In preparing the following work, the author has consulted with a number of prominent educators in the State, as to the best plan for presenting the matter contained therein. While all agree that it is desirable, in writing a text-book, to employ such language as shall be comprehended by the youngest student, yet, on the whole, it is believed to be better in a work of this kind, to use ordinary language, and even technical terms when such are used in the law books to which we have occasion to refer. These words and terms must, sooner or later, be comprehended; and, in the judgment of the author, it would be unwise to attempt to exclude them. But, for the benefit of the younger students, it has been thought advisable to print all words, the definition or meaning of which it is conceived may not readily occur to them, in italics. The definition of most of the words printed in italics will be given in an appendix arranged in alphabetical order, and to which the student can easily refer. This reference, it is believed, will tend to fix the definition in the memory.

Some objection has been made to the introduction of questions, and that upon the ground that they are often so suggestive of the answer as to enable the pupil to respond correctly, though he may not have fully mastered the text. All this is true when the questions are leading; but when this is avoided and the questions are so framed as to merely call attention to the subject under consideration, they serve a most valuable purpose. Those things which the author deems important, are thus suggested to the teacher, who, in too many instances, it is feared, would otherwise pass over them without proper consideration.

GOVERNMENT OF MICHIGAN.

[For the definition of most of the words printed in italics, see appendix.]

CHAPTER I.

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

MICHIGAN, ORIGIN OF THE NAME

EXPLORATIONS AND LABORS

OF THE FRENCH JESUITS.

In the language of the Chippewa tribe of Indians, the word Mitchaw, signifies great, and Sagiegan, a lake. These words were applied by the members of that tribe to lakes Michigan and Huron, which were supposed to be one lake. The land which these lakes so nearly surrounded was called Michsawgyegan, meaning the Lake country; and from this word, Michigan derived its name.

The country constituting the present State of Michigan, was partially explored by some French explorers as early as the year 1610. In 1632, Father Sagard visited the country along the shores of Lake Huron. In 1634, a party of Indians belonging to the Huron tribe, visited Quebec, a walled city in Canada. On their return they were accompanied by the Jesuits, Brebeuf and Daniel, who located upon the shore of

Lake Iroquois, a bay of Lake Huron, and instructed the natives in religious matters.

In 1641, a number of French Jesuits paddled a bark canoe from the St. Lawrence river up through the Ottawa river, thence crossing over to Lake Nipissing, thence down the French river to the Georgian bay, and passing the islands of Lake Huron, they reached the Falls of St. Mary, where they established a Mission.

In 1660, Rene Mesnard attempted an exploration of the territory around Green Bay and Lake Superior. In October of that year, he reached a bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, which he called St. Theresa. After remaining there for about eight months, he was lost in the forest. His breviary and cassock were subsequently discovered among the amulets of the Sioux, by whom he was probably murdered.

In 1666, Father Allouez established a mission at the Falls of St. Mary, now called Sault Ste. Marie, where, in 1668, he was joined by Fathers Dablon and Marquette. In the course of the next three years they explored the country along the shores of Lake Michigan, making the entire circuit of that lake. In 1671, Marquette built a chapel at Mackinaw, formerly called Michilimackinac, also Mackinac.

In 1673, Father Marquette and Joliet sailed through the Straits of Mackinaw on their way to discover the Mississippi. They were followed, six years later, by Robert de la Salle, who built and navigated the Griffin, a bark of sixty tons burden the first vessel that ever floated on the northwestern lakes. The Griffin had on board Louis Hennepin, the missionary, and a party of fur-traders, who landed at Michilimackinac, and erected a fort and established a trading post.

Questions-From what did Michigan derive its name? In what year and by whom was Michigan first explored? Give the dates and

particulars of the visits of Sagard, Brebœuf and Daniel. State what was done by certain French Jesuits in 1641. What is said of Rene Mesnard? Of Allouez, Dablon and Marquette? Of Marquette and Joliet? Of de la Salle and those who accompanied him?

CHAPTER II.

FRENCH MISSIONARIES AND TRADERS ESTABLISHMENT OF MILITARY AND TRADING POSTS SURRENDER OF THE TERRITORY TO THE ENGLISH THE PONTIAC WAR.

In the fall of 1679, La Salle and his men went to Green Bay and procured a cargo of furs and dispatched them in the Griffin for Niagara. But the vessel was lost on the voyage.

From Michilimackinac, La Salle, and fourteen of his men, paddled their canoes up Lake Michigan to the mouth of the St. Joseph river, where they erected a rude fort.

In July, 1701, Antoine de la Cadillac, with a Jesuit missionary and one hundred men, located at the present site of Detroit, and commenced a permanent settlement. Here they erected a stockade which they named Fort Ponchertrain.

The forts erected at Green Bay, Ste. Marie, St. Joseph, Michilimackinac, Fort Gratiot, Detroit, and other points were designed as outposts by which the claim of the French to govern the territory could be supported, and the traders and missionaries be protected.

Prior to 1760, France claimed all of Canada, Illinois, and to the borders of the Mississippi, while the English occupied most of the country east of the Alleghany mountains. Both countries desired supremacy over the northern portion of the New World, and a fierce struggle between them ensued. In No

vember, 1760, Detroit, Michilimackinac, and all the posts within the government of Canada that were in the possession of the French, were surrendered to the Crown of England.

While some of the Indians cheerfully acquiesced in the change from the rule of the French to that of the English, a large proportion of them were dissatisfied and still retained a strong friendship for the French government; and in the month of May, 1763, a simultaneous attack was made upon the Forts of Le Bœuf, Venango, Presque Isle, Michilimackinac, St. Joseph, Miami, Green Bay, Ouiatonon, Pittsburgh, Sandusky, Niagara and Detroit. This attack resulted in a most frightful massacre at each of these points; Detroit, Pittsburgh and Niagara being the only places that did not fall into the hands of the savages.

Pontiac, an Ottawa chief, who lived on Pechee Island, about eight miles above the city of Detroit, was at this time the most prominent and influential leader among the Indians. Hence this war is known in history as the Pontiac war.

The siege of Detroit by Pontiac continued for eleven months, when the post was relieved by Gen. Bradstreet, with an army of three thousand men.

Questions-What is said of La Salle and his men? Of Antoine de la Cadillac and the Jesuit missionaries? For what purpose were the forts at the different points erected? Prior to 1760, what territory in this region was claimed by France? What was occupied by the English? What occurred in 1760? In 1763? What is said of Pontiac? Of the siege of Detroit?