In the morning he made a descent through the camp, speaking openly

against the meditated attack on the Sioux, and concluded by saying that

for himself and the metifs, he had one thing to say, that they wished to

preserve peace with all, and they should join and fight for the nation

first attacked, and against whoever might raise a war-club. About 100

Crees, however, were determined to go, and in about four hours the whole

camp was broken up and dispersed. He broke up his camp rather in anger,

mounted his horse, put his family in the cart, and set out for home.

Many followed him. Francis, not seeing his brother go, also set out, and

many followed him, a greater number in fact than had followed Joseph. At

night the hunters from each party met, and they found the two parties

had traveled the same distance. On hearing this Francis sent a despatch

in the morning to his brother, but they found he had departed, and, the

country being a grassy plain, they could not exactly tell their course.

Meantime Joseph and his party had reached a point of woods, being the

first woods seen since leaving Pembina, at about nine o'clock in the

morning. Here they encamped at this early hour. He caught two wild

geese, and told his wife to cook them. His followers all dispersed to

hunt buffalo, as they were plenty about. He then put a new flint in his

gun, and stripped himself all but his breech-cloth, and went out to

explore the route he should pass on the next day.

He came into a ravine, and discovered three white bears' lairs fresh,

saw several carcasses of buffaloes lying round, more or less eaten and

decayed, and smelt quite a stench from them. One particularly was fresh

killed, and partly eaten by the bears. He passed on across a brook, and

after looking farther returned to the lairs. On returning to the brook

he found several sticks in the way of his passage for the carts on the

following day, which he commenced removing, having set his gun against a

tree. One stick being larger than the rest, some exertion was necessary

to displace it, and while in the act of doing this he heard a noise of

some animal, and saw at a distance what he took to be a buffalo, as

these animals were plenty, and running in all directions. He then took

up his gun and went on, when the sounds were repeated close behind him,

and looking over his shoulder he saw three white bears in full

pursuit of him.

He turned, cocked his gun, and took deliberate aim at the head of the

foremost, which proved to be the dam, and his gun missed fire. He

re-cocked his piece and again snapped. At this moment the bear was so

near that the muzzle nearly touched it. He knows not exactly how the

bear struck him, but at the next moment his gun flew in one direction

and he was cast about ten feet in another. He lit on his feet. The bear

then raised on her paws and took his head in her mouth, closing her

jaws, not with force, but just sufficient to make the tusks enter the

top of his shoulders. He at this moment, with the impulse of fear, put

up his hands and seized the bear by her head, and, making a violent

exertion, threw her from her balance to one side; in the act of falling

she let go his head.

At this time one of the cubs struck his right leg, being covered with

_metasses_ of their leather, and drew him down upon the ground, and he

fell upon his right side, partly on his right arm. The right arm, which

was extended in falling, was now drawn under his body by another blow

from one of the cubs, and his hand was by this motion brought into

contact with the handle of his knife (a large _couteau_ used for cutting

up buffalo-meat), and this bringing the knife to his recollection, he

drew it, and struck a back-handed blow into the right side of the dam,

whom he still held by the hair with his left. The knife went in to the

hilt. On withdrawing it, one of the cubs struck his right hand, her

nails piercing right through it in several places. He then let go of the

dam and took the knife in his left hand, and made a pass at the cub, and

struck it about half its length, the knife going into it, it being very

bloody. The stroke was impeded, and the knife partly slipped. The left

arm was then struck by one of the cubs, and the knife dropped from his

grasp. He was now left with his naked hand to make such resistance as he

could. The dam now struck him upon the abdomen with a force that

deprived him for awhile of breath, and tore it open, so that when he

rose his bowels fell upon his knees. He at first supposed that it was

his powder-horn that had fallen upon his knees, but looking down, saw

his entrails. The dam then repeated her blow, striking him upon the left

cheek, the forenail entering just below the left eye, and tore out the

cheek-bone, a part of the jaw, including three teeth, maimed his tongue,

and tore down the flesh so that it hung upon his left shoulder.

He now fell back exhausted with the loss of blood, and being conquered,

the bears ceased to molest him. But consciousness was not gone; he heard

them walk off. He lay some time. He opened and shut his hands, and found

he had not lost the use of them. He moved his neck, and found it had its

natural motion. He then raised himself up into a sitting posture, and

gathering up some grass, put it first to his left eye and cheek to wipe

off the blood, but found that it struck the bone. He then passed it to

his right cheek, wiped down the blood, and opening his eye, found he

could see clearly. He saw his gun, powder-horn, and knife scattered

about. He then got up, having bound his wounds.

He had at this time no clothing upon his body but the moccasin upon his

left foot. He took his gun, re-primed it, and while in the act of

priming, heard the peculiar noise this animal utters, and turning, saw

the old bear close upon him. He put the muzzle into her mouth, and again

missed fire. All hope now was lost, and all idea of resistance. They

pawed and tore him at will, he knows not how long. At one time they

seized him by the neck and dragged him some distance. They then once

more left him.

After they left him, he lay some time. He then bethought himself that

possibly he might still be able to rise and return to his camp, which

was not distant. After some exertion and preparation, he got up, and

again took his gun and powder-horn and knife. He picked the flint,

addressing his gun, saying, "that the bears could not kill it, and that

he hoped the gun would have more courage," &c., and putting it on his

shoulder, commenced his way to his camp.

He had not proceeded far when the snorting of the old dam before him

reminded him of his danger. He found his limbs stiff and swollen, and

that he could not bring up the gun to his shoulder to take aim. He held

it before him, and when the dam, still in front, advanced near him,

fired at her head, and the ball entered just behind the shoulder. She

fell dead. He saw the smoke issue from the wound.

One of the yearlings now rose on his hind paws and growled. He raised

his knife (which was in his left hand, upon which the gun rested on

firing), and made a pass at the bear, which the latter avoided by

throwing himself to one side. The third bear now rose up before him, but

at a greater distance than the second, and he made a pass at him, but

found him out of reach. Yet the bear threw himself to one side, as the

former had done.

Having them now on the run, he followed a short distance, but soon felt

very faint. A darkness seemed before his eyes, and he sank down. In this

act the blood gushed from his body. This appeared to relieve him. After

sitting some time, he rose and proceeded homeward. He saw no more of the

two yearling bears. Before reaching the lodge, he was met by a party who

had been seeking him. As he walked along, he felt something striking the

calf of his right leg, and found it to be a piece of flesh from his

thigh behind. There were six open holes in his body through which air

escaped, one in each side, one in his breast, abdomen, and stomach,

besides the torn cheek. He found, on reaching home, he could not speak,

but, after being bandaged, his utterance revived. On the next day the

physician from the forks of Red River arrived and attended him.

_20th_. Annamikens resumed his narrative:--

"On the next day, I have said, the doctor arrived, but not having

medicine sufficient to dress all my wounds, he put what he had on the

principal wounds. On the same day my brother and the party who had

separated on the council-ground also arrived. They remained that and the

next day, and on the third day all moved for Pembina. To carry me they

constructed a litter, carried by four persons; but I found the motion

too great to endure. They then formed a bier by fastening two poles to a

horse's sides, and placing such fixtures upon them, behind the horse, as

to permit my being carried. I found this motion easier to endure. The

Chippewas accompanied me, and were resolved, if I died, to go

immediately to war against the Sioux. My condition was, at this moment,

such that they hourly expected my death. I was prepared for it, and

directed that I should be buried at the spot where I might die. On the

third day we reached Pembina. For nine days I resisted food, feigning

that I could not eat, but wishing to starve myself, as I was so

disfigured and injured that I had no wish to survive, and would have

been ashamed to show myself in such a state. On the ninth day my hunger

was so great that I called for a piece of fish, and swallowed it; in

about two hours after I called for another piece of fish, and also ate

it. Six days after my arrival, Mr. Plavier, and another priest from Red

River, arrived to baptize me. I resisted, saying that if there was no

hope of living I would consent, but not otherwise. After fifteen days, I

was so much recovered that the priest returned, as I had every

appearance of recovery. I would neither permit white nor Indian doctors

to attend me after my arrival; but had myself regularly washed in cold

water, my wounds kept clean, and the bandages properly attended to. In

about one month from the time I could walk; but it was two years before

the wounds were closed."

I requested Dr. Z. Pitcher, the Post surgeon, to examine Annamikens,

with a view to test the narrative, and to determine on the capacity of

the human frame to survive such wounds. He found portions of the

cheek-bones gone, and cicatrices of fearful extent upon that and other

parts of the body, which gave the narrative the appearance of

truthfulness.

On returning from Green Bay, I gave my attention, with renewed interest,

to the means of expediting the completion of the Agency buildings, and

occupying the lot and grounds. I have alluded to the success of my

reference of this subject to the Secretary of War, in 1825. A site was

selected on a handsomely elevated bank of the river, covered with elms,

about half a mile east of the fort, where the foundation of a spacious

building and office were laid in the autumn of 1826, and the frame

raised as early in the ensuing spring as the snow left the ground.

Few sites command a more varied or magnificient view. The broad and

limpid St. Mary, nearly a mile wide, runs in front of the grounds. The

Falls, whose murmuring sound falls pleasantly on the ear, are in plain

view. The wide vista of waters is perpetually filled by canoes and boats

passing across to the opposite settlement on the British shore. The

picturesque Indian costume gives an oriental cast to the moving

panorama. The azure mountains of Lake Superior rise in the distance.

Sailing vessels and steamboats from Detroit, Cleaveland, and Buffalo,

occasionally glide by, and to this wide and magnificent view, as seen by

daylight, by sunset, and by moonlight, the frequent displays of aurora

borealis give an attraction of no ordinary force.

In selecting this spot, I had left standing a large part of the fine

elms, maples, mountain ash, and other native forest trees, and the

building was, in fact, embowered by tall clumps of the richest foliage.

I indulged an early taste in horticulture, and planting trees to add to

the natural attractions of the spot, which, from the chief trees upon

it, was named "Elmwood," and every flowering plant and fruit that would

thrive in the climate, was tried. Part of the grounds were laid down in

grass. Portions of them on the water's edge that were low and quaggy,

were sowed with the redtop, which will thrive in very moist soil, and

gives it firmness. The building was ample, containing fifteen rooms,

including the office, and was executed, in all respects, in the best

modern style.

In addition to these arrangements for insuring domestic comfort and

official respect, my agency abroad among the tribes was now well

established, to the utmost sources of the Mississippi. The name and

power of "Chimoqemon" (American) among the northern tribes, was no

longer a term of derision, or uncertainty of character. The military

post established at these ancient falls, where the power of France was

first revealed as early as 1652; the numerous journeys I had made into

the interior, often in company with the highest civil and military

functionaries; the presents annually issued; the firm basis of a

commissariat for all visiting and indigent Indians; the mechanics

employed for their benefit; the control exercised over the fur traders,

and the general effects of American opinions and manners; had placed the

agency in the very highest point of view. It was a frontier agency, in

immediate juxtaposition with Canada and Hudson's Bay, fifteen hundred

miles of whose boundary closed upon them, separated only by the chain of

lakes and rivers. Questions of national policy frequently came up, and

tended much to augment the interest, which grew out of the national

intercourse.

I had now attained that position of repose and quiet which were so

congenial to my mind. The influence I exercised; the respect I enjoyed,

both as an officer and as a scientific and literary man: every

circumstance, in fact, that can add to the enjoyment of a man of

moderate desires, seeking to run no political race, was calculated to

insure my happiness. And I was happy. No part of my life had so

completely all the elements of entire contentment, as my residence at

the wild and picturesque homestead of Elmwood. I removed my family to

this spot in October, having now a little daughter to enlarge my family

circle, and take away, in a measure, the solitariness effected by the

loss of my son, William Henry.

I resumed my Indian researches with twofold interest. The public duties

of an agent for Indian affairs, if an industrious man, leave him a good

deal of leisure on his hands, and, in a position so remote as this, if a

man have no inclination for studies or belles lettres, he must often be

puzzled to employ his leisure. I amused myself by passing from one

literary study to another, and this is ever refreshing to the mind,

which tires of one thing. Thus, such amusements as the _Appeal of

Pontiac, Rise of the West_, and the _Man of Bronze_, found place among

graver matters. In this manner, a man without literary society may amuse

and instruct himself.

_Nov. 1st_. I have been elected a member of the Legislative Council of

the territory--an office not solicited, and which is not declined. Party

spirit has not yet reached and distracted this territory. So far as I

know, political divisions of a general character, have not entered into

society. The chief magistrate is an eminently conservative man, and by

his moderation of tone and suavity of manners, has been instrumental in

keeping political society in a state of tranquillity. All our parties

have been founded on personal preference. If there has been any more

general principles developed in the legislature, it has been a _promptly

debt paying_, and a _not promptly debt paying party_--a _non divorce_,

and a _divorce party_. I have been ever of the former class of thinkers;

and shall let my votes tell for the right and good old way--_i.e._ pay

your debts and keep your wife.

