Outlines of the Political History of Michigan

Preface

This work, was originally intended as a sketch to be used for the purposes of the Centennial Committee of Michigan, and was prepared in more haste than was otherwise desirable. The time allowed for it was not sufficient to permit any very extended researches among original materials. Although, for some twenty years past, the writer has made occasional collections of such material, yet his work must be regarded as largely compiled from his predecessors, who have been so frequently relied on that this general acknowledgment is more appropriate than would be any attempt to credit them in particular places. He has drawn freely from the Lanmans, and Mrs. Sheldon, from the " Historical Sketches of Michigan," and from the local sketches of Judge Witherell and Mr R. E. Roberts, as well as from Parkman and the , French authors — especially Charlevoix, La Hontan, Hennepin, Tonty and Joutel, — correcting them, so far as he could, by the French documents.

In matters concerning the War of 1812, Mr. Lossing's " Field-Book" has been of much service Upon that war there is no lack of authentic documents and histories. Much, also, which has not been recorded by the historians, has been found scattered through early and modern biographies, books of travel, and other less pre tentious works, as well as in newspapers and private

PREFACE.

. writings ; and many interesting facts appear incidentally in public documents and land books and other local records. The early recording officers placed on record a great many private papers which were not muniments of title, but related to family matters. A long residence in Detroit has given some oppor tunities for procuring information from living sources, and for observing things which were not without value for reference. It has also enabled the writer to understand and explain some things which could hardly be com prehended from writings alone. Many gentlemen have busied themselves with gathering and preserving his torical material, and have accumulated much that, with sufficient time and labor, will be some day made a very valuable addition to the annals of Michigan and the Northwest.

Besides the numerous documents preserved by the Historical Society, and the narratives and sketches gathered by the Pioneer Society, it is not im proper to mention Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, Hon. Charles I. Walker, Robert E. Roberts, Esq., Bela Hubbard, Esq., and Hon. Levi Bishop, as active workers in this field. It is to be hoped that the results of Judge Walker's diligent researches will be given to the public in a durable form. To all these gentlemen, as well as to Hon. E. A. Brush, and many other personal friends, who have aided him by information and suggestions, the writer records his acknowledgments. He trusts that his imperfect sketch will not be without some value, as a contribution upon a subject which, as yet, has been very far from receiving ex haustive treatment from any one. Detroit, May i, 1876. Page I CONTENTS

Chapter I

. Preliminary. No popular government until Councils of 1824 and 1827. Chief growth has been since that time. Eventful close of the first half century of the United States. Michigan of French origin, and with institutions unlike those of English colonies. Part of New France and Canada. French writers and explorers. La Salle, Hennepin, Tonty, La Hontan, Charlevoix. Full records in the Department of the Marine. French regime despotic and peculiar. Attention of government extended to private affairs. Intrigues in Church and State. Publication of old records by New York. Collections in Canada and elsewhere

Chapter II

Early explorations. Michigan was a part of New France. Settlements delayed by its Canadian connection, in the interests of fur trade and of missions. Date of discovery unknown. Ancient resort for beavers and furs. Hurons or Ouendats. Le Detroit, or the Strait, known very early. Champlain and the Recollet Missions. Michigan not held by the Iroquois. Missions in the Upper Peninsula. Raymbault, Jogues, Mesnard. Mission of St. Ignace and Mackinaw. Pere Marquette. Coureurs de bois and fur trade. Character of contraband adventurers. Bushrangers the first explorers and soldiers. Jesuit missionaries opposed to settlements S

Chapter III

Preparation for Western occupation. Territorial ambition of Louis XIV. Supposed route to China and the Indies. Contest between friends and enemies of exploration. Expeditions sent out by Talon towards South Sea. St. Lusson at the Sault de Ste. Marie. Success of French in dealing with Indians La- Salle's first expedition not completed. Joliet, Dollier and Galinee. Dollier and Galinee destroy an idol at Detroit. Trade monopoly and contraband. Coureurs de bois restrained CONTENTS VI Page 20 by law. Eminence of their leaders. The regiment of Carig nan Salieres. English encroachments. Hudson's Bay Com pany. New York ceded to the English. Colbert offers re wards for discovery. The Religious Orders and their influence. Grandfontaine sends out Joliet. Voyage to Akansas country. La Salle ennobled, and authorized to explore.

