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French in Michigan French Settlements
a route was sought to the Indies as the only great good worth seeking. It is worthy of remark, however, that none of the great leaders of the wood-rangers was ever seduced into pursuing the fabulous and unsubstantial glory of the Indies to the better country with which they were familiar. Their counsel always urged the occupation of the territory that they knew ; and the fortunes of this country would have been very different if the substance had been given up for the shadow. It seems almost incredible that for a hundred and fifty years the statesmen of both France and England not only refused to favor the occupation of the country which now forms the strength of the United States, but did all in their power to hinder it, and keep the wilderness unbroken.
The condition of affairs rendered it impossible to make settlements without government sanction. We are therefore entirely in the dark concerning any fixed plans of rendezvous or resort of the wood rangers.
Early Michigan
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