.At St. Vincennes Colonel Clark, collected his scattered forces; who felicitated him on his success, and received from him their discharge, as their time of service had expired; with the warmest expressions of approbation, and thanks, for their unshaken courage, and fidelity. He, nevertheless, prevailed on the most of them to remain through the winter; and sent a despatch to the governor, with a representation of his success, and present condition.

Virginia claiming the country, thus conquered by Colonel Clark; by an act of her legislature comprehended it, within a new county, which was created, by the name of Illinois. A regiment of infantry and one troop of cavalry, were voted for its protection; the command of which was given to Colonel Clark, whose former regiment was dissolved, and who well merited this new expression of public confidence, by the entire success of his late enterprises--by his known and acknowledged courage-by his uncommon hardihood, and skill in attaching his soildiers to him--by his talents for military science-and by his singular capacity, for Indian warfare-the more immediate object of his future command.

When the state of the country invaded by Colonel Clark is considered-its villages distant, and fortified--in amity with many tribes of savages, tteho were within call-the scanty number of his forces recounted-the routes which he marched retraced--the secrecy, and rapidity, with which he moved, recollected and the mind duly impressed, by reflections on the masterly address with which he overcame his enemy-the exclamation, that "he was indeed, a great commander," is no less an effect of judgment, than of an enthusiastic feeling of admiration.

To these observations, may be subjoined those, of two other historians, who have had occasion to notice the subject of them. By one, it has been said, that, Colonel Clark, "anticipated, and defeated the designs of Hamilton, by one of those bold and decisive measures, which, whether formed on a great, or a small scale, with many thousands, or only a few hundreds, for its execution, equally mark the military, and enterprising ge

hius of the man, who plans, and executes them." And by the other, it has been remarked, that "he directed and timed his attacks, with such judgment; and executed them with such secrecy and despatch, that the Indians found their own mode of warfare, effectually turned upon themselves. Surprised in their inmost retreats, and hunted from their most sequestered recesses, at those times and seasons, when they were scarcely more prepared for retreat, than unprepared for defence; they experienced in their own wigwams, and families, that unex pected slaughter and destruction, which they had so frequently carried to the homes of others, as little apprehensive of danger. Upon this, they became cautious and timid; and the continual danger to which their families were exposed, damped the ardour of their warriors for foreign expeditions."

Whence it may be truly inferred, with equal pride, and pleasure, that the best expectations of both Virginia, and Kentucky, were completely answered, and their most sanguine hopes realized, by the conduct, and success, of Colonel George Rogers Clark.

The families, who were left at the falls of Ohio by Colonel Clark, in 1778, could but feel the deepest interest in the suc cess of his expedition. Nor was it long before they heard of the capture of Kaskaskias: pleasing as was this intelligence, it did not afford to them the wanted security. Their situation, on the extremity of Kentucky-sixty or seventy miles detached from the other settlements-and within the reach of parties from several Indian tribes, and British posts, was of a nature to render them uneasy; as it exposed them to much hazard. Nor dared they remove from the island, so long as the post at St. Vincennes, was occupied by British troops, and replenished with Indians. The conquest of this place, was therefore, to them, the mandate of liberation from their insular position; and an invitation to remove to the Kentucky shore. Hence the origin of the settlement on the site of Louisville.

A stand, being made at the falls, and the families freed from the contracted, and inconvenient limits of the island, the popu lation soon accumulated strength, from the accession of num

bers; and the place, importance, from its becoming the princi pal post, of Colonel Clark, and his new regiment.

Simon Kenton, alias, Butler, who has been heretofore no ticed, now claims further attention, as connected with the occurrences of this year. His active and enterprising spirit had induced him to join Colonel George Rogers Clark, and was with him at the capture of Kaskaskias. After the fall of that place, Butler, with others, was sent to Kentucky with despatches; on their way, they fell in with a camp of Indians with horses; they broke up the camp, took the horses, sent them back to Kaskaskias, and pursued their route by posť St. Vincennes. Entering that place by night, they traversed several streets, and departed without discovery, or alarm, after taking from the inhabitants who were hostile, two horses, for each man. When they came to White river, a raft was made on which to transport the guns, and baggage, while the horses. were driven in, to swim across the river. On the opposite shore there lay a camp of Indians, who caught the horses as they rose the bank.