Tonty. Pre parations for journey. The Griffin. Skilled mechanics. Ri bourde, Membre, Hennepin, Missionaries. Launch and voyage of the Griffin. Reaches the Detroit August ioth, 1679

Chapter IV

Early settlements in Michigan. La Salle sends men to Michigan to wait for him. Teuchsa Grondie and the early settlements on the Strait. Karontaen, whether the same as Carontouan. Many forms of the same names. Champlain's knowledge of the Strait. Griffin at the Detroit. At Lake Ste. Claire on St. Claire's Day. Lake Ste. Claire known as Otsiketa, Chaudiere, Kandekio and Ganatchio. La Salle reaches Mackinaw and goes southwest. At St. Joseph. Strife with Iroquois and English for the fur trade. Eminent adventurers. l)u Luth, De la Foret, Durantaye, Lusigny. Duchesneau complains of Frontenac and Du Luth as favoring contraband trade. Amnesty to coureurs de bois. Colonial intrigues. Du- Luth goes to France. Importance of Lake Erie. Correspondence between De la Barre and Governor Dongan. Denonville sends Du Luth to build Fort St. Joseph, at the outlet of Lake Huron.

McGregory and Roseboom expeditions and capture. Tonty, La Foret, Durantaye, Du Luth and Beauvais de Tilly go east with the prisoners, to join the Seneca campaign. La- Hontan sent to Fort St. Joseph. Lafontaine Marion, guide to McGregory, shot. Grisolon de la Tourette, brother to Daniel Grisolon Du Luth. Iroquois claim against French control of the Detroit. Mackinaw an important point. Hurons and Ottawas. Industry of the Hurons. Fort St. Joseph abandoned. La Motte Cadillac. New York covets the western trade. Coureurs de bois or bushlopers valuable to the Colonies. Cadillac proposes a fort at Detroit. Livingston recognizes importance of getting Detroit or Wawyachtenok. Cadillac goes to France to lay his plans before the King. Authorized to found Detroit. Fort Pontchartrain ->(,

Chapter V

Detroit under Cadillac. Iroquois complain of French occupancy. Convey their claims to William III. Lake Erie and its various names. Iroquois not claimants of Michigan Importance CONTENTS. VII Page 55 of water-ways. Description of the Strait and its islands. Why the post was not placed on Grosse He. Bois-blanc Island. Fortifications at Detroit. Cattle and horses. Buildings. D'Aigremont's report. Indians settle at Detroit. Trouble with Jesuits. Cadillac and his measures. Restraint of liquor traffic. Monopoly of Canada Company. Danger from English intrigues. Intrigues against Cadillac. Ordered to Quebec for trial. Vindicated by Count Pontchartrain. Aigremont's spite. Conges or licenses. Delays in settlement. Census. Cadil lac's seigneurie. Plans for improving Indians and enlarging settlement. Feudal grants of land. Wheat introduced. Mills. Enlightened views. Cadillac Governor of Louisiana

Chapter VI

French rule. Detroit the only civil settlement. Subject to English schemes. French system opposed to freedom of action. French settlers brave and enterprising. No courts of justice. Public notaries and their functions. Disposal of Cadillac's interests. Madame Gregoire, his grand - daughter. La Foret succeeds Cadillac. Du Buisson commands during his absence. Detroit besieged by Mascoutins and Outagamies. Succored by Potawatamies, Hurons, Illinois, Missouris and Osages. Fort relieved, and great slaughter of besiegers. Tonty the younger. La Foret's views concerning the post. Description of Indians. Superiority of Hurons. Visit of Charlevoix. Domestic animals and crops. Prerogatives of the commander. Lands controlled by Governor and Intendant. Trade monopoly under younger Tonty. Licenses to privileged traders.

Popular remonstrances and Tonty's annoyance. Improvement under Beauharnois as Governor, and Hocquart as Intendant. Beauharnois favors settlements and makes concessions of land. Boishebert, Commandant, sanctions a water-mill. Moulin banal. Detroit government grants held in roture and not by feudal tenure. Hugues Pean and Bigot. Few grants perfected by patent as required. Cadillac and Repentigny the only grantees of seigneuiies. Trading licenses granted freely. Commanders at Detroit, Pajot, Deschaillons de St. Ours, Desnoyelles, Noyan, Sabrevois, Celoron, Longueuil, De Muy, Bellestre. Indian settlements in Michigan. L'Arbre Croche. Liberal views of Maurepas, Beauharnois, La Jonquiere^and De la Galissonniere. The Phelyppeaux family, and places named in their honor. He Phelyppeaux in Lake Superior a national boundary.

