CHAPTER III.

_Character of the St. Croix.—Its productiveness in wild rice.—Population and trade.—Condition of the Indians, and their prospect.—Portage to the Burntwood.—Marine sand formation.—Bass lake.—Character of the Burntwood river.—Arrival at its discharge into Fond du Lac of Lake Superior.—Indian friends.—Close of the Narrative.—Brief general remarks on the condition of the Chippewas.—Traits of character and government.—The institution of the Totem.—Tale of the origin of White Fish._

On entering lake St. Croix we were favored with a fair wind, and made use of our sails in passing it. As we approached its head, we found the swell formidable, but were able, nevertheless, to keep the lake. We debarked, on a marshy margin at its head, being the commencement of the portage to the Brulé. As the river St. Croix has its origin here, a few general remarks on its geographical features, may be subjoined.—This stream is an important tributary to the Upper Mississippi, originating on elevated grounds, and consequently, having a rapid mean descent. Although not remarkable for its length, its waters spread in a lateral line, an unusual distance. It has many tributaries, connecting it, on the north, with Rum river, on the south, with Chippewa river, and towards the east with the Mauvais and the Brulé rivers of Lake Superior. The main channel may be estimated, by its windings, at two hundred miles. The length of its Namakagon fork, is estimated to be one hundred and seventy miles, while that of its northern branch does not probably exceed sixty-five miles. Both branches, together with its lower tributaries, and their numerous lakes, yield the northern rice plant. The abundance of the plant, has led to the local term of the Folle Avoine country, a name by which it is particularly known in the transactions of the Fur Trade.

It has a comparatively mild climate, and rich soil, and in addition to the small fur bearing animals, on the sale of which the Indians rely for their woollens, arms, and ammunition; it affords the spontaneous means of subsistence, more fully, perhaps, than most other parts of the northwest regions. Its present aggregate population has been estimated the present year, at eight hundred and ninety-five, say nine hundred souls, numbering those only who are permanently located in its valley.—What quantity of furs and peltries is annually got from it, and what amount of Indian goods are required to pay for them, are questions which might be ascertained, with general accuracy, by consulting official records. But it is sufficient for the purposes of moral enquiry, to remark, that both the supplies and the returns, are less than they were in former years, and that there is a declension in the trade, which must at length produce a migration of the Indians, or induce them to become agriculturists. The fate that has overtaken other tribes, enjoying a more southerly position, must inevitably overtake these bands. And the period will probably arrive earlier, than it might be anticipated. They occupy a portion of the Mississippi valley, which is adapted for agriculture. Many parts of it, possess a rich soil, and are well timbered. Other portions are prairie land, suited for pasturage. Its most arid tracts abound in pine, and there is hardly a stream, of its many tributaries which does not afford numerous eligible seats for saw and grist mills. Hunting seems the only occupation, which cannot be a permanent one. But,

“While thus the chase declines, and herds depart, And heaven in prospect, dooms his favorite art, No care of lands or flocks prepares his mind, To mend his fortunes, and to save his kind.”

The portage from the St. Croix to the Burntwood, begins at the head of (the Upper) lake St. Croix. It lies over an elevated sandy pine ridge, which divides the two streams. The distance which the canoes and packages require to be carried, is 3,350 yards, or nearly two miles. On the left hand, in carrying from the St. Croix, there is a deep tamerac valley, which is said to afford the head springs of both streams. On the right, is seen, at some distance, a small lake, which is stated to yield the black bass, and to have no outlet. Its existence in a sand formation, indicates perhaps, coral rag, hardpan, or some firmer material below. This sand is apparently of marine deposition, and agrees, in this respect, with the extensive formations at the sources of the Mississippi.

The goods after being carried this distance, are put down, on the banks of a sandy bottomed brook of very clear cold water, overhung with alders. Any other person, but one who had become familiar with northwest portages, would be apt to say, on being ushered to this secluded spot, “well, this is certainly an eligible spot to quench one’s thirst at, but as for embarking on this rill, with a canoe and baggage, the thing seems to be preposterous.” And so it certainly appeared, on our arrival.—There was not an average depth of water of more than two to four inches. But by going some distance below, and damming the stream, it rose in a short time, high enough to float a canoe, with a part of its lading. The men walking in the stream, then led the canoes, cutting away the brush to veer them, and carrying such parts of the lading as could not, from time to time, be embarked. We did not begin the descent, till six o’clock, in the evening, and went about a mile during the first hour and a half. It then became so dark, that it was necessary to encamp. And to encamp in such a place, seemed impossible. We could not, however, hesitate. There was no alternative, we could neither advance nor recede, and we were surrounded with a shaking bog. We slept on a kind of bog, which the men, call _têtes des femmes_. Some rain fell during the night, but we were happily relieved from the fear of inundation, by the showers passing off. The next morning brought with it, a resumption of the toil of the evening. Tho canoes were sent on entirely empty. All the baggage was carried about a mile, at which distance the stream is perhaps doubled in width, and more than doubled in depth. The next mile rendering the going quite easy. At this point, say three miles from the portage, we embarked all our baggage, and after this, found no want of water, till we came to the rapids. These, commence about twenty-four miles below the portage, and they extend with intervals of smooth water, “few and far between,” to within three or four miles of the point of the entrance of the river, into Lake Superior. The entire length of this river may be estimated at one hundred miles, more than eighty miles of this distance consists of rapids. It has been said that there are two hundred and forty distinct rapids. At most of these, there is several feet fall. At some of them eight to ten feet. Four of them require portages of short extent. Six or seven hundred feet would not appear to be an extravagant estimate for the entire fall. The river itself is a perfect torrent; often on looking down its channel, there are wreaths of foam constituting a brilliant vista, overhung with foliage. It would never be used at all, for the purposes of the trade, were it not, that there is much water on the rapids, so that experienced men can conduct loaded canoes both up and down them. The river might appropriately be called Rapid, or Mad River, or almost any thing else, but by its popular name of _Brulé_. This is, in fact, rather a departure, than a derivative from the Indian, Wisákoda, i. e. burnt-pines, or burnt-wood, in allusion to a signal destruction of its pine forests, by fire. We were two days, and part of an evening, in effecting the descent, and regained our outward track, at the point of its discharge into the Fond du Lac of lake Superior. We reached this point on the fourth of August, late at night, having gone later than usual, from the fact of finding ourselves below the rapids, and consequently knowing that we must be near the lake. Our first certain indication of our proximity to it, was, however, given by hearing the monotonous thump of an Indian drum. We soon after came in sight of camp fires, with Indian forms passing before them.—And we found ourselves, on landing, in the midst of former Indian acquaintances. Among them were Mongazid (Loon’s Foot,) the second Chief of Fond du Lac, and Chamees, (Pouncing Hawk,) a young man who had first recommended himself to notice in 1820, by guiding a part of Governor Cass’ expedition above the Knife Portage, and who evinced the same disposition, during the forepart of the present summer, by acting as a guide to the party, between Fond du Lac and Sandy Lake. We were pleased on observing the military boat, used by Lieutenant Allen on the lake, safely moored, with its sails and tackle, within the mouth of the river, having been brought down, agreeably to promise, by Mongazid, who had faithfully remained in charge of it.

The day following, being the Sabbath, was spent at this place. And the narrative of our route from the Mississippi, may here be appropriately closed. Some remarks arising from observations on the condition of the Indians, among whom we have passed, it may be proper to add; but from the little leisure we can command, they are necessarily few and brief.

The Chippewas are spread over a very large area in the north, divided into local bands, and separated by extensive tracts which are, in great part, sterile. They are not fixed in their habitations at any point, during the whole of the year, being compelled to go in search of the game, fish, and other spontaneous productions, on which they depend. The space which each band periodically traverses, in this effort, is extensive, and subjects them to casualties, which they would otherwise escape. Their condition is still further imbittered by hostilities with the Sioux tribes, who occupy the whole line of their western frontier. They cover the entire north-western angle of the United States, extending down the Mississippi valley on both banks, as low as the Wadub, being the first stream above Sac river. At this point their territorial line crosses from the west to the east banks of the Mississippi, pursuing a southerly course, at the distance of about forty miles from it, until it intersects the lands of the Winnebagoes, north of the Wisconsin. This portion of the territory affords decidedly the largest and best body of farming lands in their possession, and will, probably, hereafter yield them, either by the proceeds of its sale, or cultivation, a more sure reliance at a period when the land becomes divested of game. The climate of this area is comparatively mild, and the Indians who inhabit it, notwithstanding their partial losses from wars, have evidently increased in population. They might be concentrated here, could the agricultural be substituted for the hunter life—a result which may be expected to follow, but cannot in any reasonable estimate be expected to precede, their conversion to christianity.

This tribe offer no prominent obstacles to the introduction of the gospel. We have before adverted to the slender frame work of their native religion, which seems to be made up, primarily of certain superstitious ceremonies, winding themselves about the subject of medicine. It appears to occupy that void in the barbaric mind, which the soothsayers and magii of other lands, pressed forward, in the absence of revelation, to fill. But we do not know that the ritual has any striking features in common. The principal obstacle which missionaries will have to contend with, is a want of the knowledge of their language. And to surmount this is a labor which they cannot too early begin nor too zealously persevere in. The language itself, as we have before indicated, (vide Chap. X.) presents a copious vocabulary, and is capable of being made the medium of religious instruction. It has some defects which will require to be supplied, and some redundancies which will demand curtailment, when it comes to be written. But they offer very slight obstacles to oral communication. It is obviously better suited to convey narrative than disquisitive matter. And has been so long applied to corporeal objects, that it requires caution and a familiar knowledge of its idioms, in the conveyance of intellectual and still more of spiritual conceptions.

In mere externals, the Chippewas are not essentially different from other tribes of the Algonquin stock in the western country. And the points in which a difference holds, may be supposed to have been, for the most part, the effects of a more ungenial climate. They are, to a less extent than most of the tribes, cultivators of the soil, and more exclusively hunters and warriors. Living in a portion of the continent, remarkable for the number of its large and small lakes, they find a common resource in fish, and along with this, enjoy the advantage of reaping the wild rice.

Their government has been deemed a paradox, at the same time exercising, and too feeble to exercise power. But it is not more paradoxical than all patriarchal governments, which have their tie in filial affection, and owe their weakness to versatility of opinion. War and other public calamities bring them together, while prosperity drives them apart. They rally on public danger, with wonderful facility, and they disperse with equal quickness. All their efforts are of the partizan, popular kind. And if these do not succeed they are dispirited. There is nothing in their institutions and resources suited for long continued, steady exertion.

The most striking trait in their moral history is the institution of the Totem—a sign manual, by which the affiliation of families is traced, agreeing, more exactly, perhaps, than has been supposed, with the armorial bearings of the feudal ages. And this institution is kept up, with a feeling of importance, which it is difficult to account for. An Indian, as is well known, will tell his specific name with great reluctance, but his generic or family name—in other words, his _Totem_, he will declare without hesitation, and with an evident feeling of pride.

None of our tribes have proceeded further than the first rude steps in hieroglyphic writing. And it is a practice in which the Chippewas are peculiarly expert. No part of their country can be visited without bringing this trait into prominent notice. Every path has its blazed and figured trees, conveying intelligence to all who pass, for all can read and understand these signs. They are taught to the young as carefully as our alphabet, with the distinction, however, that hieroglyphic writing, is the prerogative of the males. These devices are often traced on sheets of birch bark attached to poles. They are traced on war-clubs, on canoe paddles, bows or gun stocks. They are often drawn on skins, particularly those used as back dresses, by warriors. They have also other hieroglyphic modes of communicating information, by poles with knots of grass attached to them, or rings of paint. and often by antlers, or animals’ heads suspended by the banks of rivers.

The following tale is added as an example of the kind of imaginative lore indicated by it.

ORIGIN OF THE WHITE-FISH.

In ancient times when the Indians were better than they now are, when their laws were enforced by the chiefs, and when every crime was promptly punished, there lived a noted hunter and a just man, at a remote point on the north shore of Lake Superior. He had a wife and two sons, who were usually left in the lodge, while he went out in quest of the animals upon whose flesh they subsisted. As game was then abundant, his exertions were well rewarded, and he lived in the enjoyment of every blessing. But there was at this time a venom preparing for his heart, which was not the less poisonous, because it was for a time kept in secret. His two little sons had observed the visits of a neighboring hunter, during the absence of their father, and they ventured to remonstrate with their mother on the propriety of receiving clandestine visits, but she was in no temper to be reasoned with. She rebuked them sharply, and finally, on their intimation of disclosing the secret, threatened to kill them if they made any disclosure They were frightened into silence. But observing the continuance of an improper intercourse, kept up by stealth as it were, they resolved at last to disclose the whole matter to their father. The result was such as might be anticipated. The father being satisfied with the infidelity of his wife, took up a war club at a moment when he was not perceived, and with a single blow despatched the object of his jealousy. He then buried her under the ashes of his fire, took down his lodge, and removed to a distant position.

But the spirit of the woman haunted the children who were now grown up to the estate of young men. She appeared to them in the shadows of evening. She terrified them in dreams. She harassed their imaginations wherever they went, so that their life was a life of perpetual terrors. They resolved to leave the country, and commenced a journey of many days towards the south. They at length came to the Poiwateeg falls. (St. Mary’s.) But they had no sooner come in sight of these falls, than they beheld the skull of the woman (their mother) rolling along the beach after them. They were in the utmost fear, and knew not what to do, to elude her, when one of them observed a large crane sitting on a rock in the rapids. They called out to the bird. “See, Grandfather, we are persecuted by a spirit. Come and take us across the falls so that we may escape her.”

This crane was a bird of extraordinary size and great age. And when first descried by the two sons, sat in a state of stupor, in the midst of the most violent eddies of the foaming water. When he heard himself addressed, he stretched forth his neck, with great deliberation, and then raising himself on his wings flew across to their assistance. “Be careful” said the crane, “that you do not touch the back part of my head. It is sore, and should you press against it, I shall not be able to avoid throwing you both into the rapids.” They were, however, attentive on this point, and were both safely landed on the south side of the river. The crane then resumed its former position in the rapids.

But the skull now cried out. “Come Grandfather and carry me over, for I have lost my children, and am sorely distressed.” The aged bird flew to her assistance, but carefully repeated his injunction, that she must by no means touch the back part of his head, which had been hurt, and was not yet healed. She promised to obey, but she soon felt a curiosity to know, where the head of her carrier had been hurt, and how so aged a bird could have acquired such a bad wound. She thought it strange, and before they were half way over the rapids, could not resist the inclination she felt to touch the affected part. Instantly the crane threw her into the rapids. The skull floated down from rock to rock, striking violently against their hard edges, until it was battered to fragments, and the sons were thus happily and effectually relieved from their tormentor. But the brains of the woman, when the skull was dashed against the rocks, fell into the water, in the form of small white roes, which soon assumed the shape of a novel kind of fish, possessing a whiteness of color peculiar to itself; and these rapids have ever since been well stocked with this new and delicious species of fish.

The sons meantime took up their permanent abode at these Falls, becoming the progenitors of the present tribe, and in gratitude to their deliverer adopted the Crane[25] as their Totem.

APPENDIX.

I. NATURAL HISTORY.

APPENDIX.

1. LIST OF SHELLS COLLECTED BY MR. SCHOOLCRAFT, IN THE WESTERN AND NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORY.

BY WILLIAM COOPER.

HELIX.

1. HELIX ALBOLABRIS, _Say_. Near Lake Michigan.

2. HELIX ALTERNATA, _Say_. Banks of the Wabash, near and above the Tippecanoe. Mr. Say remarks, that these two species, so common in the Atlantic states, were not met with in Major Long’s second expedition, until their arrival in the secondary country at the eastern extremity of Lake Superior.

PLANORBIS.

3. PLANORBIS CAMPANULATUS, _Say_. Itasca (or La Biche) Lake, the source of the Mississippi.

4. PLANORBIS TRIVOLVIS, _Say_. Lake Michigan. These two species were also observed by Mr. Say, as far east as the Falls of Niagara.

LYMNEUS.

5. LYMNEUS UMBROSUS, _Say_. Am. Con. iv. pl. xxxi. fig. 1. Lake Winnipec, Upper Mississippi, and Rainy Lake.

6. LYMNEUS REFLEXUS, _Say_. 1. c. pl. xxxi. fig. 2. Rainy Lake, Seine River, and Lake Winnipec.

7. LYMNEUS STAGNALIS. Lake a la Crosse, Upper Mississippi.

PALUDINA.

8. PALUDINA PONDEROSA, _Say_. Wisconsin River.

9. PALUDINA VIVIPARA, _Say_. Am. Con. i. pl. x. The American specimens of this shell are more depressed than the European, but appear to be identical in species.

MELANIA.

10. MELANIA VIRGINICA, _Say_. Lake Michigan.

ANODONTA.

11. ANODONTA CATARACTA, _Say_. Chicago, Lake Michigan. This species, Mr. Lea remarks, has a great geographical extension.

12. ANODONTA CORPULENTA, _Nobis_. Shell thin and fragile, though less so than others of the genus; much inflated at the umbones, margins somewhat compressed; valves connate over the hinge in perfect specimens; surface dark brown, in old shells; in younger, of a pale dingy green, and without rays, in all I have examined; beaks slightly undulated at tip. The color within is generally of a livid coppery hue, but sometimes, also, pure white.

Length of a middling sized specimen, four and a half inches, breadth, six and a quarter. It is often eighteen inches in circumference, round the border of the valves, with a diameter through the umbones of three inches. Inhabits the Upper Mississippi, from Prairie du Chien to Lake Pepin.

This fine shell, much the largest I have seen of the genus, was first sent by Mr. Schoolcraft, to the Lyceum, several years ago. So far as I am able to discover, it is undescribed, and a distinct and remarkable species. It may be known by its length being greater in proportion to its breadth than in the other American species, by the subrhomboidal form of the posterior half, and, generally, by the color of the nacre, though this is not to be relied on. It appears to belong to the genus SYMPHYNOTA of Mr. Lea.

ALASMODONTA.

13. ALASMODONTA COMPLANATA, _Barnes_. SYMPHYNOTA COMPLANATA, _Lea_. Shell Lake, River St. Croix, Upper Mississippi. Many species of shells found in this lake grow to an extraordinary size. Some of the present collected by Mr. Schoolcraft, measure nineteen inches in circumference.

14. ALASMODONTAB RUGOSA, _Barnes._ St. Croix River, and Lake Vaseux, St. Mary’s River.

15. ALASMODONTA MARGINATA, _Say_. Lake Vaseux, St. Mary’s River: very large.

16. ALASMODONTA EDENTULA? _Say._ ANODON AREOLATUS? _Swainson._ Lake Vaseux. The specimens of this shell are too old and imperfect to be safely determined.

UNIO.

17. UNIO TUBERCULATUS, _Barnes_. Painted Rock, Upper Mississippi.

18. UNIO PUSTULOSUS, _Lea_. Upper Mississippi, Prairie du Chien, to Lake Pepin.

19. UNIO VERRUCOSUS, _Barnes_, _Lea_. St. Croix River of the Upper Mississippi.

20. UNIO PLICATUS, _Le Sueur_, _Say_. Prairie du Chien, and River St. Croix.

The specimens of U. PLICATUS sent from this locality by Mr. Schoolcraft have the nacre beautifully tinged with violet, near the posterior border of the shell, and are also much more ventricose them those found in more eastern localities, as Pittsburgh, for example; at the same time, I believe them to be of the same species. Similar variations are observed in other species; the specimens from the south and west generally exhibiting a greater development.

21. UNIO TRIGONUS, _Lea_. From the same locality as the last, and like it unusually ventricose.

22. UNIO EBENUS, _Lea_. Upper Mississippi, between Prairie du Chien and Lake Pepin.

23. UNIO GIBBOSUS, _Barnes_. St. Croix River, Upper Mississippi.

24. UNIO RECTUS, _Lamarck_. U. PRÆLONGUS, _Barnes_. Upper Mississippi, from Prairie du Chien to Lake Pepin, and the River St. Croix. The specimens collected by Mr. Schoolcraft, vary much in the color of the nacre. Some have it entirely white, others, rose purple, and others entirely of a very fine dark salmon color. This species inhabits the St. Lawrence as far east as Montreal.

25. UNIO SILIQUOIDEUS, _Barnes_, and U. INFLATUS, _Barnes_. Upper Mississippi, between Prairie du Chien and Lake Pepin. Large, ponderous, and the epidermis finely rayed.

26. UNIO COMPLANATUS, _Lea_. U. PURPUREUS, _Say_. Lake Vaseux, St. Mary’s River. Lake Vaseux is an expansion of the River St. Mary, a tributary of the upper lakes. This shell does not appear to exist in any of the streams flowing into the Mississippi.

27. UNIO CRASSUS, _Say_. Upper Mississippi, Prairie du Chien.

28. UNIO RADIATUS, _Barnes_. Lake Vaseux. The specimen is old and imperfect, but I believe it to be the U. RADIATUS of our conchologists, which is common in Lake Champlain and also inhabits the St. Lawrence.

29. UNIO OCCIDENS, _Lea_. U. VENTRICOSUS, _Say_, Am. Con. U. VENTRICOSUS, _Barnes_? Wisconsin and St. Croix Rivers, and Shell Lake. Epidermis variously colored, and marked with numerous rays.

30. UNIO VENTRICOSUS, _Barnes_. Upper Mississippi, from Prairie du Chien to Lake Pepin and Shell Lake. The varieties of this, and the preceding pass insensibly into each other. Those from Shell Lake are of extraordinary size.

31. UNIO ALATUS, _Say_. SYMPHYNOTA ALATA, _Lea_. Upper Mississippi, and Shell Lake. Found also in Lake Champlain, by the late Mr. Barnes.

32. UNIO GRACILIS, _Barnes_. SYMPHYNOTA GRACILIS, _Lea_. Upper Mississippi, and Shell Lake. The specimens brought by Mr. Schoolcraft are larger and more beautiful than I have seen from any other locality.

2. LOCALITIES OF MINERALS OBSERVED IN THE NORTHWEST IN 1831 AND 1832.

BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

CLASS I. _Bodies not metallic, containing an acid._

1. CALCAREOUS SPAR. Keweena Point, Lake Superior. Imbedded in small globular masses, in the trap rock; also forming veins in the same formation. Some of the masses break into rhombic forms, and possess a certain but not perfect degree of transparency; others are opaque, or discolored by the green carbonate of copper. Also in the trap rock between Fond du Lac and Old Grand Portage, Lake Superior, in perfect, transparent rhombs, exhibiting the property of double refraction. Also, at the lead mines, in Iowa county, in the marly clay formation, often exhibiting imperfect prisms, variously truncated.

2. CALCAREOUS TUFA. Mouth of the River Brulé, of Lake Superior. In small, friable, broken masses, in the diluvial soil. Also, in the gorge below the Falls of St. Anthony. In detached, vesicular masses, amidst debris.

3. COMPACT CARBONATE OF LIME. In the calcareous cliffs of horizontal formation, commencing at the Falls of St. Anthony. Carboniferous.

4. SEPTARIA. In the reddish clay soil, between Montreal River, and Lapointe, Lake Superior.

5. GYPSUM. In the sandstone rock at the Point of Grand Sable West, Lake Superior. In orbicular masses, firmly imbedded. Not abundant. Granular, also imperfectly foliated.

6. CARBONATE OF MAGNESIA. Serpentine rock, at Presque Isle, Lake Superior. Compact.

7. HYDRATE OF MAGNESIA? With the preceding.

CLASS II. _Earthy compounds, amorphous or crystalline._

8. COMMON QUARTZ. Huron Islands, Lake Superior, also the adjoining coast. In very large veins or beds. White, opaque.

9. GRANULAR QUARTZ. Falls of Peckagama, Upper Mississippi. In situ.

10. SMOKY QUARTZ. In the trap rock Keweena Point, Lake Superior, crystallized. In connection with amethystine quartz.

11. AMETHYST. With the preceding. Also, at the Pic Bay, and at Gargontwa, north shore of Lake Superior, in the trap rock, in perfect crystals of various intensity of color.

12. CHALCEDONY. Keweena Point, Lake Superior. In globular or orbicular masses, in amygdaloid rock. Often, in detached masses along the shores.

13. CARNELIAN. With the preceding.

14. HORNSTONE. In detached masses, very hard, on the shores of Lake Superior. Also, at Dodgeville, Iowa county, Mich. Ter. in fragments or nodular masses in the clay soil.

15. JASPER. In the preceding locality. Common and striped, exceedingly difficult of being acted on, by the wheel. Not observed in situ.

16. AGATE. Imbedded in the trap rocks of Lake Superior, and also detached, forming a constituent of its detritus. Variously colored. Often made up of alternate layers of chalcedony, carnelian, and cacholong. Sometimes zoned, or in fortification points. Specimens not taken from the rock are not capable of being scratched by quartz or flint, and are incapable of being acted on by the file; consequently _harder_ than any of the described species.

17. CYANITE. Specimens of this mineral, in flat, six-sided prisms imbedded in a dark primitive rock, were brought out from Lac du Flambeau outlet, where the rock is described as existing in situ. The locality has not been visited, but there are facts brought to light within the last two or three years, to justify the extension of the primitive to that section of country.

18. PITCHSTONE. A detached mass of this mineral, very black and lava-like, was picked up in the region of Lake Superior, where the volcanic mineral, trachyte, is common among the rolled masses. Neither of these substances have been observed in situ.

19. MICA. Huron Islands, Lake Superior. In granite.

20. SCHORL. Common. Outlet of Lac du Flambeau. Also, in a detached mass of primitive rock at Green Bay.

21. FELDSPAR. Porcupine mountains, Lake Superior.

22. BASALT. Amorphous. Granite Point, Lake Superior.

23. STILBITE. Amygdaloid rock, Keweena Point, Lake Superior.

24. ZEOLITE. Mealy. With the preceding.

25. ZEOLITE. Radiated. Lake Superior. This mineral consists of fibres, so delicate and firmly united as to appear almost compact, radiating from a centre. Some of the masses produced by this radiation, measure 2.5 inches in diameter. They are of a uniform, pale, yellowish red. This mineral has not been traced in situ, being found in detached masses of rock, and sometimes as water-worn portions of radii. Its true position would seem to be the trap rock.

26. ASBESTOS. Presque Isle, Lake Superior. In the serpentine formation.

27. HORNBLENDE. Very abundant as a constituent of the primitive rocks on the Upper Mississippi, and in the basin of Lake Superior. Often in distinct crystals.

28. DIALLAGE, GREEN. Lake Superior. In detached masses, connected with primitive boulders. _Harder_ than the species.

29. SERPENTINE, COMMON. Presque Isle, Lake Superior.

30. SERPENTINE, PRECIOUS. With the preceding. Color a light pistachio green, and takes a fine polish. Exists in veins in the common variety.

31. PSEUDOMORPHOUS SERPENTINE. With the preceding. This beautiful green mineral constitutes a portion of the veins of the precious serpentine. Its crystalline impressions are very distinct.

32. ARGILLITE. River St. Louis, northwest of Lake Superior. Nearly vertical in its position.

CLASS III. _Combustibles._

33. PEAT. Marine sand formation composing the shore of Lake Superior, between White-fish Point and Grand Marrais. Also, on the island of Michilimackinac.

CLASS IV. _Ores and Metals._

34. NATIVE COPPER. West side of Keweena Point, Lake Superior. Imbedded in a vein with carbonate of copper, and copper black, in the trap rock.

35. COPPER BLACK. With the preceding.

36. CARBONATE OF COPPER, GREEN. With the preceding.

These two minerals (35 and 36) characterize the trap rock of the peninsula of Keweena, Lake Superior, from Montreal Bay, extending to, and around its extremity, west, to Sand-hill Bay. The entire area may be estimated to comprise a rocky, serrated coast of about seventy-five miles in length, and not to exceed seven or eight miles in width. The principal veins are at a point called _Roche Verd_, and along the coast which we refer to as the Black Rocks. At the latter, native copper is one of the constituents of the vein.

Green and blue carbonate of copper, was also observed in limited quantity, in small rounded masses at one of the lead diggings near Mineral Point, Iowa county.

38. CHROMATE OF IRON. Presque Isle, Lake Superior.

39. SULPHURET OF LEAD. Lead mines of Iowa county, Michigan Territory.

40. EARTHY CARBONATE OF LEAD. Brigham’s mine, Iowa county, Mich. Ter. Also, in small masses, of a yellowish white, dirty color, and great comparative weight, at several of the lead mines (diggings) in the more westerly and southern parts of the county.

3. LOCALITIES OF PLANTS COLLECTED IN THE NORTH-WESTERN EXPEDITIONS OF 1831 AND 1832.

BY DOUGLASS HOUGHTON, M. D. SURGEON TO THE EXPEDITIONS.

The localities of the following plants are transcribed from a catalogue kept during the progress of the expeditions, and embrace many plants common to our country, which were collected barely for the purpose of comparison. A more detailed account will be published at some future day.

