of the large force of French and Indians, under de Lignerie, in 1728, is the last expedition of which we have any accurate account; and this account, as we have given it, was procured from the archives at Paris. Much information relative to the early history of this portion of New France and Louisiana, undoubtedly yet remains among those archives, which has never yet been given to the world; its production is certainly much to be desired. In 1746, the northern tribes, under Mackinac, (the Turtle,) combined against the French at Detroit: these tribes are said to have been the Iroquois; it is not said that the Foxes were a party. Pontiac assisted the French, and, in 1763, he spoke of such aid as having been given by him, seventeen years before. There is no certain record of any expedition against the Foxes in 1746, and yet it is said that an engagement took place in that year, at the Great Butte des Mort, the old stronghold of the Foxes. It is very probable that about this period, or at some time between 1728 and 1746, the Sacs and Foxes removed from their old dwelling-places along the Fox River, and went down the Wisconsin and Rock Rivers, and across the Mississippi, where they have ever since remained. A traditionary account of the expedition against the Foxes was given by an aged French settler 2 at Prairie du Chien, a few years since, to this effect: "A detachment of a considerable number of men, under the command of Monsieur Morand, was sent from Mackinac in a boat, in all respects resembling a traders' boat, which ascended the Fox River from Green Bay. The soldiers were concealed in the boat by a covering of skins, and they cautiously proceeded undiscovered, in this manner, up the river as far as the Great Butte des Morts, since so called, at which place was the great village of the Ottagamies. On their arrival here, the Foxes, as usual, appeared in full force on the banks of the river, in order to stop the boat, and exact from the supposed traders the customary payment of tribute. 1 Martin's Hist. Disc. 2 Michael Brisbois. Capt. Morand had with him in the boat a swivel g charged with canister and grape; the signal was giv covering of the boat was immediately thrown off, and from the concealed soldiers, together with a dischar the swivel, did murderous execution on the thickly Ottagamies. Scarcely had they time to recover from th surprise, when a repetition of discharges from the mi and the cannon nearly annihilated the whole tribe. believed that more than a thousand of their chiefs and with women and children, fell at this time. Their bur sequently has given to this spot the name of Le Bu Morts,' the Hill of the Dead.1 "The expedition returned to Mackinac without lo the remainder of the band of Foxes soon after left th of the country, and moved west of the Mississippi." There is certainly a confusion of dates, or blending dents, in these accounts. One expedition is said to hav in the winter, by land; the other in the summer, by and both under Captain Morand. Carver's account, been obtained in 1766, refers distinctly to the year 170 traditionary account of the water expedition must refe much later period, and the commander's name is inaccu given. As to the great battle on the Fox River in there is no account of it, to which we can refer with an tainty; and with respect to the period and the cause o building up of the Great Butte des Morts, we are altogethe in uncertainty. It is worthy of remark that Carver, wh there in 1766, or in the immediate vicinity, does not me it; and it is probable that if such mound was then the was an ancient mound, and the account that it was raised the dead who had fallen in Morand's expedition, is incor for Carver received his tradition of that expedition fro old Indian, and surely the remarkable circumstances res ing the great burial mound would not have been forgotte such facts existed, and the mound was then to be seen. 1 See Note K. Around Lake Superior there had hitherto been no attempts at settlement and cultivation, except at the immediate missionary establishments at the Sault de St. Marie, and at Chagouemegon; the few trading-posts, which were frequented at stated seasons, could not be looked upon as settlements. Although it is known that the early missionaries were well acquainted with the richness of that region in the production of copper, and that their letters speak not only of the vast mass of native copper found in the Ontonagon, but of numerous other places where the mineral was found in abundance; yet there is no evidence of any attempts having been made, to any extent, to turn these mineral discoveries to advantage. After the conquest of Canada by the English, a company of adventurers from England had undertaken to work these mines, but