The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-01
The Legend of Gladwln and the In
dian Girl.

Detroit being the chief point of at
tack Pontiac took IL upon himself 10 sur
prise and massacre the garrison. On
May |, 1853, 40 Ottawas danced the calu-
met dance before Gladwin's house the
visit being made for the purpose OF spy
ing out the land. -Four days later NJ
Gouin, substantial French settler
brought word that his wife, while visit
ing the Ottawa camp 20 buy venison had
seen the Indians filing off the ends OF
their gun-barrels, evidently preparing for
some deed OF treachery; and on the even
ing of the 9Th Gladwin received private
information that the next day had been
set for the destruction of his garrison.
The exact source of this private infor-
nation is still matter of doubt.
Carver who visited Detroit hvo years
after the events to bc described. and who
published three editions of his Travels
through North America while Gladwin
was still living, relates, without contsm-
porary contradiction, story that Cass
accepted with little hesitation and that
Parkman cings To in spite of the grayest
doubts thrown upon IL by Investigations
made subsequent TO the first edition of
his Conspiracy OF Pontiac. John k
Williams told Parkmt hat the plot was
disclosed by the daughIer Of Labutte the
Interpreter; but Mr. Askin opined that
Pawnee slave gave the Information.
The evening of May Z, according to
ployed by Major Gladwin TO make par
of moccasins cut of curious clk-skln,
brought her work home. The major was
so pleased with the 1noocaslns that, In
tending them as present for friend,
he ordered her TO take back the re-
mainder Of the skin and make pair for
him. Having been paid and dismissed,
the woman loitered at tho door, anG
Gladwin was quick enough to see iat
something was amiss. Being urgcu to
tell her trouble, she said, after much
hesitation, that as he had always been
good to her, she was unwilling to take
away the remainder of the skin, be-
cause he put so great value upon
IT, and she should never be
able to bring il back. his curiosity being
now excited, he insisted that she disclose
the secret that seemed To be struggling in
her bosom for utterance. AT last, on re-
cejyinQ a promise that the intelligence she
was about to give should not turn to her
prejudice and that If 1t appeared To loo
beneficial she should be rewarded for it,
she informed him tnat at the council IN te
held with the Indians the following day
Pontiac and his chiefts intended TO muir
der Gladwin and his officers, and having
massacred the garrison and inha bitants, TO
plunder the town. Having gained from
the woman every necessary particular rela-
tive TO the plot, Gladwin dismissed her.
with iniunctiops to secrecy, and promise
of reward.
A story at once so romantic and so
widely accepted deserves tender treat
nent: but in the Parkman manuscripts
this same tale Is found in the mouth of
one of Rogers rangers, who, as Cass
proves. could not havo known the fac;s
The truth probably has been related by
the unknown author of tho Pontiac Diary,
who says that an Ottawa Indian called
Mahigan, having entered but reluctantly
into the conspiracy and feeling displeased
with the steps his people were taking.
came on Friday night without the knowl-
edge of the other Indians, TO the gate uf
tho fort and asked TO be admitted To the
presence of the commander, saying that
he had something of importance TO tell
him. The gates having been opened, ne
was conducted to Captain Campbell,
second i'm command and Gladwin was
summoned. They wished TO call I'm the
interpreter Labutte but the Indian OBJ
jccted, saying that he could make himself
Understood in French. Thereupon he un.
folded the conspiracy of the Indians
telling how they would come the very
next day To fall on the English Having
obtained pledge of secrecy, and having
refused presents lest the Indians should
discover his treachery and kill him, no
left the fort secretly. Tho writer ADDS
that Gadwin made n promise not TO dis
close the source of his Information. and
that he kept it-From Henry Gladwiu
and the Siege Of Pontiac" by Charles
Moore in Harpcr's Magazine for June.