UNIVERSITY OP CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES W~^t "^-vi^ ^ . L DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, THE THREE GREAT EUROPEAN POWER*. SPAIN, FRANCE, AND GREAT BRITAIN, THE SUBSEQUENT OCCUPATION, SETTLEMENT, AND EXTENSION OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT BY THE IN IT ED STATES, I'NTIL THE YEAR IS 10. J O II N W. M O N E T T E. M.D. I N T \V o V O I. U M E S. VOL. I. H A u [> i: u ,v i; RUTH i: n s. i> r i: 1. 1 s n K R s. - _' C L I F I' STR K KT, .N II \V Vd K K. 1 S 1 (. ' itrn Li iliiL' t-i Act ut' < 'mi ;.!-.- in lllc \ r;i! i 1 i)y I i \i, I'LL i\ i'.;i 'Tii 1:1;-, 111 ( ,-r! '- I Mill ( nf'tlll- S .'"' ,:!! I I'.-'!' '. ,,!' \ -W \ 3 0> 1' I! ! F ,\ (' K. k Tin: records of the first Kuroiiean colonies in the Vallev oi the Mississippi iirc distributed sparsely throii'j-li tin- archive^ <>t' fbrei'jn irovernments. ;iiid arc 1" IK- litiiinl published only in fragments and hastv sketches, interspersed throiiirh nnscella- neoio \vorks and periodicals, s< * that a connected and concise account of tlieir rise and progress is not accessible to those who desire to trace their history. In like manner, the early records of the Anirlo-American settlements west of the Allc- ilhany .Mountains, and their extension over the Valley of the Mississippi, arc conrealed chieily amoir_r the archives of the several states and territories, or aniouLf the voluminous docu- ments of the l-'ederal government, thus ]>!aciu-_: ;my connected account of these infant colonies eqvully b< y;ii(l the rea<-h of (omiiioii research. Other (raiments. piM'taiiiiiiT to the ear!v histoi'v i.il the westi'rn settlements, are iMiveloped in private me- moirs, narratives of individual observers loosely compiled, and rneritiir.: but --lender claims to the confidence of the discern- inLT reader. Hence that j'Oi'tioii of the reading public who ai~e desirous o) tracing the true historv o| past events ;n the rise and pro-j 1 - ress of the new states in the Valley of the Ml-- ssippi, free Iroin the '.'losses and episodes o! visiiinnrv wi'itcrs, arc ex- cluded Iroiti a.ny concise and connected hislorv o; tin' \vhol.- \\e-l. \vh;ch discloses coi-recl.lv the hro-j- ress;\ c c!i;ui'., r es, and notes the order in the chain of events, in tlieir advance from isolated, leeble trontier c lonies. to populous, xvi'althy, and en- li'j-hteiied states. TO supply this '/ >/'/ rnliini. and to present a concise and comprehensive detail, a complete but condensed narrative of American coloui/atioii west of the Alle^h-inies }< the objec' o! the present Work. In th:s undertakin'.r, the author ha-^ en- dea\ored to connect the history ot the I'reiich and Spanish colonies, \\h:ch have Irid then' imjiortant agency in the de-fi- ny of i he American Kepuhlic. with those of the A irjlo-. \tncri- can< in their advance upon the tributaries of the ( )hio Uiver. IV PRKTACE. The Mending of these three great branches of European cmi- irration in North America has resulted in the formation oi a irreat ami powerful Republic, the wonder, if not the admira- tion, of the civih/ed \vorld. teeming with an enterprising and ever-active population, proud of their origin from the three great nations that have successively held dominion in the Western World. The advance of the Anglo-American population into the Valley of the Mississippi, its union with Clallic and Spanish colonies, the concurrent extension of Republican government over the subjects of absolute monarchies, and its benign influ- ence upon the moral character and enlightened enterprise of mankind, afford a subject worthy the profound attention of the philosopher and the statesman. They present a new phenom- enon in the science of human government, as to the develop- ment of human capabilities, when untrammeled by arbitrary power, and left free to the exercise of its own energies, under the fostering care of a free and liberal system ol government. They exhibit the speedy and progressive conversion of a sav- aire wilderness into a populous and highly-civilized country, inhabited by a people who have made all nature tributary to their aggrandizement as a nation, and in the promotion of do- mestic independence and social wealth, by the extension of navigation and commerce, and by the perfection of arts and sciences throughout the magnificent regions of central Xorth America. Such a result, heretofore, has been the work of manv aires; and hence the early records ol the rise and progress of most nations known to history have been lost in the uncertain ma/es of tradition, until arms and commerce, arts and sciences, after the lapse ol' centuries, had given them renown and history. It has 7 been left to the West, to furnish the history of ;i new He- public, to present to the world the novel spectacle of nation formed by people coniinir from various portions irlobe. diflering in manners, language, politics, and reliiri settling down quietly together, forming governments, c lions, and laws, without bloodshed, violence, conquest. ' sion, and coalescing into one uniform, harmonious, and pros- perous people. \ever was there an experiment ol greater moral grandeur, a more sublime spectacle of the harmonious development of the moral and political energies ol a people FKEFACi:. V left free to the unrestrained operation of enlightened public opinion, the great regulator of their forms of government, laws, and religion. The history of the early pioneers of the West is full of thrill- ing interest and incident connected with their stru^les for the O O occupancy of this great and fertile region, which they have left as a rich inheritance to their posterity. The only requital they ask at our hands is the gratitude with which their names and their virtues are cherished by their posterity, and the fidel- ity with which they are transmitted, as models of enterprise and perseverance, to future ages. The last participants in the great drama of western civiliza- tion will soon have passed from the stage of action; and the only voice heard in their praise, the only tribute of gratitude and ad- miration for their merits, will be the impartial records of' his- tory, which should embalm their deeds of valor, their patient endurance, and their active virtues in the grateful remem- brance of posterity. The general tenor of this history is to trace the gradual and steady advance of the European colonies and settlements by their various routes into the central part oi \orth America, and the progressive extension of the Anglo-American population and Republican government throughout the great Valley of the Mississippi and the southwest: to illustrate the progressive changes, and the rapid advance of population and civil irovern- ment. from the rude and half-civilized pioneer up to flourishing cities and powerful states, extending over regions which a tew years previously bad been savage solitudes. The plan of the work is simple, and Arrows out of the ordei it: which the different colonies advanced in the occupation oi the regions now comprised in the I'nited States. The Sjiu ni/inls were the first exploring pioneers in the \ alley oi' the Mississippi, and then- early explorations and settlements furnish the subject of the /'Y/'.s'/ ttuok, or " Marly Spanish Mx- pioratH >n<." The l''i-''nch were the first, peaceful explorers and permanent colonists who occupied and settled the banks of the M i^sissippi River, subsequent to the hostile explorations oi the Spaniards. The French colonies and explorations the re tore furnish the sub- ject of the Second Jt'/i'k. or "France in the Valley <>i the Mis- sissippi. 1 ' liival Britain, the jealous n\al o| FranotMU'Xt e Mended her colonies into liic \\r--ltTii c' iiint rv, encroaching upon ihe dis- coveries and po>ions i>i France, until linally, hv lorce o| ; -rui-. she expelled the French power Irom ('anada and the Mississippi, .-Mid appropriated to her o\\ n use I lie \\ h< 'le eastern halt'i'l' llu 1 valley, including the Fl< >ridas. The prnirress <>i' her ci'lmiies west nf ihe Alleirlianii'S, hei 1 tiei'i'i 1 contests with the French and their savaire allies, and her suh.-eijiient occupancy of the ci mntry. l'uruis!i the suhjei'ts < >1 the Third Honk. <>r "tii-eat Pmtaiu in the N'alley." At the dismeiiihernient <>[ I.nuisiaiia in 170.'}, while tireat Britain had secured the eastern portion ot ihe pro\inc(\ except. the Island ot ,\e\v Orleans, Spain had acquired all the western portion, including: that island. Thus was Louisiana divided be- tween Spain and (ireat Untaiii. Spain held dominion over the western portion o| Louisiana and the Island ot ?Se\v Orleans', together with the Floridas, subseijueiit to 17S1. until the close ot the vear IMI.'J. \\hen the Spanish dominion ceased in Loui- siana. The acquisition, the occupancy, and the exercise o! Spanish authority over this extensive province, until the iinal tenni nation oft he Spanish dominion on the Mississippi, furnish the subjects of the Fnurlh Hunk, or "Spain in the Vallev." Meantime, the I mted Slates" on the Atlantic coast hav- ing declared their independence, \\hich \\as reco^mxed bv tireat Dntain at the c!i se o| the Revolutionary war, succeeded to the territory claimed b\ (Ireat IJntain cast oi ihe .Mi>s;s'ip- - tar si ail ti as the IT iper limits o| |''|orida. The I Slates elaimed dominion, and continued to extend civil >n in the t'oi-matioii of new states west o| the Allci M- ntains. 'gradual I \ displacing the native sa\a;j'e- !roi;i the oiini . rasl of the Mis>issippi. and linalK. bv tiv; :\ ne^oila.- i - i e Spanish ; in ivinccs ea>t Mi-i- ppi. a.- far :- the K ,, del \ofte of Me\ic,,. ' I ' i 1 1 e \ t e n > i o 1 1 1 1 1 - e 1 1 e 1 1 e 1 1 1 - , the establishment ' . ' , ' ' ! i' >n. the wa rs ai ! lerr1or\' and I ' . i ' ' ill u re. ma nu lac "tent influence o| litnte the >lili',.'.M- i-ompi ed in I he /'///// /)'".(. 'i'. " The 1 led S' t. ill the V; ev o| tin- \I i>sissippi." ^ " the . i ,..,',. \\ ,,;,." sented t<> the American public. FIT i!> completion and pei- fection. so tar as the nature and extent of the plan will ;ulni;t. ajid its faithful adherence to truth and arrurarv. the author has spared neither labor nor expense, and lit 1 throws himself upon the irenerons approbation of the American people tor the first systematic' arrangement of this portion of the history of the I 'nited States. C N T E N T S F V O L. I. BOOK I. L'ARLY EXPLORATIONS OF TIIK SPANIARDS IX Till; VALLF.Y OF THI-: MISSISSIPPI. CHAPTER I. FIRST SPANISH DISCOVERIES IX FLORIDA. A.D. 1512 TO 15,'JS. Argument. The former undefined Extent of Florida. Spirit of Enterprise nnil Dis- covery awakened in Europe by Spanish Conquests in the West Indies, Mexiro. and 1'eru. The romantic and unfortunate Expedition of Ponce de Leon into Kast Flor- ida. The Expedition and Disasters of Yasquez de Ayllon; his Avarice. Cruelty, and Death. The disastrous Expedition of Pamphilo de Narvaez. Preparations for the. trreat and chivalrous Expedition, under Hernando de Soto, for the Conquest of Flor- ida. The Nature and Extent of this Enterprise. De Soto's eommandinLr Person and Influence. The Expedition sails from Spain for the "West Indies. Other Ar- rangements and Preparations completed. The Expedition sails from Havana, and arrives at the Bay of Espiritu Santo late in May, 1039, A.D. A Synopsis of the Marches, Disasters, and Fate of the Expedition Page 1 CHAPTER II. INVASION OF FLORIDA BY IIKRNANDO DK SOTO. A.D. 1539 TO 15-10. Argument. The Spanish Expedition at the Bay of Mspiritu Santo. Disasters com mence. De Soto invades the Territory of Hirhiliiirua. Invades the Territories i>( Acuera; of Ocali ; of Yitachueo. Invades Osachile ; the Cacique's Castle upon a fortified Mound. Invasion of Appalaoho. The Expedition winters in Aj'linlai'hi' 1 . Various Incidents while here. The Expedition marches in the SpMn<_' toward "Western Georgia. Invasion of the Territories of Copaii. Capture el' the Cacique. His Person and Character. His miraculous Escape. Invasion .'f the Territory of Cofuehiqui. De Solo's Disappointment at the Poverty of the Natives. Captures a U'leen He-ent. Detains her as a Ho.-t:e_'e, and carries lier \Ve-tward in liis March. She i-llccts her Escape near the eastern Limits of the Chornkee Country.- The Kx- pedilion upon the Seurcesof the Chattahi.nohy Uiver. Arrives on the head Waters of the Coosa River . Ifi CIIAPTHK JII. TIII-: SPANISH i;\i'i:i)iTi)\ KAST <>i' THI: MISSISSHTI. A.D. 15-10 TO ]5H. AI'"H nii"iil. De Soto marches de\vn tl 1 -' < ''>osa Hiver. The Kin_ r . or Cacique, of C'osn. De Snto enters the Ternt'>r. "f Tnscaluxa. Nohle Person and lol'tv Hearing of Tiiscalux.a. - Fie is invei-.led .''''" ]' Solo's Train. --The Army marches throu-li tlie, Doinini'ins ul' Tiiscaln/.a. - '1'lie captive KJIILT is impntient and indignant at his De- teiitinn. l{es,,!ves to si-cure l,i- l. ; !'erty or die. --- Heaches Maiivile with the Armv. De Sdtc. appreli.Mids Danger fr'in the Native Warriors. The severe a-,d .lisas Irons Battle of Mamile. Indian I'.mraire and Despc-rat ion. Deplorable Condition of the Spanish Army after the Battle. De Soto resolves to advance to the North- foNTKNTS. west Cross stlu- 'I ' r River in the Faeei.f an Indian Army . Passes the Head Wat rs ..; ; - i; . Knters [lie ('hiekasa Cuimtry. T:iki-s Possession of a. .. T .vn t..r his \VinteMjiiarlers. Tin- i:iv;it Ban;.- :imi ConilaL-ratioii of I'i -i ili-.ii; I. . lo Cn.sshii.r-placo .......... L':/ - C1IAPTK11 IV. ".'in: .--i'. \\isn i:\i'i:iHT[(iv \VKST or r nn: .Mississii' ro 1;">1:{. InriDii: 'if, ]>< Sdo nrriv.-s upon tin- Hanks nf \Viiiti.- li ivt-r. Iiu-'ulciits ninl Hcli-imis Ci-ri-iiiniiii-s !>. S itiijuiiis iin lihii;i i Km-- in :i ImstiK- l'".xpi'ilil ii m. --M:n-r|i.-s will) him N"iirllu-:ist to tin Missis- [L-li-na. Arrivi-s ;it tin: Tnwn uf l':i] Pr.-s-'iit licuiaiii.s nl' Cupalm. - !!< r.-turns tn \\'liiti- Hiver, and tin-nee n-siiin.-s Iiis Msirrh tn tin \\"t-st U'inters hiL'h uji tlie ArkiiiisRs in a culil Latitude and Uis:i>tiTS thc-re. ..... lieinni-; to tin- Mis^is-i].|ii in the Spring. Disasters li multiply. He determines to leavi- tlie Couutn l>y ili-si't-mliiii! tlie Ltiver. New II ns- tiliti.-s liy tin- Native--. Ditlieulties increase, nnd J'erplexities prey upon tin- iron Soul of IK- S itu. Hu siekous and dies. Atleetin- Seene before his Heath. - lie is Mississippi, nearthe Mouth of the Arkansas. His 1 Louis de M.iseoso suci-eeds to the ( 'ommand. He niaivhrs Westward in.sean-li.il the Mexi.-;.n Settlements. His t'ruitli-ss Search.-- Iteturns to the Mississippi Spends the \Vinter and SpriiiL' in I'rt-jiarat ions Tor a Departure dn'.vn t'he li i\ <-r. - Ciimiiii.-iicea iin_- Hri-'iintiiies for deseeiidinir the Kivcr. lie is L'renth annoyed h\ hostile In- l'i riious Deseent of the liiver in liats ami l{ri-:intines.- Dan-jerous X'oyai.'.- in the Unit' ol' Mexieo. -The Remnant of ihu Kxin.-ditii.ni reach the Spanish Settle- :iui:ts ft Mi xi. Hi :: '' ' S|i mi-h Mi--i< us and Sell Its L linrj en the I . K. ., I ,.f the 1. " Fr, ch i ' HP, in . : !'.. ; ( ami; na" Imil - .1 the St. Mar I'.tei | rnl.iny.-1 y 1! : . i; I.- M idex is s the Spanish Ci I I'n>, inrr. Ci.!ii^in:i \\iiii (iuv.'nmr Call. a-. '. T! " \\;:-\ I i -ad" nl' T.-rrilurial ( J.i\ I'miin'iit iir_-iihixrd in I-,",'. I,li:: l".-.-\ ia ia ,-:!. -Tli y,l i.' sn-Miid (iradi- iir_-;i;ii/.-d in l-,v. . \dvain-i- nl' wliit' !' pula l:-iii -I'.til !-::'.. I!u>li',ili"sli\-|ln'.Mii'!i'isukii' Imiiaiis. NHUtary .M.iv.-:n -nts aiid t ;i .'ati,-!,<. - -H'.n-ilii.' Massai-n; ! !.St at.' Cull- stiliitimi liirniei!. Tlii; State ut' Flnrida aduiiltfil into the L'nioii in 1 - i". . Pa^-.j i'."i 15 O OK II. FRANC t; !\ r nn: VALI,I;V OF Tin; MISSISSIPP ('IIAI'TI-.K I. '(,/,'. Fir.-t Atii'iiij-t i.|' I'Vi-n-l! Coin-, ixaii. in in C'anada. First s'ir. --:':! S.'ti! iii'-ut !>y I'liiiiMjilain in MM-. His Kxpli.rations on tin- St. I.uu ivmv m.il Lakes. laiiaii Ailiaui'.-s a_-ainst tli,' Iroiju. is. Advanrr oi' < 'ath.ui.' .Missio:.,ai'i"s. Ho>ti:i tii-s ol' lh,' lroi(iiois. Fathers Bn-h.-uf and Danh'l visit S.iull SI. Mars i:. : Ciiarai'trr nf Catholic Missionaries in Canada Snll'. ring's ol liayinl>:oi:i ;.n:. .HL: lh" loi^iois in iiil-J.- Of l'; : il,,r lin-.-sani in liM::. The M issi^i.aries MI.-I , : n th, C,,:, D. ;.:,. of Father ,lo.iL-es an.on- the In .piois j :i ).-;,:. I Ifieix - /', , M:ir: : .r It. Ih- Siinie ['.; "j :._..!,. <,,; ;s ;,:,.! Monks [I.,<'U I- C.e,;.-!a in !*:: ' I ' ' ; M--i-!. | i'i . I." Mo;, i," ani,,i.'-' the M,,l,:i'.'. k^ in M: -("^-mii'iiMl :ii; I I i-i'lmi amuU! ; i i^.. -,:..:,,. |; . : ..- \;...,, ?1 .-,1 :,,,,.. i',- C-; n. .. M,->;.:i.;o-i : i ;...-,! a:.,! ex .;. ti.e ! .,;;,. s. M,,,.| r . ;,I :: ! ', - S . !., :,,;,,;. M, ,-,,, - ; p, ..- : ; : -s Io Si. Mar. n.. ! H--, ; 1 '.;,, . 1 >' i.- l! I ' r -' :d ...,-.- I '::..::. la a 1 i , .\ : 1 1 '-. ,\ i:, ,. ;vas :;t St. M :';. I.- ' M;,,-,,!!, tie ,-.,.:.:, to S;. M;e-s's in -Missions in III,: Far \\ , -I M Missi,-ippi. Plans his \ <.-.-.'. : ...,: i he M is-i-si;,pi in I -,i, ,. i ).,':., - ; ., Miii;. r\ i imposts ,.f N, w I';- -', in :..: te ,'on.', r. , s the D.-.i.-,, ol dUr, ,-. enn_' [!: e-y in !.:-.'. - M. Talon pair.n,:/. - lh !;:, pri'se, M; r. in. tie an : .1, ,':: ! : . : '" Kxp!', ration in '.'".'', Tii.-j pro". ,-,! !;. \\':.\ of ( ;.-,., : , ] ',:,-, MI, I I'o\ Hi'. ' t t V-' .' '!i-i:i. I )',s,- lp \ ,-ry ol lh M :-.', ,I,,\- ; :i Canada al the |)isc,i\, r\ .- N'.il r. e Tni" s liiinwn Io the , arly I'lxploi'rrs ,,i Inh.ois ai;,| I ..... Maria: A i j, ,n. ,nin Trih, - . .--h'l'.vin. < ; Miionis; l,;i!,o ; s; Pot a 'A nl :ei -: l)!fi- '.'.as: M-noinoi,;, s, Chippewas ; Si'.-;x ; Sanhs :.:.d !''o>.. s : Ci,ie!%a-'i - X!l CO \TK.\T.S. CHAPTER II. EXPLORATION or TMK MISSISSIPPI KIVr.R 1!V I, A SAI.LK : HIS CoL- (i.NV n\ TUT, COLORADO. A. II. lG73TOl(59G. Anr'nri'-nt. Character iiml Enterprise of La Salic. His Ambition to complete tlic Ex ploration of tlic Mississippi. His i'lans approved by M. Talon, Intemlant of New Franco. La Salic sails tor Europe. Receives the Kind's Patronage. Returns to Canada. Repairs to Fort Fnmtonae and tlic Western Lakes in !<"*. Winters on the Nia-rnra. anil builds the (InH'on in lf>7!>. Proceeds to Green Hay ami freights the Griffon. Visits the Miamis on St. Joseph's River. Loss of the Griffon ami Carvro. Builds Fort Miami in It)-". Builds Fort Creve Ccour. DitHcultics with Indians. Mutiny ainoiiLT his Men. Mutiny quelled and Indians reconciled. Father Henno- pin sent to explore the !\fcssissippi. La .Salic returns to Furt Frontenac. Rock Foit built on the Illinois. Extent of Hcnnepin's Explorations in 1 li,-l. Subsequent- ly he explores the Mississippi as low as the Arkansas. La Sidle devotes his whole Energy to retrieve his Fortune. Prepares fora final Exploration of the River to the Sea. He enters the Mississippi, February v. 1 . li---J. He explores it to the Sea, and visit-: numerous Tribes of Indians. Takes formal Possession of Lower Louisi- ana. Returns to Canada. Sails to Europe in October. 17.*;!. In Paris, organizes a Colony for the Mississippi. Sails from Rochcllo with his Colony, .luly ' 1, n;-.(. Character and Numbers of the Colony. Tedious and disastrous Voya_re. Sails We!' TUT. I'Kr.XCII S r.TTLI'.M F.\TS KIloM CANADA ri'n\ Till: crrr.K MISSISHII'I-I AND nmo KIVIIKS, TO 'I'm: ci.o i ,,; ; s . i i : i, ! La Siille's Tra.'.in..' posts on the Illi- ni-is. At Peoria. Kuskaskia. Missionaries visit the Lower Mississippi. Detroit settleil in 1701. by La Mott Cadillac. Peace with the Iroqnois and Western Tn! - KlJL'lisli Jealousy.- Hortile Foxes humbled in 1 7 1 :'.. Settlements on the ssippi from 171-J to 17-J'j A<-cession of Fmi-rants from Cnnaila and Lou i- ,. U.MiiiuIt nnd two Imnilred Miners arrive. Trade between the Illinois and turc in the Illinois mm Wabash Countries. Ohio River uni-x|.liir- ' ' i-tres built in 1 VJI . - \'illa.-,. s in its Vicinity. Jesuits' College at Kn-ka-kiii. - Advance of the French South oi the Niagara 1! iver .--( in ( Intario and i ' ' t in I'.-Ji;. Cmwii Point in 17-j: , n.-ii in 'i' ' .'si! is. L'ost St. Vine 'iifs . r.'i I. d in I . Pr.-v i,- Is!,- in 17 J". A ridilture of i|,e \Vfil,.is]i in >? id. En-lisli Jeiilousy. \ the Illinois i !; tion ofKaskaskia. !>, i.rh :id\ nm !!.' ftli.- A II 17:,:!. Forts L, I! if. \ , nan ... Sai v of \ ir-inia. (Jist '. . ls ,;,,. o),],, \{,. :l , ; .., \,_,, ,,, ,,, ,),,, , , lll) ,, ;Ml> i:. '.'... Kn.-.i>li (',, ;,i list the Ad\ am \\ . > I.. I',. ,: His Mission '.'. i i ises th, 1'. ot Vii iii resist the l-'r. ndi on tl,,- oini i Trcn 1 . advanc-s to tl Oi , , [. ,-. . ;:i lt Ward's U.iai i CONTEXT*. XM the French. Fort Duquesne erected by the French. Colonel Washi.i-toa ;n;ui li- es a Detachment to [lie Monomzahela. Captures a I >et;irhment under M. .Jumonviilo, wlio is killed. Colonel Washington sum -ndrrs ' Fort Necessity" to tin- French, and retires to Fort Cumberland. French Forbearance and Moderation. Arm al oi General Braddoek fit Alexandria. Preparations for the ( 'apture of Fort Dumiesne. General Braddock inarches from Fort Cumberland for the Ohio. Falls into an Am- buscade on the Monon-.-ahela. and utterly defeated. French at Dii'iuesne undis- turbed for two Years. General Forties, in K,>, ad\ aiuvs to the Ohio. Occupies Fort Duquesne. All Canada falls under the British Anns. France relinquishes New France and Louisiana, by the Treaties of KtiJ and ITtiii, to Spain and Great Britain Pa^-'e 1.V7 CHAPTER IV. THK MANNERS AM) CUSTOMS OF THE EARLY FRENCH SETTLERS IN THE ILLINOIS COCNTRY. A.I). 1700 TO 17SO. Ar^nmrnt. Extent of the " Illinois Country." Conciliatory i'olicy of the French to- ward the Indian Tribes. Their amicable Intercourse with the Natives. Picture of primitive Happiness enjoyed by the Illinois French. Their plain and Inanely Houses and rural Villages. ' Common Field," and Mode and Distribution of Labor. Family Interests in the same. '' Commons." and its Uses. Patriarchal Harmony and Con- tentment of these Communities. Moral Influence of the System. Equality ami Happiness of the People. The Paternal Homestead, aiwl Patriarchal Families. Costume: Male and Female. Catholic Keli-'ion. Equality. Contentment. Sab- bath Amusements and Hilarity. Trades and Professions. Idiom. Habits and De- portment. Domestic Simplicity of Manners and Virtues. The mild and indul-'ent Kc-'ime of Spain. Facility of Incorporation with Indian Character. English Au- thority i lit rod IK -i-d in \~, <',:>. The' Jurisdiction of the United States extended over them in 1:0-1. Their Objections to American Population and Laws . . -1-1 CHAPTER V. ^ THE FIRST COLONIZATION OF LOUISIANA UNTIL THE CLOSE OF CRO/.AT'S MONOPOLY. .\.n. 1(508 TO 1717. Ar:.nimdtl. Retrospect of" the Illinois Settlements. D' Iher\ ille. undertakes to t.'olo- ni/e Lower Louisiana. Sails with his Colony from Kochelle, September -J ith. IT!'-. Leaves the West Indies, and reaches Florida in .January, Iti'll!). Casts anchor at !!. Daup). in. -Disembarks his Colony on Ship Island. -Sets out to explore the Mouth of the Mississippi. Enters that Kiver on the -,'d i.f March. -Finds Letter of De Tonti to I.n Salle, dated It)-:..- Returns by way i.f till' Bayou Il-ervilleto Bay of St. Louis. Builds Fort Biloxi, May -Jd. - Sails f,, r France. EiiL-lisIi Atteni[its to pre-occupy Louisiana. The linti-li l\in_- lirilies Hennepin to lie. British Colony ;:n'ives in the Mississippi. Condition of tin- Colony at Biloxi. Bienviiie superin- tends the Colony as Governor.- Explores the Channel of the Mississippi. Ibervi!!t- returns with another Colony. Bui is a Fort on the Bank of the Kiver. Ascends the Kiver as far as the N'atchex Tribe. -Selects u Site for Fort Kosalie. The N-.t.ih- i-7. Indians. Their I'ustoms and Ke'L-iotis Ceremonies. Interview with the "Gn-at Sun." Boundary between Louisiana and Florida compromised. The Colony at Bi- lo\: reduc'cd liy Sickness and 1 >. run. l^xplorinir Parties. Unrivaled \\'ater Coin- munications. Deatli of Sauvolle, Commandant. llierville retires to France. His Death in ITiiii. Kxtrava-'ai,! M::.JU Credulity continues, l-'.xplorations for Mines. Feetile Condition ot the Colony from ITn-l to 1710. Louisiana made Independent if Canada.- Bienville ( iov.'rn. .r .-.-n. rah Banks of the Mi.-sissippi neijlected. I'ro- xat's Monopoly L-ranteil. 1 '. lv!. - -Extent of Louisiana defined in liis tirant. Popula- tion of the Colony i:i 17 l:i. Crox.it's Euterpri-'e. Xeai. and Plans of Trade. He is \;v COXTKNTS. : I .'i Trn le with Florida and Mexico. Settlements extend, Xatehitoehes (Hi lied Uiver settled. Trading po-ts established. Disappointment and Failure ot Li- Plans [Expenditures of Croxat up to 171ii. Fort Rosalie l.uilt in 171ii.- Tin 1 lic\\ (i ivernor. L'Kpinai. arrives \\itli Troops. Croxat surrenders liis Chart T i:; 1717. Coiiditio-i of the Colony at his Surrender Pa-. !:>' C11APTKU VJ. LOUISIANA i MUM; TIM: " UT.STKRV COMI-AXY" CXTII. 'I'm: i-'.ui.cur. of LAW'S " Mississii'i'i SCIIKMI:." A.M. 1717 TO 17 - J'J. .1 ;_'''.''/ r ( '. Knt hits i asm in France tor colon ix i:i'-' I lie Mississippi. Tin- \Vrstcni ( 'uni IHIM;, s^ici'.-i-iis to tin- Mo:ui|.nly (it'LouisiiiiKi. CliartL-r of tho ('mnpiniy. -Its 1'rivi IL'.-I s. L'owcrs, !i:nl Tonn > 1' r.xistn.iv. ICxtriivii-iint l-;xpcrt:itiiiiis of the Company. Arrival of the Compiiny'* ( HKivrs. Troops, an.l sonn- Colonists at Moiiilc. iiivnvillc nlcil (iovrrnor. He ilfshvs to rxlcml l-M-Ulnm-iils upon thr Missi-sijijii. !?e li'i-l-s tin Site iif N.'\v Orleans,^ ICstnlilishes a Military Pns.t on it. - ( 'ompan\ ivl'use ; ' as Hrailiinarters. MiniiiL- Delusion exelmles AL-rii-ulturo. Kxtcn- sive Minin.: Arrnnirenients iu ITi: 1 . - I?ienville'.-i Au'ric-ultural Views L'nibriieed by tin' ('..-: .1 |ien.le!il ' unlili u of Louisiana. Several lar-e and small Colonies fr .. !': ir,. ni-rive. Tin- Spani; v!s esttiMi h Settleinrnls anil " Missions" east of tin K : .i d' \ : l.-i Ilarpe maintains his I'.ist nrar Xateliitorhes. -Spanish l-iiM'ivarii i., . '-. C irresjiiiiiili tice of I Col landant. I'c la Corne. \vilh I, a Harp,' ; ; V -o Slavery ii.tl'thiueed intn Louisiana li\ tin- Western Cmiipany.- 1 li:' t . : . i:is from (iiiim a. \ alu of Slaves. Sources fmni \vliii-h tin' A tVira u Slave-trade is. supp-1 -d. i 'Kaiucs iii tlie (joveninn-iil of Lmiisiana in S.i] '' . 1 i .:'i,i.'.. . Headt-iia'ters; ren!o\rd to Hiin.xi. l^nii-jrants ai:-l Tr...;..- a.vive in 17-.M. \Va.- -.viili S;iain. Operations at Moliile and I'ensai 1'. . r eapl ired a:id liuni , '. , the l-'reurh. Spanish Incursions from Santa }'> l i < Mis.-oii i fin i Arkansas. Korl ( >ri. ans imilt on liie Miss.,uri. - ['[;,!, of Det'euse Mississippi. I. -sac ir occupies a Post on (lie St. Peter's. I'ort Ciiar '.' a .-trmi'.' I-'i ';!- ss. l):tli"n!tics in So ithu cst. rti : I! ivillc ivsolvi s to occup\ Texas. His "Order" to Bernard La Harp- La Harp, 's ( l . . r, f St. !'>.:: 'd Imlian Ho :. ilies :ist oi the Missis- si;, pi r,,rt C i-" hui!; o., 1 AI: ' : la. 1 i Tease of J',,pula1 rival.. r ...... . K,>] ales tV lli,- Houses of Correctiiin in 1'aris. 1: i :.... :'..' !. i., .. :. . : Capital of the 1'n iv ince. Kniliarrass-nen: of t'ne \\', -tern Coin]>an\. - r- l!' , . - i ' . ty ol' I li - at i-'orl I 'oinie.- .\e',\ Orleans in I7-j:i. 1'ictiiiv of La \\ 's eelelirriled Sel eme. Its Characd r. False i; ,-- - i ' edit Sy si iii.^Miniii..' Di-hisi -- 'n an s :..r pi-ocrastiic'lini- the Ca.tastr. of t!ie " Buhhle." -( ';i!:u:ii; i'.s I ' M-- : ; :. 's of an inllat 1 Curreiic\ I.'il |-!\\\ I MH'.K Til!'. " \Vi:ST T.IIX Cn.MI'AXV, l-'ltnV Till'. I (.[- i. \\v's " Mississiri'i -i :i I'M r." TO THK x A'l'rur,/ MAS: A. n. 1 " 'J.'> TI > 1 7 _".>. (;"!!,:": ' Louisiana divid. d t ' ' ' i ' . - ' i ' ' ! . , . - :.' ' ....'. le;,i li Tin - r ' ; and !' r - . 1 ; . . i ' CONTEXT.-. \\ Difficulties. Population in 17-2:?. Royal F.dicts fur Relief ( ,f Debtors. Pro=periu in IT'-M-fi. Province supplied with Kcclesiastics and Nuns. Chevalier Perri'T up l>uint>.'il (iovernor (if the Province. Bienville retires. Colonial Prosperity and Tradt- in 17-JN-7. Indian, Fi-r, and Oran_-e introduced. Cassette 1 Cirls." - Land Titles re corded. Prosperous Condition in IT'-'-. Popnlal inn.- Trade. --Indications of India:. Hostilities disregarded liy Company. French . \_-ji-,--i. .us and Intnl. ranee toward the Natchez Trihe. Indian Impatience (if Heveli-'e. French Inditl'.'r.-ne t" Da:, trer. Chickasa Conspiracy. Chopart's A::--r.'s~i.ui-; :i:irin-_- lli. 1 Xatchrx. C.inspira- cy of tin: Natdn-x Chiefs fir Revfiur.-. Cliupart's In^'ii-il.ility tn Dan-.T. C '!<>n> dii llic St. Catharine de.stn.ycd hy the Indians. Nn\ e:nin.-r '-.'-. 17'J-J. Massacre . and t'a.j Slain 1'a.:.- -JL" CHAl'Ti:!', VIII. s i.f'i'isiAVA r\Di;i; r i i iii: \VKSTI:I;\ CMMI-AXV Ar'rr.i: 'I'ln: XATCIII:/ MASS. \citi: : I:XTI:KMI\ATIU\ r Tin: .\AT< in:/, -i-itiiir-s. A.H. 17-JD TO 17,'W. Ar_r>iin<'i,f. CotKtei-natiiui in Louisiana after the Natchez Tra-edy. Tlie (lovernor M. 1'errier. prepares to invade the Xatchex Country. Louliois leads on the French Troops and Allies. Le-neur leads on the ('hoctas. Les.ueur arrives 0:1 the St. Cati.- urii.e witli his Clioct:'. Allies. Th.-y attack the Natchez Towns and p'turn \ictor: oa'sly. Loiiliciis arrives with the Artillery. After a short Sie_'.-.the Indians propose MI Armistice. I.onhois permits the Natch.-/ AYarrior^ to escape him. Krects a ter raced Fort and retires to New Orleans. Tin' Natchez TYihes retire to Black River. and thero Fortity thenisi'lves. The Chickasas espoase the Xatcliez Cause. Kn_ lisli IntrL'iie active ainonj- the ( 'hickasas. Cli. niacas Tritie exti.'l'niinnted hy the French and XV_rr> Indian Slavery The Remnant ofthe Natchez Trih- iuihodi, s on Red River.- They attack (he French Post at Natchitoches. and are repulsed with L'reat Loss. Tennin: lion o; the Natchez \Var.- Personal Characteristics of tins Trihe. -- S! ate of the Province a! the Close of the \Var.-The Company re-olvo to sunvnder tln-ir Charl. !'.-- The Kind's ['r.-!an.-.t;o!i announces its Acceptance, A]-ril i-'th. i '. ::-.'. - -i! t -. .-i ..-. t .! the Pn.v !!.- ii!id. r the Coni[ian\\ The Cr,,wn purchases the ('. ,.n;.-ii.\ 's I ::'..; ^. and the R.,\al C..V, -.m.'n! is e>tal.!i>h. d . . -J-;;; ,-^ //./.,:.;/. Reen pit 'iJ-nioti . : ril . i II .Unities, and Mnjli-.), [ntri-ue from Car., Una and 'I. oi-L-ia. Ui.-nvi. . v. ; ; . ivt--d Coinniandant _'..|i.-r:i! of Louisiana. II. re-o;\-es to i-hasti North and S .nth sini'iltaneously. Biensiiie. with th- main Ai ; ! \ Hies, pro ( .,^eds np the Tomhijhy, N de!a\a . 1, : , i!:,in<. Marches to tl . r ' i Stron- hold, Attacks the l>'ort ivss. and is" r. pulsed with [.oss. Retires and finally retreats down the Toiii1'i-d>> . 1), f, ,' . .! xvi CONTENTS. apprise the En_'hsh cf tlu'ir Victory over the French. Rienville, overwhelmed with Chagrin, resolves on a second Invasion t'n>'.]i the Mississippi. The Plan of Invasion approved by the Minister of War. Tlie Grand Army proceeds up the Mississippi to Fort St. Francis. Fort Assumption built on Fourth Chickas'i Bluff. Delays from Sickness and \\"ant nt' I'rovisidiis. M. Celeron advances with a Detachment toward tlie Chiokasa Towns. Concludes a Peace, by Bienville's Order, with a single Vil- lage. Furt Assumption dismantled, and the Army descends to New Orleans. Bien- vilie retires under the Disgrace of a second Failure, nnd is superseded by the Marquis tie Vaudrcuil as Governor. Retrospect of the Condition of the Province up to the Year 1711 Page 277 CHAPTER X. CONDITION OF LOUISIANA FROM THE CLOSE OF THE CHICKASA WAR UNTIL THE TERMINATION OF THE FRENCH DOMINION. A.D. 1711 TO 1761. Argument. Louisiana continues Prosperous and free from Indian Hostilities until the Close of the Acadian War. Auriculture nnd Trade prosper under individual Enter- prise. -F.i[;iinoctial .Storm in 17-15. RL'orous Winter of 17-l.-'-9 killed the Oranire- trees. I.a Buissouierc and Macarty Commandants at Fort Chartres. Condition of Agricultural Settlements near New Orleans. Staples, Rice, Indigo, Cotton, Tobacco. Su-ar-cane first introduced in 17,"il, and Sui.'ar subsequently becomes a Staple Product. The British resume their Intrigue with the Choctas and Chickasfis after the ('lose of the Acadian War. Chocta.s commence War. Chiekasas resume Hostilities on the Mississippi. Disturbances break out on the Ohio with the English Provinces. (iovi rnnr Vaudreuil invades the Chickasu Country by way of the Tornbii.'by. Rav- ages their Towns and Fields. Collisions between French and English on tlie Ohio. Ohio Company's Grant leads to Hostilities. lie-enforcement sent to Fort Char tres. Lower Louisiana is prosperous. Horrid Military Execution for Revolt at Cat Island. British Inhumanity to the People of Acadia. Origin of the "Acadian Coast" in I'.V.. Louisiana sutlers a_'ain from Paper Money in 17."ii'i. The French abandon the Ohio lieu'ion. Canada falls under tlie Anns of Britain in K.M 1 , and ninny Canadians emigrate to Louisiana. France relinquishes all Louisiana, by Treaties of 17' -J and 170:!, t" Spain and (in at Britain. Great Britain takes posses- sion df Flurida and Eastern Louisiana in ITiM-."). Spain assumes Jurisdiction over Western Louisiana in 17i;.Y Extension of the Limits of West Florida by Great Britain. Spain and Great Britain divide the Valley of the Mississippi, until the. United States succeed, first to British, and then to Spanish Louisiana . . 'JIM B O O K T I I. (iHKAT HKITAIN IN T1IK VALT.KY OF THE MISSlSSM'Pf. CHAPTER I. ]-.xprf.-i'i\ or Tin: rur.xrii I-KI,M THE onin KECIDN. INDIAN HI iS'l'II.ITl Kri UNTIL 'J'lli: CLOSE OF PONTIAc's \VAK. A.D. 17.")7 T'l 17I-.I. /lr: rsist.s in oecu].\in_- ih.- Upjier Ohio Region. Tlie Front in- An- \ ;. rii an S. tt ! inputs driven l,;ick in ; ", :,7. Indian Hostiiitii-s West of tin- Hiuo llid-'i SI aw riu - ! ... Sandy Creek Kxp.-ditimj nmler ' i L'-'-v!- i lied with tin- i ,.,.s. Fort London built on Soiitli Branch if Hi Istuii. First Wliite Sett;. l;u:i,t.s , the llolston in 17,'j.-. Kxjilorations o) J lr. roxTF.vrs. v, , Walker and others in 17."-\ and previously. Forces for Redtict:< n of Fort Duties: Major Grant's Defeat at Fort 1 >ii,|ucsue. French and Indians attack Col.,i,e, ]{, ,- ijuet's Cump at I. ; .y:d [lanna. General Forbes advances t" Fnrt I >u.:ii. -i.e. I > cnpies the deserted Post." F. Chon.kees resume Hostilities. A Portion of the Cherokees av, ;-. t> llo-tiiilios. Friendly Cherokee Deputation imprisoned at Fort Goor _-e. Che. k. e attempt to rescue their Chiefs. General l'h, n.keo \Var provoked in !?t;".- Captuiv aii'l Massai-iv tit" iM.rt London. Colonel Gr;.nt invades the CluTt.kr,- X .- tion. LV'aci 1 \vitli Clu'rokci-s ivs!"ivd in }'.< 1 . 1' ritisli Arms victorious in N, -. Frtiii-'o and Canada. KIIJ!'.M] <, ttl.-inr'nts ir.,m Vir.'ii.i-i nr.-l N. rt', Ci.niiina advai: iijion th-' \Vat.-rs of tl,,. Ohio in Kd-J :!.- Tn'iity of I'-iris rontinns to Finland ! Canada and Kastern L..uisiiin:i. Tin- \orth\v.'strrn Indians n-J'ns.- tli.-ir A- smt to the Treaty. Tin' "Si^ Nutimis." Their territ.'rial Limits.- The \\", st :. T i-iJ.. s ,-."=i,l\e t., r, -ist t!ie A. Ivan f the F.n.-lish Power. The Kin-'s m:;.-i:i:it ;. Profiainatii,n of ITi::!. Locations a.nd (irants made on tin- \\"aters ot' the ( Ihio : : Cheat River. Indian League under Pont iae. the -r.'at ( Ittawa Chi.-f. or l-:iiiji.-ror. Hi.- Character and Phm of offensive OmTatunis.^Ciithnlii- Mi>s;oi,aries and .i,-s;f- - n< t lusti-ators. of the \Var.-Tomljlo < >nset of In.lian Hostiliti..-,-. Traders l;r-t \".- tinis. Cai'ture of the Western L'o-ts liy Indians. Cajitui'e of Presijiie Isle: of F< ; Miainis : of Mackinuw.- Massacre of the Garrison and Inmates. rrieire ot' J". Pitt. Colonel B..UCJU.-I defeats Indian Amhuscade at Turtle Civek, Pntraet Pie.L'i- of Detroit hy Pontiac in Person. The Defense hy Major Gladwyii.-Tncide; ot' Indian \S'arfare and savage Barharity. A I )etaclim--nt of Trooj,s with Su[j;.:: < for Detroit cut oil' hy Indians. Captain Dalzel slain iu a .Sort if. Kxiios,-d Condit: !i i.f the v.-.'Stern and souiiuve-t.'ni Froutiors. Indi-m Hostilities in Pi-misylvanin. "Massacre of Wyomiti-'." Hostilities in \'ir_-ini:i. at Mudiiy Creek and Ki_r Lev c-l.s. Attai-k on Fort Li-.ini.-;'. Fort, London. Ho>tiliiies on ^iiS'jiiehai.na : :: Greenhrier and Jackson Ui\ e.-s. --Terror of < astern Part of X ",v York. Marandi. - Bands of Indians on the southwestern Frontier. Lawless white Men on the Fn :/ tiers, (tutl-au'es a;id Ma-saci-.-s e.,mmitted hy the Paxtmi Boys. ( )ri_-iu and !) - si-ins ot'this Banditti. Military .Movements of the Kn/.i>h Force.s toward tin- Fr. i- tii-r. Advance of (ietu-ral Br::d-ti'eet to N'ia-ara. Treaty of Xi.uara. Treaty Detroit. Pontiac opposes the Treaty. < 'olonel Bonijuet invades tlu- Indian Count ;. upon the M'l.skin-'uin.- Forms a Treaty. Treaty of the " Cie.nna:i .Fiats" witli '.'. 'Six XatitJiis." I'eaco proclaimed December .":h. 17ol . Pa.-e : ' CHAPTER II. MIVAXCK or Tin: A\(;LO-AMI:I:ICA\ r^pi I.ATIHV TH TMT. mno mv- i.u. .\>. A.H. 17(i."> TH 177 J. .!.._' l.-monts sj.'-in.- tip near the n:i;ita:-% |{,,Mtes ai.d 1', .-;-.-- l',.'M Pilt.- !,]! !i iiv. ^ ,:-i-,i (' ...!::, o! (I,,. I ;;;,;,,< -etlle:ne.,t<.- Advance of white S ' l!e: !; ,.Lts up n th H-.a-ees ,.:!'. tU..- .<;- , jel.a ,na, Y.'U^liii. -r.-ny, and M. njiilie'.' pon N..-A Kiv, r and Gr.-i n'.rier, I'iin.-h and Hoist, m. Indian Territory on li.e ~u-.,i, };,:. ..:. A/ ji::::,v. and (',:! H:\crs. Fronlier Sett l.'ii:, -.it-s of \ iiv: : ia :. 1?.;.;. Ki :i.:ra!i, i t- tl;'- M la in IT'o. Hed^tone I'ort a _-a'-i^ , ! I 1 '-t - Increase of F.m: jration i:: ' : - 1 't''-ni"nts extend to tl e Sources of I he two K. : ha was.- Tlie co!.i,,;:d H\; a.jt'a.- Lands east of the ( ihi- ., -The Indians 1 .- c,,me !,,, italic.,! of the ^i.; : .. -,; , ,'. \dvanee.- Mod.e of ,'ou-iliar h- Indians |o- t!i :: Lands. - K. iiioustrai, -e . :'ll,.- : \:iti-u,s t.. lli. Kin 's " Indi-Mi \u-i-nt. "- Tl. .-.<,:. eri! :,:..! s., ,;ii, r.. Ii.diM.r, < Q - ' .. |.\ al Gov.-rmnen:. " 'fr.-aly of I' rt Stanwlx Th-'-Mi-isissi; pi Cor pan;. ' : \ '.r..i: ui. 17'M, -'1'reary, fHvd Labor" v. ii'^Ci . kees._ '.Extensive Cj.'ii-is t' , f- r V.ry set up 1 1;. the F.iuiish uit ! r the T- Mj. '"; /, );,, ,<._.! ,,;,-; ...... . : ;.. ,-n and s., t .],,, m Indicia -.\ ;he Adve , : . , ! t = Kx, : ;- \\ : V . f runilicrland Mountains, it: 17rti?, of .' . : r '.! K'i"\. " I.ciiiJ Hunters. ' \VcMi-rn KinLTiition cncoui 1 - 1 ii'\ i rniiu-uts. K tu iu rat im i l<> Hi MS!,. a. t 'iincli, and to W. st in IT'ii. : ' : >','' a . . I '. - Si-ttlriiiriilK nt lii dst'inc I-'urt on Phi it \V ' I . tlitT 1'niiits. ii Knl Si-!tlc]ii.">ts 1 n 1'. , iiinri -Territory Vi [Imiirriiiits t v "in North (' . . n ill.' Siiurct'S ul HolMoii Uiv, I' lu ;>:,!i, lie, , ['tin I Ih-nilu't'S r." X.-w I-, i i:in, Lin.' T-. f..-ir liun.lrrd :ir,v S.'ttlrni-uf \ ' ' ' ' issi-il in ITTO. " llistrirt of \Vcsl A'l'jusi ;," , ir_M,i /.. ii. -( 'rcsajp's - ...;.' at Ki'.lstime "Old Kurt." in 1771 . I'mvisidiis fail. Tlir ' Slarviu.u N,:.:' ., sji'ttli-JUi-nts on tin- Ohio !iln.vi' tlir Ki-uliaw:.. Itn'il. triuiii ( Iliiu. MainuT df travrlin- Kiui rr: . n t. tin \Vi st : ::: I'u \Vi-stiTii \'ir-inia. To " Wi-sti-rn District" ul N.n-tli ('nrniinii T.. \\ -! Flurida.- NIIIIUTHIIS S-irv,y,.rs si'iit nut tu KrntncUy.- -Tin nuns I'.nilitt !!::. . -!i Taylor. M'AI'.',-. Hurvvys nrar Kra!ikt;,rt. Hamidshm-i: and DiinviiU-.- i ; IJullitt at tli.' t'Hlls (.f Olii-i. S 1 'ttl.']iuM:ts ontlif Uii'stnn. Kast Tcinn'ssco.- Ilai.i' 1 i'. ir attriiqits tu inti-'idiii'r \vliitr l-'ainilira iVuin N'irtli Caruliiiu.- Pvi'-fi; lack ;. Iiiiiians.- KmL-ratinn in 177-1 tu t ; i-' : IIJUT Oliin ; n i ',. Mi . uualicla. K. i.' . , K ' .. U. - u Ki lit..] al Mi \'s 1 Han-,,,1 nl i! -^ i-._-. \V, M An Dili vvl. - w liil " Win . aiu Fort l.uilt. - Furl l-'iiu-istl.'.- 1 ir. ( 'i in, ' tiit : '' -: \ -usta . I'u-'f '! : ' CHAPTER III. ;. un nr.vMoRr."^ iMiiA\ \v \u : r:.\Tr.\.-nx nr Tin: \vr.sT r.iiv sivr- TI.I:MI:\T.< fiiuM Tin: TUKATY oi' " CAMP CIIAULiinu.M.ri'\ i ' i : ' ' ' " ' ,.,'di of Ci rnstalk : I' I. : , \ . . . r \ rtli. 17; - - i -!l.r '.:.-..: ' i . .-!'., ,..-.. - , . , t . ' i .'.', ...... i ' . I i V, :,-.( i .... . i;,,,,,.,.| ( It: .--.t i ' ef Le-islntuiv. secon-l Session. Th.) Company mem .riali/otlio Fe-1, ml Cm, ,-, ( ;i|i, i-iii: in t i ill.- I'ropri. tarv < jovernment . Trans\ Ivania K-puhhe ;II.T_'< - into t St. -it.- Covennm-nt i it' \"ir.-ini:i. Settlements I.. _-i:, t.. t i.-i : , on the north S:,!. <; K. tui'Ky Kiv-r. - Harro.rs Station I'lvrt.-.l in !".'. C,, !,,,-] H;im..l intro.lu.vs the : Families from the Monon-iih.'la.- Declaration of American In.lepemh'nre.- li.:, ll'.stilities he-in iu Kentucky. Preparations lor Dei, -use. Major Gi/uiv U.._. (.'lark siiperiiit.en'ls tlic Militia Or^iiui/atimi . . i'a.-c . i:i;rns!i oi'i i r.\\cv IT ri,iii:m\ A\D rin: II.I.IMMS mrvn;Y. CL(i- M.-iii-li h.iini.'iinn. Ki;_'.i>li A itlu.ritj I'stahlislid! in \\',-st Flurt.la l.y ' imvrimr .Idlinstmi. Miijm- Lnl'tus ;!|i[' ( u,: -.i I'.'iiiinaii'iaul nt' Illinois. His Defeat ain.ve Tunica Hay mi. ainl In- I i, at];. Dissatist'actinn nt' tin- French ,.f \Vest FWiila. - I'lipiilat inn in ITi! I. Aiiu-!n An.e ! can KniL-ratinn to Fluriiiii I'lu'iiiira^ccl. l^niiLTants arrive !n> m iTC.'itti I77n.- (ii-' 1 ,: Increase , if Mnii.'i'ants in !;;:( tn \~~.i',. Settlements cm east Siile of the Mi > ^ ! ssij,| . -British Miiitar\ l'n>t.s in\V,-st Flm-ida.- Mm, ..poiy."!' Tnnl" by Hriiish Tra,!, rs.'- Kiiii-'i-atin!! in ITT.I-i;. AL'ricultin-t' i'iic'iiiira_'eil. - British Tories in \\"est Flnrtil:!. British Autlinritv cstahli.she.l in the ///i/inin Cuinifi-'/, ITii'i. St. A n:.'i-.-- < 'a |>t" '.:: Stini;i_'. I'Veiidi I'lipiilatinii in ITli.'i. (iein'ral (ia-e's i'mclaiuat inn. Majnr l-'niX' r Colonel It. -oil. Colon.-] \Vilki, is. - -His A.lniinistrati m. f ifants of I, ami. Brit:-:, Military 1'nsts i;i tli" N'ortliwest. Detroit. Ivnskaskia. Calmkia. Si. N'ii.eent. Pn-jiiiliros of til.' Illiiinis Kivnrli. Detroit. Yil nnes, ati.l Ka-ka-liia tlie Snun- -: nf all the Indian B:,i'i,arities tin the \Vestern Frontier.- Hdlnelinii nf these Briti-li Kxj.ei!iti..:i for tlieir |{ .-.hi, -tinli. Colonel Clark lea. Is his Fxjie.lition to Ka-kaskia.- the !':. n.-h. llsiiipy H-siilis.- Cali.,ki:i siirr.-u.l.Ts M Captain Bo-.vinai.. - C ivr: i;..chei,la\-e sent I'ris. in. T to Virginia. I'enple of N'incenin'.s ile<-lare t'or \"iri:iiiia. 1 in i i ai i Xeu-. it iat ions anil Treaties on the \Valiash. .Juris, iicl inn nf \'ir:.-inia exteiii'c ; nvt'i 1 the Mliiinis C itry. - Illinois Count \ ."Colon.-] [Janiiiti.n a.ivan". - stroll'-' Force from Detroit. -Captain Helm i-apiiulati-s. - Clark ailvance- t n < t'li'e the I', i.-t. Colonel Hamilton taken h\ Surprise, Despairs of .siice,-ss''u! |)efeii-e an.l capitulates. Ca; lain Jlelm cajitures a Detadiin, nl with Sup|ili.-< Iroi' D.'lr..!; - Colonel Hamilton sent Captive to Vir-ini-.. Is place,! in cins,. ( '. .ntine;.... ;.r in i laliat;. in I'm- liis Inhumanity. -Colonel Clark contemplates the Capture ol Detroit - !!r,"-i, ]', \\e" ex;,,.;!. ,1 (,-om th" Illinois Count p. 1 ); Ilicn !t ie- I.ejin in \\'esl Flori-i:, - C ,| ' . .:. \\";'".:: ,1- -c. -:..!- !h" M I - -.';--' ppi. 1 I' - C, .'.-:-!. u ; ii t ii- 1'. '..pie a ! N a t h -: \ ' . : II. -' iu a! !M ; s Cli'!'-. -j.a : n -- '..'I-. - th \ i:,e-ie:,n C-i ,- (Jai-.. .'. li.'.a.:. - \\' -t rl,..-:,ia. C-ipt.ir.--. Br'.li-h l'e-1s at Manchac, Batm, 1J,,,,. .. Nalche/.a., I Moiuie |sui,-uec. --;-,;;,! Fei. -a, ,,;..,. I'ensac,, la capture,! in 17- A.I Fieri' !a -'i'i;.-.it- ',. Ih" A-.',' nt -;. n. I'.riti-ii D- iminin;, c"-ises un th,- Mi--i-> .;.; LOOK IV. SI'AiN IN THK VAl.LKV OF Till: MIsslSSfPi'l. CMAITKU I. i i-i \\A \ MM:I; Tin: DOMINION or STAIN ruoM Tin: DI.-MI:MHI.K- M: \ [' To 'i'lir. KXITLSION OF Til i'. r.N<;i.l.-li FKUM ri.oltlDA. --- A.M. iTt'i:) TO 17->;J. ; _ . '.- Kxtcnt of Spanish Louisiana. Repugnance of the French of West FIoi iiln In lln- F.n-dish Dominion. ..... -French Opposition In tin- Spanish Dominion in Loui sia i !. ---Spain indulges their Prejudices by deferrini,' her .Inrisiliction. Public Re- monstrances and Petitions against the Transfer to Spain. .It-sin Milhet scut a Delo- _-:,!' t Paris. UN Mission unsuccessful. Arrival f Don I'lloa asSpani.~h Commis- sioner in Nt-\v Orb-ans. 1 1,- ili-lnys tlir foniKil Trnnslrr of tli,: Provim-i>. Fn-ni-Ii L'up lialion in l.i misianiL in i'tlii. Spanish Troops arnvr fur tin- ilitl'm-nt I'osts. I'oi Kxritrinrnt au-ain^t I "ilmi. Tin- Superior ("onncii n-tjiiin-s him to Icavt- the 1'rovi'in- or pniiliict- lii-< CoininissioTi. Ht- n-tii't-s on 15 oar- 1 a Sp-nMi Mnn of war. LVri ioi is Conilit ion ol' the promi nt'iit Mah-coiitcnts. Si-con.l Convi-ntion. St-i-onil Mis- sio to 1'aris. ( Jt -nt -nil ( ' 1{, -illy arrives at the Bnli/e \vith a stron- Spanish Force. H.- i,, lilies Aubr\ of his Arrival and his Powers.-- His Professions t,f Lenity. Ceremony of Transfer. An-.-nst 1-tli. I7;!l. 'I'he Flair of Spain dis])1 ares that of L-'ranct-. P.-piilatioii tif Louisiana in ITii!'. Settlements of I'pper Louisiana. Arrest of ! w- .. e prominent Fivneh ( 'itixi-ns. -Their Trials, Liiprisonmeiit. and l'',xeentioii. Spani-b .Ini'isdiflion formally i: it rod need in the Pro vi nee. " Superior Com icil" super - si-ded by tin- ' Cubaido." Interior Courts m-.-anixi-d. Hides of procedure in tin: Courts. Spanish ICnii^rants arrive. Summary of O'lteiily's Administration.- Sul sce.iient Spanish Knit-. Commerce and AL-rieulturi- under I "nzaira's mild Hide. PO;, illation ot' I'pp'-r Louisiana in 17Til.-liaf.-ex frovernor of Louisiana. -- llritish Traders trom Florida endeavor to monopolizt: th>- Trade o!' the M is>i--ip;u. Sp;dn hie to the American U. -volution.- ( (liver Pol; ,,-U and Captain Willln.L in X,-w Ui-1, ... Spain espouses the \V ar a -ainsl Cr-M Britain. -West Florida invaded by (lovernor lialvi-x. Fort Charlotte captured in 1 " o. - I' n-.uce, ssful Attack on Pen-ac, la. Attack on St. Lou;> by liritish and Indians trom Mackinaw. i: pulsed li\ Spaniards and American.-. Bombardment and Capture of Pensa, ,,!a. Ma. :- .Surrender of \Vest Florida. Cession of [-last Florida to Spain.- Uevoll in tli.- N'atclu-/. l)i--t)-ict, and Capiurc of Foil Panmiire in 1 7.-1. Proceedin_s of the S] nish Auth"riti<-< against the Insuru'i-nts. Treat} of 17-:i concluded. lievivai of A. iltnral and commercial Knterprise .... . . Pau-e-l!! CJ1APTEK 11. . Pr, . ' .- , !. \ ;,;, after the \V;,-- I 1 I, / Ill' , I.' , - ' . ' Min, Mieceeds to the ; ' I! - l i. .- i: in l.oiiisi;ina. In the Na' - : ' ' ' . 's as (J..V, ., - :: ,. . , . i ; . .;., i ;. , -, COXTKXTS. XXI Relaxation of impost Duties. Colonel Wilkin* n's Agency in i-lleetin_r Reinxati., til' revenue Laws. Emi;:ratH)inif Americans I" \\Y-t Florida ami Louisiana. liei, eral Moi-jan's Colony. "New Madrid" lai,l oil'. < iuardo.jui ur.:es rLid F.xecutio:, of iinpnst Hi'irulntiiiii.-!. The Iuti'ii(lLLiitri^(irnii>!y i-iif in'i's ri'vciiur Laws. Luiii<'K!;_:: threatened with military Invasion from ( >hio Hi--.:]' .it. ( 'i.ntla-'ral i"ii i f.XeW Orleans in 17--. Supplies from tin: Ohio admitted h\ !h river Tradi;. Colonel \Viikinson eii_-a_-os in tin' tobacco Trail* . Km:'_Tation iVmu Cuinberlaiul to Louisiana rnor;r- :'_red ; jiNo from the ( >hio and tin- Illinois.-- r ( .|.ul:iti.i;i of Louisiaim in !>-. Kn.i- L-ration ami Trade I'roiu the Ohio Region in 1 ~, -'-:'<>. Policy recommended 1 v .Xa- \arro to Spaia. Spain jealous of the Kxtensii n ol' the Federal Jurisdiction. First. Schools and Academics in XYw Orleans. ]5aron Carondelet succi'i-ils Mini :is C, n \ crnor of Louisiana. Population of V-\v ( Irli'ans in !7'.'-J. Tniilr with L'hilailrlpl,::! I'olitii-ai 1 'is! 'irliain'i s nnanat in_' from r,-\ , ilulionnry Franr.' in 1 ','.>.;. ( iri.i-t's ln- tri_"i.-s ;in.l conti'mplat.-il Invasion of Loiii:>. .-i ..... ' '. - Fi. !d i !' n;.t : oi'a! Coi.tr.r. ersy c.p. n. d by Treaty n'; 17-:;.- Con>truetioi ; ,,| '.!, '1 r. !;. (.;, Sjiaiu.- Con.^ruction by I nil d States. \avi -at :,m of |he Ml-M-dp nt I , i;. d State-. S-uhi e;-;i. : < ti... ,, s .-!:.-si\, Hi. hi. I', ni, < I . : flh. l!i\i 1 . the \\ , -I--;: P, o;,!. . 1 1 . - 1 "i , i, i: L s ai:d Duties exacted 1 1\ S; ariish Fmban-ii ' : ofthe -.ve-ti ni People, .lealo is A pprei;. :.-. ,- Spai'i I -.! V K' :. '.^li' fci'fthe -v -tern People. F-. it.-mcM by a l!u ;,Vire.| aha ,1 -:!.:. !.! !' l' ' i .-i'til.-i I. it .] States. -C ha !._ . f Spai.i-dl P..'.iey. linViTi/'!- Mlr.r ! l::Xi-s ; ! . i! -<]:. s -i[,on t lie western Trade. -Hi-; iMii.-i'iai -ry I'., 1 ; . to v., > Mi 1 . C : i,.el\Viikius.j:i.>ivr, i j 1 ]|eTr:-rKUefj.r;--\vit:. N. ...-', I-' ' .s -:;-p !!, !. \V. '! P.- pie heeom,. ree .-..-ile ! to the S;-:i ; , : - '; A'i 'hoi ;:;.'.-. C imii.-rlaiid Set- .: ; M iro 1 );st !'ict ."- l^mijralion t'rom Renluck;, ;ind i '.;:..!. /^nd eneoara :. ' - ' - < ! La ml in i ', :" '. - Spa ni-h 1 nt '. ., f r M-pa.-.i- li, . ;';,,. V,'. -i' r;i r : ta' s ofthe !',,!, ral ( Jovenilin lit. Impat' ' the we-ter.i People. ; i all . appears in K.'i.tucky. \ei'. itiations by th- !'.' era! C n . rniaent r-p-ini-h Fi. -"} - emba-ra-- Xe.j. :i;it;.nis witli Creei, ! ... 17-1'-;:. 'i. -- - S .athue-ter:. 'F .-.: ';. ei-./an!,;- !. ;'. - . '' his Intri --lie with Kentucky, 1?;'-J. Creeks in^ti jatcd In Hostilities liy Spanish finis- sarics. lutrii-'Ue.s of M. Genet, the French Ministers-Threatened Invasion ol Fast . < i' '-- .a. Spain procrastinates Negotiations while Caroudelet operates upon the western People, \\'ar \vitli Sjiain apprehended 1>\ President Washington i.. I7:>l Baron Carondelet apprehends Danger Iroin tlic western Tropic. Fi\e po- litical Parties i:i the \\' est. Powers, tin- Spanish emissary, sent to Kentucky. \ ' w.s ci tin 1 Federal i lovernment. It r. --.trains the western F.xcitcment - Caivn- delet renews his Mission to Kentucky in 1 '. !).">. --( !a\ USD ami Powers sent to no_:o- tiuto with tin- Kditm-ky ('niispiratiirs. The Mission l-'aiU. 1'rospn-i s of 1) - h stian visits Now Orloans.- Overtiiivsiroin the Spanish Court. Thoin- in-kin^ Minis!. -r to Spain. Treaty ol' Mailriil si_-neil, ( )i-tolier -Ji'tli. - Stipulations i:i tiu- Ti-eaty relative to Hoiimlary ami the river Trade. The tiuor^ia lluhMe. Vazon Speculation." Its E Herts on Louisiana ...... l'a:.-e -H'.'i CIIAPTK11 IV. rui.rricAi. ];r.i,.\TK)\s HKT\VI-:K\ TIM: i'\rrr.i) STATF.S AMI i.on~i- A\A. ruo.M TIU: TKF.A'J-V or .MADIMD TO THI: im> : ' . -Treaty of Madrid merely a Measure of State L'nlicy \\ !lli Spain.- 11,-r In- tention to evade its Stipulations, if jiussilik-. Intrigue with the \\est.rn [Vople. Tlie I'nited States prepare in _-ood I-'aitli to carry out the Stipulations. Colonel Kili- eott. as Coininissioner of the United States, arrives at Xatchez.- His Military Kseoit 1 -ft at Bayou Pierre, -liayoso designates the ll'tli ot March to lie-in the Line of Iieniarkation.- -I-'.iiieott encamps in Natchez. Proceedings ilelayi-d hy Haron ('aron- cielet. Kllieott ordc-rs down his Military Dseort. 'iayoso suddenly ceases Prepara- tions to evacuate the .Fort Paniniire.- -Fort ilies this Post. Pretext for Change i\ Conduct. Lii-ntenant M'Lcary. with his Kscort. arrives from Hayou 1'ieri'e. (lay- i - continues to strengthen his Detenses. Indian Hostilities alleged as the Cause'. Next, a liritisli Inva-inn from I'anada apprehended.-- Hlonnt's Conspiracy, and its i-^X[il sion. -The People lieeome excited. Correspondence hetweeli the A ricrtt] : (Jayoso. \dvanced Cuard under Lieutenant Pojie arrives at N'atehex Cayoso ooj.-ets to the 1'resenee of I nited States Tn.op.s at Nat i Itli t i; - ;.s for 1). lay mved !;. liayoso. His A : i.ts lamp, ] with t: .- Indians. Pojrular I'lxciteii sos. The (io\ . ral issues l::s p Jith o! May. -EH'ects ol tliis IWlamatii ' " ts ol Ca\ < to calm tin lar Kxi'iteiii' lit. Arrest and Iniprisonnn nt ' ; Hannah This . ' - :': P ... sistanee. - I'd H . L lii tl ;iu ; Lii itenanl 1 . pe s istain tin- |n.] "':>> Con ' n. 'i ;. iso's Proclamation ot June I4tli. A pnhlic Mc,-tm_' called. Cayoso and his '.- retire to the Fort. Set ks an Intel-, iew with the American Conmiissitiner. mnittee o) J'uiiiie Satety " apjiointed.- - This Committee roeou-nixed h;, (iayoso. \ " Pern. a n nt ( 'oinu.it tee" elected. ( >p posit ion of Colonel Uutcliciis and others, (iayoso. i-:ilicott retires to AViishinirton. Gayosn a]i|iointed (i Uetires t.- New ( Irieans. Captain (iuion arrises with I : II-.' pi to re -tore Harmony and Train iniiiit \ .-- Tin . !,;-!', T . I Pan . ,r. vac lated in March. I?;i- 'I In Line ... | )e I Hi v -:--;. . K:'-, and completed tn-.\l Year. 1 'irst o! M - . ' '. : the Territorial ' iov. -i ['! ps K. trospe. ' III the - Pnlj '.-:"' ' Int \\ .- ] t ( lem ral SVilkiu :u: II: I irii cif limiss.ar .- Powers CONTENTS. \X1.1 CHAPTER V. CLOSE OF Til". SPANISH DOMINION IN I, "I 'ISI A N A, A N D Till: FINAI. TKANSFF.K OF Till". 1'KOVINCi: TO THK CN1TF.I) STATF.S. A.I). 17!)7 TO ISO-i. Ari'iiriii'itf. Prosperity of Louisiana unaffected liy Hostilit ies in Kurope. Gayoso sue reeds as Governor-fieneral of Louisiana in 17'.'7. - The Kind's Orders ri j l;iti\ e to Land (Brunts. The Intendant alone omp. .\veivd to make ( irants.- French Privateers. Daniel Clarke, ,)r.. reeou-ni/ed as Consul. Harmony mi the Spanish and American Borders. Coneordin. \' id alia in 1 ":>:'.- 1 )eath of Gayoso in I?:' 1 '. His Sueet'ssors. Colonel Kllieott's Kulo::y of (inyoso.- - rn|.iil:iti:ni of 1 |.]HT Louisiaiiu.- Its Trad.' and Coiiiniorri 1 . Harmony with the \vcst.-rn People a_-ain ilistnrlifd !>\ Mor:di-s. I'oliey of Spain in reslrietiu^- li.-r (irants ot [.and.- Jealous of Military Adventurers.- -He- strietioiis eiiti-reed tiy Morales. ! 1 is tirst Interdiet of J)enosit at N.-w Orleans. \\"estern Indignation. Capture of .\e\v Orleans eonteinplated. Anierii-au Troops in the NWthwest. Invasion of I.ouisiann abandoned liy John Adams. Filhiol and Fejeiro at l-'ort Mini, on the Washita. Hi_-htof Deposit restored in l-iil. Ajain suspended in 1 -i 1 -. Restored in l-'UJ. Approaehinu- Chancre of Dominion in Lou- isiana. The First Consul of tho Fri'iii'h Republic acquires the Province' of Louis inn :i. The Fivneli Oeeupation deferred one Year by European Wnrs. Xapoli-nn de termines to sell the Province to tin; I'nited States. Xeu-otiation for Sale eoinmeiieed. Mr. .letl'erson's Instructions. Treaty of Cession siirned Ajiril ;'.0tli. 1->i;i. Amount of Purchase-money. Terms of Payment. Preparations for French Occupation. The Form of Government prepared by French Prefect. Arrival of Lanssat. the Colonial Prefect. His Proclamation. Response of the People.-- Proclamation uf Governor Salcedo. Rumor of Cession to United States. Laussat appointed Conunissinnrr , ,(' the French Republic. Conditions of the Treaty of April :;otli, l.-u:;. --Preparations for Occupation by the Tinted States. Protest of the Spanish Kin-. CoiiLTe>s r:a ities the Tri'nty. Commissioners of the I'nited States. Preparations of French Com- missioner. Ceremony of Spanish Delivery. Proclamation of the French Prefect. Spanish Rule aboli.Mied ami French Government instituted. Volunteer Hattalion for the Preservation of Order. Preparations for Delivery to (lie Tinted States, (-hivem- or Chiiborne and General Wilkinson arrive in Nuw Orleans. Ceremony of French Do liverv to the 1 nited States. December v!i>th. 1 -llli. Rem.it>' Posts formally delivered subsequently to A-ents of the l-'reiich Prefect. Major Stoddart takes I'ossession oi Ujiper Louisiana, March !>th. 1,-D I. Comlition and Boundaries of Louisiana. Popu lation of the Province. Commerce. A-'ricultural 1'roducts. Trade an i Manut'a'- t.nvs , .f Xe\v Orleans Pa.'e :.:;- H I S T R Y DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT YALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, BOOK I. EARLY EXPLORATIONS OF THE SPANIARDS IN THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. CHAPTER I. FIRST SPANISH DISCOVERIES IN FLORIDA. A.D. 1512 TO 15;}S. i into East Flur- [A.I>. l.~>rJ.] I\ the lirst expirations of Xorth America. Fl< irid;i. as originally claimed hy Spain, comprised all that por- tion nt' tin 1 present, territory >t the I nitcd States \vliich lies spilth o!' the state <>{' \t-\v \n]-k. At a later perind. until the rVenrh disei>\cred ( '.'Miada, and the pilgrims settled in \e\\ ]-jiu r land. it comprised all that portion <>f the I'nited Slates S'Mitli i if the present state <>} A irLrinin, or south of the parallel of latitude .'5ti 150' north, and extending Avestxvard to the Span- ish possessions ot ^Mexico. These limits \vere successively re- stricted lv other Europe;in powers, until Florida, early in the eighteenth century, comprised only a narrow strip of sea-coast on tht 4 northeast side of the Chilf of Mexico, chielly south of VOL. I. A 2 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. latitude 31 north, and east of the Perdido River and Bay, and including the peninsula of East Florida.* Within thirty years after the first discovery of America hy Columbus, nearly all the great West India Islands, as well as the isthmus between North and South America, known as the Spanish Main, were explored and conquered by the Spaniards ; yet, in that part of the Continent north of the Gulf of Mexico, few and imperfect discoveries had been made. During the earh' part of the sixteenth century, or between the years 1510 and 1510, numerous attempts had been made to explore, and some expeditions had been fitted out to conquer, the country lying east and north of the Mexican Gulf; but they had been disastrous and fruitless. These expeditions generally set sail from Cuba, Ilispaniola, or some of the larger islands, and. proceeding in a northward direction, touched upon the Bahama Isles, and upon the east- ern coast of what is now East Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The islands were populous and wealthy, while the country north of the Mexican Gulf was an immense wilder- ness, inhabited only by a few scattering and hostile savages. Yet the belief obtained among the Spaniards that in the interi- or of this vast region there existed great and powerful empires, far more wealth}' than those of Mexico and Peru. Those who had shared in the plunder of the latter countries, sighed for the still richer plunder which they believed to exist, in Florida, f This belief was confirmed by the most, incredible stories, told by navigators who, at different times, had touched upon those shores. Every disaster on that coast, and every failure of a new expedition, only served to inflame their avarice, and stim- ulate then' spirit for adventure and wild enterprise. In Spain the enthusiasm of all classes for discovery and conquest was unbounded. In the beautiful language of Theodore Irving, "Never was the spirit of wild adventure more universally dif- fused than at. the dawn of the sixteenth century. The won- ' ,-Vo hook i.. chapter v., fur the " Extent and Boundaries, Ac., of Florida. " t r-ee Irvine's Conquest .!<. re Irvine.-. H is handsomely devised nnd compiled from Spanish his- tor-inns and written in :t most heimtiliil style. It tre.'its chiefly 'if the expioral inns and adventures i.l li.-rnando de Solo, ami his u-aUant band of cavaliers, who nv.Tnin Klori- d:i, rn known a! tl;:it tiuii-, between tlii> \enrs l.V!: and 1.M-.J. It is compiled trom th<; narrative of the Inca i JarcilaMi de In \ e L -i,. ,.,nd others. Many port ions of the nnrrative may appear like rnmanee. hut the adventures of L>o .So to were only romance ueted out in real life. Sec vi !. i.. chap. i. und ii. A.O. lalXj.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 3 drous discoveries of Columbus and his hardy companions and followers, the descriptions of beautiful summer isles of the west, and the tales of unexplored regions of wealth, locked up in an unbounded wilderness, had an eifect upon the imagina- tions of the young and adventurous. nv the ^oveniiu'.'iit uf t'ne t'nitvii .Status, liut i.nt until 4 HISTORY OF THE [iJOOK I. The following are some of the principal expeditions prepar- ed and sent to these ill-fated shores in the first half of the six- teenth century. 1. The J'j.r/)edition of Ponce DC Leon. The first adven- turer who discovered the coast of Florida was Ponce de Leon, formerly a companion of Columbus, ex-governor of Porto Rico, and a gallant soldier of fortune, lie sailed from Porto Rico on the 3d of March, 1512, upon a chimerical cruise, in search of the Fountain of Youth, whose waters, it was said, possessed the property of perpetuating youth beyond the power of time and disease. The Indian tradition placed this fountain in one of the Bahama Islands. After a long cruise in search of the island which contained the healing waters, he at length came upon the coast of a country of vast and un- known extent, which he supposed to be a large island. Land was seen on Palm Sunday (Pascha Florida), the 27th of March. From this circumstance, as well as the appearance of the forest, which was in full bloom, and brilliant with flowers, he called it Florida. The coast was dangerous and the weather tem- pestuous, and for many days he was compelled to avoid the shore. At length he effected a landing, which proved to be the east coast of Florida, a few miles north of the present site of St. Au'justine. Having explored the dangerous and un- known shore and channels in the vicinity, and southward among the Bahama Islands, he returned to Porto Rico. Here lie still burned with the desire of exploring and conquering his newly- discovered country. After a lapse of several years, and vari- ous delays, lie received authority from the Fmperor Charles V. to sail to Florida 'as the governor thereof, with the task of coi- oni/ing it, as the reward for his discover}", and other former services. At length, in the year 1512, he set sail for Florida, with two ships, to select a site for his new colony, and for the scat of his government. \\ here he landed is not known, but most prob- abl v somewhere in tin.' vie mil v of St. Augustine. 1 1 ere he was soon attacked by the natives with the most implacable fiirv. Mali}' of the Spaniards were killed : the remainder were driven to their vessels for satetv. Amon^ the latter was Ponce de A.D. 1520.] VALI.KY 01' THE MISSISSIPPI. 5 Leon, mortally wounded by an Indian ;irro\v. lie returned with the wreck of his expedition to Cuba, where he shortly af- terward died. As the eloquent Bancroft remarks, "So ended the adventurer who had coveted immeasurable wealth, and had hoped tor perpetual youth. The discoverer of Florida had de- sired immortality on earth, and trained only its shadow."' [A.D. 1520.] 2. Expedition of I'astjite- dc Aylloii. While the conquest o! the islands and Mexico was progressing, the rich mines discovered required numerous able hands to bring forth the precious metals. For this purpose, it was proposed to capture as many of the hardy natives of the islands and of Florida as might be requisite to supply the demand of the mines with slaves. For this purpose, some wealthy miners fitted out a fleet of two vessels under Yasquez de Ay lion, in the year 1520, to cruise among the islands in quest of Indian slaves. This expedition reached the eastern coast of Florida, a little north of the first landing of Ponce de Leon, where the vessels were anchored in a river, in latitude ,'JvT north, in a country called by the natives Chicorea. The river was called Jordan, and is probably the same now called the Savannah, or. as some think, the Combahee, in South Carolina. At this place Europ- eans were unknown to the natives, who admired the fair skins, the long beards, the splendid clothing, and the brilliant armor, no less than the huge vessels in which they came. But they iled in terror to their forests. The Spaniards soon dispelled their fears, and enticed them <>n board the vessels, where they traded beads and trinkets for marten skins, pearl, and some U'old and silver. While on board, the unsuspecting Indians thronged the decks, ga/.ing with admiration on every tiling around them. As soon as a sufficient number had been enticed below the decks, the perfidious Spaniards closed the hatches, and made all sail for St. Domingo. Husbands were torn from their wives, parents from their children. Storms arose on the voyage ; they were o vert a ken bv disasters, and < >ne vessel, with all on board, was lost : the other arrived safe. Hut the Indians on board remained sullen and gloomy; and. refusing all food, most of them died ot famine and melancholy. This enterprise only stimulated the cupidity of Vasmuv de Ayllon to further outrages, lie repaired to Spain, and sought from the emperor the government of Chicorea, with authority * Hi--', i if I uited States, vol. i. 6 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. to subdue it by conquest. He obtained his request, and wasted his whole fortune in the preparation of his tleet and troops. [A. I). liVJf).] He arrived in the mouth of the Jordan, with his ileet. in the year l;V.2f>, but soon his largest ship was stranded and lost. The natives, fired with revenue for former wrongs, meditated the entire destruction of their invaders. They dis- sembled their resentment, and, by acts of hospitality and friend- ship, trained the confidence of the Spaniards, who hoped former wrongs were forgotten. Vasque/ was completely deceived, and believed the country already subdued to his sway. The natives invited the Spaniards to visit their village, nine miles distant, for festive entertainment. They accepted the invita- tion, and Yasque/ permitted two hundred of his men to visit the village, while he remained with a small force to guard the ships. The natives entertained their guests with feasting and mirth for three days, until they were placed completely off their guard. That night the Indians arose upon them and massacred every soul. At daybreak they repaired to the har- bor, and surprised Yasque/, and his handful of guards. ( )nly a few of them escaped to the ships, wounded and dismayed, and with all speed hastened back to St. Domingo. According to some accounts. Vasque/ remained among the slain ; accord- ing to others, he returned among the wounded to St. Domingo, where mortified pride, and the ruin of his fortune, hurried him, broken-hearted, to his grave. Thus signally were the natives oi'Chicoren avenged upon their cruel and perfidious enemies." [A.D. l.vj*.] .'3. Expedition of Pamphiln de Narvaez. I.Ms- asters from heaven, and hostility from men, were insufficient to deter the Spaniards from attempting the conquest of Florida. They still believed the interior was far more wealthy than Mexico. The. next important expedition was conducted by Pamphilo de Xarvae/. a man of no great prudence or reputa- tion tor virtue. lie was authori/ed to subdue the countrv. over which he \vas appointed governor, with the title of ade- lantado. or commander-in-chief. His authority extended over all the country ot Florida, from Cape Sable as far as the River of I'alins. probably tin- Colorado in the west of Texas. ]1 ( > ;1 | leiiLTth equipped his ileet of four ships, and a strong militarv force of tour hundred toot and eighty horse: \\ith this com- plement lie set. sail from Cuba in March, and on the K'th of ' I' Hi'J'K -t dl !'.. r : :;i vol. i., p. !' A.D. 1528.] VAl-LEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 7 April he anchored in an open bay in East Florida, railed the Bay of Kspiritu Santo, the modern Tampa Bay. Having lost some of his men by desertion among the islands, and some of his horses in a storm, he landed his forces for the conquest of the country, amounting to three hundred men and forty-live horses. He then formally took possession of the country in the name of his imperial master, and explored the region in the vicinity. Having found it barren, and but thinly inhabited, he determined to penetrate northwardly into the interior, in quest of some populous and wealthy empire like Mexico or Peru. The fleet was directed to seek some safe harbor and await his return, or to proceed to Havana and bring new supplies for the army. With these arrangements he plunged into the depths of an unknown and savage wilderness, blinded against the danger by the delusive hope of conquest and riches. At first he passed through an inhabited country, with fields of maize : afterward, for many days, they journeyed through des- ert solitudes, and often suffered the extremes of hunger, of ex- posure, and of despair. They crossed rapid rivers, on rafts and by swimming, exposed to frequent attacks from hordes of lurkinir savages. Their extreme cruelly to the Indians who fell into their hands secured to them the most implacable hos- tility. Some ot their captives were compelled to act as guides; but they led the invaders through swamps and forests, through matted thickets and fallen trees, until their souls sickened at the idea of proceeding further. They \vere thus led on for many days by their treacherous and vindictive guides, who sought to bewilder them, and lead them beyond then' own ter- ritory. ^ et they were urircd on hv the hope ol reaching the rich country, which, the guides declared, was still far ahead. This was the Appalachee country, which lay, probably, west of the head streams o( the Suwanee River, in Georgia, between the Alapahaw and the Withlacoochy Rivers, and east of Flint River. This country was represented by the Indians as abounding in gold, and toward this the weary Spaniards bent their eager way. At length they arrived at the long-sought country, and in sight ol the chief town; but. instead of' a jjreat citv like Mexico, Xarvaex. was chagrined to find onlv a village of two hundred and forty huts and sheds. The natives fled at their approach, and with them, ior a time, lied the delusion of gold. The Spaniards remained twenty-five days in the village, 8 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. and were compelled to forage and plunder the country for sub- sistence ; but they were harassed day and night, and numbers were cut oil* by the warlike natives, until despair began to brood over them. They now became more anxious for food than for gold ; and the captives directed them southward, to the village of Ante, near the sea, where they represented the country as abounding in corn, vegetables, and fish, and the na- tives as peaceable and kind. This was distant nine days' march, and thither they turned their weary course. They were led through dismal swamps with deep lagoons, with the water often up to their breasts, the passage frequently obstruct- ed by fallen timber, and beset with hordes of hostile and fierce savages. These were armed with bows of an enormous size, and hung continually upon their 11, inks and rear. At length, after incredible dillicultics, they reached the village of Auto, which was deserted and burned by the natives at their ap- proach. Some corn, however, remained, and this was more acceptable than gold. They were now within a day's march of the sea, probably in the vicinity of the present site of St. Mark's ; their numbers were greatly reduced by disease, by privation, and by the savages. Only two thirds of their orig- inal number survived, and many of those were now ill, and dis- ease was daily spreading among them. They had now trav- eled eight hundred miles of dismal wilderness from the point ot their disembarkation, and knew not the part of the gulf upon which they had now arrived. Their hopes of conquest and wealth were at an end, and to retrace their steps in search of their ships would only be to ha/ard the lives of all the sur- vivors. Having discovered an inlet one day's inarch from Ante, they determined to encamp there until they could con- struct a lew rude barques, in which they might coast around in search of their ships. Desperation drove them to invention. A rude bellows and forge were constructed, and all the iron im- plements ot every kind, even to their stirrups and spurs, were converted into nails, hatchets, and saws. Their shirts were made into sails, and cordage was made from palm bark and horse hair. They made pitch of pine rosin, and oakum ot' palm bark. Kvery man able to work joined in building the frail vessels : a horse was killed every three days lor the laborers and the sick. At lenirth, alter irreat exertion, they completed live vessels A. I). 1528.] VALLKY OK THE MISSISSIPPI. 9 and embarked on the 22d of September, 1528, crowdini: their gunwales almost to the water's edge. They coasted along the unexplored shore for many days, suffering both with hun- ger and sickness. They were driven by storms on the water, and assailed by savages when they approached land, until tliev became wild and desperate. A storm sprung up in the night, and three vessels were dispersed and wrecked: only two remained. In one of these was Xarvaex himself. After coasting the shore round for many days in the most forlorn condition, he landed, and sent all his men ashore in search of provisions, retaining with him only one sailor and a. sick page. While they were on shore a severe gale sprang up Irom the north, and his vessel, without food or water, was driven out to sea. and never heard of afterward. Thus this ill-fated man reaped only suffering and privation, poverty and death, where he expected wealth, conquest, and glory : while the country of Florida, which he was to subdue and colonize, remained as in- hospitable and unknown as before. Out of the whole number who landed at the Bay of Espiritu Santo for this expedition, only live escaped, Alvar Xiinex Ca- bexa de ~\ aca, and tour ot his companions. They were in the other barque that remained alter the night storm, and were afterward cast upon the inhospitable shore ; and, as Mr. Irving observes. " After the most singular and unparalleled hardships, they traversed the northern P'irts of Florida, crossed the Mis- sissippi, the desert mountainous regions on the confines of Texas and the Rocky Mountains, passing from tribe to tribe of Indians, and often as slaves, until, at the end of several years, they succeeded in reachinir tin 1 Spanish settlement ot'O.m- postella. From thence Alvar \iinex proceeded to Mexico, and ultimately arrived at. Lisbon m 15'H. nearlv ten years after his embarkation with I'amphilo de Xarvaex." The re- mainder ot the crew, left on shore when Xarvaex's barque was blown out to sea, were never beard of. and. in all probability, perished with hunger and by savaire venireance. ' S Iran ire as it may appear. Alvar Xiinex and his companions, alter their forlorn wanderings and privations, and return to Furope. persisted in declaring Florida the richest country in the world; and their romantic, narrations had the effect of still keeping alive the spirit ot adventure tor the conquest of * (.'(m'iU'.-n . 'f Flori'la, vol. i., p. 1G--JJ. 10 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. a country so much richer than Mexico. Encouraged by these declarations, a new and more extensive expedition was set on foot, during the following year, under llernando de Soto, one of the most distinguished and wealthy cavaliers of that age. De Soto had heen a companion of Pi/.arro in the conquest of Peru, where he had amassed an immense fortune, and had won the most distinguished honors in the field of battle for his valor and his heroic achievements. Descended of noble blood, lie maintained all the pomp and retinue of a Spanish nobleman of that day ; his fame in the conquest of Peru had gained him a favorable standing with the Emperor Charles V., and he ap- peared at court with great pomp and splendor. Fired with the enthusiasm which he had contributed to in- spire. Alvar Nunez determined to join the contemplated ex- pedition, and again to enter upon the conquest of Florida. A few months sufficed to light up all {Spain with the enthusiasm of the enterprise. The history of this expedition contains so much of romance and adventure, that it can hardly be believed by some as se- rious matter of fact. Yet this expedition for gold and conquest was unquestionably made ; and it affords a sad proof of the proneness of human nature, under certain circumstances, to be carried away by the enthusiasm of the times, as if in expec- tation that the laws of nature, in the physical as well as the moral world, would be changed or subverted to subserve the imaginary wants of man. Ot all the enterprises undertaken in the spirit of wild ad- venture, none has surpassed, for hardihood and variety ot in- cident, that of the renowned llernando de Soto and his band of cavaliers. As Mr. Irving observes, " It was poetry put into action; it was the knight-errantry of the Old World carried into the depths of the American wilderness. The personal ad- ventures, the feats of individual prowess, the picturesque de- scriptions of steel-clad cavaliers with lance and helm, and pranrmg steed, glitteriii'_r through the wildernesses of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the prairies of the Fur \\ fst, would seem to us mere fictions ot romance, did they not come to us in the nnit'T-ot-tact narratives of those who were eye-witnesses, and who recorded minute memoranda of every day's incidents."'' The sixteenth century was an age of adventure, and all * Con-iu.vn ufFlnn.la, v,,l. i., p. 34-30. A.D. 1538.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 11 Europe was fired with the enthusiasm of American discovery and conquest. The populous islands of the West Indies, and the powerful and wealthy empires <>f Mexico and Peru, were early subdued and plundered of their immense riches by small but gallant bands of Spaniards. The whole of Europe re- sounded with the fame of Cortez and Pizarro, and those who had followed their standards had amassed riches and honors without number. The ambition of the young and chivalrous was inllamed to deeds of daring. [A.D. 1538.] De Soto burned with ambition to signalize himself equally with Cortez and Pizarro, to whose fame his was only inferior. The only field for his enterprise was the rich and powerful countries supposed to exist in the interior of Florida, north of the Mexican Gulf. This country was still believed to abound in silver and gold, and to be extremely fer- tile in all the products of agriculture. Several expeditions had formerly failed to subdue its inhabitants and to possess its wealth: but chivalric adventurers were still ready to enter a crusade again into these regions for the sake of gaining wealth and honors, and to stake their lives and fortunes on the issue. A man suitable to lead and command such an expedition was all they required. De Soto was in every way qualified. In fame he almost equalled the conquerors of Mexico and Peru themselves ; in courage and perseverance he was not less. lie was in the prime ot manhood, and only waited some lit oppor- tunity to signalize himself, and hand down his fame to pos- terity equally brilliant with that ot ( 1 ortez and Pizarro. About this time Alvar Xunez returned to Spain, with the tidings of the unfortunate fate of Pamphilo \arvaez and his followers. All the vague reports ol the immense riches and fertility of Flondis. which had been greedily received and accredited, were confirmed in glowing colors by Alvar Xunez. In his miracu- lous wanderings through the country for many years, he had explored the whole region, had become acquainted with the language, customs, and resources ot the natives. He therefore would be the most valuable acquisition to the contemplated expedition. The imagination and enthusiasm of De Soto took fire at the glowing representations of Alvar Xunez. and he determined to lead an expedition which should eclipse the fame of the great captains who had preceded him. and yield the immense ]"2 HISTOUY OF THI: [BOOK i. riches \vhich ho so much coveted. The fate of all former ex- pedition^ to that inhospitable land only served to stimulate his ambition, lie conceived that he j>ossessed the energy and firmness to overcome all the obstacles and dangers which had caused the lailure and destruction of toriner expeditions, lie believed, too. that the barren coast, and the fierce hostility of the native tribes, were only so many obstacles placed by na- ture to protect and conceal the immense riches of the interior. J )e Soto accordingly obtained permission and authority from the Fmperor Charles to undertake the conquest of Florida at his own risk and expense. The emperor conferred upon him the title and otlice of governor and captain-general for life of Cuba and Florida. In the country of Florida which he should conquer he was appointed adelantado, an ollice comprising the whole civil and military authority, with a marquesite. and an estate in the country of thirty leagues in length and fifteen in breadth. A more splendid field oi action, and a brighter pros- pect, presented to those who should engage in this expedition than ;mv yet undertaken on the Continent. J)e Soto himself was transported with enthusiasm in the cause, and his enthu- siasm and ardor were infused into ;ill about him. So soon as it was announced that Hernando de Soto. one ol the conquer- ors ot Peru, was about to undertake the conquest of Florida, men of rank and wealth were foremost in oiiering the aid, not only of their personal services, but also of their monev and fortunes. Soldiers of fortune, who had served with distinction in the wars against the Moors as well as in distant portions of the globe, were eager to join his standard in so splendid an undertaking. Doling nobles, ambitions ot' distinction ;uid wealth, cavaliers ot experience, men of fortune, all volunteered in the intended conquest: some sold their whole estates to in- vc>t the proceeds in equipments tor the expedition. A'.-iie were more liberal in their contributions than 1 )e Soto himself, who exhausted h;s uh"!e menus in equipping the fleet, and in other requisite^ tor the invasion. A troop ot' Portuguese cav- ahers were aiin>ir_ r the volunteers lor the enterprise ; the whole ot Spain was anxiously looking on the preparations jor the ex- pedition, and all was a brilliant displav ot urms and wealth. The number who presented themselves tor the enterprise was far greater than could lie received. From all the applicants I >e Soto selected the choicest spirits tor his companions. A.I). lf>3S.] YALLKV Or THE MlriSlriSHTI. 13 Many oi' the aspirants for fame and wealth, even those who liad sacriiiced their estates in preparing the expedition, were compelled to remain. Alter nearly fourteen months spent in preparation for this enterprise, De Soto set sail from Spain on the (5th of April, 153H. His expedition consisted of nine hundred and littv chosen Spaniards and Portuguese. A more gallant hand had never heen seen; scarcely one with gray hairs was among them. All were young and vigorous, and well fitted for the toils, hardships, and dangers of so adventurous an undertaking. In the enterprise, also, were enlisted twelve priests, eight eler- imnen of inferior rank, and lour monks, most of them beinir O O relatives of the superior otlicers. This magnificent armament sailed from Spain in ten vessels, and in company with a licet of twenty-six sail, bound for Mexico. They lelt the port amid the sounds of music, the blasts of trumpets, and the roar of artillery.* After a prosperous voyage of near seven weeks, the expe- dition arrived at St. Jago de Cuba about the last of May. Their arrival spread general joy and rejoicing throughout the island, and lor several days it was one scene ol balls, masquer- ades, tilting-matehes. bull-lights, contests ol skill in horseman- ship, and other chivalrous amusements. These being over, De Soto spent three months in a tour around the island, visiting the principal towns, and appointing officers ot justice to rule in his absence. Most ot the wealthy cavaliers were likewise furnishing themselves with the choicest horses and the most splendid trappings. The enthusiasm which prevailed in Spain spread likewise in Cuba, and manv more ot the wealthy and ambitious joined the expedition, and aided in furnishing every thiirj necessary tor conquest and comfort. Late in August, the governor, 1 >e Soto, arrived at Havana, where he was joined by bis family and all Ins troops. He continued here, eirja.'jvd in the duties ol his station as governor, for several months. In the mean lime, he had sent a brigantine, manned with picked sailors and a trusty commander, to the coast of Florida, in search ot a sale and commodious harbor, to which the expedition might sail direct on leaving Cuba. The object of ibis mission beiii!_ r accomplished, the brigantine returned, brinirinir lour ot the natives (A Florida, \\lio were detained to 11 HISTORY OF THE [fiOOK I. learn the Spanish language, lor the purpose of being employed us guides and interpreters. During this time the preparations for the- expedition had been progressing with great diligence, and the number ot additional volunteers had increased the whole force to one thousand men, including three hundred and fifty horsemen, besides the crews of the ships ; the ileet con- sisted of eight large and three small vessels. Every thing was provided that could possibly be necessary for conquest or for planting colonies. Artisans in wood and iron ; iron in abundance, and a complete set of forging tools ; men and apparatus for assaying gold and silver ; a whip-saw and various tools for working in wood ; live stock of different kinds, including three hundred head of swine for their colony, as well as food on their march, in case of emergency. Besides these, they provided every thing which the experience ol former expeditions could suggest, or avarice and cruelty could dictate. Not only priests and learned men, but chemists and miners to procure and assay the precious metals. Chains and fetters for the captives, and even blood-hounds to assist in drawing them from their hiding-places, were among the articles provided for the conquest, while cards were supplied to amuse their leisure hours or to gratify their love of gaming. The lighting men were completely clad in steel armor glittering with gold ; coats ol mail, helmets, breast-plates, and shields for defense ; and lances, broad-swords, and cimeters for offensive warfare. A tew were armed with cross-bows, and eighteen with arque- buses; and one piece of ordnance was taken. Fire-arms were not then in general use; such as were used were imperfect, compared with those of modern times. Thus provided and equipped, the expedition set sail from Havana on the 1'Jth of May. If).'}!), as gayly as if it had been an excursion of a bridal party. Little did they dream of the dan- gers and hardships which thev were about to encounter. In a fortnight the fleet arrived in the Hay "f Inspirit!! Santo, which had been selected be lore. Here thev cast anchor and j ire pared to disembark. ' The whole was a roviir_ r band of gallant freebooters in quest of plunder and ot fortune; an army rendered cruel and fero- cious by avarice, and ready to march to any point with slaugh- ter where they mr_rht suppose an Indian village was stored with ' Coii'iUL-st uf Fluri-la, vol. i.. j>. -*. A.D. 1538.] VALLEY OF THE MISSIHrill'l'I. 15 irold or other riches. Stimulated by the hive of fume, and still O * more by the love of gold, they .plunged into the savage wilds of East Florida, and thence northward into the southwest sec- tion of Georgia, through the country of the Seminoles. who were as warlike and ferocious then as at the present time. Thev inarched and wandered lor the first year in East Florida and in Georgia, east of Flint River, continually harassed and cut oil' bv the natives. The Indians captured for guides led them through dismal forests and impassable swamps until they reached the Appalachee country, where they spent the first winter, about one hundred and thirty miles north of St. Mark's. The next year they traversed the State of Georgia northeast- ward, arid north of the Altamaha River; thence they were led northwestward, in search of gold, to the barren regions of the Cherokees ; thence down the valley of the Coosa River ; and thence southwestward, down the Alabama Valley toward its junction with the Tombigby, where they met with the most terrible disaster from a desperate attack by an immense Indian host, in which many were killed, and nearly all their baggage was destroved by lire. From this they marched northward, or, rather, northwestward, in the midst of winter, and spent the remainder of their second winter in the upper part of the State of Mississippi, near the \ ulobusha, or Tallahatchy River. During the winter they were attacked by a large bodv of In- dians in the Chickasa country, and again burned out. In this attack many were killed, and nearly every thing in the way of clothing and armor was destroyed by lire. Many of their horses likewise were killed or burned to death. The hostile savages harassed them incessantly in all their marches and encampments, and everv day diminished the numbers ot this gallant band. Thev next bent their course north of west, until the}' struck the Mississippi River. They crossed it, and ex- tended their march with the wreck of their army in a north- western direction to the mountainous region north of the Ar- kansas, where they spent their third winter. Thence thev re- turned to the Mississippi, where I )e Soto died from disease brought ,, n ),y constant hardships, fatigue, and disappointed ambition. The remnant <>1 the army again set out westward in hopes of reaching Mexico; and their fourth summer was spent in traversing the regions north of Red River. They finally returned to the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Ar- 1C) HISTORY or TIIK [BOOK i. kansas River, where the remnant ot three hundred and fifty men, worn down \vith privations, hardships, and savage war- fare in body, and depressed in mind by anxiety, disappoint- ments, and despair, finally constructed rude vessels, and, pur- sued bv hostile Indians, floated down the Mississippi to the gulf: and thence coasting around toward Mexico, only two hundred and fifty men finally readied the Spanish settlements. During the whole of' nearly four years, while they were in quest ot gold east, and west of the Mississippi, their sufferings were indescribable. They encountered one continued and successive scene of privations, toils, dangers, disasters, and despair. 1 have not enumerated sickness and death among their sufferings, lor these were the only comforts to their spir- its, which sickened at the verv thoughts of life. CHAPTER II. INVASION OF FLORIDA I; Y Iir.RX ANDO I)K SOTO. A.I). 15'J!) TO 1510. A>'Lrtii''nf. The Spanish Expedition at the Hay of Kspiritu Santo. Disasters com iiieiice. IV Solo invades tin.' Territory of Hirihiirua. luvude.s the Territories of Acii.Til; of Ocrili; e Solo, and caused him to be cxtremelv cautious in his movements. Alter four da\ - < if del a v and ohsen at ion. he land- ed a body (.t three hundred men, most probably on the shore A.I). 1531).] VALI.KY OF THK MlSrilSSll'I'I. 17 it that portion of the Bay of Espiritu Santo known as 1 lillsbor- uiit:h Bay. Here, with great pomp, lie formally took possession of the country in the name oi his imperial master, Charles V. ; alter which the detachment, in the joyful expectation of con- quest and riches, encamped lor the night in a state of careless security. Xext morning, just before the dawn of' day, the In- dians, who had been secretly observing all their movements, assaulted the camp in vast numbers and with terrific yells. I'nacquainted with such warfare, the whole detachment, pan- ic-stricken, fled in great confusion toward the shipping. Many were wounded by arrows, and some were killed before they could reach the vessels. The Indians having dispersed, De Soto soon afterward disembarked the whole of his troops, and beiran his march into the interior by slow and cautious advan- ces. The army had not proceeded more than six miles, when the}' came in slight of an Indian village governed by a chief named Ilirihigua, who entertained for the Spaniards the most implacable hostility; the Indians fled at their approach: and the Spaniards, finding the town deserted, entered and plunder- ed it of all that was left. Here De Soto remained with his armv until he had somewhat explored the country, and com- pleted his arrangements lor advancing into the interior. .During the stay of' the Spaniards at this post, llirihimia and his warriors lost no opportunity of harassing them by day and by niiiht. The savago burned with revenue against their in- vaders : yet they dreaded the terrible arms and horses of their enemies. De Soto, as a measure oi policy, used everv exer- tion and entreaty to appease the wrath o| the vindictive chief', but all in vain. lie endeavored bv his interpreters, and by pri>oners. discharged loaded with presents and favors, to gain his confidence and friendship. I5ut to all their entreaties he answered scornfully, and upbraided his warriors lor their in- tercession. l|js 1 will receive them joylully." Ten years before, this chief had been treated with u'reat crueltv and treacherv bv I'ainphilo de Xarvaex. after ha vni'_ r ,-!i"\\ n ureat kindness to him and his armv. AmoiiLT other outrages, \arvaex had caused the moth- er of 1 1 irihi'_ r ua to be tern to pieces before bis eyes bv blood- In Hinds : a Iter which he i otherwise mutilated, Tl VOL. I. U 18 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. cruelties was fresh in his mind. Ue Soto and his army were countrymen of Xarvaez, and lie held them answerable lor the treachery of their predecessors. Before advancing further into the country, De Soto deter- mined to provide himself with guides and interpreters who were acquainted with the country. Having learned that a Spaniard by the name of Juan Ortiz, who had been left by the fleet, of Xarvaez nearly eleven years before, remained a pris- oner and slave in a neighboring tribe, he determined to obtain possession of him ; for he would understand both the Spanish and Indian languages ; besides, he would be able to give much valuable information relative to the country, the number, and the customs of the Indians. After a hazardous enterprise by some of his bravest troopers, he obtained possession of this in- dividual, and soon afterward took up his line of march toward the northeast, having left a garrison to hold the post of Jliri- higua. During their stay at the latter place, they had succeeded in capturing a number of Indians, who were chained and made to serve as guides, and porters of the baggage. The army pursued an Indian trace, which traversed the low, marshy region south and east of the Hillsborough Hiver, to- ward the northeast. Their guides led them through thick woods, with tangled vines and undergrowth, through swamps, marshes, and deep morasses, almost impassable for man or horse. Sometimes they passed over small quaking prairies, with a thick vegetable soil, and with water beneath. At first it would bear the horses, and then, yielding, leave them in a. suf- focating bog. When the woods were thick, and the path in- tricate, they were beset by hordes of savages lurking in am- bush, who poured showers of arrows upon them, where neither cavalry nor foot could follow to attack. After several days of severe toil, and great, perplexity in threading their way through almost impassable swamps and bogs, they at length came to a deeji river, which was out of its banks from recent rains. On each side of the stream, for a mile and a half in width, was a low swamp, which was excessively hoggy when not complete- ly covered with water. Three days were spent in continued and fruitless attempts to find a firm crossing-place." .During the whole of this tune, the) were sorely harassed b\ * (,'oii<|ii''st of Fldriila, vol. i., rlia A.D. 1539.] VALLEY OF THE MltiSIStillTI. 19 assaults from hostile Indians, with terrific yells. They became impatient, and. in despair, suspecting their Indian guides of treachery, caused lour of them to he torn to death by blood- hounds. The guides atoned with their lives lor the errors of their enemies, and for the impassable nature of the country. \ et no obstacles could turn their course; other guides were selected, who finally led them across, where the bottom of' the swamp was linn, but covered with water up to the knees, and often to the armpits. Still they pressed on, and at length readied the channel of the river, which was swarminic with Indians in their canoes, darting through the inundated swamp and trees, and sending forth showers ol arrows upon them. A rude Indian bridge, made by a tree Jelled in from each bank, and joined by a lloating rait, enabled them to cross, while the horses were obliged to swim. They were now, in all probability, on the Withlacoocliy River, which has been made memorable in modern times bv the disasters of the bravest troops of the United States. ' They were probably in the region of the \Vahoo Swamp, and, pur- suing their route, they crossed Irom the south to the north side, and continued their march toward the north. Alter almost incredible dilliculties and perplexities, and after having lost several ol their brave companions, the armv arriv- ed at the village of Acuera, a hostile and warlike cacique. This village was about thirty miles north ol the \\ ithlacoochy, or Amaxura lliver, situated in a beautiful and fertile bottom, environed by extensive fields ol corn, and by gardens abound- ing in pumpkins, squashes, and other vines; besides beautiful copses of Irmt-trees dose at hand. The Cacique Acuera and all his people tied to the forests, and would hold no interce with 1 '< Soto, who, bv interpreters and captured Indians. \\ ilh everv token ol peace and friendship, endeavored to gain a. friendly interview. Uut the implacable chieftain returned onlv the most haughty and vaunting re- pruaches 1'ir the cruelty and treachery ol his countrvnien, 1'amphilo de .N'arvae/. and 1 'e Ayllon, in former times. .Near the village o| Acuera. I )e Soto remained lor twentv days, to recruit his men and h<>rses alter their perilous marches. 120 HISTORY OF TIIK [BOOK I. They found abundance of corn and other culinary vegetables in the adjoining fields, which were numerous and extensive. The camp was securely fortified, so as to prevent sudden sur- prise : yet the Indians ceased not, day or night, to harass them in every form of savage warfare. Small parties dared not leave the camp; for whoever loitered a hundred yards from it was picked oil" by the arrows of the Indians, concealed in the adjoining thickets. Those who were thus killed were beheaded, and their heads presented to their chief; and next morning the Spaniards would find the bodies quartered and hung upon trees, or stuck upon stakes in sight of their camp. Fourteen Spaniards thus lost their lives while encamped at Acuera ; yet the Indians were so wary, that they were seldom taken or killed ; the whole loss of the savages in twenty days did not exceed fifty warriors. The Spaniards were now about seventy or eighty miles dis- tant from Hillsborongh Bay, in a due north direction, and about twelve miles southwest from Orange Lake. Having explored the country for many miles around, by detachments and fora- ging parties, I)e Soto determined to inarch tor the country of Ocali, about forty miles further north. In the first thirty miles they passed over a thin, barren region, and some pine forests, probably northwest of the present site of Fort Micanopy, be- fore they entered the fertile region of Ocali. For twenty miles further, they passed through a fruitful valley, thickly in- habited, and abounding in fields. At length they arrived at the chief town, called, after the country, Ocali. This was one of the most extensive towns in Florida, and contained six hun- dred houses. It was situated upon the south side of a. river, in all probability the Suwanee, or the Santa Fe branch. Here the Spaniards remained several days, finding plenty 01 corn, fruits, and other vegetables. The Indians were less hostile than most of those they had seen; but living in a. fertile and open country, where the cavalry could act, the Spaniards had nothing to tear from their hostility, had thev been other- wise. Having constructed a bridge across the river, and hav- in ir captured about thirtv Indians to serve as guides, DC Soto set out northward with his armv for the great countrv of Vit;i- chuco. about lorty miles distant, and called in the Portuguese narrative the Province <>\ PuhicJie.* " Con'jiir^l <>t Fior.'1-L, vol. i.. chap, xv.-xviii. A.U. 1539.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIH'I. ^1 The country of Vitachuco \v;is a large territory, one hundred and fifty miles across, under the government of three brothers, but called after the eldest, who was cacique, or king. This country, no doubt, extended from the tribe last named to what is now the southern limit of Hamilton county, Florida. After three days' march through a more open country than that for- merly traversed, they arrived at the frontier settlements of Vitachuco, and approached the first town, which was that of Ochile, one of the younger brothers. This town De Soto sur- prised at daybreak, and secured the chief and some of his prin- cipal warriors and attendants as prisoners. These were treated with every kindness and attention, for the purpose of securing, through them, a peaceable passage through the country of the other two brothers. This village was strongly fortified, and contained about fifty large houses. After some days of delay they marched to the town of the second brother, and, through the messages and influence of the first, De Soto obtained a friendly reception. After this they marched toward the town of the cacique, or oldest brother, in- terpreters and messengers having been sent in advance. Vita- chuco, however, was displeased with the kind reception given to the Spaniards by the younger brothers: he detained the messengers, and returned no answer. This haughty chieftain, during eight days, would receive no messenger nor compromise from the Spanish governor, but returned the most insulting and menacing messages. lie warned him against the danger of violating his territory, and upbraided them with the treachery and cruelty of Xarvaex. Finally, after great hostility and menaces, he appeared to have become reconciled to the Span- iards, and professed great friendship. He appeared anxious to atone tor Ins former hostility bv acts of kindness, in supplying their necessities, and accompanied them with professions <>f friendship, and unqualified submission to the wishes of ] )e Soto. The latter, however, began to suspect a plot of treachery ; ami his suspicions, whether HIM or unfounded, terminated in the most dreadful slaughter of the natives. Among the demonstrations of friendship and esteem toward 1 )e Soto. the cacique proposed, probably in the spirit of gener- ous rivalry, to make a display before him of his power, and the number oi warriors under his command, as well as the excel- lence of his tactics and evolutions, in a errand review. < >n > 2 HISTORY OF THE [liUOK I. given day the \vhole of his warriors were assembled, to the number of several thousands, including nearly all his tribe. During the parade, De Soto desired that his warriors too should display ; the chief assented, and the Spaniards marched out with glittering arms and flying banners to the sound of martial music. They marched before the Indians, the infantry and cavalry duly arranged, when, upon a signal given by a blast of trumpets, they fell, sword in hand, upon the terrified and unsuspecting Indians. In three hours not less than live hundred of the warriors were numbered with the dead, and nine hundred were secured as prisoners and slaves. The re- mainder escaped to the woods, thickets, and a lake, which was near the town. Among the prisoners was Vitachuco himself, and many of his choicest warriors. The t<\vn of Vitachuco was situated upon a lake, probably about twelve miles southeast of Suwanee Itiver. where it forms the southern limit of Hamilton county. In this massacre the Indians defended themselves with great courage against the superior arms of the Spaniards and the terrible charges of their cavalry; but flight was their only safety. A few days afterward, the captive Indians rose upon their treacherous invaders, preferring death to an ignominious sla- very. This gave the Spaniards a pretext for putting to death, in cold blood, the whole of their prisoners. Some were tied to stakes and shot with arrows ; others were cut to pieces, or torn with dogs. Whether De Soto was justifiable in this atrocious act, must ever remain unknown. lie justified himself by a belief that the chief intended to play the same treachery upon him, and that he saved the lives of his men only by anticipating him in his cruel purpose. In favor of the Indian, it may be said, that his conduct in this case was only a specimen of the policy and conduct of the Spaniards in the conquest of Mexico and Peru. where De Soto learned his Indian morality. Pretexts were not wanting in other instances, when he wished to gratify his desire ot pomp and power, or, it may be, to give his troops an easy revenue for all lite toils, hardships, and conflicts they had encountered since their disembarkation. In favor of the Indians, it may be asked, it they came there prepared to exterminate their invaders, why were they unable to defend themselves against their attack? The Indian princes were always anxious A.D. 1539.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 23 to impress Europeans with their strength and power ; and ii', in this case, the cacique designed treachery, his designs have been forever concealed by the known and terrible designs of his antagonist. Five days after the massacre of Vitachuco, the Spaniards resumed their march northward, to a country called Osachile, alter the name of its chief town, which was situated thirty miles north of Vitachuco. The fame of their treachery and cruelty, however, had preceded them, and had roused the savages to the most determined resistance. They had not marched more than twelve miles before they came to a large and deep river, which formed the boundary between the two countries. Here the Indians contested the passage; but the country being open, so that the cavalry could move, the sav- ages were soon dispersed, and the army crossed at their leisure upon rafts constructed for the occasion. They marched partly through an open country, and at length arrived at the village of Osachile, containing about two hundred houses. The river crossed in this march was doubtless the Suwanee River. The Indians of this village having beard of the approach of the Spaniards, and knowing the terror of their arms, and the still greater terror of their warlike animals, had tied, and left the town, as usual, an easy capture. This village resembled most of those in Florida in the manner of its construction. The house of the chief was built upon a high artificial mound, or eminence, in a level country. The mound was larire enough to contain on its level summit from live- to ten houses for the chief and his family, with their attendants. Around the base ot this eminence were the houses o| the other chiets and war- riors ol mosi distinction, and others successively in the order of their respective rank. The margin of the mound was fortified bv pickets and other wooden harriers. The ascent was an avenue about iitteen teet wide, inclosed on each side by strong pickets made ot trunks >( trees, set deep into the ground, Within this passage were rude steps made of logs laid trans- versely, and partly buried in the ground. The other sides of the mound were steep, and inaccessible below the pickets on the m ; i r '_r in . ' De Soto remained in tins town or.lv two (lavs, as it was now getting late in the season, and lie wished to reach the country * Coii'iu.'st nf Florida, rliup. xx.-xxi. 24 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. of Appalaehe before winter. He learned at Osachile tliat a few days' march would bring him to that country, ol' which he had heard so much during his whole march. The natives al- ways referred to it as the most fertile and populous of all coun- tries, and as inhabited by the most warlike nation on the Con- tinent. Besides, it was supposed to be near the gold region, where they were to reap the wealth for which they had under- taken their adventurous campaign. Only forty miles now in- tervened between the two countries; but nearly the whole of the intervening region was uninhabited. On the fourth day they arrived at the ' Great Morass'' This was a wide swamp, covered with lofty trees, with a dense undergrowth ol thorns, brambles, and vines, so interwoven as to form a perfect barrier to man or horse. In the center, or lowest part of this morass, was a large shallow lake, or sheet of water, more than a mile in width, and several miles in length. The trace led through this dismal region, scarcely wide enough for two to pass abreast, between two walls of matted vines and thorns nearly a hundred feet high. The advanced guard, in single file, pen- etrated but a small distance into this forest, when they were met by a band of hostile Indians. These defended the pass every step to the central lake, although only two or three of the iront rank on each side could engage at one time. When they reached the lake, both parties having room to spread and form lor action, the contest became general. The governor sent forward a re-enforcement, and attended it in person ; lor he was alwavs in the hottest part of a battle. Still the Indians made a bold stand ; and thev also having received a .strong re- enforcement, made the battle long and bloody. Both parties gradually spread out into the lake, and fought, with great courage, nearlv up to their waists in water. The lake abound- ed with a vast quantity of roots, cypress knees, bushes, briers, and tallen trees, over which they were liable to stumble at every step. It was the design of the Indians to check the progress of the- Spaniards at this point, and prevent their fur- ther march into then' country. The path led through the water to the opposite side o| the lake, and here thev might be em- barrassed, and made to lose their way. But the courage of De Soto and Ins perseverance were equal to any obstacle that could be opposed, and he finallv succeeded in driving ilV the Indians and passing the morass, which was altogether more A.D. 1539.] VALLEY OF Till: MISSISSIPPI. 'J5 than five miles across, being about two miles on each side of the lake. About forty yards in the middle of the lake was too deep to be lorded without swimming. The Indians still met them in the narrow trace, or defile, on the other side of the lake, and resolutely defended every inch of the path until they emerged into more open and higher ground. Here likewise they made an obstinate resistance. Fearing the action of the cavalry, which would have more room for operating, they had obstructed the woods with fallen trees, and by vines and branches tied from one tree to another: and sheltering them- selves among the trees, they plied the Spaniards with showers of arrows. The Indians, concealed among thickets, would spring forth as the enemy advanced, and rapidly discharge six or seven arrows each while a Spaniard could lire and re-load his arquebuse once. For six long miles were the Spaniards compelled here to toil and fight their way. without a possibility of taking vengeance until they should reach the open country. Two days were occupied in this perilous passage ; but so soon as they did reach the open country they gave loose reins to their vengeance, pursued the Indians wherever they could be seen, cutting them down, or lancing them to death. In this same morass .Xarvaex. in his expedition, was defeated by the Indians, and compelled to retreat toward the sea with the wreck of his armv. Many of ])e Soto's brave men lost their lives here too, and many of them were severely wounded. ])e Soto continued his march, and passed through many miles of inhabited country with numerous fields; at length he came to a deep river bordered bv dense forests, which was the boundary between Osachile and Appalache. This was, in all probability, the Oseilla Kiver of the present day. This was the last di Hii MI It barrier against their advance ; 1 lie Indians had assembled in larire numbers to dispute the passage ol the river. Thev stn>n_ r ! v barricaded the road and banks of the river with palisades to prevent the passage ol the cavalry, and here they fou-_rht with the fury of desperation ; but at length were defeat- ed by the intrepid Spaniards, who entered Palaehe, or the Ap- palache countrv, victoriously. Having crossed the ri\ er. they pursued their march, with but little interrupt ii >n. for nearly twelve miles, through alternate lev- el lands and iertile Holds, until thev reached the duet town. An- hayea, which they found deserted. As usual, the Spaniards 26 IIISTOKY or TIIK. [BOOK r. took possession. Do Soto liiinseli' occupying the house of the cacique as his headquarters.* Having found the province of Appalache fruilful, and abound- ing with the most necessary articles for the sustenance and comfort of man and beast. Do Soto determined to remain en- camped at Anhayca until the severity of winter should bo over. His army, accordingly, went into winter-quarters about the last of November. The province of Palache, or Appalache, was extensive, and probably embraced a confederacy of tribes. According to the best authorities, it extended from the Appalachicola River around the north and northwest of Appalache Bay ; but as to its precise limits on the north and east, there is much uncer- tainty. In all their marches the Spaniards had no other mode of ascertaining the distances traveled over than by rough esti- mate : and often the difficulties of the route may have caused the distance to appear much greater than it was in reality. Besides, in passim: over an unknown wilderness, inhabited by savages in open hostility, it is not likely that they could ascer- tain the boundaries and extent of any country or tribe, or even get the exact pronunciation of the names, where all were harsh, guttural sounds to them. That part of the province in which the town of Anhayca was situated is. by general assent, placed from about one hundred to one hundred and thirty miles north of the present site of St. Mark's. As to the immediate site of this town, nothing definite can be ascertained ; but, it was prob- ably in the vicinity of some <>t the tributaries ot the Suwanee River, or nearer the Flint. The Spaniards, pursuing their cir- cuitous marches, considered it nine days' march from the sea, anil near one hundred leagues north from the Hay of Kspiritu Santo. The province was populous, and had numerous villages and extensive fields. There was no gold in the country, and this was a sore disappointment to the Spaniards; but the former accounts continually given them of its fertility, and tin; ex- treme hostility and fierceness of the natives, were not exag- geratcd. Indeed, they were without doubt the most tierce and implacable of all the tribes they had yet seen. During their wh''lc stay in tins town, which was nearly i'Hir months, they were harassed with constant attacks, bv dav and b A.D. 15-10.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 27 night, in the open woods, and in thick ambuscades. The In- dians here, too, were in the habit of taking the scalps ol those thev killed, a custom not observed among the tribes in the lat- itude of Tampa Bay at that time. They ambuscaded foraging parties, harassed the encampment with nightly attacks and ter- rific, yells, and also lay in wait continually to sei/e or shoot down with arrows any that ventured from the camp. The chief, whose name was Capafi. remained concealed in some strong-hold or fastness, from which he directed his plans against the Spaniards; but no intelligence ot him could be obtained, nor would he receive any friendly overtures made to him. While in winter-quarters at Anhayca, De Soto repeatedly sent out strong detachments through the surrounding country, to the distance of forty or fifty miles, to explore the country and inquire for the gold region. Some of these detachments were out as long as a week or ten days, and returned and re- ported the country on the north fertile, populous, and free from marshes. At length one of the most intrepid and persevering captains was dispatched southward with a strong detachment of horse and foot to reach the sea. which they had not seen since they left the Bay of Kspiritu Santo. This detachment, after incredible difficulties and perplexities in deep swamps, inar>hes. A:c., came to the village of Aute. and thence to the sea, at the place where Pamphilo de Xarvaez made his last encampment, while building his rude brigantines to tempt the watery deep. Here they were shown by the Indian guides the remains of' his camp, of the forge, the troughs hewed out of trees for feed- ing their horses, the skeletons of the horses that died or were killed for food, and also the spot where ten of Ins men had been surprised and killed, besides manv other melancholy me- [A.D. 1 .")!<).] De Soto being highly pleased at having found a harbor so convenient, sent the same intrepid Captain Juan de Anasco. with a detachment of thirtv lancers, on the peril- on- route by land, back in the post of Hirihigua, to order on the garrison to headquarters, and the ships around to the Day of Ante. All this wa< eti'ected with much better success than might have been expected, considering the great distance, the impassable nature of' the route, and the fierce hostility of the savages. The ships ain of their cacique, through whom he might control their hostile opera- tions. It was the policy of the Spaniards fully tested in Mex- ico to obtain possession of the person of the king, or cacique, as a hostage, through whose authority they could restrain the Indians and effect other objects. I )e Soto was well aware of this fact, and in most, cases, his first object in entering the ter- ritory of anv tribe was to secure the chief, on account of the profound obedience and respect paid to him. Hence this was alwavs a matter of first importance, whether accomplished by force, or bv artifice and treachery. In most tribes through which they had yet passed, the terror of' their cruelty had pre- ceded them, and the chief's and all their people fled from their villages to avoid Spanish treachery : for, although the sole ob- ject of' the Spaniards was conquest and plunder, they were not a vei>e to obtaining these upon as eas v terms as possible : hence l>e Soto had made everv effort and inquiry to discover where the duet. ( 'apafi. concealed himself. At length he ascertained that the place of Ins retreat was in a dense and almost inaccess- ible forest, about twenty miles distant. I >e Solo, placing him- self' at the head of a strong detachment <>1 horse and foot, set ar peril : the mad lay tlin aiirh mora>ses. which rendered it A.D. 1510.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIIT I. 29 of the almost impervious forest, which they had prepared for their camp. All around this space it was fortified in the stron- gest Indian manner. The only avenue to it was by one narrow path cut through the forest, and lined on both sides with dense thickets of vines, thorns, and undergrowth. About everv hun- dred yards this path was strongly barricaded by trees, pali- sades, and vines, and at each barricade was posted a guard of the bravest, warriors. Beyond these sat Capafi, strongly en- sconced in the midst of his devoted warriors." De Soto commenced the attack: and, after acts of the most daring intrepidity by himself and his troop, they forced the nar- row passage, and gained one barrier after another, amid the most galling showers of arrows from every quarter. Many of the Spaniards were severely wounded ; but at length they gained the open space of the fort, where the cacique and his chief warriors were assembled. Here was the severest fight and the greatest havoc. The Indians seemed to offer them- selves a willing sacrifice to the Spanish sabres for the protec- tion of their chief; but at length, being overpowered bv the su- periority of the Spanish arms, they were mostly killed, and the remainder were taken prisoners. Among the latter was the cacique himself. This chief, one of the most powerful of all the native princes, was an object of great curiosity to the Spaniards. He was so remarkably fat and unwieldy that he could not walk, but was carried bv Ins attendants upon a litter wherever he desired to go. This was, however, probably more a matter of form than necessity : for, alter several days of captivity, he effect- ed bis escape from the midst <>t his guards, as they alleged, bv crawlinir "if "D his bands and knees while thev were asleep. Hi-; devoted warriors, beni'_r concealed around the camp, soon carried him to a place o! satetv. The guards had undergone severe fatigue, and, overcome with sleep, had i^iven way to slumber. be|ieviii'_ r it impossible tor their unwieldy prisoner to escape: but when they awoke he was <, r one, and never seen ail'ain by them. To appease the a Hirer of I )e Soto, and to ex- cuse their own negligence, they invented and told some mar- velous tales of his having been spirited away bv maific. /)> S,,/u in (ii'(,r10. 1 )e Soto broke up his winter-quarters, and set out for the northeast in search * L'oii'i'" 1 *' ut' Florida, vnl. i.. p. 1 ?,'-! -.">. 30 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. of the province of Cofachiqui, which was supposed, from Indian accounts, to lie the rich country for which lie was in search. lie had been informed by the guides and other Indians that it lay a long distance oil, toward the northeast, and that it Abound- ed in gold, silver, and pearls. The expectation of these antic- ipated riches buoyed up the spirits of his troops, and led them cheerfully onward. They passed alternately through fertile fields and barren forests; through inhabited regions and deep wildernesses; through open, high woods, and deep, gloomy swamps ; and often were in danger of starvation in remote and desolate forests. In their route, after the first few days, they found the tribes through which they passed friendly, hospita- ble, and confiding. The natives of these remote regions were unacquainted with the former cruelties and treachery of Pam- philo de .Xarvae/ : hence they were less suspicious of the strange warriors. From Anhayca they passed northward, probably crossing the Flint River, and pursuing their march in the valley on the west side for nearly twenty days, until they reached the southern part of the Cherokee country, called Aehalaqiie. Then they directed their route to the northeast, crossing, in the course of the next twenty days' march, two large rivers, in all probabilitv the Ocmulgee and Oconee Riv- ers, not far from the vicinity of Macon and Milledgeville, in (!e<'r'_ria. As they passed up on the west >ide of ihe Flint Riv- er, I )e Soto had been informed bv some Indian cine! ot a great and rich country to ihe west, called ( 'osa : hut he determined to pursue his march to the northeast, in search ot the province of Cofachiqui. In the remainder of ihis march he received everv kindness and hospitality Irom ihe Indians that could be expected from unsophisticated human nature. The Spaniards, too, had learned, by their first year in Florida, that every en- counter with the savages onl v increased the difficulties of' their m;; rch. and reduced 1 lie number of 1 heir men and horses : hence thcv \\eiv careful to give as little ofiense to the natives as pos- sible, and to commit fewer depredations upon their pn>|>ertv. At length, after an entire march and soji >urn of mi >re than two months, the Spanish army arrived in the pro v nice of Cofaehiqui about the middle ot .May. This province was situated on the head waters of the Savannah River, and the chief town, prob- ably, in the pel li 1 1 -ul a at the junction of the I > road and Sa\ annah Rivers. Tliev had. in their march, encountered manv severe A.I). 15 JO.] VALLEY OF THE MI.SSISSII'i'1. 31 difficulties and hardships ; and, having missed their way. they were lost three days in a desolate, uninhabited return, their guides bewildered, their provisions exhausted, and starvation staring them in the lace. But they had now reached the termi- nation ol their perilous march. They found the country ruled by a beautiful Indian queen, or female cacique. She entertained the Spanish governor and his army with great ceremony, kind- ness, and even generosity. But the proud spirit ol' 1 )e Soto could not brook the mortification ot finding the country inhab- ited bv savages, and they destitute of gems and precious met- als. He brooded over his disappointment, but concealed it from his troops; yet it was discernible in his morose conduct, and in his increased sternness to his men. Among the latter the disappointment was equally great, and showed itself in murmurs and acts of marauding upon the kind and hospitable Indians. They plundered their sacred depositories for the bones of their ancestors, and especially of the "illustrious dead.'' In the latter were deposited the most costly riches they possess- ed, which were numerous valuable pearls. These sacred rel- ics were plundered lor the jewels found, and tor others which they hoped to find. These were the only riches to be found, and. although many and valuable, were to be obtained in large quantities only by plundering the vaults ot' the dead. The In- dians abhorred the sacrilege, but were unable to punish the perpetrators. Thev began, however, to withhold the usual supplies of food and corn. The troops began to find new diffi- culties, and became more dissatisfied : they found, aimm^ the spoils ol the cemeterv ot the chiefs, several old coals ot mail and a dagger, which they learned had been obtained trom the expedition ot the cruel and unfortunate I )e Ayllon. Thev also learned that the sea-co;ist. when- he had landed was onlv ten or twelve days' journev distant, and that thev were then upon the head streams of a river whn h was probablv the Jordan, which entered the sea not tar from Point St. Helena, the place selected hv that unfortunate man lor his colony. Thev there- fore desired to form a colony here, and here to end their toils and the:r uars. Hut " I )e Soto \vas a man of tew Words and stern. ' and he determined to march toward the northwest, aloir_ r the base of the mountain ranges, and thence proceed toward the Bay of Achusi. where he expected to meet his fleet \\iih supplies. ' 32 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. Having refreshed his army and horses by a sojourn of a few weeks, he determined to set out for the northwest about the latter part of May. A difficulty having occurred between some of the soldiers and the Indians while he remained in this country, and the Indians having become distrustful and un- friendly, I)e Soto determined to adopt the policy found so suc- cessful in the conquest of Mexico and Peru, which was to ob- tain possession of the sovereign, and insure the friendship or forbearance of the subjects. He therefore obtained possession of the queen, and carried her upon his march through her do- minions, as a hostage for the security of his men against any hostile designs of the Indians. All due respect and ceremony were extended to her, and she was surrounded by a numerous guard to prevent her escape or capture by her people. Through this means the Spaniards procured a safe march through the territory of Cofachiqui to the country of the Cherokees, called the province of Chalaque. A ear the borders of this country the young queen effected her escape from the Spaniards, and re- turned to her own people. The Spaniards passed through the country of the Cherokees, and found them peaceable, domestic, and hospitable, and inhabiting rather a sterile region. At. first they feared and lied from the Spaniards; but, finding them friendly, they came forward and supplied them with every thing in their power for food. But they knew nothing of gold and silver. Passing westward over the head branches of the Chattahoochy River, alter a march of about twenty-two days, the Spaniards arrived, about the 2.")th of June, at a village called Ichiaha, situated on the Etowee branch of the Coosa River. probably in that part ol Georgia now designated as Floyd county. While here, the usual inquiries for gold and silver were made, and, having learned that yellow metal was found in a region forty or fifty miles to the north, De Soto remained here, and srnt couriers in quest of the region supposed by Indian ac- counts to yield irold. At the end often days they returned without any intelligence of gold, and with no other booty than a hull'alo rug. Having secured the friendship of this tribe, ])e Soto continued his march toward the southwest alonir the val- ley, and on the north side of the Consa. River nearly fifty miles. within the limits of the present state of Alabama.* * Conquest nf Fi"nt a lance, a dressed A.D. 1510.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSII'I'I. 35 deer-skin, stretched out to the si/.e of a buckler. It was of a yellow color, traversed by blue stripes. This was the great banner of this warrior chieftain, and the only military stand- ard that the Spaniards met with throughout the whole expedi- tion.* This celebrated chieftain, who has given his name to a noble river, as well as the capital of Alabama, may claim a few words more. lie was of extraordinary stature, being a foot taller than ;my oi his attendants ; he was about fortv years of age: "his countenance was handsome, though severe, show- ing the loftiness and ferocity oi his spirit, lor which he was celebrated throughout all the country ; he was broad across the shoulders, and small at the waist, and so admirably formed that the Spaniards declared him altogether the finest-looking Indian they had yet beheld. "f When De Soto approached, Tuscaluza rose and advanced twenty paces to receive him. although he took not the least notice of the officers and cavaliers who preceded him. The chieftain extended great kindness and friendship to De Soto and his troops. De Soto, as usual, suspected treachery from the cacique, and got possession of his person under the guise of honor and respect. lie surrounded him with a guard ; clothed him in a splendid scarlet robe, glittering with gold. After a few days, the Spaniards continued their march toward the Bay of Achusi. They desired Tuscaluza to accompany them through his dominions, lor which purpose he was fur- nished with a horse to ride. Only one horse in the troop was found large enough lor his use. and when seated upon this one his feet almost touched the ground. Proceeding southward, at the end of three days they arrived at the town oi T use a hi/a, about forty miles from the point of his first interview. There the march assumed a northwestern direction, and crossed to the west side of the Alabama Iviver. A few days afterward De Soto jiMik up his line of march toward the southeast, until he arrived at the town o| Mauvile. in company with the dis- tinguished < 1 1 1 e t and Ins attendants. The indignant savage, perceiving that he was detained a prisoner under the guise o) friendship and pompous ceremony, burned with secret revenue ; yet, like his European rival, dis- ' Coii'i'ii'st nf l''luridu, vol. ii., >'h. v. us id vi. t ll'iil, vol. ii., p. ;il. 30 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. sembling the greatest solicitude for the welfare of the Span- iards, Tuscalu/a dispatched some of his attendants in advance t<> Mauvile, above the junction of the Alabama and Tombigby Rivers, under the pretext of ordering supplies and attendants for his Spanish friends; but instead of ordering supplies tor the invaders, he summoned his \varriors to rally to his rescue, for the expulsion or destruction of their enemies. De Soto continued his march, and at length arrived in the vicinity of Mauvile, which was found to be a strongly-fortified town, on an extensive plain, and swarming with Indian war- riors. From various incidents on the way, I)e Soto began se- riously to suspect danger, and accordingly kept the cacique well guarded with twenty soldiers ; yet the soldiers had seen so little danger trom Indians lor several months, that they could not be made to apprehend any then. The town of Mauvile, from which the modern name Mobile is derived, is situated on the north side of the Alabama River, in a tine plain, surround- ed by a bend of the river, not a great distance above the junc- tion of the Tombigby. This was the principal town in the do- minions of Tuscalux.a, and was strongly fortified. Here lie and his chief warriors resided. The town contained eighty large houses, which were different from those of other towns. They were large sheds of reeds and straw, set upon posts, and covering a large surface of ground, inclosed bv pickets: and some of them were large enough to accommodate from five hundred to a thousand persons. The whole was surrounded by a strong wall, made of a double row of large pickets, deeply set in the ground, bound together by ties, vines, and reeds, and ce- mented with mud and moss, and plastered over, so as to be impervious to arrows or darts, except at the port-holes left at proper distances. Kvery titty yards around the wall was a kind ol wooden tower, capable ot containing six or seven war- riors : there were only two gates or entrances, one on the east and one on the west extremity. Many ot the pickets had taken rout, and were UP >u ing with a prolusion of branches and lol- ia '_'('. Sueh was the ancient town of Man vile, or Mobile, where I )e Sofn met his severest disaster, and where was fought the hardest Indian battle on record. Tli'' Disastrous llnttli' at' Main-ilf, During more than four weeks, while De Soto had been leisurelv marchiliir through the A.D. 1510.] VAI.LEV OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 37 dominions of Tuscaluza, the latter \vas secretly maturing the plan which, as it appeared, he had previously conceived, for the entire destruction of the Spanish army. The van-guard, consisting of about half the cavalry and near two hundred in- fantry, under I)e Soto in person, reached the strong post of Mauvile at eight o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth of Oc- tober, having left the main body of the army following slowly a few miles behind, under Luis de Moscoso. At the town, De Soto was met by a large body of warriors, {tainted, and splen- didly dressed and equipped, preceded by a band of young fe- males, with music, songs, and dancing. The governor and the cacique entered on horseback, side by side, and were re- ceived with great parade and respect. So soon as De Soto and his chief oilicers were provided with rooms, and the bag- gage was stowed away, Tuscalu/.a informed the governor that he wished to retire a short time to see his people, and make further arrangement for the remainder of the army. De Soto began to apprehend treachery, but was unable to detain the cacique. After an absence of an hour, De Soto sent a messen- ger to invite him to breakfast, as they had been in the habit of eating together. This finesse, used to obtain possession of the chief, was without success. Circumstances became more sus- picious; some of De Soto's spies, who had been sent before him, came to him and informed him that there were a great many choice warriors concealed, perfectly armed, in large houses in remote pails oi the town ; and that the women were concealed in other large houses, remote trom these. De Soto, certain that mischief was brewing, sent a messenger back to Luis de Moscoso, ordering him to advance rapidlv with the main bod\- of the army. At length, several messages having been sent to Tiiscalu/a without his notice, the messenger, who was not permitted to enter the house where be was. called out aloud from the door for the eaci<|iie. This was deemed dis- respectful bv his attendants, and was resented accordingly. \\ eapons uere drawn bv some ot the Spaniards, and an Indian chief gave the war-\\ ho< >p, which rang through the village. The warriors poured out trom every house and from the plain around the to\\n. In a short time the Spaniards and Indians were engaged in one general and deathly melee through the principal streets. The Spaniards fought with great courage and vigor against overpowering numbers. At length, tindiug 38 lUSTOKY OF THE [BOOK I. themselves greatly annoyed by missiles of every kind from the house-tops, as well as from behind the houses, they fell back, disputing every inch of ground, until they reached the plain outside of the walls, where the cavalry, also, could act with more effect. So soon as they left the town the Indians plundered the baggage, and, releasing and unchaining the cap- tives brought from Appalache, furnished them with arms to assist in destroying their oppressors. Swarms of warriors pressed upon the Spaniards in the plain with the utmost fury, discharging showers of arrows pointed with Hint with great execution, notwithstanding their defensive armor. The battle raged with great fury backward and for- ward from the walls to the plain for several hours, when many of the Indians were disposed to shelter themselves from the fu- rious charges of the cavalry by retreating within the walls. De Solo determined to break down the gates, and secure ad- mission to his cavalry ; this was soon done with axes, and the cavalry charged through, followed by a part of the infantry. The battle now raged fiercely within the walls, and the Span- iards set fire to the combustible houses covered with reeds and straw. These were soon wrapped in flames, and the town presented a scene of horrid carnage, smoke, and flame. The wind drove the flames and smoke furiously along the narrow streets, where hundreds were blinded or suffocated by the sm<>ke, and burned to death. The fire spread to one large building in which were a thousand females, most of whom were consumed with it. The battle still raged with great fury through the burning town and in the surrounding plain. The Indians disdained to yield or ask for quarter, although slaughtered in hundreds by the keen sabres of the Spaniards. Repeatedly repulsed, they as often renewed the attack, although certain to die in the charge. This terrible strife and carnage had continued for near five hours. The gallant band of Spaniards were diminished in num- ber, and those remaining were almost exhausted with fatigue, heat, and thirst. Scarcely able to attack, they collected togeth- er to stand and resist onlv the attacks of the numerous host of savages still swarmniLr around them. At leiiirth they were re lieved by the approach ol I )e Moscoso with the mam armv, near the middle of the afternoon. The fresh troops attacked A.U. 1510.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 39 the Indians on all sides with great fury, and strewed the ground with piles of their dead bodies, while the fresh cavalry cut hideous lanes through their crowded masses. Toward the evening the females joined in the contest witli the most deter- mined fury, and threw themselves fearlessly upon the swords and spears of the Spaniards. The carnage ceased only with the setting sun ; and every where the intrepid De Soto was in the hottest of the battle, always leading on the impetuous charges of the cavalry. This lie continued to do even after he had been severely wounded by an arrow in the thigh. Such." says Theodore Irving, " was the deadly battle of Mauvile, one of the most sanguinary, considering the number of combatants, that had occurred among the discoverers of the New World. Forty-two Spaniards fell dead in the conflict ; eighteen of them received their fatal wounds either in the eyes or in the mouth ; for the Indians, finding their bodies cased in armor, aimed at their faces. Scarce one of the Spaniards but was more or less wounded, some of them in many places. Thirteen of the wounded died before their wounds could be dressed, and twenty-two afterward, so that in all eighty-two Spaniards were slain. To this loss must be added that of forty- two horses, killed by the Indians, and mourned as if they had been so many fellow-soldiers.""* The havoc junonir the Indians was almost incredible. Sev- eral thousands are said to have perished by lire and sword. The plain around the village was strewed with more than twen- ty-live hundred bodies. Within the walls the streets were blockaded up by the dead. A great number were consumed in the burning houses. In one large building a thousand per- sons perished, the (lames havinu entered by the door, and pre- vented their ese a pe. so that all were either burned or sutlocated. The LTeater part ot these were females. The Indians fought with desperate eouraire. They had vo\\ed to expel the invaders, or die in the attempt. Often. durnr_ r the dav, vietorv seemed certain in their tavor : but it was as often snatched troni them by the terrific charges of the cavalry. Still, their assaults were renewed with tresh ardor, until the whole field around, as well as the streets of the town, were covered with their dead bodies. The Spaniards fought 10 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK I. been for their superior arms and their defensive armor, as well as their excellent cavalry, not one Spaniard would have lived to witness the setting sun. The number of wounds in all amounted to seventeen hun- dred that required a surgeon's care, being those about the joints and other parts attended with danger, besides many slighter ones left to the care of the common soldiers. It is worthy of remark that the Indians used bows of great size and strength. So heavy were they, that often, when close- ly pressed, they would use their bows as chilis over the heads of the Spaniards, with such effect as to cause the blood to flow freely through their casques. The arrows were driven with great force, so as often to inllict severe wounds through their coats of mail, and in some instances to penetrate through the eyes and mouth, and out at the back of the head. Horses that were unprotected were covered with wounds, and many of them pierced through the body or to the heart. It may appear strange that the Indians engaged around the strong-hold of Mauvile were so numerous; but these warriors were collected from all the confederated tribes of South Ala- bama and Mississippi, as well as Florida, and at a time when those tribes were far more populous than they have been with- in the past century. The occasion, too. was one of the most momentous which had occurred in their history, and which called the warriors from the most distant nations to make com- mon cause against a common enemy. " The situation of the Spaniards after the battle was truly deplorable. Most of them were severely wounded : all were exhausted by fatigue and hunirer. The village was reduced to ashes around them, and all the baggage of the army, with its supplies of food and medicine, had been consumed in the houses." Not even a house or shed remained to shelter the wounded Iroin the cold and dew of the ni^ht. Temporary sheds were erected against the remaining walls of the town, and covered with branches of trees and hushes, while straw was placed tor their beds. Those who were least injured ex- erted themselves to attend and relieve those who were severely wounded. "Those who were able to bear arms patrolled as sentinels, and maintained a vigilant watch, expecting to be as- sailed" a.L r ain in the mi:ht. Thus they passed that wretched niirht. amid bitter lamentations and dvini: groans.'' A.D. loiO.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. -11 After eight days they were able to move into such of the In- dian hamlets as were found in the vicinity, where they contin- ued until the wounded men and horses were able to march. During this time, those that were able were obliged to forage in the vicinity to procure sustenance for the men and horses. In every direction they found dead and wounded Indians, who had escaped thus far after the carnage of the eighteenth of Oc- tober. But they were not interrupted a^ain by the savages while they remained in this region. The whole confederated tribes, having lost most of their choice warriors at Man vile, dared not attempt to renew the contest. Previous to the battle of Mauvile, l)e Soto was advancing toward the south to meet his ships with stores and provisions at the Bay of Achusi, now known as Pensacola Bay. But the disaster of Mauvile wrought deeply upon his pride and am- bition ; his troops were becoming discontented and mutinous. They were disappointed, because, instead of conquering rich kingdoms and regions abounding in gold mines, they had met with nothing in Florida but one privation and disaster alter an- other, and found nothing but savage wilds, inhabited by the most fierce and unconquerable tribes. They had now been near eighteen months in quest of gold, and yet they were solaced by the sight of no such metal. Their numbers had been greatly diminished by hardships, privation, and by savage foes, in all their marches: and tor a month before they reached Mauvile a malignant disease had made its appearance among them, and many fell victims to its ravages. The elements, the country, and the natives all seemed combined against them, and they sighed to reach the ships, which were now known to have arrived at the Bay of Achusi, only seven days' march distant, bv which they hoped to eil'ect their escape from this in- hospitable land. 1 >e Soto. learning all this, and knowing that his followers would desert him in hopes of obtaining a safe passage to Mexico or to the islands, and that he should be left blasted in reputation and tortune. determined to frustrate all such calculations by speed.lv plunging into the depths of the forest toward the north, lie became morose, irritable, and dis- contented, and seemed anxious to finish his existence far li'oin the reach of his friends in Havana, unless, by persevering, he iniidit vet discover the object ot his ambition. Accordingly, about one month after the threat disaster of Mauvile. finding 42 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. that his horses and men \vere now sufliciently recovered from their wounds to travel, lie set out on his inarch toward the north near the last oi" November. He thus determined to si- lence all murmuring and complaint, and sternly gave orders to prepare to march northwardly, and punished all who dared to speak of the sea or the ships. After five days' march they arrived at " a deep and wide riv- er." which was in all probability the Tombigby, below the mouth of the Black Warrior. This they crossed after much delay and hard fighting with a large body of Indians, who dis- puted tin 1 passage for twelve days, until large boats were con- structed to ferry the army across. This was probably in Ma- reniro county, Alabama, not far from Chickasa Creek. Alter this they marched on toward the northwest for five days more, when they came to another river, probably the Pearl, which was not so large as the first. Here they met with some oppo- sition from the natives, and passed on in the province of Chica- sa, within the state of Mississippi. I)e tioto in Mississippi. The first river crossed by De Soto and his army after leaving Mauvile was " a deep and wide river/' where they were vigorously opposed by a large body of Indians, who, stationed lor six miles on the western bank, defeated every attempt to cross for twelve days, until the Spaniards had completed a very large scow, or ferry-boat, in which many of the infantry and cavalry could cross at each load. Some have erroneously supposed this was the Black Warrior itself; but J )e Soto directed his general course west of north from Mauvile, and, of course, he would not reach the Black Warrior, which was toward the northeast : besides, the latter river does not answer to the si/e and depth of the first river crossed in their march tor Cbicasa. The second river crossed in this march was probably the main Pearl Itiver, somewhere in Leake county. Thence the course was more toward the north; and after eight or ten days' march in that direction, they came to the village of Chi- casa. situated m a beautiful plain, fertile and well watered, probably in the valley oftli<> Valobusha. and in that portion em- braced m Valobusha county. The expedition arrived at. this village late in December, about one month alter its departure from Mauvilr. It was composed of about two hundred small houses or wiirwams. which were abandoned bv the Indians on A.D. 1541.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 43 the approach of the Spaniards. The winter had now set in. and the weather was extremely cold, attended with snow and ice. De Soto determined to remain in the village until spring. He accordingly built other houses, as the nuinher then existing were insufficient to accommodate all his men, and inclosed the whole with strong pickets and other means of defense against any sudden attack from the Indians. The neighboring fields were extensive, and there was no scarcity of corn for the sup- port ol the army and horses. This w;is supposed by the Span- iards to have been the chief town of the C'hicasa Indians, whose territory extended to the first river they crossed after leaving Mauvile. [A.I). 1541.] For several weeks the Spaniards enjoyed comparative quiet from Indian hostility, as the savages appear- ed friendly, and did not venture to make any regular attacks or ambuscades. At length the continued aggressions from the troops in their foraging excursions, and the cruelties inflicted on those captured, impelled them to hostilities, for the purpose of expelling their insolent invaders. Several Indians, who had attempted to pillage about the cam]), were shot to death : others had their hands cut oil' by De Soto's order, and were thus dismissed as warnings to their countrymen. The Span- iards, also, were now endeavoring to secure captives to serve as slaves, and to carry the baggage in their further march, in- stead of those thev had lost at Mauvile. The forbearance of the savages was at length exhausted, and they determined to punish their oppressors ;it the peril of their lives. They began to make frequent false attacks at night, with terrific yells. to harass the Spaniards, as well as to place them oil their guard when the intended mam attack should be made. Finally, late in I'Ybruary. on a dark. cold, and windy night, the real attack was made, as usual, with terrific, veils, the blowing ot conchs and horns, und the war-whoop on every side of the encamp- ment. Although the Spaniards were not taken by surprise. still it proved to them the severest disaster which had vet betallen them. * Ii'/tt/i' and Conflftymlidii <>t Chiciisfi.- It was at a late hour ot" the night, only a few hours before day, when the Indians advanced in three divisions, and commenced the attack on all sides, having reached the indo.snre nnperceived. l>v means * C. ~^-- J ~. 44 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. of lighted matches attached to the arrows shot from their bows, and by ropes of hay set on lire and hurled on the combustible roofs made of reeds and straw, the whole village was soon on lire. The ilames were spread with great rapidity by the wind, and in a short time the whole encampment was one scene ol flame and confusion. The Spaniards were mostly roused irom their slumbers by the war-whoops of the savages, and by the Ilames which were consuming the frail tenements over them. Many barely escaped with their lives, and without their clothes or armor. Bewildered by the spreading flames and the horrid yells and assaults of the savages, the first object was self- preservation, without svstem or order. As soon as they could prepare to act on the defensive, they made a most desperate resistance, every man doing his utmost to repel the hosts of savages which were pressing on all sides. At the first onset, many of the horses took fright and escaped into the plain, and others could not be released from the burning stables in which they were haltered. At length about one half of the cavalry was ready for action, and commenced the most desperate charges upon the thickest bodies of the Indians, until they were dispersed. But several hours elapsed before they were en- tirely repulsed, and the Spaniards suffered severely in every charge. On the morning their whole encampment was a scene of desolate confusion, and they themselves were in the most deplorable condition. This night was more disastrous to the Spaniards than even the battle of Main lie. For now, not only their baggage and clothing were destroyed, but their arms were burned or in- jured, and they had inflicted less injury upon the savages than at Mauvile. while they suffered almost as much themselves. In this engagement and conflagration, the Spaniards lost forty men killed, besides some burned to death; fifty horses, also, were killed or burned to death. Those who survived this ter- rible night were mostly wounded and destitute of the necessary clothing for the season. The greater part of their herd of swiiie which they bad taken with them were consume. 1 in the flames of a large shed, covered with thatching, in which they had been inclosed. Their condition was truly deplorable. They were now nearly three hundred miles from their ships, with impassable rivers, swamps, and savage tribes intervening, destitute of clothing, half armed, and surrounded bv hostile A.D. 15-11.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 45 savages who desired their extermination. Their courage and fortitude in all these disasters and misfortunes are probablv without a parallel in history. But it was chiefly to the hold, adventurous, and unconquerable spirit of Hernando de Soto that they were conducted through all these difficulties and sus- tained in all their privations. After this disaster, the army soon removed to another village about three miles distant, called Chicayilla, where they fortified themselves and remained until the last of March. Here they employed themselves in repairing and making saddles, re- tempering their swords which had been injured by the fire, in making lances, and shields of hides, and also in manufacturing a course fabric for clothing ; for many were almost naked, and others had only skins and other garments taken from the In- dians. During the whole time they remained in Chicacilla, they were harassed with continual attacks by the Indians, and were obliged to keep out a strong guard all night to prevent another conflagration of their camp. About the first of April, De Soto broke up his winter-quar- ters, and set out again toward the northwest. The first day's march westward brought them to the vicinity of a strongly for- tified town called Alibamo, or, as the Portuguese narrator writes it. Alimamu. This is the town from which the Iviver Alabama takes its name. It was situated on the east bank of a deep but narrow river, with high banks, in all probability the same now known as the Tallahatchy, and probably not tai above the junction of the Yalobusha. This fortress was sur- rounded bv a triple wall of pickets and earth, in a quadran- gular form, about four hundred yards on each side, and inter- sected by other strong picket walls on the inside. The whole was a very stronir p'>st. and so constructed as to prevent the free operation of' the cavalry should they once irain an entrance. The next day this post \\as regularly attacked and carried by storm, \\ilh the slaughter of ;i larirc proportion of the gar- rison. The Indians, as usual, fought with great courage to the h'.-t : but when the Spaniards gained admission, thev hewed do\\ n the savaires with the m<>st dreadful carnage, takinir am- ple vengeance for then' sufferings at C'lucasa. \ ast numbers were likewise slain by the cavalry in the pursuit. The Span- iards lost fifteen men killed, besides manv who were severelv \voimded. 10 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK I. The Spaniards remained in camp four clays to recruit their strength and lor the recovery of the wounded. Their next inarch was \vest\vard; and crossing the river at an easy ford, they left the province of Oiieasa. " For seven days they traversed an uninhabited country, abounding in swamps and forests, where they were often compelled to swim their horses in the route. At length, they came in sight of a village called Chisca. seated near a wide river. As this was the largest river they had yet seen, they called it the 'Rio Grande.' It was the same now called the Mississippi." j)e Soto may be said to have been the first European who beheld the magnificent river which rolled its waters through the unbroken forest and splendid vegetation of a wide and deep alluvial soil. The lapse of three centuries has not changed the character of the stream. It was then described, as it now is, as more than a mile in width, flowing with a strong current, and by the weight of its waters forcing a channel of great depth. The water was described as being always muddy, and trees and timber were continually floating down the stream.* Since their departure from the fortress of Alibamo, the Span- iards had traversed a vast and dense forest, " intersected by numerous streams ;" doubtless the creeks and bayous of the Tallahatchy region. Wearied in the toilsome march, they remained several days in camp at the village of Chisca, near the (ireat River. "The river was low, and both banks were high." Incessantly harassed by the hostility of the natives, tht'V resumed the line of march up the eastern bank, during four davs ; yet such was the tangled nature of the wooded country, that they advanced only twelve leagues in four days. I laving found an open region, they encamped until boats should be built for crossing to the western side. Twenty days were required to build them in sullicient si/.e and number to trans- port the army and horses. Xo sooner were the boats complet- ed than De Soli i began to cross his army to the western shore. Here new troubles were encountered. By this time a lar<_ r e body of savages had assembled on the opposite bank, while others swarmed upon the water in their war canoes to dispute the passage. The neighboring streams and bayous eommu- nieatinir with the river were covered with the savage Meet. and afforded to them secure retreats. The courage and en- ' Cuii'i'iust i-l Florida, vol. ii.. ]>. '.'-. 99. A.D. 1511.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 47 terprise of De Soto did not desert him here. He at length succeeded, with the aid of a friendly chief, in obtaining for his whole army a safe passage. "At this place," says the Portuguese historian, "the river was half a league from one shore to the other, so that a man standing still could not be seen fmm the opposite shore. Jt was of great depth, and of wonderful rapidity. It was very muddy, and was always filled with floating trees and timber, carried down by the force of the current." .Much doubt and uncertainty has obtained as to the precise point at which De Soto reached the Mississippi. It was evi- dently much below the latitude of Memphis, where he was toiling four days in advancing twelve leagues up the river, and seven days in his westward march, through swamps and deep forests, from the uplands east of the Tallahatchy. At no point above Helena are the highlands, on the east side of the river, more than ten or fifteen miles distant. The point where De Soto crossed the river was probably within thirty miles of Helena. The changes of the channel in the lapse of three hun- dred ve;irs mav have been such as to detv identification now. CIIAITf-: II IV. TI1K .SPANISH KMT,l>ITlo\ \VF.ST or THF, MISSISSIPPI. A.]). 1511 To 1.JK5. Anfinni-itf.Do Soto arriv,-s upnii tin- Banks nf Whit.' Hiv,-r.- Incidents and Krluious ('.!Viiii>iii.'S. !>.- Suto joins ;i:i Iii'li:i.: Kin_' in :i liustil.- Kxp.-dit ii >li. Mar.-h.-s \vith him North. -a-t t.) th.- Mi-sis.-ippi, n.-ar H'-l.-.'ri. -Arris, -s at tin- TIIVVII of Capaha. I'l-i-s.-nt H--inains i if ('apaha.- II, n-turni to Whit.' Kiv.'r, :in,l tli.'inv rvsuiii.-s his Mar.-h to tii.- W.-st, Wint.-rs i,i_h up tin- Arkansas in a mid I.iititu.t,-. I);:li,-ulti,-s and I>isa.-t,TS tln-iv Hi-turn-i to tin- Mi<-i-i>i!i|ii in tin- S;n-iii_-. I )]>;i>t,-rs l>,-_-in t,i uiuitipU . HI- . Ifl. TIII iiii'* tn l.-avt- ill,- l',nintr\ liy il.-s.-. -inline tin- Kiv.T. N.-w Hus- tilitii-s I iv ih" .Naliv.-s I)iilii"iltii-s inci-i-iisi- and l'.-r|i]i'xiti.-s prry IIJHUI tin- irnn Soul ..I !) S ' i. H,- sii-ki-i,H an, I di.-s. Atl'.'.-tin- S -,-i.,- h,-r,,n- his Ih-atli.- H,- is linulK .|,-|M,-]t,-d in tin- Mis-iissipj.i. n.-arthi- Mmith ,,f ih,- Arkiitisjis. His Kulu-iuin. Lniiis .!. M.,-, isiiMn-.-i'.-d.-. In tin- I'.nninai.d II,' man In-s Westward in s.-an lint' tin: M.-xii-:iij S,-ti:--in. 'lit-. His fruit!. -ss S.-an-h. K.-tnn.s t.i tin- M iis>ipi,L S],,-nds tin- Wint.-i- and Spriii-- in IV. [i:irati..ns fir a Dcpiirtur.' d..\vn ihr Uivcr.- I'uniinciii'.-s liiiildin-' I5ri-.-antin.-s ti.r d.-sn-ndm.- (lit- Itivcr. He is -r,-atl\ annoy. -d i,\ liustil, In- dian.-. 1', ril. HIS I).-sc.'!it i if tip- HIV.T in Hints and HrL-antin.-s. Diinu-.-nms N'nya.'i- in th,- (iu.l nf M.-X'MMJ.- Thr li.-innant nf tin- Kxi.fditinii r.-ai-h tli.- Sp;,ni>h S.-ttk'- in. -His nf M.-xii-.p. H--H.