Box 2, Folder 2: Scrapbook - Historical Societies

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quarter of our State. In 1671, the Governor of Canada, through the advice of Mr. Talon, who at all time vigorously labored for the best interests of the French crown, sent a message to invite all the tribes within the limits of New France to send delegations to a grand council at St. Mary's, for the purpose of putting themselves under the protection of France. Nicholas Perrot was selected for this mission, a man of character and address, and although he visited Chicago and extended the invitation to the Miami chief residing there, it seems he had not time to see the Outagamies, Mescoutins and Kickapoos, and other tribes west of the Lake. The Outagamies were a fierce, warlike and powerful body of men, and were on good terms with few of the tribes which surrounded them. They were little inclined to make terms with any, and seem to have rejected continually all overtures of friendship or alliance proffered them by the French. They occupied the great thoroughfare by which the passage was afterwards made from the Lake to the Mississippi, and it was, therefore, an object of no small moment to conciliate a nation who were stationed directly upon a line of communication of such consequence in prosecuting discoveries and a successful trade with the remote tribes of the west.

The Menomonies and Winnebagos inhabited the country north and east of the Outagamies, and together with the Chippewas became early attached to the French interest. The languages of the Chippewa and Menomonie are so nearly similar, that they evidently had a common origin, and were bound together by indissoluble ties of kindred and affection. The Saukies, Outagamies and Kickapoos, on the contrary, were a proud, haughty and stubborn race, confident in their military prowess, and

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feeling a cold spirit of independence of their more gentle yet powerful neighbors. They were peaceable and attentive to Marquette, Joliet, Hennepin and others who, from 1673 to '80, traversed their country, La Hontan informs us that he was feasted on arriving at the Bay de Puants,* and Father Hennepin, that he said mass, and even that there were many French people residing among them at Green Bay.† Father Allouez, also, was for a time, from 1668, stationed as a missionary among them, but never seemed to gain any considerable ascendancy over them. The wars, which at this period were waged with incredible vigor and extreme barbarity, by the tribes of New York Indians, extended to every nation and tribe from the Hudson river to the Mississippi, except the few inhabiting the interior of our State.§ Whole villages were exterminated in their ruthless warfare, and it was with extreme difficulty that either the French or English governments could acquire or maintain a lasting alliance with any of the tribes. Each sought with avidity every opportunity to prosecute a lucrative commerce with all the nations residing about the great Lakes, and with little scruple as to the means by which it was accomplished, and the poor savages were in turn attached to the interests of each, as they were made to believe in their power to afford them protection against their neighbors, with whom they were on terms of hostility, or whose power they dreaded. About this period, the imprudence of Lasalle, in launching his large vessel and attempting to engross the entire trade of the Lakes, awakened the jeal-

* Green Bay. Nouv. Voyages. 136. † "Nous trouvames plusieurs Canadiens dans cette Baye des Puants.-- Ils avoient encore quelque peu de vin, qu'ils avoient apporte avec eux, et qu'ils gardoient dans un flacon d'etain. Je m'en servis pour dire la messe." Nouv. Decour. 429. § Colden's Hist. of the Six Nations.

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ousy of the different tribes, and excited an universal distrust of the French. For several years subsequent to his fruitless efforts in extending the French trade with the natives, the affairs of the colony were in a declining state. Frontenac, one of the most energetic and ingenious men who had been entrusted with the government, died, and the commencement of the Eighteenth Century found its numbers much reduced, its alliances with the native tribes weakened and many of them entirely severed, and its commerce running into the hands of their English neighbors. The opposition of the Jesuits, the enterprise and perseverance of the English traders, the superiority of the fabrics offered by the latter to incite the cupidity of the natives, and the constant inroads of the hostile tribes of New York, were causes of defeat which would have disheartened and paralyzed any but the active and imaginative Frenchman. He knew no dangers too fearful to encounter, he saw no difficulties too embarrassing to attempt, he traversed the wilderness with a feeling of security, and intent upon his object, he never faltered in staking his fortune or his life in its pursuit, and defeat excited him to greater effort and more perilous adventures.

During all the discouragements which the French had met with, the Outawas were their warm friends, and in the early part of the Eighteenth Century, when active preparations were on foot for a general war between the French and British settlements, the Outagamie nation of Indians, who had become quite celebrated as warriors, joined the standard of the latter. The post of Detroit, then in possession of the French, was an object of interest to the English, and the Outagamies, Kickapoos and Mescoutins promised to surprise and take possession of it for

