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Michigan Chapter Six Cadillac as Feudal Lord
Scarcely had he completed all these labors when he was sent as governor to Louisiana. Having returned from there in 1716 he asked permission to go and continue the work of the settlement of Detroit. But this was refused. However, in 1722 he was confirmed in the ownership of the property, but it has not been possible to put that decree into execution. The lands which he had cleared
and upon which he had buildings erected were conceded to him on the condition that he should have their boundaries marked out, but this decree could not be put into effect within the two years time to which it was limited. This petition does not appear to have had any effect. At any rate, it is certain that the widow and sons of Cadillac never came to Detroit thereafter, and that the lands to which they laid claim never came into their possession or control. Probably no further efforts were made by them to recover this property, and so they suffered the sacrifice of it all with as good grace as could be expected under the circumstances. In reviewing the conditions under which the founder of Detroit assumed the bold task of establishing a colony there and his success in carrying forward the plan to a point where its permanence was assured, it will strike the unprejudiced reader that he was most unjustly treated in respect to the substantial rewards which men generally take into the account in the affairs of this life. He was not actuated by sordid motives in his scheme. The glory of France and the advancement of her interest in America were at the bottom. So thoroughly was he in earnest that he was able speedily to convince the king and court that his plan was worth a trial. If they had stood by him as loyally as he stood by his country, instead of listening to those who were intriguing against him, the last days of his life would have been more serene, and the little outpost in the western wilderness under his judicious sway might have enjoyed in its infancy a less troublous career.
Michigan
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