_Aster tenuifolius_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. “ _sericea_, Nuttall. River de Corbeau, Missouri Ter. “ _loevis?_ Willdenow. St. Croix River, Northwest Ter. “ _concolor_, Willdenow. Fox River, Northwest Ter. “ (_N. Spec._) Sources of Yellow River, Northwest Ter. _Andropogon furcatus_, Willdenow. do. _Alopecurus geniculatus_, Linneus. Sault Ste Marie, M. T. _Aira flexuosa._ Sault Ste Marie, M. T. _Allium tricoccum_, Aiton. Ontonagon River of Lake Superior. “ _cernuum_, Roth. River de Corbeau to the sources of the Miss. “ (_N. Spec._) St. Louis River of Lake Superior. _Amorpha canescens_, Nuttall. Upper Mississippi. _Artemesia canadensis_, Mx. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. “ _sericea_, Nuttall. Keweena Point, Lake Superior. “ _gnaphaloides_, Nuttall. Fox River, Northwest Ter. _Arabis hirsuta_, De Candolle. Upper Mississippi. “ _lyrata_, Linn. Lake Superior to the source of the Miss. _Arundo canadensis_, Mx. Lake Superior. _Arenaria lateriflora_, Linn. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Alnus glauca_, Mx. St. Croix River to the sources of the Miss. _Alliona albida_, Walter. Yellow River, Northwest Ter. _Aronia sanguinea._ Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Alectoria jubata._ do. _Aletris farinosa._ Prairies of Michigan Ter. _Bidens beckii_, Torrey. St. Croix River to the sources of the Miss. _Bunias maritima_, Willdenow. Lake Michigan. _Baptisia coerulea_, Michaux. Fox River, Northwest Ter. _Blitum capitatum._ Northwest Ter. _Betula papyracea_, Willdenow. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Betula glandulosa._ Savannah River, Northwest Ter. _Bartramia fontana._ Lake Superior. _Bromus canadensis_, Michaux. Upper Mississippi. _Batschia canescens._ Plains of the Mississippi. “ “ Var. (or _N. Spec._) Lake Superior. _Carex paucifolia._ Sault Ste Marie. Mich. Ter. “ _scirpoides_, Schkuhr. do. “ _limosa_, Linn. do. “ _curata_, Gmelin. do. “ (apparently _N. Spec._ allied to _C. scabrata_.) Sources of the Miss. “ _washingtoniana_, Dewy. Lake Superior. “ _lacustris_, Willdenow. do. “ _oedere_, Ehrhart. Leech Lake. “ _logopodioides_, Schkuhr. Savannah River, Northwest Ter. “ _rosea_, Var. Lake Superior. “ _festucacea_, Schkuhr. St. Louis River of Lake Superior. _Cyperus mariscoides_, Elliott. Upper Mississippi. “ _alterniflorus_, Schwinitz. River St. Clair, Mich. Ter. _Cnicus pitcheri_, Torrey. Lakes Michigan and Superior. _Coreopsis palmata_, Nuttall. Prairies of the Upper Mississippi. _Cardamine pratensis._ Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Calamagrostis coarctata_, Torrey. Lake Winnipec. _Cetraria icelandica._ Lakes Superior and Michigan. _Corydalis aurea_, Willdenow. Cass Lake, Upper Mississippi. “ _glauca_, Persoon. Lake Superior. _Cynoglossum amplexicaule_, Michaux. Sault Ste Marie. _Cassia chamoecrista._ Upper Mississippi. _Corylus americana_, Walter. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. “ _rostrata_, Willdenow. do. _Cistus canadensis_, Willdenow. do. _Cornus circinata_, L’Heritier. do. _Cypripedium acaule_, Aiton. do. _Cymbidium pulchellum_, Swartz. do. _Corallorhiza multiflora_, Torrey. Lake Superior. _Convallaria borealis_, Willdenow. Lake Superior to the sources of the Mississippi. “ _trifolia_, Linn. Lake Superior. _Cenchrus echinatus_, Linn. Upper Mississippi. _Cerastium viscosum_, Linn. Lake Superior. “ _oblongifolium_, Torrey. Michigan Ter. _Campanula acuminata_, Michaux. St. Louis River of Lake Superior. _Chrysosplenium oppositifolium._ Lake Superior to the Mississippi. _Cinna arundinacea_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. _Drosera linearis_, Hooker. Lake Superior. “ _rotundifolia._ Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. “ _americana_, Muhlenberg. do. _Dracocephalum virginicum_, Willdenow. Red Cedar River, Northwest Territory. _Delphinum virescens_, Nuttall. Upper Mississippi. _Danthonia spicata_, Willdenow. Mauvais River of Lake Superior. _Dirca palustris_, Willdenow. Ontonagon River of Lake Superior. _Equisetum limosum_, Torrey. Lake Superior. “ _palustre_, Willdenow. do. “ _variegatum_, Smith. Lake Michigan. _Erigeron integrifolium_, Bigelow. Falls of Peckagama, Upper Miss. “ _purpureum_, Willdenow. do. “ (_N. Spec._) Sources of St. Croix River, Northwest Ter. “ _heterophyllum_, Var. or (_N. Spec._) do. _Eryngium aquaticum_, Jussieu. Galena, Ill. _Euphorbia corollata_, Willdenow. Red Cedar River. _Eriophorum virginicum_, Linn. Lake Superior. “ _alpinum_, Linn. do. “ _polystachyon_, Linn. do. _Empetrum nigrum_, Michaux. do. _Erysimum chiranthoides_, Linn. do. _Eriocaulon pellucidum_, Michaux, do. _Euchroma coccinea_, Willdenow. Lake Superior to the Mississippi. _Elymus striatus_, Willdenow. St. Croix River, Northwest Ter. “ _virginicus_, Linn. do. _Festuca nutans_, Willdenow. Lake Winnipec. _Glycera fluitans_, Brown. Savannah River, Northwest Ter. _Gyrophora papulosa._ Lake Superior. _Gentiana crinita_, Willdenow. Lake Michigan. _Geranium carolinianum_. Lake Superior to the Mississippi. _Galium lanceolatum_, Torrey. Red Cedar River to the Mississippi. _Gerardia pedicularis_, Fox River, Northwest Ter. “ _maratima_, Rafinesque, Lake Michigan. _Galeopsis tetrahit_, Var. Falls of St. Mary, Mich. Ter. _Gnaphalium plantaginium_, Var. Source of the Mississippi. _Goodyera pubescens_, Willdenow. Lake Superior. _Hippophae canadensis_, Willdenow. do. “ _argentea_, Pursh. do. _Hedeoma glabra_, Persoon. Lake Michigan to the sources of the Miss. _Hydropeltis purpurea_, Michaux. Northwest Ter. _Hippuris vulgaris._ Yellow River to sources of the Mississippi. _Hudsonia tomentosa_, Nuttall. Lake Superior. _Hypericum canadense._ do. “ _prolificum_, Willdenow. Lake Michigan. _Hieracium fasciculatum_, Pursh. Pukwaewa Lake, Northwest Ter. _Hierochloa borealis_, Roemer & Schultes. Lake Superior. _Holcus lanatus._ Savannah River, Northwest Ter. _Houstonia longifalia_, Willdenow. St. Louis River of Lake Superior. _Heuchera americana_, Linn. do. _Hypnum crista-castrensis._ Source of the Mississippi. _Hordeum jubatum._ Upper Red Cedar Lake. _Helianthus decapetalis._ Northwest Ter. “ _gracilis_, Torrey. Upper Lake St. Croix, Northwest Ter. _Hyssopus anisatus_, Nuttall. Upper Mississippi. _Hyssopus scrophularifolius_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. _Inula villosa_, Nuttall. Upper Mississippi. _Ilex canadensis_, Michaux. Lake Superior. _Juncus nodosus._ St. Mary’s River. “ _polycephalus_, Michaux. Lake Superior. _Koeleria nitida_, Nuttall. Lake Winnipec. _Lycopodium dendroideum_, Michaux. Lake Superior to the sources of the Mississippi. “ _annotinum_, Willdenow. do. _Lonicera hirsuta_, Eaton. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. “ _sempervirens_, Aiton. Lake Superior. _Lechea minor._ Upper Mississippi. _Linnea borealis_, Willdenow. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Lathyrus palustris._ Lake Superior. “ _decaphyllus_, Pursh. Leech Lake. “ _maritimus_, Bigelow. Lake Superior. _Lobelia kalmii_, Linneus. do. “ _claytoniana_, Michaux. Upper Mississippi. “ _puberula?_, Michaux. Yellow River, Northwest Ter. _Liatris scariosa_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. “ _cylindrica_, Michaux. do. _Lysimachia revoluta_, Nuttall. Lake Superior. “ _thyrsifolia_, Michaux, do. _Ledum latifolium_, Aiton. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Myrica gale_, Willdenow. Lake Superior. _Malva_ (_N. Spec._) Upper Mississippi. _Monarda punctata_, Linneus. Upper Mississippi. “ _oblongata_, Aiton. do. _Microstylis ophioglossoides_, Willdenow. Lac la Biche. _Myriophyllum spicatum._ Lake Superior. _Mitella cordifolia_, Lamarck. do. _Menyanthes trifoliata_, Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. _Myosotis arvensis_, Sibthorp. St. Clair River, Mich. Ter. _Nelumbium luteum_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. _Oenothere biennis_, Var. Bois Brulé River of Lake Superior. “ _serrulata_, Nuttall. Upper Mississippi. _Psoralea argophylla_, Pursh. Falls of St. Anthony. _Primula farinosa_, Var. _americana_, Torrey. Lakes Huron and Superior. “ _mistasinica_, Michaux. Keweena Point Lake Superior. _Pingwicula_ (N. Spec.) Presque Isle, Lake Superior. _Parnassia americana_, Muhlenberg. Lake Michigan. _Pedicularis gladiata_, Michaux. Fox River. _Pinus nigra_, Lambert. Lake Superior. “ _banksiana_, Lambert. Lake Superior. _Populus tremuloides_, Michaux. Northwest Ter. “ _loevigata_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. _Prunus depressa_, Pursh. Lakes Superior and Michigan. _Petalostemon violaceum_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. _Petalostemon candidum_, Willdenow. Upper Mississippi. _Potentilla tridentata_, Aiton. Lake Superior. “ _fruticosa_, Linneus. Lakes Superior and Michigan. _Pyrola uniflora._ Mauvais River of Lake Superior. _Polygonum amphibium_, Linneas. St. Croix River. “ _cilinode_, Michaux. Lake Superior. “ _articulatum_, Linneus. do. “ _coccinium_, Willdenow. St. Croix River. _Polygala polygama_, Walter. Northwest Ter. _Phlox aristata_, Michaux. Upper Mississippi. _Poa canadensis._ do. _Pentstemon gracile_, Nuttall. Upper Red Cedar Lake. “ _grandiflorum_, Nuttall. Falls of St. Anthony. _Physalis lanceolata_, Var. (or _N. Spec._) Lac la Biche. _Quercus coccinea_, Wangenheim. Upper Red Cedar Lake. “ _obtusiloba_, Michaux. Upper Mississippi. _Ranunculus filiformis_, Michaux. Falls of St. Mary, Mich. Ter. “ _pusillus_, Pursh. Mich. Ter. “ _prostratus_, Lamarck. Lake Superior to the Mississippi. “ _lacustris_, Beck & Tracy. Upper Mississippi. _Rudbeckia hirta_, Linneus. Upper Mississippi and Michigan Ter. “ _digitata_, Aiton. Upper Mississippi. _Rubus parviflorus_, Nuttall. Lake Superior to the sources of the Miss. “ _hispidus_, Linneus. Lake Superior. “ _saxatilis_, Var. canadensis, Michaux. Lake Superior. _Rosa gemella_, Willdenow. Lake Superior. “ _rubifolia_, Brown. Michigan Ter. _Ribes albinervum_, Michaux. Sources of the St. Croix River. _Saururus cernuus_, Linneus. Upper Mississippi. _Streptopus roseus_, Michaux. Lake Superior. _Sisymbrium brachycarpum_, Richardson. Lake Superior. “ _chiranthoides_, Linneus, do. _Swertia deflexa_, Smith. Bois Brulé River of Lake Superior. _Silphium terebinthinaceum_, Elliott. Michigan Territory to the Miss. “ _gummiferum._ Fox River to the Mississippi. _Stachys aspera_, Var. Michaux. Lake Superior. _Sterocaulon paschale._ do. _Struthiopteris pennsylvanica_, Willdenow. Lake Superior. _Scirpus frigetur?_ Lake of the Isles, Northwest Ter. “ _palustris_, Linneus. Lake Superior to the Mississippi. _Salix prinoides_, Pursh. Mauvais River of Lake Superior. “ _longifolia_, Muhlenberg. Upper Mississippi. _Spiraea opulifolia_, Var. tomentella, De Candolle. Lake Superior. _Sorbus americana_, Willdenow. Lake Huron to the head of Lake Superior. _Smilax rotundifolia_, Linneus. Lake Superior to the Mississippi. _Silene antirrhina_, Linneus. Lac la Biche. _Saxifraga virginiensis_, Michaux. Lake Superior. _Scutellaria ambigna_, Nuttall. Upper Mississippi. _Solidago virgaurea_, Var. _alpina_. Lake Superior. _Stipa jencea_, Nuttall. Usawa R. _Symphora racemosa_, Michaux. Source of the Miss. R. _Senecio balsamitae_, Var. Falls of Peckagama, Upper Miss. _Sagittaria heterophylla_, Pursh. Upper Miss. _Tanacetum huronensis_, Nuttall. Lakes Michigan and Superior. _Tussilago palmata_, Willdenow. Lake Michigan. _Tofeldia pubens_, Michaux. Lake Superior. _Triglochin maritimum_, Linneus. do. _Thalyctrum corynellum_, De Candolle. St. Louis River. _Triticum repens_, Linneus. Leech Lake. _Troximon virginicum_, Pursh. Lake Winnipec. _Talinum teretifolium_, Pursh. St. Croix River. _Tradescantia virginica_, Upper Miss. _Utricularia cornuta_, Michaux. Lake Superior. “ _purpurea_, Walter. Lac Chetac, N. W. Ter. _Uraspermum canadense_, Lake Superior to the Miss. _Viola lanceolata_, Linneus. Sault Ste Marie. “ _pedata_, Var, (or _N. Spec._) Lac la Biche, source of the Miss. _Virburnum oxycoccus_, Pursh. Lake Superior. “ _lentago_, do. _Vernonia novoboracensis_, Willdenow. Upper Miss. _Verbena bracteosa_, Michaux. do. “ _stricta_, Ventenat. do. _Zapania nodiflora_, Michaux. Galena, Illinois. _Zigadenus chloranthus_, Richardson. Sandy shores of Lake Michigan. _Zizania aquatica_, Pursh. Illinois to the sources of the Miss.

II. INDIAN LANGUAGE.

[The following observations are part of a course of lectures on the grammatical structure of the Indian languages, delivered before the St. Mary’s Committee of the Algic Society.—H. R. S.]

I. LECTURES ON THE CHIPPEWA SUBSTANTIVE.

LECTURE I.

_Observations on the Ojibwai Substantive. 1. The provision of the language for indicating gender—Its general and comprehensive character—The division of words into animate and inanimate classes. 2. Number—its recondite forms, arising from the terminal vowel in the word. 3. The grammatical forms which indicate possession, and enable the speaker to distinguish the objective person._

Most of the researches which have been directed to the Indian languages, have resulted in elucidating the principles governing the use of the verb, which has been proved to be full and varied in its inflections. Either, less attention has been paid to the other parts of speech, or results less suited to create high expectations of their flexibility and powers, have been attained. The Indian verb has thus been made to stand out, as it were in bold relief as a shield to defects in the substantive and its accessories, and as, in fact, compensating, by its multiform appendages of prefix and suffix—by its tensal, its pronominal, its substantive, its adjective, and its adverbial terminations; for barrenness and rigidity in all other parts of speech. Influenced by this reflection, I shall defer, in the present inquiry, the remarks I intend offering on the verb, until I have considered the substantive, and its more important adjuncts.

Palpable objects, to which the idea of sense strongly attaches, and the actions or condition, which determine the relation of one object to another, are perhaps, the first points to demand attention in the invention of languages. And they have certainly imprinted themselves very strongly, with all their materiality, and with all their local, and exclusive, and personal peculiarities upon the Indian. The noun and the verb not only thus constitute the principal elements of speech, as in all languages; but they continue to perform their first offices, with less direct aid from the auxiliary parts of speech, than would appear to be reconcileable with a clear expression of the circumstances of time and place, number and person, quality and quantity, action and repose, and the other accidents, on which their definite employment depends. But to enable the substantives and attributives to perform these complex offices, they are provided with inflections, and undergo changes and modifications, by which words and phrases become very concrete in their meaning, and are lengthened out to appear formidable to the eye. Hence the polysyllabic, and the descriptive character of the language, so composite in its aspect and in its forms.

To utter succinctly, and in as few words as possible the prominent ideas resting upon the mind of the speaker, appear to have been the paramount object with the inventors of the language. Hence concentration became a leading feature. And the pronoun, the adjective, the adverb and the preposition, however they may be disjunctively employed in certain cases, are chiefly useful as furnishing materials to the speaker, to be worked up into the complicated texture of the verb and the substantive. Nothing, in fact, can be more unlike, than the language, viewed in its original, elementary state,—in a vocabulary, for instance, of its primitive words, so far as such a vocabulary can now be formed, and the same language as heard under its oral, amalgamated form. Its transpositions may be likened to a picture, in which the copal, the carmine and the white lead, are no longer recognized as distinct substances, but each of which has contributed its share towards the effect. It is the painter only who possesses the principle, by which one element has been curtailed, another augmented, and all, however seemingly discordant, made to coalesce.

Such a language may be expected to abound in derivatives and compounds; to afford rules for giving verbs substantive, and substantives verbal qualities; to concentrate the meaning of words upon a few syllables, or upon a single letter, or alphabetical sign; and to supply modes of contraction and augmentation, and, if I may so say, _short cuts_, and _by paths_ to meanings, which are equally novel and interesting. To arrive at its primitives, we must pursue an intricate thread, where analogy is often the only guide. We must divest words of those accumulated syllables, or particles, which, like the molecules of material matter, are clustered around the primitives. It is only after a process of this kind, that the _principle of combination_—that secret wire, which moves the whole machinery can be searched for, with a reasonable prospect of success. The labor of analysis is one of the most interesting and important, which the subject presents. And it is a labor which it will be expedient to keep constantly in view, until we have separately considered the several parts of speech, and the grammatical laws by which the language is held together; and thus established principles and provided materials wherewith we may the more successfully labor.

1. In a general survey of the language as it is spoken, and as it must be written, there is perhaps no feature which obtrudes itself so constantly to view, as the principle which separates all words, of whatever denomination, into animates and inanimates, as they are applied to objects in the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdom. This principle has been grafted upon most words, and carries its distinctions throughout the syntax. It is the gender of the language; but a gender of so unbounded a scope, as to merge in it the common distinctions of a masculine and feminine, and to give a two-fold character to the parts of speech. The concords which it requires, and the double inflections it provides, will be mentioned in their appropriate places. It will be sufficient here to observe, that animate nouns require animate verbs for their nominatives, animate adjectives to express their qualities, and animate demonstrative pronouns to mark the distinctions of person. Thus, if we say, I see a man; I see a house, the termination of the verb must be changed. What was in the first instance wâb imâ, is altered to wâb indân. Wâb, is here the infinitive, but the root of this verb is still more remote. If the question occur, Is it a good man, or a good house, the adjective, which, in the inanimate form is onishish-í, is, in the animate onishish-in´. If the question be put, Is it this man, or this house, the pronoun this, which is mâ bum, in the animate, is changed to mâ ndun, in the inanimate.

Nouns animate embrace the tribes of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, crustaceæ, the sun and moon and stars, thunder and lightning, for these are personified; and whatever either possesses animal life, or is endowed, by the peculiar opinions and superstitions of the Indians, with it. In the vegetable kingdom, their number is comparatively limited, being chiefly confined to trees, and those only while they are referred to, as whole bodies, and to the various species of fruits, and seeds, and esculents. It is at the option of the speaker to employ nouns, either as animates or inanimates: but it is a choice seldom resorted to, except in conformity with stated exceptions. These conventional exceptions are not numerous, and the more prominent of them, may be recited. The cause of the exceptions it is not always easy to perceive. It may, however, generally be traced to a particular respect paid to certain inanimate bodies, either from their real or fancied properties,—the uses to which they are applied, or the ceremonies to which they are dedicated. A stone, which is the altar of sacrifice to their Manitoes; a bow, formerly so necessary in the chase; a feather, the honored sign of martial prowess; a kettle, so valuable in the household; a pipe, by which friendships are sealed and treaties ratified; a drum, used in their sacred and festive dances; a medal, the mask of authority; vermillion, the appropriate paint of the warrior; wampum, by which messages are conveyed, and covenants remembered. These are among the objects, in themselves inanimates, which require the application of animate verbs, pronouns, and adjectives, and are thereby transferred to the animate class.

It is to be remarked, however, that the names for animals, are only employed as animates, while the objects are referred to, as whole and complete species. But the gender must be changed, when it becomes necessary to speak of separate numbers. Man, woman, father, mother, are separate nouns, so long as the individuals are meant; but hand, foot, head, eye, ear, tongue, are inanimates. Buck, is an animate noun, while his entire carcass is referred to, whether living or dead; but neck, back, heart, windpipe, take the inanimate form. In like manner, eagle, swan, dove, are distinguished as animates, but beak, wing, tail, are arranged with inanimates. So oak, pine, ash, are animate; branch, leaf, root, inanimates.

Reciprocal exceptions, however, exist to this rule,—the reasons for which, as in the former instance, may generally be sought, either in peculiar opinions of the Indians, or in the peculiar qualities or uses of the objects. Thus the talons of the eagle, and the claws of the bear, and of other animals, which furnish ornaments for the neck, are invariably spoken of, under the animate form. The hoofs and horns of all quadrupeds, which are applied to various economical and mystic purposes; the castorum of the beaver, and the nails of man, are similarly situated. The vegetable creation also furnishes some exceptions of this nature; such are the names for the outer bark of all trees, (except the birch,) and the branches, the roots, and the resin of the spruce, and its congeners.

In a language, which considers all nature as separated into two classes of bodies, characterized by the presence or absence of life; neuter nouns, will scarcely be looked for, although such may exist without my knowledge. Neuters are found amongst the verbs and the adjectives, but it is doubtful whether they render the nouns to which they are applied, neuters, in the sense we attach to that term. The subject in all its bearings, is interesting, and a full and minute description of it, would probably elicit new light respecting some doubtful points in the language, and contribute something towards a curious collateral topic—the history of Indian opinions. I have stated the principle broadly, without filling up the subject of exceptions, as fully as it is in my power, and without following its bearings upon points, which will more properly come under discussion, at other stages of the inquiry. A sufficient outline, it is believed, has been given, and having thus met, at the threshold, a principle deeply laid at the foundation of the language, and one which will be perpetually recurring, I shall proceed to enumerate some other prominent features of the substantive.

2. No language is perhaps so defective, as to be totally without number. But there, are, probably, few which furnish so many modes of indicating it, as the Ojibwai. There are as many modes of forming the plural, as there are vowel sounds, yet there is no distinction between a limited and unlimited plural; although there is, in the pronoun, an _inclusive_ and an _exclusive_ plural. Whether we say man or men, two men or twenty men, the singular, inin´i, and the plural inin´iwug, remains the same. But if we say we, or us, or our men, (who are present,) or we, or us, or our Indians, (in general,) the plural we, and us, and our—for they are rendered by the same form—admit of a change to indicate whether the objective person be _included_ or _excluded_. This principle, of which full examples will be given under the appropriate head, forms a single and anomalous instance of the use of particular plurals. And it carries its distinctions, by means of the pronouns, separable and inseparable, into the verbs and substantives, creating the necessity of double conjugations and double declensions, in the plural forms of the first person. Thus, the term for Our Father, which, in the inclusive form, is Kôsinân, is, in the exclusive, Nôsinân.

The particular plural, which is thus, by the transforming power of the language, carried from the pronoun into the texture of the verb and substantive, is not limited to any fixed number of persons or objects, but arises from the operations of the verb. The general plural is variously made. But the plural, making inflections take upon themselves an additional power or sign, by which substantives are distinguished into animate and inanimate. Without this additional power, all nouns plural, would end in the vowels a, e, i, o, u. But to mark the gender the letter g, is added to animates, and the letter n, to inanimates, making the plurals of the first class, terminate in âg, eeg, ig, ôg, ug, and of the second class in ân, een, in, ôn, un. Ten modes of forming the plural are thus provided, five of which are animate, and five inanimate plurals. A strong and clear line of distinction is thus drawn between the two classes of words, so unerring indeed, in its application, that it is only necessary to inquire how the plural is formed, to determine whether it belong to one, or the other class. The distinctions which we have endeavored to convey, will perhaps, be more clearly perceived, by adding examples of the use of each of the plurals.

Animate Plural.

a. Ojibwâi, a Chippewa. Ojibwaig, Chippewas. e. Ojee, a Fly. Ojeeg, Flies. i. Kosénân, Our father, (in.) Kosenân-ig, Our fathers, (in.) o. Ahmô, a Bee. Ahm-ôg, Bees. u. Ais, a Shell. Ais-ug, Shells.

Inanimate Plural.

a. Ishkôdai, Fire. Ishkôdain, Fires. e. Waddôp, Alder. Waddôp-een, Alders. i. Adetaig, Fruit. Adetaig-in, Fruits. o. Nôdin, Wind. Nôdin-ôn, Winds. u. Meen, Berry, Meen-un, Berries.

Where a noun terminates with a vowel in the singular, the addition of the g, or n, shows at once, both the plural and the gender. In other instances, as in peenai, a partridge—seebi, a river—it requires a consonant to precede the plural vowel, in conformity with a rule previously stated. Thus, peenai, is rendered peenai-wug—and seebi, seebi-wun. Where the noun singular terminates in the broad, instead of the long sound of a, as in ôgimâ, a chief ishpatinâ, a hill, the plural is ogim-ag, ishpatinân. But these are mere modifications of two of the above forms, and are by no means entitled to be considered as additional plurals.

Comparatively few substantives, are without number. The following may be enumerated.

Missun´, Fire wood. Pinggwi, Ashes. Méjim, Food. Kôn, Snow. Mishk´wi, Blood. Ukkukkuzhas, Coals. Ussáimâ, Tobacco. Naigow, Sand. Ahioun, Mist. Kimmiwun, Rain. Ossâkumig, Moss. Unitshimin, Peas.

Others may be found, and indeed, a few others are known. But it is less an object, in this lecture to pursue exceptions into their minutest ramifications, than to sketch broad rules, applicable, if not to every word, to at least a majority of words in the language.

There is, however, one exception from the general use of number, so peculiar in itself, that not to point it out, would be an unpardonable remissness, in giving the outlines of a language, in which it is an object, neither to extenuate faults, nor to overrate beauties. This exception consists in the want of number in the _third person_ of the declensions of animate nouns, and the conjugation of animate verbs. Not, that such words are destitute of number, in their simple forms, or when used under circumstances requiring no change of these simple forms—no prefixes and no inflections. But it will be seen, at a glance, how very limited such an application of words must be, in a transpositive language.

Thus mang and kâg (loon and porcupine) take the plural inflection wug, becoming mang wug and kag wug (loons and porcupines.) So, in their pronominal declension—

My loon Ni mang oom Thy loon Ki mang oom My porcupine Ni gâg oom Thy porcupine Ki gâg oom My loons Ni mang oom ug Thy loons Ki mang oom ug My porcupines Ni gâg oom ug Thy porcupines Ki gâg oom ug

But his loon, or loons, (o mang oom un) his porcupine or porcupines, (o gâg oom un) are without number. The rule applies equally to the class of words, in which the pronouns are inseparable. Thus, my father and thy father, nôs and kôs, become my fathers and thy fathers, by the numerical inflection ug, forming nôsug and kôsug. But ôsun, his father or fathers is vague, and does not indicate whether there be one father or twenty fathers. The inflection un, merely denotes the _object_. The rule also applies equally to sentences, in which the noun is governed by, or governs the verb. Whether we say, I saw a bear—ningi wâbumâ mukwah, or a bear saw me—mukwah ningi wâbumig, the noun, itself, undergoes no change, and its number is definite. But ogi wâbum-ân muk-wun, he saw bear, is indefinite, although both the verb and the noun have changed their endings. And if the narrator does not subsequently determine the number, the hearer is either left in doubt, or must resolve it by a question. In fine, the whole acts of the third person are thus rendered questionable. This want of precision, which would seem to be fraught with so much confusion, appears to be obviated in practice, by the employment of adjectives, by numerical inflections in the relative words of the sentence, by the use of the indefinite article, paizhik, or by demonstrative pronouns. Thus, paizhik mukw_un_ ogi wâbum_ân_, conveys with certainty the information—he saw _a_ bear. But in this sentence both the noun and the verb retain the objective inflections, as in the former instances. These inflections are not uniformly un, but sometimes een, as in ogeen, his mother, and sometimes ôn, as in odakeek-ôn, his kettle, in all which instances, however, the number is left indeterminate. It may hence be observed, and it is a remark which we shall presently have occasion to corroborate, that the plural inflection to inanimate nouns, (which have no objective form,) forms the objective inflection to animate nouns, which have no number in the third person.

3. This leads us to the consideration of the mode of forming possessives, the existence of which, when it shall have been indicated by full examples, will present to the mind of the inquirer, one of those tautologies in grammatical forms, which, without imparting additional precision, serve to clothe the language with accumulated verbiage. The strong tendency to combination and amalgamation, existing in the language, renders it difficult, in fact to discuss the principles of it, in that elementary form which, could be wished. In the analysis of words and forms we are constantly led from the central point of discussion. To recur, however, from these collateral unravelings, to the main thread of inquiry, at as short and frequent intervals as possible, and thus to preserve the chain of conclusions and proofs, is so important that without keeping the object distinctly in view, I should despair of conveying any clear impressions of those grammatical features, which impart to the language its peculiar character.

It has been remarked that the distinctions of number, are founded upon a modification of the five vowel sounds. Possessives are likewise founded upon the basis of the vowel sounds. There are five declensions of the noun to mark the possessive, ending in the possessive in âm, eem, im, ôm, um, oom. Where the nominative ends with a vowel, the possessive is made by adding the letter m, as in maimai, a woodcock, ni maimaim, my woodcock, &c. Where the nominative ends in a consonant, as in ais, a shell, the full possessive inflection is required, making nin dais-im, my shell. In the latter form the consonant d, is interposed between the pronoun and noun, and sounded with the noun, in conformity with a general rule. Where the nominative ends in the broad, in lieu of the long sound of a, as in ogimâ, a chief—the possessive is âm. The sound of i, in the third declension, is that of i in pin, and the sound of u, in the fifth declension, is that of u in bull. The latter will be uniformly represented by oo.

The possessive declensions run throughout both the animate and inanimate classes of nouns, with some exceptions in the latter—as knife, bowl, paddle, &c.

Inanimate nouns are thus declined.

Nominative, Ishkôdai, Fire.

{ My, Nin Dishkod-aim. { Thy, Ki Dishkod-aim. { His, O Dishkod-aim. Possessive. { Our, Ki Dishkod-aim-inân. (in.) { — Ni Dishkod-aim-inân. (ex.) { Your, Ki Dishkod-aim-iwâ. { Their, O Dishkod-aim-iwâ.

Those words which form exceptions from this declension, take the separable pronouns before them, as follows.

Môkoman, A Knife. Ni môkoman, My Knife. Ki môkoman, Thy Knife. O môkoman, His Knife, &c.

Animate substantives are declined precisely in the same manner as inanimate, except in the third person, which takes to the possessive inflections, aim, eem, im, ôm, oom, the objective particle un, denoting the compound inflection of this person, both in the singular and plural, aimun, eemun, imun, ômun, oomun, and the variation of the first vowel sound, âmun. Thus, to furnish an example of the second declension, pizhik’i, a bison, changes its forms to nim, bizhik-im, my bison—ke bizhik-im, thy bison, O bizhik-imun, his bison, or bisons.

The cause of this double inflection in the third person, may be left for future inquiry. But we may add further examples in aid of it. We cannot simply say, The chief has killed a bear, or, to reverse the object upon which the energy of the verb is exerted, The bear has killed a chief. But, ogimâ ogi nissân mukwun, literally, _Chief he has killed him bear_, or, mukwah ogi nissân ogimân, _Bear he has killed him chief_. Here the verb and the noun are both objective in _un_, which is sounded ân, where it comes after the broad sound of a, as in nissân, objective of the verb to kill. If we confer the powers of the English possessive, (’s) upon the inflections aim, eem, im, ôm, oom, and âm respectively, and the meaning of _him_, and of course he, her, his, hers, they, theirs, (as there is no declension of the pronoun, and no number to the third person) upon the objective particle un, we shall then translate the above expression, o bizhik-eemum, _his bison’s hisn_. If we reject this meaning, as I think we should, the sentence would read, His bison—him—a mere tautology.

It is true, it may be remarked, that the noun possessed, has a corresponding termination, or pronominal correspondence, with the pronoun possessor, also a final termination indicative of its being the _object_ on which the verb exerts its influence—a mode of expression, which, so far as relates to the possessive, would be deemed superfluous, in modern languages; but may have some analogy in the Latin accusatives am, um, em.

It is a constant and unremitting aim in the Indian languages to distinguish the actor from the object, partly by prefixes, and partly by inseparable suffixes. That the termination _un_, is one of these inseparable particles, and that its office, while it confounds the number, is to designate the object, appears probable from the fact, that it retains its connexion with the noun, whether the latter follow or precede the verb, or whatever its position in the sentence may be.

Thus we can, without any perplexity in the meaning say, _Waimittigôzhiwug ogi sagiân Pontiac-un_, Frenchmen they did love Pontiac him. Or to reverse it, _Pontiac-un Waimittigôzhiwug ogi sagiân_, Pontiac, he did Frenchmen he loved. The termination un in both instances, clearly determines the object beloved. So in the following instance, _Sagunoshug ogi sagiân Tecumseh-un_, Englishmen, they did love Tecumseh, or _Tecumseh-un Sagunoshug oji sagiân_, Tecumseh, he did Englishmen he loved.

In tracing the operation of this rule, through the doublings of the language, it is necessary to distinguish every modification of sound, whether it is accompanied, or not accompanied by a modification of the sense. The particle un, which thus marks _the third person and persons_, is sometimes pronounced _wun_, and sometimes _yun_, as the harmony of the word to which it is suffixed, may require. But not the slightest change is thereby made in its meaning.

Wâbojeeg ogi meegân-ân nâdowaisi-wun.

Wâbojeeg fought his enemies. L. W. he did fight them, his enemy, or enemies.

O sâgi-ân inini-wun.

He, or she loves a man. L. He, or she, loves him-man, or men.

Kigo-yun waindji pimmâdizziwâd.

They subsist on fish. L. Fish or fishes, they upon them, they live.

Ontwa o sagiân odi-yun.

Ontwa loves his dog. L. O. he loves him, his dog, or dogs.

In these sentences the letters w and y are introduced before the inflection un, merely for euphony’s sake, and to enable the speaker to utter the final vowel of the substantive, and the inflective vowel, without placing both under the accent. It is to be remarked in these examples, that the verb has a corresponding inflection with the noun, indicated by the final consonant n, as in sagiâ-n, objective of the verb to love. This is merely a modification of un, where it is requisite to employ it after broad a (aw,) and it is applicable to nouns as well as verbs whenever they end in that sound. Thus, in the phrase, he saw a chief, O wâbumâ-n O gimâ-n, both noun and verb terminate in n. It is immaterial to the sense, which precedes. And this leads to the conclusion, which we are, in some measure, compelled to state, in anticipation of our remarks on the verb. That verbs must not only agree with their nominatives in number, person and _gender_ (we use the latter term for want of a more appropriate one,) but also with their objectives. Hence the objective sign n, in the above examples. Sometimes this sign is removed from the ending of the verb, to make room for the plural of the nominative person, and is subjoined to the latter. Thus,

O sagiâ(wâ)n. They love them, him or them.

In this phrase the interposed syllable (wâ) is, apparently, the plural—it is a reflective plural—of _he_—the latter being, indicated as usual, by the sign O. It has been observed, above, that the deficiency in number, in the third person, is sometimes supplied “by numerical inflections in the relative words of the sentence,” and this interposed particle, (wâ) affords an instance in point. The number of the nominative pronoun appears to be thus rendered precise, but the objective is still indefinite.

When two nouns are used without a verb in the sentence, or when two nouns compose the whole matter uttered, being in the third person, both have the full objective inflection. Thus,

Os-(un.) Odi-(yun.)

His father’s dog. L. His father—his dog or dogs.

There are certain words, however, which will not admit the objective _un_, either in its simple or modified forms. These are rendered objective in een, or ôn.

O wâbumâ-(n,) ossin-(een.)

He sees the stone. L. He sees him—stone or stones.

O wâbumâ-(n) mittig o mizh-(een.) L. He sees him, tree or trees.

He sees an oak tree.

O mittig wâb (een,) gyai o bikwuk-(ôn.)

His bow and his arrows. L. His bow him, and his arrows him or them.

Odyâ | wâ | wâ (n,) akkik-(ôn.)

They possess a kettle. L. They own them, kettle or kettles.

The syllable wâ, in the verb of the last example included between bars, (instead of parentheses,) is the reflective plural _they_, pointed out in a preceding instance.

I shall conclude these remarks, with full examples of each pronominal declension.

a. First declension, forming the first and second persons in _aim_, and the third in _aimun_.

Nominative. { Pinâi, a partridge. { Pinâi-wug, partridges.

{ My Nim Bin-aim. { Thy Ki Bin-aim. 1 & 2d P. { Our Ki Bin-aim inân. Inclusive plural. { Our Ni Bin-aiminân. Exclusive plural. { Your Ki Bin-aim wâ.

3rd P. { His O Bin-aim, (un.) { Their O Bin-aim iwâ (n.)

e. Second declension forming the first and second persons in _eem_, and the third in _eemun_,

{ Ossin, a stone. Nominative. { Ossineen, stones.

{ My Nin Dossin-eem. { Thy Ki Dossin-eem. 1 & 2 P. { Our Ki Dossin-eeminân. (in.) { Our Ni Dossin-eeminân. (ex.) { Your Ke Dossin-eemewâ.

3rd P. { His O Dossin-eem(un.) { Their O Dossin-eemewâ (n.)

i. Third declension forming the first and second persons in _im_, and the third in _imun_.

Nominative. {Ais, a shell. {Ais-ug, shells.

{My Nin Dais-im. {Thy Ki Dais-im. 1 & 2d P. {Our Ki Dais-iminân. (in.) {Our Ni Dais-iminân. (ex.) {Your Ki Dais-imiwâ.

3rd P. {His O Dais-im (un.) {Their O Dais-imewâ (n.)

o. Fourth declension forming the first and second persons in _ôm_, and the third in _ômun_.

Nominative. {Monidô, a Spirit. {Monidôg, Spirits.

{My Ni Monid-ôm. {Thy Ki Monid-ôm. 1 & 2 P. {Our Ki Monid-ôminân. (in.) {Our Ni Monid-ôminân. (ex.) {Your Ki Monid-ômiwâ.

