THE DARING DISCOVERIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE FRENCH IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY --- SOME CORRECTIONS IN HISTORY --- THE CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES --- DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER --- PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY --- THE DOWNFALL OF QUEBEC --- THE TERRITORY CEDED BY THE INDIANS --- ILLINOIS SEPARATED FROM INDIANA --- ETC., ETC.
"Naught telling how the victim died,
Save faint tradition's faltering tongue."
THE cradle of American history is the lower St. Lawrence River, and the great storehouse is the Mississippi Valley. And going back nearly four hundred years, it is one of the world's most wonderful tragedies, running through nearly four centuries in duration. The thrilling story has been a grand epic of mankind, and while its recital thrills the student of those tremendous events with consuming interest, it may command the eager investigation of the whole thinking world, because it is fraught with more mastering influences --- forces that have shaped the destinies of mankind, and of civilization to a greater extent, than has any other period in all the world's history.
The truths of history in reference to this spot upon the globe are only now being critically examined; and the revelations they afford command a deep interest and a wide attention. For this empire of magnificent proportions (the Mississippi Valley), the leading powers of the Old World contended for nearly three hundred years, and the savage Indian yet sharpens his scalping knife and lifts up in deadly revenge his tomahawk. The power of the Old World was the church, and it is a curious fact that these warlike nations that struggle for empire by the sword were guided and pointed the way to the new and tempting continent --- to the very heart of the homes of the most powerful and savage tribes of men that were here, by the missionaries of the Catholic Church, who carried nothing more formidable for attack or defense than their prayer books and rosaries, and the gentle and divine command of "Peace on earth and good will among men." The French Catholic missionaries were as loyal to their government as they were true to their God. They planted the lilies of France, and erected the cross of the mother church in the newly discovered countries, and chanted the solemn mass that soothed the savage breast, and smoke the calumet with wild men of the woods.
The settlement of the West and the first discoveries were made by the French, and it was long afterward the country passed into the permanent possession of the English; the letter people wrote the histories, and tinged them from first to last with their prejudices, and thus promulgated many serious errors of history. Time will always produce the iconoclast who will dispassionately follow out the truth, regardless of how many fictions it may brush away in its course. Thus history is being continually re-written, and the truth is ever making its approaches, and the glorious deeds of the noble sons of France are becoming manifested, as the views of our history are brought to light, particularly their occupancy of the valley of the Father of Waters.
As early as 1504, the French seamen from Brittany and Normandy visited the fisheries of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. These bold and daring men traversed the ocean, through the dangers of ice and storms, to pursue the occupation of fishery, an enterprise which to-day has developed into one of gigantic magnitude.
France not long after this commissioned James Cartier, a distinguished mariner, to explore America. In 1535, in pursuance of the order, they planted the cross on the shores of the New World, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, bearing a shield with the lilies of France. He was followed by other adventurous spirits, and among them the immortal Samuel Champlain, a man of great enterprises, who founded Quebec in 1608. Champlain ascended the Sorel River, explored Lake Champlain, which bears his name to-day. He afterward penetrated the forest and found his grave on the bleak shores of Lake Huron. He was unsurpassed for bravery, indefatigable in industry, and was one of the leading spirits in explorations and discoveries in the New World.
In the van of the explorations on this continent were found the courageous and pious Catholic missionaries, meeting dangers and death with a crucifix upon their breasts breviary in hand, whilst chanting their matins and vespers, along the shores of our majestic rivers, great lakes and unbroken forests. Their course was marked through the trackless wilderness by the carving of their emblems of faith upon the roadway, amidst perils and dangers, without food but pounded maize, sleeping in the woods without shelter, their couch being the ground and rock. Their beacon light, the cross, which was marked upon the oak of the forest in their pathway.
After these missionaries had selected their stations of worship, the French hunters, courriers de bois, voyages and traders, opened their traffic with the savages. France, when convenient and expedient, erected a chain of forts along the rivers and lakes, in defense of Christianity and commerce.
