The history of Indiana, from its earliest exploration by Europeans, to the close of the territorial government, in 1816: with an introduction containing Historical notes of the discovery and settlement of the Territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio

Front matter

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Preface

Among the Historical Notes which constitute the introduction to this History of Indiana, I have inserted many official documents relating to the early affairs, civil and military, of the vast region which was formerly called the Territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio. From a very great number of printed authorities, and from many thousand pages of old manuscript records and letters, I have selected only those statements which appear to be well authenticated, and connected, either directly or remotely, with the origin and progress of civilization in that large domain. With a sincere desire to cast from my mind those popular prejudices which have had their origin in ambitious contentions between distinguished individuals, or in national partialities and antipathies, or in improbable narratives and fanciful conjectures, or in conflicting political systems, or in different creeds of religion, I have labored for several years, with constant and careful perseverance, to find out and to perpetuate all the important facts which properly belong to an impartial history of Indiana from its earliest exploration by Europeans to the close of the Territorial Government in 1816^

Many interesting particulars concerning the discovery and settlement of the northwestern territory have been gleaned from the voluminous writings of divers Catholic missionaries, and French travellers, who visited the valley of the Mississippi at different periods in the course of the eighteenth century: and here it is proper to say that my thanks are especially due

IV. PREFACE.

lo t[ie Rev. Mr. Martin, of Vincennes ; to J. W. Ryland, Esq. of Cincinnati ; to J. B. Duret, Esq, of Logansport ; and to Dr. MuNSELi., of Indianapolis ; Irom whom, collectively, I have received essential assistance in the examination of a large collection of French records, and in the task of translating sundry French ordinances, and other public documents.

A list of the names of persons from whom I have received rare and valuable manuscripts, and aid and encouragement in the midst of perplexing difficulties, shall be published in the form of an appendix, at the close of the second volume of this work. The following is a list of the titles of the principal authorities which I have examined, carefully, in the course of a laborious investigation of confused traditions, contradictory narratives, and questionable records : —

American Archives : Fourth Series : Containing a Documentary History of the English Colonies in North America, from the King's message to Parliament, of March 7, 1774, to the Declaration of Independence by the United States. — Published at Washington, by M. St. Clair Clarke and Peter Force, under authority of an act of Congress, passed on the 2d of March, 1833.

American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and E.xecutive, of the Congress of the United States, from the first session of the first to the third session of the thirteenth Congress, inclusive : Commencing March 3, 1789, and ending March 3, 1815. — Selected and edited, under the authority of Congress, by Walter Lowrie, Secretary of the Senate, and Matthew St. Clair Clarke, Clerk of the House of Representatives.

An Historical and Chronological Deduction of the Origin of Commerce, from the earliest accounts: Containing an history of the great commercial interests of the British Empire, &c. — By Adam Anderson. 4 vols, quarto; London, 1801.

Reports from Committees of the [British] House of Commons, from 1715 to 1801 .' Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed. 15 vols, quarto.

Meres' Annual "Historical Register, containing an impartial relation of all transaetions, Foreign and Domestic," from 1714 to 1737. 22 vols. 12mo. ; London.

Dodsley's Annual Register, from 1758 to 1819. 61 vols. 8vo. ; London.

Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, from 1683 to 1736. 3 vols. 8vo.

A collection of all the Laws of Virginia, from the first session of the Legislature in 1619 to the year 1792: By William Waller Hening. 13 vols, 8vo.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution : Published under the direction of the President of the United States, from the original manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably to the resolutions of Congress, of March 27th, 1818 : Edited by Jared Sparks. 12 vols. 8vo.

Secret Journals of the Congress of the Confederation : Published under the direction of the President of the United States, conformably to resolution of Congress of Mareh 27, 1818, and April 21, 1820.

Journals of the American Congress, from 1774 lo 1778. 4 vols. 8vo.

T,aws of th«> T'nited folates.

