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<h2>THE DODGE NARRATIVE, 1780<br />
<small>FACSIMILE REPRINT</small></h2>


<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h5><i>Sixty-three copies printed<br />
sixty being for sale</i></h5>


<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<h2>NARRATIVE<br />
<small>OF</small><br />
<big>M<sup>R.</sup> JOHN DODGE</big><br />
<small>DURING HIS CAPTIVITY</small><br />
<small>AT DETROIT</small></h2>

<h5>REPRODUCED IN FACSIMILE FROM THE<br />
SECOND EDITION OF 1780</h5>

<h4><small>WITH AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE</small><br />
<small>BY</small><br />
<big>CLARENCE MONROE BURTON</big></h4>

<div class="figcenter" style="width: 78px;">
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i003.png" width="78" height="153" alt="" title="" />
</div>

<h4>CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA<br />
THE TORCH PRESS<br />
NINETEEN HUNDRED NINE</h4>



<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
<h2>THE DODGE NARRATIVE</h2>


<div class="figleft" style="width: 200px;">
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i005.png" width="200" height="202" alt="T" title="T" />
</div><p class="dropcap">he narrative of John Dodge is one of the records of frontier life
during the period of the American Revolution that displays the intense
feeling of hatred and unfairness evinced by the British soldiers to the
American rebels. It was written and published during the time of the
greatest excitement in the West&mdash;the scene of the Narrative&mdash;and is
historically valuable because of being contemporary with the events in
question.</p>

<p>It was considered of great importance at the time of its first
appearance, having been at once reprinted in England<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> and passed
through at least three editions in America.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p>

<p>In other writings published in England in 1779, appear the first public
notice of the cruelties and gross irregularities in the administration
of justice in Detroit under the rule of Lieutenant Governor Henry
Hamilton, and the presentment of Hamilton by the grand jury of Montreal
for murder in the execution of a Frenchman convicted of stealing. From
the Narrative were taken the charges made against Hamilton, when he was
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>
a prisoner in Williamsburg, in consequence of which he was confined in
irons and barely escaped a more serious, and perhaps even a capital
punishment.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> But little at the present time can be ascertained of
Dodge. He was born in Connecticut, July 12, 1751, and was the son of
John Dodge and his wife, Lydia Rogers.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> John Dodge, the father, was a
Baptist minister by profession and a blacksmith by trade. His son John
was one of a numerous family of children. His brother Israel, who was
with him in the West, was nine years his junior, having been born
September 3, 1760. Before John had reached his nineteenth year he had
wandered into the northern part of the Ohio district and had entered
into business as a trader in Sandusky. He was familiar with the Indian
language used in his neighborhood and frequently acted as interpreter.</p>

<p>Many of the events of his life from this time, are contained in his
Narrative and it is needless to repeat them here, but mention might be
made of other acts of his and records pertaining to him, of which he
makes no mention. On the fourth day of April, 1776, Dodge, with William
Tucker, purchased a house and lot in Detroit, from Joseph Poupard
Lafleur, for 3,000 livres, and a few days later Tucker agreed to repay
Dodge whatever sums he had paid for this house if Dodge "went down the
country," as he then contemplated.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> Dodge did not go "down the
country," but remained in Detroit and sold his interest in the land to
William Tucker July 6, 1777. In this deed Dodge is described as "a
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>
trader of Detroit," and it is stated that he bought the house and lot
of Lafleur June 7, 1774.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> His Narrative does not agree with the
records in all cases, for he says he was confined in jail from January
to July, 1776, in daily expectation of death, while the records show
that he purchased this house and lot during this period. The story of
the rescue of a prisoner from the Indians, related in his Narrative, is
contained in the report of the Virginia Council of June 16, 1779.
Sometimes at liberty, engaged in trading, and sometimes confined in jail
as a rebel, he remained in Detroit and Mackinac till May, 1778, when he
was sent down to Quebec, at which place he arrived on the first day of
June.</p>

<p>In the reports of rebel prisoners at Quebec in June and July, 1778, are
three entries referring to Dodge as follows: "John Dodge, 24 years old,
from Connecticut, a trader settled at Detroit for seven years, sent down
by Lieutenant Governor Hamilton. His commercial effects at Detroit.
Taken up on suspicion of having been in arms with the rebels."<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> He
remained in Quebec until the ninth day of the following October when he
escaped, going first to Boston and subsequently to General Washington. Dodge
does not state where or when he met Washington, but as the General was in
attendance at Congress from December 21, 1778, until some time in the following
January, he probably met him at Philadelphia. Dodge says he visited Congress
"having some matters relating to Canada worthy their hearing." This related
to the "certain expedition" referred to by Washington in his letter
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>
of December 29th, a proposition to invade Canada. Dodge was at Fort Pitt
in the early part of January, 1779, and from that port wrote a letter to
John Montour.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>
There is no record of Dodge's appearance before Congress, but he wrote
a letter on the subject, to Congress, as follows:</p>

<div class="blockquot"><p>Honorable Congress</p>

<p style='text-align:right'>Pitsburg Jeneary 25 1779&mdash;</p>

<p>as I have Ben one of the grateest Suferers that is now in the united
States of Ameraca Both in Person and Property</p>

<p>I have Sufferd Every thing But Death Robd Plundered of Every far thing
that I was master of But loock upon it as an honour that I have Suffard
in so just a Cause as we are now Engagd in and very happy that I have
made my Escape from the Enemi after Being Prisener two years and nine
months I think it my Duty as I am now in the Service of the united
States to Enform your honnours of the Proceedings and Carriings on in
the Department whare I am&mdash;it Both greaves and Shagrans me to the hart
to Se matters so Ill Conduckted as theay are in this Department&mdash;it is
very natural for Every one that has the Cause of his Contry at hart to
Enquire into the reason of our grevences&mdash;is not one the farmers Being
Drove of thair Plantation on our fronteers By the Saveges&mdash;Could theay
remaind on thair Plantations theay Could have Ben very Sarvesable in
Suppliing our main army in Provisions in Stead of that the Poor mifortonate
Peopel are obleged to retreet into the thick Setled Contry and I may Say live
almost upon the Charrity of the Contry which of consequence must Distress
the hole Contry for Provisions we will Enquire why those Saveges are our
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>
Enemies theay are Bribd By the British to take up the hachet against us
whare is thair rendevous Detroit a place Stockaded in with Cedar Pickets
and Eighty Soldiers to gard it But it is Strong Enough to keep a large
Quantity of goods in so the British Can and Do give near a millian
Presents to Bribe the Saveges to fall upon our fronteers and Distress
our hole Contry&mdash;But we will Suppose that Place to Be Esily taken
which it raly is if matters ware Conducted as theay ought to Be&mdash;But
we will Say that the Publick has Ben at grate Expence for two years Past
and thare is nothing Done I may Say nothing thare is a fort Bult at
Bever Criek and one at tuskerowayes which if theay are not rainforst
with men and Provisions very Spedily we have no reason to think But
theay will fall into the hands of the Enemi in the Spring now had one of
those forts Ben Bult at Preskeele or Kichoga or any whare on the lake
side the men might have Ben Employed this winter in Boulding of Boats or
gundelows So that in the Spring we Could Command the lakes which if we
Dont we Cant keep Detroit if we take it or if the winter had Seveir we
Could have gone on the ice and taken Detroit and vessels to and with
half the men that it would have taken at any other Season of the year
for the vessels would Be all froze up But in Stead of that theay are
Bult in an Endian Contry whare that all Supplies may Be very Esily Cut
of and give the Saveges Susspicon that we are a going to Conker them and
not our Enemi the English and very good right theay have after thare has
Ben such threats throw out to them as thare has we hant the reason But
to Expect then all against us Before general McIntosh marcht from Bever
Criek the governer of Detroit Put up a few of the lower Sort of Saveges By
Bribing them to Send word to the general that theay would meet him at Shuger
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>
Criek and give him Battel at the Same time thare was more than four to
one Sent him word that theay would not Enterfeir or misleit him on his
march as he had told them that he would go to Detroit the general marcht
to the Place But thare was not one that apeard against him he then gave
word that all those Saveges that Did not Come in within twelve Days time
and join him that he would loock upon them as Enemies and use them as
Such and that he would Destroy thair hole Contry&mdash;now it was an
impossibillity for those nation that sent him word that theay would not
misleit him to get word in that Short Space of time which the general
thought Proper to Set much more Come in&mdash;now what Can we Expect But
to have them all against us if thare is not Some Spedy rimedy&mdash;I
Cannot Say what opinion your honours may have of the Saveges But I Can
asure you that theay are very numerous thair numbers are not known that
thare has not one out of a hundred taken up the hachet against us yet
But we Cannot But Expect theay will if there is not Proper Steps taken
and that Spedily&mdash;we will Supose that the Proper Steps are for us
to march threw thair Contry and take Detroit which is Esily Done if
matters ware Conducted as theay ought to Be&mdash;and By having that in
our Possession and the lakes it will Be in our Power to forse all those
near nations to Come upon our terms and that will Enduce all the farrons
ones to Be upon aliance with us and then we Shall have all the trade of
that Extensive Contry Quite from the north west hutsons Bay lake Superier
the heads of the macceippia which will make our Contry florish&mdash;But
we will Say the Publick has Ben at grate Expence for two years Past
and we are no nearer now than we was when we fust Set out But what is
the reason it is Because thare was Peopel Sent that Knew nothing of the
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>
mater the general told me that he was Brought up by the (sic) Sea Shore
and that he knew nothing abought Pack horseing in this wooden
Contry&mdash;I Dont take it upon me to Dictate or Sensure no one But I
think that ought to Be Enquired into Before thare was thousands Spent
But now it is to recall the horses and Bollocks are Dead the Provisions
is Eat the men must have thair Pay it is Sunk lost gone and here we are
Still going on in the Same way the general has likewise got the ill will
of all his officers the melitia in Protickaler which I am very sorry for
as theay are the only Peopel that we have to Depend upon to Do any thing
in this Deartment&mdash;now if thare was not any one that knew how
matters Should have Ben Conducted it would have Ben a meteriel
Diference&mdash;But thare is a gentlemon of an unblemisht Carrecter who
has Singulied himself By leaveing Every thing that was near and Dear to
him and Come in to this Quarter of the Contry Prepared Proper talks for
the Saveges and as he was grately respected By all those who knew him it
had its Entended Effect and I Can asure your honnours that it has Ben
the Saving of hundreads of lives and I Can further asure you By various
Surcomstances and Credible Intilegence that if he had not have Come and
Did what he Did that thare would not have remaind one family this Side
alagane mountains&mdash;he is Still Striveing to keep them from falling
upon us But as here is others here Strieveing to Set them up it will Be
a very Difecult matter for him to Do it he has Sent for the Cheifs of
the nations to Come in and that thare is Still mercy for them if
theay will know thair Duty and as his Enfluence is grate with all
those nations who know him I am in hope it will have its Effect But
I Should not Be Disapointed if theay Did not after receiveing Such
threts as theay have he has like wise at his own Privat
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>
Expence hired men and Sent threw the hole Contry abought Detroit and
this side found out the Situation of it and when I was Prisener with the
British I have heard them often make remarks that if he Did not Come
against that we had not another man in our Parts that knew the Situation
of the Contry and had the Enfluence with the natives as he had&mdash;But
whatever knoledge he may have Concarning those matters he has not never
had the offer of ordering of them But in Stead of that he has Ben Put
under an arest By the fals raports of a Poor Ignorant Set of Peopel
which is to the Eternal Shame of our Contry after he had Savd them from
Being masacereed By the Saveges that was his reward&mdash;now I beg that
your Honnours will take it into Consideration and order some Spedy
arangement Before this Quarter of the Contry is ruined a house Devided
against it Self Cannot Stand and your honnours may rely upon it that is
the case here if I have taken to much liberty I Beg your honnours will
loock over it as I would not wish to Do more than My Duty&mdash;form
your most obedient</p>

