182   ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS



rum was deliver'd out on every occasion when the fatigues or bad
weather made it necessary. As soon as proper precautions were
taken for securing our boats, landing our provisions ca, it became
a point of consideration whether we should proceed directly to
attack the Rebels at the Ilinois, or content ourselves with establish-
ing ourselves in this post where we had these several advantages;
the command of the River Ohio by which the Spaniards had
supplyed the Rebel forts with Powder c., the cutting off the
communication between the Ilinois, and the falls of Ohio across
the country-The being situated so as to check the River Indians,
and encourage the Delawares and Ottawas on white River, further
to divide our small force (since we must leave a Garrison in Fort
Sackville) appear'd not eligible, and we could not expect the
Indians to remain much longer with us. The state of our provi-
sions, the length of the journey (240 miles) and the want of
Carriages, added to the nature of the country, subject to innun-
dations all combined to direct our determination to fortify
ourselves here, and wait for reinforcements in the Spring.
  On taking an account of the Inhabitants at this place of all ages
and sexes we found their number to amount to 621, of this 217 fit
to bear arms, on the spot, several being absent hunting Buffaloe
for their winter provision.
  Having summon'd the Inhabitants to assemble in the Church,
I went to meet them, reproach'd them with their treachery and
ingratitude, but told them since they had laid down their arms
and shed for protection, that on renewing their Oath of Allegiance
they should be secured in their persons and property. Lenity
I thought might induce the French inhabitants at Kaskaskias to
follow their example, tho' the conduct of the Canadians at large
was but poor encouragement. I read twice to them the Oath
prepared for them to take, explain'd the nature of it, and cautioned
them against that levity they had so recently given proof of. The
oath being administered, they severally kiss'd a silver crucifix
at the foot of the Altar, after which they sign'd their names to
a paper containing the same Oath in writing. It was conceived
in the following terms.