Compendium of history and biography of the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan

Preface

All history is, perforce, a merciless abridgment, and yet too much can never be written concerning; any nation, any people — since each contribution must have a definite value. In the offering of this compendium of history and biography, the publishers lay claim not to any amplification of data in the annals of Detroit and Wayne county, but rather to the condensed, narrative presentation of the history of a section whose records bear the graceful tales oF romance and the sterner burdens of definite accomplishment. In the collation of the generic history, recourse has been had to the most reliable authorities, and the publishers have been most fortunate in securing in this department of the work the co-operation of Mr, Clarence M. Burton, than whom none has ever had more intimate and thorough knowledge of the history of Michigan and whose reputation in the field of historic research is especially notable. Mr. Burton has not only given careful revision to all subject matter in the general history but has also offered a most valuable personal contribution, in the chapters relative to the war of 18(2 and conditions existing at that period. These chapters are definitely credited to him in the initiation thereof. The form in which the history is presented is believed to have much of individuality and originality, so that the record can not fail of cumulative value as a source of information and as offering a concise narrative, interesting to the reader who has no desire for mere detail and intimate research. The functions of the biographical, industrial and financial departments of the publication are such as offer their own justification and add materially to the intrinsic value of the work.

CHAPTER I. Page

Origin of Detroit in Struggle for Supremacy Between England and France— Plans tor Establishing a Fortress by Count Pontchartrain — Expedition Under Cadillac — Post Named Fort Pontchartrain — Record Concerning Cadillac — Conditions at the Frontier Post — Cadillac Succeeded by Dubuisson — Trouble with the Fox Indians — Regime of Alphonse de Tonty — Robert Navarre, Intendant at Detroit — Efforts to Increase Population and Military Strength — Beginning of Struggle Between France and England — French Lose Stronghold at Louisburg— Montcalm as Governor General of Canada — Fatal Conflict at the Heights of Abraham and Its Results on Future of Detroit — British Gain Control of All Canada. 1

Chapter II

The Detroit Post Surrended by the French Commandant — One Hundred and Forty-Eight Years of French Misdirection — New Era Ushered In with English Control — Detroit Menaced by Indian Unrest and Antagonism — Regime of Captain Henry Gladwin — ^Treaties with the Indians — Conspiracy Under Pontiac, and Attempt to Capture the Detroit Garrison — War with the Indians Under Pontiac — Lack of Supplies at Detroit — Murder of Captain Campbell — Indian Victory at Bloody Run — Pontiac Sues for Peace — Colonel John Bradstreet Made Commandant — Conditions Follov.ing Indian Uprising — First Money Circulated in Detroit — Philip Dejean Commissioned First Chief .lustice — The Northwest Company — Passage of the Quebec Act — Local Discontent with Policy of English Home Government; Lieutenant Governors Appointed — Nefarious Rule of Hamilton and Dejean at Detroit 10

Chapter III

Detroit's Position at Inception of Revolution — Hamilton's Execrable Policies — Indian Atrocities — Expeditions from Detroit During Revolution — Settlers Oppose Hamilton's Plans — Expedition of Indian Allies Under Girty — Attack on Detroit Planned by Americans — The Wyoming Valley Massacre — Expedition Under George Rogers Clark — Hamilton's Expedition from Detroit to Vincennes Capitulation of Hamilton 19

Chapter IV

Strengthening of the Detroit Post Under DePeyster — Expedition Against the Moravian Villages in

Ohio 26