In
1749 a French Military expedition lead by Ensign Celoron de Blainville
descended the Allegheny to the Ohio laying claim to the land for
France (burying the famous lead plates) and tried to secure the
allegiance of the area's natives.
Approximately
12 miles down river from present day Pittsburgh the French expedition
visited Logstown, the largest of the native villages they were to
encounter. The natives there were very loyal to their English trading
partners. For three brief but stress filled days, Celoron and his
men, the English traders, and the natives played a tenous game of
diplomacy, each staying close to their guns. With Celoron was the
Jesuit Father Joseph Pierre Bonnecamps. We see Father Bonnecamps
as he enters Logstown for the first time. The appearance and intimidating
posture of the warriors that greet him gives him cause to wonder
at the sincerity of his welcome to Logstown.
|