1765.] CONFERENCES AT DETROIT. 293 



minds every thought of hostility. They were glad, 

 they said, that the dark clouds were now dispersing, 

 and the sunshine of peace once more returning ; 

 and since all the nations to the sunrising had taken 

 their great fiither the King of England by the hand, 

 they also wished to do the same. They now saw 

 clearly that the French were indeed conquered ; 

 and thenceforth they would listen no more to the 

 whistling of evil birds, but lay down the war- 

 hatchet, and sit quiet on their mats. Among those 

 who appeared to make or renew their submission 

 was the Grand Sauteur, who had led the massacre 

 at Michillimackinac, and who, a few years after, 

 expiated his evil deeds by a bloody death. He 

 now pretended great regret for what he had done. 

 " We red people," he said, " are a very jealous and 

 foolish people ; but, ft her, there are some among 

 the white men worse than we are, and they have 

 told us lies, and deceived us. Therefore we hope 

 you will take pity on our women and children, and 

 grant us peace." A band of Pottawattamies from 

 St. Joseph's were also present, and, after excusing 

 themselves for their past conduct by the stale plea 

 of the uncontrollable temper of their young men, 

 their orator proceeded as follows : — 



" We are no more than wild creatures to you, 

 fathers, in understanding ; therefore we request you 

 to forgive the past follies of our young people, and 

 receive us for your children. Since you have thrown 

 down our former father on his back, we have been 

 wandering in the d'ark, like blind people. Now 

 you have dispersed all this darkness, which hung 



