ground. The objects of this assemblage occupied the attention of the council for several days. The difficulties attending a negotiation of this kind were formidable. The entire nature of the transaction being different from an ordinary treaty, where lands were to be given up on one side and a consideration paid therefor by the other. Here there were no tangible inducements; no glittering gold and showy presents, to persuade the warriors to listen to the advice of his white brother. The consideration of their concessions was entirely a moral one; one little understood and doubtless quite as little appreciated by them, as oftentimes it is by the more civilized and educated. Besides, it was asking the turbulent and war-seeking Chippewa; the brave and daring Sioux, to lay down the tomahawk and extend the hand of peace and friendship to one another, while each held the unavenged trophies of valor, obtained in deadly combat. To effect, under such circumstances, the purpose of the conference, required the utmost caution and prudence. It should be borne in mind, too, that the Indian evinces great acuteness in defining his rights, and no less pertinacity in maintaining them. In a conflict of claims between them, it is no easy task to reconcile their differences, and induce concession and relinquishment. In spite, however, of all obstacles, and they were by no means few in number, or light in influence, the commissioners accomplished the purpose of their mission.

A treaty was concluded and signed on the 19th of August, 1825, whereby it was agreed that there should be a firm and perpetual peace between the contending tribes: boundaries to their territory were fixed. One principal cause of hostilities, was the invasion by one tribe, of the hunting grounds claimed by another; this cause was removed by an agreement, that no tribe would hunt within the acknowledged limits of another, without their assent.

To give solemnity to this treaty, the commissioners omitted none of the ceremonies usual on such occasions, and to which the Indians attached so great importance. This token of respect for their reverence for their time-honored usages and customs, operated in holding them more faithfully to the fulfilment of their agreements. At the conclusion of the treaty, the commissioners entertained the whole assemblage of Indians with a feast, having a peculiarity attending it which was truly novel and unusual to the

guests. The occasion was made use of to explain to them the evils they suffered from their indulgence in ardent spirits; and the terrible consequences which would inevitably ensue to them, if they continued the baleful practice. To convince them that the government was not actuated by a desire to save the cost of the liquor they might consume, and which it had been accustomed to distribute among them at treaties, but which in the present instance was omitted, the commissioners caused an ample supply of whisky to be brought in among them. When their attention was awakened to the subject, Gov. Cass ordered the vessels containing the liquor to be overturned, and the contents wasted upon the ground. The Indians were greatly disappointed and much astonished by this novel temperance lecture.

In 1826, Gov. Cass negotiated a further treaty with the Chippewas at Fond du Lac, cn Lake Superior; a treaty with the Pottawatomies on the Wabash, in Indiana; and a treaty with the Miamis, also on the Wabash. These several treaties were all of importance to the country; accomplishing peaceably and legally the extinguishment of Indian title, and preparing the minds of the Indians for removal beyond the limits of civilized settlements.

At the treaty of Fond du Lac, more than two thousand Indians assembled. This point was an old Indian trading establishment, on the St. Louis river, and distant from the Saut Ste. Marie five hundred miles. The voyage was accomplished in bark canoes, and occupied eighteen days, during which much tempestuous weather and high seas were experienced. Having arrived there, a treaty was negotiated and signed. The chiefs who were there, appeared at the council with the British flag and with British medals suspended from their necks. After the conclusion of the treaty, Gov. Cass directed one of his attendants to take the medals and flag from the chiefs. This being done, the Governor placed the medals and flag under his feet, and told the chiefs that when he returned he would give them the kind of medals and flag they were to use. This was a bold act on the part of the Governor, but it impressed the Indians with his courage, and made them listen favorably to his advice.

At the treaty with the Pottawatomies and Miamis on the Wabash, in Indiana, in 1826, Gov. Cass delivered the following speech

to the Indians, and which is here given as a specimen of the style and manner of his intercourse with the Indian tribes.

MY CHILDREN

Pottawatomies and Miamis: We thank the Great Spirit that he has opened the paths to conduct us all here in safety, and that he has given us a clear sky and a cloudless sun, to meet together in this council house. Your great father, the President of the United States, has sent me, together with the two gentlemen who sit with me, to meet you here upon business highly important to you, and we request that you would open your ears and listen attentively to what we have to say to you.

When the Great Spirit first placed you upon this island, he gave you plenty of game for food and clothing, and bows and arrows, with which to kill it. After some time it became difficult to kill the game, and the Great Spirit sent the white men here, who supplied you with guns, pow der, and balls, and with blankets and clothes. We were then a very small people; but we have since greatly increased, and we are now spread over the whole face of the country. You have decreased, and your numbers are now much reduced. You have but little game, and it is difficult for you to support your women and children by hunting. Your Great Father, whose eyes survey the whole country, sees that you have a large tract of land here, which is of no service to you. You do not cultivate it, and there is but little gained upon it. The buffalo has long since left it, and the deer are going. There are no beavers, and there will soon be no other animals worth hunting upon it.

There are a great many of the white children of your father who would be glad to live upon this land. They would build houses, and raise corn, and cattle, and hogs. You know that when a family grows up and becomes large, they must leave their father's house and look out for a place for themselves-so it is with your white brethren. Their family is increased, and they must find some new place to move to. Your Great Father is willing to give for this land much more than it is worth to you. He is willing to give more than all the game upon it would sell for. He will make you a considerable present now, and he will allow an annuity hereafter. You know well that all he promises, he will perform.