_Dec. 22d_. My study of the Indian language and history has not only

enlarged my own sources of intellectual gratification, but it has,

without my seeking it, procured me a number of highly intellectual

philosophic correspondents, whose letters operate as an aliment to

further exertion. My natural assiduity is thus continually stimulated,

and I find myself begrudging a single hour, spent in gossiping hum-drum

society--for even _here_ there is society, or an apology for society.

The editor of the _North American Review_, inviting me to write for its

pages, says (Sept. 1st): "Your knowledge and experience will enable you

to say much concerning the western country, and its aboriginal

inhabitants, which will be interesting to the community of readers. You

cannot be too full in your facts and reflections on Indians and Indian

character."

Judge H. Chipman, of Detroit, says (Oct. 21st): "If it were just cause

of offence, that men should estimate differently the merits of opposing

candidates, popular elections would be the greatest curse that could be

inflicted upon a people."

Mr. Everett (Hon. E.) says: "I beg leave to unite with Mr. Sparks in

expressing the hope that you will become a contributor to its pages

(_North American Review_), as often as your leisure, the seasonableness

of topics, and the appearance of works to be noticed, may admit."

_24th_. This day brought one of Mr. Johnston's warm-hearted notes, to

take a Christmas dinner with him to-morrow. "I anticipate," he says,

"great pleasure in seeing many dear relatives about me, on one of the

greatest festivals the world has ever witnessed."

It was the last festival of that kind he ever enjoyed, though nothing

could be further from our imaginations then; for before its recurrence

in 1828, we were called to follow his body to the grave.

CHAPTER XXX.

Retrospect--United States Exploring Expedition to the South

Sea--Humanity of an Indian--Trip to Detroit from the Icy

Straits--Incidental action of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Historical Societies, and of the Montreal Natural History

Society--United States Exploring Expedition--Climatology--Lake vessels

ill found--Poetic view of the Indian--United States Exploring

Expedition--Theory of the interior world--Natural History--United States

Exploring Expedition.--History of early legislation in Michigan--Return

to St. Mary's--Death of Governor De Witt Clinton.

_1828. January 1st_.--During ten years, omitting 1823, I had now

performed, each year, a journey or expedition of more or less peril and

adventure in the great American wilderness, west of the Alleghanies. I

had now attained a point, ardently sought, for many years, where I was

likely to be permitted to sit down quietly at home, and leave traveling

to others. I had, in fact, just removed into a quiet home, a retired,

convenient, tasteful, and even elegant seat, which filled every wish of

retired intellectual enjoyment, where I was encompassed by books,

studies, cabinets, and domestic affections. At this moment, when there

appeared nothing in the prospect to call me to new fields of

observation, I was elected a member of the legislative council, which

opened a civic and quite different scene of duties. This step, I found,

pleased my friends. The executive of the territory writes from Detroit,

February 22d: "We have understood that you have been elected a member of

the legislative council, and there is a prevalent wish that this report

may prove true. I mention the subject now, to inform you that the

council will probably be convened about the beginning of May, in order

that you may make the necessary preparations for visiting this place at

that time."

_Feb. 5th_. An exploring expedition for discoveries in the South Sea,

has, for some time, been under consideration in the Senate of the United

States, to be organized in the navy, and to go out under the patronage

of the Secretary, Mr. Southard. Mr. G.N. Reynolds invites me to take a

position in the scientific corps, to accompany it, under an

official sanction.

A friend from Washington writes me (Feb. 6th), on the same topic;

"Whether matrimony has stripped you of your erratic notions and habits,

'and brought you within narrower limits,' or whether the geography of

the earth is no longer of interest to you, I cannot, of course, pretend

to say. But considering you, as I do, a devotee to science, I had

thought it possible that you might feel a desire to engage in her cause

to the South, by occupying some eminent station in the expedition."

The reasons which I have mentioned, at the opening of the year, have

inclined me to seek repose from further travel. Besides which, my

position as a married man, and the peculiar relations I have thereby

assumed, impress me, very deeply, with the opinion that my sphere of

duty, whatever may be my ambition, lies nearer at home than the proposed

and very attractive field of discovery. I therefore wrote declining

the offer.

_April 7th_, A DOMESTIC CURTAIN LIFTED.--My sister Helen Margaret

writes, from New York: "This afternoon, as I was sitting by the fire,

having become the prey of ill health, a thought struck my mind to write

a few lines to you, not, however, to give you much news, but merely to

acquaint you that we are still in the land of the living, and that,

though our friends are far removed, we still live among them in

imagination. Yes, dear brother, believe me, my imagination has often

wandered, and passed hours with _you_--_hours_, during the silence of

the night, which should have been sacred to sleep.

"I have been out of health about five weeks; the complaint under which I

labor is chronic inflammation of the liver, but I have, under the pain

of sickness, forced my mind to forget its troubles. Most of my time,

last winter, has been spent with Debby; while at home, my time has been

devoted to reading, mapping, and the study of philosophy.

"Probably James has acquainted you of the illness of Margaret. She is

now very low, and is, to all human appearance, soon to leave this world

for a better, 'where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are

at rest.' Her sufferings are great; she has not been able to sit up,

more than nine minutes at one time, for two months. Her mind is calm.

She is ready and willing to leave this vain world, whenever it is the

will of God to take her.

"Mother's health is poor, and has been during all last winter; yet

notwithstanding her daily sufferings, in her harassed body, she

vigorously wrestles with ill luck. As it pains me to write, I must close

with a few words. I have frequently thought, should I be bereft of my

_mother_, what other friend, like her, would watch over the uneasy hours

of sickness? What other friend would bear its petulance, and smooth its

feverish pillow?"

This proved to be her last earthly message to me. She died on the 12th

of April, 1829, aged twenty-three.

_18th_. I, this day, had an official visit from Magisaunikwa

(Wampum-hair), a Chippewa Indian, who, recently, rescued the Inspector

of Customs of the place, John Agnew, Esq., from drowning. This gentleman

was returning from Mackinac, on the ice, with a _train de glis_, drawn

by dogs. Having ascended the straits to the rapids of the South Nebishe

channel, he found the ice faulty and rotten, and, after some exertions

to avoid the bad places, fell in, with train and dogs. The struggle to

get out only involved him worse, and, overcome by fatigue and false

footings, he at length gave over the strife, and, but as a last resort,

uttered a yell.

It chanced that Magisaunikwa was encamped in the woods, at a distance,

and, with the ever ready ear of the aborigines, caught the sounds and

came to his relief. By this time he had relinquished the struggle, and

resigned himself to his fate. By arts known to a people who are familiar

with such dangers, he rescued him from the water, but in an insensible

state. He then put the body on a sled and drew it to his lodge, where he

disrobed it, and, placing it before the fire, succeeded in

restoring him.

I invested him with a silver medal for the act, and gave him a chief's

flag, with goods and cutlery, &c. to the value of above fifty dollars.

My attention was now turned to Detroit: "You are elected," says a

friend, "a member of the council. It is essential you should be here as

speedily as possible. Leave everything to Audrain, and come down. You

can return before the busy season."

_27th_. I left the Sault this day, for Detroit, to attend the

Legislative Council. Patches of snow still lined the banks of the St.

Mary's, and fields of ice were yet in Muddy Lake. It was not until

entering the St. Clair, and passing down beyond the chilling influences

of Lake Huron, that spring began to show striking evidences of her rapid

advances, and on reaching Detroit, the state of horticulture and fruit

trees betokened a quite different and benign climate. The difference in

latitude, in this journey, is full four degrees, carrying the voyager

from about 46-1/2° to about 42-1/2°. This fact, which it is difficult to

realize from the mere inspection of maps, and reading of books, it is

important at all times to bear in mind, in setting a just value on the

country and its agricultural advantages.

On reaching the city, and before the organization of the legislature, I

received a letter from the Hon. John Davis, President of the

Massachusetts Historical Society, suggesting the publication of my

researches on Indian language.

"Mr. Pickering concurs with me, that it is very desirable to have this

publication effected. Some tracts of this description have been

occasionally published in the collections of our society, and we have no

doubt that this course would be pursued with your work, if such should

be your wish, and no preferable mode of publication should occur."

_29th_.--I received from the Rhode Island Historical Society, a copy of

their publication of Roger Williams' Key to the Indian languages. This

tract was greatly needed by philologists. The language commented on is

clearly of the Algonquin stock. Dr. Edwards, in his "Observations on the

Mukhekanieu," demonstrates that the old Mohecan, as spoken on the

Housatonic, was also of this type.

He says, indeed, that the difference in all the New England languages

spoken by the nations were merely dialectic. What I have heard of

Eliot's Bible of the Natic, or Massachusetts language, favors the same

conclusion. All this shows that the ancestors of the present lake tribes

who speak these dialects, must have overspread all New England. History

is thus taught by language. The lake tribes have only this tradition

respecting the fact, that they came from the _East_.

_30th_.--Dr. A.F. Homes transmits me a diploma of membership of the

Montreal Natural History Society.

_May 14th_.--Mr. Reynolds recurs to the subject of the Ex. Expedition,

which he announced to me on the 5th of February. "It is probable," he

observes, "that an expedition to the South Sea will sail from the City

of New York in September next. I wish, and so do several members of the

national cabinet, that you would join it, and be the head of the

scientific corps. Your salary shall be almost anything you ask, and your

relation to the general government shall not be prejudiced by a

temporary absence. The expedition will be absent about eighteen months

or two years. Will you not feel some ambition in being connected with

the first American expedition of discovery?"

_20th_.--Death is ever busy, thinning the ranks of our friends and

relatives. Mr. Shearman, of N.Y., communicates the death of my niece,

Margaret Catharine (S.) at Vernon, New York. She was a young lady of

pleasing manners, and many fine personal and mental traits. She

conversed on her fate with perfect composure, and selected hymns to be

sung at her funeral.

I accomplished my passage to Detroit I think on the 21st of May, being

twenty-four days from St. Mary's, without counting the trip in that

season one of unusual length, and without any serious mishaps, which is,

perhaps, remarkable, as all our lake vessels are ill found, and I

attribute more of success to good luck, or rather Providence, than to

any amount of seamanlike precaution. It is, indeed, remarkable that a

hundred vessels are not every year lost on the upper lakes where one now

is, by being ill supplied or equipped, or through foolhardy intrepidity.

_28th_.--A friend sent me the manuscript of his poem of "Sanillac" to

read, and to furnish some notes. The subject of the Indian is,

certainly, susceptible of being handled by the Muses, in a manner to

interest and amuse; and I regard every attempt of the kind as

meritorious, although it may be the lot of but few to succeed. The

writer on the frontier, who fills up a kind of elegant leisure by

composition, not only pleases himself, which is a thing nobody can

deprive him of, but dodges the coarser amusements of bowling, whist, and

other resorts for time-killing. He forgets his remote position for the

time, and hides from himself the feeling of that loneliness which is

best conquered by literary employment.

_30th_. Mr. Reynolds again writes, pressing the matter of the

contemplated expedition, and the prospect it opens for discovery, and

its advantage every way. He couples his offer with most liberal and

exalted sentiments, and with the opinions of distinguished men, whose

approval is praise. But notwithstanding all, there is something about

the getting up and organization of the expedition, which I do not

altogether like; and there is considerable doubt whether Congress will

not cripple it, by voting meagre supplies and outfits, if they do not

knock it in the head.

The expedition itself is a measure of the highest national moment, as it

is connected with scientific discovery, and reflects the greatest credit

on the projectors. The experiments of Dr. Maskelyn denote a greater

specific gravity in the central portions of the globe, than in its

crust, and consequently do not favor the theory advocated by Mr. R., of

an interior void. Yet we are advertised, by the phenomena of

earthquakes, that this interior abounds with oxygen, hydrogen gas,

caloric, and sulphur; and that extraordinary geological changes are

effected by their action. It does seem improbable that the proposed

expedition will trace any open connection "with such an interior world;"

but it may accumulate facts of the highest importance. I am not,

therefore, insensible of the high honor of this offer, and however I may

glow with the secret ardor of discovery, and the honor of place, my

present engagements, domestic and public, have woven about me such a

web, that it is impossible suddenly to break from it. On full

consideration and reconsideration, therefore, I declined going.[48]

[Footnote 48: The expedition was, in fact, checked by various causes, and

the project lingered for some years. At length, the expedition started

under the orders of Captain Charles Wilkes, United States Navy.]

_June 1st_. Major Delafield, of New York, transmits a box of duplicate

specimens of mineralogy from England.