<p style='text-align:right'>and humble Servant&mdash;John Dodge&mdash;</p>

<p>upon Colo. Morgans arival here he Sent an Express to the Endian nations
for them to Come in and thare has two runners jest arived here with
Speaches of grate Concequence which I suppose he will acquaint Congress
with the Eairliest oppertunity&mdash;</p>

<p>
<span style="margin-left: 6em;">(<i>in pencil</i>)</span><br />
Specimen of the Literati of '76&mdash;!<br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">(<i>Indorsement</i>)</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 7em;">Letter from John Dodge</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Pittsburg 25 Jany 1779</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Read Feby. 17th.&mdash;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Referred to the board of war&mdash;</span><br />
</p>
</div>

<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p>
<p>This letter or statement was not received by Congress till December
13, 1781, nearly two years later, and the committee to which it was
referred, reported adversely to the suggestions contained in it, March
20, 1782.</p>

<p>Early in 1779, Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton was captured
by General George Rogers Clark at Vincennes and was carried to
Williamsburg, Virginia, as a prisoner of war. The letters and Narrative
of Dodge had been read by some members of the Council of Virginia and
the Council resolved, June 16, 1779, that because of the cruelties
inflicted by Great Britain on the American prisoners of war, it was
proper to begin a system of retaliation, and they conclude their
resolution as follows:&mdash;"this board has resolved to advise the governor
that the said Henry Hamilton, Philip Dejean and William LaMothe,
prisoners of war, be put in irons, confined in the dungeon of the public
jail, debarred the use of pen, ink and paper and excluded all converse
except with their keeper, and the governor orders accordingly." The
charges preferred by Dodge against Hamilton, were urged as an additional
reason for confining the latter in jail. Hamilton answered that the
statements of Dodge were mutual, and that the latter was "an
unprincipled and perjured renegade."<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>

<p>Hamilton's excuses were not well received, and although no longer confined
in irons, he remained in prison for some time, but was finally released and
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>
subsequently returned to Canada as Lieutenant Governor of the province.</p>

<p>Dodge was appointed Indian Agent by Virginia and was located in
Kaskaskia from 1780 to 1788 and possibly until a later date.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p>

<p>When claims of the Revolutionary soldiers to the western lands were
being considered Dodge laid claim to a section, as a refugee from
Canada<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> and his heirs were awarded a tract containing 1280 acres in
the year 1800. This indicates that Dodge died before May 8th of that
year. Four patents were issued to the heirs of John Dodge for lands in
town sixteen, range twenty, Ohio, July 12, 1802.</p>

<p>Henry L. Caldwell, a grandson of Israel Dodge, wrote as follows:&mdash;"I do
not know the date of the death of Colonel John Dodge, neither can I
locate his grave or that of my grandfather, Israel Dodge, but the
remains of both are, beyond doubt, resting in the old grave yard in Ste.
Genevieve, Mo., which adjoins the catholic grave yard."<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p>

<p>John Dodge, while living at Kaskaskia, held a commission of Colonel
received from Governor Patrick Henry of Virginia. His brother Israel
Dodge was a lieutenant under him at that place. Israel had married Ann
Hunter at Carlisle, Pa., before he moved to the West, and at Vincennes,
their son Henry, who afterwards became the first Governor of the Territory
of Wisconsin, was born October 12, 1782. He was named after Moses Henry,
who was in the fort at Vincennes when it was captured by Governor Hamilton
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>
in 1778, being the only private in the "Army" which held out against
the British invader.</p>

<p>There is a letter from John Dodge from Kaskaskia, June 23, 1783,
informing the Indians that Detroit had been captured by the Americans.
A false report. Va. St. Pap. 3. 500.</p>

<p>A letter to Philip Boyle at Sandusky, July 13, 1779, in Farmer's Hist.
of Detroit 1. 173. This letter was intercepted by the British. It
enclosed the proceedings of the Virginia Council concerning Hamilton.</p>

<p>Dodge was a great traveler in his day. Born in Connecticut in 1751, he
went to Sandusky, Ohio, in 1770, thence to Fort Pitt (Pittsburg), thence
back to Sandusky, thence in succession to Detroit, Michillimackinac
(Mackinac), Detroit, Quebec, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Fort Pitt,
Vincennes (Indiana), Kaskaskia (Illinois), Ste. Genevieve (Missouri),
and New Orleans. We find mention of the man at these places and it is
very probable that his travels were much more extensive.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p>

<p>In the Harman papers, as reported by the Missouri Historical Society, is
the following reference to Dodge in a letter from John Rice Jones, dated
October, 1789: "John Dodge and Michael Antanya, with a party of whites and
armed Piankeshaw Indians, came over from the Spanish side and attempted to
carry off some slaves of Mr. John Edgar, and otherwise were guilty of
outlandish conduct, threatening to burn the village." Dodge and Edgar were
old friends and fellow prisoners at Detroit. They were both arrested and
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>
confined in that place as being too friendly towards the American cause.
Edgar was one of the witnesses relied upon to prove that Dodge was entitled
to the land grant for which he had made application as a Canadian refugee.</p>

<p>James Wood<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> of Frederick County, Va., who is mentioned in the
Narrative, was appointed to command an expedition against the Shawanese,
and armed his company at his own expense. He was also deputed, by the
House of Burgesses, in 1775, to go among the several tribes of Western
Indians and invite them to a treaty at Fort Pitt. He set out on his
errand June 25, 1775, and was gone two months. He "underwent the
greatest fatigues, difficulties and dangers." He was ordered paid &pound;250
for "the great service he hath done to this colony, by his diligent and
faithful execution of the commission with which he was intrusted."</p>

