Pontiac: Ottawa Chief in about 1720

Pontiac was an Ottawa chief, born on the Ottawa River, in Canada, about 1720. While yet a young man he became the principal chief of the allied Ottawas, Ojibways, and Pottawatomies. He was always a firm ally of the French, to whose interests he was devotedly attached, defending them at Detroit against an attack by the Northern tribes, and (it is generally believed) leading the Ottawas in the defeat of Braddock.

He reluctantly acquiesced in the issue of the French and Indian War, although at first strongly disposed to dispute the progress of Major Rogers, the British officer sent to take possession of the western forts. In 1762, he dispatched emissaries to many tribes in order to unite them in an alliance to exterminate the English. His proposals were favorably received, and thus organized what is commonly spoken of as the “Conspiracy of Pontiac.” He himself undertook to lead an assault upon Detroit.

His intention was, however, informed to the garrison and they prepared accordingly. Pontiac thereupon laid siege to the fort but was unable to prevent the ingress of provisions. The Canadian settlers furnished supplies to both the besieged and besiegers with absolute impartiality. Finally, a boatload of ammunition and supplies landed at Detroit from Lake Erie, and the English made an unsuccessful sortie on July 31, 1763.

After a desultory warfare, lasting for nearly three months, the Indians withdrew into Indiana, where Pontiac tried in vain to organize another movement. The Indians did not capture Detroit, but they captured Fort Sandusky, St. Joseph, Miami, Ouiatanon, LeBoeuf, and Venango, along with Mackinaw and Presque Isle. Throughout the country, garrisons were massacred at all of these locations and countless other atrocities occurred.

Additional British troops were sent west, and the Indians were finally brought under control. Pontiac was present at Oswego when a treaty was signed with Sir William Johnson, but remained implacable. His end was tragic. Broken in heart, but still proud in spirit and relentless in purpose, he applied to the former (and last) French Governor of Illinois, the younger St. Ange, who was then at St. Louis, for cooperation and support in another raid against the British.

Being refused aid or countenance, according to a story long popularly received, he returned to the vicinity of Cahokia, where, in 1769, he was murdered by a Kaskaskia Indian in consideration of a barrel of liquor. Col. Joseph N. Bourassa, a Kansas-educated half-breed, is cited as authority for this statement by Matson, author of several volumes pertaining to early history in Illinois. It has been claimed that the Indians killed at Cahokia were imposters and that Kineboo, the Head Chief of Illinois, assassinated the true Pontiac in a council held near Joliet on the Des Plaines River.

So well convinced, it is said, was Pierre Chouteau, the St. Louis Indian trader, of the truth of this last story, that he caused a monument, which he had erected over the grave of the false Pontiac, to be removed. A majority of historians agree that Pontiac's murder, whether it occurred at Cahokia or Joliet, resulted in the extermination of Illinois and the tragedy of the Starved Rock.