"The box you forwarded for the Lyceum has not yet been sent to the

rooms. The catalogue I will present in your name to-night. The several

objects will prove extremely interesting. The lake tortoise we have been

endeavoring to obtain for a year past, to complete a paper relative to

these animals. Cooper is in Philadelphia editing the second volume of

_Bonaparte's Ornithology_. He will be disappointed in not receiving the

grosbeak,[49] of which I had spoken to him."

[Footnote 49: A new species discovered by me at Sault St. Marie.]

The study of Natural History presents some of the most pleasing

evidences of exactitude and order, in every department of creation, and

adds to life many hours of the most innocent and exalted enjoyment. It

drops, as it were, golden tissues in the walks of life, which there is a

perpetual enjoyment in unraveling.

_10th_. Mr. Reynolds writes again, without having received my last

reply, respecting the exploring expedition. He says: "Mr. Southard,

Secretary of the Navy, has expressed his deep regret that you will not

be able to find it convenient to go on the expedition."

Mr. Reynolds again writes (June 22d): "I had a conversation to-day with

the Secretary of the Navy, in relation to your joining the expedition.

He informs me that the President, as well as himself, was anxious that

you should do so; and that in case you did, an Assistant Agent might be

appointed to do your duties, as United States Agent, and thus reserve

your office until your return."

Nothing, certainly, could exceed this spirit of liberality and kind

appreciation.

No reasons for altering my prior decisions appeared, however, weighty

enough to change them.

_July 1st_.--The legislative council organized in due form, being sworn

in by the governor. The first assemblage of this kind in the Territory

met, I believe, four years ago. Prior to that era, the governor and

judges were authorized to adopt laws from the "old" States, which led to

a system rather objectionable, and certainly anomalous, so far as it

made the judges both _makers_ and _expounders_ of the laws; for it was

said, I know not how truly, that they picked out a clause here and

there, to fit exigencies, or cases in hand, and did not take whole

statutes. It was said that when the judges, in the exercise of their

judicial functions, got to a "tight place," they adjourned the court,

and devoted their legal acumen to picking out clauses from the statutes

of the old States, to be adopted, in order to meet the circumstances;

but these stories were, probably, to be received a little after the

manner of the slanderous reports of the Van Twiller administration, of

Knickerbocker memory. It is certain that their honors, Judges Woodward,

Griffin, and Witherall, the latter of whom was generally voted down,

have acquired no small popular notoriety as judicial and legislative

functionaries, and they must figure largely in the early annals of

Michigan, especially should this territory ever prove so fortunate as to

have a Cervantes or an Irving for its historian.

I found the members of the council to be nearly all of the old residents

of Michigan, one a Frenchman, several sent in by French votes, one or

two old volunteer officers of Hull's day, one an Indian captive, and

three lawyers by profession. When assembled they presented a body of

shrewd, grave, common-sense men, with not much legal or forensic talent,

perhaps, and no eloquence or power of speaking. There were just

_thirteen_ men, only one of whom was a demagogue, and had gained his

election by going about from house to house and asking votes. The worst

trait in the majority was a total want of moral courage, and a

disposition to favor a negligent and indebted population, by passing a

species of stop laws, and divorce laws, and of running after local and

temporary expedients, to the lowering of the tone of just legislation. I

had no constituents at home to hold me up to promises on these heads. I

was every way independent, in a political sense, and could square my

course at all times, by pursuing the right, instead of being forced into

the expedient, in cases where there was a conflict between the two. This

made my position agreeable.

I was appointed chairman of the committee on expenditures, and a member

of the judiciary, &c. I directed my attention to the incorporation of a

Historical Society; to the preparation of a system of township names

derived from the aboriginal languages; and to some efforts for bettering

the condition of the natives, by making it penal to sell or give them

ardent spirits, and thus desired to render my position as a legislator

useful, where there was but little chance of general action. As chairman

of the committee on expenditures, I kept the public expenditures snug,

and, in every respect, conformable to the laws of congress. The session

was closed about the first of July--early enough to permit me to return

to St. Mary's, to attend to the summer visits of the interior traders

and Indians.

_10th_ While engaged in the council, a friend writing from New York, who

is a close watcher of political movements, alludes to the sudden and

lamented death of Governor Clinton, last winter, and its effects on the

political parties of that State. Heavy, indeed, is the blow that removes

from the field of action a man who had occupied so wide a space in the

public esteem; and long will it be till another arises to concentrate

and control public opinion as he did. To me, as a personal friend, and

one who early counselled and directed me in my investigations in natural

history, it is a loss I feel deeply. Politicians spring up daily, but

men like him, who take a wider view of things, belong to their country.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Official journal of the Indian intercourse--Question of freedmen, or

persons not bonded for--Indian chiefs, Chacopee, Neenaby, Mukwakwut,

_Tems Couvert_, Shingabowossin, Guelle Plat, Grosse Guelle--Further

notice of Wampum-hair--Red Devil--Biographical notice of Guelle Plat, or

Flat Mouth--_Brechet_--Meeshug, a widow--Iauwind--Mongazid, chief of

Fond du Lac--Chianokwut--White Bird--Annamikens, the hero of a bear

fight, &c. &c.

_1828. July 6th_.--My return to the Agency at the Sault was in the midst

of its summer business. Indians and Indian traders from remote interior

positions, were encamped on every green spot. No trader had yet renewed

his license from the government to return. It would be difficult to

indicate a place more favorable than this was, to observe the manners

and customs of the Indians, and the peculiar questions connected with

the Indian trade. I amused myself a few days, by keeping minutes of the

visits of the mixed Indian and metif multitude.

_12th_. Antoine Maucè, Alexis Blais, and Joseph Montrè, freedmen, of

Indian blood or connections, ordered from the Indian villages last fall,

presented themselves for a decision on their respective cases.

Maucè stated several facts in extenuation of his offence. He said he had

served as a boatman in the Indian trade ten years, had married an Indian

wife and raised a family, and during all this time, with the exception

of short visits to Mackinac with his _bourgeois_, had resided in the

Indian country. On the expiration of his last engagement he went to St.

Peters, and while there, made eight canoes for Mr. Bailly, from whom he

got the few goods that were seized at Sandy Lake by Mr. Johnston. He had

intended, however, to go to Mr. Johnston for a license, and he had used

the goods, in a great measure, to procure a mere support for his family.

He had left Sandy Lake last fall, passed the winter at La Pointe, and

had come down early in the spring, and, as he had lost a great deal of

time, and performed a very long journey, leaving his family behind him,

he requested that he might be allowed to return with a permit to trade.

I told him that his remaining inland, after the expiration of his

engagement, was contrary to instructions. That, being a Canadian by

birth, he could not be licensed as a trader. That he might go inland in

his old capacity of a boatman, should any American citizen be willing to

employ him, and give a bond for his future conduct, and that I should

refer the final decision upon his goods and peltries to Mr. Johnston, on

account of my imperfect knowledge of some circumstances necessary to a

correct decision.

Alexis Blais pleaded ignorance of the instructions which were given to

traders. He had no other object in remaining inland than to get a

livelihood. He came out as soon after being notified as his health would

allow. And he supposed, had he been willing to serve Mr. Aikin at Sandy

Lake, or to give him the avails of his hunt, no complaints would have

been made against him. No goods or peltries were found in his

possession, and he did not desire to return to the Indian country. I

informed him that the construction put on the Indian laws prohibited any

white man from following the pursuits of a hunter on Indian land; that

it also forbids the residence of boatmen at Indian camps or villages,

after they have served out their engagements, &c.

Joseph Montrè is a metif, step-son of Maucè. Says he was born and

brought up in the Indian country, and has subsisted by hunting. Is

unacquainted with the laws, but will follow the directions given him. I

took pains to impress upon his mind, through the medium of an

interpreter, the situation in which he was placed with respect to our

government and laws, and the steps it would be necessary for him

hereafter to pursue.

* * * * *

CHACOPEE (The Six), a minor chief, from Snake River, on the St. Croix,

visited the office, accompanied by seven young warriors. He brought a

note from the Sub-agent at La Pointe, in which he is recommended as "a

deserving manly Indian, attached to the U.S. Government." As he had been

several days without food on his voyage through Lake Superior, I

directed a requisition to be made out for him and his young men, and

told them to call on me after they had appeased their hunger.

Neenaby (the person who hitches on his seat), of Sault St. Marie, lodged

a complaint against Mr. Butterfield and one of his runners (_i.e._

persons employed to look after credits given to Indians, or carry on a

petty traffic by visiting their camps). He states that, in making the

traverse from Point Iroquois across the straits of St. Mary, he was met

by young Holiday, who lashed his canoe alongside, and, after giving him

a drink of whisky, persuaded him to land on the Canada shore, where they

are out of reach of the trade and intercourse laws. They landed at

_Point aux Chenes,_ where H.'s tent was found pitched, who invited him

into it, and gave him more drink. H. then went to the Indian's canoe,

and brought in his furs. Something was then given him to eat, and they

embarked together in H.'s canoe, taking the furs, and leaving his own

canoe, with his wife, to follow. On reaching St. Marie's he was

conducted to Mr. B.'s store, and told to trade. He consented to trade

six large and two small beavers, and twenty muskrats, for which he

acknowledged to have received satisfaction. He was freely supplied with

whisky, and strongly urged to trade the other pack, containing the

principal part of his hunt, but he refused, saying he had brought it to

pay a credit taken of Mr. Johnston. This pack, he says, consisted of six

large and two small beavers, two otters, six martins, ninety muskrats,

and four minks. As an equivalent for it, they proceeded to lay out for

him, as he was told and shown next morning, a blanket, hat, pair of

leggins of green cloth, two fathoms strouds, one barrel of flour, one

bag of corn, and three kegs of whisky. He, however, on examining it,

refused to receive it, and demanded the pack of furs to go and pay his

credit. Decision deferred for inquiry into the facts.

_12th_. Chegud, accompanied by a train, &c., made a visit of

congratulation on my return (after a temporary absence).

_14th_. Revisited by Chacopee and his young men. He addressed me in a

fine manly tone and air. He referred to his attendance and conduct at

the treaties of Prairie du Chien and Fond du Lac, as an era from which

it might be known that he was attached to our government and counsel.

The object of his present visit was to renew the acquaintance he had

formed with me at those places, to say that he had not forgotten the

good advice given him, and to solicit charity for his followers. He

presented an ornamented pipe as an evidence of his friendship.

_15th_. Visited by Monomine Kashee (the Rice Maker), a chief from Post

Lake in that part of the Chippewa country bordering on Green Bay. He was

accompanied by Mukwakwut (Satan's Ball in the Clouds), and five other

persons composing their families. In the speech made by this chief,

whose influence and authority are, I believe, quite limited, he said

that his visit to me had been produced by the favorable impressions he

had received while attending the treaty of _Butte des Morts_

(Wisconsin). That he had preserved the words which had been uttered in

council by his American fathers, and was happy that all cause of

difference with their neighbors, the Winnebagoes and Menomonies had been

taken away by fixing the lines of their lands, &c. He presented four

stands of wampum to confirm his professions of good will. His companion

also got up, and spoke for several minutes, and concluded by requesting

"that his father would not overlook him, in distributing any presents he

intended to make them." He presented a pipe. After he was seated, I

asked, as I was penning these minutes, the signification of his name,

Mukwakwut, as the meaning did not appear obvious. He smiled and replied

"that in former times his ancestors had seen devils playing ball in the

air, and that his name was in allusion to the ball."

_16th_. Visited by Tems Couvert (the Lowering or Dark Cloud), a noted

war chief of Leech Lake, upper Mississippi. He states that Mr. Oaks took

from him, two years ago, nine _plus_,[50] and has not yet paid him,

together with a medal, which last was not returned to him until his

arrival at Fond du Lac this spring. He also states that Mr. Warren took

from him, while he was at La Pointe on his way out, a pack of thirty

obiminicqua [51] (equal to thirty full-sized, seasonable beavers), and has

not, as yet, offered him anything in payment.

[Footnote 50: _Plus_, Fr. A skin's worth.]

[Footnote 51: _Obiminicqua_, Alg. The value of a full beaver skin.]

Shingabowossin (the Image Stone), Shewabeketon (the Jingling Metals),

and Wayishkee (the First-born Son), the three principal chiefs of the

Home Band, with seventy-one men, women and children, visited me to

congratulate me on my safe return from Detroit. The old chief inquired

if there was any news, and whether all remains quiet between us and

the English.

Guelle Plat, or Ashkebuggecoash (the Flat Mouth), of Leech Lake, upper

Mississippi, announced his arrival, with sixty persons, chiefly warriors

and hunters. He brought a letter from one of the principal traders in

that quarter, backed by the Sub-agent of La Pointe, recommending him as

"the most respectable man in the Chippewa nation." He is said by general

consent to be the most influential man in the large and powerful band of

Leech Lake, comprising, by my latest accounts, seventeen hundred souls.

