 potatoe Aples with Potatoe Stocks with them as dung from which all the roots were Cut. Pla[n]ted same day near that 6 More potatoe Aples with a little Dung for Manure Remarks Thro bracking when Green, rotten Hay or any such Stuff on land where pease & Buck wheat have been, plow it in the Month of Sepr Harrow it in the Spring & Plant Potatoes with ye Plow without any more dunging. When Potatatoes are dug up in the fall Clover seeds may be sowed. Oates, wheat, Clover or Turnips may be sowed in the spring on Land where Potatoes were the year before Buck Wheat may be Sowed the 20th of June on Land twice plowed where Pease have been the year before. Potatoes may be planted on Stuble Grownd with Dung New Ground twice plowed I think best for Pease Oates may be sowed in old Turnip Ground. Augt 29th 1775 Planted in a Whole about a foot deep in the Corner of the Garten a few small potatoes with their stocks, the apples taken from them & no Other Dung Planted at Several times to the 28th of Septr potatoe Stocks without any other Manure. Sepr 27th 1775 About 4 Inches of Snow fell this Night & Several Snow Showers Next day Sepr 30th Sauvage Went on Board the Archange Octr 28 set three hills of potatoes near the pease Where next Mr Bostwicks60 Gardin one potatoe cut in 3 in the whole next the Corner, 3 whole potatoes in Each of the 5o Henry Bostwick was among the first English traders to penetrate to Mackinac upon the downfall of New France. He was there at the time of the massacre in 1763, when he was captured by the Chippewa and carried to Montreal for ransom. He continued his activities in the Northwest trade, and in 1770 was a member of the company organized to exploit the Lake Superior copper mines, as described by Alexander Henry in his Travels and Adventures. In 1781 Bostwick was one of the signers of the treaty for the purchase of Mackinac Island from the natives. A son of Bostwick by an Ottawa woman was baptized at Mackinac in 1794; the boy, then about twelve years old, was also named Henry. Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 238 and XIX, 100. 57 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Others, the holes About 4 Inches deep, with dung in them. About a Week ago dug all my potatoes & pulled up my turnips. Novr 3d Sent to St Mary's for white fish Novr 18th The Black Sow Piged had seven Pigs finished Plowing SALE OF NEGRO SLAVES Know all men by these presents that I Abram Dow of the City of Albany Merchant Have made Ordained Authorized Constituted & Appointted & by these Presents do make, Ordain, Authorize Constitute & Appoint Volkert A Douw of the City of Albany Indian Trader my true & Lawfull Attorney for me & in my Name & to my Use to sell or Dispose of the One half of two Negro men by Name the One Jupiter & the Other Pompey now in the Possession of M*r John Askin Mercht at Michilimackinac or Pompey Singly by himself & to give John Askin a Bill of Sale of Jupiter. In Witness whereof I the sd Abraham Douw have hereunto sett my Hand & Seal this twenty Eighth day of March in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy five Sealed & delivered in Signed Abm Douw (L.S.) the Presence of Goose Van schaick Petter W Dow I do hereby Certify that the Above is a true Coppy of a Power of Attorney gave me by my Father Mr Abram Douw taken from the Originall now in my Possession July the 15h 1775 Volkert Am Douw Endorsed: Coppy of a Power of Attorney from Mr Abraham Douw to Mr Volkert Douw KNOW all men by these Presents that I Abram Dow of Albany for & In Consideration of the Sum of One Hundred & Thirty five Pounds Lawfull Money of the Province of New York to me in Hand Paid by John Askin Deputy 58 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Commissary at Michilimackinac the recept whereof I do hereby Acknowlage, Have Assigned, Transfered & made Over & by these Presents do transfer Asign & make Over unto the said John Askin his Executors & Assigns all my Part or share in two Negro men One Named Pompey & the Other Jupiter being to the Value of when Purchased One Hundred & Ninety Pounds or Near that Sum New York Cur. & Every part thereof, & all Benifit, proceed, & Profit thereof, which now are or at any time hereafter shall become due or payable for the same & all my Right, title, Interest, Claim, & demand Whatsoever, of in or to the same or any part thereof: to have & to hold the said two Negro men & Every part thereof unto the sd John Askin his Executors, Administrators & Assigns, to his & their proper Use & behoof for ever. & I the said Abram Dow for myself, my Executors, Administrators & Assigns do Covenant & grant to & with the said John Askin his Executors Administrators & Assigns, that he the said John Askin his Executors Administrators & Assigns, shall & may from time to time & at all times hereafter, Lawfully Peaceably & Quietly have, hold, receive take & Enjoy, to his & their Own proper Use & behoof the said two Negro men & all & Every the proceed & profit thereof, & of Every part thereof, without any Lett, Trouble, Molestation or Interruption, of or by me the said Abram Dow my Executors, Administrators or Assigns, or any Other person or persons whatsoever, Lawfully Claiming from by or Under us, or any of Us, or by any or Either of Our Acts, Means, or Procurement. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my Hand & Sale [Seal] at Michilimackinac this fifteenth day of July in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & Seventy five Witness present Acting by Power of Attorney for Wm Sheers. my Father Abram Douw Esqr Michel Lalime. Volkert Am Douw Endorsed: July the 15, 1775 Mr Volkert Dow his Bill of Sale in behalf of his Father Abram Dow, of a share he held in two Negro men Named Jupiter & Pomp 59 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS SALE OF REAL ESTATE Pardevant nous Gabriel LeGrand Notaire au detroit y Resident sousign6 fut present Le sr Claude Landry dit st andr6 demeurant sur sa terre a la Coste du sorois du dit detroit ou nous nous sommes transport6 pour ce qui suit Cest a savoir que Le dit Sr Claude Landry nous a declar6 de sa franche Et Bonne Volont6 Et sans Contrainte Confesse avoir Vendu du Consantement dangelique Leduc son Epouse qui Lauthorise a Cet Effet a Lexecution des presente avoir Vendu quitt6 Ced6 Et deLaiss6 Des maintenants Et a toujours Et promis faire jouir Et garantir de tous troubles Et Empeschement quelconques provenants de ses faits, Une terre de trois arpents de front sur quarante de profondeurs fix6 et situ6e a La coste du sud sur Le Bord de La Rivigrre du dit detroit Born6e dun cost6 au nord Est a Ginac Et de Lautre Cost6 au sorois a LeVeilli6 Et par derrierre au terre non Consedee, circonstance Et dependance aussi Une maison dessus de seize pieds sur dix sept de piece sur pi[e]ce, sans aucune Reserve telle quelle se comporte et se tends de toute parts, a Benjamain Chappue habitants a ce present acceptant pour luy ses hoirs Et ayant Cause Et qui nous a dit bien La Connoistre pour Lavoir Venu Et Visit6e Et dit Estre Contants Et satisfait, La ditte terre appartenants au dit Vendeurs qui la Reprisee de Charles Bergante a qui pierre Coquelliard La Voit Vendue, Et par faute de payment Le dit Sr St andr6 a Rentr6 dans sa terre Et qui soblige de Remettre tous Les papiers Concernant La ditte terre Entre les mains du dit acquereurs ses hoirs Et ayant Cause Cette Ventes ainsy faitte pour par le dit acquereurs Usser faire Et disposer a toujours aux Charges Des cens Et Rentes droits seigneuriaux Et servitudes accoutum6e, La ditte terre Relevant du domaine du Roy, Et En outre moyennants La cantit6 de cent minots de Bled fromant et soixante minots de bled dainde qui ont Et6 pay6 Contant, et dont Le dit St andr6 Et femme tienne Generallement Quitte Le dit acquereurs pourquoy Le dit Sr st andr6 a transport6 au dit Benjamin Chappue ses hoirs Et ayant Cause a La venir tous droits de pro60 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS priett6, quil peut avoir Et pretendre sur La ditte terre Voulant que Le dit acquereurs Et siens en sois mis Et Resseu En bonne Et paisible possesion Et saisine par qui Et ainsy quil apartiendre En Vertu des presentes Constituant pour Cet Effet son procureurs irrevocables Le porteurs dicelles Luy En donnant pouvoir Car ainsy &0 promettant &' obligeant Renoncant &c fait Et pass6 au detroit maison du dit st andr6 par nous notaire sousign6 apres midy Le neuf juillet mil sept cent soixante quatorze presence du sr jacques Godefroy habitants Demeurant au detroit, Et jean LaRue demeurant a La Coste du sud tous deux temoins qui ont sign6 Et pour Le dit Claude Landry Et angelique Leduc sa femme ont declar6 ne savoir signer dont fait Leurs marque ordre apres lecture faitte, Et dans La minutte Est Ecrit jacques Godefroy, jean LaRue par sa marque, st andr6, et angelique Leduc ausi par leurs marque Et Legrand notaire qui a delivr6 La presente Coppie qui Est Veritable Et conforme a la minutte Le vingt deux avril mil sept cent soixante seize Legrand notaire Endorsed: Coppie Du Contrat dacquest entre Claude Landry Et Benjamain Chappue. [note by John Askin] of no use now. Translation BEFORE US, Gabriel Legrand,51 notary residing at Detroit and there resident, was present the undersigned, 5I Gabriel Christopher Legrand was the son of Gabriel Louis Legrand, Sieur de Sintre and Vicomte de Mortain, and Ann Henriette Catherine de Crenay, who lived at Roche in Normandy. The son, Gabriel Christopher, enlisted in the army and came to Detroit as surgeon major of the garrison. Here he married, April 17, 1758, Mary Magdelene Chapoton, who was born at Detroit, May 17, 1739, the daughter of Jean Chapoton and Mary Magdelene Esteve. She was buried at Detroit, January 7, 1763 (for her will, see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, III, 9-10), and Legrand married (second), July 26, 1764, Veronica Reaume, daughter of Pierre Reaume and Susanne Lacroix, born at Detroit, Feb. 2, 1745. Legrand was the father of several children by each marriage. See Denissen, op. cit. He was a man of varied occupations. Although he came to Detroit as a surgeon, the Pontiac Ms. of 1763 characterizes him as a judge "appointed in place of Mr. St. Cosme" (entry for May 20, 1763). Of his work as notary Burton says: "He seems to have been incompetent for some reason, and not finding sufficient employment in Detroit, he wandered off to Kaskaskia to reside, and there succeeded in getting the land titles so badly mixed up that the land commissioners made loud complaint of his inefficiency." City of Detroit, 1701-1922, I, 169. 61 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Claude Landry dit St. Andre,52 living on his land southwest of the said Detroit, whither we went for the purpose following, viz: That the said Claude Landry declares that of his own free will and without constraint of any kind, also with the consent of his wife, Ang6lique Le Duc, who gives him authority to act for her in this respect, he has sold, released, ceded and given over, henceforth and forever, with right of disposal and guaranty from all troubles and hindrances whatsoever that may arise from any action of his own, a tract of land of three arpents in front by forty in depth located and situated on the south bank of the river of the said Detroit, adjoining land of Gignac53 on the northeast and of LeVeilliE on the southwest, and unceded lands in the rear, with all its dependencies, also a log house on the above land, sixteen by seventeen feet, the whole without reserve such as it is and as it extends on every side, to Benjamin Chaput, farmer, by these presents accepting the same for himself, his heirs and assigns, who also says that he knows the said land, having seen and examined it, and that he is content and satisfied therewith, the said land being the property of the said vendors, who took it back from Charles Bergante to whom Pierre Coquillard54 had sold it, and by default of payment the said St. Andre has re-entered into possession of his land and he hereby binds himself to place all documents concerning the said land into the hands of the said purchasers, their heirs and assigns, that they may, by the sale thus made, have full use of the 5z Claude Landry dit St. Andre, born in France in 1707. He enlisted in the army and in this capacity came to Detroit with the rank of corporal. He married here, May 1, 1743, Ang6lique Le Duc, born in 1725, daughter of Jean Baptiste Le Duc and Catherine Descary. He was buried under the church at Detroit, July 16, 1777. The widow, Angdlique, was buried Sept. 29, 1801. Denissen, op. cit. 53 Probably this was Joseph Mary Gignac. His grandfather, Francis Gignac, was a native of France who migrated to Canada and settled at Cap Sante. Joseph married there, on Jan. 11, 1745, Magdelene Galorneau. Their descendants were numerous at Detroit, but nothing has been learned concerning the date the family moved here. 54 The founder of the American line of Coquillards was Pierre Serat dit Coquillard, a mason by trade, who was born in the diocese of La Rochelle in 1640 and married at Lachine, Nov. 17, 1687, Frances Sabourin, daughter of Jean Sabourin, and Mathurine Regnaut of Quebec. The couple had two sons, Francis and Pierre. The latter married at Longeuil, Mary Antoinette Robidou, Feb. 17, 1721. Their son, Pierre Serat dit Coquillard, is the person noted in this document. He was born at Montreal, Nov. 10, 1723, and buried at Sandwich, Sept. 28, 1793. He married at Longeuil, Dec. 1, 1742, Teresa Brossard, who was buried at Sandwich, May 3, 1798. The Coquillard descendants and family connections were numerous and widespread. Denissen, op. cit. 62 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS said land forever, with power for its disposal, subject to the charges of cens et rentes, seigniorial rights and customary service, the said land being holden from the domain of the King, and a further charge of one hundred minots of wheat and sixty minots of corn which have been paid in full, and from which the said St. Andr6 and his wife give the said purchasers unconditional release, wherefore the said St. Andre has assigned to the said Benjamin Chaput, his heirs and assigns, all his rights of ownership, real or pretended, upon the said land, that the said purchasers may enter into good and peaceable possession and seizin hereby, and that it may belong to them by virtue of these presents, irrevocably substituting for that purpose the bearer hereof in his place, in giving to them his power hereby, &c., promising &c., obliging, &c., renouncing &c. Duly executed at Detroit, in the house of the said St. Andr6, by us, the notary undersigned, on the afternoon of July the ninth, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, in the presence of Jacques Godfroy,55 resident of Detroit, and of Jean La Rue, 6 living on the south 55 The Godfroy family is one of ancient and wide renown in France. Jacques Godfroy, the first American ancestor of the person mentioned here, was born in a suburb of Rouen in 1653 and married at Three Rivers, Canada, June 30, 1683, Jane Brunet, daughter of Pierre Brunet and Mary Catherine Cottin. Their son, Jacques Godfroy de Mauboeuf, born at Three Rivers, July 17, 1684, about the year 1710, in partnership with Paul Chevalier and Joseph Senecal began to trade with Detroit. Godfroy married, about the year 1714, Mary St. Onge dit Chene, a native of Montreal, and about the year 1719 removed his family to Detroit, where his son Jacques was born, Jan. 6, 1722. Jacques married (first) Frances L'Eveille, an Indian woman, who died before 1758. He then married (second) Louisa Clotilda Chapoton, daughter of Jean Chapoton and Mary Magdelene Esteve. She was buried at Detroit, Sept. 18, 1762. Because of his services as interpreter to the Indians, Godfroy secured as wife the favorite daughter of a Miami chief. This occu red after the death of Louisa Chapoton, and it is uncertain whether the union was regarded as a legal marriage. Three children were born of the union with Louisa Chapoton. Godfroy was a trader and an officer in the militia. During the siege of 1763 he espoused the cause of the savages and for this (having previously taken an oath of allegiance to the British government) he was seized and sentenced to be hung for treason. He was pardoned by Colonel John Bradstreet, however, on condition that he conduct Captain Thomas Morris to the Illinois country. He faithfully discharged this duty, and was praised by Morris for his fidelity. Godfroy was buried at Detroit, June 29, 1795. His relatives were many and his family connections widespread. See Denissen, op. cit., and R. G. Thwaites (ed.), Early Western Travels, I, 302. 56 Jean La Rue (Larue) dit Bayonne, was a native of the diocese of Axe in Lower Guyenne, France. He married at Detroit, Aug. 25, 1770, Elizabeth Bineau, who was born here May 8, 1754, daughter of Louis Bineau and Magdelene Lereau. They had two daughters: Isabella, born at Detroit, March 23, 1772, and Mary Catherine, born at Sandwich, March 10, 1774. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 63 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS side [of the river] both witnesses who have signed, and the said Claude Landry and Angelique LeDuc, his wife, who have testified that they cannot sign, have made their customary mark after hearing these presents read, and in the original is written, Jacques Godfroy, Jean LaRue, by mark, St. Andr6 and Ang6lique LeDuc, also by their marks, and Notary Legrand, who has delivered the present copy, which is a true copy and conformable to the original, this twenty-second day of April, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. LE GRAND,-Notary Endorsed: Copy of the contract of purchase, between Claude Landry and Benjamin Chaput. One Jean La Rue, possibly the same individual, appears in the Kaskaskia Records (III. Hist. Colls., V.) as a resident of that place in 1779 and subsequent years. 64 SECTION II THiE MA C KI NAC LE TT ER B ooK: 1778 I FROM JOHN ASKIN' TO JOHN HAY2 AT DETROIT, APRIL 27, 1778 Our Lake is just now clear so that we are in hopes of seeing M' Bennett3 in a Battoe of [or] Vessell very soon, which puts me in mind that it is time to begin my Letters. I was favoured with your two kind letters dated in Octr & JanY last which I had no oppertunity of answering since. I'm under many obligations to you for the news & more so as I'm sure you can have but very little spare time, we are now very impatient to hear from your quarter as we think something new must have happened. I wish it was a peace In all probability the Spring news will reach us before you, if so I shall make you acquainted with all I learn. We have had a severe winter & of course plenty of Fish, we expect many Indians in, to go down the Country, Major De Peyster sends Provisions to meet them in a few days. i This letter and the following ones to July 7 are from a letter book kept by Askin at Mackinac in 1778, the only one of the letter books, presumably kept by him, whose present existence is known. z John (or Jehu) Hay, the last lieutenant-governor of Detroit, was a native of Chester, Pa., who in 1758 enlisted in the Sixtieth (Royal American) Regiment. In 1762 he was serving at Detroit as a lieutenant, and he continued here during the siege of 1763, and later was appointed commissary in the Indian Department. In 1776 he became deputy Indian agent and major of Detroit militia. He was on Hamilton's Vincennes expedition of 1778, and went with his chief to Williamsburg, Virginia, as prisoner of war. In October, 1780, he was paroled, and a year later was exchanged. In 1782 he was appointed lieutenant-governor of Detroit, but owing to the opposition of Colonel De Peyster, he did not assume the office until July, 1784. After a somewhat unhappy career as governor, he died August 2, 1785, and was buried with much ceremony in the governor's gardens. See Alexander Harrow, Log Book of the Gage and Rebecca, ms. copy in Burton Hist. Coll. In the summer of 1911 a coffin was unearthed by workmen excavating a sewer on Jefferson Avenue, which Mr. C. M. Burton became convinced, upon investigation, contained the mortal remains of Governor Hay. See Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, I, 132-33; Denissen, op. cit. In 1764 Hay married Marie Julie Reaume of Detroit, daughter of Hyacinthe Reaume and Agatha Lacelle, born Jan. 22, 1748. Of their several children Pierre Henry, Agatha, and John grew to maturity. 3 Lieutenant Thomas Bennett of the Eighth Regiment, who served under Colonel De Peyster as second in command at Mackinac. He was active in the military operations of the British in the Northwest during the Revolution. Among other services he led a detachment to Grand Portage at the head of Lake Superior in 1778, and another to the Illinois country in 1779. In 1786 he commanded for a short time the post of Detroit. Information concerning these several activities is contained in the Mich. Pio. Colls. and the Wis. Hist. Colls., passim. 67 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I have changed my plann of settling at Detroit untill the war is over, indeed in the present Situation of affairs, it's hard to undertake anything. I dont remember if I mentioned to you that I had a Daughter came up from Montreal last year, where she has been for several [years] past in the Nunnery. She was Married this Winter to Capt Robertson,4 a Match which pleases me well, as I never was acquainted with a more industrious, Sober, Honenst man, a fine prospect, perhaps to be a grand father next year. There was no less than twenty-one pairs of Sheets, besides some bed & Bolster cases quite rotten of the quantity I received last fall. I noted it at the Bottom of my receipt to the Barrack Master Gen', since which I have had them Condemned We have passed our Winter as agreeably as the place would admit off a Dance every week, & now the Spring is come on some of us return to our work as usual Mr" Askin & my famely are well & join with me in best wishes for you Mr Hay & Famelies prosperity FROM JOHN ASKIN TO THOMAS McMURRY5 AT MONTREAL, APRIL 28, 1778 I was favoured with your kind letter bearing Date the 7th Augt last by our Winters Express. I return you & Mr" MeMurry my sincere thanks for your care of my Son,6 he is not yet arrived here owing to the 4 The daughter here referred to was Catherine Askin, whose mother was Askin's Indian consort. Apparently she was fifteen years of age at this time (see letter of AskintoCommodore Grant, April 28, 1778, printed post, 77. Phyllis Barthe, there alluded to as though of the same age as Catherine Askin, was born Dec. 18, 1762); hence she was born about the close of 1762. After the death of Robertson she married (second) Robert Hamilton of Queenston. For her death, which occurred about the close of the year 1796, see post, 188. 5 Dr. Daniel Morison's manuscript journal of events at Mackinac, 1769-72, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll., discloses that one Thomas McMurray was a member of the garrison there during this period. In the Mich. Pio. Colls., XX, 58-59 is printed a memorial to Governor Haldimand from the merchants of Montreal and Quebec which is signed by Thomas McMurray, among others. Presumably he is the man to whom Askin's letter was addressed. 6 John Askin Jr. was the eldest son of John Askin, his mother being, presumably, the Indian woman, Manette. He was born at L'Arbre Croche, probably about the year 1762. He was later sent down to Montreal to be educated, and seems to have remained there several years. He embarked on commercial ventures in the Maumee region, 68 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Vessell being drove back by a hard gale of wind when in sight of this place, he is at Detroit at School. I have no news to acquaint you with from this quarter. Your friend Mr Lyons, Mr Burggy7 & Mr Ainses is the only remains of those which lived here in your time. You would be Surprized to see how this place grows, there is near one hundred houses in the Subarbs, & people are now building tolerable good ones. which proved unsuccessful on the whole, and in which he incurred a debt to his father which he never succeeded in discharging. He engaged with the latter in certain land speculations, and in this connection went to Greenville in 1795 to dissuade the Indians from concluding a treaty with General Wayne without including in it certain restrictions vital to the success of the speculators. By General Wayne he was promptly arrested and secluded, however, until the negotiations were concluded. On reaching Detroit he rendered a report of his mission to Colonel England, which is now preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. In 1801 Askin was appointed by Governor Hunter, collector of customs at Sandwich, which office he held until 1807 when he was appointed interpreter in the Indian Department and stationed at St. Joseph Island. At the opening of war in 1812 he led the Ottawa and Chippewa contingent of the British force which captured Mackinac, and here he continued to serve throughout the war, withdrawing with the garrison to Drummond Island in 1815. Here he was at least until 1816, when a letter to his parents expresses the hope of removal to Amherstburg. He died at Amherstburg about the beginning of 1820; the notice of his death (undated) appeared in the Detroit Gazett of Jan. 7, 1820. Askin married at Detroit, Oct. 21, 1791, Mary Madelaine Peltier, member of an old Detroit family, who died at Amherstburg on June 17, 1878. Her father, Jacques Peltier, born, Jan. 16, 1747, in old age related his recollections of the Pontiac siege of 1763, and this narrative was utilized by Francis Parkman. Prior to Askin's marriage with Madelaine Peltier he became the father of a son by a woman living in the Indian country, who may have been a white captive, butwhose identity is unrecorded. This son, Jean B. or "Johnny," was baptized at Detroit a few weeks after the father's marriage, and was reared to manhood largely by his grandfather, John Askin. He went with his father to St. Joseph, where in 1810 he engaged to go west in the fur trade, and spent one winter on the St. Croix River and a second in the Lac du Flambeau region of northern Wisconsin. In the summer of 1812 he led a band of Indians to take part in the campaign at Detroit, arriving, however, after Hull's surrender. He subsequently married a Miss Van Allen and became one of the early settlers of London, Ont., where he served as first clerk of the court (in the early thirties), and where he died, Nov. 15, 1869. Information adapted from the Askin Papers, passim, and other ms. data in the Burton Hist. Coll.; from the Askin Papers in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa; and from data supplied by Miss Amelia Harris of London, Ont. 7 Christian Berczy, a trader of Mackinac. A memorial of Captain Samuel Robertson to Governor Haldimand, published in the Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 328-30, incidentally discloses that Berczy died between September, 1781, and December, 1782. Concerning his career we have learned little. 8 Joseph Louis Ainse, born May 1, 1744, whose parentage is noted ante, 50-51. He was one of the informers against Major Rogers in 1766, and thereafter served as interpreter at Mackinac for many years. In 1786, he undertook an extensive journey among the tribes of the upper Mississippi country, going as the agent of Sir John Johnson to restore peace between the warring tribes in the interest of the Indian trade. He was later accused of peculations in connection with the discharge of this mission, and a lengthy trial ensued, the record of which is printed in Mich. Pio. Cols., XI, 491 if. 69 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I forgot I have news. Kitty is Married to a very worthy man, who has been master of my Vessell this several years past. Mrs Askin & her join in Compliments to Mrs McMurry. I am FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MR. EDGAR9 AT DETROIT, APRIL 28, 1778 I was favoured with your letter of Octr last in February. You'll oblige me much if you can let me have the Iron, the Quantity I lost 4 Ct, but as you weighed what you found more than your own, the remainder most be lost some place else. I would in these troublesome times, compound for the two-thirds of all my things on the way up. I'm glad you are once more got to a part of the world where your friends can hear from you. I realy thought you lost, when I heard you went to St Vincent.'1 Mr" Askin presents her kind Compliments to you & believe me with an Inclination to serve you. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JAMES STERLING AT DETROIT, APRIL 28, 1778 This is the first oppertunity I have had of answering Mr 9 Apparently William Edgar of the Detroit firm of Macomb, Edgar, and Macomb. Edgar's grandfather, Thomas Edgar, was born in Edinburgh, Oct. 19, 1681. His family were adherents of the Stuart cause, and as a consequence of the rebellion of 1715 he migrated to America. On the vessel which brought him he became acquainted with Janet Knox, a widow, whom he married soon after arriving in America. They settled at Rahway, New Jersey, and had six children, the second being Alexander Edgar, born in 1718; he married Mary Smith and lived in the vicinity of Rahway. Their fourth son was William, the subject of our present sketch. He was born in 1745 and was engaged in trade at Detroit as early as 1768, in which year he was appointed by Capt. George Turnbull, the commandant, as one of a committee of ten residents to report upon the administration of justice then current. In April, 1774, he was one of the Detroit traders who were required to deposit their liquor in a "general rum store" and agree not to give more than one glass at a time to an Indian. In 1780 he signed a petition of the merchants of Detroit to Governor Haldimand complaining of the military control of shipping and the way private goods were handled by the representatives of the Crown. About this time he was a partner of the Macombs and several of the ledgers of the firm are preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. At a subsequent date (undetermined) Edgar removed to the Illinois country, where the family was represented as late as 1861. Descendants of Thomas Edgar, the original immigrant, have long resided in Detroit. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; Farmer, op. cit., passim; and letter of C. G. Edgar of Detroit, May 16, 1912, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. 0o Vincennes, Indiana. 70 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Parkesll two Letters, dated the 29th Octr & 8th of Decr last, as also your favours of the 9th of Decr & 3d of JanY, Mr Parks mention that the thread charged for making of Bags was 17/4, it may be so in his books, but in the acct he sent me it is but 5/8 & that's the reason why I wrote him there was a small Error in that Article. I return him many thanks for his care of my Liquors & other things that arrive at Detroit for me. I beg you'll be so kind as to continue, as I have no other in your Quarter that I can so well require such a favour off, & as I know it must be attended with cost & loss of time I will pay both most willingly, I here inclose you a list of all the things I have on the way between Montreal & your Post & I beg on the arrival of each Vessell you will have some person of trust to attend the unloading & immediately take charge of mine, if such a person was to cost three Dollars a Day for that time, it would be better than have my effects embezeled. Please send me two Doz. of good common Chairs by the first oppertunity, if the Sugar with you has not been sold for 2/ per lb as I wrote Mr Parke, it is worth that here at least, therefore I should be glad to have it. I hope you will at least be able to procure the greater part of the Corn & Flour I ordered & much of the former hulled, a Disapointment in these articles would in part knock up the North Trade & I assure you if less than three or four Vessells load of these things arrive this Season, some persons in that back country will perish & the trade be hurt, there is little or no dependance to be put on the grain that's to be got this way. II William Park was for a long time a partner of George Meldrum in the firm of Meldrum and Park at Detroit. Subsequent to the American occupation Park crossed the river and made his home at Petite C6te (below modern Sandwich). He there continued in trade; the partnership with Meldrum seems to have been dissolved about the year 1803, but years passed before the accounts and debts of the firm were settled. Park was a man of local influence, as shown by the fact that he was a justice at Detroit and a captain of militia after his removal to the Canadian side. In 1789 he married Therese Gouin, daughter of Claude Jean Gouin and Mary Joseph Cuillerier dit Beaubien, who was born at Detroit, July 18, 1765. He was buried at Sandwich, from the home of Richard Pattinson, Oct. 4, 1811. Mrs. Park was buried there, August 19, 1814. Information compiled from mss. in the Burton Hist. Coll. 71 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS - ~~ — M1ajor De Payster12 could not pay Mr Langlades l order on him, having no Authority to give him his Pay. I have therefore got another draft & a Certificate such as you required, both which I inclose you. when I mention this oppertunity I mean the first that offers, for I know of none yet, but am in daily hopes to see a Vessell or boat from your Quarter, if I then should have more to say, I will add it or write another Letter, at present I will conclude by assuring you & Mrs Sterling of Mrs Askin & my most sincere wishes for your wellfare May 10th 1778 Major De Peyster has wrote so pressingly to Governor Hamilton14 about my things geting forward that I dare say I2. Arent Schuyler De Peyster was born in New York City, June 27, 1736. At the age of nineteen he entered the Eighth Regiment, and saw service abroad and in various parts of North America. His service in the Northwest during the Revolution was particularly notable. He was commandant of Mackinac from 1774 until after the capture of Governor Henry Hamilton by George Rogers Clark at Vincennes when (1779) De Peyster was promoted to the command at Detroit. He continued in command at Detroit until 1784. De Peyster and Askin were staunch friends, as many letters in the Askin Papers attest. De Peyster accompanied his regiment to England in 1785, and ten years later retired from the service and settled at Dumfries, Scotland, where he died, November 2, 1832, in his ninety-seventh year. He was a man of literary tastes, and a confirmed rhymster. A close friend and neighbor of De Peyster at Dumfries was Robert Burns, and what is said to have been the last poem ever composed by the latter was one addressed to De Peyster in reply to an inquiry after Burns's health. See Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, I, 130-33; and Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 344. I3 Charles Michel Langlade was born at Mackinac in 1729, his father being a French trader and his mother an Indian woman. Langlade became a notable partisan leader of the western tribesmen, first on the French side in the French and Indian War, and later on the British side in the Revolutionary War. As early as 1752 he led his tawny followers from Mackinac and Detroit in the raid upon Pickawillany, Ohio, which proved to be the opening blow of the Seven Years' War. Although the evidence is conflicting, there is some reason for attributing to Langlade's enterprise the destruction of General Braddock's army in 1755; while there is similar evidence to indicate that had Langlade been properly supported, he would have dealt Wolfe's army a fatal blow at Quebec in 1759. Speculation aside, the Langlades remained at Mackinac until the close of the French and Indian War (Charles Langlade figures prominently in Alexander Henry's narrative of the massacre of 1763) when they removed to Green Bay. Here our subject lived until an advanced age, dying some time subsequent to January, 1800. A Wisconsin county bears his name, and in the State Historical Library in Madison are numerous papers and personal relics pertaining to him. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 130-32, and Quaife, Wisconsin: Its History and Its People, passim, especially 190. 14 Henry Hamilton, a native of Ireland, came to America as a soldier in the French and Indian War. He served under Amtherst at Louisburg and under Wolfe at Quebec. From 1761-63 he was in the West Indies, and some time later his regiment was returned to England. Prior to the Revolution the civil administration of all Canada had been entrusted to a governor, with headquarters at Quebec. Soon after the war 72 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS on your having application made for me I will not be refused if there is room Send me a pr of Common Cart Wheels FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. MCGILL,15 FROBISHER, 6 PATTERSON,17 ETC. AT MONTREAL, APRIL 28, 1778 I take this oppertunity to acquaint you that I'm taking every precaution & hope to prevent your meeting with any disapointment, in what I'm to furnish you. As I found that no part of the great quantity of Liquors which I had on the road, arrived I attempted to purchase some at Detroit, but began, the Earl of Dartmouth created the new office of lieutenant-governor at Mackinac, Detroit, and Vincennes, and Hamilton received the appointment at Detroit. He reached Detroit, November 9, 1775, and his vigorous and frequently stormy administration was terminated by his departure on the Vincennes campaign in the autumn of 1778, from which he was never to return to Detroit. Consigned to imprisonment in Virginia,on securing his release, he went to England, whence he returned to Canada in 1782, bearing the appointment of lieutenant-governor. His administration was beset with difficulties, even as the earlier one at Detroit had been, and over a question of patronage he was summarily recalled in 1785. In 1790 he was governor of the Bermudas, and in 1796, while serving as governor of Dominica, died and was buried on the island. On his Detroit career see Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, II, 909 ff. A valuable article dealing with his later career as lieutenant-governor of Canada is by F. H. Soward, "The Struggle over the Laws of Canada, 1783-91" in Canadian Historical Review, V, 314-35. i5 James McGill, born in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 6, 1744, came to Canada and entered upon the Northwest trade soon after the close of the French and Indian War. He made several journeys into the Northwest, and became an intimate and lifelong friend of Askin. McGill was one of the original shareholders in the famous North West Company. Toward the close of the Revolution he settled down at Montreal, where, with Isaac Todd, he was extensively engaged in the capacity of middleman, outfitting the fur traders with needed supplies and disposing of their furs through the London market. McGill was highly successful in business, and at his death was reputed to be the wealthiest man in Canada. His business and other correspondence with Askin was extensive, and much of it will be presented on succeeding pages of this work. He married, Dec. 2, 1776, Marie Charlotte Guillemin, daughter of Guillaume Guillemin, a prominent official of Canada, and widow of Joseph Amable Trotier dit DesRivieres. McGill died at Montreal, Dec. 19, 1813. He bequeathed a portion of his property for the founding of the university which now bears his name. See Pierre-Georges Roy, Les Monuments Commemoratifs de la Province de Quebec (Quebec, 1923), I, 211-12. x6 Benjamin Frobisher, one of three brothers who at an early date were active in the Northwest fur trade. Joseph and Thomas Frobisher founded the Montreal firm of Frobisher Brothers, in which Benjamin, the youngest of the three, replaced Thomas about the year 1778. The two partners (Benjamin and Joseph) were active in founding the North West Company, and served as its principal agent at Montreal. Benjamin Frobisher died at Montreal, April 14, 1787. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 235, and Gordon C. Davidson, ThejNorth West Company (Berkeley, Calif., 1918), passim. 17 Charles Patterson, another early British trader and a founder of the North West Company. In 1788 Patterson with his boat crew was drowned in Lake Michigan, 73 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the Price being from 26/ to 30/ N. Y. CurrY 8 the Gallon & little certainty of getting it here made me drop the Scheme. I'm to have 80 Kegs of W. I. rum of 8 G' each from Monsr Barth[e],19 at 150" the Keg, this with about 100 Bushells of hull'd Corn, shall go off very early for the Portage.20 Corn in all probabillity will be as hard to be got as Rum. I'm informed from Detroit that it will cost 24/ the Bushell Unhulled & without Bags, but that's not the worst, how to get it here now the Vessells are Stopt, the Kings Vessell will come as usual perhaps, but besides Kings Stores, she has to carry for so many persons, that each can have very little on Board. I myself could [load] her twice, from all this you may judge, how difficult is it to fullfill Contracts, however dont be discouraged, if money or Industry will answer, you shall not be disapointed. Rum I expect for a Certainty by about sixty miles west of Mackinac, at a point still designated on the map as Patterson's Point. I8 The subject of the monetary systems employed in the Northwest trade in this period is full of perplexities. Values shifted from time to time, and from place to place at a given time. Even so experienced a trader as Askin required a set of rules for transforming calculations from one currency to another. The sterling shilling was the standard of value, of course; generally speaking, Halifax currency was worth less than sterling, and New York less than, Halifax. In one account of the year 1780 Askin figures Halifax at an advance of 75 to 80 per cent upon sterling, and New York currency at 60 per cent advance upon Halifax. I9 Jean Baptiste Barthe, born at Detroit in 1753, the brother of Askin's wife. He was located at this time at Sault Ste. Marie, where he was engaged in supplying the fur traders. He later lived at Mackinac and Detroit, and following the American occupation of the latter place, in 1796, he elected, like Askin, to remain a British subject and removed to the south side of the river. On December 28, 1778, he married at Detroit Genevieve Cuillerier dit Beaubien, having hurriedly returned from Mackinac when an attack by the Americans was believed to be impending. Barthe was buried at Sandwich, June 22, 1827. Genevieve Barthe was buried there July 14, 1847. See Denissen, op. cit. 2o Grand Portage, at the western end of Lake Superior, where a nine-mile portage was made between the Lake and a point above the falls on Pigeon River. Practically from the beginning of the British regime in the fur trade until the opening years of the nineteenth century, Grand Portage was the great interior entrep6t of the fur trade conducted by the Montreal merchants in the far Northwest. About the year 1801, however, due to the discovery that Grand Portage was on the American side of the boundary line drawn by the treaty of 1783, the site was abandoned by the British traders in favor of a new location at the mouth of the Kaministiquia River, to which the name of Fort William (in honor of William McGillivray) was presently given. 74 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the Grand River 21 & I shall send a Vessell to Millwakee22 in search of Corn. I have 150 Bushells already there & hope for more. I have about 200 here & I shall send a Batteaux to Detroit that will bring me at least 120 Bushells, this with my chance in the Vessell, I hope will answer my demands, my principle motive for giving you this information was, least the public Report of a Scanty [supply] might make you uneasy. I'm well provided with all the necessary Voytures23 to pass your effects from hence to the Portage FROM JOHN ASKIN TO COMMODORE GRANT24 AT DETROIT, APRIL 28, 1778 The Ice being all gone I think we may in a very few days expect a Vessell or Boat from your Post. I therefore think it time to begin & answer the Letters I received this Winter. I was favoured with two of yours bearing date the 9th of Decr & 2d of January last, which among other things brought 21 There were two alternative routes by which goods might be transported between Montreal and Mackinac and the Lake Superior country: via Niagara, Detroit, and the lakes, and via the ancient French trade route of the Ottawa (or Grand) River to Lake Huron. The Ottawa River route was beset by numerous portages, and the vessels employed were, of course, canoes. 2. To a greater extent than is commonly realized, the traders depended upon the Indians for their supplies of corn, an essential article in the conduct of the fur trade. The Ottawa of L'Arbre Croche (near modern Harbor Springs, Michigan) were relied upon for corn from a very early date. Askin's letters show that the Iidians at Milwaukee were another source of supply. In the autumn of 1779, Captain Samuel Robertson was sent from Mackinac on a voyage around Lake Michigan, chiefly to gather up as much corn as might be procured. His journal, published in Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 203-12, gives an interesting picture of conditions at Milwaukee at this date. 23 A "voyture" might be any species of vehicle of transportation; here it necessarily refers to the boats under Askin's control..4 Alexander Grant, born May 20, 1734, commonly known as the "Commodore," was a younger son of Patrick Grant of Glenmoriston, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Alexander Grant was "bred to the sea," but in 1757 he secured his transfer to Montgomery's Highlanders (the Seventy-Seventh Regiment) which was then being organized for service in America. He served in Forbes's campaign against Fort Duquesne in 1758, being wounded in Major Grant's disastrous rout at Grant's Hill, and in 1759 was with the army of General Amherst in the Lake Champlain region. Here he was appointed by Amherst to command a sloop on Lake Champlain, and the following year was given command of all the vessels on the lake. Thus was his further career determined. From 1763 until the Revolution he had the direction of the British naval establishment on all the lakes; in 1778 his field of authority was confined to the upper lakes (Erie, Huron, and Michigan), and he continued in command of the naval establishment on these lakes until January, 1812. In 1774 the Commodore 75 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS me the agreeable news of your promotion. I'm sincerely glad of it, & I beleive it must be allowed, that your long & faithfull service merited such a Reward. Mrs Askin & I are both sorry for You & Mr8 Grants loss, however as the child was Young & Mr" Grant received no Injury it lessens the misfortune much. I return you many thanks for your Intelligence & advice to my Clerk. I have [had] a very considerable cargo on the way all last year & no part of it arrived here which is a severe Stroke to me. I must beg your assistance in ordering it to be forwarded in the Kings Vessells (as no others are permitted to Sail)25 as I could not think of giving your Clerk so much trouble, I have wrote Mr Sterling to receive for me what may arrive at Detroit in the Vessells, & I should take it as a particular favour that you would order to be taken on Board the Vessells for this Post, what Liquors or Provisions Mr Sterling may have to send me. I would also represent to you that one Vessell is not capable of bringing to this place from your Post all the Provisions necessary to Support the trade of the Country, not even the Dunmore, what I mean by Provision is Corn & Flour, & should the Quantity fall Short, even one-third, some of the People in the Back Country in all probability will perish for want. I thought it necessary to give you this information that you married Therese Barthe of Detroit, whose sister, Marie Archange, was the wife of John Askin. He subsequently developed a fine country home of some 240 acres, known as Grant Castle, in modern Grosse Pointe Farms, later known as P. C. 231. It is a somewhat curious fact that although he continued his naval command until his death, served as lieutenant of Essex County militia, as legislator, and, even for a time as acting-governor of Upper Canada, he continued to reside at Grant Castle on the American side. Here he died, May 8, 1813. His body was carried by canoe to Sandwich and there interred in the churchyard. A memorial tablet on the wall of the present church recites the principal facts of his career. Information adapted from George F. MacDonald's biographical sketch of Commodore Grant, in Ontario Hist. Soc., Papers and Records, XXIII, 167-81; P. J. Anderson, Major Alpin's Ancestors and Descendants (Aberdeen, 1904). On Grant's naval career see, also, Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, II, No. 5. 25 In the French period, save for one or two isolated exceptions, there was no shipping on the upper lakes. With the transfer of Canada to British rule, a naval establishment was begun and maintained as an integral part of the military control of the western country. Prior to the Revolutionary War it was the policy of General Gage to permit the traders to maintain private vessels on the lakes; but early in that war, with a view to controlling more effectively the Indian trade and to maintaining a more effective defense against the Americans, the sailing of privately owned vessels was prohibited. This measure entailed, naturally, constant complaint on the part of the traders. 76 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS might acquaint the Governor with it, as it may not strike him in the same light. I certainly am or ought to be a judge of the Provisions necessary to carry on the trade of this place, & I know that when four Vessells arrived here in the Spring, loaded with Corn & Flour mostly, there was not too much, nor hardly ever any left, the trade is now increased, therefore at least the same Quantities of Provisions wanted to Support it. I want 1000 Bushels of Corn myself & 30 thousand of Flour, who only furnish a few of the Traders. Young Mr Barth, LaVoine & Louisen26 are all well. I have seen them this winter, the old Brother will do well, if he does not meet with some accident & I will do my best to serve the others however as yett they dont seem to have the same good inclinations, its true they are Young. I'm Glad to hear Mr Barth is well, I expect he will soon be here, for I dont suppose he will go to the Miamis as he intended. I hope he has applied the money I gave him to the discharging of his Debts at Detroit, it realy hurts me to think of him indebted to any person, if he told me right he had more than sufficient from me to pay what he owed. We are impatient for news I hope matters have taken a favourable turn since last fall. We have endeavoured to make the Winter pass as agreeably as we could, by having a Dance every week. I had a Daughter came up from Montreal last Spring the age of Phyllis.27 She is married to Capt Robertson this Winter, a match that pleases me well, this example will shew Phillis that she's not too Young & I realy think once past fifteen [one] cannot marry too soon, provided it is their Inclinations. z6 "Young Mr. Barthe" was Jean Baptiste, for whom see ante, 34. Lavoine Barthe (precise relationship uncertain) was at this time serving as clerk to Jean Baptiste at the Sault at an annual wage of 1000 livres. See Barthe ms. ledger in Burton Hist. Coll. "Louisen" was Louis Theophile Barthe, a younger brother of Jean Baptiste, born at Detroit, March 31, 1760, and buried at Sandwich, May 16, 1825. Denissen, op. cit. 27 The person here noted is, apparently, Phyllis Barthe, who later married Lieutenant Daniel Mercer of the Eighth Regiment. Mercer was stationed at Mackinac for a time where he madaged, like almost everyone else, to incur the disfavor of Governor Sinclair, and in the summer of 1780 was placed under arrest. He later served at Detroit, where, presumably, he made the acquaintance of Phyllis Barthe. In Denissen, op. cit., she is recorded as Mary Felicity Barthe, born on Ste. Anne Street, December 18, 1762. Lieutenant Mercer eventually returned to England, and numerous letters from him are preserved in the Askin Papers. 77 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Mr" Askin & I once thought before now to have had the pleasure of being Settled near you, but these troubles obliges us to determin not to leave this place untill there is a peace. I have even began to make a tolerable good House two Storry high, however if the warr ends soon, perhaps I may not finish it in the manner I intended. If I conveniently can I will make one Trip to Detroit this season to see you. Mr Askin & the Children are well, she joins in most sincere wishes for you Mr" Grant & Famelies wellfare. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO SAMPSON FLEMING28 AT DETROIT, APRIL 28, 1778 I was favoured with your two Letters dated the 28th Octr last in February, also that dated in Decr, but your last dated the 2d January I received in nineteen days after, this is fullfilling the Scripture, the lit last & the last first. Respecting the Provisions wanting in Capt Ferrins29 Cargo last fall, I only mentioned it to you that you might know the affair, not that I expect you can get any from him to replace it, nor do I require any from you. I realy believe the man is very honest, but perhaps not so Sharp that others may not cheat him, for the future I realy will send a man on Board to give a Receipt for each Boat load before they push off from the Vessell side. I will follow Your advice & not have any Provisions Actually Condemned, untill I see when we can get others, however what is not fit for Serving I shall lay one side, our flour is realy very bad, if what you sent had reached us it z8 Sampson Fleming had been Deputy Commissary of Stores and Provisions at Detroit since 1762 (for his appointment see Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX, 128-29). On June 17, 1768, he married at Detroit, Alice Haliburton, whose father had served as a chaplain in the British army, with which he came to America about the year 1758. Her mother, by a second marriage, became the mother of John Kinzie, of early Chicago fame; she subsequently married (third) William Forsyth of Detroit, for whom see post, 307. The Flemings removed to New York from Detroit. There Fleming died and his widow married Nicholas Low. Her descendants have long been prominent in New York City. Information adapted from Forsyth-Kinzie-Little genealogy by C. M. Burton (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) and other sources..9 Captain William Ferrin, who in a general return of the naval establishment on the upper lakes, January 1, 1779, is listed as commander of the sloop,ngelica. Printed in Wis. Htst. Colls., XI, 200. 78 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS would have done much Service by mixing it with the other flour. Mr" Askin & I return Mr" Fleming & you many thanks for the Stores you were so good as to send us, had they arrived they would have proved a seasonable relief, tho we are not quite destitute. Mrs Askin has still some Tea & loaf Sugar & at once a Day for herself will be able to hold out, the rest of us have Chocolate for Breakfast & Barly Substituted in the room of Coffe for the afternoon. Spirits & Spruce we have & can & must do without wine for the Present. // I sincerely wish you much joy of your Boy, perhaps he may one Day become my Son in law, I have Girls worth looking at. Capt Robertson was Married to my Daughter this Winter, so that I stand a fair chance of being a grand father in a Short time. I'm sure I have little the looks of it for I'm much Younger than when you saw me last, tho' in your opinion much crosser. I'm not altogether sure, but I have some intentions of paying you a Short Visitt in the month of May. I thought to have been an Inhabitant of Detroit before this, but untill the present troubles are at an end it's hardly possible. I little expected they would have continued so long We have not any news in this Quarter worth your Notice. Mr Toddso mentions to me, that Mr Day31 says, he expects the Commissaries in the upper Country will soon be put in a better footing & have more pay allowed them, comme il leur plaira. Many thanks for your Country Dance Book. I send it you by this oppertunity. (I mean the first that goes from this) We daily expect to see a Vessell or Boat from your Quarter as the Ice is now gone from here. Mrs Askin joins 30 Isaac Todd of Montreal, an intimate friend of Askin, one of the founders of the North West Company, and long a foremost figure in the fur trade of the Northwest. The journal of Daniel Morison (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) shows him to have been at Mackinac as early as 1769, while expressions in letters of Alexander Henry to Askin imply that he was one of the earliest British traders in the Northwest. He maintained a life-long correspondence with Askin, and many of his letters are preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. 3I Nathaniel Day was Commissary General of Provisions and Supplies, and hence Askin's immediate superior. 79 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS in best Compliments to Mr" Fleming & believe me most truly. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JAMES STERLING AT DETROIT, MAY 8, 1778 Yours dated the 14th of April last I recd pr Mr Bennett a few days ago, this will be delivered you by Ct Robertson as well as another letter from me dated the 28th April. I'm sorry to hear by Messrs McBeth32 & Rankin33 that in all probability no provisions for Trade will be suffered to come from your Post for this, this news has induced me to let Major De Peyster have 400 Bushels of the hulled Corn you purchased for me on the same terms I'm to pay you he writes you on the Subject, you'll therefore charge him & Credit me that Quantity, the remainder please apply to have put on board the Vessell for me. I'm in hopes if there is Room for it that you'll not be refused, as also the Flour, in reality the North Trade will be knocked up if Provisions cannot come. I received the Wine & Tea by Mr Bennett which came very Seasonably. If you have not 400 Bushels of the Corn hulled to Send Major De Peyster, make up the Quantity with unhulled. I shall be very glad to see my Boy here, however I dont know if I shall send him back so soon. I will endeavour to purchase what you want of Blankets, 3z George McBeath was an active Mackinac trader in the Revolutionary period. In common with the other traders, in 1780-81, he followed the garrison from the mainland to the new post on Mackinac Island. In 1783 these traders (McBeath among them), disturbed by the fear that with the termination of the war and the surrender of Mackinac to the Americans they would suffer for lack of any formal title to their landed possessions on the island, petitioned the commandant to represent their case to Governor Haldimand (petition printed in Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 393-95). Earlier this same year, McBeath had been sent by Captain Robertson to Prairie du Chien, to announce to the tribes of that region the prospect of peace with the Americans and to urge them to refrain from further warlike activities. For documents concerning this enterprise see Wis. Hist. Coils., XI, 165-75. McBeath is said (ibid., XIX, 237) to have left Canada in 1785. 33 David Rankin, who would seem from Askin's reference to have been in partnership with McBeath at this time, was also a Mackinac trader who had family connections at Detroit. Rankin was at Mackinac as early as 1780 and as late as 1787. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. In 1785 Rankin is described as a merchant of Montreal. See post, 285. In 1800 John Lawe of Green Bay married Therese Rankin, daughter of an Englishman and a Chippewa woman of Pesthigo River. It seems a plausible surmise that the father was David Rankin, here noted. 80 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Martins, Mogisins &c Mr" Askin presents her Compliments to Mrs Sterling. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO NATHANIEL DAY AT MONTREAL, MAY 8, 1778 The last oppertunity I had [of] writing you last fall was the 21st of Octr which accompanied two setts of Vouchers as well as the Returns for Issues & Expenditures to the 24th of that month. I now send you the like Vouchers & Returns from that time to the 24th of last month, there has not been any Provision Condemned here since the 24th of Decr last, owing to my Commanding Officers thinking it prudent even to keep the bad untill more comes up, or is on the way, this method I'm informed is also followed at Detroit. however to prevent your counting on bad Provisions, I think it necessary to inform you that there is about nine Barrells of Flour, Six of Pork & two Firkins of Butter put apart as unfitt to be Issued to the Troops. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN HAY AT DETROIT, MAY 8, 1778 I wrote you the 27th of last month which letter also goes by this oppertunity, the 2d Instant I was favoured with your kind Letter by Lieut. Bennett & tho it dont bring me any Public news, it's not less wellcome, that of a friend & famelies wellfare is great & pleasing News. I have attentively looked over the acct of the manner in which you pass your time, & if it was not the hopes that it will soon end, I dare say no Reward could induce any person to undertake it. To serve a man's King & Country is a pleasing task, however Nature requires some rest & without which she will sink under her Burthen. I will do my utmost endeavours to pay you a Visitt this Summer, tho' it will be a Short one. M" Robertson a Young Sailor goes with her husband this trip to see Detroit. I'm sorry for the loss of your Seventh Son, tho' in all 81 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS likelyhood you will have a twelfth before you die.34 Mr" Askin joins me in best Compliments to MrB Hay. P.S. I must beg your interest about getting what things of mine which may arrive at Detroit forwarded in the Kings Vessell for this place. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO NATHANIEL DAY AT MONTREAL, MAY 8, 1778 The last time I had the honour of writing you was the 218t of Octr 1777 acknowledgeing the receipt of the Barrack Bedding, furniture & mold Candles you sent me, since which I have had no oppertunity untill now of sending you the Barrack Accounts between June & Decr, they accompany this letter. You'll see in them a wastage of 34 lb' of Candles on a Quantity I was obliged to have run over anew for the Guard, indeed they would not receive them as they were, worse I never have seen, & I imagine those you ordered to buy them were deceived, for I do assure you there was in some of the boxes a few good on the top & the remainder very bad. You'll see by the acct' that there is a Ballance of ~61..12..4 N.Y. CurY due me which I will draw on you for by some other oppertunity. The last acct I have had from MessT" Todd & MoGill still mention that they have not yet received payment for what was due me by Gen' Robertson,35 this is realy a great hardship on me, to have advanced my own money here so long 34 Hay's wife was Marie Julie Reaume, born at Detroit, January 22, 1748, and buried there, March 23, 1795. The exact date of the marriage has not been found but a son, Pierre, presumably the first son, was baptized, September 11, 1765. The child here referred to, William Hay, died, March 21, 1778, aged about one month. See Denissen, op. cit., and Ste. Anne's Church Register (ms. copies in Burton Hist. Coll.). 35 James Robertson, commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment, Aug. 17, 1768; colonel, May 25, 1772; major general, Jan. 1, 1776 and Aug. 29, 1777. W. C. Ford, British Officers Serving in the American Revolution, 1774-1783 (Brooklyn, 1897), 152. 82 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ago & not yet repaid. I beg you'll be so kind as to make mention of it to his excellency Sir Guy Carleton.36 FROM JOHN ASKIN TO THE NORTH WEST COMPANY AT MONTREAL, MAY 8, 1778 I wrote you the latter end of last month, since which Lieut Bennett with Messr" McBeath & Rankin are arrived here in Boats, they say that we cannot expect any Vessell from Detroit before news gets from Montreal there, but what concerns you & me much more is, a report that perhaps neither Flour, Corn nor Rum will be Suffered to come from that Post to this, this Season (I mean for People in Trade) its certain that those who left Detroit this Spring were not Suffered to bring but a very small quantity nor could they get a positive answer whether or no these Articles would be Suffered to come at all or not. I have applied to Major De Peyster who will make known to Governor Hamilton the bad consiquences of laying an Imbargo on Provisions &ca without which it's impossible that trade can be Supported. You may depend on every thing that's possible being done to prevent Disapointments, when the Vessell arrives I will be able to write you with more certainty, therefore this warning is only to yourselves. I send off the first of your things for the Portage in three days Consisting of Rum, Corn & what's most necessary. I shall at same time write your Clerk to provide some place to receive Lt Bennett & the Troops with him, untill some of Your C~ Arrives. Your Canoes are Ready. 36 Sir Guy Carleton was born at Strabane, Ireland, in 1724. He joined the army at the age of eighteen, served under Wolfe at Quebec, and in 1766 was appointed lieutenant-governor and the following year governor-general of Quebec. He successfully defended Quebec against Arnold's force at the opening of the Revolution. In 1778 he was succeeded in the governorship by General Haldimand. He served in the army throughout the war, and in 1786 was again appointed governor of Canada. This time he held the office until 1796, although absent from Canada from 1791 to 1793. See sketch in Ontario Bureau of Archives, Thirteenth Report, 172. 83 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, MAY 8, 1778 The inclosed letter to the Gentlemen of the N. W. C~ will Shew you how matters go on at Detroit. I could make you some remittance now, but think it best to wait for an oppertunity by the Grand River. Major De Peyster has taken my Vessell into the Service, Robison [Robertson] I beleive will be ready to sail with her by the 10th he is now Riging. I do declare that as things now go on, I dont know what to order, of all I write for nothing Arrives. I must leave all to Yourselves, if Liquors could be got up, I mean Rum, by the way of the lakes without being embezeled to so great a degree, no matter how much you sent, however I think there should be a man to take care of each Boat load, or at most not to have charge of more than two. Mrs Askin begs you'll be so kind as to deliver Madam Perinault the piece of Silk with the trimmings, that's comeing or come from England for her, there's two pieces in the Memordm, but one of them we Suppose will be left Montreal before this Reaches you. Madam Perinault will be so kind as to have the other made up for Mr" Askin. I here inclose you a Bill of Sale or what may answer for such, of one L. Blanc who goes down the country Prisoner to take his trial he quarrelled with another of my men who died soon after. Please inform me about the Land & write me on the Subject. I have no news about the Payment of my Rum that was Destroyed on Lake Erie by order of Col~ Caldwell,37 it's very hard if that just demand will not be paid, perhaps you could obtain an order to receive the same Quantity out of the Kings Store at Niagara, which if the carrying place 37 The allusion is to the wreck of the Chippewain November, 1775, when Lieutenant Colonel Caldwell ordered the goods destroyed (after having been brought ashore) to prevent their falling into American hands. See documents in Mich. Pie. Colls., IX, 467 and XIX, 319. Lieutenant Colonel John Caldwell received his commission in the Eighth Regiment, Oct. 27, 1772. During the Revolution the regiment was stationed at Niagara, where in September, 1776, Caldwell presided over a council of the Iroquois and western tribes. He either retired or died soon after this. Mich. Pio. Colls., XX, 687. 84 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS [price] was paid I would gladly Accept. I know these applications must be attended with loss of time and expence, both which I'm willing to pay. If you find a difficulty in getting forward the things I ordered out from England, You'll in that case only forward me for the present what you know to be most Sealable & necessary, of which you'r as good a judge as myself, the Sheet Lead may remain as well as the furniture of my House and such other things. Lieut8 Bennett & Clowes,38 will pay me here what they owe you, which I shall remit you by the Grand River, the Latter does not know the price of the Coffe. Lieut Bennett desires you may send him a Barrell of your best Maderia & a Barrell of Common Rum, the Maderia to be marked for Lieut Clowes & the Rum for Doctor Mitchell.39 Doctor Mitchell desires you may send a Barrell of Sugar, filled up with Barly, if you send me all these Acct8 I will get payment for them here. I shall want a House Carpenter very much, 38 Lieutenant George Clowes, of the Eighth Regiment, who served in the western country from about 1774 to 1784. He probably came to Mackinac in 1774, and was there at least as late as the autumn of 1782. Upon De Peyster's removal to Detroit he was left in command of the garrison for a time. A number of his letters are printed in Mich. Pio. Colls., IX. He returned to England in 1784, where he retired or died in 1791. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 393. 39 David Mitchell was born in Edinburgh in 1750. He graduated in medicine there at the age of twenty-three, and the following year came to Canada as surgeon's mate in the Eighth Regiment. He was soon stationed at Mackinac, where he remained for many years. Here he married a Chippewa woman, and to them thirteen children were born. He built a large house, developed a farm on the island, engaged in the Indian trade, and was made justice of the peace for the district. On the American occupation of Mackinac in 1796, Dr. Mitchell withdrew to St. Joseph Island in Lake Huron, although his wife continued to reside at Mackinac. During the War of 1812 he served as surgeon's mate in the British Indian Department, and in this capacity shared in the conquest of Mackinac in 1812. Upon the British evacuation in 1815, Dr. Mitchell went to the new post on Drummond Island. Upon a later survey this was determined to be in American territory and was abandoned in 1828, the British force withdrawing to Penetanguishene. Here Dr. Mitchell died in 1830, and here he is buried in an unmarked grave. An interesting characterization of Madam Mitchell, his wife, who died at Drummond Island, Feb. 25, 1827, is given in Wis. Hist. Colls., XIV, 35-38; and his home at Mackinac is pictured in Mrs. Constance F. Woolson's story, "Anne," published in Harper's Magazine, Vol. LXII. Two of Dr. Mitchell's daughters married British army officers and his eldest son was a lieutenant in the British navy; another son studied medicine in England, and still another is reputed to have been an able mathematician. See Simcoe County Pioneer and Historical Society, Pioneer Papers, No. 5, p. 52 ff.; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; and L. H. Irving (ed.), Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812-15, 210-12. 85 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS,,..,,,.Il I wish you could hire one for me at any Rate. Lieut Brooks~4 likewise wants a Tierce of Bristol Beer (not Porter) & a Cheshire Cheese, both which please direct for him & send forward. I write you as these Gentlemen Speak to me, & tho these orders are but trifling, yett as they may be an Introduction to more I make no doubt you'll not neglect sending them. Inclosed is an acct of some things for Kitty with directions at Bottom, please send a Seperate Acct of them. The Officers & Docter just now inform me that they have fallen on another method to get their things altogether, therefore desire I may desire You not to take any notice of what I wrote you in this Letter about sending them things. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO SAMPSON FLEMING AT DETROIT, MAY 10, 1778 You will receive this and another I wrote some time ago both by Capt Robertson who Majr De Peyster sends to Detroit on the Kings account, this present letter is in answer to one you intended to have wrote me by Mr Bennett if you had not forgot. I'm glad to hear you have got so fine a boy & I beg you will not kill him with d-m-d Physick, you have no such right over him, it's sufficient you shorten your own Days if report may be depended on, he neither now, nor ever will in all probabillity want a Doctor. If I hear any more of your tampering with him & M'r Fleming permits me, I will go down & take him from you. I hear you have an oppertunity of making money & I should not be surprized you did not make use of it from a mistaken notion of people in the Service being obliged to live on their pay, dont Injure your famely so much. Your 40 Lieutenant R. B. Brooke of the Eighth Regiment. He was at Mackinac in 1780 when Governor Sinclair assumed command of the garrison and engaged in a series of violent disputes with various individuals. One consequence of these disputes was the ordering of one company from Mackinac to Detroit; apparently Brooke went with it, for he was stationed there in 1782 and 1783. See Mich. Pio. Coils., passim, especially documents in Vols. IX, X, and XI. In December, 1783, when the Faith, Hope, and Angelica were wrecked on Lake Erie, the efforts of Lieutenant Brooke to save the cargoes were commended by Colonel De Peyster. Brooke was still a lieutenant of the Eighth Regiment in 1790, after which his name disappears from the army list. 86 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS pay & mine together is not able to keep either of our famelies. there is sometimes an oppertunity of making money in the Service without either neglecting a mans duty, or taking one farthing from the Crown, this & this way only I mean, or would approve off for instance a merchant furnishes things for Government at a certain Rate, now if I'm in the Service & can furnish them at the same rate & make an advantage to myself is it not as just that I a Servant of the Crown reaps a Bennifitt by government as any merchant whatsoever, & I make no Doubt but your Commanding Officer would indulge you in anything reasonable that was for your advantage. if I dont forget I will send back your Country Dance Book. I must beg your Interest if you have any to get what you can of my things that may be at Detroit put on Board each Vessell that sails for this. Mr" Askin joins in best wishes for You Mr" Fleming & famelies Wellfare. N. B. My Vessell & people being taken into the service I want to know what allowance they are to have of Provisions & Rum & who purchases & delivers out that rum & whether there is to be a Column for it with the Provisions & Returns made monthly of it or however make the matter clear to me. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Mich. Le 18 de Mai 1778 Mon cher frere Monsr Bennett Et Monsr McBeath sont arriv6s du detroit En Batteau Le 2 de Ce mois il nous Raporte que Le Gouverneur de detroit ne veut pas permettre de passer son poste ny Rom ni farine ny Bl6e pr Les Commergant jusque qu ils a Eu R6ponse du general Carleton a qui il a Ecrit a Ce sujets Et il garde La Barque jusque quil aye des nouvelles d'En Bas Celle Est En parties La Cause pour quoy je ne vous Est pas Envoy6 Le Michilimakina plutot Comme jauroit!t6 flatt6 de vous avoir marqu6 pr Certaint si ont pouvoit se fier sur Le detroit ou non pour 87 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS des Boison Et provision, je nai pas jug6 a propos non plus d'Envoyer Lavoine au detroit jusque jaye sue sil pouvoit Revenir charg6 ou non Le Major Depeyster apris ma Barque pour Le service du Roy il y a Environ huit jour quel Est partie pour Le detroit par Elle il a fait de grande Representation au Gouverneur hamilton de sorte que jesperre que tout le Rom farine Et Bl6e qui Est pour Le Commerce du nord aura permission de venir Monsr sterling marque quil a tout mon Bl6e par6e mais il Coute Bien chere Environ 18a Le minot sans sac Brulon Est partie ver Le Commancement du mois pour La Bay il yra a Milouaki chercher Le qui Est a Moy aprgs son Retour je tache Rait quil aura permission daller au detroit sil y a permission pour de provision Et Rom de venir. Le Blee que jay au saut avec Ceque vous me pretterez sera 250 minot de Cette quand tite vous aurez La Bont6 de marquer 100 minot F O ce pour Mr oakes 100 minot N W ce pour La grande Compagnie Et Lautre 50 minots C.CH Cest pour Mr chaBoilliez Les 60 Baril d Rom sont pour La grande Compagnie ainsi vous Les marquerez N.W. je vous Envoye Le Compte de Ce qui est au Bord Le MichiLimaKina, Cela avec ceque vous avez au saut Le Butin de Monsr houard, Et quelque sac de Bl6d a Monsr MacBeeth quil a au saut fera Les charge des deux Barque je trouve absolument nessaisaire que vous faite charger au Bord de la Depeyster La moiti6 du Butin de chaque un et que vous Le fassi6 faire partir ausitot quil Est possible Monsr McDonnald, pomp, Et un homme que vous donner6 yra dedans Lautre moiti6 du Butin de chaque un vous mettrez au Bord Le michilimakina si vous pouvez Le faire mont6 a present, si non vous navez qua Le Ranvoyer ici chercher un autre charge et ver Le tems quelle sera de Retour au saut il y aura ass6 demonde pour La faire mont6. sauvage a Bien fait son devoir Et autre sa Langue il Est Bon homme. Monsr Modonneld Est un homme fidel un peu fier ce tout il faut avoir de la patiance nous sommes dans un tems ou Les ou Les hommes sont Rares j'ai jug6 a propos de donner a Madonneld Et sauvage un demiard de Rom tous tout Les jours pendant Le tems 88 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS quil voyage Et a pomp La moiti6 de cette quantit6 Le touts ne fera pas une quantit6 et sa Les Excite a Bien faire Leur devoir Et pas toucher a Rien. jay donn6 pour tous Les trois de vivres, Et Rom jusquau 1st de juin je Les ai pay6z Leur gage aussy jusque a ce tems La, apres ce jour vous Les nourrirez et Les payer lacher de Les contentes pr Leur nourriture. je vous Envoye tous Ce que je puis avoir de Ceque vous me demandS, quand je pourr6 avoir Les autres articles je vous Les envoyer6s aussi je vous prie de ne pas arret6 M~Donnel pour assister a monter Lautre Barque non plus de changer sauvage dans Le depeyster comme jay promis Le Contraire, et il faut tenir parol avec tous Le monde je vous Envoye Le Compte de tous ce que je vous Est fourny depuis Le 22 octobre pass6 je vous avois Envoyez tout Le Compte jusqua Cette datte. jay porte a votre avoir Le 11 Card de poison a 60" Le Card mais Ceux du detroit je nait pas porte Encore Comme Monsr Sterling a neglig6 de me marquer pour Combien ils seson vendue quand jay arrettez Mes Compte Le premier jour de Lann6e vous me devi6 60191" 138 vous verez Ce que vous av6z Eu depuis Cette datte. si vous av6s quelque Compte avec moy qui ne pas Encore port6 faites moi Le sgavoir que je puis Regler mes Compte pour quil fassent La meme somme Comme Les votre. il ny a point de nouvelle puBlic tout paroit tranquille silon Les dernigre avis de Montreal je ne crois pas que Le may que Monsr Cadotte a plante Regarde personne de Bord que vous ne vous servEs pas pour des pavillions, Mons' Bennett Envoye quelque outils pour Le Grand portage vous noublirez pas de Les mettre au Bord Le Depeyster faite mes compliment a Madame M~Donnell Comme il ny a Rien de nouveau je ne luy est pas icrit adress6 Le Butin de Monsr houard a Mons' charles Boy6z je doit fournir pour Mons' henrie 20 sac ou minots de gros Bl6e 20 minot de Bl6e Lissiv6s Et 2 Cents de farine je mettrez Cest article dans La Barque sil y a de la place, si non ils yron Lautre voyage. Cependant si quelque un au nom de Monsr henrie vous demande Cest article avant que je puis Les Envoyer ayez La bont6 de donner autant de La votre. 89 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS il faut tacher de trouver un Homme pour aller dans la place de Pomp, apres la premiere Voyage. Je ne puis pas me passer de lui. Je n'ai personne a present de tout mes hommes un Autre il est maladife. Vous liverez Le Butin de Mons' Henrie A Monsr Cadott En prenant un recu. Vous trouverez peutetre quelque Article dans votre Compte port6 haut. Je vous promis que tout est si rare et Chere que ce ne peut pas etre Autrement et Je Conte que les prix Vont Augmenter En lieu diminuer. le Bouf au Detroit est de 30" a 408 le livre et le Lard En proportion. comme la Quantit6 de sac de Chaque Marque sont pas Mention6 dans l'Etat de charge, seulement le Nombre de Minots, vous trouverez les sacs qui ont deux Minot Marque 2, ceux dun Minot et demi 142 et les Autres selon leur Quantit6. Vous trouverez quelque Chose porte A votre Compte pour Brulon et La Voine Lautom pass6 si vous n'avez pas rebatu ces Articles sur leur gages faites moi le scavoir et Je le ferrai, vous pouvez pas Je Compte le rebatre comme Je ne vous avois pas envoy6 le Compte de cela Translation Michilimackinac, May 18, 1778 My dear Brother: Mr. Bennett and Mr. McBeath have come from Detroit with a boat the second of this month. They report that the governor of that post will not allow any rum, flour, or corn for the traders to pass there until he hears from Gen. Carleton, to whom he has written on the subject. He is detaining the vessel also until he hears from below. This is partly the reason why I have not sent you the Mackinac sooner, I wanted to be sure that rum and provisions could be depended upon from Detroit and I did not think it advisable to send Lavoine down until I knew whether or not he would be allowed to return loaded. Major De Peyster has taken my vessel into the King's service and about eight days ago she sailed for Detroit. By her the Major stated our case so strongly to Governor Hamilton that I have hopes of all the rum, flour, and corn needed for the northern trade being allowed to come up. 90 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Mr. Sterling says that he has all my corn ready but that it is very dear, about 18 livres a minot, without the bag. Brulon41 left for La Baye42 the first of the month and will go to Milwaukee to gather up what I have there. When he returns I shall try to get permission for him to go to Detroit, provided that rum and provisions are allowed to come. The corn I have at the Sault, with what you can lend me, will make 250 minots. Of this kindly mark 100 minots F O for Mr. Oakes, 100 minots N W for the North West Company, and the remaining 50 minots CCH for Mr. Chaboillez.43 The 60 barrels of rum are for the North West Company, therefore mark them N W also. I am sending the bill for what is on board the Mackinac. That, with what you have at the Sault, Mr. Howard's44 merchandise, and some 4I Brulon appears in Barthe's ledger (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) as an engage, at this time, of Barthe. 42. This was the French designation for modern Green Bay. 43 The Chaboillez families of Detroit and Mackinac were descended from Charles Chaboillez, a native of Champagne, who at an advanced age married at Montreal, Oct. 8, 1704, Angelique Dandonneau du Sabld. He was buried, Aug. 20, 1708, leaving his widow and two children, Charles, baptized, Dec. 8, 1706, and Marie Anne, baptized, July 29, 1708. In February, 1710, the widow married Ignace Jean dit Vien. A few years later she removed with her family to Mackinac and still later to Detroit. She was buried at Detroit, Aug. 11, 1764. Marie Anne Chaboillez married Pierre Parent, of Mackinac, who in 1764 was "acting-commandant" of the place. Soon after this the Parents returned to Montreal, where Pierre died in 1766 and his widow in October, 1790. Charles Chaboillez, brother of Marie Anne, married at Mackinac, Sept. 22, 1735, Marie Anne Chevalier, daughter of Jean Baptiste Chevalier and Frances Alavoine. He passed his life in the Northwest trade, and was buried at Mackinac, Nov. 19, 1757. His widow subsequently returned to Montreal to live and was buried there, July 14, 1788, aged eighty-two years. Nine children were born to Charles Chaboillez and Marie Anne Chevalier. The first five were sons, namely, Charles, Jean Baptiste, Augustin, Louis Joseph, Paul Amable, and Pierre Louis. All engaged in the Northwest trade, and all were partisans of Great Britain in the Revolution. Charles, here mentioned, became one of the leading traders of the Northwest in his time. He early embarked on the trade of the far Northwest, and in 1804 Lewis and Clark encountered him on the upper Missouri. He was one of two French-Canadians to be admitted as partners in the North West Company. He married at Montreal, Oct. 27, 1769, Marguerite Larchev6que dit La Promenade, whose father was a wealthy trader. She died, April 29, 1798; Charles Chaboillez died, Sept. 25, 1808. One of their daughters became the wife of Simon McTavish, and another the wife of Roderick McKenzie. Information adapted from history of the Chaboillez family by E. Z. Massicotte in Le Bulletin des Recherches Historiques, XXVIII. 44 Joseph Howard was an English trader who came to Mackinac as early as 1763. In 1779 he was arrested on order of General Haldimand for having violated orders in going to the upper lakes without a license. The year before this he had contributed to a fund raised by the "Merchants, Inhabitants, and Traders" of Mackinac for the support of a missionary at this place. In 1788 he was involved in the charges made 91 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS bags of corn that Mr. McBeath has at the Sault, will load the two vessels. It is absolutely necessary that you put on board the De Peyster one-half of each man's merchandise. See, too, that Mr. McDonald45 gets off as soon as possible. Pomp, and another man whom you will engage, will go in her. The other half of each man's merchandise you will load in the Mackinac if you can get her ready now. If not, send her back here for another cargo, and by the time she is to return to the Sault there will be plenty of people to load her. The Indian has done well. He is a good man if one could only understand what he says. Mr. McDonald is trustworthy, somewhat overbearing, but we must be patient and remember that men are scarce just now. It seemed best to give McDonald and the Indian each a quarter of a pint of rum per day while on the voyage, and half that quantity to Pomp. The whole will not amount to much and will be an incentive to good work besides keeping them from helping themselves from the cargo. I have given all three their provisions, and rum, up to June 1, and have paid them their wages for the same time. After that you will take care of them, and pay them, allowing for their victuals from the cargo. I am sending you all I can get of what you asked and when I have the other articles will send them too. I beg you not to detain McDonald to help load the other vessel, nor to change the Indian to the De Peyster as I have promised him he is not to be changed and one must keep one's word with everybody. Also you will have here the account of what I have sent you since October 22. Your account up to that date was sent before. I have credited you with 11 barrels of fish at 60 livres a barrel, but not with the Detroit shipment as Mr. Sterling has neglected to mention how they sold. When I balanced my accounts the first of the year against Joseph Ainse on his mission of 1786 to restore peace on the Mississippi. See JWis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 238, and Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 45 The Barthe ledger (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) records one McDonnell as engage to John Askin in June, 1778. Information which would identify his career further has not been found. 92 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS you owed me 60,191 livres 13 sols. You can see what you have had since that date. If you have anything against me not yet entered let me know that I may make my account agree with yours. There is no public news. Everything seems quiet according to the latest dispatches from Montreal. I do not think it matters to anyone about the Maypole46 Mr. Cadotte set up provided it is not used as a flag-staff. Mr. Bennett sends some tools for the Grand Portage. Do not forget to put them on board the De Peyster. Give my respects to Mrs. McDonald. There is no news so I am not writing to her. Address Mr. Howard's merchandise to Mr. Charles Boyez.47 I am to furnish Mr. Henry48 with 20 minots of hulled corn and 20 minots of lye hominy, and 2 cwt. of flour. If there is room in this vessel I shall put them on board, if not they will go another trip. 46 The origin of the ceremony of the Maypole, whose practice at Mackinac is here alluded to, is lost in the mists of antiquity. The French settlers of Canada carried it with them from the Old World to the New, and wherever the French voyager went in following the widespread ramifications of the fur trade, there went, also, the custom associated with the Maypole. Thus, Alexander Ross, in Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River (Quaife, ed., Chicago, 1923), 85-86, states: "It is a habit among the grandees of the Indian trade to have May-poles with their names inscribed thereon in conspicuous places, not to dance round, but merely to denote that such a person passed there on such a day, or to commemorate some event. For this purpose the tallest tree on the highest ground is generally selected, and all the branches are stripped off except a small tuft at the top." For a valuable general discussion of the Maypole in Canada see "La F6te du Mai" by J. Edmond Roy, in Le Bulletin des Recherches Historiques, XXX, 146-52. 47 This may have been Charles Boyer (Boyez), who on Sept. 3, 1761, acted as godfather at the baptism at Mackinac of Charles Louis Cardin, on which occasion he is characterized as a voyager. Other Boyers, who may have been descendants of Charles, are noted in the Mackinac Register of Baptisms in this period. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 63 et passim. A Boyer family figures also at Detroit in the Revolutionary period-quite probably related to the Mackinac line. One Charles Boyer, who may have been identical with the person here noted, was trading on the Assiniboin River in 1780-81. In 1787 he built Fort Vermilion on Peace River. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 238. 48 Alexander Henry came to Mackinac immediately following the British conquest of Canada and thereafter, until 1776, was'engaged in the trade of the Great Lakes and the far Northwest. Having attained a considerable degree of prosperity during these years, he established himself at Montreal, which remained his home until his death in 1824. For practically half a century he was one of the leading residents of that city. In 1809 he published an account of his activities during his years spent in the western fur trade, which is regarded as a standard, and in certain respects unique, authority on the period with which it deals. It has been twice reprinted: in 1901 under the editorship of James Bain; and in 1921 under the editorship of M. M. Quaife. Henry was an intimate friend of Askin throughout life, and many of his letters are preserved among the Askin Papers. 93 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS However, if anyone asks you for the flour in Mr. Henry's name before I can send it, be good enough to supply it from yours. We must find a man to go in Potp's place after this first voyage. I cannot do without him. Of all my men I have no one now. Another is sick. Deliver Mr. Henry's merchandise to Mr. Cadotte and take a receipt. You may think some articles on your account are dear but it cannot be helped, everything is so scarce and so high-priced. I expect even higher prices instead of lower. Beef is from 30 to 40 sols a pound at Detroit, and pork in proportion. As the amount in each bag is not mentioned in the bill, only the number of minots, notice that the bags with two minots are marked 2, those with one-and-a-half are marked 1 W, and the rest in the same way. Some things on your account were for Brulon and Lavoine last fall. If you have not deducted that amount from their wages let me know and I shall do it. But I see you cannot as I have not told you what things. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO CHARLES CHABOILLEZ a Michilimakina Le 18 may 1778 Monsr et ami: Comme je Croix Bien avoir un autre occason de vous ticrire avant que vous serez arriv6s au grand portage je direz moin pour Le present Je vous Envoye Ci inclu Le Compte de Ce que jay EnBarqu6 pour vous dans deux petite Barque qui sont destin6 pour Le portage mais Comme une Et En Bas Et Lautre En haut du saut je fais partage votre Butin Comme Ceux des autres ainsy selon les apparance vous Recevrez une moiti6 Beaucoup plutot que Lautre, mais jesperre que vous Recevrez tout Ce que je dois vous fournir Lontems avant que vous En aurez Besoin. La nescessit6 m6 oblige de vous Envoyer 20 Baril deau devie deBl6e en Lieu de Rom Cependant j'esperre pouvoir Le Replacer en Rom et Reprendre Laudevie avant que vous aurez Besoin vous saurez par dautre quil Est impossible davoir de Rom et dautre Boison de Montreal a present et pour Le Bl6e et farine il y a pas arrives du detroit Cette ann6e 20 sac de Lun ny de Lautre 94 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS et ont nous assure que Le Gouverneur hamelton ne veut pas souffrire Boison ny provision de quitter son poste Cette ann6e quand La Barque arrivera de La je pourrai vous Ecrire avec plus de sertitude, il Est Bien vrais que Le minot de gros Bleed se vend au d6troit pour 18" sens sac et La farine En proportion. il me sera inutile de vous parler des nouvelle Comme Les Canots de Montreal sera arriv6 avant vous Et il auront des nouvelle plus frais que moy vos deux frere Messr" auGustin et polite avec Leur dame sont arriv6 de La grande Rivigre hier. tout Ma famille se portent bien. Mon Epouse vous fait bien ses Complimens. Je Suis Monsr &ca per Mr McDonnald Translation Michilimackinac, May 18, 1778 Sir and Friend: In all probability I shall have another opportunity of writing to you before you reach the Grand Portage so shall not say much now. Inclosed is the account of what I have shipped for you on two small vessels bound for the Portage but as one is below, and the other above the Sault, I have had your merchandise, and that of the other traders also, divided. According to present indications you will receive one half much sooner than the other. I hope, however, that you will have the whole amount that I am to send you long before you will have need of it. I have been obliged to send you 20 barrels of whiskey instead of rum. I may have the rum before you need to use this and can replace it if you wish. You will see by my former letter that it has been impossible to get liquors up from Montreal, and as for corn and flour there have not been 20 bags of either reach Detroit this year, and we are told that Governor Hamilton will not allow either liquor or provisions to leave that post. When my vessel arrives I shall be able to write you with more certainty. 95 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS We do know, however, that a minot of hulled corn costs 18 livres at Detroit, without the bag, and flour in proportion. It would be useless for me to give you any news. The canoes from Montreal will be at the Portage before you get there and with later dispatches than we have here. Your two brothers, Augustin49 and Hypolyte,50 and their wives, arrived yesterday by way of the Grand River. My family are all well. My wife presents her compliments. I am Sir, &ca. Per Mr. McDonald FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MR. BEAUSOLEIL a Michilimakina Le 18 may 1778 Monsr Beausoleille Mons' Je faits partir di cy une Barque charg6 des Effets pour Le grand portage il y a aussi Rendue au saut S8 marie La charge de Lautre Barque qui Est sur Le Lac Superrieur je vous Envoye inclu Le Compte de Cequi ya appartenant ala grand compagnie EnBarqu6 dans touts les deux Barques, Cependant Comme Celle qui Est En haut Le saut pourra se Rendre Beaucoup plutot que celle qui Est a mont6 jay /icrit a Monsr Barthe de partager Et gallement Entre Les deux Barque Les Butin que chaquun peut en avoir une pice Etant Bien sure que Le tous sera Rendue longtems avant 49 Augustin Chaboillez was baptized at Mackinac, July 26, 1739, and married at Detroit, Feb. 2, 1765, Marie Joseph Chapoton, whose father had come here as surgeon to the garrison in 1719, and died in 1760. She must have died soon after the marriage, for on Jan. 16, 1770, he married (second) at Montreal, Josephte Nouchet, whose father had been a member of the Superior Council. Of this union nine children were born. Augustin Chaboillez was engaged in the western fur trade, and his wife seems to have accompanied him on some of his expeditions. Beginning in 1784 he seems to have resided for some years at Pointe Claire. He was still living in the spring of 1802, when his wife was buried at Montreal. See Le Bulletin des Recherches Historiqucs, XXVIII, 241-42. 5o Francis Hypolyte Chaboillez was born at Mackinac, Oct. 7, 1751. On Feb. 10, 1777, he married at Montreal, Marie Anne Gagnier. She accompanied her husband to the western country, where her two elder children were born, in Jan. 1779, and April, 1781. In 1783 she returned to Montreal to live, and only then were they baptized. Marie Anne Gagnier died at Montreal in April, 1787, aged thirty-one years. Her husband died prior to Dec., 1795, probably in the western country. See Le Bulletin des Recherches Historiques, XXVIII, 311-12. 96 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS que Cest Messieurs En auront Besoin. ont parle que Les Boison Et des vivres qui doit venir du detroit sera arrettez, je ne vous Lassure pas Cependant il sera necessaire d'avoir grand soin de Ceque vous avez Lun et Lautre Est Bien cherre Le Bled venndroit ici de 30" a 40" Le minot il y a dans La Barque quelque chose avec une Lettre pour Monsr chaBoilliez Lainee je vous prirai de Recevoir Lun et Lautre pour Luy et Le garder jusquil arrive Comme il na personne au grand portage pour Luy. vous aurez un officier Et quelque soldat pour passer L'Et6 au grand portage je vous prie de tacher davoir une maison pour Les Recevoir jusquil puisse se Loger il faut que L'Endroit aye une chemin6e vous aurez La bonte de fairres faire par vos hommes 200 pieux de quatorze pieds de Long et Les faire mettre sur La grove Entre Le vieux Et votre fort Cela sera Le part que La grande compagnie aura a fournir pour faire un Endroit pour Lofficier Et Cest soldats ceque je prend La libert6 de vous marquer a Ce sujets sera approuv6s par La Compagnie je suis Bien sure. J'aurai besoin de deux jolies Pannisses de 9 A 16 Ans. Ayez la Bont6 d'en parler A ces Messieurs de m'en procurer deux Je Suis &a Per Mons' MoDonnald Translation Michilimackinac, May 18,1778 Mr. Beausoleil'6 Sir: I am sending off from here a vessel loaded with goods for the Grand Portage. There was also sent to the Sault the cargo of another vessel which is now on Lake Superior. Inclosed is the account of what belongs to the North West Company sent in both vessels; but as that which is above the Sault would reach you much sooner than the one now 5 This may have been Joseph Malboeuf dit Beausoleil, who was born at Chateau Richer in 1725 and who married at St. Pierre du Sud, Jan. 19, 1750, Regina Morin. Their son, Augustin, born at Rivi~re Quelle, Oct. 29, 1757, founded the Detroit branch of the family. Denissen, op. cit. 97 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS sailing, I wrote to Mr. Barthe to divide the merchandise equally between the two vessels in a manner so that each trader would receive some goods, in the certainty that all would arrive before the gentlemen would have need of it. We are told that the liquor and provisions we were expecting from Detroit will be held back. I do not know for sure. In any case we must be very careful of what we have. Both are very dear. Corn should bring from 30 to 40 livres a minot at this place. There are a letter and some things in the vessel for Mr. Chaboillez senior. Will you kindly receive and take charge of both until he arrives as there is no one at Grand Portage employed by him. An officer and some soldiers are to pass the summer at Grand Portage.52 Please try to have a house ready for them which they can use until able to provide for themselves. It should have a chimney. Also be so good as to have your men prepare 200 pickets, 14 feet in length, and have them put on the beach between the old fort and yours. That will be the North West Company's share of preparation for the officer and his men; and what I have taken the liberty to say to you on the subject will have the approval of these gentlemen, I am sure. I shall need two pretty panis63 girls of from 9 to 16 years of age. Please speak to these gentlemen to get them for me. I am &ca. Per Mr. McDonald FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimakina Le 24 may 1778 Mon cher frere La Barque de Monsr McBeeth est arrivez hier et elle part pour Le saut aussitot Le vent Bon, elle a quitt6 L'hangelique sur La Bature ainsy jene puis pas vous dire touts ceque jay au Bord Le Gouverneur permottera tout Le Bled Et Rom qui Est pour Le nord devenir mais 51 This alludes to the expedition of Lieutenant Thomas Bennett, referred to in several letters both preceding and following the present one. 53 A pani (panise) was a slave of the Indian race. Such slaveholding was common in the Northwest throughout the French and British periods. 98 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS que 15 mill Livres de farine pour touts Le nord et Cette Endroit pour Le present. ainsy La farine sera tres Rare Capt Robson Itoit arrive au d6troit deux jour avant que Cette Barque est party, je Conte envoyer L'archange au d6troit aussitot arrive de milouaqui comme Le Gouverneur a permis a Celle de Monsr McBeethe de venir par consequant il naretera L'archange sy Je Lanvoye je vous Renvoyerez votre Bathaut charg6e de Bled II fauts que vous En fesiez Lissiv6s absolument card je compte avoir que de gros Bled du detroit Le Rom est Bien Rare icy et il Le sera En apparense car Ceux qui En apporte sont oblig6 de faire sermant au d6troit que Cela Comme Les farine Est seulement pour Le nord ainsi ils ne peuvent pas En disposer ici du tout je ne donnerai pas un Baril pour moins de 300" et Le pain vaudrait 6n pour La moindre chose je Conte que Capitaine Robson sera ici ver Le tems que sauvage avec Michilimakina sera de Retour ainsi jaurai une charge pour Luy sil vous manque La sandre pour Lissiv6s il faut me le dire il ny'a Rien Encore arriv6 de Ceque vous mavez demander je nai pas Eu une seule Lettre du detroit ils sont dans Langelique archange toute La famille vous EnBrasse Je suis &ca per La Barque de Monsr M~Beathe Translation Michilimackinac, May 24, 1778 My dear Brother: Mr. McBeath's vessel arrived yesterday and will leave for the Sault as soon as the wind is favorable. She left the Angelica on the bar, therefore I cannot tell you what I may have on board that vessel. The Governor has given permission for all the corn and rum needed for the northern trade to come up, but only 15,000 pounds of flour for both this place and the north. Flour, therefore, will be very scarce. Capt. Robertson reached Detroit two days before the vessel sailed. I am planning to send the Archange to Detroit as soon as she comes in from Milwaukee. As the Governor allowed Mr. McBeath's 99 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS vessel to leave he is not likely to detain the Archange. In that case I shall return your boat loaded with corn but you must have it made into lye hominy yourself for I expect only hulled corn from Detroit. Rum is very scarce and likely to be. Those who brought some up were obliged to make oath at Detroit that both it and the flour were for the northern trade only. They cannot dispose of any here. I shall not sell a barrel for less than 300 livres, and bread will be worth 6 livres at least. I expect Capt. Robertson will be here about the time the Indian returns with the Mackinac so that I shall have a load for her. If you need any ashes for the lye hominy you must tell me. Nothing has come yet of what you ordered, nor have I had a single letter from Detroit. They are in the Angelica. Archange and all the family embrace you. I am &ca. Per Mr. McBeath's vessel. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, MAY 28, 1778 The foregoing is the Copy of a Letter I wrote you by the way of the lakes the 8th Instant. I forgot to mention that there was inclosed in it a small memordm for some things & affidavids about the Martins that were missing last year. I here inclose you the Copy of the Memordm but not the Copies of the Affidavids, nor bill of sale of the Land. I hope the Originals will not miscarry, you have with this a Copy of my letter dated the 28th of April last which left this with my other Dated the 8th of may. Your Acct Currt with me I here inclose which comprehends every acct I received of Yours before the 1t of January last, since which I have received one amounting to ~1023.. 11..74 Halifax, which I have credited your new Acct with. Capt Bannerman64 arrived here a few days ago in their small Vessell from Detroit with some corn & Rum for the 54 Probably this was the man whose fur-trade transactions at Detroit in 1774 are recorded in Mich. Pio. Colls., XXVIII, 561-63. Other than this, we have found no clue concerning him. 100 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS North Trade, he had permition to bring it forward on making Oath, that no part of it was for any other use. I think he says that the whole flour allowed for the North Trade & this Post is thirteen thousand Wt, not half what I want alone, so that I'm almost certain there will be a disapointment in this Article, but as to all the others I hope not provided you send me the three Canoe load of Rum. I have sent off two Vessell load for the Portage of what I thought most wanted, for those I have contracted with. Capt Robertson got to Detroit in three days he was to return as soon as a Vessell arrived from Niagara, the Angelica was on the Bar on lake Sinclair on her way here, but not yet arrived, think of Majr DePeysters Situation with the Indians about him & not for one Shilling come for him this Year. I believe five Kegs of Rum is the whole Stock of this Post, private Stores even counted, & its reported there is none on board the Angelica. Please inform the Gentlemen of the N. W. C~ what relates to them. Monsr H. Polite Chaboulliez proposes to leave this to morrow with the Indians, you'll receive this by him. The things I ordered from London last fall I suppose will get to Montreal about the time this letter does & as some part of them cannot come by the way of the Grand River, they must be risked the other way. I here inclose you a Copy of that memordn, the Articles that have no mark on the Margin, are to come by the grand River, those marked L by the way of the Lakes; there is others marked as per example 5 Ct of Powder 3 by L which means that 3 Ct of it is to come by the lakes & the remainder by the Grand River, other things in the same way, off [of] the Barrell & Pitch & Tarr, there must be three Kegs of the former & 1 of the latter sent by the Grand River, as also of the Cordage, there must also a Coil of Inch & another Coil of half Inch Roap be made up the weight of a Peice each of them & sent by the same way. These things I can no longer do without. I dont know how Roap is measured in Canada, but those I mean are for Runing Riging such as Halllierds &c of small craft. In my 101 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS memordm of the 8th Instant I made a mistake ordering 2 Doz. of womans Shoes & afterwards 12 pairs for Mr" Askin, omit the 2 Doz. the 12 pair is Sufficient. I owe Kitty her wedding Gown, as there was nothing here fit for it. Please have one made for her the french fashion, of a light blue Sattin. I will for certain this Season send a Vessell & perhaps establish a house at the French River to take things from thence here. I wish you could engage men to there only, provided the Vessell meet them, or so much more if obliged to come here, the agreement should be Conditional to prevent Accidents or disapointments. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimaquina Le 29 de Mai, 1778 Moncher fr6 depuis que je vous ai Ecrist par la barque de Monsieur Mabeat ni larchange ni langelique ne sont pas arrive desorte que je ne puis pas det6rmin6r Sij Enverrai vos hommes au detroit ous les renvoyer a vous. Jai engage Legrand Charlis pour aler guider Mon" Bennett au grand portage, apres Cela ils Est oblig6 daller avec Mon" Donnald, dans le depasiter, jusqua Mon" Bennett est pare de revenire, ver la fin daout. Cette un homme qui Connois bien Le lac Et servira tres bien, aupord. Si vous lui avance quelquecho, vous me le marquerez, je dois la payer vingt et une ponts, une Chemise, un pair demitas et un brayait pour ses gages, jusquo premier de septenbre de cela je payerai 200" pour guider Mon" Bennett au grand portage, Et revenir, le restan je mettrai a votre Compts pour le tems que Soyegnera Dans la barque. Ciauca que monsieur Bennett aura besoins de 4 a 5 Baril de rum vous lui preter6 Cette quantite, que je vous rendrai dans quelquejours d6sCi. les Sauvage sont partit pour Montrealle aujourdhui. je cont quils na pas quite trois bari[l]sde rum dans lendroit plusque aquejai quimes pas grand Chose. je suis determine detablir une Maisons a la riviere de franSlois Cette an6 pour faciliter les transport de mes Effaits De Montr6alle per la grands 102 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS riviere. archange et tous la famille seporte bien. jai seullemant a ajout6s que je suis Votre fr6r tres affectionne Translation Michilimackinac, May 29, 1778 My dear Brother: Since I wrote you by Mr. McBeath's vessel neither the Archange nor the Angelica have come in, so that I cannot say whether I shall send your men to Detroit or back to you. I have engaged Big Charlie to go as guide with Mr. Bennett to the Grand Portage. After that he is to sail with Mr. McDonald in the De Peyster until Mr. Bennett is ready to return, about the end of August. He is a man who knows the lake, and a good sailor besides. If you let him have anything in advance, let me know. I am to pay him ~21 wages up to Sept. 1, also a shirt, a pair of leggings, and a brayet.55 Of that I shall pay him 200 livres for going with Mr. Bennett to the Grand Portage and back as guide. The rest I shall charge to your account for the time he is working on the vessel. If it happens that Mr. Bennett needs 4 or 5 barrels of rum let him have it and I shall return it to you from here. The Indians set out for Montreal today. I do not suppose there are left three barrels of rum in the place, besides what I have, which is not much. I have decided to open a place at French River this year. It will facilitate the transport of my goods from Montreal by the Grand River. Archange and all the family are well. I have only to add that I am Your affectionate brother FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JAMES STERLING AT DETROIT, JUNE 4, 1778 The welcome Arrived Yesterday at daylight & the An5 Brayait (brayet) was a term in use among the French Canadians to designate an article of clothing used by the Indians to cover the body from the waist to the knee. The term comes from the old French brague, still used in Normandy for culotte or pantalon. Clapin, Dictionnaire. 103 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS gelica some hours after. Mr Holmes56 & Mr Howard arrived at same time. The Indians57 also that's going to war, choose not to come before, they are now dancing at my door, the Angelica preparing to Sail so you may judge the time I have to write. I shall not be now able to let you know by this oppertunity whither I receive all you sent me or not, the greatest confusion reigns here. In two days I shall send the Archange for my flour, with such Vouchers as I hope will Satisfy Governor Hamilton of the Necessity of leting it come, purchase more for me 14 M is not half Sufficient. Mr Bellesur has sent me 24 Bags hulled Corn & 33 of Unhulled, but each wants a Gallon of being a Bushell & a half. I will take a Certificate of this & send you. Mr Holmes writes you. I'm well provided with Corn. Flour & my liquors I beg you'll forward by every Oppertunity. P. S. Take notice how your Corn is measured in 4 Bags of 12 Bushels, there is 2J a bushel deficient even of the unhulled Corn, the measure you had made for me Yourself. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO SAMPSON FLEMING AT DETROIT, JUNE 4, 1778 At no time can you be busier than I am at present. Yesterday the two Vessells, the first Canoes from Montreal & the Indians Arrived, my things are now unloading & the Vessell preparing to Sail yet I find time to thank you for your kind present & to scold you for not leting me know the Sailors Allowance. You'r actually careless when I ask your information, but I have said enough. Mr" Askin is very sensible of Mr" Flemings kind present for which She returns many thanks. I wish our poor Country could afford something that would be acceptable to 56 William Holmes, an early British trader in the Northwest. He was with Alexander Henry on the plains of Saskatchewan in 1776. He was in partnership with James Grant for some years, and for a number of years partner in the North West Company. 57 These northwestern Indians were being summoned to Montreal to assist the British in Burgoyne's campaign. See further allusions to them post, in letters to Sampson Fleming and Pollard, June 4, 1778. 104 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Mr' Fleming, we will try some Soused Trout by the time Robertson goes down. I'm Actually in much distress about my Flour & have applied to Major De Peyster for liberty to send a small Vessell of mine for it, by her I shall send such Vouchers as I hope will convince the Governor of the necessity of it's coming. I do assure you added to what I'm to furnish for the North Trade, I have taken 2000 Wt that was left with me, & had bread made with it for the Officers & myself last winter, rather than Reduce them to eat the bad flour belonging to the Store, if no other can be done, you must after my Vessell Arrives, take it into the Store & I draw the same Quantity here by which means it will not leave the Settlement, yet that will be very hard on me to exchange, good for bad, besides the Bags which I cannot do without. I hope the good news now come from Canada with the appearance of a fine Crop will remove all Obstacles, my own famely consists of about 20 persons always, none of which I asure you is accustomed to live without bread nor ever Shall as far as in my power lies to prevent it, & I realy should think it very hard even to be put on the footing of the Inhabitants of Detroit, many of which seldom eat Bread. I should be glad you would mention a little of this Matter to Governor Hamilton. Our news is that Gen' Clintons Army defeated Gen' Gates below Albany & killed him with 7000 of his people, which prevented any attempt against Canada last Winter. I find we are again allowed a Cooper with Provisions for Ourselves & him According to Mr Days Letter to me Dated the 20th of January last. I want to know if you have received such orders & when you commence drawing for you & him. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO PHILIP DEJEAN58 AT DETROIT, JUNE 4, 1778 I was favoured with yours of the 24th of May last, the 58 Philip Dejean was born in 1734 in the city of Toulouse, where his father was procureur general. He came to Canada and on Jan. 12, 1761, married at Montreal, 105 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Mualtoe Woman shall be disposed off agreeable to your desire so soon as Monsr Cerr659 or Monsr Degrosolier arrives; my famely is too numerous to keep her in my own house, Mary Joseph Larchev8que, who was born there, June 6, 1740. He married (second) Louisa Auger, also a native of Montreal, who died about the year 1773. He married again, at Detroit, Nov. 25, 1776, Theotiste St. Cosme, daughter of Pierre Laurence St. Cosme and Catherine Lootman dit Barrois. Dejean came to Detroit probably in 1768, having fled, according to one statement, from bankruptcy in Montreal. However this may be, he enjoyed the favor of Captain George Turnbull, the commandant, and he soon began a career as notary and local judge at Detroit which was to bring him much notoriety. During Hamilton's regime as governor, Dejean proved a convenient tool and it would seem that Hamilton must bear a fair share of the responsibility for his conduct. Although he possessed no authority which was recognized by the government at Quebec, he exercised the functions of notary and local justice, and in this capacity committed acts which many of the townsmen deemed arbitrary and tyrannical. Probably the most notable of these acts was the sentencing of Jean Coutencineau and Ann Wiley to death, in 1776, for robbery. For this act, among others, Dejean and Hamilton were indicted by the grand jury at Montreal in September, 1778. Hamilton soon after left Detroit on his Vincennes campaign, before anything could be done about the indictment. In February, 1779, Dejean followed Hamilton to Vincennes, intent on obtaining from his chief written authorization for the acts for which he had been indicted. Thus it happened that both were captured by Clark that same month and conveyed to prison at Williamsburg, Va. After some months of harsh treatment here, Dejean was paroled through the influence of Thomas Bentley of Kaskaskia, and made his way back to Vincennes, from which place, July 28, 1780, he dispatched a letter to Governor Haldimand defending his conduct in accepting the parole, and another to Colonel De Peyster at Detroit, requesting that his wife and children be permitted to come to him, "seeing for myself the dire necessity of exile (after my sufferings) for the faults of another." Five months later Dejean was endeavoring to hire a messenger to carry some letters to Detroit for him. Apparently he returned to Detroit about this time, however, for entries in the Macomb ledgers show rather extensive transactions carried on with him from Nov., 1781, to Jan., 1782. A letter written from Normandy in 1786 by St. John de Cravecoeur to Governor James Bowdoin of Massachusetts, discloses that Dejean had then been for some time in France, where he was "much esteemed" by Lafayette, and that he was then proposing to locate at Boston. On July 8, 1790, James May, his brother-in-law, and other interested citizens petitioned Judge Powell to appoint a curator over Dejean's estate, stating that he had left the district (of Hesse) in 1789 and had since remained outside His Majesty's dominions without giving any certain intelligence of his place of residence. In response to this petition May was appointed curator. On October 7 following, May and others again appeared before the judge to petition for the appointment of a guardian for the minor child of "the absent Dejean and his deceased wife." See Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, 167, 200, 910; Ill. Hist. Colls., II, xcvi, 477; Dejeanto Haldimand, July 28, 1780 (typed copy in Burton Hist. Coll.); Register of His Majesty's Prerogative Court for the District of Hesse, beginning July 2, 1789, photostatic copy in Burton Hist. Coll. 59 Jean Gabriel Cerre of Kaskaskia. He was a native of Montreal, born, August 12, 1734. In early manhood he removed to the Illinois country, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying at St. Louis, April 4, 1805. Both at Kaskaskia and St. Louis (he removed to the latter place about 1780) Cerre was for more than a generation a leading merchant and citizen. He married Catherine Giard of Kaskaskia in 1764, and a daughter of this union became the wife of Auguste Chouteau, long prominent in the Missouri River fur trade. See biographical sketch of Cerre by Walter B. Douglas in Illinois State Hist. Soc., Transactions for the year 1903 (Springfield, 1904), 275-88. 106 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS & at present we want Bread more than Cooks. I have put her at Mr Mumforton'sO6 at present. You'll probably have heard before this reaches you that Gen' Clinton has defeated Gen' Gates near Albany & killed him with Seven thousand of his people. Mrs Askin presents her Compliments. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO EDWARD POLLARD61 AT NIAGARA, JUNE 4, 1778 I was favoured with your kind letter dated the 20th of february last. I return you many thanks for the news, to which I would now make a Return in kind, were I not well assured that you must have heard all the good news of Gen' Clintons Victory before now & in a more circumstantial 60 William Monforton, of French descent, was born about the year 1735. He was a man of education and considerable ability. Through the influence of Francois Baby of Quebec, Monforton some years prior to 1772 became the clerk of Gabriel Cerr6 of Kaskaskia, Illinois. Letters of Francois Baby, August 13 and September 17, 1772, in St. Sulpice Seminary, Montreal. In 1775 Monforton married Mary Louisa Soumande dit Delorme, who was born at Montreal, September 3, 1746. Denissen, op. cit. His home at this time must have been at Mackinac, for two of his children were born there, March 25,1776 and October 4, 1777. Ibid. Both these children were baptized at Detroit, October 10, 1778. Shortly before this date Monforton had left Mackinac for Detroit, as shown by a letter written to Cerre, September 22, 1778, printed in Ill. Hist. Colls., V, 53-59. The remainder of his life was passed at Detroit and (subsequently) Sandwich, and at the latter place he was buried in March, 1814. About the years 1805 to 1807 Monforton underwent two years' imprisonment for debt. Askin befriended him in his misfortune, and some piteous letters on the subject are in the Askin Papers. Although Monforton never achieved fame he stamped his name indelibly on the history of Detroit. In 1784, by official order, the notarial records were removed to Quebec, where they remained until William Dummer Powell, first judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the District of Hesse, brought them back in 1790. From 1784 to 1792 the records of the place were kept by Monforton in his capacity of notary public. These are contained (the first two years are missing, having been stolen from his office) in the Monforton Register, so called, which remained in possession of his descendants in Sandwich. It eventually found its way into the government archives in Ottawa, where it now rests. A copy (ms.) was made some years since for the Burton Hist. Coll. Vols. A, B, and C of the notarial records of Detroit (kept by others tlan Monforton) remained in Sandwich until 1871, when in pursuance of an act passed by the Ontario provincial parliament, they were returned to Detroit and are now a part of the official archives of Wayne County. 61 Edward Pollard was one of the early British traders in the western country, having been one of the contributors to a fund for the repair of the fort at Detroit in 1768. See Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, III, 12. It does not appear, however, that Pollard was himself at Detroit at this time. He established himself at the Niagara carrying place (date uncertain) and by 1779 had become prosperous enough to retire and return to England. See Buffalo Hist. Soc., Publications, VI, 75-76. 107 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ~~*.................... I.............. manner than I have done, one Party of our Indians Warriors consisting of about 100 men are sett off for Montreal & a much larger now ageting ready. I thank you sincerely for your care of my things. I have sent Mr Steadman62 a list of them. I must beg a continuation of friendship. A Report prevails that you are to be our master for the back Posts. I wish you much joy if true, not that I have the least Reason to complain of Mr Day. I imagine it would be doing him much Service, as his burthen would then be less. Mrs Askin joins in Compliments to your good family. P. S. Mr Macomb63 forgot the Iron FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JAMES STERLING AT DETROIT, JUNE 5, 1778 I wrote you yesterday by the Angelica leting you know in how pressing a manner Major De Peyster wrote Governor Hamilton about my flour. I now send the Vessell for it and hope she may return without the loss of one hour think how,distressing it is to have positive contracts for above 20 thousand, the people either now wanting it, or will in a very few days, to prevent all manner of difficulties that might 62 John Stedman (Steadman) was in Detroit in 1762 and the same year located at the Niagara portage, where he engaged in the forwarding business and remained until 1789. By reason of ill-health, he then withdrew to England, leaving his affairs at Niagara in the care of a nephew. He had an estate in Herefordshire (now Bosbury House) where he lived until his death in 1808 in his seventy-eighth year. Condensed from data supplied by Mrs. Shirley Beecher Ball of Dorset, Ontario; James Sterling letter book (ms. copy in Burton Hist. Coll.); Ontario Hist. Soc., Papers and Records, VI, 24; Mich. Pio. Coils., XIX, 424-25; and Buffalo Hist. Soc., Publications, VI, 39, 44. 63 A letter written by Askin this same date (not here reprinted) to Alexander and William Macomb of Detroit speaks of a shipment of 400 lbs. of iron which Pollard states they were to have sent him, and of which he is much in want. Alexander and William Macomb were leading merchants of Detroit in this period, sons of John Gordon Macomb who migrated from Ireland to Albany about the year 1755, and from Albany to Detroit ten years or so later. In 1776 the Macombs secured an Indian deed to Grosse Ile, and they obtained, at different times, other extensive property holdings. Alexander married Catherine Navarre, and a son, born to them at Detroit in 1782, was General Alexander Macomb, who for several years prior to his death in 1841 was commander-in-chief of the U. S. army. The elder Macomb left Detroit for New York a few years after the Revolution, where he speculated extensively in lands. His home was one of the finest in the city, and in 1790 it was rented to serve as the official residence of President Washington. See Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet.III, 41. 108 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS arrise, I here inclose you the different agreements & letters relative to the flour I'm to furnish, so that if Governor Hamilton requires more satisfaction about the matter, you will open the inclosed Packett & shew him the contents, if no occasion you will send it back Sealed to me as it now is, let the Quantity of flour be as much as possible without detaining the Vessell, you'll also let my Brother in law64 have what Provisions he may want for them back. If the Master of the Vessell should want the value of 200t, or some such thing let him have it & send me the Account. I have promsied Mr Howard that a small quantity of flour for him may come in my Vessell, the remainder to be filled with my Liquors if they are arrived, if not I have promised Mr David Rankin that he may put some things on board. I wrote you for a pair of Common Cart wheels & 2 Doz. of Chairs which please send by the Angelica. I want some Barrells of lime also if you can send them.' I send some empty Barrells for sail. Remember that none of my Liquors are to be left behind to take in things for any person except the 5 or 6 Ct of flour for Mr Howard. Pray borrow of some of the Naval department for me a small Anchor. I will be able to return it very soon as I have some on the way. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO BENJAMIN FROBISHER AT MONTREAL, JUNE 6, 1778 I will attempt writing you by these Indians but cant say I will get through, having three Vessells to fit off now, your Canoes & my Public employment. St Cir arrived last night. I have delivered him the Canoes, all your Corn, Sugar, Gum, Bark & Watap now remaining here shall be dilivered him to Day, all the rum comeing up in the Canoes he shall also have (I expect they will arrive to day) I have this Spring got about five Barrells of Spirits up which is now a Drawing off & shall be sent, this with 60 Kegs of W. I. Rum I borrowed of Mr Barth is all the Liquors I can possibly muster I dont keep two Barrells for 64 Jean Baptiste Barthe. 109 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS myself. I have not had one pound of Flour this Season. Lt Governor Hamilton would not Suffer more than thirteen thousand Wt to leave Detroit & that only to such persons as were on the Spot, or had others to make oath that it was for the N. W. Trade. Mr Sterling has fourteen thousand W' purchased for me, my Vessell is just now going to Sail in order to fetch it & what Rum I may have Arrived at Detroit, which without one moments loss of time shall be forwarded to the Portage. I'm in great hopes from what Major De Peyster has wrote Lt Governor Hamilton with the other precautions I have taken, that not only the 14 Thousand but even more may come for me if Ready. I dare say by this time the Spring News from Canada has got to Detroit (which was not the case when the last Vessell left it) So that Governor Hamilton will now see that there is now no necessity for Stoping the provisions in that Settlement. Your Canoes shall be loaded with what's here & at SI Mary's as nearly conformable to your orders as possible & I beleive it will make about their Loading. I have sent some flour forward & will now send about a thousand Wt more, so that I still hope there will not be the least disapointment. I wish Messrs Todd & McGill had sent me by the Grand River the 1700 Gallons they wrote me they would. I in many letters warned them not to depend on the Liquors comeing the other way, & that I had none. I know it was their great desire not to [incur] too much expences, prevented them but I asure you nothing hurts me so [much] as any persons being disapointed who depends on me, tho not my fault. I have wrote you the most necessary [matters] & must refer the rest for another oppertunity. Your Brothers Letter from St Mary's which you [will receive] with this will inform you further. As it's impossible for me to write any other at Montreal by this oppertunity, please make my excuse to Madam Chaboulliez. I will do myself the Honour to write her in a few Days, for the present please let her know, I will execute her orders for the Additional Quantity of Corn she has ordered, the Rum I cannot promise untill I have fullfilled my engagements, let her know also that her Canoes was the first men 110 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS here this Spring & took (with what was sent before) every thing that Monsr Chaboulliez was to get, except 10 Kegs of Rum & 5 bags of Flour, which shall go with the rum & Flour I'm now sending to Detroit for. I know no person so well of[f] in the North Trade as he is. Please excuse my not writing Mr McGill also by this oppertunity. I mean make my excuse to him. Mrs Askin & Mr" Robertson presents their best Compliments & beleive me most truely P S St Cir goes off to morrow with the small Canoes & what's here & leaves two larger Canoes to take my rum that's comeing by the Grand river FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOSEPH FROBISHER66 AT GRAND PORTAGE, JUNE 6, 1778 I was Yesterday favoured with your two letters dated the 28th of May last. Your guide66 St Cir came here last night & proposes setting off to morrow with all the small Canoes he leaves two large ones to take on Board the Rum that's coming up in my Canoes. I'm sorry to inform you that my conjectures about Provisions being Stopt at Detroit is too true, for my Corrispondant there could not get liberty to Ship an ounce for me except he made Oath that it was for the North Trade & no other, & then he would have had permition to forward my proportion of thirteen thousand, which is the whole of the exports to be allowed, or rather would be allowed at 65 Joseph Frobisher was one of the most noted of the early British traders and explorers in the Northwest. He early penetrated beyond Lake Superior, and in 1774 reached Churchill River. He was one of the founders of the North West Company in 1783, and as here indicated bore a leading part in its administration. Unlike the majority of the partners, who wintered in the interior, Frobisher and Simon McTavish (another partner) acted as agents of the company at Montreal. In 1798 Frobisher retired from active business. See sketch in Ontario Bureau of Archives, Thirteenth Report, 182-83. 66 The hierarchy of the North West Company, which was being evolved in this period, comprised the following gradations from above downward: partners, clerks, guides, and canoemen (or voyagers). Davidson characterizes the guides as "a useful and intelligent set of men who also acted in the capacity of interpreters. They had a stated quantity of goods supplied to them, and received from one thousand to three thousand livres in wages." See The North West Company, 229. Concerning this particular guide (St. Cir) no information has been found. 111 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS that time, however as I beleive this was no more than taking precautions for supplying the place untill news was heard from Canada of Provisions being on their way up, and as I have reason to think that news must now be Arrived at Detroit, I make no doubt there will be no farther hindrance. I therefore have this Day sent a Vessell for my flour which is ready purchased, & as Major De Peyster has wrote the Governor very pressingly about it & I have taken the other necessary precautions, I hope that it & the remainder of what I'm to Supply you with, will still arrive here in good time, & the utmost dispatch shall be made to send it to the Portage. Please acquaint Monsr Charls Chaboulliez that the remainder of his Rum & Flour shall also go at same time. I this Day have wrote to Mr Benjn Forbisher fully about what I have done, at same time I sent him your letter. I could have wished that Messrs Todd & McGill had sent me the quantity of Rum I wrote for in Canoes. I warned them in several letters not to depend on what was comeing by the way of the lakes. I'm well persuaded that it was their fear of throwing me into too much expence, prevented them, at same time their being asured the other Rum would reach me in good time, which I still hope it may, however I would much rather be at any Charge than disapoint any person who confides in me-there is no such thing as getting the grease you want yett, but in a few days I hope there will be some in, I expect some in my Canoes. Your own Canoes will be able to take what you have here & what of yours remains at St Mary's otherwise of cource the Vessell should, the Additional quantity of Corn & rum you order shall be sent if in my power, of the former I have Sufficient if it was hulled. I will set people to work about it. I'm much hurried at present I will take some other oppertunity to write you more FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimakina Le 6 juin 1778 Mon cher frere jay Regue toutes vos Lettre a quoi je ferait Reponse par sauvages votre Buthan partira aussy au 112 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS m6me tems si je puis trouver des hommes Et je tacher6z devous Envoyer tout Ceque vous mavez demand6. tout Ceque vous avez Livr6s a Monsr frobisher a st Cire et mi au Bord La Barque pour La grande soci6t6; mois de 150 minot de Bled; vous aurez La Bont6 de Remettre a st Cire En passant Le saut aussy Bien que tout Le Butin qui appartient a Cette Compagnie Commes ils auront places dans Leurs Canots pour Le mettre tout Et vous aurez ass6 dautres Chose a faires transporter vous metterez Le port dans vos Barques Commes Les frais de Garder Du Butin et Les faires passer dans Le portage au Compte de Ceux a qui ils appartient. Mr MoDonnel gagne 1170" par ann6e Et sauvage 900' je Leurs Donne autant de vivres Comme je Crois quils pourront manger Raisonnablement avec un demiard de Rom par jour Les autres hommes La moiti6 de Cette quantit6 de Rom Et de vivres que je Compte Raisonnable. Lavoine Est parti Cette matin dans L'harchange pour Le detroit, pour chercher La farine je nait pas Regue un Livres Encore, mais jespaire avoir a present aussy Bien que Le Rom Le general Carleton a donn6 ordre que La miennent passent La premiere Lorty Mon Commis avec Cinq Bateau Est partie de Lachine dans Le mois de avril pass6 jay Beaucoup de Bled mais je ne puis pas vous Envoyer plus de 80 minots de Lissiv6s Et autant que La Barque puorra de Lautres avec Les sandres 1 chodi6re et tout Cela Cpt Robinson Est arrivez avant L'hangelique mais Le meme jour il part demain pour aller examiner Du Cote de La Rivi6re des francais comme je suis determine d'y faire Batir une maison La Barque ne pourra pas prendre vos deux Canots marquez Moy si vous voulez Les vendre je naurez pas Besoin de sucre ni Gomme mais je pourrai vandre tout Les deux ici pour 20s La livre Ceque vous avez demand6 L'automne derni6re est dans mes deux Canot qui montent pren6s des Regue de tous Ceux que vous Livr6r6 quelque Butin. 113 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Translation Michilimackinac, June 6, 1778 My dear Brother: I have received all your letters and am sending my reply by the Indian. Your merchandise will go at the same time if I can get men, and I shall try to send everything that you have ordered. All that you have delivered for Mr. Frobisher by St. Cir is put on board the North West Company's vessel except 150 minots of corn; kindly give that to St. Cir as he passes the Sault, also all the merchandise belonging to the North West Company. They will have room for it in their canoes and you will have plenty of other things to send. Charge shipping expenses of the merchandise to the account of each individual owner, that is, the cost of carriage in your boats its care at the Sault, and carriage at the portage. Mr. McDonald's wages are 1170 livres a year. The Indian gets 900 livres. I have given them provisions, as much as I thought they could eat in all reason, with a quarter of a pint of rum per day. The other men have half that much rum and what I judged would be plenty of provisions. Lavoine set out this morning in the Archange for Detroit to get my flour. I have not had a pound yet but hope for some now, also plenty of rum. General Carleton gave orders that mine is to come through the first. My clerk, Lorty, left Lachine in April last with five boats. I have plenty of corn but cannot send you more than 80 minots of lye hominy, and shall fill the boat with other things —ashes, a kettle, and such like. Capt. Robertson arrived before the Angelica but left the same day to examine the coast along the French River. I have decided to build a house there. The vessel could not take your canoes. Tell me if you want to sell them. I shall not need either sugar or gum [for myself] but could sell both here at 20 sols a pound. Your order of last fall is now off in my two canoes. Take receipts for all the merchandise you send out. 114 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS FROM JOHN ASKIN TO CHARLES CHABOILLEZ AT GRAND PORTAGE a MichiLimacKina Le 6 juin 1778 Monsr chaBoilliez Monsr jay Eu L'honneur de Recevoir une Lettre de Madame votre ]pouse par Laquelle elle me pris de vous Envoyer douze sac de Bled Et douze Barils de Rom plus que La memoire que vous mavez quitt6 Lann6 passe Le Bled je pourrai promettre quelque tems dici mais je ne suis pas sure pour Le Rom je tacherai de Le faire quand je vous Envoyerez Le Restant de votre farine Et Rom La graise vous aurez En quelque jours je chercherait si Le pris tombera pour votre profit. Monsr Barthe me marque qui manque un de vos quarante Barils de Rom je manvaits Le Remplacer je suis avec extreme Monsr votre tres humble serviteur Translation Michilimackinac, June 6, 1778 Mr. Chaboillez, Sir: I was honored by the receipt of a letter from Madam, your wife, in which she asked me to send you 12 bags of corn and 12 barrels of rum in addition to your order of last year. I can promise the corn any time from here but am not so sure about the rum. I shall try to send it with the rest of your flour and rum. You shall have the grease soon and I shall find out for your profit if the price is likely to fall. Mr. Barthe reports one of your barrels of rum lacking. I shall send another. I remain, Sir, with respect, Your most humble servant FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimakina Le 8 de juin 1778 Mon cher frere Je tacherait de faire partir sauvage avec La Barque demain matin, je vous Envoye son Regue pour 115 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS tout Cequi Est au Bord avec Leur marque je vous prie de Luy donner Le tems darranger toute a terre avant que de Le Recevoir Et signe un Regue pour La charge, Car sil manque quelque chose il Le payera pour sure jay Envoy6z Le dernier Voyage 40 Barils de Rom pour Certain pour Mons' chaBoilliez, faite Examin6r sil nest pas parmis Les votres par hazard Et si vous ne pouv6s pas Le trouver Remplac6z Le Et je vous En Randerez un autre a sa place par Letat de charge vous verrez pour quelle Endroit chaque choses sonts jay prettez un ancre et Cable a sauvage pour faire monte La Barque je vous prie de me Le Renvoyer par La premiere occasion Comme ils appartient a la grand Batheau et je ne puis pas me servir De Luy sans Les avoirs sils ne Reste pas a present au saut avec Ceque je vous Envoye presentement proche La charge des deux Barques, je trouverai plus a propos que vous ne fassi6 pas faire monter Celcy mais vous deverez Le tenir parre En Bas En tous Cas quils arrive quel que accident a Lautre ou bien quelle ne Reviennent pas assetot Car il ne faut pas tromper Le monde au sujet de transport de Leur Effets Le Major Depeyster Renvoye six Barils de Rom En Lieu de Ceux que vous avez prettez a Monsr Bennett Et je porte a votre avoir Les petits Barils quils a Eu je vous Envoye 1 Card de Bon vin de porte avec deux Barils d'Esprits dont vous aurez besoin pour votre table ay6z La Bont6 davertir Monsr Machard piquette & Ce que jai Leur Billiette de huit mille francs quils ont Consanti a Monsr Sanguinette ainsi de faire provision pour Le payment je tacherai de faire partir votre grand Bateau demain avec La jumanarnois, grande chodigre, Cendre, prelats, Roues, et Bleds je crois vous avoir dits que Le prix de chaque pi6ce dici au grand portage dans Les Barques Est une pistoles et qu un minot et un quart et une pi6ce 1 Baril une pi6ce 100" de farine une pi6ce ont paye outre Cela pour La garde au saut et Le port dans votre portage Et je trouve pour Les pieces d'ici au saut 4" Est un pris Raisonnable jay examin6 nos Comptes et trouves que La difference n'est que 283n 4'01 j'avois omis de porter a votre avoir Lautonne dernitre Le 116 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS port de pi6ces et quelque vivres pour pompe Et chalou qui fait Ensemble 211" 62" que Monsr francois campau me doit que jay pris La liberte de porter a votre Compte avec 20" que vous av6s oubli6s pour un prelats dans La dernigre compte fait La somme et une pistol de trop ainsi tous Est arrang6 a present si Monsr Campeau vous paye pas je Rabaterez autant a votre Compte je suis Bien flatt6 que vous ]t6 si Exacte Rien me fait tant de plaisir Cest Le seul moyent aussy de Reucir dans Les affaires jay Regue Les petits Barils que vous mavez Envoyez un Recue de Monsr Cadotte pour Les 20 minots de gros Bled qui est dans La Barque pour Monsr henry je ne puis pas avoir de gresse Encore ny pour vous ny pour Monsr frobicher Les deux paires de souli6s que jenvoye pour Madame McDonnell me paraise grand mais il sont selont La mesure que vous maves Envoyez sauvage a pass6 Capt Robison a Courir La Bord6 je nait jamais vu une petite Barque Barque aller si proche auvant jay vendue votre panis a lavoine pour 750" il est trop fou pour faire un matlot ou m6me quelque chose de Bon vous navez qua porte a mon compte Les 1442 minots de Bled Lissives que vous mav6s prett6s a 23" Le minots et Les 60 Baril de Rom 150" Le Baril je vous Rendr6s tous Les Deux aLors je Les metterez au m6me prix vous savez que j'avois 10512 minots de Bled chez vous toute L'hyver Cela avec Le 1442 faisoit Le 250 que vous deviez avoir pris au saut pour En Envoyez jay port6 a Compt autrement on ne peut pas Les Regl6r je trouve que vous avez Bien faites avec Les sauvages Et je suis Bien Certain que tout ira Bien archange et toute La famille vous Enbrasse bien. faites Mes Compliment a Madame McDonnell. 11 y a un Poiche de Bisquit plus que Les Provisions des hommes, ce pour Sauvage sur le Lac Superior. Nos Comptes sont reglE reste A 57897" 98 que vous me devoit. J'ai Engag6 un Homme pour aller avec Sauvage a La place de Jupiter que Je vous Enverrai dans le Bateau &ca 117 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Translation Michilimackinac, June 8, 1778 My dear Brother: I shall try to have the Indian set out with the vessel tomorrow morning. I am sending you his receipt for everything on board, with the mark of each piece, and advise you to give him time to arrange it all on the beach before you check up and sign any receipt for the cargo. If anything is missing he must pay for it. I am certain I sent 40 barrels of rum for Mr. Chaboillez on the last voyage. Have a search made if by any chance it [the missing barrel] is among yours. If you cannot find it replace it from yours and I shall make it up to you. By the bill of lading you will see the destination of each piece. I loaned the Indian an anchor and a cable for the vessel going up. Please return them the first opportunity. They belong to the big boat and I cannot use it without them. If, with what you have at the Sault and what I am now sending, you still have not nearly enough to load the two vessels, I think it would be better not to send this one up now but to keep it in readiness below the Sault in case any accident should happen to the other or that it should not return soon enough. We must never disappoint people in the matter of shipping goods. Major De Peyster returns the six barrels of rum you loaned Mr. Bennett and I am crediting your account with the kegs he got. I am sending you one barrel of good port wine and two barrels of whiskey for your own table use. Kindly advise Messrs. Machard, Piquette & Co. that I hold their acceptance for eight thousand francs drawn by Mr. Sanguinet67 that they may make provision for the payment. 67 Both Charles and Joseph Sanguinet were engaged in trade in the Northwest during this period. Charles was a native of Quebec, born in 1740, who on coming west first settled at Detroit. Apparently he was at Mackinac by 1770, for a daughter of his was born there in September of that year. A few years later he removed to the Illinois country, and for many years made his home at St. Louis, where he died in 1818. See Wis. Hist. Coils., XIX, 75 and 304, and Ill. Hist. Coils., II, 54 et passim. Joseph Sanguinet in 1780 became one of the founders of the general store at Mackinac, at which time he is recorded as having his headquarters at Montreal. In 1786 he was a vestryman of the church of Ste. Anne at Mackinac. Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 493. 118 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I shall try to have your big boat sent off tomorrow with the mare's harness, the large kettle, ashes, tarpaulin, cart wheels and corn. I think you told me that the freight from this place to the Grand Portage on goods shipped in the vessels is $2 per piece, and that 1S minots is one piece, a barrel is one piece, and a hundred weight of flour is one piece. Besides the freight there is the charge for taking care of them at the Sault and for carrying at your portage. The freight from here to the Sault at 75 cents per piece is reasonable. I have gone over our accounts and find a difference of only 283 livres 4 sols. I had omitted to credit you with the freight last fall and with some provisions for Pomp and Chalou, both amounting to 211 livres. Then I have taken the liberty of charging your account with 62 livres Mr. Francis Campau6s owes me, and you had forgotten the tarpaulin in your last account at 20 livres. These all amount to that sum and a pistole over, so that our accounts are straight now. If Mr. Campau does not pay you I shall deduct as much from your account. I am indeed glad to find you so exact. Nothing gives me more pleasure, and it is also the only way to succeed in business. I have received the kegs you sent. [Take] a receipt from Mr. Cadotte for the 20 minots of hulled corn which is in the vessel for Mr. Henry. I have not been able to get any grease yet, neither for you nor for Mr. Frobisher. The two pairs of shoes I am sending for Mrs. McDonald look to me pretty big but they are the size you ordered. The Indian passed Capt. Robertson by tacking. I never saw a small vessel sail so close to the wind. I sold your panis to Lavoine for 750 livres. He is too stupid to make a sailor or to be any good whatever. You have charged me only 23 livres a minot for the 144' minots of lye hominy you loaned me, and the 60 barrels of rum are entered at only 150 livres a barrel. I shall return both and shall put them in at the same price. You know I had 105'2 minots of corn at your place all winter. That, with the 144' makes the 250 that 68 On the Campau family see ante, 33. The individual here mentioned may have been Francis Campau, son of Jean Louis Campau and Mary Louisa Robert, who was born at Detroit, April 19, 1734. 119 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS you should have credited as taken to the Sault to send on and which I have charged up. Otherwise one could never keep things straight. You have done well with the Indians I notice, and I feel certain that business will be good. Archange and all the family embrace you tenderly. Present my compliments to Mrs. McDonald. There is a bag of biscuit in addition to the men's provisions which is for the Indian on Lake Superior. Our accounts are now straight and there is a balance of 57897 livres 9 sols that you owe me. I have engaged a man to go with the Indian in place of Jupiter whom I shall send to you in the canoe. &ca. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO NATHANIEL DAY AT MONTREAL, JUNE 9, 1778 I was Honoured with your two Letters bearing date the 6th of October & the 20th of JanY last the 3d Inst; the returns I transmited to you the 8th of last Month will shew plainly the Quantity of Provissions then in Store, Except I may be a little rong in respect to the Wt of what was laid aside as bad, but the difirence is so trifling that it cannot cause Any Mistake in Estimating what may be wanted for this Garrison. I shall in future [a]greable to your Orders send in the fall of Each year the return & demand of what Provissions may be wanted for this Post. The great distance of this Place renders it Imposible for me to Comply with your Orders so Speedily as I could wish. the returns for the 24th of May was made up before I recevd your Orders for changing the form & as the 24th Inst. is so near, & it being a time for making the General Settlemt I thought it would be best & most Agreable to you to continue the Old form untill that time. In particular as I cannot well see how the change can be made Except after a General Settlement without deviating too much from the rules you have been pleased to lay down. I do supose that when you sent off Your Orders & the New returns, you Expected they would have reached me Early in february & as at that 120 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS time I could not have sent off Any Vouchers nor Accounts since the 24th of Decr 1777 it would have been Easy for me to have given up the old Vouchers & taken Others with Dift N~O According to the New form, as also to have had Others Signed Monthly for the Condemned Deficient, & lost (which formerly was done only every six Months,) but your Orders Arriving so late has made the task more dificult, however if you Judge proper still to have the Alteration made, I shall do Everything in my power & commence it when you think proper. The New form of Monthly return has in my Oppinion many Advantages Over any we yett have had, as it at one View shews the true State of the Provissions Store & strength of the Garrison. With the last Months Accounts I send you a return of the Number of Persons which in all probability will have to be Victuled here from July 1778 to July 1779 Indians Excepted of whoes Numbers no person can well jud[g]e being some days above three hundred & Others not more than ten besides their receiving Chiefly flour & Pork a Calculation in all Species would not Answer for them. I have therefore in the return only said what Quantity I think may serve them without any mention of their Numbers. There is a Vessell taken Into the Crowns Service at this Post, on the same Conditions as those at Detroit, therefore the Seamen are allowed a ration & a half per day & half a pint of rum & as there was none of the latter In Store I have been Necessiated to purchace a Barrell here at a high rate. I have now to return you my Thanks for your Allowance of a Cooper & I hope it will not be displeasing to you that I Insert in the General Settlemt for the last 6 Months two setts of recepts for his & my Rations commencing the 25th of December last. Your having Mentioned in Your Letter that the recepts for the Commissary & Coopers rations are to be transmited to you Every Six Months gives me reason to think I might draw them; if I should be rong in my Conjectures, I will make the Alteration on the first Notice, however Suffer me to Asure you that Even a Ration per 121 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS day in this distant Quarter where every thing is so dear is of much help to a famaly FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michili Maquina Le 13 de juin 1778 Mon cher frere depuis que Sauvage Est parti et m6me devant M.Cherle v'otre jumain tout les jours Sans pouvoir le trouver j'ai eu mil paine aussi de trouver du monde pour ramener votre Butin je garde Caliez et j'Envoye robideau au nord. il faut me marquer Combien il vous doit pour quelle pour quelle tems il Est Engag6 et Combien vous le pay6 per an6. au sujet de bled leciv6 que vous avez promit de me fournir cette printems qui doit faire deuse Cens Cenquante Minots avec Ceque javois au Saut tout l'hiver, je vous prie de trouver toujours Cette quantit6 pour ceux & qui je vous ai dit que cestoit autrement ils Sont tromp6 ceque je ne vous drois pas pour Senjt fois La Sommes il y avoit 100 minots pour la grand Soci6t6 100 minots pour Mons chaboillie. si les Canots de quelqu'un de ces Mon"r8 passant le saut peuvent prendre le restant de ceque vous deve fournir pour moi vous aure la bonte delelivrer Sinon vous le mettrez au bord de la barque jes que personne n'auront Sujet de se plaindre de vous ou moi je crois que mes canost ont ordre daller au Saut vous remmetre a qui est pour vous. avez tout le rum qui est pour les messieurs du nord, avant que devenir ici en livrant au Canots quil ils ront le prendre mon rum je vous prie d'enprendre un recu et de me l'Envoyer il mest pas posible de vous marquer pour cette ann6e Ce qui est pour passer dans la barque quand chaqu'unt oront prit Cequil pourront dans leur canots le reste est pour le barque per Con Siquent un autre anez je tacherai daranger tout cela mieux. ils Est vrai que j'engage Mon" Nodisne pour trois ann6 ausci bien qu'un autre Commis autre cela jatand Mon8 lortie de Bon heur la graisce Coutre 3" la livre et bien rare mesme. je trouve plus apropos que vous mettiez Battis avec Mon8 magdonnelle que avec Mons brulon et vous me 122 TOHN ASKIN PAPERS renvoirez pomp. jene juge plus apropo de envoyer louison avec brulon ils a eu lodasce de le fraper. Chalou Se bien Comporte dans Sons dernier voyage et La voine est aut Bord a present Mais que l'archange revien du detroit je vous lenvoirez cherge de farine Et de boison je tacherai de tirer quelque Chose pour ceque Mon8 Campau doit ausitot que vos barque soit arivez tachez de me les Envoyer per la premiere bonne ocasions de sort que je puis les faire rendre dans mes Canots. archange demande ses livres et vous en brasce bien jemais autre chose si ajout6 si non que je suis. Le montant de cette Compte 36961 188 Translation Michilimackinac, June 13, 1778 My dear Brother: Since the Indian left and even before, Charlie [has been hunting] your mare every day but has not found her. I have had a thousand difficulties too in finding somebody to get your merchandise ready. I am keeping Caliez and sending Robideau69 north. You must tell me how much he owes you, for how long he is engaged, and how much you pay him a year. With respect to the lye hominy, you promised me this spring enough, with what I had all winter at the Sault, to make up 250 minots. I beg you to have that quantity ready in time for those who have ordered it as I told you. Otherwise they will be disappointed and I would not have that happen for a hundred times the amount. There were to be 100 minots for the North West Company and 100 minots for Mr. Chaboillez. If the canoes of any of these gentlemen are passing the Sault and can take what is left of what you agreed to furnish me, kindly deliver it to them; if not, put it on the vessel. Then there will be no cause for complaint against either you or me. I believe my canoes had orders to go to the Sault to deliver 69 Robideau appears in Barthe's ledger (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) as an engage. September 6, 1777, he contracted to serve for one year at a wage of 500 livres. Soon after this the engagement was extended to cover the two succeeding years. 123 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS what is for you. Take off all my rum that is for the gentlemen at the north and put it on their canoes as they go through, without sending it on here. Be sure to take a receipt and send it to me. It is not possible for me to tell you for this year what is to be shipped on the vessel as each trader will take what he can in his canoes and the remainder will go on the vessel. Another year I shall try to have all that arranged better. It is true that I have engaged Mr. Nodisne for three years, also another clerk, and besides them I expect Mr. Lorty in soon. Grease costs 3 livres a pound and very scarce atthat. I find it will be better to put Baptiste with Mr. McDonald instead of with Mr. Brulon, and I shall send Pomp back to you. I have not thought it well to send Louison out with Brulon as he had the impudence to strike him. Chalou behaved himself on the last voyage. Lavoine is out at present but as the Archange is on her way up from Detroit I shall send her to you with a load of flour and rum. I shall try to collect something of what Mr. Campau owes. As soon as your vessel gets in try to send them [the peltries] to me by the first good opportunity so that I can have them loaded in my canoes. Archange asks you for her books and embraces you tenderly. There may be something more to add, if not, I remain. This merchandise amounts to 3696 livres 18 sols. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOSEPH FROBISHER AND JOHN MCGILL, JUNE 13, 1778 As I'm informed that you two have to transact the business of the N. W. C~ this Season, I take this oppertunity of Mr MoBeth to inform you that by letter I Received from Montreal to day, I'm assured that there is on the way for me about 150 Kegs of Rum & Spirits all which quantity or more if it arrives you shall have by the two Canoes St Cir left for the purpose, or what part of it they may not be able to take with them shall go by the first Vessell, the Grease your Mr Joe Forbisher ordered shall also go by the Canoes 124 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS & if in my power I will furnish the additional quantity of Rum he wrote me about, however it will first be necessary to send what I have already engaged to find you. I hope the return of my Vessell from Detroit will put it in my power to send you the remainder of your Rum & Flour. My Liquors that's comeing up this [spring] I'm informed was to leave Deer Island the 10th of last Month in a Vessell that was ready to take them on Board. I imagine that you got by the first trip of the Vessell all that was forwarded to you, except what your own Canoes took, for tho' I mean to serve others, yet my intention is by all means that you have the Preference, indeed I mean to allot one of the two small Vessells purely for your Service, only when you cannot load her of course others may put on board, the other I mean for the use of such other Gentlemen as may choose to Ship in her, when I have the Pleasure of seeing you here we will settle all them matters. I have not as yet heard from Your Mr John McGill70 who I'm told is gone to the Saut St Mary's some time ago, you have only 50 Bushells of Corn more to receive of me, which I was ordered to leave at the Saut for the Canoes that go down, except the 40 lately ordered per Mr M~Beath I am &^ FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, JUNE 14, 1778 I hear Mr Howard intends sending a Canoe for Montreal to morrow, I will therefore write you as much as time will permit for the present & the remainder by some other oppertunity. I have Received five letters from you this Season, dated the 21st & 28th April, the 9th, 11th & 16th May, the two first I received the 5th & the three latter the 13th Instant, I 7o John McGill was a brother of James McGill, and, like him, engaged in the fur trade. He died at Montreal, December 1, 1797, aged fifty-one years. See Can. Archives Rep., 1889, xvii. 125 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS beleive there is some others from you for me, but Mr John McGill having taken them to St Mary's with him, prevents their comeing by several days so soon as they otherwise would. I'm very sorry you should make yourselves so unhappy about the return of my rum last fall, I'm sure I never blemt you for it, on the contrary I'm well persuaded when anything under your directions miscarry, the same would happen were I there in person. I do asure you I'm under many obligations to you for the pains you have taken about my things. I now have great hopes of seeing them soon & tho' I may reap a great benifit by it in the sale of some of them, what pleases me most is the having it in my power to furnish the Gentlemen of the N. W. C~ the remainder of their Liquors after what I sent them & what is in my Canoes, which is not yett arrived. The very clear account you have sent me of the furrs shipt on my Account as well as my Liquors &ca in their different Situations deserves my thanks, as I see you have not spared pains to make every thing very clear to me. I have already sent you all the proofs I can give about the Martins that are missing, if they do not answer, they must of cource be lost. I approve of your plann of sending me Rum whither ordered or not, if it can get up, I can never Suffer by having a quantity, besides I can then contract with much more Safety to myself & others. I shall not for some time yet be able to examine our Accounts. I have wrote Mr Steadman to send me Rum in lieu of what he took of mine, this will be more advantagious to me by much. You forgot inclosing the Gentlemen of the Garrison's Accounts as you mention, you have only noted the Sum, however I beleive this will answer for me to get Payment from them. Lieut. Bennett had already desired me to charge him his, he knew & told me the amount,.when I see my Canoes & hear from St Mary's, I will let you know exactly what Rum & Spirits is come for me in my own & the N. W. Canoes. I wish you had been more plain in letting me know whither they were to go to St Mary's, or come here 126 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS first, as I have kept two large Canoes of the Co8 here in order to take the rum that is in mine. Old Francois is not yet arrived, but I expect him daily. I shall pay due attention to what you say respecting his going into the North. I'm sure he shall not with my consent & I dare say he will not without. I assure you that tho' I now supply several others, besides the great C~, I have a certain inclination to forward their interest preferable to any other, & tho' I would not take any unfair means to prevent Gentlemen in that concern doing well, yet no profit should induce me to undertake any thing that could in the least hurt a concern where so many of my friends are interested. I'm determined never to undertake Canoes for any but them, & one Vessell shall be solely at their disposal, so far as they can make use of her. As to the Supplying of others with Rum, Corn &ca after I have made sure of what will be wanted for the great CO71 (as we now must term them for distinction sake) it can be a matter of no consiquence to that concern, for if I did not do so others would. I'm therefore sure it would be rather pleasing than otherwise to my friends to hear I made money. I Received 2401 from Major De Peyster for the Rum & Bisket taken by Mr Ainse from Roi, & the N.W.CO has credit for it in their last years accounts the 28th of June. I Received from Amable Roi72 & La fevre ~9"6"8 N.Y.CY last Year which I omitted advising you off, charge me with that sum, it's all I have been able to collect on acct of you & your Brother John. Before Lieut Bennett left this I did what I thought necessary in order that your C~ at the Portage should still pass for what it actually is, the most respectable both as to proprietors & amount. 