Autograph letter signed, to Lt. Patrick Sinclair, ordering him to take provisions via the Schooner Gladwin to the garrison of Michilmicnack and to take detailed soundings from there to the entrance of Lake Huron "for the erecting a Port there," i.e. what would beceome Fort Sinclair.
Detroit: September 18, 1764.
Price: $4,500.00
About the item
2pp., single folio sheet. Repair at upper corner and along lower edge, a bit faded.
Item #375055
An important document, giving Sinclair the orders which would result in the founding of Fort Sinclair, i.e. present day Port Huron, MI. Bradstreet writes: "You are hereby reuired & directed to take under your care and command His Majesty's Schooner Gladwin with the provision & stores now on board her for the Garrison of Michilimicnack and proceed to that place as soon as you possibly can and when you have deliver'd the provisions & stores to the offer commanding those you will receive such inhabitants on board as he may think proper to send & bring them to this place and whereas it is of very great conseuence to know the exact depth of water from hence to the Entrance of Lake Huron you will be please to be as particular in sounding it as possible and in finding out the best channel through the Islands of Lake Sinclair and if you find it impossible to get through there without unloading the vessel, then she must be unloaded an dyou must ver very exact in the depth of water of the Bar and its breath and discribing the most proper place for the security and conveniency of the lading provisions which wer hereafter navigate upon Lake Huron & for the erecting a port there. In whoile of which together with your Ournal to be from Michilimicknak you will forward me on your return to Detroit ..."
"In 1764 [Sinclair] became the first person since René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle in 1679 to take a sailing vessel up the Huron (St Clair) River to Lake Huron. After his return to Detroit (Mich.) from Michilimackinac (Mackinaw City, Mich.) in the fall, Sinclair was ordered by Colonel John Bradstreet to construct a small fortification on the Huron River and was allowed to name it Fort Sinclair (Port Huron, Mich.)" (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).