3rd P. {His O monid-ôm (un.) {Their O Monid-ômewâ (n.)

u. (oo) Fifth declension forming the first and second persons in _oom_, and the third in _oomun_.

Nominative. {Môz, a Moose. {Môzôg, Moose.

{My Ni Môz-oom. {Thy Ki Môz-oom. 1 & 2 P. {Our Ki Môz-oominân. (in.) {Our Ki Môz-oominân. (ex.) {Your Ki Môz-oominân. (in.)

3rd P. {His O Môz oom (un.) {Their O Môz oomiwa (n.)

aw. Additional declension, required when the noun ends in the broad, instead of the long sound of a, forming the possessive in _âm_, and the objective in _âmun_.

Nominative. {Ogimâ, a Chief. {Ogimâg, Chiefs.

{My Ni Dôgim âm. {Thy Ki Dôgim âm 1 & 2 P. {Our Ki Dôgim âminân. (in.) {Our Ni Dôgim âminân. (ex.) {Your Ki Dôgim âmiwâ.

3 P {His O Dôgim âm (un.) {Their O Dôgim âmiwâ (n.)

The abbreviations, _in._ and _ex._ in these declensions, mark the inclusive and exclusive forms of the pronoun plural. The inflection of the third person, as it is superadded to the first and second, is included between parentheses, that the eye, unaccustomed to these extended forms, may readily detect it.

Where the inseparable, instead of the separable pronoun is employed, the possessive inflection of the first and second person is dispensed with, although the inflection of the third is still retained.

Os: Father.

_S. singular._ Nos. My father. Kos. Thy father. Os-un, His father. _Sing. and plural._ Nos-inân. Our father. (ex.) Kos-inân. Our father. (in.) Kos-iwâ. Your father. Os-iwân. Their father. _Sing. and plural._

_S. plural._ Nos-ug. My fathers. Kos-ug. Thy fathers. Os-un. His fathers. _Sing. and plural._ Nos-inân ig. Our fathers. (ex.) Kos-inân ig. Our fathers. (in.) Kos-iwâg. Your fathers. Os-iwân. Their fathers. _Sing. and plural._

The word dog, and this word alone, is declined in the following manner.

Annimoosh: a Dog.

_S. singular._ Nin Dy (or Di) My dog. Ki Dy Thy dog. O Dy-un His dog or dogs. Ki Dy-inân Our dog (in.) Ni Dy-inân Our dog (ex.) Ki Dy-iwâ Your dog. O Dy-iwân Their dog, &c.

_S. plural._ Nin Dy-ug My dogs. Ki Dy-ug Thy dogs. O Dy-un His dogs, &c. Ki Dy-inânig Our dogs (in.) Ni Dy-inânig Our dogs (ex.) Ki Dy-iwâg Your dogs. O Dy-iwân His dogs, &c.

The word _Dy_ which supplies this declension is derived from _Indyiàm_ mine. _pron. an._—a derivative form of the word, which is, however exclusively restricted, in its meaning, to the dog. If the expression Nin Dy or N’ Dy, is sometimes applied to the horse, it is because it is thereby intended to call him, my dog, from his being in a state of servitude similar to that of the dog. It must be borne in mind, as connected with this subject, that the dog, in high northern latitudes, and even as far south as 42 deg. is both a beast of draught and of burden. He is compelled during the winter season to draw the _odàban_, or Indian sleigh; and sometimes to support the burden upon his back, by means of a kind of drag constructed of slender poles.

A review of the facts which have been brought together respecting the substantive, will show that the separable or inseparable pronouns under the form of prefixes, are throughout required. It will also indicate, that the inflections of the first and second persons which occupy the place of possessives, and those of the third person, resembling objectives, pertain to words, which are either primitives, or denote but a single object, as moose, fire. There is, however another class of substantives, or substantive expressions, and an extensive class—for it embraces a great portion of the compound descriptive terms—in the use of which, no pronominal prefixes are required, The distinctions of person are, exclusively, supplied by pronominal suffixes. Of this character are the words descriptive of country, place of dwelling, field of battle, place of employment, &c. The following example will furnish the inflexions applicable to this entire class of words.

Aindâd: Home, or place of dwelling.

_S. singular._ Aindâ-yân. My home. Aindâ-yun. Thy home. Aindâ-d. His home. Aindâ-yâng. Our home. (Ex.) Aindâ-yung. Our home. (in.) Aindâ-yaig. Your home. Aindâ-wâd. Their home.

_S. plural._ Aindâ-yân-in. My homes. Aindâ-yun-in. Thy homes. Aindâ-jin. His homes. Aindâ-yâng-in. Our homes. (ex.) Aindâ-yung-in. Our homes. (in.) Aindâ-yaig-in. Your homes. Aindâ-wâdjin. Their homes.

LECTURE II.

_Further Remarks on the Substantive. Local, diminutive, derogative, and tensal inflections. Mode in which the latter are employed to denote the disease of individuals, and to indicate the past and future seasons. Restricted or sexual terms. Conversion of the substantive into a verb, and the reciprocal character of the verb, by which it is converted into a substantive. Derivative and compound substantives. Summary of the properties of this part of speech._

In the view which has been taken of the substantive in the preceding lecture, it has been deemed proper to exclude several topics, which, from their peculiarities, it was believed, could be more satisfactorily discussed in a separate form. Of this character are those modifications of the substantive by which locality, diminution, a defective quality, and the past tense are expressed; by which various adjective and adverbial significations are given; and finally, the substantives themselves converted into verbs. Such are also the mode of indicating the masculine and feminine (both merged, as we have shown, in the animate class) and those words which are of a strictly _sexual_ character, or are restricted in their _use_ either to males or females. Not less interesting is the manner of forming derivatives, and of conferring upon the derivatives so formed, a _personality_, distinguished as either animate or inanimate, at the option of the speaker.

Much of the flexibility of the substantive is derived from these properties, and they undoubtedly add much to the figurative character of the language. Some of them have been thought analogous to case, particularly that inflection of the noun which indicates the locality of the object. But if so, then there would be equally strong reasons for establishing an _adjective_, and an _adverbial_, as well as a _local_ case, and a plurality of forms in each. But it is believed that no such necessity exists. There is no regular declension of these forms, and they are all used under limitations and restrictions incompatible with the true principles of case.

It is under this view of the subject, that the discussion of these forms has been transferred, together with the other accidents of the substantive just adverted to, and reserved, as the subject matter of a separate lecture. And in now proceeding to express the conclusions at which we have arrived touching these points, it will be an object so to compress and arrange the materials before us, as to present within a small compass, the leading facts and examples, upon which each separate position depends.

1. That quality of the noun, which, in the shape of an inflection, denotes the relative situation of the object, by the contiguous position of some accessory object, is expressed in the English language, by the prepositions _in_, _into_, _at_, or _on_. In the Indian they are denoted by an inflection. Thus the phrase, In the box, is rendered in the Indian by one word, _mukukoong_. Of this word, mukuk, simply, is box. The termination _oong_, denoting the locality, not of the box, but of the object sought after. The expression appears to be precise, although there is no definite article in the language.

The substantive takes this form, most commonly, after a question has been put, as, Anindl ni môkoman-ais? where is my penknife? Mukukoong, (in the box,) addôpowin-ing, (on the table,) are definite replies to this question. But the form is not restricted to this relation. Chimân-ing n’guh pôz, I shall embark in the canoe; wakyigun n’guh izhâ, I shall go into the house, are perfectly correct, though somewhat formal expressions, when the canoe or the house are present to the speaker’s view.

The meaning of these inflections has been restricted to _in_, _into_, _at_, and _on_. But they are the more appropriate forms of expressing the three first senses, there being other modes beside these of expressing the preposition _on_. These modes consist in the use of prepositions and will be explained under that head. The choice of the one, or the other, is, however, with the speaker. Generally, the inflection is employed, when there is some circumstance or condition of the noun, either concealed, or not fully apparent. Thus, Muzzinyigun-ing, is the appropriate term for _in the book_, and _may_ also be used to signify _on the book_. But if it is meant only to signify _on_ the book, something visible being referred to, the preposition _ogidj_ would be used, that word indicating with certainty _on_, and never _in_. Wakyigun-ing indicates with clearness, _in the house_; but if it is necessary to say _on the house_, and it be meant at the same time to exclude any reference to the interior, the expression would be changed to _ogidj wakyigun_.

It will be proper further to remark, in this place, in the way of limitation, that there is also a separate preposition signifying _in_. It is _pinj_. But the use of this word does not, in all cases, supersede the necessity of inflecting the noun. Thus the expression _pindigain_, is literally _walk in_, or enter. But if it is intended to say, walk in the house, the local, and not the simple form of house must be used; and the expression is—Pindigain waky´igun-ing, _Enter in the house_,—the verbal form which this preposition pinj puts on, having no allusion to the act of _walking_, but merely implying position.

The local inflection, which in the above examples, is _ing_ and _oong_, is further changed to _aing_ and _eeng_, as the ear may direct—changes which are governed chiefly by the terminal vowel of the noun. Examples will best supply the rule, as well as the exceptions to it.

SIMPLE FORM. LOCAL FORM.

a. First inflection in _aing_.

Ishkodai Fire Ishkod-aing In, &c. the fire. Muskodai Prairie Muskod-aing In, &c. the prairie. Mukkuddai Powder Mukkud-aing In, &c. the powder. Pimmedai Grease Pimmid-aing In, &c. the grease.

e. Second inflection in _eeng_.[26]

Seebi River Seeb-eeng In, &c. the river. Neebi Water Neeb-eeng In, &c. the water. Miskwi Blood Miskw-eeng In, &c. the blood. Unneeb Elm Unneeb-eeng In, &c. the elm.

i. Third inflection in _ing_.

Kôn Snow Kôn-ing In, &c. the snow. Min Berry Meen-ing In, &c. the berry. Chimân Canoe Chimân-ing In, &c. the canoe. Muzziny´egun Book Muzziny´egun-ing In, &c. the book.

o. Fourth inflection in _oong_.

Azhibik Rock Azhibik-oong In, &c. the rock. Gizhig Sky Gizhig-oong In, &c. the sky. Kimmiwun Rain Kimmiwun-oong In, &c. the rain. Akkik Kettle Akkik-oong In, &c. the kettle.

Throw it in the fire. 1. Puggidôn ishkod-aing. Go into the prairie. 2. Muskôdaing izhân. He is in the elm. 3. Unneeb-eeng iâ. It is on the water. 4. Nib-eeng attai. Put it on the table. 5. Addôpôwin-ing attôn. Look in the book. 6. Enâbin muzziny´igun-ing. You stand in the rain. 7. Kimmiwun-oong ki nibow. What have you in that box. 8. Waigonain aitaig mukuk-oong. Put it in the kettle. 9. Akkik-oong attôn, or Pôdawain. My bow is not in the lodge; neither is it in the canoe, nor on the rock. 10. Kâwin _pindig_ iâsi ni mittigwâb; kâwiuh gyai chimân-_ing_; kâwin gyai âzhibik-_oong_.

An attentive inspection of these examples will show, that the local form pertains either to such nouns of the animate class, as are in their nature inanimates, or at most possessed of vegetable life. And here another conclusion presses upon us—that where these local terminations, in all their variety, are added to the names of animated beings, when such names are the nominatives of adjectives or adjective-nouns, these words are converted into terms of qualification, indicating _like_, _resembling_, _equal_. Thus, if we wish to say to a boy, he is like a man, the expression is, Inin-ing izzhinâgozzi; or if to a man, he is like a bear, Mukk-oong izzhinâgozzi; or to a bear, he is like a horse, Pabaizhikogâzh-ing izzhinâgozzi. In all these expressions the word _izzhi_, is combined with the pronominal inflection _â_ (or nâ) and the animate termination _gozzi_. And the inflection of the nominative is merely an adjective correspondence with _izzhi_:—a term indicative of the general qualities of persons or animated beings. Where a comparison is instituted or a resemblance pointed out between inanimate instead of animate objects, the inflection _gozzi_, is changed to _gwud_, rendering the expression, which was, in the animate form, izzhinâ_gozzi_, in the inanimate form, izzhinâ_gwud_.

There is another variation of the local form of the noun, in addition to those above instanced, indicative of locality in a more general sense. It is formed by _ong_ or _nong_—frequent terminations in geographical names. Thus from Ojibwai, (Chippewa), is formed Ojibwai_nong_, Place of the Chippewas. From Wamittigozhiwug, Frenchmen, is formed Wamittigozhi_nong_, Place of Frenchmen. From Ishpatinâ hill, Ishpatinong, Place of the hill, &c. The termination _ing_, is also sometimes employed in this more general sense, as in the following names of places.

Monomonikân_ing_. In the place of wild rice. Moninggwunikân_ing_. In the place of Sparrows. Ongwashagoosh_ing_. In the place of the fallen tree. &c.

2. The diminutive forms of the noun are indicated by ais, eas, ôs, and aus, as the final vowel of the word may require. Thus Ojibwai, a Chippewa, becomes Ojibw-ais, a little Chippewa: Iniṅ´i, a man, inin-ees, a little man: Amik, a beaver, amik-ôs, a young beaver: Ogimâ, a chief, ogim-âs, a little chief, or a chief of little authority. Further examples may be added.

SIMPLE FORM. DIMINUTIVE FORM.

—ais. A woman Eekwâ Eekwâz-ais. A partridge Pinâ Pin-ais. A woodcock Mâimâi Mâim-ais. An island Minnis Minnis-ais. A grape Shômin Shômin-ais. A knife Môkoman Môkoman-ais.

—ees. A stone Ossin Ossin-ees. A river Seebi Seeb-ees. A pigeon Omimi Omim-ees. A bison Pizhik´i Pizhik-ees. A potatoe Opin Opin-ees. A bird Pinâisi Pinâish-ees.

—ôs. A moose Môz Môz-ôs. An otter Nigik Nigik-ôs. A reindeer Addik Addik-ôs. An elk Mushkôs Mushkos-ôs. A hare Wâbôs Wâbôs-ôs. A box Mukuk Mukuk-ôs.

—aus. A bass Ogâ Og-âs. A medal Shôniâ Shôni-âs. A bowl Onâgun Onâg-âns. A bed Nibâgun Nibâg-aûns. A gun Pâshkizzigun Pâshkizzig-âns. A house Wakyigun Wakyig-àns.

In the four last examples, the letter n, of the diminutive, retains its full sound.

The use of diminutives has a tendency to give conciseness to the language. As far as they can be employed they supersede the use of adjectives, or prevent the repetition of them. And they enable the speaker to give a turn to the expression, which is often very successfully employed in producing ridicule or contempt. When applied to the tribes of animals, or to inorganic objects, their meaning, however, is, very nearly, limited to an inferiority in size or age. Thus, in the above examples, pizhik-ees, signifies a calf, omim-ees, a young pigeon, and ossin-ees, a pebble &c. But inin-ees, and ogim-âs, are connected with the idea of mental or conventional as well as bodily inferiority.

1. I saw a little chief, standing upon a small island, with an inferior medal about his neck.

Ogimâs n’gi wâbumâ nibowid minnisainsing onâbikowân shoniâsun.

2. Yamoyden threw at a young pigeon.

Ogi pukkitalwun omimeesun Yamoyden.

3. A buffalo calf stood in a small stream.

Pizhikees ki nibowi sibeesing.

4. The little man fired at a young moose.

Ininees ogi pâshkizwân môzôsun.

5. Several diminutive looking bass were lying in a small bowl, upon a small table.

Addôpowinaising attai onâgâns abbiwâd ogâsug.

Some of these sentences afford instances of the use, at the same time, of both the local and diminutive inflections. Thus the word minnisainsing, signifies literally, _in the little island_; seebees ing, _in the little stream_; addôpowinais ing, _on the small table_.

3. The preceeding forms are not the only ones by which adjective qualities are conferred upon the substantive. The syllable _ish_ when added to a noun indicates a bad or dreaded quality, or conveys the idea of imperfection or decay. The sound of this inflection is sometimes changed to eesh oosh, or aush. Thus, Chimân, a canoe, becomes Chimânish, a bad canoe; Ekwai, a woman, Ekwaiwish, a bad woman; nibi, water, becomes nibeesh, turbid or strong water; mittig, a tree, becomes mittigoosh, a decayed tree; akkik, a kettle, akkikoosh, a worn-out kettle. By a further change, wibid, a tooth, becomes wibid_âsh_, a decayed or aching tooth, &c. Throughout these changes the final sound of _sh_ is retained, so that this sound alone, at the end of a word, is indicative of a faulty quality.

In a language in which the expressions bad-dog, and faint-heart are the superlative terms of reproach, and in which there are few words to indicate the modifications between positively good, and positively bad, it must appear evident, that adjective inflections of this kind, must be convenient, and sometimes necessary modes of expression. They furnish a means of conveying censure and dislike, which though often mild, is sometimes severe. Thus if one person has had occasion to refuse the offered hand of another—for it must be borne in mind, that the Indians are a hand-shaking people, as well as the Europeans—the implacable party has it at his option in referring to the circumstance, to use the adjective form of hand, not _onindj_, but oninj_eesh_, which would be deemed contemptuous in a high degree. So also, instead of odâwai winini, a trader, or man who sells, the word may be changed to odâwai winini-_wish_, implying a bad or dishonest trader. It is seldom that a more pointed, or positive mode of expressing personal disapprobation or dislike is required, for, generally speaking, more is implied by these modes than is actually expressed.

The following examples are drawn from the inorganic as well as organic creation, embracing the two classes of nouns that the operation of these forms may be fully perceived.

SIMPLE FORM. ADJECTIVE FORM. —ish— A bowl Onâgun Onâgun-ish. A house Wakyigun Wakyigun-ish. A pipe Opwâgun Opwâgun-ish. A boy Kweewizais Kweewizais-ish. A man Inini Ininiw-ish. Water Neebi Neeb-ish. —eesh— A stone Ossin Ossin-eesh. A potatoe Opin Opin-eesh. A fly Ojee Oj-eesh. A bow Mittigwâb Mittigwâb-eesh. —oosh— An otter Neegik Neegik-oosh. A beaver Ahmik Ahmik-oosh. A reindeer Addik Addik-oosh. A kettle Akkeek Akkeek-oosh. An axe Wagâkwut Wagâkwut-oosh. —aush— A foot Ozid Ozid-âsh. An arm Onik Onik-âsh. An ear Otowug Otowug-âsh. A hoof Wunnussid Wunnussid-âsh. A rush mat Appukwa Appukw-âsh.

These forms cannot be said, strictly, to be without analogy in the English, in which the limited number of words terminating in _ish_, as saltish, blackish, furnish a correspondence in sound, with the first adjective form.

It may subserve the purposes of generalization to add, as the result of the foregoing inquiries, that substantives have a diminutive form, made in ais, ees, ôs, or âs; a derogative form, made in ish, eesh, oosh, or âsh; and a local form, made in aing, eeng, ing, or oong. By a principle of accretion, the second, or third, may be added to the first form, and the third to the second.

EXAMPLE.

Serpent, s. Kinai´bik. ——s. diminutive ——ôns, implying Little serpent. ——s. derogative ——ish, “ Bad serpent. ——s. local ——ing, “ In (the) serpent. ——s. dim. & der. ——ônsish “ Little bad serpent. ——s. dim. & lo. ——ônsing “ In (the) little serpent. ——s. dim. der. & lo. ——ônsishing, “ In (the) little bad serpent.

4. More attention has, perhaps, been bestowed upon these points, than their importance demanded, but in giving anything like a comprehensive sketch of the substantive, they could not be omitted; and if mentioned at all, it became necessary to pursue them through their various changes and limitations. Another reason has presented itself. In treating of an unwritten language of which others are to judge chiefly from examples, it appeared desirable that the positions advanced should be accompanied by the data upon which they respectively rest—at least, by so much of the data employed, as to enable philologists to appreciate the justice or detect the fallacy of our conclusions. To the few, who take any interest in the subject at all, minuteness will not seem tedious, and the examples will be regarded with deep interest.

As much of our time as we have already devoted to these lesser points of inquiry, it will be necessary, at this place, to point out other inflections and modifications of the substantive, to clear it from obscurities, that we may go into the discussion of the other parts of speech, unencumbered.

Of these remaining forms, none is more interesting than that, which enables the speaker by a simple inflection, to denote that the individual named has ceased to exist. This delicate mode of conveying melancholy intelligence, or alluding to the dead, is effected by placing the object in the past tense.

Aiekid-ôpun aieko Garrangula-bun.

So the deceased Garrangula spoke.

The syllable _bun_, in this sentence, added to the noun, and _ôpun_ added to the verb, place both in the past tense. And although the death of the Indian orator is not mentioned, that fact would be invariably inferred.

Names which do not terminate in a vowel sound, require a vowel prefixed to the tensal inflection, rendering it _ôbun_, or _ebun_. Inanimate, as well as animate nouns take these inflections.

PRESENT. PAST FORM. Tecumseh, Tecumsi-bun. Tammany, Tamani-bun. Skenandoah, Skenandoa-bun. Nôs, (my father) Nos-êbun. Pontiac, Pontiac-ibun. Waub Ojeeg, Waub Ojeeg-ibun. Tarhe, Tarhi-bun. Mittig, (a tree) Mittig-ôbun. Akkik, (a kettle) Akkik-ôbun. Môz, (a moose) Môz-ôbun.

By prefixing the particle _Tah_ to these words, and changing the inflection of the animate nouns to _iwi_, and the inanimates to _iwun_, they are rendered future. Thus Tah Pontiac-iwi: Tah Mittig-iwun, &c.

The names for the seasons only come under the operation of these rules, when the year before the last, or the year after the next, is referred to. The last, and the ensuing season, are indicated as follows.

_Present._ _Last._ _Next._ Spring, Seegwun, Seegwun-oong, Segwun. Summer, Neebin, Neebin-oong, Neebing. Autumn, Tahgwâgi, Tahgwâg-oong, Tahgwâgig. Winter, Peebôn, Peebônoong, Peebông.

I spent last winter in hunting. Ning`i nunda-wainjigai peebônoong. I shall go to Detroit next spring. Ninjah izhâ Wâwiâ´tunong seegwung.

5. Sexual nouns. The mode of indicating the masculine and feminine, having been omitted in the preceding lecture, as not being essential to any concordance with the verb or adjective, is nevertheless connected with a striking peculiarity of the language—the exclusive use of certain words by one or the other sex. After having appeared to the founders of the language, a distinction not necessary to be engrafted in the syntax, there are yet a limited number of words, to which the idea of sex, so strongly attaches, that it would be deemed the height of impropriety in a female to use the masculine, and in male to use the feminine expressions.

Of this nature are the words _Neeji_, and _Nindongwai_, both signifying my friend, but the former is appropriated to males, and the latter to females. A Chippewa cannot therefore say to a female my friend, nor a Chippewa woman to a male, my friend. Such an interchange of the terms would imply arrogance or indelicacy. Nearly the whole of their interjections—and they are numerous—are also thus exclusively appropriated; and no greater breach of propriety in speech could be committed, than a woman’s uttering the masculine exclamation of surprise _Tyâ!_ or a man’s descending to the corresponding female interjection _N’yâ!_

The word _neenimoshai_, my cousin, on the contrary, can only be applied, like husband and wife, by a male to a female, or a female to a male. If a male wishes to express this relation of a male, the term is _Neetowis_: and the corresponding female term _Neendongwooshai_.

The terms for uncle and aunt, are also of a two-fold character, though not restricted like the preceding in their use. Neemishomai is my uncle by the father’s side: Neezhishai, my uncle by the mother’s side. Neezigwoos is my paternal aunt, neewishai my maternal aunt.

There are also exclusive words to designate elder brother, and younger brother: But what would not be expected after the foregoing examples, they are indiscriminately applied to younger brothers and sisters. Neesgai, is my elder brother, and neemissai my elder sister. Neeshemai, my younger brother, or younger sister, and may be applied to any brother or sister except the eldest.

The number of words to which the idea of sex is attached, in the usual acceptation, is limited. The following may be enumerated.

_Masculine._ _Feminine._ Irin´i, A man. Ekwai´, A woman. Kwee´wizais, A boy. Ekwa´zais, A girl. Oskinahwai, A young man. Oskineegakwai, A young woman. Akiwaizi, An old man. Mindimô´ed, An old woman. Nôsai, My father. Nin Gah, My mother. Ningwisis, My son. Nin dânis, My daughter. Ni ningwun, My son-in-law. Nis sim, My daughter-in-law. Ni nâbaim, My husband. Nimindimôimish, My wife. Nimieshomiss, My grandfather. Nôkômiss, My grandmother. Ogimâ, A chief. Ogemâkwâ, A chiefess. Addik, A reindeer. Neetshâni, A doe. Annimoosh, A dog. Kiskisshâi, A bitch.

The sex of the brute creation is most commonly denoted by prefixing the words _Iâbai_, male; and _nôzhai_, female.

6. Reciprocal changes of the noun. The pronominal particles with which verbs as well as substantives, are generally encumbered and the habit of using them in particular and restricted senses, leaves but little occasion for the employment of either the present or past infinitive. Most verbs are transitives. A Chippewa does not say, I love, without indicating, by an inflection of the verb, the object beloved; and thus the expression is constantly, I love him, or her, &c. Neither does the infinitive appear to be generally the ultimate form of the verb.

In changing their nouns into verbs, it will not therefore be expected, that the change should uniformly result in the infinitive, for which there is so little use; but in such of the personal forms of the various moods as circumstances may require. Most commonly the third person singular of the indicative, and the second person singular of the imperative, are the simplest aspects under which the verb appears; and hence these forms have been sometimes mistaken for, and reported as the present infinitive. There are some instances, in which the infinitive is employed. Thus, although an Indian cannot say, I love, thou lovest, &c. without employing the objective forms of the verb to love: yet he can say I laugh, I cry, &c. expressions in which the action being confined to the speaker himself, there is no transition demanded. And in all similar instances the present infinitive, with the proper pronoun prefixed, is employed.

There are several modes of transforming a substantive into a verb. The following examples will supply the rules, so far as known, which govern these changes.

Indicative. Imperative. Chimân, a canoe. Chimai, he paddles. Chimain, paddle thou. Pashkizzigun, a gun. Pashkizzigai, he fires. Pashkizzigain, fire thou. Jeesidyigun, a broom. Jeesidyigai, he sweeps. Jeesidyigain, sweep thou. Weedjeeagun, a helper. Weedôkagai, he helps. Weedjeei-wain, help thou. Ojibwâi, a Chippewa. Ojibwâmoo, he } Ojibwâmoon, speak } speaks Chippewa. } thou Chippewa. }

Another class of nouns is converted into the first person, indicative of a pseudo declarative verb, in the following manner.

Monido, A spirit. Ne Monidôw, I (am) a spirit. Wassaiâ, Light. Ne Wassaiâw, I (am) light. Ishkodai, Fire. Nin Dishkodaiw, I (am) fire. Weendigô, A monster. Ni Weendigôw, I (am) a monster. Addik, A deer. Nin Daddikoow, I (am) a deer. Wakyigun, A house. Ni Wakyiguniw, I (am) a house. Pinggwi, Dust, ashes. Nim Pinggwiw, I (am) dust, &c.

The word am, included in parentheses, is not in the original, unless we may suppose the terminals, ow, aw, iw, oow, to be derivatives from Iaw. These changes are reciprocated by the verb, which, as often as occasion requires, is made to put on a substantive form. The particle _win_ added to the indicative of the verb, converts it into a substantive. Thus—

Keegido, He speaks. Keegidowin, Speech. Pâshkizzigai, He fires. Pashkizzigaiwin, Ammunition. Agindasoo, He counts. Agindasoowin, Numbers. Wahyiâzhinggai, He cheats. Wahyiazhinggaiwin, Fraud. Minnikwâi, He drinks. Minnikwâiwin, Drink. Kubbâshi, He encamps. Kubbâishiwin, An encampment. Meegâzoo, He fights. Meegâzoowin, A fight. Ojeengai, He kisses. Ojeendiwin, A kiss. Annôki, He works. Annôkiwin, Work. Pâpi, He laughs. Pâpiwin, Laughter. Pimâdizzi, He lives. Pimâdizziwin, Life. Onwâibi, He rests. Onwâibiwin, Rest. Annamiâ, He prays. Annamiâwin, Prayer. Nibâ, He sleeps. Nibâwin, Sleep. Odâwai, He trades. Odâwaiwin, Trade.

Adjectives are likewise thus turned into substantives.

Keezhaiwâdizzi, He generous. Keezhaiwâdizziwin, Generosity. Minwaindum, He happy. Minwaindumowin, Happiness. Keezhaizeâwizzi, He industrious. Keezhaizhâwizziwin, Industry. Kittimâgizzi, He poor. Kittimâgizziwin, Poverty. Aukkoossi, He sick. Aukkoossiwin, Sickness. Kittimishki, He lazy. Kittimishkiwin, Laziness. Nishkâdizzi, He angry. Nishkâdizziwin, Anger. Baikâdizzi, She chaste. Baikâdizziwin, Chastity.

In order to place the substantives thus formed, in the third person, corresponding with the indicative from which they were changed, it is necessary only to prefix the proper pronoun. Thus, Ogeezhaiwâdizziwin, his generosity, &c.

7. Compound substantives. The preceding examples have been given promiscuously from the various classes of words, primitive and derivative, simple and compound. Some of these words express but a single idea, as, ôs, father—gah, mother—môz, a moose—kâg, a porcupine—mang, a loon—and appear to be incapable of further division. All such words may be considered as primitives, although some of them may be contractions of dissyllabic words. There are also a number of dissyllables, and _possibly_ some trisyllables, which, in the present state of our analytical knowledge of the language, may be deemed both simple and primitive. Such are neebi, water; ossin, a stone; geezis, the sun; nodin, wind. But it may be premised, as a principle which our investigations have rendered probable, that all polysyllabic words, all words of three syllables, _so far as examined_, and most words of two syllables, are compounds.

The application of a syntax, formed with a view to facilitate the rapid conveyance of ideas by consolidation, may, it is presumable, have early led to the coalescence of words, by which all the relations of object and action, time and person, were expressed. And in a language which is only spoken, and not written, the primitives would soon become obscured and lost in the multiform appendages of time and person, and the recondite connexion of actor and object. And this process of amalgamation would be a progressive one. The terms that sufficed in the condition of the simplest state of nature, or in a given latitude, would vary with their varying habits, institutions and migrations. The introduction of new objects and new ideas would require the invention of new words, or what is much more probable, existing terms would be modified or compounded to suit the occasion. No one who has paid much attention to the subject, can have escaped noticing a confirmation of this opinion, in the extreme readiness of our western Indians to bestow, on the instant, names, and appropriate names—to any new object presented to them. A readiness not attributable to their having at command a stock of generic polysyllables—for these it would be very awkward to wield—but as appears more probable, to the powers of the syntax, which permits the resolution of new compounds from existing roots, and often concentrates, as remarked in another place, the entire sense of the parent words, upon a single syllable, and sometimes upon a single letter.

Thus it is evident that the Chippewas possessed names for a living tree _mittig_, and a string _aiâb_, before they named the bow _mittigwâb_,—the latter being compounded under one of the simplest rules from the two former. It is further manifest that they had named earth _akki_, and (any solid, stony or metallic mass) _âbik_, before they bestowed an appellation upon the kettle, _akkeek_, or _akkik_, the latter being derivatives from the former. In process of time these compounds became the bases of other compounds, and thus the language became loaded with double and triple, and quadruple compounds, concrete in their meaning and formal in their utterance.

When the introduction of the metals took place, it became necessary to distinguish the clay from the iron pot, and the iron, from the copper kettle. The original compound, _akkeek_, retained its first meaning, admitting the adjective noun _piwâbik_ (itself a compound) iron, when applied to a vessel of that kind, piwâbik akkeek, iron kettle. But a new combination took place to designate the copper kettle, _miskwâkeek_, red-metal kettle; and another expression to denote the brass kettle, _ozawâbik akkeek_, yellow metal kettle. The former is made up from miskôwâbik, copper (literally _red-metal_—from miskwâ, red, and _âbik_, the generic above mentioned) and _akkeek_, kettle. Ozawâbik, brass, is from _ozawâ_ yellow, and the generic _âbek_—the term akkeek, being added in its separate form. It may, however, be used in its connected form of wukkeek, making the compound expression _ozawâbik wukkeek_.

In naming the horse paibâizhikôgazhi, i. e. the animal with solid hoofs, they have seized upon the feature which most strikingly distinguished the horse, from the cleft-footed animals which were the only species known to them at the period of the discovery. And the word itself affords an example, at once, both of their powers of concentration, and brief, yet accurate description, which it may be worth while to analyse. Paizhik, is one, and is also used as the indefinite article—the only article the language possesses. This word is further used in an adjective sense, figuratively indicating, united, solid, undivided. And it acquires a plural signification by doubling, or repeating the first syllable, with a slight variation of the second. Thus, Pai-baizhik, denotes not _one_, or _an_, but several; and when thus used in the context, renders the noun governed, plural. Oskuzh, is the nail, claw, or horny part of the foot of beasts, and supplies the first substantive member of the compound _gauzh_. The final vowel is from _akwaisi_, a beast; and the marked o, an inseparable connective, the office of which is to make the two members coalesce, and harmonize. The expression thus formed becomes a substantive, specific in its application. It may be rendered plural like the primitive nouns, may be converted into a verb, has its diminutive, derogative and local form, and in short, is subject to all the modifications of other substantives.

Most of the modern nouns are of this complex character. And they appear to have been invented to designate objects, many of which were necessarily unknown to the Indians in the primitive ages of their existence. Others, like their names for a copper-kettle and a horse, above mentioned, can date their origin no farther back than the period of the discovery. Of this number of nascent words, are most of their names for those distilled or artificial liquors, for which they are indebted to Europeans. Their name for water, _neebi_, for the fat of animals, _weenin_, for oil or grease, _pimmidai_, for broth, _nâbôb_, and for blood, _miskwi_, belong to a very remote era, although all but the first appear to be compounds. Their names for the tinctures or extracts derived from the forest, and used as dyes, or medicines, or merely as agreeable drinks, are mostly founded upon the basis of the word _âbo_, a liquid, although this word is never used alone. Thus—

Shomin-âbo Wine From Shomin, a grape, âbo, a liquor. Ishkodai-âbo Spirits From Ishkôdâi, fire, &c. Mishimin-âbo Cider From Mishimin, an apple, &c. Tôtôsh-âbo Milk From Tôtôsh, the female breast, &c. Sheew-âbo Vinegar From Sheewun, sour, &c. Annibeesh-âbo From Annibeeshun, leaves, &c. Ozhibiegun-aubo From Ozhibiêgai, he writes, &c.