France, from 1608, acquired in this continent a territory extensive enough to create a great empire, and was at that time untrod by the foot of the white man, and inhabited by the roving tribes of the red man. As early as 1615, we find Father LeCarron, a Catholic priest, in the forests of Canada, exploring the country for the purpose of converting the savages to the Christian religion. The following year he is seen of foot traversing the forests amongst the Mohawks, and reaching the rivers of the Ottewas. He was followed by other missionaries along the basin of the St. Lawrence and Kennebec Rivers, where some met their fate in frail barks, whilst other perished in the storms of a dreadful wilderness.
In 1635 we find Father Jean Brebeauf, Daniels and Gabriel Lallamand leaving Quebec with a few Huron braves to explore Lake Huron, to establish chapels along its banks, from which sprung the villages of St. Joseph, St. Ignatius and St. Louis. To reach these places it was necessary to follow the Ottawas River through a dangerous and devious way to avoid the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Senecas and Iroquois, forming a confederacy as the "Five Nations," occupying a territory then known as the New York colony, who were continually at war with the Hurons, a tribe of Indians inhabiting Lake Huron territory.
As early as 1639, three Sisters of Charity from France arrived at Quebec, dressed in plain black gowns with snowy white collars, whilst to their girdles hung the rosary. They proceeded to the chapel, led by the Governor of Canada, accompanied by braves and warriors, to chant the Te Deum. These holy and pious women, moved by religious zeal, immediately established the Ursuline Convent for the education of girls. In addition to this, the King of France and nobility of Paris endowed a seminary in Quebec for the education of all classes of persons. A public hospital was built by the generous Duchess of D'Arguilon, with the aid of Cardinal Richelieu, for the unfortunate emigrants, to the savages of all tribes and afflicted of all classes. A missionary station was established as early as 1641, at Montreal, under a rude tent, from which has grown the large city of to-day, with its magnificent cathedral and churches, its massive business houses and its commerce.
The tribes of Huron Lake and neighboring savages, in 1641, met on the banks of the Iroquois Bay to celebrate the "Festival of the Dead." The bons and ashes of the dead had been gathered in coffins of bark, whilst wrapped in magnificent furs, to be given an affectionate sepulcher. At this singular festival of the savages, the chiefs and braves of different tribes chanted their low, mournful songs, day and night, amidst the wails and groans of their women and children. During this festival appeared the pious missionaries, their cassocks with beads to their girdle, sympathizing with the red men in their devotion to the dead, whilst scattering their medals, pictures of our Savior and blessed and beautiful beads, which touched and won the hearts of the sons of the forest. What a beautiful spectacle to behold, over the grass of the fierce warriors, idolatry fading before the Son of God. Father Charles Raymbault and the indomitable Isaac Joques in 1641 left Canada to explore the country as far as Lake Superior. They reached the Falls of St. Mearay's and established a station at Sault de Ste. Marie, where were assembled many warriors and braves from the great West, to see and hear these two apostles of religion and to behold the cross of Christianity. These two missionaries invoked them to worship the true God. The savages were struck with the emblem of the cross and its teachings, and exclaimed, "We embrace you as brothers; come and dwell in our cabins."
When Father Joques and his party were returning from the Falls of St. Mary's to Quebec, they were attacked by the Mohawks, who massacred the chief and his braves, who accompanied him, whilst they held Father Joques in captivity, showering upon him a great many indignities, compelling him to run the gantlet through their village. Father Brussini at the same time was beaten, mutilated, and made to walk barefooted through thorns and briers and then scourged by a whole village. However, by some miraculous way they were rescued by the generous Dutch of New York and both afterward returned to France. Father Joques again returned to Quebec, and was sent as an envoy amongst the Five Nations. Contrary to the savage laws of hospitality, he was ill-treated, then killed as an enchanter, his head hung upon the skirts of the village and his body thrown into the Mohawk River. Such was the fate of this courageous and pious man, leaving a monument of martyrdom more enduring than the pyramids of Egypt.
The year 1645 is memorable, owing to a congress held by France and the "Five Nations" at the Three Rivers, in Canada. There the daring chiefs and warriors and the gallant officers of France met at the great council-fires. After the war-dance and numerous ceremonies, the hostile parties smoked the calumet of peace. The Iroquois said: "Let the clouds be dispersed and the sun shine on all the land between us." The Mohawks exclaimed: "We have thrown the hatchet so high into the air and beyond the skies that no man on earth can reach to bring it down. The French shall sleep on our softest blankets, by the warm fire, that shall be kept blazing all night." Notwithstanding the eloquent and fervent language and appearance of peace, it was but of short duration, for soon the cabin of the white man was in flames, and the foot-print of blood was seen along the St. Lawrence, and once more a bloody war broke out, which was disastrous to France, as the Five Nations returned to the allegiance of the English colonies.
