The early history of Michigan, from the first settlement to 1815.

Front matter

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Preface

Three years since, while editing a literary periodical in Detroit, I commenced the publication of such facts as I could obtain concerning the early history of Michigan. Hon. Lewis Cass becoming interested in them, generously presented me with a large collection of manuscripts, containing official and narrative letters relating to the early French settlement, which he procured from the Colonial Archives at Paris, during his residence there as Minister Plenipotentiary. On examination of these papers, I found them interesting and valuable, furnishing many links in the broken chain of the early history of the Northwest.

Encouraged by the commendation and proffered assistance of Eev. H. D. Kitchel, Capt. E. B. Ward, Rev. 0. C. Thompson, and Messrs. U. Tracy Howe, George F. Porter, Henry Hurlbut, and Robert E. Roberts, of Detroit, I undertook the task of translating and compiling the manuscripts, hoping thereby to be of some service to the American reader, and especially to the inhabitants of Michigan and other portions of the great Northwest.

In this translation I was assisted by a native Parisian, and by an accomplished French scholar from Boston, Mass. The translation was made with the greatest possible care, every sentence being revised and compared with the original. "Whatever the

PREFACE.

work may lack in beauty of diction, and gracefulness of expression, unwearied pains have been taken to make it bistorically correct.

I bave cbosen to embody in tbe work tbe manuscripts themselves, ratber tban to give tbe facts in a more modern style, partly because tbe unique mode of expression often used bas attractions to my own mind, and partly because most bistorical readers love tbat wbicb bas tbe savor of antiquity, and prefer tbe original of an old book to tbe most polished modern version. Tbe names of all persons and places, and of some few words having a local signification, have been spelled as in the original manuscripts, except Michilimackinac, which in some instances was spelled Missilimakina ; but, this being an Indian word, I have preferred Schoolcraft's orthography.

Though a large portion of this volume is composed of the manuscripts, much research has been necessary to obtain corroborating testimony and connecting facts. The principal authorities which have been consulted for tbat purpose, are " Hennepin's Travels," Wynne's " History of the British Empire," Parkman's " Conspiracy of Pontiac," Schoolcraft's " Thirty Years with the Indian Tribes," Lanman's "History of Michigan," Ingersoll's " Second War," and Bancroft's " History of the United States."

The facts concerning Detroit, after its occupation by tbe Americans, were obtained from Hon. S. Conant, Major Joshua Howard, Major Abraham Edwards, and Hon. B. F. H. Witherell ; and from Mrs. M. McCarty, and Mrs. Piobert Abbott, daughters of Peter Audrain, first Secretary of the Territory, all of whom were then residents of Detroit. By the politeness of Mr. Amos T.

PREFACE.

Hall, Register of the city of Detroit, I have also had access to the old records, and have brought thence a bundle of gleanings.

I am under many obligations to the " Mechanics' Library Association" of Detroit, and to the " New York Historical Library," "Mercantile Library Association," and "Astor Library" of the city of New York, for the use of books contained in their several valuable collections. Mr. Joseph G. Cogswell, librarian of the Astor Library, has also kindly rendered essential service, by a patient examination of many of the manuscripts, and by reliable advice concerning the plan of the work.

And by no means of the least account in the sum of obligation, is the gratitude due to Rev. Joseph P. Thompson for an introduction to my publishers ; to whom I am indebted for the handsome appearance of this volume, and by whose liberality the public are presented with the life-like portraits of some of those distinguished men, whose names are well known in connection with the early American history of Michigan.

Hon. Lewis Cass, second Governor of Michigan — whose portrait, engraved from a daguerreotype taken during the present session of Congress, will be immediately recognized, — retained his office as governor, from the time of his appointment in 1813 till he was appointed Secretary of War in 1831. Inl836he was appointed Minister to France, and returned in 1842. In January, 1845, he was first elected to the United States Senate.

Hon. James "Witherell, one of the " Board of Governor and Judges," was a native of Massachusetts, and was appointed a Judge of the Territory of Michigan, April 23d, 1808. His term of office expired July 1st, 1824, after which he was reappointed

PREFACE.

for four years. On the 1st of February, 1828, he was appointed Secretary of the Territory. He died January 9th, 1838.

