Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-10-29

SKETCH OF INDIAN DOMINION, CONSPIRACY AND
FALL.
Within one year after the rock built citadel
of Quebec was surrendered to the British army
under Genral Wolfe. the conquest Of Canada
was completed by the victory of Montreal
The plains around that city We're covered with
tho tents of three triumphant armies, and Can
ada; with all her dependencies. passed from the
hands of her ancient masters to the all-srasp-
ing dominion of Great Britain. This event,
which took place the eighth of September,
1860, was ominious of disaster to the natives of
the American forest. Living with the French
on terms Of friendly intimacy. blending faclely
with that vivacious race, by reason of strong
contrasts of disposition, converted in numerous
INSTANCES to the Catholic faith, by the roman
tic tolls of Jesuits in the wilderness, and bound
together by the common ties of religion, pas
sion and the similar habitudes, the Indian
tribes might long have kept their native soil, if
the supren: a"y of France had been in the Can
adam Colonies. But the victory of Quebec was
che signal of their ruin.
BRUSH proceeded to take possession Of tbe
western outposts. The execution of this tosL
was entrusted TO a provincial officer, Major
hooert rogers, native of New Hampsbir.
ana partisan commander Of considerable &C.
iebrity. He had been an associate of p,t,.n,
ana STARK IN the woodland warfare which has
"'"'ie the adventures of the former familiar
theme at every freslde of New England. With
a tai and vigorous person, he was skilled in
''e arts Oh wooderait, sagacious, prompt, and
re>oiute IN action, yet with degree of caution
mat was sometimes mistaken for cowardice
On the 18th of September, 1860, Rogers was
ordered to ascend the lakes with detachment
OF rangers, and take possession, in the name of
the British crown, Detroit Mchil 'imackinack
and the other western posts included in the re-
cent capituiation. He left Montreal on the fol.
lowing day with two hundred rangers, in fif
teen whale boats. 1t was not till near tbe closo
OF October that he arrived at Pressure Isle, on
the southern margin of Lake Erie. "The sea.
son was far advanced The wind was chill the
lake was stormy, and the woods on shore were
iinged with the fading hues of Autumn, On
Inc 'th OF November, the party reached the
mouth OF Cuyahoga river. the present site of
Cleveland. No body of troops under the Bri |
fish flag had ever before advanced so far. The
day was dull and rainy, and resolving to rest
until the weather should improve, Rogers or
dered his men to prepare their encampment in
The neighboring forest. The place has seen
strange changes since that day A youthful
city has usurped the place where the fish hawk
and the eagle, the wolf and the bear, then
reigned with undisputcd mastery
Upon taking up their quarters at that point,
the rangers received a visit from a party of In
diah chiefs and warriors, who proclaimed
themselves an embassy from Pontiac, the ruler
OF all that country, and in his name forbade the
further progress of the English, until they
should have an interview with the Great Chief
who was already in the vicinity. Rotor. night
RAIL- accordingly, Pontiac made his appearance.
and here, for the first time, the life of the saw
age autocrat, becomes the subject of history
Greeting Rogers with the naughty bearing ola
Stole OF the Woods" he demands him his bu.
sness in the country, and how he had presum-
ad taenter it without his permission. ROGERS
I)tsmed him of the defeat of the French and
The surrender of Canada, adding that he was ON
his way to take Possession of Detroit, and 70
restore general peace, which would be Of
equal benefit to the white man and the Indian
After listening with attention. Pontiac only 70.
pied that he should stana in the path of tina
English until next morning. He then withdrew
70 his eneampment, while Rogers, ill at ease,
stood on his guard through the whole night.
Pontiac returned in the morning accompanied
~ several chiefs lie said he was willing to live
N peace with the english SO long as they treated s
ann with proper respect. The Indian chiefs and q
he provincial officers smoked the calumet to.
'efher'and perfect harmony seemed established i
between them. The sudden adherance of poDtiac /,
o the English was in perfect accordance with =
lis shrewd and ambitious character. He saw :
hat the French power was on the wane. and !,
With genuine diplomatic sagacity was eager to :
lesert falling cause. Accustomed to ti.ttery /,
nd homage from the French, lie hoped to re- !,
GIVE similar treatment from his new allies :,
nd to gain in them powerful! aid to his amir !.
Gus projects among his own tribes But this !,