71 The first organization of the North West Company has heretofore been ascribed to the year 1779. See Gordon, The North West Company, 9 ff. This letter establishes that it had been founded at least a year earlier, and by implication indicates that it was formed two years prior to 1779. 72 Amable Roi (Roy) was a native of Montreal who engaged in the Northwest trade, married a daughter of Augustin Langlade, and settled at Green Bay, where he died about the beginning of the nineteenth century. Having no children of their own, the Rois adopted Louis Grignon, member of a well-known early Green Bay family, and left their property to him. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 248. 127 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Nous sommes fort sur Le Dernier Gout de Londres,73 you may judge of Mrs Askin & Mr" Robertson by other Lady's, for in certain matters women are almost all alike. I beleive Capt Robertsons Marriage will make him consent to pass some years in this Country. I have not yet talked to him on the Subject, however had there been any thing entred into on his account, you should not have been disapointed, he has too much sentiment to suffer it, we have time to see more into these matters he could have the Command of a Kings Vessell on these leakes, but it realy is not worth his acceptance, nor will he take it. I hope to hear much news from You after Mr Todds Arrival from England, dont be plagueing me at this busy time with an account of my having drawn the ~20000, it would be very unseasonable & perhaps take my mind of[f] my other business. I shall not make you any remittances untill my own Canoes go down. I beleive I mentioned to you in my last that Robison is looking out for the best harbour that can be found nearest the french River & that I intend to build a Store there Please pay Mr Benjn Frobisher one hundred Livres for me. Mr" Askin presents her Compliments to Mrs McGill M' Howards Canoe has Slipt off. I wait another Opportunity. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MADAM CHARLES CHABOILLEZ a Michilimakina Le 15 juin, 1778 Madame chaBoilliez Madame Jaurai 6t6 flates de faire Reponse plutot aux Lettres que vous mavez faits Lhonneur de m6crire Le 20 et 28 du pass6 Monsr augustin a livres avotre Commis tous Cequi devoit fournir a Monsr votre Mari le 2 de Ce mois de sorte que tous vos Effets a la Reserve de dix Barils de Rom et quel que Cents de farine quil aura Longtems avants quil En aye Besoin son parti dici m6me avant que un seule Canot fut arriv6 de Montreal. votre Commis a pris les Canots 73 We are well up on the latest London styles. 128 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS............ ici, il n'est pas possible de les Envoyer au saut si bon heur Comme Les messieurs du nord En ont Besoin, pour Rendre justice a Monsr tousain Le sieur Cest un homme dexpedition Car ils Est parti trois heurs apres quils quil a it6 arrives sans Rien Laisser de Cequil devoit prendre je me ferais un sensible pl6sir de vous servir a tous tems quand Les occations se presenteront Et vous pouv6s vous assurer que jaurai oeil a vos interets. au sujet du Romme et Bled que vous avez ordonn6 jene puis pas promettre pour Le premier jus que a LaRiv6 d'une Barque que jay Envoy6 au detroit et que j'attend tous Les jours. mais Le Bled jenvoyerez seLon vos ordres je vous Remerci de vos intentions de Continuer detre fournis pour moy, je ferai mon possible de vous servir bien Madame Askin me prie de vous assurrer de ces Respects jay l'honneur detre Madame votre tres humble Et tres obeissant serviteur Translation Michilimackinac, June 15, 1778 Madam Chaboillez, Madam: I should have been pleased to answer sooner the letters which you did me the honor to write me on the 20th and 28th ult. On the 2d inst. Mr. Augustin delivered to your clerk what goods we were to furnish your husband, so that, with the exception of ten barrels of rum and some hundred weight or so of flour which he will also get long before he needs them, all your goods left here before even a single canoe arrived from Montreal. Your clerk took the canoes from here. It would not be possible to send them to the Sault as early as the northern traders would need them, and to do Mr. Toussaint justice, that gentleman is a man of great dispatch, for he set out again within three hours of his arrival without having left a single article of what he was to take. It will be my pleasure to serve you at all times as occasion may present, and you may be assured that I shall always keep an eye on your interests. 129 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS With respect to the rum and corn that you ordered, I cannot promise the first until the vessel that I have sent to Detroit returns, and I am expecting her any day, but the corn I shall send according to your instructions. I thank you for your intention of continuing to be supplied by me and I shall do my best to give you good service. Mrs. Askin begs me to assure you of her regard. I have the honor to remain, Madam, Your very humble and very obedient servant FROM JOHN ASKIN TO RICHARD DOBIE74 AT MONTREAL a Michilimaquina Le 15 de juin 1778 Mon ami je profite d'un mant de loisir pour vous marquer quelque mots Enreponse a votre lettre du 25 passe je vous remver6 bien des offer graninsi de vous Et madame votre epouse au sujet de ma petite fille qui est ici Mais"Mon gill se trompois Car notre entretien na ja Mais et6 de Lenvoyer En bas. a Moins que nous nallion nous mesme. Madame askin ne pouvoit pas Surporter L'abonce de Ses anfans nous vous sommes bien oblige de vo bonne intentions les nouvelles dans votre quartier ne peut pas etre grand chose jusqu a Lariviere des batimes de londres a nous afait grand plaisir quand les premiers Canots de ont arive de Montrealle un peut pour nos ami apres laffair de generalle Bougoin j'ai Esecut6 voordre au Sujet de changer les Compts de Mon" Machard et C'ome j'ai ecrit A Mon" Barthe au saut au sujet de cette dette a present j'attend leur arives pour le reste qui les regards pour le Billiet de Mon" polet chaboilliez j'ene puis pas vous promettre que je pourrai le faire payer Entre autre il est Enbas et le Mojor apris possesions de ces paquets vous Scavoit pourquoit cependant je ne croi pas 74 Richard Dobie was a prominent Montreal merchant of this period, whose name recurs frequently in the volumes of the Mich. Pio. Colls. In 1786 he appears as a partner of McGill, and in 1790 of one Badgley. In September, 1778, Dobie was a member of the grand jury at Montreal which indicted Governor Hamilton and Philip Dejean of Detroit for illegal and tyrannical conduct. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 130 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS que Ion les gards je mimagine quils seront rendu a lui en bas malgre tout cela j'en espere pouvoire tirer quelque choche ici Ces pourquoits jene vous renvoirez pas sont Billiet par cette occasion Madame askin vous prit de lui faire faire un de d'or La meme grandeur que celle que vous avez Eu labont6 de lui envoyer mais beaucoup plus forts au bor L'autre Etant prisez des ja En plus sieurs Endroit Madame asken et reberton vous prie e[t] auci bien que moi depresenter nos respects a Madame votre epouse ecroyer moi vraiment Depuis que je vous ait Icrit je trouve moyent de Retirrer de La canott6 de Monsr hypolite chaBoilliez La valeur de deux Cents Livres de castor et vingt Loutre Bon Et mauvais non pas En payement, mais Comme un assurrance je suis meme oblig6e de donner une obligation Comme quoi ont Luy Rendra Cest peltries En Bas quils aura payez La valeur de Leur Billiette draulle darrangement mais ont Est Oblige de faire toutes sortes pour tirer quelque payement Le reste des peltries de cest Messieurs de cende a present ainsi tach6 d'avoir Ceque vous Croyez il vous Reviendra sur Le Billette apres Ceque je vous marque seront deduit Translation Michilimackinac, June 15, 1778 My Friend: I shall improve a moment of leisure by writing you briefly in reply to your letter of the 25th ultimo, though I must decline your generous offer, and that of Madam your wife, on the subject of my little daughter who is here. Indeed, Mr. McGill was mistaken, for we never entertained the thought of sending her down except we went ourselves. Mrs. Askin could not bear the absence of her children, though we are exceedingly obliged to you for your kind intentions. News in your quarter is necessarily limited until the arrival of the London vessels. There are great rejoicings here when the first canoes come in from Montreal. The affair of General Burgoyne makes us anxious for our friends. 131 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~............................. I have attended to your order in the matter of changing the accounts of Machard & Co., and wrote Mr. Barthe at the Sault on the subject of that debt. Now I am waiting until they come here to arrange what is still unsettled of their affairs. Referring to the note of Hypolyte Chaboillez, I cannot promise you that I shall be able to get payment from him. For one thing, he is below and the Major has taken possession of his packs. You know why. However, I do not think they will be held up. I fancy they will be returned to him below, though I still hope to be allowed to take some out here and therefore am not returning you his note with this. Mrs. Askin begs you to have a gold thimble made for her the same size as that you so kindly sent her before, but much stronger on the edge, the other being broken already in several places. Both Mrs. Askin and Mrs. Robertson, and myself, of course, beg you to present our respects to your wife. Believe me sincerely Since writing the above it has been possible for me to take from the canoes of Hypolyte Chaboillez the value of 200 livres in beaver and 20 otters good and bad, not in payment but as security. I was even obliged to sign a statement to the effect that these peltries will be returned to him below, when he has paid the amount of the note. Foolish arrangement, but one must do all sorts of things to extract payment. The rest of this gentleman's peltries are going down now, so try to get what you think he should return to you on the note after what I tell you should be deducted. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO RICHARD DOBIE AT MONTREAL, JUNE 15, 1778 I was favoured with your letter by Mr Wm Grant75 the 75 William Grant was one of the early British traders in the Northwest. He seems to have operated in Wisconsin and the upper Mississippi region quite extensively, and it is possible that Grant River in southwestern Wisconsin (from which Grant 132 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 10th Instant. I shall always esteem myself happy to have it in my power to serve any person you recommend. Mrs Askin, Mr" Robertson & the rest of my famely are in good health, they beg I may asure you & Mr8 Dobie of their esteem. Little news of consiquence can be expected untill the Vessells arrive from Europe, & that news have reached you before now I'm Sure. An affair has happened which I fear will render the Securing of the payment of the thirty otters due you on Monsr Chaboulliez's first note very difficult. Major De Peyster has taken his Packs into the Kings Store in consiquence of some complaints lodged against him respecting Merchandize belonging to Government his packs are to be sent down in his own Canoes, but not delivered him untill the Commanding Officer at Montreal consents to it. I think you had better try in case I should fail here to insure your payment below, as to the last note you sent me, I have thought it most advisable to inclose it to you, as I have not any hopes of it's being discharged here, nor the interest of the former, if Monsr Chaboulliez was on the spot perhaps I could do more I remain with esteem P.S. Since I wrote the foregoing I have been trying & find I shall be able to get from 20 to 30 otters good & bad lodged with me as part Security for the 30 due you, however, I will be obliged to give an obligation that you return them otters below on getting their full Value paid you. You'll think this a very extraordinary way of doing of business, yet when there is no law to force people to pay their debts, it becomes even necessary to make agreements such as County takes its name) was named for him. In 1759, when Canada was tottering to its fall, the entire Green Bay settlement together with an extensive area adjoining, is said to have been granted to Frangois Rigaud and wife, and from them the grant was purchased by William Grant. Since it purported to convey an "exclusive right of trade," other Canadian traders complained to Sir William Johnson. The latter regarded the claim as invalid, "a piece of artifice huddled up about the time of the surrender of Canada," and it was never enforced. See letters in Wis. Hist. Coils., XVIII, 274, 287. A letter of Abraham Cuyler to Askin, June 28, 1799, indicates that Grant was still living in Montreal at that time. 133 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS fools in business dictates, rather than not get any payment at all. The other Packs of Mons' Chaboulliez now go down, therefore try to secure yourself. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO BENJAMIN FROBISHER AT MONTREAL, JUNE 15, 1778 In my last dated the 6th Instant I wrote you pretty fully about every thing relative to your North Concern, for the present I have only to add on that head, that I every day expect my Vessell every day with the Rum & Flour to compleat your Co8 quantity which shall be forwarded with the greatest expedition, my Canoes from Montreal are not yer [yet] arrived but I expect them to morrow, as Capt Robertson on his way from taking a view of the french River, saw three which must be them. Mr John McGill has got to St Mary's several days ago if I may judge from where Mr Morrison left him, for I have not as yet received the letters &cs he brought up for me. In all your new undertakings I wish you Equal success to that you have had in the North, & the continuance of that also. I think it very just that the young sett should now take the same pains the old have done, it's true equal success can hardly be expected from such a change, added to the number of adventurers being Augmented, if anything I can do here exclusive of what I'm obliged to do, can be of Service to the concern, it never shall be wanting. This place affords no news which I can send you in return to your's, which I thank you for. I received the hundred Livers Galliard owned you & I have wrote Messrs Todd & McGill to pay you that sum, as we have no other account open with each other to my knowledge. I return you thanks for the Printed engagements you were so kind as to send me, they will be very servicable & prevent some trouble. I have this day promoted a very necessary Ordinance which is, that no person can hire an EngagE without seeing 134 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS a proper discharge from his former Master, or a Certificate from the Commanding Officer why he has none, & what strengthens this is all the Merchants having Signed it & invested the Commanding Officer with Authority to make such agressor pay 1000 without the power of afterwards sueing for it, there is something more to prevent carrying from any place persons in Debt who are not hired,76 the like is to take place at the Portage, so that I hope things will soon be on a better footing FROM JOHN ASKIN TO CHARLES PATTERSON AT MONTREAL, JUNE 17, 1778 As I expect you will be returned to Montreal by the time this gets down, I take this occasion of writing you. I refer you to Mr Frobisher for a full account of every thing relative to your North concern to whom I wrote several letters on the Subject, knowing for certain that he was at Montreal. Your friends in this quarter have thought themselves very happy to have a dance once a week & entertain their Company with a dish of Tea & humble Grogg during the last winter, whilst you at London could have all your wants & wishes Supplied, as well as your wanton wishes. A propos now we are on the Subject, there is a Boy here who was sold to the Ottawas, that every body but yourself says is yours, he suffered much poor child with them. I have at length been able to get him from them on promise of giving an Indian Woman Slave in his Stead-he's at your service if you want him, if not I shall take good care of him untill he is able to earn his Bread without Assistance. We can have no hopes of seeing you in this part of the country. Mr" Askin presents her compliments & beleive me &c 76 A study of the contemporary records renders it fairly clear that the administration of the law in the regions where the fur trade was carried on was practically wholly in the hands of the employers. Askin's statements afford interesting evidence confirmatory of the general conclusion here stated. For further light on this point see Quaife, Wisconsin: Its History and Its People, I, 397-98. 135 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN HAY AT DETROIT, JUNE 17, 1778 As a true Ireishman I want to tell you that at this present time I have nothing to say, or rather that is worth your hearing all the Spring news from Montreal you must have had, & our last canoes from Montreal left that the 16th of May, at which time there was not any Vessell Arrived from London, or any part of Europe at Quebec. Messrs Langlade & Gotiez77 are on their way from La Bay here with above two hundred Warriors who are going down the Country. Mr Charles Morrison is with us & gives a much better Account of the Rebbels behaviour respecting what they call justice than any I have heard, as to public matters he was kept in the dark as much as if he had not been in the Country, he got twenty-eight of their paper Dollars for a half Joe78 before he came away, judge the repute of their Currency is in 77 For Charles Michel Langlade see ante, 72. "Gotiez" was Charles Gautier de Verville, Langlade's nephew (his mother being Langlade's half-sister). He was baptized at Mackinac, February 3, 1738. His grandmother was a full-blood Ottawa, and he, therefore, was a quarter-blood. He was with his uncle, Langlade, at Braddock's defeat in 1755, and at the defense of Quebec against Wolfe in 1759. He later accepted British allegiance, and during the Revolution was especially active in rallying the savages west of Lake Michigan to the British standard. For this service he was given a commission as captain. After the war he settled at Mackinac, but in 1798 he removed to Prairie du Chien, where his daughter was living as the wife of Michael Brisbois, a prominent Prairie du Chien trader. He died at Prairie du Chien about the year 1803. Gautier had been engaged the winter preceding the writing of Askin's letter in raising warriors west of Lake Michigan to go to Canada and there join in the military operations against the Americans. Although the Wisconsin tribesmen were divided in sentiment as between the British and the colonists, Gautier and Langlade were finally able (June 2) to leave Green Bay for Mackinac with 210 warriors. At Mackinac this number was swelled to 550, who set out for Montreal toward the end of June. On this enterprise see Quaife, Wisconsin: Its History and Its People, I, 284-87; and Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 100-111. 78 The johannes was a Portuguese gold coin of the value of 36 shillings 2~1 pence sterling. Apparently the "half joe"-short for "johannes"-which was a monetary unit widely employed in America during the eighteenth century, originated in the colonial custom of reckoning in terms of York currency. The York shilling was valued at 12~ cents, approximately half as much as the sterling shilling; hence the johannes, or joe, in terms of York currency was worth half as much, approximately, as the gold johannes, and was called, therefore, a half joe. Notwithstanding, the half joe varied in value, even at a given moment, possibly because the coins had been clipped or improperly made. In an account among the Askin Papers for the year 1811, eleven half-joes are listed as having been received, and the varying equivalent of each in terms of sterling is set down. 136 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS This is my buisy time, I shall therefore conclude by presenting Mrs Hay and famely with Mr" Askin & my Compliments I am &c. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JAMES STERLING AT DETROIT, JUNE 17, 1778 I hope by the time this reaches you that a great part of my things will be arrived from Montreal, & as Ct Robertson says I have empty Kegs at Detroit, I wish as much as time would permit that the Spirits in Barrells all except a few, was drawn into the Kegs & sent forward the first [opportunity], provided the whole cannot come at once, I hope you'll do your utmost to get as much as possible on board each Vessell untill the whole arrives, the Liquors are more wanted than any thing else, except my flour, which I hope is on the way in the Archange. I shall want of that Article what I first ordered, thirty thousand Wt, & as I'm well asured that very large quantities are comeing up I imagine the price must soon if not already fall. I shall want twelve Barrells of good lime, so soon as they can be sent without taking the room of them up, from something more necessary. I shall want a good Ox for my own use between this and the fall, the sooner you can have him sent the better. Mr" Askin joins in Compliments to Mrs Sterling. I am &~ FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. MCGILL AND FROBISHER AT GRAND PORTAGE, JUNE 18, 1778 I have this day received the exact Acct of what Liquors belonging to me came up in your or my Canoes. I find that in the former there was belonging to me, five Kegs of Rum & fourteen of Spirits & in the latter Ninety three Kegs of Rum & nine of Spirits, all which I have charged to your Acct, as I have given orders to your two Canoes to receive them at St Mary's & take the whole, or what they can off them along with the ten Kegs of grease you ordered, least you might want to settle with your men I thought it advisable to send you an Account of what they had for themselves 137 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS here since St Cir went away what was before he took an acct off. I did not know before to day that my Canoes was to have went to St Mary's before they came here, or I should have sent off yours sooner. Capt Grant who was at Montreal when Messrs Todd & McGill wrote me last, seen the Vessell with my Liquors near Niagara the 16th Ult~, so that I now daily expect them here. I hope to see you here as it will be out of my power to go to St Mary's this Season. I suppose it's needless to send you your Acct, a note of the things forwarded will be Sufficient I dare say untill we meet. I have not yet received any Letter from Your Mr John McGill. I am &c" FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michlimakina Le 18 juin 1778 Mon cher frere je vient dapprendre par Monsr Solomon que mes Canot sont all6 chez vous Cest sans doupte pour vous Remettre vos Ballots et tous Le Rom qui Est a moi. ont memarque que jay dans les Canot 93 Barils de Rom Et 9 Barils de sprits vous aur6s La Bont6 de Remettre Cela au porteur de Cette Lettre et Enprendre son Regue il Restera alors pour moy 4 Barils de Beuf 2 valice quel que Ballot et autres chose que vous Menvoyerez vous pouvez garder un Barils de Beuf si vous jug6 a propos ayez La Bont6 de menvoyer toute Les peltries que vous aves par Ces canots et Les compter Bien devant Le guide Les Messieurs de La grande societ6 ont pris a Montreal En quelquuns de Leurs Canot a port 5 Barils de Rom et 24 Barils de sprits marquez Moy sils ont quitt6 chez vous sils y sont vous pouvez Les Livrer au porteur aussi ou quel quautre chose chez vous qui sont pour Cest Messieurs pourvue quil peut Le prendre sinon vous Envoyerez Ce qui Reste dans La premi6re Barque jesperre que Le Michilimakina a mont6 Car aussitot que Larchange arrivera je L'envoyerez avec sa charge a vous et je voudrois quils Eut une Barque En haut Le saut tout 138 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS parrez pour Le Recevoir comme il y aura pas un moment aperdre sans faire grand tort a ceux a qui je doit fournir adieu mon cher frere Translation Michilimackinac, June 18, 1778 My dear Brother: I have just learned from Mr. Solomon79 that my canoes have gone to your place, probably to deliver your bales and all my rum. I am told that I have 93 barrels of rum in the canoes and 9 barrels of spirits. Please deliver that to the bearer of this letter and take his receipt. There will still be 4 barrels of beef of mine, 2 trunks, some bales, and other things which you will send to me. You may keep one barrel of beef if you think best. You will do well to send me by these canoes all the peltries you have on hand, and be sure to count them in the presence of the guide. The gentlemen of the North West Company brought up from Montreal in some of their canoes 5 barrels of rum and 24 barrels of spirits. Tell me if these were left with you. If they are there you may give them also to the bearer and anything else you may have for these gentlemen, provided that he can take it, if not, send what is left by the first vessel. I hope that the Mackinac has got up, for as soon as the Archange arrives I shall send her with her load to you and I want a vessel all ready above the Sault to receive it as we cannot lose a minute without great wrong to the gentlemen whom I have agreed to supply. Goodby, my dear brother. 79 Ezekiel Solomon was one of the earliest British traders in the Northwest, coming out to Mackinac from Montreal in 1761. He was here at the time of the massacre of the garrison in 1763, when he was taken prisoner, but was ransomed and returned to Montreal. In July, 1778, he signed the subscription made by Mackinac residents for a missionary at that place, and in 1779 he was one of the founders of the general store in which the Mackinac traders pooled their goods and activities. In 1784 he joined in creating a committee to regulate the trade of Mackinac and "dependencies." No certain information concerning his later career has been found, but from certain papers in the Mich. Pio. Colls. it seems likely he located at St. Joseph Island in Lake Huron upon the British evacuation of Mackinac in 1796. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 139 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS............................. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE A Michili Maquina Le 21 de Juin 1778 Mon Cher frere jai recu La letre hier par les canots j'ai seulement pour le present A vous marquer qui faudra renvoyer le depaster Aussitot q'uil Sera posible Sans attendre La farine Ni autre Chose puis quel a sa Charge et q'uil nes pas un moment a perdre Sans faire tort aux Messieurs dans La commerce du nord. je suis Estraiment mortifi6 que vous mavez pas Envoy6 la proportion de ce qui est toit a Mon"r oakes Comme les autre il faut jamais offenc6r personne dans le Commerce au contraire cestras J'enten plaire atout le monde je vous prie dont aussitot quele depayster Sera arriv6 de metre tout Ce qui restera alors a Monsieur oakes chez vous En bord Le premiere Ces Canots En passent prendront quelque Chose peutetre avant que le depaster arrivra il y avoit Cens minots de bled Lesciv6 pour Mon"r oakes Selont le Compte que je vous a'i envoyez Le premier soijuge. j'espere que vous trouverez Cette quantite pour lui j'ena vous d'rais pas pour des mils frang q'uil fut tromp6. j'attend du detroit tous les jours per l'angelique 200 minots que je vous Enverrai ainssi vous pouvez donner les 100 minots pour Mon"r oakes, quand m6me que vous prendr6z le bled de quelqueun si au cas que vous n'ayes pas ase vous je renverrai le michili maquina Et larchange. tous les deux au Saut Comme Brulon pourai Assiter affaire monter le machili maquause car il faut absolument quel monte il sera trop tard attendre le troissieme voyage du depassister pour Envoyer la farine Et le restant du rum de ces messieurs Robidau est desert6 cependent je Croit bien qu'ils est cachez ils Crains Daller dans le nord Messieurs holmes et grant ma promit de vous remettre pour moi uns Bon Charpentier pourvue que vous pouvez les donner un homme a sa plasce pour aller dans le nord. si vous pouvez En avoir. je lui donnere mil frans il y a un mastot aussi que messieurs vous remettront si vous pouvez trouver u homme A sa plasce Et raubidau que j'avoit Changez pour lui. Per Mons' Holmes 140 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Translation Michilimackinac, June 21, 1778 My dear Brother: I received your letter by the canoes. I have only time now to say that it will be necessary to send back the De Peyster as soon as possible without waiting for the flour or anything else as she has her load and there is not a moment to lose without loss to the northern traders. I am much mortified that you did not send Mr. Oakes's share of merchandise with that of the other gentlemen. One should never give offence in trade. To go to the other extreme, I mean to please everybody. Now, as soon as the De Peyster arrives I beg you to put on board first all that then remains for Mr. Oakes at your place. It may be that these canoes in passing will take something before the De Peyster gets there. There should be 100 minots of lye hominy for Mr. Oakes according to the first account that I sent you, so I hope that you have that much. Not for a thousand francs would I have him disappointed. I am expecting any day from Detroit by the Angelique 200 minots that I shall send you. You may therefore give out the 100 minots for Mr. Oakes even though you take it from the supply for some one else in case you have not enough. I shall send both the Mackinac and the Jrchange to the Sault so that Brulon can help to get the Mackinac up also, for it is absolutely necessary that she goes on. It will be too late to wait for the third trip of the De Peyster to send the flour and the rest of the rum for these gentlemen. Robideau has deserted though I am quite sure he is in hiding somewhere. He is afraid of having to go north. Messrs. Holmes & Grant promised to send you a good carpenter for me provided you could let them have a man in his place for the north. If you have one I will give him a thousand francs. There is a sailor too that these gentlemen would send you if you could find a man in his place, and Robideau, I might have exchanged for him Per Mr. Holmes 141 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, JUNE 22, 1778 My Canoes are now arrived & have brought every thing in good order & agreeable to the invoice, except in Bale N~ 7 a small white Shirt in lieu of a large one Ruffled, Bale N~ 3 wants a Shirt of Russia Sheeting, a pair of Russia Trousars & a pair of oxhide Shoes, N~ 4 also wants a Shirt of Russia Sheeting. The things from England are really well choose & please me much, however a fiddle which I had mentioned in that memordm is left out, & tho' such an omition can be of no consiquence to persons who can supply the want at the next Shop, it is so different here, that I would not for ten Guineas it had not come, please purchase one for me at Montreal without fail, let the price be about ~6 Hallifax. I sent you a memordm this Spring in which a fiddle was mentioned, that one is also to come, its for an other person, please not to forget a quantity of strings with the fiddles. I approve much of your plan of forwarding rum as soon as you receive it, no matter what Quantity if it gets on, for except I have it here beforehand, I will not make any more positive contracts, the freight of what came in my Canoes will I dare say cost as much as I get for the whole Rum, but this is not what gives me the greatest uneasyness it's the fear of the NW. C~ not receiving the whole of their Quantity in time, during these troubles I know of no other way of contracting with them, but fixing a price on what of the rum comes by the Lakes & letting them have that by the Grand River at first cost & Expences (I want no profit on it) they must allow me Commissions for purchasing their Corn, flour &ca for the Bushell of Corn this Year costs me 32/ & I furnished it for 24/ I received my Shirts by Mr Solomon who arrived here in eighteen Days I have no time at present to examine the Accounts, but shall so soon as [I am] more at leisure. I intend sending off my Canoes in about ten days time, I cannot [write more?], there is above three hundred Warriors going down. 142 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Robertson has been detained with my Vessell untill they go off Mr" Askin presents her Compliments to Mrs MCGill in which I join with all my heart I am &c. per Campau FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, JUNE 23, 1778 Looking over the letters yet unanswer'd I find yours of the 25th Ult~ to which I made no reply in my Yesterdays letter. I'm very glad that there is so great a likelyhood of my rum arriving so soon, I daily expect the Angelica & the Vessell I sent for the flour here, perhaps my rum may be on board, the Tarr & Kettles are not pressing articles, I can do without them some time, provided the pitch gets safe here, & as to the cheese please repleace it with another Hamper this Year. The Canadian Pork & loaf Sugar which you mention being Short of my order of the 18th Sepr 1777, I can well do without, but the covering Nails & common Wine are both very Saleable articles, however as there is a large Quantity of the former of these articles comeing or come out for me, it will be needless to purchase others at Montreal. Old Frangois goes for Detroit he intends living there. I shall send a Young Brother-in-law80 of mine to take his place at Millwakee as much on acct of the Corn to be got there as the Peltry. I am under many obligations to you for the Uncommon pains you have been at in order to insure the speedy passage of my things by the Lakes. I will be attentive to what you mention respecting the time of payment of such drafts as I shall draw on You. I am in such want of Waistcoats & Breeches that I beg you will have immediately purchased for me six or eight 80 The "Young brother-in-law" was evidently either Lavoine or Louison Barthe. No record of his actual residence at Milwaukee has been found. 143 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Yards of fine white Cloth, which with Sutable trimmings please send me by the very first oppertunity, hardly any person will refuse to embark so small a Bundle on being paid for so doing, the kind of Buttons I would choose is plain double gilt with Eyes if to be had, if not with Ivory bottoms, but eyes answers best as they can be taken off when washing The want of Breeches makes me dwell so long on the Subject, in order to insure their comeing I am &c" per Campau FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. PORTEOUS81 AND SUTHERLAND AT MONTREAL, JUNE 23, 1778 I was favoured with your letter bearing date the 1st of May by Mr Holmes, the Provisions you mention I received & delivered agreeable to your desire, what little service I am capable of I have at [and] will at all times rendre Messr" Holmes & Grant, who from my small acquaintance with them are very deserving young men & I dare say will succeed in the business they have undertaken, their letter to you which I send with this will more fully inform you of what they have done. I am with esteem &ca per Campau FROM JOHN ASKIN TO ALEXANDER HENRY AT MONTREAL, JUNE 23, 1778 I suppose by this time you are returned from England82 8I John Porteous was a prominent merchant of Montreal in the Revolutionary period. He was a signer, Jan. 10, 1774, of the petition to the Crown for the establishment of a representative assembly in Quebec Province, and in this connection has been characterized as one of the "most loyal, sterling, and moderate persons in the community." See Canada and Its Provinces (Toronto, 1914), XV, 142. On Oct. 4, 1771, he married Josephte Drouet de Carqueville and to them several children were born. He died, June 13, 1782, and in 1785, James McGill became guardian of his children. See Canadian Archives Report for 1885, lxxxi ff.; ibid for 1889, xvi. 8- In the summer of 1776, Henry had returned to Montreal from his fifteen-year sojourn in the wilderness, and that place remained his home thenceforth until his death in 1824. In the latter part of the year 1776 he had gone to England; apparently this was Askin's first letter to him after his return to Canada. 144 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS & of cource expect to hear from your old Acquaintance. I sent your Corn & flour to St Mary's agreeable to your letter to me on that Subject. I did not go to Detroit last fall as I intended when I seen you last, these troublesome times causes many disputes in which a man often gets involved, notwithstanding his great desire to the contrary I therefore thought it most prudent to stay where I'm sure to live in peace. Im building a new house out of the Fort & intend to make use of it untill the present warr is at an end & then shall change my Quarters, but where to I know not as yet. Lyons wintered with us here & Bostwick went to the Illinois, he is returned with a large Bag of Diamonds & other precious Stones. Kitty is Married to Capt Robertson & joins with Mrs Askin in compliments to you I am as Usual per Campau FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimakina Le 26 juin 1778 Mon cher frere Le Michilimakina Est arriv6 et je sait a present que Monsr oakes na pas eu de Bled au saut, aussi Bien quil marque a la quantit6 que je devoit fournir a Monsr charle chaBoilliez 45 mihots de Bled Cela me fait BeauCoup de peine ayant assur6 tous Les deux que Leurs quantit6 etoient Complets. je ne veut pas faire de Reproche mais un pareille affaire ne marivera jamais Car je me firait que sur Ceque jai moi m6me je vous Envoye Le Compte du Bled que jai Envoy6 au saut par la Barque Cette ann6e et Lautonne dernigre tout Ce la Rabatu sur Ceque vous avez Livrez il ne Reste que 24 minots votre memoire a moi pour Cette ann6e etoit pour 200 minot de Bled vous voyrez par le Compte que je vous ai fourni 216 gros Et Lissiv6s jai fait quelque petite Remarque pour Les erreurs qui Cest trouv6s dans les dernigre Etat de charge 145 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS M' jouber signe quil marque 28 pi6ces il signe aussi quil y a 28 dun autre marque de trop Cela faut de ce qui L'ort mis au Bort il se trouve dont 2 sac marqu6 E S de trop car il y a 312 pi6ce et je croyois quil ny avoit que 310 je Renvoye La Barque demain matin avec tout Le Bled que je pourrai Ramasser pour tacher dEnpecher Remplir Mon obligation En parti du moin du moins avec Monsr ockes et Monsr chaBoilliez faite La monter Le saut aussitot quelle purra pour ammener Le Butin de Cest deux Messieurs et Les autres article qui sont au bord si L'harchange arrive de sorte quelle puisse se Randre au saut avant que La makina Est parr6 de partir pour Le portage a la Bonne heure si non il ne faut pas quel attendre du tout Translation Michilimackinac, June 26, 1778 My dear Brother: The Mackinac has come in and now I know that Mr. Oakes has not had any corn at the Sault. More than that, he notes that I still owe 45 minots to Mr. Charles Chaboillez. I am exceedingly worried for I had assured both these gentlemen that their supply was on hand. I am not reproaching you but such a thing would never have happened to me for I should have relied only on what I had myself. I now send you the account for the corn I have sent to the Sault by the vessel this year and last fall. Deduct from all that what you have given out and there remains only 24 minots. Your statement to me for this year said 200 minots of corn. You will see by the account that I have furnished 216, in both hulled and lye hominy. I have made some brief notes about the mistakes which occurred in the last bill of lading. Mr. Jouber notes that he marked 28 pieces. He also notes that there are 28 of another mark too many. That must be from what Lorty83 put on board, of which there are two bags marked E S too many, for there are 312 pieces and I thought there should be only 310. 83 Possibly Jean Baptiste Lorty (Lortie) who was on the payroll of the Indian Department at Detroit prior to Oct. 24, 1782. See Mich. Pio. Coils., XI, 344. 146 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Tomorrow morning I shall send the vessel with all the corn that I can gather up, to try to prevent, in part at least, that my contract with Mr. Oakes and Mr. Chaboillez may not be filled. Have her pass up the Sault as soon as possible that the goods of these two gentlemen may be delivered, and the other articles which are on board, if the Archange arrives so that she can be at the Sault in plenty of time before the Mackinac is prepared to leave for the Portage, if not there is no need for her to wait. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimakina Le 26 juin 1778 Mon cher frere jay de devan moy vos quatre Lettre deux datte Le 17 et Les autre Le 18 du present jay Recue Les Livres que vous avez Envoyez par La mouche, vous avez bien fait de Lanpecher de traiter puis quil navoit point de permis je ai avertis Le Major de Cela Comme les deux Barque Comme Les deux Barque auront a faire une voyage au grand portage et quil ne seront pas charg6e Le ports de Cequi vous manque pour Monsr nadin sera pas une grande perte. je ne veux plus que Lon traite avec personne jusque cest troubles soit fini ont Court trop de risque outre que lon est Blam6 je veux seulement Entreprendre dacheter des provision pour Ceux qui vont menployer et faire mon possible quil ne soit pas tromp6 pour vu quils me paye tant par cent Commission Les Marchandise ne sont pas si cher ny Rare Comme ont vous la dit Le Major En avoit besoin pour Les sauvage mais tout Cela est fini presentement ni le Michilimakina, ni L'harchange ne sont pas encore arriv6. jespaire voir Lun ou Lautre aujourdhuy puis que Le vent Est Bon. j'a cheterez Les Ecorse que vous me demand6 et Le faire de pequante pour Monsr McGill vous avez bien faites de Garder Le 99 Baril de Boison Ce cela que je voutoit dire vous Les avez Livrez san doute aux deux Canot je nait pas Le tems Encore de voir Combien Le port de vos pi6ce Coutron mais jose dire que ce aprochera de 80" chaque 147 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS selon Ce quon dit qui a CalCul6 Cela Cependant Comme mes Canot Retour neront charg6 sa dominera les frais je vous ai Ecri assez au sujet du Bled de Monsr ockes dans ma Lettre du 21 du present aquoi jespaire que vous ferez bien attantion. jay marqu6 Ceque vous mecrite pour Roubidou et Les vivres que vous aves fourni pour Le guide parisien Le Michilimakina paroit a present depuis que jai Commancez a tcrire je men vait La Renvoyer tout de suite avec tout Le Bled Lessives que je puis Enprunter aussitot quelle arrive chez vous faite La preparer a monter Car je ferai partir Lharchange avec sa charge aussitot arrives dite a Monsr Machard & Ce que je Les attend ici avant quil se defasse de Leurs peltrie ou payent quelque Billiette comme ils desirent Commencer par La dernigre Equiper selon La Coutume du payis jay Regue Le Billiette que merci vous a faites Ces nest pas Encore payez je vous Renvoye La declaration de mercy il paroit pour Cela quil y a Eu une societe Entre Le sieur Gaudin et La Belle, Cependant sans attendre Les deux parties ils nest pas possible de former une opinion juste de Laffaire sy Mesr jober et Godin ne peuvent pas saccorder Entres Eux Le plus cours sera devenir ici ou ils auron une chambre pour determiner Laffaire Le 27 je suis apres faire charier Le Butin pour charger La Barque dans Lance Comme Le van et Bien Bon Bon Elle pourra etre au detour Ce soir Ceque Le Bled que je suis apres mettre au Bord manque 145 minots je vous pries de tacher de trouver; Comme il faut cette quantit6 pour Monsr ockes et Monsr chaBoilliez, a moins que vous nayez Envoye quelque Bled pour Eux autre ceque vous mav6s marqu6s par le Compte que vous mavez Envoye dans cette cas La Cette autant demois que vous aurez a Envoyer presentement Translation Michilimackinac, June 26, 1778 My dear Brother: I have before me your four letterstwo dated the 17th, and two the 18th inst. and have received 148 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the books you sent by Lamouche. You did right to stop him from trading when he had no license. I have warned the Major about him. As both boats must make the trip to the Grand Portage and as they will not be loaded, the freight you miss on Mr. Nadin's goods will not be a great loss. I would rather not make any more contracts with the traders until these troubles are over. There is too much risk, besides the blame one incurs. I might engage to supply provisions on commission to those who care to employ me in that way, with the assurance that I would do my best not to disappoint them. Merchandise is neither dear nor scarce as you have been told. The Major needed it for the Indians but that is all over now. Neither the Mackinac nor the Archange has come in yet. I am hoping to see one or the other today, now that the wind is fair. I bought the bark you ordered, and had it stripped for Mr. McGill. You did right to keep the 99 barrels of rum. That is just what I would have told you to do. You have delivered them, no doubt, to the two canoes. I have not time now to make out the freight on your goods, but I dare say it will cost about 80 livres each piece, according to what I am told by one who has made some estimate on it. However, as my canoes will come back loaded that will fix the rate. I have written you enough on the subject of Mr Oakes's corn in my letter of the 21st inst., and hope you gave it due attention. I notice what you write for Robideau and the provisions that you furnished for the guide Parisien. The Mackinac is in sight now since I began to write. I shall send her back immediately with all the lye hominy I can gather up. As soon as she reaches you get her ready to go on up for I shall have the Archange set out again as soon as she comes in. Tell Messrs. Machard & Co. that I expect them here before they dispose of their peltries or pay any notes, since they wish to begin by the last equipment, according to the custom of the country.84 84 The custom referred to was that a trader should begin payment of his debts with the merchant who had supplied his last outfit of goods; whatever remained 149 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I have received the note Merci drew up for you. It is not yet paid. I am sending you his written statement, and it would seem by it that there has been a partnership between Gaudin and La Belle. However, without waiting to see both parties, it is impossible to form a correct opinion in the matter. If Jouber and Gaudin cannot agree between themselves, the quickest way will be for them to come here where they will have a private room to arrange for a settlement. 27th I am having the merchandise carted over to load the vessel in the bay as there is a fine fair wind. She should be at the detour this evening. The corn I am loading lacks 145 minots. Do try to find that much as we must have it for Mr. Oakes and Mr. Chaboillez, unless you have sent them some that you have not mentioned in the account you sent me. In that case it would be that much less you would need to send now. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO CHARLES CHABOILLEZ AT GRAND PORTAGE a Mich. Le 27 de juin 1778 Monsr charle chaBoillie Mon ami vous me Blamerez peutetre, Cependant Cest sans Raison Car je vous assure je nait jamais seu que hier que vous navez pas Regue tout Le Bled que je devois vous fournir soit par La premiere voyage de La Barque ou biens vos Canot, jespere d6nt que Les 45 minots qui vous manque seront dans Le second voyage de La Depeyster sinon ils seront dans Le Michilimakina que jay fait partir Ce matin et qui ira Endroiture au grand portage. La Barque qui etoit aller au detroit pour Le Restant de Rom et farine pour La grande soci6t6 & vous nai pas Encore arriv6 Cependant il y a plus de trois semaine quelle est parti. Je nose pas vous envoyer La farine du Roy etant si mauvaise jai Risque Cependant d'en Envoyer un peu a la grande soci6t6 comme after discharging this primary obligation was to be shared among his remaining creditors on a common footing. In other words, the latest outfitter had a preferred claim upon the proceeds of the trade which his supply of goods had rendered possible. 150 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ils doivent etre dans un terrible EnBarra pour La farine je fini En vous assurant que je fait tout mon possible mais dans un tems de troubles Generals personne est sure Translation Michilimackinac, June 27, 1778 Mr. Charles Chaboillez, My Friend: You are blaming me perhaps, but not justly, for I assure you that only today did I learn that you had not received all the corn I contracted to supply, either by the first voyage of the vessel or for sure by your own canoes. Now I can only hope that the 45 minots still lacking will go up by the De Peyster on her second trip, but if not, they will be in the Mackinac which I sent off this morning and which will go straight through to the Grand Portage. The vessel that was to go to Detroit for the rest of the rum and flour for the North West Company and for you has not come in yet, though it is more than three weeks since she left. I dare not send you any of the King's flour, it is so bad. However, I have risked sending a little to the North West Company, as they must be in great distress for flour. I close by assuring you that I am doing everything possible, but in a time of universal trouble, no one is sure. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, JUNE 29, 1778 I have answered the last of your letters in two I wrote you by Mr Campau, the 22d & 23d Instant, their Copies you shall have by this oppertunity if time will permit. Your Clerks or some other have made a very great mistake in the Tea they sent me, it is not only the most common sorts of green Tea, but so bad besides that I would prefer the Bohea to it ten to one, besides its comeing in Paper in a bale has still done it some damage by bruising it into powder. I shall send you a Sample of it which will be the best proof of its quality. Please Credit me the difference of price, it's charged 15/ Hallifax. 151 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS My Canoes goes to morrow, not all loaded with my own Packs, as I have not yett had any from St Mary's. I will take some for Mr Lyons & he will take as many for me. The Strouds85 you now send are the worst I ever have seen, those to Mr Lyons last year excepted, it hurts his trade I know & as he would be perhaps delicate about complaining, I thought proper to mention it to you You will Doubtless send me some Canoes with the part of my things that comes from England, which I mentioned was to come by the Grand River. You may hire them for certain to come to the entrance of the lake only, as I will send People in a few days to Build there As I would choose however that all was examined it will be necessary to send an account of the contents of each Package, directed to the person acting for me there & if you could without too much trouble send the account of the Packages both in french & english, so much the Better, however I mean to send an Englishman. I here inclose you a list of what goods I shall want for that place for the Winter of which please send me a Seperate Invoice as they are for Mr Lyons & me, half the amount of which to be charged to each of our accounts seperately. In about eight days I will be able to send you some remittances in Bills &ca No Vessell yett from Detroit, you'll be surprized when I tell you that we have not heard from Niagara this Year, so of course got no letters that are come by the way of the lakes. we have no news worth communicateing. Pray dont forget the white cloth for my Breeches & the trimmings. Mr" Askin Joins in Compliments to Mr" MCGill I am & c FROM JOHN ASKIN TO CHARLES CHABOILLEZ AT GRAND PORTAGE A Michili Maquina Le 30 juin 1778 Mons' et ami Le tems ma permis seullemant De vous dire que ma Barque est ariv6 du detroit Cette matin et 85 Strouding was a coarse, heavy cloth, supplied as a staple for the Indian trade. 152 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS q'uelle par pour le saut je vous Envoye dise Barils de rum Et 500 de farine Ca fait tout ceque je vous devois vous fournir S'il restois un parti de votre Bled au Saut vous le receverai par cett aucasions je ne puis pas promettre ni le Bled ni le rum que Madame votre Epouse a ordonn6 desur plus quand une autre Barque arivera de detroit je Scaurai Et je vous assure que personne sera plus dispos6 a vous servir que moi m6me-vottres h'umble servirteur Translation Michilimackinac, June 30, 1778 Sir and Friend: Time allows me to say only that my vessel from Detroit arrived this morning and that she is leaving for the Sault. I am sending you ten barrels of rum and five hundred weight of flour, and this makes up the amount I agreed to furnish you. If any of your corn is still at the Sault you will receive it by this occasion. I cannot promise for sure either the rum or the corn your wife ordered. I shall know better when another vessel comes up from Detroit, and I can assure you no one is more disposed to serve you than myself. Your humble servant FROM JOHN ASKIN TO CHARLES CHABOILLEZ AT GRAND PORTAGE a Michili Maquina le 30 juin 1778 Monsieur j'ai Eu le plesir de recevoir votre Lettre hier Datte le 21 de du present La representtations que vous fait des afair Entre Godin [et] LaBelle paroit assez Claire Cependant Comme La dessitions des affair sont pas Entre mes mains mon oppinion Est Comme celle un autre Le Commandant m6me fait desterminer tout les disenteis qui ariveverea Cei per unne Chanbre des CommerCants ainssi votre plus Court est de venir Cai avec mon"r Godin hier au soir j'ai resu unne lettre De Madam votre Epouse dans linstant je voyrai par ladrese quel Et toit pour moi Et je me suis mis a la decast6 mais Dans un instant je me Suis 153 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS appersu de mon Erreur et je le recast6 Sans avoir lut un Seul mot je vous assure [Madame] akin vous fait Bien des Compliment je suis Monsieur votre tres h'eumble Et tres oBeissante Servirteur Et soyez asurez Monsr que j'ai linclinations de vous servir ils est vrais que je ne persuivray personne En justis j'ai paire plus pour moi m6me mais ceux qui ont dequoi je ferai payez sans Cela Translation Michilimackinac, June 30, 1778 Sir: I had yesterday the pleasure of receiving your letter dated the 21st inst. Your representation of the affair between Gaudin and La Belle seems clear enough, but as the decision does not rest with me, my opinion has no more weight than any other. The Commandant himself, by a council of the traders, decides in all matters of dispute that may arise here.86 Therefore, your quickest plan will be to come here with Mr. Gaudin. Yesterday evening I received a letter from Madam, your wife. At first, seeing it addressed to me, I was breaking open the seal, but at the same moment I noticed my error and resealed it without, I assure you, having read a single word. [Mrs.] Askin presents her compliments. I am, Sir, Your very humble and very obedient servant. And be assured, Sir, that I have every inclination to serve you. It is true, I do not prosecute people. I might have more paid for myself, but with those who have the means, I manage without that. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. McGILL AND FROBISHER AT GRAND PORTAGE, JUNE 30, 1778 My Vessell from Detroit is arrived this morning, but 86 This refers to the agreement for the operation of the general store which was established at the instigation of Major De Peyster. Article 7 of the agreement provided that disputes which might arise between traders should be determined by the commandant and six other persons named by majority vote of the subscribers. For the agreement see Mich. Pio. Colls., X, 305-307. 154 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS instead of being loaded for me Solely, She was obliged to bring the Kings Stores & even other things, so that I only got in her some Rum & flour, all which I send for the Portage. You will receive 25 Bags of 100 Wt each & 38 Kegs of W. I. Rum filled up at Detroit, all my attempts are vain to keep my Engagements with those I have contracted with, my own Vessell is treated in the same manner as if she was paid by the Crown, if this continues rather than have the anexety I have had this Summer I will not contract with any person, besides many casks which I foresee will be altogether wanting, it takes two to fill seven at Detroit, we expect another Vessell in a very few Days, in her I hope to have more flour & Rum which I will forward to you without loss of time. Corn begins to be a Scarce Article, however I must send 50 Bushels for your Canoes to St Mary's & then you will have received more. than our agreement I'm so hurried I hardly know what I write. Mr" Askin presents her Compliments & beleive me most truely &c. JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE a Michilimakina Le 30 juin 1778 Mon cher frere je vous Invoye Le Compte de touts Cequi Est au Bord de Larchange je nait Rien out6e jattend beauCoup davantage par Langelique et La Bien venue. je nai Rien marqu6 je vous prirai de faire Cela de La fason suivante scavoir de marquer 38 Barils de Rom N W pour 'La grande soci6t6 Et Les autres 10 C CH pr Monsr charles chaBoilliez Cela font Les 48 Barils qui sont au Bord vous marquerez 5 sacs de farine C CH pour Mons' charles chaBoilliez 10 sacs de farine F 0 pour Monsr ockes et 25 sac de farine N W pour La grande societe font Les 40 sac qui sont au Bord tout Cela vous Envoyerez au grand portage a Cests Messieurs par La premiere occation que je Croix sera sauvage Et autre Cela 624 minots de Bleds Lissiv6s au Bord Cela avec 109 minots que je vous Est Envoy6z par sauvage font 1713 minots je devois alors de quantit6 que je devois fournir a Monsr ockes 100 minots et a Mons' ChaBoilliez 45 et a vous m6me selont Le Compte que je 155 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS vous ai Envoyez que 24I, minot par apres que vous aurez Envoyez a Monsr ockes 100 minots Et a Monsr chaBoilliez 45 il Restera 26 minots 3 qui font 2J minot plus que je vous doit et que jay port6 a votre Compte aujourdhui Et tout sera arrange pour Le Bled avant que Lharchange pourra Etre de Retour icy jaurai un autant de charge pour Elle pour vous Envoyer jay Recue votre Lettre En datte Le 24 et 25 je suis persuade que vous faite tout pour Le mieux je ne suis [sais?] pas meme Comme vous pourez suffire a tout vos occupation je vous Envoye un Commis si vous Le trouvez de votre gout il vous soulagera un peu je Croix que vous ferez mieux de ne pas faire des Envoye davantage ce Recursie [raccourci?] etat de La charge de Larchange Monsr Brulon maitre a Michilimakina Le 30 juin 1778 scavoir — 48 Barils de Rom de seize pots chaque 40 sacs de farine de 100" chaque 1 sac de Bled Lissiv6s point de marque 27 idem " " " Translation Michilimackinac, June 30, 1778 My dear Brother: I am sending you the bill of lading for the Archange, with nothing removed, and expect much more by the Angelica and the Welcome. I have not marked the goods but ask you to do that as follows: Mark 38 barrels of rum N W for the North West Company, and the remaining 10 barrels mark C CH for Mr. Charles Chaboillez. That makes the 48 barrels on board. Mark 5 bags of flour C CH for Mr. Charles Chaboillez, 10 bags of flour F O for Mr. Oakes, and 25 bags of flour N W for the North West Company. That makes the 40 bags on board. Send all that to the Grand Portage for these gentlemen by the first opportunity, which I think will be by the Indian. Then there are 623 minots of lye hominy on board, which, with the 109 minots I sent you by the Indian, makes 1714. I still 156 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS owe 100 minots of the amount I agreed to supply Mr. Oakes, and 45 to Mr. Chaboillez, and to you also, according to the account I sent you by [blank] I owe 242 minots. After you have sent Mr. Oakes 100 minots, and Mr. Chaboillez 45, there will still be 2634 minots, which is 22 more than I owe you-and which I have today charged to your account-and all the corn debt is settled. Before the Archange can get back here I shall have as much more to load her and send you. I received your letter dated the 24th and the 25th, and am really satisfied that you do everything as well as possible. Indeed, I do not see how you could accomplish all you have to do. I am sending you a clerk. If you find he suits you, he will relieve you a little. I think it would be better for you not to have anything more sent this shorter route. Bill of lading of the Archange, at Michilimackinac. Mr. Brulon, master. June 30, 1778, viz.: 48 barrels of rum, 8 gallons each 40 bags of flour, 100 lbs. each 1 bag of lye hominy, not marked 27 do. " " " " " FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MR. BOURASSA A Michili maquina le 2 de julliete 1778 Monsieur Bourrisa Monsieur je suis tous mortifiez de vous rendre un Compte si mauvai de vos debiteur dans Cette Endroit Monsr SansChagrin menren un autre ils 6toit partit avant que votre letre est arriv6 le d6funt j. B. Couchoit mas pas less6 la moindre chose selons tout Ceque jai entendue Monsr duguay ne vant plus ici desorte quil il y a que Monsr roch qui paroit avoir la volont6 de vous payer un sols pour cette ann6e je garderai cependant vottre papi6 157 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Translation Michilimackinac, July 2, 1778 Mr. Bourassa87 Sir: I am extremely mortified to be obliged to send you such a bad account of your debtors in this place, and now Mr. Sanschagrin makes still another. He had gone before your letter arrived. The late Mr. J. B. Cauchois88 did not leave anything according to all I have heard. Mr. Duguay89 does not come to this place any more; so that there is only Mr. Roche who seems to have the inclination to pay you a sol this year. But I shall keep your bills. 87 Probably this was Rene Bourassa of Detroit. The Bourassa family was long active in the fur trade. Its founder was Francis Bourassa, a native of the diocese of Lucon, France, born in 1659, who came to Canada and married at Contrecoeur, July 4, 1684, Mary Le Ber, a native of Montreal. Their son, Rene, born at Laprairie, December 21, 1688, married there, October 23, 1710, Agnes Gagnier, daughter of Pierre Gagnier and Catherine Daubigeon. They had one son, Ren6, who was born at Laprairie, June 1, 1718, and was buried at Detroit, November 24, 1792. The father married (second) Marie Catherine Leriger, and engaging in the fur trade, located at Mackinac. A younger daughter of this union, Charlotte Ambrosine, born June 14, 1735, became the wife, August 12, 1754, of Charles Michel Langlade of Mackinac and Green Bay, for whom see ante, 72. Ren6 Bourassa, the younger, married at Mackinac, August 3, 1744, Ann Charlotte Veronica Chevalier, who was born at Mackinac, March 1, 1726, the daughter of Jean Baptiste Chevalier and Frances Alavoine. They had numerous children (one son was born before the marriage rite was solemnized), all born at Mackinac. Not long after 1763, however, the family removed to Detroit, where in due time the children were married, and where the father died, as already noted, in 1792. Denissen traces his descendants to about the year 1880; undoubtedly they are still numerous in Detroit and vicinity. See Denissen, op. cit., and Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII and XIX, passim. 88 Jean Baptiste Cauchois was born at Montreal in 1732. The date of his removal to Mackinac is unknown, but he was there at the time of the massacre in 1763 and is credited by Alexander Henry with an act of humanity which saved the life of the latter. On May 4, 1764, he married at Mackinac Mary Angelica Sejournee, daughter of Alexis Sejourn6e and Mary Angelica Tareau. To them were born several children, the last, Alexis, born at Mackinac in June, 1777, and baptized at Detroit, September 7 of the same year. It seems probable that these dates indicate approximately the time of Cauchois' death and the removal of his widow and children to Detroit. Until recent years numerous descendants of the family were living in Detroit or Sandwich and vicinity. Denissen, op. cit. 89 Probably the same person as one Dugay whose presence at Mackinac in 1780 is recorded in Mich. Pio. Colls., X, 400, 435-36. In Denissen, op. cit., is recorded the baptism at Detroit, July 5, 1790, of Pierre Duguay, aged about fourteen years, the son of a Chippewa woman. 158 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, JULY 2, 1778 Mons' Thercy9~ goes off to day in a light Canoe well maned, which makes me think his passage will be short & you will receive this before several others I wrote you some time ago. I received Yours of the 7th Ult~ & am sorry to hear Beaver is fallen, did I know any certain price I could give for furrs, I could have purchased some parcells. Tho the Vessells from Europe are long acomeing, yet I dare say nothing has happened them, it's necessary they now take more precaution than formerly. Mr Lyons Suffers much by his goods not comeing, he is obliged to keep men whose provisions are now very dear, corn will not be had for 30' in a few days, added to all this had they come up in the Spring he could have Sold them to government, with this I send you the Copy of a Letter I wrote you the 29th Ult~ as also a memordm for some goods for Mr Lyons & me for the trade at the entrance of the french River, & as there is several things in this Memordm to be made up at Montreal, it cannot get to you too soon. Three Canoes for me loaded with furrs, will set off this evening, or to morrow morning. I write the N W C~ by this oppertunity. I'm so hurryed that I can only add that I am &c. no news of Lorty yett FROM JOHN ASKIN TO THE NORTH WEST COMPANY AT MONTREAL, JULY 2, 1778 I wrote you formerly that I had sent a Vessell of mine to Detroit for flour & Rum for you, at her arrival Governor Hamilton did not think proper to suffer any provisions, I mean flour, to leave the Settlement, however a Vessell arriving from Niagara with some provisions & bringing 90 Pierre Thierry, born at Montreal in 1750, is characterized in a communication of Governor Sinclair of Mackinac, October 22, 1781, as "Conductor of the King's Canoes." Sinclair speaks of his conduct in terms of commendation. The Mackinac Register of Baptisms (printed in Wis. Hist. Colls., XIV) indicates the presence of Thierry at that place at various times down as late as 18Q4. 159 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS an acct that there was great quantities on the way, there was an order published that every person with permition might send what Quantity they thought proper, but this served no great purpose as my Vessell was ordered along side of the Kings & what clothing, Liquors &c. for this Garrison were put on board her, & not only that, but Merchants had permission to put things on board as well as myself. I asked the Master of the Vessell if he represented to the Governor that the Vessell was not in the Service & therefore not subject to carry for every person, he says he did & even mentioned that after he had taken the Kings things on board, he desired that he might make up the rest of the loading with mine, & that the Governor told him I could not have any preference over others If what he says be true, I realy think it a hardship. I imagine Major De Peysters letter to Governor Hamilton explained fully his reasons for letting my Vessell go to Detroit. I dont want there should be any complaints about these matters. I only mean to shew you that I nor no other person in these troublesome times can asure you about Provisions, or anything Else, all I received was four thousand of flour & 48 Kegs of Rum which I dispatched immediately for the Portage. I expect more in a few days, as it comes here I will forward it till I at last get your quantity or more I am &c. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MR. PERINAULT91 a Makina Le 2 juilliette 1778 Mon amy vos Deux Lettre En datte Le 1 et 10 du passe sont arrivez il y a deux jours je vous Remercy des peine que vous prenes de Minformer des nouvelle jespaire que votre voute sera bien bon Bien pleine de Bonne Marchandise a Bonne Compositions et apres Cela chang6 91 This letter was written to Perinault (see letter to Messrs. Todd and McGill immediately following). Probably he is the same man as "Joseph Perinault merchant" who acted as godfather at certain baptisms at Mackinac in 1775. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 75-76. In a list of traders to Lake Superior, undated but supposed to belong to the year 1786, Perinault's name is included. Mich. Pio. Colls., XX, 280 No further information has been found concerning him. 160 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS pour des Bon paquets Le Retardement des vesseaux je Regarde Comme Rien il est vrais que je ne suis pas Le plus grand politique sur terre jay Revue ici En parti payement de Billiette que Monsr hypolite chaBoilliez vous devoit deux Cents Cinquante six Livres de Castor pois Englais et seize Loutre mauvaise Cest tout ceque je pouvois attraper ici je vous PEst Renvoyez son Billiette quelque jours pass6 vous tacherez Luy faire payer Le Reste Mesrs Machard & Ce sont arriv6s hier je Leurs Itst parl6 aujourdhuy au sujets de votre Billiette Et Les autre depte il Massure que aussitot quils sarangeront pour Leurs paquets quils me feront pay6 pas [par] ceux qui auront Leurs paquets Ceque jay Reque de Mesr" hypolite chaBoilliez et Compagnie je vous Envoye dans Mes Canot demain matin Ce forme trois paquets marquez P R Et nombres 1, 2 Et 3-il y a tant de Bruit dans La maison que je ne scais pas Ce que je vous Ecrit Madame Askin fait Bien Cest Compliment a vous et Madame perinault Kitty est au detroit avec son mari depuis que je vous Est Ecrit sans me dire mot Machard & Ce ont vandue Leur peltrie a Monsr joseph sanguinette ainsi je serait oblig6 de prendre son Billiette pour payement je Compte ce vaudrait mieux de garder Celle que jay Etant indres6 [endoss6?] par Luy Et signe pour Machard & Ce pour Le Reste quil vous doit je prendrait un autre Billiette Translation Michilimackinac, July 2, 1778 My Friend: Your two letters dated the 1st and 10th ult. were received two days ago, and I thank you for the trouble you have taken to give me the news. I hope that your undertaking will turn out well, very well, filled with good merchandise, well assorted, and afterwards exchanged for good peltries. The delay of the vessels does not seem to me anything serious. Of course, I am not the greatest politician on earth. 161 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I have taken in here, as part payment on the note Hypolyte Chaboillez owes you, two hundred and fifty-six pounds of beaver, English weight, and sixteen bad otters. That is all I could get out of him here. I sent you his note several days ago. You must try to have him pay the rest. Messrs. Machard & Co. arrived yesterday. I spoke to them today on the subject of your note and the other debts and they assured me that as soon as they had arranged for their peltries they would have me paid by the people who got the skins. What I received from Messrs. Hypolyte Chaboillez & Co. I am sending in my canoes tomorrow morning, made up in three packs marked P R and numbered 1, 2, and 3. There is so much noise in the house I do not know what I am writing to you. Mrs. Askin presents her best compliments to you and to Mrs. Perinault. Kitty is at Detroit with her husband. Since I wrote the above and without saying a word to me Messrs. Machard & Co. have sold their peltries to Mr. Joseph Sanguinet. That means that I should be obliged to take his note in payment and I consider it would be better to keep the one I have, seeing that it is endorsed by him and signed for Machard & Co. For the remainder of what he owes you I shall take another note. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO MESSRS. TODD AND MCGILL AT MONTREAL, JULY 3, 1778 I here inclose you an Acct of 42 Packs the contents of each pack seperately, the amount of the whole in their supposed value amounting to 10303 Livers or ancient Shillings92 the guides were present when each pack was made up & seen their contents. There is three packs also belonging to Mr Dobie & 3 of Mr Perinaults, the Acct of which I send them, the Guides also were present when they were made up, as to Six for Mr Alexr Ellis93 & 54 which 92 The nominal value of the livre was twenty sous. The phrase "ancient shillings" signifies that for the purpose of the present contract there is to be no diminution of this valuation. 93 Alexander Ellice, born at Knockleith, Scotland, in 1743, came to America about 162 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Mr Lyons sends, their contents are unknown to the Guides. You have likewise inclosed the men's Accts in so plain a manner as will not admit of any dispute, by it you'll see there is a ballance due them of 5116n. 48 for remainder of Wages, Equipments &c. which You'll please charge me with. There is one man named Couroy in your list to whom you advanced 74". I can hear of no such person, nor any other in his stead. You'll please receive 90" from Mr Dobie & as much from Mr Perinault, for freight of their Packs. Mr Lyons & M~Beath, I settle with here for freight of theirs. Since Settlement I sold the guide for 110" which please deduct from what is due him. I dont know if I before mentioned to you to charge the Gentlemens Accts of this Garrison to me, I mean Lieutenants Bennett, Clowes & Doctor Mitchell I am Dear friends &c FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE AT SAULT STE. MARIE aMichilimaquina Le 7 de juliette 1778 Mon cher frere point de Barque arrivez du detroit depuis Mons' Brulon le rum veaut 240" Le baril La farine 100" t le bled 30" le sac Huron lissiv6 La graise 8" la livre. je vous prie de me renvoyer L'ancre que jai pret6 au sauvage per la premier auCasions je ne puis pas me servir du Grand Bateau Sans Cela j'ai Besoin ausie d'un palan double que j'ai pet6 a sauvage jai achet6 tout les voilles et agre de la Barque de Monsr Bastevick pour environ 1500" Si vous En avez Besoin vous les aur6 au m6me prie Mon8' robertions me dit quils le vaut Bien un des deu Billiets the close of the French and Indian War and soon thereafter was established in business as a member of the firm of Phyn and Ellice of Schenectady. The firm carried on an importing business, and engaged extensively in supplying the Detroit and Mackinac traders. Three of its letter books, covering the years 1767-76, are in the library of the Buffalo Historical Society. In the Revolution, Ellice remained loyal to the Crown, and going to Montreal, founded the firm of Inglis, Ellice & Co. About the year 1780 he returned to England as head of the London house, while his brother Robert remained in charge at Montreal. Information adapted from ms. notes in Burton Hist. Coll. and data in Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 259 and Buffalo Hist. Soc., Publications, VI, 84. 163 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS que vous mavez Envoyez appertenant a Monsr Salomon j'ai, Engez Nodisne mais ils n'est pas oblig6 a hyverner au saut je vous ai deja Icrit au sujet Des Marchandize aussitot une Barque arrive du detroit je vous Envoirai des provisions et Boison faits Bien de focir il faut Envoyer chercher vos Chearreause je ne puis pas les Garder Cette hiver jai eu un lettre de mon pere de miamis ils se porte bien archange et tout la famille vous EnBrasse jesuis Translation Michilimackinac, July 7, 1778 My dear Brother: There has not been a vessel from Detroit since Mr. Brulon came up. Rum is worth 240 livres a barrel, flour 100 livres a hundredweight, corn 30 livres a bag (Huron hominy), and grease 8 livres a pound. You will please send me back the anchor I loaned the Indian by the first opportunity. I cannot use the big boat without it. I need also the double tackle I loaned him. I bought all the sails and rigging of Mr. Bostwick's vessel for about 1500 livres. If you need any, you may have them at the same price. Mr. Robertson tells me they are well worth it. One of the two notes you sent me belongs to Mr. Solomon. I have engaged Nadin but he is not obliged to winter at the Sault. I wrote you already on the subject of the merchandise. As soon as a vessel arrives from Detroit I shall send you provisions and rum. Be sure to eat good and plenty. You must send for your cart horses. I cannot keep them this winter. I have had a letter from my father94 at the Miamis. He is very well. Archange and all the family embrace you. I am 94 Charles Andrew Barthe, father of Mrs. Askin. 164 SECTION III LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1780-1785 SALE OF LAND BY BENJAMIN CHAPUT Pardevant thomas willam notaire Residant au detroit Soussign6 et temoins Cy apres nomm6s fut present le Sieur Benjamin chapu Lequel a volontairement Confess6 avoir vendu Cede et transport6 et promis garantir de tous troubles Dons Douaires hipoteques alieanations et Empechements generallement quelconques une terre * de trois arpents de front joignant dun cot6 a La veuve Lespiecle et dautre Cote au Fr Bernie a la cotte du Sud au bord de la Riviere du Detroit telle quelle se poursuit et Comporte, au Sieur Antoine Soumonde a Ce present acceptant pour lui Ses hoirs et ayant Causes a Lavenir a la charge par le' dit Sieur Soumonde acquereur, des Cens et rentes et Servitudes accoutum6es quitte neamoins du pass6 jusqu'a ce jour et en outre pour le prix et Somme de deux mille Livres anciens shilens de la province de quebec qui le dit vendeur a Declare avoir Regu en pleusieurs tems et differents payements par les mains du Sieur Monforton, premierement la Somme de six cent Cinquante et Sept Livres Cinq Sols dont la ditte terre est hipotequee par une obligation en faveur du Sieur antailla et que le dit Sieur acquereur accepte Suivant et Conformement a Lacte qui est entre les mains du dt Sieur antailla, plus la Somme de six cent Livres en papier Cours de ce poste que le Sieur Monforton lui auroit Cy devant Compt6 et donn6 en presence des Sieurs Reaume antailla et guillar. plus la Somme de six cent quatre vingt une Livre quinze Sols pour Comptes et Billets que le dit Sieur Monforton a payes pour le dit vendeur et dont il lui a tout presentement produit et Livr6 les Regus. plus la Somme de quarante et Cinq Livres que le dit vendeur a declair6 avoir Recu du dit Sieur Monforton en papier Cours de ce poste le dites sommes et obligation cy mention6es faisant ensemble la Somme de dix et noeuf Cent quatre vingt quatre Livres. qui avec Seize Livres que le dit Sieur acquereur a presentement donn6 au dit vendeur formant la Somme de deux *batiments 167 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS mille Livres dont il le tient quitte et lui donne par Ces presentes bonne et valable decharge. En Consequence de qui le dit vendeur a transport6 et transporte tous et tels Droits de propriet6 noms Raisons actions quil pourroit avoir et pretendre Sur la dite terre dont il se desaisit et devet en faveur du dit Sieur acquereur pour par lui Ses hoirs et ayant Causes faire jouir et disposer Comme de chose a lui appartenante voulant quil en demeure Saisi Revetu et mis en bonne et paisible possession Constituant Son procureur general et Especial le porteur des presentes qu'il autorise a cet Effet lui en donnant tout pouvoir. Se Reserve le dit vendeur quatre arpents Sur la Largeur a prendre du haut de la prairie pendant Lespace de deux ans pour y Semer tels grains qu'il jugera pour Son usage etant expressement Convenu qu en Cas dabsence il ne pourra transporter Ce droit a personne ni en jouir lui meme apres les deux ans expires a Commencer de ce jour, jusquapres le tems des Recoltes. Sobligeant aux droits et Servitudes accoutumees au prorata, de la dite terre. Car ainsi &c prometant obbligeant Renonceant &c fait et passe au Detroit Etude du dt Notaire Lan Mil Sept Cent quatre vingt le deux de mars et a le dit chaque declare ne Savoir Signer de ce Requis lecture faite il a fait Sa marque ordinaire et les temoins ont Signe avec nous. si au cas le dit acquereur vend la ditte terre il en promit la preferance au dit vendeur. sa Benjamin X Chapu J. Bondy Temoin Marque Thou Cox T. Williams Notaire Enregistre au Greffe du Detroit folio 644 & 645 par T Williams Greffier Received of Mr. William Monforton the Lotts & Vents of the above sum of Two Thousand livres. T. Williams Receiver Endorsed: Vente d'une terre par Benjamin Chapu au Sieur Antoine Soumonde. 1780 168 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Translation BEFORE US Thomas Williams, undersigned notary of Detroit and there resident, and witnesses hereinafter named, was present Benjamin Chaput,2 who voluntarily declares that he has sold, ceded, and assigned, with guaranty against all troubles, gifts, dowers, mortgages, alienations, and hindrances whatsoever, a tract of land, with buildings, of three arpents front, adjoining land of the Widow Lespiecle on one side, and of Francois Berni6 on the other, situated on the south bank of the River Detroit such as it is and as it extends on all sides, to Anthony Soumande,3 accepting the same in accordance with these presents for himself, his heirs and assigns; and the said Soumande assumes the charges of cens et rentes and customary service, with release from the same, however, for all time past until this day; also for the price and sum of two thousand livres, Quebec currency, which sum the said vendor acknowledges to have received at different times in diverse payments by the hand of Mr. Monforton; firstly, the sum of six hundred and fifty-seven livres five sols for which the said land was mortgaged by a bond in favor of Mr. Antaya4 and which I Thomas Williams was a native of Albany. He came to Detroit in 1765 and married here on May 7, 1781, Mary Cecilia Campau, daughter of Jacques Campau and Catherine Menard. He served as storekeeper, trader, merchant, keeper of the public records, justice, and notary. He was appointed justice and notary by Captain Richard B. Lernoult, after Philip Dejean left Detroit to join Governor Hamilton at Vincennes. Williams died at Detroit about the close of the year 1785. His son, John R. Williams, born in 1782, was mayor of Detroit for several terms and one of the city's prominent citizens for almost half a century ending with his death in 1854. See Denissen, op. cit.; Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, I, 200 and II, 1203, 1402. 2. Benjamin Chaput, born in 1748, was a grandson of Nicolas Chaput, a native of France who married at Montreal, April 19, 1689, Angelica Gautier, a native of that place. Benjamin married at Sandwich, April 4, 1785, Josette Rochereau dit Lesp6rance, who was born there, June 4, 1766. He was buried at Sandwich, Nov. 25, 1796; the widow was buried there, April 13, 1839. Denissen, op. cit. 3 Pierre, the founder of the line of Soumande in America, was a native of Gascony who married at Quebec, Nov. 16, 1649, Simone Cote, a native of that place. Pierre Soumande was buried at Quebec, Nov. 29, 1689. Anthony Soumande, a greatgrandson of Pierre, born in 1752, married at Sandwich, Feb. 11, 1782, Regina Angelica Guillet dit Tourangeau, a native of that place. Anthony was buried at Sandwich, June 4, 1792; his widow was buried there, Feb. 28, 1845. A sister of Anthony Soumande, Mary Louisa Soumande dit Delorme, married William Monforton, for whom see ante, 107. 4 Probably Jean Baptiste Antaya, son of Augustin Peltier dit Antaya and Mary Charon. Jean Baptiste, born in 1739, married at Sandwich, Jan. 10, 1774, Mary 169 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the said purchaser assumes conformably to the bond in the possession of the said Antaya; secondly, the sum of six hundred livres in paper currency of this post which the said Monforton counted and paid to him in the presence of Messrs. R6aume,5 Antaya and Guillar; thirdly, the sum of six hundred and eighty-one livres fifteen sols in accounts and bills which the said Monforton has paid for the said vendor, for which he now produces and delivers to him the receipts; fourthly, the sum of forty-five livres, which the said vendor declares to have received from the said Monforton in paper currency of this post; the said sums and bills as herein mentioned amounting together to the sum of nineteen hundred and eighty-four livres; which, with sixteen livres which the said purchaser now gives to the said vendor, makes the sum of two thousand livres for the payment of which he acquits the said purchaser, and by these presents gives him good and valid discharge. IN CONSEQUENCE WHEREOF the said vendor has conveyed and does convey all and such rights of ownership, title, equity and demands which he has upon the said land, real or pretended, of which he stands possessed and of which he divests himself in favor of the said purchaser, for himself, his heirs and assigns, that he may use and dispose of the same as his own property, it being the will Catherine Bergeron, a native of Detroit. She was buried at Sandwich, March 19, 1798; he was buried there, Jan. 16, 1806. They left a large family of children. Denissen, op. cit. 5 Rene Reaume, born in the bishopric of La Rochelle in 1643, married Marie Chevreau, born in 1652. Their son, Pierre Reaume, born July 28, 1691, married Mary Teresa Esteve dit Lajeunesse, a native of Quebec, in 1722, and settled at Detroit the same year. The wife died in the spring of 1730 and the husband in August, 1740. They left several children. Another member of the family, who may have been a nephew of Pierre, was Hyacinthe Reaume, born at Lachine, March 25, 1704, who married at Montreal, Nov. 17, 1727, Agatha Lacelle, daughter of Jacques Lacelle and Angelica Gibaut. In 1733 the family came to Detroit, where Hyacinthe, who was a shoemaker, was buried, June 10, 1774, and Agatha, July 19, 1778. The individual here mentioned was their son, Jean Baptiste, who was born at Detroit, July 9, 1741, and married here, Dec. 20, 1763, Agatha Lootman dit Barrois. In 1774 they settled at Sandwich, and in 1792 at Raisin River settlement, where Agatha was buried Nov. 12, 1806, and Jean Baptiste, April 18, 1807. Jean Baptiste Reaume was engaged in the Indian trade. Concerning his rescue of James Moore from captivity, see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, V, 76. A younger sister of Jean Baptiste was Marie Julie Reaume, who became the wife of Governor Jehu Hay of Detroit. A brother was Capt. Charles Reaume of the Indian Department, for whom see post, 249. 170 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS of the said vendor that the said purchaser may be invested with full powers thereof of ownership and seizin and be placed in good and peaceable possession of the same; substituting the bearer hereof for his true and lawful attorney, in giving him full power and authority for that purpose. The said vendor reserves for himself four arpents from the depth of the said land, beginning above the meadow, for the space of two years, to sow such grain as he shall consider necessary for his own use, it being expressly agreed that in case of his absence he may not assign this right to any other person, nor may he exercise the right himself after the expiration of the two years as calculated from the present until after the time of harvest. He also assumes a pro rata share of the customary charges and services due upon the said land. For thus and so &c., promising, obliging, renouncing, &c., duly executed at Detroit, in the office of the said notary, on the second day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and both parties having said that they cannot write, they have made their accustomed marks, after hearing these presents read, and the witnesses have signed with us. In case the said purchaser sells the said land he promises to give the said vendor the preference for the same. his J. Bondy,6 Witness BENJAMIN X CHAPUT mark Thou Cox,7 T. Williams, Notary 6 For the Bondyline see ante, 36. Joseph Bondy, signer'of the present document, was the eldest son of Joseph Bondy and Mary Ann Cecilia Campau there noted. He was born in 1733 and on Aug. 7, 1758, married Mary Joseph Gamelin of Detroit, daughter of Laurence Eustache Gamelin and Mary Joseph Dudevoir dit Bonvouloir dit Lachine. They had several children. Joseph Bondy was a trader and lived on St. Joseph Street. He was buried at Detroit, Nov. 18, 1802; Mary Joseph Gamelin was buried at Sandwich, Nov. 27, 1797. Denissen, op. cit. 7 Thomas Cox was at Detroit as early as 1772. In 1780 Thomas and his wife, Margaret, obtained adjoining grants of land of 6,400 and 8,000 acres respectively, 171 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Appended: 1. Entered in the register of Detroit, folio 644 and 645 By Thomas Williams, Recorder 2. Received of Mr. William Monforton the lods et vents on the above sum of two thousand livres. Thomas Williams, Receiver Endorsed: Sale of a tract of land by Benjamin Chaput to Antoine Soumande. 1780 GRANT OF PRESQU' ISLE TO JOSEPH REAUME Nous les Chef de la Nations outavoix Apres avoir delib6rre Sur Letat actuel des terres que Nous Laissons inculte depuis Longtens de Lavis et Consentement g6n6ral de la Nations avont determine dendonner une portion a notre amie Josephe R6aume fice de Battiste Reaume dans La rivigrre des miamye Savoir Lile que Lon nome La pr6squil et que nous nomons miseskanake avec toute sa Largeur et d6pendence ainseye quune parties de Largeur de La ditte ille de Lotre Cotte aprendre a une petitte Rivigr nous luis donnens vingt arpend de front sur Cinquente de profondeur et pour La bonne et sincgr Amitti6r que nous luis portons nous luis Allumons un feux de paix et de trenquillite en Luis Garantissent des a present et a toujours ses hoyrs et ayans Causes La Susditte portion de terre cy enoncee afin quil en Jouisse Sens aucun Enpechement quelconque Cest pourquoy nous avont faits nos marque Accoutumes extending 2/ miles along the St. Clair River. Cox's grant began at a small creek still known as Cox Creek. In 1794 Alexander Harrow of the British naval establishment became the owner of these tracts, and settled them the following year. In 1786 Cox bought from Isidore Chgne a tract of land at the River Rouge. He kept an inn in Detroit, and also owned a lot in the town, which he sold to William Macomb. Soon after the American occupation Cox became tax collector, and in December, 1798, the county commissioners ordered the sheriff to levy on his property to the extent of $419, which he had defaulted. Two weeks in advance of this action Cox deeded his River Rouge property to George Cottrell. In the deed he describes himself as "sick but in perfect memory and understanding." See mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim, and article by William L. Jenks, "The Harrow Family," in Algonac Courier, Aug. 1, 1924. 172 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS a La Rivigre des miamie Susdit 28 Juillet 1780 [Totem signatures of fifteen Ottawa chiefs, to each of which is added the chief's name in the Indian language.] Je Soussign6 Certifie que les chefs cy dessus ont fait leur Marques et declar6 donner Volontairement la terre cy dessus ennonc6 au Detroit le 28 Juillet 1780 T. Williams. Juge a paix Enregistr6 au Greffe du Detroit en le registre No. 2 folio 21 par moy T. Williams Recorded in the Land Office at Detroit Liber E, folio 103 &c. testis Geo. Hofman8 Endorsed: J. Askin 8th Contract de la Presque Isle a la riviere des miamies 1780 N~ 34 Recd the 24th March 1797 P. A. Registered in my office in the book N~ 1 pages 27 & 28 N~ 1D Peter Audrain, Recorder Translation We, the chiefs of the Ottawa nation, by the advice and unanimous consent of the said nation and in consideration of the present condition of the lands which we have long left waste, have concluded to give to our friend, Joseph R6aume,9 son of Baptiste R6aume, a tract of land in the 8 George Hoffman was a prominent citizen of Detroit in the period prior to the War of 1812. In 1804 he was serving as register of the land office; in 1806 as postmaster. In 1809 he was foreman of the grand jury which, among other actions, made a presentment of Governor Hull for having remitted the punishment of John Whipple, who had been fined for calling Judge Woodward a "damned rascal." The same year Hoffman served as secretary of a committee which made a report on the several forms of territorial government, and petitioned Congress to grant the people of Michigan an elective legislature. He died on or about March 2, 1810. See Mich. Pio. Colls., V, 552, VIII, 387-89, XII, 544-49, and XXIX, 649. 9 Joseph Rdaume was the son of Jean Baptiste R6aume and Agatha Lootman dit Barrois, for whom see ante, 170. He was born at Detroit, Feb. 15, 1772, and at the 173 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Maumee River known as the island which is called Presqu' Isle, or in our language Miseskanake,10 throughout its whole extent; and we also give him a tract of the same extent on the other side, beginning at a little river, twenty arpents in front by fifty in depth. And for the true and sincere friendship which we bear to him we light with him a pipe of peace and tranquillity, and guarantee to him, his heirs and assigns, henceforth and forever, the above mentioned tract, as herein set forth, to enjoy the same without any hindrance whatever; in proof of which we have made our accustomed marks. Done at the above mentioned Maumee River, July 28th, 1780. [Signed in totem by fifteen Ottawa Indian chiefs.] I, the undersigned, certify that the above chiefs have made their marks and have declared that they give the above mentioned land of their own free will. Detroit, July 28, 1780. T. Williams, Justice of the Peace Recorded at Detroit in register No. 2, folio 21, by me, T. Williams Endorsed: Deed of the Presqu'Isle at Maumee River. 1780. GRANT OF LAND TO THOMAS WILLIAMS Nous les Chefs de la nation Pouteauatamis apres avoir time of this grant was living at Sandwich, whither his parents had removed in 1774. His early age, as well as the wording of the document, tends to the conclusion that the grant must have been made chiefly by reason of his father's instrumentality and influence. Joseph Rdaume married at Raisin River, Feb. 9, 1795, Geneveva Suzor, who was born at Sandwich, March 9, 1780, daughter of Louis Suzor and Josette Le Beau. Genealogical information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. Io Presqu' Isle was on the north side of the Maumee River, being partially enclosed between that river and a creek tributary thereto. At its lower end was fought the Battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794, and General Wayne's camp the night before the battle, was made a short distance higher up the island. John Askin purchased R6aume's Indian title to the island in December, 1796, and in July, 1807, preferred a claim to the property before the Board of Land Commissioners at Detroit. The Board subsequently ruled (Dec. 11, 1809) that the land claimed was outside the bounds of its district. See American State Papers, Public Lands, I, 372, 526; for map, see Simcoe Papers, II, 396. 174 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS delib6r6 sur letat actuel des terres que nous laissons incultes depuis longtems, de l'avis et consentement general de la nation, avons determin6 d'en donner une portion a notre ami Thomas Williams contenant quatre arpents de front sur la grande riviere du Detroit sur cent vignt arpents de profondeur tenant du Cot6 du sud ouest a Sieur Adhemar St Martin et au nord est a James Rankin en suivant la m6me direction des terres anciennement concedees, et pour la bonne et sincere amiti6 que nous luy portons nous luy allumons un feu de paix et de tranquiliti6 en luy garantissant des a present et a toujours ses hoirs et ayant cause la susditte portion de terre cy 6nonc6e afin qu'il enjouisse sans aucune empechement quelconque. Cest pourquoi nous avons fait nos marques accoutumees. [Names and totems of eleven Indian chiefs.] Mesackwangie pebamuchketac Nesowagie Nesowaghquat Osawanequat Waweyaghtin penemou Nickeson Windego Okeya eskebee Je Soussign6 certifie que les chefs cy dessus ont fait leur Marques et declar6 donner Volontairement la terre cy dessus enonc6. au Detroit le 28 Juillet 1780 T. Williams Juge apaix Engregistr6 au Greffe du Detroit en le registre No 2 folio 21 par moy T. Williams Appended: Know all men by these presents That I Thomas Williams for and in Consideration of the sum of One Hundred pounds New York Currency to me in hand paid by John Laughtonl1 the Receipt Whereof I do Hereby AcknowlI John Laughton was a commander of vessels in the royal service on Lake Erie from 1775 to 1789. He then became naval storekeeper at Detroit, retiring therefrom when advancing age rendered him incapable of performing longer the duties of the office. On June 24, 1797, he petitioned the Canadian government for a grant of 3,000 acres as a reduced lieutenant. In 1805 he testified before the U. S. Land Board at 175 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS edge have assigned to the said John Laughton his heirs and assigns all my right, title, Interest, Claim, & Demand of, in, and to, the within Mentioned Tract of Land. In witness whereof I have Hereunto set my hand & Seal at Detroit the Twenty-forth day of october 1780 Witness Present T. Williams (L.S.) George Lyons12 Richd Wrightl3 Detroit June 25th 1791 received of Mr John Askin Twenty Pounds New York Cur. for the Within Mentioned tract of Land & in full for that & all Other Demands Until this day. John Laughton Endorsements: 1, Recd in my office 5th June 1797 P. A. 2, Registered in my office in the book N~ 1, page 96. Peter Audrain Recorder 3, N~ F 2 for N~ 2 of Todd Y3 for N~ 2 of McGill. 4, Recorded in the Land Office at Detroit, in Liber E Folio 104 teste George Hoffman Translation We, the chiefs of the Potawatomi tribe, having taken counsel concerning the present state of the lands which we Detroit that in 1776 he had leased Hog Island (Belle Isle) from James Casety. He subsequently located on Stromness Island in Lake St. Clair, where members of his family continued to reside until a recent period. Information adapted from data in Canadian Archives (ms. copy in Burton Hist. Coll.) and in Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. IX George Lyons was a trader and lived for a time on Hog Island. In 1782 he married Elizabeth Chine and to them five children were born. He owned land in the old town of Detroit. He died of pleurisy in December, 1794. The following year his widow married George Knaggs. See Proc. of the Land Board of Detroit, 194-95, and references there cited. 13 Richard Wright was a sailor on the lakes, who eventually made Detroit his permanent home. According to the first notice we have found of him, in 1771 the Angelica of forty-five tons burden was built at Detroit, and Wright was made captain with an annual salary of ~120. Silas Farmer, op. cit., 907. A receipt for freight signed by Wright in 1774 seems to indicate that he was still serving as lake captain. Mich. Pio. Colls., XXVIII, 562. From other documents it appears that in 1780 and 176 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS have long left uncultivated, have determined, by the advice and unanimous consent of the tribe, to give a portion to our friend, Thomas Williams, consisting of four arpents of front on the Detroit River by one hundred and twenty arpents of depth, adjoining land of Adh6mar St. Martin14 on the southwest, and of James Rankin on the north-east, lying in the same direction as the lands formerly granted; and for the good and sincere friendship which we bear to him we light for him a pipe of peace and of tranquillity, with guarantee, from now and forever, to him, his heirs and assigns, of the above mentioned tract of land, herein set forth, that he may have the enjoyment of it with no hindrance whatsoever. In Testimony of which we have made our accustomed signs. [Names and totems of eleven chiefs.] I, the undersigned, certify that the above chiefs have made their marks and declared voluntary gift of the land above set forth. Detroit, July 28, 1780. T. Williams, Justice of the Peace Entered in the records of Detroit in register No. 2, page 21, by me T. Williams 1781 he was engaged in trade at Detroit. In the year first noted he ordered four bateauloads of goods from Montreal in a total of ninety ordered by the merchants of this place. Ibid., XIX, 588-89. 14 Toussaint Anthony Adhemar dit St. Martin was descended from Michael Adhdmar and Cecilia Gache, who resided in the diocese of Alby, in Upper Languedoc, France. Their son, Anthony Adh6mar, Sieur de St. Martin, born in 1640, was a royal notary. He migrated to Canada and married at Quebec, Oct. 10, 1667, Genevieve Sazeot, a native of St. Andr6-des-Arts, archdiocese of Paris, France. She was buried at Champlain, Aug. 30, 1683, and Adh6mar married (second) Michelle Cusson at Cap de la Madeleine, Jan. 20, 1687. Their son, Jean Baptiste Adh6mar dit St. Martin, was born at Montreal, March 16, 1689. On Jan. 7, 1733, he married (second) Catherine Moreau, who was born at Quebec, Oct. 8, 1696, daughter of Pierre Moreau, Sieur de la Taupine, and Mary Magdelene Lemire. Pierre Moreau was a fur trader who had been at the Sault Ste. Marie with St. Lusson in 1671, and on the site of Chicago before Marquette wintered there in 1674-75. The son of Jean Baptiste Adh6mar and Catherine Moreau was our present subject, Toussaint Anthony Adh6mar dit St. Martin. He was born at Montreal, Sept. 10, 1740. He came to Detroit as early as 1765, married Genevieve Blondeau, and in 1768 was living on Ste. Anne Street. For upwards of twenty-five years Detroit was the center of his activities, although his trading operations sometimes necessitated prolonged absences. He was at St. Joseph in 1773. He early visited Miamitown (modern Fort Wayne) and he was employed there in the later 1780's. Henry Hay, who spent the winter of 1789-90 there, makes frequent mention of him in his Journal. Ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.; printed in Wis. Hist. Soc., Proceedings, 1914, p. 214 ff. In October, 1790, the settlement was razed by 177 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS GRANT OF LAND TO RICHARD CORNWALL AT BELLE RIVER KNOW ALL MEN by these Presents, that we, the Chiefs and Principal Leaders of the Ochipu6 [Chippewa] Nation of Indians, at Detroit, for ourselves, and by and with the advice and consent of the whole of our said Nation, in consideration of the good will, love and affection which we, and the whole of said Nation, have and bear unto Richard Cornwall,61 of Detroit, and also for divers other good causes and considerations us the said Chiefs and rest of our Nation hereunto moving, HAVE given, granted, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these presents, DO give, grant, alien, enfeoff and confirm, unto the said Richard Cornwall, a Tract of Land on the North West side of the River or Streight leading from Lake St Clare to Lake Huron, beginning at a certain River called Belle River,16 running thence up said River or Streight, forty acres, the whole One hundred and General Harmar's army, and the traders' establishments were destroyed. Probably this circumstance explains the removal of St. Martin to Mackinac, where he lived from 1791 until his death, Nov. 22, 1804. Although not notably successful in his trading operations, St. Martin was a man of probity, and he enjoyed the esteem of his contemporaries. He held various local official appointments at Detroit, including those of justice of the peace and member of the Land Board for the District of Hesse. At Mackinac he served as justice during both the British and the American r6gimes, his last appointment to the office being made by Governor Wm. H. Harrison, Sept. 1, 1801. An entry in the journal of John Porteous (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) notes the arrival of Mr. Adhemar (probably our subject) at Niagara, May 11, 1767, "with 6 Six boats and canoes in 14 days from Montreal." St. Martin volunteered to serve under Hamilton on the expedition against Vincennes in 1778; the following spring he went with a convoy of boats carrying provisions and relief to Hamilton; the party was captured by the Americans, Mar. 5, 1779, but St. Martin was paroled by Clark a few days later, on taking the oath of neutrality at Vincennes. Information adapted from manuscripts in Burton Hist. Coll.; Denissen, op. cit.; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; and Wis. Hist. Coils., passim. 15 Richard Cornwall was a native of New York who served for many years as master shipbuilder of the naval establishment on the Great Lakes. In a petition to General Haldimand in 1781 against a reduction in his pay he stated that he had served as master builder on Lake Erie for fourteen years, and in 1776, when the government assumed control of all shipping, was commissioned master builder for Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan, which appointment he still continued to hold. His family still (in 1781) resided in New York, and his loyalty to the King prevented him from rejoining it. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX, 674-75. He was living in Detroit as late as 1796. In December, 1795, he sold John Askin the tract of land conveyed by the present grant, and in the document described himself as "Richard Cornwall of Detroit master builder." x6 The Belle River empties into the St. Clair a few miles north of Marine City, St. Clair County, Michigan. 178 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS fifty acres deep into the Woods, with all and singular the appurtenances &ca unto the said Tract of Land appertaining, or in any wise belonging. And the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents and Services of the said Premisses, And also all the Estate, right, title, interest, property, claim or demand whatever of us the said Chiefs, or of any one whatever of the said Nation, of, in, and to, the said Messuage or Tenement and Premisses, and of, in and to every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances. TO HAVE and TO HOLD the said Messuage and Tenement and Premisses, hereby given and granted, or mentioned or intended to be given and granted unto the said Richard Cornwall, his heirs and Assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Richard Cornwall, his heirs and Assigns for ever. AND the said Chiefs for themselves, and in behalf of the whole of their Nation, their Heirs, Executors and Administrators, DO covenant, promise and grant to and with the said Richard Cornwall, his heirs and Assigns by these presents, That he the said Richard Cornwall, his heirs and Assigns, shall and lawfully may, from henceforth and for ever, after, peaceably and quietly have, hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the said Messuage, Tenements, Lands, Hereditaments and Premisses, hereby given and granted, or mentioned or intended to be' given and granted, with their and every of their appurtenances, free, clear and discharged, or well and sufficiently saved, kept harmless and indemnified, of, from, and against all former and other Gifts, Grants, Bargains, Sales, Jointures, Feoffments, Dowers, Estates, Entails, Rents, Rent Charges, Arrearages of Rents, Statutes, Judgements, Recognizances, Statutes Merchants and of the Staple, Extent, & of, from & against all former and other Titles, Troubles, Charges and Incumbrances whatsoever, had, done or suffered, or to be had, done or suffered by them the said Chiefs, or by any one whatever of the said Nation, their Heirs, Executors or Administrators, or any other Person or Persons lawfully claiming, or to claim, by, from, or under them, or any or either of them. AND by these Presents do make this our Act and Deed irrevocable under any Pretence whatever, 179 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS and have put the said Richard Cornwall in full possession and Seisin, by delivering him a piece of said Tract on the Premisses. IN WITNESS whereof, we the said Chiefs for ourselves and [on] behalf of our whole Nation of Ochipues, have unto these presents, set the marks of our different Tribes at Detroit, the twenty eighth day of October, in the twentieth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King &ca &ca &ca and of Our Lord, One thousand, seven hundred and eighty. (Signed) Musqueash.17 Annimekans. I DO hereby Certify, that the foregoing Deed is truly extracted from the Detroit Register in my possession, and that the same has been carefully compared this 25th July, 1795, by W. Roe,18 Dy Regr Wn Dt U. C. Endorsed: Detroit 28th Oct. 1780 The Ochipue Indians to Richard Cornwall Gift of Land on River St Clare. Ent. 7/8 17 Musqueash was a Chippewa chief who lived in the vicinity of Port Huron. The grant here made to Cornwall indicates that he assumed to control the land lying along the St. Clair River. In Alexander Harrow's log book of the Welcome (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) it is set forth that while en route for Mackinac, July 25, 1780, Harrow took Musqueash and his party of ten Indians on board a short distance above Fort Sinclair. On reaching Mackinac, Harrow was placed under arrest by Governor Sinclair and the Welcome, with Musqueash's party on board, was conducted to Detroit by Cornwall, arriving there Sept. 26. The land grant to Cornwall followed in due course a few weeks later. Musqueash died soon after the War of 1812 and was buried on the Indian reservation north of Mount Clemens. See William L. Jenks, History of St. Clair County, Mich. (Chicago, 1912), I, 148. i8 Walter Roe seems to have come to Detroit as a warrant officer in the marine department. On the organization of the judicial department of the District of Hesse he undertook the practice of law, and it has been said that he was Detroit's first lawyer. He was for some years clerk of the court at Detroit, and in 1793 he auctioned a slave boy for the benefit of the estate of Philip Joncaire of Spring Wells. For much information concerning his legal activities see the Prerogative Court records (ms. copies in Burton Hist. Coll.) and William Renwick Riddell, Michigan under British Rule.... (Lansing, 1926). Roe was given a grant of land on the north shore of Lake Erie below Amherstburg. He became addicted to drink, and while intoxicated fell into the river and was drowned, shortly prior to August 10,1801. Information adapted from mss. in Burton Hist. Coll.; Burton, History of Detroit from 1780 to 1850, p. 21, and Riddell, op. cit. Considerable additional data about Roe is supplied by Riddell in The Legal Profession in Upper Canada in its Early Periods (Toronto, 1916), 168-70. 180 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Recorded in the Land office at Detroit in Liber E. folio 55 &W By me G~ Hoffman R. SALE OF LAND TO PIERRE DROUILLARD PARDEVANT Thomas Williams Ecuyer Notaire au Detroit y resident Soussign6, fut present Pierre Cardinal lequel par ces presentes reconnoit et confesse avoir de son bon gre et sans aucune Contrainte, Vendu, Ced6, quitt6, Transporte et delaiss6 de maintenant et a Toujours promet faire Jouir et Garantir, de tous Troubles, dettes, Douaires, evictions, alienations, hypothgques et Empechements, Generalement Quelconques A Pierre Drouillard a ce present et acceptant pour luy ses hoyrs et ayans causes une terre de deux Arpents de front sur Quarante de profondeur sise et situ6e au Nord de la Rivierre du susdit Detroit tenant du cot6 de l'est Nord est a Bazile Campau et du cot6 de l'ouest sud ouest au susdit Vendeur Circonstances et Dependances et ainsi que le tout se poursuit et comporte et s'etend de toutes parts et de fond en comble, sans par le susdit Vendeur en rien excepter, reserver ni retenir, laquelle susdite terre le susdit acquereur a dit bien scavoir et connoitre pour avoir le tout vue et visite et dont il est content et satisfait. CETTE VENTE ainsi faite aux Causes et Conditions susdittes et suivantes, des cens et rentes et droits Seigneuriaux envers sa Majest6 ou des Servitudes accoutum6es aux quelles peut 6tre Sujette la susdite terre, en outre pour et moyennant le prix et somme de Quinze cent livres ou Schellins ancient de la province, Egal a cent pontes du cour de la province de Nouvelle York, que le susdit vendeur reconnoit avoir regu du susdit Acquereur en belles et bonnes especes ou autres effets, dont il dit 6tre content et satisfait et dont il tient quitte le susdit Acquereur luy et tous autres. AU MOYEN de quoy et de tout ce que dessus le susdit Vendeur a Transport6 et Transporte au susdit acquereur ses hoyrs et ayans causes tous droits de propriet6 fond et tres fond, noms, raisons, actions, saisine et possession qu'il 181 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,......... a ou qu'il peut avoir, pretendre, ou demander en et sur la susdite terre, dont il s'est par ces presentes desaisie, demise et devetue au profit du susdit acquereur ses hoyrs et ayant causes. Voulant et entendant qu'il en soit mis en bonne et suffisante possession par et ainsi qu'il appartiendra en vertu des presentes. ET POUR faire insinuer la presente vente au Greffe du susdit Detroit et partout ailleurs ou besoin sera les dittes parties ont elif leur proceureur General et Special le porteur d'icelle a qui ils donnent pouvoir d'en requerir acte. CAR AINSI &ca promettant &ca Obligeant &ca Renongant &ca fait et pass6 au Detroit L'an Mil Sept cent quatre vingt un et le deuxieme Avril apres midy et a le susdit vendeur Sign6 avec nous, mais pour le susdit acquereur il a declar6 ni sgavoir le faire il a cependant fait sa marque ordinaire lecture faite presence de Richard Wright et John Casety qui ont sign6s en qualit6 de temoins son Pierre P C Cardinal Nom en abrege Richd Wright sa John Casety Pierre X Drouillard Marque T Williams Notaire Enregistr6 au Greffe du Detroit en le Registre No 2 folio 96 & 97 par moy T. Williams Endorsed: Vente d'une terre par Pierre Cardinal A Pierre Drouillard le deuxieme Avril 1781 Translation BEFORE US, Thomas Williams, undersigned, notary of Detroit, and there residing, was present Pierre Cardinal,19 19 The Cardinal family is one of the oldest in Detroit. The American founder of the family was Simon Jean Cardinal, born in 1619, who married Michelle Garnier, and was buried at Lachine, Aug. 9, 1679. The two sons of this union, Jacques, born at Montreal in 1659, and Pierre, born there in 1665, both came to Detroit. Jacques 182 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS who, by these presents, acknowledges and declares that of his own free will and without constraint of any kind, he has sold, ceded, abandoned, assigned and relinquished, from now and forever, with promise of ownership and guaranty from all troubles, debts, dowers, evictions, alienations, mortgages and hindrances whatsoever, to Pierre Drouillard,20 accepting by these presents for himself, his heirs and assigns, a tract of land of two arpents front by forty in depth located and situated on the north of the river of the said Detroit, adjoining land of Basil Campau21 on the east-north-east, and of the said vendor on the west-southwest, with all appurtenances and dependencies, such as it is and as it extends on all sides in its entirety, without any Cardinal married at Montreal, Nov. 23, 1682, Claudia Louisa Arrive, a native of Quebec. He came to Detroit on business as early as October, 1707, and was buried here, May 18, 1724. Of their four children, all born at Montreal, two came to Detroit: Jacques, born July 21, 1685, who married Jane Duguay at Montreal, Feb. 17, 1715, and was buried at Detroit, Sept. 21, 1763; and Mary Magdelene, born Feb. 15, 1699, who became the wife of Jean Baptiste Lootman dit Barrois. The Pierre Cardinal of our text was a son of Jacques Cardinal and Jane Duguay. He was born at Detroit, Aug. 30, 1729, and was buried here, Jan. 19, 1808. He married, June 26, 1778, Mary Angelica Sejournde dit Sanschagrin, widow of Jean Baptiste Cauchois and daughter of Alexis Sejourn6e dit Sanschagrin and Mary Angelica Tareau, who was born at Mackinac, March 10, 1749. She was buried, Sept. 18, 1800. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Wis. Hist. Coils., XVIII and XIX, passim. zo Simon Drouillard dit Argentcour, born in France in 1668, married at Quebec, Nov. 25, 1698, Margaret Ferret, a native of that place. Margaret was buried at Quebec, Sept. 12, 1711, and Simon married (second) at Levis, Ann Cadoret, Nov. 24, 1712. He subsequently came to Detroit, where he was buried, Oct. 21, 1733. The son of Simon and Margaret Ferret, Jean Drouillard, born at St. Francois, Isle of Orleans, Feb. 14, 1707, married at Lachine, Feb. 5, 1731, Elizabeth Rapin, daughter of Jean Baptiste Rapin and Catherine Janson dit Lapaline. Jean Drouillard died prior to 1756 and his wife, Elizabeth, was buried at the Church of the Huron, Sandwich, May 8, 1757. The couple had numerous children, all residents of Detroit and vicinity. One of them was the Pierre Drouillard of our document. He was born in 1744 and married at Detroit, Nov. 20, 1776, Mary Angelica Descomps dit Labadie, daughter of Anthony Louis Descomps dit Labadie and Angelica Campau. Pierre served as interpreter of the Huron, and before his marriage with Mary Angelica Descomps he had lived with an Indian woman, Asoundechris Flathead. In 1778 he saved Simon Kenton, the noted Kentucky scout, from burning, and brought him to Detroit as a prisoner. He was buried at Detroit, April 16, 1803. Denissen, op. cit. 2.1 Francis Basil Campau was a grandson of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin, for whom see ante, 33. The youngest son of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin was Jean Baptiste, who was born at Montreal, Aug. 4, 1711, and married at Detroit, Jan. 27, 1737, Catherine Perthuis, daughter of Pierre Perthuis and Catherine Mallet. See ante, 40. Their fifth child and second son was Francis Basil Campau, the subject of this sketch, who was born at Detroit, Dec. 2, 1743. On Feb. 7, 1785, he married Susanne Moran, daughter of Claude Charles Moran and Mary Ann Belleperche. He was buried, Oct. 16, 1795, and his wife, April 4, 1796. They had several children. Denissen, op. cit. 183 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS exception, reserve or restraint whatever on the part of the said vendor, the said purchaser having declared that he knows the said land, that he has seen and examined the same and is content and satisfied therewith. THIS SALE is thus made, with the conditions and considerations aforesaid and to follow; that is with cens et rentes and seigniorial rights in favor of His Majesty, or of the accustomed service to which the said land is subject,22 and moreover, for and because of the price and sum of fifteen hundred livres, Quebec currency, equal to one hundred pounds, New York currency, which the said vendor acknowledges to have received from the said purchaser in good and perfect commodities or other things, and expressing himself as satisfied and content therewith, and thereby granting to the said purchaser, and all others, a full discharge. IN CONSEQUENCE of which and of all aforesaid, the said vendor has conveyed and does convey unto the said purchaser, his heirs, and assigns, all rights of ownership utterly and entirely, title, equity, demands, seizin and possession, of which he stands possessed, real or pretended, or that he may lay claim to or upon the said land, and of which, by these presents, he is dispossessed, demised and divested in favor of the said purchaser, and his assigns; with the desire and intention that the said purchaser may be placed in good and sufficient possession by these presents and that it may belong to him by virtue of the same. AND THAT this sale may be recorded in the register at Detroit and elsewhere as there may be need, the said parties have appointed the bearer hereof their true and lawful attorney and give him power of record. FOR THUS &c., promising, &c., obliging, &c., renouncing, &c., duly executed at Detroit in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one, the second day of April, in the afternoon, and the said vendor has signed with us, but as for the said purchaser, he has declared that he cannot sign and has therefore made his accustomed mark, after.z For the various feudal charges to which the land was subject, see ante, 29. 184 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS reading of the same, in the presence of Richard Wright and John Casety,23 who have signed as witnesses. his Pierre P C Cardinal name in abbreviation Richard Wright his Pierre X Drouillard mark John Casety T. Williams Notary Appended: Entered by the recorder of Detroit in register No. 2, folios 96 & 97, by me, T. Williams Endorsed: Sale of a tract of land by Pierre Cardinal to Pierre Drouillard, April 2, 1781. 23 John Casety was the son of James Casety, who came to Detroit some time prior to the Revolution. In 1771, according to Farmer (op. cit., 78), and for several years thereafter, he cultivated a farm on Belle Isle, as tenant of Lieutenant George McDougall, who had acquired title to the island in 1768. Prior to this (in 1769) Casety had purchased a lot on St. Peter Street. He accumulated considerable property, among other items being a farm at Windmill Pointe, bought in 1777 of James Sterling. Soon after this Casety, like Sterling, was accused of disloyalty to the Crown and sent in irons to Quebec, where after some three years' imprisonment, he succeeded in making his escape to the United States. Probably because of this trouble, Casety removed his family from Detroit after the Revolution; he died, probably in New York, some years prior to 1824. John Casety, the subject of our present sketch, became clerk and subsequently partner to Thomas Williams of Detroit, for whom see ante, 169. Williams died, Nov 30, 1785, leaving considerable property which, according to the Williams familytradition, was dissipated through the incompetence or rascality of Casety. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XXIX, 492. Quite possibly he was innocent of both charges, for he himself died shortly after Williams, and the affairs of the firm, thus deprived of both its members, were left deeply involved. The London merchants to whom it was indebted consigned their interests to Alexander Henry of Montreal, who in turn deputed them to James Fraser of Detroit. About the same time, Mrs. Casety gave power of attorney to James McIntosh to represent her interests and he obtained possession of the books of the firm. Fraser was unable to gain access to them, and many years later he was still vainly seeking formal release from the responsibility he had assumed in connection with the affair. One of the debtors of Casety was Francis Vigo of Vincennes, who figures prominently in Askin's commercial transactions. Casety married Therese Baby, daughter of Jacques Duperon Baby. When he died, in 1787, leaving her a widow at twenty years of age, she called for the Bible on which to swear she would never marry again. In 1795, notwithstanding, she married Capt. Thomas Allison, and died at Quebec in 1847. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Coils., passim; mss. in Burton Hist. Coll.; and letter of Thomas Casety, a son of John, printed in the Quarterly Journal of the New York Historical Association, VI, 295-96. 185 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS HOUSE GIVEN TO CAPTAIN BIRD I, Arent Scuyler De Peyster Commanding the Kings or eighth Regiment, and the Posts occupied by it, on the different communications; By the authority in me vested, as a means of improving the appearances in the front of the Fortifications and grand Parade, by improving and cultivating the ground adjacent bounding the Town of Detroit to the North West Do Grant, by these Presents, unto Capt" Henry Bird24 of Kings or eighth Regt and unto his Heirs or assigns forever, a Lot of ground begining at the N.W. end of St Honore Street,26 and on the east side; continuing in a line with said street as far as the Run or ditch which terminates the Grand Parade; then turning towards the East, 24 Henry Bird received a commission as lieutenant, Oct. 3, 1764. Four years later he was assigned to the Eighteenth Regiment, and May 11, 1778, was promoted to the rank of captain. W. C. Ford, British Officers Serving in the American Revolution 1774-1783 (Brooklyn, 1897), 28. A considerable account of his military career is given by William Renwick Riddell in his Old Province Tales, Upper Canada (Toronto, 1920), 4 ff., and numerous documents concerning him are found in the Mich. Pio. Colls. Riddell characterizes Bird as "one of the most active and efficient officers in the British service." He came to Detroit from Niagara in the autumn of 1778. The garrison at Detroit was then expecting an attack by Colonel Brodhead, and, deeming the existing fort on the water-front wholly indefensible, the construction of the new Fort Lernoult, at the intersection of Fort and Shelby Streets, was hastily begun. In the absence from Detroit of the regular engineer officer, Captain Bird laid out and planned the new fortification. About the same time the Americans were building Fort Laurens on the upper Ohio as an outpost in their progress toward Detroit. In the spring of 1779, therefore, Bird was sent to take post at Sandusky, where he organized a force which laid siege to Fort Laurens and brought about its abandonment by the Americans. During this period he exhibited his humanity by interceding with his red allies who were about to torture a prisoner, and cursing them when they ignored his plea for mercy. The following year (1780) Bird headed an expedition which raided the Kentucky settlements, and carried off the inhabitants of Martin's and Ruddell's stations. See Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, Vol. IV, No. 2. The manuscript list and pay roll of the Detroit volunteers who went on this expedition is contained in the ledger of Macomb, Edgar, and Macomb, now in the Burton Hist. Coll. At the close of the Revolution, Bird and several others, chiefly army officers, obtained from the natives a grant of land seven miles square at the mouth of Detroit River. Bird's portion was on the present site of Amherstburg, and a manuscript in the Burton Hist. Coll. shows that he paid William Lee for clearing sixteen acres of this land by assigning to him a "wench" named Esther, who had fallen to his share in the division of the plunder taken at Martin's Station in 1780. A document in the Askin Papers shows that in 1796 Captain Bird was living in retirement in England on half-pay, and that he then intended to return to America. He subsequently joined the Fifty-fourth Regiment and assisted in crushing the Irish rebellion. He then joined the expedition to Egypt, where he died in 1801. See, in addition to references already cited, Wis. Hist. Colls., XXIII and XXIV, passim. 2.5 St. Honore Street began in front of the fort and ran thence to the river. Its nearest approximation today would be Shelby Street north of Fort. 186 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS and bounded by the said Run, continues as far as the fence which encloses that part of the Kings garden occupied by the Officers of the eighth Regt, then returning by the side of said fence as far as the Kings Stables, and following the division in front of said Stables as they now stand, to the side of Street-The whole Lot containing 2029 square Yards more or less Witness Given under my hand and Seal this William Edgar twentieth day of may, in the Year of our Lord 1781 At S. De Peyster (L.S.) Major K [torn] Command [torn] Registered in the Register of Detroit No 2, pages 299 & 300 by me T. Williams Recorder Recorded in the Land office at Detroit in Liber E folio 11 &c by me Geo Hoffman Register Plan of the House and Lot26 Endorsed: Deed of Capt H. Birds House & Lot 16 A diagram of the tract granted follows at this point in the original manuscript. 187 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN JOHN ASKIN AND HAMILTON AND CARTWRIGHT THIS Indenture made & entered into by John Askin of Detroit on the one Part, and Hamilton27 & Cartwright,28 Merchants of Niagara, on the other, Witnesseth: that the said Parties have agreed to enter into a Partnership for the Purpose of carrying on Trade at Niagara, Detroit, and other of the upper Posts, on the Conditions following, namely: That this Copartnership commence with the Transactions of John Askin at Detroit from the first Day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty; and of Hamilton & Cartwright at Niagara from the fifteenth of April one thousand seven hundred & eighty one; and continue till the first Day of May, one thousand seven hundred & eighty four. 17 Robert Hamilton was the eldest son of Rev. John Hamilton, minister of Bolton in East Lothian, Scotland, and was born about the year 1749. In 1778 he entered upon a three-year engagement with one of the Ellices of Montreal, in consequence of which he came out to Canada. In 1779 he was located at Carleton Island, at the east end of Lake Ontario, and the next year, apparently, removed to Niagara. Some years later he established himself at the lower end of the Niagara portage and thus became the founder of Queenston. He was a man of much ability, who was long accounted one of the leading characters of Upper Canada. He prospered in trade and at the time of his death his fortune is said to have amounted to ~200,000. He was a member of the Land Board of Upper Canada in 1791, and of the first Executive Council of the province a year later. He was also the first judge of the District of Nassau, one of the four districts into which western Canada was divided by Lord Dorchester. In 1785 he married Catherine Askin Robertson, widow of Captain Samuel Robertson; they had five sons, several of whom were destined to prominent r6les in the history of western Canada. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1796 and Hamilton married (second) Mary Herkimer, widow of Neil McLean, by whom he also had several children. He died at Queenston, March 23, 1809. Information adapted from sketch in Buffalo Hist. Soc. Pubs., VI, 73-95; data in Niagara Hist. Soc. Papers, No. 25 (Niagara, 1913); and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. His will is printed in the Ontario Hist. Soc., Papers and Records, XXIII, 344-50. z8 Richard Cartwright was born at Albany, Feb. 2, 1759. In the Revolution the family supported the loyalist cause, and in consequence removed from New York to Canada. Richard served for a time as secretary to Colonel Butler of ranger fame. In youth he had planned to enter the ministry, but on account of the difficulties suffered by the church in the confusion growing out of the Revolution he abandoned the idea and entered upon a mercantile career as partner of Robert Hamilton. He attained success in this, and for many years took an active part in the politics of Upper Canada, serving as member of the Executive Council of the province for twenty-three years, from its formation in 1792 until his death in 1815. He also served as justice of the Court of Common Pleas. See C. E. Cartwright (ed.), Life and Letters of the Late Hon. Richard Cartwright (Toronto, 1876). 188 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS That the Stock in Trade do consist of such Goods as either of the Parties had on Hand at the Time abovementioned for the Commencement of this Copartnership; and of all Purchaces since made; and also of such Sums of Money as shall hereafter be put in by the different Partners, for which the Company shall allow them 5 P Cent Interest. That the Goods at Detroit belonging to Mr Askin in the Month of October 1q80, being intire Packages, be considered as put into the Concern at that time at 80 P Cent Advance; but the Goods belonging to Hamilton & Cartwright, remaining on Hand the 15th April 1781, being only the Remainder of an Assortment, are to be rated at first Cost and Expences; Liquors excepted, on which a further Charge of 5 P Cent is allowed. That the Goods already come out for Hamilton & Cartwright, this Year, from England, as well as those expected out in their Name, be considered as the Company's, and be liable only to the Charge of 5 P Cent at the Foot of the English Invoice, That all Goods purchased this Year in Canada by either of the Parties, be charged no more than they cost, and go up at the charge & Risque of the Company. That the Business of the Concern be managed at Niagara by Hamilton & Cartwright; and at Detroit, and the Posts beyond it, by John Askin himself, or proper Persons under his immediate Direction and Controul. That each of the Houses keep their Accounts with each other with the same Exactness as though they were not connected; that their Orders for Goods be distinct & separate, and that they transmit Copies of these Orders to each other for mutual Information. That each of the Houses keep clear & distinct Accounts of all their Transactions, agreeable to the Custom of Merchants, which shall be closed every Year on the first Day of March, and exact Copies thereof transmitted from the one to the other as soon after as possible. That neither of the Parties be concerned in any Trade directly or indirectly apart from the general Interest of the Company. 189 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS That, however, any Partner may order on his private Credit any thing he may want for his own or Family's particular Use. That the Parties keep exact Accounts of their House Expences from the first Day of September next till the Conclusion of the Partnership; and that all Articles for this Use be charged at first Cost and Expences, with an Addition of 5 P Cent for Risque, and carried to the Debit of each of the Parties, respectively, every Year on closing the Accounts. That, on Account of the Expences of Living at Detroit, being greater than at Niagara, an allowance be made by the Company of five hundred Pounds N. Y. Currency to the House at the former Place, and three hundred & Fifty Pounds at the latter, for their annual Charges of House Keeping, which shall be carried to their respective Credits, on closing the Yearly Accounts. That as John Askin has carried on the Business at Detroit at his own Expence from the first Day of October last, and is still so to do till the first Day of September next, his Account is to be credited for that Time in Proportion to the yearly Allowance made the House at Detroit for their Expences, as also for a Clerk & Mans Wages for that Time. That Hamilton & Cartwright's Family Expences are to be at the Charge of the Company from the 15th April to the 1't Septr next, as also their Clerk and Servants Wages. That no Partner take upon himself to lend Money on the Company's Account; or to withdraw any Sums exceeding two hundred Pounds N. Y. Currency, yearly from the Stock he shall have put into Trade, which Stock is to be settled on the first Day of March 1782. That a reasonable Rent be allowed for a House at Niagara, and one at Detroit to carry on the Business in; and should the Business require additional Storehouses at either Place they are to be built or purchased at the Company's Expence; and at the Expiration of the Copartnership, to be disposed of for their Benefit, to the best Advantage. The latter Part of this Article to be extended to the two small Vessels, and the Buildings at St Mary's put into the Concern 190 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS by Mr Askin. It is however understood, that, if either of the Parties choose to retain in their Hands the Buildings belonging to the Company, at the Place they reside, it shall be at their option so to do, on paying the Company what they cost. That the Wages for the Clerks & Servants that may be necessary for carrying on the Business at either Place, be paid by the Company in general. That the House of Hamilton & Cartwright and of John Askin, or John Askin & Co. have each one Half, or equal Share in this Copartnership, and divide alike -he Whole of the Profits or Losses arising therefrom. That the present Concern be in no wise accountable for any Transactions of either of the Parties previous to the Terms of its Commencement aforementioned. That if either of the Parties should be unwilling to continue this Connection longer than 'till the Month of May 1784, they shall make known their Intentions to the other before the first Day of September 1783, that a general Settlement may take Place. That if any of the Partners should die before the Expiration of the Copartnership at the Time aforementioned, it is to be considered as dissolved, in Course, by his Death, and to terminate on the first Day of May next succeeding such Event. That as the Business which the House of Hamilton & Cartwright may have to do in Canada, is to be transacted by Messr" Todd & McGill who have a part in said House, they are to have the same Allowance made them on that Account, as shall be paid by the House at Detroit to their Agent in Canada for the same Business. That the Goods which may remain on Hand at the Expiration of this Copartnership be divided, unless the Parties can agree otherwise; and the Debts which may be owing be collected free of Commission by each of the Parties at their respective Places of Residence, and be accounted for as soon as one hundred Pounds is received. That if any Differences should arise between the Parties in any thing relative to the Concern, such Differences shall 191 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS be determined by two or more indifferent Persons, equally chosen by both. In Testimony of our free & full Assent to the above Agreement, and of our Intention to perform & fulfil every Article thereof, We the abovementioned Parties have hereunto set our Hands and Seals at Niagara the third Day of August, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty one. Hamilton & Cartwright (L.S.) Witness present. John Askin (L.S.) D Mercer Richard Beasley29 Endorsed: Niagara Augt 3d 1781 Act of Partnership between Messr" Hamilton & Cartwright & Jn~ Askin. 29 Richard Beasley was a trader who, prior to the year 1792, was established at the western end of Lake Ontario, where the city of Hamilton has since developed. It would seem from statements of J. Ross Robertson, editor of Mrs. Simcoe's Diary (p. 324-25), that Beasley's descendants are still living in this vicinity. See also Journal of P. Campbell, reprinted in Niagara Hist. Soc., Papers, No. 26, p. 12, and Wentworth Hist. Soc., Journal and Transactions, IV, 17-18. 192 Dr. Mr MONTAGUE TRAMBELL30 in account Current with SARAH ANIS81 Cr. Dr.~~~~~~~~ M- MOTAU TRABE- in — acon uretwt AAHAI r.11 1 11 - i 1/01 July Septr Octobi 4 26n( 2 8 15 19 d To 1 doe skin from Locooct ToAmountof sundrys of Inventory & Debts Recd... To 1 smoaked skin fromThebeau for a boy at Mackina To Sundrys............ To Jacko St. Obien32... To Sundries as pr day Book To Cash from Thos Cox... To Wampam............ To Madam Crities33 Butter To Credits to Receive..... To 1 Pig you sold........ N Yk Currancy 13 1 100 8 ~2620 2489 5 16 10 8 8 13 10 10i6 2 6 2 ii 10 5 I! 1781 June July Octobr 1782 January FebrY I I 20 23 22 31 c( <c ~c 4t IC ft tc 3 4 i I By Cash paid T. Williams Esqr By ditto do George Cottril34.. By ditto do James Thompson. By ditto dO Nathen Williams35 By do do Alexander Macomb & C~...................... By ditto do David White36.... By 1 Ell Brown Coating. ~1 By 5tb Butter............ 1 By 2 Legs Venison. 16 By 21b Cheese... 8 By 4tb Sugar.... 12 By 2tb Brown Sugar...... 5 By J/lb Green Tea....... 16 By 1lb Coffee............ 5 By 2 pint Tacks......... 7 By Cash paid for Mending Shirts................ By a Small given Create.... By 2J Gallons of Rum for land........... 2.10. By your Note of hand. 500. By Cash paid T & Bennerman............ 63. By ditto paid Laughton for Fright...... 18 15. By 2 Black Handkfrs.. 15.6 By 1 pr Morkinsons... 4. By 1 Shirt............ By Sundry Provisions pr Acct. at Parting................ By Ballance due S Anis...... ai I I 5 5 20 1 19' 41 3 8 6 1 9 3 1 I 9 12 1 14 14 18 9 i i 14 8" 6 4 t I t_ 0 z an td En i 586 4 6 103 4 11 1639 8 014 980 14 4 ~2620 2 5 IErrors Excepted N Yk Cy. II Detroit 23rd February 1783 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 30 The Tremblay (Tremble) family is numerously represented in Detroit and vicinity. Pierre Tremblay, founder of the American line, was born in the diocese of Chartres, France, in 1626 and married at Quebec, Oct. 2, 1657, Ozanne Achon, also a native of France. A son, Michael Tremblay, born at Quebec, Sept. 10, 1662, married Genevieve Bouchard, June 20, 1686. Of their large family of children at least three, Pierre (born in 1708), Augustin (born, March 6, 1710), and Ambrose came to Detroit in the summer of 1750 and settled on farms in Grosse Pointe, thus establishing the Detroit line, or lines, of Tremblay. Presumably Montague Tremblay was a son of one of these brothers, each of whom reared a large family. He was engaged in trade at Detroit about the close of the Revolution, but we have not succeeded in constructing a sketch of his career. Genealogical information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 31 There are numerous contemporary references to this interesting person, yet we have not succeeded in constructing a satisfactory outline of her career. That she was engaged in trade is established by numerous manuscript references in the Burton Hist. Coll. The Macomb ledger for 1775 records that she was also called Montour, while in a grant of land made by some Indian chiefs to Jonathan Schieffelin in 1788 (recorded in Detroit Notarial Records, Vol. D., original in Ottawa, copy in Burton Hist. Coll.) she is described as "Sarah Ainse alias Wilson." John Porteous records in his journal (ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.) that in the autumn of 1766 he met on Lake Erie Sally Montour going "with one boat and some goods to winter at Grand Point." The possibility that she was the "Mrs. Ainse" of Askin's diary at Mackinac in 1774-75 has been mentioned ante, 31. Her name is included in the Detroit census of 1779, and in De Peyster's list of merchandise ordered by the merchants of Detroit for 1780 she is credited with two bateau-loads. Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX, 589. In 1785 she was trading with the Moravian Indians on Huron River, and offered to give them a "good strip" of her land "on the east side of St. Clair." David Zeisberger, Diary (Cincinnati, 1885), I, 248. In May, 1787, Sarah Ainse "of Detroit" sold a lot within the fort to Grubb and Dowler, boat builders, for ~350. Detroit Notarial Records, Vol. D. It seems probable that she was a sister or other connection of Andrew Montour, a noted half-breed of the Seven Years' War period and later, for whom see sketch in Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 227. His mother was a French woman who married an Iroquois chief of the Mohawk tribe. Andrew began his career as an interpreter in 1744, and his biography is a part of the history of the Ohio frontier. Zeisberger's Diary records (Vol. II, 148-49) that he had two sisters, Mary and Catherine, and our surmise is that Sally Montour, alias Ainse, alias Wilson, was a daughter of one of these, or, possibly, a third sister. However this may be, she was obviously of mixed blood and was regarded by the Indians as one of themselves. In 1788 they granted her a tract of land at the mouth of the Thames River in modern Kent County, Ontario. Her title to this was later disputed and over it a long controversy was waged, which served, incidentally, to bring out the fact that she was held in high esteem both by the Chippewa and by the Iroquois. Joseph Brant, the Mohawk chieftain, stated on June 28, 1795, that "she is one of ourselves and has been of service to us in Indian affairs at this place [Detroit]." Mich. Pio. Colls., XII, 173. Considerable information about the settlement developed around the River Thames grant to Sarah Ainse is assembled in Louis Goulet's "Phases of the Sally Ainse Dispute," in Kent Hist. Soc., Papers and Addresses, Vol. V. (Chatham, 1921), 92-95. On May 10, 1824, letters of administration for the estate of Sarah Ainse, late of Amherstburg, deceased, were granted to George Jacob and James Gordon as executors of the estate of Richard Pattinson, she having left no kindred in the province of Upper Canada. Ms. in archives in Ottawa. On the history of the Montour family see Hodge (ed.) Handbook of American Indians. 32 The numerous members of the Detroit line of St. Aubin are descended from two distinct families of France. One lived at Dieppe, in Normandy, whence Adrian St. Aubin migrated to Canada and married at Montreal, Feb. 19, 1680, Jane Margaret Blois, daughter of Julian Blois and Margaret Leclerc. A grandson of this couple, Joseph St. Aubin, born at Montreal, April 2, 1707, married at Lachine, Sept. 3, 1731, Julia Cuillerier, a native of that place. He removed with his family to Detroit in 194 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 1750. Here he was killed by an Indian, and was buried at Sandwich, Nov. 29, 1774. He left several children. The other line of St. Aubin sprang from Jean Casse dit St. Aubin, who was born in the village of St. Aubin, archdiocese of Bordeaux, in 1659. He became a soldier, and in 1707 came to Detroit as corporal of the garrison. He had previously married (Feb. 7, 1707) at Quebec Mary Louisa Gaultier, daughter of Mathurin Gaultier and Ann Girault. On March 10,1708, he was granted a lot by Cadillac, lying at the intersection of modern Shelby Street and Jefferson Avenue. Within a few years St. Aubin left the army and engaged in trade. In 1734 he procured a grant of land east of the fort, 4 arpents wide by 40 deep, extending eastward from modern Baldwin Avenue, later designated as Private Claim 38. He was buried at Detroit, Feb. 27, 1759, aged one hundred years. Mary Louisa Gaultier was buried, April 26, 1768, aged ninety years. The couple had nine children, and these in their turn increased and multiplied. The second son, Pierre, born at Detroit, May 2, 1709, married at Montreal, Feb. 14, 1735, Margaret Fourneau dit Brindamour, whose mother, Elizabeth Price, had been carried captive to Canada from the Deerfield massacre of March 11, 1704. Thus was a strain of New England blood introduced into the St. Aubin family of French Detroit. Which one of the grandsons of William Casse dit St. Aubin the "Jacko" of this document was, we have been unable to determine. Denissen, op. cit. 33 Jean Crete, born in France in 1626, married at Quebec, Sept. 13, 1654, Margaret Gosselin, daughter of Vincent Gosselin and Mary Soudemer. Their great-grandson, Jean Baptiste Crete, born at Beauport, March 20, 1736, married (second) at Montreal, Feb. 11, 1760, Mary Joseph Aymond, daughter of Jean Baptiste Aymond and Louisa Margaret Gibaut. About the year 1772 the family removed to Detroit and located on a farm at the Grand Marais in Grosse Pointe. Jean Baptiste and Mary both died in 1796. The latter made the butter which figures in this transaction. Denissen, op. cit. Entries in an account book kept by Crete, now preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll., indicate that he followed the carpenter trade. 34 George Cottrell was of Pennsylvania German descent. His father (named Holfer) and family were massacred by the Indians, who carried George, then five years of age, a captive to Canada. Here he was ransomed and adopted by one Cottrell. He married at Detroit in 1781 Cecilia Creque, daughter of Jean Baptiste Creque and Magdelene Gastinon dit Duch~ne. He secured from the British authorities a grant of land on the St. Clair River where modern Cottrellsville, St. Clair County, Michigan, is located, and settled here about the year 1791. He became a man of considerable influence locally, as evidenced by the governmental appointments he held. In 1796 he was appointed captain of militia by Winthrop Sargent, acting governor of the Northwest Territory. In 1805 Governor Hull appointed him justice of the peace for the Huron district, and the same year captain in the First Regiment of militia and (subsequently) lieutenant colonel. Cottrell was the parent of ten children, to whom numerous descendants trace their ancestry. Genealogical information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 35 Nathan Williams is described as an "able Master Carpenter" by Major De Peyster, who in 1780 appointed him to appraise the buildings on Hog Island. Not long after this he appears in the guise of a merchant, when signing a petition to the commandant for relief in the matter of collection of debts. When the Quaker delegation of peacemakers from Pennsylvania visited Detroit in 1793, Williams was living some miles up the river "at the entrance of Lake St. Clair." They found him "an intelligent man," and intimately acquainted with Indian affairs. With the establishment of American rule in 1796 Williams was appointed one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Wayne County. He died, March 5, 1798, and is said to have been the first person buried with Masonic rites in Detroit. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 36 David White was engaged in trade at Detroit. In 1780 he ordered four bateauloads of goods from Canada in a total of ninety listed from Detroit this year. In 1787 he was one of the subscribers to the fund for the support of Rev. George Mitchell at Detroit. A letter of Alexander Henry to Elijah Brush written Sept. 18, 1804, on 195 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ARBITRATION OF LEGAL DISPUTE Nous arbitres indifferement choisis pour deceder une affaire et differend entre les Sieurs Jean Marie Durand et Joseph Gilbeau somme d'opinion que le dit Sr Guilebeau est oblige de payer les dettes comme est plus amplement expliqu6 par un quittance pass6 pardevant temoin le 3 d'octobre 1782 meme pour la Maison presentement en possession du dit Sieur Durand, mais que si le dit Sieur Durand veut garder la dite Maison pour son compte il payerai au dit Sieur Gilbeau la Somme de cinquante pontes du cours de la nouvelle York, cela est notre sentence et opinion au Detroit le 21 May 1783. (Sign6) J Cabasier J Lasselle joseph gamelin J Dubois pour vraie Copie T. Williams Translation We as unprejudiced arbiters chosen to give decision in a matter of dispute between Jean Marie Durand37 and Joseph Guilbaut, are of the opinion that the said Guilbaut should pay the debts as more fully and explicitly set forth in a discharge acknowledged before witnesses on October 3rd, 1782, even for the house now in the possession of the said the subject of the debts owed by the firm of Thomas Williams and John Casety, states that David White was one of two principal creditors, and implies that he was no longer at Detroit. 37 Jean Marie Arseneau dit Durand married at Detroit, Nov. 20, 1781, Catherine Guilbaut, daughter of Jean Guilbaut dit La Jeunesse and Mary Joseph Marcheteau dit Desnoyers. Jean Guilbaut, founder of the Detroit line of Guilbaut, was a native of Saintonge, France, and a tailor by occupation. He married at Montreal, Jan. 17, 1757, Mary Joseph Marcheteau dit Desnoyers and about the year 1759 the couple removed to Detroit. This couple had four children, two of whom died in childhood. The others were Catherine, born June 9, 1762, and Joseph, born May 22, 1764. The parties to this dispute were brothers-in-law, and it is evident from data compiled by Denissen that of the arbitrators at least Cabasier and Gamelin were related to the disputants. The dispute was largely a family matter, therefore; its settlement serves to illustrate the system of arbitration in force at Detroit for the settlement of disputes in the absence of laws and courts of justice. 196 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Durand, but and if the said Durand wishes to keep the said house on his own account,. he is to pay the said Guilbaut the sum of fifty pounds, New York currency. Such is our opinion and our decision, as given at Detroit, May 21, 1783. (Signed) J. Cabasier38 J. Lacelle39 Joseph Gamelin40 J. Dubois A true copy. T. Williams. 38 The American founder of the family of Cabasier (Cabassier) was Pierre, born in Toulouse in 1641, who married at Montreal, July 23, 1669, Jane Guiberge, daughter of Pierre Guiberge and Mathurine Des Bordes. Pierre Cabasier became a sergeant in the army and was slain by the English in the battle of Laprairie in 1691, and buried at Montreal on August 11 of that year. Charles Cabasier, born at Montreal, Oct. 21, 1677, son of Pierre and Jane Guiberge, was in Detroit in June, 1707, and died prior to 1734. He married at Montreal, Aug. 3, 1705, Margaret Angelica Renault and to them were born two children, Charlotte and Joseph, both of whom became residents of Detroit. Charlotte, born at Montreal, July 23, 1712, married there (second) Jean Baptiste Tessier, Feb. 9, 1750. She was buried at Detroit, Jan. 2, 1783. Joseph Cabasier, born at Montreal, May 2, 1722, married at Detroit, Jan. 10, 1752, Angelica Bienvenu dit Delisle, widow of Claude Esprit dit Champagne, and daughter of Francis Bienvenu dit Delisle and Mary Ann Le Moyne. She was buried at Detroit, Dec. 14, 1773, and Joseph married (second), Jan. 15, 1781, Angelique Moran, widow of Joseph Paschal Viger, and daughter of Vincent Moran and Angelique Jusseaume dit St. Pierre. Angelique Moran was buried, Nov. 24, 1789; Joseph Cabasier, on April 16, 1796. Denissen, op. cit. 39 The Lacelles (Lasselles) of Detroit and vicinity were descended from Jacques Lacelle, a carpenter by trade, who was born in the diocese of Paris in 1670, and married at Montreal, Aug. 8, 1698, Angelica Gibaut, daughter of Gabriel Gibaut and Susanne Durand. They had several children, the eldest being Jacques, who was born at Boucherville, June 5, 1701. With the possible exception of Jacques, all subsequently removed to Detroit, one daughter being the wife of Pierre Descomps dit Labadie and another the wife of Hyacinthe Reaume. Jacques Lacelle married at Montreal, Feb. 16, 1732, Mary Ann Lalande, a native of Lachine. Their sons were Jacques, signer of this document, and Antoine, both of whom figure prominently in the history of Detroit and of the Maumee and Wabash valleys. The first named was born at Montreal, May 1, 1735. He married at Lachine, Feb. 18, 1765, Teresa Berthelet dit Savoyard. Soon after this he removed to Detroit, where he engaged in the Indian trade, operating particularly in the Maumee and adjacent regions. Some time prior to 1776 he located at Miamitown (modern Fort Wayne), where his son, Hyacinthe, and possibly other children, were born. The family hastily fled the place in advance of La Balme's expedition of 1780, taking refuge, apparently, at Detroit, where Jacques was buried, Aug. 14, 1791. Genealogical information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. Three sons of the Jacques Lacelle here noted, Jacques, Antoine, and Francis, were prominent early settlers of Monroe. 40 Joseph Gamelin was a son of Laurence Eustache Gamelin and Mary Joseph Dudevoir, for whom see ante, 27. He was born at Detroit on May 5, 1748, and married at Sandwich, April 7, 1783, Mary Ann Ch6ne dit Labutte, daughter of Pierre Ch6ne dit Labutte and Mary Ann.Cuillerier dit Beaubien. His younger brother, Francis married Teresa, daughter of Joseph Cabasier and Angelica Bienvenu dit Delisle, which fact probably accounts for Joseph's participation in the present dispute. Denissen, op. cit. 197 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS INDENTURE OF LOUIS ST. LOUIS TO GABRIEL HUNOT Pardevant Thomas Williams Ecuyer Notaire au Detroit y resident Soussign6, Fut present Louis St Louis lequel s'est voluntairement engage est s'engage par ces presentes au Sieur Gabriel Hunot, en qualit6 d'engage pour rester avec luy le terme et espace d'un an, de la date des presentes, pour avoir bien et duement soin de tout ce que luy sera mis entre les mains, servir, obeir, & executer fidelement tout ce que le dit Sr Hunot ou tous autres ses representants luy commanderons de licite et honn6te, faire son profit eviter son dommage lui en avertir s'il vient a sa connoissance et generalement tout ce qu un bon engag6 doit et est oblige de faire; sans pouvoir faire aucune traite particulier s'absentir ni quitter le dit Service pendant le dit terme, Sous les peines port6es par les ordonnances et de perdre ses gages. Cet Engagement ainsi fait Moyennant la Somme de Sept cent cinquante livres ancient cours de Quebec, une Chemise de Cotton, une pre de Culotes de Cotton et une Couverte blanche. Car ainsi &ca Promettant &ca Obligeant &ca Renongant &ca Fait et Pass6 au Detroit L'an mil Sept cent quatre vingt quatre et le trente Juin et Ont le dit Sr Hunot et dit engag6 declar6s ni Scavoir Signer ils ont cependant fait leurs marques Ordinaire lecture faite. sa Louis X St Louis Marque sa Gabriel X Hunot Marque T. Williams Notaire Endorsed: Engagement de Louis St Louis a Gabriel Hunot 30e Juin 1784. 198 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Translation BEFORE Thomas Williams, esquire, undersigned notary at Detroit and there resident, appeared Louis St. Louis4" who has voluntarily contracted and does contract by these presents with Gabriel Hunot42 in his service to stay with him for the term and space of one year from the date hereof, to have a good and trustworthy care of all that will be placed in his hands, to serve, obey and faithfully to execute all that the said Hunot or his representatives shall demand so far as such demands may be lawful and honest, to work for the advantage of said Hunot and to avoid whatever may be disadvantageous by giving due warning of the same, should he have knowledge thereof, and in general, to do all that a good servant should do and is bound to do; with no privilege of engaging in trade on his own account, nor to absent himself nor to quit the said service during the 41 Louis Villers dit St. Louis, born in the province of Lorraine in 1708, migrated to Canada and on Aug. 22, 1746, married at Detroit, Mary Joseph Morin, native of St. Ours and daughter of Peter Morin and Mary Joseph Daunet. He resided at "Petite C6te du Sud dite Misere" (below modern Sandwich); he was buried at Detroit, Dec. 23, 1765; his widow, Mary Joseph Morin, was buried at Sandwich, Sept. 6, 1793. To them were born ten children, the eldest being the Louis Villers dit St. Louis who was a party to the contract here printed. He was born at Detroit, June 8, 1747. On Jan. 9, 1775, he married at Sandwich, Charlotte Regindeau dit Joachim, whose parents resided at Boucherville. On the American occupation of Detroit, St. Louis signified his desire to remain a British subject. He was buried at Sandwich, June 3, 1826, leaving a large family of children to perpetuate his line. See Denissen, op. cit. 42 The Hunot (Hunault, Hunaud) line descended from Toussaint Hunault dit Deschamps, born in 1628 in France, who married at Montreal, Nov. 23, 1654, Mary Lorgueil, a native of the city of Rouen. Their grandson, Gabriel Hunault, born at Montreal, May 30, 1695, was thrice married, the second wife being Mary Joseph Cristin. Two sons of this union (Gabriel, born at Montreal, March 26, 1721, and Toussaint, born at Sorel, March 18, 1725) came to Detroit, the former as early as 1766. He engaged in the Indian trade over a long period of years. He operated at Sandusky for a time, where he gained control over "divers large tracts of land," which he claimed to own through "sale and actual settlement and improvement." One such tract, sold to John Askin prior to 1805, is described as fronting nine miles on Lake Erie, with a depth of six miles, and having the Huron River running through it. This tract Askin later sought to dispose of to one Major Dean, who professed to be the agent of some prospective settlers from Connecticut. Hunot's trading ventures extended as far as New Madrid on the Mississippi. Probably the Illinois family of the same name, one of whose members figures in history as St. Louis's first bridegroom, is connected with the Detroit Hunots. Gabriel lived with an Indian woman, after the fashion of traders. They had at least one son, also named Gabriel, born in 1778 and baptized at Sandwich, March 25, 1783. Information compiled from Denissen, op. cit.; Askin mss., passim; Louis Houck, History of Missouri... (Chicago, 1908) II, 26. 199 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS said term, under penalty of the law and of wages forfeited; this contract thus made being for the sum of seven hundred and fifty livres, twenty sous to the livre, one cotton shirt, one pair of cotton trousers and a white blanket. FOR THUS &c., promising &c., obliging &c., renouncing &c. Duly executed at Detroit in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, June the thirtieth, and both the said Hunot and the said servant having said that they cannot write, they have made their customary marks, after reading hereof. his Louis X St. Louis mark T. Williams, Notary his Gabriel X Hunot mark Endorsed: Contract of Louis St. Louis in service to Gabriel Hunot, June 30, 1784. BOUNTY LANDS OF ALEXANDER GRANT Detroit July 7th 1784 Sir Having no oppertunity of writing you since the year 75, And matters in this Country having taken another turn since that time I shall be much obliged to you to pleas deliver Wm Edgar Esqr. the order of the Lieut Governor and Council of the late Colonie of new york to me for 5000 Acres of land, as a reduced Master and Commander on the Lakes at the peace 1763, also the Mandamus of The King & Council to Commissary McLean for 5000 acres. I am Sir Your Most obedient and most Humbe Servt To Mr John Kelly Alex Grant Endorsed: 1784. Copie of a letter to Mr Kelly Survey SALE OF PELTRIES Montreal 11 October 1784 Dear Sirs We now inclose you copies of the different sales of Furrs shipped last year for your account, on which 200 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS it is pleasing to remark there arises a very handsome profit vizt on those of mark B........-......)............... ~794. 1.7Stg of purchases from McCombs on d~ m ark A.......................................... 34. 6.2 d~ on d~ J A A.............................................. 41.19.5 ond~JA T W C..................................... 752.12.3 on d~ J B B —Barthes...........................- 349.11.3 ~1972.10.8 Sterling equal to ~2191.14.1 Currency carried to the Credit of your Account. It would afford us satisfaction could we hold out to you similar hopes against another year, but we fear much for deer Skins, as the quantity going home greatly exceeds that of last year & we are sorry to remark that those from the Messrs MaCombs turn out of very inferior quality, nor are the Raccons of their parcell any thing so good as those of last year; and to add to these untoward circumstances there is yet near to 400 packs not come down, on which we fear an additional premium of 2 P ct must be paid as there remains but small hopes of our being able to get them on board the vessells which are to sail from Quebec on the 25th Inst Ever since the arrival of our Mr Todd our time has been so much taken up with baling Furrs & promising Frends to answer the heavy drafts from above that we have not looked into the Accounts he brought down & we must now defer it untill all the Shipping are gone. We have now nearly made provision to get through the business of this year with the same regard to your drafts as heretofore, that is, that no man can say he has ever called twice for money that was due. We think we may now flatter ourselves with things going on more smoothly in future, & that we shall be more free from perplexity & anxiety than has been the case for two or three years past. We have hitherto as you may have observed declined making any charge for our trouble of shipping Furrs to 201 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS England, tho' most certainly it creates more employment than importing Goods, nor is it our intention to make any charge on what is past, but on all future Shippments as well as on those of this year we mean to make a charge of One & a Half per cent, which we daresay you will think reasonable for that kind of Agency. The Merchants at home charge 22 p ct altho' they never see a Skin, whilst we are obliged to do every thing ourselves & we assure you it is not a small business to go properly through with. We are with much esteem Dear Sirs, Your sincere Friends Todd & McGill Messrs John Askin & C~ Endorsed: Letter from Messr" Todd & McGill to J11 Askin & C~ relative to the Sale of Peltries dated at Montreal the 11th Octr 1784 SUIT BETWEEN GABRIEL HUNOT AND HYACINTHE OUI 1784 octobre 15 Mess"r Thomas Fincheley John Martin & nathan williams Committ6 Mr Unau contre yacinte Oui Le plaintif demande raison de ce que le defendant a laisse Son Service Etant Engage pour un an. Cette Conduite du defendant ayant Expos6 le plaintif a des grands dangers et lui ayant occasion6 des fraix montant Suivant le compte produit a la Somme de trente et deux Pounds quatre Shelins cours de la nouvelle york.....-.....................................~...32.4 dont le plaintif Charge le defendant de la moitie Seize Pounds deux Shelins -..~........... -...-................. ~16.2 plus pour avances quil lui a fait tant En argent quen Effets dix Pounds..................................... 10 total ~26.2 nous Sommes dopinion que le defendant doit payer au plaintif la dite Somme avec les fraix Seize Shelins......... [16] 202 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS faisant ensable la somme de vingt six Pounds dix huit Shelins Cy...........................