His authority is, however, that of a village or civil chief, his

coadjutor, the Lowering Cloud, having long had the principal sway with

the warriors.

Being his first visit to this agency, although he had sent me his pipe

in 1822, and, as he said, the first time he had been so far from his

native place in a south-easterly course, I offered him the attentions

due to his rank, and his visit being an introductory one, was commenced

and ended by the customary ceremonies of the pipe.

The chief, Grosse Guelle (Big Throat), together with Majegábowe, and the

Breche's son, all of Sandy Lake, arrived this day, accompanied by four

other persons, and were received with the customary respect and

attention. Having come a long distance, their first and most pressing

want was food. It is indeed astonishing that the desire of showing

themselves off as men of consequence in their nation, the expectation of

any presents or gratifications, or the hope of any notice or preferment

whatever should induce these people to undertake such long and hazardous

journeys with such totally inadequate means.

_17th_. The _Grosse Guelle_ repeated his visit, saying that his family

had been so long without a meal of hearty food that the issue of

yesterday had not sufficed to satisfy them.

Magisaunikwa (Wampum-hair) applied for provisions for himself and

family, to enable them to return to his usual place of dwelling. This

man's case has been previously noticed. He happened to be sitting in

front of his lodge last spring, in a copse of woods near the banks of

Muddy Lake, at the instant when the Inspector of Customs of St. Mary's

(Mr. Agnew) had broken through the ice with his dog-train, and had

exhausted himself in vain efforts to extricate himself. A cry reached

the ever-open ear of the Indian, who hastened to the shore, and, after

much exertion and hazard, aided by his father and family, was the means

of preserving Mr. A.'s life. After getting the body out of the water,

they drew it upon a small train to his lodge; where they applied dry

clothing, prepared a kind of tea, and were unremitting in their

attentions. When sufficiently restored, they conducted him safely to

St. Mary's.

I invested him with a medal of the first class for this noble act,

wishing by this mark of respect, and the presents of clothing and food

accompanying it, to forcibly impress his mind with the high respect and

admiration such deeds excite among civilized people, and in the further

hope that it might prove a stimulus to the lukewarm benevolence of

others, if, indeed, any of the natives can be justly accused of

lukewarmness in this respect. On visiting Fort Brady, Lt. C. F. Morton,

of N.Y., presented him a sword-knot, belt, &c. Some other presents

were, I believe, made him, in addition to those given him by Mr.

Agnew himself.

_18th_. Miscomonetoes (the Red Insect, or Red Devil; the term may mean

both), and family and followers, twelve persons in all, visited the

office. His personal appearance, and that of his family, bespoke

wretchedness, and appeared to give force to his strong complaints

against the traders who visit Ottowa Lake and the headwaters of Chippewa

River of the Mississippi. He observed that the prices they are compelled

to pay are extortionate, that their lands are quite destitute of the

larger animals, and that the beaver is nearly destroyed.

He also complained of white and half-breed hunters intruding on their

grounds, whose means for trapping and killing animals are superior to

those of the Indians. According to his statement, as high as four _plus_

(about $20) have been paid for a fathom of strouds, and the same for a

two-and-a-half point blanket, two _plus_ for a pair of scarlet

leggins, &c.

_18th_. Ten separate parties of Indians, numbering ninety-four souls,

presented themselves at the office this day, in addition to the above,

from various parts of the interior, and were heard on the subject of

their wants and wishes. _19th_. Guelle Plat repeated his visit with his

followers, and made a speech, in which he took a view of his intercourse

with the English and Americans. He had passed his youth in the plains

west of Red River, and was first drawn into an intercourse with the

British agents at Fort William (L. S.), where he received a medal from

the late Wm. McGilvray. This medal was taken by Lieut. Pike, on visiting

Leech Lake, in 1806. He has visited the agency at St. Peter's, but

complains that his path to that post has been marked with blood. He was

present during the attack made upon the Chippewa camp by the Sioux, near

Fort Snelling, in the summer of 1827. Is not satisfied with the

adjustment of this affair, but is inclined to peace, and has recommended

it to his young men. They can never, however, he says, count upon the

good-will of the enemy, and are obliged to live in a constant state of

preparation for war. They go out to hunt as if they were going on a war

party. They often meet the Sioux and smoke with them, but they cannot

confide in them.

Speaking of the authority exercised over their country for the purpose

of trade, he said: "The Americans are not our masters; the English are

not our masters; the country is ours." He wished that traders should be

allowed to visit them who would sell their goods _cheaper_, and said

that more than _one_ trader at each trading post was desired by him and

his people.

He modestly disclaimed authority over his band; said he was _no_ chief.

The Indians sometimes followed his advice; but they oftener followed

their own will. He said Indians were fond of change, and were always in

hopes of finding things better in another place. He believed it would be

better if they would not rove so much. He had ever acted on this

principle, and recommended it. He had never visited this place before,

but now that he had come this far, it was his wish to go to

Michilimackinac, of which he had heard much, and desired to see it. He

was in hopes his journey would prove of some service to him, &c. He

solicited a rifle and a hat.

The _Brèche,_ alias Catawabeta (Broken Tooth), entered the office with

one or two followers, in company with the preceding. Seeing the office

crowded, he said he would defer speaking till another day. This

venerable chief is the patriarch of the region around Sandy Lake, on the

Upper Mississippi. He made his first visit to me a few days after the

landing of the troops at this post, in 1822. In turning to some minutes

of that date, I find he pronounced himself "the friend and advocate of

peace," and he referred to facts to prove that his practice had been in

accordance with his professions. He discountenanced the idea of the

Indians taking part in our wars. He said he was a small boy at the

taking of _old_ Mackinac (1763). The French wished him to take up the

war-club, but he refused. The English afterwards thanked him for this,

and requested him to raise the tomahawk in their favor, but he refused.

The Americans afterwards thanked him for this refusal, but they did not

ask him to go to war. "They all talked of peace," he said, "but still,

though they talk of peace, the Sioux continue to make war upon us. Very

lately they killed three people."

The neutral policy which this chief so early unfolded, I have found

quite characteristic of his oratory, though his political feelings are

known to be decidedly favorable to the British government.

Omeeshug, widow of Ningotook, of Leech Lake, presented a memorandum

given by me to her late husband, during my attendance at the treaty of

Prairie du Chien, in 1825, claiming a medal for her infant son, in

exchange for a British medal which had been given up. On inquiry, the

medal surrendered originally belonged to Waukimmenas, a prior husband,

by whom she also had a son named Tinnegans (_Shoulder Blade_), now a man

grown, and an active and promising Indian. I decided the latter to be

the rightful heir, and intrusted a new medal of the second size to Mr.

Roussain, to be delivered to him on his arrival at Leech Lake, with the

customary formalities.

Iauwind announced himself as having arrived yesterday, with twenty-eight

followers belonging to the band of Fond du Lac. He had, it appeared,

visited Drummond Island, and took occasion in his speech to intimate

that he had not been very favorably received. Before closing, he ran

very nearly through the catalogue of Indian wants, and trusted his

"American father" would supply them. He concluded by presenting a pipe.

I informed him that he had not visited Drummond's in ignorance of my

wishes on the subject, and that if he did not receive the presents he

expected from me, he could not mistake the cause of their

being withheld.

The Red Devil came to take leave, as he had sent his canoe to the head

of the rapids, and was ready to embark. He made a very earnest and

vehement speech, in which he once more depicted the misery of his

condition, and begged earnestly that I would consider the forlorn and

impoverished situation of himself and his young men. He presented a

pipe. I told him it was contrary to the commands of his great father,

the President, that presents should be given to any of his red children

who disregarded his wishes so much as to continue their visits to

foreign agencies. That such visits were very injurious to them both in a

moral and economical point of view. That they thereby neglected their

hunting and gardens, contracted diseases, and never failed to indulge in

the most immoderate use of strong drink. That to procure the latter,

they would sell their presents, pawn their ornaments, &c., and, I verily

believed, were their hands and feet _loose_, they would pawn them, so as

to be forever after incapable of doing anything towards their own

subsistence. I told him that if, under such circumstances, I should give

him, or any other Indian, provisions to carry them home, they must not

construe it into any approbation of their late conduct, but must ascribe

it wholly to feelings of pity and commiseration for their situation, &c.

Mongazid (the Loon's Foot), a noted speaker, and Jossakeed, or _Seer of

Fond du Lac_, arrived in the afternoon, attended by eleven persons. He

had scarcely exchanged salutations with me when he said that his

followers and himself were in a starving condition, having had very

little food for several days.

Oshogay (the Osprey), solicited provisions to return home. This young

man had been sent down to deliver a speech from his father, Kabamappa,

of the river St. Croix, in which he regretted his inability to come in

person. The father had first attracted my notice at the treaty of

Prairie du Chien, and afterwards received a small medal, by my

recommendation, from the Commissioners at Fond du Lac. He appeared to

consider himself under obligations to renew the assurance of his

friendship, and this, with the hope of receiving some presents, appeared

to constitute the object of his son's mission, who conducted himself

with more modesty and timidity before me than prudence afterwards; for,

by extending his visit to Drummond Island, where both he and his father

were unknown, he got nothing, and forfeited the right to claim anything

for himself on his return here.

I sent, however, in his charge, a present of goods of small amount, to

be delivered to his father, who has not countenanced his foreign visit.

Thirteen separate parties, amounting to one hundred and eighty-three

souls, visited the office and received issues of provisions this day.

_21st_. Mikkeingwum, of Ottoway Lake, made complaint that his canoe had

been stolen, and he was left with his family on the beach, without the

means of returning. On inquiring into the facts, and finding them as

stated, I purchased and presented him a canoe of a capacity suitable to

convey his family home.

Chianokwut (Lowering Cloud), called _Tems Couvert_ by the French,

principal war chief of Leech Lake, addressed me in a speech of some

length, and presented a garnished war-club, which he requested might be

hung up in the office. He said that it was not presented as a hostile

symbol. He had _done_ using it, and he wished to put it aside. He had

followed the war path _much_ in his youth, but he was now getting _old_,

and he desired _peace._ He had attended the treaty of Prairie du Chien,

to assist in fixing the lines of their lands. He recollected the good

counsel given to him at that place. He should respect the treaty, and

his ears were open to the good advice of his great American father, the

President, to whose words he had listened for the last ten years. He

referred to the treachery of the Sioux, their frequent violation of

treaties, &c. He hoped they should hear no _bad news_ (alluding to the

Sioux) on their return home, &c.

Wabishke Penais (the White Bird) solicited food. This young chief had

volunteered to carry an express from the Sub-agency of La Pointe in the

spring, and now called to announce his intention of returning to the

upper part of Lake Superior. His attachment to the American government,

his having received a small medal from his excellency Governor Cass, on

his visit to the Ontonagon River, in 1826, added to the circumstance of

his having served as a guide to the party who visited the mass of native

copper in that quarter in 1820, had rendered him quite unpopular with

his band, and led to his migration farther west. He appears, however,

recently to have reassumed himself of success, and is as anxious as

ever to recommend himself to notice. This anxiety is, however, carried

to a fault, being unsupported by an equal degree of good sense.

Annamikens (Little Thunder), a Chippewa of mixed blood, from Red River,

expressed a wish to speak, preparatory to his return, and drew a vivid

outline of his various journeys on the frontier, and his intercourse

with the Hudson's Bay and Canadian governments. This man had rendered

himself noted upon the frontier by a successful encounter with three

grizzly bears, and the hairbreadth escape he had made from their

clutches. He made, however, no allusion to this feat, in his speech, but

referred in general terms to the Indians present for testimonies of his

character as a warrior and hunter. He said he had now taken the American

government fast by the hand, and offered to carry any counsel I might

wish to send to the Indians on Red River, Red Lake, &c., and to use his

influence in causing it to be respected.

His appeal to the Indians, was subsequently responded to by the chief,

Tems Couvert, who fully confirmed his statements, &c.

Dugah Beshue (Spotted Lynx), of Pelican Lake, requested another trader

to be sent to that place. Complains of the high prices of goods, the

scarcity of animals, and the great poverty to which they are reduced.

Says the traders are very rigorous in their dealings; that they take

their furs from their lodges without ceremony, and that ammunition, in

particular, is so high they cannot get skins enough to purchase

a supply.

Visited by nine parties, comprising ninety-one souls.

_22d_. Received visits from, and issued provisions to eighty-one

persons.

_23d_. Wayoond applied for food for his family, consisting of six

persons, saying that they had been destitute for some time. I found, on

inquiry, that he had been drinking for several days previous, and his

haggard looks sufficiently bespoke the excesses he had indulged in. On

the following day, being in a state of partial delirium, he ran into the

river, and was so far exhausted before he could be got out, that he died

in the course of the night. It is my custom to bury all Indians who die

at the post, at the public expense. A plain coffin, a new blanket, and

shirt, and digging a grave, generally comprises this expense, which is

paid out of the contingent fund allowed the office.