In like manner their names for the various implements and utensils of civilized life, are based upon the word _Jeegun_, one of those primitives, which, although never disjunctively used, denotes, in its modified forms, the various senses implied by our words instrument, contrivance, machine, &c. And by prefixing to this generic, a substantive, verb, or adjective, or parts of one or each, an entire new class of words is formed. In these combinations, the vowels e, and o, are sometimes used as connectives.

Keeshkeebô-jeegun A saw From Keeshkeezhun, v. a. to cut. Seeseebô-jeegun A file From Seesee, to rub off, &c. Wassakoonen-jeegun A candle From Wassakooda, bright, biskoona, flame, &c. Beeseebô-jeegun A coffee-mill From Beesâ, fine grains, &c. Minnikwâd-jeegun A drinking vessel From Minnekwâi, he drinks, &c. Tâshkeebôd-jeegun A saw mill From Taushkâ, to split, &c. Mudwâiabeed-jeegun A violin From Mudwâwâi, sound, âiâb, a string, &c.

Sometimes this termination is shortened into _gun_, as in the following instances.

Onâ-gun A dish. Tikkina-gun A cradle. Neeba-gun A bed. Puddukkyi-gun A fork. Puggimmâ-gun A war-club. Opwâ-gun A pipe. Wassâitshie-gun A window. Wakkyi-gun A house. Pôdahwâ-gun A fire-place. Sheema-gun A lance.

Another class of derivatives is formed from _wyân_, indicating, generally, an undressed skin. Thus—

Muk-wyân A bear skin From Mukwah, a bear, and wyaun, a skin. Wazhusk-wyân A muskrat skin From Wazhusk, a muskrat, &c. Wabôs-wyân A rabbit skin From Wabôs, a rabbit, &c. Neegik-wyân An otter skin From Neegih, an otter, &c. Ojeegi-wyân A fisher skin From Ojeeg, a fisher, &c. Wabizhais-ewyân, a martin skin, from wabizhais, a martin, &c.

Wâbiwyan, a blanket, and bubbuggiwyan, a shirt, are also formed from this root. As the termination _wyân_, is chiefly restricted to undressed skins, or peltries, that of _waigin_, is, in like manner, generally applied to dressed skins, or to cloths. Thus—

Monido-waigin Blue cloth, strouds From Monido, spirit, &c. Misk-waigin Red cloth From Miskwâ, red, &c. Nondâ-waigin Scarlet. Peezhiki-waigin A buffalo robe From Peezhiki, a buffalo, &c. Addik-waigin A cariboo skin From Addik, a cariboo, &c. Ozhauwushk-waigin Green cloth From Ozhâwushkwâ, green.

An interesting class of substantives is derived from the third person singular of the present indicative of the verb, by changing the vowel sound of the first syllable, and adding the letter d to that of the last, making the terminations in aid, âd, eed, id, ood. Thus, Pimmoossâ, he walks, becomes pâmoossâd, a walker.

aid— Munnissai He chops Mânissaid A chopper. Ozhibeigai He writes Wâzhibeigaid A writer. Nundowainjeegai He hunts Nândowainjeegaid A hunter. âd— Neebâ He sleeps Nâbâd A sleeper. Kwâbahwâ He fishes } Kwyâbahwâd A fisher, } (with scoop net) } (with scoop net.)} Puggidowâ He fishes } Pâgidowâd A fisher, } (with sein)} (with sein.)} eed— Annokee He works Anokeed A worker. Jeessakea He juggles Jossakeed A juggler. Munnigobee He pulls bark Mainigobeed A bark puller. id— Neemi He dances Nâmid A dancer. Weesinni He eats Wâssinid An eater. Pimâdizzi He lives Paimaudizzid A living being. ood— Nugamoo He sings Naigumood A singer. Keegido He speaks Kâgidood A speaker. Keewonimoo He lies Kâwunimood A liar.

This class of words is rendered plural in ig,—a termination, which, after d final in the singular, has a soft pronunciation, as if written _jig_. Thus, Nâmid, a dancer, nâmidjig, dancers.

The derogative form is given to these generic substantives by introducing ish, or simply sh, in place of the d, and changing the latter to _kid_, making the terminations in ai, aishkid, in â, âshkid, in e, eeshkid, in i, ishkid, and in oo, ooshkid. Thus, naindowainjeegaid, a hunter, is changed to naindowainjeegaishkid, a bad or unprofitable hunter. Naibâd, a sleeper, is changed to naibâshkid, a sluggard. Jossakeed, a juggler, to jossakeeshkid, a vicious juggler. Wâsinnid, an eater, to wâssinishkid, a gormandizer. Kâgidood, a speaker, kâgidooshkid, a babbler. And in these cases the plural is added to the last educed form, making kâgidooshkidjig, babblers, &c.

The word nittâ, on the contrary, prefixed to these expressions, renders them complimentary. For instance, nittâ naigumood, is a fine singer, nittâ kâgidood, a ready speaker, &c.

Flexible as the substantive has been shown to be, there are other forms of combination that have not been adverted to—forms, by which it is made to coalesce with the verb, the adjective, and the preposition, producing a numerous class of compound expressions. But it is deemed most proper to defer the discussion of these forms to their several appropriate heads.

Enough has been exhibited to demonstrate its prominent grammatical rules. It is not only apparent that the substantive possesses number, and gender, but it also undergoes peculiar modifications to express locality and diminution, to denote adjective qualities and to indicate tense. It exhibits some curious traits connected with the mode of denoting the masculine and feminine. It is modified to express person and to distinguish living from inanimate masses. It is rendered possessive by a peculiar inflection, and provides particles, under the shape either of prefixes or suffixes, separable or inseparable, by which the actor is distinguished from the object—and all this, without changing its proper substantive character, without putting on the aspect of a pseudo adjective, or a pseudo verb. Its changes to produce compounds, are, however, its most interesting, its most characteristic trait. Syllable is heaped upon syllable, word upon word, and derivative upon derivative, until its vocabulary is crowded with long and pompous phrases, most formidable to the eye.

So completely transpositive do the words appear, that like chessmen on a board, their elementary syllables can be changed at the will of the player, to form new combinations to meet new contingencies, so long as they are changed in accordance with certain general principles and conventional rules; in the application of which, however, much depends upon the will or the skill of the player. What is most surprising—all these changes and combinations, all these qualifications of the object, and distinctions of the person, the time, and the place, do not supersede the use of adjectives, and pronouns, and verbs, and other parts of speech woven into the texture of the noun, in their elementary and disjunctive forms.

2. A VOCABULARY OF WORDS AND PHRASES IN THE CHIPPEWA LANGUAGE.

A.

A. a. to express the sound of a, in father, ah in Jehovah. Amo, a Bee.

A. â. “ “ “ “ a, in fall, au in auction, aw in law. Tyâ, Lo!

A. a. “ “ “ “ a, in hat. Aki, Earth.

Ai. ai. “ “ “ “ a, in fate, ai, in aim, ay, in way, e, in obey. Ais, a Shell.

A or An, Pai´zhik. (see one.)

To abash, v. Agud´ji. Verbs are inserted in the most simple of their concrete forms, being the third person singular of the indicative present, in all cases where not otherwise expressed.

Abdomen, s. Omissud´. See acorn for examples of the diminutive, derogative, and other regular forms of the substantive.

Abed, ad. Nibâ´guning. Local form of the word bed.

Abide thou, imp. mood. Abin´.

Able, a. Gushkitô´n. As adjectives are declined with person and mood, they are inserted under the same rule indicated for verbs.

Abode, s. Aindâd.

Aboard, ad. Pindô´nug.

Aborigines, s. Unishinâ´bai. (Plural in g.)

Above, prep. Ogidjy´ei.

Above, ad. Ishpiming. Local form of the adjective high.

Above ground, Ogidâ´kumig.

Abroad, ad. Kood´uging.

Abcess, s. Minwi´wi.

To abscond, v. Ozhimoo´.

Absent, a. Ondain´di.

To abound, v. inan. Wâ´nadud.

To abound, v. an. Wâ´nadizzi.

To accept, v. Odâ´pinun.

Accepter, s. Wai´dâpinung.

To accompany, v. Owi´jiewân.

Accompanier, s. Wa´jiewaid.

To accost, v. Kunôzh´.

Account, to make an account, v. Muzziny´igai.

Accounter, s. Muzziny´igaid.

Account book, s. Muzziny´igun. (See Book.)

To accuse, v. Una´modum.

Accuser, s. Ain´amodung.

Acid, a. Shi´wun.

Acid liquor, Shiwunâ´bo.

Acorn, s. Mittigomin.

Acorn, s. dim. Mittigominais, equivalent little acorn.

Acorn, s. der. Mittigôminish, eq. bad acorn.

Acorn, s. lo. Mittigomining, eq. in the acorn.

Acorn, s. dim. & der. Mittigominaisish, eq. little bad acorn.

Acorn, s. dim. der. & lo. Mittigominaisishing, eq. in the little bad acorn.

Acquaintance, s. Kaikain´imind. One who is known.

Across, ad. Azhiwyei.

To act, v. Tô´dum.

Action, s. Tôdumowin.

Actor, s. Aindô´dung.

Active, a. inan. Kizhinzhow´ita.

Active, a. an. Kizhinzowizzi.

Adder, s. Kinai´bik.

Adder, s. dim. Kinaibikons.

Adder, s. der. Kinaibikish.

Adder, s. lo. Kinaibiking.

Adder, s. dim. & der. Kinaibikonsish.

Adder, s. dim. der. & lo. Kiniabikonsishing.

Adder’s tongue, a plant, Mônawing. E. dens canis.

Address, s. Kigidô´win.

Addresser, s. Kâgidood´.

To adhere, v. Agookai´.

To adopt, v. Wangô´ma.

An adopted person, Wyangô´mind.

Adopter, s. Wyangôn´gaid.

To adore, v. Annamiâ´. This word is exclusively applied to christian worship.

Adorer, s. Ainnamiâd´.

To adorn, v. Sussai´ga.

Adroit, a. Minwi.

Adrift, ad. Waiba´tun.

To advance, v. Pida´simôsai.

Advancer, s. Pada´simôsaid.

To adventure, v. Ienâdizzi.

Adventurer, s. Aienâdizzid.

To advise, v. Kuggi´kwai.

Advice, s. Kuggikwai´win.

Adviser; s. Kaiggi´kwaid.

Adult, s. Kizhigi.

Adultery, s. Kimô´jeiddiwin.

Afar, ad. Wa´suh.

Affable, a. Ona´nigooni.

Affectionate, a. Gizhawâ´dizzi.

Affection, s. Gizhawâ´dizziwin.

Afloat, Waiba´tun.

Afore, prep. Nigan´.

Aforetime, ad. Maiwinzk´uh.

Afraid, a. Sai´gizzi.

After, prep. Ish´kwaiyong.

Afternoon, Una´gooshi,

Again, ad. Min´awâ.

Aged, a. Appi´tizzi.

Age, s. Appi´tizziwin.

Agréeable, a. Minwaindâ´goozzi.

Agreeableness, s. Minwaindâ´goozziwin.

Agriculture, s. Gittigai´win.

Agriculturist, s. Gait´tigaid.

Ah, interj. Tyâ.

Ahead, Nigan. (See Before.)

To aid, v. Widôkazoo.

Aider, s. Wadôkazood.

To ail, v. Akooz´zi.

Ailment, s. Akooz´ziwin.

To aim, v. Odozhiân.

Aimer, s. Wyaizhiewaid.

Air, a soft breeze, s. Ayâ´.

Air, wind, s. Nôdin.

Alarm, s. Sassa´kwaiwin.

To alarm, v. Sasa´kwai.

Alarmer, s. Syâsa´kwaid.

Alder, s. Waddôp´.

Alder, s. dim. Waddôpons.

Alder, s. der. Waddôpish.

Alder, s. lo. Waddôping.

Alder, s. dim. der. & lo. Waddôponsishing.

Alike, ad. Tib´ishkô.

Aliment, s. Mi´jim.

Alive, a. Pimâdizzi.

All, a. Kukin´uh.

Alliance, s. Inuhwain´diwin.

To allot, v. Oonaô´ki.

Allotment, s. Oonaô´kiwin.

Allotter, s. Wainaôkeed.

To allure, v. Shôbiewai.

Almond, s. Pugân´.

Almost, ad. Kai´go.

To give alms, v. Shaiwainingai.

Alms, s. Shaiwainingaiwinun. This substantive phrase, which is rendered plural in _un_, and this being a plural of inanimate bodies, is thereby shown to be things given, is based on the verb to pity.

Almsgiver, s. Shaiwamingaid.

Along shore, Tiddibaiw´.

Alone, a. Nizhik´ai.

Already, ad. Pabigai´.

Also, ad. Gyai´.

To alter, v. inanimate, Anjitôn´.

Alterer, s. Ianjitôd´.

Altercation, s. Iâsiminid´aiwug. This is a plural expression indicating a personal tumult; a hubbub.

Always, ad. Moozh ug.

Am, I am, Nin, Dyâ. See to be.

Amen, ad. Kunnagai´kunna.

Amidst, prep. inanimate, Nasowiei.

Amidst the town, or village, Nasowôdainuh.

Ammunition, s. Pashkizzigaiwin. This is one of the comparatively modern compounds, being based on the verb to fire, which see. It is made a substantive in _win_.

Ample, a. mai’tshâ.

To amuse, v. Oombukumigi´zzi.

Amusement, s. ————win.

Amuser, s. Waibukumigizzid.

An, art. Pai´zhik.

Ancestor, s. Ogitizimun.

And, conj. Gyai.

Andiron, s. Shaigwukinzhaiegun.

Angry, a. Nishkâdizzi.

Anger, s. Nishkâdizziwin.

Anguish, s. Wisugain´dum, a compound from the words _bitter_ and _mind_.

Animal, s. Awais´i. Animate substantives have their plural in g.

Ankle, s. Obikoo´guna.

Annually, ad. Aindasopibôn.

To annoint, v. Nominun.

Anointer, s. Naiminiwaid.

Another, a. Bukan´.

To answer, v. Nuhkoodum.

Answer, s. Nuhkoodumowin.

Ant, s. Ainigo´.

— s. dim, ——os.

— s. der, ——oosh.

— der. local, ——ooshing.

Antler, s. Aish´kun.

— s. dim. ——ais.

— s. der. ——ish.

— s. loc. ——ing.

— s. dim. & der. ——ainsish.

— s. dim. der. loc. ——ainsishing.

Anus, s. Ojeed.

Apparel, s. Pasikumingin. Plural.

Apparition, s. Ji´by. Plu. in _ug_.

—— s. dim. —— ais.

To appear, v. Nâgoozzi.

To applaud, v. Mumikwa´zhowai.

Applause, s. —— win.

Applauser, s. Maimikwazhowaid.

Apple, s. Mishi´min. Plu. in ug.

—— s. dim. ——ais.

—— a. der. ——ish.

—— s. dim & der. ——aisish.

—— s. loc. ——ing.

Apple tree, Mishi´minâ´tig.

Apple liquor, Mishi´minâ´bo. See cider.

To approach, v. Piezha.

Approacher, s. Puhizhad.

April, s. Paibokâidagiming Gizis.

Archer, s. Ainuhaid.

Ardent spirits. See Brandy.

To arise from lying posture, Onish´ka.

To arise from a sitting posture, Puzzigwi.

Arm, of the body, Onik´.

Arms, weapons, Oshwi´winun. Plu.

Armband, s. Gitchi´waibizzoon.

Around, ad. Kiwitâ´jei.

To arrive, by land, Tak´wishin.

To arrive, by water, Miz´hugâ.

Arrow, blunt headed, Bik´wuk.

Arrow, spear pointed, Ussowân´.

Art, thou art, Ki Dyâ.

Artichoke, s. Ushkibwâ´.

Ash tree, s. Wisugâk´. Bitterwood.

Ashes, s. Pingwi´. This word is without number.

Ashamed, a. Agudji.

To ascend, v. Ukwan´dowai.

Ashore, put ashore, Kikubâ.

Ashore, near the shore, Chigâ´bik.

To ask, v. Kugwai dwai.

Asker, s. Kai´gwaidwaid.

Aspect, of things animate, Aizhinâ´goozzi.

Aspect, of things inanimate, Aizhinâ´gwuk.

Aspen, s. Aizâ´di.

Assassin, s. Naizhiwaid.

Assemblage, s. Mamawiedding.

Assent, s. Nuh koodum.

To assent, v. E kido.

To assist, v. Widôkâ´zoo.

Assistant, s. Waidokâ´zood.

At, prep. Cheeg.

Atmosphere, s, Gi´zhig.

Atom, s. Bâpish.

To attack, v. Mow´inai.

To attain, v. Gushkiai´wizzi.

Attainment, s. ——win.

Attire, s. See apparel.

Avaricious, a. Suzzai gizzi.

Avarice, s. —— win.

To avenge, v. Azhitow´iewai.

Avenger, s. Iazhitowiewaid.

August, s. Monô´mini, Gizis. Rice Moon.

Aunt, uncle’s wife, or father’s sister, Nizhigwoos´.

Aunt, mother’s sister. Ninwishai´.

Aurora borealis, Jiby nimi iddiwug. Dancing ghosts.

Autumn, s. Tagwâ gi.

Next autumn, Tagwâgig´.

Last autumn, Tagwâgoong´.

To authorize, v. Inugimâ´.

Authority, s. ——win.

Awake, a. Gooshkooz´zi.

Away, ad. Ningood´ji.

Awkward, a. Namu´nji.

Awl, s. Migôs´.

—— s. dim. —— ais.

—— s. der. —— ish.

—— s. local, —— ing.

—— s. dim. & der. —— aisish.

—— s. dim. der. & loc. —— aisishing.

Axe, s. Wagâ´kwut.

—— s. dim. —— ais.

—— s. der. —— ish.

—— s. local, —— ing.

—— s. dim. & der. —— aisish.

—— s. dim. der. & loc. —— aisishing.

B.

To babble, v. Ozâmidôn, or Kâgidooshkai.

Babble, s. Ozâmidôniwin, or Kâgidooshkaiwin.

Babbler, s. Kâgidooshkid.

Babe, baby, Abbinôji. This is the term for child. A _male_ child is usually denominated Pinai´shi, (bird,) during its infancy.

Bachelor, s. Pizhishigôwizzi. This term being in the animate form, is not indicative of sex, and strictly indicates an unmarried, (or uncoupled) person.

Back, s. Opik´wun.

Backbone, s. Tuttagâ´gwun.

Backwards, ad. Uzhai.

To step backwards, v. Uzhaigâ´bôwi.

Bacon, s. Kôkôsh Wiôs. Hog flesh.

Bad, a. animate, Mud ji.

— a. inanimate, Monâ´dud.

Badger, s. Missukâkud´jish.

Bag, s. Mush´kimoot.

— s. dim, —— ais.

— s. dim & der, —— aisish.

— s. local, —— ong. Implying in the bag.

Bait, for animals, Mijimikunjigun.

Balance, s. Tibâbishkôjigun. A compound derivative from the words _equal_, _cord_, and _instrument_.

Baldheaded, Wâshkain´dibai.

Bald Eagle, Wabizhuk´wai.

Ball, metallic, Unwi´.

— wooden, Pikwâ´kwut.

Balsam of fire tree, Shingooban´dug.

Balsam, s. Pigiuan´dug.

Band, s. Pizoon´.

Banner, s. Kikiwai´aoon.

Bank of earth, Ishpakum´iga.

Bandy legged, Wawushkigâ´dai.

To baptise, v. Siginun´dowâ.

Bare, (in body,) a. Pingwashâ´giddi.

Barge, or boat, s. Millig´ôchiman, or Nabug´ôchiman. Any vessel intermediate in size and mode of construction, between a bark canoe and a ship. The first term is a derivative from tree and canoe, the second, from _plank_ or _board_, and canoe.

To bark, v. Migih´. This is a generic word for barking. The eagle derives its name from this word.

Bark, of the birch tree, Wig´wos.

Bark, of the bass, Wigood.

Bark, of any other species, Wunagaik´.

Bark dish, s. Onâ´gon. Applied to crockery.

Bark sap dish, Nimibâ´gun.

Bark box, s. Mukkuk´. Applied to any box, trunk, barrel, &c. also with a prefix, to a coffin.

Bashful, a. Bakâdizzi.

Basin, s. Onâgon.

——, s. dim. Onâgons Other terminations regular.

Basket, s. Wadub´imukkuk´. A derivative from the word for cedar root, and box. Diminutive in ons.

Bass tree, s. Wigoobimizh. A derivative from base bark, and the generic for plants.

Bat, s. Apukwunaji.

Battle, s. Migâ´diwin.

Battle field, Katapin´uniding.

Battle club, Pugamâ´gun.

To bathe, v. Pugizzoo.

Bay, s. Wikwaid´.

— s. dim.——ôns.

To bawl, v. Mowi´.

Bayonet, s. Shimâ´gun.

— s. dim. Shimâgons´.

— s. der. Shimâ´ganish. This is the term for soldier.

— s. lo. Shimâguning. Duplications of these terminations as in other nouns.

To be, v. s. Iâ.

Beach, s. Sheezhodaiw.

Bead, s. Minais. This is the diminutive form of berry, which see.

Beak, or bill, s. Okôzh´. The term for hog, appears to be a derivative from this and the verb lo cut.

Bean, s. Miskôdi´simin. This is manifestly a description of the bean that bears a red flower, but the word has become generic.

Bear, s. Mukwa´.

— s. dim. Mukôns´. A cub.

— s. dim. & der. Mukons´ish. A bad cub.

Bear skin, Mukwy´an.

Bear’s meat, Mukôwias.

Bear’s oil, Mukôpimi´dai.

Bear’s paw, Mukôzid.

Beard, s. Mizhidonâ´gon.

Beast, a quadruped, Awai´si.

To beat, v. an. Pukitai´. To beat him.

— v. inan. Pukitaiun´. To beat it.

Beau, s. Mumundâ´ginin´i. A fine, or gay dressed, man.

Beaver, s. Amik´.

— s. dim. ——ôns. Derogative, in ish, local, in ing. &c.

Beaver dam, Amikoweezh.

Beaver skin, Abim´inikwai.

Beaver robe, Muttatos´. This was an article formerly worn, but now seldom seen. It consists of from six to ten finely dressed skins, sewed together. The word, if a compound, does not appear to have reference to a modern era.

Beaver, paired in rutting time, Pukai´mik. Plural in ôg.

Beaver, in lodge in rutting time, Amun´amik. Plural in ôg.

Beautiful, a. an. Bishigaindâ´goozzi. A beautiful person.

—— a. inan. Bishigaindâ´gwud. A beautiful object.

Bed, s. Nibâ´gun.

— s. dim. Nibâgons.

— s. lo. Nibâgunish. Implying in or on the bed.

Bedstead, s. Nibâgunâk.

Bedbug, s. Nibâ´gunnimonitôs´. Bed insect.

Bees, s. A´mo. Plural in g.

Beehive, s. Amowuziswun.

Beech tree, s. Ozhawaimizh.

Beef, s. Wi´ôs.

Before, prep. Nigan´.

To Beg, v. See to ask. There is no word of the precise meaning of beg.

To beget, v. Odônijanisinun.

To begin, begin, thou, Ki nit´tum.

Beginning, in, or at the beginning, Wyaish´kud.

Begone, interj. Awuss. To dogs.

Behave, be quiet, Pizzan´.

Behaviour, s. Izhiwai´bizziwin.

To behead, v. Okeeshkigwaiwân.

Behead thou, imp. Keeshkigwai.

Behind, prep. Agâwy´ei.

Behind the house, Agâwi´gumig.

Behind the tree, Agâwâ´tig.

Behind the hill, Agâwudjoo´.

Behold, interj. Tyâ´.

To believe, v. Taibwai´tum.

Belief, s. ——owin.

Bell, horse or cow bell, Shinowaiô´jigun.

Bell, church bell, Gittôtâ´gun.

Belle, s. Mamundâgikwai. Fine, or gay dressed woman.

To bellow, v. Nôndâ´goozzi, or Muzzitâ´goozzi. These words are not strictly an equivalent for bellow. They indicate also the sounds uttered by all quadrupeds, except the dog, and hence imply to bleat, to neigh, to bray, &c.

Bellows, s. Pôdadishkôdawân. A derivative from the word to blow, and fire.

Belly, s. Omissud´.

Below, prep. Nisye´ei.

Below the earth, Nisâ ki.

Below stream, Nisâ´jiwun.

Below the tree, Nisâ´tig.

Belt, s. Pizoon´.

To bend, v. an. Wâgin´.

—— v. inan. Wâginun.

Bend of a river, Pukai´gumâ.

To bend the bow, v. Nabâ bishim. A derivative from cord, &c.

Beneath, prep. Unamye´i.

Beneath the ground, Unumâ´kumig.

Benevolent, a. Gizhiwâ´dizzi.

Benevolence, s. ——win.

Berry, s. inan. Min. Meen. A primitive word. It takes the usual terminations. Plural in _un_.

Beside, prep. See by, at.

To bestow, v. imp. Mizh.

Between, prep. Nasowye´ei.

Between the trees, Nasowâ´tig.

Between the rocks, Nasowâ´bik.

Between the buildings, Nasowakyi´gun.

To bewail, v. Mowi´.

To bewitch, v. Ogimidaikundawân.

To bewitch, v. t. Kimidaikundawâ.

Beyond, prep. Aishkwaitaig.

Beyond the place, Aishkwaising.

Beyond yonder, Awuss´wai´dai.

Beyond the mark, (in shooting) Kiunnicuibidai

Bifid, a. Tâshkôshkunzhi. Split hoof. Der. from split and hoof.

Bifurcated, a. Nâzhoshtigwong. Two headed. Der. from two and head.

Big, a. ânim. Mindidô´.

Big, a. inanim Maitshâ, or Mitshâ.

Bile, s. Wi´zoob.

Bill, s. Okôzh´.

Billow, s. Ti´goo.

To bind, v. infin. Tidibupi.

To bind, v. an. infin. Tidibupizh, bind him or her.

—— v. inan. “ Tidibupidôn, bind it.

Biped, Nizhogâ´dai. Two legged. Derivative from two and leg.

Birch tree, Wigwasâtig, bark wood.

Birch bark, Wigwas.

Birch bark canoe, Chimân´. Diminutive in _ais_, derogative in _ish_, local in _ing_.

Bird, s. Pinai´si. Plural in _wug_.

— s. dim. Pinaishains.

— s. dim. &. der. —— ish.

— s. local. —— ing.

— s. dim. der. & loc. Pinaishain. sishing.

Bird’s nest, Pinai´siwuziswun´.

Bird’s foot, Pinai´wizid.

Birth, Undâ´dizzi.

Bison, s. Pizhik´i. Applied also to the domestic cow.

—— s. dim. Pizhikins´. Calf.

To bite, v. an. Takwum. To bite him or her.

—— v. inan. Takwundun. To bite it.

Biter, s. Taikwungaid.

Bitter, a. an. Wisugizzi´.

— a. inan. Wisugun´.

Bittern, s. Mushkowizzi. Marsh bird.

Bitch, s. Kiskishai´.

Black, a. animàte, Muk´kudaiwizzi´.

—— a. inanimate, Muk´kudaiwâ´.

Blacksmith, s. Awish´twiâ.

Blacksmith’s shop, —— wigumig.

Blackberry, s. Duttogâ´gomin.

Blackbird, s. Ossig´inok. The true species. Wâb Ossiginok, spotted head, small. Bwoin Ossiginok, red wing. Mukkudai Pinais, a generic, vaguely applied.

Blackman, s. Mukkudai´ Wios. Black flesh.

Black Eagle, Ininun´zi.

Black duck, Mukkudaishib.

Black rock, Mukkudaiwâbikud.

To blacken, v. an. Mukkudairohi.

—— v. inan. Mukkudaiwatôn.

Bladder, s. Omô´di. Applied also to bottle, which see.

Blanket, s. Wâbiwyan´. A derivative from white & skin, or robe.

Blast of wind, Puguma´nimud.

To blaze, v. Biskâ´koonai.

Blaze, s. Biskoonai.

To bleat, v. Nôndâgoozzi. See bellow.

To bleed with a lancet, Pashkik-wai´egai.

Blind, a. Kuggibin´gwai.

To blindfold, v. Kuggibingwain.

To blister, v. a. Ubishkwaibigizzi. To blister by medical means.

To blister, v. ina. Ubishkwaibigud. To blister by work, fire, &c.

Block, s. Gishkigy´igun.

Blood, s. Miskwi´.

Bloody, a. Miskwi´wi.

Bloodsucker, s. Suguskwâ´jimai.

Blossom, s. Wâ´bigoon.

To blow, v. an. Pôdâzh´.

—— v. ina. Pôdâ´dun.

Blue, a. Ozhâ´wushkwâ.

Blue sky, Mizhâ´kwut.

Blue water, Ozha´wushkwâgumi.

Blue bird, s. Oshâ´wun.

To blush, v. Miskwingwaisi.

Board, a board, s. Nabug´sug.

To boast, v. Wowizhâ´jimoo.

Boaster, s. Waiwizhâjimood.

Boat, s. See barge.

Boatmen, rowers, Aizhaibwiai´jig. Plural.

Boatmen, paddlers, Chaimai´jig. Plural.

Body, s. Ow? Ni ow, my body. Ki ow, thy body. Wi ow, his, or her body.

Bog, s. Mushkig´.

Bogberry, Mushki´gimin. The cranberry.

To boil, v. an. Oonzoo´. To boil him.

To boil, v. in. Oondai´. To boil it.

To boil the kettle, Kizhâ´gumiz.

Bold, a. Sôngidaiai.

Bondman, s. Apâni´ni.

Bondwoman, s. Apânikwai´.

Bone, s. Okun´.

Bone awl, Namung´.

Book, s. Muzziny´igun.

Book, s. dim, Muzziny´gons.

Book, s. dim & der, Muzziny´gonsish.

Book, s. local, Muzziny´guning.

Book, s. dim, der, & loc, Muzziny´gonsishing.

To book, v. Muzziny´igai.

Boot, s. Mukazin´.

Boot, s. dim, —— ais.

Born, part. pass. Ni´gi.

Bosom, s. Okâ kigun.

Bottle, s. Omôdi.

Bottle, s. dim. Omôdins. Aphial.

Bough, s. Wudikwon´.

Boulder stone, Mushkosiswâbik.

Bounteous a. Kishaiwâ dizzi.

Bow. s. Mittigwâb´. Dim in ais.

Bowstring, s. Utshâb´.

To bow, v. Shugushki.

Bowels, Onugizh´.

Bower, s. Uguhwâ´taioon.

Bowl, s. Onâgon.

Bowl, s. dim, Onâgons´.

Bowl, s. dim. & local, Onâgoning.

Box, s. Mukkuk´.

Box, s. dim. Mukkukais. Little box.

Box, s. der, Mukkukish. Bad box.

Box, s. local, Mukkuking. In the box.

Box, s. dim, der, & local, Mukkukaisishing. In the little bad box.

Boy, s. Kwi´wizais.

Boy, s. der, Kwi´wizaisish. Bad boy.

Bracelet, s. Pizoon´.

Brain, s. Winindib.

Branch of a plant, Wudikwon.

Branch of a tree, Ningitow itig´.

Branch of a river, Ningitow itig-wyâ´.

Brand, a torch, Wuswâ´gun.

Brandy, s. ´Shkôdaiwâ´bô, or Ish-kôdaiwâ´bô. Any strong liquor, from fire and liquor.

Brass, s. Ozawâbik. Yellow metal.

Brass kettle, Ozawâbikwukik.

Brave, a. Sôngidaiai.

Bread, s. Bukwai´zhigun. That, that is cut.

Bread, s. dim. Bukwai´zhigons. Biscuit, cake.

To break, v. a. Pigoobizh. To break him.

To break, v. in. Pigoobidôn. To break it.

Breast, s. Tôtôsh. Plural in un.

Breast liquor. Tôtôshâ´bô.

Breast bone, Odusinakai.

To breath, v. Naisai.

Breath, s. Naisaiwin.

Breechcloth, A´ziân.

Breeze. Nowoi´a.

Brethren, s. Nikâ´nisidoog. A general term.

Bride, s. Nân´gunikwai´. Applied also to daughter-in-law.

Brier, s. Agâ´wuzh.

Bright light, Wassaiâ.

Bright metal, Washkaiâ.

Brimstone, Ozâ´wussin.

Brindled, a. Kidugizzi.

Brisk. See Active.

Brittle, a. Kâ´pun.

Brittle axe, Kápá´bikud.

Brittle ice, Kâpizzigwai.

Brittle stone, Kâpâ´bik.

Bristle, s. Obi´wy.

Broad, a. an. Mungudaizi.

—— a. inan. Mungudaiâ.

Broadcloth, s. Monidowâi´gin. Spirit cloth, or skin.

To bring, v. an. Pizh. To bring him.

—— v. inan. Pidôn´. To bring it.

Brooch, s. Sugâkwuhoon.

Brook, s. Sibins. Diminutive of river.

Brook trout, Mâzhimâg´woos.

Broom, s. Jishud´yigun. Jishudyigai, To broom, to sweep.

Broth, s. Nâbôb´.

Brother, s. Osyai´emâ.

My elder brother, Nisyai´.

My younger brother or sister, Nishimai´.

Brush, s. Shôshkwy´igun.

Brute, s. Awai´si.

Buckskin, s. Iâbiwai´gin.

Bucket, s. Nimibâgun.

Buckle, s. See brooch.

Bud, s. Wunamik.

Buffalo, s. See bison.

Buffalo robe, Pizhihiwai´gin.

Bug, s. Monitôs´.