-........................... ~26.18 Donne au Detroit le 15 octobre 1784 gllme Monforton greffier Le dit yacinte oui nayant pu trouver ni payer la susdite Somme a Ete mis en prison dont les fraix pour Sa nourriture ont monte a quatorze Shelins Cy..................... 14 ~27.12 et ne pouvant trouver caution En est Sorti aux Conditions que pour payer la dite Somme il a promis et promet ne pas quitter le Detroit Sans en donner avis a Mr askin Representant le Sieur hunau et que Sil trouve a SEngager pour aller hiverner dans les postes de traitte il ne pourra partir Sans faire Repondre au dit Sieur askin de la Susdite Somme par le Bourgeois au quel il Sengagera. Car ainsi & Promettant obligeant fait et passe au Detroit lan mil Sept cent quatre vingt quatre et le vingt et un du mois doctobre et a le dit yacinte oui a declare ni Savoir Signer de ce Requis Lecture faite il a fait Sa marque ordinaire En presence du Sieur Dequindre qui a Signe comme temoin Sa ant Dequindre yacinte X oui marque gllme Monforton greffier Endorsed: Copie de jugement Entre le Sieur unau et yacinte oui, 1784. 203. BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Translation 1784 October 15. Messrs Thomas Finchley,43 John Martin44 and Nathan Williams, Committee. Mr. Hunot vs. Hyacinthe Oui. The plaintiff demands the reason as to why the defendant left his service having been engaged for one year. This conduct on the part of the defendant has exposed the plaintiff to great inconvenience and occasioned an expense, amounting, according to the account produced, to thirty-two pounds, four shillings, New York currency...........................................................~32. 4 Of this amount, the plaintiff charges one half, or sixteen pounds, two shillings to the defendant...-.........~.16. 2 For advances in cash and in goods, ten pounds more....~10 ~26. 2 We are of the opinion that the defendant should pay the plaintiff the said sum, with sixteen shillings additional expenses.................................................... [16] amounting to twenty-six pounds eighteen shillings currency..-.........-...............................^...........- ~26.18 Executed at Detroit, Oct. 15, 1784 William Monforton, Recorder The said Hyacinthe Oui not being able to pay the said sum, has been put in prison, with the additional expense of fourteen shillings currency for his maintenance..-.................................................................................14 ~27.12 43 Thomas Finchley was a merchant of Detroit in the Revolutionary period. In 1774 and for some years later he was a partner in the firm of Finchley and Abbott. In 1780 he was permitted by Colonel De Peyster to visit the Saginaw Bay region, an act which drew a complaint from Governor Sinclair at Mackinac to General Haldimand. Sinclair characterized Finchley as "ill-disposed" to the service, and Haldimand, apparently, coincided in this opinion. See Mich. Pio. Colls., VII, 579 and IX, 640. 44 There were several persons bearing the name of Martin at Detroit in this period. Probably the one here noted was the husband of Cecilia Lambert. They had a son,.204 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Moreover, not being able to procure bail he has been released on condition that he pay the said sum, which he has promised to do, and he further promises not to leave Detroit without giving due notice to Mr. Askin, the representative of Mr. Hunot, and should he engage for service during the winter at any of the trading posts, he will not set out without giving the said Mr. Askin security for the said sum through the'gentleman by whom he will be employed. For thus &c., promising, obliging &c. Duly executed at Detroit in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, the twenty-first day of October, and the said Hyacinthe Oui having said that he cannot sign his name, when asked to do so, has made his accustomed mark, after reading, in the presence of Mr. Dequindre, who has signed as witness. Ant. Dequindre45 his Hyacinthe X Oui mark William Monforton, Recorder Endorsed: Copy of judgment in the suit Hunot vs. Oui. 1784. Thomas, born in the United States in 1780, who married at Sandwich, Feb. 11, 1806, Charlotte Gignac and by her had ten children in the years 1807-25. He was buried there, April 26, 1850. See Denissen, op. cit. John Martin in 1796 signified his intention of remaining a British subject. He was engaged in trade at Detroit, as shown by petitions signed in 1784 and 1785, published in Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 424, 461. 45 The founder of the Dequindre line in America was Michael Dagneau de Douville, Sieur de Quindre, an officer in the French army. He married at Sorel, May 16, 1688, Mary Lamy, daughter of Isaac Lamy and Magdelene Decheurainville of Quebec. They had three sons, one of whom became a resident of Detroit. Louis Cesaire Dagneau de Quindre was born at Sorel, Oct. 8, 1704; he married at Montreal, Dec. 4, 1736, Mary Ann Picote de Bellestre, daughter of Francois Marie Picot6 de Bellestre and Mary Catherine Trotier. He settled at Detroit in 1749, where he became colonel of militia and where he was buried, Feb. 2, 1767. His wife was buried, May 5, 1756. They left a considerable family of sons and daughters. One of these, Antoine, is the person alluded to in the present document. He was born at Detroit, Aug. 24, 1751, and married in 1780 Catherine Desrivieres de la Morandiere. They had ten children, born in the years 1781-99. Dequindre was a man of ability and local prominence. 205 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS GRANT TO CAPTAIN BIRD CONFIRMED Quebec 15th October 1784 Sir Captain Bird of the King's (or 8th) Regiment having memorialed His Excellency General Haldimand46 to confirm a Grant made to Him, by Lieut Colonel De Peyster, of a small Lot of Land & House at Detroit (formerly a BlackSmith's Shop) described therein-I am commanded by His Excellency to acquaint You that in consideration of Captain Bird's particular Services at Detroit, & of His having been at some Expense in fitting up the said House, He is pleased to relinquish to Him all Right to it on the part of the Crown, and desires that You will put Him in possession of it accordingly. I am Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant R Mathews, SecY47 Lieut Governor Hay Appended: Recorded in the Land office at Detroit in Liber E folio 12 &e by me Geo. Hoffman Register Endorsed: Robt Mathews SecretY to the C. in C.-Octbr 15, 1784 Recd 28 January 85 Answered 3 February 85 He was a member of the grand jury which indicted Governor Hull in 1809. Antoine Dequindre, captain of Detroit militia in 1812, who distinguished himself in the Battle of Brownstown, was apparently his eldest son. The elder Dequindre was buried at Detroit, April 5, 1814; Catherine Desrivieres was buried, May 12, 1817. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 46 Sir Frederick Haldimand, lieutenant general, colonel commandant of the Sixtieth Regiment, governor and commander-in-chief in Canada 1778-84, was a native of Switzerland. He served for some years in the Dutch army, from which on Jan. 4, 1756, he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Sixty-second or Royal American (afterward the Sixtieth) Regiment. Thereafter his service in America was continuous until November, 1784, when he returned to England. He died in Switzerland, June 5, 1791. His personal and official papers were later presented to the British Museum by his nephew, and a large number of them are printed in Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX and XX. See Dictionary of National Biography. 47 Robert Mathews was commissioned ensign in the Eighth Regiment, Feb. 28, 1761, and captain May 7, 1777. In 1787 he became commandant at Detroit, continuing in this post a little over a year. For several years he served as military secretary to General Haldimand, and a large number of documents written by or pertaining to him are printed in the Mich. Pio. Colls. 206 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION OF GRANT TO CAPTAIN BIRD Elijah Brush Attorney48 for Capt Henry Bird maketh application to the Honle The Legislate Bord for the adjustment and confirmation of a certain Lot of Ground in the Old Town of Detroit which is perticularly described and set forth in his deed of the same given by the Kings Commanding Officer at Detroit the 20th May 1781, and Afterwards Confirmed by Govr Haldeman at Quebec the 15th Octr 1784. All which together with the evidence of his possession and improvement are herewith submitted By the boards very Humble Servt E Brush Endorsed: The application of E Brush For Henry Bird49 ARBITRATION OF FUR TRADE DISPUTE We the Subscribers Chosen as Arbitrators50 in a Dispute between Messrs Thomas Williams & Leithe51 & Shepherd 52 on 48 Elijah Brush, one of Detroit's earliest lawyers, was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1772. He came to Detroit shortly after the British evacuation and until his death, in 1814, exercised much influence in the affairs of the city and of Michigan. In 1803 he was elected a trustee of Detroit and for several years beginning in 1806 served as treasurer of Michigan Territory. He also held important military offices, being in command of the territorial militia when the War of 1812 opened. In February, 1802, he married Adelaide Askin. In October, 1806, he obtained from John Askin title to the farm originally conceded to Eustache Gamelin on May 1, 1747, which now for over a century has been known as the Brush farm. From it (or from him) Brush Street derives its name. Portions of the farm are still held by descendants of Brush, who have been made wealthy by the growth of the city. Elijah Brush died, April 1, 1814; his wife, Adelaide, died, July 20, 1859. By reason of his personal and business connections with Askin he figures frequently in the Askin Papers. Many documents relating to him are published in the Mich. Pio. Colls. 49 Although this document is undated, it evidently originated in connection with the adjustment of land titles by the Board of Land Commissioners in 1806 and subsequent years. Captain Bird's claim to ownership of this tract was rejected by the Board. See Am. State Papers, Public Lands, I, 268, 276. 5o Throughout almost the entire period of the British occupation of Detroit the legal facilities for administering justice were extremely meager. Hence developed the practice of arbitrating disputes, as set forth in this document. On the entire subject see C. M. Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, I, 160 ff. I George Leith was one of the prominent merchants of Detroit in this period. In 1788 he was represented to a governmental investigating committee at Quebec as a man "of liberal education and highly respected in [Detroit]." From 1789 to 1794 he was a member of the Land Board of the District of Hesse. In 1798 the firm of Leith, Sheperd, and Duff certified that it had maintained a trading house at Malden since the founding of that place. Some of his letters are printed in the Indiana Magazine of History, V, 138 ff. 52 Thomas Shepherd (Sheppard) was a Detroit merchant in the period subsequent 207 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the One part & Mr Montague Tremble on the Other relative to a Quantity of Packs taken by the Latter which the former Claims, having heard what Each of the Parties had to say in their Justification we are of Oppinion that Said Mr Tremble does deliver into the Possession of Mr Thomas Williams & Messrs Leithe & Shephard the Packs now in dispute provided they give him Sufficient Security that so soon as the Necessary Witnesses to clear up this Matter shall be Examined by us that they will then without delay for further Appeal Abide by Our Judgmt of this Matter & pay to Said Montigue Tremble whatever Sum of Money we may then Award as his Share of the Packs now in Dispute. Detroit Augt 31st 1785 William Robertson53 John Askin John MacPherson54 W" Macomb to the Revolution, and a partner of George Leith in the firm of Leith and Shepherd. About the year 1790 Shepherd paid a visit to England. On the return journey he was drowned in the Jacques Cartier River, May 25, 1791. A detailed and vivid recital of the event was given by his companion, John Richardson, in a letter to John Porteous, which is printed in Ontario Hist. Soc., Papers and Records, VI, 34-36. The body was recovered and conveyed by Richardson to Montreal where it was buried beside that of a "worthy friend, James Ellice." Whether Shepherd was a brother or other relative of William Shepherd, who was a clerk at Detroit in 1791 and subsequently a member of the firm of Leith, Shepherd, and Duff, with trading houses at Amherstburg and elsewhere, we have been unable to determine. 53 William Robertson was a younger brother of Capt. Samuel Robertson (for whom see ante, 54) who married Catherine Askin. William came to Detroit in 1782 to serve as Askin's clerk. He rose rapidly in the fur trade and in influence over his associates, becoming within a few years one of the leading men of Canada. About the year 1788 he associated David Robertson, a younger brother, in business with him, and two years later William left Detroit for England. Here he was appointed (in 1792) member of the Executive Council of Upper Canada, but he did not return to discharge this duty, having no inclination "to be locked up in a fort after breathing the air of freedom." The remainder of his life was passed in Lower Canada or England, save for a short stay in Detroit in 1795. He seems to have had a decided taste for public affairs, and much statesmanlike ability, as revealed by his letters among the Askin Papers. His later years were shrouded in the gloom of intemperate addiction to strong liquor, but it is significant that this affliction did not cause the forfeiture of the respect and affection of his old-time associates. Robertson married at New York City, Jan. 26, 1798, Cornelia Eleanor Brooks, a native of England and daughter of a British officer. She died at the age of twenty, some months after the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth Lucy Robertson. Robertson subsequently married Mrs. Ogilvie, mother of John Ogilvie, a prominent Montreal trader and after 1804 a partner in the North West Company. This union proved unfortunate, and was soon terminated by a separation. Elizabeth Lucy Robertson was made sole inheritor of her father's estate. She married Henry Ronalds, and they are still represented by descendants in Detroit, Windsor, and London, Ontario. Information adapted from William Robertson Papers and other mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 54 John McPherson was engaged in trade at Detroit, his name appearing in the 208 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS N~ 5, 1 pack, 60 Deer Skins 6, 1 do 60 d~ do 8, 1 do 72 do do 21 Beaver Skins 26 Bear Skins 24 do do N~ 3, 1 pack ditto-150 Racoons, 46 Cat & Fox & 6 Deer 4, 58 Deer Skins 256 do do 50 Beaver Skins 46 Cat & Fox 21 Beaver Skins 4 Otters 150 Racoons 10 packs Deer Skins 32 Skins Each 320 1 do Bears 26 Skins 1 do 126 Cat & Fox 17 Otters 12 Bears 3 Deer Skins 24 do do 3 Cat & Fox 4 Racoons 5 Musquash 17 Bear Skins We do hereby Acknowledge to have received of Mr Montigue Tremble Packs Agreeable to the foregoing Account for which we will be Accountable in Whatsoever Manner it may hereafter be determined by the Aforesigned Arbitrators. Detroit Augt the 31st 1785. T. Williams & Co. George Sharp Leith & Shepherd Will" Forsith census lists of 1779 and 1782, and as signer to various petitions printed in the Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 209 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Endorsed: Award respecting Packs in dispute between Montague Trimble & Leith & Shepherd & Thou Williams & C~ Detroit 31st Augt 1785 FROM JAMES COCHRAN TO MONTAGUE TREMBLAY Foot the Rappids55 6 octr 1785 Sir I am sorey to hear of So mene Disputs about the Peltry but it is not my folt you have as God a Right to what is Gon in as the Rest of the Gentlmen a Cording to the a mount of your act which is very neer as Bige as Both of thers. I Expcted you wold Got the Last Packs that went in as they Got them that was Sent in this Spring if you have Not Got your part of them there is ten hors Load Coming in that I left on the Road as we wer obliged to Send Back for our goods that was at the Shawne towns. it seems Droll to me of Mr McCormick56 taking so much a pon him of paying on[e] person & not the other Nither hes he any trubl of making any of them only what fur he Maid in the wintr he hes Been Treading a nother way for him self & Dus not mend hear he hes Been Saying hear that it was all his on Goods he had out with him which is true But 55 The rapids of the Maumee River, a few miles above modern Toledo. According to Father Pierre Potier's itinerary of the route from Detroit to Miamitown (ms., copy in Burton Hist. Coll.), the foot of the rapids was twenty-four leagues from Detroit, and four leagues from the mouth of the Maumee. Here Fort Miamis was erected by the British, acting under orders of Governor Simcoe, in 1794. The rapids were eighteen miles in length and in times of low water the traders were compelled to make a portage of this distance. 56 Alexander McCormick was taken captive by the Indians, according to testimony before the Board of Land Commissioners at Detroit in 1808. The place and time of this occurrence is unknown, but prior to the opening of the Revolution McCormick was engaged in trade in the Ohio country. In 1777 he had a store near Upper Sandusky, and in 1780 he was a member of Captain Henry Bird's expedition against the Kentucky settlements. In 1784 his name occurs among a list of loyalists at Detroit. Not long after this he married Elizabeth Turner, who had been carried into captivity by the Wyandot, and settled at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, where he was living in the summer of 1794 when General Wayne invaded the Indian country. The Battle of Fallen Timbers was fought on or close to McCormick's property, and his establishment was burned. McCormick subsequently located in western Ontario and died at Colchester in 1803. In 1808 his heirs, William, John, Matthew, Alexander, Agnes, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Mary McCormick, preferred a claim to 640 acres of land on the Maumee before the Board of Land Commissioners at Detroit in virtue of their father's former occupancy there. Information adapted from Henry Hay's Journal, passim; Am. State Papers, Pub. Lands, I, 518; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; and Wis. Hist. Colls., XXIII, 246. 210 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS........ there was a Good Del mor with them Lekwis all the men is paid hear By me Except old Mcglaghlan this man I Paid hear with Skin as I thought you wold Not ansur a Draft I think Mr Castedy is to Com out for thes Packs that is Coming but he will not Get them without you Got your part of the others. Sir your Humbl Sert Ja8 Cochran57 Addressed: Mr Montgue Tremble Marct Detroit Endorsed: Letter James Cochran Foot of the Rapids 6th Oct' 85 GRANT OF LAND TO JEAN BAPTISTE REAUME Nous Les Chefs des Pouteouatamis au Detroit Savoir Askiby, ouaoiiiatenne et Lieutenant Soussign6s par la Signature des armoiries de chaqu'un de Nous, et du consentement des tribus de Nos villages, AVONS conc6d6 a Jean Baptiste Reaume une terre A la Riviere aux ecorces attenant celle de St C6me du cot6 du Nord-est, de la consistance de Six arpents de large sur Sa profondeur, pour en Joiiir lui et les Siens en toutte propriet6 d6s A pr6sent et pour toujours en t6moignage de quoi Nous avons fait Nos marques qui Sont Nos Signatures ordinaires au Detroit le 9 Dexembre 1785. askiby sa marque (totem) Le fils de mikisabet (totem) Pinanche (totem) oiii oiiia tenne (totem) Endorsed: J. A. 12 Riviere aux Ecorces Recu le 24 mars 1797 P. A. N~ 35. 57 James Cochran was listed as a resident of Detroit in the census of 1779. Henry Hay's Journal shows that in 1789 he was located at Roche de Bout on the Maumee, a few miles above the foot of the rapids. 211 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Registered in my office in the book N~ 1, page 28. Peter Audrain, Recorder. N~ 1H Liber E, fo. 104. G. Hoffman Translation We, the undersigned, chiefs of the Potawatomi at Detroit, viz.: Askiby, Ouaouiatenne and other representatives, by sign manual of our respective totems, and with the consent of our village tribes, have granted to Jean Baptiste Reaume a tract of land at the River Ecorse adjoining land of St. Cosme58 on the northeast, said tract being six arpents wide throughout its extent, to enjoy the same, himself and his heirs, in full ownership from now and forever. In witness whereof we have made the marks which are our customary signatures, at Detroit, the 9th day of December, 1785. Askiby-his mark (totem) The Son of Miskisabet (totem) Pinanche (totem) Ouii Oiiia Tenne (totem) Endorsed: J. A. 12 River Ecorse, Received, [for record] March 24, 1797. P. A. No. 35 58 Stephen St. Cosme married Mary Clair and resided in the city of Bordeaux. Their son, Pierre, born there, migrated to Canada and on Nov. 22, 1717, married at Laprairie, Elizabeth Faye, a native of that place. Their son, Pierre Laurence St. Cosme, born at Laprairie, Oct. 30, 1721, came west to Detroit, where on Jan. 25, 1747, he married Catherine Lootman dit Barrois, daughter of Francis Lootman dit Barrois and Mary Ann Sauvage. He lived on St. Jacques Street, within the town of Detroit, where he was buried, Sept. 21, 1787. Catherine Lootman was buried here, Nov. 3, 1790. It seems probable that Pierre Laurence St. Cosme was the landholder here noted. He was a man of considerable local influence in his generation; he was a magistrate prior to 1763, and in 1768 was one of four residents delegated by the townsmen to act as their representatives in rebuilding the stockade around the town. This same year he served on a committee of ten citizens appointed by the commandant to investigate the official conduct of Justice Dejean. St. Cosme had a large family of children. One daughter became the wife of Philip Dejean, and another the wife of James May. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, especially VIII, 297, 465-66. 212 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Recorded in my office in the book No. I, P. 28. Peter Audrain,"9 Recorder No. 1 H Liber E. fo. 104. G. Hoffman 59 Peter Audrain was born in France about the year 1725 and is said to have come to America after the Revolutionary War. He lived some years in Pennsylvania, where he was a prothonotary and among other activities took much of the testimony in the investigation of the Whisky Rebellion of 1794. He accompanied General Wayne to Detroit in the summer of 1796 and although already past the allotted span of life he began here a new career of great activity. He was at once appointed prothonotary, "an office never known or heard of in Michigan except in this single appointment." From 1796 to 1809 he served as judge of probate, and in 1802 he became clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. In addition to these, he filled a number of other clerical offices until nearly the close of life, when incapacity due to advancing age gave rise to complaints and to his removal from office. He was a man of extreme precision, and the county and other records kept by him are so beautifully written as to be sometimes mistaken for print. Audrain married Margaret Moore long before coming to Detroit, and the couple had many children, several of whom inter-married with prominent Detroit families. One daughter (Elizabeth) married Robert Abbott and another (Margaret) George Hoffman, while a son (Peter) married a daughter of James May. Audrain died, Oct. 6, 1820, aged about ninety-five years. See Denissen, op. cit.; Burton, City of Detroit, 1701-1922, 11, 1351. 213 0 J% SECTION IV LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1786 I FROM JOHN HECKENWELDER TO JOHN ASKIN River Huron Janr ye 7th 1786 Dear Sir, I find myself yet in want of Bags for Your Corn having filled all what I have. I cannot just now exactly tell the Number I have, untill I shall have removed them, but all the Debts are collected, and have upwards of 700 Bush. sewed up. But I am to recieve some more Corn from Mr Zeisbergerl and others, for which Money is expected. Indeed I have recieved of an Indian to the Value of ~5 in Corn which is not paid yet. The Money is to pay a Debt which was owing to Justice Williams; perhaps You know a way to settle that. I judge there will be about 70 or 80 Bush. of Corn for which hard Money is wanted. I am no ways forward in assisting any body in demanding Money, but on the contrary try all means to put it of[f], yet some have no ocasion for any thing else, and repeat the Bargain which was made, of which I cannot deny. I therfore hope evry one will be served to his Sattisfaction. If You please to send me by Nathan Lewis2 the bearer of this one piece of Scotch Sheeting more I think that will serve me, and if I should find that I should not want it all, I would not cut it up, but return the remainder in the Spring. I have about 3 Bush. of Sweet Corn for You to[o], which I purchased at the price You told me. Lewis will fetch me the Sheeting up to my House in his Carryall, but perhaps You would want the Sweet Corn immediately, and would chuse to send a i David Zeisberger was born in Moravia, April 11, 1721. In 1736 his parents came to America, locating in the then new colony of Georgia, whither David (who had been left behind in school) presently followed. In 1740 he arrived at Bethlehem, the chief center of Moravian influence in America. His missionary activities, to which he was to devote the major portion of his life, began in 1744 with a journey to Onondaga, the capital of the Iroquois confederacy. A large part of his labor was devoted to the Delaware tribe, much of the time in Ohio, and four years (1782-86) in Michigan. The later years of his life were spent at Goshen, a settlement founded by him in the Tuscarawas Valley. He died, Nov. 17, 1808. Information adapted from the historical introduction to his Diary (Eugene F. Bliss, ed., Cincinnati, 1885). 2 Nathaniel Lewis was a private in Butler's Rangers who located at Detroit at the close of the Revolution. In 1788 his name was included by Major R. Mathews in the list of allotments of land on the north side of Lake Erie to disbanded troops. 217 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Man for it Yourself. I must likewise desire You to excuse me that I sent for 3 Barrels of Pork, and 2 had been sufficient. But it was not my fault. I was much disappointed by a person neglecting what had been his duty, and therefore have one Barrel yet on hands which I do not see that I can sell for Corn without loss. I believe I could sell it pretty well for Sugar in the Spring, but will do nothing without Your consent. I therfore request of You to let me know, what would be most agreeable to You, to take it down to You again in the Spring or to sell it for Sugar. It is shut just as it was, never opened. My best Wishes I beg leave to Compliment You with, in the New Year, and am Dear Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant John Heckenwalder3 Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: River Huron JanrY 7th 1786 Mr Heckenwalder to Jn~ Askin recvd y0 16h & Answd same day No 1 SALE OF MORAVIAN VILLAGE River Huron FebrY 26th 1786 Sir It may not be unknown to You, that we the Missionaries, now Living on the River Huron4 were towards the end of the last War taken and carried with the Christian Indians belonging to Us to Sandusky. We were from thence 3 John Gottlieb Ernestus Heckenwelder, the noted missionary, was born at Bedford, England, March 12, 1745, the son of a German exile. In 1754 the family migrated to America, locating at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1762 young Heckenwelder accompanied Christian Frederick Post on a journey to the Muskingum, and a few years later he was acting as Zeisberger's assistant in the Susquehanna Valley. After almost a quarter of a century of missionary labors among the western Indians, he retired to Bethlehem in the autumn of 1786, but engaged at various times thereafter in missionary work until his seventieth year, when he retired permanently to his home at Bethlehem. He died Jan. 31, 1823. He is the author of several valuable works pertaining to his labors and to the Indian tribes. Information adapted from Zeisberger's Diary, I, xxv-xxvi, and Heckenwelder's Narrative of the Mission of the United Brethren among the Delaware and Mohegan Indians... (Wm. E. Connelley, ed., Cleveland, 1907). 4 Concerning the work of the Moravian missionaries, here alluded to, an extensive literature has developed. A convenient resume of the Huron River Moravian settle218 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS called into Detroit, where in a Councill, the Warriors present, our cause was tried, and We honourably acquitted, after which Major, now Col' De Peyster furnished us with Necessary's and a Pass to return and Live with our Indians in Peace, but finding soon after that our Life was in Danger, he in the Spring following, sent for Us to come into Detroit. We lived formerly on the River Muskingum, where we had for Years together enjoyed Peace on all sides. We had Three large Villages and thro Industry our Indians were so far advanced, that they hardly knew or remembered of anything they wanted. Large and compleat dwelling Houses, with furniture; a great Number of Horses; upwards of 200 Cattle; besides some hundreds of Hogg's, with the Corn on the Ground ripe for Harvest amounting at a moderate Computation to 5000 Bushel, were either Destroyed there, or afterwards lost. A few Days after our arival at Detroit, Col' De Peyster consulted our welfare, and wished with Us, to see Us settled with our Indians again, that they might further be instructed in the Gospel way. He first proposed to Us, to return over the Lake to where our Indians was, and promised evry assistance in his Power, but we being too sensible, that the same People who were the cause of our Destruction were still residing among the Indians, and of whoom we had good reason to believe, wished rather the Indians might remain as they was, than to be converted or civilized, would always be ready to do Us any Mischieff which lay in their Power. The Col~ believing the Aprehention we were under not to be groundless, proposed next: That We and our Indians should settle down the River, either on an Island, or any other place, which might suit Us best, but as objections were made, the Island being to heavy Timbered, and the War path passing by the other places, he at length consulted the Chibbuway Chieffs, and it was agreed upon between them, that We might Live on their Land on this Rivers until Peace should be made, then ment is published in Mich. Pio. Colls., XXX, 63, written by John E. Day and Clarence M. Burton. For further information concerning the Moravians see the Diary of David Zeisberger and John Heckenwelder's Narrative. 5 The modern Clinton River, known a century ago as the Huron. The site chosen 219 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS to return again wherever We chose. He then sent Speeches to our Indians, at and about the Shawnee Towns to invite them in, and after the arival of the first, informed them of the whole matter. We then acordingly went with those Indians in search of a place, and pitched upon the spot We now live on, which was an entire Wilderness. We begun to Work on our Improvement the 26th July 1782, and have continued so untill the present Day, in which time we with our Indians, have built a small Villiage consisting of 27 log Houses, besides some Stables, out Cellars, and smaller Buildings. We have cleared Lands in different places about the Village, made fences ect: so that it appears to Us to be a Valuable Improvement at which, if it suited our Destination, we could now live contentedly and more at ease. But we, being sent by the Bishops of our Church to reside near the Dellaware Nation, to continue to Instruct them in the Gospel, as We had done this Thirty Years past, finding this not to be the proper place, that Nation being so far distant, and they not inclined to change a good hunting ground for a worse, neither, that the one half of the Indians belonging to Us have yet on this present Day joined Us on this very account. And moreover, We having found, that the Chibbuways become more and more Uneasy that We stay here so long on their Land after the peace. And that our Indians, whoom they call expert Hunters, destroy all their Game. We therefore, have at length resolved to go to our former place, and for that purpose aquaint You of it. But at the same time We beg leave to ask a favour of You, which is: to sell our Improvement. We do not speak of selling the Land. The Chibbuways have frequently told Us that it belonged to them, and to nobody else. We only mention the Improvement, in which a vast [amount] of Labour is sunk. We understand, that a number of French intend to take posession of our Houses and Labour, without giving Us the least satisfaction, but We believe it to be far from the approbation of a Commanding Officer to see Us for the settlement was an abandoned Indian village site above the mouth of the river about two miles west of the modern city of Mount Clemens. 220 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS served in such a manner. We rather believe that You will direct matters so that Justice may be done Us in that respect. And we are persuaded, could You but take a view of this our Improvement,6 You would readily acknowledge, that we justly deserve something for it. We therefore most humbly present this Petition to You, confident of receiving from You a favourable Answer. We beg yet to mention, that Necessity presses us greatly to such a request, for it is hard to begin again with empty hand. Written and Signed by Sir Your most Obedt and Humbe Servants Dav. Zeisberger John Heckenwelder William Edwards7 f George Youngman8 and in behalf of Gottlob Senseman9 Michael Youngl0 absent and in the Name of the Christian Indians with Us 6 This Major Ancrum did on March 4, when he and Askin visited the settlement. The result of their inspection was a determination to purchase the improvements. Ancrum and Askin each had a land warrant from the government for 2000 acres of land, and by exercising these they gainea control of the land adjoining the settlement. See Zeisberger's Diary, passim. 7 William Edwards was born in Wiltshire, England, April 24, 1724. At the age of twenty-five he became a convert to the Moravian faith and soon afterward migrated to America. He became associated with Zeisberger in 1776 and continued with him for many years. In 1798 he assisted in leading a portion of the converts at Fairfield, Ontario, back to Ohio, where the settlement of Goshen was founded and where Edwards passed his remaining years. He died Oct. 8, 1801. See Zeisberger, op. cit., I, xxv. 8 John George Youngman was born in Europe in 1720 and came with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1731. Here he early became a convert to the Moravian faith, and served the church in various ways until 1770, when he became Zeisberger's assistant. His missionary labors among the Indians continued with certain intermissions until the abandonment of Huron River settlement in 1786. Youngman then returned to Bethlehem, where he lived in retirement from active church work until his death, July 17, 1808. Zeisberger, op. cit., I, xxiii-xxiv. 9 Gottlob Senseman was born in Bethlehem, Penn., Oct. 9, 1745. His father was a missionary to the Indians, and his mother was massacred in November, 1755. Sensemen, early began the life of a missionary and was long associated with Zeisberger. He was an eloquent speaker and an able teacher. He died at Fairfield, the Moravian mission established in 1792 on the Thames River, and his neglected grave may still be seen in the cemetery near Bothwell. Zeisberger, op. cit., I, xxiii. io Michael Young (Jung) was born in Europe, Jan. 5, 1743, and came with his 221 X BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Addressed: William Ancrum Major"t Commandant ect: at Detroit Endorsed: Recorded in the Land office at Detroit in Liber E, folio 12 &~ By me Geo Hoffman Register N 4B SALE OF MORAVIAN VILLAGE River Huron FebY 27th 1786 Dear Sir, I would fain have mentioned to You sooner, that I had recieved the 30 lb Coffee by Mr Dolson,12 but had no propper Opportunity. Now I am to ask Liberty of You in proposing a way, which We think perhaps easiest and best concerning our Improvement, but it is rather to ask Your advice in the matter. We are told, that there are both French and English People watching for Us to leave the place, who immediately intend to go in Our Houses, and make themselves masters of our Labour, without the smalest reward. We therefore, considering our circumstances, (and that We have but a short time to stay, if we, parents to Maine in 1751. There he became a Moravian and in 1767 he removed to Bethlehem. He spent many years in missionary service. After the removal from Michigan he followed the converts to Fairfield, Ontario, where he remained until the settlement was overrun by General Harrison's army in 1813. Young then retired to Litiz, where he died in 1826. Zeisberger, op. cit. ii William Ancrum was commissioned captain in the Thirty-fourth Regiment, May 25, 1772, and attained the rank of major, Nov. 11, 1789. He succeeded Colonel De Peyster in the command of Detroit in the spring of 1784, remaining here until the spring of 1786. In the spring of 1801 he was in London, from which place he wrote to Askin about the Moravian land claim near Mount Clemens. In the British army lists his name is spelled "Ancram," although he himself wrote it "Ancrum." In the list for 1804 "William Ancrum" reappears as paymaster of an infantry regiment in the King's German Legion-whether he is identical with the former Detroit commandant we have been unable to determine. ii Matthew Dolsen was a member, during the Revolution, of Butler's Rangers, and it is probable that he first came to Detroit in this connection. In,1781 he purchased from Gregor McGregor a lot within the fort, and in the deed he is described as a resident of Detroit. In 1789 he is described in another indenture as a tavern keeper at Detroit. The delegation of Quakers who visited Detroit in 1793 in the capacity of peace commissioners lodged with Dolsen, and seem to have conceived a real friendship for him. In like manner he cultivated friendly relations with the Moravians and enjoyed their confidence over a period of years. It seems probable that Dolsen later removed to the Thames River region, where he obtained a grant of land from the local Land Board in the spring of 1792. Dolsen's descendants were 222 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS as we intend, to set off as soon as the Lake is clear of Ice)know of no better method, than to lay the matter before the Major of Detroit cet. of whoom we are fully persuaded to believe, that he will act impartial, and do Us justice. We therefore being acquainted with You, beg of You, to lay the case before him, and inform him; that We have lived here three Years and an half, that, when we settled first here, we found ourselves in a Wilderness, but by the Industry of about Sixty dilligent hands, have built a small Villige, consisting of 24 log Houses, besides Stables and other small Buildings. That we have cleared Lands, made fences, Gardens, cet. that We therefore cannot think otherwise, than that We ought to have liberty to sell our Labour (We do not mean to sell the Lands but the Labour done on them) and that we therefore beg of the Major to permit Us to do so, as we shall want what little we shall get, to help Us where We shall settle again. Perhaps the next thing then would be, to put up an Advertisement that People might see that not only the Improvement is for sale, but that likewise it is by permission of the Comandant which would be a great encouragement to the buyer. Mr Dolson who is here at present, and the bearer of this Letter, has a notion of buying it, but he says also, he could not do it without the Majors permission. I am convinced You will, Sir, act in our behalf as much as lies in Your power, and if You have any proposals to make to Us, concerning the matter, such shall be readily accepted, in the mean time I am Dear Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servt John Heckenwelder P. S. If You have an answer to send to me, Mr Dolson thinks he will have an Opportunity of forwarding it to me in the corse of a few Days, and as I know of no Indian going to Detroit for the present, You will greatly oblige me in sending the Letter to him. _J.H. long prominent in Detroit. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Coils., passim; Zeisberger's Diary, passim; and mss. in William Robertson Papers, in the Burton Hist. Coll. 223 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: River Huron Febr 27th 1786 Mr Heckenwelder To Jn~ Askin Answd N~ 1 MAJOR ANCRUM's RESPONSE TO APPEAL OF MORAVIANS Detroit March the 1st 1786 Gentlemen Your Letter of the 26h of last Month to Major Ancrum Commandant of this Post I delivered and to which he desired me to give you the following Answer. That he looks Upon your Letter as a fair Honnest Narative of the Manner in which you came to and settled at this Place and as it Appears to him that from a wilderness by your Industry you have made a good Settlement for so Short a time, he thinks it very Just that your labour should not be in Vain, & in Order to Defeat the Ungenirous & mean Intentions of those who you say wait the moment of your Departure to take Possession of your Place without rewarding you for the Improvements you have made-he will himself make you a reasonable recompence for what you have done & represent the Matter to the Commander in Chief; Added to which you will have his Pass and Protection to return to your former Place of Aboad with some Assistance to your People. There will be a person Appointed to take charge of Your Place when you remove I am Gentlemen Your Most obedt Humble Servt Messrs Zeisberger, Hickenwelder, Edwards & their Bretheren Endorsed: Detroit March 1et 1786 Jn~ Askin to Messrs Zeisburger Heckenwelder, Edwards &ca (Coppy) SURVEY OF MORAVIAN SETTLEMENT13 Moravian Town 13th March 1786 Sir I have agreable to your directions begun at (or rather 13 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 224 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Above) the Uppermost Corn fields, and surveyed as far down as the War pole & Cabbins, where I left off. You will see by the plan of the River enclosed herein, that I have not yet a Straight line of two miles and an half, observing that it is plotted by a Scale of Ten Chains to half an inch, it nevertheless comprehends all the best land on the River. Mr Edwards informs me that all the land on the N. E side of the River is high-up-Land and Mr Heckewelder who has explored the side where the Town is, says that better cannot be found, but is apprehensive that if the Back lines only run Twenty Acres, that much of it will be left out, I have therefore not done Any part of them untill I hear farther from you. I must again refer you to the Chart of the River, which I am positive is exactly laid downThe Corn fields are marked thus [figure]. Should you be at a loss to know which War pole & cabbins I mean it is where Mr Arden14 asked whether trophies were attached to it. Two of the Men, Miller and a soldier were here Yesterday to grind an Ax. they say they have not yet made above Seven Miles of the Road. All the Indians are gone to work upon the Road15 this morning & will continue working at untill they Meet your Men, which will be as they say in two days, they have made an excellent Bridge next the Town. The Indians on the road request you will send them Some Tobacco for smoaking. Mr Chevalier Du Quindre has left 471b Bread with Mr Heckewelder to trade for Racoons. There Are no Racoons, and The Bread is getting mouldy! we have therefore taken Upon our Selves to give it to the Pathmakers and leave you to settle it with Mr Du Quindre. The Houses twenty-seven in Number are all marked, in a fair draught. hereafter I shall Number the Corn fields. The ice in the River is almost decayed. The Bearers are 14 Humphrey Arden was commissioned ensign in the Thirty-fourth Regiment, March 1, 1776, lieutenant, Aug. 2,1780, and adjutant of the regiment, June 23, 1783. Since Major Ancrum of the Thirty-fourth Regiment commanded at Detroit from the spring of 1784 to the spring of 1786, it is probable that Arden's stay here coincided with this period. I5 The road whose opening is here recorded ran from Detroit to the Moravian settlement. Its construction marks the beginning of modern Gratiot Avenue. 225 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS desired to be back early in the Morning. By whom I must beg you will signify your intentions sending me back the plan, with them. please Sir to send word to Mr" Fry that I am very well. I am Sir with my Respects to your family Your most obedt Servant Phil. R. Fryl Mr. Askin. FROM JOHN ASKIN TO FRANCIS VIGO Detroit march 15th 1786 Dear Sir Your Obliging Letter of the 16th JanY last came to hand two days ago and it affords me much Satisfaction to know that you are well & that we will have the pleasure of Seeing you next spring here. you will before this time have Recd a Letter from the C017 with whom I'm now connected in the Indian Trade also one from myself to both which I Refer you for matters of Trade. Racoons & Beaver bore the best prices last year as to Skins If they do not Rise in Value we will be all Ruined. I have a very favourable Oppinion of Moris Bazadoning[?] therefore hope payment from him this year & that the [he] will take his new Supplies from our C~ at the miamis. I'm under many great Obbligations to you for the paines you take in Collecting whats due me & I beg a Continuance of your Friendship. Mr Barthes death18 which happened yesterday morning after a Sickness of about a month has thrown the Family into Grief and in part prevents my writing more for the present. Please give my Compliments to Mr Crofton & lett him know that his mother is very well. I have nothing I6 Phillip R. Fry, ensign in the Eighth Regiment, who was stationed at Detroit for several years. In Sept., 1782, he was appointed naval storekeeper. In 1785 he surveyed the lands allotted to loyalists and officials of the British Indian Department at New Settlement on Lake Erie. His survey of the Moravian settlement on Huron River, here described, is noted in Zeisberger's Diary, I, 261-62. Fry was a son of Colonel Hendrick Frey of the Mohawk Valley, who had fought in the Seven Years' War and who remained a loyalist in the Revolution. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Coils., passim, and Buffalo Hist. Soc. Pubs., V, 86. 17 The Miamis Company, for which see post, 274. I8 Charles Andrew Barthe, Askin's father-in-law, for whom see ante, 34. 226 1.. ~: ~ 4 ON d In o si 2 NA I.:. *1( AE I> X -ANs i V;> i-e..I 11 'A 11- 1 - V........i.. *.~ iM I~ Xtl. t r... 4, 11, -.11- I...... I;~i~ 1, 1. ~ P ~~~~~~ "~: I, 4ti' THE MORAVIAN SETTLEMENT NEAR MOUNT CLEMENS Reproduced from the original manuscript in the Burton Historical Collection ?oiw p ^) \^/~ JOHN ASKIN PAPERS more to add Except the Compliments of the Family & Remain Dear Sir Yours Mr Vigoe'g Endorsed: Detroit March 15th 86 From John Askin to Mr Vigoe (Coppy) OWNERSHIP OF MORAVIAN LANDS20 Relative to what is marked No on Mr Greeleys21 Map of the Upper River aux Hurons that falls into lake Sinclair 19 Francis Vigo was a native of Mondovi, Sardinia, where he was born in 1747. He entered the Spanish army and served at Havana and New Orleans. Leaving the service, still a young man, he engaged in trade at St. Louis, then in Spanish Louisiana. Here Vigo prospered, and on the advent of George Rogers Clark in the Illinois country used his wealth freely to promote the enterprises of the American leader in his warfare against the British. Not until 1876 were these advances repaid to his heirs, and largely in consequence of this defalcation by the American government, Vigo's later career was beset with financial embarrassment. He died in poverty, March 22, 1836, having passed his later career at Vincennes, Indiana. He was engaged in the Indian trade for many years, and became heavily indebted to Askin, the discharge of which the latter sought vainly to procure. For an account of Vigo's service to Clark and claim against the government for compensation, see "A Centennial Lawsuit," by C. C. Baldwin in Western Reserve and Northern Ohio Hist. Soc., Tracts, No. 35 (Cleveland, 1876). to This document, undated, is substantially the same as one printed in Am. State Papers, Pub. Lands, I, 550, under date of Nov. 30, 1810. It was prepared by Askin as representative of James McGill and Isaac Todd, in support of their effort to secure validation of their claim to ownership of the Moravian lands at the hands of the Board of Land Commissioners of Michigan Territory. zI Aaron Greeley was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, April 25, 1773. In early manhood he went to Canada, whither certain of his mother's relatives, who were Tories in the Revolution, had preceded him, and here for about a dozen years he engaged in surveying and in colonizing a township of land, in the latter connection building sawmills and gristmills, laying out roads, and bringing in settlers. In 1803 he married Margaret Rogers, a niece of Robert Rogers, the famous ranger, and about the year 1806 removed from Canada to Detroit, where he resumed his calling of surveyor. He surveyed the private claims awarded by the Board of Land Commissioners in the period 1806-10, making in the latter year the map of them here alluded to. In 1811 he went to Washington on business connected with his surveys, and remained until the early summer of 1812; while there, in response to his representations, Congress passed an act validating his surveys of the private claims at Detroit, regardless of their conformity with the awards of the Commission. Greeley returned to Detroit in time to be taken prisoner by General Brock, and soon thereafter he conveyed his wife and children to Hopkinton, New Hampshire, where they found asylum during the war. After its conclusion, Greeley returned to Detroit and resumed his surveying operations, dying, while thus engaged, in the Raisin River region in April, 1820. His wife and children, at the close of the war, returned to their former Canadian home in Haldimand Township; here they remained permanently, 227 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ~~~~~.............................. Personally came before me A B one of the Magistraits for the Michigan Territory residing at Detroit John Askin Senior Esquire who being duely sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, deposeth & saith That on the 28h of April 1786 he purchased for Major Ancrum & himself of the Moravian Ministers their Improvements at the Aforesd Place for the Sum of Two Hundred Dollars & likewise on same day from the Moravian or Christian Indians 16 In Number their Improvements on said Tract for a further Sum of Two hundred Dollars as will more fully Appear by the Deed of Sales recorded by the Late Geo. Hoffman Esqr at Detroit in Liber E folio 3 also for a further Improvement at same place made by a Jn~ Bull for fifty Dollars which last deed of Sale seems to be missing but can be proven & That as a further consideration the Deponent for himself and Major Ancrum furnished two Vessells without any charge for the same to transport said Moravian Ministers & their people to the South shore of Lake Erie to Enable them to return to Mus[k]ingum their former Place of residence, and As a further consideration in order to Enable them to go home purchased their Canoes &a as will more fully Appear by their Deed of Sale & more Than 10 Letters of Thanks wrote the Deponant by the Reverend John Heckenwelder their principal in their behalf. That at the time of Purchasing & went [when] the Moravian Ministers & Indians went away there were 27 small dwelling Houses in the Village Exclusive of Out Houses & that of the whole of these Only One was claimed or Occupied by the late Richard Connor22 & no other. That at that time he [the] sd Connor to the best of Deponants recollection had Imnever rejoining Greeley at Detroit. Mrs. Greeley died in 1866, and a daughter, Susan, was living as recently as 1901. Information condensed from biographical sketch of Aaron Greeley in Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, V, No. 4. 22 Richard Connor is said to have been a native of Maryland who engaged in the Indian trade and having ransomed a white captive from the Shawnee, Mary Myers, married her. They continued to live among the natives for a time, but about the year 1774 settled at Pittsburgh, having left a child with the Indians in pursuance, it is said, of one of the terms of the agreement whereby Mary Myers was ransomed. About the year 1775 they returned to Ohio for this child and, coming into contact with the Moravians, settled at their town of Sch6nbrunn on the Tuscarawas River. They subsequently accompanied the missionaries to Michigan. When the latter abandoned the Huron River settlement in 1786, Connor remained behind, not know228 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS proved Only One corn field with a Garden and some small Lot in the rear of his House. That the deponant for himself & Major Ancrum purchased the Soil of the aforesd Improvements with other Lands adjoining of the Chippaway Indians (Eleven of the Principals having signed the Deed of Sale) for a Valuable Consideration as will more fully Appear by the Deed of Sale recorded by Peter Audrain Esqr at Detroit in Book No 1 Page 95 & by the late Geo. Hoffman Esqr in the Land Office at Detroit in Liber E Folio 6. That the Deponant went to considerable Expence for himself & sd Major Ancrum in laying out & making a road of 21 miles in length through the Woods from part of the Detroit settlemt to said place called Moravian Town or Village as can be proven by the Deponants Books of Account. That Imediately After the departure of said Moravian Ministers & their Indians sd Deponant made an Agreemt with John Cornwall23 to go there & take charge of the place whoes Oath as well as that of a man called Robert Dowler24 will best prove how long they remained, what persons were on the place as tenants holding of the Deponant & Major Ancrum, how long they remained & what small part of that tract the late Richard Connor & no Other laid claim to. The Deponant further saith, That after sd Cornwall, Dowler & several Others who were On these Lands went away the principal Chief of the Nation ing, records Zeisberger, "whither to go nor what to do." Thereby he became the first permanent white settler of St. Clair County. He obtained a grant of land, and died here in 1808. His sons were well-known scouts and interpreters in the War of 1812. Information adapted from Zeisberger's Diary, passim; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; sketch compiled by C. M. Burton in Denissen, op. cit.; and data in Am. State Papers, Pub. Lands, I, passim, especially 549. 23 John Cornwall came to Detroit as a private in Butler's Rangers. He was here as early as July, 1779, when he made a deposition impugning the loyalty of James, Casety. Mich. Pio. Colls., X, 344-45. In 1790 Cornwall occupied a lot on the Cana- ~ dian side of Detroit River in the vicinity of Amherstburg. Ibid., XXIV, 58. Prior to this (in 1786) he had entered into an agreement with John Askin for farming the land near Mount Clemens which Askin (together with Major Ancrum) had purchased from the Moravians. See post, 234. In October, 1793,Zeisberger records, Cornwall came to Fairfield on the River Thames, where the Moravians had established themselves, and was about to settle near them. Diary, II, 327. In 1795 he seems to have been established at Amherstburg. Mich. Pio. Coils., XII, 167. 24 Robert Dowler was a loyalist who came to Detroit probably at the close of the Revolution. His name is included in Major Mathews' list of those who.in 1787,were to be assigned grants of land on the north side of Lake Erie. 229 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS from whom the Soil [was purchased] named Witaness requested to have the Use of the Houses & cultivated Lands for himself & his Nation Untill the Deponant sent Others there and that he said he would Endeavour to prevent Incrochments from the deceased Richard Connor of whom he complained frequently, That the Deponant consented & that sd Chief & his people went on & cultivated sd lands during the remainder of his Life as the Deponant Understood, he not having been on the spot himself. That said Chief went on these Lands in behalf of the Deponant in [blank] and died in [blank]. That the Deponant paid said Chief ~10 per Annum on Account of Land, the receipts for which payments he can produce & witnesses who saw the payments made. That in 1786 P. Fry Acting Surveyor for the King, surveyed said Tract as will more fully Appear by his Letter when on that service recorded in the Land office at Detroit in Liber E folio 8 by the late Geo. Hoffman Esquire and That he paid said Surveyor ~24 for his labour and furnished men, a receipt for which he can produce. Then in Addition to the Expences of frequently recording & Entering this Land he paid Territorial Taxes for the same. That having in 1796 sold his share in said Tract to Isaac Todd & James McGill then Merchants at Montreal, he is not interested directly nor Indirectly in the Event of this, the Claim he made at different times & now prosecutes in behalf of Major Ancrum whoes Agent he is CLAIMANTS OF MORAVIAN LANDS River Huron March ye 22d 1786 Dear Sir, I have acording to Your direction shewn Mr Bart[he] and the other Young Man the Land and Corn-fields over the River, as likewise the Houses in the Vilage. They like the place exceeding well, but imediately pitch'd on my House, and the one in which Your Corn is, which I endeavoured to persuade them, they would hardly obtain, mentioning to them that You had told me at Detroit, and now repeated to me again, that You would reserve these 2 Houses to Yourself. They have walked about on the Land 230 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS and Cornfields on this side of the River, and by what I understand they mean to do their best, and try for the 2 above mentioned Houses, with the large Cornfield in the bent, namely the field We planted, and which is in a good fence. I desired them not to decieve themselves, but rather to look at some of the other Houses, to which they at last informed me: that in case they could by no means obtain the 2 Houses and Cornfield they pitched upon, they would then satisfy themselves with the 2 opposite Houses, N~ 14 and N~ 15 which are the Houses Mr Zeisberger and Edwards lives in, and likewise with Land over the River, oposite the Vilage. Two Rangers, Lewis and Hamilton25 have begun to clear Lands back of the Vilage, between 2 and 3 Miles. I am not certain that it is within Your Line, but by the description I have of the Indians of the distance of the spot, I can hardly think otherwise. I have heard, that they have try'd the course by the Compass, and say it will not fall in Your Line, and if it did, they will maintain their right as the Improvers, (tho this I have not heard them say). But be the matter as it will, I think they act very wrong, and besides, they can never be called the Improvers, since some of our Indians has built Sugar Cabbins there, and one had Deadened a Number of Trees, 3 Years ago on the Spot in order to plant Corn there. I have further heard that they shall have said: That they do not look upon a course mentioned acording to the Compass, which is caled a Line, to be a line at all; neither do they see any Body warnd from settling on any Lands hereabouts within such or such a distance. Wheither they actually have said all this, and intend to do what I have mentioned I do not know, but it is what I am told they shall have said and intend to stand to. What assistance I gave to Mr Fry was a pleasure to me, and I shall always be ready to asist and serve You, when it is in my Power, and had the Indians have had a better 5 Andrew Hamilton, a corporal in Butler's Rangers, who located at Detroit at the close of the Revolution. In 1788 he was recommended by Major Mathews for an allotment of land on the north side of Lake Erie. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 451 and Essex Hist. Soc., Papers and Addresses, III, 70 B. 231 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Season of the Year to have worked on the Road, they would most probably have made a very good Road, but it happend ju[s]t to be at the breaking up of the Weather, and now it will hardly be possible to do much more to it till June or July, however they have done pretty well for the short time they was at it, and I thank You for Using and sattisfying them so well. I hope the Lake will soon be clear of Ice, and We should be very glad if the Corn could be fetchd as soon as possible, so that We might make room to those who are to Live and plant here, for the sooner the[y] can go to Work, the better it is for them, and We want, if possible to put a Crop in the Ground over the Lake this Spring. I am convinced You will do for Us in that respect what You can. I am Dear sir Your most Obedt Humble Servant John Heckenwelder Recd March 22d Addressed: [M]r John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: Huron River March the 22d Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin recvd the 23d & Answd No 2 SURVEY OF LAND FOR JOHN LAUGHTON Detroit 7th April 1786 Quebec I do hereby certify that At the request of Mr John Laughton, Naval Storekeeper at this post, I have surveyed for him a lott of Land, purchased from Thomas Williams late Notary publick, situated on the West Side of the Fort on the Main River, bounded on the east north east by a lott of Ground belonging to Baptist Reaume, Containing four hundred and Eighty Acres, that is to say, four Acres in front by One hundred and Twenty acres in depth, the Course of the Partition lines is North thirty degrees Westerly. Phil R Fry D Surveyor 232 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Appended: Recorded in the Land Office at Detroit Liber E folio 109. teste Geo. Hoffman Endorsed: Land at the River Rouge Certificate of Survey say Race Ground26 Detroit April 7th 1786 No 4 Harvey27 SALE OF MORAVIAN LANDS River Huron Apr. 9th 1786 Dear Sir, I have wrote a Letter, or rather a kind of petition to the Major concerning our Improvements agreable to what we was speaking of. You will be so kind and look over it, and if it answers the purpose keep or present it, but if any thing should be wanting, or I had not wrote it properly, I beg of You to correct it and send it to me back again, that I might copy it off. I did for that reason not seal it, but if it answers the purpose as it is, You will Seal it or not according to Your Judgement. I suppose I must give You a Bill of Sale, but must ask You the favour of writing it and it shall be signed when we come down. Last Week a Dunker with his Son was here looking at the place, likes it very well, and thinks to find more of his profession that will join and get Farms of You. Two Men, the bearers of this were looking at the fields over the River, they tell me likewise they will rent them for a Year, 2.6 The race course was on land which John Askin had transferred to Isaac Todd and James McGill and which subsequently (in 1802), acting as their agent, he sold to John Harvey. Still later it was known as the Edwin Reeder farm. For the long legal controversy over its ownership see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, IV, No. 1. It lay just east of Fort Wayne, between modern Cavalry and Junction streets. 2.7 John Harvey was an En lishman who came to America about the year 1796, leaving his family behind. After a considerable sojourn in New York he came to Detroit about the beginning of the nineteenth century. Here he followed the trade of baker, and also conducted an inn, and acquired considerable property. The fire which burned Detroit in 1805, originated in his shop. In 1816 Harvey left Detroit, intending to return to England, but instead he turned up at the falls of the Ohio (lured there by the prospect of the canal which was subsequently built around the falls) and passed the remainder of his life at Jeffersonville, Indiana, dying Dec. 5, 1825. In 1801 Harvey had purchased from Isaac Todd and James McGill a tract of land west of the town now known as Private Claim 39. With the growth of the city this land became very valuable, and was the subject of an extended litigation, which was not finally settled until half a century after Harvey's death. For a fuller sketch of Harvey's career see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, IV, No. 1. 233 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS and afterwards buy Farms. I hear by them that Your Vessel has been 3 Days on the Way for this place, but lays at Anchor opposite the Wind Mill, perhaps the Wind will soon change. I forgot to mention above, that in the Letter to the Major I chose to take a late date since at that time we were wishing to lay our circumstances in this manner before him. I am Dear sir Your most Obedt Humble Servt John Heckenwelder [Askin's writing] Recv the 10th & Answd 11th Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: River Huron Apr' 9th 1786 Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin Recvd the 10h & Answd ye 11th No 5 CONTRACT BETWEEN JOHN ASKIN AND JOHN CORNWALL Agreed on between John Cornwell on the one part & John Askin on the other That the latter is to find the former with two men to work Constantly at Raissing of & Gathering of Indian Corn during this Ensueing Spring & Summer when Necessary to work at it as also to furnish said Cornwell with the use of a Horse & Cow & Plow Irons Untill the fall for the purpose of working at said Corn-and he [the] said Cornwell on his Part with the men John Askin is to furnish him & on[e] of his own Engag6 to Raise all the Indian Corn he can at the Mauravian Town & give his attention to that Business when Necessary untill the Crop is got of the Ground at which time a Dividend is to be made of the Grain in which said John Askin is to share two thirds & said Cornwell on[e] third. Each of the Parties to mention [maintain] themselves or their People. Said Askin having Purchased the Houses & Improvements at Mauravian Town has agreed to lett Mr Cornwell have the use of one of them with a Garden this Summer without making any Charge for it in this House the man who works at the Corn are to stay. As Witness of our Consent to this agreement we have 234 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Signed our names at Detroit this 11 of April 1786. John Askin John Cornwall Endorsed: Detroit April the 11th 1786 Agreemt with Mr Jn~ Cornwall N~ 11 NEWS OF THE FUR TRADE Montreal 12 April 1786 Dear Askin I must not let the first oppertunity of the Spring slip over without my personal Respects & I hope they will find you well in your health & a fair prospect of plentiful Returns from the Indian Country. The House having wrote you on business, leaves me nothing further to say on that head than to conjure you by every tie of friendship to leave no stone unturned in order to make remittances, for on this Summer depends our own existence as men of Character & Credit. The very scanty payments we made last year, has left us indebted with our friends in England so largely that Todd writes me he was under the necessity of relinquishing every Scheme of business except the shipping a few dry Goods & some Rum, being afraid to run further in debt & perhaps even meet with a refusal of further Credit. This situation I need not tell you the cause, least it should have an appearance of reproach, your own feelings will dictate what must be mine. I have no occasion to say more than that I depend confidently on your acting in consequence. Do not suppose that, because I have been complaining for years past, the necessity is not greater than it was the case is much altered-a bad trade here, a scarcity of money & near double the sum owing us from above, but why should I detain you with this exposition of affairs, knowing that you will leave nothing undone that may be in your power to accomplish. I forsee & know that very few goods will be sent to Detroit this Season & it might have been a good year to push, but it is out of our power, therefore I advise you to husband well your dry Goods & if you order any that you may be as sparing as possible. Michilimakinac will be greatly over235 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS stocked, insomuch that it would not surprise me were goods sent from that Post to Detroit. I cannot yet say anything certain to you about the prices of Furrs, but I am persuaded deer Skins have sold badly & I fear Beavers & Otters have had a tumble. I advise you strongly to change all your late fall & winter deer Skins for Raccoon & Pichoux,28 but Foxes are realy worth no more than 4/ York-a good Raccoon large size is better & two Raccoons or one Pichoux as they run of more value than a deer Skin, except it be a good red, very short [illegible], or parchment Buck. Your friends of the Northwest are making a larger outfitt this year than they did the last & are going to build a small vessell at the Portage —their great success last year enables them to undertake any thing & I make no doubt they will continue successful, which on some of their accounts I most sincerely wish. It is generaly thought that Sir Guy Carleton who is expected early to be our Governor will permitt small vessells of private property on the Lakes, should that be the Case, you will no doubt wish to have one, but it will be prudent to wait till his determination is known, & so soon as we do know it, you shall hear from us. I hope you will push Barthe to convert every thing into Returns this Season, he says he intends it as well to pay you as us, the Balance he owes is very near to 70000 Houses & Lands can never produce much benefit to Merchants & it may be the properest time to sell them before final determination of Government is known respecting the Posts; excepting a House for my business I would not wish to have any dead property in a country where for want of Courts of Justice, Tenures must be very insecure. Your daughter Madeleine is in perfect health & when a proper opportunity offers It is my intention to fulfill Mrs Askins & your wishes by sending her up & I am pretty certain you will find her bien entendue dans le menage insomuch that I fancy you will not keep her many years 28 This was the French-Canadian name of the red lynx (lynx rufus). 236 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Mademoiselle. I expect Todd from England early & as there will be little to do here, he may probably pay you a visit, taking Madeleine with him. Mrs MeGill requests Mrs Askin with your good self & Family to accept her best Compliments and believe me that I am, Dear Askin Your affectionate Friend James McGill. Endorsed: Montreal April the 12th 1786 Mr Jms MGill to Jn~ Askin Recd May 25th Answd 26th Privett FROM JOHN HECKENWELDER TO JOHN ASKIN River Huron Apr. 13th 1786 Dear Sir, I was favour'd with Your Letter Yesterday afternoon, and am sorry that I knew nothing before of Your wanting the Petiagers so bad. We will endeavour to have some down by tomorrow Night. Amos Western29 has pitchd upon N~ 14 and I believe the Corn field below the Villiage. I would be glad to know wheither Mr Cornwell might have the Hope to live in next to mine, in which Your Corn is N~ 27. he asked me about it, and I told him that I had understood You intended to keep these 2 Houses to Yourself. I'm sorry the Vessel has such bad luck, and cant come up yet, however it may be soon. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Humbe Servt John Heckenwelder. [Askin's writing] Recvd the 14h Answd same day. Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit. Endorsed: River Huron Apr' 13th 1786 Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin Recvd ye 15h Answd same day N~ 6.9 Amos Weston was a blacksmith, who may have come to Detroit from Niagara. In 1787 the report of Major Mathews on land allotments to discharged rangers and loyalists, lists Weston as a "blacksmith, many years with Stedman." See Essex Hist. Soc., Papers and Addrsess, III, 72. In 1795 Weston was located at Spring Wells, having a house and shop there. He died shortly prior to Aug. 23, 1797, when a letter of administration was issued to John Askin as administrator of his estate. Numerous accounts relative to this matter are preserved among the Askin Papers in the Burton Hist. Coll. 237 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM JOHN HECKENWELDER TO JOHN ASKIN River Huron Apr 13th 1786 Dear sir, I have got William and several others the owners of the seven petiagers30 to take them down to You, and likewise some of the Women will send Hulling baskets with them. The Indians who have Petiagers to sell, are all in Debt and chiefly their Debts are old; but they are desirous of paying every body they owe before they leave the place, and for that reason have desired me to beg of You to assist them. There is no one remaining in Debt to me for You, except the three in the Account, which You are to take out of the petiagers. Willm will enquire of them and inform You who they are in Debt to. We want and ought to be away from this place in the course of next Week, and chiefly on account of those People who are to settle here, and must have houses to go in. I must detain the remaining seven new Petiagers untill the Vessel arrives and is Loaded, and then imediately We intend to push off. I am glad to hear that my Letter answers the purpose, and that You find good People to live on Your Land. I think in a few Years time it will be a fine Settlement, but then You will have to get a Mill built, which will be still a greater encouragement towards settling. Mr Cornwell asures me he will do the best he can for You, and tells me the Land is to be laid out in Lotts very soon, which I think very needful. I am informed as I believed and told Mr Tracy: that there is no 13 Mile Tree to be found on the Road. So that the Road is one Mile shorter than We expected. I hope You have got the Seeds I sent You by Mr Dolson. Mr. Cornwell thinks it will not be amiss if he keeps the Powder and Shott yet remaining here. I am Dear Sir, Your most Obedt Humbe Servt John Heckenwelder. Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit 30 A petiager (variously spelled) was a boat made from a tree trunk, hollowed out, which was often provided with a plank bottom, the trunk being split in halves, each of which was made to serve as one side of the boat. 238 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Endorsed: River Huron Apr 13h 1786 Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin recvd 15 [torn] & Answd same day N~ 7 FROM JOHN HECKENWELDER TO JOHN ASKIN Huron Rivgr Apr 17th 1786 Dear Sir, At length Captn Understund31 arrived at the Mouth of the River, and is now at my House. I am not at present positive what quantity of Corn will be taken, but We have agreed to send 400 Bags down, and in case it could not be all loaded to leave the remainder at Tuckers.32 The Barrel of Pork, Hog and other things belonging to You I will also send likewise Mine and Mr Zeisbergers Fowles. You will see what is sent by the Account, and what is left with Mr Cornwell, I will aquaint You of when I come down, which will be I hope in a few Days, as We are getting ready to go off as quick as possible. I am very sorry that You was Disappointed in getting the Number of Petiagers, and had it not been, that the Mouth of the river had been shut up for a few Days with Ice, I would have sent such of our People down who would have behaved better. I think I may venture to assure You now, that there are 7 large and well made Petiagers at this place, which no one is to have but You. I send 2 of my Tables by the Vessel and leave one for the Use of the House. Likewise I believe the two fishing canoes will be stowed in the Boat, which if so, You will please to present to the Major and Adjutant Arden. I can assure You We are very sensible of the manifest 31 Capt. James Underston. In 1796 he was living at Grosse Ile. 32. William Tucker was a native of New Jersey who was captured by Indians in boyhood, apparently about the beginning of the French and Indian War, and by them brought into the region of the upper lakes. After some years' captivity he was released and thereafter lived at or near Detroit until his death, March 7, 1805. He is said, although on doubtful authority, to have conveyed to Major Gladwin the first information of Pontiac's designs in 1763. In the summer of 1773 he journeyed to Virginia and there married, which would seem to indicate that he had retained some connection with former friends and relatives. During the Revolution he served in the British Indian Department at Detroit, being listed in 1783 as interpreter to the Ottawa. In 1780 he received from the Chippewa an extensive grant of land on the Huron River, removing his family thither in 1784. He thus became one of the first permanent settlers of this region. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, especially VI, 359-61. 239 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS favours of the Major towards Us, and think ourselves very happy in finding him (the same as Col' De Peyster) a friend and Benefactor to Us, for whom it is our Duty to pray to God to bless abundantly, as it is not in our Power to make any other recompense. But You, Dear Sir, may be also assured, that you will never be forgotten by Us. We are, and always will be indebted to You for the favours and kindness shown to Us, and our People last Spring, and wish and pray that God may reward You in full degree for it. I am sorry that I have hardly time to write this Letter, for I have at this time much to do, and much to think of, otherwise I should have been more particular. but I trust You will excuse me and Understand what I mean, tho it may be imperfect wrote. Mr Understund will do his best, and take as much of Your Corn and things as possible, and if We are so lucky as we wish, in getting the Vessel loaded, he may we hope have a better and quiker Voyage back than coming Up. Should I forget to mention any thing in this Letter, I shall mention or aquaint You by the next Opportunity or when I see You, in the mean time I remain Dear Sir Your most Obedt Humbe Servt John Hackenwelder Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: Huron River April 17h 1786 Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin Recvd April 21st No 8 FROM JOHN CORNWALL TO JOHN ASKIN33 River Huron the 27 april 1786 Mr John Askin Sir I have put Amos Weston & Grubb and the two Dowlers34 in prossession of the houses And Cornfields Acording to Your agreament With them be You ashured that I shall follow your Directions in Every Respect Without 33 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 34 One of these men was Robert Dowler, for whom see ante, 229. 240 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS listning or Consulting any other person but Your Self I expect to begin planting Corn nex Weake if the wether holds moderate I exspect that I Shall be able to Git all the hole field planted in Good Season if You Could Send me Six or Eight Bushels of protaters I will plant them on the peace of Ground that lys Back of the Indian howses Near Conners35 as It Will anser beter for that Use than to put any kind of Grain their on account of fowls and pigs if Mr Smith36 wants a cornfield their is Some Small fields lying up in the forks of the River that is Verry good tho Not So Conveniant as perhaps he Would Wish the land is as Good as any of the rest I am Informed that he is Coming up with a view of Carrying on the Indian trade and is Going to Bring up lickers I would wish that none mite have privolidge to Sell any Rum to Indians as it will be Verry likely to hurt us that are hear they will be killing fowls and hogs and Carrying away Corn these from Yours & C John Cornwall P. S. I Shall take it as a great favour if You Would Sind me five or Six Yardes of Stripe Cotton and five Yardes of Callico if You have not Sent it by [the] Petaugre as I am much in Want of it. Addressed: Mr John Askin at Detroit Endorsed: Recvd April the 29th Answd 30th River Huron April the 27th 1786 Mr Jn~ Cornwell to Jn~ Askin Recvd ye 29th & Answd ye 30 April N~ 1 35 Richard Connor, for whom see ante, 228. 36 This may refer to Thomas Smith of Detroit, for whom see post, 287. 241 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ORDER IN FAVOR OF MORAVIANS Detroit April the 27h 1786 Mr David Duncan37 Sir Please pay to Mr Bull38 for the Use of the Christian Indians the Sum of Two hundred Dollars being for their Improvements at the Huron River which Place to Account of Sir your most obedient Humble Servant John Askin 200 Dollars Endorsed: Pittsburgh June 27th 1786 Recd of Duncan & Wilson the Contents of the with[in] Bill in full John Bull Mr John Askins Draft for 200 Dollars 37 David Duncan of the firm of Duncan and Wilson of Pittsburgh. They were engaged extensively in trade, their operations extending to Detroit, Vincennes, and other places. When Caldwell and Elliot failed at Detroit in 1787 they assigned their available assets to local creditors, leaving Duncan and Wilson, from whom they seem to have procured large numbers of cattle and considerable quantities of goods, wholly unsecured. In this connection Duncan charged Caldwell with having sent Indians to steal horses of the former, in order to avoid the necessity of paying for them. In 1787 Duncan reported that he was engaged in supplying all the U. S. posts and offered to assist John Askin in collecting debts due him by persons living at Vincennes. A copy of Duncan's will, made in Pittsburgh, Dec. 20, 1791, is in the Burton Hist. Coll. Besides his widow, Margaret, he left two sons (Samuel and David) and three daughters (Hanna[h], Mary and Margaret). In addition to considerable personal property, the will disposed of his residence in Pittsburgh and a plantation "on the hill," apparently in this vicinity. Information from manuscript letters of Duncan and others in Burton Hist. Coll. 38 John Bull was a Moravian who in 1783 was delegated by General Benjamin Lincoln to proceed to Oswego and Niagara to inform the Indians that peace had been concluded between Great Britain and the American States, and to urge the natives to cease hostilities. At the same time Ephraim Douglass was sent on a similar mission to the Indians of the Ohio and Detroit areas. Both missions were largely frustrated through the action of the British commandants at Detroit and Niagara, who took the peace commissioners into custody and prevented them from delivering their messages. Douglass was brought in to Detroit, and from there forwarded, under custody, to Niagara and Albany. Bull, on the contrary, was forwarded from Niagara to Detroit, at which place he is stated, by the only authority we have found on the subject, to have been permitted to join the colony of his fellow religionists on Huron River (near Mount Clemens). It seems evident from Askin's letter to Duncan that he was still with them (now in Ohio) in 1786. See C. M. Burton, "Ephraim Douglass and His Times," in Magazine of History, Extra No. 10 (New York, 1910), 34; and Howard L. Osgood, "Indian Affairs in Western New York at Close of Revolution," ms. in Burton Hist. Coll. 242 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS FROM JOHN ASKIN TO DAVID DUNCAN Detroit April 28h 1786 Sir Agreable to what we Settled between Us I now send the Vessell to fetch the Pork &6a. I also send an Other Vessell to Assist in taking the Moravians to their former Place of Aboad. I had Some Intentions of Sending some Goods and Establishing a House at the Cayagen [Cuyahoga] but as reports have prevailed here that you were going to Send Goods Into the part of the Country where we Trade and Carry of[f] some of Our Traders best furrs least I might be Suspected to have a Hand in any Contraband or Underhand Trade is the reason why I have not sent Anything. for My part I am convinced you would not Undertake a Bussiness that would hurt your in the Oppinion of the Commanding Officer here who Appears desirious to Serve you & to Whom I Mentioned that I couled not think you wouled Engage in any Bussiness that wouled draw on you his displeasure. I forsee that you may do a great deal of Bussiness in the Provission way here. the Settlemt is quite out of Cattle & Mr Caldwell39 39 Captain William Caldwell was born at Castle Caldwell, Fermanagh County, Ireland. He migrated to America and shortly prior to the Revolution was living in western Pennsylvania. He remained loyal to the Crown, joined Bird's Rangers under Lord Dunmore in 1775, and served in Butler's Rangers from May, 1776, until July, 1784. He was an active and able partisan leader and over the western Indians he acquired an influence which remained unshaken until his death. He led the Indians in many battles with the Americans along the western frontier, two of his more notable exploits being the defeat of Colonel Crawford and the Battle of the Blue Licks, both in 1782. At the close of the Revolution, Caldwell located at Detroit where, in partnership with Matthew Elliot he engaged in trade. In 1787 the firm failed, having liabilities of ~18,000 and assets of only about one-tenth this sum. In 1784, Caldwell and a group of associates procured from the natives a grant of land seven miles square at the mouth of Detroit River, on the northern portion of which they founded the town which was subsequently named Amherstburg. The same year, Caldwell obtained a grant beginning some four miles east of the river's mouth and extending about fifteen miles along the north shore of Lake Erie, which was settled by loyalists and disbanded soldiers; it was known as New Settlement, and was the nucleus of the subsequent townships of Colchester and Gosfield. In 1783 Caldwell married Susanne, daughter of Jacques Duperon Baby; to them five sons and three daughters were born. Caldwell and several of his sons bore prominent parts in the War of 1812. The father was captain of Caldwell's Rangers from 1812 until May 8, 1814, when he was transferred to the Indian Department with the rank of deputy-superintendent. He died at Amherstburg about the year 1820. Besides his regular family, Caldwell had a son whose mother was a Potawatomi woman. This son, known in history as Billy Caldwell, also bore an active part in the War 243 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS pays very Dear for Indiferent Ones & no More is to be got. As to Pork there is not a Single Barrell for Sale at this Post. I believe I shall want a larger Supply from you soon than I Expected when you were here but as its not yet a fixed Matter I will lett you know in time whether or not. His Excellency General Carleton our Vice Roi is to be out this Spring at New York to settle its said a Trade between the Colonies & us, you no doubt being on the Spott will take care to get Possession of the best Plans to Carry it on with Advantage & I will on my Part do all in my power lies. I have given the following Orders on you which please discharge. Favour Mr Edwards for 15", 13" - favour Mr Zeisberger for 19" 19" 6 favour of the Indians 200 dollars 80 --- -- favr of Mr Bull 20 dollars 8 --- —all New York Cur ~123" 12" 6 I have Only to Add that I wish you health & Happiness &Am Sir your Most Obedt Humble Servt John Askin Mr David Duncan. AFFAIRS AT HURON RIVER40 River Huron 28th April 1786 Mr Askin Sir I have let Amos Weston have Six Bags of Corn & Grubb and Dowlers Six they Tell Me that they have Made an agreement With You for it I have Chargd them with it of 1812 on the western frontier. He was recognized as a chief of the Potawatomi tribe, and figures prominently in the history of early Chicago, where he lived for many years. See, among other sources of information Philippe Baby Casgrain, Memorial des Families Casgrain, Baby, et Perrault du Canada (Quebec, 1898); Denissen, op. cit.; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, especially sketch in Vol. XVI, 724; Butterfield, History of the Girtys; and L. H. Irving (ed.), Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812-15. 40 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 244 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I have Sent the Iron Chain Don that Mr Edwards Left in his house Mr Dolson hes Got a Sow and & four pigs hear that he Bought from Mr Sisoburger [Zeisberger] for four Ginneys last Winter perhaps he Would Sell them and if You Dont by them Soon [some] of the people that is har Will they are Verry fine ones and it Wont take much of any thing to feed them and they Will make fine hogs Next Winter Mr Mc Crey41 hes One mor Sow and four pigs that he Gave two half Joes and one Ginney for they mite be Yours as Well as any other persons Conner and Grubb and Dowlers Intend bying them if You Intend to by them You must Go as Soon as posable for Dowler Will Git them Befor he Cums up if the people Should Want to be firnished With anything hear marchantdise or What Ever Send it har and I will Serve it out to them for You acording to Your Direction With pleashure I am Sir Yours & C John Cornwall Addressed: Mr John Askin, at Detroit Endorsed: Recvd April the 29th Answd 30th River Huron April 28h 1786 Mr Jn~ Cornwall to Jn~ Askin recvd the 29th & Answd ye 30th N~ 3 VOYAGE Of THE MORAVIANS TO OHIO Hoper Cove, May 28th 1786 Dear Sir, About a half hour [ago] Your Barge arived safe in this Cove where they found both Your Vessels and ourselves lying yet on account of Contrary Winds. We had but once since our first arrival a midling fair Wind with which we made an attempt for the Grand River, but by the time we had sailed 30 Miles, the Wind turned right ahead again, and we were obliged to run back again to the Islands. We are indeed impatient to get to the main shore where our Inds. may get [some] hunting for a great many of them has been out of provision this good while, and had it 41 Possibly Thomas McCrae of Detroit, for whom see post, 304. 245 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS not been for Captn Underston and Guthrie42 supplying Us in a great measure with Fish, we would have been certainly in a bad Condition, there being more of Us in Number than 100 who all want Victuals, and the Children in particular are most troublesome in that respect. I have proposed to both Capt" wheither the Macinaw Sloop could not set part of Us on Shore at the Mouth of Sandusky, thinking it will speed the Voyage in a great measure, and only carry our Baggage with a few hands to the Grand River. I hope it will meet your aprobation. I thank You a thousand times for Your kindness in sending Us some provision. I had already served what I had of my own out to the hungry Indians. I think it would be to[o] much to agree to Your kind offer in sending us more provision, have consulted Mr Zeisberger, Edwards and Bull about it, but we are of different opinions concerning this matter. I should indeed be very sorry, should all this be at Your own expence, but should Goverment, who indeed has always been very kind and acted as a father to Us do as much more for Us as to send the boat with a little more Provision, we being in a desert place on an Island and not knowing when we shall be off, at least the whole of Us, we shall indeed be very thankful and acknowledging for it. Captn Understan has had great patience with Us, and deserves much praise, for I asure You so many Indians of all Sizes are no agreeable Cargo in the whole. Your Boat will wait no longer, and the Vessel is getting Clear as quick as possible to return to Detroit. We thank You again, for Your indeed parental Care for Us and I am and remain Dear Sir Your most Obdnt Humble Servt John Heckenwelder Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht Detroit p favour Mr Miller Endorsed: Sandusky Islande May 28, 1786 Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin Recvd & Answd June the 5th N~ 9 42 Captain James [?] Guthrie was engaged in the naval service on the upper lakes as early as 1780, when he was directed by Governor Patrick Sinclair to assume command of the Welcome in the place of Captain Harrow, whom Sinclair had placed under arrest. It was Guthrie, therefore, who commanded the vessel which brought the 246 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS MORAVIANS REACH CUYAHOGA RIVER Gajahoga River June 9th 1786 Dear Sir I can now inform You that We all arived safe at this place Yesterday, and the Vessel the Day before. It was indeed lu[c]ky for Us, that We were sot ashore by Stony Point and did not attempt to go with so many People on Board for this River, which yet, if a Wind had been but favourable while we were at the Islands; We being Ignorent of the difficulty and Danger, would have gone, and most probably been knocked to pieces, Mr Guthrie indeed deserves much praise for the trouble and care he took, first in making 2 trip's, to the above mentioned Point, and lastly at this place. He will be able to give You the best Discription of this River and the Danger in attempting to get in, there being not quite 3 feet Water on the Bar ect: I'm sorry to find that nobody from Fort Pitt is on this River, and that it seems Mr Duncan has not fulfilled his promise as yet, but for what reason I know not. There is a House with about 230 or 40 baggs Flower in it 7 Miles up the River, but neither White person nor Indian to be found about the place, I understand the Flower belongs to Mr Elliot and Colwell. We think of sending Mr Bull off to Fort Pitt to enquire for Mr Duncan and how matters are, since We have also a gread deal of Cloathing lodged by our Society at Bethlehem in his hands. You will hear afterwards farther by the first Opportunity. In the mean time I and we all acknowledge all your kind favours to Us, and shall always pray to God to bless You abundantly. I am Dear sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant John Heckenwelder Recvd June 21th Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: Gajahoga June 9th 1786 Mr Hackenwelder to Jn~ Askin Recvd the 21st N~ 11 family of John Askin to Detroit on its removal from Mackinac to this place. See Mich. Pio. Colls., IX, 605. A letter written by Askin, Sept. 11, 1799, notes that Guthrie was then about to leave Detroit for Canada and Scotland. 247 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM JOHN CORNWALL TO JOHN ASKIN43 River Huron 9th June 1786 Mr Askin Sir I am Verry glad to har that You have got the hors I was afeard that he was Stoal you had better keep him at Detroit I fear he Will not Stay hear my Neighbours Since their return from Detroit Will not Speake to me You had No great ocation to Say much to them for they have bin Verry Shy this long time. I must put you In mind of your promis of assisting me in howing if you Can Sind a hand With Clearwarters I Shall be Verry glad. We have as Good a prospect of a crop of Corn as Ever I Saw In this Cuntry and the Sooner it is hoad out the Sooner We may Discharge the men from that bisnes if you Can Sind a little pork up with Clearwater it Will be Verry Well Exsepted of as the Men begin to Grumbel at eating Sturgin You will let me know What you Charge a pound for the Candles as they are Wanted if you have No objecttion I will let them have them they Will pay you for them in the fall pleas Send me four pounds of Soape & let me know the price as it is not for my own use I shall be Verry Glad to See you hear after We have Done howing our Corn parhaps We may make another Bargin. these from your most Humble Servt John Cornwall P. S. pleas Send me two puter basens that Will hold about one quart Each as I have Got Nothing less than a two two Gallon Wooden bowl to [drink] a little milk out of. recvd June 9th Answd 10th Addressed: To Mr John Askin at Detroit Endorsed: river Huron June 9th 1786 Mr Jn~ Cornwall to Jn~ Askin recvd the same day Answd ye 10th N~ 8 43 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 248 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS GRANT OF LAND TO CHARLES REAUME Nous les Chefs des pouteoatamis apres avoir Delib6r6 Sur letAt actuel des terres qui nous laissons inculte depuis longtems de l'avis et Consentement de toutte La Nation antierre, avons determinees d'en donner une portion a Notre Amis Charles Reaume, Contenante Six arpents de frond Sur la Rivierre au Raisin Citu6e dans la ditte rivierre A la droitte en Montant la ditte Rivierre Sur Cent arpents de profondeur, ainsy que les terres ordinaire Cy devant Conced6e tenant aussi la ditte terre, dun Cottee a Mons' Bte Reaume Son frerre et de lautre aux terres non donn6s et pour la bonne amiti6e que nous lui portons nous luy allumons un feux de paix et de tranquilitee, en luy garantissant ainsi quelle Se poursuit avec les prairies Sus et Mouiiller bois etca du apresent et a toujour Ses hoirs ayans Causes afin qu'il en jouissent enpleine propriett6e Sans aucuns empechements, Cest pourquoy nous avons tous faits nos marques accoutummes. Au Detroit 10e Juin 1786. [Totems and names of eleven Indian chiefs follow.] Endorsed: June 10h 1786 Deed from Indians to Charles Reaume 6 acres by 100 A N~ 18. Translation WE, the chiefs of the Potawatomi, after due deliberation on the present condition of lands which we have long left uncultivated, and by the advice and consent of the whole tribe, have decided to give a portion to our friend Charles R6aume,44 to the extent of six arpents of front on the right bank of the River Raisin ascending the stream, by one hundred arpents in depth conformable to previous concessions 44 Charles Reaume was the younger brother of Jean Baptiste Rdaume, for whom see ante, 170. He was born at Detroit, Feb. 4, 1743. He married Ang6lique Beauchamp and passed practically his entire career in the service of the British Indian Department. A memorial of his widow to Sir George Prevost, June 5, 1814, states that her husband was "for upwards of forty-nine years" an interpreter in His Majesty's service at Detroit, from which place he was forced to flee with his family on the evacuation by General Procter in 1813. From the hardships endured on this flight he died at Kingston, Dec. 20, 1813, aged seventy years. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Mich. Pio. Colls., XV, 585. 249 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS adjacent to the said land, adjoining land of his brother, Baptiste Reaume, on one side, and unceded lands on the other side. And for the good fellowship which we bear to him, we light with him a pipe of peace and tranquillity, as a guaranty of possession of the entire tract, its meadows, marshes, woodland, etc., from now and forever, to him, his heirs and assigns; and that he may enter into full rights of ownership, with no hindrances whatsoever, we all now make our accustomed signs. Executed at Detroit, June 10, 1786. FINANCIAL SETTLEMENT BETWEEN JOHN ASKIN AND JEAN BAPTISTE BARTHE Having been requested by Mr John Askin, on the part of John Askin & C~, & by J. B. Barthe, on the part of J. B. Barthe & C~ to examine the account of John Askin & C~ against the said J. B. Barthe & C~ as well as to settle some other points hitherto disputable; we have done so. And conformable to the articles of copartnership, which say, that J. B. Barthe & C~ are to be furnished with whatever they may want at the price it cost here, if purchased on the spot; & if below, at the prime cost in Montreal with charges & risk: we find according to the tenor of these articles that the sum of Thirteen Hundred & thirty five pounds eleven shillings, must be deducted for overcharges &c: & further, that the sum of Five Hundred & twenty six [pounds] four shillings, being the balance of Freights received by J. Askin & C~ on account of the sloop Mackinac between the 15th May 1782 & 19th June of the same year has not before been credited J. B. Barthe & Co These two sums therefore will form an additional credit to them with John Askin & C~ of Eighteen Hundred & sixty two pounds five shillings New York currency. This is the result of our examination, & what, to the best of our judgment is just & right: Detroit 19th June 1786. William Robertson Thos Finchley 250 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS After carrying the balance of the Mackinac's account to the credit of J. B. Barthe & C~ the sum then due by them to John Askin & C~ would be nearly five thousands; from which, according to the articles of their copartnership, there must be a deduction of thirteen hundred & odd pounds as above stated: in order however to bring the affairs of J. B. Barthe & C~ to a final conclusion, a matter much wished for both by Mr Askin & Mr Barthe; Mr John Askin has this day agreed before us to accept the sum of Five thousand pounds New York currency, as a full & complete payment of the debt due by J. B. Barthe & C~ to John Askin & C~ relinquishing all claim to any share of profits that may have arisen from the trade of J. B. Barthe & C~ as if the said copartnership never had existed: and, in consideration of this Mr J. B. Barthe obliges himself to pay the above sum of Five thousand pounds; one-half the 15th October next in Montreal, & the other, namely two thousand five hundred pounds, the 15th October one thousand seven hundred & eighty-seven: Detroit 22d June 1786. William Robertson Thos Finchley We agree & are fully satisfied with the foregoing mode of terminating the business hitherto in suspence. John Askin J. Bt Barthe Endorsed: June 21st 1786 Mr Barthe his acknowledgemt of Owing Jn~ Askin & C~ ~5000, 0, 0 TRADE CONDITIONS AT DETROIT Detroit June 22d 1786 Dear Friends Your Sundry favours of the 30th April & 13th & 14th & 20th May came all to hand Yesterday, and what of them is not Answered by Letters wrote prior to my Receiving these I now mean to do. If none but those who pay their Freights will have a Preferance in the Kings Vessalls others will not Receive any Considerable hurt by it for my part the little I want I would wish in Bateau by 251 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS............................~,,................. Wintering men the Advantage Arising from them is much more than the whole of the Freights up so that it might be said good[s] in that [way] are b[r]ought up for nothing. Mr Pollard45 has shewn me Coppies of the Letters that passed between General Hope46 and the Gentlemen in Trade Relative to Freights, the Latter corresponds with our Sentiments of the Matter I note what you say about Collecting Proofs of Losses Sustained which shall be done but I cannot possible Conceive how any Suit as yet can be Commenced against me, as no Regular Account has ben produced against me nor a Demand made for the paymt Mr Laughton by the Vessall before this brought me what he Called an Account and asked If I would give him a Receipt for it I said I would and Accordingly got one 45 Richard Pollard was in Detroit as early as 1784, in which year he bought from William Brown for ~400 New York Currency a tract of land three arpents by forty at Petite C6te. Detroit Notarial Records, Vol. C, 507 (ms. copy in Burton Hist. Coll.). Apparently he soon engaged in trade, for in the Notarial Records,Vol. D, 113, is recorded a note given by Francis Vigo of Vincennes, March 17, 1787, for ~652 New York Currency for "value received in Merchandize." In the same record book (Vol. D, 114) is a letter written by Laurent Durocher from the Illinois, March 20, 1787, to William St. Clair and Co. concerning a debt owed to the latter, in which incidental complaint is made of "the Mackinac Company and that young fool Pollard." In the spring of 1792 Pollard was appointed sheriff of the Western District of Upper Canada, which then included Detroit. After the American occupation of Detroit the Englishspeaking population of Sandwich and vicinity felt the need of a clergyman, particularly to solemnize marriages. Since none was to be had otherwise, they concluded to choose one of their own number who should secure ordination. Pollard and William Hands were deemed the two most eligible candidates, and Hands, with becoming modesty, insisted that Pollard was better qualified for the work than himself. In 1802 Pollard went down to Montreal and was there ordained. He returned to Sandwich to become the first pastor of St. John's, the first Protestant Episcopal church of Canada, west of Niagara. In addition to his local ministrations Pollard made periodical visits to Detroit to conduct mission service. The first church building (a log structure) was burned by American soldiers during the War of 1812. A second edifice, of brick, was erected in 1816-18, in which Pollard continued to serve until his death, Nov. 6, 1824. In addition to his clerical office he continued to hold until death several secular appointments, including those of probate judge and register for Essex County. Information adapted from books and ms. records in Burton Hist. Coll. 46 Henry Hope was commissioned major in the Forty-fourth Regiment, May 3, 1775, and lieutenant colonel Oct. 5, 1777; later he became a brigadier general. In the summer of 1782 he was sent by General Haldimand on a tour from Quebec to Mackinac and Detroit to report on military conditions, especially on the great expenditure of government funds which was going on at Mackinac. In 1785 Hope succeeded Henry Hamilton as lieutenant-governor of Canada, serving until the arrival of Lord Dorchester in Canada in 1786. He died, April 13, 1789. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., X, passim; Ford, British Officers in the American Revolution; and inscription on tombstone of Henry Hope, in St. Matthew's churchyard, Quebec. 252 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Ready which however he did not send down as it would Expose the manner in which these Accounts are made up. I send you it Inclosed however Except necessary I would not wish to have it produced as it would hurt an Obliging man. Your Letter on the Subject of Freights I have shown to Mr Robertson, Mr Hamilton being gone. The Continued Losses on Skins added to Others of an Other nature has nearly thrown me into a Stupid State from whence nothing but my Duty to Justice to those who have Suported me perhaps could Rouse me. It's impossible to get Skins Exchanged but to give Correspondents such as you are a Directional power about them I agree to with all my Heart If General however in my Oppinion If there was Leather dressers & Breeches makers here we would get Rid of a large Quantity on the Spott for Smoked Skins Sell or Exchange very fast with the Inhabitants from 12/ to 16/ There cannot be a better Remedy for the Disorder this Country is got into than few goods Coming to it in Deed there is no other that would Answer, by these Means none but the Capable of Good Characters will be Furnished 2d [illegible], & they Sparingly as they will not meett with Opposition as Usual they will get the full Value for what they May part with. As to myself I have before Mentioned to you that the part of the Memorandum which I sent you that may be convenient for you to Compleat will answer me ~250 worth of Silver works in lieu of ~400 your Currency will Answer the only things then wanted to Compleat my 6th Share is the Liquor abt 30 pieces of Calicoe 20 p8 Striped Cottons 8 of Coating & as many of Ratuns with abt 20 p8 of R. Sheeting. If I should want a few Indian Goods Mr Robertson has plenty so that the Remainder of what you send I mean for the Trade of this Place. Mr Vigoe is here & has brought about 100 Packs he would not have brought so much had he known that the Skins was so low as he Still [has] to Remain in Debt he is allowed to be the best man towards the Post we have fitted him out & have great Reason to think he will make a 253 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS great Stroke as we do not see any person who is both Capable & Inclined to Oppose us in that Quarter nor Indeed in any other [of] the depandances of this Post. I before wrote that Barthe is going to make his Residence at St Marys for some years therefore does not want anything [sent] up this way he promised me at parting to Convert all he Could Into Remittances for this year & I dare say he will do it. I Omited mentioning that you send off without Loss of time in Bateauxs & with Wintering men all you have to send. I note what you say about the Rum Recd of Mr Martin in paymt of a Debt due you by Messrs Douglass & F[l]eming I Realy Recd it on that Account only & gave a Receipt Accordingly. I'm Glad there is some Pork on the Way for me as Im disappointed in what I should have got from the Colonies, the Reason of which I'm not yet Acquainted with. Im perticularly happy to learn that I may depend on Seeing one of you this Summer. No matter shall be settled with Mr Grahams before that time nor shall any Threats whatever make me deviate in the Smallest Degree from what I think Right. Our new Concern agrees with you in Sentiment that our Outfit should not be for one half what it formerly was among us all Separately & yet we have much Reason to Expect that the Returns will be Equal if not more than formerly that most certainly is the only means to be taken of Changing our Trade for the better. Mr James Ellis is now here & does not relish the Manner in which Mr Tho8 Forsyth Acted for tho the Answer to the whole of us as a C~ might be necessary or you & him might have had Reasons for it, yet he should like you in private Letters wrote such of his Correspondants as he mean to Continue Supplying that he would provide their 6th Share & send it Immediately forward as by our Articles Each of us are to Furnish our shares at a Certain Price those who fail will have to go out of the Concern. I'm thankfull to you for the Advice but I asure you at same time it never was my Intentions to Engage in any Joint purchase for the Concern Unless some Perticular 254 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Advantage derived to Myself therefore. The Felicity is now taking in Packs and the Rebecca will take in to Morrow In the Latter I will load my proportion & send you an Account of them at same time. There is many of my Customers from whom I have not any perticular Account of what they have made & are sending me. I fear many of them will fall short but I hear of only one that I'm doubtfull of his having gone off, but Mr Vigoe says he will see him this Winter & does not dispear of geting some paymt from him. I shall End this long Letter with Asurances of Strict friendship on the part of Yours &c Endorsed: Detroit June 24th 1786 From Jn~ Askin to Messr" Todd & McGill Coppy NEWS FROM SANDUSKY St Dosquiette Le 22 Juin 1786 Monsieur voyant que vos voiture tardai Jai fait partir St Jan avec trante trois paquete Sela Sera un voyage des parnies pour moy Il Luy a ancore trante paquiette faite Et pres6 pour La Charge dune voiture Je pare pour Les Chaouainon voir mes Creancie quila mon Bien promit de payer Cette Itait Sille Ne mon pas doive davantage Cais quille Le Luy a pas us de traite Il ont de La marchandi Et Bien des Gage I1 me doive En Core ~317 pau de Chevreu Siau Cas que vos voiture arrive Ii prendront Ce quile Luy a mon pere Leur Remaitra Les trante paquiete qui Sont faite Si Javais Etait asorti Comme Je voi apparce que Je Serai ou que Je Neus pas us Le malleure de donn6 mon Butin a Ses Gens La Jaurai faite deux Sen paquiete pas[s]6 parce que Jai Bien Envoy6 de La pelterie pour a Seul fin de vous payer mais Ses Gens La mon faite un Gran tore Les deux premiere voiture que vous mave Envoy6 Il Les ont us mai Jait prit une R6solusion de Ne pas faire Craidi Ni au Blan Ni au Noire Je vous drai vous pri6 de mavoir une ordre pour faire payer Le Sieur Charle droulliare Il me doit Encore 177 pau de Chevreu II Ne veus pas donn6 Ni pelterie Ni Chevau Ni pourseau 255 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Je vous dirai que Le Sieure Coune a Ecri au Sauvage de Ne pas Lesai faire de Batise au Blan Je Ne Sai pas Si Salt de La pare de Monsieu Le majore ou de La Siene Si Les Sauvage on demand6 quille Ne vain plus des Romme a St Dosquiete Cait de La pare de Monsieure ]Elaite Et monsieureCoune Sela Nait faite que pare Rapore a vous Et a moy Et monsieure asique Et Jane MIlaite qui doive Boucoup a monsieure Cornouelle Sont all6 a La Grand Riviere Charche de La Boison Le Rome ait farine pour moy au d6troit Et II ait ouvaire pour Euse a La Grand Riviere Les Sauvage ont tenu Consaile on dit quile Ne falli pas prendre LeRomme daucun Blanc Selon Lordre de monsieure Coune qui veus Se faire Chefe parmit Euse. point dautre Chose a vous marque Sinont que jait prie une Bonne arrangement pour La traite que Je pourai faire plus que pas un Sille Navoit pas de Boison adieu monsieure Je Suis votre tres humble Et obeisan Sairveteur Joseph guilbau Si St Jan a Besoin de quele que peu darjan Comme II ma mand6 pour faire mont6 un fusi Je vous prie de Luy fournire ou de marchandise pour Jirou[?] II Ne Luy Revient Rien Translation Sandusky, June 22, 1786 Sir: As your carts are delayed I have sent St. John on with thirty-three packs so as to make the best use of our time [?]. He has a cartload more of thirty packs ready. I am leaving for the Shawnee country to see my creditors. They promised to pay me this summer, if they do not owe me anything more, it will be because there has not been any trade. They were to have some goods and, of course, their wages. They owe me 317 pounds more of roe-buck skins. If your carts come they can take whatever there is. My father will attend to the thirty packs that are made up. If I had had a better assortment of goods, as I see now was necessary, or if I had not had the misfortune to give my merchandise to those people out there, I would have made two hundred 256 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ~~~~~~........... packs the past [winter] which I fully intended to send you in payment of what I owe, but those people did me a great wrong. They got the first two cartloads that you sent. But I have sworn never again to trust any man, white or black. Will you kindly send an order for payment from Charles Drouillard?47 He owes me yet 177 [pounds] of roe-buck skins, and will not pay, neither in peltrie, nor skins, nor pork. I should tell you that Mr. Coon48 has written to the savages not to let any white man put up buildings. I do not know if that is by the major's order, or just his own. If the savages have asked that no more rum be sold at Sandusky then it is Mr. Elliot's49 orders and Mr. Coon has done it only 47 On the Drouillard family see ante, 183. Charles Bonaventure Drouillard was born at Detroit, Aug. 11, 1756, son of Jean Baptiste Drouillard and Charlotte Bigres dit Fauvel, and grandson of Jean Drouillard and Elizabeth Rapin. Charles married at Sandwich, Oct. 19, 1778, Mary Louisa Quesnel, daughter of James Quesnel and Margaret Morel de la Durantaye. He was engaged in trade at Sandusky as early as 1782, as evidenced by the fact that his second son, Alexis, was born there March 5, 1782 and not baptized until July 14, 1784. Charles Drouillard married (second) Mary Langlois, widow of Stephen Robidou, at Detroit, May 4, 1818. Denissen, op. cit. 48 Abraham Coon, or Kuhn, was a white captive who lived among the Wyandot of Sandusky, and according to some statements became a war chief. However this may be, he exercised considerable influence over his associates, and if not formally attached to the British Indian Department, was evidently subject to its control. According to Gov. William Walker of Kansas, Coon was taken captive in western Pennsylvania about the year 1770. He is said to have exerted his influence over the Wyandot in favor of making peace with General Wayne in 1795. A descendant of Coon, John Coon, was the first person to be legally executed in what is now the state of Kansas, being convicted of murder by the Wyandot council and shot on the present site of Kansas City, Kansas. See Heckenwelder's Narrative, 368-69. 49 Matthew Elliot was a native of Ireland who came to America as a young man in 1761. He served in Bouquet's expedition for the relief of Fort Pitt in 1763. For many years thereafter he was engaged in the Indian trade or the government service, or both, with headquarters at Pittsburgh. By the opening of the Revolution he was conducting rather extensive trading operations, and had acquired much influence over the Indians of the Ohio Valley. Probably by reason of his government employment, Elliot remained loyal to the king, and in the autumn of 1776 set out with two or three followers and a considerable train of goods for Detroit. En route his goods and slave were seized by the Indians, but Elliot himself reached Detroit in safety. There, however, he incurred the suspicion of disloyalty and was arrested and sent down to Quebec by Governor Hamilton. On being released, he made his way back to Pittsburgh, where he associated with other loyalists and became known as a dangerous character. On March 28, 1778, Elliot again sought refuge at Detroit, in company with Alexander McKee and Simon Girty. This time he won the confidence of the British authorities and was soon employed in the Indian Department. Throughout the remainder of the Revolution he was an active leader of Indians in the warfare in the West, participating in almost every important expedition in the Ohio region during the war. He led 300 Indians in the defeat of Colonel Crawford's expedition, aided in the slaughter of the Kentuckians at the Blue Licks, served with Hamilton 257 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS with respect to you and to me. Both Mr. Isaac [Williams?] 60 and John Elliott,51 who owe much to Mr. Cornwall, have gone to the Grand River52 to try to get liquor. My rum and flour comes from Detroit and is opened for them at Grand River. The savages have held a council. It is reported that they must not take rum from any white man except on the order of Mr. Coon who wants to be a chief among them. I have nothing more to say except that if I could only make good arrangements for trade, I could do more than anyone if there was no liquor. I remain your most humble and obedient servant, Joseph Guilbaut on the Vincennes campaign, and with Bird on his invasion of Kentucky in 1780. In 1781 he conducted the Moravian Indians from Sandusky to Detroit, and in 1783 conducted the American peace commissioners, Douglass and McCully, to the same place. Prior to the American occupation of Detroit, Elliot withdrew to the vicinity of Amherstburg, where he conducted a farm and continued his service in the British Indian Department. He effectively served his country in the operations in western Ohio from 1790 to 1794, and in July, 1796, was promoted to the superintendency of Indian Affairs. By reason of a garrison intrigue, he was dismissed a year and a half later, and for several years he vainly sought vindication of his conduct at the hands of the authorities. Ten years after his dismissal, when war with the United States seemed again impending, the government found that no one else could control the western Indians, and Elliot was reappointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Although now an old man, he served zealously and effectively until his death, May 7, 1814. He led the Indian contingent when Brock captured Detroit in August, 1812, and as much as any one man was responsible for the River Raisin massacre. On Procter's withdrawal from Detroit in 1813, Elliot accompanied him. One of his last exploits was to lead the savages in the assault on Fort Niagara in December, 1813. Few men have known how to control the American Indian as successfuly as did Elliot, and none have been bitterer foes of the United States. He died at Burlington Heights, May 7, 1814, a fugitive from his home, which had been ravaged by the victorious Americans. Elliot married Sarah Donovan, daughter of Matthew Donovan, one of Detroit's early schoolmasters. The outward shell of his home still stands on the shore of the Detroit River, a short distance below Amherstburg. Information adapted from biographical sketch (ms.) by C. M. Burton in Burton Hist. Coll. 50 Isaac Williams was one of the early British traders at Detroit, being here prior to 1777. He befriended the Moravians and is frequently mentioned in Zeisberger's Diary. In 1793 he is described by the Quaker peace delegation, then at Detroit, as "an old noted Indian trader.. well acquainted with the Indian affairs and their dispositions." Mich. Pio. Colls., XVII, 584. According to Zeisberger he was very influential with the Wyandot, his brother-in-law (white) being a chief among them. He later removed to Harwish Township, Kent County, Ontario, where he died in 1806. 51 John Elliott was a private in Butler's Rangers during the Revolution and came to Detroit at the conclusion of that struggle. His name is in Major Mathews' list of loyalists and disbanded soldiers to whom grants of land were to be made on the north side of Lake Erie in 1787. 5z The Cuyahoga, which was sometimes named Grand River. 258 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS If St. John needs a little money, as he told me, to rig up a gun, kindly let him have it, or some goods for Jirou [?]. There is nothing coming to him. FROM JOHN CORNWALL TO JOHN ASKIN53 River Huron 24th June 1786 Mr Askin Sir I Exspect to have all the Corn & protaters howed in about twelve Days time if the wether is Good then I Shall not Want any person With me till the burds begin to Eate Corn yo[u] Can Set them abou any bisnes that you Chuse or Discharge them I thought parhaps You mite Set them Sawing som plank or b[o]ards I hear that Some of my old Creaditers are Wanting to Cum at my Shair of the Crop I hope that You Will be so good as to befriend me so far as to put it out of any ones power at present for if I had but twenty pounds no one Shall have more in proportion that an other if I Can help it I Shall not forgit to Do as much for you if it lys in my power at any tim-for it mite be Some hurt to you as Well as a di[s]apointment to me I believe that My Neighbours hes bin adviseing with Som of them about the mater I would not Wish that they Should be so Well pleased I hope that You Will Be abel to make a ginnoral Remooval of them Before an other year Corns about as it Will be much against your Intrust to have any Such people hear for I know tho they Dair not Say any thing they try to Stiffel and put Every thing back from your Intrust that they possabely Can. these from your most obediant Humble Servt John Cornwall P.S. Sir pleas Send Som blew Cloath for one pair of Indian leging and you Will oblige yours yow Will Send Sheet Back Sunday morning as their is no time to be lost at present. Endorsed: recvd June 22d Answd ye 24th 53 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 259 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM JOHN HECKENWELDER TO JOHN ASKIN Gajahaga River July ye 14th 1786 Dear Sir I suppose You have heard already, that We have settled, and planted a little Corn on this River, and as matters seem as yet not to be cleaverly [clearly] at Rights in the Indian Country, We, I suppose may stay here some time, perhaps at least a Year or two. At present We are pretty much pinched in the Way of Provision, but I hope we will be able to surmount this and other difficulties. We understand, that 2 paquets of Letters for Us, were sent to Detroit by People that took Cattle in for Mr Duncan, and it is likely they are left with Captn Caldwell or at McKee. I must beg of You to enquire for them, and send them by the first Opportunity to the Mouth of this River, (where Mr Neil who has the Care of Flower and Your Pork lives). It was not Mr Duncans fault that the Pork was not out in the right time. I suppose he has mentioned all about it to You already. Perhaps I may go in the Fall down in the Country to see my Relations, but am not as yet fully determined on it.54 I am Dear Sir, Your most Obedt Humbe Servt John Heckenwelder recvd July 26th Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: Gayahaga July 14th 1786 Mr Heckenwelder to Jn~ Askin Recvd the 26h & Answd ye 16h Sepr N~ 12 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN WILLIAM ROBERTSON AND JOHN ASKIN Memorandum 1. William Robertson agrees that half the profits that may arise from the business transacted in his name during the term of three years, reckoning from the first of July 1784 54 Heckenwelder returned to Bethlehem in September, 1786, remaining there until 1801, when he removed to Gnadenhutten. 260 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS to the first of July 1787, shall belong to John Askin, at which period the said copartnership shall terminate & cease. 2. John Askin obliges himself to sustain half the expenses that may be incurred, & half the losses should there be any, as also to render the copartnership every service in his power in the way of trade &c. 3. The said copartnership is to pay William Robertson six hundred pounds a year as an equivalent for his conducting the business & for his being publicly responsible for whatever the company does; as also, an equitable rent for such places as he may judge necessary for carrying on the trade; the mode of doing which he reserves entirely to himself without any restriction whatsoever: Detroit, 22d July 1784. William Robertson John Askin [Note by J. A.] Signed the 28th Sepr 1786 Appended [writing of W. R.]: Received of Mr Wm Robertson the sum of Three Thousand pounds New York currency: namely Five hundred pounds in goods as per Account; & Two Thousand five hundred pounds by bill on MessrS Todd & McGill: which sum of Three Thousand pounds I do accept & acknowledge to be a full & final consideration for all profits claims or demands of what nature soever that could have arisen or in any wise belonged to me in consequence of the above agreement, & am equally clear from every demand & claim whatever that Mr Robertson could or ever can make against me in consequence of the above articles. We therefore mutually acquit, & hereby stand mutually acquitted to all intents & purposes as if the above copartnership never had existed as witness our hands & seals at Detroit, this 22d August 1787. John Askin (L. S.) William Robertson (L. S.) Witness: Isaac Todd 261 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS PROTECTION OF CROPS AT HURON RIVER55 River Huron 25th August 1786 Sir I have only to let You know that we have plenty of birds, and Squorrels hear at present which Give us a constant Imploy from Morning to night tho We have but Verry little Damage Done With them as yet much less than in any of my Neighbours fields, be so Good as to Send me a carrot of tobaco and let me know the price of it as it is for Slaid and a few small Shot the Smallest that You have as the Shot that I have hear is two large for the Use if You have opertunity to Send up Some flower by Som person that is Cuming this Way it Will not be amis as We have not much at present if I Should Want more help to keep the Burds of[f] the Corn I Will let You know by the first opertunity I Did Exspect You hear before this I think if You Was to Com up hear You had beter take all on Your own hands and then their Will be no Cation of a division I will give you a Good bargin I am Sir Your friend and Humble Servt John Cornwall Addressed: Mr John Askin Detroit Endorsed: Huron River Augt 25h 1786 Jn~ Cornwall to Jn~ Askin Recvd & Answd ye 26th N~ 13 FROM DAVID ZEISBERGER TO JOHN ASKIN Cayahaga River Octobr the 11th 1786 Dear Sir I received your Letter of Septembr the 16th yesterday & am much obliged to you for it. Mr Heckenwelder was gone to Bethlehem just a Day before your Letter arrived with his family. The Packet of Letters which Capt Caldwell had, we received, it was opened & an Almanack & some Newspapers was wanting, which however Signifieth nothing, if we had all the Letters I cannot tell. I had a very bad hot fever, so as many of our people-thank God I am much better now, though hardly able to write. Only 55 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 262 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I & Mr. Edward who has the same fever, are now here. There is much Talk among the Indians about War of which they are in Apprehension. May God prevent it & give us peace. Wishing you health & the Blessing of God I am Dear Sir your most obdt & humble Servt DAV. ZEISBERGER (Mr. John Asking Mercht) Addressed: Mr John Asking Mercht at Detroit Endorsed: Cayahaga Octr 11th 1786 Mr Zeisberger to Jn~ Askin recd Decr 18th Answd FROM JOHN CORNWALL TO JOHN ASKIN56 River Huron 18th Octr 1786 Sir I have Delivered Mr Gutrey57 as much Corn as he thinks is Surficiant to loade the petiauger the next trip She makes I shall loade her With protaters if You think proper as I have Got the Corn Where it Receives no Dammage till Wee Can husk it out please let me know What quantaty of protaters you think proper to leave hear it Will be nessary to have some hear if You mean to plant har the nex year if I Should Stay har I Will plant Double the quantaty as I have this I Will Shell out all my Corn as Soon as it is Dry You Shall have it at the market price as I have nothing to Dispose of to any other person I have Som oake plank and Boards har and timbers that I Got out for a perryauger last Winter it Will make one about the Sise of Dowlers if You Will Buy it I will sell it Verry Reasnable if I Build her I fear I Cant Sell her and I Cant Build her Without I run into Debt for Nails and other artickels Nessary to Build her I Dair Say If You Will You Can have her built hear Cheeper than any Craft of the Sise hes Bin Built at Detroit this Some time past if You Will Want any large Cannows Built this Winter if You Should 56 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 57 Probably Captain James Guthrie, for whom see ante, 246. 263 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Want any thing of that kind Pleas let us know it in Season and you Will Git What You Want of that kind Done hear. I am Sir Your most obediant Humble Servant John Cornwall Do pleas let me have Some Rattean or Coating to Make a Wescoate and trowser one hat & Silk handerchieff & Some thread. its for Slaid pleas let Me know the price of them By Dowler as he Will bring them up. Excuse Blunders. Addressed: Mr John Askin Detroit Endorsed: River Huron Octr 18h 1786 John Cornwall to Jn~ Askin Answd ye 22d MISCONDUCT OF JOSEPH REAH Rre Blanche Le 24e Novembre 1786 Monsieur Ne pouvant pour le present me transporter au Detroit etant le fort de la traitte d'automne; Je vous addresse les Comptes de Joseph Reah qui doit y aller se plaindre d'une violence Soit disant que Je lui ait fait; pour vous mettre offet de cette affaire Je vais vous la detailler; cet homme apres plusieurs prieres et employ6 meme un de mes commis pour que Je vint a Lequiper me fit determiner, malgr6 quelque repugnaces, a lui donner des marchandise a commission, a raison de Dix castor pour Cent Castor, et de traitter sur les prix que Je lui feroit et deprendre les peaux mal comme femelle, a deux pour un Castor commes 6toit L'usage dans ce temps; ainsi que de toutes les autres peltries, aux quels ils devoit se conformer; il etoit pour lors a la Rre Blanche eloigner de moy denviron 25 Lieux, et s'obligeoit de m'apporter les peltries chez moy, toutes ces conventions verbal presence de Mr Largeau et promettant de les excuter. Quelques temps apres il vint m'apporter des peltries et me dit qu'il ne pouvoit gagner sa vie au prix de Dix pr cent et quil y avoit quelques Articles de trop chere; Je consentie a Luy donner 12 Castor pour cent castors quil vendroit et rabattre sur ces Articles quil trouvoit 264 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS trop chere; il a continue a travailler assez bien pendt le restant de L'et6 et une partie de L'automne, apres ce temps Je recue avis qu'il detournois de mes peltries et en avoit m~me vendue au Sieur Lafontaine; Je lui en fit reproche et me l'avofia mais non pas une si grande quantit6 comme il avoit fait Et Voyant quil n'avoit plus d'envie de continuer, et quil cherchoit des moyens de s'equiper allieur, Je lui dit en fevrier 1785 quil vint aranger ses comptes avec moy il me le promit mais s'en vouloir 1'executer car depuis ce temps Mr Largeau a et6 plusieurs fois pour cela, il n'a Jamais dit non mais eludez Le temps. Je mi Suis transportez moi m6me avec Le Sr Saffray qui me Seryit d'Interprette, Je trouvois plusieurs charges de peltries Lier qui etoit du proventi de ma Marchandises et quil Se disposoit a comporter aux Miamis (comme il avoit deja fait cidevant) Je lui ait demand6 a me Les donner il me dit que Si Je vouloit prendre Les peaux de mal a un Castor (ce qui n'etoit point nos conventions) Je n'avois qua les prendre mais que Si Je vouloit Luy quitter elever un commerce Avec ces peltries qil me payeroit sous deux mois, Jai cru Sa promesse Sincere Et Le lui accord6e; Le terme s'est ecoul6e et un Lapse de Temps tres considerable sans Le voir; Je l'ai fait prier par Autrui Et par Mr Largeau et ce inutillement. Ayant pour reponce ordinaire dans les conversations quil tenoit avec d'autres personnes No Law here qui a pass6 en proverbe dans ces endroits ici, ou Londit (comme Le vieux Jos.[)] point de Loix ici, il en a donn6 une marque assez convinquante Lorsqu'un nomm6 Charley Luy demandoit Son payement, il Luy a repondre d'un coup de fusil dans le cot6 avec plomb en grain et une balle. Le Bruit publique etoit que Le dit Joseph Reah Se determinoit a partir sous peu avec des charges de peltrie, pour aller chez les Ameriquains, d'autres quil S'en alloit a la Roche de Bout, cette derniere place me fut confirm6 par Lavertissement qui vint me faire la Sr Saffray Je me determinai a Lui aller otter les peltries qu'il devoit emporter, et voyant que cet homme n'avoit plus de commerce et quil ne cherchoit qu'une occasion de sevader Je partie le 29 Septembre avec un de mes hommes pour ce Sujet et trouvant 265 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS........ _. quil etoit deja partie pr la Roche debout Je fut a Sa poursuite et le Sr Rivet vint avec moy pour lui faire rendre ou payer un cheval qui lui appartenoit. Je le rejoignit a quelques Lieues de la Rre Blanche Sur le chemin, Je lui ait Ottez toutes ces peltries et un cheval comme vous voirez par le proces verbal ci Joint sans faire aucune insulte a Sa personne comme il en a fait courir Le bruit (il est vrai que Javois ma carabine mais tout Le monde scait que Je ne marche Jamais sans L'avoir et que ces avec elle que Jevis et fait vivre mon monde pr mon homme il n'avoit ni verge ni baton) main en lui disant que Si Je le Retrouvois encore avec des peltries a lui, Je lui en feroit autant Jusqu'aLa conqurance de mon payement, puis quil ne vouloit point venir me Satisfaire. C'est un homme que J'ai arretee dans le chemin et qui emportoit mon bien par Le chemin; la Sagesse des Legislateur ont inflig6 des peines pour Le Larcin, Je regarde La facon de Joseph Reah en enlevant mes peltries comme Telle Je le Payoit pour me vendre mes marchandises Je reprenoit ce qui restoit (vous envoirez La preuve par LEtat de marchandise remise) Les ventes quil en a fait hors ma Connoissance son telle, les personnes qui les achetoit avec connoissance du fait sont reputez receleur. C'etoit Les Loix de notre Ancien Gouvernement. Mr Gray qui paroit comme Avocat et parti n'apoint eu de repugnance de les acheter de mon commis (Je puis le ratifie tel puisque Je lui payoit commission) et de Lui avancer des marchandises Je crois parfaitement quil n'en etoit point instruit mais il ne doit point trouver Mauvais que Je reprenne ce qui etoit a moy. Enoutre Les propres discours du dit Reah qui disoit qu'il n'avoit point de Loix ici et que Je voyois clairement quil vouloit S'evader, mon fait agir envers lui de la fagon que Jai fait sa mauvaise conduitte Envers moy m'en a persuadez Et vous allez le voir en ce Trait. dans L'automne de 1784 Je lui dit de m'acheter du Bled pour ma provision, il le fit au nombre de 6 a 700 Tresses, et me dit quil avoit ef 7 Tresse pour un Castor Je fut comptant de Son achat mais Lorsque Je voulfi avoir du Bled il ne voulut me donner Le meme nombre de Tresse qu'il avoit 266 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS eu pr un Castor et auroit Comme voulu m'en faire une vente; C'etoit cependant Avec ma marchandises qu'il l'achetoit, et que Je lui payoit Commission apres plusieurs demande il ne m'a point donn6 de Bled. La vendu allieurs et n'en ait point eu le produit. voici de La fagon que Jai ete traitt6. Je ne finirai point Si Je vous disoit totalement Les manques quil ma fait et Je vous prie instament de le faire arreter si il va au Detroit et de le pour suivre partoutes Les voies de La Justice, pour mon entier payement, Vous m'obligerez Beaucoup. Soyez toujours persuadez que Je vais faire le plus quil me Sera possible a satisfaire a mes dettes tant passives qu'Actives; le derangement ou sont les Sauvages les empeches de Chasser et l'incertitude ou ils sont d'aller se fixer un azile, me fait 6tre de m6me, Les menaces continuelles que font les Americains qui doivent venir en gros dans ces endroit ici Le printemps prochain m'engage aussi a aller enChoisir une pour eviter le pillage quils se proposent de faire a tous les Marchants qui traitte avec les Sauvages, ce ne sont que des bruits qui pouroit s'efectuer et Je vais tacher de les prevenir en meretirant. Je croyois cependant que nous 6tions en paix et que Suivant les traitt6s que le commerce etoit libre; mais en quelques Endroits que Je le fixe Je me ferai lhonneur de vous en instruire et de vous faire parvenir ce que Je me propose de vous envoyer Jespere que vous vous interessez pour moy dans mes petittes affaires et particulierement dans celle que Je vous addresse, de mon cot6 Je m'enployerez a vous 6tre toujours agreable et conserver votre confiance. Je suis Monsieur Votre Tres humble Serviteur Lorimier P.S. Je vous observe que Les Marchandises que Jai donn6e a vendre a Joseph Reah 6toit a moy, que Je lui payoit commission Et que Je lui avoit Expresement Deffendci de faire aucuns credits aux Sauvages avec Les ditte Marchandises. Jenvoye Ma procuration a Mr George Sharp qui vous La communiquera. 267 0 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Translation White River, November 24, 1786 Sir: I cannot come to Detroit at this time as it is the rush of the autumn trade, so I am sending you my accounts against Joseph Reah.58 He goes up to complain of an alleged assault by me, and that you may know the truth of the matter I give you the facts in detail. That man kept begging me to set him up in trade and even employed one of my clerks to intercede for him. Against my will, I let him have merchandise on commission at 10% in beavers, with an agreement that he was to trade according to my prices, and that bad skins and female, should be graded at half value, as the custom was then, and the same for all other peltries, to which he agreed. He was then at White River, about 25 leagues distant from me, and he was to bring the peltries in to me. This was all by verbal contract, in the presence of Mr. Largeau,59 Reah promising to do everything according to this agreement. Some time later, he brought in peltries and told me he could not make his living on the 10% contract, and that the goods were too high priced. I consented to allow him 12% 58 Joseph Reah (variously spelled) was employed in the Indian Department at Detroit prior to Feb., 1783, when on the approach of peace he was discharged. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 345. It seems likely that this was the person here mentioned. One Rhe or Ray from the Illinois country (characterized by Richard McCarty as "our little Doctor Ray" (111. Hist. Colls., II, 620) volunteered for La Balme's expedition against Detroit in 1780, and on its destruction in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was taken captive and sent in to Detroit. He is said to have been the only prisoner taken alive. Whether he was identical with the individual here mentioned we are uninformed. 59 Francis Largeau, a native of France, married Mary Debouter. The couple lived in the parish of St. Pierre-le-Vieu, in the diocese of La Rochelle. Their son, Jacques Largeau dit St. Jacques, born at the parental home in 1700, migrated to Canada and married at Montreal, April 26, 1735, Mary Ann Gastinon dit Duchene, born at Montreal, Feb. 24, 1704. A son of this union, Louis Francis Largeau, born at Montreal, Sept. 1, 1736, came to Detroit, where on Jan. 30, 1779, he stood as godfather for Julia Duch8ne. Data derived from Denissen, op. cit. It seems apparent from this document and subsequent ones that Largeau was later employed by, or at least intimate with, Louis Lorimier, and that he accompanied the latter when he fled to Spanish Illinois in 1787. There is considerable interesting information in Louis Houck's History of Missouri... II, passim, concerning Largeau's subsequent career in Spanish Louisiana, where he became secretary of Don Thomas Portelle, commandant of New Madrid from 1791 to 1796, and where he also continued on terms of intimate relationship with Lorimier. 268 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS in beavers on what he sold, and to make a reduction in the price of those articles he thought were too dear. He worked fairly well all that summer and part of the fall, but after that I heard that he was diverting my peltries to his own profit and had even sold some to Mr. Lafontaine.60 I accused him of this, and he admitted doing something of the kind, but not as much as he had done. Seeing that he did not wish to continue, but was seeking some excuse to get his goods elsewhere, I asked him in February, 1785, to come in and settle his accounts with me. He said he would, but evidently had his own plans about doing it, for since then Mr. Largeau has been several times for a settlement and though Reah has not said anything he just kept putting it off. I then went myself, with Mr. Saffray as interpreter, and found several loads of peltries made up which had been procured by my goods and that he was preparing to take them to the Miamis (as he had done before). I asked for them. He said that if I would take the bad skins at full value (which was not our agreement), I had only to do so, but that if I would leave them with him for the purchase of goods he would surely pay me within two months' time. I took him at his word and let him have the peltries. This time has elapsed and much more, without seeing him. By Mr. Largeau, and others, I have demanded payment, but with no effect, his usual response in conversation being "No law here," and this has become proverbial in these parts, where they say 60o Francis Lafontaine was engaged in the fur trade at Miamitown (modern Fort Wayne) as early as 1780. He was a great-grandson of Guillaume Dubord dit Lafontaine, born in France in 1625, who married there Catherine Guerard in 1670 and about ten years later migrated to Canada and settled at Champlain, where he was buried April 2, 1705. His descendant, the subject of this sketch, was born at Lanoraie, Feb. 23, 1757, and spent most of his active life in the fur trade of the Wabash Valley. There he consorted with a Miami woman and their son became a chief of the tribe. An interesting picture of Lafontaine's fur trade activities is given in the Journal of Henry Hay. It would seem from the information recorded in Denissen that later in life Lafontaine returned to civilization, making his home at Detroit. On Nov. 17,1807, he married here Catherine Chabert, daughter of Francis de Joncaire de Chabert and Josette Chgne, and to them in the next few years five children were born. In 1802 Lafontaine had made a will giving his property to a son named therein; this instrument he subsequently revoked. He was buried at Detroit, Jan. 31, 1815. His widow afterwards married Ezra Younglove. Lafontaine was one of the men chiefly instrumental in stirring up the Indians to attack and destroy La Balme's expedition at Miamitown in 1780. 269 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS (like this old Joe), "Point de Loix ici!" He even gave proof of this to one named Charley who asked for his pay, and got for answer a gun shot in his side with powder and ball. There was a report that this Joseph Reah intended to set out with his loads of peltries, either for the Americans, or, as some said, for Roche de Bout.4 This last place was confirmed to me by a warning from Mr. Saffray, so I decided to go and seize the peltries that he was planning to carry off, seeing that the rascal was not trading with me any more, but was seeking only the chance to evade me. I left on September 29 with one of my men for that purpose, but found that he had already started for Roche de Bout. So I set myself in pursuit. Mr. Rivet went with me to recover a horse which belonged to him, or make Reah pay for it. I came up with him on the road some leagues from White River and seized all his peltries and a horse, as you will see by the certified statement, but with no personal injury to himself despite his assertions to the contrary (it is true I had my carbine with me but everyone knows that I never go out without it, as I depend on it for game for myself and my people, but my man had neither cane nor cudgel). I told him that if I found him with any more peltries I would do the same up to the amount of what he owed me, since he would not settle with me. He is a scamp whom I have waylaid on the highway when he was carrying off my property on that highway. The legislature has justly imposed a punishment for larceny. I regard as such the action of Joseph Reah in taking my peltries. I was paying him to sell my merchandise, and I seized what was left (you can prove this by the statement of goods returned). The sales he made without my knowledge constitute the same crime and those who bought the things, knowing this, may be called receivers of stolen goods. That was the law under the French r6gime. Mr. Gray,62 who ap61 Roche de Bout is a rocky point on the Maumee River about a mile above modern Waterville, Lucas County, Ohio. Nearby was fought the Battle of Fallen Timbers by General Wayne in August, 1794. 62 Probably David Gray, a trader who was operating in the Maumee and Wabash 270 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS pears in his interest as a lawyer, did not hesitate to buy from my clerk (I can prove that he is so since I paid him commission), and advanced him goods. I am persuaded that Mr. Gray did not know the circumstances, but he should not blame me for seizing my own property. Besides, Reah's own words, when he said that there was "No Law here," convinced me that he meant to evade payment and prompted me to action. It was his own bad conduct that influenced me, as you will see from the following transaction. In the autumn of 1784 I asked him to buy corn for me for fodder. He got about 6 or 7 hundred tresses63 and told me that he had bargained for them at the rate of 7 tresses for 1 beaver. I was depending on his purchase but when I needed the corn he would not let me have it for the same number of tresses for a beaver as he had got it, but wanted to sell it to me, though he had even bought it with my merchandise and I had already paid him a commission. After several demands he would not let me have any corn at all, but sold it to others without any profit. That is the way I have been treated. I could not begin to tell you all I have lost through him, and I beg you to have him arrested as soon as he reaches Detroit, and to prosecute him to the full extent of the law to the amount of my debt. I will be greatly obliged to you. Be assured that I intend to do all possible to pay my obligations, both active and passive. The troubles in the Indian country, and the uncertainty where they will go for shelter, prevent them from hunting, and disturb me also. The persistent menace of an influx of Americans here in the spring induces me to think of going elsewhere, and thus avoid the pillage they threaten to all engaged in the Indian trade. These are only rumors which might, however, become facts, regions at this period. In 1785-86 he was at Miamitown, where George Leith wrote him a letter advising him not to visit Detroit since William Robertson (to whom Gray was indebted) would do everything in his power to make trouble for him. See Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History, V, 142 ff. His name occurs frequently in the manuscript account books of the Miamis Company, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. 63 Braids of corn, i.e., corn braided together by the husks. 271 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS and I shall try to prevent it in my own case by changing my location. It is my belief that we shall have peace, and free trade, according to the treaties. But wherever I go I shall do myself the honor of telling you, and of arranging so that what I send you shall be certain of delivery. I hope that you will interest yourself in my affairs, trifling though they be, and especially in that which I have now narrated. For my part, I shall be diligent in serving you and in retaining your confidence. I remain, Sir, Your very humble servant, Lorimier64 P. S. Allow me to add that the merchandise I gave Joseph Reah to sell was my own, that I paid him a commission, and that I had expressly forbidden him to give credit to the Indians for the said merchandise. 64 Louis Lorimier was a notable figure in the West for almost half a century ending with his death in 1812. He was born at Lachine in 1748, and about the year 1769 accompanied his father to the Ohio country, where the two engaged in trade at the portage of the Miami and Maumee rivers. Here (at Pickawillany) had been struck, in 1752, the blow against the English traders and their red supporters which marks the prelude to the Seven Years' War. During the Revolution Lorimier was an active British partisan and his place, known as Lorimier's Station, became noted as a center of British-Indian activity. Lorimier married a Shawnee woman and acquired great influence over her tribe, as well as over the Delaware. In 1778 he and another Frenchman led a Shawnee war-party on a raid into Kentucky, when the exploit was performed of carrying Daniel Boone into captivity. In 1782 George Rogers Clark organized an expedition against the Shawnee which captured and razed Lorimier's storehouse, after which he seems to have established himself on a tributary of the Glaize. As a consequence of difficulties which are in part described in this letter, in the spring of 1787 he fled from his creditors, finding refuge in Spanish Louisiana. It will be seen by a subsequent document (post, 288-90) that Hugh Heward, acting as agent of the Miamis Company, followed him and seized the goods which he had carried to the Illinois country. For this act, Lorimier, in 1787, sued Heward for damages in the court of Cahokia. See Ill. Hist. Colls., II, 298-99. In Spanish Louisiana Lorimier embarked upon a new career of success and prosperity. He acquired much influence with the Spanish authorities, was made commandant of the Cape Girardeau district, and was instrumental in inducing many of the Shawnee and Delaware to remove from Ohio and Indiana to Spanish territory. Lorimier was twice married. His first wife, a half-blood Shawnee woman, bore the name Charlotte Pemanpieh Bougainville, from which fact the surmise seems permissible that she was a natural relative of Louis de Bougainville, Montcalm's chief of staff. She died March 23, 1808, and Lorimier subsequently married Marie Berthiaume, whose father was a gunsmith for the Shawnee and whose mother was a Shawnee woman. After the death of Lorimier his widow married an American settler, John Logan, who subsequently removed to Illinois and became the father (by another marriage) of General John A. Logan of Civil War fame. An extensive account of Lorimier's career is given by Houck in his History of Missouri and Spanish Regime in Missouri 272 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I am sending my power of attorney to Mr. George Sharp.65 He will communicate with you. INDEBTEDNESS OF JOHN ASKIN Montreal 20 December 1786 M' John Askin Dear Sir Our last Respects were of the 29 October and by the Express for Niagara which will leave this in a few days we are to answer your favors as well to the House as to either of us individually on business, of the 27 Septr, 11th 14th 16th 24th & 26th of October and of the 3d & 11th November. After what we have so often wrote you on the Subject of our distresses occasioned largely by our heavy, very heavy advances to you, we had not the slightest Idea that we were still to go on increasing your Account; it would seem however that our expectations were not well grounded and we now see it increased above that of last year altho' we have only supplied you this last Season with Goods to half the amount of the preceeding year. For once more we have nevertheless resorted to honor your different drafts or requests of transfering over the Accounts of others who 65 George Sharp was a prominent trader of Detroit and the Northwest in the period subsequent to the Revolution. In 1784-85 he traveled as far as Nashville, Tenn., and on his return to Detroit made a report of his observations to Governor Hay. In 1786 he was in the South West Company. About this time he became agent for the Miamis Company and centered his activities on the Maumee-Wabash region. In 1789 he was at Miamitown and when in the autumn of 1790 Harmar's army destroyed the place, he withdrew to the mouth of the Glaize (modern Defiance, Ohio), where he was in 1792. Probably on account of General Wayne's advance, he was located at Detroit two years later, where in 1795 he was serving as justice of the peace. He was a friend of Askin, who desired him to locate near him on the British side, but Sharp seems to have gone abroad in search of more attractive surroundings. On Jan. 1, 1799, he writes from Montreal that since leaving Detroit he has visited most of both provinces (Upper and Lower Canada) but has found no situation superior to Detroit, and few equal to it. About this time the new North West Company was being formed and letters of Sharp and Alexander Henry to Askin disclose that Sharp was to act as its principal representative at Grand Portage, for which place he was to depart in the spring of 1799. Whether he did so or not has not been learned. He was at Montreal again the following winter, where he died, Jan. 17, 1800, after a brief illness. In reporting the event to Solomon Sibley, Jonathan Schieffelin writes: "I need not expatiate on his merits. They were too well known to need any encomiums. Suffice that all who knew his virtues lament his loss!" Information compiled from mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. Some of Sharp's letters are printed in the Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History, V, 137 ff. See, also, Mich. Pio. Colls. XIX, 280, 291, and Journal of Henry Hay. 273 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS owed us to yours, and as we fully relied on this trial of our ability & friendship being the last of the kind, so we hope your uneasiness will be removed and that having now nearly [merely?] but one Creditor to satisfy, your exertions and punctuality will be such as to never make us repent the unbounded confidence we have placed in you. Inclosed you will receive your Account Current till this date, also that of the late firm,66 balance of the former ~15059.5.1034 and of the later ~9261.2.2Y4 both Currency & exclusive of Interest which as usual will be brought into Account on the 10th of April, to them we shall refer you for all outlays or payments since 10 of April last, which should you find right we wish you to confirm or if any Errors or omissions that you will be good enough to note them that they may be rectified and the Account approved. The magnitude of the two Balances is such as we presume will plead our cause with you fully as well as if we were to write Pages on the Subject, but there is a circumstance attending that of your own, which may not perhaps strike you and we shall therefore mention. It is that the whole of the Goods & Liquors supplied you since 1784 inclusive do not come to so much as the Balance of the Account, consequently we have as yet received no payment whatever, except to replace your drafts-you will allow this to be a singular hardship on us, especialy when it is considered that you have paid all others of whom you have bought anything during that period (H & G excepted) and perhaps to a greater amount than all our supplies-we are willing to believe that in future things will go on very differently and that at last our Turn has come to be considered as not only being in want but fully entitled to your utmost exertions in respect to our demand. It is in this hope & confidence that we have undertaken supplying your part of Goods for next year and that we mean in conformity to your desire to send you a Bateau Load of Rum early in the Spring. We observe by your Letter of the 11 Novr that your 66 Presumably this alludes to the partnership between Askin and the firm of Hamilton and Cartwright, concerning which see ante, 188-92. 274 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Share in the Miamis Company67 was near to ~10,000 ykwe most heartily wish you may have returns for it-this perhaps cannot be expected the year ensuing, but we have strong hopes that with your other affairs the least we shall receive of nett payment will be ~15000 yk. In looking over the State of them brought down by our I.T. [Isaac Todd] we observe a Sum of ~3000 supposed with W.R. [William Robertson]. As this is an object of considerable consequence and as it is probable that next year we may fall into his debt we should be happy that matters could be so settled as to transfer so much from your to his Account in our Books not only as it would Accomodate all Parties, but because we think it highly necessary in justice to yourself to your Family and Connections that your Concerns with him should be well & clearly understood-we have no reason to suppose there will be any difficulty in settling them, but be assured, we know from experience that a time of success is the best in the world to bring to certainty any matters which are in suspense and that the longer they are put off the more unwilling to speak of them, till, finally circumstances are forgot & disputes arise to the disquiet of all & probably the loss of Friendship & Confidence as well as property. In offering you this advice you cannot suppose us as other [than] disinterested, you know we have too much at Stake, we feel that we do not think it improper to urge the matter and we trust that you may lose no time in getting the business fixed so as to admitt of no doubts or difficulties. Another matter we must take the liberty of recommending to your most serious consideration & that is the large 67 The Miamis Company, organized in 1786, was composed of six leading Detroit merchants or firms: John Askin, Leith and Shepherd, James Abbott, Angus McIntosh, Meldrum and Park, and Sharp and Wallace. Its field of operations was the Maumee and Wabash river regions. Askin kept the accounts and made up the outfits for the individual traders at the different settlements. These included Joseph Guilbaut at Sandusky, Adh6mar St. Martin at Miamitown, and Paul Gamelin at Vincennes; subagents who fitted out minor equipments for small traders were Francis Vigo, Gabriel Hunot, and Louis Lorimier. The ventures of the company proved unprofitable, and its operations continued for only a few years. There remained an inheritance of conflicting claims and legal proceedings which lasted many years and which fill a considerable part of the Askin Papers. Many of the records of the Miamis Company are preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. 275 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Sum of ~8000 yk real property. It is much more than we have-it is more than any man in business should keep from the circulation of his Trade and in the part of the Country where yours is placed the tenure of it is but uncertain-these Causes should induce you to part with at least one-half of it as soon as possible, not only as a relief to yourself & your Friends, but as a means of affording you the more time to attend to your mercantile pursuits. We come now to speak of Mr Barthe, whose affairs are in a miserable situation indeed-we mentioned in a former Letter that we had got from him this year no other returns whatever than the Furrs made at the Sault & his part of the general Store which it would seem satisfies you thatwe were not wrong in declining to answer for him to you the sum of ~1100yk which you wanted us to assume-had he sent us as you expected a Sum in Bills we should not have hesitated but the Case was otherwise & if he got paid of any Provisions you trusted him he employed the money to some other purpose. He indeed sent us a State of his affairs but it is by no means a clear one, all that we can gather from it is that he has put into the general Store about 42,000 [livres] which is entirly of Goods he has had from us which surely (exclusive of your recommendations) entitles us to their produce, and when we do get it, he will still remain largely our Debtor, yet we do not mean to drive him to despair, it is necessary to make a small Outfitt this year for the general Concern and we will not allow him to incurr a penalty or be turned out of it with disgrace-we have even paid for him here more than 20001 which he fell indebted as one of the general Concern. We consider him as unfortunate in having embarked in a business he was unequal to manage & having met also several untoward accidents in the prosecution of it. He may nevertheless do well in a smaller line & as our I.T. may probably see him at Michncke next Season we shall be glad to learn from him that he merits further support. In writing to Messr" Hamilton & Cartwright it is our fixed intention to desire that one of them shall go to Detroit next 276 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Summer for the purpose of settling the late Concerns which were under their & your management and for that purpose we shall send them copy of J. A & C0~ a/C-we would for the same end forward you copy of their late firms, but from the State of their affairs we consider the balance as assumed by their present concern, it appearing that they have received nearly if not altogether as much as to satisfy that demand-what we wish for is that each of the Parties should take upon them a proper Part of J. A & C08 Balance & that some Person should be employed to collect the debts; indeed we heard from our Mr Todd on his return that he had engaged Mr Heward68 for that purpose, but we are since told that you had sent him to Saguinaw; if that is the Case you must no doubt have had strong reasons to alter the object of his business, which in our opinion was of much consequence. As you do not in any of your Letters make mention of Government buying Flour from the Settlement we are somewhat surprised at it, for General Hope told our Mr Todd that he had given orders to buy at your post at four dollars p Cwt; either his Letters must have miscarried or the Commandant must have reasons we do not comprehend for witholding the information, for the order must have arrived in October; we are employing means to [ms. torn] a Sale to the Inhabitants of all their Surplus Flour which we have no doubt will prove succesful and of course enable them to pay part of the heavy debts they are owing. 68 Hugh Heward was engaged in the fur trade in the Detroit and Wabash regions as early as 1782. In 1786, he was given power of attorney to represent the Miamis Company in French Illinois, and in 1787 he sojourned for a time at Cahokia. In the same year, an account among the Askin Papers shows, Francis Vigo of Vincennes was indebted to him in the sum of ~900. In 1790 Heward made a journey from Detroit to the Illinois, keeping a journal of the trip, which is printed post, 337-60. At this time he was serving as clerk and bookkeeper for William and David Robertson, in which employment he continued until 1796. In the autumn of 1800 he left Detroit for York, where he was employed by the Governor in the capacity of clerk or secretary. There he died in June, 1803. His relations with Askin were intimate over a long period of time, and upon his death Askin was named as one of the executors of his estate; he did not serve, however, in this capacity. Heward was a man of considerable education, and it is a matter for regret that more of the journals of his wilderness life, which there is reason to suppose he kept, have not come down to us. Information adapted from manuscripts in the Burton Hist. Coll. and III. Hist. Colls., II, 283, 509-11. 277 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS We cannot yet say whither Government will admitt of private Vessells but we may venture to assure you that the Transport will be put on a better footing than at present. Committees of the Council have been appointed by Lord Dorchester69 to enquire into the Laws, Commerce, Police & Population of the Country & they are endeavouring to obtain information on these subjects so as to form a report for his Lordships perusal, you will readily judge that with respect to the upper Country Trade we shall not fail to lay every thing before them in the clearest & fullest manner. We sincerely hope that the disturbance raised in the Indian Country by the Americans may be at an end, but we fear there will for many years to come be frequent interruptions to the quiet of the Indians which must constantly affect the Trade of your place, and we confess to you that with respect to the Wabash Trade we do not entertain favorable Sentiments were Peace even assured, the easy communication with new orleans & the proximity to the Americans are strong temptations to people of loose Principles when in debt to defraud their Creditors, and if prudence would permitt that Trade being given up, at least as to giving Credit, perhaps the general Returns would not be much inferior to what they now are, or if they were, better prices might be obtained for Peltries. The Subject merits consideration and from your knowledge & Interest therein we leave you to determine the result. The bad Success of the Mich-ncke Company70 this last year & the large quantities of Goods which will remain has brought the Interested to a determination of sending up few or any Dry Goods, but as Canoes must be sent up to 69 Lord Dorchester (Sir Guy Carleton) had but recently returned from England to Canada to take over from General Hope the governorship of Canada. For sketch of his career see ante, 83. 