Céloron's Expedition
In June 1747, Roland-Michel Barrin de La Galissonière, the Governor-General of the colony of New France, ordered Pierre-Joseph Céloron to lead an expedition to the Ohio Country with the objective of removing British influence from the area. Céloron was also to confirm the allegiance of the Native Americans inhabiting the territory to the French crown. Céloron's expedition consisted of 213 soldiers of the Troupes de la marine (French Marines), who were all transported by 23 canoes. The expedition left the colonial city of Lachine on June 15th, 1749. The expedition then went down the St. Lawrence river, continued along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, crossed the portage at Niagara, and then followed the southern shoreline of Lake Erie. At the Chautauqua Portage, the expedition moved inland to the Allegheny River, which it followed to the site of present-day Pittsburgh, where Céloron buried lead plates engraved with the French claim to the Ohio Country.
The claim of Ohio Country, stating that all of the territory belongs to the King of France.
Whenever he encountered British merchants or fur-traders, Céloron informed them of the French claims on the territory and then told them to leave. When Céloron's expedition arrived at Logstown, the Native Americans in the area informed Céloron that they owned the Ohio Country and that they would trade with the British regardless of what the French told them to do. Céloron continued south until his expedition reached the confluence of the Ohio River and the Miami River, which lay just south of the village of Pickawillany, the home of the Miami chief known as "Old Briton". Céloron informed "Old Briton" that there would be "dire consequences" if the elderly chief continued to trade with the British. "Old Briton" ignored the warning. Céloron and his expedition went no further, and eventually returned to Montreal in November 1749. In his report, which extensively detailed the journey, Céloron wrote, "All I can say is that the Natives of these localities are very badly disposed towards the French, and are entirely devoted to the English. I don't know in what way they could be brought back." Reports of the situation to both London and Paris were accompanied by recommendations that action be taken.
William Shirley, governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, stated that British colonists and settlers would not be safe as long as the French were present in North America.
Governor William Shirley feared that the French would probably soon in the near future would of gain more influence and power within North America.
In June 1747, Roland-Michel Barrin de La Galissonière, the Governor-General of the colony of New France, ordered Pierre-Joseph Céloron to lead an expedition to the Ohio Country with the objective of removing British influence from the area. Céloron was also to confirm the allegiance of the Native Americans inhabiting the territory to the French crown. Céloron's expedition consisted of 213 soldiers of the Troupes de la marine (French Marines), who were all transported by 23 canoes. The expedition left the colonial city of Lachine on June 15th, 1749. The expedition then went down the St. Lawrence river, continued along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, crossed the portage at Niagara, and then followed the southern shoreline of Lake Erie. At the Chautauqua Portage, the expedition moved inland to the Allegheny River, which it followed to the site of present-day Pittsburgh, where Céloron buried lead plates engraved with the French claim to the Ohio Country.
The claim of Ohio Country, stating that all of the territory belongs to the King of France.
Whenever he encountered British merchants or fur-traders, Céloron informed them of the French claims on the territory and then told them to leave. When Céloron's expedition arrived at Logstown, the Native Americans in the area informed Céloron that they owned the Ohio Country and that they would trade with the British regardless of what the French told them to do. Céloron continued south until his expedition reached the confluence of the Ohio River and the Miami River, which lay just south of the village of Pickawillany, the home of the Miami chief known as "Old Briton". Céloron informed "Old Briton" that there would be "dire consequences" if the elderly chief continued to trade with the British. "Old Briton" ignored the warning. Céloron and his expedition went no further, and eventually returned to Montreal in November 1749. In his report, which extensively detailed the journey, Céloron wrote, "All I can say is that the Natives of these localities are very badly disposed towards the French, and are entirely devoted to the English. I don't know in what way they could be brought back." Reports of the situation to both London and Paris were accompanied by recommendations that action be taken.
William Shirley, governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, stated that British colonists and settlers would not be safe as long as the French were present in North America.
Governor William Shirley feared that the French would probably soon in the near future would of gain more influence and power within North America.