CHAPTER X.

Treaty with the Indians at the French fort-Description of Fort Du Quesne-Return of most of the troops east of the mountains-Name of the fort changed-Re-built by General Stanwix-Treaty with the Wyandots, Ottowas, &c.—Continued success of the British arms— Surrender of Canada-Pontiac-Preliminary articles of peace between France and England-Dissatisfaction of Canadian settlers-Enumeration of the western Indians,

During the night after the arrival of the army, a number of Indians, principally Delawares, collected on the island on the opposite side of the Allegheny, and the next morning gave intimation of their wishes to hold a treaty. Rafts of logs were made and their chiefs brought over, and a treaty of peace concluded. Goods were then advised to be forwarded from east of the mountains for distribution among them, that their friendship might be retained.

The condition and character of the fort is seen from a letter written the next day after Forbes' arrival. "There are two forts, about two hundred yards apart, the one built with immense labor, small, but a great deal of very strong works collected into very little room, and stands on the point of a narrow neck of land at the confluence of the two rivers. It is square, and has two ravelins, gabions at each corner, etc. The other fort stands on the bank of the Allegheny in form of a parallelogram, but not so strong as the other; several of the out-works are lately begun and still unfinished."*

* Hazard, vol. vi. 226.

A repair of the garrison was immediately commenmenced, and an additional picket-work made with a small ditch to serve for the coming winter.

Provisions being scarce and the quarters small, it was thought prudent, as no apprehensions were entertained that the French would return to make an attack before spring, to march the main body of the army back to the settlements, leaving only a sufficient number for the defence of the place till spring.

Two hundred and twenty men were accordingly left for the purpose, selected from the Virginia regiment; though at the disapprobation of their commander, Col. Washington," who thought they had performed their full share of duty." But General Forbes had given the command, on the strength that he had "no authority to leave any of the king's forces for that purpose, and the place was then understood to be within the jurisdiction of Virginia."

The name of the place was now changed to Fort Pitt, in honor of the prime minister, under whose active management the affairs were beginning to prosper, and the present campaign had been proposed.

During the ensuing summer General Stanwix, who formerly had commanded at Carlisle in Pennsylvania, arrived, and early in the autumn of the same year commenced building a strong fortification immediately above and adjoining the French fort. This formidable work it was deemed at the time, would be as impregnable as calculated to "perpetuate British power" on the Ohio. "The work was four-sided, though not all equal, as Washington erroneously stated in his journal in 1770.

"The earth around the proposed work was dug and thrown up, so as to inclose the selected position with a rampart of earth. On the two sides facing the country

this rampart was supported by what military men call a revetment-a brick-work nearly perpendicular, supporting the rampart on the outside, and thus presenting an obstacle to the enemy not easily overcome. On the other three sides the earth in the rampart had no support, and, of course, it presented a more inclined surface to the enemy-one which could be readily ascended. To remedy in some degree this defect in the work, a line of pickets was fixed on the outside of the foot of the slope of the rampart. Around the whole work was a wide ditch which was filled with water when the river was at a moderate stage.'

*

From a lettert dated at the fort about this time, it appears that on the arrival of General Stanwix, the Otto

* Sketches of early settlements by Neville B. Craig, Esq. Extract of a letter, September 24, 1759, from The American Magazine printed at Woodbridge, New Jersey.

"It is now near a month since the army has been employed in erecting a most formidable fortification; such a one as will, to latest posterity, secure the British empire on the Ohio. There is no need to enumerate the abilities of the chief engineer, nor the spirit shown by the troops in executing the important task: the fort will soon be a lasting monument of both. Upon the general's arrival about four hundred Indians, of different nations, came to confirm peace with the English; particularly the Ottowas and Wyandots who inhabit about Detroit. These confessed the errors they had been led into by the French; showed the deepest contrition for their past conduct; and promised not only to remain fast friends to the English, but assist us in distressing the common enemy, whenever we should call on them to do it. And all the nations that have been at variance with the English, said they would deliver up what prisoners they had in their hands, to the general, at a grand meeting that was to be held in about three weeks. As soon as the congress was ended the head of each nation presented the calumet of peace to the general, and showed every token of sincerity that could be expected, which their surrender of the prisoners will confirm.

"In this, as every thing that can secure the lasting peace and happiness of these colonies, the general is indefatigable."

CONQUESTS OF THE ENGLISH ARMY.

121

was, Wyandots and Indians from their neighborhood, in all to the number of four hundred, came to solicit a capitulation of peace. A grand treaty was accordingly agreed to be held in about three weeks, and the most friendly terms agreed upon for the future. The Indians not only promised to deliver up prisoners in their possession, but render assistance in the prosecution of the war against the French and their allies.

The success of the British arms during the year 1759, was as unparalleled as destructive to the French power in America.

All the campaigns destined against Canada, had been entirely successful. On approach of the formidable force of General Amhurst before Ticonderoga, it had been abandoned by the French. Crown Point was likewise given up, and the troops withdrawn. The battle of Niagara had been fought and won by General Prideaux; against whom the whole strength of Detroit, Venango, Le Bœuf, and Presq' Isle, had been brought; while, as to crown the whole, Quebec, "the Gibralter of America," long deemed impregnable, was captured under General Wolf.

Total destruction now threatened the French power in North America. Niagara, the key to the West and South, was wrested from them; and the acquisition of Quebec, commanding the entrance of the country by the St. Lawrence, completed the victory, and insured the retainance of control over all their possessions in the north.

The almost entire strength of the French being collected at Montreal, their last hopes rested on a campaign to be set on foot from that place; but their successful enemy had not delayed long to meet them even there. A body of English troops appeared ear

ly in the ensuing spring before that place, and a capitulation followed, and with it, the surrender of Detroit, Michilimacinac, Presq' Isle, Venango, and indeed all Canada.

The scene of contention between the two nations was now removed to the South, and a comparative quiet ensued. It only remained to obtain a general peace with the Indians, to effect, as was supposed, a tranquility on the frontiers, and throughout all the newly acquired possessions.

During the next year, 1760, the first detachment of English soldiers that ever penetrated the region of the upper lakes, was sent under the command of Major Rodgers, "for the purpose of taking formal passion."

It was during this expedition that the afterwards celebrated Pontiac, the Ottowa chief, first became known to the English. Although, as is supposed, he probably was the principal leader in the battle of Braddock, and is known to have been at several distinguished conflicts between the western Indians and the English, yet the brilliancy of his talents and the noise of his fame, had not yet properly reached them.

On hearing of the approach of Rodgers and his men up the lakes, he set out with his warriors to meet him; sending a messenger forward to inform them of his coming, he requested that they would halt till he met them. His wish was complied with, and Pontiac arrived.

"After the first salutation, he sternly demanded of the Englishman his business in his territory, and how he had dared to venture upon it without his permission."

The answer of Major Rodgers was, that he came to confirm peace with his nation, and open a friendly acquaintance for the mutual advantage of both, by