Its disappearance. Navarre Deputy Intendant at Detroit Notary and tabellion. Tenure of lands within the Fort. Conditions to keep up pickets. British and Iroquois intrigues with the Hurons at Detroit. Huron mission village at Bois-blanc. Iro- CONTENTS. Page 77 in quois on White River. Trade suffers. Celoron and Joncaire on the Ohio. Indian rising and massacre planned at Detroit. Chiefs sent to Quebec. Attack on sett'ement at Grosse He. Capture of ring leaders. One killed, and one commits suicide. Richardie and Potier, Huron missionaries. Huron Mission removed from Bois-blanc to Sandwich. Resistance to English advance on Ohio. Galissonniere urges sending out settlers. Fauxsaulniers or salt smugglers to be sent out. Colonial in dustries favored by French, but opposed by English. Settlers sent out from France to Detroit.

Scarcity. Detroit enlarged. Repentigny settles at Sault de Ste. Marie. War with England. Detroit sends troops and supplies. Piquote de Bellestre active. Acadian refugees. Bellestre the last French commandant. Detroit included in Montreal capitulation. Surrendered to Robert Rogers. Account of Bellestre

Chapter VII

Michigan under British military rule. Few interests for law to operate on. Detroit, Mackinaw and Sault de Ste. Marie the only settlements. Fort Mackinaw then in Lower Peninsula. Population of Detroit. Slaves. Panis. Buffaloes. General Gage and Sir William |ohnson. Chabert de Joncaire. Robert Rogers. Royal American Regiment. Pontiac meets the British near the Cuyahoga. Arrogant conduct of British officers towards Indians. Captain Donald Campbell first commandant at Detroit. Albany traders Trade regulations. Pontiac begins scheming. Effect of Treaty of Paris. French popular with Indians. Events at Mackinaw. Post captured by stratagem of ball-play. Conduct of various Indian tribes. Etherington. Gorrell. Henry. Tolerance of Indian barbarities. Detroit during the Pontiac jwar. Siege. Gladwin, Campbell, McDougall, Rogers, Dalzell.

Massacre of F'isher at Hog Island. Cuillerier. Intervention of Chapoton, Godfroy and La Butte. Murder of Major Donald Campbell and escape of McDougall. Battle of Bloody Run. Siege raised. Bradstreet's Treaty. Tricks and mistakes of interpreters. Need of civil government. Royal proclamation continued martial law. British suspicions against loyalty of French. Popularity of Scottish officers. British authorities opposed to civil settlements. Fur trade. Tndian grants. Temporary courts established by the commandant. Dejean and Le Grand justices. Irregularities at Mackinaw. Misconduct of Robert Rogers. Alexander Henry on Lake Superior. Mining and copper discoveries. Condition of Detroit settlements. Potawatamie grants. Royal officers at Detroit. No newspapers in Province. Quebec Act passed .. CONTENTS. IX Page 153

Chapter VIII

Michigan under British law. Purpose and operation of the Quebec Act. Opposed by liberals. Petitions for its repeal disregarded. Zachary Macaulay. Western posts continued under martial law. Lieutenant governors appointed. Henry Hamilton at Detroit. No regular courts till 1788. Lay judges. Justice Reaume. Dejean's multifarious duties. Continued in his limited magistracy. Liquor selling regulated by agreement among merchants. American Revolution did not reach Michigan. Garret Graverat charged with disloyalty. Execution of prisoners sentenced capitally by Dejean without authority. Captain Lernoult in command. Relations of Dejean with Lieutenant Governor Hamilton. Further unlawful Indian grants. Loyalty of French at Detroit. Difference between French and English colonists. Destruction of American settlements.

