[57] Kaskaskia.
[58] Flagg's description agrees in the main with that given by Philip Pittman (see ante, p. 77, note [53]), save that the latter is more detailed. Judging from the phraseology, Flagg must have read Pittman's description.—Ed.
[59] Relative to Fort Chartres, see ante, p. 75, note [50].—Ed.
[60] Hall.—Flagg.
Comment by Ed. Flagg's authority is James Hall, Sketches of History, Life, and Manners in the West (Philadelphia, 1835).
Owing to the encroachments by the Mississippi, Fort Chartres was abandoned in 1772, and was never again used as a garrison. The legend given by Flagg is somewhat exaggerated. The French settlements adjacent to Kaskaskia readily accepted the situation on being invited by Clark's representatives, who were accompanied by Kaskaskians as friendly interpreters.
[61] Hall.—Flagg.
Comment by Ed. Compare with R. G. Thwaites, How George Rogers Clark won the Northwest, pp. 52-62.
[62] A fort was begun by Charles Trent, with a few Virginia troops, in February, 1754. On April 17, Contrecœur took the place, completed the fort, and named it Duquesne in honor of the then governor of New France. See Croghan's Journals, in our volume i, p. 85, note 45; also F. A. Michaux's Travels, in our volume iii, p. 156, note 20.—Ed.
[63] Renault sailed from France in 1719, but did not reach Illinois until 1721. For a short sketch of Renault, see ante, p. 42, note [18].