Hon. James May was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, about the year 1800. He held that office for seven years ; and his name often appears in the subsequent public records of the Territory. He died in January, 1829.

Rev. Gabriel Richard, Vicar-general, Sulpitian, was born at Saintes, in France, October 15th, 1764. He was educated at Issy, near Paris, and became a priest of the Society of St. Sulpitius in 1791. With a number of priests of the same order, he arrived at Baltimore, in the United States, June 24th, 1792. After laboring some time as missionary among the Catholic missions of Elinois, he came to Detroit in June, 1798. He closed a long and laborious life at Detroit, on the 13th of September, 1832.

All efforts to obtain a portrait of Hon. Augustus B. Woodward, one of the first judges, and author of the " Woodward Code of Laws," have been unsuccessful, and it is believed that none exists. He was a native of Virginia, and was appointed a Judge of the Territory of Michigan in 1805. His term of office expired in 1824, and he was soon after appointed one of the Judges of the Territory of Florida, and died there three years later.

Far from considering this volume above criticism, yet believing that it contains historical facts which will be appreciated by the reading public, and especially by the inhabitants of the great Northwest, this portion of the Early History of Michigan is respectfully submitted.

New York, March, 1856.

Contents

CHAPTER L

Francis I. grants a commission to Jacques Cartier — Voyage of discovery — Second voyage — Ceremony of embarkation — Tempestuous voyage — Discovery and naming of the river St. Lawrence — Island of Hochelaga — Indian account of the Far West — Cartier names New France — Charter granted to Roberval — He proceeds to America, — Erects a fort on the coast — Colonization Company formed in 1603 — Expedition under the command of Champlain — Emigration of the Franciscans — Jesuits — Champlain appointed governor — Missionaries visit Saut Ste. Marie — Death of Eaymbault at Montreal — Jogues attempts to return to his missionary work — Taken prisoner by hostile savages — Eansomed by the Dutch — E6ne Mesnard visits Lake Superior — Mysterious disappearance — Establishment of a mission at Saut Ste. Marie by Allouez and Marquette — Speech of Allouez — Death of Marquette 17

CHAPTER H.

Chapter I

Francis I. grants a commission to Jacques Cartier — Voyage of discovery — Second voyage — Ceremony of embarkation — Tempestuous voyage — Discovery and naming of the river St. Lawrence — Island of Hochelaga — Indian account of the Far West — Cartier names New France — Charter granted to Eoberval — He proceeds to America — Erects a fort on the coast — Colonization Company formed in 1603 — Expedition under the command of Champlain — Emigration of the Franciscans — Jesuits — Champlain appointed governor — Missionaries visit Saut Ste. Marie — Death of Eaymbault at Montreal — Jogues attempts to return to his missionary work — Taken prisoner by hostile savages — Eansomed by the Dutch — Rene Mesnard visits Lake Superior — Mysterious disappearance — Establishment of a mission at Saut Ste. Marie by Allouez and Marquette — Speech of Allouez — Death of Marquette.

The enthusiasm awakened in Spain and England, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, by the discoveries of Christopher Columbus and Sebastian Cabot, was soon communicated to impulsive France, and Francis I. granted a commission to Jacques Cartier, of St. Malo, to prosecute discoveries in the unknown regions of the ISTew World.

Cartier's outfit for this expedition consisted of two ships, of sixty tons burden each, and a crew of sixty-one

Cartier's Voyage of Discovery — Second Voyage.

efficient men. He set sail from St. Malo on the 20th of April, 1534.

The Spaniards. already occupied Florida ; the English had taken possession of the middle portion of the continent; the more northern regions, therefore, alone remained for the French, and thither the adventurous commander directed his course. His first voyage was merely a survey of the northern coast of Newfoundland, which was prosperously accomplished ; but fearing the disastrous effects of the autumnal storms upon his ships, he turned prow homeward, and arrived safely at St. Malo on the 15th of September, 1534. The favorable account which he gave of the voyage was well received at court, and preparations were immediately commenced for a second expedition.

During the winter of 1534-5, three vessels were fitted out, which were to constitute the squadron of M. Cartier. They were the Great Hermina, of about one hundred and twenty tons, which was the flag-ship ; the Little Hermina, of sixty tons ; and the Hermirillon, of forty tons.

