quent it, and are called Oswegatche Indians, although they belong to the tribes of the Five Nations.[1] To this fort the inhabitants of New England may with ease transport goods, to supply the Mohawks, Cahnuagas, Connecedagas, St. Regis, and some straggling Messesawger Indians, who live near the Détroit,[2] at a smaller expence than they can possibly be obtained from the merchants at Quebec or Montreal, but particularly Rum, which is now become an essential requisite in every transaction with the Savages; for though they used formerly often to complain of the introduction of strong water by the traders (as appears by the language of their chiefs in council) to the prejudice of their young men, yet they have not now the resolution to refrain from the use of it;—on the contrary, it is become so familiar, and even necessary to them, that a drunken frolic is [14] looked upon as an indispensible requisite in a barter, and anticipated with extreme delight.
Carlton Island is higher up the river, and has greater
————
- ↑ This was the site of Father Picquet's mission and fortified post, La Présentation. This Sulpitian missionary came to Canada in 1734, and after several
years' service in the colonies founded this establishment in 1749, where the
city of Ogdensburg, New York, now stands. He was successful in attracting
the Iroquois thither, and had in his settlement nearly three thousand Indians,
who espoused the French cause in the French and Indian War. In 1760, Picquet
retired to New Orleans, and thence to France. The English, on taking possession, changed the name of the post to Fort Oswegatchie. It was garrisoned and
maintained until after Jay's Treaty in 1794.
In 1792, the site had been purchased by Ogden, and the settlement of the modern city was begun four years later.—Ed. - ↑ The Mississagua Indians were first met by the French on the north shore
of Lake Huron, and formed part of the Sault Ste. Marie mission (1670-73).
Later, they removed to the lower Michigan peninsula, and some settled at
Detroit. They now have a reservation in Eastern Ontario, and number about
eight hundred.
The other Indians mentioned are those of the Jesuit mission villages. See Jesuit Relations (Thwaites's ed., Cleveland, 1896-1901), index.—Ed.
