the French Government-a policy framed by the sagacious La Motte Cadillac, the founder of Detroit. Near the close of the seventeenth century, this bold pioneer and statesman of New France returned to his native country, on a mission of greater importance to French interests than was, at that time, realized by his countrymen. Filled with patriotic zeal, he laid before the Colonial Minister, Count Pontchartrain, the first map of the Wabash Valley ever made, executed by his own hands. He pointed out the new route that had been discovered by La Salle and his associates, through the fertile vales of Indiana, and urged upon the establishment of a chain of fortifications upon it, for the protection of travel. And we fancy Cadillac reasoned in this wise: He pointed out upon his rude map the vast extent and richness of the country adjacent to the route on either side, and indicated the Indian strongholds, suggesting their value as allies in case of future conflicts with rival colonies. Whatever his arguments were, they were convincing, as the Colonial Minister at once entered upon Cadillac's plans. "Pontchartrain," says a French writer, "was delighted with his plan, and at once commissioned him to execute it."

Cadillac returned to Canada and established Detroit, as we have said already, in 1701. It was under this general policy that the first military settlements were made in Indiana. The missionaries undoubtedly visited Vincennes, as did they also the site of Post Miami, long before military posts were erected in those places, but no permanent missions were stationed until after their occupancy by military power. This took place according to the French Colonial records, in 1705, and as near as can be ascertained there is not more than six months' difference in the date of the first establishment of Posts Miami, Quantenon, and Vincennes. Certain it is, that they were all

existing in the spring of 1706. That these posts were often deserted, and left without military garrisons, is undoubtedly true, but we will venture the assertion that the French Colonial archives will show that small garrisons were located at the three points indicated previous to 1706.

The history of these posts from their first establishment until they were discontinued, furnishes a narrative replete with thrilling incident. It carries the reader through all the interesting scenes of French and Indian intercourse, which presents many romantic, unique phases. In some of these phases, we see Frenchmen degraded instead of savages elevated; we see thousands of reckless men, throwing off all civilized restraint, and plunging deliberately into barbarism; with the rifle and the scalping knife, they go forth to wreak vengeance upon the whites, side by side with red men, as if their destinies have become indissolubly united with those of their new allies; we see a type of amalgamation for which the history of the world furnishes no parallel-Frenchmen descending to the level of Indians in social economy, and in many instances, dragging the natives down to a pitch of degradation from which a half savage sense of propriety often recoiled with just pride.

And again, the history of these posts carries the reader through curious accounts of the fur-trade, of the manners and customs of the courriers des bois, or wood rangers-a set of half breeds, with a language and characteristics peculiar to themselves. In the light canoe they would float carelessly down the streams, basking idly in the summer's sun, or gaily singing some French or Indian song. At night they slept upon the river's bank, thoughtless of bed or protection. Returning with loads of furs after a long journey, or from the chase, they were greeted by their tawny wives and hybrid offspring with social enthusiasm,

and, in their low, uncultivated sphere, seemed to enjoy life without many of its cares and burdens. The fur-trade had many distinguishing features. Whiskey was one of the chief articles of merchandise, and in the use of this the savage perpetrated his greatest abuse. Oft have the forests around Fort Wayne or Vincennes echoed with the hideous yells of the pow wow, when barrel after barrel of poisonous liquors was permitted to be distributed among deluded savages. Verily, the fur-trader will have an account to give at the day of reckoning, in which Indian wrongs will be vindicated.

In

And, again, the history of these posts carries us through the pious devoutment of Catholic missionaries, through accounts of Christian zeal, persecution, privations for the Gospel's sake. We see missionary priests mingling with the savages, teaching them, supping with them, pointing them to the cross. wigwams or rude log-huts, these priests gathered anxious, curious pupils and labored to instruct them in a civilization and Christianity that they could.never, never comprehend or appre ciate. But the Indians assented and applauded in their silent devotion, and the missionaries labored on, in a hopeless cause, until a war of extermination ended their labors.

And, again, the history of these posts is filled with thrilling narratives of war, narratives that carry the reader through Sandoskit's (Nicholas) conspiracy, Pontiac's conspiracy, Tecumseh's war, and the long desultory war that, for years, kept alive a feeling of alarm in the pioneer homes on the borders. We see the mighty war-clouds gathering, as the voice of the mighty Pontiac resounds through the forests of the lake regions, and, as they burst in thunderous volleys of musketry, we behold the massacres that characterized the fall of the "fated nine." Who shall paint the darkness and gloom that settled over the western outposts in 1763-4, when the giant of the

Ottawas swayed, at his imperial command, all the Indian forces of the Northwest? Who shall tell us of the foul conspiracies plotted in forest councils where this proud Ottawa presided? What pen shall ever describe the horrors in the execution of these conspiracies? The mind turns away from the scene at Michilimackinac, awed with its extremes of barbarity; the heart sickens with a contemplation of Vanango; while the fall of Holmes, on a supposed errand of mercy, at Post Miami, and the capture of Jenkins at Ouantenon, present shameful incidents of French cowardice and Indian treachery. But no sooner did the storm of Pontiac's vengeance subside, than another great Indian statesman rose to defend his race. Tecumseh gathered the scattered forces, and led the last great struggle of the red men, until swallowed up in death and defeat.

As we have said, these things the important events in the history of the Wabash Valley - would make a volume, one quite easy of construction, but full of deep interest. But with the aim of presenting modern Indiana, its early history has been exceedingly abridged, so that, to a great extent, this field may still be regarded as open to the investment of labor and research.

In the second place, our account of the civil administration of the State and territorial government is necessarily very concise. This would, also, if properly digested, make a volume much larger than the present one; but, we presume it would not be as interesting to the general reader, as valuable to those in search of specific information concerning the civil service of the State. This digest of documents introduces us to the organization of the Territorial Government at Vincennes in 1800, under our own General Harrison; follows the dry routine in the administration of the territory-a narrative interspersed here and there with pleasing incidents; presents the interesting

Constitutional Convention of 1816, which sat at Corydon, and framed the Constitution that so ably preserved the liberties of the people for thirty-five years; it presents .also the Constitutional Convention of 1850, from which we received the present inestimable Constitution the foundation of the grand free public school system of the State. It presents the burdens and blessings, the triumphs and defeats of the Old Internal Improvement system-a system so deeply rooted in the legis lation of the State that it still presents itself at every change in the political composition of the legislature; it carries us through a system of land grants, and commissions thereunto belonging, which the State Government is still trying in vain to fathom; it presents a network of private legislation and an ocean of local laws, the enumeration of which, though not easy, would be a pleasant task, in comparison with the attempt to discover their origin and real designs. But, as already hinted, our occupancy of this field is so limited as to present the widest scope for zeal and energy. Indeed, the materials are ripe, and the demand large, for a Documentary History of Indiana.

In the third place, our county histories present the "might have been," more than they sustain the plan under which they are presented; and, if persons into whose hands this volume may be placed, jealous of the interests of their own counties, condemn the work because of the inequality apparent in the county sketches, we shall scarcely be surprised. Yet, after all, we may honestly rest our case, as to that point, with this explanation. It was not the original purpose to write a history of each county. This must be plain to even a careless thinker, as such a plan would require a scope of at least ten volumes. We regret, however, the want of space for more of these local records. Truly, the history of the pioneers of Indiana is full