The village of St. Joseph, near Huron Lake, on the 4th of July, 1648, whilst her warriors were absent, was sacked and its people murdered by the Mohawks. Father Daniel, who officiated there, whilst endeavoring to protect the children, women and old men was fatally wounded by numerous arrows and killed. Thus fell this martyr in the cause of religion and progress.
The next year the villages of St. Ignatius and St. Louis were attacked by the Iroquois. The village of St. Ignatius was destroyed and its inhabitants massacred. The village of St. Louis shared the same fate. At the latter place, Father Brebeauf and Lallemand were made prisoners, tied to a tree, stripped of their clothes, mutilated, burned with fagots and rosin bark, and then scalped. They perished in the name of France and Christianity.
Father de la Ribourde, who had been the companion of La Salle on the Griffin, and who officiated at Fort Creve Coeur, Ill., whilst returning to Lake Michigan, was lost in the wilderness. Afterward, it was learned he had been murdered in cold blood by three young warriors, who carried his prayer book and scalp as a trophy up north of Lake Superior, which afterward fell into the hands of the missionaries. Thus died this martyr of religion, after ten years' devotion in the cabins of the savages, whose head had become bleached with seventy winters. Such was also the fate of the illustrious Father Rine Mesnard, on his mission to the southern shore of Lake Superior, where in after years his cassock and breviary was kept as amulets among the Sioux. After these atrocities, these noble missionaries never retraced their steps, and new troops pressed forward to take their places. They still continued to explore our vast country. The history of their labors, self-sacrifice and devotion is connected with the origin of every village or noted place in the North and great West.
France ordered, by Colbert, its great minister, that an invitation be given to all tribes West for a general congress. This remarkable council was held in May, 1671, at the Falls of St. Mary's. There were found the chiefs and braves of many nations of the West, decorated in their brightest feathers and furs, whilst the French officers glistened with their swords and golden epaulets. In their midst stood the undaunted missionaries from all parts of the country. In this remarkable congress rose a log cedar cross, and upon a staff the colors of France.
In this council, after many congratulations offered, and the war dance, the calumet was smoked and peace declared. France secures here the friendship of the tribes and dominion over the great West.
Marquette, while on his mission in the West, leaves Mackinac on the 13th of May, 1673, with his companion Joliet and five Frenchmen and two Indian guides, in two bark canoes freighted with maize and smoked meat, to enter into Lake Michigan and Green Bay until they reached Fox River in Illinois, where stood on its banks an indian village occupied by the Kickapoos, Mascoutins and Miamis, where the noble Father Alloues officiated. Marquette in this village preaches and announces to them his object of discovering the great river. They are appalled at the bold proposition. They say: "Those distant nations never spare the strangers; their mutual wars fill their borders with bands of warriors. The great river abounds in monsters which devour both men and canoes. The excessive heat occasions death."
From Fox River across the portage with the canoes they reach the Wisconsin River. There Marquette and Joliet separated with their guides, and in Marquette's language, "Leaving us alone in this unknown land in the hands of Providence," they float down the Wisconsin, whose banks are dotted with prairies and beautiful hills, whilst surrounded by wild animals and the buffalo. After seven days' navigation on this river, their hearts bound with gladness on beholding on the 17th day of June, 1673, the broad expanse of the great Father of Waters, and upon its bosom they float down. About sixty leagues below this, they visit an Indian village. Their reception from the savages was cordial. They said: "We are Illinois, that is, we are men. The whole village awaits thee; thou shalt enter in peace our cabins." After six days' rest on the couch of furs, and amidst abundance of game, these hospitable Illinois conduct them to their canoes, whilst the chief places around Marquette's neck the calumet of peace, being beautifully decorated with the feathers of birds.
Their canoe again ripples the bosom of the great river (Mississippi). When further down, they behold on the high bluffs and smooth rock above (now Alton) on the Illinois shore, the figures of two monsters painted in various colors, of frightful appearance, and the position appeared to be inaccessible to a painter. They soon reached the turbid waters of the Missouri, and thence floated down to the mouth of the Ohio.