PREFACE. V.

Journal of tlie Executive Proceedings of the Senate of tlie United State* of America, from the commencement of the first to the termination of the nineteenth Congress: Printed by order of the Senate of the United States.

Journals of Congress.

Elements of General History : Translated from the French of the Abbe Millot. Part second — Modern History. 3vols. 8ro.; London, 1779.

The Writings of George Washington ; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts, by Jared Sparks. 12 vols. 8vo.

The works of Benjamin Franklin, containing several political and historical tracts, not included in any former edition, and many letters official and private not hitherto published, with notes and a life of the author: By Jared Sparks. 10 vols. 8vo.; Boston, 1840.

History of the Political Systems of Europe and its Colonies, from the discovery of America to the independence of the American continent: By A. H. L. Heeren, professor of History in Gottingen, and member of the Royal French Academy of Inscriptions. [Trans, lated from the German, by George Bancroft.] 2 vols. 8vo.

The History of the United States of North America, till the British Revolution in 1688 : By James Grahame, Esq. 2 vols. 3vo.

The Annals of America, from tlie discovery of Columbus, in the year 1492 to the year 1826 : By Abiel Holmes, D. D. 2 vols. 8vo.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States of America, from the signing of the definitive treaty of peace, 10th September, 1783, to the adoption of the Constitution, March

4, 1789: Published under the direction of the Secretary of State. Transactions and Collections of the .'\merican Antiquarian Society. 2 vols. 8vo. Tracts and other Papers, relating principally to the origin, settlement, and progress of

the Colonies in North America, from the discovery of the country to the year 1776: Collected by Peter Force. 2 vols. 8vo.

A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, arranged in systematic order, forming a complete history of the origin and progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by sea and land, from tlie earliest ages to the present time ; By Robert Kerr, F. R.

5. and F. A. S. 18 vols. 8vo. ; Edinburgh, 1816.

The History of the discovery and settlement of America: By William Robertson, D. D., Principal of the University of Edinburgh, &;c. &c. &c. 1 vol. 8vo.

The History of Louisiana, particularly of the cession of that Colony to the United States of America : By Barbe Marbois. 1 vol. 8vo.

Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies from the papers of Thomas Jefferson : Edited by Thomas Jefferson Randolph. 4 vols. 8vo. ; 1830.

The History of New Hampshire, comprehending the events of one complete century, from the discovery of the river Piscataqua : By Jeremy Belknap, A.M. 3 vols. 8vo.

The History of Pennsylvania, in North America, from the original institution and settiement of that Province, under the first Proprietor and Governor William Penn, in 1681, till the year 1742; and a brief description of the said Province, and of the general state in which it flourished, principally between the years 1760 and 1770. By Robert Proud. 2 vols. 8vo.

History of the Colonization of the United States: By George Bancroft. 3 vols. 8vo,

A History of the Colonies planted by the English on the continent of North America, from their settlement to the commencement of the war which terminated in their independence: By John Marshall. 1 vol. 8vo.

Laws of the Colonial and State Governments relatin;; to Indians and Indian AflViirs, from 163:i to 1831, inrlusive. 1 vol. ,^vo

VI. PREFACE.

The Life of Thomas Jeffergon, third President of the United States, with parts of his Correspondence never before published : By George Tucker, professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Virginia. 2 vols. 8vo,: 1837.

Notes on the State of Virginia : By Thomas Jefferson. 1 vol. 12mo. The Life of Joseph Brant — Thayendanegea ; including the Border Wars of the American Revolution, and sketches of the Indian Campaigns of Generals Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne; and other matters connected with the Indian Relations of the United States and Great Britain, from the Peace of 1783 to the Indian Peace of 1795 . By William L. Stone. 2 vols. 8vo.

The History of the late Province of New York, from its discovery to the appointment of Governor Colden, in 1762: By the Hon. William Smith, formerly of New York, and late Chief Justice of Lower Canada : Published under the direction of the New York Historical Society. 2 vols. 8vo.

