PONTIAC

WAS the chief of the Ottawas, a tribe which, during the lifetime of this renowned leader, inhabited the country in the neighborhood of Detroit. The Ottawas were the oldest and most powerful tribe in that region, and Pontiac exercised a sort of imperial sway over his neighboring sovereigns. A traveller, who visited that country about the year 1760, mentions him in the following terms: "Pontiac is their present king or emperor, who has certainly the largest empire and greatest authority of any Indian chief that has appeared on the continent since our acquaintance with it. He puts on an air of majesty and princely grandeur, and is greatly honored and revered by his subjects." During the wars between the French and English, in North America, Pontiac adhered constantly to the French interest, and the histories of the time represent his enmity to the former as so deep-seated and inveterate, that the conclusion of peace between the two nations could not for some time mitigate his hostile temper. Courageous, enterprising, subtle and ambitious, he was reluctant to abandon the depredations which he had systematically carried on against his old enemies, and his thoughts were devoted to a scheme for combining all the tribes which were under his influence into a grand league for the extirpation of the English. After Quebec had been captured from the French,

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an expedition was despatched by the British general, under Major Rogers, against the French posts in the Indian country. On reaching Pontiac's dominions, Rogers was met by that chieftain, who, in an authoritative manner, demanded his business, and asked how he dared to enter his territory without permission from himself, the "king and lord of the country." Rogers informed him that he had no hostile design against the Indians, but only wished to expel the French, who were their common enemies, and the cause of all their troubles. Pontiac replied with a peremptory prohibition against his further advance, couched in the following laconic style: "I stand in the path you travel in, till to-morrow morning." However, he condescended to interchange presents with the British commander, and very civilly inquired whether he was in want of supplies for his men. The next day, a quantity of parched corn and other provisions were furnished for their use, and paid for by the British. Pontiac now assumed a more friendly air, smoked the pipe of peace with his guest, and assured him that he might pass through his country unmolested, and displace the French garrisons. Rogers had much conversation with him, and was struck with the evidence of his sagacity, and his desire for knowledge. He wished to be made acquainted with the English mode of war, to know how their arms and accoutrements were provided, and how their clothing was manufactured. Rogers attempted to persuade him to submit to the authority of the king of England. Pontiac replied, that he would not acknowledge him as his superior, though

he was willing to call him uncle, and make him a present of furs. He expressed a willingness to grant favors to the English, and allow them to settle in his country, but upon the express condition that they should consider themselves under his authority; and he assured them, in plain terms, that, in case they acted in opposition to his will, he would "shut up the way, and keep them out." During the stay of Rogers and his detachment in that quarter, they were treated as friends by Pontiac and all the tribes under his command. He even made a proposal to visit England, which country he had a strong desire to see; he offered Rogers a part of his territory, if he would take him across the Atlantic.

There seems no reasonable doubt of the sincerity of Pontiac's friendship toward the English at this period. He accompanied the troops during a considerable part of their route homeward, and was the means of preserving them from the fury of a body of Indians, who had collected near Detroit for the purpose of cutting them off. What aroused his subsequent enmity against that nation, we have no positive means of knowing; but within two or three years we find him inspired with the most hostile temper toward the English, and projecting a deep-laid and extensive scheme for their destruction. Like Philip of Pokanoket, he determined to try the effect of a combination among the various tribes within his reach. In this enterprise, he displayed much sagacity, deep calculation and foresight, and his attempts were for a time crowned with such remarkable success, that he became the terror of the frontier, and the name of

Pontiac attained a high degree of celebrity, not only throughout North America, but even in Europe.

By his efforts, a band of confederate nations, consisting of the Hurons, Miamis, Chippeways, Ottawas, Potowatamies, Missisauges and others, was organized for united action against the enemy, in 1763. Instead of openly attacking the English settlements, Pontiac formed a plan for capturing, by stratagem, such of their forts and outposts as they had lately acquired by the treaty with France. One of the most important of these was Michilimackinac, a fortress situated upon an island in the strait between lakes Michigan and Huron, and which, down to the present day, has always been considered a military station of the highest consequence. At this period of our history the fortress was surrounded by a strong stockade, and defended by a garrison of about a hundred men. It contained also about three hundred French inhabitants. Pontiac aimed his first blow at this place; and the artifice and cunning which were exhibited on the occasion, were such as to entitle the capture of Michilimackinac to a conspicuous rank in the history of military stratagems. There was a game played by the Indians, called baggatiway, which is practised with a bat and ball. Two posts are set in the ground, a mile or farther apart. Two parties take possession of the posts, and each endeavors to throw the ball up to the post of the adversary. In this endeavor, the ball is tossed in all directions, and the game is attended by all the shouting and turbulence natural to rude athletic sport. The whole stratagem being well matured, a large body of Indians