<p>The meeting of the Indians, which is referred to in the Narrative, took
place at Fort Pitt in October, 1775. One of the Indian chiefs who was
present on the occasion, was Shegenaba, the son of the famous Pontiac.
His father had recently been killed in a war between the Indians, and he
refers to this event in his speech, a part of which is as follows:</p>

<div class="blockquot">
<p>Fathers: From the information I have had of the commandant of Detroit,
with distrust I accepted your invitation, and measured my way to the council
fire with trembling feet. Your reception of me convinces me of his falsehood,
and the groundlessness of my fears. Truth and he has long been enemies. My
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>
father, and many of my chiefs, have lately tasted death. The remembrance
of that misfortune almost unmans me, and fills my eyes with tears.</p>
</div>

<p>The following is another letter by Dodge:</p>

<div class="blockquot">
<p style='text-align:right'>Fort Pitt Decr 13th 1781.</p>

<p>Sir</p>

<p>I think it my indispencible duty to Lay before your Excellency a State
of the Western Islianoy Country which may Probably throw Some light on
the Various Reports which may have Reached you through Channels not so
well acquainted with it as I am&mdash;Since Col George Rogers Clark took
Possion of that Country by order of the State of Virginia the
inhabitants have been obliged to furnish The means of Subsistance for a
number of troops stationed Thare&mdash;Received bills for payment but the
Greatest part of them protested and Still Remains unpaid which have Not
only impoverished the Country to a Great Degree but Numbers have Joynd
the Spanish Settlements on the Same Account and indeed the Greatest part
are determined to Follow them if their Grievances are Not Remedied in
Consequence the enormous Expence the State of Virginia has Been at in
that quarter will be but of little advantage To the united States if the
inhabitants all leave that Country and Join the Spanish Settlements who
are Making use of Every means and giving Every incouragement In their
power Even to our allied Savages but as Yet their efforts has proved
inafectual with them But as Poverty is always loyable to temptation I
fear their Warmest attachment to us Will be Seduced by those Who have it
in their power to Supply them the inhabitants are too inconsiderable to
Guard themselves from the Hostilities of our Enemies and have often
Solicited me to Represent their Situation to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Congress before the State
of Virginia Gave up their Claim to that Country&mdash;the the Chief of the
indian Nations Sent a Speech to Congress Representing the State of his
Nation and if Nothing Cold be done in Regard of Suplying them Beged an
answer Which to my knoledge was lodged with the board of War and Never
no answer Received&mdash;Should Congress think proper to Send troops to
protect and keep that Country under Subjection the Only Way in my Humble
opinion to Furnish them Would be to send Some Confidential person with a
proper Supply of Merchandize which would in incourage the Settlement of
the Country Cultivate the Savage interest Supply the troops with Every
Necessary the Return would also answer for Exportation and Finally open
a Very Profitable and Extensive trade in a little time&mdash;But these hints
I beg leave to Refer to your Excellencies own better Judgment Consious
that if they are worth your Notice Will direct them into their Proper
uses&mdash;I propose to Leave this Soon for that quarter and Shall be Very
happy in Rendering any Service in my Power which may be advantageous to
the United States that Your Excellency may think Proper to intrust to my
mannagement&mdash;Pleasd to Excuse the freedom of my remarks Which you Will
do me the Honour to Corruct</p>

<p><span style="margin-left: 12em;">I have the honour to be with the Greatest Respect</span></p>

<p>
<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Your Excellencies</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 14em;">Most Obd and Very</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 16em;">Humbe Servt&mdash;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 18em;">Jno. Dodge</span><br />
</p>

<p>To<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His Excellency</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 2em;">President of Congress</span><br />
(Dec. 13, 1782)</p>

<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p>

<p>
<span style="margin-left: 6em;">(<i>Indorsement</i>)</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Letter 13 Decr. 1781</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 6em;">John Dodge</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">Read Feby. 27, 1782</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Referred to Mr. Wolcot</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 7.5em;">Mr. Clark</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 7.5em;">Mr. Patridge</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">The Comd discharged</span><br />
(<i>Address</i>)<br />
<span style="margin-left: 2em;">His Excellency</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 4em;">President of Congress</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Philadelphia</span><br />
</p>
</div>

<p>The Committee to whom was referred the Letter of John Dodge report</p>

<p>That they have made the fullest enquiry that the circumstances of the
case would admit, relative to the Facts mentioned in said Letter, But
have not been able to obtain any Evidence to support them&mdash;and are
therefore of opinion that the Committee ought to be discharged.</p>

<p>March 20, 1782.</p>

<div class="blockquot">
<p>In council June 16, 1779.</p>

<p>The board proceeded to the consideration of the letters of colonel
Clarke, and other papers relating to Henry Hamilton Esqr., who has acted
for some years past as Lieutenant Governour of the settlement at and
about Detroit, and Commandant of the British garrison there, under Sir
Guy Carleton as Governour in Chief; Philip Dejean Justice of the Peace
for Detroit and William Lamothe, Captain of volunteers, prisoners of
war, taken in the county of Illinois.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p>

<p>They find that Governour Hamilton has executed the task of inciting the
Indians to perpetrate their accustomed cruelties on the citizens of
these States, without distinction of age, sex, or condition, with an
eagerness and activity which evince that the general nature of his
charge harmonized with his particular disposition; they should have been
satisfied from the other testimony adduced that these enormities were
committed by savages acting under his commission, but the number of
proclamations which, at different times were left in houses, the
inhabitants of which were killed or carried away by the Indians, one of
which proclamations, under the hand and seal of Governour Hamilton, is
in possession of the Board, puts this fact beyond doubt. At the time of
his captivity it appears, that he had sent considerable detachments of
Indians against the frontier settlements of these states, and had
actually appointed a great council of Indians to meet him at the mouth
of the Tanissee, to concert the operations of this present campaign.
They find that his treatment of our citizens and soldiers, captivated
and carried within the limits of his command, has been cruel and
inhumane; that in the case of John Dodge, a citizen of these states,
which has been particularly stated to this Board, he loaded him with
irons, threw him into a dungeon, without bedding, without straw, without
fire, in the dead of winter and severe climate of Detroit; that in that
state he harrassed and wasted him, with incessant expectations of death;
that when the rigours of his situation had brought him so low that death
seemed likely to withdraw him from their power, he was taken out and
attended to somewhat mended, and then again, before he had recovered
abilities to walk, was returned to his dungeon, in which a hole was cut
seven inches square only, for the admission of air, and the same load
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>of irons again put on him; that appearing again to be in imminent
danger of being lost to them, he was a second time taken from his
dungeon, in which he had lain from January to June, with the
intermission before mentioned of a few weeks only; That Governour
Hamilton gave standing rewards for scalps, but offered none for
prisoners, which induced the Indians, after making their captives carry
their baggage into the neighborhood of the fort, there to put them to
death, and carry in their scalps to the Governour, who welcomed their
return and success by a discharge of cannon; that when a prisoner
brought [a]live, and destined to death by the Indians, the fire already
kindled, and himself bound to the stake, was dexterously withdrawn and
secreted from them by the humanity of a fellow prisoner; a large reward
was offered for the discovery of the victim, which having tempted a
servant to betray his concealment, the present prisoner Dejean being
sent with a party of soldiers, surrounded the house, took and threw into
jail the unhappy victim, and his deliverer, where the former soon
expired under the perpetual assurances of Dejean, that he was to be
again restored into the hands of the savages, and the latter when
enlarged was bitterly and illiberally reprimanded and threatened by
Governour Hamilton.</p>

<p>It appears to them that the prisoner Dejean, was on all occasions the
willing and cordial instrument of Governour Hamilton, acting both as
judge and keeper of the jail, and instigating and urging him by
malicious insinuations and untruths, to increase rather than relax his
severities, heightening the cruelty of his orders by the manner of
executing them; offering at one time a reward to one prisoner to be the
hangman of another, threatening his life on refusal, and taking from his
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>prisoners the little property their opportunities enabled them to
acquire.</p>

<p>It appears that the prisoner, Lamothe, was a Captain of the volunteer
scalping parties of Indians and whites wh[o] went out from time to time,
under general orders to spare neither men, women, nor children.</p>

<p>From this detail of circumstances which arose in a few cases only,
coming accidentally to the knowledge of the Board they think themselves
authorized to presume by fair deduction what would be the horrid history
of the sufferings of the many who have expired under their miseries
(which therefore will remain forever untold) or who having escaped from
them, are yet too remote and too much dispersed to bring together their
well grounded accusations against these prisoners.</p>