70 The Michilimackinac Company seems to have been organized about the same time as the North West Company, and to have numbered among its partners many of the members of the latter firm. Unlike the North West Company, however, it operated almost wholly within territory belonging either then or subsequently to the United States, in the regions of the Great Lakes, the Mississippi, and the upper Missouri. It continued in existence until 1811, when John Jacob Astor, founder of the American Fur Company, bought its interests and organized in its stead the South West Company. The latter, in turn, was reorganized in 1816 as the American Fur Company. 278 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS bring down the Furrs there will be a great deal of Rum & Flour [to] be sent up in them-it is not therefore to be expected that the demand on your place from that Post will be so much as usual, a circumstance that may be of use for you to know early that you may act accordingly. We inclose you a note of Mr Vigoes Furrs as accurate as could be kept with the prices we think them worth, had they been of equal quality with your other Furrs we should perhaps have advised your waiting for the Sales from England, but as we are of opinion that the average prices there would be more than their worth, we think you had better settle with him at those we have fixed. As nothing of moment occurrs to us further to mention at present we shall finish this long Letter with requesting our best Respects to Mrs Askin & your Family in which Mrs McGill desires us to join us; and with assurances of being in truth Dear Friend Your sincere Friends Todd & McGill [per James McGill] P.S. Pothiers Bill is protested & he promised us a draft on a Person whose name we have forgot, but who he told us was employed conducting Goods for your Company to the Miamis, if through his means you can get paid, do it, as we see no great prospect of obtaining it here. Endorsed: Montreal Decr 20th 1786 Messr T & McGill to Jn~ Askin recd the 18t & Answd 13th March 279 SECTION V LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1787-1789 FROM JOHN BURNET TO JOHN ASKIN Plymouth 6th March 87 My Dear Sir It seems to me a long while since I had any communication with my friends at Detroit. I hope they will do me more justice than to suppose this proceeds on my side from any want of regard to those with whom I passed so many happy days-and my pride will not let me suppose I am forgotten by the friends I so much esteem-even if I had any thing worth your paying postage for it was not the Season to get a letter to Detroit. I have not heard from you since the letter wherein you express yourself so kindly with respect to the Ballance between us-it has cost me many a painful thought that my circumstances and situation is so changed as to be hard run for such a small sum-yet small as it is I am grieved it is still unpaid-but I have for some time felt myself much relieved by recollecting that Mr Laughton never accounted to me or you for all the time Paddy Edgar was employed as a Sawyer in the Yard. The books must alwaise be forth coming. I therefore authorize you to demand the same from his first employment which was in the month of December & to give receipt to Mr Laughton for the wages he pays you, which will over Ballance my account with you, and which he cannot withhold-this relieves my mind on that score. I am so far removed from all intelligence that I know not what passes in your part of the World. I hope the return of the Spring Vessels will let us know that you & your worthy Rib & Children are well, & that you all passed your Winter happily. We have had you all Burnt, swallowed by Earthquake, Attacked & taken by the Americans, &c &c but I have no fears, doubts or difficulties in believing it all false and that you are all alive and well as my most sanguine wishes could make you. 283 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS With respect to myself all I can say is that we are welland as happy as poverty will admit of-Our destination is not announced we hope to remain here another year. Mercer I presume will answer for himself, but if he dont write by the same Ship this goes, be assure[d] he & Phillis are well so are their two girls who are very fine Children especially Charlotte who is remarkably clever. Adieu my dear Sir mention me in the most friendly terms to Mrs Askin whom I respect & esteem, also to Barthe & all friends in Detroit I write to Grant this evening. I am ever with the most sincere regard yours J Burnett Addressed: Mr John Askin Merchant Detroit Care of Messr' Todd & McGill Montreal Charges: Ship- 11 Endorsed: Plymouth March 6th 1787 Capt Burnett to Jn~ Askin Recd July 20th BILL OF SALE OF JOSIAH CUTTEN2 KNOW all Men by these Presents that I, Elijah Cooper of Williams-town-bay-State, or Boston-State in North America, Farmer & Shoemaker for and in Consideration of the Sum of Thirty two Pound, ten Shillings of lawful Money of the Province of Quebec and one gray Horse, in Hand paid and delivered to me, by John Turner of Montreal in the said Province, Merchant, at and before the sealing and delivery of these Presents, the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge-HAVE bargained, sold, released, granted and confirmed, and by these Presents DO, and doth bargain, sell, I John Burnet was commissioned a lieutenant in 1764, and in 1768 was appointed to the Eighth Regiment. Portions of this regiment served under De Peyster at Mackinac and Detroit throughout the entire period of the Revolution, and it may be inferred that Burnet thus served at the two posts. Documents in the Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX, 535 and XX, 55, show that he was at Detroit in 1780 and 1782. z For the latercareer of Cutten see post, 410, where his name appears as Joseph Cotton. 284 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS release, grant, and confirm unto the said John Turner, a certain Negro-Man, of the Age of Twenty-two Years or thereabouts, called Josiah Cutten, all my Right, Title, Claim, and Demand whatsoever to Him-To have and hold the said Negro-man by these Presents, bargained, sold, released, granted, and confirmed unto the said John Turner to the only proper Use and Behoof of the said John Turner, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns for & during the Term of his natural Life. And I the said Elijah Cooper for myself, Executors, and Administrators, the said Negroman unto the said John Turner, his Executors, Administrators and Assigns against myself, my Executors, Administrators and Assigns, and against all and every other Person and Persons whatsoever shall and will warrant, and for-ever defend by these Presents; of which Negro-man I the said Elijah Cooper have put the said John Turner in Possession by Delivering him at the Time of Sealing and Delivering these Presents. IN WITNESS whereof I the said Elijah Cooper hath hereunto set my Hand and Seal at Montreal aforesaid the eighteenth Day of February in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eightyfive. Signed, sealed and delivered Elijah Cooper (L.S.) in the Presence of us: James Nelson Rd Warffe John Turner, Junior. BILL OF SALE OF JOSIAH CUTTEN KNOW all men by these presents, That I, John Turner of the City of Montreal in the Province of Quebec Merchant, for and in Consideration of the Sum of Fifty pounds Current Lawful Money of this Province to me in hand paid by Mr David Rankin of the same place Merchant, the Receipt Whereof is hereby Acknowledged, have Bargained Sold and delivered, And by these presents Do Bargain, Sell and Deliver to the said David Rankin a Negro Man named Josiah Cutten aged Twentytwo Years or there285 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS abouts; TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Negro Man named Josiah Cutten unto the said David Rankin, his Executors Administrators and assigns, during the Term of his Natural life; And I the said John Turner for myself my Heirs, Executors and Administrators unto the said David Rankin his Heirs and Assigns against all person and persons shall and will Warrant and defend the said Negro Man Josiah Cutten by these presents; IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Montreal aforesaid, this twenty Ninth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty five. Sealed and Delivered John Turner (L.S.) in presence of Wm Murray In praemissorum Fidem J. G. Beek (L.S.personalis) Nots Pubs Signed by David Rankin in presence of David Rankin James Ellice BILL OF SALE OF JOSIAH CUTTEN KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that We, William St Clair & C~ of Detroit Merchants for and in Consideration of the sum of One hundred and Twenty Pounds New York Currency payable on or before the first day of May next in Indian Corn & Flour by Thomas Duggan3 of said place have bargained, Sold and Delivered, and do hereby Bargain, sell and Deliver unto the said Thomas Duggan a Negroe Man Named Josiah Cutten Aged Twenty four Years or thereabouts, To have and to hold the said Negroe Man Josiah Cutten unto the said Thomas Duggan his Executors, Ad3 Thomas Duggan was long an officer of the British Indian Department in the Northwest-during his later years in the capacity of Indian storekeeper at St. Joseph Island, where he died, December 17, 1803. Prior to this time there had been much complaint over the conduct of his office, and by him of ill health and of hard treatment by the government. In a letter of May, 1801, he stated that he had been "at least thirty years in Government Service" and the lowest employment he had had was that of assistant to the barrack-master at Quebec in 1766. Duggan was for some time connected with the Indian Department at Detroit, and many letters of and references to him are in the Mich. Pio. Colls. 286 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ministrators and Assigns during the term of his Natural Life; and We the said William St Clair & C~ for ourselves Heirs Executors and Administrators unto the said Thomas Duggan his Heirs and Assigns against all person and persons shall and will warrant and defend the said Negroe Man Josiah Cutten by these presents: In Witness Whereof We have hereunto set our hand & Seal at Detroit aforesaid this Thirteenth day of January in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Seven. Signed, Sealed & Delivered William StClair & C~ (L.S.) in the Presence of Thomas Duggan James Douglas John Urquhart [Marginal note] N.B. the above alterations (insertion of "& C~" and use of third person plural for first person singular) were made by me before Signed by me. W StClair. Appended: I hereby transfer all my right and title to the above said Negroe and to this act for and in consideration of a Farm at the River Tranch [Thames] of Nine acres in front more or less with the Titles thereto to me now delivered, this 28th March 1791. Thomas Duggan Endorsed: Bill of Sale given by Elijah Cooper Boston-State with Josiah the Negro Feb. 18, 1785-Consideration 130 Dols & the Gray Horse. Elijah Cooper gave J. Turner Thirty one Dollars to be paid to the Negro occasionally, which was paid to him this day 6th April 1785. Beek [The last clause only of this endorsement, and the date, are in the handwriting of the notary, J. G. Beek.] Filed in my office by Thomas Duggan at L'assomption this 22nd day of March 1790. T Smith Clk P.4 4 Thomas Smith was a native of Wales and a man of varied attainments. He served on the British side in the Revolution and either he or another person of the same name is listed as an inhabitant of Detroit in the census of 1779. He was a surveyor 287 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Attached: Detroit 2d May 1787. We acknowledge to have received of Mr Thomas Duggan the Sum of One hundred and twenty Pounds New York Currency being in full for a Negroe Man We sold him named Joseph Cuten W St Clair & C~ GOODS OF LOUIS LORIMIER SEIZED L'an Mil Sept Cens Quatrevingt sept le quatre du May a neuf heurs du Matin en Consequance de la requeste de l'autre part de Monsr Hugh Heward demande et charge de procuration aux Effets contre Monsr Louis Lorimier vfi aussi notre Decret cy Contre de ce meme Jour, Nous Don Antonio De Oro Capitaine au Regt fix de la Louisianne Commandant Civil et militaire au poste de St Genevieve des Illinois accompagnes des Messieurs Pedro Apparicio et Fra8 Le Cler Temoins assistance a Defaut de Notaire Nous sommes expres transportes au Domicile de Monsr Fras Valle Sous Lieutenent de Miliece en ce dit poste ou ont ete disposes les Marchandises et Effets du dit Sieur Louis Lorimier ou etant nous avons procede a l'Invantaire estimatif et Discription exact de diverses Marchandises et Effets appertainent au dit Sieur Louis Lorimier conduites en ce poste en Dieux Voitures conduites et sus le Direction de Monsr Louis Largeau et une autre Voiture conduite et sous le Direction de Monsr and in addition to much private work he drew a plan of Detroit in 1796, and a decade later was employed to survey and lay out the town after the fire of 1805. In this connection he subsequently complained that his original plan was mangled by Judge Woodward who "obliged subsequent Surveyors to perform his whimsical schemes notwithstanding remonstrances. The Plan in its original form drew the attention of scientific persons, and from its novelty it is to be regretted it was not continued." Smith was long engaged in merchandising and one of his ms. account books is preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. He was a man of considerable education, familiar with both French and English, and in the summer of 1788 was appointed by Lord Dorchester, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, then newly instituted at Detroit. He was also, at this time, deputy surveyor and notary. He was intensely loyal to Great Britain, and in 1796 elected to remain a British subject and removed to Petite C6te on the south bank of Detroit River a short distance below Sandwich. Here he died, March 3, 1833, aged seventy-nine years. He married Angelique Charlotte Crete, daughter of Jean Baptiste Crete and Mary Joseph Aymond, who came from Lower Canada to Detroit in 1772 and located on a farm at the Grand Marais in Grosse Pointe. Many of their descendants are numbered among the present-day residents of Detroit. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, especially XXV, 142-45; and Proc. of Land Board of Detroit, 154-55. 288 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Pierre Jaffray toutes lesquelles Marchandises et Effets nous ont ete representes par le dit Sieur Louis Largeau sous le Serment qu'il en a fait en nos Mains de non obmetre au detourner aucune Chose-Iceux prises et estimes par Messr' Fra8 Vall6 Jean Bapt pratte Louis Deloriers et Jean Dodge Estimateurs nommies par notre Decret lesquell ont promis le tout priser et estimer en leur Ame et Conscience en egard au Temps et ont Signe avec nous Commandant Civil et Militaire a Defaut de Notaire (Sign6) [Fras] Vall6, John Dodge, Pratte, Louis Largeau, Delorie, Fran LeCler, Antonio de Oro. Translation In the year one thousand seven hundred eighty-seven, on the fourth day of May, at nine o'clock in the morning, in response to the request of Hugh Heward,6 as given on the next page, solicited and commissioned with power to seize the effects of Louis Lorimier, and also considering our decree of the same day, we, Don Antonio de Oro,6 captain of the regular Louisiana militia, civil and military commandant 5 Ste. Genevieve was at this time a garrisoned settlement in Spanish Louisiana on the opposite side of the river from Kaskaskia. Heward had come to Kaskaskia as agent for the Miamis Company, to which Lorimier was indebted. On April 15, 1787, George Ironside wrote from Miamitown to David Gray, then at Vincennes: "Lorimier is fled from the face of his creditors & gone to the Illinois-may the Devil be his pilot." See Indiana Quarterly Magazine of History, V, 152. On conditions at Ste. Genevieve see Louis Houck, History of Missouri, I, 356-62. 6 This document establishes for Antonio de Oro an importance unsuspected hitherto by historians of Spanish Louisiana. The commandant of Ste. Genevieve from 1779 to 1784 was Don Sylvio Francisco de Cartabona, a lieutenant in the Spanish army, whose full name was Don Sylvio Francisco de Cartabona de Oro. The name "de Oro" puzzled Houck (op. cit., I, 346-47), who states that in 1772 there was in St. Louis a merchant and also officer of the garrison, named Antonio X. Joseph de Oro, who may have been related to Don Sylvio Francisco. He adds that Antonio "lived in St. Louis 13 years, rose to the rank of Captain and died in Ste. Genevieve in August, 1787." A piquant and interesting characterization of the commandant of Ste. Genevieve, written by Father Pierre Gibault, June 6, 1786, is printed in The Kaskaskia Records, 540-41. Prof. Alvord, the editor, was much perplexed over the identity of the commandant whom Gibault thus describes. The present document renders it highly probable that he was none other than Don Antonio de Oro. According to Frederic L. Billon, Annals of St. Louis... under the French and Spanish Dominations (St. Louis, 1886), 246-47, de Oro was ordered from St. Louis to Ste. 289 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS of the post of Ste. Genevieve of the Illinois, accompanied by Pedro Apparicio and Frangois Leclerc,7 as witnesses and assistants, in the absence of a notary, have therefore repaired to the dwelling of Frangois Valle,8 sub-lieutenant of militia at the said post, where were disposed the merchandise and effects of the said Louis Lorimier, and having so repaired, we proceeded to take an inventory and exact description of the different goods and effects belonging to the said Louis Lorimier, brought to the post in two wagons in the charge of Louis Largeau, and another wagon in charge of Pierre Jaffray, all of which goods and effects have been represented to us under oath by the said Louis Largeau as given into our hands with nothing omitted or reserved. These [goods and effects] have been appraised and estimated by Frangois Vall6, Jean Bte. Pratte,9 Louis Delorier and John Dodge,10 appraisers named by our decree, who promised on Genevieve in 1774, and continued there until his death in August, 1787. Billon prints the inventory of his effects, taken subsequent to his death, and signed, among others, by Dorothy de Oro and Francois Leclerc. 7 According to Houck, op. cit., I, 350, Francois Leclerc,in 1776, married Mary Louise, daughter of Don Francisco Vall6. The father was a descendant of Pierre La Vall6e who migrated from near Rouen, Normandy, to Beauport, Canada, in 1645. His grandson, Francisco Vall6, migrated from Canada to Kaskaskia, and from the latter place (subsequent to Clark's invasion of the Illinois) to Ste. Genevieve, where he died in 1783. The Valle family was one of the foremost in the Illinois country. A son of the founder, Don Francisco Jr., was commandant of Ste. Genevieve from 1796 until his death in 1804, and was succeeded by his brother, Jean Baptiste Vall6, the latter receiving his appointment from Governor William Henry Harrison of Indiana Territory. See Houck, op. cit., I, 349-50. Antonio de Oro died in August, 1787. Leclerc was one of the witnesses who signed the inventory of his effects. See Billon, op. cit., 247. 8 The member of the Vall6 family here mentioned was probably Francisco Vall1 Jr., son of the founder of the family in the Illinois. He was commandant of Ste. Genevieve from 1796 until his death in 1804. One of his daughters married Robert T. Brown, a member of the Missouri constitutional convention of 1820; another married Dr. Walter Fenwick, who was killed in a duel by T. T. Crittenden; another, Joseph Pratte; and the fourth, Captain Wilkinson. 9 Jean Baptiste Pratte was living in the old village of Ste. Genevieve in 1772, and in 1799 he claimed to have lived in the country for fifty years. The family came to Ste. Genevieve from Fort Chartres. Pratte was a man of wealth and of influence, at least locally. In 1808 he was one of the trustees of Ste. Genevieve Academy, of which Mann Butler, subsequently notable as the historian of Kentucky, was teacher. Prior to 1803 he owned forty-five slaves and twelve houses and outbuildings. In 1797 he claimed a large grant of land on the Saline River, where he cleared a portion of the tract, erected buildings, and had a large herd of stock. See Houck, op. cit., I, 340, 352-54; III, 67. io John Dodge was born in Connecticut, July 12, 1751. Before his nineteenth year he found his way to the Ohio country, and at or prior to the opening of the Revolution, 290 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS their soul and conscience to appraise and estimate everything as quickly as possible, and have signed with us, the civil and military Commandant, acting in the absence of a notary. (Signed) Vall6, John Dodge, Pratte, Louis Largeau, Delorier, Frangois Leclerc, Antonio de Oro ORDERS FOR DETROIT MILITIA Ordres Circulaires au Corps de Milice du district de detroit Son Excellence my Lord Dorchester a jug6 a propos d'ordonner que les Milices de ce district soient form6 dans un Regiment, et regl6 en toutes fagons selon l'Ordonnance de la Province pour cet effet, et que ce Corps consiste d'un Lieut Colonel, d'un Major, et chaque Compagnie d'un Capitaine, deux Lieutenants, et un Ensigne. Et comme il a plus a sa Seigneurie de nommer Duperon Baby Ecuyer Lieut Colonel Commandant, et le Capitaine McGregor Major de ce Regiment, il est ordonn6 a tous les Officiers et autres Miliciens de les reconnoitre et leur obeir comme tels. * La Compagnie de la Ville etant trop nombreuse, sera divis6 en deux, dont le Sieur Jean Askin est nomm6 Capitaine d'une, les Sieurs Jaque Baby et George Meldrum les Lieutenants, et les Sieurs Jean Martin Senr et Angus McIntosh Ensigns pour les deux Compagnies. Sa Seigneurie a confirm6 les Commissions des Autres Officiers comme elles sont, et a envoy6 une Commisson d'Ensign pour chaque Compagnie, qui seront remisent a chaque to Detroit. Here he purchased a house, engaged in trade, and endured long imprisonment at the hands of Governor Hamilton, supposedly by reason of his sympathy for the colonial cause. In 1778 he was sent down to Quebec, whence he succeeded in escaping to the American side. In 1779 was published at Philadelphia a narrative of his captivity at Detroit and elsewhere which attracted wide attention, and the charges made in it against Governor Hamilton were the basis for the harsh treatment of the latter by the Virginia authorities while he underwent imprisonment at Williamsburg. Dodge subsequently made his way to the Illinois country, where the remoteness from civilization and the unsettled conditions following the war afforded a fertile field for the exercise of his peculiar talents. After a stormy career here, he sought refuge on the Spanish side of the river in 1787; he died in the vicinity of Ste. Genevieve prior to the year 1800. His captivity narrative was reprinted at Cedar Rapids in 1909, under the editorship of C. M. Burton. See, also, C. W. Alvord, The Illinois Country, 1673 -1818 (Springfield, 1920), passim. 291 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Capitaine pour leurs etre distribu6 et les faire reconnoitre en cette qualite. Au detroit 9 Septr 1787 R Mathews, Majr 53d Regt Comdt Translation General Orders for the Militia of Detroit District His Excellency, Lord Dorchester, has thought proper to issue directions that the militia of this district be formed into a regiment conforming in every respect to the military regulations of this Province; said regiment to consist of a lieutenant colonel, a major, and each company to have a captain, two lieutenants, and an ensign. Moreover since it is the pleasure of His Excellency to appoint Duperon Baby, Esq.," the lieutenant colonel in command, and Captain McGregor,12 the major of this regiment, it is further ii The founder of the Baby family in America was Jacques Baby, who was born in the diocese of Agens, in 1633. He enlisted in the army, joining the famous regiment of Carignan, which was sent by Louis XIV to Canada to defend that province against the Iroquois. In 1670 he married Jane Dandonneau, who was born at Three Rivers, July 29, 1655. They had twelve children born in the years 1671-88; the last was Raymond, born posthumously, Dec. 16, 1688, and from him all the later Baby generations trace their descent. Jacques Baby had engaged in the Indian trade, and Raymond followed the same career. He was in Detroit as early as 1716, when he witnessed the baptism of two savages. He married at Montreal, June 9, 1721, Teresa Lecompte dit Dupre, and to them eleven children were born. Jacques Baby dit Duperon, our present subject, was born Jan. 4, 1731. He grew up habituated to the forest, and in the.Seven Years' War, together with three of his brothers, he distinguished himself as a leader of Indians in forays along the upper Ohio frontier. On one or more occasions during the course of the war he was sent to Detroit, and he is supposed to have been the one who acted as spokesman for the French inhabitants in negotiating the surrender in 1760. However this may be, it is certain that he settled here at the close of the war, and until his death in the summer of 1789 he was one of the most influential of the French residents of Detroit. On Nov. 23, 1760, he married Susanne Reaume, daughter of Pierre Reaume and Susanne Hubert dit La Croix. In 1762 they were living in Faubourg Ste. Rosalie (modern Sandwich), although in later years they seem to have lived in the town of Detroit. They had twenty-two children, about half of whom died in childhood. Of those who grew to maturity, one daughter married Captain William Caldwell; another married Captain Thomas Allison of the regular army; and another married Lieutenant Allan Bellingham. One son studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and three became officers in the British army, one of whom attained the rank of major general. Another son, Jacques, is noted below. See Casgrain, op. cit., and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. ix Gregor McGregor was born in 1738 and as early as 1774 was engaged in trade at Detroit. During the Revolution he was in the service of the Indian Department with the rank of captain, this connection being terminated by order of General 292 JACQUES DUPERON BABY Reproduced from a photographic copy in the Burton Historical Collection r /^\I w"'' JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ordered that all the officers and other militiamen shall recognize and obey them as such. The town company being too large, it is to be divided into two companies, Mr. John Askin to be the captain of one; Messrs. Jacques Baby'1 and George Meldrum14 the lieutenants, and Messrs. John Martin Sr., and Angus Mackintosh,15 the ensigns, of the two companies. Haldimand, June 21, 1784. In July, 1788, he was appointed by Lord Dorchester sheriff for the District of Hesse, and thus became the first to hold this office at Detroit. About the same time he was appointed Superintendent of Inland Navigation, and the present document shows that he was serving as major of militia at Detroit, of which he seems to have been, in 1791, in chief command. On the American occupation of Detroit McGregor removed to the south side of the river and established his home at Petite C6te. Here he died, Nov. 24, 1810. He married at Detroit, Aug. 12, 1776, Regina Susanne Robert, daughter of Anthony Robert and Mary Louisa Becquemont. Of their nine children, James, the eldest, married Margaret Chabert. Ann became the second wife of Dr. Robert Richardson, following the death of Madelaine Askin, his first wife. Susanne married William Duff. McGregor had a farm at Grosse Pointe, which he continued to own and to operate by tenants as late as the close of 1806. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 13 Jacques (James) Baby, son of Jacques Baby dit Duperon and Susanne Reaume, was born at Detroit, August 25, 1763, and died at Toronto, February 19, 1833. He was educated at Quebec and traveled extensively in Europe. Returning to Detroit, he resided here and (after the British evacuation) on the south side of the river until the close of the War of 1812. The Baby mansion which still stands in Windsor near the Hydroelectric Station, was being erected by him for a residence when the war opened. By the war, Baby suffered extensive property losses, and being appointed to public office at Toronto, he resided there from about the year 1816. He served as colonel of Kent County militia during the war, and his home at Windsor served successively as headquarters for Generals Hull and Harrison. Baby served for many years as Inspector of Finances for Upper Canada, and as member of the Executive and Legislative councils, being president of the latter body. He married, about the year 1801, Elizabeth Abbott, daughter of James Abbott of Detroit, and to them six children were born. See Casgrain, op. cit. 14 George Meldrum, born about 1737, engaged in trade at Detroit as early as 1768. In 1772 he purchased a lot from George Knaggs and in 1774 was compelled to apologize to Justice Dejean for some offense committed against the dignity of the latter. For many years thereafter he was prominent in trade and as a citizen at Detroit. In 1788 Lord Dorchester appointed him one of the commissioners of the then newly created District of Hesse. In 1796 he signified his intention of remaining a British subject, but he did not do so, for he continued to live in Detroit until his death, April 9, 1817. For many years he was a member of the firm of Meldrum and Park. He married Mary Catherine Angelique Chapoton about the year 1782. She was buried in Ste. Anne's churchyard, March 4, 1815. They had several sons and daughters. George Meldrum was the owner of considerable real estate in Detroit, one piece being the tract known as the Meldrum farm, or Private Claim 18. See Proc. of Land Board of Detroit, 155-57. 15 Angus McIntosh was born near Inverness, Scotland, in 1762. His father, head of the McIntosh clan, had been an active supporter of the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, and his mother had taken the field in person at the head of the clansmen and perpetrated the rout of Moy. The failure of the rebellion entailed the forfeiture of the family estate, which was probably the indirect cause of Angus Mc293 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS His Excellency has confirmed the present commissions of the other officers and has sent a commission for the ensign of each company which will be placed in the hands of the captains to be by them given to the ensigns and to have them recognized in that capacity. Detroit, September 9, 1787 R. Mathews, Major 53d Regiment Commanding. CONTRACT BETWEEN GABRIEL HUNOT AND THE MIAMIS COMPANY Accord faite au Detroit le 13 de Septembre 1787 entre la Societ6 des Miamis et Gabriel Hunot Traiteur. Le Sieur Gabriel Hunot en consideration de ce que sera mentione si apres s'engage a la dit Societ6 en qualite de Traiteur avec les Sauvages du datte du present jusques au premiere du Juliet 1788 pour aller traiter pour eux seulement A la riviere au Huron ou se dependance avoir soin dans la route comme au lieu de traitte de tout les Merchandisses, Peltrie, Vivre &c., qui lui sera remis entre les mains en Envoye appertenant A la dite Societe, fair leur profit, eviter leur perte, et en avertir si il vient & sa Connaisance et en un mot fair son devoir en qulit6 de bon Traiteur si conformant en tout chose legetime et honette qui lui sera Indique ou ordonner par eux ou leur representant et sans fair aucune traitte particulier ou s'absentir de leur Service pour le tems specifie dans cette conventions, sous pain de Intosh's coming to Canada and Detroit in early manhood. In 1788 he married Mary Archange Baudry dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin, daughter of Jacques Baudry dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin and Mary Ann Navarre. On the American occupation of Detroit McIntosh removed to the south side of the river, where he built a mansion called Moy House, which was still standing a few years since. He prospered in trade, and it has frequently been stated that he was local factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, but his connection was, in fact, with the North West Company. His wife died at Moy House, July 13, 1827, and is buried in Assumption churchyard at Sandwich. In 1831 McIntosh returned to Scotland to enter into belated inheritance of Moy Hall, the ancestral home, taking with him his sons. There he died, Jan. 25, 1833. His eldest child, Ann, born at Detroit in 1789, married here in 1811 Henry Jackson Hunt, who subsequently became the second mayor of Detroit. See Denissen, op. cit., and sketch in Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, III, No. 3, 38-39. 294 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS perdre la Salair et tout les avantages mention6 dans cette Accord, les tout pour et moyant la Somme de Sept Cens Cinquante Livres Ancienne Chellins de Quebec, etre nouris et logis selon la Coutume de cette Endroit et comme le dite Sieur Gabriel Hunot doit un certain Somme A son vieux Equiper pour lui fournir la moyant de satisfair, la Societ6 s'oblige autre de ce dessus mention6-que en cas les retours du dit Gabriel Hunot en Peltrie, et bon Merchandisses que restra seulement; si montera le primiere de Juliet 1788 A un plus gross Somme que les Merchandisses &c qu'il aura eux pour traiter, la Somme qu'on lui donne, la Salaire des Homme et en un mot tout autre fraix que regarde lenvoye de la Societ6 par lui; que le profit ou surplus sera rabattre sur les vieux debt que doit du particulier de la Societ6 etant vieux Equiper; et pourquoi le dite Sieur Gabriel Hunot sera A meme de Scavoir si il a gagn6 ou non, il aura des facteur exact de tout ce que la Societ6 lui remettra pour traitter pour eux avec les fraix ainsi du reste de la meme fagon comme si la Societ6 lui avoit Equiper. En presence de Temoine Pour La Societ6 de Miamis Tho' Smith John Askin Directeur sa Gabriel X Hunot Mark ordinaire The above approved by the Directors of the Miamis Co. T Smith Endorsed: March6 pass6 au Detroit entre la Societ6 des Miamis et Gabriel Hunot Traiteur au Riviere aux Huron. Detroit 13 Septembre 1787. Duplicata. Translation Agreement entered into at Detroit, September 13, 1787, between the Miamis Company and Gabriel Hunot, trader. In consideration of what follows, Mr. Gabriel Hunot has engaged with the said company to trade with the Indians from the date of these presents until July 1, 1788; to work 295 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS exclusively in the interests of the company at the River Huron and its dependencies; to be responsible for the care of all merchandise, peltries, and provisions both in transport and at the trading places, which will be shipped to him and will be in his charge as the property of the said company; to be zealous for their interest, to avoid all that would tend to their loss, and to warn them of impending losses should he have knowledge of such; briefly, this contract binds him to do his duty as a good trader, to conform to the orders of the company or its representative in all things lawful and honest, to engage in no private enterprise and not to absent himself from the service of the company during the time specified in this agreement, under penalty of forfeit of salary and all the additional favors herein mentioned; all this for and in consideration of the sum of seven hundred and fifty livres, old Quebec currency, together with his board and lodging as furnished in that locality; also, as the said Gabriel Hunot owes a certain amount on his former equipment, in order to give him the means of paying this sum, the company stipulates further, that in case the peltry returns of the said Gabriel Hunot, with the good merchandise only that will be left unsold, if these on July 1, 1788, amount to a greater sum than the merchandise and other things that were advanced to him for trading, together with any money given to him, the wages of his men, and briefly, all other expenses which affect the company through his action, then the profit or surplus will be applied on his old debt to the company for former equipment, and the said Gabriel Hunot will himself know whether he is making anything or not by the itemized accounts of all things sent to him by the company for purposes of trade in their behalf, with the expenses, in this way conditions will be the same as if the company had equipped him. In the presence of witness, For the Miamis Company Thomas Smith John Askin, Director, his Gabriel X Hunot customary mark 296 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS The above approved by the directors of the Miamis Co. T. Smith Endorsed: Agreement made and passed at Detroit between the Miamis Company and Gabriel Hunot, trader at Huron River. Detroit, Sept. 13, 1787. In duplicate. INSTRUCTIONS FOR GABRIEL HUNOT INSTRUCTION pour Mons' Gabriel Hunot Traiteur pour La Societ6 des Miamis A la Riviere au Huron le 13 de Septembre 1787. SgavoirQue Monsr Hunot ayent presentment tout ce que la Societ6 juge necessaire pour sa Commerce-part le plutot que pourra, que dans la route il ayer soin du Butin non seulement de la conserver contra la Pluie et toute autre dommage mais aussi qu'il le fasse decharge la nuit dans les Endroit qui croyer risquable et ou il ne decharge pas il faut que les Homme Couchant dans la Voiteur pour le conserver contre les Volleur comme d'etre Amen6 par les Vents. Arrive A l'endroit de Traitte il sera necessaire de expliquer au Sauvage la rarit6 des Marchandisses et que ce qu'il emporte est tout ce qu'on envoira dans cette Endroit cette Annee cela peut les empecher de demander A Credit, il faut en faire le moins que sera possible le tout pas A passer Cent plus en Castor et cela doit etre pour l'ammunition, Haches, Pieges et rien autre chose pour ainsi dire et pour ces CreditLa ilfaut avoir des Gages. Le prix que vous prenez dans la Traitte est bon, la valeur de 26 Chellins pour un Couverte que vous Coute onze est un jollie profit en faison de meme avec les autre articles vous ne pourrez pas manquer de bien faire-au sujet des mauvaise Peltrie nous n'avons rien A vous dire comme vous nous avez toujours aporter que des bon, en quoi vous avez raison, car nous ne receverons point de mauvaise en tout a quelque prix que ce soit. 297 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Vous profiterez de chaque occasion pour nous Ecrir en marqiant La quantit6 de Peltrie que vous aurez alors et vos esperances pour La Traitte. Tacher de ne pas vous d6sassortir comme nous ne pourront pas vous fournir ni personne les articles que vous manquerez un assortiment deux fois per Ann6e est tout ce que nous pourrons faire. Vous aurez grande soin de feux, vous sgavez qu'on a faite des grands pertes par un peu de negligences, nous craignons rien de vous, mais les Homme sont souvant mal soignee si le maitre ni a pas l'eoil sur eux. Pour La Compa[g]nie de Miamis John Askin Directeur Endorsed: Instructions pour Monsr Ga Hunot S la Riviere au Huron. Detroit 13 Septr 1787. Translation INSTRUCTIONS for Gabriel Hunot, trader for the Miamis Company at the River Huron, September 13, 1787. That is to say: Mr. Hunot having now all that the company considers necessary for trade, will set out as soon as possible and on the way will have a care that the merchandise is not only protected from rain and other damage, but he will see that it is unloaded at night in any place he thinks may involve risk, or if not unloaded he should have the men sleep in the boat to avoid loss by theft or from being blown away by the wind. Arrived at the place of trade, it will be necessary to be plain to the Indians that goods are scarce and that what he has brought is all that will be sent this year to that place. This will prevent their asking for credit, and in any case he will grant the least possible and not to exceed the value of one hundred beavers, and that only for ammunition, axes, traps, and such like, so to speak, and for these credits he must take something as security. Your prices for trade are good. The value of 26 shillings for a cover which cost you 11 is a nice profit, and the same 298 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS with other articles. You cannot fail to do well. Bad peltries we have no occasion to speak to you about as you never brought in any but good, and you are right in this for we will not receive bad skins at all at any price. You will profit by any opportunity to write to us, telling us the quantity of peltries you have on hand and your expectations respecting trade. Try not to weaken your assortment in any particular as we cannot furnish you nor anyone with the articles that may be lacking in an assortment of goods. Twice a year is all that we can do. Be very careful of fire, for you know what great losses have resulted from a slight negligence, not that we fear for you personally but the men are often careless when the master's eye is not over them. For the Miamis Company John Askin, Director Endorsed: Instructions for Mr. Gabriel Hunot at River Huron Detroit September 13, 1787. DEBTS OF ADHEMAR ST. MARTIN Adhemar voulant faire des payements a ces Cr6anciers de sorte de ne point Causer de jalouse a aucuns d'eux et voulant savoir Leur sentiment a cet Egard ils se sont assembl6s a cet Effet et sont accord6 entre Eux que Mr adhemar peut faire un abandon de sa maison dans Le fort du Detroit a Mr William Macomb, et Mr frazer faisant pour Mr Samuel Judah; que ces Livres et Comptes qu'il a dans Le Detroit soit remis a Mr John Askin pour en tirer ce qu'il pourra avec toute Les Marchandises qui Luy restoit. En juin mil sept cens quatre vingt six ou quil a recu depuis ou Leurs produits; et a L'Egard des Dettes restant dans Les pais sauvages que chacun des dittes Dettes que adhemar retirera seront Envoy6 a celuy qu'il Croira 6tre veritablement Le produit de ses Effet. Detroit Le 22e 7bre 1787. Glime Monforton Adhemar Stmartin Not P temoin Alex & Wm Macomb Jas Fraser acting by Virtue 299 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS......,............ of a power of Attorney for Edwd Wm Gray for account of Samuel Judah John Askin Translation Adhemar, wishing to make payments to his creditors in a way that will not cause jealousy of feeling among any of them, and with the desire of hearing their sentiments in this respect, they have assembled for that purpose and mutually agreed that Mr. Ad6mar may assign his house in the fort at Detroit to Mr. William Macomb, and to Mr Fraser,16 attorney for Mr. Samuel Judah;l7 that the books and i6 James Fraser was in Detroit in 1787 and for many years thereafter. He was engaged in trade and seems also to have essayed at times the r6le of attorney. Entries in the Prerogative Court Records of the District of Hesse indicate that he was a man of considerable local prominence. His integrity was several times called in question, whether justly or no we have no means of determining. A case in point concerns the tangled affairs of Thomas Williams and Company (the "company" being John Casety). After the decease of the two principals in the company, Alexander Henry of Montreal, acting on behalf of the principal creditors, secured his own appointment as administrator of the property, and appointed Fraser his attorney to represent him on the ground. Fraser subsequently procured from Judge Powell the appointment of curator of the estate of John Casety with intent, according to Henry, to defraud the other creditors. In 1796 Fraser formally signified his intention of remaining a British subject, but it would seem from documents in the Burton Hist. Coll. that he continued to reside at Detroit. Some years later his wife became deranged, and having attempted to burn the house of one of the McIntoshes was compelled to leave Detroit. Fraser divorced her and was required, in this connection, to make periodical payments to James Henry on her behalf, which he did over a considerable period of years. Information adapted from mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 17 Samuel Judah came from London to Canada in 1760 with the English army. He settled at Three Rivers and subsequently at Montreal. He was a man of extensive means and was largely interested in the fur trade. Prior to the Revolution he removed to New York City. He favored the colonists in the Revolution and furnished money for the cause which was never repaid, in consequence of which he was ruined financially. He died in 1789. On Aug. 26 of this year Judge Powell at Detroit appointed James Fraser curator of Judah's property. See Prerogative Court Records, District of Hesse, 1789-91, photostat copy in Burton Hist. Coll. Since Judah lived and died in New York it may be presumed that this appointment had application only to his property and business affairs in the upper country. A grandson of Judah, also named Samuel, located at Vincennes in 1819 and died there in 1869. He was a graduate of Rutgers College and a lawyer by profession. He was one of the leading lawyers of Indiana in his time, and also took an active part in state politics, being chairman of the first Whig convention of the state, and speaker of the House of Representatives. He had three sons, one of whom, Noble B. Judah, was long a prominent attorney of Chicago. The other brothers, John M. Judah and Samuel B. Judah, reside respectively at Indianapolis and Vincennes. From information supplied by the latter (letter of June 8, 1925) the present note has been chiefly compiled. 300 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS accounts that are at Detroit may be turned over to Mr. John Askin to collect what he can together with all the goods on hand in June, 1786, and either what has been received since or its product; with respect to the outstanding debts in the Indian country, Mr. Adh6mar will send his collections there to that one whom he believes really furnished him with the goods so sold. Detroit, September 22, 1787. William Monforton, Adh6mar St. Martin Not. Pub., Witness. Alexander & William Macomb James Fraser, acting by virtue of a power of Attorney for Edward William Gray,for account of Samuel Judah John Askin APPEAL TO SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE To President of the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge in foreign Parts &c &c The Revd George Mitchell having come to this Place in the Month of November 1786 in Consequence of an Invitation by Letters from Alexander McKee Esql18 Superintendent of the Indian Department here, and at the Request of some of the principal Inhabitants of this Place, as a Clergy18 Alexander McKee was a native of Pennsylvania who engaged in the Indian trade and in 1772 was appointed deputy agent of Indian Affairs at Fort Pitt. When the Revolution came on McKee sympathized with the British government. In 1777 he was imprisoned by General Hand. Being released on parole, he fled to Detroit in the spring of 1778, in company with Simon Girty and Matthew Elliot. In the same year he was appointed captain in the British Indian Department, and before long was given the rank of deputy agent, and subsequently became superintendent of Indian Affairs at Detroit. In 1789 he was made a member of the Land Board of the District of Hesse. McKee was an inveterate foe of the Americans and had much to do with inciting the Indians to war against them. The Battle of Fallen Timbers in August 1794 was fought in the immediate vicinity oi lis traging' —g'Ta mIht oni the iaumee, and at its conclusion Wayne proceeded to raze his property. The day before the battle McKee, intending to participate in it, made his will. A copy of this will is now in the Burton Hist. Coll. McKee removed to River Thames upon the American occupation of Detroit, and died there of lockjaw on January 13, 1799. See Riddell, Life of William Dummer Powell, 163; Thwaites and Kellogg, Revolution on Upper Ohio, 74-75; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 301 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS man of the Church of England, and.with some Expectations from Government besides the Voluntary Subscriptions of the Inhabitants, has continued here for upwards of Eighteen Months, viz untill the 1st of June last, and has regularly and punctually discharged his duty as a Clergyman during the aforesaid Period. But the English Inhabitants of this Place being but few in Number, and from the State of the Indian Commerce at present, being much upon the decline, find themselves unable to support a Resident Clergyman here, without some Assistance from the Society, or some Appointment from Government for that Purpose. We would still be very desirous according to our Abilities to contribute if the Society of which your Grace is President shall think proper to grant him an Appointment for this Place, or to any other Clergyman of Character and Abilities whom the Society may think proper to appoint: 302 SUBSCRIPTION FOR SUPPORT OF REV. GEORGE MITCHELL Detroit 1787 We the Subscribers do hereby Promise to pay unto the Reverend George Mitchell or his Order the Sums annexed to our Names respectively, for onie years Attendance as Clirgyman of this District, commencing December 1ot 1786 in quarterly payments. ~ Sd - - - d ~ dS d - Z ~Sd William Macomb p Annum ~C 20 Pa id 20. John Askin.. 10 5.10. James Abbot1'...10 5.10. William Harffy20..6 8 2 16 John Martin Senr.....6 8 3 4 6 George Meldrum...6 8 3 4 6 8 0 John Casety..6 8 6 8 John MCPherson.4 4...4 George Lyons..5 4. John Dodomead2'....... 5 2 10 5. C t_, Thomas Dugan..... 4.p Jonathan Shiefflien..4. William McNiell.4 Z4 James Douglass..4.4. John Urquhart..4.4. > Thomas McCrea22l........4 2.4. William Scott23. 4 2. Thomas Smith..4 2.4. James Donalson24....... 4 2 2 4.. n John Welsh.....3. Nathan Williams. 5 2 10 ~5 Lieth and Shepherd...10.5.10. William Park.5 2 10.. Dan] McKillip 2. 4 2. Martin Tlseophilus Miy'ers2.... 2.2. Joseph Forsyth....5.5. Alexander Harrow27. 10.10. t John Laughton..S5..5. James Fraser...........3 4 3 4.. David White....34 2 14 Alexander McKenZie28. 3 4.. Thomas Smith..2. Peter Cumming9. 2 10 2 10 Angus Mackintosh......paid 3 4 3 4.. John Kinzei3l. 3.3. Wm Groesbeck 31.3 W m Gr oesbec k 3. Sharp &Wallace.....paid 6.f6}. Thomas Jones....3. Robert Stevens32..pd 2. William Forsith33.... pd 6. Jn0 Wheaton.....3. James Allan34....Paid 3 4 Geoe Tacob35... 3 4 John Lrquhart~..3 4.. James MayHb....3 4. Alexr Saunders,37. 3 4 William St Clair..pd 3 4.. Henry Ford 38. pd 3 4.. Thomas Reynalds 39... ~2.... pd 2. Mattw Dolson.... pr Order 3 4 Thos Cox....pd f1.152 10.. Mr Phegan.... pdE2.....2.. William Bruce.1.. 10 RobtGouie O1 12 Robt Dowler...1 14 McAlpin.....10 MCCormick.........p r Order 3. English Inhabitants who have never been applied to or have not subscribed to the maintenance of a Minister. Commodore Grant Cap t MeKee Major Mo-Greggor. pd 5. Capt Caldwell Capt Elliot Mr Sparkman~l Mr Cornwall Mr Cook Isaac Dolson James Mclntos1142 Mr Hand43 Mr Geo. Forsyth44 Mr Christie Mr Girty4. Capt Anderson Mvr Lyttle 41 Mr Harsen47 Mr Graverod48 Collections for the last half year beginning Decr 1st 1777 [1787] and ending June 1st 1788 Doctor Harify... 2 Mr Frazer....pd 16 Mr McIntosh.. pd I,. - I I I I 11 I I II I BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 19 James Abbott was one of the early English merchants of Detroit. In 1778 Governor Hamilton confiscated his goods for a violation of orders with respect to the conduct of the Indian trade. Two years later Abbott was the recipient of extensive grants of land fronting the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair made by the Potawatomi and Chippewa tribes. He died prior to July 25, 1800, leaving to his widow and offspring much property. Abbott was the father of six children, born between the years 1770 and 1777. Three of them were sons-Robert, James, and Samuel-and all were prominent men in their generation. The marriage connections established by all six children served further to enhance the family influence. Mary Abbott married William Hands, who became sheriff and registrar of Essex, Kent, and Lambton; Frances and Elizabeth married, respectively, Frangois and James Baby of Detroit and (subsequently) Sandwich; Robert Abbott married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Audrain; James married Sarah Whistler, daughter of Captain John Whistler and sister of Colonel William Whistler of the U. S. army; Samuel married a Miss St. Croix of St. Louis and spent most of his life at Mackinac. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, and genealogical notes on the Abbott family compiled by C. M. Burton, ms. in Burton Hist. Coll. zo William Harffy was a frequent correspondent of John Askin and many of his letters are preserved among the Askin Papers. He was sent to Detroit from Lower Canada as hospital mate in the spring of 1781. In 1786 he succeeded Dr. George Anthon as surgeon of the garrison. He was subsequently garrison surgeon at Amherstburg, where he died shortly prior to June 2, 1802. He was a whimsical, lovable soul, impractical in temperament and delightful in conversation. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX, 620, XX, 686, and Askin Papers in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 2i John Dodemead was one of the earliest English residents of Detroit, having come here about the time the British took possession of the place. On December 1, 1780, he married Jane Murray and to them ten children were born. At the time of the fire in 1805, Dodemead was one of the most prosperous citizens of Detroit, but he sustained heavy losses in the fire, from which he never recovered. He shortly afterward built a hotel at the intersection of modern Shelby Street and Jefferson Avenue, which he conducted until his death in 1812, and which his wife continued to run thereafter. If family tradition be authentic, the flag of truce run up by General Hull in 1812, was a tablecloth snatched from Mrs. Dodemead's establishment. Dodemead held various public offices in the earlier years of the American r6gime. One of his daughters married Charles Jouett, early Indian agent at Chicago; another married Captain Samuel Dyson of the U. S. army, who at one time commanded the garrison at Detroit; the youngest daughter became the wife of Jacob Varnum, U. S. factor at Sandusky and (subsequently) Chicago. The five sons of Dodemead all died without issue. Information adapted from Proc. of the Land Board of Detroit, 187-89, and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 2. Thomas McCrae was a tailor by trade. His name appears on the census roll of Detroit in 1779 and again in 1782. Certain accounts of his published in Vol. VIII of the Mich. Pio. Colls., indicate that he continued to live here for a number of years. In 1791 he is listed among the loyalists at Detroit making application for a grant of land. Apparently he removed to the Canadian shore, for in 1813 his name appears as one of the signers of a memorial to Sir George Prevost urging reasons for the retention of a large garrison of regular troops at Amherstburg. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XV, 252 and XXIV, 178. z3 William Scott is listed in the Detroit census of 1782 as a married man with a considerable domestic establishment. In 1791 his name occurs in the list of loyalists at Detroit applying for grants of land, with the description of "Sergeant in Detroit Volunteers," and the further characterization of "now a tavern keeper in Detroit." Along with other discharged loyalists he was granted a lot of land at New Settlement on Lake Erie by the Land Board of the District of Hesse. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim and Essex Hist. Soc., Papers and Addresses, III, 71. 304 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 24 One James Donaldson, a sergeant in the Eighth Regiment, was stationed at Mackinac in the years 1780-82. Mich. Pio. Colls., X, 459,637 and XXIV, 177. In 1795 Askin sold his negro slave, Pompey, to "James Donalson" of Detroit, and "James Donaldson" was one of those Detroiters who, on the advent of the Americans, announced their intention to remain British subjects. Ibid., I, 417 and VIII, 411. Although positive evidence is wanting, we surmise that the individual mentioned in these several documents was identical with the signer of the church subscription here noted. When Mary Moore and Martha Evans, prisoners among the Indians, were brought into Detroit and sold by their captors in 1788, the latter found a refuge and kind treatment in the family of James Donaldson. See Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, Vol. V, 72. A claim preferred by Donaldson against the estate of John Askwith in 1795 indicates that at that date he was an innkeeper. He died prior to Sept. 1, 1802, when his estate was in process of administration. Numerous descendants still live in Detroit. 25 Daniel McKillip was a sergeant in Butler's Rangers during the Revolution. At or prior to its close he came to Detroit where he engaged in business, being for a time in partnership with George Jacob. Another loyalist who found refuge at Detroit during the Revolution was John Little of western Pennsylvania. As soon as peace was declared he returned to Pittsburgh for his family, bringing them to Detroit about the year 1784. Little had a daughter, Eleanor, who had been taken captive by the Seneca Indians during one of their raids and had spent several years of her childhood among them. Some years after coming to Detroit, she became the wife of McKillip, who at some time prior to 1791 located at New Settlement. Here he was living in 1794 when, in response to the call of the British authorities, he led a company of Essex County militia to the Maumee to assist the British regular force from Detroit in opposing the advance of General Wayne. Although the British officially held aloof from the contest between Wayne and the Indians, many of the militia, led by Captain Caldwell, fought in the Indian ranks in the Battle of Fallen Timbers and several of them, McKillip among the number, were slain by the victorious Americans. Mrs. McKillip subsequently married John Kinzie for whom see post, 306. Besides his widow, McKillip left an infant daughter, Margaret, who in 1810 married Lieut. Linai T. Helm of the U. S. army. In 1829 she divorced him and subsequently married Dr. Lucius Abbott of Detroit. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; M. M. Quaife, Chicago and the Old Northwest, 1673-1835, passim; C. M. Burton, Little genealogy, ms. in Burton Hist. Coll.; Life and Letters of Richard Cartwright (Toronto, 1876), 63; Correspondence of Lieut. John Graves Simcoe... (Toronto,1923-26), II, 227,414. (This will be cited henceforth as Simcoe Papers.) 2.6 Martin Theophilus Myers later removed to Malden, where he was living as late as 1800, at which time his wife was acting as a servant to Doctor Harffy. See Askin Papers (mss.), passim. 2.7 Alexander Harrow was born at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1755. The opening of the Revolution found him in Canada where, being familiar with shipping from youth, he entered the naval department and served as lieutenant of a company of seamen in the defense of Quebec during the winter of 1775-76. In the spring of 1777 he came to the upper lakes as lieutenant in the naval service, returning to Quebec in the autumn. On July 7, 1779, he was made lieutenant and commander in the naval establishment of the upper lakes, in which he served for many years, being commander for a number of years of the sloop Welcome. The log book of the Welcome, kept by him for several of these years, is now preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. In August, 1794, Harrow witnessed, as an observer, the Battle of Fallen Timbers, having charge with a group of his sailors, of two cannon in the British Fort Miamis, near which the battle was fought. Shortly after this Harrow acquired an extensive tract of land on the American shore of St. Clair River, having a frontage of two and one-half miles and a depth almost three times as great. Here he settled and proceeded to develop an estate. Although the American government subsequently refused to validate his title to much of this land, he retained a portion of it and lived on it until his death in January, 1811. Some of his descendants still reside on it. 305 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS See biographical sketch by William L. Jenks, published in Algonac Courier, Aug. 1, 1924. 28 One Alexander McKenzie was an employee of the British Indian Department in the Northwest in 1795 and subsequent years. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. In 1791 Alexander McKenzie, "Merchant," was occupant of a house in Detroit and on the roll of Askin's militia company, and in 1795 the same individual, apparently, was still a merchant here. See Askin Papers, passim. 29 Peter Cumming is listed by Governor Hay among the loyalists at Detroit in 1784. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XIII, 77. 3o John Kinzie was the son of the wife of William Forsyth of Detroit by a prior marriage. He has acquired posthumous repute as the "father" of modern Chicago, and much has been written about him. Despite this, the facts concerning his earlier years are obscure. He is said, by family descendants, to have been born at Quebec in 1763, and to have spent a portion of his boyhood in New York City. However this may be, he spent the years of his later youth at Detroit, probably because of his mother's marriage to Forsyth. He early engaged in the Indian trade, and this calling he followed practically to the end of life. This necessitated his absence from Detroit, but he maintained property and business connections here at least until after the War of 1812. As a trader he was established at different times at Sandusky, Fort Wayne, on the site of Defiance, Ohio, at Parc au Vache near Niles, Michigan, and at Chicago. Until 1796 his affiliations were wholly British. During his years at Parc au Vache and Chicago, where he located in 1804, however, economic and other interests gradually inclined him to the American side until, by the outbreak of the War of 1812, he seems to have regarded himself as a full-fledged American. Such a trans formation was not unusual on the northwestern frontier in this period, and would call for no notice here but for the industry which spokesmen of his family have displayed in misrepresenting the facts concerning it. Kinzie was a shrewd and enterprising trader, and he accumulated considerable wealth, but most of his property was lost in the War of 1812 and from this blow he never recovered. From 1804 until his death in 1828 he lived at Chicago, saving the years 1812 to 1816 when, with no garrison at Chicago, his family found refuge at Detroit. In 1798 Kinzie married Eleanor McKillip, for whom see ante, 305. To them were born several children, one of whom (John H. Kinzie) married Juliette A. McGill, author of Wau Bun, a delightful semi-historical family narrative of life in the early Northwest. One daughter became the wife of Major General David Hunter of the U. S. army, while another married Alexander Wolcott, who was for a decade Indian agent at Chicago. Subsequent to his death in 1830, she married George C. Bates, a prominent lawyer of Detroit. 3x According to Denissen, William Groesbeck came from Albany to Detroit in 1788, and in 1792 married Therese Beaufait, daughter of Louis Beaufait and Mary Therese Marsac. Other evidence seems to indicate that Groesbeck was in Detroit at a date considerably earlier than this. The census of 1779 lists Groesbeck and Teller, and there are other indications that either William or another of the same name was trading at Detroit in this period. When Robert Rogers was serving as Governor of Mackinac and its dependencies (1766-67), one Groesbeck was accused of complicity in his reputed illegal designs. See Mich. Pio. Colls., X, 225. The fact that Rogers had been engaged in business at Albany, and the further fact that William Groesbeck is known to have come from that place, seem to indicate a relationship between him and the one of the same name who was Rogers' associate in 1767. 32 For information concerning Robert Stevens' relatives see post, 411-12. His father, therein mentioned, lived at Glasgow, where he died in April, 1793, leaving several children. A long letter from the executors of the estate to Robert is preserved among the Askin Papers in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. In it the name is repeatedly spelled without the final "s." Signatures of Robert, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll., however, disclose that he spelled his name with the final "s." In 1793 Stevens was at the Maumee Rapids, apparently assisting in some capacity in the operations of the British Indian Department in that quarter. See post, 481. Stevens was living in April, 1798, as indicated by an entry in an account of Askin's of that date; an un306 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS dated memorandum in the Burton Hist. Coll., which probably belongs to the early nineteenth century, pertains to proof of the death and handwriting of the "late Robert Stevens." 33 William Forsyth is said to have been a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, who came to Canada as a British officer in 1760. He subsequently married a widow, Mrs. McKenzie, and located in Detroit, where he lived until his death. For many years he kept a tavern here. Forsyth had six sons, several of whom achieved considerable prominence. There is much confusion, in the various family accounts, concerning Forsyth's career, but from legal records it is certain that he was in Detroit as early as 1778 and was living here as late as Feb. 28, 1794. His tavern was sold by his sons in September, 1796, to George Sharp, who in 1798 sold it to John Kinzie, their halfbrother. Mrs. Ann Forsyth had been twice married before her union with Forsyth: first, to William Haliburton, a chaplain in the British army, and second to John McKenzie. A daughter by the first marriage, Alice Haliburton, born Jan. 22, 1758, married Sampson Fleming at Detroit. They moved to New York after the Revolution, where Mrs. Fleming married (second) Nicholas Low. The child of Mrs. Forsyth's second marriage was a son, John, who early in his career shortened his name to the form Kenzie or Kinzie; for his career see ante, 306. Information adapted from genealogical notes on the Forsyth, Kinzie, and Little families compiled by C. M. Burton, ms. in Burton Hist. Coll. 34 James Allan was a member of the British naval establishment at Detroit in 1783. Ten years later he petitioned for a grant of land on the east side of La Pgche River. It was granted, and in 1799 Allan, then atAmherstburg, proposed to transfer 12,000 acres on Peach River to William Robertson, in payment of debts due the latter. He was living in Upper Canada as a British subject as late as 1815, when his evidence was quoted by the British authorities in a dispute over the retention by the United States of Bois Blanc Island. See Mich. Pio. Coils., passim; letter of Allan to Robertson, Sept. 2, 1799, in Burton Hist. Coll. 35 George Jacob was a partner in trade of Daniel McKillip. Jacob remained a British subject and during the War of 1812 was captain of a dragoon company of Kent County militia. About the year,1788 he married Mary Archange Ch6ne dit Labutte. They had several children born and baptized at Sandwich in the years 1789-99, and a daughter, Felicity, baptized at the River Thames, Feb. 6, 1801. She later became the wife of Alexander McKee, son of Thomas McKee and Therese Askin. George Jacob died Dec. 24, 1833, aged seventy-one years, and was buried in St. John's churchyard, Sandwich. See Denissen, op. cit., Mich. Pio. Coils., passim. and burial inscriptions in St. John's churchyard. 36 James May was a native of Birmingham, England, who at the age of twenty-two came to Detroit in 1778. He was a man of energy and ability, and held various positions of public trust. He was the first chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, justice of the peace, marshal of Michigan Territory, and colonel of territorial militia. He married (first) Rose St. Cosme, daughter of Pierre Laurence St. Cosme and Catherine Lootman dit Barrois. She was buried at Detroit, July 18, 1797, and May married (second) Margaret Descomps dit Labadie. Three daughters were born of the first union and ten sons and daughters of the second. James May died at Detroit, Jan. 19, 1829. See Denissen, op. cit., and sketch in Proc. of Land Board of Detroit, 205. 37 Alexander Saunders was engaged in trade at Mackinac as early as 1780 when he signed a petition to General Haldimand praying for equal treatment in the matter of shipping privileges on the lakes. See Mich. Pio. Coils., XX, 210. 38 Henry Ford was a commander in the British naval establishment on the upper lakes in the post-Revolutionary period. On May 20, 1793, he sold to David Cowan a tract of land, four acres by fifty, on the south side of Detroit River opposite Bois Blanc Island for the sum of $100. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Coils., XII, 307 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 25 and XXIV, 6, and from ms. deed in possession of J. D. Anderson of Detroit, a descendant of Cowan. 39 Thomas Reynolds was assistant commissary at Detroit from about the year 178 until the end of the British regime, after which he served in the same capacity for the garrison at Amherstburg. Many documents pertaining to him are printed in the Mich. Pio. Colls., and many are found among the Askin Papers. 40 Robert Gouie, after living some years in Detroit, removed to Sandwich. He was engaged in the Indian trade. He belonged to Major Baby's militia company in 1805, and to Captain Pierre Labutte's company in 1812. See sketch in Proc. of the Land Board of Detroit, 222. In a document of 1795 Gouie is described as a "Taylor." See post, 596. 41 John Sparkman was barrack master at Detroit from 1784 or earlier to the end of the British period, and thereafter barrack master at Amherstburg at least until 1807. He was a widower with two sons, both of whom died young. He married (second) Suzanna Stedman, a niece of John Stedman of Niagara, and five children were born to them. Condensed from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, and information supplied by Mrs. Shirley Beecher Ball of Dorset, Ontario. 4z James McIntosh was a brother of Angus McIntosh, for whom see ante, 293, and of William McIntosh. He acted as attorney for William Macomb in 1794 in connection with the transfer of title to Hog Island (modern Belle Isle), and in the contemporary document he is characterized as "James McIntosh gentleman." See Mich. Pio. Colls., II, 588. On the American occupation of Detroit he signified his intention of remaining a British subject. Ibid., VIII, 410. 43 William Hands was born at Bethnal Green near London, Aug. 10, 1756. He came to America and was engaged in trade at Detroit as early as 1781. At the close of the British regime he signified his intention of remaining a British subject, and in 1799 built a house at Sandwich which was still in use a few years since. He held many local offices at Sandwich, being sheriff, treasurer, postmaster, customs officer, and register of Surrogate Court for the Western District. Most of these offices were held simultaneously. He married Mary Abbott of Detroit, daughter of James Abbott Sr. He died at Sandwich, Feb. 20, 1836. Mary iAbbott died at Sandwich, Dec. 22, 1860. Information adapted from mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. and burial inscriptions in Hands's family plot in St. John's churchyard, Sandwich. 44 Apparently there were two persons bearing this name, and we are unable to distinguish them in the contemporary documents. On February 4, 1779, Alexander Macomb wrote from Detroit to Governor Henry Hamilton at Vincennes enclosing a letter received by "a young lad here named George Forsyth, nephew to Captain George Phyn." Ill. Hist. Colls., VIII, 107. Probably this was not the same George Forsyth who, in 1781 and 1785, signed petitions to government officials as a merchant of Detroit. See Mich. Pio. Colls., X, 456, and XI, 461. The latter, apparently, later located at Niagara where he died Sept. 15, 1806. His tombstone inscription, which may still be seen, gives his age as fifty-two, and describes him as long a resident of Niagara as merchant and magistrate, and "beloved for his mild manner and great worth"; Niagara Hist. Soc., Pubs., No. 19, p. 14. On Aug. 6, 1804, Alexander Grant wrote to John Askin that George Forsyth had married at Robert Hamilton's home Miss Tenbrook. Ms. in Burton Hist. Coll. 45 Simon Girty was born in Pennsylvania in 1741. At the age of fifteen he was captured by the Seneca and lived among them as a prisoner for three years. He subsequently acted as an interpreter, and in this capacity served in Lord Dunmore's campaign. Loyalist in his sympathies, Girty in the spring of 1778 accompanied Alexander McKee and Matthew Elliot on their flight from Pittsburgh to Detroit. Girty, like Elliot and McKee, became a notable leader of the Indians in the Northwest in their warfare with the Americans. For some reason Simon Girty was regarded by the 308 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS SUBSCRIPTION FOR EPISCOPAL CLERGYMAN Whereas the time of Attendance of the Revd George Mitchell as Clergyman at this Place, for last year is now fully expired. We the Subscribers do hereby Promise to pay or Cause to be paid unto the said George Mitchell or unto some Person appointed to Collect the same, the Sums annexed to our Names respectively for Six months Attendance only to Commence Decr 11t 1787 and to end June 1st 1788. To which Payments we bind ourselves our Heirs Executors or Administrators. Witness our Hands. Americans with greater detestation than any other of their foes, and he seems to have returned their feeling in full measure. In the summer of 1784, Girty married Catherine Malott, who had been living for several years as a captive of the Delaware tribe in Ohio, and established a home a short distance below Amherstburg. For a decade longer he continued to lead, or encourage, the western Indians in their warfare with the Americans, but this phase of his career was definitely closed by Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers and the peace which followed it. Save for a considerable period of exile during the War of 1812, when the Americans were in control of Amherstburg, Girty continued to reside here until his death, Feb. 18, 1818. For an exhaustive account of his career see Consul W. Butterfield, History of the Girtys... (Cincinnati, 1890). 46 John Little was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to which place his father had migrated from Ireland about the year 1730. About the opening of the Revolution, John Little removed to the vicinity of Pittsburgh. His loyalist activities in that struggle caused him later to seek refuge at Detroit. On receipt of news of peace at that place Little returned to Pittsburgh for his family, where, notwithstanding a letter of "protection" from the commandant at Detroit which he had taken the precaution to procure, he was seized by General Irvine and threatened with hanging. Released, he brought his family to Detroit, where he procured a farm on Lake St. Clair in the Grosse Pointe region, and lived until the end of his life, although both in 1795 and in 1797 he formally avowed his intention of remaining a British subject. He was buried Aug. 24, 1817. One of his daughters, Eleanor Little, married (first) Daniel McKillip and (second) John Kinzie, whose careers are noted elsewhere in this volume. Information adapted from notes by C. M. Burton on the Little, Forsyth, and Kinzie families, ms. in Burton Hist. Coll. 47 Jacob Harsen (Harson) was living in Detroit as early as 1779 and as late as 1797. He subsequently settled on Harsen's Island in the St. Clair River. He reared a family of five sons and two daughters; one son was later sheriff of St. Clair County. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, and William L. Jenks, St. Clair County Michigan (Chicago, 1912), passim. 48 Gerrit Graverat came from Albany to Detroit some time prior to July, 1773. Here he engaged in trade in partnership with John Visger and subsequently with Visger and Colin Andrews under the firm name of Andrews, Graverat, and Visger. A somewhat notable case of debt collection against Graverat in 1783 is described by C. M. Burton, City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, II, 957-58. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Coils., passim, and manuscripts in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 309 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM REV. GEORGE MITCHELL TO CHURCH VESTRYMEN, DEC. 8, 1787 To William McComb Esqr and Mess'r John Askin' James Abbot and George Meldrum. Gentlemen At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this Place held at the Council House upon the 1st day of June last, by the Subscription Paper which I proposed, and which was then read, I mentioned your Names as the Gentlemen whom I wished to act as Vestrymen, and superintend the Business of the Congregation. We have not been able to bring Church Matters to that Order and regularity which I could have wished. Various Causes have no doubt contributed to prevent it. The necessary Avocations of Business both public and private, the Uncertainty which still remains respecting this Post, and other Circumstances render the Situation of a resident Clergyman here very precarious and his Subsistence uncertain. If any thing has been wanting on my Part, it is from you that I should receive Information. I conceive that the taking Subscriptions and collecting money does not properly fall to my Part, but should rather be done by some one appointed by you, or whatever method you should think most adviseable. I have taken the Liberty to inclose you the Subscription List for last year, and the Ballances due as nearly as I can make them out at present. There are several of the English Inhabitants about the Fort who I believe would have subscribed but have never been applied to, whether you think proper to make any Application still to such, I submit to your Judgment. I am as you may conceive involved in some small debts particularly to Mr Robertson to whom I have been under particular Obligations, and to Sergt Brown for Provisions, and a few others which I could wish to be able to discharge nearly as soon as possible. As to any future Subscription, I propose none at present more than for Six months, as I propose to go down to Montreal, and from thence to Quebec, about the beginning of June next, or about the time that the first Shipping may 310 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS be expected from England. An Appointment from the Society, if the application has been forwarded & delivered, I have no doubt will take Place. That together with some appointment for the Garrison if it could be obtained, with some Subscription from the Inhabitants, might be very sufficient for the Support of a Clergyman to reside at this Place. Otherwise I do not see that the Inhabitantsalone can support one without distressing themselves. I have likewise inclosed my Proposals for Six months in which you may do as you think proper. I have the Honour to be with Respect Gentlemen your most Obedt and very humble Servant Detroit Decr 8th 1787 George Mitchell Addressed: William McComb Esqr & Messrs John Askin James Abbot & George Meldrum Detroit FROM REV. GEORGE MITCHELL TO CHURCH VESTRYMEN, MAY 14, 1788 William McComb Esq' & Messrs John Askin & George Meldrum Gentlemen As I wish to lease [leave] this Place now as soon as possible, I must take the liberty to trouble you again to try what can be done in the way of Collection. A few Ballances still remain upon the Original List herewith Sent, and it is probable that some of them even now, may not have Cash. If I can get Credit with any of the Gentlemen with whom I have dealings in Town Mr Robertson, Mr Meldrum, or Mr Shepherd, it will answer my Purpose in that way as well as Money towards discharging my debts. I suppose most of the Original Subscribers will continue the same in proportion for the last half year as at first, but some are gone, and some others in no great way of making Money, who probably cannot afford it. But there are a considerable number of English Inhabitants who have never yet as far as I know, been applied to, some of whose names I have annexed, and from these something might be expected. 311 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS There are several of the Inhabitants with whom I have small Accots for necessaries of which I have not the particulars, with any one who mentions this Circumstance I will settle myself. There should be some Allowance for the money I have advanced to the Drumers & I will discount that to the Band. I wish to be ready to go at farthest by the beginning of June agt which time the present half year will be fully expired, and your Endeavours to enable me to discharge my Accots in Town and to raise some overplus for my Journey will much Oblige Gentlemen your most obedient and very humble Servant George Mitchell Detroit May 14 1788 Addressed: William McComb Esqr and Messrs John Askin & George Meldrum FROM REV. GEORGE MITCHELL TO WILLIAM MACOMB Quebec July 31st 1788 Dear Sir I take the Liberty to acquaint you from this Place that before I can get my business done regularly I must either go to London or Hallifax to wait upon the Bishop there, and probably to both. I had an Introduction to Head Quarters from Sir John Johnson49 who seemed to be disposed to serve me, and assisted me with a little money. I had likewise an Introduction to Maj Beckwithso his Lord49 Sir John Johnson was the son of the famous Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Sir William Johnson, and on the death of the latter in 1774, the son succeeded to his title and his immense estate on the Mohawk River. At the opening of the Revolution, General Schuyler led an army into the Mohawk Valley and exacted from Johnson and his friends pledges of neutrality. In the spring of 1776, however, Johnson went to Montreal and secured authority to raise a battalion of troops in the Mohawk country for the royal service. This was done, and in 1780 a second battalion was raised. Throughout the war Johnson was active in support of the British cause, and a powerful factor in the civil and Indian war which ensued along the New York frontier. At its conclusion he found refuge in Canada, where he was perhaps the foremost figure among the thousands of loyalists from the States who found in Canada an asylum at the close of the Revolution. 5o George Beckwith, born in 1753, served throughout the Revolution as lieutenant, captain, and major in the Thirty-seventh Regiment. From 1787 to 1791, he was sent to the United States by Lord Dorchester on frequent missions of a diplomatic character, and resided many months at Philadelphia. He was adjutant general to 312 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ships principal Aidducamp, but unfortunately he had left this to proceed with his Lordship to the Upper Country I believe as far as Niagara before I arrived, of course I had to send by [my] Papers by. Major Mathews who you know had not formerly been my Friend, whether he was, or was not at this time I do not know, however he informed me that he read my Papers to his Lordship, and that his Lordship was sorry he had not time then to have some Conversation with myself, there being so many Gentlemen attending about business, that could not be deferred, which I believe was really the Case, it being the last day of his Lordships stay at this Place. I do not expect to stay here untill he returns but shall leave my business with his Secretary Mr Motts51 who I have reason to believe, at least I have his Promise that he will do what he can, when his Lordship returns, and what Recummendations he thinks proper to give will be forwarded to London. I wrote you before that I had seen Mr Alexander Ellis [Ellice] at Montreal who took no more trouble about the Packet sent to his House last summer than to send it by a Porter to St James Square where the Bishop of London lives, and never enquired more about the matter. It was very unfriendly indeed, I think he might have done more for the Inhabitants of Detroit as he has had considerable Connections there, if he would not upon my Account. If you have received my Letter I wrote you from Montreal you will see, he even refused paying the Subscription of his Brother James Ellis untill he should hear from Detroit. I went to see Doctr Toosey52 yesterday and mentioned the Matter to the army in America from 1791 to 1794; promoted a major general in 1798, and lieutenant general in 1805. At different times he served as governor of St. Vincent, Barbadoes, and Bermuda. He led the expedition which conquered Martinique in 1809 and Guadaloupe in 1810. From 1816 to 1820 he served as commander-in-chief in Ireland. He died in 1823. See Ford, British Officers in the American Revolution and sketch in Simcoe Papers, I, 94. 5 Henry Motz was a native of Switzerland. He served as an officer in the Royal American Regiment, and for some years as civil secretary to the governor of Canada. He later became a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada. See Simcoe Papers, I, 25. 5z The story of the beginnings of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Detroit has 313 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS..,,,.......... him, who is of Opinion that altho' it was Subscribed to him, and while he was there, it was not to him as a Man but as a Clergyman of the Place, and as he did not return and I did the duty was a debt of Honor which ought to be paid to me, altho not perhaps recoverable by Compulsion. If I remember right yourself and Mr Askin were of the same Opinion. If you will be kind enough to take the trouble I believe Mr Askin has the Original Paper, you can look at the Preamble which is short but I do not perfectly remember it, and can easily know if it was meant to Doctr Toosey only, or to any other Clergyman who might do the duty. You know that I had been expected there before Doctr Toosey came, and a few lines from yourself & Mr Askin or either, will easily settle the business, it may be directed to Mr Ellis or Thou Forsyth but Inclosed to Mr David Ross Attorney at Montreal whom I spoke to, not as a Lawyer but a Friend. If I should live to get to London and take up the Application of last year, to the Bishop or the Society I am told it will be of service to have some thing of the Nature of the inclosed in Case it should be lost, or even to strengthen it, a few Names will be sufficient, and I will beg of you to take the trouble, it may come inclosed to me to be left at the Quebec Coffee house London and the sooner after this comes to hand the better. If I shall succeed in the Application I shall return in the Spring by the way of New York. not, as yet, been written. The first clergyman at Detroit of whom we have found mention was Rev. Philip Toosey, who was here prior to George Mitchell in 1787. These early priests were apparently sent, and in large part supported by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Prior to 1793 the church in all Canada was under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nova Scotia. In that year the Bishop paid a visit to the "western" portion of his domain, coming as far west as Montreal. He set various things in order, and among other matters appointed Rev. Philip Toosey to minister to the people at Quebec. Probably this appointment merely gave legal confirmation to an existing fact, fbr it seems evident from Mitchell's letter that Toosey was at Quebec before this time. As one result of the Bishop's tour in 1789, representations were made to the British authorities which led to the division, four years later, of his vast jurisdiction and the establishment of the Bishopric of Quebec. Toosey died shortly before Oct. 4, 1797. See Adam Shortt and Arthur G. Doughty (eds.), Canada and its Provinces (Toronto, 1914), XI, passim; also, for specific references to Toosey see Ontario Bureau of Archives, Thirteenth Report, 166. 314 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I must beg your pardon for all this trouble and have the Honor to be wh Respect Dr Sir your most Obedt and very hum! Servt George Mitchell William Macombe Esqr Not to trouble you with my small affairs I have sent a Power of Attorney to Messr" Leith and Shepherd where I left my furniture. My Horse left upon the Island you may keep at what price you may think him worth yourself if the Indians have not made free with him. With my best Respects to Mrs Macombe wishing she may have recovered again the use of her Knee I am &c George Mitchell Addressed: William Macombe Esq' Detroit DISPUTE BETWEEN TREMBLAY HEIRS OVER TITLE TO REAL ESTATE LAN MILE SEPT CENT QUATRE VINGT HUIT et le Vingtet Cinq du Mois d'aoust, par devant le Notaire Soussign6, fut present le Sieur Joseph Cerr6, dit St Jean, Maitre Tailleur d'Habits, Residant au Detroit; Le quel tant en Son Nom, qu au Noms des Heritiers Trambl6 a declar6, et par Les presentes declare, comme Nulle et de Nul Effet L'Adjudication qui fut faite a Lissue de La Messe Paroisealle; le Vingt et Quatre du Courant, a Lenstance du Sieur Jonathan Schieffelin, de La Terre de Pierre Champaigne au Grand Marais; et fait Inhibitions et defenses a L'adjudicataire de prendre Possession de la ditte Terre, a Moins que le dit Sieur Schieffelin ne paye les Droits que les dits Heritiers Tramble ont sur la dite Terre, pour leur part dans la Succession du feus leurs pere et Mere, Ce dont le dit Joseph Cerr6 a Requis Acte, et a lui octroy6 et a Signe au Detroit le jour et An que dessus. En presence de Gme Monforton F" Pepin Not P~ Martin Nadeau Endorsed: MIr Schieffelin 315 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Translation In the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, the twenty-fifth of the month of August, before the notary undersigned appeared Mr. Joseph Serr6 called St. John,53 master tailor of Detroit, who, in his own name and in the names of the Tremblay heirs, has declared, and by these presents does declare, that the adjudicature announced after parish mass the twenty-fourth of this current month at the instance of Jonathan Schieffelin54 with respect to the 53 Joseph Serre (Cerre) dit St. Jean was the grandson of Andrew Serre dit St. Jean, who came to Canada from the province of Languedoc, France, and married at Quebec, May 3, 1706, Mary Ann Boilard, daughter of Jean Boilard and Jane Mirandeau. Their son, Denis Serr& dit St. Jean, born in 1724, married in 1749 Veronica Rochereau dit Morisseau. Their son Joseph, subject of the present sketch, was born at Montreal, Jan. 22, 1752. He came to Detroit, where on Oct. 28, 1782, he married Mary Teresa Seguin dit Laderoute, daughter of Cajetan Seguin dit Laderoute and Mary Genevieve Tremblay. He lived at the Northeast Coast of Detroit (Private Claim 26, in Grosse Pointe), where modern St. Jean Avenue preserves his name. Teresa Seguin was buried at Detroit on Oct. 6, 1801, and Joseph married (second) Nov. 24, 1806, Elizabeth Beaufait, daughter of Louis Beaufait and Mary Teresa Marsac. Joseph Serr6 was buried Sept. 24, 1822; his widow was buried Jan. 4, 1857. See Denissen, op. cit. 54 Jonathan Schieffelin was a relative of Jacob Schieffelin, who served as secretary to Governor Henry Hamilton and held the rank of lieutenant in the British service. Jacob was at Detroit as late as 1783 when he endeavored to anticipate William Caldwell and his associates in procuring a large tract of land at the mouth of the Detroit River where Amherstburg was soon after founded. He subsequently engaged in business in Montreal, and in 1794 in New York, where both his firm and his descendants were long prominent. Both Jacob and Jonathan Schieffelin were active on the British side in the Revolution. Jonathan served as lieutenant in Louis Chabert de Joncaire's company of Detroiters which went on Captain Henry Bird's invasion of Kentucky in 1780, and Alexander McKee formally certified on May 8, 1787, that throughout the late war Schieffelin had served on the several expeditions sent from Detroit against the Americans, as well as in the defense of the place against hostile attack. In 1793 Schieffelin was petitioning Governor Simcoe for half-pay in recognition of his military service, and upon the American occupation he formally signified his intention to remain a British subject. Instead, he remained in Detroit and was soon prominent in the official councils of the new American regime. A letter written by him in 1799 reflects a tone of deep loyalty to the new government and discloses that he had won the friendship of General Wilkinson and was serving in an important capacity in the Indian Department. He was elected to the Assembly of Northwest Territory which met at Chillicothe in November, 1801, and in May, 1803, on returning from the legislative session, was voted the "freedom of the Corporation" of Detroit for services rendered. A letter dated at New York, August 17, 1804, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll., shows that Schieffelin had then been absent from Detroit for some time, and that he no longer regarded it as his place of residence. He continued to reside in New York the remainder of his life. Schieffelin was one of the group of associates of John Askin and others which, in 1795, entered upon an enterprise looking to securing 316 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS land of Pierre Champagne55 at Grand Marais,56 is null and void; and he prohibits and forbids any action on the part of the adjudicator to take possession of the said land, unless the said Jonathan Schieffelin pays the claims of the said Tremblay heirs57 upon the said land for their share in the estate of their late father and mother, concerning which the said Joseph Serr6 has requested legal action hereby granted to him, and signed at Detroit the day and year above mentioned. In presence of William Monforton, Notary Public Francis Pepin58 Martin Nadeau59 Endorsed: [by John Askin] Mr. Schieffelin from Congress a grant of some 20,000,000 acres of land, comprising, roughly, most of the present lower peninsula of Michigan. Members of Congress were offered large bribes by the eastern agents of the group, who undertook to pilot the grant through Congress, but upon exposure by a South Carolina member of the House, the scheme was defeated. Schieffelin was living as late as the summer of 1827. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; C. M. Burton (ed.), Journal of the Board of Trustees1802-1805 (Detroit, 1922), passim; C. M. Burton, History of Detroit 1780-1850 (Detroit, 1917), 23-35, 45-46; One Hundred Years of Business Life, 1794-1894: W. H. Schieffelin and Co., New York. 55 The Champagnes (Champaignes) of Detroit were descendants of Pierre Huyet of the province of Champagne, France. His son, Etienne Huyet, born at Charleville in Champagne, learned the shoemaking trade and migrated to Canada, where on June 8, 1718, he married at Montreal Barbara Fortier dit La Fortune, daughter of Stephen Fortier and Margaret Lauson. Their son, Pierre Huyet dit Champagne, was born at L'Ange Gardien, June 22, 1733. On June 9, 1760, he married at Detroit Regina Christina Tremblay, daughter of Augustin Tremblay and Mary Judith La Forest. The couple lived on a farm at Fox Creek in Grosse Pointe, where all but two of their twelve children were born. Pierre Huyet was buried at Detroit, Oct. 30, 1805. See Denissen, op. cit. 5 6 The Grand Marais of Detroit in the French period was that portion of the settlement lying opposite the upper end of Belle Isle, where the river makes its exit from Lake St. Clair. 57 This was evidently a dispute between relatives. In the summer of 1750 three Tremblay brothers, Pierre, Augustin, and Ambrose, came to Detroit from Lower Canada. All settled in the Grosse Pointe region and all reared large families. Pierre Champagne was the son-in-law of Augustin Tremblay, having married his daughter, Regina Christina. Her parents were living at the time of this controversy, but Ambrose Tremblay and his wife were both dead, and the heirs here referred to weie evidently their children, and hence first cousins of Champagne's wife. 58 There were members of the Pepin family at Detroit from about the time of the Revolution onward, but we have not identified the family connection of Francis. In the Askin Papers he is characterized as a "trader." In November, 1786, he obtained from the Potawatomi Indians a grant forty by one hundred arpents in extent lying between Sand Creek and Stony Creek in modern Monroe County. This he sub317 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS DEATH OF ANTOINE RENAUD au Poste vincennes Le 3e Juin 1789 A Mr John Askin negt au Detroit Monsieur Cest au nom et de La part de S' Joseph Ducharme que je vous icrit La pr6sente, pour vous annoncer La mort Funeste d'Antoine Reneaud, son Beau Frere, tu6 par les Quiquapoux Le 24e May dernier a environ Sept Lieux en Bas de ce village, Revenant d'hyvernement; Le dit S' ducharme ayant 6t6 Elu Et Reconnu administrateur En la Succesion du dit Defunt Reneaud, et ayant 6t6 inform6 quoy qu'indirectement qu'il vous 6toit due par le dit reneaud une Somme asser Considerable, Et qu'en Consequence vous pouviez pr6tendre sur La succession, qui est peu considerable a La verit6-Elle consiste seulement en sequently sold to George McDougall and George Meldrum, who improved the property by building two mills and several houses on it. In 1798 Pepin leased from Todd and McGill a mill in this vicinity, which he held for several years, making little or no payments on the annual rental. The debt was finally compounded for a small sum about the close of 1804. Pepin seems to have enjoyed intimate relations with the Indians, and in 1795 he labored effectively to induce them to attend the Greenville negotiations, encountering in this connection the vigorous opposition of Rev. Edmund Burke, whom he characterized in terms of exceeding pungency. Mich. Pio. Colls., XII, 169-70. In association with Romaine de Chambre and Gabriel Godfroy, Pepin obtained a grant of 2500 acres of land on Huron River where now is the city of Ypsilanti, where they had conducted a trading post. Misfortune, however, dogged Pepin's footsteps. In December, 1814, Father Gabriel Richard appealed to the commandant at Detroit on behalf of "the most distressed person existing in this territory, Francis Pepin." Richard described him as afflicted with palsy and scarcely able to "utter a few broken words," and begged that the grant of rations formerly supplied him be restored. On Feb. 19, 1816, he was buried at Detroit, "aged about fifty-five years." Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 9 The American founder of the Detroit line of Nadeau was Joseph Osanny Nadeau, born in France in 1637, who came to Canada, married Margaret Abraham, and was buried at Ste. Famille, Isle of Orleans, Feb. 12, 1677. He left a son, Jean Baptiste, born in 1670, and he, in turn, a son of the same name, born Sept. 21, 1700. The latter married Margaret Carbonneau and died in 1722, leaving a posthumous son, also named Jean Baptiste, who was born at Berthier, Dec. 22, 1722. He married Martha Fournier in 1745, and to them three sons were born, Joseph, Martin, and Anthony. All came west to Detroit, and ultimately located at St. Antoine, Raisin River. Martin Nadeau, subject of the present sketch, married at Sandwich, Aug. 14, 1786, Mary Reaume, daughter of Jean Baptiste Reaume and Agatha Lootman dit Barrois. In 1790 they settled at Raisin River, where Martin Nadeau was buried March 15, 1842. They had fourteen children, the first two and the last of whom were born at Detroit, the others at Raisin River. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 318 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS deux gargons Mulatres, Esglaves ag6s d'environ dix huit ans, et Fort peu de chose d'alleurs, il se propose de faire des informations sur la partie des illinois, Comme Sr Reneaud y a Fait sa R6sidence plusierus ann6es, Je croye suivant ce que j'en aye oiii dire quil ny a pas grande chose a Esperer de ses Cot6s la: il vous prie d'adresser vos affaires a quelq'un de cet endroit, si vous ne pouvez venir Vous m6me ou Envoyer un commis soux Six mois, terme accord6 Et Fix6 pour Regler la ditte succession, et aussy en informer toutes personnes qui peuvent y pr6tendre; Madame Ducharme soeur du dit d6funt Reneaud, vous informera par une seconde Lettre des droits Echus a son Frere, par Le d6c6s de leur defunts peres et meres en Canada, dont elle dit qu'ille na rien Touch6, vous pouvez en attendant en Faire nous m6me des informations a Montreal, Lieu de sa naissance; mon inclination me portant a vouloir vous obliger, je vous offre mes services, je vous me croyez Capable de vous etre de quelque Services; En ce pays, vous me trouverez toujours dispos6 a vous assurer du profond Respect Monsieur De votre tres humble Et Tres obeisst Serviteur Antoine Gamelin Notaire Etc. et Greffier Addressed: Monsieur Mr John Askin Marchand du detroit Au Detroit Endorsed: Post Vincent June 3d 1789 Monsr Antoine Gamlin to Jn~ Askin Recvd 4h July Wrote him Octr 14h 1789 Translation Post Vincennes, June 3, 1789 Mr. John Askin, Merchant at Detroit, Sir: I write you now in the name and on the behalf of Mr Joseph Ducharme to tell you of the sad death of Antoine Renaud, his brother-in-law, killed by the Kickapoo the 24th 319 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS of May last about seven miles below this village as he was returning from his winter quarters. The said Mr. Ducharme having been appointed and acknowledged administrator of the estate of the said deceased Renaud, and being informed, although indirectly, that a considerable sum is owing to you by the said Renaud, and that in consequence you could present a claim against the estate, which in truth, is very little (it consists of two mulatto boys, slaves, about eighteen years of age, and scarcely anything else) he intends making inquiry at the Illinois where Mr. Renaud has made his home for several years.60 I believe, from what I have heard, that nothing much may be expected from that quarter. Mr. Ducharme thinks you might write to someone there, if you cannot go yourself, or send a clerk within the next six months the time granted and fixed for settling the said estate and for all claims to be entered. Mrs. Ducharme, sister of the said deceased Renaud, will inform you by another letter concerning her brother's interest in the estate of their deceased father and mother of Canada, of which she says that he has collected nothing. Meanwhile, you might inquire yourself at Montreal, his birthplace. I would like to oblige you and therefore offer my services. If you think there is anything I can do for you here, you will find me ready at any time to give you every assurance of the profound regard, Sir, of your very humble and very obedient Servant Antoine Gamelin61 Notary Public and Recorder 60 The Kaskaskia Records disclose that in 1779 Renaud was a resident of Kaskaskia. August 31 of that year he contributed 500 pounds of flour for the support of the "Troops Belonging to the State of Virginia." In December following he signed a protest addressed to the magistrates against the "brigandage and tyranny" of the same soldiers; and in May, 1782, he signed a memorial on the maintenance of order. A different picture of Renaud's estate than the one presented in this document, is given in a letter of William McIntosh to Askin, June 15, 1801. It describes the two slaves as valuable, and as having been sold, one to Francis Vigo and one to Colonel Hamtramck, much below their value. It states, also, that Renaud died possessed of a considerable quantity of peltries and 400 acres of land. 6I Antoine Gamelin was long a prominent trader and influential French resident of Vincennes. In the spring of 1790 he was selected by General Harmar to convey a 320 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Addressed: Mr. John Askin Merchant of Detroit Detroit. FROM CHARLES MORISON TO JOHN ASKIN Michilimakinac 15th June 1789 Dear Askin Your very much esteemed favour of the 28th March I received the 19th April, Which was much latter than we expected, Owing to Our express being so long detained at your Post for the letters from below. I must beg leave to offer my most sincere thanks to you & all your good fameily for theire attention & kind sentiments, on hearing of the reestablishment of my health. I do most sincerely assure you & them all, that I am very proud of theire friendship, because I am convinced it is sincere, And should be exceeding happy to have it in my Power to convince them, that theire friendship & civilities is not throwen a way on an ungrateful Person. I am sorry to find there is such a General scarcity of Provisions at all the Posts, especially at yours, as it will affect this place very much when the crowd comes in. For at present there is neither a bushel of corn nor an hundred weight of flour to be had at this place at any price; the crop of Indian Corn having failed among the Indians last year as well as in other Places. The Garrison Baker (the only one in the place) has now liberty from the commanding Officer to sell his bread at 4/ a loaf. This scarcity of Provisions has induced me to purchase from the troops about 15 hundred weight of Salt Pork, which I expect to turn into Skins or money in the course of this summer. The Winter here has been very severe & long, the Ise only begun to give way the 25th April. The Garrison &c has been very healthy. I have lately joined with Mr John Barthe in a small Adventure to Lake Superior, the conditions are. I to furnish proffer of peace to the tribes residing along the Wabash and at the headwaters of the Maumee. Gamelin's mission proved futile, but his journal of it has several times been printed. 321 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the greatest part of the dry Goods & all the Rum. He is to transact the business, and after all the Goods & expences are paid, Whatever profit may be in the Adventure are to be equaly divided between him & me. He left this the 18th Ult~ On my arrival there [here] last fall, I reduced the price of Rum from 32/ to 24/, and have lately sold it at 20/, but hitherto there has been little or no demaind for it. With respect to my transactions since I have been here in the way of business; the whole May amount to about ~800 York. Though but little, it is more than I expected to do in such a poor pitiful place as this is in Winter. Yesterday I received your favour of the fifth instand, By which I am glad to hear that you and famely are well. We have had no trade here this Spring. The Indians to the West being all at war with one an Other. Mr Barthe returned here Yesterday & has done Nothing, as there was so many Other traders there before him. As the Troops are ordered on board I have not time [to] Say any thing mor, Only my best wishes waits on you & famely. And am Dear Sir Your Very Humle Sert Charles Morison Mr John Askin Addressed: Mr John Askin Mercht Detroit. Endorsed: Mich. June 15th 1789 Mr C. Morrison to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 20th Answd ye 29th CHIPPEWA GRANT TO RICHARD CORNWALL KNOW all men by these presents that we the Chiefs of the Chippawa Nation of Indians by & with the consent of the whole of our Nation & in consideration of the good will love & affection we bear unto Richard Cornwall of Detroit Master Builder, have given granted, released and confirmed in the Year 1780 and do by these presents now renew the Same to our beloved friend the said Richard Cornwall his heirs and assigns for ever-a certain tract of Land lying 322 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS and situate on the North west side of the River St Clare commencing at the Point of Belle River running from thence Northwards Forty Arpents in front by One hundred & fifty in depth all and singular the Estate right, title, interest, property claim or demand whatsoever of us the said Chiefs or any of our Nation of, in and to the premisses and every part and parcel thereof-TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract of Land all and singular the appurtenances unto the said Richard Cornwall his heirs, and assigns for the only proper use and behoof of him the said Richard Cornwall his heirs and assigns for ever and we the said Chiefs for ourselves and the whole of our Nation our and their heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and for ever defend by virtue of these presents. IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have hereunto affixed the marks of our different Tribes at Detroit this 26 day of JUNE in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and Eighty Nine Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of us [Totem] Muskyash junr his mark T. Smith William Cook Louis Barthe Appended: John Askin-Recd in my office 19th May 1797. PA Registered in my office in the book No 1. pages 76 & 77, Peter Audrain recorder. Endorsed: Recorded in the Land Office at Detroit in Liber E folio 59 &c By me Go Hoffman R. Attached: WE the Chiefs of the Chippawa Nation of Indians, having been Asked by John Askin senior of Detroit merchant If our Ancestors & selves did in the year 1780 sell unto Richd Cornwell Master Ship Builder a Tract of Land whose Situation & Extent is more fully Explained on the other Side of this paper to whom we Answered we did 323 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS & that we were Ready now to confirm what we or our chiefs had then done & having learnt from him that he had purchased Said Land from said Cornwell, WE DO now by these Presents once more confirm the aforesaid Sales made so Sd Cornwell & by him to our good Friend said John Askin Senior his Heirs & Assigns & declare that we did on the Instant deliver over to Robert Nichol62 for the use of said Askin his Heirs & Assigns the aforesaid mentioned Lands and Shewed to him their Boundaries & marks and as a further mark of our approbation & consent to his purchase of sd Tract we Promise to Build him a House on the Same & we further declare that he has this day of his own free will & consent made us a Present Exclusive of Provisions for our Wives & Children. IN TESTIMONY of all which, we have made our marks after Monsr Baptiste Sanscrainte63 having Explained to us the contents of the foregoing, at Detroit this Third of June 1796. Niggig [Totem and Seal] 62 Robert Nichol is supposed to have been born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, about the year 1774. He probably first came to Detroit in the autumn of 1795, when he entered upon a three-year term of employment as clerk to John Askin. The articles of indenture describe him as a "gentleman." He later engaged in trade at Queenston and in time achieved local prominence. He served in the War of 1812, being present at the capture of Detroit and there saving, it is said, Daniel Dobbin from being executed by Brock for supposed violation of his parole. He became lieutenant colonel of the Second Norfolk Militia, and subsequently quartermaster general of militia. For his services he was presented with a sword of honor by the legislature of Upper Canada. He married Therese Wright, only surviving child of Dr. Thomas Wright and Therese Grant, and a granddaughter of Commodore Alexander Grant. He was accidentally killed in 1824, by falling over a precipice near Queenston. See Askin Papers, passim; Major Alpin's Ancestors and Descendants (Aberdeen, 1904), 15-16; Officers of the British Forces in Canada During the War of 1812; Burton, City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, I, 709. An extensive biography of Nichol's public career is in Ontario Hist. Soc., Papers and Records. XIX. 63 Jean Romain dit Sanscrainte, born in the parish of St. Martial, Angoulgme, France, in 1696, came to Canada and married at Montreal June 30, 1722, Mary Joseph Leblanc. The bride was the daughter of Julian Leblanc and Ann Vanier, and was born at Charlesbourg, June 7, 1698. Jean Baptiste Romain dit Sanscrainte, son of Jean Romain and Mary Joseph Leblanc, was born at Montreal, May 16, 1723, and married there, Feb. 25, 1754, Susanne Amable Deneau, daughter of Andrew Deneau and Frances Boyer. Their son, also named Jean Baptiste, born in 1754, married at Detroit, Oct. 13, 1778, Margaret Solo, daughter of Claude Solo and Margaret Descomps dit Labadie. They reared a large family. Margaret Solo was buried at Detroit, March 19, 1793. See Denissen, op. cit. 324 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Done in the presence of Chi gin ebe [Totem and Seal] Thos Smith Domini quinze [Totem and Seal] Bt Sans Crainte Wa be sin qua [Totem and Seal] Alex Maisonville Junr64 Endorsed: Lands given by the Chippawas on the RSt Clare to Richd Cornwall in the year 1780 and now the same gift renewed by the young Chiefs, 1789. N~ 2 C 284 words DIVISION OF DEBTS OF THE MIAMIS COMPANY65 At a meeting of the Members of the Miamis Company held this day at the Store of John Askin, respecting a final division of the debts due to them it was agreed upon by all parties as follows; Vizt John Askin for his proportion of divided debts, agreed to accept of whatever might be due to the said Company by Dagneaux Dequindre,66 Baptist Reaume, and Charles 64 The Detroit Maisonvilles were descended from Robert Rivard dit Loranger, born in France in 1638, who in 1664 married in Canada Magdelene Guillet, a native of Three Rivers. They lived, and are buried, at Batiscan. Their children went by various names-Feuilleverte, Montendre, and Rivard. The tenth (and youngest), Rene Alexis Rivard dit Loranger, born at Batiscan, Oct. 27, 1691, was the father of Alexis Loranger dit Maisonville and Joseph Loranger dit Maisonville. Both sons were born at Batiscan and both came to Detroit. James Sterling's letter book discloses that one of them (probably Alexis) in February, 1765, had just returned from a mission to the Indians of the Illinois, and Sterling describes him as "a very sensible fellow," well acquainted with the country and with the several Indian tribes. Letter to John Duncan, Feb. 26, 1765. Alexis Maisonville was twice married, and had several sons, one of whom may have been the signer of this document. We infer that Alexis Maisonville of Detroit is identical with the individual of the same name who assisted Governor Hamilton with information concerning the country between Detroit and Vincennes in 1778. A brother, Frangois, was a resident of Miamitown prior to the Revolution. He was captured by George Rogers Clark, who was about to put him to death when the plea of Alexis caused him to desist. He was sent with Hamilton to prison in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he committed suicide. Genealogical data adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 65 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 66 For the Dequindre family see ante, 205-206. The individual here alluded to was probably Antoine Dequindre. 325 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Reaume, be their balances more or less, than the sums they stand at, in the Company's books. Meldrum & Park for their proportion of divided debts agreed to accept of whatever might be due to the said Company, by Gouin67 & Chabert,68 Jean Baptiste Constant, and Joseph Gamelin, be their balances more or less, than the sums they stand at, in the Companys books. Leith & Shepherd, for their proportion of divided debts agreed to accept of whatever might be due to the said Company, by Alexander Mc67 The Gouin family was one of the oldest in Detroit. Its American founder, Mathurin Gouin, born in the diocese of Poitiers, France, in 1638, married at Three Rivers, Nov. 20, 1663, Mary Magdelene Vien, who was born at Three Rivers, Jan. 20, 1650. They lived at Ste. Anne de la Perade, where three children were born to them: Joseph, in 1671; Louis, in 1683; and Mary Ann in 1685. Louis was in Detroit as early as 1708, but his permanent home remained in Lower Canada. Joseph Gouin also lived and died at Ste. Anne de la Perade. He married there in 1701. His third child, Claude Jean Thomas Gouin, born June 6, 1710, came to Detroit, where on Jan. 13, 1742, he married Mary Joseph Cuillerier dit Beaubien. He was a surveyor and made his home at the Northeast Coast of Detroit. He was buried, May 29, 1776; his widow was buried, Jan. 2, 1808. They had thirteen children, one of whom was probably the individual here noted. A daughter, Judith, born July 2, 1763, became the wife of Philip Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert. See Denissen, op. cit. 68 The family of Chabert (or Joncaire-Chabert) was one of the most notable in New France. Its American founder was Louis Thomas de Joncaire, who was born in the diocese of Aries, in Provence, in 1670. He enlisted in the army and, coming to Canada, married at Montreal, March 1, 1706, Madelaine Le Guay, a native of that city, who was born, Oct. 6, 1689. She was buried at Repentigny, June 22, 1771; Louis Thomas de Joncaire died in 1739. They had a large family of children, at least four of whom entered the army, and two of whom had, like their father, notable careers in Canada. The best account of their lives is found in Frank H. Severance, An Old Frontier of France (New York, 1917). Vol. I, chap. xvi of this work is devoted more especially to reciting the services of the sons. "The father and two of the sons were the most influential agents the French ever sent among the Iroquois. For many years, their influence was the greatest force opposed to Colonel (later Sir) William Johnson and the English governors of New York Province." The sons here alluded to were Philip Thomas de Joncaire de Chabert, born at Montreal, Jan. 9, 1707, and Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert, born at Repentigny, Jan. 6, 1716. The elder succeeded to his father's position of influence over the Iroquois, and the younger, for twenty years prior to the downfall of New France, ably assisted him in this r6le. Going to France on the surrender of Canada, Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert was imprisoned in the Bastille in 1761 on charges of peculations committed in Canada. Released after two years, he returned to Canada and embarked on the western fur trade with headquarters at Detroit; but the British authorities were suspicious of his loyalty, and of his influence over the natives, and their restrictions, combined with other factors, prevented him from retrieving his shattered fortunes. He was buried at Detroit, July 5, 1771. Aside from his Seneca wife and family among the Iroquois, Chabert had married at Montreal, Jan. 19, 1751, Margaret Elizabeth Ursula Rocbert de la Morandiere, who died at Detroit in January, 1773. They had several children who married at Detroit and became progenitors of a far-flung family line. See Denissen, op. cit.; Severance, op. cit.; and Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, VI, 1-16. 326 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Cormick, Joseph Hunot,69 David Gray & C~ and James Ryley,70 be their balances more or less, than the sums they stand at in the Company's Books. Sharp & Wallace, for their proportion of same agreed to accept of whatever might be due to the said Company by Nicholas Lassell,71 Joseph St Marie, Janot Charon,72 & Paul Gamelin, be their balances, more or less, than the sums they stand at, in the Company's books. 69 On the Hunot family line see ante, 199. Gabriel Hunot, there mentioned as thrice married, had as his third wife Magdelene Susanne Henry dit Laforge, whom he married at Montreal, May 31, 1730. Their second child, Joseph Hunot, lived at the Northeast Coast of Detroit, where on April 8, 1766, he married Mary Joseph Robert, who was born at Detroit, Jan. 26, 1750. They had two sons: Joseph, born, July 4, 1771, and Anthony Padua, born August 30, 1773. Evidently the elder Joseph Hunot was the person noted in the present document. There was another Joseph Hunot, born at Montreal in 1726, a second cousin of the Gabriel mentioned herein, who may possibly have been the individual here noted. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 7o James Van Slyck Ryley was born in Schenectady, New York, about the year 1760, being a descendant of Cornelis Antonissen Van Slyck, who married a Mohawk woman, and in 1662 received from Governor Stuyvesant one of the earliest land grants ever made on the site of Schenectady. James Van Slyck Ryley came to Detroit about the year 1781. He engaged in the Indian trade and followed the ancestral tradition by marrying a Chippewa woman of the Saginaw Bay region. After spending about twenty years in the Indian trade, Van Slyck returned to Schenectady, where he was long a prominent citizen, and where he died, Jan. 8, 1848. He was a man of forceful personality, whose memory was treasured by his Detroit associates, despite an absence of over forty years' duration. One of his sons, John Ryley, became chief of a Chippewa band in modern St. Clair County, and along with his brothers performed useful service for the Americans in the War of 1812. Ryley Township, St. Clair County, is named for him. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; William L. Jenks, History of St. Clair County, Mich., passim; and obituary notice of Judge Ryley in Detroit Daily Advertiser, Feb. 1, 1848. 7I On the Lacelle family line see ante, 197. The fourth child of Jacques Lacelle and Angelica Gibaut, there noted, was Nicholas Lacelle, born at Montreal, Feb. 17, 1715. He came to Detroit and here married, Jan. 14, 1754, Mary Joseph Cardinal, daughter of Jean Baptiste Cardinal and Mary Louisa Massiot. He resided on St. Jacques Street and followed the trade of carpenter. He was buried, April 28, 1779. His wife was buried, Sept. 26, 1763. They had several children, the eldest of whom, Nicholas Lacelle, was born, July 3,1755. It seems probable that he was the individual mentioned herein. See Denissen, op. cit. 72. The Charons of Detroit were descended from Pierre Charon, who married Judith Martin and resided in St. Martin Parish, diocese of Meaux, France. Their son, Pierre, born in 1640, migrated to Canada and married at Montreal, Oct. 19, 1665, Mary Catherine Pilet, who was also a native of France. They lived in Lower Canada and were buried at Montreal, Pierre in 1700 and Mary Catherine in 1717. Their only son, Nicholas Charon, born at Boucherville, April 9, 1676, married on Jan. 15, 1703, Mary Magdelene Viau, who was born at Montreal, June 11, 1673. The eldest child and only son of this couple, Jacques Charon, was born at Longueuil, Sept. 1, 1710, and married at Boucherville, Sept. 16, 1743, Mary Audet dit Lapointe, daughter of Innocent Audet dit Lapointe and Geneveva Lemelin. Apparently they 327 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS James Abbott for his proportion of divided debts, agreed to accept of Two Thousand, Three hundred pounds, of the Debt, due by Frances Viegos of Post Vincennes, to be estimated in proportion to the sum of Four Thousand, Seven hundred pounds, said to be due by said Viego to the Company in all, but these sums are to be the portions to be divided upon, should said Viego's debt prove more or less. Angus Mackintosh, for his proportion of divided debts, agreed to accept of whatever might be due to the Company, by Louis Baby,73 Nicholas Perrot,74 or William Mackintosh,75 be their balances more or less than those stated in removed in later years to Detroit, for their three sons (the youngest born at Boucherville in 1761) all became residents here. All married and became progenitors of the later Charon line. The individual mentioned in the present document has not been identified. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 73 For the Baby line see ante, 292. Louis Baby was the son of Raymond Baby and Teresa Lecompte dit Dupre and the elder brother of Jacques Baby dit Duperon He was born at Montreal, Sept. 23, 1727, and married there, on July 24, 1758, Louisa Decouagne, daughter of Jean Baptiste Decouagne and Margaret Degannes. The Baby brothers (Louis, Antoine, FranSois, and Jacques) were notable partisan leaders in the warfare waged by the French in the Ohio Valley during the Seven Years' War. In July, 1760, Vaudreuil at Montreal issued a formal certificate reciting their services to the king and the exploits they had performed. After the war Louis resided at Montreal and again engaged in the western fur trade, which he had followed before the war. The hardships he underwent aged him before his time, according to Casgrain. He was buried at Detroit, May 8, 1785. He had a son, Louis, who was also engaged in the fur trade and who is the individual mentioned in the present document. He was at Ste. Genevieve in the Illinois in 1791. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Casgrain, op. cit., 69-72. 74 Probably, Nicholas Louis Perrault, who was born in Canada, July 6, 1752, and died in the Illinois country. The Perrault family was one of considerable distinction in Canada and the western country. Its American founder was Francois Perrault, who migrated to Canada about the year 1705 and married at Quebec, Nov. 22, 1715, Susanne Page de Carcy. Francois Perrault was a merchant at Quebec. They had twelve children. The fifth, Louis Francois, born in 1721, married Marie Joseph Baby, an elder sister of Jacques Baby dit Duperon of Detroit. Nicholas Louis, here noted, was the second of their twelve children. Their third child, Joseph Francois, born June 2, 1753, became known as the "father" of education in Canada. See P. B. Casgrain, La Fie de Joseph Franfois Perrault... (Quebec, 1898). 75 William McIntosh was a brother of James McIntosh and of Angus McIntosh, for whom see ante, 293 and 308. He was an attorney and about the year 1800 located at Vincennes, where he did considerable legal business for John Askin. Letters in the Sibley Papers, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll., disclose that he was living at Vincennes as late as 1816 and that in 1823 he had been for some time residing at Grand Rapids near Palmyra, Illinois. In 1811 he was sued for slander by Governor Harrison, for criticisms uttered of the latter's Indian policy, and condemned to pay $4,000 damages. Harrison's most recent biographer, however, does not regard the verdict as necessarily indicative of the merits of the criticism. See Dorothy B. 328 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the Company's books, & in the proportion of Five Hundred pounds of Frances Viego's, to the whole of same, as in the preceding Article. 'And John Askin agrees to give the Company Fifty Pounds New York Currency, for the debt due by Joseph Gibbeau to the Company, which is to become his property; the said John Askin, obliging himself to prevent the said Joseph Gilbeau going to Sandusky, as much as in his power; And the Company oblige themselves to bring nothing against said Gilbeau, on account of his former conduct, unless they have reason to think he is going to Sandusky, in which case they are at liberty to pursue such Steps, as they think will prevent him going thither. All other debts due to the Company, exclusive of those before Enumerated to be put into the hands of John Askin to be collected without unnecessary delay, for the general behoof of the Company; for which, a Commission of five per Centum is to be allowed on the sums collected, and the remainder, divided amongst the Members, in proportion to their shares in the Company. And it is agreed upon also, by all the parties, that the collection of said Frances Viego's Debt, shall be allotted to James Abbott, with power to compound for same at his discretion. And in consideration thereof, he agrees, & obliges himself to provid the Neat proceeds of whatever he may recover from said Frances Viego, between the Company, Angus Mackintosh, and himself, upon the following rates, viz: Nineteen hundred pounds for the Company's, Five hundred pounds, for Angus Mackintosh, & Twenty-three Hundred pounds for James Abbotts, Making in all, Four Thousand & Seven Hundred pounds, in all, as before mentioned. The Company, & Angus Mackintosh, oblige themselves to bear a proportional part of the expences incurred in recovering, and Realizing the property that may be received from said Viego, according to the same rata as before. And in case any dispute should arise as to the reasonableGoebel, William Henry Harrison, A Political Biography (Indianapolis, 1926, Indiana Hist. Colls., Vol. XIV), 125-26. 329 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ness, or quantum of such expences, the same to be left to the decision of indifferent persons mutually chosen. And the said Company and Angus Mackintosh, agree to allow the said James Abbott, as a Commission for his personal trouble in recovering; five per Centum, upon the Neat sum actually realized at Detroit. The Company's proportion of what is thus realized to be divided amongst all its Members, in proportion to the shares they hold therein. Each Member of the Company, hereby obliges himself to execute without evasion or unnecessary delay, such assignments & Letters of Attorney irrevocable, as may be necessary to Vest a legal title in the person to whom each Debt is allotted and a relinquishment of all claims upon them by every other Member of the Company, as to their demands as Members, without injuring their private claims. And for the faithful performance of all and every the matters & things herein mentioned, and agreed upon, each Member binds himself to the whole, in the sum of, One Thousand Pounds, Quebec Currency, to be paid by the parties failing, to the Parties performing, or willing to perform. This done and executed at Detroit, in the District of Hesse,76 and Province of Quebec, this Ninth dayof September, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand, seven hundred & Eighty Nine; & in the Twenty Ninth Year of his Majestys Reign. Signed) John Askin (L. S.) Signed, Sealed, & delivered William Park in presence of for Meldrum & Park (L. S.) John Richardson George Leith Robert Stevens for Leith & Shepherd (L. S.) George Sharp for Sharp & Wallace. (L. S.) James Abbott. (L. S.) Angus Mackintosh (L. S.) 76 By proclamation of Lord Dorchester July 24, 1788, that part of the province of Quebec west of the eastern boundary of the township of Lancaster was divided into 330 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS POWER OF ATTORNEY FROM THE MIAMIS COMPANY TO JOHN ASKIN KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS That we Leith & Shepherd, Sharp & Wallace, Meldrum & Park, James Abbott & Angus Mackintosh, as members of the Miamis Company, have made, ordained, authorised, & appointed, & by these presents, do make, ordain, authorise & appoint, John Askin of Detroit, Merchant, our true & Lawful Attorney, irrevocable, for us & in our names, but to the use of him the said John Askin, to ask, demand, sue for, recover & receive, all such balance or balances, sum & sums of money, debts & demands whatsoever, which are now due & owing unto the said Miamis Company, from Baptiste Reaume, Charles Reaume, Dagneaux Dequindre, & Joseph Guilbeau, & in default of payment thereof, to have use & take all lawful ways & means, in our names or otherwise, for the recovery thereof; & on receipt thereof, Acquittances, or other sufficient discharges, for us & in our names, to make seal & deliver, & to do all lawful acts & things whatsoever, concerning the premises, as fully in every respect, as we ourselves, might or could do, if we were personally present; & an Attorney or Attorneys, under him, for the purposes aforesaid, to make, & at his pleasure to revoke, hereby ratifying & confirming, whatsoever our said Attorney shall in our names do, or cause to be done, in & about the premises, by virtue of these presents. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & Seals at Detroit in the District of Hesse this Twenty Second day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand, seven hundred & Eighty Nine & in the Twenty Ninth year of his Majestys Reign. four districts, to be known as Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nassau, and Hesse. The District of Hesse was the westernmost of the four, having Detroit as the seat of government and the principal town. This arrangement ended only with the American occupation in 1796, when Detroit became, from the governmental point of view, a part of the Northwest Territory. The first legislature of Upper Canada, in 1792, renamed the districts created by Lord Dorchester as follows: the Eastern; the Middle; the Home; and the Western District. 331 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS For Thomas Shepherd & self George Ironside77 Witness Geo. Leith (L.S.) Will. Shepherd78 For John Wallace & Self Witness Geo. Sharp (L.S.) For George Meldrum & Self William Park (L.S.) James Abbott (L.S.) Angus Mackintosh (L.S.) Endorsed: Detroit Sepr 22d 1789 The Miamis C~ Power of Attorney to John Askin to recover paymt from Bapt & Charle Reaume, Degniau Dequaindre & Jo" Guilbeau ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS OF THE MIAMIS COMPANY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS That we Sharp & Wallace, Leith & Shepherd, Meldum & Park, James Abbott & Angus Mackintosh as members of the Miamis Company, have assigned transferred & made over, & by these presents do assign transfer & make over unto 77 George Ironside, born in 1760 and educated at King's College, Aberdeen, was a prominent trader of the Maumee Valley in the period subsequent to the Revolution. In 1789 he had an establishment at Miamitown, which was destroyed at the time of Harmar's invasion the following year. During the next few years he was established at the Glaize (modern Defiance, Ohio), which was destroyed in turn by General Wayne in 1794. At this place Ironside had an Indian wife, whose mother was the owner of Oliver Spencer during his captivity. Apparently, Ironside withdrew to Detroit after Wayne's campaign, and from here to Amherstburg upon the British evacuation of Detroit. At Amherstburg he was appointed clerk and storekeeper in the Indian Department. He died here in 1830. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; Henry Hay's Journal; and The Indian Captivity of 0. M. Spencer (M. M. Quaife, ed. Chicago, 1917), passim. 78 In 1791 William Shepherd was a member of Askin's militia company at Detroit, being entered on the roll as a clerk. In 1795 he was a partner in the firm of Leith and Shepherd at Detroit and Malden, which a year or two later became the firm of Leith Shepherd, and Duff. See Askin Papers, passim, and Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. 332 zer lit'~ Ui?tka 'wr ow4vrw x AZI~I 4fC~.n4(- r*;#S nPCr,45 rta..nc~i <~frcnrt, n/i n 7>c t4 7 O - r',4 Z4 SA snsf 4nt0 I/ — err - - z~t7~ #Zib' i; 1 A~4 #t~k r~Pzj~ 4t/kA a~f. 4kI1~ pZ", $ZrC a nr Reproduced from the original manuscript in the AUTOGRAPHS OF PARTNERS OF THE IAMcal CollectionOMPANY Reproduced from the original manuscript in the Burton Historical Collection (~'i Al^ JOHN ASKIN PAPERS John Askin, his Executors, Administrators & Assigns, all our Shares, Rights, Claims, Titles & pretensions whatsoever, of the Balances due to the said Miamis Company from Baptiste R6aume, Charles R6aume, Dagneaux Dequindre, Joseph Guilbeau, & all benefits, proceeds, & profits thereof, which now are or hereafter shall become due & payable for the same, & all our Rights, Interests, Claims, & demands whatsoever of, in or to the same, or any part thereof, to have & to hold the said Balances & every part thereof unto the said John Askin, his Executors, Administrators & Assigns, to his own proper use & behoof for ever. And we the said Sharp & Wallace, Leith & Shepherd, Meldrum & Park, James Abbott & Angus Mackintosh for ourselves, our Executors, Administrators & Assigns, do covenant & grant to & with the said John Askin, his Executors, Administrators & Assigns, that he the said John Askin, his Executors, Administrators & Assigns, shall & may from time to time, & at all times hereafter, lawfully, peaceably & quietly, have, hold, receive, take & enjoy, to his own proper use & behoof the said Balances due from the said Baptiste R6aume, Charles R6aume, Dagneaux Dequindre & Joseph Guilbeau, to the Miamis Company, & all & every the proceeds & profits thereof, & of every part thereof, without any let, trouble, molestation or interruption of or by us the said Sharp & Wallace, Leith & Shepherd, Meldum & Park, James Abbott & Angus Mackintosh, our Executors, Administrators & Assigns or of any other person or persons whatsoever, lawfully claiming from by or under us, or any of us, or by any or either of our acts, means or procurement. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & Seals at Detroit, in the District of Hesse this Twenty Second day of September in the year of our Lord, One thousand, seven hundred & Eighty nine & in the Twenty ninth year of his Majestys Reign. George Ironside For John Wallace & Self Witness Geo. Sharp (L.S.) 333 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Will. Shepherd For Thomas Shepherd & Self Witness Geo. Leith (L.S.) For George Meldrum & Self William Park (L.S.) James Abbott (L.S.) Angus Mackintosh (L.S.) Endorsed [by John Askin]: The Miamis C~ transfer of all their demands on Bapt & Charles Reaume, Jos. Guilbeau & Degneau Dequindre to Jn~ Askin the 22d Sepr 1789 AGREEMENT WITH NORTH WEST COMPANY FOR SUPPLIES Detroit Sep' 26th 1789 Sir Agreable to what I mentioned to you this morning I will Engage to Furnish the North West C~ Yearly for three Sucessive Years to Commence next Spring with Six hundred Bushells of Hulled Corn French Measure at two dollars per Bushell & Twelve Thousand Pounds French Weight of Flour at One Pound Sixteen Shillings New York Cur. per Ct french or 108 lbs. English, to be delivered free of Expences on Board their Vessell here they furnishing the Baggs the whole of which shall be ready by the last of June of each year I am Sir Your Most Obedient Humble Servant John Askin Mr John Gregory79 79 John Gregory was a member, in 1795, of the firm of McTavish, Frobisher and Company of Montreal, one of the partners in the North West Company. See Davidson, The North West Company, passim. 334 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS AGREEMENT WITH NORTH WEST COMPANY FOR SUPPLIES Sir Yours of this date with proposals for Supplying the North West Company with a Certain Quantity of Hull'd Indian Corn & Flower during the Space of Three years, in answer to Which, I do Hereby Accept of the Proposals therein Contain'd, for the Quantitys of Each Article & at the Prices therein Specifyed, the Payment for Which Shall Be Made in Montreal pr Messrs McTavish Frobisher & C~ on the fifteenth day of October After the Delivery. I am Sir Your most Hble Sert John Gregory Agent for the North West Comp' Detroit 24th Septr 1789 John Askin Esqr Addressed: John Askin Esqr Mercht Detroit Endorsed: Detroit Sepr 26th 1789 Agreemt the N.W.CO for Provissions 335 I SECTION VI HUGH HEWARD'S JOURNAL FROM DETROIT TO THE ILLINOIS: 1790 JOURNAL FROM DETROIT TO THE ILLINOIS Journal of a Voyage made by Mr Hugh Heward to the Ilinois Country Detroit March 24th 1790 took my Departure for the Ilinois.1 had much Trouble as Customary in getting the Engagee's off in which Hurry we left a Keg of pork behind 'till we got to the petite Cote, return'd with one of the Cannots to Babys Mill & then with Duarier walk'd up opposite the Fort & borrow'd a Cannot to cross-had just Time to get the Keg & get out at the Gate at 9 oClock cross'd & return'd the Cannot & from thence carried the Keg of pork each his Turn to our Cannot at Mr Baby's Mill, Slept there & next morning the 25th very wet & disagreeable we from there joined our other Cannot at Labourses Mill the Weather so bad we unloaded & I there hired Joseph La Mirand2 another Engag6 at 40/p Month about mid Day i For a sketch of the career of Hugh Heward see ante, 277. The occasion of his present journey to the Illinois is not known, but it seems evident he was acting in the capacity of agent to William Robertson. It seems evident, also, that the manuscript journal now extant is not the day by day record as actually kept by Heward, but rather an amplified report prepared at a somewhat later date. The surmise is offered that this was done by Heward during a period of comparative leisure subsequent to the termination of this journey, for the purpose of forwarding to Robertson. With the copy of the journal as printed here are preserved two sheets of what appears to have been the actual daily record made on the journey. One of these contains only the title, as printed above. The other is filled (on both sides) with entries which are frequently much briefer than those recorded in the draft of the journal here printed, and which differ from the latter, furthermore, in various details. The journal as printed, therefore, is presumed to be a copy written out by Heward at a date subsequent to the termination of the journey described, and to be based on his briefer daily record amplified from the fuller knowledge carried in memory. Yet this theory does not entirely suffice to dispose of the problem before us. For example, the entry of April 19 in the sheet which we presume to be the original diary merely records: "Arrived at the Portage this Day Mid Day this day measured the portage & follow'd on foot." It can hardly be supposed that the precise details as to measurements and otherwise in the entry for April 19, as printed, were carried in memory by Heward over a period of several weeks and of several hundred miles of arduous travel. All that can be certainly stated editorially is that the manuscript journal here printed was produced not long after the conclusion of the journey described in it. z Joseph Lamirande, founder of the Detroit and River Raisin line of this name, was born in the district of Three Rivers, Canada, in 1767. Probably he came west in early manhood in the capacity of fur-trade engage. On May 18,1795, he married at Detroit Mary Angelica Saliot, who was born at Sandwich, Aug. 8, 1780. They had 339 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the Rain abating we loaded & set off & got to the last Island opposite Browns Villiage.3 the Weather still foggy & Wet-Encamped on the Nore West point of the Island4 & the Wind changing to South East the Lake surprized us mounting to where we had piled the Guns & were touched some before we got them moved but not to damage 27th at Daylight we loaded to gain the River huron but the Wind rose suddenly & detain'd us all day blowing very hard sleep'd there 28th Parted early in the Morning & got to the River Huron to breakfast theWind still strong atWest, the Riververyhigh and overflowed on all Sides & Current strong we mounted up the River which abounds in Turnings about 25 Miles the general Course Nore West the Land on all Sides in general very low & wet abound'g with Elem Button Wood &C. the highest Land with Oak of a Middle Size. Encamped. Monday March 29th Repaired the Gum of our Cannots & set off with fine Weather only frosty & continued our Rout numerous children, several of whom became residents of River Raisin settlement. Mary Angelica Saliot was buried at Detroit, Feb. 18, 1813. Joseph Lamirande was buried here, Jan. 21, 1822. Denissen, op. cit. 3 Adam Brown's village was on Brownstown Creek, about a mile southwest of present-day Gibraltar. From him the modern Brownstown receives its name. Brown was a native of Virginia who, in boyhood, was carried into captivity by Indians, apparently about the year 1750. He was brought to Detroit and adopted by a Wyandot squaw belonging to the Deer clan, who reared him as her son. About the year 1763, he married a woman of mixed French and Wyandot blood belonging to the Big Turtle clan. He became a village chief and his town was for a generation a wellknown stopping-place for travelers between Detroit and the Maumee region. In the War of 1812, Brown's band supported the British cause and the Battle of Brownstown, Aug. 5, 1812, was fought at or very close to his village. Upon the triumph of the American arms around Detroit, Brown withdrew to the British side of the river, where he resided until his death, about the year 1822. Some of his descendants remained in Canada, where their offspring are still to be found; others migrated to Kansas and (subsequently) to Oklahoma with the American band of Wyandot, and descendants of Brown still live in the last-named state. One account, written long after the event, credits Brown with participating in the attack upon the schooner Huron (misnamed by Parkman the Gladwin) off Turkey Island on the night of Sept. 4, 1763. When the white men were on the point of being overcome, the mate called to his men to blow up the ship; Brown understanding English, instantly warned his associates of the purport of the command, who promptly fled overboard, thus ending the desperate conflict. On this battle compare Parkman, Conspiracy of Pontiac (Boston, 1880), I, 318-20 and Mich. Pio. Coils., VIII, 366. Biographical information about Adam Brown has been derived from letters of his great-grandson, B. N. O. Walker of Miami, Oklahoma, written in January and February, 1925. 4 Modern Celeron Island, which lies immediately below Grosse Ile and opposite Gibraltar village. 340 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the River falling but still overflowing the Banks the Course of the River Land and Woods nearly the same our Distance something more it continued Cold Weather that the Ice hung in the Branches in the River & pass'd some flights of Snow before Sun Set. Encamped. Tuesday March 30th. After a very frosty Night embarked & went the same Course the River still floding the Banks but more difficult than before at Mid Day arrived at higher Banks & the Course more to the North the Lands something better but cold & barren for Culture abounds principally with Black Oak. our Distance nearly the same as Yesterday tho' the Current stronger & more difficult than before Encamped. Wednesday March 318t. a Frosty Night but clear Morning & fine Weather all Day the Water even with the Banks very strong & difficult the Course North West, the Banks very high & Lands something better still abounding in Black Oak about 2 oClock saw pine Trees below the high Banks continued 'till Night & Camped. the Distance as Yesterday. Thursday Ap' 1st 1790. Early in the Morning came to red Cedar under the high Banks & continued with a Strong Current the Water by the Banks to nearly Mid Day when we met with several Small pine Trees the Banks still high & barren abounding with diminutive Red Oak Trees & the Soil with Fern. about 4 oClock passed an Indian Cabbin & Cornfield & arrd at Sans Craints5 before Sun Set. Distance & Course nearly as yesterday. Encamped. Friday April 2d 1790. Could not get an Indian to pass the Portage but engaged one to meet us at the Fork of the River to conduct us this Post seems to furnish good small peltrie Sanscrannt seems to have about 12 packs. Set off about 10 oClock our Course up the River nearly West 5 On the Sanscrainte line see ante, 324. Apparently the individual here noted was Jean Baptiste Romain dit Sanscrainte who was born in 1754 and married at Detroit, Oct. 13, 1778, Margaret Solo. She was buried here on March 19, 1793. They had several children born at Detroit, most of whom subsequently became residents of River Raisin settlement. Sanscrainte was bitterly accused by the British authorities of pro-American activities prior and subsequent to Wayne's campaign of 1794. See Denissen, op. cit., and Mich. Pio. Colls., XII, 162 ff. 341 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Nore West the Current for about 2 Leagues exceeding Strong the Banks high but Land dry & barren abounding with Black Oak & Fern our Distance about 12 miles. Wrote to Mr Robertson6 & left with Sanscraint to be sent tomorrow. Encamped. Saturday Ap1 3d 1790. parted the Weather fine & Current not so strong as Yesterday the River much Streighter & the course West Nore West the Banks still high but the Land still of a barren kind being a Stony thin Soil with principally Red Oak to here there seems yet a great Body of Water & a firm Gravelly Bottom but too high yet for setting to advantage thus far to mid Day the course West & by North the River streighter & wider but from hence in the Summer there cannot be much Water there is now a fine Gravelly Bottom the Width of the River about 45 yd" a strong Current but able to traverse with poles any where, our Distance about 25 miles & not yet come to the Forks. Encamped. Sunday April 4th 1790. Obliged to remain all Day a continual Rain. Went to look out above but could not yet see the Forks the course at this place nearly West. Monday Ap' 5th 1790. Continued our Rout the Course nearly West & arrived at a Villiage at Mid Day the Water still strong & upon a flat Gravelly Bottom the Country nearly as before. about five oClock arrived at the Forks7 which from the River on a West Course divides one Branch South West & the other North West that of South West being our Course we proceeded about four Miles up & encamped near where we were to make a Mark for our 6 William Robertson, of Detroit, for whom see ante, 208. 7 The route followed by Heward from the upper Huron River to the headwaters of Grand River is involved in some obscurity. Prof. W. B. Hinsdale of the University of Michigan has kindly studied this portion of Heward's journal and is responsible for the statements concerning it which are here subjoined: the fork which Heward had reached was at the village of Dexter, where Mill Creek empties into the Huron. It was this creek which Heward ascended on foot, as described in the opening lines of the entry for April 6. The Indian trail described in the entry for April 7 was in the northwest corner of Washtenaw County, and during the difficulties encountered in the search for the portage on April 7 and 8, Heward was traversing the townships of Lyndon and Dexter. Further data concerning the route pursued will be given in subsequent notes. 342 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Indian. I went up as far as where the Squas from the River Huron had passed where the Mark was to be made but saw no Indian. this Branch is a strong deep Current but narrow the Course nearly South by West & the Country barren as before. Tuesday Api 6th 1790 Went forward to look out for the Portage on foot & found in nearly a south West Course up this Branch where it divides into Small Lakes & took that which runs South by West & followed it 'till it wasted in Marshes from thence Returned very fatigued having Walked very hard & met the Cannot where the Branch divides in Lakes distance about 15 Miles from where we had come in the Day. I caused them to encamp 'till the Indian might come or we could find the portage & with Morras sett off in quest of the Indian or some person to guide us & arrived nearly at the place we had marked for the Indian in hopes to find out their Camp. Night & obliged to sleep under a Tree a hard Frost & cold sleeping Wednesday Apl 7th 1790. Set of[f] to find some Indian Camp & found a large Road to Nore West hoping it to lead to some Villiage but found it after leading North about 8 Miles it took a Course due West & seemed an old deep & beaten path 'till we came to a small River the Current running West. I had many Opinions that this must be the Grand River from the Current rung contrary to all the rest pursued our Road about 8 Miles farther still rung due West & seeing no fresh Trace we concluded it [to be] the St Josephs Road from Detroit & return'd to where we had cross'd the River run'g West cross'd it again & then took our Course due South to find our Cannots, & fell on a branch from the same division of Lakes rung from West & by it joined our Cannots. determined from this to pass up this Branch as it seemed to approach the River rung West, but to make the Matter more Sure not to leave the portage behind us I took Duarrier (after eating a little) & went to explore the Middle Branch formed from those Small Lakes rung West by South & in about 8 Miles found it become very small & Night comg on returned to the Cannots 343 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS determg to take the Branch rung West in the Morng. Went to Sleep being very Weary & having in the Day fatigued two good Walkers & myself never remember to have walked more in one Day. Thursday Ap1 8th 1790. Put into the Creek rung Nore West & I went by Land to look out for a Portage found a Villiage West Nore West on a Lake up this Creek but here the Run of Water ended went further into the Country West nore West & found Many Round Lakes & high Mountains but no running Water return'd very Weary & found the Cannots where we had passed the Day before & finding no End to these Researches determined to return to the Villiage of the River Huron to find an Indian to conduct us. Friday Ap' 9th 1790 Sett off with Duarier for the River Huron & arrived at Night sleep'd at Th6beaults & Sanscraint tho' Drunk would still insist that the left hand Branch was right, him & Th6beault fought & Sanscraint shew'd every Desire to springe upon & excize us from what he now shew'd there is Reason to believe he put us into the wrong Branch designedly. Thebeault for 20/ offer'd to conduct us next Day to where we could get an Indian in the Sugar Ground but the Dispute between him & Sanscraint disappointed it as Sanscraint for himself & Ribergean for Thebault went for Detroit with Complaints. Saturday Ap' 10th 90 Got an old Indian to conduct us to the Sugar Ground & sett off with each 2 a B1 of Corn on our Backs bought of Thebeault for 12" & order'd payment on Mr Robertson Arrived at the Sugar Ground & engaged an Indian to go with us next day paid the old Indian 25 Broaches for guidg us & stay'd all Night. Sunday Ap' 11th 1790 Set off with the Indian our Guide & arrived at the Cannots about 2 oClock. the Indian on passg the Branch we had mounted up told us it was the wrong Branch & [we] would have to go down again to take the other at the Forks. having the Corn we now brought to hull & good ashes ready employed the Men to do it this afternoon ready to start Tomorrow Morning. 344 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Monday Ap' 12th 1790. Went with the Indian from our Encampment down again to take the Fork leading Nore West & arrived about Mid Day. proceeded up the Branch which turns nore North East8 about four Leaguees the Current very strong & nearly as wide & deep as the other part of the River from Sanscraints Villiage & on a Gravelly Bottom to a Cabbin where it divides into two Lakes9 the River at this place about 20 yds Wide & between 4 & 5 foot Water here one of those Lakes points Nore East & the other nore West the last we passed to West nore West which after a Traverse of about a League brought [us] again into a small Serpentine River rung from the same Direction about 6 Yd8 Wide & about 312 foot Water to the banks but being overflowed we had 4 or 5 feet Water. the lake unpassed is about a League each way & seemingly deep where we could see the Bottom it was a fine Gravel & Sand as also the River to about 2 Leagues up where we encamped late Tuesday Ap' 13th 1790. Set off the[n] on our Rout West nore West & in about 12 a Mile it turned nearly North & in a Stream Serpentine the Banks in about every Mile varying West Nore West & to North for about 4 Leagues the stream here about 4 yd, wide & about 3 feet Water when in the Banks we arrived at another Lake about X2 a Mile long & X/ Mile Wide points Nore West & South East pass'd by the Nore West point from this into Another Sm[all] Lake having a Small Lake to the Left hand or West Side, the Lake of our Rout rung North & South & our Course due North this Lake but Small abot 250 Yd' Wide & our Course then rung in the Manner of a Small Lake Nore Nore West, leaving. a Round Lake of about 2 miles round to the North or Right hand after the point 8 They were now ascending the main channel of the Huron, which Heward had left on April 5 to ascend Mill Creek. The direction followed was about due north. 9 Modern Big Portage and Base lakes, near the northern boundary of Washtenaw County. The main channel of the Huron flows through Base Lake, the more easterly of the two. Heward passed through Big Portage Lake and up Portage River (also called Hell Creek) into the southeastern corner of Ingham County, as described in the remainder of the entry for April 12 and in that for April 13. 345 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS of this Lake passed on the north Side of another spreading Lake full of long Grass & Mush Rat Houses at the Nore West End of which the Serpentine Run took nearly South & doubled around [a] point with Trees & passed still in the Manner of a Small Lake to the South from our first Lake to day to here about 6 Miles from here about 4 of a Mile & the Course turns West Nore West Continued nearly this Course with Many Turnings but where the Stream would not be miss'd about 6 Miles to where the Run enter'd into another Lake at West. this Lake runs South East & Nore West about 200 Yd' Wide of our Course taking the Turn to the South East. The Indian here informed me that the Carrying place was direct pointing from the Mouth of this Run which is West by South. We continued this Course 'till within abot J/ Mile of a Bay at East & then took a turn up the Run which pointed Nore West being late & likely for a bad Night we encamped Wednesday Ap' 14th 1790. A rainey Night & wet Morning made it late before we started in about a Mile & half farther up the Run came to the portage'0 which points nearly South or South by West I have gone across the portage & it seems about 2 Leagues finding it far & the provision short risolved to return to Thebeaults to get Corn sett of[f] with the Savage after paying him Duarriers Gun & a white Shirt & a little powder & shot for conducting us there & left the Men all the provisions & to pass the portage 'till my return. in about two Leagues East South East from the portage we fell into a Road where I knew & had been on foot to search for the portage while our Cannots were working in the wrong Fork from thence by the same Direction we arrived where the Cannots were when we got a Guide & return'd down to the Forks & near there we camped a Wet Night Thursday Ap' 15th 1790 Rose early at Day break & set off. We cross'd the Wrong Fork (so named from our going Io Near the village of Stockbridge in southeastern Ingham County. The portage was made to Otter Creek (also called Orchard River), the northwest branch of Grand River. 346 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS astray in it) lower than where Duarrier & me cross'd it before to come to Sans Craints the Water Mid Waist deep & took a Road more to the North & n[e]arer the River & arrived at Sans Craints about Mid Day the course the same East South East & by the assistance of Mr Godfroyll (who seemed very obliging but the others very little disposed to serve me) engaged an Indian with two Horses to go with me in the Morning indeed we were even to the Cabins where they were drinking to engage him for Seven Beavers sleep'd at Sans Craints & engaged Corn & C. from them to take with me Godfroy having no provisions to spare being new come Friday Ap' 16th 1790 Rose at Daybreak & with Mr Godfroy went to find the Indian that he might not drink, fouhd he had been drinking in the Night & seemed uncertain but still said he would go & sent to hunt his Horses in the Interim went to Sans Craints to get the Loading they were sending all their Corn to Detroit in a Batteau & Mr Thebeault said they could only spare me 2 Bushels I replied that as they were sending their Corn to Detroit I could relieve them of a Quantity thereof if the corn was better than payment & would save them the Risque & Carriage to Detroit & requested as I was to have two Horses to have six Bushels they could not deny this & said I could have it but sett all their Invention to work to make me pay high enough demanding 12" for Corn 4/ for Grease & 2/ for Sugar saying Mr Thebeault wanted all his corn & when here had said it was too little for the Bushel they had let me have. I desired them to refer the prices of all to Mr Jo, Thebeaultl2 & I would desire Mr Robertson to pay ii On the Godfroy family see ante, 63. Probably the trader who befriended Heward was Gabriel, eldest son of Jacques Godfroy and Louisa Clotilda Chapoton, who was born at Detroit, Nov. 10, 1758. He was thrice married: first, to Mary Catherine Couture, Jan. 8, 1781; second, to Mary Therese Bondy, Feb. 14, 1795; and third, to Monica Campau, Jan. 14, 1817. He was the father of fifteen children, born of the first two unions. He was a trader and a man of force and influence in his day. He had a trading post on the site of Ypsilanti prior to 1796, and two of the four private claims at this point recognized by the American government in the period 1806-10, were awarded to Godfroy and to his children. He was buried at Detroit, Sept. 2, 1833. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; Am. State Papers, Pub. Lands, I, 536; and Mich. Pio. Colls., passim. iX Probably Joseph Thibault of Detroit, who married Mary Geneveva De Loysel 347 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS whatever he demanded, they twisted it at all points saying [he had] to make his profit but at last findg me too hard for any thing they could offer wanting Reason they consented to do this & I gave an Order accordingly & wrote Mr Robertson for 6 Bushels corn 20 lb Grease 16 lb Sugar when tying up my Loading the Indian half drunk refused to go saying he loved his Horses & the Loadg would be heavy. other purposes ineffectual waited 'till next Day the Indians drinkg all night. Saturday Ap' 17th 1790 The Indians all drunk except the one I had engaged to go & he sleeping Mr Godfroy very obliging in going himself & sendg young Silo to endeavour by every Means to get an Indian but the other not seeming to care much it rain'd hard & this Indian still asleep, waited with anxiety [resolving] if he was to go to drink again to come to Detroit for I saw myself without help. he awaked but sick & did not wish to go in bad Weather. however by force of high pay I got him to start about an Hour before Sun set. passed the first large Run where we carried on our backs & encamped at Sun Set. received from Mr Godfroy a Turkey for 6/. Thebeaut asked 8/ for his Sunday Ap1 18th 1790. A very cold night & I had no Blanket, the Corn being in it. travelled very hard this day & camped at Sun Set another very cold night. Monday-Apl 19th 1790. Arrived at the Portage about Mid day paid the Indian 3 Callo Shirts & some Powder & Ball in full. Went with Joe to measure the Portage beginning at the South End with a Line of 100 feet English 15 Lengths Dry 50 feet Wet 17'2 Lengths Dry 4 Lengths Swamp 9 D~ Dry 14 D~ Wet 4 D~ Dry 3 D~ Wet here nearly half Way 74 Lengths Dry to the North Stream in all 141 Lengths or 14100 feet or 4700 Yd8. Blazed a Tree at West of the Road next the Water at North III on a hanging tree next to the Water [and] Another about half Way [on] a Tree West of the portage Road where another Road crosses South West & North East I had order'd the Cannots to about the year 1787. To them were born thirteen children in the years 1788-1809. See Denissen, op. cit. 348 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS load & go as far as they were obliged to Walk & hawl them & wait for us instead of which they had gone past a point direct South & from thence the Course Westward to the Entrance of another small Lake was very angry for their obliging me to walk so far in following. Morras spilt a Quart of Corn & I protested to make them suffer for every thing mispent Camped. Tuesday ApI 20th 1790 Snowed the whole Day & remained camped hulling Corn &C. Unloaded the Cannots at Night very stormy & a great fall of Snow. Wednesday Ap' 21st 1790 Snowed & rained all Night & to abot Eleven oClock & we loaded & set off. Discover'd that they had given on the Portage in my Absence about 4 lb powder & 21b Tobacco. Went down the channel a current serpentine border'd by a small Lake on each Side Course to West & passed a Small Lake to South 'till about 1 oClock & came to a bluf point at the entrance of Another Lake on the North point at this place there entered another Run from North out of a Bay surrounded with pine & I went round to see its Course which came from due North a passable Current about 30 feet wide & both enter'd into this next Lake passed the Lake with a Current near the Middle a Course West & entered another & steered a Course still West leaving large Bays to the South at the West of this Lake found two Currents one the Smallest running North West into a pine Bay the other West by South & passing a high Ground of Oak to the South passed in this last nearly West to the Entrance of another Lake & [it] appearing to be a Stormy Night camped on a Small point to the South. Thursday Ap' 22d 1790 A cold Night & a Morning threatens Snow we did not start early. Doubled the point & opposite to Nore West found a Run came in to that we were following which turned South & by Winding continued South & South West to Mid Day with a Grassy Lake on each Side at which Time we enter'd more into the Woods the Course West by Nore a strong Current & large Body of Water continued the same Rout nearly West & West by Nore the Wood very thick & many trees cut across to traverse 349 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS upon about 5 oClock came to two Cabins of Otawas who confirmed us that we were in the Grand River & at night met two Cannots mountg to go to Detroit the Lands on this River seem low & very thick Wood plum Trees Hickory & Bois blanc & on the higher Lands Oak a very steady but not rapid Current Camped & at Night the Indians came & told us we would meet many Cannots coming for Detroit. Friday Apl 23d 1790 Wrote Mr Robertson by Indians going to Detroit in two Cannots continued our Rout till about 10 oClock the Course nearly West & it then turned all at once to North by East or nearly North a fine Day & good Current Met about 11 oClock with Indians spearing Sturgeon an ill looking Band of about 12 who seem to be refugees from the Otaways & peutowatomas strong fat Vagabons bought a Sturgeon for Tobacco & set off when a reinforcement was coming the River from here became large & fine with a strong Current & Stony Bottom the course West Nore West & continued 'till about 3 oClock when it increased in Water & run in large Turnings with Points and Marrey [?] & not so strong a Current the course Nore West 'till about Six oClock & then came to an opener Course nearly the same Direction passed a strong Rapid & Camped. fine Land & heavy Wood of all Sorts on both Sides. Saturday Ap' 24th 1790. Refited our Cannots with Gum & set off passed a Rapid in about an hour after which high broken Land & some pine Trees the Banks of Red Land from thence came to a River from 'the East'3 & a little lower two Cabins of Indians from Sagana they were providing Cannots for their Departure the course to this Time nearly Nore West by Nore from thence high broken Land & some pine & Cedar about 11 oClock came to an Island in the Middle of the River & a long Rapid & afterwards another Island about Mid Day. Dined the Course West Nore West & came to another Island afterwards three z3 Apparently Cedar River, which joins the Grand at Lansing in northwestern Ingham County. 