362 THE MASSACRE. [1763, June. 



massacre. The fort at Green Bay first received an 

 English garrison in the year 1761, at the same time 

 with the other posts of this region. The force 

 consisted of seventeen men, of the 60th or Hoyal 

 American regiment, commanded by Lieutenant 

 Gorell. Though so few in number, their duties 

 were of a very important character. In the neigh- 

 borhood of Green Bay were numerous and power- 

 ful Indian tribes. The Menomonies lived at the 

 mouth of Fox River, close to the fort. The Win- 

 nebagoes had several villages on the lake which 

 bears their name, and the Sacs and Foxes were 

 established on the River Wisconsin, in a large vil- 

 lage composed of houses neatly built of logs and 

 bark, and surrounded by fields of corn and vegeta- 

 bles.^ West of the Mississippi was the powerful 

 nation of the Dahcotah, w^hose strength was loosely 

 estimated at thirty thousand fighting men, and 

 who, in the excess of their haughtiness, styled the 

 surrounding tribes their dogs and slaves.^ The 

 commandant of Green Bay was the representative 

 of the British government, in communication with 

 all these tribes. It devolved upon him to secure 

 their friendship, and keep them at peace ; and he 

 was also intrusted, in a great measure, with the 

 power of regulating the fur-trade among them. In 

 the course of each season, parties of Indians, from 

 every quarter, would come to the fort, each expect- 

 ing to be received with speeches and presents. 



1 Carver, Travels, 47. 



2 Gorell, Journal, MS. The original manuscript is preserved in the 

 library of the Maryland Historical Society, to which it was presented by 

 Robert Gilmor, Esq. 



