Chapter XIX: Appendix (3)

—— 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.