Note 209 — Chapter XII · 1763. PONTIAC AT THE SIEGE OF DETROIT.
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MS. Letter—Gage to Lord Halifax, April 16, 1764.
Extract from a MS. Letter—William Smith, Jr., to ——.
“New York, 22d Nov. 1763.
“’Tis an old saying that the Devil is easier raised than laid. Sir Jeffrey has found it so, with these Indian Demons. They have cut his little Army to Pieces, & almost if not entirely obstructed the Communication to the Detroite, where the Enemy are grown very numerous; and from whence I fancy you’ll soon hear, if any survive to relate them, very tragical Accounts. The Besiegers are led on by an enterprising Fellow called Pondiac. He is a Genius, for he possesses great Bravery, Art, & Oratory, & has had the Address to get himself not only at the Head of his Conquerors, but elected Generalissimo of all the confederate Forces now acting against us—Perhaps he may deserve to be called the Mithridates of the West.”