The day of embarkation, May 15th, 1535, at length arrived — a most important day at St. Malo. The adventurers, who were about to embark for the just-discovered, yet almost unknown world, were objects of general and enthusiastic interest ; and in this hour of separation

Ceremony of Embarkation— St. Lawrence — Hochelaga.

from kindred and country, the priests of their religion had prepared a gorgeous pageant for their future support and consolation. The officers and crew of the whole squadron, having confessed and received the sacrament, presented themselves before the altar in the spacious cathedral of St. Malo, where the bishop, arrayed hi sacerdotal robes of the most costly magnificence, bestowed on them his benediction.

The voyage was very tempestuous. When the fleet arrived within sight of Newfoundland, they still continued to sail to the westward, and entered a broad gulf on St. Lawrence day, in commemoration of which event they gave the name of St. Lawrence to the gulf, and to the river that flows into it.

Crossing the gulf, Cartier ascended the river to the island of Orleans, where he arrived in September. Here the natives made him bountiful presents of corn and fish, but strongly opposed his farther progress. Disregarding their opposition, he continued his course until he reached the island of Hochelaga. He found this beautiful island in the possession of a band of "Wyandot Indians. Their principal village was circular in form, and contained about fifty houses, built of wood, and thatched with strips of bark ingeniously joined together. This village was at the base of a hill which commanded a magnificent prospect, to which Cartier

Cartier names New France — Roberval's Charter.

gave the name of Mont-royal — the site of the present city of Montreal.

Cartier was told by the natives that " there was, far away to the westward, a country called Saquenay (Saginaw?), where were great stores of gold and copper ; and that there were three great lakes, and a sea of fresh water so large that no man had ever found the end."

Before leaving the island of Hochelaga, Cartier erected a cross, and a shield emblazoned with the Fleur-de-lis, emblems of Church and State, and named the region of his discoveries New France.

He departed on the 5th of October, wintered on the St. Croix river, and the following summer returned to France. On his arrival he reported that the country he had explored was destitute of gold and silver, and that its coast was bleak and stormy.

The representations of Cartier, whose candor was known to be equal to his judgment and energy, so far checked the progress of French enterprise, that not until four years after his return was another expedition attempted.

Early in the year 1540, Francis I. granted to Francois de la Roque, Seigneur de Roberval, a charter covering all the region north of the British occupancy, and investing him with supreme power within its bounds.

Fort erected — 1603, Colonization Company formed

During the summer of the same year, a squadron, consisting of five vessels, under the command of Admiral Cartier, and furnished with all the necessary men and provisions for founding a colony, bore Itoberval to his new possessions. The voyage was prosperous. On their arrival, a fort was erected — the location of which is now unknown — and Cartier was appointed commandant.

Roberval immediately returned to France, and the same year brought thence a reinforcement of men, and a large supply of stores and arms, for the relief and protection of the fort. Nothing farther is known of this colony: indeed the history of New France, from that period to the founding of Quebec, is almost entirely lost.

In 1603, a number of merchants of the city of Rouen, in France, formed a Colonization Company, designing to realize large profits from the fur-trade. A charter was obtained granting them the same privileges which, sixty years previously, had been bestowed upon H. de la Roque.

The first expedition of this company was made the same year that the charter was granted, under the command of Samuel Champlain, a member of the company, a bold, energetic man, and one well fitted for the arduous duties with which he was intrusted.

In 1608, Champlain founded the city of Quebec. His

Quebec founded — Franciscans — Jesuits.

time seems to have been employed during a few of the succeeding years in strengthening and improving the colony, and in making farther explorations. In 1611, he discovered the beautiful lake which still bears his name.

Champlain made a voyage to France in 1612, and on his return brought with him four Franciscans, or Recollets, for the conversion of the savages in the vicinity of Quebec. Five years later he brought over his family, and entered with renewed vigor upon all the enterprises connected with colonial life. The colonists were greatly encouraged to find their governor willing thus to unite all his interests with theirs, and pursued the arduous labors, and endured the privations of their lot, with an energy and fortitude hitherto unknown.

