[Pamphlets. American history]

14
was never for a moment lost sight of, although effective efforts
for the accomplishment of this purpose were deferred from time
to time from sheer necessity-the utter want of men and means.
As early as April, 1776, the committee on Indian Affairs were instructed to enquire as to the possibility of taking Detroit.
Early in this year, Capt. DEPEYSTER, commanding at Mackinaw, by his persuasions, enlisted in the British service Capt.
CHARLES DE LANGLADE, of Green Bay, a gentleman of extensive influence among the Indians, and who had distinguished
himself as a French officer in the war with Great Britain, which
resulted in the conquest of Canada. He soon raised a large force
of Indians from the several nations of the North-West, and together with some Canadian volunteers, proceeded with them to
the neighborhood of Montreal, there to render aid to the King's
forces in attacking the rebels, and defending Lower Canada
against them. These forces rendezvoused at Mackinaw, and the
orders for their marching thence were issued on the day of the
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 177i6. Capt. DE LANGLADE
is charged with the duty on the way of " annoying the rebels
wherever you meet with them."* This force received a most
cordial reception at Montreal, where on its arrival a grand council was held, at which an ox was roasted whole, and served up to
the Indians; and subsequently they rendered valuable service in
the cause of the crown.
The audacity of the American rebellion against the mighty
power of Great Britain stung to the quick the sensitive and
haughty pride of her ruling statesmen, and aroused to bitterness
and unrelenting hate the narrow, obstinate mind of the King;
and the subsequent Declaration of Independence produced a de-gree of exasperation, which it is difficult for us to fully appreciate. Under the influence of these feelings, the British King
and Ministry resolved (in the language of Secretary GERMAINE)
"that every means should be employed that Providence had put
in his Majesty's hands for crushing the rebellion." Every possible effort was to be employed, and was employed, not only to
enlist the Indians in legitimate warfare against the Colonies, but
to turn loose upon peaceable settlements, upon unarmed men and. Copies of orders of Capt. DE PEYSTER in the collections of the Michigan Historical
Society, p. 17.