 |
History has portrayed Jean Baptiste Point DuSable as a one dimensional settler who accidently founded the village of Checagou on the shores of the Chicago River. He was born in the French colony St. Domingo known today as Haiti. His relatives were probably among the 500 pioneer Haitian slaves brought to Illinois in the early 1700s.
DuSable was a trader, shrewd businessman and entrepreneur. He adopted a neutral stance and sold goods to free blacks, frontiersmen, Native Americans, Metis, French, Spanish, British, and Americans. As his reputation grew throughout the territories, he demonstrated an ability to predict consumer interests and trends. He also knew to leave before a village’s race relations became more volatile or the settlement was taken over by hostile forces. While no-one believed DuSable was a smuggler, he was suspected of being a Haitian spy by the Spanish, British, and American governments. He was perhaps saved by an impressive array of allies among the tribes and clans of the area.
Rossier takes us on a trip through history by imagining the world in DuSable’s day. DuSable lived during the French and Indian War, Haitian Revolution, slavery, Louisiana Cession, Seven Years War, American Revolutionary War, Native American Death Marches, Battle of Fallen Timbers, and the War of 1812. The author’s well-researched book is a welcome addition to the history of pre and early Chicago, including the temperament of its vast surrounding territories. The business of slavery, famous people, those forgotten by history, details on daily life and major events in Early America and abroad are brought to life in a way that is truly memorable.