-i-ti.ins. [A.D. l.")U.] l)i' No/" /// .1/7.7///.SY/.S-. The whole expedition having salelv crossed to tht- west side of the river, the bouts 18 HISTORY OF THE [nOOK I. were broken up lor the nails and iron, and the army prepared to advance northwestward into the interior of what is now the State of Arkansas. After nearly live days' inarch through a level wilderness country, intersected in many places with streams, havous, and lakes, many of which were not lordable, they descried a large Indian village containing about lour hundred dwellings. It was situated on the banks of a river, bordered, as far as the eye could reach, with luxuriant, fields of corn, and fruit-trees of different kinds." This town was oc- cupied by the tribe of Casqui, or Casquin ; and the river upon which it was situated, in all probability, was White Itiver, about one hundred and fifty miles above its junction with the Mississippi. They remained at this place six days, during which they were kindly supplied by the natives with all kinds of food. They then set out for the chief town, or residence, of the cacique, which was situated upon the same side ol the river, about two days' march above the first town. In this dis- tance. they passed through a beautiful rolling country, which was less alluvial than any they had passed since they left the highlands east of the Tallahatchy. They were received by the cacique and all his people with much ceremony and kindness. It was late in the month of May, and the weather was line, but verv warm. There had been no rain for many weeks. and the corn in the fields was beginning to suller from drought. Alter several days, the caeique. with his attendants, came to I )e Soto with great solemnity, and desired him to pray to his (tml that, he would send ram upon their parching fields, as thev had entreated the (Ireat Spirit in vain. I )e Soto promised to intercede in their lavor tor rain, lie accordingly directed his carpenters to construct a. verv large cross; and. at the end of two days and much labor, a cross fifty feet high, and made from a pine-tree, was erected. The next morning the forma! to take place. The whole tnhe ird day. the Spaniards formed a n, with the priesN in front, chant- he most protound silence and so- Indian In >sts, as \\ ell as 1 h< >se u h< he procession, consisting' o) more A.D. 1541.] VALLEY OF THE MISrilSHHTI. 40 than a thousand persons, including many Indians, advanced slowly in front of the cross, and there all silently knelt upon :he ground, while two or three fervent pravers were offered up hy the priests. After which the whole procession arose, two and two at a time, advanced to the toot of the cross, uowed the knee, and kissed the holy emblem. In returning, the same order was preserved, and the ceremonies closed with chanting a " Te Dcuin Laudamus." It so happened that on the following night the rain poured down abundantly; as the Spanish historian says. " To show those heathen that God doth hearken to those who call on him in truth/' Xext day the savages, to the number of thou- sands, moved by fervent gratitude to God for this favor, formed themselves into a procession before the cross in token of their gratitude, and the cacique expressed his grateful feelings to De Soto for his kind intercession. De Soto, in the true spirit of Christianity, directed him to " thank God. who had created the heavens and the earth, and who was the bestower of these and other far greater mercies."* Having remained nine or ten days, enjoying the bountiful hospitality of this noble savage, De Soto set out toward the north and east, escorted by the cacique and several thousand of his warriors. Alter marching three days through open lands, ' thev came to a great swamp, rising on the borders, with a lake in the center too deep to be forded, and which formed a kind of gulf on the Mississippi, into which it emptied itself." Two days more brought them to some elevated ridges, beyond which they beheld the chief town of the Capaha tribe. Tins town, which contained five hundred houses, was situated on an elevated piece of hmd, nearly surrounded by a deep bayou, which communicated with the Mississippi, or Kio Grande." nine miles di>tant from the town. Here the Cacique Casqui ainl his warriors, who were in advance of the Spaniards, bv commiitiiiLT the most inhuman cruelties involved the Spaniards in tin- most da n ire roiis hostilit v with the tribe ot Capaha. After narrowly escaping utter destruction iroin this warlike tribe, it requi ivd the utmost of I )e Soto's tact and finesse to bring about a reconciliation with the chief and his warriors. Having final! v succeeded, the army was hospitably received and en- tertained by the cacique for several days. * Cun. 1 l.^-l-J-J. A.D. 1511.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 51 been as low down as lied River. This hitter opinion is main- tained by Judge Martin in his " History of Louisiana." In this he is most probably in error. While in the territory of Capaha, De Soto, having heard of a region to the north where salt abounded, and where, proba- bly, gold might be found, sent two Spaniards with Indian guides to ascertain the prospects. After eleven days the}' re- turned, having been about one hundred leagues northwest, through a barren and hilly region abounding in buffaloes. They brought a supply ol rock salt and some copper, but found no gold. Discouraged by this intelligence, De Soto determin- ed to bear more toward the west. He finally returned to the village of Casqui, probably on White River, and thence, after a fe\v days' rest, they advanced down the river, marching through a fertile and populous country for several days, or about one hundred miles, to the principal town of Quigate. where he arrived on the 4th of August. This town must have been on White River, about forty or fifty miles above its mouth. Mr. Irving says, " From Quigate De Soto shaped his course to the northwest, in search of a province called Coligoa, lying at the foot, of mountains, beyond which he thought there might be a gold region. Alter a march of several days through dreary forests and frequent marshes, they came to the village of Coli- goa. on the margin of a small river/' This must have been the I5ig Meto Creek, about fifty miles southeast of Little Rock. At Coligoa. DC Soto learned that the country to the north was thinly inhabited by Indians, but that vast herds of hulla- loes ranged the country, and that toward the south there was a populous and fertile countrv culled Cayas. Toward this country his ma rch was next directed. A fter nine days' march, having passed ;i lan_ r e river, he came to a village called Tan- ici.i, in the Ca vas count r v. 1 1 ere lie found salt springs, and re- mained some days making sail, tor want of which both men and h'>rse< had been suffering much. He was now probably on the bead writer^ of Saline River, a branch of' the \\ ashita. From Tanicii their march \\as ne\t directed westward, and after several davs' march through a wilderness country, they reached the chief town of the Tula tribe, situated between two streams, prohablv the I ppcr Ouaehita and Little Missouri. Here the Spaniards were r-everelv handled by the natives, who proved the fiercest tribe they had yet . l")l'j.] The winter continued to increase in severity, and the earth was covered \vith heavy falls of snow. "Atone time the Spaniards were blocked up for more than a month, until at last fire-wo, ,,| heiran to fail them." and all hands, with the horses, were romp,-!!,.,! ),, turn out to open the way. and beat, a path through the snow to a neighboring lores t for a s un- pl v of fuel. While in tins country, they were exceedingly harassed by " ('im'1'i.-sl ni riori'hi, vol. ii.. p. K';-13u A.D. 15412.] VALI.LY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. .53 the fierce natives, who would entertain no friendship, nor make any compromise with them. During the winter the chief in- terpreter, Juan Ortis, who had been obtained in Florida, died. This was a severe loss to the army, as he had been the only means by which any tiling like an intelligible communication could be had with the native chiefs. Xow this imperfect com- munication was destroyed: the Indian interpreters were com- paratively ignorant of the Spanish language ; hence, in their subsequent marches, they were led into many errors and mis- understandings with the Indians, not only as to countries, dis- tances, routes, and rivers, but into many serious difficulties of another nature. De Soto began to despair of finding gold : he saw the difficulties that were gathering about him, and disas- ters had broken down his spirits. Bitterly did he repent having left the region near the sea-coast, of which none of the tribes he had seen for the last ten months could give anv information. He was now in the midst of a vast wilderness, surrounded by hostile tribes ; he had lost nearly half his men from war, or they had perished from hardships, disease, and accident of va- rious kinds; the greater part of his horses had been killed, or had perished from the same causes ; and the remainder were, nian\' of them, lame and unfit for service, and had been with- out shoes for more than a year. " He was now too far from the sea to attempt reaching it by a direct march; but he de- termined to give over his wanderings in the interior, and make the best of his way back to the Rio Grande, or Mississippi. Here lie would choose some suitable village on its banks for a fortified [Hist, and establish himself, until he could build vessels to descend the river, and in these send some of his most trusty men to C'uba with tidings of his discoveries, and who should return with re-enforcements ol men and horses, as well as ot every thing necessary to establish a colony, and secure pos- session of the vast country the}' had discovered. "" As soon, therefore, as the winter was sufficiently over, he broke up his winter-quarters at Ftiangue, and marched toward ihe .Mississippi. Alter several days' march along tin 1 river on the south side, they halted ten days at an Indian town, until thev built boats, and crossed the whole army over to the north or east side. This, probably, he did to reach the Mississippi near the point where he had left it. Their advance thence C,. n. must <.| KIiTulii, vul ii, cliiij.. xxv. un.l xxvi 51 HISTORY OF THE L ltooK * \vas ' through a low region, and perplexed with swamps," so that tlu> troops were often to the stirrups in mud and water, and sometimes were obliged to swim their horses. At length, after several days' march, they came to the village of Anilco, situated on "the same river that passed through the provinces of ( 'ayas and Utiangue." There, learning that there was a pop- ulous and fertile country not far helow the junction of these two great rivers, he determined to proceed toward it. in hopes the sea might he at no great distance. The chief town, (lua- choya. he learned, was situated on the hanks of the Mississip- pi, and this would be a suitable place for him to remain while building his vessels. lie accordingly crossed the river at Anil- co to the south side, and. alter a march of four days over a hilly, uninhabited country, arrived at the village of Guaclioya, on the Mississippi, about twenty miles below the mouth of the Arkansas. It was situated on two hills, one or two hundred yards from the river, and contained about three hundred hous- es, and was fortified around with strong palisades. De Soto took possession of the town, and finally succeeded in establish- ing terms of amity with the chief. Here he made diligent in- quiry for the sea, but could gain no information. lie at length sent an exploring party down the river to seek tidings of the sea ; but after eight days' absence they returned, having ad- vanced only forty-live miles, "on account of the great wind- ings ot the river, and the swamps and torrents with which it was bordered." Thus it seems that the river was full, and many sluices were putting out into the swamps and filling the bayous. It was now about the last of May, lf>lt>. Death of ])e Suto. While at Guaclioya, De Soto was inde- fatigable in urging preparations for fitting out his brigantines with dispatches to ('uba for supplies and re-enforcements. To sustain his army during this time, it was requisite he should find some country which had not been exhausted by them. For this purpose, om- of bis detachments crossed to the east side of the .Mississippi, to a province which was said to be fer- tile and populous, and inhabited by a warlike tribe. They lound it. even so ; the chief village contained live hundred houses: the cacique was exceedingly hostile, and threatened destruction to the Spaniards if they presumed to violate his territory. The Spaniards, knowing their own weakness and defenseless condition, used evrrv effort to conciliate him and A.D. 1542.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 55 gain his friendship : but ;ill in vain. In return lor all his en- treaties and proffers of friendship, I)e Soto \vas compelled to submit to taunts and gross insults, which, two years before, would have been resented by the most active warfare. Find- ing that the tribe, of which this cacique was chief, worshiped the sun, De Soto. anxious to avoid hostilities, and to receive their aid, sent a message to the cacique, and informed him that he and the Spaniards were children of the sun, and desired from him a visit as from a brother. But the haughty chief re- turned the scornful answer. "Tell him, //" he lc the child of the su/t, (a dn/ u/> tfic ni'cr, and I will come aver and do homage to him.'" " But De Soto's spirits were failing him ; he had brood- ed over his past error, in abandoning the sea-coast, until he was sick at heart ; and, as he saw the perils of his situation in- creasing, new and powerful enemies springing up around him, while his scanty force was daily diminishing, he became anx- ious lor the preservation ot the residue of his followers, and de- sired to avoid all further warfare." A melancholy had sei/ed upon his spirits, while the incessant fatigue of bodv and anxiety of mind, together with the influence of the climate, brought on a slow, wasting fever, which at length confined him to his bed. Still. De Soto was the vigilant commander, and from his sick- bed gave all the necessary orders, and directed all the plans of movement. But his labors and anxieties were fast coming to a close; and being conscious ot the near approach of death, lie prepared himself to die like a soldier and a devout Catholic. Having made his will, and with L r reat solemnity appointed and installed Luis de Moscoso as his successor, he called all his faithful officers to him, two and two, ;md bade them an affec- tionate farewell : hegired forgiveness if at any time, in the dis- charge of' his duty, he had been harsh toward them: and ex- horted 'hem to remain true to the kuiLT. courageous and affec- tionate to one another: he thanked them for the fidelity and constancy with which they adhered to his fortunes, and ex- pre-M-d deep regret that.it \\asnotinhispowertoreward them according to their merits. lie next called to him his soldiers, according to their rank, by twenties, and in like manner bade them adieu, with his blessing. lie expired the next day, being about the fifth of June. Thus died Hernando De Soto. one of the bravest of the 56 HISTORY OF THE [fiOOK I. many brave leaders who figured in the first discoveries, and distinguished themselves in the wild warfare of the Western World. How proud and promising had been the commence- ment of his career ! How humble and hapless its close ! Cut off in the very vigor and manhood of his days, at the age of forty-two years ; perishing in a strange and savage land, amid the din and tumult of a camp, and with merely a lew rough soldiers to attend him," while all were anxiously engaged in devising means of escape from their perilous condition in those inhospitable wilds.* The death of De Soto overwhelmed his hardy veterans with sorrow; they had followed him nearly four years; and in all their sufferings he had suffered with them, and led them on through dangers which he equally shared. They mourned lor him as for a father; and so much the more, because they could not give him a burial and such obsequies as were due his birth and rank : they also feared lest his remains should be insulted by the Indians after he was buried. The hostile In- dians had been in the habit of searching for the bodies of Span- iards who had been buried ; and when found, they would quar- ter them, and set them upon posts and trees as trophies. How much more eager would they be for the governor's body ? To prevent this, they sought a retired spot near the village, where many pits and holes rendered the ground uneven ; there they buried him secretly at the dead hour of the night. To conceal his grave from the Indians, they prepared the ground as if for a place of parade, and gave out word to the Indians that the governor was fast recovering from his illness. Finding, how- ever, that the Indians suspected not only the death, but the burial-place of the governor, they determined to remove the body to a place of greater security: accordingly, the next night they disinterred it, and placed it in a strong and heavy coffin, made by excavating a cut of green oak. over the aper- ture of which the\- nailed a strong plank. The body, thus in- closed, was taken with great secrecy to the middle of the Mississippi, or "Rio d'ande," and sunk in nineteen fathoms of water. Thus the first, discoverer of the Mississippi made his grave in the bosom of its waters. f I\'o one was better qualified than De Soto to rule the hardy spirits under him. He was stern in command: agreeable in * Cnii'jurst c!' Flori'ln, veil, ii., i liap. xxvjj. f Jdem, ]i. 170. A.D. 15-12.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIl'l'I. 57 his common intercourse; lenient to mild offenses; gentle and courteous in his manners; patient and persevering under dif- ficulties; and encouraging to those inclined to despond. Per- sonally, lie was valiant in the extreme, and with such a vigor- ous arm, that he is said to have hewn tor himself a lane when- ever he was pressed in battle. He became severe with the Indians ; but a sense of necessity and danger caused him to be such. Under the influence and operation of those feelings, which were entertained by the Spaniards no less than by the "Pilgrims" of Xew England, more than a hundred years af- terward, the poor savages were considered as scarcely enti- tled to the rights of humanity. * The March of Moscoso }Vcst of the Mississippi. Luis de Moscoso, having succeeded to the command of the remnant of De Soto's army, soon called a council of his officers to de- liberate upon the best course to be pursued. Having received vague rumors from the Indians that, far to the west, there were other Spaniards roving from country to country, fighting and conquering the Indians, he concluded that they were his coun- trymen in Mexico, which might not be very remote. He ac- cordingly abandoned the plan of De Soto, of descending the river to the sea, and determined to reach Mexico by land. The expedition accordingly set out for the west about the middle of June. They passed near the salines of the Wachita River, where they tarried and supplied themselves with salt. Leaving this region, they pushed their march forward, and passed through the country ol the Xaguatax, now written Natehitoehes, and which appears to have been high up Red River, in the southwest corner of the State of Arkansas. At length, after nearly three months, they came upon Red River, in the barrens north of the present country of Texas. In their marches, they were often misled and lost, and frequently were involved in bloody skirmishes. f ( '< iiilinuinir the march south ot De Solo's route, they passed through a country abounding in buffaloes; beyond which they passed a sterile region, and came in sight of mountains, where the country was almost uninhabited. Here thev halted, and *ent light exploring parlies, who penetrated iji every direction nearlv ninety miles further, and returned with information that 58 HISTORY OF THE [flOOK I. the country grew worse as they advanced. In this region the natives lived in camps, scattered over the country, and de- pended upon hunting, fishing, and upon fruits, roots, and herbs, for their precarious subsistence. These were evidently the early ancestors of the Pawnees, Camanehes, and other roving tribes of the West, who are the Tartars of North America.* It was now late in October, and they had been nearly five months making their way across from the Mississippi, and had traversed regions which are unknown ; and still they knew not where they were. Moscoso called a council of his officers to determine what was best to be done : much debate arose ; many proud and high-minded cavaliers declared they would prefer perishing in the wilderness to returning to their friends in Europe and the West Indies, beggared and miserable, from an expedition undertaken with such high and vaunting antici- pations. It was, however, determined at length to return, and retrace their steps to the Mississippi. Yet their return to the Mississippi presented only a dreary prospect to the wearied and forlorn adventurers, without the relief of novelty. The savage tribes, numerous and hostile, were chafed by former wrongs, and sought the opportunity for ample revenge. The country, exhausted and devastated in their advance, could af- ford them but little succor in their retreat. They returned by forced marches, in order to avoid preconcerted attacks by sav- ages apprised of their approach. To avoid these attacks, and the danger of ambuscades, they were induced to march all day and a great portion of the night. Still they encountered al- most daily attacks, in open skirmishes or in ambuscades. The Indians would waylay the road, and infest the rear ; at night they would lurk about the camp, and shoot down, with their arrows, every soldier that chanced to leave the lines; and often, under the darkness of night, they would creep upon their hands and knees, and shoot down the sentinels on their posts. Before they reached the vicinity of the Arkansas (for they struck across to that river) the winter had set in, and the cold was severe : IICM.VV divnchini: rains were frequent : the cold winds benumbed them ; yet. in their eagerness to reach the Mississippi, they pushed forward in all kinds of weather, trav- eliii<_ r all day. and encampinir at night, often drenched with rain * ('uii'HU'st of r;,,ri,l;i, vol. ii., p. 198-200. A.D. 1512.] VAI.LKV or Till: MISSISSIPPI. 59 and covered with mud: still, they had afterward to sally forth in quest of food, at the imminent peril of their lives. At nitrht, too, they often had no place to lie down, the ground being cov- ered with mud and water from rains and the inundation of the streams, which were all full to overflowing. Sometimes, in- deed, they were obliged to remain in low, wet places, where the infantry were nearly knee-deep in water, and the lancers remained upon their horses. With all this, they were nearly naked : all their European clothing had been burned or lost at the two great fires and battles of Mauvile and Chicasa, except the tattered garments on their backs. Their clothing now con- sisted principally of skins belted around their bodies and over their shoulders ; they were mostly bare-legged, and without shoes or sandals ; sometimes they had made moccasins of skins after the manner of the Indians. Besides all these sufferings and privations, they were often detained on the bank of a bayou, or river, for several days be- fore they could pass. The streams being full, they had to make rafts and floats, upon which to cross, during the whole time harassed by swarms of Indians on both sides. Under these privations and sufferings, together with hearts and spirits bro- ken with fatigue and disappointments, both men and horses be- gan to sicken and die. Every day two, three, and at one time seven. Spaniards fell victims to the hardships of the journey. There were no means of carrying the sick and dying, for many of the horses were infirm, and those that were well were re- served to repel the constant attacks of the enemy. The sick and exhausted, therefore, dragged their steps forward as long as thev could, and often died by the wayside : while the sur- vivors, in their haste to press onward, scarce paused to give them burial, leaving them hall covered with earth, and some- times entirely unburied. At lenirth they reached the Mississippi, not far from the moinh of the Arkansas. At the sight of it the hearts of the poor wayworn Spaniards leaped within them for joy. for they considered it the highwav by which thev were to escape out of this land of disappointment, privation, and disaster. They determined to winter here, and make preparation to descend the Mississippi to the sea. in order to reach Mexico or some of the West India Islands. Here they took possession of an Indian fortified town, more GO HISTORY OF THE [llOOK I. by the good will of the Indians than by their own strength. The noble and chivalrous army of De Soto had been reduced, by war, disease, and famine, from one thousand to about tnree hundred and fifty men, in less than three years and a halt ot wandering over the unknown regions of the southwest. They had set out with high expectations in search of gold, ot riches, and fame, and had found disasters, privations, and, most of them, a grave, in a savage land, as their only reward. [A.D. 1543.] Departure of the Spanish Expedition. As lias been remarked before, Moscoso, in his retrograde march from the west, reached the Mississippi River not far above the mouth of the Arkansas. His men, worn out with privations and fa- tigue, rejoiced that they had reached the vicinity of the village of Aminoya. where they had expected to enjoy the comforts of peace and plenty. This hope had cheered up the last days of their march, although human nature had been almost exhaust- ed with fatigue, famine, and privation. But many of them gained this place of refuge only to rest and die. The stimu- lus of anxiety, hope, and active life being remitted, they sunk into a state of lethargy and slow fever, of which nearly fifty died in a few days. Afterward, having become comfortably situated, the remainder began to recover their strength and spirits. They soon began to make preparations for finally leaving the country, where they had found nothing but disaster and death. Moscoso determined to build seven brigantines, during the winter and sprint, and in them to descend the Mis- sissippi to the sea, and thence seek the Spanish settlements in Cuba or Mexico. There remained among the remnant of the expedition one ship-carpenter and several other mechanics. These were employed in getting out timber for the vessels, and every soldier assisted in one capacity or another. Two lar^e sheds were first erected to protect the workmen from rain, cold, and storms. Iron of every kind was gathered up to make nails; the fire-arms, which had become useless for want ot powder, and even the iron stirrups of the troopers, were giv- en up; the captives were released, and their chains and letters were wrought into nails. Hopes were made from irrass and bark furnished by the Indians. Other materials were prepar- ed and wrought bv others, and each man seemed cmuliis to excel in the aid he should CMtitribut.e to the completion of the vessels. The Indians among whom they were sojourning A.I). 151.'}.] VALLEY OF THE MLSSIS.SIPI'I. 01 were hospitable and kind, and furnished every thing which they could toward their support and comfort.* But the hostile chief f the river, who con- ducted himself so haughtily toward De Soto in the previous spring, still maintained his hostile attitude. His fears were excited by the large vessels which his enemies were building so near his dominions, and which he readily supposed were in- tended to operate against his little licet of pirogues, lie ac- cordingly used great exertion to form an extensive league with the neighboring tribes, with the design of exterminating their common enemy at one decisive blow. The Spaniards, appris- ed of the designs of the natives, doubled their industry and vigilance to avoid surprise and massacre. A sudden rise in the river, however, by inundating the low grounds, prevented the attack of the savages at the appointed time. After two months, the river having slowly subsided within its banks, the Indians again prepared to put their plans into execution. Mos- coso having detected the treachery, as he supposed, inllicted great cruelties upon such of the hostile Indians as fell into his hands. On one occasion he caused the right hands of thirty to be cut oil', and sent them back to their chief with this mutila- tion for their supposed treachery. The Indians continued their preparations tor the extermination ol their cruel invaders with unabated ardor. Moscoso, finding his situation becoming daily more perilous, urired (in the completion ot his vessels, and made every prep- aration for a speedy departure. All the remaining hoirs were killed and made into bacon, and twenty ot the least valuable of the horses were slaughtered lor the voyage. The vessels bein:_ r ne;irlv completed, a sudden rise ot the river irreatly fa- cilitated tne lanchinir. The vessels were merely larije open banjues. with bulwarks <>t plank and hides around the <_rtin- wale>. t" protect the men lV"in the Indian arrows. The horses, of \\ hii'ii "ill v thirl y remained, were likewise protected in boats. al"ii:r-ide the bri'_ r :iitiiie<. with similar bulwarks. All things bem_r re: id v. t he lnd!:in c;i j >i \\ es. to the number ot thirty, were discharged : the remainder had perished in the toilsome march- es In >m exposure', taliLfiie. and hunger. Ha VIIILT taken an allectionate leave ot the friendly chiefs and their people. Moscoso and Ins companions embarked, and com- * Coii'iuijst '.if Fluri'lu, vol. ii.. P. v!l7--.'H. G2 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. milled themselves to the Mississippi on the second of July, 151.S. The numerous and gallant host of I)e Soto had dwindled down to less than three hundred and fitly men; their armor, once brilliant, was now battered and rusty ; their rich, silken garments were now reduced to rags and tatters ; and some were covered with skins like the native savages; with hopes once so buoyant, they were now forlorn, and despair was depicted in every countenance. This was the concluding piece of the great drama in which they had been engaged. Having wan- dered long in unknown lands, and among savage tribes, "they now were about to exchange the dangers of the wilderness for the dangers of the world of waters. They were now embark- ing upon a vast and unknown river, leading they knew not whither ; they were to traverse, in frail barques, without chart or compass, great wastes of ocean to winch they were strang- ers, bordered by savage coasts, in the vague hope of reaching some Christian shore, on which they would land as beggars/'* They at length were under weigh, but had not floated far, when they ascertained that the hostile chiefs had assembled all their forces some distance below to dispute the passage down the river. This was a new source of anxiety. They, howev- er, proceeded, and were soon engaged in skirmishes with par- ties of the Indian canoes. Two days after they embarked, they came in sight ot the combined Indian fleet, consisting of a great number ot canoes, having from fourteen to twenty-four paddles each. ;md carrying from thirty to seventy men. The warriors were painted in the fantastic colors so common among Indians, and the pirogues carried them with great rapidity through the waters. For nearly two days they followed and hovered near the Spanish brigantines, with war sonars and deafeii>!i'_ r yells. About noon, the second day, the Indian lleet made a disposition to attack, and formed themselves into three divisions, the van. center, and rear. One division at a time would glide rapidly past the brigantines. discharging, as they passed, a shower of arrows, by which many of the Spaniards were wounded, in spite of their breast- work ot' hides and boards. Kadi division, in like manner, made their successive charges, amid the terrific sound of their yells and war songs. Tiiev continued to hang upon the Spaniards, harassing them in this ' r.>M.;H"St of FWl.iil, Vol. 11., p. -':(!-*!-. A.D. 15-13.] VALI-KY OK THK MISSISSIPPI. 03 manner, with continual attacks, during the evening and the greater part of the night. The attacks were renewed next day, and continued at intervals for several days and nights, until the Spaniards were worn out with fatigue and anxiety. During this time, although protected by the breast-work of boards and skins, and by shields made of skins and double mats, to resist the arrows, yet nearly ever}' one was wounded. The horses, so well protected, were all killed but eight. At length the Indians desisted from their attacks, and hov- ered along at the distance of a mile and a half or two miles in the rear. The Spaniards, supposing they bad given up the contest, drew up to shore, and landed one hundred men at an Indian village to forage. No sooner had they entered the vil- lage with the eight horses, than the Indian lleet began to ad- vance rapidly, and a host of savages from the woods rushed toward the village, so that they were barely able to escape to their vessels, leaving the horses on shore, where they were soon shot to death by Indian arrows. When the Spaniards saw them thus slaughtered before their eyes, they wept, as for their own children. On the sixteenth day of their voyage, while the Indian lleet was still hovering in sight, an unfortunate freak in five fool- hardy young men caused the loss of forty-eight men. slain by the savages. These live men. without authority, and un- known to the governor, manned a pirogue and put oil' rapidly toward the enemy, in order to taunt and deiv them. The fact being known to Mosooso, he immediately dispatched tittv men in three pirogues to bring them hack, with a lull determination to hang the leader as soon as he came on board. Hut the lat- ter, supposing his daring had been approved, and that the de- tachment was sent to support, his daring enterprise, pressed forward with all might to the Indian fleet. The Indians fell back, in order to draw them turiher from the brigantines; when, suddenly advancing in three divisions, they made a furi- ous attack, and in a. leu minutes the whole detachment was surrounded and completely cut oil bv the savages : onlv seven escaped to the brigantines. Thus Fate seemed still to pursue the unfortunate adventurers with unnecessarv disasters, result- ing alone from their own rashness and folly. At the end of twenty days trom their embarkation river, the}' arrived in sight ol the open sea : and, after c westward for fil'tv davs. amid perils by sea and by laud, they Ci IIISTOUY OF THE [lH>GK I. arrived at the town of Panueo, on the coast of Mexico. Here they were kindly received by the Spanish inhabitants, who were touched with pity at beholding this forlorn remnant ol the gallant armament which had caused so much joy in its depart- ure from Cuba. They remained twenty-five days at Panueo ; but the soldiers became gloomy and despondent at their situation; their proud hearts revolted at the idea of being objects of charity, and many affected a desire to return to Florida, which now, out of sight, presented itself to their imaginations as the most fertile country on earth, and possessed of many advantages not less valuable than gold itself. In the contemplation of these, for a time their sufferings and misfortunes were forgotten. The viceroy sent for them t Mexico, where they \vere treated with great kindness and attention by the people; yet they became morose, despondent ; and, as disappointed men do, they entertained much ill will, and mostly entered the armies of Mexico and Peru, hoping there to retrieve their fortunes. Such was the end of the romantic and chivalrous expedition of Hernando de Soto within the early limits of Florida. We have given more in detail the expedition and invasion of De .Soto, because it was decidedly the most extensive, as well as the first exploration of the Valley of the Mississippi. Some have affected to consider the whole expedition too much characterized by romance and fiction to merit entire belief; but. independent of the internal evidence which abounds in the narrative, it is corroborated and sustained by the same weight of testimony which we have in the account of the conquest of Mexico and Peru by Cortex and Pi/.arro. In all the devious marches and wanderings of the chival- rous band of De Soto. for nearly lour years, through the vast regions east and west ol' the Mississippi, thev exhibited the same unfeeling cruelty to the natives, and the same insatiable thirst for '_ r "ld and plunder, which so strongly marked the con- querors ol Mexico and Peru. When they found the savages pour or destitute, they plundered them of their little all, and then t'lrtured them because ihey had no i, r "ld. The natives, at first frit-mil} and hospitable, and comparatively unarmed, were compelled, by their exactions and crueltv. to make common cause airainst their proud in\aders. although clothed in steel, and apparently armed with the thunderbolts ol Jove. A.I). 1514.] VALLEY Ol' THE CHAPTER V. EARLY EXTENT AND SETTLEMENTS, WITH THE St'Ii-TWENT linUN- HAKIKS AND SOVEREIGNTY OF FLORIDA. - A.I). 1514 To IS 15. A>'<,'!in!t-ii!. Kxtent of Florida in l.~n;o. Spanish Missions ami Settlements. Rihault's French Colony in l.l'ii!. Its Luratinn on the Combahee Hiver. Destruction of the Colony. Laudunnier's French Colony in l.'iiM. " l-'ort Carolina" built i,u the St. Mar\ 's. -Destitute Condition of this Colony. Timely Heliel' by Hihault.-- Meleiide/. is Adelant.ado of Florida in 1 :,i; ",. J Ie exterminates the French Colon v.- -St. Augustine fnndcd. IK-LToun.'es ravages the Spanish Colony and captures the Forts. ,les'::t Missionaries introduced hy Mclcndox. Missions estahli.sheil in L>1. St. August ine plundered hy .Sir Francis Drake. First Attempts at KiiL-lish .Settlement, in 1 .").".". ami itliJ-. Kn'-'lish Colony of Virginia. Carolina uTtintod to Lord Clarendon and others. .St. Aii-rustine plundered in 1G05 by Captain Davis, an English i'irate. English Set- tlement at " Charlestown,'' in Iti7i>. French Colonists arrive in Carolina. 17^."i-(i. Restricted Limits of Florida. Spanish Settlements invaded hy the Knulish tVon; Carolina. 1'artisan \\'arfare continued. Pensacola settled in IIJIH;. Houndary he- tween Floridaand Louisiana. English Boundaries of FWida in 17(i-l. l-huriisli S^t- tlenn'iits in l-'londa. Turubull'a Colony of New Smyrna. His inhuman Tvraii!iv. \Vretc!ied Condition, and suliseijuent Liheration of hi-s white Slaves. KliL'lisli AL'- rioiiltuiv in Florida. Florida retroeeded to Spain in 17,~:i. Kxtent of J-'lorida claimed by Spain. --Extent elaimed by the lulled States. Claim of L'nite.l St.ae> under the I'm-elia-ieof Louisiana. Haton l{uu'..-e District annexed to the Slat" of Louisiana. Fort Charlotte and Mobile District surremh red in i-l;!. Florida re- stricted to the IVrdido on the \Vc.st.-~Ue\olt and Occupancy of Kast Florida l.y " 1'atriots" in 1-!-'. Spain fails to preserve the Nei.tralit \ of Florida d:!n:i_- the \\'ur with (Jivat Hritain. WiMidbine's Operations amonz the Seininoli-s of l-'lorida aft T the Win-. Hi: builds a Ne^m Fort on the Apiialacliicuhi. Negroes, Anas, M'initions. and Military Stores furnished from the Hntish Fh-e! .-- - The Patriots of South America a_-ain occu;,y Amelia 1-iand in 1^17.- -The Semii.ole \\"ar com tiienees. (icneral .laekson piMsi-cuti-s it s:icces>fully. Captures St. Mark's. --Ar- li.itluiot and Ambrister condemned ;uid executed. -Their ri-hteous Sentence an 1 dc*i rved Fate. -Jackson man-lies to I'ensacola and expels thi' pertid'u.us Spaniards. - He retires to private Lite. His Trait.-; of Character Florida ceded to the I nited States in I-!'.i. Terms ot Cession.- Ijeneral ,lae.'v:,ere of \.'. ; M- Dale's Det.ichm -lit. Indian Murders at Fort Ki.u. Comm iici-m-nt of tl,-- " Florida War." (ir.-ulual Itemovnl of tin: Semi- n ,;,-- U'c-t ..| the Mii-sippi. h.eiv.-.se of wliil,- i'opiiiation nnfi! 1,- I !,- State Coii- st.t,i::o-i :,,rm. I. The ,-tate i,| Florida admitted int.ithe Fnion in ISl.'i. hract-ij all tlic Atlantic coast as far imrt.li as the (,'nlf ,.|' St. Lawrence, \\hrre llic I'l't'iich had made smiu: inisiicri'ssl'iil ;itU>ni|its t jilant (rulonifs. .\o ntlicr iMU'njiciin ]M.I\\ ( T pj-e- ti'ii()().] .Nearly twenty years after De Soto traversed Eastern Florida, a lew zealous Catholic missionaries attempted to plant the cross at several points along the Atlantic- coast of the peninsula of Eastern Florida. They formed missionary settle- ments at St. Augustine and at other points on the St. John's River. The attempt, although hazardous, was not altogether in vain. Some lost their lives by disease; but others braved the inhospitable climate, and refused to abandon the holv un- dertaking, willing to sacrifice their lives in extending the- king- dom ol ( 'hrist. [A.D. lf>t>'J.] -Next, by necessity, a portion of the same vast region became the relitge of those who lied from the persecu- tion and intolerance of the Catholic Church. Calvinism had spread widely in Europe, and had threatened the universal power ot the pope. To check the spread of Calvin's heresy and the lr_rht oi the Reformation, an unrelenting persecution was urged, with all the power and influence of the See of Rome. .None distinguished themselves more by their unchristian and intemperate /.eat in a rigorous persecution of the Calvinists than the- bishops of France. Thousands of the best citi/ens and most, enlightened men were compelled to abjure Calvinism J or leave the country, in order to avoid persecution unto death. I nder these circumstances, Admiral Colignv, a patron of the French Calvinists, undertook to establish a colons' of refu- gee.- upon the coast of Florida, north of any Spanish settlement. The colony embarked under the command ofj,,| m |{Jl, ;m ]t, an experienced manner. They set sail on the iNh da v of Febru- ary. !.">(;_'. in two nt the kind's ships, and first made land in the, latitude of St. Auirustine.' Advancing northu anil y. thev dis- " sec Wiliiams's Fi^ri'lu. JP. IW . ulsu, Marshall's Lil'r of Wii.sliuiuU.ii, 1 '<' >-* ihtction A.I). 1501.] VALLF.Y OF THE MISSISSIPl'I. 07 covered the River St. Mary's, and. having spent a portion of the month of .May on its banks, they called it the " River of May." It was not until nearly two centuries afterward that this river was recognized by Spain as the northern limit of Florida upon the Atlantic coast. After a short stay, finding themselves within the limits of the Spanish missionary settlements, they determined to sail further north. Their next settlement was made a few miles above the St. Helena Sound, south of the Coinbahee River, and within the present limits of' South Carolina. Here Ribault erected a fort, which he called Fort Cnrolana, in honor of Charles IX. of France. Havinir organized the colony and made suitable preparation for their safety and comfort, he set sail about the 15th of July for France, to report his success. lie left M. Albert as his lieutenant, and twenty-six of his crew to keep possession of the fort. Political confusion and distraction in France withdrew his attention from the colony for near two years. Durinir this time, the lieutenant, Albert, cultivated the friendship of the natives, who supplied the colony liberally with such articles as they possessed. Every exertion was used bv him to restrain the avarice and licentiousness of the people. In his etlbrts to enforce justice to the Indians, he was met by a niutinv. in which he lost his lite. Lachan. a turbulent dem- airo^ue. the author of' the nml my, assumed the command of the colony, which beiran rapidly to decline. Insubordination and want succeeded : the friendship and supplies of the natives were withheld, and the settlement was linallv abandoned. Thev set sail for France, and after bemir becalmed at sea and >iiit of starvation, the survivors, picked up by , were lauded on the coast of Fli'_ r land, des- Thus terminated the first French settle- Ins disastn >us issue, Adi t ' Fl' >rida. vv ith a new col< 'iiv i >f ei Thi< colmiv. which contained six hundred enuirrai diers. amon^- whom were many of the nobilitv ai blood ot France, was placed under the command and superin- tendence ot M. Laudoniiier, who was also an experienced mar- iner. This colony was well supplied with provisions, arms, and agricultural implements. After a loni: and disastrous voy- OS HISTORY OF Till: [COOK I. age in the month of June, the colony arrived at Fort Carolana : hut the tort was abandoned. Fearing the resentment of the natives. Laudonnier declined to remain. He sailed south, and landed in the " Hiver of May.'' Six leagues above the mouth, upon the south bank, he erected a fort, and called it also "Fort Carolana." Xo opportunity was lost, and no kind ollices "were spared, for securing the good \vill and friendship ot the natives.* [A.D. 1565.] An enthusiastic, phrensy was the vice of the age, and the individuals in the new colony were by no means exempt from its influence. Many were blinded with the pas- sion for sudden wealth, which still lured the credulous to Flor- ida. Others were avaricious and dissolute, despising subordi- nation in the sands and swamps ot a. savaire wilderness. In- stead of a patient and frugal industry, with judicious tillage of the earth, they rambled over the country in search of gold, sil- ver, and precious stones. In this search, some had penetrated west as far as the Mississippi River. f At lenirth. having forfeited the confidence and hospitality of the natives, they were reduced to want and suffering. Dissen- sions sprang up, and, while one hall' were in danger ot' destruc- tion bv the natives and by famine, another portion, including the mariners, formed a mutiny, and the mutineers engaged in a piratical expedition against the neighboring settlements of Spain, while others were preparing to abandon the settlement and return to France. In time to prevent the total destruction of the colony and the abandonment of Florida. Ribault arrived with :: la rife supply of provisions, and such implements as were requisite for a new settlement, lie assumed the command, endeavored to restore harmonv and order, and to introduce economy and industrious habits amonir the c< 1< mists. 15ut the jealousy of Spain and the bigotry of Rome were aroused when it was known that a colony ol heretics was estab- lished within the limits of' Florida, a province of Spain, and a bishopric of' Rome. The true faith had been almost excluded bv nature and the natives : and should Calvinism he established there by a rival power .' The Spanish court, determined at once to exterminate the heresy with the colony. An expedi- ' Wii'.iimis's I'lori'ln [i. 1" Also, Martin's LiAiisi;i!ri. vol. i., T See William's Fiuri'U. p Li : A. D. 15(>f>.] VALM-.V or Tin: MISSISSIPPI. G9 tir a colony. A direful destiny awaited the French Calvinists, and they had, through their predecessors, provoked the evil. Melende/ was a man oi cruel disposition, and accustomed to scenes of blood. The King of Spain was resolved to protect his Catholic, sub- jects in his own dominions. The cause found no weak aveng- er inMelendez. He arrived on the coast on the twenty-eighth of August, 1565, and, having captured or dispersed the French cruisers olf the coast, he landed near the present site of St. Au- gustine. Here, having ascertained the strength and position of the French colony on the south side of the St. Mary's River, a tew miles from the coast, he deemed it his first duty to de- stroy the intruding heretics. Alter a rapid and secret march through the intervening woods and swamps, the colony was taken by surprise. The attack was made on the twenty-first of September, and. after a spirited resistance by the garrison, the tort was carried I >y storm, and the garrison put to the sword. I)uriiiL r several days afterward the settlements were ravaged, and men. women, and children were put to death indiscrimi- nately. The principal massacre occurred on St. Matthew's day. and the Spaniards commemorated it by naming the river St. Mathi'o.- The \\holc number of French who fell in this carnage was a In nit nine hundred. Manv of t he bodies were suspended from trees \\ith ibis inscription, " Ao/c^v Frenchmen, but as heretics !" Alter the dest rue tion of the colony, Melendex re tun KM! to the present site of St. Augustine, where he built a to\vn upon an inlet, to both of which he '_ r ave the name of St. Augustine. He "" Tin 1 River St. Mnrv. tin- pr. si !.! nurt he. 'intern liciuml:iry of F. ust Fleriein. \vns ilimht- Icss tin- si'iit of the French settlements df this early period, mid is the i>n>in'r Itivir <.f M:iy" uf tin' French, mnl " St. M:itlic(i" nf tin: r>[i:mi:m!s. The settlements were cliie'K (in the south side, within (en miles id' the river. Si nut' huvi- c, .nl'mindcd the l{jv- er uf M:iy with the .St. John's. S-o Martin's 1. misiunn, vol. i.. p. K'--,':i. 70 HISTORY OK THE [BOOK I. also built a fort for the protection of his colony. Another fort was erected, and a colony planted upon the ruins of the late French colon}", on the River of May. St. Augustine is, there- fore, the oldest town in the United States, having been built fifty years before any other town now remaining. [A.D. lf>(!).] To retaliate this outrage of the Spaniards, a strong expedition was prepared by Dominic, de (lourges. a Catholic, a man of wealth, who had seen much service in the wars with Spain, and had no love for Spaniards, having once been their prisoner, and by them consigned to the galleys. He was a suitable person to revenge the outrage upon his coun- trymen, lie equipped, at his own expense, a military expedi- tion, enlisted men tor a twelve months' cruise, and set sail for Florida, alleging Africa to be (he object of his enterprise. His real purpose was kept a profound secret until lie readied the coast of Florida : then, in an animated and thrilling speech, he disclosed to his men the object of his voyage, and infused into them the deep revenge he entertained against the disgrace- ful conduct of the Spaniards three years before. Filled with his spirit, they desired to be led to the revenge of their slaugh- tered countrymen. Unsuspected by the Spaniards, he ascend- ed the River St. Mary's for many miles into the interior, ob- serving the settlements and forts as he advanced. Three forts protected the settlements: two had been mounted with the cannon taken Irom the French torts, and the entire jjarrison consisted of lour hundred men. At length, having secured the aid of ;i numerous body of In- dians, he descended the river, attacked the torts bv surprise, and carried them all by storm. The garrisons were put to the sword, besides many of the settlers who could not escape his fury. 41 1 Ia\ HILT demolished the torts, burned the houses, and ravaged the settlements with lire and sword on both sides of' the River St. Mary, and heinir sensible of his inability, with his small torce, to retain the country permanently, lie retired to the coast and set sail li >r France. In imitation ot his Spanish rival, he had s ies ot some ot his victim-, on trees, with tin.- as Spaniards, but as nmnleriTs." The act w, the government ot France, \shidi laid no da. CJ Willianis's Flnriila, p. 17-1. M-utin's Louisiana, v< A.I). lf)S5.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 71 of De Gourges, nor to tlie country occupied by the French ref- ugees. [A.D. lf>SO.] Melendez heard of the destruction of his irar- risons with extreme indignation ; hut the enemy had lied. He continued to govern tlie province for ten years, strengthened his position at St. Augustine, and used every effort to restore the colony to comfort and safety. He was also indefatigable in his exertions to conciliate the natives, and to reduce them to the Catholic; iaith. At his request, missionaries of everv or- der were sent irom Spain, but chiefly Franciscans. These men visited the remotest tribes, and. by their address, the mildness of their manners, and the simplicity of their lives, devoted to teaching the arts of civilization, obtained the entire ascendency over the savages. The Catholic religion, in 1581. was ac- knowledged by most of the tribes north of the Gulf of Mexico and east of the Mississippi. [A.D. 1581.] This year many missions were established, and convents were founded in Middle Florida, and as far westward a.s the Mississippi. The ruins of many of those in Middle Flor- ida now excite the investigation of the curious. Here was a great religious province chartered by the See of Koine under the Franciscan order, and known by the name of " St. Helena." whose representative government was fixed at St. Augustine.' [A.I ). 1 .">*.">.] Fnglish arrogance and love of dominion view- ed with jealousy the peaceful settlements of Spain which were springing up in Florida. Sir Francis Drake, on the Nth of May. lf>s t ">. with a larire licet, alter ravaging and plundering the Spanish colonies in the \\ est Indies, and at ( 'arthagenu, in the true spirit ot a pirate, sailed lor the leeble settlements upon liie Si. John's, in Florida. He attacked the forts at St. Augus- tine. \\hieh were abandoned to his superior lorcc after a feeble resistance. The terrified people of the settlements iled to the woods for safety; and the FiiLflish buccaneer, after ravaging the coiintrv, plundered For! St. John ot fourteen pieces of brass cannon, a ml the military chest, containing 1 wo thousand pounds sterling in ui 1 >ney.t Still the limits of Florida on the north were vaL r ue and un- defined. Spam claimed all the coast northward indefinitelv. St. Augustine is in latitude 'J!) J .">()' north : but. from the found- ing of this ancient town, the Spaniards made but little elK>rt. to ' Willinms's FWi.lii, p. 17.j. t Mem, [>. ITU. 7*2 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. extend their settlements north of the St. Mary's River, which is in latitude .'JO J 4.Y north. The first English settlement in Florida was attempted, unsuccessfully, in 15Sf>, by Sir Hum- phrey Gilbert upon the Roanoke River, within the present lim- its of ,\orth Carolina. The second, equally unfortunate, was made bv Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1(508. upon James's lliver, within the present limits of Virginia. About the same time the first French settlements were attempted in Acadie, on the Bay of Fundy, at Port Royal, and upon the St. Lawrence he- low Montreal. [A. D. 1(551.] The English colony on James's River struggled against disasters and misfortunes for nearly twenty years ; and in l(5\i(5. out of nine thousand emigrants sent from Eng- land, only eighteen hundred remained alive in the colony. Such was the first, English colony, which began to encroach upon the undefined limits of Spanish Florida. In the next quarter of a century the population of the colony, supplied and sustained by religious and political persecution in the mother country, had augmented its numbers to more than twenty thousand souls, comprised within the royal province of Vir- ginia, claiming the latitude of J5G 3 as its southern boundary. Spain, unable to oppose more than a feeble resistance to the encroachment of' her powerful rival, acceded to the de- mands of England, and relinquished all claim to lands north of latitude 3(5" ,'W. the present southern boundary of Virginia. Such was the first definite limit claimed by Spain as the northern boundary of Florida against the pretensions of rival powers.. \ et the spirit for colonizing America having spread to England, she sought to establish other colonies upon the un- appropriated coast of Florida, south of Virginia, as well as upon the coast north of the Chesapeake Bay. Disregarding any claim of Spain to the country north of her actual settle- ments, the English inonarchs. after having established numer- ous colonies upon the coast north of Long Island Sonnd, re- solved to occupy the unappropriated regions north of the Span- ish settlements up<>n the Kivcr St. Matheo; nor was it long before the resolution was carried into effect. [A.l>. If5(5.'{.] The next English encroachment upon the limits of Florida was by diaries the Second, \\ho granted to Lord Clarendon and others the absolute right and property in all lands from the thirty-sixth parallel of north latitude south- A.I). 1G&5.] VAI.LKY OI' TIIK MIrJ.-Is.~im. ward to the River St. Matheo, by which he intended the ent St. Mary's River, in latitude HO" I.V. A short time after- ward the kiiiir extended the limits <>f their urant on the south to the parallel ol '20', >i course embracing the coast lor nearly fifty miles south of St. Auirustinc. This irrant, like many of the early Enirlish grants, with an utter ignorance oi the interior, extended, according to the royal charter, west- ward to the "South Sea," or the Pacific Ocean. 1 " Such was the ignorance of Europe as to the actual extent of \orlh Amer- ica as late as the middle of the seventeenth century. This :_ r rant, so far as it conferred any riu'ht. embraced all the immense territory north ol' the dull of Mexico, and would have restricted Spain to the southern half of the peninsula of East Florida. The proprietors, however, lor more than half a century, were unable to extend their settlements further south than the parallel of 32 J , or to the north hank of the Savannah River ; and Spain continued to claim the unappropriated country. [A. I). IWJo.l In the vear 1(5(55, Captain Davis, an English l_ J * . buccaneer, sailed irom the West Indies, and attacked the 1 Span- ish settlement at St. Auinistine. Meeting with no opposition, although the town was defended by an octagonal tort and two round towers, garrisoned by reirular troops, he plundered the town, and retired with his booty. f A'o English settlement had then been made south ot St. Helena Sound. [A. I). 1(')7!).] Fourteen years afterward, an English colonv settled on Ashlev River, and laid the I'oundation of a colonial capital, which was called " Charlestown." and the pro\-ince was called Carolina, in honor o] ('harles II. ot England, thus per- name o| Fort ( 'opulation of the new English colony. The exiles from Catholic France were thus received under the protection of England, which had espoused the cause of the Reformers. Other colonies of French Calvinists arrived repeatedly in the next twenty years. Incorporated under English laws, with English subjects, they gave origin to some of the most, intelligent, wealthy, and influ- ential families which now adorn the State of South Carolina. The Spaniards in vain remonstrated against encroachments upon their territory south of latitude 36 .30'. The British court refused to acknowledge their claim, and for years disregarded O * their remonstrances. [A. D. !(')!)().] At length, to favor a peaceable adjustment of boundaries. Spain further relinquished all the territory north of latitude .3.T. claiming only as far north as Cape Romain. or one degree north of the most southern settlements of the Eng- lish." Finally, exasperated at the persevering encroachments of their rival colony, and their intrigues with the native sava- ges, the Spaniards resolved to imitate their example by exci- ting against the English settlements the hostility of the Indian tribes. Accordingly, until the close of the seventeenth centu- rv. mutual acts of partisan hostility and piratical war, aided by the Indian allies respectively, spread terror and desolation through the frontiers of the rival colonies. These expeditions were conducted by the English against the Spanish settle- ments on the St. Mary's and St. John's Rivers with great Jury and destruction, and these beautiful regions again became a scene of blood and rapine. [A. I). 1702.] At length, war having been declared between Spam and Great Britain, Governor Moore of Carolina, "thirst- ing tor Spanish plunder," with an army of J-JOO volunteers and Creek Indians, ravaged the whole settlements from the St. Marv to the St. John Rivers, and plundered St. Augustine itself. [A.l>. 1701.] Two years afterward, the same Governor Moore raised a inrceol one thousand Creek Indians and a tew desperate white men. with whom he ravaged the Spanish set- tlements frmu Flint River to the Oklockony, and westward to the Appalachicola. A seene of general devastation mark- " fcfoc Marshall's I. if.- of \Va--liin_rUjii, vol. i.. Introduction. A.U. 170-1.] . VALLEY OF TIIH MISSISSIPPI. 75 cd his route. Tlie fort on the Oklockony, twenty miles from the sen. was captured with great slaughter. In the strife, the (Jovernor of Appalaehy, Don Juan Mexia, and the greater por- tion of the garrison, amounting to nearly four hundred men, were slam; the lort was burned to ashes : monasteries, con- vents, and missionary establishments alike sunk under the llames. Such of the inhabitants as efraped the tomahawk and scalping-knife were driven into a wretched captivity. Four- teen hundred ^ amasses, who had been on friendly terms with the Spaniards, were driven into (Jeorgia. and many of them were reduced to slavery.* Such have been the tender mer- cies of the English in all their conquests. .Meantime. Spain encountered another restriction upon the limits of Florida on the west. The French colonists from Can- ada on the extreme north had penetrated beyond the great lakes, and had explored the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico ; a colony had been landed west of the Colorado, and the gov- ernment of France had been actively engaged more than live years in establishing a permanent colony upon the Mississippi and upon the coast, more than fifty miles east of the great river. Up to this time Spain had no rival in ihe west ; and, fearing n< opposition in that quarter, she had neglected to plant colo- nies west of the district of Appalachy. The whole coast, around the northern side of the Clulf of Mexico, from Tampico east- ward to the Appalachicola River, nominally attached to the vicer* ivalty of Mexico, was in the sole occupancy of the Indian tribes, without a single Spanish settlement, except that of' l.Yn- sa cola, which had been established first in 1 ('>!)('>, after the French had advanced upon the Mississippi. Tin' Spanish government, perceiving the advance of the French, had, in 1 >!)(>. sent a colony of three hundred emigrants from .Mexico to occupv the point ; which subsequently, in !(>!)!. was re-enforced. and placed m command of Don Andre de Riola. who proceeded t > fortify the harbor and enlarge the settlement. Meantime, after the arrangement <>t boundaries between the Kngiish and Spanish settlements on the Atlantic sea-board, a continual system of partisan and piratical warfare was main- tained by the rival colonies, each instigating ihe numerous wai - like savages in their vicinity to espouse their causes respect- ively. Hence, for nearly t wenty years, these settlements, about * Wi'.!i:mi.s's Florida, [>. 179. 70 HISTORY OI THE . [ttOOK I. three hundred miles asunder, were repeatedly ravaged by sword and lire. At length the people of Carolina, dissatisfied with the pro- prietary government, and being again threatened with a for- midable invasion from Havana, renounced all subjection to the proprietarv government, and cast themselves upon the protec- tion of the crown of Grait Britain. Carolina was soon after annexed as the royal province of Carolina, extending from the Roanoke to the Savannah. [A.I). 17.'}'J.] In the year 1132, for the convenience of the coli mists, the province was divided into two governments, called \orth and South Carolina.* About this time, a new colony was projected in England for the settlement of the country south of the Savannah, as far as the Altamaha River. This region was to be called the province of " Georgia,'' in honor of George the Second. It was to be peopled chiefly by indigent but industrious families ; and in the following year the town of Savannah was begun, soon after the arrival of the first emi- grants, under the superintendence of General James Oglethorpe. The introduction of slaves was prohibited, in order to remove competition and to encourage free white labor. [A.I). 17-'}!).] The Spaniards persisted in their opposition to the English encroachments in Florida, and reciprocal partisan warfare again broke out between the rival colonies and their Indian allies. .Before the e]ose of" the year 17.T.). England and Spain were again involved in a general war, which extended to their Amer- ican colonies in Florida. The following year an expedition under General Oglethorpe sailed from Georgia and South Car- olina, for the invasion of the Spanish settlements near St. Au- gustine, in Florida. After partial success, the ultimate object of the expedition, the capture of St. Augustine, failed. [A.l>. 171x!.] In 171'J a strong Spanish expedition, consist- ing of thirty-two sail, and conveviiiLT three thousand 1 ro< >ps. in- vaded Georgia,; and after producing great consternation and considerable ravages, they advanced up the Altamaha River, landed upon the island, and there erected fortifications, threat- ening the subjugation of the Carolinas and Virginia. I'm at the close of the war Georiri.'i was still considered as extending southward to the River St. Mary. Sec M-trsl::ill's Life < : Washington, vol. L p ~ A.D. 17G-1.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 77 Meantime, on the west, as early as 17^1, the Perdido River and Bay had been established as the eastern boundary of lower Louisiana; thus restricting the western limit of Florida to the same boundary which it now possesses as an independent state. [A.D. 17(53.] Such were the boundaries and sovereignty of Florida until the year 17t3. when it fell under the dominion of the British crown, after the dismemberment of Louisiana. At the close of a protracted war. Great Britain, at the treaty of peace, became possessed of the whole of New France, and all that portion ol the province of Louisiana lyinii upon the east side of' the Mississippi, except the Island of New Orleans. At the same time, Spain, for valuable considerations, relinquished the province of Florida to the same power. Thus the do- minion of Great Britain was extended over the whole territory east of the Mississippi, from its sources to the Gulf of Mexico, excepting only the Island of New Orleans. [A.D. 1704.] The following year the British cabinet ex- tended the limits of Florida on the west, by annexing to it all that part of Louisiana ceded by France on the east side of the Mississippi, and south of the Ya/.oo River. Thus Florida, un- der the English dominion, was aiiain extended from the At- lantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. The province was also then first divided into two portions, called Fast and West Florida. West Florida, agreeably to the k inn's proclamation, was bounded on the north by a. line drawn due east from the mouth of the Ya/oo to the Chattahoochy River; the latter of "which was made the boundary between East and \\ est. Florida. Each "t these divisions was created into a separate' irovern- mriil. iimlcr diilerent governors. 1'ensacola was the capital ol' West Flrin Amelia Island, in the peninsula of East Florida. Settlements were also made at IVnsaenla. Lord liolle obtained a u'rant. ol' land on St.. John's River, to which he transported nearly three hundred miserable lemales, 78 HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK r. who were picked up in the purlieus of London. He hoped to re torn i them, and make them good members of society in his new colony of" Charlotia ;" but death, in a few years, removed them from his charire. ' [A.I). 17(57.] Doctor Turnbull, of notorious memory, and Sir William Duncan, tried a different experiment for peopling Florida. The iormer sailed for the Peloponnesus, and for the sum ot tour hundred pounds sterling, obtained permission of the Governor of Modon to convey to Florida a large number of Greek families. In 17G7, he arrived with one small vessel, and took as many Greeks as he could obtain. On his way from Modon, he put in at the islands of Corsica and Minorca, and there procured several vessels, and augmented the number of his settlers to fifteen hundred. He agreed to carry them free of expense, to furnish them with good provisions and clothing, and, at the end of three years, to give to each head of a family fifty acres, and to each child twenty-live acres of land. If they should be dissatisfied at the end of six months, he agreed to send them back to their native country. These were the terms promised, but never complied with. They had a long and tedious voyage of four months, and many of the old people died on the voyage. Twenty-nine died in one vessel. Thev arrived in Florida in the fall reason, and a grant of sixty thousand acres of land for the settlement was made by the Governor of Florida. To shelter them through the winter, thev built huts ot palmetto, and proceeded to pre- pare the fields lor the opening spring. The settlement \va.s designated " Xew Smvrna." and its location \vas about four miles west of Musqueto Inlet, and seventy-tour miles south of St. Augustine. After a sufficient quantity of provisions had been raised, Turnbull directed his attention to the cultivation and manu- facture of indigo, and reduced his ignorant, and helpless foreign- ers to the most abject and disgraceful slavery. In live years the\' had nearly three thousand acres oi ;_ r oo crop, for one year, amounted to three thousand one hundred and sev- enty-fi >ur di >lla rs. [A.D. 1770.] Turnbiiirs avarice seemed to increase with his prosperity ; but he failed to comply with his agreements, or ' VVillinius-s Flc.ri.la, j>. \*t. A.I). 1771.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 79 to fulfill his contracts. From the colonists lie selected ;i few Italians, whom he made overseers and drivers ; and they ex- ercised over the remainder such cruelty and oppression as is known only under English masters. Men. women, and chil- dren, indiscriminately, were subjected to the lash, and to the most inhuman treatment and privations.' Tasks were assigned them for the week as large as they could possibly perform. The food allowed the laborers was seven quarts of shelled corn per week for the whites: to the negroes on the plantations ten quarts per week were allowed. Saturday and Sunday were allowed to supply themselves with meat by fishing and hunting. The sick and invalids were al- lowed only three and a halt quarts of corn per week. Most of the Minorcans and Corsicans had brought a good supply of clothing with them ; when these were worn out. they were furnished with one suit of Osnaburgs each year. One blanket and one pair of shoes, lor the whole term, were iriven to the men; but none were allowed to the women, although many of them had been accustomed to live in comparatively easy circumstances in their own country. [A.D. 1771.] For nine years were this people kept in ig- nominious bondage, ground down by a tyranny unequalled b\ the relentless Spaniards ot St. Domingo. 1 hiring the last three years they were supplied with no clothing at all. but were per- mitted to buy on credit at a public store belonging to the com- pany, thus creating a debt which served as a pretext tor their detention. ( )n the most trilling occasions, thev were beaten without mercv : and neLToe- were usually chosen as the in- struments of diabolical cruelty, they bemir often compelled to beat and lacerate those who failed to perform their tasks, until many of them died. Sometimes, alter having the skin scourged fp mi their backs, thev were left tied to trees all night, naked and exposed, for swarms o) musqiietoes to fatten on their blood Mini to a LT'jravate their tortures. It induced bv despair t i run away, thev were captured bv the ne'_ r roes ot the nei\ r h- !'oriir_ r plantations, who received a bounty lor their apprehen- sion and delivery. Some wandered oil and sought an asvlum in the woods, where they died o| hunger and disease, or sought the pr< itection ot the Indians. [A.I K 1 7 1 (>.] At the i 'tid ot nine years, their number, including * WilliaiHs's Florida, p. I-- 1 , 1~L. 80 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. the natural increase, was reduced to six hundred. These people, living under the protection of a nation which boasts its freedom, and that its very soil strips the shackles from the slave, were, by a mere accident, released from their cruel tyrant. Secluded, over- tasked, and isolated, they knew not their rights, nor the means of obtaining them. In the summer of 177(5, some English gen- tlemen from St. Augustine, making an excursion down the coast, called at "New Smyrna" to see the improvements, espe- cially a spacious stone mansion-house which had been com- menced for the proprietor. Seeing the wretched and degraded condition of these people, one of the gentlemen observed, in the hearing of an intelligent boy, " that if these people knew their rights," they would not submit to such slavery. The boy re- peated the remark to his mother, and she took counsel with her iriends at night, to gain more intelligence on the subject.* A plan was devised to send three individuals ostensibly to the coast to obtain a supply of turtle, but. in fact, to St. Augus- tine. They arrived in safety, and soon had an interview with Mr. Vounge, the attorney-general of the province. They made known their business, and he promised them the protection guarantied to them by the laws. Governor Grant, who is sup- posed to have been personally connected with Turnbull in the slavery ot these Greeks and Minorcans, had been superseded by Governor Tonyn, who souirht. to render himself popular by causing justice to be done to these long-injured people. The messeii'_rers returned, alter a lew davs, with the joyful intelligence that justice was in prospect : but the mission must be concealed, as well as the intelligence received. Although Turnbull was absent, they feared the overseers, and dreaded their cruelty. They met in secret, and chose M. I'allacier for their leader, and secretly arranged the plan ot their departure. I'] i" 1 1 a '.riven dav. formed into a phalanx, the armed and st ronir men guarding the women and children, they marched in a bodv touard St. Augustine. So secretly had the whole plan been concerted, thai thev were some miles <>n ti:e;r wav belorc the overseers discovered that the settlement was deserted. Turnbull, then- tyrannical master, havinir been informed ot their departure, rode many miles after them, and overtook them before they reached Si. .\U'_ r iistine : but his entreaties \\cre unavailing to induce them to return. At St. Augustine thev Wiliiuuis's Florida, p. 1--'. A.I). 17S.'}.] VAI.I.KV OK TIIK MISS-ISSH'I'l. 81 were supplied with provisions by the order of the ir<>venior; their ease \vas tried before the judges, ;ind their cause honest- ly ;idvoc;ited by the attorney-ireneral. Turnbull could show no cause tor their detention, and they were set at liberty:' but they had no redress for the wrongs which they had already endured upon British soil and under British jurisdiction. To supply them with homes, they were offered lands for set- tlement near \ew Smyrna ; but. teariiiLT some treachery in Turnbull, they refused to return to that place. ( Iroiinds were, therefore, assigned them in the northern suburbs of St. Auiriis- tme, where they erected their houses, and cultivated gardens tor the town supplies. The same irrounds to this day are oc- cupied by many of their descendants, who now constitute a re- spectable. and in some instances a wealthy and intelligent por- tion of the population of that city.f [A.I). 1778.] During the occupancy of Florida by the Eng- lish. under the fostering care of the government, agriculture made rapid progress. Suirar and rum became the staple prod- ucts ; suirar-cane was cultivated extensively both in Fast and in West Florida. The remains of the iron machinery and su- irar furnaces may be seen to this day upon the old. descried plantations. Indigo, protected by a bounty, was also a staple product of Florid a. J Such was Florida under British dominion. [A.D. 17*,'*.] liy the treaty of 17S3, Great Britain acknowl- edged the independence of the I nited States with the .Missis- sippi tor their boundarv on the west, and Florida on the south. But Florida had been retroceded to his Catholic majesty with- out defminir its limits on the north : and Spam, having acquired "West Florida bv cont|uest. before the cession, claimed the northern boundary as it e\i>ted under the [iritis!) authorities in l"!l. that is. hounded b\ a line to be drawn from the month of the Ya/oo. due east to the ( 'hattahoochy. His Catholic maj- tst v could not concede to ( I real I Jriiain the riirht to restrict the eco'jni/ed h\ the consideration stipul;i- e, .ntended that the treaty, \\lncli fixed the SMiithern limits of the I nited States at the .'{1st jiarallel of latitude, virtually ceiled to them territory rightfully beioii'j- nsequently to tliat extent null a.nd \o}(\. that his Catholic majesty continued to WilliiiHi.s's Fl.iriila, \>. l-;i l'j. t Mom. \<. I'M. I M.'iii. p. I:".. Vol.. I. F 82 HISTORY OF TIIK [llOOK I. occupy and hold possession of the " Natchez district" tor fifteen years alter the treaty of 17S3. But the United States persisted in their ri^ht to the limits specified in the treaty ; and after ten years of fruitless negotiation, and a contemplated appeal to arms, when Spain was again at \var with Great Britain, his Catholic majesty reluctantly consented to the treaty of Madrid, signed on the '-20th day of October, 1705. [A.].). 1705.] By this treaty the King of Spain, recognizing the claim of the United States to the 31st parallel of latitude as their southern boundary, entered into stipulations for the evacuation of the country and military posts situated north of that limit, so soon as the latitude should have been ascertained. For the purpose of ascertaining the proper boundary, com- missioners on the part of each power were to meet within six months after the ratification of the treaty, to ascertain and mark out a proper line of demarkation. At length, alter many vexatious delays, the Spanish authorities, in the spring of 17!)S, retired from the north side of this boundary, reluctantly yield- ing that which they found themselves unable to hold by force.* The remainder of West Florida near the Mississippi, and south of the line of demarkation, continued under the Spanish dominion, and was organized into a government, known as ' the District of Baton Rouge," under the administration of Don Carlos de Grand pro, lieutenant-governor, exercising the duties of civil and military commandant. These duties he continued to exercise tor more than twelve years alter the evacuation of the Natchez District, and until the expulsion of the Spanish au- thority from the banks of the Mississippi in December, IKK), and seven years alter the province of Louisiana and the island of Xew Orleans had become the territory of the Uniled States. f [A.I ). 1H03.] Meantime the United States, having acquired from France the possession ot the province of Louisiana, ad- \ am-ed a new claim to that portion of West Florida which ex- tended westward from the IVrdido River to the Mississippi. and north ot the island of Xew Orleans. The boundaries of Louisiana, as received from France, were to lie those which it possessed under the French crown in 17'_'. and to (ireat Britain by tin- treat}- of Sec Ixxik iv., cluip. iv., close of rliapti-r. f Sue luxik v., cliaj). xv., ' Territory of Orleans.'' A.I). 181.'}.] VALLEY OF THE MlSSISSII'i'I . 83 17(53. The Federal government never censed to urL r e this claim with the Spanish crown as a valid reason for the restric- tion of the northern and western boundaries of West Florida. [A.D. 1810.] In the mean time, the district of Baton Rouire had become settled by numerous emigrants from the western states and territories, in addition to a lai'ire number of Anirlo- Americans, who had been grievously disappointed in finding themselves excluded from the jurisdiction of the Tinted States. by the line of demarkation established under the treaty of Mad- rid. The whole population in the district, of Anglo-American descent, partial to the Federal government, and unwilling to sub- mit to an absolute monarchy beyond the seas, was but little short <>f ten thousand persons. Surrounded as they were by Republi- can friends and Republican institutions, which they desired to enjoy, they could hardly be expected to remain loyal subjects of a foreign prince. At length the people revolted from their Spanish allegiance, and expelling their Spanish rulers, organ- ized a provisional government, and claimed the protection of the United States. On the 7th of December. 1810. Governor CMaiborne. of the territory of Orleans, by order of the Presi- dent of the United Stales, took formal and peaceable possession of the country, with the troops ot the Federal government. Soon afterward, all that portion ot \\est Florida known as the Baton Rouge District, extending eastward to Pearl River, was, bv act of Congress, annexed to the territory of Orleans, and finally became incorporated within the limits of the State of Louisiana. * [A.D. IM.'J.] The residue of West Florida, eastward to the Pcrdido, remained under the Spanish jurisdiction, and in posses- sion of the Spanish troops, until the spring of IM.'J. About this time war bet ween the United States on one side, and ( ireat Brit- ain and h'T Indian allies on the other, was niging on the north- ern and -on' he rn frontiers <>1 the I'nited States. Apprehensive ot' the ina bili ty or the indisposition of the Spanish authorities to maintain a strict neutrality in the bavs, inlets, and harbors west "t I Vns:i<-ola. ('oiiirress ;uithorixed the militarv occupation ot' the country, from the IVarl Kiver to tin- Perdido. by the com- niander-in-chiel <>l the seventh militarv district.! Bv an order troni the Secretarv ot \\ ar. and received bv 84 HISTORY OF THE [nOOK I. General Wilkinson early in the year 1H13, he was directed to take possession of all that portion of Florida west of the Perdi- do river and hay, and to extend the Federal jurisdiction over the same. lie accordingly prepared to concentrate his forces for the capture of Fort Charlotte at Mobile. The naval forces in the vicinity of -New Orleans were ordered to concentrate in the Hay of Mobile, while, at the head of a strong land force, he in person proceeded across the country from the Mississippi. On the 12th day of April the army encamped before the town of Mobile, and the commander-in-chief immediately dispatched a summons to the commandant of Fort Charlotte, couched in courteous language, but in a. positive tone, demanding the evac- uation of the fort.* The Spanish commandant, Don Cayetano Perez, seeing he was completely surrounded by sea and land, made no delay to enter into negotiations for an honorable ca- pitulation. The article of capitulation was signed on the 14th, stipulating for the evacuation of the fort on the following day, together with the surrender of all the military stores, artillery, " The following is a copy of the summons sent by (lenoral Wilkinson, viz.: " Camp near Mobile, April lyth, l-'Ki. "S.IK. The troops of the United States under my command do not approach you as the enemy of Spain ; but, by the order of the President, they come to relieve tin: garri- son which you command from the occupancy of a post within the legitimate limits of ti.ose states. 1 therefore hope. sir. that you may peacefully retire from Foil Charlotte, and from the bounds of the Missis.Mppi territory (east of the Perdido Uiven, with the uarrison you command, and the public and private property which may appertain there- unto. ' 1 Hatter myself that you will meet a proposition no reasonable and so just in the spirit with which it is otllTed, and that no time m:<\ be unnecessaril\ lost in carrying it into execution. My aide-de-camp, Major H. D. I'ierc, will present you this note, and. if convenient to you, will receive your answer. With due consideration and re spect, 1 have the honor to be "Your most obedient ami humble s-Tvant. " .IAMKI W II.KINSON. Ti- me ollicer commanding Fort Charlotte." Tin ' .lowing reply was returned, viz.: " Fort Charlotte, Mobile, April nth. 1-13. "M-l KX( KI.r.KNl SIR. i have marked the contents of your letter of yesterday, ti.'.d I have enmmis.'iioned l.i.-ut-nant I)on francisco Morrison to conter with your ex- < ellency ,,;i the points in dispute. " i j' d preserve your excellency many years. '' CAYI:T \NO PKI:K/. " 11.- . xcullcncv D Hi .lames Wilkinson." A.I). 1813.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 85 ammunition, arms, and munitions, to be accounted for by the United States at a fair valuation. Among the supplies of the fort left with the American com- mander were thirty-seven heavy pieces of ordnance, seven- teen swivels, brass and iron, besides a large amount of muni- tions of war. comprising solid balls of different sixes, bombs of divers kinds, small arms, and every variety of apparatus, offen- sive and defensive. The Spanish garrison retired quietly on board their vessels and set sail for Pensacola ; and the American troops, agreeably to stipulations, deferred entering the fort until the Spanish troops had departed.* A few days afterward, General Wilkinson advanced east- ward to the Perdido, and established a small post on its west- ern bank, while another detachment was sent to fortify Mobile Point, afterward known as Fort Boyer. Thus terminated the dominion of Spain over the western portion of Florida. Florida, thus restricted, remained a loyal Spanish province, without any other change of boundary, until it was finally ce- ded to the United States by the treaty of Washington in 1^19. Yet it was not exempt from the revolutionary designs and operations of the revolted Spanish provinces of South America. The Patriots of South America, being enira^ed in a sanguinary war with the mother country, aided bv adven- turers from the United States and from Europe, omitted no opportunity for effect ing the expulsion of the regal domina- tion from the loyal provinces of Florida ;;nd Texas. To ac- complish this purpose, several expeditions were successive!"/ fitted out in the ports of South America and the West Indie-, to operate against the Spanish authorities in these two prov- 11 i<'es. The iii>t expedition against Ka>t Florida entered the c.oun- trv through the St. Man's, occupying the Port of Fernandina .md the !>land ol Amelia. From this point operations were ex- end ed until the Patriot forces had extended their authority over ;he whole district comprised in the LT< >ve rumen t of St. Augustine. Hi it the L r <>\ eminent established by them was of short dtiiv- Mon. It was on the 1'Jth of April, lrtl'2. that the Spanish gov- ernor. I )<>n Jose Lope/, entered into terms ot capitulation, hv '.\hich he surrendered the Port of Fernandina. including 'he ' Sre Wi'kinsiDi's Memoirs, vol. i.. r>H-51i;. 8() HISTORY OF T1IK [flOOK I, \vhnle island, and his entire command, to tlie ''superior forces" of the 1'atriots. A provisional government was organized. and the authorities made formal application for admission into the Federal Union, as an integral portion of the United States.* But the government of the United States, true to its treaty ob- ligations to Spain, declined to receive the province from the usurpers, and established a competent military force upon the St. Mary's, to enforce neutrality on the border, and to restrain any popular outbreak of the American ]>eople. At the same time, the American government proposed to the Spanish min- ister to take possession of the country in trust for the King ot Spain, until his Catholic majesty should find himself in a condi- tion to maintain the neutrality of the count rv, so as to secure the proper execution of the revenue laws of the United States against a band of smugglers by which the St. Mary's River was infested. General George Matthews and Colonel John M'Kee were authorized commissioners on the part ot the United States. f On the l^th of June, Sebastian Kinderlan, with a re-enforce- ment of royal troops, expelled the Patriots, and re-established tiie royal authority. The Federal troops, "who had advanced to the south side of the St. Mary's, were ordered to retire within the limits of Georgia. J The ioreign occupancy ot Florida had become a source oi great annoyance, not only to the Federal government, but to the western people in general. Surrounded, as it were, bv the territory of the United States, with an extensive boundary, much of it designated only by a surveyor's line, separating two races so radical!}" different, under civil and religious insti- tutions so strongly repugnant to each other, it was certain the frontier people could never harmonize; and the Federal exec- utive had for many vears endeavored to prevent the collision ot the advancing settlements by the peaceable acquisition of the whole oi Florida ; but Spain preferred to prolong her fee- ble authority over the province. Tli' 1 ['utriol furt-i < > ninprisi <\ rm armament of niiir L-IUI Knits, with a lull rnmpl,. I' niarin-'S 0:1 roscil of adventurers I'mii ;.;;, ,.;:.!.,, mrlinlinir a - ! Ainerii-iiris 'i'h,' t''i:-res were umli-r llif r.'iiiiiiiriiiil nf CHI-IIIKHJII!.- A i.i.i ' i-xti'int : iii-i'irmt L! Hi. ,,;,,. rations ripHuectrd i:l i, u;i,,.i :l Island iil" Aiis.-iin ninj ! ' nn : in U'iili.-iins's Flm-i'la. p. :'i< ]W S .... : !sn, Ain.-r -! it. I 1 - . ' ix.,p r. -I ;.:/: i:,ti, ;. Mast ; that, "about :i iii tin in a few days licfcuv his dejiurtun-, and "/'- r the news of peace het ween Kndund and the I 'nited States had been eon!ir:ii- ed and readied A]i|iahie]iirolri ; tliat anuiii!,' tin' iirlirlfs |, c'ominaudL-r tliat. aecordin_- to the t-vaU of (,hei,t, all the lands e.'ded by the treats with (ieneriil Jackson were to b,- n stn thi 1 I'l.iirsi 1 |>ur>'i"ii l>y t i--!n-r;il Jin'k- .!i in t:ikin-' n;i!it:ir\ [,<. -^sidji nt' l''lnrii!:t li.r tin- In-tti-r iirnti-cliuu nt tlif t'nin- tii :-. T. : '-''t . : Il.-ilMi iiitri_- ! in F!"f:]..!.!; i.|' tli.- 1 1.. u. i i, -,,!_-. l',,in.l.-xl.T. in tl,.r II. HIS, nf l[,-i.rc- s. I,!H! :'. - i ' li;.- I I. it ! >!at'-< mi tin- I -t run! -'I .'!' Ft-iir..:ir\ , I - !!'. '1'l.is s[i''.'''!i \v;is :i:i rilil. : <' "^ . ! I p.'ii.-rui .l;u-'i.-..)i !.!' li;> t'< iijuun-v nl' tin- Sjriinisii p. i.-ts . !' S[. M-ivk's :r .1 r.-iKti-o'.n. Ti. - -|i' <-!i is i-.i:.::iiiif.l i.i U'ilii^ti.i.'s " Fi'H|urnc.' . >!' tin- I'liit.'.! Stairs." vul. iii., l! \\';'s iiUu p'il'!i-i..-'l -.!< !IM\ .-iy in tli.i nr\vs].;i[jrrs ct'tlir day. ST.- M.i->',s-i;'i'i St:i;.. (!!/. !( nt' M;I;. -l!i :i:i.| i-tli, }-'\'J. t This ;..,; W.-K il.^i-ri!-.l :PS luiii.-.v- : vix.., It \vns situnl.'d on a bvriiit it'll] ],i-li Li. it)", '.vilii :i la:'-'. 1 iVi-.-k ii'-arlii' 1 I.MM-, iii.'l rrnt. ft.'.i I'V a (.\vnni]) in tli.' r.-a: 1 , \\liirii rm ii. i-fil (!,. ;i[i|iru;ii-li "t an ill, ry \.-r. '!i:!:i-'iit. Thr pariiprt was tilti'.-ii t'.M't liii:li niul i_-lit'.'ii t'-.'l |],i.-!;. It was ij.-|.'Mii.'i| liy on.' thirty -t\v.i [iipiilid.T, tlir.'i- twrhty 1'nur |iMUijilT>-. several nl' tin-in inscrili. 'il " His Hritiinnic niiiji-sty's friu'siti- Cyiiuus." tw.i i:iii. iHiiiiid.-rs. v.vo six |n.iiiiii.']-s, :i!nl mi' 1 i'-_ r nnt brass ti\.' and a hail' inch Imwitxrr. It ciiiit;ii!n.'d in its nia-'ii/iiirs a lar-Jc an:. mat ut' anns suid ainiiiuuiti. in. On.- n.a_-a/ino 90 HISTORY OF TIM: [BOOK I. negro, in connection \vith the Chocta chief. " Hed Sticks ;" and within its \v;ills were sheltered no less than t\v<> hundred negro women and children. JVear the fort the fields were tine, and others extended up and down the river lor nearly fifty miles. From this general rendezvous, marauding expeditions had been sent out. not only against the defenseless settlements of the Georgia frontier, but also piratical excursions against trad- ing vessels on the coast. Such was the prelude to the Sem- inole Avar. On the 16th of August, Colonel Clinch, commanding at (/amp Crawford, received intelligence that two transports laden with provisions, stores, and ordnance, convoyed by two gun-boats, were lying in the buy near the mouth of the river, awaiting an escort of Tinted States troops fi"m his command, as protection against the fort on the river. The instructions to Colonel Clinch required him. in case of opposition to the ascent of the vessels bv the fort, to reduce it by military force. Xext day Colonel Clinch, with a detachment of two com- panies, under the command of Major Muhlenberg and Captain Z. Taylor, comprising one hundred and sixteen choice men, de- scended the river in order to conduct the supplies above the point of danger. On the ISth lie was joined by Major M'ln- tosh with one hundred and fifty friendly Creeks, and on the following day by two other detachments of Indians, who had set out lor the capture ot negroes in the vicinity of the fort. \\ith this force he took up his position in the vicinity of the negro tort to await the ascent ot Lieutenant Lonmis with the transports and gun-boats. On the same evening an express from Lieutenant Loomis informed him that a watering party, near the mouth of the river, had been attacked bv a detach- ment of negroes, who had killed one midshipman and two sail- ors, and captured a third. Colonel Clinch determined, without turther del;iy. to invest the fort, and the Indians were directed to take their positions around the lort, and open upon it a scat- tering fire. The negro garrison commenced a terrible dis- charge ot artillery, designed to frighten the Indians, and with no other injury to the besiegers. The demand of the Indians for the surrender <>l t| )r j (ll -i vvas answered bv Oaivnn with the A.L). 1816.] VAI.LKY OF THE MISSl.SSII'I'l. 01 utmost contempt, after which lie hoisted the English jack. Such was the state of things until the arrival of the whole Jorce oi "un-boats and vessels from below. o It was (n the :JOth that the escort and convoy arrived with- in four miles ol the iort, when preparations were made to take it by storm. For this purpose a battery was erected during the night, and early the next morning the two gun-boats, pre- pared tor action, moved up in handsome style, and moored near the battery. In a lew minutes they were saluted by a shot from a thirty-two pounder in the tort. This was the signal for the attack, and the lire was returned in gallant style. At the fifth dischartre, a hot shot from gun-boat \o. 151 penetrated the great mairazine. and immediately the Iort was blown up with the most awful explosion. The scene in the fort was horrible beyond description; nearly the whole of the inmates were in- volved in one indiscriminate destruction ; not one sixth of the whole escaped. The cries of the wounded and dving. min- gled with the shouts and yells of the Indians, rendered the con- fusion horrible in the extreme. Three thousand stand of arms and six hundred barrels of powder were destroyed bv the explosion. The whole amount of property destroyed and taken was not less than -SxJOO, ()()() in value. One magazine, containing one hundred and sixty- three barrel> of powder, was saved by the victors. The negro commander, darcon, and the ( hocta chief, " Red Sticks." were delivered to the Indians, who put them to a painful death.' Woodbine had escaped the evening before. On the following day. intelligence was received of the ap- proach of a formidable bod\ ot hostile Seminoles. Finding ( 'olonel Clinch well prepared to receive them, they prudentlv declined an attack. Preparations were immediately made bv the State of deoj-^ia and by the Federal inivernment lir the efficient protection of the exposed frontier. Such was the commencement of the Semmole war in Florida. dene.j-al dailies, oi the 1 nited States army, commanding at Fort Scott, on the deorL r ia frontier, proceeded to chastise the hostile Seminoles. At the first Indian town attacked in De- cember, on Clinch River, the evidences oi British treacher\ were liillv presented. In the cabin ot \eamatlila the chid was found a British uniform of scarlet doth, with u'old etiau- 02 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. lets. According to the certificate found in the pocket, and signed by the secretary of Colonel Nichols, " Neamathla was a faithful British subject."* The Seminoles, however, being deprived of their principal leaders, and especially the ferocious Woodbine, were frustra- ted in their operations ; yet for more than twelve months they were prone to hostilities, and from time to time committed frequent murders and depredations upon the frontier settle- ments, which required the maintenance of an active surveillance on the part of the Federal troops to prevent any general con- cert of operation. [A.D. 1817.] While these events were transpiring upon the Indian frontier, the Patriot forces again invaded East Florida, taking possession of Amelia Island, from which they contem- plated the entire subjugation of the whole province. In the present case, the invasion was made by General Gregor M'Gregor and Admiral Aury, acting under the authority of the " United Provinces of New Grenada and Venezuela." Having learned that Spain contemplated ceding Florida to the United States, they deemed it an opportune occasion to wrest it from the Spanish crown. To this end they proceeded to augment their forces, by enlisting into their ranks every de- scription of adventurers, embracing outlaws from the United States, slaves, smugglers, English emissaries, among whom was Captain Woodbine, and partisans picked up in the streets of Savannah, Charleston, and other ports of the United States. To induce the Federal government to be a silent spectator in the spoliation of the Spanish province. General M'Gregor at- tempted to forestall any movement on the part of the executive of the United States, by avowing it to be his object, after a temporary occupation, to provide for its annexation to the United .Stales. On the 30th of July, 1817, the Spanish governor entered into a capitulation for the surrender of the province to the Patriot forces: thus again excluding the authority ot Spain. But with his incongruous mass of reckless adventurers.no permanent government could be sustained. I Mssensions arose : rind General M'Gregor, havinir been supplanted bv the artful intrigue of Hubbard, ami haviiiLr been induced to believe that his personal security was endangered by his enemies, retired ' Williiuus's riorMa, p. -JO-i. A.D. 1818.] VALLEY OF TIIK MISSISSIPPI. 93 from the command, and accompanied the notorious Woodbine to Enirland. It was not long before Aurv lost his influence, and retired also, leaving Hubbard in chief Command. The government, under the usurped authority, had but short duration. To prevent the lawless assemblage, which concen- trated near the frontier of the United States, and interrupted the due operation of the revenue laws, the Federal government determined to take forcible possession of the country until Spain should he able to maintain her authority over it. Ac- cordingly, on the first, of January, 1H1S, in obedience to instruc- tions. Major J. Bankhead and Commodore J. ]). Jlenlv, with a division of the land and naval forces of the United States, had expelled the Patriots and took possession of the country.' In the mean time, the Seminoles had imbodied in large num- bers upon the Clinch and Appalachicola Rivers, and upon the St. Mary's, near the frontiers of Georgia. In addition to the regular troops of the United States, the Georgia militia had been called into service, and were placed under the command of General Caines. From the threatening attitude in this quar- ter. General Andrew Jackson was again called into the field as commander-in-chief of the troops operating in this quarter, with authoritv to call upon the executives of the adjacent states for such force as he miu r ht deem necessary for the subjugation of the Indian forces, estimated by General Gaines at twenty- seven hundred warriors. [A.D. 1S]S.] Early in January following, he advanced into the ( 'reek nation, at the head of a larire body of Tennessee vol- unteers, on his route to the seat of war. < >n the "J'Jd of Janu- ary, be concluded a treaty of peaee and alliance with the friendly Creeks, and early in February they airreed to march Major M'lntosh, to furl it the Seminoles in M'ida. i Mareh, General Jackson, with the Tennessee the friendly Creeks, arrived at Fort Scott, and k command of the army. A lew days afterward, he took bis Inn' of march, \\ith the united forces, down the Appa- hieoja to Fort Cadsden. Un the way the country was Hired bv the friendly Indians, and by detachments of caval- \\hich brought in a large number of prisoners from the 94 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. On the 2(Uh of March, having received strong re-enforce- ments, he set out for the Mickasukie towns, in Kast Florida, his whole force amounting to live hundred regulars, one thou- sand militia, and one thousand eight hundred Indians. On the first of April, the Mickasukie towns were utterly destroyed; and the same fate soon afterward attended the Fowel towns, situated upon Mickasukie Lake and on the Oscilla River, both of which were inhabited by hostile Creeks. The Indians fled before the troops, and made but little resistance, leaving one thousand head of line cattle and large quantities of corn. At the Mickasukie towns, about fifty miles north of St. Mark's, were found nearly three hundred scalps, taken promis- cuously from the heads of not only men and women, but of children and infants. Many of them were of quite recent date, and fifty of them were suspended over the council square, upon a painted war-pole.* Receiving intelligence of the aid which had been given the Indians at St. Mark's, on the Appalaehy River, General Jack- son took up his line of march for that post. This post, situated six miles from Appalaehy Bay, was defended by a strong Span- ish fort, mounting twenty pieces of heavy ordnance. The 1 agency of the officers of this post, and the people of the place. in abetting and supplying the Indians, was undoubted, and General Jackson demanded its immediate surrender. The commander capitulated, the garrison was permitted to retire to Pensacola, and the American troops took possession of the fort. Among the prisoners captured near St. Mark's was the " Prophet Francis," or Hillis-hadjo, and another notorious In- dian chief, both of whom were formally sentenced to death, and hung without delay. In the vicinity of the Suwanee River, on the 18th of April. Robert G. Ambrister, a British agent under Alexander Arbuth- not, was captured, and kept in close confinement for further examination. From St. Mark's the general took up his line of march for the Seminole towns <>n the Suwanee River, situated about one hundred and seven miles southeast of St. Mark's. In this vi- cinity were assembled a large body of Indians and negroes, amounting to about two thousand, acting under the orders of ' Src \Villiu:M-!'s Flori.ln, j>. 20." , also. p. -'14. A.I). 1818.] VALLEY Of THE MISSISSIPPI. 95 Arbuthnot, who was supplying them with anus, ammunition, and military stores. On the first appearance of the army at these towns, the Indians made a show of resistance ; but they soon lied with precipitation eastward, and many took shelter under the walls of St. Augustine. The fugitives were pursued several miles until dark, when the troops encountered an en campment of three hundred and forty negroes, who fought with great desperation until eighty of them were killed, when the re- mainder fled. Three hundred Indian women and children were taken prisoners, and manv others were killed by the Indians, to prevent their captivity.* While here, the videttes succeeded in capturing the notori ous Alexander Arbuthnot, who, ignorant of the proximity of the American forces, in a canoe, with two negroes and an Indian, had approached the American lines to reconnoiter, when he was captured by the videttes on duty. lie was properly se- cured in camp, and next morning a detachment was sent to seixe his schooner, laden with arms, ammunition, and valuable stores, then lying in Wakassee Bay, at the mouth of the Su- wanee. During the next ten days. Major M'lntosh, with his Indian warriors, scoured the country around, ami was engaged in nu- merous skirmishes with the hostile Seininoles, of whom manv were killed, besides a large number taken prisoners. Their re- sources were destroyed, and their towns and fields were rav- aged with lire and sword. On the first of May, a court-martial, with (.leneral (Jaines presiding, found Arbuthnot. and Ambrister iruilty on three charges: 1. Ivxciting the negroes and Indians to commit mur- ders upon the people of the I'nited States : '_. Supplying them with a rm*; and a m munition for offensive operations : -5. Acting as spies. ( leneral Jackson determined not to interpose his au- ihofiU betueen the guilty and their doom, and thev were sen- tenced to die ; A m blister by shooting, and Arbuthnot by hanir- iiiL r . The execution ot the M'litence was speedily enforced. j- ruction ,.f thr n,' TO fort, ('cilniii'] Xirliols. from the l-ian,l of X,- w -. .lisjiiilchi'ii Ali-xrili'l'-r .\r!,ntl,ii,,|, :i Hritisli otli,','r. to su,- 1 Captain m liis .ii.Llioli.-al o[i,-rati'H}< ' !!' arrivr,! in I 1 ' Ion, hi in tin- _-uisi- of ;i Brit- in tin- y.-;ir 1-17. uiri - . .'.tr.i,- > ,M>ly th,- u ar \vlio, ,[.r,--oiiii,l.',l tl.mu-h tin: tli,' !>lo.,,l of our ritis.-m IH-U-JUI to llovv alon- tli,- b.,nlrrs of ( ri-nruia an,l fM5 HISTORY or THI: [HOOK i. Arbuthnot \v;vs justly considered the author of the Seininole war, under the direction of Woodbine, who escaped from jus- tice in the United States to meet it in another country, and at a Inter date, from the hands of that race which had absorbed all his sympathies.* Ambrister was a young man, apparently not over twenty- five years old, having a line person, and holding the rank of lieutenant of marines in the British navy: but lie died like a weak woman, repining at his merited fate. Although, in many parts of the United States and in England, sympathizers affect- ed to censure the sentence of these two men, yet the Congress of the United States and the Parliament of Great Britain were constrained to sanction their execution as a merited doom, and permit their names to be consigned to intamy. The war in this quarter having been thus brought to a close. General Jackson discharged the militia., whose term of service had nearly expired, and at the head of the regular troops, a few volunteers, and the friendly Indians under Major M'lntosh, marched for Pensacola, where his presence had become neces- sary. Parties of Indians in that vicinity had committed fre- quent murders, and had attacked boats conveying supplies for his army. The Governor of Pensacola had also refused to permit, his vessels a free passage through the bay and up the Escambia River. Lieutenant Eddy, in charire of a boat load- ed with provisions, had been attacked on the Escambia, in April, by Indians, who killed one and wounded two men. To chastise these outrages, Major ^ oung, Irom Fort Montgomery, at the head of seventy-five mounted men, pursued the fugi- tives within one mile of Pensacola. Here, encountering them at the Bayou Texar, in a severe engagement, he slew thirty inL'toii City, ho requested a supply of the following articles for the use of the Indians : \17.. : A ijiiantity of powder, lead, muskets, and flints sufficient for armim.' one thousand Indians, as follows : lUUU muskets, rind inure smaller pieces, if possible. ]< ,0(10 (lints, a portion for ritlo.s. put up separate. T,i casks of irunpo'.vdor. a proportion (or the rifle. '.Ji IMI knives, six to nine inches blade, of irood quality. ]i on tomahawks, and one hundred pounds of vermilion. yiJOU pounds lead, independent of ball, for muskets. - -See ('onsfiTuxt'iiiml I tocu. mi'nts ',, ,/,,/,,/ it- if/, tin: Si in in: ', \Y,ir. * Woodbine, utter his escape from (lie ne-ro fort on the A ppakcliicola il.-d (,, M,. x ico. where he remained until I:i7. \shen lie and his famiiv Were munU red ; ,t Cam- peachv b\ negroes, Sje Wiliiams's Florida, p. '-'DC. A.I). 181$.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPIT. 97 of them, and took seventy-five prisoners. These Indians had been virtually protected by the Spanish authorities. It was on the >Mth of May that General Jackson reached the vicinity of Pensacola. Being assured of the conduct of the governor, who had refused to permit boats bearing the Amer- ican Hag, with provisions for his troops, to ascend the Kscam- bia. while he countenanced the hostile attitude of the Indians. he determined to take effectual steps to remove these dillicul- ties in future. To this effect, he determined to expel the per- fidious Spaniards from Pensacola, as lie had from St. Mark's. Apprehensive of this measure, the governor sent a messen- ger to meet him as he approached Pensacola, warning him that the whole Spanish force would be brought to resist, any such attempt. The general replied that lie would return his answer in the morning, and continued his march. The gov- ernor well knew the man he had to deal with, and next morn- ing, at nine o'clock, when General Jackson marched into the town, the governor had retired into the Fort Barancas, and left him undisputed possession of the place. Three days afterward, the army marched to the Barancas. and took position about lour hundred yards west, of the fort. The night was spent in erecting a breast- work. In the morn- ing the Spaniards opened upon it with two twenty-four pound- ers, and the Americans returned the lire actively from one how- itxer, and made preparations to storm the fort. At three o'clock P.M. a flair from the fort conveyed the governor's proposition to capitulate. The capitulation was forthwith concluded and siiriied. The fort was surrendered, and the governor, with the irarrison. was permitted peaceably to retire to Havana. The American troops occupied the post, and Colonel King was subsequently leit in command at Pensacola. ( )n the 'JIM h of .Max . the commander-in-chief issued his proc- lamation to the inhabitants o! \\ est Florida, including his gen- rs to the armv. The following extract exhibits the O that d " H.'nivisif the regular troops, discharged the friendly Creeks, and marched the Tennessee volunteers home. Thus termin- ated the Seminole war, leaving all Florida in the occupancy of the United Slates. Such was the celerity and decision of all General Jackson's movements. As a forcible writer on the Seminole war, in a Tennessee paper of that year, observes, "General Jackson is a more extraordinary person than has ever appeared in our history. Nature has seldom endowed man with a mind so powerful and comprehensive, or with a body better formed A.D. 1818.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 99 for activity, or capable of enduring greater privations, fatigue, and hardships. She has been equally kind to him in all the qual- ities of his heart. General Jackson has no ambition but for the good of his country: it occupies the whole of his views, to the exclusion of all selfish or ignoble considerations. Cradled in the war of the Revolution, nurtured amid the conflicts which subsequently took place between the Cherokees and the Ten- nesseeans, being always among a people who regard the appli- cation of force, not as the ultima ratio return, but as \\iejlrst resort of individuals who look upon courage as the greatest of human attributes, his character, on this stormy ocean, has ac- quired an extraordinary cast of vigor, with a conviction that we should never despair of effecting whatever is within the power of man to accomplish ; and that courage, activity, and perseverance can overcome obstacles which, to ordinary minds, appear insuperable. In society, he is kind, frank, unaffected, and hospitable ; endowed with much natural grace and polite- ness, without the mechanical gentility and artificial polish found in fashionable life."* The course of General Jackson in the occupancy of Florida was severely attacked in Congress by a party of great zeal and activity, at the head of which was Henry Clay, then speak- er of the House of Representatives ; but the general was fully sustained by the president and his cabinet, and by an over- whelming majority in Congress. The people, from one end of the United States to the other, spoke out, and, through the State Legislatures and public meetings, vindicated the decisive and prompt measures adopted by the defender of the South. [A.D. 1S19.] While these things were transpiring on the southern frontier, the Federal government of the I'nited States, well assured that the possession of the whole of the Floridas was indispensable to the pence and security of the Southern States, had been pressing an urgent, negotiation for the pur- chase of the whole province from Spain. The possession had been restored to Spain, but the negotiation was continued with unremitting perseverance and with increasing firmness on the part of the American government, until the 2'Jd of February, 1819, when a. formal treat) of cession was signed on the part of the United States by John Quincy Adams, secretary of State, and on the part of tin- Spanish crown by Don Onis. res- * See Mississippi State Gazette, September !tli. If 1 It 1 . 100 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. ident Spanish minister near the American government. This treaty was rejected by the Spanish Cortes at their following session, but was subsequently ratified on the 21th of October, 1H20. On the part of the American government, it was con- firmed by the Senate on the 22d day of February, 1821. The treaty stipulated, on the part of Spain, for and in con- sideration of Jive millions of dollars, paid by the United States to their citizens, as an indemnity due from Spain for spoliations on American commerce, to cede to the United States all the Floridas, with the islands adjacent, from the mouth of the St. Mary's River on the Atlantic coast to the Perdido Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. Under cover of this treaty, for the acquisi- tion of Florida on the part of the United States, the great province of Louisiana was dismembered, and the important and extensive region of Texas was transferred to the Spanish crown. The western limit of Louisiana, on the Gulf of Mex- ico, was removed from the Rio Bravo del Norte, eastward five hundred miles, to the Sabine, without any consideration received on the part of the United States for a territory three times as extensive as the Floridas, and infinitely more valuable. [A. D. 1821.] In this treaty, President Monroe, reluctantly yielding to the prejudices and interests of Northern politicians, consented to abandon for a time the extensive and fertile coun- try west of the Sabine, in order to conciliate the approbation of the Xew England States' to the annexation of Florida, well From the earliest period of the Western settlements, after the adoption of the Fed- ernl Constitution in ITd'.t, the jealousy of Xew Knirland, and especially of Massachusetts, was awakened to tin: danirer of losing her ascendency in the national government, and in the commercial importance of the country. With this view predominant, they have never failed, when opportunity offered, to emharrass the West in the national councils, and liy all means to retard and restrict the extension of its settlements. The same nar- row, interested policy induced them to throw every ohstacle in the way, to prevent the fn-quisiti'in of tin- free 7iavii_ r ;ititm of the Mississippi, previous to the treaty of Madrid nnd subsequently. The same interested policy prompted them to oppose, with threat violence, the purchase, of Louisiana, "lest," as was unblushingly said, "our New Kni;- land lands hecome a desert, from the contairion of emigration ;" and hecausc "the poli- ticians of the Northeastern States were un.rious ti> pin: yurlt /t sh/ipi: to the f r /tii>/t ax vmilil f-i-rnn' /In' mi itimt on r it to i/x F.riatcrn arr.tinn." See Boston Centinel, Nov. 12, ]-u:j. See. also. Mr. Monroe's letter to Mr. Jefferson in 1-x'O. When Louisiana was finally acquired in 1*01!, these states, and Massachusetts es pecially, threatened to dissolve the 1'nion and recede ; in If 1-1 they desired to surren der to Great llritain the navigation of the Mississippi River, and virtually all heyond. The same policy predominated in the treaty of 181!, in which, to conciliate the New EiiL'land States, upon the acquisition of Florida, three times as much Western territory was abandoned without equivalent or necessity. Now they acquiesced in helii- uhle to detach all heyond the Sahine. Ai-aiii. in 1H-15, Massachusetts, through her Letnsla- ture, urged the most violent opposition to the annexation of Te\;is, threateninu r to se- A.D. 1821.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPl'I. 101 assured in his own mind that Texas must inevitably come into the Union whenever the advance of population should demand its use. To insure the respectful acquiescence of the American people, the memory of " the Father of his Country" was invoked at the signing and final ratification of the treaty. And, as if still further to shield himself from popular displeasure, the name of Jackson was to he identified with the acquisition of Florida, as its first governor and military commandant. Hut the stability of the Union increases with its extension ; and a quarter of a century had scarcely elapsed when the American Union, hav- ing doubled its population, found its stability unshaken, and the whole of Texas and Florida embraced. General Jackson, "acquiescing for the present" in the loss of Texas for the acquisition of Florida, repaired to his post ; and on the 17th of June, 1821, he took possession of the same in the name of the United States, by the exchange of flags, and the usual formalities. General Jackson immediately entered upon the duties of his office, as civil and military commandant and governor of Flor- ida, invested by Congress with ample powers, legislative, ju- dicial, and executive.* From Pensacola, his headquarters, he issued several procla- mations and ordinances regulating the administration of public justice. The territory was divided into two judicial districts. which continued to be known as East and West Florida, sep- arated by the Suwanee River instead ot the former boundary of the Appalachicola River. A court, with civil and criminal jurisdiction, was established in each.f By the treatv the Spanish population were allowed a reas- onable time to dispose of their estates and personal property previous to their departure, provided they did not wish to re- main under the American government. The American population be.iran to advance rapidly into Florida, bv sea from various portions of the Union, and by land from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and from Tennessee. The State of Tennessee had long desired the expulsion ot the Span- iards from Florida ; hence the Tennessee volunteers had cheer- fully entered the campaign under General Jackson, anxious to 102 HISTORY or THE [BOOK i. witness and aid in the humiliation of the perfidious Spaniards. They now were among the first to press in and occupy the country wrested from them. Before the close of the year ISvJ^, the greater portion of the Spanish population had retired to Havana and Mexico. Early in his administration of the government of Florida, Governor Jackson came into collision with the Spanish author- ities still remaining in the country. Apprehending a renewal of the evasions and artifices practiced by the Spanish authori- ties relative to the surrender of the Natchez District in 1798, and relative to the factitious land-titles of Louisiana. Governor Jackson determined, by prompt measures, to suppress any such attempt. Having been informed that the ex-governor, Calleava, was about to transmit to Havana certain documents and archives pertaining to land-titles, in violation of the second article of the treaty of cession, he made a peremptory demand for their surrender, as the property of the United States. The ex-governor refusing to obey the demand, Governor Jackson issued an order for his arrest and confinement in the cala- boose, and the documents were seized and taken from his house, where they had been boxed up for shipment. The ex- governor was then released. Castilian pride was touched, and several Spanish officers, re- senting the indignity to their late governor, sent to Governor Jackson a strong remonstrance against his procedure. The governor, considering it an unwarrantable interference with his authority, and highly offensive in language, issued an order for their immediate departure from the country, on pain of im- prisonment. Twelve of them were accordingly compelled to sail for Havana, with but little lime allowed for settling up their affairs and disposing of their property.* [A.J). l^xJ'J.] General Jackson continued to administer the government, clothed with the general powers of the Spanish governors, until the following year, when the American popu- lation havini: increased to five thousand males, the first irrade of territorial government, under the ordinance of 17S7, was organized. Under the new organization, William P. Duval was appoint- ed governor, with a superior court in each district. A legis- lative council was organi/ed. and held its first session in June, ' Williams'* Florida, p. 208. A.D. 1835.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 1()3 1822. At this session each district was divided into two counties, viz., West Florida into the counties of Escambia and Jackson, and East Florida into the counties of St. John's and Duval. [A.D. 1824.] Two years afterward the present site of Tal- lahassee was selected and laid oil' as the permanent seat of the territorial government. The counties of Monroe and Uadsden were organized this year, and lour other counties were laid oil' for subsequent organization, viz., the counties of Leon and Walton in West Florida, and Alachua and Nassau in East Florida. [A.D. 1825.] The American population continued to in- crease in the principal settlements, and in the vicinity of Pen- sacola, St. Mark's, and St. Augustine, until the territory became entitled to the second grade of territorial government, under the ordinance of 1787. The territory was divided into thirteen election districts, and the people proceeded to elect their legis- lative assembly, which, having convened soon afterward, elect- ed their first delegate to Congress. Such had been the mass of emigrants and unacclimated per- sons into St. Augustine in 1821, that a mild epidemic yellow- fever was generated among the crowded population. The same thing occurred at Pensacola the following year, lint it was not until the year 1825 that Pensacola received a dense population of unacclimated emigrants, when a most destruc- tive epidemic yellow lever was generated, and swept oil' great numbers of the crowded population. The native tribes of Indians still occupied the greater por- tion of the country, while the \\hite settlements were concen- trated in the vicinities of 1'cnsacola. St. Mark's. Tallahassee, and St. Augustine. On the eighteenth of September, 1823, the Seminoles bad, bv the treaty o! Moultrie Creek, ceded a lar (r e portion of lands in Middle Florida, and had agreed to re- tire south and east, upon the lands lying east ol the Suwanee. and upon the Ocklawaha and Withlacooehy Rivers, prepara- torv to their final emigration trom the territory. Tims the middle region of Florida gradually became open to the exten- sion of the white settlements, and the Indians were mostly re- moved in the winter of 1*2-1, excepting a few reservations to particular chiefs. v ' See Williams's Florida, p. '-H. 104 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. [A.D. 1835.] The Mickasukie Indians had always been averse to leaving Middle Florida, and they had opposed the treaty of Moultrie Creek. After their removal in 1824, they still evinced great dissatisfaction, which induced the Federal government to extend the limits assigned them on the north, and to furnish them additional supplies, besides those al- ready stipulated. Still they continued dissatisfied, and many of them, in 1835-6, became disposed to emigrate west of the Mississippi. Difficulties began to spring up between them and the white settlements, and the Indians, in revenge, began to commit depredations and murders upon the exposed frontiers. They began to kill or expel the agents of the army, the sur- veyors of the government, and the mail-carriers, and others who had frequented their country. At length it was deemed prudent to station a strong military force within the Indian territory, to restrain the violence of the discontented. Fourteen companies of regular troops were or- dered to hold themselves in readiness to march from different posts to Florida during the winter of 1835-(>. Most of these detachments, entering the country at different points, were greatly annoyed in their advance by bodies of In- dians, who determined to dispute the passage of the streams and rivers. Hence several severe skirmishes occurred before they reached the points of their destination. The most terrible of these ambuscades was that encounter- ed by the ill-fated but brave detachment under Major Dade, which was totally cut oll'by the savages. Major Dade, on the 24th of December, 1S35, marched from Tampa Bay with a detachment of three companies, comprising one hundred and thirty-nine men, for Fort King.* On the route they encoun- tered much difficulty, from the heavy roads, in transporting their stores, and one piece of artillery. On the 28th they had reached an open pine country, six miles northeast of the With- lacoochy River. Suddenly, about mid-day, they were attack- ed on all sides \vith a continuous volley of small arms, ac- companied by horrid yells, from an unseen enemy in the high grass ; and so terrible was the first discharge, that Major Dade was killed, and nearly half his detachment disabled. The remainder, under Lieutenant Bassinger, sheltered themselves behind trees, while five or six discharges of canister from the * Williauis's Florida, p. "1", '-'I*. A.D. 1835.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSll'l'I. 105 six pounder caused the Indians to disperse and retire. On their retreat, Captain Gardiner immediately commenced the erection of a triangular breast-work, by cutting down pine trees. In three quarters of an hour the savages returned in great num- bers and with horrid yells. A cross-lire was immediately open- ed upon the unfinished breast-work with dreadful execution. Lieutenant Bassinger continued to lire his piece until all his ar- tillerists were cut down by the enemy's fire, and until he fejl wounded himself. Every man able to raise a gun continued to defend the spot after they were wounded. At length the last man fell, when the savages rushed into the inclosure. Here, supposing all were dead, a large Indian made a speech to the warriors, who immediately proceeded to strip the arms and accoutrements from the soldiers, without any in- dignity to their bodies, and then retired. Thus in two hours this fine detachment of brave men had been annihilated. Soon afterward, fifty negroes on horseback rode up to the breast-work, tied their horses, and began the horrid butchery. Did any man on the ground show signs of life, it was only to receive the negro's tomahawk into his brains, or to be stabbed to death with their knives, or otherwise to be cut and mutila- ted by the thick-lipped savages, amid demoniac yells and hor- rid blasphemies. Lieutenant Bassinger, still alive, sprung to his knees and begued his life nf the negro savages : but they mocked his prayers, and mangled his body with their hatchets until death relieved him from their tortures. After stripping the dead, the negroes dragged the field-piece to a neighboring pond, in which they concealed it : alter which they shot the oxen, and burned the \v:iL ri >n and gun-carriage. Two men. Clarke? and Decouy. lay concealed anion^- the dead bodies until niirht. when they crawled out and made their wav toward Tampa Hay.' .\c\t day Decouy was discover- ed and shot bv an Indian: Clarke concealed himself in the bushes, and proceeded to Tampa next day. where he speedily recovered ot his wounds. Another soldier, named Thomas. after lyinir half suilbcated under the dead bodies all ni:_ r ht. re- covered, and finally succeeded in reaching the fort at Tampa Bay in safety. Thus terminated this disastrous battle, in which only two " \Vi!ii;uns's Florida, ;>. ~19. IOC) HISTORY OF THE [l)OOK I. men survived i<> tell the melancholy story of this detachment of as brave men as ever suffered under savage cruelty. A free negro, named Lewis, formerly the property of Gen- eral Clinch, had been the guide of Major Dade, and it was through his treachery that this fatal ambuscade succeeded. He lied to the Indians upon the first attack. The number of In- dians engaged in this tragedy is unknown : but probably there were not less than three hundred, besides fifty negroes. They were commanded by Jumper and Micanopy. The officers slain in this massacre were Major Dade. Captain Frazier, Captain Gardiner, Lieutenant Bassinger, Lieutenant Mndge, Lieutenant Keys. Lieutenant Henderson, and Doctor Catlin. On the same day that Major Dade was cut oil', the Seminole chief. Powell, with twenty men. advanced to Fort King, and, within two hundred and fifty yards of the pickets, killed the suttler to the f >rt. Erastus Rodgers, and a party of friends, while at dinner. Among those slain with Ilodgers were Suggs, Hitzler, General Wiley Thompson, the Indian agent, and Lieu- tenant Constantino Smith. Four others escaped. The body of General Thompson was pierced by fifteen balls, and that of Ilodirers by sixteen, and their bodies were horribly mangled and mutilated afterward. This was the commencement of the noted "Florida War," which cost the government much time and money before the savages were finally all taken and transported to their western homes, alter many severe engagements, skirmishes, and in- dividual rencounters. The government determined to press the war until the whole race should be removed or extermi- nated from Florida. The militia of Florida and Georgia were immediately called into service to protect the frontier settle- ments. [A.l>. 1^!!(>.] From this time the Federal government urged the war with vigor : the Indians were pursued and bunted from every point <>\ the peninsula, and captured by fmiilics, by masses, and by sun ender, and in every possible manner, during the next four years. Those \\lio were captured or who sur- rendered were kepi securely at the different posts, and sent bv steam-boat lo:ids under ,-iriiied guards to their destination in the territory appropriated tor the Indian tribes in the Far West, north of Kt'd Ivi ver. [A.I). IN.'{'.).] The Florida war was prosecuted with varied A.L>. 18-10.] VALLEY OK TI1K MISSISSII'I'L 107 success, and chiefly south of the Suwanee River, until the year 1831), when it was terminated by the rapture or surrender of the last remnant of the hostile tribes. During this period, the commanders of the United States forces had raptured or re- ceived the voluntary surrender of warriors and families to the number of three thousand eight hundred and thirtv souls, which were provided with all the necessaries and comforts of savage life, until they were finally removed by agents of the United States to the Indian territory west of the State of Arkansas. [A.I). 18-10.] From this time the occupancy of Florida by every portion of the Creek and Seminole Indians terminated, and the whole country was in the undisputed possession of the United States, and free to the advance of the white population, and the extension of settlements into the former Indian territory. In 1839 the population had gradually increased under the territorial form of government, until the entire number, inclu- ding slaves, amounted to nearly fifty thousand souls. The ter- ritorial jurisdiction had been extended over the whole terri- tory, which had been divided into twenty organized counties, which were comprised in live judicial districts of the Federal court.* The increase of population during the last ten years had been rapid, notwithstanding the dangers from Indian hostili- ties. The census ot 1830 gave the entire population, exclu- sive of Indians, at. 31,7:23 souls: and that of 1810 gave an aggregate of,~>l. 177 souls, including _><>, f>00 slaves and free neirroes. the Indian tribes having been entirely removed. Meantime the people oi Florida bad been desirous ot es- tablishing a state government, preparatory to admission into the Federal Union as an independent slate. The territorial Legislature of 1838, representing the wishesofthe people, had memorialized ( 'OULTCSS tor authority to torm a state constitu- tion. An act of Congress authorized the election oi a conven- tion for that purpose. <>n the llth of January, is;{f). the con- vention at. Tallahassee adopted a constitution }<>r the organi- zation ot' a state Lfo verm MCI it, which \\ as duly submitted to the consideration ot" ( 'OIILTCSS. The general feature of th:s con- stitution was similar in its provisions to those ot the slave-hold- ing states, and, of course, legalized the bondage race within the limits of the proposed new * See .\ni''ri'-:i!i Almanac fur 1-11. p. -' 108 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK I. spect the constitution for Florida was more rigid than many other slave-holding states, prohibiting forever the emancipa- tion of any negro slave in the state. But the people of Florida were not permitted so soon to as- sume state sovereignty. There were features in the constitu- tion designed to protect Southern rights and Southern inter- ests, which necessarily encountered a strong opposition from Northern interests and feelings. The fact of the proposed new state being a Southern one, and a slave-holding one in its most rigid sense, created in the national Legislature a strong op- position to its admission into the Union as an independent state with less than thirty thousand free whites. Hence, Northern influences and prejudices were strongly arrayed against the measure ; and they were sufficiently powerful to defeat the admission of the new state for nearly live years after it was constitutionally and legally entitled to assume the rank of an independent state. [A.D. 1815.] During this time, the territorial government had continued in operation under the wise and judicious ad- ministration of Governor Richard C. Call, and his successor, Governor John Branch. In 1845, the population had greatly increased its numbers, so as to remove the opposition created by want of free white citizens ; and a bill for the admission of " Iowa," a northern free state, coming before Congress, the friends of Florida rallied, and. by including Florida with Iowa in the same bill, succeeded in securing the passage of a joint resolution which made Florida an independent state. The act for the admission of both Iowa and Florida as inde- pendent states was approved March the ,'Jd, 1815.* The Leg- islature of Florida accepted the act of Congress, with its con- ditions, and immediately Florida was an "independent state," upon an equal footing with the original states. The limits and boundaries of Florida remain the same that were recognised \vhile it was a province of Spain, and with which it was ceded to the I'nited States in 18J<). Meantime Io\va remained without the pale of the Union, under the territorial torm of government. The limits pre- scribed in her constitution having been restricted by Congress, the Legislature declined to accept the terms of admission, and submitted the decision to the vote of the people. The general * See -Vis (jf second session of the 2s' th ('onirress. A.D. 1845.] VALLEY OF TUT. MISSISSIPPI. 109 election held soon afterward confirmed the rejection of the terms by a large majority of the votes. Florida became an independent state just twenty- four years after it became a territory of the United States. The same year witnessed the admission of Texas as an independent state of the American Union, and extending the Federal jurisdiction to the Rio del Xorte ; while Iowa, in the extreme north, was yet a territorial dependence. Strange that Texas, which was exchanged for Florida in 181!), should enter the Union simul- taneously with it in 1815 as an independent state.' The first general assembly of the State of Florida was con- vened at Tallahassee on the 23d of June, when James A. Berthelet, of Leon county, was unanimously elected president of the Senate, and Hugh Archer, of the same county, was also unanimously elected speaker of the House of Representatives ; Thomas F. King was clerk of the Senate, and M. I). Papy, chief clerk of the Lower House. Both houses, soon after their organization, adopted resolutions in honor of the memory, and commemorating the death, of its first American governor, Gen- eral Andrew Jackson. The first executive of the state, Governor Closely, was in- stalled into oilice on the '25th of June, with all the solemnity of civic, honors. His inaugural was strongly characterized by its pure Republican principles; while a banner presented and borne by the citi/ens as a temporary state. Hag. bearing the orange stripe of Florida, responded to the sentiment in the in- scription, " Let us alone. "f The first session of the General Assembly continued until the xJOth of Julv: no attempt at legislation was m;ide further than what was necessarv to put. the machinery <>t state government in operation. J Iti' :ume.\ali"!i uf Ti-.vis." 1 I-. } Mum, Auirust 23il, 1~'10. BOOK II. FRANCE IN THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. CHAPTER I. ADVANCE OF THE FRENCH UPON THE ST. LAWRENCE, AND DISCOV- ERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. A.D. 1608 TO 1673. Argument. First Attempt of French Colonization in Canada. First successful Settle- ment by Champlain in 1G08. His Explorations on the St. Lawrence and Lakes. Indian Alliances against the Iroquois. Advance of Catholic Missionaries. Hostili- ties of the Iroquois. Fathers Brebouf and Daniel visit Sault St. Mary in 1634. Character of Catholic Missionaries m Canada. Sufferings of Raymhault among the Iroquois in 1G42. Of Father Bressani in 1643. The Missionaries sustain the Colo- nies. Deatli of Father Joiiges among the Iroquois in 1G4G. Others sutler Martyr- dom in the same Field. Jesuits and Monks flock to Canada in lfi.">0 for the Mission- ary Field. Le Moyne among the Mohawks in 1G.">G. Chaumonot and Dahlon among the Onondagas. Item' 1 Mesnard among the Cayugas. Missionaries killed and ex- pelled by the Iroquois. Montreal a Bishop's See in 1G5G. Mesnard repairs to St. Mary's and Green Bay. Dies in the Forest alone. Canada a Royal Province in 1GG."). Military Protection of Settlements. Father Allouez among the Chippe- was at St. Mary's. Learns the Existence of the Mississippi in 16G7. Dablon and Marquette repair to St. Mary's in 1GG.S. Military Outposts of New France in 1G70. Missions in the Far West. Marquette conceives the Design of discovering the Mississippi. Plans his Voyage of Discovery in 1G7-J. M. Talon patronizes the Enter- prise. Marquette and Joliet conduct the Exploration in 1G73. They proceed by Way of Green Bay and Fox River to the Wisconsin. Discovery of the Mississippi, Juno 17th, 1673. Explore the Great River 1100 Miles. They return by the Illinois River to Chicago Creek. Marquette returns to his Mission, and Joliet to Clueber. Joy in Canada at the Discovery. Native Tribes known to the early Explorers of Illinois and Louisiana: Algonquin Tribes ; Shawnnese ; Miamis ; Illinois; Potawatamies ; Otta- W;L<; Menomonies ; Cluppewas ; Sioux; Sauks aud Foxes; Chickasds ; Xatcliez ; Choctiis. As early as the year 1.~>.'55, before ])o So to arrived in Flor- ida, the French had made several unsuccessful attempts to form settlements along the northeast coast of North America. The same year Jacques C'artier conducted an exploring ex- pedition to the ( lull of St. Lawrence. lie ascended the great river of the North as far as the Island of Orleans. He first called the spacious gulf into which the river discharged the "Gulf of St. Lawrence;'' the name; has since been extended to the whole river. The country along both shores he also first called "New France." Six years afterward, ('artier and La Roche de Robertval led out a colony from France, to form a. settlement in the newlv-discovered country. They failed in the attempt. The inclemency of the climate and the 'Hostility of the natives defeated all their plans. For several A.D. 1GOS.] HISTOKY OF THK VALLKV OK Till' MlSSISSIl'l'I. Ill years afterward, other colonies were led out to form settle- ments along the shores of the St. Laurence, as well as upon. the Atlantic coast, south and southwest <>f the dull' of St. Law- rence, and known as ' Acadie" and "('ape Breton ;" yet such was the inclemency of the climate and the fierceness of the In- dian tribes, that the colonists were compelled to abandon their settlements, or submit to perish of hunger, or die by the hand of the savages. [A.D. 1008.] France had been too much involved in wars in Europe to expend her resources in making explorations and settlements in distant, unknown regions. More than sixty years had elapsed after Cartier's first voyage up the St. Law- rence, when the spirit of adventure revived in France. Again men were found willing to tempt the rigors of the climate and the dangers of those inhospitable regions. A colony was con- ducted by Samuel Champlain to the shores of the St. Law- rence. A bold and experienced mariner, be advanced up that river, in the summer of 1008, about three hundred and sixty miles, to the Island of Orleans.' The same summer, in July, he cleared the ground, and erected a lew cabins to shelter his little colony trom the furors of a Canadian winter. This was the foundation of' the city of Quebec, which was cotemporane- ous with the first settlement in \ irirmia, upon James's Iliver. The same year, Champlain, in hopes of securing the friend- ship and confidence ot the Huron and Algonquin tribes, was induced to aid them, with a tew ot Ins troops, in a war expe- dition against the Iroqiiois confederacy, then inhabiting the country south of the St. Lawrence, on both sides of the lake, which still perpetuates his name. The Hurons and Algon- (jiiins inhabited the northern shores ot the St. Lawrence and of Lake Ontario. With the aid of the French soldiers, they obtained a victory over their enemies, near the Sure! River. Bv this means Ohamplain * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. :;-. oetavo edition ( ,f 1-J7. This is a valuabl.: repos.iton. of many historieal events and traiisae! ioM- \vitli tin early history of the sett'.ein.-nts in the pro\i:iees of New Franco ana. The author, JmL-e, Franeois \a\ier Martin, has uviueed nun li ivse: leetini.' the ineiilents of t lie eiirh history of ihest: provinei's ; h;it lie !, :1 s ,,,,t ami i-oncise in his aiTaiui-ment. ^iiieli is ol'teli ilefeetive ami irre.:ui.ir. preserves tin- i-liai'iieter of annals, :ntlioii-li. from a want ot' strict ran' in th: lieu;l'iL'i?nci: in tin- printer, events an 1 often iletailed under erroneo;is yea' reader is apt to lie cnntnsed, or misle.l hy erroneous dates. Not writin- i: tonirue, the author coul.l not lie expert. -il to eonfonn to the ^triet idi.mi o! t laniruaL'o. He has, huwevcr. l.-'.t us a valuable store-h<>use tor the future hist . .: 112 HISTOUY OF THi: [ifOOK II. quin tribes for his people, but entailed upon their descendants, for ninety years, the implacable hostility of the more \\ arlike Iroquois.* [A. P. KH5.] Difficulties and privations innumerable await- ed the feeble colony, but fortitude and perseverance sustained them through the darkest hour. Each closing year brought them additional emigrants, and their numbers slowly increas- ed. Restricted in their advances south of the St. Lawrence, the colon}' was confined to the rigorous climate of Quebec ; yet Champlain, before the close of the year 1(515, had explored Lake Huron by way of the Ottawa River and lakes. Four- teen years after the settlement was made, the city of Quebec was a small hamlet containing but fifty inhabitants, men, women, and children. Six years later, Quebec contained only one hundred souls, upon the point of starvation, whose only wenlth was a few furs and peltries purchased of the Indians. [A.D. IGiiS.] For many years after their first settlement, Champlain continued to conduct the affairs of the little colony. When Iroquois hostilities did not prevent, he explored the re- gions and rivers for many miles on both sides of the St. Law- rence, and even to the southern extremity of Lake Champlain. Every year found his little colony slowly increasing in num- bers. :md their settlements gradually but slowly extending. [A.l>. 1 <>:{.>.] Hut it was impossible to advance settlements into the wilderness without the aid of that spirit of meekness, benevolence, and perseverance which characterized the early missionaries of the Catholic Church in this part of America. The genius of Champlain, whose comprehensive mind plan- ned enduring establishments for French commerce, and a ca- reer of dismvery that should carry the lilies of the Bourbons to the extremity of Aorth America, could devise no method of building up the dominion of France in Canada but an alli- ance with the 1 1 urons. or ot confirming that alliance bv the es- tablish i urn t i ij missions. "Such a. policy was congenial to the * ( '1 anii'lain li'i'l !" '' maw years : airi-il as a mariner in c 'Xplnrinj- the northern coasts !!:!! tin- (i'llt "1 St. I.awivnrr. eom]irisiiiL r tlie pniviners now known as Nova Seotia, NI-W Hnii^w-i-!'., and C:qie Hn-Mii, south (if the (Julf of St. Lau ivnce. which Were emhraeed in a L r niiit inrule hy ll.'nrs I\ . of Fnuice to :i compan;- ot' nn rrhants, find otluT-; of Ilou-'.'i nl whom 1'onl -...,, ,] Omuvin \vi-re [irinciji:)]. In l^ 1 -, i*:nu U--1 l'h.'iiu]i!:iiii edU.luet.'.l :i ci,],,],j uj, t],. St. ],a\vreliee, nn.i on the third of .luh laid the fonndictlon of (Aueliec. ( 'hani^aii: for man\ years afterward sM|ierij,t-'nded the colony, and in l^!:i l:ad [nlvaneeil h;< - itl, nients uji the river and laid out Montr' al. Sec Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., ;>. 'Jl-'J'J .:,[ i:,. A.D. 1031.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 118 Catholic Church, and \v:is favored by the conditions of the charter itself, which recognized the neophyte among the sav- ages as an enfranchised citizen of France." Thus it was neither commercial enterprise nor royal ambition which car- ried the power of France into the heart of our Continent: the motive was religion."* [A.D. 1(533.] In 1633, twenty-live years alter the first set- tlement. Champlain was still irovernor of ,\ew France. The colony, notwithstanding its gradual increase, encountered dan- gers and privations under the most adverse circumstances. The inclemency of the climate enabled them to procure but scanty sustenance from the soil, and the constant state of hos- tilities among the great powers of Kurope cut oil" all supplies from the mother country. Xor was this all : the early enmity of the Iroquois continued to increase. Seldom did a single year pass without some hostile incursion or depredation upon the settlements, from Quebec to Montreal. Water-courses, lakes, and rivers are the high-ways ot Xa- ture ; and especially to uncivilized man, or to civilized man beyond the reach of civilization, they are lavorile routes. To those who have no axes, the thick jungle is impervious : emi- gration by water suits the genius of rivili/ed life no less than the savage: canoes are older than wagons, and ships than chariots; a. gulf, a strait, the sea intervening between islands, divide less than the matted forest. Civilized man. no less than the savai/e, emigrates by sea. and bv rivers: and in America he has advanced from Cape JJreton i<> Fon dn Lac, and ln>m the coast of Florida he has ascended the .Mississippi, two thou- sand miles above the mouth of the Missouri, \\hile interior por- tions of \e\v York and ( Hiio were still a wilderness. To man bevond the rcadi of civilization, no path is tree but the >ea. the lake, or the river. [A.D. If'i.'U.I As early as the year 1(531, the French Jesuits. Jireheuf and Daniel, had penetrated the dangerous wilds as tar a^ the Strai'-^ of St. .Mar\ and the southern shore ot Fake Su- perior. Their avenue to the West, was by the Ottawa and French Rivers oi' I-owcr Canada. At that time, and (or forty vears afterward, the continued hostilities ot the Five Nations. ' Sf.- BsinciiilVs Histnrj- dftli.- rnit.'.l Stuti's, vi.l. iii., p. work (if raiv merit : :tini t tin 1 ar. At five-and-thirty * HuiKTuft. vol. iii., ji. 1-J-J. t Idem, p. liI3. t Mem, p. 1-15. A.I). 10-10.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 115 water-falls the canoes were to be carried on the shoulders for leagues through thickest woods and over the roughest regions : fifty times they were to be dragged by hand through shallows and rapids over sharpest stones."' Nor were the privations of heat, cold, hunger, thirst, and dis- ease all they had to encounter. The hostilities of the Iroquois were more terrible than all these. The advantages of a west- ern route, by way of Lakes Ontario and Frie, were early seen by the missionaries; but the fixed hostility and the power of the Five Nations left no hope ot success lor gaming a safe in- tercourse by the St. Lawrence. [A.I). Kill.] The following autumn, Charles Raymbault. having visited Quebec, proceeded by the Ottawa route, in com- pany with Isaac Jouges, to the Straits of St. Mary, to establish a mission at that point. The former died soon afterward, the victim of a lingering consumption ; the latter was captured the following year by the Mohawks upon the St. Lawrence as he returned from Quebec to St. Mary's. Carried prisoner to the banks of the Mohawk River, he suffered all the tortures which Indian vengeance could inflict upon their enemies. "In sev- eral villages he was compelled to run the gantlet, and tortured with hunger and thirst, and every torment which petulant youth could inflict. Surviving all these, he was retained a captive until humanely ransomed by the Hutch on Hudson's River/' [A. I.). 101I5.] A similar fate awaited Father Hressani. Tak- en prisoner while on his wav to the 1 1 urous : beaten, mangled, mutilated : driven barefoot over r< 'Ugh paths, through briers and thickets: scourged bv a whole villa-ji': burned, tortured scarred, he was an eye-witness to the late of one ot his iianions. who was b<>iled and eaten. ^ et some mysterious protected his lite, and he, too. was humanely rescued by the Dutch.! Such were the horrors which the French encountered from the Iroiiuois in their first a t tempts to penetrate to the \\ est : but. the fearless Jesuit led the way. and finally, alter the lapse of more than half a century, gamed the friendship of the warlike Five .\ations. [A. D. Hilt;.] The whole strength of the colony hiy in the missions. The government was weakened by the ro\;d jeal- ousy : the population hardly increased: there was no military * liaucruft, vul. in.. I'. I-"-'. ' ! <'<-!" P- 1;I1 110 IlI^TOKV OF THE [BOOK II. force: and the trading company deriving no revenue, except from Indian trade and traffic in skins, could make no great ex- penditures lor defense, or for promoting colonization. Thus the missionaries were left almost alone to contend with the myriads of braves who roamed over the basin of the St. Law- rence. Many had lost their lives in the wilderness, victims oi savage cruelty, or of hunger, cold, and the dangers of the west- ern wilds.* [A.D. 1047.] Father Jouges, sacrificing his life to an effort to reconcile the Iroquois, volunteered as an envoy of peace to the Mohawks. He arrived in peace among them, but soon af- terward was killed by them as an enchanter, who had blighted their fields. The death-blow he received with tranquillity ; his head was hung upon the palisades of the village, and his body thrown into the Mohawk River. f [A.I). 101!).] This was the signal of war, and the following year the missionary villages of the French along the St. Law- rence and Ottawa were destroyed, and their inmates cruelly murdered, or tortured by fire unto death. The hostile incur- sions of the Iroquois for five years against the settlements upon the St. Lawrence, as well as upon the Ottawa and Lake Huron, were terrible and destructive. Many were butchered in the general carnage, and others were reserved for the lin- gering tortures of the slow fire. Among these, the intrepid ;md meek Brebeuf and Lallemand suffered tortures indescribable. [A.I). 1050.] Thus had the Jesuits penetrated into the coun- try on the south side of Lake Ontario, where they had gained a precarious and dangerous field of operations, and where mar- tyrdom might have been deemed the certain test of their zeal. But instead of being discouraged at the prospect of suffering and death, the enthusiasm of all France seemed to have awa- kened to the vast field now opened in New France for the tri- umphs ot the cross, in the conversion of savage tribes, who roamed in the remote wilds beyond the Western lakes. Jesuits and monks ot every order begun to flock to Quebec and Mon- treal, ready to commence the work of Christian benevolence. [A. IK 10,").").] At length the Iroquois themselves seemed wearied of the stnte. and manifested a willingness for peace and friendship with the French. The Jesuits lost no opportu- nity ot introducing Christianity and its benign doctrines among * I'.aiif-rolt, vol. iii., ]). KiT. t Hrm. p. ]:;-. A.I). 1057.] VALI.F.Y or THE MISSISSIPPI. 117 their warlike ;ind vindictive tribes: tbe first opening which presented lor the accomplishment of so desiniblr an object was seized with ardor bvthe devoted missionaries of the cross, ever ready to brave new dangers and new privations. With all her deformities, let us yet pay a merited tribute to the ( 'hurch of Rome. Zealous, earnest, untiring in her ellorts to evanire- lixe the world, she carried the cross forward, she rallied around it; for there were pure spirits in the midst of her ; men full of the power of Cod and holiness, who practically illustrated the doctrines they taught : and well might the Protestant world be counseled by the Catholic, in the vigor with which his mis- sionary operations were conducted among 1 the untutored sav- ages. [A.D. 1656.] La Moyne had settled himself upon the banks of the Mohawk, selecting this river for his abode, in the vain hope of infusing the gentle spirit of civilization into the savage nature of the Mohawk tribe. Chaumonot, an Italian priest, and Claude Dablon, a missionary from France, were hospitablv welcomed to the principal village of the Onondagas. A gen- eral convocation of the tribe greeted them with joy and sonirs of' welcome, as the bearers of a " heavenly message." A chap- el at once sprung into existence, formed by hewed lo^s, and huntr with bark and mats ; and there, in the heart of ,\ew York, the solemn services of the Roman Church were chanted as se- eurelv as in anv part, of Christendom. The Onondagas dwelt upon the ( )swego River, and its basin was deemed a part of the dominions of France. ' A colonv of fifty Frenchmen soon embarked ti>r Onondaur.'i, and received a heart\ welcome from the rejoicing Indians. The Cavir_ r as also desired a missionary, and they received the fearless Hem' 1 Mesnard. In their village a chapel was erected, with mats for ta pest rv. and there the pictures ot the Savior and the Virgin Mother were unfolded to the admiring children of the wilderness. [A.D. 1657.] The Uncidas also listened to the missionary. and earlv in the vear 1 65 7- Chaumonot reached the more u-r- tile and more denselv populated land of the Sencras : and the influence ot' France and the missionaries was felt Iron i the .Mo- hawk to the (lenesee lliver.t But the savage 1 nature ot' the tribes was unchanged. A war " Bancroft, vol. iii.. p. 1H. f M''"'- 1' -4< 118 HISTORY OF THE [fiOOK II. of extermination at this very time was waged by the Iroquois against the Eries, a nation in the northern portion of the present State of Ohio. Prisoners were brought home to the villages and delivered to the flames ; and what could the missionaries expect from nations who could burn even children, with the re- finements of tortures ? Yet they pressed in the steps of their countrymen, who had been boiled and roasted ; they made their home among cannibals ; hunger, and thirst, and nakedness were to be endured, and fever and sickness had already visited their little colony.* [A.D. 1058.] It was not until the colony in New France was fifty years old, that it possessed sufficient strength to repel successfully the incursions of their southern enemies. In 1059, the settlements about Montreal were deemed sufficiently se- cure to be erected into a bishop's see. The same year. Francis > de Leval. as bishop of Montreal, arrived with a large supply of ecclesiastics from France. These were exclusive of the Jes- uits and recollet monks, who, up to this time, were the only spir- itual guides in the province. A seminary under the bishop's charge was established at Montreal, and another at Quebec. f The Church of Rome was established in the center of New France. The rites and ceremonies of the Catholic Church were extended to the remote West. The monk, by acts of self- denial, sought salvation for himself: the Jesuit plunged into the secular affairs of men, to maintain the interests of the Church. The Franciscan, as a mendicant order, being excluded from the newly-discovered world, the office of converting the natives of New France was intrusted to the Jesuits ; and their mission- aries continued to defy every danger and to endure every toil. The pleasures of life and the opportunities of vain-glory were too remote to influence their lives or to affect their character. ^ et the missionaries could not control the angry passions of men. Border collisions again broke out: the Oneidas mur- dered three Frenchmen, and the French retaliated by seizing Iroquois. A conspiracy among the Onondagas compelled the French to abandon their chapel, their cabins, and their dwell- ings in the valley oi the ( >s weiro. The Mohawks compelled Le Moyne to return, and the French and the Five \ati<>ns were once more at war. Such \\;i s the issue of the most successful attempt at French colonization in -western New York as late as * Bancroft, vol. iii., p. 1 l~j. t Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. (j.1, liG. A.D. 1662.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 119 1660. The extension of" British power over the Dutrh of \ew Amsterdam was a guarantee that France could never regain the mastery. Many zealous missionaries terminated their cour- ageous course and their lives in all the Hironies of Indian tor- ture, lint with unwavering confidence in Clod. [A.D. 1(560.] The Iroquois, in the mean time, aided hv Eu- ropean arms received from Alhany. had exterminated the Eries. and had carried their conquests as far as the Miami?. The western tribes desired commerce: and. forced bv the ne- cessity of the case, sought an alliance with the French, that they might be enabled to resist the Iroquois. The French traders had penetrated as far west as Lake Superior and (Ireen Bay ? and a deputation of three hundred Algonquins. in sixty canoes, laden with peltry, returned with them to Quebec. Jes- uit missionaries were commissioned to form alliances with the numerous tribes in the remote West. The Bishop of Quebec, Francis de Leval himself, kindled with zeal to engage in the mission to the remote tribes ; but the lot fell upon Rene Mes- nard. Every personal motive seemed to retain him at Que- bec, but. "powerful instincts" impelled him to the enterprise. "Obedient to his vows, the aged man entered upon the path that was red with the blood of his predecessors, and made haste to scatter the seeds of truth through the wilderness, although the sower cast his seed in weej>in:j." After a residence of eiirht months ainonM- the tribes -'. 122 HISTORY OF THE [fiOOK II. To the east they could see the towering peaks of the Green Mountains, " Verd Monts,". from which the State of Vermont takes its name. The colony of New France had now increased to eight thou- sand souls, chiefly settled on the St. Lawrence, from Quebec to within one hundred miles of Lake Ontario. For many years Fort Cataracoui remained a remote frontier post : but traders and voi/ugeurs began to visit the remote tribes of the West on the southern shores of the great lakes, as far as the western limit of the present State of Ohio. In those remote regions the native tribes were less hostile, and were well disposed to re- ceive and trade with the French, who soon penetrated in their trading voyages as far as Lake Michigan and Green Bay. The Jesuits, or Catholic missionaries, were always in advance of the trading establishments. As early as 1(560, one year af- ter the arrival of the Bishop of Montreal, they had penetrated as far as the Straits of Mackinac, where they now pursued the even tenor of their way among the benighted children of the forest. Each missionary had collected around him a few con- verted Indians, who gladly received their affectionate instruc- tions in the elements of Catholic faith. By their kind offices and paternal regard, no less than by their pious and unosten- tatious benevolence, they gained the confidence of the Indians, and prepared the way for their more worldly-minded country- men. Although from these western tribes, as before observed, the missionaries had learned, in 1607. that still further to the west was an extensive and delightful region, beyond which was a great river, known to them as the ]\fesasippi,or "Great River.'' yet of this great river, and the regions near it, the mis- sionaries could obtain but imperfect accounts; they could not learn to what point it flowed, nor into what sea it discharged ; but they ascertained "that it flowed neither toward the north nor toward the east."" The Count do Frontenac this year en- tered upon his duties as Governor of New France, and success- or of M . ( Vturcelles. As yet. no Frenchman had ever advanced beyond Fox River of Green Hay. All beyond was a region of romance, unknown or mystified by Indian tradition. The ardent entertained hopes that the great river might allbrd an easy and direct route to China, or, at least, into the South Pacific- Ocean. This was * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., \i. ~'J- A.D. 1073.