The Book of the Indians; or. Biography and History of the Indians of North America, from its first discovery to the year 1841 : By Samuel G. Drake, Fellow of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, at Copenhagen, honorary member of the New Hampshire and New York Historical Societies. 1 vol. 8vo.

The History of Kentucky : exhibiting an account of the modern discovery, settlement, progressive improvement, civil and military transactions, and the present state of the country: By H. Marshall. 2 vols. 8vo. ; 1824.

A History of the State of Ohio, Natural and Civil: By Caleb Atwater, A. M., member of the American Antiquarian Society, &c. &c. &c. 1 vol. 8vo.

A Chronological History of New England, in the form of Annals : being a summary and exact account of the most material transactions and occurrences relating to this country, in the order of time wherein they happened, from the discovery of Capt. Gosnold in 1602, to the arrival of Governor Belcher, in 1730: By Thomas Prince, M. A. 1 vol. 8vo.

A Narrative of the Mission of the United Brethren among the Delaware and Mohegan Indians, from its commencement, in the year 1740, to the close of the year 1808 : By John Heckewelder, who was many years in the service of that mission. 1 vol. 8vo.

Narrative of an E,xpedition to the source of St. Peter's river, &c., performed in the year 1823, under the command of Stephen H. Long, Major U. S. T. E. 2 vols. 8vo.

An account of E.xpeditions to the sources of the Mississippi, and through the western parts of Louisiana; performed by order of the government of the United States, during the years 1805, 1806, and 1807 : By Major Zcbulon M. Pike. 1 vol. 8vo.

The History of Maryland, from its first settlement, in 1633, to the Restoration, in 1660; with a copious introduction and notes and illustrations : By John Leeds Bozman. 2 vols. 8vo. The Statutes at Large of South Carolina, containing the acts from 1682 to 1786 : edited under authority of the Legislature, by Thomas Cooper, M. D. L. L. D.

A History of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, from its earliest exploration and settle, ment by the whites, to the close of the northwestern campaign, in 1813 : By Mann Butler.

1 vol. 8vo.

Apolitical and Civil History of the United States of America: By Timothy Pitkin.

2 vols. 8vo.

A view of the soil and climate of the United States of America, with supplementary remarks upon Florida, on the French Colonies on the Mississippi and Ohio, and in Canada ; and on the Aboriginal tribes of America : By C. F. Volney. Translated from the French, by C. B. Brown. 1 vol. 8vo.

Condensed History of Michigan, from its earliest colonization to the present time . By James H. Lanman. 1 vol. 18mo. ; 1841.

Sketches of History, Life, and Manners, in the West : By James Hall.

PREFACE. VU.

A Condensed Geography and History of Die Western States, or the Mississippi Valley : By Timothy Flint. 2 vols. 8vo.

A collection of some of the most interesting Narratives of Indian Warfare in the West : By Samuel L. Metcalf. 1 vol. 12mo.

Sketches of Western Adventure: By John A. M'Clung. 1 vol. 12mo.

Indian Biography, or an Historical Account of those individuals who have been distinguished among the North American nations as Orators, Warriors, Statesmen, and other remarkable characters: By B. B. Thatcher, Esq. 2 vols. 18mo.

Three Years Travels through the interior parts of North America, for more than five thousand miles : By Captain Jonathan Carver, of the Provincial troops in America. 1 vol. 12mo.

Laws adopted and made by the Governor and Judges of the Territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio.

Acts of the First General Assembly of the Northwestern Territory.

Laws made and adopted by the Governor and Judges of the Indiana Territory.

Acts of the General Assembly of the Indiana Territory.

An Oration delivered at Marietta, July 4, 1788, by the Hon. James M. Varnum, Esq. one of the Judges of the Western Territory : the speech of his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Esquire, upon the proclamation of the commission appointing him Governor of said Territory; and the proceedings of the inhabitants of the city of Marietta: Printed by Peter Edes, Newport, Rhode Island, 1788.