350 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Small Islands & some pine Trees on each Side of the River & high Rocks on the North & a small Run of Water from the South after which another small Island & a long & pleasant Drift of an equal & strong Current the Banks high but the Beach level & Gravelly Bottom to another long but not very strong Rapid & to another small Island the Course West by North to again high Banks to the North to another Island from thence to another Island from thence to four others all together following from here a high Sandy Bank with some pine Trees on the South Side after which a Large Island & two small ones following afterwards three Sm[all] Islands & two Sm[all] Meadows to North this last Course nearly West heavy Wood on all Sides Encamped. Sunday ApI 25th Opposite an Island14 after a rainy Night set off from hence a number of small Islands following to a River from the East'5 where was a Cabin of Otowas the Course here nearly North with high Banks & some pine trees to the East from thence to a Villiage the river very full of high Banks [and] some pine Trees & at this Villiage a large Turning & Point the Course Nore West arrived here at Mid Day. from thence low Bottoms with high Banks at a Distance very full of heavy Wood with the finest places possible for making Sugar the River running level deep & not a very strong Current with many Turnings the course nearly West Duarrier lost a Quart Jack some Time ago put on Shore early to rig our Oars hull Corn &C. Monday Apl 26th 1790 Set off & arrived abot 10 oClock at a Wintering place a little above a River from North East that goes to Sagana16 the Frenchman we were told by Squas was gone & indeed his Wintering place seemed very miserable & desolate continued our Course to West but there was a brisk Wind ahead which annoyed us much here the River Wider but not more Current at mid Day 14 It seems apparent that the words "opposite an island" properly belong with the word "encamped," immediately above. 15 Apparently Looking Glass River, in southeastern Ionia County. x6 Maple River in eastern Ionia County. 351 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS about 1 oClock passed a Villiage at the Forks where a Trader had been but he was gone took the Nore West Fork but did not stop presently a Cannot with five Indians followed us they said to beg Charity of a little Tobacco & to ask the News we gave them a little & they went away contented. Near Sun set arrived at a strong rapid & Village where we found [a] Barrel from Sagana for McKenzie17 he had made about 10 packs & some Sugar Camped to get some Sturgeon & Sugar the Course from Mid day nearly West South West. Tuesday Ap' 27th 1790 Embarked after getting some Sturgeon & passed a plain to the East in about an Hour where it appears to be a wintering place the River still larger & a good smooth Current but a North Wind strong against us the Course West & the River larger & larger to the Mouth & surrounded with Pine on all Sides with Meadows & small Lakes & very wide at the Entrance of the Lakes1 where we arrived at Sun Set & found Mr Langlade19 who appear'd to be very friendly & promised to get me some Gum. Encamped on the other Side there being many Indians with him. Wednesday Ap' 28th 1790. Got from Mr Langlade Gum for 20/ & gave him an Order on G. Meldrum Exchanged with him two Bushels of unhull'd for hull'd Corn & set off the Wind North & by West under Sail but before Mid Day the Wind forced so as to oblige us to put into the River a Barbu20 & with Difficulty got in & got some Sprays of the Swells & we there camped & unloaded to Gum the Cannots. Mr Langlade says he has 15 Men & we saw several Cannots as he was prepairing to set off for Mich' I did not see his peltrey but he said he had midling Trade & had finished 17 Probably Alexander McKenzie of Detroit, for whom see ante, 306. Heward's party had now reached the site of modern Grand Rapids. x8 At modern Grand Haven. 19 Evidently Charles Michel Langlade, for whom see ante, 72. zo This may have been modern Pigeon River, a small stream which joins Lake Michigan about eleven miles south of Grand River; if not this stream, it was modern Black Lake, at whose mouth lie Ottawa Beach and Macatawa. 352 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS his Goods he seems a smart & obliging Man & is equiped by Messrs Meldrum & park. The Wind increasing continued 'till night. Thursday Ap' 29th The Wind blew all Night & continuing in the Morning we still remained camped. continued to blow all Day Friday Ap' 30th 1790. after a very frosty night the Wind at South by East set off the Entrance of the Grand River appearg from here almost as at the End of the Bend & with a round high Top resembling the Sugar Loaf at point Ebineau21 & the point appearing a little beyond the other point of this Bend to the South East appears not so distant & where abouts we expect is the River a Mazame about 10 oClock passed the River Mazame & about 11 oClock a small Creek but had not Water to enter into at 12 oClock came to the river Mazame or Kualamazeau which is on the Nore West Side before coming to the Extremity of the point a fine river rung from South East & a Trading House at the Entrance one discovers from this point to the Grand River which is in form of a Bend or small Bay the Course nearly South round this point is Stone & Gravell & the Bay following it still continues high Banks with Stone & Gravell to a small river stop'd up where we camped. Saturday Mlay 1st 1790 Wind at South gum'd the Cannots & set off Arrived at the River Noir22 about 10 oClock rung from East but small at the Entrance from the Kekalemazeau or River Mazame here high Banks & Gravell & Rocks dangerous in Stormy Weather Met 3 Cannots of Mr Burnitts23 about half Way here for Mich' they had the two Men that run away from Detroit Chamberlin & [ ] zI Point Abino, near the eastern end of Lake Erie. 22 Black River, at South Haven. 23 William Burnett is supposed to have been a native of New Jersey. He came west probably soon after the close of the Revolution and may have located for a time at Detroit. His permanent establishment was at St. Joseph, near modern Niles, Michigan, where he developed an extensive establishment and where he died, probably, about the year 1812. A considerable number of his papers are preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. He was an outspoken partisan of the American government at a time when considerable courage was demanded to maintain such a stand. He married Kawkemee, daughter of a chief of the St. Joseph River Potawatomi, and this alliance assured his position in the trade of that region. They had five sons and two daughters. 353 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS the first says he is engaged for Mr Burnitt to go & return & the other free at Mich' & says he will remain there a light Breeze of Wind rose from the North which continued about two Hours very light but we carried Sail 'till it died away Arrived at the River St Josephs late & Camped the Course from the River Noire about South West very high Banks & the River to West of the point that is seen from the River Noir they reckon it 10 Leagues & it is a great Distance but a fine River rung from East South East a Strong current & nearly as large as the Grand River. Sunday May 2d 1790 a Strong head Wind from the West which obliged us to remain camped. Monday May 3d 1790 A Wet night & Strong head Wind from the West still detain'd us. Tuesday May 4th 1790 A very blowing Night the Wind veering to every point; in the Morning A Wind from the East being off the Land we loaded & set off against a heavy SWell from the North this Wind from the Land continued in a Wavering manner by Blasts & the Swell also from the North not abating & we finding no River nor creek to put in & seeing a Risque of taking Water if we put in to unload we continued sometimes under reefed Sail & Sometimes with paddles hoping to reach a River till about three oClock when as sudden as Lightning the [wind] chopp'd round with the Swell & blew a terrible Squal & thunder Gust which obliged us to make the Shore as fast as possible & both Cannots filled we saved the cannots & all the Goods but was wetted we put them out of Reach of the very high Seas & camped & made [a] Fire the best way we could continued a heavy Rain & sometimes hail Storm all the Afternoon. we were happy at being near Shore & quick at Landing for a Quarter of an hour would have lost all it was so sudden & excessive that no small Craft could have sustained it. All of the sons remained unmarried. Rebecca, the youngest daughter, was for many years a member of the household of James May of Detroit, where she died in April, 1841, at the age of fifty years. One of her two daughters became the wife of Francis Palms, and their descendants are prominent citizens of present-day Detroit. An excellent biographical sketch of William Burnett is in Mich. Pio. Colls., XXX, 85 ff. 354 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS......................... _ Wednesday May 5th 1790 A very heavy Gale of Wind from the North still continued & rain'd almost all Night we were employed in opening & endeavouring to dry the Goods &C. Thursday May 6th 1790 a Fine Night the Wind abated but the Swell continued high from the North in the Morning a light Breeze from the East against the Swell & a clear sunny Morning continued to dry the Goods about 10 oClock the Wind veered to the North with the Swell which ran very high all day but dry. Friday May 7th 1790 a Sunny clear Morning with the Swell from the North & a light Breeze from the East continued to dry the Goods. Sold Morras a Velvet bound Hat 24/. a Strong North wind with the Swell in the Afternoon finished drying & packg the goods ready to part early with Morning Saturday May 8th 1790 A fine clear Morning & the Wind off the Land Loaded & set off & in about an hour arrived at the River Galline24 a fine entrance of about 15 YdB wide & running from East South East & a high Hill with pine to the West our Course on the Lake South West from here a sandy Beech to the River de Chemin where we arrived about 5 oClock a fine River about 20 yards wide running from the South West & exactly at the South West Corner of the Lake25 from here the Course in a Bend nearly West We went about an hour & camped in the Bend26 Moras obstreperous & disobedient. Sunday May 9th 1790 A Wind at South West inclining from the Land loaded & set off our Course in a Bend nearly Nore West a Strong Wind from South South West but we were cover'd a little it being off the land & went with poles Arrived at Grand Calamanuck27 & afterwards at Little Calamanuck the Course Nore West & from there arrived 24 Modern Galien River, which reaches Lake Michigan at New Buffalo, very close to the southwestern corner of the state of Michigan. 125 The Du Chemin River enters the Lake at Michigan City, Indiana. 26 Not far, probably, from the site of Gary, Indiana. 27 The Big Calumet River. 355 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS by a North Course under Sail at Chicago under reefed Sail the Wind very strong & in Blasts missed the Entrance of the River & were obliged to go about a mile past to land. Monday May 10th 1790 Stopt at Point sables28 anchord with the Cannots & begun to hull Corn & bake Bread & arranged everything for next Morning left the Cannots at point Sables & took his Purogue bought of him 41 lb Flour & baked in Bread for 25" & 29 lb pork at 2/8 the whole amounting to ~5.10 8 & paid him with 13 yds 4/4 Cotton. Tuesday May 11th 1790 Engaged five Indians to help us over the Carrying place29 with the pereogue & paid them two handfulls of powder each. Duarrier this Morning very saucey & abuseful about getting Salt I promised to requite him for it. a Showery Day & Wind at West the Carrying z8 This was Jean Baptiste Point Sable (du Sable, de Sable), who has acquired posthumous fame as the first permanent settler on the site of Chicago. Quite probably other traders had preceded him here, but if so, we have no positive record concerning them. Sable is variously described by contemporaries (including himself) as a "naigre Libre" and "a free mulatto man"; hence has arisen the ancient pun that the first white man in Chicago was a negro. Concerning Sable's origin there is much uncertainty. At the time of the Revolution he was operating in the Northwest as a trader, with stations around the Lake Michigan shore. He subsequently proved to the satisfaction of a United States land commission that he had lived at Peoria prior to 1783, and that he was a citizen of the United States. His American sympathies are further evidenced by the fact that in 1780 he was arrested by the British authorities at Michigan City, where he was then trading, and his goods confiscated because of alleged hostility to that government. In the spring of 1800 Sable sold his property at Chicago to Jean Lalime of St. Joseph for 6000 livres (about $1200). The original bill of sale, with inventory of the property transferred, is still preserved in the Wayne County building at Detroit, and it discloses that Sable was a man of substance, with an extensive civilized establishment. The realty included a house 22 by 40 feet (the house, subsequently, of John Kinzie), a horsemill 24 by 36 feet, bakehouse, dairyhouse, poultryhouse, smokehouse, a stable 24 by 30 feet, and a barn 28 by 40. The live stock comprised 30 head of cattle "full-grown," 2 mules, 44 hens, 38 hogs, and 2 calves. Among the household goods were such items as a French walnut cabinet with four glass doors, a bureau, four tables, a couch, two mirrors, eleven copper kettles, etc. Sable's later years were passed at St. Charles, Mo., where he was living as late as September, 1814. He had an Indian wife and at least two children. He was evidently a man of powerful character, and practically all the contemporary estimates of him that have been preserved are of a favorable nature. Information condensed from M. M. Quaife, Chicago and the Old Northwest, 1673-1835 (Chicago, 1913), 138-42; John C. Luttig, Journal of a Fur-Trading Expedition on the Upper Missouri, 1812-1813 (St. Louis, 1920), 153-55; and mss. in the Burton Hist. Coll. z9 Heward was about to ascend the South Branch of Chicago River and to pass by the customary portage route to the Des Plaines. For an account of the Chicago portage see Quaife, Chicago and the Old Northwest, 1673-1835, chap. i. 356 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS place about '2 a Mile got over nearly at Mid Day. from thence passed in the Run & small Lakes3 to the River deplain & Course turning nearly South West a very wet afternoon & heavy Thunder arrived at the River deplain said to be fifteen Miles & camped. Wednesday May 12th 1790. Sett off from the River deplain which runs from the North our Course down the Illinois River South West passed La Croix & after Les Arbres seek a pass that goes in a small Lake to the South East & by this pass its said to be three Leagues to little Kenomuk31 on the Lake this about 11 oClock. passed the petite & Grand Tosil & afterwards the long Rapid & came to the Villiage of Mount Juilliett32 the Course South West a high hill at West resembling Fort Lernolt at Detroit passed afterwards the Lake following & camped. here Morras informed me not to be surprized that there was so much Danger he would not return with me. Lamorand said he was to make the Voyage with him & if he did not return he would not. Thursday May 13th 1790. Finding the Goods not dry enough & very warm Weather coming on remain'd to dry them better in the Afternoon threatened Rain & we were obliged to take them in. Friday May 14th 1790. Remained & finished drying the Goods & pack'd up. Belhumour a Frenchman settled among the Indians stop'd to pass the Villiage at the Forks with us near Night a heavy Thunder Storm Saturday May 15th 1790 Loaded & set off passed the Villiage at the Forks33 the Chief & Villiage in Feast & Goodhumour gave him a little Tobacco & powder & he said he should be ready to assist me bought five Sacks of Corn for 4 shirts & powder & paid Belhumour with powder 30 Called Mud Lake by the early settlers. Gurdon S. Hubbard's autobiographical narrative of his fur trade career (Chicago, 1888) presents vivid pictures of his experiences in passing this portion of the Chicago portage. 3I The Little Calumet River. 3z Mount Jolliet was a striking natural formation in the shape of a huge mound which was usually mentioned and frequently described by early travelers in this region. 33 The juncture of the Des Plaines with the Kankakee, from which point the united streams take the name Illinois. 357 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS he was contented but beg'd two White Shirts on Credit 'till my Return which I gave him. he lent me his Dog & a Tea Kettle & gave me Nine Eggs & a Leg of Venison pass'd the Entrance of the River Theakikie34 about mid Day & from here arrived at the Rapid of Demi Charge or Rapid of Mamor in bas[?] 10 Leagues from Theakakie carried over a part & passed the periogue camped at the Bottom Elegant Land with plum Tree Oak Hickory &C. on all Sides high Banks & a fine Bottom of 2 a Mile Sunday May 16th 1790 Sett off & passed an Island of Rocks called the Charbonnier35 three Leagues from our Campmt & afterwards the Fox River rung from the North here Rocks to the Nore West but still fine Land on all Sides this about mid Day from here passed the River Vermillion running from East South East Seven Leagues Salt ponds opposite the Mouth to nore West from here to the River au Bureau a small River rung from North Seven Leagues from Vermillion here the Bottoms low & levell & very full of heavy wood mostly Plain tree a wide & levell River not much Current camped opposite the Prairie de Corbeau. Monday May 17th 1790 Rained all Night set off & passed the River of Grows Meadow rung from the South & about a League farther to the West the place where Clermont was kill'd here large flat Bottoms Wet & full of Wood the Banks still high & at a great Distance a moderate current from the River of priarie de Corbo to the Entrance of Lake depiorias36 a Course South Seven Leagues here about mid Day from here the Course of the Lake to the piorias Villiage West South West & about half a Mile Wide to about the point opposite the Villiage [illegible] of the Lake from here nearly South to the petite Etroit a Narrow between this & another Lake of a League. on the West of this small Lake is settled one of the name of Chattlerou. at the Villiage 34 The Kankakee River. 35 The deposits of coal in this region were known to the French explorers from a very early day. 36 Lake Peoria, a widening of the river, on whose shore is the city of Peoria. 358 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS of the Pioras at the South Side of this small Lake are Seven French settled among the Indians87 Augustin Fecto J. Bt Amelin Lapierre a Smith, Capt Mye, Deneau, & Miney & Parrant & Oullett Engages, & Diffon passed & a little farther boiled kettle for the Night & put a Drift in the poriague. Tuesday May 18th 1790 Rained all Day the River larger & still crowded with heavy wood of all Kinds on both Sides low flat Bottoms & the appearance of small Lakes on all sides by turns [?] but there were many kinds of Wood that we did not know & could not distinguish the Rivers coming in from the Gullies of back Water passed the Lake of Demi Quano [?] & some high Banks to the East about Mid Day & then bought a Turkey for some powder rowed & sailed by Turns 'till Night & then stop'd to boil the Kettle & Sup & then put a Drift in the periogue I steered the whole Night & had a good Drift the Course of this Day & Night nearly South. Wednesday May 19th 1790. passed several Islands in the Night & in the Morning dry high Banks on the East & a River on the same Side afterwards came to a fine Large Meadow on the North West Side of the River opposite to a small Island in the River the Land appearing high & heavy Wood on the other side of the Meadow at the End of the next Reach about a Mile of high dry Land to the East abounding with Oak & seemingly Sandy this Ridge continues farther but is afterwards at a Distance from the River afterwards a small River from West & opposite it a high Sandy Bank to the South East with several Indian Graves upon it & followed by a piece of pretty clear dry Land to the South along the River apparently about two Miles from the high Woody Banks. a little lower came to the Cabin of a Frenchman named L'Onion but he was a hunting this about one oClock & our course down the River South by West a little farther at West a Small River round the point of a high Hill which commences high Land on the West Side. from here high Land on both Sides & 37 Peoria was a center of trading activities from the earliest period of exploitation of this region by the French. 359 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Willow Trees on the Water Edge on both Sides from here a River from the West South West the Land still high on this Side lower on the East with Willows the Course East South East & the River still level with nearly the same Current but wider after a Small River or Creek from the East from here a Mount of high Rocks appears on the South side of the River beyond a Long Island in the Middle a little farther we stop'd to boil [our] Kettle & put a Drift for the Night Morras here often repeated if I pass here again Thursday May 20th 1790 In the Morning a River from the East & high Rocks on the West Bank Course nearly South. after which a Small River from the West north West a little above an Island the Rocks still high on this Side. farther several Islands & a point of very high Rocks to the West South West the River here verywide &large Body of Water fine Weather & the Woods in full Leaf after which a fine Meadow to the West about half a Mile Wide between the River & the high Banks of Rocks which still continues from here a River from the West opposite to an Island farther to the East opposite an Island a high Mount with two Tops resembling a Sugar Loaf from thence to a Bend turning half round part of the Course nearly East on the South part of the Bend a fine clear plain or Meadow from here commences high rocky Bank to the East or North East & commences with Islands & Branches coming in from the Mississipie from thence to panas [?] & opposite the Mississourie camped the Course here East. Friday May 21st 1790-[nothing but the date.] 360 SECTION VII LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1790-1791 FROM DAVID MERCER TO JOHN ASKIN Reading (in Berkshire) 29th Ap' 1790 My Dear Friend Do not imagine that my Affectionate esteem and regard for Yourself and family, is anyway diminished from not having written at an earlier period in the season but the probability of your hearing from us is greater by sending Letters seperately than together. I therefore fell on this plan purely that you might not meet with the like disappointment which we experienced the last Season it being the only Instance since our separation of not having the Satisfaction of receiving Letters from under either your own or Capt Grants hand, we can only Attribute it to the Chance of Loss which must be the consequence sometimes where the Conveyance is so precarious, however the Misfortune was partly Compensated by the pleasure which Phillisi received at the perusal of your daughters letter dated the 29 July last. nothing could be more desirable than the receipt of it especially as it brought those favorable accounts of the welfare of our very good friends in your neighbourhood, happy should we be, could it possibly be so circumstanced, that we could once more add to the number. God knows if that happy period may ever arrive, at any rate we are not without hope and some expectation of it. I assure you there are neither charms nor even Connexion in this Country should detain us, provided Circumstances for a future Subsistence could be obtained, be it in any shape or manner whatever, so as to cause the change to be eligible, but you know my good friend it would be imprudent in quitting that which I now enjoy, unless there was a prospect in some line of Life or another of meeting with that, which would make the Change desirable, in point of situation in Life, at present my circumstances remain as they were you have already been acquainted with them. I must say that we have some credit in keeping them as they are, as everything in this Country (& particularly this Neighbourhood) is remarkably dear, and you know, in our way of Life, there is no other possible method of adding i Phyllis Barthe, wife of the writer of this letter, for whom see ante, 77. 363 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS to the Income but by a Saving on the principal, & it being so small with ourselves renders it impossible. My earnest wish is therefore to fall upon some plan or method for a future substee so as to be able to realize the principal for the Benefit of my family, as I assure you, the reflections for their situation, in case of accident to myself, are attended with unpleasing & melancholy sensations. I wrote to Capt Grant the latter end of last month and committed the Letter to Mr Todds care as also will this, when in London I saw him I then learned that our friends were well in Janry last, as he had received letters to that purpose, to C.G. who communicated the Regtl changes. Bennett goes, or is gone, for America what his schemes are I know not neither to what part he is gone. Lt G Armstrong was his successor, as is Lt Saumerez to Ct Clowes whom (with his Mickmakc money) also has retired. I cannot help being envious, being also desirous of doing the same 2000 was the price of each.2 I may therefore I think estimate mine at the same value. 30th The Regt took their departure from England in March last for Guernsey & Jersey where they will probably remain two Years and then to Ireland. Our absence from them is on act of it being my tour for Recrt Sr which Service probably we shall be on 'till next March. You will therefore please to direct as heretofore it being probable that we shall not be stationary in any one place, untill joining the Regt at Guernsey where my Company is, as for publick Intelligence there is scarcely any that is worth Communicating or that is Interesting. Notwithstanding the Commotions in other parts of Europe, England yet appears to have but little interference with them, a dissolution of parliament is shortly expected, the ministers popularity deservedly Continues, & it is generally believed he will'be no less so in a future parliament than the present. A Melancholy act is within these days brought of the loss of the Guardian a 44 Gun Ship bound to Botinay bay loaded with Stores provis2 This refers to the practice, then in vogue in the British army, of officers' buying (and selling) their commissions. 364 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ions and all other articles necessary for the Sustainance of every description of people there, and of which by the last Acts from thence, they stood much in need of, it's one of those unfortunate events, which cannot easily be remedied as it was the only ship freighted with those necessary articles, from it dreadful consequences are to be apprehended. You will be pleased to acquaint your daughter that her Aunt experienced the most heart felt Sensations of pleasure at the receipt of her Letter, and it would have Contributed thereto if she could have seen the bearer of it, hitherto we have not seen Mr Hutchinson and perhaps may not, but any recommendation of Yours will be paid the greatest attention too, we had much satisfaction in meeting with Lt Breynton (of the 65th) at Portsmouth the 1st Sepr last, when the 53d Regt landed. You may be assured I was much gratified by the pleasing Intelligence that was gained from him, we likewise partake of that pleasure which must be truely grateful to yourself and Mr" Askin, wherein we find by Theresas3 discription of the family that you have both renewed your youths again, and that no kind of amusement has its enjoyment with the juvenile Circle unless Papa and Mama are with them, we most sincerely join in Congratulations at the pleasing information I cannot but repeat again our Inclinations and wishes are to be with you, frequently Phillis's mind roves and when walking in the room takes a flight across the Atlantic & arrives at Detroit in a few minutes, at any rate I can venture to say she's seldom by herself but her mind is occupied with reflections of the many happy hours passed at Detroit, it is to be hoped that some time or another we shall have a renewal of the like pleasures, She continues to enjoy her health as likewise do the children. She continues in Stature nearly the same, rather lustier than when she left you, the Girls have not profited so much as they might have done in their Education, as the mother could not reconcile to herself leting them go from her, she never yet has left 3 Therese Askin, eldest offspring of Askin's marriage with Marie Archange Barthe. Therese subsequently married Thomas McKee, son of Alexander McKee of the British Indian Department. 365 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS them for a night and has debarr'd herself from all diversions on that act the like fondness Continues towards them and no doubt ever will do, the Colonel & Mrs D. P.4 have taken a house near Portsmo' I have no doubt but they are like ourselves quite out of their element from the Regt its probable they will not join till the Regt gets to Ireland. I must now draw to a Conclusion uniting the most sincere & affectionate Love and esteem of Phillis the Young Ones & myself towards Mr" A. Yourself and family as also to Capt & Mrs Grant & their family likewise to the Mr Barthes, and not to forget our kind remembrance to all enquiring friends. I am with sincerity Your Friend & Servt D Mercer May 1st PS This days Newspaper removes,the gloom which every countenance was depressed with, as it announces the safety of the Guardians arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, after having undergone vast distress & difficulties and loosing 3 out of 4 boats Crew that quitted her Addressed: John Askin Esqr at Detroit to the care of Messrs Todd & McGill Merchts at Montreal. Charges: Sh 10 Endorsed: England Reading Berkshire April 29th 1790 Capt Mercer 8th Regt to Jn~ Askin recvd Sepr 12th ROLL OF DETROIT MILITIA List of Militia men furnished with Arms 1 Captn Askin 17 Mr McIntosh Junr 2 Lieutt Meldrum5 18 Mr Langlois 3 Ensign McIntosh 19 Mr Voy6r 4 Mr Martin Junr 20 Mr Lyons 5 Mr Wallace 21 Mr Brow 6 Mr Sharp 22 Mr Campeau Junr 7 Mr Antoine Lac6lle6 23 Mr Fraser 4 The allusion is to Colonel Arent Schuyler De Peyster. 5 George Meldrum, for whom see ante, 293. 6 On the Lacelle family see ante, 197. Antoine (or Anthony) was the brother of 366 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 8 Mr G. Forsyth 24 Mr MeKillip 9 Mr Shepherd Senr 25 Mr MDonald9 10 Mr Shepherd Junr 26 Mr Dodemead 11 Mr Allain7 27 Mr Frs' Thibeau10 12 Mr Clarke [28] Mr Nathan Williams 13 Mr Askin Junr [29] Mr David Robertson1 14 P. Shabert8 [30] Mr Willm d~ 15 Mr Abbot Junr [31] Mr Christy 16 Mr Stevens Jacques Lacelle, and son of Jacques Lacelle and Mary Ann Lalande. He was born at Montreal, Nov. 22, 1745, and came west to Detroit in early manhood. He engaged in the Indian trade, was long a British partisan, and finally settled at Raisin River, where he was buried, April 13, 1811. At the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, Lacelle was one of the Detroit militia who participated as allies of the Indians. Unable to keep up with the latter in their rapid retreat, he concealed himself, to be taken later within the American lines. He was court-martialed and was on the point of being put to death as a spy, when he was spared through the influence of Colonel Hamtramck. In response to questioning by his captors he then stated that he had lived twenty-nine years in Upper Canada, twenty-one of which he had passed at Detroit and on the Maumee. For nineteen years before Harmar's expedition of 1790 he had lived at Miamitown as a merchant and trader. Lacelle died a bachelor. See American State Papers, Ind. Aff., I, 494; and Simcoe Papers, II and III, passim. 7 Probably James Allan, for whom see ante, 307. 8 Philip Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert, for whose ancestry see ante, 326. He was the eldest son of Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert and Margaret Elizabeth Ursula Rocbert de la Morandiere, and was born at Montreal, Dec. 2, 1752. He served as a captain of militia in the Revolution, married Judith Gouin of Detroit, Feb. 12, 1783, and was buried, April 30, 1793. The three children of this union were: Judith, who married Richard Pattinson; Margaret, who married James McGregor; and Felicity, who married Denis Campau. The Chaberts became connected by marriage with a number of well-known Detroit families. Information compiled from Denissen, op. cit.; Severance, op. cit.; and Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, VI, No. 1. 9 Ronald McDonell was a veteran soldier, having served in the British army for a period of almost thirty years. During the Revolution he was a lieutenant in the Eighty-fourth Regiment. He subsequently entered the Indian trade, and seems to have had his headquarters for some years at Detroit. In 1794 he was located at Grand Glaize on the Maumee, where on May 3 he joined with George Ironside in reporting the anti-British activities of the Lacelles to Colonel McKee. In 1796 he was still here, acting as agent, apparently, for the firm of Leith, Shepherd, and Duff of Detroit. See Ford, British Officers Serving in the American Revolution, 116; and Simcoe Papers, II, 227-28. Io The Thibaults seem to have made their appearance in Detroit about the year 1768. Several family lines are traced, more or less fully, by Denissen. The person here noted may have been Francis Robert Thibault, who was born at Sandwich, Nov. 22, 1767. ii David Robertson was a younger brother of Capt. Samuel Robertson and of William Robertson. The date of his coming to Detroit is unknown, but in 1788 he appears as junior partner of William, and two years later the latter went abroad, 367 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Endorsed: Militia-Town of Detroit-some time before 1790 DEED OF SALE OF JOSEPH CADET'S FARM THIS Indenture made the first Day of November in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninty between Gregor McGregor Esquire Sheriff for the District of Hesse of the one Part and John Askin Esquire of Detroit Merchant of the other Part Witnesseth that whereas by virtue of a Writ of firefacias issued out of His Majesty's Court of Common Pleas for the said District at the suit of Jean Baptist Marsac12 of Detroit Yeoman against the goods and chattels lands and Tenements of Joseph Cadet13 of Detroit Yeoman, to the said Sheriff directed. I the said Gregor McGregor took in Execution as belonging to the said Joseph Cadet a certain piece of Land situate in the Parish of St Anne, containing One Acre in front by forty leaving David in charge of the business at Detroit. He remained here until the dissolution of the partnership in 1795. He subsequently returned to Scotland, where he passed the remainder of his life. On Sept. 30, 1792, he, or another person bearing the same name, married, at Detroit, Peggy McDonald, who had been a servant in Askin's employ. Ms. record in Askin Papers, Dominion Archives, Ottawa. Iz The Marsacs were among the founders of Detroit, the progenitor of the line here being Jacob Marsac dit de l'Omtrou, who was born in the city of Poitiers in 1667, enlisted in the army, and came to Detroit as a sergeant under Cadillac in 1701. On June 12, 1706, he married at Montreal, Mary Teresa David, a native of Three Rivers. She was buried at Detroit, Sept. 24, 1727, and Jacob was buried here April 27, 1747. They had two sons, Francis and Jacques. Francis was born at Detroit, Oct. 22, 1706, and married here, May 18, 1734, Teresa Cecilia Campau, daughter of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin. She died in Nov., 1746, and Francis in Nov., 1777. They had nine children, one of whom was Jean Baptiste Marsac dit Panatchat, the individual here noted. He was born Aug. 26, 1739. On June 28, 1773, he married Geneveva Seguin dit Laderoute, daughter of Joseph Seguin dit Laderoute and Mary Teresa Tremblay. She was buried, July 20, 1793, and the widower subsequently married a Sauteuse woman, Teresa Tacamanbinacouai. He was buried at Detroit, Nov. 14, 1813. He was the parent of several children by each union. Denissen, op. cit. I3 Joseph Cadet was the grandson of Michael Cadet, who was born in the diocese of Poitiers, France, in 1668, and married (first) at Quebec, Jan. 25, 1694, Mary Constantin, a native of Sillery, and (second) May 7, 1703, Geneveva Gaultier, a native of Quebec. Augustin Cadet, son of the latter union, born Jan. 13, 1709, married on Nov. 9, 1733, Louisa Elizabeth Lambert dit Champagne, daughter of Francis Lambert dit Champagne and Margaret Pilote. Their son, Joseph Cadet, was born at Quebec, Oct. 15, 1751, and came to Detroit as early as the spring of 1779. On Sept. 30, 1782, he married Cecilia Campau, daughter of Jean Baptiste Campau 368 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Acres or Arpents in Depth more or less Bounded in front by the River Detroit and behind by unlocated lands, on the West South West by Alexander & William Macomb's lands and on the East North East by the said Jean Baptist Marsac's lands, with a dwelling House, Barn & Stable thereon erected which said Premisses were adjudged to the said John Askin as being the last and highest bidder at the sum of twenty five pounds twelve shillings and six pence Currency of this Province after the usual Advertisements as required by law: NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Gregor McGregor for and in consideration of the said sume of twenty five pounds twelve shillings and six pence Currency aforesaid to him in hand paid by the said John Askin, have bargained sold Granted aliened and confirmed and by these Presents as Sheriff for the said District doe bargain sell Grant alien and confirm unto the said John Askin his heirs and assigns forever all the beforementioned messuage and premises butted and bounded as aforementioned together with all and every buildings and appertances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and all the right title claim interest and demand of him the said Joseph Cadet in or to the same or any part thereof. To have and to hold the said Premisses and every Part and Parcel thereof unto the said John Askin his Heirs and assigns forever without any let Suit Trouble, molestation or interruption from the said Joseph Cadet his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, assigns, or from any other Person or Persons whatsoever. IN WITNESS whereof the said Parties have to these Presents interchangeably set there hands and seals at Detroit aforesaid, the Day month and year first above written. Signed Sealed and Delivered in Presence of John McGregor14 Gregor McGregor Sheriff (L. S.) T. Reynolds Junior John Askin (L. S.) and Mary Catherine Boyer. They reared a large family of children, two of whom were killed and scalped, supposedly by Indians, in the spring of 1814. Joseph Cadet was buried at Sandwich, Oct. 4, 1813; his widow was buried there Dec. 13, 1832. Denissen, op. cit. 14 John McGregor was a member of John Askin's militia company,at Detroit in 369 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Appended: Recvd the Within Mentioned Sum of Twenty five Pounds Twelve Shillings and Six Pence Currency this 1st of November 1790 Gregor McGregor Sheriff Endorsed: Deed of Sale of Joseph Cadet's Farm To John Askin Esqr Novr 1790 [By John Askin] Sold by me Afterwards to Prudhomme15 or Nantey SALE OF ETIENNE LAVIOLETTE'S LAND This Indenture made the twenty fifth Day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety one, between Gregor McGregor Esquire Sheriff For the District of Hesse of the one Part and John Askin of Detroit Esquire of the other Part, WITNESSETH that WHEREAS by Virtue of a Writ of firefacious issued out of his Majestys Court of Common Pleas for the Said District at the Suit of John Askin of Detroit Merchant against the Goods & Chattles Lands and Tencments of Etiene Lavioletl6 1791, and in 1794 was trading in the Ohio country. A letter of Askin written to him, Dec. 5, 1813, discloses that he was then living at the River Thames. Probably he was the nephew of Gregor McGregor, named by the latter as one of his heirs and as executor of his will, made at Petite C6te, Nov. 23, 1810. See mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 15 Jean Baptiste Prudhomme dit Nantais, born in Nantes, Upper Brittany, in 1733, married at Montreal, April 24, 1758, Margaret Bigeot dit Dumouchel, daughter of Pierre Bigeot and Mary Joseph Dumouchel. Their son, Jean Baptiste Prudhomme dit Nantais, who was born at Montreal in 1759, is the person here noted. In 1782 he married Mary Ann Dellard, daughter of Francis Dellard and Mary Ann Blay. He subsequently married (second) at Detroit, Feb. 21, 1798, Archange Marsac, eldest child of Jean Baptiste Marsac and Geneveva Seguin dit Laderoute. He was buried at Detroit, Aug. 12, 1818. Denissen, op. cit. I6 Sebastian Jahan married Jane Oudinot and resided in Blois, diocese of Chartres, France. Their son, Jacques Jahan dit Laviolette, born in 1631, a tanner by occupation, was the founder of the American family line. He married at Quebec on Sept. 27, 1658, Mary Ferra, a native of Creveaux, in Picardy. The husband was buried at Quebec, April 4, 1699, and the wife at St. Jean, Isle of Orleans, Feb. 17, 1713. Their son, Jacques Jahan dit Laviolette, was born at Chateau Richer, Nov. 28, 1663, married there, Nov. 5, 1686, and was buried at Quebec, Apr. 17, 1711. His son, also named Jacques, was born in 1689 and died in 1763, having spent his life in Lower Canada. He was a captain of militia at the Coastof St. Joseph at Point Levis. His son, Etienne Jahan dit Laviolette, is the person mentioned in this document. He was born at Point Levis, Feb. 20,1736. In early manhood he came west to Detroit, and on Feb. 3, 1766, married at Sandwich, Amable Judith Prudhomme, daughter of Francis Xavier Prudhomme and Judith Cuillerier, who resided at the South Coast of 370 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS of the River aux Raisin yeoman to the Said Sheriff Directed, I the Said Gregor McGregor took in Execution as belonging to the Said Etiene Laviolet a Certain Piece of Land Situate at the Said River Raisin Containing four Acres in front by forty acres in Depth more or less bounded in front by the Said River Raison & behind by unlockated lands adjoining on the South east Side to Piere Martin17 and on the North west Side to Jean Baptist Morrinsl8 land with a Dwelling house & a Barn thereon Errected Which Said Premisses were adjudged to the Said John Askin as being the last and highest bidder at the Sum of fifteen Pounds Twelve Shillings & Six pence Currency of the Province after the usual advertisements as Requireed by Law. Now This Indenture Witnesseth That I the Said Gregor McGregor for and in Consideration of the Said Sum of fifteen Pounds Twelve Shillings and Six pence Currency afore Said to me in hand Paid by the Said John Askin have bargained Sold Granted aliened and Confirmed and by these Presents, as Sheriff for the Said District Do bargain Sell Grant aliene and Confirm unto the Said John Askin his heirs and assigns Detroit, known as C6te de Misere. Judith Prudhomme was buried at Sandwich, Nov. 4, 1780. Etienne Laviolette married (second) Margaret Angelica Descomps dit Labadie, at Sandwich, April 18, 1785. The bride was the widow of Martin Levry and the daughter of Pierre Descomps dit Labadie and Angelica Lacelle. Laviolette removed to the River Raisin at some date prior to 1791, where his wife was buried, Oct. 2, 1802, and he himself on Feb. 7, 1807. By his first marriage Laviolette left several children, and numerous subsequent descendants. Denissen, op. cit. 17 James Levry married Mary Tardy, and to them was born a son, Martin, in 1736. He married at Detroit, Jan. 22, 1759, Margaret Angelica Descomps dit Labadie, born at Montreal, Sept. 6, 1738, daughter of Pierre Descomps dit Labadie and Angelica Lacelle. They had several children, born at Detroit in the years 1758 to 1764. The wife outlived Levry and married (second) Etienne Laviolette, noted above. The eldest child of Martin Levry and Angelica Descomps dit Labadie was Pierre Levry dit Martin, the person here noted. He was born at the Coast of the Potawatomi, Detroit, Nov. 13, 1759, and buried at St. Antoine, River Raisin, Aug. 9, 1832. He married Mary Frances Cardinal, and to them were born at least two children, baptized at Detroit in 1791 and 1793. Denissen, op. cit. 18 There were two distinct lines of Morins represented in Detroit and vicinity. One line was descended from Pierre Morin, born in 1669, a native of the diocese of St. Brieux, France, who came to Canada and on Feb. 22, 1694, married Magdelene De l'Espinay at Beauport. The other, and more numerous line, was descended from Noel Morin, born in Brittany in 1616, who married at Quebec, Jan. 9, 1640, Helena Des Portes, widow of William Hebert and daughter of Pierre Des Portes and Frances Langlois. Many descendants of this couple were residents of Detroit and vicinity in the later eighteenth century and subsequently. The Jean Baptiste Morin mentioned herein has not been identified. 371 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS for ever all the before mentioned messuage and Premisses butted and bounded as aforesaid together with all and Every the improvements thereon and all the Right title Claim Interest and Demand of him the Said Etiene Laviolet in or to the Same or any Part thereof to have and to hold the Said Premisses and Eevery Part and Parcel thereof unto the Said John Askin his heires and assigns for ever without any let Suit Trouble molestation or Interruption from the Said Etiene Laviolete his heires Executors administrators and assigns or from any other Person or Persons Whatsoever IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Said Parties have to these presents interchangeably Set Their hand And Seals at Detroit the Day month and year first above written Gregor McGregor Sheriff (L.S.) John Askin (L.S.) Signed Sealed & Delivered in Presence of David Robertson T. Smith Endorsed: Recd. of Mr John Askin the Sum of Fifteen Pounds Twelve Shillings & six Pence Halifax Cur. in full payment of Aforsaid mentioned Land &ca Detroit the 25 of March 1791. Gregor McGregor ADOPTION OF POLICE REGULATIONS1S To the Heads of the different Families of the Town of Detroit Gentlemen Whereas frequent applications have been made to put the Police of this town upon a proper and respectable footing, principally respecting the accidents arising from fire, the due regulation of the assize of bread, cleaning of the public streets, and other circumstances relating to the internal polity of the town; we have now to 19 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 372 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS inform you that [illegible] of the Province we are empowered, with your consent, to put such regulations in force as are generally practiced in the internal polity of the towns of Quebec and Montreal and which are most conducive to prevent public nusances, and to preserve the health and convenience of the inhabitants. We therefore hope that those of you who wish to see regularity and order established in the policy of this town, that you will request of us to put such regulations in execution as seem best calculated to forward such a desireable object. We remain Gentlemen Your very humble Servants Geo Leith J. P. Alex' Grant J. P. Geo. Sharp J. P. Angus Mackintosh J. P. John Askin J. P. William Park J. P. Detroit 23rd May 1791 Endorsed: Lettre des magistrats de Cette ville, (Consernant La police) aux chefs des famille et propri6taires de maison dans cette ditte ville, du 23e May 1791 Detroit, District de Hesse Fire Protection ROLL OF JOHN ASKIN'S MILITIA COMPANY A Roll of Captain Askin's Company of Militia for the Town of Detroit 7th June 1791 Present David Robertson Merchant Charles Smith20 Clerk 10 Charles Smith (Smyth) was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas at Detroit from August, 1791 until his death in 1794. Apparently he came to Detroit in 1789 with Judge Powell, whose clerk he had previously been. See Life of Wim. Dummer Powell, 62 and 192. He was a member of the Detroit militia called out for service on the Maumee in 1794 and was slain while fighting with the Indians against General Wayne's army in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. See Simcoe Papers, II and III, passim. A letter from William Jarvis of Niagara to his father-in-law, Rev. Samuel Peters, Sept. 3, 1794, describes Smith as "a young man of most accomplished abilities, and an adopted chief among the Shawnees." The letter further relates that Smith, after being wounded by the Americans, was "quartered alive" by them. Simcoe Papers, III, 29. 373 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS James Fraser Merchant Richard Pollard ditto William Hands ditto William Shepherd Clerk Robert Abbott Merchant George McDougall21 ditto McKay Clerk James McDonell22 Merchant James Mackintosh Clerk John Dodemead ShopKeeper John Askin junior Trader Robert Stevens Clerk Alexander McKinzee Merchant James May ditto John McGregor Trader Ronald McDonald ditto Jn Baptiste Moran ditto Pierre Moran Clerk Jacque Peltier Senior23 Trader 2. George McDougall was the son of Lieut. George McDougall of the Royal American Regiment, a native of Scotland, who was at Detroit during Pontiac's siege. A few years after this event, he obtained title to Hog Island (Belle Isle) and thereby started a controversy which is still of interest to the people of Detroit. He died at Carleton Island, April 8, 1780. In 1763, he had married at Detroit, Mary Frances Navarre, daughter of Robert Navarre and Mary Lootman dit Barrois. Their son, George, the subject of the present sketch, was born at Detroit, Oct. 19, 1766. He became a lawyer, but in addition to his legal practice he held various offices and engaged in diverse activities. He was a man of eccentric temperament, so much so that he seems to have been regarded by his contemporaries as somewhat abnormal mentally. In 1810, he was foreman of the grand jury which presented Governor Hull and Judges Witherell and Woodward for tyrannical c6nduct. At a subsequent date, he was disbarred by the judges for his conduct before them, and the prohibition was removed only after he had made a humble apology to the court. Notwithstanding his quarrelsome disposition, McDougall was popular with the French element of Detroit, whose language he spoke as fluently as he spoke English. In his later years, prosperity forsook him and he obtained an appointment as lighthouse keeper at Fort Gratiot on the St. Clair River. This position he retained until his death, about the year 1840. McDougall was a man of historical tastes, and preserved until his death a collection of papers pertaining to early Detroit which were subsequently utilized by Francis Parkman in writing his Conspiracy of Pontiac. McDougall died a bachelor. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; Robt. B. Ross, Early Bench and Bar of Detroit (Detroit, 1907), 142-44; Mich. Pio. Colls., XXXVI, 210-11; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll..z James McDonell (variously spelled) came to Detroit from Montreal in November, 1785, in the capacity of clerk to William Robertson. He was still at Detroit in the summer of 1807. See deposition in Proc. of the Land Board of Detroit, 245-46. z3 The Detroit Peltiers were descended from Nicholas Peltier, a carpenter, who was 374 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Jacque Peltier junior24 } his Son's Antoine Peltier25 Swan26 Clerk born in the parish of St. Pierre de Galardon in Beauce, France. He married Jane Roussy, who was born in 1622, and they were living in Quebec as early as 1637. Nicholas was buried before 1675; his widow was buried at Sorel, Dec. 12, 1689. A grandson of Nicholas Peltier and Jane Roussy, Jean Francis Peltier, born at Sorel, Aug. 15, 1691, came to Detroit in 1705 with the family of his stepfather, Pierre Maillet. Here on March 25, 1718, he married Mary Louisa Robert, who was born at Lachine, Dec. 15, 1698, daughter of Pierre Robert dit Lapierre-Lapomerais and Angelica Ptolome. Jean Francis Peltier was buried at Detroit about the year 1723; his widow was buried, April 2, 1776. They had three children: Jean Baptiste, born Aug. 20, 1719; Jean Francis, born Dec. 28, 1720; and Mary Angelica, born Sept. 20, 1722. Jean Francis died of smallpox in boyhood. Mary Angelica married (first) Anthony Campau and (second) Etienne Livernois; she died in August, 1762, and was buried under the church. Our present concern is with the line of Jean Baptiste Peltier. He married at Boucherville, May 26, 1743, Mary Joseph Cornet, daughter of Joseph Cornet and Frances Le Beau. On Nov. 8, 1750, he purchased from Jean Baptiste Campau a farm at the Northeast Coast of Detroit, known in more recent years as the Leib farm or Private Claim 15. Here he lived until his death, although on Jan. 19, 1790, he deeded the farm to his son, Feix Peltier. He was buried, Jan. 4, 1802; Mary Joseph Cornet was buried May 4, 1807. Jean Baptiste Peltier and his wife, Mary Joseph, reared a family of thirteen children, who intermarried with many of the families of early Detroit. The third son, Jacques Amable Peltier, was the person noted in the present document. He was born, Jan. 16, 1747, "at ten o'clock in the morning." As a boy of sixteen years he witnessed the occurrences of Pontiac's siege of Detroit, and in old age he narrated his recollections of the siege to Governor Cass, who reduced them to writing and later placed them at the disposal of Francis Parkman. On May 27, 1771, Jacques Amable married at Montreal,.Magdelene Levasseur dit Chaverlange, who was born at Quebec, July 24, 1753, daughter of Pierre Levasseur dit Chaverlange and Margaret Petit. They reared a family of ten children. Jacques Peltier was buried, Nov. 18, 1825; Magdelene Levasseur was buried, Oct. 18, 1806. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. ) 4 Jacques Amable Peltier, the eldest son of Jacques Amable Peltier and Magdelene Levasseur, was born at Detroit, Sept. 24, 1772. On May 26, 1800, he married Susanne Cicotte, daughter of Jean Baptiste Cicotte and Angelica Poupard, who was born at Detroit, Jan. 29, 1777. She was buried, Jan. 26, 1801, leaving no descendants. On Sept. 1, 1810, Jacques Amable Peltier married again at Fort Wayne, before four witnesses, Angelica Chapoton, daughter of Louis Chapoton and Catherine Meloche of Detroit. The marriage was ratified at Ste. Anne's, Detroit, Sept. 21, 1812. Of this union two children were born: Felicity, who married Robert Beaubien in October, 1829, and Jacques. Denissen, op. cit..5 Antoine Peltier, second son of Jacques Amable Peltier and Magdelene Lavasscir, was born at Sandwich, Feb. 13, 1774. He married at Detroit, Nov. 5, 1800, Monica Delisle, daughter of Alexis Bienvenu dit Delisle and Mary Ann Campau. They removed in later years to the River Raisin where the last two of their nine children were born. Monica Delisle was buried at St. Antoine, River Raisin, July 1, 1822. 26 Probably James Swan, who a few years later was acting as the agent at Mackinac for Isaac Todd. In the year 1798, he went to St. Louis to recover for Todd payment for debts owing by the firm of Clamorgan, Loisel and Co. The mission was unsuccessful, and Todd in a letter to Askin speaks of his debtors as a "rascally" set. See Askin Papers, passim. 375 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Thomas McKee27 the Colonels Son Baptiste Baby28 Clerk Peter Laughton Trader Louis Barth Clerk The foregoing Persons did volentarely declare they would go on any service his Excellency the Commander in Chief thought proper and that each of them would provide himself with a Horse Prosper Thibeault29 Clerk This Man did not offer himself as a Volenteer but said he would go where Commanded Absent on Business George Ironsides Trader Alexander Clark Clerk John Burrell ditto Arthur McCormick30 Trader 27 Thomas McKee was the son of ColonelAlexander McKee, for whom see ante, 301. Thomas attained the rank of captain in the Sixtieth Regiment. Over-indulgence in liquor ruined his career and entailed the dissipation of the estate he inherited from his father. On April 17, 1797, he married Therese Askin, eldest daughter of John Askin and Marie Archange Barthe, and in 1799 was living at Petite C6te. Prior to this union McKee had been the father of two natural daughters, Catherine and Marie Anne, and one son, James, concerning whose mother we have found no record. By his wife, Therese Askin, McKee had one son, Alexander, sometimes known as Alexander the Younger. When General Procter evacuated Detroit in the autumn of 1813 McKee and his wife found refuge in Lower Canada, where McKee died, apparently, in the spring of 1815. A letter of Alexander Henry to John Askin, written May 9, 1815, states that Mrs. McKee suffered much while here (Montreal) with her husband, who was continually deranged with liquor, and had he lived the government could have had no reliance on him. A copy of the will of McKee, made at Sandwich, May 8, 1801, is in the Burton Hist. Coll. Information adapted from ms. records in Burton Hist. Coll. z8 Jean Baptiste Baby was the son of Jacques Duperon Baby and Susanne R6aume, for whom see ante, 292. He was born at Detroit "within the stockade" on Jan. 5, 1770. He married at Sandwich, May 5, 1817, Ann Hands, the daughter of William Hands and Mary Abbott. They had one son, William Duperon Baby, born at Sardwich, April 16, 1819. Jean Baptiste Baby was buried at Sandwich, Oct. 3, 1852; Ann Hands was buried there, Dec. 18, 1846. Denissen, op. cit. 29 There were several distinct lines of Thibaults (variously spelled) at Detroit and vicinity, with many representatives and complex inter-family relationships. Apparently the Prosper Thibault here noted was born in 1759. He married Louisa Alavois, a Potawatomi woman. They lived at River Raisin, where most of their children were born. Prosper Thibault was buried at St. Antoine, River Raisin, April 23, 1810. See Denissen, op. cit. 30 Arthur McCormick, or another of the same name, was later a school teacher at Detroit. In 1801 Askin recommended him to Angus McIntosh to serve as teacher for the latter's daughters, and in this connection stated that he had formerly taught at 376 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Antoine Lacelle ditto Hugh Heward ditto James Reyly ditto Joseph Thibeault3s ditto John L'anglois32 Sergeant Francois Baby33 Ensign George Meldrum Lieut These Gentlemen who are absent will I dare say on their arrival follow the good example of those who were present Remark the whole of the Company present has volentarely offered to go on Service'3 yet as they are all more or less Kingston. In 1802, another letter shows, he was teaching in the Grant family at Grosse Pointe. 31 This may have been Joseph Louis Thibault, who on Feb. 4, 1788, married, at Detroit, Teresa Boyer, daughter of Pierre Boyer and Louisa Pepin dit Descardonnets. His parents were natives of Acadia, who after marriage removed to the parish of St. Ours, Lower Canada. Teresa Boyer was buried at Detroit, Feb. 25, 1847. Her husband had preceded her in death. They had two children: Joseph, born Oct. 18, 1788, and Lambert, born Sept. 15, 1789, each of whom became in their turn progenitors of family lines. Another Joseph Thibault, contemporary with the above, married Mary Geneveva Deloysel. For him see ante, 347. 32. Charles Langlois of the parish of St. Pierre, in the diocese of Rouen, France, married Mary Cordier. Their son, Nicolas, born in 1640, migrated to Canada and married at Quebec, Oct. 26, 1671, Elizabeth Cretel, daughter of William Cretel and Jane Godfrey, both of the parish of St. Maclou, diocese of Rouen. Nicolas Langlois and Elizabeth Cretel lived their lives at Quebec, where the husband was buried in 1704 and the wife in 1721. They had one child, Etienne Langlois, born Dec. 17, 1673. He married, Feb. 10, 1698, Elizabeth Faucher, also a native of Quebec, daughter of Leonard Faucher dit St. Maurice and Mary Damois. Jean Baptiste Langlois, the person here noted, was the great-grandson of Etienne Langlois and Elizabeth Faucher, his parents being Nicolas Langlois and Magdelene Pilet, who were married at Detroit, Sept. 7, 1761. Jean Baptiste, their eldest child, was born March 14, 1762. He married at Sandwich, Jan. 13, 1789, Charlotte Reaume, daughter of Bonaventure Reaume and Jeanne Deshttres. They lived at Sandwich, where Jean Baptiste was buried, July 18, 1821, having reared a numerous family. Denissen, op. cit. 33 Frangois Baby was a son of Jacques Duperon Baby, and brother of Jacques Baby, for whom see ante, 293-93. He was born within the stockade of Detroit, Dec. 7, 1768. On Sept. 5, 1795, he married at Sandwich Frances Abbott, daughter of James and Mary Barkle Abbott. They settled on the south shore of the river opposite the town of Detroit, in what is now the heart of the city of Windsor. Here Francois Baby resided until his death in 1856. He was, during his active life, one of the foremost citizens of Upper Canada, serving several terms in the legislature as representative from Kent County, as colonel of militia, and during the War of 1812 as adjutant general. He retained his vigor of mind and body until extreme old age. See Casgrain, op. cit., 118-19. 34 Apparently this remark has reference to the likelihood of being called out for service against the Americans under General Arthur St. Clair, whose campaign against the northwestern Indians was then being prepared. 377 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS engaged in Mercantle business their Interest would suffer in their absence were more than half of the whole of these present called on. Captain of Militia Endorsed: Detroit June 7th 1791 Return of Captt Askins Company of Militia Coppy REPORT ON FIRE PROTECTION'S Report, of Housekeepers, dwelling in the Town of Detroit who are defecient of Buckets, Ladders, Bags &c August 1st 1791 Names Possessors -1 -g a 3 cl s cu' s Proprietors -2 Jacque Baby -2 " " " Mr Babys, (answer) not ready for visitg Holmes36 -1 2 1 " G. McGregor -2 0 1 1 Mr McGregor, will have everything Revd Frechet37 -2 " 1 " ready in the course of this week. 35 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 36 William Holmes, surgeon of the Fifth Regiment, with commission dating from March 31, 1787. In 1800 a Dr. Holmes, probably the same man, was surgeon of the forces at Quebec, with oversight, apparently, of the western posts. See British army list for 1787 and Mich. Pio. Colls., XXIII, 594. 37 Pierre Frechette was born at Quebec, Feb. 2, 1751, his parents being Etienne Frechette and Marie Anne Dupere. He was ordained a priest on Dec. 18, 1784, and in the autumn of 1785 came to Sandwich as parish priest. The following year when Father Francois Xavier Dufaux came to Detroit to take charge of Ste. Anne's Church, Frechette prevailed on him to exchange parishes. Frechette continued to serve Ste. Anne's for ten years, leaving Detroit shortly prior to the American occupation in July, 1796. From this time until his death on January 3, 1816, he served as parish priest of Beloeil and Saint Hilaire, Canada. He was characterized by Father Payet, in a letter written from Detroit in 1786, as "a zealous and pious priest, but a man of superlative tranquility." Information supplied by Father J. C. Plomer, professor at the Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit. 378 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS G. M~Dougal -1 n " 1 N. Williams -2 1 1 1 Mr N. Williams, having just arrived in town, will have all ready in two days A. McKinzie -1 1 2 F. Belcour -1 " " 1 M. Dolson -2 " 1 n J. Whitten s -2 " 1 n F. Roucour -2 " 1 " J. Voyez39 -2 " 1 n Blk Diana -1 " 1 2 C. Lafleur -2 n 1 " R. Gowie -2 " 1 2 Thou Jones40 -2 ~ 0 1 Mr8 Hay Montigny4l -2 " n 2 Mr Montigny has ladders making 38 Probably John Wheaton, for whom see post, 390-94. 39 Joseph Voyer (Voyez) was a resident of Detroit of considerable local influence, being one of the magistrates in the early years of the American occupation. In this capacity, in the summer of 1799, he addressed (in company with the other local justices) a protest to the Secretary of War against the alleged arbitrary conduct of Colonel Strong, the military commandant. Voyer was a great-grandson of Pierre Voyer, who was born in the diocese of Mons, province of Maine, France, in 1630. He migrated to Canada, where he married at Chateau Richer in 1662, dying at the same place, Nov. 14, 1695. The great-grandson, Joseph, here noted, was the first Detroit representative of the line. He married Catherine Charier; both husband and wife died during the month of August, 1805, the former being buried Aug. 24, the latter on Aug. 16. Information adapted from mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim; Proc. of Land Board of Detroit, 179; and Denissen, op. cit. 40 Thomas Jones was at Detroit in 1787 when he subscribed three pounds NewYork currency toward the salary of Rev. George Mitchell. See ante, 303. In 1793 one Thomas Jones served as interpreter to the Iroquois Indians in their negotiations near Detroit with agents of the American government. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XVII, 620, 654. Whether the latter was the Detroit resident of 1788-91 we are unable to determine. 41 The entry concerning Montigny has been crossed out in the ms., and the name of Mrs. Hay inserted in its stead. Pierre Jean Baptiste Testard, Sieur de Montigny de Louvigny, was born at Montreal, Nov. 2, 1750, the son of Jean Baptiste Philip Testard and Charlotte Trotier dit Des Rivieres. His mother's first American ancestor, Julius Trotier, had migrated from France to Canada about the year 1645 and one of his granddaughters, Catherine Trotier dit Beaubien was the founder of the Detroit Beaubien line. Our present subject in mature life commonly signed his name as Louvigny Montigny. He married at Detroit, March 1, 1790, Agatha Hay, daughter of former Lieutenant-governor Jehu Hay, and although much in the service of the British government, seems to have made his home thereafter at Detroit and Amherstburg. 379 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Tho' Scot -2 " 1 1 Wm Forsyth -2 " " 2 Mr Forsyths ladders will be finished to day Wm Hands -1 n " 2 J. Sparkman -2 " 1 " Mr Sparkmans bag will be made to day A. Lafoy42 -2 " 1 2 T. Smith IKr -2 " 1 " A. St Cosme43 -2 " 1 2 In 1794 he was active as captain of militia in the operations against General Wayne's army on the Maumee. A year thereafter he encountered some financial disaster which compelled him to sell his house (probably the one here reported on) at Detroit, but certain formal certificates of loyalty of British subjects, issued by him, indicate that he was still here in the spring of 1796. He served as member of the Land Board for the District of Hesse in 1791-92 and for that of Essex and Kent in 1792-93. He was a captain in the First Battalion of Royal Canadian Volunteers from 1796-1802, and he served as a staff officer with the rank of captain in 1812. At this time he was in Lower Canada, and his service was with the St. Regis and Iroquois Indian detachment; a letter written by him from Montreal in August, 1805, preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll., may indicate that he had removed to Lower Canada prior to that date. He was captured by the Americans at St. Regis, Oct. 23, 1812, and died, Feb. 23, 1813. A petition to the authorities on behalf of his widow in the spring of 1815 indicates that the daughter of Detroit's former lieutenant-governor was then in a "most deplorable" state, her husband's death having left her "without the means of living tomorrow and [she] is this day called upon to quit her lodgings, at the house of poor people who cannot afford to maintain her." Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; Mich. Pio. Colls., XVI, 72; Officers of the British Forces in Canada During the War of 1812-15, passim; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 42 Augustin Lafoy was the grandson of Anthony Lafoy, a native of the province of Poitou, France, who on Feb. 7, 1735, married at Quebec, Mary Elizabeth Moran, a native of that city. Anthony Lafoy was a wigmaker. His son, Augustin, born a Quebec, March 17, 1739, came to Detroit, where on Nov. 28, 1763, he married Elizabeth St. Cosme, daughter of Pierre Laurence St. Cosme and Catherine Lootman dit Barrois. She was buried, March 2, 1776, and he on April 9, 1788. Their only child was Augustin, the subject of the present sketch. He was born Nov. 7, 1764. On Jan. 28, 1793, he married Catherine Bordeau dit L'Isle Ronde. They had eleven children, born in the years 1793-1812. The Lafoys claimed a property loss of ~800 in the fire of 1805, and Mrs. Lafoy received a donation lot the following year. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; and Proc. of Land Board of Detroit, 171. 43 Amable St. Cosme was a son of Pierre Laurence St. Cosme, for whom see ante, 212. He was born at Detroit, Oct. 30, 1751, and married here on March 30, 1785, Geneveva Bordeau, daughter of Joseph Bordeau dit L'Isle Ronde and Mary Louisa Clermont dit Dubord, a native of Sandwich. They lived at Detroit several years, but removed to Raisin River settlement sometime between the autumn of 1795 and the spring of 1798. There Amable was buried, March 10, 1807, and Geneveva Bordeau on Dec. 21, 1829. Their five elder children were born at Detroit, the last four at Raisin River. Most of them were married at the latter place, with which the further history of the family is identified. Information adapted chiefly from Denissen, op. cit. 380 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS — Frero44 -2 " 1 2 3 18 24 James May O.P~ Mr Ross Lewin45 -1 - - 5 Courtney Butcher-1 - - 2 Mr Selby -1 - - 2 Cassen Shoemaker-i - - 4 Miller Shoemaker -1 - - 4 Lt Hill4 -1 - - 1 Endorsed: Report to the Comissioners, of the Buckets Bags & Ladders deficient in the Town of Detroit. August 1't 1791 44 Jean Francis Fr6rot. He was descended from Claude Fr6rot, who married Jane Viau and lived in the city of Langres, in Champagne. Their son, Claude, born in 1717, enlisted in the army and came to Canada, where on Feb. 15, 1745, he married Susanne Gosselin, a native of Isle of Orleans. Claude Fr6rot belonged to the company of M. de Lusignan. Subsequently he followed the trade of cutler. He was buried at Quebec, Feb. 27, 1783. His son, Jean Francis Fr6rot, was born there Feb. 17, 1747. He married Geneveva Roucour, also a native of Quebec, and later removed to Detroit. Here his wife was buried, May 18, 1813, and he married again, on Feb. 21, 1814, Ursula Lahaye, widow of Francis Boemier. A succeeding document shows that he was either a mason or a carpenter. Information adapted from Dseissen, op. cit. In 1797 he seems to have been living on St. Joseph Island in Lake Huron. 45 Ralph Ross Lewen was a lieutenant in the Fifth Regiment, his commission being dated May 31, 1784. He was a native of County Clare, Ireland, where his family was one of some wealth and importance. In 1790 he married at Detroit, Archange Baby, daughter of Jacques Duperon Baby. In 1802 he returned to Ireland, having received a considerable inheritance from his grandmother. After two years in Ireland he again came to Canada and established his home at Quebec. Here for some fifteen years he served as town major, and here he died, Dec. 5, 1822, and was buried beside his brother-in-law, Thomas Allison, who had died less than a month earlier. His widow died at Amherstburg, Feb. 23, 1850. Information adapted from the British army list for 1790 and Casgrain, op. cit., 120-21. 46 Lieutenant George Hill of the Fifth Regiment, commissioned adjutant, Oct. 25, 1780, and lieutenant, Oct. 26, 1786. On Sept. 5, 1795, he obtained a captaincy. In a letter of June 4, 1796, Colonel England speaks of him as having commanded Fort Miamis on the Maumee until compelled by ill health to leave the post. Apparently he was in Detroit at this time. See British army lists for 1790 and 1800, and Mich. Pio. Coils., XII, 214. 381 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS REPORT ON STREET DEFECTS47 Report of the Main Street, of the defficiency of Logs, and repairs wanting, before the different Houses, Detroit Aug 8th 91 Names of proprietors - % N~ 1 Tennents 2 Remarks Rd Mr Frichet 1 Mr N. Williams 1 A. McIntosh, store 1 Geo. Leith & C~ Robt Gowie Thomas Jones Wm Hands 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1# 1 1 1 1 1 Geo. MeDougal Lieut R. Lewen [illeg.] tney Soldr [illeg.] store [illeg.] [L] arsen Soldr Gregor M Gregor Main Guard James Fraser Gregor McGregor Comr Grant James Abbot 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 The Street opposite the Church in bad Order The path next his House in bad repair The Street oppisite the Store ditto d~ The Logs in bad Order The Street in very bad repair The Logs in bad Order No Logs at all before Mr Hands House The Street in bad repair The Street in very bad order Logs in bad Order ditto in bad order The Street in bad repair Logs in bad Order The Street in bad repair The foot path before the Majors Garden in bad order Gallery out of the line Gallery out of the line ditto out of the line ditto out of the line 8 total James May O.P. 47 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 382 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Endorsed: Report to the Commissioners of the bad repairs in the Main Street Augt 9th 1791 INFORMATION AGAINST DESERTERS FROM NAVAL SERVICE Hesse The Information of John Miller of Detroit to wit Mariner, Boatswain of his Majestys armed Snow Chipaway taken upon Oath before me John Askin Esqr one of his Majestys Justices of the Peace for the said District the twelfth day of August in the Thirty first year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third the now King. That this Informant on friday the twenty ninth day of July last, being Boatswain of his Majesty armed Snow the Chipaway, then riding at anchor in the Road of Fort Erie in the District of Nassau a Port of Entry and Discharge; and the Ships Company being divided into four watches; John Chace Gunner of the said Snow had charge of the first watch from 9 oClock, to eleven at night; that the Informant being upon deck, and looking out upon the forecastle, saw some of the men belonging to John Chases watch, who were stationed forward, go aft in order to look at the glass, that he heard the said John Chace repeatedly tell them to stay forward, and look out for the Dunmore, expected into the Road from Detroit; that the Informant, who was to take charge of the second watch, finding the time long, sent one of the watch aft to look, how the glass went, who returned immediately and reported that John Chace was not upon deck, whereupon the Informant going aft to the quarter Deck found a Cutlass, and looking over the Ships stern, discovered the Boat was Cut away and missing. That upon this discovery, the Informantwent below, and allarmed theMate W Flemming,48 who came upon deck, and immediately after mustered the Crew, when John Chace Gunner aforesaid, John M"Evoy, Michael Morisey Mariners, and two privates of his Majestys 48 William Fleming was for some years a seaman on the upper lakes. Documents among the Askin Papers disclose that in 1795 he was captain of a vessel. His name is included in the list of those Detroit residents who, in 1796, formally signified their intention to remain British subjects. 383 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 5th Regt of foot serving as [Two crosses in ms.] Marines, whose names he does not know, where absent and not to be found. That on Monday the first day of August inst. a party of the 26th Regt of foot, in a boat came along side having the said John Chace, John M~Evoy.Michael Morisey and the two Soldiers in custody, and delivered them prisoners to ye sd William Flemming Mate of the sd Vessel, and the Informant further says, that to the best of his knowledge and belief, the two Muskets and Bayonets now shown to him are the same that were brought back with the said Prisoners, and that the said Muskets and Bayonets belong to the said Snow. his John X Miller mark Sworn before me John Askin J. P. D. H. Endorsed: The King v" Chace McEvoy Morisey Flavell Straight Information of John Miller 12th Augt 1791 LIEUTENANT PATTISON FINED49 Mr Pattison encloses herewith the Fine the Commissioners of the Police of the District of Detroit have of their Wise decision imposed on him in the full hope it will be the first last transaction he will ever have with them. Fort Lernoult Augt 17th 1791. Mark Pattison50 Lt Commg the Roy' Artillery for the defence of the above mentioned Settlement The Rt Honb1e & Honble The Commissioners of the Police, Detroit &c &c &c Addressed: The Commissioners of The Police Detroit Endorsed: filed 23d august '91 49 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 50 Mark Pattison was commissioned first lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Dec. 5, 1793. No record has been found of his service in America, or of the duration of his stay at Detroit. 384 I,e i/<01:. f V 8-J ' AI x ^ TS ^t 17I: AC 0/S17j'j;;l~Elf** / iL- I.". v,, v ft /t i::::::: 4 71f /"Uz!9........... v X A A l / / / LETTER OF LIEUTENANT PATTISON TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE Reproduced from the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa SI0 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS COMPLAINT AGAINST SIMON GIRTY Detroit District of Hess Complaint on Oath of George Setchelstiel Tanner of sd Place Agnst Simon Girty late Indian Interpreter also of sd Place Augt 22d 1791. That on Sunday the 21 of August 1791 being on Horse back Near Capt La Mothe'ss1 on the Kings-highway he was Assaulted by sd Simon Girty who seized his Horse by the Bridle making Use of Abusive Words & After sd Complainant had found Means to turn his Horse away & get at some distance said Girty threw too Stones at him the latter of which Struck him in the head & gave him a Wound from which much Blood gushed Out, all which bad treatment he recvd without having given any provocation prior to his having recd the Wound George Sichelstiel Sworn before me at Detroit this 22d Augt 1791 John Askin J. P. D. H. Endorsed: Detroit Augt 22d 1791 Complaint on Oath of Geo. Sitchelstiel Agnst Simon Girtty 5 I Guillaume Pierre La Mothe was descended from Bruno La Mothe, who married Jane Le Vallois and resided in St. Meixant, in the diocese of Bordeaux, France. Their son, Pierre, born in St. Meixant in 1693, was the founder of the American line of La Mothe. He came to Canada and married at Montreal, Nov. 23, 1715, Mary Magdelene St. Agne dit Hogue, a native of that city. She died in July, 1739, and Pierre married again, on Jan. 21, 1740, Angelica Caron, a native of Lachine, daughter of Vital Caron and Mary Perthuis. Pierre was buried at Soulanges, Nov. 4, 1755. The third son of his union with Angelica Caron was Guillaume Pierre La Mothe, the subject of our present sketch. He was born at Montreal on Jan. 21, 1744. He married Mary Josette Hautrage, daughter of Claude Hautrage and Mary Frances Visger, probably about the year 1787, for between this date and 1793 four children of the couple were born and baptized at Detroit. La Mothe first came to Detroit in September, 1778. See Mich. Pio. Colls., IX, 473. Governor Hamilton was on the point of launching his campaign against Vincennes and the Illinois country, and La Mothe accompanied him on this as one of his principal lieutenants, and on being captured by Clark was one of those who were consigned to prison at Williamsburg, Va. There a board of inquiry, acting largely on evidence supplied by John Dodge, who was a bitter enemy of Hamilton and La Mothe, voted to retaliate American wrongs upon these two and Philip Dejean. They were therefore ordered to be put in irons and confined in the dungeon of the jail, with its attendant rigors. They were subsequently released, after long confinement, and in 1782 La Mothe was sent back to Detroit. Here he lived until the summer of 1793, when, having secured the appointment of interpreter at Mackinac, he removed thither. On the evacuation of that post by the British in 1796 he retired with the garrison to St. Joseph Island, where he died in 1799. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit.; Mich. Pio. Coils., passim; and Ill. Hist. Coils., VIII, passim. 385 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS VIOLATIONS OF POLICE REGULATIONS REPORT, to the Commissioners, of PERSONS; presented to me as having Trespass'd, against the Regulations, of the Police. Detroit, Augt 23d 1791. Persons Names, Remark's of Trespasses Mr Wm Scott Two of his Cowes. found in the Street; by L. Allison52 Mr J. Welch Two..... d~............ d........ d~ Mr Cotie53 Two....d.......d....... d Mr Gerardin54 One..... ditto.......... d~ Mr Dolson One...... d............ d~.........d Mr Smith; I. Kr One..................d.d....... d~ Mr Hands, One..... ditto..........d~........d~ Mr Whitten One......ditto..........d~....... d~ Mr G. McDougal Leaving his Cart in the Street all Night. Mr Fraro Prentise Boy. Galloping through the Streets. Mr Baby No Ladders provided, for Mr Ross Lewen, nor his Own house NB, a number of Hogs are dayly runing in the Streets, to the great determent of the Public. James May O. P. Endorsed: Report, to the Commissioners Augt 23d 1791 bx E filed 23d Augt 91 52 Thomas Allison, lieutenant in the Fifth Regiment. He was the son of John Allison, a farmer, who resided in Forcett Park, in the north riding of Yorkshire, England. Thomas, his eldest son, was baptized, June 26, 1757. He received a commission as lieutenant in the army, July 25, 1781, and in the Fifth Regiment, Aug. 11, 1783. In February, 1798, he sold his commission and left the army to locate at Quebec, where he spent the remainder of his life. In 1795, he married Therese Casety, widow of John Casety and daughter of Jacques Duperon Baby. Lieutenant Allison died at Quebec, Nov. 15, 1822; his widow died, Aug. 6, 1847. Their only 386 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS SUPPLIES FOR THE NORTH WEST COMPANY ARTICLES of AGREEMENT, Made & Concluded upon, by & between John Askin Esqr of Detroit Merchant, on the One Part, and Daniel Sutherland55 Agent for the North West Company & in their Behalf, on the Other Part Witnesseth. daughter, Susanne, married, Sept. 25, 1811, Phillipe Aubert de Gaspe, author of Anciens Canadiens. Information adapted from the British army list for 1790 and Casgrain, op. cit., 116-17. 53 Probably this name should be spelled Cote. The Detroit Cotes were descendants of Jean Cote, who on Nov. 17, 1635, married Ann Martin at Quebec. Louis Cote, a great-grandson of this couple, born at L'Ange Gardien, Nov. 8, 1734, came to Detroit some time prior to 1762. He was a carpenter, and while traveling along the road engaged on his business, was fatally wounded by the falling branch of an overhanging tree. He was buried in Ste. Anne's Church, Oct. 31, 1762. We have seen no record of his having had a family. Prisque Cote, the elder brother of Louis, born Nov. 8, 1730, removed to Detroit in the summer of 1771. He had married at St. Constant, on Feb. 4 of that year, Magdelene Lefebvre, daughter of Claude Joseph Lefebvre and Rosalie Pinsonneau. Prisque Cote was also a carpenter. He lived on St. Joseph Street, and was buried, Oct. 9, 1803. He was the father of four children, born between the years 1772 and 1779. Apparently he was the Detroit citizen here complained of. An uncle of Prisque Cote was Charles Cote, born in 1704, who lived and died in Lower Canada. His son, Joseph, however, born at Lorette, July 16, 1744, came to Detroit and on Feb. 4, 1782, married at Sandwich, Magdelene Martin dit St. Jean, widow of Jean Baptiste Bertrand and daughter of Jean Martin dit St. Jean and Teresa Henault dit Canada. Joseph Cote was buried at Sandwich, March 11, 1803. He was the father of two children, Joseph and Pierre, from whom numerous descendants have sprung. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 54 Probably Charles Francis Girardin, who kept a bakery in Detroit in this period. He was a descendant of Joachim Girard, a native of Evreux, France, who married at Quebec, Sept. 27, 1660, Mary Halay, daughter of Jean Baptiste Halay and Mathurine Vallet. Their son Anthony, born at Quebec, Feb. 2, 1664, was the grandfather of Charles Francis, here noted. The latter was born at Pointe aux Trembles, Quebec, Aug. 22, 1739. He married Mary Louisa Lecerf dit Lachasse, a native of Montreal. She died before 1785 and Charles Francis married (second) at Detroit, on Sept. 14, 1785, Mary Louisa Leclerc, widow of Louis Dumouchel. He was one of the first associate justices of the Court of Common Pleas at Detroit, and a member of the first board of trustees of the town, serving in the latter office until 1803. Information adapted from Proc. of the Land Board of Detroit, 193, and Denissen, op. cit. 55 Daniel Sutherland was a merchant of Montreal engaged in the Northwest trade. He was a native of Scotland, where he married Margaret Robertson, Sept. 1, 1781, and soon thereafter came out to Montreal. Probably he is the person described by Captain Daniel Robertson of Mackinac in 1783 as "a young beginner in Trade." Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 392. For several years he was senior partner in the firm of Sutherland and Grant. As early as 1785, however, he was engaged also in trading enterprises with Donald McKay. On the reorganization of the North West Company in 1790, Sutherland became a partner, being allotted one share of the twenty into which the enterprise was divided. In 1793, Sutherland and McKay were encountered by a party of Hudson's Bay Company traders on the Winnipeg River. See Mich. Pio. Coils., passim and Davidson, The North West Company, 25, 62, 70. In 1800 Sutherland and three associates established the Montreal water-works, but the venture 387 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS That the Said John Askin binds & Obliges himself to furnish & deliver to the Order of the Said North West Company, on board any Vessell laying before the Fort of Detroit, Yearly, for three Successive Years, to Commence in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety Three; Six Hundred Bushels of Merchantable Hulled Indian Corn, and Twelve Thousand Pounds french Weight of Flour, also good & Merchantable; the One Half of each of said quantities to be ready by the first day of May, the other Half by the Twentieth day of June of Each of Said Three Years, and delivered on Board free of Expence to the Company, They furnishing him with the Bags necessary to Contain the Same. In Consideration of the Delivery of Said Corn & Flour at the different Periods above mention'd the Said Daniel Sutherland for the North West Company bind & oblige themselves to pay unto the Said John Askin or his Order, the Neat Sum of Twelve Shillings New York Currency for each Bushel of Corn french Measure, and Thirty Five Shillings said Currency P Cwt french or 108W English Weight of Flour so delivered: Payable in Montreal, the Tenth day of October in Each Year of Said Delivery as aforesaid. And for the True & faithfull Performance of all the foregoing Articles, Each party bind themselves in the Penal sum of Four Hundred pounds New York Currency, to be paid by the Party failing, to the Party performing or Willing to perform the Same. IN WITNESS whereof We have hereunto Set our Hands & Seals at Detroit this Sixth day of September, One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety One. failed to pay financially and in 1815 was sold at a heavy loss. A year or two later Sutherland obtained the lucrative office of deputy postmaster general of British North America, which he continued to hold until 1827. During much of this period he was also active in the affairs of the Bank of Montreal and cashier of its Quebec branch, to which city he had removed on receiving his appointment as deputy postmaster general. He was still living in Quebec in 1831, when the golden anniversary of his wedding was celebrated. See Canadian Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal, Third Series, III, 173-80. 388 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS D Sutherland Agent for NW Co (L.S.) John Askin (L.S.) In Presence of Jas McDonnell It is hereby agreed by the Subscribing Parties to augment the Annual Quantity of Corn from Six Hundred to One Thousand Bushels at the Same Rate as above Specified, for the remaining Two Years of this Agreement, but that the Augmentation say Four Hundred Bushels, Mr. Askin shall not be obliged to Deliver untill the Month of July of each Said Two Years vist One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety four & One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety five. Detroit 17 August 1793 D Sutherland for NWest CompY John Askin 200 more Bushells have been agreed for as will Appear by Letters so that the whole Quantity is 1200 Bushels Each year. NOTICE OF CONDEMNATION OF CHIMNEYS56 To the Occupiers of those Houses whose Chimnies on the late survey have been found dangerously bad Gentlemen You will readily perceive from the inclosed report, that your Chim[neys were] regularly examined according to the regulations of [the] Police, and that many of them are reported dangerous and insufficient. it 'is therefore inconsistent with the public safety that they be used in their present state of repair, for which reason, we hereby condemn them as dangerous and unfit for use until properly repaired or rebuilt, & even then, for reasons obvious to every one, it will be necessary that they be licensed by the same authority that condemned them. For the preservation of your own & other people's property, it is to be 56 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 389 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS hoped, that most scrupulous attention will be paid to this [illegible] We are Gentlemen Your humble Servants Wm Macomb John Askin J. P. George Meldrum Alexr Grant Geo. Leith Detroit 19th Sept 1791 Geo. Sharp NOTICE TO REPAIR CHIMNEYS To the Occupiers of those houses in the town of Detroit whose Chimnies according to the late Survey stand in need of repair Gentlemen You will see by the inclosed report that the Chimnies of your respective houses have been examined in unformity to the regulations of the Police, and that many, tho' not dangerously bad, are yet in want of repair. You will therefore please order that the repairs necessary to render them sound and sufficient be accomplished betwixt [now] & 10th Octbr next, otherwise you will be liable to the penalties annexed to the regulations in that behalf made. We are Gentlemen Your humble Servants John Askin J. P. George Meldrum Alex Grant Geo. Leith Geo. Sharp Wm Macomb Detroit 19th Septr 1791 REPORT ON DEFECTIVE CHIMNEYS REPORT; of the CHIMNEYS, in the TOWN of DETROIT, agreeable to: the SURVEY made September 14th 1791. by PEROT, WHEATON, FRARO and COCILLYARD;57 by Profession Masons, and Carpenters. 57 On the Detroit Coquillards see ante, 62. The trade of masonry seems to have run in the family, the immediate progenitor in France of the American line of Coquil390 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Inhabitants Names Proprietors N~ 1. REMARKS Tennents 2-. EMAK Black Diana......N~ Mr" Bourbank.... Joseph Edge......... 2 2 2 Couteaur,58 the Cooper, 2 Jacque Pelquey....... 1 Thomas Smith.... 1 I Kitchen Fire place wants repairs. Chimney in a dangerous condition Ditto Condemn'd as being unfit for use. Ditto wants, repairs. Kitchen, Fire place, wants repairs. Kitchen chimney; very dangerous; unfit for use. Ditto. wants repairs, one harth in the upper Room, in a very dangerous condition. Chimney, wants repairs. Ditto. Condemn'd. Ditto. Condemn'd. Kitchen Chimney very bad, the pipe of the Stove only 112 Inches from the wood work. Doctor Holmes.... 2 Provencel,59 Blksmith. John Whitehead...... John Welch.......... Wm Scott............ 1 2 1 1 lard having been a mason over a century and a half before. The particular member of the family who joined in making this report has not been identified. 58 Probably Jean Baptiste Couture, who was born at Beaumont, Nov. 18, 1735 and married at Detroit, Oct. 25, 1762, Catherine Campau, daughter of Anthony Campau and Mary Angelica Peltier. The Detroit Coutures were descendants of Guillaume Couture, who married Magdelene Malet and lived in Rouen, France. Their son, Guillaume, born in 1617, migrated to Canada and there founded the American line. He was a judge of the Lauzon Coast and a faithful companion to Father Jogues, missionary to the Indians. He died in 1702. On Nov. 16, 1649, he married at Quebec, Ann Aymard, a native of the city of Niort, France. Jean Baptiste, here noted, was a grandson of this couple. He was buried April 22, 1799, at St. Antoine, River Raisin. Denissen, op. cit. 59 Pierre Bourgeat dit Provencal was descended from Francis Bourgeat, who married Mary Clemence and resided in Toulon in Provence. Their son, Pierre Paul, born in Toulon in 1701, married at Montreal, Dec. 1, 1730, Jane Fourneau dit Brindamour, daughter of Jean Fourneau dit Brindamour and Elizabeth Price. Elizabeth Price was a native of Northampton, Mass., whose husband had been killed in the Deerfield massacre of February 29, 1704, and she herself carried captive to Canada, where she later married Fourneau. See C. Alice Barker, True Stories of New England Captives... (Cambridge, 1897), 206-207. The son of Pierre Paul Bourgeat dit Provencal and Jane Fourneau dit Brindamour was the Pierre Bourgeat dit Provencal here noted. He married at Detroit, Sept. 10, 1780, Catherine Valle dit Versailles, widow of Jean Baptiste Peltier. They had eight children, born in the years 1781-95. 391 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS John Cornwell........ Mathew Dolsen..... Francois Roucour..... Augustin Lafoy..... Lieut Hill............ William Hands....... Walter Roe, Esqr.. Geo Leith, Esqr...... Robert Gowie........ 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 Geo Sharp, Esq'.. James Allen...... Revd Mr Fritchet. Chimney in bad order, Mason work done with Clay. Condemnd Kitchen Chimney, wants repairs Ditto ditto d~ Ditto ditto ditto Ditto ditto in a dangerous condition. The Top of his chimney, in bad Order. Kitchen, Fire place, wants repair. Ditto ditto d~ d~ Fire place, in the room very dangerous, Kitchen Fire place wants repair. Ditto ditto d~ Ditto in a very dangerous condition Brick Chimney in Kitchen, Condem'nd Bake House chimney, wants repair. Kitchen chimney d~ d~ Ditto d~ d~ d~ Kitchen Fire place wants repairs. Ditto d~ d~ d~ Ditto ditto d~ d~ Ditto ditto d~ d~ Ditto ditto d~ d~ Chimney Condemn'd. Kitchen Chimney, wants repairs. The harth, in the upper room fronting the Street in a dangerous, condition. -Carsen, Soldier..... 2 Jacque Baby......... Geo MacDougall... Mr" Baby............ William Forsyth...... Thomas Reynolds.... M rs Ford............ Lieut. R. Lewen...... John Askin Esq.... Fife Major........... William Park Esqr.... John Martin......... The husband was buried at Detroit, Oct. 7, 1796. The nickname "Provencal" was applied to the family by reason of its origin in Provence. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 392 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Three Houses Opposite Doctor Holmes, Occupied by Soldiers, the Chimneys, all in bad Condition We, the Subscribers, having duly Inspected, the Chimneys, in the Town, of Detroit, have found and do declare, the before mentioned Chimneys to be Exceptionable, as herein stated. Detroit September 15th 1791 Louis perault60 Fransois fr6rot alexis Perait Jn~ Wheaton James May, OP We acknowledge to have seen the aforementioned list respecting the repairs of our Chimnies, and also the circular letter from the Magistrate concerning them. Jacob-young Coture the Cooper Matthew Dolsen Francs. Rocoure Jaque Pelque Provincel Blacksmith James Allan Geo. Leith & C~ Geo. Sharp Detroit 20th Septr 1791 6o Louis Perau was a descendant of Jacques Perau dit Vildaigre, who was born in France in 1629 and married at Quebec, Aug. 31, 1654, Michelle Le Flot, daughter of Anthony Le Flot and Margaret Lamere. He was buried at Quebec, Jan. 17, 1703; Michelle was buried at Montreal, Oct. 24, 1710. The Louis Perau here noted may have been either the great-grandson or the great-great-grandson of Jacques Perau and Michelle, his wife. The great-great-grandson, born at Montreal, married at Detroit on June 3, 1799, Mary Ann Crequi. They had several children. Denissen, op. cit. 393 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS by order A[u]gustine Lafoy ditto William Hands ditto George MoDugall by order William Forsith For Willm Park Geo. Meldrum John Askin This Paper was sent to Lt Smyth by the Magistrate W. Roe Endorsed: Report to the Commissioners of the bad state of sundry Chimneys in the Town of Detroit September 15th 1791 REPORT ON SWEEPING OF CHIMNEYS61 Report to the Commissioners of such of the Inhabitants of the town of Detroit, who have refused, to let their Chimneys be swept, as also of such as have refused to pay for them after having been swept. Detroit September 27th 1791 I - II `, Names of Inhabitants Remarks - I Walter Roe Esqr Q. M. Green62 5th Reg. John Sparkman Mr Fritchet Had one Chimney swept and refused to pay for it ditto two ditto d~ and refused to pay ditto d~ d~ d~ refused to pay Refused to admit the sweepers in his House Mr Montigny ditto ditto ditto ditto Mr Fraser ditto ditto ditto ditto Mr Baby ditto ditto ditto ditto 6i From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 62 Daniel Green was commissioned quartermaster, of the Fifth Regiment on Aug. 30, 1781. He became a lieutenant, March 19,1796, and on Dec. 25, 1802, was commissioned in the First Royal Garrison Regiment. See British army lists. 394 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Mr Dodemead Mr Abbott ditto ditto [torn] saying he own Chimney [torn] ditto c ditto ditto d ditto ditto dit ditto ditto would sweep his Nighton Soldier Carsen Soldier Mr Me Donell Thou Ma Crea A. St Cosme Thebeau A Lafoy Mr Voyez M. Dolson Cotie J. Nonety Lafleaur Girardin[?] Thos Cox Provencel St. Jean James Donelson [3 names illeg.] 1~ to to d~ d~ d~ d~ d~ d~ All refused to let the Chimney sweepers sweep their Chimneys, saying they would sweep them themselves. James May OP Endorsed: Report to the Commissioners of the Inhabitants Names who have refused to have their Chimneys sweep'd agreeable to the Regulations of the Police Detroit Septr 27th 1791 TAVERN LICENSE OF MATTHEW DOLSEN Pro. Up Canada West. District f BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the third day of December in the thirty third year of the reign of our Lord George the Third of Great Britain France and Ireland king Defender of the Faith &soforth, Mathew Dalson of Detroit Publican personally appeared before us John Askin & George Sharpe Esqr" Justices of our said Lord the king assigned to keep the peace in the said District, and acknowledged himself to owe to our said Lord the king the sum of Ten Pounds of Lawful 395 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS money of Great Britain To be made and levied of his Goods and Chattels, to the us6 of our said Lord the King his heirs and successors if he the said Mathew fail in the conditions under written. Acknowledged before us. John Askin J. P. W. D Geo. Sharp J. P. W. D THE CONDITION of the above written bond or Recognizance is such, that whereas the above bounden Mathew is desirous to obtain a Licence for keeping a house of Entertainment in Detroit aforesaid for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety two; Now if he the said Mathew shall during the time such Licence shall be granted do his utmost to keep the kings peace and an orderly house nor shall sell any spirituous Liquors after the termination thereof without a new License first had and obtained; nor shall during such Licence vend any strong liquors during divine service on Sundays or Holidays except for the use of the sick or travellers, then the said Bond to be void, or else to remain in full force & virtue. Endorsed: Mat. Dalson to The King Recognizance ~10.[?] 396 SECTION VIII LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1792 0~' COMPLAINT AGAINST INDIAN SLAVE A John Askin Ecuyer, un des Juge de paix de Sa Majest6 pour le District de Hesse. Le plintif Michel houde demeurant dans la C6te du Nord'est de la paroisse de Ste Anne disant qui lui a Et6 vol6 plusieurs articles che'lui, et qu'un Sauvage l'a averti, qu'un panis Nomm6 francois, appartenant ci devant A hipolite Campaux, avoit les articles qui lui manques, deux Couvertes deux chemises, et d'autre Butin, apres quoit le dit Michel houde a Et6 dans une Loge Sauvage derri6re che' Bte Meloche, ou il Etoit, et a reConnu, une parti du dit Butin, En pr6sence de charles l'Esp6rance, et qu'il N'a os6 le prandre Crainte, que le dit panis, Ne Serait En d6fances, Comme il Etoit arm6 d'un Couteau; C'est ce qui oblige le dit plintif de demander Justice. Detroit le 3e Janvier 1792 Sa pr6sence de Michel X houde F. Dx Bellcour marque Personnalment a Comparu devant moi John Askin Ecuyer un des Juges & Paix pour Sa Majest6 dans Le Distric de Hesse Micheal Houde quifait Serment que ce qu'ilarepresent6 per sa requete L'autre Cot6 est Juste et Veritable Au Detroit Le 3 de Janvier 1792. John Askin Sa J. P. D. H. Micheal X Houde marque Endorsed: Au Detroit Le 3 Janvier 1792 Information et Plainte de Micheal Houde Contre un Panis Nomm6 Francois de lui avoir vol6 Arrang6 Translation To John Askin, Esquire, one of His Majesty's justices of the peace for the District of Hesse. 399 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Came the plaintiff, Michael Houde,' a resident of the North-East Coast of Ste. Anne's parish, saying that his house was robbed of several articles, and that an Indian told him that a panis named FranCois formerly belonging to Hypolyte Campau,2 had the said articles, namely, two bed covers, two shirts, and some other things. On hearing this, the said Michael Houde went to the Indian's hut in the rear of the house of Baptiste Meloche3 and there identified some of the said goods in the presence of Charles Lesperance,4 but that he did not dare take them as he had no weapons and the panis was armed with a knife. Therefore the said plaintiff demands redress according to law. I Nbel Houde and Ann Lefebvre lived in the parish of Manou, in Perche, France. Their son, Louis Houde, born in 1617, came to Canada and married at Quebec on Jan. 12, 1655, Magdelene Boucher, a native of that place. Their great-grandson, Michael Houde, married at Lotbiniere, Sept. 9, 1765, Mary Magdelene Le May, daughter of Francis Le May dit Poudrier and Mary Louisa Perreault. They came to Detroit, where Michael was buried, Aug. 20, 1793. He had a son, Michael, who married on Feb. 4, 1788, Mary Meny, widow of Jean Baptiste Billiau dit Lesp6rance. Michael died before 1804. We have been unable to determine whether the father or the son was the complainant here noted. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 2 Hypolyte Campau was the son of Jean Baptiste Campau and Catherine Perthuis, and the grandson of Jacques Campau and Cecilia Catin. He was born at Detroit, May 13, 1741, and married here on April 11, 1768, Mary Ann Louisa Pepin dit Descardonetts, widow of Pierre Boyer. Hypolyte's name appears in the census rolls of Detroit of 1779 and 1782. Denissen, op. cit. 3 The Detroit Mcloches were descended from Francis Meloche, who married Mary Blouin and lived in the city of Cogne, France. Their son, Francis, born in Cogne, married at Montreal, Oct. 25, 1700, Mary Mouflet, a native of Lachine. They had two sons, Pierre, born Sept. 1, 1701, and Anthony, born in 1725. Pierre married at Lachine, Aug. 16, 1724, Jane Caron, daughter of Vital Caron and Mary Perthuis. The young couple came to Detroit shortly after their marriage and settled on a farm east of the fort now known as Private Claim 7. Jean Baptiste Meloche, a son of Pierre and Jane Caron, was born here Feb. 19, 1741. On Nov. 11, 1760, he married Mary Louisa Robert, daughter of Anthony Robert and Mary Louisa Becquemont. Jean Baptiste obtained title to the farm from his father, and here he spent his entire life. He operated a gristmill on Parent Creek, better known by the name of Bloody Run, where the British troops under Captain Dalzell were defeated on the night of July 31, 1763. Of this affair Mrs. Meloche in old age dictated an account which is published in Mich. Pio. Colls., VIII, 340-44. To Jean Baptiste Meloche and his wife nine children were born. He was buried Sept. 16, 1820. His wife was living as late as 1824. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Mich. Pio. Colls., VIII, 340. 4 Charles Lesp6rance was the son of Charles Moran dit Grimard and Mary Meny, the wife of Jean Baptiste Billiau dit Lesperance. The union of his parents was an adulterous one, and Charles, born, Dec. 25, 1775, assumed the name of his mother's lawful husband, Billiau dit Lesp6rance. He married at Sandwich, Feb. 24, 1800, Mary Pitre, daughter of Jean Baptiste Pitre and Mary Frances St. Cosme. They left nine children. Denissen, op. cit. 400 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Detroit, January 3, 1792. his F. Dx Bellecour5 witness Michael X Houde mark Before me, John Askin Esquire, one of His Majesty's justices of the peace for the District of Hesse, personally appeared Michael Houde who certifies on oath that his complaint for redress as set forth on the other side is true and just. his John Askin J. P. D. H. Michael X Houde, mark Endorsed: Detroit, January 3, 1792. Information and complaint of Michael Houde against a panis named Francois of having stolen from him. Arranged. COMPLAINT AGAINST SAMUEL WESTON Edward Buttler of the New Settlement says that he made an Agreemt with Samuel Weston of said Place About the begining of the year 1791 that he Buttler was to Crop for sd year with sd Weston on shares thats' to say too have half the Produce of the Land Cleared by sd Buttler & a third of that Cleared before he Joined sd Weston. That in July he thinks Messrs Meldrom & Park had a boat cast away at the New Settlement on her return from StDuskey they men of which got on the Island called the Westerward Sisters. That sd Samuel Weston stole things out of sd Boat which was discovered by a man named Hale & that a man named John 5 Francis Xavier Trotier dit Bellecour was born at Batiscan, Feb. 5, 1743. He was descended from Antoine Trotier, Sieur Des Ruisseaux, who was born in the city of Ige, France, and coming to Canada, married at Three Rivers, Sept. 2, 1663, Catherine Lefebvre, daughter of Pierre Lefebvre and Jane Aunois. Francis Dx Bellecour (as he habitually signed his name) came to Detroit, where he had numerous family connections, about the year 1770. A few years later he located at the pinery at the mouth of Pine River (modern St. Clair, Mich.), where he traded with the Indians, and where prior to the year 1780 he was in charge of the interests of Governor Patrick Sinclair. In 1792 he was again living at Detroit, where he held the office of notary. Before coming to Detroit he had married at Quebec, June 18, 1764, Mary Magdelene de Lusignan, a native of that place. They had two children, a son, born at Detroit in 1771, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Mary Magdelene Bellecour, born at the mouth of Pine River, March 18, 1774. She.was twice married, her first husband being Francis Xavier Moreau dit Duplessy and her second, Louis Theophile Barthe, son of Charles Andrew Barthe and Mary Therese Campau. Denissen, op. cit. 401 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS McLeane6 Advised & asisted sd Weston to make his Escape to the Colonies & since took Possession of his Lands & Even did not divide the Crop with sd Buttler as was agreed on between him & Weston Detroit JanY the 14th 1792. Endorsed: Detroit JanY 14th 1792 Complaint of Edward Buttler Agnst Jn~ McLeane relative to Westons going Away. INDEBTEDNESS OF JOHN ASKIN Montreal 24 January 1792 Dear Sir The House has wrote you this day handing accts Current from which it appears that the Balance will be on the 10th of April next ~20217 exclusive of any Rum you may have taken to account. Sensible that the Interest of so large a Balance must for ever keep you back & whatever the sum may be which you shall finaly fall short being to revert against the late firm of Todd & McGill I wish much to put matters on such footing after the 10th of April as may give you a fair chance of unburthening yourself, more especialy as our present House is to be somewhat altered by the introduction of my Brother Andrew7 as a Partner; and as the House are to benefit by the transactions they are to have with you it is but just they should run the risk of any eventual loss or disappointment, without the guarantee of Todd & McGill as has hitherto been the Case. In order to Effect these purposes I propose that you shall pay off so much of your account next Season as will leave the balance ~15000 net and this Sum I shall withdraw from the Books of the present concern altogether giving you five years without Interest reserving only to go towards payment of it annualy so much as you may remitt more 6 John McLean was a loyalist, who received a grant of land on the north side of Lake Erie below Amherstburg in 1787. See Essex Hist. Soc., Papers and Addresses, III, 72 7 Andrew McGill, younger brother of James, was actively engaged in the Northwest trade. Prior to this reorganization he had been operating in partnership with John McGill. He died, August 1, 1805, aged forty-nine years. See Can. Archives Report, 1889, xvii. 402 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS than your future account may come to with our new House. And as it may be necessary to obtain the assistance of a Friend to make up the ~5217 the Season ensuing, I am willing that such Friend shall have a claim on your fixed property for so much as he may lend you equal to us, I do not mean in proportion to our respective Sums but that if ~500 or ~1000 is lent you, that we shall draw for no more when the fixed property is realized than the Person who may have lent you that or any other Sum sufficient to bring the present balance to ~15000. As this appears to me as liberal as can be expected and that I think there will be no great risk to the Friend who may assist you I should hope you will find no great difficulty in entering into & making good such an agreement as certainly you ought not to want more than ~1000 and probably less if your Trade proves any thing tolerable. It does not yet appear that the Seat of your new Government is fixed nor do I think it will be done untill Governor Simcoe8 has visited the different Settlements but I confess to you that I do not expect he will make choice of Detroit, nor would I advise your building any hopes on such foundation; he says Mr Robertson who is of the Executive Council will be out in the Spring but Mr Robertson himself does not say any thing of it to us. I most sincerley wish & hope our Government may be able to mediate between the Indians & Americans, if the later are disposed for Peace they must relinquish the idea of getting the Posts and this I am afraid they will not do; 8 John Graves Simcoe was commissioned adjutant in the Thirty-fifth Regiment, March 27, 1772. He served in the American Revolution, being appointed in Oct., 1777, commander of the Queen's Rangers, which command he held until the close of the war, subsequently publishing at Exeter, in 1787, a history of its operations. In 1791 he became the first lieutenant-governor of the province of Upper Canada, and in this capacity played the leading r6le in the organization of the government of the province. As an administrator Governor Simcoe aroused lively opposition. He was zealous in upholding the interests of his country, and pursued a belligerent policy toward the United States which, according to one authority, was responsible for his recall from the governorship. He returned to England in 1794, served from 1794 to 1797 as commandant of St. Domingo, and in 1806 was appointed commander-in-chief of India, but died before entering upon this station. See Ontario Bureau of Archives Thirteenth Report, 172, and references there cited. 403 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS........................................ be that as it may a representation signed by our House & by Frobishers & Forsyths was delivered Governor Simcoe & sent to Mr Hammond,9 Minister at Congress from Great Britain pointing out some incongruities in the Treaty of Peace which if properly used at this juncture may have some Effect towards obtaining anew line. I beg my sincerest respects to Mrs Askin & your family in which I am joined by Mrs McGill & believe me ever Dear Askin Your affectionate Friend James McGill Endorsed: Montreal JanY 24th 1792 Mr James M~Gill to Jn~ Askin recvd & Answd the 22d April 1792 [At bottom of first page] John Askin Esqr Recd March 18th Private FROM DAVID MEREDITH TO JOHN ASKIN Woolwich March 20h 1792 My dear Sir, Mrs Meredith intending writing fully to Yourself, and her Mother; I can have little to say only the pleasure of acknowledging Your letter which enclosed a Bill from Mr Fraser, the which I thank you having noticed; but as the House of Leith and Shepherd furnished me my Wine and regulary charged me with it, I could not conceive there was any account left; nor can I possibly recollect; assisted with my Servants Memory, the having at any time had more than One Gallon of Mr Fraser's Wine, the which is accounted for in my Expence Book, paid to Leith & Shepherd in their own Statement: it appears odd therefore 9 George Hammond was born in 1763 and at the age of twenty, while still an undergraduate at college, entered the diplomatic service in the capacity of secretary to David Hartley, who was representing the British government in the peace negotiations at Paris with France and the American colonies. Hammond was sent to Philadelphia in 1791 as the first minister from Great Britain to the United States. He remained here until 1795, and although his service was marked by much dissension, he retained the confidence of his superiors and returned to England to assume the office of under secretary for foreign affairs. Until his retirement from public life in 1828 he continued to play a prominent r6le in British diplomacy and politics. While in America he married, in 1793, Margaret Allen of Philadelphia. He died in London, April 23, 1853. Much of his correspondence while minister to the United States is printed in Amer. State Papers, Foreign Affairs. See Dict. of Nat. Biog. 404 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS that any debt should start up after my leaving the place, when I was so minute, and accurate in the discharge of all ere I left Detroit; I nevertheless thank You and shall thro' Mr Robinson reimburse the Sum. We are here so buisied in Military concerns preparing for a Grand Artillery Review which takes place in July before the King, Duchess of York, &c that I have scrace [scarce] time to sit down during the Day-and am too tired at Night to begin writing, however I would not allow the Vessells to Sail for Quebec without scrawling you a few lines. We have begun An entire New System of Discipline, Suggested to the British army by Col. Dundaslo which is approved of by His Majesty to be carried into Effect. We are to have the honor of shewing it first to the King with all its Thunder of Artillery, and a most tremendous conflict is to take place. As I knew you are fond of les concerns Militaires, At a future period you shall have a detail of the whole Proceedings, All our old Bucks from the Top to the bottom are now under Strict Drill Three times a day, and Many Wry faces are made at the obligation of undergoing the Discipline comme un Jeune Recruit; Our Uniform is to undergo Some alteration the Collar is to be a perfect Dress one, So high as to touch the Ears, Our Regimental Hat to be the Prussian one in Compliment to the Duchess of York —viz a Round one with high Crown, Rich Gold Band and Plume of Red Feathers-the Sword Knot a very Rich one —in Short we are to be turned quite Topsy turvy, I wish His Grace would not be so fickle, as such alterations are attended with heavy Expences, therefore by no means Acceptable, My dear Archange will tell you that our little Anne is growing a fine Child, She now takes great Notice. You will have heard the Death of the Emperour of Germany who is Suspected to have been poisoned by some National Io General Sir David Dundas, born 1735, died 1820. He entered the army at the age of fifteen years and on March 18, 1809, succeeded the Duke of York as commander-inchief. His system of drill, modeled after the Prussian system and published in 1792, was quickly adopted for the entire army. Prior to this time there had been no uniformity in the British army and no two regiments moved in unison. See Dict. of Nat. Biog. 405 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS of France, everthing in that Unhappy Country is in the utmost Confusion, and the Emigrants under Conduct of the ExPrinces are gaining ground daily-their Army is become numerous and it is Supposed will enter France in about Two Months. The Empress of Prussia and King of Sweden have declared their intentions of giving Strong Support of Troops and Money to the Prince'ss Cause. England remains a peacefull Spectator, replete with Comfort overflowing with the Commerce of the World, And Rich most infernally rich, for independant of Newspaper puffing, the sage politicians declare and pronounce, that the Publick Credit of this Country was never at such a height. Our Worthy Minister has repealed certain Taxes, Viz-that respecting Female Servants. Also a part of the Window lights and the additional Tax upon Candles-and has it in contemplation to bring others before the House for reductionShewing at one View that the flourishing State of Publick finance will at present admit of such ease to the Burthens of the People. I heard some little time Since from Capt Mercer he is gone to join his Regmt now stationed in Ireland Am told that after the Review we the 1St Batt" are to be broke up into Detachment[s]. but to what Part our destination is to lead us. there is at present no Saying. Our Gracious Dukell is not very communicative nor are his Orders long known ere he expects them executed, therefore with Such a Man it is best to be always ready for the Move, when the Battalion dashes off again, Abroad, We will have the pleasure to see you in Canada, for I assurdly give it the preference, but I hope to have done with [torn] Fag of a Subaltern line ere that Period. [torn] [l]adder of Seniority is so long to creep ii Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and second son of George III and Queen Charlotte, born Aug. 16, 1763, died Jan. 5, 1827. He was destined for the army from his earliest years, and from April 3, 1798, to Jan. 27, 1809, served as commander-inchief. His military talents were quite ordinary, but the influence he wielded for the reformation of abuses in the military establishment was of great value to the nation. He married on Sept. 29, 1791, Princess Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherine, eldest daughter of Frederick William II of Prussia. They soon separated, and she lived thereafter in re tirement until her death, Aug. 6, 1820. See Dict. of Nat. Biog. 406 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS up [torn] it takes much time to ascend the Su [torn] When I write again shall have more time and I hope More Interesting Subject to Comment upon but this continual drilling and Exercise drives for the present all other Matters out of my head. I shall only further request my Esteem to M" Askin & Family-with Remembrance to the Commodore Mr" Grant &c &, and likewise to Friends in General. I have wrote Mr D Smith12 by this opportunity. be assurd that I am at all times and in every Situation My dear Sir, Your very Obd H Servant with affection D Merideth Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit To the care of Mess Todd & McGill Merchants Montreal Upper Canada Endorsed: Woolwich March 20th Lt Meradith to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 7th July & answd Early in the same fall I cant recollect the month FROM WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO JOHN ASKIN London 26th March 1792 Dear Sir, Your letter of 6th of October is now before me, iz David William Smith was born Sept. 4, 1764. His father, John Smith, was major and (subsequently) lieutenant colonel of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, and the son grew up in the regiment. On Sept. 5, 1780, he was commissioned ensign, and subsequently attained the rank of captain. From 1790 to 1792 Major Smith was commandant of Detroit, and from the latter date until his death in 1795 he commanded Fort Niagara. The son was with his regiment at both stations. While still holding his commission he was appointed surveyor general of the province of Upper Canada, was elected to the provincial parliament, and held, in succession, a number of offices, including that of speaker of the House. Beginning in 1799 he alternated between Canada and England, finally remaining permanently in the mother country. He died there, May 9, 1837. In his later years he served as manager of the estates of the Duke of Northumberland; probably through the Duke's influence, he was knighted in 1821. He seems to have been a man of fair ability, with much capacity for cultivating powerful friendships. In 1799 he published at London a Short Topographical Description of His Majesty's Province of Upper Canada. At a later time he prepared a caustic criticism of The Travels in Canada of the Duc La Rochefoucault-Liancourt, which with editorial annotation was published at Toronto in 1917 as the Thirteenth Report of the Ontario Bureau of Archives. A collection of his personal manuscripts is preserved in the Toronto Reference Library. See Ontario Bureau of Archives, Thirteenth Report, 5-6, and Simcoe Papers, I, 195. On Smith's election to Parliament from the Detroit district in 1792, see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, V, 17-31. 407 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS and as the spring vessels are going in two or three days, I take the opportunity of replying. We have long ago been made acquainted with the complete defeat, & as it would seem, dreadful slaughter of the American armyl3 (of whom you spoke) by way of New York-and since by way of Canada. For the sake of our interest, but still more for that of humanity, it is to be earnestly wished that this barbarous & destructive war might have an end. Something will probably be done, but what, conjecture has not yet even rumoured. It is said the Americans will insist upon the posts as the means of enabling them to chastise with effect the Indians; while on the other hand, there appears no disposition here to comply with such a requisition-at the same time a new line has been suggested for a frontier between the Indians & Americans-it is to run from lake Ontario up the Genesea river to its source-thence into the obscure stream from whence the Alleghenny takes its rise, & following the windings of that river till it joins, or more properly acquires the name of the Ohio, is then to follow the course of that noble stream to the Mississippi: this you will perceive to be the old boundary line of Canada14 somewhat enlarged. Mr Todd & I have had some conversation with Mr Dundas's secretary on this subject, but what will be done, men in office you know are too cautious to say. We were also been with Mr Pitt, together with some other Canada gentlemen, on the subject of making Montreal a port; which probably will be done, in order'more effectually to faciliatate the communication between the two provinces-the interests of which (particularly the Upper) seem to engross a good deal of ministers care, at last. From what has been done in establishing a free government for Upper Canada, from the character & interest of our respectable governour, as well as from the executive servants of government now going out, who are all, as far as my knowledge extends, men of character, & most of them independent of their appointments-I cannot 13 The allusion is to the defeat of General St. Clair's army, Nov. 4, 1791. 14 That is, the boundary line of French Canada, as distinguished from Louisiana prior to the British conquest of that country in the Seven Years' War. 408 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS help congratulating the country, & anticipating its prosperity under such a government, & in the hands of such men. The magazines &c you mention will be sent with some for my brother: to them I shall refer you for news, only observing that the death of the Emperour of Germany, which was sudden, has had an effect favourable to the affairs of France, which are still however much deranged. I have often opportunities of seeing Mrs Meredith-she has a fine little daughter, & they seem very happy: she is a great favourite at Woolwich-that indeed she always was, & will be, wherever she is known. I am much concerned to hear that Miss Theresa's health was not re-established in consequence of her journey-I hope the winter may have produced a change. I bought you a Lottery ticket, which four days after came up a blank, as did one I was concerned in. The Bark, Knives &c are put up with our goods as my brother will shew you when he gets his invoice. I shall request leave to decline entering upon the discussion of that part of your letter respecting boats &c having [illegible] my brother: I am always ready to settle my own affairs [but] to keep other people regular, or to account for their mistakes, is a task that I cannot think ought to be expected from me. As to furs, business, &c you will no doubt hear from Mr Todd. It is not improbable but I may see you in Canada before the winter-at the same time I am not yet determined as to that object myself. In the meantime I beg leave to offer my most respectful compliments to M'r Askin & your family, to Comr Grant & his, & to all enquiring friends-with assurances of regard, I am, Dear Sir, Your very Hble Sert William Robertson N. B. Your Lottery Ticket inclosed J. Askin Esqr [Written along center fold]: Capt. Mercer & family are gone to Ireland [Written (inverted) across upper end]: N.B. I have not sent you an office seal, because I do not know well what you 409 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS meant-was it in your official capacity of Justice of Peace you meant, or for your counting house? Addressed: Per the Indian Trader Ship To John Askin, Esqr Merchant, Detroit. Care of Messrs Todd, McGill & C~ Montreal Endorsed: London March 26h 1792 Mr Wm Robertson to Jn~ Askin Recd the 7th July & Answd the 28th Augt SALE OF JOSEPH COTTON I do hereby Acknowlage to have received of Mr John Askin the Sum of Fifty Pounds New York [Currency] as a full Consideration for all my right title & Interest to a negro man Named Joseph Cotton5l now in Prison for Felony as also to a Note of hand due by Pierre Chenel6 & his Brothers payable some years hence for the Sum of one hundred Pounds New York Cur. being all the remainder due me on the House farms &ca he now Possesses, which Negro man 15 Cotton (Cuttan, Cutan) was tried at Sandwich, Sept. 7, 1792, convicted of burglary, and hung, this being the first legal execution in the province of Upper Canada. His offense consisted in the taking of certain articles from the shop of Joseph Campau in October, 1791. In sentencing him, Judge Powell said: "This crime [burglary] is so much more atrocious and alarming to society as it is committed by night when the world is at repose and that it cannot be guarded against without the same precautions which are used against the wild beasts of the forest, who, like you, go prowling about by night for their prey. A member so hurtful to the peace of society, no good laws will permit to continue in it." See William R. Riddell, Michigan Under British Rule. Law and Law Courts, 1760-1796 (Lansing, 1926), 347 ff., for report of the trial. x6 The founder of the Chene family in America was Pierre St. Onge dit Chene, born in the city of Barbayeux, France, in 1654. He was a tailor, and migrating to Canada, he opened a shop at Longueuil. He married at Montreal, Nov. 29, 1676, Louisa Jane Bailly, a native of that city. She died prior to 1700 and he married (second) at Montreal, Oct. 9, 1700, Mary Moitie, widow of Jean Magnan. The offspring of the first union were Mary, Charles, and Pierre Chene dit Labutte, all of whom became residents of Detroit. Charles, the elder brother, born at Montreal, March 11, 1694, married at Detroit on Jan. 18, 1722, Catherine Sauvage, daughter of Jacques Sauvage and Catherine Jean dit Vien. Charles Chene obtained a grant of land on July 14, 1734, which is now known as Private Claim 16, lying between Field and Baldwin avenues. Here he lived until his death, some time prior to 1755. His widow was buried Oct. 21, 1778. Their eldest son, Pierre, was born at Detroit, Sept. 22, 1724. On May 7, 1747, he married Mary Clemence Chapoton, widow of Jacques Marsac and daughter of Jean Chapoton and Mary Magdelene Esteve. She was buried at Detroit, Nov. 20, 1753; Pierre was buried at Sandwich, Sept. 27, 1804. All of his four children died in childhood, two of them being burned to death in their father's house in December, 1752. The brothers here alluded to were Charles Chine dit Caoussa, born Nov. 5, 1732, and Isidore Chene, born Jan. 6, 1737. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 410 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS should he Suffer Death or the Aforsd Sum due by said Chene & his Brothers never be paid I am not Answerable for Detroit May the 16h 1792 Arthur McCormick Witness Robert Stevens Endorsed [in pencil]: Receipt Arthur McCormick to Jno Askin half intr in Slave in prison for Stealing no respond. if he suffers death. Detroit 1792 FROM JOHN STEVENS TO ROBERT STEVENS Nassau New providence 7th June 1792 Dr Brother, It is a circumstance upon which I have often reflected with peculiar regret, that during four years and upwards I have been in this country, we have never so much as exchanged a single sentence. It is true, your leaving home while I was very young, deprived us of every opportunity of being more intimately acquainted, yet I hope we will never lose sight of that near relation which subsists between us, nor wound by a longer reserve that sincere friendship which ought ever to accompany such a connexion, actuated by these considerations, I now take the liberty of commencing a correspondence, from a continuation of which I flatter myself to derive the greatest pleasure and advantage. I stay here with our Brother James who is connected with a Mr Forbes, and carry on the retail business chiefly in provisions under the firm of Forbes & Stevens. James has been gone this some time past to London for the benefit of his health, which he has recovered, and is expected back soon. Sandie has been in Maryland these six years past, but appears not to like his situation, he lately paid us a visit but staid only about ten days and returned to Philadelphia. I dare say you have heard from him ere this as it was him informed me of the direction by which I now write to you. I heard from my Father about six months ago when he and my only sister were both in health, the death of my Mother I suppose you are already acquainted with. 411 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I shall deffer saying any thing more untill I have the happiness of hearing from you. Your letters directed to the care of our correspondents Messrs Jeremiah Warder Parker & C~ Merchants Philadelphia will be punctually forwarded as we have constant intercourse with that place. In the mean time I remain with the greatest regard. Dr Sir Your Affectionate Brother John Stevens Addressed: Mr. Robert Stevens Care of J. Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: Recved Detroit 4th June 1793 Nassau Newprovidence 7th June 1792 from Mr John Stevens to Robt Stevens Recvd 4h June 93 Ansd 30h Septr FROM DAVID MEREDITH TO JOHN ASKIN Woolwich Guard room July 6th 92 My dear Sir, An almost instantanious offer presents itself of sending a letter to Quebec by a vessell falling Down the Thames for that place and myself being upon Guard I seize the oppertunity of scribbling to you a few lines, well convinced it will afford you pleasure to know that we continue in excellent Health. I have made my Dear Archange aquainted with the same oppertunity and I suppose she is at present very busy in writing to her good Mother, who with Yourself and Family I trust enjoy the best of health, had not mine been originally good indeed I think the fatigue for these Five Months past of constant fagging, and Drilling twice, nay sometimes three times a day; would [have] in some degree impaired it. We are now perfectly adroit in the New System of Dundas, and the Movements of Cannon with it was put into effect some Ten Days past, before the King on Sydnam Common, w[h]ere we had a grand Review in conjunction with the Guards. but Mrs Meredith has informed me she should write her Mother the appearance which such presented to her as a Spectator; for As I Commanded a Division in the Battle [I] could observe no farther than the Smoke of Cannon would at times allow me. We 412 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS were the defending party, and Commanded by the Duke of.Richmond. the Duke of York commanded the Attack and had Ten Six Pounders. His Majesty was highly pleased, and tho it rained hard very often during the affair, Yet he never quitted the Movements, but at one time dismounted and stalk'd oer the Furz bushes in his Boots, which obliged the old Lords, Dukes, Generals &c &c who attended en suite to do the Same, in order to shew a willingness to follow the Royal Example. Many wry faces were occasioned by it, which afforded much Secret Mirth to the John Bulls who persued the Manouvres. We had a very fatiguing day, of it The Duke of York had a Magnificent Tent pitched sufficiently large to contain 250 People in a circular form with Tables and benches curiously constructed going round it, on which was Spread every thing that was good. the Royal Family made but very little Havock and soon afterwards quitted the Ground under a discharge of 21 Cannon, after which the Duke of York askd us all to refresh in the Tent, and we came off well with plenty of Champagne Bergunday &c. that enabled us to March home the Quick Step. had I sufficient time would have given you the Detail of the buisness and Manouvre, upon a fuller scalee, but that not being the case, I shall say to you that the War is over in India and My Lord Cornwallis [h]as totally humbled Tippo Sa[h]ib, who sought for peace but not untill he was fairly beat. The Terms are (that he has given his two sons as hostages for the performance of) First to pay the Company Three Million Sterling for the Expences of the War, and Secondly to give up to the contending powers and the Company one half of his Extensive Dominions reserving to himself only Serrinapatam as his Capital, and the Mysore Country. the Nation are highly Satisfied with My Lord Cornwallis terms as being honorable for the East India Company. it is therefore lookd upon as a glorious peace. France [is] in a worse state than ever a few days since the Mob entered the Palace and broke open the Kings and Queens apartment to whom the[y] offerd personal insults it was with difficulty they were saved from being Massacred. in short they are in a most perilous situation. the dis413 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS afected French have endeavoured to establish a party in this Country which has been instantly quash'd by a Strong Proclamation from the King, and an Encampment of Five Thousand Men takes place the 18th of this Month on Bagshot Heath. We are all busy preparing. the Contracts are made for Sixteen days only, but t'is thought we shall be out much longer. Dissafected Clubs and improper and dangerous Phamplets were got to such a height that it was high time for the interference of Government, who had received the most pointed information of a bad tendency. What will be the Event of this Camp is not known. We March from Woolwich more than a thousand Strong with Thirty four pi[e]ces of Cannon. it is a Political matter and meant to awe the Dissafected, for Government are determined to quell every thing of Riot imm[e]diatly in its bud. A Very grand Tent is providing for the King who means to be with us each day. Should Woolwich be attackd in our absence, the Women must defend it, for there will be only them and the Invalids with Cadets. My dear little woman with our little Anne who by the bye, grows charmingly, I leave at her own Snug Maison where she will be unexposed to the distress and Miserry of a Camp, for we are told it is to be a flying one therfore shall never be certain of our situation. the Duke of Richmond Commands in Chief. Sir Wm Howe Second in Command, and Lord Harrington, (both of the line) Colonel Fox, and Col Drummond of ours, Commands Brigades Each. there is to be two Regiments of Horse. Should another occasion soon present itself I will write you fully and in such a manner as will make me certain you can read my letter, for I am sure you will have difficulty in reading this scrawl which am obliged to hurry. I shall therefore Conclude with my best respects and Esteem to Mr' Askin and Family, to the Commodore Mrs Grant &c, and believe me with great truth how sincerely I subscribe myself my dr Sir Yours ever with regard D Meredith Comt to Mr Leith & all Friends 414 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS COMPLAINT AGAINST JOHN STOCKWELL Henery Ramsey"7 Maketh Oath that on or about the 9th Inst Being at the house of Mr Daniel M~Kellop that while he was there Mr John Stockwelll8 came there and After giving Verry Abusive Language Challenged him out to Fight him after being being informd by sundry Persons then Present that he was unwell and had been for some time. Notwithstanding This the said Stockwell struck him so as to bring him to the Ground and Stamped on him with his feet. Henry Ramsey Sworn before me at Detroit this 20th of July 1792 John Askin J. P. D. H This Agreed on to be made up the Parties has submitted it to Docr Harffy & myself. The Parties Agree it should be left to Docr Harffy & Jn~ Askin, what Damages the latter should pay. Endorsed: Detroit July the 20th 1792 Henry Ramsey his Complaint on Oath Agnst John Stockwell 17 Henry Ramsey was a private in Butler's Rangers during the Revolution, and along with other disbanded troops and loyalists was given an allotment of land in New Settlement. Probably he is the "Mr. Ramsey" who, in 1793, built a bridge over the River Canard. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XII, 48. Prior to this, in 1784, Capt. Henry Bird leased a house and adjoining land in Amherstburg to Agnes Hazel and Judith Hicks, sisters. Agnes was the wife of Edward Hazel, an Indian interpreter, and Judith was to become the wife of Ramsey. In 1796 Ramsey was living in Amherstburg, where his wife died on May 14 of that year. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim, especially XXIV, 14-17 and XXV, 131. i8 John Stockwell was a loyalist who came to Detroit prior to the summer of 1780, when he served in Capt. Henry Bird's expedition against Kentucky. He subsequently received an allotment of land in New Settlement on the north side of Lake Erie. He seems to have been a man of vindictive temper. About the year 1788 he obtained from the Indians possession of Mary Moore, who had been carried into captivity from western Virginia, and subjected her to a life of brutality and drudgery. In 1794, when the settlers were being called out for service against General Wayne on the Maumee, Stockwell was a militia officer and some of his neighbors refused to serve under him. In 1814 he was reported by a British authority as "thirsting" to distinguish himself against the Americans, and eager to lead the Indians against some of his neighbors who were charged with friendliness toward the American cause. See Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; Macomb, Edgar, and Macomb ledgers (mss. in Burton Hist. Coll.); and Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, V, No. 5. 415 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS LEGISLATIVE CANDIDACY OF DAVID W. SMITH Niagara. 26. July, 92 My dear Sir! The Governors proclamations are arrived dividing the upper Country. The 18h County is called Essex, & is bounded on the East by the Carrying place from point au pins, to the River la tranche'9-bounded on the South by Lake Erie, & on the west by the River Detroit to Maisonvilles Mill; from thence by a line running parralel to the River Detroit & Lake St Clair, at the distance of 4 miles, until it meets the River la tranche-thence up the said River to where the Carrying place from point au pins strikes that River. This said County of Essex, with the adjoining County of Suffolk (in which there are no Inhabitants) sends one Member. those who have certificates, only, I understand can vote. this tract comprehends the new settlers on Lake Erie who have generally certificates. Monfortons Company, who have none except they have recd them since my departure-& Maisonvilles Company to the Mill; in this last Space there are Inhabitants on 12 acres front just above the Church, who can vote by reason of their having french deeds, "En Roture" & those settled on the South side of R. la tranche, a few of whom have certificates, & where I myself am a freeholder! This damned Election business seems to bind me to the County, for You know I am not fond of deserting any Cause I undertake, & that of the public is most dear to me. Should I be returned without an undue Election, or the appearance of party or bribery, I shall be most happy, & in that Case I beg an Ox may be roasted whole on the common & a barrel of Rum, be given to the Mob, to wash down the Beef. You will draw on me for the Amount. I should have great pleasure in helping to frame Laws, for Lands which I have had so much pleasure in laying out. Mr Pollard who is appointed Sheriff, is returning officer. The writs are issued this day & returnable the 12 Sepr 19 That is, the River Thames. For a general account of this election, see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, V, No. 2. 416 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I depend a good deal on your goodness, favor & affection in this business, & hope I need not make many apologys on that Score. as I have begun the canvas, I am determined to go through with it, & should I succeed, I hope to support my Character afterwards; we shall not certainly leave the province these 4 Years, so that whereever the seat of Government may be, or whatever may be the destination of the Regt I make no doubt but I shall be able to attend the Council & assembly Yearly. My having done the settlers business without emoluments from any Quarter should be some inducement to them, on the score of Gratitude to return me! I rather think it is intended that the people who have french Grants on the Garrison Side should vote; as the Description of the County of Kent comprehends a great deal & sends 2 Members. it is said to contain all the Country (not being territories of the Indians) & not already included in Essex & the several other Counties described, Extending norward to the boundary line of Hudsons bay, including all the territory to the Westward & southward of the said line to the utmost Extent of the Country commonly called or known by the name of Canada. Should Candidates to represent this County go a begging & you find I have no chance for Essex, I shall be proud to be returned for this County, but as the french people know little of me, I have not any hopes on that score. I am very ill at present myself, or I would certainly go up to Detroit, but if the people are sincere, that is unnecessary; & this will give it a fair tryal. You will do me a Service by delivering to Mr Pollard, the Names of those capable to vote,20 which you can get from a small Register in the Land Office marked or rather endorsed "Certificates Granted," and another endorsed, "French Grants "en Roture." Madelene has been with us several days past, she desires me to say, she is well & happy. zo The writs for the election of members to the first parliament of Upper Canada prescribed that electors must be either freeholders or leaseholders, to the annual clear value, in counties, of forty shillings, in towns, of five pounds. 417 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS If any of Monfortons or Maisonvilles Companys have received Certificates since my departure, I will be thankful to you to use yr influence with them. Col McKee has promised me his Interest, so has the Commodore, & I think I may depend on Cap Elliot, George Leith, & a few others. When I wrote you last it was Expected that Grossile, Rivers Raisin & Rouge would have voted with the New Settlers, but that is not the Case. Jacque Parent,21 Laurent Parent,22 Claude Rheaum,23 zI Michael Parent, born in Paris in 1643, came to Canada and at Three Rivers, on June 30, 1692, married Mary Ann Benoit, daughter of Gabriel Benoit dit La Forest and Ann Mary Guedon. They had two children, Pierre, born at Montreal, Nov. 23, 1700, and Laurence, born at Montreal, Feb. 28, 1703. Pierre married, in 1724, Catherine James, whose father, an Englishman, had been taken captive by the French in 1697 and had spent the remainder of his life in Canada. Pierre Parent and Catherine James had one son, Pierre Michael, born at Longue Pointe in 1725, who married at Boucherville in 1751, and subsequently came to Detroit, where he followed the carpenter's trade and lived at the Southwest Coast. He was buried, Oct. 1, 1773. Laurence Parent, the second son of Michael Parent and Mary Ann Benoit, was the progenitor of the later Detroit line of Parents. He came to Detroit prior to 1731, and on May 24 of this year married Mary Joseph Daugat, daughter of Pierre Daugat and Margaret Guignard. She was buried July 27, 1734, and Laurence married (second) Jane Cardinal, who was born at Montreal, Aug. 12, 1717, daughter of Jacques Cardinal and Jane Duguay. Laurence Parent followed the trade of carpenter and joiner. To him and Jane Cardinal eleven children were born in the period 1737 -59. One of them was Jacques and another Laurence, both of whom are mentioned in the present document. Jacques Parent was born, Oct. 24, 1742, and married on Nov. 18, 1771, Mary Catherine Cuillerier dit Beaubien, the daughter of Jean Baptiste Cuillerier dit Beaubien and Mary Ann Lootman dit Barrois. To them seven children were born. There was another, and distinct Parent family at Detroit in the French period, descended from Andrew Parent and Mary Coudray, who lived in the parish of Mortagne, in La Perche, France. Their son, Pierre, born there in 1610, married at Quebec, Feb. 9, 1654, Jane Badeau, daughter of Jacques Badeau and Ann Ardouin. About the year 1672 they removed to Beauport, where Pierre died in 1698 and Jane in 1706. Their grandson, Gilbert Parent, who was born at Montreal, Dec. 3, 1703, married in 1733 Mary Susanne Richard. In 1742 he removed to Detroit, and traded with the Miami Indians. He was shot at the Maumee River, and buried at Raisin River, Sept. 9, 1750. Later his body was reinterred at Detroit. His widow, Mary Susanne, was buried at Raisin River settlement, Jan. 13, 1800. They had four children, only one of whom, Magdelene Parent, lived to maturity. Denissen, op. cit. zz2 Laurence Parent, son of Laurence Parent and Jane Cardinal, was born at Detroit, Sept. 13, 1740, and married at Sandwich, Nov. 28, 1771, Mary Magdelene Janis, daughter of Nicholas Francis Janis and Teresa Meloche. The couple had fourteen children, born in the years 1772-99. Laurence Parent was buried at Sandwich, Nov. 4, 1818. His widow died of cholera and was buried there Sept. 23, 1834. Denissen, op. cit. z3 Claude Thomas R6aume was the son of Pierre Rdaume and Susanne Hubert dit Lacroix, and a counsin of Jean Baptiste and Charles Reaume who are noted ante, 170 and 249. Claude was born at Detroit on Aug. 7, 1743, and on Jan. 7, 1766, he married at the Church of the Huron (Sandwich) Geneveva Janis, daughter of Nicholas Francis Janis and Teresa Meloche. Both bride and groom lived at the South Coast of 418 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Bape le Duc,24 & John Bap Hoilette,25just above the Huron Church, may probably ask for an Explanation to my Letters to them, they hold Lands "en roture" formerly granted to Monr Longueil, & they of course have indisputably votes; I have therefore addressed them separately. these are the only french deeds acknowledged by the "Tableau des terres "En Roture". on that Side of the water. I am sure you will forgive me for Encl[os]ing so large a pacquet to you, The most of them are for the freeholders on Lake Erie, all whose Names, I could recollect, the others, You will have great goodness by putting in train for their destinations. My father mends, Anne but slowly. My Mother pretty well. Love & affection to yr Good family. The Govr arrived this day. I send an Express with this to overtake the Saguina. God bless you, prays. D W Smith. Detroit. Permission was obtained from the priest of Ste. Anne's for them to be wedded by the missionary of the Huron "by reason of the ice and the difficulty of crossing the river." Claude RFaume's family connections were numerous and influential. An older sister, Susanne, married Jacques Duperon Baby; another, Charlotte, married Pierre Charles Daneau de Muy, son of the commandant of Detroit; and a younger sister, Veronica, became the wife of Gabriel Legrand. To Claude Rdaume and Geneveva Janis eleven children were born in the years from 1766 to 1790. The eldest, Teresa Geneveva, became the wife of Jacques Parent, son of the Jacques Parent who is mentioned in the present document. During the Revolution, Claude R6aume held the rank of lieutenant in the Detroit militia. Denissen, op. cit. 24 Baptiste Le Duc was the fourth child of Jean Le Duc and Catherine Descary, for whom see ante, 41. He was born at Montreal, Oct. 15, 1727, and while still a young child was brought by his parents to Detroit. On Oct. 12, 1773, he married at Detroit Catherine Bourassa, who was born at Mackinac, March 12, 1747, the daughter of Rend Bourassa and Ann Charlotte Veronica Chevalier. They had four children, all but one of whom died in childhood. Apparently Le Duc was a wagonmaker by trade; he volunteered for Capt. Henry Bird's Kentucky expedition of 1780, and a letter of Bird to Major De Peyster, written at the junction of the Miami River with the Ohio, June 11, 1780, speaks appreciatively of Le Duc's behavior and of his service to the expedition "in making shafts and repairing carriages." See Macomb, Edgar, and Macomb ledgers (mss. in Burton Hist. Coll.) and Mich. Pio. Colls., XIX, 533-34. Genealogical information adapted from Denissen, op. cit. 25 Jean Baptiste Ouellet. He was descended from Ren6 Ouellet, a native of the parish of St. Jacques, of Hautpas, diocese of Paris, who married at Quebec on March 8, 1666, Ann Rivet, also a native of France. She died in April, 1675, and Ren6 was buried, Jan. 15, 1722. For several generations the family lived in Lower Canada, the first member to come west to Detroit being Jean Baptiste, here noted. He was born at Kamouraska, Nov. 3, 1737, and settled at Detroit River in 1762. On Jan. 7, 1765, he married at the Church of the Huron, Sandwich, Jane Susanne Putelle, who 419 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS LEGISLATIVE CANDIDACY OF DAVID W. SMITH Niagara, 6 August 1792 My dear Sir: Your Letter, which you honored me with gave me great satisfaction. I hope I may not be too much buoyed up with the hopes you give me of succeeding to the election. Your doubts about the right of voting on your side of the water will be removed before this. If therefore there is any difficulty in bringing me in for Essex, & one of the Kent seats goes abegging I should be flattered to be returned for that County. Mr Baby tells me, he wrote to his Brother Francois to set up for Essex, this may perhaps Cause some Confusion, as the french people no doubt will vote for him; & Capt Caldwells Interest may perhaps gain him the Settlers on Lake Erie. Their Sentiments will I hope be sufficiently know[n] before hand, that I may not be set up without chance. M' Baby told me however that he rather thought Franqois would decline setting up; in which Case I should have his Interest; & at all Events, if Francois had made a party previous to his Arrival in Essex, & was likely to succeed; he would then give me his Interest in Kent. I leave the weight of the transaction on your shoulders, & whatever you do for me therein, I shall be perfectly satisfied, & I believe I know You well Enough to think you do not require many apologys from me, for so much trouble. I will endeavour to repay You in the house of Assembly; if I succeed! I wrote you in my last, in Case of Success to have an ox Roasted on the Common & to give the Mob a barrel of Rum. Mr Pollard tells me the hustings will probably be held for Essex somewhere about the Rivers Mouth. this therefore may perhaps be a better scite for the Beef & Rum. I am excessively unwell for a long time. I hope however to weather through the winter, & should I be elected, I shall was born at Detroit, April 13, 1750, daughter of Jean Baptiste Putelle and Magdelene Bouron. They had seven children, the eldest, born May 20, 1766, being also named Jean Baptiste. Jane Putelle was buried at Sandwich, Sept. 13, 1784; Jean Baptiste Ouellet was buried there, Feb. 1, 1809. Denissen, op. cit. 420 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS pay You a visit in the Spring, to be chained! The Judge I think while here did not wish to give me any hopes of the french people, for very plain & substantial Reasons, & for this Candid behaviour I am obliged to him; as it has prepared me for the worst. I forgot to tell you that before the Governor arrived he wrote to my father, that he adopted all that he had recommended on the score of the Land business, which was nearly a Counterpart of the Boards Report, so that I hope Everything will go as smoothly with you there. We are all excessively happy at the idea of Seeing You here. if you make any house at Niagara your hotel, other than the Majors, You are not the same John Askin you used to be. Leith will give me credit for any little Sums you may find it necessary to require, such as putting up the Hustings, Boards &W, Cake & wine, Returning officer's fee & & &. Love to the Good family. Yours truly. D W Smith Addressed: John Askin Esquire. Detroit. LEGISLATIVE CANDIDACY OF DAVID W. SMITH Niagara. 6. Augt 92. My dear Sir! Please to do away any impressions which may be started on account of the probability of the Regts leaving Niagara & my non attendance at the Capital, after the first Year. Be assured I shall pay my annual visit to the house of Representatives; with due attention, as there is little Chance of the Regiment going to Europe before the Expiration of the first Assembly. Yours Affectiontly D W Smith Addressed: John Askin Esq' Detroit. 421 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO JOHN ASKIN London 8th August 1792 Dear Sir, By the spring ships I had the pleasure of addressing you, and as the Nancy Paterson sails hence tomorrow, altho' I have had no letter from you, I cannot let her depart without a few lines. Indeed I have been very unlucky in that respect, for I have not had a line from any body in your quarter, not even my brother, since last autumn! I however hope you are all well, & had once some thoughts of coming out this fall to be convinced of it, but that will not take place till next spring, if even then; for I do not like to be locked up in a fort after breathing the air of freedom so long. I send my brother the papers by this opportunity, & by them you will see we are likely to have a general war in Europe, and that for the good of one another mankind are to cut one anothers throats! Russia has attacked Poland because they have with one consent established a better government than they had before: & the honest King of Prussia does not find it convenient to keep his royal & sacred word by supporting them, according to treaty; because he is going to help Austria to knock all the French on the head, as they have now too much liberty, & will not be made happy but in their own way. To aid in this pious & royal work, these two worthies, having only about two hundred & fifty thousand men, & fearing that would be too few for such honourable work, Sardinia adds fifty thousand more, & good old Catherine, affords a reinforcement of eighteen thousand for her share. This mighty host, under the command of his serene highness the duke of Brunswick, now on the Rhine, enter France this month. To this they object, & have on their frontier from Baril to Laydon in camps & garrisons about two hundred thousand troops of the line. they have about three hundred thousand national guards. the conflict must be dreadful: the Austrians & Prussians are said to be well disciplined, & there can be no doubt of the French troops zeal, or rather enthusiasm in the cause of liberty; but in subordination they are wanting. The consequence of this struggle to future gener422 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ations may be of vast importance. to a mind possessed by humanity the prospect of carnage & destruction is truely afflicting! To our trade this is ruin, and there can be no doubt of a very serious diminution in the price of furs in consequence of this general war, into which, pacific as we are at present, we may be actors before it is over. The people here all execrate the Empress's attack on the liberties of Poland, and very large sums are subscribed to support them: they are not well pleased at Mr Pitt for not assisting them. With regard to France the people are more divided, every body wishes them free, but think they have gone too far. One thing you may rely on, that a spirit of reformation, some call it innovation, is secretly making its way in every country in Europe. The liberty of the press is diffusing knowledge among the mass of the people, even in Spain, Portugal, & Italy, where the press indeed can hardly be said to be free, & the great abuse of religion in those countries has opened the eyes of those who were superstitiously blind! We hear nothing particular about the posts. An ambassador is just arrived from America, but not for any special purpose that yet appears. Mr & Mrs Mercer were well by a letter I had lately from him at Dublin barracks. Mr & Mrs Meredith spent the day with me not long ago. they were well a few days ago when I had a letter from him. There is no domestic occurrence worth notice. Lord North26 (or rather Earl of Guilford, but he is better known by the former title) is dead, & at the same time Gen' Burgoyne27 made his final exit from this stage. Peace is restored in India & Lord Cornwallis is coming home. 126 Frederick North, second Earl of Guilford (1732-92). His entire career was devoted to politics, in which he achieved a high degree of eminence. He is best known, perhaps, for the policies which made the American Revolution inevitable and resulted in the loss by England of the American colonies. He died Aug. 5, 1792. See Dict. of Nat. Biog..7 John Burgoyne (1722-92) entered the army as a cornet in 1740, although not until 1758 did he engage in actual military service. In 1768 he entered Parliament, where he achieved some political prominence. Late in 1774 he was sent to America to reinforce General Gage, returning to England in the autumn of 1775. The following spring he was sent to Canada as second in command to Sir Guy Carleton, there to participate in an attack on the colonies from the north. This campaign proved abortive, and Burgoyne returned to England, disgusted at Carleton's inaction. He 423 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS William28 is learning very well, he has already got thro' compound multiplication, writes tolerably, & is making good progress in Latin: as for John, 28 I understand he also advances, but the particular stage of his progress I am not informed of. I hope your new government will make you a happy people. I am sure it ought. With best wishes for your family & compliments to all friends, I am, Dear Sir, sincerely, Yours very humble servant William Robertson J. Askin, Esqr LEGISLATIVE CANDIDACY OF DAVID W. SMITH Niagara. 