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 123 one of the bubbles of the age. Every nation of Western Eu- rope had been enthusiastic with the hope of discovering a di- rect route by water to China, and all had searched for it in vain. It was believed by some that the pioneers of New France would have all the glory of the great discovery, and be the first to reap the advantages of the direct trade. To the disappointment of the commercial world, this route still re- mains as much unknown as it was two hundred years ago ; and such it will remain until it is opened by way of the Oregon River or the Bay of California. [A.D. 1072.] "The purpose of discovering the Mississippi sprung from Marquette himself. He had resolved on attempt- ing it in the autumn of 1009, and had selected a young Illinois as his companion ; and, by his instruction, he became familiar with the dialect of that tribe."* His proposed discovery of the great river of the West had been favorably received by the intendant of New France, who was willing to aid him in the enterprise. [A.D. 1(573.] At length, M. Talon, the first intendant. was on the point of retiring to France, alter a long and useful ser- L O O vice in the province. Ambitious to close his career with the brilliant discovery of the great storied river of the West, he determined to set on foot an expedition to this effect. For this purpose, he selected M. Joliet, a trader of Quebec, to conduct the enterprise, lie was a man of intelligence and great ex- perience in Indian affairs, and possessed an enterprising and energetic, spirit. Father Marquette, a reeollet monk, and still a missionarv among the Hurons, was likewise engaged to ac- company the expedition. He was the very soul of the enter- prise, to insure a favorable reception ;unon:_r the distant tribes. lie bad lonir been among the Indians, a thousand miles in ad- vance of eivili/ation : he knew well their manners, feelings, and language, and how to conciliate the suspicious Indian into con- fidence and love. He was one of the worthy Catholics who spent many years ani< >ng the western t ribes, and built up among them their little churches, in which they were regarded as fathers and friends. Father Marquette had endeared himself to the savages in a remarkable manner, not onlv by his apos- tolical piety, but by his tender affection for them, and his kind offices in all their distresses. Such was the veneration of the * Bancroft, vul. iii., 15:i. 1^4 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. savages for this good man, that for years after his death, when overtaken in their frail bark canoes by the storms on Lake Michigan, it is said they "called upon the name of Marquette, and the winds ceased and the waves were still."' Among these unsophisticated children of Nature, he pursued the noise- less tenor of his way until the spring of 1073, when he was required to join M. Joliet in the hazardous enterprise of ex- ploring the great river of the unknown West. With live other Frenchmen, these two adventurous men re- solved to enter upon the expedition and make their way to the great river. All preparations for the voyage having been com- pleted, this little band of hardy spirits, on the 13th day of May, 1(>73, set out from Michilimackinac, the missionary station of Father Marquette. Having coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan for many days, they entered the Bay of the Pu- ants.now known as (Jreen Bay. Here they entered Fox River of the lakes, and ascended, paddling their canoes up the rapid stream, and occasionally dragging them over the rapids. At length they arrived at a village of the Fox River Indians, the extreme limit of missionary labor in those western regions, where Allouez had already planted the cross. Marquette and Joliet were introduced with due ceremony before the chiefs in council, where the father made known the object ol their visit. "My companion." said the venerable Murquette, " is an envov ot France, to discover new countries ; and I am an ambassador from Clod, to enlighten them with the Gospel. '"f The i-onncil received them with lavor : and. having made 1 a few presents, Marquette requested two guides for their journey on the morrow. The guides were granted to conduct them across the portage to the Wisconsin River, which was said to flow into the irreat river: yet the council deemed their voyage ha/ardous m the extreme. They reached the portage, and their light canoes were carried on their backs across the dividing rid^e to the \\ isconsin. They stood on the banks of the \\ iscoiisiii and in the valley of the Mississippi ; France and Christianity stood side by side. \o Frenchman had vet been beyond this point. The Indian guides relused to proceed further, and determined to return. The}' endeavored to dis- suade the holy lather from his perilous voyage among unknown and tierce nations of Indians. \\ ho would destroy him without ' Chark'vuLx's L< t'< rs. ' !!;ui5 cause. Tradition told of monsters in the great river that would swallow both man and his canoe: also of a demon, or Jiiun- itou, that buried in the boiling waters all who ventured upon them. Marquette thanked them for their good advice ; but he could not follow it, "since the salvation of souls was at stake. for which he would be overjoyed to give his life." The Indian guides left them. " The guides returned." says the gentle Marquette, " leaving us alone in this unknown land, in the hands of Providence. 1 "* They prepared to pursue their perilous voyage to the Mississippi, strangers among unknown tribes. They began to float down the rapid Wisconsin, and seven days brought them to the great river, which they entered on the 17th of June, 1073. f They descended the river, observ- ing the splendid country on both sides, and the beautiful and verdant isles which divide the channel. About one hundred miles below the mouth of the Wisconsin, an Indian path, or trail, was discovered on the western shore. Marquette and his fellow-envoy determined to trace the path, and form some acquaintance with the tribes of that region. At length, after a walk of several miles, the}' came in si^ht of an Indian town, or village. Commending themselves to Clod, they determined to make themselves known by a loud cry. Four elders of' the village advance to meet them, and conduct them into the vil- lage. They are presented to the council, and .Marquette pub- lished to them the one true Cod. their Creator. lie spoke also of the trreat captain o| the French, the governor of Cana- da,'' who had humbled the " Five \ations" of the Iroqiiois. and compelled them to peace. This was -j-ood news to the>e re- lnote savages, and proc plentiful least. Six da\ savaires : nor eould thc\ depar: \\ilhoul the " peace-pipe," the sacred calumet, suspended Irotu the neck of Marquette, brill- iant with beauteous feathers, \\hich was to he his safeguard amonu r strange tribes. The\ float down the stream, and pass the "most beautiful confluence ol rivers in the world." where the transparent Mi>si>sippi nmr_ r les reluctantly \\ith the turbid Missouri, the JVkitaii"ni o( the Indians. They pass, also, the 120 HISTORY Or THE [llOOR II. confluence of the Ohio, which was afterward known for many years as the Wabash, and which likewise mingles its bright waters reluctantly with the turbid flood. They continued their descent with the rapid current until the sun became oppressive and insects intolerable, and where the canes become so thick that the buffalo can not break through them. They approached a village of the Michigamies. in lat- itude ,'J3. Armed with bows and arrows, with axes and clubs, and bent on war, the natives, with terrific whoops and yells, ad- vanced in their war-canoes to assault the helpless party. Mar- quette advanced, holding the sacred calumet aloft, and thus brought safety to his companions. The meek father says, " God touched the hearts" of the old, and they restrained the young. After several days spent in refreshing themselves with the generous hospitality of this village, the party proceeded to the village of Akansea, beyond the limits of the Algonquin di- alects. Here they conversed by an interpreter ; and having made inquiries of the Indians relative to the course of the riv- er, and the distance to the sea, they determined to return to Canada. It was now about the middle of July. They had been on the Mississippi about four weeks, and had descended about eleven hundred miles from the mouth of the Wisconsin. But difficulties had increased as they descended ; and they were among tribes whose language they did not understand. Their provisions, too, were well-nigh exhausted, and the course ol the river was sufficiently ascertained. The object of their mission was in a great measure accomplished, and they deter- mined to venture no further among unknown tribes, where dis- asters and death might overtake them. They began to ascend the river; and after several weeks of hard toil against a strong current, and exposed to numerous privations, the}- reached the mouth of the Illinois River in safety. Here they ascertained from the Indians that this river af- forded a much more direct and easy route to the; great lakes than that through the Wisconsin. They therefore be^an to ascend the gentle stream. After two weeks more thev cross- ed over ti'om the head st re a ms of the DCS- pi ems bra nch ol the Illinois into the Chicago Creek, through which they entered Lake Michigan. Here Joliet and Marquette parted : the one across to the Miami Indians of Lake Erie, on his wav to (^ue- A.D. 1680.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 127 bee, to make known the success of the expedition; the other to his missionary post among the llurons. ' In September the father joined his liitle flock, and soon afterward M. Joliet ar- rived at Quebec. This was the first time that anv white man had floated upon the Mississippi for one hundred and thirtv years, since the dis- astrous voyage of Luis de Moscoso. with the remains of 1 )e Soto's chivalrous expedition, in I'tl'i. The discoveries of M. Joliet and leather Man|uette filled all New France with rejoicing. A '/'<" I)>'u//i was chanted in the Cathedral. M. Joliet was suitably rewarded by a grant of the Island ot Anticosti, in the St. Lawrence: Father Mari|iiette desired no other reward than an approving conscience that he hail been doing good. It was for a time believed that the long- desired route to China had been discovered. The jealousv and fears entertained toward the English colonies, which now cov- ered the whole Atlantic coast north of Florida, caused these early discoveries to be concealed, as tar as practicable, from general publicity in Europe. England then, as now, was prone to seize and appropriate the discoveries oi others to herself. Such was the first discovery of the Mississippi b\ the French from Canada: a discovery which gave to France a conven- tional claim to occupy and settle all the regions 1\ iii'_r upon the irreat river itself, as well as upon its :_rreat tributaries. [A.D. 1(> S 0.] The native occupants of the Illinois countrv and the western portion ot \e\v France, as seen hv the first Jesuit missionaries upon Lake Michigan, were similar in all respects 1 ( > the tribes previously known to them on the St. Lawrence : for the first aspect o| the original inhabitants ot the I'nited States was uniform. "IJetWeen the Indians ot Florida and Canada the dillcrenc,- \\as scarcely perceptible. Their manners and mstituli' >ns as \\cll as their organization, had a common ph\ si. i'_rnoni\ : and, betorc their languages be- v;an to be kno\\n. then 1 was no sate method ot i:roupiiiu r the nations into families. l>ut when the vast vanetv ot dialects came to be compared, there were toiind east ot the .M.- ;sippi not more than ei'_ r ht radically distinct I;iiiL. r uau r es, of which live still constitute the speech <>t powerful communities, and three are known onlv as memorials of tribes that ha\e almost disap- peared from tlu- ea rth. T Martin's !..HUM;UKI. vnl. i., p. t Biuu-rul't * Il:-l"!-y "Mao t'nit'.-J rrtatos, \cl in., \: -.'.'JV. TJS IIISTOKV or TIII: [BOOK it. The Algonquin tongue, which existed not only on the St. Lawrence, but also on the DCS Moines, was most widely dii- fused. It was heard from Cape Fear to the land of the Es- quimaux: from the Cumberland River of Kentucky to the southern bank of the Missinnippi, a thousand miles northwest from the sources of the Mississippi. The X/tttw/aiese connected the southeastern Algonquins with those of the west. "The basin of the Cumberland River is marked by the earliest French geographers as the home of this restless nation of wanderers, A part of them afterward had their 'cabins' and their ' springs' in the neighborhood of Win- chester. Their principal band removed their hunting-fields in Kentucky to the head waters of one of the great rivers of South Carolina : and, at a later day, an encamprnent of four hundred and fifty of them, who had been straggling in the woods for four vears. was found not far north of the head wa- ters of Mobile River, on their way to the country of the Musk- hogees." "So desolate was the wilderness, that a vagabond tribe could wander undisturbed from Cumberland River to Alabama, from the head waters of the Santee to the Susque- hanna."* The l}[iamis were more stable, and their own traditions preserve the memory of their ancient limits. "My father/' said the Miami orator. Little Turtle, at Greenville, in 17!)f>. "kindled the first lire at .Detroit; from thence he extended his lines to the head waters oi the Scioto ; Iroin thence to its mouth : from thence di>wit the Ohio to the mouth of the \Vabash: and from thence to Chicago, on Lake Michigan. These are the boundaries within \\hich the prints of my ancestors' houses are seen." The fore.-ts beyond Detroit were at first found unoccupied. or. it may be, roamed over by bands too feeble to attract a trader IT to \\in a missionary. The "Ottawas. Algonquin fugitive- from the basin of the magnificent ri ver whose name commemorates them. Jled to the May ot Saginaw. and took posses>i"ii "t the \\hole north as a derelict countrx : vet the Miamis occupied its southern moiety, and their principal mis- sion \\as louuded by Allonex on the banks oi the St. Joseph's, within the present state o) Michigan." "The Illinois \\ 'ere kindred to the Miamis, and their country BainTi'fi s Ilisl iteil rrtuh's. vul iii., p. -.Ml oc- as- A.I). 1080.] VALI.KY OF Till: MISSISSIPPI. 129 lay between the Wabash, the ( )hio. and the Mississippi. Mar- quette found a village of them on the I >es Moines; but it cupants soon withdrew to the east side of the Mississippi. K; kaskia, Cahokia, and 1'eoria still preserve the names of the principal bands, ot which the original strength has been greatly exaggerated. The vague tales of a. considerable population vanished before the accurate observation of the missionaries. who found in the wide wilderness of Illinois scarcely three or four villages. On the discovery of America, the number ol the scattered tenants of the territory, which now forms the states of Ohio and Michigan, of Indiana. Illinois, and Kentucky, could hardly have exceeded eighteen thousand."' In the early part of the eighteenth century, the Potnwatamies had crowded the Miamis from their dwellings at Chicago : the intruders came from the islands near the entrance of (Ireen Bay, and were a branch of the great nation of Chippewas. That nation held the country from the mouth of (Ireen Hay to the head waters of Lake Superior, and were early visited by the French at Sault St. Marie and Chegoimegon. "Tin}' adopted into their tribes many of the Ottawas from 1'ppcr Canada, and were themselves often included under that, name by the earlv French writers." "Ottawa is but the Algonquin word for "trader/ and Mas- coutins are but 'dwellers in the prairie.' The latter hardly implies a band ol Indians distinct from the Chippewas: but historv recogni/es as a, separate Algonquin tribe, near (Ireen Bav. the Menomonies, who were found there in Itlti!). and re- tained their ancient territory lung alter the period ol French and Fnglish supremacy, and who prove their high antiquity as a nation 1>\ the singular character ol their dialect. "t 'Southwest o! the Menomonies. the restless Sauks and Fo\c<. ever dreaded bv the French, h Bav and Fox Itiver to the Missi> bet\\'een the \\ iscoiism and the upper brancht '< >\es. and \\ e\ the ( ' 1.30 HISTORY OF THE [ROOK II. was, bands of the Sioux, or Daheotas. had encamped in the prairies east of the Mississippi, vagrants between the head waters of Lake Superior and the Falls of St. Anthony. They \vere a branch of the great family which, dwelling for the most part west of the Mississippi and lied River of the north, ex- tended from the Saskatchawan to lands south of the Arkansas. Hennepin was among them in his expedition to the north in 1(580; Joseph Marest and another Jesuit visited them in 1(587, and again in 1(589. There seemed to be a hereditary warfare between them and the Chippewas. " Like other Western and Southern tribes, their population appears of late to have in- creased."' South and southwest of the Shawanese were the Chickasas, a warlike and powerful tribe of savages, extending from the banks of the Mississippi eastward to the Muscle Shoals of Ten- nessee River. These tribes were visited by Marquette, and again bv La Salle, in his exploration of the Lower Mississippi. At first they were friends of the French, but having been won to the English interests by traders and emissaries from Caroli- na, they became the most constant and most successful ene- mies of the French colonies in Louisiana. Smith of the Chickasas was the Natchez tribe, occupying the country on the east side of the Mississippi, between the Yazoo and the Pearl River, and the most civilized of any tribe seen by Iberville in Louisiana. West and south of the Natcliex was the powerful tribe of the Choctas, the constant friends of the early French colonies on the Mississippi and Mobile Rivers. Such is the brief outline of the native tribes first known to the early French colonies in Louisiana, and whose friendship they continued to preserve in a remarkable manner, until the (-lose of their dominion on the Mississippi, excepting only the Natchez and Chickasa nations. A.I). 1073.] VALLKV OF TIIK Mississippi. 131 CHAPTER II. KXPLOKATION OF THK M 1SSISS] 1TI K1VKR II V I, A SAl.l.K: HIS CUL- 0.\V ON Till: l'UI,OKAl><>. - A.I). 1073 To 105)0. Argument. Character and Kntor[irisi' nf La Sail,-. Hi* Ambition to complete tin 1 Kx ploratioa of tli.' Mississippi. -His Plans approved by M. Talon, h.tendai.t nl .New France. La Salle sails lor Kurope. -Receives tin- Kind's Patronage. Returns to Canada. -Repairs to Fort Frontenac and tin- Western Lakes in l'i>. Winters .,:i the Niagara, and builds tin. 1 (jrift'ou in 1071). Proceeds tu IJrecn Hay nnd freL'hts the <;ri!!on. -Visits the Miamis on .St. Joseph's River. Loss of tin- (iritlun and I 'arvfo. Huilds l-'iirt Miami in lii-'^.- Builds Fort C.'r'Vr ( 'u-ur.--! lilliru'ui,., with Indians. Mutiny anuiiii.' liis Men. Mutiny quelled and Indians reconciled. Father Hennc- pin sent to explore the Mississippi. La .Salle returns to Furt Frontenar. Koek Fort liuilt ou die Illinois. Extent ot' Hennepin's Kxjjlorations in li>l. Sul'Se'iUeiU- ly lie explnres the Mississippi as low as tlic Arkansas. La Salle de\essio!! of Texas in hi-."..- Deplorable Condition of the Colony. -La Sai'.e finally determines to reach the Illinois and I 'anada by Land, in lii-7. Assassinated near the Trinity River. The Remainder of the Colony are dispersed, and s >mc reach the Illinois. Spaniards search tor the Fivnch Co!on\ in\ain. in li',-: 1 . Kiinois Countr\- occupied by I'" rend i after La Sallc's Departure.- -Wars in Canada \v;tn the Iroij'iois and Fn-lish. The Colonization o! 'Lower Louisiana deterred until th ^'e lir [A. D. K573.] Tm: first rlmllition of joy in \c\v Pr;in-t\ al- ter tlic discovery ot the iri'ent ri\'ei - o( the \\i-st h\ l';!ilier Manjiiette lit id M. Jo! jet. soon sillisidt-d. The eolmiial L r o\ em- inent inanitestrd luit iitl le interest in |irose(Mitinir the diseoverv for five years. At letr_ r tli a privati 1 individual undertook to eom- plete the exploration to the sea. Tins individual \\ as Monsieur la Salle. a native ot Rcmen in Normandy. He had hern a man of letters and o| tortunr. luit had renounced his pal rini' in v and joined the order of. It-suits. "Alter profitin 1 : hy the disei- pline of their schools, and obtaining their praise for purit\ and diliLTeure. lie had taken his d;seh:i i;^e ot' the fraternity, and u ith no companions hut poverty and a houiulli'ss sj'irit o| entt-r- prise." he came to \e\\ France in qiie^t of fame and fort'iiie." " Bancroft's Histor\ of the Fnitcd .iit lie was ready and willing to engage in any enterprise that would gratifv his ambition and re \\ard his toil. He iv-o]ved to prosecute the discovery and exploration oi the Mississippi as an enterprise worthy of his ambition, lie en- tertained the belief advanced by Father Marquette, that some of the western tributaries of the great river would aflord a direct route to the South Sea, and thence to China. This subject still was agitated in Europe, and all were interested in knowing the fact. To avoid a long and dangerous voy- age around the Cape of (lood Hope, or of Cape Horn, was surelv an object of deep concern to the commercial world. La Salle was a man of extraordinary courage and persever- ance, and hence was well adapted for the exploration of remote and unknown regions. M. Joutel declares " his constancy and courage, his extraordinary knowledge in the arts and sciences, rendered him fit for anv thing; and besides this, he possessed an indefatigable body, which made him surmount all difficul- ties." [A.D. 1G7H.] Such was the man who was eager to enter upon the new enterprise of exploring the ''great river" to its mouth, which he believed must be in the Gulf of Mexico. He communicated his views to the Count, de Frontenac, then gov- ernor of ."New France. He urged upon him the propriety of sending colonies westward, and of protecting them bv adequate fortifications against the hostilities of the Indians. lie por- traved. with all the ardor of his temperament, the advantages that, would result from such a policy: that it, would not onlv benefit and strengthen .\ew France, but also aggrandi/e France herself. The count readily entered into all his views, and ap- proved ;ill Ins plans for the accomplishment of his designs. But the execution of them required heavy disbursements, which the provincial authorities could not order. He resolved, there- fore, to send La Salle to France, that ' 1( ' might there explain his views and advocate his phins before the court. La Salle arrived in France, and lost no time in presenting himself before the minister, lie \\as fortunate, and received ;i favorable au- dience. Letters of n<>lul;i\ were granted by the king, with authority to prosecute his projected discoveries. He was ;ip- pointed proprietor and commandant of Fort Cataracoui. after- ward called Frontenac, near the eastern extrenntv of Lake A.D. 1078.] v.u.i.r.Y or TIIK MISSISSIPPI. !,'{:{ Frontenac. or Ontario, and upon tin* present site of King-t<.n. Vet no money was appropriated: fur this lie was to depend upon his own resources and iiidustrv. ' Having engaged the aid of the Chevalier de T< >nti. and a I mi it thirty colonists, including several mechanics, lit- set sail from France tor the St. Lawrence. Alter a prosperous voyage, he arrived at Ujiebee on the 'Jfjth of September. If'iTs. Thence he proceeded to Fort Frontenac. The fort was neglected and dismantled. The lirst lahor was to rebuild the works and place the whole in a proper militarv condition.! Here he re- mained some weeks, making preparations tor his tour to the Far West. In all his preparations and plans, he evinced such business-like dispatch, and such prompt enterprise and undaunt- ed firmness, that the colonial government became more and more convinced that he possessed the proper spirit and genius for the arduous undertaking. " He sent forward men to pre- pare the minds of the remote tribes for his coming, by wel!- chosen words and gifts." A barque of ten tons having been built. La Salle and his party left Fort Frontenac on the l^th of November, 1(>7S. upon his Western tour. For the means of defraying the expenses of the expedition, his principal dependence was upon his success in trading with the Indians. He had supplied himself with a large amount of goods and articles adapted to the Indian trade, which he expected to barter for rich furs ;md skins. After a tedious and dangerous voyage in that tempestuous season, they reached the western extremity of Lake Frontenac. The win- ter had now set in with great severity, and he was compelled to gn into winter-quarters with his small party near the FalN of .Niagara. The delav here was turned to advantage. hue- ing the winter, he was constantly employed in making further provision for the expedition. Fxploring parties, under the Chevalier de Tonti, were sent to recomioiter the country, to conciliate the Indians to open a friendly intercourse with them, and to make further inquiries o| the route to the Mississippi. La Salle himself returned to Fort Frontennc ii>r an additional supply of provisions, goods, and ammunition. He also brought with him, the following spring, three recoliet monks, to adminis- ter to the spiritual wants o| Ins people, and to aid m the enter- prise. One of these was " Father Louis llennepin. a Franc:- * Six' Martin's Louisiana, vul. L. p. -:!. 13-4 HISTORY or TIIK [HOCK 11. can friar, a. man full of ambition for discoveries and fame; daring, hardy, energetic, vain, and sell-exaggerating almost to madness." lie was more inclined to promote his own fame for threat deeds than to advance the cause of truth. He bad been a missionary among the Indians about Fort Frontenac ; he had made frequent visits among the Iroquois, south of Lake Ontario, and on the sources of the Allegbany, and had learned much of Indian character and customs, [A.D. 1(579.] The barque brought from Fort Frontenac could not be taken over the Falls of Niagara : of course anoth- er must be built above them. The " Griffon," of sixty tons, was begun upon Lake Erie, near the mouth of the Tonnewan- to Creek, but it required six months for its completion. During this time La Salle was not idle. He sent exploring parties into the different tribes of Indians south and \vest of the lakes, to make arrangements for collecting !urs and opening a profit- able trade. Father llennepin performed his part by preach- ing and conciliating the natives, and by gaining information of the country. At length, on the seventh of August, ]C>7!), the Griffon was finished, and the expedition set sail for the Straits of Mackinae. Sailing over Lake Erie and between the verdant isles of the majestic Detroit, they arrived on the ii8th, in health and line spirits.* Here they remained two weeks, while La Salle was making his arrangements and collecting furs. They sailed from the straits about the middle of September, and on the eighth of October they landed in the Hay of the 1'uants, or Green Bay. Here La Salle, having completed the stock tor ;i cargo, sent the Griffon back to Lake Erie, richly freighted with furs and peltries, with instructions to meet him on its return at the mouth of the river of the Miainis, the present St. Joseph's of Michigan. In the mean time, he proceeded by land through the tribes S' tuth >f ( Ireen I5ay, and thence around to the Miami Indians, on the southeast of the lake. Here he entered into engagements tor opening a trade with the Miamis ot the Kiver St. .Joseph. He obtained permission of them to erect a stockade fort and a trading-post on that river, near its entrance into Luke Michi- gan. This was known afterward as the Foil of the Miami's; for the use of \shich, he expected a supply ot goods from Lake' Erie upon the return ot the Griffon in December following. * Uunrrolt's I". Suli'S, vul. iii.. \>. 1'>1. A.U. 1080.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. l'J~t Here he waited impatiently for the return <>t' the (!rilH>n. At length December came; yet nothing was heard of the vessel. La Salle coasted out in .search ol her, and set uj beacons near the shore to direct her course. Still the vessel did not arrive, and supplies of all kinds were beginning to fail. He left a garrison ol ten men in the Fort Miami, with instructions f'>r the commander of the CJrillon upon her arrival. ' With the remain- der ol his force, consisting of thirty-four men. including the Cnevalier de Tonti, lie set out for the Illinois River. While himselt and some others passed over by land, the remainder of the party, with the boats and canoes, paddled up the St. Jo- seph's River for four days, and then by a portage crossed over to the head branch of the Kankakee River, which they descend- ed to the Illinois. Thence the whole party descended that placid river until they came to a large Indian village, which they supposed to be one hundred and fifty miles from the Mis- sissippi. The Indians were kind and hospitable: they suppli- ed the party abundantly with corn and meats. This village was near the expansion of the Illinois River, known as Lake Peoria. where Fort St. Louis was afterward built. It was now about Christmas : and the party proceeded about sixty miles further down the river, where the}' were well re- ceived by the Indians. Believing this a good pi nut tor a trad- inu-post. La Salle obtained permission to build a lort. lie ac- cordingly remained to complete the work. It was now late in January, KJSO, when he first received intelligence from the Grillon. She had been wrecked on the voyage home, and all his rich cariro was lost. This circumstance, together with the appearance of discontent among his men, foreboding mutiny, so dispelled his hopes and depressed his spirits, that he called the fort ''Creve Co'iir." or Broken Heart. f [" \.I ). It >>().] I p to this time, his undertaking, although ar- duous, appeared to be prosperous. lie had extended his ex- plorations westward fifteen hundred miles beyond the settle- ments. The countrv had been examined, lorts were erected, and the friendship of the savages had been secured, lint now a dark cloud overspread his prospects. His men appeared worn out and disgusted \\ith an expedition which had already eiiiiacred them more than a year; the issue still appeared to them ha/ardous or at lea>t uncertain. They \\ere not willing * Martin's Louisiana. v.4. I, i'. --". *'->- 130 HISTORY oi' Tin- [BOOK ii. to spend their lives in a deep wilderness, among savages, with- out guides, and often without food. This dissatisfaction at length broke out into open murmurs against the projector ot the expedition, the author of all their troubles, who had led them into a fatiguing, perilous, and, to them, an apparently useless ramble, remote from civilization and all the endear- ments of social life. .Nothing escaped the quick penetration of La Salle. :i He had soon perceived that discontent and mischief were fomented among his men : that a storm was impending, and must be calmed. lie went into the midst of them ; he assured them of good treatment, and ultimate success ; he placed before them the hope of glory and wealth; he pointed them to the successful example of the Spaniards in Mexico and Peru; but they were not so easily appeased. The mutineers represent- ed to their comrades how idle it was to continue slaves to the caprice and dupes to the idle visions and imaginary hopes of leader who seemed to consider the dangers already passed only as pledges which demanded still greater sacrifices from them. They asked whether they could expect any other reward for their protracted slavery than misery and indigence. What could be expected, at the end of a ramble almost to the con- fines of the earth, and to inaccessible seas, but to be obliged to return poorer and more miserable than when thev first set out? They said the only means of avoiding the impending calamity was to return while they had sufficient, strength, to part, from a man who sought their ruin and his own, and to abandon him to his laborious and useless discoveries. They adverted to the difficulty of return when their leader, by his intelligence, influence, and intrigues, should have secured the means of apprehending and punishing them as deserters, and that, it would be impossible to proceed without provisions or resources <>f any kind. It was suggested to cut the tree up by the roots, and to end their misery by the death of its author, and that thus they mi'_ r ht avail themselves of the fruits of their * It nia> ! well here to n mark, thai Martin, in tlic \vlmle <( I. a Salli 's uxplora- tions. disruvuries, aiM trnnV numim tlic WVsti-ni trihe.s. is iii'uliuviil of dates; places transactions, iii'imnilly. one \i-ar earlier than they really transpired. Tims. 1,,- makes La Salle's HIM voyaje ilown the Mississippi to Hike place in the year l'.-i, \vlien-as Bancroft establishes the time (.,, 1,,. m the spring of 1O'..'. See Martin, vol. i,. p. m, arnl on to [i. 1C-'. A.I). 1(580.] VALLEY OF T1IK MISSISSIPPI. 1,'{7 own labor and fatigues. Those who were in lavor nf >nr|i steps were not in sufficient number to ellect their object. They. however, determined to ende;ivor to induce the Indians to rise against. La Salle, hoping that thev miu r ht reap the ad- vantage to he derived Irom his murder without ajipearinir to have participated in the crime." The leaders ot the mutineers, approaching the natives with apparent concern and confidence, said that, irratelul tor their hospitality heretofore extended, they were alarmed at the dan- ger which threatened them: that. La Salle had entered into stroiiLT engagements with the Irocutois, their greatest enemies; that he had advanced into their country now to ascertain their strength, to build a fort, and to keep them in subjection ; that, in his meditated return to Fort Frontenac. he had no other object than to convey to the Imquois the information he had gained, and to invite them to make a rapid irruption into the eountrv. while his force was among them to co-operate with the Iroipiois.f The Indians, of course, attached much truth to the allega- tions of these men. La Salle instantly discovered a change of conduct in the Indians, but. lie knew not the cause. lie at length succeeded in obtaining a declaration ot the cause of their cold reserve. Alter commuincafini: his reasons 1m- sus- pecting perfidy in some of his men. he showed how impossible it. was that he could be connected with the Iroipinis; that he considered that nation as perfidious, lawless, cruel, revengeful, and thirsting lor human blood ; and. as such, that neither credit nor sateU would dictate such an alliance with those brutal savages: and, moreover, that he had IrankK aniiounerd his views to the Illinois on his first arrival amonu r them: thaPlhe smallness ot' his force precluded the belief o| an intention to snbdiic anv tribe. The open and ingenuous calmness with which he spoke gained him credence, and the impres>ion pre- viouslv made hv the mutineer:- appeared to he entirely ellaced from the minds of the Indian^.;:. This success, however, was of short duration. ,\u emis- sary had been sent from a. neighboring tribe, the Mascotins.se- eretlv, to the Illinois, to stir them up against La Saile and his party. ]j\' irreat art, he had nearlv convinced them that. La Salle 13S HISTORY or THE [BOOK ir. was in alliance with the Iroquois, and almost succeeded in his efforts to induce the Illinois to cut off the whole party. The sunnestions of' this emissary, corresponding with the rumors circulated bv the disaffected of' his own party, had well-nigh effected his destruction. The suspicions which La Salle. by his candor and address, had allayed, were suddenly revived, and the (thief's spent the night, in deliberation. In the morning. all the delusory hopes he had entertained on the apparent re- turn of confidence were dispelled on his perceiving the cold reserve of' the chiefs and the unconcealed distrust and indigna- tion of others. He vainly endeavored to discover the immedi- ate cause of the change, and began to think of the propriety of intrenching his party in the fort. Alarmed and surprised, and unable to remain in suspense, he boldly advanced into the midst of the Indians, who were gathered into small groups, and speakinn their language sufficiently well to be understood, he demanded the cause of the coolness and distrust now seen on their brows. lie said they had parted on the preceding evening in peace and friendship, and now he found them arm- ed, and some of them ready to fall upon him : that he was naked and unarmed in the midst of them, a willing and ready sacrifice to their vengeance, if he could be convicted of any designs against them. Moved bv his open and undaunted demeanor, the Indians pointed to the deputy of the Mascotins, who had been sent, to apprise them of ins schemes and his connection \\ith their ene- mies. Rnshinn boldlv toward him. 'La Salle. in an imperious tone, demanded what evidence or reason existed tor this al- iened connection. The Mascotin coldly replied tha.t, in cir- cumstances where the safety of a nation was concerned, full evidence was not. always required to convict suspicious char- acter- : that, the smallest circumstances often justified precau- tions : and as the address of the turbulent and seditious con- sisted in disseinblinLT their schemes, the duty of the chiefs con- sisted in adopting measures to prevent then' success: that, in the pre>eiit case. Ins pa.-t negotiation or trade with the Iro- quois. Ins intended return to Fort Frontenac, and the fort he had just built, were sullicieiil presumptions to induee the Illi- nois to apprehend danger, and to take the steps necessar\ to avoid beiirj" taken m the snare he seemed to have prepared. By a display of nrea' address and firmness. La Salle finally A.D. H5NO.] VALI.KV or Tin: MISSISSIITI. I, 1 }!) gave sufficient assurance thai lie entertained n<"> hostile designs against them, and that he had no such connection with the In>- qnois as ought to prejudice the Illinois against liiin. A good understanding with the Indians was at length re- stored, and his own men hecame so far reconciled that thev promised to remain at the 1'ort. <>n dutv, while an exploring party should advance toward the sources of the Missis>ippi. Still they were inclined to defeat the ohject of this expedition, and subsequently sought occasion to take oil' the leaders of it by poison placed in their food: hut the attempt was detected before any fatal effects were produced, and thus they failed to accomplish their ohject. Having arranged the expedition lor the Upper Mississippi, La Salle, in the month of March, with a sack of parched corn, a musket, a shot-pouch and powder-horn, for defense and to procure food, a blanket, and deer-skins for moccasins, with three companions, set. out on foot for Fort Frontenac, trudging through melting snows and marshes, through thickets and for- ests, upon the ridge which divides the waters of the Ohio from those of the lakes. ' The exploring party for the Mississippi consisted of Father Louis Hennepm. M. Dugay, and six other Frenchmen, as oars- men and woodsmen. Leaving Fort ('twe Ciriir on the 'jMh of February, they descended the Illinois in the midst of win- ter. For ten davs they were detained at the mouth hv lloat- ing ice in the Mississippi, after which they proceeded to ascend the river. Thev continued their voyage in their canoes more than eight hundred miles. \\ hen their pr< >gress was a r rested hv great. falls in the river, which were named by the Franciscan the - Falls of St. Anthony." in honor of his patron saint. St. Anthony of I'adiia. ( )n a tree near the cataract, he engraved the cross and the a rms o| I 1 ' ranee. For several \\ eeks the par- ty rambled through the regions above the falls, exploring the countrv and its rivers, but never reaching the real source- oj t!ie great river, as llennepin falsely allirmed. The \\ hole par- ty, during their sojourn in these part-, u as held by the Sioux in a short captivitv. from \\lnch thc\ at length escaped. I De- scending the Mi>- --sip[ti to the month o| the \\ isconsin, llen- nepin and his companion^ returned b\' \\ay of the \\ I>CMH>:II and J''ox liivers to ihe rreiich mission at (ire. MI IJav/r 1 10 HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK n. Toward the close of summer. Father llennepin. desirous of accomplishing the whole of La Salle's wishes, with a party of live men set out on a voyage ot exploration down the river, vainl v expecting to trace and to examine the count rv to t he sea. Filtering the Mississippi again hv way of the Wisconsin, the party descended, occasionally paddling their canoes, and again floating with the current, until they readied the mouth of tin; Arkansas Kiver, the point formerly reached hy Marquette and Joliet. Here it was ascertained from the Indians that the dis- tance to the sea was still very great much greater than had been anticipated. Father llennepin deemed it best to return to the Illinois, and thence to Fort (Veve Cirur. Late in the autumn he reached the posts upon the I'pper Illinois. This was the extent of Father llennepin's discoveries on the Mississippi : yet. after the death ot La Salle. he endeavored to claim the principal credit ol the explorations to the sea.' The account of his vovage to the mouth of the Mississippi, publish- ed in London in 1(>!M), was a manifest fiction, and the result ot 1'ritish intrigue with the Franciscan. The whole distance from the mouth of the Arkansas to the Falls of St. Anthony is but little short of fifteen hundred miles. Over this distance Ilen- nepin had passed twice, an entire distance of nearly three thou- sand miles, upon a vast, unknown river, and among unknown savage tribes. This was truly an enterprise worthy of La, Salle himself: and, after all fair allowance tor Father llenne- pin's propensity to exaggerate, he is still entitled to our admi- ration and respect for his enterprise and perseverance. During the exploring voyage of Hennepin and M. Dugay, " Ileimepin. nftcr tliis expedition, retired to < 'anada, and soon afterward In' s.-t oil tor [runce. II.' there puhlished a splendid account .,| the iifwly-discovured country nf Louisiana," which he so called in honor of Louis XIV. This work lie dedicated t.. tlir l f "n-ni:Ii ininistiT. ('Albert. It contained :in account of his discoveries under I,;i . which In makes no claim In have descended tin: river lower than llie Arkan- SHS. Si'\ el'lll \e;u-s S'll |Uelltly, : . ! ]l:.- \\ itil th:it pllti'i illlue which he exjiecteil iii l-'.-;i:n'i-. lie vin and toil. Alter a lon-j and toilsome |ourney. visituiLT the Iroijuois na- tions in his route, he arrived at Fort Fronfenac in June, alter haviir_ r established amicable relation.- with the western portion of tin- 1 contedera c\ . '1 he remainder of the summer was in- fluence amon'j- the remote tribes ot the \\ est. In the tall, he flattered himself that h:s trading-posts \\ere I'stablished. that a friendlv intercourse had been opened, and that peace pre- vailed amon^ the tribes. LMVIIILT a more eneouraLrinL: a his general all'airs. IIISTOUY OK Till". [lK)OK II. Hut he \v;is again doomed to disappointment. About the first of September, hostilities had broken out between some of the Iroijuois tribes and those on the Illinois. The position of the French between the opposing bands was dangerous in the extreme, and De Tonti deemed it prudent to withdraw from the seat of war to a place of greater security. lie accordingly retired with his little force ti^ Fort Miami, oif the >t. Joseph's HiveV of 'Lake Michigan, where he arrived about the middle of September. Here he continued until peace was established, and La Salle's contemplated exploration was necessarily de- ferred. [A.D. 1C.81.] In the spring of K5S1, L;i Salle set out from Fort Frontenac for the West. He at length reached the coun- try of the Miamis ; and, having made due arrangements, lie set out from that post with I )e Tonti for Fort ('revc Co'iir, on the I'pper Illinois. The following summer was spent in trav- ersing the country, visiting and supplying his trading-posts, in ellorts to reconcile the hostile tribes, and in opening a free trade and intercourse with the Illinois and Miami tribes. These preparations having been made, he began to make his arrange- ments for completing the exploration of the great river to its mouth. To the river, concurring with Father Hennepin, he had given the name of "St. Louis," and to the country through which it flowed that ol " Louisiana," both in honor of the King of France. The enterprise was one which had engaged his thoughts and had influenced his plans for the last two years, and he now determined to complete the undertaking, lie fore he could set out. he was obliged once more to return to Fort Frontenac to complete his arrangements. His stay was of short, duration, and on the ViOth of .November he left Fort Frontenac on his return to the Illinois country. Having to visit his posts, and make oilier arrangements for his lon^ Ab- sence, he did not arrive at Fort ( Veve (\riir until the beginning ol January following. Here a few days were spent in pre- parnr_r lor his departure, and a further delav of a few days was caused by the inclemency of' the winter; vet. on the 'Jd day of February, l(s-j. L,i Salle and his little hand of voyagers and explorers, a band of hardv adventurers, were lloatini: on the broad bosom of the Mississippi. [A.D. H'.s-J.J As ,M. Du<_ r ay and Father I Irnnepin had al- readv explored the upper portion of the river. La Salle de- A.I). 1()S'.2.] VALI-KY OP THK MISSISSIITI. I !,'{ termined to lose no time in prosecuting the exploration down to the sea. Having descended to the mouth of the Missouri, he remained some da vs. endeavoring to obtain such information us the Indians could L r ive of that irreat Western tributary. \\ Inch received the name of "St. Philip." The party next delayed a lew days at the mouth of tin- ( Hiio, where La Salle made some arrangements for trade and intercourse with the Indians. Thence they proceeded down to the first ('lucka-a Null's. Her*' La. Salle entered into amicable arrangements ti>r open- ing a trade with the Chickasa Indians, where he established a trading-post, and obtained permission to build a stockade tort. This he designed as a point ot' rende/votis tbr traders Ironi the Illinois coiintrv. passing to the lower posts on the river. This post was called "Fort Prud nomine," in honor ot the man who, with a small garrison, was left in command. The next stop made by the part}' was at the mouth of the Ar- kansas River, which was the extreme limit ot former discover- ies. Here he tarried several days, and then proceeded to a village of the Tensas Indians, where he displaved the emblem ot Christianity to the admirini: natives. This village was upon the banks of a lake, some distance back from the river, and was probably the same now known as "Lake Providence." Irom winch the Tensas Kiver has its source. Here he was re- ceived with much kindness and hospitality by the Indians : and, consequently, remained several days in friendly intercourse with them. Thence lie continued his voyage down, and visited each ot' the tribes on the banks as he passed. ( )n the 'J7th of March he arrived at the mouth of Red Ri\er. Here, likewise, he made a short stay, and then proceeded d->w n the M i>->iippi to its confluence with the (Jull "1 Mexien. ||e reached tins destination on the 7th "1 Aprd. alter a tedious vovaire ani'MiL: unknown tribes |i>r more than twelve hundred miles hel"W the Illinois. l>y occasional accessions "I French and Indians, the partv now amounted I" nearU sixtv persons; some were en- ifajjed in providmir for tln-,r e<>mtrt and sustenance; and others, with La Salle. were eir_ r a'_ r ed lor several da\> in ex- plorini: the inlet- and sea-marshes aloim the coast, and in making other iiecessa r\ observations. La Salle 1 hen ascended the river \\ith his parlv until lirm land was toiind. \\hcre he determined to tarry some da\ s until his men ei Mild refresh them- selves after their toilsome vovaire. A few davs served to re- Ill HISTORY (IF TIII: [UOOK n. vivu the hardv pioneers, when thev prepared 1<> celebrate the ulory of France ill the possession of I hi' newl v-discovered prov- ince. l,;i Salle took )'onn;il possession ol the country, planted tlu- arms of France, erected the cross, and calling the country " Louisiana." in honor ot' the K inir of France, he closed the cer- emonv with a display ot the solemn and imposing rites ol the Catholic Church. Thus France and Christianity entered the valley of the Mississippi hand in hand.' * See Mill-tin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 100. liil. Tlir iMlowimr insi-ription and firm-is n'rlml are copied by Mr. Sparks from a MS. in the Department ot' . Marine, at Paris, viz. : "A I'olunin was erected, and the arms of France were ailixed with this inscription: LOUIS r.i: (iUASn, KOI DL ru\M'K i: r v\\ \uiii- 1 . KI:<;NK; I.K .NKI Vli:.MK AVl'.Il., Id-'-.'.' '' The following ci'i-enionies were then performed, vix. : "Tin- \\hole party, under arms, chanted the 7V Dunn, tin- E.rintiliut, \\\( I>i>minr Sn/ni,,, f,ir /,',_< in - and then, after a salute of lire anus, and cries of I'irc /> mi, the column \\ as erected hy M. ile la Halle, who, standing near it, said with a loud voice hi French, ' In the name 1 of the most liiirli, mi_rhty. invincihle, and victorious prince. Louis the. (ireat. liv the irrace of Cod luntr of France and Navarre, fourteenth of that 11:11111.' tliis ninth day of .\[>ril. one thousand six humlred and eighty-two. J. in virtue of tin eonnnisMon of his majesty, which I hold in my hand, and which may he seen hy all \vhom it may concern, have taken, and do now take, in the name of his majesty, ami of his successors to the crown, possession of this country of Louisiana, the seas, harhors. ports. lia\s. adjacent straits, and all the nations, peoples, provinces, cities, towns, vil- lages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams, and rivers comprised in the extent of said Lou'iMana. from the mouth of the -rival Hiver St. Louis, on the eastern side, other wise called Ohio, AlL'hin, Sipon'-, or < 'hucka-ona. and this with the consent of tlic Chouanons. I 'hickachas. and other people dwelling therein, with \\ horn we have made alliance; as also alnnu' the Itiver Colhei't. or Mississippi, and rivers which discharge themsi'Ki'S therein, from its source lieyond the country of the Kious or Nadouessions nnd this with tlieirconsi-nt. nnd witli t lie consent of the Motantees, Illinois, Mesi t'oro.-is. and Natchez, which rire the most considerahle nations dwelling therein, will,' whom we also have made alliance, cither hy oursehes. or hy others in our hehalf, as far as its mnuth at the Sea or (iulf of Mexico, uhont the t\vent\ -se\ enth de-ree of the elevation ol (he North Pole, and also to the nioiith of the Uiv.-r of Palms ; upon the as surunce whii h we have received from all these nations, that, we arc' the first Europeans who have descended or ascended the said Hiver Colhert. herehy protestiiiLT airainst ali tlh.se who m.'iy in future undertake to invade any or all these countries, people, or lands almvi- d to the ]ir lice et the ri. 'ht of }n< majesty, licimired h\ the consent of the nations herein named. Of which, and of all that can he ceded. I herehy take t,. witiies- tho-e who h. ar me, and demand the act of the notary as required 1>\ law.' " To which 1 1,.- whole assembly n -: 'd with shouts of I' in I mi. and \\ iih s:dntes of fire arms. M'.r. . ' lie caused to he hnried ;it the foot ot' the tree to which ihe cross \\ as attached, n 1,-aden plate with the arms ol France, and the follow in ' Lai in inscription : A.D. lOSxJ.] VALLEY or THK MISSfSSll'I'l. 1 1"< La Salle descended the Mississippi, and his sagacious eve, as he floated on its Hood, when he t'onned a cahin on the tirs! Chickasa bluff, as he raised the cross <>n the hank f emigrants : lie heard in the distance the footsteps of the ad v;incim_r multitude th;;t were coining to take possession <>t the vallev. ' At length. La Salle and his party be-jan to ascend the river on their return to the Illinois country. Advancing >!->\vly airamst the strong current < >f the Mississippi, the}' made land in the -\atchez country, U'liere they tarried several days: but. having discovered a treacherous design anioni: the .\atchex Indians lor cutting oil' the whole party, La Salle determined to proceed without further delay. Their next tarrv was in the country of their old friends, the Tensas Indians, nearlv two hundred miles above the Xatchex villages. Here they were airain hospitably received, and bountifully supplied with such provisions and comforts MS the Indians could <_rive. ( )u the Ixith of Mav they resumed their vovaire. and proceeded to Fort 1'rud'homme, amonu the Chiekasas. Here La Salle \vas taken sick; and. beinir unable t travel, he remained nearly two months with his partv, alter ha\'iir_ r dispatched the ( 'licv- alier de Tonti with twentv men. including Indians, to announce his success to the posts upon the Illinois, and to lake command of the forts and settlements until his return. '1 lie \viiul. ctTi-mniiy was wltiH-s-.'.l \>\ iilt'-iuhiiits, a;,'! i-crtili-'ii i:. a : r > -' . \vl-ich i-i.in-'.u.i'-s in t'l'- li.l!n\vii;_' \vi r.is. \ i/. : 'Att.-rwl,ti-li tli-Si-iii-iK- l:iS:t!!- s:i-.|, tlnit \:\< in-ij..<:y. as .] i.-t --:. . : ti- Cl.un-ti WMiil.l iiiiM-S !..) ru 11. try t' his crii !i \\iti. .'it n.uk i: : i! I'l- i-lii.-f .:,:'< t.i M:il'ii>ii ill.' Ciiristi.-in r.-ii_-i'iu lliiTi'iii. iiinl tlrit its I-\:II!M.] nrisl i."V> \'>- j.'i:uit.-'l ; wln-'li \MI.S i:. S> I/ !>/. ' RancniU's L". Ht;ii<:s, vol. iii. -. ""'i M:i't;:i's Loui-iat;". VOL. 1. K 146 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. At length La Salle. having recovered his health, set out upon his upward voyage, and readied the Illinois country near the last of September. Father Zenobe was sent to France with dispatches for the king, and to represent the vast importance which would accrue to France by peopling the immense coun- try of Louisiana with Frenchmen ; to report the extraordinary beauty of the virgin plains and valleys, the lakes and rivers of the great West, as they came from the hands of the Creator, deemed by all not unlike the "garden of paradise." [A.I). 1(583.] Several months were spent by La Salle in organizing his trading-posts, in providing for their future op- erations, in selecting his agents, and visiting the principal tribes. This at length having been accomplished, he gave the chief control of the Illinois country to the Chevalier de Tonti, as commandant of " Fort St. Louis," and superintendent of the whole trade of Illinois and Louisiana, during his absence on a visit to Fort Frontenac, for the purpose of supplying his estab- lishments for the fall and winter trade. Father Zenobe was still in Paris ; and the enemies of La Salle, jealous of his enterprise and his growing fame, had sought to prejudice the minister against the importance of his dis- coveries. He had been represented as " an ambitious, plotting, restless character, full of schemes of self-aggrandizement." Similar representations were made by Le Ferre de la Barre, governor of Canada, in his official dispatches. Zenobe did not tail to expose the grounds of opposition to La Salle.' But the Sieur resolved in person to appear before the minister in Paris, and to develop fully his discoveries and his plans of col- onization to the king. Accordingly, late in the autumn of 1(58.3, he set sail from Quebec lor France, with vast schemes to be laid before the ministry tor the colonization of Louisiana. But his enemies were not idle in their ell'orts to frustrate his plans. Yet Father Zenobe and the Count de Frontenac, were in Paris, with all their influence in his favor ; and the minister. Scignelay, son of Colbert, was inclined to enter heartily into all his plans. La Salle arrived in Paris near the close of the year, and hastened to present his claims to the minister's attention. Af- ter great delays and obstacles, he at length met with a favora- * Poo Southern Quarterly Re-view of Charleston, S. ('., Xo. xiii., January 7th, 1-15, p. 9'J-'J~. A.U. 1684.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 147 hie reception at court. The ministers became convinced of the importance of his discoveries, and of the eneriry of his char- acter in extending their American possessions. Much atten- tion was therefore shown him nt court, and at length his plan of settling a colony at the mouth of St. Louis, or Mississippi River, was approved. [A.I). 1(184.] More than six months were spent in France in preparations for conducting a suitable colony for the occu- pancy of Louisiana ; and under the countenance of the crown, adventurers readily joined the contemplated enterprise. The government had resolved to supply the colonists with imple- ments and provisions, and to afford them safe transports free of expense, together with a detachment of troops for their pro- tection.* By the 24th of July, 1(584, La Salle. having collected togeth- er his colony of adventurers, set sail from the port of Rochelle in company with a large lleet of merchantmen. For the con- veyance of the colony to the banks of the Mississippi, the gov- ernment had furnished four vessels, under the command of M. 13eaujeii. a man of an imperious and stubborn disposition. The whole colony which embarked fur the (lulf of Mexico, under the superintendence oi I,;i Salle, for the occupancv ot Louisiana, consisted of two hundred and eighty persons, of nil ranks and ages. Among them were one hundred soldiers, un- der the command of M. Joutel : thirty volunteers, including the vomit: Cavalier, and the ra>h and passionate Moranget, neph- ews of La Salle : six ecclesiastics, including a brother of La. Salle: twentv families, includinir voun:_ r women, liberally sup- plied with provisions, implements ot husbandry, and monev ; and also a number ot mechanics ot various arts, who had em- barked their fortunes in the enterprise. Such \s;is the phvsical stri'ii^ln ot the colony which was to plant the standard of France and Christianity in the newly-dis- covered province of Louisiana: but the moral worth of the colony was stranirelv complicated. The mechanics were poor workmen, ill versed in their art; the soldiers, though under .lout el, a man of courage and truth, and afterward the historian ot' the enterprise, were themselves spiritless vagabonds, with- out discipline and without experience; the volunteers were restless, with indefinite expectations ; and. most ot all. Beaujeu, * Baiicr"fl'< ILst.nf ti.c I". Stiitos, \vl. liL ].. Hi-'. 148 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK It. the naval commander, was deficient in judgment, envious, self- willed, and foolishly proud.* Early in the voyage, a variance sprung up between the na- val commander and La Salle. This was only the beginning of continual differences between these two men; and in every instance on record the judgment of La Salle was right. After a long voyage, with tedious calms, the little ileet ar- rived in the West India Seas. Before they reached Ilispaniola, they were scattered by a storm, and Spanish privateers cap- tured one of their vessels. The fleet remained several weeks in the vicinity of Ilispaniola and Cuba, for the purpose of pro- curing further supplies for the colony, and for gaining informa- tion relative to the direction of the mouth of the St. Louis River. Its longitude was unknown to the mariners, and its direction from Ilispaniola was uncertain. While at Ilispaniola, La Salle was delayed and cruelly frustrated by ihe perverseness of Beaujeu, and many of the colonists sickened and died from exposure to the climate. But disappointment, grief, and intem- perance were strong predisposing causes, and La Salle already saw the shadow of his coming misfortunes. The ileet sailed at length from St. Domingo, on the 25th of November, for the Mississippi. On the 10th of January, the ileet must have been near the mouth of the Mississippi ; but La Salle thought not, and they sailed westward. Presently, perceiving his error, La Salle desired to return : but Beaujeu refused, and thus they sailed westward, and still to the west, till they reached the Bay oi Matagorda, which proved to be seven degrees, or more than lour hundred miles, west of the Mississippi. [A.D. lt's~>.] At length they came in sight of land, at the distance ol six leagues. The coast was unknown, and none could ascertain the longitude; the latitude was 2!) 10' north, bui whether east or west oi the Mississippi, none could tell. La Salle persisted that ihe river was far to the east of them. Soon after, they were overtaken by a storm, and one vessel, with a large supply ot provisions, implements of husbandry, and ammu- nition, was wrecked and lost. All were anxious and distress- ed ; but M. Beaujeu. the commander of the Ileet, had differed with La Salle on the voyage; both were imperious ;md un- yielding, and the breach h;i<| widened daily. The naval com- mander had conducted the colony to the shores of the Mexican " Bancroft, vol. iii., p. lij'j. See, also, Martin, vol. i.. p. 10! A.D. 1085.] VALI.KY OF Till: MISSISSiri'1. M9 Gulf, and refusing to be longer delayed after his duty had been performed, he resolved t<> return to France, and to leave La Salle to locate his colony, and to discover his irreat river. Im- patient and resentful, he caused the little colony to he landed at the first convenient harbor, and set sail for Kurope. leaving the wretched colony, of about two hundred and thirty souls, destitute and helpless, in an unknown and savaire wilderness. huddled together in a rude fort made of the fragments of their wrecked vessel. The bay near which they were left proved to be a portion of the present Bay of Matagorda, on the west side of the Colo- rado, and near eight hundred miles, by the indentations of the coast, west of the Mississippi. For weeks La Salle continued to search for the hidden riv- er, by coasting along the shore east and west, and bv expedi- tions by land for the same object. In the mean time, his col- ony remained encamped near the Matagorda Bay. About the middle of March, the Indians began to exhibit a hostile attitude, and to threaten the destruction of the colony. At length, late in April, he moved fifteen miles further up the river, where a rude fort was erected tor the protection of the people against Indian massacre, and here they opened a field and a garden for corn, beans, and vegetables. This settlement and fort were called "St. Louis," and comprised the first French settlement in Texas. Here La Salle planted the arms o) France, erected the cross, and formallv took possession of the country in the name of his kinir. This settlement of the country, thus formally occupied, made Texas a portion of Louisiana.' and irave to France a claim which had never been relinquished when Louisiana tell into the possession of the I nited States, nearly one hundred and twenty vears afterward. Having secured bis little CM], my from savage massacre, he beiran to extend his explorations in search of the Mississippi. Parties were dispatched toward the east and toward the west, in hopes of i_ r aininu r some intelligence ot the river. La Salle at length set out himself to seek the .Mississippi, in canoes, with an ample crew : but alter an absence ot lour months, and hav- ing explored the coast tor one hundred and titty leagues, he re- turned to his colony with the remnant ot his detachment, un- " Ihtrliy's Louisiana, p. 1C. 150 HISTOUY or Tin: [BOOK n. successful, himself in rags, and having lost thirteen men in the expedition.' Yet his presence was sufficient to inspire hope in the desponding colony, and lie continued indefatigable in his exertions to discover the river, which he still believed to be east of them. [A.D. 1(5N(>.] The colony had been on the Colorado more than a year, and La Salle determined to seek the Spanish set- tlements of Northern Mexico. For this purpose, "in April, 1(580, he plunged into the wilderness with twenty companions, lured by the brilliant fiction of the rich mines of St. Barbe, the El Dorado of Northern Mexico. Here, among the Cenis In- dians, he obtained five horses, and supplies of mai/.e and beans. lie found no mines, but a country unsurpassed for beauty of climate and exuberant fertility." "On his return, he heard of the wreck of the little barque which bad remained with the colony, and he heard it unmoved. Heaven and man seemed his enemies, and with the giant ener- gy of an indomitable will, having lost his hopes of fortune, his hopes of fame, with bis colony diminished to about forty souls, among whom discontent had given birth to plans of crime, with no European nearer than the Jliver Panuco, no French nearer than the Illinois, he resolve.! to travel on foot to his country- men at the North, and to return from Canada to renew his col- ony in Texas. f The colony began to suffer; the depredations and hostility of the Indians had prevented the advantages which the}' had hoped from their little crop, and they suffered for food. The summer was past, and the winter was not remote, and La Salle determined to make nn etlort to reach the Illinois country. From the Indians he bad learned that the Spanish settlements of Western Mexico were within four or five hundred miles on the west. This convinced him that he was certainly west of the Mississippi, yet he dared not make their situation known to the Mexican authorities, for France and Spain were now at war: his only alternative was to seek the Illinois country. Having made preparation to search for this remote region, he set out with a party of twenty men. some time in the month of October. He proceeded in a general northeast direction about four hundred miles, through unknown lands, and tribes speak- ing a strange language. Having proceeded thus far, he was * Mnrtin's I.nuisiana. veil. i.. ji. Knj-lln. f Bancroft's U. .~-t;it'_-s. vol. iii.. [p. 1 ~ -j A.I). 1087.] VALI.KY OF Tin: Mis.sissirrr. 151 taken sick, his provisions and ammunition heiran to fail, and he was compelled to retrace his steps to his tort on the ( 'ol'>rado. During the winter following, he was indefatigable in supply;ir_ r his colony with every requisite allorded bv the countrv. and in placing it in the best condition to make a good and plentiful crop the ensuing spring. But time passed oil' slo\\ ly. under gloomy apprehensions. [A.D. 10S7.] La Salle at length became impatient, vexed, harassed, and discouraged. Small incidents vexed him much : his men became impatient and censorious upon him as the au- thor ot' all their misfortunes : and he. in turn, became harsh and severe to his men. They had been compelled with him. in his unavailing searches, to encounter the marshes, the bayous, swollen creeks, and the inhospitable deserts of western Texas. They had been in this unknown region for more than two years : many of their number had died, having suii'cred much from the climate, and other privations incident to their condi- tion : others had been killed by the Indians, until the colonv was reduced to less than forty persons.' The remainder had become desperate in the hopelessness of their condition, when La Salle at last, in January, determined, as a last effort, again to seek rebel from the Illinois settle- ments, toward the northeast, or irom France herself, \\ith this determination, he set out early in .March upon the perilous journev, accompanied bv sixteen men. provided with wild hor- ses obtained from the Cenis Indians tor their hagga_ r e. clothed in skins, and in shoes made of Lrreen buflalo hide's. Thus equipped, the purty set out. through wide prairies and \\iids, folio v, ;i !L r the buli'alo paths for mads, enigidinir in the c"urat, r e of their leader, and hoping to win favor \\ith the savages. The remnant of the colony, including twenty men. \s.; to remain at Fort St. Louis, and auait their return. The\ h-id proceeded probabK three hundred mile's, and wvi> upon some of the western branches oi the Trinity, when thev encamped to recruit their exhausted frames and to procure' iranie for their suMe-nance MI the- progress of their journey. Dissatisfaction and jealousv amoii'_ r his companions finally ri- pened into mutinv. Tu men upon a hunting excursion mur- dered Aloramrct. the nephew ot' La Salle; and three days at- 1;Y3 HISTORY or -run [COOK n. ter, when La Salle. led by the hovering of the vultures, was in search of his missing nephew's murdered body, concealed in the grass, he fell without uttering a word, shot dead by Dehault, one of his men, who was skulking in the high grass. The 'ong-suppressed feelings of revenge and mutiny in one of the conspirators, Leotat the surgeon, gave vent in the expression, as La Salle i'ell, ' You are down now. grand bashaw ! you are down now !*' and they proceeded to despoil his body, which was left naked upon the prairie to be devoured by wild beasts. Thus perished the Chevalier la Salle, one of the most en- terprising, indefatigable, and persevering of all the early ex- plorers of the Continent of America. He was a man whom no misfortune could daunt and no terror could alarm, a martyr to the cause of truth and to the welfare of his country. Yet, to the sorrow of France, and the everlasting ignominy of the un- feeling and treacherous Beaujeu, he was compelled to die a murdered exile, after suffering in mental anxiety and in physi- cal toil more than a thousand deaths. The murderers themselves soon alter met their fate from the hands of their companions. Joutel, with the surviving nephew of La Salle, and others, in all but seven, obtained a guide for the Arkansas, and, proceeding in a northeastern direction, they came upon a French post, erected by l)e Tonti,* where a hut was tenanted by two Frenchmen, near the present post of Ar- kansas, sixty miles from the Mississippi. The weary pilgrims some time afterward reached the Illinois, there content to spend the remainder of their lives. But after a delay of limr months, they set out for Quebec, to report the disasters of the colony. On the ninkli of October, 1087, about seven months after the death of' La Salle, they arrived at Quebec. The remnant of the colony left at the Bay of St. Bernard either died of famine and disease, or were taken captive or de- stroyed by the Indians. They were never heard of afterward. " * This ]>;irly, accord in,' toother authorities, consisted of.Toutel, Cavalier, Li-other of La .Salle. Father Athanasius. rind seven 'thers. They made their way northward, and reached tin' country ofthi- Nassonites nr Nassonhms, hii-'h up Red Hiver. Further on they tnuud tin- Cenis or iVnesians, who I'urnished them with horses ami -uides to the Arkansas. Ainonir the (Ynis they were joined hy four Frenehnieii who had deserted the year hefore, and h-td escaped to tin- Indians. .Sou a full aeeoiint uiven in S- (odd art's Sketches of Louisiana, p. -'-.', ~:i. t Htoddnrt. following the authority of a manuscript of La Harpe, sn%s the n-iniiant it this colony was seized hy Sjiunisli i-rui>ers in 10-!', nnd hy them earned to Mexico. This is prubahly the truth. Sketches ,t Luuisiana, p. 24. A.D. 1089.] VALI.F.Y OK THE MISS1SSI I'l'I. 153 The (Chevalier De Tonti, having heard of La Salle's arrival in the West Indies, on his voyage for the mouth ot' the Missis- sippi, had descended by way of the Illinois with a detachment of men and supplies, to meet the colon v. Hut when he reached the mouth of the river, he found no trace of La Salic or his colony. After an anxious, lonir, and vain search tor his friend, lie returned to the Illinois, and thence to Fort Frontenac. [A.D. l(> s ',t.] In 108!), the Mexican authorities, ha vim: heard of the French colony on the Bay of St. Hernard. sent a detach- ment of troops, under Don Alon/o de Leon, to search for them ; but when they arrived at the site ot Fort ^t- Louis," no white man was found. Having heard that the French had retired to the country of the Assinais Indians, near Red River, Don Alonzo proceeded toward the Assinais towns, where he was courteously received by the natives, but the French were not to be found; and, after a delay of some days, enjoying the hos- pitality of the Indians, he set out on his return. liaviir_ r desig- nated this part of the country "Texas." r fric/u/x. Thirty years afterward, the Spaniards sent missionaries to this portion of the country, "where they at subsequent periods established military posts, or presir/ios. around winch u r rew up the lirst Spanish settlements in Texas.' Thus ended the first attempt of the French to settle the re- gions of the Lower Mississippi. The same fortune attended all the first European settlements in .North America, until they beiran to be sufficiently numerous and powerful to withstand the natives and the climate. From the death of La Salle the whole region on both sides ot' the .Mi>s!>sipp". from it- source to its mouth, and tor an indefinite extent east and \\e-t. was known as Louisiana, and the river it sell as tin- St. Loins River : both in honor ot' Louis XIV.. kiiiLT ot France. The further prosecution sin_ r and bloody \\ar kept up against the province of < 'anada from K;S;) to Ic.iMi, bythe Iroijiiois Indians and the British coloniesf of .New Fn^land and \e\\ York. But the occupation <,[ the Illinois never was discont niied from the time La Saile returned troni Frontcnac. in Itisj. Joute! t'ound a tram-on at Fort St. LOUIS, on the Illinois-, in H>S7. and in l(>s<) La llontan bears testimony, that it >iiil con- Martin's l.uui*i;iii!i, v,.;. \..\>. l-Jo. 1-7. t I,i.'i:i j,. I 1 -":- : '-. 154 HISTORY OF THE [flOOK II. tinned. In 1790 a public document proves its existence; and it was (he wish of Louis XIV. to preserve it in :i good con- dition ; and when Tonti. in 1700, again descended the Missis- sippi, he was attended by twenty Canadians, residents on the Illinois.* From the time of La Salle's departure from France, in KJH1, with his colony, for the Mississippi, the jealonsv of England had been awakened against the extension of the French do- minion in North America ; to arrest which, the usual intrigue of the English cabinet, was put in operation. About that time, the English began to excite the Iroquois tribes of Indians to hostilities against the French settlements on the St. Lawrence. In 1(>S7, the cabinet of St. James was using every exertion, by court intrigue and diplomatic negoti- ation, to lull the French court and the province of Canada into a fatal securitv. It. affected an anxious desire to conclude a treat v of neutral friendship and peace between their respect- ive colonies, while the Governor of New York was secretlv and treacherously intriguing with the Iroquois tribes, and en- deavoring to excite their jealousy and hostility against the French on the St. Lawrence, lie endeavored to induce them to make sudden and unexpected attacks and incursions against their defenseless settlements, and promised, in that case, not to desert his red allies in any event. .\c\v France was a feeble colony in the midst ot hostile sav- ages. The actual French settlements, as yet. had not extend- ed upon the lakes. " West of Montreal, the principal French posts, and those but inconsiderable ones, were at Frontenac, at Mackinaw, and on ihe Illinois. At Niagara there was a waver- ing purpose of maintaining a post, but no permanent occupation. So weak were the garrisons, that the English traders, with an escort of Indian-, had ventured even to Mackinaw, and. bv means o) the Seneeas. obtained a. large share of the commerce of the lakes. In selt-detcnce, French diplomacy had attempted to pervade the \\ est, and concert an alliance with all the tribes Irom Lake < 'ntario to the Mississippi. The traders were sum- moned even Irom the plains of the Sioux: and Tonti and the Illinois were, bv way of ihe Ohio and the Alleghany, to pre- cipitate themselves on the Seneeas, while the French should come Irom Montreal, and the Ottawiis and other Algonquins, ' ]?an. A.D. 1GS9.] VALLEY OF THE MI3SISSIITI. 155 under Ducantaye, the vigilant commander at Mackinaw, sin mid descend from Michigan. But the power of the Illinois was broken; the llurons and Ottawas were almost ready to be- come the allies of the Senecas. Tlie savages still held the keys of the great West: intercourse existed hut hy means of the forest rangers. who penetrated tin- harren heaths around Hudson's Bay. the morasses of the northwest, and the homes ot the Sioux and Miamis the recesses of every forest where there was an Indian with skins to sell. 'Clod alone could have saved Canada this year,' wrote Deiionville in HJss. Hut for the missions at the West, Illinois would have heen abandoned, the fort at Mackinaw lost, and a general rising of the natives would have completed the ruin of Xew France.""' Such was the danger of the French settlements of Canada from the hos- tilities of the Indian tribes. The following year the English began to make open demon- stration of hostilities in Hudson's Bay and Acadie. while the Indians of the Five Nations beiran to be very troublesome in their attacks on the French settlements and the trade of the St. Lawrence. The whole population of all Canada was only ll.'Jl!) souls. f exposed to Indian hostilitv and Fir_rlish intrigue. On tin' 7th of June, the following year, the Count de Fn>n- tenac \viis appointed governor-general ot \ew France. l)itli- culties were increasing between the two courts, and warlike preparations were progressing in the province of \ew France. Durinir this time the Iroquois, <>r Five Xations. instigated by their Fnirlish neighbors ot .New ^ ork. had been preparing a secret expedition airainst the upper settlements ot the Si. Law- rence. < >M the 'Jf>th of AiiL r u^'.. thcv made a sudden, un- expected, and terrible irruption, \\iih litteen hundred \varriors, into the Island of Mont r--a I. The whole island was ravaged with lire and swoi-d : all the settlements were destroyed : the town and fort ot Montreal were taken: all the victims who fell into tin- hands of the Indians were butchered with unheard- of cruelties. Alter spreading blood, horror, and consternation in everv 150 HISTORY OF THE [nOOK II. New France was waged \vitli vigor and perseverance, both by England and the Iroquois tribes, until the year lt>9(>, when the treaty of Ryswiek put a close to hostilities. While the English ileets and troops had ravaged all the province on the sea-hoard, and up the St. Lawrence as tar as Quebec and Montreal, the Iroquois allies had repeatedly ravaged the up- per settlements, yet at the close of this war the population of Canada had increased to 13,000 souls.* [A.D. 1()9().] After many vacillations relative to their course of policy with the French, the Western tribes became settled in their determination. The prudence of the memorable La Motte Cadillac, who had been appointed governor at Macki- naw, confirmed the friendship of the neighboring tribes, and a party of Ottawas, Potawatamies, and Chippewas surprised and routed a band of Iroquois. returning with piles of beaver and scalps as trophies. Soon afterward, Frontenac. then seventy-four years old, con- ducted an invasion against the Onondagas and Oneidas. lie ravaged their country, destroyed the corn, burned their vil- lages, and caused the enemies of the French to seek safety in flight. In August he encamped near the Salt Springs, upon the site of Salina. Frontenac refused to push his victorious arms against the Cayugas ; lie declined to risk more, as if un- certain of the result. " Jt was time for him to repose," and the army returned to Montreal. He had humbled, but not sub- dued, the Five Xations. and left them to sutler from a famine. Thev were left to recover their lands and their spirit, having pushed hostilities so lar that no negotiation for peace was hke- Iv to succeed. f [A. IK 1<;'.)7.] So soon as this war was fairly terminated, France proceeded to occupy and settle the Valley of the Mis- sissippi, pushint: her colonies into it from the Xorth and South at the same time. In the .North they entered from Cana.da and the lakes, by way of the Illinois and Wabash Rivers; at the Smith they advanced from Mobile Hay and River, and through the passes of the Mississippi at the Hah/e. * Martin's LuuibKiii-i. vol. i., [>. l.'iT. f BaiirrofYs U. States, vol. iii., p. 191. A.D. 1090.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 157 CHAPTER III. ADVANCE OF THE FRENCH .SETTLEMENTS FRoM CANADA CI'oN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO RIVERS, 'I'O Till: CLoSE ()F THE FRENCH \VAR. A.D. 1 OSM5 To 1 70 1. Argument. Settlements near tin- Missions, ami La Halle's Tradim.' p< >sts mi tin' I!li nuis. At Peoria. Kaskaskia. Missionaries visit the Lower M ississippi.- -] letroit settled in 1701. by La Mottc Cadillac. Peace with ihe Iro.mois run! Western Tribes. KiiL'lisli Jealuusy. Hostile Foxes humble. 1 in 1 71 :>. Settlements on the Upper Mississippi t'roin 171- to 17'JO. Aeee'.ssion of KmL-rants I'roni Canada ami Lou- isiana. Renault and two hundred Miners arrive. Trade between the Illinois and Mobile. At:rieulture in the Illinois and \Yabush Countries. Ohio Kiver un.'Xplor- cd. Fort Chartres built in 17-'l. Villages in its Vicinity. Jesuits' College at Kaskaskia. Advance of the French South of the Niagara Hiver. On Ontario ami Chaniplain. Fort Niagara built in l?-ti. Crown Point in 17-J7. Ticonderoja in 173!. Tusearawas join the Five Nations. Post St. Vincent's erected in 17:i.V Presque Isle in 1740. Agriculture of the W abash in 17415. Kiwlish Joalnusy. Villa- ges of the Illinois Country in 17.1 1 . Population of K ask ask i a. !-'rench advance to the Head \\'aters of the Allcdiany liiv, r in 1753. Forts Le Heuf. Vcnanu'ii, S.andnsky. Ohio Company of Virginia. ( list visits the Ohio Ho- ion as Au'ent of the Conipany in 17."i:!. Kn.'lisli Colonies remonstrate against the Advance of the Frencli.-- Major \Vashin-tun Commissioner to Le Heiif. His Mission unsuccessful. ( iovernor Din- widdie rouses the People of Virginia tnon-a!;.-l.i ('apt ur.-s a 1 Jetachment un !,: M . .1 uni- mville, wl.o is killed. Colon, -1 \Va.-hin--ton surrenders "Fort Necessity" to the French. and rcti'es to I-'ort Cumberland.- -French Forbearance aiid Moderation . - Airival of (i,'uer:il Uraddock at Alexantlria. -Preparations for the Capture of Fort 1 >U'|'iesne. - General Braddock march. -s from T'ort Cumberland for the Ohio. -Falls into an An: buscad.- <,n the M.iuoiji.-ulu'la, and utterly .h-teated. French at I)u.|Ue.Mi,. ui.dis turhed t'.r t\\o Years, llem-ral l-'orbcs. in 17.' -. ad\ anccs (> the Ohio. Occupies Fort Du.jiicsn.'. -All Canada falls uinl.T the l!n;i-h Arms. -France n linquishrs N..W France and Louisiana, by the Treaties of i7-;-J and \".< .'. to Spain and (ireat Uritain. [A.D. llJ!Mi-17lM).] ' Tin: tnulhi'j-]">sts f>t;il.li>lu'tl l.y La Sullr. :iiid tin' missions south ;m^. had nrcnaivd the \va\' t^r iui'ther mtnvoui'st 1 and trade h\ h's siii 1 - cessors. The Lflowin-,' dr-eriptions of ihe country I/IM-II h\ him aud his pi'i'ilt'ccSM'i's had ln't-n such, thai the imair natioii-- of adventurers \\ere tilled with the ideas til a terrestrial para- dise iu the delightful regions of the Illinois and the .M. ss: 158 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. pi. The climate, too, was said to be comparatively mild, and the forests to abound in the choicest products of fruits, which yielded a spontaneous supply. Such descriptions served as strong temptations to the inhabitant of the cold and compara- tively sterile shores of the St. Lawrence and the lakes. Ad- venturers continued to advance from the older settlements of Quebec and Montreal to the more fertile and temperate region in the Far West. Their route was through the lakes first trav- ersed by Marquette in 1073, and by La Salle in 1679, and through the Straits of Mackinaw to the mouth of the St. Jo- seph's River of Michigan, and to Chicago Creek of Illinois. From these points they passed over the dividing ridge to the head branches of the Illinois, the Des Pleins on the west, and the Kankakee on the east. There were still living many who had traversed these routes with La Salle in the various journeys which he made in this region ; others had volunteered to accompany the Chevalier de Tonti in his fruitless search for the unfortunate La Salle and his colony, which had been lost in Texas. Some of these still lingered in the Illinois coun- try in the capacity of settlers, traders, or voya incurs. The. route had become familiar, and civili/ed communities had been form- ed at several points upon the Illinois and Mississippi. Before the close of the seventeenth century, " Old Kaskaskia" had been founded in the " terrestrial paradise," and many desired to leave Canada to enter its delightful abodes. Missionary stations had grown into regular parishes. They had been formed on the Illinois as hi ( _ r h as IVoria Lake, and Fathers dravier and Ma- rest had long had the care of their little ilork ; and up to the year 1705, they had a colony of converted Indians near Lake 1'eoria. who shared their apostolic care. Xor were other points west and south of the Illinois country neglected. Kas- kaskia had already become a populous and happv village, and other settlements and towns were rapidlv rising into note. Missionaries, at this early day. had penetrated west of the Mis- sissippi, and south as fur as the mouth of lied River. Fathers Montigny and D;:vion had visited the Va/.oo and Tansas In- dians, and had established a missionary station near the prom- ontory ot Fort Adam<, whirh for many years afterward was known as La Roche a Davion." St. Come had likewise es- tablished a mission among the \atchex Indians.' * Martin's Lu-iisi:tria, vol. i., p. 1 18-l-"<2. A.D. 1700.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 1 f)9 Such had been the inveterate hostility of the Five -\ations until this time, that the whole region south of the hikes, from Fort Frontenac to Green Bay, \vas a savaut: wilderness, traversed only by a few hardy traders and missionaries. Xot a French village or settlement existed south of the L r reat lakes, from the St. Lawrence to the Illinois country on the west. Yet many of the Western tribes were kind and hospitable to the French em- igrants, and mutual confidence prevailed. Amity was con- firmed by treaties formally made with the principal tribes. In the summer of the year 1700, the ( Htawus and lliinms from Mackinaw assembled at Montreal; and the four upper nations of the Iroquois " sent deputies to Montreal to weep for the French who had fallen in the war.''* After a rapid negotia- tion, peace was ratified between the Iroquois on one side, and France and her Western allies on the other. " A written treaty was made, to which each nation placed for itself a symbol : the Senecas and Onondagas drew a spider; the Cayugas, a calumet; the Oneidas, a ibrked stick; and the Mohawks, a bear/' It was declared, also, " that war should cease between the French allies and the Sioux; that peace should reach be- yond the Mississippi. "f Thus did France open the way for the peaceful extension of her settlements into the western parts ol Upper Canada. " In the summer of 1701. in the month of June. I )e la M>!te Ca- dillac, with a Jesuit missionary and one hundred mer. took possession of the site ol Detroit, and tormed a settlement'' on the beautiful river of the lakes. "The country on the l>ctn>it River and Lake St. Clair was deemed the loveliest in ("ana- da." France now claimed all the country south ol the lakes, and upon all the streams occupied by the tribes in alliance with her, and comprisinir all the territory drained by the lakes and the St. Lawrence: ami this extensive region \\as called ( 'anada. or .New France. The jealousy and hi'_ r "t i'y n| England never slept. \ceHort was omit led which mitrlit stir up hostilities between the " I 1 i\ e Nations" and the French of Canada. \ew \ rk claimed all the territorv south "I Lake Ontario; and the provincial <_ r "v- ernment looked with jealous -.uspicn >n upi-n all friendly inter- course hetueen the Indian-; and the French traders or mission- aries. In the autumn * BuiicTutVs Hist, ol' U. SrtaU' 160 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK II. Montreal with four of the Iroquois nations, in the belief that "the influence of the Jesuits gave to France its only power over the Five .Nations, the Legislature of New York made a law for hanging every popish priest that should come volun- tarily into the province."* This might he said to he the first act of legislative intolerance in New York. [A.]). 1705.] The elder Marquis de Vaudreuil was now governor of Canada, and had lost no opportunity for securing the friendship of the Five Nations of New York. The lour Western nations south of Lake Ontario still adhered to the French interests. The Mohawks and some Eastern towns alone were under British influence. [A.]). 171^.] Mutual friendship and confidence continued between the French and all the Western tribes ; and emigrants from the St. Lawrence continued to advance, by way of the lakes, to Detroit, and to the Illinois country. Towns had grown up near the missionary stations and trading-posts : "Old Kaskaskia" had become the capital of the Illinois country. As early as the year 17P-2, land-titles were issued for a "common field" at Kaskaskia ; and deeds and titles came in use to des- ignate the acquisitions of private enterprise. The traders had alreadv opened a commerce in skins and furs with the remote port of Isle Dauphin, in Mobile Bay. Intercourse was opened between Quebec of the \orth and the infant, colony of Louisi- ana m the South; the latter being a dependence of Canada, or New I 1 ' ranee. [A. I). 1713.] England, in 1711, had declared war against France, and vainly endeavored to restrict her pretensions south of the St. Lawrence and the Eastern lakes. Along the Atlantic coast war had been waged, with alternate success, between the colonies of' New England and of .\ew France; and each were aided by their savage allies respectively. But in the West, Fran'-e had triumphed over Indian hostility, until English ;md Mohawk emissaries had penetrated to the Far \Vest.to excite the restless Algonquin* t'> war against, them. With none of these \\ as peace more imeer|;mi than with 1 Foxes. " a nation passionate and untamable. : Lte from ever\ defeat, and although reduced their warriors, vet present everv where, 1 enterprise and savage daring." It was not i 1 IJll!.' !\'lt .- i . tjtuU'S, Vol. iii.. i'. i ' i -\.IJ. 1719.] VALI,KV 01' TIIK MlSSISSll'1'1. Ifl] th;it. they were finallv subdued. Resi >Ivin'_ r to burn Itetrojt. they h;id pitched their lodgings near tin- fort, which .M. l>ubu- isson, \vith but twenty Frenchmen, defended. A wan- of their intention, he summoned his Indian allies from the chase; ;,nd about the middle oi May. Ottawus and Huron-, I'ota watamies and one brunch of the Sacks. Illinois. .Meiiomonies. :md cvm Usages and Missouri*, each nation with its o\\ n fiiir_r the ci uifederates as slaves, to be saved or massacred at the will of their masters."' [A.D. 171!).] Population was extending from .Mobile upon the Mississippi: and soon after, M.('ro/af received the mo- nopoly of' trade in .Louisiana: his trading-posts wen 1 estab- lished in the Illinois country, and trade bc^an to assume the regular channels of commerce. I nder the \\ estern ( 'onipanv. soon afterward, Philippe Francis Kenault, director-general of the mines of Louisiana." \\ith t \\ o hundred mmei's and ai'ti- ficer-. ai'rived in the Illinois country. Thi-; ari'ival ^ave a n'real accession to the French population, and introduced maiiv useful mechanics into the settli'iuents. Illinois \\as ileemcd b\- 1 be company to be a region o| mines immensely valuab It 1 , which \\ere to enrich the capitalists o| l^urope. l-'ortunatelv, tbc hopes ot the compan\' conrei'miiLr ihc valu- able product^ oi the mme< \\crc doomed to disappointment, and the public maid \\as direc-ied more intensely to agriculture. a nd 'j-o|d : but they \\ ere re^er\ ed |or a race of men \\ bo were to live a ceiitun after ihc dissolution o| tin- company, \\hcii monopolies -hoi ild cease. The richest mines of the count r\ , a i this early period, were found in the prolific and mexhau-f ihie soil, \\hich \\as free to the industry of all clas^e-.-. I'li-.s an overriiliiiLT l'ro\ idenee -haped the destiny of the c.M,n1r\. \\hich \sas to become ihc granary for nations. VOL. 1. L 162 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. [A.D. 1120.'] By the year 1720, a lucrative trade had sprung up between the Illinois country and the province of Lower Louisiana. Not only the furs and peltries of the North- ern tribes, but the grain, Hour, and other agricultural products of the Upper Mississippi, were transported down the river to Mobile, and thence to the West Indies and to Europe ; and in return, the luxuries and refinements of European capitals were carried to the banks of the Illinois and Kaskaskia Rivers.* Agriculture had been early introduced around the missiona- ry stations upon the Illinois and at " Old Kaskaskia," and many of the grains of Europe had been naturalized to the climate. Wheat had been found to succeed well as a staple product. The maize, or Indian corn, was in its native soil. The culina- ry vegetables of the Old World, as well as of the New, yielded a most abundant product. The forest produced the native vine in great profusion, besides many luxuries unknown to Europe. The soil was productive beyond all belief, and a moderate toil supplied every comfort, and richly rewarded the c.are of the husbandman. Compared with New France, the climate was mild in summer, and the rigors of a Canadian winter unknown. In such a region, should we wonder if, in their peaceful and contented villages, with all the charities of Christianity to soften the ills of life, they should have deem- ed this region a "terrestrial paradise ?" Nor had the early French confined their discoveries and settlements to the Illinois country. As early as the year 1705, traders and hunters had penetrated the fertile regions of the Wabash ; and from this region, at this early date, fifteen thou- sand hides and skins had been collected, and sent to Mobile lor the European market. In the year 1710, the French pop- ulation on the Wabash had become sufficiently numerous to ci institute an important settlement, which kept up a lucrative trade with Mobile by means of traders and vovageurs.f Nor was the route from Lake Erie unknown. For manv years this r year, arrangements were made for the construction ot a strong for- tre-'s in the Illinois country, to serve as the headquarters o} Upper Louisiana. The site had been selected, and Fort ('dar- tres was beinin, mi the east side ot' the Mississippi, about sixty- live miles below the mouth of the Missouri. It was designed bv the ministers to he one of the strongest, fortresses oi; the continent, and its walls were built of strong and solid mason- ry. At the end of' eighteen months, and after great labor and expense. Fort Chartivs wa> completed. Its massy nuns, one hundred vears afterward, were overgrown with vines and tor est-trees. almost impenetrable to the traveler. 1(31 HISTORY OF THE [l5OOK II. [A.D. 17C5.] Soon utter the construction of Fort Cliartres, the villages of Cahokia, Prairie du Roeher, and some others, sprung into note in its vicinity. All the settlements from the Illinois to the Kaskaskia continued to extend and multiply. In the year 17'Jl, the Jesuits had established a monastery and a college in the village of Kaskaskia. Four years afterward, the village of Kaskaskia became a chartered town ; and a grant of Louis XV. guarantied the 'commons" as the pasture- grounds for the stock of the town. Emigrants, under the fa- vor and protection of the crown, continued to settle the fertile region of the "American Bottom." and Fort Cliartres became, not only the headquarters of the commandant in Upper Lou- isiana, but the center of life and fashion in the West. It was for many years the most celebrated ibrtress in all the \ alley of the Mississippi. Although the French had made but little advance upon the upper tributaries of the Ohio, yet they had obtained a font ing in the Iroquois country, south of Lake Ontario, and east ol Xi- agara River, early in the eighteenth century. Missionaries and traders had penetrated into the interior as far as the sources of the Alleghany River. Joncaire, a French trader and agent, had been many years in the country south ol the west end of Ontario; and in the year 17'21 he had been adopted as a Sene- ca, and built his house on the site of Lewistown, where La Salle had erected his rude palisade forty years before. He had acquired the confidence <>t the Senecas. and exerted great influence over them.' In 17;J(> Fort Xiagara wa.s built, near the mouth ot .Niagara, [liver, and the French tlag waved over its walls, the key to Lake Erie. Although the English had not crossed the mountains, they had early disputed with France her claim to the territory west of Lake Champlain and south of the St. Lawrence. In the treats' of Ryswic.k. in 1(>!)7, England had i'ailed to obtain from France a relinqmshment ol her dominion over the terntorv lying south ot tin- St. Laurence River and Lake Ontario. Ten years afterward, the French and English provinces were engaged in a sanguinary war. which was terminated hv the treatv of Utrecht in 17J.'!. This treaty had lett the southern limit ol Canada unchanged, and 1 he froquois conlederaev more iirm in their adherence to the French interests. French trad- ' ISumTi'iVs I . States, vol. iii.. [> 3i: A.D. 173">.J VALLEY OF T1IK MISSISSI TIM. If'),") ers and Jesuit missionaries had free intercourse amoni: manv ol the Western bands and tribes, as well as amoni: those upon the head waters of the Alleghany River; and while the Fic_r- lish agent. JJurnet. had built a trading-post at Os\vei:o. near the eastern end of Lake Ontario, in 17'J'J, ' the French were extending trading-posts and missions aloni: the shores of Lake Champlain. and as far south as Lake Cleorire. in the eastern part ot the province of New York, as well as upon many of the southern tributaries of Lakes Frie and Ontario. As early as the year 17^1, settlements had been extended as far as Crown Point, on the west side of Champlain : and this point was strongly fortified in 17:27. f Four years after, in 1731. Ticonderoga, on the west side of the lake, was a strong French fortress ; and the Mohawks looked upon the French as their allies and protectors. The feeling of the Five Nations toward the English had been more or less alienated, since the treaty of I trecht. bv the ad- dition of another nation to the confederacy. This was the hostile part of the Tuscaroras, from the western part ot' North Carolina. The Tuscaroras were once a formidable tribe : but having been embroiled in hostilities with the FiiLrlish of Caro- lina, and having their power weakened and their tribe divided b\ British intrigue, the hostile party lett their country, to join their kindred in the western part ot Ne\v ^ ork. They arrived there late in the summer of 17 13 : and having been welcomed bv the confederates, they settled in the vicinity of ( )neida Lake, and were adopted into the confederacy as the su'l/i nutiun. Harassed as they had been by the Fni_ r lish of Carolina, thev were not likely to form any alliance with them m New ^ ork.^ From this time the confederacy was known as the "Six Na- tions." [A.M. 173.").] The settlements upon the Illinois and W abash [livers continued to increase, and were successively protected bv militarv posts. In the vear 173f> the post ot \ incomes was erected, and in later times was called Post St. \ ineent. For manv Years it. was an important military station. It was SI T - uated on the bank of the \\'a bash, one hundred and litty miles above its mouth, and was designed to command the I tlements. The upper settlements at this time were H)G HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK n. distributed upon the river and its tributaries, nearly three hun- dred miles above Yiucennes. [A.I). 1710.] The year 1710 found the French settlements extending south from Lake Erie, upon its southern tributaries, and upon the sources of the Ohio. Forts and military posts be- iran to appear along the northern bank of the Ohio, and gener- ally near the junction of its principal tributaries. Presque Isle, upon the present site of Erie, in Pennsylvania, became a mili- tary post almost coeval \vith that of St. Vincent on the Wa- bash. From Presque Isle a chain of posts extended down the Alleghany to the junction of the Monongahela, and thence to the mouth of the Wabash. [A.D. 1746.] In the year 1740. agriculture on the Wabash was still nourishing, and the same year six hundred barrels of flour were manufactured and shipped to the city of New Or- leans, besides large quantities of hides, peltry, tallow, and bees' wax.* The Upper Wabash, almost to its source, had be- come the seat of a large settlement of quiet, industrious people, who were mainly devoted to agriculture, but enjoying also the bounty of nature, found profusely in the forests, as well as in the beautiful lakes and rivers. The climate here, like that on the Illinois, was more congenial than w r as to be found in the regions of Canada. The settlements in the Illinois country continued to increase. Those on the Illinois alone, in the year 1730, embraced one hundred and forty French families, besides about six hundred converted Indians,! many traders, voyageurs, and coiirriers du hois. The Jesuit college at Kaskaskia continued to flourish, until the irruption of hostilities with Great Britain. [A.D. 1715).] It was not until the year 1749 that the French authorities regularly explored the Ohio River, to ascertain its distance and relative position to the Atlantic colonies of Great Britain. They now explored the country east of the Ohio, nnd upon its tributaries eastward to their sources in the Alleghany Mountains. Alliances of friendship and trade were formed with the various tribes and towns west, of the mountains. J and within the western portions of the provinces of New York. Pennsylvania, and \ irginia, as claimed under their royal char- ters. Iti. t North American llevirw A.I). 1751.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 1 (J7 [A. I). 1750.] The ever-watchful eye of England lia cross the Alleghany Mountains, and to contend for the fertile and bound- less valleys of the West. The settlements of the English prov- inces were as yet restricted to a narrow and comparatively unproductive strip of territory cast of those mountains, and England pretended to claim westward to the 1'acilic Ocean. She sought every occasion to enlist the savaires in her interest, and to incite them to hostilities against the French. She took steps to rouse her colonies into a provincial war in the West, in hope of curtailing the growing power of France in the Valley of the Mississippi. To stimulate personal interest and individ- ual enterprise, a large grant had already been made to the "Ohio Company/' to be located on the waters of the Ohio Riv- er, to the extent of six hundred thousand acres of choice lands. The French did not recede from their possessions, but ad- vanced upon the "River of the Iroquois." which to their de- lighted eyes became the " Belle Riviere" of the West. The Iroquois confederacy had now become red >nciled to the French, and many were willing to join them in resisting the claims and encroachments of the English provinces west, ot the mountains. [A.D. 1751.] Up to this time, the "Illinois country." east of the Upper Mississippi, contained six distinct settlements. with their respective villages. These were, 1. ( 'ahokia, near the mouth of Cahokia Creek, and nearly live miles below the present site of St. .Louis; VJ. St. I'hilip, iorty-five miles below the last, and four miles above Fort Chartres, on the east side of the .Mississippi : .'}. Fort Chartres. on the east bank ot' the Mississippi, twelve milesaiiove Kaskaskia : 1. Kaskaskia. sit- uated upon the Kaskaskia River, five miles above its mouth. upon a peninsula, and within two miles ot the Mississippi Riv- er : f>. IVairie du Rocher. near Fort Chartres; C>. St. (iene- vieve, on the west side ot' the .Mississippi, and about one mile from its bank, upon (Jabarre ('reek. These are among the oldest towns in what was !oir_ r known as the Illinois country. Kaskaskia in its best days, under the French regime. wa> quite a. larire town. containni'_ r two or three thousand inhabitant.-. But after it passed from the crown of France, its population for manv vears did not exceed fifteen hundred souls. I nder lln 1 168 HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK n. British dominion the population decreased to four hundred and sixty souls, in 177.'5. [A.]). 17 ;">.'{.] The French court was well aware of the im- portance of the great Western valley. It was now known that if there were no rich mines of gold and silver north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi, there was a more inexhaustible mine in the fertility of the soil and the mildness of the climate. A spirit of agricultural industry had been infused into the Western settlements ; in a few years more, Upper Louisiana, which em- braced the Ohio region, might become the store-house for France and Western Europe. These advantages were not to be lost without an effort. Nor was the court of Versailles un- apprised of the determination of England to secure to herself these valuable resources. Jealous of every movement of the French toward the " Belle Riviere," the British government protested against the occupation of the territories south of the lakes, which they claimed as a part of their Atlantic provinces. The French had explored a portion of the country more than half a century before, and their colonies on the Illinois and Mis- sissippi were more than fifty years old, while the English had not a single settlement west of the mountains. France was re- solved to establish her claim by actual possession and military occupation. The Marquis of Duquesne, governor of Canada, determined to secure the beautiful reurion on the head writers of the Alleghany River, and south of Lake Erie. Presque Isle was strongly fortified : a fort was erected at Lake Lc Beitf. fifteen miles from Presque Isle; another, superintended bv Le- gardeur St. Pierre, a knight of St. Louis, was built at the mouth of French Creek, known as Fort Venango. -: Others were in a state ot progression on the Sandusky River, and at suitable points on the ( 'bio. The Governor of Aew France determined iii >t only t< > hold mih'ta ry possession of the countrv. but likewise to restrict the English settlements to the eastern side of the mountains. The ministers of the British crown had watched with jealous apprehension the advances of the French from Canada to the Ohio liiver. Border wars and disturbances beiran to spring up between tin.- subjects of the respective powers. England, desirous of enlisting individual interest and enterprise in set- tling the Ohio countrv, had made a liberal offer ot' lands west O Martin's L'uu.-uuia, vol. i., p. 3ilx\ A.D. 1753.] VAi.i.r.v OF THE .MISSISSIPPI. !(;!) o!' the mountains. The " Ohio Company." formed of wealthv gentlemen chielly from Virginia, prepared to locate their LTant. ot six hundred thousand acres in select tracts <>n the waters of the Monongahela, and in the vicinitv < >f the ( Miio it sell', includ- ing a ]>ortion of the region already occupied hy the French.' At this time in > Fnglish settlement existed west of the Alle-diany Mountains, although traders and emissaries from Virginia had occasionally traversed the countrv.t The French now held actual possession ,,{' ;\\\ the northern and western portions of .\ew ^ ork. alotiu r the southern shores ot the St. Lawrence, ot' Lakes ( hitario and Krie, hesides all the eastern and western shores ot Lake ( 'hamplain. and northward to the St. Lawrence 1 . The former allies of the English \\ere still in the French interest, from the -Niagara to the Wabash. The English colonies were restricted to the (Jreen .Mountains in the north and to the Alleghany ranges in the south, as their western boundaries. Crown Point and Tieonderoga. on Lake Champlain, were, then strong French posts. In \ iru'inia hut lew settlements had extended west of the Blue Kid ire. Tin- site of the old town ot Winchester was then a dense to rest, al- though \irginia claimed jurisdiction westward to the Missis- sippi. The remote frontier post oi "Fort ( umberiand." in Maryland, had not l.ieen erected, and the route hy Will's Creek was scarcely known. All beyond and to the west, was a sav age wilderness, except the French settlements on the north side of the ( )hio. Although the British provinces claimed westward to the Mississippi, the whole region \\e-t of the Blue Kid ire was un- known to them except hy rumor, and the statements ot a tew traders or cmissa nes, who, at remote intervals, had visited t he West. Occasionally adventurers trom Pennsylvania and New York had penetrated to the .Miami Indians tor the purpose <>f trade, or from a native propen>it\ tor solitary rambles. The ' ( Hiio ( '; mipan \ '." \\lnch had been lornied as earlv as 174N, no\v d is pale hed ( 'hnslopher ( list, a trontier settler, as an ai_ r ent. to explore the country, and to report the result ot his explorations and discoveries. .\s a pretext lor this arduous and dangerous enterprise, he was ^ent in the capacit\ ot a. trader, \\hose ostensible object uas to carr\ on ;i iriendU trat- 17(1 HISToUY OF THE [BOOK II. tick 'with tlio Indians, but in fact to gam over their good-will to the English, by presents of guns, ammunition, a. ml trinkets, whereby a neutrality, if not. an alliance, might be secured in case of any collision between the English and French colonies. But the principal object of Air. (list's visit was to spv out the movements and plans of the French, and the state of feeling among the tribes. For this purpose, he penetrated by land to the Ohio River, and thence down that, stream as far as the mouth of the Great Miami.* Thence he explored the country near the Miami as far north as the towns of the Twightwees, or Miami Indians, whose hunting-grounds were then upon Loramie's Creek, about fifty miles north of Dayton, in the State of Ohio. After a short sojourn among these western Indians, (list re- turned to Virginia, having accomplished but little, and having acquired but little satisfactory information relative to the prin- cipal object of his mission, and yet not without serious alarm for his personal safety.-)- He represented the French to be in great force on the southern shore of Lake Erie, at several points from Sandusky River to Presque Isle ; also upon French Creek, a tributary of the Alleghany River. Notwithstanding this intelligence, the company established a small trading-post the following year upon Loramie's Creek. This, however, was soon afterward broken up by the French. For several years the provinces of Virginia, Pennsvlvania, and .\ew York bad been much agitated by the advance of the French south of Lake Erie, and from an apprehension of hos- tilities by the Indian tribes within the territorv claimed bv those provinces respectively. In this state of things, the Brit- ish minister, apprehensive ot a rupture in this quarter, had in- structed the royal governor ot \ irginia to build two torts near the Ohio River, for the double purpose of keeping the French in check. and o| securing the friendship of the Indians bv driv- ing oil' lau le>s intruders. At the same time, thirty pieces of light artillery and eighty barrels of powder were shipped from England for the use of these forts when constructed. J But in this England was too late: the Governor of Canada had al- readv anticipated this movement bv several French torts, which commanded the countrv north and west ot the Ohio. A.I). 1753.] VAI.LKV OF TIIK MISSISSIIM'I. 171 When tliis was made known to tin- (Jovernor of Virginia, lie resolved to take a decided stand, lie determined first in send a special commissioner to remonstrate with the French commandant south ot the lakes airainst the encroachments made hy the French posts and settlements upon the territory claimed by his Britannic majesty. Accordingly, Maji >r ( Jeorire Washington was duly commissioned, and sent to the head- quarters of the French commandant. Alter a lonir and toil- some journey through an uninhabited wilderness, he reached Fort Venango, on the present site ol the town of Franklin, in the .State of Pennsylvania. But the commandant was at Lake le Beuf, whither Major Washington proceeded without delay. He had been instructed to demand of the French commandant the objects and designs of his government, and to assert the claims of Virginia in the name and by the authority of the British crown. He was also privately instructed to examine carefully and report such points in his route as were suitable for military posts, and especially "the Forks," or the point at the junction of the Alleghany and Monongahela Rivers. He reached the headquarters at Le Beuf in the middle of December, and laid his instructions before M. de St. Pierre. But little satisfaction was obtained. France claimed the coim- trv bv the riLfht oi discovery and settlement, as well as bv mil- itarv possession. These are the strongest ot all titles to a sav- age country. England claimed it by virtue of her first roval charters, and especially that ot Virginia, which extended its limits "westward to the South Se;i," or Pacific. (Venn, at a time when the distance was unknown, and was supposed lode not very remote. France could not reco'_Mii/e such a claim in ipp' isitii m t' > her i >wn. On the same principle. Ki in lands east of' t lie .Mississippi, admitted the claims of Kmrl sources ot' all the Atlantic n\ ers. and e\ en to th rn nires of the Alleghany Britain could justly claim beyond that limit, especially as the country h;id been discoyei from .New France lonu r '" try as the ( Miio Valley. The commissioner. Maj"r \\ ashington. was treateil 112 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK II ply to the demands of the Governor of A'irginia. the Chevalier M. de St. Pierre, commandant smith of the lakes, replied in the most courteous terms, "That the summons could not lie com- plied with, as it did not belong to him to discuss treaties ; that the message should have heen sent to the Marquis Duquesne, governor of Xew France, under whose instructions he acted, and whose orders he should be careful to obey."' Washing- ton returned, and, after a tedious and difficult journey, mostly on foot, in the dead of winter, reached Williamsburg, the seat of the provincial government, on the KJth of January, 1754. [A.D. 1751.] The result of the mission was of course un- satisfactory. Governor Dinwiddie used every means to rouse the patriotic enthusiasm and the indignation of the people against the invaders of his majesty's dominions. He caused Major Washington's journal to be published, to show the insid- ious designs of the French, and no means were left untried to excite the people to rise and expel the invaders. Troops were raised by calls for volunteers, as well as by enlistments, and a liberal bounty in lands was guarantied to the soldiers. Major Washington was commissioned a lieutenant colonel in the pro- vincial army ; military stores and munitions were collected and pushed forward toward the frontiers: a military post was built at Will's Creek, and known as Fort Cumberland.! The governors of Xew York. Pennsylvania. Maryland, and Xorth Carolina were invoked to make common cause against, the enemies of the British crown. "The Ohio Company/' in which the governor was doubtless deeply interested, lent its utmost, aid and influence. It aided to push forward a com- pany of troops, under Captain Trent, to take possession of the country near the Monongahela, and southward to the Ohio. The governors instructions were of a warlike character: no less than ''to drive a. way. kill, and destrov. or sei/e as pris- oners all persons not subjects of the King of Great. Britain who should attempt to take, possession of lands on the Ohio, or any of its trilmta ries."]; Captain Trent detached Lieutenant Ward, with forty men, to occupv and fortifv "the Forks." or point of land immedi- 1 * i a.tely above the junction of the Allegheny and Monongaliela (livers. This point, had been recommended by Major \\ash- inijton as a suitable, position for a. military post, and it had ' Snarks's Writint-'s of Wiisliih -.-ton vr>l. i.. p. ;',(). t lc!"in. p. LiO, I!? } Itiidt'in. A.D. 17,")t.] VALLEY OF 'J'HK M ISSISSI I'l'l. 17I5 been determined to occupy it. with a tort and trading-post. Lieutenant Ward had no sooner accomplished the object for which he was detached, than he was compelled to abandon the enterprise and surrender the post to tin- French. The lat- ter had been apprised of the movements from the provinces against them, as well as of the small force which had bem ad- vanced to the Ohio and Monongahela. Thev resolved to de- feat such designs, and to prevent the occupation of the eountrv by English troops. \Var was not their desire, if thev could maintain their rights without it. It was about the middle of April that the bold ( 'ontrecirur descended the Alleghany River with a strong force of French and Indians. The alarm of the detachment under Lieutenant Ward magnified the hostile torce to one thousand French and Indian warriors, with a lleet of three hundred canoes, thirty barges, and eighteen pieces of cannon. Resistance \vas vain. Lieutenant Ward was compelled to surrender the post without. a semblance of defense. The French desired to avoid hostili- ties : and Lieutenant Ward and his detachment were permitted quietlv to evacuate the position, and, with their arms and mili- tarv stores, peaceablv to return to the Irontier post of Fort Cumberland. The French commander began toerect a regu- lar and stronir fortification at "the Forks." which he called "Fort i)iu[Uesne." in honor o| the Covernor of Canada and Xe\\ France. In a few months it became one oi the strongest fortified places west, of ihe mountains, and bill little inferior to Fort ( 'ha rtres itselt. The result of Lieutenant Ward's expedition caused '_ r reat excitement in \ irirnna and the neighboring provinces. Troops \\erc e \ pedi i lousl \" raised and pushed forward to Fort ('um- berland. \ iririma determined to eiilorce her claims by an ap- peal to arms : and she was \\ell assured that Fngland would rejoice 1o make it a national war. Filmland had Iniiu souirht occasion to humble the growing po\vei- of her rival in \orth America. The occasion and pretext had now arn\'ed. Fra nee was determined not to vield. unless b\' the late of arms, to the domineering claims <>i (ireal I'nlam. She accordnr_rl\ began the construction ot forts in niost of the prominent points south of the lakes and north o| ihe ( )hio. In each new \><><\ vva> stationed a siua.li garrison; others were re-enforced: and ['rep- arations were made dad\' I"]- the approaching conte-t. Ihe 171 HISTORY OK Till: [liOOK II. Indian tribes were conciliated ; and some were united into an alliance offensive and defensive. The provinces were in a state of high excitement, and troops were organizing more or less from New York to North Caro- lina. A strong detachment of Virginia troops, under Colonel Washington, was advanced into the country near the Monon- irahela. At the Clreat Meadows, about thirty miles southeast from Fort Duquesne, Colonel Washington received intelligence that a detachment of French troops from Fort Duquesne, un- der M. Jumonville, were reconnoitering the country, for the purpose of capturing such English as might have entered the disputed territory. This detachment consisted of fifty men, including some Indians. Colonel Washington sought to sur- prise this small force, and finally succeeded on the i^Sth of May. M. Jumonville and ten of his men were killed, and twenty-two were taken prisoners : and but few escaped. This was doubtless a rash movement on the part of Colonel Wash- ington, and scarcely to be justified: for the French, taken by surprise, were not inclined to resist. ' The French account of this affair, which is uncontrovert- ed, and admitted by Mr. Sparks, declares that the detach- ment of M. Jumonville were surprised by a very superior force, while totally unconscious that an enemy was near : that the first intimation of the presence of any hostile force was a volley from their fire-arms, while engaged in their camp du- ties: that the fire was repeated, notwithstanding their sub- mission and their imploring attitude, until thev were compell- ed to lire in self-protection, by which the Virginians had one man killed and two wounded. f The disaster of M. Jumonville's detachment, and the hostile attitude of the provincial troops, were soon known at the head- quarters of the French commandant, and a retaliation and re- prisal were concerted. \o delay was necessarv or proper: but as the provincials were represented in great force, he deemed it proper to draw re-enforcements from other points nearer the lake and Presque Isle. Colonel Washington, ap- prehending an attack from a stronger force, immediately fell " Martin errs t-rently in nTcrriiri 1 to this transaction. Hi- sa\s Jumitnrilli -ilmm was kille.l. an.l all the p;..i t;. sum tulcn-il : but tin. 1 account by Sparks in his ' \\ nt ni-s of WashinL'ton. 1 ' L'ives the true state of facts, taken from tin- French archives. \vliiili we have followed. See Sparks, vol. i., p. ;;tJ--lU; also, Martin, \ol. i.. p. :;:! t .Snnrks's Life of Washington, vol. i. p. 40, 17, A. I). 1751.] VALLEY 01' THE MISSISSUTI. 175 hack to the Great Meadows, a tew miles west of l T niontown. and near the western side of the Laurel liid^e. Hen- In- erect- ed a fortified camp, and called it " Fort \eressitv." I5v this time he received a re-enforcement, which augmented his force to something over tour hundred men.' Preparations were made for resisting an attack, which was daily apprehended, and the camp was protected bv a breast- work and surrounded bv a ditch. On the 3d of. July, early in the nmniinLr. the French and In- dians made their appearance before the fort and upon the ad- jacent hills ; but the attack was not commenced until about ten o'clock in the forenoon. The investing force consisted of about nine hundred men, including French and Indians, under the command of a brother of -M. Junionville, M. \ illiers, who had left Fort Chartres with the express purpose of reveiiLrini: the death of his brother. f The attack was urged with irreat im- petuosity and perseverance, and as vigorously resisted. I hir- ing the attack, which continued until sunset, the French and Indians fought with great ardor from their positions, conceal- ed behind trees, or Iving in the tall i^rass which covered the meadow. The Virginians fought partlv from behind their breast-work and partly from the ditch which surrounded the fort. At sunset a flag was sent to the tort demanding its sur- render. Considering the danger of Jiis situation. Colonel Wash- ington agreed to enter upon terms of capitulation, in order to ] >reserve the remainder ot his detachment, which had bravely de- fended themselves, tor nine hours, under a most destructive lire. The loss of the Americans in this severe en i _ r a'_ r ement \\as fift v-ei'jht killed and Wounded, besides the loss ot" two inde- jtendent companies, incri-asiiiLT their entire loss to seventy kill- ed and w< lunded.t Articles ot' capitulation were drawn up anil signed, with the following stipulations, \\'/.. : the lort was to be surrendered upon honorable terms: the troops \\ere permitted to march out with their arms and hairi:;t'-re, and to retire unmolested to the nearest post on the eastern side o) the mountain^, upon the Inrther settlements or torts should be west of the mountains toi- one year. served the conditions, and Colonel 1~(' HISTORY or THI: [BOOK n. Washington inarched his detachmenl to Fort Cumherland, on Will's Creek, near the present to\vn of Cumberland, in M;iry- hind. Tims tlu 1 whole Western country was again left in the possession nl the French and their Indian allies. In all the first collisions between the French and English, in the contest which ensued, the former were uniformlv mild and conciliating in their resistance to British aggression: yet. they were firm in maintaining their rightful claim to the country. The encroachments of the English were resisted, at first, with courtesy and good feeling. The Governor of Canada had re- monstrated with the governors of New York and Pennsylva- nia against their claims to the territory south of Lake Erie, lie protested against their right to occupy the country, and warned them against encroachments, and declared that, were his protestations and warnings disregarded, he should he oblig- ed hy his duty to seize all intruders and send them prisoners to Canada.* As an evidence of the kind and peaceable feeling entertain- ed by the French in the beginning of their struggle for the great Ohio region, we need only cite the facts in relation to the cap- ture and release of Lieutenant Trent, with his whole detach- ment, who were permitted to retire, with all their arms, equi- page, and military stores, to the nearest English settlements : or the capture and release of Colonel Washington and his army, alter the slaughter of M. Juinonville and his partv. These facts prove unquestionably that they were reluctant, to shed blood in the contest. [A.I). 175.").] During the winter, General Braddock had arrived in the Potomac, with a large regular army from Eng- land, for the effectual invasion and conquest of the Ohio coun- try. This army encamped near Alexandria until the severity ot winter should cease, and a body of provincial troops could be organi/ed !<>r marching orders. In the mean time, the army was provided with every thing requisite for their com- fort, and for the complete subjugation o| the territory on the upper portion ot the Ohio Kiver. Such an army had never been seen in the provinces. As soon as the spring had suffi- ciently opened, regardless o| the stipulations in the surrender of Fort Necessity." General hniddock set out from Alexan- dria, With two regiments o| llntish regulars aiid one brigade A.U. 1755.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 177 of Virginia light troops, for the reduction of the French for- tress Duijiiesne. His march was directed to Fort Cumberland, where he ar- rived with the army about the middle of May. Here he was joined by two independent companies from .\cw York, and the whole force, exclusive ot provincials, now consisted of two niv- al regiments ot live hundred men each, one of which was com- manded by Sir Peter Halket, and the other by Colonel Jhmbar. Both regiments were furnished with a line train of artillerv, and abundant military stores and munitions. The provincial troops consisted ol about one thousand effective men. furnished by the provinces of Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania. Having been detained at Will's Creek about three weeks tor supplies and horses lor transportation, CJeneral Braddock set out with the whole army upon his march through the wilder- ness. The army was divided into two divisions: the first, un- der the commander in person, consisted of twelve hundred men, as the advanced division; the second, commanded by Colonel Dunbar, was ordered to follow by slow marches. After nearly four weeks of slow and regular marches through the wilderness, the advanced division, in line health and spir- its, arrived, on the Nth of .lulv, at the junction of the \ough- iogenv and Monongahela Rivers. The otlicers and troops ea- gerlv pressed forward, in the belief that in a lew hours more thev should victoriously enter the walls ot Fort Duquesne. On the morning of the !Mh of July the army had reached the last crossing of the Monongahela, within ten miles of the French fort. Here thev tarried uni:l noon, and haxing again .-et out alter their repast, thev hadi pist crossed the river, and \\ere slowlv advancing in marching order along a defile hear the river, thoughtless oi danger, \\hen the advancing column was suddenly arrested bva lurioiis lire oi musketrvand small arms on all sides li'om an un>een toe. con.- dred Frenchmen and Indians. The \\ hole column was mstanth thrown into the utm fusion and consternation. \ tola] rout and deleat en the loss of all the artillery, camp equipage, stores. : About three hundred and fifty men were killed on and about tour hundred \\ere badlv Wounded, mai mortallv. Hesides these, twenty-six oilicers \\eri thirty-seven wej'e Wounded. Among the latter \\a^ VOL. l._ M 178 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. Braddock himself, mortally wounded, who died a few days af- terward at Camp Dunbar, near fifty miles in the rear. The loss sustained by the forces under General Braddock was in it altogether the work of the enemy. The panic and consternation of the British troops at the onset were indescrib- able. The provincials, who were accustomed to Indian war- fare, immediately sheltered themselves, after the Indian fashion, behind trees and other objects, from which they kept up a con- stant fire upon such of the enemy as were visible. The regu- lars, on the contrary, formed themselves into close columns, which were continually thinned by the incessant fire of the in- visible foe. At length, utterly confounded by the slaughter and the panic, which extended to the officers, they collected into squads, and fired furiously and indiscriminately at every point where the crack of a rifle or the smoke of a gun indicated a combatant. The men in the front ranks were often shutdown by their terror-stricken companions in the rear. In the same wav, every party of provincials who engaged the enemv from *- 1 / * their coverts drew upon themselves the fire of the regulars, as well as the enemy in front. Those who were most active in resisting the enemy were almost certain to perish by the hands of their friends. In this way, Captain Waggoner, of the Vir- ginia troops, who had taken an advanced position near the In- dians, with eighty men. was driven from his position by the united fire of the Indians and British regulars, after the loss of fifty of his men. General Braddock himself, in all probability, was killed by one of the indignant provincials. The general had cut down a provincial, for disobeying orders in sheltering himself from the enemy's tire. The brother, who witnessed the act, deter- mined to avenge his death, and awaited the first opportunity, when he lodged his ball in the body of his overbearing com- mander. ' The name < if the provincial who is supposed to have fired at Uraddock was Thomas Fawcett. Colonel Washington himself declared that many of the brave provincials were killed by the "cowardly IJritish regulars." The whole torce under the command of General Braddock on the Monongahela, including the provincial militia and vol- unteers Irom \ irginia, Pennsylvania, and Xew \ ork, was about twenty-five hundred men, of whom two thousand were effective * Set: (jonlou's History of IYnnsylv;uiin, p. :;iJ3, 30-!. Also, Ap^'tniix, j A.lt. 175").] VALLEY OF THK MISSISSIPPI. 17!) troops. Of these, one thousand belonged to the royal regi- ments, and the remainder were furnished hy the colonies The advanced division, which sustained theattack and slauirh- ter in this memorable defeat, was composed of ;it least twelve hundred effective men. About noon, on the !th day of July, this division crossed the Mononir-'ihelu. in line spirits, confident of an easy victory, and the capture of Fort Diupiesne within a few hours. What a melancholy doom lay behind the bright, hopes and the brilliant pageant of that dav.* M. de Contreca.'ur. commandant of Fort Ihiquesne, had re- ceived early and continual intelligence of Uraddock's arrival in Virginia, and of his reirular advance. West of Will's ('reek, the French and Indian scouts were constantly abroad, and ob- served and reported every movement to the commandant, who devised his measures accordingly. Feeling himself wholly un- able, with his limited resources, to offer any effectual resistance to such a formidable foe, lie despaired of making a regular de- fense. At this time. M. de Beuujeu, a captain in the French service, proposed to head a detachment of French and Indians, to meet the advancing force and to harass their march, lie did not expect to draw them into a general eiiLraLTement. but onlv to embarrass and retard their advance. \ c\ such was the apprehension of the savages, that this attempt was deemed hopeless and hazardous, and with difficulty the Indians were persuaded to ensure in the enterprise. At length, seemir him firm in his determination, they consented to accompan v him, and to aid in form in IT an ambuscade, but little dreaminu of victory. The ambuscade bad scarcelv been distributed, when the ad- vancinir column was seen crossing the river, wit Inn a tew hun- dred yards of the defile \\here the men were distributed. T The disasters of the MonoUL r ahe!a put an end to the military operations of ( Ire at Hritain wes' "I the mountains lor more than two \ ears. In the mean time, her ellorts \\ ere redoubled to reduce the French posts near the Lrreat lakes and on the St. La\\ relice. The late of \\ a r be .ran to cp>\\ n the Finnish arms with success, and bv tlie close ot the y lost all her strong-holds on the lakes and si While France was victorious upon the < advancing with varied >uccess from the St. 180 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. ward upon Lake Champlain. In the spring of 1755. Sir Will- iam Johnson had erected "Fort William Henry" upon the southern extremity of Lake George, named in honor of George III. This was the extreme frontier of the English settlements in this quarter, and the French lost no opportunity to transfer the war to the east, and upon the shores of Lakes Champlain and George. Fort William Henry was protected hy a garrison commanded by Colonel Williams, and was within the territory claimed by France. The Baron Dieskau, the commander of Eastern Canada, determined to reduce the fort and exclude the English. On the Gth of September, at the head of eighteen hundred Indians and Canadian French, he advanced to the attack, but was most signally defeated, with the loss of many of his brave men, yielding himself a martyr to the cause.* [A.D. 1758.] The new British minister, William Pitt, had taken the most energetic means to retrieve the honor <>f the British arms. A numerous and well-disciplined army had been dispatched to Virginia, where it was re-enforced by large bodies of provincial troops under the most experienced officers. This army, well supplied with every thing requisite, and numbering about seven thousand men, began to advance from Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, toward the Monongahela. The French com- mandant at Fort Duquesne, being duly apprised of the advance of the enemy, and finding himself without assistance or re-en- forcement from Canada, deemed it folly to attempt resistance with bis feeble force. lie accordingly retained possession of the fort, but was prepared to abandon it, without resistance whenever the British army should begin to make its appear- ance. The main body of the latter was within one day's march of the confluence, when the commandant, with his troops, ar- tillery, munitions, and stores, embarked in boats provided for the occasion ; ;m ( | having dismantled the works, he set lire to the buildings at night, and departed down the Ohio in a bla/e ol light, to |om the French troops on the Mississippi. As he descended the Ohio, he stationed a detachment of troops under M. Alassac, at a commanding eminence on the north hank of the river, nearly fifty miles above its mouth, to erect a stockade, which was called Fort Alassac. f A.D. 1703.] VALLKY OF THK MISSISSIPPI. 1^1 [A.D. 17(50.] The war was continued upon the St. Law- rence and near the great lakes for more than two years after- ward ; when France, having lost all her Canadian territories, was compelled to terminate hostilities l>y a treaty which de- prived her of all her continental possessions in \orth America. [A.D. 17f>.3.] I3y the treaty of Paris, she relinquished in favor of Great Britain all claim to (,'anada and New France, embracing all the territory east, of the Mississippi from its source to the Bayou Iberville. By a secret treaty made pre- viously with the King of Spain, the French kin<: had ceded to the Spanish crown all the remainder of his American pos- sessions on the Mississippi, embracing all Western Louisiana and the Island of Orleans. Thus ended the dominion of France in Xorth America, and with it terminated all the plans for extended empire on the Mississippi. Hard as seemed their lot, the French population in Louisiana and New France were compelled to submit to the hated power of England : and many Canadians, to avoid this alternative, resolved to abandon their homes and relatives in Canada, and seek the mild paternal rule of France in Western Louisiana. CHAPTER IV. THE MAXM'.US AM) (TSTn.MS (jV THK KAKLY KUKXCII S KTT I. KUS I \ Tin: ILLINOIS cor.vniY. A.I>. 1700 TO 17*0. Ai-."t>>,> /!;.> nl'tli-- Frenrh t.v \vnriltlu' huliim Trihes. Their luiiiriibli' liiti'iv.'irsv with tin- Natives.- 1'ietnre uf primitive Happiiu-ss .-i.juy, .1 hy the IHmnis Fn ..,-!, Tli,-ir pi;.!', a;,! hum, i> H.n^-s and 'in-ill Vi;iu_-.-s. -" Column., I'i, |.|." :iu.i M...;.- ;i:i.l [)istvii.-:t:nn . f f.:i!.nr. - Fiiniily Ilitor.'Sts in tin- same.--" ('..Jiiini.iiS." HIM! it- 1 -*. -I'litriiirrhtil I I:inn. '!.;- :ui.l Con- ti'Sitiin-iit nf tin so ('.iiiiiiiunili'-s. -- Mnr:ii Iiitlui-ni-i' if tin- Syslrin. Ivjuiility a:.-! in l.-U!. Their Ohje.'tii'HH I" Ai:!erie im I'nmihltiMii nm! Laws. [A.D. 1700-171(1.] l : oi: many years the term "Illinois country" embraced all the region east of the I'pl'*' 1 ' Missif j'urs and peltries, prepared to narrate their hardy adventures and the thrillinir incidents of their perilous voyage. Their return was greeted with smiling fac.es, and signalized by balls and dances, at which the whole village assembled, to see the irreat travelers, and hear the fertile rehearsal of wonderful adven- tures and strange sights in remote countries.' Such were the scenes at "Old Kaskaskia." at ( 'ahokia. Prai- rie du Rocher, and a tew other points on the I pper Mississip- pi, from the year 17 'JO to the vear 17(5,"): and. in later tiiues.at the villa ires of Fort ( 'hart res. St. ( lenevieve. St. Louis, and St. Charles: and at St. \incent on the \\abash. as well a> many other points on the Lower Mississippi : at the P. *t of .Natchi- toches (n Red River, and the Post of \Vashita on the \Vashita River: as well as upon the La Foiirche, Faussc Riviere, and the coast above .New < 'deans. Their settlements were usually in the form ol small, compact pa.tria rchal villaL r es. like one irreat lamily assembleil their old men and patriarchs. Their houses were plain, and uniform. Fach liomestead was sun'ounde own separate indnsure o| a nule picket lence, :idjoinur_ r or contiguous to others on the rivrht and lett. Tiic houses \\ere trenerallv one story hiirh. surrounded by sheds, or tralleries : the walls \\ere constructed "I a rude trame-Work, having up- right corner-posts and siads connected hori/oiitallv b\ means of mimeroiis cross-ties, not unlike the rounds in a ladder. These served to hold the "cat and clay" with which the inter- stices were filled, and \\itll \\hich the wal rudely plastered \\ith the hand, "('at and mud, or clay, made into >,.:*! mortar, whicli ' S.-" F!::,l's i )" Titpliy, v.ii. i. \<. i 1 \ 184 HISTORY OF THE [l3OOK II. blended with cut straw or Spanish moss, cut fine, instead of hair. The chimney was made of similar materials, and was formed by tour long corner-posts, converging toward the top to about one half, or less than the space below. These abodes of happiness were generally situated on the margin of a beautiful prairie, and beside some clear stream of running water, or on the bank of a river or bayou, near some rich, alluvial bottom, which supplied the grounds for the " com- mon field" and " commons." The " common field" consisted of a large contiguous inclos- ure, reserved for the common use of the village, inclosed by one common fence for the benefit of all. In this field, which sometimes consisted of several hundred acres, each villager and head of a family had assigned to him a certain portion of ground, for the use of himself and family, as a field and garden. The extent of the field was proportionate to the number of per- sons or families in the village. The subdivisions were in due proportion to the number of members in each family. Each individual, or family, labored and reaped the product of his own allotment for his own use. If the inclosure became ruinous, or was neglected contigu- ous to the plat of any family, or individual, so as to endanger the general interest, that individual, or family, forfeited their claim to the use of the common field ; and their interest was assigned to smother person, who would be less negligent. Each individual, or head of a family, so long as he con- formed to the regulations and requisitions of the village, retain- ed his interest in the common field in fee simple, transferable by sale, gilt, or otherwise; liable, however, to the general reg- ulations which might be adopted by the village. The season for ploughing, planting, reaping, and other agri- cultural operations in the " common field," was regulated by special enactments, or by ?i public; ordinance, and to take place simultaneously in each village : even the form and manner of door-yards, gardens, and stable-yards, and other arrangements for mutual benefit, and the convenience of all. were regulated by special enactment of the little village senate. These were often in such shape <'nid connection as to form a partial protec- tion, like a picketed camp, against any hostile irruption of In- dians, provided such event might ever occur. ?sear the village, and around the common field, was an ex- A.D. 1700-1710.] VALLEY OF THK MISSISSI1TI. 185 tensive open scope of hinds reserved for commons," <>r a cum- mon pasture-ground. This consisted of several hundreds, and often of thousands, of acres uninclosed. and free tor the n>e of all as a common pasture, as \ve!l as for the supply of fuel and timber. \et no one could take possession of anv portion of jt, or appropriate it to his own individual use. without the general consent of the villagers. To the indigent, however, who came to settle among them, and to newly-married pairs, appropria- tions were olten made from portions of the commons" contig- uous to the common Held, and situated so that it might subse- quently be taken into it by extending the mclosure. provided the individuals proved themselves acceptable members of their community. In making grants of land for the use of a village or commu- nity, the commandant always took special care to cause a res- ervation to be specially designated for a "common field" and a ki commons.'' These were deemed indispensable requisites tor every large French village. The same custom \\as ob- served by the Spanish authorities after the dominion of Spain was extended over Louisiana. ^Nothing was better calculated to improve the simple and benevolent feelings of unsophisticated human nature, to main- tain the blessings of peace and harmony, and the prevalence of brotherly love, than the forms ot lite and the domestic usages which prevailed in these early French villages. I nder this benign influence, peace and competence smiled upon them; joy and mirth beamed from every countenance; contentment sat on everv bro\v. Tin- natural allluence which pervaded the whole village was common to all. The prolific soil, soli- cited by gentle labor as a mere mailer ot recreation, vielded abundance of all the necessaries ot lite, except those \\hich were derived from the -'till more prolific waters and the chase. With all these advantages, and all these easy enjoyments, in a climate of great benignity, remote ipMn the strite and con- flicting interests of a dense population, what should prevent them from esteeming the Illinois a "terrestrial parad;>e." as La Salle had termed it in It '.->_' ' How enviable the condition ot these children of nature, with but little more care and anxiety ot mind than is experienced by the fo\\ls of the air. compared with the toil and anxiet\ of refined civili/ation ; in \\hich the mind is rontinuallv harassed 180 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. by the goadings of avarice, and by the incessant efforts to ac- cumulate wealth and honors on the one hand. or. on the other, is straitened under the influence of penury and want, by a con- stant harassing anxiety in procuring the bare necessaries of life, with the constant apprehension of still greater want, as is often seen in the crowded cities of Europe! In the early French settlements the commons abounded with herds of domestic animals with cattle, horses, sheep, swine, and others tamed from the forest, which wandered at large and was used as a general store-house, from which all were freely supplied ; while corroding care was banished from hearts as light as those of the beasts that roamed the fields. In the happy enjoyment of such a life, time glides rapidly on ; and to age death came a hasty, but not unwelcome messenger, for they hoped for a still better world beyond the grave. Care was a stranger in the villages, and was rarely enter- tained many days as a guest. Amusements, festivals, and holy- days were frequent, and served to dispel dull care, when an unwelcome visitor. In the light fantastic dance, the young and the gay were active participants, while the serene and smil- ing countenance of the aged patriarch, and his companion in years, and even of the " reverend father," lent a sanction and a blessing upon the innocent amusement and useful recreation. The amusements past, all could cheerfully unite in offering up to tic >d the simple gratitude of the heart for his unbounded mercies. Fathers, and mothers, and grand-sires enjoyed no higher pleasure than to witness the innocent mirth of their children, and their aged eyes beamed with tranquil delight while they beheld the happiness of the young. Religion was the link which united the joys of life to those of eternity; and with hearts d<>nb]y devout, the young and the old. the "reverend fa- ther" and the unlettered child, could all retire from a scene of innocent mirth, and humbly render the homage of their hearts to the Supreme lluler of'liie universe. \<>r were these festive enjoyments confined to any sex or condition. In the dance all participated, irom the youngest to the oldest, the bund and the tree: even the black slave was equally interested in the general enjoyment, and was happy because he saw his master happy: and the master, in turn, was 'ileased to witness the enjoyment of the slave. The mutual de- A.D. 1700-1710.] VALI.LV OF TUT. MISSISSU'L'I. 1^7 pendence of each upi>n the other, in their respective spheres, contributed to produce a state ot' mutual harmony and attach- ment. It has been almost a proverb, that the \\orld did not exhibit an example of a more contented and happy race than the negro slaves of the early French in the Illinois country." The numerous festivals of the Catholic Church tended strongly to loster the mutual interchange of friendly feelings among those \vho were thus removed beyond the reach and influence of wealth and power. In religion all were Catholics, and revered the p<>pe as the great head ot the Church, who held the keys of heaven and of purgatory, and dispensed his favors or his frowns through the priests, who were their friends and counselors, and whom they esteemed as "reverend fathers.'' They knew no difference of sects, nor '' Doctrines framed to suit the varying hour." Ardently attached to their spiritual guides, religion became one of the great rules of social life. They observed strictly all the outward rites and ceremonies of the Jiomish Church, and their lives corresponded with their professions. Ignorant of creeds, except the " Apostles' ( 'reed." thev were not skillful dis- putants : but, holydays and festivals were never forgotten or neglected. Gratitude to Clod, the religion <>f the heart, and love to mankind, is found more otteii in the rude; stages of Civ- ilized life than in the blandishments of wealth, and among t( le accumulated temptations of refinement and intelligence. As has been observed by .Major Stoddart, who was lieuten- ant-governor ot' I'pper lv>uis;ana in ISO 1. " Perhaps the levi- ties displayed, and the amusements pursued bv the French pe<>- ple on Sundays, mav be considered by SOUK- i" border upon licentiousness. They attend mas^ in the ni'>rning with great devotion : but alter tin 1 exercises ot church arc over, thev usu- al lv collect in parties and pass away their time in social and merrv intercourse. They play at billiards and other panics. and to balls and assemblies the Sundays are particularly de- voted. To those educated in regular and pious Protestant hab- its such parties and aiuu>emi-nts appear unseasonable, st ran ire. and odious, it not. prophetic ol some signal curse on the \\ork- ." This is a v. <. ii t< rvsti;i_: '.iuK- \vnr!\. in tu . liy :in iinnii\ IIIIIMS antlnir. li was ;> , !.'>!;, -,1 in ]~:',-, ,, r 1-:;-. li iMn Bkrt;-lii-s ol tin' \Vest,-ni oriiurv.Ml W, ,t-ni niaun.-rs runi .-:isl ,n ; rn. (lesrriptiuns of the natural lujciutie.i d ihu \S' rst, i-l.i.'l!\ i-n tl-.e n .. ; Mississippi. 188 HISTORY OF THE [iJOOK II. ers of iniquity. It must, however, be confessed that the French people, on those days, avoid all intemperate and immoral ex- cesses, and conduct themselves with apparent decorum. They are of opinion that there is true and undefiled religion in their amusements, much more, indeed, than they can see in certain night conferences and obscure meetings in various parts among the tombs. " When questioned relative to their gayety on Sundays, they will answer, that men were made for happiness, and that the more they are able to enjoy themselves, the more acceptable they are to their Creator. They are of opinion that a sullen countenance, attention to gloomy subjects, a set form of speech, and a stiff behavior, are more indicative of hypocrisy than of religion ; and they say they have often remarked that those who practice these singularities on Sunday will most assured- ly cheat and defraud their neighbors during the remainder of the week. " Such are the religious sentiments of a people void of su- perstition ; of a people prone to hospitality, urbanity of man- ners, and innocent recreation, and who present their daily ori- sons at the throne of Grace with as much confidence of success as the most devout Puritan in Christendom."* The costume of the early French was plain, simple, and unique, differing but little from that of the Creole and Acadian French of Louisiana at the present time, as seen upon the La- fourche, the Teche, and in the Acadian settlements of Oppe- lousas and Attakapas. The winter dress of the men was generally a coarse blank- et c(ij)ofe, drawn over their shirt and long vest. The capote served the double purpose of cloak and hat; for the hood, at- tached to the collar behind, hung upon the back and shoulders as a cape, and, when desired.it served to cover the whole head from intense cold. Most commonly, in summer, and especially among the boatnu-n. voyageurs, und courriers du hois, the head was enveloped in a blue handkerchief, turban-like, as a protec- tion from solar heat and noxious insects. The same material, of lighter quality, and fancy colors, wreathed with bright-col- ored ribbons, and sometimes flowers, formed the fancv head- dress of the females on festive occasions: at other limes thev also used the handkerchief in the more patriarchal stvle. See tto'l'hirt's iSiiL'tclirs of Louisiana, p. liM. 317. A.D. 1700-1740.] VAI.I.CY oi' THE Mississirri. IS'J The dress of the matrons was simple and plain ; the old-fash- ioned short jacket and petticoat, varied to suit the diversities of taste, was the most common over-dress of the women. The feet in winter were protected by Indian moccasins, or the more unwieldy clog-shoe ; but in summer, and in dry weather, the foot was left uncovered and tree, except on festive occasions and holydays, when it was adorned with the liirht moccasin, gorgeously ornamented with brilliants of porcupine quills, shells. beads, or lace, ingeniously wrought over the front instead of buckles, and on the side flaps. The idiom of these villagers, especially in those of' the Illi- nois country and Upper Louisiana, was in many points differ- ent from that of the European French, both in the pronuncia- tion and in the signification of words. In general terms, the Illinois idiom seemed destitute of that nervous and animated brilliancy of expression peculiar to the Parisian French. In the Creole French of Louisiana, at this time, there is percepti- ble a slow, drawling, or nasal sound of many words, which Drives to conversation a languid air, not often seen in Furope. Vet. the Creole French tongue is more pure than miirlit have been expected, after a protracted separation of nearly a centu- rv from the parent country, and much of the time under a |i>r- eiirn dominion, with the introduction of a foreign language among them.'" Under the French dominion, the irovernment. was mild and paternal ; a, mixture of civil and military rule, without tin- tech- nicalities of the "lie or the seventy of the other. The com- mandant was. invested with despotic authority: yet he rarelv exercised his power otherwise than in a i ner. and f< >r the general wella re < >t h:s received not only their obedience and respect, but also ih love. The. peculiar manners and customs "I these French setlle- meiiN at lir-t. and !"i' an :iL r e afterward. isolated, and a th"ii- s;ind miles tVoni any other cmh/.ed community, became char- acteristic and hereditary with their descendants, even to the present, time. Frm the:r first settlement "it the lli:i:'>i< and at. Kaskas'ua, one hundred and lilt\ years a:_ r ". the\ have uni- nce and Ineiidship of the Indian 100 HISTORY OF THE [l?OOK II. in a rrre.it measure to the habits and customs of the native tribes, and by their peaceable and conciliatory characters, they had become almost identified as brothers. While the Anglo- Saxon race was establishing colonies along the Atlantic coast, from the close of the seventeenth century to the middle of the eighteenth, ever restless and discontented, were struggling with the savage occupants for the sterile and sandy shores of Vir- ginia and New England, and the rocky barriers of the interior, the French, far removed from civilization, in the very heart of the continent, and surrounded by every thing in nature which could fascinate the eye or delight the fancy, in peace and friend- ship with the tribes, lived contented, happy, and prosperous, in the full enjoyment of the " terrestrial paradise of America."* In the appearance of the "patriarchal homestead," among the country settlements, there was something peculiarly interesting, which reminds us strongly of a primitive simplicity but rarely seen in the present day. The patriarchal homestead of de- tached settlements stands in the middle of a spacious inclosure, used as a common yard for several generations. This inclos- ure may contain one or two acres, and sometimes less ; it is the residence of the oldest member of the family, who possibly has occupied it for more than half a century. Each child or grand-child, who. having arrived at the years of maturity, and become the head of a family, may be found settled in a small thatched or mud cottage at one side of the paternal ill- closure, rears up a nourishing young family, which, with their increase, are branches of the original family, having a com- munity of interest and feeling. At length, the aged patriarch becomes surrounded bv a do/en . 1J3. A.D. 1700-1710.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 1!>1 antry. The wealth of all consisted in their good name, and ir their unrestrained freedom to enjoy the bounties of' nature. Some possessed more personal property than others : hut wealth gave no exclusive privileges. Superiority depended alone upon superior merit. The common people, in their ordinary deportment, were often characterized by a calm, thoughtful gravity, and the saturnine severity of the Spaniard, rather than the levity characteristic, oi the French; yet, in their amusements and fetes, thev ex- hibited rdl the gayety of the natives of France. Their satur- nine gravity was probably a habit, adopted from the Indian tribes with whom they daily held intercourse, and in whose sense ol propriety levity of deportment on ordinary occasions is esteemed not only unbecoming, but unmanlv. The calm. quiet tenor of their lives, remote from the active bustle of civ- ilized lite and business, imparted to their character, to their feelings, to their general manners, and even to their verv lan- guage, a languid softness which contrasted strongly with the anxious and restless activitv of the Anglo-Saxon race, which is fast succeeding to the occupancy of their happy abodes. A\ ith them hospitality was hardlv esteemed a virtue, because it was a (/>/(>/ winch all cheerfully performed. Taverns were unknown, and everv house supplied the deficiencv. The stat- ute-book, the judiciary, and court- of law. with their prisons and instruments of punishment, were unknown : as were also the crimes for which they are erected ainonir the civilized na- tions ot Kurope. Learning and science \\ere terms hevond their comprehension, and their technicalities were unheard. Schools were lew, and Ifdrnrd i/irn \\ere rare: the priest was their oracle in matters o| learning, as well as in the form- and observances of religion. The village school \\;ix the '_rreat source and fountain ol 1 k-hnowled'_ r e. and there the rising generation mi ( _ r ht acquire all the elements ot a complete edu- eati* MI fi >r a French villager. ( )n politics and the affairs of' the nation they never -uttered their mind- to feel a moment's an\iet\ . hehevnr_r imphcitlv that France ruled the world, and all must he riirht. \V'>rid!y honors and distinction- were hubbies unworthy a moment's consideration or a moment's anxiety. \\ it bout commerce, they knew not. nor desired to know, the luxuries and the refine- ments of civilized communities. Thus day alter day passed 192 HISTOKY OF THE [BOOK II. by in contentment and peaceful indolence. The distinction of wealth or rank was almost unknown; all were upon a natural equality, all dressed alike, and all met as equals at their fetes and in their ball-rooms. The virtues of their primitive simplicity were many. Punc- tuality and honesty in their dealings, politeness and hospitality to strangers, were habitual; friendship and cordiality toward neighbors was general ; and all seemed as members of one great family, connected by the strong ties of consanguinity. Wives were kind and affectionate ; in all respects, they were equal to their husbands, and held an influence superior to the females in most civilized countries. They had entire control in all domestic concerns, and were the chief and supreme umpires in all doubtful cases. Did a case of casuistry arise, who so well ahle to divine the truth, or so well qualified to enforce the decision, as the better half? Among the villagers, we have said, there were few distinc- tions : the more enterprising became, of course, more wealthy, by trade and traffic with the Indians, in the purchase and sale of furs, peltries, and other commodities supplied by the native tribes. The " traders' 1 kept a heterogeneous stock of goods in their largest room, where their assortment was fully displayed to the ga/e of the purchasers. The young men of enterprise, wishing to see the world, sought occupation and gratification as roi/aL:'i'urs or boatmen, as agents for the traders, or as hunt- ers, to visit the remote tribes upon the furthest sources of the Mississippi and the Missouri, in company with the trading ex- peditions which annually set out irom the Illinois counirv. Mechanic trades, as a means of livelihood, were almost un- known : the great business of all was agriculture, and the care of their herds and flocks, their cattle, their horses, their sheep, and their swine, and each man was his own mechanic. 7 ' Tim- lived the French in Xew France and .Louisiana, until af- ter the Canadian provinces had been wrested Irom the French crown by the arms <>! Kngland, and the Knglish power was extended over the Illinois in l?tif>. But a change came over their peaceful abodes. Should Frenchmen submit to the hated dominion of England, their most, inveterate national enemy.' Many preferred to leave their homes and then' lields, and to ' t -(. "Tiio l';ir \Vest." vol. i.. p. I'J.'J. A. IK 1700-1710.] VAIJ.KV or TIII: Mississii'n. l!l.'{ seek new abodes under the dominion nl' France, which >ii|j prevailed \\est of the Mississippi. The French settlenieni, oi the Illinois then beiran to decline : :nnl. to prevent their en- tire abandonment, the English ^n\ ernor. instructed bv his L r - tected, and their rights and properly remain in\ilate under the dominion oi C I real Ui'ilain. Manv consented to remain; but many retired to Western Louisiana. Then il wa> that the French settlements bewail to extend upon the west side of the Mississippi, \\ithin the present limits of ihe State of Missouri. Jjiit their peace was soon interrupted here. Rumor soon proclaimed that all \\estern and Southern Louisiana had been ceded to Spam. The rumor \\ as too true; for alreadv the\ were subjects of the Spanish kin<. r . Although the Spanish au- thority was not. formally extended over them for live years, yet these five years were years of trouble, suspense, and dis- appointment. The government of Spain, like that of France, was mild and paternal : nor did the Spanish authorities can' to interfere with the established usages and customs of tin- French population. but extended everv indulgence which c<>uld be desired trom a kind and lenient Li'overnment. A lew \ear< served to d;spei all dissatisfaction at the change o| rulers, and the French vil- lagers and \'oya'_!'eurs. lor thirty years more, continued to en- joy their " terrestrial paradise." under their ancient forms of government a.nd the ( 'atholic religion, mi the west side of the Mississippi. \oj- was their peact- a^ram disturbed until the .