<p>They have seen that the conduct of the British officers, civil and
military, has in its general tenor, through the whole course of this
war, been savage &amp; unprecedented among civilized nations; that our
officers and soldiers taken by them have been loaded with irons,
consigned to loathesome and crouded jails, dungeons, and prison ships;
supplied often with no food, generally with too little for the
sustenance of nature, and that little sometimes unsound and unwholsome,
whereby so many of them have perished that captivity and miserable death
have with them been almost synonimous; that they have been transported
beyond seas where their fate is out of the reach of our enquiry, have
been compelled to take arms against their country, and by a new
refinement in cruelty to become the murtherers of their own brethren.</p>

<p>Their prisoners with us have, on the other hand, been treated with
moderation and humanity; they have been fed on all occasions with
wholesome and plentiful <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>food, lodged comfortably, suffered to go at
large within extensive tracts of country, treated with liberal
hospitality, permitted to live in the families of our citizens, to
labour for themselves, to acquire and to enjoy property, and finally to
participate of the principal benefits of society while privileged from
all its burthens.</p>

<p>Reviewing this contrast which cannot be denied by our enemies themselves
in a single point, which has now been kept up during four years of
unremitted war, a term long enough to produce well founded despair that
our moderation may ever lead them into a practice of humanity, called on
by that justice which we owe to those who are fighting the battles of
their country, to deal out at length miseries to their enemies, measure
for measure, and to distress the feelings of mankind by exhibiting to
them spectacles of severe retaliation, where we had long and vainly
endeavoured to introduce an emulation in kindness; happily possessed by
the fortune of war some of those very individuals, who having
distinguished themselves personally in this line of cruel conduct, are
fit subjects to begin on with the work of retaliation, this Board has
resolved to advise the Governour that the said Henry Hamilton, Philip
Dejean, and William Lamothe, prisoners of war, be put into irons,
confined in the dungeon of the publick jail, debarred the use of pen,
ink, and paper, and excluded all converse except with their keeper. And
the Governour orders accordingly.</p>

<p>Attest</p>
<p style='text-align:right'>Archibald Blair C. C. (<i>A copy</i>)</p>
</div>

<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p>



<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p>


<h2><span class="smcap">Mr. DODGE's</span><br />
<big>NARRATIVE</big><br />
<small>Of his <span class="smcap">Sufferings</span> among the</small><br />
<big>BRITISH</big><br />
<small>AT&nbsp; DETROIT.</small></h2>

<div class="figcenter" style="width: 606px;">
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i025.png" width="606" height="772" alt="" title="" />
</div>


<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p>

<div class="figcenter" style="width: 378px;">
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i026.png" width="378" height="540" alt="" title="" />
</div>


<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p>


<h4>AN ENTERTAINING<br />
<big>NARRATIVE</big></h4>

<h4>Of the cruel and barbarous Treatment and<br />
extreme <span class="smcap">Sufferings</span> of</h4>

<h2><big>M<sup>R.</sup> JOHN DODGE</big><br />
<small>DURING HIS</small><br />
<big>CAPTIVITY</big><br />
<small>OF MANY MONTHS AMONG THE</small><br />
BRITISH.<br />
<small>AT DETROIT.</small></h2>

<h5>IN WHICH IS ALSO CONTAINED,</h5>

<h4>A particular Detail of the <span class="smcap">Sufferings</span> of<br />
a Virginian, who died in their Hands.</h4>


<div class="bbt"><h5>Written by Himself: and now published to satisfy the Curiosity
of every one throughout the <span class="smcap">United States</span>.</h5></div>

<h3>THE SECOND EDITION.</h3>

<h5>
<span class="smcap">Danvers</span>, near <span class="smcap">Salem</span>: Printed and Sold by<br />
<span class="smcap">E. Russell.</span> next the Bell-Tavern. M,<small>DCC LXXX.</small><br />
At the same Place may be had a Number of new Books,<br />
&amp;c. some of which are on the Times&mdash;Cash paid for Rags
</h5>

<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>

<div class="blockquot"><p>It is worthy of remark, that the three persons who make a principal
<i>inglorious</i> figure in the following <span class="smcap">Narrative</span>, viz. Governor
<i>Hamilton</i>, <i>De Jeane</i> and <i>Le Mote</i>, were afterwards taken by the brave
Colonel <span class="smcap">Clarke</span>, of Virginia, at Fort St. Vincent, and are now confined
in irons in a goal in Virginia (by order of the Legislature of that
State) as a <i>retaliation</i> for their former <i>inhuman</i> treatment of
prisoners, who fell into their hands, particularly Mr. <span class="smcap">Dodge</span>, who has
the pleasing consolation of viewing his <i>savage adversaries</i> in a
similar predicament with himself when in their power&mdash;&mdash;though it is not
in the breast of generous <span class="smcap">Americans</span> to treat them with equal barbarity.</p></div>



<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p>
<h2>A<br />
NARRATIVE, &amp;</h2>


<p>I sometime since left the place of my nativity in Connecticut, and, in
the year 1770, settled in Sandusky, an Indian village, about half way
between Pittsburgh and Detroit, where I carried on a very beneficial
trade with the natives, until the unhappy dispute between Great-Britain
and America reached those pathless wilds, and roused to war Savages no
ways interested in it.</p>

<p>In July, 1775, Capt. James Woods called at my house in his way to the
different indian towns, where he was going to invite them, in the name
of the Congress, to a treaty to be held at Fort-Pitt. the ensuing fall;
I attended him to their villages, and the Savages promised him they
would be there. Capt. Woods also invited me to go with the Indians to
the treaty, as they were in want of an interpreter, which I readily
agreed to.</p>

<p>Soon after the departure of Capt. Woods,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> the Commander of Fort-Detroit
sent for the Savages in and about Sandusky, and told them that he heard
they were invited by the Americans to a treaty at Pittsburgh, which they
told him was true; on which he delivered them a talk to the following
purport: "That he was their father, and as such he would advise them as
his own children; that the Colonists who were to meet them at Pittsburgh
were a bad people; that by the indulgence of their Protector, they had
grown a numerous and saucy people; that the great King not thinking they
would have the assurance to oppose his just laws, had kept but few
troops in America for some years past; that those men being ignorant of
their incapacity to go through with what they intend, propose to cut off
the few regulars in this country, and then you Indians, and have all
America to themselves; and all they want is, under the shew of
friendship, to get you into their hands as hostages, and there hold you,
until your nations shall comply with their terms, which if they refuse,
you will be all massacred. Therefore do not go by any means; but if you
will join me, and keep them at bay a little while, the King, our father,
will send large fleets<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> and Armies to our assistance, and we will soon
subdue them, and have their plantations to ourselves."</p>

<p>This talk so dismayed the Indians, that they came to me and said they
would not go to the treaty, at the same time telling me what the
Governor of Detroit had said to them. On this Mr. James Heron and myself
having the cause of our country at heart, asserted that what the
Governor had said was false and told them that the Colonists would not
hurt a hair of their heads, and if they would go to the treaty, that I,
with Mr. Heron, would be security, and pledge our property, to the
amount of four thousand pounds, for their safe return. This, with the
arrival of Mr. Butler with fresh invitations, induced some of them to go
with me to the treaty.</p>

<p>In the fall I attended a number of them to the treaty, where we were
politely received by the Commissioners sent by Congress. The council
commenced; the Indians, who are always fond of fishing in troubled
water, offered their assistance, which was refused, with a request that
they would remain in peace, and not take up the hatchet on either side.
On the whole, these Indians<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> were well pleased with the talk from the
Congress, and promised to remain quiet.</p>

<p>The Commissioners thinking it proper, sont the Continental belt and talk
by some of the Chiefs to the Savages who resided about the lakes. These
Chiefs being obliged to pass Sandusky, in their rout, Mr. John Gibson,
Agent for Indian affairs requested me to accompany them, and furnish
them with what they stood in need of; on which I took them home.</p>

<p>On my arrival at the village I found the Savages in confusion, and
preparing to war, on which I called a Council and rehearsed the
Continental talk, which with a present of goods to the amount of twenty
five pounds, quieted them. This I informed Congress of, agreable to
their request, by express, and that the Governor of Detroit was still
urging the Indians to war. Soon after this, a party of Savages from the
neighborhood of the lakes, came to my house on their way to the frontier
to strike a blow: I asked them the reason they took up the hatchet? They
replied, that the Governor of Detroit had told them, that the Americans
were going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> to murder them all and take their lands but if they would
join him, they would be able to drive them off, and that he would give
them twenty dollars a scalp. On this I rehearsed the Continental talk,
and making them a small present they returned home, believing as I had
told them, that the Governor was a liar and meant to deceive them.</p>

<p>On this I thought proper to write the Governor of Detroit, what he was
to expect should he continue to persuade the Indians to take up the
Hatchet. He was so enraged at the receipt of this letter, that he
offered one hundred pounds for my scalp or body, he sent out several
parties to take me without effect, until having spread an evil report of
me among the indians, on the fifteenth of January, 1776, my house was
surrounded by about twenty soldiers and savages, who broke into the
house, made me a prisoner, and then marched me for Detroit.</p>