J. B D.

Iniliunapolis, 25th November, 1843.

Chapter I

Northwestern Territory. — Tlie Spaniards, the English, and the French, plant colonies in North America — Catholic missionaries — British Colonies in America, in 1670 Proceedings of the French — Allouez and Dablon — opinions concerning the Mississippi river — Marquette and Joliette visit the Mississippi — Ambitious projects of Robert Cavelier de La Salle; his adventures and death — Missionaries among the Illinois Indians — Cabokia and Kaskaskia founded. — p. 1.

Chapter II

Spain claims a large territory in North America — Louis XIV. determines to establish colonies in Louisiana — French settlement founded at Biloxi — Jealousy of the English statesmen : permanent settlement founded at Detroit — conditions on which the first French settlers at Detroit received grants of land — Fur Trade — The Sieur Juchereau and the missionary Mermet attempt to found a settlement — the missionary Marest — Detroit besieged — Commerce of Louisiana granted to Crozat — Crozat relinquishes the grant — The Province of Louisiana ceded to the Western Company : a new government formed for the Province — Settlers transported to the valley of the Mississippi — New Orleans founded — The Indies Company acquire the Province of Louisiana^-Ordinance entkcted for the benefit of the inhabitants of Louisiana, on the 2d of September, 1721 — trade and commerce — form of granting lands to settlers — Ordinance published by Louis XV. in the month of March, 1724 — the French settlements at Natchez destroyed by the Indians — the Natchez nation of Indians exterminated by the French — p. 28.

Chapter III

The crown of France resumes the government of Louisiana : war with the Chickasaw Indians — defeat of the French, and death of Francis Morgan de Vincennes — peace con. eluded with the Chickasaws — treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — conflicting claims of France and England : treaty between the English and the Twightwefes, at Lancaster — the Ohio Company receive a grant of half a million of acres of land lying about the river Ohio — English and French systems of colonial government — white population in 1749 — proceedings of the Ohio Company — controversy between France and Great Britain concerning the regions on the western side of the Allegheny mountains — George Washington sent to the commander of the French forces in the west — French posts in the Mississippi valley Fort

Du Ciuesne built by the French — the Twightwees attacked by their enemies — plan proposed by Dr. Franklin for establishing English colonies in the west — deatli of the Sieur de Jum-

onville — defeat of the provincial troops under Washington : defeat of General Braddock

defeat of Major Grant — the French evacuate Fort Du duesne on the approach of General Forbes — Quebec taken by the English — Montreal, Detroit, &c. surrendered to the English : treaty of peace between France and England : Canada and part of Louisiana ceded to England. — p. 60.

Chapter IV

Pontiac's war — proclamation concerning the French inhabitants of the Illinois country : evacuation of Fort Chartres : description of Fort Chartres. — p. 79.

Chapter V

Number of French families in the northwestern territory : attempts to check the growth of settlements in the west — George Washington and others visit the valley of the Ohio, in

B

X. CONTENTS.

1770 — proclamation concerning the settlers on the Wabash river; letter from the French inhabitants of Vincennes to General Gage — memorial of divers inhabitants of the province of duebec — the province of Quebec enlarged so as to include the settlers on the Wabash, &c. — excitement among the colonists of Great Uritain — English troops withdravi'n from Fort Pitt — Governor Dunmore encourages English colonists to take warrants for lands in the west. Alarm of settlers: massacre of Indians at Baker's Bottom: Dunmore's expedition against the Indians — battle at the mouth of the Great Kanawha: preliminary articles of peace concluded with the Shawanees and their confederates at Camp Charlotte — speech of Logan — resolutions passed at Fort Gower — the North American colonies renounce their allegiance to Great Britain — speeches circulated among the Indian tribes, — p. 97.