8 August 1792 My dear Sir: Since I wrote to you last I have received a Letter from Mr M Niff29 giving me but faint hopes of Success, when at the same time I receive other Letters from my fri[e]nds, giving me hopes. Every thing now must be left to fate, & Providence will now concerted a plan for a new campaign from Canada and in 1777 was again sent out, this time to have command of the expedition. It ended in complete failure and the surrender of the entire army at Saratoga on Oct. 17, 1777. A long dispute over the responsibility for the failure followed, as a consequence of which Burgoyne was retired from the army. His later years were devoted to politics and literature, and in the latter field, especially, he achieved considerable success. He died June 4, 1792, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. See Dict. of Nat. Biog. z8 These two youths were Askin's grandsons and Robertson's nephews, William and John Robertson, sons of Catherine Askin Hamilton by her first husband, Capt. Samuel Robertson. By Robert Hamilton, their stepfather, they had been sent to England to be educated. x9 Patrick McNiff was prominently identified with the affairs of Detroit and vicinity during the later British and early American regimes. He was a man of positive temperament, which caused him to be involved in numerous disputes. He served as surveyor in the British period, and in the American held several offices, including those of sheriff and justice of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1802 his associates on the bench refused longer to serve with him because of his "odious" character. He died soon after this, for in May, 1803, the local Masonic lodge voted relief for his widow, doing so in terms which indicated that he had been expelled from the order. He was twice married, and had several children. A son, Robert, was owner of the only house in Detroit which escaped the conflagration of 1805. A daughter, Margaret, married Lieut. Porter Hanks, who surrendered Mackinac to the British in 1812. Coming to Detroit, he was undergoing court martial for this affair when on Aug. 15 a cannon ball, fired from the British battery on the south side of the river, penetrated the room and killed him. See Proc. of the Land Board of Detroit, 177-78; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; Ashlar, II, 132; and Sibley Papers (mss.) in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 424 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS naturally direct for the best; I am so pestered with the fever, Head ach[e], want of appetite & withall so weak; that nothing else prevents me from setting out for Detroit, express. I would kick up such a dust in Essex, as never was there before, & I would scrutinize every vote, nor allow of any but such as were permitted by the act of Parliament; that is, if the people on Lake Erie, & the South Side of River la tranche were unanimous towards my election; for tho the Government don't wish themselves to introduce the Cabal of who has, & who has not a right to vote; yet it is all fair in a Candidate, & the Indians within the Reserves in Essex have just as much right to vote as the people of Maisonville & Monfortons Companys, who have no Certificates or Grants "en roture" of which there are only 5 that I know of. The Governor wishes very much that I should succeed, & in consequence he has prevented some others of his family from setting up for Detroit, that I might have no opposition on the Score of any Interest which might be made for them. As I said before I hope the Sentiments of the people will be known in time before the poll comes on. I will answer your draft for the neccessary Expences. I enclose another blank address, which you may find it necessary to send to some one. The Governor sends for me constantly, & employs me on many occasions, what with crossing the Water, & half a dozen Masters to Serve exclusive of God & Mammon; ill health & alltogether, I am completely fagged. I have only to say, God bless You & Yours, & to tell You we long to see You at Niagara Believe me I am dear Sir Yr Most unfeigned & much obliged humble Servant D W Smith. Addressed: John Askin Esquire. Detroit. FROM ISAAC TODD TO JOHN ASKIN London 10th Augst 1792. Dear Askin I wrote you by the Spring Ships since which 425 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I am favord with yours of the 20th May Mr McGill has been so employd in forwarding Goods &ca that hitherto he has communicated Little to me on Business. I am extremely sorry to hear your Indian Trade has been generrally bad and that you are among the unsuccesfull. I agree with you that pushing that trade answers no good purpose. I have strongly recommended to the House to curtale & Lessen our connections in that Trade, for when I consider the un[c]ertainty of our retaining the Posts the Warr between the Indians & Americans, and the evident fall on furrs I am convinced it is an unsafe & unprofitable business, and will continue so for two or 3 years I am certain there will be a fall on Furrs at this Market this year of 15 to 20 prCt and every apperance they will continue falling for 2 or 3 Years which has ever been the case, therefore untill matters comes back to the old standard those who do Least will do best. I am certain there is this year double the quantity of Goods intended for that trade that it can pay for, I trust your New Govermt may open some advantagious Trade that may answer your purpose better. I am happy in hearing you and family enjoy good health Long may it continue, I enclose a Letter for Miss Therese to which I reffer you for family news Robertson is now here he talks of paying you a Visit in the Spring, which I have my doubts of unless his business at Detroit goes wrong. he is Surprised at not hearing from any of his friends this Spring. Please remember me kindly to the Commodr as I suppose the Naval business will be immediatly under Govr Simcoe it will make it more pleasant and easey for him and put more in his power to serve his friends. I hope to hear often from You, and with Kind Respects to Mr" Askin & family beli[e]ve me ever yours Sincerly Isaac Todd Mr John Askin Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: London Augt 10th 1792 Mr Isaac Todd to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 24h Novr Answd April 7h 93 426 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS ENTERTAINMENT FOR DETROIT ELECTORS Niagara, 14, August 92. My dear Sir: All the Letters I get from Detroit give me favourable hopes, except those I receive from McNiff. they assure me of the Interest and Influence of Messrs McKee, Macomb, Park, Leith, Sharp, M~Intosh, Elliot, Lamothe, MoDonnel & several others for Essex. There is I understand however powerful Influences against me; however if I have fair play I dont fear, as I am assured that the Settlers, on Lake Erie and River la tranche will vote for me "nemin6 contradicente," at least those are the words in which their assurances are represented to me. Perhaps I should have done better to have set up for one of the Seats in Detroit, as I hear only of Mr McComb who is to be proposed; but I did not then know they would be entitled to vote; besides were I thrown out on the 20th I might have had a chance on the 28th The french people can easily walk to the Hustings, but my gentry will require some conveyance; if boats are necessary you can hire them, & they must not want beef or Rum, let them have plenty, and in case of success I leave it to you, which you think will be best to give my friends a public dinner, & the ladies a dance, either now, or when I go up. if you think the moment the best time You will throw open Forsyths Tavern, & call for the best he can supply. I trust you will feel very young on the occasion, in the dance, & I wish that Leith and you should push about the bottle, to the promotion of the Settlements on the Detroit. The more broken heads & bloody noses there is the more election like, and in case of Success (damn that if!) let the White Ribbon favors be plentifully distributed, to the old, the Young, the Gay, the lame, the cripple & the blind-half a score cord of wood piled hollow, with a tar barrel in the middle, on the Common, some powder, pour tirer, & plenty of Rum. I am sure that you will preside over & do ev[er]ything that is needful, as far as my circumstances will admit. there must be no want & I am sure you will have ev[er]y thing handsome & plentiful. Elliot I am sure will give you a large red flag to be hoisted 427 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS on a pole near the Bon fire, and some blue colored tape may be sewn on in large letters E S S E X. Thus talked the woman to herself, when she carried her Eggs on her head to market, she sat them, she hatched them, she sold them for a Crown apiece, & then down she fell, Eggs and all, & the anticipations of a warm and fruitful imagination, were annihilated in a moment; thus, this is the situation of a disappointed Candidate, who is fed up with hopes from those who wish him well. As I am a little better, nothing prevents my setting off for Detroit immediat[el]y, but the coming of the Prince30 he is to be here about the 20h, my fate is to be determined the 28h. Leith tells me you have written to me but the opposite party have got hold of the Letter because they guessed its Contents. Have proper booths erected for my friends at the Hustings, employ Forsyth to make large plumb Cake, with plenty of fruit &Ws & be sure let the Wine be good & plenty. Let the peasants have a fiddle, some beverage & Beef. If my absence merely should be mentioned as a Bar to my election, You may assure the World that if there is time between the Returns bei[n]g made & the meeting of the assembly, I will come up to take the Sentiments of the County, & I will annually pay Detroit a visit, before I go [to] the Metropolis to meet the Assembly. forgive me, I worry you out. I have quite an election fever; however it will soon be coold, & let the determination be as it will I shall be perfectly satisfied, & equally obliged to all my good friends. God bless you & yours, & believe me unfeignedly, faithfully & Affectionately Yours whilst D. W. Smith 30 Prince Edward, afterwards Duke of Kent and father of Queen Victoria, came to Canada in the spring of 1791 as commander of the Seventh Regiment. He became a warm friend of Governor Simcoe and on August 21, 1792, arrived at Niagara to pay him a visit, remaining until the twenty-sixth. 428 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS LEGISLATIVE CANDIDACY OF DAVID W. SMITH Mouth of Detroit River Friday 16th Augt 1792. Dear Sir When I left Niagara, I was requested by Mr Smith to wait on you the moment of my arrival at Detroit, to assure you, how sensible he is, of the great obligation he owes to you and his other worthy friends, who have so strenuously supported his interest in the present contest for a representative in the house of Assembly: Be assured Sir, that I should have been extremely happy had circumstances permitted me to have made you a personal report of his sentiments on this occasion, but my late sickness rendered it necessary for me to get ashore as soon as possible. Mr Smith (from the experienced goodness and partiality of his friends) flatters himself with the hopes of Success & he purposes, in that event, to make his acknowledgements in person, as soon as his present hurry of indispensible business is a little subsided: And Lest he should have omitted to make application to any of the Electors, he gave me half a dozen addresses with blank superscriptions, which I now beg leave to enclose to you for that purpose With every sentiment of regard I have the honor to be Dr Sir Your Most Obedient humble Servant John Askin Esqr Detroit. P. Selby.' Addressed: John Askin Esquire Detroit LEGISLATIVE CANDIDACY OF DAVID W. SMITH Saturday 17th Augt 92. Dear Sir When I did myself the honor of writing to you yesterday I forgot to mention, that in case Mr Smith is likely to be hard run, I have some Votes to bring forward at a short notice, but, I would rather avoid their appearing, unless it was absolutely necessary; of this you will be able to judge, in sufficient time, to send me information. 31 Prideaux Selby was a lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry and for a time assistant secretary of Indian Affairs at Detroit. He seems to have been transferred from Amherstburg to Queenston in the autumn of 1799. From 1809 until his death, May 9, 1813, he was a member of the Executive Council of Upper Canada. See Simcoe Papers, I, 150; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 429 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS With my best Compliments to all your good family I am Dear Sir Very faithfully Your's &c P. Selby John Askin Esqr Detroit Addressed: John Askin Esquire Detroit by Mr Heward at 41 after 2, oClo Saturday afternoon INQUIRY CONCERNING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS Easton Eastern Shore Maryland Augt 18th 1792 Mr Erskine Dr Sir You will no doubt think it strange to find yourself addressed by a person who has not the honor of your acquaintance. I have only to offer as appology, that I am at least your namesake. I am the Son of a Henry Erskine a Clergyman who lived in New townlimavaddy in the North of Ireland, & who was born in a Town called Muff [?] four Miles from Londonderry. I came to this Country very Young, & before I had in my power well to know of what familys I belonged to (or rather to whom I was related) I was home lately, & was also in England. I was there made acquainted with a Widow Campbell of Liverpool whose Maiden name was Sarah Erskine. She told me she was nearly related to me, & also that She had a near relation living in Montreal, at the same time requesting I would endeavour to open a correspondence, & inform her the result. Her wish Sir is nothing more than that of mine, Viz to know who & how her relations are, & would feel happy in that communication. I avail myself of this opportunity by a Mr Noel who I got acquainted with this Night at 9 OClock P.M. & who sets out at 4 in the Morning. he says he lives in Montreal, Knows you & that you live not farr from him, this I offer by way of appology, for writing so irregular a scrawl & so abrupt, but if I am Honord with your a[n]swer, hope for more propriety. I am Sir with every sentiment of esteem & respect your most Obedt & very Hble Sert John Erskine. 430 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Addressed: Mr Erskine Merchant Detroit favoured by Mr Noel Endorsed: Easton Estern Shore Maryland Augt 18h 1792 Mr John Erskine to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 24h Novr Answd ye 1"t July 1793 which Letter delivered to a Quaker. FROM DAVID MEREDITH TO JOHN ASKIN Woolwich, Augt 27th 1792 Dear Sir by a Vessell that goes direct for New York, I do myself the pleasure to again write you from this side the Atlantic, and the particular satisfaction to inform you, of my dear Archang's health, as also that of her Daughters, who grows apace, She mentions having wrote a long letter to her Mother during my abscence at Camp, which Mr Todd was good enough to promise her a conveyance for, and which I hope may be received Previous to this, as She says having wrote the particulars of the Campaign, which by the different Newspapers sent out to Canada during the Summer, I have no doubt by them, your having been apprized the reason, for which Government adopted so politic a measure, as the forming and collecting such a body of Men. I believe to have mentioned to you in my last, the Fears which Ministry appeared to have, for the Safety of our Constitution; which most undoubtedly was in some danger of being broke in upon, by Seditious, and ill minded men, (perhaps from Sinister Motives) enrolling themselves into Clubs, and Parties, with a view to enflame the peaceable Subject, and render him ripe for a revolt: however I have the pleasure to add, that the Ambition of such Men, has been kept under by a spirited, and timely interference of government. We passed an unmolested Campaign of about Three Weeks, and the desired effect has been produced by the Kings Proclamation, namely an end to disorderly meetings, and Party Clubs. &c. So much for recent Politicks. I shall now proceed to inform you-that the Encamp'd Army, consisted in all of about Three Thousand Four hundred Men, which took the Field near Whickham Bushes on Bagshot heath the 431 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 23rd of last Month, and as the distance from London was only Thirty Miles, (had occasion required), a regular Force could easily have been called upon to act, with every immediate essential. Of our own Regiment, we were near a Thousand Strong, and with Thirty Two pieces of Artillery, and all the necessary Train of Camp Waggons Forges's &c &c. Upon our rout to Camp, we formed a line of March of near Two Miles in Extent. We pitched our Tents on the third day from leaving Woolwich and as the Camp was meant a flying one, (in case of Necessity) the Officers and Soldiers were ord[e]red to take with them but very little baggage; Consequently the Ladies of the Regiment (tho' the most esteemed part of its baggage) were under the necessity of remaining at Woolwich to defend the Garrison, untill the Corps returnd from the Wars: Our Encampment extended in length a Mile and Quarter, the officers Street most regular[l]y and beautifully laid out; and formed upon the Memorable Spot called Cesars Camp, from his having broke ground there, and with his Army occupied the same, when He invaded this Country, several of his Works yet remain, and are very fresh. * * * * * 32 So much for a hasty Sketch of our Proceedings during the buisness, which I must also say was attended with much fatigue, and as the weather was hot most of us returnd home some Pounds lighter than when we marched from Woolwich. I had the happiness of hearing frequently from my dear Archange, and that her situation was comfortable and contented, and her little Anne occupying her concern, and as letters from me to her, would I was conscious prove a consolation, I generally contrived to write her every other day, however fatigued I might be with the days work. I dined twice with his Grace of Richmond-for so many officers were ask'd each day to his and Sir Wm Hows Tents. the last day I dined there, who should sit next to me but old Lord Dorchester and his son Guy. His Lordship conversed with me a 32 The portion of the letter not reprinted here consists of a long, detailed account of the army maneuvers in which Captain Meredith participated. 432 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS good deal about Canada and young Guy was glad to meet an old Canada Acquaintance * * * * * 33 COMMAND OF DETROIT MILITIA Detroit Septr 4th 1792 My Dear Sir The Nancy is Arrived but not the Other Vessells with the Letters. as Mr Ford sails to morrow morng with our great Men I take a Moment whilst Therese34 is pouring Out the Tea to write you a line, for I'm now Even as Bussy being one of the Commissioners of the Court of Oyer & Terminer36 as I was when the Ellection was going On. I havenot had three days to do my own Bussiness these three Weeks. My first Wish as well as that of my Family is that you are all in perfect Health & may long Continue so. I must now commit to your Vigilant Friendship a Matter which would affect my feelings if it does not my Interest. I learn that Mr Jacque Baby was Endeavouring to get himself Appointed Lieut Coll of the Detroit Militia was he to Suceed I will not hesitate to say to you that I belief many People would give up their Commissions & that it would Cause some Uneasiness in the Country As to myself I Assure you I would mine I have Endeavoured in as Impartial a Manner as a Man can where he is Interested to Examine his pretentions & my Own on the Score of preferment in the Militia I cannot discover he has any better founded than mine. I'm as good a Subject as he is and I believe in the day of Necessity would have as Many followers as him & those who Government could as Well depend on, as to property I have been possessed of more than Ever he was & tho there is Some difference now on that head perhaps before he reaches My time of life there 33 The remainder of the letter, which is very long, is devoted to army maneuvers and to the progress of the Revolution in France. 34 Therese Askin, later the wife of Thomas McKee, for whom see ante, 376. 35 On the Court of Oyer and Terminer in this period, see Riddell, Michigan Under British Rule, passim. The record of this particular session of the court is given in chap. viii. 433 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS may be little or none. I know this Information is Needless to you my meaning for troubling you with it is that it may in case of Necessity Serve as Reasons to be Advanced by you & my Other Fri[e]nds to the Governor why he should not be put Over me In the Militia in Case any Such thing was Intended. I have no Wish nor desire to be Advanced Over Any deserving man whoes right is better than mine. nor will I Ever Suffer any person whoes pretentions are not greater to be put Over me without Showing that Resentmt Every man of Spirit in my Oppinion Shouled. you know I Serve my King & Country chearfully in the Small Matters Commited to my Charge without Asking or Seeking for other reward than being treated by Govermt with that Attention I hope my Character Merits. I Neither dislike Mr' B nor Any of her Family, I Only mean to Oppose the Ambition of her Sons where their Intentions are to Rule over me, & to your kindness & that of my Other Friends Round his Excellency I give the Charge of preventing them & beg you will make my Sentiments on this Head known to such of you[r] & my Acquaintances as may be Necessary, time not permitting me to write Mr Hamilton & Others on this Subject John Askin]36 FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN Niagara. 24 Sepr 92. My dear friend, Altho I have little news to send you yet I cannot let the Chippeway return without writing you a few lines. Your Petition from the Merchants has been handed to the Governor; Mr Macomb37 & I cannot yet answer the Merchants Letter formally; when we are certain as to the result ye shall hear; I fear however from the Silence observed on the occasion of the Memorial, that 36 Unsigned and unaddressed, but evidently the rough draft of a letter written by John Askin to D. W. Smith. 37 William Macomb, member of the first Legislative Assemblyof Upper Canada, for whom see ante, 108. 434 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS it does not auger well. I am working day & night to effect a police bill for you in such manner as to prevent & obviate all your difficulties, & my struggles shall not be wanting to bring it to maturity. I hope to get my accounts from you before Winter, that I may liquidate it, in Case it exceeds the bill already sent, & a few pounds perhaps in my good f[r]iend George Leiths hands, to whom give my ever warmest regards as well as to the worthy Doctor,38 God for ever bless you & yours prays all this family, particularly D W Smith Addressed: John Askin Esquire. Detroit Endorsed: Niagara Septr 24h 1792 Lieut D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 29th Answd ye 13th Octr LEGISLATIVE VIEWS OF DAVID W. SMITH Niagara. 28. Sepr 1792 My worthy friend! I received your Letter of the 20h In" My Mother returns thanks for the apples, which you advise to be on their way. by the last Ship I transmitted you a Bill for ~200 Ny. which with what I have in Mr Leiths hands may perhaps pay the Costs; if Not I beg for the accounts by Leith & they shall be liquidated, with a thousand thanks. We have done little as Yet, One Grand bill for the General Settlement of the Law of the Land will I expect pass; & we have passed a Jury bill in general terms thro' our house with some difficulty-a bill to enable 2 Justices to try for 40 [shillings] without appeal, is in great forwardness. Ways & means seem the great difficulty. one or two Committees for that purpose have proved nearly abortive. I proposed that [every] Landholder should pay one farthing P[er] acre P[er] annum for all Lands above 200 Acres, which I conceived would not burden the Settler, but the Court party & the popular party were both against me & I stood alone in the House. however 38 Dr. Harffy, for whom see ante, 304. 435 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I am still of opinion that a Land tax, whether it goes by that Name or not, Must eventually take place. I act from principle. Altho I value the worlds opinion somewhat, I cannot conceive that one farthing raised by the House of Assembly can be deemed onernous, when the Magistrates in Quarter Sessions will probably have power to raise much greater Sums. Mr Powell39 & Mr Baby have set off this Evening for New York. God bless You my ever valued f[r]iend believe me Yours D W Smith Addressed: John Askin Esquire. Detroit. Endorsed: Niagara Sepr 28h 1792 Lt D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd & Answd ye 13h Octr 1792. FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN Niagara. 2d Octr 1792 My dear Sir! Nothing very particular occurs, but I cannot omit scribbling you a few lines. I am unfortunate in my endeavours to do what I conceive would serve ye[?] in general. I proposed a bill to enable the Magistrates in Quarter Sessions to levy County Rates, but it has been thrown out. I have been of opinion also that the Magistrates in Qr Sessions should choose the different County, Town, & Parish officers, but that it seems wont succeed either, Most of the Members being for a Town Meeting & that these offices should be elective. however as I conceive these Meetings to have been the Cause of [the] late unhappy Rebellion, & must always be attended with Riot & Confusion, it does not meet my ideas. I think the Majesty of the people should never be called together but to choose their Representative for the House of Assembly; & perhaps to 39 William Dummer Powell, who came to Detroit from Canada in 1789 with the appointment of judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He remained here until 1794, when, on the reorganization of the judicial system of Upper Canada, he was made judge of the Court of King's Bench, thereby necessitating his removal to the capital of the province. For his career see William Renwick Riddell, Life of William Dummer Powell... (Lansing, 1924). 436 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS assemble them without an instrument from the Governor may be illegal, & to force that Instrument from him by Law, May be an Infringement of His prerogative. I have been working a hundred ways to get your fire bill passed, & this day I have brought something into the House, which I think will succeed & answer the purpose. it is that whenever there shall be found in any space of half a mile Square, 40 Houses therein, it shall be lawful for the Magistrates in Qr Sessions to make regulations for the prevention of fire in that place. The Great delicasy & difficulty started is mentioning the Name of the Town of Detroit. however as the Proclamation unquestionably in my opinion puts you in the County of Kent; I trust you will find no difficulty, as the bill is framed merely to serve Detroit. No answer to the Merchants Memorial, which on all hands seems as difficult as it is desirable to execute. The Etiquette of Courts is too often but Silence, when they cannot comply with the Petition; I fear by no answer being given to this, that nothing can be done therein, from the Knowledge I have of the Ld Dept. Th[e] Govr has thrust another troublesome task on my Shoulders, for which I have neither salary or fees, altho he has given me a Commission to act as Surveyor General til the King's pleasure is known. The Democratical party seem to think will lead me to think as the Government wishes, but I hope I am above bias, & I do not feel it at all incompatible to discharge my duty to my Constituents; & at the same time have regard to the general Interests of the Unity of the Empire. Our House of Assembly for the most part haye violent levelling principles, which are totally different from the ideas I have been educated with. The Neighboring States are to[o] often brought in as patterns & models, which I neither approve or Countenance. I think Modesty should be the Characteristic of our first Assembly. I conceive it political, prudent & grateful & I am confident the contrary behaviour wont succeed to do the Country any good. Whatever may be the future prospects of designing Men; we can not at present exist without the Assistance of Great Britain; she has ever shewn herself a foster Mother to 437 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Her Colonies, & any procedure which I conceive tends to divide the Interests of the Parent Kingdom, & all her Colonies, I will oppose with all my weight. on this principle I have voted against an add' duty on Rum, first because I conceive it a Regulation of Commerce, & that the Parliament has reserved the right of imposing such dutys to themselves, because as Guardians of all the Colonies, she would not suffer one to infringe too much on the produce of another. Secondly, because West Indian Rum in that Case would pay 2e the duty of Rum distilled in lower Canada, or at least nearly twice. & thirdly I conceive that an add1 Duty on W I. Rum, tends to a partial Prohibition, & that we are only losing our time, & flattering ourselves with vain supplys, because I conceive the Governor has no power; or the parliament inclination, to ratify such an Act. I am thus particular, that if you think proper you m[a]y explain my reasons to my friends & constituents, altho not to give up my Letter; for altho I wish you to consider it confidential; there is Nothing in it I am convinced that is not worthy the Sentiment of an Assembly Man. The family most heartily say! God bless you P.S. I have been conversing in the Cabinet, the Leve6 & the Office, respecting the Militia which I believe will not be organized this Year. I do not find any promise has been made to the Young frenchman40 to be Colonel, but I rather think he will be appointed Sub Lieutenant of one of the Countys, in which case I suppose he wont take a Commission himself, but will probably have the appointment of the Justices & Militia Officers. I think it wont be for Kent, but cannot speak possitively. Endorsed: Niagara Octr 2d 1792 Lieut D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd & Answd ye 13h Octr 40 The allusion is to Jacques Baby. See ante, 433-34. 438 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS FROM MADELAINE ASKIN TO JOHN ASKIN Landing 15 octobre 1792 Mon Cher Papa Jai recue votre Lettre avec bien de la Joie Je suis flatt6 que toute la famille soit en parfaitte sante. Jespere que le bon dieu nous fera Cette grAce. Jentend tous Les Jours que theresse Se porte de mieux en mieux Cest une grande Consolation pour nous qui sommes Eloigne davoir des nouvelles si avantageusse au sujet dhiverner vous me ditte dans votre affectionn6 Lettre que Ce que Je fairai sera bien faitte quil Est rare de trouver des parents telle que le ciel moi destin6 vous me marquer que si Je desire de retourner que Maman et vous me recevront avec tendresse. Je le scai que trop bien. Cest la raison pourquoi Je penche tant de Ce Cote. Je Craint que Je ne soit point digne de tant de bont6 de votre part ainsi que Ma chere maman A qui Jai milles obligations Jai montre ma Lettre A Kity mais comme elle trouve comme vous que Cest une chose d6licatte elle me laisse faire A ma volont6. Cest une affaire bien serieusse pour moi de decider mon choix, mais bien souvent il faut faire des petits cent sacrifice Car mon cher papa Je me flatte que vous pens6 que Cest un pour moi mais quoique Je nai jamais fait voir mes sentiments A Ce sujet ma soeur Cest toujours flatt6 que Je hiverneroit avec elle. Ce seroit un dgsappointement, si Je montoit. mais Jespere de bon printemp de retourner au Detroit. Je scai que vous vous interess6 a mon heureusset6, ainsi Je vous dirai que Cette endroit est plus gaie A present, quelle netoit au Commencement. Je ne croit point que nous auront des partis en Cariolle Comme Ceux que jai en Lhiver pass6 g la fontainne Car il ny a point A peinne de n6ge ici mais Jauroit le plaisir d'en parler avec les dames du Sem. Car Je vous assure quil regrette le Detroit tous les Jours la famille de Major Smyth vous assure de leurs souvenirs ils ont et6 bien D6sappoint6 apres Ce que vous avi6 pr6mis il me demandoit quelque fois h6 bien Madelaine pens6 vous que votre papa dessendera. Je leur disoit que Je nosoit point me flatt6. Car Je Connoit Maman Linquiettude que Ca lui auroit Caus6, mes tendres souvenirs 439 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS a maman, ainsi que tous les Enfants que Jembrasse de tous mon Coeur. Jespere que le bon dieu vous favorissera d'une bonne hiver et bonne sante. Ceson Les Souhaits de v6tre affectionn6 fille Madelaine Askin Kity vous assure de ses tendre Souvenirs ainsi que maman. Mr. Grant se porte bien il y a quelques Jours que Je ne lai vue mais Mr Hamilton lui a parle Ce matin il se retire chez Major Smyth. Mr Askin Addressed: Mr John Askin Detroit favor Mr park Translation Landing,41 October 15, 1792 Dear Papa: I received your letter with great joy and I am glad that all the family are in perfect health. I hope that the good God will show us the same kindness. I understand that Therese gets better and better every day. It is a great comfort to us who are far away to have such good news. About the winter, you tell me in your affectionate letter that whatever I shall do will be right. How rarely does one find parents such as heaven has destined for me! You say that if I wish to return, Mama and you will receive me tenderly. I know that only too well. It is why I rely so much on that relationship. I fear I am in no way worthy of all your kindness, and that of my dear Mama to whom I owe a thousand favors. I showed my letter to Kitty42 but she thinks as you do that it is a delicate matter and she leaves the choice to my own free will. It is very hard for me to decide, but often indeed one must make a hundred little sacrifices and I am glad, dear Papa, that you think it is one for me, but though I have never showed any feeling in the matter, my sister is always congratulating herself 41 This letter was written at Queenston, where the writer was staying in the home of her brother-in-law, Robert Hamilton. 42 Catherine Hamilton, eldest daughter of John Askin, for whom see ante, p. 68. 440 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS that I shall spend the winter with her. It would be a disappointment to her if I went up but I hope to return to Detroit early in the spring. I know that you are interested in my happiness so I shall tell you that this place is much gayer now than it was. I have no expectation of having cariole parties like those I had last winter at Springwells, for there is scarcely any snow here, but I may have the pleasure of talking about them with the ladies of the 5th. I assure you they regret leaving Detroit. The family of Major Smith43 assures you constantly of their remembrance. They were much disappointed after what you promised. He asks me sometimes: "Well, Madelaine, do you think your father will come down?" I tell him I dare not give myself that pleasure, for I understand Mama, and the anxiety that would cause her. My affectionate remembrance to Mama and to all the children whom I kiss from my very heart. I hope that the good God will favor you with a pleasant winter and good health, the wishes of Your loving daughter Madelaine44 Kitty assures you of her love as also Mama. Mr. Grant is well. I have not seen him for some days but Mr. Hamilton spoke to him this morning. He has gone to Major Smith's. 43 Major John Smith, father of David W. Smith, for whom see ante, 407. He entered the British army in 1755, was commissioned lieutenant in 1768, and served in America during the Revolutionary War. In March, 1783, he was commissioned major, and in 1787 was attached to the Fifth Regiment. From 1790 to 1792 he was stationed at Detroit as commandant, and from 1792 until his death in 1795 he commanded Fort Niagara. Before his death he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the regiment. See Simcoe Papers, passim; British army registers; and Mich. Pio. Colls., XXIV, passim. 44 Madelaine Askin, second daughter of John Askin and his Indian consort. At the home of Robert Hamilton, Madelaine became acquainted with Dr. Robert Richardson, a surgeon in the Queen's Rangers, and the couple was married there, Jan. 24, 1793. Dr. Richardson was a native of Scotland, who had come to Upper Canada in 1792 as assistant surgeon in the Rangers. Until 1802 he was stationed with his regiment at Queenston, Toronto, and St. Joseph Island. Because of the impracticability of accompanying her husband to the two latter stations mentioned, Mrs. Richardson made her home, first at Queenston and subsequently with her parents at Detroit. In 1802 the Rangers were disbanded, and such as desired were sent back to England. Dr. Richardson, however, secured the post of surgeon to the garrison at Amherstburg, and remained in Canada. In 1802 he was appointed judge of the District Court for the Western District, which office he held until his death in 1832. 441 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASEIN Niagara 19 Octr 92 My dear Sir: I have received your Letters & your account, with which I am perfectly satisfied, I shall not fail to improve on the ideas you have given me in your Letter, & introduce them into the House of Assembly at our next meeting-indeed I shall wish to be guided in a great measure, by yr advices-if there is any thing I can serve the people of the New Settlement in, I beg I may be informed. I am afraid this Country may hold me longer to it than I am aware, particularly if I succeed in another Election, but that I can hardly expect unless I have interest enough to get the votes of the french & the English divided. The Council have been sitting on Land business a long time; & troops of our Neighbours are coming in to occupy Townships bodily. In order to give me some weight in the Counties, I have petitioned for 1200 Acres therein, & a minute of the Council goes to the board for that purpose. Essex is chiefly located, so dont forget me in Suffolk, I shall send you my petition for the Exact Spots. The Govr is much better, & I hope to attend him to Detroit before the Houses meet, if he is not drawn away, in search of his Capital. My little Boy has been very ill, taken suddenly, I called in 4 of the faculty, & by the violent application of a blister he is somewhat better, & we have hopes of him. this is the 2d time he has been tortured with the Cantharides. As I am uncertain Whether Mr MeNiff belongs to my department, & of course whether he is under my controul; so I have forebore to write to him, but that will soon be discovered. I have had several private Confabs with the Chief about the Continuation of the Court of Common Madelaine Askin died at Amherstburg, Jan. 10, 1811. She was the mother of eight children, one of whom, William, married Jane Cameron Grant, youngest daughter of Commodore Grant. A son, John, born in 1796, became noted as a Canadian journalist and author; two others, James and Alexander, were drowned in Lake Erie in 1828. Dr. Richardson married (second), Aug. 8, 1811, Ann McGregor, daughter of Gregor McGregor, and a native of Detroit. Seven children were born of this union. See editorial introduction to Richardson's War of 1812 (Toronto, 1902), by Alexandei C. Castleman. 442 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS pleas, but I find the law will admit of it for reasons hereafter to be explained to you. The 40 Bill which I brought into the house will I hope obviate the difficultys You mention of Debtors under ~10, not being subject to imprisonment. Send me word the particulars of what you wish relative to the Navigation, & I have little doubts of carrying thro'. The Proofs relative to the Delivery of goods are hard & require mature deliberation as to amendment. I communicated the purport of your Letter to the Commodore, & shall to Mr Hamilton. Mr Macomb is gone!!! That God may bless you & Yours prays All the Smiths Endorsed: Niagara Octr 19h 1792 Lt D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd & Answd the 2d Novr POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AT NIAGARA Niagara 20 Oct 1792. My dear Sir: Since I wrote to you yesterday I have recd your Letter of 13 In" P[er] our good friend George Leith. I shall certainly be acquitted for having proposed a land Tax, having at the very time a petition before the Governor & Council in the Name of my father & myself, for 6400 Acres, which is since secured or rather ordered in Council. this circumstance will be the strongest that I have acted from Principle, & should Malicious reports be spread, I beg you will promulgate my sentiments, situation & concern relative to the said Land business. Every one, myself included, are willing for a Rum tax, but in my opinion there is a difficulty or rather delicacy in imposing it. And I think the first principles of our Legislation Should be guided by modesty, & what will most likely class with the opinions of those, whose concurrence in sentiment the Law has rendered necessary. The Young french Gentleman has been so strongly recommended at Quebec, & his interest is considered so valueable, that perhaps it would be reckoned indecent to attempt the thwarting of what seems settled; however I have doubts, 443 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS that the Lord Lieut' will take place; & I believe the General Cry is against it. My interest shall be exerted to get you the Command of a troop. His Excellency approves of Horse in all the Districts, & circular Letters are gone to the Militia Commandants on the Subject, Col Englands recommendation would certain[l]y have weight, & should be sent as soon as possible, & the like recommendation from Col McKee, who would surely give it, will I conceive seal your wishes, & confirm the Appointment. My Appointment of Surveyor General, is merely temporary. The family say God bless you, & send you & yours long life, believe nobody wishes it More than D W Smith Endorsed: Answd ye 3d Novr FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN Niagara 28 Octr 1792. Dear Sir: I have had a good deal of Conversation about your light troop; I think the Governor wishes it much; but I would by no means have You neglect to procure the recommendation of Col8 England45 & McKee. I fear there is no power in this Country to put the Capn of Militia on pay, or Even to pay for their Arms at present. Your Rifle is very good I think; but not altogether calculated for light Horse; it is rather too heavy, & want Rings &ca as on all light horse Carbines. I beg You will improve on the idea among my Constituents of My having a Grant of 1400 Acres within the Counties, & that I shall build thereon, & make some kind of 45 Lieutenant Colonel Richard England of the Twenty-fourth Regiment was the last British commandant of Detroit, serving here in 1791 and again from 1793 until the end of the British regime in 1796. Colonel England subsequently attained the rank of lieutenant general in the British army. A son, also named Richard, born at Detroit in 1793, served with distinction in the Crimean War and attained the rank of general. He died in 1883. See Dict. Nat. Biog. 444 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Establishment When I am rich enough. this will surely satisfy them a good deal, & I know you will take every advantage of it. My little Boy continues poorly. Leith is quite impatient. The rest of the family in midling health, that you & yours may be long healthy, wealthy & happy prays fervently D W Smith. Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: Lieut D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 24h Novr FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN Niagara. 7. Novr 1792 My good friend! As this will probably be the last Opportunity I shall have of writing You before the Winter Express, I take up the pen, to scrawl a few lines; & to assure you how much I value & prize your Friendship. The Leiutenants of Counties seem to be a settled thing, & Commission goes up by this opportunity for Colonel McKee, appointing him for Essex, & I understand one of the same Nature for Kent is filled up for Mr Baby. these Commissions authorize the recommendation for Magistrates & Militia Officers. I argued much on this subject & made use of all the information You gave me, but to no purpose. as I suppose therefore You will prefer being in the list of Magistrates & Militia on the Essex Side, & as you have landed property there; You will of course be able to make any arrangements You wish under the Auspicies of Colonel McKee; to whom I have written to be appointed a Magistrate, & not to be forgotten in the Militia. As to News here, We have none, not even a scandalous story. I expect you will be well prepared with Memorandums for me in the Spring, relative to what amendments you want in the present Laws. Give my best wishes to the Commodore, tell him I have again been speaking about Mr Hay, & that I have 445 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS yet hopes the Governor will try to do something for him. His Excellcy is well disposed to serve the Son46 of the late Lt Govr Hay. I think [a] Naval or preventive officer at Oswego, may be the first Effort[?] of Service to him. The family as usual add their prayers for your health & long life & of those belonging to you, & I most heartily say, Amen! Your H Servt D W Smith I am likely to get some of my Land board Money Endorsed: Recvd 24h Novr FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN Niagara. 13 Novr 1792. My very good friend. I have received your letter of 2d November, which gave me its usual satisfaction. I do assure you upon my honor, I have done every thing in my feeble power to get your wishes gratified; I am bound to it not only from Inclination & Gratitude but from Honesty, for I consider my self much in your debt, but I am sorry to say my interest seems very feeble to the accomplishment of your desires. I am afraid you have conceived I am a favorite with the Governor; so far as a discharge of the trusts committed to my care, entitles me to it; I believe I am, but beyond that, I know nothing of the Cabinet. however I have not failed to oppose the measures which seem odious to you, nor feared to say so. the Interest which brought the Young French Gentleman into the Councils, has prevailed in having him appointed Lord Lieutenant for the County of Kent, & that interest was not only planted previous to the Governments taking place, but seems to have taken exuberant Root in Quebec; where his 46 Probably Pierre Henry Hay, who was born at Detroit, Sept. 11, 1765, the son of Jehu Hay and Marie Julie Reaume, for whom see ante, 67. The Ste. Anne's Church records do not list any other son of Jehu Hay who lived to grow up, but in Henry Hay's Journal of 1789-90 mention is made of his brother "Johnny," and the latter was later a prominent resident of Cahokia. See Wis..Hist. Soc., Proceedings, 1914, p. 225; Thwaites and Kellogg (eds.) Revolution on the Upper Ohio (Madison, 1908), 130; and power of attorney of John Hay to Jean B. Askin, ms. in Wm. Robertson Papers, in Burton Hist. Col. 446 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Consequence, his Interest, his Property, & his Loyalty, seem to have been blazoned in lively tropes. I shall however Yet endeavour to fall on some Scheme of getting this indepandent troop of horse established for you. Should ever my interest be courted, I can ask too; & I pledge myself to you never to sell it, but to accomplish your wishes. I am happy to find you entertain thoughts of being returned at the next Election, as it will be highly flattering to me to resign to my worthy Patron. Having struggled to put the Constitution on a good & permanent basis, I shall bow to my Constituents, thank them, & put my hand to the Plow. The Road for the New Settlement shall be asked, & if I cant get troops, I will try to get it cut by a formidable Surveying party.. The Dutch Minister shall have my support for his Provisions, but the Governor can do little out of his Council, & I am fearful has no power to bestow a single Ration. The approved Provision List was sent to Quebec, before my time. We will have a confab in the Spring about the Number of members to be sent, & how the District ought to be divided. The assembly will I believe meet at Niagara the first 4 Years, The Seat of Government is yet undetermined. I have nothing more to say at present, than that if ever I have a Stiver of Interest or Influence with the Government it shall be exerted to the adoption of your Services, to which I am ever bound, being your debtor from Gratitude & Justice-I wish you by no means to neglect your applications to the Commodore & Mr Hamilton. their Age & Situations in the Province make their recommendations of weight. May God bless you, say the Major, My Mother, Anne & your ever faithful & much obliged humble servant D W Smith. Please God I shall see you early in May for 2 or 3 days. tell my Constituents I have a proper sense of their goodness, & my duty to them. Endorsed: recvd 24h Nov' 447 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ENGAGEMENT OF JOHN HARDOCK, SAILOR Detroit District of Hesse Before Frangois Desruisseaux Bellecour Notary residing at Detroit and the Witnesses under Written Was present John Hardock Sailor Who by thise presents Engages himself as Such to Mr John Drake47 residing at River Rouge in the parish of Ste anne, from the first day of the Currant Month of November to the end of the Navigation next year, in the Winter Season he is to do all Kind of work that he is Capable of, as directed by the Said John Drake Such as Cutting Squaring Sawing and Carting Timbers &c he is to be duly attentive on Board the Vessel he Shall Serve and during the Winter is to take proper Care of all Merchandises peltries Utensils and all other things Commited to his charges, to serve obey and Execute faithfully and diligently all that the Said John Drake or his representatives Shall lawfully order him to do, to beheve himself as an honest and faithful Servant ought, Nor his [is] he to quit the Said John Drake's Service, nor absant himself, under the penalty of the ordinance of the province and of losing his Wages, In consideration whereof the Said John Drake obliges himself by this presents to pay unto the Said John Hardock the Sum of five pounds N. york Currency for each Month after the Expiration of his time agreeable to each party's Consent promissing &c Obliging &~ Done at the Said Detroit in the Said Notary's office the Twinty eighth day of November in the year one thousand Seven hundred and ninety two, Signed Sealed and delivered. Signed in the presance of John Askwith48 47 John Drake lived at the River Rouge and commanded a vessel which plied between Detroit and Mackinac, engaged in the Northwest trade. Jacob Lindley of the Quaker peace delegation which visited Detroit in 1793, reports that Drake had formerly been engaged in the Guinea slave trade, and describes him as "remarkable for using no kind of drink but water." See Mich. Pio. Colls., 598, 642-43. In 1798 Drake was living at the River Thames. 48 John Askwith was an Englishman who came to Detroit from Montreal in the summer of 1792 under an engagement as clerk, apparently to John Askin. He was a man of some education, and although he early formed a highly unfavorable opinion 448 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS John Haydck John Drake F D Bellecour N P (L. S.) Endorsed: Engagement of John Hardock to Mr John Drake of the 28th November 1792 Expedition PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD A WINDMILL AND SHIP Articles of Agreement Made and Concluded upon By & between John Askin of Detroit Merchant of the One Part & George Meldrum & William Park also of Detroit Merchants & Copartners of the Other WitnessitThat the said John Askin & the said Meldrum & Park hereby Jointly Agrees to build and Erect a Wind Mill to be Situated as will be hereafter Mention'd and Also to Build & Compleatly Rig & finish a Vessell Ready for Navagating as Early as may be Convenient Next Spring Both Enterprises to be Conducted & Carried on as is Stipulated in the following Articles VisArticle 1st That for & in Consideration of the Sum of Thirty Pounds New York Currency paid to the Said John Askin One Half thereof by the said Meldrum & Park the Receipt thereof he hereby acknowledges Sells, Grants & Conveys Unto the Joint Concern of John Askin & Meldrum & Park a Parcell or Lot of Ground Situated on the West of the Spring Well and Part of that Land presently known by the Name of the Race Ground.49 Containing Four Acres in front ---- -& Acres in Depth which of Detroit and expressed a determination to leave as soon as his contract should permit, he remained until his death, which occurred in the Indian country, in the summer or autumn of 1795. He received an appointment as notary and as clerk to the district court, and these things aside, engaged actively in extensive land speculations. Before coming to Detroit he had a daughter by Margaret Jarvis of Montreal. Although the union was not sanctioned by marriage, Askwith seems to have acknowledged his responsibility for the support of the child. See documents printed post in this volume, Askin Papers (mss.) passim, and Mich. Pio. Coils., XXIII, 399. 49 This tract later became known as Private Claim 39 or the John Harvey farm. For the notable legal contest waged over it see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, IV, No. 1, and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 449 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS brings it to the borders of the Meadows or Marshe In the Rear, the said parcel or Lot of Land being purchased for & to be Appropriated Sole[l]y for the purpose of Erecting thereon a Wind Mill to Appertain to the Same. Article 2nd That John Askin undertakes & Obliges himself to undertake the Sole direction ordering and Conducting Carrying on building & Compleating the said Wind Mill according to the plan Mutually agreed upon and from him only shall the Master Workmen & the men Employed therein Receive their Orders & directions respecting the Same Notwithstanding which no New Matter, Modle, Alteration or Expence which may hereafter require to be Added Alter'd or incer'd can be done but by and with the Consent of said Meldrum & Park prior to such Matter taking place. Article 3rd That all Workmen Necessary for the said Building to be engaged by Written Agreements and with the Approbation of all the Concerned That the said Workmen are to be Acqua[i]nted at the time of Engaging that they are to Receive from John Askin One half of their Wages and from Meldrum & Park the Other half. Article 4th That whatever Art[i]cles or Materials which are or may hereafter be wanted & Necessary to Carry on Continue & Compleat Said Wind Mill the said Parties are Each to furnish Equally one half and to be delivd when demanded in Order the Work may not be Retarded. Should John Askin furnish more of any article than his One half by Meldrum & Park not furnishing Theirs when required then & in that Case Meldrum & Park is to Account to John Askin for the Same. As shall be mutually agreed upon at the time of Requisition. Article 5th That John Askin promisses & Obliges himself to fu[r]nish all the proVissions Necessary for the people So Employed in that Work Meldrum & Park oblidging themselves to Render unto the said John Askin once in Two Months their One half of Such provissions as he may Expend if he Requires it. And that the said John Askin from the Signing of these presents promisses & Obliges himself to Superintend all the Business of said Building & 450 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Erecting said Mill So that no time may be lost and to Keep all the Accounts of Expences Mens Wages &ca. in pace with the Work. Article 6 The saids John Askin & Meldrum & Park have agreed to Make Offer to the NW C~ of One Third Share in the said Vessell which if not Accepted of The said John Askin is only to hold the same Share of this Vessel as he now holds in the Sloop Saguinaw, Promissing to receive back in Same Speciest [Species] of Materials &ca. which may be required & furnished in Building said Vessel and which he may furnish Over the Quantity which would be only required in his holding only the Same Share as in the Sloop Saguinaw Article 7 That Meldrum & Park promisses & Obliges themselves to Undertake the Sole direction ordering & Conducting the Building of said Vessel according to the plan Mutually agreed upon & to be restri[c]ted in Same manner & in like Cases as John Askin is in the proceeding Article 2, respecting the Mill. Article 8 That Meldrum & Park engage such Workmen as is Necessary for the Building Compleating said Vessel and to be Guided and restricted in the same & like Manner as John Askin in the 3rd Article respecting the Mill. Article 9 That Meldrum & Park shall on Any Materials being required for the New Vessel Mlake requisition of John Askin for his Own half and the same to be furnished as is Specified in the 4th Article respecting the Mill. Article 10th That Meldrum & Park promisses & Obliges themselves to furnish & provide proVissions for the people Employed in the said service & to be regulated as Specified for the provissions for those Employed at the Mill in Article the 5. And that the saids Meldrum & Park promises & Obliges themselves from the Signing of These presents to Superintend all the Business of the Building of Said Vessell So that no time may be lost and to Keep all the accounts of Expences Mens Wages &ca, in pace with the Work. In Testimony Thereof the saids John Askin & Meldrum & Park have Severally Signd this Agreement at Detroit 451 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Western District & County of Kent in the Year of Our Lord 1792, & on the 30 Day of November 1792. George Meldrum William Park FROM WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO JOHN ASKIN London 5th December 1792. Dear Sir: Your obliging letter of 20th August reached me here 22d ult. It gave me much pleasure to find you all enjoy your health so well: the interest I take in whatever concerns you will always make such information agreeable, & will afford a peculiar satisfaction to me in every opportunity of demonstrating my inclination to render any of the family service wherever they are. I thank you for your political information: your new government I think must give you general satisfaction: it is that system I have ardently wished as the greatest good that could befall Canada: temper & moderation in the new legislators will do as much good as more shining abilities, which can not always be found in a country so new. I think you [were] right on your own account in declining a [seat in] the assembly. for the public interest, perhaps I could have wished it otherwise. I shall not fail to put you in fortune's way by purchasing you a ticket in the lottery. if she had not been blind, I think she would not have passed you by so often. I hope she will reward your constancy & patience; for my part I have no opinion of her. I shall also send you a seal, now I know of what kind you want it. Goods of every kind are very high, & likely to be higher. Of the astonishing successes of the French, & other political matters you will hear from Mr Meredith who no doubt writes you. We are preparing for war, & in order to support Holland against France. I fear the worst. Our prospect as to furs is very gloomy indeed. With respectful compliments & best wishes to all the family, I am, Dear Sir, Your very Humble servant, William Robertson 452 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Addressed: John Askin, Esqr Merchant, Detroit. Care of Messr" Todd McGill, & C~ Merchants Montreal [In another hand] Private to Mr Askin Endorsed: London Decr 5h 1792 Mr Wm Robertson to Jn~ Askin Answd ye 26th June 453 I SECTION IX LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1793 FROM JOHN ASKIN TO THOMAS SMITH' Detroit January the 5th 1793 Dear Sir: I have just received your letter of the 31st Dec. and as it was always my intention, so soon as the ice was good to send out a slay by which you could come in so as we might have some conversation together, and as I have still the same desire, I will for the present only give a few general answers to what you have wrote me. First respecting Lafond2 I would never wish to trust a man that requires watching; but as it is done & perhaps I would have done the same, I now [wish] every fair means may be taken to get all you can from him & all others that owe for surely in so small a trade I find the debts very considerable, & many of them I fear very doubtful, so much so that I would now take the same articles that were given, back again in payment. when I have seen you we will determine whether or no it will be best to send Mr Nortons to Lafond, for whilst you are in i From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. z Apparently this was Antoine Lafond, who was a fur trade employee in the Maumee region in this period. A contract made by him with Ronald McDonell at the mouth of the Glaize, Sept. 15, 1796, to serve the firm of Leith, Shepherd, and Duff of Detroit as clerk for the ensuing season, under the immediate direction of John McDonald, is preserved in the Burton Hist. Coll. Prior to this date he had been employed in the same region by George McDougall of Detroit. 3 John Norton was a half-breed, his mother being Scotch and his father a Mohawk. He was educated in England and seems to have enjoyed the favor of Joseph Brant, upon whose death in 1807 Norton put himself forward as principal chief of the Mohawk. According to another account Norton was a Scot who served as a private in the British army, from which he obtained his discharge in 1788 and subsequently settled on the Grand River and "assumed all the appearances, habits, and manners of the Indians." Whatever his ancestry, there is no doubt that Norton posed as a chief of the Mohawk, and was accepted as such by the British Indian Department. An entry in John Askin's Journal, April 25, 1798, indicates that he was then interpreter at Niagara and that he had formerly been engaged in trade. He was active in the War of 1812, and commanded the Mohawk in the battle of Queenston. He seems to have been regarded by the British authorities as a man of undoubted ability and influence, but much given to scheming and intrigue. He died sometime subsequent to March 3, 1819; where and how, is unknown. See Canadian Archives Report for 1896, viii, ff. 457 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS here it is my intention that he takes care of the property until your return. The task will be very easy as I never in future intend any trust shall be given. At the rate dry goods are selling in the Indian country, both by your account & others, I would not take the 30 packs of racoons Rouleau4 made and give what they cost if you were to give a ~100. My sole dependance in your quarter is on rum, bread the blacksmith's work &c; if these will produce any thing very well, if not I can take them back & be much better pleased than to see them gave for bad debts, you have not a pins worth of dry goods, but what I could sell here for a sure profit, and unless you can do the same, I mean to have them brought back on slays, for it is very hard for me to be paying cash dayly for Indian goods, whilst I have some in the Indian country either unsold or what is worse must be given in credit to those who never will pay. To buy any dry goods, to send to the Foot of the Rapids, I never will except something very trifling. All I beg of you is, & I will be satisfied and endeavor to satisfy you also, to drop this uncertain part of the trade, to collect all you can of the debts due, and not make new ones, to prepare wood for kegs of all sizes & dispose of your rum so as to make 24/ or more per gallon & not less. If you strictly adhere to these rules both you & I will suffer less anxiety and I am sure have more satisfaction in the end & be assured If you act agreable to these my wishes, I will always be satisfied whether you make packs or not. I shall make only one remark relative to the Indian trade, or what the trader[s] generally say & that is when an article or two is wanting, it would seem as if all others were not worth anything, it is very different with us, for tho' I am out of more than 20 articles, I still can sell such as I have. 4 Apparently Charles Rouleau. His ancestor, Gabriel Rouleau dit Sanssoucy, born in the parish of Tourouve, in Perche, France, in 1618, married Mathurine Leroux and migrated with her to Canada prior to 1653. They lived at Isle of Orleans, where Gabriel was buried, Feb. 23, 1673. His great-great-grandson, Charles Rouleau, born at St. Laurent, Isle of Orleans, on April 26, 1761, married at Detroit, May 8, 1797, Jane Ann Chauvin, daughter of Noel Chauvin and Jane Meloche. They lived at the Southwest Coast of Detroit, in the vicinity of the River Rouge, where in 1807 and 1808 Private Claims 29 and 567 were confirmed to Charles Rouleau. They had fifteen children, born in the period 1797-1828. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Farmer, History of Detroit, 978, 981., 458 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I have the pleasure of saying that your family were all well a few days ago. I wish you health & happiness & remain Dear Sir, Your Most obedt Humble servant John Askin P. S. Salt is now worth about 2/ the lb., a great deal of that article remained on the communication. Don't part with Indian corn, on the contrary purchase what you can, towards Sandusky perhaps some could be got, it has not for cash been higher than 8/ here but there appears little or none for sale. Peltries greatly fallen, minks from 2/ to 2/8 here & I believe not so much below. Thos Smith, Esq. Foot of the rapids. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN LOWER CANADA Quebec 20 January 1793 Dear Askin I was favoured whilst at Montreal with your esteemed Letter of the 2d of November and as there will probably be no other opportunity of addressing you than this express untill the Spring I cannot let it pass without dropping you a few lines in return. your partiality to me I have long known and if I can discharge the duties of the public employments I have been raised to equal to yourwishes I shall not be apprehensive of forfeiting the good opinion which others have the goodness to entertain of me. I can answer for my heart but the Head may be wrong at times. Our Legislature met on the 17th ulto and as you will no doubt see our newspapers I need not take up your time with repeating the Governors Speech, the addresses of the two Houses &t but referr you for them to the Gazettes. Hitherto our time has been taken up in framing Rules for proceeding to business so that no Law has yet been brought forward and we have a point to discuss which I fear will set us at variance for the Canadian Members will have all civil Laws passed in the French Language & only a translation of them in English. you will readily suppose that no Englishman can agree that a small Province shall treat the mother 459 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Country with such disrespect besides ever since the conquest of the Country the Laws have been passed in English & not a word said about it, but it would seem that the French revolution & Mr Paines Book on the rights of man have turn'ed peoples Heads, for it is well known that the Governor cannot & that the Legislative Council will not pass any Law whatever in any other Language than in English. so much for our politics here and as to matters of business I shall referr you to the House. I beg my best Compliments may be made acceptable to Mr" Askin & your family & that you will believe me, My dear Askin, Your affectionate Friend James MoGill John Askin Esqr Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: Quebec Jan- 20h 1793 Jm' McGill Esqr to Jn~ Askin recvd 11th March Answd April 7h PURCHASE OF CORN FROM NIAGARA Detroit 26th Janry 1793 Dear Sir By the fall Vessels I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you dated the 13th of November mentioning your not being able at that time to let me Know the price of Corn & flour no doubt it can now be assertained but whilst waiting for information the oppertunity of purchasing may be lost I have therefore to beg you will on receipt of this Buy for me 300 Bushels of the former on the best terms you can and have it transported to Fort Erie for the first vessels in the Spring as I shall want it early with 500 I also write Mr Hamilton to procure for me As to flour I will not want any unless the price is low, but Corn I must have cost what it will as the Crop has failed in this quarter. Mess Meldrum & Park jointly with me are building a fine Vessel fit for the Mackinac business she will carry yourself & property with more safety than your Weazell, Swans, Muskratt &" The Indian Country [is] at Peace, but owing to no Snow 460 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS and very little frost the Indian hunt wears a poor prospect Miss Grant Married to Doctor Wright5 a few days ago, my family in good health & present their Complements I am Dear Sir Your Most obedt humble Servant JA Endorsed: Detroit 26th Janry 1793 from John Askin to Mr William Dickson6 Niagara A Copy MARRIAGE OF MADELAINE ASKIN Queens town 31 Janvier 1793 Mon cher papa Je profitte de loccasion de Mr David Smyth qui accompagne le Gouverneur jusque au Detroit Je suppose quil Sera recue avec beaucoup de Joie, surtout de Notre famille, Car Je scai quil Est un grand favori de vous il 5 Therese Grant, daughter of Commodore Grant, was born at Detroit, Feb. 13, 1776. In January, 1793, she married Thomas Wright, who was commissioned surgeon in the Sixtieth (Royal American) Regiment on Oct. 16, 1793. In the winter of 1794-95 he was at Fort Miamis, where Askin sought to befriend him in a garrison feud to which he was a party. In the summer of 1799 he was sent to Jamaica where he died, apparently of yellow fever, prior to April, 1801. Mrs. Wright attempted to return to her parents at Detroit, but died at New York en route; all but one of her four children, according to the Grant family genealogy, died of yellow fever at this time. The survising child, Therese, a girl of four years, was taken into the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Macomb, former residents of Detroit, until she could be sent on to her grandparents, by whom, and her aunt, Mrs. Thomas Dickson, she was reared. She subsequently married Robert Nichol, for whom see ante, 324. She married (second) -- Boyd, a captain in the British navy, who is said to have attained the rank of admiral. Information adapted from Askin Papers, passim; British army lists; and P. J. Anderson, Major Alpin's Ancestors and Descendants, 15-16. 6 William Dickson, born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1769, migrated to Canada along with his brothers, Robert and Thomas, about the close of the Revolution. Robert, the eldest, entered the fur trade and was prominent in the Northwest for a generation, being particularly active in influencing the Indians west of Lake Michigan to support the British cause in the War of 1812. He died at Drummond Island in 1823. William Dickson settled atNiagara, where he became a barrister and where most of his life was passed. In April, 1794, he married Charlotte Adlam, whose father was a captain in the British navy. During the War of 1812 Dickson was carried captive to Albany, and in his absence from home his house was burned by the Americans. In November, 1815, he became a member of the parliament of Upper Canada. In 1811 he had acquired a tract of some 94,000 acres of land on Grand River where now is the city of Gait, and for a number of years after the war he devoted his energies to colonizing and developing this property. In 1827 he made his residence at Galt, but returned to Niagara in 1836. Here he died, Feb. 19, 1846. He had three sons, Robert, Walter, and William; the last two were barristers at Niagara, the first-named resided at Gait. A somewhat extensive sketch of Dickson's career and ancestry is contained in Niagara Hist. Soc. Publications, No. 30 (Welland, 1917). 461 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS vous donnera de mes nouvelles Je suppose que vous avez deja recue. oui cher papa il ne manquoit que le reste de la famille pour nous rendre parfaittement heureux. mon mari votre fils se joins a moi pour vous assurer de ses respect Et vous demander la permission de vous appeler son pere. Je suis assure mon cher papa Connoissant votre bon Coeur que vous ne refuserai point Cette favour. Car Je scai Combien vous ete interess6 aux bonheur de vous enfants il me recommande de vous marquer quil gardera toujours comme un de ses plus grand devoir davoir soin de votre fille, Et moi de Concerver la tendresse de toute la famille. Je noublirai jamais les intensions de Mr H envers nous ainsi que notre chere Kity Je suis bien prgss6 Je suis fach6 que Je ne puis en Ecrire plus long. Jassure Ma chere maman de nos respects Et amitie a nos frere Et soeur. Et suis avec respect Votre affectionn6 fille Madelaine Richardson Addressed: Mr John Askin Detroit Endorsed: Queenston Janr 30th 1793 Mrs Madelaine Richardson to John Askin recd & answd in February Translation Queenston, January 31, 1793 Dear Papa: I am taking advantage of the opportunity by Mr. David Smith, who accompanies the Governor7 as far as Detroit. He will be joyfully received, no doubt, especially by our family, for I know he is a great favorite of yours. He will give you news of me which I take for granted you have already received. Yes, dear Papa, there is wanting only the rest of the family to make us perfectly happy. My husband, your son, joins me in assuring you of his respect. He asks permission to call you father. I am sure, dear Papa, knowing your kindness of heart, that you will not refuse this favor, for I know how much you are interested in the happiness of your 7 John Graves Simcoe, first governor of Upper Canada, for whom see ante, 403. 462 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS....... - children. He charges me to say to you that he will always guard as one of his highest duties, the welfare of your daughter, and on my part, to cherish the affection of all the family. I shall never forget what Mr. H[amilton] did for us, and also our dear Kitty. I am very hurried. I am sorry that I cannot write about things at greater length. Assure my dear Mama of our respect and love to our brothers and sisters. I remain with respect, your affectionate daughter Madelaine Richardson FROM WILLIAM ROBERTSON TO JOHN ASKIN London 318t January 1793. Dear Sir: By the arrival of Mr Leith here the 3d of this month, I had the pleasure to receive your obliging letter of 10th October; both from it, & from the more ample detail of Mr L-, I was particularly happy to find your family, as well as yourself, in so good a state of health; that you had had such a fine season, & that the general tenour of affairs in your settlement wore an aspect so promising, circumstances which will never cease to give me the most heartfelt pleasure, & to promote which, I shall never think one of the least of my duties; at the same time I do not find myself disposed, for many reasons, to revisit you again at present. The system of political government laid down for Canada, if pursued with temper, moderation & discernment, I am persuaded is capable of producing the fairest & happiest consequences to the colonies, as well as to the parent state. As this goes out by the way of New York in the care of a young man I am sending out to my brother, & as I shall send all the newspapers &c by him to the present date, I shall therefore refer you to them for the political events of the day, the most interesting & astonishing that the page of modern or even ancient history ever recorded. For the cause of liberty (for the best cause may be disgraced by the mode & means of carrying it on) I regret the violent & sanguinary conduct of the French on many occasions, but their execu463 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS tion of the King, which happened at Paris 24th of this month is an act condemned by the laws of justice, humanity & sound policy! All the powers of Europe who were before neutral, seem now arming to attack them, & we expect every day hostilities will commence between them & us. what the event may be no human eye can penetrate. to this country, loss of trade & increased taxation are certain, but what else, time only can unfold. To the staple of Canada, little less than destruction; for the prospect of war here, added to the effect that on the continent it had before produced, will in all probability lower furs at least twenty or thirty percent: The Hudson's Bay Beaver, which last year (thefine) sold for 19/ & 20/, sold the other day for 13/ a[nd] 15/, & so on of the rest! Deer skins however will suffer very little if any diminution of last year's prices. I shall attend to your orders, as well as to the purchasing of a lottery ticket, so that you may be once again within the pale of fortune: if I buy you a large prize, I expect five percent commission, brokerage &c &c & I hope to have it in my power to state such an account. Mr & Mrs Meredith were very well. we dined (Mr Leith, A Todd & myself) [with them] a few days ago. I beg my most sincere respects to Mr' A, Miss Therese & all the family,Comr [Grant] & his & am, Dear Sir, Your friend & humble servant, William Robertson J. Askin Esqr P. S. FebrY 2. The Deerskin sale is now over, & I am sorry to find, even they have fallen short of expectation as you will learn, when you know yours average only 4/10. what may be the consequence to furs, I fear almost to surmise, for the prospect is every day more alarming. I have just got a letter from Capt Mercer, he was pretty well after an attack from the gout. Mrs M & the young ladies very well, but not particularly fond of Dublin Addressed: John Askin, Esqr Merchant, Detroit pr Mr Innes8 8 Robert Innis, whose coming to America is accounted for in the present letter, 464 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Endorsed: London JanY 31st 1793 Mr Wm Robertson to Jn~ Askin Answd ye 26h June recvd June 10th SCHEME FOR CONDUCTING MAUMEE AND WABASH TRADE Sir With the Utmost Submission and defferance to your Excellencys better Judgment I beg leave to Sugest a Mode of Carrying on the Indian Trade to the Westward by Means that would in the first Instance in a great measure Secure the Lives & property of the Traders, in the Second procure a greater Consumption of Goods & larger remittances in Furrs, & in the third furnish the Indians with what Commodities they might want on the Frontiers and by that Means prevent their retiring from the best Hunting Grounds & l[e]aving that part of the Country free & oppen to the Encrochments of their Enimies. That the Fidelity & good Character of Each person desirious to Trade with the Indians beyond the foot of the rapids be Assertained to the Satisfaction of the Commanding officer Coll. McKee & such Others as they may think Worthy of Trust After which such Person to be Admitted as a Joint Partner in all the Indian Trade carried on beyond the Aforsd Place he conforming to the regulations made for that Purpose which regulations before Carried Into Execution to be Transmitted to you by the Commanding officer of this Post for your Excellency's Approbation. That all the Trade of that Country should be Carried on by a Company to consist of Persons of the forgoing reached Detroit in June, 1793, and remained a resident here until the American advent, when he signified his desire to continue a British subject, and removed to the south side of the river. At Sandwich he was engaged in trade for many years and apparently attained a considerable degree of prosperity. For a number of years he was in partnership with Robert Grant under the firm name, Innis and Grant. In the spring of 1812, Innis and McGregor were owners of an eighty-ton vessel at Sandwich, the Thames. In the War of 1812 Innis served as quartermaster of the First Regiment of Essex Militia, of which Matthew Elliot was colonel, being present at the battles of Mongaugon, Brownstown, surrender of Detroit, Frenchtown, and River Raisin. Innis married Margaret, daughter of Matthew Donovan, schoolmaster at Detroit. A sister of Margaret Donovan became the wife of Matthew Elliot. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; Officers of British Forces in Canada During the War of 1812-15, 34, 89; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll. 465 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Characters. That no Traffic should be carried on but in Stockaded Trading Forts nor less than Twenty four men Exclusive of the Trader & his Interpreters in Each Fort, which men should take the Oath of Allegiance & by their Agreement be Obliged to Mount Guards & do Duty as Soldiers so far as Necessary for the Preservation of the lives & property of the People in it. That these Men should be Commanded by a Person of Fidelity & Prudence Approved of by the Commanding Officer. I beg your Excellency will Excuse my want of method in conveying my Ideas & Suffer me to say that I have no wish so much at Heart as that of promototing the wellfair of his Majesty's Gover[n]ment Under your directions & should it Please your Excellency to Enact any Laws for the regulation of the Trade on the Frontier and that any Information I'm possessed of would on that Occation be Necessary, I will with Much Chearfulness go to Niagara for that purpose and Always think myself greatly Honored in Executing your Commands. I am with Great Submission Your Excellencys Most Obedient very Humble Servant Detroit February the 22d 1793 Governor Simcoe Endorsed: Coppy Detroit Feb 22d 1793 John Askin to Lieut Governor Simcoe FROM THOMAS SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN say April Foot Rapids 3 March 1793 Dear Sir Mr Norton sets off for Detroit tomorrow morning according to your desire. he will deliver you an Inventory of the Goods Peltries &c and also an exact account of his transactions between the 17th of January and the 12th of March. As Mr Norton is acquainted with Lafond and some of the Mohawks I think he would be a proper person to be sent to upper Sandusky so soon as it may be convenient to you, in order to look after your property in that quarter, which 466 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS if neglected might eventually prove a loss. he has great interest among the Mohawks hunting towards the Scioto which may prove favorable in recovering the debts. I need not say more; your good sense perhaps may induce you to act with some policy although the apparent profits arising on this adventure within this two months past may put you out of patience as well as myself. you will hear from me very soon, I am in the mean time Dear Sir Your most obidient and very humble Servant T Smith Jn~ Askin Esqr Addressed: To John Askin Esqr Detroit pr Mr Norton Endorsed: Foot of the rapids the 3d April 1793 Mr Thos Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 5th Answd [illegible] COMPLAINT AGAINST AMERICAN SPY Personally appeared before me John Askin Esquire one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the western district, John Miller of Detroit Mariner and voluntarily declared on Oath that a man who lately came from the American States and calls himself William Erwin,9 came to his house one evening about the Tenth of March last and asked leave to stay there all night; that after some conversation he said to Miller you are a great fool to stay here, if you will come with me I will make a Gentleman of you. I am come lately from the American States and intend returning there soon and that on Millers telling him he had no inclination to leave this Country he said well if you will not go to the States, will you go round the works with me? I wish to know the weakest part of the Fort. That Miller replied he would not; on which Erwin told him that if he would not go with him he would go himself. That Miller then said if he went out of his house that night he should not return. That this and such conversation had continued till between Twelve and one 9 Irvin, or "Irvine," was confined by Colonel England and sent down to Niagara for such action as the governor might think proper to take concerning him. Colonel England regarded him as "too worthless a Fellow in every respect to be employed as a Spy." See Mich. Pio. Colls., XXIII, 587. 467 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS oClock at night. That he then gave him some Blankets to Lie on locked his Door and Erwin went to Bed. That he returned and slept at his house for four or Five nights more during which time he frequently made proposals to said Miller to assist him in examining the works of the Garison and going with him to the States and that he got Paper from said Miller to Draw a Scetch of the Fortifications, which Scetch he Afterwards shewed to sd Miller He added that he meant only to work for a month or so here and then go back for that a large Army would come against this place sooner than he Miller expected. That then those who Used him well should be rewarded, but those who treated him otherwise should be Marked. That on Miller's telling him once that he suspected he was a Spye he Answered its no matter to you what I am. his John X Miller mark Sworn before me at Detroit this 2d day of April 1793 John Askin J. P. W. D. FROM ARCHANGE MEREDITH TO JOHN ASKIN Woolwich 7th April 1793 My dear Father It affords me no small pleasure to address you, and inform my good Parents that admist [amidst] all this bustle of War, my dear husband is still with me, and not as I dreaded, ordered away on foreign service, for tho many of the officers are now serving in Holland against the French, it has not yet reached Mr Merediths turn upon the roster, but he is now within one of them, how long he may be allowed to remain here I can not say, but I hope at least, till after I have recovered from my confinement, which I expect will be the beginning of next Month, but should he unfortunately be ordered, it is essential I should submit to the seperation, as it is proper every Soldier should take his tour of duty, and I know his disposition to be such, that he would never shrink from attending any service he may be ordered upon, however painfull it might be his 468 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS parting with me, which without vanity I can assure My dear Father, would be as distressing on his part as that of my own. It seems we are daily getting the better of the French, which I heartily rejoice at, as I think such a set of cruel wretches as those who have caused such horrid massacres, ought to be extirpated from the Earth, and I am happy to find that the generality of people in this Kingdom, possess the same opinion, which was plainly evinced by the general mourning worn in this Country, for the late unfortunate Louis, the sixteenth. There is a report for some days past, of a counter revolution in Paris, but it is not yet confirmed, I think it not at all improbable as no doubt, many were against the King being beheaded, but their party was so weak at the time, that they dared not declare their sentiments. You will excuse me my dear Father for being so bad a politician, I do not pretend to it, what I have said, is the prevailing talk, but the Papers of which you have a sight, will give you every information, respecting the proceedings of the National Convention, and the affairs of France, so much my dear Father for this subject, at which I am but a lame hand. We received a letter the other day from Capt Mercer, who is now at Uxbridge, after a short stay in Ireland, they all enjoy health he is come home on the recruiting service, and I suppose will be fixed in this Country for some time, they mention not having heard a long time from you, tho I believe you are very punctual at writing them, I am happy at having no reason to make the same complaint, and beg to express my gratitude, to my dear Parents, for that great mark of their affection, and attention, which does not permit them to miss an oppertunity of writing me, my dear Meredith renders me very happy by searching oppertunitys of conveying letters to you, and gives me the earliest intelligence of it, therefore it would be unpardonable did I not seize it immediatly. * * * * Tho I say it my dear Parents, few Women are so happy as your Archange, who is fully sensible that she possesses the entire affection of the best of husbands, one who sacrifices every thing for my comfort, and happiness, and there cannot 469 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS be a greater proof of tenderness, from a man who has always been used to the best of company, than the decided preference which he gives to mine. Our society here is extremely pleasant, amongst whom are some very good chess players, and Mr Meredith frequently wishes that the Commodore was one of the party, it is held once a week at each others houses, un petit soupe, a bon marche, which consists of toast and ale, a l'angloise &c &c closes the evening, I begin to know a little of the game which I find very pleasing and interesting. Mr Meredith is now on guard about a mile from me, and before he went begged I would insert his kind love to you all, he means by the same oppertunity to write you, I shall not see him till eight oclock tomorrow morning, when he will be releived, and come home to breakfast, the guard mounts at seven, which is rather early, but rising earlys wholesome, the nights that Mr M. is on guard, the two maids and myself protect the house, and as my dear Meredith has taught me to fire a pistol sans peur and there is always a brace of them loaded on the mantle peice of the room in which I sleep, I am under no uneassiness whatever during the night. When promotion shall make my dear M a Capt Lieutenant, which cannot be long from the vacancys which fall, he will endeavour to procure an exchange to Canada, should he not legally fall into those Companys, therefore my dear Parents I beg you will make yourselves happy in the idea, that please God we all live for some years longer, we shal have the happiness to meet again, a circumstance which I anticipate with the utmost delight, the dear little Family I left at home will be quite grown, kindly remember me to them all, with assurances of my love, I intend writing my dear Mother and Sister by the next oppertunity, My dear Mother will take this letter in part for her, as it is meant so; in respect to fashions I can only inform the female part of the family, that low crowned chip hats, with large bows of strip coloured ribbon, is the prevailing system, with frilld calico jackets, and broad sashes, and nothing is now so vulgar for either gentlemen, or lady, as to be seen with a silk stocking 470 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS that appears the least blue, Mr Meredith joins me in kind esteem to the Commodore my aunt and cousin Grant. my affectionate regard attend you all and beleive me your ever loving Daughter Archange Meredith Endorsed: Answd ye 9h Octr 1793 PROGRESS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION London 10th April 1793. Dear Sir, I wrote you 31st January since which I have not the pleasure of any of yours to reply to. By the present opportunity I send you the little articles you mentioned. they are put up along with my brother's, except acts of parliament relating to the office of a justice of the peace, which are too voluminous in my opinion for your use, for almost every statute is more or less connected with that matter-& I know none better than Bram [?] which you no doubt have. I bought you a lottery ticket, & I wish I could announce better success than a ~20 prize, it cost ~15. I may as well keep it & try your fortune with it again. Before this reaches you, you will have learnt the great fall of furs, & that the war, in which we are now parties against France is likely to produce a further depreciation of their value. It has produced a total stagnation already in almost every branch of trade & manufactures, a total stop to credit & confidence, bankruptcies of the most alarming magnitude, generally thirty in a week, where the distress will end we know not. The success of the French was rapid, their losses & defeats have been equally so. After various battles, in which many thousands fell on both sides, they have been driven out of the Austrian Netherlands. The country is torn with intestine commotions & insurrection. Dumourier, their general-in-Chief was suspected by the Convention of treachery: they sent commissioners to arrest him & bring him to their bar. he arrested their commissioners, sent them as hostages to the Austrian general for the safety of the young king & royal family at Paris, to which place he ordered his army to march, to dissolve the Convention, 471 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS restore royalty & establish order. we have just heard, that finding he could not depend on his troops for this purpose he has deserted to the enemy with a squadron of horse. What effects this may have produced in Paris we are not yet informed, but I fear most horrid carnage will be the result. When the distractions, or how, of that devoted country will end God only knows, & I fear by their violence they have lost the fairest opportunity of establishing a free government that ever was within the reach of any people ancient or modern! Capt. Mercer & his family are at Uxbridge. they were very well a day or two ago, as were Mr & Mrs Meredith, from all of whom you will no doubt hear by this opportunity. I beg my compliments & best wishes to Comr Grant & family, to Mr" Askin & all the rest of your family, & believe me, Dear Sir, Your very humble servant William Robertson J. Askin Esqr P.S. Apl 27th The detention of the ships at Portsmouth for convoy gives me an opportunity of filling up the sheet. Since the 10th little else has taken place but failures & bankruptcies. they are now so numerous, & of such magnitude that ministry seem alarmed & are going to submit a plan to Parliament for issuing four millions of exchequer bills to assist such houses as have actually property but from the present great scarcity of money cannot convert it into cash. Many are sanguine in their expectations that this will relieve the evil that now oppresses & threatens general ruin to trade, but I do not think it. It is singular to see the minister, after borrowing six millions to carry on the war, going to lend four, when he himself must soon want other six! In the mean time troops are embarking to assist our allies to "subdue the French & bring them to reason, & to establish order in that devoted country"! The French are so far from feeling the obligation that they are preparing to resist with all their power. The defection of Dumourier did not [as] was expected & reported, produce any tumult 472 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS at Paris or in the provinces: much altercation indeed took place in the convention, but neither signs of fear nor submission. Gen' Dampie[r]re was appointed to command & has been very successful in collecting their army together in the neighbourhood of Valenciennes; recruits & reinforcements are moving from all quarters to join him. the Convention have ordered their army to be raised to the number of one million of effective men. the insurrections have been quelled, with great slaughter of the insurgents in the field, & much bloodshed on the scaffold. They have taken a great many Dutch & English ships in the Mediterranean, but we here of no marine operations as yet of importance. I am sorry to say that by last accounts, of very recent dates, Furs are a mere drug at China, & report [?] actually coming home again; that here the furs that were sold at last sales, altho' then at a great loss, would not now bring within twenty percent of the price, & the purchasers will lose by them. As to next year I should not be surprised if Racoons were at 2 or ' here! W.R Addressed: (Pr Everetta) John Askin, Esqr Merchant, Detroit Care of Messr8 Todd, McGill & C~ Montreal Endorsed: London April 10h 1793 Mr Wm Robertson to Jn~ Askin Answd ye 28h Septr 1793 OUTLOOK FOR INDIAN TRADE London 23d April 1793 Dear Askin I wrote you Last fall acknoledging receipt of your favor of the 9th Octbr it gives me sincere pleasure at all times to hear of you and family enjoying Good health, and particularly the reestablishment of Miss Askins, I hear Madeline has changed her Name and taken that of a good young Man as you will receive Letters from friend Robertson, Cap" Mercer & Mr & Mrs Meredith [I] will reffer you to them for News &o' as I am at this time much hurried I am sorry to acquaint you there will be a Loss on your furrs and, your Sons, and that the prospect for Next 473 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS year is so bad thers, no saying what price they May bring perticularly Racoons upwards of 40 000 bot here are sent to N York & Philadelphia, I wish you to avoid them as much as posible, this change in the furr Market will occasion a certain Loss this Year and can only be remedied in future by a different mode of trade, and not giving half the value you now give for Furrs, and of course not have occasion for half the Indian Goods, knowing this and that many more Goods was ordered then was necessary, I thought it for your Sons Interest and all concerned Not to have his order for Indian Goods executed as you, and the House at Montreal will have more then there will be wanted and he can be supplyd from you on as good terms, You will have hear,d from the House that I had & have the promise that You and Mr Robertson shall supply all the flower wanted by Govermt at your place, and I hope you will be carefull to execute it so as to give sattisfaction to all concerned both as to price & quality, this with what we can procure you from the NWest and, other friends, will I hope be a more profitable and safe business then the Indian Trade, for be assured that if furrs continue to fall as is expected there is not a Shilling that has been gained for some Years past that will not be Lost in Less time, by those who persue the Trade, unless there is a change in the mode of Trade and expense that I scarsely think will happen as Mr McGill and the House will give you the Necessary information on Matters of business [I] shall reffer you to them. with Complemt8 to the Commodr & family and best respects to Mrs Askin & yours belive me Sincerly your friend Isaac Todd Mr John Askin I find I every day grow older tho I enjoy as good health as I have reason to expect. Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: London April 22d 1793 Isaac Todd Esqr to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 22d Octr Answd ye 3d April 1794 474 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS,~~................ FROM JOHN ASKIN TO WILLIAM ROBERTSON Detroit June 24h 1793 Dear Sir, I had the pleasure of Receving your Favour dated the 31 JanY as also the joint Letter you wrote your Brother & me with one to myself Annexed. I can Assure you it Affords my Family & Self much Satisfaction to learn that you were in good health & we beg leave to Express the Gratefull Sen[s]e we have to your Friendship, & Attatchment not only to Ourselves but to all our Connections where ever you meet them. The Supplying of ye Garrison of Mich and this with provisions will be of great advantage to your Brother & me & I have Reason to think will in some time make a favourbe Change in my Affairs and for which I will always consider Myself Indebted to you & Mr Todd there is no manner of doubt but we could Even now furnish Beef throughout the Summer Season for 8d N.Yk Curc pr ct as often as ye troops could want it (which may be three days in the week) and could we be allowed for ye fresh Rations what Government makes Artificers pay vit 10'12d Halfx we would make very handsomely by it, as yr Brother & I will write a joint Letter on this Subject its unnesseracy for me to say more. I have been Uncommonly unlucky in my Returns from ye Ind" Country this Year & those who make many packs paid too much for them. Little News you may well Suppose in our Country. There is some Quakers & others now here10 waiting ye Arrival of ye three American Commissioners from Niagara to go with them to ye Indian Council to be held at Sandusky. My private oppinion is that no Peace between the Americn and Indians will take plaice for Imprudently some American Troops are said to be advancing in ye mean time, if so I should not think the Commissionairs Safe you Know the dispossition of Indians. I'm always verry troublesome to you with Small Memorandums which take up your time & give no profit, will you be so Kind as to Excuse my sending you one now. I have got a pretty large stock of Cattle most[ly] my own Rearing & Io The allusion is to the Quaker peace delegation whose experience and activities are recorded in Jacob Lindley's Journal, reprinted in Mich. Pio. Colls., XVII, 565-66. 475 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS mean to have Many more & as no person here has Knowledge to cure them when sick or the Necessary Druggs for that purpose I'm Obliged to order a few out. The Commodores Family are well he [is] now at Niagara Enacting Laws which I fear is not long to Effect this Side of ye Watter if I may judge from Appearance as his Excellency Governor Simcoe seems to wish to withdraw the Inhabitants from this side however many are possesed of such property as will not admit of their Removeing let their Inclinations be what it will. Your Acquaintances here are all well, My Family begs to Assure of their best wishes as does Dear Sir Your Obliged verry humble S. (Signed) John AsKin William Robertson Esqr Mert London. Endorsed: Detroit June 24. 1793 (Copy) of a Letter to Mr William Robertson in London. LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS AT NIAGARA 25 June. 93 My dear Sir! I was long flattered with the Hope of seeing You. I am disappointed, particularly as you complain of your health. Do send my account. I asked 2 or 3 for the petition against the Contract. It was not then delivered, I understand it now is. & if I have interest enough, you shall have particulars. the Contract is generally complained of. I have not seen your advertisement. We have made no law to free the Slaves. all those who have been brought into the Province or purchased under any authority legally exercised, are Slaves to all intents & purposes, & are secured as property by a certain act of Parliament. they are determined however to have a bill about Slaves, part of which I think is well enough, part most iniquitous! I wash my hands of it. A free man who is married to a Slave, his heir is declared by this act to be a slave. fye, fye. The Laws of God & man cannot authorize it. 476 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I am in hopes the Militia bill will please You, as McKee I understand intends you, for a field officer. A Marriage Bill, A Wolf Bill, A parish Officer Bill, A Probate Bill, a Common pleas Bill, & some others have gone thro' the Houses God forever bless You, I am Completely hurried, but at all times Yours most faithfully D W Smith Addressed: John Askin Esquire. Detroit Endorsed: Niagara June 25h 1793 Lt D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd y 10Oh & Answd ye Ill July RELATIVES OF JOHN ASKIN Detroit Upper Canada July 1 1793. Dear Sir I was some time ago favoured with your Letter of ye 18h Augt last to which you should have had an Immediate Answer had I Known by what means to have had it Conveyed with Safety to you for the Mr Noal who was so Kind as to take charge of yr letter never came here nor Even wrote me so that I'm at a loss to Know who he is tho Acquainted with Several of that name I can never Sufficiently thank you for your Kindness in Endevouring to give me Information Respecting my family who by the last Accounts I Recd from Ireland (which is long since) are Dead or so disperced that I could not Obtain any Satisfactory Account of them. I have the misfortune to say that I never have met with any Relati[ve] of mine in this Country, Mr Richard Rea an uncle of mine Excepted who died at New yk several Years ago. for yr Information & that of MrB Campbell & in hopes of discovering in one or both of you some part of my family I have to say that I was Born at Aughnacloy in the North of Ireland in 1739 that my Father was a Shop Keeper in that Town his name James & my Mother name Alice Rea, that I had two Brothers the Elder named William & the Youngest Robert, as also two Sisters the Elder named Mary & the youngest Named 477 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Sarah, (who its possible may be Mrs Campbell) That I came to this Country in 1758 and most of my time since have been in Trade first at albany near New York where I Kept a Shop & since that at a placie called Michilimakinac & for these last thirteen Years past here. I married in 1772 & have a large Family some of my Daughters [are] Married one of which to an Officer of ye Royal Artillery at Woolwich near London a Liut Maderith [Meredith] what makes me perticulize him is that should Widow Campbell prove to be my Sister my Daughter would be most happy to see her. I have also many other perticular friends in London a Mr Issac Todd [and] a Mr Willm Robertson both may be found at Mess" Phyn Ellis & Englis in London, any Letter delivered them for me I will Receive for certain, I observe you spell your name Erskine wheras my Father & myself have wrote ours Askin yet I learn my Grand father Spelt his as you do. The best chance I Know of this geting Safe to you is my giving it in charge to a Quaker Gentleman now here Named [name not inserted]" who lives in Phledelpha & I'm sure will not only take the Utmost care to forward it to you but will be Equally carefull to transmit any letters you may favour me with to this place. My Family tho unknown to you beg leave to assure [you] of their Esteem I am Dr Sir Yr very humbl Sert (Signed) Jn~ Askin M Jn~ Erskin Easton Eastern Shore Maryland Endorsed: Detroit July 1 1793 Copy of a Letter to Mr John Erskine at Easton Eastern Shore, Maryland. PROPOSAL FOR PARTNERSHIP IN TRADE Detroit July 9 1793. My Dear Sir Since writing you & other Friends verry Fully this Spring, I have been favoured with your joint x Probably Jacob Lindley, of the Quaker peace delegation, whose Journal is cited ante, 475. 478 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Letter to Mr Dd Robertson & me dated ye 19 November last & can never sufficiently thank you for your Friendly attachment to me & mine. I have great hopes that the part I hold in furnishing Provissions for this post & that of Michlimakinac will bring about a favourable change in my Affairs which is much wanted for I have Even been more disappointed this year than heretofore, was it possible to get Honest men as many as I should want into my Service and they Execute my plans as I direct them I'm certain I would Yearly make Money & in the end if God preserved me get clear of the greatest burden, but Except what is conducted under my own Inspection (Generally Speaking) all goes Rong & had I even health to Voyage in my Absence its likely matters would not go on well here, and my share of the Trade of this post is too Inconsiderable to make much unless I had a Store like that of Mr Robertsons which Requires a large Caputal. Your Nephew Andrew is to be here in Augt next at which I'm perticularly happy as I have Formed a plann which I will communicate to him to be mentioned to Mr McGill below & if it meets with his & your Approbation I will put it in Execution. The Outlines is to take my Son John into partnership with me for Ten Years, allowing him a third of ye Profits, each to Maintain their famalies Seperately, whats taken from Store for the use of either to be Replaced the year following with an Allowance of 6 pr Ct. my Houses Lands Cattle &ce to Remain to myself & the partnership to continue if Even any accident happened to me, but not so if any happened to him. The advantages I foresee would be a greater Security to you in the first place, next having an Inter ted Person to Visit frequently those who are Trading out is Absolutely Necessary & my hea[l]th will not permit me to do it. In the third place a Security in Case I should fall sick or any Accident happened to me that the Bussiness would not meet with any Interuption nor your property be less Secure, there is many other Advantages in my Oppinion would arise from this Connection which cannot be Inserted here. John is perfectly Sober, honest, Industrious & Saving & now 479 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Married is cured of the principal fault I Ever Knew him to have, he has no family & therefore lives at very little Expence, but the Indian Trade alone in its present State affords a poor livelyhood for any person. The Only News in this Quarter is the Indians being assembled near Sandusky to treat with the American Commissionairs who have been long since at Niagara & who I realy believe will not come farther or if they did that it would not answer any purpose, for what they want the Indians never will agree to. however I believe they would consent to a new line if the latter would let them have near ye Miamis Town. All my Family Enjoy good health as does the Commodore & other of your Acquaintances. Mrs Askin & Theresse joins in every wish that may tend to your Happiness Adieu My Dear Sir Yours, (Signed) John Askin Endorsed: Detroit July 9 1793 From Mr Jno Askin to Mr Issac Todd in London (Copy) SALE OF CATTLE FOR GOVERNMENT USE Detroit July 17th 1793. Sir I received a line from you last night which requires no answer. The intent of this is to beg of you to wait on Conolel Me Kee & request that he would be so kind as to have the Oxen I sent out Estimated and grant Certificates for their weight of which there must be three of the same tenor and date, please observe to him or those who value them that as I cannot get either hide Tallow or Offals, I hope these will be considered at east as a fifth Quarter which is the case always. My reason for wanting the Certificates so soon is in order to settle with Captain Elliot from whom I had most part of the Cattle, and give him a draft in payment which I would wish to do on those who draw the Money below I am Sir &c John Askin 480 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Mr Robt Stevens foot of ye rapids P. S. I intend shortly to send.out a Baker & Flour if nothing else which may be the case until I hear of Lafonds Peltries coming in & then he shall have his Assortment Since writing the foregoing Mr Smith is Arrived who tells me them Ten head of Cattle which I sent out were estimated at 7501b each which is no more than 600 the four Quarters for you know the Hyde Tallow Entrails &c are considered as a fifth quarter therefore 150 More. Please observe to Co' McKee or the Persons who he may direct to Estimate the weight of the Cattle that I took from the same hird 4 Oxen two of which were killed by Mr James Donaldson and two other by Mr Peltier or in his Presence, that the four Quarters of these four Cattle weighed 25311b, that adding one fourth more for hides, Tallow Heads Entrails &c makes 31641b which avarages each at 7911b wt I dont by any means find fault with what is done at same time I fear the fifth quarter was not Estimated fully, however as there are 20 more head of these Cattle still to be appraised I mean their weight they may, I mean those who estimate them make amends provided only that on a revisal of the matter they think as I do that the others were rated low I am Sir Your most obedt Hble Servt John Askin Endorsed: Copy To Robert Stevens at foot of the' Rapids July 17th 1793 FROM DAVID W. SMITH TO JOHN ASKIN Niagara. 3d August, 1793. My Good Friend: I thank you for the Balsam you so kindly offered. my heart is not yet sufficiently healed, to be fit for so kind & reasonable a Salve. I have however read your Letter twice, & am not worse for it. thanks for your attention to the Remains of my lovely Maria. My father is well, my Mother melancholy enough & with a bad sore Leg, from a hurt, my wife, thin, but not worse in 481 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS health than usual. she has had many severe trials as well as myself; & I feel very old upon it. Your Common pleas I understand is re-established, & the Bench I'm told is to be filled by the Ho[no]rabbles Col McKee & W. Macomb. There has been a dreadful Cabal against the Contract Business. Petitions & Remonstrances one on the other very thick, if I had received your Letter of 11 July, previous to the closing of the Sessions, I should have been glad. I was alone a long time in my opinion, at length every Member in the lower House but myself consenting to sign a petition & not being furnished with Matter enough to turn them from it, my arguments too, weakened by Affliction, I signed with all the rest. I do not think myself Government at home will alter the plan, & I shall take care to acquaint the Govr with the Liberal terms on which you receive the flour. Doprayl2 drew on me at 3 days sight for the amount of your account immediately. I am sorry it has laid so long. if any other mode of payment is more convenient to you, pray adopt it. When I came away I intended to leave a memorandum with You of some Money Reynolds was to pay You, I think about ~8, which I thought I had put on a bit of paper & given Mr — (Clerk). Perhaps I did not arrange it with Reynolds, in which Case it is of no Consequence. God bless You, thank You for all favors. I hope to see you in my new house some day or other. accept the Affection of us all particularly D W Smith Mr Richardson is gone to Toronto. the Govr is there. he was wishing to arrange, so as to make you a fie[l]d 12 Apparently Jean Baptiste Duprat (Dupre, Dupras, etc.), who was born at Beauport, May 23, 1735, and came to Detroit as early as February, 1765. On Feb. 10, 1766, he married Agnes Tremblay, daughter of Pierre Tremblay and Magdelene Simard. She resided at Fox Creek, Grosse Pointe, and here Duprat made his home. To the couple fifteen children were born. Jean Baptiste Duprat was buried at Detroit, Dec. 16, 1817: his widow was buried April 17, 1827. Denissen, op. cit. 482 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS officer of Cavalry! I regret the Difficultys, & admire your feelings & Sentiments!!! Endorsed: Niagara Augt 3d 1793 D. W. Smith to Jn~ Askin recvd the 1lh, & Answd the 12h REGISTRY OF SLOOP Athabaska PROVINCE OF N~ 1 QUEBEC, Ss 1 IN pursuance of a Law of the said Province, intitled "An Act or Ordinance for promoting the Inland Navigation," I Gregor McGregor Esquire having authority by Commission under the great Seal of the said Province, to be a Superintendant of the Inland Navigation, do certify that the vessel, called the Athabasca being a Sloop of the burthen of Forty Tons or thereabout, was built and launched at the Grand Portage within His Majesty's Government, on or about the Fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Six, and that the same vessel is wholly owned by Subjects of the British Crown, to witOne part therof by Daniel Sutherland residing at Montreal and the other parts thereof by Persons Partners of the North West Company All which appeared by the oath of the said Daniel Sutherland they holding as He deposed, the greatest share and interest in the said vessel, her tackle, apparel, and furniture; and I do further certify, that Bond hath been given in the sum of Eighteen Hundred Pounds of lawful money of this Province by the said Daniel Sutherland & John Askin with condition that if the said vessel shall at any time afterwards be employed in any destination other than such as her clearance or pass shall from time to time specify, the said sum shall be forfeited. Given under my hand and seal at Detroit this Seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and Ninety Three in the Province aforesaid. Gregor McGregor Superintendant of the inland navigation at Detroit 483 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Endorsed: Register of the Sloop Athabasca 17th Augt 1793 MISCONDUCT OF THOMAS SMITH Detroit 26th Septr 1793 Mr Thomas Smith Sir I'm sorry to say you have quite broke your word with and injured me much you positively promised to be here when the Court set to prove your accounts this you have not done and no person you trusted will pay me otherwise I'm sure if you recollect ever so little you will find I dont desir[v]e such treatment, but to lay all that aside I gave you a certain Sallery to perform certain Services which you have not done and I insist must be done otherwise I will by next term take the necessary steps to do justice to myself. I find also by Mr Nortons accounts that you ordered payment to be made by him which I know nothing about and at rates which you were not authorized to do. In short their is a necessity for some clear account to be given and that when Norton & Stevens is present that these constant contradictions may have an end I'm frequently asked for Rum flour &c said to have been left under your care and taken by you and in your Statement, I see no account of any such thing. I am Sir Your most obedt humble Servant J A Endorsed: Detroit 26th Septr 1793 from John Askin to Mr Tho' Smith foot of the Rapids Miamis River A Copy 484 SECTION X LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1794 INDEBTEDNESS OF JOHN ASKIN Montreal 10 January 1794 Dear Askin I am your Debtor for more Letters than used to be the Case but as most of them are on business & chiefly answered by me from the House I hope you will excuse me if I have not written you oftener personaly Now that the business of the year appears closed, it is most painful to observe that your remittances of this Season are far short of the Goods sent you in 1793 the former was much worse, in so much that in the two years it appears to me that you fall short nearly if not fully ~4000 Currency exclusive of accumulating Interest; Such heavy disappointments have brought your Friend Todd & me into a most unpleasant situation & what is finaly to be the result I know not for we must take upon ourselves whatever you may fall short to the Company, if therefore you have for us that regard & friendship which I never doubted, you will assuredly see the necessity of making every possible exertion to prevent us from being the greatest Sufferers that can probably be instanced in Trade to your part of the world. unwilling to wound your feelings further I shall not add on this very painful Subject The Receipt you sent for 920001b of flour came very opportunely & saved the agents from heavy reflections that would have fallen upon them & us from the Effects of a Bond that might have become forfeited. That you & Mr Robertson did all that could be done I doubt not, but in engagements with Government no excuses however equitable in appearance to you & me individualy will answer them, if you undertake you must fulfill, let me therefore entreat that you never lose sight of this rule least you should involve yourself & injure your Friends. I hope & depend that by first opportunity from your place a voucher for remainder of the Flour will appear 487 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I had requested you to send your account against M' Bentley but you have not yet done it, at least it has not come to hand. you have not sent a State of your affairs as you intended, I wish you to do it by first vessell in the Spring distinguishing that which may be relied upon from what is bad. Our latest advices from England are of the 18 September by private Letter & of 3d October by newspapers and it seems to be the general opinion that the Posts will be given up but that the Indian Trade will be free within the American line to us & within our line to them, but whither the delivery will be immediate or at some distance is not so clear yet it is rather thought that two to three years will be reserved. Taking things in that point of view as the Trade must of course be more divided it seems natural to suppose that the Indian part will fall off not a little & become insecure, but it may possibly happen that an influx of new Settlers will raise the value of fixed property & that the Trade which you call Christian may augment, but in the mean time I would advise getting in Debts & prosecuting for them without delay for there can be little doubt that before the new Comers establish & organize Courts of Justice, some time must elapse and when that is done it is highly probable that property will rise greatly in value. Such is my way of thinking which I mean for yourself alone & would not therefore wish to go abroad as my opinion. To morrow I propose setting out on my public duty to Quebec where I fancy my Stay will be protracted untill April if not to May. If such Employments conferr honor they are dearly paid for by those who have families, I have indeed none of my own; but three Girls, of whom two [are] marrigeable, whom I have brought up put me in mind that if I am not called upon by ties of consanguinity to befriend them, the obligation to it is not less binding since it was voluntary. I beg of you to assure Mrs Askin & your family of Mrs McGills & my best respects & believe me Dear Askin Your sincere Friend. James M"Gill John Askin Esq James MGill 488 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: recvd ye 15h & Answd ye 29h March, 95 PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN EUROPE London 10th February 1794 Dear Sir: Since I wrote last there has no event of very great magnitude occurred. His Majesty in his Speech to both houses of parliament recommended pursuing the war with vigour, & they have taken measures for that purpose by voting an augmentation to our forces by sea & land. They have borrowed 11 Millions & upon what are called good terms. the revenue has fallen nearly three millions below that of the preceding year. our income is therefore now only about 13 millions & a ha[l]f, & our expenditure about twenty six! On the continent all is war. The recapture of Toulon has been followed by victory every Where. The rebellion in La Vandee (on the banks of the Loire) is entirely subdued, the Austrians & prussians completely defeated on the Rhine, & the French laying every thing waste in that unhappy quarter. Their army opposed to that of Cobourg's in the neighbourhood of Valenciennes has remaind rather quiet for these last six weeks, but not without receiving very large reinforcements, & as soon as the weather permits we expect to hear of a general action taking place in that quarter, which will assuredly be a very bloody one as the French have 170,000 men there. They are making such preparations as are altogether astonishing: they have 15 foundaries established which work incessantly, & cast 1100 pieces of cannon a month; at Paris alone they make 680 muskets a day. they have 24 million pounds of gunpowder ready with adequate stores for the ensuing campaign: Of their naval operations we have felt the effects: notwithstanding our boasted superiority at sea, they have had three ships of the line & several frigates cruising off Ireland which have within the last month taken & sent into the ports of France twenty-two sail of ships: they had six frigates 489 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS cruising in the channel about ten days ago which took a number of prizes while our fleet were all, snug in port. In the East Indies their privateers have taken a great many country ships & carried them into the isles of Bourbon. In America you know they have not been idle. The truth is, our marine has been most shamefully neglected. I hope it will be better managed next year, tho' Lord Chatham is less fit to be at the head of it than you or I to be a bishop, but then he has the merit of being Mr Pitt's brother. We expect news of importance every day from the frontier of Spain & Italy, as twenty thousand of the troops employed in the siege of Toulon moved thither & must by this time have reached their destination. Thus you see every thing indicates hostility: you see France surrounded on all sides with powers which it was predicted long ago must have crushed her to the earth: you have already seen her repell & defeat all those powers, & you will see her oppose to them now, numbers, who to their love of liberty & spirit of enthusiasm, add the discipline of veterans. In this dreadful conflict how many human beings must perish! & how many widows, orphans & relatives must bewail their fate! How many defenceless villages & cottages, the abodes of honest industry & chearful health, must be stained with blood & wasted by devouring flames! Is it only the widows tears & orphans cries that is fit music for the ruthless tyrants that delight in war & desolation? What I most regret is that our country has been so unfortunate as to take any share in this unhappy contest. Had any reasonable man possessed of the least observation gone thro' France when I did & told me afterwards of conquering or subduing them, I should have said, it appears to me to be utterly impossible: you & I differ so completely that one of us must be a fool or something worse. What! conquer four & twenty million of people, with enthusiasm in their hearts & steel in their hands, with a soil & climate the finest in Europe, & with resources for war that are inexhaustable! To attempt such a thing is more absurd than any of Don Quxote's reveries. Did Philip, after a struggle of 17 years, & after executing on 490 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS public scaffolds upwards of 50,000 of his subjects & destroying five times that number in the field, did he conquer the Seven United Provinces? Did Great Britain, after a struggle of ten years, & the loss of two or three hundred thousand lives, & an expence of 150 million of money conquer America? In the mean time trade & commerce droop. everything goes cross [?]. Furs are really in a most lamentable predicament, as to saying what they may be worth I cannot say. as long as the war continues they will continue to fall, and what is very unpleasant, I much fear we shall soon have difficulties with the Americans about the posts: there have several thing occurred of late that leads me to this conclusion: I wish I may be mistaken. Lord Cornwallis is returned from the east Indies. we have taken Pondicherry & driven the French out of that country. The duke of York is come home, but whether recalled or not has not transpired. W.R Addressed: (pr. the Ellice to New York) John Askin, Esqr Detroit Care of Messr" Todd, McGill & C~ Merchants Montreal Endorsed: London Feby 10th 1794 Mr W. Robertson to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 8h July Answd ye 14th FROM ARCHANGE MEREDITH TO JOHN ASKIN Woolwich March 26th 1794 My dear Father Having wrote a very long letter to my good Mother which you are to consider in part to yourself leaves me but little to say but I could not with pleasure close my intended Packet without addressing a few lines to so dear a Parent. to recapitulate all that I have said in my Mothers letter concerning the children and the happiness of mon petit menage would be a sameness but as I can never lack subject when conversing with mon cher Pere I shall therefore dash on sans ceremonie and commit to paper whatever presents itself to my imagination hoping that it will prove acceptable to my dear Father. Permettez moi de vous demander combien de Feaus ma Yache a eu depuis que 491 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS je vous ai laisse car quoique je ne suis pas proche de vous il faut me remettre l'argent s'il vous plait j'en serai bien flate je l'employerai pour les petits enfans vos petits enfans. excusez moi mon cher Pere il faut avoir un peu de badinage de tems en terns et c est pourquoi je vous parle de maV ache caille.* I had the pleasure to see your good freinds Mr Todd and Robertson the other day they asked very kindly if I had heard from you it was in London I saw them the visit of which will form the principal subject of my dear Sisters letter. their behaviour to us is extremely civil Mr Robertson I look upon in the light of a second Father he appeared to be rather uneasy at not having heard from his Brother Mr David for some time past I should imagine that his letters had miscarried as he would not neglect writing to his Brother. My dear M explains to you all circumstances relative to the War and as I am no great Politician can say but little on that head all that I know is that I think myself extremely lucky let the War go as it will that the service has not called my good man at any great distance from me and as it is supposed that it will not be of much longer duration I hope still to be equally fortunate in having him with me he is getting very fast up the list and as the promotion goes on so rapidly I flatter myself of soon being a Captains Lady. I yesterday paid a visit to the Warren and sure such a scene of Military buissness presented itself to me as you can have no conception of all the Soldier's children in number more than five hundred with some old Artillery men as overseers were busy in making Cartridges of different kinds other Artificers making and repairing gun carriges whilst other again in the Royal Foundery were imployed in casting great quantiteys of Brass Cannon in short it is impossible to describe the hurry and confusion caused by such exertions which is making to receive the Sans Cullottes As I have a boy I think I have a right to put my dear Father in mind to save him a little Poney for I make no doubt but he will be as fond of horses as my dear little Brothers used to be I hope old Dick Blackbird and the 492 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS little Mare are all alive I am sure if it is otherwise it is not through want of care for they have a good Master I have never rode since my arrival here indeed my dear Meredith would not like the idea of it since the prancing Mare run away with me the recital of that circumstance allways makes him shudder a pleasing reflection for me as it discovers his tenaciousness of me. There are of fruit in this Country very good apples but I think none to compare with the pome gris of Montreal the cherries here I think preferable to those at Detroit one sort called white hearts are really delicious I have three cherry Trees in my garden which produces a great plenty and as I am very fond of cherry puddings I have them frequently when in Season. We drank tea and spent last Evening with a Capt & M"r Holloway of the Engineers there was a large party of Gentlemen also Sir William Greenl cheif Engineer of all England and General of the Corps he is father to Mr" Holloway and came from his house in London to spend a few days with his daughter he is a pleasant old gentleman and we passed the Evening very agreably. I perceive that it is almost time to conclude as my paper is near full so shall do it by assuring my dear Father how proud I am to subscribe myself his truly affectionate Daughter Archange Meredith P.S. my best Compliments to all enquiring Freinds and kind love to all the dear Family may God bless them all. Adieu Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Canada favour of Mr Leith Endorsed: Woolwich March 26h 1794 Mrs Meridith to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 8h Octr *Please tell me how many calves my cow has had since I left her with you although I am not near you send me the money if you please I would be very glad I would use it for the little children, your grand-children. Pardon me my i William Green was born in 1725, his mother being a sister of Adam Smith, the noted economist. He entered the Royal Military Academy in January, 1737, and 493 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS dear father, one must have a little joke now and then That is why I mention my spotted cow. FROM ARCHANGE MEREDITH TO MRS. ASKIN Woolwich Mars le 27 1794 Ma trgs chere et bien aim6 Mere Voila votre Archange, occup6 a ce qui la rend bien heureuse, cette en ecrivant a sa bonne parante par l'occasion de Monsieur Leith, qui laisse ce Payis le vingt du Mois pour le Detroit, il a eu la bont6 de s'offrir de se charger de mes lettres, et doit venir passer une journ6e avec nous, avant de partir, il voira les enfans, et pourra vous en donner une description, car il ne faut pas absolument se fier aux parens den parler qui en dise bien souvent plus quils ne merite. Je me figure que vous etes tous presentment inquiet pour l'arriv6 de l'expres, si nos lettres ne sont pas perdue, apres nous avoir laiss6, vous devez recevoir un grand paquet, datt6 du mois Novembre, car nous ne manquons aucune occasion, de vous temoigner notre grande amitie. Vous serai flat6 ma chere Mere d'apprendre, que mon petit David est presentment en parfaite sant6; jusqua l'age de six mois, il etoit toujours malade, et je navois pas esperance, quil aurai vecue, mais depuis ce tems, cest surprenant comme il est chang6 pour le mieux, rien sur la part de son pere, et la mienne, a et6 epargne pour le rechapper, et dieu mercie qu'a ce moment, il est un beau garcon; le petite Anne se porte aussi bien, elle commence de prononcer quellques mots francois, comme nous souhaitons quelle le parle bien, et pendant la jeunesse, et le miellure tems de instruire de cette langue. Je nest pas recue de vos nouvelles depuis la lettre de ma chere Therese, datt6 le onze d'Octobre, dans laquelle elle me marque, que ma bonne Cousine Grante etoit prete thereafter spent his life in the army, rising, in 1798, to the rank of general. He served in America from 1752 to 1761 and participated in the capture of Louisburg, the siege of Quebec, and the capture of Montreal. In 1762 he was stationed at Gibraltar, where he continued for twenty-two years. He planned and executed the fortifications of that post, and as engineer in charge, played a prominent part in the famous defense of 1779-83. In the latter year he returned to England. In 1802 he retired on a pension. He died, Jan. 10, 1811, while visiting at the home of his daughter, Miriam, who was the wife of General Nicolls. See Diet. Nat. Biog. 494 JOHN ASK4N PAPERS d'accoucher, jespere de toute mon coeur, quelle est heureusment debbarass6, et que dieu lui a conserv6 son enfant. je me propose de lui ecrire par cette occasion, pour ma Tante elle paroit s'etre tout a fait fix6 a la Grosse pointe. vous seriez bien triste, si Therese netoit pas avec vous. je suis flat6 que Mademoiselle Adhemar a pris le soin des enfans, comme sa doit etre beaucoup mieux etant si proche de vous, et n'ayant point de riviere a traverser pour les voir. Scavez vous ma chere Mere, que mon cher mari dit, que je suis si grandie et grasse, que vous auriez peine a me connoitre, cependant je ne suis pas enbonpoint dieu mercie deux sont bien assez, et je puis faire mon devoir envers eux avec plaisir, a mon cher M, et satisfaction a moimeme, vous ne pourez pas vous imaginer, un pere plus tendre quil ne l'est, ce qui fait que nous meritons le nom d'heureux Couple, il est Mari affection6, et je suis femme obeisante, tel est la juste description de notre petit menage. Pour des nouvelles je n'en ai pas a vous ecrire, nous sommes toutes affair6 dans notre departement, en preparant tous, pour recevoir les Francois, que l'on dit ont intention de visiter ce Payis, pour moi je nen ai pas peur, je suis si brave, que je pense pouvoir en tuer un moimeme, avec un pistolet, s'il se presentoit devant moi, ne pensez donc pas que j'aurai deux pistolets charg6 dans ma chambre tous les nuits, si je ne scavois pas les tirer, et quoique la maison ou je demeure n'est pas beaucoup expos6, cependant quand mon cher M. n'est pas avec moi, je suis tranquille de l'id6e, d'avoir de quoi me defendre en cas d'etre attaqu6. l'on dit qu'il y'a assez d'officiers d'artillerie en Flandres sans en avoir d'autre, cette une bonne nouvelle pour moi, en ce cas mon cher mari, ne laissera pas l'angleterre, il y'aura plusieurs Camps cette Eet6, et je pense que mon Epoux ira a la meme que l'ann6e pass6, j'en suis bien flat6 comme cest une Endroit bien agr6able, je pense que vous etes tous bien tranquille au Detroit, mon cher Pere fait la Parade avec sa Millice de tems en tems, mais ils devroit se croire bien heureux, au prix de ceux ici, qui sont oblig6 de faire autant de devoir, comme les autres Regiments de pied. 495 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Madame Mercer et les enfans se porte bien, nous avons recue une lettre d'eux, quellques tems pass6 sans doute qu'ils ecriront a la famille par cette occasion. S'il avoit ete en notre pouvoir de vous envoyer nos portraits, par cette occasion, nous l'aurions fait avec grand plaisir, mais la depense en est beaucoup, cependant nous esperons le faire dans quellques tems, je vous envoye un morceau de mes cheveux, ainsi q'un morceau de ceux de mon cher M. et les enfans, comme je crois que ma chere mere aimera a avoir quellque choses de ces petits enfans; jai les profiles de mon cher pere, et mere, qui leur ressemble beaucoup, je n'ouvre jamais la cassette ou ils sont sans les regarder fixement, j'ai une miniature de Monsieur Meredith dans la meme place, qui m'a et6 present6 par sa belle soeur, c'est ma petite cassette precieuse, qui contient mes petits tresors. Monsieur Leith a 6t6 en Ecosse toute Eet6 derniere, avec ses Parens, je suis chagrine que vous lattendiez, parceque vous avez et6 desapointe je m'emagine quil arrivera au Detroit dans le premigre Barque; et sitot que ce Vaiseaux paroit, je scait quelle sera la conversation; mes cheres Parens iront sur la Gallerie en haut, Therese portera la longue vue voir les passagers, et chacun aura son tour pour voir. les visites seront frequente pour ce jour, la Gallerie sera bien remplie, Therese prendra la longue vue, et apres avoir regard6 pour quellque tems elle dira, ma chere maman, je vois Monsieur Leith reelment; je le vois il a une habit gris; toute bon mon enfant nous aurons donc des lettres de Monsieur Meredith et cette pauvre Archange, apres avoir attendue un peu de tems, mon cher Pere partira pour recevoir les lettres; quelle difference ici, je ne me trompe pas quand je dit que je vois cent Vaisseaux passer toutes les jours, comme nous demeurons dans une jolie situation, elev6, ou nous avons une belle vue de la Tamise, mais personne ne scait d'ou elles vienne, par consequent lon ne s'en interesse pas. mais quand je vois dans la Gazzette, q'une telle jour une Barque est arrive de Quebec, je m'attend a recevoir de vos cheres nouvelles, vous me connoisez si bien, que vous scavez que sa n'est pas fierte, qui ma fait ecrire touchant votre impressment d'entendre de nos nouvelles, mais je 496 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS suis si persuad6 de votre affection pour vos enfans que je scait vos sentiments, et a present que je suis mere moimeme, il m'est facille de juger de ce que vous sentez pour eux, si nous jugions par nous meme ma tres chere Mere, nous ne pourrions pas nous imaginer quil y'avoit une Mere denatur6 au monde mais je craint quil y a trop de ce vilaines femmes qui ne merite pas avoir d'enfans, puis quil ne se soucie guere de sacrifier leurs repos. [Archange Meredith] P. S. Madame Graham a eu un logment dans les environs d'ici pour longtems elle va au Detroit entre nous je ne l'ai jamais frequent6 comme elle a toujours une suite de jeunes officiers qui ne s'accorde pas avec mes idees d'une jeune veuve vous m'entendez mais c'est entre nous. Translation Woolwich, March 27, 1794 Dearest and beloved Mother: Here is your Archange, busy with something that makes her very happy, that is, writing to her good mother by Mr. Leith who leaves this country for Detroit on the 20th. He kindly offered to take charge of my letters and should be here to spend a day with us before setting out. He will see the children and can give you a description of them, for it is absolutely impossible to trust parents who very often say more of them than they deserve. I fancy that you are now anxious for the arrival of the express. If our letters have not been lost after leaving us you should receive a big packet, dated in November, for we miss no chance to give you evidence of our love. You will be glad, dear Mother, to learn that my little David is now in perfect health. Up to the age of six months, he was always ill and I never hoped that he would live, but since then, it is surprising how he has changed for the better. Nothing has been spared on his father's part, nor on mine, that he might grow strong, and now, thank God, he is a fine boy. Little Anne is well also. She begins to say some words in French, 497 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS for we want her to speak it well, and while they are young is the best time to teach them that language. I have had no news from you since dear Therese's letter of October 11th, in which she tells me that my good Cousin Grant was about to be confined. I hope with all my heart that she is happily delivered and that God has spared to her the child. I intend to write her by this opportunity. As for Aunt, she appears to be well settled at Grosse Pointe. You would be very lonely if Therese were not with you. I am glad that Miss Adhemar has taken charge of the children It must be much better having some one near, who is not obliged to cross the river to come to them. Do you know, Mother dear, my good husband says that I am so big and fat you would scarcely recognize me. However, I am not enceinte, thank God. Two are plenty, and it is a pleasure to do my duty toward them, and to dear M., and a satisfaction to myself. You would never imagine a kinder father than he is, so that we deserve to be called a happy couple. He is a loving husband, and I am an obedient wife, and there you have a true description of our little family. As for news, I have none to write you. In our department we are all busy preparing everything to receive the French, who, they say, intend to pay us a visit. For all that, I'm not at all afraid of them. I am so brave, I think I could kill one myself, with a pistol, if he showed up. Don't suppose that I should have two loaded pistols in my room every night if I did not know how to fire them, and although the house where I live is not much exposed, nevertheless, when my dear M. is away, I am easier in mind with the thought of having something to defend myself in case of attack. They say that there are enough artillery officers in Flanders without any more, which is good news for me, for then my husband will not leave England. There are to be several camps this summer, and I think he will go to the same one as last year. I am indeed glad of this for it is a very comfortable place. I am thinking that you are all very peaceful in Detroit. My dear father will be reviewing his militia from time to 498 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS time, but they should think themselves very fortunate compared with those here who must be on duty the same as other regiments of foot. Mrs. Mercer and the children are well. We had a letter from them some time ago. Doubtless they will write home by this opportunity. If it had been in our power to send you our portraits with this, we would gladly have done so, but it is too expensive. However, we shall hope to do so sometime. I am sending a lock of my hair, also one of my dear M's., and the children's, as I know my dear mother will love to have something from these grandchildren. I have profiles of my dear father and mother, very like them. I never open the little casket where they are without a good look. I have a miniature of Mr. Meredith in the same place given to me by his sister-in-law. It is my precious little box containing my little treasures. Mr. Leith has been in Scotland all last summer with his parents. I am vexed that you have been expecting him because you were disappointed. I imagine that he will reach Detroit in the first vessel, and as soon as it is in sight, I know what you will say. My dear parents will go out on the upper balcony, Therese will bring the field glasses to see the passengers, and each one will look in turn. There will be much visiting that day, the balcony will be crowded. Therese will take the glass and having looked for a while, she will exclaim: "Mother dear, I see Mr. Leith, I see him. He is dressed in gray!" "All right, my child. Now we shall have letters from Mr. Meredith and that poor Archangel" After waiting a little, my dear father will set out to get the letters. How different it is here! I am not exaggerating when I say that I see hundreds of vessels pass daily, as we live in a pretty place, and high, with a good view of the Thames. But nobody knows where they come from so that people are not interested in them. However, when I see in the paper that a vessel has arrived from Quebec, then I wait to hear from you dear people. You understand me so well that you know it is not vanity that makes me write about how eager you are to hear from us. Indeed, I am so sure of 499 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS your love for your children that I know how you feel, and now that I am a mother myself, I can easily judge how you feel for them. If we judge by ourselves, Mother dear, we could not imagine an unnatural mother in the world, but I fear there are too many wicked women who do not deserve to have children, since they are so indifferent about sacrificing their comfort. [Archange Meredith] P. S. Mrs. Graham2 has had lodgings near here for a long time. She is going to Detroit. Between ourselves, I have never gone to her house much because she always has a following of young officers which does not accord with my idea of a young widow. You understand me, but let it be between ourselves. FROM ISAAC TODD TO JOHN ASKIN London 6h April 1794. Dear Askin: I received your favor of the 13th Octbr and am surprised you had not received a Letter from me as I recollect writing two Last Spring & Summer, your Joint Letter with Mr David Robertson to his Bror and me was received, and sent to Mr Davison,3 I find there has been a memorial from your Towns people and worthy repres[en]titives Complaining of the unfair & unjust, method of employing you two to furnish the flower, which was sent here by Forsyth & Richardson, in which they I mean 2 Felix Graham engaged in the Northwest trade prior to the Revolution. He was at Mackinac in 1772, and mss. in the Thomas William Papers in the Burton Hist. Coll. show that prior to 1773 he had been a partner of Peter Pond. About the close of the Revolution Graham was located at Montreal, where he seems to have continued in the trade with the upper country until his death, which occurred prior to 1794. A later letter of Mrs. Meredith to her father, Nov. 1, 1796, conveys news of the remarriage of Mrs. Graham, evidently in England. Information adapted from Askin Papers, passim; Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; and "The Journal of Peter Pond," printed in Wis. Hist. Colls., XVIII, 314 ff. 3 Either George or Alexander Davison, brothers, who as contractors had a monopoly of the supply of the royal posts. Alexander, born 1752 and died 1829, was prize agent and confidential friend of Lord Nelson. During the Revolution he was engaged, in partnership with George Davison, in the Canadian trade, and resided for several years at Quebec. In 1784 he was appointed member of the Legislative Council; George also became a councilor. In 1816-17 Alexander was treasurer of the Ordnance Depart500 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS memorialists forget to state the motives for it, which I am persuaded was a jealousy, that they were not appointed, in that case the mode of Mr Davisons would have been proper and right, indeed their reasoning was so early refuted, that it would have had Little weight, had not your Governor wrote and besides ministers here, saying the produce ought to be taken from the Farmer, and recommending his CommissY General to do the business, this will not be granted as the receiver cannot be the purchaser, and I belive it will be Left to Lord Dorchester to arrange the business in that case Mr McGill will have it in his power to put you at Least on a footting with any of your Neighbors, but I am still of opinion to secure the supplys and that the quality may be good it must be done by Contract, and that must be with Merchants, which is equally serving the Farmer, unless Govr Simcoe thinks the Merchant can raise flower in their Stores. Goverment here does not like to be teased by representations, and he and your Neighbours representations had nearly deprived your Province of the Supply in any Mode and which the farmers must have thanked them for, altho Governt Knew sending flower from this Country must have cost double the price yet to settle the business they intended sending the whole supplys from hence and its only within a few days they were induced to alter it, perhaps to some this might be more pleasing then to see a general benefit without their having such apart as they wanted. I am interested to serve,a province in which I have many friends, and in doing so generally its natural to wish to serve my friends, and who I can pledge my Character for your represe[n]titives ought to be carefull they dont do a generral injury without answering either the purposes of envey or individual benifit, and it requires attention Trouble & Expence to make the most of the Farmers indoustry and which they cannot do of themselves for Instance I have been employd since last fall writing to Cork to procure a Man a compleat ment. He was prosecuted and convicted for receiving unlawful commissions on supplies, and although he refunded some $8,000 was sentenced to twenty-nine months' imprisonment in Newgate Gaol. See sketch in Simcoe Papers, I, 121. 501 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Cooper and curer of provisions and after, much trouble I have hired one as high as ~70 pr annum with maintenance and his advances & expences will be above ~50, which is lost if an accident happens him he is for Mr Hamilton at Niagara who expects that Settlement will have a quantity of Pork, and to cure it well is of more use then your assemblys representations perhaps they may think M'I Hamilton has no right to do this. I am you may well suppose, even had I no interest in it extremely sorry for your bad success in business, indeed the great fall in furrs and the prospect of being still worse, will make a great change in the Situation of your places I am glad you have so little dependance on That Trade and that your other resourses of remittance may this year answer your expectations, as I am convinced Mr McGill has your interest as much at heart as me and will do any thing our own situation will admit of to serve you. I leave the business to him, and shall only remark that this Warr has occasioned such Losses & disappointments of which we have our share that it requires the exertions of ourselves & friends, to support that Credit we have always had. I am sorry there was not a Peace concluded between the Americans & Indians, and I wish your Governr may have used his influence to accomplish it, I am certain either by treaty or otherwise the Americans will in a few years get the Posts. I would therefore recommend [you] to be prepared for it as well as you can, and if matters are settled between them & the Indians, and the posts amicably given up Leaving the Trade free to all, it will be no great injury to the Country nor you in perticular as the River StLawrence must be the water communication for all heavy articles and it would benefit by the Indoustry and ingenuity of the Americans, and as private property will be secured it will become of more value. I have done myself the pleasure of writing your Daughter Theresa by Mr Leith in answer to her polite & Sencible Letter of Last Octtr Mr Leith has allso a Small packet for her, as you will receive Letters from Mr & Mrs Meredith & Mr Mercer, & Robertson it 502 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS is unnecessary for me to say any thing of them. Remember me kindly to Mr" Askin, & the Commodr & family it gives me pleasure to hear you enjoyed such good health that it may long continue is the wish of Dear Askin Your Sincere friend Isaac Todd John Askin Esqr Endorsed: London April 6h 1794 Isaac Todd Esqr to Jn~oAskin recvd ye 24h Augt Answd ye 22d Septr. FROM CATHERINE HAMILTON TO JOHN ASKIN Queenston le 20 May 1794. Mon chere P6re: Je supose que vous pens6 que joubly mon devoir ne vous ayant point address6 de l6tre de longtemps. mais non mon cher P6re scachant que vous av6 beaucoup d'affaires Je N'aime pas a vous Donner la peine de me repondre, et il y a longtemps que J attend les nouvelles de york Je Croisoit vous marquer que Magdelaine etoit accouch6 mais elle ne les pas encore jespere en avoir des Nouvelles par la premiere barque. M' Clark vous remettre cel cy cest un bon garqon Je vous la recommande Cest encore un des Cousin de Mr Hamilton il vas a Michilimakinac pour voir l'endroit, apropos mon cher Pere, Mr H. ma fait esper6 que vous viendrai nous voir cette 6t6; Nous serons extrement rejouis de vous voir surtout si vous pourr6 emmen6 Ma cher Maman Avec vous et la famille. Mr H. parle d'aller en 6cosse lhiver qui vient et d'emmene encore trois des mes garqons avec luy pour leur 6ducation Nouvelles separation pour moy Je desirerai bien que vous vinte a les voir devant quille parte pour quilles ai le plaisir de vous Connoitre et recevoir votre benediction. Je suis bien impatiente d'apprendre des nouvelles de William et Johnny. J'ai vie une letre de Ma Soeur archange il y a quelque temps address6 a Maman J'espere quelle se porte bien ainsi que M' Meredith et cest petits enfans. Nous sommes bien Aise dapprendre que le Comodore Grante et devenu Grandp6re Je luy en fait mon Compliments ainsi que Md Grante. Mes Meilleurs respects a Ma chere Maman Je me propose 503 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS d'aller me consolle aupres d'elle si Mr H. me laisse Car je ne puy laisse la maison dent d'autre temps. mes amities a Ma chere Ter6se ainsi que les petits enfans que j'embrace. Je suis Mon cher P6re en attendant le pleasir de vous voir Votre sincere et affectionne fille Catherine Hamilton. Translation Queenston, May 20, 1794 My dear Father: You will think I am neglectful of my duty not having addressed a letter to you for so long. But no, dear Father, you are so busy that I hesitated about giving you the trouble to reply. I have been expecting news from York a long time. I thought to be able to tell you that Madelaine had been confined but she is not yet. I hope to have word by the first vessel. Mr. Clark will take it on to you. He is a good boy. I recommend him to you. He is another of Mr. Hamilton's cousins and goes to Michilimackinac to look around. By the way, Father dear, Mr. Hamilton has given me hopes that you will come to see us this summer. We would be rejoiced to see you, especially if you could bring my dear Mother and the children with you. Mr. Hamilton talks of going to Scotland next winter and of taking with him three more of my boys for their education. Another separation for me. I wish that you would come to see them before they go that they might have the pleasure of knowing you, and of receiving your blessing. I am impatient for news of William and Johnny. I read a letter from my sister Archange some time ago addressed to Mother. I hope that she is well, and Mr. Meredith also, and their little children. We were very pleased to hear that Commodore Grant is a grandfather. Present my compliments to him and to Mrs. Grant. My best regards to my dear Mother. I am thinking of going to her for comfort if Mr. Hamilton leaves me for I cannot be away from home any other time. My love to my dear Therese, a kiss for the 504 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS little ones. I remain, my dear Father, until I have the pleasure of seeing you Your sincere and affectionate daughter, Catherine Hamilton. PROGRESS OF THE CONTINENTAL WAR London 24h June 1794 Dear Sir: I wrote you 10th February & 10th April, to which I refer you. By Letters from Niagara of 29th March I had the pleasure to hear that sometime previous Mr Hamilton had letters saying our Detroit friends were well, and tho' there are letters from your post of 31st January from others I have none from my brother-this coupled with his former remissness continues my uneasiness; but as I have before solicited you to inform me with candour as a friend to what I am to ascribe this, I wait in hopes of a satisfactory elucidation. On the subject of business, it is hardly necessary for me to take up your time, as Mr Todd has not long since made you acquainted with what relates to furs and I can say nothing agreeable or encouraging on that topic in addition. On the subject of politics, I shall be very brief, having sent the news papers by this opportunity to my brother who will no doubt afford you the reading of them. The war continues to rage on the continent of Europe with unexampled fury: the various skirmishes & battles that have been fought, since the opening of the campaign, exceed in point of obstinacy & bloodshed, for so short a period, any thing in ancient or modern history! At first success seemed rather to attend the efforts of the allies, whose,favourite object was to penetrate to Paris-they however had proceeded no further than Landrecy (& every foot they gained was well disputed) which they took after a short resistance, when the duke of York was obliged suddenly to return to the assistance of Gen' Clairfait whose army in the mean time had been routed with great slaughter loss of artillery &ce and the important towns of Menin & Cambray taken by the French under Pichegru. Measures 505 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS were immediately taken to recover these places & to succour Clairfaits broken army with whom a junction was to be formed. In consequence a most desperate & bloody battle ensued which commenced in the morning when the French seemed to give ground, unfortunately this redoubled the ardour of the British troops, who were led too far, surrounded and above a thousand killed or taken prisoners; the duke of York escaped the latter fate with great difficulty. The Austrians, Hanoverians & Hessians then fled in all directions. The English lost all their artillery, & the guards their colours: seven thousand of the allies were killed or taken-some say many more. I mention this action more particularly, because notwithstanding our defeat, it redounds greatly to the honour of the British who did all that courage & discipline could do, but they were I fear very ill supported by our allies. The duke retreated into Tournay where the army now are. In the mean time the French have driven Clairfait back to Bruges & Ghent, have laid seige to the city of Ypres, & fears are entertained for the fate of Ostend. Towards Charleroi the French have been twice defeated with considerable loss, indeed in both they are said to have lost many thousands. I do not give entire credit however to the Brussels Gazette, because if those defeats were of the magnitude stated the French could not have returned almost immediately and opened the trenches of Charleroi in the face of a victorious army. Towards the Rhine the King of Prussia has done nothing: he however receives about two millions & a half subsidy from this country to furnish 64,000 men. he takes the money & tells us the men are coming. The King of Sardinia, another of our allies gets ~200,000 pounds for his assistance, but so far from assisting, he cannot even defend himself; for his troops have been beat in a variety of actions, the principal posts leading to Turin taken, & that capital itself threatened, the enemy having been within two days march of it [at] last accounts. The Spaniards have not been much more successful. they have been defeated by Dugom[m]ier (he commanded at 506 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Toulon) lost 100 pieces of cannon, all their tents &c and driven out of Roussillon. Of their operations at sea you will in part have heard: we have reduced all most all their W. India islands & almost without bloodshed. The capital of Corsica also surrendered, & Calvi, the only place of importance there, must also soon fall. But our most brilliant victory at sea is that obtained by Lord Hdw on the 1lt inst. with 25 sail of the line he attacked the French of 26, & after a most desperate engagement took seven sail of the line & sunk one: our loss was not inconsiderable — about a thousand men killed & wounded, one admiral lost his leg & another his arm: all the French ships were taken with their colours standing, they were nailed to the masts before action & the republicans swore never to strike them! they fought with wonderful, and indeed desperate courage, but were out done in dexterity of seamanship. You will judge of their temper, when it is affirmed that the Ship that sunk went down with her three coloured streamer[s] flying, that those who escaped the carnage which must have been dreadful, when they found her sinking, struck up their favourite national air of "Ca ira," gave three cheers, vociferated, "vive la nation, vive la republique" & then disappeared! Notwithstanding these successes, the critical situation of affairs on the continent, & the serious evils that obstruct & derange our commerce, which has suffered severely from the French cruisers, the people begin to see the impossibility of re-establishing monarchy in France & wish for peace. Besides the vessels taken by them in the East Indies, their depredations have been very great here. the Lisbon & Cadiz ships, Dutch & English consisting of about 60 sail were taken, together with two Dutch frigates having in specie about ~90,000 on board. one of the frigates it is said got away afterwards, but whether the one with the specie or not is unknown. it was all insured at Lloyd's. They took the Newfoundland convoy with the Caster frigate. they were retaken again by us, taken by the French a second time, retaken again & burnt by Lord Howe who could not spare men to man them. Several other 507 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ships (some of them of great value) have been taken since Christmas in all not less than 250 or 300 Sail! From the complection of affairs in America I was apprehensive of a rupture there, but I am happy to say I think that will not only be avoided but an amicable termination of all our disputes be affected. Mr Jay having lately arrived as ambassador extraordinary from them for that purpose and been well received here. Indemnification for all the ships taken & detained as we[1l (torn)] as the surrender of the posts will be agreed to. it is probable a reasonable time however will be given to those embarked in Upper country trade who may not choose to remain under their government to collect their debts & withdraw their effects: at the same time a man may remain (I should suppose so at least) as a merchant under their government after such surrender of the posts, without becoming a cit[i]zen of theirs, just as a British merchant may & does at Lisbon, Cadiz, Amsterdam or Vienna. People however will do well not to extend & scatter their property too widely in the mean time. The merchants here mean, in due time, to pray the posts may be retained three years, & the Indian country remain free & neutral: the first may in part be complied with, but I hardly hope for the last. As I wrote my brother a few days ago I shall not write again now, & therefore will thank you to make him acquainted with the contents of this, as it will answer the same purpose. I saw Mr & Mrs Mercer & spent part of last week with them & the young ladies, who grow very fine girls. they are all well. Mr & M'r Meredith & children are the same. I saw them only yesterday & Mr Meredith this morning on his way down to camp at Warley-better & quieter ground then Flanders. I beg my kind compliments to Mrs & Miss Askin & the rest of your family, Comr & Mr" Grant, Mrs Wright &c. I remain, Dear Sir, Your very Hble Servt William Robertson I had forgot to tell you, under my political head, that the good old empress of Russia is likely to have all her work to do over again as well as the king of Prussia. The government 508 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS which these two worthies had settled for Poland, & sent their new subjects all to church with so much piety to return thanks to God, has been [?] by one general impulse overthrown. They rose upon the Prussian troops, kept there for their good, beat them every where, seized almost all the places of strength, appointed the gallant & patriotic Coussiouski [Kosciuszko] their leader, annulled all the empress had done, convoked new assemblies, appointed ministers & all other functionaries, & have finally raised above 100,000 men, of which number 75,000 are already completely armed. The Empress & King are making preparations to bring them to their senses-he was to have commanded our 64,000 subsidiary troops himself, but he is gone to Poland, & for aught we know taken them with him. The great French fleet (160 sail) are all arrived from America in safety in the ports of France. Pray let me hear from you soon, & give me all the news of the settlement &c John Askin, Esqr Addressed: John Askin, Esqr Detroit Care of Messrs Todd McGill & Co Merchants Montreal Endorsed: Recv'd & forwarded by Your very hble Servt Todd McGill & Co 6 Septr 94 London June 24h 1794 Mr Wm Robertson to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 8h Octr Answd Novr l1t BATTLE EXPECTED WITH GENERAL WAYNE Mr Harffy's Compt8 to Mr Askin, has sent by the Chippawey, directed to his care, a little Bundle, at [the] same time begs he will keep it safe, at his [house] until his return, and not by any means [torn] it to M"7 Harffy or let her know anything [torn] the matter without something may happen to him we really look, as not far from seeing the Enemy to day [torn] report says they are, all at the Roch de Bout, [mar]ching in a very compact Body. I have sent also 509 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS [Lie]ut Powell's Tent, will you please to take charge of it. Adieu God bless you. Wm Harffy4 Monday Morng 9 oClock 18 Augt 1794 Addressed: Jn~ Askin Esqr Detroit with parcel & a Tent and Oil cloth Endorsed: Little Miami Augt 18 1794 Doctr Harffy to John Askin FROM ARCHANGE MEREDITH TO MRS. ASKIN Woolwich le 2 de Septembre 1794. Ma tres chere Mere: Je ne puis commencer un sujet qui me fait plus de plaisir que de vous informer que j'ai recue deux lettres le deux de ce Mois datt6 du seize d'Avril, une de mon cher Pere et l'autre de ma Soeur Therese, et quand je reflechie sur les risques que les Vaisseaux cour d'etre pris par 1'enemie, je ne puis m'enpecher de me croire bien fortun6 d'entendre si souvent de vos nouvelles. Je suis un peu surprise que vous n'avez pas recue de lettres de nous par l'expres, comme nous en avons ecris plusieurs nous flattant quils arriverai chez vous par cette occasion, mais je ne doute pas que vous les avez recue par. le premier Vaisseaux ce Printems. A present il faut que je dise a ma chere Mere que je suis encore Veuve jusqua Mois de Novembre, mon cher Meredith a laiss6 Woolwich pour aller au Camp le 23 de Juin, le nom de l'endroit ou il est se nomme Warley en Essex, exactement vis a vis de mes fenetres dans le devant de la maison, la distance d'ici la n'est pas grande comme il ne prend q'une demie journ6e pour se rendre la, cependant sa n'est pas agreable d'etre seppar6, mais je me souvient que je suis femme d'un Guerrier, cette consideration me rend gaie 4 This letter was evidently written under the anticipation that the writer would soon be engaged in battle with the army of General Wayne. The Battle of Fallen Timbers was fought by Wayne on Aug. 20, against the hostile Indians, supported by a considerable contingent of Detroit militia under the leadership of Captain William Caldwell. Harffy, as a member of the regular British detachment, presumably did not take part in the battle. 