At Vincennes, he started up the Wabash River with the expectation of adding to his force from the Canadian villages of Ouiatenon (present day West Lafayette, Indiana) and Kekionga (present day Fort Wayne). La Balme apparently expected Canadian residents at Fort Detroit to join him once they arrived. La Balme kept the French ambassador, Anne-César de La Luzerne, updated on his movements, and the expedition marched under a French flag.
At Vincennes, he initiated the Wabash River with the intention of augmenting his force from the Canadian villages of Ouiatenon (present-day West Lafayette, Indiana) and Kekionga (present-day Fort Wayne). La Balme apparently anticipated Canadian residents at Fort Detroit to join him upon their arrival. La Balme kept the French ambassador, Anne-César de La Luzerne, informed about his movements, and the expedition marched under a French flag.