<p>It was about the dusk of the evening, when, after a fatiguing march, I
arrived at Detroit, and was carried before Henry Hamilton, late a
Captain in the fifteenth regiment, but now Governor and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> Commandant of
Detroit; he ordered me to close confinement, telling me to spend that
night in making my peace with <span class="smcap">God</span>, as it was the last night I should
live; I was then hurried to a loathsome dungeon, ironed and thrown in
with three criminals, being allowed neither bedding, straw or fire,
although it was in the depth of winter, and so exceeding cold, that my
toes were froze before morning.</p>

<p>About ten o'clock the next morning, I was taken out and carried before
the Governor, who produced a number of letters with my name signed to
them, and asked me if they were my hand writing? To which I replied they
were not. He then said, it was a matter of indifference to him whether
I owned it or not, as he understood that I had been carrying on a
correspondence with Congress, taking the Savages to their treaties, and
preventing their taking up the hatchet in favor of his Majesty, to
defend his crown and dignity that I was a rebel and traitor, and he
would hang me. I asked him whether he intended to try me by the civil or
military law, or give me any trial at all? To which be replied, that he
was not obliged to give any damn'd rebel a trial unless he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> thought
proper, and that he would hang every one he caught, and that he would
begin with me first. I told him if he took my life, to beware of the
consequence, as he might depend on it that it would be looked into.
What, says he, do you threaten me you damn'd rebel? I will soon alter
your tone; here take the damn'd rebel to the dungeon again, and let him
pray to God to have mercy on his soul, for I will soon fix his body
between heaven and earth and every scoundrel like him.</p>

<p>I was then redelivered to the hands of Philip De Jeane, who acted in
the capacity of judge, sheriff and jailor, and carried back to my
dungeon, where I was soon waited on by the Missionary to read prayers
with me; but it was so extremely cold, he could not stand it but a few
minutes at a time. In conversation with him, I told him I thought it
was very hard to lose my life without a trial, and as I was innocent
of the charge alledged against me. He said it was very true, but that
the Governor had charged him not to give me the least hopes of life,
as he would absolutely hang me.</p>

<p>I remained in this dismal situation three days, when De Jeane came
and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> took out one of the criminals who was in the dungeon with me, and
held a short conference with him, then came and told me, the Governor
had sent him to tell me to prepare for another world, as I had not
long to live, and then withdrew. I enquired of the criminal, who was a
Frenchman, what De Jeane wanted with him? But he would not tell me.</p>

<p>The evening following he told his brother in distress, that De Jeane had
offered him twenty pounds to hang Mr. Dodge (meaning me) but that he had
refused unless he had his liberty; De Jeane then said, that we should
both be shot under the gallows.</p>

<p>Being at last drove almost to despair, I told De Jeane to inform the
Governor I was readier to die at that time than I should ever be, and
that I would much rather undergo his sentence, than be tortured in the
dreadful manner I then was. He returned for answer, that I need not
hurry them, but prepare myself, as I should not know my time until half
an hour before I was turned off.</p>

<p>Thus did I languish on in my dungeon, without a friend being allowed to
visit me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> denied the necessaries of life, and must have perished with
the cold it being in the depth of winter, had not my fellow-prisoners
spared me a blanket from their scanty stock. Thus denied the least
comfort in life together with the unjust and savage threatning I
received every day, brought me so very low, that my inability to answer
De Jeane's unreasonable questions, with which he daily tormented me
respecting innocent men, obliged him to notice my situation, and no
doubt thinking I should die in their hands, they thought proper to
remove me to the barracks, and ordered a Doctor to attend me. The
weather had been so extreme cold, and my legs had been bolted in such a
manner, that they were so benumbed, and the sinews contracted, that I
had not the least use of them; and the severity of my usage had brought
on a fever, which had nigh saved them any further trouble.</p>

<p>After I had lain some time ill, and my recovery was despaired of, De
Jeane called and told me that the Governor had altered his mind with
respect to executing me, and bid me be of good cheer, as he believed
the Governor would give me my liberty when I got better; I replied it
was a matter of indifference to me whether he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> gave me my liberty or
not, as I had much rather die than remain at their mercy: On which he
said, "You may die and be damn'd," and bounced out of the room.</p>

<p>When I had so far recovered as to be able to set up in my bed, my
nurse being afraid I should inform her husband of her tricks in his
absence, told the Governor that I was a going to make my escape with a
party of soldiers, that I was well and could walk as well as she
could, though at that time my legs were still so cramped and benumbed
with the irons and cold, that had kingdoms been at stake I could not
walk.</p>

<p>On this information, De Jeane came and told me to get up and walk to
the dungeon from whence I came. I told him I was unable: "Crawl then
you damn'd rebel, or I will make you." I told him he might do as he
pleased, but I could not stand, much more walk: On this he called a
party of soldiers, who tossed me into a cart and carried me to the
dungeon: Here, by the persuasion of the Doctor, who was very kind and
attentive, I was allowed a bed and not ironed. By his care and the
weather growing milder, I got rid of my fever and began to walk about
my dungeon,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> which was only eight feet square; but even this was a
pleasure too great for me to enjoy long, for in a few days I was put
into irons. The weather now growing warm and the place offensive,
from the filth of the poor fellows I had left there, and who were
afterwards executed, I relapsed. By persuasion of the Doctor who told
them unless I had air I should die, a hole about seven inches square
was cut to let in some air.</p>

<p>I remained ill until June, although the Doctor had done all that lay in
his power; he then let the Governor know, that it was impossible for me
to recover unless I was removed from the dungeon, on which he sent De
Jeane to inform me, if I would give security for my good behavior, that
he would let me out of prison. Being by my usage and fever, reduced to a
state of despondence, I told him that it was a matter of indifference
what he did with me, and that his absence was better than his company:
He then published it abroad, and several Gentlemen voluntarily entered
into two thousand pounds security for me, and I once more was allowed to
breath the fresh air, after six months confinement in a loathsome
dungeon, except eight or nine weeks that I lay sick at the barracks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p>

<p>On my going abroad, I learned that all the property I left in the woods,
to the amount of fifteen or sixteen hundred pounds, was taken in the
King's name and divided among the Indians. As I had but little to attend
to but the recovery of my health, I mended apace. As soon as I could
walk abroad, Governor Hamilton sent for me and said, he was sorry for my
misfortunes, and hoped I would think as little as possible of them; that
I was in a low state, he thought I had best not think of business, or
think of what I had left, as he would lend me a hand to recover my
losses. This smooth discourse gave me but little satisfaction for the
ill usage I had received at his hands; however, I was determined to rest
as easy as I could, until I had an opportunity of obtaining redress.</p>

<p>As soon as I found myself so far recovered as to be able to do business,
which was in September, I applied to the Governor to go down the
country, but he put me off with fine words, a permission to do business
there, and a promise of his assistance. I now settled my accounts with
the persons with whom I was connected in trade, and found myself seven
hundred pounds in debt. My credit being pretty good, I set up a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> retail
store, and as many of the inhabitants pitied my case, they all seeming
willing to spend their money with me. My being master of the different
Indian languages about Detroit, was also of service to me, so that in a
short time I paid off all my debts, and began to add to my stock.</p>

<p>In the spring of 1777 I heard there was like to be a good trade at
Machilimakanac, on which I applied to the Governor, and with a great
deal of trouble got a pass, went and met with good trade. On my return
Governor Hamilton by several low arts attempted to pick my cargo, which
as it would spoil the sale of the remainder, I could not allow. As he
had no pretence for taking them from me by force, it once more provoked
him to wrath against me; he greatly retarded my sales by denying me a
permit to draw my powder out of the magazine; also ordered myself and
two servants to be ready at a moment's warning to march under Capt. Le
Mote on a scouting party with Savages: I told him it was against my
inclination to take up arms against my own flesh and blood, and much
more so to go with Savages to butcher and scalp defenceless women and
children, that were not interested in the present dispute: He said it
was not any of my business whether they were interested in the dispute
or not; and added if you are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> not ready when called for, I will fix you.
Lucky for me he was soon after called down the country, and succeded by
Capt. Mountpresent as Commander, who ordered Le Mote to strike my name
out of his books: but my servants with their pay, I lost entirely.</p>

<p>The party of Savages under Le Mote went out with orders not to spare
man, woman or child. To this cruel mandate even some of the Savages made
an objection, respecting the butchering women and children, but they
were told the children would make soldiers, and the women would keep up
the stock.&mdash;Those sons of Britain offered no reward for prisoners, but
they gave the Indians twenty dollars a scalp, by which means they
induced the Savages to make the poor inhabitants, who they had torn from
their peaceable homes, carry their baggage until within a short distance
of the fort, where in cold blood, they murdered them, and delivered
their green scalps in a few hours after to those British Barbarians, who
on the first yell of the Savages, flew to meet and hug them to their
breasts reeking with the blood of innocence, and shewed them every mark
of joy and approbation, by firing of cannon &amp;c.</p>

