[Pamphlets. American history]

21
to proceed at once to Kaskaskia, where CLARK's force was stationed, for he urges Maj. DE PEYSTER to send him assistance.
DE PEYSTER had also received special orders from Gen. HALDIMAND, commanding at Quebec, to do all in his power to assist
HAMILTON in his enterprise.
In compliance with these orders DE PEYSTER, on the 26th of
October, dispatched Capt. DE LANGLADE, and Lieut. GAUTIUS*
to arouse the Indians around Lake Michigan, assemble them at
St. Joseph, and to join HAMILTON with all the force they could
raise, or to descend the Illinois, if that was better calculated to
promote the success of HAr[ILTON'S operations. These officers
are exhorted to use economy, "' as the nations in general have
already had many presents from his Majesty," and to exhort the
warriors " to use humanity towards the prisoners," who " will
be ransomed."t
HAMILTON was greatly delayed by storms and bad weather,
and did not reach Vincennes until the 17th of December. This
point, as we have seen, had yielded to the Americans without
other force than the moral suasion of Father GIBAULT, and it
was now held by Capt. HELMI and one American. As HELMt saw
this terrific force gathered about the fort, he placed a loaded cannon in the gateway and stood by it with a lighted match; and as
the enemy approached, called out with a loud voice, "tlal lt
HAMILTON demanded a surrender. HELMr replied, "No man
shall enter here until I know the terms." The "honors of war"
were granted, and Capt. HELMI with his garrison of one received
the customary honors.
HArMILTON at once dismissed his Indian allies to prowl upon
the frontiers or return to their homes, with the purpose in the
early spring of re-assembling them, with a largely increased
force both from the north and the south, and then, after reestablishing the British power in Illinois, of marching to Fort
Pitt, sweeping Kentucky and Western Virginia on the way, and
thus completing the conquest of the frontier. Nor did this plan
seem visionary to the coolest judgment, and nothing but the
genius and intrepidity of CLARK frustrated it. On the 29th of
* This probably has reference to G(AUTIER DE VERVILLE, a nephew of DE LANGLADE,
who served with him during the French and Indian war, and also during the Revolution,
and died at Prairie du Chien, about 1803, at about the age of sixty-five. See GirGNoN's
Recollections, Vol. 3d, Wis. His. Coll's. L. C. D.
t Manuscript orders-Michigan Historical Society.