Farther down the river stands the village of Mitchigamea, being on the west side of the river. When approaching this place, its bloody warriors with their war cry embark in their canoes to attack them, but the calumet, held aloft by Marquette, pacifies them. So they are treated with hospitality and escorted by them to the Arkansas River. They sojourn there a short time, when Marquette, before leaving this sunny land, celebrates the festival of the church. Marquette and Joliet then turn their canoe northward to retrace their way back until they reach the Illinois River, thence up that stream, along its flowery prairies. The Illinois braves conduct them back to Lake Michigan, thence to Green Bay, where they arrived in September,1673.
Marquette for two years officiated along Lake Michigan; afterward visited Mackinaw; from thence he enters a small river in Michigan (that bears his name) when, after saying mass, he withdraws for a short time to the woods, where he is found dead. Thus died this illustrious explorer and remarkable priest, leaving a name unparalleled as a brave, good and virtuous Christian.
Robert Caralin La Salle, a native of Normandy, an adventurer from France, arrived in Canada about 1670. Being ambitious to distinguish himself in making discoveries on this continent, he returned to France to solicit aid for that purpose. He was made chevalier upon the condition that he would repair Fort Frontenac, located on Lake Ontario, and open commerce with the savages. In 1678, he again returned to France, when, in July, 1679, with Chevalier Tonti, his Lieutenant, with thirty men, he left Rochelle for Quebec and Fort Frontenac. Whilst at Quebec, an agreement was made by the Governor of Canada with La Salle to establish forts along the northern lakes. At this time he undertook with great activity to increase the commerce of the West, by building a bark of ten tons to float on Lake Ontario. Shortly afterward he built another vessel, known as the Griffin, above Niagara Falls, for Lake Eric, of sixty tons, being the first vessel seen on the Northern lakes. The Griffin was launched and made to float on Lake Erie. "On the prow of this ship armorial bearings were adorned by two griffins as supporters;" upon her deck she carried two brass cannon for defense. On the 7th of August, 1679, she spread her sails on Lake Erie, whilst on her deck stood the brave naval commander La Salle, accompanied by Fathers Hennepin, Ribourde and Zenobi, surrounded by a crew of thirty voyageurs. On leaving, a salute was fired, whose echoes were heard to the astonishment of the savages, who named the Griffin the "Great Wooden Canoe." This ship pursued her course through Lakes Erie, St. Clair and Huron to Mackinaw, thence through that strait into Lake Michigan, thence to Green Bay, where she anchored in safety. The Griffin, after being laden with a cargo of peltries and furs, was ordered back by La Salle to the port from whence she sailed, but unfortunately on her return she was wrecked. La Salle during the absence of the Griffin determined, with fourteen men, to proceed to the mouth of the Miamis, now St. Joseph, where he built a fort, from which place he proceeded to Rock Fort in La Salle County, Ill. La Salle hearing of the disaster and wreck of the Griffin, he builds a fort on the Illinois River called Creve Coeur (broken heart). This brave man, thugh weighed down by misfortune did not despair. He concluded to return to Canada, but before leaving sends Father Hennepin, with Piscard, Du Gay and Michael Aka to explore the sources of the Upper Mississippi. They leave Creve Coeur February 29, 1680, floating down the Illinois River, reaching the Mississippi March 8, 1680; then explored this river up to the Falls of St. Anthony; from there they penetrated the forests, which brought them to the wigwams of the Sioux who detained Father Hennepin and companions for a short time in captivity; recovering their liberties, they returned to Lake Superior in November, 1680, then to Quebec and France. During the explorations of Father Hennepin, La Salle, with a courage unsurpassed, a constitution of iron, returns to Canada, a distance of 1,200 miles, his pathway being through snows, ice and savages along the lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario. Reaching Quebec, he finds his business in a disastrous condition, his vessels lost, his goods seized and his men scattered. Not being discouraged, however, he returns to his forts in Illinois, which he finds deserted; takes new courage; goes to Mackinaw; finds his devoted friend Chevalier Tonti in 1681, and is found once more on the Illinois River to continue the explorations of the Mississippi, which had been explored by Father Marquette to the Arkansas River, and by Father Hennepin up to the Falls of St. Anthony. La Salle, from Fort Creve Coeur, on the Illinois River, with twenty-two Frenchmen, amongst whom was Father Zenobi and Chevalier Tonti, with eighteen savages and two women and three children, float down until they reached the Mississippi on February 6, 1682. They descend this mighty river until they reach its mouth, April 6, 1682, where they are the first to plant the cross and the banners of France. La Salle, with his companions, ascends the Mississippi and returns to his forts on the Illinois; returns again to Canada and France.