Chapter VI

Traders in the Illinois country receive grants of lands — Illinois Land Company — proclamation, by Dunmore, concerning vacant lands — Wabash Land Company — lands and lots granted to settlers about Vincennes — efforts to engage the Indians in the war between the American colonies and Great Britain — inhabitants of Vincennes take the oath of allegiance to King George — form of the oath — deatli of the Sbawanee chief, Cornstalk — Indians assail the frontier settlements of the United States — frontier forts — Indian mode of making war — Colonel George Rogers Clark prepares to lead an expedition against the French settlements about Kaskaskia and Vincennes — Clark's memoir of the expedition. — p. 116.

Chapter VII

Clark's memoir continued ; Kaskaskia and Cahokia taken — the inhabitants, generally, take the oath of allegiance to Virginia; the inhabitants of Vincennes take the oath of .lUegiance to Virginia, garrison the fort, and hoist the American flag — Captain Leonard Helm sent to command the fort — Tobacco's son, a Piankeshaw chief — Clark holds a council with Indians at Cahokia— Illinois county erected — the British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit takes possession of the fort at Vincennes—pcrilous situation of Clark. — p. 135.

Chapter VIII

Clark moves from Kaskaskia, with a small force, to attack Hamilton — difficulties of the march — Clark's notification to the inhabitants of Vincennes — the f«rt attacked — correspondence between Clark and Hamilton — the fort surrendered. — p. 154.

Chapter IX

Boats captured on the Wabash — goods divided among Clark's soldiers — proposed expedition against Detroit — some prisoners sent to Virginia, others dismissed — Piankeshaw and Pottawattamie Indians express their friendship for the United States — Clark's address to them — Clark appoints officers at Vincennes, and returns to Kaskaskia — hostilities of the Delawares — Clark orders war to be made on the Delawares — peace concluded with the Delawares — Clark returns to Vincennes, abandons his designs against Detroit, and pro. ceeds to take up his quarters at the falls of the river Ohio. — p. 174.

Chapter X

Settlements increase in Kentucky — General Mcintosh ordered to protect the western frontiers — treaty with the Delaware Indians — Colonel John Todd visits Vincennes and Kaskaskia; issues a proclamation; institutes a Court at Vincennes — proceedings of the Court — Col. John Bowman's expy.d'ftion — Capt Byrd's expedition — Clark's expedition — La Balme's expedition — Capt. Don Eugenio Pierre's expedition — Col. Broadhead's expedition : Col. David Williamson's expedition — Indians attack Estell's station — death of Capt. Estell : CoL Crawford's expedition — India'ns attack Bryant's station; attack Laughery's party — Clark's expedition : treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain ; boundaries of the United States — proclamation by Congress — General Clark dismissed from the service

CONTENTS. XI.

of Virginia — Indian grant of land — Clarksville laid off— Virginia cedes to the United States her title to the country northwest of the Ohio river — treaty at Fort Mcintosh — Ordinance of 1785, concerning western lands — proclamation concerning settlers on the northwest side of the Ohio— proposed treaty with Indians — excitement among settlers, &c. — Indian council at Ouiatenon — skirmish at tlie mouth of Embarrass — Clark's Wabash expedition — Logan's expedition. — p. 185.

Chapter XI

Clark's proceedings at Vincennes ; navigation of the Mississippi : views and proceedings of western settlers; seizure of Spanish properly at Vincennes; act of the council of Virginia; resolution of Congress ; Ordinance of 1787 ; resolutionsof Congress; hostile feelings exist between the western settlers and the Spaniards of Louisiana ; proceedings of General Harmar ; Major John F. Hamtramck stationed at Vincennes. — p. 204.

