Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/129

 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 69 intelligence of your going to seize his goods, and he wrote a letter expressing his surprise at our duplicity. "What we have to say on the subject is neither more nor less than this, that the Spaniards have invited the Delawares and Shawnese to their side of the Mississippi. With a tribe of the latter Mr. Lorimier goes, and expects the Spaniards will allow him to follow them. If this is the case and he well inclined, we think he may do better than was expected, and as the company means to have somebody there to do this business, it might in some measure atone for the loss of the Port Vincent's (Vincennes) trade, which will never be renewed. "We wrote you yesterday at some length. You will be the best judge how to act in re- gard to Lorimier, but we think his intentions are honest. "Sir, your very humble servants, George Sharp. Thomas Shepherd. "To Hugh Reward, Mouth Illinois." We are unable to give many of the details of Lorimier 's life previous to his coming to Missouri, but after that time we have reason- able grounds for believing that we know most of events in his life. In 1787 he settled on the Saline in Ste. Genevieve county where he made his home for six years. The Spanish authorities soon recognized him as a man having great influence with the Indians, resulting in part from his long life of trading with them, in part from the real power and energy which he possessed. They saw in him a fit agent for carrying out their plans, which were to induce the Indians to settle west of the river. They wanted these Indians here because Spain and France were engaged in war, and Spain feared very greatly that the United States would take part in this war on the side of France. The Spanish ofScials hoped by securing the help of the Indians that they could use them to ' harass the Americans in such a way as to prevent their giving any assistance to the ■ French and they further expected that their Indian allies would be very useful to them ■ in securing information of hostile movements. ' In 1792, the Spanish were in great fear of ' an invasion from across the river and Lori- ' mier was employed to concert with the Span- ish ofScials plans for defense. He was or- dered to New Jladrid in that year to confer with Portelle the commandant of the post of ■ New Madrid. Lorimier had had some un- pleasant experiences with Portelle arising over some of Lorimier 's trading operations.- He was reluctant to trust himself within Por- telle 's power at New Madrid and it was dif- ficult to persuade him to do so. Finally he consented, however, and went to New Madrid where steps were taken to protect Spanish territory. He spent the fall and winter of that year engaged in these matters. He crossed the Mississippi, visited Indian chiefs,' and induced many of them to come to this' side. In all of this work he displayed gi-eat adaptability, energy, and loyalty. He was successful in his efforts with the Indians and large numbers of his friends, the Shawnees and Delawares came to Upper Louisiana. In recognition of this service the following grant of authority was made to him, the text , being a translation: "Baron of Carondelet, ; follower of the religion of St. John, Colonel of the royal armies. Governor, Intendant General, Vice-Regent of the Province of Louisiana and Western Florida, Inspector of the Army, etc. "Know all men by these presents, that in consideration of the true and faithful serv-