To build, (a house or fort,) Wakyi´gai.

Builder, (of a house, &c.) Waiakyigaid.

Building, s. Wakyigun.

To build, (a lodge, &c.) Ozhigai´.

Builder, &c. s. Waizhigaid.

Bugle, s. Mudwaiwai´chigun.

Bullet, s. Unai´.

Bullrush, s. Onâ´gonushk.

Bullfrog, s. Dain´dai.

Bundle, s. Ningoodwupidai.

Buoy, (of a net) Kundi´kund.

Bur, s. Wazhuskwai´do.

Burthen, s. Obim´iwunân.

To burn, v. n. Châ´gi.

To burn, v. an. Châ´gizoo.

To burn, v. inan. Châ´gidai.

Burner, s. an. Chyâgizzoowaid.

Burner, s. inan. Chyâgidaid.

Burrow, s. Wâzh.

To Bury, v. Niugwâ´.

Bury him, Ningwuh.

Bury it, Ningwâun.

Bush, s. Sugikobâ´.

Bustard, s. Mississai´.

But, conj. Unishâ´.

Butter, s. Pimmidai´.

Butterfly, s. Mâimai´ngwâ.

Butterfly, s. dim. Mainiaingwâs.

To buy, v. an. Gish´pinudôn.

To buy, v. in. Gish´pinuzh.

Buzzard, s. Winon´gai.

By, prep. Chig. Cheeg.

By (the) tree, Chigâ´tig.

By (the) rock, Chigâ´bik.

By and by, Pâ´nimâ´.

[Circumstances prevent the insertion of the remainder of this vocabulary.]

III. OFFICIAL REPORTS.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

1. Letter to E. Herring, announcing the return of expedition.

2. Letter to Gov. Porter, subject of Sauc disturbances.

3. Letter to E. Herring, transmitting report on vaccination.

4. Letter to E. Herring, transmitting report on population and trade.

5. Statistical tables of population, &c.

6. Report on the political state of the Indians on the U. Mississippi.

7. Dr. Houghton’s report on vaccination.

ADDENDA.

1. Letter to the Dept., transmitting plan and estimates for the Expedition of 1832.

2. Instructions.

3. Letter to Gen. Street, Indian Agent at Prairie du Chien.

4. Report of the previous Expedition of 1831, as laid before Congress.

5. Speech of six Chippewa chiefs on the Sioux war.

[In the arrangement of the above reports and letters, the order of dates is observed.]

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

I.

OFFICE INDIAN AGENCY } _Sault Ste. Marie, August 15th, 1832_. }

ELBERT HERRING, ESQ., Office of Indian Affairs, Washington.

SIR: I hasten to inform you that I yesterday returned from my expedition to the northwest. On reaching the Mississippi I found the state of the water favorable for ascending. No difficulty was experienced in reaching the highest point, to which this stream has hitherto been explored. At this point, I procured canoes of the smallest class, and ascended, with Indian guides, to its actual source in Itasca Lake.

Upwards of two thousand Chippewas have been met in council, in their villages, or in detached parties on the way. At every point, vaccinations have been made, under the authority of the act of the last session of Congress. No opportunity has been omitted to enforce the objects of the instructions respecting their hostilities with each other, and to point out and make clear to their comprehension, their true relation to the United States. The efforts made to procure the assent of the Chippewas to the advice given them on this head, were stated to the Sioux in a council to which I invited them at the Agency of St. Peter’s.

The acquisition of data respecting the trade and population, and the geographical distribution of the bands, has been, with other details, resulting from my instructions, at all times, kept in view. I shall devote the earliest attention I can spare from the accumulated duties of the office, in drawing up a detailed report.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your ob. serv’t, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

II.

OFFICE INDIAN AGENCY, } _Sault Ste. Marie, August 15, 1832_.}

His Excellency GEORGE B. PORTER, Governor of the Territory of Michigan, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Detroit.

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I returned from my visit to the Chippewa bands on the Upper Mississippi, yesterday evening. The state of feeling among them, partakes of the excitement growing out of a knowledge of the disturbances existing near their southern boundary. But their friendly position with respect to the United States, is not altered by events, thus far. Such of them as had received invitations to join in the Sauc league, have refused their assent. And notwithstanding the complacency with which some of the bands regard the hostile efforts of a people, with whom they are connected by the ties of language, and the decided preference others feel, and have expressed, for the counsels and government of Great Britain, as exercised in the Canadas, I feel a confidence in pronouncing the nation, as a whole, uncommitted in any negotiations with the hostile Indians, and satisfied to remain in their present pacific attitude. Several of their most influential chiefs are quite decided in this policy, and would view it as foolish and desperate in the extreme, to entertain propositions to give aid to the enemy.

The only portion of them, of whom there were reasons to apprehend hostilities, are the villages of Torch Lake, comprising the Chippewa population on the heads of the Wisconsin, Ontonagon, and Chippewa rivers. These bands murdered four of our citizens at Lake Pepin, in the spring of 1824. Several of the persons implicated were imprisoned at Mackinac, whence they escaped. And it has not been practicable to carry into effect the measures of punishment, which were determined on. Their position, on the head waters of remote streams, is an almost inaccessible one, and the offence has ceased to be the subject of any further efforts by the Department. They have never, however, been relieved from the fears entertained on this account, and these fears have confined them very much to their particular villages and hunting grounds.

A war message was transmitted to the Torch Lake (or du Flambeau) Indians by the Black Hawk, or his counsellors, in 1830. This message was repeated in 1831, and again in 1832. They were reminded by it, of their affinity by blood, their ancient alliance, and their being arrayed as common enemies of the Sioux. It was addressed to the whole Chippewa nation, and they were invited to take up arms. It is not known that this message has been accepted. The recent death of Mozobodo, their first chief, and a man of understanding, has diminished my confidence in his band. It has been stated to me, very lately, by neighboring chiefs, that the Lac du Flambeau Indians were not in alliance with the malcontent tribes. That section of country has not been within the track of my recent journey. I have seen and conversed with some of the Indians, including one of the minor chiefs. Little, or no definite information has, however, been obtained.

I feel convinced that should the Black Hawk pursue his flight thither, he would, from obvious circumstances, be received with, at least, negative friendship. He would be allowed to recruit his followers and succor himself upon their hunting grounds towards the Mississippi borders, where there is a comparative abundance of deer and elk. And it is not improbable that some of the young men would follow his fortunes. I think, however, the policy of Black Hawk has been to bend his course westward after passing the Wisconsin, with the view of crossing the Mississippi, at some point where this stream is wide and shallow, (say between the Painted Rock and Lake Pepin,) and withdrawing to the plains of the Des Moines, where he has resources.

I have found the Chippewas, generally, not inclined to be communicative on the subject of the disturbances. But in cases where information has been obtained, it evinces a full knowledge of passing events. Kabamappa, a decidedly friendly and respectable chief of the St. Croix, informed me that the league consisted originally of nine tribes. I requested him to name them. He commenced by mentioning Saucs, Foxes, and Iowas, and added cautiously, and with a pause that allowed him to double down a finger at each count, Kickapoos, Flatheads, Earthlodges,[27] Pottawattomies, Winnebagoes, and after some inquiry of the interpreter, Osages. Another Indian met on Lake Superior, said that the hostile Indians claimed to have killed 200 persons, since the war commenced.

Evidence has been furnished to me, that the Saucs who appear to be the principals, have taken much pains to form a league against the government,—that several tribes have assented to it, who have not boldly joined his standard, and that information favorable to their success, has been rapidly spread by them, among the northern Indians. This information they are prone to credit. Even the Sioux, whom I met in council at St. Peter’s, on the 25th of July, have been accused of being lukewarm in the contest, and rather favoring, than opposed to their active enemies. This, the Petite Corbeau, their venerable chief, pointedly denied. He said the insinuation was untrue—that the Sioux, who went to the theatre of the war, had not returned from friendly feelings to the Saucs; and that they stood ready to go again, if officially called on.

The British band of Chippewas near this place were formally invited to unite in the war. A painted war club and pipe accompanied the message. It was transmitted by the Saucs, and given, by one of their emissaries to one of the northern Chippewas at Penetanguishine. It was received here (St. Mary’s) by the Little Pine, (alias Lavoire Bart) a chief who co-operated with Tecumseh, in the late war, by leading a party of warriors from this quarter. He determined not to accept it, and communicated the fact to me in January last. He said the message was very equivocal. It invited him to aid them in fighting their enemies. He said he did not know whether the Sioux or Americans were intended.

Visits from the Indians within our lines to the British posts in Upper Canada, continue to be made. The Ottawas of L’arbre Croche, and the British band of the Chippewas of Lapointe, Lake Superior, have made their usual journey to Penetanguishine, during the present season. More than the ordinary numbers from this vicinity, have joined them.

I have the honor to be, Sir, very respectfully, your ob’t servant, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT, U. S. Indian Agent.

III.

OFFICE INDIAN AGENCY, } _Sault Ste. Marie, October 20, 1832_. }

SIR:

I herewith transmit a report for Dr. Douglass Houghton, who was employed to vaccinate the Indians, in the progress of the recent expedition to the sources of the Mississippi. I refer you to its details for the manner in which, so much of the instructions under which I acted, as relate to the subject, has been carried into effect, trusting that the result will prove as satisfactory to the Department, as it is to me.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

E. HERRING, ESQ. Office Indian Affairs, War Department, Washington.

IV.

OFFICE OF INDIAN AGENCY, } _Sault Ste. Marie, November 21, 1832_. }

SIR:

In obedience to such parts of the instructions of the third of May last directing me to proceed to the country on the heads of the Mississippi, as relates to the Indian population, and to the condition of the fur trade, I have the honor herewith to enclose a series of statistical tables which exhibit the geographical distribution of the lands, the name of each village or permanent encampment, its course and distance from the seat of the agency, the number of men, women and children, expressed in separate columns, the number of the mixed blood population, and the total population of districts. Also, the names and position of the trading posts established under the act of Congress of May 26th, 1824, the number and names of the clerks, and the number of interpreters and boatmen employed in the trade under licences from the Indian office, the amount of goods bonded for, agreeably to duplicates of the invoices on file, together with an estimate of the capital vested in boats and provisions, or paid out in men’s wages, and an estimate of the returns in furs and peltries, based on the outfits of 1832.

An examination of these tables will shew, that the entire Indian, mixed and trader population, embraced within the consolidated agency of St. Mary’s and Michilimackinac, is 14,279, of which number 12,467 are Chippewas and Ottawas, 1553 persons of the mixed blood, and 259 persons of every description engaged in the fur trade. That this population is distributed in 89 principal villages, or fixed encampments, extending by the route of Lakes Huron and Superior, through the region of the Upper Mississippi, to Pembina on Red River. That 302 of the whole number live in temporary encampments, or rather, migrate, along the bleak shores of Lake Huron west of the 2nd, or Boundary Line Detour; 436 occupy the American side of the straits and river St. Mary’s; 1006 are located on the southern shores of Lake Superior between the Sault of St. Mary’s and Fond du Lac; 1855 on the extreme Upper Mississippi, between Little Soc River, and the actual source of this stream in Itasca Lake; 476 on the American side of the Old Grand Portage, to the Lake of the Woods; 1174 on Red River of the North; 895 on the River St. Croix of the Mississippi; 1376 on the Chippewa River and its tributaries, including the villages of Lac du Flambeau and Ottawa Lake; 342 on the heads of the Wisconsin and Monominee rivers; 210 on the northern curve of Green Bay; 274 on the north-western shores of Lake Michigan between the entrance of Green Bay, and the termination of the straits of Michilimackinac, at Point St. Ignace; and 5,674, within the peninsula of Michigan, so far as the same is embraced within the limits of the Agency. The latter number covers an estimate of the Ottawa and Chippewa population indiscriminately.

For the accommodation of these bands, there have been established thirty-five principal trading posts, exclusive of temporary trading stations, occupied only in seasons of scarcity. These posts are distributed over six degrees of latitude, and sixteen degrees of longitude, and embrace a larger area of square miles, than all the states of central Europe. Much of it is covered with water, and such are the number and continuity of its lakes, large and small, that it is probable that this feature, constitutes by far, its most striking peculiarity. Its productions are fish, wild rice, and game. But such are the precariousness and dispersion of the supply as to keep the whole population of men, women, and children, in perpetual vacillation, in its search. The time devoted in these migrations, is out of all proportion, to the results obtained by agriculture, or by any other stated mode of subsistence. And the supply is after all, inadequate. Seasons of scarcity and want are the ordinary occurrences of every year; and a mere subsistence is the best state of things that is looked for.

Traders visit them annually with outfits of goods and provisions, to purchase the furs and peltries, which are gleaned in their periodical migrations. These persons purchase their outfits from capitalists resident on the frontiers, and make their payments during the spring or summer succeeding the purchase. They employ men who are acquainted with the difficulties of the route, and with the character and resources of the people amongst whom they are to reside. These men act as boatmen and canoe-men on the outward and inward voyage; they erect the wintering houses, chop wood, fish, cook for the _bourgois_, and are employed on _durwin_, or as runners during the hunting season. Much of the success of a trading adventure depends on their efficiency and faithfulness.

In the prosecution of this trade, the laws which have been prescribed by Congress for its regulation, are substantially observed. I am of opinion, however, that more efficiency would be given to the system, if a general revision of all the acts pertaining to this subject, were made. A legislation of thirty years, some of it necessarily of a hasty character, has multiplied the acts, which it is made the duty of Indian Agents to enforce, and the number of clauses which are repealed and modified, leave the original acts mutilated, and they do not, present as a whole, that clearness of intent, which is essential to their due and prompt execution. Some of the provisions have become obsolete; others are defective. A thorough and careful digest of the entire code, including the permanent treaty provisions, would present the opportunity for consolidation and amendment, and while leaving the laws easier of execution, adapt them more exactly to the present condition of the Indians, and to a just supervision of the trade.

The unconditional repeal by Congress, of every former provision relating to the introduction of ardent spirits, is a subject of felicitation to the friends of humanity. Of all the acts which it was in the power of the government to perform, this promises, in my opinion, to produce the most beneficial effects on the moral condition of the north-western tribes: And its enforcement is an object of the highest moral achievement. My recent visit, as well as former opportunities of remark, has afforded full proofs of the entire uselessness of ardent spirits as an article of traffic with the Indians, and I beg leave to add my voice, to the thousands which are audible on this subject, that the government may put into requisition every practicable means to carry into effect the act.

I have the honor to be, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

E. HERRING, ESQ. War Department, Washington.

V. STATISTICAL TABLES of the Indian population, comprised within the boundaries of the consolidated Agency of Sault Ste Marie and Michilimackinac, in the year 1832, together with the number of Trading Posts established under the act of Congress, of May 25, 1824, and other facts illustrating the condition and operations of the Fur Trade. Prepared under instructions of the War Department of the 3d May, 1832, for visiting the sources of the Mississippi.

NATURE AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION.

+-----------------------------+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------ | NAME OF THE VILLAGE OR | No. | No. | No. |No. of| Popu-|Popu- GEOGRA- | PERIODICAL ENCAMPMENT. | of | of | of | per- |lation|lation PHICAL | | Men.| wo- |chil-| sons | of |of DISTRICT.| | |men. |dren.|of the| vil- |geogra- | | | | |mixed |lages,|phical | | | | |blood | &c. |dist- | | | | | all | |ricts. | | | | |ages &| | | | | | |sexes.| | ---------+-----------------------------+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------ N. W. {Michilimackinac } 18| 29| 51| 146 | 238}| COAST { (_See note A._) } | | | | | OF {St. Martin’s Islands } | | | | }| LAKE {Chenos } | | | | }| HURON {Drummond Island 16| 18| 23| 7 | 64}| 308 | | | | | ST. {Mineeshco river (_B._) } | | | | | MARY’S {Muscoda Sagi (_C._) } | | | | | RIVER, {Sugar Island } 58| 73| 144| 161 | 436 | 436 _American{Little Rapids } | | | | | side_. { Kinibitunoong (_D._) } | | | | | {Sault Ste Marie (_E._) } | | | | | | | | | | {Misconabies Creek } | | | | | {Tacquimenon } | | | | | {Heart’s blood Lake } | | | | | {Manistic River } 42| 46| 98| | | {White Fish Point (_F._) } | | | | | {Shelldrake River (Onzig) } | | | | | {Two hearted River } | | | | | {Grand Marais } | | | | | SOUTHERN {Miner’s River and | | | | | SHORES { Pictured Rocks | | | | | OF L. {GRAND ISLAND 7| 6| 23| 14 | 50 | SUPERIOR.{Presque Isle and Granite Point 4| 54| 12| 20 | | {Huron Bay 4| 6| 4| 14 | | {Keweena Bay (_G._) 31| 38| 43| 28 | 140 | {Ontonagon (_H._) 29| 32| 76| 15 | 152 | {Mouth of Montreal River } | | | | | {Mauvais River } | | | | | {Lapointe of Chegoimegen(_I._)} 32| 40| 113| 28 | 213 | {Fond du Lac (_K._) } 44| 46| 103| 38 | 231 | 1006 | | | | | {Sandy Lake. 70| 83| 127| 35 | 315 | {Pine River and Red Cedar Lake 20| 19| 33| 6 | 78 | {Pierced Prairie and | | | | | { Noka Seepi (_L._) 22| 26| 52| 12 | 112 | EXTREME {Peckagama Falls (Mississippi.) 4| 6| 14| | 24 | UPPER {Lake Winnepec (_M._) 20| 18| 41| 10 | 89 | MISS- {Turtle Lake 20| 21| 44| 14 | 99 | ISSIPPI.{Cass Lake (_N._) } 40| 51| 66| 11 | 168 | {Lac Traverse and Itasca } | | | | | { Lake(_O._) | | | | | {Leech Lake. Mukkundwas (_P._) 139| 194| 373| 34 | 730 | {Bear Island of Leech Lake 26| 32| 44| | 102 | {Mille Lac } 38| 43| 57| | 138 | 1855 {Rum River (_Q._) } | | | | | | | | | | OLD GRAND{Old Grand Portage (_R._) 12| 11| 27| | 50 | PORTAGE {Rainy Lake 38| 40| 65| 16 | 159 | TO THE L.{Vermillion Lake 37| 40| 48| 7 | 132 | OF THE {Lake of the Woods 31| 34| 61| 9 | 135 | 476 WOODS, { | | | | | _American{ | | | | | side_. { | | | | | | | | | | RED RIVER{Red Lake 84| 74| 100| 32 | 290 | OF THE {Pembina (_S._) 142| 150| 288| 304 | 884 | 1174 NORTH. { | | | | | | | | | | {Falls of St Croix } 80| 88| 133| 38 | 339 | ST. CROIX{Snake River } | | | | | RIVER OF {Yellow River (_T._) } | | | | | THE UPPER{Rice Lake and Lac Vaseux } 106| 114| 120| 42 | 382 | MISS- {Nama Kowagun 30| 32| 33| | 25 | ISSIPPI.{Lake of the Cross of | | | | | { the Namakagun 6| 6| 14| | 26 | {Pukwaewa (Odabossa’s V.) 11| 14| 28| | 53 | 895 | | | | | CHIPPEWA{Rice Lake of Red Cedar fork 46| 38| 58| | 142 | RIVER {Red Cedar Lake of Lac Chetac 19| 20| 31| | 70 | OF THE {Lac Courtoreille (Ottowa L.) 117| 136| 195| 56 | 504 | UPPER {Red Devil’s band of the | | | | | MISS- { Ochasowa. 49| 37| 66| | 152 | ISSIPPI.{Lac du Flambeau 112| 137| 168| 50 | 457 | | | | | | SOURCES {Trout Lake and Tomahawk Lake 15| 15| 21| | 51 | 1376 OF THE {La Lac or Upper Wisconsin.(_U._) 30| 30| 60| | 120 | WISCONSIN{Plover Portage and Post Lake 18| 23| 36| | 77 | AND {Metawonga 28| 30| 43| 10 | 111 | MONOMONES{White Clay Portage 8| 9| 14| 3 | 34 | 342 RIVERS. { | | | | | | | | | | NORTHERN {Bay de Nocquet } 29| 34| 60| 15 | 138 | CURVE OF {Wcequaidons } | | | | | GREEN BAY{White Fish Creek 16| 18| 38| | 72 | 210 | | | | | {Mouth of Manistic } | | | | | N. W. {Mille au Coquin } | | | | | COAST {Choiswa } 46| 54| 120| 14 | 234 | OF LAKE {Straits of Michigan } | | | | | 274 MICHIGAN.{Point St. Ignace } | | | | | | | | | | {River au Sable (Arenac.) | | | | | {Thunder Bay | | | | | {Cheboigon | | | | | PENINSULA{L’Arbre Croche, Upper and | | | | | OF { Lower(_V._) 1350| 1566| 2384| 374 | 5674 | 5674 MICHIGAN.{Grand Traverse Bay | | | | | {Rivière au Becsie | | | | | {Maskegon | | | | | {Grand River | | | | | -----+-----+-----+------+------+------ 3,144|3,571|5,752|1,553 |14,020|14,020

STATISTICAL FACTS RESPECTING THE FUR TRADE.

=========+==========================+=======+======+========+=======+==========+ | |Trading|Number| Number | Total |Amount of | | | posts | of | of |number | goods | GEOGRA- | NAME OF THE VILLAGE OR |estab- |clerks| inter- | of | bonded | PHICAL | PERIODICAL ENCAMPMENT. |lished | lic- |preters,| white | for, | DISTRICT.| | by |ensed |boatmen |persons|agreeably | | |Indian | to | &c. |engaged| to | | | Dept. |trade.|employed|in the |duplicates| | | | | by the |trade. | of the | | | | |clerks. | | invoices | | | | | | | on file | | | | | | | in the | | | | | | | Agency | | | | | | | Office. | =========+==========================+=======+======+========+=======+==========+ N. W. {Michilimackinac, } | | | | | COAST {St. Martin’s Islands, } | | | | | OF {Chenos, } | | | } | LAKE {Drummond Island, 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 } | HURON { | | | } | | | | } | ST. {Mineeshco river, } | | | | | MARY’S {Muscoda Sagi, } | | | | | RIVER, {Sugar Island, } | | | | | _American{Little Rapids, } | | | | | side_. { Kinibitunoong, } | | | | | {Sault Ste Marie, } | | | | | | | | | | {Misconabies Creek, } | | | | | {Tacquimenon, } 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | | {Heart’s blood Lake, } | | | | | {Manistic River, } | | | } | SOUTHERN {White Fish Point, } 1 | 3 | 19 | 22 } | SHORES {Shelldrake River, Onzig. } | | | } $5,701,59| OF L. {Two hearted River, } | | | | | SUPERIOR.{Grand Marais, } | | | | | {Miner’s River & } | | | | | { Pictured Rocks, } | | | | | {Grand Island, 1 | 2 } 8 | 10 { | {Presque Isle & Granite | } | { | { Point, | | | } | {Huron Bay, | } | { | {Keweena Bay, 1 | 3 } 16 | 19 { | {Ontonagon, } 1 | 1 } 10 | 11 { | {Mouth of Montreal river, } 1 | 1 } 3 | 4 { | {Mauvais River, } | } | { | {Lapointe or Chegoimegon, } 1 | 2 } 4 | 6 { | {Fond du Lac, } 1 | 1 } | { | | | | | | {Sandy Lake, 1 | 1 } | | | {Pine River and Red Cedar | | | | | { Lake, 1 | 1 } | | | {Pierced Prairie & Noka | | | | | { Seepi, 1 | 1 } | | | {Peckagama Falls, | | | | | EXTREME { (Mississippi.) | } | | | UPPER {Lake Winipec, 1 | 2 } | | | MISS- {Turtle Lake, | } 74 | 88 |$13,817,00| ISSIPPI. {Cass Lake, } | } | | | {Lac Traverse & Itasca } | } | | | { Lake, } 1 | 2 } | | | {Leech Lake, (Mukkundwas.) } 1 | 5 } | | | {Bear Island of Leech Lake, | } | | | {Mille Lac, } | } | | | {Rum River, } 1 | 2 } | | | | | | | | OLD G. {Old Grand Portage, 1 | 1 } | | | PORTAGE {Rainy Lake, 1 | 3 } | | | TO THE L.{Vermillion Lake, 1 | 1 } | | | OF THE {Lake of the Woods, 1 | } | | | WOODS, { | | | | | _American{ | | | | | side_. { | | | | | | | | | | RED RIVER{Red Lake, 1 | 1 | | | | OF THE { | | | | | NORTH. {Pembina, 1 | 1 | | | | { | | | | | | | | | | {Falls of St. Croix, } | } | | | ST. CROIX{Snake River, } 1 | 2 } 8 | 10 | | RIVER OF {Yellow River, } 1 | 1 } 4 | 5 | | THE UPPER{Rice Lake & Lac Vaseux, } 1 | 1 } 2 | 3 | | MISS- {Nama Kowagun, | | | | | ISSIPPI. {L. of the Cross of the | | | | | { Namakagun, | | | | | {Pukwaewa, (Odabossa’s V.) | | | | | | | | | | {Rice Lake of Red Cedar | | | | | { Fork, | | | | | CHIPPEWA {Red Cedar Lake of Lac | | | | | RIVER { Chetac, 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | | OF THE {Lac Courtoreille, | | | | | UPPER { (Ottowa L.) 1 | 2 | 9 | 11 | | MISS- {Red Devil’s band of the | | | | | ISSIPPI. { Ochasowa, | | | | | {Lac du Flambeau, 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | | {Trout Lake & Tomahawk Lake, | | | | | | | | | | SOURCES {La Lac Or Upper Wisconsin, 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | | OF THE {Plover Portage & Post Lake, | | | | | WISCONSIN{Metawonga, 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | | AND {White Clay Portage, | | | | | MONOMONES{ | | | | | RIVERS. { | | | | | | | | | | NORTHERN {Bay de Nocquet, } | | | | | CURVE OF {Weequaidons, } | | | | | GREEN BAY{White fish Creek, | | | | | | | | | | {Mouth of Manistic, } 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | $1000,00| N. W. {Mille Au Coquin, } | | | | | COAST {Choiswa, } | | | | | OF LAKE {Straits of Michigan, } | | | | | MICHIGAN.{Point St. Ignace, } | | | | | | | | | | {River au Sable, (Arenac.) 1 | | | | | {Thunder Bay, | | | | | PENINSULA{Cheboigon, | | | | | OF {L’arbre Croche, Upper & | | | | | MICHIGAN.{ Lower, 1 | | | | | {Grand Traverse Bay, | | | | | {Rivière au Becsie, | | | | | {Maskegon, 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | $994,00| {Grand River, 1 | 5 | 14 | 19 | $5000,00| ---+------+--------+-------+----------+ 35 | 53 | 206 | 259 |$26,512,59|

=========+==========================+==========+==========+==========+========+ | |Estimated |Aggregate |Estimated |Computed| | | amount |amount of |amount of |distance| GEOGRA- | NAME OF THE VILLAGE OR |vested in | capital |returns in| of the | PHICAL | PERIODICAL ENCAMPMENT. | boats, |vested in | furs and |trading | DISTRICT.| | or paid |the trade | peltries | Post | | | in men’s | within | computed |from the| | | wages, | the | on the |seat of | | | &c. | Agency. |outfits of| the | | | | | 1832, at |Agency. | | | | |the quoted| | | | | | New-York | | | | | |prices of | | | | | | 1831. | | =========+==========================+==========+==========+==========+========+ N. W. {Michilimackinac, | | | | Miles. | COAST {St. Martin’s Islands, | | | | | OF {Chenos, | | | | 12 | LAKE {Drummond Island, | | | | 40 | HURON { | | | | | | | | | | ST. {Mineeshco river, | | | | | MARY’S {Muscoda Sagi, | | | | | RIVER, {Sugar Island, | | | | | _American{Little Rapids, | | | | | side_. { Kinibitunoong, | | | | | {Sault Ste Marie, | | | | | | | | | | {Misconabies Creek, | | | | | {Tacquimenon, | | | | 120 | {Heart’s blood Lake, | | | | | {Manistic River, | | | | | SOUTHERN {White Fish Point, | | | | 130 | SHORES {Shelldrake River, Onzig. | $5,701,59| $11,403,1|$15,204,24| | OF L. {Two hearted River, | | | | | SUPERIOR.{Grand Marais, | | | | | {Miner’s River & | | | | | { Pictured Rocks, | | | | | {Grand Island, | | | | 180 | {Presque Isle & Granite | | | | | { Point, | | | | | {Huron Bay, | | | | | {Keweena Bay, | | | | | {Ontonagon, | | | | 500 | {Mouth of Montreal river, | | | | 410 | {Mauvais River, | | | | 479 | {Lapointe or Chegoimegon, | | | | 500 | {Fond du Lac, | | | | 590 | | | | | | {Sandy Lake, | | | | 740 | {Pine River and Red Cedar | | | | | { Lake, | | | | 800 | {Pierced Prairie & Noka | | | | | { Seepi, | | | | 940 | {Peckagama Falls, | | | | | EXTREME { (Mississippi.) | | | | | UPPER {Lake Winipec, | | | | | MISS- {Turtle Lake, |$13,817,00|$27,634,00|$36,845,33| | ISSIPPI. {Cass Lake, | | | | | {Lac Traverse & Itasca | | | | | { Lake, | | | | | {Leech Lake, (Mukkundwas.) | | | | | {Bear Island of Leech Lake,| | | | | {Mille Lac, | | | | | {Rum River, | | | | | | | | | | OLD G. {Old Grand Portage, | | | | | PORTAGE {Rainy Lake, | | | | | TO THE L.{Vermillion Lake, | | | | | OF THE {Lake of the Woods, | | | | | WOODS, { | | | | | _American{ | | | | | side_. { | | | | | | | | | | RED RIVER{Red Lake, | | | | | OF THE { | | | | | NORTH. {Pembina, | | | | | { | | | | | | | | | | {Falls of St. Croix, | | | | | ST. CROIX{Snake River, | | | | | RIVER OF {Yellow River, | | | | | THE UPPER{Rice Lake & Lac Vaseux, | | | | | MISS- {Nama Kowagun, | | | | | ISSIPPI. {L. of the Cross of the | | | | | { Namakagun, | | | | | {Pukwaewa, (Odabossa’s V.) | | | | | | | | | | {Rice Lake of Red Cedar | | | | | { Fork, | | | | | CHIPPEWA {Red Cedar Lake of Lac | | | | | RIVER { Chetac, | | | | | OF THE {Lac Courtoreille, | | | | | UPPER { (Ottowa L.) | | | | | MISS- {Red Devil’s band of the | | | | | ISSIPPI. { Ochasowa, | | | | | {Lac du Flambeau, | | | | | {Trout Lake & Tomahawk Lake| | | | | | | | | | SOURCES {La Lac Or Upper Wisconsin,| | | | | OF THE {Plover Portage & Post Lake| | | | | WISCONSIN{Metawonga, | | | | | AND {White Clay Portage, | | | | | MONOMONES{ | | | | | RIVERS. { | | | | | | | | | | NORTHERN {Bay de Nocquet, | | | | | CURVE OF {Weequaidons, | | | | | GREEN BAY{White fish Creek, | | | | | | | | | | {Mouth of Manistic, | $1000,00| $2,000| $2,666,66| | N. W. {Mille Au Coquin, | | | | | COAST {Choiswa, | | | | | OF LAKE {Straits of Michigan, | | | | | MICHIGAN.{Point St. Ignace, | | | | | | | | | | {River au Sable, (Arenac.) | | | | | {Thunder Bay, | | | | | PENINSULA{Cheboigon, | | | | | OF {L’arbre Croche, Upper & | | | | | MICHIGAN.{ Lower, | | | | | {Grand Traverse Bay, | | | | | {Rivière au Becsie, | | | | | {Maskegon, | $994,00| $1,988,00| $2,650,66| | {Grand River, | $5000,00|$10,000,00|$13,333,33| | +----------+----------+----------+--------+ |$26,512,59|$53,025,18|$70,700,22| |

=========+==========================+======+==========================+======== | |Course| Names of the persons who | Total | |of the|have received licences to | popu- GEOGRA- | NAME OF THE VILLAGE OR | post |trade, and executed bonds,| lation PHICAL | PERIODICAL ENCAMPMENT. | from |with sureties, under the |resident DISTRICT.| | the |several acts of Congress, |within | | Ag- | regulating trade and | the | |ency. | intercourse with the | agency | | |Indian tribes, during the |in 1832, | | | year. |exclud- | | | | ing | | | | inhab- | | | | itants | | | |of M. T. | | | |at Sault | | | | Ste. | | | |Marie & | | | |Michili- | | | |mackinac =========+==========================+======+==========================+======== N. W. {Michilimackinac, | | | COAST {St. Martin’s Islands, | | | OF {Chenos, | N.E. | | LAKE {Drummond Island, | N.E. | | HURON { | | | | | | ST. {Mineeshco river, | | | 306 MARY’S {Muscoda Sagi, | | | 436 RIVER, {Sugar Island, | | | _American{Little Rapids, | | | side_. { Kinibitunoong, | | | {Sault Ste Marie, | | | | | | {Misconabies Creek, | | | {Tacquimenon, |N.N.E.|William Johnston. }| {Heart’s blood Lake, | |Edward Cadotte. }| {Manistic River, | |Ecstache Raussain. | SOUTHERN {White Fish Point, |N.N.E.|Samuel Ashman. }| SHORES {Shelldrake River, Onzig. | |Richardson May. }| 1087 OF L. {Two hearted River, | |William Johnston }| SUPERIOR.{Grand Marais, | | | {Miner’s River & | | | { Pictured Rocks, | | | {Grand Island, |N.N.W.|Louis Nolin. B. Marvin. | {Presque Isle & Granite | | | { Point, | | | {Huron Bay, | |John Holiday. | {Keweena Bay, | |William Holiday. | {Ontonagon, | N.W. |Jean Bᵗ. Dubay. | {Mouth of Montreal river, | N.W. |George Bartlet. J. Brown. | {Mauvais River, | N.W. |Michael Cadotte, jun. | {Lapointe or Chegoimegon, | N.W. |L.M. Warren. M. Cadotte. | {Fond du Lac, | N.W. |W. Aitkin. W. Davenport. | | | | {Sandy Lake, | N.W. | | {Pine River and Red Cedar | | | { Lake, |W.N.W.|John H. Fairbanks. | {Pierced Prairie & Noka | | | { Seepi, |W.N.W.|Benjamin F. Baker. | {Peckagama Falls, | | | EXTREME { (Mississippi.) | | | UPPER {Lake Winipec, | N.W. |Alfred Aitkin. }| MISS- {Turtle Lake, | N.W. |Jean Bt. Belonger. }| ISSIPPI. {Cass Lake, | N.W. |James Ermatinger. | {Lac Traverse & Itasca | | | { Lake, | | | {Leech Lake, (Mukkundwas.) | N.W. |Pierre Cota. }| {Bear Island of Leech Lake,| |J. W. Abbott. G. Bungo. }| {Mille Lac, | |Charles Chabattio. }| {Rum River, | |A. Morrison. Jean Bt. Roy | 1870 | | | OLD G. {Old Grand Portage, |N.N.W.|Ambrose Davenport. | PORTAGE {Rainy Lake, | |J. Cadotte. S. Lecomble. }| TO THE L.{Vermillion Lake, |N.N.W.|V. Roy. [P. Craphesa. }| OF THE {Lake of the Woods, |N.N.W.|F. Brunet & A. Belonger. | 481 WOODS, { | | | _American{ | | | side_. { | | | | | | RED RIVER{Red Lake, | N.W. |J. Bt. Dejardin. }| OF THE { | |L. Dufault. }| NORTH. {Pembina, | N.W. |David Aitkin. | 1250 { | | | | | | {Falls of St. Croix, |W.S.W.| | ST. CROIX{Snake River, |W.S.W.|Thomas Connor. | 349 RIVER OF {Yellow River, |W.S.W.|Souvraign Dawnee. | THE UPPER{Rice Lake & Lac Vaseux, |W.S.W.|Louis Ladabouche. | 387 MISS- {Nama Kowagun, |W.S.W.| | 95 ISSIPPI. {L. of the Cross of the | | | { Namakagun, |W.S.W.| | 26 {Pukwaewa, (Odabossa’s V.) |W.S.W.| | 53 | | | {Rice Lake of Red Cedar | | | { Fork, |W.S.W.| | 142 CHIPPEWA {Red Cedar Lake of Lac | | | RIVER { Chetac, |W.S.W.|Louis Corbin. | 74 OF THE {Lac Courtoreille, | | | UPPER { (Ottowa L.) |W.S.W.|Benjamin Cadotte. | 515 MISS- {Red Devil’s band of the | | | ISSIPPI. { Ochasowa, |W.S.W.| | 152 {Lac du Flambeau, |W.S.W.|Charles H. Oaks. }| 465 {Trout Lake & Tomahawk Lake|W.S.W.|Paul Grignon. }| 51 | | | SOURCES {La Lac Or Upper Wisconsin,| S.W. |G. D. Cameron. | 125 OF THE {Plover Portage & Post Lake| S.W. | | 77 WISCONSIN{Metawonga, | S.W. | | 118 AND {White Clay Portage, | S.W. | | 34 MONOMONES{ | | | RIVERS. { | | | | | | NORTHERN {Bay de Nocquet, | S.W. | | CURVE OF {Weequaidons, | S.W. | | GREEN BAY{White fish Creek, | S.W. | | 210 | | | {Mouth of Manistic, | S. |Joseph Troque. | N. W. {Mille Au Coquin, | S. | | COAST {Choiswa, | S. | | 239 OF LAKE {Straits of Michigan, | S. | | MICHIGAN.{Point St. Ignace, | S.E. | | 40 | | | {River au Sable, (Arenac.) | S.E. | | {Thunder Bay, | S.E. | | PENINSULA{Cheboigon, | S. | | 5,698 OF {L’arbre Croche, Upper & | | | MICHIGAN.{ Lower, | S. | | {Grand Traverse Bay, | S. | | {Rivière au Becsie, | S. | | {Maskegon, | S. |George Campeau. | {Grand River, | |Rix Robinson. }| +------+Joseph Daily. }| | |Francis Lacroix. }| |William Lesley. }| +--------------------------+-------- 14,279

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

(_A_) Michilimackinac is the seat of justice for Mackinac county, Michigan Territory, is 300 miles NW. of Detroit, has a U. S. circuit court, a population of 1053, by the census of 1830, has a military post, an Indian agency, a collector’s office, a flourishing missionary school, &c.