Policy of preventing civilization. Events in Indiana and Illinois. Hamilton's expeditions. DePeyster at Mackinaw and his auxiliary attempts. Forays from Detroit. George Rogers Clark captures Vincennes. Hamilton, Hay, Dejean and others, detained prisoners. Their treatment in Virginia. DePevster commanding at Detroit. -Vets as chaplain in marriages and other duties. His character. Bird's expedition to Kentucky. Moravians in Michigan. Zeisberger and others settle on Huron (Clinton) River of Lake St. Clair. New Gnadenhutten. John Hay lieutenant governor. First road in Michigan built to Moravian settlement. Fort Mackinaw moved to Island of Michilimackinac. Detroit and other posts retained by Great Britain, in violation of treaty of peace. Records removed to Quebec. Indian hostilities encouraged against the United States.

Brant. Canada divided. Upper Canada made a common law province. Simcoe lieutenant governor. Grants to American Tory refugees. British build fort at Maumee Rapids. Wayne's campaign and victories. Treaty of Greenville. Jay's treaty provides for surrender of posts to the United States. Fraudulent Indian grants in anticipation of surrender. Possession taken of Detroit

Chapter IX

Michigan under the Northwest Territory and Indiana. Territory coveted by the British. Plan to obtain it by purchase. Disloyalty at Green Bay and Sault de Ste. Marie. Election of many citizens to retain allegiance to Great Britain. Jonathan Schiefflin. Pleasant social lelations. Slaves. Rights preserved by Jay's Treatv. Wayne County organized. Militia Courts. X CONTENTS. Page Ordinance of 1787. Courts at Detroit yearly. Jacob Burnet. John Cleves Symmes. Arthur St. Clair, Jr. Bluejacket. Buckongahelas. Honors to the Governor's son. Indians injured by contact with American settlers. Flourishing business at Detroit. Style of living. French noblesse. Marietta colonists. Solomon Sibley. Lewis Cass in Ohio. Amusements. Elections for General Assembly. Character of legislation. Schools. Division of Territory.

Seat of government removed to Chillicothe. Detroit incorporated. Chillicothe riots. Schiefflin's courage. Ohio Constitutional Convention. Wayne County not represented. Michigan attached to Indiana. Detroit described. Domestic life. Dispute concerning national boundary. Boisblanc Island and Maiden. Government trading posts. Commission to settle land titles. Michigan set off as a Territory '98

Chapter X

Governor Hull's civil administration. Political contests of that period. No new settlements in Michigan away from the border. Population. Importation of Territorial officers. Evils of their local ignorance. Governor, Secretary and Judges. Burning of Detroit. New town planned. Legislation of Governor and Judges. Court districts. Lotteries for public purposes. Woodward's plan of Detroit. Militia. Land titles. Discords among the Governor and Judges. Bank of Detroit incorporated, and annulled by Congress. Kidnapping British deserters. Slaves. Indian treaty concessions of land. Delays in public surveys. Indian alarms. Detroit stockaded. Negro soldiers. Quarrels of Hull and Woodward. Social affairs. Schools. First printing press. " Michigan Essay." Father Gabriel Richard. Indian troubles. Tecumseh and the Prophet.

British intrigues. Maiden agency. Elliott and McKee. Henry's mission to New England. Indians defeated at Tippecanoe. Governor Hull goes to Washington. Evils of having no newspapers. Sweeping repeal of all old laws, British, French and Territorial. No local self government. Currency. Taxation. Imperfect legal system. Burr's conspiracy and neutrality laws 232

Chapter XI

Governor Hull's military administration. Early omissions and mistakes of the Government. Hull's antecedents. His opinions on military policy. Rated by his Revolutionary services under different circumstances. War measures adopted. Troops levied. Call on Ohio for soldiers. Hull in command of Ohio troops and regulars. March towards Detroit. Baggage and invalids CONTENTS XI Page sent by vessel and captured. Hull receives notice of war on the way from Maumee to Detroit. British received earlier notice. Reaches Detroit. Delays crossing till advices from Washington. Enters Canada and issues proclamation. Expe ditions of Cass and McArthur. Delays offensive measures. Mackinaw captured. Traders in British interest. Proctor at Maiden. Battles of Monguagon and Brownstown. Hull retires from Canada. Chicago massacre.