510 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS comme Pincon, et m'enpeche de m'a trisster de les petits desagrements a quoi tout le monde sont sujet a rencontrer dans cette vie. Mon cher Mari avant de partir a essuyai une maladie tres dangereuse, et qui a dur6 une semaine, c'est dans ces moments que je me suis sentie vraiment malheureuse, mais n'osant rien faire paroitre avant lui, graces a dieu il est a present tout a fait retablie, et je suis heureuse. Nos cheres enfans sont aussi en parfaite sante. David n'est pas encore assez fort pour marcher quoique il soit ag6e de seize mois, mais cela n'est pas surprenant comme il a 6t6 eleve au lait de Vache, cela est un grand desavantage a une enfant, il a plusieurs dents et quoique s'a ne devroit pas venir de moi, cependant je dit quil est un jolie garcon. Anne devient plus amusante de jour en jour, chaque personne qui la voie dit quelle me ressemble je n'en puis pas juger. il me semble vous avoir marqu6 que j'avois un portrait en minature de mon cher mari, je le tient dans un coffre ou sont mes mielleurs hardes, chaque fois que j'ouvre ce coffre elle cour me prier de lui laisser embrasser le portrait de son cher pere, et apres l'avoir caressai elle me le remet pour le serrer, je puis m'addresser avec confiance a ma bien aim6 Mere et lui demander si sa n'est pas naturelle de se sentir fier de telles petites actions de nos enfans, mon coeur me dit que c'est naturelle car je me sent heureuse en observant les idees de cette chere fille. II faut que je vous prie d'assurer ma chere Cousine Wright de la joie que je ressent en sachant quelle est heureusment accouch6, elle doit avoir recue une lettre de moi que j'ai ecrie par l'occasion de Monsieur Leith. C'est une grande satisfaction quand l'ainee est une fille, car sitot quils sont un peu grandie leurs Compagnies amuse beaucoup la mere, et en cas que le Pere soit absent le tems ne se passe pas avec tant d'ennuye que quand l'on est toute seulle. A l'egard de nouvelles je n'est rien de noveaux a vous communiquer, vous avez sans doute appris la brilliante victoire que notre Amiral My Lord Howe a remport6 sur la Flotte Francoise le premier de juin, non chere Meredith netoit pas a Woolwich au tems que la nouvelle est arriv6, il avoit recue ordre d'aller a une endroit nomm6 Colchester pour 511 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS arranger quelleques affaires, cependant comme je me pique d'etre un bon sujet, sitot que le soleil fut couch6 et le tems devient un peu noir, je fis allumer un grand nombre de chandelles et les arranga dans tous les fenetres de la maison qui fit une jolie Ilumination. je ne fut pas longtems la seulle toute le voisinage en fit autant, nous fumes regal6 d'un feu d'Artifice pas loins de nous, et en fin le Coup d'oeil etoit reelement magnifique. Mon cher Meredith se propose d'ecrire a mon cher Pere par cette occasion, il pourra lui en dire plus que moi, mais j'ai souhait6 informer ma bonne Parente de c'est qui s'est passe dans mes environs. II y-a longtems que j'ai souhait6 vous demander comment l'on fait la gel6e de pomme, vous serez sans doute surprise d'un pareille demande, mais je vous assure que personne ici ne scave la faire et meme n'en ont jamais entendue parler, et comme mon tres cher mari a qu'on appelle en Anglois une liquorish tooth, je souhaite lui remplir cette dent de quellque chose de bon, il parle souvant de cette excellente jel6e de pomme et a chaque fois quil la mentione, je regrette ne scavoir pas la faire, je vous prie donc ma chere mere de m'instruire de ce secret par le premier occasion apres avoir recue celle ci, cette a dire si les Francois permettre a cette lettre de vous atteindre. Pour l'information de ma chere Soeur Therese je prend la liberte d'employer un peu de votre papier en donnant une description des modes. les cheveux sont coiffe comme a l'ordinaire devant en petites boucles mais derriere au lieu d'etre relev6 ils sont ballins. les chapeaux sont d'une grandeur surprenante, la facon de les garnir est de mettre un morceau de ruban uniment alentour de la forme, est une boucle avec des bouts pendants au cote gauche, une ou deux plumes d'autriche d'aucune coleur que sa soit arrange dans le devant du chapeau est tout a fait le ton ils sont port6 toute a fait en arrigre et rabbatue a chaque cot6 par un mouchoir de gauze ou muslin, ou meme un morceau de ruban le meme que celui sur le chapeaux pour attacher sur le menton, mais ce mouchoir doit etre d'une musline fine et non pas double, et la mode est de l'arranger en plis sur le haut de la forme et faire paroitre le coin, qui paroit bien 512 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS jolie quand il est brod6, en voici ass6 pour la tete. parlons presentment du corps, les tailles sont extremement courte, et les mouchoirs mit de facon a bien exposer la potrine, les ceintures sont bien longue et devant ils sont arrange en plis afin de les faire etroite puisque la largeur de la sash fait la longeur de la taille, les jupons sont fait de facon a trainer derriere comme une robe, mais pas tout a fait si long, les grande manche sont encore le ton, est rien n'est plus vulgaire que de porter des bas de soie qui sont le moindrement bleu, ils doive etre aussi blanc que la neige, voici la mode, mais je n'avis6 pas a ma chere soeur de l'imiter en tout, car ces tailles courtes sont infame et surtout pour des jeunes filles, et les mouchoirs ouverts ne s'accorde pas avec mon id6e de modestie, mais jai pens6 que ma bonne soeur seroit flat6 de scavoir comment le monde s'habille presentment. je me propose de lui ecrire par le premiere occasion qui se presente. Mon heureust6 fut bien grande ma tres chere mere de voir par les lettres de la Famille que tout chez vous joussoit d'une si bonne sant6, mon bien aim6 Pere dit que s'il pouroit se persuader quil nous voiroit un jour, il passerai son tems avec moins d'ennuye, je vous assure que je l'espere de tout mon coeur, et ne doute pas que nous aurons ce bonheur, mais il est impossible pour nous gens millitaire de dire quand cela sera le cas, car nous obbeissons a la volonte de notre bon Roi, et ne sommes pas absolument maitres de nous memes. Je me flatte que les Yankees ne vous ont pas attaqu6, mais il me semble quils viennes a grand pas vers vous, toutes les Nations paroisse enbrouillez en quellque Geurre depuis cette Revolution des Francois. je m'emagine souvent voir lever les epaules aux vieux Canadiens quand ils entende parler de la cruaut6 des Francois, et surtout a Monsieur Buffette qui paroissoit si surpris quand il entendit dire que le pauvre Louis avoit 6t6 si maltrait6 et quoi dit'il ce grand monarque le Roi de la France, que diroit il donc s'il pouroit etre temoin de ce qui passe chez eux presentment, mais c'est un sujet trop triste pour le continuer, ainsi je le quitte pour dire a ma chere mere que j'ai recue 513 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS une lettre peu de jours pass6 de Capt. Mercer, me marquant que toute sa famille possedoit une bonne sant6, et quil avoit eu le plaisir de recevoir une lettre de mon cher Pere, datt6 du dix sept de Mars dernier, a laquelle il se proposoit de repondre par cette occasion. Quoique je suis seulle ma chere Mere mon tems ne se passe pas avec tant d'ennuye comme vous avez bien de croire, sachant que je suis dans un Payis etranger et mon cher Mari absent de moi, et quelle en est la raison je vous l'expliquerai, C'est parceque mon cher Meredith trouve toujours facon de montrer son affection et attention pour moi. je recois de lettres de lui tous les jours, et non pas une demie feuille de papier mais quellequefois aussi pleine que celle ci, il est toujours le meme envers moi remplie d'affection et de bonte, netoit il pas bien ais6 pour lui de me loger dans les Casernes il auroit epargn6 par cela plus de trente pontes par an, non il na pas volue le faire, il a preferai depenser cette argent afin de me placer dans une maison dont je suis la maitresse. je vous dis ma chere mere que mon cher M. est un sans pareille, je pourrois vous parler de lui pour une heure entiere mais mon papier ne le permet pas rendez vous donc heureux mes chers Parens en sachant que votre Archange l'est aussi s'est ayez la bont6 d'embraser mon cher Pere Soeur Therese mes cheres petits freres et soeurs pour moi. faites mes amities au reste de la famille Commodore Grante Cousin Doctr & & sans oublier ma bonne Tante quand Therese ecrie a Niagara elle fera mes amities a mes soeurs la. adieu donc ma tres chere et bonne Mere, et croyez moi votre tres affection6 fille Archange Meredith mes compliments a tous mes connaissances je suis oblig6 aux Domestiques de leurs. Translation Woolwich, September 2, 1794 Dearest Mother: I can begin with nothing that gives me more pleasure than to tell you that I have received two 514 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS letters, both this month, dated April 16, one from my dear father and the other from my Sister Therese. When I reflect on the risks the vessels run of being taken by the enemy, I cannot but think myself very fortunate in hearing from you so often. I am a little surprised that you did not receive our letters by the express, for we wrote several, pleasing ourselves with the thought that they would reach you at that time. No doubt you received them by the first vessel this spring. Next I must tell my dear mother that I am still a widow, until November. My dear Meredith left Woolwich to go to camp June 23rd. He is at Warley, in Essex, a place directly facing the front windows of my house. It is not very far from here, only half a day's journey, but the unpleasant thing is being separated. Then I remember that I am the wife of a warrior and that thought makes me as gay as a lark and keeps me from worrying over all the little troubles of life everyone must have. Before leaving, my dear husband passed through a most dangerous illness which lasted a week. I was very anxious all the time but dared not appear so before him. Thank God he is now completely restored and I am happy. Our dear children are also in perfect health. David is not yet strong enough to walk although he is sixteen months old, but that is not surprising as he has been brought up on cow's milk, a great disadvantage to an infant. He has several teeth, and though it should not come from me, still I may say he is a pretty child. Anne grows more amusing every day. Everyone who sees her says that she resembles me. I am no judge of that. It seems to me that I told you that I had a miniature of my dear husband. I keep it in a chest with my best clothes and every time I open that chest she runs begging me to let her kiss her dear father's picture, and after caressing it, she gives it back to me to lock away. I can talk about them to my dearly beloved mother with confidence. Is it not natural for us to be proud of such little acts of our children? My heart tells me it is, for I feel a happiness in following the thoughts of that dear girl. 515 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I must beg you to assure Cousin Wright of the joy I experienced when I knew she was safely delivered. She will have received a letter from me that I wrote by Mr. Leith. It is a great comfort when the eldest is a girl, for as soon as they are a little grown they are such amusing company for the mother, and if the father is absent, time does not pass so heavily as when one is all alone. As for news, I have none to communicate. You have no doubt heard of the brilliant victory our Admiral, Lord Howe,5 achieved over the French fleet the first of June. My dear Meredith was not at Woolwich when the news came. He had received orders to go to a place called Colchester to transact some business. However, as I pride myself on being a good subject, as soon as the sun had set and it became a little dark, I had candles lighted and placed in all the windows of the house, a pretty illumination. I was not long the only one for soon all the neighborhood did the same. We were treated to a display of fireworks not far from us and the sight was truly magnificent. My dear Meredith intends to write to my dear father by this opportunity. He will be able to tell more than I, but I wanted my good mother to know what is going on in my neighborhood. For a long time I have wanted to ask you how to make apple jelly. You will doubtless be surprised at such a request, but I assure you no one here knows how and never even has heard of it. As my dear husband has what the English call a sweet tooth, I want to cram that tooth for him with something good. He often speaks of that delicious apple 5 Richard, Earl Howe (born 1726, died 1799) was a brother of Sir William Howe of the army, and like him figured prominently in the American Revolution. Richard Howe was educated at Eton and in 1740 began a naval career which lasted, subject to certain interruptions, practically sixty years. By the capture of the Alcide off the mouth of the St. Lawrence in 1755 he opened the naval part of the Seven Years' War. He was a lord of the admiralty, 1762-65, and treasurer of the navy, 1765-70. In 1775 he became vice-admiral and as commander-in-chief of the North American station directed the naval operations in American waters until 1778, when he resigned the command. After a four-year period of retirement he resumed active service in 1782 in which year he became an admiral and effected the relief of Gibraltar. He was created Earl Howe in 1788, commanded the Channel fleet in 1790, and with it won the great victory of June 1, 1794, alluded to in the present letter. Diet. Nat. Biog. 516 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS jelly, and every time he mentions it, I am sorry that I do not know how to make it. Please, dear Mother, teach me that secret by the first chance you have after receiving this, that is, if the French allow this letter to reach you. For the information of my dear sister Therese, I take the liberty of using a little of your paper to tell her about the fashions-the hair is usually arranged in little curls in front but at the back, instead of being raised, is rolled into a round knot. Hats are surprisingly large. The way to trim them is to put a piece of ribbon straight all around the crown, with a buckle, and the ends hanging at the left side. One or two ostrich plumes of any color whatever, arranged in the front of the hat, is the height of fashion. They are worn very far back on the head and are drawn down at each side by a handkerchief of gauze or muslin, or even a piece of ribbon the same as that on the hat tied under the chin. But the muslin must be thin and not double. The fashion is to arrange it in folds from the top of the crown and have the corner show, which is very pretty when embroidered. Now that's enough for the head, let us say something about the gowns. The bodice is extremely short, and the neckerchief arranged in a way to show the breast. Sashes are very long and in folds at the front so as to make them narrow, since the width of the sash lengthens the bodice. Skirts are made to trail at the back like a court dress, but not nearly so long. Big sleeves are still in fashion, and there is nothing so vulgar as to see silk stockings the least bit blue. They must be white as snow. Here you have the styles, but I would not advise my dear sister to follow them in everything, for the short bodice is a disgrace and above all for young girls. The open neckerchief does not accord with my idea of modesty, but I thought my good sister would be pleased to know how people dress now. I intend to write to her by the first opportunity that presents itself. My happiness was very great, dearest Mother, to see by the letters from the family that you all enjoy such good health. My beloved father says that if he could persuade 517 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS...... -........ himself that he would see us some day, it would help to pass the time. I assure you that I hope so with all my heart and there is no doubt but that we shall have that good fortune, but it is impossible for us military people to say when that may be, for we obey the will of our good King, and are not entirely our own masters. I am glad that the Yankees have not made an attack on you, but they appear to be coming your way with great strides. All the nations seem to be embroiled in some war since the French Revolution. I often imagine that I see the old Canadians shrug their shoulders when they hear anyone speak of the cruelty of the French, and especially Mr. Beaufait,6 who seemed so surprised when he heard it said that poor Louis had been so abused. "What," said he, "'ce Grand Monarque,' the King of France!" What would he say if he could see what has taken place there now! But it is too sad a subject to continue, so I leave it to tell my dear mother that I received a letter a few days ago from Capt. Mercer, telling me that all the family were in good health, and that he had had the pleasure of a letter from my dear father dated March 17 last, which he intended to answer by this opportunity. Although I am alone, dear Mother, time does not pass so tediously as you might well believe, knowing me to be in a strange land with my dear husband away from me, and the reason of this I will explain to you. It is because my dear Meredith always finds some way of showing his 6 The Beaufaits of Detroit are descended from Luke Beaufait, who married Gabrielle Souriceau and lived on the Island of Re in the province of Aunis, France. Their son, Louis, born in 1733, migrated to Canada and found his way to Detroit as early as the spring of 1761. On Jan. 22, 1767, he married Mary Teresa Marsac, daughter of Francis Marsac and Teresa Cecilia Campau. They resided at the Northeast Coast of Detroit on land at modern Bellevue Avenue, long known as the Beaufait farm. Mary Teresa Marsac was buried at Detroit, Nov. 20, 1804; Louis Beaufait was buried Jan. 11, 1808. They had four children: Teresa, born in 1768, who married William Groesbeck and (second) Charles Chauvin; Marie Irene, born in 1770, who married Jean B. Rivard; Louis, born in 1773, who married Marie Louise Saucier; and Elizabeth, born in 1778, who married Joseph Serre dit. St. Jean. Louis Beaufait was a man of considerable prominence in the early American period, being justice of the peace, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and an officer of militia. Information adapted from Denissen, op. cit., and Burton, City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, II, 1355-56. 518 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS affection and attention for me. I have letters from him every day, and not just a half sheet of paper, but sometimes as full as this. He is always the same to me, full of love and kindness. Would it not have been much easier for him to have put me in lodgings in the barracks where he would have saved more than ~30 a year? No, he would not do that. He would rather pay more so that I may be in a house where I am mistress. I tell you, my dear Mother, my dear M. is without an equal. I could talk to you of him for another whole hour but my paper does not permit me. Be happy then, dear parents, in knowing that your Archange is also happy. Have the kindness to embrace my dear father, sister Therese, my dear little brothers and sisters, for me. Remember me to the rest of the family, Commodore Grant, the Doctor Cousin, etc., etc., without forgetting my good Aunt. When Therese writes to Niagara, she will remember me to my sisters there. Adieu, my dearest and best of Mothers and believe me, your most affectionate daughter, Archange Meredith My compliments to all my friends. I am obliged to the servants for theirs. OBSTACLES TO BUILDING GUNBOATS Detroit 9th October 1794 Sir This day His Excellence presented to me A letter Commanding me to build Six Gun Boats in the River Thames. Your Honor will be so good as let me Know hough I shall proceed in this difficulty, I think must occur 1lt There is no one man like shipwright to be hired to take Charge of the work. If your Honor should see fit to send for me -likewise. If there is two parties the one Cutting timber in the Woods and the other to work at the Boats; I should not [be able] to attend to advantage in carrying on the work. If your Honor will be so good as to let me have one Carpenter out of the ship yard I shall be able to Carry on the work with Zeal. 2nd There is also an agent wanted at this post to pay the men that is employed in Building the Boats as the money 519 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS will not be advanced before the vouchers could be sent to Niagara, and the money tra[n]smitted to this post. I remain your humble Servant Wm Baker7 A.B. Collonal England Comd Detroit Endorsed: Oct 9th 1794 Wm Baker to Col. England Copy FROM WILLIAM DUMMER POWELL TO JOHN ASKIN Mount Dorchester8 13th Octr 1794 Dear Sir: When I wrote the few lines from the falls by Mr" Graham It was with Intent to prevent your dependee on my payment to Mr Hamilton in the Course of Septr and I hope in my hurry no expression did so little Justice to my Sentiments as hint at any doubt of your liberality and kindness. The first time I saw Mr H. afterwards I told him the purport of your letter and my [illigible] with the terms of which I appeared well satisfied. We do not as usual receive our Salary when due but upon Certificate which protracts the payment for three Months and is only compensated by being payable in England which makes Bills in Course a prompt payment. So much for business. I wrote you a long letter before I received your first, and hinted in it the Impression which I imagined our Lt Govr had received with respect to Detroit Politicks and which I fear will not add to his popularity there except with the I. D. You are so good as to interest 7 William Baker was at this time assistant ship builder in the naval establishment at Detroit. He was a Quaker, and assisted in entertaining the Quaker peace delegation which visited Detroit in 1793. On the evacuation of Detroit by the British, Baker was among the number who elected to retain their British allegiance. See Mich. Pio. Colls., VIII, 411, XVII, 590, 646, et passim. 8 Judge Powell had recently left Detroit to take a place as one of the judges of the newly created Court of King's Bench of Upper Canada. The act creating the court required that its sittings be held in the place of usual residence of the governor or lieutenant-governor. This required the removal of Powell from Detroit to Niagara. "Mount Dorchester" was the name he gave to his residence there, in honor of his friend, Lord Dorchester. See Riddell, Life of William Dummer Powell, 82 ff. 520 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS yourself with the Ladies to know how we are fixed. I cannot well describe our Accommodations tho' they are very slender. Mrs P. has a comfortable Room and an adjoining One for the Children as bed Chambers. I have one large room badly lighted for Study parlour &ca and there is a tollerable farmers Kitchen, upon the whole such as to unambitious Minds can afford Content tho' at the rate of 43~s for six Months. The Chief reccommendation of the Spot is that it is dry and reputed the most healthy in the Settlet and adjoins to my own Lots where I am for the present erecting a log House. Mrs P. still keeps up but [is] in hourly Expectation of Confinemet. She acknowledge[s] with thanks the kind attentions of Mrs & Miss A. Mrs Richardson has not yet been able to get so far to see us, but from him I learn that she is well and happy. I have been but twice at Newark, to open and adjourn the Court of K. B. The latest News from Europe does not promise a speedy Close to the war in Europe, but seems to flatter us with a Continuance of peace in spite of so many Endeavours on all Sides to disturb it. I have myself as little faith in the Success of Art in politicks as in private life so am not gratified by the internal Dissensions in the States which appear to have got to a formidable heighth and threaten little less than a civil war. Could I see any true advantage to be acquired fo[r] the Honor and Interest of England or her Colonies by such an Event, I should have some Satisfaction in the prospect but in my present View of things, I think it not impossible that if the State physicians prescribe phlebotomy they may chuse to employ foreign Operators and provoke a Quarrel with us as a Channel for the bad blood which gives them so much uneasiness. All Accounts from Europe hint at an amicable Settlement with the States at the Expence of [illegible] reperation to be made but the Question of our Frontier does not appear to have been canvassed. Many think that an Idea of Col. Simcoe will be produced, perhaps adopted, of leaving the Indn Territory as at 1763, unoccupied by either party to serve as a perpetual Barrier between us. Such an Event would justly give to our Lt 521 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Gr the highest Merit with this province, which would be highly benefited by such an arrangement. I have been insensibly led into a Subject I am not fitted for by Information or habit. you must excuse me and whatever may be my political Errors be assured that I am very truly Dear Sir your obliged and Obedt Servt Wm Dummer Powell Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit Endorsed: Mount Dorchester Octr 13h 1794 Judge Powell to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 3d Decr Answd ye 26h BLOCKHOUSE TO BE ERECTED AT CHATHAM9 Fort Miamis. October 20th 1794 Sir Having received His Excellency the Lieut Governors directions to proceed to Chatham on the River Thames, there to lay out a Block House to be built by you, previous to your constructing some Gun Boats, I shall be glad to Know what orders you have received respecting the time of your taking your party to that Place, that I may manage to be at Detroit in time to go up with you I am Sir Your Most Obt Servant R W Adyelo Lieut Roy' Artillery Mr Baker, &c &c Addressed: on His Majestys Service Mr Baker Master Builder Detroit Copy MILITIA DETAILS FOR KING'S SHIP au Detroit le 23 Octobre 1794 Major Parunt Monsr Le Capitaine de Batiment Monsr Fortie attend apres les trois hommes qu Je vous ai pries dordonner de 9 Copy made in long hand, at some later date, of original letter whose whereabouts is unknown. xo Lieut. Ralph Willet Adye of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. 522 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS trois Companie dont vous etes le Major quand quelque homme est ordonne un Officer ou un Sergeant doit etre envoye avec pour voir qu'ils soyent rendu au Bord. Je vous prie de voir imediatement que ce trois hommes si trouvont ou d'autre a leur place, est si quelque un ont refuse et que ce furent leur tour d'aller il faut que celui que les ont ordonne vient faire ses raports ou plaints qu'ils soyent punis selon la Loi car il n'est pas parmis qu'une Batiment de Roi charge soye arret6 faute de Monde ainssi Je vous prie de Mettre ordre a tout cela sans perdue de tems Jai Ihonneur d'Etre Mons Votre tres humble Serviteur J A Lt Col Commdg of N E. B. M. Endorsed: Detroit 23d Octobr 1794 from Lt Col Askin to Major Parunt Lassumpson A Copy Translation Detroit, October 23, 1794 Major Parent, Sir: The captain of the vessel, Mr. Fortier,1 is waiting for the three men whom I requested you to summon from the three companies of which you are the Major. Each man so summoned should be accompanied by an officer or a sergeant to see that he goes aboard. I beg you to attend to this immediately, and if the three men, or others in their place, if any of them refuse when it is their turn to go, he who has v issued the order should come and report them, so that they may be lawfully punished. A King's vessel, when loaded, should not be delayed on any account. I therefore beg you to give the necessary orders without loss of time. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your very humble servant J[ohn] A[skin] Lt. Col. Com. N[orth] E[ssex] B[attalion] of M[ilitia] i I Apparently this was Pierre Michael Fortier, who was a trader and subsequently an officer in the British naval establishment. His great-grandfather, Anthony Fortier, born in 1646, married at Quebec, prior to 1680, Mary Magdelene Cadieu dit Courville, a native of that place. Pierre Michael, our present subject, was born there June 16, 523 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Endorsed: Detroit, October 23, 1794, from Lt. Col. Askin to Major Parent,12 Assumption. A copy PROGRESS OF AFFAIRS IN EUROPE London 28h October 1794 Dear Sir: I wrote you 23d August, since which I have not had a line from Detroit. I wrote you before how uneasy I was at the silence of my brother & requested you as a friend to inform me what he was doing, & of your compliance I can have no doubt. In the mean time I intend to pay you a visit next spring, & as I have never been at New York, I purpose taking that rout. I had before requested your friendly aid in the adjustment of some points relating to our New-copartnership; & on that subject I shall also hear from you no doubt. You will no doubt have been alarmed, if accounts be true that have reached us, of the approach of the American army towards the Miamis. An action is said to have taken place & the victory to be on their side, & that some of your milit[i]a were with the Indians: This last intelligence our ministry do not wish to countenance, as inferring a charge of hostilities on our side; but at all events, it will produce no serious rupture, for our government, whatever other views they may have had, seems det[e]rmined to settle all differences amicably in that quarter so that you may rest assured whether the posts are evacuated or retained it will be all done peacably: I think they will be given up, but not precipitately: our ministry now find they have quite enough on their hands without involving themselves with more enemies.,As they disavowed Lord Dorchester's speach to the Indians, as unauthorised, so they will some other acts in your quarter. this ought to teach com1753, and married there, on June 4, 1778, Angelica Aubert de Gaspe, daughter of Ignatius Aubert de Gasp6 and Mary Ann Coulon de Villier. They had several children, some of whom subsequently resided at Sandwich or Raisin River, and one of whom was baptized at Detroit, Sept. 16, 1794. One son, Charles Fortier, married Catherine Smith of Sandwich, daughter of Thomas Smith, for whom see ante, 287. 11 For the several Parent lines of Canada and Detroit see ante, 418. The particular individual to whom the present letter was addressed has not been identified. 524 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS manders a lesson of caution. You know I have been in the habit of filling my sheet with the politics of the day. I have no information but what those useful vehicles the public prints afford. I sometimes give you my own remarks. In opinion relative to this direful war I had the misfortune to be in opposition to all my acquaintance, especially those from Canada; and as the spirit of party has, & still is, uncommonly high & bitter, you may conceive I was a good deal roasted: some advised me as a friend to keep my opinions to myself & indeed, in certain companies it was prudent, others used other [arguments?] of personal risk from informers &c but what I was going to say is that my friends are now coming over to my way of thinking pretending that "to be sure people might have seen, & they always thought so & so." here I am at variance with them again, "no no," say I, gentlemen, do not now come round for I will not let you off so." Man is said to be a thinking animal. nothing is more false, for he is the very reverse, being an unthinking animal. We now behold Europe deluged with human blood, torn to its foundation, & every kingdon in it on the point of political dissolution, from the unthinking conduct of kings, priests, ministers & people. I think since I wrote last no event of importance has happened on the ocean except the capture of one frigate from the French, & a good many ships from us, about sixty or seventy that we already know of. At land, they are literally driving the armies of all Europe before them: those very armies of whose success in the subjugation of France twelve months ago the most certain hopes, were entertained. Last month was marked by a variety of petty battles, but towards the end of it they appeared to have been only as many pre[ludes?] to the complete defeat of the allied army under General Clairfait who has been driven across the Rhine with the loss of some accounts say ten & some twelve thousand men, artillery stores & a great deal of baggage. The consequence is the whole country from Aix-La Chapelle to Nimeguen with the cities of Cologne Roermond, Bonn, Cleves &c &c &c are now in the hands of France. Maes525 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS trecht is besieged. On the Dutch frontier they have taken Craevcoeur, Bois le Duc &c &c and are actually penetrating into Holland where terror & confusion reign. They are sending their valuables to this country insurances has been done on property in Amsterdam for a month at 15 percent premium, & some people think that the French will be in possession of it before that time. Our troops under the Duke of York have been constantly retreating & with considerable loss. We heard yesterday the unpleasant news of his having been forced to retreat to Arnheim over the Rhine, but not before the loss of the greater part of the regiment of Bohn, & what is more immediately afflicting the 37 regt of foot has been almost all killed or taken in this affair, not more than fifty men & the major having escaped. In the interiour of France, from which I have always thought they had most to fear, order & tranquillity seem to gain ground, owing to the firm, & I am happy to add, for the sake of humanity, moderate measures of the convention. I forgot to add that on the side of Italy the Republican troops have in several instances been successful, & on that of Spain taken the strong fortress of Bellegard with five thousand troops & an immense quantity artillery & stores: thus they are in possession of the two keys of that kingdom. The poles, not satisfied with the new government of the two worthies who have done so much for their happiness, have risen, as if impelled by one soul, & have every where been successful. The king of Prussia was defeated by the brave Coscioski before Warsaw, & instead of subduing it was very glad to reach his own dominions, without waiting for his artillery & baggage, a considerable part of which he has left in the care of the poles who are, it is said going to use it against some part of his own dominions. Nor has his partner & associate in villany Catherine been much more successful. The fact is they begin now to fear, particularly Austria & Prussia that those new principles as they are called (the love of liberty by the by is old as man) are getting out in some parts of their own dominions. I beg to be kindly remembered to M" Askin and all the 526 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS rest of your family, to Comr Grant & his good family, & remain, Dear Sir, Your very Hbe Servt William Robertson N.B. As this will reach you I expect by the winter express I shall be particularly happy to find an answer from you at Montreal by the opening of the navigation giving me such particulars as you may think useful. Addressed: pr the Eagle Capt Harris John Askin, Esqr Detroit Care of Messr Todd M~Gill & C~ Merchants Montreal Endorsed: Recd ye 15th March & Answd ye 6th of April 1795 AUTHORITY OF JUSTICES OF THE PEACE Mount Dorchester 14 Novr 1794 Dear Sir: Your favor of the 21st Ulto covering a Note of Costs on a penal Judgement and stating a Question upon the Demand I recvd this day. As the Case is stated as a Magistrate for future guidance I am less scrupulous in offering my opinion than if the reference was merely individual. As I am unacquainted with the Terms of your police regulations since I was in Detroit I cannot speak for the Letter of them, but I know of no general Law which gives you power to create offences and levy the penalties. The ordce of Justice under which your former regulations were made subjected the recovery of all penalties to Suit in the Common pleas where of Cource Costs were given as in an Action of Debt. But I fear on a summary Conviction before a Single Justice out of sessions no Costs were recoverable by any Statute prior to the 14h of the King which is the Epoch of our criminal Code, altho' I think by a subsequent Statute the 18h Geo 3d, some provision is made for Costs in such Cases, but it has not force of Law here It is a general Rule of Law, that the Jurisdiction of Justices without the Intervention of a Jury being contrary to the provisions of Magna Charta, must de derived from 527 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS some Statute and on the same principle, that the Statute which gives the Authority must be rigidly pursued. Therefore in your Case if the Act or ordce makes no special provision for Costs none can be adjudged. In hazarding this Statement of the Law I am possibly committing an Impropriety should I have misconstrued your letter and you prove a party in lieu of the Justice in the business, for the appeal in all such Cases goes to the K B. so that in Justice to me if you are ye party You will pay the Costs and let the business sleep. I hear that some new regulation is adopted respects the Grant of Lands and that the Boards are congediee We hear also of a proclamation for restraint of Sale of Rum to Indians in the Ind" Country. I presume it looks to the Miamies and is the repetition of an old Scheme of Monopoly in which the Legislators are Tools to ye better informed Mr Hamiltons family were well yesterday; tho' we are neighbours the bad Roads keep [the] Ladies at home. Mr' P. has been confined [to] her room for some time past by the birth of a Son. She desires to assure Mrs & Miss Askin of her very sincere regards in which she is joined by Dear sir! Your very Obedt and humble servt Wm Dummer Powell Addressed: John Askin Esquire Detroit Endorsed: Mount Dorchester Novr 14h 1794 Wm D. Powell Esqr to Jn~ Askin recvd ye 22d Decr Answd ye 26h 528 SECTION XI LETTERS AND PAPERS: 1795 I FROM ARCHANGE MEREDITH TO MRS. ASKIN Woolwich le 3 Fevrier 1795 Ma tres chere Mere, Quoique j'ai ecrie une longue lettre A mon chere Pere, le commencment du Moi pass6, lui marquant toutes les Nouvelles, je ne puis neanmoins me priver du plaisir, de m'entertenir, avec ma bien aim6 mere, et lui dire, que j'ai entendue parler d'elle, et la famille, par un Messieur, qui vous a tous vue bien derneirment. Nous fumes dinner chez Monsieur et Madame MoTavish, environs une semaine passe, et la, nous avons rencontr6 Monsieur MoGillevy, qui est la personne, qui m'a donn6 l'agreable information, quil vous avoit tous laisse en bonne sant6 au Detroit, dans le Mois de Septembre dernier, il m'a aussi dit, que Monsieur Hamilton devoit venir cette Hiver en Angleterre, je m'attend done, a recevoir de vos cheres lettres bien vite, comme l'on attend Monsieur H. tous les jours, qui auroit sans doute la charge de vos lettres, je n'avoit pas pense d'entendre, de si bonnes nouvelles, quand j'ai entr6 la maison de Monsieur M~Tavish, comme je ne scavoit pas que ce Monsieur etoit arriv6, mon heureust6 fute bien extreme sur l'occasion, et la bonne humeur, et fagon plaisante, de toutes la compagnie, nous a caus6 de passer une bien agreable journ6e. Monsieur Robertson, et Todd, etoit de la partie, ainsi que plusieurs autre Merchants de Canada, le Major Malcom, du soixante cinq et sa dame devoit avoir et6 de la partie, mais la visite d'un de leur amies, de la campagne, leurs & empech6 de venir. Madame M~Tavish est embonpoint, et pense accoucher dans peu de tems, le lendemain nous avons 6t6 voir une affaire bien curieuse, ce sont des figures de cire, qui paroisse anim6, comme sils etoit vivant, enfin s-ca ma parue bien extraordinaire et superbe, je n'auroit mit foie dans la description d'une personne, qui m'auroit dit de telles choses, si ne les avoit pas vue moi meme. 531 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Jai remarqu6, que toutes les dames porte leurs jupes toutafait sur leurs bras, afin d'avoir les tailles courtes, les sash sont de la largeur d'un etroite colier, est attach6 dans une boucle derniere, les mouchoirs sont bien ouvert, comme auparavant, et le tour de cou bien etroite, pour les cheveux, ils sont pendant derriere, est coiff6 devant, en petits boucles, avec un morceau de ruban, alentour de la tete, ou un bandeau de musline, et meme un mouchoir de musline clair arrang6 en coiffure, et une plume blanc dedans, est toutafait le ton, pour les premiers compagnies, par consequence, l'on n'as pas besoin de se mettre A une grande depense, pour se couvrir la tete, ayez la bonte ma chere mere de dire, A ma chere soeur Therese, que cette partie de la lettre est address6 A elle, et quelle peut s'habillier au ton pour le premier Balle du Detroit; je me propose de lui ecrire une longue lettre, par la premiere occasion qui se presente, cette A dire, par le Pacquet du Mois prochain, devant quelle tems, la Princesse de Brunswick, qui vient pour etre marie au Prince de Gal,, l'on suppose sera arrive, et comme c'est imagine, quelle donnera la mode peutetre (comme je suis Femme de si grande consequence) que j'aurais dans mon pouvoir d'expliquer la ton, ne riez vous pas ma chere mere d'entendre parler comme cela, votre petite Madame Snipe. Il est apresent tems, de vous dire quellque chose, de vos petits enfans, que j'ai l'heureust6 de vous apprendre jouisse ainsi que moi de la plus parfaite sant6, ma fille Anne est devenue une tres jolie petite demoiselle, elle dit bien son alphabet, et commence A epeller, elle scait aussi dire ses prieres, et quand je lui parle de sa grandmere, elle paroit avoir grand plaisir, et me prie de lui en dire encore, et fait le tour de la chambre, en se rengorgant avec beaucoup de fierte; mon Fils David continue de meme teint, il est bien blond et fait usage de ses jambes; les enfans s'aime beaucoup, et sont assez fiere de l'attention que leurs chere Pere prend d'eux. J'ai recue une lettre quelle que tems pass6, de ma petite Cousine Therese Mercer, ma tante, et le rest6 de la famille, se portoit bien, nous leurs avions promis de passer quelleque jours chez eux cette Hyver, mais comme mes enfans sont 532 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS trop jeune pour voyager, et la situation de mon man, point de tout fixee, ce sont des circonstances qui nous empecherons, de pratiquer le souhait, que nous avions d'aller les voir, je ne doute pas, que Monsier Mercer a ecrire A mon cher Pere, par cette occasion, pour moi, je trouve le tems bien long, depuis que j'ai recue des lettres de la famille, les derniers que j'ai recue, etoit datt6, le seize d'Avril pass6, qui est presque un An, mes prieres sont toujours pour le bien de la famille est dans l'heureuse esperance, que mes cheres parens, &c possede une bonne sant6, et la grande affection, et attention, de mon cher Meredith, je me rend aussi heureuse, quil est possible, de l'etre, il faut Apresent penser A conclure, afin de laisser un part de ce papier A mon cher M. qui me prie de faire son amiti6 A ma chere Mere, et toute le famille, faite aussi (sil vous plait) mes tendres souvenirs a le Commodore, ma Tante Grante, Cousine Wright, mes autres petites Cousines, Oncle Barthe, les deux qui sont A Michilimackinac, a Jean et sa femme, mes compliments a tous mes conaissances, embrassez mon cher Pere et Therese pour moi, ainsi que les enfans, et croyez moi ma tres chere Mere votre affection6 fille Archange Meredith Translation Woolwich, February 3, 1795 My dearest Mother: Although I wrote a long letter to my dear father early last month, telling him all thd news, I cannot, nevertheless, deprive myself of the pleasure of a chat with my beloved mother and of telling her that I have heard of her and of all the family from a gentleman who has seen you all very recently. We dined with Mr. and Mrs. McTavish1 about a week ago, and there met a Mr. McGillivray,2 i Probably Simon McTavish of Montreal, one of the founders of the North West Company in 1783-84. McTavish and the Frobisher brothers were the Montreal agents of the association, the other partners being "winterers" who dwelt at their interior northwestern stations. McTavish was one of the foremost factors in the affairs of the company until his death, July 6, 1804. In his will he left the sum of ~1000 to Alexander Grant, the only son of Commodore Alexander Grant of Detroit. z William McGillivray, a nephew of Simon McTavish, was one of the most notable 533 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS who gave me the pleasing information that he had left you all well in Detroit last September. He also told me that Mr. Hamilton is coming to England this winter. I expect, therefore, to receive letters from you very soon as Mr. Hamilton is expected any day now and will doubtless have charge of your letters. I had not expected such good news when I entered the house of Mr. McTavish as I did not know the gentleman had arrived. My happiness was extreme, and the good humor and pleasant manner of all the company made the day pass most agreeably. Mr. Robertson and Mr. Todd were of the party, and several other Canadian merchants. Major Malcolm,3 of the Sixty-fifth and his wife, were to have been there but were detained by the visit of a friend from the country. Mrs. McTavish is enceinte and expects her confinement soon. The next day we went to see the strangest thing, nothing less than wax figures that seemed animated as if alive. In fact they were so very extraordinary and magnificent that I would not have believed it if anyone had told me of them unless I had seen them myself. I notice that all the ladies are wearing their skirts almost under the arms so as to raise the waist line. Sashes are about the width of a narrow collar and are fastened at the back with a buckle. Neckerchiefs are very open as formerly and the neckband very narrow. The hair is curled, hanging at the back and arranged in small curls in front, with a piece figures among the Montreal fur traders. He was a member of the firm of McTavish, Frobisher & Co., and a leading partner in the North West Company, having bought out the interest of Peter Pond in 1790. In 1797 he became one of the Montreal agents of the company, it being his duty to make yearly visits to the upper country and there make settlements and assignments for the succeeding year. Upon the reorganization of the company in 1804 he became recognized as its chief spokesman. Fort William at the western end of Lake Superior, begun in 1801 and for twenty years thereafter the western headquarters of the company, was named for him. In 1818, having amassed a fortune and impaired his constitution by his labors in the fur trade, McGillivray returned to his native Scotland, where he purchased, for ~20,000, an estate in Argyleshire. Here he died in 1825. See Davidson, The North West Company, passim, and Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 167-68. 3 Alexander Malcolm, commissioned captain in the army, April 14, 1780, and in the Sixty-fifth Regiment, June 10,1785. In 1787 he was serving as commandant of Fort Ontario. He was transferred to the Seventy-eighth (Highland) Regiment on March 8, 1793. Two years later (March 11, 1795) he was commissioned lieutenant colonel. See British army lists and Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 508. 534 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS of ribbon or a band of muslin around the head; even a thin lawn handkerchief arranged for a headdress, with a white feather in it, is very fashionable in the best society, so there is no need of going to great expense about dressing the hair. Be so good, my dear Mother, as to tell my dear sister Therese, that this part of my letter is for her, and how she is to dress in style for the next Detroit ball. I intend to write her a long letter by the next opportunity, that is, by next month's vessel. By that time it is thought that the Princess of Brunswick, who is coming for her marriage with the Prince of Wales, will have arrived, and that she will, in all probability, set the fashion, and (as I am a lady of some consequence) I shall then be able to rehearse the styles. Do not laugh, dear Mother, to hear me talk so, your little Madam Snip. It is now about time I told you something of your little grandchildren, who are, I am happy to say, like myself, in perfect health. My little Anne has grown into a very pretty child. She can say the alphabet and is learning to spell. She knows her prayers, too, and seems to take great pleasure in hearing about her grandmother, begging me to tell her more, and then struts around the room with her head up, so proudly. My son David still looks the same. He is very fair and is walking. The children are very fond of each other, and proud enough when their dear father shows them any attention. I had a letter some time ago from my little cousin, Therese Mercer. Aunt and the rest of the family were all well. We promised to make them a visit of some days this winter, but the fact that the children are still too young to travel and my husband's situation, so unsettled, has prevented us from going to see them as we wished. Doubtless Mr. Mercer has written to my dear father by this same opportunity. As for me, I find the time very long since I have received any letters from the family. The last I got were dated April 16th last, almost a year ago. I pray always for the health of the family, and in the happy hope that my dear parents and the rest are in good health, with the sincere affection and attentions of 535 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS my dear Meredith, I make myself as contented as possible. Now I must think about stopping, so as to leave a part of this sheet for my dear M., who begs me to offer his regards to my dear Mother and to all the family. Also, (if you please) give my affectionate remembrance to the Commodore, Aunt Grant, Cousin Wright, my other little cousins, Uncle Barthe, the two who are at Mackinac, John and his wife, and my compliments to all my friends. Kiss my dear Father and Therese for me, also the children, and believe me, dearest Mother, Your affectionate daughter Archange Meredith Appended [page 3 of Mrs. Meredith's letter]: Woolwich 3rd FebrY 1795 My dear Sir * * * * * It would be highly gratifying to me could I say that our affairs went well on upon the Continent-my report must be indeed very different-for the Enemy have bore down all before them, and at the present moment, and for these ten days past, are perfect Masters of all Holland. The French General Pichgrew has his Head Quarters at Amsterdam in the house (till lately) occupied by the great Banke[r] Hosse. The Prince of Orange and whole family very narrowly escaped being Nabb'd, the Stadtholder himself landed at Harwich in an open boat, rowed across by only three Men and a Boy, the whole of that illustrious unfortunate House of Orange are now lodged in Hampton Court Palace, with much comfort to themselves and well protected. Mark the consequence. Orders were instantly sent to every Port in this kingdom to stop Dutch Vessells of every Description-the event has been that several Men of War, that were preparing to sail from Plymouth, also Indiamen richly laden, have fall'n into the Trap, in short, the different Vessells with Property already seized in London river, &c &c, and for the Benefit of the Stadtholder, is computed to amount to Eight Millions. To the pointed Disloyalty of the Dutch, and Rivers being froze sufficient for the Mass of sans culottes to pass with their artillery &c., is to be attributed the fall 536 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS of Holland, which independant of immense treasure to the French has given them at least Twenty Sail of the Line, the conduct of the Dutch has been infamous for a long time to our Soldiers (who were fighting their Battles). They have for several Months given every possible insult. Old England is still determined, allies or no allies, to Battle out the business, and now we shall have a Dash at Yon Dutchman, a squadron is already sent forth, which brings their rich ships in by dozens, so that the Stadtholderian Family will not be any burthen to this Country. The French Grand Fleet, consisting of Thirty-Six Sail of the line, and Twenty Frigates, have been at Sea for some time in hopes to fall in with some of our Convoys expected home. Our Grand Fleet (and such a one so equipp'd as never sail'd out of the Channel) under the Gallant Earl Howe, consisting of Thirty-three Sail of the Line & a proportionate number of Frigates & Fireships, sail'd from Spithead with a fine Wind about Five days since, in quest of the Republican Fleet-every Loyal and honest heart in this Country hopes they may still be [torn] and that Lord Howe may fall in with them. He is gone to lay of[f] Brest and prevent their enterance-so great was his hurry having a fair wind that he did not bring too of[f] Plymouth as was intended. The numerous Men of War for all parts assembled there, on account to wait the event, are there [torn] to join him. The utmost exertions are now making in the Naval [torn] so than ever before, all the old Sixtys and Line of Battle Ships and many that never were intended to serve again are now ordered out and will have temporary repairs &cand Government have even taken into the service a great many East Indiamen to be converted into 40 Gun Frigates, and to man this more than Extraordinary Navy, Meetings have been convened by the Mayor and Corporations of every Maritime Town in these Dominions, directed by [torn] Dundas's circular letter, and the Merchants are to find for the Navy one Man for 70 Tons and so on TwentyTwo Young Regiments are to be immediately turned aboard-in short it is intended to have a fleet of 150 Sail of the Line, besides Frigates &c &c and that too in a very 537 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS short space of time-'tis now that Ministers are become aroused, and are acting in a proper way, viz. directing the Fight upon that Element which this country has been renowned for-the Computed Land Force in this country at this time including our Corps &c &c is 150 Thousand Men-immense Camps will be formed early in the Spring on the coasts of Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, comprizing the Eastern Division, and likewise all along the Southern Coast, for as the French have now obtained and seiz'd the greatest part of the Dutch Navy and being immediately opposed to our Eastern Shores, it is now firmly believed (in the Triumphant State in which they are) that they will attempt different Landings, indeed I sincerly wish they may put it in practice, for although it may cause a bustle and be attended with inconvenience at first, yet it would serve to unite John Bulls to each other, and there is little doubt but John would soon turn out to defend his Dirty Acres. The remnant of our Brave Troops who have been obliged to retreat to Embden are to be immediately brought home by way of the Elbe. A large reinforcement of Troops have sail'd to secure the safety of our West India Conquests and the largest Detachment of Artillery accompanied that every went from England at one time, namely 520 Men which in addition to those of our Corps already makes more that a thousand artillery Men. Speaking of our Regiment I am sorry to add that we have lost His Grace of Richmond as Master General. He received a letter of Dismission from the King on Monday last, and the Marquis Cornwallis is the one named with certainty as his successor, 'tis said the reason of his dismissal was because He would not attend the Cabinet, and was of very different Sentiments. We have reason to regret him for he has done much for the prosperity of the Regiment. We are going to invite him to a grand Mang6 in testimony of our wishes towards him. The Marquis Cornwallis is a good man, and also a Friend to the Corps, having ever mentioned the Artillery most handsomely in his different Dispatches officially to Ministers. We yet expect much augmentation. 538 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS I ought to appologize for this incoherent scrawl which I could wish was fraught with more interesting information. I am sorry to hear that the different Posts are really to be given up and hope you will not be affected by any ways unpleasant to yourself. Mama Askin, Sister Therese, the Commodore & Family will be good enough to accept my Esteem. To all my other Friends, viz. Leith, &c &c &c and to the ArtillY Officers, do not forget me. I remain My Dear Sir Most Affectionately yours David Meredith4 Addressed: To John Askin Esq' Mercht at Detroit Upper Canada To the care of Mess"r Todd & McGill Merchts at Montreal Canada. Postage paid: "pd Id pd 1/ Inland Postage paid 2/1" Endorsed: Woolwich 3d FebY 1795 Lt and Mr Meredith to John Askin & M" Askin. DEPARTURE OF HAMILTON CHILDREN FOR ENGLAND Niagara 25 Fevrier Ann6e 1795 Mon chere Pere J'ai Recue votre letre par l'expres. je suis flat6 d'apprendre que toute la famille ce porte bien; Je vous remercie des consolation et bon Avis que vous m'offr6; vous matribu6 plus de merite que Je ne possede en laissent partire Mon cher epoux et mes chers enfans Je crois que si leur pore ne les avoit pas amen6 je nauroit pas consentie a leur depart, Quoique Je naprouve pas de l'education de ce payi, mais mon chere pere que cest de valeur de les envoy6 si l'oin et Courire tant de risque. ils sont partie dicy le 18 Janvier un grand froid ils ont chouch6 sept nuit dans le boix, mais grace a Dieu ils non point eu de mauvais temps. Mr H et nos homes ont march6 ils avoit un grands parties Major Powell qui reste a fort erie CPt brant, et nos jeune gens ont 6t6 une Journ6 de Marche Avec eux; les Deux premier on continu6 la route avec eux. voila trois semaines quile son de retoure Mr H et nos chers 4 A short letter from Mrs. Meredith to her father, not here reprinted, is appended at this point in the manuscript. 539 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS enfans ce portroit bien ils etoit bien resolue il y avoit de la neige jus-quau Jenoux les enfans etoit dans une traine un cheval pour les tir6 avec les provisions et bagage, ils etoit bien enveloppe avec des peaux ils nont point atrap6 de froid. ils fesoit quinse mile par jour et campe un heure avant soleil Chouche ils fesoit un grand feut et mangeoit leur Din6 le matin du th6a et ils en avoit un pot avec des biscuits pour toute la Journ6. Je vous d'onne le recit de leur voyage pour le montr6 a Maman parceque je scait que sa vous interesera tous deux. Cest la premiere voiture qui a Jamais entrepris de passe le boix, pour moy Je ne peut ass6 remercie Dieu de les avoir se bien conduit, d'ans leur route si eloigne d'auqun secours. J'ai recue plusieurs l6tre de Mr H il na pas manque augune occation de mecrire; par la derniere ils avoit pass6 tout les plus mauvais chemin ils son rendue bien vite a la Nouvelles Yorck. Nous penson quils son en mere Dieu veille leur accord6 un bon et heureux pasage: car cest une autre sujet dinqietude pour moy. J'attend tous les Jours des l6tres de la Nouvelle Yorck; Je profiter6 du premier batiment qui ira ce printemps au Detroit pour vous all6 voir car Je trouve le temp bien long. M' Tom Dixon doit alle avec moy Mr H lui a parl6 pour cela car Je craint que vous ne soyai trop occup6 ainsi que mon fr6re John; il poura pen6tre me ramen6 a mon retours les deux petits ce porte bien et vous embrace Mes Meilleurs respects a Ma ch6re Maman, et Je suis Mon chere P6re En attendant le plaisir de vous voir Votre tres humble et Affectionne fille Catherine Hamilton Addressed: Mr John Askin Senior Detroit. Translation Niagara, February 25, 1795 My dear Father: I have received your letter by the express and am pleased to hear that all the family are well. Thank you for the comfort and good advice in your letter, but you give me credit for more fortitude than I possess 540 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS in letting my dear husband and my dear children go away. I believe if their father had not taken them I should not have consented to their going.4 However, I do not approve of such a distance for schooling, and running so much risk. They left here January 18, a very cold day, and slept in the woods seven nights, but thank God they have not had any bad weather. Mr. Hamilton and our men walked. They were quite a party. Major Powell, who is to stop at Fort Erie, Capt. Brant,5 and our young people went a day's march with them. The first two went on with them. It is now three weeks since they returned. Mr. Hamilton and our dear children were well. They were very brave. The snow was knee-deep. The children were on a sled drawn by a horse, with the provisions and baggage. They were well wrapped in furs and were not affected by the cold. They would go fifteen miles a day and then camp an hour before sundown. They made a big fire and ate their dinner. In the morning they had tea, and they had enough of it, with biscuits, for the whole journey. I am telling you all about the journey so that you can show it to Mama, for I know that you are both interested. It is the first conveyance that has ever gone through the woods. For my part, I cannot thank God enough for having taken such care of them on the way, so far from help of any kind. I have received several letters from Mr. Hamilton; he never missed a chance for writing. In the last, they were over all the worst part of the road. They reached New York in good time and we suppose they are now on the ocean. May God watch over them and grant them a 4 Mrs. Hamilton's two elder children, William and John Robertson, were already in England, where they had been sent several years earlier to be educated. The children whose departure is described in the present letter, were Robert, George, and Alexander Hamilton, who were born, respectively, in 1786, 1788, and 1790. Mrs. Hamilton. died toward the close of 1796, while her children were still in England. Their subsequent careers in Canada are all a matter of local knowledge. Robert married Mary Biggar, and died at Queenston in 1856. George married Maria Jarvis, and became the founder of the city of Hamilton. Alexander married Hannah Jarvis * and lived at Queenston, where the mansion built by him is still well preserved. 5 Joseph Brant, the famous Mohawk chief, who was born in 1742 and died in 1807. Several biographies of him have been published. The best known is William L. Stone's Life of Joseph Brant...(New York, 1838). 541 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS pleasant, happy voyage, for that is another source of anxiety for me. I look every day for letters from New York. I shall take advantage of the first vessel in the spring to go to Detroit for I find the time very long. Mr. Thomas Dickson6 is to go with me. Mr. Hamilton spoke to him, making that arrangement, for I feared you would be too busy, also my brother John. He may, perhaps, be able to bring me back. The two little ones are well and kiss you. My best respects to my dear Mama, and I remain, dear Father, until I have the pleasure of seeing you, Your very humble and affectionate daughter Catherine Hamilton. 6 Thomas Dickson, merchant, of Queenston, and brother of William and Robert Dickson. The inscription on Thomas Dickson's tombstone, in the Hamilton graveyard at Queenston, thus sums up his career: "Sacred to the memory of Thomas Dickson, who died in 1825, aged 50, also Eliza, his wife. He was a native of Dumfries, Scotland, came to this Province in the year 1789, and became a permanent resident of the District of Niagara, where he held various public situations, which he filled with credit to himself and advantage to the country, and as an active, intelligent, and upright magistrate, a member of the Legislature and colonel of Militia none could have discharged the various duties incidental to the changeable situations with greater fidelity..." On Nov. 17, 1799, Dickson married, at the home of Robert Hamilton, Mrs. Eliza Taylor, a young widow whose father, Captain Wilkinson, was commandant of Fort Erie. See letter of Robert Nichol to John Askin, Nov. 16, 1799, ms. in Burton Hist. Coll., and Buffalo Hist. Soc., Pubs., VI, 80-81. Eliza Dickson died Sept. 6, 1802, leaving one son, John Alexander; on Sept. 20, 1803, Thomas Dickson married (second) Archange Grant of Detroit, a daughter of Commodore Grant. Two daughters were born of this union. See Niagara Hist. Soc. Pubs., No. 19, p. 39, and Major Alpine's Ancestors and Descendants. 542 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS LAUNDRY BILL OF MRS. GRANT Mr" Grant Washing Bill April 20th 1795 D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ 23th June D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ To 6 Boys shirts One Petticoat 1 Jacket 11 Neck handkircheifs 2 Muslin Caps 7 Pocket Handk.f 1 Frock 1 Gown 5 pr Cotton stockings 1 Muslin Gown 2 D~ Cotton 1 White Petticoat 1 Cotton Do 2 Shifts S.D. ~ " 2 " 0 " 1 0 " 1 " 0 " 3 " 8 " 1 "0 " 1 " 9 " 0 " 6 " 2 " 0 1 "3 1 3 " 0 " 4 " 0 " 2 " 0 " 1 "0 " 1 " 0 ~ 1 "5 " 2 Anne Campbell Corn Grants Wash N. York CurY Recd the Above in full Endorsed: Detroit April 20th 1795 ing Bill AGREEMENT CONCERNING LAND SPECULATION Memorandum of an Agreement between Alexander Henry Mercht of Montreal, John Askin Senior and John Askin junr Merchants Detroit May 27 1795 Its Mutually agreed between the Parties that John Askin Purchases what Tracts of Land he can of the Indian Nation on the Miamis River and River au Huron on the best Terms he can for the Concerned the Whole purchase not to Exceed Three Hundred Pounds N. York Cur. all Expences Except those of Surveying Included which Purchase shall belong Equally to the Said Alexander Henry John Askin Senior and John Askin junr and Each pay One hundred Pounds for their Share of the same or in proportion if the 543 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Lands should cost Less. The said Alexander Henry Promises to use his Influence in the States to have such Purchase confirmed without making any charge for his time in so doing, nor will the said John Askin junr make any charge for his trouble his Expences only to be defrayed. John Askin Senior to pay the said Purchase and charge each Concerned with his Share and in Other Respects give what Assistance he can. Alexander Henry John Askin John Askin junr The shares of Mr Alexr Henry & John Askin Junr of the Purchase specified on the Other side have not yet been charged them, tho paid & more by John Askin Senior the reason of this is because these Accounts have not as yet been finally settled. March the 11 1799 MEMORIAL OF JOHN ASKIN FOR GRANT OF LAND7 To his Excellency &ca The Memorial of John Askin Senior of Detroit Mercht Humbly Sheweth that your Excellency's Memorialist came into this Country from Ireland in 1758 from which time Untill this day he has constantly lived Under the English Government fourteen years of which in his Majesty's Service & mostly at the Posts of Michilimackinac & Detroit & for his Conduct as a Magistrate, Militia officer, Member of the Land Board & subject he begs leave to refer to the Principal Servants of the Crown who have resided in the Upper Country. Your Ex. Memorialist had Destroyed of his Property in Montreal & at Lachine by the Americans when they took that Place to the Amount of ~1700 & Odd Pounds, Owing as it [is] supposed to his having been then in his Majestys Service. he Also had destroyed by Order of Colonel Caldwell of the 8h Regt to the Amt of ~200 & Odd Pounds, on the South side of Lake Erie where a Vessell waited least that Property should fall into the Hands of the Americans & lastly your Excellency has a knowledge of your 7 From the original manuscript in the Dominion Archives in Ottawa. 544 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Memoralists Trading House being burnt last year Above Fort Miamis which tho of no great Value Added to the Many other Losses he has Sustained leaves him with a Numerous Family at an Advanced time of Life in an Embarrassed Situation. Therefore your Ex Memorialist has jointly with an old Friend of his Mr Alexr Henry Petioned for a Township on the North Side of Lake Erie, which if your Ex. thought proper to Grant might serve as a retreat in his old days to him His Family & Connections and which is the first Lands your Pet[it]ioner has Ever Applied for, all Others he holds & appears on the maps are Purchases. And your Memoralist as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray Detroit May 28 1795 Signed John Askin Senr SYNDICATE FOR PROMOTION OF CUYAHOGA PURCHASE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Whereas Patrick Me Niff Surveyor, John Askwith Notary Public, Israel Ruland8 Silversmith, John Askin Senr, and 8 Israel Ruland was born on Long Island, May 2, 1758. Probably Gerrit Graverat was responsible for his coming to Detroit; at any rate on July 27, 1773, Ruland, then a boy of fifteen, apprenticed himself to Graverat until he should reach the age of twenty-one. When this period arrived, he was operating as a trader in the Wabash region with headquarters at Vincennes. He supported actively the American cause on the advent of Clark in the Illinois country, and seems to have been particularly active in efforts to relieve American captives who had been carried to Detroit and vicinity. In 1781 he signed, as a resident of Vincennes, a petition of remonstrance to the Virginia government against the exactions of Clark's successors in the Illinois. The present document indicates that he had established himself at Detroit prior to 1795. Ten years later he was living at Raisin River settlement, where he served on the first grand jury of Monroe County in 1805. He died shortly prior to June 18, 1817, at which date his son, Isaac, was in Detroit, engaged in settling claims against the estate of his lately deceased father. Ruland married the widow of Hugh Smith, of Vincennes, a few months after the death of her husband. In 1805 he entered into an agreement with Solomon Sibley whereby the latter was to prosecute at Washington his claim for a grant of land to compensate him for property losses sustained by reason of his flight from Canada as a refugee during the Revolution. This document affords the only clue we have found to his history prior to his appearance in Indiana as a trader. In 1799 Col. David Strong, in a letter to Sibley requesting the latter to exert his influence with Governor St. Clair to procure for Ruland a licence to trade with Blue Jacket's tribe of Indians, recited that Ruland was an honest man "and one that has done great service to many poor prisoners who have been brought into this country [i. e. Detroit], and paid sums of money for the redemption of many, for which he never got any compensation, and which has reduced him very much." See Mich. Pio. Colls., IV, 319 and X, 355-56; Ill. Hist. Colls., VIII, 433; and mss. in Burton Hist. Coll., passim. 545 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS John Askin Junr Merchants All of Detroit in the Western District and Province of upper Canada, And Alexander Henry of Montreal Merchant, some of whom have purchased sundry tracts of Land from the Chiefs and principal Leaders of the Ottawa and other nations of Indians, or people on that side of the Line in the Western District Ceded to the American States and as they think it may be attended with mutual advantage to make a joint concern or partnership in the Lands already purchased since the Twenty-first of may last, or that may hereafter be purchased by any of the parties concerned in the said Partnership. THEY HAVE therefore entered into the following Agreement, That is to say that whatever Lands have been already purchased as aforesaid, or may hereafter be purchased by them, or either or any of the said Parties concerned as above mentioned from the Indians, whether in either or any of the names of the said parties, during the whole of the present year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five (but not after that period unless by consent of the said parties) shall become the joint property of the aforesaid Persons, each to hold an equal share, and that each of the said parties concerned shall pay an equal share of every thing given or expended upon the Indians for the payment of said Lands so purchased. THAT Patrick McNiff shall be paid by the concern for drawing the Sketches and Plans, and Surveying the said Lands, and John Askwith for drawing the Deeds and other writings concerning the said Tracts of Lands; IT IS ALSO further agreed by the said Parties that Patrick McNiff, John Askwith, and Israel Ruland be deputed to go to the Grand Councils with the Indian Chiefs to transact the business of the concern with the Commissioners of the American states, AND as such voyage will be attended with much trouble and loss, by being absent from their several occupations and professions: In case the said Tracts of Land shall be ratified and confirmed by the Congress of the United States of America 9 The "Grand Council" here alluded to was the one held at Greenville, Ohio, in 1795, which resulted in the noted Greenville Treaty of that year. 546 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS or other persons authorised to confirm the same to the said Parties their Heirs and assigns forever. Then and in that case the said MeNiff, Askwith and Ruland shall be paid for such Loss of time and trouble, One hundred Pounds New York Currency each by the whole of the parties concerned with All other expences attending the said Journey or Voyage. BUT if the said Lands should not be ratified and confirmed, then, and in that 'case, the said McNiff, Askwith and Ruland shall only be paid the sum of Twentyfive Pounds each and their expences as aforesaid, by the whole of said parties. AND it is further agreed by the said parties that as the said Alexander Henry is admitted to hold an equal.share in the concern, that he be also invested with full power and Authority to give or grant in their names any quantity of said Lands to whomsoever he may think proper, not exceeding a one-seventh part or share, provided by that means he get the said Indian Deeds, or grants ratified and confirmed to the said parties our Heirs and assigns forever but not otherwise, and such seventh person shall also pay an equal share with the rest of all disbursments and expences whatsoever. BUT provided the said Deeds or grants shall not be confirmed as foresaid, The said John Askin Senr John Askin Jun' and Alexander Henry shall make no charge whatever for any trouble in endeavouring to obtain a confirmation, or, about the Purchase of said Lands, for Voyaging or Traveling expences but only for their proportion of money or goods advanced to the Indians on account of the purchases. It is likewise agreed by the said parties, that each and every of them shall and may be at liberty to appropriate a certain part of any Tract he hath or may hereafter purchase, for his own proper use or as a Domaine for himself and his Heirs forever, and which he or they shall not be obliged or compelled by the rest of the said parties, or their Heirs, to sell, grant or dispose off, unless he or his Heirs or Assigns may think proper, but to be solely at his or their disposal independent of the aforesaid partnership or concern: But it is to be understood, that such part or parcel of Land that each of the said parties may so appropriate for his own 547 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS proper use and his Heirs &c &c shall not be in two or more different places, but in one certain parcel, or Lot, and that not to exceed Two miles in front by three miles in Depth, and for the due performance of these presents in every respect according to the true intent and meaning thereof, each of the said parties bind themselves in the penal sum of One Thousand Pounds Sterling to be paid by the party failing to the parties abiding by and performing this agreement. IN WITNESS whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and affixed their Seals at Detroit aforesaid this Seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety five IN PRESENCE OF N.B. Before the signing and sealing of this agreement, the parties concerned further agree, that the whole expence of the purchases herein mentioned shall not exceed the Sum of Two hundred Pounds New York Curry to each person prior to the ratification of the Deeds. Robt Nichol Alexis Maisonville Junr P MCNiff (L.S.) John Askwith (L.S.) Israel Ruland (L.S.) John Askin Sen' (L.S.) for Alexander Henry John Askin (L.S.) John Askin Junr (L.S.) Endorsed: Articles of Agreement entered into between Patrick McNiff, John Askwith, Israel Ruland, John Askin Senr, John Askin Junr & Alexander Henry in the purchase of Indian Lands 1795 MISSION OF JOHN ASKIN JR. TO GREENVILLE Au Detroit Le 2 Jullette 1795 Monsr Chere Amis Mon Fils 6tant grande Amis Avec Les Sauvages ils l'ont pries telment de L'accompayn6 dans leur Voyage et de les Assister a faire La Paix qu'il ne peut pas refuser des Gins qui sont Selon Moi Naturelment Bon et qui ne font pas de Mal que par Mauvaise Conseille. Si on veux faire des Conventions Avec Eux comme il est 548 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Ordinaire Entre Nation et Nation cette a dire Les quitter Maitre Entierement de leur Terre pour En disposer A qui bon ils leur Semblerant, Je suis tres persuad6 qu'ils ne troublerents jamais La tranquilite des Americans, car vous scavez bien que La Justice et Ligurt6 [liberte] sont les Meillieurs Ingredians dans La Politique. Je vous prie d'Avoir La Complisance de fournir A Mon Fils ce qui vous demandera soit En Argent ou Autrement et Je Vous Entiendrez Compte ou Je payerai sa dette pour La Montant, et comme il se trouvera Etrangair J'Espere que vous lui introduerez aux Messieurs De vos Connoissances et de lui Assister de toute faveur et Je vous Assure si Jamais Ce dependra de Moi Je renderai La Politesse que Vous lui Montera. Madame Askin et La famille vous font bien leur Compliments, J'ai L'honneur &a J.A. Majore Vigoe Fort Greenville Endorsed: Detroit July 2d 1795 John Askin to Major Vigoe (Coppy) Translation Detroit, July 2, 1795 Dear Sir and Friend: My son is a great friend of the Indians and they have been so importunate that he should accompany them to the treaty and help them, that he could not refuse. They are naturally good, I think, and do wrong only when badly advised. If anyone wished to make an agreement with them, as between one people and another, as for instance their relinquishment of title to their lands in order to dispose of it to someone whom they favored, I am convinced that such action would never be the cause of any trouble between them and the Americans. You know yourself how much more effective are such dealings free from compulsion and honest, than any political interference. 549 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS I beg you kindly to give my son any money or other things he may need, and I shall either credit your account or pay you the amount of his indebtedness. He will find himself among people with whom you are familiar, though strangers to him, and any assistance you may give him in this respect will, I assure you, be remembered if the occasion ever offers that I am able to return the kindness you show him. Mrs. Askin and family present their compliments. I have the honor &c. J[ohn] A[skin] Major Vigo, Fort Greenville. MISSION OF JOHN ASKIN JR. TO GREENVILLE Detroit July 5th 1795 Dear John As you were much hurried at leaving this and may have forgot part of what I said to you I think it adviseable to repeat the principal matters I spoke to you about. First I recommend strongly to you to use your Utmost Influence, not only with the Indians but also with all others whose advice they take to Endeavour that the first article of the Treaty between them and the Americans Should be that they are sole Masters of their Lands, to dispose of them as they think fit without any restraint Whatsoever which if it can be obtained will be a future Source of wealth for these poor people and their offspring and Leave it in their powers, not only to confirm such sales of Land as they have already made (when they know them to be Just) but in future to reward such others as may be their Friends. This Appears to me so reasonable and fair, that I should think the Commissioners for the states could not object to it; and it would secure in my Opinion a Lasting Peace between both, which I apprehend never will be the case should the states lay a Claim to the Indian Lands or force them to a sale for when what they get is Expended, and their successors in want they will probably have recourse to Violent means tho' they Should not succeed. 550 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS But as it is necessary to provide against the worst, if the Indians thro the needy Interpreters Should be prevailed on in spite of all you can do to agree that the Americans have the Right of confirming the sales of their Lands, and that none can be Valid without No doubt you will in that case produce your Claims and get the Indians to acknowledge them in open Council and take necessary Steps to secure them, but never at the expense of betraying the Interests of the Indians since the object of Your voyage was to serve them. I am apprehensive that undue means may be taken to gain over the needy Interpreters who have Influence with the Indians to persuade them to Sell or give up the Right of selling their Lands to the states. I know You [are] above bribery let the offer be ever so great. Therefore have nothing to Say on that subject, however other Means may be tried to gain you over such as making you a proposal of so much a year to manage the Indian affairs of the Ottawas and Chippewas who have Urged you to go with them. If that Should happen no doubt you will reject it. Some of Our double Friends have said they would make known to General Wayne those Who acted against him Last year; Poor, Weak, Worthless People, to think that any man in power would dislike those who have faithfully done their duty to the Government they lived under. as you have no favour to ask, and are only with the Indians at their request to befriend them with your advice and to Explain what they Say, you need not care for the snubbs or frowns of any man, you have the means of procuring what you want while at Fort Greenville, Therefore except what good manners and politeness requires.is all you have to do with the American Gentlemen who may be there. I before mentioned it to you and now repeat it again that if any articles of Agreement Should be proposed to the Indians by the Americans which they or you do not clearly understand such as Long conventions in writing, You Should advise the Indians to ask leave to send a Copy of it in here before they give an Answer. It will be necessary for the Indians with whom you go in the first council they hold to mention who you are, and 551 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS for what purpose you are gone with them So as you may be distinguished from the numbers who are gone without being asked, to Serve their own private Ends only. I have only to add that in any matter of difficulty send an Indian to me with an Account of What has passed. The family are well and we all wish you success and a speedy return. Adieu Dear John yours Endorsed: Detroit July 5th 1795 John Askin Senior to John Askin Junr at Fort Grenville Coppy The Original of this Letter is said to have been delivered by Mr McDougal to General Wayne. ANTICIPATIONS CONCERNING CUYAHOGA GRANT Detroit July 9 1795 Dear Henry I have wrote you frequently of late on business. Mr. James McGill will give you the copy of a letter I wrote my Son since his departure from this with the Indians by which you will see I have left nothing in my power undone. as you will be wrote to at Philadelphia by the concerned at Fort Grenville I hope you will not have lost any time to get there, if you should be so fortunate as to get the Lands confirmed we will be once more on our legs. I mean myself Indeed I have the greatest doubt in the world that the Americans & Indians even jointly can take these Lands from us & if necessary I would employ the first man of the Law in the States to give it a fair trial before I would consent to give them up. the family send their best wishes & I remain in haste Dear Henry Yours (signed) John Askin P. S. I find Forsyth has given order to sell his Lands as they are, if that is not done he will send you a Power of Attorney & the necessary papers Mr Alexander Henry Mercht Montreal 552 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Endorsed: Detroit July 9t 1795 from John Askin to Alexr Henry (Copy) REMEDY FOR AGUE Detroit July 11th 1795 Dear Sir Your kind Letter dated the 11th of May last did not reach me untill a few days ago, we are all extremely Happy to learn that You and your good family are well and that your Improvements are so far advanced. We enjoy tolerable good health except Therese who has had the fever and ague for Some time Past. She is now however better. This disorder is so common this season that very few escape it and what is worse tho the bark in large Quantities breaks the fit yet it always returns after a few weeks; what has been found More Effectual to many is a kind of strawburry Leaf & root, with an Other Small Plant, a small handful of Each Boiled in about two Quarts of water & reduced a Third makes a decoction which may be drank at all times the Quantity of a Pint or half a Pint at a time, and has cured many Very soon and Lessed the fit in Others; Mr" Hamilton knows these herbs. She now returns and during her stay here has enjoyed very good Health. There is a great Jumble of actions and opinions now here, the poor Indians are much at a Loss what to do many advising them to go to Fort Greenville to the Treaty and Others not, in general they have followed the former and the Chiefs of the Chippewas and Ottaways have been so Urgent with my Son to go with them as he understands their Language and Speaks English that he with my approbation is gone, my sole Motive for which was to Assist these poor people,& if Possible to get them not to give up their right to their Lands, which in future will perhaps be the Only resource they may have against want when their alliances without [will not] be Sought Either by our neighbours or ourselves. I should hope the States may be prevailed on to Conclude a Peace with them without laying any Claim to 553 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS their soil or Interfering in their sales of it otherwise than to see that They are not defrauded for as my Ideas in general differ from many others it appears to me that the state has no more right to meddle in the sales of their Lands than in that of their furrs. for I foresee there will be plenty of Employment for them soon, great purchases of late have been made from Indians & I'm told the same spot has been sold to Several. If I had nothing to do in the former purchases that is [not] now the case. a[s] I hear so often the man of Landed property is the man on that score I will have something to say provided my pretentions Should be good I am very Thankful to you for your kind Intentions of not announcing to me any thing You think might give me pain, but I have long Since made up my mind not to be uneasy at what happens many things turning out for our good when we do not think so, so long Or [as it] is The will of the Almighty to keep Sickness from my Family I can support most other mistfortunes. Therese wrote Mrs Powel last Vessell. She with Mr" Askin Joins most sincerely in ever wish that may tend to the happiness of you & I remain most truly. Dear Sir Your most Obedient Very Humble servant The Honore W. D. Powell (Signed) John Askin Esquire at Mount Dorchester Endorsed: Detroit July 11th 1795 From John Askin To Honr W. D. Powell (Copy) FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN GREGORY Detroit July 27 1795 Dear Sir I was favoured with your letter from St Mary's P Mr Nelson,10 who arrived two days ago and sails Io Another manuscript, dated July 13, 1795, shows that this was Jonathan Nelson, a resident of Detroit, who, upon the British evacuation, elected to remain a subject of Great Britain. In 1805 he was one of those who gave bail for Captain Muir and Ensign Lundy of the Amherstburg garrison, who were committed by the Detroit civil authorities for an attempted seizure of a British deserter. This would seem to indicate that Nelson at this time had property in Detroit. He served in the War of 1812 on the 554 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS with the first fair wind an account of his loading is inclosed. one of the Kegs of Beef had got so low down in the Saginuahs load for Mich. that it could not be got out untill her return so that you have only 7 on board in lieu of 8. I'm very glad you are to come this way. I think its necessary for several reasons. Among others Mr Nolan"l had discovered something wrong in Mr Williams12 his conduct & I'm sorry to say that from late information here I fear its but too true. If that should be the case I recommend strongly your getting another Master for there is no such [thing] as providing against a mans embezling who has the Keys of the Hatches. In conversation with Mr Drake I Discover that he would be as well satisfied to return as stay on shore and I really have ever found him a perfect honest man. I would say more on other subjects were I not to see yourself soon. The Athabaska is this moment arrived. We are without any Interesting news Whatsoever. Mrs & Miss Askin present their Compliments & I remain Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Very Humble Servt (Signed) John Askin P. S. your Packs are arrived and will go by the first Vessel P. S. I learn that one of the men who taxes Mr W. with having spiled some Casks, is left behind, in order that you British side, being a sailing master in the marine service. In 1819 he joined with other residents of Sandwich and Amherstburg in a petition concerning the purchase of the Huron reserve near the latter place. Nelson married Elizabeth Donovan, one of whose sisters married Matthew Elliot, and another, Robert Innis. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; Proceedings of the Land Board of Detroit, 166. ii Jean Baptiste Nolin was engaged in trade at Sault Ste. Marie, acting in some capacity for the North West Company, as sundry documents preserved among the Askin Papers disclose. He was at Mackinac as early as 1787, when he signed as witness at a marriage. See Wis. Hist. Colls., XIX, 149. The name of Nolin (or Nolan) is one of the oldest in the Northwest trade. As early as 1726 the residents of Detroit formally protested to the intendant of New France against a grant by M. De Tonty to one Nolan and two associates of the exclusive privilege of trading at this place. One Augustin Nolin was engaged in the Lake Superior trade in the latter portion of the eighteenth century, and prior to the War of 1812 had retired and built a residence at the Sault. He was influential in restraining the Indians from massacre at the capture of Mackinac in 1812, and in 1815 he warned the Americans of an impending attack upon them at Sault Ste. Marie. At a later date he sold his property here and removed to the Red River country. See Ibid., III, 169-72 and XX, 155. ix Probably this was Nathan Williams, for whom see ante, 195. Another man named Williams, with whom Askin had dealings in this period, was Peter Williams, who in 1798 was living at New Settlement on Lake Erie. 555 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS come at the whole truth it will be necessary for them to be all here when you are Endorsed: Detroit July 27 1795 From John Askin to Mr Gregory at Grand Portage (Copy) PROGRESS OF PETITION FOR LAND GRANT Private Niagara 4 August 1795 Dear Sir: Your Petition for a township has been before the Council, & has so far met with better success, than I expected, by not being altogether rejected. I recommend it to you & Mr Henry therefore, to write a Letter to the Clerk of the Council requesting him to bring forward your Petition again & I could have you state in that Letter an Exposition of the Circumstances & the Ideas which have led ye to suppose ye could settle a Township. If it were to accomodate people who would leave Detroit at the anticipated evacuation it would certainly have its weight. I have only time at present to add the affection of the whole family & to assure you how very sincerely I am Dear Sir Your hum Servant D W Smith John Askin Eqr Addressed: John Askin Esquire Detroit Endorsed: Niagara Augt 4h 1795 D. W. Smith Esqr to Jn~ Askin Recd ye 27th & Answd ye 3d Sepr POWER OF ATTORNEY TO ALEXANDER HENRY Know all men by these presents that we Patrick McNiff John Askwith and Israel Ruland of Detroit in the Western District and Province of upper Canada; for and on behalf of ourselves and also on behalf of John Askin Senior & John Askin Junior of said Detroit Merchants, have made, ordained, constituted and appointed and by these presents DO make, ordain, constitute and appoint Alexander 556 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Henry Senr of Montreal Esqr Merchant and of our true and lawful attorneys for us and in our names to use and exert to the utmost, their Interest and abilities with the Congress of the united states of America to get confirmed and ratifyd certain Indian Deeds or Tracts of Lands granted by the Ottowa and other nations of Indians as follows marked and numbered on the plan of the Country by Patrick Me Niff Surveyor and herewith transmitted vizt N~ 1 a Tract granted to Patrick Me Niff of Detroit 2 a Tract granted to John Askwith of D~ 3 a Tract granted to Israel Ruland 4 a Tract a a a a granted also to Israel Ruland 5 a Tract o o o o o o o o o o granted to Patrick No Niff and John Askwith 6 a Tract granted to John Askin Senior and others specified in the Deed 7 a Tract to John Askin Senior and others. and also on condition the said Grants of Land shall be ratified and confirmed by the Congress of the united States of America we also invest the said Alexr Henry and__ with full power and authority to make Sale of said Lands in such manner and in such proportion as they shall by us or any Three of the above named persons be directed to do (but not otherwise) and also to grant Deeds conformable to the copies herewith transmitted and in our names and on our behalf to sign and Seal the same and also to Act in every respect for us the subscribers and each person concerned the same as if we or they were personally present, Giving and by these presents granting unto our said Attorneys full and absolute Power in the premisses hereby ratifying and holding firm and valid in behalf of ourselves and also in behalf of John Askin Senior and John Askin Junr as aforesaid all and what ever our said attorneys or either of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premisses by virtue of these presents and we the subscribers for ourselves and also for John Askin Senior and John Askin Junior Oblig ourselves to furnish the original deeds, now deposited and registered 557 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS in the Notary Public and Clerk of the Courts office at Detroit In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our Seals at Fort Grenville this 8th day of August 1795 Endorsed: Copy of a power of Attorney granted to A Henry &c by P. MI Niff J. Askwith I. Ruland August 8th 1795 Fort Grenville INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING SALE OF INDIAN LANDS13 person whatever who might Copy it to our Injury as great part of our Success much depends on our keeping the Real Situation of the Country from the Public Knowledgee, the propriety of which Caution You will readily see. The Name of such seventh person as You make choice of with his address we wish to have Communicated to us as soon as may be by a letter under Cover to John Askin Esqr Detroit, And As some Expences have already been Incurred by procuring the Deeds from the Indians & our attendance here upon the Business In order to Enable us to defray such Charges and Support the Company in future purchases we think it proper that You in Conjunction with the seventh Partner make Sale of the Tract of Land a a a a on the Sketch, being four Leagues in Breath vizt Three Leagues on the Northerly side of the River au Portage & one League on the Southerly side of the same being in Length nearly as mark'd on the Sketch Containing nearly Two hundred & forty five Thousand Acres more or less as it may Appear when actual Surveys are made of the sides of said Tract, or such part of said Tract as to You may appear proper, & whatever part thereof you may selet let it be from one side of the Tract to the other Runing Exactly aCross at Right Angles with the sides, and always in such sales whether the whole or a part be sold, Reserving the free and uninterruped Navigation or passage up and down the River au Portage with a Road of one Chain Wide on each side of said River from its entrance I3 The earlier portion of the manuscript is missing. 558 A~.,,.,-, 1....;-4.:-..:~ /.5..... ~' ~ ' '~'~":~ * -.Jar- -f;4tt/7 et-J:^^ ~ *;'^s —rw-; ~ ~^ — 4 ^. 7/4 414 4- c~/'/6 - ' -'>-rt.4-4.4o- 4ot/. ' S 4'nr.,e S4&. e / r//.s~y- att y f7 - /4t./o 6 >e#. //.r.7 /d^ty 4/A ^, f,, 4i - i m0,'/ 4 / /,..w.4 -i- t... i..'O,~ ~,,.<,h ~,~f., f.s,-.-c,, /....,'..rI... ~, ^f,,,ff/yr#~7 '/< ar. _%<'' ^**y/.t*i cc*)t. o:s}Jy^i./f-~ Jz raef 4<w </asvvt~ b> Xow *XtJ~are/> f ^ u c>~t. s.,/4 /, f t/X 4, 4...,,....../Reproduced jrom the or/iginal manuscrip t in the Burton i*w torical Collection ~A;,is^fe' t* f r-!.n' /S**.! s6a.f pi f 'r < tI 0//$ /f / A ^;y/ /:lk^.r ^ /1.,,. Reproduced Jrom the original manusrcript in the Burton Historical Collection 1s l J: Fi f,: jI r; r r4Wd4t w,sN~VisS 4rs Reprnducedf rom the original manurcript in the Burton Ilistorical Collection /:Ott r*0 ^ ) JOHN ASKIN PAPERS upwards, and in Case of any such Sales, give us the most Timely Notice that the Necessary Surveys thereof may be made, acquainting us at same time how and in what manner we are to draw for such supplys of Money as we may want for Defraying the Charges of Surveys &c. The half nearest to Lake Erie of said Tract is by far the most valuable herewith You have copies of the deeds for the several Tracts belonging to the Joint Concern viz. N~ 1 for a Tract Granted to P McNeff 2 for a Tract granted to J Askwith 3 for a Tract granted to Israel Ruland 4 for a Tract a a a a granted to Israel Ruland 5 for a Tract o o o o o o o o o o granted to McNiff & Askwith 6 for a Tract granted to J Askin 7 for a Tract granted to ditto 9th AUGUST 4 In addition to what we have already Wrote we beg leave to observe to you that the Prohibitary Acts of Congress Respecting Individuals obtaining Grants of Land from the Indians extends only to such as might make Actual purchases & the Indians Regular Sales but no proviso made against the Indians making free gifts of their own property to whom they please the Latter is the situation of all our Claims being on Deeds of gift & absolutely meant so by the Indians to shew you the value of Land property in the vicinity of our Claims we on this day have received the News from Detroit that Madam Baby has sold all her Lands on the American side of the River for 4/ N. York per acre the whole amounting to 41,400 pounds Col. Allenl5 of Grand 'I4 The remaining portion of the document is written in pencil; that which precedes is in ink. 15 Colonel Ebenezer Allen, who was born in Northampton, Mass., Oct. 17, 1743, and passed his mature life in Vermont. He grew up at New Marlboro, Mass., where, in 1762, he married a Miss Richards. In 1768 he removed to Bennington, Vt., and in 1771 to Poultney. He served with considerable distinction in the Revolution, in which he won his title of colonel. In 1779 he and a group of associates were granted a township of land in Rutland County, and soon after he began the settlement of what later became the town of Grand Isle. In 1792 Colonel Allen made an extended journey into the Northwest, returning enthusiastic over the idea of locating in that region. In the autumn of 1795 he was one of the associates with Askin and others who under559 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Isle in the state of vermont is said to be the purchaser there are no Lands in this Country near equal to what we Claim, as a vessel of 50 or 60 Tons can come Loaded to the greater Part of it. In all your Sales give no warrentie but such as the Indian Deed affords, and in Case You are not Immediately on giving a Deed paid the whole of the Purchase Money (which we do not Expect can be the Case) We would not recommend Your taking a Mortgage on the Land Sold, as Security for the Remainder we rather Recommend your taking good personal Security or a Mortgage on some other Lands that may be Improved Endorsed: Copy of a Letter to Alexander Henry of Montreal now at New York Grenville August 8th 1795 REPORT TO COLONEL ENGLAND ON MISSION TO GREENVILLE Detroit August 19th 1795 Sir Being induced both from duty and inclination, I take the liberty of giving you an account of my voyage to Fort Greenville, with what came to my knowledge while I resided there; it will I fear be rather long, but lest the parts I might leave out would be those you wished to be acquainted with, I have thought it adviseable to enter in it every thing that appeared to me any way material. It is as follows Several Indian Chiefs of the Chippawa and Ottawa Nation with whom I was well acquainted urged me much to accompany them to the Council at Greenville, assigning for their reasons, that as the business They were going on was of great importance to them they stood in need of a faithfull Interpreter and friend. After obtaining my Fathers concurrence I left this on the took to engineer a deal whereby they should obtain title to the entire lower peninsula of Michigan, together with large portions of northern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. At a subsequent date he endeavored to purchase from Askin and his associates in the Cuyahoga speculation, their interest in that enterprise. A biography of Allen is in Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Abby Hemenway, ed. (Burlington, 1871), II, 579-83. Allen's connection with western land speculation is disclosed by various manuscripts in the Burton Hist. Coll. On the attempted grab of the lower peninsula of Michigan and adjacent territory, see Burton Hist. Coll. Leaflet, III, 58; C. M. Burton, "A Frustrated Land Grab," The Inlander (Ann Arbor), III, 209-14; and partnership agreement printed post, 568-72. 560 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 2d of July and when I reached Fgrtt Defiance it was the 11th by this time the Indians with me were Twenty-Seven in number, allso a Mr Beaubien and a Mr Bouffet who had joined the Indians on the route. I had a cool reception from Major Hunt 16 whocommand[ed] there but of this I was aware before my departure Mr McDougal having taken the lead who declared he would make known to the Americans my conduct during the Troubles 17 from this first Fort I was inclined to return, but Major Hunt finding if I did that the Indians would follow me, insisted on my proceeding. Blue Jacketl8 an Indian Chief who had been sent to bring forward Indians to Council, joined us here and proceeded with us, this night being the 14th Mr McDougal overtook i6'Thomas Hunt was born at Watertown, Mass., Sept. 17, 1754, where his father was a retail merchant. He served throughout the Revolution from Lexington to the end; in 1791 he entered the U. S. army as a captain, rising in 1803 to the rank of colonel of the First Infantry. He came to Detroit with General Wayne in 1796, and was stationed here for several years. He served subsequently at Fort Wayne, Mackinac, and other posts, and died at Fort Belle Fontaine, Aug. 18, 1808. In 1788 he married Eunice Wellington of Watertown, and to them eleven children were born, several of whom became prominent in the annals of Detroit and the U. S. army. One son, Henry Jackson Hunt, was Detroit's second elective mayor, and married Ann, the daughter of Angus McIntosh. Another son, John Elliott Hunt, married a sister of Mrs. Lewis Cass; another, William Brown Hunt, married a daughter of Judge John L. Leib. One daughter, Ruth, married Abraham Edwards; another, Abigail, became the wife of Col. Josiah Snelling; a third, Eliza, married James G. Soulard of St. Louis. Information adapted from Burton, City of Detroit, Mich., 1701-1922, II, 1443-45; and Henry Bond, Genealogies of... the Early Settlers of Watertown, Mass. (Boston, 1860), 304. 17 This allusion, taken in conjunction with a similar one in John Askin's letter of instructions to his son, printed ante, 550-52 seems to indicate that John Askin Jr. had fought against Wayne in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. I8 Blue Jacket, an influential Shawnee chief, was born about the middle of the eighteenth century. After Little Turtle, he was probably the most prominent leader of the Indians in the destruction of St. Clair's army in November, 1791. Since Little Turtle counseled peace when Wayne appeared on the Maumee three years later, the chief command in the Battle of Fallen Timbers fell to Blue Jacket. Defeated, he yielded to the Americans and was one of the signers of the treaty of Greenville the following year. According to the Handbook of American Indians he disappears from sight after signing the treaty at Fort Industry in 1805. Other accounts represent him as again raising the hatchet against the Americans in 1812, and as present at the River Raisin massacre, January 22, 1813. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XV, 692-93; Casgrain, op. cit., 100-101. According to the latter authority, Blue Jacket's wife was a natural daughter of Jacques Duperon Baby of Detroit, by an Indian mother. Mary Blue Jacket, the chief's daughter, became the wife of Jacques Lacelle of Detroit and Raisin River settlement. 561 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS us it was the 19th before we reached Fort Adams the 20th we got to Fort recovery and the 21't to Fort Greenville, soon after our arrival a Major of Dragoons, said General Wayne wished to see us, we proceeded to the Council House which is situated in the Fort, here General Wayne received us and shook hands with all the Indians. Omissas a Chippawa Chief who had been chosen to speak for the Ottawas, Pattawattomies, & his nation, asked me for a few Strings of Wampum he had given me in charge & with them made the following Speech Brothers We the Chippawas looking over our bundles found your Strings of Wampum that had been given us at Muskinguml9 and thought it time to come and see you at the great Council Fire General Wayne in Return said I am extremely happy to see you and more so to hear that you brought the Strings of Wampum gave you at Muskingum, You, Omissas spoke like an honest, sensible, and good hearted man, and I take you again by the hand for your honesty Omissas to General Wayne Brothers Should any one say that they advised us to come to this Council or say they brought us to this place, it's false, we came of our own free will and have brought this English man (meaning me) with us to repeat to us what you say in Council and that we may be instructed with every thing that will be said to us and not be so ignorant of this Council as we were of that of Muskingum Blue Jackets Speech to General Wayne Brothers I am extremely sorry that I have not been able to accom19 In 1788 Governor St. Clair had summoned the representatives of the various northwestern tribes to meet him in council on the Muskingum River, with a view to settling the difficulties between them and the government of the United States. The place of meetingwas later changed to Fort Harmar, where a treaty was negotiated early in 1789. Only a small number of the tribesmen were participants in the affair, however, and the treaty was repudiated by the warriors in general. 562 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS plish what I wished to have done owing to the number of bad birds who were continually whispering in my Chawanees Chiefs Ears, and have prevented [torn] from coming sooner, however I have a bit of Tobacco from them and they sent me word they wo[uld] come immediately, but I cannot assure you they will. General Waynes answer Brothers I am sensible of the great zeal and wish you have to serve the States and that you have done all in your power for them, I am well persuaded that you met great numbers of bad Birds who did all they could to prevent what you went about July 22d No Council 23 As I was going to the Council I was told by Monsr Beaubien not to go, that the Centinel would stop me the Generals aid de Camp told him so, when I stopt the Indians stop't allso & said they would not go but on my telling them it was all the same they could repeat to me at night what had passed they proceeded July 24 The Indians gave in their answer this day with a white belt of Wampum as follows Brothers We know nothing of the Six Thousand Dollars said to have been given the Indians at Muskingum but as for the Windotts They perhaps know of these Dollars They were accustomed to hord up all they got on these occasions & never let others know of it. The Windotts were displeased & begged leave to give their answer next day. 25 This day General Wayne Explained that the Six Thousand Dollars, were given in Goods &ca Then the Chippawas were satisfied with the Windotts and said it was true they had received presents, but thought they were given them for having buried the Hatchet and not for Lands 563 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 26 The Miamis spoke and said their Grand Father had given them these Lands and they were told not to sell them nor give them away and of Course the Tribes who had given them at Muskingum had no.right to them, and several other words to the same purpose 27 The Indians were allowed to Speak among themselves 28 I wrote to General Wayne for a pass to Return home and Received for Answer to call next day July 29 Waited on General Wayne he delivered me a letter from Mr Askin which he had opened & Shewed me another asking if I knew the hand writing I said I did it was my Fathers, he then proceeded to read its contents to me and after he had done reading, he said he looked upon me as a Spy & that I deserved death. I told him that I knew of no Spies in time of Peace, he said it was true, but he still had the power of sending me to a Fort in the Woods, and immediately ordered a party of Light Horse to take me to Fort Jefferson, he likewise ordered my papers to be examined & an Officer took out of them two Indian Deeds of Land given me in charge by Gentlemen here which he said would be returned but as yet have not The Commanding Officer at Fort Jefferson had orders not to let me speak to any one, but in his presence nor to write to any person Except the General, to do him justice he treated me with much civility 30th and 31st In confinement August 1 The Indians delivered a white Belt of Wampum, requesting I might be set at Liberty, the General gave for answer that I should [be] in Two Days however the 2d 3d 4th 5th & 6th elapsed but on the 7th the General wrote me a 564 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS note saying I was at Liberty & in it invited me to dine with him on the 8h I got a pass and set off and the 15th arrived here As I was not at any of the Councils but the first I can only Speak from the reports of the Indians and others who informed me that untill I was some days in Confinement The Indians who went out with me would neither consent to ratify the Muskingum Treaty nor give up their Claims to the disposal of their Lands, nor I am sure ever would had I not been confined and deprived of giving them advice, but being intimidated by the threats of the General saying he would drive them back into the Sea if They did not acquiesce in his demands and seeing the other Nations (from fear and persuation of some of our Canadian & English Friends) Agree They at last did the same prior to my being released The Treaty20 so far as I could learn was, that They confirmed the Muskingum Treaty and added to it all the Lands situated on the South side of the Miamis River. They sold six miles square near where Fort Miamis is situated Twelve miles Square at and about [Roche de Bout] were to be given up and such small Spots about them as the English had purchased, & that They should have that matter cleared up, which they accordingly did next day and it was then acknowledged to them that our Government had not given over their Lands It was reported at my Departure that very soon after a party of Americans were to come by Land to the spott purchased up the River of Razin & take Post there likewise at Sandusky to Build a Fort I am with due respect Sir Your most Obedient very Humble Servant Addressed: Colonel England-24th Regt Commandant of Detroit and its Dependencies Endorsed: Detroit Augt 19h 1795 Jn~ Askin Junr to Col. England a report of his Voyage to Fort Grenvile Coppy 1o That is, the treaty of Greenville negotiated by Wayne in July and August, 1795. 565 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM ISAAC TODD TO JOHN ASKIN Montreal 22d Augst 1795 Dear Askin I got to this place on the 16th having been detained at Quebec 5 weeks, while there I received your Letter of the 19th June which I deffered answering untill my comming here, and now I have only time to Tell you I feel my self happy in being on this Side the Atlantick, and amongst my friends. I was in hopes to have paid you and my other friends in upper Canada a visit this Summer, but must deffer that pleasure untill next Spring, when if alive you may expect to see me. I am attached to your Province, and many people in it. I congratulate you on your friend Will" Robertson going to Detroit, he is a little violent in Politicks, but those who know him well must think him an honor to Mankind, and it is but Justice to tell you that he retains such regard for you & your family that I am convinced while he had a Loaf of bread he would divide it with any of them, he is not ostentatious in his goodness. I fear he will see the necessity of staying at Detroit for some time Contrary to his intentions I have not had time to enquire concerning business for that I reffer you to the House for the present, and conclude with best respects to Mr8 & Miss Askin who I am sorry to hear is unwell, the Little Memord for Shoes shall be sent, and I have only to assure you that Neither distance of Time or place has nor ever will prevent my subscribing my Self With truth Your Sincere friend Isaac Todd John Askin Esqr PS I Wrote Mr Robertson a few Lines the 20th I hope for a particular Letter from him on Gen' & particular Matters I forwarded Letters from Mr & Mr' Meredith Addressed: John Askin Esqr Detroit By its terms the Indian title to the land lying south and east of a line drawn from the mouth of Kentucky River to Fort Recovery, and thence in a general easterly direction to the Muskingum, and northward along that river and the Cuyahoga to Lake Erie, was extinguished. In addition, the title to numerous small tracts surrounding such strategic sites as Fort Wayne, Chicago, and Mackinac, was yielded by the Indians. 566 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Endorsed: Montreal Augt 22d 95 Mr Isaac Todd to Jn~ Askin Junr [Rec'd] ye 3d & Answd ye 5 Octr INDENTURE OF ROBERT NICHOL TO JOHN ASKIN ARTICLES of Agreement, indented, and concluded on, this eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred, and ninety five. Between John Askin Esqr of Detroit, merchant, of the one part, and Robert Nichol, of the same place, Gentleman, of the other part. The said Robert Nichol, for the consideration herein after mentioned, both hereby for himself, his executors and administrators, covenant, promise, and agree, to and with the said John Askin, his executors and administrators, that the said Robert Nichol shall and will during the space of three years, to Commence from the day of the date hereof and to finish on the eighteenth day of September, which will be in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred, and ninety eight, dwell, continue, and abide with the said John Askin, and him diligently and faithfully serve, during the said term, in keeping the Books of accompts of him, the said John Askin, and in such other business, and affairs, as he the said John Askin, shall think proper to employ him; and therein shall from time to time, and at all times, during the said term, do, observe, and fulfil the lawful and reasonable commands, and directions, of the said John Askin, without disclosing the same, or the secrets of his employment, business, or dealings, to any person or persons whatsoever, nor shall, nor will embezzle, purloin, or wilfully waste, any of the goods, wares, monies or merchandize, of the said John Askin that may be intrusted to the care of the said Robert Nichol, as his Cleark; in consideration of which true and faithful service, on the part and behalf of the said Robert Nichol, to be done and performed; the said John Askin, does for himself, his executors and administrators, covenant, promise, and agree to and with the said Robert Nichol, his executors and administrators, that he the said John Askin, shall and will pay, and allow unto him the said Robert Nichol, the sum of Fifty pounds, 567 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS New york Currency, for each years service, and shall and will during the said term, find and provide, for the said Robert Nichol, good and sufficient diet, washing, and lodging. IN TESTIMONY whereof, the said parties have to these presents, interchangeably, set their hands and affixed their Seals, at Detroit aforesaid, in the Western District, and Province of Upper Canada, the day, month and year first above written. Robt Nichol (L. S.) John Askin (L. S.) SIGNED sealed and delivered in the presence of. Alexis Maisonville W. Roe Endorsed: Detroit 18th Sep. '95 Robert Nichols to John Askin Esqr Articles of Clerkship for 3 years. PARTNERSHIP FOR PURCHASE OF MICHIGAN PENINSULA2S Articles of Agreement entered into & concluded at Detroit this Twenty-Sixth day of September in the year of Our Lord, one Thousand and Seven Hundred & Ninety five For the purpose of obtaining the Pre-emption right from the United States of America and extinguishing the right of the Native Indians to a certain Territory herein after defined between Ebenezer Allen and Charles Whitney of the State of Vermont, and Robert Randall of the City of Philadelphia on the one part, and John Askin, Jonathan Schieffelin, William Robertson, John Askin Junior, David Robertson, Robert Innis & Richard Pattinson all of Detroit on the other part. The said Territory is Situated on the Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan, & Bounded by a Line commencing at the X2I A comprehensive account of this enterprise, written by C. M. Burton, is contained in The Inlander (Ann Arbor), III, 209-14. The effort of the eastern promoters, Randall and Whitney, to purchase the support of members of Congress by awarding them shares in the syndicate in return for votes, roused a scandal of large dimensions, which occupied the attention of Congress almost exclusively from Dec. 28, 1795 to Jan. 13, 1796. 568 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Miamis Village,22 thence down the River of that name,23 till it falls into Lake Erie, thence along the said Lake up the Channel of the River of Detroit through Lake St Clair, up the Channel of the River St Clair, thence along Lake Huron to Old Michilimackinac, and thence along Lake Michigan on a South-Westerly direction to Chicagou, thence across the Portage there, and down the Illinois River, 'till a Line drawn due East from the said River strikes the Miamis Village aforesaid, Comprehending all the Lands, Islands & Waters within the said Boundary line. Article Ist The said Territory shall be divided into Forty-one equal Shares whereof the said Allen, Whitney & Randall shall hold Thirty six Shares for Themselves and their associates in consideration of Their obtaining thro' the Interest of Themselves and the Influence of Their connexions, the Right of Pre-emption to the said Territory on the most advantageous & moderate terms, from the United States, And the said John Askin, Jon" Schieffelin William Robertson, John Askin Junr shall each hold one share, and the remaining share shall be held by David Robertson, Robert Innis and Richard Pattinson in Equal proportions, In consideration on Their part of the Influence They have over the Indian Tribes, who are the Native proprietors of the said Territory and over those connected with them, which Influence They bind and oblige themselves to exert in that manner, that may most effectually extinguish the Indian Right on the most reasonable and least expensive terms, and, at the same time, tend to ensure to the Settler peaceable possession, and unmolested enjoyment: All this to be done at the general expence of the Forty-one Sharers. Article IId Each holder of a Share is bound to pay his quota of the sum that may be Covenanted for with the United-States 12 Miamitown, at the junction of the St. Mary's and the St. Joseph rivers, where now is the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. z3 The Maumee River, formerly called the Miamis, from the Indian tribe of the same name. 569 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS according to the terms thereof as the price of the pre-emption right to the said Territory, and also the Fees of office (if any), but no other expences or charges whatever. Article IIId Should any of the Parties to this Agreement residing at Detroit, be unable to pay, or think the price given or agreed to be given to the United States too high He may upon declaring the same in writing to the proper Parties, Resign, and be as effectually exonerated from eery part of this Agreement, as If it had never been, and such share so relinquished, becomes the general property of the United Associates, or Parties, and must be accordingly at their disposal. Article IVth Each Party has free and entire right to dispose of his Share, of which however he is bound to give the refusal to the General Association, should They choose to purchase it, but should such Person be one of those whose influence and knowledge of the Indians and Their Connexions, is deemed essential to the promotion of the general views and Interest of the Association, He cannot divest himself of such share, 'till the Indian Rights are extinguished agreeable to the Intent and meaning of the first Article. Article Vth It is fully understood that all expences and charges whatever that may be incurred in extinguishing the Indian Right or Title to the said Territory, shall be borne by the Fortyone Sharers respectively, but as it may be found particularly necessary for the general Association, that some of those Gentlemen residing at Detroit, whose long habits of intimacy with the Indian Chiefs and Tribes with their Families and Connexions, whose knowledge of Their language, as well as acquaintance with the situation of the said Territory, should devote their time to this business, for the purpose of making the purchase from the Natives, as well as to accompany those who may be appointed to see that the transaction is fair towards the Indians, and satisfactory to the Association as also to accompany and protect the 570 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Surveyors, or others, whose business it may be to lay out or examine the lands, such Persons are bound and obliged to perform such Services upon being allowed a proper Compensation from the Company or Association, for so doing. Article VIth As Certain Tracts within the said Limits have been already Conceded by the Indians to John Askin, Jonathan Schieffelin and Their Associates, and of course the Indian Titles to such Tracts Extinguished, no steps they may have or shall hereafter take to obtain for such Tracts the Right and Claim of the United States in their behalf shall be deemed an Infringement of any thing herein containd. It is in the mean time however agreed, and understood, That for such Tracts as the Indians shall acknowledge to have divested themselves of, in favor of the said John Askin and Jonathan Schieffelin and Their Associates, the said Association of Forty-one, shall make them a fair and equitable compensation in proportion to the limits and extent so extinguished The Parties at Detroit declare and They wish to be fully understood by all the World That as far as they are, or may be concerned in this business, they will on no account whatever be Instrumental in taking any advantage or any step that could deprive Their neighbours and friends the Indians, who in the eye of Nature and Reason, must ever be considered as the sole proprietors of these Lands, of any comfort or means of enjoyment they have heretofore possessed. That on the contrary, it is their Intention, at once to conciliate their affection and promote their Comfort, connecting with these the gradual & peaceable Settlement of the Territory in question. The extension of Trade and Agriculture, without Outrage, Bloodshed, or depredation on the part of the natives. Article VIIth If the said Allen, Whitney & Randall and Their Associates, shall not have obtained the pre-emption Right from the United States in three Months after the expiration of the second Session of Congress, counting from the day of the date hereof, then this Agreement to be Null and void. 571 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS The above Agreement is Reciprocally binding on all and every One of the contracting parties, according to the true Intent and meaning thereof, which Intent and Meaning is to be explained without Equivocation or strained Interpretation, according to the usual sense and acceptation of the words; And in failure of any part [torn] the Party so failing, shall forfeit his Share of [torn] Advances, [torn] or disbursements as effectually as if he had ne[ver entered] into the [torn]. In Witness Whereof, We the said [torn] set Our hands, and affixed Our Seals to four [copies of the] Same Tenor and date, at Detroit the day & [torn]. Signed & Sealed Ebr alien & associ[ates] (L.S.) in presence of Charles Whitney & associates (L.S.) Ro Randall for Self & Associates (L.S.) Hugh Pattinson John Askin (L.S.) Robt Nichol J. Schieffelin (L.S.) for John Askin.Junr John Askin (L.S.) William Robertson (L.S.) David Robertson (L.S.) Robert Innis (L.S.) For Richard Pattinson (L.S.) J. Schieffelin Endorsed: Agreement between Whitney, Randall &c. FROM ARCHANGE MEREDITH TO MRS. ASKIN Gorlestone le 5 d'octobre 1795 Ma tres chere Mere Je me suis fait le plaisir de vous ecrire quelleque ters passai est depuis cette lettre vous pouvez vous appercevoir que nous avons chang6 d'e demeure mais nous pensons qu'e s'a ne sera que pour peu de terns comme m'a sant6 est entierment retablie pour l'aquelle raison mon cher Meredith etoit venue chercher les cheres enfans est moi. Mais dieu soit benie je mis presentment en parfaite sant6 ainsi que mon petit David qui cours partout 572 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS seul par consequent c'est quelleque chose de gagn6 depuis notre arriv6 A cette Endroit. Anne aussi s'e porte bien. II faut presentment vous remercier pour les lettres dont le Capt" Shalch s'est charg6 pour nous, ils sont arrive sauf et contienne une information qui me plait toujours beaucoup cette A dire que vous etiez tous en parfaite sant6 quand vous les avez ecrie. Madame Hamiltone A eu l'a bont6 de m'ecrire par l'a meme occasion si javois le tems je lui addresserai quelleques lignes mais cette endroit n'est pas si commode pour envoyer les lettres que quand nous etions A Woolwich si proche de Londres. l'a Guerre est une tres mauvaise affaire pour reduire la bourse car toute sorte d'article sont beaucoup plus cher presentment q'icelles ne l'etoit une ann6e pass6 particulierment le pain etoit d'un prix enorme mais le prix n'en est pas absolument si grand A present. Pour le sujet de la geurre je n'est rien de plaisant a vous dire mais cette A esperer que nous aurons l'a paix avant l'ongtems plusieurs personnes en parle comme une chose qui n'est pas loin de nous. Cependant nous avons une grande force qui se prepare A embarquer pour les Isles vers le milieu de ce mois je leurs souhaits bon succes mais je n'aimerai pas A etre de leurs partie car cette un Climat bien mauvais pour ceux qui ne sont pas ne6 d'ans les Isles. j'ai grand plaisir A observer q'ui m'a petite soeur Adelaide ecrie si bien ayez la bont6 de lui dire que je la remercie pour l'a j'olie lettre Francoise q'u elle m'a envoy6 cette un bon commencment ett montre quelle prend plaisir A s'instruire. Ma cher petite Anne grandie beaucoup elle est bien delicate mais l'air que nous respirons etant si proche de l'a mer lui donne une bonne appetit ainsi q'une parfaite sante est beaucoup de viracit6. Je fut bien surprise de voir le Camp A mon arriv6 ici car je ne m'etois pas imagin6 de voir de si jolies maisons de Canvas, mais l'a difference entre la place ou residoit la millice et le terrein que l'artillerie occupe est assez visible par le nombre de petits jardin remplie de fleurs que l'a millice ont toujours devant leurs portes ainsi que leurs portes peintur6 de different coleurs et des vitres fix6 dedans pour laisser entrer l'a clairt6 mais ceux des officiers qui Commande les canons ont pour ornement des 573 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS centinelles pour garder la poudre et pour soigner tous en Cas d'allarme S'i vous pouvez ma chere Maman voir comme tous est arrang6 sur le Camp vous seriez bien etonne car je vous assure que s'a vaut la peine d'observer une affaire de cette sorte le Major M'agregoir auroit une jolie apparance avec son habit rouge et le petit Aide Major apres luis avec son Sabre si long quil seroit en danger de s'e casser le cou sil se promenoit sur en terrien si remplie de ravines comme celui ici. Dite A mon cher pere que je ne ridicule pas s'a Compagnie ce sont les plus brave et beau de toutes la millice du Detroit, le peruqier Foucher feroit un bon tambour sil vouloit s'en donner l'a peine. Vous pourez voir ma tres chere Mere que quoique je suis eloign6 de vous je puis cependant badiner et me souvenir de plusieurs petites affaires qui me faisoit beaucoup rire quand jetois proche de vous. Mon cher Meredith est aussi gaie que jamais la bonne humeur est peint sur son cher visage et comme accoutum6 il chante tous la journ6e. Lavidond6 n'est pas oubli6 et comme j'ai une voix charmante la belle Francoise aide bien A mon gosier. dans une de mes lettres j'ai demand6 A ma chere Therese de m'envoyer les mots de l'a Belle Hortense mais elle en A rien dit peutetre q'ulle n'a pas recue la lettre qui mentione cette chanson. Comme la depense d'ecrire une feuille de papier A chacune de ma chere famille seroit trop enorme je vous prie ma chere Maman de m'excuser si je prend une partie de la votre pour dire quelleque mots A ma chere soeur. Mon cher Meredith se joint A moi en vous faisant A tous ses plus tendres souvenirs et soyez assurez ma tres chere Mere que je suis avec l'a plus grande tendresse votre affection6 fille. Archange Meredith. Appended: My dear Sister. I begged my dear mother to excuse my taking part of her letter to explain to Lady Easy the fashions of the times and likewise to thank you for the long sister like letter which you was good enough to write me by Capt. 574 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Schalck,24 they all arrived safe a fortnight ago and I was rejoiced to find by them that you possessed good health. Mr Robertson I dare say is by this time arrived safe in Detroit and very likely whispering soft things in Therese's Ear altho he has seen many a fair one in this land still he admires the Canadian Ladies, which I conclude the reason he returned unmarried to Detroit, he is a Worthy generous man and both Mr Meredith and myself esteem him much I therefore beg you will remember me kindly to him. As to news there is nothing very material to mention on that subject. Capte Dowdswell25 of the Artillery whom you may remember, made his exit from this World about three weeks ago, the poor unfortunate man could not help taking his Glass too freely which in the end carried him of [fl. Our old Worthy Servant William Brett died of a bad fever some time back, we are however happy in the thought of doing every thing in our power for his Widow and children for MN Brett is a good willing Creature as she always was and would do anything to serve us. To begin by the nob no vast alteration has taken place in the way of dressing the hair it is cut short at the sides and likewise on the forehead and not so much worn in curls as it used to be except two large ones at the sides in general ladies of your age wear it down the back and curled at the ends but old women like me turn it up behind. the waists are still very short and not likely to get longer as it has been proclaimed at Court that the Princess of Wales is in a Thriving way therefore les tailles courtes must be the fashion a little while longer. Muslin petticoats very long, no flounces but a broad hem all round. the most fashionable dresses now worn are called Carters frocks the sleeves are short and full very much resembling a shift sleve with a wristband but no ruffles the handkerchiefs are worn inside and the gown 24 John Augustus Schalch of the Royal Artillery Regiment, commissioned captain, March 13, 1789. He was stationed at Detroit during Colonel England's r6gime, June, 1792 to 1795. 25 Charles S. Dowdeswell, commissioned captain in the Royal Artillery Regiment, March 1, 1781, and quartermaster, April 1, 1791. No record of his service in America has been found. 575 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS draws full around the neck with a triming of lace, very long in the train but no flounce it is a round gown indeed they are all worn now the sashes are narrow with a full rose at the side of the same colour. It is almost time to conclude this scrawl but which I am sure my dear sister will excuse my next shall be more intelligible. remember me kindly to the Commodore my aunt and Cousin they in conjunction with my own dear Family will never want my affection M' Meredith desires his love to you and I am my dear Sister most truly and affectionatly yours ever Archange Meredith Addressed: John Askin Esqr Mercht at Detroit Upper Canada To the care of Mess" Todd & McGill, Merchants at Montreal, Canada. Postage: Inland Postage paid. Express 1/8. pd 1/5 Endorsed: Gorlestone 5th Octr 1795. Mrs Meredith to M" Askin & Therese Askin Translation Gorlestone, October 5, 1795 My dearest Mother: I gave myself the pleasure of writing to you some time ago and since that letter you will see that we have changed our place of residence though we think it will be for a short time only as my health is now entirely restored. Because of that my dear Meredith has come to look us up-the dear children and me. But thank God I am now in perfect health. So is my little David, who is running around alone now. There is that much gained since we came here. Anne is also very well. I must now thank you for the letters which you sent us by Cap. Schalch. They came safely and contained one piece of news that gave me much pleasure, namely that you were in perfect health at the time of writing. Mrs. Hamilton kindly wrote me by the same opportunity. If I had time I would address a few lines to her, but this place is not as convenient for sending letters as when we were at Woolwich, 576 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS so near London. The war has a very bad effect on the purse for everything is much dearer now than a year ago, especially bread, which has been enormously high, but it is not really quite so dear now. On the subject of the war I have nothing pleasant to tell you, unless it is the hope we have of peace before long. Several speak of this as possible in the near future. However, we have a strong force ready to sail for the Islands about the middle of the month. I wish them success but should not like to be in their place. The climate is very bad for anyone not born on the Islands. I am glad to see that my little sister Adelaide26 writes so well. Please tell her that I thank her for the nice French letter she sent me. It is a good beginning and shows that she takes pleasure in her studies. My dear little Anne is growing finely. She is very delicate, but the air here, near the sea, has given her a good appetite, and I can truly say that she is in perfect health. I was much surprised when I arrived here to see the camp for I had never expected such pretty canvas houses. One notices at once the difference between the soldiers' camping ground and that of the artillery. The soldiers have little gardens filled with flowers in front of their tents, and the doors are painted different colors, with glass set in to admit the light. The officers in charge of the cannon have for ornament some sentinels who keep watch over the powder and who take care of everybody in case of an alarm. If, dear Mama, you could only see the order of everything at the camp you would be astonished, for I assure you it is well worth the effort to see a thing of this kind. Major McGregor would look fine with his red uniform and the little aid-major behind him with such a long sword that he would be in danger of breaking his neck if he marched over ground as full of hollows as it is here. Say to my dear Father that I am not making fun of his company. They are the best and finest looking of all the Detroit 26 The "little sister" was Adelaide (or Alice) Askin, who was born atDetroitin 1783. On Feb. 17, 1802, she married Elijah Brush, for whom see ante, 207. She died July 20,1859. 577 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS militia. Barber Foucher27 would be a good drummer if he would only give himself the trouble. You will see, dearest Mother, that although I am so far away I can joke just the same and that I remember many little things that used to make me laugh heartily when I was with you. My dear Meredith is as jolly as ever. His face shines with good nature and as of old he sings all day long. We have not forgotten "Lavidond6" and as I have a charming voice, the sweet French helps me to let it out. In one of my letters I asked dear Therese to send me the words of "La Belle Hortense," but she has never referred to it. Perhaps she did not get the letter in which I mentioned the song. As the expense of writing a separate sheet to each one of the dear family would be too great, I beg you, dear Mama, to excuse me if I take a part of yours to say a few words to my dear sister. My dear Meredith joins me —all tender remembrances to you and be assured, dearest Mother, that I am most sincerely Your affectionate daughter, Archange Meredith. COLLAPSE OF CUYAHOGA SPECULATION Montreal 7th October 1795 Gentn According to my promise & your directions I proceeded to New York where I remained near a fortnight before I received your letters from Granville, inclosing the Copies of Deeds of Lands purchased from the Indians, the Postage of which cost Eleven dollars, and by your letters, I find you could do nothing with the Indians in making them keep their promise by introducing it as an article in the Treaty; on this sole point depended our fortunes, for by the best intelligence I could procure it was expected the Indians would have made reservations and which if made, General Wayne would not in the least hesitate in granting. however 2.7 Pierre Foucher was a native of the parish of St. Sulpice, Paris, who came to Canada and married at Sandwich, Oct. 9, 1786, Mary Frances Blau. They had three children, Pierre, Mary Angelica, and Charles, all born at Detroit in the years 1787-90. Denissen, op. cit. 578 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS after consulting my friends, and making proposals according to your instructions, none of which would be accepted I applied to Mr Hamilton the late treasurer for his opin[ion] on my claim on the United States for these lands, upon examining the Deeds, his answer was, that the Deeds were of themselves not valid being improperly drawn first they mentioned the lands so purchased were in the Province of Upper Canada, they therefore could not be in the United States. Secondly it was a Deed of Gift mentioned in the Deeds the Indians could not alienate by Gift real Estate unless to near relations. A valuable consideration should have been mentioned and the Articles given specified, thirdly that [it was] a positive law of the States that they only had the right of Preemtion and no lands could be purchased of the Indians without a particular leave of the Executive of the United States, this law could be not dispenced with by any other means than by treaty between General Wayne and the Indians he also informed me that had the Indians acknowledged to General Wayne in the Treaty they [that] they had disposed of their right of Soil in these lands already and would not resell them, this would have obliged those who purchased from the States, to have obtained the right of Soil from you before they could possess, this was his opinion and was the best that could be procured in the States, but as all is lost by not obtaining any of these things there is nothing more can be done, the only thing remaining is for you to find out what part (if any) of the Lands which were not resold to the States and to have the original Deeds altered as before mentioned and made out for that part only, and then to forward a plan of where they lay, with a Power of Attorney to me to do whatever I may think best for the good of the whole, for it would have been better to give one half away than to lose the whole and this must be done as soon as possible, but without expence, as I have already been at a very considerable charge, without any hope of reimbursement. It is possible you may forward this before the winter setts in, as I will in that case return to New York in the winter. Robert Morrice [Morris] would not do any thing in the business unless the Indians came forward in the Treaty, 579 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS We have lost a fortune of at least one Million of Dollars I remain Gentn Your Most Hum Servt Alexander Henry To John Askin Esqr John Askin Junr P. M~ Neiff John Askworth Israel Rulland Endorsed: Montreal October the 7h 1796 [1795] Mr Alexander Henry To Messr McNiff, Askwith Rouland, John Askin Senr & Jn~ Askin Junr Answd by Jn~ Askin the 26h JanY 1796 FROM JAMES C. FREEMAN TO JOHN ASKWITH Montreal 20th of October 1795 Dear Sir, It is with pleasure that I inform you that I am well and Hearty and wish this Letter may find you enjoying the same I received Two Letters from my Brother Ezra Freeman about one Month ago Dated at Fort Washington Banks of Ohio June 14th & I also received one Letter from him-yesterday Dated Philadelphia 29th of September 1795, on his way to New Jersey Wherein he says I received a Letter from Mr John Askwith who was at the Indian Treaty at Greenville 16th of August, 1795. I wished to have had the pleasure of seeing him But have not I believe him to be much of a Gentleman & does not tell me how he became acquain[t]ed with you or what induced you to write unto him. he says Mr Askwith speaks very friendly to me of you & I have answered his Letter he further observes that M' M~ Niff was at Greenville at sd Treaty and writes to him very fully of me respecting my Petition &c. &c. My Brother informs me that he has spoken to George Turner one of the chief Judges of the North West Territory & to Governor St Clair who has the whole ruling North West of the Ohio as a Governor concerning my present situation. It is the opinion of Governor St Clair & George Turner that if I draw up a 580 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Petition similar to that which was presented to Governor Scimco [Simcoe] Praying that I might become a Citizen of the North west Territory as a Canadian Setler it would be granted & the aforesd Governor St Clair & Judge Turner say they will use their influence with the President of the united States in my behalf for granting the same. My Brother further observes that the Canadians South of Detroit have Petitioned the President of the united States to come under their Jurisdiction and that he is of opinion that Mt Askwith went into Gen' Wayne with their Petition for that Purpose if this be true that the Canadians have Petitioned the President & sd Petition [is] granted & whereas Governor St Clair & Judge Turner have said they will use their influence in my behalf with the President & it being their opinion I think there is a Probability of its carying. In that case the plan most eligible I think is this for me very early in the spring as soon as the Communication is open to come to Detroit & send a Petition to the President of the united States signed by myself seting forth what induced me to Leave the United States & become a setler at Detroit. another Petition signd by the Inhabitants South side of Detroit adressed to the President of the united States & praying I might be permited to reside among them as a Citizen or something similar to that at the same time praying Governor StClair to use his influence &JudgeTurner &~ &~ & send sd Petitions to Governor St Clair under Cover to be forwarded to the President. I would thank you kindly to call upon Mr Ml Niff and you & him take this matter into Consideration you know how times are at Present at Detroit & give me your Candid opinions & advice what is best to be done. I think I can get inhabitants enough to sign a Petition of that Nature some at Detroit & some at the river oraison [Raisin] & other Places I shall wait your answer & if you think it adviseable I shall come early in the spring. I have wrote to my Brother Ezra Freeman if it ever lies in his Power to be of any Service either to you or Mr M~ Niff not to fail in doing every thing that lies in his Power, which rest assured he will not. I have wrote to my 581 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS uncle Frederick Frelinghuysen28 (who is one of the Senetors in Congress) who were my Particular Friends at Detroit &C &c so the way is paved in a small Degree it may happen you may want some friends on that side before you die you know my meaning. If I could get this granted is all I ask for all my Landed property is at Fort Washington. I hope you will keep this as an arcanum (or Secret) for If it should be adviseable for me to persue this Plan if known before I come some evill Dispossed Persons might endeavour to persuade People not to sign such a Petition if it was required. I also [torn] to write me what method they have [torn] whether they have attempted to take [torn] Lotts No 19 & No 20, on River La tranch [torn] to some other Person or Persons, you [torn] to inform Mr Askin I shall pay him if it ever lies in my Power to come at my property & every other Person I owe in Detroit I have Property Plenty in the united States as soon as I can come at it. I wish to know how Mr Dolson & Family are & Daniel Fields29 family & if his mill is going as yet. My compliments to all inquiring Friends you will please to have recourse to Mr Me Niffs Letter for some Incidants after my Departure from Detroit not having room in this paper inform me if Mr Ruling [Ruland] got Mr Jacob Lewis,s sister from the Indians my Compliments to Mr McNiff & his Family 28 Frederick Frelinghuysen was born in Somerset County, N. J., April 13, 1753. He graduated at Princeton in 1770,studied law, and at the age of twenty-three became a member of the provincial congress of New Jersey. In 1778 he was elected to the Continental Congress, and in addition to service here he achieved a creditable military record during the Revolution. In 1794 President Washington appointed him major general of NewJersey troops for service in the Whisky Rebellion. He served in the U. S. Senate from 1793 to 1796, when he resigned because of family bereavements. He died, April 13, 1804. See Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biog..9 Daniel Field (Fields) served as a sergeant in Captain Caldwell's company of Butler's Rangers during the Revolution, and at its close came to Detroit. A petition to the Land Board, June 18, 1790, discloses that he was then in the employ of Alexander McKee, and that he had served as spokesman for his fellow-rangers in efforts to secure from the government some compensation for their military service. Two years later, Field was in possession of a tract of land on the Thames River, and about this time was captain of Essex County militia. Apparently, he ran a mill, for an affidavit of John Drake, in June, 1795, recounts transactions with "Captain Donald Fields," miller, who would seem to have been identical with Captain Daniel Field. See Askin Papers, passim; Mich. Pio. Colls., XI, 451; and Ontario Bureau of Archives, Third Report, passim. 582 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS in a very Particular manner. Haste & Errors Please to excuse I remain with respect Dear Sir your most obedt & very Humble Servt: James C. Freeman30 Mr Askwith P. S. the Little woman31 is well & hearty desires [torn] to you she lives at Mr Cruckshanks ye Silversmith. Direct your Letters Jab C [torn] Montreal to the Care of Mr Sam' Park same place Mr Sam' Park wishes to know if Mr Choate [torn] thing fof Brandamore ye Carpenter Choate will inform you. my compliments to Mr [torn] Addressed: Mr John Askwith Detroit To the particular Care of John Askin Esqr Same Place. Endorsed: Recd Decr 14th FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN WARREN Detroit Nov 2d 1795 Sir I was favoured with your two Letters of the 20th & 26th of Last month yesterday, I'm thankfull to you for your Endeavours to get the Saguinah Load Compleated with 30 James C. Freeman was evidently identical with the Dr. Freeman whom Colonel England apprehended at Detroit in June, 1794, in pursuance of orders from Governor Simcoe, and sent down to that official. We have been unable to construct an outline of his career, but from the present letter and from other sources it seems evident that he was of New Jersey origin and one of the early settlers of Cincinnati; that he subsequently removed to Detroit, where he incurred official suspicion serious enough to call for his removal from Upper Canada. We surmise that he was related to Samuel Freeman of Cincinnati, who, with his son Edmund, purchased the Centinel ofthe Northwest in 1796 and thereupon changed its name to Freeman's Journal, but we have not succeeded in establishing the connection. A letter from Ezra Freeman, brother of James, written from Great Miami to Solomon Sibley of Detroit, Sept. 29, 1799, discloses that he was a lawyer and was desirous of establishing himself at Detroit, but supposed a third lawyer here (in addition to Sibley and Elijah Brush) would be unnecessary. He further stated that he had been contemplating establishing himself in practice in the Mad River region. Edmund Freeman, the editor, died Oct. 25, 1800, at the home of his father on Beaver Creek,"Mad River Settlement." This fact, taken in connection with the statements of Ezra Freeman, tends to strengthen the surmise that Ezra and James C. Freeman were relatives of Edmund and his father, the early Cincinnati journalists. See Simcoe Papers, I, 314 and II, 279, 334; American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, New Series) XXIX, 133, 141; and ms. letter of Ezra Freeman in Sibley Papers, Burton Hist. Coll. 31 Apparently Margaret Jarvis, for whom see post, 592-93. 583 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Provisions. young Mr Pratt32 (tho not I dare say Intentionally) has conntracted Colonel England's Intention of getting the Provisions forwarded as soon as possible, & Indeed Wee want them much, I mean the garrison of which no doubt you are Acquainted. It's a matter of no Signification your shipping what you did of mine on Board the Nancy, Indeed It's very proper at all Events as it was Our promise. I believe I will send back the Saguinah if She arrives soon in Order to help up Provisions If I find you have more than the King's Vessels can carry however much depends on the time of her arrival here I am Sir Your most obt Humble Sert (Signed) John Askin see over P. S. the goods from the Nancy & Chippewa are not yet unloaded [On reverse side of sheet] Mr Mills says you only shipt 8 Boxes of Shott for me, the other articles are right Addressed: John Warren33 Esqr Fort Erie Endorsed: Detroit Novr 3, 95 John Askin To John Warren Esqr Fort Erie (Copy) FROM JOHN ASKIN TO THOMAS CLARKE Detroit Novr 3d 1795 Dear Sir Your favour of the 13th of Octr Reached me two Days ago covering Mr Hamilton's a/c with me, Ballance my favour ~15-2-2 NYC. I have regulated my Books accord' therefore we will in future set off from that Ballance. I propose Sending back the Saguinet if She arrives here soon. Should not Government get up all the Flour they may have at Ft Erie I should think you Could Borrow 50 31 Apparently a son of Capt. Robert Pratt of the Fifth Regiment, who was at this time commandant of Fort Erie. A pleasing glimpse of Pratt's domestic establishment is afforded by General Benjamin Lincoln. See Simcoe Papers, II, 27, et passim. 33 John Warren was engaged in trade at Fort Erie as early as 1780. His name occurs frequently in the Askin Papers. In the War of 1812 he served as lieutenant colonel of militia in the Niagara District, and was one of the commanders of the force that burned Buffalo in the summer of 1813. 584 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Casks & replace them this winter, Charging [me] with what the Flour may Cost that you give in their stead this would oblige me much. I dare not write Mr8 Hamilton untill I hear of Mr H being returned, which I hope in God is now the Case or she must be truly unhappy. I have only to add that I am Dear Sir Your mt obedt HI Servant (Signed) John Askin Mr T Clarke34 Mt Queenstown Endorsed: Detroit Novr 3d 1795 John Askin To Tho' Clarke Queenston Copy FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN ANDERSON Detroit Novr 4 1795 Dear Sir This is to let you know that I hear Latour36 is going out again to Work at the Mamis, I never got a penny from him nor ever will if you do not find the means of stopping it, he owes me here besides, Grant36 of the Artillery is gone & did not Indorse Shoutes & Stanfords [Choate and Sanford] note so that they will not pay it, they say they paid him all notes to Order must be Indorsed or the Holder of them will Loose his Money, I must Insist on it that not one penny of trust is given to any man unless the money is as sure as if You had it in Your Pockett I will do the Same here. Goods are scarce & Dear therefore I'm sure I can sell all mine for ready Money before other comes If you cannot do the Same or for Peltries I beg you will keep them, and I 34 Thomas Alexander Clarke (Clark) was an interpreter in the Indian Department some years before the date of this letter, and again during the War of 1812. During Wayne's campaign he was actively engaged in the British service in Ohio. Letters among the Askin Papers indicate that for many years he was located at Queenston, engaged in trade. See Askin Papers, passim; Simcoe Papers, passim; Niagara Hist. Soc., Pa, Papers, No. 22, pp. 57-58; and Officers of the British Forces in Canada during the War of 1812-15, 212. It seems probable that Clarke is identical with one Thomas Alexander Clarke, described in Major Robert Mathews' report of 1787 as "a Millwright," two years from England. See Essex Hist. Soc., Papers and Addresses, III, 72. 35 Amable Latour was living at Detroit as early as 1782. In 1795 he signified his intention of remaining a British subject, and in 1806 Askin reported him as working at Malden and instructed Walter Roe to bring suit against him on a note which Askin held. See Mich. Pio. Colls., VIII, 411 and X, 607, and Askin Papers, passim. 36 Apparently William Grant, who was commissioned second lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Jan. 1, 1771, and captain, Aug. 4, 1779. 585 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS can dispose of them here. I dont know yet if I will Stay in this Country or not therefore must get in my Old Debts and make no more [new] ones. You must try & get payment from Mr Clark at Swan Creek37 in money or some thing. Charge him Interest as every one does Who dont get Paid Yearly it is in Vain to say he will Pay me here I'm sure he never Will. Please let me know what You Propose doing when your time is out, its proper for me to know before, I'm well pleased with your Conduct & will Either furnish you for your own a/c or take a share with you. I'm Dear Sir Yours (Signed) John Askin M' John Anderson Ft Miamis Endorsed: Detroit Novr the 4th 95 John Askin To John Anderson Copy SCARCITY OF RUM FOR NORTHWEST TRADE Montreal 7th Nov' 1795 Dear Askin I wrote you some time past but as I dont keep copys of Letters to my friends I cant say the date, the House wrote you the other day on business and as there is some Rum got to Quebec tho not sufficient for the Comsumption of this place for the Winter the price at Quebec 10/6 Curry yet we will keep some to forward to Michilame in the Spring by Canoes or boats and as the quantity [sent] you to Detroit is small the price there may be 5 Dollars pr Gall. or indeed any price you please in which case the House has wrote you that you may take or sell 12 barrels of the Rum sent to your Care for Andw Todd at 20 Livers pr Gall. the other 8 barrels to be forwarded to Michilame by first Vessel in the Spring and if an opportunity this Winter please write A. Todds agent there I believe a Mr Schendler,38 the quantity you intend sending I hope you 37 Swan Creek empties into the Maumee just above Toledo, in Lucas County, Ohio. 38 George Schindler was engaged in the Indian trade, with headquarters at Mackinac, during the later years of the eighteenth century and the early years of the nineteenth. We have not learned when he came to Mackinac or what his earlier history may have been. He married Therese Marcot, daughter of Jean Baptiste Marcot and 586 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS may succeed in your Land scheme. I still Continue my intentions of visiting you early in the Spring, accompanyd by Henry and as this opportunity is Just Going have only time to assure you & family of my Sincere wishes for your health & Happiness & my being Your Sincere friend Isaac Todd Addressed: John Askin Esqr Mercht Detroit Endorsed: Montreal Novr 7th 95 Mr Isaac Todd to Jn~ Askin Recd ye 14 Decr & Answd ye 29h JanY 96 FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN WARREN Detroit Novr the 9th 1795 Sir I understand there is so great a Quantity of Flour on the way up for Governt that if it has reached your place, the Kings Vessels won't be able to transport it here with the Other Stores this fall, in which case if you possibly could send me 25 Barrels in the Detroit or Nancy, they shall be replaced or settled for in any Way you like, in so doing you [will] Very much oblige Sir your most obedt Very Humble Servt (Signed) John Askin P. S. there has been so much opposition to Loadg the Saguinet with Provisions, that I have not sent her back return Freight was all I ever Rcd, Except when the Governor employed her last year & Choose to pay in Money Endorsed: Detroit Novembr the 9th 1795 John Askin to Jn~ Warren Esquire Thimotee, an Ottawa woman. In later life Schindler lost both his property and his health. His wife seems to have been a woman of much force of character, and after her husband's loss of health she continued to conduct the Indian trade. A granddaughter of Mrs. Schindler, by an earlier alliance with a white man, became the wife of Henry S. Baird, in his day a prominent lawyer of Green Bay. A daughter of Mrs. Schindler's sister married Capt. Benjamin K. Pierce, commandant of Mackinac, whose brother, Franklin, later became President of the United States. Information adapted from Wis. Hist. Colls., passim, especially Vol. XIV. 587 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS LAND CLAIMS OF JOHN ASKIN Private: to John Askin Esq Niagara 12 Novr 1795 Dear Sir You must attribute my not writing to you to my great trouble of mind, & not want of Affection My father mends very slowly indeed & my eldest girl is very ill. I advised the Commodore at all Events to take the 1200 Acres for you, which is all the Council can give except on Military claims. the Door however is never shut against application & Representations. The Deputy Lawyer shall be instructd in your behalf I think it likely there may be yet a lot in the 2d Concession near Chatham I know your Services & your value. I wish I could reward both. The Terms of Townships are by no means understood. I hope to have more time & better spirits to write to you soon & in the Mean [time] I remain affectionately yours D W Smith I have not had time yet to send Copy of your account, hope it is right. the balance was larger than you thought The Keg of Peas you were kind enough to send my Mother, never came to hand. Addressed: John Askin Esq Detroit Endorsed: Niagara Novr 12th 1795 W. D. Smith to Jn~ Askin Answd ye 27h JanY, 96 TRADE CONDITIONS AT FORT MIAMIS Fort Miamis Novbr 14h 1795 Dear Sir I receivd Your Letters by The Shineu fly Dat 4h & 10 Int I am very Sorrey Latour Heas Not paid you his Note of hand if he cors out heir you May be a Shoured I will triy My beast to geat payment From him. I thought Grant of the Artillery Was in Detroit A long time before he was Sent away but you did Not present His Note to the Drawears before he was gone as for trusting Any More then you Desier it is a thing I will Not Do but I Heave your order for to trust the work Man at this Fort or I wouled not a heave Don it. I thought you Hav got 588 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS pay from Mr Clark long ago as you did not Send Back his Acct he is Now gon out to the woods and will Not be in till the Spring When he Cors in I will try & Gat payment as Much as possable I can. But he Sais Like the Reast I will Sattle with Mr Askin at Detroit As I heave No Money Heir. Sir as you Requeast of Me what I mean to Do in the Spring whin My Time is out it is heard for Me to tell as yeat the time Is So unsuartent, and you do Not Know whither you will Stay in this Country or Not your Self but as for Making long bargen with any other purson before Enforming you It is What I will Not Do I think I wouled be very Much in the Wrong if I did after your good beheaveor to Me and the good Carractor you heave given Me which I Retourn a grate Dale of thanks for Mr Frasser is Gon to Sandouskey last Spring which I hear he has Got a grate dale of peltries at preassant he wouled never Look at his Acct you Sent out but Said he wouled Make it out him Self and Send it in as to Mr Parkers Bills I know The amout But was in Such a hurey as the Gun Bout was Just going to Saill I loaded them & Sealled them up. Please lat Me Know whither I will trust him any More or Not he is alwas a bodring Me for it please Sand out the goods as Soon as possible as I Expect Indians in Every Day I am a fraid the Season will be So far advanced that I Can Not go to Detroit and a Nother thing the Inds Heas got a grate Dale of pladges hear which will be Coming In when I am Not heir which the other will know Nothing About if I Cant go in I will do as well as I Can for Cloths Till the Spring I will Do with the old Man as well as I Can. Mr Roulland [Ruland] wrote me long ago he Delivered My Watch To one of your Clarks which I Nevir heard of Since that is About two Months ago I Enclose two orders one on Lut Col Blake9 & one on Mr Sharpe for ~22-8-"/2 N Y Cr which you Will Recive I will heave a few Skins to Send in The Weazell when She Corns out I Bag you will not Forgate to tell the Man that Coms out with the Goods for to Stope at the River au Raison For the flour I wrote to you about 39 Apparently John Blake, who became captain in the Twenty-fourth Regiment on July 7, 1775, and lieutenant colonel, March 1, 1794. 