but slowly, the master builder is this day to give in the return of those which are in condition and a second Brigade will set off the 5th inst.

The violent rains which were so necessary for raising the waters of the Miamiss River, have retarded us in many particulars.

Your Excellency will please to observe that on the list of volunteers for the enterprize several persons are employed who must carry arms when occasion calls, as to the high pay, wages are so extravagant here, that the common men receive but half what they might earn, were they to stay at home-this encouragement therefore was necessary.

Octr. 3rd 1776 11 o'clock A. M.

Last night the Savages were assembled, when I sung the War Song, and was followed by Captain Lernoult and several officers &c and Warriors going on the Enterprize, the best disposition and alacrity shewn by all.

Two Indians set off Express this day with the Letters.

As Captain Lernoult cannot spare men from the Garrison, I leave two small Howitzers behind as they would be but lumber without people to work them I have for the six pounder which we take, 2 Artillery men, 1 Sergt., 1 Corpl. & 12 of the Volunteer Militia under the orders of Lieut. Du Vernet, who has exerted himself in providing and preparing the many necessaries coming under his direction.

We shall set off for the Miamis river the 6th without fail.

I have the honor to be Sir with the most profound Respect, Sir, Your Excellencys most obedient and most devoted Servant.

HENRY HAMILTON.

I take the liberty of enclosing three letters in Your Excellency's Packett.

Endorsed :-Detroit No 17, 1778 From Lieut Govr. Hamilton with several Enclosures. Dated from the 22nd September to the 3rd Octr. Recd. 29th. The Enclosures marked Detroit No 17.

[B 122, p 167.]

Extract of a Council held by Lt. Govr. Hamilton with the Outawas, Chippawas, Poutawattamies, and Fifty of their Warriors.

DETROIT 24th Septr. 1778.

Mettusaugay Chief of the Chippawas, spoke: Father, We listened to what you said the day before yesterday and were well pleased at it.

We told you in the spring that we should be rejoiced to see you and your officers, together with some red coats marching towards the enemy. You now tell us your hands are untied by order of our Father General Haldimand, and that you are now rising up to strike the Rebells, which gives us great pleasure.

Father! I am too old and infirm to go where my Heart would lead me, but Father here is my Son and the Son of my Comrade Chief and the young men present will follow you.

Father, You know you can dispose of us as you please, being of one mind to obey you upon all occasions. These are the sentiments of your children, the Outawas, Chippawas & Poutawattamies.

Egoushawry Chief of the Outawas then spoke:

Father, I beg you will listen to me, as also you my brethren, the Chippawas, & Poutawattamies.

Father, What my brethren the Chippawas have said, is what I should have said, if I had spoke first. I however observe there are some who keep back, that I should have thought would have been among the first (meaning the Hurons who did not attend the meeting) as for myself and my friend Chamin-ta-wa (another Outawa Chief) we shall follow you, with some of our young men, and not abandon you.

The Poutawattamies then spoke in the same terms.

Lieut. Govr. Hamilton:

Children! What you have said is very pleasing to me and nothing more than what I expected from you. Your behaviour has been so uniform for this three years, since I have been among you that I have not had the least reason to reproach you, and am very happy to find upon this occasion, that you are still of the same mind you have always been of; & have only to recommend a continuance of your behavior & to always remember your Father who has authorized me to listen to your demands and assist you.

As to your Brethren, the Hurons, I cannot yet say they are backward, this rainy weather (which is a lucky circumstance for us, as it will raise the water) has probably prevented their coming in, for they have never shewn the least disobedience & I believe they are of the same mind with you.

Children! Your Father Captn Lernoult here present will take care of your wives and children in my absence. His words and mine are the same; you see we are all united and of one mind.

The above is the substance of what pass'd between Govr. Hamilton & the above mentioned nations as interpreted by Isidore Chesne, sworn Interpreter.

JEHU HAY, Deputy Agent I. Dt.

Endorsed:-Extract of a Council 24th Sepr., 1778. Come inclosed in Lieut Govr. Hamilton's letter of the 22nd Sept. to the 3rd Octr. Recd. 29th, marked Detroit, No. 17.