Chapter XII

Claims of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut ; Western Reserve of Connecticut ; Board of Treasury authorized to dispose of western lands; contract with the Ohio Company of Associates ; settlement at Marietta ; Symmes' Purchase ; St. Clair appointed Governor of the northwestern territory ; his instructions ; laws adopted and published at Marietta, in 1788; treaties at Fort Harmar; report of General Knox, relative to Indians; Col. John Hardin's expedition ; letter from St. Clair to Washington ; Washington's instructions to St. Clair; St. Clair proceeds to the Illinois country; scarcity of corn at Vincennes; St. Clair's report concerning settlers in Illinois and on the Wabash ; memorial from P. Gibault and others.— p. 223.

Chapter XIII

Journal of Antoine Gamelin ; St. Clair returns to Fort Washington ; Winthrop Sargent proceeds to Vincennes ; proceedings of Sargent , letter from magistrates of the Court of Vincennes; laws adopted and published at Vincennes, In 1790; the principal inhabitants of Vincennes address Sargent ; his reply ; Indian depredations ; Harniar's expedition against Indians on the Scioto; Harmar's expedition against the Miami village. — p. 245.

Chapter XIV

Letter from Rufus Putnam to President Washington ; alarm of the western settlers ; St. Clair invested with the command of three thousand troops; instructions to St. Clair ; instructions to General Scott; Scott's expedition against the Wea or Ouiatenon towns on the Wabash; General Wilkinson's expedition against the Wabash Indians; confederacy of Indians ; British posts in the northwestern territory p. 276.

Chapter XV

St. Clair's expedilion against the Miami village ; defeat of St. Clair's army ; field of action visited hy General Wilkinson ; St. Clair resigns the oflSce of Major General ; Anthony Wayne appointed to fill the vacancy ; proceedings of Wayne ; propositions to employ friendly Indians ; messengers and spies sent among the hostile Indians ; Hardin and Trueman killed; William May's deposition; Putnam's treaty at Vincennes; Indian council at the Rapids of the Maumee ; Indian depredations ; Major Adair attacked near Fort St. Clair destitute condition of American soldiers ; laws adopted and published, at Cincinnati, in the course of the years 1790, 1791, and 1792 — p. 298.

Chapter XVI

Washington appoints commissioners to negotiate a peace with the northwestern Indians ; instructions to the commissioners ; proceedings of the commissioners ; speeches and letters, which passed between the Indians and the commissioners; failure of the attempt to make a treaty of peace p. 326.

Xll. CONTENTS.

Chapter XVII

Proceedings of Wayne ; Indians attack convoys; influenza among the troops , Wayne eatablislies his headquarters at Fort Greenville ; Fort Eeeovery built ; critical state of the relations between the United States and the governments of Great Britain, France, and Spain; conduct of the French minister Genet ; proposed expeditions against Florida and Louisiana; complaints of the British minister and the Spanish commissioners; letter from Mr. Jefferson to the American minister at Paris ; letter from Mr- Genet to Mr. Jefferson ; Washington takes measures for the prevention of a hostile invasion of Louisiana ; opinions of Governor Shelby; prospect of war between the United States and Great Britain; Mr. Genet recalled ; Washington issues a proclamation ; secret and confidential instructions to General Wayne ; failure of the attempt to invade Louisiana ; attack on Fort Recovery ; Kentucky volunteers ; Wayne moves from Greenville towards the mouth of the Auglaize ; erects Fort Defiance ; marches towards the Rapids of the Maumee ; defeat of the Indian forces; correspondence between General Wayne and Major Campbell, the British com. mandant at Fort Miami. — p. 356.

Chapter XVIII

Fort Wayne erected and garrisoned ; Wayne establishes his bead-quarters at Greenville ; suspension of hostilities; treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, concluded between the United States and Great Britain; British troops and garrisons to be withdrawn from the northwestern territory ; Indians visit Greenville and sign preliminary articles of peace ; proceedings of the treaty of Greenville; treaty concluded ; emigration; laws adopted and made at Cincinnati, in the year 1795. — p. 384.