Mizye (the Catfish) called on me, being on his return voyage from

Drummond Island, begging that I would give him some food to enable him

to reach his home at La Pointe. This Indian has the character of being

very turbulent, and active in the propagation of stories calculated to

keep up a British feeling amongst the Indians of Lapointe. The

reprimands he has received, would probably have led him to shun the

office, were he not prompted by hunger, and the hope of relief.

Whole number of visitors one hundred and thirty-five.

_24th_. Mongazid entered the office with his ornamented pipe, and

pipe-bearer, and expressed his wish to speak. He went at some length

into the details of his own life, and the history of the Fond du Lac

band, with which he appears to be very well acquainted. Referred to the

proofs he had given of attachment to government, in his conduct at the

treaties of Prairie du Chien and Fond du Lac; and to his services, as a

speaker for the Fond du Lac band, which had been acknowledged by the

Chippewas generally, and procured him many followers. Said the influence

of the old chief at Fond du Lac (Sappa) had declined, as his own had

extended, &c. He complained in general terms of the conduct of the

traders of that post, but did not specify any acts. Said he had advised

his young men to assent to their father's request respecting the copper

lands on Lake Superior, &c.

Having alluded in his speech to the strength of the band, and the amount

of their hunt, I asked him, after he had seated himself, what was the

population of Fond du Lac post. He replied, with readiness, two hundred

and twenty, of whom sixty-six were males grown, and fifty-four hunters.

He said that these fifty-four hunters had killed during the last year

(1828) nine hundred and ninety-four bears--that thirty-nine packs of

furs were made at the post, and ninety packs in the whole department.

Grosse Guelle made a formal speech, the drift of which was to show his

influence among the Indians, the numerous places in which he had acted

in an official capacity for them, and the proofs of attachment he had

given to the American government. He rested his merits upon these

points. He said he and his people had visited the agency on account of

what had been promised at Fond du Lac. Several of his people had,

however, gone home, fearing sickness; others had gone to Drummond Island

for their presents. For himself, he said, he should remain content to

take what his American father should see fit to offer him.

I inquired of him, if his influence with his people and attachment to

the American government were such as he had represented, how it came,

that so many of the Sandy Lake Indians, of whom he was the chief, had

gone to Drummond Island?

Shingabowossin requested that another Chippewa interpreter might be

employed, in which he was seconded by Kagayosh (A Bird in Everlasting

Flight), Wayishkee, and Shewabekaton, chiefs of the home band. They did

not wish me to put the present interpreter out of his place, but hoped I

would be able to employ another one, whom they could better understand,

and who could understand them better. They pointed out a person whom

they would be pleased with. But his qualifications extended only to a

knowledge of the Chippewa and French languages. He was deficient in

moral character and trustworthiness; and it was sufficiently apparent

that _the person thus recommended_ had solicited them to make this novel

application.

_28th_. The wife of Metakoossega (Pure Tobacco) applied for food for her

husband, whom she represented as being sick at his lodge, and unable to

apply himself. The peculiar features and defective Chippewa

pronunciation of this woman indicated her foreign origin. She is a Sioux

by birth, having been taken captive by the Chippewas when quite young. A

residence of probably thirty years has not been sufficient to give her a

correct knowledge of the principles or pronunciation of the language.

She often applies animate verbs and adjectives to inanimate nouns, &c.,

a proof, perhaps, that no such distinctions are known in her

native tongue.

Chacopa, a chief of Snake River, intimated his wish to be heard. He said

he had visited the agency in the hope that some respect [52] would be

shown the medal he carried. The government had thought him worthy of

this honor; the traders had also thought him deserving of it; and many

of the young men of Snake River looked up to him to speak for them.

"But what," he asked, "can I say? My father knows how we live, and what

we want. We are always needy. My young men are expecting something. I do

not speak for myself; but I must ask my father to take compassion on

those who have followed me, &c. We expect, from what our great father

said to us at the treaty of Fond du Lac, that they would all be

clothed yearly."

[Footnote 52: This term was not meant to apply to personal respect, but

to presents of goods.]

Ahkakanongwa presented a note from Mr. Johnston, Sub-agent at La Pointe,

recommending him as "a peaceable and obedient Indian." He requested

permission to be allowed to take a keg of whisky inland on his return,

and to have a permit for it in writing. I asked him the name of the

trader who had sold him the liquor, and who had _sent_ him to ask

this permit.

Wayoond's widow requested provisions to enable her to return to her

country. Granted.

_30th_. Chegud, a minor chief of Tacquimenon River, embraced the

opportunity presented by his applying for food for his family, to add

some remarks on the subject of the School promised them at the signing

of the treaty of Fond du Lac. He was desirous of sending three of his

children. The conduct of this young man for several years past, his

sobriety, industry in hunting, punctuality in paying debts contracted

with the traders, and his modest, and, at the same time, manly

deportment, have attracted general notice. He is neat in his dress,

wearing a capot, like the Canada French, is emulous of the good will of

white men, and desirous to adopt, in part, their mode of living, and

have his children educated. I informed him that the United States

Senate, in ratifying the treaty, had struck out this article providing

for a school.

_31st_ Shanegwunaibe, a visiting Indian from the sources of Menomonie

River of Green Bay, stated his object in making so circuitous a journey.

(He had come by way of Michilimackinac), to visit the agency. He had

been induced, from what he had heard of the Lake Superior Indians, to

expect that general presents of clothing would be issued to all the

Chippewas.

"Nothing," observes the Sub-agent at La Pointe, "but their wretchedness

could induce the Indians to wander."

_Aug. 3d_. Guelle Plat returned from his visit to Michilimackinac;

states that the Agent at that post (Mr. Boyd) had given him a sheep,

but had referred him to me, when speaking on the subject of presents,

&c., saying that he belonged to my agency.

Finding in this chief a degree of intelligence, united to habits of the

strictest order and sobriety, and a vein of reflection which had enabled

him to observe more than I thought he appeared anxious to communicate, I

invited him into my house, and drew him into conversation on the state

of the trade, and the condition of the Indians at Leech Lake, &c. He

said the prices of goods were high, that the traders were rigorous, and

that there were some practices which he could wish to see abolished, not

so much for his own sake,[53] as for the sake of the Indians generally;

that the traders found it for their interest to treat him and the

principal chiefs well; that he hunted diligently, and supplied himself

with necessary articles. But the generality of the Indians were

miserably poor and were severely dealt by. He said, the last thing that

they had enjoined upon him, on leaving Leech Lake, was to solicit from

me another trader. He had not, however, deemed it proper to make the

request in public council.

[Footnote 53: He was flattered and pampered by them.]

He states that the Indians are compelled to sell their furs to _one

man_, and to take what he pleases to give them in return. That the

trader fixes his own prices, both on the furs and on the goods he gives

in exchange. The Indians have no choice in the matter. And if it

happens, as it did last spring (1828), that there is a deficiency in the

outfit of goods, they are not permitted quietly to bring out their

surplus furs, and sell them to whom they please. He says that he saw a

remarkable instance of this at _Point au Pins_, on his way out, where

young Holiday drew a dirk on an Indian on refusing to let him take a

pack of furs from his canoe. He said, on speaking of this subject, "I

wish my father to take away the sword that hangs over us, and let us

bring down our furs, and sell them to whom we please."

He says that he killed last fall, nearly one thousand muskrats, thirteen

bears, twenty martins, twelve fishers. Beavers he killed none, as they

were all killed off some years ago. He says, that fifty rats are exacted

for cloth for a coat (this chief wears coats) the same for a three point

blanket, forty for a two-and-a-half point blanket, one hundred for a

Montreal gun, one _plus_ for a gill of powder, for a gill of shot, or

for twenty-five bullets, thirty martins for a beaver trap, fifteen for

a rat trap.

Speaking of the war, which has been so long waged between the Chippewas

and Sioux, to the mutual detriment of both, he said that it had

originated in the rival pretensions of a Sioux and Chippewa chief, for a

Sioux woman, and that various causes had since added fuel to the flame.

He said that, in this long war, the Chippewas had been gainers of

territory, that they were better woodsmen than the Sioux, and were able

to stand their ground. But that the fear of an enemy prevented them from

hunting some of the best beaver land, without imminent hazard. He had

himself, in the course of his life, been a member of twenty-five

different war parties, and had escaped without even a wound, though on

one occasion, he with three companions, was compelled to cut his way

through the enemy, two of whom were slain.

These remarks were made in private conversation. Anxious to secure the

influence and good-will of a man so respectable both for his standing

and his understanding, I had presented him, on his previous visit (July

19), with the President's large medal, accompanied by silver

wrist-bands, gorget, &c., silver hat-band, a hat for himself and son,

&c. I now added full patterns of clothing for himself and family,

kettles, traps, a fine rifle, ammunition, &c., and, observing his

attachment for dress of European fashion, ordered an ample cloak of

plaid, which would, in point of warmth, make a good substitute for

the blanket.

On a visit which he made to Fort Brady on the following day, Dr. Pitcher

presented his only son, a fine youth of sixteen, a gilt sword, and, I

believe, some other presents were made by the officers of the

2d Regiment.

_5th_. Issued an invoice of goods, traps, kettles, &c. to the Indians,

who were assembled in front of the office, and seated upon the green for

the purpose of making a proper distribution. I took this occasion to

remind them of the interest which their great father, the President,

constantly took in their welfare, and of his ardent desire that they

might live in peace and friendship with each other, and with their

ancient enemies, the Sioux. That he was desirous to see them increase in

numbers, as well as prosperity, to cultivate the arts of peace, so far

as they were compatible with their present condition and position, to

participate in the benefits of instruction, and to abstain from the use

of ardent spirits, that they might continue to live upon the lands of

their forefathers, and increase in all good knowledge. I told them they

must consider the presents, that had now been distributed, as an

evidence of these feelings and sentiments on the part of the President,

who expected that they would be ready to hearken to his counsels, &c.

I deemed this a suitable opportunity to reply to some remarks that had

fallen from several of the speakers, in the course of their summer

visits, on the subject of the stipulations contained in the treaty of

Fond du Lac, and informed them that I had put the substance of their

remarks into the shape of a letter to the department (see Official Let.,

Aug. 2d, 1828), that this letter would be submitted to the President,

and when I received a reply it should be communicated to them.

_6th_. Shingabowossin and his band called to take leave previous to

their setting out on their fall hunts. He thanked me in behalf of all

the Indians, for the presents distributed to them yesterday.

Wayishkee (the First Born), a chief of the home band, on calling to take

leave for the season, stated that he had been disabled by sickness from

killing many animals during the last year, that his family was large,

und that he felt grateful for the charity shown to his children, &c.

This chief is a son of the celebrated war chief Waubodjeeg (the White

Fisher), who died at La Pointe about thirty years ago, from whom he

inherited a broad wampum belt and gorget, delivered to his grandfather

(also a noted chief) by Sir Wm. Johnson, on the taking of Fort

Niagara, in 1759.

The allusion made to his family recalled to my mind the fact, that he

has had twelve children by one wife, nine of whom are now living; a

proof that a cold climate and hardships are not always adverse to the

increase of the human species.

_7th_. Annamikens made a speech, in which he expressed himself very

favorably of our government, and said he should carry back a good report

of his reception. He contrasted some things very adroitly with the

practices he had observed at Red River, Fort William, and Drummond's

Island. Deeming it proper to secure the influence of a person who stands

well with the Indians on that remote frontier, I presented him a medal

of the second class, accompanying it by some presents of clothing, &c.,

and an address to be delivered to the Chippewas, at the sources of the

Mississippi, in which I referred to the friendly and humane disposition

of our government, its desire that the Indians should live in peace,

refrain from drink, &c.

Terns Couvert, in a short speech, expressed himself favorably towards

Annamikens, corroborating some statements the latter had made.

Chacopee came to make his farewell speech, being on the point of

embarking. He recommended some of his followers to my notice, who were

not present when the goods were distributed on the fifth instant. He

again referred to the wants and wishes of the Indians of Snake River,

who lived near the boundary lines, and were subject to the incursions of

the Sioux. Says that the Sioux intrude beyond the line settled at the

Prairie, &c. Requests permission to take inland, for his own use, two

kegs of whisky, which had been presented to him by Mr. Dingley and Mr.

Warren. [This mode of evading the intercourse act, by presenting or

selling liquor on territory where the laws of Congress do not operate,

shifting on the Indians the risk and responsibility of taking it inland,

is a new phase of the trade, and evinces the _moral_ ingenuity of the

American Fur Company, or their servants.]