\ir_do-.\mer- icans iVi 'in ihe Fniteil State- bc^an to approach the .M .-- ^-ipi 1 ' in the regions of the Illinois and \ve\er, v\as onl\ the precursor of a nc\\ era. \\iih themscKes. in Fppcr Loin.-iana. and 't a total change in tlie!: happ\' and retired mode of lite. A le\\ \ears brought the un- \Velcoiue news that ail Loii.-iana had been ceded to in,- | nitcii Stale.-, aiid tiiat somi a ne\\ s\>tem o| |iirisdiction \\ a- to !>, eMended over them. I'j-exiou to the ce->i"n "1 L-uisian:, to ihe Fliiled Sla!e- il ] N(l.'{, I he I 1 ' relic 1 1 had ! eci Hue assimi la led in leelu/j's \\ ilh ; he. r Spanish ruler>. \\ ho \\i-e!\ cumbined ihe la us o] Sp-' ['ranee. Tin 1 la u > o| Spa .n \\ ere introduced oni \ related, u'eiierall v. to municipal arrangement and real e-tale : VOL. i. .\ 1!>1 HISTORY OF Tin', [BOOK ii. while the common law of France governed all contracts of a social nature, modified by, and interwoven with, the customs of the people. Each district had its commandant, and each village its syndic; besides judges in civil affairs for the prov- ince and officers of the militia, a small body of which was sta- tioned in every district, though too inconsiderable to afford much protection to the inhabitants. These rulers were ap- pointed by the governor at Xew Orleans, to whom there was the right of an appeal. The lieutenant-governor, who resided at St. Louis, was commander of the troops. Thus the govern- ment was a mixture of civil and military ; and though arbitra- ry to the last degree, yet we are told the rod of domination was so light as scarcely to be felt. "However this may be, it is certain they did not well rel- ish, at first, the change in the administration of justice when they came under the jurisdiction of the United States. The delays and the uncertainty attendant on trial by jury, and the multifarious technicalities of our jurisprudence, they could not well comprehend, either as to its import, or utility ; and it is not strange that they should have preferred the more prompt and less expensive decisions of the Spanish tribunals."* * Stoddart's Louisiana. A.I). HJS2.] VALLEY (.1- TIIK -- Til AFTER V. THE FIRST COL OM/.AT10.V or I.OCISI A \ A CVTIL mi: CLOSE "F CRO/.AT'S .MONOPOLY. A.M. 1(5! )s TO 1717. ArpHmi-nf.llclrosvci-t nt" tin- Illinois Settlements-. D'lbervill." uniliTi:iki-s to Ci.Iu ni/.c Lower Louisiana. --Sails witli his Coli H iy In. in Roehelle, Septemh, r -Jllli. .",'-.- Li-aves the \Ve-t Indies, and tviidit's Florida i:i .luniiary, I-':':'. Ca-H anehor at Isle Dauphin. Disembarks his Colony on Sh ; ;> Island. Sots out to explore the Month of tin- Mississippi. Knters that River on th,- -,',1 of Man-h.- Kind- Letter ,.)' I),- T.niti t,> I. a Hall.-. dated tfi-C. Ill-turns l.y wa\ of the I5aynn Ibenille l,, ila\ o! St. Lnnis. -15nilils l-'..'.-r 15iloxi. May -Jd. Sails fur I'ran.-f. Knu'lisli Att.-inpts to {ii-f-oi-cii|iy Louisiana. Tin- liritish Kinur liril.rs H.-!ini-;>iii to lie.- liritish Culouy itn-ivcs in tin- Mississippi. Condition of tin- Colony at Uiloxi. 15i,-n\ iii.- suprrin- tcni'is tin- Colony as (Juvi-nior. Kxplorcs tin- Channrl of tin- Mississippi.-- Ih, r\ill,- returns with another Col.mv. liuilds a Fort on th- Hunk ot'tlie liiv,-r A-o-n.ls the Hiver as far as the Xatehey. Trihe. Sele. -ts a Site lor l-'..rt If.^alie The Nateh- vy. Indians.- Their Cusloms and Heliirioiis Ceremonies.-- Inteniew \\ith th.- "i ireat Sun." Hi dary lietween Louisiana and Florida eonipi-iiinised. The Colony :'t 15: loxi r.-duee.l hy Siekness nnd J lealh. I-'. xplorin_r Parties. Cnrivaled \\'at.-r Co-n- jnunieations. ---Death of Sauvoile. Coniniandant. - 1 herviiie retires to F ranee. His Death in I", 0.;.. F.xtra\a,-ant .\Iiniii_- Crednli:\ ennlinucs. Kxplorations !or Mi;,, -. Feeble Condition of the Colony from 17iu lln- i-x plural inn . .f tin- M is- ;ss;jni !>\' I>:i S;i!lc, in ! lis-j, ( -n H,JT;!H! -. rni///^,-///:^, ;in,l tr:nli'rs iV'Hil (':ili:i.l;i c. Mil iiiuci I lo visit ;ind (M-cilpN |nirtliins >{ lilt- li- !;ii"is i'ci_ r i"H. ''-^ \\fll :is :i tc\v points nn the 1 pper Mississippi. .M;in\" <>i tliose \\~ho !i;nl lirst ,-ic.-. 'inpaiiie.l l/i S;ille in his per- ilous ;;,l\;inee soulh ;ilnl \\cst "I L;ike Michigan lie, -Mine pi-r- in;i nei it sd t lers. at t:i el HM| t. > 1 he I in Id ell ma It 1 and the prolific soil. Thus small I'Yeneh st'ltlt'imMits ht'u r an to lie made in the \iein- it\' of La Sallc's 1 radiiiLr-p"Sts more than a thousand miles in ;i.d\ a nee of the selHclncnls "I ( 'anada. \\ here the iiliaiuhiti< 'iis \\hite man dwelt, in peaee with the red man ol the wilderness. (tlher restless spirits and hardy adventurers Irotn ('anada ;,,,,,_,(. ,) to see the reLfioli whieh had heen deserilu-d hy I. a Sal- !e and others as the most deh'_ r htl'ul coiiutrv on earth. The 1!M> nisToKv OF THI: [ROOK n. veteran (Chevalier dc Tonti had remained in command on the Illinois while La Salle was in Prance organi/niLT Ins colon} lor Lower Louisiana : and in ltiS,">, having heard of his arrival with his rolonv in the West Indies, he had descended the nver with a party ot Canadians and Indians to greet him and his col- ony at the month of the Mississippi. Finding no vestige oi his colonv, and unable to obtain any certain intelligence <1 Ins late, he returned to the Illinois, where he remained at the head of affairs until the year 1700, 'when he descended the river again with twenty Canadians to greet the new colony of Iber- ville.* Occasionally, before this time, the traders and voya- geurs.as well as the Jesuit missionaries, had descended the river from the Illinois country to the Chickasa and Xatchex In- dians ; hut after the arrival of Iberville's colony, these adven- turous voyages were more frequent. [A.D. Kilts.] The court of France had been engaged in wars and political intrigues, and nothing toward eolonixing Louisiana had been effected since the disastrous expedition ot La Saile. Twelve years had elapsed, but his discoveries and his unfortunate fate had not been forgotten. At length, in i(i!)S. an expedition, for colonizing the region of the Lower Mis- sissippi was set on foot by the French king. It was platted un- der the' command <>1 M. d'lberville. who had been an experi- enced and distinguished naval commander in the French wars ot Canada, and a successful a .'.rent in establishing colonies in Canada, .\cadie. and ('ape Breton. D'lberville was a man well qualified !] the undertaking: Ins judgment was mature, his manner stern, and his decision and action prompt in the execution ot his plan-. He was willing, after encountering the snows and icebergs of Hudson's I Jay and St. Lawrence, to transfer the theatre of his operations to the burning sands ot Florida. Desirous of distinction al| the coast of \\ est. Florida, and mc a tori ilic,| town, with a colonv of three Irom \ era ( 'rux. | I"!)N. D'lberville entered upon the com- \\ it A. n. ItilM).] VAI.I.KY or TIII: .MISSISSIITI. ID"/ lleet of two frigates, rating thirty u'uns each, and two smaller vessels, bearing a companv ot marine^ and t\\o hundred eol<>- nists. including a few women and children. In- prepared \<> >et sail Irom France for the month of ihc Missis-ippi. 'I'lic col- onists \vere mostly soldiers who had >ervechar:_re. They uere well supplied with provisions and implements reipu-.te \\~ opening settlements in the wilderness. Jt was (in the 'Jlth day of September. 17',t*\ that this col- ony sailed Iroin liochellc. ' A lr ot' ( 'ape Francois, in the Island of St. l).] A la rue additional ship of war. rating fifty Ljuns, commanded b\" Cluiteuumoraiit, was detailed to escort llu? lleet tft the shores of Louisiana : and on the lirM of Janu- ary, l(i!M>, the colony, llms protected, set sail from St. I >ominL r o m seiirch ot the mouth ot the Mississippi. Aller t \ventv-four days, the lleet cast anchor oil' the Island of St. liose. a feu- mi IPS east of the bay, known to I )e Soto one hnndi'ed and sixty veai's helore as the I5a.\' ot Achnsi, and siihseipienllv de.-!^- nated by tin 1 Spaniards as the Hay of Si. .Mary de (i::!\e.^ A few miles up the hay \vas the Span,>h setllcmeiit of 1'i-n^ac. da. protected bv a strong t"i - t and ample garrison. 'I'he ileei cruised oil' t he mouth ot I'ensacola I >a v \r sc-\ era I da\ < : but the Spanish LTovenior, obedient 1 > h s orders, and to the ma\- iin< i>| the coininercial s\>tem. u<'i,ld pcim:! ii" loreiLTn vessel to enter the harbor. Sail'lii: lurther t" the we-t. the lied an- chored "ll' the island lir-t cidU-d Massacre, and kno\\n to the ] 'reii'-h subseipiciil ly as I )aiipli n l>land. 1\ mir \\ c>t ot the pres- ent Hay of Mobile. A feu da_s> aficruanl tlie lleet -aded we>t\\ard, and the \\ater near tlh- coast beinir too >halio\v to]- the larii'e \ osel from the Si. |)oniin._ro -tatioii, that vessel re- turned, and the In Ljaies a i ic; i .red nea r the ( liandaleiir 1 1 r< >ups, while Iberville explored the ehaniiel heixseen Ship inland and Cat Island, and, with In- colony, landed upon Ship l-dand. o|]' the month '! the I'ascaufula Itiver. Here he erected lmt> tor his eole; and al'lerward disciivered. b coastiir_ r m l<;'^ 198 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. alon<: the shore, the Pascagoula River, rind the tribe of Biloxi Indians. Having explored the coast, and ascertained Iroin the natives the probable course and dista.nce of the outlet of the great river Si. Louis, or. as it was latterly known to the 1'Yeiich, the '" Hidden River," Iherville, on the ^7lh day of February, set out from Ship Island in boats, to explore the month, which had, as yet, never been entered from the sea. In two large barges, one commanded by himself and one by his brother Die a vi lie, each carrying twenty-four meiulberville moved south and westward along the coast. Three days brought, them to the Bali/.e. and they entered, on the second day of March, a wide river flowing into the sea. Father Athanase, a Francis- can, who had been a companion of La Salle in his exploring voyage in IGN'j, declared this to be the true River St. Louis. The water was turbid, and moved in a vast volume to the sea, its surface bearing down large quantities of floating timber. It could be no other than the Perdido, or -Hidden River.*' Iberville doubted the father's opinion. lie expected to have seen a more expansive month, and could not believe this to be the mighty river of the West. The barges, however, were di- rected to proceed up the stream, and soon afterward he con- curred in the opinion of the worthy father. As they advanced, all doubt was dispelled when he beheld in the hands of the In- dians, near .Bayou (loula, articles which had been distributed by La Salle in l(>s>>."> bv J)e Tonti to La Saile. A'ot far from this, as t lies' ascended, he saw in the posses- sion of the natives a portion of a coat of mail, which, in all prob- ability. h;id remained in the country since the disastrous expedi- tion of 1 )e Solo, one hundred and sixty years before. The letter of I)e Tonti svas dated April iiOth, 1685, and expressed the ex- treme disappointment oi the chevalier in failing to ineel La Salic with his colony, ss liich he knew had a 1 read v sailed from France. In tins letter the chevalier further stated that lie had departed fr< >m ( 'an;; da lor the St. Loins River, by was' of the lakes and Illinois: that he- had descended the river to the sea. with a par- 1 \ n! t ss eni s'-lis"e Canadian French and thirls' Indian-:, in or- der to join the colony svhich La. Salle had led from France for the settlement ol Louisiana: that, basing continued near ;he mouth, as bad been previously agreed, and not hasini: been A. u. Hi!)!).] V.U.I.KY or riu: MIS.-IS.-MITI. ID!) able to obtain any intelligence ot'him or his eolonv, he had re- turned to the Illinois. ' After several days spent in exploring the country, and In >ldin_ r intercourse with the Indian tribes nc;ir the mouth of Red Ri\- er, Iberville, with his party, descended the river to the outlet of Bayou Ibefville, or Manchac. .Here bein'_ r inlbrmed of an in- land route through to the I>ay of St. Loins, he lirst explored the pass through Bavon .Maiichac and Lakes .Maurepas and Puntchartrain, and returned to the settlement <>n Ship l>land. which names were then given bv Iher\ille himself. Soon afterward, Iberville selected a site, and be_ r an to erect a fort upon the northeast shore of the J>ay of l>ilo\i. about fif- teen miles north ol' Ship Island. Here, upon a sandv shore, and under a burning sun, upon a pine barren, lie settled his col- ony, about eight v miles northeast from the present citv of .New Orleans. This occupation, protected by a tort, under the 'om- mand of Sauvolle, with four bastions, and defended hv twelve cannon, was the sign ot French jurisdiction, which was to ex- tend from the JJay of IVnsacola. on the east to the Rio de! Xorte on the west.f Having thus located his colouv. and protected them trom tiie danirer ol Indian treachery and hostility, he made other pr >- vision for their comfort rind security, and then set sail for France, leaving his t w< > brother--. Sauv >!!e and H:en\ ille. as his lieutenants; the lirst to command the tort, and the other as general superintendent ot the colony under h:m. The movements in France tor the colonix.ation oi Louisiana had not been unobserved bv K upland. The jealous eyt 1 o|' that L r rasp;nir power had been observing closely the preparations lor colojii/ing Louisiana and the shores o| the .Mis>!ssipp;. r'ather Loins llennepin had been taken into IJntish pav un- der \\'illiam II 1.. and had published his ne\\ Work, in \\ hie h. to bar the French claim o| disc* ivery, he had. \\ ,th impiideiit f.iUe- M:u-ti>!,VHl. i . ]>. 1 !':. ! II. * Ar.-i.nlin..' to Marlii, Uu'irr :\ :u<. ' ..tluT-!. tti.' pn --'.t it:iy u( \\\',<\', \-, III,. p,,ii.: wln-ri' llnTviilr HKi.lr i.is liv-; I .,:: ... , ,i, Hi,- i:,-,.;, r,: !. :,';.! , I'.M ! ! 1 i- :,..!. ,;, :', : . j. . !,y isvrhr pi, -rrs nf . :.!!:. MI; ;!,:'.-:, : : n -, ;i \ - t i.-- I. - .; . r\\ .::[ ' i It! loxi." \VM^ upon t!i.. !'>:! : /'./., i % ' ' inil. s , -: ..! I' n-v.,- ,;, \- ;' . |'i-. :, '200 HISTORY OF THE [liOUK II. hood, claimed to have himself first descended tlie Mississippi to the sea." Then it was he interpolated his former narrative with a jfiunial of his pretended voyage down the river. This had hern published in London, at the very time the fort at Hi- lo\i was in progress; and at once an exploring expedition and eolon\'. under the auspices of Coxe, a proprietor of \e\v Jer- sey, was dispatched also to explore the months of the -Missis- sippi, under the escort of a British vessel of war, J commanded hy Captain Barr. The condition of the French colony on Ship Island and on the Bay of Biloxi Avas far from pleasant. The barren sands of the coast promised hut little in point of agriculture, and the burning suns of the tropics made many sigh for the cool breez- es of Hudson's Bay. A truce with the Spaniards of Pensacola might he obtained, but the Indians were also to be conciliated. The latter had already been visited on the Mississippi by Fa- thers Montigny and Davion, and were considered allies ol the French. Bienville, durinir the absence of Iberville, lost no opportunity of extending his explorations, and was indefatigable in his ex- ertions to secure the prosperity and perpetuity of the colony. Every opportunity of conciliating the native tribes, as he ex- plored the bays and rivers upon the coast, was duly improved, by attaching thum to the French interest, and impressing them with the magnificence of France. In September, while exploring the channel of the Mississippi, with his boats and lead-lines, a tew miles below the present site ol \ew ( Means, Bienville perceived a British corvette ol twelve _ r uns slowly moving up the stream, \othing daunted at his defenseless condition, he sen! a ll;iL r on board the English ship to Captain Barr, informing him that he was within the domin- ions ol his must Christian majesty; thai, if he persisted in as- cending the river, lie should he compelled bv his dutv to use the t'>rcr at h;s command to resist, their advance : he siir.'iilied that there were strong defenses a few miles above, and thai he had ample means to etitorce obedience to his demands. The Britons Crumbled and turned about, but. declared that Captain Wood had discovered the river and country nearly fifty years before, t and that t he v would return with force sufficient to main- A.I). 1(509.] VALI.KY (IF THi: M ISS I Sr- 1 1' I' [. "JO 1 tain their claim. The Knirlish hail seen with a jealou< e\e the advances of the French from Canada to the Fpper Alisy the French. The point at which he made his return, in commemoration ot that circumstance, has since been known as the " Fnirlish Turn."' Having failed to dislodge the French from the .Mississippi, the English authorities in Carolina subsequently lost no oppor- tunity lor annoying the settlements on the Mohile. through the Indian trihes. Yet Fu'jland still held a nominal claim west- \vard to the Mississippi, while Spain could onlv protest !iirain>! (he separation of what she was pleased to call the government T Mexico; for France was destined to hold the Valley of the Mississippi, as it were in trust, for a people yet unhoni. :>s an asylum for oppressed humanity. ! )urin'_ r the past summer, sickness and luhous tever had made -.id ravages amontr the una<"chmated Luropeans and Canad:- ans. ALanv had died trom disease^ incident to the climate: and the troops had also suffered se\ erely. and their numbers had heen QTeatlv reduced. .-\hove all, the commandant of Fort iiiloxi. Ai. Sanvolle. had died durni'_ r the summer, leavmir 'he x'outht'iil Bienville sole commandant and superintendent <~\ the pn viiice. But earK in Mecem!>er t'ollo\\ m;/. I I'l i>er\ il!c returned \\iih an additional colony and a detachiiii-nt of troop<. in cnmpanv with several vessels of \\ar.t I i 1 to t'n> tune, the principal setllemelits had Keen at Ship 1-ia.nd and on the Bay ot B'lo\i : others had heen heL p un at the Bay of St. Louis and on the Ba\ of Alohile. These \\ere made as a matter ot con\ - en;eiice, 'o JO'J HISTORY or Tin: [HOOK 11. hold ;ui(l occupy the country: for his |)rinci|);il object was to colonize the hanks of the Mississippi itself. \\ hen lie learned that the Knirlish meditated a settlement on that river, and had sent an exploring expedition to examine its channels and shores. he resolved no longer to defer the occupation of the river hy a inilitarv [lost. Accordingly, on the 17th of January, 1700. he set out from the Bay of St. Louis for the exploration ot the Mississippi, in search of a suitable site lor a tort, lie soon se- lected a point, supposed to be above ordinary high water, about tifty-ibur miles above the mouth, and about thirty-eight miles below the present city of New Orleans. Upon this ridge, not far from Poverty Point, he located a small colony and erected a small fort.'-'' [A.D. 1700. J About the middle of February, the veteran Chevalier de Tonti arrived on the Lower Mississippi, with a party of Canadian French from the Illinois. lie found Ibervillc at his newly-erected fort, arranging the settlements for the colo- nization of the Lower Mississippi. The experience of De Tonti, his knowledge of the Indian language and customs, and his ac- quaintance with several tribes on the river, rendered him a val- uable acquisition to the new colony. With his aid. Iberville de- termined to ascend the river and explore the country upon its banks, and form friendly alliances with the native tribes of the interior. Accordingly, he hastened to detail a suitable partv, in company with I )e T. 1 : : A.I). 1700.] VAU.EV OK Tin: MISSISSIITI. 'JO 3 provincial government : ;uid here lit: selected an elevated Mull' as the site lor the future capital of the province. It was the blufl' \vhere the city of .Vitchex. no\v stands. The. site \vas distinguished hy the name of' Rosalie." in honor of the ('"unl- ess of Pontchartrain. who had received that name at the hap- tisinal fount.' He designed to establish a t'ort at this point. as the sign of' French jurisdiction; hut Fort Hoodie \vas not erected hy his successors until sixteen years afterward. The Count of Pontchartrain had heen the friend and patron of Iher- \ r ille'.s plan of colonizing the Mississippi, which recei\'ed all the aid which his influence as minister of marine atlairs could give. In many particulars, the Xatchez tribes differed, in the time of Iberville, from the neighboring tribes and nations, both in their appearance and in their mode of civilization. The\ ex- erted an extensive influence over the neighboring tribes, sev- eral of which were in alliance with them. Of all these allies. the Tensas were strongest in their resemblance, in their per- sons. their manners, and their religion. Their religion, in some respects, resembled that of the fire- worshipers of Persia. Fire was the emblem of' their divinity: the sun was their god: their chiefs were called suns," and their king was called the ( I real Sun." In their principal tem- ple a perpetual lire was kept burning by the ministering priest. who likewise offered sacrifices of the first fruits oi the chase. In extreme cases, thev offered sacrifices of infant children, t" appease the wrath of the deity. \\ h;le Ibervi'.le was there. one of the temples was struck bv li'_ r htn.!r_ r and set mi lire. The keeper of the lime solicited the s<|iia\\ s to thro \\ their little < \n-> into the lire fo appea>e the angry desist li'i 'in the h< >rnd rites. f After Iherville reached the .\atchex. tribe, the (Ireat Sun. or king of' the coufederacv. ha\ ing heard of the approach of the French commandant, determined to pay him a visit in person. the shoulders of some of his men. and attended by a great reti- nue of his people. lie hade Iherviile a hearty welcome, and sho\\ei| him the most marked attention and kindness during h'- stav. A treaty of friendship was concluded, with perm:--ion M;u-lin' yOl HISTORY oi' TIM: [BOOK ii. to build ;i fort and to establish a trading-post among them; which was. however, deterred man}' years. "The grand chief oi' the tribe was revered as of the family of the sun. and he could trace his descent with certainty from the iioliles; tor the inheritance of power was traced exclusive- ly through the female line. Hard by the temple, on an artifi- cial mound of earth, stood the hut of the -Creat Sun;' around it Mere grouped the cabins of the tribe. There, for unlold years, the savage had I'reelv whispered his tale of love : had wooed his bride, by purchase, from her father; had placed his trust in his manitous; had turned at daybreak toward the Kast, to hail and worship the beams of morning : bad listened to the revelations of dreams; had invoked the aid of the medicine- men to dance the- medicine-dance; had won titles oi' honor by prowess in war. and bad tortured and burned his prisoners. There were the fields where, in spring, the whole tribe had gone forth to cultivate the maixe and vines; there the scenes of the glad festival at the gathering of the harvest; there the natural amphitheatres, where councils were convened and em- bassies were received, and the calumet oi' reconciliation passed in solemn ceremony from lip to lip ; there the dead had been arrayed in their proudest apparel," supplied with loud for their long journey ; and there the requiem was chanted by women, in mournful strains, over their bones: and there, too. when a great sun died, persons of the same age were strangled, as his escort into the realms oi shades.' D'lberville returned to the fort erecting above the month of the Mississippi, while Bienville, accompanied by St. Denys, ;, lew Canadians, and a number of Indians, ascended Red River as far as the Yatassee tribe of Indians, who then dwelt chiefly upon the south side of Red River, upon the Bayou Pierre, about thirty miles above the site oi the present town of Natchitoches. Alter a short time spent on the north side of Red River, in the vicinity of the salines. JJienville returned, leaving St. Denys to prosecute the exploration of the country on Red River far into the West. Soa\> to be the IVrdido River, and both concurred in resisting the common enemy. Dauphin Island Harbor, near the entrance of' .Mobile l>av. was used as a convenient station tor the fleet dnriliLT the sum- mer : and although in a sterile pine region, it served as an ex- cellent shelter for the ships, and for many years afterward i; was an important | >rt. Kie_ r li.-h emissaries trom Carolina and \iririnia peiiet raten westward t.> the head waters ol the Toml>ii_ r hy and \labam;. Rivers, and excited the Indian tribes to hostilities airaius! the Spanish and French settlements near the coast. Others Iron. Vjrjiliia | iciiel rated \\est\\ard to the \\ aba-h. and excited the Hi >r'h\\ estern Indian^ against I he sell lemi-nt< and traders of the |||:!io:~ eoiinti'v. ' Instigated b\ them, the Copias had killei: tJ!e .le-uit l'oi:eault. a m :s-~iona i'\ aiii"H'_ r the \alchex. 'I'll,. \\ j|: ij c, i|i n\ o! Sol H hern Louisiana as \ et did ii"t innn- !., |||in\ families be-ides -.. Idler-. t lli ] !..M< fevers bad eii! 1 1|]' ma n\ . 'l' the ii 1 '-- i-i: : j ra nt-. and la m; ne and linhan host i lit;. d the remaii der. |I;il IbcrvHle ha.l been inde- , e\erti..)e t.. - proieet and provide fir the C"loii\ . explored : id ba\ ..us of tlie A tchal'ah \ ::. I'!' 'j..e- niine-;. |/> !' 'urche. and M aiieii;ie. as \\e!l a< liie lak'l !' i 206 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. II. had been discovered : aided by the Canadian French, the great tributaries of the Mississippi had been explored lor more than a thousand miles : the Indian tribes had been conciliated, and were the friends of the French; and missionary stations had been established amono; them by Jesuits from Canada. The general extent and natural resources of the province were known. St. Denys, in the year 1700, had explored Red River, with a party of French and Indians, for nearly a thousand miles. Other parties had explored the lower portions of the Washita and Yazoo. The Arkansas River had likewise been explored far above the present town of Little Rock. Lesueur had likewise explored the Upper Mississippi as far as the St. Peter's River, in search of precious metals of silver and gold.* But all their dreams of precious stones and metals led them onlv into the remote wilds of the West, to sicken and die. or to return filled with disappointment. In all the explorations and excursions throughout this vast province, the splendid water-courses, the great high-ways of nature, afforded, by means of boats and canoes, facilities of travel unsurpassed in the world. The light canoe, propelled bv the vigorous arm of the voyageur, traversed the most rapid streams with speed but little inferior to the power ot steam. Did a rapid or perpendicular fall obstruct, the channel, the same sturdv hands dragged the light canoe over the rapid, or carried it, around the falls and over the portage. [A.I). 1701.] The colony had siillered much from sickness. We, have said Sauvolle had fallen an early victim to bilious fever, leavinir the youthful Bienville in command of the prov- ince. I nberville. attacked with vellow fever in the West In- dies, had escaped with his life : but his health was gone. Un- able to sustain the influence of a. tropical climate, he had re- tired to France: alter more than a year.be attempted to do service in the \\est Indies, but here he was attacked with a ars except to explore tin- country and form friend of Indians. Stoddart. on the authority of a MS. rj service, sa\s that Lesuenr [iscendi'd the St. le Karth liiver. where in 17n-J he erected a fort, north, which was ahandoi.ed the next \ear on account ot the liostilif, o! the Sioux. Otln r posts on the I pper MNsN-.ipj i nUivc the Wisconsin, were ahandoued at the same time. A settlement iiipi mission w. re estahlished on the \V ash it a, prohah!;. at .~-icil\ Island, in 17o:i, a, :d iiiiotli T i n (lie 'i a/oo. See Sketches of Louisiana, p. -'7. In 17li:,. the minend explorers ascended the Missouri as far as the K:n zas Hiver, mouth of A.D. 1710.] VALLEY Or TIIK MISSISSIPPI. -_>07 severe disease, which terminated his life at Havana, early in July, 170(5. In him the colon}', as well as the French navy, lost a hero worthy their regret." Thus perished the bold and persevering founder of the province of Louisiana, a martyr to the glory ot France, as La .Salle had heen a tew years before. [A.]). 1710.] Louisiana was as yet only a var was the L r "Vernment of France free from the delusion. The mmistrv had directed that a number of hulla loes should he cauirlit ami tamed, to prop- agate their -pec ic- in France, for the sake oj their wool. L:; rire (jiiaiitities of earths \\ere shipped to France trom the I pper Mis>i.-sippi, I" he assayed b\ experienced -melter>. in hopes of' pl-ovinir it a \aluahle o\yd ( some precious metal. The most extravagant tales ot dc-: i;niir_T men were received \\it'i the trreedine>s of entire belie! :' ! rewards \\ere paid to tho> r \\ ho irave inlelli L r ence o! valuable mines, and extravagant disc Aer- ies multiplied in proportion to the reward- "tiered. H;iiuTuii \o!. iii., : -< * M;iri.ii's I.n'i:>i:inn v,.j i ]> '. 208 HISTOKV OF THE [HOOK n. Hence it is not strange tliat the colony suffered i'rom want little short of starvation. Several times the colonv was driv- en to extreme suffering lor want of the neeessarv stall' of lite; and in the year 1701, disease had succeeded to famine, for most of the colonists had sickened, and death had reduced the en- tire number to one hundred and fifty souls. Three years after- ward, or in the year 1704, the same suffering was experienced lor food. The horrors oi famine and pestilence combined were averted only by the timely relief afforded by the Span- ish governor of Pensacola.* For many years the colony was much harassed by Indian hostilities, incited by the British emis- saries and traders from Carolina; instead ol increasing the number of settlers in compact settlements, the colonial gov- ernment was anxious to spread them thinly over a vast ter- ritorv ; hence they were easilv cut oil' by the savages. The first maritime trade with the colony was in January. 170!), ten years niter the landing "f Iberville's colony. This was by a ves>el laden with provisions, brandy, and tobacco from Ha- vana, lor the purpose of trade ;"!" but the colonists had nothing to barter but hides and peltries, obtained from the natives. The whole history of the small colonies in Louisiana, for ten years, had been only a tissue of the friendly or hostile re- lations between detached parties or settlements, and the differ- ent Indian tribes: of diHiculties encountered by the settlers in their continual etlorts to extend the power and influence of France over the savages by treaty or by trade. Hut m>w they began to perceive their error. Thev became conxinced that the wealth of Louisiana was in the soil, susceptible of produ- cing everv thing requisite tor any community. \Vhen a< r ricul- ture began to flourish, provisions became plenty. The colonv soon assumed the appearance ot n regularlv-organi/.ed com- muniU. Indian girls were employed as servants in private families: twenty negro shives were now in the color, >-. and either evidences ot luxury appeared. \ el the male population, relu>mg to labor, nmused themselves in everv species of idle- ness. The colony now presented a population of only three hundred and eightv >ouls. distributed into Ji\r settlements, re- mote Ii'om car) i other. These were on Shi p Island. Cut Island, at Hiloxi, Mobile, and on the Mississippi. The meagei soil of l the coa>t. the marshes of the Wis A.I). 1711.] VAI.LI:Y OF Tin-. MISSI.-SIITI. where D'Iberville luul erected ;i small ibrt, at the merry of every Hood of the river, and the noxious insects and reptile-, no less than the siL r hinu r of the pines near .Mobile, warned tin- new emiirrants to seek homes further inland. The French court heiran likewise to see that a chanire in ihc L. r o\ernmeu: and ireneral policy ot the province ot Louisiana \\as requisite. 'I'he colony, so tar, had failed to inert the expectation- ,,f the crown or the people ot France, and a change vvas indi>peitsahle. Heretofore the settlements o| Loiusiaiiii had heen a depend- ence on ,\ew France or Canada, although separated hv a \\il- derness of t\vo thousand miles in extent. \o\\ it wa> to he made an independent 'j;< >vernment. res pi msible only to the crown. and comprising also the Illinois country under its juri-diction. [A.I). 1711.] The irovernment ot' Louisiana was accord- ingly placed in the hands ot a fjovernor-general. The head- (jiiarters. <>r seat oi the colonial ^overnment, was established at Mobile, and a new fort was erected upon the site of the present city ot Mobile.' Dirou d'Arta:_ruclte, as conimis.--arv ordonnateur, arrived early in the year 171 Land entered upon his duties. DeMuys. the iroveriior-irenenil. had died on the vi ivaire. It was determined that the colonists should depend upon their own exertions ;md industry tor the principal necessaries of life : that airriculture shoiiM be lostered. and that the land. which heretofore had been neglected. >lioiild be taxed to sup- ply those necessaries: that France would snppl\ onl\ Mich artieh-s as could not be produced in the province. IJut the settlements \vere as vei confined i 11 a !c\v >;md\ isl:iiiii<, and ;., liie sterile coast from Ab'inie Ua\ Westward to the II; : \ o| v vj. Luiiis, and \l\t-v coii-ld not hope to -ucceeil ;n l.ilinir a bar- r,, M .,, ,,| ; althoii'_ r h the lakes ;md bay> .-up plied ihein in a In an I- ;ince \\ ith ail kind- oi" li>h and \\ aier-l\\ I. the\ reijn;rcd bread ;|i,. pri iduct i <\ a Lfi'iien ms earth. Ui.-nville had been aj)p"iiited -o\ erii"i --eneral oi the prov- jjjee ; he liad before seel i 1 1 ie ncces>il \ of agricultural settle- meiils and his e\ e had iv- e I upon ihe deep allir. :-lis ot' the Mississi[ipi. which \sere co\ e red \\ ith hea\ y to rest- and ;MI im- penetrable iinder_ r ro\\ th ot'cnne. vines, and brier-. T remove these, not only time, but \a-i labor, was rei|iiired. ^ et I'.iei.- ville had seen that no aLrricultiiral c-!-n\ could pr.-spi-r n- " ilui.'T 1 :i. \ i'i iii- i 1 ' !! VOL. I. U 210 HISTORY Or THE [llOOK II. Mobile, and he sought to form settlements on the Mississippi alluvions. Although exploring parties had been sent to the remotest portions of the province ; although every Indian tribe had been visited, yet not one permanent settlement had been made on the banks of the Mississippi ; not one vestige of eivili/.ed life had been made upon the most fertile regions of the vast prov- ince ; not one field or village greeted the traveler's eye, if we except the small fort of Iberville, toward the mouth, which had now been abandoned. The government of France, embar- rassed and burdened with debt, was unable to maintain the helpless colony. [A.D. 17TJ.J In France, it was still believed that Louisiana presented a rich field for enterprise and speculation. The court, therefore, determined to place the resources of the prov- ince under the influence of individual enterprise. For this pur- pose, a grant of exclusive privileges, in all the commerce of the province, for a term of fifteen years, was made to Anthony Crozat. a rich and influential merchant of France. His charter was dated September ^(5tb, 171t>. At this time the limits of Louisiana, as claimed by France, were very extensive. As specified in the charter of Croxat. it was ' bounded by Xew Mexico on the west, by the English lands of Carolina on the east, including all the establishments, ports, havens, rivers, and principally the port and haven of the Isle of Dauphin, liereto- lore called Massacre: the River St. Louis, heretofore called Mississippi, irom the edge ot the sea as iar as the Illinois, to- gether with the River St. Philip, heretofore called Missouri, the River St. Jerome, heretofore called Wabash, with all the lauds, lakes, and rivers mediately or immediately flowing into any part oj the River St. Louis or Mississippi."* Thus Louisiana, as claimed by France, at that earlv period embraced all the immense regions of the I'nited States, from the Alleirhany Mountains on the east, to the Rocky Mountains on the west, and northward lo the great lakes oi' Canada. As Bancroft observes, "Louisiana was held to embrace the whole A alley ot ihe Mississippi. .Not a fountain bubbled on the west ot the Alleghanies but was claimed as being within the French empire. Halt a mile from th,- head of the southern branch of the Savannah River is 'Herbert's Spring,' which llous into ' Mitrtiu's Louisiana, vol. i.. j>. 17-'. 17'J. Sjct. 1 , also, t:turndi>. when- La S;il!e. in lt'>sr>, lo- cated his unfortunate colony, llie remains of \\hich, it' any re- mained, are supposed to have heeii de-troved o|- carried oil' by the Spaniards in It'.ND.f A larne portion of the states of Mis- sissippi and Alabama, imt drained bv the Mississippi Kiver. were also a part nj Louisiana, ami sn remained |'r more than sixt\' years, nr until the disineinherinenl in 17i>.'3. I'p tn this time, in thirteen years, there had he en ii"' le-< than tweuty-iive hundred settlers of all kinds intr<>diierd into Lou- isiana. \vlio had been distributed in distant explorations ami scattered settlements on the coast west ot'. Mobile. Manv had died: some had remained in the Illinois country. Yet the cnlnnv had been a source of great expense' to the crown. Al- ready tSS'UIOI) livres. or about 8170.000.;;; had been expended, when the value of mrmey was not reduced by [taper. [A.D. 171;$.] The I:Yench population in all this region was still ni 1 1 v a lew hundred indolent and ILI'IH 'rant colonists, besides a. lew troops in the tofts. At the tune ('ro/at's charter \\ as granted, the whole number of settlers in Lower Louisiana con- sisted ehietlv of 1 went v-eiirht tanulies. \\hosi- oeeilpation, be- sides fishiiiLT and huntini. r . was the cultivation o| small tracts ni sterile lands lor ;j-arde!is, in the |'.ne ri'Lrions around the ba\ s of P>i|o\i. St. Louis, and Mobile. The soldiers, distributed in the several 'garrisoned forts, con<:s1ed ol one hundred aiid sev- (Mitv-live men, coi n pri sin L r two ron i pa i nes o| inhmtry \\.th ntty in each, aiid sevent v-iivc ('anadian \ olnntrei's. I here \\-ere also at thi< time twenty ne'_ r ro sla\es, a lew .Ieh Kivers. a^ \\ ell ;i < upon the Illinois. Sileh uas the feeble condition ofthc col- on \- in Louisiana, the \\holr comnierce oj which v. a secured to \1. ('i'0/.at as a monopoly, to_r r !!i.-r \\.th the privilege o| w >rkiii'_ r :dl l he mines. Yet ('ro/at entered upon the enterprise \\nli /eal ; "21'2 HISTORY or THI: [BOOK n. tivity. lie expected to derive great profit from the fur-trade and trallick with the Indians. But the prospect of discovering rich mines of irold and silver lield out to his enr;i])tured vision sources of boundless wealth, and tempted enterprise and ex- pense. In the line of commercial trade, the demands of the Spanish settlements of _\e\v Mexico. Florida, and the West Indies promised the most certain revenue of the precious met- als. The commerce of these countries he vainly hoped to mo- nopolize by favor, intrigue, or otherwise. Among the many exclusive privileges granted by his charter, besides the trade and commerce of the province, and of all the Indian tribes, and the exclusive privilege of working all the mines of precious metals, was that of importing from the coast of Africa, for sale, one ship-load of negroes every year. " La Motte Cadillac, now royal governor ol Louisiana, be- came his partner: and the merchant proprietary ot Detroit sought fortune by discovering mines and encroaching on the colonial monopolies of Spain." "But the latter attempt met with no success whatever." v A vessel was sent to Vera Crux, with a rich cariro for sale, but it was not allowed to dispose of its merchandise, and every Spanish harbor in the CJulf of Mex- ico was closed against the vessels ol Cro/at. The occupation of Louisiana itself was deemed an encroachment upon Spanish territory. Failini: in this quarter, M. Cro/at caused settlements or trad- ing-posts to be made in the most remote parts ol the province, while explorations were extended into the most distant known tribes. I nder St. Denys. a settlement and trading-post was established on Red River, on the site ot the present town of \atchitorhes. in the present Stale of Louisiana. St. Den- ys also explored lied River much lurther. and advanced on a tour of observation as far as the Rio Bravo del A'orte, the present western limit ot Texas. f About the same time, a 1',: . :'.4T. t Si l)i-nys, in 1" i ,v:is dispatch. .] with thirty men tu \:itcliitMc|ii-s. In;' th.' pur : .-::.:.'! ;i -:.. M Hr \v;i* :i 1st i instruct nl to cxplori the i mmtn \vcstw :in] i.).s.-rv<- tin- 11 ' nf th" Spuniards ou tin- ]{in Bniv.>, nnd to HIT whether tlii'\ Imil :iilv!iiii-cil IIMT I rivi-r ihtu l.iMiisi;m;i. II.- ti.uml th:ittln-\ h;nl tnrincii n .-lit "ii lli.' '-! - ii. it' tin I! liniMi. ulicrc t!if\ ii!nl criTini :, i'.rl whicli , I,', I th. /-., I!,,' Ii list. \DSl-ttl, llll'llt hill] t tin-in i-n-it of thnt rivi-r: 1. it 1 ii. ;. i-!:ij ,.-! jurisrlictinu over the i-(iuntr\ i'ii-l\v;in] I . !!,.,J Hlvor, iiiidtT tin- naiii'! ol th': iinjvino- i>! Tuxas, sitrnilyim.; " Trii nls It.'lians wore friendly A.I). 171.").] VAI.LKY OF Till: M 1SSIS.- 1 1'l'J . -J 1 ;{ smuil settlement and tradinir-post \v;is established on the Ya- /()<>. ;uul iui Sicily Island, and hiL r h up tin- \Vashita. on the . ;;..-. :.-; . :,v. iy t i M. \ :.., to n.-.:. ( :.il . ;i Irr:it\ l.- \;,-. r.-,. In tliis In' WMS Mi.-n-.-isl'iil ; sin.i tVii-n.lix n-i 'ii tii. [''r.'ii.'ii nl l.oiiisi;ni:i iin.i tin- S]piilii-.Ii si'Iliriii.-nti ar- i . :> :ui.i !"!".. I.. 17!-, Si. l).'H\s \V:is ;..".iin in | l'i-../;it, willi \ al'iuliK- lii'Tchaii'lisc |.. .-\. : :i:i_-.' : T s'i .'1 U--.':il v ul'ii.'.i'.inL-i, s.-ii'.c.l SI. lli'iiys :i :i -::/! :!'T :i:;. 211 HISTORY OF THE [l5OOK II. The trade with the Indians also iailed to meet his expecta- tions. The English emissaries from Carolina were active in their e Hurts to excite the tribes east of the Mississippi to hos- tilities against the French. Where this was impracticable, they endeavored to annoy the French trade by supplying the same articles at reduced prices. The mines of Louisiana were principally of lead, copper, and iron, all of which were found in great abundance ; but they were not profitable. Much money had been spent in searching for gold and silver, with- out any recompense. Failing to realize any profit from all his contemplated resources, he was unable to meet his engage- ments with his workmen, agents, and troops, and dissatisfac- tion ensued. He had expended 425,000 livres in his operations, and had realized from all the sources of trade only 300,000, leaving him the loser of 125,000 livres, or about 830,000.* His partner. La Motte, the governor, had died recently. [A.I). 1710.] As yet no permanent settlement had been made at Natchez. A few traders and hunters had frequented that beautiful region, and some stragglers had taken up their abode among the Natchez Indians. A difficulty had occurred, and some Frenchmen had been plundered, and one or two had been murdered. A feeling of hostility manifesting itself among some of the tribe, it was deemed expedient and prudent to erect a fort and to place a small garrison in the Natchez country. Bienville, who was now again governor of the prov- ince, repaired to the Xatche/ tribe in June, and, after settling the difficulty with much sternness and severity, he beiran the erection of the tort, which had been previously ordered by the kinir's government. A garrison of eighteen men, under the command of M. Pailloux, was left to defend the post and pro- tect the traders. f This fort was erected on the site selected bv his brother Iberville sixteen years before, and the name by him selected was now confirmed, and the post was called "Fort Rosalie." This fort was situated remote from the bluff which overlooks the river. Its site was probably near the eastern limit of the confined him in n duuarnn. run! confiscated his irnods ns contraband. St. Denys. for more, than two years, had hern married (,, a Spanish lady of nohli; descent : and at lemrth tlit: viceroy, to satis!;, ,,opnlar feidinir, liberated him to the city hounds. !n September. 171H, In? escaped on horschacU. and at lenutli. after tiiore than six months. reached Louisiana in April, ]',\'.t. See Stoddart's Sketches, p. 33, 3-t ; also. Martin's Louisiana, vol. i.. p. ll'l. * Idem. p. 30. t Martin's Louisiana, \ol. i., p. 1:10. A.1J. 1717.] VALLEY OF THE MlSSISSin'l. 215 present city of Natchez. Tins gave \atchez precedence, as a settlement, over every other upon the Mississippi south of the Illinois country. [A.D. 1717.] Early in the following year. I/Epinai arrived at Mobile as governor of the province, with M. Hubert, or- donnateur-commissaire. The same arrival brought also lifiv emigrants for the establishment of new settlements, and three companies of infantry to re-enforce the garrisons at the differ- ent posts. Through the intrigue of England, the Spanish ports were now all closed against Crozat's vessels, and the interior be- ing cut off from his trade, his plans had all failed. He had been indefatigable in urging his commercial operations: but loss or misfortune lay in his path, and none of his plans pros- pered. At length, despairing of the ultimate success of his en- terprise in a savage country, and having already expended large sums of money without any profit, Crozat determined to abandon the whole scheme. lie accordingly petitioned the king to revoke his charter, or to permit him to surrender it to the crown. The king complied with his request, and accept- ed the surrender ol his charter in August, 1717. The govern- ment of the colonv reverted solely into the hands of the kinir's officers, and Cro/at retired to France. During the period of Crozat's charter, the colony continued to languish; the settlements increased slowly, and were con- fined chiefly to the River and Bay of Mobile, and other parts of the coast westward from Biloxi. Two small settlements had been commenced on Red River, near Xatchitoches and at Alexandria. Although Cro/at had introduced many set- tlers, so that the entire European population had nearly doub- led their numbers, yet the whole number of colonists was still only seven hundred souls, ot all a ires, sexes, and colors. Sev- eral small forts had been erected. Among them was the one on the Coosa River, called Fort Toulouse, and the other at Natchez, known as Fort Rosalie. These were merely block- houses, inclosed with palisades to protect the inmates from sur- prise by the Indians, and to shelter the traders, with their goods and families. As Mr. Bancroft observes, "For the advancement of the colony, Crozat. accomplished nothing. The only prosperity which it possessed grew out of the enterprise of humble indi- 216 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK II. viduals. who liad succeeded in establishing a little barter be- tween themselves and the natives, and a petty trade with neigh- boring European settlements. These small sources of prosper- ity were cut oil" by the profitless but fatal monopoly of the Pa- risian merchant. The Indians were too powerful to be resist- ed by his factors. The English gradually appropriated the trade with the natives, and every Frenchman in Louisiana, except his agents, fomented opposition to his privileges. Cro- zat resigned his charter."* CHAPTER VI. LOUISIANA UNDER THE " WESTERN COMPANY" UNTIL THE FAILURE OF LAW'S "MISSISSIPPI SCHEME." A.D. 1717 TO 1722. Argument. Enthusiasm in France for colonizing the Mississippi. The Western Com- pany succeeds to the Monopoly of Louisiana. Charter of the Company. Its Privi leges, Powers, and Term of Existence. Extravagant Expectations of the: Company. Arrival of the Company's Officers, Troops, and some Colonists at Mobile. Bienville appointed Governor. He desires to extend Settlements upon the Mississippi. Se- lects the Site of New Orleans. Establishes a Military Post on it. Company refuse to leave Mobile as Headquarters. Mining Delusion excludes Agriculture. Exten- sive Mining AiTunt-'ements in 1719. Bienville's Agricultural Views embraced by the Company. Dependent Condition of Louisiana. Several large and small Colonies from France arrive. The Spaniards establish Settlements and " Missions" east of the llio del Norte. La Harpe maintains his Post near Natchitoches. Spanish Encroach- ments. Correspondence of the Spanish Commandant, De la Conic, with La Harpe, in 171!). Negro Slavery introduced into Louisiana by the Western Company. Dif- ferent early Importations from Guinea. Value of Slaves. Sources from which the African Slave trade is supplied. Changes in the Government of Louisiana in 1719. Superior Council organized. Headquarters removed to Biloxi. Emigrants and Troops arrive in 1720. War with Spain. Operations at Mobile and Pensacola. The latter captured and burned by the French. Spanish Incursions from Santa Fe to the Missouri and Arkansas. Fort Orleans built on the Missouri. Plan of Defense for the Upper Mississippi. Lesucur occupies a Post on the St. Peter's. Fort Char- tres commenced. Becomes a .strong Fortress. Difficulties in Southwestern Louisi- ana. Bienvillt: resolves to occupy Texas. His "Order" to Bernard La Harpe. La Harpi-'s Occupation of the Bay of St. Bernard. Indian Hostilities east of the Missis- sippi. " Fort ( 'ondi'-" built on the Alabama. Increase of Population by diflerent Ar- rivals. Colonies. Convicts. Females from the Houses of Correction in Paris. In- terdiction of Convicts to Louisiana. Arrival of Emigrants and Slaves. New Orleans becomes the Capital of the Province. Embarrassment of the Western Company. Sufferings of the Colonies and Scarcity of Food. Revolt of Troops at Fort Condi 1 . New Orleans in 17-'U. Picture of Law's celebrated Scheme. Its Character. False Basis. Credit System. Mining Delusion. Schemes for procrastinating the ( 'atastro- phe. Burstim: of the " Bubble.'' ( 'alnmitous Consequences of an inflated ( 'urrency. [A. I). 1717.] "Tii!: Valley of the Mississippi inflamed the imagination of France: anticipating the future, the French na- * Hist, of United States, vol. Hi., p. 3-18. A.n. 1717.] VALLEY or THE MISSISSIPPI. 217 tion beheld the certain opulence of coming acres as within their immediate grasp ; and John Law, who possessed the entire confidence of the regent, obtained the whole control ot' the commerce of Louisiana and Canada."' Trade, commerce, and inexhaustible wealth were to sprinir up in the solitudes of America. No sooner had Crozat surrendered his charter, than others were anxious and ready to enter the same field of adventurous enterprise. A company was organized and received the roy- al charter, under the name of the "Western Company." con- nected with Law's Bank of France, and sharing its privileges. This charter conferred upon the Western Company much more extensive powers and privileges than those granted to M. Cro- zat. The plan of this company was not unlike that of the Brit- ish "East India Company," and possessed powers and privile- ges nearly equal. But the plunder of a savage wilderness could not yield such immense revenues as an ancient, wealthy, and effeminate empire. Hence the French West India Company ultimately failed in its operations. The Western Company had a, legal existence, bv the char- ter, of twenty-live years. It was vested with the exclusive priviioge of the entire commerce ot Louisiana and \ew France, and with authority to enforce its rights. It. was authorized to monopolize the tra.de oi all the colonies in the provinces, and of all the Indian tribes within the limits of that extensive re- gion, even to the remotest source ot every stream tributary in any wise to the Mississippi and Mobile liivers ; to make treat- ies with the Indian tribes : to declare and pr< isecute war against them in defense of the colony; to grant lands, to erect forts. to levy troops, to raise recruits, and to open and work all mines of precious metals or stones which murlit be discovered in the province. It was permitted and authorized to nominate and present men for the oilice oj governor, and tor commanders ot the troops, and to commission ihe latter, subject to the kin IT'S approval ; to remove inferior judges and civil officers ; to build and equip ships ot war, and to cast cannon. The kim, r also granted for the use of the company all the forts, magazines, ITU us. ammunition, and vessels pertaining to the province.! AmoiiLT the obligations imposed upon the company was the stipulation to introduce into the province oi Louisiana, within ' I!uh'T"U'.s U. .States, vol. iii.. j>. 3-l'J. + Martin's Louisiana, vol. i.. \<. .'nO-'JUi. 218 HISTORY OF THK [BOOK II. the period of their chartered privileges, six thousand white per- sons and three thousand negro slaves, and to protect the set- tlements against Indian hostilities. It was vainly hoped, on the part of France, that the Western Company would exert a powerful influence in colonizing the vast regions of the Mississippi Valley, while the company looked forward to certain inexhaustihle sources of wealth : but what are exclusive privileges in a savage wilderness ? Where there are few and destitute settlements, of what value are the spoils ? [A. I). 1718.] In the following spring, early, three of the company's ships arrived in the port of Mobile, having on board M. Boisbriant, the king's lieutenant for Louisiana, bearing the king's commission to M. Bienville as governor of the province, M. Hubert, " director-general" of the company's affairs, be- sides three companies of infantry, and sixty-nine colonists. Such was the first step of the company to subdue the great Valley of the Mississippi.* Bienville again entered upon his duties as governor and lieutenant-general of the province. He still deemed it expe- dient to remove the headquarters of the colonial government from the sterile regions near Mobile Bay, and to establish it upon the banks of the St. Louis or Mississippi River. Upon the sterile lands around Mobile Bay, and the Bays of St. Louis and Biloxi, no agricultural colony could prosper, and without agriculture the province could not be sustained. Upon the fertile alluvions, and the rich hills bordering on the Mississippi and its tributaries, an agricultural community might succeed, and supply the whole colony with all the products necessary to sustain life, and yield a competence to the emigrating colo- nies, lie accordingly resolved to encourage the extension of o o settlements upon the banks of the Mississippi itself. In view of (bis object, he selected a site for a town, and placed fifty mi'ii to clear oil' the grounds, as the location of the future capital of the province, and to erect, barracks for the troops. The ground selected was that which is now covered by the lower portion, or French part, of the present city of New Orleans; a name given by Bienville in honor of the dis- solute but generous regent of France, and a name which it retains to this day. But M. Hubert, the director-general of A.D. 1718.] VALLEY OF Till; MISSISSIPPI. X* 1 9 the company, refused to remove the offices and the warehouse ol' the company from Mobile. Oi' course, l>ienville's new set- tlement remained but little more than a small military post, re- mote from the settlements. Xext spring the river ovcrtlo\ver a city. The troops were stationed again at Mobile : yet, subsequently, a small military post was renewed at .\ew Orleans, although lor three years Bienville's headquarters remained at Mobile. M. Hubert could not agree that the commercial depot of the companv should be removed from a sea-port which allbrded a direct intercourse with the West Indies, whence the}" could derive the earliest intelligence from France. M. Hubert con- sidered the site of Aew Orleans an inland point, remote from maritime advantages, and subject to frequent inundations, which must render it unhealthy. Agriculture was not the object of the company, so much as trade and the rich mines supposed to exist in the interior. The delusion which dreamed of rich mines of silver and irold in Louisiana still haunted the minds ol the companv and its agents. The most influential men in the province were eairer to encourage the search for the precious metals. .Notwith- standing the failure of Croxat, the company were willing to believe that the lailure resulted more trom unskillful assayers than from absence ol gold. To remedy ibis detect, a numer- ous company of miners and assayers. not less than two hun- dred in number, was to be sent to I pper Louisiana, under the direct i> m ot Francis Renault, " direct" >r-'jvneral of the mines of Louisiana." Kvery agent and every trader was required ca re- full \' 1"> observe' and report the presence o! anv rich ores \\hich miirht be discovered in their distant rambles. The inexhaust- ible soil was neglected as a ton tardy source of wealth.' Yet Bienville, confident that the prosperity of the colnny de- pended ui">n ils agricultural resources, and knowing that noth- ii inir was t"> be expected by the c<>mpanv from free trade with the Mexican provinces "r Florida, persisted in his ellbrts to transfer the colonists to the banks of the Mississippi. The disastrous experiment ot M. ('ro/at was sufficient evidence of this tact : and what was to be gained by the exclusive com- merce and trade ol' a colony which consisted of only a few M:irti:.'s Louisiana, vol. L, p. ~10-v!lC. 220 I1ISTOKY OF T1IC [BOOK II. hundred indigent, lazy people, scattered thinly over a savage wilderness '. Such was the reasoning of Bienville. The attainment of riches from the mines of' precious metals in 1/pper Louisiana was equally preposterous. Mines there were, of purest lead, of iron, of copper, and other metals ; but not of gold or silver. At length the directory concurred with Bienville. that, after the fur trade with the Indians, the next most desirable source of revenue to the company would spring from a densely settled country of civilized people. It became, therefore, an object of primary importance to encourage the emigration of industrious and useful citizens from France, who should establish regular agricultural settlements upon the fer- tile lands which spread through the alluvions of the Missis- sippi, its large tributaries and bayous. To accomplish this object, large grants of land were made to influential and enter- prising men. for the purpose of establishing new colonies upon the Mississippi. The largest grants were located upon the banks of the river, within three hundred miles above Aew Or- leans; others were located upon Red River, upon the Washita, upon the Yazoo, and upon the Arkansas. The grant on the Arkansas was made to the noted John Law himself, the Scotch financier, who was now at the head of the Bank of France, and controlled the financial operations of the company as well as of France. Law stipulated to colonize the Arkansas with fif- teen hundred Herman emigrants from Provence, in France, and to keep up a sufficient military force for their protection against Indian hostility. Other gra.nts were upon similar con- ditions; the number of emigrants to be furnished were pro- portioned to the extent of the u'rant.'' A change in the condi- [ tion of the colony was about to be introduced by the new poli- cy which had been adopted: ;md preparations were active in France, by the different grantees, in collecting their emigrants who \\ere willing to visit the great Valley of the Mississippi. Although, up to this time, agriculture ha.d been entirely neg- " AmonL'the Brants made for colonies was onu to John haw, of twelve miies square, upon the Arkansas, nne on the Ya/.oo to LeMane and ethers; one to M. H.ihert and others, mi.-rchants ! St. Malves: one. to Bernard do la Hnrpe. ahove. Naiehitoehes ; nil,; to lie Meusi 1 , !it 1'iiint Coupee; nne tn St. Heine, at the Tunicas; one to Pirou iJ'Artajiiette. at B.Uon Umi-i: ; ene In Paris Duveniay. at ]>a\ou Mandiae. on the west side of the river; one t,i D.I M'r.s. at Tehoupitoiihis ; one to the Manpis d'Ancnnis; ene to the Manniis d'Arta_-na<', at Cannes Kruli e ; one. to De la Hoiisah: and Ln Hoiijie. on the opposite side; one to Madame de Mezieres ; one to Madam.' de Ciiau- inonot. at i'asea-oula. - See Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. ~<>~. A.I). 171N.] VALLEY OK THK MISSISSIPPI. '2'2 1 lected in Lower Louisiana, yet upon the Illinois and Wahash agricultural products had become staples of a valuable trade. In the >S<>uth. although Messed \vitli a soil unsurpassed in fer- tility. and a climate interior to none in the world for agri- cultural productions, the colonists had hern dependent on France, or upon the caprice of chance and circumstances. for all their supplies. Instead of locating themselves upon the lertile hills above Bayou Manehac. or upon the deep alluvions of the river, they had all disembarked upon the crystalline sands of Dauphin Island, where they were often reduced to a state of want and suffering by any accidental interruption in the arrival of supplies expected from France. \\ hatever the mines of I'pper Louisiana might ultimatelv yield, it had become evident that the true wealth of Louisiana had been entirely neglected. This neglect had several times reduced the infant colony to the verge of destruction. Twenty years had now elapsed since the iirst settlement of Louisiana by Iberville, and yet the people were dependent upon France for all their supplies, except such as were derived from the chase or the prolific; wa.ters. unless supplied from the precari- ous bounty of the savages. Thrice had the colony been on the veriie of famine : and fortune, not their own enterprise, res- cued them from starvation. Meantime the Spaniards were advancing from Mexico to the east side of the Ixio del .\orte. and were establishing their claims to the province of' Texas by actual occupation. Diiriiiu two years, they had established several "missions." or settlements, in \\ estern Texas : and othcr< were con- st as the Adaes. near \atchitoches. and rd liiver. Advancing from the .M is. Durinir the Sjianish do- minion over Loii'Siana. ihev became places of LTi'eat import- ance. ( ioliad, as its name implies, was the place of sti'eiiLrtli." ( )ne hundred vears after its I'u^t settlement, it contained sev 222 HISTORY 01- THE [BOOK n. cral thousand inhabitants." and, situated upon a high. rocky blntl", upon the bank of the San Antonio River, '' its fortifica- tions, which were built almost entirely of stone" by the Span- iards. were deemed impregnable. Soon alter the establishment of these posts, the Spaniards advanced to Nacogdoches, upon the waters of the Angelina, a tributary of the Xeches. Having established a "mission" at this point also, they advanced eastward to the Adaes. in the vicinity of the present town of Xatchitoches. Here they es- tablished the "Mission of San Miguel de Linarez." upon the banks of the Adaes, and the settlement is still commemorated in the adjacent lake, now known as " Spanish Lake."* Such were the advances of the Spaniards toward the Mis- sissippi as early as the years 171(5 and 1718. Among the most noted "missions" of Western Texas, in sub- sequent years, were those of the Alamo, in Bexar ; San Jose and Conception, situated a few miles below the city of San Antonio: and Espiritu Santo, near Goliad. The French kept a jealous eye toward the approaches of the Spaniards from Mexico ; but such was the feeble condition of the colonies in Louisiana, that the country west of the Mis- sissippi had not been occupied until the year 171S. when emi- grants be'jan to arrive for that portion of the province. [A.D. 1710.] During the past year, .Bernard de la Ilarpe had received a grant for a colony on Red River, near the present site of Xatchitoches. Late in the autumn lie arrived with a coli my of sixty settlers, and near the close of Decem- ber reached the point of his location. He had orders I'' oc- cupy the country with a military post, and to explore it west- ward. Having selected his situation, in January he began to make a permanent settlement, and to construct a military post on the present site of Xatchitoches. From this point, a, vol. i., p. L J04-'.'09. In 171^, tin- |.rinei|>nl easten: residio of St. John the Hiijitist. six miles west of ti ar .settlements and missings were. extended into th - what was knnu n to the Spaniards MS tin province i fifteen persons each. lor the settlement of twelve other small grants: also thirtv young men, to serve as clerks at the dillerent ollices and de- pots of the company. This vessel also contained a number of convicts from Paris, whose sentence had been eommuU d to transortation. In the autumn, sixt emigrants arrived at Mobile, or settlement of M. de la llarpe on lied Iliver. About the same time'. M. Bnxart. arrived, with a colony tor a settlement the Ya/oo liiver, where Fort St. Peter \\ as afteruard and families li'oiu France, who \\ere at lihertv to their o\\n locutions and settle at pleasure. Acces- f th:s kind continued gradually to increase the numbers u'veral colonies. Among the vahiable emigrants of this year, we must not omit a colony of miners, two hundred in number, under the direction of Philip Francis Renault, son of Philip Renault, a no- ted iron- founder at ( 'on so lire, near Maubcilge, in France. Re- nault, as "director-general >1 the mines" under the \\ extern 224 HISTORY or THI: [BOOK n. Company, with his colony, proceeded to the Illinois country, where he entered upon the duties of his office. As the mining interest never prospered, many of these, subsequently, were incorporated with the villagers and agriculturists of the Illi- nois country. Others engaged in mining operations on the east and west banks, far above the Wisconsin River. The jealousy of Spain kept a watchful eye upon the advance of the French settlements west of the Mississippi. On the east. the line between Louisiana and Florida had been mutually ar- ranged, and the Perdido w r as the dividing stream ; but on the west no such arrangement had been made. While France claimed westward as far as the Bay of St. Bernard, west of the Colorado River, Spain claimed the territory eastward, from Mexico nearly to the Mississippi itself. The Spanish authorities had advanced their settlements, as before observed, from Texas as far east as the village of Adaes, on the Bayou Adaes, near '' Spanish Lake;' and within nine miles of Xatch- itoches. where La Harpe had erected a military post, and was now establishing a regular French colony. O f Such was the state of claims and boundaries between the French province of Louisiana and the Spanish province of Texas in January, 1719, when La Harpe arrived at Natchi- toches. Having ascertained that the Spanish commandant, of Texas, J)on Martin de la. Corne, had established several mis- sions ;n Western Louisiana, lornnng a chain ol settlements from X.icogdoches to the Adaes, and was also preparing t" form a settlement on Red River, at the Caddo village. La Harpe determined to a,et with promptness and decision. He proceeded, early in February, to explore and occupv the river and coimtrv above the Spanish settlements. On the 2Jst of April, v.it'i a detachment ol troops, he had proceeded as fai as the Vatassee village, one hundred and fifty leagues bv the river above X'atchi todies. 1 1 ere he established a trading-post for the company, and on the 27th he laid the foundation of a lie .\;i1sou vilhige.' This post was about. 1 wo hundred head of the ( ! reat Raft, and near the parallel ititude, and probably not far from the mouth Iviver, MI the southern angle ot the present count v ol llempstead. in the State of Arkansas. The Spanish commandant oj Texas remonstrated airainst * J);irliy's Louisiana, p. .'-' St-v also, ritoddart's .Sketches, p. I l-j-MTi. A.I). 1719.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, ^ij this intrusion upon the territory of his province; and in June La Ilarpe received from Don de la Curia' the following laconic: communication, requiring him to ;il>and<>n the eountrv, which was claimed as a part of the Spanish province of Texas, viz. : "MoNSiEUK, I am very sensible ol'the politeness that 31. de Bienville and yourself have had the goodness to show me. The order 1 have received irom the kini:, my master, is. to maintain a good understanding with the French d Louisiana. I\Iy own inclinations lead me equally to allbrd them all the services that depend upon me: hut I am compelled to say. that your arrival at the .\assonite village surprises me very mu<-h. Your governor could not have heen ignorant that the post you occupv belongs to my government, and that all the lands west of the A'assonites depend upon Xew Mexico. I recommend you to give advice of this to M. Bienville, or you will force me to oblige you to abandon lands that the French have no right to occupy. I have the honor to he. sir. " DK LA CoKXK. 'Trinity Itiver, May 20, 1719." To which the gallant La Ilarpe returned the following an- swer, viz. : " MONSIEUR, The order of his Catholic majesty, to maintain a good understanding with the French of Louisiana, and the kind intentions you have yourself expressed toward them, accord hut little with your proceedings. Permit me to inform you that M. de Bienville is perfectly informed of the limits of his government, and is very certain that the post of .\ass:>nite depends not upon the dominions of his Catholic majestv. lie knows, also, that the province of Lastekas. of which you say voii arc '_rovcnio|-, is a part ot Louisiana. Al.de la. Salic took possession in 1 *>-<,">, in the name of his most Christian majcstv : and since the above epoch, possession has been renewed irom time to lime. lu'sp.ecliir_ r the post ot Xassonite, I can not comprehend hy what ri'j'lii you pretend that it forms a part d .\ew .Mexico. j he'_r leave to represent \<> \<>u. that I *on Antoine du Aliroir. \\lio discovered \ew Mexico in ]tN:5, never penetrated east of that province or the Hi" Bravo. It was the French who first made alliances wifh the savage ti'ibes in this region : and it is natural to conclude that a river which Hows into the Mis- sissippi, and the lands it waters, belong to the king, my master. VOL. I. P 226 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. ' If you will do me the pleasure to come into this quarter, I \vill convince you that I hold a post which I know how to de- fend. I have the honor to be, sir, "Dc LA HAHI-E.* "Xassonito, July 8, 1719." The French continued to hold the country in question, not- withstanding all the remonstrances of the Spaniards, and nev- er ceased to claim the jurisdiction westward to the Ilio del A'orte, up to the cession of Louisiana to Spain in 17(52. For several years, the Spanish post and settlement on the Trinity was maintained ; hut the settlement of the Adaes, near the French post of Xatchitoches, was abandoned. Each com- mandant at their respective posts, on Red River and on the Trinity, resolved to permit the other quietly to occupy his post, and to secure each the friendship and alliance of the neighboring tribes, while war was ravaging the seaboard of Florida and Louisiana. Experiments had shown that the fertile soil of the Missis- sippi, as well as the climate, were well adapted to the cultiva- tion of tobacco, rice, and indigo. But laborers were few, and the climate sickly to European emigrants. The European constitution was ill adapted to endure the labors of the field during the long summers and under the burning suns of Loui- siana, and to withstand the chilling dews and togs of night. In the attempt many had sickened and died, and the survivors deemed life and health mitre precious than the redundant wealth of the fields.f Xegroes from Africa had been successfully employed in the fields and in the low grounds of Virginia and Carolina, as well as iu the Islands of Cuba and Ilispaniola, under a tropical sun. J Experience had proved that, by nature, thev were well adapted to withstand such a chmaie as that of Louisiana. Under these considerations, the company resolved to introduce African ne- groes to cultivate the fields, and to open plantations amontr the dense undergrowth and heavy forests of the Mississippi. Two ships were accordingly dispatched to the coast of Africa for a * See Darby's Louisiana, p. 2:t, -Jl. The correspondence between the !';-, -neb rind Spanish coniiiiaiulniitH is placed by Martin IUMOIIL.' the occurrences of IT-JO. See Mar- tin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. -Jl !i--j-j:i. This, however, is an error. The iinjnii-iiiL- ivailer may consult the 'American State I'npers,'' Host",, edition of l-!'i. vol. xii , p. IOC,. 107. for the elaborate discussion of the Louisiana boundaries, by DOM (h.is an-i ,h,bn (i. Adams. t Darby's Louisiana, p. 'J-J. | Martin's Louisiana. v,,l. i., p. -JIG. A.I). 1720.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 221 cargo of slaves. These vessels made a prosperous voyage, and late in autumn they returned with live hundred African negroes, in company with three vessels of war. They disem- barked at Pensacola, which had been captured from the Span- iards by the French troops of Louisiana soon after the irrup- tion of hostilities. With a portion of the slaves which were sent to New Oi- lcans the directors of the company opened a large plantation on the west bank of the river, nearly opposite the post at New Orleans. This was done as an example to others, and to test the advantages which were to be derived from this species of o 1 labor. This was the first extensive slave plantation in Louisi- ana, owned, too, by a company with chartered privileges. T"iie remainder of the cargo was sold to emigrants and opulent set- tlers in different parts of the province, but chiefly for the agri- cultural settlements on the Lower Mississippi. Such was the iirst importation of African slaves into Louisi- ana as a cargo from Guinea; and for several years the im- portation of negroes was one of the most profitable monopolies of the company. During Crozat's monopoly but lew slaves had been introduced, and those bv private persons as domestic property. Although Cro/at's charter conferred the privilege of introducing "one ship-loud of negroes annually," it does not appear that lie availed himself of the privilege. [A.i). 1720-1722.] The second cargo of slaves introduced into Louisiana consisted of live hundred Aincan negroes, which arrived in the company's ships at .Mobile during the summer of 1720. The third rar^o. consisting also of live hundred Af- ricans, arrived at .Mobile on ihe first of April. 1721.' The fourth cargo of slaves consisted oj two hundred and ninety Af- rican neirroes on board a Criiineaman, which arrived at Mobile in the >prini r of 1722. The litlh cai'Lfo o| slaves arrived in an- other ( iiiineaiti an in August lollowing, and consisted oi three hundred African negn >es. I )iir;ir_ r the existence of the company, for several years after- ward, their agents continued to supply the demand tor slaves in the agricultural interest o| Louisiana from the same source, the number varvnr_ r troni one to three hundred annually. The common price for a good neL r ro man was about one hundred and fifty dollars, or about, six hundred livres. Fur a liea.lt.hv " Martin's Louishma, vol. i., p. Wl. 228 HISTORY or TIM: [BOOK n. woman, the ordinary price was about one hundred and twenty- live dollars, or Jive hundred livres ;* the livre being equal to twenty-live cents Federal money. Such was the origin ol African slavery in Louisiana. While France and Spain, during the next half century, were endeavoring to supply their American colonies with negro slaves as laborers on their plantations, England, true to her svstein of monopolies, was contending lor the monopoly of the slave-trade in the supply, not only of her own provinces, but also those of France and Spain. To this policy of England, encouraged by British legislation, and fostered by royal favor, posterity owes the fact that one sixth of the population of the United State*, a moiety of those who now dwell in the states and territories nearest the Gulf of Mexico, are descendants of Africans. The colored men imported into the American colonies were sought all along the African coast, for thirty degrees together, from Cape Blanco to Loango St. Paul's, from the great Desert. of Sahara to the kingdom of Angola, or, perhaps, even to the, borders of the land of the Caffres. They were chielly gather- ed from gangs that were marched from the far interior, so that the freight of a single ship might be composed of persons of different languages, and of nations altogether strair_re to each other. Xor was there uniformitv of complexion: of those brought to our country, some were from tribes of which the skin was a tawny-yellow; others varied, not only in the hues of the skin, but in the diversities of features which abound in Africa among the varieties ol the negro race.f The purchases in Africa were made in part of convicts punished with slavery, or mulcted in a line, which was dis- charged by the proceeds of' their sale: of debtors sold, thoii'_r!i but rarely, into foreign bondage; of children sold bv their parents; oj kidnapped villagers; of captives taken in war. llence the sea-coast and the conhnes oj hostile nations \\ere laid waste. Hut the chid source of supplv was from swarms o! th">e bom in a state ot slavery ; lor the despotisms, the su- perstii ions, and the usages o! Africa had multiplied bondage." " In the upper c. pimlnes, on the Sene ( _ r al and Gambia, three fourths ot' the inhabitants were not. free : and the slave's mas- ter was absolute lord ot the slave's children." Hence the Muriiu's Louisiana, vul. i . P. ,:;. t Baii'T<>;'r vol. iii , p. -I'l-j. .\.I). 1720.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 229 European slave-trader only converted their bondage into a servitude among Christians instead ot' pagans and Mohamme- dans. "in the healthy and fertile uplands of Western AtVica. under a tropical sun. the reproductive power of the prolific race, combined with the imperfect development of its moral faculties, gave to human life in the eye of man himself an in- ferior value. Humanity did not respect itself in any of its forms in the individual, in the familv, or in the nation. '' Among the changes ordered bv the directory of the com- pany was the removal of the headquarters of the command- ant-general to Biloxi Bay. now known as \ew Biloxi. Ac- cordingly, in December following, a detachment of troops was sent to build a principal depot, erect barracks, and dwellings for the officers and commandant-general. Another change introduced into the government of Louisi- ana this year was the institution of a " Superior Council." agreeably to an edict of the king issued in September. The Council at headquarters had heretofore been the sole tribunal in the colony lor the adjudication ot civil and criminal cases. I\o\\- the increase of population and the extension ot' settlements required judicial tribunals in various portions ot' the province. The directors of the company, or its agents, with two ot' the most notable inhabitants of the vicinity, were constituted in- ferior courts in remote parts ot the province tor all civil cases. The same, with four of the principal inhabitants, might act in criminal cases, subject to ;m appeal to the Superior Council. f The Superior Council was composed ot the commandant- general, the king's two lieutenants, a. senior counselor, three other counselors, the attorney-general, and a clerk, associated with such of the company's directors as miLfht. be in the prov- ince. The quorum was fixed at three members in civil, and five in criminal cases. All cases, original as well as appellate, as the last resort, were acted upon, and judgments given with- out costs to the parties litigant. ''[ Such was one of the advan- tages enjoved under the n>val government of France and Spam. [A. I). 1720.] Karly in February, 1720. five hundred and eiirhty-two emigrants arrived at Mobile for the settlements in different portions ot Louisiana. Among these were many females taken from the hospital-general of Paris. They served ' I5;unT(it't. vol. iii.. i>. -in::. f M:irtin. vil i.. p. Jl,".. OIC. f Idem, p. '-'I"'. 230 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. to augment the population of the colony, and might ultimately contribute largely to the permanent strength of the province ; yet they were not likely to add much to the elevation of char- acter and the moral worth of the settlements.* During the summer the colony received a large increase of population by the arrivals of settlers for the different grants. Among them were a colony of sixty settlers for the grant <>f St. Catharine among the Natchez Indians. They were fol- lowed soon afterward by two hundred and fifty others, for the same grant, in charge of Bouteux. Every arrival now brought colonies for the respective grants. Within a few months pre- ceding the winter, the arrivals for the different grants amounted to live hundred and fifty settlers, besides workmen, soldiers, and officers. f New interests were daily awakened in France by the en- thusiastic proprietors, and new prospects of wealth were held out to induce emigration. Hence the colony continued to aug- ment its population rapidly. White European emigrants, al- lured by the hope of wealth, and fascinated by the glowing de- scriptions of the magnificence of the country, continued to come, and every month witnessed their arrival. In the mean time, since March, 1719, war had raged between France and Spain, and the province of Louisiana became in- vi lived in hostilities with the Spaniards of Florida and Mexico. The settlements of Louisiana had presented a continual scene of military display and hostile preparation. So soon as war had broken out. Bienville determined to reduce Pensacola by force of arms belore re-enforcements should arrive from Mex- ico. Accordingly, in April, he had assembled his forces, with a party of Canadians, and about four hundred Indians; with these, and a few armed vessels, he made a sudden descent on Pensacola. The fort was assailed from the harbor by the armed vessels, and by the French infantry and Indians from land : and after a severe attack, and a brave resistance of five hours, the commandant surrendered to the French forces. Bienville held possession near forty days, when the arrival of a powerful Spanish armament off the bay compelled him to abandon the place and retire to Mobile. Here he was block- aded for thirteen days, in the port of Isle Dauphin, by a su- perior Spanish squadron, which vainly attempted to subdue * Martin, vol. i., [>. ~"J-I. t Idi'm, p. 220. A.D. 1720.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIIM'1. 231 the French posts on Dauphin Island by a furious bombard- ment.* The war continued to harass the frontier settlements of Lou- isiana contiguous to the Spanish provinces. In September, M. de Serigny had received orders to reduce the fort and town of Pensacola. The whole disposable force of Louisiana was now required to invest the fort on the land side, while the fleet ad- vanced by sea. Bienville, with his land forces, and a consid- erable body of Indians, again advanced from Mobile to Pensa- cola. After a close investment by land and sea, the fort and town were carried by assault. The citizens were spared, but the town was given up to the pillage of the Indians. Besides the artillery and munitions of war, the French took eighteen hundred prisoners. Soon afterward, several Spanish vessels, laden with stores and provisions, entered the port, ignorant of its occupation by the French, and they were likewise captured. But the French occupancy was of short duration, for the ap- prehended arrival of a large fleet from Vera Crux induced the French commander to burn the town, blow up the forts, and to retire to the port of Mobile. Nor was the war with the Spaniards confined to the sea- coast and the deltas of the Mississippi and lied Iviver. The traders and hunters from Santa Fe had discovered the route across the great American desert, and detachments of cav- alry had penetrated across the upper branches of the Ar- kansas to the Missouri, and to the Fpper Mississippi, and had witnessed the advance of the French in that quarter. The Missouri tribes inhabiting this region were in alliance with the French, and espoused their interests. To check their advance in this quarter, the Spanish authorities had planned the extermination of the Missorris and the French settlements, to be replaced bv a Spanidi colony from Mexico. Their plan was to excite the ('sages to \\ a r with the Missouris, and then take part with them in the contest. For this purpose, an expedition was luted out Irom Santa Fe (or the Missouri. It was a moving ca ra van o| the desert a rmed men, horses, mules, families, women, priests, with herds of cattle and swine to serve for food on the route, and to serve for increase in the new col- 232 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. ony. In their march they lost the proper route, the guides be- came bewildered, and led them to the Missouri tribes instead of the Osages. Unconscious of their mistake, as both tribes spoke the same language, they believed themselves among the Osages instead of their enemies, and without reserve disclosed their designs against the Missouris, and supplied them with arms and ammunition to aid in their extermination. The wily savages perceived the fatal mistake, but encouraged the error. They requested two days to assemble their warriors for the contemplated expedition, in \vhich they were rejoiced to en- gage. The appointed time had nearly elapsed, and the follow- ing morning was the time to march. More than one hundred muskets were distributed among the warriors ; but to the Spaniards the next morning never rose. Before the dawn of light the Missouris fell upon their treacherous enemies, and dispatched them with an indiscriminate slaughter. The priest alone was spared ; his dress had spoke him a man of peace, and he was reserved to bear the sad tidings to Mexico. Thus the Spanish treachery came home upon their ow T n heads.* This disaster apprised the commandant-general of Louisiana of the designs of the Spaniards to advance into Upper Louisi- ana. To arrest any further attempt, a French post was de- signed for the Missouri. In due time, M. Burgmont, with a detachment of troops, was dispatched from Mobile to the Mis- souri River. He took possession of an island in that river, above the mouth of the Osage, upon which he built a fort, which he called " Fort Orleans." War continued to rage between the rival powers, and the maritime portions of Louisiana and Florida were the theatre of colonial hostilities. The Indian tribes had been leagued in with the interests of the respective colonies, and carried on their marauding excursions against the enemies of their respect- ive friends. The late expedition from Santa Fc to the Missouri, although overwhelmed with disaster, evinced the possibility of other ex- peditions by the same route for the destruction of the French settlements in the Illinois country or Upper Louisiana. Fort Orleans, high up the Missouri, was already in progress as an outpost; but to protect these important settlements from a dis- astrous invasion, it was deemed expedient to erect a strong * Stoddart, p. 39. Sec, also. "Wetmoru's Gazetteer of Missouri, ed. 1.-IS7, ji. 1JOO. A.D. 1720.] VALLEY OF THE .MISSISSir I'l. 233 military post upon the Mississippi itself. The Lower Missis- sippi, also, had been threatened from the same quarter. The necessity of securing the western bank of that river against the hostile incursions of the Spaniards, was evident to the West- ern Company as well as to Bienville, the royal commandant. Hence, after the demolition of Pensaeola, the attention of' the company was directed to an extensive plan of defense airainst the inroads ot the Spaniards from Mexico. A chain ot' forts was begun, to keep open a communication from the mouth to the sources of the Mississippi. M!. Pauger, a royal engineer, proceeded to make a complete survey of the mouth of the Mississippi, and all the passes, bars, and channels below the present site of Xew Orleans city. By this survey, it was ascertained that the site selected by Bien- ville might be made a commercial port; that the practicability of bringing shipping up the river was beyond a doubt. ' The point selected by him three years l>efore was now about to be- come the great commercial port of the province. The ad- vantages of a port on the river were manifest to all. and the "directory," unable to withstand the force of Bienville's in- fluence and the evidence of their own senses, yielded a reluct- ant assent to the removal ot the company's principal depot and their offices to Xew Orleans. About the same time. Lesueur, with a detachment of ninety men. advanced up the Mississippi, and up the St. Peter's River to the Blue Earth River amoni: the Sioux, by his estimate, a distance ot' seven hundred and sixty leagues from the sea : and there, at the mouth of the l>lue Karlh. he erected a fort and a tradin:_ r -p"st for the company : and. with all the usual formali- ties, he took possession of' the country in the name of his most Christian majesty.! At the same time, the commandant of the Illinois country, M. Boisbriant. under instructions from the king, commenced the erection ot' a strong fortress on the east bank of the Mis- sissippi, about twenty-five miles below Kaskaskia. This tort, which was not completed until eighteen months afterward, was called Fort Ohartres." and was designed as the headquarters of the commandant ot' \ 'ppcr Louisiana. It was a regular f< >r- t ress. built ot' solid masonrv, and was deemed one ot the st ron- irest French posts in \orth America for many years afterward. t Mrm. 234 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. It was completely impregnable to any power which could then have been brought against it.* [A.I). 17-21.] Having secured Upper Louisiana from Span- ish invasion, the colonial authorities, with the hearty concur- rence of the directory, proceeded to secure the occupation of the country west of the Mississippi, as far as the Colorado, and eastward to the sources of the Mobile River. The company had never lost sight of Western Louisiana, although the Span- iards had claimed it as a part of New Mexico, and had estab- lished temporary posts and missions as far east as the Trinity and the Sabine Rivers. The directory considered it a part of Louisiana, over which they claimed a monopoly of the Indian trade, and from which they desired the exclusion of the Span- ish missions. During the past year, Bernard de la Harpe, one of the most enterprising commandants of Louisiana, had led an exploring detachment from the Mississippi to the Rio Bravo del Norte ; he had traversed the country from the Washita and Arkansas westward to the sources of Red River. After a tour of six months, and a laborious ramble of more than fifteen hun- dred miles, visiting the different tribes of Indians in his route, he returned to New Orleans in the month of January, 1721, to report the result of his explorations to the colonial government. From the first operations of the company, the directory had evinced great anxiety for the occupation of the western fron- tier, with settlements and colonies west of the Sabine ; but Bienville, adhering to his policy of concentrating the settle- ments near the Mississippi, had declined sending colonies to a remote wilderness, where they would be exposed alike to the * Fur the gratification of the curious, we L'ive a more particular account of this prin- cipal French fortress on the Mississippi. It was beirun in 1720. and completed eighteen months afterward. It was erected in the vicinity of Prairie du Rocher, and was origi- nally one milt; and a half from the river hank. Its form was quadrilateral, with four bastions Imilt of stone, and well cemented with lime. Kach side was tlnve hundred and forty feet in length ; the walls were three feet thick and fifteen feet hif.'li. Within the walls were spacious stone barracks, a spacious magazine, two deep wells, and such hiiildiiiu's as are common in such posts. The port-holes, or loops, were formed by four solid blocks of freestone properly shaped. The cornices and casements about the gates were of the same material. It was -ivntlv repaired and enlarged in 1750. In 1770. the river broke through its hanks and formed a channel near one of the bas- tions, and in two years afterward, two bastions beiiiLr undermined, the Kni/lish aban- doned it in 1772. It was then suffered to fall to decay, and in IMV.i it was a splendid ruin. LTOWH over in its area with forest-trees, vines, and weeds. Some of the trees then were from seven to twelve inches in diameter. See Stoddart's Sketches, p. i!!M. A uood description of this fort, as it appeared in 17(J.< and in lr'2!), may he seen in Hall's Sketches of the West, vol. i., p. l.Vl-ir.7. A.D. 1721.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 235 hostility of the Indians and the treachery of the Spaniards. At length, yielding to their urgent desires, lie resolved to take formal possession of the country on the Colorado, and near the Bay of St. Bernard. Accordingly, on the 10th of August, 1721. he issued the fol- lowing order to M. de la Ilarpe, viz. :* : " ORHKR. ''We, Jean Baptiste de Bienville, chevalier of the military order ol St. Louis, and commandant-general for the king in the province of Louisiana : " It is hereby decreed that M. de la Ilarpe. commandant of the Bay of St. Bernard, shall embark in the packet, the 'Subtile,' commanded by Beranger, with a detachment of twenty soldiers, under M. de Belile, and shall proceed forth- with to the Bay of St. Bernard, belonging to this province, and take possession in the name of the king; and the Western Company shall plant the arms of the king in the ground, and build a fort upon whatsoever spot appears most advantageous for the defense of the place. "If the Spaniards or any other nation have taken posses- sion, M. de la Harpe will signify to them that they have no right to the country, it being known that possession was taken in lb'S,3 by M. de la Salle. in the name of the King of France, &C. " BlEXVILLK. '' August TOtli. 1721." La Ilarpe proceeded upon the hazardous enterprise, and es- tablished the post agreeably to his orders ; but the Indians were in alliance with the Spaniards, and strongly opposed the settle- ment. I nwi!hn!_ r to expose Ins colonvto savage massacre, he del en n 11 ied to abandon so perilous a place-. In October to 1 low- ing he returned to .\ew Orleans, and reported to the com- mandant-general that lie had coasted three hundred leagues west of the Mississippi, and that on the 27th of August he had entered a line bay, with eleven feet water at half tide : that his weak force and the hostility of the savages prevented him from making a permanent establishment : that jhe bay known to the French as the Hay of St. Bernard was the same known to the Spaniards as the bay of Fspiritu Santo, and is in latitude 2!) : 1 2' north, and in longitude 2^2 east from Ferro. He also gave rice Darby's Louisiana, p. 20. HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. the extent of Louisiana upon the Gulf of Mexico, from this bay eastward, at about one hundred and sixty leagues.* The colonial government continued to claim the territory westward to the Colorado and beyond, and several attempts were subsequently made to establish settlements west of the Sabine. ' Settlements were also attempted, with subsequent failure, high up Red River, and upon the Upper Arkansas. The Spaniards, in the mean time, pushed their settlements and missions eastward to the Colorado ; and parties of Span- ish cavalry from Santa Fe had infested the region west of the Sabine, until the French were compelled to retire toward the .Mississippi. In the mean time, .forts and trading-posts were extended east- ward upon the waters of the Tombigby and Alabama Rivers. The fort at Mobile was removed to the west shore of the Mo- bile Bay, and, being strongly fortified, was called "Fort Con- di' 1 ." The fort on Biloxi Bay was enlarged, and called ' Fort St. Louis." Another fort was advanced into the Indian coun- try to the head of navigation on the Alabama River, two leagues above the mouth of the Tallapoosa ; this was called " Fort Toulouse."t In each of these were place_d suitable garrisons to defend them against Indian hostility, and to protect the agents of the company from the depredations of the savages, instigated by British traders from Carolina. Trading-posts were established with the friendly Choctas upon the Tombigby, and upon the Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers. In the mean time, during the war. which had now termina- ted, between the French and Spanish kings, the colonies of Louisiana had suffered much, and the company had become greatly embarrassed by the interruption of trade and the hos- tilities of the Indians: yet they had exerted themselves with energy to sustain the colonies in the province. The population had been gradually augmented by emigrants introduced by the company's ships, besides convicts and indigent females from the houses of correction in Paris, introduced by the king's vessels. But the former of- these classes were not desirable emigrants for a new colony, and, upon the petition of the directory, the king had interdicted the transportation of convicts to Louisi- A.D. 1722.] VALLKY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 237 ana alter the 9th day of May, 1720.* The latter were not so objectionable; for, although they would add hut little to the good morals of the colonists, they were a valuable acquisition to a ne\v and growing colony. Several hundred of these indigent females, taken from the hospital-general and the houses of cor- rection, were subsequently introduced into Louisiana, and con- tributed largely to the future population. Emigrants for the different colonies had arrived durimj; the past year. Early in January, one of the company's ships had arrived at Mobile with three hundred settlers for Madame Chaumonot's grant on the Pascagoula River. In February, an- other vessel had arrived with one hundred emigrants and pas- sengers for different colonies and grants on the Mississippi : also with them came eighty girls from the Salpetriere, a house of correction in Paris. Early in March, one of the company's vessels had arrived at Mobile, with two hundred emigrants for John Law's grant on. the Arkansas. They proceeded from Mo- bile, by way of the lakes and Iberville Bayou, to the Mississip- pi, and thence to the Arkansas. A portion of them settled about sixty miles above the mouth of that river, at. a. point loni: afterward known as the "Post of Arkansas." ( )thers advanced further up the river, and settled upon the margins of the great prairies which lie southeast of Little Rock. [A.D. 1722.] The numerous arrivals of colonists and emi- grants during the last two years had increased the population so rapidlv in the new and uncultivated country, which had not yet developed its agricultural resources, that the supply of .irrain and breadstuils was insufficient for their supply. A scarcity, bordering on Jamme. was the consequence. Supplies iroin France were irregular and insufficient; and the troops and many of the colonists were compelled lo disperse among the friendly tribes of Indians, in order to procure food and sus- tenance. Others were compelled to sustain themselves and their families by the precarious supplies derived from fishing and hui!tin'_ r . Distress and nloom overspread the settlements; manv sickened and died tor want of wholesome food, added to the influence of a new and unhealthy climate. \ et emigrants from France continued to arrive. .Near the first of June, one vessel arrived at Mobile with two hundred and fifty emigrants for the different settlements. 238 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. Bienville urged his agricultural settlements as the only pro- tection against such dearth in future. Negroes continued to arrive tor the agricultural establishments, which were opening on the river alluvions, the governor having already abandoned Mobile and St. Louis Bay. Instead of the sterile sands of Mobile and Biloxi, he had caused the colonies to be located upon the fertile alluvions of the Mississippi ; and he now prepared to remove the head- quarters of the provincial government to New Orleans. With the consent of the directory, the company's principal establish- ment was also to be removed to New Orleans early in Novem- ber following ; and buildings for the governor and for the com- pany's officers, and warehouses, were to be erected. [A.I). ITxJ.'J.] The following year opened with New Orleans the provincial and commercial capital of Louisiana. The su- perior judgment of Bienville, relative to the great commercial advantages of New Orleans over Mobile and Biloxi, has been approved by the verdict of posterity. The site which, accord- ing to the interested judgment of M. Hubert,* "never would be any thing more than a depot for goods" under a privileged company, has in less than a century become the great com- mercial emporium of a powerful union of states which have sprung up in the Valley of the Mississippi, and also the politi- cal capital of one of the richest states in that union. \ et the company had become greatly embarrassed in their financial affairs. The war with Spain, for two years, had cut oil' all maritime commerce ; the inland trade with the Spanish provinces of Mexico and Florida had been entirely prohibited; many of the Indian tribes, influenced by emissaries from Mex- ico. Florida, and from the English settlements of Carolina, had shown a hostile attitude, and had committed depredations upon the trade of the interior ; the troops in garrison, suffering under privations and want, had become disgusted with their situation, and were disaffected ; the garrison at Fort Toulouse had re- volted during the last year, and out of twenty-six soldiers, twenty departed ti>r the English settlements of Carolina ; but overtaken by Villonont. the commandant, with a body of Choctas, sonic of the unhappy wretches were put to death * M. Hubert li:i>l brrn (liivrtor-L r i'n.'ni! of the rompanv's a flairs, mul jici-sniiaily \vas .-nt upon tin' trraut iMim'Hy inat:iii!ish the A.D. 1723.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. on the spot ; part were reserved for a more ignominious death, and, conducted to Mobile, were retained to grace a military ex- ecution. Even the wilderness could not moderate the barba- rism of military discipline. About the same time, the hostile bands of the ChickasAs had destroyed Fort St. Peter, on the Ya/oo, and had massacred the garrison and colony with indiscriminate butchery.' The Creeks, on the head waters of the Alabama, and the Chickasas of the Tombigby. had likewise evinced hostile intentions, under the instigation of English traders. War had also broken out among the tribes on the Missouri and Upper Mississippi Riv- ers, and threatened the interruption of trade in that quarter. Under all these embarrassments, the company struggled on, in hopes of more propitious times. The expenses already had far exceeded the proceeds of every branch of trade. Hefore the beginning of the year 112'2, the expenditures had amounted to 1,103,250 livres, or nearly 8300,000, without any equivalent return. f Now the heaviest loss had come upon them, from the failure of Law's financial schemes, which had spread confusion into every department of the company's affairs : for they were intimately blended witii his "Bubble," known as the "Missis- sippi Scheme/' In the mean time, settlements were concentrating around \ew ( )r leans : cabins, bouses, a church, and oilier public build- ing* had been rapidlv progressing lor the residence of the gov- ernor, the company's agents, and their commercial operations. In January, when visited bv Charlevoix, it contained, besides the church, the company's warehouse, and a few other wooden buildings, near one hundred cabins, and about two hundred inhabitants, besides troops and '.rovernment otiicers.;'; The pop- ulation increased continually, and soon after the first of Au- gust, ibis year, the public buildups for the governor and the company having been completed. Bionville removed his head- quarters to t,be city, and in .November following, Delorme, the director-general ol the company, removed the stores and offi- ces under Ins control 1 rom the Hay oi l>ilo\i to the sa me point. The embarrassed condition ol the companv caused them to resort to various means and devic.es to enable them to contin- ue their operations, and to increase their available resources. 240 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK 11. The price of negro slaves, of which they held the monopoly, was increased from six hundred livres for men to six hundred and seventy livres, or from about one hundred and fifty to nearly one hundred and seventy dollars, payable in three an- nual instalments, of rice and tobacco. Rice was receivable at twelve livres per barrel, and tobacco at twenty-six livres per hundred pounds. The value of the Mexican dollar was made equivalent to four livres in all transactions with the company's agents in Louisiana ; the livre was thus made equivalent to twenty-five cents of the Federal money of the United States.* But the failure of " Law's Mississippi Scheme" did not, in Louisiana, fall upon the Western Company alone. Its disas- trous consequences were experienced in every part of the prov- ince, from the slave and the humblest peasant up to the govern- or himself, and the wealthy proprietors in the oldest settlements. That it may serve as a beacon-light to future legislators, to warn them from the disastrous consequences which result from legislative enactments, designed to expand the circulating me- dium, but which, in reality, only drive the real currency of a country from circulation by substituting a fictitious representa- tive, we subjoin the following graphic sketch from the inimita- ble work of the eloquent Bancroft. " The Mississippi Scheme" was a system of credit, devised and proposed by John Law, a native of Scotland, for the pur- pose of extricating the French government from the embar- rassment under which it struggled by reason of the enormous state debt. ' The debt which Louis XIV. bequeathed to his successor, after arbitrary reductions, exceeded two thousand millions of livres; and, to meet the annual interest of eighty millions, the surplus revenues of the state did not yield more than nine millions ; hence the national securities were of uncer- tain value, and the national burdens exceeded the national re- sources. In this period of depression, John Law proposed to the regent a credit system, which should liberate the state from its enormous burden, not by loans, on which interest must be paid not by taxes, that would be burdensome to the people. but by a system which should bring all the money of France on deposit. It. was the faith of Law that the currencv of a country is but, the representative of its moving wealth : that this representative need not. in itself, possess an intrinsic value, * Martin, vol. i., p. IMG, Si5C. A D. 17:23.] VALLEY OF THE MLSSISSU'ri. 241 but may be made, not of stamped metals only, but of shells or paper ; that where gold and silver are the only circulating me- dium, the wealth of a nation may at once be indefinitely in- creased by an arbitrary infusion of paper ; that credit consists in the excess of circulation over immediate resources : and that the advantage of credit is in the direct ratio of that excess. Applying these maxims to all France, he gradually planned the whimsically gigantic project of collecting all the gold and sil- ver of the kingdom into one bank. At iirst, from his private bank, having a nominal capital of six million livres (of which a part was payable in government notes), bills were emitted with moderation; and while the despotic government had been arbitrarily changing the value of its coin, his notes, being pay- able in coin, at an unvarying standard of weight and fineness, bore a small premium. When Crozat resigned the commerce of Louisiana, it was transferred to the ' Western Company/ or Company of the Mississippi, instituted under the auspices of Law. The stock of the corporation was fixed at two hundred thousand shares, of five hundred livres each, to be paid in any certificates of public debt. Thus nearly one hundred millions of the most depreciated of the public stocks were suddenly ab- sorbed. The government thus changed the character of its obligations from an indebtedness to individuals to an indebt- edness to a favored company of its own creation. Through the bank of .Law. the interest, on the debt was discharged punc- tually, and, in consequence, the evidences of debts, which were received in payment tor stock, rose rapidly from a depreciation of tun thirds to par value. Although the union of' the hank, with the ha/.ards t the royal mint, the profits of farming, the whole revenue of France, till * Bancroft, vol. iii., p. 3!!. A.D. 1723.] VALLKY OK THE M ISSISS1 JTI. 2 13 a promise of a dividend of forty per cent, from a companv which had the custody of all the revenues, and the benefit of all the commerce of France, obtained belief', and the shares which might be issued after a payment of' a first instalment of five hundred livres rose in price a thousand per cent. Avarice became a phrensy, its fury sei/ed everv member of' the royal family, men of letters, prelates, women. Marly in the morning, the exchange opened with beat of drum and sound of" bell, and closed at night on aviditv that could not slumber. To doubt the wealth of Louisiana provoked anirer. \ew Orleans, was famous at Paris as a beautiful city almost before the cane- brakes began to be cut down. The hypocrisy of manners, which, in the old age of Louis XIV., made religion become a fashion, revolted to libertinism, and licentious pleasure was be- come the parent of an equally licentious cupidity." The sys- tem perpetuated its own absurdities, and plunged its votaries still further into ruin. "In the course of sixteen months more than two thousand millions of bills were emitted. The ex- travagances of stock-jobbing were increased by the latent dis- trust alike of the shares and of the bills : men purchased stock because thev feared the end of the pa>per system, and because, with the bills, they could purchase nothing else."' The fraud grew 7 too apparent, and the Parliament protested that the people were robbed and defrauded of nearly their whole income. " To stifle doubt. Law. who had made himself a Catholic, was ap- pointed comptroller-general ; and the new minister of finance perfected the triumph of paper by a decree that no person in- corporation should have on hand more than five hundred livres in specie: the rest must be exchanged for paper, and all pay- ments, except for sums under one hundred livres, must be paid in paper. Terror and the dread of informers brought, within three weeks, forty- four millions into the bank. In March, a decree of council fixed the value of' the stock at nine thousand Iivre< for five hundred, and forbade certain corporations to in- vest monev in anv thing else : all circulation of gold and silver, except for chanire. was prohibited : all payments must be made in paper, except for sums under ten livres. He who should have attempted to convert a bill into specie would have ex- posed his specie to forfeiture, ;ind himself to fines. Confidence disappeared, and in May. bankruptcy was avowed by a decree which reduced the value of" bank notes by a moiety." 244 HISTORY OF THE [l3OOK II. " When men are greatly in the wrong, and especially when they have embarked their fortunes in their error, they wilfully resist light. So it had been with the French people ; they re- mained faithful to their delusion, till France was impoverished, public, and private credit subverted, the income of capitalists annihilated, and labor left without employment; while, in the midst of the universal wretchedness of the middling class, a few wary speculators gloried in the unjust acquisition and en- joyment of immense wealth."* il Such was the issue of Law's celebrated system, which left the world a lesson which the world was slow to learn, that the enlargement of the circulation quickens industry so long only as the enlargement continues, for prices then rise, and every kind of labor is remunerated ; that, when this increase springs from artificial causes, it must meet with a check, and be followed by a reaction ; that, when the reaction begins, the high remunerating prices decline, labor fails to find an equiva- lent, and each evil opposite to the previous advantages ensues ; that, therefore, every artificial expansion of the currency, every expansion resting on credit alone, is a source of confusion and ultimate loss to the community, and brings benefits to none but those who are skillful in foreseeing and profiting by the fluctu- ations." Such was the state of things in Louisiana for several years after the downfall of Law, and his system of finance in France and French America. Who then would have believed that in less than one hundred and fifteen years from that time, the Valley of the Mississippi would have been the theatre of de- lusions almost as great, under a new system of credit held out by a hundred banking institutions and chartered monopolies, as rotten and as baseless as Law's Bank of France ? Such was the currency of the Valley of the Mississippi, among five millions of people, for four years after the year 1834. * Bancroft, vol. iii., p. 3o7. A.D. 1723.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 215 CHAPTER VII. LOUISIANA UNDER THE " WESTERN C(.).M1'A\ V," FKoM THE FAILURE OF LAW'S "MISSISSIPPI SCHEME" TO THE \ ATCHEX MASSACRE. A.D. 1723 TO 1729. /In.'?///;^. State of 'the Colony of Louisiana. Disastrous E fleets t)t' Law's Failure in 17v!-J. Origin ot' the " German Coast." Louisiana divided into Nine Judicial Dis- tricts. The Minim.' Delusion still haunts the Company. First Outbreak of Hostil- ities amoiii.' tin- Natchez Indians. Hienville's stern and cruel Demands. His Treachery and Keven-e a_rainst the Natchez. Their Feelings toward the French. ThreateniiiLr Attitude of Indian Tribes. Crops and Plantations destroyed by E<|iii- noctial Storm. Colony threatened with Famine. Swiss Troops Revolt. Financial Difficulties. Population in 17'JJ. Hoyal Edicts for Relief of Debtors. Prosperity in 17'-M-(J. Province supplied with Ecclesiastics and Xuns. Clievalier Perrier ap- pointed Governor of the Province. Bienville retires. Colonial Prosperity and Trade in 17v.'t>-7. Indigo, Fig, and Orange introduced. "Cassette Girls." Land Titles re- corded. Prosperous Condition in 17-,!-'. Population. Trade. Indications of Indian Hostilities disregarded by Company. French Aggressions and Intolerance toward the Natchez Tribe. Indian Impatience of Revenue. French Indifference, to Dan- ger. Chickasa Conspiracy. Chopart's Aggressions among the Natchez. Conspira- cy of the Natchez Chiefs for Revenue. Chopart's Insensibility to Danger. Colony on the St. Catharine destroyed by the Indians, November ~f. 17!'v.'. Massacre, and the Slain. [A.D. 1723.] THE failure of Law's financial schemes fell heavily upon Louisiana. The rapid expansion of the circulating medium throughout the province diirintr the first three vears of his operations, and the consequent sudden prostration of all business upon his failure, involved the interests of the com- pany, and embarrassed their operations for advancing the population and prosperity of the province. Although eini- irrants from I 1 " ranee and Canada continued to arrive at New Orleans and upon the Illinois, yet the remote settlements in Lower Louisiana, such as those upon the .Arkansas, the Ya/oo. and the Washita.. were in a irrea.t measure deserted by the starving and discontented colonists. The number of' settlers remaining at Law's grant on the Arkansas in 1722 had been reported by La Ilarpe at forty :! isee vol. i., p. 1-!', Uin. and vj."i-l'. This confusion of dates in Martin's Louisiana, is by no means uncommon. See Stoddart's Sketches, p. .17, 48. for a proper detail of Xatchex difficul- ties. * Stoddart's Sketches, p. IS. A.I). 1728.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 'J 19 was carried to Bienville ; but he refused to receive the suppos- ititious head. Another warrior volunteered to die, and his head was presented to the inexorable Frenchman. This, in like manner, was refused. Nothing but the veritable head of the obnoxious sun would be received. By the laws and usages of the Indians, a full atonement had been mafic-, and a full ransom had been paid for the life of the sun: but Bienville was inexo- rable for the blood of the sun. At length the sun resolved to surrender himself, and thus procure the release of his compan- ions, who were still held as hostages lor hi> delivery. Having succeeded in his stern demands, he released the captive suns and returned triumphant to New Orleans, having reaped all his laurels from peaceable and unresisting Indians. From this time, the Natchez Indians despaired of ever being able to live in peace with the French. They saw that all their former friendships, their favors, and their forbearance were repaid by every species of personal injury, ingratitude, and usurpation; they saw plainly that either themselves or the French must be totally destroyed, and it was the dictate < >f na- ture to consult their own safety. They had found that the in- tolerance and the usurpation of the French increased with their numbers and power: hence they became, in their intercourse, shv, reserved, and distrustful; yet, resolved upon ultimate revenge, thev were cautious in devising the means of future vengeance and safety. Such was the state <>t things among the Xatche/ In- dians until the summer of 17'JS). when a new aggression on the part of the French compelled them to resist, and to resolve uiioii the defense ol their homes, and the graves < >t their hit hers." The ('hickasas had airain exhibited hostile indications, and omitted no occasion to harass the settlement on the \a/.oo. The post ")i the \;\.7.n was a stockade, leebly defended by less than twcntv men. Fort. Uosalic was hut little better than a pile of roiien timbers, garrisoned by sixteen soldiers. \ et the company seemed to enjoy confident security, although Bien- ville had not tailed to warn then' agents of the danger. The Spaniards, also, were advancing their settlements rapidly into Western Louisiana.! Wt the impending vengeance ot the Indian tribes was still withheld. Their unwelcome neighbors disregarded their dis- pleasure, and added provocation to injury. Thus commenced ' Stoci.hirt's SJietrlies, ]>. !?. t Munin. vul. i., \< XM. 250 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. the first breach of peace and confidence between the Natchez tribes and the French of Louisiana. In addition to all the other misfortunes of the times, which operated severely upon the people of Louisiana, was that of a terrible equinoctial storm on the llth of September. The crops had just approached maturity, and the whole southern portion of the province was greatly injured. Such was the violence of the storm at New Orleans, that the church, the hos- pital, and thirty houses were leveled with the ground ; three vessels lying in the river were thrown ashore and nearly de- stroyed. Much damage was sustained at Mobile, Biloxi, and Natchez. Several vessels at Biloxi were entirely lost. The crops of rice were destroyed ; many houses of the planters were blown down, and their plantations otherwise injured. The scarcity of provisions, in consequence, was greatly in- creased, and famine seemed to stare them in the face. Sup- plies from France were cut off by the financial embarrassments of the mother-country consequent upon the failure of Law's schemes ; and many began to despair at the continuation of the untoward circumstances which brooded over the colony. Many, discouraged at these things, longed to see once more the vine-clad hills of France. Even the troops began to evince a spirit of insubordination and revolt. This was a new source of alarm. Fort Toulouse, among the Alibamons, had been de- serted by the garrison, who attempted to escape to their friends in Carolina. More recently, a serious revolt had occurred close to headquarters ; nor were those in command so fortu- nate as to capture and punish the offenders. A company of Swiss troops had been placed on board a schooner in the Bay of Biloxi, in order to sail to the new headquarters at New Or- leans. But they dreaded the dangers and privations of the Mississippi swamps no less than the sterile sands and lagoons of Biloxi, and their hearts were set upon seeing the desirable settlements of South Carolina. No sooner had the schooner left the bay, than the officers and soldiers, rising in open re- volt, compelled the master and crew to sail for Charleston, where they all finally arrived in safety, with all their bag- gage, arms, and munitions.* To multiply the resources of the province and extend its agri- culture, this year, at the request of a number of planters, the * Martin, vol. i., p. 255. A.U. 1724.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 251 company procured a supply of indigo seeds. It had been as- certained that the soil and climate of Louisiana \vere well adapted to the cultivation of indigo ; and many were anxious to embark in the enterprise. The following year may be said to be the period when indigo was introduced as a staple prod- uct of Louisiana. f A.I). 1721.] In the last six years the company had intro- duced four thousand and forty-tour settlers into the province, besides one hundred and fifty galley-slaves, and several hun- dred females from the different houses of correction of Paris. and fourteen hundred and forty-one African slaves. The agri- cultural resources of the country were just beginning to develop the real wealth of Louisiana ; but it was now only that the people began to feel the full effects of the financial experiments of the Scotch financier. It was now perceived that his paper money, or his represent- ative of money, which had been so extensively introduced into the whole business of Louisiana, had, in fact, not only reduced the nominal value of silver and gold, but that it had driven both from circulation and from the province. The nominal value of every species of property had increased with the sup- ply of the paper representative. The facilities of obtaining this imperfect representative ol money had removed all the restraints which a prudent economy and long experience had established for the regulation of business and the proper accu- mulation of property. A raging thirst for the rapid accumulation of wealth had fol- lowed ; this had begotten a spirit ot extravagance and specula- tion, upon which had been ingrafted the most ruinous credit system. This system had been approaching a crisis for more than twelve months. \o\v the crisis w;is past: the only cir- culating;' medium had suddenly become depreciated, and ceased to represent halt the silver formerly represented by it. Very soon creditors refused to receive it at any rate oi discount, and it became utterly useless. Specie was scarce, and now became proportionally increased in its relative value. The people were left deeply involved in heavy debts, contracted when the relative value ot silver had been reduced and a vast amount of the fictitious representative was in circulation: now they were to pay only in specie: this was equivalent to an onerous augmentation of their debts beyond the possibility of payment. 252 HISTORY OF THE [flOOK II. Legislative interference was loudly demanded ; and the only relief possible depended upon a reduction of the amounts owed, or in facilitating the payment of them. The latter mode was adopted by the king.* The accounts throughout the province had heretofore been kept and estimated in livres as the unit denominated in their money transactions. By several edicts of the king, progress- ive in their operation, Mexican dollars were made the princi- pal circulating medium. This being effected, the next step was to increase the relative value of Mexican dollars in Lou- isiana. From long custom and usage, each Mexican dollar was equal to four livres. Mexican dollars became the sole circulating medium ; and, for the benefit of debtors, the king issued his edict, declaring that the legal value of every Mexi- can dollar in Louisiana should be equal to seven and a half livres, and should be a legal tender in that ratio. This was justice to the debtor, but the creditor complained that injustice was done to him. The debtor was favored at the expense of the creditor. Still, in its general effects and operation in the province, it might be called sheer justice between man and man. At length, by other edicts of the king, the relative value of a Mexican dollar was gradually reduced to its former value of four livres, and all within the space often months. Such are the consequejic.es of all attempts to inflate the cur- rency by arbitrary and factitious representations of money. The upper portion of Louisiana was harassed with Indian hostilities, on the part of hostile tribes on the western side of the Missouri River, probably instigated by the Spanish em- issaries from Mexico. During the state of hostile feeling among these tribes, the "Fort Orleans," on the Missouri Riv- er, was utterly destroyed, and the garrison and the little colo- ny contiguous were totally exterminated by some unknown bands ; thus sharing the same fate experienced by the Span- ish colony, in ihe same region, about three years before. f [A.].). 17'-2f>.] Bienville continued to administer the govern- ment with great firmness, and often with great wisdom. The .settlements gradually revived, and the province continued grad- ually to augment its population, while the embarrassments of the last two vein's had nearlv passed over. Before the close of the year 17vJf>. the province had in a great measure recov- ered from the effects of financial embarrassments. ' Martin, vol. i., ]i. -J3C-7. t rjtoddart's Louisiana, p. i:>, W. A.I). 172(3.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIITI. 25H [A.D. 1720.] Daring the following year, agriculture began to flourish, and a healthy state of trade began to pervade ev- ery department of the province. Emigrants, both from Cana- da and France, continued to arrive. Early in this year, the company made arrangements with the Jesuits to simply the different, posts and settlements with priests, missionaries, and ecclesiastics. Father Petit, superior of the Jesuits, was to reside in Xe\v Orleans. The Jesuits en- gaged to keep at least fourteen priests of their order in the col- ony, besides missionaries at the different posts, and especially at St. Peter's, on the \axoo. for the purpose of forming friend- ly alliances with the Indians, and to propagate the Catholic faith among them. They were to be paid and provided for by the company's agents. Arrangements were also made for the introduction of a number of Ursuline nuns, to take charge ol the education of females and the care of a hospital, assisted by several other sisters of charity : but they did not arrive in the city until the summer of the following year.* In the autumn, the government, of Louisiana passed out of the hands of Bienville, who was superseded by M. I'errier as commandant-general of the province. Bienville, with great proprietv. has been called the father of Louisiana, lie arrived in 17JMJ at Dauphin Island, as a midshipman, at the age of eighteen years. Three years afterward, he succeeded Sau- volle. an elder brother, as governor ot the province and com- mandant of Fort St. .Louis: and. with but two intermissions, he had been invested with the otlice ot governor and com- mandant-general ot the province ever since. The province continued to improve in prosperity tor nearly two vears alter M. I'errier entered upon the duties ot govern- or. Immigrants from France ami Canada continued to swell the general population, and to ;iir_ r ment the resources ol the province. The agricultural products of the older settlements, in the Illinois country and on the \\ abash, vielded a bountiful suppK io the new colonies and settlements on the Lower Mis- sissippi. In these regions wheat, lloiir. maize, beet. pork, ba- con, leather, tallow, hides, bees' wax, hears' oil. and many oth- er useful articles, were produced in abundance. In Lower Louisiana, tobacco and rice had been produced in considera- ble quantities: and indigo, which had been introduced within * Martin's LuuisKuia. vol. i., ji. ..'ijl--.2i.i-t. 254 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. three years, had already become a valuable staple product. The fig-tree had been introduced from Provence, and the or- ange-tree from Hispaniola,* and both were now common about New Orleans. In the month of December, the company's ships brought over a number of poor young girls, but of good moral character, as emigrants to the colony. Each of them was supplied with a small box, or "cassette," containing a few articles of clothing, from which they were known as the girls "de la cassette" and were placed under the care of the nuns until they could be provided for in marriage, f Already lands had become valuable in the settlements, and litigation began to test the validity of titles ; and, to prevent the frequent recurrence of disputed claims, the directory issu- ed an order requiring those holding grants to come forward and have them duly authenticated, under penalty of fine and forfeiture. Larger grants, not properly improved, were re- duced ; or, on failure to comply with the terms, were formally revoked. [A.D. 1728.] The colony was now in its highest prosperity. Although it had languished until placed under the control of the Western Company, yet under their management it had reached a degree of population, and advance in agriculture and commerce, highly creditable to the company and honorable to France. The company now had controlled the province for eleven years; they had raised it from a few hundred idle, indolent, and improvident settlers around the Bay of Mobile, and along the coast west of that place, near the Bays of Biloxi and St. Louis, to a flourishing colony of several thousand souls, many of whom were industrious, enterprising, and productive citixens. In ihe year 1717. when the company took charge, agriculture had been neglected and was almost unknown, except a lew small gardens for private use. The rich alluvions of the Mississippi had presented no attractions for the indolent, settlers: all had collected on the barren shores from the Bay of Mobile west- ward, or had wandered over the vast regions in search oft raiFick with the Indians. ,\ow agriculture had begun to flourish on the fertile alluvions of the river, capitalists had become interested in the staple products . xM^i t Idem. j>. ^t',;,. A.D. 1728.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 255 tobacco, and indigo had already been exported. Eighteen hundred negro slaves had been imported from Africa, and twen- ty-five hundred redemptioners, or laborers from France, had been introduced, liable to t serve three years for those who paid the expenses of their emigration. The military force in the province had been augmented from less than three hundred to eight hundred and fifty troops.* Settlements were formed on the Mississippi, and the city of Xew Orleans had become a large commercial port. Many pleasant cottages lined the banks of the river for more than twenty miles above the city ; set- tlements had grown up on Red River, and on the Washita, at Natchez, and on the Yazoo. In the Illinois and Wabash countries there had been a large accession to the agricultural population, and an active trade had sprung up from the Illinois and Wabash countries to the ports of Xew Orleans and Mobile. Each settlement had now been provided with a regular gov- ernment for the administration of justice; religious instruction had been provided for each settlement ; clergymen and chapels were common in the old settlements, and missions were estab- lished in the new. But a severe check to colonial prosperity was soon to be experienced. For several years a spirit of jealous dissatisfaction had ap- peared among several ol the Indian tribes east ol the Missis- sippi. The Chickasas had never been sincerely friendly to the French, and were continually urged to hostilities by English emissaries from Carolina. The Xatche/, and other tribes south of them, although in alliance with the French, had several times wavered in their friendship, and were only restrained by fear. This state of feeling amont: the tribes had been observe*! for years hv the commandant-general, who had often urged upon the directory of the company the necessity of preparing more effectually to protect the settlements. M. IVrrier, since his auuointmeiit. had also urtred upon them the necessitv of car- 11 rvinir "Ht the suLTLTeslions ol Bienville. The directory, how- ver, had disregarded all his admonitions and plans of defense. They deemed his apprehensions as groundless, and possibly somewhat influenced hv a desire to increase the number of troops under his command, in order to magnify his own im- portance and to acquire a more active command. f Thus they inferred that he would willingly embroil the pro\mce in * Martin, vul. i., ji. 2tIO. t Idem, p. ~7U. 250 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK II. an Indian war. that lie might display his military skill and prow- ess in conducting it to a successful termination. Still M. Per- rier continued to warn them of the necessity of preparing to meet the impending danger. But his warnings were unheed- ed. The directory could see nothing in the occasional mur- ders and depredations of the Indians, more than had been com- mon from the earliest periods of the colony. Notwithstanding all the signs of restless impatience on the part of the Indian tribes, the French officers and agents took no prudent steps to soothe their hostile feelings, or to quiet their jealous apprehensions. The Indian plainly saw the rapid strides of ambition, which sought to possess their entire country, and which must ultimately, if not arrested, prove the destruction of their nation, or their expulsion from the land of their fathers. On the other hand, the French appeared to view the Indians as beings without rights, whom they might strip of their lands and homes at pleasure. Every aggression on the part of the French only served to rouse up the slumbering vengeance of the savage, and to impress upon him more firmly the necessity of revenge, and the maintenance of his rights and his liberty. The impatience with which the Indian beheld his insolent op- pressor, and the destroyer of his peace, was but little calcula- ted to cause him to conciliate the unwelcome guests. Such were the feelings mutually existing between the French and the Xatehex Indians. The French, iniluenced by mercenary motives, hud no tbr- bearance lor what they considered insolence in the Indian. Hence they became arrogant, domineering, and unjust, in their demands, and dealt with them in no measured harshness. Trivial offenses and depredations were punished with extreme rigor upon the savage ; but his demands for justice against the white man were disregarded, and revenge was left, to rankle in his hreast. Above all, the commandant at Fort, Rosalie, M. Chopart, had long been obnoxious to the Xatchex chiefs, and he, in turn, took pleasure in making them feel his power when opportunity < die-red for harassing them. This state of reciprocal ill-will became kno\\n to the Eng- lish agents and emissaries Irom Carolina, who hoped to see their European rivals embroiled with the numerous tribes east of the Mississippi. Xothing, of course, was done bv them to iirevent a result so much desired bv the British cabinet. A.D. 1728.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 257 Instead of giving due attention to these things, the company had been preparing expeditions to explore the Missouri River in search of silver and gold mines, or sending exploring detach- ments into the remote western portions of Louisiana. The forts near the sea-board, which were mostly beyond the danger of Indian hostilities, employed nearly all the efficient force of the province, while those in the midst of the disaffected Indians were in a decayed state, and but feebly defended. In this state of affairs the Chickasas, who had always enter- tained a jealous hostility to the French, conceived the propri- ety of an attempt to exterminate the defenseless colony. For this purpose, the chiefs devised a plan of extermination, and with much secrecy and address engaged several of the other tribes in the conspiracy. The Natchez chiefs engaged with ardor in the plan ; so did many of the Choctas and Yazoo tribes, as well as those upon the Tensas west of the Mississippi. The conspirators attempted to engage the Northern tribes in a similar and simultaneous conspiracy against the French settle- ments in the Illinois and W abash countries. Attempts were made also by the Chickasus to excite the small tribes in the vicinity of Red River and north of the Bayou Iberville. Such were the general feelings of the Indians [(receding the fatal mas- sacre of the French settlements. The Chickasa conspiracy, however, was never carried into effect. From some unknown cause, it was frustrated before the period for execution arrived ; or, as some suppose, the pe- riod had not arrived when the Natchex chiefs, from some un- foreseen cause, were induced to anticipate the day. It is certain that the Chiekasas were displeased at their exclusion from a participation in the massacre. They also suspected the Choetas of treachery.'* Various tales have been invent- ed to account for the manner in which the \atchcx massa- cre superseded the Chickasa eonspiracv. The general im- pression is. that, the number of days to elapse, alter the new moon, previous to the general massacre, was designated by a bundle of reeds, one of \\hich was to be withdrawn every dav In' a chief: and that, each tribe or village had this record ; and that, bv accident or design, the bundle at the Natchex. towns had been rob lied of several reeds, thereby accelerating the dav. Possibly the Natchex. chiefs, in their premature attack, may Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. xiTO. vi71. Vol.. I. It 258 HISTORY OF THE [flOOK II. have been instigated by some new and unexpected aggression ; or, possibly, they may have been influenced by the arrival of a large supply of ammunition, military stores, and goods, which had been received at the company's warehouse near Fort Ro- salie. * Certain it was that the Chickasas took a dee}) inter- est in the success of the enterprise. Cliopart became more and more obnoxious to the Natchez chiefs. His arbitrary and despotic conduct toward them cher- ished in the savage a growing impatience for revenge, while a disdainful resentment caused him to exercise his brief author- ity with increasing severity against the Indians. f It was but recently that Ohopart had made new aggressions upon the Indians' rights. Early in the summer, he had required the Indians to abandon one of their villages, that he might oc- cupy the site with a plantation. This was the village of the " White Apple'' chief, which spread over nearly three miles in extent. J Cliopart summoned the "sun," and required him to cause their huts to be removed to some other place, and their fields to be laid waste. The indignant chief replied, " that their fathers, for many years, had occupied that ground, and that it was good for their children still to remain on the same." The commandant resorted to threats of violence to enforce his commands, and the chief retired and called a council to de- termine the proper course of policy. At length, after a prom- ise of one basket of corn and one hen for every cabin, after the corn should have matured and the fowls were grown, for indulgence until that time, Chop;irt condescended to grant a respite to his commands. * Mill-tin's Louisiana, vol. i.. p. i!7:!, 273. t Such had been tin- overhearing conduct of M. Chopr.rt, that the chiefs had formerly complained to tin; coinmandant-urenural, M. 1'erricr. \vlio hud summoned M. Chopurt to NVw CM' tins to answer for his conduct. He had succeeded in explaining matters to the L'overnor in such manner as to justify himself with the comniaiidant-iremTa!, who subsequently ivin-tati-d him in his command at Fort, Rosalie. On his return, he in- dul-red in many vexatious exactions upon the Indians, to gratify his spite; and as a part of this rcr.ir.v, demanded the removal of their village. See Stoddart, p. )!. ; It was no uneoiiiiiKiM thin-', in the early explorations of the Spaniards and .French, in Louisiana and Florida, to sec Indian villa-res scattered for miles Jiliinir a fertile plain, each cabin or housi irr mded hy extensive fields of com, pumpkins, heans, A:c. ])e Sot", in Florida, passed through some towns, which, with their fields, spread out for five or six miles. Since the encroachments of tin; white man, these scattered villages are more rare. The sit-- of the White Apple village was situated about twelve miles south of the present city of Xatdiez, near the mouth of Second Creek, and three miles east of the Missi>sippi. Tin site was occupied by the plantation of Colonel Anthony 1 1 uirliei^. !;. emL'nu.t to Florida. All v.^tiires of Indian industry have disappeared, ex ce; t some mounds in the vicinity. A.D. 1728.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 259 Time passed slowly, and all appeared quiet and peaceable ; but the nation was highly incensed at the unjust demand. As the time approached lor the destruction of their village, the chiefs sat in council, to devise the most proper course lor re- senting the injury and defending their rights. It was deter- mined not to limit their revenge to the obnoxious individual, but to effect the total overthrow of the whole colony. The settlement was to be destroyed; the men were to be put to death, and the women and children were to be reduced to slavery. The plan was to be confided alone to the warriors and chiefs. Runners were sent to every village, both of the Natchez and their confederates, with the signal of prepara- tion. Bundles of reeds were prepared, each having an equal number. One of these bundles was to be sent to every village, with instructions to keep it until the new moon. Then, for ev- ery day afterward, at the rising of the sun, one reed was to be withdrawn, until only one remained. The attack was to be made on the day that the last reed was withdrawn. The plan, thus arranged, awaited only the fatal day.* Suspicion of some fatal conspiracy was afloat in the settle- ments ; many feared the rankling vengeance of the savage, and various indications seemed to apprise them of some ap- proaching catastrophe ; but they were 'unheeded by the com- mandant of Fort Rosalie, whose avarice and self-will blinded his perception of visible danger. Ohopart had been warned of the approaching danger; but he affected to despise it, and is said to have threatened violence to his monitor. The settlements, accordingly, remained in doubtful security, and unprotected, until the fatal day disclosed the bloods' traced v. The Indians, under their respective chief's, were prepared to make the preconcerted attack on the differ- ent portions ot the settlements. At the St. Catharine's settle- ment, the signal was to be given by the " Ureat Sun" from Fort Rosalie. The signal to the surrounding settlements was to be the smoke and flames <>1 the lort and the adjacent buildings. accompanied by the shouts and yells of the victorious warriors. The corn and poultry had been paid for the respite 1o the devoted village, and to all appearance the Indians and French were inclined to mutual friendship and forbearance :f but they 200 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. remembered the deceptive truce of Bienville six years before, and now they were resolved to improve upon his example. Indian tradition asserts that the preconcerted massacre was kept a profound secret, confined only to the chiefs and war- riors, and that none others were permitted to have any knowl- edge of the plan ; that the women especially were excluded from a knowledge of the conspiracy; that at length the wile of a chief, or sun, from various appearances, suspected that some momentous enterprise was in contemplation, and, after various artifices and devices, she succeeded in gleaning from her son the contemplated plan of massacre. She immediately took steps to communicate to the white men the imminent danger which awaited them. The information was communi- cated to the commandant of Fort Rosalie, M. Chopart, w r ho de- rided the fears of his informant, and threatened with punish- ment those who should give currency to the rumor.* Under this fatal security, the whole colony was left entirely unguarded and unprepared for danger ; some were in their houses, some in the fields, and others dispersed through the settlements. The fort itself was not in a state of defense, and the garrison was negligent and unsuspicious of the danger so near at hand. The women and children, as usual, were en- gaged in the ordinary avocations of domestic employments, thoughtless and unconcerned as to the calamity which was about to overtake them. Such was the state of things in the province until near the close of November. 1729. At length the fatal day arrived. It was the 2Sth day of the month. Early in the morning the Great Sun repaired, with a few chosen warriors, to Fort Rosalie, and all were well armed with knives and other con- cealed weapons. The company had recently sent up a large supply of pow- der and lead, and provisions for the use of the post. The In- dians had recourse to stratagem to procure a supply of am- munition, pretending they were preparing for a great hunting excursion. Jielorr they set out, they wished to purchase a ing the tribute to the commandant ; but. it is not probable that the payment of tin 1 trib- ute would have been deferred until tlie last of November, when tbe, corn would liavi; been ripe for L'atberin-', in this latitude, by the middle of .September, at furthest. The probability is. that the tribute, had been paid in due time, to (juiet suspicion. See Stoddart, p. 51. See Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. ~?i ; and Stoddart's Sketches, p. 51, 5-J. A.D. 1729.] VALLEY OF THE MISSI5SHTI. t2Gl supply of ammunition, and they had brought corn and poultry to barter for powder and lead. Having placed tlie garrison off their guard, a number of Indians were permitted to enter the fort, and others were distributed about the company's ware- house. Upon a certain signal from the dreat Sun, the Indians immediately drew their concealed weapons, and commenced the carnage by one simultaneous and furious massacre of the garrison, and all who were in and near the warehouse.* Other parties, distributed through the contiguous settlements, carried on the bloody work in every house as soon as the smoke was seen to rise from the houses near the fort. The massacre commenced at nine o'clock in the morning, and before noon the whole of the male population of the French colony on St. Catharine (consisting of about seven hundred souls) were sleeping the sleep of death. The slaves were spared for the service of the victors, and the females and chil- dren w r ere reserved as prisoners of war. Chopart fell among the first victims ; and, as the chiefs disdained to stain their hands with his despised blood, he was dispatched by the hand of a common Indian. Two mechanics, a tailor and a car- penter, were spared, because they might be useful to the In- dians. While the massacre was progressing, the dreat Sun seated himself in the spacious warehouse of the company, and. with apparent unconcern and complacency, sat and smoked his pipe while his warriors were depositing the heads of the French garrison in a pyramid at his feet. The head of Chopart was placed in the center, surmounting those of his ollicers and soldiers. So soon as the warriors intormed the Clreat Sun ihat the last Frenchman had ceased to live, he commanded the pillaire to commence. The negro slaves were employed in bringing out the plunder tor distribution. The powder and military stores were reserved for public use in future emergencies. While the ardent spirits remained, the day and the night alike presented one continued scene ot savage triumph and drunken revelry. With horrid yells they spent their orgies in dancing over the mangled bodies ot their enemies, which lay strewed in every i|iiarter where they had fallen in the general carnage. Here, unburied, they remained a prey lor dogs and * rfce Martin's Louisiana, vol. i.. p. -7J, >73 : ami Stud'hirl's Sketches. 262 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. hungry vultures. Every vestige of the houses and dwellings in all the settlements was reduced to ashes.* Two soldiers only, who happened to he absent in the woods at the time of the massacre, escaped to bear the melancholy tidings to New Orleans. As they approached the fort and heard the deafening yells of the savages, and saw the columns of smoke and flame ascending from the buildings, they well judged the fate of their countrymen. They concealed them- selves until they could procure a boat or canoe to descend the river to New Orleans, where they arrived a few days after- ward, and told the sad story of the colony on the St. Catharine. The same fate was shared by the colony on the Yazoo, near Fort St. Peter, and by those on the Washita, at Sicily Island, and near the present town of Monroe. Dismay and terror were spread over every settlement in the province. New Orleans was filled with mourning and sadness for the fate of friends and countrymen. The whole number of victims slain in this massacre amount- ed to more than two hundred men, besides a few women and some negroes, who attempted to defend their masters. Ninety- two women and one hundred and fifty-five children were taken prisoners. Among the victims were Father Poisson, the Jesuit missionary ; Laloire, the principal agent of the company ; M. Kollys and son, who had purchased M. Hubert's interest, and had just arrived to take possession. j~ * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 272, 273. t Idem, p. 270. A.D. 1729.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 263 CHAPTER VIII. LOUISIANA UNDER "THE WESTERN COMPANY" AFTER THE NATCHEZ MASSACRE : EXTERMINATION OF THE NATCHEZ TRIBES. A.L). 1729 TO 1733. Argument. Consternation in Louisiana after the Natchez Tragedy. The Governor. M. Perrier, prepares to invade tlie Natchez Country. Loubois leads uu the French Troops and Allies. Lesuour leads on the Choctas. Lesueur arrives on the St. Cath- arine with his Chocta Allies. They attack the Natchez Towns and return victori- ously. Loubois arrives with the Artillery. Alter a short Sieire, the Indians propose an Armistice. Loubois permits the Natchez Warriors to escape him. Krects a ter- raced Fort and retires to New Orleans. The Natchez Tribes retire to Black lliver, and there Fortify themselves. The Chickasus espouse the Natchez Cause. F.ng- lisli Intrigue active among the Chiekasas. Chouacas Tribe exterminated by the French and Negro Troops. Negro Insurrection arrested. Military Strength of the Province. .Small He-enforcement arrives from France. M. Perrier advances his Forces to Black River. Invests the Natchez Strong-hold. Negotiations for Capitu- lation. The ' Great Sun" and fifty-two Indians surrendered. Perrier's Demand re- fu-sed, and the Cannonade opens again. The Besieged abandon the Fort during a dark and stormy Niirht. Manv are overtaken and captured. The French Army re- turn t'> New Orleans with their Prisoners. The Prisoners are sold into West Indian .Slavery. The Remnant of the Natchez Tribe imbodies on Red Hiver. They attack the French Post at Natchitochcs, and are repulsed with irreat Loss. Termination of the Natchez War. Personal Characteristics of this Tribe. State of the Province at the Close of the War. The Company resolve to surrender their Charter. Tin- Kind's Proclamation announces its Acceptance, April 10th. 1 ::!-,'. Retrospect of the Prov- ince under the Company. The Crown purchases the Company's Effects, and the Royal Government is established. [A.D. 1729.] So soon as the Xatche/ disaster was known at Xew Orleans, the \vl\ole city raid settlements presented a scene of general commotion and consternation. M. Per- rier. the commandant-ireneral, made the must active prepara- tions for avenirinir the loss of the French settlements hv wa- einf a war of extermination against the tribes concerned in the conspiracy. \ vessel was immediately dispatched to France for troops and military supplies. Two vessels were ordered nil the river as far as Bayou Tunica, to observe the movements of the savages and to alli>rd protection to such individuals as mav have escaped the tomahawk and scalping-knife in any of the settlements. Couriers were dispatched to Mobile, to Red River, and to Fort Chartres, in the Illinois country, to summon the several commanders to prepare lor co-operation with their respective commands. Emissaries and airents were sent to the Choctas, and to all the tribes in alliance with the 264 HISTORY OF THE [l!OOK II. French from the head waters of" the Alabama to the Cumber- land, and even to the Illinois tribes. Every house in the city, and every plantation, was furnished with arms and ammunition for defense out of the company's store-house ; the city was for- tified, and placed in a state of complete military defense against any possible attack of savages.* The brave and enterprising Lesueur, ever ready to engage in remote excursions, had gone to rouse and organize the Choc- tas on the Tombigby for an immediate campaign, while M. Perrier prepared to march with the troops drawn from the posts and settlements near Mobile and Red River. Three hundred regular troops were taken from the posts, and three hundred militia from the lower settlements joined his standard for the invasion of the Natchez country. But just as M. Per- rier was about to take up the line of march for the hostile towns, his attention was suddenly arrested by an alarming danger close at hand. The late disaster, and the contemplated depart- ure of the troops and most of the able-bodied men from the set- tlements, had prompted some of the slaves on the large planta- tions to improve the occasion by an attempt to overpower the whites and assert their liberty. To suppress the threatened insurrection, and to punish the instigators of the plot, M. Per- rier was compelled to defer his departure for a few days. In the mean time, the Chevalier M. Loubois, with the main body of troops, set out for the Natchez country, in order to effect a junction with Lesueur and his Chocta allies from the east. As lie proceeded northward, he received re-enforce- ments at Baton Rouge and Point Coupee, besides a few Tunica Indians in the vicinity of Red River. [A. I). 173(7.] As Loubois advanced toward the Natchez towns, lie was met by two Natchez chiefs with proposals for peace; though, doubtless, their real object was to spy out his forces, and 10 devise some plan of treachery. Their terms were extraordinary and arrogant, and the assurance wild which they were urged induced M. Loubois to advance cautiously, lest he might lie overpowered by their superior numbers. As the condition of peace, with the surrender of their pris- oners and a general amnesty, they demanded no less than two hundred barrels of powder, two thousand flints, four thousand bullets, two hundred knives, and an equal number of axes, hoes, * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 270. A.D. 1730.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 205 shirts, coats, and pieces of ginghams ; besides twenty laced coats, twenty laced hats with plumes, twenty barrels of brandy, and as many of wine.* Loubois could view the extraordinary proposition in no oth- er light than a bold attempt at defiance against the I'Yench forces, and he continued his march with caution, awaiting re- enforcements from below. In the mean time, the ever-successful Lesueur had won the Choctas to his aid. and, advancing from the Tombigby with six hundred warriors, had augmented his force near Pearl River to twelve hundred auxiliaries. With this formidable body of allies he arrived upon the St. Catharine on the morning of the 28th of January. Here he encamped, vainly to await the ar- rival of the forces under M. Loubois, who had not yet entered the Natchez country. The Indian runners soon brought intelligence that the Natch- ez chiefs w r ere utterly ignorant of the arrival of the Chocta war- riors from the east, and were spending the night in carous- als and dancing. This intelligence coming to the ears of the warriors, they became impatient, and, disregarding all restraint, next morniiiif about daybreak, in spite of Lesueur's urgent en- * treaties, they fell upon the Natchez villages with great fury. After a conflict of three hours they returned to camp, bringing, as the trophies of their prowess, sixty Indian scalps, and eigh- teen Indian prisoners, besides fifty-one women and children, and two men rescued from captivity. The men were the two mechanics who had been spared in the general massacre of November. The Choctas also recovered from captivity one hundred and six negro slaves. Their loss in tins aflair, having found their enemies unprepared for defense 1 , was only two warriors killed and ciirht. wounded. f After skirmishing a few days, most of the warriors dispersed, and returned to their towns. The Natchez warriors, now apprised of the hostile move- ments ai/ainst them, lost no further time in idle carousal, but proceeded with irreat diligence to secure their women and children by a strongly- fortified camp. All their military art was put in requisition, and all the available labor, to secure themselves against tin- attacks of the Chocta warriors and the strong military force advancing from .New Orleans. ' Martin's Louisiana, vul. i., p. x'77. t Mem. p. -.':?. 2GG HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. The interval for defensive operations was short ; for in ten days, Loubois, with a force of fourteen hundred men, including French and Indians, appeared before the Indian strong-hold. Yet, by this time, the Natchez warriors had intrenched them- selves strongly, and were determined upon a brave resistance. The besieging force was nearly eleven hundred Frenchmen, be- sides three hundred Indians, and such of the Choctas under Le- sueur as still remained to take part in the contest. The fort w r as regularly invested ; trenches were opened, and the artillery was planted upon the batteries. But on the sev- enth day of the investment, and after many skirmishes by the Indian allies, in which the Natchez warriors fought with great desperation, the besieged sent a flag with propositions for a conditional surrender of prisoners. The proposition stipulated that the Natchez chiefs would surrender the remaining French prisoners, to the number of more than two hundred souls, provided the artillery were re- moved from before the fort and the siege abandoned. At the same time, they declared that a refusal to meet their proposi- tion should be followed by the immediate destruction of all their prisoners by fire. In order to preserve the lives of the helpless victims still in their power, Loubois consented to accede to their terms. A suspension of hostilities for ten days was agreed upon, for the purpose of conducting the negotiations. Yet Loubois designed to wreak Ins vengeance upon the hos- tile Indians so soon as the prisoners should have been secured. As yet, but little damage had been effected by the artillery, although eleven field-pieces were at his command. The en- gineers were inexperienced, and his supply of ammunition had become nearly exhausted. Meanwhile, he was exerting every means to hasten forward a supply of ammunition and military stores from New Orleans. The Indians, suspecting treachery on the part of the French. resolved to improve the occasion during the suspension of hos- tilities, and provide for their own escape. At length, on the 25th of February, negotiations had been concluded. The artillery had been removed, the batteries de- molished, and the prisoners were to be surrendered on the fol- lowing day in front of the fort. During the night of the 25th, the Natchez chiefs and war- A.D. 1730.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 2(>7 riurs, with their women and children, together with their plun- der and personal effects, silently retired from their intrench- ments, leaving a small guard with the prisoners until daybreak. and before morning they had crossed the river and were be- yond pursuit. M. Perrier found the prisoners in the fort agree- ably to the treaty, but the enemy had lied. The French were astonished at the dextrous maiuruver, but it was useless to pursue the fugitives. A few days afterward, M. Loubois advanced to the bluff on the bank ol the river and commenced a terraced fort, which was supplied with cannon ami munitions, and a garrison ol" one hundred and twenty men.