CHAPTER XXII r. 



1763-1764. 

 THE INDIANS RAISE THE SIEGE OF DETROIT. 



I RETURN to the long-forgotten garrison of Detroit, 

 which was left still beleaguered by an increasing 

 multitude of savages, and disheartened by the de- 

 feat of Captain Dalzell's detachment. The schoon- 

 er, so boldly defended by her crew against a force 

 of more than twenty times their number, brought 

 to the fort a much-needed supply of provisions. 

 It was not, however, adequate to the wants of the 

 garrison ; and the whole were put upon the shortest 

 possible allowance. 



It was now the. end of September. The Indians, 

 with unexampled pertinacity, had pressed the siege 

 since the beginning of May ; but at length their 

 constancy began to fail. The tidings had reached 

 them that Major Wilkins, with a strong force, was 

 on his way to Detroit. They feared the consequen- 

 ces of an attack, especially as their ammunition was 

 almost exhausted ; and, by this time, most of them 

 were inclined to sue for peace, as the easiest mode 

 of gaining safety for themselves, and at the same 

 time lulling the English into security.^ They 



1 MS. Letter —Gage to Johnson, Dec. 25, 17G3. Penn. Gaz. No. 1827. 



