1891-92. ] EARLY TRADERS. (8 
commander of the garrison, with the object of driving out of the country 
unlicensed traders of whom there seem to have been a good many scat- 
tered among the Indian villages. One of these, a negro from St. 
Domingo, known by the singular name of Baptiste Point au Sable was 
captured at the River du Chemin, and another rendered desperate by 
pursuit, blew himself to pieces with a barrel of gunpowder rather than 
surrender, 
In the summer of 1778, a strong body of Virginians took possession of 
Kaskaskia and followed up their success by the capture of Vincennes ; 
in both instances being joined by many disaffected inhabitants. The 
principal trade of the Illinois was in consequence diverted from Mack- 
inac to the Spanish posts beyond the Mississippi. A party from Kas- 
kaskia plundered the traders at St. Joseph’s, but was pursued and defeated. 
Hostile Indians and half-breeds instigated by the Spaniards and Vir- 
ginians constantly menaced St. Joseph’s, La Baye, and even Grand 
Portage. 
A small detachment of regular soldiers was sent from Mackinac in 1780 
to the latter place where they built a blockhouse for the protection of 
merchants. Militia officers were stationed at La Baye, St. Joseph’s, and 
St. Mary’s, and scouting parties despatched in various directions. Finally 
two expeditions, each composed of a few regular soldiers and volunteer 
militia and a considerable number of Indians, were sent against the 
Illinois and the Spanish frontiers. One of these under Charles de Lang- 
lade proceeded by way of Chicago directly to the Illinois. The other com- 
manded by Capt. Hesse (late of the 60th) followed the Fox and Wis- 
consin rivers to the Mississippi. This party built a stockade at Prairie 
du Chien where it was joined by a large body of Sioux. They next 
seized the lead mines and captured some boats with stores, but were after- 
wards repulsed in attacks on the Spanish forts at St. Louis and Cahokia 
although they brought off a number of prisoners and inflicted much 
damage. 
Taken as a whole, the trade of Mackinac and all places beyond, 
including the northwest, produced annually 4100,000 worth of furs or 
about half the entire quantity exported from the province. The cargoes 
of one hundred canoes, each navigated by a crew of eight men, were 
required to pay forthem. The average value of each canoe-load of goods 
including the cost of transportation to its destination, but not the 
payment of wages, was estimated at £700. A considerable variety 
of goods was needed for successful traffic. Guns, powder, ball, knives, 
hatchets, rum, and tobacco were in greatest request but a list of articles 
usually taken includes saddles, spurs, bridles, saddle-cloths, and housings, 