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them. In this, however, they were unsuccessful, though some idea may be formed of their desperate courage and warlike character, from the fact that they resisted, for nineteen days, the combined efforts of the French and a large body of their Indian allies, in superior numbers, to dislodge them, and finally retreated under cover of the night. They again entrenched themselves a short distance up the river, where they were again besieged, "but their defence for four days was so brave, that the French commandant was obliged to bring up his heavy artillery to force their entrenchments, upon which they surrendered at discretion."* Notwithstanding the disasters they had met at Detroit, the Outagamies were more exasperated than ever against the French, they cut off all communication between the colony and distant posts and robbed and murdered all who came within their reach, they persuaded the Sioux to join them, and even a general confederacy was feared of all the savages against the French. A resolution was formed by Vaudreuil to exterminate the Outagamies, and Lovigny, the King's Lieutenant at Quebec, was designated to command the expedition. At the head of eight hundred men he advanced upon them where they lay entrenched to the number of 500 warriors. A capitulation, however, was made, and the terms of a treaty agreed upon, which contained an express cession of their country to the French. This was far from producing a lasting peace, for in the following year, their hostages having been returned to them, they continued their depredations, until they were finally driven from their country, never more to return, and at an immense sacrifice of their numbers.† The engagements in which they were de-

* Winne's Hist. of the Brit. Empire. † Ibid.

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feated at Butte des Morts and on the Wisconsin River, and finally driven beyond the Mississippi, in 1746 left the entire country in possession of the French and their allies, the Chippewas, Menomonies, Winnebagos and Pottowattamies.

These several and severe attacks were conducted by Captain Moraud, and resulted in the complete subjection of this warlike people to the French power, yet reduced in numbers by the immense slaughter made among them by their combined adversaries, driven from the hunting grounds of their fathers and beaten in every encounter, their indomitable courage did not forsake them, for we find them afterwards wresting from the Illinois their possessions and incorporating the remnant, which they spared of that numerous tribe, with their own, and maintaining their national character even to the present day. Of all the tribes inhabiting our borders, none were more alive to military glory and renown. That they should have continued their power for centuries against such fearful odds, and that after all their discouragements they should within a few years have required a large military expedition to force them into submission to our government, affords sufficient evidence of their ancient power and gallantry in arms. It may be justly said of them, as of the inhabitants of Rome and Carthage--"their walls and towns became their funeral piles, leaving nothing to their conquerors but their ashes." They seem to have nurtured their hostility to all Europeans, except the English, as a heritage from sire to son, losing no opportunity to avenge the wrongs of their people. Many of our citizens, and some perhaps who now hear me, are living witnesses

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of their incredible endurance and valor, and though they may have strewed their pathway with desolcation and death, we cannot but sympathize with their sufferings and regard with admiration that noble and chivalrous spirit which has so long sustained them as a distinct and independent nation.

The expulsion of the Sauks and Outagamies, or Foxes, left the occupation of Green Bay by the French to continue in peace, and never after has it been disturbed. Allouez and his mission, which was located five miles up the River, at the Rapide des Peres,* had been entirely destroyed, only to give place to the traders, who appear to have made this one of their principal posts of traffic with the natives, extending as far up as Grand Kaukaulin. A class of men were thus introduced of singular character and habits. Some of the best blood of France emigrated to Canada, lured by the prospect of immense fortunes which were supposed to be of easy acquisition.-- The first adventurers to this vast region reported the country as abounding in the precious metals, and the visions of California with her golden gateway cannot compare with the exciting fables which spread throughout Europe of the immense treasures to be found in the New World. Hither came the eager crowd of adventurous spirits, ready to embark in any enterprise of danger to secure the object of their search. A golden harvest was indeed before them in the lucrative traffic with the natives, instead of the vast mineral wealth which had been promised them. They seized with avidity the opportunities thus presented, and for more than a century the fur trade enticed from the gay circles of fashionable life the

* Rapid of the Fathers, from which the town of Depere derives its name

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polished and popular favorite, and bound him, as with a spell, to its enchanting pursuit.

The trader of an early day was invested with military power, and made use of every means to extend and strengthen his influence. He was stationed at a remote point, without law except such as he might dictate to those around him, without customs save those of the Indians among whom he dwelt, and without religious restraint or instruction, he was the monarch of his sphere in all that related either to social intercourse or civil government. If differences arose among those in his employ, he was the arbiter between them; if a military exploit was on the tapis, he was the head of the expedition, for the sinews of war were in his own keeping and control.

The Chevalier Tonti, having been compelled to retire from Fort Crevecoeur, in consequence of the hostile incursions of the Iroquois and abandon for a time the colony planted there by Lasalle,* commanded at Green Bay, and had a small detachment of men under him, in 1680. After him came Lieut. du Luth, who also had a small troop under his command, the French settlements at this period being in imminent danger from the Indian nations in the English interest. It was a dependency of Mackinac, and in times of difficulty was easily and speedily reinforced from that post; but after the defeat and expulsion† of the Outagamies or Foxes, it needed no defense save the block-house, usually built and occupied for purposes of trade, as well as security from sudden surprise. About the year 1750, Sieur Augustin du Langlade became the

* Am. State Papers. † It is said by the French traders that the Outagamies were expelled in 1746.