Brock at Maiden. Batteries built at Sandwich without interference from Hull. Discontent. Cass and McArthur sent towards River Raisin. British open fire from Canada. Cross Detroit River without resistance. Hull sur renders. Dishonorable terms of capitulation. Captain Brush refuses to be included. Sustained by court martial. Court called to try Hull. Dissolved because he has not been exchanged. New court called on his exchange. Conviction and sentence that he be shot. Sentence remitted. Hull's defence and sub sequent effort at vindication. Discussion of the subject 266

Chapter XII

British possession and American reconquest of Michigan. Cass reports at Washington upon the facts of Hull's military transactions. Brock's proclamation. Discussion upon true contents of articles of surrender. Proctor in command. Organizes temporary government. Depredations and spoliations. Attempt to turn citizens to disloyalty. Indian threats. Excitement in the West. Capture of Revolutionary trophies at Detroit. Brock knightedy Capture of the Detroit and Caledonia, armed vessels, by Elliott, near Buffalo. Harrison's forces gathering in Ohio. Maiden to be assailed. Winchester's defeat on the Raisin. Proctor's treachery. Massacre of the wounded. Fate of Woolfolk, Hart, Graves and others. Dr. McKeehan's adventures. Ransom of prisoners, and Proctor's prohibition of further ransom. Woodward's spirited conduct.

Cruelty to prisoners. Banishment of Americans from Detroit. Kentucky volunteers. Ohio campaign. Fort Meigs besieged. Capture of relieving force, and Indian barbarities. Tecumseh more merciful than Proctor. Siege raised. Failure of plan for second attack. Assault on Fort Stephenson, and brave defence by Major Croghan. Retreat of British and Indians. Governor Shelby raises volunteers and leads them. The mounted rangers. Richard M. Johnson. Okemos. Perry prepares a fleet and sails from Erie. Defeats British fleet in Battle of Lake Erie. Transports troops to Canada. Proctor's cowardice. Retreats from Maiden. Evacuates Detroit and retreats up the Thames. Detroit occu- CONTENTS XII Page pied by American troops. Hull's flagstaff not used. Pursuit of Proctor and Battle of the Thames. Tecumseh killed.

In dians submit to Harrison. Expeditions of McArthur and Holmes. Failure to retake Mackinaw. Neglect of Michigan to commemorate her rescuers. Honors to Captain Hart. Re union of veterans at Monroe 329

Chapter XIII

Administration of Governor Cass. Lewis Cass Governor and William Woodbridge Secretary of the Territory. Indians troublesome. Treaty of peace with tribes. Insolence of British officers in Canada. Search of American vessels at Maiden. Bounty lands appropriated in Michigan for soldiers Report of surveyors that no fit lands could be found. False statements concerning the country. Counties organized. Indiana and Illinois organized, and part of Michigan annexed. Territory extended beyond Lake Michigan. Visit of President Monroe. Sword presented to General Alexander Macomb from the State of New York. "Detroit Gazette" established. Unsound currency. Michigan University chartered, and receives various gifts. Sales ot public lands. New counties. County Commissioners appointed. Increase of lake commerce.

Land carriage by pack horses. Ponies. People reject offer of representative government. Re-interment of Captain Hart. The steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, the first lake steamboat. Symmes's Ho'e. Churches incorporated. Delegate to Congress authorized to be elected. Bank of Michigan. First steam-voyage to Mackinaw Governor Cass's expedition to the sources of the Mississippi. The British hold Drummond's Island and subsidize Indians. Thomas, the great chief of the Menomimes. Indians at the Sault insolent and raise the British flag. Cass pulls it down. Treaty concluded. Territorial system of criminal law. Mischief of British presents to Indians. Congress creates new court for the upper country. Large business there. Territory re-organized with legislative council. Judges legislated out of office. Changes in offices.

Court house built and used as capitol. Curious manuscript. Meeting of council and change of officers. Erie canal. " Michigan Herald" established. Governor Cass appoints officers on popular selection. Captain Burtis's horse-boat, and the steamer " Argo." Indian captives. Cass and McKenney's expedition. Roads. Fort Shelby at Detroit abandoned. Kishkaukon charged with murder. Commits suicide. Councilmen to be chosen directly by the people. Supervisor system adopted in counties. Laws concerning colored people. Export of flour and tobacco. Changes on the bench. Sheldon contempt case. First railroad charter to CONTENTS. XIII •d Pa8c Pontiac and Detroit Railroad. Excitement over French Revolution of 1830. De Tocqueville hears of it between Detroit and Saginaw. Political removals and appointments of General Jack son. Cass made Secretary of War. Leading men and social affairs 111 his time. Revised Code of 1827 . 376

