PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE NEW YORKİ

TALDEN FOUNDATIONS.

ASTOR, LINUX

American Monthly Magazine

VOL. XXVI. WASHINGTON, D. C., JUNE, 1905.

No. 6.

HISTORY OF PONTIAC, THE INDIAN CHIEF.

Marcia Richardson,

The French war in Canada closed with the downfall of Quebec and the surrender at Montreal of all Canada to the British Crown, but it still remained to carry into full effect the terms of the surrender, and take possession of those western outposts, where the lilies of France had not yet descended from the flagstaff. The execution of this task was assigned to Major Robert Rogers, in command of a detachment of rangers, who received orders from Sir Jeffrey Amherst to take possession of the posts of Michillimackinac and Detroit.

It is here in 1760, for the first time that this remarkable man Pontiac stands forth distinctly on the pages of history. He greeted Rogers with the haughty questions, what was his business in that country, and how dared he enter it without his permission. Rogers replied that the French were defeated and that he was on his way to take possession of Detroit. Up to this time Pontiac had been, in word and deed, the fast ally of the French, but it is easy to discern the motives that impelled him to renounce his old adherence.

The American forest never produced a man more shrewd, politic and ambitious. Ignorant as he was of what was passing in the world, he could clearly see that the French power was on the wane, and he knew his own interest too well to prop a falling cause. By making friends of the English he hoped to gain powerful allies who would aid his ambitious projects and give him an increased influence over the tribes; and he flattered himself that the newcomers would treat him with the same

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respect which the French had always observed. Rogers had several interviews with Pontiac, and was constrained to admire the native vigor of his intellect, no less than the singular control which he exercised over those around him.

The country was scarcely transferred to the English when the Indian tribes became discontented and in every wigwam and hamlet of the forest, a deep-rooted hatred of the English increased with rapid growth. The French with sagacious policy had labored to ingratiate themselves with the Indians. When the French had possession of the remote forts they liberally supplied the Indians with guns, ammunition and clothing. The English withheld all these supplies, thereby causing want, suffering and death. They also cheated and plundered the Indians. The tribes by this time had been roused to the highest pitch of exasperation; their best lands had been invaded and patented out without their consent. A plot was formed to destroy Detroit and several other forts.

Pontiac was principal chief of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawattomies. Over those around him, his authority was almost despotic, and his power extended far beyond the limits of the three united tribes. His influence was great among all the nations of Illinois, from the sources of the Ohio to the Mississippi.

Among the wild tribes of the continent, personal merit is indispensable to gaining or preserving dignity. Courage, resolution, address and eloquence are some passports to distinction. With all these Pontiac was pre-eminently endowed and it was chiefly to them urged to their highest activity by a vehement ambition, that he owed his greatness. He possessed a commanding energy and force of mind, and in subtlety and craft could match the best of his wily race.

Pontiac was now about fifty years old. Revenge, ambition and patriotism wrought upon him alike and he resolved on war. At the close of the year 1762 he sent ambassadors to the different nations.

They visited the country as far northward as the upper lakes and river Ottawa, along the Ohio, and far southward to the mouth of the Mississippi. Bearing with them the war belt of wampum, broad and long as the importance of the message de

manded, in color red or black, and the tomahawk stained red, in token of war, they went from camp to camp, and village to village. Wherever they appeared, the sachems and old men assembled, to hear the words of the great Pontiac.

The tribes thus banded together against the English comprised the whole Algonquin, Wyandots, Senecas and several tribes of the lower Mississippi.

On the twenty-seventh of April a council of war was called. The appointed spot was on the banks of the little river Ecorces, not far from Detroit. All were seated in a wide circle upon the grass, row within row, a grave and silent assembly.

Then Pontiac arose and walked forward into the midst of the council. His muscular figure was cast in a mold of remarkable symmetry and vigor; his features had a bold and stern expression; his habitual bearing was imperious and pre-emptory, like that of a man accustomed to sweep away all opposition by the force of his impetuous will; and he stood before the council plumed and painted in the full costume of war.

I will not record the speech, but Pontiac told them in conclusion that on the second day of May he would gain admittance to the fort at Detroit with a party of his warriors on pretence of dancing the calumet dance before the garrison; that they would take note of the strength of the fortification and that he would then summon another council to determine the mode of attack.

On the first of May, Pontiac came to the gate with forty men of the Ottawa tribe, and asked permission to enter and dance the calumet dance, before the officers of the garrison. After some hesitation, he was admitted; and proceeding to the house of the commandant, Major Gladwyn, he and thirty of his warriors began their dance, each recounting his own exploits and boasting himself the bravest of mankind. The officers and men gathered around them; while, in the meantime, the remaining ten of the Ottawas strolled about the fort, observing everything it contained. When the dance was over, they all quietly withdrew, not a suspicion of their designs having arisen in the minds of the English.

According to tradition, in the Pottawattomie village lived an