Journal of Col. Croghan. 267 



The distance from Port Vincent to Ouicatanon is two hundred 

 and ten miles. This place is situated on the Ouabache. About 

 fourteen French families are living in the fort, which stands on 

 the north side of the river. The Kicapoos and Musquattimes, 

 whose warriors had taken us, live nigh the fort, on the same side 

 of the river, where they have two villages ; and the Ouicatonons 

 have a village on the south side of the river. At our arrival at 

 this post, several of the Wawcottonans, (or Ouicatonans) with 

 whom I had been formerly acquainted, came to visit me, and 

 seemed greatly concerned at what had happened. They went 

 immediately to the Kiccapoos and Musquatimes, and charged 

 them to take the greatest care of us, till their chiefs should ar- 

 rive from the Illinois, where they were gone to meet me some time 

 ago, and vi^ho were entirely ignorant of this affair, and said the 

 French had spirited up this party to go and strike us. 



The French have a very great influence over these Indians, and 

 never fail in telling them many lies to the prejudice of his Ma- 

 jesty's interest, by making the English nation odious and hateful 

 to them. I had the greatest difficulties in removing these pre- 

 judices. As these Indians are a weak, foolish, and credulous peo- 

 ple, they are easily imposed on by a designing people, who have 

 led them hitherto as they pleased. The French told them that 

 as the southern Indians had for two years past made war on them, 

 it must have been at the instigation of the English, who are a bad 

 people. However I have been fortunate enough to remove their 

 prejudice, and, in a great measure, their suspicions against the 

 English. The country hereabouts is exceedingly pleasant, being 

 open and clear for many miles ; the soil very rich an.d well wa- 

 tered ; all plants have a quick vegetation, and the climate very 

 temperate through the winter. This post has always been a very 

 considerable trading place. The great plenty of furs taken in 

 this country, induced the French to establish this post, which was 

 the first on the Ouabache, and by a very advantageous trade 

 they have been richly recompensed for their labour. 



On the south side of the Ouabache runs a high bank, in which 

 are several fine coal mines, and behind this bank, is a very large 

 meadow, clear for several miles. It is surprising what false infor- 

 mation we have had respecting this country: some mention these 

 spacious and beautiful meadows as large and barren savannahs. I 

 apprehend it has been the artifice of the French to keep us igno- 