(_B_) This river enters the head of Muddy Lake, and is partly the boundary between Michilimackinac and Chippewa counties.

(_C_) This is a tributary of the south branch of the St. Mary’s, and is much resorted to by the Indians in their periodical fishing and hunting excursions.

(_D_) Indian gardens at this place, two miles below St. Mary’s.

(_E_) This place is the site of Fort Brady, is ten miles below the foot of Lake Superior, and ninety by water NW. of Mackinac. The Indian Agency of Vincennes, Indiana, was removed to this place, in 1822, and consolidated with the agency of Mackinac, in 1832. It is the seat of justice for Chippewa county, M. T. and has a population, by the census of 1830, of 918.

(_F_) The trading post, at this place, is occupied as a fishing station, during the autumn, by persons who proceed with boats and nets, from St. Mary’s. Bonds are taken by the Indian Office, and licences granted in the usual manner, as a precaution against the introduction of ardent spirits.

(_G_) It is thirty leagues from Keweena Post to Ontonagon, by the most direct water route, but seventy-five leagues around the peninsula.

(_H_) The population enumerated at this post, includes the villages of Ocogib, Lake Vieux Desert, Iron River and Petite Peche Bay.

(_I_) The Chippewas of La Point have their gardens on this river, and reside here periodically. This is a good fishing station. A mission family has recently been located here.

(_K_) This is the most western bay of Lake Superior.

(_L_) Replaces the post of the Isle des Corbeau, which is abolished.

(_M_) The route of Rainy Lake, begins at the post on this lake, which is an expansion of the channel of the Mississippi, about ten miles across. Clear water and yields fish.

(_N_) This lake has been so named in honor of the present Secretary of War, who terminated his exploratory journey there, in 1820.

(_O_) Itasca Lake is the actual source of the Mississippi, as determined by myself, in the expedition, which furnishes occasion for this report.

(_P_) This is a very large expanse of water, clear and pure in its character, and yields fine white fish. It was deemed the head of the Mississippi by Pike, who visited it in the winter of 1806, but it is not even _one_ of the sources, as it has several large tributaries.

(_Q_) Named Rum River by Carver, but called _spirit_ river by the Indians, not using this word in a physical sense.

(_R_) This route from Old Grand Portage to the Lake of the Woods, is chiefly used by the British traders, and the gentlemen connected with the Hudson’s Bay government; but has fallen into comparative disuse, as a grand channel of traders since the introduction of goods direct from England into the Hudson Bay.

(_S_) The estimate of population at Pembina, includes all who are believed to be south of latitude 49 deg. and therefore within the limits of the United States.

(_T_) Embraces all the population of the Fork of St. Croix, connected by a portage with the Brulé River of Lake Superior.

(_U_) The Indians on these streams, rely much on wild rice. Their encampments are temporary. They come into contact with the Winnebagoes and Monomonees, who are their neighbors on the south.

(_V_) The Indian population of the peninsula of Michigan, consists of Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawattomies, who are not widely separated by language and habits. The Ottawas are however the most agricultural. No Pottawattomies are included in the estimate, and only that portion of Ottawas and Chippewas living north of Grand River, and northwest of Sagana, as the limits of the Mackinac and St. Mary’s joint agency, do not extend south of these places.

☞ The data respecting the fur trade, in the schedules, excludes the business transacted on the Island of Michilimackinac, and the village Sault Ste. Marie, these places being on lands ceded to the United States, and over which the laws of the Territory of Michigan, operate. They also exclude any amount of trade that may have been carried on, by the white inhabitants of Red River settlement, who may be located south of the national boundary on the north, as this place is too remote to have been heretofore brought under the cognizance of our Intercourse laws.

Office of Indian Agency, Sault Ste. Marie, November 21, 1832.

HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT, Indian Agent.

VI.

OFFICE INDIAN AGENCY,} _Sault Ste. Marie, December 3, 1832_.}

ELBERT HERRING, ESQ., Office of Indian Affairs, Washington.

SIR:

The condition of the Indians, situated in the area of country traversed by the St. Croix and Chippewa Rivers, has not essentially varied since the date of the report, which I had the honor to address to the Department, on the 22nd of September, 1831.[28] I beg leave now to solicit your attention to the observations made during my recent visit to the bands living northwest of that point in our geography.

From a very early period, war has existed between the Chippewas and Sioux, and although the condition of independent bands, separated by local position and local interests, has produced internal discord among themselves, they have united as nations, in defending their respective frontiers, and have not hesitated to make inroads, into the hunting grounds of each other, whenever circumstances have favored them.

The Chippewas assert, that their warfare has been one of self defence, and that their inroads have been the inevitable consequence of the determination to maintain their territorial rights. The Sioux complain that their hunting grounds have been intruded on, and that they cannot restrain their warriors. Each party lays claim to forbearance and generosity. Neither appears to omit any opportunity of inflicting injury on the other. Every blow is a fresh invitation to aggression. A state of perpetual insecurity and alarm is the consequence. Time has exasperated their feelings. And much of the severity of their present condition, is directly owing to the pertinacity with which the contest has been kept up.

In this state, the Chippewas, who are particularly the object of this report, were found by our government in 1806, who had, the year before, directed the late General Pike, to visit the Upper Mississippi. Owing to their remote position, little attention was, however, bestowed upon them till the summer of 1820, when the present Secretary of War, who then administered the government of Michigan, conducted an expedition through the country. By his recommendation a military post and agency were established on the avenue of their trade, at the foot of Lake Superior, and the usual means adopted to regulate the trade and intercourse of our citizens with them. They were counselled to remain at peace, to intermit their visits to the Canadian posts, and to pursue their usual occupations on their own lands. It was immediately found, however, that the force of their hostilities fell upon their western frontiers, where they border on the Sioux, and where the dispute respecting territorial boundaries gave scope to continual and afflicting aggressions.

In 1825 the Chippewas were invited to meet the other tribes in a general council at Prairie du Chien, which, after a full discussion, resulted in a treaty of territorial limits. This treaty was fully assented to, by the northern Chippewas convened at the treaty of Fond du Lac in 1826. The following year, deputations of this nation attended, and became one of the parties at the treaty of Bude des Morts. At this treaty the subject of boundaries was finally carried and adjusted between themselves and the Monomonees and the Winnebagoes. With the latter tribes there has been no subsequent controversy respecting limits. But the delineation on paper of the extensive line between them and the Sioux, without an actual survey and marking of it, gave rise to further difficulties. What could not be plainly seen, might be easily disputed, and the pretext was thus given for renewed aggressions. Several instances of this have constituted the subject of specific reports to the Department. The hardships of a people destitute of resources, were not only thus increased, but those of our citizens who had been licensed to trade among them complained of losses and want of protection. Many of the Indians, and several of the traders fell, either in actual conflict, or the consequences deducible from them.

During the summer of 1830, I was directed by the Department personally to visit the Indians, to endeavour to restore peace. The instructions were not, however, received until late in the year, and it was not practicable to carry them into effect until the following year. It was employed in visiting the bands situated intermediate between Lake Superior and the Mississippi, being south of St. Anthony falls. It was found impracticable to visit the more northern bands. Instructions were however received for this purpose in the spring of 1832. I immediately organized an expedition, and employed the summer season in visiting the remotest bands on the Upper Mississippi, and I will now proceed to detail such of its results, not heretofore communicated, as pertain to the present condition of the Indians.

It will be recollected that during the previous visit, general councils were held with the Chippewas at Chegoimegon on Lake Superior, and at Yellow River, Lac Courtorielle, and Rice Lake, in the region of St. Croix and Chippewa Rivers: that the subject of the treaty of peace and limits of 1825 was distinctly brought home to the chiefs, and their promise obtained to use their influence in keeping their warriors at peace: that messages were despatched by them to the principal Sioux chiefs, expressive of these sentiments, accompanied by messages from myself: that a Chippewa war party was encountered, and its object frustrated: and the subject of limits on the Red Cedar fork presenting itself as an obstacle to a firm peace on this border, was amicably referred by them to the President, with a request, by them, that he would use his influence to keep the Sioux at peace. From which auspicious results were anticipated.

I had the satisfaction to find, in the progress of this year’s visits, that these measures had been productive of good effects; that the fall and winter of 1831 had passed, without any war party’s going out of the region of the Chippewa and St. Croix, and that a peace-council had been held by the Chippewas of the Folle Avoine, and the Sioux of the Petite Corbeau’s band, which was also attended by the Upper Snake River Indians, and by deputations of the Mille Lac and Fond du Lac Chippewas, and that my counsels and admonitions had been extensively spread.

Other facts disclosed on my passing through Lake Superior may be adverted to. On casually meeting a party of Indians and traders at the Portail (June 11th), I heard of the existence of a feud at Lac Courtorielle, which had, during the previous winter, resulted in the murder of a Canadian named Brunet at Long Lake, and the murder of an Indian boy by the son of Mozojeed, the chief of the band. That the murderer had been apprehended by the Chippewas and traders, and brought out as far as the carrying-place on the head of the Mauvais River, where he had escaped.

On reaching the trading post at Kewena Bay (14th), I met Pezhicki, the chief of La Pointe, with several men going out to visit me at the sault. There was also, at this place, the speaker Mizi, being on his way, with a considerable retinue, to Penetanguishine, the British post on Lake Huron. I here learned the death of Mozobodo, the chief of Lac du Flambeau, and that his brother the White Crow, a man of inferior merit, had succeeded to the chieftainship, and was forming a war-party to descend the Chippewa River against the Sioux.

I reached the Ontonegon on the 19th, and found at this place Mushcoswun, or the Moose’s Tail, an elder brother of the White Crow of Lac du Flambeau, and Mozojeed, the chief of Lac Courtorielle, encamped with their followers, being all on their way to visit me at the sault. No further information was obtained of the state of affairs at Lac du Flambeau, except that a trader had clandestinely visited that post from the Mississippi with whiskey. Being nearest the theatre of the Sauc disturbances, I felt much anxiety to be particularly informed of the state of feeling in this numerous, warlike, and hitherto disaffected band. This I was, however, left to infer from the studied silence, or affected ignorance of Mushcoswun.

Mozojeed gave me reason to be satisfied that the Chippewas of his quarter were quite friendly, and that no disposition was felt to sanction, far less to aid, the confederated Saucs and Foxes in their schemes. He regretted, he said, the murders which had taken place in his vicinity, during the winter, which, he affirmed, arose wholly from private jealousies and bickerings. He said, he lamented the folly of the young men of his village who had committed the murders. He could not prevent it. He could not see through the distant forests, alluding to the difficulty of foreseeing and governing the acts of people at a distance. He could not absolutely govern those in his own village; but these murders were committed at Long Lake, and not at Ottowa Lake, where he lived.

He said that the murderer of Brunet had been apprehended, by the joint advice of himself and those who had grown old in wearing medals (meaning the elder chiefs). But he had escaped on the Mauvais portage. From that point the chief called Misco Monedo, or the Red Devil, and his people had returned, saying that they would punish the fugitive.

With respect to the murder committed by his son, he said that he had come out to give himself up for it, to be dealt with as might be dictated. He stood ready to answer for it. And he awaited my decision respecting it, as well as the other murder. He concluded his address by presenting a pipe.

Soon after passing Presque Isle river (20th), we met Mr. Warren, a trader, and his brigade of boats, on his annual return from his wintering ground. He confirmed the reports heard from the Indians, and added, that a trader from the Mississippi had entered the St. Croix River, and introduced ardent spirits among the Chippewas of Snake River. Mushcoswun followed me, with others, to Chagoimegon, or Lapointe, became a sharer in the presents distributed there, and expressed himself during the council in a speech of decidedly friendly terms.

At the mouth of the River Broule I encountered Ozawondib, or the Yellow Head, and Mainotagooz, or the Handsome Enunciator, two Chippewas from the Cassinian source of the Mississippi, being on their way to visit me at the seat of the agency. They reported that the Indians of Leech Lake had raised a war-party, and gone out against the Sioux of the Plains. Both these Indians returned with me to Cass Lake. The former afterward guided me from that remote point to the source of this river.

On reaching Fond du Lac (23d), I found the Indians of that post assembled, preparatory to the departure of the traders of the Fond du Lac department. Mr. Aitkin represented that the Hudson’s Bay clerks had been well supplied with high-wines, during the season of trade, which were freely used to induce our Indians to cross the boundary in quest of it, and that if the American government did not permit a limited quantity of this article to be taken by their traders, that part of their hunts would be carried to their opponents. His clerks from Rainy Lake presented me a pipe and ornamented stem, accompanying a speech of general friendship from Aissibun, or the Racoon, and another, with similar testimonials, from the son of the late chief Ainakumigishkung, both of the Rainy Lake band.

Mongazid, or the Loon’s Foot, the second chief and speaker of the Fond du Lac band, confirmed what I had previously heard, of a peace council having been held on the St. Croix, with the Petite Corbeau’s band of Sioux. He said that Kabamappa was at the head of the Chippewa party, and had been the prime mover in this pacific attempt. That he had himself been present, with a deputation of eleven men of the Fond du Lac band, including the elder chief Chingoop.

Dr. Borup, a clerk in the A. F. Company’s service, added, in relation to affairs on the Rainy Lake border, that five chiefs have been invested with medals and flags, by the _British traders_ of Rainy Lake. That eighty kegs of high-wines were exhibited to the Indians at that post during the last season—that it was freely sent over the American lines, even within _a few hours’ march_ of Leech Lake—having been sent _west_ of the portage into Turtle Lake.

We had now reached the head of Lake Superior. Our route thence to the Mississippi was up the river St. Louis, and across the Savanne portage. We reached the trading-house at the junction of Sandy Lake River with the Mississippi during the afternoon of the 3d of July, and remained at that place until 6 o’clock in the evening of the 4th. The Indians have confirmed the reports of a war-party’s having gone out from Leech Lake. All accounts from that quarter indicated a state of extreme restlessness on the part of that band, and also among the Yanktons and Sessitons. Inineewi, or the Manly Man, acted as the speaker at the council which I held on the west banks of the river. He mingled, as is common, his private affairs with his public business. He said that he was not possessed of the authority of chieftainship, but that his father Kabigwakoosidjiga, had been a chief under the English government; that Chingoop, the chief of Fond du Lac, was his uncle, and Chamees, our guide, his nephew. He said that the Grosse Guelle, and most of the chiefs and hunters of the place, had dispersed from their encampment, and were now passing the summer months in the country near the mouth of L’aile de Corbeau, or Crow-wing River. That he would forthwith convey my message to them, &c.; confirming his words with the present of a pipe.

Having determined to ascend the Mississippi from this point, and being satisfied from my Indian maps that I could make a portage from Cass Lake into Leech Lake, and from the latter into the source of the Crow-wing river, so as to descend the latter to its junction with the Mississippi, I transmitted a message to the Grosse Guelle to meet me, with the Sandy Lake Indians, at Isle de Corbeau, in twenty days, counting from the 4th. I then deposited the provisions and goods intended for distribution at the council at Isle de Corbeau, with the person in charge of Mr. Aitkin’s house, making arrangements to have the articles sent down the Mississippi, in exact season to meet me there.

Relieved of this portion of the burden of transportation, we proceeded with more alacrity. We passed the falls of Pukaiguma on the 7th, and encamped at the trading-post at Lake Winnipec, above the savannas, on the 9th, having pursued the side route through Bogotowa Lake. While encamped at Point aux Chenes, in the savannas, a Frenchman arrived from Leech Lake, on his way to the post at Sandy Lake. He reported that the war-party had returned to Leech Lake, bringing three Sessiton scalps, having, in their engagement, lost one man, a brother-in-law of the Guelle Plat’s. That the Guelle Plat had led the party, and encountered the Sioux coming out against them. He also reported, that the Sioux had scalped a Chippewa girl near Pembina. That they were immediately pursued by a party of Chippewas, overtaken in the act of constructing a raft to cross a stream, and four of the number killed and scalped.[29]

Finding the waters favourable for ascending, and that our progress had been much accelerated thereby, I sent a verbal message by this man, to have the canoes with supplies destined for Isle de Corbeau set forward two days earlier than the time originally fixed.

The clerk in charge of the trading-post of Lake Winnipec, communicated a number of facts respecting the location and number of the Indians living in the middle grounds between that post and Rainy Lake. I proposed to him the following questions, to which I have annexed his answers.

1. Do the Hudson’s Bay clerks cross the American lines from the post of Rainy Lake, for the purposes of trade? _Ans._ No. They furnish goods to Indians who go trading into the American territory.

2. Do the partners or clerks of the H. B. Co. present flags and medals to Indians? _Ans._ Yes.

3. Do they give such flags and medals to Indians living within the American lines? _Ans._ No. I have heard that they took away an American flag given to an Indian on the U. S. borders of Rainy Lake, tore it, and burnt it, and gave him a British flag instead.

4. Was the H. B. Co.’s post on Rainy Lake supplied with ardent spirits last season? _Ans._ It was. They had about 60 kegs of high-wines, which were shown to some of our Indians, who went there, and Mr. Cameron, who was in charge of the post, said to them, that, although their streams were high from the melting of the snow, they should, swim as high with liquor, if the Indians required it.

5. What is the strength of the high-wines? _Ans._ One keg is reduced to four.

6. Have the Indians sent out on _derwin_ by the H. B. Co. approached near to your post? _Ans._ They have come very near, having been on the Turtle portage with goods.

7. Did they bring liquor thus far? _Ans._ No. The liquor is kept at Rainy Lake, to induce the Indians to visit that place with their furs.

8. Did the disposition made of the liquor, which the Secretary of War permitted the principal factor of the Fond du Lac department, to take in last year, embrace the post of Winnipec? _Ans._ It did not. It was kept chiefly at Rainy Lake, and on the lines, to be used in the opposition trade.

On reaching Cass Lake, or _Lac Cedar Rouge_ (July 10th), I found a band of Chippewas resident on its principal island. They confirmed the reports of the murder and subsequent affray at Pembina, and of the return of the war-party which went out from Leech Lake. Some of the warriors engaged in the latter were from the island in Cass Lake, including the person killed. His widow and her children attended the council, and shared in the distribution of presents which I made there. While encamped on this island, two of the Sioux scalps, which had been brought in as trophies on the late excursion, were danced with the ceremonies peculiar to the occasion, on an eminence adjacent to, and within sight of, my encampment. This painful exhibition of barbaric triumph was enacted without consulting me.

Finding it practicable, in the existing state of the waters, to visit the principal and most remote source of the Mississippi, above this lake, I determined to encamp my men, and leave my heavy baggage and supplies on the island, and to accomplish the visit in small canoes, with the aid of Indian guides. As the details of this expedition afford no political information of a character required by my instructions, beyond the observation of some evidences of a Sioux inroad in former years, and the statistical facts heretofore given, they are omitted. It will be sufficient to remark that the object was successfully accomplished, under the guidance of Oza Windib. I planted the American flag on an island in the lake, which is the true source of the Mississippi, 149 years after the discovery of the mouth of this stream by La Salle. I was accompanied on this expedition by Mr. Johnston of the Department; Dr. D. Houghton; Lieut. Allen, U. S. A.; and the Rev. W. T. Boutwell.

On returning to my encampment on the island in Cass Lake, I explained to the Indians, in a formal council, the object of my instructions from the Department, so far as these relate to their hostilities with the Sioux. I invested Oza Windib with a flag and medal, finding him to be looked up to as the principal man in the band, and there being, at present, no one who claimed, or appeared to be as well entitled, to the authority of chieftainship. Neezh Opinais, or the Twin Birds, who received a medal from Gov. Cass, through the intervention of his principal guide, in 1820, was formerly resident at this lake, but is now incorporated with the band at Red Lake. I sent him a flag, accompanied with a formal message, by his son, and acknowledged the receipt of a peace pipe and stem, from Waiwain Jigun of Red Lake, sent out by him through another hand. These attentions to the ceremonial messages of the Indians are of more importance, so far as respects their feelings and friendship, than might be inferred.

Cass Lake is about 15 miles long, in the direction that the Mississippi passes through it, and may be estimated to be twelve miles wide, exclusive of a spacious prolongation or bay, in the direction to Leech Lake. It is the second large lake below the primary forks of the Mississippi, and is decidedly the largest expanse assuming the character of _a lake_, in its entire length, covering a greater square superficies than Lake Pepin.

The Mississippi is but little used by traders going North West, and not at all beyond Lac Traverse. It is found to take its rise south of west from Cass Lake. In consequence, its source has seldom been visited, even by the traders, whose highest point of temporary location is Pamitchi Gumaug, or Lac Traverse, estimated to be forty miles W.N.W. of Cass Lake. And this point has been found to be the extreme N.W. point attained by its waters.

Representations having been made to the Department, on the subject of foreign interference in the trade on this frontier, I have addressed a number of queries on the subject to a clerk[30] engaged in the American trade, who has been many years a resident of Red Lake, and is well acquainted with the geography and resources of the adjacent country. I inquired of him, whether the American traders on that border were strenuously opposed in their trade by the inhabitants of the Red River colony, or by the partners and clerks of the Hudson’s Bay Company. He replied, that the inhabitants of Pembina made temporary voyages of trade to Voleuse, or Thief River, south of the parallel of 49°, but that they had not built, or made a permanent stand there. He said, that the open nature of the country about the Red River settlements gave great facilities for making short excursions into the Indian country, on horseback and in carts. But he did not know any place where permanent outfits had been sent, except to Rivière Souris, or Mouse River, west of Red River. He believes that this traffic was carried on exclusively by the inhabitants of the colony, and not by the Hudson’s Bay Company,

I asked him, whether the Indians of the Lake of the Woods visited the post of Red Lake, and whether our traders were annoyed in their trade from that quarter, by the servants of the H. B. Company. He replied, that the Lac du Bois Indians came across to Red Lake ordinarily; that it is a three days’ journey, but that no annoyance is experienced in the trade of that post from the H. B. Co. factors. He is of opinion, that they do not send outfits into any part of the territory south of the national boundary, beginning at Rat Portage, on the Lake of the Woods.

Assurances being given by the Indians that the portages of the overland route from Cass Lake to Leech Lake were not only practicable for my canoes and baggage, but that by adopting it a considerable saving would be made both in time and distance, I determined on returning by it. The first portage was found to be 950 yards. It lies over a dry sand plain. A small lake, without outlet, is then crossed; and a second portage of 4100 yards terminates at the banks of another small lake, which has a navigable outlet (for canoes) into an arm of Leech Lake. We accomplished the entire route, from the island in Cass Lake to the Guelle Plat’s village in Leech Lake, between ten o’clock A. M. and ten P. M. of the 16th July. Although the night was dark, and the Indians had retired to their lodges, a salute was fired by them, and an eligible spot for encampment pointed out. It was so dark as to require torches to find it. The next morning, I found myself in front of a village, numbering, when all present, upwards of 700 souls. They renewed their salute. The chief, Guelle Plat, sent to invite me to breakfast. During the repast, the room became filled with Indians, who seated themselves orderly around the room. When we arose, the chief assumed the oratorical attitude, and addressed himself to me.

He expressed his regret that I had not been able to visit them the year before, when I was expected. He hoped I had now come, as I had come by surprise, to remain some days with them. He said they lived remote, and were involved in wars with their neighbours, and wished my advice. They were not insensible to advice, nor incapable of following it. They were anxious for counsel, and desirous of living at peace, and of keeping the advice which had heretofore been given to them. They had been told to sit still on their lands. But their enemies would not permit them to sit still. They were compelled to get up and fight in defence. The Sioux continued to kill their hunters. They had killed his son during the last visit he had made to my office. They had never ceased to make inroads. And he believed there were white men among the Sioux who stirred them up to go to war against the Chippewas. He named one person particularly.

It was necessary, he continued, to take some decisive steps to put a stop to their inroads. This was the reason why he had led out the war-party which had recently returned. This was the reason why I saw the stains of blood before me.

He alluded, in this expression, to the flags, war-clubs, &c. which decorated one end of the room, all of which had vermilion smeared on them, to represent blood. I replied succinctly, stating the reasons which would prevent my making a long visit, and notified him, that in consequence of the length of my route yet to perform, I would assemble them to a general council at my camp as soon as I could be prepared, that notice would be given them by the firing of the military, and that I should then lay before them the advice I came to deliver from their great father the President, and offer them at the same time my own counsel on the subjects he had spoken of.

During the day, constant accessions were made to the number of Indians from neighbouring places. Among them were a party of nine Rainy Lake Indians, under the leadership of a man named Wai-Wizh-Zhe-Geezhig, or the Hole-in-the-Sky. He represented himself and party as resident at Springing-bowstring Lake; said that he had heard of my passing Lake Winnipec, with an intention to return by Leech Lake, and came to express his good will, in the hope that he would not be overlooked, &c. I presented him publicly with a flag, and clothing and tobacco for himself and party, committing to him a short address to be delivered to the Rainy Lake Indians.

The Muk Kund Wai, or Pillagers, being present, with their chiefs and warriors, women and children, I displayed the presents intended for this band, on blankets spread out on the grass in front of my tent. I called their attention to the subjects named in my instructions, to the desire of the government for the restoration of peace to the frontiers, and its paternal character, &c.; reminded them of their solemn treaty of peace and limits with the Sioux, signed at Prairie du Chien in 1825; enforced the advantages of it in relation to their hunting, their trades, &c. &c. I presented the presents, in bulk, to the chiefs, who immediately directed their distribution.

Aish Kee Buggi Kozh, or the Guelle Plat, was their speaker in reply. He called the attention of the warriors to his words. He thanked me for the presents, which reminded him, in amount, of the times when the British held possession in that quarter. He pointed across an arm of the lake in front to the position occupied by the North-West Company’s fort. He said many winters had now passed since the Americans first sent a chief to that post to visit them—alluding to Lieutenant Pike’s visit in the winter of 1805-6. He remembered that visit. I had come to remind them that the American flag was flying in the land, and to offer them counsels of peace, for which they were thankful. They had hoped I was to spend more time with them, to enter more fully into their feelings, but as they must speak on the instant, they would not lose the opportunity of declaring their sentiments.

He thought that the advice of the Americans resembled a rushing wind. It was strong and went soon. It did not abide long enough to choke up the road. He said, that at the treaty of Tipisagi, it had been promised that the aggressor should be punished. But that they had even that very year, and almost yearly since, been attacked by the Sioux, and some of their nation killed. He said that they had even been fired on under the walls of the fort at Ishki Buggi Seepi,[31] and four of their party killed. He had himself been present. He handed to me a small bundle of sticks, which, he said, exhibited the number of Leech Lake Chippewas who had been killed by the Sioux since they had touched the quill[32] at Tipisagi. The number was forty-three.

He lifted up four American medals, attached by a string of wampum, and smeared with vermilion. He said they were bloody. He wished me to wipe off the blood. He said he was himself unable to do it. He found himself irretrievably involved in a war with the Sioux. He said he believed that it had been intended by the Creator that they should be at war with this people. He was not satisfied with the result of the late war-party. His warriors were not satisfied. He complimented their bravery. He disclaimed any merit himself. He said that they had looked for help where they did not find it. They were determined to revenge themselves. If the United States did not aid them, he had it in mind to apply elsewhere for aid. He clearly referred to, but did not name, the English government in Canada. His warriors were in a restless state. He had sent out his pipe and invitations to the neighbouring bands to continue the war. Circumstances controlled him. He could not avoid it. His own feelings were enlisted deeply in the contest. When the enemy killed his son, he had resolved never to lay down the war-club. He had sought for death in battle, but had not met it. All he now could say was, that perhaps he should not lead the next war-party. He thought some other person would.

He accused persons on the waters of the Upper Mississippi, of giving advice to the Sioux to go to war against the Chippewas. He said it was the interest of persons in the trade to induce the Sioux to extend the territorial boundary. He evinced a familiarity with persons and places. He did not exempt some persons officially connected with the general government in that quarter, from participating in the course of mal-counsel.

He complained of the traders. He criticised their conduct with severity. He thought their prices exorbitant, and said that they were so intent on getting furs, that they did not deem it necessary to use much formality in their dealings with the Indians. He complained of the exclusion of ardent spirits, but at the same time admitted, that formerly it was brought in to buy up their wild rice—a practice that left them, at the beginning of cold weather, in a destitute situation.

Much of the sentiment of this address appeared to be uttered for popular effect on the young warriors, who stood an eager, gazing group around, and made loud responses of approbation at every pause. Such parts of it as were not given as a reply to my remarks, or contained allusions entitled to notice, I replied to, aiming to keep their attention fixed on the leading principles of the pacific policy which dictated my public instructions; and not meaning that they should forget them, nor mistake them, in any bursts of feeling, or appeals to the passions or prejudices of the young men, who only looked to the war-path as the avenue of personal distinction. I brought these principles back to their minds, and enforced them by obvious appeals to facts. I told the chief that his political sentiments should be faithfully reported to the government, whose object it was, in the employment of subordinate officers, to accumulate facts, which might form the basis of future action.

So far as related to the traders withdrawing the article of whiskey from the trade, I felt it due to say that no hard feelings should be entertained towards them. That it was excluded by the office. That the Indians should, in justice blame me, or blame the government, and not the traders. I was satisfied that the use of whiskey was very hurtful to them in every situation, and felt determined to employ every means which the control of the Agency of the North-West gave to me, to exclude the article wholly and rigidly from the Chippewas, and to set the mark of disapprobation upon every trader who should make the attempt to introduce it.