* This was the beginning of the terraced Fort Rosalie, the remains of which are still visible on the brink of the bluff, just below the city of Xatchez. After a military occupancy of nearly seventy years by the troops of France, Great Britain, Spain, and the United States successive- ly, this fort was finally abandoned about the year 1800. Having left Fort Rosalie in command of his lieutenant, M. Loubois dismissed his Indian allies, and returned with the Southern troops to New Orleans, where he delivered the res- cued prisoners into the arms of their sympathizing friends. The further prosecution of the Xatche/ war was deferred until re-enforcements and supplies should have arrived from France. Although hostilities for the present were suspended, the Indians were well assured in their own minds that a ter- rible vengeance was still meditated against them. To escape the fury of their enemies, the}" determined to abandon their homes and their country, with the bones and ashes ot their ancestors, and seek saiety and protection among their red brethren west ol' the Mississippi. This vengeance was the more to be dreaded, since the French had succeeded in secur- ing the alliance of several powerful tribes of the South, as well as those upon the Illinois and \\ abash rivers. Under these circumstances, the whole tribe resolved to dis- perse from the eastern side of the Mississippi. The largest portion, led by the Great Sun and the principal chiefs, sought, an asvlum and a place of defense upon the Lower Washita, on " the point" between Little River and the Washita, just below the mouth of Little River, where the Washita assumes the name of Black River. On the peninsula rises a lofty terraced mound * StcjJdart's Sketches of Louisiana, p. D-'. Also, Martin, vol. i.. p. -79. 268 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. of earth, surrounded at irregular distances, from three to six hundred yards, with many smaller mounds and embankments, which are the remains of the Natchez earthworks in their first retreat. The whole area embraced in these remains is prob- ably not short of four hundred acres, comprising, besides the large mound, twelve smaller ones. This point, when securely fortified by the Indians, must have been one of the strongest Indian fortresses ever known to white men ; and here the Natchez " suns," with the flower of their nation, determined to make a stand to meet the coming storm.* Yet other portions of the tribe sought an asylum among the Chickasas, who were willing to espouse their cause. f [A.D. 1731.] It was not long before the warlike Chickasas, urged by their Natchez allies and refugees, began their prep- arations to meet the vengeance of the French in defense of their friends; and the English of Carolina did not long with- hold their counsel from the wavering Chickasas. The jealousy of England toward the French colonies in Lou- isiana had never slept. Although domestic troubles between the people and the proprietaries of Carolina had given the French a temporary exemption from English intrigue among the Chickasas and some of the more southern tribes, yet the English traders and emissaries in the Chickasa nation were ever ready to seize any occasion to annoy the French. Affairs in Carolina had now been settled, except collisions on the Smith with the Spaniards of Florida and their Indian allies. Treaties of peace and amity had been concluded with the tribes of the interior, as far as the Muskhogees, or Creeks. During the past year, the proprietaries had sold out their interest to the crown, and a royal governor had been duly installed over Carolina. * This point, at the junction of the Washita and Little River, is a remarkable point, such as was Lrenerally tunned by the French " Trois Rivieres," or thnr rivers; be- cause, unlike die ordinary confluence of two streams, it presents the appearance of ihn'f nrt'rs coming together. The union of the Washita and Little River forms Black River, which immediately receives the Tensas from the east. Thus three rhcru unite to form the finirf/i. These are all deep and wide rivers. The principal central mound, or terrace, is about one hundred yards lone- and fifty wide at the base. It rises as a pyramid to the height of thirty feet, then recedes, with a terrace on every side, and rises more than thirty feet higher in a conical form. Major Stoddart, who examined it in 1804. estimated the elevation of the principal summit at eighty feet. The author viewed it in l.-M-l, when, having been cleared of the trees and undergrowth, it was in cultivation. The traces of circumvallution are very evident, and the smaller mounds stand around at unequal distances, varying from two hundred to six hundred yards from the central turret. t See Martin's Louisiana, vol. i.. p. L'-u-^S. Also, Stoddart's Sketches, p. 58. A.D. 1731.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 209 No sooner had the royal government been fully established, than it attempted, by treaties of peace and alliance, to convert the tribes on the Western frontiers of Carolina into subjects and allies of Great Britain. "Early in the year 1730, Sir Alexander Cummings, a special envoy, guided by Indian traders to the Keowec River, sum- moned a general convention of the chiefs of the Cherokee na- tion to meet at Nequassee, in the Valley of the Tennessee. They came together in the month of April, and were told that A King George was their sovereign."* English traders had al- \ ready established themselves among the Chickasas. who also became the steadfast allies of the English. This relation to England necessarily implied a settled hostility to the French. Preparations for prosecuting the Natchez war engaged a large share of M. Terrier's attention, and he lost no opportu- nity of urging the matter before the company. Yet the whole effective force in the province, at this time, consisted of only six hundred and fifty French troops and two hundred Swiss mer- cenaries, distributed in ten different forts and military posts. The militia of the province, exclusive of the Illinois country, amounted to eight hundred men.f These comprised the whole available force with which M. Terrier was to curry on his contemplated war of extermination. The Indian allies would augment the whole to nearly two thousand men and warriors. In the mean time, a new danger had sprung up at home, in the midst of the settlements near New Orleans. This difficulty proceeded from their own jealousy and imprudence. Highly susceptible to imaginary indications ot savage hostility since the Natehe/ tragedy, the French had suspected the fidelity of the Chouacas, a small tribe of Indians inhabiting the country between the English Turn and Lake Barataria. below New Orleans. Believing them in secret alliance with the Chieka- sas, they deemed it. necessary to exterminate them, in order to avoid their enmity. For this purpose, a body of negro slaves were armed and drilled to march against this devoted tribe. The negroes were accordingly led against the defenseless vil- lages and settlements of the unsuspecting natives, who, taken by surprise, were involved in one general and indiscriminate massacre ol men, women, and children. 270 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. This bloody work completed, the negroes, well pleased with their new calling, were loth to resign the musket for the hoe. At length it was ascertained that they had been planning an actual insurrection and massacre of the white settlements near New Orleans. But a timely discovery of the plot, and the prompt execution of the ringleaders and prominent abettors, sufficed to prevent the contemplated tragedy.* In the mean time, M. Perrier had ordered a requisition of troops and militia for the campaign against the Natchez strong- hold on Black River. He had issued his proclamation calling out every able-bodied man, and conjuring them to arm and equip themselves in readiness to join his standard in the con- templated campaign. Expecting re-enforcements from France, the people of New Orleans were highly rejoiced, on the 10th of August, upon hear- ing the arrival of one of the company's ships off the Balize, with troops and supplies for the colonies, under the command of M. Perrier de Salvert, brother of the commandant-general. But the re-enforcement was small, and the aid inefficient. The whole number of troops was only three companies of marines, comprising one hundred and eighty men. These, with the reg- ular troops maintained in the province, amounted to less than one thousand men ; a small force with which to garrison at least five or six forts, and protect numerous remote and exposed settlements. The commandant-general was highly mortified at this small re-enforcement ; yet he determined to prosecute a vigorous campaign for the chastisement of the Natchez warriors on Black River. He sought aid in person from the friendly tribes near Fort Conde, and among the Choctas. He then re- turned to New Orleans, and completed his levy of the militia; but the whole number of the enrollment from the Wabash to Mobile did not exceed eight hundred men. These would yield a small effective force in actual service in prosecuting a war in the heart of an enemy's country, and in the midst of power- ful tribes. By the middle of November, the whole number of troops mustered into service amounted to six hundred and fifty, including regulars and volunteers, leaving only a small garri- son in each of the important forts. The Natchez refugees and the hostile Chickasfis. during the past year, had lost no opportunity of harassing the settlements * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 282. A.D. 1732.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. '-271 within their reach. Every Frenchman who fell inl<> their hands upon the river, or near any remote settlement. suffered the most barbarous and cruel tortures. Such had been the dangers and horrors of the river route, that, for a time, the riv- er trade and intercourse had been almost abandoned, and the Illinois settlements were virtually cut otf from Lower Louisi- ana. Many persons captured by the Xatchez warriors upon the river had been burned at the stake with the cruel tortures of slow fire. On the 15th of November, the army, six hundred and fifty in number, left Xew Orleans for the strong-hold of the Xatchex tribe on Black River. On the way, they were joined by three hundred and fifty Indian warriors, increasing the entire force to one thousand men. [A.D. 1732.] Early in January the army reached the mouth of Black River, and proceeded slowly up its broad and gentle stream. On the 20th of January they came in sight of the en- emy's principal tort. The troops were disembarked, and the fort was invested. On the following day the field-pieces and artillerists were landed, and the siege was regularly opened. For three days the besieged made a spirited resistance : but on the 25th a flag of truce was suspended from the foil, just as the artillery was prepared to open upon it ; yet M. Terrier re- jected all propositions unless the "suns" and war-chiefs were delivered into his hands, and threatened utter destruction to all in case of refusal. At length, alter a protracted negotia- tion, the Indians surrendered the (Ireat Sun and one war- chief; but M. IVrrier refused to extend quarters to the tribes unless others were also surrendered. ?Sot. being in a situa- tion to dictate terms, the}' at length consented to surrender sixtv-live men and about two hundred women and children, upon condition that their lives should be spared. But these sternlv refused to leave their intrenchments unless the artil- lery was withdrawn from before the fort; they likewise de- manded that, the Indian allies, who were guarding the avenues of escape, should also be withdrawn. These demands were refused by the French commander, and the artillery opened a furious cannonade against the works: but it was soon silenced bv heavy rain, which continued until night, when clouds and wind thickened to a tempest. Soon alter dark.it was ascer- tained that the enemv were abandoning their strong-hold under 212 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. the shelter of the tempestuous night. They were now making their escape up Little River, and through the dense forests and swamps toward Catahoola Lake. The Indian allies were sent in rapid pursuit, and they at length captured about one hun- dred of the fugitives. Further pursuit was abandoned by M. Perrier, and he proceeded next day to demolish the outworks of the deserted fort. Soon afterward the Indian allies were dismissed, and the French commander prepared to return with his army and his prisoners to New Orleans. He arrived in the city on the 5th of February, accompanied by four hundred and twenty-seven captives of the Natchez tribe, among whom were the Great Sun and several principal war-chiefs.* The Great Sun and his companions were soon afterward shipped to St. Domingo and sold as slaves. Such was the ter- mination of this expedition, and such was the fate of the Great Sun and nearly half of his nation. Although in two campaigns they had lost many of their tribe by captivity and death, yet nearly one half of the entire nation remained ; but being dis- persed in detached parties, they were compelled to seek safety from the vengeance of the French. Some retired west of the Washita, some to Red River, and some joined the Chiekasas east of the Mississippi. Nearly three hundred individuals, in- cluding seventy warriors, had retired to the region west of Catahoola Lake, and others passed up the Washita. One chief, with forty warriors, bad gone to join the Chickasas, taking with them their women and children. The Yazoos and Coroas, tribes of the Natchez confederacy, were still able to bring a few warriors into the field. f Although reduced and dispersed, the Natchez warriors had not been conquered. A few months served to recover them from their late reverses, and they still breathed vengeance against their destroyers; hence the Natchez war was not yet terminated. ;md the invincible courage of the warriors could be subdued only by extermination. Toward the close of summer, the warriors, who had retired from the strong-hold upon Black River and Catahoola Lake, with other wandering bands of the dispersed tribes, collected into one body near the remote settlements ot Natchitoches, on Red River. Here they determined to make another bold stand against their French enemies. Their united lorce comprised * Martin's Louisiana, vol. L. p. -_'-T t Idem. A.D. 1732.] VALLEY OF TI1H MISSLSSII'I'I. about two hundred warriors, burning with revenue for their disasters at Natchez and on Black River, lor the loss of their Great Suns and chiefs, as well as their wives and children, who had now been sold into hopeless slavery in St. Domingo. C) Their first operations were directed against the French posts and settlements at Natchitoches. The post of Natchitoches was commanded by St. Denys, a bold and intrepid officer, of great experience in Indian affairs. The hostile warriors designed the utter destruction of this re- mote post and settlement; but St. Denys, apprised of their de- signs and movements, had made ample preparation for the de- fense of his post. He had re-enforced his garrison by the en- listment of a few Spaniards, and others willing to serve under his command ; the fort was repaired, and placed in a state of complete defense ; at the same time, having secured the aid of a body of friendly Indians from the neighboring tribes, he now deemed himself able to withstand any assault which might be made by the hostile w r arriors. A r or \vas he long in suspense as to their movements. The Natchez warriors at length approached the post, and made a furious assault upon the works : but, after a hard-fought battle of several hours, they were repulsed with great loss bv the vig- orous resistance of the garrison. Failing in the attack upon the fortified post, they retired to wreak their vengeance upon the Natchitoches Indians, a weak tribe in the vicinity, who were in alliance with the French. The Xatehitorhes village. being deserted, was entered by the hostile warriors, who pro- ceeded forthwith to fortify it as a strong-hold tor future defense. These movements were closely observed by the vigilant St. Denys, and he lost no time in his preparations to dislodge them from their new position. Having re-enforced his detachment by volunteers, and a few more friendly Indians iroin the regions south if \atchitoches. he advanced to the attack of the Natchez intrenchrnents. I>\ a vigorous assault, the outworks were car- ried bv Sturm, and the whole fortress \vus soon ill possession oi the assailants. The \atchez warriors made a vigorous resist- ance, during which ninety-two of then' braves, including all of their head chiefs, were slain. The remainder, overpowered by the numbers and impetuosity of the French and their allies, escaped by flight. Thus St. Denys, with his limited resources, by his indoniita- VoL. I.-S 274 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. ble energy and courage in this brilliant achievement, had ac- complished more in bringing the Natchez war to a close than the commandant-general, with the whole resources of the prov- ince. This was, in fact, the closing scene in the war, and the blow which completed the final dispersion and annihilation of the Natchez Indians as a distinct tribe. [A.D. 1733.] The scattered remnants of the tribe sought an asylum among the Chickasas and other tribes who were hostile to the French. Since that time, the individuality of the Natchez tribe has been swallowed up in the nations with whom they were incorporated. Yet no tribe has left so proud a memorial of their courage, their independent spirit, and their contempt of death in defense of their rights and liberties. The city of Natchez is their monument, standing upon the field of their glory. Such is the brief history of the Natchez Indians, who are now considered extinct. In refinement and intelli- gence, they were equal, if not superior, to any other tribe north of Mexico. In courage and stratagem, they were infe- rior to none. Their form was noble and commanding ; their stature was seldom under six feet, and their persons were straight and athletic. Their countenance indicated more in- telligence than is commonly found in savages. The head was compressed from the os frontis to the occiput, so that the fore- head appeared high and retreating, while the occiput was com- pressed almost in a line with the neck and shoulders. This peculiarity, as well as their straight, erect form, is ascribed to the pressure of bandages during infancy. Some of the remain- ing individuals of the Natchez tribe were in the town of Natch- ez as late as the year 1782, or more than half a century after the Natchez massacre.* To the great joy of the whole province, a partial and tem- porary peace with the Indian tribes now succeeded. For three years, the whole population had been in a state of continual alarm and apprehension. Every tiling had presented the ap- pearance of hostile array and military parade. The troops in the province having been insufficient for the protection of the * The venerable; Christopher Miller, of Natchez, remembers to have seen a number of Natchez warriors in the village of Natchez as late ns the year 17 .*->, during the Spanish dominion. He had also seen several of them previous to that time, at the post of Arkansas, on the Arkansas Hiver. under Spanish occupancy. He testifies to their commanding form and noble stature, no less than to their remarkably lofty and retreat- ing forehead. A.D. 1733.] VALLEY OT THE MISSISSIPPI. 275 settlements and remote posts, and at the same time to keep down the rebellious spirit of the slaves, the population was drained of its most efficient members to fill the ranks of dis- tant expeditions, leaving the settlements at the mercy of the small tribes in their immediate vicinity. This state of tilings was now, fortunately, terminated for a time, and the respite was essentially necessary for the safety of the province. But the company had been involved in enormous expenses in conducting the military defense of the settlements, and in prosecuting the Natchez war. Their losses, by Indian depre- dations at Natchez and other points, in the first outbreak of hostilities, had also been great. The disturbance of harmony with other remote tribes, consequent upon the Natchez war, was such as precluded any profitable trade with them, and di- minished the success of trade at the remote posts. This state of things, following upon the disasters consequent upon Law's failure, alarmed the directory, who, believing that they were not secure from similar disasters in future, determined to sur- render their charter into the hands of the crown, and abandon the further prosecution of their scheme. Obedient to the wish- es of the "Company of the Indies." who could invest their cap- ital more profitably in tralhck and conquest upon the coasts of Guinea and Hindostan, they had petitioned the king to permit them to surrender their charter and retire from the American wilderness. The petition was readily granted, and the king had issued his proclamation, declaring the whole province of Louisiana free to all his subjects, with equal privileges and rights as to trade and commerce. This proclamation was is- sued on the 10th day of' April. 17,'J'J. and had taken effect from its date. From this time the Western Company, which was, in fact, on'.v a branch of the "Company oj the Indies," was ab- sorbed in the parent monopoly. 1 hiring fifteen years the Western Company had held the control and monopoly of the mines and commerce ot the prov- ince. They exercised all the rights ot proprietors, subject only to the approbation of the king: yet the ad vantage derived was not proportionate to their outlay and their expectations. For the last three years, it had been a source ot continual expense and harassing vexation. During this period, the population ot' tilt. 1 province had increased but little: yet from the time when the company first assumed the control, m 1717. the prov- 276 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. ince had greatly changed. At that period, scarcely seven hundred souls, of all ages, sexes, and colors, formed the civil- ized population of this vast province ; now the number of the colonists exceeded five thousand souls, among whom were many men of worth and enterprise. The whole number of slaves had increased from twenty souls to more than two thou- sand. The settlements were rapidly extending upon the fer- tile alluvions of the Mississippi, of Red River, of the Washita, and the Arkansas, besides the fine agricultural settlements upon the Illinois and Wabash Rivers.* M. Salmon, as commissioner in behalf of the king, received formal possession of Louisiana from the company. The crown also purchased, through the commissioner, all the effects of the company in the province at a fair valuation, amounting to about sixty thousand dollars. The property thus transferred to the crown consisted of their warehouses, goods, stock in trade, plantations, with two hundred and sixty negroes, and all the appendages of their planting establishments. f 4 Under the new organization of the government, M. Perrier retained the appointment of commandant-general, and M. Sal- mon comrnissaire-ordonnateur. Loubois and D'Artaguette, both of whom had distinguished themselves in the Natchez war, were the king's lieutenants, the first for Louisiana, and the second for the Illinois country. At this time, the settlements of Lower Louisiana had ex- tended, at various points on the Mississippi, above New Or- leans. At the German Coast, the river bank on both sides was lined by a large number of handsome cottages. Large settle- ments arid plantations had been opened at Manchac, Baton Rouge, and Point Coupee, besides many others more remote from the city. At Natchez, settlements had extended upon the St. Catharine arid upon Second Creek, from its sources to the Hornochitto River. The culture of rice was extensive ; tobacco and indigo had succeeded well, and formed articles of export. A flourishing trade from the Illinois and Wabash countries increased the * Martin's Louis t In the valuatii of seven hundred 1 valued at fifty SCVL there were eight t ana. vi)l. i., p. of the company's property, negroes were valued at an average res. cir one hundred and seventy-five dollars each. Horses were livres, or fourteen dollars twenty-five cents each. Rice, of which ousand barrels, was rated at three livres, or seventy-five cents per hundred pounds. The value of a horse was estimated equal to nineteen hundred pounds of rice. See Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 292. A.D. 1733. J VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 277 commercial importance of Louisiana. Civil government was organized, and religious instruction had been amply supplied in the different settlements. This, of course, was the Catholic faith, taught under the superintendence of the vicar-general at New Orleans, as a portion of the diocese of the Bishop of Quebec.* The Illinois and Wabash countries, comprising all the settle- ments on the Upper Mississippi, from " Fort Chartres" and Kaskaskia eastward to the Wabash, and south of Lake Mich- igan, contained manv flourishing settlements devoted to aori- O O culture and the Indian trade. CHAPTER IX. LOUISIANA UNDER THE ROYAL GOVERNORS UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE CHICKASA WAR. A.D. 1733 TO 1741. Argument. Recapitulation of Chickasa Hostilities, and English Intrigue from Caro- lina and Georgia. Bienville reappointed Command ant-general of Louisiana. He resolves to chastise the Chickasas. Demands a .Surrender nf the Natchez Refu- gees. Prepares to invade the Chickasa Country. Indian Alliances formed with Choctas. Plan of Operations to invade from the North and Smith simultaneously. Hienville, with the main Army and Allies, proceeds up the Tombigby. Is delayed by Rains. Marches to the Chickasa Strong-hold. Attacks the Fortress, and is re- pulsed with Loss. Retires, and finally retreats down the Tombigby. Defeat of D'Artatruette, with the Illinois Forces. His Captivity and Death in the Chickasa Country. Bienville's Account of the Chickasa Fort. Chickasas send Runners to apprise the English of their Victory over the Fivneli. Bieuvillc, overwhelmed with Chaerrin, resolves on a second Invasion from the. Mississippi. The Plan of Invasion approved by the Minister of War. The Grand Army proceeds up the Mississippi to Fort St. Francis. Fort Assumption built on Fourth Chickasa Bluff. Delays from Sickness and Want of Provisions. M. 0*elcnm advances witli a Detachment toward the Chickasa Towns. (.'(includes a Peace, by Bienville's Order, with a single Vil- lage. Fort Assumption dismantled, and the Army descends to New Orleans. Bien- ville retires under tin 1 Disgrace of a second Failure, and is superseded by the Marquis ile Vaudreuil as Governor. Retrospect of the Condition of the Province up to the Year 17-11. [A.D. 1733.] FROM the first settlement of Louisiana, the Chickasa Indians, occupying all the northern half of the pres- ent State of Mississippi, and all the western half of Ten- nessee, had often manifested feelings inimical to the French. This feeling was known, however, to proceed from British in- 'rigue. carried on by traders and emissaries from Carolina, which then comprised the present states of North and South Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 2S9. 278 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. Carolina. Aware of the bias thus produced in the minds of the Chickasas toward the French settlements, agents and em- issaries, during Crozat's monopoly, as well as under the West- ern Company, had endeavored to reconcile them, and to se- cure their neutrality, if not their friendship, by mild and ami- cable means. Efforts were made to establish a reciprocal in- tercourse with them, by means of trading- posts and formal ne- gotiations. But the result of all such overtures was, at most, a temporary friendship, or a disguised hostility. Within the first twenty years after Iberville planted his colony on the Bay of Mobile, the Chickasas had several times been instrumental in instigating smaller tribes and bands into hostilities against the French, while they assumed an attitude of disguised friend- ship. On the Mississippi, as well as upon the Tombigby, their depredations upon the traders, and occasionally their murders at remote, unprotected points, had been subjects of remon- strance and of special negotiation. Influenced by British em- issaries and traders from Carolina, they had almost entirely excluded French traders, and the agents both of M. Crozat and the Western Company. In this manner did the English author- ities of Carolina attempt to arrest the extension of the French settlements east of the Lower Mississippi. The Chickasa nation constituted a rendezvous for British emissaries, whence they might operate through the contiguous tribes ; and when opportunity might offer, they could penetrate the territory of tribes in friendship and alliance with the French. In this manner, remote settlements were often placed in ex- treme danger by any sudden hostility excited in the contigu- ous tribes. As early as the y^ar 1715, a British emissary named Young had penetrated from the Chickasa country through all the small tribes then inhabiting the southwestern portion of the present State of Mississippi, and thence through the tribes from New Orleans to Pascagoula Bay. This man having been captured by the agent of M. Crozat, was sent a prisoner to Mobile.* The object of his mission was to form ;i general conspiracy or league among the tribes, for the total expulsion of the French from Louisiana. The same object w r as attempted by others ; but, fortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful. Such attempts on the part of the English served as a full Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 185. A.D. 1733.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 279 justification on the part of the French to seek means of retali- ation. For this purpose, in self-defense, they had encouraged the confederacy of the Yamases and the other tribes of West- ern Georgia, in their hostilities against the English settlements of Carolina the same year. Eight years afterward, the Chickasas near the Mississippi had resumed their hostilities upon the traders and voyageurs who conducted the commerce between Mobile and the Illinois coun- try. After many such murders and robberies had been com- mitted by them, Bienville succeeded in restoring peace and a temporary security to the river trade, without any general rup- ture with this nation. In a short time, however, restless des- peradoes in the West resumed their attempts to harass and in- terrupt the river trade. This state of things had continued, with occasional intermissions, until about the close of the year 1729. About this time the Chickasas began their efforts to form a conspiracy among all the tribes south of them, for the destruction of the French settlements throughout Lower Lou- isiana. In this conspiracy, the Natchez tribe had been origi- nally only a consenting party, the Chickasas being the princi- pals, until circumstances urged the former to become princi- pals in the memorable massacre of November, 1729. During the war, which resulted in the annihilation of the Natchez tribe, although the Chickasas took no active part in the contest, they had received and given protection to the refugees of that tribe, as well as to many fugitive negroes who had escaped to them after the Natchez massacre. They also had given a refuge to the hostile warriors who escaped the arms of M. Perrier on Black River, and of St. Denys at Natchitoches, in the autumn of 1732. Such was the prelude to the Chickasa war. The province of Carolina, in 1732. had been divided into North and South Carolina, for the greater convenience of the royal government. The proprietaries having formally sold out their claims to the crown, from that time North and South Carolina were distinct royal provinces, under a newly-organ- ized government of the king.* Nor was this the onlv move- ment made by the English crown to secure a footing north of the Cult' of Mexico and westward to the Mississippi. By a roval charter of George II., a new province had been planned, to embrace all the unoccupied country upon the Atlantic coast ' Marshall's Life of Washington ; Introduction, vol. i., p. 3ui. 280 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. between the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers, and to extend from their sources westward to the Mississippi, thus interfering directly with the claims of both Spain and France.* In honor of the British king, it had been called the Province of Georgia. A colony prepared in England, under General James Ogle- thorpe, for its settlement, had arrived in the summer of 1733, and was located on the Savannah River, where the town of Savannah was laid off. Thus commenced the British province of Georgia, which received annual accessions to its population by successive colonies from the mother country. [A.D. 1734.] No sooner had this colony been located than Oglethorpe set himself to forming friendly alliances with the neighboring tribes. In a short time his agents had secured the alliance of the different branches of the Muskhogees, the Ya- mases, and Cherokees. The following year, Red Shoes, a Chocta chief, made a visit to Oglethorpe, in order to open an advantageous trade for his tribe. " We came a great way," said he, " and we are a great nation. The French are build- ing forts about us against our liking. We have long traded with them, but they are poor in goods : we desire that a trade may be opened between us and you." And when a commerce with them began, the English coveted the harbors on the Gulf of Mexico, which rightfully belonged to Spain and France. Such was the beginning of British encroachments upon the lim- its of Louisiana.! The Natchez refugees, still thirsting for vengeance, urged the Chickasas to open hostilities. Encouraged by the English traders and emissaries, the Chickasas again commenced depre- dations and murders upon the French commerce on the Mis- sissippi. Before another year elapsed, they threw off all dis- guise, and openly espoused the Natchez cause. They also dispatched some of the most sagacious and artful of the ne- groes who had escaped from the Natchez settlements, as emis- saries well calculated to sow the seeds of insurrection among the slaves on the plantations near New Orleans. They were to insinuate themselves among the slaves, and to encourage them to a bold and vigorous effort to obtain their freedom by the destruction of their masters ; to represent to them their own liberty, and the ease with which the whole slave population could be speedily emancipated, when they might find a secure * Bancroft's History of the United States, vol. iii., p. 419-421. t Idem, p. 4'1'J. A.D. 1735.] VALLEY OK THE MISSISSIPPI. 281 refuge, if necessary, with their friends among the Chickasas. Several of these emissaries had penetrated to the plantations near New Orleans, and especially to that formerly belonging to the Western Company, on which there were two hundred and fifty slaves.* Such are the intrigues, and such the means ever used by the British government to accomplish their de- signs against those they doom to destruction. The contagion ot their seduction spread amonir the negroes with surprising rapidity. They held meetings for night parties and dancing, unsuspected by their owners, wherever the de- sired intercourse between the leaders could be effected. A plan was actually laid, and a time appointed when they were to collect from all parts around the city of New Orleans, which was to be burned and the people massacred by one party, while another party were to seize the king's arsenal and magazines, from which they were to supply themselves with arms and ammunition. From this point they were to carry conflagra- tion and slaughter along the river coast, until they should be joined by parties of Chickasas, who were to hold themselves in readiness at some convenient point on the river above. The plot was discovered in time to prevent its contemplated execu- tion. The ringleaders were taken, and executed in the most exemplary manner, as a warning and terror to others. In the mean time, the intercourse by the river between New Orleans and the Illinois country was so hazardous, by reason of Indian murders and robberies, that the river commerce was virtually suspended, and the colonies were kept in a state of continual alarm. [A.D. 17.'*3.] Such had been the state of things early in the year 17.'M, when JJienville was again commissioned by the king as Governor and commandant-general ot Louisiana. Early in the autumn he arrived at New Orleans, and entered upon the duties of his office. Bienville. in his old age. still felt a thirst for military fame; lie also coveted the honor of humbling the tribes which had espoused the \atchex. cause, and who had afforded them an asylum from the vengeance of the French. Durmi: his absence from the province the horrible massacre of the French colony on the St. Catharine had taken place, be- sides numerous other Indian outrages. During his former ad- ministration all the tribes had been kept in due subjection, or " Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 2i)5, 2%. 282 HISTORY OF THE j_BOOK II. were held under proper restraint. But so soon as he left for Europe, Indian outrages commenced ; murders and depredations were frequent ; the whole province was kept in a state of continual alarm and apprehension of Indian aggression ; the navigation of the Mississippi was virtually cut off, and com- munications with the upper province interrupted. None of these things had been permitted during his presence in the province. He had now returned, and he doubted not that his name alone would be a check upon the Indians, and a terror to the Natchez refugees. Thus he may have reasoned with him- self. Accordingly, soon after his arrival in New Orleans, he dispatched an officer to the principal village of the Chickasas, demanding from them the surrender of the Natchez refugees who had been received among them. In reply to his demand, he was informed that the Natchez Indians had been incorpo- rated with the Chickasa tribe, and could not be given up. Upon the reception of this intelligence, Bienville determined to inflict signal chastisement upon the Chickasas themselves, by invading and laying waste their country with a powerful army. The whole force of the province was now to be ar- rayed against them. The government of France itself had given directions for the invasion, and the royal eye was turned anxiously upon the coming contest.* In the mean time, the Natchez refugees and a few hostile Chickasas continued to harass the river trade by their repeat- ed robberies and murders upon the traders and voyageurs. At length the Mississippi was not a safe route between the remote portions of the province ; few only of those who ventured to ascend the river were so fortunate as to escape the bandits by whom it was infested. Bienville determined to lose no time in bringing his forces into the field, and in executing summary vengeance upon the Chickasa nation. He had made a levy of troops from all the settlements upon the Upper and Lower Mississippi, and from Mobile. An officer had been sent duly authorized to solicit the aid and alliance of the Choctas, and to secure their co-oper- ation in the contemplated expedition. The Choctfi chiefs, con- ducted by the emissary, met Bienville in council at " Fort Conde," and contracted to lead a large body of their warriors to " Fort Tombigby," which was to be erected in their own " liancrufi's United States, vol. iii., p. 3oo. A.D. 1736.] VALLEY OK THE MISSISSIPPI. 283 country, about two hundred and fifty miles above Mobile, upon the west bank of the Tombigby River. An officer was also dispatched with a detachment of troops to erect the stockade and the necessary buildings for a mili- tary depot, which would serve as a general rende/vous for the eastern division of the army. An order was likewise sent to M. d'Artaguette, commandant at Fort Chartres, and son of the Chevalier d'Artaguette, to march his whole disposable force for the Chickasa nation, including all the troops and Indians which could be collected from the Illinois and Wabash coun- tries. With these he was to form a junction with the grand army about the 10th of May, between the sources of the Ya- zoo and the Tombigby Rivers.* The plan of operations was as follows : Bienville, with the whole force of Louisiana and the Choctas from the Tombigby were to ascend that river to the junction of its principal head streams, the east and west forks, supplied with military stores and artillery. Here he was to advance across the country in a northwest direction toward the strong-hold of the Chiekasas, which was upon the head waters of the Tallahatchy. D'Arta- guette, with the Illinois forces, was to descend the Mississippi to the last Chickasa bluff, there disembark, and traverse the country in a southeast direction to the sources of the Talla- hatchy. The two divisions of the army were to be near the dividing ridges about the 10th of May, when further operations would be concerted. [A.I). 173(5.] In the mean time. Bienville was absorbed in the object of collecting a strong force at Fort Comic, preparatory to the invasion of the Chickasa country. Early in the spring of 17.'5(>. the troops moved from New Orleans tor Mobile in thirty barges and thirty large pirogues. On the l()th of March they arrived at Fort Conde, where they remained preparing for the expedition until the -1th of April, when they commenced the vovaire up the Tombiirhy. Ten days brought the army to Fort Tomliigby. Here they were joined by six hundred Chocta warriors, and ten days afterward six hundred more arrived, in- creasing the whole number of these auxiliaries to twelve hun- dred. t Rains and inclement weather multiplied the difficulties and delays of the invading host. An army unemployed be- comes restless and discontented, and military discipline in a 5'tate of idleness will rarely quiet the discontented mind. * Bancroft, vol. iii., p. 365. t Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., [>. 300, 303 284 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. Already some of the advanced guard, sent to construct Fort Tombigby for the rendezvous, had attempted to escape and en- joy the liberty of the wilderness ; but they were taken, and in the wilds of Alabama, condemned by a court-martial, they were shot, a warning to the discontented. Such had been the unavoidable delays, that Bienville did not leave Fort Tombigby until the 4th of May, only six days pre- vious to the junction which D'Artaguette was instructed to make with him upon the sources of the Tallahatchy. The boats and barges moved slowly up the tortuous stream, while the light in- fantry and the Indian auxiliaries advanced by land across the country. From Fort Tombigby to the junction of the East and West Forks, where the artillery and munitions of war were to be deposited, was but little short of two hundred and fifty miles, following the meanders of the stream. To reach this destina- tion required near twenty days of toil before the little fleet could make the point for disembarking the troops and muni- tions of war. At length, upon the banks of the Tombigby. not far from the site of the present town of Cotton-gin Port, and nearly five hundred miles, by the river, from Mobile, Bienville disembarked his supplies, and erected a stockade fort for the protection of the sick, the baggage, the military stores, and the artillery. The nearest Chickasa town was twenty-seven miles distant, in a northwestern direction,* and probably within a few miles of the present town of Pontotoc. The town was known to be well fortified, and was situated, probably, upon the bank of Pontotoc Creek, in the northern part of Mississippi, and in the central portion of Pontotoc county, which perpetuate the name of the Indian strong-hold. The stockade having been completed, and a sufficient guard having been detailed for its defense, Bienville commenced his march with the army in two columns, flanked by the Chocta warriors, in search of the enemy. Then it was that " the soli- tudes of the quiet forests and blooming prairies, between the sources of the Tombigby and Tallahatchy, were disturbed by the march of the army toward the strong-hold of their ancient enemy. "f On the evening of the 25th of May, the army en- camped within one league of the Indian citadel. Next morn- ing, before day, the Choctas advanced to surprise the enemy's * Bancroft, vol. iii., \>. .'Jo'!. Martin says the Chickas;! fort lay northeast from the point of debarkation. Seu vol. i., \>. 'M'J. t Bancroft, vol. iii., j>. 3C6. A.D. 1730.] VALLEY* OK THE MLS3IS.--1 1TI. 285 post ; but the Chickasas were on the alert, and their intrench- ments were strong. The Chocta warriors, alter vainly assail- ing its impregnable defenses, retired from the assault. About noon the French army advanced in battle array, and posted themselves in full view of the fort, ready for the fearful assault. The British flag was seen waving over its ramparts, and it was known that British traders and emissaries were in the fort, con- ducting the defense.* About one o'clock the French column, prepared with hand- grenades for the conflagration of the buildings, advanced to the charge with the cheering shout of "Vive le roi" Twice during the day was the assault renewed with lire and sword, and twice were their columns repulsed by the terrible lire from the fort. Four hours had the battle raged around the intrenchments, with- out success or hope of victory. Many had fallen among the slain, many were severely wounded, and the number of killed and wounded were multiplying rapidly. Bienville, despairing of success without the aid of artillery, and seeing his brave troops constantly falling in the unequal contest, ordered a re- treat to be sounded, and drew ofFhis forces. The retreat was led off in excellent order, but the slain were left upon their gorv battle-field. Such was the result of this day's contest. The French in the assaults had thirty-two men killed, and sixty-one were wounded. Among the slain were four officers of rank. The armv retired to their camp, one league distant, and spent the evening and night in throwing up an intrenchment around it for their more perfect security. Xext morning the Choctas advanced to skirmish with par- ties of ( 'hickasas : as they approached the fort, they beheld the bodies of the French who had fallen in the assaults of the pre- vious day, quartered and impaled upon t lie stockades oj the fort. Three days were spent in the tnrtiiicd camp, but no further serious attempt was made to dislodge the enemy from their strong-hold. Surrounded by the hostile warriors in the midst of the enemv's count ry, Hienville received no tidings ot the north- ern division from the Illinois, or ot the arrival ot D'Artaguette among the ('hickasas. Chagrin at his unexpected repulse eom- pletelv overwhelmed the veteran chief, and, despairing of his ability to reduce the formidable position occupied by his war- like enemies, he determined to abandon the enterprise and re- * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 301, 3 (.).?. 28G IIISTOUY or TIU: [BOOK n. turn to New Orleans. On the 29th of May he broke up his encampment and took up the retrograde line of march, and on the following day halted at the head of Tomhigby, where his stores and artillery had been deposited. Here he made but little delay previous to his final departure from the Chickasd country. On the 31st he dismissed the Choctas with kind words and presents, when, after throwing his cannon into the Tombigby, with his army he floated down the river inglori- ously to Fort Conde.* Near the last of June, he entered the Bayou St. John on his return to New Orleans, covered with defeat and shame. In the mean time, where was the young and chivalrous D'Ar- taguette ? lie and his brave companions were sleeping the quiet sleep of death in the land from which Bienville had inglo- riously fled. D'Artaguette, the pride and flower of Canada, had convened the tribes of the Illinois atFortChartres ; he had unfolded to them the plans and designs of the great French captain against the Chickasas, and invoked their friendly aid. At his summons, the friendly chiefs, the tawny envoys of the North, with " Chicago" at their head, had descended the Mississippi to New Orleans, and there had presented the pipe of peace and friendship to the governor. ' This/' said Chicago to M. Perrier, as he con- cluded an alliance offensive and defensive, "this is the pipe of peace or war. You have but to speak, and our braves will strike the nations that are your foes. "I They had made haste to return, and had punctually convened their braves under Ar- tnguette. Chicago was the Illinois chief from the shore of Lake Michigan, whose monument was reared, a century afterward, upon the site of his village, and whose name is perpetuated in the most flourishing city of Illinois. In due time, D'Artaguette and his lieutenant, the gallant Vin- cennes, from the Wabash, with their respective forces and In- dian allies, hud descended the Mississippi to the last Chickasa bluff, and, agreeably to his orders, had penetrated the Chickasa country. The iearless heroes had cautiously, and unobserved, penetrated from the bluffs eastward into the heart of the Chick- asa country, and, on the evening before the appointed 10th of May, had encamped among the sources of the Yalobusha, prob- ably not six miles east, of the present town of Pontotoc, near ' Bancroft's United States, vol. iii.. p. 360. t Ibidem, p. 3(io. A.I). 1730.] VAI.LKY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 287 the appointed place of rendezvous, and not more than thirty miles from the point of Bienville's debarkation. Here, ready for co-operation with the commander-in-chief, D'Artaguette and his brave troops were prepared to maintain the arms and the honor of France. With his lieutenant Vincennes, the youthful Voisin, and his spiritual guide and friend, the Jesuit Senat, D'Artaguette sought in vain for intelligence of his commander, lint he maintained his post, and from the 9th until the 20th of May he encamped in sight of the enemy, until his Indian auxiliaries, becoming impatient for war and plunder, refused all further restraint. D'Artaguette then consented to lead them to the attack. His plans were wisely devised and vigorously executed ; but, un- supported by the main army, what could he effect against a powerful enemy ? The attack was made with great fury against a fortified vil- lage ; the Chickasas were driven from their town and the fort which defended it : at the second town, the intrepid youth was equally successful. A third fort was attacked, and, in the mo- ment of victory, he received a severe wound, and soon after another, by which he fell disabled. He distinguished himself, as he had done before in the Xatehex war, by acts of great valor and deeds of noble daring. "The red men of Illinois, dismayed at the check, fled precipitately. Voisin, a lad but. sixteen years old, conducted the retreat, having the enemy at his heels for five-and-twenty leagues, and marching forty-five leagues without food, while bis men carried with them such of the wounded as could bear the fatigue." Hut the unhappy D'Artajiuette was left weltering in bis blood, and around him lav others of his bravest troops.*' The Jesuit Senat might have tied: but he remained to receive the last sigh of the wounded, regardless of danger, and mindful only of duty. 'Vincennes. too, the Canadian, refused to fly. and shared the captivity of his gallant leader. "f * HaijcroIVs History of tin- T'nited Stairs, vol. iii., p. :i<;>, 367. St'O, also, Martin's I.ouisiiuiu, vol. i., p. :tu:i, liul. t Tin 1 troops iViiin Illinois in tliis campaign, as they advanced to the attack, had their bodies protected in front, from the arrows of the fhicknsas, by wool sacks, or quilted cushions made of wool, suspended licforc their bodies. This novel, mid yet very useful kind of armor, was discovered by tin; British traders in tin: fort, who directed tin: I'hickasas to shoot, at their heads and le :_rs. --Stoddart. p. fi3, Prescott, in his " f oncjiiest of Mexico" by Hernando forte/, describes a similar pro lection made of cotton, and used hv the Spaniards against the arrows and missiles ot the Mexican Indians. 288 HISTORY OF TIII: [BOOK u. D'Artaguette and his valiant companions who fell into the hands of the Chickasas were treated with great kindness and attention ; their wounds were dressed by the Indians, who watched over them with fraternal tenderness, and they were received into the cabins of the victors in hopes of a great ran- som from Bienville, who was known to be advancing by way of the Tombigby with a powerful army. But the same day brought the intelligence of the advance and the discomfiture of the commander-in-chief. His retreat and final departure soon followed, and the Chickasas, elated with their success, and de- spairing of the expected ransom, resolved to sacrifice the vic- tims to savage triumph and revenge. The prisoners were taken to a neighboring field, and, while one was left to relate their fate to their countrymen, the young and intrepid D'Arta- guette, and the heroic Vincennes, whose name is borne by the oldest town in Indiana, and will be perpetuated as long as the Wabash shall flow by the dwellings of civilized men, and the faithful Senat, true to his mission, were, with their companions, each tied to a stake. Here they were tortured before slow and intermitting fires, until death mercifully released them from their protracted torments.* Such were the sufferings of the leaders of the northern division, at the very time that Bienville had commenced his inglorious voyage down the Tombigby : and such is the early history of the white man in Mississippi. Thus the magnificent parade of Bienville, and his pompous threats against the Chickasas, terminated in a complete failure of the expedition, and brought a cloud of disgrace upon his military fame. The Chickasas proved themselves then the true descendants of the powerful and warlike nation which had encountered the steel-clad chivalry of De Soto, two hundred years before. The French allege that the fort, attacked by the forces under Bienville, was constructed of large and tnll palisades planted in the ground, and perforated with numerous loop-holes for firing upon an approaching enemy; and that a strong platform of boards, covered with earth, extended around the inside, so as to protect the defenders from the hand-gren- ades used by the French in the assault. The British traders and emissaries hud taught them the art of fortifying their vil- lages, and of making regular defenses against field artillery. It was not until early in July, and soon alter his arrival at f Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 304. A.l). 1739.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIIM'I. ',289 Xew Orleans, that Bienville learned by rumor the sad late of D'Artaguette and his companions in anus, who had been sac- rificed to his strict obedience to military orders, and to the in- excusable want of energy in the commander-in-chief. The English settlements in Oeorgia were, apprised of this disastrous expedition of the French within a lew weeks after Bienville reached Xew Orleans ; lor the ( nickasas. elated with their victory over the French, sent runners the same summer to narrate to Oglethorpe, on the Savannah, how they had met and del'eated the French in two divisions, and what, lingering torments they had inflicted upon the captives. " .Ever attached to the English, they now sent their deputation of thirty war- riors, with their civil sachem and war-chief, to make an alli- ance with Oglethorpe, whose fame had reached the Mississippi. They brought for him an Indian chaplet, made from the spoils of their enemies, glittering with feathers of many hues, and en- riched with the horns of buffaloes."* [A.D. 1737.] Bienville. mortiiied with the result of his late unsuccessful campaign against the Chickasas in the East, de- termined to retrieve his honor and the glory of France by a more powerful invasion from the West. With but little grounds tor the assurance, he hoped that the route ot D'Arta- guette was more accessible, and that victorv miu r ht attend his arms where fortune had smiled upon the intrepid commandant of Fort ('harlres. A plan of an expedition against the Chick- asas with a grand army, by way ot the Chickasa Blutl's, was devised and laid beiore the minister lor his sanction. [A.D. 173-v] The approbation of the minister was trans- mitted to Bienville near the close o! the following vear. and lie beu r an to put. in operation Ins plans lor humbling the pride and power of h:s late fierce antagonists, (livat preparation.-; were set "ii loot throughout the whole province, and tar e\- ceedimi an\ thiiiir "I tip- kind \\ Inch had been seen in Louisi- ana, from its iirst settlement. The signal ot preparation was Lfiven. and the commandants throughout the province had their orders trom the commandant-general hiniseli. Th.e spring ot ]'.'{!> was the time lop the contemplated ^rand invasion. [A.D. 17.'!'.).] Tin- route of the contemplated invasion was from the lower Chickas;'i Ulull. on the east bank ol the Missis- 290 HISTORY OF THF, [BOOK II. distant, on the sources of the Tallahatchy and Tombigby Riv- ers. A tort was ordered as the point of general rendezvous for the grand army, near the mouth of the St. Francis River, on the west side of the Mississippi. Here the allied army was to have its general depot for baggage, the sick, and military stores. Troops, together with large bodies of friendly Indians, were to be drawn from all the posts, settlements, and regions contiguous to the Lower Mississippi and Mobile. These were to be joined at the mouth of the St. Francis by all the troops and Indian allies to be mustered from the Illinois and Wabash countries, under their respective commanders. All things being in readiness about the last of May, the main army began to leave New Orleans for the rendezvous at the mouth of the St. Francis. They embarked in a fleet of boats and barges, and slowly moved up the strong current of the Mississippi until the last of June, when they reached Fort St. Francis. This division of the army consisted of Louisiana militia and regular troops, besides a few companies of marines, and more than sixteen hundred Indian allies. The division from the Illinois and Wabash, commanded by La Buissoniere, commandant of Fort Chartres, comprised about two hundred men, including regulars, militia, and some cadets from Canada, besides about three hundred Indian allies under the command of M. Celeron and M. St. Laurent, his lieutenants. The entire force now at Bienville's command was about twelve hundred whites, and nearly twenty-five hundred Indians and negroes, jiving a grand total of three thousand seven hundred fighting men. With but little delay, the army was crossed over to the east bank of the Mississippi, where "Fort Assumption" was built, near the mouth of the Margot, or Wolf River, as a convenient depot for the sick, the baggage, and military stores. This fort, however, was delayed in its completion until the middle of August.* P>y this time, sickness and the autumnal fevers be- g;m to make fearful ravages in the ranks, both among the Eu- ropeans and the Canadians. Those who escaped disease, as well as those who had recovered from its attack, were debili- tated and unlit for active, service. The cool, bracing air of early winter and the purifying frosts were anxiously expected, as the best restoratives against, the debilitating effects of a long * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 307. \.n. 1710.] VALI.F.V or Tin: MISSISSIPPI. 20J summer upon their northern constitutiuns. Early winter came. ;uul found the ranks more than decimated: and while the at- mosphere became wholesome and elastic, and the troops began to assume their \vonted vigor, a new enemy threatened them with annihilation. This was famine : lor the supplies of provis- ions had begun to fail, and all were reduced t> short allow- ance. The invasion of the Chickasa country must now he de- layed until supplies were received from \ewOrleans and from Fort Chartres. Thus was the expedition against the Chickasa towns deferred until the middle of March following, when a large portion of the white troops were so much debilitated by exposure to the inclemency of winter, and hy the want of wholesome loud, that not more than two hundred ellective men could he mustered who were able to take up the line of march with the Indian and negro warriors toward the Chickasil towns. With these, M. Celeron had orders to march against the Chickasus. and was specially instructed to lose no oppor- tunity of treating for peace. As he advanced, the Chickasas. at first sight, supposed the whole French army was close he- hind them. and. as a measure of safety, sued for peace. M. Celeron, taking advantage <>i iheir alarm, entered into a treat v of peace and friendship.* [A. D. 1710.] The Indians promised to remain the true friends of the French, and declared they would renounce the English, who had incited them In host i lilies. .M. Celeron, in the name of Bienville, promised peace to the Chickasa nation ; ;md a deputation <>( chiefs and warriors accompanied his return march, to consummate tin 1 bonds o| pence hv n regular treaty, to he concluded at Fort Assumption. Here Bienville entered into negotiations, which were ratified, alter the Indian custom, with presents and lestivity. Fort Assumption was dismantled: the army retired to Fort St. Fr;iiicis. on the western b;mk ol the Mississippi. Here Bienville. having discharged his .Northern troops and the Indian allies, prepared airain to ilnat inglorioiisly down the .Mississippi with the main army. Thus ended the second invasion ol the Chickasa country, begun by Bienville to retrieve his military fame, but which sunk it lower than it had been before. After a, lonir and expensive preparation in two campaigns: after the los.s of many lives, many slain in battle, and far more ' Miti-tin's Louisiana, veil. i.. i>. If.'p, J":>. HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK ir. ingloriously swept off by disease and famine, tlic war was dis- continued, and a treaty of peace had been concluded with the chiefs and warriors of a single town, and without a single lau- rel upon the commander's brow. This campaign closed the military career of Bienville in Louisiana. He had been bold, ardent, and an able command- er in his youth ; but, cooled in his ardor by the snows of thirty- six winters in the service, lie was ill (jualiiied for the arduous duties of conducting an army through a wilderness of swamps and dense forests, remote from the facilities of civilized life. To contend with the wily savage in his own native forests re- quires the energies of the iron-hearted warrior in the prime of manhood and in the vigor of health. To crown the misfortune of two disastrous campaigns, Bien- ville, the following spring, was succeeded in the government of Louisiana by the Marquis de Vaudreuil, who was appointed governor and commandant-general. Thus the public career of Bienville, who for nearly forty years, a few short intervals excepted, had controlled the affairs of Louisiana, terminated under a cloud of censure, and the disapprobation of his sover- eign. Such are the vicissitudes of fortune, which assail the high as well as the humble. The population and wealth of Louisiana for the last five years had continued to increase gradually, notwithstanding the hostile attitude of the Chickasas and the reverses of two unsuc- cessful campaigns. The settlements had gradually extended and multiplied upon Red River, and upon the Washita, as well as upon the Tpper and Lower Mississippi. Agricultural pro- ductions, adapted to the climate, both in the upper and lower portions ol the province, were important items in the commerce with the pnrent countrv. About this time cotton was intro- duced as an agricultural product of Louisiana, but tor many years it was cultivated only in small quantities.* [A.I). J7I1.] The emigration irom France continued to swell the population of \ew France and Louisiana. Kverv arrival Irom France was the harbinger of a new settlement, or the extension ol the old. Many Canadians, retiring from the rigors (it the IOULT \\interson the St. Lawrence, sought the com- paratively mild climate of the \Vabash and the Illinois coun- tries. \\lnle the Chickasas, instigated bv British intrigue, had A.D. 1711. J VALLKY OF Till; .M ISSISSIITI. kej)t up a state of continual hostilities from the Ya/oo to the Ohio, the tribes north of the Ohio, ;m. 1741 TO 17G4. Argument. Louisiana continues Prosperous and free from Indian Hostilities until the Close of the Acadian War. Apiculture and Trade prosper under individual Enter prise. Equinoctial Storm in 17-15. Rigorous Winter of 17-!8-'J killed the Orange- trees. La Buissoniere and Macarty Commandants at Fort Chartres. Condition of Agricultural Settlements near New Orleans. Staples, R^ce, Indigo, Cotton. Tobacco. Sugar-cane first introduced in 1751, and Sugar subsequently becomes a Staple Product. The British resume their Intrigue with the Choctas and Cluekasas after the Close of the Acadian War. Choctas commence War. Chiekasas resume Hostilities on the Mississippi. Disturbances break out on the Ohio with the English Provinces. Governor Vaudreuil invades the Chickasa Country by way of the Tombigby. Rav- ages their Towns and .Fields. Collisions between French and English on the Ohio. Ohio Company's Grant leads to Hostilities. lie-enforcement sent to Fort Char- tres. Lower Louisiana is prosperous. Horrid Military Execution for Revolt at Cat Island. British Inhumanity to the People of Acadia. Origin of the ''Acadian Coast'' in 175"). Louisiana sutlers again from Paper Money in 175<>. The French abandon the Ohio Region. Canada falls under the Arms of Britain in 1 "")!>, and many Canadians emigrate to Louisiana. France relinquishes all Louisiana, by Treaties of 17(i^ and 17(13, to Spain and Great Britain. Great Britain takes posses- sion of Florida and Eastern Louisiana in 17G4-5. Spain assumes Jurisdiction over Western Louisiana in 1765. Extension of the Limits of West Florida by Great Britain. Spain and Great Britain divide the Valley of the Mississippi, until the United States succeed, first to British, and then to Spanish Louisiana. [A.I). 1711.] FUR ten years niter the close of the Chickasa war, the settlements of Louisiana were comparatively 1'ree from Indian hostilities. The English provinces along the Atlantic coast, during the greatest portion of this time, were involved with the mother country in prosecuting the Northern or Aca- dian war, against the French provinces south of the .St. Law- rence and north of New England. The remote province of Louisiana and the Illinois country, inaccessible alike to British fleets and armies, remained free from Indian hostilities. During this period, the French of .Louisiana and of the Illi- nois country had succeeded in establishing amicable relations with all the tribes west of the Alleghany Mountains, from tin- sources of the Alleghany and the Tennessee Rivers to the ]\Iis- souri. and from the sources of the Mississippi to New Orleans and Texas. The whole Valley of the Mississippi had yielded to the dominion of France, and the native tribes had become her allies. A.u. 17-15.] VAI.I.EV OF TIIF. MISSISSIPPI. 295 As early as the year 17-12. the defense of the country be:nir in the hands of the kind's officers and troops, the Indian tribes generally observed a respectful neutrality. i>r a friendly and commercial attitude. Free from danger and apprehension of Indian violence, agriculture continued to flourish, and com- merce, freed from the shackles off monopolies, betjan rapidlvto extend its influence, and to multiply its objects under the stim- ulus of individual enterprise. Capitalists embarked \vith alac- rity into agriculture and commerce. The trade between the northern and southern portions of Louisiana had ^reatlv aug- mented, as well as that from Xew Orleans to France and for- eign countries. Regular cargoes of flour, bacon, pork, hides, leather, tallow, bear's oil, and lumber were annually transport- ed down the Mississippi in keel-boats and barges to Xew Or- leans and Mobile, whence they were shipped to France and the West Indies. In their return voyages, these boats and barges, from Xew Orleans and Mobile, supplied the Illinois and Wabash countries with rice, indigo, tobacco, sugar, cotton, and European fabrics. The two extremes of Louisiana pro- duced and supplied each other alternately with the necessaries and comforts of life required by each respectively. The mu- tual exchange of commodities kept up a constant and active communication from one end of the province to the other. Boats, barges, and pirogues were daily plyini: from one point to another, freighted with the rude products of a. new and trrow- \i\ff country. The irreat high- ways of commerce were the deep and solitary channels of' the Mississippi and its hundreds of tributaries. [A.I ). 1715.] Such was the '_rn >\s ing condition of Louisiana. until hostilities a<_rain broke out between the Finnish and French provinces, ten years alter the Acadian war. In the mean time, the settlements had been liable to occa- sional disasters and unforeseen dangers, which affect alike the colonv in its infancy and the more powerful state. In the tall of' the year 1715. a destructive storm swept over the settle- ments of L<>\ver Louisiana, and-laid waste the plantations, de- strovinga. larirc proportion of the crops. The rice crop es- pecially, one of the most important in Lower Louisiana, was nearlv destroyed. Rice, for several years, had been an im- portant substitute for bread, and the destruction of this crop reduced many poor emigrants to absolute want. \ei the ne- 290 HISTORY OF TIIF. [liOOK II. cessitios of the lower country were supplied by timely reliei from the Illinois country und from the Wabash. Their boats annually descended early in December, and returned in Feb- ruary. The supply of breadstuff from Upper Louisiana this year, by some accounts, is given at four thousand sacks.' con- taining, probably, one hundred pounds each. [A.I). 1747 S.] Louisiana continued to prosper, and the settlements continued to extend upon the Wabash and upon the tributaries of the Illinois and the Upper Mississippi, and even as far as the upper tributaries of the Ohio. The pros- perity of the province continued without interruption until the renewal of hostilities by the English provinces. [A. D. 1749.] The winter of 174S-9 was remarkable for its uncommon rigor, both in Upper and Lower Louisiana. Such was the severity of the cold, that the thriving groves of orange-trees on the river coast, above and below Aew Orleans, were entirely killed. [A.I). 1750.] For several years past, the government of the settlements on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois had been conducted by La Buissoniere, commandant at Fort Chartres, where he had succeeded the unfortunate Chevalier D'Arta- guette. [A.D. 1751.] In the following autumn, 1751, he was suc- ceeded in the command of Fort Chartres by the Chevalier Mar-arty, who left Xew Orleans on the '.20th of August, with ;i small detachment of troops for re-enforcing the posts on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. f lie continued to retain the command in this quarter until the close of the French domin- ion on the Ohio. [A.D. 175'J.] The settlements on the Lower Mississippi continued to augment in population, by the frequent arrivals of emigrant colonies from France and the West India Islands. The spirit of enterprise and agricultural industry began to de- velop the resources of the country, and to increase the wealth and happiness of the people. Plantations lined the banks of the river tor twenty miles below, and for a much greater dis- tance above the city. In this distance the whole coast was in a fine state of cultivation, and nearly the whole was securely protected by levees against the floods of the river. The prin- cipal staples o! this section were rice, indigo, corn, and tobac- * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i, p. 31G. A. I). ITo'^.J VAU.KY OF Till: MlSr-'ISSII'i'I. VJ)7 c;>. Rice and indigo were the chief crops up to the year 1750, about which time cotton hnd been introduced, and hecame soon niter an important item in the agricultural products of Lower Louisiana and the Illinois country; yet, from the extreme dif- ficulty of separating the cotton from the seed. it. did not consti- tute, in any portion oi the country, the entire product of anv plantation, but was cultivated in small quantities, by almost. every family, as a useful article for domestic consumption. Tobacco was cultivated in considerable quantities in the up- lands near Hatou Rouge and in the settlements of the \atchex country. To encourage the extensive cultivation of tobacco, the royal government oil'ered a moderate bounty on the arti- cle, and the farmer-general of the king was authori/ed to re- ceive into the king's warehouses all the tobacco raised in the province, at the rate of thirty livres per hundred pounds, equal to about seven dollars the hundred weight.* About this time a cotton-gin, invented by M. Dubreuil, which facilitated the operation of separating the cotton liber from the seed, created an epoch in the cultivation of cotton in Louisiana, and it began to enter more largely into the product of the plant- ations. Sugar-cane had not yet been introduced as a. staple product of Louisiana. The first attempt to cultivate the sugar-cane in the province was made by the Jesuits in the year 1751. This year they had introduced a quantity ot cane ln>ni St. Domin- go, together with several negroes who were acquainted with the process of manufacturing sugar from the puce. They opened a small plantation on the banks ot the Mississippi, just above the old city ot' \e\vOrIeans, and within the limits of the second municipality.! The following year attempts were made by others to cultivate the plant and to manufacture it into sugar. Satisfied with the success of' the first attempts, manv others soon afterward commenced its culture, and with- in a few \ears most of' the plantations above and below the citv. |o|- many miles, had introduced the culture of cane on a small scale, by wav o! experiment. Several years elapsed, when ihe Jesuits and some others, having succeeded even above their expectations. .M. Dubreuil, a man of capital and enterprise, was induced, in 175*. to open a sugar plantation on a large scale. He erected the first sugar-mill in Louisiana HISTORY or THE [i!' OK II. upon his plantation, which occupied the lands now covered by the lower part of the city of New Orleans, and known as the '- Suburb of St. Marigny," below the third municipality. The enterprise of M. Dubreuil having rewarded him with an abun- dant crop and a ready sale, others were anxious to embark in the same enterprise with large capital. Thus, before the close of the year 1760, sugar-cane had been fairly introduced as one of the staple products of Louisiana : yet the art of making sugar was in its infancy. The sugar which was made was consumed wholly in the province, and was of very inferior quality, for want of a knowledge of the granulating process. Before the year 1705, M. Dubreuil, M. Destrechan. and others, had succeeded in making sugar which answered all the purposes of home consumption. Still, the planters had not learned the art of giving it a fine, dry, granu- lated appearance, such as was produced in the West Indies. The whole product of the province had been, heretofore, barely sufficient for domestic consumption : but in the year 17(>5 one ship-load of sugar was exported to France: yet so imperfect had been the granulating process, that one half of it escaped from the casks as leakage before the vessel reached her des- tination.* This was the first export of sugar from Louisiana, and the commencement of her trade in her most valuable sta- ple, which has since continued to increase up to the present time, until the annual crop of sugar made in Louisiana varied, between the years 18 10 and IN 15. from 110.000 to 115.000 hogsheads, besides as many barrels of molasses. f In the mean lime, the British emissaries from the Atlantic provinces resumed their efforts to rouse the Chickasas to a re- newal of hostilities against the French of Louisiana, as well as against the trade carried on between the colonies on the L T p- per Mississippi and the city of New Orleans. The Northern or Acadian war had been terminated, and peace had been re- stored between the two powers, England and France, bv the treaty of Ai\ la Chapelle, on the ISth day of October, 171S. Tranquillity had been likewise restored to all the British prov- inces alon.L r the Atlantic const, and they now again had leisure to indulge in their former practices of intrigue with the South- ern Indians, and especially with the Choctas and Chickasas. A.I). 1 <.).] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 299 Traders and agents from Carolina and Georgia introduced vast quantities of British goods and commodities of Indian trade, and abundantly supplied almost every Choeta and Ohiekasu village as far west as the Yazoo and Mississippi Rivers, and wholly within the territory claimed by France. 1 British trading-posts were established in some of the towns, and pro- tected by regular fortifications, which the English had in- structed them to build. f The traders and emissaries lost no opportunity to poison the minds of these tribes against the French of Louisiana. As early as 1750, they had succeeded in rousing the Ghoctas into actual hostilities with their old allies the French. This war, however, was brought to a close, and the Choetas being con- ciliated, again entered into a treaty of peace with their old friends before the beginning of the year 1751. J Yet the Eng- lish emissaries continued their intrigues with the Chickasas. losing no opportunity of exciting them to hostilities and depre- dations upon the French settlements and trade from the Tom- bigby River to the Mississippi. Simultaneously with these movements in the South, the province of Virginia, under the influence of the "Ohio Company," and Governor Robert Din- widdie. a member of the company, led the way in making similar encroachments and intrigues, supported by military force, upon the eastern tributaries ot the Upper Ohio River. In this latter region, agents, emissaries, and traders were distrib- uted for the purpose of gaining the Indians over to the Eng- lish interest, and to induce them to exclude the French traders from the Ohio region. Thus the object ot the British authori- ties was to excite finallv the whole ot the .Northern and South- ern tribes simultaneously against the French settlements, from Mobile and XewOrleans to Canada. * The KiiL'lish never had ac.|uired any ri :ht to the territory west of the mountains from the Monoirjahela o., the north to the Alabama and Tombi-by on the south. The French had discovered and explored the whole re-ions claimed by them; and treaties with the ditl'erenl. tribes inhabitin_; the same i:ave them a ri-ht of jurisdiction or sov- crei-'ntv o\ ei- i'ie country superior to any claim which F-nuland could set up. The French had explored most of the i in me use territory comprised in Louisiana, as defined iri < 'ro/.at's charter, as early as the \ ear i: -jn, twel\ e \ ears before the lir.st Fudish set- tlement in ( ieuru-ia, and \vh"n the set tlements on the remote frontiers of Virginia did not extend as far west, as the Hlue Kidue. In opposition to this ri-ht of possess!. in, Kn-.d-i.nd had no other claim than the former royal Brants, made to individuals and com panics, fur vast rcL-ions of unexplored and unknown lands already in possi ssiou of the French. f Martin's Louisiana, vol. i.. p. :!'.'!, :!,:.'. | Governor Vaudreuil's Report to Ministry, .January I'Jtb. 17.M, amoim the French Colonial Records in the, Library ui' the iState of Louisiana. Ducaiuents Mos. -Jiiij and 300 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. To protect the settlements of the South against the incur- sions of the Chickasas, which were now becoming very annoy- ing to the province of Louisiana, the governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, determined to march a strong force into the heart of the Chickasa country. The force collected and organized for this expedition amounted to seven hundred regulars and militia, besides a large body of Choctas and other Indian allies from the waters of the Tombigby and Alabama Rivers. The route of invasion was the same which had been pursued by Bienville in the year 173G. The fort formerly built by him on the Tombigby was repaired and enlarged for the general ren- dezvous. From this point he marched into the Chickasa coun- try, resolved to chastise them severely for their depredations. Yet, like all other expeditions against the Chickasas, it was destined to prove a failure. The Chickasas, instructed by their English friends, had learned the best mode of fortifying their towns. They were flanked by regular block-houses, surround- ed by a deep and wide ditch, within which was a tall and strong palisade inclosure. In the towns thus protected, the Indians chose to remain behind their defenses, and not to ven- ture into the open plain against the overwhelming force of the French. The marquis, unprovided with artillery to effect a breach in the works, and having in several assaults failed to injure the enemy, or to draw them from their coverts, deter- mined that it was useless to spend time in an inelleclual siege. He concluded, therefore, to destroy their resources by laying waste the country, ravaging their fields, burning their corn and their deserted villages. This object being accomplished as far as practicable, he caused a strong detachment to be stationed as a garrison in the fort on the Tombigby, as a barrier against future incursions from that quarter. Matters being thus ar- ranged, he set out on his return to Xew Orleans, by no means pleased with the laurels he had won from the Chickasas. Among the benevolent efforts of the king's government to promote the increase of population in Louisiana, lor many years under the royal governors, was the humane policy of sending every year at the royal expense a large number of worthy but poor girls to the province, in charge of suitable agents or guardians, with instructions to bestow them in marriage, to- gether with a small dowry, to such of the soldiers as by their irood behavior were entitled to an honorable discharge from A.D. 1751.] VAU.KY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 301 the service. The dowry allotted to each soldier who married one ol' these females was a small tract of land, one cow and calf, one cock and live hens, a 1:1111 and ammunition, ;in ax and a hoe, together with a supply of garden seeds. Thus the new! v- murried pair "were enabled to begin the world as independent heads of families.* Thus commenced many useful and worth v families of the French population of Louisiana previous to the year 1751, which witnessed the last arrival of these young females. About this time the difficulties between the French posts and settlements on the head streams ol the Alleghany and the up- per portion of the Ohio, and the provincial authorities of Vir- ginia, in favor of the "Ohio Company." and some other inter- ested individuals, began to assume a more threatening attitude. The French continued to advance from Presque Isle, of Lake Erie, upon the tributaries of the Alleghany. and their advance was protected by military posts properly fortified. The grant originally made by the British crown to the Ohio Company in the year 17-18. for six hundred thousand acres of land, had been transferred chiefly to the Washington family and to (iovernnr Dinwiddie.f These persons, not more than ten in number, en- deavored, by all the influences within their control, to rouse the hostile feelings ot the English colonists in \ irginia, Penn- sylvania, and .New \ ork against the encroachments of the French, with such effect that a collision and active hostilities between the troops ot' the two pouers were ultimatelv pro- duced. [A.D. 175.'}.] Near the close of' the year 175,'J. the \larquis de Vaudreuil was advanced to the govenn >r-generalship i >t .New France, or Canada, when M. Kerlerec, a captain in the roval navv, succeeded him as Governor ot Louisiana. -M. Auber- le was coiumissairc-ordonnateiir. At ienirth the collisions between the advanced ry detachments of France and \ irginia iijion the head waters of ihe Ohio had brought <>n a stale ot' actual hostilities between the troops ot Fnghuid and France. The first hostile act was on the part ol the Virginians, under the command ot' Lieutenant-colonel Washington. It consisted in .'302 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. the attack and capture of a small detachment of French troops under the command of M. Jumonville, after having slain one third of their number, including their commander.* France began now to re-enforce her troops on the Ohio, pre- paratory to a military defense of the country. In the autumn of the same year, M. Favrot, with four companies, of fifty men each, with a large supply of provisions and ammunition, was dispatched from New Orleans to the headquarters of Fort Char- tres, for the use of the posts on the Ohio. During the past year strict military discipline and subordi- nation were rigidly enforced, and sometimes with extreme rigor. In the summer, the soldiers of a military post on Cat Island, ex- asperated at the cruelty and avarice of their commander, M. Roux, rebelled against his authority and put him to death. Afterward, failing in their object of reaching the English set- tlements of Carolina, they were captured by a band ot'Choctas sent in pursuit, and brought back for punishment, except one, who killed himself rather than submit. The most horrid mili- tary execution was inflicted upon the ringleaders ; two were broken upon the wheel, and one. who was a Swiss from the regiment of Karrer, after the immemorial usage of his coun- try, was placed alive in a wooden coffin, and by two sergeants sawed in two with the whip-saw. The colonial authorities were active in their efforts to place the province in the most defensible condition, and the govern- or, ]\I. Kerlerec, and the ordoimateur, M. Auberville, made ac- tive preparations to work the lead and copper mines of Illinois. These mines AY ere known to be inexhaustible, and the minister was desired to send additional miners from Paris. Emigrants still continued to arrive from France, and among the arrivals oi' the year 1754 were a large number of families from Lorrain for a settlement in the parish of Des Allemands.f From this time began the contest between France and Eng- land for ihe possession oi the Valley oi the Mississippi, a con- test which was waged with varied success lor eiirht years, un- til finally the tide of war set in favor oi Great Britain, and France was compelled at length to surrender first one, and then another of her military positions in .\ew France; until at last, A.I). 1755.] VALM-.Y OF THF. MISSISSliT I. 303 driven by stern necessity, the kin<_ r sought peace at the expense of a treaty which confirmed to Cireat Britain the whole of Can- ada, or Xew France, and all the eastern half of Louisiana. [A.I). 1755.] Although the province of Louisiana was in- volved in the prosecution ot this war. yet her remote situation and her inaccessible position secured her settlements and towns from the horrors of invasion, with its attendant rapine and bloodshed. The Mississippi and Ohio IJivers were the irreat hiilh-ways of intercourse between \ew Orleans and the seat of war upon the lakes and the St. Lawrence, and these were in the exclusive possession of the French and their Indian al- lies until 1750. Earl\' in this war, the cruel jealousy and the wicked poliey of the English court prompted them to perpetrate one of those national atrocities which have so lonix tarnished the honor of British conquests. In the war which was terminated bv the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, France had ceded to (Jreat Britain the whole province of Acadie, comprising the present provin- ces of Xew Brunswick and Xova Scotia. \ow, when that power had resolved to possess herself of' the whole of Canada, lest, the poor Acadians. on their bleak, sterile, and rocky shores, should sympathize with their brethren <>n the St. Lawrence, and make common cause with ( 'anada, England resolved to ex- terminate them as a people. Although she shrunk fr"!n the atrocity of a wholesale murder in cold blood, yet she deemed it consistent with her policv. before they had offered any re- sistance, or had evinced a disposition to reject her author;! v. to tear them away from their homes and possessions, and throw them helpless and destitute upon that ine rcy which protects the fowls < if the air. TO accomplish this purpose, a number of vessels were dis- patched to Acadie. \\here thev uere filled with the poo]-, kid- napped inhabitants, who uere torn by armed rullians. in the character of I Srilish soldiers. Iron i their houses and possessions, and ruthlessly transported to distant regions. Here, less mer- ciful to them than to the kidnapped Africans, who an 1 provid- ed uilh masters and a home, the Enirlish threw them, forlorn and destitute, upon the wide world for a support, caring but I I I little whether they lived or died. I lundreds. nay. thousands, of these wretched people, thus barbarous!}' torn from their homes and from their country, were landed in detached parties <>n dil- 304 HISTORY OF THE [l5OOK II. ferent points of the barren and sandy coast of Delaware, New Jersey. Maryland, and Virginia. Destitute and helpless, like so many dumb beasts, they were turned loose to shift for them- selves, or to perish of hunger and cold.* Lest a lingering desire of home might prompt them to seek again their country and former abodes, they had been stripped of all the money and available means by which they might have returned, their fields and inclosures had been laid waste, their houses and possessions were burned before their eyes thus at once sweeping away the last inducement for return. Upon the barren shores of the British provinces were these wretched peo- ple turned loose to wander they knew not where; strangers in manners and language, they had no other hope, or protection from famine and death, than the generous sympathy of the An- glo-Americans. From these they received generous aid, and their necessities were liberally supplied by the public authori- ties, as well as by individuals. Yet they were among those who spoke the language of their oppressors, although endued with better hearts. A wilderness of more than a thousand miles in extent sepa- rated them from their countrymen on the Illinois, yet they de- termined to seek some land where the spotless banner of France still waved for their protection. Loathing all connection with those who bore even the name of their oppressors, they deter- mined to turn their fac.es toward the West, and took up their weary pilgrimage through the trackless wilderness across the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River. Alter a tedious and painful march of several weeks, they arrived upon the banks of the " Belle Riviere." upon whose gentle current, provided with boats and barges, the}' lloated down to the Mississippi, whose majestic Hood soon conveyed them to their countrymen of New Orleans. The arrival of the Acadians in New Orleans was equalled onlv by ihe scene presented by the women and children who had been rescued iroin the Natchez Indians twenty-five years before. All houses., and hearts too, were open to relieve their distress and to minister to their wants. Charily herself walked the streets personified in acts of kindness. The governor and ordonnateur-coiinnissaire ordered a portion of land to be allot- ted to each family for their permanent homes. Thus a settle- M:iriiu. vol. i., p. U'-'ii-o-U. A.U. 1759.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 305 incnt was formed on both sides of the river, a short distance above the German coast, formerly assigned to the colonists of Law from the Arkansas ; each family \vas supplied with im- plements of husbandry, seeds, and rations from the king's stores. until they could procure means for their own support. The settlement thus formed was known and designated as the " Aca- dian Coast." where many of their descendants are found at this day. who have lost but little of their paternal hatred for the English name.* [A.D. ITfjt).] The province of Louisiana, although remote from the seat of war, labored under many pecuniary embar- rassments, growing out of the war waged in Canada. The whole country was literally inundated with government, drafts and notes which it was unable to redeem. The embarrass- ments were such as necessarily result from a bankrupt treasu- ry and a ruinous paper currency, ever fluctuating and oi un- certain value. This embarrassment continued to increase un- til the close of the war by the treaty of 170.'*. [A.D. 17f)S.] In the autumn of the year 17~>S. the French being compelled to abandon the post of Fort Duquesne on the Ohio, the garrison and military stores arrived at \ew Orleans about the 1st of December, when new barracks were erected for them in the city. [A.D. 1759.] Farly in the spring of 17f>!, Fort Massac was built bv the French, "n the right bank ot the Ohio, about fortv miles above its mouth, and continued to be occupied by the French as a. garrison post until alter the termination of the war. the tide ot war in the northeast had set ie arms ot ( ! re at Britain had been triumph- st ron g- hold a Her another had been lost to ie evident that all Canada would fall un- der the dominion ot (I real Britain. I nder these prospects, a large number of Canadian French determined to escape such a calamity as they deemed the British yoke, by abandoning their ci n in try and joining iheir countrymen in Louisiana. 3] any of them, accordinglv. departed from Canada by way of the lakes, and thence through the \\abash and Illinois Ilivers to se who reached Lower Louisiana sought | the .Mississippi, on the bayous and Martin's VOL. I. U 300 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. prairies of Attackapas, Oppelousas, and Avoyclles.* This emigration added a large population to Lower Louisiana, and also augmented the settlements on the Upper Mississippi. Lou- isiana continued under the administration ot'Kerlerec until the close of the war, and his government was prompt and energetic. [A. I). 1700.] Although Spain had made common cause with France against Great Britain, the latter had completed the conquest of Canada, during the year 1700, by the reduction of Montreal. The fortresses of Quebec, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Niagara, had fallen under the British arms during the summer and autumn of the previous year.f [A.D. 1702.] At length hostilities ceased between the three great powers ; and peace was ratified by the treaty of Paris, dated the 10th of February, 1703. By this treaty, France ceded and confirmed to Great Britain all her northern provinces, commonly known as New France, or Canada; embracing all the countries contiguous to the great lakes and the St. Law- rence River to its mouth, together with all the territory, forts. and settlements south of the St. Lawrence, including Acadio and Cape Breton on the Atlantic coast, south of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. France also ceded to Great Britain all that por- tion of Louisiana lying on the east side of the Mississippi liiv- er, from its source to the Bayou Iberville, or Manchac. The irrevocable boundary between the English and French provin- ces was to be an imaginary line along the middle of the Mis- sissippi River, from its source to the Uayou Manchac. ; thence along said bayou and the Amite River to Lake Mamvpas ; thence through the middle o{ Lakes Maurepas, Pontchartrain, and Borgne to the sea. France also ceded the port and river oi Mobile. In the mean time, Spain had ceded to Great Brit- ain the whole of Florida, then embracing all the coast east of the IVrdido lliver and Bay, to the St. Mary's River on the Atlantic const. Thus, by this treaty, England acquired virtual possession ot nil Xorth America east ot the Mississippi River: and by 1 he stipulations ot the treaty, the navigation of the river, from its source to its mouth, was to remain lorever free to the subjects ot both powers. [A.D. 1703.] In the mean time, the King "I" France. |,y ;i secret treatv. ratified on the 3d of November, 170;!. had airreed A.I). 1763.] VALLEY or Tin: MISSISSIPPI. 307 to cede and deliver to tlie King of Spain the residue of Louisi- ana, embracint: all the territory on the west side of the Mis- sissippi to its remotest tributaries, and including the Island of New Orleans on the east side, south <>f the Bayou Manchae. Tins completed the dismemberment <>t Louisiana, which was thus divided hetween (Ireat Britain and Spain. The ju- risdiction of eacli of these powers was subsequently extended over their respective portions. Bv a decree of the kini: in council, dated ()ct<>l>er 7th. 17(>3. Florida was divided into two governments, known as Fast Florida and West Florida. West Florida, by this decree, was to extend from the Mississippi, north ot the Bayou Iberville, eastward to the Chfittahoochy River; bounded on the north by the thirty-first parallel of latitude, and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico. East Florida was bounded by the Chattahoo- chy on the west, and extended to the Atlantic on the east : comprising the whole peninsula as far north as the St. Mary's River, or the southern boundary of Georgia. In February following, Captain George Johnston, of' the Brit- ish arm}', took formal possession of West Florida in the name of the British king. IVnsacola. \vas made the capital ot' We-f Florida, and St. Augustine of Fast Florida. Soon alter Governor Johnston entered upon his duties, the Court of St. James was informed that there were important settlements on the east side ot the Mississippi, which were north of the thirty-first parallel of latitude, the northern boundary of West Florida. To embrace these settlements, a second decree of the kinir in council was issued on the 10th of' .lime, 17('1. extending the northern limit of \\ est Florida as tar as the mouth 'in the mouth of the ^ a/oo to the Chaltahoochy Uiver.' That porti'in of' Louisiana north ot the Va/oo remained a portion nt' the llhnoi> ^-, ,\ eminent. The jurisdiction oi Great Britain \\a< not formally extended over the settlements on the I'ppcr Mississippi and Illinois until the vear l?(i.~>, \\heii ('ap- taiii SterliiiLT. frm I k-lro it, assumed the duties of commandant of l^i'i't ('liartres. and governor of the Illinois settlements. t In the mean time, Spain had formally assumed possession "t Western Louisiana, indudiim the Island of ,\ e\\ Orleans. The HISTORY OF THE [BOOK II. disappointed inhabitants yielded a reluctant obedience to the Spanish authority, and the civil jurisdiction of Spain was not enforced in Upper Louisiana until the year 1709.* Thus terminated the dominion and power of France in North America. From the first permanent settlements on the St. Lawrence, she had held Canada, or New France, nearly one hundred and fifty years ; she had discovered, occupied, and held dominion over the Valley of the Mississippi more than eighty years, until it had become a flourishing and important province. The entire continental possessions of France in North Amer- ica originally comprised New France, or Canada, with the provinces of Cape Breton and Acadie, south of the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the north, embracing the whole A r alley of the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes ; in the west and south, the vast province of Louisiana, comprising the whole Valley of the Mississippi. [A.D. 1701.] From this time the Valley of the Mississippi was virtually divided between the two great European pow- ers of Great Britain and Spain. The dominion of the former was destined to be of short duration, and to be superseded by a new power heretofore unknown, a power which was ulti- mately to swallow up the dominion of Spain also. This new power was to be the United States of America, the hind of freedom and the rights of man, the bulwark of human liberty and the asylum for the oppressed. This great confederated Republic now holds dominion over the whole Valley of the Mississippi, from the sea to its remotest tributaries. * Sec book iv., chap, i., of this work. BOOK II I. GREAT BRITAIN IX THH VALI.KY OF T1IK MISSISSIPPI. CHAPTER I. EXPULSION OF THi: FKKNCH FKoM TUP. OHIO KKCION. INDIAN" HOSTILITIES UNTIL THE CLOSE OF I'ONTIAc's WAR. A.I). 1757 TO 17(5-1. Argument. England persists in orcupyinLr the Upper Ohio lieu-ion. Tin- Frontier An- i.-lo American Settlements :>. Cherokees resume Hostilities. A Portion of the Chcrokeei averse to Hostilities. Friendly Cherokee Deputation imprisoned nt Fort George. Chero- kces attempt to rescue their Chiefs. -General Cherokee NY fir provoked in KM'. Capture and Massacre of Fort London. Colonel Grant invades the Cherokee Nu lion. Peace with Cherokees restored in Tii.l. British Anns victorious in New France and Canada. English Settlements from Virginia anil North Carolina advance upon the Waters of the Ohio in 1 ' 'I-, 1 -.'). Treaty of Paris contirms to England a'.l Canada and Eastern Louisiana. Th-' Nortliwestern Indians refuse th'-ir As- sent to the Treaty. Tlio "Six Nations." Their territorial Limits. The Western Tribes res. live to resist the Advance of the Kn_-lish Power. The Kind's conciliatory IVoclamation of ITd:?. Locations ai.d Grafts made on the Waters of the ( >hio ; on Cheat Hiver. Indian LCIILIIC under Pontiae. the -real Ottaw.'i Chief, or Fmperor. His I'harueter and Plan of otl'eiisive Operations. Catlioiic Missionaries and Jesuits not Instigators of the U' ar. Terrible ( Inset of Indian Hostilities. Trailers first Vic tiniS. Capture of the \Vestern Posts by In.iians. -Capture ot' Pri'S.j.ie U',- : of For! Minmis : of Mackinaw. -Massacre of the Garrison and Inmates.- Sieire of Fovt F'itt. ---Colon. ! Hoii.[ue! ilefeats Indian Ambuscade at Turtle ('reck - Protracted SieL'c of Detroit by Pontiae in Person. -The Defense by Major (Jla.lwjn.- Incidents of Indian Warfare and savairc Harbarit\. A Detachment i.f Troops with Supplies for Detroit cut otl' by Indians. Cajitain Dalzel slain in a Sort ie. Kx posed Condition of the west. 'ni and southwestern Frontiers Indian Hostilities in Penns\ Ivaiiia. Massacre of Wyomin-."- Hostilities in \"ir_ inia. at Muddy Creek and Hi^ Le\ els. Attack on Fort I.iironier. - - I'"ort London. Hostilities on Susi|ueluuma : on Greet, line,- and Jackson llivers. Terror of eastern Part of New York. Marauding Han. Is of Indians on the southweMern Frontier. Lawless white Men on the Fron- tiers. ( Ktr.-iu-es and Massacres committed by the 1'axton Hoys. Orijin and D. M_-ns ot'this Banditti.-- Mihtar\ Movements of the l^iuhsh Forces towar.i tlie I-'ron- tier \d\ance ,,t' ( \ ei., rai Braiititrect to Niagara. - -Tr.-aty of Niagara.- Treaty of Detroit.- -I'ontiac- opjioses the Treaty. -Colonel Boui)uet invades the Indian Country upon the MuskiiiLMim. - -I-'orms a Treaty. --Treaty of the "German Flats" with the 'Six Nations" - Peace proclaimed 1 )ec.-mber Mil, 17iil. [A.l>. l?f>7.] l\ iiiiotlu-r portion of this work.' \vc havt- -!io\\'ii lh:it. (!i - ( .'it IJritnin h:ul omitted no opportiunt\ (or i\- ' Si e liok ii . chapter Hi., Advance . f the French upon the Upper Ohio," \c. 310 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. pelling her powerful rival from the beautiful and fertile regions drained by the Ohio. We have shown that she had never ceased to urge her claim to the regions west of the mountains, which were virtually in the possession of France : that royal grants had been made to individuals and companies for extens- ive bodies of land upon the eastern tributaries of the, Ohio, f.ji the encouragement of emigration to that quarter ;* that Eng- lish subjects had sent agents to explore the country, and to es- tablish trading-posts among the Indian tribes ; that the French had refused to acknowledge the claim of Great Britain to any lands west of the mountains, and had driven back the agents and traders of the Ohio Company; that subsequently they had captured two detachments of troops, sent out under the author- ity of the province of Virginia ; and, finally, that they had, in the summer of 1755, routed and totally defeated a large com- bined army of provincials and royal troops, under the com- mand of General Braddoek. These successive reverses in this quarter, besides others o! a similar character in other parts of Canada and Xew France, had put a check to the military operations of Great Britain west of the mountains for three years. During this period, the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia east of the mountains were kept in a state of continual apprehension from Indian incursions, robberies, and murders. The government of Great Britain was absorbed in the contest with France on the ocean, and upon the St. Lawrence and other eastern por- tions of Xew France. The provinces were left to contend against the savages, without aid or control, until Fortune had begun to smile again upon the British arms. Remote from each other and from the older settlements, the frontier popula- tion of Pennsylvania and \irginia was compelled to fall back and relinquish the country to the French and their savage allies. * The LTant made to tin 1 Ohio ('ninpfuiy in 1748 was only one out of several crrants made about that time. Several trrants further south were of older date. Amoiiir these wi.Te those made to lands I\ inir upon the .sourees of the Kentucky or Louisa River, o, the Cumberland. Clinch, and Holston Rivers, and within the present limits of Kastern Kentucky and Hast Tennessee. Jt was for the purpose of exploring the lands com prised in these Brants that several parties of woodsmen and hunters from North Cam him. under Colonels Wood, I'utton, and Buchanan, ami those under Captain Charle-, Campbell find Dr. Walker, were made between the years 17-1:1 and 17.VI. All (Jiese persons were lar-e]\ interested in grants ; and as early as 17.V>. they had 1> d out about tit'tv families for settlements west of the mountains; but after the commencement o' tire French War. in 17.05, they wen- compelled to retire until alter I'ontiac's Wa;- In 176."i they returned to the West. tee (iutlirie's Geography, vol. ii., p. 1~< 2. A.I). 1757.] VALLKY OF THE MISSISSIITf. .'Jl 1 The most western English settlements at that time had not reached the sources of the Susquehanna, the Potomac, the Shenandoah, James, and Roanoke Rivers ; yet they were ex- posed during the whole of the French war to the continual in- cursions of the " Six Aations" and their confederates northwest of the Ohio River. Among the latter, the Shawanese were the most powerful and the most inveterate enemies of the Vir- ginians. From the hanks of the Scioto and Miami Rivers, they would penetrate the vast mountain wilderness of western Vir- ginia, advancing up the eastern tributaries of the Ohio to the dividing summits, not less than live hundred miles from their' towns ; from these elevations they would descend upon the set- tlements situated on the tributaries of the Atlantic rivers, spread- ing consternation, rapine, and death through the unprotected immigrants. The settlements on the sources of the Yadkin. the French Broad and New River, also, had been driven back by the Cherokees, who joined the northern Indians as allies of France. At this time, the whole valley between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghany ranges was a desolate frontier region, where the inhabitants were cooped up in forts lor protection, or, to avoid starvation, had lied toward the eastern settlements. The present town of Winchester occupies the site of a stockade fort, erected in the year 17f>t>. to "protect, the inhabitants from the barbarities daily committed by the French Indians."' Staun- ton and Fincastle were then frontier posts, harassed by con- stant inroads of the savage war-parties. Nor was it. until the next year that Winchester was made a military post, when "Fort London" -was erected as a regular stockade 1 post.f In makiuLT incursions upon the western settlements ot Vir- ginia. ;donL r her wide frontier, the Indians generally pursued two routes, one up the \ alley ol the Ureat. Kenhawa, and the other ii)' tin- Valley of the Big Sandy. Those war-parties who pursued the former route passed up the Kenhawa to the mouth of ( i reel i brier River : thence, following that river to its sources. thev passed the dividinir summits and descended upon the sour- ces of the 1'otoiuae and Shenandoah, harassing the valley settle- ments from Winchester on the north to Staunton on the south. < Hhers of the same party, following the main valley of the Ken- 312 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK in. hawa, where it assumes the name of New River, to its sources, descended upon the settlements dispersed upon the numerous tributaries of James River and the Roanoke. Those who took the Big Sandy Creek route ascended that stream to the mountains, and easily passed from the dividing highlands down upon the settlements sparsely scattered upon the head waters of the Staunton and Dan Rivers, and upon the sources of the Roanoke. By the latter route, in the fall of 1757, a party of Shawanese from the Scioto towns had penetrated to the sources of the Ro- anoke, and had exterminated a whole settlement. To avenge this destructive inroad, and to prevent a repetition of it, the Governor of Virginia, Robert Dinwiddie, under Colonel Andrew Lewis, of Botetourt county, organized an expedition against the Scioto towns lor the purpose of chastising the Shawanese, and of establishing, on his return, a fort at the mouth of the Great Sandy, as a barrier against future inroads. Colonel Lewis without delay organized his expedition, and proceeded from Salem, the point of rendezvous, across New River to the Great Sandy late in the fall, with supplies inade- quate for so distant a march through an uninhabited country. Before the troops reached the vicinity of the Ohio River, their salt provisions were exhausted, and they were driven to the necessity of supplying their wants by the labor of the chase, and by such game as their hunters could supply. Fortunately, deer, bear, and buffaloes were found sufficient for their imme- diate wants. When they had reached within ten miles of the Ohio River, they were overtaken by an express from Lieuten- ant-governor Fauquier, commanding Colonel Lewis to abandon the further prosecution of the campaign, to return to the settle- ments, and there disband his troops. With great reluctance, this band of brave backwoodsmen consented to return, but not until they had reached the Ohio, in hopes of meeting the enemy. Many were in favor of pro- ceeding, notwithstanding the orders of the lieutenant-governor. These orders, however, had been dictated by a proper regard for the safety of this little army, and the propriety of them was fully proven by the sequel. Notwithstanding the early retro- grade movement toward the settlements, they were, by the se- verity of winter, on their return march, reduced to the verge of starvation in the midst of the wilderness. The supplies for A.I). 1757.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. ,'j 1 .'{ the expedition had been completely exhausted, and life was barely sustained by the small quantities of wild game and beech nuts found in the woods. But these were taken from them hy the dee]) snow which soon covered the mountains : the flesh of the pack-horses was then their only dependence for sustenance; and when, at length, this supply failed, every piece of skin, hide, or leather was sought and devoured with great voracity. Be- fore they reached the settlements, they had become so emacia- ted by fatigue and starvation that they could hardly command strength to pursue their march. What would have been their fate had they advanced two hundred miles further into the wilderness, requiring three or four weeks more of toil and pri- vation, if perchance they should have escaped the furv of the savages .' However, they all finally, under their able and en- ergetic conductor. Colonel Lewis, arrived in safety at their homes. This fruitless and hazardous expedition for many years afterward was designated as the ' Sandy Creek v< >yage." ' Such was the second expedition to the West, in which Col- onel Lewis had served an arduous and hazardous campaign; the first being the disastrous expedition under Ueneral Brad- dock two years before. In the.' mean time, the Cherokees of the South had been con- ciliated and won over from the French interest. Before the close of the summer of 1757 thev had entered into treaty stip- ulations for peace and friendship, and had consented for the establishment of' a fort in the heart of their country. The same autumn " F< >rt London." named in honor of' the Karl of' London, who was then commander-in-chief of his majestv's forces in America, was built and left in charge of a suitable garrison. Its situation was upon the north bank of the Little Tennessee, or \\'ataiiL r a liiver. about one mile above the mouth o) Telbco lliver.and within the present limits of Monroe countv. in Fast Te mifs see. The garrison, iii the spring of 175*, was augment- ed to t \\ o hundred men, and \\as intended for the protection .it' the exposed frontier, as well as to prevent and neutralize French intrigue in this quarter. The same year adventurers and camp-followers advanced into this remote retrion. and es- tablished a small settlement in the immediate vicinitv of the fort, which in a lew months, by the arrival of traders and hunt- ers, grew into a thriving village. This tort and settlement * Butler's Hi.-tury of lYfiiU.'ky, int!-o'lu''tin. \>. 1". 314 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. were about one hundred and ten miles west of the frontier post of Fort " Prince George," on the Keowee River, a branch of the Savannah.* [A.I). 1758.] The same autumn. Colonel Burd, with a de- tachment of troops, advanced into the Cherokee country about one hundred miles north of Fort London, and erected the first English fort upon the Holston River. This fort was located upon a beautiful eminence, nearly opposite the upper end of Long Island, within the present limits of Sullivan county, in East Tennessee. A garrison was maintained in this post the whole of next year, during which time a thriving village settle- ment sprung up around the fort, comprising a number of me- chanics and artisans, for the convenience of the Indians. f During the summer of 1758, Dr. T.Walker, of Virginia, a man of intelligence and enterprise, made a second tour of explora- tion;}; into Powell's Valley, and across the head waters of Clinch River, and, passing the Cumberland Mountains, travers- ed the eastern portion of the present State of Kentucky, cross- inn- in his route the head streams of the Kentucky River, which ^ he called Louisa River; yet he did not see the fairest portion of Kentucky, on the lower valley of that fine river. This ex- ploration resulted in no attempt to form settlements, and fur- ther explorations were precluded by the state of Indian hostil- ities in the West. Such was the condition of the southern frontier until the close of the year 1751). The extreme western frontier settlements of Virginia and .Xorth Carolina were nearly one hundred miles east of the remote posts of London and Long Island ; yet the English vainly supposed they had virtual control over the coun- try watered by the great southern branches of the Ohio. The same year, 1758, the Shawanese warriors resumed their * See Drake's Hook of the Indians, book iv., p. 'J8. t See Flint's (ieoL'raphy and Hist, of the Mississippi Valley, vol. ii., p. 19. First c.l., I--'*. 1 As early as 17H, Dr. Walker, in company with Colonels Wood, Patlon. aiid Bu- chanan, ami Captain Charles Campbell, and a number of hunters and woodsmen, made nn exploring tour upon the Western waters. Passing Powell's Valley, he, Lrave the name of " Cumberland" to the lofty ratiL'c of mountains on the west. Tnieini.' this rani.;e in a southwestern diivetion, he came to a remarkable depression in the chain ; throu::h this he passed, caliin_ r it " Cumberland Gap." On the western side of the ranye he found a b'jautitul mountain stream, which lie named "Cumberland Hiver;'' all in lion or of the 1 Juke of Cumberland, then prime minister of Iviirland. - Hen Winterbothain's America, vol. iii., p. .':. !>>. Also, Marshall's History of Kentucky, vol. i., p. (J. Hull's Sketehcs of the West, vol. i., p. -.>:;:>, i! 10. A.D. 1758.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISS1 PJ'I. ,'} 1 5 incursions against the frontier population east of the mountains. Tlie.se war-parties, accompanied by a few Canadian French. penetrated the settlements west of the Blue Kid ire, and death and desolation marked their path. Dividing into smaller par- ties as they approached the settlements, the\ dispersed, and qni- etly and cautiously penetrated the remotest habitations, unob- served and unsuspected, until the blow was struck, when they as slyly departed. In this manner no less than sixty persons were killed during the summer of 175S. in the county of Augus- ta alone. Meantime the British forces were concentrating in Pennsyl- vania for the reduction of the French posts on the Ohio. The British arms had been attended by one disaster alter another, almost from the beginning of the war. and upon the Ohio an- other disaster awaited them; although, on the Atlantic sea-board, fortune had begun to smile propitiously. Great preparations had been made by the mother conntrv, a> well as by the provinces, to fit out a strong expedition to the French posts on the Ohio. In July, General Forbes, at the head ot an army ot about seven thousand men. set out from Carlisle for Kaystown, on the west side of the mountains. f About the middle of September, the advanced Lruard of twentv-five hun- dred men, commanded bv L'ololiel Bouquet, was encamped at Loyal lianna, fifty miles west of Kaystown. From this point Colonel Bouquet dispatched Major (Irani with ei^ht hundred men, consisting ot one regiment ot Scottish Highlanders, and three hundred provincials under Colom-l Andrew Lewis, of Botetourt count}-. Virginia, for the purpose of reconnoitering the countrv in the vicinity ot Fort Diiquesne. On the l.'Jth of' September Major Grant had crossed the Mononirahela, and advanced do\\n the river \\ithin two miles of the French fort, uhere he encamped tor the niirht. Deter- n lined to surprise the ! rench garrison, next morning very earl v he advanced to\\ard the fortress, leaving the provincials in camp, lest tin-} miLfht >hare in the irlory of' the achievement. Fpon ;m eminence which overlooks the continence, within six hundred vards of Fort Diiquesne. with an incautious bravado, he first announced his presence to the enemy bv the sound of the reveille drums. The French, pleased with his critical sit- 316 HISTORY OF THE [iJOOK III. nation, mn.de no display of troops ; but silently inarching from the fort to the water's edge, and dividing into two columns, they marched up the channel of both rivers, under the conceal- ment of the river banks, and the heavy forest and dense under- growth with which they were covered, until they gained the rear of Major Grant's position. Then suddenly converging and ascending the heights in the rear of the enemy, the united columns, with a numerous body of Indians on the flanks, sud- denly gave the war-shout, and rushed to the attack. A scene of carnage ensued. The terrified Caledonians were thrown into irretrievable confusion, and were cut down without mercy by infuriate savages as they attempted to force their way through the French line. In less than one hour no less than o two hundred and seventy Caledonians fell victims to the united fury of the riile, the tomahawk, and scalping-knife. Many of those who escaped were wounded, and Major Grant and many others were taken captive.* The regiment was rescued from utter destruction by the prompt advance of Colonel Lewis and his provincials, who, at the first report of the fire-arms, apprehensive of a severe en- gagement, without orders hastened to their relief, and arrested the victorious pursuit of the Indians. Such was the cause and issue of "Grant's Defeat" in 1758. After this sanguinary affair, the remnant of the Highland regiment, perfectly satisfied with their first lesson in Indian warfare, were glad to place themselves under the protection of the provincials, and make a precipitate retreat to the main army at Loyal Ilanna, leaving the French once more victori- ous i in the ( )hio. The scene of this disastrous battle was long known as "Grant's Hill," m the rear of the city of Pittsburgh; and the hill itself, which was removed in ISM to enlarge the city, is still commemorated by "Grant-street." Nor was it long before the French, with their allies, advanced to meet the royal forces. Emboldened by the success at Grant's Hill, they hung upon the rear and flanks of the retreat- ing detachment until it reached the camp at. Loyal Hanna. On the llth ot October, they made a furious attack upon Colonel " S'i! American L'iimciT, vol. i.. p. 'M',',. This valuable periodical was published monthly, first at I 'hillieothe. and then ut Cincinnati, Ohio ; but was discontinued alter Ir-r.i. The design was to rolled and record historical incidents and {lerbunal rein niiscences of the early pioneers of the Ohio rei/ion. A.D. 1758.] VALLF.Y OK THE MISSISST ITI. ') 1 ~ Bouquet's encampment, where lie was in command of twelve liundred men. Alter a severe engagement of four hours' dura- tion, the enemy was repulsed, but not until the English had lost sixty-seven men killed and wounded. On the 24th of October, General Forbes heiran to move the main army westward to Loyal Ilaniia.' On the l.'Jth of Xo- vember, he detached Colonel Armstrong with one thousand men, to advance by regular inarches to Fort Duquesne; and on the 17th, with the main army, he proceeded toward the French fortress, leaving strong detachments to garrison Kays- town and Loyal llanna. On the 24th of November, the ad- vanced detachment marched into Fort Duquesne without re- sistance ; for it had been dismantled and burned by the French, who abandoned it only when defense was impracticable against the overwhelming force which was advancing against it, and within one day's march. f The French commandant, who had been well informed of every movement of the British army since its departure from Carlisle, conscious of his inability successfully to defend the post against such overwhelming numbers, had dismantled the tort and set the buildings on lire previous to its evacuation. Having thus rendered it useless to the enemy, he embarked bis command of about live hundred men. together with the ord- nance and military stores, in boats and barges upon the Ohio, and descended that river to its mouth, whence he soon after- ward descended to Xew Orleans. J As the French commander descended the Ohio, he made a halt about forty miles from the mouth, and. on a beautiful em- inence on the north bank ot the river, commenced a tort, and left a detachment of one hundred men as a garrison. The post was cal'i-d "Fort Massac," in honor ot the commander. M. superintended its construction. This was the last by the French on the Ohio, and it was occupied n of French troops until the evacuation of the r the stipulations of the treaty of 1'aris. Such Tin- '.vnole army un.i.'i- i ;.-M"r:il Fnrlies. ilesL'/nM 1" operate upon (lie French pests r tli'- ( lino. %va> compusi-il n!' tin 1 tiillo'.vin:.' royal troops ,'inil provincials. v\7. : \. Koval Aiiii-ricJiJif, :CiO iin'ii. | 3. Viri:ini:iiis. 'Ji^io nirn. J. Sn.ti'li l!iL'lii.-iii'l.-rs, 1-Juu : 4. r.'ims\ iviiiiinns, OTou i.lcs wa^'nniTS, sntli-rs, :nnl c'dtnji f jllow..-rs to tin- nuiiilicr i 1 )' 1 0"C) ?,>}*. -Sin: (i^r- i's History of Pennsylvania, p. IIM'.-Mfiy. Ijonlon's Pennsylvania p :i^'i. '!!?. t Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 'H3. 318 HISTORY OF Till: [liOOK III. was the origin of Fort Massac, divested of the romance which fable has thrown around its name. Fort Duquesne was repaired by the orders of General Forbes ; after which the name was changed to ' Fort Pitt," in honor of the great William Pitt, the prime minister of Great Britain, by whose wise and energetic administration the for- tunes of the war in America had been so signally changed. A garrison of four hundred and fifty provincial troops, un- der the command of General Mercer, was left in the post as the key to the whole Ohio region. Thus commenced the first establishment of British power upon the waters of the Ohio River, consequent upon the expulsion of the French. After the fall of Fort Duquesne, the minor posts situated on the northwest side of the Ohio were successively abandoned by the French commandants, leaving them an easy conquest to the superior forces of the English commanders. The French troops, retiring before the advance of the English forces, de- scended the Ohio River from all the posts south of the lakes, and concentrated on the Lower Ohio. The Indian allies were compelled to suspend hostilities, and reluctantly to enter into terms of peace with their English enemies. Many of the un- protected settlements upon the tributaries of the Alleghany, the Sandusky, and the Scioto abandoned their homes, and retired upon the settlements of the Wabash and Illinois countries, and some descended the Mississippi to Lower Louisiana. Actual hostilities upon the fpper Ohio were virtually ter- minated by the evacuation of Fort Duquesne; and the whole region on both sides of the river being in the actual occupancy of the English troops, emigrants began again to explore the re- mote regions west of the Alleghany Mountains, and upon the upper tributaries of the Ohio. [A. D. 17f>!.] Karly in the spring of 1759. several new Eng- lish posts were established upon the east side of the Ohio, as a. protection to the advancing population, and for observing the movements of the hostile tribes upon the waters of the Monon- gahela. One of the most important of these was that which subsequently was known as "Redstone Old Fort." The site of this ioft was the earthworks of an aboriginal fortification, situated upon the margin of an eminence which overlooks the Monongahela trom the north side of Dunlop's Creek. Having been selected as an eligible site for a military post. Colonel A. D. 1759.] VALLEY or THI: MISSISSIPPI. ,'{19 Hurd, with two hundred men. was ordered to open a road from Braddock's "old trace," on the best route to the Monontrahelu at this point. The same summer witnessed the completion of the fort, which, after its founder, was named " Fort Hurd." Captain Panll, with a small garrison, continued to hold com- mand until alter the ratification of the treaty of' peace, in 17tl;{. At a later period, it was discontinued as a military post, and received the name of" Redstone Old Fort." from the red sand- stone found in a blul!' below.' Around this point was subse- quently concentrated one of the first English settlements on the Alonongahela. Although driven from the upper tributaries of the Ohio, the French did not abandon the country further south. They made another eflbrt to eject the English from the Cherokee country. Emissaries were dispatched to rouse the Cherokees from their new alliance, and to induce them airain to resume the tomahawk as an allv of France. If the Cherokees, as a nation undivided, could be marshalled against the English, France might yet retain Louisiana from the grasp of England ; and it was known that a portion of the nation was readv to strike the enemies of France. f The Cherokees, obedient to the call of the French envovs. iiLTain put on their armor. In a lew weeks the frontiers of .North and South Carolina were reeking under the incursions of the war-parties from the Cherokee nation; and the provin- ces were aclivelv employed in defending the unprotected set- tlements. It was resolved to in\ade the Cherokee country with a powerful army, and to chastise the nation by ra\ai_ r ing their counfrv and destroying their towns. This heinu r known in the Cherokee nation. <>| winch a iari, r e pr!i'>n was ii'>t hos- tile, but. desirous of averting the contemplated invasion, a plan was de\ised to prevent such a calamity. For ;h;s purpose, * Anu-ricaii I'inni'cr. vol. ii., p. ;, < i;-J. whrtv a fill liistnry i>t this fu-t an.l tin- first + M,,M ,.| tli.- Cli.-mk.-.-s lia.i hi-fii jiai-ilir :m.| , -s;". ;..,! tlir Kn::!i-h rausr ; snnu- , .f ll,,..'n 1;:,,| ;,,in.'.| tin- l-'.ML'lisli in tli.-ir i-:nii|iai^ns in tii.- ( iliin; hut, liitvin- IMVII treated Jjuniij tin 1 Fivi.rh war. tl i- L.-.jisiattilv , f North Carolina hail authorized a premium f,,r t!.i- scalps i,r hnstii,; Imliatis As it was iinjiussilili- tn ,li.stiiiL'ui.-li tin- si-alp pf a !'!. -:i.!i\ li.'liau iV'iiii mi'' that was Imstili-. an i as tii' 1 Imiiu-r WITI- much iimi-f ra^.ly i.ro.'urril, tin' lawless Wrstcni ]"<';k iv. ji. y.- 2!. A.I). 1701.] VALLEY OF THF, M ISSISS I I'I'l. ,'5'J 1 mainder were massacred upon the spot. Captain Stewart, with a few others, were spared, and carried into a captivitx worse than death.' Hostilities, with all the horrors of Indian warfare, were urired with ruthless barbarity by the vindictive ( 'herokees against the frontier population of Virginia, as well as ot' North and South Carolina, i>r nearly two years. The warlike ('her- okees at this time held possession ot all the rei;.>n> upon the sources of the Tennessee River and its tributaries, as tar south and west as the Muscle Shoals: and France, under them as her allies, had claimed all the southwestern portion ol \ ir^mia and North Carolina as a part of Louisiana. DuriiiLf the period of hostilities in this portion ol the western frontier, the white population, which had been extending upon the sources of the llolston and Clinch, and upon the sources of the French Broad, were driven back upon the older settlements east of the mountains. Durinir the summer of 17t!l. a strong force, under ('olonei Grant, invaded the Cherokee country, and the savages, living before him, left the country an ea^y conquest. Marching through the nation, he laid waste their fields, burned their town>. and, destroying their resources, compelled them to sue f, ,r peace. .Near the close of the year peace was rest' >red upon the southwestern frontier ol the provinces, and emigrants were airain ready to advance into their deserted settlement-. [A.D. 17(51.] During the two year-: which had elapsed since the e\ pul si i MI of the French t rom t he (Him region, and the pos- session of the key to the \Vestcrn country by the Fnu r !i-h troops at Fort I'itt. the. nvst rapid and brilliant successes had attend- ed the I'riiish arm.- in Canada, and in ihe ivjaon south o( the St. L . v . re nee and up. .n t he lakes. The whole region ea-t and Wcsl of Lak-' Champlain, Mid ue-tward to Lake Fric. was al- read v s'.ibjcctcd to the don i! n ion o) ( i rea t lint am. The si roiiLl' j', >rt !'--.'- of Ticondenr_ra and ('ro\\n I'oint had been captured i>i Airni.-t. 17. ";',). and in Sepiember following Fort Niagara, a; til \\ e-lern e\t remit \ ol La ke Ontario, and Quebec, the ( ',!>- r;: Mar of North America, had yielded to her victorious arm-. \\'ith them fe'l the French power south of the !ake<. Ne\ ! \ea.r Montreal fell, and \\ilh it tlie whole ol Canada. f HiM, r\ :' '[' : :.;. l\ nriifi, \> Vo .. L X 322 HISTORY OF THE [fiOOK III. [A.D. 17t!'J.] The people of Northern Virginia began to ad- vance from the sources of the Potomac over the mountains, upon the head waters of the Monongahela ; from the sources of James River they were crossing the dividing ridges, and de- scending upon the Greenbrier, New River, and other tributa- ries of the Keiihawa. Others, from the Roanoke and from North Carolina, were advancing westward upon the sources of the Staunton, Dan, Yadkin, Catawba, and Broad Rivers, along the eastern base of the Blue Mountains, with wishful eyes upon the beautiful country of the Cherokees. Pennsylvania was sending her emigrants westward upon the tributaries of the Susquehanna. while other hardy pioneers from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were advancing by the military roads to form settlements on the Monongahela, near Fort Pitt, and upon its eastern tributaries. But the re- gion of Western Virginia, drained by the tributaries of the Ilolston and Clinch, were still savage wilds, in the occupancy of the native tribes, excluding even the most resolute pioneer. The embryo settlements, formerly made on the Tellico and on the Ilolston, near Long Island, had been destroyed or aban- doned. [A.D. 170'}.] At length, in the following year, France was obliged to acknowledge the loss of her empire in America. The treaty of Paris, on the KHh of February. 17(!,'}, ceded to Great Britain all Canada, and all the French claim to the whole region east of the Mississippi River, as far south as the south- ern limit of ( leorgia. But the treaty of Paris made no stipulation for (lie tribes who bad hern in alliance with France, and who claimed to be in dependent nations, and the; real occupants of the territory ced- ed by France. They had been no party to the treaty of peace. and they retused to be bound by any transfer which the French king sh< mid make of their country to their enemies, the Fnglish. V\ e have already seen that the dominion of Great Britain, by the treaty of Paris, was recognized over all the territory east ot the Mississippi, from its source to the Bayou Iberville,* including all the French settlements in the Illinois countrv. and upon the tributaries of the Ohio. During the contest which ^receded the treaty of Paris, most of the Indian tribes oc- cupying the vast region from Lake Champlain on the east. A.D. 17(53.] VAI.LKY OF TIIF, MISSISSIPPI. .'{'J,'} to the Mississippi on the west, had either been en^a^ed as al- lies and auxiliaries to the French anus, or had observed a sus- picious neutrality. Amoni: the most powerful of these aux- iliaries was the confederacy- known to the French as the !n>- quois, and to the Fnirlish as the "Six \ations," then inhab- iting the northern and western portions of New York and part of Pennsylvania. Some bands of the Six Nations dwelt on the sources of the Ohio south of Lake Frie. and others as far west as the Cuyahoira River, on Lake Frie. Other tribes further west, upon the tributaries both of the Ohio and of the Fpper Mississippi, were in alliance with, or under the control ( f the Six Nations.' These also entertained the same hostile feel- in:, r toward the English settlements. Hut the Cherokees of the South had buried the hatehet, and a^ain had entered into a. treaty of peace and friendship with the Fnirlish. During the war between the French and Fntrlish provinces, the French had duly impressed the Indians with the inordinate desire of the FnirJish to possess their western lands. This .irraspuiLr j)ropensit\" of Filmland to ocetipv these line land*, in the eve of the Indian, was the chief cause of the war in which General Braddock had fallen. The French, ot course, had no such objects to accomplish. I'lider this belief, the Indians had entered heartiiv into the war. in expectation <>( restrieliii'j the Fnirlish settlements to the east side ot the mountains. In their alliance, the French had pledged ihemsel ves to defend and pro- tect the Indian< in th<-ir rights, and in the oeciipancy ot' their territorv and huntinir-irrotinds eastward to the western ranges of the A lie-jinny Mountains. The Indians were well apprised that, in the treaty "I I'aris. cediiiLf the whole country t-> Fn-jland, including all their lands south nf 1 lu- lake- and west ward to the Mississippi II i\ er. \\ ith- ont their aseeii|iieil ami ln'M (lniiiiiiin!i HVIT ;i vrry i-xt.-nsivi- trrri- tory. Alti-r tli>' .'ln-i- nf tin- l''r,-in'li sv;ir. init rsprriiiiU iiftn- tin- tn-nly nf tin: " (irr- 111:111 l'l;it-." i;i ! "' . I. ti:.'\ . hi, rr.l i 1,1 1 1 iillhini-f willi llir 1 ;n_\i.-li. " Tin 1 liniils i>t' lln-ir laiMs or ^Ptmti-N inclu.l.-il nil tlir nritinns ninl Inl.rs win, -I, w,-rr sulpj.'.-t to tlirni l.\ en i .(U.'-l i,r ntln'|- i>,' : liii'\ rxti-nilfil Iri'in til-' south piu't nf I.nkr I 'li;un|il;i in. in l:ilitu,ii- II north, to tin' liDi-ili-rs ul C:irnliii:i. in lulitmlr ilii , i-iuiiiirflifinliiii! ;ill I't-iuiss l\ :iui:t n:iil tin 1 Jiiijni-i'iit i-oilntrii". 'I'll,' Six NutintiH tli,'ins,'l\ ,'s ;irc siTiti'il In-fwi'fti ill' 1 fn:t\ s,Ti,ri,l an, I tortx llnnl parallels of north latiluil,-, imrtli :m.l ciisl of Peiinsx Ivunni. u ithtn ;li. . ouinls nf N.-w York i.'iivi-riiiin-iit. :in,lnn tli,- rivers \vhieli run into I,:ik,' ( li.t:ii-; < i':- I'-j Hi-tory of lVnn I. 3'2i HISTORY OF TIIK [BOOK in. terms as were dictated by the conquerors. Hence it was that France, unable to obtain lor her Indian allies any favorable stipulations, had been compelled to leave them to contend alone with the colossal power of their enemies. Although exasperated at the ungenerous desertion of the French, and left to contend single-handed with the English provinces, the Indians were not dismayed, but were rather roused to desperation in their de- termination to resist the advance of the white settlements west of the mountains. They had no reasonable hope that the in- ordinate pretensions heretofore set up by the British provinces to the Ohio country would be withdrawn or in any wise abated, since their right had been acknowledged by France. England claimed for her colonies only the right of dominion o o or jurisdiction; but the Indians could perceive no distinction between the right of jurisdiction and the right of possession. They inferred, correctly judging from the past, that the English intended to dispossess them of the whole country so soon ;is they could find it convenient to occupy it with their colonial settlements. This belief was strongly confirmed by the fact that British troops were distributed in all the old French posts as far west as Detroit and Green Bay. They also beheld the erection of other strong forts in the very heart of their country. One fort had been built at Bedford, more than two hundred miles west of Philadelphia : another was erected at Ligonier ; another, called Fort Pitt, on the site of the old French Fort ])u(|iiestie. The torts at Xiagara, Presque Isle. Detroit, St. Joseph's, and .Mackinaw were repaired, and garrisoned with British troops. Other forts were being erected upon the waters of the Sus- quehannu Iliver. and upon lands claimed by the Indians. Thus the red men saw themselves circumvented by a strong line of forts on the north and east, while those of Bedford, Lig- onier. and Pitt threatened the speed}" extension of the white settlements into the. heart of then' count rv.'' I nd'T these circumstances, the native proprietors and occu- pants o! the country Irom time immemorial were compelled to choose between the onlv three alternatives : first, the prospect of being driven to the inhospitable regions north and ue> ' Dodilrickv's Notes en Vinjiniii. p. ~'13. A.I). 17(>.'5.] VAI.I.F.Y OK Till: MISSIS-IIV!. o'J."> arms in defense of them.' Their native courage and love of independence, sustained by the justness ot' their cause, prompt- ed them to adopt the last alternative. All former experience taught them that iinallv they should be overcome, if not ex- terminated, by their intolerant enemy: yet thev determined to assert their rights, although they mi'_ r ht be crushed in the at- tempt to maintain them airainst their powerful oppressors. They preferred death to ignoble dependence or a cowardlv peace. To remove, so far as appearances might avail, any appa- rent grounds for apprehension, on the part of the Indians, that the British government designed to extend its jurisdiction over the Indian territory, the proclamation of King (leorge III. wa< issued in the year 17t>.'{, prohibiting all the provincial govern- ors from granting lands, or issuing land-warrants to lie loca- ted upon any territory lying west of the mountains, or west of the sources of those streams which flow into the Atlantic. The same proclamation prohibited, also. ,[]] settlements by the subjects of (.ireat Britain in the provinces west of the source-; of the Atlantic streams. t This proclamation, however, as was admitted by Colour! (!eorge Washington and Chancellor Livingston, was intended merely to quiet the jealous apprehensions o( the Indians airainsi 'he advance of the white settlement-; on the \\ estern side of the mountains. It was not in anv wise designed reallv to cheek the ultimate occupation ot' the country. Virginia, airreeablv !.i ( '< ijon el \\ a shin nt oil's opinion, vie\\ IUL: the proclamation in n-i other il_rhi than as a temporary expedient to quiet the mind-; "I)., Liri.L-.-'H N*..|,-s .1:1 Vi.-vmi.-i. ;> :.":. _'!>:. T Tin- fi.i.'nvli.j i'M:-:n t iMi:it:iiiis tin- jirnliiliiiinu iill'i-l- ! t . 1:1 this pn 'I'huiKitioii ot" th'.' l.i.ij. il;it>-'l I l.-t.iln r ", t!.. i:< '.' \ !/ : ,,f t.ii,. Ii,,ii:uLS. t.i tin- LT.-:it pr.Ti'iirr i,t n'lr int.T.-st.s :u.'l t" tin- L.TI-:I| lii-MiD-tarti. .;i ,,:' t;,,' s.ii.i I:i'ii,-i!.> ; hi irt''ii-r, tii'T.-'iin'. t.i [Ti-Vfiit surli iiTi'juiantii-s t'ni-tin- 1'uluv.', 1-iti ,i, ;.. [. iniivi' ;:li n-risii!i:ilili' c;.:i--r 'f ili.-'-ntitrnt. \\ . .In, \s itli th.' inlvicc "!' nur privy .'>;>(> HISTORY OI' THE [BOOK III. <>f the Indians." soon afterward " patented considerable tracts of land on the Ohio, far beyond the Appalachian Mountains."* In the mean time, agents and surveyors had been busily en- gaged, whenever Indian forbearance permitted, in searching out the finest lands east and southeast <>t the Ohio, and making surveys or locations of them in such tracts as might be de- sired to complete the quantum originally granted to the Ohio Company, and also to complete the complement of other pri- vate grants and military bounties for service in the late French war. The master spirit of Pontiac was busily engaged, during this time, in preparing his plan of hostile operations against the English provinces, the execution of which has rendered the year 1703, as well as the name of Pontiac, memorable in the annals of Indian hostilities in the West. Pontiac, or Pondiac, was an Ottawa chief, partly of French descent (having declared that he would live and die a French- man), and an unwavering enemy to the British power, lie was a savage of the noblest mold, equal, at least, to King Phil- ip of former times, or Tecumseh of later date. In point of na- tive talent, courage, magnanimity, and integrity, he will com- pare, without prejudice, with the most renowned of civilized potentates and conquerors. During the series of Indian wars against the English colonies and armies, from the Acadian war in 1717 up to the general league of the Western tribes in 17C>,'}, he appears to have exercised the influence and power of an emperor, and by this name he was sometimes known. f lie had fought with the French, at the head of his Indian allies, against the Knglish in the year 1717. He had likewise been a conspicuous commander ot the Indian forces in the defense of Fort. Duquesne, and took an active part in the memorable defeat of the British and provincial armv under (General Brad- d'>ck in 17")"). Alter the fall of Canada and the humiliation of the French. he burned with an inveterate hatred to the English people. When, after the treat}' of 170.'{, the British troops began to take possession of the northwestern posts, he began to exert himself in uniting and roiisinir the Indian tribes in one com- mon cause against them, whereby he hoped to put a check * Mil A.I). ITO.'J.] v.u.Lr.v OF TIII: MIS.-ISSIITI. -'{'J7 to the advance of their settlements into the Indian countrv. The general plan to (.-fleet this object comprised the e;i|itiire and massacre of all the western garrisons, and the extermina- tion of the western settlements from the lakes on the north to the southern limits of Carolina. In this general league of the savages Pontiac had engaged all the tribes inhabiting the whole region west of this extensive frontier and ba-k to the Mississippi. The league formed bv him in this irreat un- dertaking was more extensive than :mv which had ever been known upon the Continent. In all his plans to (-fleet the ureat object ot the league, he seemed to exercise the power of an absolute dictator. Well acquainted with the geography of the whole region, he planned each attack, and assigned to each band and leader their respective stations and duties. The general hostile rising of the savages was to be nearly simultaneous against all the posts and settlements. .Nor were active hostilities long delayed. By the first of May the In- dians were in lull motion thron ( _rhout the extensive frontier. All the military posts and tl>rts- before the middle of May. were either captured or closelv invented by an Indian sieife. Besides a great number of trading-posts which had fallen, w it h their owners and oeeupants, in the firs! assaults, nine British forts were captured, and the garrisons chiefly massacred with Indian triumph, while others, mure strongly fortified or more effectually defended, environed by hosts ot hostile savages, and cut oil' Irom all c.ommunieation \\ nh the settlements east of the mountains, suffered with famine and the continual apprehen- sion < if Indian massacre. The English historians, biased b\ their insuperable prejudice and hatred against Catholieisin. and the:r |ealoiis\ <>| papal su- premacv. ha\'e ascribed the war o| I'ontiac to the influence ot French missionaries and Jesuits amon^- the Indian tribes. ^ et nothing is more erroneous than such an inference. Those mis- sionaries o| the Catholie ('hiircli \vere doubtless the advocates of peace and mercy, but their influence \\as insullicienl to ex- tinguish revenue from the savage breast, roused b\ wanton and atrocious murders perpetrated hv the \\hites." who were pro- tected and encouraged in their encroachments bv British troos. !$VJ8 HISTORY OK THE [l)OOK III. Hostilities once commenced, the whole Indian confederacy bent every energy to its effectual prosecution. As Dr. Dodd- ridge observes, " Xever did military commanders of any na- tion display more skill, or their troops more steady and deter- mined courage, than did those red men of the wilderness in the prosecution of their gigantic plan for the recovery of their country from the possession of the English." It was a. war of extermination on a large scale, where a few destitute savage tribes, in defense of their country and their homes, were ar- rayed against the colossal power and resources of the mistress of the civilized world ; a contest where human nature, in its simplest state, was the antagonist of wealth, civilization, and arts, and where the wild man was obliged to call to his aid all the power of stratagem, treachery, revenge, and cruelty against the innocent, the helpless, and the unoffending. Such is the stern mode of savage warfare, which knows no mercy to the feeble, the aged, or the infant ; where the youthful mother and her tender infant are alike doomed to the fate of the tomahawk and scalping-knife. The spirit which animated Pontiac, the Indian emperor in this struggle, may be conceived by the following extract of a speech made by him before a grand council of the Western tribes. After an eloquent and powerful appeal to the warriors against the advance of the British power, he declared that he had been requested by their father, the French kinir, to aid him in driving out the English, and he repeated to them the will of the Clreat Spirit, communicated in a dream to a Delaware chief. The ( I real Spirit had said to him, "Why do you suffer these dogs in red coats to enter your country and take the lands I have given to yon! Drive them from it! drive them! and when you are in trouble. I will help you.''* Among the iorts or military posts captured by the Indians during the early part of .May, were those of Ouiatenon, CJreen Bay. .Mackinaw, Si. Joseph's, Miami, Sandusky, Presque Isle, Le Bent, and \ enango. Some had been taken by open attack, others by stratagem and treachery; and in nearly all of them the garrisons had shared the fate of Indian victory, their bodies mangled in triumph, and their blood quailed in rage. Besides those posts which fell before the victorious savages, no less than six were beleaguered for manv weeks or mouths. ThuU'liL-r'.s Lives of th'.' Iirliaus, vol. ii., p. to, Family Library (.-ilition. A.I). 17(515.] V.U.I.KY OF Till'. MISSISSli'l'I. ,'i-J!) until they were finally relieved by re-enforcements from the older settlements and from Knirland. The principal of' these were Detroit. Ligonier, Bedford, ('umberland. and London, most of which were reduced to great extremities before relict" reached them. .Niagara was deemed impregnable to the sav- ages, and was not attacked. In addition to the destruction of life and property at the forts and in their immediate viciniu. the frontier settlements we.-t of the Blue Kidge, from the Susquehanna to the sources of' the lloanoke, were broken up with indiscriminate massacre, where the people could not effect their timelv escape. Those who escaped were crowded into fortified stations, or retired \\ith their families to the more secure parts of the old settlements east of the mountains. "The Knglish traders amoni: the In- dians were the first victims in this contest, (hit of one hun- dred and twenty of them, onlv two or three escaped the gen- eral destruction. The posts of Presipie Isle. St. Joseph, and Mackinaw were taken, with a general slaughter of the garrisons." Such was the general result : the detail of some of the >ceiies in the "western reirions mav give some idea oi the nature oi an Indian war. " The work of extirpation was commenced on or about the same time from north to south, and from east to west. .\ine British torts were captured. Sonic oi the garri- sons were completely surprised and massacred on the spot ; a lew individuals, in other cases, escaped. The ollicer who commanded at Presque Isle defended himself two days. I hir- ing ibis time the savages arc said to ha\e set tire to his block- house about iilty times, but the lla mes w ere as otten extinguished b\" the soldiers. It was then undermined and a tram laid for an explosion, when a capitulation wa-; proposed and agreed upon, a'ter which a part oi the irarrison was carried captive' to the ii' irthwest."' In the trcacherv put in opera I ion a L r a inst the posts, the prom- inent object was, lirst, to obta.n possess. on of the commanders, or o| licers, pre\ ions to any a dual hostile attack. This was at- tempted, and sometimes success I ill I y. hv pa rties of Indians L r am- iir_ r admi>sion under pretense of business or friendship : at < M h er times ihev wen- enticed iroiu the tort without any apprehen- sion of danger. At Miami, on the Maumee Ixiver, the com- mandant was induced, bv the entreaties and cries of a sip law, to Tli;it< h' r's lii'lum Hiojnipliy, vnl. ii.. p. -7. 330 HISTORY OF THE [jfOOK III accompany her two hundred yards from the fort, to relieve a man who, she said. \vas wounded and dying. lie went for the purpose of relieving the dying man, and found his own death from a party of Indians in ambuscade. The fort was afterward captured, and the garrison massacred. 1 * At Mackinaw a more subtle policy was adopted. This was a very important post, standing on the south side of the Strait of Miehilimackinac, "between Lakes Huron and Michigan. It was a place of deposit, and the point of departure between the upper and lower countries, and here the traders always as- sembled on their voyages to and from Montreal. The post was situated on a fine plain near the water-level, and consist- ed of a stockade inclosing nearly two acres, and about thirty small houses, occupied by as many families. The bastions were mounted with two small brass pieces of ordnance, and the garrison consisted of about ninety-five men. Near the time for the contemplated attack, numerous Indians, apparently quite friendly, began to collect about the fort. At length, under pre- tense of celebrating the king's birthday, they made arrange- ments for a great game of baggatiivt'i, or Indian ball, resembling the common game of racket, in which each party strives to car- ry the ball to the opposite boundary of the field. It was pre- tended that a great wager was at stake for the victorious par- ly. Xearlv two hundred Indians were engaged on each side. The play was about to commence near the fort, and many from it were induced to come out as spectators. In the midst of the play, when all were apparent!}' intent upon the game, and en- gaged in the most violent exercises of rivalry, the ball was, as it by accident, thrown within the stockade. Each party, eager to excel, were allowed to pass directly into the fort in pursuit of the hall. Immediately after they had entered the fort, the war-whoop was given, and each Indian, drawing his concealed weapons, began the indiscriminate massacre of every English- man in the fort. The 1 French were not molested. Henry, an eye-witness, states that, after having been engaged writing for nearly half an hour, he was suddenlv aroused bv a loud war- cry, and great noise and general confusion, doing to his win- dow, In- saw a crowd of Indians within the fort. fnri<>us!y cut- ting down and scalping every Englishman they found : and he could plainlv witness the last struggles of some o) Jus particu- Thati'luT's linlhiii l!in'_T!i|iliv, vol. ii . i p - ~ J A.I). 17(.'3.] VAI.I.KV OK Till: MISSISSIPPI. 331 lar accjuaintances. Some ot them he saw fall, and more than one struggling between the knees ot' the savages, who were holding them in this manner, and tearing oil' their scalps while they were yet alive. All show of resistance was soon over, and the cry was heard through the fort, "All is finished !'' A\ bile this scene ot blood was passing, several ot' the Canadi an villagers were seen looking out upon the scene quite com- posed, and neither interfering nor heinir molested. Aiter the massacre was over, and all the Knglish had been hunted up. the scene oi savage revelry commenced. Here the observer, who had been fortunately concealed in a French- man's house, beheld the most ferocious and foul triumphs ot the savages. The dead were scalped and mangled : the dy- inir were writhing and shrieking under the unsatiated knife and reeking tomahawk. Some, from the bodies of their vic- tims ripped open, were drinking the blood scooped up in the hollow of their hands, and quailed amid the shouts and rage oi victory." Fort Pitt was likewise invested, and closelv besieged for nearly three months. All communication with the eastern set- tlements beinir intercepted by the lurking hands of Indians, and all succor by re-entorcement being impracticable, the garrison for many weeks was an isolated commiinitv. nearlv three hun- dred miles from the settlements, and surrounded hv tierce bands of hostile savages. Reduced to the greatest extremities, star- vation or Indian massacre seemed their only doom. To them Starvation was less terrible than to become the objects ot In- dian vengeance, and this heroic band determined to resist so IOULT as a man miirht remain, and die. it need be, hv tamme. ])urinu r this lime every road was intercepted to prevent inter- course between Fort Liir"iiier and the beleaguered post. All messengers who attempted to penetrate from Fort 1'itt were either killed by the Indians, or were compelled to return to the f'>rt hv the |urkiii'_ r Indians on the wav. Dnrinir this tune the tort was continuallv beset b\ a host ot savaires. who made daily attacks upon the stockade, while their sharp-shoof- eis, lvin:_ r concealed under the banks ot the Monoimahela and Alleghany Rivers, poured a destructive volley ot bullets \\hen- ever any ot the irarrison dared to expose anv part ot their per- sons over the piquets or outside the inclosure.t Lighted ar- ' T'nnti-li.T's Ind. Hiii-'.. vnl. ii., ]'. -- !'-.'. t (;..ni..n'> HNt. nf IVimsyh :u.i:i p :: 332 HISTORY OF TIII: [HOOK in. ro\vs were daily shot upon the stockade and houses tor burn- ing them down. At length, General Amherst, commander-in-chief of his maj- esty's forces in Xorth America, detached a strong re-enforce- ment with three hundred and forty horses, loaded with sup- plies and ammunition, under Colonel Bouquet, for the relief of the garrison. This whole detachment, of more than six hun- dred men. had well-nigh been cut oil' by the savages within a few miles of the fort. As usual, the savages, by their runners and spies, became well apprised of every movement made by any portion of the English armies. They accordingly selected a dangerous defile on Turtle Creek, and only about fifteen miles from Fort Pitt, as a suitable place to cut oil* the advancing re- enforcement. Through this defile the detachment must neces- sarily pass, and here, on the 4th of August, the Indian ambus- cade was laid. Nothing but the extraordinary courage and presence of mind in the commander, seconded by his brave troops, saved the corps from utter destruction. After having sustained a desperate contest for several hours, until the man- tle of night spread its protection over them, they stood upon their guard until the morning light. After several hours' hard fighting again in the morning. Colonel Bouquet resolved to practice the Indian stratagem upon the savages. Carefully posting four companies in ambuscade, he feigned a rapid re- treat with the troops who were actively engaged. The In- dians, as if sure of victory, pressed torward alter the retreat- ing enemy, without order, and thoughtless of danger, until suddenly the terrible lire in their rear convinced them that they were between two fires. Instantly thrown into the great- est consternation and confusion, they lied precipitately from the field of action. The loss ot the English was severe: one hundred men were killed and wounded. That of the Indians was equally severe, and some ol their most distinguished chiefs were slain. The detachment arrived at Fort Pitt four days afterward,' and the Indians dispersed. In the mean time. Detroit, was beleaguered by a formidable body of western savages, under the immediate command of Pontiac himself'. The Indians appeared before this post on the sth of Mav. and the sic ire. with innumerable attacks. \vas con- tinued without intermission until the last, of August : and. with Dmlilriihre's Nutcs, p. al-' il'J. ( Junlun's IVnnsyl.-;uiiu, ]> ; A.IJ. 17(>3. \ AI.I.KV OT TIIK MISSISSIPPI. 3M occasional relaxations only, from that time until next spriiiLf. al- together about twelve months. After the last of August, many of the allies and warriors of I'ontiac. wearied with the toil and privations ot the siege, retired to their towns and families. Detroit was one ot the most important of the western posts, although, like most of them, its garrison had been reduced dur- ing the apparent pacification of' the Indian tribes, immediatelv preceding the outbreak of hostilities. At the time of the sieire it was a rich object lor savage plunder, lar exceeding an v < >ther western post, being at that time the general depot of ^m ids and merchandise lor the whole Indian trade, to the value ofnearlv halt' a million of pounds sterling. Many of the western trad- ers had arrived, and were moving forward to monopolize the Indian fur trade. The fort was a stockaded village on the bank of the Detroit River, with bastions mounting six small pieces of ordnance, and defended by a garrison of one hundred and thirty men. besides about forty persons who were connect- ed with the fur ti-a.de. On the Sth of May. Pontiac presented himself before the fort with three hundred Ottawa and Chippewa warriors, and de- manded of the commandant. Major (lladwyn. a council. The commandant refused to admit the whole lorce ot I'ontiac, but consented to admit him and lorty ol Ins associates, who should hold a council with him in the tort. The mam body of tin- In- dians retired to their camp, about one mile distant, when 1'on- tiac and his tortv associates were admitted. In the mean tune, Major (Hadwvn. having received intimation ol treaeherv and hostile intentions tVom an Indian sipiaw, had put the fort and Ljiirrison in a state ot complete defense. Pontiac and Ins war- iv irs. ail secretly armed, entered the tort : but. see MILT t he t roo]is under arm--, and every man at \\\< po>.t, lie ini|Uired, \\ h\- all ihi> parade 'f arms .'" and tinalK declined to LTive the signal [',,) jhc ma-^acre to his warriors. Their secret arms \\erc soon a f' T discovered |i\ Ala|or llladwyn. when he dismissed I'ont :" and bis band from the fort, with reproaches |or his treachen . As the\ retired t'rom the '_ r ate.the\ ga\'e the Indian veil, and discharged their >hort tire-arms upon the tort. w,th little or n o injury. The India. us under the command o| I'ontiac nm lediatelv proceeded to the hou>es in the \'icinity ot'the lort, an.i eoj;inienced an indisci'immate massacre \ such person^ as ivere i'-uml outside of the stoi-kade. The night was spent in 334 HISTORY OF THE [l5OOK III savage revelry over the helpless victims of their revenge, while others lurked about the fort, under the darkness of the night, and secreted themselves behind houses, fences, and trees for an opportunity to shoot down any who should venture to ex- pose themselves from the fort after daylight. The next day Pontiac renewed his efforts and stratagems to induce the officers of the fort to meet him in council beyond the reach of the small arms of the garrison. One officer, who vol- untarily went out to meet the chiefs with three attendants, was detained and subsequently put to death. On the 10th of May the Indians made a resolute attack upon the fort, and kept up a brisk lire the whole day from behind houses, fences, barns, and trees, within gunshot of the palisades, while the main body of the savage army was kept at a respect- ful distance by the ordnance of the fort. The force of the sav- ages was rapidly increasing every day, and already amounted to about seven hundred warriors. Major (lladwyn began to apprehend serious danger to the garrison and inmates of the stockade, and contemplated secretly leaving the post, and de- scending the river with his command; but being informed by an experienced Frenchman that the Indians never contemplate an open assault in daylight and in the face of cannon, he deter- mined to remain and defend the fort to the last extremity. From this time every person in the fort capable of duly was closely employed to prevent any secret attack, and to avoid any stratagem laid for them either by night or by day. At length Pontiac demanded the surrender of the fort, by capitulation, requiring the British to lay down their arms, and march out as the French had done. This being refused, he renewed his attacks with increased vigor and frequency. So unremitted were his attacks for several weeks, that neither of- ficers nor men were allowed to take of}' their clothes to sleep, all beint, r continually engaged about the ramparts. During this time the whole number of effective men, exclusive of' sick and wounded, and including two vessels in the river, was onlvone hundred and twelve. Kvery plan of annoyance was put in operation. Floating lire-rafts were repeatedly prepared and sent against the \essels in the river for the purpose of destroying them, and with great difficulty they were preserved from the flames. Parties were continually hovering near the fort under some concealment. A. I). 