La Salle is received at the French court with enthusiam. The King of France orders four vessels well equipped to serve him, under Beaugerr, commander of the fleet, to proceed to the Gulf of Mexico to discover the Balize. Unfortunately for La Salle, he fails in discovering it, and they are thrown into the Bay of Matagorda, Texas, where La Salle, with his 280 persons, are abandoned by Beaugerr, the commander of the fleet. La Salle here builds a fort; then undertakes by land to discover the Balize. After many hardships he returns to his fort, and again attempts the same object, when he meets a tragical end, being murdered by the desperate Duhall, one of his men. During the voyage of La Salle, Chevalier Tonti, his friend, had gone down the Mississippi to its mouth to meet him. After a long search in vain for the fleet, he returned to Rock Fort on the Illinois. After the unfortunate death of La Salle, great disorder and misfortune occurred to his men in Texas. Some wandered among the savages, others were taken prisoners, others perished in the woods. However, seven bold and brave men of La Salle's force determined to return to Illinois, headed by Capt. Joutel and the noble Father Anatase. After six months of exploration through the forest and plain, they cross Red River, where they lose one of their comrades. They then moved toward the Arkansas River, where, to their great joy, they reached a French fort, upon which stood a large cross, where Couture and Delouny, two Frenchmen, had possession, to hold communication with La Salle. This brave band, with the exception of young Berthelney, proceeded up the Mississippi to the Illinois forts; from thence to Canada.
This terminated La Salle's wonderful explorations over our vast lakes, great rivers and territory of Texas. He was a man of stern integrity, of undoubted activity and boldness of character, of an iron constitution, entertaining broad views and a chivalry unsurpassed in the Old or New World.
France, as early as possible, established along the lakes permanent settlements. One was that of Detroit, which was one of the most interesting and loveliest positions, which was settled in 1701 by Lamotte de Cardillac with 100 Frenchmen.
The discovery and possession of Mobile, Biloxi and Dauphin Islands induced the French to search for the mouth of the Mississippi River, formerly discovered by La Salle. Lemoine D'Iberville, a naval officer of talent and great experience, discovered the Balize, on the 2d of March, 1699; proceeded up this river and took possession of the country known as Louisiana. D'Iberville returned immediately to France to announce this glorious news. Bienville, his brother, was left to take charge of Louisiana during his absence. D'Iberville returned, when Bienville and St. Denis, with a force, was ordered to explore Red River, and thence to the borders of Mexico. La Harpe also ascended the Red River in 1719; built a fort called Carlotte; also took possession of the Arkansas River; afterward floated down this river in pirogues, finding on its banks many thriving Indian villages. France, in September, 1712, by letters patent, granted Louisiana to Crozas, a wealthy Frenchman, who relinquished his rights and power in 1717 to the Company of the West, established by the notorious banker, John Law. Under a fever of great speculations, great efforts were made to advance the population and wealth of Louisiana. New Orleans was mapped out in 1718, and became the important city of Lower and Upper Louisiana. The charter and privileges of "Company of the West," after its total failure, was resigned to the crown of France in 1731. The country embracing Louisiana was populated by numerous tribes of savages. One of these tribes was known as the Natchez, located on a high bluff, in the midst of a glorious climate, about three hundred miles above New Orleans on the river bank. The Natchez had erected a remarkable temple, where they invoked the "Great Spirit," which was decorated with various idols molded from clay baked in the sun. In this temple burned a living fire, where the bones of the brave were burned. Near it, on a high mound, the chief of the nation, called the Sun, resided, where the warriors chanted their war songs and held their great council fires. The Nathez had shown great hospitality to the French. The Governor of Louisiana built a fort near them in 1714, called Fort Rosalie. Chopart, afterward commander of this fort, ill-treated them, and unjustly demanded a part of their villages. This unjust demand so outraged their feelings, that the Natchez, in their anger, lifted up the bloody tomahawk, headed by the "Great Sun," attacked Fort Rosalie November 28, 1729, and massacred every Frenchman in the fort and the vicinity. During these bloody scenes, the chief, amid this carnage, stood calm and unmoved, while Chopart's head and that of his officers and soldiers were thrown at his feet, forming a pyramid of human heads. This caused a bloody war, which, after many battles fought, terminated in the total destruction of the Natchez nation. In these struggles, the chief and his four hundred braves were made prisoners, and afterward inhumanly sold as slaves in St. Domingo.
