The conquest of Canada in 1759 was followed by the occupation of Detroit
and the upper forts by a British force under the famous Major Robert
Rogers. He followed the south shore of Lake Erie, and near the site of
Cleveland was met by the celebrated Ottawa chief, Pontiac, who
challenged his right to pass through the country without the formal
permission of its savage sovereign. The operations of the conspiracy of
Pontiac (1763-5) are described in Parkman's glowing pages. The success
of the American Revolution was followed by the settlement not only of
the U.E. Loyalists but also of many of the disbanded British troops in
the most fertile districts north of the lakes. To locate these
advantageously a Land-board was established at Detroit by the Canadian
Government and it continued to perform its functions until the surrender
of that post to the United States under the provisions of the Jay Treaty
of 1794.
McNIFF'S EXPLORATION.
The Indian title to the whole north shore region having been surrendered
to the Crown, no time was lost in opening the territory for settlement.
Patrick McNiff, an assistant surveyor attached to the Ordinance
Department, was ordered by Patrick Murray, Commandant at Detroit, to
explore the north shore from Long Point westward and investigate the
quality and situation of the land. His report is dated 16th June 1790.
The following extract is interesting:
"From Pointe aux Pins to the portage at Long Point, no possibility
of making any settlement to front on the Lake, being all the way a
yellow and white sand bank from 50 to 100 feet high, top covered
with chestnut and scrubby oak and no harbours where even light boats
may enter except River Tonty and River a la Barbue.[15] A load boat
may enter the latter having four and a half feet water on the bar;
on each side of River a la Barbue are flats of excellent lands, but
not above fifteen or twenty chains wide, before very high land
commences, which in many places does not appear to be accessible for
any carriage. On the tops of these very high hills, good land,
timber, some very large chestnut, hickory and bass. These hills are
separated by dry ravines almost impassable from their great
depth--on the back of Long Point very good land, not so hilly as
what I have passed. Timber bass, black walnut and hard maple, but
marshy in front for twenty or thirty chains."
[15] Kettle and Catfish Creeks.
In consequence of this unfavorable report, townships were directed to be
laid out on the River Thames, instead of the lake shore.