17()3.] VAI.I.KV OK '1111: MISSISSIPPI. for the purpose of takinir off. by their marksmen, any who miirht incautiously expose themselves in the tort, while other detach- ed parties scoured the country around in everv direction, to in- tercept ever\' kind ot aid or succor intended tor tin 1 irarrison. In the month ot June, a detachment of liftv men. with a sup- ply ot provisions from Xiagara, on their \o\-.-iire t-> I Detroit had been entire!} cut oil', and the supplies captured b\ the Indians. Soon afterward, another detachment of one hundred men. \vith a supply of provisions and ammunition from Fort .Niagara, had reached the l)etr<>it Iviver. within hall' a day's sail of the fort, when, having landed and encamped lor the niijht, they were attacked by a strong party of Indians and entirelv defeated, with the loss ot their commander and seveiitv men. bes.des the supplies, which fell into the hands ol the Indians, alon^- with a lew prisoners." Scenes of unparalleled barbaritv continued to he perpetrated in the vicinity of the fort upon ever}' Englishman whom thev could intercept. It was a matter of almost dailv occurrence for the irarrison to behold the dead and manirled bodies of their countrymen float inir past, the fort: ever} family and in- dividual in the vicinity had been murdered in the m>\ horrid manner, and ever}' habitation destroyed hv lire. On the ',it>th of July, a re-en i< >rcement, under ( 'apt a in Dal/.el, from Niagara, aniountinir to t\\o hundred and liftv reirular troops, succeeded in reachinir the to)-| m >aletv. ( )\\ the same evening a sally was made hv three hundred men airain-t the Indian breast-work within le-- than a mile Irom the tort. This detachment \\ as tiercel} encountered hv the savages and tun- ouslv I'epulsed. with the loss ol seventy men killed and tortv \vnunded. ('aptain |)al/.el \\ as :iino|i'_r the -lain.' 1 ' The u hole number ot troops |o--t d.unnir 'he sieire "1 Detroit \vas but little short of three hund red. besules individuals uncon- iH-cted \\ith the arms : the exact numlier, however, ha- never been d irrecl l\' ascertained. While these tlmc_ r - Were t ra n^pirinir at the military posts, the \\ hole frontier settlement-, troin north to smith, \\ere decs, barns, corn. hav. and ever} thini; - i ).!.!!!.!_., p. '-:'.'., ::-. A',-' 'n,:it.-I,,.r's h..ii:u: HL.I_T;H,II\ , V,M. ;i . ;,. 'J-:.; ' I i.-in. 330 HISTORY OF THI: [HOOK in. which was combustible. The wretched inhabitants, whom they surprised at night, at their meals, or in the labors ot the field, were massacred with the utmost cruelty and barbarity ; and those who iled were scarcely more happy. Overwhelmed bv sorrow, without shelter, or the means oi' transportation, their tardv llight was impeded by fainting women and weeping children. The inhabitants of Shippensburg and Carlisle, now become the barrier towns, opened their hearts and their houses to their atllicted brethren. In the towns, every stable and hovel was crowded with miserable refugees, who. having lost their houses, their cattle, and their harvest, were reduced from independence and happiness to beggary and despair. The streets were filled with people ; the men distracted by grief for their losses, and the desire of revenge, more poignant from the disconsolate females and bereaved children who wailed around them. For some miles on both sides of the Susquehanna. many families, with their cattle, sought shelter in the woods, being unable to find it in the towns." The city of Philadelphia, as well as the adjoining counties, contributed largely to their relief. ' This state of things in Pennsylvania is only a. specimen of what existed for more than eight hundred miles along the western frontier, as far south as Maryland and A'irginia. Among the hostilities in Pennsylvania during the early part of this war. we must enumerate the horrible massacre of the whole population of the Valley of Wyoming, on the east branch of the Susquehanna. At the same time, all the great branch- es of the Susquehanna were in the sole occupancy of the hos- tile Indians. The plan of the Indian hostilities had embraced not only the destruction of nil the western population, but likewise all the irrain and growing crops, so as etlectually to prevent a return ol the inhabitants, who had [fenerally iled irom then' homes to seek safety among the older settlements. Am- if:' the first massacres in Western \irinia d A.I). 17(),'J.] VAI.T.KY OK THK M ISSISS I ITI. 337 of 170.'} had pacified the whole Indian confederacy, the settlors in these remote regions entertained no apprehension of danger. In tliis state of security, they felt no alarm when they beheld their settlement visited hy nearly sixty Indians under the guise of friendship. The Indians were received with that cordial hospitality so common to the frontier people. At .Muddy Creek, suddenlv. and without anv previous hos- tile indication, after a refreshing meal, they commenced killing all the men in the settlement, and made prisoners of the women and children. Having secured the prisoners under a suitable guard, the party proceeded to the "Big Levels/' about fifteen miles dis- tant, and before any intimation of the fate of Muddy Creek had preceded them. At this settlement they were treated with great hospitality and friendship. Archibald Glendennen gave them a sumptuous feast upon a fat elk which he had recently killed. At the conclusion of their feast, they began, without cer- emony or provocation, to murder all the men. and to secure the women and children as prisoners, as they had done at Muddy Creek.* In the massacre at Big Levels, the signal was given bv a chief, as follows: An old woman, who had a sore leg. showed it to the Indian, and requested his advice how it might be cured. After examining the sore, without ceremonv hi- drew his hatchet, and laid her lifeless at Ins feet bv a single blow upon the head. This was the signal tor the general assault, and the massacre was instantly commenced. When these disasters became known in Bofetourt eountv several davs afterward, a partv ot volunteer armed men as- sembled. vJi" went to the desolate settlements and buried the ,!, In, L-,- > :M,t,-. [.. '..' t Mt-v C,:, n, i, v ;>, ;n, :,.!,_ th.- |.ri-;.mi-rs. Slir \- '.,'.' \ rhnr-,',1 tin- Im!i:ii;S with rnu-anlir,-. ;,:] iii.hn.i.i.-,! tlu-in \v .th ti-.-:t.-!i,-rv in :i>Miiniri;.- tin- i,,;isk of fH,-iiilshi|i tn i -,1111111 it muni, i- I ) in- i, t' tin- lii,ini,s ,-x:^|,,-rati',l w it'n h,-r l,ol,|:n'ss ami th,- truth ,,!' I,, rr-lrir:.--, l.r: l ! 1 ,i;-h.-,llii-.t,,ii l ; 1 h:i\\ki,\.-|-Ii,-rh'iul.:ili,l!h.'iisl!il,lM-.l !HT linshatnl's sr;i!|. in h, T liii-i-. N.'xt ,l:iy, ;ill, r in:in'liitn.' ti-;i niilrs wnii (li.- cuptivrs. sti,' i'. in |,;i>siiu; a tlucUrl, II-IIVITIL- h'T infant \\itli tin- i-liriny. II- -r ah.-,-:!,-,- no MII ail- r W:L> ili.si n\ i-r, -1 hy tin- ITS ,,( tl),- ,-hi!,l t', -r i:s n :, th, r, \\ li.ri our n!' thr s:ivn- ...,-s, takii.L- tin- rhil.l in his han.ls iin,| ;i\ini.- !i- wuiit.l si-dii hriii:.' ",> ,'"' ! ' '-r n.:'/ VOL. I. V 338 HISTORY Of THE [itOOK III. depredations and murders in the vicinity of Fort Cumberland, on the Potomac : and nine persons had been killed within the last ten days. At this time the whole population of this region, to the number of nearly five hundred families, on the frontiers, poor and destitute, leaving all behind, had lied to the eastern settlements.* Indeed, the whole western frontier, for nearly a thousand miles, from north to south, presented a scene of un- precedented terror and flight. On the 23d of June, Fort Ligonier, on the west side of the Laurel Hill, and sixty miles cast of Fort Pitt, was invested by a large body of Indians, who kept up a vigorous attack for twenty-four hours. On the 27th of July, Fort London, on the site of the present town of Winchester, in Virginia, and not more than one hundred feet square, contained more than two hundred women and children, who had sought its shelter from the scalping-knife. At this time, Shippensburg and Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, not thirty miles west ol Harrisburg, were frontier towns ; and all the remote settlements west of them had been broken up, and the inhabitants had lied eastward for safety. The few who remained were secured in stations, or strong palisade inclos- ures. from the midnight attacks of savage bands prowling for scalps and plunder. At the same time, "Greenbrier River and Jackson (liver were depopulated," and nearly three hundred persons had been killed or taken prisoners by the Indians. Not one family was found on their plantations on this frontier, for three hundred miles in length and one hundred in width. By the consterna- tion which had spread in this region, nearly twenty thousand persns were thrown out of house and home, to seek shelter and safety east of the mountains. f Late in Julv, such was the state of public apprehension and alarm at the secret incursions of scalping parties of Indians, that the smallest circumstance often caused great alarm. In the eastern part of New York, about the last of July, a parlv of men having returned trom a deer hunt over the western hills, in the vicinity of (loshen. suddenly fired tour guns in quick dashed out its lir:ii:i, liu'ainst :i tree. Tin- mnl her li;ivmir iiin.lt' her r>rap>'.r, ! urned t< ; the, settlement Iin.l imperieetly Imri-.l h.T hush:uid, when she found herself the only fiirvivnr remaining of holh Srtllrlnt'lits. al<,Me in the midst (if :i dre;iry wilderness, and surround-d t.y the mangled h.idie.s cil her Trie,,, Is and nei-hhors - -Doddnd-e, p. -^:i. * Thatcher's Jndiaii Biography, vol. i., p. 11'.'. t Idem, p. 1KJ. A.I). 17(5.3.] VALLEY OF Till-: M ISSISSIITI. 339 succession at a flock of partridges. The reports having been heard in the vicinity, were supposed to indicate the approach ol Indians, and alarm-guns were iired over the whole neigh- borhood, and the people commenced an immediate and general flight, until the whole settlements were in utter confusion and consternation. Those in their houses gathered up what they could carry, and with their children sought sat'etv in flight; those who were with their teams in the fields cut the horses loose in haste, and made their escape with them ; those who had no boats to cross the river plunged in with their wives or children on their bucks. In this manner the consternation spread from one to another, until nearly five hundred families had left their homes and property, as they supposed, to the mercy of the Indians. Some continued their llight to the bor- ders of Xew England before they were undeceived. Early in October, about twenty persons had been killed by Indians in the vicinity of Allenstown and Bethlehem, on Le- high River, in Pennsylvania ; and such was the general conster- nation, that "most of the people in the vicinity had tied from their habitations."* It is not our design to recount all the deeds of blood and cru- elty perpetrated upon the frontier people by the hostile Indians. The feelings of humanity are shocked, and recoil nt the recita- tion -of them. The sketch already given may serve to con- vey a faint idea of the calamities endured by the wretched in- habitants subject to the horrors of Indian warfare. During the following winter, detached scalping parties of Indians continued to traverse the border regions, and to prowl about the forts on the western parts o| Pennsylvania, \ irginia, and \orth Carolina. conmiittin:: such depredations and mur- ders as >erved to keep the whole exposed population m a state of continual dread and fearful apprehension tor their personal safety. Although the savages a.t all times, in their hostile incursions upon the settlements, commit, the most inhuman barbarities upon the helpless and unprotected, there are amonif the fron- tier people occasionally men equally depraved, and who in deeds of blood are scarcely superior to the most ferocious sav- ages. In some instances, indeed, the whites, exasperated to phrensy by the repealed murders atrociously perpetrated upon Stv Thutclirr's In.liuti HinL-nijihy, vol. ii., p. IK), 1 M. 340 HISTORY OP THE [iJOOK III. their friends and relatives by the savages, have been impelled, bv feelings of revenge, to deeds of blood at which humanity weeps. Such was the phrensied revenge of the " Paxton Boys." These desperadoes, prompted by a fanatical delusion, that the massacre of Wyoming was a judgment from Cod for " sparing the Canaanites in the land/' organi/ed themselves into a bandit corps, and, disregarding law or any civil author- ity of the state, proceeded to commit the most revolting bar- barities upon the peaceable and innocent Conestago Indians, as a retaliation for the acts perpetrated by the hostile tribes. Dr. Doddridge says, " They rivaled the most ferocious of the Indians themselves in deeds of cruelty which have dishonored the history of our country ; shedding innocent blood without the slightest provocation, in deeds of the most atrocious bar- barity."* The Conestago Indians were the remains of the Conesta- go tribe, the early friends of William Perm, whose descendants, for more than a century, had lived in peace and friendship with the whites. This remnant of a tribe, about forty in number, were the first victims of this infuriate and demoniacal band. They were murdered in cold blood, in the midst ot a civil gov- ernment too weak to protect the weakest. The same vengeance would have been wreaked equally upon the peaceable and inoffensive Christian Indians of the villages ofWequetank and Nnin, had not the state authorities at length succeeded in pn>1eet]ii'_ r them.']" [A. D. 17(51.] Such had been the disasters to the British " I joddri'L-r's Notes on Virginia, ]>. -JvlO. t Although this suhject is properh bi-yond tlic limits of our prescribed history, yet, us it is connected with tin: In. iu~>. ' (Jiir-lnn's History of l'enns\lvania. p. !:i-'. 342 HISTORY OF THE [llOOK III. ter making several incursions against hostile towns, and chas- tising several bands of hostile \varriors, opposed to the late treaty, overtures of peace were received from them. Nego- tiations for a truce were opened, which soon after resulted in a peace with all the northwestern tribes, except the Shawa- nese and Delawares of the Scioto. Pontiac would take no part in the treaty, and remained adverse to peace. Soon afterward he retired to the Illinois River, where he still meditated vengeance against the English for nearly twelve months afterward. He continued to reside on the Illinois until the summer of 17(57, when he was assassinated in the council-house by a Peoria chief.* In the mean time, Colonel Bouquet invaded the Indian coun- try south of Lake Erie, and upon the branches of the.Muskin- gum River. Marching from Fort Pitt on the 3d of October, he advanced through the Indian territory, spreading terror and death among the savages, destroying their fields and burning their towns, until the 25th of October, when he encamped at the Forks, or junction of the Tuscarawa and Walhonding Rivers. f Here he received overtures of peace, which were accepted, and he dictated his terms to the hostile tribes of the Delawares, Senecas, and Shawanese.J The surrender of prisoners, which had been one of the first requisitions, took place soon afterward ; the Indians surren- dered two hundred and six prisoners, men, women, and chil- dren, and delivered over hostages for the surrender of others. IVnce being thus ratified with these tribes, Colonel Bouquet returned with his victorious army and his rescued captives to Fort Pitt, to the great jo}' of all the provinces. General Stanwix, who had succeeded to the command of ;he northwestern army, had taken measures for convening a grand council of the western tribes, and specially of the Six .Yitions and their confederates, to be held in the month of No- vember, at the "German Flats," on the Mohawk River. The council accordingly convened, and the chiefs, warriors, and sa- chems of the Six Xations therein ratified and confirmed the previous treaty of Niagara, and entered into a general article of friendship ;md alliance with the British crown, as they had formerly done with the King of France. By this treaty, designated ;is the "Treaty of the German Thntrher's Indian Bioi.T!i]iliy. vol. ii.,;>. 107. t Gordon's Pennsylvania, p. i:ir>. I American Pioneer, vol. i., p. 'Jiu. A.D. 1705.] VALI-KY OF TI1K MISSISSIPPI. 343 Flats," the Six Nations ceded extensive tracts of land to the .English provinces of New York and Pennsylvania. On the 5th dav of December following, the treaty was proclaimed throughout the provinces, and peace was established with the Six Nations and their confederates. CHAPTER II. ADVANCI: OF Tin: ANGLO-AMKKICAN POPULATION TO THE OHIO RIV- ER. SKTTLKMKXT.S AND KXPLORATIOXS. A.D. 1705 TO 1774. Afifumcnt. Settlements spring up near the military Routes and Posts. Fort Pitt. Kurt Burd. Isolated Condition of UK- Illinois .Settlements. Advance of white Set- tlements upon the Sources of the Susquehanna, Youehiogeny, and Monongahela; also upon New Itiver and Greenbrier, Clinch and Holston. Indian Territory on the. Susquehanna, Alleghany, and Cheat Rivers. Frontier Settlements of Virginia in 17iiw.'i. and Kentucky Regions.- -Simoii K enton at May's Lick. .lames Harrod at Harrodsbur_'.-- West AuL'u^tu in 17'; 1. Outrages of lawless white Men provoke In dian Vengeance. \Vhei-ling Fort built. Fort FincaMle. Dr. Connolly Commund- unt nf \\ t-st AuLTUsta. [A.D. 1705.] Nn sooner had ]>eace with the northwestern Indians been established, than the restless population of the :U I HISTORY OF TIIK [BOOK in. provinces bei, r an to move forward to the western side of the mountains. Settlements soon bewail to spring up around the military posts and upon the roads leading to these remote points. The garrisons were in the receipt of their monthly pay, which they drew only to expend; and those who could most contribute to the "wants and comforts of the troops were sure to receive their money. A few months of peace and se- curity served to produce the germs of trading and manufactur- ing towns near the military posts ; and agricultural pursuits became indispensable to their subsistence and comiort. The garrisons, no less than the frontier villagers, required the aid of the various mechanical trades adapted to new settlements, as well as the more indispensable articles of grain and culinary vegetables, with the flesh of domestic, animals, and milk. Hence the husbandman derived employment and profit by a residence near the remote posts. The route to each, from the old set- tlements, was traveled by troops and caravans "with supplies, conducted by government agents, and followed by hundreds of adventurers who were anxious to explore the beautiful and fertile regions of the Ohio and its great tributaries. This gave occasion for taverns, or public houses, on the road ; and to sup- port these in a manner adequate to the demands of the increas- ing intercourse, farms were opened, mills were erected, and mechanics were employed. Hence settlements were gradu- ally formed along the main routes which led from the eastern settlements westward through the wilderness. At first they were at distances tor a day's journey ; but these distances were. soon divided, and " halt-way houses'' sprung up at the distance ot halt a da\'s travel ; these distances were again reduced by intermediate houses, which enabled the emigrant and traveler to consult his ease and convenience in making his journey. The increasing spirit lor western emigration from the Atlantic provinces soon brought crowds of families and adventurers troin the sandy shores ol Delaware and Maryland, to seek ease and competence upi>n the fertile valleys and bottoms west of the mountains. The intelligent and virtuous, reared in ease and competence, allured by the plowing descriptions of the fer- tile \\ est. sought in better their condition in a new region ; the profligate and vicious, impatient of the wholesome restraints of law and good government, also sought the remote population where those restraints are unknown. A.I). 17l)t).] V. \LLKV OF Till: MlSSIaSU'l'I. ,'{}.") [A.D. 17tit>.] Thus, ill a few years after the close of Ponti- ac's war. small settlements had extended upon all the great routes to the west; those from the north converging to Fort Pitt, and those from the smith leading to the head waters of the llolston and Clinch liivers. A I read v a to\vn had heeii laid out on the east hank of the Monongahela, within two hundred yards of Fort Pitt, upon the site of a village which had heen destroyed two years hetore hy the hostile savages.' A route had heen opened to the Monongahela. in the vicinitv of- lied- stone ( )ld Fort." near the mouth of Jhinlap's Creek, seventy miles above Fort Pitt. This point was soon to become an im- portant place of embarkation for emigrants from the Atlantic, seaboard, in their advance to the Ohio lliver and the western country generally. f These were tl>e extreme frontier settlements of the .British provinces in this quarter. Beyond them, and more than a thousand miles in advance of any organized colonial govern- ment, were the isolated settlements on the Wahash and Illinois Rivers, comprising a few poor and ignorant French colonies. They had fallen under the dominion of the English crown, hut thev were not regarded as a part of the Enirlish settlements. Thev formed only small detached military colonies, speaking a foreign language, and having little or no intercourse with the restless emigrants which were now crowding toward the Ohio. Hence thev were visited only occasionally by officers or agents of the government, or by Indian traders and adventurers, to Lrratifv a thirst lor pecuniary gain, or an innate desire for dis- tant rambles. J - So,- linluy's Amoriea, Loud, ed . 17l'7, p. 41-. Thi work upon tli'' earlv history, settlements, and stati-ties- of the tii.- year 17-i>. !"> M:! : ''-r Inilny. l^nii'-rly nn ni!i.-.-r in tip- Hritir-h tiiur df tin- %v.'~t<-ni cuiiiitry .'ilniut tin- yi-ar \' ->', ;i ~kft'-ln-s i.t" lii'' vvi-it.Tii en li:tr\- iiii.l >t:it:-tn'S :is wvrv * S.M' Ainfri'"Hi I'jiini-iT, \ol. ii.. p. ''.' ''-. Ksi-'-pt tli'- ( iiuiin:iii'l;i!il tli'---i- pmts. prnbahly tin- first regular 15ritili uj,.,,! st-iit to tln'M 1 fi'inoti' Si ui.'inc'iits was Coloin-1 Iji-iiivt 1 <'n>^lian. liy way of l-'ort rr in tii-' S:IIIIIIHT of 17''..".. Ari-oiiipanir.l by a p:irt\ of Knulisli I 1 '.. in tin- Sha waii'^.-, l)i-lawar.'S. and Si-ureas, nint a party df et mil in l.'.ats fr. mi l-'ort 1'itt on tin 1 15th of May. ujmn :i mission lor tin 1 purpo-;.- o|' oprnin_' ;i Iri. inlly intern mrso uini trmlo with TVHtiiiiis of th. 1 rountry ami tin- triln-s inhnbitiriLT the western re- steil sluwly iliiwn the Oliin. ninl dii tlui 'j:td of May they ene:nnpeii i'ioto. \s In-ro tln-y remained se\ eral ilays. awaitiiii: the arrival of 34G IIISTOHY OK THK [iJOOK III. Settlements were now advancing rapidly from eastern por- tions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, and emigrants were pressing forward upon the upper tributaries of the Mo- nonurahela, upon the Youghiogeny or '" Yough," and upon the great branches of Cheat River. On the south, the frontier counties of Virginia and North Carolina were pouring forth their hardy pioneers, who. were still advancing, and already settling the fertile regions upon the head waters of New River, west of the mountains, as well as upon the sources of the Clrecn- brier. Others, full of enterprise and love of western adventure, were exploring the country drained by the great branches of Clinch River, and were forming remote, isolated settlements in Powell's Valley, still further north and west, and also upon the waters of the North Fork of Ilolston, in the regions near the present towns of Abington and Wytheville. At this time the principal sources of the Susquehanna in New York and in Pennsylvania, as well as the whole region drained by the Alleghany River and its tributaries, were deep Indian solitudes, wholly in possession of the native tribes, and rarely frequented by the most advanced pioneer. A large portion loading from the lick to the upper portion of Licking Kiver, made by the herds of buf- falo whirh then frequented the country. On the first of June they were at the " falls of tin? Ohio ;" on the Uth of June they arrived at the mouth of the Wabash. Here they found a breast work, supposed to have been erected by the Indians. Six miles further, * they encamped at a place called the " Old Shawanese Village," upon or near the present site of rihawiieetowii, which perpetuates its name. At this place thev remained six days, tor the purpose of opening a friendly intercourse anil trade with the Wabash tribes: and while here, Colonel <'ro_"hun sent messengers with dispatches for Lord Fra/er, who had -'one from Fort 1'itt as commandant at Fort Clmrtres. and also to M.St. Am_ r r. the former French commandant at that place. On the i;th of June, at daybreak, they Were attacked by a party of eighty warriors, chielly Kickapnos and Musijuatamies. by whom several of the party were killed, and nearly all of the remainder wounded, licsides, they were plundered of all their cloth iii_ r , provisions, u-oods, ami money. From this point thev set out lor Vincennes by hind ; and. passim.- throuuh wooded hills and uplands, and wide spreading prairies, they ar- rived at the post of St. Vincent on the Uth of June. Here they found eighty or ninety French families s. [tied upon the east bank of the river, where they tarried Severn! davM. j'rom St. Vincent they proceeded by land up the \Vabash for '-HO miles to Ouiatenon. the upper French settlement, which \\-;is also protected by a small fort. The settle nient at this place comprised about fourteen families. They arrived at this post on the 'j:!d of June, and remained some da\s, forming amicable relations and instituting coinmereial nrnin'_-einents. From this point thev set out for the region of the Maumee. and passim- over the dividing rid-es hetween the Iiead streams of the Wabash and tlie Maumee, they descended the latter stream to the lake. After some delay on the shores of Lake Fric. they set out b\ water (,, Detroit, \vliere they nrrived on the 17th of Au trust. Detroit then was a laru-e stocknded \ illage, containim,' aboul eiuhty houses ol all kinds. For n. copy ot Crouhan's Journal, see Hutler's Kentucky, second edition, Appendix, IOJ-171. A.I). 1707.] VALI.EV OF THi: MISSISSII'I'I. 347 of the regions lying upon the Cheat ;ind Monongahela Rivers \vas still in possession ot the Indians, and had never been re- linquished by treaty, although the impatient Anglo-Americans were already crowding them from its beautiful valleys and ro- mantic hills. In Virginia, the counties ofllockbridge, Augusta. Greenbrier, and Frederic, lying west of the Blue Ridge, were frontier re- gions, occupied by a sparse population, exposed to the dangers of savage massacre upon any sudden outbreak of Indian ven- geance ; the towns of Staunton, Lexington, and Winchester were remote frontier trading-posts, inhabited by a few pioneers, who formed a connecting link between the Indians and the eastern people of Virginia. Not ten years before, Winchester had been an extreme frontier stockade post, erected for the pro- tection of a few wretched families who were crowded into it. and wore in daily apprehension of Indian massacre.* Staunton had been first laid oil' as a town in the year 1701, and was still a frontier village ; Cumberland, in Maryland, also was a fron- tier military post, more than sixty miles in advance of the old settlements near Hagerstown, and fifty miles in the rear of the settlements which were then advancing upon the sources of the Youghiogeiiy and Cheat Rivers. [A.D. 1707.] The following year witnessed a gradual ad- vance of settlements down the valleys ot the Voughiogenv and Cheat Rivers, and upon the Monongahela itself. This region soon became a focus of emigration from Maryland, Pennsvl- vania. and .Northern Virginia: and the line undulating bottoms and rolling intervals, with their limpid streams, leaping along over rocky bottoms, figured in the narratives ot' those who re- turned to visit their eastern friends, until all were filled with the bright visions ot future wealth which >eemed to open to their excited lancv. The intelligent, the enterprising, and the O young were foremost in the throng which eagerly looked be- voiid the mountains for wealth and happiness, and the old and sedate could not remain behind their children and friends. To protect the growing settlements, and check their impatient advances, as, much as to observe the disposition and movements ot the jealous savages, a small militarv post had been erected at Redstone ( 'Id Fort, and was still occupied bv a suitable gar nson.f The Indians looked with a jealous eye upon the ad- 348 HISTORY OF THE [l$OOK III. vance of the countless immigrants, no less than the formation of new settlements and stockades in the heart of their territory, which they had never relinquished formally to the white man. Still the tide of emigration continued to move to the West, and settlements began to multiply upon the lower tributaries of the Monongahela, while others were busily engaged in ex- ploring other regions for the location of future settlements, to be taken up subsequently by military warrants, by special grants, and by right of settlement or first occupancy. [A.]). 1768.] With the approbation of the British crown, the provincial government had issued script and military war- rants without number since the close of Pontiac's war, besides many extensive claims anterior to that period. All these were to be located upon the waters of the Ohio, within the region claimed to be within the chartered limits of Virginia and Penn- sylvania, and hundreds of surveyors and agents were constant- ly employed in exploring, selecting, and locating for the re- spective claimants. Some grants had been made before the French war, and hundreds of military warrants had been is- sued before the French troops retired from Fort Duquesne. In none of the provinces had the infatuation for western lands been carried to a greater extent than in the province of Vir- ginia. In a report made to the executive council of Virginia in 1757, by John Blair, secretary of the council, he states, the quantity of lands then entered to companies and individuals, as indicated by the records, amounted io three mil/ions af ficres, a large portion of which had been granted as earlv as the \ ear 17f>l.' Subsequent to the treaty of Herman Flats, in 17(>1. the number of grants and land-warrants issued by the colonial au- thorities multiplied astonishingly. It is impossible to form a correct estimate of the land mania which seemed to pervade the middle colonies, from the com- mencement o( the first explorations on the Ohio until the be- ginning ol Lord Dunmore's war in 1771. The province of \ irgima invariably took the lead in all movements for the oe- eupancv of the western lands. As early as 171 1. two com- missioners from Virginia, Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel William Beverly, with others from Pennsylvania and .Mary- land, convened a portion of the Six Xations at Lancaster. Penn- sylvania, tor the purpose of treating with them for the sale and ' rfcc Xnrtli American Review, Xo. 1"1, Cur July. '.-:)''. j> I A.D. 17t>8.] VALI.KY OK Till: MISS I << I I'l'I. 34!' relinquishment of large bodies ot land extending west o{ the settlements in the three provinces, from the Susquehanna to the Potomac. After a liberal use of whisky-punch, "bumbo," ;ii)d \vine. oi which the Indians partook freely, the treaty was duly read and sinned by the parties respectively. The amount paid the Indians for signing this treat}' was two hundred and twenty pounds on the part of Maryland, and two hundred pounds on the part of Virginia, both in Pennsylvania currency, besides sundry presents, and abundance of whisky-punch and When it was afterward ascertained that the Indians charged fraud in the treaty, and denied the relinquishment of the extens- ive /vi, r /o.v claimed by the provinces in virtue of its stipula- tions, an eilort was made to reconcile and appease the indig- nation of the savages by means of a subsequent treaty. For this purpose, three commissioners from Virginia, Colonels Fry, Lomax. and Patton. \vith others from the other two provinces, repaired to " Logstown," on the north bank oi the Ohio, sev- enteen miles below the mouth oi the Monongahelu. The tew Indians who attended this treaty, and others subsequently held at Winchester and other places, indignantly refused to ratify the treaty of Lancaster, although ur:_ r ed thereto by earnest en- treaties, supported by the promise ot money, and many valua- ble presents and trinkets tor Indian use. In all these treaties, whether ratified or rejected, the Virgin- ians appear to have been determined to coerce a relinquish- meiit ot the Indian lands, either bv iair means or ioul, and no eilort ot negotiation or intrigue was omitted to accomplish this . . -taiidiirj the Indian title had not been extinguished ; which \\ ere al read v <>< cupied bv settlements, which uallv e\iendiie_ r over them, the tide ot emigration nto the \\ e-t. and pa rties oi woodsmen, ex pl< >rers. \\eiv distributed ovt % r the whole countr\" east oi on oi' the ( MHO. Ilegardless of the Indians' nirhts. heir reiiionsl ranees, the settlements and explora- to advance. ( )i - casionally. lawless men com- mitted outraires upon the persons and property of the Indians, and thereby provoked the tribes generally to unite and ath ot May, a deputation of the "Six Na- tions" presented to the " deputy superintendent of Indian af- fairs*' at Fort Pitt a formal remonstrance against the contin- ued encroachments ot the white's upon lands which of right, and without doubt, belonged to the Indians. That officer with promptness forwarded the remonstrance to the colonial gov- ernment, and the whole subject was laid before the royal gov- ernment without delay. ( )n the .MJst of May. the president of the king's council of Virginia brought the subject before the, rep- resentatives of the province tor their immediate action, as one which endangered the peace and security ot the colony. In his communication to the colonial Legislature, he informed them "That a set of men, regardless of the laws of natural jus- * This refers to tin- prorliiiiiMtion of I7i.:i, pmliil.itinLr settlements beyond the sources of the Atlantic streams, and \vln'-h WHS still in force. A.I), 17<>S.] VAI.I.KV OF TilK VISSISS11TI. H;"ll tiee, Hiitiiinilt'iil (>t the duties they o\\e to societv, and in con- tempt ' >t' the royal proclamations, have dared to settle themselves upon ilie lands near Redstone Creek and Cheat lliver, wliuli >!/: I/if ^/tipcr/i/ at the I ml Kins ; and notwithstanding the repeat- ed warnings ot the danger ot such lawless proceedings, and the s;nct and spirited injunctions to desist and ([Hit their unjust possessions, they still remain unmoved, and seem to defv the orders, and even the powers ot the (government.'''' The authority ot the colonial government was exerted to quiet the jealous apprehensions of the Indians, and to restrain inriher acts ot afLrression on tde part of the frontier people, un- til the royal government should act in the matter. At length, the suliject having been duly considered l>v the roval LTovernment, orders were issued near the close ol sum- mer to Sir William Johnson, "superintendent of Northern In- dian affairs." instructing him to call together the chiefs, war- riors, and sachems ot the tribes more especially interested, tor the purpose ot purchasing Irom them the lands already occu- pied bv the kind's subjects. Agreeably to these instructions. Sir William Johnson con- vened the delegates ot' the Six Nations and their confederates at Fort Stanwix.f where a treaty ot peace and relilKjuishment ol' lands was concluded in the month ot November following. l>\ tins treatv. as the Kmrhsh allege, lor and in consideration of certain iroods ot' divers kinds, and older valuable presents to them paid, the Indians did relinquish to the kui'_ r larire. bodies ot' land in the provinces ot Pennsylvania and \ ir_ r mia. extend- in r _ r fri'iii the Alle^hanv Mountains westward to the ( Mno Ifiv- er. anil thence westward, on the Miiith side o( the same, to the mouth ot the Chen|\re or 'I'eniiesscc Iliver. Tins const ruction ot' the treaty \\ as tirml v resisted by the Indians, as beintr a traud up- 'ii them. At the same time. John Stewart. Ksq., " superintendent ot Southern Indian allairs." had received instructions to assemble 'In- Southern Indians in like manner, lor the purpose ot estab- !:>ii.ir_ r a. bonndarv line between them and the whites. He ac- cordiiiL r lv concluded a t real v with the Cherokees at Hard La- bor," m South Carolina, on the 1 lib dav of October. |}v this ,'{.VJ HISTORY OK Till'. [BOOK III. treaty, the Cherokees agreed that the southwestern boundary of Virginia should ho a line "extending from the point where the northern line of Xorth Carolina intersects the Cherokee liunt- in^ r -i, r ronnds, ahout. thirty-six miles east of Long Island, in the llolston River, and thence extending in a direct course, north liv oast, to Chiswell's Mine, on the east bank of the Kenhawa River, and thence down that .stream to its junction with the' Uhio River/' [A.D. 17(59.] This line, however, did not include all the set- tlements then existing within the present limits of the State of Virginia. Those formed northwest of the llolston, and upon the branches of Clinch and Powell's Rivers, were still within the limits of the Indian territory. This fact being ascertained, a subsequent treaty became necessary for the adjustment of a new boundary, and the remuneration ot the savages for an ad- ditional extent of country. A large portion of the lands south of the ( Mu'o, claimed by the English in virtue of the treaty of Fort Stanwix. were, in fact, lands to which the Six .Nations had no exclusive claim, they being the "common hunting-grounds'' of the Cherokees and Chickasas also. Yet the Ohio River was urged as the proper boundary between the white settlements and the Indians on the west, and the latter were linally compelled to acquiesce in the Knirhsh construction <>t the limits.' Vet. at the time of the treaty at Fort Stanwix. the Indians never intended to relinquish all the lands between the mount- ains and the Ohio River. They were compelled first to admit the KiiL r lish construction, and afterward to plead it. against further encroachments. The Cherokees had been peaceable and friendly since the close ot ihe French war; but the west- ern people ot' \orth Carolina and Virginia were again begin- ning to encriiach upon tliem.f Settlements were advancing up")i the sources ot the llolston nnd Clinch Rivers, and upon the waters of Powell's River, east of the Cumberland Mounl- ains, and he\ond the established boundary. Although the Cherokees refrained Irom open war. vet they looked with a jealous r\r upon the advances which the white population were now bcLnnnmur to make upon the waters llowiiiir wesi- w ard. The treaty of Fort Stanwix had quieted apprehension oji * K ill' r's K'ji.t i':kj, Ii.tr ..I i. ti :. p. :" :.-', * t-ii m. j,. -,'>. A.I), nti!).] VAI.LKY OF TIIH M ISS1SSIITI. ,'J.")3 account of Indian hostility in the north, at the same time it ha<{ given a new impulse to the spirit of emigration and explora- tion westward. The Indian title was claimed to have hcen extinguished to all lands east and south of the Ohio to an in- definite extent. Fame had represented the country west of the Cumberland Mountains as one of boundless fertility and in- conceivable beauty; yet it was three hundred miles in advance ot the most remote Irontier settlements, and was claimed as the common hunting-grounds of the .Northern and S Mithern Indians. That portion oi Kentucky betueen the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers could not be claimed under anv treaty : it was the undisputed territorv of the native tribes, and was churned exclusively by the Cherokees and Chickasus as their common hunting-ground. As both these tribes were power- ful and warlike, they had excluded the white man's advance from this region ; yet there "were men of fearless spirit and hardy enterprise in the western settlements of A'orfh Carolina and Virginia, who were "willing to "tempt the dangerous wilds." and to explore the enchanted plains of Kentucky. Still the "garden of Kentucky" was unknown to the \\hite man, or known onlv by rumor ; one Englishman only had seen the matchless country. But the treaty of Fort Stanwix havinir revived the spirit of western emigration in a tenfold decree, explorers fearlessly penetrated this most remote district. The whole system of land speculation received a new impulse; new companies were formed on the most magniiicent scale, and persons ot all ranks and conditions embarked in the enterprise of a land crusade to tin 1 \Ve>t. Companies were formed, ;:nd sent their united pe- titions to the km IT. pravmir tor enormous uran's scarcelv inle- al charters. Ani"ir_ r these was the lirst Mississippi ( 'oinpany." tormed and conduct- nc';; Li-htfoo) Lee, Richard Henry Lee. n, and Arthur Lee. all wealthv \ Iranians. ther pclit .i-ners, \\'ho were to be joint m the i-oiiti-mplated L r rant. The ^rant required in this petition was n less than two and a halt millions oi ;.c"res. In be located upon the waters of the Ohio. 1 Arthur Lee. as special agent tor the cumpanv. in December repaired ,t:,':-'s Kr:.tnrk\. - S.-r Aio'.'i.dix, t>. l7;,-i; 7. for a 354 FIISTOUY OF THE [BOOK in. with all haste to London, to lay the memorial and petition be- fore the ministers; but 1'mally, after great efforts and protract- ed delays, the company tailed in their object. Yet Colonel George Washington, with his faithful and indefatigable agent and principal surveyor, .Major William Crawford, were eairer- Iv engaged, witli hundreds of other claimants, in locating for- mer grants and military warrants, until Indian hostilities again checked their operations. About this time the first adventurers from North Carolina and Southern Virginia began to explore the valleys and plains northwest of the Cumberland Mountains, within the southern limits of the present State of Kentucky. During the summer of 17C>8, the fearless John Finley, an Indian trader from North Carolina, had pursued the route of Dr. Walker by way of Cum- berland Cap, and had penetrated as far north and west as the Kentucky Itiver. Here, on an eminence near the mouth of a tributary called Red River, he had erected a hut and opened a friendly intercourse with the Indians. He had also explored some of the beautiful plains of Kentucky, which he described in glowing colors to Daniel Boone, a hunter and woodsman settled upon the Yadkin River. In the fall of 1700, he return- ed to his former post, with Daniel Boone and John Stewart, accompanied by a party of hunters, who followed him as their guide, upon a hunting excursion. They pursued their route by \\ay of the llolston River and Cumberland Cap. crossed Cumberland River near the mountains, and penetrated as far as Puiley's trading-post, within the present limits of Clarke county, in the State of Kentucky. Here, from a lofty eminence on the north side of the Kentucky River. Daniel Boone first be- held "the beautiful level of Kentucky." The plains and for- ests abounded with wild beasts of every kind ; deer and elks wen- common: the buffalo was seen in herds; and the plains were covered with the "richest verdure." [A. I). 1770.] Stewart left, his bones in Kentucky, the lirst victim ot Indian resentment to the white man's advance into "the dark and bloodv ground." Finlev and Boone returned to the banks i>( the \adkin. Their friends and neighbors were enraptured with the plowing descriptions given ot the delight- ful countrv which they had discovered, and their imaginations were inilamed \\ith the wonderful products which were yield- ed in such bountilul profusion. The sterile hills and rocky A.I>. 1770.] V.M.I.KY OF TIIK MISSISSIPPI. 35") mountains of North Carolina began to lose their interest when compared with'the fertile plains of Kentucky. Nor did the southern portion of Kentucky escape explora- tion. The same summer had witnessed an excursion, con- ducted h\" Colonel James Knox, of North Carolina, to the re- mote regions west of the Cumberland Mountains. With a party of nine hunters and woodsmen, he passed the Cumber- land Clap, and penetrated westward to the sources ng Hunters."' While these explorations were bein^ r made in Kentucky, nearly three hundred miles west of the most advanced settle- ments of Virginia and Xorth Carolina, and while the popula- tion was rapidly augmenting upon the sources of the Monon- gahela and Greenbrier from Northern \ irirmia and .Maryland, the ha I'd v pioneers ol North Carolina wen 1 moving lorward and formiiiLr settlements upon the Nolichuckv. the French Broad, the Watauga, and other branches ol the Ilolston, and upon the sources of New Ri\er. Others, filled with the spirit ot emiirrat ion, deiirned not to limit their movements to a lew hundred miles. The Mississippi itself did not limit their jour- nev. The FiiLflish possessed the Florida* and the Illinois coun- trv. West Florida was bounded on tin- west, tor more than two hundred miles, bv the Mississippi Ri ver, und the branches ol the llolston opened a direct water coinmiinication tor nearly two thousand miles ol circuitous but. easv navi'_ r atioii. The crown ot (Ireat I'ntain ili'Sired to see the colonial population llo\v into Florida, and had held out inducements for settlers to emigrate li'oiu Carolina. Those emiLrratinir trom the western parts of ld advance bv land to the Hol- eir voyage in Hat-boats or barges, at Loni_r Island, in the Cherokee nation, one hundred and lilt\" miles, by \\ater, abo\ e llie mouth of the French Broad.f The point ot destination m \\est l^lorida was the upland region in the vicinity of the \\'alnut Hills, of Natche/. Bayou Sara, and ! la ton RoiiLTe. The British gover liutl.-r.s Ki'ijtu.-Uy. [.. 350 HISTORY OF THE [lH)OK III. thrown off all disguise as to the occupancy of the western country, and the most alluring inducements were held out to western emigration. Western posts were maintained with military garrisons for the protection of the remote settlements against, the effects of Indian jealousy and revenge. Although no evidence existed of any hostile designs on the part of the savages, Fort Pitt was occupied l>y two companies of "Royal Irish Infantry," under command of Captain Edmonson. This post at this time was a regular stockade fort, on two sides lacing the Alleghany and Monongahela, defended by block- houses and bastions. On the land side was a regular brick wall mounted with cannon, and surrounded by a wide and deep ditch.* Before the close of the year 1770, settlements had advanced upon the Youghiogeny and Monongahela below the Red Stone Old Fort, and westward to the Ohio. They approached the Monongahela chiefly by Braddock's "Old Road." and to Red Stone Old Fort by the route opened by Colonel Burd ten years before. Brook county, in the western neck of Virginia, and Washington county, in Western Pennsylvania, had already re- ceived their first Anglo-American population. Others, still more daring, had descended the Ohio as lar as Wheeling, and had commenced settlements in the limits of the present county of Ohio, more than ninety miles below Fort Pitt by the river channel. Among those who reached these remote regions for frontier residences \vere the three brothers, Jonathan. Fbe- ne/.er. and Silas Xane. besides many other woodsmen and pi- oneers. Tin 1 same year L'bene/er Zane selected the present site of Wheeling as his location; another settlement was formed at the same time on Wheeling Creek, near the " Forks." a tew miles above hs mouth. f Rxploratiuns for future settlements and locations of land were spreading upon the tri'sf^rn tributaries of the .Mononga- hela. upon the upper branches of the (Ireat Kenhawa. the Greenbrier, and .\ew llivers, and also upon the Little Ken- hawa, and upon (iaiily Uiver. The prospect of wealth and future independence m the fertile regions west of the mountains was sought in exchange tor the comforts and conveniences of the older settlements, laboriously drawn from a meaner soil. A.I. 1770.] VALI.T.V or r i'iin .Mississirri. 357 The West was a virgin soil, which would more than repay the temporary inconveniences of a new settlement, and allord a prospect ot" future competence to a rising familv. The same tide of emigration continued from the southern portions of Virginia and from \orth Carolina. flowinir beyond the sources of the Yadkin and Catawha*. and upon the upper branches of the north fork of Holston, and upon the tributaries of Clinch lliver, beyond the limits assigned to the white inhab- itants by the treaty of Hard Labor in 170 s *. The settlements on Powell's River, and other western branches of Clinch River, were within the Indian territory, and the Cherokees beiran to remonstrate against the encroachment. To avoid Indian re- sentment, and to remove all occasion for hostilities on the part of the Cherokees, the superintendent of Southern Indian Af- fairs" was instructed to convene a council of the chiefs, war- riors, and head men of the nation, for the purpose of establish- ing a new hounclari/ further west. Accordingly, the treaty of Lochaber was concluded and signed on the ISth of October. 177(1. by which the Cherokees consent to a new boundary, to include the white population on Clinch River. The ntir Una commenced on the south branch of IIoNton River, six miles east ol l,onu r Island ; thence it extended in a northwardly course to the mouth ot the drcat Kenhawa." This was to be the western limit for the settlements of Vir- ginia and .North Carolina: and us yet the whole southwestern portion of \irginia was a wild and savage wilderness, with onlv a lew scattered inhabitants up"ii the head waters of HI.]- ston and Clinch Rivers. The site o| the present town of A b hurt' 'ii was a fn >ntier settlement. The provincial Legislature o| \ ipjama at its next session pas- - - ed an act. which received the sanction o| the royal governor, for the encouragement ot western cnnirration. This act allow- ed everv actual settler ha viic_f a log-r:ihiu erected, and any pi >r- tion ot' L r round in cultivation, the ri'_ r ht to tour hundred acres >f land, so located as to include Ins improvement. A subsequent act extended the pruileire much iurther. allowing the owner and occupant o| eac'n tour hundred acre tract the preference ri'_:ht of jiurchasiii-j' one thousand acres adjoining h:m. at such cost as scarcely exceeded the expense of selecting it. and HISTORY OF THE [BOOK HI having 1 it designated by a regular survey. These nets greatly encouraged emigration to the West, where every man, with industry and perseverance, could not fail to secure himself a comfortable home, and a valuable estate for his children. Other provinces enacted similar laws for the purpose of occupying their western lands. Crowds of emigrants immediately ad- vanced to secure the proffered bounty ; and settlements and explorations rapidly spread upon all the eastern tributaries of the Ohio, from the Alleghany to the Cumberland River. [A. I). 1771.] In the " District of West Augusta," the popu- lation of Virginia had already advanced from the extreme sources of the Monongahela westward to. the Ohio River, and from Fort Pitt down to Big Grave (/reek, and in many points still further. The remote, isolated settlements were provided with a strong block-house, or a secure stockade inclosing a compact village, or " station/' for the general defense of the little colony. Although no hostile demonstrations had been made by the Indians, it was deemed requisite to observe every prudential measure to secure the helpless families against sur- prise and massacre.* Among the emigrants upon the Monongahela, under the pro- vision of the late pre-emption law tor four hundred acres, was Captain Michael Cresap, who had been a soldier in the French war under Braddock. and in the subsequent campaign.* lie was a man of undoubted courage, and had been an active de- fender of the frontier settlements during Pontiac's war. In the year 1771. he settled upon the site of Redstone Old Fort as his pre-emption chum, and erected the first shingled-roof house ever built in the town of Brownsville. I hiring the year 1771, such was the throng of emigrants to the new settlements in Western Virginia., upon the Youghio- geny. Monongahela, and Upper Ohio, as low as Big Grave Creek, that an alarming scarcity of every kind of breadstuff ensued. To sm-h an extent had this dearth attained, that for more than six months, at least half of the entire population were compelled lo sustain life by the use of meats, roots, vegetables, and milk, to the entire exclusion of all bread and grains. This period became memorable, in the history of the early population of this part ot the counlrv. as the "starving year." Xor did the settlements recover from the exhaustion, Scu A ii. '.Til-mi I'iuiit-LT. vol. ii., p. r>-2. A.D. 1772.] VALLEY OF TIIK MISSISSIPPI. 350 under the constant influx of immigrants, until the close of the year 1773, when abundant crops restored a supply of grain. [A.D. 1772.] As yet the habitations were but sparsely dis- tributed upon the Ohio below Big Grave Creek, and the whole region between the upper branches of the Monongahela and the Little Kenhawa was wholly in the occupancy of' the In- dians, except surveyors and exploring parties, who were con- tinually traversing the country. The settlements were becom- ing more dense upon the branches of (.'heat, the East branch ot the Monongahela, and in Tygart's Valley, and also upon the upper tributaries of Greenbrier, Gauly, and Elk Rivers. The west branch of the Monongahela was wholly in the Indian country. The tide of emigration to the Upper Ohio and the Youghio- geny advanced across the mountains through Pennsylvania, by way of Forts Bedford, Ligonier, and Loyal Hanna, while those from Virginia and Maryland advanced by way of Fort Cumberland and Redstone Old Fort. At that early period the greater portions of these routes lay through an uninhabited wilderness for more than two hundred miles. A wagon road was unknown west of the eastern settlements, and all beyond was a solitary horse-path, or " trace," winding through defiles and over mountains almost inaccessible. Hence the early immigrants in the West were compelled to tnuel on horseback, in single file, carrvmg their small patri- mony and personal effects upon tin.' backs ot' pack-horses, driven likewise in single file. Most of those who traversed these 'dangerous wilds" at this earlv period were fortunately en- cumbered with but a scanty share "1 this world's goods requir- ing transportation, unless it were "the poor man's boon,'' a thriving family. In most cases, one or two pack-horses were amplv sufficient to bear all the personal effects across the mountains, and these were commonly but little more than a frvmg pan or an iron p<>t. a wheel, a hoc 1 , an ax. an auger,and a saw, besides a few blankets and bedding. The indispensable portion of each man's personal equipment was his rifle ; his shot- pouch and powder-horn were a part of his wearing apparel. I J 1 1 I It' the pioneer emigrant were so happy as to possess a wile and a tew children, an extra horse carried the one with her dowrv, and another pack-horse, bestrode by two large hamp- ers, bore the children to their western homes. 300 HISTORY or TIII: [DOOK in. [A. D. 177.S.] The next spring opened with a still stronger tide of emigration lor the waters of the ( )hio, botli on the north- ern and en the southern limits of Virginia. The habitations upon the numerous branches and tributaries of the Ohio con- tinued to multiply and extend. Those upon the sources ot the Greenbrier and Claulv were gradually extending down those rivers, and upon the upper tributaries of the Little Kenhawa and Elk Rivers. Further west, upon the latter streams, com- panies of surveyors, and explorers were busily engaged in se- lecting and locating lands for future settlements.* Xor did the emigrants and explorers stop on the waters of the I'pper Ohio. Hundreds were looking far beyond the pres- ent limits of Virginia. The British province of West Florida oil'cred advantages not less than those of the Ohio region, and mi^ht be free from Indian hostilities and dangers. The mild and sunny climate of the Lower Mississippi had its charms for others, and there were not a few who hud left their homes near the Atlantic coast, and were on their journey for the south. Before the summer of 177-S had passed, four hundred families from the Atlantic; seaboard advanced through the wilderness to the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, and descended in boats for the Xatchex country. f During this year, also, in England a pamphlet had been published, in which the author highly ex- tolled "the advantages of a settlement on the Ohio in \orth America." DuriiiLf the early part of the summer. Lord Dunmore had sent out several parlies ot surveyors upon the CJreal Kenhawa, while others were sent as tar west as the "Falls of Ohio," to locate military land-warrants and grants in the delightful re- gions up. 'ii the Kentucky 1'iver. Locations were made the same summer on the south side ot the Kentucky River, near Frankfort, and as far south as the present t;>\vu of Danville. J Anmng the enterprising pioneer surveyors sent to Kentucky this summer, were Hancock Taylor and Captain Thomas Bull itt, who. \\nli a party ot' surveyors from southwestern Virginia, crossed the mountains to the Ohm River, bv wuv of the Great Kenhawa . They reached 1 lie vicimtv ot the Ohio in the month of May, after which they spent several weeks in making surveys and explorations on the Kenhawa, until the 1st of .) nl v. About A. I). 177'].] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSI I'l'I. .'JG1 this time thev were joined by the three brothers, J nines, ( !eop_re, and Robert M'Afee, who h;id left Bntetourt county early in June, and had traveled westward across the country to .New River, and thence along that river to the Kenhawa. Marly in July this whole conijianv of surveyors and woodsmen descend- ed the Ohio in boats to "the tails." Here they soon afterward separated to their respective surveying districts. The three M'Afees, with their party, proceeded in their boats and canoes up the Ohio to the mouth of Kentucky River, which they ascended as far as the site of the present city of Frank- fort. Here they landed and encamped, and on the Kith dav of July made their first survey ot a tract of six hundred acres, in- cluding the ground upon which the city ot' Frankfort stands. This was the first survey made by white men on the Kentucky River. Other surveys were subsequently made by this com- pany in the same vicinity, and further south, in the vicinity of Harrodsburg and Danville, and upon the sources of Salt River/' In the mean time. Captain JBullitt had made his camp near the mouth of Bear-grass Creek; and, having made several loca- tions and surveys in that vicinity, he resolved to provide for his future safety hv conciliating the Indians, and thus preventing their jealous suspicions and revenge at the near approach of the white mans camp. He accordinglv proceeded alone and on toot to the nearest Shawanese town on the Scioto. for the purpose o[ forming a friendly acquaintance with the Indians. He succeeded in his hazardous undertaking, and produced in the maids of the chiefs a favorable iinpresMon as to Ins feelings and object, before suspicion in the savage had ripened into jealousy. Alter his return to camp, he proceeded in ihe month of Au- gust to lay oil' the plan for a town near the >;te o| the present citv of Louisville. This was the first town laid oll'in Kentucky bv the earl v pH Mieers. The tide .f emigration \vas equally strong to the western lina, and within the limits now comprised f Fast Tennessee. Settlements had ex- branch of Hnlston. upon the Xolichucky, nch Rivers, and. hclore the close of the HISTORY OF TIIK [BOOK in. twenty miles, and nearly as far west as Long Island in the south fork of Ilolston.* South of Ilolston River settlements were rapid Iv extending upon the tributaries of the French Broad. This vear witnessed the first attempt to introduce white fe- males and families into Kentucky, and the lirst decided indica- tion from the Indians that they irouhl resist the occupancy of the country. The lame of Kentucky had spread through the western settlements of North Carolina, and the restless popula- tion upon the \vaters of the Yadkin, New River, and Ilolston having heard the Blowing accounts given by Boone and Fin- ley, and confirmed by other hunters and pioneers, began to loathe their barren hills and contracted valleys, and to sigh for the beautiful and fertile plains of Kentucky ; but as yet no fam- ily had ever attempted to advance west of the Cumberland range of mountains, although residences had already been made in Powell's Valley and on Powell's River, on the eastern side. That range \vas considered the boundary between the whites and the Cherokee hunting-grounds, as established by the treaty of Lochaber in 1770. The savage was jealous of fur- ther encroachments, and would not quietly permit intrusion un- der any pretext. Late in the month of September. Daniel Boone. having col- lected a little colony of five families besides his own. willing to venture bevond the Cumberland .Mountains, left the peaceful bank-; of the Yadkin to try the dangerous wilds of Kentucky. With these, equipped in pioneer style, the women and chil- dren mounted, with their baggage and luggage in the center of the procession, he proceeded on the hazardous journey for the southern portion of Kentucky, claimed by the warlike Cherokees. After a tedious and hazardous travel of near two hundred mile< over the most elevated and mountainous region ot Xortli Carolina and Southern Virginia, they reached Powell's Vallev, on the east, side o| Cumberland ramie. Here they made a short stav heiore !eavin'_r the last vestige of civili/ed life, and little suspecting the dangers v. hicb lay be to re them in their journey. But the Indians, ever jealous oi the white man's approach, had observed all their movements, and were cautiously preparing to cut. them oti'at the proper time, should the}' continue to ad- vance bevond the limits as.-iirncd lor the white settlers. f liii'l settled on Cliiidi Kivrr, ;i!)iiut lil'b--'ii niil;s south- A.I). 1771.] VAI.LKY OF Till: MISSISSI I'l'I. 8(53 Boone proceeded with his little eolonv. and as he advanced toward Cumberland (lap, about the f>th da v of ( )ctober. he was joined in Powell's Valley by forty armed hunters, who were anxious to explore the newly-discovered countrv west of the Cumberland range of mountains. The whole now formed a caravan of nearly eighty persons in number, and had advanced with line spirits and joyful hearts until the 10th of October. \vhen suddenly, while passim: a narrow defile, thev were star- tled by the terrific yell of" Indians in ambuscade, by whom they were furiously assailed. The men flew to the protection of the helpless women and children, while others rushed to en- counter the enemv in their coverts. A scene oi contusion and consternation for a moment ensued : but the Indians, surprised at the fierce and resolute resistance of the men. soon lied in every direction. The lirst lire of the Indians had killed six men and wounded the seventh. Among the first was the oldest son of Daniel Boone, a youth nearly twenty years old. This was a sad presage of the dangers before them, and the whole party fell back forty miles, to tht' nearest settlement on the Clinch River. Here the emigrant families remained until the termination oi Lord l)un- inore's war. near the close of the following vear. ' [A.I ). 177 1.] Hi it the country bordering upon the ' )hio was considered free for emigrants from the older settlements. The Indian title had been extinguished by the treaty of Kurt Stan- wix, and bv the laws of \ irirmia each emigrant was entitled to a fine landed estate, lor the sole consideration of designa- ting his selection hv a small improvement upon it. Nor was it lonir before hundreds of hanlv and tearless emigrants, trom the \\e-tern counties of \ ir_rima and from the new settlements on the Al onoirjahela and Kenliawa, determined to secure por- tions of' the fertile re'_ r ions of Kentucky. Parties of surveyors and pioneers be^an to descend the Ohio, |,ir the purpose oi making improvements and locations for future residences and farm-. The fi ill. \s iiiLT ^priir_ r presented upon the waters of the .Mo- noiiL r ahela and the sources of the two Kenhawas a continual scene of emigration, of parties of surveyors and explorers, dis- u i-sl i t' IV\\ rll's Vail.'\ . \\ liii-li -A as tin- iVontirr scttlciiicut cut this rmiti'. or will, in tin- limits <>!' Ihr < 'luTtiki'i' nation, ' Sf.' Marshall's Kentucky, vul. i.. p, -Jil/Jl. liutlor's Kentu.-ky. p.-,'-' 36-4 HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK in. trihuted over ;ill the region southwest of the principal forks of the Monongahela, and westward to the Ohio and the Great KeiiliawH Mivers. Other parties were advancing further south, and westward to Kentucky; and a large number of surveyors and woodsmen had been sent to that region by Lord Dunmore, for the purpose of locating and selecting lands under royal grants and military warrants. Among the first explorers and pioneers of Kentucky during the year 1771, we may enumerate Simon Kenton and his par- ty, who explored the country from Limestone Creek, at the present site of Maysville, traversing the buffalo trace as far as the Lower Blue Licks. This trace he found opened by the herds of buffaloes, like a wide, beaten road, from May's Lick to the Licking River. Buffaloes were still common, and elk were frequently seen browsing upon the hills near the licks.* Kenton returned to May's Lick, and selected a tract of land, upon which he made a "tomahawk improvement," including a camp and an acre of planted corn, near the present site of the town of Washington. But Indian hostilities, especially from the Shawanese, were already begun in Kentucky. Returning one evening to his camp from the day's excursion, he found that his companion, who had been left to guard the camp, had been killed and scalped, and his body, half consumed by fire, was still smoking upon the pyre.f His first care was to se- cure himself Irom ambuscade; alter which, he was compelled to seek safety by retiring Irom Kentucky, and abandoning his improvement until the danger From the Indians should be less imminent. As yet.no permanent settlement had been made in Kentucky, nor did the Indians intend to permit them to be made in their lavonte hunting-grounds. .\o white man's house, for residence, had yet been erected, although hundreds had explored the coun- try upon the Kentucky River, and marked their "tomahawk improvements. 1 ' 1 hiring the summer, however, James Harrod, from the Monongahela, selected a place, afterward known as "Htirrod's Station" six miles Irom the present town of Harrodsburg, and soon afterward he erected the first house fora residence ever built by a white' man in Kentucky. With his partv. lie had descended the Ohio in boats and canoes to the mouth o| Kentucky River, which lie ascended as far as - M Donald's LitV- of K-ntoii, eil. of 1843. i Butler's K>.-utu.'ky, j>. L':i. A.I). 1771.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSI I'I'I. 305 " Harrod's Landing," where he disembarked lor his settle- ment.* Heretofore the principal object of all the explorers upon the waters of the Kentucky River had been to make pre-emption. or "tomahawk improvements," or to locate lands already granted by the provincial authorities. Tracts so selected were run off by the compass, or bounded by some branch or water-course, and marked by bla/ing a lew trees with the tomahawk, planting a patch ol corn, or erecting a temporary hut. Either of these was sufficient to indicate that the land had been already appropriated by an inchoate title. The house erected by James Harrod was a regular log-house, de- signed for the future residence of his family, when circum- stances would justify their removal. The jurisdiction of Virginia had already been extended over the whole region upon the Youghiogeny and Monongaheln, as far as the settlements extended, and westward to the Ohio River, north of Big Grave Creek, under the name of the "Dis- trict of West Augusta."! The country south of Crave Creek was uninhabited by white men. and remained in the full pos- session of the native Indians. J West Augusta, as a district of Virginia, for several years comprised all the western inhab- itants from the Little Kenhawa northward t<> Fort Pitt. The settlements west ofthe Monongahela, and upon the Ohio above the present site <>( Wheeling, had been steadilv increas- ing their population. .Numerous parties of surveyors and ex- plorers \\ere advancing upon the waters of the Little and the Great Kenhawa. and westward to the Ohio. The whole coim- trv was overrun by parties ot pioneer-; and explorers, to the great annovaiH'e ot the Indians, \\lio claimed the possession of the iainN : but the whites disregarded both their claims and their rein" aistrances. I'M;! a sad reverse was men; s. and a signal chcc ] >i' Mieers, in their new ho hardships and privations 3t)0 HISTORY OF Till'. [liOOK III. counter all the horrors of aw Indian war a war of extermina- tion, which knows no mercy, even to the infant and its defense- less mother. Since the treaty of Fort Stanwix, six years had elapsed, and the Indians had gradually retired from the eastern sources and tributaries of the Monongahela. and were slowly removing to the west side of the Ohio. They \vere still inclined to main- tain a friendly intercourse with the whites, although jealous of the encroachments, and grieved to see the rapid advance and the unfeeling deportment of the settlers toward their waning tribes ; they seldom gave occasion for outrage or bloodshed. Although they had often been the subjects of injustice and ag- gression from the petty tyranny of unprincipled men, they had not been charged with any overt act of hostility. In a frontier country, and among a population of such op- posite races of men, one small act, of injustice brings on another, until both become arrayed in deadly hostility. So in relation to the war which was about to break forth. Small things were only the precursors of the most atrocious acts. A petty theft from a lawless white man involves two nations in a war of ex- termination. Injustice and aggravated aggression are sure to be on the side of power; and the Indians had submitted patiently until resistance became a virtue, and vengeance was taken into their own hands. In this manner, the aggressions of the reck- less emigrants of Western Virginia brought on that series of Indian hostilities comprised under the name of Lord Dun- more's war.'' This sprin ip witnessed the erection of a fort at Wheeling for 1 O iH the protection of the frontier people. It was brought about. in the following manner: A party of near one hundred emi- grants from Eastern Virginia had arrived upon the Ohio on their wav to Kentucky. About the latter part of April they were encamped near the mouth of the Little Kenhawa. Ap- prehensive of ;m outbreak of Indian treachery, they were in- duced to deier their location in Kentucky until the hostile at- titude of the Shawanese should be changed. Captain Michael Cresap, of Redstone Old Fort, being in their vicinity making a settlement, advised the party to retire nearer the older settle- ments, for greater security from Indian barbarities. They ac- cordingly retired to the bank of the Ohio River, just above the mouth of Wheeling Creek, where thev commenced the con- A.I). 1774.] VAI.LKV OF THK MISSISSIPPI. .'{07 strurlion <>f a stockade fort ti >r their mutual pr< itection. The sit- uation of this stockade was a lew hundred yards above Wheel- ing Creek, and. near the site of the present city of Wheeling. The plan of the fort \vas prepared by .Major Cleorire Ixoirers Clark, who was one of the part}'.' The work was immediately commenced under the superintendence of Kbene/er Xane and John Caldwell. two experienced frontier men, who had alreadv made improvements and a settlement on Wheeling (/reek. The fort, when completed, was called Fort Fincastle," and was de- signed as a place ot security tor the settlers in that vicinity : and during the war which followed, they had ample need of its protection. In the mean time, the attitude of the Indians foreboded hos- tilities, requiring the settlements to be placed in a condition to avoid surprise. To this effect. Doctor Connolly, the royal "captain commandant of West Augusta." then at. Pittsburgh, authorized Captain Michael Cresap, an experienced and brave Indian fighter, to use his influence with this party of emim-ants, and induce them to " cover the country with scouts until the inhabitants could fortify themselves." Accordingly, recon- noiterint, r or scoutinir parties were sent out in all directions, and the settlers proceeded to fortify the stations. Captain Cresap took command of Fort Fincastle.f '{G8 HISTORY or THI: [BOOK in. CHAPTER III. LOUD DUNMORE'S INDIAN WAR: EXTENSION OF THE WESTERN SET- TLEMENTS FROM THE TREATY OF "CAMP CHARLOTTE" TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. A.D. 1771 TO 177ti. Argument. The Indians reluctantly assent to Boundaries claimed by the Treaty of Fort Stunvvix. Outrages of lawless white Men provoke Indian Resentment. Explor- ers and Land-jobbers. Rumor of Indian Depredations circulated by them. Alunn ox- cited aiming Explorers. Captain Cresap advises Violence, and heads a Party which murders some Indians above Wheeling and at Captina Creek. Greathouse leads another Party against the Indians at Yellow Creek. Other Murders preceding these. Murder of " 15 aid Eagle" Chief. Five Families at BulHown. Indian Revenue commences upon the Traders. Consternation on the Frontier. Settlements aban- doned. Union Station near Laurel Hill established. Hostile, Incursions of Indians. Defensive Measures under Lord Dunniore. The \Vappatomica Campaign under General M'Donald. Surveys and Explorations in Kentucky suspended in 1774. Daniel Hoone conducts Surveyors to old Settlements. General Lewis marches down the Kenhawa. Learns the Change, of Dunmore's Plans. The severe "Battle of the Point." Loss of the Virginians and of Indians. " Cornstalk,'' the King of the Slmw- anese. Lord Dunmore's Advance to the Scioto. " Camp Charlotte 1 ' fortified. -Op- erations against the Shawanese Towns. Negotiations with the Indians. General Lewis advances to the Scioto. He indignantly obeys Dunmore's Order to halt. Treaty of Cam]) Charlotte opened. Speech of Cornstalk; of Logan. Stipulations of this Treatv. Peace proclaimed, January 7th, 1775. Suspicions against Lord Dunmore. Emigration revives in tin; West. Explorations resumed in Kentucky. Colonel Floyd on Bear-grass Creek. Other Surveys and Settlements. Settlements on the Holston and Clinch in 1775. Preparations in Virginia and North Carolina for the Occupancy of Kentucky. -Patrick Henry and others. Colonel Henderson and others. Treaty of Watauga. Colonel Henderson's Land Company. -Preparations for i -stab! !shing the Colony of Trans \ Ivania. I! mine Pioneer of the Colony to Kentucky River Boonesborough erected. Colonel Henderson h-ads out his Colony. Boono lends another in the Fall. "Plan of Boonesborough." Logan's Fort built. Com- pany's Land-ollice. Proprietary Government established in Trnnsy Ivania, 177 "i. Acts of Legislature, second Session. The Company memorialize the Federal Congress. Opposition to the Proprietary Government.- Tnmsylvania Republic merges into the State ( iovernment of Virginia. Settlements begin to torni on the north Side of Ken- tucky Hiv.-r. Hnrrod's Station erected in 1 770. Colonel II a mid introiluces the lirst Families trom the Monongahela.- Declaration of American Independence. Indian Hostilities begin in Kentucky Preparations for Defense. Major George Rogers Clark superintends the Militia Organization. [A.D. 1771.] As we have shown, the Indian tribes west of the Ohio seemed disposed, for ;i tune, qvnetlv to submit, to their I'ate, and permit the white inhabitants to oeeupy all the territory east of the Ohio River. But at length the whites, by one ae| of ;i'_ r '_ r ress:i MI alter another, roused up the sleeplie-r veTiL r eaii' i e o( the savage to aetive war. The imme- diate provoratp >n to hostilities was an unprovoked and wanton murder of two parlies of peaceable Indians bv a reckless band A.D. 1774.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPI'I. 369 of white men, living on the east side of the Ohio, in the settle- ments above and below Wheeling. It is a fact which has been verified by all experience, from the first occupancy of the British colonies in Xorth America up to the present time, that when the tide of emigration sets strong toward the wilderness occupied by the native tribes, a large proportion of the most lawless and worthless part of the popu- lation is carried in advance of the older settlements, like drift- wood upon a swollen river. Hence it is almost impossible for the civil authorities to restrain acts of lawless violence in such persons on the extreme confines of civilization. Men who are impatient of the wholesome restraints of law and social order naturally seek those parts of a civilized community where the arm of the civil authority is weakened by distance, or where they find themselves beyond the reach of civil government. Hence the extreme frontier settlements are always more or less composed of a population which, from their natural and de- praved propensities, are prone to keep up a spirit of hostility with the neighboring savages, to the great detriment of the bet- ter classes of emigrants. In the settlements which were crowding upon the east side of the Ohio, there were many individuals such as we have de- scribed, and who kept in advance of the more orderly and vir- tuous portion of the community. The particulars of the outrages which roused the Indians to hostile revenge in the summer of 1774, and at the record of which humanity weeps, are as follows: In the month of April, a rumor obtained circulation that some Indians had sto- len several horses from a party of land-jobbers near the Ohio and Kenhawa Rivers. This report, doubtless, may" have had some foundation in truth, but it was propagated by designing and e 1 . il men. Some, affecting to believe the rumor true, de- duced from the (arts a hostile iittent : oii on the part of the Indians agam-t the white settlements. The objeet in view appears to have been a breach of the friendly state ot feeling between the white inhabitants and the Indian tribes residing on the west side of the Ohio. Although the Indians had always looked with a jealous eye upon the advance of the white population, vet there is no reasonable ground to suspect, on tins occasion, any hostile designs on their part against the settlements previ- ous to the outrages which were the immediate cause ot the \\ar. VOL. I. A A 370 HISTORY or run [BOOK in. Near the last of April tlio land-jobbers, the bane of all new countries, collected in considerable numbers at Wheeling, al- leging the apprehension ot a hostile attack from the Indians. The true cause, no doubt, was cowardice and conscious guilt, if not a desire to embroil the savages in a war of extermination. A few days afterward, it was known that two Indians, with their families, were descending the river a few miles above Wheeling. Upon learning this fact, Captain Cresap, who had command of Fort Fincastle, proposed to kill the Indians with- out further inquiry. Colonel Zane, the proprietor of Wheeling, vehemently opposed any such proposition. lie represented in glowing colors the extreme folly and atrocity of such conduct; he dec-hired that the wanton murder of those Indians would stir up a bloody revenge against the settlements, and brinf a fierce Indian war, with all its horrors, upon the innocent frontier inhabitants, which would cause the name of Cresap t<> be held in execration by hundreds ot widows and orphans; but his voice and counsel were disregarded, and Captain Cresap. with his party,proceeded to execute their blood-thirsty designs. The party of Indians were met a few miles above the town, and deliberately shot in their canoes. These reckless men then re- turned to Wheeling in the bloody canoes of their murdered victims ; and when questioned, they significantly replied that the Indians "had fallen overboard into the river." Tins first murder only served to stimulate them to further deeds of blond. The same evening rumor informed them of an Indian camp near the mouth ofCaptina Creek, a few miles be- low Wheeling. The same party, with some others, set out and descended the river to the Indian camp. Here they deliberately shot several Indians in cold blood, and by whose attempt, to de- fend themselves one ot Cresap's men was severely wounded.' A tew days after tins s"eond murder had been perpetrated, another still more atroeiou> was committed upon a parly of In- dians near the mouth ol 'i e'.low Creek, and about fortv miles above \\heehng. Daniel (Jreathouse, afleeting to apprehend danger t'r " Baker's Bottom," on the east side of the river, not far trom an Indian camp near \ ellow Creek, collected a party ot thirty-two men. and proceeded up to Baker's Bottom. Here the party concealed themselves near the hank of the river, while their commander, Creathouse, crossed the river alone, * Doddridij'c's Nut'js, p. 'J-JG--J-JU. Srs; American Pioneer, vol. i ., p. 8. A.I). 1771.] VALLEY OF TIIK MIH.SISSIPP I. 371 under the mask of friendship, to spy out the Indian force, and to ascertain their numbers ami position. While approaching the camp, an Indian woman advised him to return and to de- part speedily, for the warriors, highlv exasperated at the late murders, were drinking, and might do him some injury. He returned to his party, and reported the Indians too strong lor an open attack. Baker had been in the habit of selling whisky to the Indians, and was therefore a fit tool lor Greathouse in his contemplated treachery and murder. A plan was agreed on that Baker should freely supply with whisky all who could be decoyed over the river. At length many were decoyed over, all of whom were made beastly drunk. In this condition, Greathouse and a few others of his party fell upon them, and murdered them in cold blood. The squaw who had given Greathouse the friendly advice near the Indian camp was one of the victims of this bloody tragedy. Others from the camp, attracted by the reports of the guns, came to seek their friends, but they were deliberately shot while crossing the river. Doddridge observes, " It is but justice to state, that out of the party of thirty-two, only live or six were actually engaged in this atrocious murder." We should feel no desire to screen the memories of the guilty twenty-live, who would permit a few desperate fellows among them to perpetrate deliberate and outrageous murder, which they miirht profess to abhor. But their names are not permitted to be inscribed upon the page ol history. Their posterity, of course, are exempt from the odium which attached to the men who could permit a diabolical out- rage of this kind without interference. Virtue, so feeble in the cause of' justice and humanity, is a curse rather than a hlessinir to its possessors. murders perpetrated at ('aptina and \ellow ('reeks m- he '_ r ei if roiis and unfortunate Logan, m the war \\hich followed. lie had long if the whites, and the advocate of peace among iow became vindictive* and proved bun- active warr'or against the Virginia frontier.* r.|, rs :t Cuntiiia :m.| ;ini;i tucik tin- iiirruutuin t" ilisiisitrh n 372 HISTORY OF THE HOOK III. Nor were the murders at Captina and Yellow Creeks the first or only outrages of the whites upon the Indians. Other murders equally atrocious had been perpetrated by the lawless whites with impunity. Such was the force of public senti- ment ; such the prejudices and animosity of the frontier popula- tion rtgainst the Indians, that no redress could be obtained from the civil authorities for injuries inflicted upon them by white men. Previous to the Captina tragedy, a white man bad been committed to prison in Winchester charged with the willful murder'of a peaceable Indian; but an armed mob sur- rounded the jail, and forcibly released the prisoner from the custody of the law. Again, an old and distinguished chief, called " Bald Eagle," who had long been friendly toward the whites, had lived with them, and had hunted with them, being alone in the woods near the Monongahela, was attacked by three white men and killed. Afterward, they placed the life- less body of their victim in a sitting posture in his canoe, arid sent it adrift down the stream. At " Bull town," on the Little Kenhawa, there were five Indian families, who had lived and hunted with the whites near Buchanan's River and upon Hacker's Creek. These families were all killed by lawless individuals, under a pretext of re- venging the deaths of a white family which had been murdered by a party of hostile Indians on Gauly River. The white in- habitants of Bulltown remonstrated strongly against, the de- signs which these men entertained against these innocent In-' dians, whom they had long known, and whom they believed above suspicion. But all was in vain ; their skins were In- dian, and they were all deliberately shot, and their bodies thrown into the river by these desperadoes. 1 ' Immediately after the murders at Captina and Yellow Creeks, the smothered fire of revenge broke out into open hostilities. The Shawanese, on the Scioto. were principals in the war; and the warriors of other northern and western tribes entered into alliance with them. They first murdered all the traders and white men found within the Indian countrv. A young man. taken by the Indians near the falls of Muskingum, was killed, and his body, cut into fragments, was scattered to the where nil manner of s;i\;i'_-e luirbarit ies were inflicted. See Gordon's History of Pennsylvania, p. n.V " tee Hutler's ili.storyol K-i.tuci.y, IntTodiiction, p. .';i, 54. .A.I). 1771.] VAI.LKV OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 373 four winds. Savage lury and revenge knew no hounds, ;ind the innocent families upon the frontiers were doomed t< de- struction.* Consternation spread through all the frontier settlements, from the sources of the Monongahela to the Kenhawa : the set- tlers fled from their homes toward the mountains: others re- tired into forts and stations. Fort Pitt and Redstone Fort were among their asvlums. The settlements within striking distance of the Ohio were entirely deserted. The greater portion of the women and chil- dren were removed from fifty to one hundred miles hack from the frontier border, and safe!}' lodged in " stations" and fortified camps near the mountains, while the men were compelled to expose themselves to innumerable hardships and privations to procure food for their families and to protect them from the marauding bands of hostile Indians. A large fortified station, near the present site of Vniontown, in Pennsylvania, at the western base of the Laurel Hill, was hardly deemed secure from Indian attack. As remote from the eastern settlements as from savage danger, they were destitute of supplies and the necessaries of lite, except what the wilderness itself afforded. This resource was scanty indeed, amid the howling blasts of an inclement winter: and famine seemed to covet what had been wrested from the vengeance ot the Indian. A few days had been sullicieitt to prove that the alarm was not without cause. The Indians immediately had commenced the warfare by detached parlies, scouring the whole country. murdering the remainur_r inhabitants, and laying waste every settlement within one dav's march ot the Ohio River. t The * Butlers Kentucky, Introduction, p. M. t Tin- Indian ' declaration of war" was made h\ I.ojan himself, on the -I Ft of July. I771. in eom-.iany with a 1'iirty "t --i-'lit warriors. Havin_- ;i.|\ aneed into the settle incuts D;I thr I pper MonoiiL-ahela, ami ha\im,' killed one man uml taken two prisoners on the i'Jth nf July, he n-turne.l ,,n the v!lsl and left at tin- house of William Hohinson, whose 1'ainih had heen murderi'd. "the warcluh," to w hieh was attactie.l a note, writ ten liy a wliiie ii.-isont.-r who lia>l heen uiioiitcil into I.OL-.III'S family, in the following wor'ls, \\v.. : CAPTAIN ' ' KKSAT - \\ h\ di.l you kill niy p.^ple on Y.-llo\v Creek ' The white people killed my kia fit Con. SUIL-'O a u-reat while a_-o. nn.l 1 thought nothing of thiit. But you have killed my kin aL'ain on Yellow ('r.-ek, ami took my cousin prisoner. Then I thought 1 must kill ldX, rescued Major Gra tion, when the latter was See Hall's Sketches of th< A.U. 177-1.] VAI.I.KY OK THE MIsai.SSlIM'I. June. From this point it was resolved to invade the Indian country upon the head waters of the Muskingum River, and to destroy the Wappatomiea towns situated on the river, about sixteen miles helo\v the junction of the Tnscarawa and Wal- honding, within the present State <>i" Ohio. The little army thus collected descended the Ohio to the mouth of Captina Creek, and thence proceeded l>v the most direct route \vest- wardly to the Indian towns. The march was irregular, and discipline WMS hut feeblv enforced. A few days brought them near the object of the expedition. Within six miles of the In- dian town, while the army were carelessly advancing, they were assailed by about fifty Indian warriors in ambuscade, and thrown into some confusion. A skirmish ensued, and the In- dians fled, with the loss of one warrior killed, besides several wounded. The whites, having lost two men killed and eight wounded, pressed forward to the towns, and found them de- serted. But the Indians had only retired across the river and laid an ambuscade for their invaders. By a fortunate acci- dent, this was discovered by the whites, who thus escaped a disastrous defeat. Light skirmishes with detached parties comprised the subsequent offensive operations ot this expedi- tion. The Indians from these towns at length having sued for peace, the commander of the expedition granted their request, upon the surrender of live chiefs as hostages. Ot these, two escaped soon afterward. The commander, finding he would be short ot provisions, burned the Indian towns, destroyed the fields ot irrowiii^ corn, and returned with the utmost dispatch to Wheeling.* Such was the result ot this halt-organized expedition, and Mich bad been its etlects upon the Indians on the Muskingum, that hostile parties infested the march ot the retreating army. causitiLT every kind o| annoyance, and indicting the most cruel barbarities upon such persons as tell into their hands. The pursuit bv marauding parties ot the Indians continued almost to the very banks ot" the Ohio. Thus ended the first military movement of this iniquitous war. serving to exasperate rather than to subdue the Indians. I)urinL r the summer, the operations of the western emigrants in exploring the country, making improvements and locations ot' land on the east and south side ot the Ohio, were completely ' I) i.iJn.L-,.''s Null's, p. -Ml, -.'!-,'. 'Jill. Butler's Kentucky, Introduction, ]>. :>?. 370 HISTORY OF THK [BOOK III. checked by the outbreak of Indian hostilities. Those who had advanced into the wilderness near the Ohio, and into the region on the Kentucky River, had retired into the more secure sit- uations, or had taken an active part in the military operations in progress. Among the latter were many of the first settlers of Kentucky, who were engaged as scouts and rangers upon the exposed settlements on the Monongahela and Upper Ohio, or had connected themselves with the army preparing on the Greenbrier under General Lewis. Among the brave frontier men engaged in the defense of the settlements were Major George Rogers Clark, Robert Patterson, and Simon Kenton, who afterward became distinguished soldiers of Kentucky. Besides these, were many others equally meritorious, who were then just entering upon their career of usefulness and military service in Kentucky. Daniel Boone, the fearless woodsman and pioneer of Ken- tucky, had been engaged in June to advance, accompanied by Michael IS toner, his sole companion, irom the banks of the Clinch River, through a trackless wilderness, a distance of four hundred miles, to " the falls" of Ohio, to conduct a party of sur- veyors and explorers into the older settlements of Virginia. This service he had performed at the request of Lord Dunmore, making the whole trip of eight hundred miles in sixty-two days, without any accident or loss. After performing this duty, and after conducting the surveyors and others safely to the set- tlements, he joined the southern division of the army under Gen- eral Lewis, and marched to the mouth of the Kenhawa.* In the mean time, General Lewis, having collected at (.'amp Union three regimentsf of volunteers and militia from the coun- ties of Augusta, Botetourt, and Fincastle, set out on the llth day of September upon his march for the designated point of rendezvous. Colonel Williamson, with another regiment, was to follow a few days afterward. The route of General Lewis lay through a trackless wilder- ness down the Valley of the Kerihawa. The route being im- passable for wagons, the whole camp equipage, military stores, provisions, mid even the sick, were conveyed upon the backs of pack-horses. For twenty-live days the march slowly ad- vanced through a rugged country, where a pathway had never * Sec Butler's Kentucky, p. i.v. Also, Flint's Life of Boom:, p. 82. t American I'ioneur, vol. i., p. ;ic!v!. A.IJ. 1771.] VAU.KY OK TllK, MISSISSIl'I'I. 377 been opened. At the head of a pioneer party. ( 'aptain Ar- buckle, the only white man who had ever traversed these wild and romantic regions, advanced as their guide through this dreary wilderness. The route led over ruirired mountains. through dee]) defiles and mountain gorges, until they reached the Valley of the Lower Ivenhawa. At length the tedious march of one hundred and sixty miles was completed, and the army encamped on the banks ot the Ohio on the (ith of Octo- ber.* The point selected for the camp was the peninsula above the mouth of the Great Kenhawa, upon the site of the present town of Point Pleasant. The march had been a laborious one, and the privations of the gallant army had been extreme. During the whole route, such had been the scarcity of provisions, that select hunters had been kept out on daily service, in order to add the flesh of the elk, the bear, and the deer to their scant}- allowance. At the mouth of the Kenhawa they had expected to receive a plenti- ful supply from Fort Pitt, with the "northern division" under Lord Dunmore. Kut here they \\ere doomed to disappoint- ment and new dangers in a region infested with hostile sav- ages. Lord Dunmore had not arrived with his division, nor had supplies been forwarded by him. In obedience to his orders. General Lewis remained in camp ; but. havinir no intelligence from his lordship, he dispatched messengers up the Ohio m search ot his encampment, or ot such information as could be obtained. Select parties ot hunt- ers were kept constantly on duty to supply food lor the troops, who were already suffering from short allowance. At lenirth. on the !'th of October, three messengers from the commander-in-ehief arrived in camp. Krom them General Lewis ascertained that ln> lordship had dulv arrived at \\ heel- iii'_ r . \\heiv he had concluded to change his plan ot operations. lie had now determined to descend the Ohio in boats and barges to the mouth ot Hocking River, and there erect a stockade fort for the protection of the sick, the military stores, and boats, under a suitable guard. To this point General Lewis was ordered to march, while his lordship, with the northern division, would ascend the Hocking River to "the falls," and 378 HISTORY or TIIK [BOOK in. thence, marching across the dividing ridges to the Scioto Val- ley, would advance to the Shawanese towns on that river. (leiieral Lewis was ordered to join the main army with his di- vision, near'the lower Shawanese towns on the Scioto. The force commanded by Ceneral Lewis was about twelve hundred men of every kind, including two companies ol Col- onel Christian's regiment, which had joined the main body at the Point." Colonel Christian, with about three hundred men, had encamped about half a day's march in the rear. Next morning, about daylight, two privates, who had been out hunting before day. fell in with a large body of hos- tile Indians, who were about two miles above the camp, and marching directly for it. One of these men was killed by the lire from the Indians, the other escaped to the camp.* The alarm was instantly given, and the troops were put in motion. This timelv notice saved the army trom a disastrous defeat. A tew moments afterward, two other scouts or hunters came flying to camp, and confirmed the statement ol' the first, de- claring that they had " seen a body of Indians covering live acres of ground, as closely as they could stand." The truth ol this statement could not long remain in doubt, for the Indians were pressing forward to the attack. The only salvation for the whole army depended upon the firmness of the commander and the courage of his troops, tleneral Lewis was equal to the occasion, and his troops were a full match for the Indians themselves. Two detachments, under Colonels Flemming and Charles Lewis, were immedi- ate! v ordered forward to meet the enemy and break the force of his assault upon the camp. These detachments had not pro- ceeded more than four hundred yards, when they encountered the enemy advancing upon them in two parallel lines near the bank ot the Ohio. The engagement was immediately opened bv a tremendous lire Inuii the savages, and the detachments, heinir closely pressed, began to fall back. At this critical mo- ment. Colonel Fields brought his regiment into action in gal- lant style, and checked the advance of the Indian line. (u-neral Lewis had been prompt in his arrangements lor de- n lii'luiiL'i'd tu f'apta'm Hussi-l's rnini>any, and to fuliiiii-] Christian's ,. rtw.i 1,,-limircil to Captain Kvan .Slxdl.y's company, also of Colonel nt, tli.- only two rompaiiii-s of his rririmmt i-jiLMi-jfil in tin- Imttlr Th.- latter two privates \v,-n .lam.-s Koln-rt'-on and Valentine Sfvier, Mil'St.-iiurntly ili^tiii_-:nshi-d in tii.- s.-ttl'-iii.-nt ..f T. nnesst-e. A.I). 177 1.] VAI.l.KY OK T1IK MISSISS I I'I'I. 370 fense. and the whole army was s><>n formed, read}' for action. The first and second lines were promptly supported by the main line, and the action soon became ireneral and lunons. In the first onset, the sun had just risen a hove the Iiorixon, when the terrific yells of the savaires and their destructive fire indicated the deadly nature of the contest he fore them. Colo- nels Flemming and Lewis valiantly encouraged their men to maintain the contest, while the incessant fire of the Indians was spreading death through their ranks at ever}' moment. The main line advanced, and the Indians in turn bewail to recoil and to fall hack. But Colonels Flemming and Lewis had heen mortally wounded in the first assault, although they refused to leave the field until the main line came to their relief. The Indians, extending their line entirely across the peninsu- la, from the Ohio to the Kenhawa. took position behind a rude breast-work of trees, old logs, and hushes, previously formed, and continued the deadly strife with unwavering courage. In this condition, the gallant Virginians, cut off from retreat on every side, and pressed by a powerful enemy in front, maintained then* position until evening. The battle had raided with unprecedented fur}' and obstinacy, each line alternately receding or advancing as the fate of war seemed to balance between the two armies, until evening was far advanced, and the sun was just above the western hori/on. Ten hours had the rifle been doing its murderous work in the hands of the unerrui'_ r savaire, and the no less skillful marksmen of \\est- ern "Virginia. The whntendnr_ r armies. Thin had the battle raged with equal success, until the sun he_ r an t<> decline behind the western h:l!>. \\lien ( leneral Le\\is ordered three companies" to ail- \:Mice up the Kenhawa River, under the shelter of the bank and underrowth, until the had ained the rear of the In- 380 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. dian line; From that point they were to pour an incessant fire upon the enemy's rear, while their fire would be a signal for renewed efforts by their fellow-soldiers in the main line. This order having been executed with great promptness and ardor, the savages, panic-stricken at the terrible fire in their rear, and believing that they were now attacked by the whole of Colonel Christian's re-enforcement, fled with great precipita- tion across the Ohio, and retreated to their towns sixty miles up the Scioto. The battle of the Kenhawa, or of " the Point," as it is some- times designated, has by general consent been admitted to have been one of the most sanguinary and well-contested battles which have marked the annals of Indian warfare in the West. On the part of the Virginians, twelve commissioned officers were killed or wounded, seventy-five non-commissioned officers and privates were killed, and one hundred and forty-one were wounded.* The greater portion of Colonel Christian's regiment did not reach the field of battle until near midnight, when their pres- ence gave security to the repose of the wearied and almost ex- hausted troops who had borne the heat and burden of battle, and who could then retire to rest, leaving their wounded and dying companions in the charge of their friends. It has never been ascertained what was the force of the In- dians engaged in this battle, or what was their entire loss. The field of battle next day presented twenty-one Indian bodies left upon the ground, besides twelve others severely wounded, who had concealed themselves among the brush and logs. Many had been thrown into the river during the engagement, and it is highly probable that the entire Indian loss was but little in- ferior to that of the whites. This Indian force was composed of the flower of the tribes inhabiting the present State of Ohio, commanded by the most distinguished chiefs among the western tribes. Among them * Colonel Charles Lewis, one of the bravest and most meritorious officers, who com- manded one of the advanced detachments, was mortally wounded early in th ment, but he continued to cheer on his men to victory until he was removed fron Colonel Flemming fell severely wounded early in the engagement, hut contin courage his men until he also was carried oft' the field. Colonel Fields, a vi iicer, was killed on the Held of battle. Captains Buford, Murray. Ward, U" Ison, and M'Lannahan were also killed; also Lieutenants Allen, Goldsby, Dillon, an 1 several other subaltern officers. See Doddridge, p. 231. Also, Thatcher's Lives of the Indians, vol. ii., p. Iti'J, 170. A.D. 1774.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 381 was " Cornstalk," the great Shawanese war-chief, who was commander-in-chief, aided by his son Ellinipsico, Red Hawk, a Delaware, Chiyawee, a Wyandot, and Logan, a Cayuga chief.* Cornstalk had opposed the war, and had advocated a truce on the eve of battle. Being overruled by his associates in com- mand, he sternly declared, " Since you will fight, you shall fight" and he conducted the engagement with great skill and courage. During the rage of battle, his voice was frequently heard above the din of war and amid the carnage, cheering on his warriors with the stern command, in his native tongue, " Be strong! be strong!" When an Indian faltered in his duty, Cornstalk instantly cut him down, as a warning to others. A few r days were required for the troops to recruit their ex- hausted frames, and restore the sick and wounded, before the division could be placed in a marching condition. In the mean time, Lord Dunmore, with nearly twelve hun- dred men, had descended the Ohio from Fort Pitt, in one hun- dred canoes and several large boats, to the mouth of the Hock- ing River, where he had erected " Fort Gore," a stockade for the protection of his military stores and the invalids, which were left in charge of a detachment of provincial troops. From this point he ascended the Hocking to the falls, near the pres- ent town of Athens. From that place he directed his march across the country westward to the Scioto, where he encamp- ed within a few miles of the Shawanese towns. Here, upon the eastern side of the Scioto, in the margin of the Piqua plains, near Sippoo Creek, he established his camp, which was regu- larly environed by a deep ditch encircling twelve acres of ground. Within was a regular stockade inclosure, in the cen- ter of which was the citadel, or headquarters, comprising about one acre, and occupied by the commander-in-chief and his su- perior ollicers. The position, thus fortiiied. was called "Camp Charlotte." in honor of the British queen. f I>. 11. "i. There has been some difference of opinion as Imt recent examinations and inquiries by tho "Lo >f Chillieiithe have resulted in the conviction that tho site is if land formerly belonging to Mr. \Vinship, upon Sippoo Creek, live miles east of Westfall, in Huss county, Ohio. Mr. Caleb Atwator says, the camp was within three miles of a principal Shawanese town; other towns wore within one day's march. The site of the present town of 'Frankfort, formerly " Old Town," or old Chillicothe, on the north fork <>f Paint Creek. was an important Shawanese town during the first emigration to the northwest side of 382 HISTORY OF THE [llOoK III. From this place, as headquarters, the Earl sent out his de- tachments against different towns on the waters of the Scioto, several of which were destroyed and burned. Among the in- cursions made by these detachments was one under Major William Crawford, with three hundred men, tor the destruc- tion of a Mingo town,* which was attacked with great energy, and utterly destroyed. Such had been the sanguinary character of the battle of the Kenhawa, with only one division of the provincial army, which was concentrating upon the waters of the Scioto, that the In- dians declined to continue the contest with the united forces. Hence, after the bloody " battle of the Point," the chiefs lost no time in making overtures of peace to the commander-in- chief, before the arrival of the vindictive troops under General Lewis. At length, after repeated overtures, and alter the de- struction of several of their towns, Lord Dunmore consented to order an armistice, preparatory to a general treaty of peace. In the mean time, every precaution was taken to avoid sur- prise and the danger of Indian treachery. But the southern division little thought of peace until they had again faced the enemy in the field. Yet, having given the Indians an assurance of peace, his lordship dispatched a messenger to General Lewis, who was advancing with his division, with instructions to halt and en- camp until further orders, and to observe the armistice which had been proclaimed. Smarting under their recent loss, and burning with revenge for an opportunity to inflict severe chas- tisement upon their enemies, the troops of General Lewis's di- vision received the order with surprise and indignation. Gen- the Ohio. between the years 17^1! and ITI'O. This town was prohalily the principal Shawanese town, which was nearest Camp Charlotte. Mr. Felix Heniek. one of the early s. tti- rs an. I pioneers in Ohio, concurs with the text. He locates Lonl Dumnore's camp on Sip| Creek, on the east side of th, ; Scioto, ahout live miles south of Circle viile ami ii-v e miles rast of West fail. Mr. It. -nick informs us that h was upon the site of Lonl Dunmore's eamp, as well as that of (i.-nend Lewis, in the year 1801, helore rh ; ;. .v as s, -it led h\- white men. He says he has received the oral testimony oi several per MII is who were in the enmpaL-n under Lord 1 tun more, and the y eon I inn this 1. -oat ion. The same pioneer locates < i.-neral Lewis's camp upon Coniro Creek, a h ranch of Sippoo, tw> and a halfmile.s distal, t tr.iin Camp Charlotte.-- See American I'ioneer, vol. i. p. l'J'.i-:i:i-J ; also, vn] ii., p. :;7 4-J. The earth works of a similar camp mas lie seen one miie ahove Chiijcothe, on the Scioto. " Hutler'* H iM,,ry i ! Kenl ii'ky, Introduction, p. tili. The term " Min-o ' and " Min- L-OL-S" wa< lie- common phra-. in the \Vest to desi^'iiati! any or all >,t the tnlies con- tit'itiir- r the confederary of the "Six Nations." A "MiriL-o chiel " was a chief of tomu one uf the 6ix Nations, not a confederate. A. D. 17(51.] V.\I.I,I:Y or THE Missus^irri. ',183 oral Lewis refused to obey, and prepared to continue his march. A second order \v;is sent by a second messenger, who was di- rected to reiterate the same peremptorily. The order was again disregarded by the indignant general, who continued his march toward Camp ('harlotte. Finallv. Lord Dunmure in person, as commander-in-ehiet, hastened to meet the advancing troops, and personally, in presence o! his stafF, gave (General Lewis a peremptory order to halt and encamp. The order was then reluctantly obeyed. At length matters were arranged, and the council was held in the center ot the camp, or in the "citadel" ol headquarters, into which only eighteen unarmed chiefs and warriors were admitted at any one time.* The council having been convened, the deliberations were opened by Cornstalk in a short and en- ergetic, speech, delivered with great dignity, and in a tone so loud as to be heard over the whole camp, as it designed for the whole army. " He recited the former power of the Indians, the number of their tribes, compared with their present wretch- ed condition, and their diminished numbers ; he referred to the treat}' of Fort Stanwix. and the cessions of territory then made by them to the whites ; to the lawless encroachments of the whites upon their lands, contrary to ;dl treaty stipulations; to the patient forbearance of the Indians lor years under wrongs exercised toward them bv the frontier people. He said the Indians knew their weakness in a contest with the whites, and thev 'tnrii's nt" Ohio, h\ C:i!i-li Atwal.-r. ll i-i.nl:iiiis smiii- ski-li-h,-* of tin: early historv uf this Mute, loosrh' .vri!l.-ii an. I irrv_'u!:irlv arran-'.'.l. il nnhrarrs port ions nl' the natnnil as well as tin' p.. ;it ieal ln-t.>rv \ ( >hio . l.i.l it li:is lii-.'ii .-iinipiirii \v;Ui sn Hit If at t.' nt ion to arrurar\ , thai il i-uli n..t ! ili>|'ii'l.-il upon iifil.--s M is rorrolioratnl liy otluT iiutlii'iilir' history. Ait'iionjh -u.-li is its L - ''n''i'al i liarart.T, it is usi'tui as a work ot' ivK-ivnce ri-lativo to inatt.TS \vliu-li ailniit ol' but littk' (iisrrrpanry. HM4 HISTORY OK TIIK [llOOK III. Logan, the Cayuga chief, still indignant at the murder of his family, refused to attend the council, or to be seen as a suppli- ant among the other chiefs. Yet to General CJibson,* who was sent as an envoy to the Shawanese towns, after a private interview, and "after shed- ding abundance of tears," he delivered the following speech, which was committed to paper for Lord Dunmore, viz. : " I appeal to any white man to say if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him nothing to eat ; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of. the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed at me as they passed, and said, ' Logan is the friend of white men.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man. Cap- tain Cresap the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, mur- dered all the relations of Logan, sparing not even my irumen and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have; sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my ven- geance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace ; but do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. lie will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan ? \ot one !"f This .speech, which is so well known as a specimen of native eloquence, is the condensed version given by Mr. Jefferson in * (.TfiiiT.il Gibson subsequently took an active part in tin' Indian \vnr on tin- west ern frontier, from tin- Declaration of Independence to the close of the war in 17f-l. In an affidavit, made at Pittsburgh on the lib ol" April, 1-00, he states that the Indians sent a white man, by tin: name of Kllitt probably th same who was subsequently Hritish Indian aL'ent on the Maumee). to ir.ert Lord I lunmore with a flfif. 1 of truce when within fifteen miles of the Shawanese towns, subsequently, General Gibson, beim/ s"Mt as nn envoy to the Indian towns, saw the i:re.it Cornstalk and LOLTRII in a con fercriee. At l.-iiLrtli LoL'an took him n-Ole to a copse of woods at a short distance, anil there. titter shedding abundance of tears." while sitting upon a loir, lie delivered (lie speech, which is so well known, to be handed to Lord Dunmore. Sjee American Pi- onocr. vol. i . p. 1-. 111. - See Iioddrid-e's -Votes. In tlic speech of Lo:.-an WO have substituted the word "captain" tor colnnei. as there were two persons of the same name, the father and the son. Colonel Cresap. the father, was not in any wise implicated in tin- Captina or Yellow Creek murders. Captaii Michael Cresap. commandant of Fort Fincastle. first instituted the tra.'edy at Captina; but he was not with the party at Makers Hottom. by whom L"-.'in's fann'K was 'lulled, Greathouse and Haker were alone cliari:e;ilil( for this murder.- See American Pioneer, vol. i.. p. H-1-; also. p. til. .Ve. The "last IOIILT and bloody war" alluded to was Pontiae's war in l?ti:i 1. alter the close of the French war. A.D. 1775.] VALLEY OK TIIK MISSISSIPPI. 385 his "Motes on Virginia," published first in 17S-1. Other ver- sions give a more extended copy, with some additional senti- ments, which were doubtless contained in the speech delivered by Logan to General Gibson. The principal stipulations on the part of the Indians in the treaty ot Camp Charlotte were, besides those of peace and amity generally, that, they should surrender into the hands of the whites, within a specified time, all the prisoners held by them in captivity: that they should abstain from all hostilities against the frontier settlements east and southeast of the Ohio River : that they should recognize the Ohio Hiver ns the proper boundary between the white population and the Indian hunt- ing-grounds : and that the Indians should not hunt on the east and southeast side of the Ohio. After the negotiations of the treaty had been concluded, and the prisoners had been duly surrendered, presents were distrib- uted among the Indians who were assembled at the treaty, and they were dismissed with the smiles of the royal governor. Soon afterward the troops were put in motion for the post of Fort Pitt, previous to their return to their respective homes. Thev were soon afterward disbanded, and Lord Dunmore returned to Williamsburg, the seat ot the provincial govern- ment. [A.D. 1775.] On the 'J'M of January following, he issued bis proclamation announcing the ratification ot the treaty of peace with the Western Indians. He irave public notice thai, the Indians had agreed to uithdraw their hunting-parties from the lands east of the ( >hio Kiver. and that they v\ould oiler no niolotatiou to anv while person peaceably ascending or de- scendini: the ( Hn'o. All emr_rrants were forewarned against irespassiii!_ r up"ii ihe Indian lands on /// irrsl sn/r . 118. A. II. 1775.] VALLEY OF THE M ISSISSll'I'I. 387 the elevated rolling plains which extend from east to west be- tween the main branches of Licking and Salt Rivers, but espe- cially within fiftv miles of the Kentucky River, for nearlv two hundred miles above its mouth. ^ et there had been no fam- ilies introduced into Kentucky: all were pioneers and explor- ers, preparing the way tor the advance ot subsequent emigra- tion and settlements. Among the locations were man}' larire grants from the royal governor. Lord Dunmore. Amon.tr the prominent pioneers and explorers f Kentucky, during the year 1775. was Colonel John Floyd, a survevor from Eastern \ irginia. lie had made a visit of exploration to Ken- tuck}' during the previous year, when the irruption of Indian hostilities had driven in the remote settlers. He now returned to the West, to pursue his vocation as a surveyor, in locating claims and hind-warrants, and to select for himself a permanent home for iuture residence. For himself he made a location within six miles of " the falls'' of the Ohio, and established his 'cam})'' on Bear-grass ('reek, at a place subsequently known as " Floyd's Station.'' Amonir the hundreds of settlers who were now pressing forward into Kentucky, none, more than Colonel Floyd, were endowed with that courage and perseverance so indispensable to a frontier lite: and he soon proved himself' a useful ami valuable member ot the new and growing settlements in tins quarter. Such was the state o( emigration and settlement in this portion of Western "Virginia. In the southern portion ol \ ir/ima and in the adjacent prov- ince of .North Carolina ihc tide ot' western emigration was equallv strong. 1'eople from the older settlements were press - in 1 / tirward m irreat numbers upon the numerous branches oi the Clinch, on the ^iiitlfast sir/>' <>t' '\\f Cumberland .Mountains. The pioneers in this reirioti were anxious to ntce bcijond the ('umberlaiid .Mountains into the unexplored regions which h;ul been discovered upon the \vaters ol the Cumberland River and up. MI the tributaries ol the Kentucky River. This region as \ et had been but little explored b\" emigrants and pioneers, ll was nearly liltv miles south ol the principal locations made on 'he Kentuckv River, and within the hunts ol the Cherokee hunt intr-LT rounds. 1 1 had never been relinquished to the \\ h:'es, and the Indians were jealous of anv advances made hv them \\'est of the Cumberland Mountains. Those \v ho ventured upon 388 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK HI. the forbidden territory found deatli the forfeiture of their te- meritv. To gain a footing in this region, the permission of the Cherokees must be obtained. The attempt of Daniel Boone to introduce a colony without their consent had been signally re- buked two years before. In view of this prerequisite, associations of influential men and capitalists were formed in Virginia and North Carolina, for the purpose of obtaining the Indian title to these lands by treaty and purchase. Early in the spring of 1774, Patrick Henry, with the Hon. William Byrd, John Page, Esq., and Colonel William Christian, had contemplated the purchase of the lands south of the Kentucky River from the Cherokees. But Indian hostilities on the Ohio, and political difficulties with the royal government, added to the uncertainty of the royal confirmation to any title obtained by individuals treating with the Indian tribes, prevented the consummation of their designs.* A project of the same character was undertaken soon after- ward by Colonel Richard Henderson and other influential men of Hillsborough, in North Carolina. Their plans were also de- O * ferred until the close of Lord Dunmore's Indian war. Yet Daniel Boone had not been discouraged by the failure of his attempt to introduce a colony upon the south side of the Kentucky River in the fall of 17713. He still resolved to take possession of the beautiful regions west of Cumberland Gap, but not without the consent of the Cherokees. f In his first at- tempt lie had lost his son and several of iiis neighbors by his rash advance into the Indian territory, and lie was unwilling to incur the same danger again. Measures were taken, accord- ingly, to conciliate the favor and consent of the Cherokees J previous to a second advance. Soon after the close of the late Indian Avar upon the Ohio, Daniel lioone had urged upon Colonel Richard Henderson, of North Carolina, and others, who were anxious t<> settle a colo- ny south nfthe Kentucky River, the propriety of obtaining the consent of the Cherokees by formal purchase: hence Colonel ' Hall's Sketches of the. West, vol. i.. p. :M't. t Tin' cnnntn (.11 tli,' mirth, as well ns on the south side of the Cumberland Hiver, had been the residence :i>id the liiiiitiiiL'-Lrrniiiids of the Chouanoes, or Sha,w:i!ie M - ; all ,J the Cumberland Iliver had In 'en known lo the Freneli as the Hiver of tin' CljonanoeM, or ShawaneM'. for ninny years after the Shawanest; were expelled by the Cherokees, which was between the years 171.". and 171*. It had now been in the possession of the Cherokees for liity live years. t Butler's History <>f Kentucky. Introduction, p. M. Also, the Life of])ani..l Booi><\ b;. Timothy Flint, p. *'-'. Kl. A.D. 1775.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 389 Henderson, and several other men of capital and enterprise, formed themselves into a company' for the purchase and set- tlement of the country west of Cumberland (lap. Soon after- ward, Colonel Henderson and Colonel Nathaniel Hart, in com- pany with the hunter and woodsman, Daniel Boone, proceeded to the Cherokee towns, and proposed a general council to be held in the spring, for the purpose of purchasing the Indian title to the lands lying between the Cumberland and Kentucky Rivers. Arrangements were accordingly made for convening a general council in the following spring of 1775. Subsequently, on the 17th of March, a treaty was concluded and signed by Richard Henderson, Nathaniel Hart, and J. Lut- trell, agents for the company, on the one part, and by certain chiefs and warriors of the Cherokee nation on the other part, at the "Sycamore Shoals" of the Watauga River, within the present limits of Carter county, in East Tennessee. Twelve hundred Indians are said to have been assembled on the treaty ground. By this treaty the Indians agreed to cede and relinquish to Richard Hendersi >n and his associates all the lands lying between the Kentucky and Cumberland Rivers. Irom their sources to their mouths respectively. In consideration of this cession, it is alleged that ten thousand pounds sterling in goods had been duly paid before the signing of the treaty. f Rut the treaty having been made and entered into by private individuals, without any authority from the States of Virginia or North Carolina, was in itsell null and void, so far as it claimed to vest the title of lands in those individuals : for at that earlv date the colonial government claimed the soli' power to treat with the Indian tribes, and to purchase their lands, as one ot the prerogatives of sovereignty. Yet tbi- company, regardless of consequences, proceeded to take possession ot their unlawful purchase. The new colonv was to [ic known and designated as "Transylvania in Amer- ica." No etlorts or means were spared to induce emigrants to make permanent settlements. The spirit ot emigration from \ortli Carolina and \iririnia was active, and pioneers were anxious to lead the wav in locating a colonv. 390 HISTORY OF TIIK [liOOK III. Daniel Boone. with ;i party of about twenty hunters and woodsmen, was sent in advance, to open and hla/e a road from Jlolston River, through the southern wilderness, to the Kentucky River, north of the present town of Richmond, in Madison county, Kentucky. They had proceeded on the route with their labor until within lifteen miles of the termi- nation, when they were attacked by a party of Indians, who killed two of their number and wounded two others. On the 'J.'id of March thev were attain attacked by another party of In- dians, who killed two more ot their number and wounded three others. A few days afterward. Bonne and the remainder of his party, in all sixteen men, arrived on the bank of the Kentucky River, and prepared immediately to erect a "station,"' or for- tified vi/lt/^e. This work was commenced on the lirst day of April, and progressed steadily until the lirst of June, when it was urged to completion, under the immediate superintend- ence of Colonel Henderson. In the mean time. Colonel Henderson, by the way of Pow- ell's Valley, had arrived with forty armed men and forty pack- horses, besides many adventurers who sought the protection of such a numerous caravan to the west. This colon v, having left Powell's Valley in April, had arrived upon the hanks of 'he Kentucky River earlv in May. Shortly afterward, Boone, leaving the fort in chnnie of Colo- nel Henderson and his companions, set out upon bis return to the Jlolston settlements lor Ins lamily. and such emigrants as were inclined to accompany him to the new settlement. In the autumn he conducted his family, with a few others, through the wilderness to the banks of the Kentucky River. Thev took ii]i their residence in the "station," which had now been eailed " Boonesborough/' a name which t;ie place retains to this day. Daniel Boone's wife and two d a ui r liters ma v be con- sidered the lirst white women who made their residence in Kentucky. Soon allerward. Colonel Calloway and his family, with a lew other emigrants, arrived at liooiiesborough. and the population increased ln>m day to day by the arrival of other pioneer set- tlers and adventurers, \vho made their residence at or near this -ration.' Such was t! ;( - heL r :nninir of the lirst settlement in Kentucky, on ihe site of the present town of 15oi>ne>bi in .n^h. St-f Lit i' "I' r>".i'-, j>. :.!. Ti,:-; is n snKili sooner had he heen apprised ol the facts, than lie issued his proclamation against the purchase ot '' Richard Henderson, and other disorderly persons," in which he declared the purchase null and void, vesting in them m> right of title whatever, the title and sovereignty of the same remain- ing exclusively in the government of Virginia, as a portion of her territory. This gave rise to much dilliculty between the proprietors and those who held their land-titles. Vet emigrants from .North Carolina had continued to visit the new settlements of Transylvania, and made almost daily accessions to the resident population. The Shawanese, al- though expelled from the occupancy of the country north of Cumberland, still retained a claim to the lands as a hunting- ground, common to them and the Cherokees, and they had, at the treaty of Camp Charlotte, reluctantly yielded their consent to the white man's advance. Hence straggling parties of Shaw- anese, as well as a tew Cherokees who intested these regions, took everv opportunity to harass the advance of the; settlers. The route by which the emigrants irom .\orth Carolina ad- vanced was exposed to depredations and murders, "which these 1 tribes could occasionally commit with impunity. And as the Indians continued to evince a hostile disposition toward the set- tlement, il was deemed advisable to take all precautions for its protection against any combined attack which might be con- templated by the savages. Hence, about the first of May. an- other forfitied station, or ' Fort." had been commenced near the present site of Stanford, in Lincoln county, under the control and command o( Colonel Benjamin Lo^an. Tins tort lormanv sears constituted an important detensr fir the population in this part ot' the country, and il was ailerward known as Lo- gan's Fort." a name Driven in honor of its founder.* This was the second settlement and station in Kentucky. In the mean time, regardless r scouts, for opening roads, and for public hunting. I'owder was charired at two dollars and sixty cents per pound, and lead at sixteen and two third cents per pound ; prices cer- tainly not unreasonable in that remote reurion.f A land-otlice was established for the regular entry of all sales made under the authority ot' the company: survevors. clerks, and chain carriers, all duly sworn, were appointed by the "nirent of the company." The manner of surveys was also established, to be governed, as a general rule, "by the four cardinal points, except where rivers or mountains so intervene as to render it too inconvenient.'';}; An officer was appointed whose duty corresponded to that, of secretary ot' stale in the colonial '_ r o\ cnm lent. Th<- airent" of the company was Colo- nel John \\ illiams. ot .\nrth Carolina. As early as the 'J.'Jd of May. a proprietary .irovernment had been organized at Boonesborough by the election oi' a house of delegates, consisting ot eighteen persons, chosen from the four settlements on the south side of Kentuck 1 liver, includin ntradistinction to tin- Translvania i., Appendix. This is a valuable collection iiiculi'iits, and rliaractor of Wcstrni it is iiri-scnti'd to tin- public 'edition many v:ilual>1i- im-idi-nts of \\",-strrn history, aiiprnprinti 1 hcrnis. till'.' to tlit' LTrnrrnl ri'ndi-r. rather than an A^:hoi]_"h in soino [Mirtiiins the author has not, ill fa ' Is in histor, lie f their L'overnnien in vol. ii. of Hall's A.I). 1775.] VAI.I-KV or TIIK Mis.-ussri'i'i. Bounesborough and Ilarrodsburg.* After a session of nearly one week, they adjourned, having enacted a number of ];i\vs for the good government <>t the colony, independent ol the ju- risdiction of Virginia. Among the objects for which this con- vention was assembled was that <^' adopting ' people, and to thrni <;n- i-ti-liPM, vi, I. i., ji. 2/ us >'''// i,-iit : .la s Harnxl, Xutli.-in Hanimninl, Isaac Davis, ami .\/;,riah Davis. Culiiii"! 'I'liuinas Slaujliti-r was iinaniiiKHisly chosen rhnirmnn, and Matt'irw ,lc\vi-tt clerk. T I 1 ',-!' a conilriisi-il liistnriral sketch of tin- 1,-L'islativc [.roc'rciiin^s of the 'I'ran-;\ Ivania R,-],iihlic, sec Hall's C-kt-ti-hcs, vol. i-. p. i.'. ',](h\ HISTORY OF THE [iJOOK III. swrub/e for mal-roiidiiet : the judges of the inferior courts to be recommended by tlie people., and to be commissioned by the proprietors. 1. The legislative authority, when the colony shall be more mature, to consist of three brandies, to wit: 1st. A house ol delegates, elected In/ the people ;' 2d. A council of freehold residents, not exceeding twelve in number; 3d. The proprie- tors. " f>. The convention shall have the sole power to raise and appropriate all public, moneys, and of electing their own treas- urer." Thus commenced the first civili/.ed government in Kentucky, and such were some of the fundamental principles of a Repub- lican form of civil government, which planted in the remote West those germs of civil and religious liberty which had al- ready taken deep root in the Atlantic, provinces. The second session of the convention convened on the first Thursday in September following, at Boonesborough. At this session the convention, after formally acknowledging the au- O O thority ol the proprietors, Richard Henderson and company, proceeded to establish courts ol justice and rules of proceeding in the same ; they also enacted a militia law, an attachment law. a law lor preserving the game, and for the appointment ol civil and military officers. In the mean time, at a meeting of the proprietors, held at O.\t>rd, in the count}' of Granville, \orth Carolina, on the J.")th day of September, 1775, certain resolutions were adopted for the good government ol the colony. Among them was one ig Colonel John Williams, a member of the company, igent. in behalf of the proprietors, and defining his du- o \vers, and the manner of supplying his place with a James Hogg, another member of the company, inted a delegate of the company to the continental with a memorial to that body setting forth their the territory ol Transylvania, and professing an ar- ''*'"' : t'achment to the cause for which they were contending, and claiming their protection as a portion of the great country represented by them. Soon afterward, in the winter of 177f>-(>, a memorial, or pe- tition, signed t>y nearly ninety men deeply interested in the affairs of Transylvania, was sent to the convention of Virginia, A.D. 177T).] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. ,397 remonstrating against the authority of the Company, and pray- ing to be protected against the legal enforcement of their obli- gations, given for lands to which no valid titles could be given. The emigrants to the Transylvania colony had continued to increase its numbers from the time that the town of Boonesbor- ough was completed. Before the first of November the entire occupants of all the settlements was estimated at three hun- dred persons, the majority of whom were efficient, men lor the defense of the inhabitants. The whole quantity of land in cul- tivation was two hundred and thirty acres, chiefly planted in corn. The amount of lands entered in the land-ofHce by in- dividuals amounted to five hundred and sixty thousand acres.* But many of the adventurers were already impatient to return to the quiet haunts of domestic- life in the settlements east of the Cumberland Mountains. Up to this period the southwestern angle of Virginia was a frontier region, with a few sparse habitations distributed on the northern branches of Holston River and upon the branches of Clinch River, comprising most of the present counties of Wythe, Smyth. Washington, Russell, Lee. and Scott. The contiguous portion of North Carolina, comprising the present counties of Washington, Sullivan, Carter, and Johnson, was also a frontier region, comprised in the Western District" of North Carolina, extending indefinitely westward, even to the Mississippi. Powell's Valley was nearly three hundred miles from the older settlements east ot the mountains, and about one hundred and forty miles distant trom the extreme \\estern set- tlements of Transylvania. But the attempt to establish a proprietary government re ceived no sanction Irom the proymce of \ ir^inia. nor Ironi the provincial Congress, nor subsequently from the Legislature of the State of Virginia, although the company's agents were in- defatigable in their etlorts to obtain the sanction ot the two lat- ter legislative bodies. f The majority ot' the people of Tran- sylvania never bad cordially approved and supported the pro- prietary government, and to a portion of them it was decid- edly unacceptable trom the first organization. '.Die rapid spread of the Revolutionary opinions through the colonies 398 HISTORY OF THE [nOOK III. greatly auirmented the number of disaffected in Transylvania, until the proprietary government was virtually rejected. Col- onel Henderson and his associates finding it impracticable to sustain themselves in the executive station which they had as- sumed, at lenirth abandoned their pretensions, and sought pecu- niary indemnity from Virginia, in consideration of having ex- tinguished Indian title. This they finally obtained, after many vears of delay.* [A. I). 177(5.] The jurisdiction of Virginia was formally ex- tended over the whole colony of Transylvania during the fol- lowing year, to the great satisfaction of the people. Such was the fate of the first attempt to establish a privileged class and a landed aristocracy in Kentucky. In the mean time, pioneer settlers were crowding into the beautiful plains on the northeast and west, side of the Kentucky River, between thirty and fifty miles north of Boonesborough. They were still exploring the country, and making locations ;:nd surveys, lodging in temporary camps, and without families or domestic encumbrances, and exposed to the incursions and depredations of the northwestern Indians. The few females who had as yet ventured into these remote settlements, and the small number of permanent residences which had been erected, were on the south side of the Ken- iiicky River, in the vicinity of Boonesborough, Logan's FO--I, and " Harrow's Station." Near the latter place, a fort or forli- lied station was in progress of erection, preparatory to the in- troduction of the families next year. This fort was not com- pleted until .March following, when it formed the third regular ' Hull's Sketches, vol. i., ].. J77--JSO. The company had been very active in their l.i obtain an acknowledgment of their claims by the continental C'onuress. as .. i ;. the I. L'islaturt! of the Stain of Viririuia. On tho 2."ith of September. 177."), II. - ', KSIJ.. had been appointed a delegate to the ( 'onirress, with a memorial uy: but bis etl'nrts were unsuccessful. h the proprietors had been liberal in their first sales of hind to settlers, and ations to meritorious individuals, yet they soon afterward !'- cam, in re exorbitant in their demands fur hauls, survcyiiiL', and terms of tenure. The ; ue dissatistied, and their fears were aroused at the uncertainty of the title under .'. tors themselves held the lands. They at len-th refused to sub- mit to obligations entered into with the a-cut. ofthe company, in consideration of lands which b ' the state. I fenei: the people of the colony threw themselves upon the prut"etinn nt th.' ::uvenimenl of Virginia, bv a memori:il sent to the " Cnnveii- tion of th- Cull, of \ : rinia,' 1 with the sL-natup-s nt' eiirhty-six men nt the ci oiiy. Ann,],,- these were llie ,. ...,,,., uf James Harrud, William Harrud, Levi HaiTud, \Vili- iam \Vood, Thomas WiUnn, .Inhn Hardin. John Helm, and others who have left la:ve to p'.'r; tuatu I i Sec H-iil's Sketches, vol. ii.. p. -JliG-'J 10 ; also, A.D. 177C).] VAL.LKY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 399 statihio. This extensive frontier was again, to be exposed to the constant and terrible incursions of the Mingoes, and the warlike Shawanese residing upon the waters of the Scioto, Miami, and Wabash Rivers. Such was the condition of the northwestern frontier after the opening of the Revolutionary war. The exposed inhabitants were necessarily active in their preparations to protect themselves from the impending storm of savage vengeance which was lowering in the west- ern hori/on. induced through the instrumentality of British in- trigue amonir the northwestern tribes. Tin- drst indication of determined hostility on the part of the ii"rthwestern Indians in Kentucky occurred on the 7th of July. Airam. on the 1 1th of .July, a party of Indians, almost in sight "t 'he station, captured the daughter of Daniel Boone, and two daughters of Colonel Calluway, who had strolled a few hun- dred yards iron, the stockade, upon the banks of the Kentucky River. Daniel Boo ti e, with a party of eight men. pursued the savages, and. after two days of pursuit, succeeded in re-cap- turing the irirl< and in killing two of the Indians. After this occurrence the stations were placed in a more A.D. 177fi.] V.U.LKY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 401 secure state of defense, the women and children collected into the stockades, and measures taken for guarding against sur- prise from Indian incursions. The detached settlements were abandoned, and their occupants retired to stronger stations. Many \vlio were able retired east of the mountains, or to situ- ations less exposed on the Monongahela, where they imparted to others a portion of their enthusiasm for the glorious coun- try of Kentucky. ' Among the prominent visitors of Kentucky this summer was Major George Rogers Clark, from Virginia, who had been ap- pointed to superintend the defense of the Kentucky settlements. In this employment he spent the summer at IIarrod's Station and Boonesborough alternately, organizing military companies for their common protection. Major Clark was one of Nature's noblemen; with a mind of extraordinary compass, he possessed also a robust frame and an iron constitution. lie had already seen much service in the Indian wars. He had served in the old French war under General Braddock; in Pontiac's war he was no idle spectator; and in Lord Dunmore's war lie was an active field-officer from first to last. Such was the man whose military genius was to be the bulwark of the western frontier. On the Carolina frontier a similar state of things existed. Early in the year 177(5, the people of the "Western District,'' with indignation and noble firmness, rejected the proffered pro- tection of the royal irovernment, and chose to adhere to the cause of the colonies in sustaining the measures ot the Conti- nental Congress in support, of their independence. This, in the eye of the roval authorities, placed them on the same loot- ing with the people of the northwestern frontier, and beyond the pale of civili/.ed warfare. Through the influence of Sir John Stewart. British superintendent of southern Indian affairs, a formidable invasion of these settlements by the Cherokees was devised t'nr tltc ilt'prjjntlation of the cnuntn/. But the In- dians were ultimately defeated in the subsequent operations of Virginia and Carolina tor the defense ot the frontiers. f 402 HISTORY or THE [BOOK HI. CHAPTER IV. HIUTISIl OCCI'PANCY OF FLORIDA AM) THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY. CLOSE OF THE BRITISH DOMINION IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY. A.I), 17 lit TO 1782. Arzumrnt. Extent of Florida and the Illinois Country under the British Dominion. English Authority established in West Florida by Governor Johnston. Major Loftus involuted Commandant of Illinois. His Defeat above Tunica Bayou, and his Death. Dissatisfaction of the French of West Florida. Population in 17G1. Anglo-Ameri- can Emigration to Florida encouraged. Emigrants arrive from 1765 to 1770. (treat Increase of E migrant s in 1773 to 177tj. Settlements on east Side of the Mississippi. British Military Posts in West Florida. Monopoly of Trade by British Traders. Emigration in 177.">-6. ALrrieulture encouraired. Britisli Tories in West Florida. British Authority established in the lUtntnt Country. 17ii.">. St. Antre. Captain Stirlin-'. French Population in ITii.'i. General Gage's Proclamation. Major Frazer. Colonel Reed. Colonel Wilkins. His Administration. Grants of Land. --British Military Posts in the Northwest. Detroit. Kaskaskia. Cahokia. St. Vincent. Prejudices of the Illinois French. Detroit. Vincennes. and Kaskaskia the Sources of all the Indian Barbarities on the Western Frontier. Reduction of these British Powth. At this point, concealed on both sides of the river, were assembled a large number of the Tunica Indians in umbuscade. awaiting the approach of the English army in their toilsome and slow advance against the majestic Hood. These Indians, former confederates of France, had imbibed the Frenchman's hatred of British dominion, which had not been placated by the imperious English. As the last galley entered the ambuscade, the astonished English troops were suddenly assailed alonii the whole line with a destructive discharge of fire-arms and arrows, accompanied with most terrific yells from the unseen savages. The whole lleet, thrown into confusion, after an ineffectual attempt at resistance against the unseen foe. fell back with the current beyond the reach of the en- emy. A larire number of the men were killed and wounded. Amonir the slain was the commandant. Major Loftus himself, after witnessing the fall of numbers of his brave troops. The expedition to the Illinois country failed, and the remnant of the detachment dropped down with the current to the point of em- barkation, from which they were subsequently ordered to Mo- bile. Such was the defeat of Major Loftus; and the attempt to occupy the Illinois country was abandoned until after the general pacification of the northwestern Indians subsequent to 1'ontiac's war and the treaty of the Cerman Flats. The point on the Mississippi where this disaster occurred was known subsequently, during the British dominion, as " Lof- tns's Heights ;*' at a later date the hills were occupied by Fort Adams, which name is still retained by the village at the base of the bluff. So soon as it was known that the English jurisdiction w;is extended over the settlements on the east side "t the Mississippi as far as the Walnut Hills, great dissatisfac- tion \\-;is expressed by the French population, which was at that time quite numerous in that section of country. Many de- termined to retire across the river, where the jurisdiction of France was still exercised over the people. Yet, after having been assured that they should be protected in their religion, rights, and property, many consented to remain and test the fair promises ot their new rulers. Others resolved to be recon- ciled by no assurances., 'Hid obstinately refused to submit them- selves to the hated d< >mmion of Eiiirland. Those who preferred A.D. 17(58.] VALLEY OF THE Mlr^ISSIl'l'I. 405 to submit to the doubtful rule of France in Louisiana retired west of the river, and south of the Bayou Manchac. [A.D. 1705.] After the extension of the British dominion over West Florida, and until the outbreak of hostilities against the United Colonies on the Atlantic border, the English author- ities gave every encouragement, and held out strong induce- ments to emigration from the Atlantic provinces, and especially from the Carolina* and Georgia. It had been ascertained that no country could excel that portion of Florida which extended upon the Mississippi River, and the people of \orth Carolina and Georgia, began to seek a route through the interior, and down the Mississippi, to the new province of West Florida. They were not averse to exchange the sterile pine lands near the Atlantic coast for the rich alluvions and the fertile hills of the Natchez country. Many began to explore the route across to the upper branches of the Holston and Tennessee Rivers, through the Indian country to the Mississippi. The Tennessee and Ohio Rivers were found to afford fine naviga- tion, and an easy route to Florida. Those who came received liberal grants of land in the region ot rich uplands extending from the Ya/oo to Baton Rouge. From these early emigrants are descended some of the oldest American families now in- habiting this portion oi the present states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Emigrants soon began to arrive from the provinces near the Atlantic, seaboard, and from Great Britain and Ireland, as well as from the British colonies in the West Indies. Anuini: the first colonies which arrived in this portion ol West Florida was one friini the banks of the Roanoke, in -\"rth Carolina, which formed settlements upon the first highlands north ol the Jber- ville Uay<>u. and thence northward to the vicinity of Baton Rouire. This was probably the first Anglo-American colony which settled upon the banks of the Mississippi.* [A.M. 17i' ( s.] J)uriir_ r the next three years numerous emi- <_rrant> arrived iV'Mii Genr^ia :ind the Can >lmas. as well as from ,\ew Jersey, and settled in the regions drained bv the Bavn Sara, the I loniochitto, and the Bayou Pierre, comprising the upland region t'n m Baton Rouge to Grand Gulf J 1 ills, and nen- erally within fifteen \~ twenty miles trmn the immediate bank >f the Mississippi. A few years afterward, a colony of Scotch * Martin's Louisiana, vol. i., p. 343. 100 HISTORY OF THE [iJOOK III Highlanders from North Carolina arrived, and formed a settle- ment upon the upper branches of the Homochitto, about thirty miles eastward from Natchex. At a subsequent date others .irrived from Scotland and increased the settlement, which af- terward assumed the name of Scotia, or New Scotland. The people of this settlement still preserve much of their Highland character, and not a lew of the older branches of families yet speak their native Gaelic tongue. [A. D. 1770.] About the year 1770, emigrants began to ar- rive from the British provinces of North America by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers ; yet it was not until the year 177H that the greatest number of emigrants advanced by this route. A large portion advanced from New Jersey, Dela- ware, and Virginia westward to the Monongahela and the Up- per Ohio, while another portion, from North and South Caro- lina, advanced westward to the Ilolston and Cumberland Riv- ers, ami thence to the Ohio. The disturbances growing out of the [{evolutionary war prevented further emigration alter the year 1777. The British authority on the Lower Mississippi was sus- tained by several military posts with ample garrisons. Of these the principal were Fort Charlotte, at Mobile, formerly called Fort Condi''-. Fort Bute, on the north side of the Iber- ville, erected in 17(>f) : the post of Baton Rouge, and Fort Pan- mure, at Xatche/, formerly called Fort Rosalie. With these supporters of her power, Fngland began to en- courriL'e her citi/ens to monopolize the trade of the Lower Mississippi, and to introduce large quantities of slaves from Africa. From Fort. Bute the English traders supplied the set- tlements of Louisiana with English articles of trade, and with slaves, which had been prohibited by the Spanish government. The latter were introduced from the coast of Cuuiea, by way ot 1/i'k'-- Poiitehartrain and Maurepas. and thence up the Amite .mil Ib.-rville.' Io rheck this illicit, trade with the Spanish subjects within the Spanish dominion, and to embarrass the operations of the Fii'_ r l>h traders from Fort Bute, the Spanish governor, Don 1 1 "a, ordered a small tort to be constructed on the soul h bank "t 'he Ibcrvillc, or Manehae, opposite, and distant about four hundred vards from Fort I'ute. A.D. 1775.] VALLEY OF THK MISSISSIPPI. 107 The entire French population in this portion oi the former province of Louisiana, at the period of its dismemberment, was in all probability not less than two thousand persons, in- cluding about twelve hundred slaves. [A.D. 1775.] \Vest Florida continued under the govern- ment of the commandant at Pensacola, a mere military prov- ince, unlike those on the Atlantic seaboard, which were pro- vided with a regular system of colonial government, under laws eixicted by a colonial Legislature elected by the people, subject onlv to the approval ot the king. The cultivation of cotton, which had been introduced by the French, was encouraged by the whole commercial policy of the parent country. Slaves were freely introduced as an ar- ticle of trade, for the extension of the staple products of cotton, indigo, and sugar. * From the year 1773 to 1775, not less than four hundred fami- lies arrived in West Florida by way of the Ohio and Missis- sippi Rivers. f Many of these were from the \ew Finland States, and from Virginia and Maryland, who followed in the tide of emigration which had beirun to set toward the Monon- irahela and the I'pper Ohio. Among the emigrants from Xew Fngland was a colony introduced by Cleneral Thaddeus Ly- man. ot Connecticut. I le had been a brave and energetic com- mander duriiiLT the Canadian wars, and had obtained a large grant from the kimr to be loeated in West Florida. After many difficulties and embarrassments, and alter selecting a lo- cation on the Ya/oo and oilier points, he finally chose another upon the waters ot !>ayoii 1'ierre.;;; Tin 1 Lfrant called tor I wenty thousand acres, and covered t he land Irom the ( I rand Unit' 1 1 ills eastward upon the Bayou I'lerre, including the junction of the north and south torl^. \\ithin one mile of the ['resent town of 1'ort (libson. I jion this location he proceeded to settle his little colony; but, embarrassed \\ith pecuniarv dilliculties. lie \vas soon alterward compelled to abandon the further prosecu- * St-'-Murt .< l.n lisiuna, ] '. 1. T r-. II"!ni'-s's A minis id' tin' 1 n:t--,l rit:itrs, v,,l. ii.. ji. ] -:i. 1 -'!. ; M .i-r.M 1'irnii i-:;. i,. :<;-., * tin' li.rtili.iii i.l'i liis L-r:mt tn (i. 'ii, -nil L\ nrin nt the \\';il- r.'it H.lis. Allli'Muii ii i-x|vir>--l tin- cniintry iii-;ir tins point, ainl us tar :is (In- YiixiM) Kis, !' y-t til.' ri'i-.ir.ls nl lii- I nlti-l Stnt.-s L:in,| nllJ!-,- :it W;isliiu-t,in. Mississippi, tli.' si-lit nl' tin' t,;rril 1-17, slmw llial tin- liii-iilitni \v:is m:i.!i: pun ill,- BH\,I I'l-n-i'. in tl,,- pn'sr',1 ciiiinty i-t" < 'hiilmni' 1 , MNsis-iippi. In !]::; i-rm-, lii,- kill's nuiiul'iin'/'i \v:is nimli: in fuvnr of Tlniililo'is Lylnan, anil w;is ihit^ii l-\-bni;iry ..'i I. i"?,",, for twenty tliuiisainl ai'n'S. r: ce Murtiu's LoLiisiair.i. vol. ii., p. :;;.. msToKY or TIII: [BOOK in. tion i)t" the enterprise, and with ;i few friends, who. like himself, h;ul become "Id and discouraged, retired to a private settlement made in the vicinity of Foil Panmure. (Mher British grants were made in the Natche/ district of \\'est Flonda about this time; but, owing to the growing diffi- culties between the provinces and the mother country, or to some other cause, they were never fully confirmed, or were re- irranted hv the Spanish authorities, who soon afterward suc- ceeded to the government of Florida.* [A.I>. n7(').] At the commencement of the war of the llev- oiution. Florida adhered to the British crown, and gave no aid or countenance to the Atlantic jirovinces in their struggle for independence. The Finnish population of West Florida being loval subjects of the Briii-h monarchy, became odious in the eyes of the confederated colonists, and obnoxious to their in- dignant resentment, such as I hey meted out to British Tories." Yet they took no active part in the contest against, the colonies. The political animosities of the new states waxed strong against such of their citi/ens as continued to adhere to the royal cause, and they receiving but little favor, and often gross indignities from their Republican neighbors, in many instances retired westward, and made their way down the Mississippi, seeking M-curity :md peace among their loyal countrymen in West Florida, under the jH'oteetion of the British (lag. Hence, about tb.- time, the settlements on the east side of the .Mississippi, from the \\ alnut Hills to Baton Itoiiire, received a considerable accession to its Anglo-American population. Here they con- tinued to enjoy peace and security until after the arms of Vir- ginia heiran to be triumphant in the West. /'//' Illinois Country. The activity and zeal of the British ii-' the Kritish L'rants in the " Natchez District." now on tile in the lajul -oflire .: W , -1 .. . Mississippi, HIT tin- followiitL' : 1 ' p 'i' n'i Mandamus." made in favor of Amos ( )_'ilcn, for twenty live thousand i "ii lli.- north side of the Homoehitto Kiver. dated (let,, her -jTtli. 1770. - Mandamus,- made to Thaddcus Lymnn. ami iluti-il Fel.ruary :>J. 17:.j, ' n-s loeat.-d on the linyon 1'ielTc. ' : ' ' r .lohn Loriiner f,,r twn thousand acres, dati-,1 May Ctli, HTC. ' ' Wil.iain (Irani tor one thousand acres, dated Mav tltli, 177li, near [lie V. - >)n 'Jarni. T. da'.-d Mav -J-tli. 1 ~. ', .". lor five thousand acres, lo- . ;: .. ' ' ' '> ' --' .v.-i I). .-:,,] r:! i st , i::,;. for live thousand acres, A.I). !"(>.] VAI.LKV OK Till-: MISSISSIIM'I. 409 oilieers at the different posts northwest of the Ohio, instiira- tiii'_r and leading their savaire allies airainst tlie feeble settle- ments east oi the Ohio m their murderous incursions. was the chief cause which prematurely involved the Illinois population in the war of the Revolution, and hastened the downfall of the royal authority m this portion o( the American possessions, and also accelerated the loss oi Florida. As we have elsewhere observed,* the British dominion was not formally extended over the Illinois and \Vahash countries until the spring of 17(50. After the defeat which Major Loft us had experienced in March ot the preceding year, the attempt to send troops and a com- mandant to that region had been deferred, and the French com- mandant. St. Anire, at Fort. Chartres. continued to exercise au- thority under the laws and usages of France as formerly, al- though it was known that the country \vas a British province. [A. D. 17(55.] Early in the spring of 1765, Captain Stirling, of the British army, arrived by \vay of Detroit, and took command of Fort Chartres, as commandant of the Illinois country, under the orders of General (laire, commander-in-chief of his majes- tv's forces in America, lie was authorized to receive the al- legiance of his majesty's new Catholic subjects, and t" institute an orLfani/.ed irovernmeiit, by introducing the English laws and usages amoiiLT the people. He was also instructed to guaran- ty to the French population, who desired to remain under the dominion of lire at Britain, the tree enjoyment of their liberty and propertv. the tree exercise ot their reliirioiis opinions, and the observance ot all the rites and ceremonies ot the Catholic Church. At the same time, he was m>t ructed to ::rant permission free I v i" all who desired to retire to the French settlements on the West side ot' the .M ississi ppi. together with the unrest rai lied removal of their personal property. On entering upon his o|Ji- cial duties he made known to the inhabitants the proclamation of ( ienera 1 ( la LTC. the provi^i<>n> <>t which he was a: it In iri/ed to enforce. In this atlecti"iiate proclamation the commander-in- chief did not fail to close with the humane admonition to the in- habitants that, "b a wise and rudent demeanor, b avoidin -110 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. St. A nth of September, 1768, Colonel Reed, to the threat joy of the French, was superseded by Lieutenant- colonel Wilkins. lie proceeded to organize regular courts of justice for the administration of the l;i\vs. in all matters of debt and property. The first court, announced by his proclamation of November 'Jlst, consisted ot seven judges, who held their first term at. Fort . ( 'dartres on the 6td of December following. f The peple claimed, as British subjects, the right of trial by jurv : but the governor refused his sanction. Subsequently, like bis predecessors, he was disposed to inflict upon the peo- ple a scries of' military oppressions, raider than cause an im- partial administration ot justice. The French gradually be- came alienated from the English authorities, and many retired to their friends in Louisiana, west of the Mississippi. " Src Perk's (Ja/rlt-'rr of Illinois, p. f'ii. Pock. I'rown, ami others call t'nis com iiitimlant errrneously Major Farmer. t >.',. Brown's History of Illinois, p. ~U. Also, American .-State Papers. ><>:. ii., lanJ 11 'J HISTORY or TIM: [BOOK nr. [A.1X 17ti!.] Farly in the following year lie began to trans- cend his authority in making extensive grants of land to a number of British officers and favorites; and "for the better settlement of the colony, and the better to promote his majes- tv's service." he modestly consented to become "interested in one sixth part thereof." Thus he would have appropriated one third of all the lands in Illinois: and some of these fraudu- lent grants were subsequently confirmed by the American au- thorities. " Previous to the year 1778. Detroit was the headquarters of the western posts: they were all subordinate to the command- ant at IVtroit. From this point a trace led westward by way of the Maumee. and across to the I'pper Wabash, and thence to Post St. Vincent : and thence a similar trace, or Indian path, led westward to Kaskaskia. and other points upon the I'ppcr Mississippi. There was likewise between all these po>ts an admirable communication by water, which, although more circuitous, served tor the transportation oi military stores and munitions ot war. IVtroit at this time was a village containing about one hun- dred houses, ranged upon narrow streets crossing each other at right angles, and containing about eight hundred inhabitants, diictly French. The whole village was surrounded by a stock- ade nearly one mile in circuit, and defended by block-houses and bastions at the angles. The entire settlements within ten miles of the town comprised about two thousand inhabitants, residing near the banks of the iVtmit River and its small trib- utaries.! The greater portion of these were Canadian French. The headquarters ot the Illinois country, previous to the year 177'J. was Fort Chartres: subsequently. "Fort Cage," a wood- en stockaded (oil opposite the town ot Kaskaskia, and on the east bank of the Kaskaskia lliver, was the headquarters of the commandant o| Illinois. -\t Cahokia, on the bank ot' the Mississippi, three miles be- low St. L<>ui>, was a small post, dependent upon Fort Cage. Kaska.