The French declared war in 1736 against the Chickasaws, a war-like tribe that inhabited the Southern States. Bienville, commander of the French, ordered a re-union of the troops to assemble on the 10th of May, 1736, on the Tombigbee River. The gallant D'Artaquette, from Fort Chartres, and the brave Vincennes from the Wabash River, with a thousand warriors were at their post in time, but were forced into battle on the 20th of May without the assistance of the other troops, were defeated and massacred. Bienville shortly afterward, on the 27th of May, 1736, failed in his assault upon the Chickasaw forts on the Tombigbee, where the English flag waved, and was forced to retreat with the loss of his cannons, which forced him to return to New Orleans. In 1740, the French built a fort at the mouth of the St. Francois River, and moved their troops in Fort Assumption, near Memphis, where peace was concluded with the Chickasaws.
The oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi was Kaskaskia, first visited by Father Gravier, date unknown; but he was in Illinois in 1693. He was succeeded by Fathers Pinet and Binetan. Pinet became the founder of Cahokia, where he erected a chapel, and a goodly number of savages assembled to attend the great feast. Father Gabriel, who had chanted mass through Canada, officiated at Cahokia and Kaskaskia in 1711. The missionaries in 1721 established a college and monastery at Kaskaskia; Fort Chartres, in Illinois, was built in 1720, became an important post for the security of the French, and a great protection for the commerce on the Mississippi. "The Company of the West" sent an expedition under Le Sieur to Upper Louisiana about 1720 in search of precious metals, and proceeded up as far as St. Croix and St. Peter's Rivers, where a fort was built, which had to be abandoned owing to the hostilities of the savages.
The French as early as 1705, ascended the Missouri River to open traffic with the Missouris and to take possession of the country. M. Dutism, from New Orleans, with a force, arrived in Saline River, below Ste. Genevieve, moved westward to the Osage River, then beyond this about 150 miles, where he found two large villages located in fine prairies abounding with wild game and buffalo.
France and Spain in 1719 were contending for dominion west of the Mississippi. Spain in 1720 sent from Sante Fe a large caravan to make a settlement on the Missouri River, the design being to destroy the Missouris, a tribe at peace with France. This caravan, after traveling and wandering, lost their way, and marched into the camp of the Missouris, their enemies, where they were all massacred except a priest, who, from his dress, was considered no warrior. After this expedition from Sante Fe upon Missouri, France, under M. DeBourgment, with a force, in 1724 ascended the Missouri, established a fort on an island above the Osage River, named Fort Orleans. This fort was afterward attacked and its defenders destroyed, and by whom was never ascertained.
The town of St. Genevieve was the first settlement west of the Mississippi River, by emigrants from France and Canada, in the year 1735.
The wars between England and France more or less affected the growth of this continent. The war in 1689, known as "King William's war," was concluded by the treaty of Ryswick, 1697; "Queen Anne's war" terminated by the treaty of Utrecht in 1713; "King George's war" concluded by the treaty of Aix la Chapelle in 1748. These wars gave England supremacy in the fisheries, the possession of the bay of Hudson, of Newfoundland and all of Nova Scotia.