<p>One of these parties returning with a number of woman and children's
scalps, and three prisoners, they were met by the Commander<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> of the
fort, and after usual demonstrations of joy delivered their scalps, for
which they were paid; the Indians then made the Commandant a present of
two of the prisoners, reserving the third as a sacrifice to the manes of
one of them that had fell in the expedition. Being shocked at the idea
of one of my fellow-creatures being tortured and burnt alive by those
inhuman Savages, I sought out the Indian who had lost his relative, and
to whom, according to the Indian custom, this unhappy man belonged; I
found him, took him home with me, and by the assistance of some of my
friends and twentyfive pounds worth of goods, I persuaded the inhuman
wretch to sell his life to me. As the rest of the gang had taken the
prisoner about two leagues distance, and were making merry over him, we
were obliged to lay a scheme to deliver him from their hands, which we
did in the following manner, it being midnight and very dark the Indian,
myself and two servants crossed the river in a batteaux to where they
were carousing around this unhappy victim. The Indian then went to his
companion, and under a pretence of taking the prisoner out to answer a
call of nature, delivered him to me, who lay at some distance, and I
carried him to the batteaux. As soon as he found himself in the hands of
his deliverer, his transport was too great for his tender frame; three
different<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> times he sunk lifeless in my arms, and as often by the help
of water, the only remedy at hand, I prevented his going to the land of
spirits in a transport of joy. None but those who have experienced it,
can have an idea of the thoughts that must have agitated the breast of a
man, who but a few minutes before saw himself surronnded by Savages,
whose dismal yell, and frightful figures, heightened by the glare of a
large fire in a dismal wood, which must have harrowed up the soul of an
uninterested bystander, much more one who knew that very fire was
prepared for his execution, and that every moment the executioner was
expected to arrive.&mdash;The executioner arrives; he advances towards him;
he losens this unhappy victim from the tree to which he was bound, no
doubt as this young man imagined to be led to the stake; but as it were
in an instant, he finds himself in the hands of his deliverer and
fellow-countryman. This, as I said before was too much for him to bear;
however I got his almost lifeless corpse to my house, where I kept him
hid. The Indian, according to our agrement in an hour or two after I was
gone, returned seemingly much fatigued, and told his fellow Savages who
were impatiently waiting to begin their brutal sacrifice, that the
prisoner had escaped, and that he had in vain pursued him. Some time
after this I found an opportunity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> and made an agrement with the Captain
of a vessel going to Michilimakanac, to take my unhappy inmate with him,
but one of my servants being tempted, by a large reward that was offered
for retaking the above prisoner, informed De Jeane, that he was hid in
my house, on which my habitation was soon surrounded by a party of
soldiers under the command of said De Jeane, and myself, the young man
and four servants were made prisoners, and having demanded my keys,
which I delivered, we were hurried to goal and confined in different
rooms. Here this unhappy young fellow, in high expectations of seeing
his friends, was once more plunged into the horrors of imprisonment.</p>

<div class="figcenter" style="width: 622px;">
<span class="caption"><span class="smcap">Representation</span> of the Indian Manner of burning an English
Prisoner.</span>
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i045.png" width="622" height="490" alt="" title="" />
</div>


<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>

<p>I was sent for and carried before the Commandant, where, on being
examined who was the person in my house, I frankly told him it was a
young man whom I had bought of the Indians when they were going to burn
him, and that I meant to send him to Canada to be out of the way of the
Savages, but De Jeane, like other men of bad principles, thinking no man
could do a good action without sinister views, said that he believed I
had purchased him to serve my own ends, and that he would find them out,
which the Commandant ordered him to do as soon as possible, and I was
ordered to prison.</p>

<p>De Jeane then took my servant, who was his informant, ironed him, put
him in the dungeon, and after keeping him three days on bread and water,
the lad almost frightened out of his senses, sent for De Jeane, and told
him that the day before I was taken up I had wrote several letters, and
on his bringing a candle to seal them, that I said, if he told any one
that I was writing to Pitsburg, that I would blow his brains out. This
suiting De Jeane's purpose, he made the lad swear to it, and then set
him with the rest of my servants at liberty.</p>

<p>I was now once more called before the Commandant, who told me he
understood I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> was going to send an express to his Majesty's enemies, in
consequence of which he had taken an inventory of my effects, and meant
to send me to Canada. I told him he was misinformed: He then taxes me
with what De Jeane had forced from my servant; asked me where I was
writing the day before I was taken? I told him to my correspondents in
Montreal; and luckily for me a neighbor of mine, having been at my
house, was produced, who declared the truth of what I said, and that I
being hurried, had given him the letters to carry on board the vessel.
This with some other false accusations being cleared up, I was once more
released on giving fresh security.</p>

<p>Though myself and servants were, for want of a pretence for detaining
us, set at liberty, it was not so with the unfortunate young man whom
I had purchased from the Indian; he still remained in prison, daily
tormented with the threats of De Jeane, that he would deliver him to the
Indians, which so preyed on his spirits, that in a short time it threw
him into a fever. I then applied to Capt Montpresent, the Commandant,
who gave me permission, and I removed him to sick quarters, where
I hired Jacob Pue, of Virginia, his fellow prisoner, to attend him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>. I
also, when leisure would permit, attended him myself; but De Jeane, who
still haunted him, had so great an effect on him, that one day when I
visited him, he called me to his bedside and said to me, that De Jeane
had just left him, that he told him to make haste and get well, as the
Indians were waiting for him. Pray Sir, (said the young man to De Jeane)
for <span class="smcap">God</span>'s sake try to keep me from the Indians, for if they get me they
will burn me. Keep you from them, said De Jeane, you damn'd rebel you
deserve to be burned, and all your damn'd countrymen with you, for you
need not think Dodge can save you; General Hamilton is now come up, and
he will fix you all. I tried to comfort him, and told him to be of good
courage: Oh! replied he. I am almost distracted with the idea of being
burnt by the Savages; I had much rather die where I am, than be
delivered into the hands of those horrid wretches, from whom I so lately
by your hands escaped, the recollection of which, makes me shudder with
horror. He could say no more; he sunk under it, and in a few hours
after, death, more kind than his cruel tormentors, released him from his
troubles. I paid the last tribute to this my unhappy Countryman, and had
his corpse decently interred, attended by the Missionary and most of the
principal Merchants of the town.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>

<div class="figcenter" style="width: 488px;">
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i049.png" width="488" height="584" alt="" title="" />
</div>


<p>As Hamilton was arrived, I had every thing to expect that his malice
could invent, more especially as De Jeane, to whom his ear was always
open, had told him (as I was informed) all and more than what had
happened during his absence. About a month after the death of the
unhappy young man above related, I had occasion for some of my powder
out of the magazine: I wrote an order to the conductor, according to
custom and waited on the Governor to have it signed; on presenting it to
him, he looked at it, and then looked at me with a sarcastic smile said,
It is powder you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> want, you damn'd rascal is it? At the same time
tearing my order and throwing it in my face: You have behaved yourself
very well, have you not? After my granting you your life, you would not
go with Le Mote, would you not? says, he and starting up in a great
passion as though he would strike me, put himself between me and the
door. What, says he, you have a damn'd deal of influence with the
Indians; you can purchase prisonners without my approbation can you? you
damn'd rascal. Sir, said I, I am no rascal; not a word out of your
mouth, says Hamilton, go about your business and take care of me or I
will fix you: I replied it had always been my study to take care of him;
not a word, says he, go about your business, and bless your stars I was
not here instead of Capt. Montpresent, for I would have fixed you, you
damn'd scoundrel. Here I took my leave, went home and determined to
think as little of Mr. Hamilton and his usage as possible, until I had
an opportunity of getting redress.</p>

<p>Notwithstanding the hatred of Hamilton and De Jeane; I spent the
forepart of the winter very happily, until the 25th of Jan. 1778, when
several Merchants of the town got permission to go to Sandusky to trade,
and as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> proposed encamping about two leagues from the town, myself
and several others in a friendly manner, proposed and did accompany them
in our sleighs to their first stage; but on our return, I being a head,
was challenged by De Jeane, at the head of thirty or forty soldiers, by
asking who came there? To which I replied, John Dodge; he then ordered
the soldiers to seize me and the two gentlemen in the sleigh with me,
and forced us to return to the encampment we had just left, where he
seized the whole of the gentlemen who were going by permission to
Sandusky, with their goods, sleighs, &amp;c. and carried the whole of us the
next morning back to the fort, and charged us with sending out goods to
supply (as he politely termed it) the rebels.</p>