Chapter XIV

Last years of the Territory. Rapid increase of population. Judicial system. Good character of settlers. People desire to manage their own affairs. Dislike of foreign appointments. Stevens T. Mason appainted Secretary while under age. Public remonstrance. George B. Porter made Governor. Turbulence of young politicians. Death of Judge Trumbull, the author of McFingal. George Morell and Ross Wilkins appointed in lieu ot Judges Woodbridge and Chipman. Popular vote to become a State. Black Hawk war. Cholera. Extension of Michigan . Territory beyond the Mississippi. Death of Governor Porter Boundary commission. Henry D. Gilpin nominated as Governor and rejected by the Senate. Preparations to organize Wisconsin. Preliminary steps for State organization Difficulties with Ohio about boundary. Adoption of State constitution, and election of State officers and representatives in Congress.

Charles Shaler appointed Secretary of the Territory and declines the appointment. John S. Horner accepts it. Arrives and is not well received. Lucius Lyon and John Norvell chosen Senators. Congress refuses to admit the State until the people in convention vield their southern boundary to Ohio. Regular convention rejects the terms Irregular or " Frostbitten" convention accepts them, and the State is admitted. Co-existence of State and Territorial officers for certain purposes 425 CHATTER XV. Michigan under the Constitution of 1835. Sketch of the constitution. Condition of public travel in 1835. Sanguine expectations of prosperity. Educational measures. Internal improvements. Geological survey. Banking laws. Bounties for manufactures. Five million dollars loan and its unfortunate history. Large appropriations for railroads and canals: Frauds and defaults in the agents of the loan State scrip and State warrants resorted to to meet liabilities.

Canal at Sault Ste. Marie stopped by United States troops. Remarks on government reserves. Governor Mason. Revised statutes of 1838. New revision in 1846. CONTENTS. Page Changes in judicial system. " Patriot War" or Canadian Rebel lion. Expatriation question. Free schools in Detroit. Scrip called in. Political changes. Governor Barry. Movements to improve Indians. Fictitious surveys of public lands. Indian names of northern counties changed. Sale of State railroads. Mexican War. Changes in the Courts. Capital punishment abolished. The Upper Peninsula and its mines. System of surveys. Burt's solar compass. Asylums. Normal School. University. Land Office. Capital removed to Lansing. Adop tion of new Constitution 480

Chapter XVI

Michigan under the Constitution of 1850. Comparison of the two Constitutions. Governors of Michigan. Swamp land grant. Ship canal at the Sault de Ste. Marie built. Mormon occupation of Beaver Island. King Strang. His assassination. Spoiling the Mormons. Obstacles to legal proceedings in the Upper Peninsula. Prohibitory liquor laws. University affairs. State Reform School. State charitable institutions and commission of charities. Grand jury system changed. Rise of the Republican Party. Military affairs. Embezzlement of State moneys by John Mc- Kinney, State Treasurer. John Owen, his successor, raised funds on his own credit until the tax levies came in. War preparations on the eve of the Rebellion. Michigan during the Rebellion. Rebel seizure of the steamboat Philo Parsons. Governors of the State.

Judicial changes. Senators. Attempts to revise the Constitution and their failure. Aid-bonds Agricultural College grants. Salt. Destruction of timber. Philanthropic legislation and measures to carry it out. New State Capitol. State Library. Lady Librarian. Salaries. Summary of progress 540 Note to Pace 418. — The writer was misled in regard to Mr. De Tocquevilie, by a friend's hasty reference, which he discovered, (too late for correction in the text,) arose from a misapprehension. The Memoir of De Tocquevilie refers to the first anniversary of the Revolution of July, which he spent in the Michigan woods in the next year, 183 1, and not to the Revolution itself. He was in France in 1830.- The very lively emotion shown in the reference was retrospective. OUTLINES OF THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF MICHIGAN. OUTLINES OF THE Political History of Michigan.