_8th_. Grosse Guelle stated that, as he was nearly ready to return, he

wished to say a few words, to which he hoped I would listen. He

complained of the hardness of times, high prices of goods, and poverty

of the Indians, and hoped that presents would be given to them.[54] He

alleged these causes for his visit, and that of the Sandy Lake Indians

generally. Adverted to the outrage committed by the Sioux at St. Peters,

and to the treaty of Prairie du Chien, at which his fathers (alluding to

Gen. Clarke and Gov. Cass) promised to punish the first aggressors.

Requested permission to take in some whisky--presses this topic, and

says, in reply to objections, that "Indians die whether they drink

whisky or not." He presented a pipe in his own name, and another in the

names of the two young chiefs Wazhus-Kuk-Koon (Muskrat's Liver), and

Nauganosh, who both received small medals at the treaty of Fond du Lac.

[Footnote 54: By visiting Drummond's Island contrary to instructions,

this chief and his band had excluded themselves from the distribution

made on the 5th of August.]

Katewabeda, having announced his wish to speak to me on the 6th instant,

came into the office for that purpose. He took a view of the standing

his family had maintained among the Sandy Lake Indians from an early

day, and said that he had in his possession until very lately a French

flag, which had been presented to some of his ancestors, but had been

taken to exhibit at Montreal by his son-in-law (Mr. Ermatinger, an

English trader recently retired from business). He had received a

muzinni'egun [55] from Lieut. Pike, on his visit to Sandy Lake, in 1806,

but it had been lost in a war excursion on the Mississippi. He concluded

by asking a permit to return with some mdz. and liquor, upon the sale of

which, and not on hunting, he depended for his support [56] I took

occasion to inform him that I had been well acquainted with his

standing, character, and sentiments from the time of my arrival in the

country in the capacity of an agent; that I knew him to be friendly to

the traders who visited the Upper Mississippi, desirous to keep the

Indians at peace, and not less desirous to keep up friendly relations

with the authorities of both the British and American governments; but

that I also very well knew that whatever political influence he exerted,

was not exerted to instil into the minds of the Indians sentiments

favorable to our system of government, or to make them feel the

importance of making them strictly comply with the American intercourse

laws, &c. I referred to the commencement of my acquaintance with him,

twenty days after my first landing at St. Mary's, and by narrating

facts, and naming dates and particulars, endeavored to convince him that

I had not been an indifferent observer of what had passed both _within_

and _without_ the Indian country. I also referred to recent events here,

to which I attributed an application to trade, which he had not thought

proper or deemed necessary to make in _previous_ years.

[Footnote 55: A paper; any written or printed document.]

[Footnote 56: This is one of the modern modes of getting goods into the

country in contravention of law, Mr. Ermatinger being a foreigner

trading on the Canadian side of the river.]

I concluded by telling him that he would see that it was impossible, in

conformity with the principles I acted upon, and the respect which I

claimed of Indians for my counsels, to grant his request.

_11th_. Guelle Plat came to take leave preparatory to his return. He

expressed his sense of the kindness and respect with which he had been

treated, and intimated his intention of repeating his visit to the

Agency during the next season, should his health be spared. He said, in

the course of conversation, that "there was one thing in which he had

observed a great difference between the practice of this and St. Peter's

Agency. _There_ whisky is given out in abundance; _here_ I see it is

your practice to give none."

_12th_. Invested Oshkinahwa (the Young Man of the totem of the Loon of

Leech Lake), with a medal.

_15th_. Issued provisions to the family of Kussepogoo, a Chippewyan

woman from Athabasca, recently settled at St. Mary's. It seems the name

by which this remote tribe is usually known is of Chippewa origin (being

a corruption of _Ojeegewyan_, a fisher's skin), but they trace no

affinity with the Chippewa stock, and the language is radically

different, having very little analogy either in its structure or sounds.

It is comparatively harsh and barren, and so defective and vague in its

application that it even seems questionable whether nouns and verbs

have number.

_18th_. Visited by the Little Pine (Shingwaukonce), the leading chief on

the British shore of the St. Mary's, a shrewd and politic man, who has

united, at sundry periods, in himself the offices and influence of a war

chief, a priest, or Jossakeed, and a civil ruler. The giving of public

presents on the 5th had evidently led to his visit, although he had not

pursued the policy expected from him, so far as his influence reached

among the Chippewas on the American shores of the straits. He made a

speech well suited to his position, and glossed off with some fine

generalities, avoiding commitments on main points and making them on

minor ones, concluding with a string of wampum. I smoked and shook hands

with him, and accepted his tenders of friendship by re-pledging the

pipe, but narrowed his visit to official proprieties, and refused

his wampum.

_22d._ Magisanikwa, or the Wampum-hair, renewed his visit, gave me

another opportunity to remember his humane act in the spring, and had

his claims on this score allowed. The Indians never forget a good act

done by them, and we should not permit them to surpass us in

this respect.

CHAPTER XXXII

Natural history of the north-west--Northern

zoology--Fox--Owl--Reindeer--A dastardly attempt at murder by a

soldier---Lawless spread of the population of northern Illinois over the

Winnebago land--New York Lyceum of Natural History--U.S. Ex.

Ex.--Fiscal embarrassments in the Department--Medical cause of Indian

depopulation--Remarks of Dr. Pitcher--Erroneous impressions of the

Indian character--Reviews--Death of John Johnston, Esq.

1828. _July 24th_. The ardor with which I thought it proper to address

myself to the Indian duties of my office, did not induce me, by any

means, to neglect my correspondence or the claims of visitors

to Elmwood.

This day Lt. Col. Lindsay and Capt. Spotts, U.S.A., being on court

martial duty at Fort Brady, paid their respects to me, and the Col.

expressed his pleasure and surprise at the taste, order, and disposition

of the grounds and the Agency.

Nor did the official duties of my position interfere with the

investigation of the natural history of the country.

A large box of stuffed birds and quadrupeds, containing twenty-three

specimens of various species, was sent to the Lyceum of Natural History

at New York, in the month of April. Mr. William Cooper writes, under

this date, that they have been received and examined. "The lynx appears

to be the northern species, different from that common in this part of

the country, and very rarely seen here even in the public collections.

Several of the birds, also, I had never had an opportunity of examining

before. The spruce partridge, _Tetrae Canadensis_, is very rare in the

United States. There is no other species in this city besides yours. It

was entirely unknown to Wilson; but it is to appear in the third vol. of

Bonaparte's continuation of Wilson, to be published in the ensuing

autumn. The circumstance of its being found in the Michigan Territory,

is interesting on account of the few localities in which this bird has

been found in our boundaries. The three-toed woodpecker, _Picus

tridactylus_, was equally unknown to Wilson, and the second volume of

Bonaparte, now about to be issued, contains an elegant figure and

history of this bird, which also inhabits the north of Europe and Asia.

The other birds and quadrupeds of your collection, though better known,

were very interesting, as affording materials for the history of their

geographical distribution, a subject now become exceedingly interesting.

The plover of the plain is the turnstone, _strepsilus interpres_.

"The large fish is one of the genus _Amia_, and Dr. Dekay is inclined to

think it different from the _A. caloa_ found in our southern rivers, but

of much smaller size. The tortoises belong to three species, viz., _T.

scabra_, _T. pieta_, and _T. serpentina_. It is the first information I

have obtained of their inhabiting so far to the north-west. There are

also others found in your vicinity, which, if it would not be asking too

much, I should be much pleased if you could obtain for the Lyceum."

"I hope you will excuse me, if I take the liberty to recommend to you,

to direct your observation more particularly to those birds which come

to you in winter, from the north, or in any direction from beyond the

United States territory. It is among these that you may expect to find

specimens new to our ornithology.

"The beautiful _Fringilla_, which you sent to us a few years since, is

figured and described from your specimen, and in an elegant manner, in

the volume just about to be published of Bonaparte's work."

Mr. G. Johnston of La Pointe, Lake Superior, writes: "Since I had the

honor of receiving a printed letter from the Lyceum of Natural History,

I have been enabled to procure, at this place, two specimens of the

jumping mouse.

"The history the Indians give of its habits is as follows: It burrows

under ground, and in summer lives on the bark of small trees. It

provides and lays up a store of corn, nuts, &c., for winter consumption.

It also climbs and lives in hollow parts of trees. It is also possessed

of a carnivorous habit, it being peculiarly fond of burrowing in old

burying places, where it lives, principally on the corpse. It is never

seen in winter."

There is something in the northern zoology besides the determination of

species, which denotes a very minute care in preparing animals for the

particular latitudes the several species are designed for, by protecting

the legs and feet against the power of intense cold. And the dispersion

and migration of birds and quadrupeds are thus confined to general

boundaries. The fox, in high northern latitudes, is perfectly white

except the nose and tips of the ears, which are black, and the hair

extends so as to cover its nails. The various kinds of owls, and the

Canada jay, which winter in these latitudes, have a feathery, half-hairy

protection to the toes. The American species of the reindeer, which

under the name of cariboo, inhabits the country around the foot of Lake

Superior, has its hoof split in such a manner that it, in fact, serves

as a kind of snow shoe, spreading quite thin over about forty

superficial inches, which enables it to walk on the crusted snow.

_29th_. Dr. William Augustus Ficklin, of Louisiana (Jackson), recalls my

attention to the U.S. Exploring Expedition, the programme of which

embraces my name. "You will want a physician and surgeon attached to the

expedition. Is the place yet filled?" My acquaintance with this young

gentleman, then a lad at his father's house, in Missouri, recalls many

pleasing recollections, which gives me every inducement to favor

his wishes.

_August 2d_. Mr. Robert Irwin, Junr., of Green Bay, writes that a most

diabolical attempt was recently made at that place, a few days ago, to

take the life of Maj. Twiggs, by a corporal belonging to his command.

The circumstances were briefly these: About two o'clock in the

afternoon, the major had retired to his room to repose himself. Soon

after the corporal entered the room so secretly that he presented a

loaded musket within a few inches of his head, and, as Providence would

have it, the gun missed fire. The noise awoke the major, who

involuntarily seized the muzzle, and, while looking the fellow full in

the face, he cocked the gun and again snapped it; but it missed fire the

second time. With that the major sprang up in bed and wrenched the gun

out of the assassin's hands, and with the breech knocked the fellow

down, fracturing his skull so much that his life was for many days

despaired of.

_4th_. Gov. Cass, who has proceeded to Green Bay as a Commissioner for

treating with the Indians, writes: "I am waiting here very impatiently

for arrivals from the Indian country. But nothing comes, as yet, except

proof stronger and stronger of the injustice done to the Winnebagoes by

the actual seizure of their country." To repress this spirit of the

people of northern Illinois, much time and negotiation was required. By

his knowledge of the Indian and frontier character, an arrangement was

at length concluded for the occupation of the Rock River and

Galena country.

_23d_. An official letter of the New York Lyceum of Natural History

expresses their thanks for recent donations. Dr. Van Rensselaer says:

"Your birds, reptiles, and quadrupeds have been most graciously

received.... The expedition to the South Seas (heretofore noticed in

this journal) will afford a field for some naturalist to labor in. Dr.

Dekay intends to apply for the situation. We are at present engaged in

drawing up some instructions for the naturalist (whoever he may be),

which we shall hand to Mr. Southard, who is now here and has requested

it. We trust the expedition will add something to our knowledge as well

as to our pecuniary wealth."

_27th_. _Fiscal_--Something has been out of kelter at Washington these

two years with regard to the rigid application of appropriations, at

least in the Indian Department. We have been literally without money,

and issuing paper to public creditors and employees. Surely a government

that collects its own revenues should never want funds to pay its agents

and officers.

Mr. Trowbridge writes: "The money pressure is nearly or quite over in

New York, but we feel it here in a dreadful degree. The want of public

disbursements this year, upon which we have always rested our hopes with

so much confidence, added to the over-introduction of goods for a year

or two past, has produced this state of things, and I sometimes think

that there will be no great improvement in this generation."

_29th_. _Medical Causes of Depopulation_.--The causes of Indian

depopulation are wars, the want of abundance of food, intemperance, and

idleness. Dr. Pitcher, in a letter of this date, says: "In your note (to

'Sanillac') on the subject of the diminution in numbers of our

aboriginal neighbors, you have seized upon the most conspicuous, and,

during their continuance, the most fatal causes of their decline. With

the small-pox you might, however, associate the measles, which, in

consequence of their manner of treating the fever preceding the

eruption, viz., the use of vapor and cold baths combined, most commonly

tends to a mortal termination. To these two evils, propagated by the

diffusion of a specific virus, may be added the prevalence of general

epidemics, such as influenza, &c., whose virulence expends its force

without restraint upon the Indians. They are not (as you are aware) a

people who draw much instruction from the school of experience,

particularly in the department of medicine, and, when by the side of

this fact you place the protean forms which the diseases of epidemic

seasons assume, the inference must follow that multitudes of them perish

where the civilized man would escape (of which I could furnish

examples).

