Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-05-05
Historical.
CONQUEST OF ILLINOIS.
An Address Delivered in BeIlevi1le. nlinois) on
the Fourth Of July, 1910, by John HI Peck.
GCoucl1sded

the streets, with yells and whoopings after
the Indian fashion, which, though exceed
ingly alarming to the conquered inhabi-
tants, was a stratagem of Clark to accom-
plish his purposes.
One of the richest and most distin-
guished citizens of Kaskaskia at that
period, was NJ. Cerre, said by Col Clark
to have been most bitter enemy to the
Americans. He had long been a success
full trader, but had left the place before
the arrival of the Americans, and was then
at st. Louis on his way to Quebec.
The commander, at once, determined to
bring them and all his influence to the
side of the American interest Accord
ingly he took possession of his house and
extensive stock of merchandise and placed
guard over the property. Another STRAIT
egem was to prevent all intercourse be-
tween his own men and the citizens. and
to admit none of the latter to his presence
except by positive command for them to
appear before him or apparently in great
condescenslon when urgently solicited to
grant audience to some humble petitioner.
by this course of policy he contrived at
first to confirm all the worst suspicious
the British had instilled into the minds of
the simple villagers, of the ferocity of the
Long knives" and, then, by undeceiving
them produce a revulsion of feelings. and
gain their unlimited confidence In this
he was completely successful The town
was IN possession of an enemy the inhab-
ltants had been taught we're the most fe
rocIous and brutal of all men.-and of
whom they entertained the most horrible
pprehensions. and all intercourse was
strictly prohibited between each other and
the conquerors After five days the troops
were removed to the outskirts of the town.
and the citizens were permitted to walk in
the streets. But finding them engaged in
conversation, one with another, Col Clark
ordered some of the officers to be put in
irons without assigning a single reason. or
permitting word of defence. This sin
gular display Of despotic power in the con-
queror, did not spring from cruel dispo-
sItlon, or disregard to the principles of
Il h5erty. bot it was the course of policy he
had marked out to gain his object.
vi all commanders, perhaps, Col Clark
had the readiest and clearest insight into
human nature. The effect of this stretch
of military power, at first, was to fll the
inhabitants with CONSERVATION and dis
may
After some time NJ Gibault, the parish
priest, got permission to wait on Col
Clark, with five or six elderly gentlemen.
If the inhabitants of the town were
filled with astonishment at the suddenness
of their captivity, these men were far more
astonished at the personal appearance of
Clark and his soldiers. Their clothes
were dirty and torn for they had no change
of apparel D-their boards of three and
four weeks growth, and as Clark states in
his journal, they looked more frightful
and disgusting than savages.
Some minutes passed before the depu-
tation could speak. and then they felt at
a loss whom they should address as COM
mandant, for they saw no difference in
the personal appearance between the chief
tain and his men.
Finally, the priest, in the most submis-
slve tone and posture, remarked, that the
inhabitants expected to be separated, per
haps never to meet again, and they beg
ged through him, as great favor from
their conqueror, TO be permitted to assem-
bic IN the church, offer up their prayers
to God for their souls, and take leave of
each other
The commander observed with appa-
rent carelessness, that the Americans did
not trouble themselves about the religion
OF others, but left every man to worship
God as he pleased; that they might 20 to
the church if they wished, but on no &C
count must single person leave the town.
All further conversation was repelled. and
they were sent away, rather abruptly that
the alarm might be raised to the highest
pitch
The whole population assembled in the
church as for the last time. mournfuIly
chanted their prayers, and bid each 9th
erfarewell-never expecting to meet again
IN this world But so much did they re-
gard this as favor that the priest and
deputatiou returned from the church to
the lodgings of Col Clark. and in the name
of the people expressed thanks for the in
dulgence they had received They then
begged leave to address their conqueror
upon their separation and their lives
They claimed not to know the origin or
nature OF the contest between Great Bri-
tain and the colonies What they had
done had been IN subsection to the Brit
ish commander whom they we're constrain-
ed to obey. They were willing to submit
to the loss of all their property as the fate
of war, bat they begged they might not
be separated from their families, aud that
clothes aud provisions might be allowed
them barely sufficient for their present
necessities
Col Clark had now gained the object of
his artful maneuvre. He saw their fears
were raised to the highest pitch, and he
abruptly thus addressed them
'.Who do you take US to be Do you
think We are savages-that We intend to
massacre you all ? Do you think Ameri-
cans viii strip women and children and
take the bread out of their mouths Nv
said the gallant Colonel. I
never make war upon the innocent It
was to protect our own wives and children
that We have penetrated this wilderness. /
to subdue these British posts from whence |
the savages are supplied with arms and .
ammunition TO murder Us. We do not