The French and Indian wars, between 1754 and 1763---the struggle between England and France as to their dominion in America---commenced at this period. It was a disastrous and bloody war, where both parties enlisted hordes of savages to participate in a warfare conducted in a disgraceful manner to humanity. France at this time had erected a chain of forts from Canada to the great lakes and along the Mississippi Valley. The English controlled the territory occupied by her English colonies. The English claimed beyond the Alleghany Mountains to the Ohio River. The French deemed her right to this river indisputable. Virginia had granted to the "Ohio Company" an extensive territory reaching to the Ohio. Dinwiddie, Governor of Virginia, through George Washington, remonstrated against the encroachment of the French. St. Pierre, the French commander, received Washington with kindness, returned an answer claiming the territory which France occupied. The "Ohio Company" sent out a party of men to erect a fort at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. These men had hardly commenced work on this fort when they were driven away by the French, who took possession and established "Fort du Quesne."
Washington, with a body of provincials from Virginia, marched to the disputed territory, when a party of French under Jumonville was attacked, and all either killed or made prisoners. Washington after this erected a fort called Fort Necessity. From thence Washington proceeded with 400 men toward Fort de Quesne, where, hearing of the advance of M. De Villiers with a large force, he returned to Fort Necessity, where, after a short defense, Washington had to capitulate, with the honorable terms of returning to Virginia.
On the 4th of July, 1754, the day that Fort Necessity surrendered, a convention of colonies was held at Albany, N. Y., for a union of the colonies proposed by Dr. Ben Franklin, adopted by the delegates, but defeated by the English Government. However, at this convention, a treaty was made between the colonies and the "Five Nations," which proved to be of great advantage to England. Gen. Braddock, with a force of 2,000 soldiers, marched against Fort de Quesne. Within seven miles of this fort, he was attacked by the French and Indian allies and disastrously defeated, when Washington covered the retreat, and saved the army from total destruction.
Sir William Johnson, with a large force, took command of the army at Fort Edward. Near this fort, Baron Dieskan and St. Pierre attacked Col. Williams and troop, where the English were defeated, but Sir Johnson, coming to the rescue, defeated the French, who lost in this battle Dieskan and St. Pierre.
On August 12, 1756, Marquis Montcalm, commander of the French army, attacked Fort Ontario, garrisoned by 1,400 troops, who capitulated as prisoners of war, with 134 cannon, several vessels, and a large amount of military stores. Montcalm, destroying this fort, returned to Canada.
By the treaty of peace of Aix la Chapelle of October, 1748, Arcadia, known as Nova Scotia, and Brunswick had been ceded by France to England. When the war of 1754 broke out, this territory was occupied by numerous French families. England, fearing their sympathy for France, cruelly confiscated their property, destroyed their humble homes and exiled them to their colonies in the utmost poverty and distress.
In August, 1857, Marquis Montcalm, with a large army, marched on Fort William Henry, defended by 3,000 English troops. The English were defeated and surrendered on condition that they might march out of the fort with their arms. The savage allies, as they marched out in an outrageous manner, plundered them and massacred some in cold blood, notwithstanding the efforts of the French officers to prevent them. The military campaign so far had been very disastrous to the English, which created quite a sensation in the colonies and in England. At this critical period the illustrious Mr. Pitt, known as Lord Chatham, was placed at the helm of state on account of his talent and statesmanship, and he sent a large naval armament and numerous troops to protect the colonies.
July 8, 1758, Gen. Abercombie, with an army of 15,000, moved on Ticonderoga, defended Marquis Montcalm. After a great struggle the English were defeated with a loss of 2,000 dead and wounded.
August 27, 1758, Col. Bradstreet with a force attacked the French fort, Fort Frontenac, on Lake Ontario, took it with nine armed vessels, sixty cannon and a quantity of military stores, whilst Gen. Forbes moved on Fort de Quesne, and took it, which fort was afterward called Pittsburgh, in honor of Mr. Pitt.
In 1759, the French this year evacuated Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Niagara. Gen. Wolf advanced against Quebec, then defended by the gallant Montcalm, where a terrible and bloody battle took place between the two armies. Gen. Wolf was killed and a great number of English officers. When the brave Wolf was told the English were victorious, he said, "He died contented." Montcalm, when told his wounds were mortal, he said, "So much the better, I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec," which city surrendered September 18, 1759.
In 1760, another battle was fought near Quebec, which drove the English into their fortifications, and were only relieved by the English squadron. Montreal still contended to the last, when she was compelled to surrender, which gave Canada to the English.
