ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS



town. They seemed to be a good deal surprised, and were willing
to come to any terms that would be required of them.
  From thence I proceeded to St. Philips, about nine miles higher
up. It being a small town they were forced to comply with my
terms, likewise. Being in the dead time of the night, they seemed
scared almost out of their wits, as it was impossible that they
could know my strength.
  From thence went to Cauhou, between forty and fifty miles
above St. Philips. This town contained about one hundred
families. We rode up to the commander's house and demanded
a surrender. He accordingly surrendered himself, likewise all the
inhabitants of the place. I then demanded of them to take the
oath of fidelity to the states, otherwise I should treat them as
enemies. They told me they would give me an answer next morn-
ing. I then took possession of a strong stone house, well forti-
fied for war, and soon got word that there was a man in the town
who would immediately raise 150 Indians, who were near at hand,
and cut me off. I, being much on my guard, happened to find out
the person and confined him under a guard, and lay on our arms
that night, this being the third night we had not closed our eyes.
  The next morning I assembled the inhabitants together, and,
before ten o'clock, 105 of them took the oath of fidelity to the
states. In less than ten days near 300 took the oath from the
several towns, and seem now much attached to the American
cause. But as this part of the country lies so remote from any
other part, and the Indians being always furnished here with
goods by the British officers, and offering large rewards for our
scalps [I do not think it prudent to leave] this place without a
commander, and being willing to do every thing in my power
for the good of my country in order to establish peace and harmony
once more amongst us, [it] has engaged my attention for the
ensuing winter.
  The inhabitants in this country, along the river Mississippi,
have had, without any kind of doubt, the whole influence over
several nations in this quarter, as well as along the river Ohio.
I can assure you that since the commencement of this war, trade
up this river has never [words illegibl] It is evident that the said
Philip Rochblave has done everything in his power to set the



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