Having an engagement to meet the Sandy Lake Indians on the 22d (after a lapse of five days), and an unknown route to explore, I terminated the council by the distribution of provisions to the Rainy Lake Indians, guides, and chiefs, requested fresh guides for the route into the Ka Ga Gee, or De Corbeau River, and immediately embarked. We encamped on the southern shore of Leech Lake. During the following day (18th), we accomplished the whole route from this lake to the head waters of the De Corbeau. It consists of five portages of various length, separated by ten small lakes and ponds. The last of the portages terminates on the handsomely elevated banks of a lake called Kagi Nogum Aug. This lake is the source of this fork of the Mississippi. The Guelle Plat, with the secondary chief of his band, overtook me at the commencement of the fourth portage, and accompanied me to my encampment. He said he had many things which he still wished to consult me on, and spent the evening, until twelve o’clock, in conversation. I found him to possess a reflective intelligent mind. He stated to me his opinions on the Sioux war, the boundary line, the trade, location of trading-posts. &c. He evinced the gratified feelings created by the circumstances of my visit to his people, and said he should visit me at the agency, next year, if his life and health were spared.

We commenced the descent of the De Corbeau on the 19th. The channel is at first small and winding. It expands successively into eleven lakes, of various dimensions, and acquires considerable breadth and velocity before it forms its upper forks, by the junction with Shell River. We encountered in this distance no Indians, but observed, as we had the previous day, traces of the recent war-party. In passing out of the tenth of the series of lakes, the men observed a camp-fire on shore, but no person appeared. It was conjectured to indicate the presence of Sioux, who, perceiving the character of the party, had fled and concealed themselves.

The next day afforded no certain evidences of a fixed population. We observed continued traces of the recent war-party, and other signs of temporary occupancy, in the standing camp-poles and meat racks which frequently met the eye in our descent. We passed the entrance of Leaf River, a large tributary from the right, having its source near the banks of Otter Tail Lake; and the next day, had our attention directed to the entrance of Prauie River, on the same shore. The latter is also a tributary of the first class. It is the war-road, so to say, between the Chippewas and Sioux, having its source in a lake, which is designated in the treaty of Prairie du Chien as one of the points in the boundary line between these two nations.

The day following (21st), the monotony of vegetable solitude was broken by meeting a Chippewa and his family in a canoe. He informed me that we were within a few hours’ journey of the mouth of the river—that the Sandy Lake and Mille Lac Indians were assembled there, awaiting my arrival, and that they expected me this day. I found this information to be correct. We entered the Mississippi about noon, and saw the opposite shore lined with lodges, with the American flag conspicuously displayed. The long-continued firing and shouts of the Indians left me no reason to doubt that my arrival was both anticipated and desired. I was gratified on being told, within three hours of my arrival, that the canoe, with the goods and supplies from Sandy Lake, was in sight. And in a few moments found the event verified, in the safe arrival of the men, and the landing of the packages.

I determined to lose no time in assembling the Indians in council, addressed them on the objects of the expedition, and caused the presents to be prepared and distributed. I was addressed, in reply, by the elder chief, Gross Guelle, and also by the brother of the Strong Ground, by Waub Ojeeg, and by a young man called Nitum E’gabo Wai. Peculiarities in the address of each only require to be adverted to.

The Gross Guelle deemed it important that the line between them and the Sioux should be surveyed and marked. He said that much of it was a land line, and it could not be told by either party where it ran. This was true of it, in the section of country immediately west of them. The Sioux were in the habit of trespassing on it; and when their own hunters went out in the pursuit of game, they did not like to stop short of the game, and they saw no marked line to stop them. He said that it had been promised at the treaty that the line should be run, and he wished me to refer the subject to the President. He was in favour of peace now, as he had been at Tipisagi, and at Fond du Lac.

Soangikumig, or the Strong Ground, expressed his sentiments through the medium of his brother, who was the more ready speaker. He said he had taken a part in defending the lines, and he hoped that they might be made plain, so that each party could see them. As it is, a perpetual pretence is given for crossing the lines. It must be expected that peace would often be broken when it could be so easily done.

Waub Ojeeg, or the White Fisher, said that he had given his influence to peace counsels. He had been present at the treaty of Fond du Lac. But the Sandy Lake Indians had been lately reproached, as it were, for their pacific character, by hearing of the Leech Lake war-party’s passing so near to them. He hoped that the same advice that was given to them would be given to the Sioux. If the Sioux would not _come_ over the lines, the Chippewas would promise not to _go_ over them. He thought the lines might have been differently run, but as they had been agreed to by their old chiefs, who were now gone, it would be best to let them as they do. Their hunters, however, always came out of the mouth of Sauc River, which had been given up to the Sioux.

The young man said that he was the son of Pugu Sain Jigun, who had died recently at Sandy Lake. He said that the medal which he wore had been given to his father by me, at the treaty of Prairie du Chien in 1825, in exchange for a British medal, surrendered by him. He did not profess to have any experience in political affairs. He had inherited his medal, and hoped to be considered by me worthy of it. He expected the respect due to it. He expressed his friendship, and confirmed his speech with a pipe.

Ascertaining the trading-house to be near my encampment, after closing the council, I descended the Mississippi about eighteen miles, and encamped at Prairie Piercée.

The distance from the mouth of the De Corbeau to St. Anthony’s Falls, may be computed to exceed 200 miles. The line between the Chippewas and Sioux crossed from the east to the west of the Mississippi, so as to strike and follow up the Wadub, or Little Soc River, which is the first river on the west banks of the Mississippi, above the mouth of Soc River. We passed several Chippewa hunters, with their families, along this part of the Mississippi, but encountered no Sioux, even on that portion of it lying south of their line. I was informed that they had in a measure abandoned this part of the country, and I observed no standing Sioux camp-poles, which are, with the people, a conspicuous sign of occupancy, and which were, in 1820, noticed to extend as high up the river as Little Rock. (_Les Petite Roches_).

I passed the portage of the Falls of St. Anthony, and reached Fort Snelling on the 24th July. There being no agent, nor sub-agent present, Captain Jouett, the commanding officer, on whom the charge of the agency had temporarily devolved, afforded me every facility for communicating to the Sioux the object of my visit to the Chippewas, and requesting their concurrence in its accomplishment. For this purpose the Wahpeton Sioux were called together, at the agency-house, on the 25th. I stated to them the object of the visit, and the means which had been used to persuade the Chippewas to give up war, and to confine themselves within their lines. I reminded them of the anxiety of their great father the President, to bring about a firm peace between them and the Chippewas, and of the numerous proofs he had given them of this anxiety, by calling them together at several councils, which had this object particularly in view. They had men of wisdom among them, and they would quickly see how utterly useless it would, however, be for the Chippewas to remain quiet, during any single season, if the Sioux did not also, at the same time, sit still. I appealed to them to resolve on peace; to take the resolution now; to take it sincerely, and to adhere to it firmly and for ever.

I stated to them the request made by Grosse Guelle, and other Chippewa chiefs, respecting the marking out of the lines, and invited them to express their opinion on this subject.

I announced to them the exclusion of whiskey.

The aged chief Petite Corbeau uttered their reply. I recognised in this chief one of the signers of the grant of land made at this place 26 years ago, when the site of the fort was first visited and selected by the late General Pike. He adverted to the agency, which he had exercised for many years, in managing the affairs of his people. They lived upon the river. They were constantly in sight. They were in the habit of being consulted. His ears had always been open to the Americans. He had listened to their counsels. He would still listen to them, although they were, at present, in a depressed situation. He adverted particularly to the existing war with the Saucs, and the accusations which had been thrown out against the Sioux party, who had gone down to join the American standard, but had returned. He denied that they felt any friendship for the Saucs and Foxes. He said they were willing to go against them again, if requested by the commanding officer.

He spoke on the subject of the Chippewa wars at some length, adverting to a time when this people did not approach so near to the river—when they dared not to approach so near to it. He thought the lines were drawn too close upon them, on the St. Croix—that the young men could not go out hunting, but quickly they found themselves beyond their lines. He thought they might even now be driven back, were it undertaken in earnest.

He said the chief of Leech Lake was wrong to appeal to me to wipe the blood off his medal. He ought to be able to wipe it off himself. It was pitiful to make this appeal, for men who were able to do a thing themselves. He referred to the late Chippewa war-party, and said that a relative of his had been killed. Blood would call for blood. He did not rule the Lessitons. He thought they would repay the blow.

His own advice had been pacific. He had received my wampum last year, and smoked the pipe with the St. Croix Chippewas. They were their neighbours. They were now at peace. They wished to remain so. They would act by my advice. He thanked me for the advice.

He warmly approbated the proposition to run out the lines. He said it had been mentioned at the treaty. And although the lines were not adjusted to the full satisfaction of all, perhaps they could never be settled better. He therefore united in requesting that the President might be asked to direct white men to establish them. It would be necessary, however, to have both parties by.

He again adverted to the difficulties between them and the Chippewas. He thought that these difficulties were kept alive by the visits of the Chippewas to their post. He said it put bad feelings into the hearts of the Sioux, to see the Chippewas share the bounties of government, which the Sioux believed the government intended exclusively for them. Besides, it was difficult to restrain their feelings of hostility when they came together. Both parties were mistrustful. It was only necessary to look back a few years, to perceive what the consequences had been. He believes that these tribes ought to be kept apart. And one of the best means of keeping them apart was to draw their lines plain, and to order presents to be given out on their own lands, and not on each other’s lands.

He spoke against the location of any trading-post on the St. Croix, which should be fixed so near to the lines as to bring the Sioux and Chippewas into contact. He also stated reasons why a post at the mouth of the St. Croix, which is exclusively in the Sioux country, was not necessary.[33] He wished to keep his band together, and not to give them excuses for going hither and yon. He requested me to stop at his village, and to use my influence in persuading his people to live in one village, and not to continue, as they now were, in two distinct villages, which were not, in consequence, so fully under his control.[34]

Wamidetunkar, or the Black Dog, followed him in a speech containing sentiments not at variance with those expressed by the Little Crow. Its distinguishing feature was, however, a reference to the indulgences formerly granted to the Sioux at this post. He thought it hard that these indulgences should be withdrawn, or curtailed. And he could not comprehend how such a course could be consistent with professions of friendship on the part of officers of the U. States. He referred, particularly, to indiscriminate visiting at the fort, and the purchase of ardent spirits from the settlers.

Cohmokar said that he had been present with the Petite Corbeau at the signing of the treaty of cession at St. Peters, and it was owing to this act that the American flag was now displayed there. He had sustained this chief in his public acts, and he concurred with him in what he had uttered about the Chippewa war, and also the existing troubles with the Black Hawk. He repelled the idea that the Sioux were friendly to the Saucs and Foxes in the present controversy. They were a people who were never at ease. They had often struck the Sioux. The Sioux war-club had also been often lifted against them, and it was ready to be lifted again. They were ready to hear the commanding officer, who was sitting present, say strike.

The details of my route through the St. Croix and Burntwood Rivers, do not essentially vary the aspect of North Western Indian affairs given above. Facts communicated expressive of the then existing state of feeling respecting the said disturbances, were promptly reported to his excellency George B. Porter, governor of Michigan, in a letter, of which I have the honour herewith to furnish a copy. The proposition of running out and marking their territorial lines, as a means of preserving peace, was approved; the recent meetings on the St. Croix, for the purpose of renewing pledges of peace, declared to be sincere on the part of the Chippewas; and sentiments of friendship to the government, and welcome to myself, expressed at each of the councils which I held with them.

In submitting to the Department this summary of facts, resulting from my visit to the source of the Mississippi, I take the occasion to remark, that whatever may be the present state of feeling of the tribes on that stream, above Prairie du Chien, respecting the government of the United States, causes are in silent, but active operation, which will hereafter bring them into contact with our frontier settlements, and renew, at two or three separate periods in their history, the necessity of resorting to arms to quell or pacify them. The grounds of this opinion I need not now specify, further than to indicate that they exist in the condition and character of opposite lines of an extensive frontier population, which will inevitably impel the one to press, and the other to recede or resist. This process of repulsion and resistance will continue, if I have not much mistaken the character of that stream, until the frontier shall have become stationary about five hundred miles above the point I have indicated. I advert to this topic, not in the spirit of exciting immediate alarm, for there are no reasons for it, but for the purpose of calling the attention of the Secretary of War, through you, sir, to the importance of keeping up, and not withdrawing or reducing, the north western posts and agencies. And to express the opinion, that the advice and influence of the government upon these tribes would fall nearly powerless, without ready and visible means upon the frontiers of causing its counsels to be respected. Christianity, schools, and agriculture will do much to meliorate their condition and subdue their animosities, but it is a species of influence which has not yet been felt in any general effects in this quarter. Among the means of securing their friendship, and preserving peace, I have the honour to suggest, that beneficial effects would result from following out the system of exploratory visits, by extending it to the region of Lac des Flambeau, and to that portion of the peninsula of Michigan lying north of Grand River. A deputation of the Chippewas from the sources of the Mississippi and Lake Superior to the seat of government, would also be advantageous.

So far as respects the state of hostilities among the Sioux and Chippewas, it must be expected that continued efforts will be necessary effectually to check it. Nothing could, perhaps, now be done, which would tend so directly to promote this end, as the surveying of the lines agreed on between themselves at the treaty of Prairie du Chien of 1825.

I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

VII.

_Sault Ste. Marie, Sept. 21, 1832._

H. R. SCHOOLCRAFT, ESQ. } U. S. Indian Agent, Sault Ste. Marie.}

SIR:

In conformity with your instructions, I take the earliest opportunity to lay before you such facts as I have collected, touching the vaccination of the Chippewa Indians, during the progress of the late expedition into their country; and also “of the prevalence, from time to time, of the small-pox” among them.

The accompanying table will serve to illustrate the “ages, sex, tribe, and local situation” of those Indians who have been vaccinated by me. With the view of illustrating more fully their local situation, I have arranged those bands residing upon the shores of Lake Superior; those residing in the Folle Avoine country (or that section of country lying between the highlands south-west from Lake Superior, and the Mississippi River); and those residing near the sources of the Mississippi River, separately.

Nearly all the Indians noticed in this table were vaccinated at their respective villages; yet I did not fail to vaccinate those whom we chanced to meet in their hunting or other excursions.

I have embraced, with the Indians of the frontier bands, those half-breeds, who, in consequence of having adopted more or less the habits of the Indian, may be identified with him.

+--------------------------------+------- CHIPPEWA INDIANS. | MALES. | -------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+ |Under| 10 | 20 | 40 | 60 |Over|Males.| | 10 | to | to | to | to | 80 | | Bands. | | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | | | +-----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+ {Sault Ste. Marie, 93 | 22 | 19 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 145 | {Grand Island, 17 | 9 | 7 | 2 | | | 35 | LAKE {Keweena Bay, 23 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 1 | | 51 | SUPERIOR. {Ontonagon River, 7 | 8 | 10 | 3 | | | 28 | {La Pointe, 37 | 32 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 118 | {Fond du Lac, 50 | 21 | 45 | 10 | 2 | | 128 | | | | | | | | {Lac du Flambeau, 6 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | | 16 | {Ottowa Lake, 11 | 4 | 8 | 1 | | | 24 | FOLLE {YELLOW RIVER, 11 | 2 | 6 | 1 | | | 20 | AVOINE {Nama Kowagun of } | | | | | | | COUNTRY. { St. Croix River,} 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | 8 | {Snake River, 14 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 30 | | | | | | | | SOURCES {Sandy Lake, 75 | 21 | 47 | 10 | 2 | | 155 | OF THE {LAKE WINNIPEG, 4 | 4 | 10 | 3 | | | 21 | MISSISSIPPI {Cass or Upper Red } | | | | | | | RIVER. { Cedar Lake, } 18 | 5 | 11 | 6 | | 1 | 41 | {Leech Lake, 76 | 43 | 73 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 213 | -----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+ Lake Superior, 227 | 103 | 131 | 35 | 7 | 2 | 505 | Folle Avoine County, 46 | 12 | 29 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 98 | Sources of the Mississippi, 173 | 73 | 141 | 35 | 6 | 2 | 430 | -----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+ Total, 446 | 188 | 301 | 78 | 15 | 5 | 1033 |

+--------------------------------+------------- CHIPPEWA INDIANS. | FEMALES. | -------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+------ |Under| 10 | 20 | 40 | 60 |Over| Fe- |Total. | 10 | to | to | to | to | 80 |males.| Bands. | | 20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | | | +-----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+------ {Sault Ste. Marie, 75 | 28 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 138 | 283 {Grand Island, 12 | 5 | 7 | | | | 24 | 59 LAKE {Keweena Bay, 20 | 12 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 57 | 108 SUPERIOR. {Ontonagon River, 13 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 1 | | 37 | 65 {La Pointe, 38 | 25 | 28 | 12 | 2 | | 106 | 224 {Fond du Lac, 41 | 18 | 35 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 115 | 243 | | | | | | | {Lac du Flambeau, 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | | 13 | 29 {Ottowa Lake, 10 | 7 | 3 | 2 | | | 22 | 46 FOLLE {YELLOW RIVER, 11 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | | 23 | 43 AVOINE {Nama Kowagun of } | | | | | | | COUNTRY. { St. Croix River,} 4 | | 3 | 2 | | | 9 | 17 {Snake River, 25 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 1 | | 42 | 72 | | | | | | | SOURCES {Sandy Lake, 86 | 19 | 48 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 184 | 339 OF THE {LAKE WINNIPEG, 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | | | 5 | 26 MISSISSIPPI {Cass or Upper Red } | | | | | | | RIVER. { Cedar Lake, } 18 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 77 {Leech Lake, 96 | 41 | 61 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 226 | 439 -----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+------ Lake Superior, 199 | 93 | 120 | 46 | 14 | 5 | 477 | 982 Folle Avoine County, 52 | 12 | 32 | 9 | 4 | | 109 | 207 Sources of the Mississippi, 201 | 64 | 118 | 55 | 9 | 4 | 451 | 881 -----+-----+-----+----+----+----+------+------ Total, 452 | 169 | 270 |110 | 27 | 9 | 1037 | 2070

But little difficulty has occurred in convincing the Indians of the efficacy of vaccination; and the universal dread in which they hold the appearance of the small pox among them, rendered it an easy task to overcome their prejudices, whatever they chanced to be. The efficacy of the vaccine disease is well appreciated, even by the most interior of the Chippewa Indians, and so universal is this information, that only one instance occurred where the Indian had never heard of the disease.

In nearly every instance the opportunity which was presented for vaccination was embraced with cheerfulness and apparent gratitude; at the same time manifesting great anxiety that, for the safety of the whole, each one of the band should undergo the operation. When objections were made to vaccination, they were not usually made because the Indian doubted the protective power of the disease, but because he supposed (never having seen its progress) that the remedy must nearly equal the disease which it was intended to counteract.

Our situation, while travelling, did not allow me sufficient time to test the result of the vaccination in most instances; but an occasional return to bands where the operation had been performed, enabled me, in those bands, either to note the progress of the disease, or to judge from the cicatrices marking the original situation of the pustules, the cases in which the disease had proved successful.

About one-fourth of the whole number were vaccinated directly from the pustules of patients labouring under the disease; while the remaining three-fourths were vaccinated from crusts, or from virus which had been several days on hand. I did not pass by a single opportunity for securing the crusts and virus from the arms of healthy patients; and to avoid as far as possible the chance of giving rise to a disease of a spurious kind, I invariably made use of those crusts and that virus, for the purposes of vaccination, which had been most recently obtained. To secure, as far as possible, against the chances of escaping the vaccine disease, I invariably vaccinated in each arm.

Of the whole number of Indians vaccinated, I have either watched the progress of the disease, or examined the cicatrices of about seven hundred. An average of one in three of those vaccinated from crusts has failed, while of those vaccinated directly from the arm of a person labouring under the disease, not more than one in twenty has failed to take effect—when the disease did not make its appearance after vaccination, I have invariably, as the cases came under my examination, revaccinated until a favourable result has been obtained.

Of the different bands of Indians vaccinated, a large proportion of the following have, as an actual examination has shown, undergone thoroughly the effects of the disease: viz. Sault Ste. Marie, Keweena Bay, La Pointe, and Cass Lake, being seven hundred and fifty-one in number; while of the remaining thirteen hundred and seventy-eight, of other bands, I think it may safely be calculated that more than three-fourths have passed effectually under the influence of the vaccine disease: and as directions to revaccinate all those in whom the disease failed, together with instructions as to time and manner of vaccination, were given to the chiefs of the different bands, it is more than probable that, where the bands remained together a sufficient length of time, the operation of revaccination has been performed by themselves.

Upon our return to Lake Superior I had reason to suspect, on examining several cicatrices, that two of the crusts furnished by the surgeon-general in consequence of a partial decomposition, gave rise to a spurious disease, and these suspicions were confirmed when revaccinating with genuine vaccine matter, when the true disease was communicated. Nearly all those Indians vaccinated with those two crusts, have been vaccinated, and passed regularly through the vaccine disease.

The answers to my repeated inquiries respecting the introduction, progress, and fatality of the small-pox, would lead me to infer that the disease has made its appearance, at least five times, among the bands of Chippewa Indians noticed in the accompanying table of vaccination.

The small-pox appears to have been wholly unknown to the Chippewas of Lake Superior until about 1750; when a war-party, of more than one hundred young men, from the bands resident near the head of the lake, having visited Montreal for the purpose of assisting the French in their then existing troubles with the English, became infected with the disease, and but few of the party survived to reach their homes—It does not appear, although they made a precipitate retreat to their own country, that the disease was at this time communicated to any others of the tribe.

About the year 1770, the disease appeared a second time among the Chippewas, but unlike that which preceded it, it was communicated to the more northern bands.

The circumstances connected with its introduction are related nearly as follows.

Some time in the fall of 1767 or 8, a trader, who had ascended the Mississippi and established himself near Leech Lake, was robbed of his goods by the Indians residing at that lake; and, in consequence of his exertions in defending his property, he died soon after.

These facts became known to the directors of the Fur Company, at Mackinac, and each successive year after, requests were sent to the Leech Lake Indians, that they should visit Mackinac, and make reparation for the goods they had taken, by a payment of furs, at the same time threatening punishment in case of a refusal. In the spring of 1770 the Indians saw fit to comply with this request; and a deputation from the band visited Mackinac, with a quantity of furs, which they considered an equivalent for the goods which had been taken. The deputation was received with politeness by the directors of the company, and the difficulties readily adjusted. When this was effected, a cask of liquor and a flag closely rolled were presented to the Indians as a token of friendship. They were at the same time strictly enjoined neither to break the seal of the cask nor to unroll the flag, until they had reached the heart of their own country. This they promised to observe; but while returning, and after having travelled many days, the chief of the deputation made a feast for the Indians of the band at Fond du Lac, Lake Superior, upon which occasion he unsealed the cask and unrolled the flag for the gratification of his guests. The Indians drank of the liquor, and remained in a state of inebriation during several days. The rioting was over, and they were fast recovering from its effects, when several of the party were seized with violent pain. This was attributed to the liquor they had drunk; but the pain increasing, they were induced to drink deeper of the poisonous drug, and in this inebriated state several of the party died, before the real cause was suspected. Other like cases occurred; and it was not long before one of the war-party which had visited Montreal in 1750, and who had narrowly escaped with his life, recognised the disease as the same which had attacked their party at that time. It proved to be so; and of those Indians then at Fond du Lac, about three hundred in number, nearly the whole were swept off by it. Nor did it stop here, for numbers of those at Fond du Lac, at the time the disease made its appearance, took refuge among the neighbouring bands, and although it did not extend easterly on Lake Superior, it is believed that not a single band of Chippewas north or west from Fond du Lac escaped its ravages. Of a large band then resident at Cass Lake, near the source of the Mississippi River, only one person, a child, escaped. The others having been attacked by the disease, died before any opportunity for dispersing was offered. The Indians at this day are firmly of the opinion that the small-pox was, at this time, communicated through the articles presented to their brethren, by the agent of the Fur Company at Mackinac; and that it was done for the purpose of punishing them more severely for their offences.

The most western bands of Chippewas relate a singular allegory of the introduction of the small-pox into their country by a war-party, returning from the plains of the Missouri, as nearly as information will enable me to judge, in the year 1784. It does not appear that, at this time, the disease extended to the bands east of Fond du Lac; but it is represented to have been extremely fatal to those bands north and west from there.

In 1802 or 3, the small-pox made its appearance among the Indians residing at the Sault Ste. Marie, but did not extend to the bands west from that place. The disease was introduced by a voyager, in the employ of the North West Fur Company, who had just returned from Montreal; and although all communication with him was prohibited, an Indian imprudently having made him a visit, was infected with and transmitted the disease to others of the band. When once communicated, it raged with great violence, and of a large band scarcely one of those then at the village survived, and the unburied bones still remain marking the situation they occupied. From this band the infection was communicated to a band residing upon St. Joseph’s Island, and many died of it; but the surgeon of the military post then there succeeded, by judicious and early measures, in checking it, before the infection became general.

In 1824 the small-pox again made its appearance among the Indians at the Sault Ste. Marie. It was communicated by a voyager to Indians upon Drummond’s Island, Lake Huron; and through them several families at Sault Ste. Marie became infected. Of those belonging to the latter place, more than twenty in number, only two escaped. The disease is represented to have been extremely fatal to the Indians at Drummond’s Island.

Since 1824, the small-pox is not known to have appeared among the Indians at the Sault Ste. Marie, nor among the Chippewas north or west from that place. But the Indians of these bands still tremble at the bare name of a disease which (next to the compounds of alcohol) has been one of the greatest scourges that has ever overtaken them since their first communication with the whites. The disease, when once communicated to a band of Indians, rages with a violence wholly unknown to the civilized man. The Indian, guided by present feeling, adopts a course of treatment (if indeed it deserves that appellation), which not unfrequently arms the disease with new power. An attack is but a warning to the poor and helpless patient to prepare for death, which will almost assuredly soon follow. His situation under these circumstances is truly deplorable; for while in a state that even, with proper advice, he would of himself recover, he adds fresh fuel to the flame which is already consuming him, under the delusive hope of gaining relief. The intoxicating draught (when it is within his reach) is not among the last remedies to which he resorts, to produce a lethargy from which he is never to recover. Were the friends of the sick man, even under these circumstances, enabled to attend him, his sufferings might be, at least, somewhat mitigated; but they too are, perhaps, in a similar situation, and themselves without even a single person to minister to their wants. Death comes to the poor invalid, and perhaps even as a welcome guest, to rid him of his suffering.

By a comparison of the number of Indians vaccinated upon the borders of Lake Superior, with the actual population, it will be seen that the proportion who have passed through the vaccine disease is so great as to secure them against any general prevalence of the small-pox; and perhaps it is sufficient to prevent the introduction of the disease to the bands beyond, through this channel. But in the Folle Avoine country it is not so. Of the large bands of Indians residing in that section of country, only a small fraction have been vaccinated; while of other bands not a single person has passed through the disease.

Their local situation undoubtedly renders it of the first importance that the benefits of vaccination should be extended to them. Their situation may be said to render them a connecting link between the southern and north-western bands of Chippewas; and while on the south they are liable to receive the virus of the small-pox from the whites and Indians, the passage of the disease through them to their more northern brethren would only be prevented by their remaining, at that time, completely separated. Every motive of humanity towards the suffering Indian, would lead to extend to him this protection against a disease he holds in constant dread, and of which he knows, by sad experience, the fatal effects. The protection he will prize highly, and will give in return the only boon a destitute man is capable of giving; the deep-felt gratitude of an overflowing heart.

I have the honour to be, Very respectfully, sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed,) DOUGLASS HOUGHTON.

ADDENDA—I.

OFFICE OF INDIAN AGENCY, } _Sault Ste. Marie, February 13, 1832_. }

ELBERT HERRING, ESQ., } Office of Indian Affairs, Washington. }

SIR,

Events growing out of the political condition of the Indian tribes on the head waters of the Mississippi, call for the continued interposition of the friendly influence of the government on that remote part of our north-western frontier. It has been long known that desperate and deep-rooted feuds continue to harass the tribes whose local position brings them into frequent contact. These contests operate to divert their attention from hunting, and to abstract their minds from objects essential to their well-being. They embarrass every effort to better their condition. They repel the advance of teachers. They deaden the effect of counsel. And by keeping the Indian mind in a state of perpetual alarm, destroy its capacities of healthful action. Every year is giving new proofs of the inveteracy of their hatred for each other, and the deteriorating effects of cultivating, as they do, the passion for warlike achievement. It is destructive to the industry of the young, and paralyzing to the counsels of the old.

The effect of the expedition ordered by the government last year, into the country of the Chippewas, is believed to have been efficacious in checking this spirit of predatory warfare, and impressing upon their minds the true character of our government, its benevolent intentions towards them, and its watchfulness, power, and resources. It was not practicable, however, to go over the whole area proposed to be visited, the effect of the expedition having been directed exclusively to the bands located south of the latitude of St. Anthony’s Falls. It is believed that a similar mission to the tribes of the Upper Mississippi, living north of that point in our geography, would result in effects equally useful to them and to the government. And I therefore submit to the Department the propriety of authorizing it.

Additional weight is given to the reasons applicable to this subject, by the increased hazards at which the trade of our citizens is conducted in that quarter, and the influence they have to contend with, from the proximity of a foreign and a rival frontier. The agents of the Hudson’s Bay Company are wakeful and active opponents, and there is reason to believe that the measure of control which they exercise over the Indian population, is irrespective of an imaginary territorial line. At any rate, our traders complain loudly of infractions and losses from this source. Merely to visit the Indians and the traders at their posts, will be to encourage and to sustain them.

It is proposed to perform the journey in a single canoe, manned by _engages_, accompanied with an escort of soldiers, and with such auxiliary aid from the native population as may be necessary. It would give additional utility to the effort, if the Engineer Department should judge proper to subjoin an officer to take observations for latitude, and to collect the materials for a correct map. The moral condition of the native population is such as to render it an interesting field for evangelical observation, and I propose to offer to a clergyman in the service of the A. B. F. Missions, now on the frontier, the opportunity of exploring it.

The route from the head of Lake Superior will extend, through the River St. Louis and its connecting waters, to the Mississippi at Sandy Lake, and by the way of Leech Lake to the sources of the Mississippi. From the point where navigation is checked a portage is proposed to be made into Red Lake (a remote tributary of Hudson’s Bay). And the route by Ottertail Lake, and the river De Corbeau, will be pursued so as to re-enter the Mississippi at the confluence of the latter. Thence by the Falls of St. Anthony to St. Peters, and through the St. Croix, the Chippewa, or the Wisconsin, to the lakes. Circumstances may require changes in this programme.

The extent of the country to be traversed requires an early departure from this place, and the toil of interior transportation makes it desirable that as little baggage, and as few men, should be taken, as may suffice for the certain accomplishment of the object. Under this view of the subject, I have prepared a detailed estimate of expenditures, on an economical scale, which is herewith submitted.

I have the honour, &c.

II.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, } _Office Indian Affairs, May 3, 1832_. }

SIR,

Your letter of February 13th has been received, and its general views are approved. The Secretary of War deems it important that you should proceed to the country upon the heads of the Mississippi, and visit as many of the Indians in that, and the intermediate region, as circumstances will permit. Reports have reached the Department from various quarters, that the Indians upon our frontiers are in an unquiet state, and that there is a prospect of extensive hostilities among themselves. It is no less the dictate of humanity than of policy, to repress this feeling, and to establish permanent peace among these tribes. It is also important to inspect the condition of the trade in that remote country, and the conduct of the traders. To ascertain whether the laws and regulations are complied with, and to suggest such alterations as may be required. And generally to inquire into the numbers, situations, dispositions, and prospects of the Indians, and to report all the statistical facts you can procure, and which will be useful to the government in its operations, or to the community in the investigation of these subjects.

In addition to these objects, you will direct your attention to the vaccination of the Indians. An act for that purpose has passed Congress, and you are authorized to take a surgeon with you. The compensation fixed by law is six dollars per day, but this includes all the expenses. As the surgeon with you must necessarily be transported and subsisted at the public expense, the whole sum of six dollars per day will be allowed for this service, but of that sum only three dollars per day will be paid to the surgeon, and the residue will be applied to the expenses of the expedition.

Vaccine matter, prepared and put up by the surgeon-general, is herewith transmitted to you; and you will, upon your whole route, explain to the Indians the advantages of vaccination, and endeavour to persuade them to submit to the process. You will keep and report an account of the number, ages, sex, tribe, and local situation of the Indians who may be vaccinated, and also of the prevalence, from time to time, of the small-pox among them, and of its effects as far as these can be ascertained.

The following sums will be allowed for the expenses of the expedition, &c.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, ELBERT HERRING.

HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT, Esq., } Indian Agent, Sault Ste. Marie. }

III.

_St. Peters, July 25, 1832._

GEN. JOSEPH M. STREET, } Indian Agent, Prairie du Chien. }

SIR,

I arrived at this place yesterday from the sources of the Mississippi, having visited the Chippewa bands and trading-posts in that quarter. Much complaint is made respecting the conduct of the persons licensed by you last year, who located themselves at the Granite Rocks, and on the St. Croix. No doubt can exist that each of them took in, and used in their trade, a considerable quantity of whiskey. And I am now enabled to say, that they each located themselves at points within the limits of my agency, where there are no trading-posts established. My lowest trading-post on the Mississippi, is the Pierced Prairie, eighteen miles below the mouth of the De Corbeau. It embraces one mile square, upon which traders are required to be located. On the St. Croix, the posts established and confirmed by the Department are Snake River and Yellow River, and embrace each, as the permanent place of location, one mile square. I report these facts for your information, and not to enable you to grant licenses for these posts, as the instructions of the Department give to each agent the exclusive control of the subject of granting licenses for the respective agencies.

Much solicitude is felt by me to exclude ardent spirits wholly from the Chippewas and Ottowas, the latter of whom have, by a recent order, been placed under my charge. I am fully satisfied that ardent spirits are not necessary to the successful prosecution of the trade, that they are deeply pernicious to the Indians, and that both their use and abuse is derogatory to the character of a wise and sober government. Their exclusion in every shape, and every quantity, is an object of primary moment; and it is an object which I feel it a duty to persevere in the attainment of, however traders may bluster. I feel a reasonable confidence in stating, that no whiskey has been used in my agency during the last two years, except the limited quantity taken by special permission of the Secretary of War, for the trade of the Hudson’s Bay lines; and saving also the quantity clandestinely introduced from Prairie du Chien and St. Peters.

