Sterling did not long retain command of the post[229] for in December he was superseded by Major Robert Farmer,[230] his superior in rank, who arrived from Mobile with a detachment of the 34th regiment, after an eight months voyage. Their arrival was exceedingly welcome to Sterling and his men since they were becoming greatly embarrassed for lack of provisions, ammunition, and presents for the Indians.[231] When they left Fort Pitt in August, it had not been thought necessary to transport more than sixty pounds of ammunition inasmuch as Fort de Chartres was expected to yield a sufficient supply, and both Gage and Sterling believed that Croghan, with his cargo of supplies, would be awaiting the arrival of the troops at the Illinois.[232] Neither expectation was realized. Croghan was back in the colonies prior to Sterling's arrival at the post, and when the fort was transferred, it yielded neither ammunition nor other supplies in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of the troops.[233]
An assembly of three or four thousand Indians had been accustomed to gather at the fort each spring to receive annual gifts from the French. But the English had made no provisions for such a contingency, which, coupled with the weakness of the garrison and the recent hostility of the Indians, would probably lead to serious complications. A possible defection of the Indians, therefore, necessitated a large supply of military stores[234] which it was possible to obtain from the French merchants in the villages. The latter agreed to furnish the soldiers with ammunition, on the condition that other provisions would also be purchased,[235] for which the English alleged they charged an exorbitant price.[236] Sterling was compelled to acquiesce, for the merchants had sent their goods across the river where he could not get at them.[237]
The large supply of provisions which the colony had produced in former years seems to have decreased, at any rate it fell far short of the expectations of the English officers. One officer writes at this time that "they have indeed but little here, and are doing us a vast favor when they let us have a Gallon of French brandy at twenty Shillings Sterling, and as the price is not as yet regulated the Eatables is in the same proportion."[238] The wealth of colony had been considerably impaired since the occupation on account of the exodus of a large number of French who disobeyed the order of Sterling that all who desired to withdraw should give in their names in advance. Taking their cattle, grain and effects across the ferries at Cahokia and Kaskaskia, they found homes at St. Louis and St. Genevieve on the Spanish side.[239] Probably a large part of the emigrants left in the hope that in Louisiana they might still enjoy their ancient laws and privileges,[240] and others from fear lest the Indians, who were now assuming a threatening attitude, might destroy their crops and homes.[241]