The adventure-loving and persevering Jesuits had formed a part of each emigrating band, and, in 1611, had established a mission among the savages. During many subsequent years, despite the efforts of Champlain and others who favored the Franciscans, the Jesuits exerted a controlling influence throughout New France ; though Hennepin asserts that " from the arrival of the Eeverend Father Martin de Yalence, one of the first of the Franciscan priests, to the year 1621, there had been five hundred converts of the Eecollets established in the New World."

Jesuit College founded — Death of Champlain.

In 1622, the Duke cle Ventadour, who had taken orders for the avowed purpose of aiding in converting the savages, sent over to Canada a large number of the Jesuits ; and in 1635 a college of the order was founded at Quebec, under the direction of the Marquis de Gamache.

Samuel Champlain, first governor of New France, died in 1635. Under his administration the colony had been uniformly prosperous, and his loss was justly considered a great calamity. Laninan, in his History of Michigan, pays the following tribute to his memory :

" With a mind warmed into enthusiasm by the vast domain of wilderness which was stretched around him, and the glorious visions of future grandeur which its resources opened, a man of extraordinary hardihood and the clearest judgment, a brave officer and a scientific seaman, his keen forecast discerned, in the magnificent prospect of the country which he occupied, the elements of a mighty empire, of which he had hoped to be the founder. With a stout heart, and ardent zeal, he had entered upon the project of civilization ; he had disseminated valuable knowledge of its resources by his explorations, and had cut the way through hordes of savages for the subsequent successful progress of the French toward the lakes."

M. de Montmagny succeeded Champlain as governor.

24 EAELY HISTOEY OF MICHIGAN". .

Prosecution of the Fur-trade — Jesuits visit Saut Ste. Marie.

The fur-trade was the principal object of his attention, and to prosecute this most effectually, the wilderness in the region of the St. Lawrence was explored ; and rude forts were erected as a means of defense to the trading-houses. Not far remote — a never-failing auxiliary — was the chapel of the Jesuit, surmounted by a cross.

Gradually these explorations were extended westward until, in 1632, Father Sagard, a Jesuit missionary, ascended the "great river of the Ottawas," and after enduring many hardships, reached the shores of Lake Huron.

In September, 1641, Charles Raymbault and Isaac Jogues, two other Jesuit missionaries, who had previously established a mission at the head of Pentanguishine Bay — at that time the western terminus of the traveled route between Montreal and Lake Huron, by the way of the Ottawa river and Lake Simoe — embarked in a frail birch canoe, and pursued their course northwest, through the Georgian Bay and among the countless islands of the St. Marie's river. After a voyage of seventeen days, amid scenery of unequaled beauty, the crowning glory of all, Saut Ste. Marie, burst upon their enraptured vision. Here, where the evergreen of the unbroken forest was contrasted with the matchless beauty of the foam-crested waters, and the handiwork of Deity was everywhere strikingly man-

Indian Account of the Lake Superior Kegion.

ifest, the weary voyageurs found a settlement of two thousand of nature's own children, the hospitable Chippewas. The chiefs of the tribe gave the travel-worn missionaries a cordial reception. " "We welcome you as brothers, and will profit by your words," was their assurance, when the object of the long, wearisome journey had been explained.

A few days' observation convinced the missionaries that the peculiar facility afforded by the rapids for catching the white-fish that abounded in those waters, more than any other advantage of the location, was the great attraction which made the Saut de Ste. Marie the abiding-place of so large a number of the roving Aborigines^

The Chippewas informed their guests that, beyond the foaming rapids and the clear, placid Ste. Marie's river above, was a lake, called by them Gitchi Gomee (Great Water), larger than either Lake Huron or Lake Michigan, which was then called by the French Lac dcs Illinois. Beyond the western limits of Gitchi Gomee, the country was said to be destitute of trees, while countless herds of deer and buffalo roamed over the vast prairies. But that favored portion of the earth was inhabited by the Sioux, a warlike band, between whom and the Chippewas had long existed a deadly hatred. Thus were those choice hunting-grounds, to the Chippewas, like

Death of Eaymbault— Jogues' Captivity and Ransom.

paradise to our first parents, protected from intrusion by the weapons of destruction.

Very late in the autumn of the same year, 1641, the two missionaries returned to Pentanguishine, intending to revisit the Saut early the following spring. But the devoted Eaymbault was already the victim of that insidious disease, consumption, induced, no doubt, by the exposures and privations he had suffered ; and the following year Father Jogues accompanied him to Quebec, where he died, in October, 1642.

