1763, June.] TACT OF GORELL. 363 



Gorell seems to have acquitted himself with great 

 judgment and prudence. On first arriving at the 

 fort, he had found its defences decayed and ruin- 

 ous, the Canadian inhabitants unfriendly, and many 

 of the Indians disposed to hostility. His good 

 conduct contributed to allay their irritation, and 

 he was particularly successful in conciliating his 

 immediate neighbors, the Menomonies. They had 

 taken an active part in the late war between France 

 and England, and their spirits were humbled by the 

 losses they had sustained, as well as by recent rav- 

 ages of the small-pox. Gorell summoned them to 

 a council, and delivered a speech, in which he 

 avoided wounding their pride, but at the same time 

 assumed a tone of firmness and decision, such as 

 can alone command an Indian's respect. He told 

 them that the King of England had heard of their 

 ill conduct, but that he was ready to forget all that 

 had passed. If, however, they should again give 

 him cause of complaint, he would send an army, 

 numerous as the trees of the forest, and utterly 

 destroy them. Flattering expressions of confidence 

 and esteem succeeded, and the whole was enforced 

 by the distribution of a few presents. The Meno- 

 monies replied by assurances of friendship, more 

 sincerely made and faithfully kept than could have 

 been expected. As Indians of the other tribes 

 came from time to time to the fort, they met with 

 a similar reception ; and, in his whole intercourse 

 with them, the constant aim of the commandant 

 was to gain their good will. The result was most 

 happy for himself and his garrison. 



