As hostilities continued, Americans appealed to Virginia Militia officer George Rogers Clark in Kentucky to protect Vincennes from Natives.

Meanwhile, Jean Marie Philippe Le Gras, the French civilian commandant at Vincennes, worked to maintain peace between Natives and Americans.

Vincennes, an outpost of New France on the Wabash River, became a part of the British Empire in 1763 after Britain's victory in the French and Indian War.

[1] Before leaving, Virginia official John Todd appointed French merchant Jean Marie Philippe Le Gras (c. 1734–1788)[2] to govern Vincennes.

[7] In response to the violence between Natives and Americans, on March 16, 1786, Filson wrote to George Rogers Clark in Kentucky on behalf of the Vincennes residents, asking for aid against the "imperious savages.

"[8] On April 14, 1786, a Piankeshaw war party attacked an American boat on the Wabash River, killing one man and wounding two others.

[5][14] On July 15, 1786, a party of about 450 Piankeshaw and Wea warriors descended the Wabash in forty-seven war canoes, determined "to exterminate all the Americans who might be in these lands.

[19] While these negotiations were still underway, an expedition of 130 Kentuckians[20] led by John Hardin and James Patton was en route, ostensibly coming to Vincennes's aid.

Before reaching Vincennes, they attacked a Miami and Piankeshaw hunting camp on the Saline River, near present Shawneetown, Illinois.

He sent a message to Clark in Kentucky, asking him to send troops to defend Vincennes before the Natives returned with overwhelming numbers.

Faced with dwindling supplies and rumors of a formidable Native force gathering to meet them, Kentucky militiamen deserted by the hundreds.

At one point, three Spanish traders arrived at Vincennes with trade goods, and Clark seized their cargo for the militia based on their lack of passports.

[32] Vincennes petitioned Congress for help, with one resident heard praying, "Lord, please send the Kentuckians home and bring back the Indians!

[32] He visited Kaskaskia and Cahokia and met with Wea and Piankashaw delegations, then left Jean François Hamtramck in command of two companies,[35] which built and occupied Fort Knox at Vincennes, thus stabilizing the situation.