"It is the province of the science of medicine to preserve to society

its feeble and invalid members, which, notwithstanding the war it wages

upon the principle of political economists, augments considerably the

sum of human life. The victims of the diseases of civilization do not

balance the casualties, &c. of a ruder state of society, as may be seen

by inspecting the tables of the rates of mortality for a century past.

"I will suggest to you the propriety of improving this opportunity for

setting the public right on one point, and that is the effects of

aboriginal manners upon the physical character. For my part, I have long

since ceased to believe that they are indebted to their mode of life for

the vigor, as a race, which they exhibit, but that the naturally feeble

are destroyed by the vicissitudes to which they are exposed, and which,

in part, gives them an appearance, hardy and athletic, above their

civilized neighbors."

_Erroneous impressions of Indians_.--Maj. Whiting, of Detroit, says

(27th inst.): "I dare say I may find many things which will suit our

purposes well. Something new and genuine is what we want, and the source

gives assurance these things all bear that character. It is time the

public should know that neither ladies nor gentlemen who have never

crossed the lakes or the Alleghany, can have any but vague ideas of the

children of the forest. An Indian might not succeed well in portraying

life in New York, because he does not read much, and would have to trust

pretty much, if not altogether, to imagination; but his task would

differ only in degree from that of the literary pretender who has never

traveled West beyond the march of fresh oysters (though by the way,

these have been seen in Detroit), and yet thinks he can penetrate the

shadows and darkness of the wilderness. They put a hatchet in his hand,

and stick a feather in his cap, and call him 'Nitche Nawba.' If I

recollect right, in Yamoyden a soup was made of some white children.

Indians have not been over dainty at times, and no doubt have done worse

things; but on such occasions their _modus operandi_ was not likely to

be so much in accordance with the precepts of Madam Glass."

_Reviews_.--"I read over your last article in the N.A., and thought it

had rather less point and connection than you had probably given it; but

it still has much to recommend it. The remarks on language were more

intelligible to me than any I have before seen, and have given me many

clues which I have vainly sought for in preceding dissertations of

the kind."

_Sept. 22d_. This day the patriarch of the place, John Johnston, Esq.,

breathed his last. He had attained the age of sixty-six. A native of the

county of Antrim, in the north of Ireland; a resident for some

thirty-eight years of this frontier; a gentleman in manners; a merchant,

in chief, in the hazardous fur trade; a man of high social feelings and

refinements; a cotemporary of the long list of men eminent in that

department; a man allied to bishops and nobles at home; connected in

marriage with a celebrated Chippewa family of Algonquins; he was another

Rolfe, in fact, in his position between the Anglo-Saxon and the Indian

races; his life and death afford subjects for remark which are of the

deepest interest, and would justify a biography, not a mere notice. I

wrote a brief sketch for the _New York Albion_, and transmitted copies

of the paper to some of his connections in Ireland.

His coming out from that country was during the first presidency of

Washington, and a few years before the breaking out of the Irish

Rebellion. He had a deep sense of his country's injuries, and of the

effect of the laws which pressed so heavily on her energies, political

and commercial; but was entirely loyal, and maintained the highest tone

of loyalism in argument. He saw deeply the evils, but not the remedy,

which he thought to lay rather in future and peaceful developments.

He suffered greatly and unjustly in the war of 1812, in which his place

was pillaged by the American troops, and some forty thousand dollars of

his private property destroyed, contrary to the instructions of the

American commandant. Low-minded persons who had been in his service as

clerks, and disliked his pretensions to aristocracy, were the cause of

this, and piloted the detachment up the river. He was, however, in

nowise connected with the North-west Company, far less "one of its

agents." He was a civil magistrate under Gov.-Gen. Prevost, and was

honestly attached to the British cause, and he had never accepted any

office or offers from the American government. The Canadian British

authorities did not, however, compensate him for his losses, on the

ground of his living over the lines, at a time, too, when Gen. Brock had

taken the country and assumed the functions of civil and military

governor over all Michigan. The American Congress did not acknowledge

the obligation to sustain the orders to respect private property,

the Chairman of the Committee of Claims reporting that the actors

"might be prosecuted," and the old gentleman's last years were thus

embittered, and he went down to the grave the victim of double

misconceptions--leaving to a large family of the Indo-Irish stock little

beyond an honorable and unspotted name.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Treaty of St. Joseph--Tanner--Visits of the Indians in distress--Letters

from the civilized world--Indian code projected--Cause of Indian

suffering--The Indian cause--Estimation of the character of the late Mr.

Johnston--Autobiography--Historical Society of Michigan--Fiscal

embarrassments of the Indian Department.

1828. Tanner was a singular being--out of humor with the world, speaking

ill of everybody, suspicious of every human action, a very savage in his

feelings, reasonings, and philosophy of life, and yet exciting

commiseration by the very isolation of his position. He had been stolen

by the Indians in the Ohio Valley when a mere boy, during the marauding

forays which they waged against the frontiers about 1777. He was not

then, perhaps, over seven years of age--so young, indeed, as to have

forgotten, to a great degree, names and dates. His captors were Saganaw

Chippewas, among whom he learned the language, manners and customs, and

superstitions of the Indians. They passed him on, after a time, to the

Ottowas of L'Arbre Croche, near Mackinac, among whom he became settled

in his pronunciation of the Ottowa dialect of the great Algonquin

family. By this tribe, who were probably fearful a captive among them

would be reclaimed after Wayne's war and the defeat of the combined

Indians on the Miami of the Lakes, he was transferred to kindred tribes

far in the north-west. He appears to have grown to manhood and learned

the arts of hunting and the wild magic notions of the Indians on the Red

River of the North, in the territory of Hudson's Bay. Lord Selkirk, in

the course of his difficulties with the North-west Company, appears to

have first learned of his early captivity.

He came out to Mackinac with the traders about 1825, and went to find

his relatives in Kentucky, with whom, however, he could not long live.

His habits were now so inveterately savage that he could not tolerate

civilization. He came back to the frontiers and obtained an

interpretership at the U.S. Agency at Mackinac. The elements of his mind

were, however, morose, sour, suspicious, antisocial, revengeful, and

bad. In a short time he was out with everybody. He caused to be written

to me a piteous letter. Dr. James, who was post surgeon at the place,

conceived that his narrative would form a popular introduction to his

observations on some points of the Indian character and customs, which

was the origin of a volume that was some years afterwards given to

the public.

A note he brought me in 1828, from a high source, procured him my

notice. I felt interested in his history, received him in a friendly

manner, and gave him the place of interpreter. He entered on the duties

faithfully; but with the dignity and reserve of an Indian chief. He had

so long looked on the dark side of human nature that he seldom or never

smiled. He considered everybody an enemy. His view of the state of

Indian society in the wilderness made it a perfect hell. They were

thieves and murderers. No one from the interior agreed with him in this.

The traders, who called him a bad man, represent the Indians as social

when removed from the face of white men, and capable of noble and

generous acts. He was, evidently, his own judge and his own avenger in

every question. I drew out of him some information of the Indian

superstitions, and he was well acquainted practically with the species

of animals and birds in the northern latitudes.

_30th_. A letter informs me that a treaty has just been concluded with

the Potawattomies of St. Joseph's, who cede to the United States about a

million and a half acres, comprising the balance of their lands in

Michigan. I received, at the same time, a few lines from Gen. Cass,

speaking a word for the captive, John Tanner, the object of which was to

suggest his employment as an interpreter in the Indian Department.[57]

[Footnote 57: This man served a short time, but turned out, for eighteen

years, to be the pest of that settlement, being a remarkably suspicious,

lying, bad-minded man, having lost every virtue of the white man, and

accumulated every vice of the Indian. He became more and more morose and

sour because the world would not support him in idleness, and went about

half crazed, in which state he hid himself one day, in 1836, in the

bushes, and shot and killed my brother, James L. Schoolcraft. He then

fled back to the Indians, and has not been caught. The musket with which

this nefarious act was done, is said to have been loaned to him from the

guard-house at Fort Brady. Dr. Bagg pronounced the ball an ounce-ball,

such as is employed in the U.S. service. The wad was the torn leaf of a

hymn book. It was extensively reported by the diurnal press, that I had

been the victim of this unprovoked perfidy.]

_October 31st_. The Indian visits, from remote bands, which were very

remarkable this year, continued through the entire month of August, and

beyond the date at which I dropped the notices of them, during

September, when they were reduced, as party after party returned to the

interior, to the calls of the ordinary bands living about the post, and,

at furthest, to the foot of Lake Superior and the valley and straits of

the St. Mary's. With them, or rather before them, went the traders with

their new outfits and retinues, chiefly from Michilimackinac. As one

after another departed, there was less need of that vigilance, "by night

and by day," to see that none of the latter class went without due

license; that the foreign boatmen on their descriptive lists were duly

bonded for; that no "freedmen" slipped in; and that no ardent spirits

were taken in contrary to law. Gradually my public duties were thus

narrowed down to the benevolent wants of the bands that were immediately

around me, to seeing that the mechanics employed by the Department did

their duties, and to keeping the office at Washington duly informed of

the occurrences and incidents belonging to Indian affairs. All this,

after the close of summer, requires but a small portion of a man's time,

and as winter, which begins here the first of November, approached, I

felt impelled to devote a larger share of attention to subjects of

research or literary amusement. I missed two men in plunging into the

leisure hours of my seventh winter (omitting 1825), in this latitude,

namely, Mr. Johnston, whose conversation and social sympathies were

always felt, and Dr. Pitcher, whose tastes for natural science and

general knowledge rendered him a valuable visitor.

Letters from the civilized world tended to keep alive the general

sympathies, which none more appreciate than those who are shut out from

its circles. Mr. Edward Everett (Oct. 6th) communicates his sentiments

favorably, respecting the preparation of an article for the _North

American Review_. The Rev. Mr. Cadle (Oct. 7th) sends a package of

Bibles and Prayer Books for distribution among the soldiers, which he

entrusts to Mrs. S. The Rev. Mr. Wells, of Detroit, writes of some

temporality. Mr. Trowbridge keeps me advised respecting the all

important and growing importance of the department's fiscal affairs.

The author of "Sanillac" (Oct. 8th) acknowledges the reception and

reading of my "Notes," with which he expresses himself pleased. The head

of the Indian office writes, "The plan has been adopted of compiling a

code of regulations for the Indian intercourse during the winter. For

this duty, Gen. Clarke, of St. Louis, and Gen. Cass, of Detroit, have

been selected." Such were some of the extraneous subjects which the

month of October brought from without.

The month of November was not without some incidents of interest. From

the first to the fifteenth, a number of Indian families applied for

food, under circumstances speaking loudly in their favor. The misfortune

is, that these poor creatures are induced to part with everything for

the means of gratifying their passion for drink, and then lingering

around the settlements as long as charity offers to supply their daily

wants. The usual term of application for this class is, Kittemaugizzi,

or Nim bukkudda, I am in want, or I am hungry. By making my office a

study, I am always found in the place of public duty, and the latter is

only, in fact, a temporary relief from literary labor. I have often been

asked how I support solitude in the wilderness. Here is the answer: the

wilderness and the busy city are alike to him who derives his amusements

from mental employment.

_Nov. 7th_. The Indian Cause.--In a letter of this date from Mr. J.D.

Stevens, of the Mission of Michilimackinac, he suggests a colony to be

formed at some point in the Chippeway country of Lake Superior, and

inquires whether government will not patronize such an effort to reclaim

this stock. The Indian is, in every view, entitled to sympathy. The

misfortune with the race is, that, seated on the skirts of the domain of

a popular government, they have no vote to give. They are politically a

nonentity. The moral and benevolent powers of our system are with the

people. Government has nothing to do with them. The whole Indian race is

not, in the political scales, worth one white man's vote. Here is the

difficulty in any benevolent scheme. If the Indian were raised to the

right of giving his suffrage, a plenty of politicians, on the

frontiers, would enter into plans to better him. Now the subject drags

along as an incubus on Congress. Legislation for them is only taken up

on a pinch. It is a mere expedient to get along with the subject; it is

taken up unwillingly, and dropped in a hurry. This is the Indian system.

Nobody knows really what to do, and those who have more information are

deemed to be a little moon-struck.

_18th_. ESTIMATION OF MR. JOHNSTON.--Gov. Cass writes from Washington:

"Mr. Johnston's death is an event I sincerely deplore, and one upon

which I tender my condolements to the family. He was really no common

man. To preserve the manners of a perfect gentleman, and the

intelligence and information of a well-educated man, in the dreary

wastes around him, and in his seclusion from all society but that of his

own family, required a vigor and elasticity of mind rarely to be found."