After the death of Eaymbault, Father Jogues attempted to return to Saut Ste. Marie, but while ascending the St. Lawrence he was captured by a marauding band of Mohawk Indians. A small number of Huron Indians, who were with him, were also captured, and were burned at the stake. The missionary himself was subjected to the most ignominious treatment, but was finally ransomed by the Dutch in the vicinity of Albany. He returned to France, and subsequently revisited the scene of his labors in the New "World.

On the 28th of August, 1660, Eene Mesnard, another Jesuit missionary, left Quebec, resolved, if possible, to make greater progress than his predecessors in the exploration of the Northwest. He took with him only a scanty supply of the necessaries of life; "for," said he, "I trust in that Providence which feeds the little

Mesnard's Explorations— Mysterious Disappearance.

birds of the air, and clothes the wild-flowers of the

desert."

Soon after his arrival at Sant Ste. Marie, he ascended the river in a birch canoe, and coasted along the south- | em shore of GitcM Gomee. On the 15th of October he reached the head of Keweenaw Bay, to which he gave the name of St. Theresa— the day of his arrival being the i anniversary of that patron saint.

Here in the wilderness, far removed from the comforts of civilization, did the old man (for he was past the meridian of life) spend the long dreary winter, with no other companions than the untutored red men.

In the spring, accompanied only by a single Indian, he started for Chaquamegon Bay, near the head of the lake. They took the route through Portage Lake ; and while the Indian was engaged in carrying the canoe across the portage to Lake Superior, Father Mesnard wandered into the woods, and was never again heard of. The presentiment that he should never return to Quebec, which he had often expressed in letters to his friends, was thus verified, August 20th, 1661.

Undaunted by the melancholy fate of his predecessors, resolved to gratify his own love of adventure, and at the same time benefit his fellow-men, Claude Allouez embarked at Three Eivers, August 8th, 1666, in company with about four hundred Indians, who had been to

Claude Allouez — First Map of Lake Superior.

Quebec for the purposes of trade, and were now returning home. Allouez was devotedly attached to the Order of Jesuits, and unwilling that any of their plans should fail to fully accomplish the desired object. No doubt his enthusiastic mind, in its solitary day-dreams, pictured hordes of savages converted from heathenism by his instrumentality.

The missionary and his savage companions arrived safely at Saut Ste. Marie early in September. From thence Father Allouez proceeded immediately to Lake Superior. " This lake," said he, " shall henceforth bear the name of M. de Tracy, in token of the obligations the people of this region owe to him." Accordingly, the first map of Lake Superior, drawn in 1668, and published in 1672, supposed to be the work of Allouez and Marquette, bears the name of Lac Tracy ou Swperieit/r.

Of this map, Dablon says : " It was got up by two Fathers, very intelligent and observing, who did not wish to incorporate any thing except what they had seen with their own eyes. That is the reason why they have only inserted the upper parts of Lakes Huron and Illinois, although they had coasted much on both."

In "Foster and Whitney's Report of the Lake Superior Region," are the following observations : "When it is considered that these men were not engineers, and that

Lake Superior a divinity— Copper region.

to note the geographical features of the country formed no part of their requirements, this map may, for that age, be regarded as a remarkable production ; although, occasionally, points are laid down half a degree from their true position. The whole coast, sixteen hundred miles in extent, as well as the islands, were explored. Even Caribou, a low island in the midst of the lake, and not visible except within a few leagues, did not escape their observation."

"The savages," remarks Allouez, "respect this lake as a divinity, and offer sacrifices to it because of its size, for it is two hundred leagues long, and eighty broad ; and also in consequence of its furnishing them with fish, upon which all the natives live, when hunting is scarce in these quarters."

That the discovery of copper in those regions is not a recent event, is evident from the following description of Allouez. He says : " It frequently happens that pieces of copper are found, weighing from ten to twenty pounds. I have seen several such pieces in the hands of the savages ; and, since they are very superstitious, they regard them as divinities, or as presents given to them to promote their happiness, by the gods who dwell beneath the water. For this reason, they preserve these pieces of copper, wrapped up with their most precious articles. In some families they have been kept for more than fifty

Eock of Copper — Chaquamagon Bay.

years ; in others, they have descended from time out of mind, being cherished as domestic gods.

