Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/132

 72 HISTORY OP SOUTHEAST MISSOURI read to him two or three times, until he comprehends it, or it must be read again. He has maintained order in his post with in- credible firmness against some inhabitants who designed to mutiny against him without cause. He is extremely zealous when em- ployed. Although supposed to be interested, I have known him to neglect all his business to execute a commission which would cause him rather expense than profit. He is much experienced in Indian matters, particularly with the Shawnese and Delawares. It was through his influence with the latter tribe that the Delaware Indian, who had killed a citizen of the United States on the road to the Post Vincennes, was taken by his nation to Ka.skaskia. I had an incontestible proof of his talent with the Indians at New ]Iadrid, where, without his mediation, I would have been obliged to employ force to execute the Mascoux Indian. He is brave, and extremely well posted in the Indian method of war- fare, feared and respected by the savages." In 1799 he presented a petition to De Lassus, setting out the service he had rendered to Spain, the expense and worry he had suf- fered, and the hardships and dangers he had been forced to undergo. He declared that for fifteen years he had faithfully served the Spanish government in every possible way, and that his services had been practically un- rewarded. He called to mind the fact that it was owing to his efforts and his in- fluence with the Indians that Upper Louis- iana had received a large influx of Indian population. He asked that the governor should gi-ant him 30,000 arpents of land, to be surveyed when he chose, and to be se- lected in any place whatsoever, so long as the selection did not interfere with persons hav- ing grants already established. This peti- tion was granted bj' De Lassus and the land prayed for was given to him. In 1798, Lorimier had a law suit concern- ing this land with Gabriel Cerre. Cerre was the ti'ader who had sent the La Sieurs to New Madrid. He had extensive dealings with the Indians and considerable influence with them. The Spanish government recog- nized his service and was willing to reward him; however, his claim to the land of Lori- mier was denied. In the decision, which was in Lorimier 's favor, the Governor-General said that he was uuAvilling to deprive Lori- mier of his land for the reason that his serv- ices had been so valuable. He ordered, how- ever, that Cerre should be given an equal amount of land in another place. Lorimier continued to trade with the In- dians up to the time of his death. He bought the goods, which he sold them, in Kaskaskia. Besides trading, he engaged in farming and also in the operation of mills. He built a water mill on Cape La Croix creek, not far from where the Scott county road crosses this stream ; later he built another mill on Hubble creek. Lorimier claimed as his right all the ponies and horses found in the woods on his extensive grants. After the cession of Louis- iana to the United States an attempt was made to deprive him of his land. This grant, was afterward confirmed to Lorimier 's heirs by the United States by an act dated July 4, 1826. Lorimier was not an educated man ; he could not read though he could write his name. His signature, which has been pre- served on a large number of documents, is bold ajid firm, evidently the writing of a man of determination and character. All of his dealings were characterized by energy and perseverance, and he evinced a high degree