I know, sir, that an appeal to you on this subject cannot be lost, and that your feelings and judgment fully approve of temperance measures. But it requires active, persevering, unyielding efforts. And in all such efforts, judiciously urged, I am satisfied that the government will sustain the agents in a dignified discharge of their duties. Let us proceed in the accomplishment of this object with firmness, and with a determination never to relinquish it, until ardent spirits are entirely excluded from the Indian country.

I am sir, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

P.S. Capt. Jouett, commanding at this post, has recently seized sixteen kegs of high-wines. His prompt, decisive, and correct conduct in this, and other transactions relating to Indian affairs, merit the approbation of government.

The Petite Corbeau has requested that no trader may be located at the month of the St. Croix.

IV.

_Letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting, in obedience to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th ultimo, information in relation to an expedition of Henry R. Schoolcraft into the Indian country._

DEPARTMENT OF WAR, } _March 7, 1832._ }

SIR,

In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th ultimo, directing the Secretary of War to furnish that House with “copies of any reports which may have been received at the War Department, communicating an account of the recent expedition of Henry R. Schoolcraft into the Indian country,” I have the honor to transmit, herewith, the documents required.

I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, LEW. CASS.

Hon. ANDREW STEPHENSON, } _Speaker of the House of Representatives_. }

_Documents transmitted to the House of Representatives, in compliance with a resolution of February 24, 1832._

No. 1.

_Sault Ste. Marie, October 1, 1831._

His Excellency GEORGE B. PORTER, _Governor of_ } _Michigan, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs_.}

SIR,

I have now the honor, through your intervention, to forward to the Department my report of the late tour through the Huron Territory. It has not been possible to prepare the map referred to in season to accompany the report, but it will be forwarded as soon as it can be completed. In the mean time, I send a sketch of portions of the country intermediate between Lake Superior and the Mississippi, from which you will be enabled to trace my particular route, and the location of the principal streams, lakes, and villages. The imperfect state of public information respecting the geography of this region, and the numerous errors which still continue to characterize our maps, render something of this kind essential.

With the limited means assigned for the accomplishment of the object, it became necessary that every moment of time should be used in pushing forward. This will account for the great space travelled in a comparatively short time. I am of the opinion, however, that little or nothing has been lost from the efficacy of the movement by its celerity. Lakes, rivers, and villages succeeded each other, with short intervals. But, in ascending each river, in crossing each lake and portage, the object of the expedition was definitely impressed upon the natives who witnessed our progress; and it was acquiesced in by the chiefs and warriors, at the several councils which I held with them. For a general detail of these councils, the report may be consulted.

It will be perceived that new topics for discussion arose from a recent misunderstanding between the Chippewas and Menomonies; and from the uncertainty as to the spot where the boundary line between the Chippewas and Sioux strikes the falls on the Red Cedar fork, agreeably to a just construction of the treaty of Prairie du Chien of 1825. With respect to the first, I am of opinion that time will only serve to increase the difficulty of restoring a perfect understanding.

The line on the Red Cedar is important, as opposing an obstacle to a firm peace between the Sioux and Chippewas; and I doubt whether any steps could be taken by the government to induce them to live peaceably near each other, with so little cost of time and money as the taking post, with a small military force, on the frontier in dispute, at some suitable point between Prairie du Chien and St. Peters. With this impression, I have brought the subject to the consideration of the Secretary of War; and I shall be gratified, if, on a review of it, you shall concur in opinion with,

Sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, H. R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

No. 2.

_Sault Ste. Marie, Sept. 21, 1831._

To ELBERT HERRING, ESQ. } _Office of Indian Affairs, War Department_. }

SIR,

In compliance with instructions to endeavour to terminate the hostilities between the Chippewas and Sioux, I proceeded into the Chippewa country with thirteen men in two canoes, having the necessary provisions and presents for the Indians, an interpreter, a physician to attend the sick, and a person in charge of the provisions and other public property. The commanding officer of Fort Brady furnished me with an escort of ten soldiers, under the command of a lieutenant; and I took with me a few Chippewas, in a canoe provided with oars, to convey a part of the provisions. A flag was procured for each canoe. I joined the expedition at the head of the portage, at this place, on the 25th of June; and, after visiting the Chippewa villages in the belt of country between Lake Superior and the Mississippi, in latitudes 44° to 70°, returned on the 4th of September, having been absent seventy-two days, and travelled a line of country estimated to be two thousand three hundred and eight miles. I have now the honor to report to you the route pursued, the means employed to accomplish the object, and such further measures as appear to me to be necessary to give effect to what has been done, and to ensure a lasting peace between the two tribes.

Reasons existed for not extending the visit to the Chippewa bands on the extreme Upper Mississippi, on Red Lake, and Red River, and the river De Corbeau. After entering Lake Superior, and traversing its southern shores to Point Chegoimegon and the adjacent cluster of islands, I ascended the Mauvaise River to a portage of 8¾ miles into the Kaginogumac or Long Water Lake. This lake is about eight miles long, and of very irregular width. Thence, by a portage of 280 yards, into Turtle Lake; thence, by a portage of 1,075 yards, into Clary’s Lake, so called; thence, by a portage of 425 yards, into Lake Polyganum; and thence, by a portage of 1,050 yards, into the Namakagon River, a branch of the river St. Croix of the Upper Mississippi. The distance from Lake Superior to this spot is, by estimation, 124 miles.

We descended the Namakagon to the Pukwaewa, a rice lake, and a Chippewa village of eight permanent lodges, containing a population of 53 persons, under a local chief called Odabossa. We found here gardens of corn, potatoes, and pumpkins, in a very neat state of cultivation. The low state of the water, and the consequent difficulty of the navigation, induced me to leave the provisions and stores at this place, in charge of Mr. Woolsey, with directions to proceed (with part of the men, and the aid of the Indians) to _Lac Courtorielle_ or Ottowa Lake, and there await my arrival. I then descended the Namakagon in a light canoe, to its discharge into the St. Croix, and down the latter to Yellow River, the site of a trading-post and an Indian village, where I had, by runners, appointed a council. In this trip I was accompanied by Mr. Johnson, sub-agent, acting as interpreter, and by Dr. Houghton, adjunct professor of the Rensselaer school. We reached Yellow River on the 1st of August, and found the Indians assembled. After terminating the business of the council (of which I shall presently mention the results), I re-ascended the St. Croix and the Namakagon to the portage which intervenes between the latter and Lac Courtorielle. The first of the series of carrying-places is about three miles in length, and terminates at the Lake of the Isles (_Lac des Isles_); after crossing which, a portage of 750 yards leads to _Lac du Gres_. This lake has a navigable outlet into Ottowa Lake, where I rejoined the advanced party (including Lieutenant Clary’s detachment) on the 5th of August.

Ottowa Lake is a considerable expanse of water, being about twelve miles long, with irregular but elevated shores. A populous Chippewa village and a trading-post are located at its outlet, and a numerous Indian population subsists in the vicinity. It is situated in a district of country which abounds in rice lakes, has a proportion of prairie or burnt land, caused by the ravages of fire, and, in addition to the small fur-bearing animals, has several of the deer species. It occupies, geographically, a central situation, being intermediate, and commanding the communications between the St. Croix and Chippewa Rivers, and between Lake Superior and the Upper Mississippi. It is on the great slope of land descending towards the latter, enjoys a climate of comparative mildness, and yields, with fewer and shorter intervals of extreme want, the means of subsistence to a population which is still essentially erratic. These remarks apply, with some modifications, to the entire range of country (within the latitudes mentioned) situated west and south of the high lands circumscribing the waters of Lake Superior. The outlet of this Lake (Ottowa) is a fork of Chippewa River, called Ottowa River.

I had intended to proceed from this lake, either by following down the Ottowa branch to its junction with the main Chippewa, and then ascending the latter into _Lac du Flambeau_, or by descending the Ottowa branch only to its junction with the North-West fork, called the Ochasowa River; and, ascending the latter to a portage of sixty _pauses_, into the Chippewa River. By the latter route time and distance would have been saved, and I should, in either way, have been enabled to proceed from _Lac du Flambeau_ to Green Bay by an easy communication into the Upper Ouisconsin, and from the latter into the Menomonie River, or by Plover Portage into Wolf River. This was the route I had designed to go on quitting Lake Superior; but, on consulting my Indian maps, and obtaining at Ottowa Lake the best and most recent information of the distance and the actual state of the water, I found neither of the foregoing routes practicable, without extending my time so far as to exhaust my supplies. I was finally determined to relinquish the _Lac du Flambeau_ route, by learning that the Indians of that place had dispersed, and by knowing that a considerable delay would be caused by reassembling them.

The homeward route by the Mississippi was now the most eligible, particularly as it would carry me through a portion of country occupied by the Chippewas, in a state of hostility with the Sioux, and cross the disputed line at the mill. Two routes, to arrive at the Mississippi, were before me—either to follow down the outlet of Ottowa Lake to its junction with the Chippewa, and ascend the latter to its mouth, or to quit the Ottowa Lake branch at an intermediate point, and, after ascending a small and very serpentine tributary, to cross a portage of 6,000 yards into Lake Chetac. I pursued the latter route.

Lake Chetac is a sheet of water about six miles in length, and it has several islands, on one of which is a small Chippewa village and a trading-post. This lake is the main source of Red Cedar River (called sometimes the _Folle Avoine_), a branch of the Chippewa River. It receives a brook at its head from the direction of the portage, which admits empty canoes to be conveyed down it two _pauses_, but is then obstructed with logs. It is connected by a shallow outlet with Weegwos Lake, a small expanse which we crossed with paddles in twenty-five minutes. The passage from the latter is so shallow, that a portage of 1,295 yards is made into Balsam of Fir or _Sapin_ Lake. The baggage is carried this distance, but the canoes are brought through the stream. Sapin Lake is also small; we were thirty minutes in crossing it. Below this point, the river again expands into a beautiful sheet of water, called Red Cedar Lake, which we were an hour in passing; and afterward into _Bois Francois_, or Rice Lake. At the latter place, at the distance of perhaps sixty miles from its head, I found the last fixed village of Chippewas on this stream, although the hunting camps, and other signs of temporary occupation, were more numerous below than on any other part of the stream. This may be attributed to the abundance of the Virginia deer in that vicinity, many of which we saw, and of the elk and moose, whose tracks were fresh and numerous in the sands of the shore. Wild rice is found in all the lakes. Game, of every species common to the latitude, is plentiful. The prairie country extends itself into the vicinity of Rice Lake; and for more than a day’s march before reaching the mouth of the river, the whole face of the country puts on a sylvan character, as beautiful to the eye as it is fertile in soil, and spontaneously productive of the means of subsistence. A country more valuable to a population having the habits of our North-Western Indians, could hardly be conceived of; and it is therefore cause of less surprise that its possession should have been so long an object of contention between the Chippewas and Sioux.

About sixty miles below Rice Lake commences a series of rapids, which extend, with short intervals, 24 miles. The remainder of the distance, to the junction of this stream with the Chippewa, consists of deep and strong water. The junction itself is characterized by commanding and elevated grounds, and a noble expanse of waters. And the Chippewa River, from this spot to its entrance into the Mississippi, has a depth and volume, and a prominence of scenery, which mark it to be inferior to none, and superior to most of the larger tributaries of the Upper Mississippi. Before its junction, it is separated into several mouths, from the principal of which the observer can look into Lake Pepin. Steamboats could probably ascend to the falls.

The whole distance travelled, from the shores of Lake Superior to the mouth of the Chippewa, is, by estimation, 643 miles, of which 138 should be deducted for the trip to Yellow River, leaving the direct practicable route 505 miles. The length of the Mauvaise to the portage is 104; of the Namakagon, from the portage, 161; of the Red Cedar, 170; of the Chippewa, from the entrance of the latter, 40. Our means of estimating distances was by time, corrected by reference to the rapidity of water and strength of wind, compared with our known velocity of travelling in calm weather on the lakes. These estimates were made and put down every evening, and considerable confidence is felt in them. The courses were accurately kept by a canoe compass. I illustrate my report of this part of the route by a map protracted by Dr. Houghton. On this map our places of encampment, the sites and population of the principal Indian villages, the trading-posts, and the boundary lines between the Sioux and Chippewa, are indicated. And I refer you to it for several details which are omitted in this report.

The present state of the controversy between the Sioux and the Chippewas will be best inferred from the facts that follow. In stating them, I have deemed it essential to preserve the order of my conferences with the Indians, and to confine myself, almost wholly, to results.

Along the borders of Lake Superior, comparatively little alarm was felt from the hostile relation with the Sioux. But I found them well informed of the state of the difficulties, and the result of the several war-parties that had been sent out the last year. A system of information and advice is constantly kept up by runners; and there is no movement meditated on the Sioux borders, which is not known and canvassed by the lake bands.

They sent warriors to the scene of conflict last year, in consequence of the murder committed by the Sioux on the St. Croix. Their sufferings from hunger during the winter, and the existence of disease at Torch Lake (_Lac du Flambeau_), and some other places, together with the entire failure of the rice crop, had produced effects, which were depicted by them and by the traders in striking colours. They made these sufferings the basis of frequent and urgent requests for provisions. This theme was strenuously dwelt upon. Whatever other gifts they asked for, they never omitted the gift of food. They made it their first, their second, and their third request.

At Chegoimegon, on Lake Superior (or La Pointe, emphatically so called), I held my first and stated council with the Indians. This is the ancient seat of the Chippewa power in this quarter. It is a central and commanding point, with respect to the country lying north, and west, and south of it. It appears to be the focus from which, as radii from a centre, the ancient population emigrated; and the interior bands consequently look back to it with something of the feelings of parental relation. News from the frontiers flies back to it with a celerity which is peculiar to the Indian mode of express. I found here, as I had expected, the fullest and most recent information from the lines. Mozojeed, the principal man at Ottawa Lake, had recently visited them for the purpose of consultation; but returned on the alarm of an attack upon his village.

The Indians listened with attention to the message transmitted to them from the President, and to the statements with which it was enforced. Pezhickee, the venerable and respected chief of the place, was their speaker in reply. He lamented the war, and admitted the folly of keeping it up; but it was carried on by the Chippewas in self-defence, and by volunteer parties of young men, acting without the sanction of the old chiefs. He thought the same remark due to the elder Sioux chiefs, who probably did not sanction the crossing of the lines, but could not restrain their young men. He lived, he said, in an isolated situation, did not mingle in the interior broils, and did not deem himself responsible for acts done out of his own village, and certainly not for the acts of the villages of Torch Lake, Ottawa Lake, and the St. Croix. He had uniformly advised his people to sit still and remain at peace, and he believed that none of his young men had joined the war-parties of last year. The government, he said, should have his hearty co-operation in restoring peace. He referred to the sub-agency established here in 1826, spoke of its benefits, and wished to know why the agent had been withdrawn, and whether he would be instructed to return? In the course of his reply, he said, that formerly, when the Indians lived under the British government, they were usually told what to do, and in very distinct terms. But they were now at a loss. From what had been said and done at the treaty of Fond du Lac, he expected the care and protection of the American government, and that they would advance towards, instead of (as in the case of the sub-agency) withdrawing from them. He was rather at a loss for our views respecting the Chippewas, and he wished much for my advice in their affairs.

I thought it requisite to make a distinct reply to this point. I told him that when they lived under the British Government, they were justified in shaping their course according to the advice they received; but that, on the transfer of the country, their allegiance was transferred with it. And when our government hoisted its flag at Mackinac (1796), it expected from the Indians living within our boundaries the respect due to it; and it acknowledged, at the same time, the reciprocal obligations of care and protection. That it always aimed to fulfil these obligations, of which facts within his own knowledge and memory would afford ample proofs. I referred him to the several efforts the government had made to establish a lasting peace between the Chippewas and Sioux; for which purpose the President had sent one of his principal men (alluding to Gov. Cass), in 1820, who had visited their most extreme north-western villages, and induced themselves and the Sioux to smoke the pipe of peace together at St. Peters. In accordance with these views, and acting on the information then acquired, the President had established an agency for their tribe at Sault Ste. Marie, in 1822. That, in 1825, he had assembled at Prairie du Chien all the tribes who were at variance on the Upper Mississippi, and persuaded them to make peace, and, as one of the best means of ensuring its permanency, had fixed the boundaries of their lands. Seeing that the Chippewas and Sioux still continued a harassing and useless contest, he had sent me to remind them of this peace and these boundaries, which, I added. you, Perikee, yourself agreed to, and signed, in my presence. I come to bring you back to the terms of this treaty. Are not these proofs of his care and attention? Are not these clear indications of his views respecting the Chippewas? The chief was evidently affected by this recital. The truth appeared to strike him forcibly; and he said, in a short reply. that he was now _advised_; that he would hereafter feel himself to be advised, &c. He made some remarks on the establishment of a mission school. &c., which, being irrelevant, are omitted. He presented a pipe, with an ornamented stem. as a token of his friendship, and his desire of peace.

I requested him to furnish messengers to take belts of wampum and tobacco, with three separate messages, viz. to Yellow River, to Ottawa Lake, and to Lac du Flambeau, or Torch Lake; and also, as the water was low, to aid me in the ascent of the Mauvaise River. and to supply guides for each of the military canoes, as the soldiers would here leave their barge, and were unacquainted with the difficulties of the ascent. He accordingly sent his oldest son (Che-che-gwy-ung) and another person, with the messages, by a direct trail. leading into the St. Croix country. He also furnished several young Chippewas to aid us on the Mauvaise, and to carry baggage on the long portage into the first intermediate lake west of that stream.

After the distribution of presents, I left Chegoimegon on the 18th July. The first party of Indians met at the Namakagon, belonging to a Chippewa village called Pukwaewa, having, as its geographical centre and trading-post, Ottowa Lake. As I had directed part of the expedition to precede me there, during my journey to Yellow River, I requested these Indians to meet me at Ottowa Lake, and assist in conveying the stores and provisions to that place—a service which they cheerfully performed. On ascending the lower part of the Namakagon, I learned that my messenger from Lake Superior had passed, and on reaching Yellow River, I found the Indians assembled and waiting. They were encamped on an elevated ridge, called Pekogunagun, or the Hip Bone, and fired a salute from its summit. Several of the neighbouring Indians came in after my arrival. Others, with their chiefs, were hourly expected. I did not deem it necessary for all to come in, but proceeded to lay before them the objects of my visit, and to solicit their co-operation in an attempt to make a permanent peace with the Sioux, whose borders we then were near. Kabamappa, the principal chief, not being a speaker, responded to my statements and recommendations through another person (Sha-ne-wa-gwun-ai-be). He said that the Sioux were of bad faith; that they never refused to smoke the pipe of peace with them, and they never failed to violate the promise of peace thus solemnly made. He referred to an attack they made last year on a band of Chippewas and half-breeds, and the murder of four persons. Perpetual vigilance was required to meet these inroads. Yet he could assert, fearlessly, that no Chippewa war-party from the St. Croix had crossed the Sioux line for years; that the murder he had mentioned was committed within the Chippewa lines; and although it was said at the treaty of Prairie du Chien that the first aggressor of territorial rights should be punished, neither punishment was inflicted by the government, nor had any atonement or apology thus far been made for this act by the Sioux. He said his influence had been exerted in favour of peace; that he had uniformly advised both chiefs and warriors to this effect; and he stood ready now to do whatever it was reasonable he should do on the subject.

I told him it was not a question of recrimination that was before us. It was not even necessary to go into the inquiry of who had spilt the first blood since the treaty of Prairie du Chien. The treaty had been violated. The lines had been crossed. Murders had been committed by the Chippewas and by the Sioux. These murders had reached the ears of the President, and he was resolved to put a stop to them. I did not doubt but that the advice of the old chiefs, on each side, had been pacific. I did not doubt but that his course had been _particularly_ so. But rash young men, of each party, had raised the war-club; and when they could not go openly, they went secretly. A stop must be put to this course, and it was necessary the first movement should be made _somewhere_. It was proper it should be made here, and be made at this time. Nothing could be lost by it; much might be gained; and if a negotiation was opened with the Sioux chiefs while I remained, I would second it by sending an explanatory message to the chiefs and to their agent. I recommended that Kabamappa and Shakoba, the war-chief of Snake River, should send jointly wampum and tobacco to the Petite Corbeau and to Wabisha, the leading Sioux chiefs on the Mississippi, inviting them to renew the league of friendship, and protesting their own sincerity in the offer. I concluded, by presenting him with a flag, tobacco, wampum, and ribands, to be used in the negotiation. After a consultation, he said he would not only send the messages, but, as he now had the protection of a flag, he would himself go with the chief Shakoba to the Petite Corbeau’s village. I accompanied these renewed offers of peace with explanatory messages, in my own name, to Petite Corbeau and to Wabisha, and a letter to Mr. Taliaferro, the Indian agent at St. Peter’s, informing him of these steps, and soliciting his co-operation. A copy of this letter is hereunto annexed. I closed the council by the distribution of presents; after which the Indians called my attention to the conduct of their trader, &c.

Information was given me immediately after my arrival at Yellow River, that Neenaba, a popular war-leader from the Red Cedar fork of Chippewa River, had very recently danced the war-dance with thirty men at Rice Lake of Yellow River, and that his object was to enlist the young men of that place in a war-party against the Sioux. I also learned that my message for Ottowa Lake had been promptly transmitted through Neenaba, whom I was now anxious to see. I lost not an hour in re-ascending the St. Croix and the Namakagon. I purchased two additional canoes of the Indians, and distributed my men in them, to lighten the draught of water, and facilitate the ascent; and, by pushing early and late, we reached Ottowa Lake on the fifth day in the morning. Neenaba had, however, delivered his message, and departed. I was received in a very friendly and welcome manner, by Mozojeed, of the band of Ottowa Lake; Wabezhais, of the Red Devil’s band of the South Pukwaewa; and Odabossa, of the Upper Namakagon. After passing the usual formalities, I prepared to meet them in council the same day, and communicate to them the objects of my mission.

In the course of the conference at this place, I obtained the particulars of a dispute which had arisen between the Chippewas of this quarter, which now added to their alarm, as they feared the latter would act in coincidence with their ancient enemies, the Sioux. The reports of this disturbance had reached me at the Sault, and they continued, with some variations, until my arrival here. The following are the material facts in relation to this new cause of disquietude: In the summer of 1827, Okunzhewug, an old woman, the wife of Kishkemun, the principal chief of Torch Lake, a man superannuated and blind; attended the treaty of Butte des Morts, bearing her husband’s medal. She was treated with the respect due to the character she represented, and ample presents were directed to be given to her; among other things a handsome hat. The latter article had been requested of her by a young Menomonie, and refused. It is thought a general feeling of jealousy was excited by her good reception. A number of the Menomonies went on her return route as far as the Clover Portage, where she was last seen. Having never returned to her village, the Chippewas attributed her death to the Menomonies. Her husband died soon after; but she had numerous and influential relatives to avenge her real or supposed murder. This is the account delivered by the Chippewas, and it is corroborated by reports from the traders of that section of the country. Her singular disappearance and secret death at the Clover Portage, is undisputed; and whether caused or not by any agency of the Menomonies, the belief of such agency, and that of the most direct kind, is fixed in the minds of the Chippewas, and has furnished the basis of their subsequent acts in relation to the Menomonie hunting-parties who have visited the lower part of Chippewa River. Two women belonging to one of these parties were killed by a Chippewa war-party traversing that part of the country the ensuing year. The act was disclaimed by them as not being intentional, and it was declared they supposed the women to be Sioux.[35] On a close inquiry, however, I found the persons who committed this act were relatives of Okunzewug, which renders it probable that the murder was intentionally perpetrated. This act further widened the breach between the two hitherto fraternal tribes; and the Chippewas of this quarter began to regard the Menomonie hunting-parties, who entered the mouth of the Chippewa River, as intruders on their lands. Among a people whose means of verbal information is speedy, and whose natural sense of right and wrong is acute, the more than usual friendship and apparent alliance which have taken place between the Menomonies and Sioux, in the contest between the Sacs and Foxes, and the murder by them jointly of the Fox chief White Skin and his companions at a smoking council, in 1830, have operated to increase the feeling of distrust; so much so, that it was openly reported at Chegoimegon, at Yellow River, and Ottowa Lake, that the Menomonies had formed a league with the Sioux against the Chippewas also, and they were fearful of an attack from them. A circumstance that had given point to this fear, and made it a subject of absorbing interest, when I arrived at Ottowa Lake, was the recent murder of a Menomonie chief by a Chippewa of that quarter, and the demand of satisfaction which had been made (it was sometimes said) by the Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, and sometimes by the commanding officer, with a threat to march troops into the country. This demand, I afterward learned from the Indians at Rice Lake, and from a conversation with General Street, the agent at Prairie du Chien, had not been made, either by himself or by the commanding officer; and the report had probably arisen from a conversation held by a subaltern officer in command of a wood or timber-party near the mouth of the Chippewa River, with some Chippewas who were casually met. Its effects, however, were to alarm them, and to lead them to desire a reconciliation with the Menomonies. I requested them to lose no time in sending tobacco to the Menomonies, and adjusting this difference. Mozojeed observed that the murder of the Menomonie had been committed by a person _non compos_, and he deplored the folly of it, and disclaimed all agency in it for himself and his band. The murderer, I believe, belonged to his band; he desired a reconciliation. He also said the measures adopted at Yellow River, to bring about a firm peace with the Sioux, had his fullest approbation, and that nothing on his part should be wanting to promote a result in every view so wise and so advantageous to the Indians. In this sentiment, Wabezhais and Odabossa, who made distinct speeches, also concurred. They confirmed their words by pipes, and all the assembly made an audible assent. I invested Mozojeed with a flag and a medal, that he might exert the influence he has acquired among the Indians beneficially for them and for us, and that his hands might thus be officially strengthened to accomplish the work of pacification. I then distributed presents to the chiefs, warriors, women, and children, in the order of their being seated, and immediately embarked, leaving them under a lively and enlivened sense of the good-will and friendship of the American government, on this first official visit to them, and with a sincere disposition, so far as could be judged, to act in obedience to its expressed and known wishes.

The Indians at Torch Lake being dispersed, and my message to them not having been delivered, from this uncertainty of their location, I should have found reasons for not proceeding in that direction, independent of the actual and known difficulties of the route at that time. I was still apprehensive that my appearance had not wholly disconcerted the war-party of Neenaba, and lost no time in proceeding to his village on the Red Cedar fork. We found the village at Lake Chetac, which in 1824 was 217 strong, almost totally deserted, and the trading-house burnt. Scattering Indians were found along the river. The mutual fear of interruption was such that Mr. B. Cadotte, sen., the trader at Ottowa Lake, thought it advisable to follow in our train for the purpose of collecting his credits at Rice Lake.

While at breakfast on the banks of Sapin Lake, a returning war-party entered the opposite side of it: they were evidently surprised, and they stopped. After reconnoitring us, they were encouraged to advance, at first warily, and afterward with confidence. There were eight canoes, with two men in each; each man had a gun, war-club, knife, and ammunition bag: there was nothing else except the apparatus for managing the canoe. They were all young men, and belonged to the vicinity of Ottowa Lake. Their unexpected appearance at this place gave me the first information that the war-party at Neenaba had been broken up. They reported that some of their number had been near the mill, and that they had discovered signs of the Sioux being out in the moose having been driven up, &c. In a short conference, I recited to them the purpose of the council at Ottowa Lake, and referred them to their chiefs for particulars, enjoining their acquiescence in the proposed measures.

I found at Rice Lake a band of Chippewas, most of them young men, having a prompt and martial air, encamped in a very compact form, and prepared, at a moment’s notice, for action. They saluted our advance with a smartness and precision of firing that would have done honour to drilled troops. Neenaba was absent on a hunting-party; but one of the elder men pointed out a suitable place for my encampment, as I intended here to put new bottoms to my bark canoes. He arrived in the evening, and visited my camp with forty-two men. This visit was one of ceremony merely; as it was late, I deferred any thing further until the following day. I remained at this place part of the 7th, the 8th, and until 3 o’clock on the 9th of August. And the following facts present the result of several conferences with this distinguished young man, whose influence is entirely of his own creation, and whose endowments, personal and mental, had not been misrepresented by the Indians on my route, who uniformly spoke of him in favourable terms. He is located at the most advanced point towards the Sioux borders, and, although not in the line of ancient chiefs, upon him rests essentially the conduct of affairs in this quarter. I therefore deemed it important to acquire his confidence and secure his influence, and held frequent conversations with him. His manner was frank and bold, equally free from servility and repulsiveness. I drew his attention to several subjects. I asked him whether the sawmill on the lower part of the Red Cedar was located on Chippewa lands? He said, Yes. Whether it was built with the consent of the Chippewas? He said, No; it had been built, as it were, by stealth. I asked him if any thing had been subsequently given them in acknowledgment of their right to the soil? He said, No; that the only acknowledgment was their getting tobacco to smoke when they visited the mill: that the Sioux claimed it to be on their side of the line, but the Chippewas contended that their line ran to a certain bluff and brook below the mill. I asked him to draw a map of the lower part of Chippewa River, with all its branches, showing the exact lines as fixed by the treaty at Prairie du Chien, and as understood by them. I requested him to state the facts respecting the murder of the Menomonie, and the causes that led to it; and whether he or any of his band received any message from the agent or commanding officer at Prairie du Chien, demanding the surrender of the murderer? To the latter inquiry he answered promptly, No. He gave in his actual population at 142; but it is evident that a very considerable additional population, particularly in men, resort there for the purpose of hunting a part of the year.

The day after my arrival, I prepared for and summoned the Indians to a council, with the usual formalities. I opened it by announcing the objects of my visit. Neenaba and his followers listened to the terms of the message, the means I had adopted to enforce it, and, finally, to the request of co-operation on the part of himself and band, with strict attention. He confined his reply to an expression of thanks; allusions to the peculiarity of his situation on an exposed frontier; and general sentiments of friendship. He appeared to be mentally embarrassed by my request to drop the war-club, on the successful use of which he had relied for his popularity, and whatever of real power he possessed. He often referred to his young men, over whom he claimed no superiority, and who appeared to be ardently attached to him. I urged the principal topic upon his attention, presenting it in several lights. I finally conferred on him, personally, a medal and flag, and directed the presents intended for his band to be laid, in gross, before him.

After a pause, Neenaba got up, and spoke to the question, connecting it with obvious considerations, of which mutual rights, personal safety, and the obligation to protect the women and children, formed the basis. The latter duty was not a slight one. Last year the Sioux had killed a chief on the opposite shore of the lake, and, at the same time, decoyed two children, who were in a canoe, among the rice, and killed and beheaded them. He said, in allusion to the medal and flag, that these marks of honour were not necessary to secure his attention to any requests made by the American government. And after resuming his seat awhile (during which he overheard some remarks not pleasing to him, from an Indian on the opposite side of the ring), he finally got up and declined receiving them until they were eventually pressed upon him by the young warriors. Every thing appeared to proceed with great harmony, and the presents were quickly distributed by one of his men. It was not, however, until the next day, when my canoes were already put in the water, that he came with his entire party, to make his final reply, and to present the peace-pipe. He had thrown the flag over one arm, and held the war-club perpendicular in the other hand. He said, that although he accepted the one, he did not drop the other; he held fast to both. When he looked at the one, he should revert to the counsels with which it had been given, and he should aim to act upon those counsels; but he also deemed it necessary to hold fast the war-club; it was, however, with a determination to use it in defence, and not in attack. He had reflected upon the advice sent to the Chippewas by the President, and particularly that part of it which counselled them to sit still upon their lands; but while they sat still, they also wished to be certain that their enemies would sit still. And the pipe he was now about to offer, he offered with a request that it might be sent to the President, asking him to use his power to prevent the Sioux from crossing the lines. The pipe was then lit, handed round, the ashes knocked out, and a formal presentation of it made. This ceremony being ended, I shook hands with them, and immediately embarked.

On the second day afterward, I reached the sawmill, the subject of such frequent allusion, and landed there at 7 o’clock in the morning. I found a Mr. Wallace in charge, who was employed, with ten men, in building a new dam on a brook of the Red Cedar, the freshet of last spring having carried away the former one. I inquired of him where the line between the Sioux and Chippewas crossed. He replied that the line crossed above the mill, he did not precisely know the place; adding, however, in the course of conversation, that he believed the land in this vicinity originally belonged to the Chippewas. He said it was seven years since any Sioux had visited the mill; and that the latter was owned by persons at Prairie du Chien.

The rapids of the Red Cedar River extend (according to the estimates contained in my notes) about twenty-four miles. They commence a few miles below the junction of Meadow River, and terminate about two miles below the mills. This extension of falling water, referred to in the treaty as a fixed point, has led to the existing uncertainty. The country itself is of a highly valuable character for its soil, its game, its wild rice, and its wood. We found the butter-nut among those species which are locally included under the name of _Bois franc_ by the traders. The land can, hereafter, be easily brought into cultivation, as it is interspersed with prairie; and its fine mill privileges will add to its value. Indeed, one mile square is intrinsically worth one hundred miles square of Chippewa country, in some other places.

The present sawmills (there are two), are situated 65 miles from the banks of the Mississippi. They are owned exclusively by private citizens, and employed for their sole benefit. The boards are formed into rafts: and these rafts are afterward attached together, and floated down the Mississippi to St. Louis, where they command a good price. The business is understood to be a profitable one. For the privilege, no equivalent has been paid either to the Indians or to the United States. The first mill was built several years ago, and before the conclusion of the treaty of Prairie du Chien, fixing boundaries to the lands. A permit was given for building, either verbal or written, as I have been informed, by a former commanding officer at Prairie du Chien. I make these statements in reference to a letter I have received from the Department since my return, but which is dated June 27th, containing a complaint of one of the owners of the mill, that the Chippewas had threatened to burn it, and requesting me to take the necessary precautionary measures. I heard nothing of such a threat, but believe that the respect which the Chippewas have professed, through me, for the American government, and the influence of my visit among them, will prevent a resort to any measures of violence; and that they will wait the peaceable adjustment of the line on the rapids. I will add, that _wherever_ that line may be determined, in a reasonable probability, to fall, the mill itself cannot be supplied with logs for any length of time, if _it is now so supplied_, without cutting them on Chippewa lands, and rafting them down the Red Cedar. Many of the logs heretofore sawed at this mill, have been rafted, _up stream_, to the