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principal proprietor of the post at Green Bay, and his descendants are there at the present day.* He was a man of education and character, and the pure idiom of his native tongue, and the polished manners brought hither from the French court, have been transmitted uncorrupted to the generations which succeeded him. A distinguished French traveler, within the last few years, expressed his surprise at hearing from a native citizen of our country, and who had never been beyond the limits of our State, the purity and elegance of expression which distinguishes the refined circles of the French metropolis.

His son, Charles de Langlade, a native of the country, bore a conspicuous part in the French war, and we find him acting in the capacity of Lieutenant, afterwards of Captain, under the orders of Vandreuil, at Mackinac, St. Joseph, and at Duquesne.† He also was a man of great energy, active and persevering in enterprises, and possessed in a high degree the confidence of the King and Government. In 1760, he was commissioned by Louis XV,‡ and was appointed second in command at Michilimackinac, at which place he still remained on the 4th of June, 1763, when the Indians surprised and massacred the troops stationed at that post.§ The distinction thus conferred

*Of the great-grandchildren of Augustin Langlade, the only one now surviving is Augustin Grignon, of Butte des Morts, Winnebago County, aged 74 years.

† Appendix, 1.

‡"DE PAR LE ROY. "Sa Majeste ayant fait choix du Sr. Langlade pour servir en qualite de Lieutenant reforme a la suite des troupes entretennes en Canada. Ellemande au Gouverneur son Lieutenant general de la Nouvelle France de le recevoir et de la faire reconnoitre et la ditte qualite de Lieutenant reforme detous ceux et ainsy qu'il apartiendra. "Fait a Versailles es le pr. fevrier 1760. {.I.S} LOUIS.

"Enregistre au Bureau du controlle de la marine de la Nouvelle France fait a Montreal le seize Juin mil Sept cent soixante. DEVILLERE."

§ Henry's Narrative.

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upon the younger Langlade is evidence of his gentle birth, for not until the innovation upon ancient customs introduced by Napoleon, were officers taken, without regard to lineage, from the common people.

In 1760, Vandreuil informs him that he was under the necessity of surrendering Montreal to a superior force under Gen. Amherst, and that the English had thus become masters of Canada.* Major Etherington soon afterwards took possession of Fort Mackinac and its dependencies, and in April, 1763, we find him giving authority to the Messrs. Langlade to take up their permanent residence at Green Bay.† In 1782, Lieut. Gov. Sinclair repeats the permission in favor of the widow of Langlade, senior,‡ and thus the infant settlement of our State, which had been commenced and continued under French auspices, is sanctioned and encouraged under the more vigorous and arbitrary rule of the British crown. Fortunate for the interests of the great west, that missionary enterprise was early fostered by the French court, more fortunate still that free-trade proclaimed in Canada opened a field for mercantil enterprise which invited that active and adventurous people to probe every nook and corner of the land, if the restrictions which followed the Treaty of 1763 had been in force at an earlier day, the great valley of the Mississippi would not now boast of its immense commerce and its millions of freemen.

* Appendix, 2.

† "MICHILIMACKINAC, April 13, 1763. "I have this date given permission to Messrs. Langlade, pere et fils, to live at the post of La Baye, and do hereby order tha no person may interrupt them in their voyage thither with their wives, children, servants and baggage. GEO. ETHRINGTON, Commandant."

‡ "Par l'honorable Patrice Sinclair, ecuyer. &c. "Madame Langlade a' permission d' aller a' la Baye, pour y entre en possession des ses maisons, jardins, fermes, et biens. El e amene un engage avec elle. Bon e sous ma main et sceau[?] de post ce 14 Sept. 1782. "[?] SINCLAIR. ( [?]S. ) Lieut. Gov. " [?]

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We have omitted the mention of a post established at an ancient date upon Lake Superior. Fort Camanistigoyan, or Kiminwistiqua, as it is now called, was occupied before the discovery of the Mississippi, and was commanded by Du Luth; but as it had no other purpose than trade, and did not prove to be the germ of a permanent settlement, it is comparatively unimportant to the history of our State.*

There is another spot of whose history is equal antiquity with that already mentioned. Prairie du Chien is known to possess the remains of an ancient fortification, coeval, at least, with the occupation of the mouth of Fox River, but whether erected under French or Spanish authority, seems to be a matter of doubt. If the tradition which we have referred to, of the occupation of Fort Gonville by the Spaniards, is reliable, this may have been the work of the same nation, and before the French discovered the Mississippi. It is extremely probable that it was the habitation of some of the numerous French traders who resorted to the Mississippi immediately after its discovery, and who are known to have had several important posts and the first fort in Illinois. Perhaps Du Luth, who was a fearless and enterprising man, had fixed upon this point as most accessible and convenient to prosecute his trade with the upper Mississippi, for we find him mentioned by Hennepin as liberating him from the Indians by whom he had been held prisoner many months.† Du Pratz, in his account of Louisiana, describes the valley of the Mississippi as possessing surpassing charms, insomuch "that the ladies even ventured to make the long and painful voyage from Canada, in order to end their days in a