-kia ilM-lt was three miles from the bank of the Missis- sippi, on the west side of the Kaskaskia River, about live miles above its mouth, and nearly si \tv-live miles below Si. Louis. It wa> the oldest settlement in the Illinois country, known as i*. i' -'!. Miii-tin's Louisiana, vol. i., ji. :',\;, unurff, January "d, 177?. " LlKTTKN \NT-OlI, ONKI, (rKoKl.K Koi.KKS Cr.UlK, "You ure to proceed with nil convenient speed to raise seven companies of soldiers, to consist of fifty men each, officered in the usual manner, and armed most properly for the enterprise, and with this f.ree attack the Uritish fort at Kaskaskia. " It is conjectured that there are many pieces of cannon and military stores to con- siderable amount at that place, the taking and preservation of which would he a valu- able acquisition to the state. If you arc so fortunate, therefore, as to succeed in your expedition. \o;i will take every possible measure to secure the artillery and stores, and whatever ma\ advantage the Hate. ' For the transportation of the troops, provisions, >Ve . down the Ohio, you are to ap plv to the commandin:-' ollicer at Fort Pitt for boats ; and during the whole transaction you a'v to take especial cure to keep the true dest illation of your force secret: its suc- cess depends upon this. Orders are therefore L'iveu to secure the two men from Kas- kaskia. Similar conduct will be proper in similar cases. " /' is r>irii'*/ly dc.-in-d tin 1 i/oit flmti- hunnniil'i /<> snrh Hrilifh sti/ij,;-/x !, ><,! ; /im ir,!l cvt .' cunaidrr tin- //. <>J' your cotnlncf, a ml from n in no instance t<, //,/.,, rf. s you ;n-e tn eommaii'l are to receive the pay and allowance of militia, and iws and re-ulati.ins of this state now in loree iis militia. The inhah- ' ts '''- this po>t wi.i he infonned hy you, that, in case they accede to tl Hers of "!iiin ti/etis o| this commonwealth, a pro|ier trnrrison will he maintained amoiiq ' r . v "It'-iitinii hi-stowed to render their commerce beneficial, the fairest "i" ''* ! " ii 1 t'l the ilominioiis of r'rance and Spain. l( ' s i" ' 'i't> niplation tn establish a post near the mouth of the Ohio. Camion will w,e.- : I'art of those at Kaskaskia willbe easily brought thither, or '-rw is.- -. . in ,1, ,,., , , lir ,y , M!l ] u . necessary. o ap;M\ t.. (|, ,, n i] |[ :ill ,i (,,,. !,.,],.,. . m ,| l,. !1( | necessary for this expedi- tl,.- person who has that which Caiitain Lynn broudit I"'- I-' ii'i " - '" ' ' to Ifampshin: by my orders, and that may he deliv- W i-l in- \ oil s.ici . .. 1 run. sir. " ^ '.: humbl servant, P. IlKNKY." A.D. 1778.] VALLKY OF THE MISSISSH'I'I. 117 Arrangements for additional supplies had been made by the Federal authorities, through Captain William Lynn and Cap- tain James Willing, to be obtained from the Spaniards in Xew Orleans, for the supply of all the posts in the region of the Ohio, as well as for the expedition to the Tpper Mississippi. About the last of June the expedition arrived at the "Old Cherokee Fort," below the mouth of the Tennessee, and about forty miles above the mouth of the Ohio. At this point im- portant information was received relative to the actual condi- tion of the British posts on the Upper Mississippi. Here, hav- ing obtained experienced guides through tiie wilderness, Colo- nel Clark determined to march through by land and take Kas- kaskia by surprise. Having sunk his boats for concealment, he set out with his force, and plunged through the pathless wil- derness, across extensive low grounds and marshes, a distance of nearly one hundred and twenty miles, each man bearing upon his hack his scanty rations, baggage, and camp equipage, arid encouraged by the dauntless energy of their commander, who shared equally with his soldiers every hardship, and led the way. After a laborious and difficult inarch of several days through a trackless wilderness of swamps, flats, open woods, and prai- ries, in which even the guides were bewildered, they arrived, unperceived, in the vicinity of Kaskaskia. on the evening of July 4th, 177*. To avoid discovery, the troops remained con- cealed in the woods on the east side of Kaskaskia River, with- in tw<> miles of the town, until niirht had obscured their move- ments from observation. Having procured boats for crossing the river, about midnight Colonel ('lark prepared to advance against tiie enemy. Addressing his men in a short and seii- tentioux speech, he concluded by reminding them "that the town and fort were to be taken a 1 all ha/ards." A portion of the troops, under command of the tearless Captain Helm, crossed the river to the town, and, havinir taken it by surprise, the prin- cipal .-treet was secured while the inhabitants were asleep in their beds. Kvery avenue was guarded before they were ap- prised of' their captivity. On the opposite side oi the river, Fort (laire was secured in like manner b v the remainder oi the force, under Colonel ( 'lark himself'. The garrison and the sleeping commandant. Lieuten- ant-governor Rocheblave. were awakened from their peaceful y oL . l._JDn 418 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. slumbers only to find themselves prisoners of war. Appre- hemlin< r no dansrer at this remote point, not even a sentinel was o <_> * on duty, nor a gate secured. Colonel Clark, leading his col- umn, was conducted silently by a guide he had captured, through a postern gate into the open fort, and while with his sturdy warriors he surrounded the sleeping garrison and controlled the defenses of the post, the fearless Simon Kenton, at the head of a file of men, advanced softly to the apartment of the com- mander. While quietly reposing by his wife, he was aroused by a gentle touch only to behold his own captivity, and to or- der the unconditional surrender of the fort and its defenders.* The town of Kaskaskia, containing about two hundred and fifty houses, was completely surrounded, and every avenue se- curely guarded to prevent escape or intercourse; runners w r ere sent to warn the people in the French tongue that every enemy found in the streets would be instantly shot down ; at the same time, they were convinced, by the terrible shout and yelling of the troops around the town, that they were all prisoners of war. A strict patrol was kept on duty during the night throughout the town, and a sergeant's guard, passing through the streets and entering every house, succeeded in completely disarming the inhabitants in the course of two hours. The troops in the suburbs of the place were directed to keep up, during the remain- der of the night, a continual tumult and whooping, after the In- dian fashion, while the inhabitants were required to observe the most profound silence. All intercourse from house to house was strictly prohibited, and the terror inspired was general and ap- palling. At the same time. Colonel Clark had full possession of the fort and its artillery, which commanded the whole town fn>m the opposite side of the river. Such was the work of the first night, during which, in the true spirit of generous chivalry, this handful of brave back- woodsmen accomplished one of the most important conquests in the \\ est, without the shedding of one drop of blood, or com- iL r tin- slightest, outrage upon the conquered people. f The * Apjmm. -lnii^ the fort, a solitary Ii:. i 1 -. 420 HISTORY OF THE [flOOK HI. reverend father at length spoke, and stated that they had one small request to make of the American commander, which they desired as a special favor. As the people expected to be torn from each other, and prob- ably separated forever, they begged, through him, to be per- mitted first to assemble in the church to take a farewell of each other. Their request was granted ; but they were warned not tn attempt to leave the town. The colonel's replies were la- conic and austere. The deputation were disposed to continue the interview ; but, with a wave of the hand, they were inform- ed that he had no leisure for further intercourse, and they re- tired. The whole village attended at church, and at length retired to their houses. The deputation again waited upon Colonel Clark, and tendered "their thanks for the indulgence they had received."' They further continued, " they were sens- ible that theirs was the fate of war, and they could well sub- mit to lose their property ;" but they prayed not to be separa- ted from their wives ;md children, and that something might be allowed lor their support. They declared that heretofore in their conduct they had only obeyed their commandants, as their duty required; that they were ignorant of the nature of the contest between the I'nited States and (Ireat Britain; and that many of them felt more favorably inclined toward the people of the I nited States than thev dared avow. At this time, when their anxiety and fears were most excit- ed, they were thus sternly addressed bv the commander : I )o you mistake us for savages '. From your language, sure- ]v voii do. J )u you think Americans will strip women and children, and take the bread out of their mouths? Mv coun- trymen disdain to make war upon helpless innocence. To pre- vent the horrors of Indian butchery upon our own wives and children, we have, taken arms and penetrated to this remote >tron_ r -iiold of Indian and British barbarity, and not for despica- ble plunder. The King of France has now united his power- ful arms with those of America, and the contest will soon be ended. The people (if Kaskaskia may side with either party; their property and families shall be safe ; their religion shall not be molested \>y Americans. To verifv my words, iro tell your fellow-eiti/ens they are at liberty to do as they please, without apprehension of danger from me. 1 know tliev are convinced since mv arrival that thev have been misinformed A.D. 1778.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 421 by British officers as to the character of Americans. ^ our friends shall he released from confinement." The deputation attempted to apologize for the imputation implied against the American character, hut it was unnecessa- ry ; they were desired to communicate his declaration to the people. In a few moments the gloom and dejection of the whole town was changed into the extravagance of joy. The hells rang their loudest peals, and the church was crowded with grateful hearts offering up to Cod their devout thanks for their unexpected deliverance from all the horrors they had an- ticipated. The people, thus relieved from a state of fearful anxiety arid hitter suspense, made the most unreserved expressions of their admiration for the generous conduct of the American command- er and his brave associates in arms ; at the same time they professed their firm attachment to the cause and government of the United States, and of the commonwealth of Virginia especially. On the evening of the same day, Colonel Clark dispatched a detachment of troops under Captain Bowman to surprise and capture the post and village of Cahokia, on the hanks of the Mississippi. The capture of this post was effected with the same secrecy and celerity which characterized the movements upon Kaskaskia. In this measure Captain Bowman was aided by many of the citizens of the latter place, who volunteered to serve as guides, and to lend their friendly influence with their countrymen at Cahokia to insure the successful issue of the enterprise.* The people gladly espoused the American cause. Every post and settlement on the I pper Mississippi having been secured, Colonel Clark proceeded to reorganize the civil government, by placing in office chiefly those who were citi- zens of the country. The people rejoiced at the change, and acknowledged themselves a colony dependent on Virginia, well pleased with the protection of the United States, which were now at war with the hereditary enemy of France. f In the mean time. Colonel Clark had dispatched Captain Montgomery with his imperious and insolent prisoner, C oven t or Ivocheblave. under a strong guard, to Richmond, to be dealt with as a prisoner of war. Simon Kenton, with dispatches to Ken- lucky, was directed to take the post of St. \ incent in his route, - Butler's Kcnturky.. p. r,7, >. * S.'f M'l), !:;<]. !'s Ski-trlu.-s, l>. S!v20. 422 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III, and bv a confidential messenger transmit to Kaskaskia a minute account of the condition of that post and the feelings of the people. In this hazardous duty, Kenton acquitted himself with his usual intrepidity. Having reconnoitered the post and town for three nights, lying concealed by day, he transmitted the result of his discoveries to his commander, and proceeded on his route to " the Falls." On the 18th of July, the inhabitants of Vincennes, at the rec- ommendation of Father Gibault, parish priest of Kaskaskia, threw off their allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and voluntarily declared themselves citizens of the United States and of the State of Virginia. The commandant of the Wabastu Captain Abbot, being absent at Detroit, and the post at Vin- cennes being protected by only a small garrison, Colonel Clark early in August, having appointed Captain Helm commandant of Fort Sackville, and "agent for Indian affairs in the depart- ment of the Wabash," dispatched him with a small garrison, to take possession of the post of St. Vincent, and to await the arrival of re-enforcements from Virginia. The new command- ant was received with acclamation by the people, and entered upon his otlicial duties. Instructed by Colonel Clark, he soon succeeded, by his address and influence, in convening an In- dian council, attended by the great Wabash chief Tobacco, or "Grand Door," with whom, alter some delay, he effected a treaty, which conciliated the Wabash tribes as far north as Ouiatenon and the Wea towns. September came, and but lew recruits irom Virginia ar- rived. A new difficulty now presented to the commander : the troops had been enlisted for only three months, and the term of service with the greatest portion of them was about to ex- pire. To remedy this difficulty, he exercised the full extent of his discretionary powers, and in the emergency determined to re-enlist upon new terms such of his men as were willing to continue in the service. Seventy of his men, including Simon Kenton, determined to return to Kentucky; the remainder re- entered the service, associated with one company of the resi- dent inhabitants under their own officers. With these he or- ganized two garrisons, one under Captain Williams at Kaskas- kia, and one under Captain Bowman at Cahokia. Colonel William Linn, who had entered the campaign as a volunteer, returned to Kentucky in charire of the discharged A.D. 1778.] VALLEY OK THE MISSISSIIM'I. 423 recruits, with orders to erect a stockade at the ' Falls of the Ohio." The sovereignty of Virginia, was fully extended over the Illinois and Wabash countries, as known to the British au- thorities. Before the close of September, Colonel Clark had commenced his negotiations with the Indian tribes occupying the regions drained by the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers. Believing it impolitic, and a mistaken estimate of the Indian character, to invite them to treaties of peace and friendship, he lost no op- portunity of impressing them with the power of the Ameri- cans and the high sense of honor which regulated all their mil- itary operations, no less than the unalterable determination to punish their enemies. Long acquainted with the Indian char- acter, he maintained his dignified and stern reserve until they should ask for peace and treaties ; and he fought them fiercely until they did sue for peace. When he treated with them, he avoided many presents, because they evinced to the Indian that, those who gave them were moved by fear of their vengeance. In all his negotiations with the Indians, he impressed them by his mariner, his fearless and stern reserve, as well as by his prompt decision, with a fear and terror of his authority which had been entirely unknown before.* * TII L-ive the reader some idea of Colonel Clark's manner of intercourse with tin- In dians. the following sketch of an interview and speech may lie taken. At the tirst of his treaties, the different parties of white and red men were assembled, when the In dians, hem:.' petitioners, opened the council l.y a chief, who advanced to the table at which Colonel Clark was sitting, "with the belt of peace in his hand; another follow Oil with die sacred pipe; and a third with a tire to liuht it. The pipe, when lighted, was presented to the heavens, then to the earth, and completing the circle, was pre sentcd to all tin- spirits. invokin_' them to witness what was about to take place. The pipe was then priitl'ered to Colonel Clark, and afterward to every one present." These formalities past, the orator addressed himself to the Indians as follows: "Warriors. \ou oUL'ht to If thankful that the (ire at Spirit has taken pity on you, has cleared the sky. and opened \our ears and hearts so that \ou may hear the truth. We have been nds in t nit- 1 possession i ,f all the towns iiwiii-d by the Kn-'lisli in this country, arid to wutch tin- motions of the reil j)co;.lc. 1 ,-, -me to bloody the paths of those who at- tempt to stop the course i if tin; river, and to clear I Jit; roads between us and those who ilrsire pi . rui,j children : in\ walk in them without strikin : ill. ir fee! HL'Tiinst finy thin .-. I am ordered tn call upon the (ireat. Fire lor warriors enou-h to darken the land, that the r. d peiijili- uni\ hear nothin- but the sound of birds that live on liim : ! know tin r bef .re your eyc.s ; I will dispel the r], ,11. Is. that \ oil may see clenrly th- rm^e of the war between the ( Ireat .Fire and the Hn-lish."' See Hutl.-r's Kentucky . |i r,7. l'.- ' Hutler'H K. ..,!,. -Us pi;.', f Idem, p. i}] A.U. 1778.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIlTf. 425 to (lovernor Hamilton, commandant at Detroit. Alarmed at the rapid successes of the Virginia troops, and mortified at the disasters of the British anus, he determined to make an ener- getic invasion of the Illinois country, and retrieve the honor of his majesty's arms by the recapture <>f all the posts on the Wahash and Illinois., and bv leading Colonel Clark and his fol- lowers captive to Detroit. Having assembled six hundred Indian warriors, in addition to his force of eighty regular soldiers and some Canadian mili- tia, he set out upon the expedition to Vincennes. Ascending the Maumee to the sources of the St. Mary's River, and cross- ing over to the Wabash, he made a rapid descent, and ap- proached the post at Vincennes about the middle of Decem- ber. Captain Helm and hks associates, though few in number, were upon duty, and witnessed the savage host which swarm- ed around the approaching column of red-coated Britons.* The British commander, having determined to carry the fort by assault, and to exterminate the feeble garrison, advanced to the attack. But Captain Helm was not to be alarmed from the presence of mind belonging to a backwoods warrior. With an air of confidence, and as if supported by hundreds of defenders in the fort, he sprang upon a bastion containing a well-charged six- pounder ranged to the advancing enemy, and with a voice of thunder, as he brandished his match in the air, he command- ed the column to halt," or he would blow them to atoms. Surprised at such daring, and fearing a desperate resistance by the garrison, which possibly miiiht far exceed his expecta- tion, the British commander ordered a halt until a parley was opened. To the demand for the. surrender of the tort, Captain Helm replied, that, with the full "honors of war,"' he would surrender the post, but. otherwise he would resist while a man lived to shoulder his rifle. The Briton agreed to allow him all the " honors of war ;" and when the fort was thrown open, Captain Helm and five men, with due formality, marched out and laid down their arms before the astonished commander. The people of Vincennes, of course, were obliged again to acknowledge the authority of England and renounce that of the United States and Virginia. Captain Helm and one other American were retained as prisoners of war. the other three .},><> HISTORY or THI: [HOOK in. hoi ni! volunteer eiti/ens of Vineennes. Here ended the effi- cient operations of Colonel Hamilton toward the discomfiture of Colonel Clark. The \vinter had now set in with much rain and snow, ere- atinir obstacles to a military invasion almost insunnountiible. Colonel Hamilton, therefore, determined to postpone the re- capture of Kaskaskia and its dependences until the opening of spriiiLT. when he expected a re-enforcement of two hundred warriors from Michillimackinac, and five hundred Cherokees and Chickasas from the South.* In the mean time, he deter- mined to give employment to his northern allies, who now, to the numher of four hundred, were eairer to commence their operations against the frontier population west of the mount- ains. Fur this purpose, they wore sent out in detached parties and small hands, intending to spread over the border settle- ments !>(' Western Virginia and Pennsylvania, to harass the exposed inhabitants, and to plunder and collect scalps until sprint/, when the governor would lie ready to lead them, with the other Indian allies, against the American posts from Kas- kaskia to Fort Pitt, scouring the whole frontier as they passed. Such were the arrangements of Colonel Hamilton for prose- cutinLT the enterprise of capturing Colonel Clark and his hand- ful of backwoodsmen at Kaskaskia, and subsequently of pros- trating the American settlements on the Ohio, by "sweeping Kentuckv and Virginia" on his route to Fort Pitt. [A.l>. 177!).] Late in January following, Colonel Clark re- ceived intelligence that Colonel Hamilton was at Vincennes. with only eiirhty soldiers under his command, and was unsup- ported h\- his savage allies, yet contemplating the reduction of the post at Kaskaskia in the spring. To avoid the disagree- able alternative of being captured and led a prisoner to De- troit, he determined to make an energetic, movement with such forces as he could raise, and anticipate his rival's designs by capturing Fort Sackville and sending Colonel Hamilton a pris- i 'Her to the ca pital of Virginia. For this purpose, with great expedition, he prepared to make Arranj. nietits hnd 1, ,,!, made for u u-enerul council with the Cherokees anil Chick as.'is nt tin Tennessee, and the In. linns were to lu-iir.- with (hern ilowi. the Tennessee !;ir.-. supplies of com for the trninil expedition wliicli was to rendez vims :it thi< pint. This LTiind coiiucil. ot' course, was hrokcn up hy the unexpecttMi movements of ( 'nl. ii.e] ( 'lark, ii in I thus the operations of tin: Northern and .Southern In- diaii.H v. re .' inn > th '.varied A.D. 1771).] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSI PH. 427 a sudden and unexpected inarch to Vinceiines with his whole disposable force. This force, increased by two companies rais- ed in Kaskaskia and Cahokia, and such recruits as he could muster within ten davs. amounted to onlv one hundred and seventy men. Preparations lor the expedition were made without delay; two companies were immediately raised and organized to re-enlorce his command; one from Kaskaskia, commanded by Captain Charleville. and one from Cahokia, commanded by Captain M'Carty. His force was thus increas- ed to one hundred and seventy men. A larire keel-boat was fitted up as a galley. ;.nd mounted with two four-pounder can- non and tour swivels, and furnished with a suitable supply of provisions, ammunition, and military stores. This vessel was placed under the command of Captain John Rodgers, with a company of forty-six men, with orders to penetrate up the Wabash within a few miles of the mouth of White River, and there to take up his position and wait for further orders, per- mitting none to pass up or down the river. On the 7th of February, Colonel Clark, with the remainder of his force, amounting to one hundred and thirty men. set out upon a perilous march oi one hundred and fifty miles through the wilderness northeast to \ mcennes. The route was an In- dian trace, which lay through deep forests and prairies ; the weather was uncommonly wet : the water-courses were out of" their banks; and the larger streams had inundated their bot- toms from blulfto bluiT, often three or tour miles in width : but the hardv backwoodsmen, under their intrepid and persevering leader, pressed forward in spite of every obstacle. On toot, with their rifles on their shoulders, and their knapsacks filled with parched corn and jerked bed. for six days they advan- ced aloni: the trace, through forests, marshes, ponds, swollen stream^, and inundated lowlands, for nearly one hundred miles, when thev arrived at the crossinirsof the Little Wabash. where the bottoms, to the u idth of three miles, were inundated to the depth of "three feet, never under two. and frequently over four." Through these 1"\\ lands the whole battalion were com- pelled to march, often feeling for the trace with their feet, and carrviiiLT their arms and ammunition over their heads to pro- tect them from the water. Five days more brought them to the Wabash. just In-low the mouth of the Kmbarrass River, and nine miles below the post 1'JS HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. <>f" Vincetines. Here great difficulty was encountered in cross- ing the river. .\o l>;iis were within reach, and the galley had not arrived. Nearly two (lays were spent in unavailing efforts to cross the river; the men became discouraged, and starva- ti< MI seemed t await them in their present situation. At length, on the evening t the object ot their toils. f On tiie evening of the vJ.'M, Colonel (.'lark dispatched a mes- sage to the } ico] ile ot \ incennes. inlnrming them that he should take possession of the town that night, and that no violence would be used against those who abstained from aiding the en- em}", and urging all the triends of the King of England to re- pair to the tort, and to light like men. At twilight the troops were paraded with (lags and martial miisii- around ihe summit o| ;i contiguous eminence, in order to displax their lines, and to augment their numbers in the eves of the people, \\hile a detachment ot tourteen men were sent to begin the attack upon the fort \\ ith the rille. When the attack was first made, the British commander \vas not aware that any eiiemv uas at hand, until the sharp crack o| the rille announ- ced their presence, and warned him to Ins post. When the attack commenced, ( 'oloiiel Hamilton and his pris- oner. ( 'aptam Helm, were amusing themselves over a social and apple-toddy. At the crack ot the ri tie. Cap- if inspired by the sound, sprung to his feet, and, expletive, exclaimed. " It is Clark, and we shall risoners !" 'Flic town of Vi nee lines, on the east side ash. immediately surrendered, and many ot the in- ladl as^if reach ol the nuns ot the tort, took down every man who dared to expose his person above the walls. Ahout midnight, when the moon had declined hehind the western hills, and darkness had spread its nianlle over tin- besiegers. Colonel Clark ordered a deep ditch opened within ritle shot of the tort, to shield his men from the tire of the enemy during the follow- ing day. lie fore the next dawn of day. the riflemen were se- curely sheltered in the ditch, from which they poured a con- tinned vollev of well-directed halls into the port-holes, and with- out the loss of a man silenced two pieces of cannon in fifteen minutes.' Kvery gunner who presented himself to direct the cannon was immediately killed hy the unseen riflemen firing through the port-holes, until, terror-stricken at the unerring aim, they abandoned the batteries. Eighteen hours had the garrison been exposed to this de- structive fire, when Colonel Clark sent a menacing summons to the commander, demanding the surrender of the fort.f After a protracted conference relative to the terms of capitulation, Colonel Hamilton signed the article late in the evening of the '.2-lth of February, and on the following day. Colonel Clark, at the head of two companies, entered the fort victoriously, while Captains Bowman and M'Carty, with their companies, received the prisoners. In the first assault, one ol Colonel Clark's men was wounded by a shot from the port-holes, who was the onlv man injured on the part ot the assailants. 1 Miring the sieire on the second day. a war-partv of \\ estern Indians, ignorant of the presence of' ('olonel ('lark, arrived from an excursion a:_ r aii;rt the Ken- tucky settlements, bringing \\ ith them t \\ o white prisoners, and encamped in the vicmii\ of the fort. Colonel Clark soon re- S' >i\ ed to Lrive them battle, and detached a party, who encount- ered the savages, and in a short time completely routed them. - Si .- I', ',ii,, ! Clark's l{.'[i.,rt. .li-llci-smi'* <'i>iTc.s]>on,!ctii'i\ vol. i.. ],. .",.' 1. I '!'). i~ a i',i|,\ i-l' ili,' M;IH m,.ii* s.'iit li\ Culnuel Clark [,> his Hritish nn- ta.Mi.i-t. \\/.. hi , !-,!, T in -:r. \,, ii !>,!! iVnin tin' ini|i,'ii.liii.: ^ !i>rm which IM>\V threat ens yr, it' 1 am nl,|i_'f,l In stnrui. \uu in;i\ ilcjictul nil MIC|I trcatnichl as is jusllx ,lii.- tn a niur,!cr- ,-r. !!, arc ul',1, -tm\ n. s|,.r,-: nl an\ kin,l. or :n,y ],:i|icrs ur letters l!,:.t a-c in \ciiir ji, is-c.-sinii. nr iniuriiiL. 1 :m\ im isc in low ii, In!', hv Jloavcii ! it \ nil ,li i, tli,',-, >-!i:i!! lie 1.1 1 Inci'i'N iin i\\ n \ ml. ' <;. H Ci IKK." Si-, .N,,i-ih American It> \ic\v. No. IIP;-. ( K-t.-ber. l-:r.'. j>. :jul 1,'JO HISTORY OK Tin: [HOOK in. with tilt" loss dt" nine warriors, besides the recapture of the two white prisoners. The remainder ot the Indians, surprised at the courage and impetuosity of the American troops, (led with precipitation. The humbled pride of the haughty commander of Detroit, upon his unexpected reverses, was but half concealed when, in signing the articles of capitulation, with affected complacency he declared, that in the surrender he was greatly influenced by the " knnirn generosity of his cncnnj"* The articles stipulated for the surrender of Fort Sackville, with its military stores and ordnance, together with its entire dependences, including the whole force under his command, as prisoners < >t war. After a few days, intelligence was received that an escort of fortv men. convoying a large amount ot' merchandise, including goods for the Indians and supplies for the army, was advancing by way of the Wabash from Detroit. With the utmost dis- patch Colonel ('lark took measures to intercept and capture the rich cargo and the escort, before the commander should receive intelligence of the fall ot the post at Vineennes. With the se- crecy and dispatch so characteristic of all Colonel ("lark's mil- itary operations. Captain Helm, the late Hritish prisoner, at the head of sixty men. was on his way to intercept the unsus- pecting detachment. The ever-successful captain, alter a lew davs' absence, returned in charge ot the entire escort, pris- oners ot war, and the carim. amounting to ten thousand pounds in value, all ot' which had been captured without, the loss ot' a man in the enterprise. The private soldiers surrendered by Colonel Hamilton were dismissed on parole, many of them being Canadian French. Hut Colonel Hamilton himself. .Major J lay. and a few other of- lieers ot l\ Cdlnm-l Clark at \'in- t l).-trnit. Major lla\. l'liili]> Drjran. justice cl the I lltS .hint nl'tlie British cams. >n tliere." i*ic. r Hamilton has execute, 1 his task ut' cxcit in_- the In- ine,l eriieities (Hi the cit i/.ens nl'the I nite.l States ';ii',l//iini, with an eagerness ami uvidity \s liicli e\ ince ::e iianii'iui/.cil \\ilii his peculiar liispusitioii." \c. HISTORY or Tin: [BOOK m. rous attempts to harass the frontier settle- ments i'f lViiiis\ Ivania and Virginia by savage incursions were made at Detroit subsequently, no attempt \vas ever made to recover the posts on the Wubash and Upper Mississippi. The Tin 1 journal continues to declare that " tin- uniform tenor of his cruelty is established bv numerous documents and ample testimony. At tho time of his capture, it appears lie had cent consiilernhle bodies of Indians atrainst the border population of these states, and had aetually appointed a ^reat eouneil to meet him nt (the mouth of) Ten- nessee, to eoneert the operations of this present campaign. They find that his treat nieiit of our eiti/ens and soldiers, taken and carried within the limits of his command. / ( r/\ /,i-y n rnii I iiinl inlnniKin : that in the ease of John Dodire, a citizen of these states, which has been particularly stated to this board, lie luaded linn icilh innif. thine him into put tin ,n I,, n : but not so with the Americans. The latter encountered great ha/.ard. and often imminent da Hirer, in navigating the river, or in attcmptinir to Vol.. {. }] ,'; 434 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. evade the vigilance of the English commandants, being some- times compelled to procure their supplies through Spanish bariremen beyond the surveillance of the British posts on the L< >wer Mississippi. .Nevertheless, through the enterprise and discretion of Cap- tain William Lynn, Colonel Rodgers, Captain James Willing, and Captain Benham, the American posts on the Ohio and Upper Mississippi were repeatedly supplied during the years 1777. 177S. and 1779 with military stores and supplies from New Orleans. It was in one of these expeditions, in the winter and spring of 177S, that Captain Willing descended the Mississippi with a detachment of fifty men. in two keel-boats, for supplies from New Orleans lor the western posts. The King of Spain was on terms of peace with the United Stales, and maintained a neutral attitude as to Creat Britain. Captain Willing, although in the service of the I nited States, which were engaged in a deadly war with Creat Britain, was willing to consider the English settlements on the east side of the river, below the Va- /oo.as neutrals in the war. taking no active agency either for or against the I .'nited States: yet as he was necessarily, in self- defense, compelled to observe the greatest circumspection and precaution, to avoid the vigilance <>t the English agent, in New Orleans, who was closely observing any violation of neutrality in the Spanish authorities, and who had remonstrated with the Covernor of Louisiana relative to former supplies obtained by aLfents of the United States. Captain Willing deemed it pru- dent that he should have some assurance, as he descended to New ( 'rleans. that the people of the Natchez district would observe a strict neutrality on their part. In order to place this ipiestion beyond doubt, he landed at Natchez, where he bad formerly resided for several years before the war. and havinur obtained an interview with some of the citi/ens. he took the sense of' the town in a public meeting, and with the general approbation entered into a written convention of neu- trality. 'I in- convention having been concluded and signed, Captain \\ illing prepared to descend on his perilous enterprise : but it was not lonir before be was informed that several individuals, repuifiiant to the convention, would not be governed by its tiro- vision-;. Having satisfied himself' that the opposition of these A.I). 1779.] VALLEY OF THE MISflSSiPH. 135 men would be highly prejudicial to his operations, he detei- inined to place them in military custody, and thereby secure their neutrality by preventing interference with his operations. To accomplish this object, he dispatched, at night, a corporal's guard, under the direction of a faithful guide, to the dwellings of the most obnoxious of the Loyalists, who were coin-eyed, to- gether with some of their slaves and other personal property, to his headquarters on board his vessel, where they were de- tained under guard until a satisfactory assurance was iriven that they would not violate the convention of neutrality. This assurance having been given, they were set at liberty, and their property restored. To this there was only one excep- tion. One individual, a pensioner of the king, from his known energy of character, his strong attachment to the royal cause, and his zealous efforts to promote the interests of his majesty's government, Captain Willing retained in custody, and convey- ed him to the city of Xew Orleans. After a few days, the captain was induced to give him the liberty of the city upon his parole until his return to Natchez. Disregarding his pa- role, which he may have deemed only a release Irom an un- lawful restraint, he returned to the vicinity of Xatchex. resolv- ed to seek revenge by taking redress in his own hands. These transactions led to the first overt act of hostility on the part of West Florida airainst the troops of the United States, and placed the people of the district in the attitude of parties in the war. It was but a short time before Spain lie- came involved with England in the war: and Florida then stood legitimate object for conquest. It was IP it man v weeks afterward, when the first act of open hostilit v bv the people i if the .Nate hex district against the Amer- ican troops occurred at F/llis's Cliffs, a short distance below the mouth of the St. Catharine ('reek. This was a wanton at- tack, made hv about twenty-five men in ambuscade, upon the t rod p> ami cre\\ < if one of Captain \\ tiling's boats on their re- f'rom \ew Orleans.* The boat, advancing against the " Wii.'liier Cap!:. in WiliiiiL- \% as tnk.-n prisoner hy the Kn-lish while on the Low" .r Mississippi or no!, I have not 1 n al.ie to ase.Tlain. hut am inelineil to believe he must have he, -i, eaptuiv.l hrtore lie left West l-'Iori.ia. in 177S. One thin- is certain: in the s priii:.' of I77: 1 he was a prisoner of \\ ar. ami \\ as kept in riu-onms eonlinement, in.l a piirtinn oi' the time in irons in the Itritisli army. He was exelian_'e 1 near thu elose ot (lie \ear 1770, at tlie same time that Colonel Hamilton, of Detroit. M. Koehe- hiave, ot Kaskaskia. ami others were exchanged. His. rigorous treatment hy the eii'j- .130 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK III. stroiii: current, was decoyed to the shore where the ambus- cade was laid, when a sudden volley from the concealed party killed live men and wounded several others.* The boat im- mediately made land, and the crew surrendered. This boat was commanded by Lieutenant Reuben Harrison, who had been instructed to take his position for a short time at Natch- ex, in order to secure a strict observance of neutrality. Hos- tilities were suppressed by the -judicious interference of others. It would hardly be deemed strange, under these circumstan- ces, if Captain Willing subsequently, on his return to Natchez, did land and pay his respects to his former adversary, by lev- ying a heavy contribution upon his vindictive enemy for the use and benefit of the American service. The wanton attack upon Captain Willing's boat and men was an outrage upon the officers of the United States, which accelerated the determination of the Spanish authorities of Louisiana to make, active preparations for the entire subjuga- tion of that, portion of Louisiana which had been annexed to West Florida. The influence of Captain Willing was exerted with ureat industry, and was seconded by many influential Americans then resident in the country, to induce the Spanish governor, upon the first intelligence of a rupture between the Kn'jlish and Spanish courts, to make a vigorous campaign at the onset, and reduce the British posts before they could re- mv was retaliated on Colonel Hamilton and others. See Jefferson's Correspondence, vol. i.. letter xii., p. It;!'. ' Tin' party in concealment hail been awaitin: [English) to fall below the inmwnle onfusion which ensued, a volley was iired from all sides, and d: the rest jumped ashore and culled lor quarter." See i:;-j. A.L>. 1770.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 137 ceive aid, and while the Republicans in the province were high- ly exasperated at the treacherous breach of neutrality in the Natchez district. Many persons in West Florida were emi- grants from North Carolina, Virginia, and the Middle States, and others were from the New England States, who took a lively interest in the struggle of their friends near the Atlantic seaboard. Such were anxious to see the British power exclud- ed from the Mississippi in the south, as it had been already on the north, by the individual State of Virginia alone. Hence the military operations of Governor Calve/., for the reduction of the British posts ot West Florida in 1779, were accompa- nied bv a large number of patriotic Americans from the districts of Natchez and Baton Rouge, as well as from the Illinois coun- try, who contributed the whole weight of their influence and personal services in the enterprise.* While England had been waging war vigorously against the colonies, France and Spain were not indifferent spectators of the contest. Circumstances connected with the operations of the British arms against the colonies gave rise to a hostile col- lision between the French and English governments ; and Spain, by an attempt ot triendly intercession between England and France, gave ollense to the English cabinet, and soon after- ward became involved in the war as an ally of France. Hav- ing declared war against 1 1 real Britain, his Catholic majesty resolved upon the re-annexation ot Florida to the province of Louisiana. Don Bernard de Calve/, colonel in the armies of Spain and governor of Louisiana, a man of genius and daring ambition for military distinction, having received the earliest intimation of the declaration of war, concerted measures for the immediate subjugation of all that portion of \\est Florida contiguous to the Mississippi. f Such was the enerirv and dispatch of the Spanish governor, that on the first ot" September he was before Fort Bute with an armv of' fourteen hundred men. The commandant refused to capitulate, and made a brave resistance tor live days, when the tort was carried by storm and utterly demolished. Fr< >m this pi lint, tin 1 Spanish ^ovenn >r, re-enfi >rced by several hundred militia, including a large number of patriotic Ameri- cans, marched northward to Baton Rouge, the stronire.-t British HISTORY or Tin: [BOOK m. post on tin 1 Mississippi. This post was garrisoned with four hundred regular tn>ops, besides one hundred militia : and the arsenal was abundantly supplied with arms, ordnance, and all kinds of military stores. Many of the troops, however, were disabled by sickness and consequent debility, reducing the real strength of the garrison far below its numerical force. The iort was immediately invested ; and on the xJlst ot September the Spanish batteries opened upon the works, and after a brisk can- nonade and bombardment of two hours and a half, the com- mandant. ( 'olonel Dickinson, proposed to capitulate, and terms were speedily arranged. In this capitulation. Colonel Dickinson surrendered to the Kimi of Spain, not only the post of Baton Rouge, but also all that portion of West Florida near the Mississippi River, includ- ing Fort Panmure at Xatche/, one small Iort and garrison on the Amite. and another at Thompson's Creek. Thus Spain be- came possessed of West Florida eastward to Pearl River, and Great Britain lost the last remnant of teritory in the Mississippi Valley. From this time, all that portion of West Florida south of latitude .'H J north, and west ot' Pearl River, was known as the Florida district of Louisiana, under the Spanish dominion for more than thirty years, when the people revolted and ex- pelled the Spanish authorities preparatory to its annexation to the t'nited States ; that portion north of latitude .'51 was pcace- ablv surrendered to the I'nited States in 17JH. The King of Spain, well pleased with the success of Don Calve/, as a mark ot approbation for bis energetic' conquest, conferred upon him the rank and title of brigadier-general, and confided to his judgment and valor the enterprise of reducing the remaining Fnglish posts in Florida near the (lull" of Mex- ico. [A.D. 17SO.] Preparations were urged during the \\inter, and early in March following Ceiieral Calve/ arrived with a stroll-.: force before "Fort Charlotte," at Mobile. The com- mandant refused to surrender, and a regular investment com- menced. After a. severe cannonade, the commander, on the 14th of March. \\ as compelled to surrender to the Spanish arms. In the capitulation \\as comprised all the territory dependent upon this post, or from Pearl Kivcr to the Perdido. The same year the Spaniards oi I'pper Louisiana, assisted by Colonel Clark from Kaskaskia, repulsed an attack made A.D. 1781.] VAI.I.EY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 130 upon St. Louis by a large body of Indians from Mackinaw, under the command of the commandant of that post.' The only remaining post in West Florida was that of IVn- sacola. the headquarters uf the governor. This was a regular fortress, defended by a strong garrison, and was not to be re- duced without heavy artillery and ample military stores, which the Spanish commandant could not at once command. ( 'onse- quently. he returned to Xew Orleans to provide for the reduc- tion o( this important post, whereby the whole of West Florida would lie again restored to the crown of Spain. .During the remainder of this year the intrepid dalve/, was unremitting in his efforts to reduce Pensacola. Twice had he advanced his forces by land and sea to the investment of the devoted post, and twice had his utmost efforts failed to effort a breach in the walls, or to compel the commander to capitulate, although reduced to the greatest extremities. At length he de- termined to withdraw his forces to Mobile and Xew Orleans, and at Havana seek re-enforcements and a heavy train of ar- tillery from the powerful armament which was expected in that port under the command of Admiral Solano. [A.D. 17S1.] Hut it was not until the last of February fol- low uiL r that he bad suflieieiitly completed his preparations, and set out for the harbor of Pensacola. Having encountered a se- vere gale on the way. with considerable injury to his lleet, lie did not reach the Hay of JVnsaroIa until the !>th of March, when lie proceeded to invest, the British tortress by land and sea. Yet such was the terrible cannonade kept up by the garrison upon the Spanish tleet, that it was not until the HMh of March that the vessels, of war could take their position to bombard the fort. 1 la \ hi'_r at length completed several land batteries in the rear of the fort, by which the enemy's lire was diverted from the lleet. the vessels iiumediatelv took their position and opened the bombardment. The garrison bravely defended the fortress to the last extremity, although the lire from the united battei'ie.- of the lleet and land \\as so destructive that the men were re- peatedly drixeii from llie.r guns. Wt for more than thirU davs the garrison continued to resist every renewed assault ol the Spaniards, until the ^tli of May. \\heii a. shot ii-om one ot the Spanish batteries lodged in the maga/ine, producing a most " t-Vf bock iv., rli;i[, iii., uf tliis \\.'i-K, tor ;i t'ull u'votint ut'this i-xjir.liti.it]. i 10 HISTORY UK THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. [BOOK III. awful explosion, and completely demolishing their works. Thev wore no\v completely exposed to the enemy's lire, and deprived of their ammunition ; and further resistance being im- practicable, the commandant. Colonel Campbell, proposed to capitulate. A suspension of hostilities accordingly took place, and on the J)th. articles of capitulation were signed and ex- changed. In this capitulation Colonel Campbell, after a heroic defense, surrendered the Fort and Port of Pensacola, including the garrison of eight hundred men. and all the stores and ord- nance, together with the whole province of West Florida.* East Florida subsequently yielded to the victorious arms of his Catholic majesty, and the whole of Florida., including the eastern and western districts, were fully confirmed to the crown of Spain by the treaty of peace in 17N3. Thus terminated the British dominion upon the Lower Mis- sissippi, two years after its termination upon the Ohio and in the Illinois conntrv. and alter an occupancy of less than twen- ty yea rs from the expulsion of the French from the same region. For the acquisition of this great and fertile region, (ireat Britain had contended with France for more than sixty years, at an immense cost of blood and treasure, expended in no less than live \. liaive/. Ciovi-rnc.r of Louisiana. Hritish Traders from Florida endeavor to monopoiixe the Trade of the Mis.-i>Mppi.- - Spain favorable to the American Revolution. - ( >li\vr I'ollock and Captain \\"illin_' in New- Orleans.- Spain espouses the \\'ar a-ai'i^t Cireat Britain. \\ i->t Finrida iuvade.l by (]o\'en:or Halve*.- Fi^rt Clmrlotte eaptureil in !>". I nsuecessfiil Attack on Pensacola. Attack on St. Louis by Mrilish and Indians from Mackinaw. 1{, -pulse.) liy Spaniards and Americans. Hombardmei.t and Capture ,,t 1', ;,>;ic, la. Ma\ :'th, 17-1. Surrender of West Florida. Ce>sion of Fast Florida to Spain. Revolt ill the Niit'-h' /. District, and Capture ot' I'ort Panmure in ;7-:. i'roi-eeilin^s ot' the Spanish Authorities a-ainst the InMirL-ents. Treaty of 17-:! concluded.- Revival of A^rii-iill-iral and commercial Knterprise. [A.l>. !").'{.] Tin: boundaries ot Spanish Louisiana, alter the (lisniriiiherinent, coin|irised, as \ve have already stated,' all thai \;isl unknown reiri"n \\cst ot thr Mississippi llivor, Iroiu its sources to ihe (lull' <>\ Afevico, and extending westward 1o the e\ii'fnie smirces ot ;i|] its LTrcat western tributaries anion'r the liiieky .Miiiiiitains. It included, also, the Island of ,\e\v ( )rleans. on the east side of the Mississippi, and south <>t'the Uavou Iberville. ( 'n the ( lull < >l Mexico it com pnseil the \\ hole * .See !>ok ii.. chap, x., of this work. 1 1'2 ins-roil v oi' THK [HOOK iv. coast, from Lake Borgne on the easl. to the liny of St. Ber- nard and the Colorado River on the west, with nn unsettled claim to the territory westward to the Rio Bravo del \orte. Of course, it included the Mississippi River, with the western bank above the Iberville. and both banks from the Iherville to the liah/e. The troops of (! rent Britain had already taken possession of Florida, and that portion of Louisiana lying east of the Missis- sippi, and north of the Iberville or Manchac Bayou. Many of the French in that region, dissatisfied with the idea of coin- in IT under the dominion of England, had retired to the western side of the river, believing they would still be within the do- minion of France. But soon it became rumored that Western Louisiana also had been ceded ton foreign power. Many be- came hi'jhly excited and greatly alarmed when it was intima- ted that this portion of Louisiana had been ceded to the crown of Spam. These rumors were confirmed by dispatches from the French court early in October, 17(>'}. announcing the ces- sion of' Western Louisiana to his Catholic mnjestv. M. de Abadie, the governor and director-general ad interim, was fur- nished with instructions by which he was to be governed in surrendering the province into the hands of the authorized agents of Spain, when the}' should be duly empowered and commissioned to receive it, from him. In the mean time, such was the state of excitement and dis- satisfaction among the' French population of Louisiana, that for nearlv two years subsequently no active measures were taken bv the Spanish crown to take formal possession of the prov- ince. It was hoped by the court of Madrid that a few months would suffice to cool down the excitement, and to allay the dis- satisfactioi] which had manifested itself so general I v in the prov- ince : hence it had been deemed expedient to permit the for- mer French authorities to administer the civil government under the laws and usa'_ r es of France, as if it were still a French de- pend'-: cp. 15m the people seemed unwilling to abandon their prejudice-:, or iii any \\ise to become reconciled to the change "t dojniiii< in. ' ' I'der thens. Aubry. who had succeeded D'Abadie : and the people became jealous of the influence which he might exert against them. Public meetings were held in the different settlements and in the city. Each meetinir elected delegates to a general meeting, or con- vention, to be held in New Orleans. This convention resolved to petition the Superior Council to direct Don L'lloa and the principal Spanish officers to leave the province. The petition was signed by five hundred and fifty of the most wealthy and respectable citi/.ens and planters. Ulloa was denounced, and threatened as a disturber of the peace, and all viewed his pres- ence in the province with jealousy and suspicion. Many be- lieved the formal reception of the province was designedly de- laved tor state purposes, and none knew ho\v deeplv they miirht be interested personally in the result. [A.D. 17>s.] Durinir the summer of 17(5*, rumor gave no- tice of the arrival of a powerful Spanish fleet at Havana, and that its ultimate destination was the province of Louisiana. Stron LT apprehensions were aroused m the public mind. Many expected the people would be driven to open resistance, with all its consequent horrors. The English authorities of \Vest Florida were consulted tor aid. m case matters were urired to extremities: but no encouragement was uiven. At lenirt.li. on the 'J'.Mh of October, the popular anxiety and excitement be- came so extreme, that the Superior Council, overruling the op- position and protest o| Aubry, the president, deemed it expedi- ent to require Don I ||.>a to produce \\\< commission and cre- dential- troin the Spanish court, for verification and record in the minute- o| their proceedings, or to depart from the province within one month. This decree ol the council was sustained by the inhabitants of tl ity of .New < Means and of the ( I er- maii coast, and six hundred armed men stood readv to enti'i'ce obedience to the order. 1 rider these alarmin ir appearance-. i i and the increasing discontent oi ihe people. Dun L lloa deter- 440 HISTORY OP TII>: [BOOK iv. mined, without further delay, to retire i'rom Louisiana into the Island of Cuba. He retired on board one of the kind's vessels then moored opposite the city, where he remained until night, of the following day, when the cables were cut by the popu- lace and the vessel was set adrift. Other Spanish vessels soon left the p<>rt.' Things had now remained in this state of anxious suspense for nearly three years. The people determined, since the Spanish vessels and commissioner were gone, to make one more effort with the King of France to avert the dreaded trans- fer. A mere diilerence of opinion, and a discontented mind, had now become an offense against the authority of Spain; and the consequences to them, personally, might well be appre- hended as any thing but desirable, especially to such as had been most active in expressing their dissatisfaction. A gen- eral meeting, or convention, ot all the delegates I'rom the par- ishes was again convened at \ew Orleans. From this con- vention two members were selected, and commissioned to re- pair with all haste and lay the petition and entreaties from the province of Louisiana once more before the king. The two delegates selected were M. St. Lette. of Aatehitoehes, and M. La Sassier, a member of the Superior Council. f [A.D. 17C>!>.] In March following, the Spanish intendant tor Louisiana arrived at Havana; but learning from Don VI- loa the popular excitement and the general discontent, he de- clined proceeding to .\ew ( Means, and finally returned to Spain. The delegates had proceeded to Paris ; but the voyage across the Atlantic had been long and tedious, and they arrived too late. A large Spanish force was in readiness to sail for the Mississippi, to silence all opposition against the dominion of Spam. Apprehending much resistance in the province, the l\mu r ot Spain had prepared a formidable army, to proceed to Louisiana under one of his most energetic- generals. Don Alexander ( I'Reilly, lieutenant-general in the armies of' Spain, l' : 'd been appointed governor and captain-general of the prov- 11 "' t ' "I Louisiana by the king's commission, dated at Aranjuex. April Hi. !">{). \\itli a strong military force at his disposal, he was no\\ on the Atlantic, sailing for the mouth of the Mis sissippi. At \e\v Orleans, things remained tranquil until the xJ.'id of Mum:, s Louisiana, vol. i , |> 358.351'. f If> were slaves, and 00 were do- rnestieated Indians. The city contained -1(58 houses of all de- senptK ins. The population of the province, exclusive of Xew Orleans., amounted to ten thousand two hundred and forty-eight souls. exclusive -it about liiteen hundred souls who were comprised in the distnrt of \Vcst Florida, under the dominion of (.J real Britain. A.D. 1769.] VAI-I.KY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 449 Thus the aggregate population of Spanish Louisiana at the period of the transfer, including the settlements on the Upper Mississippi, was about thirteen thousand live hundred and forty souls.* (/[> to this time but few habitations had been made on the west bank of the Mississippi above the mouth of the Ohio. The oldest of these was St. C.enevieve. first settled by a lew French families in the year 1 ?.">!. There were several other small settlements of more recent date, but none of much importance except St. Louis, which received its principal population after the cession ,,[' the Illinois country toCJreat Britain, as did most of the oilier small towns in this quarter. The site of St. Louis was first selected for a town by M. la Clede, in the year 17(54, when it was made the general depot lor the fur-trade. Although Governor O'Reilly had promised pardon to all who submitted quietly to his authority, and oblivion for all past of- fenses, he had resolved to except and to punish the principal in- stigators of the late discontent, and the former opposition to the Spanish authority. This determination was artfully concealed until about the last of August, when, by an act of treachery and dissimulation, he first made known his designs by the arrest of four of the most prominent citi/ens of the province. These were M. Focault, former commissary-general and ordonnateur, M. de .\oyant and M. Boisblanc, two members of the former Superior Council. M. la Freniere, former attorney-general, and M. Brand, the king's printer. These men. confiding in his professions of esteem and friend- ship, accepted an invitation to attend bis levee; and, while en- joying the hospitality of his house, were, with true Spanish treacherv. invited by O'Reillv himself into an adjoining apart- ment. \\ here they soon found themselves surrounded by a body ,J.-)0 HISToKV OF THE [liOOK IV. of "Tenadiers with fixed bavonets. the commander oi which, informing them that they were the king's prisoners, conveyed them under a military guard to places ol confinement, there to await their trial. (I'Keilly had determined to make an example of eight other prominent individuals concerned in the opposition to Don I 1- Joa's authority. Within a few davs afterward, this number was completed by the arrest of the following persons, agreeably to his order, vix. : M. Marquis, officer of the troop ; M. Doucet, a lawyer: Messrs. Villiere, Ma/ent, and Petit, planters; and Messrs. John Milhet, Joseph Milhet, Caresse, and Poupet, mer- chants. Soon after the arrest of M. Villiere, while in confinement on board a man-of-war, he was visited by his wife, who was not permitted to enter his apartment. Indignant at the outrage, and frantic with despair, he attempted to force his way to her, u hen a struggle with the guards ensued, and he was killed. Still she was not permitted to witness his last moments, and, to a;_ r L, r ravate her frantic grief, his blood}' shirt was afterward thrown out to her, as evidence of his death, with an order lor her immediate departure from the ship. Such was a speci- men of the lenity which others might expect from the mercy of OTleilly. The remaining eleven prisoners were soon put upon a formal trial, charged with having aided and abetted an insurrection airainst the king's authority, as provided bv the laws of Cas- tile and Spain, which were unknown in Louisiana. The tri- als which followed were hasty, arbitrary, and tyrannical in the extreme, evincing the vindictive resolution of the captain-gen- eral to make an example of those who had been active in the le revolt. I'iiey ail pleaded against the jurisdiction, and declined to be tr.ed by the laws of' Spain, which had not been extended over the province at the time of" the alleged insurrection. Thev cla.med to ha\e been subjects of the King "f France ; that the I' renc h lla'_r was then wavinir over the province : and that their acts had been m accordance with their allegiance and duty to the Km; of 1 r; nee : that tiiev owed no allegiance to the KiiiL r of Spam until the Spanish authority had been proclaimed, and the Spaiii>h lla-_ r and laws had duly superseded those of France : that the acts charged could not constitute an offense against A.U. 17ti!).] VAI.I.KV OF TIII: MISSISSIPPI. 451 the Spanish laws while those of 1'Yance retained their empire nver the province: that I'lloa had never made known his au- thoriiv, but. had studiously concealed it. it. indeed, he were clothed with any : that O'Reilly could not claim or expect obe- dience from the people until he had made known to them his character and powers: and that no act was charged against them after this manifestation ot" his authority. The plea was sustained relative to several who had been officers of the former government, but was overruled in rela- tion to IV .\ovant. La. Freniere. .Marquis. Joseph Milhet. and Caresns. were transferable. The ordinary alcaldes and attorney-general syndic were to he chosen on the first day of every year by the Cahaldo, and might be re-eligible by the unanimi >iis vote of the Cabaldo. Thus the high con rt was made virtuallv perpetual and self-constituted. The inferior civil of- fices were filled chiefly with French citi/.ens of' Louisiana. The ordinary alcaldes were vested with judicial powers in- dividually within the city, in common civil and criminal ruses. The attorney-general syndic was not. a prosecuting officer of tin- crown, as his title mi:_ r ht seem to indicate, but his dulv was ti' prpi>se to the Cabaldo such measures as the interests of the people required, and t> defend their rights from invasion. I he ( abaldo was a hii_ r h court and a legislative council. ;it which the governor presided. In its judicial capacitv it exer- '' ^'d i-iily appellate jurisdiction, in appeals curried up from the alc.-dde Courts. The ( 'aba Ido sat everv Friday, and it was sub- J t>( 't t" he enlivened at anv time by a call from the governor.} I he ( a ha Ido benur duly i 'r'_ r ani/ed. the governor surrendered the chair, or the presidency in that body, to Don L<>uis de Un- M trtn. - I.'misiaun . + i,|,., n . ,,. 8. A.D. 1770.] VAT.I.EY OF THF. MISSISSIPPI. -153 xaga. colonel in the regiment of Havana, who had been desig- nated as the future governor of the province after O'Reillv's departure.* The next step taken by (TReilly in ordain/ing the ne\v gov- ernment was to cause a set of instructions to he prepared for the regulation of proceedings in civil and criminal cases, to fie conducted in the courts agreeably to the laws and usages of Castile and the Indies. Other minor regulations were prepared for the government of the probate courts and the succession of estates. A commandant, with the rank of captain, was ap- pointed for each parish, with authority to exercise a mixed civil and military jurisdiction : being an officer of the peace, he had authority to enforce all general police regulations, and to de- cide all controversies in which the amount did not exceed twenty dollars. The Spanish language was made the tongue in which the judicial records throughout the province were to lie kept and the proceedings conducted. f The Spanish authority and laws were now duly enforced, without further arrests or executions, and confidence began slowly to he established in the minds of the French population. Spanish emigrants soon be:_ r an to arrive in great numbers from Spam, the Indies, and the American provinces, by which the population of the city and province was augmented so rapidly us to produce a general and alarming scarcity oi provisions. Flour in the city rose in value to twenty dollars per barrel. J and other provisions in proportion. [A.D. 1770.] Durinir the short period of O'Reilly's power, although exercised with irreat ri-jor and severity, he introduced many uselul regulations, and enacted many salutary laws, which he caused to be published tor the use of the province. Numerous Brants of land were made and located on the west- ern bank of the Mississippi, and in the prairies west of the At- chaialava and Tedic. " M;i'iiii> l.oiiisiami. vol. ii . p. 10, i:. t Idem, p. M, 1.1. f At tins time, dunnu- tlif extreme seareity of hreadstufTs. Oliver Polloek. from Haiti- arm ed with :l i-arir.i nl' flour, wl.n-li he offered t.. General < > Ueilly upon his own for tin' us, ..f tli,. troops rind .'it;,. Nut O'HeilK deelinin : t,. r.vrivi' it 1111 thoso I'olloek s.iid it to liiui nt fifteen dollars prr tirirnd. OH. 'illy was s.i plrasrd at ircliusr, that lie -nint.'d to l'..ilock the free trade of Louisiana us loni: as lie lived, and pron.is.'d to rej.nr-t his u'enernsit v to the kin_'. The :ul vantages ot' tins trade were enjoyed hy 1'olloek f.r several \ ears at":er\vrird. and plaeed him ill a situation, silb- Ke.(iienti\ . to aet for the 1 mted States as " ii-'i'iit" tor sii|ipl\ inu' the western posts en the Ohio and I'pper Mississippi.- Sec hook iii., ehap. iv.. of this work. Also. Mar- I::.'- I, lis'iima, vol. ii.. p. r, 1 . .\-,( HISTORY OF TIIK [BOOK IV. Tht- " black code," cod>- noir, formerly given b\ Louis XV., \vas re-enacted for the protection and government of the slaves. Foreigners were prohibited from passing through the domain without a passport from the governor, und the people were pre- vented from trading with individuals descending the river from the Tinted States. Many of the local regulations and ordi- nances were particularly oppressive to the French, but they had permission to retire irom the province quietly whenever they saw proper. Many, of course, availed themselves of this privilege, and abandoned a country where their situation was rendered more precarious, from a remaining suspicion of their disaffection to the Spanish authority, entertained hy a .governor who had clearly shown himself despotic, arbitrary, and treach- erous. They preferred the alternative of departing to the Isl- and of St. Domingo, the nearest, French colony, where they coiild enjov personal safety among their own countrymen, and tree tr< >m suspicion. But when the tyrant found that he was effectually driving from the province many valuable eiti/.ens, merchants, mechan- ics, and planters, he determined to put a check to this kind of emigration by refusing to issue passports. Hence many were compelled to remain and abide the concealed vengeance of a vindictive governor. By such means he suppressed the mani- festation of a desire to emigrate, but did not eradicate it from the discontented mind.* The province was. however, soon relieved Irom further anxiety, and the fear of O'Reilly's vengeance. At the end of one vear he was superseded m the command ot the province by Don Antonio Maria Bucarelly as "Captain-general ot' Loui- s:ana." O'Reilly returned to Spain under the severe displeas- ure o| his sovereign. Charles. 111., who forbade his appearance at court. I !n- subsequent Lfovernment of Spam in Louisiana was gen- erally mild and paternal, partly military and partly civil. The r"Verii'ir exercised both civil and military authority. The r:il was commander of all the military posts and ot the troops of the province. The intendant superintended the administration ,,(' the revenue laws, and not iinfremientlv A.I). 1775.] VAM.EV or TIII: MISSISSIITI. 135 this duty was exercised by the governor himself. The gov- ernor exercised judicial powers m such civil cases as miirht ho brought before him. The affairs of' the Church were commit- ted to the charge of the vicar-general. In each parish there was a military officer, or commandant, whose duty was to at- tend to the police of the parish, and to preserve the peace, lie also exercised most ot the duties which are usually assigned to magistrates and notaries public in the United States, and had jurisdiction in all civil cases where the matter in dispute did not exceed twenty dollars in value. The Captain-general of' Cuba, under the king, exercised a general supervision of the province as intermediate between the crown and the king's officers in Louisiana. [A.D. 1771.] The commerce ot Louisiana, under the re- strictions imposed by O'Keilly, continued to languish for two years, but it soon afterward began to revive under the judicious policy of Un/.aga. who soon rescinded most of those restric- tions which were in force during the first months of his admin- istration.' He also encouraged agricultural industry and en- terprise, by such means as were within his power, and thereby !_ r ave an impulse to agricultural enterprise, which had been al- most entirely suppressed under Ins predecessor. A'otwith- st:indin'_T the restrictions of the royal schedule in 17(i(>, he wisely permitted the planters to supply themselves with slaves for the cultivation of their estates from the British traders in West Florida. [A.l>. 177.'}.] After three years the province heirim to as- sume a state ot general prosperity, and, under the judicious moderation and \\ise administration ot ( n/.aga. the French population had irradually become reconciled to the Spanish do- thonties. immigrants from Spain n continued to flock to Louisiana under the tmld and pacific rule ot I n/a'_ra. who soon afterward re- ceived troin the kiir_r the commission of brigadier-general, and " Intendanl of Louisiana," as a special mark of the approba- tion and confidence ot his royal master, in addition to his office ot govern" >r o[ the pr< >vmce.t [A.I). 177."i.] |)iiriii'_ r Un/.a ( _ r a's administration, the popula- tion on the Lo\\er .Mississippi, as well as in Upper Louisiana, had steadily increased, and before the close of the year 177;") Murtin's l.'misiun.'i. vul. ii.. p. '!">, -ii. t Mi'iu. [>. ;>!. :il. 4 fit) HISTORY OF THK [flOOK IV the t<>\vn "f St. Louis had augmented its population to eight hundred persons. The number of houses was one hundred and twentv, including many good stone buildings. The people of St. Louis possessed large numbers of domestic stock, and es- pecially horses and horned cattle, which ranged at large upon the fertile prairies for miles in the vicinity. St. Genevieve, at the same time, contained a population of lour hundred and sixtv persons, and about one hundred houses of every descrip- tion, ' [A.D. 177<>.] The mild and benevolent rule of Vn/aga con- tinued in Louisiana until the close of the year 1770, when, hav- ing received from the king the appointment ot Captain-general of Caraceas. he was succeeded as Governor of Louisiana by Don Uernard de Galvez, a colonel in the "Regiment of Loui- siana," and connected with the ruling nobles ot Spain and the provinces, lie entered upon the exercise of his oiliee on the first, dav of January, 1777, at a time when England was waging a bloody and cruel war against her American provinces. As a Spaniard, he had no predilection for the English monarchy, and his sympathies were enlisted for the colonies, which were struggling against, the power and tyranny of the British crown. The province of Louisiana at this time was prosperous, and earned <>n <[iiite an active trade with the French and Spanish colonies in the West Indies, l.o promote which, during the past year, the King ot' Spain had granted permission for I'Yench vessels from the West Indies to trade direct with the city of .\cw Orleans, and, under certain restrictions, with the plant- ers on the coast above the city. The cultivation of tobacco, as a valuable staple product, was encouraged by the royal gov- ernment, \\lnch instructed the liberal purchase of crops to be received into the n>val warehouses. f [ \.l>. 1777.] The same vear witnessed the first regular commercial intercourse between the ports of the 1'mted Slates .\ew Orleans. The pioneer in this commerce k. a eiti/en of Baltimore, who had been res id- New ( )rleans since the close of ( )'lieilly's ad- l>uriii'_ r the year 1777 he received the appomt- States agent, in .New Orleans for the purchase A.U. 177!).] VALLEY OK THE MISSISSIPPI. 157 \v;ir for the use of the American posts upon the Ohio frontier, as well as subsequently lor those in the Illinois country. He- ing an active and energetic man of business, and an enterpris- ing merchant of .New Orleans, lie soon received the lavoruble attention oi Governor Calve/, which greatly facilitated his com- mercial operations in behali ol the Federal government, and enabled him to render important services to the cause of the American Revolution. [A. D. 177!*.] A lew months elapsed, when France and Spam were involved in the war with Creat Britain in favor 0} the American colonies. England, having taken offense at the action of the French court in relation to the revolted provinces, by a recognition of their independence, declared war against France herself. Subsequently, the King of Spain, in order to bring about a general pacification, proposed, through his min- ister in London, to the English cabinet, a general amnesty of peace, to be settled for a term of years, bv a conference of ministers from the belligerent powers, to be convened at Mad- rid, and that those of the l/nited States should be admitted upon an eipialitv with others. But England could not brook the in- dignity, and. in very unequivocal language, and in no very courteous manner, rejected the Spanish minister's proposition. The latter, offended at the reception of his Catholic majesty's ^.'od offices to put a close to the war. \\ithout ceremony de- parted from London and returned to Madrid. With impru- dent haste the Enirlish cabinet issued letters of marque and re- prisal against the Spanish commerce, and the IMIILT ot Spain was soon compelled to take an active part in the existing war. On tiie Nil of .May. 177'., his Catholic majesty formally declar- ed u ar airamsl ( I rea t Britain, and look measures to commence active operations against the common enemv.' A portion oi the |o\al Hritish provinces immediately contig- uous t" Louisiana had already commenced hostilities airains? the American authorities. \\ Inch placed them in the attitude of enemies to Spain and the I lilted Stales, and as such render- ed the pro\nice o| \\est Florida a legitimate object of con- quest. From the first occupancy of Louisiana by the Spanish au- thorities, much annoyance had been experienced from the ad- vance ol the British settlements and posts on the Louer Mis- Miirtin s Louisiana, vol. ii.. ji. 17. lf,S HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. sissippi. Tlic subjects of (Ireat Britain, entering the river by \vav <>f the Aniite :nul Iberville, introduced into the Spanish settlements near the Mississippi, as well as into those \vhich were more remote, contraband goods and articles of merchan- dise. uhieh entirely evaded the revenue laws of Spain, and thus created for themselves an entire monopoly of the trade with the province, through their trading-posts established upon the east hank of the river, as high as the mouth of the Ya/oo. Such had been the annoyance of the Spanish authorities, that any event which might remove a troublesome neighbor and re>tore the eastern bank of the river to the Spanish dominion could not be otherwise than hailed with satisfaction. The court of Spain had viewed with concealed satisfaction the revolt of the English provinces along the Atlantic coast, and secretlv desired to see them successful in their resistance to British tyranny and power. Hence the Spanish authorities of Louisiana had offered no impediment to the agents of the I'nited States in their efforts to procure military supplies in \ew Orleans tor the western posts on the Ohio. The governor and captain-general of Louisiana was early notified of the war, and was instructed to proceed vigorously against the Mritish posts in West Florida. After some oppo- sition and consequent delay from the Cabaldo, Clalvez succeeded iii orLMiii/ing about fourteen hundred men readv to take the Held. With these he marched against the English Fort Mute. on the north side of the ."\lanchae, and carried it by assault on the 7th of September.'''' From this point, having received a re-enti i|-cenient of six hundred militia, he marched to Baton lioii'je. the principal British post on the river. The post, at this place was well supplied with arms, military stores, and provisions, and \\as garrisoned by four hundred regular troops and our hundred militia. After a, cannonade of two hours and a halt, the commandant, Colonel Dickinson, on the vilst of Sep- tember. sin-rendered not only this post, but also Fort. Panmure, : ' Nati'ln-/ ; also, a fort on the A mite. :md one small post, on TlminpMin's ( 'reek, together \\ ith all this portion of West Flor- ida. + 'I hii< all that part of \\Yst Florida, now comprising the parishes "( M:!!n I {on ire and Feliciana, came under the domin- ion o| Spain as a part of Louisiana, which had been severed in ' Idem, p. ',?. A.I). 17*0.] VAI.I.KV OK Tin: MISSISSIPPI. -150 [A. P. 17SO.] For his soldier-like conduct at the Manehac and at Baton Rouge, and for the successes which attended his movements, the King oi'Spuin conferred upon Don (lalvex the commission of brigadier-general of the royal forces of Louisi- ana, with orders to prosecute the further reduction >( the Brit- ish power in \\est Florida. Having made preparation during the winter, and having received re-enforcements from Havana, lie v\as ready in January to sail for the reduction of' Fort Char- lotte, at Mobile. On the vovage to Mobile Bav, he narrow!}' escaped utter destruction of his fleet by a violent gale in the Unit "of Mexico ; and after tedious delays, he succeeded in mak- ing a landing of his troops, artillery, and military stores on the east bank of the river, near the British fort. Six strong bat- teries were erected, from which the fort could be bombarded with great eti'ect. The batteries opened upon the tort, and a practicable breach having been made, the commandant capitu- lated on the Mth of March, without further resistance. The reduction of this post being effected. (Jalve/. returned to New Orleans to concert, measures tor the reduction of I'ensacola. tin' capital of West Florida, which was defended by the stron- gest fortress in the province. The remainder oi the year was spent, during a protracted siege, in fruitless attempts to reduce the place. At length (lalvex, finding all his ellorts ineffectual for the re- duction of' the post, suspended further operations until he should receive re-enforcements, together with a train of heavv batter- ing cannon and a naval force, to aid in the final reduction of tins important pi >mt. In the mean time, while the Spanish arms had been triumph- ant on the Lower Mississippi and in \\est Florida, the set- tlements of' I pper Louisiana, and the town of St. Louis, had the 1'ritish post of Mackinaw, on the northwestern lakes of Can::. la. Tiie I'ntish commandant at Michilhmackinac, hearing of the disasters ot the British arms in Florida, conceived the idea of leadniLT an expedition upon his own responsibility against the Spanish settlements of St. Louis. Farlv in the spriii'_f lie had assembled one hundred and forty regular British troops and Canadian Frenchmen, and fourteen hundred Indian warriors lor the campaign. From the southern ext remit \ of Lake Mich- 100 IIISTuKY OK THE [oOOK IV. igan this host of sa vanes, under British leaders, inarched across to the Mississippi, and encamped within a few miles of St. Louis. The town had been fortified for temporary defense, and the hostile host made a regular Indian investment of the place. Skirmishes and desultory attacks continued for sever- al days, during which many were killed, and others were taken captive by the Indians. Much of the stock of cattle and hor- ses belonging to the place was killed or carried off. The people at length, believing a general attack was con- templated, and having lost confidence in their commandant's courage, or in his preparations for defense, sent a special re- quest to Colonel Clark, then commanding at Kaskaskia, to come to their aid with such force as lie could assemble. Colonel Clark immediately made preparation to march to their relief. Having assembled nearlv live hundred men under his com- mand, he marched to the bank of the Mississippi, a short dis- tance below the town <>f St. Louis. Here he remained en- camped for further observations. ( )n the (Hh of May the grand Indian attack was made, when Colonel Clark, crossing the riv- er, marched up to the town to take part in the engagement. The sight of the Americans, or the ' Long-knives," as they were called, under the command of the well-known Colonel Clark, caused the savages to abandon the attack and seek safety in ihght. The}' refused to participate in any further hostilities, and reproached the British commandant with duplicity in hav- ing assured them that he would march them to light the Span- iards only, whereas now they were brought against the Span- iards and the Americans. They soon afterward abandoned tin- British standard, and returned to their towns, near Lakes Superior ;md .Michigan. During the siege, which continued about a week, nearly s.\ty persons were killed in the town and vicinity, and about thirty persons had been captured by the Indians. The timely arrival ot Colonel Clark rescued these and twenty other pris- oners, which they had taken in their advance. Such was the invasion ot I pper Louisiana in 17HOfr\n-r Mi>si^i|>i'i. 'l"i>'- I" 1 ")'!' 1 "' stiriir its A.I). 17H1.] VAI.I.KY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 461 [A.D. 1781.] During the winter General (lalvex had been indefatigable in his preparations lor the effectual reduction of Pensacola. He had repaired to Havana lor the requisite re- enlorcements and munitions of war. together with a strong naval force. At length, on the 'Jisth of February, 17S1, he set sail from the West Indies for the coast ot Florida, to co-operate with the forces from Louisiana. The armament from Havana comprised one man-ol-war, two frigates, and a number ol transports, and oil" the coast of Louisiana he was joined by the land and naval forces from New Orleans. On the 'Jth of March the whole armament appeared before the port of Pensacola, when the fort opened a heavy lire upon such vessels as ven- tured within the range of its guns. A regular investment commenced, and the works progressed with great activity until the first of April, when several bat- teries were ready to open upon the fort. The cannonade com- menced with great vivacity, and with decided effect : but the garrison made a determined resistance, and all the efforts of the Spanish forces were insufficient to compel a surrender, until the fHh of May. when the lodgment of a bomb-shell exploded the maga/ine, and rendered all further resistance in vain. The commander then proposed to capitulate. Terms of capitula- tion were arranged and signed on the same dav. ' By the articles of capitulation, the English commander sur- rendered to his Catholic majesty the fortress and port of Pensa- cola, together with the garrison ot eight hundred men, as pris- oners of \var. and the whole of the dependence of "West Flor- ida. The whole- ot Mast and West Florida was confirmed to Spain bv the subsequent treaty ol 17*3. Thus terminated the last vestige of British p<>\\er upon the Lower Mississippi, after an iicciipancv i>t ncarlv nineteen years.j" [hiring the protracted investment o| Pensacola, a partial re- volt of the English colonists in the Xatchex District had well- tw.> extri initiei u p. m tii.- river, tiliiive ,-!.'. . MI ; ;in.l Hall's Sketelies, v.,i. i., ji in, 1 1-.- 1 . ' See l><>ok iii., chap, iv., of this work. t So; Martin's Lii ;sianr\, \nl. ii.. p. til. 1(52 HISTORY OF mi: [BOOK iv. niirh brought n|cn them the vengeance of their conquerors, the Spaniards of Louisiana. These mm having learned by rumor that a powerful British armament \vas oil' the coast of Florida for the recovery of his m;ijest\'s posts and possessions on the Lower Mississippi, and believing the cause of England already triumphant in Florida, determined t< evince their /eal lor his Britannic majesty's ser- vice hy overpowering the Spanish garrison in Fort Panmure, and restoring the British Hag over that portion of the province. Accordingly, having organized themselves under military offi- cers, and having secured the co-operation of a large number of Chocta warriors, they repaired, on the '2'2d of April, to an eminence above the town of Xatche/. and in lull view of Fort Panmure. where thev raised the British Hag. and commenced their operations for the capture ol the Spanish post. During the night, they approached the fort, and planted their cannon so as to bear upon the works; but a heavy lire from the artillery ot the lort next morning soon compelled them to retire. During the following dav and night, a moderate can- nonade was continued between the garrison and their be- siegers. On the 'JUth <>f April, the commandant sent :i Hag from the fort to the insurgents, representing to them the danger to which they exposed themselves bv an open rebellion against their law- ful sovereign, at the same tune tendering to them the royal clemency, provided the}' would deliver up their leaders and disperse. They promised an answer next day. Next day the garrison was induced to believe that the fort had been undermined from the deep ravine contiguous, with a powerful mine, the train of which was to be ignited on the fol- lowmir day: whereupon the commandant, seeing his supply nt provisions and ammunition was nearly exhausted, and his men \\om do\vn with fatigue and watching, proposed to capit- ulate, upon condition that he should be permitted peaceablv to retire from the lort. and march his troops without molestation t" I'atoii IJoiiLre. These terms were accepted bvthe insurgents, and the tort was surrendered to them. A few days brought intelligence that the ileet which had ar- rived was a Spani-h re-enforcement for Galve/., and that Pen- sacola had lallen into his hands by the fate of war. This brought consternation to the insurgents, who deemed it n;^ J? A.D. 17S1.] VALLEY OF TICK M IS.-qss I I'l'I. 1(53 expedient to provide tor their o\vn sate ty before thev we re with- in reach of Spanish vengeance. Among the insurants were (ieneral Lyman and many of his colony, as well as "thcrs from Ogden's colony, on the Homoclntto, who immediately sought satety by tliLfht Irom the coiintrv. Mindlul o| ihe late ot ( t'Reilly's victims ten vears belore. thev determined t" elude the vengeance <>t the Spamsii governor by seeking the protec- tion u| the nearest I'ritish post in (ieorLfia. upon the Savanna River. Without loss ol time, they took up then- men, women, and children, with such ot' their etfects as were available, through the Indian wilderness to the western parls ot deorgia, through the Creek nation, of whose friendship they had no assurance. After a long and distressing journev oi one hundred and thirty days, thev reached the settlements on the Savannah, exhausted with fatigue, exposure, and privations.* Others took rein ire in the Indian nation, some ot whom sub- sequentlv fell into the hands of the Spanish authorities, and were treated as rebels against the kind's government. On the VJ'Jth of July. Don Carlos de (Irandpre, "lieutenant- colonel in the regiment ot Louisiana." entered upon his duties as "civil and military commandant ot the post and district of A'atchex." when measures were iminediatelv instituted for the punishment ot such <>1 the late insurirents as were within reach of the Spanish authorities. Arrests, -ei/ures. and confiscations commenced.! During the months <>\ September and October. the L r ""ds. chattels, etlects. and dues o| every kind, pertaining to more than twenty " tiiL r iti\c rebels," had been sei/ed for coii- fiscation. Sonie of these were men of wealth, especially d'eorre Rappleje and Jacob lilomart. l'et"re the middle oj November. ..ii;>i:i!i:i. \ni. ii p ;.-! -.".. .;i!ii-!i r.-.-nni-i ul N:it.-h. /. . \iiii.it :i ii.-t i .]' lii.- " t" u:!i\ , r. I ).!-." ar.d tin; !!,., ()_ C!:ri~t::i[i IKI, .,::. -in. I ':t:. !. H:iii-lm,.|^li. 'rii:i.|,!,Mi-4 I.yniiiii. W; ",,!.,, I':,-.-. .1 >iiM T.ini- .:, I.' MI-, , N-li::,!.;. ; .!..!.:. 4t)i HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. seven of the leaders were prisoners in close confinement in New ( )rle;ins. "charged \vith the crime of attempting to pro- mote a t:ener:il rebellion" against his Catholic majesty's gov- ernment in the "District of Natchez." Seven were convicted and sentenced to death, but were subsequently reprieved hv the governor-general. Thus terminated the lirst revolt of the Anirl<>- Americans in Florida. The second, nearly thirtv years afterward, was more fortunate. [A. D. ITS'J.] Meantime, the plenipotentiaries of the bellig- erent powers were engaged at Paris in negotiations for a gen- eral peace in Europe and America. On the '20th of Novem- ber. 17vJ. the provisional treaty of peace between the United States and (Ireat Britain was executed. This treaty establish- ed the southern limit of the I nited States to be the 31st par- allel of north latitude, from the Mississippi eastward to the St. Mary's River of East Florida. v [A.D. 17SU.] On the 20th day of January, 178,'}. the pre- liminary articles of peace between Great Britain on the one side, and France and Spam on the other, were signed bv their respective plenipotentiaries at Paris, and hostilities in Louisi- ana and Florida ceased. In September following, the defini- tive articles of peace were signed by the same parties and the United States respectively, lor the iinal ratification of their re- spective :_ r < ivernments. By this treaty (Ireat Britain confirmed to Spain the whole of the Floridas south of the '51st degree of latitude, reserving the riirht that all British subjects then resident in Florida should be allowed the period of eighteen months from the ratification ot the treaty to sell their property and close their business. provided they desired to retire from the province. f Meantime, the provinces of Louisiana and the Floridas. un- der the Spanish dominion, returned to a state of peace and re- pose, when military parade and martial displav irave place to domestic cares, and the excitement of trade, agriculture, and individual enterprise. Emigration from the Spanish provinces of Me\i<-u and the \\est Indies continued to augment the pop- ulation as well as the commerce of the c.ountrv, and enter- prising emi'jrants trom the United States beiran to arrive also. Son Walk. r'.H !! purls cl rfupivnu: Court nl' Mississippi, p. Cli, imtc. t Martin, vol. ii .. p. T'J. \'.\i.i.i:v OF TIII-: Mississ-irn. -10;, OI'ISIAVA CNUP.K Till'. Hl'AM-ll iMiMIMiiV. I'KuM 'fill'. TKLVTV OF 17V5 TO TIII: vi-: A i; 17l>(5. \.n. 17V{ TO 171)15. [fjin: ,:/'. - 1'rospen us Condition of Louisiana after the War. Population in 17-."i. (la!-.. .-: r. tires from Louisiana. -D, n Miro succeeds to the pro\ i-ional ( iovernment. - ,l.nl .-,- of II, sidence. -Catholic Church m Louisiana. Inquisition excluded. - Aca- dian Kmi.-rants. - Indnl-ence to British Subjects in \Vesl L'lori.la.- Irish Catholic I'riests i or the Natch,-/. I )i strict. Miro succeeds as ( io\ ernor ircin-ral of Louisiana in 17-'.;. - Arrival of the Commissioners of ( Jeor-ia. ( ieor-ia Act creatin..- - Bourhou Count;,." Spani-li 1 )m ics n|.on Amcriran riv.-r Trade.- Kxtuiisiun nl' \nicrican Set- tlements in the ( )hiu Itc-ion.ClailiiH of \\ estern People to tree Navigation of tin- Mississippi.- -Tlieir Impatience under Spanish Imposts. They contemplate tin: In- vasion of Louisiana I>\ military force. Nature and Kxtent uf Spanish Imposts. liolaxalioii of impost Duties.- Colonel Wilkinson's A-ency in i licet in-.- Relaxation of revenue I. i;\vs. -Kmi-ral ion ot' A mericans to \\'est l-'lorida and Louisiana. (ieli- erai Mor-an's Colony.--" New Madrid" laid oil'. -C.nardiHjiii nr-vs ri-id Kxecution threatened \\ it h military Invasion t'roin Ohio He- ion. Con 11 a -rat ion of Xcw Orleans in 17--.- Supplies from the Ohio admitted h\ the river Trad.-. -Colonel Wilkinson cn_:a.jcs in the tohaeco Trade. Kmi_'-at ion from Cumlieriand to Louisiana cncour- tiL-ed: aNo I'.- the Ohio and the Illinois. Population of Louisiana in 17". Kmi- -ratio,, and Trade |V,,m the Ohio He-ion in 17-:' '.<<. I'olicv recommended l.y Xa- S. ho-.!- and Ac-ad- -lilies in New I Means. Baron Carondelet succeeds Mi,-,, a- (iov t-nior of Louisiana. 1'opulati. m of N- -,\ Orleans in 1 7 :>.'. Trade ill, I 'In lade! phi a. ~ -Political I >!-! urhances emaiiatin- from iwo'.utiomirs france in 17:'::. I I, net's In- tri-nes and co, , tempi;:!- -d Invasion of I., .-li-iana and l-'l,-riil:i from the I ml, -1 Slates. - Defen-lNe M,A,-ments ot Baron Carol..!. -I in Louisiana. Measures , .|' 1 he I'.-der- nl (!o\ , rnmcMt to suppress ai \ ho-ti:. Movement, I'ort P.arrancas connne.tced at the !on.-;h C|,i, ka~ i Bliill i ,nt. , ! . l roii.;e',t for et!'eeti,i_- a Separation of Western Peopi - DOM lie. .don Int. ...; ,::! . t Loui-iaici and Florida. I... ,.- ana and l-'lorida a i i-.d.-p nd.-'t Bishopric C : , .-,.,,!, 1, i imp--o\es and forti!i,-s the c;, : . ,f ..- I-:.. - . C;. ;. ! -.". i C..|: n. S'-i :.-'- and '1'oiiaee,, .s-,,-ce, !. I.oiii :.. -i : - i I..''- \ - ! !-> nvr.-Med : himv,-:) n c-ill,-,!. i C, ! i.\ . , li \\' as| it ;l . An-an: ements \\ iih ,.! :'-.- C a d il.-nt. ( Irani to Baron de -: ! I ' m I... i.i-i:in:i in -I i-'i,..-:da. I Ifanl to |>ul,ti,j , - li.t. lies :, r the .- paratidii of kentuckv Irom liu- '- -A IH the k.-.) ,- ' > C. ,.spir.-, tl ,rs. - Seha-!i;.-i de N.- .r,, I..- ir-vctioii discoNcred and - ,ppress- d ol I'-.,., I C. ,;,. , Ne :ro Import-itioii interdicted.- Don Morales I ..,,, : - L, -o. ,.,a !, -.. i h the Ba\ou !!:,rlL,-!,-mv and St. Kraia i- lli\.-r. [A.D. I7s|. L' .1 l.-l \\ A. l'clU'\ rd 1 1 1 c \\ ;i rt:i re. ln"_ r :iii |i > \>r< >- : MI 1:'- 'in Sc:i in. 1 in- \\ i lti',5 IIISTOKY or TIIV: [HOOK iv. ccntiniied to augment the po])ulation in all the settlements. Trade from the interior, and commerce with foreign ports and \\ith the colonial dominions of Spain, began to develop the re- sources of the country, and to increase the strength and wealth i if the set t lements. [A.l>. 17s,").] In the spring of 17^5. according to a censu> bv order of Governor ( lal vex. the population of the whole prov- iii'-e of Louisiana,, including the Xatchex and Baton Rouge dis- tricts ot' West Florida, exclusive of Indians, was over thirty- three thousand souls. Of this amount. Lower Louisiana,, ex- clusive of the Florida (list ricts. contained 2N.047 persons, includ- ing" the population of \e\v Orleans, which was -1080 souls. The West. Florida districts contained .'M77. and Upper Loui- siana J 1!H souls.' Thus the province, ill fifteen years from the departure of O'Reilly, had more than doubled its population. The irrealer portion of this increase of population was not altogether the result of emigration from Spain and the Spanish possessions near the Gulf of Mexico, but there had been many French emigrants from France and the French "West India Islands, consequent upon certain privileges which had been extended to the French population for several years past. Aiiionu' these were the privilege of' serving in the ''Royal Regiment of Louisiana." and of filling many of the inferior civil ojlices in the royal Lrovermneiit. In the course oi the summer following. Governor Galvex retired from the province of Louisiana, to enter upon the du- ties of " ( 'aptain-ireneral of ("uba." to which otlice he had been promoted hv the kiiiLT. The province of Louisiana and the I wo Floridas were to remain attached to his government, un- der In-- lieutenants, until a regular appointment should be made. ( hi hi- departure from Louisiana, he wa< succeeded in the ad- minist ration of the irovernment bv I )on Fstevan ^liro, "colo- nel oi tin- Regiment of Louisiana," who, having been appointed .finite of Resid (.-ncet f T Ga Ivex, was intrusted with the duties s |i,-cn:i Sji-ihi-ii i-iiinii ' - .1 |.| ! i,| ]i,^i,!rii"i " \\ :i< ;i \visr :n,'l sninlnry jircivis ..'..::;. . n.w n nlJii . r nft, /' lir |I:M! rrtiivil fmin li\ r.-n ' Tin .' !_-. el 1 ri-si.li-iii'.-, sil'ti-r h:ivin- in;i.lc i7 >f L ri >v ern< >r until a successor should be re i^uhirly appointed bv the k in IT. The Catholic Church had already been established in Louisi- ana, and its inlluence \vas tell in every Spanish and French settlement : but it was not until the year 1 "NO that the successor ot St. Peter attempted to introduce the terrors o| the IIolv ( )t- fice to sustain the true laitii against foreign heresies. Heretofore the church establishment was supported hv hinds from the royal treasury, as a portion ol the government es- tablishment. an. havinir been instructed by the kiiiLr to prohibit the exercise of all inquisitorial (unctions in the* province, notified the commis- sar\ of his instructions, and forbade him to exercise the duties of his otlice. But the "reverend lather," deemin;: it his diii\ to obey his spiritual rather than his temporal master, entered upon the exercise of his commission. The Lrovernor, firm to his dutv and obedient to Ins instructions, determined to remove him from the province, and soon afterward, without an\ other w:i rnimj'. the xealous ecelesiastn*, while eii|oviii!_:' the slumbers of midnight, was suddenly aroused by an oliicer at the head of' eighteen LM'enadiers. u IP > conveyed hmi safely on board a ves- sel read\ to sail for Spain, and by daylitrhl next morning he w::s i;p"ii hi- vovaL r e for Kurope.T Thus was tlie first and ///;: nil/// i n n _: l he sa n ie year, t he province recei\'ed an accession lo iis population b\' the arrival of a lar'_ r e number ot Acadian French families, introduced bv the KIIIIT of France to enable inL-lit !" strii-t i'l tin' di--''Ii'<'iri' ni'liis errors, li;> pjirtinliiy. li\- nv:irici-. or lii- in p :<-.s:i,-e. i' \v;is to lie expeeti <1 tiiiil li-' wouiillie prompt e,l tn itn upri-ht ili^rlinrL.-'- o!'lii-. il'itict; si'.wnys :ttt:imcil : i'n' tli' 1 rupiil iii-ciiiiiuliilion of l;ir_'o t'ort ;inr< by tl.e Hp;tiii>li ^overn- ..!- \v,-is ho! Illicolillliou.- See Mnrtill. Vol. ii.. p. 7' ; . " Martin, vol. ii.. j.. -'. -1. ' Mem. p. -'4. It'iN Ill.-ToRV OF Till'. [liOOK IV. them to i>in their friends. \vho. to escape' the English dominion, hud emigrated IV' 'in tlu-ir country to Lonisianu in the ye;ir 1755. They \\ere located upon grants ot' land made by the Spanish authorities, chiellv upon the Terre aux J'euis. upon the Uayoii Lafouivlie, and in the districts of ( )ppeloiisas and Attackapas. \vhere their descendants still reside. The whole number of persons in this importation was about three thousand live bun dred >ouls. comprising the greater portion of the remainder of the original French population of that country. Ihirinir the same year, many of the English residents retired t Von i West Florida, and especially from the districts of Xatch- e/. and IJatoa ll.] To favor those \vho miiiht desii'e to rem;:in in the settlements ot .Nalfhex and Bavoii Sa ra. whore there were manv l,'',-.h einiLTrants. the kniLT directed that these districts -1 10 1 ild be supplied with Irish ( 'atholic priests, in order to ;: llord thi-in the pn\ ilcgcs ot the Catholic Church. The priests ar- rived early in the tollowing spring, and entered upon the du- ties of their oJiice. '. rl\ in ihe summer o| I7>>!>. Miro received his commission Irom the km'_ r as " Clovernor, civil and milit:irv, of Loiii-ijnna nd W ' I'lorida," and on t!u! 'Jd of June he is.-ued his Imntlii "'"' /'//'/, >ettiir_ r for! 1 1 his powers and the geiier; 1 .! prin- t ration oi the 'jovi'i'iiment. Soon al'ler- -verjil general regulations |iir ih.e preser- reliLi'ious decoi'inn in the ro\ince. A.I). ]"/>>.] YAl.I.KY or -I'll!: M I SS I -S I I'l'l. !(')'. Together With SlllidrV police lV'_ r l ll al il IS for lilC !_ r < >\V I'l ll I Id it of tile C|1\ ot .\t'\V ( (rleailS. A mo|| if these \\elV Ordlliaiiees pro- hibiting Concubinage, alld 11 1C i '11 tllie lice MS II ll \ elllloi ill. ;ill(] pro- viding !"")' tlu- enlorceinent of ;ill l;i\\s for the suppression ot .'_rainbliir_ r . duelling. ;ind the wearing of dirk<, pistols. ;md con- cealed weapons. I ndtT Ins wise udininistnition the province continued to en- joy ;i hiirh (ieirrcc \ prosperity ; jiujmlutnin ;ind coimnerce in- creased, the river trade \vith I'p)' 1 ' 1 ' L'Miisiana. and the settle- iiicn's upon the ( )in and its tributaries, had become active, and the Spanish dominion upon the Mississippi appeared to Ite m- creasniLT continually in importance and power. In the mean time, the serious attention ot the Spanisli ;iu- tliorities was attracted to the urowini, r power of the I'nited States, \vliose western settlements were c'ominii in collision v/ith those ot' Louisiana and Florida. The Slate of Georgia claimed the whole southern portion of the I'nited Stales, from the Atlantic to the Mississippi River, bounded on the south by the thirty-iirsl parallel (.if latitude. Hence all the territory near the Mississippi on the east side. Iron i Loftus's IleiLi'liH northward lor several hundred miles, was properlv the territory oi UeofLfia, I'ut this \\hole reirion was in the possession of Spam, \\ith a population of nearly ten tip piisand si Mils. Tin-- snb'|i.'ct had not been overlooked by the state Lfovern- menU and coiimiissioners on the part o| ( leoriria had a rri \ ed ai \e\\ ( )rleaiis, durinir the autumn ot ]';**'. \\ith a demand for the suri'ender ot ilie ternlorv. and the establishment oi the hue stipulated in the livalv of 1"^:;. The subject, ho\\ever, had been I'eierreil to the I eileral LTovernment lor settli-nu'iit ami :, n i ic, 1 1 ' , ne^otiat ion. Tiic coii,nu--ioneix notified the Spanish governor 'Mhat on tin- "ih of I'ebriiai-y. 11^.") I he Le'_ r i| ;i count v, b\ the lloiirboii coiinP ' near the Mississippi, coinpri>in'_ r all the lan.i> be|o\\ the iimiith of the Va/.o,,. t,, \\hicii the In- dian title bad bei n e \t in "'lushed ; and that ^aid act pro\ ided. ilia! whenever a land-otiici' shouhl be esiablished in r-aiil coun- ts, the persons occiipviULf an\' o| ,-;ud lands, beiicj' nil/en^ oj the 1'nited States, or of any frielidl}' power, -hoi, Id have a ],re!ei-ence clnini allowed a nd reserved to them : pro \ ided ///// [BOOK iv. ttiliKiili/ //>.,/ mi ami < -iilticitt>'tl xniil lands." Tin.- subject, how- e\er, having been reierrcd 1" the I'Yderal LTovernment tor ne- gotiation. the act of' I'Ybruary ~th, llN."j, "was repealed on the !h>t d;iy of I'Ybruary. 17SS. An active trade from the population on the Ohio li;id forced itself do \\ n the Mississippi to every part o( Louisiana, and \\ est Florida, and the peoj>le of these western settlements elamied ilie natural riirht to the use of the river through the province of Louisiana: although, in the eves thcer. \s ith a. suitable i aiid a militarv post, was established at \ew Madrid and i 'ihcr | ion its. a 1 \\ !i;ch all boats u civ ret pared to make la nd and comply \\ilh the revenue laws, \\ Inch \\vrc enforced \vilh riLT'T. even to sei/.ure and confiscation n| liie car^o. The western people were iiiultiplyiiii; rapidlv. and tlieir surplus products adapted to the Louisiana trade continued to increase astonishingly, and forced their way do\\n the Missis- sippi. 'I'h' 1 river duties, which l>v liu-m \vere deemed op- pre>si\ e and unjust, w i- re collected and extorted l>v the o|]iei:ds ol Louisiana. >npported h\ military force. The westi-ru people , ed llic-'c dniies exorbitant, and thr manv re>1ricti ms which \\ere imposed oppressive and unjust toward those \\lio possessed a natural riLfht \ navigate the river free of all such inijiositions. I nder thoe inijiressions, it is not strange lint many o| the siunly Ucpuhlicans should resist these exactions, and d i>i'eu r a I'd ilie attempts o| the Spanish authorities to en- !"i'ci- ihrm. ! a ih;s manner, if. trequentlv happened that persons ' c ;-.-d. ;, ied, and imprisoned, \vith other vexations d; !;i\ s nd i . ; 'iix-N ; ;md sometimes their cargoes were coniiscai.ed : - or lurleited, and the owners or supercargoes . ih.'SS, !' find their \\ a v h< Hiie.f [ \-l ' 1 """] I u -pea ted occurrences of tins kind in the lapse I " N "> 'o 1 *N'. |; ,(! ^reall i I n'en -cd the ue-i- ' ...... L'.l, v,.; i I'ahlir I,;n,,!s, |i. 1 :" Til.' I), n ' .i -Il'i. t l.f lll'lll Sil I'ill' l!!l til I,' ; . M !'' ...... .HI : . i . ;.!'.] -;'. 171 throughout the whoie ( >h;o region, II'IMII the sounvs ni the MI >iii in^-;ih('l;i to tlio>e o| tiic I'eimessee and ( uiiiherland iJ;\- ers. T.I .-:ieh an e\tent had tins vindielive leelin:^ heelt ear- ned MI Kentuekv and upon tin- ( 'umherlaiid Ui\er. tli;il ;i mii- itarv invasion ol Louisiana \\';is devised \r n'di'i'ssinu' the \\ 'ri!' r s n| tlir \\ extern pCMpir, ;uid SIMXIIILT 'in' l"Tt i >t \c\\ ( >r- ' ie:ius : |iri\idi'd tin- I'Yderal LT"\ I'l'iinifiit l:n!cd !> n!'l;iin iVoiii S]i;i,!i. l.v iii'u'Dliatii in. surh riiiinneiviii! [irivili'^cs in Iviii-'ana ;;s \\.-;v indisjK'lisalili 1 In tin- |i|-us(H-rity nl the Western ju'")ile. Siii-ii had heeii l!ie eAciteii lelil in KeiilHekv and Teiiliessee, - earl\ as the >|inir_: <>l 17^7. that tlie Sjninish L r "Vt'nu>r he- e;une serimish' tijijireheiisive <>! an ilivasinit Irmn Ki'iituek\'. in deiiaiiee "f the j-'ederal aiithnrity. At I he same time, the west- ern [if. > ] >le, indignant a! t lie neglect t>| t lie I' edera I i;'< i\'ernineiil in n't >ei i uriiiir t'T {hem the tree u.-e nt the Mississippi, \\vre stmnu'l\' tempted t" separate from the Allantie Stales, and to secure ior themselves an independent I-THI ol u'o\ eminent, \\ inch \\ oit id eiialue them to ohtain from Spain, under ( me |! irm or another, those eommereial advantages \vlneh iln-y \\ere de- termined to p. i>sess. It \\ as under the-e eirenmstanees iliat ( 'olmiel .lame- \\'iikin- soii. an enterprisiiiLT linTehant nt Keiitnek v, and a. man oi line talents and :iddre<. made arraii'_ r ements \\ith the Spanish au- thorities to de-eel id I" \e\\ < h'leaiis \\ ith sev<-rai hoats loaded with toj/aeeo, limn-, and nthei ar!ie|es o! \vestei - n | ir-'dnei ion. 1 la \ in-' re..e!.ed \e\\ (lrle;,n- in -a fet \ . 1 n 1 1 ! >l a 1 1 led a 1 1 i 1 1 1 e )'- view v:th the LI'OV ernoi', and al lenu'ih -iiieeeeded m securing !' -r liim-' 1 ! I a nd a li'U Iriend- permi-Mon to t rade \\ ith the eit v. , ' Mi- "i ; on Diego Guardoqui, apprised of the . ( _rovernor's views, and conceiving that he might derive a. pecu- niary advantage from such a state of things, readily assented to the policy, and hecame deeplv interested in promoting the projiox'd jilans l'>r securing harmony ot feeling hetween the \vestern people and the Spanish authorities of Louisiana. The intend;! nl "I Louisiana, agreeahlv to the vievs s ot the Lrovernor. had consented to rela x 1 lie re ven nt 1 la ws, and indirect! v to sanc- tion occasional violations of a rigorous and oppressive law. This stale of things continued tor nearly two years, when Gnardoqni, perceiving that his expectations, in a pecuniary point ol view, were not rcali/ed. determined to require the rigid ex- ecution ii| the revenue ia\v> upon the river trade. "While ( 'olonel Wilkin.Miti was in \ew ( Means, in June. 17*7, Governor M in > ret j nested him to ;_ r i \ e his sent mien ts free- Iv. in writinir, re- peeling the political interests ol Spam and the Americans ol the I mted Slates inhahiting the rei:ion> njion the \\estern waters. This he did at length in a docu- ment of lifieen or 1 \\entv pages, \vhich the governor transmit- ted in Madrid to he laid he fore the King of Spain. i^niv with the Spanish olticers : for, in that case, tlii'\ :_; m-r.-illy in;mr: _ ' : In their private use. it;. i '. IINim'y 1. 1' Kentucky, passim. In several port ioi:s ol' this \w.rk \vc ,1, in hinkiii- rei'ereners to authority, to depend ei,irll\ on Ji ii s n:o-.| ol' tin. ,.;irh histon ol Wi -t ini.l KI i :. i- iinl.o.li,.,! in tl.r In- t \.il.inn! of I luiiiphivy Murshiiir.^ Mistor; . ,1, nts are ci mil it in 1'. I i ' comprise. ; -rn l,iMor\ ln->iiles lluil prop, ; . ;: i i;ls 1,1 !, t . r, ivtt' ,| (hut M,-. Umlur ili'l not ,|, , :..!.. ii.i'1,1. t.i ;i p. r ami '-i i s i IHM.OI, ! ,v tli,. hi: Ion ol a nicnilirr i-1 I -rion- . I), thill patient i II. rtioi i to pres.-nl the iisri'iil ln:itl< i taine.i ,| : : 'I r. - r. , : lit cut ^^ ''-' .\.]>. 17^".] VALI.KV or TIII: .MISSISSIITI. -173 "In this document he urtres the natural riirht of the western people to follow the current of rivers llo\\iu'_r through their country to the sea. lie states the extent of the eouutrv. the richness ot the soil, abounding in ehoiee productions proper tor forei:_rn markets, to which they have no means ol eonveyin'_r them should the Mississippi he shut against them, lie sets forth the advantages which Spain miirlit derive from allowing them the Iree use of llie river, lie proceeded to show the rapid increase of population in the western country, find the eagerness witli which every individual looked forward to the navigation of' that river; he described the general abhorrence \vith which they recei\'ed the intelligence that, Conirress was about to sacrifice their dearest interest by ceding to Spain, for twentv years, the navigation of the Mississippi ; and represents it. as a fact that they are on the point of separating themselves entirely from the Inion on that account : he addressed himself to the governor's fears by an ominous display of their strength ; and arirues the impolicy ol Spain in being so blind to her own interest as to refuse them an amicable participation in the nav- igation of" the river, thereby forcing them into violent meas- ures, lie assures the Spanish governor that, in case of' such alternative. ' (J real Britain stands ready, with expanded arms. (.1 receive them.' and to assist their efforts to accomplish that object, and quotes a conversation with a member of the British Parliament Jo thai effect, lie stales the facility with which the province o| Louisiana might be invaded by the united forces of the 1-jii'j'hsh and Americans, the former advancing fr< >m ( 'an- ada hv way of the Illinois Uivor, and the latter bv wav of the Ohio I! i \ er : also, the practicabiht v o| proceedinir from Louisi- ana. Ji Mexico, in a ma rch of t u enly days : that in case of' such hiA'asioii, (ireat Britain \\ill aim at the pos-^e^sion of Louisiana a nd \e\\ ( Irleans, and leave the na \ iLf'it ion o| the ri\'er free to the Americans lie iir^ed forcibly the danger of I he Spanish iniere-i- in \"rih America, \\iih (ireat IJritam in possession i a' the Mi- ;>i ppi. as >he \\ as already in possession of" the St. La\\rencc anil ihe Lfreal lake<. lie concluded \\ith an aojo- 17 I HISTORY en 1 TIM: [UOOK iv. These views accorded so nearlv with those which had been ;ilri';ulv sii LT'JvMed bv the condition ot things on the Mississippi and in the \Ve.-t. that thrv were unhesitatingly adopted as (In- correct principles tor the government ot his Catholic majesty's I'liicers churned witli the administration oi ailairs in Loiusi;ni;i. Tlie object ot' Colonel Wilkinson, in this statement of the relative feelings and interests ol the t\vo c()iiniries. was evi- dentlv to impress upon the- Spanish government, forcibly the importance of granting to the American people of the West those commercial privileges \\hich Spain could not long -with- hold with safety to her dominion on the Mississippi. In doing this, he deemed it expedient to operate upon not only their fears, hut their interests and their love of self-preservation. Hence lie held out to the Spanish governor the possihility of an alliance between the western country :md Louisiana. \of was the latter mistaken in Ins views as to the proper manner in which these concessions Were to he effected. The statement of Colonel Wilkinson, and the inlluence of his ad- dress and talents, were the first etlieient means \\hieh led \n the chanire oi pohe\ m the government ol Louisiana. Through Colonel Wilkinson's negotiation and his diplomatic aildress, the u'o\'ernor \\as con\'iiH.'ed <>1 the policy ot conciliating the western people, and ot attaehinir tli'Mn as tar as practicable to the Span':-h government. V's,on \,e \\ere exerting a salutarv intluence in cojicili;i(ing these u r i'o\s IIILT ami populous settlements, the Spani-h minister con- ceived I he pl;m lor fill c ting a political union he! ween t he west- ern people nd (he province of Louisiana. The !h>! siep in- ward the ace. ![(ipli^hinent o| \\\\- desirahle object \\ a s the plan o] tormiir.!" Ani'-ncan settlements in I'pper l^ouisiana. as Well as in the Florid di>tr,el o| Lo\\er Louisiana.' A.I). 17SS.] V.U.I.I:Y or TIM: MISSIS-MITI. 17.") [A.D. 17-ss.] A larLfe American settlement \\as to he lormed on tlie west s.de i>l the Mississippi, between the mouth nf the ( )iiio and the Si. Frauds Ilivrr. (leneral M< n'Li'an. an American eitixeu, received alarire irrant of land about seventv miles ludow the nil> m v. Sunn altcr\v;ird. ( !en- eral Morgan arrived with his n>li>nv. and located it about, seventv miles below the inuuth oi the (Mini, upon the ancient alluvions whieh extend westward to the White Water ('reek, within the present roiintv "t .\e\\Madrid. in Missmu-i. Jlere. :ip'n the beautilul ri a in;i'_f- nitieent eit\'. which, in lmii'>r ot the Spanish capital, he called " ."New Madrid." The extent and plan of the new citv was but little, it'anv, inferior 1< the old capital \\hich it was to connueni- i 'rate. Spacii >us streets, extensive public s<[na.res. a. venues, and proiiienades \vere tastel'ullv laid oil' to inairnily and adorn tlie tut 1 1 re city. In less than twelve months from its first location. it had assumed, aeroi'dimr to Major Stoddart. the appea.rance ol a reirularlv built town, with numerous temporarv houses dis- tributed over a hiirh and beautiful undulatory plain. Its lati- tude was determined to be !}('> Ii()' north. In the renter of the -,te. and about one mile troiu the M^ississippi, was a beautiful lake, to be inclosed bv the future streets of the eity. Tiii-' policy was continued top nearlv two years, in hopes oj' u'aiiniiL f over the western jeop!e to an adherence to the Span- is!i interests. .\or uas it \\ holly uiiMtccessful. In the mean time, man \ individuals in l\entU''k\', as well a> on the Cumber- land, bad become favorablv impressed to\\ard a union \vith L MiL-iaiia under the Spanish . \- :t ti;e tacts bad |iist. come to h;s knowledge, he ;\'<\\ atlected L r i'eat indignation at the remissiiess ol the iiiteiidaiil. \\lio bad permitted these delinquencies; and. ,n an otlicial communication, severidv reprimanded hi- derdii. 1 - H(i msToRV or mi: [BOOK iv. tion of dutv. and threatened to represent his conduct and his delinquencies to the court at. Madrid. The intendant, alarmed tor the safetv of his ollice, resumed the rigorous enforcement ot' tlie revenue laws. Sei/.ures. confiscations, delavs, and im- prisonments, allccting owners, supercargoes, and crews ot' tlat- ln nits descending the river, became frequent and embarrassing ; and Li misiana was again menaced with invasion from the ( )hio. Hundreds of iierv spirits in Kentucky and on the Cumberland were anxious to embark in the enterprise. In the mean time. the city oi'Xew Orleans had been nearly de- stroyed by lire. ( )n the 'Jlst of March, about three o'clock in the afternoon, the chapel of a Spaniard in ( 'hartres-street took lire, and. by a stronir wind, it soon spread over the city, until nine hundred houses were consumed, besides an immense amount ot property of every description. 'This was the severest ca- lamity which had ever betallen the citv, and threw the whole province into want and embarrassment.* Provisions ot' all kinds became scarce, and great, distress prevailed in the city. To prevent actual suffering and famine, the government was obliged to take measures for supplying the necessities of the people. A contract was opened tor the supply ot a large quantity of Hour from the Ohio region, upon which large ad- vances ot' money were made. and. as an additional inducement to traders and boatmen, the privilege of introducing other arti- cles was granted to those who brought cargoes of flour. The embarrassment and privations occasioned hv this un- foreseen calamitv in the citv admonished the governor of the necessity o| relaxing all the commercial restrictions upon the river trade, and ot releasing those individuals who had been imprisoned lor former violations of the revenue laws, and to restore the property previously sei/ed and confiscated. About this time an arrangement was entered into with ('<>]- onel \\ ilkmson for ihe introduction of one or more boat-loads "i tobaeeo annually into the city. .Permission \\ as also extend- ed to emigrants ti'oin the settlements upon the \Vabash, Ken- tucky, or ( 'iin iber I and River-, to settle in Louisiana, upon con- dition --I their pa\inga duty of 1 went.y-live //// ecu',, upon a! 1 property introduced f,, r s;i ],._ Slaves, stock, provisions for two years. tai'minir utensils and implements, were to be free from any duty whatever. Lands ti.r the settlement, of farm* and 177 tor residences were freely tendered t< those "who were willim_ r to hecome Spanish subjects. Many American citixens, encour- aged hy these conditions, and allured hy the mild climate and the productive soil ot \\'est Florida, removed, with their fam- ilies and etlects, to that coiuitry. and heeame incorporated as Spanish suhjeets. During the year 17SS the jurisdiction of the United States was extended over the \orthwestern Territory, which com- prised the whole country fr< 'in the ( Hiio north west wardlv to the (Ireat Lakes and the .Mississippi. J5y the ordinance of 17>7, tor the or<_r;ini/ation ,,( tins terntor\". iiu'oluntarv servitude or s!a.verv was forever aholished within its limits. .Many ot the French settlers in the Illinois couiitrv \vere in the possession of neLTo slaves, introduced under the French jurisdiction, which Tolerated slavery, as did that ot Virginia afterward. I'nwill- iu: now to he stripped of a valuahle species of property hv -uhsequent legislation, they determined to reino\'e into the Spanish dominion west of the Mississippi, where neirro slaverv was tree troin rest fictions. The population ot Louisiana lor several years had hecn irrad- ; ;ill\' increasinir in numlu-r. irom Spain and France and their dependences, no less than troin the { nited States, and the cens- us t;:!\en duriii'-T the yea.r 17^^ presented an a irir rebate p^pu- lation of I _>.('> 11 souls in Louisiana and the \\'est I'lorid,-. dis- tricts. This au - L r rcL r ate indicated an increase of nea.rlv ten thousand persons since the census o| 17^r. the .'greater portion .:(' \\hom were Spani-h immi^ri'iits and l-'rcnch Acadians. in- troduced t\vo vears hetore ; the rcina'iidi'r were chielly Amer- icans, v.iio had setiled in the \\'e-t I'l irida districts. Th.c \\lr>le population |,\ ||-,'., celi-ns is di\ ided into the t'ol- 'M\\ !! c!"- e ; d numl.ers, \'ix.: I'ree \\-iiites. l!M 15 : free per- ;:s [ROOK From iii< ye.ir I TNN we may date the Bellied policy of Spain. through lii-r colonial and diplomatic authorities, to endeavor. i>y intrigue and diplomacy, t< acquire the western portion ot ;he Fniled Stall's. The kiniT. having approved the judicious i .olicv of (.lovernor Mi r relative to the indulirences extended ID the western people, relieved him irom the interlen-nce oj the intendant bv the resignation ol Navarro, and the union o! Ills duties and authority in the governor himself. Xavarro, in ;he mean time, had endeavored 1" rouse the court of Madrid to the danger to he apprehended Irom. the iiiereasiTiur p<\ver o' the I'nited Stales.' lie had portrayed in strong ro} () ;-s th.e ;:iiihition ol' the Federal government on the subject of \\esten. territory, and the thirst for conquest, vvhich, he asserted, would he irratitied onlv hv the extension ot their dominion to tlu- Chores ot the I'aeiiie ( )eean. lie also rec pr< >iiii ite 1 heir mlere>1s. To el] ret this object, he recommended the judicious distribu- tion ol pensions to prominent individuals ot Kentucky, ;:nd an >">. tension ot commercial privileges to the western people ifener- ally. The judicious control ot these means, in his opinion, would make it no dillicull matter for Spain to arrest Ibrevei 'iie desiirns of the Fnited Stales ]'or extending their territor\ ii the \\e-t. \\hilc it would invatlv augment the power o; MI Louisiana, and immensely increase its resources. The - i.:"- 1 -t.ons ot the minister were well received at court, and 1! //.,./, .//.*, /,;. ;. St. <;;.. . . . SI I. niN . . . ,; ' In this i i N ! i . ' " - ' : ' ' ' -. -A - . i . f. . M,i r ,' iiiur.' tliMii 1 :il! n . !,! ir\ iil't. r\\ ;in ii-i< !, : r. >1 i-i th.j limits n! th- I-'. continued to disturb the harmony ot the two countries, and t destrov mutual confidence.! .Nor were persons of talent and influence wantm:: in Kentucky who were \villiir_r to promote the desiiriis of Spain in producini: a separation of ihe \\'est. I'm- the juirp'ise ot cllectiiiiT .') political and commercial alliance with Louisiana under the protection of Spain. I nder the adopted policy ot Spain relati ve to en miration from the I uited Slates, and the river trade, the population continued to advance west of the mountains, and emigration to Louisi- ana and West Florida lieii'a. n to add hundreds annuallv to the pi ipula tii MI ot the province. At the same time, a new impulse \vas Driven to the trade of' the western peoph> with the Spanish provinces generally, through the port \ \e\v ( >rleans. 'I 'he surplus products of the settlements on the .Monon^aliela. the ( >hio. the Kentucky, and ( 'iimherland lii\'ers consisted ot flour, poj-k. heel', \vhisl.\-. ap- ples, cider, lumber, horses, entile, and manv other agricultural and manutactnred products, which met \\ith a readv sale in \e\\ ( trleans. as \\ell as oiher ]'d leelinv. existed between the Western pei.ple a.nd the Sp;in:sh authoi-i- 1 ie> in L' iiiisiaua. I aiter j 'I'i sc \\ as a wakened in the \Vest. and ca pilal i'reely in- vested in reai'iiiLT those products most m demand in Louisiana and the Spa m >h province^ throughout the ( 'out iuei it. as well as in the \\I-M lndi:i Inlands, and men ot enterprise and capita! emliarked their means in the na \ i'_ r at :OD ot the river and in the extension o| \\ esteru ci unmerce. [A.M. 17 '.().] Tor two years this slate of amicable trad.' 1M) HISTORY or Tin: [BOOK iv. continued, and from all these settlements emigrants and ad- venturers continued to descend, upon every spring Hood, in company with the regular trading-boats from the Ohio. Many of them, well pleased with the climate and the agricultural fa- cilities of the country, remained and entered into the cultiva- tion of tobacco, cotton, and indigo, then the most valuable sta- ples of Louisiana. Others, who had contemplated a permanent residence in the Florida districts, averse to the tenets and rites of the Catholic Church, to which all were required to adhere, vieldinir to their prejudices, returned to the United States, to rnjov freedom of opinion in their religious sentiments and the church rituals. lint Spain had become jealous of the advance of the Federal power, and the Spanish authorities became highly disquieted by the extension of the Federal jurisdiction over the ''South- western Territory," and tin- relinquishment oi sovereignty ovci the same by the State of .North Carolina. About the same time, the commissioners ot the Federal government had succeeded m roncludiuLT a treaty of peace and boundary with the duels ol the ('reek nation, and which had been fully ratified by them in the city of New \ ork. To counteract the effects of this treat}', the Spanish authorities immediately instituted a negotiation with the ('reeks, bv \\liidi thev were induced, to prohibit, the opening of the boundary line stipulated in the treat}'. Thus, tor m : 're than a year subsequently, did the Creeks re 'use to rat- itv the boundary hue' stipulated in the treats', and mans ot them had been induced by the Spanish emissaries to assume a hostile attilude toward the United Slates. [A. I). 171)1.] J fence, during the years 171)!) and 171)1. the ntercourse betsseen the western people of the United State- and those o| Louisiana was greatlv embarrassed bv the coii- !ndia:i hostilities upon the northwestern frontier,. ion the si iiith western borders ot the Cumberland MM - Sudi had been the hostile operations of the north- iis. that a succession o| military expeditions had hcei : 1 -i them, and had penetrated to the center of then I In- southern Indians had now taken up arm i ' in TII In 'ii tier. ln. ' The city ot New Orleans continued to augment :n popnla- tioii and to extend Its commerce. By the census of 17i>'J, it was found to contain nearly six thousand inhabitants, with a m c< inimercia ! imin >rtance. o extend commercial lacdities to the western peo- encoiira'_ r e the existing trade between the citvof A llh.' >u'_di cont ra ry to inst riie- >ns tr.iin the minister oj finance, yet such was the general ad- ' Miiniii, vul. ii., p. ll-j. y oL . I._H n JS'3 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. v;int;i'_re of this policy to the city of Xew Orleans, and to the whole province indirectly, that the king subsequently justified him in the partial infraction of the revenue laws relative to the western people. Ju accordance with the same amicable com- mercial jiolicv with the people of the United States, before the close of the year 17!>'-2 the governor had permitted several mer- chants t'roni Philadelphia to estalilish commercial houses in -\ew ()rlc:ins for conducting the American commerce of the city.* [A.D. 17!);}.] About this time the political disturbances in France heiran to affect, not only the United States, but Louisi- ana also. France and Spain were at war; and French emis- saries sought, through the prejudice which had been roused airainst the Spaniards relative to the navigation of the MNs.is- sippi. to instigate an invasion of Louisiana and Florida by the people of the United States, and. if practicable, even a separa- tion of the Western States, and an alliance with Louisiana un- der the dominion and protection of France. Connected with this scheme, a revolt of the French population of Louisiana against the Spanish authority was contemplated. Such was the menacing attitude ot atl'airs in Louisiana, that liovernor Canmdelet deemed it expedient to adopt all prudent measures for placing the province in a proper state of defense against torei'_rn as well domestic enemies. The old l'>rtitiea- tions near the city were superseded by two new forts com- menced upon the bank oi the river, one above and the. other immediate! v below the city. Three redoubts defended the back part o| the ntv. the central one beiiiLf the principal. At the middle of each llank was also a batterv: and the whole was surrounded by a deep ditch, within which was a strong pal. side barrier. f ( Mlier forts, at. dillerent points on the river, above and below, were likewise placed in a proper state of defense. The militia were -d^o organized and trained, ready for serv- ice at il;-' shortest notice. The governor reported the number "t imlil ;i lit tor service in the province as between live ;.nd six A.I). 17!ti.] VAU.KV or run MISSISSIPPI. -1S3 Meantime the revolutionary spirit of France had beirun to extend its influence into Louisiana. The political xealots of Jacobinical France were eairer to commence a. crusade tor the recovery ot their estranged countrymen ot Louisiana under the dominion ot France, and to release them from the thraldom ot the Spanish dominion. At the head of these political fanatics was M. Cienet. the French minister near the government of the United States. This tiery and indiscreet functionary of Republican France endeavored to rouse the people of the Unit- ed States into an unlawful invasion of Louisiana and Florida. For this purpose, under the authority ot the French Republic, lie issued commissions to a number ot men as officers in the French armies, with authority to raise troops in the United States for the contemplated invasion and revolution ot Louisi- ana. The principal field of M. Cenet's operations was the western country, especially in Kentucky and Tennessee. Sei/inir upon the excited prejudices of the western people, his agents were active in descanting upon the incalculable advan- tages which would accrue to the whole country by a separa- tion from the Federal Union and an alliance with Louisiana under the protection of France. Many ot the western people ol' the United States were seduced by his emissaries to espouse the schemes of the French agitator, and troops were actually imhodied upon the southern frontier of Georgia. An emissa- rv had been dispatched to the ('reek nation, and had enlisted a lame body of('reek warriors in the enterprise." [A. .M. 17H-1.J Although the Federal government of the United States had used the utmost vi;_ri!ance and decision in ar- resting the contemplated treasonable expedition, the (lovernor of Louisiana lie '.fleeted no measure I or putt iir_ r his pn>\ ince in a proper state o| defense to meet the threatened danger. The fortifications around the citv ot \e\v ( h'leans were progressing _'. 1',. -i-.v.-.-n lliv c-it;, Mini tin- !?;tli/..' v. , r, fuur ri.ii!|i:irii<-s i.finir liuti.lrr.l inrn mrh. t, i if lli" Miis,i]i]ii," c tiiii;irisinj th" mi.it::i mi l.c.tli si.l.'s of th,. i-iv,.r. f-, .:, I'.-." v. .;:,;!;. c.f ih.' c il\ iij, I . ]', int (',, i]n ,-. i-.u^tilut.'cl |ni r. inpunirs nf fiisilic.|>-, -1S1 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. daily toward completion ; the forts at Natchez, Walnut Hills, and \e\v Madrid were re-enforced, and a treaty was con- cluded with the Chickasas, by which the alliance of that nation was secured, and permission obtained for the establishment of a military post near the mouth of the Marmot or Wolf Kiver, upon the fourth Cliickasu Bluff, which was soon afterward oe- cupied by a stockade fort.* The militia throughout the province were kept in a state of complete organi/.ation, and the people were exhorted to a faith- ful adherence to their duty and allegiance to his Catholic maj- esty, to resist every attempt to excite rebellion, or in any wise to favor the military invasion designed by the adherents of France. To carry out measures for insuring the peace and due observance of the law. he issued his proclamation about the first of June, strictly requiring the enforcement of certain police regulations throughout, the province. f Yet the French population of Louisiana, influenced by re- ports of the successes and victories of the French arms on the Continent of Europe, the extension of Republican principles throughout France, arid the successful experiment of free gov- ernment in the United States, were for a time elated with the prospect of a speedy emancipation from absolute monarchy. l)iit. restrained by the strong arm oi a military despotism, with its watchful agents, no overt act of rebellion was disclosed in Louisiana, and soon afterward the agents of (leuet were ar- resippi. 1,, .Iiuir, 17115, th,. B.-n-nn ,!, Carondrlet \vro!c to Maison Hou-c, "th-il ' si tif'KclinrcMari.'cit.Mtifoniloil by iML'ht piece.-- ,,f ,!_!. t- 1 'Uiid ri :;.'. t- -I on the :i! e report of crme, I'niti'd States. pl;iinti!!s in error, >-. Coxu a-id Kin--, Supn-sne 1 nit.-d Stnti-s District Court, I.oui-iana, l.-*i:i, p. 91!. t M rtili - I. .. : v , ; i : S. u Murtin's L uisiu:iti. ]!..i',.-r',s Keutucliv. Also boolc iv., ei,npt.:r iii., of this work A.D. 17SM.] YAi.i.r.v OF Tin: MISSISSHM'I. 1S5 toward the Spanish authorities ot" Louisiana, the governor again relaxed the restrictions upon the river trade, and extended im- portant privileges to men ot enterprise, preparatory to another attempt to win over the western people to the dominion of Spain. For this purpose, he employed Thomas Powers, an intelli- gent Englishman, who had become a subject of his C'atholic majesty, and who was dispatched as a secret emissary -to Ken- tiickv, tor tiie purpose of conspiring with some <>f the leading men ot'that state relative to the best measures for securing the friendship ami favor of the people toward an alliance with Louisiana under the Spanish monarchy. His ostensible busi- ness, however, appeared to be the collection ot materials for a natural history of the western country. Under this pretext, he penetrated as far as the interior of Kentucky, where he held many private conferences with some of the most prominent men in the state, who were favorably inclined to his plans. In this visit, his real and principal object, so far as practicable, was to remove the predilections in lavor of a French alliance, to hold out stronger inducements for an alliance with Spain, and to ascertain the general state ot feeling in relation to each oi these projects, together with any general information relative to the strength of the Federal government in the West.* In the alliance with Louisiana, he was authorized to promise everv thing desired by the people; and also to give assurance of the readiness ot the colonial government to f/tr/iis/i ar/ns, ammunition, mid iiuni'-tj to sustain them in the attempt to throw (.fi'ibe authority ot tin- Federal irovernment. .Mean! mie. the people ot Louisiana, relieved trom apprehen- ious administration of his C'atholic maj- esty's government, hv which his French subjects were admit- ted to ;iil the privileges pertaining to his Spanish colonists. The internal administration oi government, the ecclesiastical as well as the civil authority, became firmly and quietly estab- li.-hed. and the ollieers of the same exerted themselves to pro- mote the prosperity and general we 1 tan- of the province. The intendant lor the year l"!il was Don Francisco de IJendon. The pope, ha\ing erected Louisiana and Florida into an inde- pendent bishopric, ihe \v.irthy Don Louis 1'enalvert was in- * Muriiii, vul. ii.. ji. lxj:i, 1-1. Also, 1>, ml; iv., c'nap. iii.. d'tliis \v< HISTORY OF Til p. [HOOK iv. stalled bishop of the diocese, with two additional canons to the corps of the provincial clergy. The l)isho|) havinir established his Cathedral in the city of New ( Cleans. 1 )i 'ii Aim' master, a perpetual regidor and allerez- real. at his own individual cost, completed the Cathedral church edifice, which had been commenced two vears previously.* The same venerable relic of former years still remains in front of the public, square in the French municipality. [A.D. 17'J,").] At the same time, the Hanm do Carondelet was laudably exerting himself to enlarge, beautify, and fortify the city, Early in May. 175)4. he had given public notice of his intention to open a canal in the rear <>t the city, lor the double purpose oj' draining the marshes and ponds in that vi- cinity, and opening a navigable communication with the sea,. This canal, communicating with a branch of the Ha you St. John, would efl'ectuallv accomplish the latter object, to the invat com- mercial advantage ol the city, while it would also remove one LTeat source of anii'-sance and disease proceeding Iroin the generation of innumerable swarms oi musquetoes and marsh miasma from the stagn:.iit pools. To accomplish this important undertaking for the advantage of the city, he proposed to accept, the voluntary contribution < f such slave labor as the planters and others in the vicinity miirht be willing to give. The month of June had been an- noiui'vd us the time tor beginning the "work, at \vliich time sixty negro slaves were sent bv the j^atriotic inliabitants. and the canal was commenced. The work progressed rapidly: but the depth of the canal was onlv six feet.f The convicts and a few slaves continued to labor upon the work during the remainder of the year, until it was opened to the intersection of the .Hayou St. John, through which a navigable route lav to Lake I'ontchartrain. The following year the plan of making the canal navigable up to the citv was concurred in, and the governor made a second call upon the patriotism and public spirit "! tlw jK-ople tor additional labor. To this call a gener- ous response was given, and one hundred and litty negroes' wen- sent to expedite the work. The excavation was now made to the width o| tilteeii feet, with a depth suflicient to ;id- A.I). 1795.] VAU.F.Y OF TIIF. M1SSIS.-IITI. 487 for ;iid from the planters within liftei'ii miles of {lie city, as- suring them that with eiirht days' \vork from the same numher of hands he would he ahle to render the canal naviirahle for small vessels up to the " hasin." \\ Inch had been excavated near the ramparts of the eitv. The lalior was eheerfullv contribu- ted, and the canal was in successful operation duriir_ r the iol- lowim: winter. Karly in the sprin:_ r a numher ol schooners came up and moored in the " basin." Thus, in the autumn <>i 17!)."). was there a navigable canal route opened trom the citv. hy way of the lakes, to the sea: and the >pi'iii'_ r of 171M5 wit- nessed ships at anchor in the reai- of the city. In honor < >f the projector and patron, the Cahaldo. hy a decree, designated it as "Canal ( "arondelet." ' a name which it retains to this dav. [A.l>. 171M5.] The completion of the canal hy the governor was considered a presage of the future grandeur and commerce of _\ew ( )rleans. which was to become the irreat. emporium of Louisiana; but it could hardly have entered his imagination that it was to become the irreat commercial emporium of the whole \ alley of the Mississippi, under a. Iree and independent Republic. A change \\as also about to be introduced in the !_ r reat agricultural staples ol the province. j >uriiiLf the last two vears. 17!Wand 17!M.such had been the ravages ot the in.-ects in destroying the indiifu plant, that plant- ers were compelled to turn their attention to some other staple product. \ p to this time, nidi 1:0 had been one ot' the most val- uable staples : but IH>\\ it '.rave place Lfradually to the cultiva- tion of suuar. tobacco, and eot ton. which vvere deemed a more certain crop. Indiiro. as a crop, had formerly been liable to a partial tailure tn'iu the vicissitudes o| the seasons; but f>r the la.-t two years the insect had nearlv destroyed the entire crop. In the vear 1 " ( J I. \\ IP de fields t mdi'_ro \\'ere stripped of their foliage b\ these destruct: \\- vermin, li.'avinu r only the naked sta ik- and stems. t [A.M. 17!>.").] I hiring the summer of 17'.).") a number of French rovahsts arnveil in .Ne\s < rleans. and proiessed to de- sii'e an as \ him t"r man \ ot their Inends. who had arrived in the I nited State- and advanced westward to ]o;n their country- men near (lallipohs. "ii the ( >hjo. Amon^r these exiled royal- ist- were t \'. o noblemen, designated as the Alanpiis de AJaison lioiiire and the llaron de Bastrop. The marquis proposed to M-.irtin, vul. ii., IP. K i:a. t Mem. j.. rj:.. !$*{ HISTORY or THE [BOOK iv. settle a colony of French upon the banks of the Washita; for which he undertook to introduce thirty French families from the Ohio tor the cultivation of wheat and the manufacture of Hour. But the nobleman was poor and destitute, and, withal, wanting in enerirv and character; consequently, he was unable to ad- vance the means of' introducing and locating his colony. The Baron de Carondelet, deeming it a favorable opportunity for settling the banks of the Washita with an industrious agricul- tural population, tendered his aid, upon the most liberal and advantageous terms for the marquis. For this purpose, the governor proposed to enter into an agreement jointly vvith the intendant, and royal treasurer, to pay to the order of the mar- quis for every French Uoyalist iamily introduced and settled upon the \\ asluta. and consisting of at least two persons capa- ble of agricultural or mechanical labor, the sum of' two hundred dollars. Besides this amount advanced to the marquis, the governor agreed to \< MI v. J)itr!nir the last three years of' his lite his onlv means of sub- sistence appears to have been the pension drawn from the Spanish treasury, in the shape of compensation under his con- tract, I oi 1 three or four families, including two Anglo-American, wh.'-h he alleged to have introduced and settled near him. Such is the foundation upon which was reared, after his death, a noted liind-cldim on the Washita for thirty square leagues o| land, embracing both banks of the Washila for near- ly thirty miles below the post of Miro. This claim, comprising UOR; than 'JOli.OOO acres, was known and des- Maisoii llouge grant," covering some of the uvii MIS in L< Miisiana. ' de its first, appearance about, the year 1S(M5, Mistrained departure of the survevor-iyeneral .A.I). 17!).").] VAI.I.KV OF TIM-: MISSISSIPPI. ISO ;in;u in is;}.").* The claim passed into the hands of Daniel Clarke and Daniel Coxe: and, subsequently, many othei 1 per- sons claiming through them have heen larirelv interested in its confirmation by th.e I mted States. f Consequently, lor the next I'ortv years it became a fruitful source <>t embarrassment to the settlement of the country, as well as to the legislation of the lYderal and State -.rovernments. By the Congress ot the United Slates, the qnotion of title was referred to the decision of the judicial tribunals. The I'nited States District Court ot' Louisiana, having adjiulicateil the case fully, decided certain points at issue in favor nf the claimants ; but the Supreme Court, of the l/nited Slates, in its linal decision, adjudged and decreed (he claim to be utterly null and void.;]; * ,-v-o veil. ii.. hook v.. chap, xv., " Territory of Orleans. 1 ' t Accorditi'-r tn Martin, this " i:rruit," as originally claimed by the heirs-at iu'.v, nr fts- siL-n.-.-s of Malso'i K'm_'e. comprised only thirty thousand acres; su1is,'i;ueht!y. the. claim set up comprised more than two hundred ami thirty thousand acivs, and ext--i: 1- ud l.elow the town of Monroe it lie .Spanish post ot' Mini, suhsetriot Court in 1-1!-,". it appears that tlii; ineei.ti'.n ot' the claim dates haek to tin- year 1 -n-J or 1- :;. al'out tlir.-e v< -:.r- a:t,-r tiie dealh of the alleje-i ://.;//'.(, an 1 at a p.-rioj %vli,.n many of the ;j;jai;is!i o;';i i-,1-. u|i- Ic.-i-'-i! . t' the approaching t.-niiination d' the Hp;mi>h il. ::.:n:o:i i;i Loiii.-iai.u. v. , re ae- tive'.y emj'ioxe.l t'.r the I.,-- .-tit of their I'rien.is an 1 favorite^. ;i> Weil as for tin iv own l--_'al i-xist'-nee of the Spaiiish iiutl.ority. It is cli.arl;, shown that, liuriiu the y :/<,>; in- /.-,-_ ,,,v.ti,e Sp.misli ot!!< jals prepan ! i,:,::.!r.-<:s of sp-iriotis S; a..i-h 1:1 '.- -. \\ hieii \vere thmwn into the market to the h'uhe-U lii.liler /! / irl,.;t //,, -/ .-.,r,l,! /-/-,,-(_-, ami lar-'- sums of inoni'V from time to timo !i: ; ,; !. ,-n rai.si .! up.'ii them. t' r , ,,,, thut time to tin; final a ijmiieation in the sprin- ot 1- !"i . . h in u ciaii'iant or a.lveiit mvr in t' e spt e- inilnene,' \\l-.ii-h eo'ilil he hroiuht to op.-rao in the tmal iiee:-.ion ot tiie i;iie-.tion , t con- rru; n ::! Co'irt ot the L'uited Ht:i!, s i- . .,l!r- ';. 1- ;. oini !i>- iv:n !i of e. m!.;:i..ii \\ e:,Itli. ; T - -I ll - pri.j iol'.i-.l i:. !!; main itu-i >li"o.i, tin pait!' > ehiiman! m',!n::lly Il.-.-.-.'e ! i pri '' i.i tin' e::-e ;:, lip- iitim-- . i l!i-'ha ,i Kinj. a p:ir-'haser. lioi.;in_' i;niier '. "t' i'i.iiii !' hihi'i. Ti:-' ' -e ca:i. up \ ~<. Cov- M : .' M :.-"n li i-i :.'.. a po, -.- i.i,!':.-fi:;o ; ,,t' j-' :.,,. tor lli.' int n>. hie! ion ot' twrhly ];.:.,; :: , r ; 1 1,.- t . -in- u re a; .pn .-. . .1 h\ tin ' kin_- on the Mth of .1 nly loilow- i:;.: , ii..- r. i.-'_; -!,!,-- t.. liVjiii l.:>.i-s.-if of til.- i;!.. r.i\ U-nn-., s.-ttl.-s n.-ar M:ru \! .: anti ii."-.uir-| '1 '.uK the ! i-maht;, ot [eissiiiL.' thr"ii.:h the Kreneh cuiiiinissioiiiT, l-.-in . a'.'.-ady :'' . : :-,.;,. n v ot th - i ni;. .: St.it. s. 'i !.- r^panisli ot!ie.-rs hold ollice lor tli. < .n - :m- nt ... t i it, and lor the opportunities \\ i.i.-h their o!li''i;d authority :.iv. - t!.--iu lor 11KI HISTORY or TIIC [BOOK iv. . A similar '.iranl is alleged to have boon made 1 to the Haron do IJ-'.s'rop tin- year at'lor tlio Lira nt of Maison IIOULV. and un- dor similar conditions. \v!uch. in like manner, were never eom- jilied with on his par'.* Hue was also made the same year to .lullrn Ihilmque, upon the Upper Mississippi, tor nine square lea_ r i;es above the month of the Little Mucokett:i I'iver. This was in the heart of a rich minim: region, and comju'ised what the proprietor termed the "Mines of Spain." The l>o Hastrop claim, like that of Muison Roue. has never been reeo^ni/ed by the government of the United States. A mom: the events of this year, none tended so much to dis- turb the tranquillity and domestic prosperity of the province as the difficulty of controlling: the slaves. These people, inured 1 . " directly or indirectly. tVmi-h their official transactions. c.Ve. : >':. h land-claims mider the [-Ydi'ral L-ovenimciit, tin- % . . .. nnnis.sioners, 1 : . ' - . 1 to establish tin- claim. P hi in ii" . ' infested, of course, were not closely investigated ; the oath of one or more : ' i iinl contested. Tlii 1 M:l!SM>i K<. u_-c cl:iim \VMS lint : cat i -i I i . tii.' ciiiiinii.-iM'JiiiTS wl ' i-iiiicrivi ; it iicyi.nil tln-ir jurisiiirl : This was iiwia-.l li-.- Louis Iliniiijiiv iiinl ntlfvs. tin- alli-vri-il l-i] nl . . ir assi'_'iu-rs it' 1 r'rmriinl'-/. I 1 '' :" .: vr:icr ci niKiiiincliiiit of tlif |.ost <(' \\'a~'hi::i !':"!;! tii-'Vi'ar 1-i'i to !.- i|. I. MIIIS IJo'iliu-ny \<.:!^ at t'n. 1 post of \Yasltita during tin 1 yoars }-"-! and was hi fart. ; ' "',\:' ; : Krj.'iro in tin.' Maisou KOULTP rkiiia. wliich ; - . ii'S o! nd Duriiiir tlu-si; Fame ;. cars the com- . nut [-Vi.'iro. l.-id mail' 1 s-'Vi-r.-!! visits I tl ty of X, \v ( r] 'J'i.f tit!. 1 pajnTS pros, iiti-d 1'v I tiinants i>urp..rt''d t - In-. 1. A ' .-. nn 1 .. !>." without any prop r cotirs s. distnnfcs. iV<\, made . ii Car! s !.-_. n-i T.- il. a i, surv, \. nrral of L si: ,n (i ,. U. A - ..:.-.:.' I'.ir rial d .1 i:i; ci.inn, t ttiis t:ir-'.! amount was pn^im-d in fraud by sniil Hnii!i--ny ami !' : ' : ' plats c.l's' n ; nnd the iloeiiiin'jitan . vi ience are false an : fraudn. : t':- death o!' Maison [{011-0. ! ''- \^' ' tl.at I 1 :.- Spanish -ovenior.-.'enrral hiinself had r,n authority to make ''- i " !> i!. Vinci nte Kejeiro. in tli.' spriliir of l-o), ,,f his f snl.-s i,inl transfe -s n\ I nts, : t 1 ' in. or evi-r _-raut- . : hv tli 11 S]iani!i L- 11 . nnii'-nl ;" t!.at n '' few days i ' rival i the A:: r njipoiiitcil t.. tak. 1 possessiosi ..(' I-'ort Mi"'. I ' >nt" rVj.'ir'.eali.d to-etfier a nun ili.Tfiftl !de.t nnd most - ' t:,Ms ,,t his ilistric-t, and ; r ind. d tJn-m to make ; .aLl. - I vvi-vi-r -A' ill one exi'eption. not I :. ; - ' ' ni nn.I il.-test tli.' viii-. intri it of ' It d CHS.. N.,. :i;i. I'nit.-.l Stat-s. 1 Lrrnr, ?"'-'' D. C..X' 1 :u,.! li. K i . ut of the 1 i.it.'d Sta! 1 "; S, e M-irti A.I). 17!*.").] v.u.Lr.v fir Tin: MISSISSIPPI. -191 tu toil ;uid hardships, and conscious of their physical strenirth. were prone to rebel airainst the feeble authority by which they Avert- surrounded, and upon ;my emer'_ r ency thev were apt to take advantage ot their physical po\\vr. in districts \vliere the slave population \vas live tunes as numerous as the whites. A le\v years onlv had elapsed since the hornhle tragedy of St. Domingo had transpired, in which a whole race had assert- cd their freedom, and had expelled or exterminated their en- slavers. They had assumed a national independence hv their iearless dai'inir : should the slave of Louisiana continue to stib- nnt patiently to his thraldom ? The theme was one \shi<-h re- ijiureil only the reckless intrepidity of a desperate leader to rouse the minds of the slaves of Louisiana to the hopeless ef- f rt of thro win ir oil' their bondage. Such was the motive which was urned hy a few daring slaves who had heard of the catastrophe of St. Domingo. A conspiracy was put on font, in like manner, to exterminate the white population in Louisiana. The plot originated upon the plantation of .lulien J'oydras. sit- uated upon the island of Point Coupee, while the proprietor was absent, on a visit to the United States. The insurgents designed to murder all tin- whites of the par- ish indiscriminately : hut a disagreement amon'_r the leaders as to the day for commencing the massacre gave occasion for the discovery ot the plot helore it had entirely matured: the ex- ecution ot' the whole conspiracy was therefore defeated, and promptly suppressed. The militia were immediately under arm-, and were soon re-enforced l>y the regular troops. The slaves had imhodied and made a lunous resistance. Twentv- iive of them Were kilh-d lie I ore the}' were Hibdued. Cp" 1 ' th" sur\i\iiiLT ringleaders the lull riL r or ot the law was enforced. In tin- subsequent trials Lily were lound LTUI]I\'. and were con- demned to death. ( )f these, nine were him LT in di lie rent jiarts of the pari-h of I 'on it ( 'oiipee : nine others were taken down the river, and one ot them wa> hunir and let! suspended at each parish church, as a warning to other-. Manv ot the coiisjiira- tor-, \\iio were les-; iruilty. were severelv \vhippi-d and dis- charged.' Thus terminated the lirst inuts ot the St. Doinil;- f_ni ii'a'_ r edv \vithm the present limits o| the I inti'd States. Su'-h had been the Lfeneral excitement and apprehension ol the people ;it the imminent da.ir_ r er trom which they had escaped. * T!i>- i.'.suiTc'-tii'ii dl" lli': slaves in !!._ l-'ri.-nch i...!ti:i c>f .St. l):';;a:i-o t.n.k |.l.i.-i> o:. JDvi HISTORY OF THE [liOOK IV. that all resolved to take measures lor preventing a recurrence of similar danger. The Cabaldo soon afterward petitioned the kiiiLT tor his prohibition against the further introduction of ne- UToes from any portion of the world.* Piirini: the year 1795, the authorities of Louisiana experi- enced much anxiety in regard to the continued advance of the western settlements of the United States. This advance was not only upon the region of the Ohio ; it caused a direct eondict of jurisdiction upon the immediate bank of the Lower Missis- sippi. This was the period of the famous " Yazoo speculation," under the impulse of which the State of Georgia chartered the Mississippi Company," and had erected the whole settled portion of the Natchez District into the "County of Bourbon." Although the act was subsequently repealed, it had thrown a ]arL r e number oi Anglo-American adventurers within the Span- ish dominion. It. was about this time that his Catholic majesty issued his schedule prohibiting the emigration ot American cit- izens to Louisiana/ About the same time, apprehending hostilities on the part of the United States, and an interruption of the intercourse with Upper Louisiana, by way of the Mississippi River, the Baron de Carondelet was diligent in preparing to meet the emergen- cy. Additional posts were established upon the Upper Mis- sissippi, and at. several points below the mouth of the Ohio. Also, while he was establishing military posts at the mouth of the Ohio. .\e\v Madrid, the Kchore Margot, Walnut Hills, and Xatche/, he was providing for another route to Upper Louisi- ana, entirely west of the Mississippi River. This route was hy way of the Washita River and Bayou Barthelemy to the Arkansas River, and thence by way of White River, the St. Francis, and its great eastern tributary, White AVater (.'reek. lly this route he had discovered that a practicable water com- munication, with short portages, could be opened from A"e\v Means to the settlements of Upper Louisiana. f 1 )uriiiL r the following year, the intendant of the province was A.I). 17 s *.'}.] VALLEY or THE M ISSISSII'I'I. l!)3 Doii Juan Beneventura .Morales, who had succeeded Don Ren- don. .Morales had entered upon the duties ot'his ollice with a linn determination to enforce the revenue laws riirorott^ly against the river trade from the United States, and to prohibit entirely emigration from the \Vestern States to Louisiana, as directed by the kind's schedule. CHAPTER in. POLITIC AL RELATIONS OF I.oflSIAXA WITH THE fMTF.I) STATE-, l.'lto M TIIK TKr.ATV OF 17S,'J TO Till: TREATY OF MAURI!). A.p. 17S* TO 17!>5. Arif'ii/,, '.--KicM iif national Controvorsy opencil liy Tivaty of 17-:!. rf tin- Tn-uty !.y Spain. Construf-timi liy United !? tat.-s. Navi-ation <,f th,. Mississip- pi. < 'laimeil liy tin.- I'luted Sjatt-s. tipain claims th<- i-xciusivr H i_-l!t.--I).-ni,-s t'.so uftlir Hivtr td tin- Western Pro;.!,'. IJ.-v-trictidli.s a.li'l Duties' rxart.-.l liy Sp.-'.i.ish Authorities. EmbtirrassL'tl ( 'mulitin:. ut'th.- wo-t-rn L'enple. Ji-almis Ap;n-.-!i,'i,si.,i : < of S[rii.'i. I 'onilitii'ii nf Aiin-ricaii Si-ttli-nn-Sit-!. Imliau Tri'n-s. 1'niiry |nir.-'i--i! liv Spain t.,'.vani Kc:.tiicky. 1 ii.li.:n:a inn nf tii.- Wi-stc-rn IV-npl.-. -I-Ixcili'im-ht t>;. it II i Mn:-cil :tli;uniiih!i!i'!:t of tli-> ('laiin i if tin' ("niti-(I Stati-s. ('liilii:.'.' df S]iriiii.sli I',/; -y. G..V, r:.., r Mini r.-iaXi-.-i tin: K'-^tri.-tinns uim ti.- wot-Tii 'I'ra,i.-.- -His i-ijticiliuti-rj- I'nlir-;. t.i wi-sti-rn l'i ujili; in I?-"-.'. i'nl.im-1 \Vilki!:.Sii!j'si-iiiinnfrci:il EiittTiirist- \vit!i N - .v I )|-;.-:tns ii-:"-i't.-.l. \\",-st'T!i 1'i'iijili' lifcnini: r icil.'il t-i tli.- S;ia,.i--ii Au- thu: iri'-s.- Ciimtn-rlaii'1 Sftti-nn-i.Is. " Mirn I )iii lutri-ii,- t;,r si-;i;ir:i- tih- tiif \\'.--!rr:i S.t:U--s.~ ,\Y.:tiati"ii-- . t'tl,-- I-' f> It -nil (ii'V.-ri:nn-iit. Inr^aii. !... , : {}:< wt^ti-ni I'i'(i;i!.-. Disatl'i-i'tinii avpt-ars in Ki-utiir-ky. XI-L'( tiatimis liy thf F.-ti- era! (i.ivi-ruiii'-iit Sjianisli Kinissarii s .-inliarrass N,- _. .t iatiuns witli I'ri-t-k Iinlian--. I?-.'- ;:.> i. >..'itii\v,--.t.-ni 'JVrrit.'!-\ < .r.-anix.-.l. Bar !, < 'an .!,.!,-!. -t o nun -;., -.- ],is I. ;>'.:,.- will, K- i.' ifk;.. I7:i-J. I'rf ks in-ti.-at.'.! tu llti-tilitii-s l>% Si,r'i,i>!i n:;:^- Elt !-i, ,.- 1 1. ::.. ^ : :' M. ;.-.:! t!,- l-'ffii.-ii Mi:,i!,-,! i ;. l'|-,-i,j. :.t W a~l.i:.-r, M i:, - ; H-,-, .,(';::-! .,i.-:, 1 ;i;,;.r.-ii. n ! ; ! tri:..:,"' f-'i :i t!: \v, -! rn I ',-, .; }_- - Kiv ;. ; lit' ' i'-i'-t>< in t': \\'i--t.- i'-i'.v- .--:. ti. - S|'a;::Mi i-!i:i. I'ixrih ;n. lit. -I'amn ,!. -. ... - i :- M'--' i. t i !\- :.' ,,'U IM !' '.".. f-rtv : a.'.J l'...v,-rs s.-i.t tn n.'.-. {'. ::,,_ u,.- K .').!:> i' !.-] i'-il-r-. Ti." >.::-- :i l-'aiU. 1'rn-iprcts of 1 )is:inin;i ).'.-! . .'.-,-:'.;.. .;-.!- N .slli-: ::.-. ( )v. r[ ,rf- th .ni tlif Spniiisli L'dllft. Tl.(.l:i- :.!.-.. . M... -, - : .-; -::. T' ;.' \ . f Maiii'i-i -: r.. !, I ). ). .li. r -.' t!i. - Stiji'ila.ti.i:.-, i:, jt i _. r. .-,..',.... f H ' !.vy .:t!*..i ti:-- ri\.-r Tn.l.-.-Tlif (K'.ir-ia Hul.h! t - - V.-..: ..:-,:-. ' lt< Kll'. -t :- -n l.irii>i:u.a, [AD. l'^:i.] Tin: stijMilat ions in the treaty of 17s;}. bet ween the |M .wers ot' ( Ireat Uritain and of the United State-. 1'rance. : ! inl Spain, oj pel i IM| a \\ ide I it.' Id of controversy between the l-'ed- eral '_ r oveninielit and l!ie coiul "i .Madrid, aiul the issue was made upon two principal points, deeply allectun: the interests ol 494 HISTORY OF THE [liOOK IV. the western portion f the United States. These were, first, the riirht iif the western people to the tree navigation and trade of the .Mississippi: and, second, the establishment of the southern hoiindarv of the United States under the provisions of the treatv. This controversy, which arose soon alter the general peace, was continued with stronir animosity on both sides, and with but little intermission, for nearly twelve years, until final- ly arranged by the treaty of Madrid in 1?!)5.* By the treaty signed September 3d, 17S3, Great Britain re- linquished to the United States all the territory on the, east side of the Mississippi, from its sources to the 31st parallel of north latitude, which was to be the boundary of Florida on the north. With this relinquishment. of course, was ceded all the pre- vious rights of (Jreat Britain to the free navigation of the river to its mouth, as derived from previous treaties with France and Spain. The United States, therefore, claimed the free navi< r a- 1 O lion of the river to the month. At the same time, (treat Britain had ceded to Spain all the Floridas, comprising all the territory east of the Mississippi, and south of the southern limit of the United States. Hence Spain possessed .all the territory on the west side of the river, aid Florida, on the east : and the river, for the last three hun- dred miles, flowed wholly within the dominions of Spain. His Catholic majesty therefore claimed the exclusive riirht to the use of the river below the southern limit of the United States. Independent o( tins principle. Spam refused to rc<'t' the Mississippi \ alley, comprising all the count ry drain- ed bv its irreat eastern tributaries, and the east bank as low as the northern limit of Florida. This L r ave to them the natural riirht to Ibllow (he current of their rivers to the sea, as estab- lished by the admitted laws of nations. The use of the river was necessary and absolutely indis- pensable to the western settlements, which were now fast ris hi!_ r into political importance. Situated as they were. n pow- er on earth could prevent the final appropriation ot' the river below them to their use, when their numbers should enable them to maintain their rights by torce. Such were the questions at issue between Spain and the L'nited States: and concession on the part of the former, or war on the pa.rt of the latter, was the only alternative bv which the question was to be iinaliv decided. Spain was jealous ot' the <>.TO\\ ini: power and the increasing population . were at \\ar \\ith the laws, usages, and policy ot' Spain. To concede the free navi- '_ r at:>'i: '>! the river to them under such circumstances would [A.l>. n^.").] '1 'he tide of immigration \\as already setting stronL r l\ to ihe \\'est. Kentucky a!"iie contained about twelve thousand inhabitants : and within the present limits o| Tennes- see there were still more populous settlements up"ii the lb-1- .JOB HISTORY Ol' THE [uOOK IV. ston ;uid Clinch Rivers, and which were advancing upon the Cumberland. If it were not possible lor Spain to check the advance of this tide, it certainly was impolitic to invite it, into her dominions. ULT only true policy was, to use every means in her power to embarrass the western people while connected with the Federal government, and at the same time to hold out strong inducements to them in favor of a separation from the Atlantic Slates and an alliance with Louisiana under the Span- ish crown, whereby they would secure for themselves all the privileges and advantages which they so much desired. Circumstances were favorable to such a policy. The settle- ments of Kentucky and Tennessee were isolated, cut oil' from the populous parts of the Atlantic States by a vast wilderness and lofty mountain ranires, which virtually removed them near- ly six hundred miles from their respective state capitals. They were imperfectly protected from Indian hostility by the Fed- eral government; they were without the advantages of trade and commerce, while their country was every where inter- sected bv navigable streams, and abounded in all the valuable products for foreign markets. The ties on one side were weak, and on the other the inducements were strong. Under these circumstances, Spain did not tor a moment hesitate in her course of policy, believing she would be able, ultimately, to L r oad the western people into a separation from the Federal Union. Previous to the close of the Avar of Independence, the set- tlements in the western country were lew and weak, surround- ed by po\ver!ul tribes of hostile Indians, many .] VAI.I.KV or TIII: MISSISSIPPI. 1!)7 English power, had consented to make common cause with France and the revolted colonies against (Ireat Britain : vet it was not for any i_ r ood will he entertained for the people of the colonies, except, so far as he miLfht add to his own dominions, hv humblniLr his powerful rival and repossessing the Floridas. Although he had been successful, and had subjugated Florida, he appeared to regret the aid which had been incidentally ren- dered to the I nited States, which now seemed to presaire a more formidable obstacle to the peace and inteirritv of the Spanish provinces than the power of England herself. I lence the extreme reluctance with which his Catholic majesty rati- fied the treaty of 17N3, which confirmed the independence and defined the boundaries of the new power.' For the whole West there was but. one irreat outlet to the ocean, and that was through the province ol Louisiana, and by wav of the port, of \e\v Orleans. This circumstance alone must, of necessity, at lenirth lead to difficulties between the Spanish authorities and the people of the I'nited States. In- dications of this were already too plain to be mistaken. The western people had already beLrnn to demand . 