in ambush at the entrance to the Detroit river to obstruct his advance.  The Wyandots wished to know the truth regarding the conquest of Canada, and on being convinced that it was no fabrication, they took their departure ‘in good temper.’  On the 23rd Indian messengers, among whom was an Ottawa chief, [Footnote:  In Rogers’s journal of this trip no mention is made of Pontiac’s name.  In A Concise Account of North America, published in 1765, with Rogers’s name on the title-page, a detailed account of a meeting with Pontiac at the Cuyahoga is given, but this book seems to be of doubtful authenticity.  It was, however, accepted by Parkman.] arrived at the British camp, at the western end of Lake Erie, reporting that Beletre intended to fight and that he had arrested the officer who bore Rogers’s message.  Beletre’s chief reason for doubting the truth of Rogers’s statement appears to have been that no French officers had accompanied the British contingent from Montreal.

When the troops entered the Detroit river Rogers sent Captain Donald Campbell to the fort with a copy of the capitulation of Montreal and Vaudreuil’s letter instructing Beletre to hand over his fort to the British.  These documents were convincing, and Beletre [Footnote:  Although Beletre received Rogers and his men in no friendly spirit, he seems soon to have become reconciled to British rule for in 1763 he was appointed to the first Legislative Council of Canada, and until the time of his death in May 1793 he was a highly respected citizen of Quebec.] consented, though with no good grace; and on November 29 Rogers formally took possession of Detroit.  It was an impressive ceremony.  Some seven hundred Indians were assembled in the vicinity of Fort Detroit, and, ever ready to take sides with the winning party, appeared about the stockade painted and plumed in honour of the occasion.  When the lilies of France were lowered and the cross of St George was thrown to the breeze, the barbarous horde uttered wild cries of delight.  A new and rich people had come to their hunting-grounds, and they had visions of unlimited presents of clothing, ammunition, and rum.  After the fort was taken over the militia were called together and disarmed and made to take the oath of allegiance to the British king.

Captain Campbell was installed in command of the fort, and Beletre and the other prisoners of war were sent to Philadelphia.  Two officers were dispatched with twenty men to bring the French troops from Forts Miami and Ouiatanon.  A few soldiers were stationed at Fort Miami to keep the officers at Detroit informed of any interesting events in that neighbourhood.  Provisions being scarce at Detroit, Rogers sent the majority of his force to Niagara; and on December 10 set out for Michilimackinac with an officer and thirty-seven men.  But he was driven back by stormy weather and ice, and forced, for the present year, to give up the attempt to garrison the posts on Lakes Huron and Michigan.  Leaving everything in peace at Detroit, Rogers went to Fort Pitt, and for nine months the forts in the country of the Ottawa Confederacy were to be left to their own resources.