Chapter I. Preliminary

The political history of Michigan, as a com munity governed by its own laws, dates back but half a century. In the summer of 1824 the first Legislative Council met, composed of nine mem bers, selected by the President and confirmed by the Senate of the United States out of eighteen persons chosen by the voters of Michigan Territory. In 1827, for the first time a Council of thirteen sat, who were chosen directly by popular vote. Since that time the affairs of the people have been con trolled by their own representatives, subject, during the territorial stage, to a veto of the Gover nor appointed by the United States, and to revision by Congress ; and since the organization of the State to a qualified veto by their own Governor. INTERESTING ERA. [Chap. I. If that only is political history which covers the life of the people as a political commonwealth, it would be safe to begin at the period of en franchisement, and to confine our attention to the fortunes of this region since that time.

The whole population of European descent was then less than twenty thousand. The cultivated lands, if placed together, would not have covered a single county. For about half the year there was no intercourse with the outer world. The completion of the Erie Canal was opening the way for that great course of emigration which has since brought into the West more people than were at that time to be found in all the Northern States ; and for some years thereafter a large share of those who left New York and New England to find new homes in the Northwest settled in Michigan. Several of our flourishing towns were founded then or soon after. The times were notable for other reasons. Some disputed questions of boundary and in demnity under treaties with Great Britain had just been determined, and the line between the British and American islands in the dividing waters of this frontier had been ascertained, so that the limits of our jurisdiction were fixed for the first time. - ~ The completed half century of the republic found us in treaty relations with the Empire of Russia, and with the new American Republics of North and South America, which our example Chap. I.] ORIGIN OF INSTITUTIONS. had led to independence.

The first combined arrangements had been made with Great Britain for checking the slave trade, which the completion of the century finds practically abolished. The history of Michigan, from that period, is one of very rapid progress, and the last fifty years have been remarkable years for the whole civilized world. But the earliest days of the life of any people must always have some influence on the future, and usually one which determines in no small degree the character of popular institutions and progress. The institutions of the United States are mostly natural developments from those of the earliest settlements ; and those, again, were modifications of the older British customs, which have been vigorous and adaptable since times more distant than any of which we have complete histories.

The settlements in Michigan were made very early, and the Canadian annals, to which our first history belongs, date back of most of those of the English colonies. The beginnings of Cana dian colonization appeared more promising than those of New England or Virginia. None of the thirteen commonwealths that declared their inde pendence had ever been watched by Great Britain with that solicitude which was spent on the French provinces by their home government, or which has been bestowed on Canada since the other British possessions separated from it. EARLY FRENCH WRITERS. [Chap. I. If the commonwealths within the United States prospered under neglect, and their neighbors suffered from too much home attention, perhaps the experience of a region which has been through both experiences may not be altogether without value as an example of what may be followed, and what may be shunned.

The leading features of the colonial history of Michigan, so far as they show its experience in matters of government, may be given briefly. No sketch would be complete without them. The purposes of this outline will not allow an extended narrative of those romantic adventures which add so much life to the annals of this region. Historians have loved to dwell upon them, and under the hands of such artists as Park man they have assumed the shape and color of present reality. The older writers have pre served many brilliant sketches of the remarkable events of their times. Hennepin, always graphic, if not always reliable, was one of the first, if not the very first, who gave a minute description of the country about the great lakes, and who detailed the beginnings of La Salle's discoveries more faithfully than their sequel.

La Hontan, who has also been charged with exaggeration in some things, and with some sheer inventions, is never theless fully corroborated by other witnesses, in a great part of his personal narrative, so far as it concerns our affairs. Charlevoix, who was historian as well as traveller, has left works of sterling Chap. I] COLONIAL DISCORDS. merit and great interest, and his style is very attractive. He too has left much unsaid, and has, probably without sinister intentions, colored his picture according to the strong prejudices of his order. The discoveries made among the old records of the Department of the Marine, and in family and other collections, have rendered much of the old histories very unreliable. These papers, which are now coming to the light, show a very strange condition of affairs.

There seems never to have been a time when harmony prevailed among all the influential persons or authorities. The Gover nor was frequently and perhaps generally at war with the Intendant, upon questions of vital policy. The ecclesiastics were opposed to the views of the civil officers, and the religious orders were arrayed secretly or openly against each other. Official letters written in one sense were qualified by private despatches in another. Every leading man had spies upon his conduct, who were them selves watched by other spies. The whole truth seldom reached France from any source ; and the only means of redress open to many of the lead ing spirits of the colony against those who per sistently thwarted the Royal intentions in their favor, was a personal appeal to the King or his ministers in the mother country.