Acting, no doubt, on the suggestion of some of his French allies, he made a list of the inhabitants, drew on each for a definite quantity of supplies, and had these deposited at Meloche's house near his camp on Parent's Creek.

A commissary was appointed to distribute the provisions as required.

In payment he issued letters of credit, signed with his totem, the otter.

It is said that all of them were afterwards redeemed; but this is almost past belief in the face of what actually happened.
From the beginning of the siege Pontiac had hoped that the French traders and settlers would join him to force the surrender of the fort.

The arrival of the reinforcement under Cuyler made him despair of winning without their assistance, and early in July he sent his Indians to the leading inhabitants along the river, ordering them to a council, at which he hoped by persuasion or threats to make them take up arms.