1 7>ti. ] Three years after the ratification of the t reatv of I7V{. Spain occupied both banks of' the Mississippi below the Ohio, and no less than four Spanish posts confirmed the inilitarv occupation ot the eastern bank, and the governor and intcndant of Louisiana were required to enforce the laws of Spain, in the collection of heav\ duties on all imports by way of the river from the Ohio re^joti. These duties were arbi- t ra rv. and otten extremelv heavy and uii|iist : but an excise of- ficer. supported hv a military force, was stationed at every commandant's headquarters on the river to enforce the collec- tion of the revenue. Fverv boat descending the river was compelled to make land, and submit to the revenue exactions. with on!\ such relaxations and modifications as the com- mandant saw fit t" admit. All violations of these arbitrarv regulations . m d restrictions thus imposed were met with seix- u re and imprisonment, and often b\ confiscation oi the \\ho|e ca r j'" to t lie use a nd benefit o( the ofhc.ers of the crown, who va I- ued their ofiices m proportion to the profit derived from them.' 1D,S HISTORY OF THE [liOOK IV. This svstem ui' exaction upon the tv;ule of the western peo- ple became exceedingly oppressive under the arbitrary power ot'tlie excise men: ninny acts of oppression and unjust exac- tion would oi' course take place from time to time, and the west- ern Imatiiien had not been well schooled in submission to ar- hitrarv rule. Many, disdaining to suhmit. to the arrogant de- mands of the Spanish officials, were Irom time to time exposed to their ollicial resentment, which occasionally ended, not with a mere temporary delay and embarrassment, hut sometimes brought upon the offender the penalty of confiscation of prop- erty, and a vexatious imprisonment. Repeated occurrences if this kind soon spread great indignation among the trading portion of the western people, and made them impatient for that revenge which might be inllicled by a military invasion of Louisiana and the capture of \ew Orleans, which would give them the control of the whole commerce ot the river. As earlv as 17*."). the Federal government, through John Jav, their commissioner, opened a negotiation with the Span- ish minister, I >on Guardoqui, relative to these embarrassments to the prosperity of the western people ; but the Spanish minis- ter, in behalf of his government, persisted in his refusal to eon- cede any of the points in controversy, and, after a fruitless ne- gotiation of twelve months. Mr. Jav had almost, consented to waive the right of the western people to the free navigation of the Mississippi far lit'i'titi/ i/'-nrs, provided H/>nin iron Id concede ///'// fhiniix at the expiration ot that period. [A. D. 17^7.] It was about the close of the year 17S(i that the rumor obtained cnrrencv in the \\ est that the Federal gov- ernment, regardless of' the interests ot'tlie western people, was ity l"i- their private ^ r :iiu ;md emolument, with hut few scruples I'm- the iui|i:irti;il rL-hts rniWli in competition with their own peruniury interests. 'I'll'- i >! iniat' of Inti -rit;, in the disrhuri.'v nf tlifir otlifiiil duties vuri.'d Imt little, in the ' (ini'i-imr Mini. tVuin the nd-ount L.MVCII nf it hy Dn.ni.-l Chirkc, tlic Auicri- ' ' '; live yi iirs ;iftiTVv;inl, in l-'i>:i. II. s:ty. , "tlic iimlitors uf war, inn] ~- '"- "'' -.vi-nnin-iit MMil iiiti-iiilrinc\ . h;i\v :i!\v;iys Inn cnrrti jil . \\\\i\ to them ' '',:!: iruil !i 17^7 and 17!M). ot a tree trade in tobacco, (lour, and oth- er \\estern productions, besides the privilege ot introducing several hundreds o{ American families into Louisiana and the \\Ysi Florida districts.' [\.M. 17 SS .] Scarcelv one vear had elapsed alter the ex- teii-'ion o( ilicM- indulgences to the western people, when .Miro bcL r an to e\pirience 'jrcat opposition to h;s policy from the S|ian!>h minister, \\lio had tailed to reah/.e the pecmnarx ad- f,00 HISTOKV OF TIIF. [fiOOK IV. Don Xavarro. who had been influenced by the minister to re- quire a riir'ul execution of the revenue laws and regulations. The opposition from the latter quarter, however, ceased with the close of the year 17SM. when Xavarro retired to Spain, leaxinir Governor Miro. by the king's command, invested with authoritv to discharge the duties of intendant in addition to his other prerogatives. This new arrangement tended greatly to calm the anxious excitement among the western people, who esteemed Governor Miro as their friend and benefactor. [A.D. 17NO.] Colonel Wilkinson, with an eye to his individ- ual interests, had correctly represented the western people, and had entered into arrangements with Governor Miro for the c rch/sii-f simi'lv of tobacco from Kentucky for the Mexican I */ market : and he continued, for se\ eral years after 1787, to send his annual cargoes of tobacco and other western produce to the Xew Orleans market. In 17N!) he received from Xew Or- leans a larire amount ot' specie, estimated at ten thousand Span- ish ii'il/i/ra. shipped to him al Danville, in Kentucky, for the ostensible purpose ot purchasing tobacco tor his engagements with Governor Miro. Hut suspicions were awakened in Ken- tucky, and many believed that Wilkinson was in the secret serv- ice of Spain, tor the purpose ot winning over the western peo- ple t<> the Spanish dominion, and that be received an annual pension t'ron i the Spanish kintr. concealed under commercial remittances made to him on account ot his tobacco monopoly. I ntortunately, subsequent developments were not calculated t> i reiin >ve this impression. [A.D. 17JH.] I'ntil the year 1791. the same mild and con- ciliatory policy was maintained by Governor Miro toward the western people, not only of Kentucky, but also those on the llol- ston and Cumberland Rivers, in the Southwestern Territory, ; IK! also to those of Western Virginia and Pennsylvania, on the Moiion<_rahela. Many of the most fiery spirits became rec- onc;!ed to the Spanish authorities, and entertained tor Miro hiiiiM-lt an allectionate regard. The prevalence of these feel- ings aiiioii<_r tin- people on the Cumberland River was fully i designating one ot their judicial districts by the Miro I >istrict." s ! tli' 1 peop],. ,,) Kentucky and Tennessee, although ri'-r Minting I.:, lisiimn. vol. ii., p. 110 A.I). 17!)!.] VAI.I.KV or THE MISSISSIPPI. 501 satisfied with the Spanish authorities, and pleased with the commercial privileges extended bv Governor Miro, were un- willing to submit to the species of vassalairc implied bv the mu/utcr in which the river commerce was enjoyed. The\' claimed all these advantages, not as special favors,/;*// a* cnnt- mmi and indeft'ttsil>/i' rights. To allay atixiet\' on that point. indulgences were extended to emigrants desirous of scttliir_ r in Louisiana, and various in- ducements were held out to those who were \\illiiiLT to submit to the Spanish dominion. (Irants ot land were promised to such as desired to make their permanent residence in Louisi- ana, while intimations were secretlv disseminated amoir_ r the unsuspecting people that the Spanish government would ^rant to them as a communitv rrcn/ commercial advttntoge undjirir- i/i-^,' which could be desired, provided they were disconnected t'rorn the Federal government east of the mountains. The Spanish minister resident, in the 1 nited States had been bold enough to declare unequivocally to his confidential correspond- ents, that, unless the western people, and especially those of Kentucky, would declurf thanscli't's indc/iejident ot the Federal L r o\ 'eminent, and cxttili/inh lr ttienixt'lcfx an independent term of iro\ eminent. Spain never would allow them the tree navi- gation of the Mississippi: "Hut upon those terms he was tiu- thi>rr->'d. and would eniraLre to open the navigation of the river, tor the exportation ot their products and manufactures, on terms ot mutual advantage.' ' The same intimations were xealously disseminated union i: the people of all the western settlements by persons supposed to have been secretly in the empiovment and pa v o) the Governor ol Louisiana. Such \\ere the conll n't i n ^ mieresis ;md technics of the west- ern peopl(>. ;md the secret designs ol the Spanish i_ r overnmeni : >-iich were tlie mtriLfues and plans ot the Spanish ( _ r overnor to etlect H reparation o| the \vc-tcrn people lr"iu the l'\'der;d I nion. bv aliiMialiiiLT them from their allegiance, and winniii' r T) over lhe:r teeliiiL r s. no less than their interests, to the dominion o| Spam. .Man\ were seduced trom the Federal irovernment. but a Lrreuter number remained tirm in their adherence to the I nion. In the mean time, the subject had been one (,'1 deep interest ' Butl'T's Ki.'Ii!i;.-\y, I', 177. Ac. f,(V2 HISTORY Of T1IF. [HOOK IV. to the Federal iru\ eminent. Congress, under the old confed- eration. h;id early brought the subject before the Spanish cab- inet, in the year 1787. that body had directed the Secretary of Foreign Allah's to open a negotiation with the Spani>h min- ister resident in the United States, and to press upon his >v ri- oi/s titttntion the danger ot an interruption ot the good under- standing: existing between the two countries, lie \va.s also iiv- structed and " required expressly to stipulate for both the ter- ritorv of the United States, agreeably to the boundary of 17S,'{. and the free nari'i\ r /i pmrcr to use that river, both banks of which belonged to him."' [A.l>. 17!t'J.] After fruitless attempts at negotiation for sev- eral vears. all further etliirts were suspended; as Guardoqui, ha\in'_r refused to consent to any treaty whatever on. the sub- ject which would require Spain to acknowledge in the United States any riisfif to the tree navigation ot the Mississippi River, had retired to Spain. The threat mass of the western people, in the mean time, be- came impatient of the restraints and exactions which had been airain imposed upon their commerce, and were highly exas- perated against the authorities of Louisiana. The population upon all the great tributaries of the ( )hio. next the mountains, had irreatly multiplied: and the augmented agricultural prod- ucts demanded an outlet adequate to the supply. ( 'n the east. commerce and export were entirely cut oil' by lofty ranges of mountains. On the west, the great, branches of the Ohio gave them a direct and easy transportation from their doors to the Mississippi, and by that river to every part of the habitable irlohe. In laci, the Mississippi was the natural outlet for the whole "\\est.and yet it was held and controlled bv a power which claimed c.rf/usii'i' navigation upon it, because it held pos- session ll| 1 1 | ( ] 1 I O | 1 ) | ] . Many, in their impatience at the privations imposed upon the river commerce, censured the tardiness of the Federal govern- ment and its unlit o| energy, because Spain was not required ' .1- . s Lite, vi .1. i. n. an.-i. -j:it;. A.D. 17 ( .tj.] v.u.i.r.v or TIIK MISSISSHTI. f>03 imperatively to concede the'ritfht ot tree navigation to the peo- jile ot the I nited States. Some, prompted more bv interest than honorable independence, began to devise means of concil- iating the favor ol'Spain, at the expense ot' patriotism at home. They became disaffected toward the policy ot' the Federal gov- ernment, because its negotiation had tailed to secure to them their rights; and, despairing of more efficient measures by the government, began to look to the Spanish authorities them- selves lor relief. This relief had been seeretlv promised to them by men who were in the interest of Spain. In the forcible language of detieral \Vilkin>on, such had been the precarious condition of the western settlements, that they seemed to labor under every disadvantage, political as well as natural : " open to savage depredations, exposed to the jealous- ies ot' the Spanish government, unprotected by the old confed- eration, and denied the navigation of the Mississippi, the only practical channel by which the productions ot their labor could find a market." could it be a matter of' surprise it the}' did re- luctantly consent to abandon country and friends tor relief .' But the Federal government had not been neglectful of their interests, and was no\v prepared for more vigorous negotia- tions. ]n the month of .September, 1 7ss, ;L resolutii n of ( '011- L r reed from the whole West. and IV' 'in all the Southern State-. The negotiation to this effect had been pressed under the old confederation without effect, untii the Spanish minister retired to Spain upon the change of the Federal i_ r o\ 'eminent. The president, under the new con- federation, had kept up a constant negotiation through the lael and M r. Short, resident ^ters had been charged specially to ne- /'/// <,\ ]\ rsf ]'//,//// near the Mississippi, aiul Or/i'/i/ts, including the c-itv ot ?sew Orleans. and the \\ !i"!e eastern bank o| the ri\'er to the sea. which were to be obtained af ///>/ /mt In: ol>t(iin<'d otherwise.' ,")!)! HISTORY OF THK [BOOK IV. But the Kimr of Spain little thought of giving up the empire of the Mississippi. In 17.^,'i, he had. with great reluctance, iriveii his assent to the treaty establishing the western and southern boundary of the United States, but with no intention of' surrendering to them the territory which had been claimed as a part of his dominions east of the Mississippi. The Spanish minister, in his negotiation on the subject, had pretended to deny anv riirht accruing to the United States, east of the Lower Mississippi, in virtue of the treaty of 1783, because, up to the declaration of independence, (Jreat Britain had prohibited the settlement of lands west of the sources of the Atlantic streams. To sustain this position, he referred to the king's proclamation of 17t'>-'}. prohibiting all settlements west of the mountains, and which had been cited by the last royal governor of Virginia, to bar tin' claims of the Transylvania Company in 177(>.* Acting under this assumption, and presuming the Indian tribes to be independent nations, possessing the rightful sovereignty of the country occupied by them, Spain lost no opportunity, by means of agents and emissaries, to prevent the sale and trans- fer ot territory from the Indians to the I nited States. Thus, while Spain, by negotiation, procrastinated any definite under- standing with the United States relative to the claims under the treaty of 17SJ, she determined to check the advance of the settlements, and prevent the origin of any other title to the country through the Indian riirht. f [A.]). 17!).'i.] The Cumberland settlements were now in- cluded within the limits of the "Southwestern Territorv," un- der the jurisdiction ol the Federal government, protected by military posts and an organized militia. This advance of the Federal jurisdiction, extending to the Mississippi River, placed the people ot Tennessee, who were on the head waters of the Holston and Clinch Rivers, and upon the Cumberland River, beyond the influence of Spanish intriirne and allurements : but Kentucky was still a district, attached to the State of Virginia, and holding ] 1( , separate political relation to the United States : and her citi/.ens were impatient of a chanire in the form of' then- government which would release them from the condition oi a mere colmiv of Virginia. This state of things stimulated A.I). 17!W.] VAl.U'.Y or THK MISSISSIITI. "j()5 the Governor ot Louisiana to renew the intrigues of (hiardoqui tor detaching Kentucky from the I'Yderal \ 'nion. |>\- hold inn; out stronir inducements lor an alliance \vith Louisiana under the protection of Spain. The Baron de Curondelet, havinir succeeded Miro as (iov- ernor ot' Louisiana, entered upon the duties of his otliee early in January. 17!>~. The condition of the western country, and the unsettled state of political feeling anionir the people, not only ot' Kentucky, hut also of Western Pennsylvania, encour- aged him to hope tor ultimate success in accomplishing an ob- ject which was irreatly desired hy Spain. Hence he entered, with irreat ardor and perseverance, upon a regular ami svs- lematic plan of operations for this purpose. -Nor did he cease his operations or despair of success until after the final ratifi- cation of the treaty of Madrid, nearly three years afterward. The intrigues of the haron and his emissaries were directed to Kentucky perseveringly, until nearly three years alter that state had heen admitted as an independent memher ot the Federal I nion. ' In the mean tune, he had succeeded in sowmu' the seeds of disaffection widely through the western settlements. Many Were induced to tavor the views and plans ot the Spanish LTOV- ernor. and desired a separation Ironi the Atlantic States. _\or were the intrigues and operations ot' the Baron confined to the "white settlements alone. Still further to arrest the ad- vance ot' the white population m the " Southwestern Territo- r\ ." in a region over which the I'Yderal jurisdiction had heeii formal I \ extended, emissaries had heen sent to the t'l'eek In- dians m the western part- o) (lei>i'L;'ia to alienate them troin iheir alliance \\ith the I mied States. A treaty o( jirace and friend-hip had heen concluded h\ the I'niied States, in the \-ear I"!M. \\ith .M-( iillivray and .lher principal ( 'reek chiefs. s'ipulatiiiLT f'T a cession ot' ti-rntory and the estahlishinent of a line of demarkatioii. to he surveyed and marked the following vear : hut l:efore the time |i>r runiniiLT the line ot demarkatioii had arri\eil, M'( lilhvniy, prompted h\ Spanish iiitnu r ue. had uced to disavow the treats, and to t'orhid the estah- ot a line ot demarkatioii. In the mean time, he had 500 HISTOHY OF TIII: [BOOK iv. been formed in the Creek nation, and hostilities had been com- menced against the frontier settlements on the llolston and Cumberland Rivers. A hostile incursion of Creeks and Cher- okee-^ had actually penetrated the llolston settlement, and in- ve.-ted the stockade at Knoxville.* This state of Indian hostility was known to have proceeded from Spanish intrigue in Florida and Louisiana, and the peo- ple of the "Southwestern Territory'' became more than ever clamorous for the invasion of Louisiana by the Federal govern- ment. The ("reeks were not reduced to peace until after the victory of General Wayne over the northwestern Indians, in the autumn of 170-1, when, apprehending a similar visit, they made overtures, and entered into a treaty of peace and friend- ship with the Federal government. [A. D. 171)1.] The collision of interests between the people of the western country and the authorities of Spain in Louisi- ana soon became more apparent, and Spain began seriously to apprehend an invasion of Louisiana from the United States. To stir up this state ot feeling more effectually against Spain, emissaries from France were now in the United States, all anxious to wrest Louisiana from the Spanish crown, and to place it again under the dominion of Republican France. y Their efforts to this effect, through the people of the United States, although instigated and directed by the French minis- ter, M. Genet, were promptly arrested by the authorities of the United States. | Under the influence of the French minister, M. Genet, and his emissaries in the United States, a strong French partv had been formed, not only in the Western States, but also in the South. The frontiers of Georgia were lighted up with a flame oi enthusiasm lor the invasion of Fast Florida, while the west- ern people were preparing to invade Louisiana and West Flor- ida from the Ohio region. At the head of the "French Le- gion,' m Georgia, lor the invasion of Florida, was General Georire ('lark, of Georgia, a. man of strong passions, (.if violent antipathies against the English, and of warm partialities for the * S.-e 1 k v.. i-}i:i]i. vii., " Indian Hostilities and ejirly Settlements in Southwestern Territory." f See book iv.. eh;i]i. ii.. of this work. t The readi r \\ : : n interesting' nrromit of the ehiirneter, temperament, rind re re|'tion of the l-'r. !, h minister, M. (ienet. in the Tailed Suites, in 17:':!. in Murslndl's Life of Washington, vol. v.. p. }O|I-IT,', first edition. Also, liis olliei.-il nets :mr! in Folrnei idem. ji. 'li:i J.'/i.i. Also, his intrhrues with the southern and Western people, idem. ;i. !."'-. iVe. A.I). 171)1.] vAi.t.r.v or TIII: MISSISSIPPI. 507 French. * It was understood th;it. M. In-net was to lie appoint- ed major-general, and to serve as coiniiKinder-in-cluel. The Creek Indians were to he enlisted in the cause hv agents sent into the nation. Such was the state- of allairs on the (lc<>rL, r ia frontier, that the Spanish irovernor of Hast Florida, alarmed at the threatening aspect, had made his complaint to the (Invern- or ol (Jeoi'iria. who, on the f>th ot' .March. 17!) 1. had issued his proclamation against the unlawful enterprise. f *" American State Papers. Boston edition, vol. iii.. p. -_':'.o. * Tii.- active slut.' ut' 1'ostilf preparations against Fast Florida may In- interred from t'h.' dispatches uF tin- ollicers of the Fnit.'d States tinny t tin- V>'ar Department. Major Henry (iaither, commandant of the Federal troops mi tin- St. Mar\'s. dispatch. .! a let- ti -r. dated . \prii l:itli. l?:'l, t'i tin 1 department, with information tliat thr French IKU! many friends in (icor_'ia, and that tlifir preparations for the invasion of Floriihi were active : that tin- French sloop-ot' \viir Las C'asas. ot" eL-liteon trims, recently arrivr.l from Charleston, \vitli two hundred men on hoard, mostly Fri'iicli, and one company of in- fantry, and that she was then IviiiiT within muskrt-shot of tlie tort, at anchor. They report thirteen sail, eijually lar_-e and well supplied, that are soon to arrive from tin: United States. They have a rocruitinir post at Temple, eighteen miles ahove Fort St. Mary, where they have eighty men. and shortly expect three hundred more from tin; upper part of Georgia. Major (Jaither. havmL' withheld his approhatioli to their pro- ceedings, was apprehensive of danger, and heuran to make additional defenses. See American State J'aj.ers, Huston edition vol. ii.. p. :>-J. A dispatch from Fort Fidius. dated April !-lh. 17:M. asserts that " otlicers have been nppoint'-il. and are now actinir under the a'lthorily of the l-'rench Itepnhiii'. 1'arties of r. emits have already r.-aelied the rcndexvoiis ap|iointed for them ; several nu'ii nt' this corps have crossed the Oconee. and are |.ncamp.-d opposite (Jreenshorou-h. A Miiai; party was for some days opposite tin- liod; I.ai.d ; h.- : th.;\ Irive since inarched to Carr's Bintf. to join those assemhled at tlial [ilace. The L'.'iieral rendexvoiis. w.- are told is on the St.. Mary's River. An ajeni is ajipointed to fnniish the suppli!^. and he has, t'or that purjiose. received ten thousand dollars. A p.-rson. who was t'onn.-ri\ tin: contractor's clerk at, this post, is employ ,-.) l.y him to purchase tour thousand rations ot' provisions. lie has LTone down the countrs to exrcute this Imsim-ss." A Colonel Carr and Major Wii'iamson showed Captain Martin "a letter nf instructions which the\ Inid !,!, d\ I'd from (i.'in ral Clark, dir.-ctiiu them to repair to Fort I'hiiips, the I{,,<'k Landin-'. and Carr's ]',\r,;]'_ i,,r the purpos.' ot' payin- t- t'he I'Vi-in'Ii le_-ion an (dlowam-e for liiiiea.-e froni their homes to the place ol rendc/voiis. The late 1. ieiit "i.ai.t Jilrd. ( ), ,,. ir; ; p,.sit,' (,, (rt'ei-ii^Iioro'uh. Major Williamson sa\ s that Cciiera! Clark \v..iM ri.iss tii,. ( )c.iii- e iii ten ihr.sfrom that tiim-.to take the command, and that C, ........ i C'.rr would 1 of the a.Uei.turers. " Major \\'iliiamsou has l.een einp'.i.yeJ ;.> p-,;, ;,.:,-!. r." l,i--m. p. :.-J C , : c ,-irr stilted th-1 la-.-.' detachments had marclieil from the hrick settlements if ~-i.'i, Carolina rind from tin- .--la!.' of Kentm-ks . and that the men were to he on- :.-aj' i !"!' thr. > in.n.tii--, and \\ . re ! receive hount;. s of land in t!a provinces of Kris:. !!iid \V. -! !' ori'ia, and in Louisiana, '.sni.'h tic-y w. re io conquer irom the Spaniards." -Id, an ], :.:, ( in :!,. i. th o! 1 Ma\ , '.'..' I. ( Ji-n.-rai I 'iark was on th. ( i.-or-'ia side , ,f St. Ma'" 's with two hundred men. and their nttlnliers \vcre da:!\ incn-asiiii.'. preparatory to cro: into !-'lorida. and takin.: tli.' oatli of alleinancc on Amelia l-Iand. wlii-re ihe French had Inn. led a f.-w in.'ii atid w. r.' makin_' pri'parata.ns. Coioni-1 Ilanimond. ',:< : . Sa vai.nah. formerly of the Continental army, is one of the principal otliccrs, Tiir jieopli: ol Sa\annah art: stron.'ly opposed to the enterprise. Intercourse with K'-iitM'ky and 5(KS HISTORY OF THF. [liOOK IV. The Spanish government was no less fearful of the invasion of Louisiana than of the introduction of political principles which mi'_ r ht inllueiice the western provinces of Mexico; l)ntthe linn and decided tone now assumed by the executive of the Federal g< >veniinent was such that Spain perceived plainly the negotiation must he brought to a spredy close, or w. 1791.] VALLEY OF THE MISSlSSIl'l'I. 509 'sJd. For annexing the country to the province of Louisiana, and submitting to the introduction of the Spanish laws and forms of civil jurisprudence. 3d. For actual war with Spain, the capture ol .New Orleans. and the whole district of West Florida. 1th. For active and forcible measures by Congress, to com- pel Spain, bv force of arms or by hostile array, to yield the privileges and rights which had been so long refused by nego- tiation. 5th. To solicit, France to procure a retrocession ot Louisi- ana, and to extend her protection over Kentucky and the Cum- berland settlements.* This unsettled and divided state of public feeling among the western people presented to the mind ot Governor Carondelet a favorable opportunity for a successful mission to Kentucky, for the purpose of sounding the feelings of the people upon the subject of an alliance with Louisiana, under the protection ot Spain. Accordingly, he made his first attempt at intrigue with the people of Kentucky through an artful emissary. This em- issary was an intelligent and intriguing Englishman, who had become a Spanish subject, and who was devoted to the inter- ests ol Spam. This man, under the authority ot the Governor ot Louisiana, proceeded on the doubtful and hazardous enter- prise o|' sowing the seeds of sedition amoni;' the western peo- ple, at a time when Western Pennsylvania was greatly agi- tated by t.hi' "excise on distilled spirits," commonly known as the " whisky insurrection. "-J- The spirit ot resistance to the Federal ifo\ eminent, in the entorcement <>t the iniquitous law, had developed itselt in open insurrection, winch was quelled onlv by the presence ot an army ol twelve thousand troops from the Eastern States. .No time could have been more pro- pitiou-- tor the enterprise ot sepa r: 1 . 1,1111;' Kentucky and the west- ern conntr\ u'enerally. Besides the insurrection in Western Pennsylvania, and the divided feelings ot the people ot Ken- tucky and Cumberland, the whole northwestern tribes ot Jn- dian^ bad been enirau'ed m open war. instigated and aided by IJnti-h a-jvnls and traders trom Canada : the Federal irovern- ment was embarrassed bv tedious and vexatious negotiations with Great Britain, \\ith Spain, and even with France. The 510 HISTORY OF THK [BOOK IV stipulations of the treaty of 17cS,'} were violated by England on the northwestern boundary, and by Spain on the southwestern limit : (ireat Britain still held the northwestern posts, and Spain the southern territory; both powers seemed to unite in the purpose of restricting the western limits, and each power had her emissary in the West, one from Baron Carondelet and one from Lord Dorchester, on a mission of political intrigue with the western people.* Yet. so far as the Federal government was concerned, Spain was on terms of peace and amity. The great national ques- tions of boundary and the free navigation of the Mississippi were still unsettled, and afforded subjects of protracted nego- tiation. Spain, having an eye to the separation of the western country, and desirous of waiting the result of the prevailing difficulties in the West, had deemed it most politic to defer any definite negotiation upon the subject, which might ultimately endanger the peace and safety of Louisiana. In the mean time, the restrictions and exactions upon the commerce and trade of the river had been again enforced witli rigor: and Spain had persisted in withholding all the rights and privi- leges of' that navigation from the eili/ens of the United States. There were various grounds of policy for the refusal ; but probably the most operative was a secret hope that the west- ern people, weary of these obstacles to their commerce, and dissatisfied \\ith the national government for not removing them, illicit sooner or later dissever themselves from the I'nion. and form a, separate republic, which would fall under the control of Spain."! [A.I). 17U5.] Under these influences, it is not strange that the court of .Madrid should have resorted to its usual policv of procrastination and court, delays. Another consideration bear- iii.r on the general question was the state of the Indian tribes .!i the \\ est. Those on the northwest had been for several n war against the frontier settlements, and those ilhwestern frontier were far from friendly to the settlements. The hostilities of those on the nortli- _ r aled by British emissaries, and those on the south- west, under ilie influence of Spanish agents, might ulti A.D. 1795.] VALLEY OK THE MISS ISS ll'I'I. oil The Federal government was fully apprised of the cmlict- ing interests in the West, upon \\hich foreign emissaries might operate to accomplish a dismemberment >t the I nion. Al- though there might he apparently strong reasons tor complaint, and tor a partial alienation of feeling in the western people to- ward the Federal government, still the President confided in the virtue and patriotism of' the people, their inveterate repug- nance to regal authority, and their attachment to their friends east of the mountains, donblv cemented hy the presence and influence ot' hundreds of revolutionary officers and soldiers, who had taken up their residence in the Wesi. Determined to maintain the rights of' the western people with the \\hole pow- er of thi- Federal government, President Washington had as- sumed a firm and decided tone, and persisted in urging upon the Spanish crown the necessity of a speed}' adjustment ot all the points under negotiation. Still the Baron de Carondelet did not despair of final success in severing the Western from the Kastern States. Farly in the year 17!)."), relieved from the apprehension of danger from a French and Kentucky invasion ot Louisiana, he determined, while the court of Madrid was procrastinating the negotiation with the Federal government, to press his secret negotiations with the disaffected of Kentucky and the \\ est generally. He- heving the Federal authority already tottering in Western Pennsylvania, and almost disregarded in Kentucky, he deemed the present juncture highlv auspicious to his designs. Accordingly, having heen apprised hy Powers of the state of popular feeling in Kentucky, he de>patchrd Don Manuel ( ia- voso. a hngadier-general in the armies of Spain, and Lieuten- ant-governor o! Nalchex and its dependences, to the month of ;he ( >hio as a special agent, authorixed to negotiate with the leading conspirators ol Kentucky relative to the weightv mat- ter.- in ci uitemplatii in. In this mi>sion was associated Thomas Powers, the former emis-arv to Kentucky, who h;td heen suecesstul in his tormer mission, and had made a rrangemeni s with the tour mo>t proni- onspirators. Sehastian, Innis. Murray, and .Nicholas, to ie Baron's commissioner at some point near the ic'-uth 51'J I! I STORY OF THK [llOOK IV. To conceal the real object of the lieutenant-governor's vis- it to I '[i]>er Louisiana, he conducted a detachment oi troo]>s lor re-enforcing the different posts, for completing the stockade fort at the fourth Chickasa Bluff, and commencing one just be- lo\\ tin' month of the Ohio. While engaged in these duties. Powers was dispatched in a line Spanish row-barge to meet his engagement at. the Red Banks. But the mission failed in its object. The increasing danger, from public indignation against those who had been suspected of conspiring for an al- liance with Spain, consequent upon a separation from the Fed- eral Union, had now become imminent and alarming ; the Fed- eral army under General Wayne was now victorious over the savages; the people were relieved from Indian hostilities on every frontier; the authority of the Federal government in Western Pennsylvania had been restored, and the people of Kentucky relied upon their victorious troops to vindicate their riirhts on the Mississippi, under the authority of the United States: and Kentucky had now been an independent state lor nearlv two years. An alliance with Louisiana under the Span- ish crown had now become preposterous in the extreme, and the conspirators of Kentucky prudently declined appearing at the Red Banks. Judge Sebastian was the only Kentuckian who attended on the part of the conspirators to meet the Spanish emissary ; but he. as it deluded to his own ruin, consented to descend the riv- er to hold an interview with the Spanish commissioner. Cla- yoso, at the mouth of the Ohio. But as an unexpected change in the face of affairs had taken place. Clayoso declined to ne- gotiate definitely with Sebastian, and induced him to continue his voyage to ,\ew Orleans, and there confer with the baron in person. Alter a sojourn of several weeks at, Natchez, and some time in \e\v Orleans. Sebastian took passage by sea for Philadelphia, on his return to Kentucky.* In the mean time. Spain had become embarrassed in the Ku- ropean wars, and, tearing hostilities on the part of the United States airainst Louisiana, had intimated, through the Spanish minister at Philadelphia, that negotiations might now be expedi- ted on the 'jTeat points in controversy, provided a regular en- voy ot high grade \\ere sent to the court of Madrid. .Presi- dent Washington lost no time in dela v ; in November. 1791, he A.I). 17!>5.] VAI.I.KY or TIIK MISSISSIPPI. 51'$ had nominated Mr. Thomas Pinekney as minister plenipoten- tiarv and envoy extraordinary ti> the court, of Madrid. His nomination had been confirmed hy the Senate, and the follow- inir summer he repaired to Spain. Negotiations were soon opened with the Spanish court, and in due time a treaty \vas prepared, \vliich was sinned on the 'JOth day of ( JctoluT. 17!)5. coveriiiLT tlie wliole ground of controversy which had eniraired the attention of hoth countries for nearlv ten years. + The principal stipulations of the treaty on this suhject were as follows. \\y,. : 1. The st'ctitid article stipulates that the future boundary be- twecn the United States and the Floridas shall he the thirty-iirst parallel of north latitude, from the Mississippi eastward to the Chattahoochy River : thence alnir a line runninir due east, fr >m the mouth of Flint River to the head of the St. Mary's River, and thence down the middle of that river to the Atlantic Ocean ; and that, within six months after the ratification of the treaty, the troops and garrisons of each power shall he withdrawn to its own side of this boundary, and the people shall be at liber- ty to retire with all their clients, it they desire so to do. ~. The third article stipulates that each partv. respective! v. shall appoint one commissioner and one siirvevor, with a suit- able military i:uard of equal numbers, well provided with in- struments and assistants, who shall meet at Xatchex within six months after the mutual ratilieation of the treaty, and proceed thence to ///// andnmrh the said >"Uthern boundary of the Uni- ted Slates. .'{. The \'<>nrth article stipulates that the middle of the Missis- sippi Hi ver sha II be the western boundary ol the L' nited States, ii'i MI i its source to i hi- intersection respect i\"el\'. ^>. Ti:c l\,ii'_ r "i Spam siijmlairs and agrees t > permit the p.M.ple of the I nited States. fr ///- /,///! of t/nr,- i/i'iirs. t" use the port of \e\\ Urleans as a place of deposit for their prod in-e aiid merchandise, and to e\ poj-t 1 he sa me Iree 1 roin a ! I dii! \' < M ' Marshull'.s Li!' i.r\V;t-!i;:.-'t..ii. v,,!. v.. [i. HI!. !l-l i-!;'.; .:. Vol. [. K K t -)1 i HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. charge, except a reasonable consideration to be paid for stor- U' r e and other incidental expenses ; that the term of three years niav. by subsequent negotiation, be extended ; or, instead, some other point in the island of New Orleans shall be designated as a place of deposit for the American trade. Other commer- cial advantages were likewise held out as within the reach of negotiation.* This treaty was duly ratified by the Senate in March fol- lowing, and the Federal executive proceeded to make the ne- cessary arrangements for the fulfillment of all the stipulations on the part of the United States. In the mean time, the whole state of Georgia had been in a stall 1 of excitement to expel the Spaniards from the western and southern limits of that state, as defined by the treaty of 17S3. According to the royal charter and the treaty of 1783, Georgia laid claim to all the territory on her western frontier, extending to the Mississippi River on the west, and southward to the thirty-first, degree of north latitude. This claim em- braced all the Natchez District upon the Mississippi, from the sources of the Va/oo and Tombigby Rivers to their mouths. This whole region, however, was held and claimed by Spain as a part of West Florida. The fine lands, watered by these large- rivers and their tributaries, had been represented as the paradise of the South. Popular excitement to enjoy and pos- sess the delightful regions which properly belonged to the State ol Georgia had been tanned into a (lame oi enthusiasm, which resulted in the wildest schemes of avarice and speculation. The contagion spread through the whole state, and even to North Carolina and Virginia: it pervaded the halls of legisla- tion, and polluted the integrity of the legislative body. Au- thority by the Georgia Legislature was given to visionary men. to enthusiasts, and to speculators, to inundate the country with scores of adventurers and emigrants. The state had sent commissioners to the Spanish governor with a formal demand (or the surrender and evacuation of the territory east, of the Mississippi and north of the proper limit of Florida. The de- * Hoc AIM. I'npurs. fulii) .-.!., Foivi_<, Affairs, vol. i., p. D17-.V1! 1 . >>". also, Mrirtiii's Louisiana, vol. ii., u. i-j;i. 130. Martin, however, errs in liis term for whirl, Spain stipiihsti 'i tin use nf tin- port of New < >:l"nns ns a place uf ilrpi.vit. Tim treat;, itsi-lf, i titute I'upen,, spi.'<-iiies " //I\ ;u tcu . curs." A.D. 1705.] VALLKY OF THE MISSISSIITI. 515 rnand liad been disregarded by the Spanish authorities, and the Legislature had proceeded to provide for its occupation, by or- ganizing that portion near the Mississippi inlo the "county of Bourbon/' under the jurisdiction of the State of (Jeorgia. " The \ axoo speculation" was set on loot, in which inure than seven millions (A acres oi the finest lands in the world were thrown into a second "Mississippi scheme." to be obtained i'or a mere tnlle. and to serve as fountains of future riches. The " Mis- sissippi ( 'ompany" was chartered witli the control of more than three millions oi acres, at the rate of two and a halt' cents per acre, to be paid into the state treasurv. The stock comprised lolly shares ol seventy-five thousand acres each, controlled bv a company ol seven men as stockholders.' Besides this com- pany under the authority of the state, seventy-live sub-shares, in the shape of land-script, were issued to about seventy other individuals; each sub-share called for twenty-eight thousand acres, giving an aggregate of more than three millions of acres. The act of the Georgia Legislature establishing this great scheme of speculation was passed on the 7th day ol January, 171)5. The next session of the Legislature nut only repealed the act, but declared the \vh<>ie null and void, as having been obtained by fraud and corruption. The act repealing and re- scinding ail parts of the charter passed on the 13th day of Feb- ruar\, 171M5. and directed all grants made by the Mississippi Company, all certificates of stock issued by the authority of said act, and all records i if the same, to be cancelled and destroyed, and ail monevs paid into the stale treasury to be refunded.! The i<>rmer act o| the (leorgiH Legislature iniringed upon the prerogatives ot the 1/Vderal guvernmeni in assuming the -ciile a question oi national boundary, and t involve M in \\ar \\ith a Invndlv power. .Now the treatvof ;,!(', HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV ranged the question of boundary, by which a peaceable sur- render had been secured. Yet this procedure on the part of the Georgia Legislature had irreatly tended to embarrass the prospects of the Spanish authorities in their contemplated retention of the country. Hundreds of fiery spirits and enterprising men had sought the Mississippi by way of the Yazoo and Tornbigby, and. under the iniluence of the Yazoo speculation, had reached the settle- ments known as the Natchez District. CHAPTER IV. POLITICAL RELATION'S BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND LOUISI- ANA. FROM THE TREATY OF MADRID TO THE SURRENDER OF THE NATCH E/ DISTRICT. - A.D. 171H) TO 1798. ,,lr:ri/ >//'. Treaty of Madrid merely a Measure of State Policy with Spain. Her In tenti.m to evade its Stipulations, if possible. Intrigue with the western People. Tiie United States prepare in L'ood Faith to carry out the Stipulations. Colonel Klli eott. ;LS Commissioner of the United States, arrives at Xatehez. His Military Escort left at Bayou Pierre. Gayoso designates the 19th of March to begin the Line of Demarkation. Ellieott encamps in Natchez. Proceedings delayed by Baron Caron- delet. Ellieott orders down his Military Escort. Gayoso suddenly ceases Prepara- tions to evacuate, the Fort Pammuv. Fortifies this Post. Pretext for Change of Conduct. Lieutenant M'l.eary, with his Escort, arrives from Bayou Pierre. Gay- (iso continues to strengthen his IVfenses. Indian Hostilities alleged as the Cause. Next, a British Invasion _in>m Canada apprehended. Blount's Conspiracy, and its Explosion. The People become excited. Correspondence between the American Commissioner and Gayoso. Advanced Guard under Lieutenant Pope arrives at Natchez. Gayoso objects to tin.- Presence of United States Troops at Natchez. Other Reasons for Delay uived by Gayoso. His Agents tamper with tin- Indians. Popular Excitement increases. The Governor-general issues his Proclamation, J-lth of May. E fleets of this Proclamation. Efforts of Gayoso to calm the popu- lar Excitement. Arrest and Imprisonment of Hannah. This excites the People ti> Resistance. Colonel Ellieott and Lieutenant Pope sustain the popular Commotion. Guyoso's Proclamation of .Fune llth. A public Meeting called. Gayoso and his Family retire to the Fort. Seeks an Interview witli the American Commissioner. - C.imntittee of Public Safety" appointed. This Committee reooL-nized by Gayoso. A ' Permanent Committee" elected. Opposition of Colonel HutehoiLS and other.---, win* sustain Gayoso. Ellieott retires to Washington. Gayoso appointed Governor- ire;,. rah Retires to New Orleans. Captain Guion arrives with 1 nited States Tn-ip-. His Attempt to restore Harmony and Tranquillity. The Policy of his Course. The Popts of NoL'ales and Panmure evacuated in March, 179*. The Line of l)e- maika! ii cnumieneed in May, 17!'-. and completed next Year. First organization cf ti.i- Mi--:--:;i;ii Territory. Arrival of the Territorial Governor and .ludu'es.- -Gen- eral Wilkm^nn arrives with United States Troops. Retrospect of the Spanish Poli- cy. Pretext* (or !> !:;.. and the Intri_ r ue with General Wilkinson aL-ai:i uiusuceess- lai. Return ot EmiM.-,:-y Pnw rs. [A.D. 17!)*;.] As hit which had sprunir up between the I'nited Slates and Spain. A.D. 170C).] VAI.LKV r TI1C M1SSISSIITI. .") 1 7 relative to the navigation ot the Mississippi and the .southern boundary oi Georgia, appeared t<> have been settled hv ihe treaty of Madrid. But, although Spain suspended her restric- tions upon the river trade alter this treaty had been duly rati- fied, it was quite apparent that the king never intended to sur- render the territory east of the Mississippi and north ot' latitude .SI", provided any contingency would enable him to hold pos- session.' The King ot Spain had been compelled, bv the pressure ot political embarrassments, both in Kurnpe and in the I nited States, to yield a reluctant assent to the treats', as the only means by which lie could preserve the province of Louisi- ana irom invasion, and conciliate the hostile feelings of the western people of the United States. The provincial authori- ties in Louisiana seemed to view the late treaty on the part ot' Spain as a mere measure of policy and court finesse, to propitiate the neutrality of the Federal government and satisfy the American people until her European embarrassments should have been surmounted. Spain, incited by France, had been upon the verge of a war with Clrcal Britain ; and already the British authorities in Can- ada had planned an invasion ot I pper Louisiana, by way of the lakes and the Illinois River, whenever hostilities should be formally proclaimed. To prevent this invasion was one object to be trained by acceding to the treaty of Madrid, which would place the neutral territorv of u friendly power in the way of military invasion. In the mean time, the Baron de Carondelet, regardless ot the treaty stipulations which had been made on the part of his Lrovernmeiit. au'ain dispatched his emissary, 1'owers. to Kentucky and the Northwestern Territory, with a larjv amount ot monev. to foment, disallection in the \\ est, and to encourage those who still desired a separation Irom the I nion. As lias been observed in the preceding chapter, the treaty Mipulated that each ^ovennneiit should appoint one commis- sioner and one principal surveyor, who should meet at \atchex within six months after the ratification ot the treat}', or about the first of ( Ictober, 17!H5.t The commissioners and surveyors, dulv appointed, were to 'Th- Anier- f>H HISTORY OF Tin: [BOOK iv proceed from Xatchez to ascertain the point on the east bank of the Mississippi which is intersected by the thirty-first paral- lel of north latitude. From that point on the said parallel they should cause to be run, opened, and marked "a proper line of demarkation," eastward to the Chattahoochy River. After this line should have been thus established, the troops of Spain were to he withdrawn from the forts and territory north of this line, and the country formally surrendered to the commissioner of the United States. In the mean time, the President of the United States had ap- pointed Colonel Andrew Ellicott, as commissioner on the part of the Federal government, to meet the Spanish commissioner at the place and time designated in the treaty, to be accom- panied by a small detachment of troops from the western army. Don Manuel (layoso de Lemos, commandant of Fort Panmure, and governor of the Xatohex dependences, was ap- pointed commissioner on the part of Spain, under the orders of the Baron de Canmdelet, governor-general of Louisiana and the Floridas.* About the middle of September, Colonel Ellicott departed from Philadelphia for the West, on his way to meet the Span- ish commissioner at X'atchex. At Pittsburgh he obtained his corps of thirty woodsmen, armed with rifles, and descended the Ohio in a barge conveying his instruments, baggage, and stores, to be followed soon afterward by a military escort of thirty men. to be furnished bv Colonel Butler, commanding at Pittsburgh. Delayed on the Ohio by extreme low water, and other unavoidable circumstances, he did not reach the Missis- sippi until the xJ-Jd of December, where he was again detained by ice, which had now closed both rivers. On the ,'Ust of January, 17!>7, having received his military escort and supplies, he descended the Mississippi, and on the iMih of February ar- rived at Xatelie/., having touched at each of the Spanish posts on the way. and having left his military escort at the Bayou Pierre, at the special request of Governor Gayoso. [A.D. 17117.] In the mean time, the governor-general, as- well as Lieutenant-governor (layoso. had been dulv notified of the approach of the American commissioner. The several commandants on the river had been instructed etJbrt short of << >mpulsi< tard his advance. A.D. 1797.] VALLEY OF THE MlSsrssiPrr. 519 Alter a polite and formal reception from (lovcrnor dayoso, Colonel Ellicott announced the object of his mission, and desir- ed the co-operation of the Spanish commissioner in ascertain- ing the point on the Mississippi at \vhieh the line of demarkati< >n should commence. At an interview next day, upoint had been ascertained, bv astronomical observation, to be near the intersection of the thirty-first parallel of in >rth latitude. Three days after Colonel Ellicott's arrival he had pitched his tent, and located his (-am]) upon an eminence within the limits of the present city of .Natchez, and about five hundred yards north of Fort Panmure, which was strongly fortified and occupied by a garrison of Spanish troops. At this point, not far from the present intersection of Wall and Jefferson streets. he hoisted the flas; of the United States, and having commen- O ced his astronomical observations, he found the latitude of his markee to be 31 33' -1C)" north, or about thirty-nine miles north of the intersection of the thirty-first parallel of latitude, and the proper point lor commencing the line of demarkation.* In the mean time, the governor-general had been apprised of the arrival ol the commissioner ot the United States, duly authorized to co-operate in establishing the line of demarka- tion. But it was soon apparent that he declined any immediate action in the matter, alleging important business in \e\v Or- leans. \\hich would prevent his presence at the time designa- ted hv (iavoso. At the same time, he held out various induce- ments to draw the American commissioner to X'ew Orleans. Colonel Ellicott, however, declined to leave the point designa- ted in the treaty, and remained at Xatchex. The military es- cort under Lieutenant M'Leary was ordered Irom the Bayou Pierre, and reached Xatche/ on the loth of March. The com- mandant encamped upon the eminence contiguous to Colonel Ellicoii's llair, and soon afterward he appeared at the head of his men before Panmure. and formally demanded the surren- der of the post to the troops ot' the I'nited States. (Javoso, until this time, had been apparently making prepa- rations lor evacuatini: the post : the artillery and stores were S..-.J Oiojtt':- Juiirnal, p. 41 -,"0. ;VJO HISTORY OF THE [liOOK IV. removed from the fort, and other preparations indicated the speedv \\ithdra\\al of the troops. l>ut suddenly the artillery and sit 'ITS \vere returned to the lort by ni^ht, the cannon were remounted, and the fort \vas again placed in a state of defense.* Tins movement, and others subsequently made, were doubtless the result of secret orders trom Governor Carondelet at Xew Orleans. llavoso soon afterward proceeded to strengthen the defens- es at Xatchex and Walnut Hills, and to re-enforce the garri- sons from .\e\v Orleans; but Colonel Ellicott formally protest- ed airainst his proceedings, as a violation of good faith toward the United States, and calculated to embarrass and procrasti- nate the object of his mission. In reply. dayoso alleged that his defensive measures were prompted by apprehensions of Indian hostilities. At a subsequent period, he alleged a threat- ened invasion ol Louisiana trom Canada as the cause of his de- fensive preparations. L nder the latter pretext, for several months (Jayoso continued to ibrtifv the different posts on the .Mississippi above Xatchex. and to re-enforce their garrisons. Thus the meeting of the commissioners for establishing the line of demarkation was indefinitely postponed. The American commissioner became highly exasperated at the various pretexts for procrastination advanced by the Span- ish governor, and the artifices employed to induce him to retire from the point designated in the treat v.f An angry corre- spondence had alread v commenced between the com miss a mers, and Lieutenant M'Leary had begun to fortify his camp. Great excitement began to prevail among the people of the, district, under the apprehension that the Spaniards did not intend to surrender the country to the United States. Colonel Kllicott and Lieutenant .MvLearv maintained their position, anxiously awaiting the arrival of an advanced guard of United States troops, which were known to be on their wav from Fort Massac. In the mean time. General \\ ayne had advanced the army of occupation ID Fort Massac. there to await further orders. From lhi< point, near the last of March, Lieutenant I'iercy Smith I'ope. \\ith a detachment of forty men. was ordered to descend the Mississippi and to keep within supporting distance of Colonel Kilicoit. This detachment arrived at the Walnut Hills early in April, when Lieutenant Pope reported himself to - I.::;- it's Journal, [.. .'I.'- t \-\' in, : '-:,-. A.D. 17!)7.] VALLKY OF TI1F. MISSISSIPPI. ~)"21 Colonel KHicott, and encamped near the Spanish fbrt. in com- pliance with a request from (lavoso, through the commandant of that post. On the 17th of April Colonel Kllicott was first apprised of the arrival of Lieutenant 1'ope at the Walnut Hills, and he im- mediately dispatched a messenger requesting him to advance to his relict' without delav. On the vMth of April Lieutenant Pope, with his detachment, arrived at .Xatche/.and was escort- ed from the upper landing to the camp ot the American com- missioner by Lieutenant M'Leary's company.' lint the Spanish governor strongly remonstrated against the presence of the Inited States troops, intrenched within sight of the Spanish fort, and immediately under the eye of tin- Span- ish authorities. lie therefore desired that Colonel Lllieott, with the detachments of troops and his woodsmen, would re- move' to Clarksviile, near the point for their future operations; but the American commissioner declined leaving the point des- ignated in the treaty, (lavoso at length desired him to accept comfortable buildings lor himself and the troops at " \ ilia (la- yoso," a Spanish church and village near the blulK about fifteen miles above Natchez; but the American commissioner pre- ferred the more appropriate shelter ot the tent, in the open air: and Lieutenant Pope proceeded to complete the intrenchments ol their camp. Soon afterward, he deemed it expedient to auir- ment his force hv voluntary enlistment, and bv the apprehen- sion of' some deserters from the northern army, who had found an asvluni amonir the Spaniards. This, aL r am, was a new cause of remonstrance from the Spanish governor. iJut the American commissioner, from various sources of in- formation, and fr< mi the genera 1 tenor of the lieutenant-govern- or's correspondence, believed that the governor-general did not intend to evacuate the posts and surrender the countrv, in com | >lia iii -e \\ ith the terms of the t re a ! \ . The correspondence between the commissioners continued, and while the Spaniard was fruitful in pretexts and expedients for delay ami equivoca- tion, the American \\as no less ready to expose the fallacy of ever\ pretext, and to urge the lutihty ol his reasons for further delays. It was the last of May when the proclamation of' the' 15aron Canmdelet announced that the deliver}' of the country, and the ' ?cc KlliivU's Journal, j>. Ti.', -0. f)V>',J H1\ ed the confidence ot' the l-'ed.-ral L'ovcrnilli nt as " ( i. .verm i!- of the Southwestern Ter- rit'.ry and Indian aureiit." and was intimately acquainted with the southern country, pi opl -. and Indian tribes, where he had -real influence, conceived the desi-u of a con- spiracy to aid the British forces of Canada byway of Lake Michigan. Chicago, and the. Illinois River, to invade Louisiana and capture New Orleans. The troops of (ire at Britain in ' '.-inaila liad a--t-ially emharked from Uuebee for the lakes. Blount's plan of operations contemplated a stron- re eulorcement from the Ohio, the Ti nnessee. and ( 'umb. Hand H ivers. with supplies of military stores and provisions, to meet the invad- irn.- forces at the mouth of th.- Ohio. Blonnt. bavin- disclosed his plans to Mr. Li.-ton, the British minister, was referred by him directly to the British cabinet. The cautious m\sti i . of the Americaji senator led to his detection, and. having been found i/uilty of . ' . ' '. : th'' tr-asonable plot, he was unanimously expelled Irom the Tinted States Senate, S-eo Marbois's Louisiana, p. lt;:i-U;:>. See. also, Blount's lelti r to a eonfed- 1*1 Carey, American State Papers, vol. hi., p. :r,'.">, Boston edition. Martin's I. . , vol ; . 11)9. S ' 'i'ts of (Jreat Britain residim: in Florida and in the Xatchox 1 Hstrict. and whose naiin-s " tl r British pension list, were doubtless priv\ to this contemplated en- Urpn- i .., Ilutchens had proposed to Lieutenant Pop.-, early in I,'.';, to en- 1 ' rprise of capturing (b.venior Cayoso, niid eonveyin:: him sei-n-tiy to i ti'ni, ai : Ui capture i-'o-t 1'anmure witli volunte.-rs wlm were ready i th. undeitakim-. Mr. liiipelje, a British subject, supposed to be connect- cd in P. ;. and in !l,,- Kn-lish interest, came to Colonel Hutcl ,. Iui ,,,) spent sev, ral dnvs t this time, after which ho proceeded Ui Mohilo and Pcnsac.ila. At the iatt. r pine,-, h,- remained in confidential intercourse with the Brit- 1. !i . A ('.,., Indian traders, until the explosion of Blount's K' hi ::.- - Sec Kllienll's JoUHial, [i. - i. ' ."i, rind 1'J. A.D. 1797.] VAU.TY OF run MISSISSIPPI. f>23 At <>ne time Gayoso alleged that, as the treaty of Madrid did not specify the " condition" in which the posts were to be de- livered, it became necessary to wait until instructions on that point should be received from the kini:. If the kinir directed them to be delivered with all the ordnance and stores, or ii he required them to be dismantled betore delivery, he only waited to execute his pleasure : and in the mean time, it would be nec- essary to dispatch an envoy to General Wayne, Commander- in-chief, with a request that he would not urge the deliver}' until instructions should arrive from the king. At another time he aliened that, as the treaty contained no guarantee of property to those who desired to retire beyond the American jurisdiction, it would be necessary to settle that point by a new treaty. At another time it was seriously urged that a scrupulous observance of the treaty of Madrid could not be demanded, because the United States had not acted in good faith toward Spain in conceding to Great Britain, by the treaty of London. November 19th, 1791, the free navigation of the Mississippi, although nearly a year previously.* In the early period ol the correspondence, before the arrival oi Lieutenant. Pope, the Spanish irovernor had endeavored to alarm the American commissioner by apprehensions of Indian host i I it v. a lie '.fed to have been excited by the presence of Amer- ican troops. To i_five a. plausibility to the rumor, and to excite apprehension of danger to be encountered from that quarter, swarms of drunken Indians were made to parade the town with every demonstration <>t displeasure at the presence of the American troops. Several limes the savages paraded bejore the American intrenrhments with drawn knives, and with the nio>t threaten! 111: demonstrations. To quiet them into neutral- its' iin!;! the arrival ol' the re-enforcement under Lieutenant 1'op". Colonel Kilieot.t was obliged to conciliate their hostility bv distributing rations amonir them, together with such pres- ents as their cupidity mr_rht lancv. Oiilv a few weeks elapsed before it was ascertained beyond doubt that emissaries had been sent, to the neighboring tribes to roiise their vengeance against the extension ot the Federal jurisdiction and the introduction ot troops. f The object of the Spanish governor was delay, in the vain . r ,-J4 1I1STOKY OF THE [BOOK IV. iiope that some fortunate event might yet avert the necessity of surrendering the country. It was with regret the Spanish authorities beheld this presage of the entire loss of Louisiana in the surrender of this important portion of its territory. Be- lieving that all hope in the West had not yet iled, the govern- or-^eneral had caused these vexatious delays, until his emissa- ry should return from Detroit and report the state of feeling upon the Ohio and its tributaries. Moreover, new hope had sprung up since the arrival of the American commissioner ; for General Wayne had died, and General Wilkinson had succeed- ed as commander-in-chief in the Northwest. Some event might yet transpire to defeat the obligations of the treaty, and secure to Spain the integrity of Louisiana. At length the people became highly excited at the delays and perfidy ol the Spaniards for deferring the fulfillment of the treat}' stipulations. The district north of the line of demarka- tion contained at this time about four thousand inhabitants, the greater portion of whom were emigrants from the United States, or the remains of former British colonies from the At- lantic provinces. Many had emigrated from Kentucky and Tennessee, for the express purpose of becoming citizens under the American government. Most of them became impatient tor the departure of the Spanish authorities, and the establish- ment of the free government of the United States. Settle- ments extended from the Bayou Pierre south to the line of de- markation, and eastward to the sources of the Bayou Pierre, Cole's Creek, St. Catharine, Homochitto. and Bull'alo. Many ot them had taken an "active part in evincing their opposition to the continuance of the Spanish authorities, and had thus rendered themselves highly obnoxious to their resentment. SOUR- had evinced a willingness to attempt their expulsion by turce, and to capture Fort Pannmre itself. The governor-general's proclamation of the 21th of May was intended to quiet public excitement and to allay fears of future vengeance Irom the Spanish authorities, by assuring the people that the terms of the treat}' would be faithfully perform- ed so soon us the danger of the threatened British invasion should have passed. But the proclamation failed to produce the desired ellect : instead of calming the excitement. Colonel FJhcott observes, alter the proclamation, "the public mind might be compared to inflammable gas, which required only a -park to produce an explosion." A.U. 1797.] VALLEY Ol' TUT. MISSISSIPPI. 52") Colonel Ellicott, and those attached to his commission, con- tinued to use every prudent means tor tranquilizing the people. and for inducing them quietly and peaceably to await the regular action of the Spanish authorities. Yet the people perceived no movement for the speedy evacu- ation ot the military posts, or the surrender of the country. Many despaired of seeing the American authority established in the district; and others, having, by their zeal and activity in favor of the Federal jurisdiction, rendered themselves ob- noxious to the resentment of the Spanish authorities, contem- plated a removal back to the Western States. To calm these apprehensions, Uayoso gave notice that he "had received from the Baron de Caroridelet, governor of Louisiana, instructions tor the removal of the artillery and military stores from the lorts which were north of the line of demarkation. Although the popular excitement and dissatisfaction were extreme, and the inclination to resist was strong, yet there was no open resistance until the Dth day of June. On this day Mr. Hannah, a preacher of the Baptist denomination, and an Ameri- can citizen, was sei/.ed by the Spanish authorities, and. under some pretext, was confined in a small guard-house within the Spanish tort, with his feet in the stocks. This \vas like lire t an explosive train. The pe< >ple considered this act an inlnirjfe- ment of the liberty of the people of the United States. It' not so, it certainlv evinced a determination to enlorce vigorously the authority of Spain in the country. Under this impression they lle\v to arms, and the commandant and his principal of- ficers, \\itli their families, were compelled to take rehr_re in the Spanish fort. The people organized themselves into military companies, and chose < illicerrf to command them. An instantane- ous change had taken place, and "in the short space o! le^s than ten hours the authoriu of the governor was coiiiined t > ihe small compass ol the |i >rt." ' The excitement spread into the surrounding country : public meetings were held, and violent measures contemplated. A; tii;s time (lovernor ( Ja \'oso, throuirh his tort major, Stephen Minor, requested a private interview with the American con:- ;~>26 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. missioner. The latter determined to liave no communication with the Spanish governor except such as was strictly official. Lieutenant Pope further informed him that he should " repel by forre anv attempt made to imprison those who claim the priv- ileges of citizens of the United States." He also notified the people of his intentions, and assured them of his "protection and support against any arbitrary military force which might he brought to operate against them, or in any wise to infringe their rights as American citizens." At this time it was supposed Gayoso might order re-enforce- ments from other posts on the river to aid in maintaining his authority. Lieutenant Pope had resolved to permit no such re-enforcement, and he called on the people to sustain him in repelling any attempt to re-enforce the garrison in Fort Pan- mure. * On the 1-lth of June, Governor Gayoso issued his proclama- tion, exhorting the people to a quiet and peaceable submission to the authority of his Catholic majesty until the difficulties between the two governments could be properly arranged. At the same time, he promised the utmost lenity, and a pardon to all who repented of their misdeeds, and. as an evidence of repentance, abstained from all acts calculated to disturb the public peace. The people, already highly irritated by delays and disap- " Letter of Lii-utrtiant Pope, transmitted by Colonel Hutchens to the Department i.f St: te. American State Papers, Huston edition, vol. in., j>. :i."0. " .\,itc}u:z Camp. Jn>,< 1-J/A. 17JT. r'FLr.iAv-CmzKN.-i OF THK DISTRICT OF XATCHK/.. Ilavin-T received information that a number of you will bo collected at my friend Beaik's. in conformity to a:i indirect invitation sent to you for that purpose, 1 have now positively to make the declaration to you that I have made this eveniii_' to (iovernur liavo" i. that I will, at all ha/.ards, protect the citi/ens of the United .States from every ;;' ! "! hostility: t meaji such as reside nortli of the thirty-first deLrree of north latitude, r within thirty ;.ine miles due south of Natehex. 1 now. therefore, caii on you in the .. - ifinn iiK!_ain-r ti, cum? furu'tiril. n.tfrrt i/"ii r riir/iff, and you may rely on my sin- : co operation to accomplish that desirable object. " 1 >i/all fxp-'i-t your assistance to rejiel any troops or hostile parties tl.at may make :i:i a" mpt t.. land lor the purpose of re-enforciiiL' this ira.rri.son. or for oilier purposes ietrim .' '. 1. 1 t.h.; i:Jiabit:uit.s of tills country. 1'lKHCY S. 1'ori:. " Commajidini; I'nited States Troops. Natchez." " From ; ; ,- pres 'nt alannin^' situation of this country, I tally approve of I.i.-utenant Pope's letti : ot this date t, , his teilj\v citizens assembled at Mr. Healk's. AviiKtw Ki.i ic.'i r, '.Tunu 1-Jth, 1" >~, ." " rommissioner uf United States." A true c.-,,y. Kxamined jier THOMAS M. (MIKKN.'' See American Slate Pnpers. i' .ivi-'ii Ailairs. ' Also. Ellicott's Journal p. M, i>7. A.D. 1707.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. fr2~ pointed hopes, took great exceptions to the word "repent- ance." as highly offensive to iVee citizens of the l. T inted Suites. Things now assumed a serious aspect, and the opposition to Spanish authority had taken a regular lorin ot rebellion. A number of respectable militia companies were organized, and ready to take the iield at the first notice, and open hostilities seemed inevitable. Bt ot Mav. a heav\ piece of ordnance in the Spanish tort had been broii giit to bear upon the American con i m: s? ; oner's tent, which \\ as in lull view. ( >n the ] v h of June, while all was excitement and appre- hei !-!"ii, the governor, con lined within the narrow limits ot' the f>rt, desired an interview with the American commissioner at the h'...);. 1 17. .Ms... s-'.- Kllii-utt's Journal. ]. -:. : ' '. 1 Th" I'niiiinitt.'.' ,.: l''ii. ]. S;tt''t\ \vn.s (xiinjMisi-il iif tin' tiillnwiiiur [ii-r--:,-, \ / . An- il, n.;. Hutch, -/I*, lirn^nl I.inlnt. Ua:ir I .'iiilliani. Crito West, William H;,;. IV. tial.ri.-l lJ.:ii'.i.-t, :m.l .I'.s.'ph B.-mnnl. to which I'nluiid Uliioott and LiuuU-iiuM i'.tjitj \v.-ro iKiiiniuiuua'.y iidiiijvl. l^i''"tt'!j Journal, p. 11-1. .V2S HISTORY op TIII: [BOOK iv. route, made his way through thickets and cane-brakes to the rear or north side of Minor's plantation, and thence through a corn-field to the back of the house, and entered the parlor undiscovered.'' Such were the visible marks of anxiety in his norson. that Colonel Ellicott says his feelings never were more affected than when he beheld the governor. " The humiliating slate to which he was reduced by a people whose affections he had courted, and whose gratitude he expected, had made a stronir and visible impression upon his mind and countenance. Having been educated with high ideas of command and pre- rogative, served only to render his present situation more poig- nant and distressing.*" The "Committee of Public Safety," agreeably to their in- structions, presented themselves before Gayoso in their official capacity, for his recognition and approbation. lie did not hes- itate to rccogni/e them as representatives of the people, and cheerful! v acceded to their demand that none of the people should be injured or prosecuted for the part they had taken in the late movements against the Spanish authority ; also, that they should be exempt, from serving in the Spanish militia, un- less in case of riots or Indian hostilities. The proceedings ol the public meeting, the recognition of the "committee" by the governor, and his acquiescence in their demands, had all tend- ed Lrreatly to quiet public apprehension and to allay the popu- lar excitement. \ el there were persons in the committee whose fidelity to the I nited States was suspected by Colonel Kllicott : and one of them was particularly objectionable to him and Lieutenant Pope. In order to insure harmony, he prevailed upon the gov- ernor to dissolve the committee, and to authorize the election ol another, by proclamation, which should be permanent. A new committee, consisting of nine members, was accordingly elected about the first of July, "permanent" in its character, and created hv virtue ot the Spanish authority. The orirani- x.ation o) this committee was highly gratifying to Colonel Elli- cott. who declared that "this committee was the linishing- stroke to (he Spanish authority and jurisdiction."! ' Kllicotl I t The perm: -lit i : was composed of Joseph Benmrd.Jnd-e Pel li Daniel Clarke. Oaliri. I 11. nt.ist. ('Inlander Smith. Isaac (Jaillianl. !{.>- r Dixi.n. U'il! iani Kahili', and Frederic K ' I. all tirm K, 'publicans, and stron-K attached to the ' :. d States, except i'. Kiml 'all. \\ho\viis deemed doubtful. Joseph !! niani presided A.I). 1707.] VAI.I.KY OF 'I 1 1 IK MISSISSIl'I'I. f)2U One of the most active opposers of the measures and policy of the American commissioner was Colonel Anthony 1 lutdiciis, who sustained the general polic v ut Clay oso and highly censured the course of Lieutenant Pope. Colonel llutchens had lieen a loval subject oi the crown oj Great Britain dunnir the British dominion in West Florida, had enjoyed the post of confidential correspondent to the Brit- ish minister, and was enrolled on the pension list as a reduced half-pay British officer, up to the period of the estaltlishment ot the Federal jurisdiction, when he acquiesced and became a yaluable citi/en. The etlbrts of Colonel llutchens, during the early periods of the popular excitements in 17!)7, no doubt had a salutary influ- ence in checking the outbreak of popular indignation in acts of open violence. Without some such modifying influence, the people, irritated by delays and apprehension of personal danger from Spanish perfidy, would scarcely have been restrained.' Dunnir the autumn, for the health and comfort "t his men. ('olonel Fllicott. removed his corps and escort t" the hanks ot the St. Catharine, about seven miles northeast of .Natchez, yvhere he erected huts for his men near a heautitul spring which _:upriet< >r. .1* >hn F< 'ster.f ( )n the 'JfUh was promoted to the irovernment of the Mexican provinces. Four days afterward he departed for \e\\ ( >rlean<, havin'_ f appointed ('aptain Stephen .Minor tempi 'i - a r\ commandant i >! the \< >rt. ,.), .,...., :;},;!it-. ;!! ,;-!,! >:,! '.-t:*'" '. until I)M- -J >:h i.f S, ;.( .-PiLrr, \vlirn li,> dir.i .,,] W:i , -ii,.,-..,..|,.,| ,',\ I i-.i.i-;. . H. ;."'.-t. \vii.i .::-. i.:irj.'.i 111.- .iulii-s nl' im-sidmt witli . :,-.*,''.!'. ;i:.il ii.l.'L'I'it-i . !''ir|- till' rlinrill'tcr (if tllDSl! will) IlllJillSl'll llll! -,-.,;- . !i .,.-< 'A - \ i-ry in-tivi- in i.;.pi.-inj tti.' nuivi-ni.'Hts of Cnli.nrl l^ilriill .,,,,1 |_ ,.,,!, ;:,t I', ,;. Tin-.-'- |i'ii.iif oMii'i-rs. irritiitnl liv di'lir.-, ami \vi il :i|i|iri-i >i ot' ,,, . ^.. !,-..< ;,,,,;:. ,, \sl:..'l. |'r.i]ii|'tril tin 1 iillii'i:il ciiiiilnrt oi tin' Sj.;uii>li unv.Tn. T, w.'iv ,,, ]r ,.|' n , ...< i'uiif;i-.'.i !-. irnii-.-i'iiil ill' lMi'.i:iii> of H [in. Irnt, tli.Tiilit-il inl '.-< , u'-i- . :in.l :is ,- !-, ni sunn 1 Ani'-rifiui iiutliontirs. \vlio \vi r.- in it In,!y ;ir- t S.-r Klli.-ott'.s ,hmrn;il. \ pui'iuli x. ;.. 17 ]-. ;,:iO iiisTuuv or TIIK [HOOK iv. Soon afterward, Colonel Grandpre was appointed to the o{- iice of lieutenant-governor at Xatche/; but his presence being unacceptable to the majority of the people, and at the request of the permanent committee, the governor permitting Captain Minor to continue in the exercise of his duties as civil and mil- itary commandant, Colonel Grandpre did not. make his appear- ance at Xatche/. The powers of the permanent committee were duly reeogni/ed by Captain Minor; and harmony being a train restored in the district, Lieutenant, Pope, with his com- mand, retired a few miles into the country.* Most of those who had been opposed to the extension of the Federal jurisdiction, finding their wishes and opposition una- vailinir. quietly submitted to the established change. In the mean time, the comnumder-in-chief, General Wilkin- son, havintr been apprised of the delay in regard to the evacu- ation of the forts, determined to re-enforce the advanced guard at Natche/,. For this purpose, early in the winter, he dis- patched Captain Isaac Guion. ;i veteran of the Revolutionary war, with a re-enforcement from Fort Massae, with orders to descend the Mississippi to Xatche/. and there to assume the command in that quarter. Before the close of December. Cap- tain Guion. with his detachment, arrived at Xatche/. and as- sumed the command. His first efforts were directed toward the suppression of any public manifestation of disrespect to the Spanish authorities, and to allay any remains of popular ill-will which might exist toward the Spanish troops, lie proceeded, also, to disconcert what he considered the improper measures of the permanent committee, which he rudely threatened to disperse' by military torce. Captain Guion. no doubt incredulous of the Spanish perfidy, and itrnorant o| their many pretexts for delay, deemed it proper to exalt the Spanish authorities to a decent, respect in the eyes i-l the people. \ et, having resumed their tonner consequence, and having no further pretext for delay, they still deferred the final evacuation o| the torts and the survey for the line of de- markatmii.t until Captain Guion himselt became impatient. 'I li re. ;i Spanish olHcfT. \v;is appointed to thi> L'ovrniim-iit of tlii' N I , 17, ;is successor of linyoso: hut i!n- ]ifnii;iin-til coliiu " oiilti HI ili-c:;irin_- tliut liis presence '.voulil not In: ic H.- w:is :it'tcr\v:inl nppo'niti'' -";-.;. - Sec Kiiicott, p. liil. A.D. 17!)$.] VAM.r.y or TIII: MISSISSIPPI. 531 [A.D. 170 s *.] Finally, en the HUJi f January. 17!K nearly eleven months after his arrival. Colonel Kllirott received notice from the governor-ireneral at .New < >rleans that otiicia! in- structions from his Catholic majesty had been received direct- ing the surrender of the territory north ot' the line oi" demarka- tion, and tlie ev;iru;ilion of the torts north ot' the thirty-li^t parallel of latitude. agreeably to the treat}' stipulations. The {lost at the mouth of \\ olt River, near the present site ot' Mem- phis, had heen dismantled and evacuated during the preceding autumn, and the only torts now to he evacuated were those of .N'ov-ales and Xatchex. This order, it will he perceived, had not heen issued until the last ray ot' hope had vanished, and Thomas Powers- had made his final report against the practicability ot a separation of the Western States, and all prospect of success had heen abandoned. Vet delays were not terminated. Since instructions had heen received, January. February, and the irreater portion oi March had elapsed, and the Spanish garrisons still occupied the torts. At le Mirth, on the '-23d ot' March, when Captain (iuion had almost determined to take the torts by assault, the Fort .N'o'jales was evacuated, and the Lrarrison descended the river To .Natchez. Here it retired into Fort 1'anmure. and remained tor ound the note oi preparation; and ;.t foil! 1 o'clock );c\t iiiornmir, ha vi i e_ r previously sent the artillery. sN>;v>. and b;i'_ r L r :i'_ r ' "H hoard their boats and ifallev>. th-- tr"op> marched out of the tor? ?o the river bank. Before the morning: K'jht they had embarked, and were several miles dcloNS' Natchex, on their voage to Ne\\' ()rleans. The t'orf .VJ'J HISTORY or THE [liOOK IV. \\;is stripped ol' its terrors, and the gate was thrown open. Thus, instead of retiring amid the salutes of the American troops in open day, they retired by night, as if cautiously re- treating from a powerful enemy.* Soon after the evacuation of the fort at Natchez, Governor I iflyoso issued his orders from New Orleans, directing the ri.mmissioners on the part of Spain, Stephen Minor and Sir William Dunbar, to repair to the Bayou Tunica and join the *' .' American commissioner in opening the line of demarkation. Colonel Fllicott, with his woodsmen and escort, in the mean time, repaired to Tunica Bayou, six miles below Fort Adams. and having located his camp, commenced his astronomical ob- servations on the 151 h of Mav. lie proceeded to run and mark the line; and on the '.21st, of May he was joined by Captain Minor, with a party of woodsmen; and on the xJWh, by Mr. Dunbar, astronomical commissioner for his Catholic, majesty. On the "Jlst of June. Governor Gayoso, with his secretary and several Spanish officers, joined the commission at their cam]), twelve miles east of the river. f The principal survevor on the part of his Catholic majesty was Thomas Powers, late em- issary to the Ohio ; on the part of the United States was Major Thomas Freeman, subsequently United States surveyor-gener- al south of Tennessee. Gayoso approval the manner in which the work had progressed, and directed its continuation. It progressed regularly until the last of August, when Sir William Dunbar resigned his commission and returned home.i}| ( hi ac- count o) Indian disturbances, the line across Fast Florida was mpleted until the following year. Alter the resignation colleague, Captain Minor continued to discharge the of principal commissioner on the part of his Catholic In the mean time, by an act of Congress approved April h. I "'.is. llir territory surrendered had been erected into a "'"I. v- liir]) | |i i ;!|>|.rn:irlir.| just ns In. 1 n-ar-LMijinl vv;is |i;isihL' 1 I'Tt open, hr clitiTi-il tlir fort, nil. I from \\:,- |>:ini|>r! lir l,;,,l ' 111" Units :u,il L'illlrys Iriivc llir sli.itv :mm the Spanish authorities, originating from 'he treaty of 17S,'{. and thus he^an the " Mississippi Territory," which was not. admitted into the Federal \ nion until Decem- ber, 1S17.1 alter a tedious probation ot nearly twenty years under the territorial grades. It mav be well to lake a brief retrospect ot the court in- triirues and official manu'iivers on the part ul Spam in e\ecu- tinir the stipulations of this treaty. Never were Spanish du- plicity and perfidy more llairrant than in the transactions of the Years 171M5 and 171)7. in relation to the surrender ol the Xatche/ District and tin- evacuation of the mi lit a rv ]>osts. prc- parato.-y to the establishment o| the line ol demarkation. Ail tin- delays in the accomplishment ot' these objects were pre- cc.ncerted and studiously conducted, in the vain hope that, fu- ture events would so transpire that Spain would still retain possession nf this portion ot Louisiana. The Spanish court <\\\\ believed "that the western people iniillit \t't be induced to separate from their Atlantic brethren.'' and hence the sur- render was delayed to the \;\<\ moment. The treatv of .Madrid had been signed and ratified as a la-t .-),S t HISTORY OF TIIC [HOOK iv. resort, the only means of avoiding an open rupture with the 1 "mted Suites, and the consequent invasion of Louisiana. The Spanish kini: never intended to fulfill the stipulations of the treaty, it' compliance \vere avoidable. At the very time that Irs ininiru]>er. He was also authorized to promise an equal amount to procure arms and military stores, besides twenty pieces of artillery, with powder and ball, to enable them to re- sist the Federal power, provided they would iorin a "govern- ': cut \\holly unconnected with the Atlantic- States."! All this the king would cheerfully have dune to aid the west- ern people to absolve themselves from their dependence upon r'.ie Atlantic States, and to unite themselves with the provinces 1 , i ;' Spain. The only consideration required by the King of Sp;iin was the extension of the northern limit of West Florida as far as the mouth ol the ^ a/oo. to its old British boundary.^ leaving the \\h'>le territory north ot that latitude wholly to the people ot the contemplated republic. As a further inducement, the k:ni: had authorized the' promise that all the restrictions heretofore imposed upon the river trade should be removed, ..ml nt her important advantages and privileges would he irrant- '.!, \\hich would give them a decided advantage over the At- ntic State-. Thus, they were reminded that, as an independ- nt '_ ri >\ eminent, in alliance with Spain. " thev would find them- lation infinitely more advantageous for their com- mercial relations than they could be, were the treaty ot' Mad- Id '. : ried into effect. '' h \\ ere a few of the specimens of Spanish failh and Spai:- iL p this tedious and A.I). 17J)8.] VALI.KY OF Tin: MISSISSIPPI. 535 olutionary war, and continued, with but little interruption, un- til the spring of 171H. The western people, even those who had favored the over- tures held out by the Spanish emissaries, had become satisiied with the treaty of [Madrid, by which they had acquired all they had claimed or desired, the free navigation of the Mississippi : they preferred to enjoy these advantages under their own free government, rather than, bv receiving them in a separate con- dition, become the vassals of Spain. Satisiied with the Fed- eral L nion, they desired no other alliance.* It was not until the -1th of September. 17!)7, that 1'owers finally tailed in his negotiation with Benjamin Sebastian and others of Kentucky. During the summer of 17i)7. he had pen- etrated through Kentucky on the line of the northwestern posts as far as Detroit, the headquarters of General Wilkinson, then commander-in-chief of the northwestern army. His ostensible business, on this occasion, was to bear to General Wilkinson a remonstrance against pressing the delivery of the forts on the Mississippi until it should be clearly ascertained " whether they were to be dismantled before delivery:" but his real object was to press General Wilkinson into the Spanish conspiracy, with the whole weiirht of his power and authority as commander- in-chief of the army, in sustaining the separation. f In his journey to Detroit. Powers passed by way of Fort Greenville, and reached the vicinity of Detroit on the Kith day of August: but. beiiiLT informed that General Wilkinson was absent at Michillimackinac, he did not enter the fort. A few da\s afterward \\ ilkinson returned, and having heard of Pouers's arrival, caused him to be arrested and brought 1o the toil, and thus secured the IJaron de ( 'aroiidelet's dispatch- er after \\hich he hurried him oil, under an escort connnand- iy ('aptain ShaumburiTi bv \\av of the Wabash, to Fort irder to avoid interception by the Federal authori- the Federal Lfovernment had been nppris- Powers. and instructions had been issued e .Northwestern Territory to cause him cut a prisoner !' > Philadelphia.^ Ciiiciiuiiiti niiiinii nf l-.'i tv, h 530 HISTORY OF TIII: [BOOK iv. The temerity of this last intrigue, put. in operation by the Governor of Louisiana, astonishes every reflecting mind. But General Wilkinson was a talented and ambitious man : he had received many favors from the Spanish governors nearly ten years before : he had received exclusive privileges in the com- merce with Louisiana; a long and confidential intercourse had existed between him and Governor Miro ; he was known to have indulged a predilection for the Spanish authority, and was ambitions of power and distinction ; he was now at the head of the western armies, and, with the power and influence of his station, he might effectually bring about a separation of the West, the formation of a new republic, of which he him- self might be the supreme ruler, and conduct the alliance with Spain. Such may have been the reasoning of Baron de Ca- rondelet at this late period. But General Wilkinson had already proceeded too far in his treasonable intrigues and correspondence with the Spanish L'overnor, and the suspicions ot his own government rested upon him. The brilliant prospects, and the bright hopes of be- coming the head of a new confederation, had vanished from his imagination, and he was now anxious to retain his com- mand, and with it his standing as a patriotic citizen of the United States. Hence, in the summer of 1797, he had given to Mr. Powers a cold reception; he had informed him that the time for a separation had passed by : that now the project of the Baron would be chimerical in the extreme: that the west- ern people, by the late treat}', had obtained all they had de- sired, and that now they entertained no desire for an alliance with either Spain or France : that the political ferment which existed four years previously had entirely subsided: and that. secretly dispatched to Kentucky by tlio crovcrnor-ETCUcral. Colonel Kllieott nnd others were active in their ell'orts to circumvent his movements, by dispatching letters to [ir i in-ill persons in Kentucky and tlie Northwestern Territory, and L r iviu_ r them no- is character nnd desL-ns. Colonel F.llicott also wrote to the executive depart- ment ! the success of tlie en- terprise of separating tin- Western States, and also the opinion of General Wdkinsun, that it was impracticable. I'nmpun Kili.-ott, p. !<-'. Ac. Also, Bumel's. Letters e>i. i t ! -39, p. '-. Martin's Louisiana, vol. ii. p. ir.l, : >-j A.D. 17!)S.] VALLKV OF Till: MlriSlSSUTI. ~)3~ so far from desiring an alliance \viih Louisiana under the Span- ish crown, the people of Kentucky, prior to the treatv of .Mad- rid, had proposed to invade Louisiana with an army often thousand men. to he put in motion upon the first open rupture between the two governments ; and that now they were highly exasperated at the spoliations committed upon the American commerce hy French privateers, who brought their prizes into the port of Mew Orleans for condemnation and confiscation. lie gave it as his opinion that the governor-general would therefore consult his own interest, and the interest of his Catholic majesty, hy an immediate compliance with the terms of the treaty." (leneral Wilkinson also complained that his connection and his correspondence with the Spanish governor had been di- vulgert ; that all his plans had been defeated, and the labor of ten years had been lost ; that he had now burned all his corre- spondence and destroyed his ciphers, and that duty and honor forbid a continuance of the intercourse. Yet lie still indulged the hope of being able to manifest his confidence in the Haron; for it was probable that, he would receive Irom the Federal government, the appointment of governor over the Natchez District when surrendered agreeably to treaty, when he should not want an opportunity ol promoting his political projects.! ' Martin's Louisiana, vul. ii., \>. l.M. t Idem, ]. l.V,'. 538 HISTORY OF TUT: [BOOK iv.' CHAPTER V. CLUSK or TIII: SPANISH DOMINION IN LOUISIANA, A\n THE FIXAL TRANSIT.!!. OF THK 1'ROVINCK TO THK UXVTK1) STATES. A.I). 1797 TO 1801. Arzmnci' 1 . Prosperity of Louisiana unaffected liy Hostilities in Europe. Gayoso suc- ceeds us Governor-.Lreneral of Louisiana in 1797. The King's Orders relative to Land Grants. The Jntendant alone empowered to make Grants. French Privateers. Daniel Clarke, Jr., recoirnized as Consul. Harmony cm the Spanish and American Borders. Concordia. Vidaliain 17!M). Death of Gayoso in 17!*!). His Successors. Colonel Ellicott's Eulmry of Gayoso. Population of Upper Louisiana. Its Trade and Commerce. Harmony with the western People atrain disturbed by Morales. Policy of Spain in restricting her Grants of Land. Jealous of Military Adventurers. Re- strictions enforced by Morales. His iirst Interdict of Deposit at New Orleans. Western Indignation Capture of New Orleans contemplated. American Troops in tlie Northwest. Invasion of Louisiana abandoned by John Adams. Filhiol and Fejeini at Fort Miro. on the Washita. KL-hf of Deposit restored in 1 ^>1. - A -rain suspended in 1>D'J. Restored in ! -'iKi. Approachiuir Change of Dominion in Lou- isiana. -The First Conoid of the French Republic acquires the. Province of Louisiana. The French Occupation deferred one Year hy European Wars. Napoleon de- termines to sell the Province to tin' United States. Negotiation for Sale commenced. Mr. .letl'erson's Instructions. Treaty of Cession signed April KOtli, 1MK). Amount o! "Purchase money. Terms of Payment. Preparations for French Occupation. The Form of Government prepared by Fivnch Prefoet. Arrival of Laussat. the Colonial Prefect. His Proclamation. Response of the People. Proclamation of Governor Salced i. Run ior ot' Cession to United States. Laussat appointed Commissioner of the French Republic. Conditions < if the Treaty of April :;nth, l^Oli. Preparations for Occupation by th" I "nited States.- Protest of the Spanish Kin'-r. Congress rat ilies the Treaty. C'onnnissioin-rs of the i' nited Stairs. Preparations of French Com- missioner.- Ceremony of Spanish Deli\ er\ .-- Proclamation of the Fivnch Prefect. Spani-di \\ ill abolished and French Guvemnient instituted. Volunteer Battalion for tlie Preservation of ( )rder. l 'reparations for Delivery to the United States. Govern- or Clai borne and General Wilkinson arrive in New Orleans. Ceremony of French De. the United Stales. December -J 1 'tb. 1 <0:5. Keinot" 1'osts formally delivered s-:b'---ouently to Agents of tlie l-'rench Prei'ei't. Major Stoddart takes Possession of I pper Louisiana, March !Uh. l.-DI. Condition and Boundaries of Louisiana.-- I'opu- lation ol the Province. Commerce. Agricultural J'ruducts. Trade. 1 and Manat'a 1 ' tui-'-< ' i New ( ir'.eaii.s. [A.I). 1" ( .)7.] ALTIIOUCH Sjiain !i:ul become deeply involved in tin- continental \v;irs ot' iMirojic, the contest w;is confined chiftly to interior ;ind niiirititne parts of that, continent and the iidjarriil coasts ot Atnca. S\'n;i. and the drecian Isles of the Medi terrui ii-an Sea. ' Louisinn:i continued to enjoy peace and prosperity, interrupted only hy the jealous fears excited at the rap.d extension ni ih r Amei-ican settlements upon the Li'reat eastern tributaries ol the .Mississippi. * Martin, vol. ii., n. K!P. A.D. 1798.] VALLF.Y OF THE MISSISSIPPI. f>39 A* or was this jealous apprehension in any wise diminished by the compulsory relinquishment of the NatchezDistriet, which was now open to the unrestrained tide of emigration from the whole West. The new governor-general, (Jaynso de Lemos, entered upon the duties of his ollice on the lirst of August, and devoted him- self assidnonsly to the promotion of good government and tran- quillity within the limits of his jurisdiction. Among the first objects requiring his attention \vas the restoration of harmony and good feeling between tin.' American and Spanish authori- ties preparatory to the establishment of the line <>!' il<')iiar!ia- tion. [A.D. 179S.] It was not until January following that he is- sued his hfinilo tie bucn ^uhicrno. It contained no new regula- tions of importance except his determination to enforce a strict observance of the commands of the king respecting the future appropriation of lands to the use of Spanish subjects exclusively, and the prohibition of foreign immigration to the province. Xe\t day he issued his instructions to the different com- mandants, comprised in seventeen article's, defining all the pro- visions and regulations to be observed in tutu re grants. ' I lere- tofore. the authority lor granting lands to settlers and emi- grants had. by the kind's order, dated August, 1 770. been vested in the civil and military commandants, with the concurrent ap- probati< m o| the governor-general. I Jut this authority \vas n< >w to be revoked, and confided exclusively to the intendant. Thus an entire change in the general policy o[ the land svstem was intr< iduced. About this time, the first regular commercial agent or Amer- ican consul was recngni/ed in the citv of \ew ( >rleans. "The French pn\'ateers bad no\v become very troublesome 1o tlie trade of the I nited States in the West Indies and about the (iiilt oi Mexico. A number o( our captured vessels were taken into the port o| \ew Orleans, condemned and coniis- cated. with thei r cargoes, at a trilling price, our seamen treated in a mo-;), shameltil manner, and our trade otherwise brought into great jeo}iardy."f " This subject became a matter ol serious consideration, and the I'n it I'd States ha v ing neither consul nor vice-consul ;it that 510 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. port," Colonel Ellicott, the American commissioner, interested himself with the authorities of Louisiana in procuring from them the privilege of recognizing Daniel Clarke, Jr., a respect- able merchant of that place, as consul for the United States, until the president should make a regular appointment. Where- upon, by the order of Governor Gayoso, Daniel Clarke was re- ceived as "Consul for the United States,'' and regarded as such by the merchants and officers of his Catholic majesty.* " The lirin and manly conduct of Mr. Clarke in a short time put a new face upon our commerce in that quarter, and ob- tained from the Spanish authorities some privileges not before enjoyed." In elleeting this desirable object, Colonel Ellicott and Mr. Clarke had opened a voluminous correspondence with Governor Gayoso upon the various subjects which invited dis- cussion, in all of which the governor evinced a sincere desire to promote the commerce of the city. The agency of Mr. Clarke was so acceptable that the thanks of the President of the United States was tendered him through Coin] id Ellicott. and he was requested to continue his good offices in favor of the American citizens until a regular consul and vice-consul should be duly appointed. Mr. Clarke accord- ingly continued to exercise the duties of the office until the regular appointment <>i Evan Jones consul, and Mr. Ruling vice-consul the spring following. Upon the accession of Mr. Jefferson to the presidency, he appointed Daniel Clarke consul, highly approving his former services in that capacity. f The line of demarkation having been established near the Mississippi, such of the inhabitants of the Natchez District as were so inclined quietly retired within the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities. To insure a proper observance of a friendly neutrality. General Wilkinson, early in the autumn, established a military post on the east bank of the river, at Lottus's Heights, a lew miles above the line of demarkation, subsequently known as Fort Adams. Other posts, with a small garrison m each, were distributed upon the line eastward. The headquarters oi the American commander were at Natchez; and a new Spanish post was erected on the west bank of the river, opposite Fort I'anmure. A convention was entered into between the American i-ommander, General Wilkinson, and the Governor-general ot Loui>iana. for the mutual surrender of ' ~< Kliicott's ,i i-ariial, j.. 171. f Ll^a. Also, Martin, vul. ii., p. 15e. A.I). 171*1).] VALLEY OK THE M1SS1SS] I'l'I. 541 deserters. Also, a similar convention was concluded between the Uovernor of the Mississippi Territory, at Natchez, and Don Jose Tidal, on the west side ol' the river, I'm- the mutual sur- render of fugitive slaves. A spirit of mutual good feeling and amicable intercourse seemed to prevail between the civil and military authorities of both governments, which was suitably commemorated by the Spanish commandant opposite Fort Pan- mure in designating his post as "'Fort Concord."' The name has since been perpetuated in the rich parish of Concordia, while its excellent commandant is commemorated in the vil- lage of Vidalia, which occupies the site of the post. During this state ol things, the intercourse of American citi- zens in .Louisiana was free and amicable, and the increase of western emigration and trade greatly augmented the commer- cial importance of the city of JVew Orleans. Such was the state of things in Louisiana until the close of the year 1798, after which an important change ensued. Con- sequent upon the orders from the king revoking the authority of commandants to grant lands, the royal schedule was re- ceived, bearing da.te xJlst of October, 171H, requiring the most rigid observance of all restrictions heretofore decreed. This was only a. prelude to other movements more materially af- feeting the interests <>i the western people, and the ultimate object of which was to prevent the emigration of American citixens to the Spanish dominions. [A.D. 17!)1.] The Spanish authorities were extremely jeal- ous of the approach ol' the American population, and manv new restrictions were imposed upon those \\ho desired to es- tablish themselves within the Spanish jurisdiction. All former privileges permitted to citi/ens ot the I mted Slates \\ere dis- continued, and manv ol the restrictions relative to grants of land \\ere deemed peculiarly oppress] \ e. and Iramed to oper- ate specially upon the western people. I nder the new svstem ol distributing the royal domain, the re 'i illations provided that no grant, ol land should be made to ,i trader, or an\ one who was not engaged in some regular emplo\ ment, or in sonic agricultural or mechanical business. All persons \\ithoiit this qualification were excluded from all residence in Louisiana, which embraced also the settlements on the west side of the Mississippi, Irom the mouth of the Ar- kansas to that of the Missouri. A'o minister of the Oospel. ,")i'J IIISToKV OF THE [l3OOK IV. nor preacher of any Protestant denomination whatever, was permitted to settle within the bounds of the province. The Catholic religion was supported by law, and, being a part of the regal government, was tolerated to the exclusion of all others. Kvery immigrant for settlement was required, immediately alter his arrival, to take the oath oi allegiance to the Spanish crown, and to locate himself near some old Spanish settlement, under the eye of a Spanish commandant. No foreigner should receive a grant of land unless he possessed^money, slaves, or valuable property, until he had been in the country four years, engaged in some useful and honest employment. The prejudices oi' the Spanish authorities ran high against Americans of a certain class. Military adventurers who had served in the war of the Revolution, or in the western cam- paigns against the Indians, were highly obnoxious to the Span- ish authorities. Hundreds of these, both soldiers and oilicers, had spread over the new settlements on the waters of the ( )hio. and too often made their appearance in New Orleans and oth- er portions of Louisiana. Those were particularly obnoxious as immigrants whose profession or avocation gave them inilu- ence over their fellow-men ; hence lawyers and ministers of the dospel were excluded. Those who were closely employ- ed in laborious trades, or who had large families to support, or who had large possessions, were not likely to be engaged in any plans for subverting the king's authority; but milil;:rv oilicers, disbanded soldiers, politicians, and men of that cast, could not be too carefully excluded from the province. Such were the sagacious inferences which prompted the Spanish policy afier the linal surrender of the Natchez District. In carrying out the requisitions of the royal schedule rela- tive to appropriations of land, persons who had received grants previously to the new regulations were prohibited from selling "i" in :my wise transferring their claims until they had resided thereon three years: and no sale should be valid without 1 he- consent, and approbation of the intendant. In no case should the quantity ot land to anyone family exceed eight hundred arpens : and petitions lor grants must be written in the Spanish language. \o title was to be considered complete, after, ihe order ot survey and occupancy, until, by a formal application, the claimant should receive n r>'isnl'tr title, or linal coriiirma- A.D. 1799.] VALLKY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 513 tion of the claim, known to the Spaniards as titulo in far/no. These and other regulations for enforcing the views of the king had not been published until they were made known by the proclamation of the intendant, Don Morales, issued on the 17th day of July, 1799. They were comprised in thirty-eight ar- ticles.* But the most ominous act of the intendant for the peace and security of Louisiana was an ill-advised and arbitrary inter- dict of the right of deposit at New Orleans, contrarv to the stipulations of the treaty of Madrid. The ell'ect on the west- ern people of the Fnited States was embarrassing in the ex- treme : and being a direct violation ol their rights, as secured by treaty, it excited the highest degree of indignation through- out the whole western country, the consequences of which might have been the military invasion of Louisiana by the Fed- eral troops, had not late already decreed another mode by which Louisiana should submit to the Federal power. The treaty of Madrid secured to the people of the Tinted States the right of deposit in .New Orleans for their commodi- ties for three yc.art from the ratification; and the Iving of Spain therein obligated himself, at the expiration of three years, to extend the time, or to designate some other suitable point with- in the Island of New Orleans, as a place of deposit. f Such were the excitement and indignation of the western people, and specially ol Kentucky and Tennessee, that it was with diliiculty the Federal authorities could restrain them from an unlawful expedition against Louisiana fu- the capture of New Orleans. President Adams, swayed by the popular will in the West, had lullv determined to take such measures as would coerce the Spanish authorities to open a depot for the American trade. \\ilh an eve to this object, "President Adams caused three ivjiments ol the regular armv to be concentrated upon the Lower Ohio. \\ it'n orders to lie held in readiness lor any emer- gent. Congress soon afterward, lor the ostensible purpose of aveir_ r nr_r the French spoliation merce. authon/ed the army to he i o| twelve regiments, to serve "dur ticulties with the French Republic. The troops concentrate f)il HISTORY OF Tin: [HOOK iv. near the mouth of the Ohio were required to keep their boats in repair, rc;uly tor any .service required of them.' At the same time, the commander-in-chief, General Wilkinson, was- summoned to the seat of the Federal government, in order to hold ;in interview with the cabinet, with the design of arrang- ing the plan of operations for a campaign against Louisiana. General Washington had been appointed provisional command- er-in-chief of the new establishment, and General Knox, the former secretary of war. was appointed a major-general, and Generals Hamilton and Pinckney were appointed lieutenant- generals under General Washington. t Every thing was urged o o * with great, energy during much excitement in the West, and the wlmle object was first to redress the wrongs upon Ameri- can rights and commerce on the Mississippi, which were more pressing than those from France on the ocean. The success of the contemplated enterprise required the ut- most secrecy, lest, by rousing the suspicions of Spain, Louisi- ana should be placed in a state of complete defense. J Such was the state of things on the Ohio during the year 17!M>, and such was the danger which secretly menaced Lou- isiana and the city <>f Xew Orleans. Political changes, and the stroni: indications of popular preference for Mr. Jefferson, induced Mr. Adams to abandon the enterprise, and leave the whole to the direction of his successor. At his recommenda- tion. Congress directed the abandonment of the expedition, and the recruits were disbanded. In the mean time, Louisiana was scarcely conscious of tin- danger which menaced her. The amiable Gayoso had died on the l^th of July, and was succeeded by Don Maria Vidal as civil governor, the Marquis de Casa Calvo as commandant- general, and Don Ramon de Lope/ y" Angullo. a knight of the order of Charles III., as intendant of the provinces. The death of Governor Gayoso was deemed a great loss la the interests of the western people of the United States. Many ot tin-in who were engaged in the trade of the Mississippi had receiu-d trom him particular attention, frequently partaking of that In-- 1 >it :il it \ for which he was so remarkable. " As the .^ov- er nor ot an arbitrary monarch, he was certainly entitled to '_ r n-ai merit. It appeared, in an eminent degree, to be his pride to ren- A.D. 1799.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 545 der the situation of those over whom he was appointed to preside as easy and comfortable as possible ; and in a particular manner he directed his attention to the improvement of the country by opening roads, which he considered the arteries of commerce. He was educated in Great Brit a. in. and retained to a considerable decree, until his death, the manners and customs of that, nation, especially in his style of living. In his conversation he was easy and affable, and his politeness was of that superior cast which showed it to be the effect of early habit, rather than an accom- plishment merely intended to render him agreeable. His pas- sions were naturally so strong, and Irs temper so remarkably quick, that they sometimes hurried him into difficulties from which he was not easily extricated. It was frequently remark- ed of him. as a singularity, that he was neither concerned in traffick.nor in the habit of taking douceurs, which was too fre- quently the case with other officers of his Catholic majesty in Louisiana. He was fond of show and parade, in which he in- dulged to the great injury of his fortune, and not a little to his reputation as a good paymaster, lie was a tender husband, an affectionate parent, and a good master." Such is the character u-iven him by Colonel Ellicott. who ascribes all his difficulties with him to his instructions from his superiors, and who declares him to have been an accomplished gen- tleman. ' Meantime difficulties with the I 'nited States f< irtunately were averted by the timely disavowal of the intendant's interdict by his Catholic majesty, nnd the riirht of deposit was promptly re- stored hv his successor, !> n llamon de Lopez, until otherwise ordered by the kinir.t The population of Louisiana continued to increase : that por- tion known as Cpper Louisiana had augmented its population in a ratio i;ir exceeding! the remainder ot the province. The settlements upon the I'pper Mississippi, includ:i!'.r the post at Xev. Madrid, \\erc now attached to the 'government M t I'pper L"u;siana. The census of this portion of the province, taken by order of the lieutenant-'_"o\vrnor and comnuuidant-ireneral of I'ppcr Louisiana, l)ou Carlos hehault I )e!assus, at the close of the sear 17'.i!>, presents the entire population at more than six thousand souls. iiicindiiiir ei'j'ht hundred and ei'_ r hiv slaves and Miirt'.n.s i. ..:.; Voi, 1. MM 540 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. one hundred and ninety-seven Tree persons of color.* During this year, there were in Upper Louisiana thirty-four marriages, one hundred and ninety one births, and fifty-two deaths. The commerce of Upper Louisiana had also increased in a similar ratio, and a brisk trade had been established between St. Louis and Xew Orleans, as well as with the American set- tlements on the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers. The annual crops yielded about eighty-eight thousand minots of wheat, eighty-four thousand minots of Indian corn, and twenty- eight thousand six hundred and twenty-seven pounds of tobac- co. About seventeen hundred quintals of lead were produced from the mines, and about one thousand barrels of salt were made from the salines. The fur-trade yielded an annual value of about seventy thousand dollars. f The greater portion of the lead exported was for the Ohio settlements, including those on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. [A.D. 1SOO.] The right of deposit having been restored by the new intendant, trade and free intercourse had again taken place, and general harmony prevailed between the western people and the Spanish settlements on the Upper Mississippi, as well as in the rich and productive regions of the Delta. The bitter animosities and the spirit of revenge which had filled the western people, in consequence of former duties and restric- tions, as well as the late interdict, had now subsided into a laud- able desire for the peaceable acquisition of property, through the channels of lawful trade and enterprise. This state of mu- tual prosperity and friendly intercourse between the people of the United States and those of Louisiana continued, with but little interruption, for nearly two years, until the second inter- dict in the autumn of 180x2. ouia 90") souls. ] H. St. Geiieviuve .... !M9 souls. 'J. Caroii.lrlrt 184 " ::. >'. Charles f-75 " i. Ss. L-'.-niaiiilo 'J7C " M "- ' s Lianls . . . :i~i; " i;. Maram,.,; 115 " 7. r-t. Ai.'hvw o'.i:i " Soi M ii., ].. 172. t M:irtin. vol. ii., p. 17:!. Tin.- principal iU'ins in the fur-trade were as I'nllu-.vs. \vit!i their relative \ alur, \ i/. : ]7.-)l liuinil.'S ilriT skins, nt xio S7n.1i t' " bear skins, nt I'.-..' I- 1 ' bull'alu rubrs, at 3U . .... :. iu A.I). lS(.li2.J VALLEY OF Till: MISSISSIPPI. .117 During this year, among the- changes of officers in Louisiana, may be noted ihat of commandant at, the post of Miro, on the Washita. John Filhiol, who had held the command since ITS,'?, resigned his oilice, and was succeeded hy Don "\ r incente Fer- nandez Fejeiro, a man of intriguing and avaricious disposition. During the time lie held this post, subsequently, and until the close of the Spanish dominion, he lost no opp< >rtunity of enrich- ing himself and his friends hy a fraudulent abuse of his oilicial station, in fabricating grants of land and the final titles to the same.' From such causes large bodies of land tor more than forty years have been withheld from sale and settlement, to the great detriment of the state, if not a fraud upon the Federal government. [A.D. 1801.] About the middle of June, 1801, the govern- ment of Louisiana was committed to other hands by the appoint- ment of the king. The Marquis de Casa Calvo returned to Havana, and was succeeded by Don Juan Manuel de Salcedo, a brigadier-general in the armies of Spain, as Governor oi Lou- isiana. Ramon de Lope/, the intendant, also returned to Ha- vana, leaving the duties of his ofiice to be discharged by Mo- rales, the contador.f [A.D. 1SO-J.] h did not require the spirit of prophecy to pivdirt the speedy termination ot Spanish power on the Mis- sis.- ip pi. The rapid extension of' the American settlements, the increasing trade from the \Vestern States, and the restless char- acter of the peopk' were such, that the king could not fa.il to perceive that, unless the llood ot immigration could be arrested, Louisiana would ultimately be inundated and lost. To pre- vent such a result, lie required ot the provincial authorities a ri^id enforcement of former regulations relative to land-grants, from \\hieli he required every American citi/.en to be utterly excluded. To enforce this principle, lie signified his displeas- ure I hat the l>an>n de Hast rop had relinquished a moiety ot' his intcre-t in the grant east o| the Washita. bv associating him- * self in the claim with Morehouse, an American citizen, which was a \irtual violation ot one ot the conditions in the irrant, \\hich vitiated the infant ii'om its inception. ( Mi the 1 Nh of Jul v, IN)'-', another schedule ot' the kim: com- 5-iS HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. prised a positive prohibition against any grant of land, under anv circumstance?, to any citixen of the United States.* In the mean time, rumors had readied Louisiana that the province had been ceded to France, and that the dominion of Spain was soon to give place to that of France. Morales was again intendant, and suspecting the approach- ing termination of the Spanish authority on the Mississippi, re- solved once more to evince his inveterate repugnance to the American people by again issuing his interdict suspending the riirht of deposit at New Orleans. His proclamation to this ef- fect was dated October 16th, 1802,f and published in the city. This act of arbitrary power again roused the indignation of the western people, and again suspended the commerce with Xew Orleans. The embarrassments and losses of those en- gaged in the river trade were extensive, and spread consterna- tion through the Western States. The restrained indignation of the people vented itself in appeals, petitions, and even curses, upon the Federal government, for the protracted embarrass- ments of the West. It was a subject in which the whole United States now began to take a deep interest, and Congress was prepared to sustain the wishes of the people and vindicate their rights. The subject was early brought before that body, and on the 7th of January, iso.'J. the House of Representatives, with great unanimity, passed the following resolution, vi/.. : "Resolved, that this House receive with great sensibility the information of a disposition in certain officers of the Spanish government at Xew Orleans to obstruct the navigation of the Mississippi River, as secured to the United States bv the most solemn stipulations." The resolution proceeds to declare the firm determination of Congress to sustain the executive of the United States in such measures as he shall adopt for asserting the rights, and vindicat'mir the injuries of the American citizens: at the same t:tm- declaring their unalterable determination t<> maintain the boundaries, and the rights of navigation and commerce through the River Mississippi, as established by existing treaties. It was nol loniT In-fore the suspension of the western trade be'jan to embarrass tir.- citv of Xew Orleans itself, as well as A.D. 1S03.] VALI.EV OF TIIF. MISSISSIPPI. 5 1'J its dependences in remote parts of the province. The sudden diminution of the supplies of Hour, and other western pro- ductions necessary for the daily sustenance of the population, had produced great scarcity and exorbitant prices, almost ap- proaching famine. To counteract the effect oi his own indis- cretion. Morales was induced, on the f>th of February, to issue his proclamation granting to the western people the privilesie oi importing Hour and provisions into Louisiana, subject to a duty of only six per cent, ad valorem, and exportable only in Spanish bottoms. But the Americans were not solicitous to embrace such advantages. This interdict of Morales, near the close of the year 1S02, was among the last acts of arbitrary power exercised by the Spanish authorities against the American people and the west- ern commerce. This interdict, also, was disapproved bv the lung, and by his command the right of deposit was restored March 3d, 1S03.* [A.D. 1S03.] But the power and dominion of Spain were about to cease upon the Mississippi. The French nation had never approved the transfer to Spain in 17()^. The loss of Louisiana had been viewed as the greatest calamity to the French nation, the result oi an ignominious war, and a dis- honorable peace under a weak and corrupt government. Since the downfall of the Bourbon dynast}", the sympathies of Repub- lican France had never lost siirlit oi their estranged country- men, subject, as thev conceived, to loreiLrn bondage on the Mis- sissippi. The exertions of the French minister and his agents, in the years 17!KJ and 1*1) 1, for their disenthrallment, had been defeated only bv the vigilance <>f the Baron de Carondelet, and the active co-operation of the authorities oi' the Fnited .\ow the colossal power of France, under the iruidinir f Napoleon, had made the crowned heads of Europe and his edicts were supreme law to Southern Europe. ,'olved in the wars in Europe, and her nion- npelled t<> yield to the dictation of Xapoleon, to restore to the French empire the ancient, province "f Louisiana, and thus to extend the domini"n of Franee a train upn the Mississippi. By the third article of the treaty of Ildefbnso. concluded on the first of October, 1*1)0. between the Kin.: of Spain and the ' M;irti:i. v.l. ii., i.. 1-!. AIsu, Marl ..is's Ln'iisi;i;.!i, i.. -H>. _-... nn.J -MJ. 550 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK iv. First Consul of the French Republic, and which was subse- quently continued and ratified by treaty at Madrid on the '21st of March, 1801, the King of Spain had ceded, and had obligated himself to deliver to the first consul, within six months after the full and entire execution of certain stipulations therein specified in relation to the Duke of Parma, the colony and province of Louisiana, with the same extent which it had in the former pos- session of France, and which it then had in the possession of Spain after the fulfillment of all existing treaties by them.* Napoleon had complied with his obligations, and waited only a favorable opportunity to take possession of the great prov- ince on the Mississippi. Elated by the acquisition of a country so extensive and valuable, and which was to reinstate France in the best portion of her American possessions, he had made Great preparations formally to extend over it the dominion of France in a manner commensurate with the power of the Re- public. A large fleet had been assembled in the ports of Hol- land, and a land force of twenty-live thousand men had been advanced to the north of France, ready to sail tor the Missis- sippi. But various embarrassments delayed the contemplated departure of the fleet and troops. The English, suspecting the destination of the armament, or fearing an invasion of their own coast, had concentrated a powerful fleet in the British Channel, for the purpose of observing the movements, and to prevent the sailing of the French armament, or to capture it whenever it should enter upon its voyage. Thus nearly twelve months had [Kissed indelavs and embarrassments., while Louisiana con- tinued in the possession of Spain. At lenirth Xapoleon. hard pressed by continual wars in Eu- rope, intercepted by the English ileets in the British Channel, cut oil' from regular intercourse with remote provinces and de- pendences, determined to abandon the enterprise of transport- ing ;i hrire land and naval force to the Mississippi. Believinir that Farmland, with her immense navy, would infest the coast of Louisiana and blockade her ports, so soon as it was reco'_Mii/rd as a province, of France, and that all attempts to occupy and Xnpnlt'nn ha.! sti;. i:!;; 1 , -! to s.'ttlo iipnii th'' Duke i. was th.' miisi.l.-rati . - : . ssi :. ul Louisiana r?i <: Martin, vi.il. ii.. ji ]?,">. M'iri'. >is's Louisiana, j.. I? 11 , '.71. A.D. 1803.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 551 defend it against invasion would only be the withdrawal of his troops and resources from his capital, without adding strength to the Republic, he determined to abandon Louisiana, and con- centrate his resources for the defense of France in his contest with the powers of Europe on the Continent. Louisiana was a vast province, sparsely inhabited, and ut- terly unable to defend herself against the formidable power of the British navy, by which it miirht be devastated, if known to be a province of France. Humanity, no less than policy, dic- tated the propriety of an eilbrt to shield it from the horrors of an English invasion. Under these circumstances, Xapoleon determined to sacrifice his ambition and his glory in the acquisition of Louisiana to the necessity of the times, and to throw the whole province into the hands of the United States before its alienation from the Span- ish crown should have been known to the enemies of France. The United States were the friends of the French people, the inveterate enemies of British power, and the rivals of British manufactures and commerce : the possession of Louisiana bv the United States would therefore tend to raise up a barrier to the extension of British power in America. The United States, in possession of Louisiana, which they were well able to de- fend, would indirectly weaken the power of Clreat Britain, by raisiir_r up a powerful rival on the ocean, and an enemv to the extension of British power in the ( lulf of Mexico. The amount of available resources which mi-jht be derived from the United States in consideration of the transfer ot Louisiana, Would ena- ble him to prosecute his Kuropean wars with vigor and effect. Such was the reasoning of Xapoleon. Accordingly, near the close ot the year IMI-J, he instructed M. Talle vrand and M. Marbois, minister of finance, to pp ipose to Mr. liober' IJ. Livingston, resident minister of the United Stale- MI Paris, a strictly confidential negotiation for this pur- pose. Mr. Jellerson. then President of the United States, hiirh- 1 v pleased with so fa vorahle an opportunity ot t erminat in tr for- ever ail the dilliciilties L r rowiU'_ r out of the Spanish occupancy of l,oui-i:ina, determined to spare no means tor securnr_r the pr'/e. The negotiation was urired with prudent promptitude, and in March following James Monroe was associated with Mr. Livingston to press the negotiation to u speedy eon-urn- 552 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. At an interview with the American minister, Napoleon frank- Iv " confessed his inability to retain Louisiana ; he declared that, were it possible by any means to retain it, he certainly never would consent to alienate a province so extensive and valuable: but he knew it could not be retained without im- mense treasure and blood expended in its defense. He declar- ed that he was compelled to provide for the safety of Louisi- ana before it should come into his hands, and that he was de- sirous of giving the United States a magnificent bargain, an o < > o o ' empire for a mere trifle."* The American minister seized upon the opportunity of se- curing for the United States so valuable an acquisition. Dis- patches were transmitted to the American government, and the negotiation was formally commenced in anticipation of in- structions upon the important subject. The first, consul demanded one hundred millions of francs, but his minister might consider fifty millions of francs as the extreme minimum price demanded for the province of Louisi- ana. The minister demanded eighty millions of francs as his price, and the American ministers evinced but little disposition to reduce the amount. The negotiation for several months, under Mr. Jefferson's instructions, had been conducted with great secrecy, until the treaty was fully consummated, and all the terms and stipulations had been fully arranged. The pur- chase was finally effected for sixty millions of francs, to be paid by the United States in stocks, bearing six per cent, interest, and redeemable in three annual instalments, after the expira- tion of fifteen years, besides the assumption, on the part of the United States, of the payment of certain indemnities claimed by their citi/.ens for French spoliations, to an amount not exceed- ing twenty millions of francs. f The dollar of the United States Marliois's Hist ry of Louisiana. This is :iu excellent disquisition or historical es- say upon tin 1 early history of Louisiana as a province of France, its political changes, ami tli.' initiations preceding it.s sale and transfer to the United States. Jt contains, however hut little historical narrative touching its internal history, it.s trade, hounda- ri'-s. i ' nat irnl n sources, cither under tin Fivncli or Spanish regime. Jt, is the work of M. liar!.. Marbois. American edition. 1 ,-:!(), Philadelphia. t The terms of sale, as finally arrived on, were, that the Tniled Stat.'S should pny sixty millions of franc.s in stocks bearing six percent, interest. irredeemable t' - tiiieeii years, afterward to he discharged in three enual annual instalments, the inten-st to lie paid in Kurope. Th.' prim ipal. it' France thou-ht proper to sell tin: stock, to he dis- posed tif n. should comluci mo.sl ! > the credit ofthe American funds. Tin 1 1 nited States also a;mj''d b> pay to tln'ir citizens a sum in t exceeding twenty millions ol francs, in discharge < I claims due to them from France under the conven- A.D. 1803.] VALLEY OF THK MISSISSIPPI. 553 was receivable and negotiable at a value equal to five livres and eight sous. The treaty was at length concluded, and signed by the min- isters of each power on the 3()th day of April, 1S08. By this treaty the lirst consul, in consideration of the foregoing sums to be paid by the United States, and certain commercial priv- ileges to French and Spanish commerce, ceded to them forev- er, in full sovereignty, the province of Louisiana, with all its rights and appurtenances in full, and in the same manner as they had been acquired by the Republic from his Catholic maj- esty,* The first consul obligated himself to give possession by formal delivery of the province within six months from the date of the treaty. Such had been the negotiations in Europe to settle the political destiny of Louisiana. In the mean time, the Spanish authorities of Louisiana, igno- rant of the transfer of the province to the United States, had been making every preparation for the reception of the French commissioner, and for the delivery of the province 1o him in the name of the French Republic. General Victor had been appointed commissioner on the part of the French Republic for receiving possession <>t Louisiana, and was daily expected, wiih the French troops under his command: but on the 2 lib of Alarch a vessel arrived from Havre de (Jraee, having on board the batrn'age of AT. Laussat. the colonial prefect, who was to precede the captain-general and commissioner, with a special mission for providing supplies tor the troops, and making ar- rangements lor the organization oi the new irovernment under the authority ol the Republic. The same vessel brought intel- ligence ot the form ol government which had been provided for the province under its new master. The principal execu- tive officers were to be a captain-general, a colonial prefect, and a d unmissary o| justice. The c:i plain-general was to be invested with all the powers hereto)', in- exercised by irovenmrs-ueneral under the Spanish dominion. In his absence, the duties of his ollice were to de- volve upon the colonial prefect, or upon the highest military officer, f The colonial prefect was invested with authority to control tion ot'the Vi'iir l*ilil, am! ii!-" t'< i-X'-mpt t!!i' pnMlnetio'LS. inanniartuivs. au.l v, ssrl.sof Franc,.: ami Spain, in tin' (lirvct trailc ii-ntii those countries rrspurtivrly. In a.! the pulls ,,.[' th'- ivilril territory, lor a term ot' twelve yours. .Martin, v< i. ii.. p. I- 1 '- 1 . ' Sec Martin, vol. ii., hMj-l'j-J. t Mem, p. IrJ, 1-3. 551 HISTOUV OF Tin: [BOOK iv. ;ter the finances. and t<> supervise the acts of all the ic administration : powers similar, and more extens- >se heretofore exercised by the Spanish intendant, includini: those exercised, also, by the former French commis- saries-ireneral and ordonnateurs. The coiiunissary of justice was to be clothed with authority to superintend all the courts of justice, and the ministerial du- ties of all officers of the law ; to preside and vote in any court; to reurulate the conduct of all clerks and officers of' the courts; to superintend the preparation of a civil and criminal code; to make iii"iithly reports upon all these matters to the captain- general, or to the minister. ' Such was the outline <>i the government designed for Loui- siana under the authority of the first consul; a form of gov- ernment which hail not gone fully into operation when it was superseded by the jurisdiction of' the I'nited States. About the same time a French national vessel had arrived at the IJali/e. with M. Laussat, the colonial prefect, on board. rp"ii intelligence of this arrival, Governor Salcedo dispatched the :_ r verniiient barge under Morales, with a captain and lieu- tenant of infantry, to congratulate and welcome the representa- tive of the French Republic, and to escort him to the city. He arrived on the 'Jlith of March, and was conducted to the gov- ernment-house, when' he met a cordial reception from Salcedo and Morales, surrounded bv the stall' of the regular army and of the militia, and by the heads of the clergy. At. this inter- view. M. Laussat, announced the determination of the French lie-public to use every effort to promote the prosperity of the province : to preserve order : to maintain the laws : to respect the treaties with the Indian tribes : and to protect public worship without any change of religion. He also informed those pres- ont tl ' the land and naval forces under General Victor had trom Holland, as he supposed, about the last of January, Id. in all probability, reach \ew Orleans before the middle ''i April. f Great joy was evinced by the French pop- ulation a; the prospect of a speedy reunion with France. A t''\v li:i rward. the colonial prefect issued a prorla- 1 11 the i ii 10 of ill,. French Republic. In this, after al- .' to the weak and corrupt L r overnment which, nearly' }ears helore. after an iirnominioiis war, had yielded to a t iik'in. |>. 1- . l-i A.It. 1*03.] VALLF.V OF THF. MISSISSIPPI. i).").^ dishonorable peace, with the separation of Louisiana from France, he informed the people that France was again tri- umphant, and that, amid the prodigious victories and triumphs of the late Revolution, France and all Frenchmen had cast an affectionate eye to estranged Louisiana, and that the loud mother was again about to embrace her long-lost offspring, and \vipe out the disgrace of the former separation: that lie \vlio no\v controlled the destinies of France was no less remarkable lor the love and confidence inspired l>v his wisdom, and the happiness of' his people, than for the terror infused into his en- emies by the rapidity and irresistible glory of his victories; and that the whole energies of his great mind would be devoted to the happiness and prosperity of the people of Louisiana, and to the development ol the unbounded natural resources pe-Miliar to the province. lie concluded by a flattering encomium upon the fidelity, courage, and patriotism of the people of Louisiana, to whom he recommended the worth}' and highly honorable magistrates with whom he was associated in the government." A few days afterward, M. Laussat received an address, signed by a number of the most respectable citizens of the city and province, expressing in very flattering terms, in behalf of the people, the joy inspired by his arrival, as the harbinger of their deliverance and reunion with France. t ( >u the H)th of April, the Manpiis de ( 'asa (.'alvo, having been associated with Salcedo as commissioner on the part of Spain for the delivery of Louisiana, returned from a visit to Havana, and entered upon the duties ot his olliee. (hi the l s th of May Salcedo issued his proclamation an- noini'-ing file intention of his Catholic majesty to surrender the province to the French Republic : but that h;s paternal regard would accompany fhe people, as he had made ample arrange- ienN \\ ith the latter tor their protection and future pr< >sperity. < proclamation the governor recited the limits ol Lou- s embraced in the contemplated surrender, to include si ana \\ cr- the east side, it being the same ceded to Spam bv the peace of 17t'*:i. 'I'he settlements on the east side .M:s -'sippi. between the Bavou Manehac and the th;rfv- 550 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. limits of Louisiana ; but the United States subsequently claim- ed other territory east of the Mississippi. Fverv tiling no\v seemed ready lor the formal delivery of the province, awaiting only the arrival oi General A^ietor with the troops. The tri-eolored cockade was already in the hands of hundreds, ready to be attached to every hat as soon as the French ilag should supersede that of Spain, and each French- man considered himself a member of the French Republic. The first of June arrived, and no tidings were received of the approach of General Victor. At length a vessel from Bor- deaux brought intelligence that the province had been sold by the first consul, Bonaparte, to the United States.* In the mean time, Bonaparte, having declined sending Gen- eral Victor and his troops to Louisiana, had made other pro- vision for the delivery of the province. On the sixth day of June, he had appointed M. Laussat as commissioner on the part of France for receiving the formal delivery of Louisiana. To him, also, were sent instructions lor the transfer of the same into the hands of the American commissioners, agreeably to the treaty of April 30th, LS03.f The irovernment of the United States, in the mean time, had taken measures to secure the prompt delivery of the province, and the extension of the Federal jurisdiction over the country. Larire bodies of troops hail been concentrating in the southern * Martin, vol. ii.. ji. 100. " 1. The treaty of Paris included in the cession of Louisiana all the islands adjacent to 1- iisiana; all public lots, squares, vacant lands; all public buildings, barracks, forts, and : rtiiications; sill archives, public papers, and documents relating to the domain and S >\ : i-iity of tlie province. ~. It is also provided that the inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated into the Fi-deral Union, and as soon as possible they shall be admitted to the enjoy- mi-lit "f all the rights and immunities of citizens of the United States, under the pro- nf the Federal I ''institution. :!. France is to appoint a commissioner, and send him to Louisiana for the purpose of * .-. ii._- possession of the province from Spain, and to deliver it over, in the name of '' UP i'i ii Republic, to the commission! re, or a-eiits of the United States. ' Immediately alter tin- formal transfer and delivery to the United States, the com- is to deliver up all military posts in New Orleans and throUL'huut the pr.'vhi' <. and withdra-.v the troops of France. "' I'ommiTi privi . - were to be extended by the United States to French and Spanish ships entering tie ],, irts ,,f Louisiana for twelve years, durin- whieh they ' V '' 1V '" I'''. v ' ities than citizens of the United States comiiii.' directly from the same countries. ;. H\ two separate articles of convention, of the same date with the treaty, the con- : " the p:n : . , ;,,. 11Kl( ],, to tno y ,.,.,,,.), Republic fl nd to the Ainer- " ;i " citi/.en.H are fully s- t !.,!ih. Sec Martin's Louisiana, vol. ii.. ]'. I'.'!, llfj. Also, - I. misiana, p. i 1 '^ 1 1'J. A.I). ISO.'J.] VAU.r.v or TIH: MISSISSIPPI. r>~)7 portion of the Mississippi Territory, north of the West Florida line, in the vicinity of \atchex and Fort Adams. Only a lew months had elapsed when the unwelcome intel- ligence of the cession to the United States reached the Kinu of Spain. Indignant at the contemplated transfer, he instructed Ins minister at Washington City, the Marquis de Casa Yunijo, to remonstrate with the government, and to tile with the De- partment ot' State his tormai protest, against the transfer; rep- resenting the conditions on which it had been transferred to the first consul, which would now impair the claim ot' the Unit- ed States: for the first, consul had stipulated with his Catb.o]i<- majestv that Louisiana never should be alienated from France. The Federal government disregarded the remonstrance and pr< 'test ot' the Spanish court : yet the first consul, as well as the President ot' the United States, upon this ground entertained serious apprehensions lest the King ot Spain should carry out his opposition by instructing the governor and captain-general of Louisiana to refuse the formal transfer and delivery of the province.* Anticipating sucli opposition from the King ot' Spain, and to;- the pin-pose of' meeting any contingency on this ground, Mr. Jefferson. President of the United States, convened Congress about the middle of October, and laid the whole matter of the treatv relative to the purchase of Louisiana before the Senate. Tiie treatv was ratified on the 'Jlst ot October, and after due deliberation. Congress resolved to sustain the president in his views of nri_riir_r the transler and deliver}", agreeabl v to the stip- nlati"iis of treaty with the French Republic. 15 y an act passed ( Ictober 'iOth. the president was authorized to take possession of the ceded territory, and to maintain over the same the author- itv of the I nited .Stales, under such persons as he miirht au- ' Tii-' Aiii.-rii'iiii ininist'T li:t,l hi', -n instnn t>-'l t i ;isivrt:iiu iVmn the Spanish c, .;;rt \vin-th' !' :n.'. s'li i: i.r.!. r was Ilk. -Is !-- !.. L'iv, i : t!:.- possihilit \ f .(' :i r,-!ns;'.l I-M the part ...[ tii.' Spanish :t'ithoriti'-s to .siinvuiier tu th. Ti.it- -! Stairs h-nl h,>,-n MI j:j,-st,-,! to the IhM ( ,.:,>.:,: !- ,t !.. !.-< !:ir. ,! that im P-fusa! ..n tli,-ir part nee.', he rippivhen.le,! ; tliat - s;;,-h thin_'. anil that ii,' LMiarai.tieii tin- delivery. N.. iniiieatioa , ! - iin-,-,1 at any art !, -i.s : ami rarly in .l:n:'i - \.-ral \v . ' ks :i!ti r tin- tiuai transl'.'i- and ilrlivcry In tin- I'nitr.1 States, niiii^t,;!- at \V a-Li:. . t. .n :((*., assiiran,-.' t" th.- J ),-partnu'iit i-t' Slat" thai lia.l .-iv.-ii !.- en-,!.'!- what. V.-- t',.r up| usiii-r th,' ,h-!iv,-ry nf !., ui-ia:.:' an,l liiat i 1 !!'-. t nt" th'- pr,-|.|-i!i!i,' y.-.'ir was ,-i,tir,-ly LT,"in,!!,-ss. Th. 1 niiii'.si.'r '.s as i;ii]iuii:iti>!i-cl t'.lnak-'it kii,'\\n that his ma i,->t\ ha,l si:;, .- t i,. .,: Ji.l .;,. Hi !,,-, his protest, silt lumi-'h inflilc justly aii'l iijum jirt.p.T L-ri.iiinl* : t'.": a,'\v pr, i.'l'ot' his bcucvulcln.'L.' uinl iVi'jtuiship for liic Unitc-l Stuti-s," SI-L- 558 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. thori/e to exercise a provisional civil and military jurisdiction in the province. To this end he was empowered to employ such portion of the navy and army of the United States, and of the militia of the neighboring states and territories, as he might deem requisite.* The president proceeded to complete his arrangements for the delivery, iinal transfer, and occupation of the province by the United Stales. On the part of the United States, the com- missioners appointed by him were Governor William C. C. Claiborne, of the Mississippi Territory, and General James Wil- kinson, commander-in-chief of the army. Governor Claiborne was also authorized to exercise provisionally all the civil au- thority pertaining to the former Spanish governor and intend- ant, f<>r the preservation of order and the protection of persons and property. f The colonial prefect, and commissioner on the part of the French Republic, M. Laussat, had remained in Louisiana from the period of his arrival in March, engaged in the duties of his commission, preparing the minds of the people for the approach- ing change of government, first as a province of France, and linally as a dependence of the American Republic. At length, further delay being unnecessary, the ceremonies and formality of delivery from the crown of Spain to the French Republic were, by appointment, to take place in the city, of Xew Orleans on the 30th day of November. On the morning of that day the Spanish Hag was displayed from a lofty ilag-staff in the center of the public square. At noon the Spanish regi- ment of Louisiana and a company of Mexican dragoons were drawn up before the City Hall, on the right, and the militia of the city on the left. The commissioners of Spain, Governor Salcedo ;ind the Marquis de Casa Calvo, proceeded to the front of the < 'ity Hall, where they were soon afterward joined by the French commissioner. M. Laussat. The latter produced an order irom his Catholic, majesty directing the delivery of the province oi Louisiana to the authorized agent of the first con- sul. Salcedo, in exchange, immediately presented him with the keys oi the city. The Marquis de Casa Calvo then pro- claimed that, those of his majesty's subjects who preferred to A.D. 1803.] VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 559 remain under the authority of the French Republic were hence- forth absolved from their allegiance to the crown of Spain. The three commissioners then advanced to the main balcony in front of the City Hall, when the Spanish Hag gradually de- scended during the salute of a discharge of artillery. The Hag of France soon afterward ascended to the head of the flag-stall', saluted by another discharge of artillery. Thus terminated the Spanish dominion in Louisiana, after a lapse of more than thir- ty-four years.* The dominion of France had again resumed its sway, and M. Laussat immediately issued his proclamation to the people. It informed them that the mission on which he came to Lou- isiana had given rise to many fond hopes and honorable ex- pectations in his mind relative to their reunion with the moth- er country : but the face of things had changed, and he now was commissioned shortly to perform a duty which, although less pleasing to him, was far more advantageous to them; that although the Hag of the French Republic was displayed, and the sound of her cannon had announced the return of the French dominion, it was comparatively for a moment, for he was shortlv to deliver the province into the hands of the com- missioners of the United States. f In reference to this change, he remarked, that circumstances of great moment had given a. new direction to the benevolent views and intentions of France toward Louisiana: that the province had been ceded to the United States, as the surest pledge of inrrea.sing friendship between the two Republics, and of the future aggrandizement ot Louisiana, lie drew their attention to that provision in the treaty ot cession which secured to them the rank of an independent member of the Federal Union, and congratulated them 141011 the happy result of beei iiuiiiLr an important part ot a nation which had already become pnwerlul, and distinguished tor their industry, patriot- ism, and intelligence, lie alluded to that leature in the new arrangement which would place the government in their own hands, secure. 1 In. 'in the cupidity and malversation in oiiice of those sent to LTovern them trom a remote parent-countrv, sur- rounded by facilities ot concealment operating as a temptation, which 1 lien corrupts the most virtuous rulers. They were about to pass under a government which made all its rulers * Martin, vul. ii., i>. 1'Jd. * I'Ji.'l)]. l>. H'.'i, 1'JtJ. -,{')() HISTORY OF THE [BOOK IV. dependent upon the will of the people, expressed through their suffrages ;it the hallot-hox. He adverted to the many advan- tages "t'a free and independent form of government, affording t<> them the immense facilities of the trade which their loca- tion ne;ir the outlet of the Mississippi would throw into their hands : the trade of the great river of the United States, bear- ing upon its surface the wealth of rich and populous states, and conferring upon them commercial advantages and privi- leges which they could not possibly enjoy under the colonial government, of France.* The same day M. Laussat, as colonial prefect, issued a num- ber of proclamations and orders in relation to the government of the province, abolishing the old regnancy, and substituting the jurisdiction of France and the forms of the French juris- prudence. The Cabaldo was abolished, and a municipality was organized in its stead. The municipality consisted of a mayor ;md two adjuncts, with ten members. The office of mayor was conferred upon M. Bore, and that of adjuncts upon M. Destrehan and M. Sauve. The members appointed were. Messieurs Livaudais. Petit Cavelier, Villiere, Jones, Fortier, J)onaldson, Faurie, Allard, Tuveaud, and Watkins. M. Der- bigny was appointed secretary, and M. Labatut was treasurer. f The Black ('ode. except such portions as were incompatible with the Constitution and laws of the United States, was de- clared to be still in force. Soon afterward, the Spanish troops were withdrawn, and the military posts were evacuated. In the city and suburbs lit .\e\v Orleans there were four military posts, or forts, relin- quished hy the Spanish troops, which might be exposed to the depredations, and equally so to the unlawful occupancy of disalfected persons and nocturnal disturbers of the peace. The troops of the United States designed for the occupation. o) these forts not having arrived within the limits of the ceded province, many were apprehensive of outrage and violence li'oni the numbers of lawless and disaffected populace. These Were composed of the lowest, class of Spaniards, Mexicans, and Iree persons of color which infested the city, and other disorderly persons, and desperadoes of all nations, who. releas- ed ironi the restraint of a standing army, might be prompted, by the hope ot pillage, to lire the city, or to commit other vio- lence. t Idum, i). 197. A.D. 1803.] VAI.I.EY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. ")()! To guard against any such attempt, and to preserve order in the city, a number of enterprising yoiini: Americans associ- ated themselves into a volunteer battalion, to be placed under the command of Daniel Clarke, junior, the American consul. Their first muster was at Davis's rope-walk, on Canal-street, where they were joined by a number of patriotic younir Creole Frenchmen, who continued to serve until the battalion was iinally discharged. Havinir organized, they placed themselves under their commander, and proceeded to the headquarters of the colonial prefect, and made a formal tender of their services tor the purpose ot preserving order in the citv, and for the oc- cupancy of the forts until the arrival of the American commis- sioners and troops. The battalion continued to increase, by the voluntary enrollment of Americans and French Creoles, until the entire number exceeded three hundred men. The Americans were chiefly captains and mates of vessels, super- cargoes, merchants, clerks, and seamen belonging to vessels in port. The French, by their zeal, vigilance, and patriotism during their term of service, proved themselves worthy of American citizenship.* Their services were gladly accepted, and detachments from their number were detailed upon regular tours of duty in. pa- troliiirj the city by day and by night, und in maintaining guard in tin- forts, until the 17th of December, when the American troops had arrived in the vicinity oj the city.t In tin.- mean time, ( lovernor Claiborne had been preparing 1<> advance down to \e\v ( Irleans to consummate the deliverv of " T!;:s -.:;. .;'.>!<. viz. : (Ji-nr.'c M'irtiii, sine" jiiirisli jiiiiirc nl' St. I,Minir\ , (,"...;.! 1J. -ib.'.'i K.-I;.;.,-!-. I ;.-,!_'. Kin_- <;,,,._, NYwm-tii. lii-tijnimn M-r_-:;n. ] ):u,i,.-i r.nrkr A iii'-rirriri cn!,!iisirin:L t- 1 liir I'liilrd Stuti-s ciiiiiiiiissiniii-rs. '1'ln-r.- : l-.v i i :' tii, s'ir\ivi,i-s sti.i ii% in_r in A'!:: ins ci unity. M i>si-". . <}<"n \\'r, , :,',.! (.J. !,!_, .\,'Win;iu. Murti:i stiiirs this battalion tuhav ~.-.i i i 'M.;. i''.,- li'iii.ir' ii :i:iij twi-nt;, Am. ri'-n.s : 1,-it Dr. \Vi\-u :iinl Gi'> .vjr V- -A ,:'.: i. !;-'!.. In itii 1:1, 'inli, rs i.f tin' !i;itt;iiinti. susfiin tl,.- ii'itiun-ity (if tin.- ti-xt. . .'y \v-'> iii <::'. : i.y !'.:;- str.iii-' ! ,rls, .-it rit.-il nt i-acli (Mrin-r, raid li> iri\ i!-t. !'-";- S' rli: L -;,.s ;nnl St. Luiiis WIT.' r.'L.-ul:\r ti'!tri;ssi-s. ;i! >\f :;IP! i.. In-A t!.'- i-i;y, n."ir t!i>' lirmk d' tin 1 riv. :. linrli \vns li'iiit nt' brick. ld themselves in readiness to march on the IGtli of Decem- ber, in company with the volunteers from Tennessee. At Fi>r1 Adams, Governor Claiborne met with his colleague, (eneral Wilkinson, who had just returned from a tour in the Choctfi nation. The troops at this post were put in motion, and pursued their march with the volunteers toward Xew Or- leans, (hi the 17th of December, they encamped within two miles of the city. On the fallowing day the commissioners, Claiborne and Wilkinson, presented themselves to the French prefect in a. formal introductory visit, which was returned at the American camp next day by the colonial prelect, attended by the municipality -nd a number of militia officers. The follow- ing Monday, December '-20th, was fixed as the day for the ibrmal delivery of the province to the United States." ( >n Monday morning, at sunrise, the tri-colored lla^ was ele- vated to the summit of the llag-stafr in the public square. At eleven o'clock A.M. the militia paraded near it. and precisely at noon the commissioners of the United States, at the head o! tin- American troops, entered the city. The regular troops formed on the opposite <:de ot the square, facing the militia. At this time the colonial prefect, attended by his secretary and a number ot French citizens, ad\ anced from his quarters to the ( 'ity I Fill, sainted as he approached by a discharge (.if artillery. A' the City Hall a large concourse of the most respectable us awaited h:s approach. Here, in the presence of the assembled multitude, the prefect delivered to the American oiiiinissioiiers the keys of the city, emblematic of the formal pn ivmce.f lared that such of the inhabitants as desired to government of the United States were absolved fr"in their allegiance to the French Republic. Governor Claiborne then arose and offered to the people of *ian:i Ins cnngratuhitions on the auspicious event \\hi<-h : l ;il 'i''l 'hem bevond the reach of chance, lie assured them .voiild hasten I- extend to them the benelits of the free in- ' : '..-- il. i' : t Mem, [i. A.D. 1S04.] VALLEY OF THE MlSSISSll'I'r. 5(53 stitutions which had formed the basis of our unexampled pros- perity, and that, in the mean time, the}' should he protected in their liberty, their property, and their religion: their agricul- ture should Lie encouraged, and their commerce favored. The tri-colored llag of France slowly descended, meetmir the rising flag of the United States at half-mast. After the pause ot a lew minutes, the flag of France descended to the ground, and the star-spangled banner rose to the summit of the flag-stall', saluted by the roar of artillery and the joyful re- sponse ot the American people, accompanied by a lull band of martial music to the air of " Hail Columbia."* The windows, balconies, and corridors of the vicinity were crowded with ladies, brilliant beyond comparison,' 2 each with the American flag in miniature proudly waving over their heads. The same day Governor Claiborne issued his proclamation announcing the supremacy of the Federal jurisdiction over the province, and the termination of all foreign dominion, lie ex- horted the people to be firm in their allegiance to the govern- ment of the United States, and obedient to the laws which were to be extended over them : he assured them that their liberty, their rights, and their property should be protected .'i'jnmst all violence Irom an}' quarter, and that in due time dependent state government. [A.D. 1S01.] The formal deliver}' of the remote posts and their del tendencies took place during the following spring. On the 1'Jlh of January the post of Concord was delivered, with great cereim my and form, hv the Spanish commandant, Stephen Minor, into the hands of Major Ferdinand L. Claiborne. spe- i in in 1 prefect. :md agent, ol Governor Slates. 1 lavinir been dul v r ( 'laiborne. accompanied hv leers under Captain Uussel. I Aatcllez, headed hv tin i mayr . ) the city. | ires- ibrmallv delivered hy l!ie exchange ot lla-js. with the usual in- iercha irj'e of ceremonies hy the respective commandants. f A. few davs afterward, the post of \Vashita was delivered M. .-,(,[ HI.-TOKV or THI; [BOOK IT. L ! x . manner by the Swinish commandant, Don A incente Frar> c>cn Fejeiro. to Captain 1'omar. agent of the United Slate.-. ( >n the '.Mil of March the post of St. Louis, with tlu; province ,,f I'pper Louisiana. \vas formal!}' delivered by the Spanish lieutenant - u'overnor to Major Amos Stoddart. commissioned as representative of the Krench Republic, in which capacity. mi the followhiLr da}', he formally delivered the post and dis- triet to the agent of ihe L'nited States. Major St.oddart liav- ini: been appointed also civil and military commandant ot L p- per Louisiana, with the authority and prerogatives ot the lonn- er Sjianish lieutiMiant-^overiior, immediately entered upon the duties o}' his <>!]i<-e.' in his proclamation he adverted to the auspicious events which had made them a portion oi the Amer- ican Republic, and had elevated them trom the rank ot eoloni- ; i subjects to free and independent citizens, the rights and priv- ileges oj \\hirh would be soon extended to them. He express- ed his confidence in their patriotism and subini.-sion to the laws : the prejudices and resentments of former times had been buried in oblivion, and thev were now united to the great Republican lamdy by a bond of mutual interest, for the advancement of the 'omuion happiness, and a generous rivalry for commercial pr 'sperity and national independence. I'hiis the authority of the I'nited States was peaceably ex- tended over the whoK- proviiu-e ot' Louisiana, cnmpi'isinir one "' the mo>t iertile and magnificent reions on earth, whose lim- ( ' sl ''' Spain to rrstrict its limits as much as practicable, and it v -'^ 'be interest oi vhe I'nited States to construe its boundaries with tin 1 i iti i ;o>t latil i.u ie. ' i:t ' ^ '"' Florida district lying south of 1 lie line of demarka- : "' Wt '"' 1 "i ihe IVi'dido lti\-cr and l>ay. was retained :>y ;| - ;i portion nt L'lorida. The western pnrtioji of this t. ly:n- between the Mississippi and Pearl [livers, was ' ''ed into the Government of T.aton UoiiLre." which, was ad- 111 ' ^''''f'd I'}' the lieutenant-M-o\\>nior. Don Carlos de ( I rain !p:v. '"" " |'"t.s of Manchnc. 'i'iiomi. son's Creek, and the 7th of I lecembfr, 1^10. when the people i'''ii"'inced tiie [i in, on o| Spain, and churned the protection of the Tinted Stalest A.I). 1801.] VALI.KV or mi: .Miss;.--iiTi. 505 Hence the difficulties relative to boundaries between Spain and the I'niled Sta.tes were airain opened. Spain still held do- minion over the Mexican provinces west ol Louisiana, and over the Floridas on the east. The western limits of Florida, pre- vious io the peace ol' 17(>.'$, were the /V/v//Vo River and I>ay : the territory west oi'tlie 1'erdido. and north of the Hayou Jher- ville and lakes, previous to 17t>:>. had been a portion of Lou- isiana under the dominion <>1 France, and. was never attached u> Spa.nish Florida. I.iv the dismemberment of 17 (>.'{, Creat Britain became possessed ol this portion ol Louisiana; and bv the kin IT'S order in council in the following year, it was annexed io the L r "vernment of West Florida, and as such it was sub- sequently ceded to Spain by the treaty of 17x*3. This was the origin ot'the Spanish claim to the territory west of Mobile. The United States purchased .Louisiana with the boundaries acknowledged while in possession of France originally, before the dismemberment, and with such boundaries as properly per- tained to it. niter the due observance of all subsequent treaties. Hence the I'nited States claimed Louisiana as extending to "die IVrdido on the easl. and north to the southern limit of the Fnited States, as established by the treaty of 17^'i. (hi the west si(h:ofthe Mississippi they claimed to the Rio del \orte. ihe western boundary claimed by France previous to the treaty of 17it-J \vilii Sp.iin. Tin 1 ,- the I mted Slates claimed Lou- isiana as comprising tin; whole country on the Clulf oi Mexico, i'rom the I Ja v of Mobile inclusive 1o 1 he western limit of Texas. ' The population oi the province "i Louisiana, near the close o) t!;e \e;.'|- I *!).'}, acci.d'dni'j io a repori u.ade to the Secretary of State by the American consul at New ( )r leans, u'ix'es a '_ r rand f'ii;d oi ;:.iio;i;. iMi't v-nine ihotisand and li\'e hundred souls, iii- iudin'j the \Ve-! Florida district and the p. rls of Mobile and 1'eii.sacola. ( ';' this amount, tiie, city of \ew ( Means contained a bout e, _dit lhoii>a:id s, .uls : Mobjie a nd its dependencies eiu'h* hundred, and t-'ii s,.i:!s ; 1'eu-ac >la four hundred and (bur souls : Jiai"ii liou^e and (lalvotoii one thousand seven hundred and sixtv souls: I pper [joiiisiaiia six tiiousand and twenty-eivhi sou's, iin- same as it contained in 17l)!(.T These estimates. ot coiirsi.'. eve hide t!ie mimerous t ribes and remnants of native In- dians remainmu in dillerent portions ol the province. The cijmmerce and trade "t \e\v ( h'leans had become extens- ;., ;-. .'.:, ,'J^. ai-p.l<.l;u-t, [>. 11-J-1M, ' Martin, vul. ii.. p. -<-'>. ,-,(it) lusTOKY OF Tin: [BOOK iv. ive. nt "lily with foreign countries and European colonies, hut especially with the Atlantic ports of the United States, and ihe Western States upon the waters of the Ohio. During the vear IM>'-'. t\vo luindred and fifty vessels of all kinds entered the Mississippi all of which were merchantmen, except eighteen c armed vessels. Of the former, one hundred and sev- eiit\ were American, and ninety-seven were Spanish.* The river trade from the Western States and Upper Louisiana was conveyed in not less than live hundred Hat-boats and barges annually. The annual products of agriculture in Louisiana had al- readv become extensive and valuable, consisting chiefly of suirar and cotton. Both these products had increased greatly within the last few years. The c>tton crop of 1S():> yielded twenty thousand ba!e>, each weighing about three hundred pounds : the sugar crop of the same year yielded five thousand hogsheads of sugar, weighing each about one thousand pounds, and live thousand casks of molasses, each containing about fifty ns. The indigo crop had diminished gradually to about three thousand pounds. t "Manufactures, connected with the agricultural products of the province, had begun to assume a permanent, footing near the city of Xew Orleans. About one dozen distilleries for the manufacture of tatlia from molasses were in operation, produ- cing about tw< i hundred thousand gallons of this liquor annual! v. ( 'iic sugar-refinery in the city likewise produced annually near- ly two hundred thousand pounds of loaf-sugar. But few manu- lact'iries "1 importance existed in oilier branches of business. Tlie trade of Aew Orleans comprised not only the products "1 Louisiana, but also of tlie Western States and territories. The i x] 'rts of 1SOJ. including the western products, amounted to h>rt\ thousand tons. It ('(.insisted chielly of Hour. pork, salt heel, tobacc.o. cotton, sugar. m'o!;isses, peltries, naval stores, and lumber. The principal articles were as follows. : fifty t ho u- barrels of ll"iir, three thousand barrels of salt beef and id hogsheads of 1o]),icco, thirty-four thousand bales "! c tton, I'mr tlioiisand hogsheads of sugar, and eight (red . ; si-s.t I he \vhole ; oi Louisiana \vas now a dependency ot the I ii'.tei] Stales, under the government of the Frdcra! au- ' M - : I.luiu. ;.'.:; t Mem, ji. XM A.I). 1SO-1.] VAIJ,I:V OF THI: MIHSISS.IITI. f>(>7 ihorities, until provision should lie innde lor or^nnixiiiL: 1 the population into ;t regular system of Republican ^i^-tTnnu'iit, niri'eeablv to the CYmstitutiou mnl la\vs oi the 1 nited > s inte<. The first legislation uf (Congress on this subject \v;is au art !'<>; ihe criranixatioii of a territorial ^ove.nnnent within the "Ter- ritory of ( h'leans." 1 E\D or VOL. i. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. EMJ! 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