589 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Nothing More to add I Remain Dear Sir your Most Dutiful & Most obedt and Humble Servt John Anderson P. S. things forgot in the Memorandom Silk thread Moheare, Black Heare Rib0 one acct Book a few white fish, a few Pounds of Chease a little Narrow Binding To John Askin Esqr Detroit Addressed: John Askin Esqr Mercht Detroit Endorsed: Fort Miamis Novr 14h 1795 Mr Jn~ Anderson to Jn~ Askin Recd ye 18h Answd ye 18t Decr FROM JOHN ASKIN TO JOHN ASKIN JR. Detroit Novr the 17th 1795 Dear John I send you by the Weazell 10 Planks [and] a side of Leather; 2 pieces of sacking to make Bagge X Cut Quills & a covered Tin Kettle in place of a Pott, the Leather is to your debt but the Other Articles Chd to the Mill, by the lad who brought in the Cattle I mean to send you the bolting Cloth he goes off to day & I have Sent for Charles R6aume this morning to come over & choose more on a/c of his Knowing the Length of bolt than any thing else, as I lost the String which shewed the Length Anderson wrote me there was some Flour at Laplante's40 for him I have sent some to him in its Stead, therefore therefore please Send that to me in the Weazell, with as much flour Bran & shorts as you can Spare but no Wheat. keep that to grind yourself but if you have Flour not bolted you may send it in I will have it bolted here, & for fear you may not have Baggs to put it in I send you 42 more in the 40 Probably Jean Louis Leriger dit Laplante, who was born at Laprairie, Lower Canada, Nov. 26, 1741, and was buried at St. Antoine, River Raisin, Feb. 10, 1814. He married Mary Barrault, and they had one son, Francis, who married at St. Louis, May 28, 1797, Mary Louisa Malet, daughter of Louis Malet. Jean Louis Leriger dit Laplante was a grandson of Clement Leriger, Sieur de la Plante, an officer in the French navy, who was born in 1662 and married at Laprairie, Sept. 8, 1700, Mary Margaret Roy, daughter of Pierre Roy and Catherine Ducharme. Denissen, op. cit. 590 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Weazell all new russia sheeting. send these bags with the Flour. please Keep an Exact account of All Expenses for the Mill, & so will I likewise of all she earns & makes. Indian Corn is plenty. I do not think it will be worth more than 8/ next Spring very dry When the vessells come back I will let you Know what flour they fetch if the[y] bring 100 Barrels the Commissary says there will be enough & if so it will not be so high as I Expected but at all events you may depend on it that Wheat for 10/ Cash of [or] 12/ in goods the French bushell is cheap. Charley Hopes you will not forget his Horse Collar I am yours &c Signed John Askin Endorsed: Detroit Nov The 17 1795 John Askin Sen' To John Askin Junr (Copy) INDIANS UNWILLING TO SELL LAND Saguina Nov' 22 1795 Dear Sir Reqolecting what, Pased betwene You & Me at Detroit I think it my Duty To acquant You what I have Dun towards it I have inquired in to the Mater; but had Verry Litle Cucces; as the Indien in this Countery Seams to wish to Keep thaire Lands in thaire Posation; as long as thay Can; but for all this I think People Might Prevaile on them; if Required; I have Know more to add but Remaine Dear Sir Your Most Obedient & Verry Humble Sarvt Ja' V. S. Ryley Mr John Askin Addressed: Mr John Askin Senr Marcht Detroit Pr an Indeen & to the Care of Messr George Leith & C~ Endorsed: Saganah Novr 22d 1795 Mr Jam' V. S. Ryley to Jn~ Askin Recd ye 12 & Answd ye 14h 591 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ESTATE OF JOHN ASKWITH Montreal, Novr 1795 Dr Sir Having heared that you are appointed Executor to Mr John Askwith deceased, I think it my duty to inform you, that his Daughter Fanny Askwith who he has always acknowledged; by letters in my possession and publicly (in the most affectionate manner) to be his Daughter, And for whom he promises (in his last letter Dated Detroit Novr 7th 1793 of which letter I send you a Copy) to do every thing in his Power is now with me at Robert Cruckshank Esqre And being informed that he has died in affluant circumstance I trust you will act in every respect agreeable to the desires of the deceased Mr John Askwith and render his Daughter Fanny the strictest Justice I am Dr Sir with the greatest respect your humble Servt Margt Jervis Copy [of] letter of the deceased Mr John Askwith To Mr" Margt Jervis Detroit, Novr 7th 1793 I received your kind letter, and am happy to hear that you and little Fanny are in good health, be assured, I shall do every thing in my power to assist you and her, and perhaps wou'd do more than you imagine wou'd circumstances admit; but I cannot do impossibilities. I am in a state of servitude at present and cannot be at liberty untill Next July. I wish my time was out tomorrow I wou'd immediately go on board the last Vessel that sails, as this is at present perhaps the most miserable place in all Canada: you will not find a Family for fifty miles but three parts of them are languishing under the Fever and Ague, or otherwise a violent Bilious Fever which has carried off numbers and if they recover it is five or six months before they are able to walk I have hapily hitherto escaped both these, but cannot say I have been one day well for these six months, the constant wrack of business, and close application to the desk has injured my Constitution more 592 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS since I came here than in Ten years before I do not mean to stay one day longer in the Place than the expiration of my Agreement, for I never detested any place so much I am at present in such a poor state of health that I dread this Winter. I have desired Mr Busby to give you such a supply as I cou'd spare, to equip little Fanny and be assured I remain your sincere Friend John Askwith We the under signed do believe the above to be a just and true Copy Tho' Busby Isaac Todd R Cruickshank P S if there is any property of Mr Askwith in your hands I think something should be given to this Woman Margaret Jarvis as she wants it Ise Todd John Askin Esqr Addressed: John Askin Esqre Detroit Endorsed: Montreal November 1795 Mrs Margaret Jervis to Jn~ Askin recd ye 13th March & answd ye 6 April. DISPOSAL OF ESTATE OF JOHN ASKWITH TO ALL to whom these Presents shall come. WE John Askin, Robt Gouie, Geo. McDougall, Tho' Cox, James Donaldson, Eborts,41 Meldrum & Parke, Ja' Fraser, Row & 41 Herman Eberts was born in Augsburg in 1753 and came to America during the Revolution as surgeon in one of the Hessian regiments. About the year 1780 he married Marie Francoise Huc and in 1791 located at Detroit. After the American occupation he held a number of local offices, including those of sheriff and coroner. After the fire of 1805 he removed to the south side of the river (modern Windsor), where he died, March 4, 1819. Mrs. Eberts separated from her husband in 1804 and went to Montreal, where she had relatives, never returning to Detroit. The couple had seven children living at the time of the separation. See Proc. of Land Board of Dctroit, 230. 593 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Burrill,42 Tho Smith, Dd Robertson, A & R Pattinson.43 send Greeting. Whereas John Askwith, of Detroit, Gentleman, lately departed this life, in the Indian Country, intestate, leaving certain goods, chattels, and personal Estate, AND whereas by reason of the absence of The Honourable James Baby Surrogate for this Western District, Letters of Administration, of the goods, chattels and effects, of the said John Askwith, cannot be obtained, so that such part of the said effects, as are of a perishable nature, are liable to depreciation. NOW KNOW YE that we the aforesaid, John Askin, Robt Gouie, Geo. McDougall, Tho' Cox, Ja' Donaldson, Eberts, Meldrum & Parke, Ja' Fraser, Row & Burrill, Tho' Smith, Dd Robertson, A & R. Pattinson, Creditors of the said John Askwith, for the sums affixed agt our respective Names, in the Schedule hereunto annexed, being desirous to dispose, of the property, belonging to the said Estate, without any advantage being taken of each other. DO hereby authorise, William Robertson, of said Detroit, Esquire, to make an Inventory of the said Estate, and to proceed to the Sale thereof, for the most money that can be had for the same. And after such sale, to divide the proceeds, arising therefrom, among the Creditors of the said Estate, in proportion to their respective Claims. And we do hereby bind and oblige ourselves, to indemnify, and save 41 Joseph Rowe and Joseph (possibly John) Burrill. Joseph Rowe was later awarded Private Claim 167 in Macomb County. See Mich. Pio. Colls., XVIII, 491. We have found little other information concerning either of the partners. 43 Richard Pattinson came to Detroit, apparentlyfrom Montreal, in 1793 (see Mich. Pio. Colls., XII, 84-87), and engaged in what competitors regarded as a ruinous course of competition for the Indian trade. Following the American occupation of Detroit he elected to remain a British subject and removed to the south side of the river, where he continued in trade for many years. Notwithstanding, after the fire of 1805 he drew a donation lot in Detroit, having been a landholder in the old town. He married (first) Judith de Joncaire de Chabert, who was born in Detroit, Nov. 21, 1783, daughter of Philip Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert and Judith Gouin. She was buried at Sandwich, May 21, 1804, and Pattinson married (second) Phyllis, the youngest daughter of John Askin. Pattinson was intensely pro-British in sentiment, and served as a captain of Essex County militia in the War of 1812. On Procter's evacuation of Detroit in the autumn of 1813, Pattinson followed the fleeing British army with his wife, and the latter died en route, somewhere in the vicinity of Moraviantown. Pattinson subsequently came back to Sandwich, but soon removed to Montreal. His will, made Dec. 1, 1817, describes him as "of the city of Montreal" and then sick in body. He died prior to Feb. 28, 1818. Information adapted from Mich. Pio. Colls., passim; mss. among Askin Papers in Archives Division in Ottawa; and Proc. of Land Board of Detroit, 216. 594 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS harmless, the said William Robertson, his Heirs, Executors and Administrators of, from and against all, and all manner of suits, cause and causes of Action, Judgments and executions, which may be brought against him, his heirs, Executors, or Administrators; for, by reason, or on account, of his acting in the Premisses, as aforesaid AND we do hereby further promise, and oblige ourselves, in case any other Creditor, should hereafter appear, then those Mentioned in the aforesaid Schedule to refund to the said William Robertson such ratable proportion of the monies we may have received, as may be necessary to satisfy the demand of the Creditor Claiming. IN WITNESS, whereof, we have to these presents, set our hands and affixed our Seals, at Detroit aforesaid, in the Western District, and Province of Upper Canada, this twenty-fifth day of November in the year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred, and ninety-five. SIGNED sealed and delivered John Askin (L. S.) in the presence of Robert Gouie (L. S.) William Robertson * For Geo. MacDougall Robert Innis Wm Christie by Letter of James M"Gregor Attorney (L. S.) Thou Cox (L. S.) James Donaldson (L. S.) Doc' Eberts (L. S.) Meldrum & Park (L. S.) Ja' Fraser (L. S.) Row & Burrill (L. S.) Thomas Smith (L. S.) David Robertson (L. S.) A. & R. Pattinson (L. S.) Sam' Law (L. S.) John Dodemead (L. S.) Tho' McCrae (L. S.) Ann Welch (L. S.) 44 In the manuscript, several of the sums of money contained in the schedule printed on the following page are entered on this page as pencil notations which we infer to be of approximately comtemporary date with the remainder of the document. Since the figures are entered in no regular order, and since they merely repeat those given on page 596, it has seemed needless to reproduce them here. 595 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS SCHEDULE referred to in the Foregoing Deed CREDITORS NAMES NATURE OF DEBT SUM John Askin, Esqr Robert Gouie, Taylor Geo. MacDougall Thou Cox James Donaldson Eberts Meldrum & Park James Fraz[s]er Rowe & Burrill Thou Smith David Robertson, Taylor A. & R. Pattinson Sam' Law Copartnership of Wm & D. Robertson John Dodemead Tho McCrea Welch Mrs J. Nelson Choat & Sanford Benaiah Gibb,Montreal John MoKindlay D0 C. Murray Mortgage & Book ~ pr. Account D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ D~ Do Hal 8. 8.10 Record 42. 2.11' 77.16. 64 3. 6.11 1.12 1.18. 6 13. 8. 82 6. 11.15 1. 8 5.18 11. 6. 42 2. 4 " 17 " 17 79.10. 62 6. 9. 6 9.10. 2 2.19. 3. 6.10 13.10. 1l 67. 8. 9 45 317. 6. 114 4. 1. 1 321. 7. 14 45 Beginning at this point, the schedule is written in pencil. 596 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS C [Illegible] 179.17. 5 Badgley & Cartwright 570 749.17.5 say 199.16 ~156-to [Illegible] 2/for 2% 1521. 3. 1 Endorsed: Detroit Agreement among the Creditors of the late Jno Askwith INDEBTEDNESS OF JOHN ASKWITH TO MELDRUM AND PARK Mr John Askwith To Meldrum & Park Dr 1794 Aug. 16 To 12 Plates, Queens Ware a 1/6 ~ 18 To 2 Bowls 8/ 16 " To 2 Ditto 6/ 12 To 2 Ditto 3/ 6 To 1 Water Jugg 8 *To 1 Quart Mug 6 To 1 Ditto Pint 4 Sept. 25 To 3 blue Bowls 5/ 15 Oct. 9 To 30 Boards of 15 feet, ea. 3/ 4 10 14 To 20 Ditto I 3 New York Currency ~11 15 Attested before me at Detroit 25th Novbr 1795 Geo. Sharp J. P. Endorsed: 11.15 Mr John Askwith to Meldrum & Park 1795 597 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS TAVERN BILL OF JOHN ASKWITH The Late John Askwith To James Donaldson 1794 ~ s d 2d Augt To 1 Gill of Wine 1 5th D~ To 1 Bole of Punch & 1 Glass of Brandy 2 6th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 7th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 3 6 8th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch, & 2 Glasses of Brandy 4 9th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 3 6 10th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 2 11th d~ To 3 Boles of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 5 12th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 3 6 13th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch & 1 Glass of Brandy 3 6 14th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch 3 15th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch, & 2 Glasses of Brandy 4 16th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch 3 17th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 2 18th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy & 1 G" Bt 3 10 18th d~ To 1 Pint of Rum for 2 Soldiers 2 19th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch, & 2 Glasses of Brandy 2 6 21't d~ To 1 Glass of Brandy 6 22nd d~ To 1 Bole of Sangree 4 6 24th d~ To 1 Glass of Brandy 6 25th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 28th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Brandy 2 598 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 30h d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 31't d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 2nd Septr To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 6th Octr To 3 Boles of Punch 4 6 7th Octr To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Bitters 2 10thd~ To 2 Boles of Punch 3 11th d To Your part of Reckoning 2 12th do To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 13th d~ To Your Part of Reckoning 2 3 14th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 15th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 16th d To 1 Quart of Rum, & 2 Boles of Punch 4 18th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 19th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 20th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Bitters 1 10 21't d~ To 1 Gill of Rum 6 22nd d~ To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Bitters 1 10 23d do To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 24th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 26th do To 1 Bole of Punch 2 3 27th d To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 28th d To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 29th d To 2 Boles of Punch 3 31lt d~ To 2 Boles of Punch 3 3rd Nov To 2 Boles of Punch 3 4th d~ To 1 Boles of Punch 2 3 7th do To 2 Boles of Punch 3 8th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch 3 9th d~ To 2 Boles of Punch 3 11th d To 2 Boles of Punch 3 12th d To 2 Boles of Punch 3 13th do To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 19th d~ To 3 Boles of Punch 4 6 20th d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 21t d~ To 1 Bole of Punch 1 6 599 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS 22nd d~ 25th d~ 28th d~ lt Decr 2nd Decr 20th do 22nd d~ 31st d~ 2nd JanY 95 3rd d~ 4th d~ 9th d~ 10th d0 19th d~ 21st d~ 1795 23rd JanY 24th ditto 27th ditto 28th ditto 29th d~ 30th d~ 31at d~ l1t FebY 3rd d~ 5th do 6th d~ 11th d~ 12th d~ 14th d~ 16th d~ 17th do 18th do 19th d~ 21't d~ To 2 Boles of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 3 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 2 Boles of Punch To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Pint of Cyder To 2 Boles of Punch & 1 Pint of Cyder To 1 Bole of Punch & 1 Pint of Cyder To 1 Bole of Punch To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Pint of Cyder & 1 Glass of Bitters To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To Your Part of Reckoning To Your Part of Reckoning To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning 600 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 2 3 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 9 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 9 6 6 6 6 10 6 42 o10 6 6 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 22nd d~ 23rd d~ - 25th d~ 26th d~ 27th d~ 28th d~ l1t March 4th d~ 5th d~ 6th d~ 8th do 9th d~ 11th do 12th do 14th do 15th d~ 16th d~ 17th d~ 18th d~ 218t March 22nd d~ 23rd d~ 24th do 25th d~ 27th d~ 28th d~ 31t d~ 1"t April 2nd April 11th ditto 12th ditto 13th d~ I To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 2 Boles of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 1 Bole of Punch To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch, & 1 Glass of Bitters To 12 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1\ Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bale of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 2 Boles of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To 1 Bole of Punch To Your Part of Reckoning. To Your Part of Reckoning To 2 Boles of Punch N. Y. Cy 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 2 2 3 8 6 6 6 6 4 6 6 6 6 3 6 8Y 10 3 6 6 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 8W I I I Errors Excepted 601 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Attested at Detroit this 26th day of Nov' 1795 before Me William Park J. P. Endorsed: ~13.8.8/ James Donaldson's Acct with J Askwith TAVERN BILL OF JOHN ASKWITH The Estate of John Askwith Esqr Detroit To Thomas Smith Dr 1794 April 20 To J Pint Rum ~ 1 6 June 10 "a Sling 2 6 16 "1 Egg Nog 3 20 " Pint Rum 1 6 July 1 " Egg Nog 3 " "1 Bowle Toddey 2 6 11 "1 Pint Rum 3 14 " 3 Bowles Toddey Say Punch 5/ 15 " 1 ditto Toddey 2 6 28 " 1 Pint Rum 3 29 " Bitters 1 31 " Pt Rum 3/ Bitters 6d 3 6 Augt 1 "3 Pint Rum - 1 6 11 " 3 ditto 1/6 Egg Nog 3/ 4 6 16 " Riding Slabs 10/6 Rum 1/6 12 19 " a Load Boards 1/6 Rum 1/6 3 23 " Rum 1/6 Bur 2/ & Rum 1/6 5 " "Y Pint Rum 1 6 26 " -.. Ditto.. 1/6 Bitters 6d 2 "...Ditto 1 6 Sept 15 "1 Egg Nog 3 Octr 4 " 2 Slings 5/ & 2 Half Pints 3/ 8 28 " W Pint Rum 1/6 & Rum 2/3 3 9 Novr 2 " W Pint Rum 1 6 1795 March 28 " a Sling 26 30 " 2 Bowles Toddey 2/6 5 31 "1 Ditto 2 6 602 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS:...,...... ~,,,,,,...... u.. April May June 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 if 27 30 31 1 3 If 4 5 it To a Sling " a Bowle Egg Nog " 1 Glass Bitters "1 Bowle Toddey " Egg Nog 1 Bole Toddey 2/6 Egg Knog 1/3 X P Rum 1/6 "1 Ditto " Egg Nog " 1 Candles 3/ & 1 Egg Knog 3/ "1 Bowle Toddey "1 Pint Wine " 1 Bowle Toddey " 4 Pint Rum a Sling "Toddey "Ditto 2/ & 1 Pint Rum 3/ "ENog3/1 Pt Rum 3/ Toddey 2/ " E Nog 3/ & Pint Rum 1/6 "1 Bowle Toddey 2/6 & Pint Shrub 3/ "Toddey " Egg Nog "Rum "Sundries from 6th June to the 21"s Earers Excepted N. Y. CY ~ Detroit 4th December 1795 Sworn before me at Detroit 5th December 1795 Geo. Sharp, J. P. 6 6 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 i Endorsed: 11.6.44 The Estate of John Askwith Esq' with Thomas Smith 603 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS INDEBTEDNESS OF JOHN ASKWITH TO WILLIAM AND DAVID ROBERTSON Mr John Askwith Detroit Augt 27th 1794 Dr To William & David Robertson - - --- [1794] Oct' Novr 17 18 25 To1 2 3 2 1 1 Pair Hinges Self lb Nails " 2/ lb D~ " 2/ lb D~ " 2/ Quire fine folio post paper Self Piece Office Tape Self 3d 1 Barrel Spirits N~ 25-37 73G' 14/6 D~ 74-36 Barrels with D~ 10/ [~][s][d] 3 4 6 4 6 2 52 18 6 1 08 17 12 218 110 446 1 2 4 15 1 Indian Mat 1 Loaf Sugar 7a lb 3/6 1 Dutch Oven 29 lb 2/ 1 Blank Book 4 Quires Sundries per Order to Fran Gobille46 55 10 3 7 6 712 29 46 Jean Gobeil was born in the diocese of Poitiers, France, in 1624 and married there, about the year 1653, Jane Guiet, who was born in 1634. They came to Canada about the year 1658 and located at Chateau Richer. They had several children, one of whom, Barthelemi born at Chateau Richer, married at Ste. Famille, Isle of Orleans, on Aug. 19, 1697, Ann Dionne, a native of that place, daughter of Anthony Dionne and Catherine Yvory. Barthdlemi Gobeil was buried at St. Jean, Isle of Orleans, Feb. 8, 1724, and his wife was buried May 6, 1737. 604 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Dec& 8 1 Loaf Sugar 8 lb 3/6 1 8 2 Fine Blankets 3 points 24/ 2 8 1 Rose D~ 112 1 Tinkettle&Cover 16 1 Small D~ 7 2 Quart Decanters 8/ 16 2 Pint D~ 6/ 12 2 Halfpint D~ 4/ 8 1 SetCups&Saucers 8 1 Oval Dish 6 1 Smaller D~ 5 1 Red Teapot 12 1 Pair Mill'd Hose 8 10 6 Dec 24 1 lb Raisins Self 4 29 1 Marble Cov'd Book " 8 1795 31 1 Blank Book " 6 Jany 5 2 Quires paper 4/ 8 8 1 lb Green Tea " 12 7~ lb Loaf Sugar "3/6 1 6 3 28 1 Pair Spectacles " 4 3 8 3 FebY 12 8 lb Loaf Sugar "3/6 1 8 2 lb pepper " 6/ 3 2 Nutmegs "1/ 2 1 Nutmeg Grater " 1 28 X~ lb Camomile Flowers " 8 Their son, Jean Francis Gobeil, born at Isle of Orleans, Sept. 23,1707, married there, Nov. 14, 1735, Frances Gosselin, a native of the place. They had two sons, Jean Francis and Joseph, both of whom came to Detroit about the year 1772. Jean Francis, the elder, was born at Montreal in 1736, and married, prior to October 25, 1773, Mary Rose Fortier, who was born at Montreal in 1740, the daughter of Anthony Fortier and Mary Frances Dupas. They had eight children, born at Detroit in the years 1775-86. The husband was buried at Detroit, March 17, 1818; the wife, on May 7, 1819. Denissen, op. cit. 605 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS March 4 2 lb Candles.. Self 3/ 6 7 1 lb Green Tea " 12 11 1 Tin Teakittle! " 14 2 Skains Silk " 2 7 Skains Thread " 2 1 2 April 1 6 Quires paper " 3/ 18 5 5 2 New York Currency ~84 10 6I2 Cr Dec 5th By rent of a Stable in Comrn with Mr Askin, last Season, ~10 one half 5 Balance due to W Robertson ~79 10 6'2 Endorsed: Account 79.10.6W Mr Jn~ Askwith With William & David Robertson April 1't 1795 INDEBTEDNESS OF JOHN ASKWITH TO JOHN ASKIN The Estate of the late John Askwith To John Askin Dr -. 1793 Sep' 30 To Balance due me at this time as per 1794 his own settlement in my books 104 19 934 Novem 29 To Balance of an a/c rendered him by Mr 606 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS McClintock47 for articles between the 30h Septemr 93& this date 244 10 2 Decem 17 To Cash lent him 13 10 1795 Jan' 3 To 1~ Bushels Corn p Butcher 12 15 To 1 Lb Candles 3 Feby 18 To f Lb Candlewick 5 March 18 To paid postage for you 1 4 31 To paid Mr Roe for drawing a Mortgage 1 4 June 5 To 1 Pair Shoe Packs 8 12 To XY hundred Quills 2 6 19 To 15 Sheets large paper 3 9 22 To Cash 1 12 " To your order to Israel Ruland in hard mony 6 8 Augt 15 To Cash paid Mr Fraser on a/c of the house & lot 50 " To this Sum which I am to pay D~ Fraser on a/c of D~ 50 19 To XY Bushel Corn for his Fowls 5 Septem 3 To X Bushel Ditto for Ditto 5 10 To paid Mr Christie your & Mr MoNiffs order for ~20 your 2is 10 October 14 To Cash paid for a Door Lock 6 47 Probably James McClintock, Askin's clerk, who subsequently returned to Ireland. In a letter to James Erskine (of Ireland) Askin expressed his pleasure at news of McClintock's prosperity, and characterized him as a good clerk and worthy young man. Ms. in Dominion Archives, Ottawa. 607 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS To Interest for 2 years on ~100 it not having been paid at the 2 last general Terms of payment 12 To Interest on ~50 which was not paid last October @ 6 p Cent 3 499 15 64 Cr By this Sum which is secured by a Mortgage & to be paid before any dividend is mad, with the Interest is 215 By 2 years Salary tho' there was some time lost 200 By 8 Fowls & 10 Chickens 1 19 By my 2 hire of a Stable with Mr Robertson 5 Balance due J Askin 77 16 64 New York Currency ~499 15 6-4 NB There is more due J Askin by the Estate of the Late John Askwith but as it was advanced on account of Indian Lands purchased it is not Included in this account. Personally appeared Jn~ Askin Esq' who made oath that the above balance of Seventy seven pounds 15/ 6' NYCS is Justly due and owing to him from the Estate of the late John Askwith at Detroit 10th Decr 1795 Geo. Sharp J. P. 608 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS Endorsed: A/C 77.16.64 John Askwith estate to John Askin 1795 SALE OF JOHN ASKWITH'S PERSONAL PROPERTY Sold at public auction on account of the Estate of John Askwith Deceased & at the Request of Mr William Robertson for the Creditors. Detroit 7 December 1795. a pr buckets 12 6 water plates 13 1 Large Lock 17 2 Cases Razors and a hone 9 3 Tumbler Glasses 9 a Teapot 2 Cups & a Knife 5 a pint a funnel shoebuckles & case 6 a Case Mathm Instruments 3 4 a hammer 2 plates a bowl & sugar dish 8 4 3 tin mugs & 2 spoons 4 7 3 old Lanthorns 18 1 1 Tin Teakettle 17 2 bassons 3 baskets nails &c 10 7 a Green Canister & som G Tea 12 6 2 Grid Irons 12 2 a frying pan & a basson 15 6 a Tin Coverd Ketle 10 a pr boots 4/ pigs cheeks 2/ 6 2 forms 4 3 Tables & som prints 1 9 6 2 Candlesticks snuffers & 2 Botles 5 7 a Round hat 17 6 a blank book Leidger 14 3 Mathew Matical Register 8 Johnsons E Dictionary 2 v 1 6 Ains ts Dictionary [Ainsworth's?] 1 [v] 2 11 Shameaus f & E Do [Chambaud?] 1 3 7 8 books title unknown 3 1 Gordons accompts 2 14 6 Atkins navigation 1 3 609 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS Military Dictionary 1 11 Mathew Matical works 2 8 S oration 1 12 6 Baylies Justice 1 12 6 Books Difft Language 1 7 9 Do Do 1 6 4 2 Do french 15 Simsons uclide 1 3 6 Geographical Gazeteer 16 Rollins History 13 v 2 History of holland 4 1 hell Gates & a french Gramr 5 12 books 2 3 12 Do all sorts 2 11 15 Do Do 2 4 11 14 Do Do 1 16 3 4 v Rollins Antiant history 9 7 10 books 15 3 Do blank 1 4 7 12 books Difft Sorts 1 6 1 1 Do Copper plate 18 6 a few sheets large paper 6 6 a Letter Case hoils Gams [Hoyle's Games] & Quils 4 3 Rullers 2 1 Gun & bayonet 1 1 Looking Glass 16 6 6 Balls Cotton & a pr mittons & a how [hoe] 7 3 a book case 3 6 a Desk with Drawers &c 10 8 old Stockins & 4 Cravats 19 4 a Shirt & trousers 17 2 a Towel a Cape & tobaco box 3 2 a Microscop 7 Specticles mustard botles waffers 8 6 Shirt & breches 1 2 2 pair Blankets 3 pt 2 14 6 1 Roze Do 1 3 a Matrass & a pillow 8 610 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS a vest breches &c 7 Som Curtains &c 1 10 a buffalow skin 10 6 a Slaw bak 1 7 6 2 boxes with Sundries 4 6 a pair shoe buckles 2 2 a pencil Magazin &c 6 a bed Stead & Curtains 3 5 a Large Canister 9 a Case with Green handled Knives 3 5 2 Globes Cases & Compasses 8 a powder bag a mug & spoons 3 2 mugs & cups & sausers 11 a Decanter & 6 Glasses 14 6 a fidle..N 1 14 a Do.. 2 7 a parcel fidle strings 1 1 a fidle Case 1 11 a small trunk & music book 18 a basket with putty &c 2 7 a pr Sheets 1 7 6 2 black Coats 31/ & 35/ 3 6 a Great Coat 3 9 a black vest princes Stuff 14 6 a pr Leather breches 14 6 a Remnant Callico 16 a white Cloth vest 8 a Do Coat1 4 a pr Trousers 10 6 a Satin vest 16 a pr Do breches 2 4 a Camblet Cloak 1 17 a Casamir vest 11 6 8 pr Trousers Drawers & vests 1 15 1 3 flanel Jackets 16 a black Coat 2 1 6 pr breches & vests 18 6 a parcel Twist 8 bed Curtains 2 11 611 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS a large Trunk 1 2 2 Coats & 1 Shirt 1 10 3 pair Trousers & Jackets 1 4 3 pair breches & a handkerchef 19 6 a Camblet Cloak 1 10 5 blank books 2 3 1 a Coat & vest 1 8 6 2 blank books 12 6 1 pr Leather breches 17 1 blank book' 7 a pr cloth shoes 11 6 5 vests 17 a parcel maps 9 linen for two shirt, 2 2 pr hose & vest & trousers 11 9 6 new Muslin Cravats 4/6 1 7 2 pillow cases & a towel 6 6 a bag with Rags and an old vest 1 2 4 Music books & 5 pr Ruffles 1 a parcel old hose & black tosels 19 Do Ruffles & 2 black stocks 9 Do scoks [stocks] night cape & Indian belts 12 Do books in two lots 9 6 a box Tipes [Pipes?] and a bag of Trash 19 1 pair Silk Gloves 6 1 Large Trunk 1 4 1 Tin Canister & andr book 5 1 Indian Matt 2 1 Table 8 9 5 bowls 12/9 & 4 Decanters 11/6 1 4 3 3 Glasses 5 Cups 1 bowl & 1 milk pot 9 7 a coffee pot a funnel & brass cocks 11 6 4 plats 2 Dishes and a mug 14 3 Som tallow 5 botles & som powder 9 2 2 bottles Ketchup 7 Scales & Weights 14 6 14 axes 20/ a basket with iron 16/ 1 16 a pr Rop Candlemoulds & Jug 8 2 a Saw & som Iron 3 2 612 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS 4 a Dutch oven a Tub &. a box Iron & bags &c 12 botles Mustard Som hinges & a Tub a pewter Tereen a Do Water Dish a form & som Copper plate 2 Duble pad Locks buff ball som paints small case &c black Ball 4/3 barreles 11/6 5 Differant books a Corner Cupboard a pine Table 9 Shirts 9 pr breches & 3 vests a bag & a basket with trash a Cott Compleat a bag nuts-flints & a brush a bench a saw & som sand a brass Lock a pr End Irons [andirons] & a pr Tongs 1 Chair 3 forms a parcel Timber a parcel Do 1 11 8 16 8 14 8 10 12 17 15 11 10 12 1 10 15 19 9 12 4 12 8 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 2 7 11 6 9 6 Dr. 1 advertisement publishing at church Drumr twice Commission 2 4 1 199 8 7 10 15 4 4 4 8 9 19 4 New York Currency 188 13 3 Gregor McGregor Endorsed: Sales at auction Estate of John Askwith, Detroit, 7th & 14th Decr 1795. 613 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS SALE OF JOHN ASKWITH S REALTY Sold at public auction on account of The Estate of Mr John Askwith Deceased and at the Request of Mr William Robertson acting for the Creditors-having advertised and published at the Church Door of St Anne at Different times a Lot of Ground Sitwate in the fort or town Containing about Seventy-five feet in front & Rear and fifty-three feet in Depth all french Measur bounded in the front By St Josephs Street on the west South west by Mrs Welshes Lot in the Rear & east north East Side by a foot Road Commonly Called Le Chemain De Ronde together with the Dwelling House and Stable & other out Houses thereon Errected. Detroit 14th December 1795 The Above Mentioned premisses wer adjudged to the Last and Highest bidder-Mr William Robertson ~200 Dr publishing at Church time 8 to Drummer time on the Day of sale 8 Commission per agreement 212 p' Ct 5 5 16 New York Currency 194 16 Gregor McGregor Endorsed: Sale at auction of a House & Lot the Estate of Mr J Askwith Detroit 14th Decr 1795 Wm Robertson EVACUATION OF DETROIT IMPENDING Gross Point 17th Decr 1795 My dear Sir I understand by a hint from Colonel England that the long expected removal to the other Side are to take place next spring, has of course put poor anxious Mr" Grant and me upon the figets and are forming maney plans wants your assistance much from your expertance at that business Mr Grant Solicits you to speak to Mr Robertson about 614 JOHN ASKIN PAPERS the Judges48 place she finding it contiguous to the hight atthe Spring where she can hail the old Lady and handy to the Church which is a great matter in our familys. We are very Sorry to learn you have Sore eyes. God bless you all Alex Grant John Askin Esq 48 The allusion is to Judge Powell, who had removed from Detroit to Niagara in 174. Notwithstanding the anxiety here manifested, Commodore Grant continued to reside on his Grosse Pointe farm until his death in 1813. 615 I INDEX INDEX ABBOTT,-, Jr., member of militia, 367. ABBOTT, Elizabeth, wife of Jacques Baby, mentioned, 304; sketch, 293. ABBOTT, Frances, wife of Frangois Baby, mentioned, 304; sketch, 377. ABBOTT, James I, mentioned, 275, 293, 308, 377, 382, 395; sketch, 304; as vestryman, 310-11; partner in Miamis Co., 328, 331-34. ABBOTT, James II, mentioned, 304. ABBOTT, Mary, wife of William Hands, mentioned, 304, 376; sketch, 308. ABBOTT, Robert, mentioned, 213, 304; member of militia, 374. ABBOTT, Samuel, mentioned, 304. ABRAHAM, Margaret, wife of Joseph Osanny Nadeau, sketch, 318. ACHON, Ozanne, sketch, 194. ADHEMAR, Anthony, Sieur de St. Martin, sketch, 177. ADHEMAR, Michael, sketch, 177. ADHEMAR, Toussaint Anthony, dit St. Martin, mentioned, 275; sketch, 177; debts, 299-301. ADLAM, Charlotte, wife of William Dickson, sketch, 461. ADYE, Lieut. Ralph Willet, identified, 522; letter, 522. AGNEW, Edward, creditor of Askin, 45. AGNEW, Henry, creditor of Askin, 45. AGRICULTURE, at Mackinac, 50-58; at River Huron, 234-35, 241, 259, 262-63. AGUE, remedy for, 553. AINSE (Ainsse), Joseph, mentioned, 92; sketch, 50-51. AINSE, Joseph Louis, mentioned, 127; sketch, 69. AINSE (Anis), Sarah, mentioned, 51; sketch, 194. ALAVOINE, Charles, mentioned, 34. ALAVOINE, Frances, wife of Jean Baptiste Chevalier, mentioned, 91, 158. ALAVOINE, Margaret Charlotte, wife of Theophile Barthe, sketch, 34. ALAVOIS, Louisa, wife of Prosper Thibault, sketch, 376. ALLAN (Allen), James, mentioned, 392; sketch, 307; member of militia, 367. ALLBRIGHT, Jacob, as witness, 45. ALLEN, Col. Ebenezer, sketch, 559-60; attempts to buy Michigan, 568-72. ALLEN, Margaret, wife of George Hammond, mentioned, 404. ALLISON, John, mentioned, 386. ALLISON, Susanne, wife of Phillipe Aubert de Gasp6, mentioned, 387. ALLISON, Capt. Thomas, mentioned, 185, 292; death, 381; sketch, 386-87. ALSOP, John, creditor of Askin, 45. AMELIN, Jean Baptiste, settler at Peoria, 359. AMERICAN Fur Company, mentioned, 278. AMHERST, Gen. Jeffrey, mentioned, 72, 75; grants land at Niagara, 47. AMHERSTBURG, site owned by Capt. Bird, 186; founded, 243. AMMUNITIONS, manufacture of, 489. ANCIENT shilling, defined, 162. ANCRUM (Ancram), Major William, sketch, 222; dealings with Moravians. 218-22, 224, 227-30, 233. ANDERSON, Capt. -, mentioned, 303, ANDERSON, John, letter, 588-90. ANDREWS, Colin, partnership with Graverat and Visger, 309. ANGELICA, wreck of, 86. ANNIMEKANS, signs deed, 180. ANTAYA, Augustin Peltier dit, see Peltier, Augustin, dit Antaya. ANTAYA (Antailla), Jean Baptiste, sketch,, 169-70. ANTHON, Charles, mentioned, 48; sketch, 37. ANTHON, Dr. George Christian, mentioned, 304; sketch, 48; discharges mortgage, 48-49. ANTHON, Henry, mentioned, 48; sketch, 37. ANTHON, John, mentioned, 48; sketch, 37. APPARICIO, Pedro, mentioned, 290. ARBITRATION, of disputes, 196-97, 204 -205, 207-10, 250-51, 289-91, 415. ARDEN, Lieut. Humphrey, mentioned, 239; sketch, 225. ARDOUIN, Ann, wife of Jacques Badeau, mentioned, 418. ARGENTCOUR, Simon Drouillard dit, see Drouillard, Simon, dit Argentcour. ARMSTRONG, Lieut. G —, mentioned, 364. ARMY, sale of commissions in British, 364; rations, 475. ARPENT, defined, 28. ARRIVE, Claudia Louisa, wife of Jacques Cardinal, sketch, 183. ARSENEAU, Jean Marie, dit Durand, sketch, 196. ASKIBY, signs deed, 212. 619 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ASKIN, Adelaide (Alice), wife of Elijah Brush, mentioned, 577; sketch, 15, 207. ASKIN, Archange, wife of David Meredith, mentioned, 402, 431-32; sketch, 15; letters, 468-71, 491-94, 497-500, 514 -19, 533-36, 574-78. ASKIN, Catherine, wife of Samuel Robertson (first), and Robert Hamilton (second), mentioned, 86, 208, 424, 440, 463; sketch, 14, 68; marriage, 68, 70, 77, 79, 145, 188; bridal journey, 81, 162; wedding gown, 102; letters, 504 -505, 540-41; death, 541. ASKIN, Charles, mentioned, 123; sketch, 16. AsKIN, Ellen Phyllis, wife of Richard Pattinson, death, 12, 16; sketch, 594. ASKIN, James, father of John Askin, mentioned, 477. ASKIN, James, sketch, 16. ASKIN, Jean B. (Johnny), sketch, 69. ASKIN, John, mentioned, 69, 308, 392, 394, 448, 580, 582; sketch, 4-6, 544-45; ownership of Brush farm, 28, 207; discharge from bankruptcy, 4345; builds house at Mackinac, 49-50, 145; Mackinac diary, 50-58; buys slaves, 58-59, 410-11; as government commissary, 67-68, 78-83, 86-87, 102-105, 120-22, 137; letters, 67-164 (Mackinac letter book), 226-27, 242, 251-55, 334, 433-34, 457-61, 465-66, 475-81, 484, 523, 549-56, 583-87, 590-91; removal to Detroit planned, 68, 78; business relations, with Sterling, 70-73, 76, 80, 91-92, 103, 108, 110, 137, with North West Co., 73-75, 83, 91, 97-98, 101, 109-12, 114, 123-28, 134-35, 137-39, 142, 151, 154-56, 159-60, 334-35, 387 -89, 451, 483, with Todd and McGill, 84-86, 100-102, 110, 142-44, 151-52, 159, 162-63, 200-202, 235-37, 251-55, 273-79, 402-404, 487-89, 586-87, with Barthe, 90-94, 99-100, 103, 114, 118 -20, 123-24, 139, 141, 146-50, 156-57, 164, 250-51, with Chaboillez, 91, 95 -96, 115, 118, 123, 129-30, 133-34, 146, 151, 153-54, 156-57, 162, with Hamilton and Cartwright, 188-92, with Vigo, 226-27, 253-54, 549-50, with Miamis Co., 226, 295-96, 298-99, 325 -34, with Cornwall, 234-35, 240-41, 244-45, 248, 259, 262-64, with Robertson, 260-61, with Meldrum and Park, 449-52, 460, with John Askin Jr., 478 -80; views on marriage, 77; plans establishment at French River, 102 - 103, 114, 128; suggests trade regulations, 134-35, 465-66; buys Presqu'lsle, 174; land purchases, 174, 176, 178, 199, 227-30, 242, 323-24, 368-72; as arbitrator, 204-205, 207-10, 415; connection with Moravians, 217-34, 237-40, 242-47, 260, 262-63; sells land, 230, 370; debts, 235, 273-77, 402404, 487 -88; military rank, 293, 373-77, 523; creditor, of St. Martin, 300-301, of Renaud, 319-20, of Askwith, 593-97, 606-608; church affiliations, 303, 310 -14; land speculations, 316-17, 543-48, 556-60, 568-72; as justice of peace, 323, 369, 373, 384-85, 390, 395-96, 399 -401, 415, 467-68; aids in Smith election, 416-21, 424-25, 427-30, 434 -38, 442-47; genealogy, 430-31, 477 -78; military aspirations, 433-34, 438, 444-45, 477; as government contractor, 480-81; business losses, 502; land petitions and claims, 544-45, 556, 588; connection with Greenville Council, 549-54, 560-65, 578-80; indentures Nichol, 567-68. ASKIN, John, Jr., birth, 12; sketch, 14, 68-69; education, 80; member of militia, 367, 374; partnership with father, 478-80; land speculation, 543 -48, 556-60, 568-72, 578-80; report of Greenville Council, 560-65. ASKIN, Madelaine, wife of Dr. Robert Richardson, mentioned, 293, 473, 504; birth, 12; sketch, 14, 441-42; visits, Montreal, 236-37, Niagara, 417; letters, 440-41, 462-63; marriage, 462 -63, 473. ASKIN, Mary, mentioned, 477. ASKIN, Robert, mentioned, 477. ASKIN, Sarah, see Erskine, Sarah. ASKIN, Therese, wife of Thomas McKee, mentioned, 307, 365, 409, 426, 433, 440, 473, 515, 553; sketch, 15, 376. ASKIN, William, mentioned, 477. ASKWITH, Fanny, mentioned, 592. ASKWITH, John, mentioned, 305; sketch, 448-49; land speculation, 445-48, 556 -60, 578-80; settlement of estate, 592 -614. ASTOR, John Jacob, buys Michilimackinac Company, 278. AUBERT de Gasp6, Angelica, wife of Pierre Michael Fortier, sketch, 523 -24. AUBERT de Gasp6, Ignatius, mentioned, 524. AUBERT de Gasp6, Phillipe, mentioned, 387. 620 INDEX AUCTION, of Askwith estate, 614. AUDET, Innocent, dit Lapointe, mentioned, 327. AUDET, Mary, dit Lapointe, wife of Jacques Charon, sketch, 327-28. AUDRAIN, Elizabeth, wife of Robert Abbott, mentioned, 213, 304. AUDRAIN, Margaret, wife of George Hoffman, mentioned, 213. AUDRAIN, Peter, mentioned, 229, 304; signs as recorder, 173, 176, 212, 323; sketch, 213. AUGER, Louisa, wife of Philip Dejean, mentioned, 106. AUNOIS, Jane, wife of Pierre Lefebvre, mentioned, 401. AYMARD, Ann, wife of Guillaume Couture, sketch, 391. AYMOND, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 195. AYMOND, Mary Joseph, wife of Jean Baptiste Crete, mentioned, 288; sketch, 195. BABY, Antoine, mentioned, 328. BABY, Archange, wife of Ralph Ross Lewen, sketch, 381. BABY, Francois, mentioned, 107, 328; sketch, 377; runs for office, 420. BABY, Jacques I, sketch, 292. BABY, Jacques II, mentioned, 292, 328, 377-78, 392, 420, 438, 443, 445-46; sketch, 293; military aspirations, 433; surrogate for Western District, 594. BABY, Jacques, dit Duperon, mentioned, 185, 243, 328, 376-77, 381, 386, 394, 419, 561; sketch, 292. BABY, Jean Baptiste, sketch, 376. BABY, Louis I, sketch, 328. BABY, Louis II, sketch, 328. BABY, Marie Joseph, wife of Louis Frangois Perrault, sketch, 328. BABY, Raymond, mentioned, 328; sketch, 292. BABY, Susanne, wife of William Caldwell, sketch, 243. BABY, Therese, wife of John Casety (first), and Capt. Thomas Allison (second), sketch, 185, 386. BABY, William Duperon, mentioned, 376. BABY'S Mill, mentioned, 339. BACHE, Theophylait, creditor of Askin, 45. BADEAU, Jacques, mentioned, 418. BADEAU, Jane, wife of Pierre Parent, sketch, 418. BADGLEY, —, partner of Richard Dobie, 130. BADGLEY and Cartwright, creditors of Askwith, 597. BAIL, required, 205. BAILLY, Louisa Jane, wife of Pierre St. Onge dit Chene, sketch, 410. BAIRD, Henry S., mentioned, 587. BAISCHE, Charles de la, Marquis de Beauharnois, sketch, 27; makes feudal grant, 27-30. BAKER, William, mentioned, 522; letter, 519-20; sketch, 520. BANK of Montreal, mentioned, 388. BANNERMAN, Capt.-, mentioned, 100. BARBADOS, George Beckwith, governor of, 313. BARKLE, Mary, wife of James Abbott, mentioned, 377. BARRAULT, Mary, wife of Jean Louis Leriger dit Laplante, sketch, 590 BARROIS, Agatha Lootman dit, see Lootman, Agatha, dit Barrois. BARROIS, Catherine Lootman dit, see Lootman, Catherine, dit Barrois. BARROIS, Francis Lootman dit, see Lootman, Francis, dit Barrois. BARROIS, Jean Baptiste Lootman dit, see Lootman, Jean Baptiste, dit Barrois. BARROIS, Jean Marie, mentioned, 28. BARROIS, Mary Lootman dit, see Lootman, Mary, dit Barrois. BARROIS, Mary Ann Lootman dit, see Lootman, Mary Ann, dit Barrois. BARTHE, —, desires Moravian land, 230-31. BARTHE, Charles Andrew, mentioned, 77, 164, 401; marriage dot of wife, 33-37; sketch, 34; buys land, 40-43; death, 226. BARTHE, Charlotte, wife of Louis R6aume (first), and Anthony Louis Descompsdit Labadie (second), sketch, 46. BARTHE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 34, 53, 77, 109, 132; sketch, 74; business relations with, Askin, 90-94, 98-100, 103, 114, 118-20, 123-24, 139, 141, 146-50, 156-57, 164, 250-51, Todd and McGill, 236, 276, Morrison, 321-22; residence at St. Mary's, 254. BARTHE, Lavoine, mentioned, 34, 77, 90, 94, 114, 124, 143; buys panis, 119. BARTHE, Louis (Louison) Theophile, mentioned, 77, 124, 143; sketch, 34; signs as witness, 34; member of militia, 376; marriage, 401. 621 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS BARTHE, Marie Archange, wife of John Askin, mentioned, 34, 76, 132, 497 -500, 514-19, 533-36, 576-78; sketch, 13-14. BARTHE, Mary Felicity (Phyllis), wife of Daniel Mercer, mentioned, 68, 284, 363; sketch, 77. BARTHE, Pierre, mentioned, 46; sketch, 34. BARTHE, Theophile, sketch, 34. BARTHE, Therese, wife of Alexander Grant, mentioned, 34; sketch, 75-76. BASE Lake, identified, 345. BASKET-MAKING, 238. BASSETT, Major Henry, sketch, 47. BATTLES, see names of individual engagements. BAUDRY, Jacques, dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin, mentioned, 48, 294. BAUDRY, Mary Archange, dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin, wife of Angus McIntosh, sketch, 294. BAYONNE, Jean La Rue dit, see La Rue, Jean, dit Bayonne. BAZADONING, Morris, mentioned, 226. BEASLEY, Richard, sketch, 192. BEAUBIEN, —, mentioned, 561, 563. BEAUBIEN, Catherine Trotier dit, see Trotier, Catherine, dit Beaubien. BEAUBIEN, Genevieve Cuillerier dit, see Cuillerier, Genevieve, dit Beaubien. BEAUBIEN, Jean Baptiste Cuillerier dit, see Cuillerier, Jean Baptiste, dit Beaubien. BEAUBIEN, Mary Ann Cuillerier dit, see Cuillerier, Mary Ann,' dit Beaubien. BEAUBIEN, Mary Catherine Cuillerier dit, see Cuillerier, Mary Catherine, dit Beaubien. BEAUBIEN, Mary Joseph Cuillerier dit, see Cuillerier, Mary Joseph, dit Beaubien. BEAUBIEN, Robert, marriage, 375. BEAUCHAMP, Angelique, wife of Charles Rdaume, sketch, 249. BEAUFAIT, Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Serre dit St. Jean, mentioned, 518; sketch, 316. BEAUFAIT, Louis I, mentioned, 306, 316; sketch, 518. BEAUFAIT, Louis II, mentioned, 518. BEAUFAIT, Luke, sketch, 518. BEAUFAIT, Marie Irene, wife of Jean B. Rivard, mentioned, 518. BEAUFAIT, Teresa, wife of William Groesbeck (first), and Charles Chauvin (second), mentioned, 518; sketch, 306. BEAUHARNOIS, Charles de la Baische, Marquis de, see Baische, Charles de la, Marquis de Beauharnois. BEAUSOLEIL, Augustin Malboeuf dit, see Malboeuf, Augustin, dit Beausoleil. BEAUSOLEIL, Joseph Malboeuf dit, see Malboeuf, Joseph, dit Beausoleil. BECKWITH, George, sketch, 312-13. BECQUEMONT, Mary Louisa, wife of Anthony Robert, mentioned, 293, 400. BEEK, J. G., signs as notary, 286-87. BEEKMAN, Gerard, William, creditor of Askin, 45. BELHUMOUR,-, trader, mentioned, 357. BELLE Isle (Hog Island), owned by McDougall, 48, 185, 308, 374; leased to Laughton by Casety, 176; bought by Macomb, 308. BELLE River, location of 178. BELLECOUR, Francis Xavier Trotier dit, see Trotier, Francis Xavier, dit Bellecour. BELLECOUR, Francois Desruisseaux, see Trotier, Francis Xavier, dit Bellecour. BELLECOUR, Mary Magdelene, wife of Francis Xavier Moreau dit Duplessy (first), and Louis Theophile Barthe (second), mentioned, 401. BELLEPERCHE, Mary Ann, wife of Claude Charles Moran, mentioned, 183. BELLESTRE (Belestre), Fran;ois Marie Picot6 (Piquotde), Sieur de I, mentioned, 205; marriage, 34. BELLESTRE (Belestre), Frangois Marie Picote (Piquotee), Sieur de II, grants land, 30; sketch, 30-31. BELLESTRE, Mary Ann Picot6 de, wife of Louis C6saire Dagneau de Quindre, sketch, 205. BELLESTRE, Pierre Picot6 de, mentioned, 34. BELLESUR, —, mentioned, 104. BELLINGHAM, Lieut. Allan, mentioned, 292. BENARD, —, signs feudal grant, 30. BENNETT, —, goes to America, 364. BENNETT, Lieut. Thomas, mentioned, 80-81, 83, 85-86, 90, 93, 98, 103, 118, 126-27, 163; sketch, 67. BENOIT, Gabriel, dit La Forest, mentioned, 418. BENOIT, Mary Ann, wife of Michael Parent, sketch, 418. BENSON & Turner, creditors of Askin, 45. BENTLEY, Thomas, mentioned, 106, 488. BERCZY (Burggy), Christian, sketch, 69. BERGANTE, Charles, mentioned, 62. 622 INDEX BERGERON, Mary Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Antaya, sketch, 169-70. BERMUDA, George Beckwith, governor of, 313. BERNIE, Frangois, mentioned, 169. BERTHELET, Teresa, dit Savoyard, wife of Jacques Lacelle, sketch, 197. BERTHIAUME, Marie, wife of Louis Lorimier (first), and John Logan (second), sketch, 272. BIENVENU, Alexis, dit Delisle, mentioned, 375. BIENVENU, Angelica, dit Delisle, wife of Claude Esprit dit Champagne (first), and Joseph Cabasier (second), sketch, 197. BIENVENU, Francis, dit Delisle, mentioned, 197. BIG Calumet (Grand Calamanuck) River, identified, 355. "BIG" Charlie, engage of Askin, mentioned, 103. BIG Portage Lake, identified, 345. BIGEOT, Margaret, dit Dumouchel, wife of Jean Baptiste Prudhomme dit Nantais, sketch, 370. BIGEOT, Pierre, mentioned, 370. BIGRES, Charlotte, dit Fauvel, wife of Jean Baptiste Drouillard, mentioned, 257. BILLIAU, Jean Baptiste, dit Lesp6rance, mentioned, 400. BINEAU, Elizabeth, wife of Jean La Rue dit Bayonne, sketch, 63. BINEAU, Louis, mentioned, 63. BIRD, Capt. Henry, mentioned, 316, 415, 419; sketch, 186; granted land, 186, 206-207. BLACK Diana, mentioned, 391. BLACK Lake, identified, 352. BLACK River, identified, 353. BLAKE, John, mentioned, 589. BLANC, L-, mentioned, 84. BLAU, Mary Frances, wife of Pierre Foucher, sketch, 578. BLAY, Mary Ann, wife of Francis Dellard, mentioned, 370. BLOIS, Jane Margaret, wife of Adrian St. Aubin, sketch, 194. BLOIS, Julian, mentioned, 194. BLONDEAU, Genevieve, wife of Toussaint Anthony Adh6mar dit St. Martin, sketch, 177 BLOUIN, Mary, wife of Francis Meloche, sketch, 400. BLUE Jacket, mentioned, 367, 545; sketch, 561; participation in Greenville Council, 361-62. BLUE Jacket, Mary, wife of Jacques Lacelle, mentioned, 561. BLUE Licks, Battle of, mentioned, 243. BOEMIER, Francis, mentioned, 381. BOILARD, Jean, mentioned, 316. BOILARD, Mary Ann, wife of Andrew Serr6 dit St. Jean, sketch, 316. BOIVIN, Frances, wife of Louis Lamoreux, mentioned, 36. BONDY, Jacques Douaire de, sketch, 36. BONDY, Joseph, sketch, 171. BONDY, Joseph Douaire de, mentioned, 171; sketch, 36. BONDY, Mary Therese, wife of Gabriel Godfroy, sketch, 347. BONDY, Thomas Douaire de, sketch, 36. BONVOULOIR, Mary Joseph Dudevoir dit, dit Lachine, see Dudevoir, Mary Joseph, dit Bonvouloir dit Lachine. BooKS, of John Askwith, 609-13. BOONE, Daniel, carried into captivity, 272. BORDEAU, Catherine, dit L'Isle Ronde, wife of Augustin Lafoy, sketch, 380. BORDEAU, Geneveva, wife of Amable St. Cosme, sketch, 380. BORDEAU, Joseph, dit L'Isle Ronde, mentioned, 380. BORRISA, La Ronde, mentioned, 56. BOSTWICK (Bastewick), Henry I, mentioned, 145, 164; sketch, 57. BOSTWICK, Henry II, mentioned, 57. BOUCHARD, Genevieve, sketch, 194. BOUCHER, Magdelene, wife of Louis Houde, sketch, 400. BOUFFET,-, mentioned, 561. BOUGAINVILLE, Charlotte Pemanpieh, wife of Louis Lorimier, sketch, 272. BOUGAINVILLE, Louis de, mentioned, 272. BOUHOURS, Louisa, wife of Charles Pimpare, mentioned, 41. BOUNTY lands, see lands. BoUQUET's expedition, mentioned, 257. BOURASSA, Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Le Duc, sketch, 419. BOURASSA, Charlotte Ambrosine, wife of Charles Michel Langlade, mentioned, 158. BOURASSA, Francis, sketch, 158. BOURASSA, Ren6 I, sketch, 158. BOURASSA, Ren6 II, mentioned, 419; sketch, 158. BOURBANK, Mrs. —, mentioned, 391. BOURBON, Antoine of, Duke of Vendome and King of Navarre, sketch, 36-37. BOURGEAT, Francis, sketch, 391. 623 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS BOURGEAT, Pierre, dit Provencal, mentioned, 395; sketch, 391. BOURGEAT, Pierre Paul, sketch, 391. BOURON, Magdelene, wife of Jean Baptiste Putelle, mentioned, 420. BOUTHIER, Ann Frances, wife of Francois Picot6 de Bellestre, mentioned, 34. BOWDOIN, Gov. James, mentioned, 106. BOYD, Capt.-, second husband of Therese Wright, mentioned, 461. BOYER (Boyez), Charles, mentioned, 50; sketch, 93. BOYER, Frances, wife of Andrew Deneau, mentioned, 324. BOYER, Mary Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Campau, mentioned, 369. BOYER, Pierre, mentioned, 377. BOYER, Teresa, wife of Joseph Louis Thibault, sketch, 377. BRADSTREET, Col. John, mentioned, 63. BRAID of corn, defined, 271. BRANT, Joseph, mentioned, 194; death, 457; sketch, 541. BRAYAIT (Brayet), defined, 103. BRETT, William, death, 575. BREVOORT farm, site of Potawatomi village, 46. BREYNTON, Lieut. -,mentioned, 365. BRINDAMOUR, Jane Fourneau dit, see Fourneau, Jane, dit Brindamour. BRINDAMOUR, Jean Fourneau dit, see Fourneau, Jean, dit Brindamour. BRINDAMOUR, Margaret Fourneau dit, see Fourneau, Margaret, dit Brindamour. BRISBOIS, Michael, mentioned, 136. BRITISH, see England. BROCK, Gen. Isaac, mentioned, 227, 324; attack upon Detroit, 12, 258. BROOKE, Lieut. R. B., sketch, 86. BROOKS, Cornelia Eleanor, wife of William Robertson, sketch, 208. BROSSARD, Jane, wife of Henry Catin, mentioned, 33. BROSSARD, Teresa, wife of Pierre Serat dit Coquillard II, sketch, 62. BROW, ---, member of militia, 366. BROWN, Sergt.-, mentioned, 310. BROWN, Adam, sketch, 340. BROWN, Robert T., mentioned, 290. BROWN, William, sells land, 252. BROWNSTOWN, Mich., origin of name, 340. BROWNSTOWN, Battle of, 340. BRUCE, William, church subscription, 303. BRULON,, engage, mentioned, 91, 94, 124, 141, 157, 164. BRUNET, Jane, wife of Jacques Godfroy, sketch, 63. BRUNET, Pierre, mentioned, 63. BRUNSWICK, Charles Frederick William, Duke of, mentioned, 422. BRUSH, Elijah, mentioned, 195, 577, 583; sketch, 15, 207. BRUSH farm, location of, 28. BRUSH Street, origin of, 15, 207. BUFFALO, burning of, 584. BULL, John, mentioned, 228, 244, 246 -47; sketch, 242. BURGGY, see Berczy, Christian. BURGOYNE, Gen. John, mentioned, 131; sketch, 423-24. BURKE, Rev. Edmund, mentioned, 318. BURNET, Lieut. John, sketch, 284; letter, 283-84. BURNETT, Rebecca, sketch, 354. BURNETT, William, sketch, 353-54. BURNS, Robert, friendship with De Peyster, 72. BURRELL, John, member of militia, 376. BURRILL, Joseph (John), mentioned, 594; creditor of Askwith, 593-95. BURTON Historical Collection, origin of, 3. BUSBY,-, mentioned, 593. BUTLER, Mann, mentioned, 290. BUTTLER, Edward, suit against Weston, 401-402. CABASIER, Charles, sketch, 197. CABASIER, Charlotte, wife of Jean Baptiste Tessier, sketch, 197. CABASIER, Joseph, sketch, 197. CABASIER (Cabassier), Pierre, sketch, 197. CABASIER, Teresa, wife of Francis Gamelin, mentioned, 197. CADET, Augustin, sketch, 368. CADET, Joseph, sketch, 368-69. CADET, Michael, sketch, 368-69. CADIEU, Mary Magdelene, dit Courville, wife of Anthony Fortier, sketch, 523 -24. CADILLAC, Antoine La Mothe, mentioned, 195, 368. CADORET, Ann, wife of Simon Drouillard dit Argentcour, sketch, 183. CADOTTE, Jean Baptiste I, mentioned, 93-94, 119; sketch, 52. CADOTTE, Jean Baptiste II, sketch, 52. CADOTTE, Michel, sketch, 52. CAIN, ----, mentioned, 52. CAIRNS, Hugh, creditor of Askin, 45. CALDWELL, Billy, sketch, 243-44. CALDWELL, Lieut. Col. John, sketch, 84. 624 INDEX CALDWELL, Capt. William, mentioned, 247, 260, 262,292, 303, 305, 316, 420, 510, 544, 582; debts, 242; sketch, 243. CALIEZ,-, engage, 123. CAMPAU, —, indebtedness of, 124. CAMPAU,-, mentioned, 151. CAMPAU, —, Jr., member of militia, 366. CAMPAU, Angelica, wife of Anthony Louis Descomps dit Labadie, mentioned, 183; sketch, 46. CAMPAU, Anthony, mentioned, 375, 391. CAMPAU, Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Couture, sketch, 391. CAMPAU, Cecilia, wife of Joseph Cadet, sketch, 368-69. CAMPAU, Claude, sketch, 41; signs as witness, 43. CAMPAU, Etienne, sketch, 33. CAMPAU, Francis, sketch, 119. CAMPAU, Francis Basil, sketch, 183. CAMPAU, Hypolyte, sketch, 400. CAMPAU, Jacques I, mentioned, 40-41, 183, 400; sketch, 33; grants land, 33 -37. CAMPAU, Jacques II, mentioned, 169; sketch, 48-49. CAMPAU, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 368, 400; sketch, 40, 183; signs as witness, 43; sells Leib farm, 375. CAMPAU, Jean Louis, mentioned, 48, 119; sketch, 33; given land, 33-37. CAMPAU, Joseph, mentioned, 410. CAMPAU, Leonard, sketch, 33. CAMPAU, Mary Ann, wife of Alexis Bienvenu dit Delisle, mentioned, 375. CAMPAU, Mary Ann Cecilia, wife of Joseph Douaire de Bondy, mentioned, 171; sketch, 36. CAMPAU, Mary Cecilia, wife of Thomas Williams, sketch, 169; CAMPAU, Mary Therese, wife of Charles Andrew Barthe, mentioned, 401; marriage dot, 33-37; sketch, 34-35. CAMPAU, Monica, wife of Gabriel Godfroy, sketch, 347. CAMPAU, Nicolas, dit Niagara, mentioned, 46; sketch, 40. CAMPAU, Teresa Cecilia, wife of Francis Marsac, mentioned, 518; sketch, 368. CAMPBELL, Sarah Erskine, see Erskine, Sarah. CANADA, Teresa Henault, dit, see Henault, Teresa, dit Canada. CANADA, pre-Revolutionary government, 72-73. CAOUSA, Charles Chgne dit, see Chene, Charles, dit Caousa. CAPE Girardeau, Lorimier made commandant of, 272. CARBONNEAU, Margaret, wife of Jean Baptiste Nadeau, sketch, 318. CARCY, Susanne Pag6 de, wife of Frangois Perrault, sketch, 328. CARDIN, Charles Louis, baptism of, 93. CARDINAL, Barbara, wife of Claude Dudevoir dit Lachine, mentioned, 28. CARDINAL, Frangois Louis, sketch, 51. CARDINAL, Jacques I, sketch, 182-83. CARDINAL, Jacques II, mentioned, 418; sketch~ 183. CARDINAL, Jane, wife of Laurence Parent, sketch, 418. CARDINAL, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 327. CARDINAL, Mary Frances, wife of Pierre Levry dit Martin, sketch, 371. CARDINAL, Mary Joseph, wife of Nicholas Lacelle, sketch, 327. CARDINAL, Mary Magdelene, wife of Jean Baptiste Lootman dit Barrois, sketch, 183. CARDINAL, Pierre, mentioned, 52; sketch, 182-83. CARDINAL, Simon Jean, sketch, 182-83. CARLETON, Sir Guy (Lord Dorchester), mentioned, 90, 114, 236, 244, 252, 288, 293, 312, 423, 432, 501, 524; sketch, 83; governor of Canada, 278; Detroit militia orders, 292-94; creates districts of Canada, 330-31. CARLETON, Guy, mentioned, 432. CARON, Angelica, wife of Pierre La Mothe, sketch, 385. CARON, Jane, wife of Pierre Meloche, sketch, 400. CARON, Vital, mentioned, 385, 400. CARQUEVILLE, Josephte Drouet de, wife of John Porteous, sketch, 144. CARSEN, —, a soldier, mentioned, 392, 395. CARTABONA, Don Sylvio Francisco de, see Oro, Don Sylvio Francisco de Cartabona de. CARTWRIGHT, Richard, sketch, 188; partnership with Hamilton and Askin, 188-92. CASETY, James, mentioned, 229; sketch, 185; leases Belle Isle to Laughton, 176. CASETY, John, mentioned, 195, 211, 300, 386; signs as witness, 182; sketch, 185; church subscription, 303. CASETY, Thomas, mentioned, 185. CASS, Gov. Lewis, mentioned, 375. CASSE, Agathe, dit St. Aubin, wife of Nicolas Campau dit Niagara, mentioned, 46; sketch, 40. 625 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS CASSE, Catherine, dit St. Aubin, wife of Claude Campau, sketch, 41. CASSE, Jacko, dit St. Aubin, mentioned, 195. CASSE, Jean, dit St. Aubin, mentioned, 40-41. CASSE, Pierre, dit St. Aubin, sketch, 195. CASSE, William, dit St. Aubin, sketch, 195. CASSEN, —, shoemaker, mentioned, 381. CATHERINE the Great of Russia, participation in division of Poland, 422 -23, 508-509, 526. CATIN, Cecilia, wife of Jacques Campau, mentioned, 36, 41, 183, 400; sketch, 33. CATIN, Henry, mentioned, 33. CATTLE, raising and sale, 480-81. CAUCHOIS, Alexis, mentioned, 158. CAUCHOIS (Couchoit), Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 52; sketch, 158. CEDAR River, identified, 350. CELERON Island, site identified, 340. CENS et rentes, feudal charge, 28-29, 169, 184. CERRE, Jean Gabriel, mentioned, 107; sketch, 106. CHABERT, Catherine de Joncaire de, wife of Francis Lafontaine (first), and Ezra Younglove (second), sketch, 269. CHABERT, Daniel de Joncaire de, mentioned, 367; sketch, 326. CHABERT, Felicity de Joncaire de, wife of Denis Campau, mentioned, 367. CHABERT, Francis de Joncaire de, mentioned, 269. CHABERT, Judith de Joncaire de, wife of Richard Pattinson, mentioned, 367; sketch, 594. CHABERT, Margaret de Joncaire de, wife of James McGregor, mentioned, 293, 367. CHABERT, Philip Daniel de Joncaire de, mentioned, 180, 326, 594; sketch, 367. CHABERT, Philip Thomas de Joncaire de, sketch, 326. CHABOILLEZ, Augustin, mentioned, 91, 129; sketch, 96. CHABOILLEZ, Charles I, sketch, 91. CHABOILLEZ, Charles II, sketch, 91. CHABOILLEZ, Charles III, mentioned, 52, 55, 98, 112, 146-47, 150; sketch, 91; business relations with Askin, 91, 95 -96, 115, 118, 123, 129-30, 133-34, 146, 151, 153-54, 156-57, 162. CHABOILLEZ (Chaboulliez), Francis Hypolyte, mentioned, 101; sketch, 96; debts, 132-34, 162. CHABOILLEZ, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 91. CHABOILLEZ, Louis Joseph, mentioned, 91. CHABOILLEZ, Marie Anne, wife of Pierre Parent, sketch, 91. CHABOILLEZ, Paul, mentioned, 91. CHABOILLEZ, Pierre Louis, mentioned, 91. CHABOTTE,-, mentioned, 51. CHALOU, —, employee of Askin, mentioned, 119, 124. CHAMBERLIN, —, voyager, 353. CHAMBRE, Romaine de, trader at Ypsilanti, 318. CHAMPAGNES (Champaignes), family genealogy, 317. CHAMPAGNE, Claude Esprit dit, see Esprit, Claude, dit Champagne. CHAMPAGNE, Francis Lambert dit, see Lambert, Francis, dit Champagne. CHAMPAGNE, Louisa Elizabeth Lambert dit, see Lambert, Louisa Elizabeth, dit Champagne. CHAMPAGNE, Pierre Huyet dit, see Huyet, Pierre, dit Champagne. CHAPOTON, Angelica, wife of Jacques Amable Peltier, sketch, 375. CHAPOTON, Jean, mentioned, 61, 63, 410. CHAPOTON, Louis, mentioned, 375. CHAPOTON, Louisa Clotilda, wife of Jacques Godfroy, mentioned, 347; sketch, 63. CHAPOTON, Marie Joseph, wife of Augustin Chaboillez, sketch, 96. CHAPOTON, Mary Catherine Ang6lique, wife of George Meldrum, sketch, 293. CHAPOTON, Mary Charlotte, wife of Pierre Barthe, mentioned, 46; sketch, 34. CHAPOTON, Mary Clemence, wife of Jacques Marsac (first), and Pierre Chene (second), sketch, 410. CHAPOTON, Mary Magdelene, wife of Gabriel Christopher Legrand, sketch, 61. CHAPUT (Chapu), Benjamin, buys land, 61-64; sketch, 169. CHAPUT, Nicholas, sketch, 169. CHARBONNIER Island, located, 358. CHARIER, Catherine, wife of Joseph Voyer, sketch, 379. CHARLOTTE Sophia, wife of George III, mentioned, 406. CHARON, Jacques, sketch, 327-28. CHARON, Mary, wife of Augustin Peltier dit Antaya, mentioned, 169. CHARON, Nicholas, sketch, 327-28. 626 INDEX CHARON, Pierre I, sketch, 327-28. CHARON, Pierre II, sketch, 327-28. CHASE, John, gunner, deserts from navy, 383-84. CHATHAM, Lord, see Pitt, John. CHATTLEROU,, settler at Peoria, 358. CHAUVIN, Charles, mentioned, 518. CHAUVIN, Jane Ann, wife of Charles Rouleau, sketch, 458. CHAUVIN, Noel, mentioned, 458. CHAVERLANGE, Magdelene Levasseur dit, see Levasseur, Magdelene, dit Chaverlange. CHAVERLANGE, Pierre Levasseur dit, see Levasseur, Pierre, dit Chaverlange. CHAVIGNY, Francis de, mentioned, 36. CHAVIGNY, Margaret de, wife of Thomas Douaire de Bondy, sketch, 36. CHEMIN (Du Chemin) River, identified, 355. CHINE, Charles, sketch, 410. CHINE, Charles, dit Caousa, sketch, 410. CHINE, Elizabeth, wife of George Lyons (first), and George Knaggs (second), sketch, 176. CHENE, Isidore, sells land, 172; sketch, 410. CHENE, Josette, wife of Francis de Joncaire de Chabert, mentioned, 269. CHtNE, Mary Ann, dit Labutte, wife of Joseph Gamelin, sketch, 197. CHENE, Mary Archange, dit Labutte, wife of George Jacob, sketch, 307. CHENE, Mary St. Onge dit, see St. Onge, Mary, dit Chene. CHENE, Pierre, sketch, 410. CHENE, Pierre, dit Labutte, mentioned, 197, 410. CHENE, Pierre St. Onge dit, see St. Onge, Pierre, dit Chene. CHENE Farm, granted to Jean Louis Campau, 33. CHEVALIER, Ann Charlotte Veronica, wife of Ren6 Bourassa, mentioned, 419; sketch, 158. CHEVALIER, Constance, wife of Joseph Ainse, sketch, 50-51. CHEVALIER, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 91, 158. CHEVALIER, Marie Anne, wife of Charles Chaboillez, sketch, 91. CHEVALIER, Paul, partnership with Jacques Godfroy de Mauboeuf, 63. CHEVREAU, Marie, wife of Ren6 R6aume, sketch, 170. CHICAGO, first permanent settler of, 356. CHICAGO River, traders ascend, 356-57. CHIGINEB/, signs deed, 325. CHINA, as fur market, 473. CHIPPEWA, see Indians. CHIPPEWA, cargo destroyed by Lieut. Col. Caldwell, 84. CHIQUOT, see Cicotte. CHOATE,-, mentioned, 585. CHOUTEAU, Auguste, mentioned, 106. CHRISTIE (Christy), William, mentioned, 303, 607; member of militia, 367; signs document, 595. CHURCH of England, St. John's, established, 252; in Detroit, 301-303, 310-15. CICOTTE (Chiquot, Cicot, Sicotte), family genealogy, 36. CICOTTE, Catherine, wife of Joseph Huet dit Duluth, sketch, 36. CICOTTE, Jean, sketch, 36. CICOTTE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 375. CICOTTE, Susanne, wife of Jacques Amable Peltier, sketch, 375. CICOTTE, William, sketch, 36. CICOTTE, Zacharias, sketch, 36. CITIZENSHIP, in United States, 580-81. CLAIR, Mary, wife of Stephen St. Cosme, sketch, 212. CLAMORGAN, Loisel and Co., mentioned, 375. CLARK,-, mentioned, 589. CLARK,, cousin of Robert Hamilton, mentioned, 504. CLARK, Alexander, member of militia, 376. CLARK, George Rogers, mentioned, 106, 178, 272, 325; aided financially by Vigo, 227. CLARKE, —, member of militia, 367. CLARKE (Clark), Thomas Alexander, sketch, 585. CLEARWATER,-, mentioned, 248. CLEMENCE, Mary, wife of Francis Bourgeat, sketch, 391. CLERFAYT (Clairfait), Frangois Sebastian Charles Joseph de Croix, Comte de, mentioned, 505-506, 525. CLERMONT, Mary Louisa, dit Dubord, wife of Joseph Bordeau dit L'Isle Ronde, sketch, 380. CLINTON, Gen. Henry, mentioned, 105, 107. CLINTON (Huron) River, location of, 219-20; traders ascend, 340-42, 345. CLOWES, Capt. George, mentioned, 163; sketch, 85; retires, 364. CLUTIEZ,-, an engage, mentioned, 52. COCHRAN, James, sketch, 211. COLCHESTER Township, Ont., origin of, 243. 627 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS COMMANDANT, powers of, 6. COMMISSIONS, custom of selling, 364. CONNOR, Richard, mentioned, 241; sketch, 228-29. CONSTANT, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 326. CONSTANTIN, Mary, wife of Michael Cadet, sketch, 368. COOK, —, mentioned, 303. COOK, William, signs as witness, 323. COON (Kuhn), Abraham, sketch, 257. COON, John, mentioned, 257. COOPER, Elijah, sells slave, 284-85. COPPER, deposits in Lake Superior region, 52, 57. COQUILLARD, Francis Serat dit, see Serat, Francis, dit Coquillard. COQUILLARD, Pierre Serat I dit, see Serat, Pierre I, dit Coquillard. COQUILLARD, Pierre Serat II dit, see Serat, Pierre II, dit Coquillard. COQUILLARD, Pierre Serat III dit, see Serat, Pierre III, dit Coquillard. CORDIER, Mary, wife of Charles Langlois, sketch, 377. CORNET, Joseph, mentioned, 375. CORNET, Mary Joseph, wife of Jean Baptiste Peltier, sketch, 375. CORNWALL, —, church subscription, 303. CORNWALL, John, mentioned, 237-39, 392; sketch, 229; letters to Askin about trade and farming, 234-35, 240-41, 244-45, 248, 259, 262-64. CORNWALL, Richard, mentioned, 54, 56; sketch, 178; granted land by Chippewa, 178-81, 322-25. CORNWALLIS, Lord Charles, conquest in India, 413; returns to England, 423, 491; master general of ordnance, 538. COTE (Cotie), —, mentioned, 386, 395. COT*, Charles, sketch, 387. CoTE, Jean, sketch, 387. COTE, Joseph, sketch, 387. COTf, Louis, sketch, 387. COTE, Pierre, mentioned, 387. COTE, Prisque, sketch, 387. COTI, Simone, wife of Pierre Soumande, mentioned, 169. COTTIN, Mary Catherine, wife of Pierre Brunet, mentioned, 63. COTTON, Joseph, see Cuttan, Josiah. COTTRELL (Cotterell, Cottril, Holfer), George, receives land from Cox, 172; sketch, 195. COTTRELLSVILLE, Mich., origin of, 195. COUDRAY, Mary, wife of Andrew Parent, sketch, 418. COUROY, —, engage, 163. COURT of King's Bench, creation of, 520. COURTNEY, —, butcher, 381. COURVILLE, Mary Magdelene Cadieu dit, see Cadieu, Mary Magdelene, dit Courville. COUTENCINEAU, Jean, sentenced for robbery, 106. COUTURE, Guillaume, sketch, 391. COUTURE, Judge Guillaume, sketch, 391. COUTURE, Jean Baptiste, sketch, 391. COUTURE, Mary Catherine, wife of Gabriel Godfroy, sketch, 347. COVENTRY, Lieut. George, mentioned, 47. COWAN, David, buys land from Henry Ford, 307. Cox, Margaret, wife of Thomas Cox, sketch, 171-72. Cox, Thomas, mentioned, 193, 393; sketch, 171-72; church subscription, 303; creditor of Askwith, 593-97. Cox Creek, origin of name, 172. CRAWFORD, Col. -, mentioned, 243. CRENAY, Ann Henriette Catherine de, wife of Gabriel Louis Legrand, Sieur de Sintre and Vicomte de Mortain, sketch, 61. CREQUE, Cecilia, wife of George Cottrell, sketch, 195. CREQUE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 195. CR/QUI, Mary Ann, wife of Louis Perau, sketch, 393. CR9TE, Angdlique Charlotte, wife of Thomas Smith, sketch, 288. CRETE, Jean, sketch, 195. CRATE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 288; sketch, 195. CRETEL, Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas Langlois, sketch, 377. CRETEL, William, mentioned, 377. CRVECOEUR, St. John de, mentioned, 106. CREVIER, Margaret, wife of Michael Gamelin dit Lafontaine, sketch, 28. CRIER, Public, of Ste. Anne's Church, 41. CRISTIN, Mary Joseph, wife of Gabriel Hunault, sketch, 199. CRITTENDEN, T. T., mentioned, 290. CROFTON, -, mentioned, 226. CRUCKSHANK, Robert, mentioned, 592. CUILLERIER, Ang6lique, wife of James Sterling, sketch, 47. CUILLERIER, Genevieve, dit Beaubien, wife of Jean Baptiste Barthe, sketch, 74. CUILLERIER, Jean, marriage, 34. 628 INDEX CUILLIERIER, Jean Baptiste, dit Beaubien, mentioned, 418. CUILLERIER, Judith, wife of Francis Xavier Prudhomme, mentioned, 370. CUILLERIER, Julia, mentioned, 194. CUILLERIER, Mary, wife of Michael Descary, mentioned, 41. CUILLERIER, Mary Ann, dit Beaubien, wife of Pierre Chene dit Labutte, mentioned, 197. CUILLERIER, Mary Catherine, dit Beaubien, wife of Jacques Parent, sketch, 418. CUILLERIER, Mary Joseph, dit Beaubien, wife of Claude Jean Gouin, mentioned, 71; sketch, 326. CUMMING, Peter, sketch, 306. CURRENCY, substitutes for, 42, 344, 347; scale of values, 74, 136, 162, 253; paper, 170. CUssoN, Michelle, wife of Anthony Adh6mar, Sieur de St. Martin, sketch, 177. CUSTOM of Paris, codification of feudal law, 29. CUTTAN, Josiah (Joseph Cotton), bill of sale of, 284-88; trial of, 410-11. CUYAHOGA Purchase, syndicate formed, 545-48, 552, 556-60; collapse of plan, 578-80. See also Greenville, Council of. DALZELL, Capt. James, defeat at Bloody Run, 400. DAMOIS, Mary, wife of Leonard Faucher dit St. Maurice, mentioned, 377. DAMPIERRE, Auguste Henri Marie Picot, Marquis de, mentioned, 473. DANDONNEAU, Jane, wife of Jacques Baby, sketch, 292. DARTMOUTH, Earl of, see Legge, William. DAUBIGEON, Catherine, wife of Pierre Gagnier, mentioned, 158. DAUGAT, Mary Joseph, wife of Laurence Parent, sketch, 418. DAUGAT, Pierre, mentioned, 418. DAUNET, Mary Joseph, wife of Peter Morin, mentioned, 199. DAVID, Mary Teresa, wife of Jacob Marsac dit de l'Omtrou, sketch, 368. DAVISON, Alexander, sketch, 500-501. DAVISON, George, sketch, 500-501. DAY, Nathaniel, sketch, 79; as Commissary General of Provisions and Supplies, 79, 81, 82-83, 105, 120-22. DEAN, Major —, mentioned, 199. DEBOUTER, Mary, wife of Francis Largeau, sketch, 268. DEBTS, payment of, 149-50, 238, 296; imprisonment for, 204-205. DECHEURAINVILLE, Magdelene, wife of Isaac Lamy, mentioned, 205. DECOUAGNE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 328. DECOUAGNE, Louisa, wife of Louis Baby, sketch, 328. DEERFIELD Massacre, mentioned, 195. DEGANNES, Margaret, wife of Jean Baptiste Decouagne, mentioned, 328. DEGROSOLIER, -, mentioned, 106. DEJEAN, Philip, mentioned, 169, 293; sketch, 105-106; indictment, 130, 212; imprisonment, 385. DELAWARES, see Indians. DE L'ESPINAY, Magdelene, wife of Pierre Morin, sketch, 371. DELISLE, Alexis Bienvenu dit, see Bienvenu, Alexis, dit Delisle. DELISLE, Angelica Bienvenu dit, see Bienvenu, Angelica, dit Delisle. DELISLE, Francis Bienvenu dit, see Bienvenu, Francis, dit Delisle. DELISLE, Monica, wife of Antoine Peltier, sketch, 375. DELLARD, Francis, mentioned, 370. DELLARD, Mary Ann, wife of Jean Baptiste Prudhomme dit Nantais, sketch, 370. DELORIER, Louis, mentioned, 290; signs as witness, 291. DELORME, Mary Louisa Soumande dit, see Soumande, Mary Louisa, dit Delorme. DE LOYSEL, Mary Geneveva, wife of Joseph Thibault, sketch, 347-48. DENEAU, —, settler at Peoria, 359. DENEAU, Andrew, mentioned, 324. DENEAU, Susanne Amable, wife of Jean Baptiste Romain dit Sanscrainte, sketch, 324. DENISSEN, Father Christian, genealogies, 19. DE PEYSTER, Col. Arent Schuyler, mentioned, 50, 67, 83-86, 90, 101, 105-106, 108, 110, 112, 118, 127, 133, 160, 195, 204, 206, 223, 240, 284, 419; friendship with Askin, 7; transferred to Detroit, 7; sketch, 72; arbitrates dispute, 154; grants house to Bird, 186; aids Moravians, 219-20; moves to Portsmouth, 366. DEQUINDRE, Antoine, mentioned, 206. DEQUINDRE, Antoine (Dagneaux), sketch, 205-206; debts, 325, 331, 333. DES BORDES, Mathurine, wife of Pierre Guiberge, mentioned, 197. 629 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS DESBUTTES, Jacques Baudry dit, dit St. Martin, see Baudry, Jacques, dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin. DESBUTTES, Mary Archange Baudry dit, dit St. Martin, see Baudry, Mary Archange, dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin. DESCARDONNETS, Mary Ann Louisa Pepin dit, see Pepin, Mary Ann Louisa, dit Descardonnets. DESCARY, Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Le Duc, mentioned, 62, 419; sketch, 41. DESCARY, Michael, mentioned, 41. DESCHAMPS, Toussaint Hunault dit, see Hunault, Toussaint, dit Deschamps. DESCHESNEAUX, --, signs feudal grant, 30. DESCOMPS, Anthony Louis, dit Labadie, mentioned, 183; sketch, 46. DESCOMPS, Margaret, dit Labadie, wife of James May, sketch, 307. DESCOMPS, Margaret, dit Labadie, wife of Claude Solo, mentioned, 324. DESCOMPS, Margaret Angelica, dit Labadie, wife of Martin Levry (first), and Etienne Jahan dit Laviolette (second), sketch, 371. DESCOMPS, Mary Angelica, dit Labadie, wife of Pierre Drouillard, sketch, 183. DESCOMPS, Pierre, dit Labadie, mentioned, 197, 371; sketch, 46. DESHETRES, Jeanne, wife of Bonaventure RWaume, mentioned, 377. DESMOUCHELLE, --, householder, 33. DESNOYERS, Mary Joseph Marcheteau dit, see Marcheteau, Mary Joseph, dit Desnoyers. DES PLAINES River, traders descend, 357. DES PORTES, Helena, wife of William Hebert (first), and Noel Morin (second), sketch, 371. DES PORTES, Pierre, mentioned, 371. DES RIVIARES, Charlotte Trotier dit, see Trotier, Charlotte, dit Des Rivieres. DES RIVIERES, Joseph Amable Trotier dit, see Trotier, Joseph Amable, dit Des Rivieres. DES RUISSEAUX, Alexis Trotier dit, see Trotier, Alexis, dit Des Ruisseaux. DES RUISSEAUX, Sieur de, see Trotier, Antoine. DETROIT, antiquity of, 1; British occupation of, 1, evacuation of, 614-15; French settlement, 2, 7; Askin's removal to, 7; American occupation of, 10; incorporation of, 11; surrendered to, Brock, 12, Rogers, 31; De Peyster commandant of, 272; T. Smith draws plan for, 288; militia of, 292-94, 366-67, 373-78, 433-45; first sheriff of, 293; divorce in, 300, 593; Protestant Episcopal Church in, 301-303, 310-15; police regulations of, 372-73, 386, 389 -95; fire protection of, 378-81, 437; householders in, 378-83; street repair in, 382-83; election in, 416-21, 424-25, 427-30; race course in, 449; education in, 498. DETROIT River, called Straits of Lake Erie, 27-28. DICKSON, John Alexander, mentioned, 542. DICKSON, Robert, mentioned, 461, 542. DICKSON, Thomas, mentioned, 461; sketch, 542. DICKSON, William, mentioned, 542; sketch, 461. DIFFON, -, voyager, 359. DIONNE, Ann, wife of Barth6lemi Gobeil, sketch, 604. DIONNE, Anthony, mentioned, 604. DIVORCE, in Detroit, 300, 593. DOBBIN, Daniel, life saved by Robert Nichol, 324. DOBIE, Richard, mentioned, 162-63; sketch, 130; business relations with Askin, 131-34. DODEMEAD, John, mentioned, 395; sketch, 304; member of militia, 367, 374; creditor of Askwith, 595. DODGE, John, mentioned, 385; sketch, 290-91; arbritator of dispute, 289-91. DOLSEN (Dolson), Matthew, mentioned, 238, 245, 379, 386, 392, 582; sketch, 222-23; church subscription, 303; applies for tavern license, 395-96. DOLSON, Isaac, church subscription, 303. DOMINI Quinze, signs deed, 325. DONALDSON (Donelson), James, mentioned, 395, 481; sketch, 305; creditor of Askwith, 593-601. DONOVAN, Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Nelson, mentioned, 555. DONOVAN, Margaret, wife of Robert Innis, sketch, 465. DONOVAN, Matthew, mentioned, 258, 465. DONOVAN, Sarah, wife of Matthew Elliot, sketch, 258. DORCHESTER, Lord, see Carleton, Sir Guy. DOUGLASS, Ephraim, American peace commissioner to Indians, 242, 258. DOUGLASS, James, signs as witness, 287; church subscription, 303. 630 INDEX DOUGLASS and Fleming, mentioned, 254. DOUVILLE, Michael Dagneau de, Sieur de Quindre, sketch, 205-206. Douw (Dow), Abraham (Abram), trustee for Askin, 44-45; sells slaves, 58-59. Douw (Dow), Petter W., signs as witness, 58. Douw (Dow), Volkert A., given power of attorney to sell father's slaves, 58-59. DOWDESWELL, Charles S., sketch, 575. DOWLER, Robert, mentioned, 194, 264; sketch, 229; church subscription, 303. DRAKE, John, mentioned, 555, 582; sketch, 448. DRINKING, among Indians, 348; tavern bill of Askwith, 598-603. DROUILLARD, Charles Bonaventure, sketch, 257. DROUILLARD, Jean, mentioned, 257; sketch, 183. DROUILLARD, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 257. DROUILLARD, Pierre, buys land, 182-85; sketch, 183. DROUILLARD, Simon, dit Argentcour, sketch, 183. DRUMMOND, Col. —, mentioned, 414. DUARIER, -, voyager, mentioned, 339, 343-44, 347, 351, 356. DUBOIS, J-, signs as witness, 197. DUBORD, Guillaume, dit Lafontaine, sketch, 269. DUBORD, Mary Louisa Clermont dit, see Clermont, Mary Louisa, dit Dubord. DUCHARME, Catherine, wife of Pierre Roy, mentioned, 590. DUCHARME, Joseph, administrator for Antoine Renaud, 319-20. DUCHENE, Julia, mentioned, 268. DUCHANE, Magdelene Gastinon dit, see Gastinon, Magdelene, dit Duchene. DUCHENE, Mary Ann Gastinon dit, see Gastinon, Mary Ann, dit Duchene. DUDEVOIR, Claude, dit Lachine, mentioned, 28. DUDEVOIR, Mary Joseph, dit Bonvouloir dit Lachine, wife of Laurence Eustache Gamelin, mentioned, 171, 197; sketch, 27-28. DUFAUX, Father Frangois Xavier, comes to Detroit, 378. DUFF, William, mentioned, 293. DUGGAN (Dugan), Thomas, sketch, 286; buys slave, 286-88; church subscription, 300. DUGOMMIER, --, mentioned, 506. DUGUAY (Dugay), -, mentioned, 158. DUGUAY, Jane, wife of Jacques Cardinal, mentioned, 418; sketch, 183. DUGUAY, Pierre, baptism of, 158. DULUTH (Dulude), Joseph Huet dit, see Huet, Joseph, dit Duluth. DUMOUCHEL, Louis, mentioned, 387. DUMOUCHEL, Margaret Bigeot dit, see Bigeot, Margaret, dit Dumouchel. DUMOUCHEL, Mary Joseph, wife of Pierre Bigeot, mentioned, 370. DUMOURIEZ (Dumourier), Charles FranCois, conduct described, 471-72. DUNCAN, David, mentioned, 241, 260; sketch, 242; business relations with Askin, 242-44. DUNCAN, Lieut. John, partner in fur trade, 47. DUNCAN and Wilson, creditors of Elliot and Caldwell, 242. DUNDAS, Sir David, mentioned, 537; sketch, 405; military system, 405. DUNKARDS, investigate Moravian land, 233. DUNLOP, John, creditor of Askin, 45. DUNMORE, Lord, see Murray, John. DUPAS, Mary Frances, wife of Anthony Fortier, mentioned, 605. DUPARE, Marie Anne, wife of Etienne Frechette, mentioned, 378. DUPERON, Jacques Baby dit, see Baby, Jacques, dit Duperon. DUPLESSIS, Magdelene Gatineau dit, see Gatineau, Magdelene, dit Duplessis. DUPLESSY, Francis Xavier Moreau dit, see Moreau, Francis Xavier, dit Duplessy. DUPRAT (Dupr6, Dupras, Dopray), Jean Baptiste, sketch, 482. DUPRA, Teresa Lecompte dit, see Lecompte, Teresa, dit Dupr6. Du QUINDRE, Chevalier, mentioned, 225. DURAND, Jean Marie Arseneau dit, see Arseneau, Jean Marie, dit Durand. DURAND, Susanne, wife of Gabriel Gibaut, mentioned, 197. DURANTAYE, Margaret Morel de la, wife of James Quesnel, mentioned, 257. DUROCHER, Laurent, mentioned, 252. Du SABLE, Ang6lique Dandonneau, wife of Charles Chaboillez (first), and Ignace Jean dit Vien (second), sketch, 91. DYSON, Capt. Samuel, mentioned, 304. EASTERN District, Upper Canada, created, 331. 631 I BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS EBERTS, Herman, sketch, 593. EBINEAU, Point, see Point Abino. EDGAR, Alexander, sketch, 70. EDGAR, Paddy, mentioned, 283. EDGAR, Thomas, sketch, 70. EDGAR, William, mentioned, 200; sketch, 70; signs as witness, 187. EDUCATION, 68-69, 424, 498, 505, 541. EDWARDS, Abraham, mentioned, 561. EDWARDS, William, mentioned, 218-22, 224-25, 231, 244-45, 263; sketch, 221. ELECTIONS, in Upper Canada and Detroit, 416-21, 424-25, 427-30. ELLICE, Alexander, sketch, 162-63; dealings with Mitchell, 313. ELLICE, James, mentioned, 208, 245, 313; signs as witness, 286. ELLICE, Robert, mentioned, 163. ELLIOT, Matthew, mentioned, 247, 301, 303, 308, 418, 427, 465, 480, 555; debts, 242; partnership with Caldwell, 243; sketch, 257-58. ELLIOTT, John, sketch, 258. EMBARGO, on transportation of provisions, 83. ENGAGE, relation to employer, 134-35. ENGLAND, Lieut. Col. Richard, mentioned, 69, 467, 520, 560, 575, 583; sketch, 444. ENGLAND, Gen. Richard, sketch, 444. ENGLAND, occupation of Detroit, 1; London, as fur trade center, 8; first minister to United States, 404; taxes, 406; proposes barrier state, 408; conquest in India, 413; withdrawal from Detroit anticipated, 476, 614-15; social life, 470, 514-19; financial crisis, 472 -73; war debt, 489; fashions, 517, 534 -35, 575-76; payment of officials, 520; war activities, 521-22, 537-38. ERSKINE, Henry, mentioned, 430. ERSKINE, James, mentioned, 607. ERSKINE, John, Earl of Mar, kinsman of Askin, 4. ERSKINE, John, mentioned, 478; letter, 430-31. ERSKINE (Askin), Sarah, wife of — Campbell, mentioned, 430, 477-78. ESKEBEE, signs deed, 175. ESPRIT, Claude, dit Champagne, mentioned, 197. ESSEX County, Ont., boundaries of, 416. ESTAVE, Mary Magdelene, wife of Jean Chapoton, mentioned, 61, 63, 410. EST.VE, Mary Teresa, dit Lajeunesse, wife of Pierre R6aume, sketch, 170. EUROPE, politics and war in, 469-73, 489-91, 505-509, 525-26, 536-39. EVANS, Martha, mentioned, 305. FAFARD, Jane, wife of William Cicotte, sketch, 36. FAITH, wreck of, 86. FALLEN Timbers, Battle of, mentioned, 174, 210, 270, 301, 305, 367, 373, 510. FASHIONS, described, 102, 143-44, 517, 534-35, 543, 575-76. FAUCHER, Elizabeth, wife of Etienne Langlois, sketch, 377. FAUCHER, Leonard, dit St. Maurice, mentioned, 377. FAUVEL, Charlotte Bigres dit, see Bigres, Charlotte, dit Fauvel. FAYE, Elizabeth, wife of Pierre St. Cosme, sketch, 212. FECTO, Augustin, settler at Peoria, 359. FENWICK, Dr. Walter, mentioned, 290. FERRA, Mary, wife of Jacques Jahan dit Laviolette, sketch, 370. FERRET, Margaret, wife of Simon Drouillard dit Argentcour, sketch, 183. FERRIN, Capt. William, sketch, 78. FEUDALISM, land grants at Detroit, 27 -30; dues, 28-29, 42, 63, 171, 184; receipt for, 46-47; in America, 29; restriction on voting, 416, 419, 425. FEUILLEVERTE, see Maisonville. FIELD (Fields), Daniel (Donald), sketch, 582. FIERI facias, writ of, 368, 370. FINCHLEY, Thomas, sketch, 204; arbitrator of dispute, 250-51. FISH, Mrs. Stuyvesant, ancestry of, 37. FLATHEAD, Asoundechris, consort of Pierre Drouillard, mentioned, 183. FLAVELL, —, deserts from navy, 383 -84. FLEMING, Sampson, mentioned, 307; as Deputy Commissary of Stores and Provisions, 78-80, 86-87, 104-105; sketch, 78. FLEMING, William, sketch, 383. FORBES, —, mentioned, 75. FoRD, Mrs. -, mentioned, 392. FORD, Henry, mentioned, 433; church subscription, 303; sketch, 307-308. FORSYTH, -, mentioned, 552. FORSYTH, George, sketch, 308; member of militia, 367. FORSYTH, Joseph, church subscription, 303. FORSYTH, Thomas, mentioned, 254, 314. 632 INDEX FORSYTH (Forsith), William, mentioned, 78, 209, 306, 380, 392; church subscription, 303; sketch, 307; signs document, 394. FORT, see under various names. FORT Wayne (Miamitown), razed by General Harmar, 177-78; located, 569. FORTIER, Anthony, mentioned, 605; sketch, 523-24. FORTIER, Barbara, dit La Fortune, wife of Etienne Huyet, sketch, 317. FORTIER, Charles, mentioned, 524. FORTIER, Mary Rose, wife of Jean Francis Gobeil, sketch, 605. FORTIER, Pierre Michael, sketch, 523 -24. FORTIER, Stephen, mentioned, 317. FOUBER, Mary, wife of Elias Soulinier, mentioned, 41. FOUCHER, Charles, mentioned, 578. FOUCHER, Mary Angelica, mentioned, 578. FOUCHER, Pierre, sketch, 578. FOURNEAU, Jane, dit Brindamour, wife of Pierre Paul Bourgeat, sketch, 391. FOURNEAU, Jean, dit Brindamour, mentioned, 391. FOURNEAU, Margaret, dit Brindamour, wife of Pierre Casse dit St. Aubin, sketch, 195. FOURNIER, James, mentioned, 28. FOURNIER, Martha, wife of Jean Baptiste Nadeau, sketch, 318. Fox, Col. -, mentioned, 414. Fox River, identified, 358. FRANCE, political conditions in, 406, 413 -14, 422-23, 469, 471-73, 489-90, 526, 537. FRANCOIS, engage of Askin, mentioned, 127, 143. FRASER, James, mentioned, 185, 382, 394, 404, 607; sketch, 300; power of attorney, 300-301; church subscription, 303; member of militia, 366, 374; creditor of Askwith, 593-97. FRASSER, -, mentioned, 589. FRECHETTE, Etienne, mentioned, 378. FRECHETTE (Frichet, Fritchet), Rev. Pierre, mentioned, 382, 392, 394; sketch, 378. FREDERICK William II of Prussia, mentioned, 406, 422; participation in European war, 506, 508-509, 526. FREEMAN, Edmund, mentioned, 583. FREEMAN, Ezra, mentioned, 580, 583. FREEMAN, James C., letter, 580-83; sketch, 583. FREEMAN, Samuel, mentioned, 583. FREEMAN'S Journal, mentioned, 583. FRELINGHUYSEN, Frederick, sketch, 582. FRAROT, Claude I, sketch, 381. FRPROT, Claude II, sketch, 381. FREROT (Frero, Fraro), Jean Francis, mentioned, 386, 390; sketch, 381; signs document, 393. FREY, Col. Hendrick, sketch, 226. FROBISHER, Benjamin, mentioned, 112, 128; sketch, 73; business relations with Askin, 109-11, 134-35. FROBISHER, Joseph, mentioned, 114, 119; sketch, 73, 111; business relations with Askin, 124-25, 137-38, 154. See also McTavish, Frobisher and Co. FROBISHER, Thomas, sketch, 73. FRY (Frey), Phillip R., letters, 224-26, 232; as surveyor, 224-26, 230-32; sketch, 226. FURS, trade in, 8-9, 201-203, 251-55, 279, 474; used as currency, 42, 271; prices of, 132, 236, 459, 464. GAcHE, Cecilia, wife of Michael Adhemar, sketch, 177. GAGE, Gen. Thomas, mentioned, 423; sketch, 49-50; shipping policy, 76. GAGNIER, Agnes, wife of Ren6 Bourassa, sketch, 158. GAGNIER, Marie Anne, wife of Francis Hypolyte Chaboillez, sketch, 96 GAGNIER, Pierre, mentioned, 158. GAJAHAGA, see Cuyahoga. GALIEN (Galline) River, identified, 355. GALLIARD, —, mentioned, 134. GALORNEAU, Magdelene, wife of Joseph Mary Gignac, sketch, 62. GALT, Mich., founding of, 461. GAMELIN, Antoine, letter, 319-21; sketch, 320-21. GAMELIN, Eustache, see Gamelin, Laurence Eustache. GAMELIN, Francis, mentioned, 197. GAMELIN, Joseph, mentioned, 326; sketch, 197. GAMELIN, Laurence Eustache, mentioned, 171, 197, 207; sketch, 27-28; granted land, 27-30; signs as witness, 43. GAMELIN, Mary Joseph, wife of Joseph Bondy, sketch, 171. GAMELIN, Michael, dit Lafontaine, sketch, 27-28. GAMELIN, PAUL, mentioned, 275, 327. GARNIER, Michelle, wife of Simon Jean Cardinal, sketch, 182-83. 633 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS....,~........................,... GASTINON, Magdelene, dit Duchene, wife of Jean Baptiste Creque, mentioned, 195. GASTINON, Mary Ann, dit DuchEne, wife of Jacques Largeau dit St. Jacques, sketch, 268. GATES, Gen. Horatio, reported killed, 105, 107. GATINEAU, Magdelene, dit Duplessis, wife of Jacques Douaire de Bondy, sketch, 36. GAUDIN, —, business difficulties, 150, 154. GAULTIfR, Geneveva, wife of Michael Cadet, sketch, 368. GAULTIER, Mary Louisa, wife of Jean Casse dit St. Aubin, mentioned, 40-41; sketch, 195. GAULTIER, Mathurin, mentioned, 195. GAUTIER (Gotiez), see Verville, Charles Gautier de. GAUTIER, Angelica, wife of Nicolas Chaput, mentioned, 169. GERMANY, political conditions in, 406. GIARD, Catherine, wife of Jean Gabriel Cerre, mentioned, 106. GIBAUT, Angelica, wife of Jacques Lacelle, mentioned, 170, 327; sketch, 197. GIBAUT, Gabriel, mentioned, 197. GIBAUT, Louisa Margaret, mentioned, 195. GIBB, Benaiah, creditor of Askwith, 596. GIGNAC, Charlotte, wife of Thomas Martin, sketch, 205. GIGNAC, Francis, mentioned, 62. GIGNAC, Joseph Mary, sketch, 62. GIRARD, Anthony, sketch, 387. GIRARD, Joachim, sketch, 387. GIRARDIN, Charles Francis, mentioned, 395, sketch, 387. GIRAULT, Ann, mentioned, 195. GIRTY, Simon, mentioned, 301; associated with Matthew Elliot, 257; sketch, 308-309; complaint against, 385. GLADWIN, Major Henry, mentioned, 239. GLADWIN, see Huron. GOBEIL, Barthelemi, sketch, 604. GOBEIL, Jean, sketch, 604. GOBEIL, Jean Francis, sketch, 605. GOBEIL, Joseph, sketch, 605. GODET, Frances, dit Marentette, wife of James Askin, marriage, 16. GODFROY, Gabriel, has trading post at Ypsilanti, 318; sketch, 347. GODFROY, Jacques I, sketch, 63. GODFROY, Jacques II, mentioned, 347; sketch, 63. GODFROY, Jacques, de Mauboeuf, mentioned, 34, 36; sketch, 63. GODFROY, Jane, wife of William Cretel, mentioned, 377. GODFROY, Mary Angelica, wife of Zacharias Cicotte, sketch, 36. GODFROY, Mary Catherine, wife of Alexis Trotier dit Des Ruisseaux, sketch, 34. GORDON, James, business partner of Askin, 5. GORDON, James, executor for Pattinson, 194. GOSFIELD Township, Ont., origin of, 243. GOSSELIN, Frances, wife of Jean Francis Gobeil, sketch, 605. GOSSELIN, Margaret, wife of Jean Crete, sketch, 195. GOSSELIN, Susanne, wife of Claude Frerot, sketch, 381. GOSSELIN, Vincent, mentioned, 195. GOUIE, Robert, mentioned, 379, 382,392; sketch, 308; creditor of Askwith, 593 -97. GOUIN, Claude Jean, mentioned, 71; sketch, 326. GOUIN, Joseph, sketch, 326. GOUIN, Judith, wife of Philip Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert, mentioned, 594; sketch, 326, 367. GOUIN, Louis, sketch, 326. GOUIN, Mary Ann, sketch, 326. GOUIN, Mathurin, sketch, 326. GOUIN, Therese, wife of William Park, sketch, 71. GOVERNMENT (Canadian), contracts for supplies, 67-68, 78-83, 86-87, 102-105, 120-22, 137, 277, 480-81, 501; aids Church of England, 302. GOVERNOR, of Canada, rival of intendant, 27. GRAHAM, Felix, sketch, 500. GRAHAM, Mrs. Felix, mentioned, 520; sketch, 500. GRAHAMS, —, mentioned, 254. GRAND Calamanuck River, see Big Calumet River. GRAND COUNCIL, see Greenville, Treaty of. GRAND Isle, Vt., origin of, 559. GRAND Marais, location of, 317. GRAND Portage, location of, 51, 74. GRAND River, route from Huron River to, 342. GRANDMAISON, Eleonora de, wife of Francis de Chavigny, mentioned, 36. GRANT, Commodore Alexander, mentioned, 13, 68, 138, 284, 308, 324, 382, 393, 441-42, 447, 461, 542, 588; sketch, 634 INDEX 75-76; petition for bounty land, 200; church subscription, 303; as justice of peace, 373; member of legislature, 476; laundry bill, 543; letter, 614-15. GRANT, Alexander, inheritance from McTavish, 533. GRANT, Archange, wife of Thomas Dickson, mentioned, 461, 542. GRANT, Major James, defeat of, 75. GRANT, James, partner of Holmes, 104, 144. GRANT, Jane Cameron, wife of William Richardson, mentioned, 442. GRANT, Patrick, mentioned, 75. GRANT, Robert, mentioned, 465. GRANT, Therese, wife of Dr. Thomas Wright, mentioned, 324; sketch, 461; birth of a daughter, 516. GRANT, William, mentioned, 141, 585; sketch, 132-33. GRANT Castle, home of Commodore Grant, 76. GRANT County, Wis., origin of name, 132. GRANT River, origin of name, 132. GRATIOT Avenue, origin of, 225. GRAVERAT, Gerrit, mentioned, 545; sketch, 309. GRAY, David, mentioned, 289; sketch, 270-71. GRAY, Edward William, mentioned, 301. GREAT Company, see North West Company. GREELEY, Aaron, sketch, 227-28. GREELEY, Susan, mentioned, 228. GREEN, Daniel, sketch, 394. GREEN, Miriam, wife of Gen. Nicolls, mentioned, 494. GREEN, Sir William, sketch, 493-94. GREEN Bay (La Baye), name explained, 91; granted to Rigaud and sold to Grant, 133. GREENVILLE, Council of, 546-47, 549-54; report of John Askin Jr., 560-65. See also Cuyahoga Purchase. GREG, Cunningham and Co., creditor of Askin, 45. GREGORY, John, mentioned, 554-56; sketch, 334; agent for North West Co., 334-35. GRIGNON, Louis, adopted by Amable Roi, 127. GRIMARD, Charles Moran dit, see Moran, Charles, dit Grimard. GROESBECK, William, church subscription, 303; sketch, 306; marriage, 518. GROSSE Ile, owned by the Macombs, 108. GRUBB, —, mentioned, 194, 240, 244 -45. GUADALOUPE, conquered by Beckwith, 313. GUARDIAN, mentioned, 364, 366. GUERARD, Catherine, wife of Guillaume Dubord dit Lafontaine, sketch, 269. GUERDON, Ann Mary, wife of Gabriel Benoit dit La Forest, sketch, 418. GUIBERGE, Jane, wife of Pierre Cabasier, sketch, 197. GUIBERGE, Pierre, mentioned, 197. GUIET, Jane, wife of Jean Gobeil, sketch, 604. GUIGNARD, Margaret, wife of Pierre Daugat, mentioned, 418. GUILBAUT, Catherine, wife of Jean Marie Arseneau dit Durand, sketch, 196. GUILBAUT, Jean, dit La Jeunesse, sketch, 196. GUILBAUT, (Gibbeau, Gilbeau), Joseph, sketch, 196; letter, 256-59; connection with Miamis Co., 275, 329, 331, 333. GUILFORD, Earl of, see North, Frederick. GUILLAR, -, witness, 170. GUILLEMIN, Guillaume, mentioned, 73. GUILLEMIN, Marie Charlotte, wife of James McGill, sketch, 73. GUILLET, Magdelene, wife of Robert Rivard dit Loranger, sketch, 325. GUILLET, Regina Angelica, dit Tourangeau, wife of Anthony Soumande, sketch, 169. GUNBOATS, building of, 519-20. GUTHRIE, Capt. James, mentioned, 263; sketch, 246-47; takes Moravians to Cuyahoga River, 246-47. HALAY, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 387. HALAY, Mary, wife of Joachim Girard, sketch, 387. HALDIMAND, Sir Frederick, mentioned, 51, 69-70, 80, 83, 91, 106, 178, 204, 252, 293, 307; sketch, 206. HALE, --, mentioned, 401. HALIBURTON, Alice, wife of Sampson Fleming (first), and Nicholas Low (second), mentioned, 307; sketch, 78. HALIBURTON, William, mentioned, 78, 307. HALIBURTON, Mrs. William (Ann — ), wife of John Kinzie (second), and William Forsyth (third), sketch, 78, 306-307. HALIFAX Currency, 74. HAMILTON, Alexander, sketch, 541. HAMILTON, Alexander, Secretary of Treasury, mentioned, 579. 635 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS HAMILTON, Corporal Andrew, sketch, 231. HAMILTON, George, goes to England, 541. HAMILTON, Gov. Henry, mentioned, 83, 90, 95, 104-105, 108-10, 112, 130, 169, 252, 257, 291, 308, 316, 325; sketch, 72-73; Vincennes campaign, 67, 106, 178; indicted, 106; control of trade, 159-60, 304; imprisonment, 385. HAMILTON, Rev. John, mentioned, 188. HAMILTON, Robert I, mentioned, 68, 253, 308, 424, 441, 460, 463, 502, 520, 528, 534, 584; sketch, 14, 188; partnership with Cartwright and Askin, 188 -92; takes children to England, 504, 541. HAMILTON, Robert II, goes to England, 541. HAMILTON, Ont., founded by George Hamilton, 541. HAMMOND, George, sketch, 404. HAMTRAMCK, Col. John F., mentioned, 318, 367. HANDS, Ann, wife of Jean Baptiste Baby, sketch, 376. HANDS, William, mentioned, 376, 380, 382, 386,'392; considered for ministry, 252; sketch, 308; member of militia, 374; signs document, 394. HANKS, Lieut. Porter, surrender of Mackinac, 424. HARDOCK, John, engaged as sailor, 448 -49. HARFFY, Dr. William, mentioned, 435; sketch, 304; arbitrator of dispute, 415; letter, 509-10. HARFFY, Mrs. William, mentioned, 509. HARMAR, Gen. Josiah, mentioned, 332; razes Fort Wayne, 177-78, 273. HARMAR, Fort, council of, 562. HARRIS, -, captain of the Eagle, 527. HARRIS, Amelia, mentioned, 69. HARRISON, William Henry, mentioned, 12, 178, 222, 290; sues McIntosh for slander, 328. HARROW, Capt. Alexander, mentioned, 246; buys land, 172; arrested, 180; church subscription, 303; sketch, 305 -306. HARSEN (Harson), Jacob, sketch, 309. HARTLEY, David, mentioned, 404. HARVEY, John, sketch, 233; buys land, 233; farm located, 449. HAUTRAGE, Claude, mentioned, 385. HAUTRAGE, Mary Josette, wife of Guillaume Pierre La Mothe, sketch, 385. HAY, Agatha, wife of Pierre Jean Baptiste Testard, Sieur de Montigny de Louvigny, sketch, 379-80. HAY, Henry, mentioned, 177, 446. HAY, Gov. John (Jehu), mentioned, 206, 273, 306, 379, 446; sketch, 67; relations with Askin, 81, 136. HAY, John, mentioned, 67. HAY, Pierre, birth, 82; sketch, 446. HAY, William, death, 81-82. HAZEL, Edward, mentioned, 415. HEBERT, William, mentioned, 371. HECKENWELDER, John Gottlieb, mentioned, 225, 228; letters, 217-24, 230 -34, 237-40, 245-47, 260; sketch, 218; returns to Bethlehem, 262. HELL Creek, see Portage River. HENAULT, Teresa, dit Canada, wife of Jean Martin dit St. Jean, mentioned, 387. HENRY, Alexander, mentioned, 6, 72, 79, 104, 119, 158, 195, 376; partnership with Cadotte, 52; sketch, 93; returns from England, 144; administrator for Williams and Casety, 185, 300; land speculation, 543-48, 552, 556-60, 578 -80; letter, 578-80. HENRY, James, mentioned, 300. HENRY, Magdelene Susanne, dit Laforge, wife of Gabriel Hunot, sketch, 327. HERBINNE, Catherine, wife of Michael Yax, mentioned, 49. HERKIMER, Mary, wife of Neil McLean (first), and Robert Hamilton (second), sketch, 188. HESSE, District of, Upper Canada, created, 330-31. HEWARD, Hugh, mentioned, 272, 289; sketch, 277; "Journal from Detroit to the Illinois," 339-60; member of militia, 377. HICKS, Agnes, wife of Edward Hazel, mentioned, 415. HICKS, Judith, wife of Henry Ramsey, sketch, 415. HILL, Lieut. George, mentioned, 392; sketch, 381. HINSDALE, Prof. W. B., aid acknowledged, 342. HOCQUART, Gillis, sketch, 27; makes feudal grant, 27-30. HOFFMAN, George, mentioned, 213, 228 -30; sketch, 173; signs as register, 176, 181, 187, 206, 212-13, 222, 233, 323. HOG Island, see Belle Isle. HOGUE, Mary Magdelene St. Agne dit, see St. Agne, Mary Magdelene, dit Hogue. HOILETTE, see Ouellet, Jean Baptiste. 636 INDEX HOLFER, George, see Cottrell, George. HOLLAND, political conditions in, 536-37. HOLLOWAY, Capt. and Mrs. —, mentioned, 493. HOLMES, William, mentioned, 141, 144; sketch, 104. HOLMES, Dr. William, mentioned, 391; sketch, 378. HOME District, Upper Canada, created, 331. HOPE, Lieut. Gov. Henry, mentioned, 277-78; sketch, 252. HOPE, wreck of, 86. HOUDE, Louis, sketch, 400. HOUDE, Michael I, sketch, 400. HOUDE, Michael II, sketch, 400. HOUDE, Noel, sketch, 400. HOWARD, Joseph, mentioned, 93, 104, 109, 125, 128; sketch, 91-92. HOWE, Richard, Earl, military activities, 507, 537; sketch, 516. HOWE, Gen. William, mentioned, 50, 414, 432, 516. HUBBARD, Gurdon S., mentioned, 357. HUBERT, Susanne, dit La Croix, wife of Pierre Rdaume, mentioned, 61, 292, 418. Huc, Marie Frangoise, wife of Herman Eberts, sketch, 593. HUDSON'S Bay Company, mentioned, 294. HUET, Joseph, dit Duluth (Dulude), mentioned, 36. HULL, Gov. William, mentioned, 195, 304; surrenders Detroit, 12; indicted, 173, 206, 374. HUNAULT, Gabriel, sketch, 199. HUNAULT, Toussaint, dzt Deschamps, sketch, 199. HUNOT (Hunault, Hunaud), family genealogy, 199. HUNOT, Anthony Padua, sketch, 327. HUNOT (Hunault, Hunaud), Gabriel I, mentioned, 275; sketch, 199, 327; contract with St. Louis, 199-200; suit against Oui, 204-205; connection with Miamis Co., 295-99. HUNOT (Hunault, Hunaud), Gabriel II, sketch, 199. HUNOT, Joseph, mentioned, 327. HUNOT, Joseph I, sketch, 327. HUNOT, Joseph II, sketch, 327. HUNOT (Hunault, Hunaud), Toussaint, sketch, 199. HUNT, Abigail, wife of Col. Josiah Snelling, mentioned, 561. HUNT, Eliza, wife of James G. Soulard, mentioned, 561. HUNT, Henry Jackson, second mayoreof Detroit, mentioned, 294, 561. HUNT, John Elliott, mentioned, 561. HUNT, Ruth, wife of Abraham Edwards, mentioned, 561. HUNT, Thomas, sketch, 561. HUNT, William Brown, mentioned, 561. HURON, attack upon, 340. HURON River, see Clinton River. HUTCHINSON, -, mentioned, 365. HUYET, Etienne, sketch, 317. HUYET, Pierre, sketch, 317. HUYET, Pierre, dit Champagne, sketch, 317. ILLINOIS, precious stones found in, 145. ILLINOIS River, traders descend, 358-60. IMPRISONMENT, for debts, 204-205. INDENTURE, see law. INDIANS, marital relations with whites, 12-13, 46, 52, 57, 63, 68, 72, 80, 85, 136, 158, 183, 194, 243, 269-70, 272, 327, 340, 353, 356, 367-68, 376, 457, 587; Potawatomi village and cemetery in Detroit, 46-47; land grants and sales by, 46-47, 173-74, 176-81, 212 -13, 227-30, 233-34, 239, 242, 249-50, 304, 317, 322-25, 522-25, 546, 550-52, 559-60, 591; friendship for whites, 52, 194, 257-58, 309, 326, 340; military aid to whites, 69, 104; supply corn to traders, 75; slavery of, 98, 399-400; clothing of, 103; Moravian missionaries to, 217-34, 238-40, 242, 245-47, 260, 262-63; whites as chiefs of, 244, 257, 327, 457; kill Renaud, 319-20; drinking habits of, 348; proposed barrier state, 521; participation in Greenville Council, 560-65. INGLIS, Ellice and Co., mentioned, 163. INNIS, Robert, mentioned, 555; sketch, 464-65; attempts to buy Michigan, 568-72; as witness, 595. INSURANCE, in England, 507, 526. INTENDANT, of Canada, powers and duties, 27. INTEREST, rate of, 48, 608. IRONSIDE, George, mentioned, 289, 367; sketch, 332; as witness, 333; member of militia, 376. IROQUOIS, see Indians. IRVIN (Irvine, Erwin), William, American spy in Detroit, 467-68. IRVINE, Gen. William, mentioned, 309. JACOB, Felicity, wife of Alexander McKee, mentioned, 307. 637 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS JACOB, George, mentioned, 16, 194; partnership with McKillip, 305; sketch, 307. JACOB, Monique, wife of Charles Askin, marriage, 16. JADOT, Genevieve, wife of George Christian Anthon, sketch, 48. JAFFRAY, Pierre, mentioned, 290. JAHAN, Etienne, dit Laviolette, sketch, 370-71. JAHAN, Jacques, dit Laviolette I, sketch, 370. JAHAN, Jacques, dit Laviolette II, sketch, 370. JAHAN, Jacques, dit Laviolette III, sketch, 370. JAHAN, Sebastian, sketch, 370. JAMES, Catherine, wife of Pierre Parent, sketch, 418. JANIS, Geneveva, wife of Claude Reaume, sketch, 418-19. JANIS, Mary Magdelene, wife of Laurence Parent, sketch, 418. JANIS, Nicholas Francis, mentioned, 418. JANSON, Catherine, dit Lapaline, wife of Jean Baptiste Rapin, mentioned, 183. JARVIS, Hannah, wife of Alexander Hamilton, mentioned, 541. JARVIS, Margaret, mentioned, 449, 583; relation to Askwith, 592-93. JARVIS, Maria, wife of George Hamilton, mentioned, 541. JARVIS, William, mentioned, 373. JAY, John, goes to England, 508. JEAN, Catherine, dit Vien, wife of Jacques Sauvage, mentioned, 410. JEAN, Ignace, dit Vien, mentioned, 91. JIROU, -, a trader, mentioned, 259. JOACHIM, Charlotte Regindeau dit, see Regindeau, Charlotte, dit Joachim. JOGUES, Father Isaac, mentioned, 391. JOHANNES, defined, 136. JOHNSON, Sir John, mentioned, 69; sketch, 312. JOHNSON, Sir William, mentioned, 133, 326; sketch, 312. JOLLIET, Mount, identified, 357. JONCAIRE, Louis Chabert de, mentioned, 316. See also Chabert. JONCAIRE, Louis Thomas de, sketch, 326. See also Chabert. JONES, Thomas, mentioned, 382; church subscription, 303; sketch, 379. JOSEPHINE, Empress, family relationships, 27. JOUBER (Jober), --, mentioned, 146; financial difficultities, 150. JOUETT, Charles, mentioned, 304. JUDAH, John M., mentioned, 300. JUDAH, Noble B., mentioned, 300. JUDAH, Samuel I, sketch, 300. JUDAH, Samuel II, sketch, 300. JUDAH, Samuel B., mentioned, 300. JUPITER, slave of Askin, mentioned, 120; purchase of, 58-59. JUSSEAUME, Angdlique, dit St. Pierre, wife of Vincent Moran, mentioned, 197. JUSTICE of peace, authority of 527-28. KALAMAZOO (Kaulamazau, Kekalemazeau) River, traders visit, 353. KANKAKEE (Theakikie) River, identified, 358. KAWKEMEE, wife of William Burnett, sketch, 353-54. KELLY, John, a surveyor, mentioned, 200. KEMBAL, Margaret, wife of Gen. Thomas Gage, mentioned, 50. KEMBAL, Peter, mentioned, 50. KENNEDE and Lyle, creditors of Askin, 45. KENOMUK, see Little Calumet River. KENT, Edward Augustus, Duke of, visits America, 428. KENT County, Ont., boundaries of, 417. KENTON, Simon, life saved by Pierre Drouillard, 183. KENTUCKY, invaded by Capt. Bird, 186. KICKAPOO, see Indians. KING'S Stables, mentioned, 187. KINZIE, John, mentioned, 78, 305, 309, 336; sketch, 306; buys Forsyth tavern, 307. KINZIE, John H., marriage, 306. KNAGGS, George, mentioned, 176; sells lot, 293. KNOX, Janet, wife of Thomas Edgar, sketch, 70. KoscIUSKO, Thaddeus, aids Polish uprising, 509, 526. L'ARBRE Croche, birthplace of John Askin Jr., 12. L'EVEILLE, Frances, wife of Jacques Godfroy, mentioned, 63. L'HEREUX, Mary Teresa, wife of Bazile Marois, sketch, 41. L'ISLE Ronde, Catherine Bordeau dit, see Bordeau, Catherine, dit L'Isle Ronde. L'ISLE Ronde, Joseph Bordeau dit, see Bordeau, Joseph, dit L'Isle Ronde. L'ONION, —, settler on Illinois River, 359. 638 INDEX LABADIE (La Badie), family genealogy, 46. LABADIE, Anthony Louis Descomps dit, see Descomps, Anthony Louis, dit Labadie. LABADIE, Badishon, see Descomps, Anthony Louis, dit Labadie. LABADIE, Margaret Descomps dit, see Descomps, Margaret, dit Labadie. LABADIE, Margaret Angelica Descomps dit, see Descomps, Margaret Angelica, dit Labadie. LABADI1E, Mary Angelica Descomps dit, see Descomhps, Mary Angelica, dit Labadie. LABADIE, Pierre Descomps dit, see Descomps, Pierre, dit Labadie. LA, BALmE's expedition, 197, 268-69. LA BAYE, see Green Bay. LA BELLE, -~, trader, mentioned, 150, 154. LABERGE, Catherine, wife of William Marois, mentioned, 41. LA BONEATJ, -~, mentioned, 55. LABOIJRSE'S Mill, mentioned, 339. LABUTTE, Mary Ann Ch~ne dit, see Ch~ne, Mary Ann, dii Labutte. LABUTTE, Mary Archange Ch~ne dii, see Ch~ne, Mary Archange, dit Labutte. LABUTTE, Pierre Ch~ne dit, see Ch~ne, Pierre, dii Labutte. LACELLE, Agatha, wife of Hyacinthe R~aume, mentioned, 67, sketch, 170. LACELLE, Angelica, wife of Pierre Descomps dii Labadie, mentioned, 371; sketch, 46. LACELLE (Laselle), Antoine 1, mentioned, 197; sketch, 366-67; member of militia, 377. LACELLE (Laselle), Antoine II, mentioned, 197. LACELLE (Laselle), Francis, mentioned, 197. LACELLE (Laselle), Hyacinthe, sketch, 197. LACELLE (Laselle), Jacques I, mentioned, 170, 327; sketch, 197. LACELLE (Laselle), Jacques II, mentioned, 367; sketch, 197. LACELLE (Laselle), jacqu1es III, mentioned, 367; sketch, 197V. LACELLE (Laselle), Jacques IV, mentioned, 197; marriage, 561. LACELLE (Laselle), Nicholas I, sketch, 327. LACELLE (Laselle), Nicholas Ii, sketch, 327. LACHASSE, Mary Louisa Lecerf dii, see Lecerf, Mary Louisa, dii Lachasse. LACHINE, Claude Dudevoir dii, see Dudevoir, Claude, dii Lachine. LACHINE, Mary Joseph Dudevoir dii Bonvouloir dit, see Dudevoir, Mary Joseph, dii Bonvouloir dit Lachine. LACROIX, Susanne Hubert dii, see Hubert, Susanne, dii Lacroix. LADEROUTE, Cajetan Seguin dit, see Seguin, Cajetan, dii Laderoute. LADEROUTE, Geneveva Seguin dii, see Seguin, Geneveva, dii Laderoute. LADEROUTE, Joseph Seguin dit, see Seguin, Joseph, dit Laderoute. LADEROUTE, Mary Teresa Seguin dit, see Seguin, Mary Teresa, dit Laderoute. LAFLEUR (Laflaeur), C -~, mentioned, 379, 395. LAFOND, Antoine, mentioned, 466-67; sketch, 45 7. LAFONTAINE, Francis, sketch, 269. LAFONTAINE, Guillaume Dubord dii, see Dubord, Guillaume, dit Lafontaine. LAFONTAINE, Michael Ganielin dit, see Gamelin, Michael, dii Lafontaine. LA FOREST, Gabriel Benoit dii, see Benoit, Gabriel, dit La Forest. LA FOREST, Mary Judith, wife of Augustin Tremblay, mentioned, 317. LAFORGE, Magdelene Susanne Henry dit, see Henry, Magdelene Susanne, dit Laforge. LA FORTUNE, Barbara Fortier dii, see, Fortier, Barbara, dii La Fortune. LAFOY, Anthony, sketch, 380. LAFoy, Augustin I, sketch, 380. LAFOY, Augustin II, mentioned, 392, 394-95; sketch, 380. LAHAYE, Ursula, wife of Francis Boenier (first), and Jean Francis Fr~rot (second), sketch, 381. LA JEUNESSE, Jean Guilbaut dii, see Guilbaut, Jean, dii La Jeunesse. LAJEUNESSE, Mary Teresa Este've dii, see Este've, Mary Teresa, dii Lajeunesse. LAKE Peoria (Deprorias), identified, 358. LAKE Superior, copper deposits near, 52, 57. LALANDE, Mary Ann, wife of Jacques Lacelle, mentioned, 367; sketch, 197. LALIME, Jean, buys Chicago land from Point Sable, 356. LALimE, Michel, signs as witness, 59. LAMBERT, Cecila, wife of John Martin, sketch, 204-205. 639 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS LAMBERT, Francis, dit Champange, mentioned, 368. LAMBERT, Louisa Elizabeth, dit Champagne, wife of Augustin Cadet, sketch, 368. LAMkRE, Margaret, wife of Anthony Le Flot, mentioned, 393. LAMIRANDE (Lamorand), Joseph, mentioned, 357; sketch, 339-40. LAMOREUX, Louis, mentioned, 36. LAMOREUX, Magdelene, wife of Jean Cicotte, sketch, 36. LA MOTHE, Bruno, sketch, 385. LA MOTHE, Guillaume Pierre, mentioned, 427; sketch, 385. LA MOTHE, Pierre, sketch, 385. LAMOUCHE, -, engage, mentioned, 149. LAMY, Isaac, mentioned, 205. LAMY, Mary, wife of Michael Dagneau de Douville, Sieur de Quindre, sketch, 205-206. LANDRY, Claude, dit St. Andr6, sketch, 62; sells land, 61-64. LANGLADE, Augustin, mentioned, 127. LANGLADE, Charles Michel, mentioned, 136, 158, 352; sketch, 72. LANGLADE County, Wis., origin of name, 72. LANGLOIS, Charles, sketch, 377. LANGLOIS, Etienne, sketch, 377. LANGLOIS, Frances, wife of Pierre Des Portes, mentioned, 371. LANGLOIS, Jean Baptiste, member of militia, 366; sketch, 377. LANGLOIS, Mary, wife of Stephen Robidou (first), and Charles Drouillard (second), mentioned, 257. LANGLOIS, Nicolas I, sketch, 377. LANGLOIS, Nicolas II, mentioned, 377. LAPIERRE, —, settler at Peoria, 359. LAPIERRE-LAPOMERAIS, Pierre Robert dit, see Robert, Pierre, dit LapierreLapomerais. LAPLANTE, Francis Leriger dit, see Leriger, Francis, dit Laplante. LAPLANTE, Jean Louis Leriger dit, see Leriger, Jean Louis, dit Laplante. LAPOINTE, Innocent Audet dit, see Audet, Innocent, dit Lapointe. LAPOINTE, Mary Audet dit, see Audet, Mary, dit Lapointe. LA PROMENADE, Marguerite Larcheveque dit, see Larcheveque, Marguerite dit La Promenade. LARCHEVEQUE, Marguerite, dit La Promenade, wife of Charles Chaboillez, sketch, 91; business relation with Askin, 110, 129-30. LARCHEVEQUE, Mary Joseph, wife of Philip Dejean, mentioned, 106. LARGEAU, Francis, sketch, 268. LARGEAU, Jacques, dit St. Jacques, sketch, 268. LARGEAU, Louis Francis, mentioned, 290; signs as witness, 291; sketch, 268. LAROSE, Susanne, wife of Nicholas Maclin, mentioned, 36. LARSEN, -, a soldier, 382. LA RUE, Isabella, mentioned, 63. LA RUE (Larue), Jean, dit Bayonne, sketch, 63-64. LA RUE, Mary Catherine, mentioned, 63. LATOUR, Amable, mentioned, 588; sketch, 585. LAUGHTON, John, mentioned, 193, 252, 283; real estate activities, 175-76, 232; sketch, 175-76; church subscription, 303. LAUGHTON, Peter, member of militia, 376. LAUNDRY, bill for, 543. LAURENS, Fort, construction of, 186. LAUSON, Margaret, wife of Stephen Fortier, mentioned, 317. LA VALLUE (Vall6), Pierre, sketch, 290. LAVIGNE, Nicolas Rivard dit, see Rivard, Nicolas, dit Lavigne. LAVIOLETTE, Etienne Jahan dit, see Jahan, Etienne, dit Laviolette. LAVIOLETTE, Jacques Jahan dit, see Jahan, Jacques, dit Laviolette. LAW, Samuel, signs document, 595. LAW, guardianship of minors, 40-41; robbery, 106; administration of, 135, 269-71; debts, 149-50, 204-205, 238, 296; indentures, 188-92, 198-99, 368 -72, 448-52, 543-44, 567-72; arbitration of disputes, 196-97, 204-205, 207 -10, 289-91, 415; bail, 205; power of attorney, 273, 301, 315, 331-32, 547, 556-58; settlement of an estate, 319 -20, 592-615; writ of fieri facias, 368 -370; Court of Oyer and Terminer, 433; Canadian, passed in French and translated into English, 459-60; registry of a boat, 483; justice of the peace, 527-28. See also legislaturte LAWE, John, marriage, 80. LE BEAU, Frances, wife of Joseph Cornet, mentioned, 375. 640 INDEX LE BEAU, Josette, wife of Louis Suzor, mentioned, 174. LE BER, Mary, wife of Francis Bourassa, mentioned, 158. LEBLANC, Julian, mentioned, 324. LEBLANC, Mary Joseph, wife of Jean Romain dit Sanscrainte, sketch, 324. LECERF, Mary Louisa, dit Lachasse, wife of Charles Francis Girardin, sketch, 387. LECLERC, Francois, sketch, 290; signs as witness, 291. LECLERC, Margaret, mentioned, 194. LECLERC, Mary Louisa, wife of Louis Dumouchel (first), and Charles Francis Girardin (second), sketch, 387. LECOMPTE, Teresa, dit Dupre, wife of Raymond Baby, mentioned, 328; sketch, 292. LE Duc, Angelique, wife of Claude Landry dit St. Andr6, sketch, 62. LE Duc, Baptiste, sketch, 419. LE Duc, Jean I, sketch, 41. LE Duc, Jean II, sketch, 41. LE Duc, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 62, 419; sketch, 41. LE Duc, Joseph, sketch, 41. LEE, William, mentioned, 186. LEFEBVRE (Lafevre), —, mentioned, 127. LEFEBRVE, Ann, wife of Noel Houde, sketch, 400. LEFEBVRE, Catherine, wife of Antoine Trotier, Sieur Des Ruisseaux, sketch, 34, 401. LEFEBVRE, Claude Joseph, mentioned, 387. LEFEBVRE, Magdelene, wife of Prisque Cot6, sketch, 387. LEFEBVRE, Pierre, mentioned, 401. LE FLOT, Anthony, mentioned, 393. LE FLOT, Michelle, wife of Jacques Perau dit Vildaigre, sketch, 393. LEGGE, William, Earl of Dartmouth, mentioned, 73. LEGISLATURE, bills proposed by D. W. Smith, 435-38, 442-47. See also law. LEGRAND, Gabriel Christopher, mentioned, 419; sketch, 61; signs as notary, 64. LEGRAND, Gabriel Louis, Sieur de Sintre and Vicomte de Mortain, mentioned, 61. LE GUAY, Madelaine, wife of Louis Thomas de Joncaire, sketch, 326. LEIB, Judge John L., mentioned, 561. LEIB farm, owners of, 40, 375. LEITH, George, mentioned, 271, 275, 282, 292, 418, 421, 427-28, 435, 443, 463, 497, 499, 516; sketch, 207; church subscription, 303; partner of Miamis Co., 325-34; as justice of peace, 373, 390. LEITH and Shepherd, mentioned, 404; power of attorney, 315; partners, of Miamis Co., 325-34, of Duff, 457. LE MAY, Francis, dit Poudrier, sketch, 400. LE MAY, Mary Magdelene, wife of Michael Houde, sketch, 400. LEMELIN, Geneveva, wife of Innocent Audet dit Lapointe, mentioned, 327. LEMIRE, Mary Magdelene, wife of Pierre Moreau, Sieur de la Taupine, sketch, 177. LE MOYNE, Mary Ann, wife of Francis Bienvenu dit Delisle, mentioned, 197. LENNOX, Charles, Duke of Richmond, mentioned, 413-14, 432; dismissed by king, 538. LEOPOLD II, death of, 405, 409. LEREAU, Magdelene, wife of Louis Bineau, mentioned, 63. LERIGER, Clement, Sieur de la Plante, sketch, 590. LERIGER, Francis, dit Laplante, mentioned, 590. LERIGER, Jean Louis, dit Laplante, sketch, 590. LERIGER, Marie, wife of Rene Bourassa, sketch, 158. LERNOULT, Capt. Richard B., mentioned, 169. LERNOULT, Fort, construction of, 186. LEROUX, Mathurine, wife of Gabriel Rouleau dit Sanssoucy, sketch, 458. LESPERANCE, Charles, sketch, 400. LESPfRANCE, Jean Baptiste Billiau dit, see Billiau, Jean Baptiste, dit Lesperance. LESPERANCE, Josette Rochereau dit, see Rochereau, Josette, dit Lesperance. LESPItCLE, Widow -, mentioned, 169. LE VALLOIS, Jane, wife of Bruno La Mothe, sketch, 385. LEVASSEUR, Magdelene, dit Chaverlange, wife of Jean Baptiste Peltier, sketch, 375. LEVASSEUR, Pierre, dit Chaverlange, mentioned, 375. LE VEILLIf, -, mentioned, 62. LEVRY, James, sketch, 371. LEVRY, Martin, sketch, 371. LEVRY, Pierre, dit Martin, sketch, 371. LEVY, Hymen, creditor of Askin, 45. 641 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS LEWEN (Lewin), Lieut. Ralph Ross, mentioned, 382, 386, 392; sketch, 381. LEWIS, —, a ranger, settles on Moravian land, 231. LEWIS, Jacob, mentioned, 582. LEWIS, Nathaniel, sketch, 217. LINCOLN, Gen. Benjamin, mentioned, 242. LINDLEY, Jacob, mentioned, 448, 478. LITTLE, Eleanor, wife of Daniel McKillip (first), and John Kinzie (second), mentioned, 309; sketch, 305-306. LITTLE, John, church subscription, 303; sketch, 305, 309. LITTLE Calamanuck River, see Little Calumet River. LITTLE Calumet (Little Calamanuck) River, 355. LITTLE Turtle, mentioned, 561. LIVERNOIS, Etienne, mentioned, 375. LIVRADE, Catherine, wife of Charles Marois, sketch, 41. LIVRE, value of, 162. LLOYD'S, London insurance agency, 507. LOCOOCT, -, mentioned, 193. LODS et ventes, feudal due, 29, 172. LOGAN, John, mentioned, 272. LOGAN, Gen. John A., mentioned, 272. LONDON, see England. LONGUEIL, -, mentioned, 419. LOOKING Glass River, identified, 351. LOOTMAN, Agatha, dit Barrois, wife of Jean Baptiste Reaume, mentioned, 173, 318; sketch, 170. LOOTMAN, Catherine, dit Barrois, wife of Pierre Laurence Cosme, mentioned, 106, 307, 380; sketch, 212. LOOTMAN, Francis, dit Barrois, mentioned, 37, 212. LOOTMAN, Jean Baptiste, dit Barrois, mentioned, 183. LOOTMAN, Mary, dit Barrois, wife of Robert Navarre, mentioned, 374; sketch, 36-37. LOOTMAN, Mary Ann, dit Barrois, wife of Jean Baptiste Cuillerier dit Beaubien, mentioned, 418. LORANGER, Alexis, dit Maisonville, sketch, 325. LORANGER, Joseph, dit Maisonville, sketch, 325. LORANGER, Ren6 Alexis Rivard dit, see Rivard, Ren6 Alexis, dit Loranger. LORANGER, Robert Rivard dit, see Rivard, Robert, dit Loranger. LORGUEIL, Mary, wife of Toussaint Hunault dit Deschamps, sketch, 199. LORIMIER, Louis, mentioned, 275; complaint against Reah, 268-73; sketch, 272; goods seized, 289-91. LORTY (Lortie), Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 114, 146, 159. LOSONET, Madam -, pays debt, 49. LOTTERY, custom of, 409, 452, 464, 471. LoUIS XIV, mentioned, 292; natural son of, 27; decree of, 29. Louis XVI, execution of, 464, 469. LOUVIGNY, Pierre Jean Baptiste Testard, Sieur de Montigny de, see Testard, Pierre Jean Baptiste, Sieur de Montigny de Louvigny. Low, Nicholas, mentioned, 78, 307. LOWER Canada, legislative activities in, 459-60. LOYSEAU, Catherine, wife of Julius Trotier, sketch, 34. LUNDY, Ensign —, mentioned, 554. LUNENBURG, District of, Upper Canada, created, 330-31. LUSIGNAN, -- de, mentioned, 381. LUSIGNAN, Mary Magdelene de, wife of Francis Xavier Trotier dit Bellecour, sketch, 401. LYLE, Abram, creditor of Askin, 45. LYON (Lyons), Benjamin, mentioned, 145, 152, 159, 163; sketch, 51. LYONS, George, sketch, 176; church subscription, 303; member of militia, 366. MCALPIN, -, church subscription, 303. MCBEATH, George, mentioned, 83, 90, 92, 99, 124; sketch, 80. MCCARTY, Richard, mentioned, 268. MCCLINTOCK, James, mentioned, 607. MCCORMICK, Agnes, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCORMICK, Alexander I, sketch, 210; church subscription, 303;debts, 326-27. MCCORMICK, Alexander II, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCORMICK, Arthur, sketch, 376-77; sells slave, 410-11. MCCORMICK, Elizabeth, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCoRMICK, John, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCORMICK, Mary, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCORMICK, Matthew, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCORMICK, Sarah, claims land on Maumee, 210. MCCORMICK, William, claims land on Maumee, 210. 642 INDEX MCCRAE, Thomas, mentioned, 245, 395; sketch, 304; creditor of Askwith, 595. MCCULLY, George, American peace commissioner, mentioned, 258. MCDONALD (McDonnell), -, engage, 92, 96, 98, 103, 124; wages, 114. McDoNALD, Mrs. --, shoes for, 119. MCDONALD, John, mentioned, 457. MCDONALD, Peggy, wife of David Robertson, mentioned, 368. McDONELL, —, mentioned, 395. McDONELL (McDonnel, McDonald), Ronald, mentioned, 427, 457; sketch, 367; member of militia, 374. McDONNELL, James, sketch, 374; signs document, 389. MCDOUGALL, Lieut. George, mentioned, 48; buys Belle Isle, 185; sketch, 374. MCDOUGALL (McDugall, McDougal), George, mentioned, 379, 382, 386, 392, 457; buys land, 318; sketch, 374; signs document, 394; gives Askin's letter to Wayne, 552, 561; creditor of Askwith, 593-97. MCEVERS, Charles, creditor of Askin, 45. McEvERS, James, creditor of Askin, 45. McEvoY, John, deserts from navy, 383 -84. McGILL, Andrew, sketch, 402. McGILL, James, mentioned, 6, 149, 474, 479, 501, 552; sketch, 73; partnership with Dobie, 130; guardianship of Porteous children, 144; claim to Moravian lands, 227-30; letters, 235-37, 402-404, 459-60, 487-89; adopted daughters, 488. See also Todd and McGill, North West Co., Todd's letters, and Askin's business relations with Todd and McGill and North West Co. McGill, John, mentioned, 126, 134, 138, 402; sketch, 125. See also Askin's business relations with North West Co. McGILL, Juliette A., wife of John H. Kinzie, mentioned, 306. McGILL University, founder of, 73. MCGILLIVRAY, William, mentioned, 74; sketch, 533-34. MCGLAGHLAN, —, mentioned, 211. MCGREGOR, Ann, wife of Dr. Robert Richardson, mentioned, 293; sketch, 442, MCGREGOR, Major Gregor, mentioned, 378, 382, 442, 577; sells land, 222; sketch, 292-93; church subscription, 303; as sheriff, 368-72, 609-14; partowner of the Thames, 465; superintendent of inland navigation, 483; signs document, 613-14. MCGREGOR, James, mentioned, 293; signs as witness, 595. MCGREGOR, John, member of militia, 374; sketch, 369-70. MCGREGOR, Susanne, wife of William Duff, mentioned, 293. MACHARD, Piquette and Co., mentioned, 118, 132, 149; debts of, 162. MCINTOSH, -, mentioned, 427. MCINTOSH,, Jr., member of militia, 366. MCINTOSH, Ensign —, member of militia, 366. MCINTOSH, Angus, mentioned, 328, 376, 382, 561; sketch, 293; church subscription, 303; as partner in Miamis Co., 275, 331-34; as justice of peace, 373. MCINTOSH, Ann, wife of Henry Jackson Hunt, mentioned, 294, 561. MCINTOSH (Mackintosh), James, mentioned, 328; representative for Mrs. Casety, 185; church subscription, 303; sketch, 308; member of militia, 374. MCINTOSH, William, mentioned, 320; sketch, 328-29. McKAY, —, member of militia, 374. McKAY, Donald, mentioned, 387. McKEE, Col. Alexander, mentioned, 15, 257, 260, 308, 316, 365, 376, 418, 427, 444-45, 465, 477, 480-81, 582; sketch, 301; church subscription, 303; member of Bench, 482. McKEE, Alexander, the younger, mentioned, 376. McKEE, Catherine, mentioned, 376. McKEE, James, mentioned, 376. McKEE, Marie Ann, mentioned, 376. McKEE, Capt. Thomas, mentioned, 307; flight from Detroit, 12; sketch, 15, 376. MCKENZIE (McKinzie, McKinzee), Alexander, mentioned, 352, 379; church subscription, 303; sketch, 306; member of militia, 374. MCKENZIE, Roderick, mentioned, 91. McKILLIP, Daniel, mentioned, 309, 415; church subscription, 303; sketch, 305; partnership with Jacob, 307; member of militia, 367. McKILLIP, Margaret, wife of Lieut. Linai T. Helm (first), and Dr. Lucius Abbott (second), mentioned, 305. MACKINAC, Askin's residence at 6-7; climate of, 50-58, 67, 75, 79; massacre of 1763, 52; purchase of, 57; amusements of, 68, 77, 135; growth of, 69; sur 643 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS render of, 69, 424; De Peyster commandant of, 72; garrison provisions for, 120-22. MCKINDLAY, John, creditor of Askwith, 596. MCLEAN, Commissary —, mentioned, 200. MCLEAN, John, sketch, 402. McLEAN, Neil, mentioned, 188. MACLIN, Margaret, wife of Jean Cicotte, 36. MACLIN, Nicholas, mentioned, 36. McM URRY (McM urray), Thomas, sketch, 68. McNIELL, William, church subscription, 303. McNIFF, Margaret, wife of Lieut. Porter Hanks, mentioned, 424. McNIFF (McNeiff), Patrick, mentioned, 427, 442, 582, 607; sketch, 424; member of Cuyahoga syndicate, 545-48, 556-60, 578-80. McNIFF, Robert, mentioned, 424. MACOMB, Alexander, mentioned, 193, 308, 369; sketch, 108. MACOMB, Gen. Alexander, sketch, 108. MACOMB, John Gordon, sketch, 108. MACOMB, William, mentioned, 369, 427, 443,461; sketch, 108; land speculation, 172, 300, 308; as arbitrator, 208; church affiliations, 303, 310-11; signs document, 390; member of legislature, 434; member of Bench, 482. MACOMB, Edgar and Macomb, mentioned, 70. MCPHERSON, John, sketch, 208-209; church subscription, 303. MCTAVISH, Simon, marriage, 91; partner in North West Co., 111; sketch, 533. See also McTavish, Frobisher and Co. MCTAvISH, Frobisher and Company, mentioned, 334-35, 534. MAGNAM, Jean, mentioned, 410. MAILLET, Pierre, mentioned, 375. MAISONVILLE, Alexis, sketch, 325; signs as witness, 548, 568. MAISONVILLE, Alexis Loranger dit, see Loranger, Alexis, dit Maisonville. MAISONVILLE, Frangois, sketch, 325. MAISONVILLE, Joseph Loranger dit, see Loranger, Joseph, dit Maisonville. MAISONVILLE'S Company, mentioned, 416, 418, 425. MALBOEUF Augustin, dit Beausoleil, mentioned, 97. MALBOEUF, Joseph, dit Beausoleil, sketch, 97. MALCOLM, Alexander, sketch, 534. MALET, Louis, mentioned, 590. MALET, Magdelene, wife of Guillaume Couture, sketch, 391. MALET, Mary Louisa, wife of Francis Leriger dit Laplante, mentioned, 590. MALLET, Catherine, wife of Pierre Perthuis, mentioned, 40, 183. MALoTT, Catherine, wife of Simon Girty, sketch, 309. MANETTE (Monette), consort of Askin, mentioned, 68, manumission of, 13. MAPLE River, identified, 351. MARCHETEAU, Mary Joseph, dit Desnoyers, wife of Jean Guilbaut dit La Jeunesse, mentioned, 196. MARCOT, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 586. MARCOT, Therese, wife of George Schindler, sketch, 586-87. MARENTETTE, Frances Godet dit, see Godet, Frances, dit Marentette. MARIE, consort of Anthony Louis Descomps dit Labadie, sketch, 46. MAROIS, Bazile I, sketch, 41. MAROIS, Bazile II, sketch, 41. MAROIS, Charles, sketch, 41. MAROIS, William, sketch, 41. MARRIAGE, relation of Indians and whites, 12-13, 46, 52, 57, 63, 68, 72, 80, 85, 136, 158, 183, 194, 243, 269, 272, 327, 340, 353, 356, 367-68, 376, 457, 587; dot, 33-37; age for girls, 77; bill proposed, 477. MARSAC, Archange, wife of Jean Baptiste Prudhomme dit Nantais, sketch, 370. MARSAC, Francis, mentioned, 518; sketch, 368. MARSAC, Jacob, dit de l'Omtrou, sketch, 368. MARSAC, Jacques, mentioned, 410; sketch, 368. MARSAC, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 370; sketch, 368. MARSAC, Mary Teresa, wife of Louis Beaufait, mentioned, 316; sketch, 518. MARTIN, -, mentioned, 254. MARTIN, -, Jr., member of militia, 366. MARTIN, Ann, wife of Jean Cote, sketch, 387. MARTIN, Jean, dit St. Jean, mentioned, 387. MARTIN, John, mentioned, 392; sketch, 204-205. MARTIN, John, Sr., made ensign of militia, 293; church subscription, 303. MARTIN, Judith, wife of Pierre Charon, sketch, 327-28. 644 INDEX MARTIN, Magdelene, dit St. Jean, wife of Jean Baptiste Bertrand (first), and Joseph Cote (second), sketch, 387. MARTIN, Pierre Levry, dit, see Levry, Pierre, dit Martin. MARTIN, Thomas, sketch, 205. MARTINIQUE, conquered by Beckwith, 313. MASONRY, in Detroit, 195, 424. MASSIOT, Mary Louisa, wife of Jean Baptiste Cardinal, mentioned, 327. MATCHEKEWIS, mentioned, 52. MATHEWS, Major Robert, mentioned, 217, 231, 237, 313; sketch, 203; militia orders, 292-93. MAUBOEUF, Jacques Godfroy de, see Godfroy, Jacques, de Mauboeuf. MAUGER, Frances, wife of Leonard Campau, sketch, 33. MAUMEE River, rapids of, located, 210. MAY, James, mentioned, 212-13, 354; curator of Dejean estate, 106; church subscription, 303; sketch, 307; member of militia, 374; signs as justice of peace, 382, 386, 393, 395. MAYPOLE, ceremony, 93. MAZAME River, traders visit, 353. MECKLENBURG, District of Upper Canada, created, 330-31. MEDICINE, use of, 442, 553. MELDRUM, George, partnership with William Park, 71; sketch, 293; church affiliations, 303, 310-11; buys land, 318; member of militia, 366, 377; signs document, 390, 394. See also Meldrum and Park. MELDRUM farm, granted to Jacques Campau, 33. MELDRUM and Park, mentioned, 71, 401; members of Miamis Co., 275, 326, 331-34; outfit traders, 353; contract with Askin for windmill and ship, 449 -52, for ship, 460; creditors of Askwith, 593-97. MELOCHE, Anthony, sketch, 400. MELOCKE, Catherine, wife of Louis Chapoton, mentioned, 375. MELOCHE, Francis I, sketch, 400. MELOCHE, Francis II, sketch, 400. MELOCHE, Jane, wife of Noel Chauvin, mentioned, 458. MELOCHE, Jean Baptiste, sketch, 400. MELOCHE, Pierre, sketch, 400. MELOCHE, Teresa, wife of Nicholas Francis Janis, mentioned, 418. MENARD, Catherine, wife of Jacques Campau, 169; sketch, 48. MENARD, Jacques, mentioned, 48. MENY, Mary, wife of Jean Baptiste Billiau dit Lesp6rance (first), and Michael Houde (second), sketch, 400. MERCER, Charlotte, mentioned, 284. MERCER, Capt. Daniel, mentioned, 13, 284, 423, 464, 469, 472, 518; sketch, 77; signs as witness, 192; letter, 363-66; goes to Ireland, 406, 409. MERCER, Therese, mentioned, 535. MERCI, —, debt of, 150. MEREDITH, Anne, mentioned, 405, 497 -98, 515, 535, 576-77. MEREDITH, David I, mentioned, 423, 452, 478; sketch, 15; letters, 404-407, 412-14, 431-33, 536-39; stationed at Warley, 515. MEREDITH, David II, mentioned, 497, 515, 535, 576. MESACKWANGIE, signs deed, 175. MIAMI, see Indians. MAMMIS Company, mentioned, 226, 273 289; organization of, 275; power of, attorney to Heward, 277; contract with Hunot, 295-99; division of debts due, 325-34. MIAMIS, Fort, location of, 210; commanded by Hill, 381. MIAMIS River, location of, 569. MIAMITOWN, see Fort Wayne. MICHIGAN, petition for elective legislature, 173; syndicate attempts to buy, 316-17,568-72. MICHILIMACKINAC Company, organization of, 278. MIDDLE District, Upper Canada, created, 331. MILHOMME, —, as witness, 43. MILL CREEK, identified, 342. MILLER, —, mentioned, 225. MILLER, —, shoemaker, mentioned, 381. MILLER, John, reports deserters from navy, 383-84; reports on spy, 467-68. MILLS, --, mentioned, 584. MILWAUKEE, first trader of, 52. MINEY, --, settler at Peoria, 359. MIRANDEAU, Jane, wife of Jean Boilard, mentioned, 316. MISESKANAKE, see Presqu' Isle. MITCHELL, Dr. David, mentioned, 163; sketch, 85. MITCHELL, Mrs. David, sketch, 85. MITCHELL, Rev. George, mentioned, 195, 379; letters, 301-302, 310-15; subscription for, 303, 309. MOITIE, Mary, wife of Jean Magnam (first), and Pierre St. Onge dit Chine (second), sketch, 410. 645 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS MONFORTON (Mumforton), William, sketch, 107; as real estate agent, 169 -72; signs as recorder and notary, 204 -205, 301, 317. MONFORTON Register, history of, 107. MONFORTON'S Company, mentioned, 416, 418, 425. MONROE County, Mich., first grand jury of, 545. MONTENDRE, see Maisonville. MONTIGNY, Louvigny, see Testard. MONTOUR, Andrew, sketch, 194. MONTOUR, Catherine, mentioned, 194. MONTOUR, Mary, mentioned, 194. MONTOUR, Sarah, see Ainse, Sarah. MONTREAL, fur trade center, 8; waterworks established, 387. MOORE, James, rescue from captivity, 170. MOORE, Margaret, wife of Peter Audrain, sketch, 213. MOORE, Mary, mentioned, 305; captivity of, 415. MORAN, Ang6lique, wife of Joseph Paschal Viger (first), and Joseph Cabasier (second), sketch, 197. MORAN, Charles, dit Grimard, mentioned, 400. MORAN, Claude Charles, mentioned, 183. MORAN, Mary Elizabeth, wife of Anthony Lafoy, sketch, 380. MORAN, Pierre, member of militia, 374. MORAN, Susanne, wife of Francis Basil Campau, sketch, 183. MORAN, Vincent, mentioned, 197. MORANDIARE, Catherine Desrivieres de la, wife of Antoine Dequindre, sketch, 205-206. MORANDIARE, Margaret Elizabeth Ursula Rochbert de la, wife of Daniel de Joncaire de Chabert, mentioned, 367; sketch, 326. MORAVIANS, activities of, 217-35, 237 -40, 242-47, 260, 262-63; aided by Williams and Elliot, 258. MOREAU, Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Adhemar dit St. Martin, sketch, 177. MOREAU, Francis Xavier dit Duplessy, marriage, 401. MOREAU, Pierre, Sieur de la Taupine, sketch, 177. MORIN (Moran), Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 371; member of militia, 374. MORIN, Mary Joseph, wife of Louis Villers dit St. Louis, sketch, 199. MORIN, Noel, sketch, 371. MORIN, Peter, mentioned, 199. MORIN, Pierre, sketch, 371. MORIN, Regina, wife of Joseph Malboeuf dit Beausoleil, mentioned, 97. MORISEY, Michael, deserts from navy, 383-84. MORISON (Morrison), Charles, mentioned, 134, 136; sketch, 56; letter, 321-22. MORISON, Dr. Daniel, mentioned, 56, 68. MORISSEAU, Veronica Rochereau dit, see Rochereau, Veronica, dit Morisseau. MORRAS, --, voyager, mentioned, 343, 349, 355, 357, 360. MORRIS (Morrice), Robert, mentioned, 579. MORRIS, Capt. Thomas, mentioned, 63. MORTAIN, Gabriel Louis Legrand,Vicomte de, see Legrand, Gabriel Louis, Sieur de Sintre and Vicomte de Mortain. MOTZ, Henry, sketch, 313. MOUFLET, Mary, wife of Francis Meloche, sketch, 400. MOUNT Elliott Cemetery, site of Leib farm, 40. MUD Lake, identified, 357. MUIR, Captain —, mentioned, 554. MURRAY, C —, creditor of Askwith, 596. MURRAY, Jane, wife of John Dodemead, sketch, 304. MURRAY, John, Lord Dunmore, mentioned, 243. MURRAY, William, signs as witness, 286. MUSKINGUM River council, 562. MUSKYASH Jr., signs land grant, 323. MUSQUEASH, sketch, 180. MUY, Pierre Charles Daneau de, mentioned, 419. MYE, Captain -, settler at Peoria,359. MYERS, Martin Theophilus, sketch, 305. MYERS, Mary, wife of Richard Connor, sketch, 228, NADEAU, Anthony, sketch, 318. NADEAU, Jean Baptiste I, sketch, 318. NADEAU, Jean Baptiste II, sketch, 318. NADEAU, Jean Baptiste III, sketch, 318. NADEAU, Joseph, sketch, 318. NADEAU, Joseph Osanny, sketch, 318. NADEAU, Martin, sketch, 318. NADIN (Nodisne), —, clerk of Askin, mentioned, 124, 149, 164. NANTAIS, Jean Baptiste Prudhomme dit, see Prudhomme, Jean Baptiste, dit Nantais. 646 INDEX NASSAU, District of, Upper Canada, mentioned, 188; creation of, 330-31. NAVARRE, family genealogy, 36-37. NAVARRE, King of, see Bourbon. NAVARRE, Catherine, wife of Alexander Macomb, sketch, 108. NAVARRE, Mary Ann, wife of Jacques Baudry dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin (first), and George Christian Anthon (second), mentioned, 294; sketch, 48. NAVARRE, Mary Frances, wife of Lieut. George McDougall (first), and Jacques Campau (second), sketch, 48, 374. NAVARRE, Robert I, mentioned, 374; sketch, 36-37; signs as notary, 36-37, 40, 43. NAVARRE, Robert II, Potawatomi deed cemetery site to, 47. NAVY, deserters from, 383-84. NEIL, -, mentioned, 260. NELSON, Lord Horatio, mentioned, 500. NELSON, James, signs as witness, 285. NELSON, Jonathan, sketch, 554-55. NESOWAGHQUAT, signs deed, 175. NESOWAGIE, signs deed, 175. NEW Settlement, Ont., origin of, 243; land allotted to troops, 415. NEW York Currency, 74. NIAGARA, Nicolas Campau dit, see Campau, Nicolas, dit Niagara. NIAGARA, fur trade concession at, 47. NICHOL, Robert, sketch, 324; marriage, 461; signs as witness, 548, 572; indenture to Askin, 567-68. NICKESON, signs deed, 175. NICOLLS, Gen. --, mentioned, 494. NIGGIG, signs land grant, 324. NIGHTON,, soldier, 395. NODISNE, -, see'Nadin, -. NOEL, —, mentioned, 430. i NOLIN, Augustin, sketch, 555. NOLIN, Jean Baptiste, sketch, 555. NORTH, Frederick, Earl of Guilford, sketch, 423. NORTHUMBERLAND, Duke of, see Percy, Hugh. NORTH West Company, mentioned, 79, 104, 236, 278, 294, 334, 474, 533-34, 555; business relations with Askin, 73 -75, 83, 91, 97-98, 101, 109-12, 114, 123-28, 134-35, 137-39, 142, 151, 154 -56, 159-60, 334-35, 387-89, 451, 483; organization of, 111, 127,387; owner of Athabaska, 483. NORTON, John, mentioned, 466-67, 484; sketch, 457. NOUCHET, Josephte, wife of Augustin Chaboillez, sketch, 96. OAKES, Forrest, sketch, 51; business relations with Askin, 91, 141, 146, 149-50, 156-57. OGILVIE, Mrs. -, wife of William Robertson, sketch, 208. OGILVIE, John, mentioned, 208. OKEYA, signs deed, 175. OMISSAS, participation in Greenville Council, 562. OMTROU, Jacob Marsac dit de 1', see Marsac, Jacob, dit de l'Omtrou. ORCHARD River, see Otter Creek. ORO, Antonio de, sketch, 289-90; signs as witness, 291. ORO, Antonio X. Joseph de, mentioned, 289. ORO, Don Sylvio Francisco de Cartabona de, sketch, 289-90. OSAWANEQUAT, signs deed, 175. OTTAWA, see Indians. OTTER Creek (Orchard River), tributary of Grand River, traders ascend, 346. OUDINOT, Jane, wife of Sebastian Jahan, sketch, 370. OUELLET (Hoilette), Jean Baptiste, sketch, 419-20. OUELLET, Ren6, sketch, 419. Oui, Hyacinthe, imprisoned for debt, 204-205. OUIOUIATENNE, signs deed, 212. OULLETT, —, settler at Peoria, 359. OYER and Terminer, Court of, 433. PAINE, Thomas, Rights of Man, influence in Canada, 460. PALMS, Francis, mentioned, 354. PANATCHAT, Jean Baptiste Marsac dit, see Marsac, Jean Baptiste, dit Panatchat. PANI, defined, 98. PARENT, Andrew, sketch, 418. PARENT, Gilbert, sketch, 418. PARENT, Jacques, sketch, 418. PARENT, Laurence I, sketch, 418. PARENT, Laurence II, sketch, 418. PARENT, Magdelene, mentioned, 418. PARENT, Michael, sketch, 418. PARENT, Pierre, sketch, 91. PARENT, Pierre I, sketch, 418. PARENT, Pierre II, sketch, 418. PARENT, Pierre Michael, sketch, 418. PARIS, Treaty of, terms of, 408. PARISIEN, -, a guide, mentioned, 149. PARK, William, mentioned, 392, 427; sketch, 71; member of Miamis Co., 275; church subscription, 303; signs as justice of peace, 373, 395. PARKER, —, mentioned, 589. 647 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS PARRANT, —, settler at Peoria, 359. PARS, Mary, wife of Pierre Picot6 de Bellestre, mentioned, 34. PATTERSON, Charles, sketch, 73-74; letter from Askin about son, 135. PATTERSON'S Point, origin of name, 74. PATTINSON, Hugh, signs document, 572. PATTINSON, Richard, mentioned, 71, 194; flight from Detroit, 12; sketch, 16, 594; land speculation, 568-72. PATTISON, Mark, sketch, 383; letter, 383. PAULO, Catherine, wife of Etienne Campau, sketch, 33. PAYET, Father -, mentioned, 378. PEBAMUCHKETAC, signs deed, 175. PEEBLES (Peoples) and Wells, creditor of Askin, 45. PELQUEY, Jacques, mentioned, 391. PELTIER, -, mentioned, 481. PELTIER, Antoine, sketch, 375. PELTIER, Augustin, dit Antaya, sketch, 169. PELTIER, Felicity, wife of Robert Beaubien, mentioned, 375. PELTIER, Felix, mentioned, 375. PELTIER, Jacques, sketch, 374-75. PELTIER, Jacques Amable I, recollections used by Parkman, 69; sketch, 375. PELTIER, Jacques Amable II, sketch, 375. PELTIER, Jean Baptiste, sketch, 375. PELTIER, Jean Francis I, mentioned, 33; sketch, 375. PELTIER, Jean Francis II, sketch, 375. PELTIER, Mary Angelica, wife of Anthony Campau (first), and Etienne Livernois (second), mentioned, 391; sketch, 375. PELTIER, Mary Madelaine, wife of John Askin Jr., marriage, 14; sketch, 69. PELTIER, Nicholas, sketch, 374-75. PELTRIES, see furs. PENEMOU, signs deed, 175. PEORIA, II1., identified, 358; as trade center, 359. PEPIN, Francis, sketch, 317-18. PEPIN, Mary Ann Louisa, dit Descardonnets, wife of Pierre Boyer (first), and Hypolyte Campau (second), mentioned, 377; sketch, 400. PERAIT, Alexis, signs document, 393. PERAU, Jacques, dit Vildaigre, sketch, 393. PERAU, Louis, sketch, 393. PERCY, Hugh, Duke of Northumberland, mentioned, 407. PERINAULT, Madam -, dressmaker, mentioned, 84. PERINAULT, Joseph, mentioned, 162-63; sketch, 160. PEROT, -, a mason, mentioned, 390. PERRAULT, Francois, sketch, 328. PERRAULT, Joseph Frangois, sketch, 328. PERRAULT, Louis Frangois, sketch, 328. PERRAULT (Perrot), Nicholas Louis, sketch, 328. PERREAULT, Mary Louisa, wife of Francis Le May dit Poudrier, mentioned, 400. PERTHUIS, Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Campau, mentioned, 400; sketch, 40, 183. PERTHUIS, Mary, wife of Vital Caron, mentioned, 385, 400. PERTHUIS, Pierre, mentioned, 40, 183. PETERS, Rev. Samuel, mentioned, 373. PETIAGER, defined, 238. PETIT, Margaret, wife of Pierre Levasseur dit Chaverlange, mentioned, 375. PHEGAN, -, church subscription, 303. PHYN, Capt. George, mentioned, 308. PHYN and Ellice, mentioned, 54; sketch, 163. PHYN, Ellice and Englis, mentioned, 478. PICHEGRU, Gen. Charles, French soldier, mentioned, 505, 536. PICHOUX, definition of, 236. PICOTi (Piquot6e), Francois Marie, see Bellestre, Francois Marie Picot6, Sieur de. PIERCE, Capt. Benjamin K., mentioned, 587. PIERCE, Franklin, mentioned, 587. PIGEON River, identified, 352. PILET, Jacques, sketch, 30; land granted to, 30. PILET, Magdelene, wife of Nicolas Langlois, mentioned, 377. PILET, Mary Catherine, wife of Pierre Charon, sketch, 327-28. PILOTE, Margaret, wife of Francis Lambert dit Champagne, mentioned, 368. PIMPARe, Charles, mentioned, 41. PIMPARE, Frances, wife of Bazile Marois, sketch, 41. PINANCHE, signs deed, 212. PINSONNEAU, Rosalie, wife of Claude Joseph Lefebvre, mentioned, 387. PITRE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 400. PITRE, Mary, wife of Charles Lesp6rance, sketch, 400. PITT, John, Earl of Chatham, lord of admiralty, 490. PITT, William, mentioned, 408, 423, 490. PLANTE, Sieur de la, see Leriger, Clement. 648 INDEX POINT Abino (Ebineau), identified, 353. POLAND, oppressed by Catherine the Great, 423; uprising of, 508-509, 526. POLLARD, Edward, sketch, 107. POLLARD, Richard, mentioned, 416-17, 420; sketch, 252; member of militia, 374. POMPEY, Askin's negro slave, mentioned, 55, 92, 94, 119, 124; sale of, 58-59. POND, Peter, mentioned, 500, 534. PONTIAC, uprising, effect on trade, 5; betrayal of plot, 47. PORTAGE River (Hell Creek), traders ascend, 345. PORTELLE, Don Thomas, mentioned, 268. PORTEOUS, John, mentioned, 178, 194, 208; sketch, 144. PORTER farm, site of Potawatomi village, 46. POST, Christian Frederick, mentioned, 218. POTAWATOMI, see Indians. POTHIER, --, mentioned, 279. POTIER, Father Pierre, mentioned, 210. POUDRIER, Francis Le May dit, see Le May, Francis, di4 Poudrier. POUPARD, Angelica, wife of Jean Baptiste Cicotte, mentioned, 375. POWELL, Lieut. -, mentioned, 510. POWELL, Major -, mentioned, 541. POWELL, Judge William Dummer, mentioned, 106-107, 300, 553-54, 615; appoints Fraser curator of Judah estate, 300; opinion of burglary, 410; sketch, 436; removal to Niagara, 520 -22; letters, 520-22, 527-28. PRATT, Capt. Robert, mentioned, 584. PRATTE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 290; signs as witness, 291. PRATTE, Joseph, mentioned, 290. PRESQU'Isle (Miseskanake), granted R6aume by Ottawa, 173-74. PREVOST, Sir George, mentioned, 249, 304. PRICE, Elizabeth, wife of Jean Fourneau dit Brindamour, mentioned, 195; sketch, 391. PRIVATEERS, French, activities of, 490. PROCTER, Gen. Henry A., mentioned, 249, 376; withdrawal from Detroit, 258. PROJEAN, Susanne, dit Prudhomme, wife of Jacques Menard, mentioned, 48. PROTHONOTARY, office of, 213. PROVEN;AL, Pierre Bourgeat dit, see Bourgeat, Pierre, dit Provengal. PROVISIONS, difficulty of getting, 71, 80, 83, 321; current prices, 74, 91, 94, 96, 98, 100, 114, 119, 124, 142, 151, 159, 164, 193, 204, 245, 321-22, 347-48, 356, 388, 459, 475, 481, 586; Indians supply corn, 75; for Mackinac garrison, 78-79, 81, 105, 120-22; rations for sailors, 92, 114; for farm lands, 248. PRUDHOMME, Amable Judith, wife of Etienne Jahan dit Laviolette, sketch, 370-71. PRUDHOMME, Francis Xavier, mentioned, 370. PRUDHOMME, Jean Baptiste I, dit Nantais, sketch, 370. PRUDHOMME, Jean Baptiste II, dit Nantais (Nonety), mentioned, 395; sketch, 370. PRUDHOMME, Susanne Projean dit, see Projean, Susanne, dit Prudhomme. PTOLOMt, Angelica, wife of Pierre Robert dit Lapierre-Lapomerais, mentioned, 33, 375. PUTELLE, Jane Susanne, wife of Jean Baptiste Ouellet, sketch, 419-20. PUTELLE, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 420. QUAKER, peace delegation, 195, 222, 258, 448, 475. QUEBEC, Bishopric of, established, 314. QUEBEC, Province of, petition for representative government, 144. QUEENSTON, founded 'by Robert Hamilton, 188. QUESNEL, James, mentioned, 257. QUESNEL, Mary Louisa, wife of Charles Bonaventure Drouillard, sketch, 257. QUINDRE, Louis CUsaire Dagneau de, sketch, 205-206. QUINDRE, Sieur de, see Douville, Michael Dagneau de, Sieur de Quindre. RACE course, location of, 233; windmill erected on, 449. RAISIN River massacre, 258. l t RAMSEY, Henry, sketch, 415. RANDALL, Robert, attempts to buy Michigan, 568-72. RANKIN, David, mentioned, 83, 109; sketch, 80; buys slave, 585-86. RANKIN, James, mentioned, 177. RANKIN, Therese, wife of John Lawe, mentioned, 80. RAPIN, Elizabeth, wife of Jean Drouillard, mentioned, 257; sketch, 183. RAPIN, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 183. REA, Alice, mother of Askin, mentioned, 5, 477. 649 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS REA, John, grandfather of Askin, mentioned, 5. REA, Richard, death of, 477. REAH (Rh6, Ray), Joseph, sketch, 268. REAL estate, price of, 169-70, 175, 184, 228, 369, 371, 543, 559. RAAUME, Agatha, mentioned, 67. REAUME, Bonaventure, mentioned, 377. REAUME, Capt. Charles, mentioned, 170, 418, 590; sketch, 249; debts of, 325-26, 331,333. RiAUME, Charlotte, wife of Jean Baptiste Langlois, sketch, 377. REAUME, Charlotte, wife of Pierre Charles Daneau de Muy, mentioned, 419. REAUME, Claude Thomas, sketch, 418 -19. REAUME, Henry, mentioned, 67. RfAUME, Hyacinthe, mentioned, 67, 197; sketch, 170. REiAUME, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 173, 232, 249, 318, 325, 331, 333, 418; sketch, 170. RAAUME, Joseph, sketch, 173-74; Indian land grant to, 173-74. RIAUME, Louis, mentioned, 46. REAUME, Marie Julie, wife of John Hay, mentioned, 170, 379, 446; sketch, 67, 82. REAUME, Mary, wife of Martin Nadeau, sketch, 318. REAUME, Pierre, mentioned, 61, 67, 292, 418; sketch, 170. RAAUME, Rene, sketch, 170. RAAUME, Susanne, wife of Jacques Baby dit Duperon, mentioned, 376, 392, 419, 559; sketch, 292. REAUME, Teresa Geneveva, wife of Jacques Parent, mentioned, 419. REAUME, Veronica, wife of Gabriel Legrand, mentioned, 419; sketch, 61. REEDER, Edwin, farm, location of, 233. REGINDEAU, Charlotte, dit Joachim, wife of Louis Villers dit St. Louis, sketch, 199. REGNAUT, Mathurine, wife of Jean Sabourin, mentioned, 62. RELIGION, see Church of England. RENAUD, Antoine, sketch, 320. RENAULT, Margaret Angelica, wife of Charles Cabasier, sketch, 197. RENT, of house, 520. REYNOLDS, -, mentioned, 482. REYNOLDS, T-, Jr., signs as witness, 369. REYNOLDS, Thomas, mentioned, 392; church subscription, 303; sketch, 308. RIBERGEAN, -, voyager, mentioned, 344. RICHARD, Father Gabriel, aids Pepin, 318. RICHARD, Mary Susanne, wife of Gilbert Parent, sketch, 418. RICHARDS, Miss —, wife of Col. Ebenezer Allen, mentioned, 559. RICHARDSON, Alexander, mentioned, 442. RICHARDSON, James, mentioned, 442. RICHARDSON, John, mentioned, 208. RICHARDSON, John, signs as witness, 330. RICHARDSON, Major John, mentioned, 442; sketch, 14-15. RICHARDSON, Dr. Robert, mentioned, 293; sketch, 14, 441-42; marriage, 462-63. RICHARDSON, William, marriage, 442. RICHMOND, Duke of, see Lennox, Charles. RIGAULT, Pierre Frangois, Marquis de Vaudreuil, mentioned, 328; sketch, 30. RIVARD, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 518; sketch, 49. RIVARD, Nicolas, dit Lavigne, sketch, 49. RIVARD, Rene Alexis, dit Loranger, sketch, 325. RIVARD, Robert, dit Loranger, sketch, 49, 325. RIVET, -, mentioned, 270. RIVET, Ann, wife of Rene Ouellet, sketch, 419. RoADs, provision for in feudal grant, 30. ROBERT, Anthony, mentioned, 293, 400. ROBERT, Mary Joseph, wife of Joseph Hunot, sketch, 327. ROBERT, Mary Louisa, wife of Jean Francis Peltier (first), and Jean Louis Campau (second), mentioned, 119; sketch, 33, 375. ROBERT, Mary Louisa, wife of Jean Baptiste Meloche, sketch, 400. ROBERT, Pierre, dit Lapierre-Lapomerais, mentioned, 33, 375. ROBERT, Regina Susanne, wife of Gregor McGregor, sketch, 293. ROBERTSON, Capt. Daniel, mentioned, 387. ROBERTSON, David, mentioned, 54, 208, 277, 479, 500; sketch, 367-68; signs as witness, 372; member of militia, 373; land speculation, 568-72; creditor of Askwith, 593-97, 604-606. ROBERTSON, Elizabeth Lucy, wife of Henry Ronalds, sketch, 208. ROBERTSON, Gen. James, sketch, 82. ROBERTSON, John, mentioned, 424, 504, 541. 650 INDEX ROBERTSON, Margaret, wife of Daniel Sutherland, sketch, 387-88. ROBERTSON, Captain Samuel, mentioned, 52, 69, 75, 80, 84, 86, 99-101, 114, 119, 128, 134, 137, 143, 188, 208, 367, 424; sketch, 14, 56; marriage, 68, 70, 77, 79. ROBERTSON, William I, mentioned, 14, 54, 253, 271, 275, 277, 310-11, 342, 347-48, 350, 374, 403, 426, 473-74, 478, 487, 492, 534; sketch, 208; arbitrator of dispute, 250-51; contract with Askin, 260-61; land transactions, 303, 568-72, 614; employs Heward, 339; member of militia, 367; letters, 407-10, 422-24, 452-53, 463-64, 471 -73, 489-91, 505-509, 524-27; goes to Detroit, 566; creditor of Askwith, 593 -97, 604-606. ROBERTSON, William II, mentioned, 424, 504, 541. ROBIDEAU, -, an engage, mentioned, 123, 141, 149. ROBIDOU, Mary Antoinette, wife of Pierre Serat dit Coquillard, sketch, 62. ROBIDOU, Stephen, mentioned, 257. ROCHE, —, mentioned, 158. ROCHE de Bout, location of, 270. ROCHEREAU, Josette, dit Lespdrance, wife of Benjamin Chaput, sketch, 169. ROCHEREAU, Veronica, dit Morisseau, wife of Denis Serre dit St. Jean, sketch, 316. ROE, Walter, mentioned, 392, 394, 585, 607; sketch, 108; signs document, 568. ROGERS, Margaret, wife of Aaron Greeley, sketch, 227-28. ROGERS, Major Robert, mentioned, 69, 227; partnership with Askin, 5, 43-44; captures Detroit, 31; sketch, 43. RoI (Roy), Amable, sketch, 127. ROMAIN, Jean, dit Sanscrainte, sketch, 324. ROMAIN, Jean Baptiste, dit Sanscrainte I, sketch, 324. ROMAIN, Jean Baptiste, dit Sanscrainte II, mentioned, 347; sketch, 324, 341; signs as witness, 325. Ross, David, mentioned, 314. RoucouR, Francois, mentioned, 379, 392. RoUcoUR, Geneveva, wife of Jean Francis Frerot, sketch, 381. ROULEAU, Charles, sketch, 458. ROULEAU, Gabriel, dit Sanssoucy, sketch, 458. RoussY, Jane, wife of Nicholas Peltier (first), and Pierre Maillet (second), sketch, 375. ROWE, Joseph, mentioned, 594. RoY, Mary Louisa, wife of Alexis Trotier dit Des Ruisseaux, sketch, 34. RoY, Mary Margaret, wife of Clement Leriger, Sieur de la Plante, mentioned, 590. RoY, Pierre, mentioned, 590. RULAND, Israel, mentioned, 582, 589, 607; sketch, 545; land speculation, 54548, 556-60, 578-80. RUM, used as currency, 254. RUTHERFORD, Capt. Walter, partner in fur trade, 47. RYLEY (Reyly), James Van Slyck, sketch, 327; member of militia, 377; letter, 591. RYLEY, John, sketch, 327. SABLE (du Sable, de Sable), Jean Baptiste Point, sketch, 356. SABOURIN, Frances, wife of Pierre Serat dit Coquillard, sketch, 62. SABOURIN, Jean, mentioned, 62. SAFFRAY, --, interpreter, mentioned, 269. SAGUINET (Saguinette), Charles, sketch, 118. SAGUINET (Saguinette), Joseph, sketch, 118. ST. AGNE, Mary Magdelene, dit Hogue, wife of Pierre La Mothe, sketch, 385. ST. ANDRA, Claude Landry dit, see Landry, Claude, dit St. Andre. ST. AUBIN, Adrian, sketch, 194-95. ST. AUBIN, Agathe Casse dit, see Casse, Agathe, dit St. Aubin. ST. AUBIN, Catherine Casse dit, see Casse, Catherine, dit St. Aubin. ST. AUBIN, Jacko Casse dit, see Casse, Jacko, dit St. Aubin. ST. AUBIN, Jean Casse dit, see Casse, Jean, dit St. Aubin. ST. AUBIN, Joseph, sketch, 194-95. ST. AUBIN, Pierre Casse dit, see Casse, Pierre, dit St. Aubin. ST. AUBIN, William Casse dit, see Casse, William, dit St. Aubin. ST. CIR (Cire), —, a guide, mentioned, 109, 111, 114, 124, 138. ST. CLAIR, Gen. Arthur, mentioned, 377, 408, 545, 561, 580. ST. CLAIR, William, signs document, 287; church subscription, 303. ST. CLAIR, William, and Company, mentioned, 252; sells slave, 286-87. 651 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS ST. CLAIR County, Mich., first white settler of, 229. ST. COSME, Amable, mentioned, 395; sketch, 380. ST. COSME, Elizabeth, wife of Augustin Lafoy; sketch, 380. ST. COSME, Mary Frances, wife of Jean Baptiste Pitre, mentioned, 400. ST. COSME, Pierre, sketch, 212. ST. COSME, Pierre Laurence, mentioned, 106, 307, 380; judge in Detroit, 61; sketch, 212. ST. COSME, Rose, wife of James May, sketch, 307. ST. COSME, Theotiste, wife of Philip Dejean, sketch, 106. ST. COSME, Stephen, sketch, 212. ST. CROIX, Miss -, wife of Samuel Abbott, mentioned, 304. STE. GENEVIEVE, location of, 289. ST. HONORE Street, Detroit, location of, 186. ST. JACQUES, Jacques Largeau dit, see Largeau, Jacques, dit St. Jacques. ST. JEAN, —, mentioned, 395. ST. JEAN, Andrew Serry dit, see Serr6, Andrew, dit St. Jean. ST. JEAN, Denis Serre dit, see Serra, Denis, dit St. Jean. ST. JEAN, Jean Martin dit, see Martin, Jean, dit St. Jean. ST. JEAN, Joseph Serr6 dit, see Serr6, Joseph, dit St. Jean. ST. JEAN, Magdelene Martin dit, see Martin, Magdelene, dit St. Jean. ST. JEAN Avenue, Detroit, named, 316. ST. JOHN, -, mentioned, 259. ST. JOHN'S Protestant Episcopal Church (Sandwich, Ont.), first rector of, 252. ST. JOSEPH, road from Detroit to, mentioned, 343. ST. JOSEPH Island, John Askin Jr., Indian interpreter for, 69. ST. Louis, Louis Villers dit, see Villers, Louis, dit St. Louis. ST. LUSSON, -, mentioned, 52, 177. ST. MARIE, Joseph, mentioned, 327. ST. MARTIN, Jacques Baudry dit Desbuttes dit, see Baudry, Jacques, dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin. ST. MARTIN, Mary Archange Baudry dit Desbuttes dit, see Baudry, Mary Archange, dit Desbuttes dit St. Martin. ST. MARTIN, Toussaint Anthony Adhemar dit, see Adh6mar, Toussaint Anthony, dit St. Martin. ST. MARTIN, Sieur de, see Adhemar, Anthony, Sieur de St. Martin. ST. MAURICE, Leonard Faucher dit, see Faucher, Leonard, dit St. Maurice. ST. ONGE, Mary, dit Chene, wife of Jacques Godfroy de Mauboeuf, mentioned, 36, 63; sketch, 34, 410. ST. ONGE, Pierre, dit Chene, sketch, 410. ST. PIERRE (St. Peter), -, first Milwaukee trader, mentioned, 52. ST. PIERRE,. Angelique Jusseaume dit, seeJusseaume, Angelique, dit St. Pierre. ST. VINCENT, George Beckwith, governor of, 313. SANDWICH, Ont., St. John's Church established, 252. SALIOT, Mary Angelica, wife of Joseph Lamirande, sketch, 339-40. SANFORD, -, mentioned, 585. SANGUINET, Joseph, mentioned, 162. SANSCHAGRIN, Alexis Sejournee dit, see Sejourn6e, Alexis, dit Sanschagrin. SANSCHAGRIN, Mary Angelica Sejourn6e dit, see Sejournee, Mary Angelica, dit Sanschagrin. SANSCRAINTE, Jean Romain dit, see Romain, Jean, dit Sanscrainte. SANSCRAINTE, Jean Baptiste Romain dit, see Romain, Jean Baptiste, dit Sanscrainte. SANSSOUCY, Gabriel Rouleau dit, see Rouleau, Gabriel, dit Sanssoucy. SARDINIA, participation in European war, 506. SARGENT, Winthrop, mentioned, 195. SAUCIER, Marie Louise, wife of Louis Beaufait, mentioned, 518. SAUMEREZ, Lieut. -, mentioned, 364. SAUNDERS, Alexander, church subscription, 303; sketch, 307. SAUVAGE, -, mentioned, 57. SAUVAGE, Catherine, wife of Charles Chene, sketch, 410. SAUVAGE, Jacques, mentioned, 410. SAUVAGE, Mary Ann, wife of Francis Lootman dit Barrois, mentioned, 37, 212. SAVOYARD, Teresa Berthelet dit, see Berthelet, Teresa, dit Savoyard. SAZEOT, Genevieve, wife of Anthony Adhemar, Sieur de St. Martin, sketch, 177. SCHALCH, John Augustus, sketch, 575. SCHIEFFELIN, Jacob, sketch, 316-17. SCHIEFFELIN, Jonathan, mentioned, 194, 273; church subscription, 303; sketch, 316-17; land speculation, 568-72. SCHINDLER, George, sketch, 586-87. SCHUYLER, Gen. Philip, mentioned, 312. 652 INDEX SCOT, Thomas, mentioned, 380. ScoTT, Capt. -, mentioned,51. SCOTT, William, mentioned, 386, 391; church subscription, 303; sketch, 304. SEGUIN, Cajetan, dit Laderoute, mentioned, 316. SEGUIN, Geneveva, dit Laderoute, wife of Jean Baptiste Marsac dit Panatchat, mentioned, 370; sketch, 368. SEGUIN, Joseph, dit Laderoute, mentioned, 368. SEGUIN, Mary Teresa, dit Laderoute, wife of Joseph Serre dit St. Jean, sketch, 316. SEJOURNEE, Alexis, dit Sanschagrin, mentioned, 55, 158, 183; sketch, 52. SEJOURNEE, Mary Angelica, dit Sanschagrin, wife of Jean Baptiste Cauchois (first), and Pierre Cardinal (second), sketch, 52, 158, 183. SELBY, Prideaux, mentioned, 381; sketch, 429; letter, 429. SENECAL, Joseph, partnership with Jacques Godfroy de Mauboeuf, 63. SENSEMAN, Gottlob, sketch, 221; letter, 218-22. SERAT, Francis, dit Coquillard, mentioned, 62. SERAT, Pierre I, dit Coquillard, sketch, 62. SERAT, Pierre II, dit Coquillard, sketch, 62. SERAT, Pierre III, dit Coquillard, sketch, 62. SERRA, Andrew, dit St. Jean, sketch, 316. SERRA, Denis, dit St. Jean, sketch, 316. SERRE, Joseph, dit St. Jean, mentioned, 518; sketch, 316. SETCHELSTIEL, George, complaint against Simon Girty, 385. SEVEN Years' War, mentioned, 272, 292, 516. SHARP, George, mentioned, 392, 427, 589; signs as witness, 209; sketch, 273; member of Miamis Co., 275, 327, 331-34; church subscription, 303; buys Forsyth Tavern, 307; member of militia, 366; signs as justice of peace, 373, 390, 395-96, 608. SHAWNEE, see Indians. SHEERS, William, signs as witness, 59. SHEPHERD, -, Jr., member of militia, 367. SHEPHERD, -, Sr., member of militia, 367. SHEPHERD (Sheppard), Thomas, mentioned, 275, 311; sketch, 207-208; church subscription, 303; member of Miamis Co., 325-34. SHEPHERD, William, mentioned, 208; sketch, 332; signs as witness, 334; member of militia, 374. SHIPPING, registry of boat, 483; by government, 523. See also trade. SIBLEY, Solomon, mentioned, 273, 545, 583. SICOTTE, see Cicotte. SIMARD, Magdelene, wife of Pierre Tremblay, mentioned, 482. SIMCOE, Gov. John Graves, mentioned, 210, 316, 426, 428, 462, 465-66, 476, 501, 583; sketch, 403; orders gunboats, 519-20; favors Indian barrier state, 521; orders blockhouse at Chatham, 522. SINCLAIR, Gov. Patrick, mentioned, 54, 77, 86, 159, 180, 204, 246, 401; enmity toward Askin, 7. SINTRE, Gabriel Louis Legrand, Sieur de, see Legrand, Gabriel Louis, Sieur de Sintre and Vicomte de Mortain. SLAVES, sale of, 58-59, 106, 284-88, 410 -11; trial of, 84, 410-11; pani defined, 98; among Indians, 98, 399-400; cost of, 119; laws in Upper Canada regarding, 476. SMITH, --, mentioned, 481. SMITH, Adam, mentioned, 493. SMITH, Catherine, wife of Charles Fortier, mentioned, 524. SMITH (Smyth), Charles, sketch, 373. SMITH, David W., mentioned, 462; sketch, 407; letters (election), 416-21, 424-25, 427-30 (legislative efforts), 434-38, 442-47, 476-77, 481-83, 556, 588. SMITH, Hugh, mentioned, 545. SMITH, John, sketch, 407, 441. SMITH, Mary, wife of Alexander Edgar, sketch, 70. SMITH, Thomas, church subscription, 303. SMITH, Thomas, mentioned, 241, 380, 386, 391, 524; sketch, 287-88; signs as witness, 296-97, 323, 325, 372; church subscription, 303; business relations with Askin, 457, 466-67, 484; letter, 466-67; creditor of Askwith, 593-97, 602-603. SNELLING, Col. Josiah, mentioned, 561. SOCIETY for the Propagation of the Gospel, mentioned, 311; appeal from Detroit, 301-302; sketch, 314. SOLO, Claude, mentioned, 324. 653 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS SOLO, Margaret, wife of Jean Baptiste Romain dit Sanscrainte, sketch, 324, 341. SOLOMON, Ezekiel, mentioned, 142; sketch, 139. SON of Miskisabet, signs deed, 212. SOUDEMER, Mary, wife of Vincent Gosselin, mentioned, 195. SOULARD, James G., mentioned, 561. SOULINIER, Elias, mentioned, 41. SOULINIER, Mary, wife of Jean Le Duc, sketch, 41. SOUMANDE (Soumonde), Anthony, sketch, 169. SOUMANDE, Mary Louisa, dit Delorme, wife of William Monforton, mentioned, 169; sketch, 107. SOUMANDE, Pierre, sketch, 169. SOURICEAU, Gabrielle, wife of Luke Beaufait, sketch, 518. SOUTH West Company, mentioned, 273, 278. SPAIN, participation in European war, 506-507. SPARKMAN, John, mentioned, 380, 394; church subscription, 303; sketch, 308. SPENCER, Oliver, captivity of, 332. STANIFORD, Elizabeth, laundress, mentioned, 51. STEDMAN (Steadman), John, mentioned, 126, 308; sketch, 108. STEDMAN, Suzanna, wife of John Sparkman, sketch, 308. STEELE, Abraham, business partner of Askin, 5. STERLING, James, mentioned, 56, 325; sketch, 47; receipt for feudal dues, 46 -47; business relations with Askin, 70 -73, 76, 80-81, 91-92, 103-104, 108-10, 137; sells farm, 185. STEVENS, James, mentioned, 411. STEVENS, John, letter, 411-12. STEVENS, Robert, mentioned, 480-81; church subscription, 303; sketch, 306 -307, 411-12; signs as witness, 330, 411; member of militia, 367, 374. STEWART, Alexander, creditor of Askin,45. STOCK-RAISING, at Mackinac, 54-58. STOCKWELL, John, sketch, 415; complaint against, 415. STRABANE, Askin's birthplace, 4; name of Askin's Canadian home, 10. STRAIGHT, —, deserts from navy, 383 -84. STRAITS of Lake Erie, name for Detroit River, 27-28. STRONG, Col. David, mentioned, 379, 545. STROUDING, defined, 152. STUART, Prince Charles Edward, mentioned, 293. STUYVESANT, Gov. Peter, mentioned, 327. SURNAMES, origin in New France, 20. SURVEYING, fee for, 230. SUTHERLAND, Daniel, sketch, 387-88; agent for North West Co., 387-89; part-owner of Athabaska, 483-84. SUTHERLAND and Grant, mentioned, 387. SUZOR, Geneveva, wife of Joseph Reaume sketch, 174. SUZOR, Louis, mentioned, 174. SWAN, James, sketch, 375. SWAN Creek, located, 586. SYME, James, partner of Sterling in fur trade, 47. TACAMANBINACOUAI, Teresa, wife of Jean Baptiste Marsac dit Panatchat, mentioned, 368. TARDY, Mary, wife of James Levry, sketch, 371. TAREAU, Mary Angelica, wife of Alexis Sejourne'e dit Sanschagrin, mentioned, 158, 183; sketch, 52. TAUPINE, Sieur de la, see Moreau, Pierre, Sieur de la Taupine. TAXES, territorial paid by Askin, 230; tavern license, 395-96; in England, 406; proposed by Smith, 435-36, 438, 443. See also feudalism. TAYLOR, -, husband of Eliza Wilkinson, mentioned, 542. TEMPLETON, Oliver, creditor of Askin, 45. TENBROOK, Miss —, wife of George Forsyth, 308. TESSIER, Jean Baptiste, mentioned, 197. TESTARD, Jean Baptiste Philip, sketch, 379. TESTARD, Pierre Jean Baptiste, Sieur de Montigny de Louvigny, mentioned, 394; sketch, 379-80. THAMES River, see Tranche, River la. THEAKIKIE River, see Kankakee River. THEBEAU, -, mentioned, 193. THEBEAU, -, mentioned, 395. THIBAULT, Francis Robert, sketch, 367. THIBAULT, Joseph, sketch, 377. THIBAULT (Thebeault), Joseph, mentioned, 377; trading-house of, 344, 346; sketch, 347-48. THIBAULT (Thibeault), Joseph Louis, sketch, 377. THIBAULT, Lambert, mentioned, 377. THIBAULT, Prosper, sketch, 376. 654 INDEX THIERRY (Thercy), Pierre, sketch, 159. THIMOTEE, wife of Jean Baptiste Marcot, mentioned, 587. THOMPSON, James, mentioned, 193. TODD, Isaac, mentioned, 6, 364, 375, 408, 475, 478, 492, 505, 534; partnership with McGill, 73; sketch, 79; claim to Moravian lands, 227; signs as witness, 261; letters, 425-26, 473-74, 500-503, 566, 586-87, 592-93. See also Todd and McGill, North West Co., McGill's letters, Askin's business relations with Todd and McGill. TODD and McGill, mentioned, 82, 134, 138, 262, 509; agents of Hamilton and Cartwright, 191; sell race course, 233; lease mill to Pepin, 318; reorganization of, 402. See also Askin's business relations with Todd and McGill and North West Co., letters of McGill and of Todd. TONTY, Alphonse de, mentioned,34, 555. TOON, -, death of, 55. TOOSEY, Rev. Philip, sketch, 314. TOULON, fall of, 489. TOURANGEAU, Regina Angelica Guillet dit, see Guillet, Regina Angelica, dit Tourangeau. TOUSSAINT, —, mentioned, 129. TRACY, —, mentioned, 238. TRADE, mentioned, 70-71, 76, 145, 217 -18, 298-99; customs of, 8-9, 487-88; opening of navigation, 72; difficulties of government control, 74, 80, 82, 84 -86, 90, 95, 99-101, 104-105, 108-12, 133, 154, 159-60, 278; early routes, 75, 101; keeping accounts, 119; freight rates, 119, 145, 163; license for, 149; payment of debts, 149-50, 235-37, 273-79, 300-301, 325-30; arbitration of disputes, 154, 289-91; contracts for partnership, 188-92, 260-61, 295-97; conditions of, 200-202, 251-59, 321-22, 426, 457-61, 472-76, 482, 500-503, 585-87; commission allowed, 269; contract for supplies, 387-89; regulations for, 465-66. TRANCHE, River la (Thames), located, 416. TRAVEL, in America, 541. TREATY of Ghent, mentioned, 2. TREATY of Greenville, terms of, 565-66. TREATY of Paris, terms of, 1. TREMBLAY, dispute among heirs, 316-17. TREMBLAY, Agnes, wife of Jean Baptiste Duprat, sketch, 482. TREMBLAY, Ambrose, mentioned, 317; sketch, 194. TREMBLAY, Augustin, mentioned, 317; sketch, 194. TREMBLAY, Mary Genevieve, mentioned, 316. TREMBLAY, Mary Teresa, wife of Joseph Seguin dit Laderoute, mentioned, 368. TREMBLAY, Michael, sketch, 194. TREMBLAY (Tremble, Trambell), Montague, account with Sarah Ainse, 193; sketch, 194; trade arbitration, 207-10. TREMBLAY, Pierre I, sketch, 194. TREMBLAY, Pierre II, mentioned, 317, 482; sketch, 194. TREMBLAY, Regina Christina, wife of Pierre Huyet dit Champagne, sketch, 317. TROTIER, Alexis, dit Des Ruisseaux, sketch, 34. TROTIER, Antoine, Sieur Des Ruisseaux, sketch, 34, 401. TROTIER, Catherine, dit Beaubien, wife of Jean Cuillerier, mentioned, 379; sketch, 34. TROTIER, Charlotte, dit Des Rivieres, wife of Jean Baptiste Philip Testard, sketch, 379. TROTIER, Francis Xavier, dit Bellecour (Frangois Desruisseaux Bellecour), mentioned, 379; sketch, 401; signs as notary, 448-49. TROTIER, Joseph Amable, dit Des Rivieres, mentioned, 73. TROTIER, Julian, sketch, 34. TROTIER, Julius, sketch, 34, 379. TROTIER, Mary Catherine, wife of Francois Marie Picot6 de Bellestre, mentioned, 205. TUCKER, William, sketch, 239. TURNBULL, Capt. George, mentioned, 50, 70, 106. TURNER, Elizabeth, wife of Alexander McCormick, sketch, 210. TURNER, George, mentioned, 580. TURNER, John I, buys and sells a slave, 284-86. TURNER, John II, signs as witness, 285. UNDERSTON, Capt. James, mentioned, 246; sketch, 239. UNITED States, settlers disturb Indian trade, 271, 278; treaty negotiations with Indians, 475, 480; occupation of Northwest, 488, 491; boundary disputes, 502, 508, 521-22, 524; ratification of Indian grants and sales, 546 -47, 556-60, 578-82; citizenship in, 580 -81; occupation of Detroit, 614-15. 655 BURTON HISTORICAL RECORDS UPPER Canada, districts of, 330-31; Simcoe as first lieutenant-governor, 403; first legal execution in, 410; election in, 416-21, 424-25, 427-30; capital of, 447; proposed laws for, 476-77. URQUHART, John, signs as witness, 287; church subscription, 303. VALLE, Catherine, dit Versailles, wife of Jean Baptiste Peltier (first), and Pierre Bourgeat dit Provengal (second), sketch, 391. VALLE, Jean Baptiste, sketch, 290. VALLE, Don Francisco I, sketch, 290. VALLE, Don Francisco II, sketch, 290; signs as witness, 291. VALLE, Mary Louise, wife of Frangois Leclerc, sketch, 290. VALLET, Mathurine, wife of Jean Baptiste Halay, mentioned, 387. VAN ALLEN, Miss -, wife of Jean B. Askin, mentioned, 69. VANIER, Ann, wife of Julian Leblanc, mentioned, 324. VAN SCHAICK, Goose, signs as witness, 58. VAN SLYCK, Cornelis Antonissen, sketch, 327. VATTAS, Capt. John, sketch, 50. VAUDREUIL, Marquis de, see Rigault, Pierre Francois. VARNUM, Jacob, mentioned, 304. VENDOME, Duke of, see Bourbon. VERMILLION River, identified, 358. VERSAILLES, Catherine Valle dit, see Vall6, Catherine, dit Versailles. VERVILLE, Charles Gautier de, sketch, 136. VIAU, Jane, wife of Claude Frerot, mentioned, 381. VIAU, Mary Magdelene, wife of Nicholas Charon, sketch, 327-28. VIEN, Catherine Jean dit, see Jean, Catherine, dit Vien. VIEN, Ignace Jean dit, see Jean, Ignace, dit Vien. 'VIEN, Mary Magdelene, wife of Mathurin Gouin, sketch, 326. VIGER, Joseph Paschal, mentioned, 197. VIGO (Vigoe, Viego), Francis, mentioned, 185, 252, 279, 320; business relations with Askin, 226-27, 549-50; sketch, 227; visits Detroit, 253; indebtedness to Heward, 277; agent for Miamis Co., 275, 328-29. VILDAIGRE, Jacques Perau dit, see Perau, Jacques, dit Vildaigre. VILLERS, Louis, dit St. Louis I, sketch, 199. VILLERS, Louis, dit St. Louis II, sketch, 199. VILLIER, Mary Ann Coulon de, wife of Ignatius Aubert de Gasp6, mentioned, 524. VIOLIN, price of, 142. VISGER, John, partnership with Graverat, 309. VISGER, Mary Frances, wife of Claude Hautrage, mentioned, 385. VOYER (Voyez), Joseph, mentioned, 395; member of militia, 366; sketch, 379. VOYER, Pierre, sketch, 379. VOYTURE, defined, 75. WABESINQUA, signs deed, 325. WAGES, mentioned, 114; of an engage, 51-52, 55, 202; of a clerk, 71, 367, 608; of a guide, 103; of a carpenter, 141; of a lake captain, 176; of a trader, 296; of a sailor, 448; of a cooper, 502. WALES, Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of, mentioned, 575. WALKER, Gov. William, mentioned, 257. WALLACE, John, mentioned, 275; church subscription, 303; member of Sharp and Wallace, 333; member of militia, 366. WAR of 1812, Askin in, 11-12; John Askin Jr. in, 69. WARFFE, Richard, signs as witness, 285. WARREN, John, mentioned, 583, 587; sketch, 584. WASHINGTON, George, mentioned, 582. WAWEYAGHTIN, signs deed, 175. WAYNE, Gen. Anthony, mentioned, 257, 273, 301, 305, 332, 373, 415, 509, 551, 561, 581; at Greenville Council, 69, 562-65, 579-80. WELCH, Ann, signs document, 595. WELCH (Welsh), John, mentioned, 386, 391; church subscription, 303. WELLINGTON, Eunice, wife of Thomas Hunt, sketch, 561. WELSH, Mrs. -, mentioned, 614. WESTERN District, Upper Canada, created, 331. WESTON, Amos, mentioned, 240, 244; sketch, 237. WESTON, Samuel, suit against, 401-402. WHEATON (Whitten), John, mentioned, 379, 386; church subscription, 303; signs document, 390, 393. WHIPPLE, John, fined, 173. WHISKY Rebellion, mentioned, 213, 582. 656 INDEX WHISTLER, Capt. John, mentioned, 304. WHISTLER, Sarah, wife of James Abbott, mentioned, 304. WHISTLER, Col. William, mentioned, 304. WHITE, David, sketch, 195; church subscription, 303. WHITEHEAD, John, mentioned, 391. WHITNEY, Charles, land speculation, 568-72. WILEY, Ann, sentenced for robbery, 106. WILKINSON, Capt. -, mentioned, 290. WILKINSON, Capt. -, mentioned, 542. WILKINSON, Eliza, wife of - Taylor (first), and Thomas Dickson (second), sketch, 542. WILKINSON, Gen. James, mentioned, 316. WILLIAM, Fort, origin of name, 74, 534. WILLIAMS, Justice -, mentioned, 217. WILLIAMS, Isaac, sketch, 258. WILLIAMS, John R., sketch, 169. WILLIAMS, Nathan, mentioned, 204, 379, 382, 555; sketch, 195; church subscription, 303; member of militia, 367. WILLIAMS, Peter, mentioned, 555. WILLIAMS, Thomas, mentioned, 193, 195, 300; sketch, 169; signs as notary and recorder, 171-74, 177, 182, 185, 187, 197, 199-200; sells land to Laughton, 175-76, 232; granted land by Potawatomi, 176-77; estate of, 185; arbitration of dispute, 207-10. WILSON, Sarah, see Ainse, Sarah. WILSON, William, signs as witness, 45. WINDEGO, signs deed, 175. WITHERELL,JudgeJames, mentioned, 374. WOLFE, Gen. James, mentioned, 72, 83. WOODBRIDGE farm, granted to Francis Lootman dit Barrois, 37. WOODWARD, Judge Augustus B., mentioned, 374; connection with plan of Detroit, 278. WRIGHT, Richard, sketch, 176-77; signs as witness, 185. WRIGHT, Therese, wife of Robert Nichol (first), and Capt. - Boyd (second), sketch, 324, 461. WRIGHT, Dr. Thomas, mentioned, 324; sketch, 461. YAX, Mary Catherine, wife of Jean Baptiste Rivard, sketch, 49. YAX, Michael, mentioned, 49. YORK, Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherine, Duchess of, sketch, 406. YORK, Frederick Augustus, Duke of, mentioned, 413, 526; sketch, 406; participation in European war, 505 -506. YOUNG, Hamilton, mentioned, 44-45. YOUNG (Jung), Michael, letter, 218-22; sketch, 221. YOUNGLOVE, Ezra, mentioned, 269. YOUNGMAN, John George, letter, 218 -22; sketch, 221. YPSILANTI, trading-house on site of, 347. YVORY, Catherine, wife of Anthony Dionne, mentioned, 604. ZEISBERGER, David, mentioned, 231, 239, 244-46; sketch, 217; letters, 218 -22, 224, 262-63. 657 I UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 1 11 Illlll i I Il9 I IIIII III IIIII Il lll ii 3 9015 00839 6957 DO NOT REMOVE OR MUTILATE CARD 0 1 0 0 m M I m I