<p>After being detained three days in prison I was taken to De Jeane's
house to see my papers, books, desk, &amp;c. examined. They broke open my
desk pretending to have lost the key. On searching, they could not find
any thing worth their notice, or what they expected to find. De Jeane
then gave me my keys, and told me to send for my desk and take care of
myself as he would watch me: I told him, as he had taken it from my home
and broke it, he should mend it and send it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> home before I would receive
it: Stop a little said he, I will speak to the Governor and fix you yet
if I can; he then gave me into the case of the guard, and ordered me to
goal. About the fifth day after this, not hearing any thing from him, I
sent for my violin, and was diverting myself, when Governor Hamilton
passed by, and inquired who was playing on the violin, to which the
Corporal of the guard answer'd it was me. The next day De Jeane waited
on me with a Blacksmith, who soon clapped on a pair of hand-bolts; and
now, says De Jeane, I have fixed you, you may play the violin until you
are tired; I asked him what I had done to be treated thus; for that you
must apply to the Governor said he, for it is his pleasure that you are
so: He then threatened to put on my leg bolts; on which I told him I did
not value his irons, but if he kept me prisoner, I should look to him
for my property, (about 3000l.) Yes, says he, we will fix you and your
property too, and then left me. About six days after, I was taken to my
own house, where two English and two Frenchmen, by order of the
Governor, took an inventor of my goods, and soon after sold the whole at
vendue, for about 1900l. New-York currency. Thus being a second time
robbed of my property, I lay a prisoner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> as contented as possible,
without any thing material happening until the first of May.</p>

<p>On the first of May 1778, I was put on board a vessel to go down
to Quebec, and by some of my friends furnished with provision and
necessaries for the voyage; but of these I was robbed by De Jeane, and
had it not been for some gentlemen, passengers in the same vessel, I
must have suffered with hunger. On the first of June I arrived at
Quebec, where I was conducted to Mr. Printices the Provost Marshal! Ha!
ha! says he, Mr. Dodge, are you here? I have often been told you were a
damn'd rascal doing all you could against government. It is a pity
Governor Hamilton did not hang you when he was about it, as he would
have saved government a great deal of trouble. From hence I was
conducted on board the prison ship Mariah, with a number of Farmers,
taken off their plantations by the Savages.</p>

<p>Two days after I was put on board the prison ship, we were visited by
Mr. Murray, Commissary of Prisoners, to whom I gave an account of my
capture and ill usage; he told me, he would speak to the General, and
give me an answer. Two days after, he came on board, and told me, as it
was very difficult<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> times, I could not have a hearing at present; I told
him I wanted nothing but what the English constitution allowed, and if
I could not get that in Quebec, I would apply to England; to which he
replied I had better be easy, for if I did not, he would put me in irons
again.</p>

<p>I remained on board the prison ship until the begining of August, when
Mr. Murray came on board, and informed me that I was not to go with the
prisoners; but if I would give my parole, I should be allowed the
liberty of Quebec. I asked him the occasion I could not be sent with the
other prisoners; he replied it was the Governor's orders: I asked him if
I was to be allowed any support; he said, not any. I told him it was
very hard to be dragged from my house, robbed of my property, deprived
of my liberty, sent 1200. miles in irons, and still be held a prisoner
in the town of Quebec, without any allowance for support: All my
applications were in vain, I was set on shore under parole the fourth of
August, and the ship sailed with the other prisoners soon after.</p>

<p>The cause of my detention, as I was afterwards told by Mr. Murray, was,
that Governor Hamilton, of Detroit, had wrote the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> General not to send
me round with the other prisoners; for if I got into the United States,
he knew I would come immediately upon him, and as I knew the country,
was well acquainted with the languages of the different Indians about
the lakes, and had great influence among them, should be the means of
their losing the fort, which would be much against the crown.</p>

<p>On my enlargement, I soon got acquainted with a number of gentlemen, who
were friends to the United States, and the cause in which they were
engaged. Some days after going on shore, I fell in company with a Mr.
Jones, who happened at that time to be reading a letter sent by General
Montgomery, while he lay before Quebec, to Gov. Carlton, and on
concluding it said he hoped General Montgomery was in hell, and that all
the rebels would soon be with him; to this I made a reply, words ensued,
and then blows; he drew on me, but I parried his thrust with my cane, so
that I only got a small wound on my knee: He then made a complaint and I
was sent for by the General, who threatened to put me in confinement, if
I did not find security; this I soon found, and bonds were given for me
for two months: at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> end of which, as they neglected renewing them
and left me without parole or security, I hired an Indian guide, and on
the ninth of Oct I quitted Quebec. After a fatiguing march through the
woods, on the 20th of Nov. I arrived at Boston, where I was kindly
received and politely treated by General Gates who supplied my wants and
forwarded to me to his Excellency, General Washington; I, waited on him,
was politely received and sent on to Congress, having some matters
relating to Canada, worthy of their hearing.</p>

<p>Had the love of my country no ways prompted me to act against the
tyranny of Britain. I leave it to the world to judge whether I have not
a right to revolt from under the dominion of such tyrants and exert
every faculty God has given me to seek satisfaction for the ill usage I
received than if I had ten thousand lives, and was sure to lose them
all: I think should I not attempt to gain satisfaction I should deserve
to be a slave the remainder of my life.</p>


<h4>F I N I S</h4>

<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p>

<div class="figcenter" style="width: 388px;">
<img src="https://brian.carnell.com/wiki/_media/etext:j:john-dodge-narrative-of-mr-john-dodge-i057.png" width="388" height="569" alt="" title="" />
</div>

<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>


<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p>
<h2>NOTES</h2>


<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a>
Almon's <i>Remembrancer</i>, 1779.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a>
First edition, Philadelphia, 1779, and second edition, Danvers,
Massachusetts, 1780; also printed in <i>Connecticut Gazette and Universal
Intelligencer</i>, February 2, 1780.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a>
<i>Virginia State Papers</i>, 1, 321.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a>
<i>Dodge Genealogy</i>, page 137. <i>American Ancestry</i>, 6, 192. The sketch
in <i>The Magazine of Western History</i>, 4, 282, contains many errors.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a>
<i>Wayne County Records</i>, B. 9, 91.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a>
If this date is correct it would appear that Dodge was in Detroit
before he was brought there as a captive.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a>
Manuscript, British Museum.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a>
For a history of the Montour family see Egle's <i>Notes and Queries</i>,
3rd series, 1, 118. John Montour was arrested and confined in Detroit in
1778. See <i>Michigan Historical Society Collections</i>, 9, 434.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a>
<i>Michigan Historical Society Collections</i>, 9, 512.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a>
<i>Fergus Historical Series</i>, number 31, page 62. See also number 33,
pages 159, 182, 183, 209; also <i>Calendar of Virginia State Papers</i>, 1, 367.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a>
<i>American State Papers</i>, <i>Public Lands</i>, Volume 1, (Gales and
Seaton), 106, 110. A letter from John Rice Jones on file in the Interior
Department, dated January 18, 1800, states that Dodge and his wife were
both dead.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a>
Letter from Henry L. Caldwell to Louise M. Dalton, Missouri
Historical Society, dated December 4, 1906. Mr. Caldwell died April 11,
1907, a very old man. Miss Dalton was secretary of the Missouri
Historical Society and died in June of the same year.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a>
A little information is obtained from the Ste. Genevieve records,
now in possession of the Missouri Historical Society, and a letter of
John Rice Jones now on file in the Interior Department at Washington.
The Jones letter is dated January 18, 1800, and in it he says that John
Dodge was married somewhere in Virginia and that both Dodge and his wife
are dead. From the other records it appears that the wife's name was
Ann.</p></div>

<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a>
Wood was a Revolutionary soldier and officer of considerable
importance, and was elected Governor of Virginia, serving from December
1, 1796, till December 1, 1799. He died July 16, 1813. <i>American
Archives</i>, 4th Series, Volume 4, 110-115. See also same series, Volume
2, 1209, 1240. Wood's <i>Journal</i> is in <i>The Revolution on the Upper
Ohio</i>, page 34. <i>Old Westmoreland</i>, 18. <i>American Archives</i>, 4th Series,
Volume 3, 1542.</p></div>



<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
<hr style="width: 65%;" />
<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
<h2>INDEX</h2>


<p>
Antanya, Michael, assists Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />
<br />
Beaver Creek (Bever Criek), <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.<br />
Blair, Archibald, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.<br />
Boston, visited by Dodge, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge meets General Gage there, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</span><br />
Boyle, Philip, letter to, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />
Butler, Mr., aids Dodge in inducing Indians to make treaty, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.<br />
<br />
Caldwell, Henry L., grandson of Israel Dodge, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.<br />
Canada, Dodge proposes to invade, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.<br />

Carleton, Sir Guy, Governor in Chief of Michigan Territory, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mr. Jones reads letter from, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</span><br />

