rn, and our best prospects are misery and
distress, or what is more than probable an untimely death by the hands of
Savages.

"We are well convinced that all these misfortunes have befallen us for
want of some superior, or commanding authority; for ever since the cession
of this Territory to Congress, we have been neglected as an abandoned
people, to encounter all the difficulties that are always attendant upon
anarchy and confusion; neither did we know from authority until latterly,
to what power we were subject. The greater part of our citizens have left
the country on this account to reside in the Spanish dominions; others are
now following, and we are fearful, nay, certain, that without your
assistance, the small remainder will be obliged to follow their example.

"Thus situated, our last resource is to you, Sir, hoping and praying that
you will so far use your authority to save an almost deserted country from
destruction, and to order or procure the small number of twenty men with
an officer, to be stationed among us for our defence; and that you will
make order for the establishment of a civil court to take place
immediately and to continue in force until the pleasure of his Excellency
the Governor shall be known, and to whom we beg you would communicate our
distress.

"We beg your answer by the return of the bearer, addressed to the Revd Mr.
Le Dru, our Priest, who signs this in the name and at the request, of the
inhabitants.

"Dated at Kaskaskia the fourteenth day of September, 1789.

"Ledru, cure Des Kaskaskias pour tous les habitans Francais de l'endroit
et outres voisins de la partie Americaine.

"JNO EDGAR."(134)

John Edgar offered to furnish provisions for the twenty soldiers asked for
in the petition, and to take bills on Congress in payment.(135)

Hamtramck responded to the petition by saying that sickness prevailed
among the troops at Vincennes to such an extent that twenty men could not
be sent thence to Kaskaskia, but that the request would be sent to
headquarters. As to the civil department, the people were advised to elect
two or three magistrates in every village. These should prevent debtors
from leaving, and should levy on the goods of such debtors as had already
gone to the Spanish side. "Let your magistrates be respectable men by
their moral character, as well as in point of property; let them attend
with vigilance to all disputes that may arise amongst you, and in a
particular manner