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MICHIGAN CHAPTER 15 Michigan Under British Rule
In 1778 Sir Guy Carleton was succeeded as Governor General by Frederick Haldimand. General Arent Schuyler De Peyster was in command at Michilimackinac, Rocheblave at Kaskaskia and Lieutenant Edward Abbott at Vincennes, which constituted the important posts in the west, and all under the immediate control of Hamilton at Detroit. The Virginians, who had pushed their outposts into the Ohio valley, were showing pernicious activity in taking possession of the country, and this was a serious offense in the eyes of the British. The continental general Edward Hand, had taken possession of Fort Pitt and that bold and enterprising Virginian, Colonel George Rogers Clark, had led a band of devoted followers into Kentucky and southern Ohio. Thus was British supremacy threatened and it became necessary to take vigorous measures to counteract the movement. The Spanish who held Louisiana, were also intriguing with the Indians, with the inducement that with their aid the English might be driven out of the country, but with ill success. Meanwhile, Clark by rapid and
bold movements pushed forward to Illinois and captured Kaskaskia and Vincennes. While these events were transpiring to the southward, Hamilton was planning a concentration of the Indians as British allies to meet the advance of Clark and to harass the frontier of the Pennsylvania and Virginia pioneers.
He accordingly called a council which was held at Detroit in June, 1778. There were present Lieutenant Governor Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor Abbott, several officers of the Indian department, Captain Ler-noult, Lieutenant Caldwell of the King's regiment. The interpreters were Wm. Tucker, Joseph Drouillard, Simon Girty, Isidore Chene, Duperon Baby, Charles Beaubien.
MICHIGAN
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