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MICHIGAN AS A PROVINCE 1 - 5
Chevallier de Calliere, then governor of New France, had shortly before concluded a treaty of peace with the Iroquois which made the route by way of Niagara a safe one for the ladies, and it was by this route in the following spring that the little party came on to Detroit. They met with nothing but the most respectful treatment on the part of the Indians who seemed" to consider it a mark of extraordinary confidence, not to be abused, to have ladies of title and distinction pass boldly through their country. Upon their arrival at Detroit the ladies were received with a great demonstration of joy. A musketry salute was fired as they approached the city. They were speedily provided with as good quarters as the place could afford, and here they continued to reside so long as their husbands remained at the fort.
In the autumn after his arrival Cadillac wrote to the governor, Calliere and Champigny, Minister of Justice, a most glowing description of the country in which he was settled. He painted a picture of a paradise of natural scenery, the streams gentle and sweet and the noble forests abounding in native fruits and birds of rare song and plumage. He certainly showed a just appreciation of the good things which nature had bestowed hereabout. The following year he visited Quebec and while there made a detailed report of what had been done at Detroit. He describes the fort which he had built and the houses of good white oak timber which had been erected within the enclosure. He speaks of clearing the land and sowing wheat which produced a satisfactory harvest, and also of the abundant crops of corn raised, showing the quality of the soil. He had built a boat of ten tons burden which was very useful on the river. He adds: "All that I have had the honor to state to you has been done in one year, without it ever having cost the king a soul and without costing the Company a double; and in twelve months we have
put ourselves in position to do without provisions from Canada forever and all this undertaking was carried out with three months provisions, which I took when I set out from Montreal, which were consumed in the course of the journey.
MICHIGAN
Page 67
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