CHAPTEE XXIX. 



1763-1765. 

 PONTIAC RALLIES THE WESTERN TRIBES. 



When, by the treaty of Paris, in 1763, France 

 ceded to England her territories east of the 

 Mississippi, the Ilhnois was of course included 

 in the cession. Scarcely were the articles signed, 

 when France, as if eager to rob herself, at one 

 stroke, of all her western domain, threw away 

 upon Spain the vast and indefinite regions beyond 

 the Mississippi, destined at a later day to return to 

 her hands, and finally to swell the growing empire 

 of the United States. This transfer to Spain was 

 for some time kept secret ; but orders were im- 

 mediately sent to the officers commanding at the 

 French posts within the territory ceded to England, 

 to evacuate the country whenever British troops 

 should appear to occupy it. These orders reached 

 the Illinois towards the close of 1763. Some time, 

 however, must necessarily elapse before the English 

 could take possession ; for the Indian war was then 

 at its height, and the country was protected from 

 access by a broad barrier of savage tribes, in the 

 hottest ferment of hostility. 