NEW INDIAN CODE.--The loose and fragmentary character of the Indian code

has, at length, arrested attention at Washington, and led to some

attempts to consolidate it. A correspondent writes (Nov. 18th): "Gen.

Clarke has not yet arrived, but is expected daily. In the meantime, I

have prepared an analysis of the subject, which has been approved by the

department, and, on the arrival of Gen. Clarke, we shall be prepared to

proceed to the compilation of our code, which, I do hope, will put

things in a better situation for all."

The derangements in the fiscal affairs of the Indian department are in

the extreme. One would think that appropriations had been handled with a

pitchfork. A correspondent writes: "For 1827, we were promised $48,000,

and received $30,000. For 1828, we were promised $40,000, and have

received $25,000; and, besides these promises, were all the extra

expenditures authorized to be incurred, amounting to not less than

$15,000. It is impossible this can continue." And these derangements are

only with regard to the north. How the south and west stand, it is

impossible to say. But there is a screw loose in the public machinery

somewhere.

_Dec. 5th_. AUTOBIOGRAPHY.--"It is to be regretted," writes Dr. Edwin

James, "that our lamented friend (Mr. Johnston) had not lived to

complete his autobiography. This deficiency constitutes no valid

objection to the publication of the memoirs, though it appears to me

highly desirable that you should complete the sketch, so as to include

the history of the latter portion of his life. In perfect accordance

with the plan of such a continuation, you would embody much valuable

detail in relation to the history and condition of this section of the

country for the last thirty years. You must, doubtless, have access to

all the existing materials, and to many sources of authentic

information, which could, very appropriately, be given to the public in

such a form."

_15th_. UNION OF THE PURSUITS OF NATURAL AND CIVIL HISTORY.--I brought

forward, and had passed at the last session of the Legislature, an act

incorporating the Historical Society of Michigan. Dr. Pitcher, who has

recently changed his position to Fort Gratiot, at the foot of Lake

Huron, proposes the embracing of natural history among its studies. He

finds his position, at that point, to be still unfavorable in some

aspects, and not much, if anything, superior to what it was at

St. Mary's.

_27th_. FISCAL PERPLEXITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.--These were alluded to

before. No improvement appears, but we are all destined to suffer. A

friend, who is versed in the subject, writes from Washington: "The fact

is, that nothing could be worse managed than the fiscal concerns of the

department. Not the slightest regard has been paid to the apportionment

made, and there is now due to our superintendency more than the sum of

$40,000. You can well conceive how this happens, and I have neither time

nor patience to enter into the details; suffice it to say, that I am

promised by the Secretary that the moment the appropriation law passes,

which will probably be early in January, every dollar of arrearages

shall be paid off. This is all the consolation I can furnish you, and, I

suppose I need not say that I have left no stone unturned to effect a

more desirable result. It is manifest, however, that the whole

department will be exceedingly pressed for funds next year, as a

considerable part of the appropriation must be assigned to the payment

of arrearages, which have been suffered to accumulate; and it is not

considered expedient, in the present state of affairs, to ask for a

specific appropriation. It will require at least two years to bring our

fiscal concerns to a healthy state."

In fact, to meet these embarrassments, many retrenchments became

necessary; some sub-agencies were drawn in from the Indian country,

mechanics and interpreters were dismissed, and things put on the very

lowest scale of expenditure.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Political horizon--Ahmo Society--Incoming of Gen. Jackson's

administration--Amusements of the winter--Peace policy among the

Indians--Revival at Mackinac--Money crisis--Idea of Lake tides--New

Indian code--Anti-masonry--Missions among the Indians--Copper mines--The

policy respecting them settled--Whisky among the Indians--Fur

trade--Legislative council--Mackinac mission---Officers of Wayne's

war--Historical Society of Michigan--Improved diurnal press.

_1829. Jan. 1st_. The administration of John Quincy Adams now draws to a

close, and that of Gen. Jackson is anticipated to commence. Political

things shape themselves for these events. The close of the old year and

the opening of the new one have been remarkable for heralding many

rumors of change which precede the incoming of the new administration.

Many of these relate to the probable composition of Gen. Jackson's

cabinet. Among the persons named in my letters is Gov. Cass, who has

attracted a good deal of exterior notoriety during the last year. Within

the territory, his superiority of talents and energy have never been

questioned. Michigan would have much to lament by such a transference,

for it is to be feared that party rancor, which he has admirably kept

down, would break forth in all its accustomed violence.

_17th_. AHMO SOCIETY.--Under this aboriginal term, which signifies a

bee, the ladies of the fort and village have organized themselves into a

sewing society for benevolent purposes. I find myself honored with a

letter of thanks from them by their secretary, Mrs. E.S. Russell. Truly,

the example of Dorcas was not mentioned in vain in the Scriptures, for

its effect is to excite the benevolent and charitable everywhere to do

likewise. Every such little influence helps to make society better, and

aids its sources of pleasing and self-sustaining reflection.

_February 12th_. A letter from the editor of the _North American

Review_ acknowledges the receipt of a paper to appear in _its_ columns.

_March 4th_, The administration of the government this day passes into

the hands of a man of extraordinary individuality of character,

indomitable will, high purpose, and decided moral courage. He was

fighting the Creeks and Seminoles when I first went to the West, and

they told the most striking anecdotes of him, illustrating each of these

traits of character. Ten or eleven years have carried him into the

presidential chair. Such is the popular feeling with respect to military

achievements and strong individuality of character. Men like to follow

one who shows a capacity to lead.

_31st_. The winter has passed with less effect from the intensity of its

cold and external dreariness, from the fact of my being ensconsed in a

new house, with double window-sashes, fine storm-houses, plenty of maple

fuel, books, and studies. Besides the fruitful theme of the Indian

language, I amused myself, in the early part of the season, by writing a

review for one of the periodicals, and with keeping up, throughout the

season, an extensive correspondence with friends and men of letters in

various parts of the Union. I revised and refreshed myself in some of my

early studies, I continued to read whatever I could lay my hands on

respecting the philosophy of language. Appearances of spring--the more

deepened sound of the falls, the floating of large cakes of ice from the

great northern depository, Lake Superior, and the return of some early

species of ducks and other birds--presented themselves as harbingers of

spring almost unawares. It is still wintry cold during the nights and

mornings, but there is a degree of solar heat at noon which betokens the

speedy decline of the reign of frosts and snows.

The Indians, to whom the rising of the sap in its capillary vessels in

the rock-maple is the sign of a sort of carnival, are now in the midst

of their season of sugar-making. It is one of their old customs to move,

men, women, children, and dogs, to their accustomed sugar-forests about

the 20th of March. Besides the quantity of maple-sugar that all eat,

which bears no small proportion to all that is made, some of them sell a

quantity to the merchants. Their name for this species of tree is

In-in-au-tig, which means man-tree.

_April 5th_. PEACE POLICY.--The agent from La Pointe, in Lake Superior,

writes: "My expressman from the Fond du Lac arrived on the 31st of last

month, by whom I learned that the Leech Lake Indians were unsuccessful

in their war excursion last fall, not having met with their enemies, the

Sioux, and I trust my communication with Mr. Aitkin will be in time to

check parties that may be forming in the spring.

"The state of the Indians throughout the country is generally in a

critical way of starvation, the wild-rice crops and bear-hunts having

completely failed last fall."

_21st_. REVIVAL OF RELIGION AT MACKINAC.--My brother James, who crossed

the country on snow-shoes, writes: "Mr. Stuart, Satterlee, Mitchell,

Miss N. Dousman, Aitken, and some twenty others, have joined Ferry's

church." This may be considered as the crowning point of the Reverend

Mr. Ferry's labors at that point. This gentleman, if I mistake not, came

up in the same steamer with me seven years ago. It is seed--seed

literally sown in the wilderness, and reaped in the wilderness.

_29th_. MONEY CRISIS.--"The fact is," says a person high in power, "the

fiscal concerns of the department have come to a dead stand, and nothing

remains but to ascertain the arrearages, and pay them up. You well know

how all this has happened (by diversions and misappropriations of the

funds at Washington). Such management you can form no conception of.

There will be, during the year, a thorough change.

"I was glad to see your article. It is an able, and temperate, and

practical view of the subject (_N.A.R._, Ap. 1829), grossly exaggerated,

and grossly misunderstood."

_May 19th_. IDEA OF LAKE TIDES.--Maj. W. writes: "If you see _Silliman's

Journal_, you will observe an article on the subject of the _Lake

Tides_, as Gen. Dearborn calls them, in which he has inserted some hasty

letters I wrote to him on this subject, without, however, ever expecting

to see them in such a respectable guise. The Governor made some more

extended observations at Green Bay. If you can give anything more

definite in relation to the changes of Lake Superior, pray let me have a

letter, and we will try to spread before Mr. Silliman a better view of

the case. I have no idea that anything in the shape, of a tide exists,

The Governor is of the same opinion."

To these opinions I can merely add, Amen. It requires more exactitude of

observation than falls to the lot of casual observers, to upset the

conclusions of known laws and phenomena.

_26th_. NEW INDIAN CODE.--Mr. Wing, the delegate in Congress, forwards

to me a printed copy of the report of laws proposed for the Indian

department. It denotes much labor on the part of the two gentlemen who

have had it in hand, and will be productive of improvement. I should

have liked a bolder course, and not so careful a respect all along, for

what has previously been done. Congress requires, sometimes, to be

instructed, or informed, and not to be copied in its attempts to manage

Indian, affairs.

Every paper brings accounts of removals and appointments under the new

administration; but nothing, so far as I can judge, that promises much,

in this way, of material benefit to Indian affairs. The department at

head-quarters has been, so far as respects fiscal questions, wretchedly

managed, and is over head and ears in debt, and the result of all this

mal-administration is visited on the frontiers, in the bitter want of

means for the agents, sub-agents, and mechanics, and interpreters, who

are obliged to be either suspended, or put on short allowance.

Doubtless, Gen. Jackson, who is a man of high purpose, would remedy this

thing, if the facts were laid before him.

_30th_. MASONRY.--It has recently been discovered, that there is a

hidden danger in this ancient fraternity, and that society has been all

the while sitting, as it were, on the top of a volcano, liable, at any

moment, to burst. Such, at least, appear to be the views of some

politicians, who have seized upon the foolish and apparently _criminal

acts_ of some lack-wits in western New York, to make it a new political

element for demagogues to ride. Already it has reached these hitherto

quiet regions, and zealots are now busy by conventions, and anxious in

hurrying candidates up to the point. "Anti-masonic" is the word, a kind

of "shibboleth" for those who are to cross the political "fords" of the

new Jordan.

_June 1st_. MISSIONARY LABORS AMONG THE INDIANS.--There are evidently

some defects in the system. There is too much expended for costly

buildings, and the formation of a kind of literary institutes of much

too high a grade, where some few of the Indians are withdrawn and very

expensively supported, and undergo a sort of incarceration for a time,

and are then sent back to the bosom of the tribes, with the elements of

the knowledge of letters and history, which their parents and friends

are utterly unable to appreciate, and which they, in fact, ridicule. The

instructed youth is soon discouraged, and they most commonly fall back

into habits worse than before, and end their course by inebriety, while

the body of the tribe is nowise bettered. Whatever the defects are,

there are certainly some things to amend in our measures and

general policy.

Mr. Stevens and Mr. Coe, both missionaries, have recently been appointed

to visit the Indian country, with the object of observing whether some

less expensive and more general effort to instruct and benefit the body

of the tribes, cannot be made. The latter has a commentatory letter to

this end, from Gen. Jackson, dated the 19th of March, which denotes an

interest on this topic that argues favorably of his views of

moral things.

"The true system of converting the Indians was, it is apprehended,

adopted by David Brainerd in 1744. He took the Bible, and declared its

truths with simplicity and earnestness in the Indian villages. There was

no preparation of buildings or outlays. In one year he had gathered a

church of pure believers. Their manners immediately reformed; they

became industrious and cleanly, and built houses, and schools, and

tilled the land. All this was a _consequence_, and not a _cause_ of

Christianity." [58]

[Footnote 58: Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 10.]

_2d_. A friend writes: "I believe the literary world is rather lazy just

at this time; at least nothing novel, except words, has reached my eye.

Your _Literary Voyager_ has lately been traveling the rounds amongst

your friends."

_12th_. COPPER MINES.--A private letter, from a high quarter, says:

"Col. Benton's bill, respecting the copper mines, which passed Congress,

only provided for permission being granted to individuals to work them

at their own expense. There is no intention of doing anything on public

account." This, it will be perceived, was the view presented (ante) by

Mr. Dox, in his able letter to me on the subject, several years ago.

Congress will not authorize the working of the mines. It is a matter for

private enterprize.