In the Current of the Revolution 85 



The commandants at the small posts of Mackinaw 

 and St. Josephs were also notified to incite the 

 Lake Indians to harass the Illinois country. 3 



He led the main body in person, and throughout 

 September every soul in Detroit was busy from 

 morning till night in mending boats, baking biscuit, 

 packing provisions in kegs and bags, preparing ar- 

 tillery stores, and in every way making ready for 

 the expedition. Fifteen large bateaux and pirogues 

 were procured, each capable of carrying from 1,800 

 to 3,000 pounds ; these were to carry the ammuni- 

 tion, food, clothing, tents, and especially the pres- 

 ents for the Indians. Cattle and wheels were sent 

 ahead to the most important portages on the route 

 that would be traversed; a six-pounder gun was 

 also forwarded. Hamilton had been deeply ex- 

 asperated by what he regarded as the treachery of 

 most of the Illinois and Wabash Creoles in joining 

 the Americans; but he was in high spirits and very 

 confident of success. He wrote to his superior 

 officer that the British were sure to succeed if they 

 acted promptly, for the Indians were favorable to 

 them, knowing they alone could give them supplies ; 

 and he added "the Spaniards are feeble and hated 

 by the French, the French are fickle and have no 

 man of capacity to advise or lead them, and the Reb- 

 els are enterprising and brave, but want resources." 

 The bulk of the Detroit French, including all their 

 leaders, remained stanch supporters of the crown, 

 and the militia eagerly volunteered to go on the ex- 



3 Hamilton to Haldimand, September 17, 1778. 