" For some time there was seen near the shore a large rock of copper, with its top rising above the water, which gave opportunities to those passing by to cut pieces from it ; but when I passed that vicinity, it had disappeared. I believe that the gales, which are frequent, like those of the sea, had covered it with sand. One savage tried to persuade me that it was a divinity, who had disappeared, but for what cause he was unwilling to tell."

At the bay called by Father Mesnard Ste. Theresa, Father Allouez found " two Christian women, witnesses of Mesnard's labors, who had preserved their faith, and sparkled like two stars in the midst of the darkness of infidelity. Having refreshed their memories with our mysteries, we proceeded on. After having traveled one hundred and eighty leagues along the border of the lake, on the southern side, where the Lord often tried our patience by means of gales, famine, and fatigue, both day and night, we landed, on the first day of October, at Chaquamagon, a beautiful bay, on whose margin dwelt numerous savages. Their warriors amounted to eight hundred men."

Chaquamagon is the old La Pointe of the voyageurs. There this self-denying missionary lived two years. He built a chapel, and zealously prosecuted the work of win-

EAELT HISTORY OF MICHIGAN". 31

Allouez visits Fond du Lac— Interview with the Sioux.

ning converts to his own faith. "When he first arrived, he learned that the Chippewas were about making a warlike expedition against the Sioux ; but being permitted to advise, he had the satisfaction of diverting them from their bloody enterprise.

The fame of Allouez extended to all the surrounding tribes, who gathered around the mission-house to gratify that curiosity which is an inherent quality in every human breast, mingled, no doubt, with an indefinable desire to be benefited by his insfructions.

Some time during the two years of his sojourn, he visited Fond du Zac, where he met a number of the Sioux, who informed him that there was a vast country still farther west, spread out in beautiful prairies, over which roamed immense herds of buffalo. They also told him of a great river called Messepi (Mississippi), along whose banks dwelt the beaver.

Allouez also extended his labors to the Nipissisiniens, on the north shore of the lake. Becoming more and more deeply interested in the spiritual necessities of the Indians, he returned to Quebec in the fall of 1667, to obtain aid in establishing missions in different parts of the Northwest. So successful were his appeals, that only two days after his arrival, having accomplished his object, he again set out on his return to the wilderness.

Mission established at Saut Ste. Marie — Grand Council

The following year, 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette proceeded to Saut Ste. Marie, and established a permanent mission. From this period, therefore, Saut Ste. Marie dates its actual settlement, being, according to Bancroft, the oldest in the State of Michigan.

In 1669, Marquette succeeded Allouez at Chaquamagon, or La Pointe, and the latter established himself at Green Bay. r "In May, 1671," says Foster and "Whitney's Report, / "a grand council assembled at Saut Ste. Marie. The chiefs from fourteen of the tribes of the North-west and the soldiers of France sat in council together. M. Fallon, then governor-general of New France, had sent there M. de Lusson, to take possession, in the name of His Majesty, of all the lands lying between the east and west, and from Montreal to the south, as far as it could be done. When the tribes were assembled, the ambassador selected a hill above the village, planted the standard of the cross, and raised the arms of the king. The cross was blessed with all the ceremonies of the Church, by the superior of the missions; and while being raised, the Vexilla was chanted by the assembled Frenchmen, to the great delight of the savages. The Bhield of France was suspended from a cedar post above the cross, while they chanted the Msaudiat, and prayers were offered for the sacred person of His Majesty.

I

St. Lusson takes possession of the Country.

" St. Lusson formally took possession of the lands ; after which guns were fired, and other manifestations of joy exhibited.

" Father Allouez was present, mindful of the interests of his divine as well as temporal master. He pronounced the following panegyric on the king, which is worthy of being preserved :

" ' It is a most important affair that calls us together. Cast your eyes on that cross which is high above your heads. It is there where the Son of God was willing to be attached and to die, in order to satisfy His eternal Father for your sins. He is the master of our lives, and also of heaven, and earth, and hell. It is He of whom I have often spoken, and whose name and word I have borne into these distant lands.