Treaty of peace, February 10, 1763. By this France ceded to England all her possessions on the St. Lawrence River, all east of the Mississippi River, except that portion south of Iberville River and west of the Mississippi. At the same time all the territory here reserved being west of the Mississippi, and the Orleans territory was transferred to Spain. France, after all her labors, toil and expenditures, and great loss of life, surrendered to England and Spain her great domain in North America. The history of France, embracing a term of 228 years, is replete with interest and with thrilling events in this country up to 1763.
The defeats of the French in North America greatly led to the establishment of the United States Government. The accomplishment of such a glorious end was largely due to the gallant Frenchmen. As long as the anniversary of the American Independence shall be celebrated, the names of Washington and Lafayette will ever be remembered by a grateful people. We can but congratulate ourselves, as citizens of this great valley, that owing to the sympathy of France and her people under the great Napoleon and the immortal Jefferson, that we to-day are a portion of this grand republic.
The downfall of Quebec was the overthrow of French power in North America. The French supremacy was only overthrown after a long and bloody struggle, and the recoil of the blow that had smitten it down was the cause of another struggle more desolating and widely extended than the first, but ended without accomplishing any political results. In this fierce conflict the red man became the principal actor, and exhibited a degree of sagacity and constancy of purpose never before witnessed in the history of his warfare. The English sent Maj. Robert Clark to take possession of the frontier outposts. The approach of Maj. Clark aroused Pontiac, and he boldly demanded to know their mission. Pontiac was the Napoleon of his race, and suffice it to say here that this movement of the British troops resulted in his great conspiracy, and the destruction of British settlements, and the attack upon Detroit.
On the 13th of August, 1803, the treaty of Vincennes, and the additional treaty of December 30, 1805, was concluded with Kaskaskias, by which they ceded to the United States, all that tract included within a line beginning below the mouth of the Illinois River, and descending the Mississippi to its junction with the Ohio, ascending the latter to the Wabash, and from a certain point up the Wabash west to the Mississippi, embracing the greater part of Southern Illinois, and including Wayne County. This was the act that divested the Indians of their title to the lands the people of the county now possess.*
By act of Congress, February 3, 1809, all that part of the Indian Territory lying "west of the Wabash River, and a direct line drawn from the said Wabash River and Post Vincennes, due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, should constitute Illinois. This, it will be noticed, included Wisconsin. It was the separation of Illinois from Indiana. This act of separating Illinois from Indiana, found a hot anti-separation party in Vincennes, the capital, and the villages and settlements east of that place. The excitement culminated in bloodshed; one of the leading men in favor of the measure was assassinated in the streets of Kaskaskia. The question of separation turned upon the ability of the Illinois members of the Legislature, in session in Vincennes in October, 1808, to elect a Delegate to Congress in place of Benjamin Park, resigned, who should be favorable to the division. The Illinoisans found a suitable candidate in an Indiana member of the House, who was also Speaker, by the name of Jesse B. Thomas, who, for the sake of going to Congress, was ready to violate the sentiments of his constituents upon this question. Thomas gave a bond that he would procure from Congress a separation, and he was triumphantly elected by a majority of one vote---he voted for himself. He was hung in effigy in Vincennes, but he went to Congress and kept his bond and faith with Illinois, and came from Congress with a commission in his pocket for a federal judgeship in Illinois, and he removed to the new State, and thus was secured our great State and an eminent citizen.
William Edwards, at the time Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, became Governor of the new Territory. John Bogle, of the same State, at first received the appointment of Governor, but declined the office and accepted that of Associate Justice of the same court whereof Edwards was Chief Justice.
This brief outline of the history leading up to the final organization of the country that eventually made us what we are, is given for the double purpose of correcting many material facts that have heretofore either not been truly set forth or were deliberately falsified, and to call the attention of the reader to the fact that we are upon grounds that are full of history---history more interesting than any romance---and that every day is growing in interest and importance.
To some extent we prefer to resume the story of the part this locality played in the Revolutionary war in our history of Clay County, because it was through that county the old Vincennes trace was located and it was over this route a portion of the Revolutionary army traveled on its was from Kaskaskia to Vincennes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________| Visit Our Neighbors | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | Clay | Richland | |
| Jefferson |
 |
Edwards | |
| Franklin | Hamilton | White | |