the distracted situation of American affairs obliged them to relinquish their scheme.' There is abundant evidence, at this day found in the copper region, of a working of these mines, at some far distant period, and by some unknown people, that excites our curiosity, without in any degree satisfying it. In some of the old mines have been found various matters indicating a knowledge of mining as pursued at the present day, and the possession of tools, the manufacture of which could not with much propriety be attributed to our present races of Indians. Stone hammers have been found in large quantities, (equal to ten cartloads ;) they are made of green stone, or porphyry pebble, with single and double grooves, by which a withe was attached; such are not uncommon in other parts of the country; but a copper gad, with the head much battered, a copper chisel, with a socket for the handle, a copper knife, fragments of a wooden bowl to dip water, numerous levers of wood, used in raising the mass of copper to the surface; all denoting work performed by a people of whom there exists neither record nor tradition. Remnants of charcoal have been found in many places, and pits have been explored, which had formerly been sunk some fourteen feet 1 Carver's Travels; Henry's Travels. deep, following the course of copper veins; these been discovered in extending continuous lines-at twelve miles, and at another, thirty miles; and upor of earth, thrown out of one of them, grew a pine tre in circumference; the annular growths of a hemlo was cut down, (growing on a mound, under simila stances,) counted three hundred and ninety-five yea on Isle Royale, which had been filled up with su earth, was opened; the old mine had been worked solid rock nine feet, the walls being perfectly smoot bottom was found a vein of native copper eightee thick, including a sheet of pure copper lying against wall.1 It is well known, that copper rings, designed for are frequently met with in the Western mounds. these copper rings a strong link in the chain of evi connect the ancient mining of the Lake Superior reg the earth-works of the Mississippi Valley? Who nations that peopled these regions? Whence did the How have they passed away, and left in the bosom mother Earth the only traces of their existence ?— tions that time and research have not yet solved, and be content to leave them in the mystery with which enveloped. 1 Foster and Whitney's Report, 1850, passim. -at one p emlock imilar e years. h surrou orked thr mooth; hteen is ainst the for brace ds. Ar f evide region. ho were ! they con som of th ?-are and wer ch they CHAPTER III. UNDER BRITISH DOMINION. Treaty of 1763-England possesses all New France and Louisiana-Protection of eminent domain-Carver's Grant-Illinois and Wabash Companies -Classes of grants in the Territory of Michigan, and in WisconsinDe Vaudreuil's Grant-French inhabitants under English rule-Indians unfriendly to the English-Pontiac's designs-His great confederacyCalls a grand council, and states his plans to them-Unexpected attacks on the British posts-Black rain at Detroit-Surprise and capture of Michillimackinac-Henry's personal account of it-Fort at Green Bay abandoned-Fort at St. Joseph's captured-Situation of Detroit-Stratagem of Pontiac-Discovered and prevented-Siege of Detroit-Barbarities of the Indians-Reinforcements arrive-Captain Dalyell's sortie, defeat, and death-Siege abandoned by the Indians-Arrival of General Bradstreet -Concludes a peace with the Indian tribes-Pontiac does not consentHis death-His character-Absence of settlements in Wisconsin-Captain Carver's intentions and attempts-His travels and remarks-No Europeans on the Upper Mississippi, as settlers, in 1766-Evidence as to Carver's Grant-The Illinois country-Peaceable settlements of the French -Their mode of life-Their villages and general regulations of propertyTranquillity and happiness—Their religion-Changes under British rule— Settlements decline-Emigration to Spanish Louisiana-Population of the Illinois country-British occupy the forts-Col. Clark's Expedition—His plan adopted by Virginia-British influence over Indians the source of the depredations on the frontier settlements-Claims of Virginia to the Northwest, by her royal charters-Clark assembles his force-Descends the Ohio-Marches overland to Kaskaskia-Captures the town and fortFears of the inhabitants--They apply to Clark-His answer--Their rejoicings-Cahokia surrenders-Fort Sackville, or Vincennes, submits— Oath of allegiance taken-Clark establishes forts-County of Illinois established by Virginia-Indians make treaties with Clark-The British governor collects his forces-Resolves to make Clark prisoner-Governor Hamilton's character-He arrives before Vincennes-Captain Helm alone |