Chapter XIX

Treaty between the United States and Spain ; boundaries ; navigation of the Mississippi ; British garrisons, &c. withdrawn from the northwestern territory ; American troops take possession of the fort at Detroit; hostile temper of the government of France ; treaty of alliance between France and Spain ; emissaries of Spain and France attempt to induce the people of the western country to separate themselves from the American Union ; mission of Thomas Power; mission of Lorromie ; the government of the United Stateu adopts defensive and retaliatory measures ; act to raise a provisional army ; act to suspend the commercial intercourse between France and the United States ; act concerning aliens ; act concerning sedition ; Washington appointed commander-in-chief of the American forcer; letter from Washington to Adams ; instructions to General Wilkinson; Spaniards retire from posts within the boundaries of the United States ; Fort Adams erected ; treaty of peace and commerce between the United States and the Republic of France ; Louisiana retroceded to France; sold and ceded to the United States; laws adopted and published, at Cincinnati, in the year 1798 ; Mississippi territory established ; first General Assembly of the northwestern territory ; delegate to Congress elected ; acts passed at the first session of the General Assembly, and approved by Governor St. Clair ; northwestern territory divided ; Indiana territory established. — p. 408.

Treaty of Fort Stanwix, ----...... 432

Treaty of Fort M'Intosh, 43^

Ordinance of 1785, concerning public lands, ....... 434

Treaty at the mouth of the Great Miami, 439

Ordinance of 13th July, 1787, 44j

Treaty of Fort Harmar, with the Sis Nations, 445

Treaty of Fort Harmar, with the Wyandots, &c. 447

Treaty of Greenville, •■.-....... 451

HISTORICAL NOTES.

Chapter I

The fertile and populous states of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan, contain within their limits, collectively, the fairest portion of that large region which, from 1787 to 1800, was known and governed as " The Territory of the United States North-west of the River Ohio." This Territory, in its greatest extent, was bounded on the south by the river Ohio, on the east by Pennsylvania, and on the north and west by the lines which divided the United States from the dominions of Great Britain and Spain. Almost a century and a half passed away after the discovery of America, before any portion of this region was explored by Europeans.

During the course of the sixteenth century, the Spaniards, the English, and the French, struggling separately against many formidable obstacles, and suffering many disasters and defeats, persevered steadily in their efforts to establish colonies in North America. In 1568, the Spaniards made their first effectual settlement, in Florida. The English made their first permanent settlement, in 1607, at Jamestown, in Virginia. The French planted a small colony at Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, in 1605; and three years afterwards, in 1608, a number of adventurers from France founded the city of Quebec. From this time until 1763, a period of one hundred and fifty-five years, France and Great Britain were the great rivals in the contests concerning the commerce, the territory, and the government, of North America. The rivalry of these nations contributed to subdue the wilderness, and to lay the foundations of freedom and civilization in the new world.

At an early period it was an avowed object of the directors of the ecclesiastical power at Quebec to spread the doctrines of the Catholic Church as far as the remotest bounds of the western territory, and thus to civilize the Aborigines and establish the dominion of France over those distant regions. First among those who toiled and suffered to achieve these great objects were missionaries of the Jesuit order. This religious order was founded at Rome, in 1539, by Ignatius Loyola, a Spaniard, of a warm imagination, which early awakened in him a zeal for religion. The members of the order were bound by the vows of poverty, chastity, and implicit obedience to their superiors. In addition to these vows, they bound themselves to go, unhesitatingly, and without recompense, whithersoever their superiors should send them, as missionaries for the conversion of the heathen, or for the service of the Church in any other way, and to devote all their power and means to the accomplishment of the work.*

In 1634, the Jesuits Breboeuf and Daniel joined a party of Hurons who were returning from Quebec, and passing through the Ottawa river, these missionaries established a station near a bay of Lake Huron, "where they daily rang a bell to call the savages to prayer, and performed all those kind offices which were calculated to secure the confidence and affection of the tribes on the lake shores." f