[B 122, p. 181].

Return of a detachment of the Royal Artillery Captain Lamothe's Company of Volunteers & the Volunteer Militia of Detroit, who offer'd themselves between the 17th Septr 1778, to serve on an Enterprise againt the Rebells:

New York
Currency.

Names of the officers and others employed on this enterprize with their daily pay, exclusive of the officer of Artillery.

20

20

106

35

71

N. B. Lieut't Fontenoy de Quindre on a scout with the Shawanese. Lieut't Claude La Bute sick at Detroit.

HENRY HAMILTON,

Lieut't-Gov'r & Superintendent.

Endorsed:-Return of officers, &c., for the Enterprise against the Rebels, Detroit, Sep'r 30th, 1778. Came inclosed in Lieut.-Gov'r Hamilton's letter of the 22nd Sep'r to the 3rd Octo. Rec'd 29th, marked Detroit No. 17.

[B 122, p 179.]

TO GEN. HALDIMAND.

SIR-I beg leave to represent to your Excellency, that Mr. Montforton, late of Michillimakinac has done what was in his power to open the eyes of the French people at the Ilinois, who have lately taken the Rebels by the hand, by a letter written to Mr Cerré of Kaskasquias.

Should things take a favorable turn in that country, I take the liberty to request that he may not be forgotten. He appears to me a man of sense & information far above the common standard in this country, & his having a large family will I am certain be an additional motive with your Excellency to make a provision for him, should there be a favorable opportunity.

I send a copy of his letter, which I think must plead more strongly in his favor than anything I can advance.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your Excellency's most devoted and most obedient servant,

Detroit Octr 4th, 1778.

HENRY HAMILTON.

Endorsed :-Detroit, No. 18 1778. From Lieut Gov. "Hamilton enclosing a letter from Mr. Montforton to Mr. Cerres at Kaskasquias of the 4th Octr. Recd. 29th.

[B 122, p. 203].

TO GEN. HALDIMAND.

SIR-The 2nd Instant an Express went by land from this place to Niagara with a letter in form of Diary commencing the 22nd of September 1778. have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency by an Indian express the occurrences since that letter was closed.

The 5th of October late in the evening Messieurs Charles & Nicholas Gouin, came to Detroit, the latter express from the Miamis with an account that Mr. de Celeron was at Ouiattonon when one De Couagne the bastard savage son of the old man now Interpreter at Niagara, & who is chief among the Peorias, arrived with 5 other Persons having Belts from the Rebels & speeches address'd to the ouabash Indians nearly in the following terms:

"You Indians living on the River Ouabash! we are not come with design "to take your lands from you, we only desire to pass thro your country to "Detroit to turn out your father who is there, for now your late Father the "King of France is come to life and will recover the country he lost to the "English.

"Here are several belts for you to consider upon a white one for the “French—a red one for the Spaniards who mean to assist them—a blue one "in the name of the colonies-a green one offering peaceable terms from "the Americans if you allow them to pass freely, and lastly a red one offer"ing you war if you prefer that.

"We desire you to leave a very wide road for us, as we are many in num"ber and love to have room enow for our march, for in swinging our arms as we walk, we may chance to hurt some of your young people with our "swords.

66

Mr de Celoron, as I am informed contented himself with hearing thus much, and without waiting to hear what reply the Indians made to this flourishing speech, mounted his horse and rode off for the Miamis who have sent a Chief & some men to meet the Rebels, I suppose with friendly overtures as they are reputed but a dastardly nation & have done nothing this war tho' treated as well as the bravest.

Mr. de Celeron's expeditious movement rather surprizes me, but in this country where indulgence pleniere takes place, there can be but slender confidence on protestations or even stronger tyes. However his own account may throw a different light on his actions, I own the proceedings of several people at the different posts, give but little room for confidence in any of them.

Two men of the name of Rainbault went lately from the Miamis with goods for St. Vincennes, notwithstanding Mr Beaubin positively forbad