PONTIAC, CHIEF OF THE OTTAWAS
We are now to learn of another great American Indian,—one who ranks beside King Philip and Tecumseh, and whose career stamped itself upon the history of the frontier. This native leader was Pontiac, chief of the Ottawas.
Down to the opening of the last half of the eighteenth century, England and France were the leading rivals in colonizing America. The English planted their settlements along the coast, while the vast territory to the westward remained a wilderness, trodden only by the red men and wild beasts. France settled Canada, but, while doing so, she dreamed of founding a mighty empire, reaching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. She sent her surveyors into the Mississippi Valley, and they buried leaden plates at different points to let every one know that the country belonged to the King of France. They also built forts to the number of sixty or more throughout that vast region, leaving no doubt that they meant to hold it if necessary by force of arms.
French trappers, hunters and explorers began pushing eastward into the valley of the Ohio. At the same time some of the English pressed westward. These pioneers of two civilizations met in the gloomy solitudes, and fighting and bloodshed followed. Neither would yield, and war was certain to come. You know that the building of Fort Le Bœuf, in the far northwest corner of Pennsylvania, was looked upon by Virginia as an invasion of her territory, and Governor Dinwiddie sent a messenger, named George Washington, with a letter protesting against the act. The gallant young Virginian came back with word from the French officer that he not only meant to stay there, but would drive out every Englishman who showed himself in the country which belonged to the King of France.
The French and Indian War followed, ending with the triumph of England. France gave up every foot of soil she had held on the Western Hemisphere, except a little fishing station or two, and agreed to turn over all the western posts to her conqueror. It was this change of masters that brought Pontiac forward and caused one of the greatest crises in the history of that region.
A short time after the surrender of Quebec, General Amherst sent an armed force to the leading post, Detroit, to receive its submission, and that of the other forts on the frontier. This body was under the command of Major Robert Rogers of New Hampshire, who had acted a prominent part in the war, and who gained still greater fame (though unfortunately it was afterward tarnished) in the Revolution at the head of his famous Rangers.
Major Rogers coasted along southern Lake Erie late in the autumn of 1760. For a time the weather was crisp and pleasant, but when near the site of the present city of Cleveland, a cold, dismal storm broke, and the party put ashore and went into camp until the skies should clear. While resting, a score of Ottawa Indians visited the camp. They were led by a chief of striking appearance, whose identity Rogers suspected the moment he saw him. The officer had had dealings with red men, and none knew better than he how to treat with them. He showed the visitors every courtesy, and put on a meekness which it is safe to say he was far from feeling. He had heard of Pontiac, who now stood before him, and knew him to be one of the foremost of his race. The veteran meant to win his good will, if such a thing were possible.
Pontiac asked by what right these white soldiers dared to enter the country which belonged to him. Rogers explained that the war which had been going on for several years (and in which the great chief had played so honorable a part) was now ended by the victory of the English over the French. Rogers was on his way to Detroit to tell the news to the French commandant there, who would give up the post to the English, as soon as he learned the truth. There was no way of getting to Detroit except by passing through the country of the mighty Pontiac; he assured the great and good chief that no harm should be done to any of his people; he hoped he would not take offence, for the visitors would go back to their homes as soon as their task was over. Meanwhile he begged Pontiac to accept a few slight tokens of the good will of their Father across the water.
Rogers won Pontiac's good will by his flattery and presents, and the chief told the visitors that so long as they acted rightly, no harm would befall them from his warriors. So Rogers and his party embarked in their whale boats once more, and in due time reached Detroit. The news they carried thither proved bitter medicine to the French commandant, and for a time he refused to swallow it, but there was no help for it, and in the end he submitted with the best grace possible.