The stipulations made to you heretofore are punctually fulfilled. Large annuities in specie are paid to you, and they are sufficient to make you comfortable; much more so than you were before the Treaty of St. Mary's. Your Great Father is not only anxious to purchase the country of you; but he is desirous that you should remove far from his white children. You must all see that you cannot live in the neighborhood of the white people. You have bad men, so have we. Your people will steal our horses, kill our cattle and hogs, and commit other injuries upon our property. Some of our people who have committed crimes, escape into your country, and it becomes difficult to take them. Besides, when you divide our settlements, we cannot have roads, and taverns, and ferries. The game, too, dies before our improvements, and when that goes you must follow it. But above all, your young men are ruining themselves with whisky.

Since within the recollection of many of you, your numbers have diminished one-half, and unless you tako some decisive step to check this evil, there will soon not be a red man remaining upon the islands. We have tried all we could to prevent you from having this poison, but we cannot. Your bad men will buy, and our bad men will sell. Old and young among you will drink. You sacrifice your property, you abandon your women and children, and destroy one another. There is but one safety for you, and that is to fly from this mad water. Your Father owns

a large country west of the Mississippi; he is anxious that all of his red children would remove there, and sit down in peace together. There they can hunt and provide for their women and children, and once more become a happy people. We are authorized to offer you a residence there equal to your lands here in extent, and pay you an annuity which will make you comfortable, and provide means for your removal.

You will then have a country abounding with game, and you will also have the value of the country you leave. You will be beyond the reach of whisky, for it cannot reach you there. Your Great Father will not suffer any of his white children to reside there, for it is reserved for his red people. It will be yours as long as the sun shines and the rain falls. You must go before long-you cannot remain here-you must remove or perish. Now is the time for you to make a good bargain for yourselves, which will make you rich and comfortable.

Come forward then, like wise men, and accept the terms we offer. We understand there is a difference of opinion between Pottawatomies and Miamis, respecting their claims to this land. This difference we should be glad to have you settle between yourselves. If you can do this it will be well, if not, we shall examine into the circumstances and decide between you.

The preceding was written and read by sentences to the interpreter, (Mr. Barron, chief interpreter,) who delivered it to the Indians; to this followed a few extempore remarks by Governor Cass, viz :

"Mr. McCoy, whom you know is a good man, will go with you over the Mississippi; and continue to live among you. You know him to be a good man, and a sincere friend to you, and would not advise you to do any thing that would be an injury to you. You stand alone-there is none to support you the Shawnees and Delawares are all gone. You have been invited by your Great Father, the President, and are now sitting around our council fire, in our council house, and under our flag. Your young men are not always prudent, they will drink and quarrel-we hope the old and wise men will keep the young men from doing any injury. If blood should be shed at our council fire, we never should forgive it,-we have the will and power to punish it.

Your Great Father has a quick ear, a sharp eye, and a long arm. If a Pottawatomie strikes a Miami, or a Miami strikes a Pottawatomie, he strikes us-no matter where he goes, we promise here before our brethren, red and white, we will never kindle another council fire, nor smoke another pipe before we punish him. Your young men must listen to what the chiefs tell them-They should do as in former days, when chiefs had power and the young men were wise-let them clear out their eyes, and let the words I have spoken go to their hearts.

You now have the propositions we were authorized to make you. We wish you to remember it, and think upon it, and return us an answer as soon as possible. When you are ready let us know it, and we will hoist the flag-which shall be the signal that we are ready to receive your answer.

CHAPTER VI.

Journey to Lake Winnebago-Hostile feeling among the Winnebagoes-Attack on the Miners-War Messages-Gov. Cass organizing the Miners for defenceAlarm at Fever River-He goes to St. Louis-Anxiety at Green Bay for his safety-Rumors there of his death--Arrival at Green Bay-Treaty of Butte de Morts-Occurrence at the Treaty-Personal danger at Indian village-Providential escape-Removal of Troops, cause of the Indian difficulties--Successive appointments of Gov. Cass-His civil administration-His freedom from religious intolerance-Tribute to the Catholic Missionaries-Satisfaction of the people with his administration-Secret of his success-His views on appointment to office-First Legislative Council of the Territory-Gov. Cass calls attention to the existence of Copper on the upper Peninsula-Removal of the New York Indians-Visits of the Indians to the British post at Malden-He attempts to prevent them.

IN the month of June, 1827, Gov. Cass, in company with Col. McKenney, left Detroit for Lake Winnebago. They went to hold a council with the Indians, to establish the boundary line between the Chippewas, the Menomineess, and Winnebagoes, as agreed upon at the treaty of Prairie du Chien; also to settle the boundaries of the lands allotted to the New York Indians. When they arrived at Green Bay, rumors were current that the haughty and untameable Winnebagoes had evinced hostile feelings towards the miners in their country, and were endeavoring to enlist the Pottawatomies to join them in driving the whites from the country. Governor Cass proceeded at once, by express, to Prairie du Chien, for the purpose of settling the difficulties. The Indians conceived that their rights were invaded by the aggressions of the miners, of whom there were about five hundred. When he arrived there, he found that rumor had not exaggerated the state of affairs. The Winnebagoes were highly excited. A few days previous they murdered and scalped three persons. The inhabitants were in great alarm. They had left their farms, and for protection and defence had congregated at one house, where they were expecting to be attacked. A party of three hundred warriors had driven the miners from their ground on Fever river, and destroyed their tools and furniture. Two boats were attacked on their way from St.