Miami Indians. A tribe of the Algonquian family, belonging chiefly to what is now Wisconsin, where the French first came in contact with them in 1690. After 1700 many removed to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and adjoining territory. In the colonial wars they fought indifferently on both sides. In 1812 they served under Tecumseh with the British against the Americans. Index: Dr Dorchester's speech to, 282. Bib.: Hodge, Handbook of American Indians.
Miami River. Rises in Hardin County, Ohio, and flowing south and south-west for about 150 miles, enters the Ohio River, twenty miles west of Cincinnati. Index: S General Wayne defeats Indians on, 139.
Michel, Jacques. Ch Huguenot, violent conduct of, towards Father Jean de Brébeuf, 201; his fate, 202.
Michigan Territory. Bk Ceded to Britain with surrender of Detroit, 255, 260.
Michilimackinac. A missionary station and fur-trading post, which stood on the straits between Lakes Huron and Michigan. The name was derived from an Algonquian tribe, the Mishinimaki, and in its original form meant "Place of the big wounded person." The name is now shortened to Mackinac. It was an important place throughout the period of French rule in Canada; and was the scene of the famous massacre of 1763, described by Alexander Henry, and by Parkman in his Conspiracy of Pontiac. Index: Bk Resort of fur traders, 53; United States fort, captured by Captain Roberts, 211. S Handed over to United States, 142. MS Migration of French to, from Detroit, 12. Hd Situation of, 145, 153; Sinclair in charge at, 158; an expensive fort to maintain, 161, 163; plan for settling Loyalists near, 259; Haldimand's determination regarding defence of, 260; surrender of, in 1796, 262. Bib.: Kelton, Annals of Fort Mackinac; Parkman, Conspiracy of Pontiac; Lucas, Canadian War of 1812.
Micmac Indians. An Algonquian tribe, called by the French, Souriquois. Their habitat was in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and northern New Brunswick. Visited by Cabot in 1497; and by Corte-Real in 1501. They were for a long time bitterly hostile to the British. In 1611 they numbered about 3000; and their population in 1884 was given as 4000. Index: WM Indian tribe, enemies of the English, 16; H Howe interests himself in their welfare, 245; his report on their condition, 246. Bib.: Biard, Relation, 1616; Rand, Micmac Dictionary; Hodge, Handbook of American Indians.
Middleton, Sir Frederick Dobson (1825-1898). Born in Belfast, Ireland. Educated at Sandhurst, and entered the army, 1842. Served in India during the mutiny, 1857-1858. In 1868 stationed in Canada; and in 1884 general in command of the militia of Canada. In 1885 commanded the Canadian troops during the Riel Rebellion, and, for his services in suppressing it, knighted and received a grant of $20,000. Appointed, 1896, keeper of the crown jewels in the Tower of London. See Riel Rebellion, 1885. Index: Md Commands troops sent to quell Riel Rebellion, 242. Bib.: Morgan, Can. Men; Denison, Soldiering in Canada.
Milan Decree. Bk Issued by Napoleon in 1808, 110; disastrous effects of, 110-111; 171, 172. Bib.: Dict. Eng. Hist.
Milbank Sound. West coast of British Columbia, north of Queen Charlotte Sound, and south of Princess Royal Island. Named in 1788 by Captain Charles Duncan, of the Princess Royal, after Vice-admiral Mark Milbanke. Index: D Natives of, attack the Atahualpa, 1805, and kill the captain, mate, and six seamen, 37. Bib.: Walbran, British Columbia Coast Names.
Militia and Defence. WM Militia in Canada raised by conscription and receive no pay, 30; composition of military forces, 29-30; desertions, 119. Dr French-Canadian militia called out, 86; their unwillingness to serve, 87; their good behaviour at Quebec, 111, 124, 144; lose confidence in British regulars as result of American war, 242; strongly object to being enrolled, 278, 290; Militia Bill of 1777 disliked by habitants, 186. Bk Military roads in Upper Canada, 52; military posts in Upper Canada, 53-59; militia organization in Upper and Lower Canada, 190; Brock's commendation of militia in general order, 212. S Passage of Militia Act of Upper Canada, 91. C Militia reorganized after Trent affair, and again after Confederation, 87; Cartier's interest in, 87-88, 110. E Under French régime, 177-178; Elgin's views on colonial defence, 209-210. B Government defeated on Militia Bill of 1862, 142; its terms, 142; disappointment in England over, 142; question of defence one of forces leading towards Confederation, 142, 147, 181, 182; debate in House of Lords on Canadian defence, 181, 183-184; scheme of defence, 184-185, 186; improved militia system advocated by Canada First Association, 236. Md Bill defeated for better organization of, 88; militia organized, 151.