Carlisle (Pennsylvania), Israel Dodge marries Ann Hunter at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.<br />

Clark, Gen. George Rogers, of Virginia, captures Lieut.-Gov. Hamilton, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">takes possession of the Western Illinois country, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">letters to Congress considered by board, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</span><br />

Clark, Mr., Dodge's letter to Congress referred to, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.<br />

Congress, Dodge visits, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">writes letter to, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">reports adversely to suggestions in letter, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge writes second letter to, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Committee of, report on the John Dodge report, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Commissioners of, treat with Indians, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge informs, of council with Indians at Sandusky, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</span><br />

Congressional Board, the, reports on letters of Colonel Clark and others relating to Hamilton, Dejean and Lamothe, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">recommends punishment to be inflicted upon these prisoners, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</span><br />

Connecticut, birthplace of Dodge 15;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge leaves, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</span><br />

Continental talk, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>.<br />
<br />

Dejean, Philip, prisoner of war, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Justice of the Peace for Detroit, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">prisoner of war, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his cruel treatment of Dodge and other prisoners, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">captured by Colonel Clark of Virginia at Fort St. Vincent (Vincennes), <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">imprisons Dodge a second time, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">informs Hamilton concerning Dodge, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">seizes Dodge and companions near Sandusky, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">examines Dodge's papers, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</span><br />

Detroit, John Dodge locates there, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">refers in letter to its garrison, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Governor of, bribes savages, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">proposes to take by force, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">visits, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</span><br />

Dodge, Henry, son of Israel Dodge, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">born October 12, 1872, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">first Governor of Wisconsin Territory, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</span><br />

Dodge, Ann Hunter, wife of Israel Dodge, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.<br />

Dodge, Israel, brother of John Dodge, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">commissioned as lieutenant, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</span><br />

Dodge, John, birth, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">parentage, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">early life as a trader, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">purchases land, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">confined in jail, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">appointed Indian Agent by Virginia, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">lays claim to western lands, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">patents issued to his heirs, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">date of death, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">place of burial, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">holds commission as colonel, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">places visited in his travels, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">writes second letter to Congress, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">acts as interpreter for Captain Wood, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">makes present to Indians, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">writes to Hamilton, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">taken prisoner by Indians at instigation of Hamilton, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">taken to Detroit, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">condemned to death, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his suffering and sickness in prison, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">released from prison, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his property confiscated, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">engages in mercantile business, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">rescues prisoner, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">taken captive by Dejean, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">called before Commandant Mountpresent, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">ordered to prison, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">released, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">threatened by Hamilton, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">goes to Sandusky, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">seized by Dejean, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">cast into goal, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his property confiscated second time, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">brought before Mr. Printices, Provost Marshal at Quebec, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">put on board prison ship <i>Mariah</i>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">visited by Mr. Murray, Commissary of Prisoners, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">paroled, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">encounter with Mr. Jones, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">forced to give bonds, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">leaves Quebec, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">arrives at Boston, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sent by Gates to General Washington, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">appears before Congress, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</span><br />

Dodge, John, Sr., father of John Dodge, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.<br />

Dodge, Lydia Rogers, wife of John Dodge, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.<br />

Dodge Narrative, time and place, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">importance, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">reprints, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Edgar, John;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge attempts to carry off slaves of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">old friend of Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">arrested and confined at Detroit, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">witness for Dodge, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Fort Pitt, (Pittsburg), Dodge's visit to, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;<br />
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">conference with Indians at, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">speech of Shengenaba at, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Gates, General, Dodge visits at Boston, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.<br />

Gibson, John, agent for Indian affairs, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.<br />
<br />

Hamilton, Lieut. Gov. Henry, cruelties and irregularities of his rule in Detroit, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">indicted for murder, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">confined in irons, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sends Dodge as prisoner to Quebec, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">bribes savages, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">captured by Gen. George Rogers Clark, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">released from prison and reinstated as lieutenant governor of Canada, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">letters of Colonel Clark relating to, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">incites Indians to perpetrate cruelties, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Committee's report as to his treatment of John Dodge, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">gives standing reward for scalps, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">capture by Colonel Clark at Fort St. Vincent (Vincennes), <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">dissuades Indians from assembling at Fort Pitt, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge writes letter to, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">throws Dodge into prison at Detroit, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">advises Dodge not to try to obtain redress, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">orders Dodge to march with scouting party of savages, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">threatens Dodge, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">succeeded by Captain Mountpresent, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">returns to Detroit, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">orders Dodge detained at Quebec, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</span><br />

Harman papers, their reference to Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

Henry, Moses;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Henry Dodge, his namesake, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his bravery at Vincennes, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</span><br />

Henry, Patrick, commissions Dodge as Colonel, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.<br />

Heron, James, aids Dodge in inducing Indians to make treaty, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.<br />
<br />

Illinois (Islianoy) Country, the, Dodge refers to it in letter to Congress, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">effect of its occupancy by troops under Col. Clark, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</span><br />
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>
Indians, bribed by Hamilton, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">offered standing reward for scalps, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">invited by Capt. James Wood to a treaty at Fort Pitt, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">dissuaded by Hamilton from assembling at Fort Pitt, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">persuaded by argument of Dodge and Heron, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">make treaty with Commissioners of Congress, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">their cruelty to prisoners, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Jones, John Rice, letter from, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

Jones, Mr., in company with Dodge, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.<br />
<br />

Kaskaskia, Dodge located there as Indian Agent, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">visits, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">writes letter from, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</span><br />

Kichoga, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.<br />
<br />

Lafleur, Joseph Poupard, sells land to Dodge, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.<br />

Lamothe, William (Le Mote), prisoner of war, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Captain of Volunteers, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">captain of volunteer scalping party of Indians and whites, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his capture by Col. Clark, of Virginia at Fort St. Vincent (Vincennes), <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">commands scouting Indians, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Mackinac, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.<br />

<i>Mariah</i>, prison ship, Dodge confined on, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.<br />

McIntosh, General, marches from Beaver Creek, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge censures in letter to Congress, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.</span><br />

Michilimackinac, Dodge trades at, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">arranges to send rescued prisoner there, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</span><br />

Missouri Historical Society, references to Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

Montgomery, General, Dodge speaks in his defense, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.<br />

Montour, John, letter to from Dodge, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.<br />

Mountpresent, Capt., <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.<br />

Morgan, Col., his arrival at Pittsburg, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>;<br />
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">sends message to the Indian (Endian) Nations, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</span><br />

Murray, Mr., Commissary of Prisoners, visits Dodge, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">informs Dodge that he is not to go with prisoners, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</span><br />
<br />

New Orleans, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

New York, visited by Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />
<br />

Ohio District, John Dodge in, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.<br />
<br />

Patridge, Mr., Dodge's letter to Congress referred to, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.<br />

Philadelphia, visited by Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

Piankeshaw Indians, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

Pittsburg (Fort Pitt), Dodge visits, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.<br />

Pontiac, his son Shegenaba speaks at Fort Pitt, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.<br />

Presque Isle (Preskeele), <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.<br />

Printice, Mr., Provost Marshal of Quebec, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.<br />

Pue, Jacob, of Virginia, hired to attend fellow prisoner, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.<br />
<br />

Quebec, John Dodge sent as prisoner to, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">escapes, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">visited by Dodge, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Sandusky (Ohio), Dodge locates there as a trader, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">visits, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">disturbed by Revolutionary War, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Savages hostile in, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</span><br />

Shawnee Indians, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.<br />

Shegenaba, son of Pontiac, speech at Fort Pitt, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.<br />

Ste Genevieve (Mo.), Dodge buried at, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dodge visits, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</span><br />

Sugar Creek (Shugar Criek), <a href="#Page_9">9</a>.<br />
<br />

Tanisee River, the, Hamilton appoints council of Indians to meet at the mouth of, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.<br />

Tucker, William, has negotiations with John Dodge, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.<br />
<br />

Vincennes (Ind.), George Rogers Clark at, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">captured by Gov. Hamilton, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">visited by Dodge, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hamilton, Dejean, and Lamothe taken prisoners at, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</span><br />
<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>
Virginia, Council of, letters and narratives of Dodge read by members of, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">recommends the punishment of Henry Hamilton, Philip Dejean and Wm. La Mothe, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">expenses in connection with the Illinois country, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</span><br />
<br />

Washington, Gen. George, Dodge meets him, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.<br />

Williamsburg  (Va.),  Hamilton taken to by Clark, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.<br />

Wolcot, Mr., Dodge's letter to Congress referred to, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.<br />

Wood, James, appointed to command expedition against the Shawnee, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;<br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">deputed to invite Western Indians to a treaty at Fort Pitt, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his fatigues, difficulties and dangers, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">his compensation, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">meeting with the Indians, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</span><br />
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">calls at the house of Dodge, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</span>
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