Butler, and his party, now finding themselves in the utmost danger, permitted the raft to float down the stream, and con cealed themselves till night; when they made another raft at a different place, on which they crossed the river, returned safe to Kentucky, and delivered the letters, as they had been directed; some of which were intended for the seat of goverment.

This part of his duty being discharged, Butler made a tour to the northern part of the country, and in the same year was made prisoner by the Indians. They soon after painted him black, and informed him, that at Chillicothe, where they were going, he should be burned. Nor were they willing to permit him to pass the interim, without adding to his mental pains; those of the body. Not more to torture him, than to amuse themselves, they mounted him on an unbroke, and unbridled horse; tied his hands behind his body, and his feet under the animal; and then let him loose to run through the bushes.

This he did capering, and prancing, through the worst thickets, thereby to discharge, his load, but in vain. There

is no means of checking the horse, or of guarding the body, or face, or eyes, from the brush. This rends the clothes, and almost tears the flesh from the bones-to the very great amusement of the savages, and to the equal danger of the rider's life,

The horse at length worries himself, becomes gentle, and rejoins the cavalcade; which now approaches within a mile of Chillicothe; the Indians halt, dismount their prisoner, and prepare the stake. At this, they kept him tied, and standing, for nearly twenty-four hours; with what sensations, can better be imagined, than expressed. From the stake, however, he was not released by fire; but taken by the Indians, to run the gantlet. At this place, there were assembled, five, or six, hundred Indians, of all ages, sexes, and conditions. These were armed with switches, sticks, and every kind of handweapon, known to savages; and formed into rows, reaching to the cauncil house; distant nearly one mile. Butler was now told, that he was to run between these files to the drum; which was beaten at the council-house door; and that, if he could get into the council house, he should be cleared: but that he was to expect a blow from each Indian, as he passed. Next, he was placed between these ranks, and put into motion, by an order, and a blow. In a little time, he broke through one of the files, before he received many blows, and continued running for the council-house door; which he had nearly gained, when he was knocked down by a warrior, with a club. Here he was severely beaten, and again taken into custody.

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In this distressed, and miserable condition, when life had become burthensome; and death, would have been relief, was he marched, from town, to town; often threatened to be burned at the stake; and frequently compelled to run the gantlet.

On one of these occasions, he broke the rank, determined, at the risk of his life, to make his escape; and had actually gained a considerable advantage of his foot pursuers, when he was met by some Indians coming to town on horseback, and compelled to surrender..

At thirteen towns, he ran the gantlet, and was certainly to have been burned, at the Lower Sandusky. But an accident suspends his progress, and seems to change his destiny,

At the Upper Sandusky, resided Simon Girty; who had just returned from an unsuccessful expedition against the frontiers of Pennsylvania; and in very bad humour. Hearing that there was a white prisoner in town, he sought him, fell upon him, threw him on the ground; and to colour his violence, accused him of stealing the Indians' horses. Butler, recognising Girty, made himself known. They had been comrades, and friends; Girty is astonished, to find him in such a situation,-—relents, raises him from the ground, offers him his hand, promises to save him from further injury, and to obtain his release from captivity.

The horrors of his mind, now yielded to the cheering prospects of hope, and better fortune; and the little life which yet languished in his bruised, and emaciated body, became an object of his solicitude.

A council was called, the case stated, and Girty's influence, obtained a decree of liberation, in his favour. Girty now took him to his house, bestowed on him the rights of hospitality, washed his wounds, and dressed him in a new suit of clothes.

For five days, he was at liberty, and felt himself recovering, both strength, and spirits. But such is the instability of a disorganized democracy, and the spirit of ferocity in uncivilized man, that the chiefs of several neighbouring towns, hearing that the white prisoner, was set free, now became dissatisfied; and repairing to Sandusky, demanded another council. This was accordingly held, and the former decree in favour of Butler, notwithstanding all Girty's exertions, promptly reversed; he once more reduced to the condition of a prisoner, and his former sentence of death renewed against him. Girty was now compelled to give him up, and he was marched away to Lower Sandusky, to be burned. At this place, he met with Peter Drewyear, Indian Agent from Detroit. Drewyear, from motives of humanity, interceded with the council, and obtained permission to take Butler with him, on his return home. At Detroit he was given up to the British governor, and paroled, with orders to appear at nine o'clock, each day, when the drum beat for parade.