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Florida war--Startling news of the Massacre of Dade--Peoria on
the Illinois--Abanaki language--Oregon--Things shaping for a
territorial claim--Responsibility of claim in an enemy's country--A
true soldier--Southern Literary Messenger--Missionary
cause--Resources of Missouri--Indian portfolio of Lewis--Literary
gossip--Sir Francis Head--The Crane and Addik totem--Treaty of March
28th, 1836, with the Ottawas and Chippewas--Treaty with the Saginaws
of May 20th--Treaty with the Swan Creek and Black River Chippewas of
May 9th--Return to Michilimackinack--Death of Charlotte, the
daughter of Songageezhig.
1836. The year opened with the portentous news of Indian
hostilities. The massacre of Major Dade and his entire command on
the waters of the Wythlacootche River in Florida, and the prospect
of an Indian war in Florida, excited great sensation in all circles.
I was at the Secretary of War's domicil one evening, when he first
received and read out the shocking details. The same night troops
were ordered to be put in motion from every point in the Union, to
be concentrated in that territory; and the greatest activity
pervaded the departments. Gen. Jackson expressed himself with energy
on the subject. He had formerly conducted a successful campaign
against the Seminoles, but he could not be persuaded that there were
more than five hundred of this tribe in the whole territory. This
led him to believe that the troops actually put in motion for the
field of action, were fully adequate to cope with the enemy, and
promptly to put them down.
Jan. 4th. The American Lyceum request me to prepare a paper
for their sixth anniversary.
6th. I received a letter from my former pastor, Rev. J.
Porter, at Peoria, Ill., denoting him to be in a new field of
ministerial labor.
"I bade adieu to my dear people at Chicago, on the second Sabbath in
November, and commenced my labors here on the fourth Sabbath of the
same month--just four years from the day I first preached at the
Sault.
"The town is on the north bank of Lake Peoria, which is an expansion
of the Illinois. The site is one of the first in our land. The
ground rises with a delightful slope from the water's edge for the
distance of half a mile--then there is table land for another half
mile back to a high bluff. The town began to be built about two
years since; it has now a population of eight hundred and fifty."
A descendant of the great theologian Edwards, it is pleasing to note
that this gentleman is destined to be employed in various fields, in
diffusing Christianity through the great valley.
8th. Mr. Thomas L. Winthrop, of Boston, transmits me "the
first volume of a new series of the Transactions of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences. This volume, amongst other valuable
matter, contains a Dictionary of the Abinaki Language of North
America, by Father Sebastian Rasles."
10th. I addressed a memoir to the Secretary of War on the
state of Indian affairs in Oregon. My position at St. Mary's being
on the great line of communication between Montreal and the
principal posts at Vancouver, &c., north of the Columbia, has
afforded me opportunities of becoming familiar with the leading
policy of the Hudson's Bay factors in relation to that region. The
means pursued are such as must influence all the Indian tribes in
that quarter strongly in favor of the political power wielded by
that company, and as strongly against the government of the United
States, which has not a shadow of a power of any kind on the
Pacific. Silently, but surely, a vast influence is being built up on
those coasts, adverse to our claims to the territory, and it cannot
be long till those intrepid factors, sustained by the government at
home, will assert it in a manner not easy to be resisted. I embodied
these ideas strongly in my paper. The Secretary was arrested by the
justice of my conclusions, and seemed disposed to do something, but
the subject was, apparently, weighed down and forgotten in the press
of other matters.
13th. Hon. E. Whittlesey, Chairman of the Committee on
Claims, House of Representatives, remarks in effect, in a letter of
this date, that to create a just claim against the United States, it
must be shown that property and provisions taken by the troops, when
operating in an enemy's country, were applied to the subsistence or
clothing of the army or navy, although it was private property, and
the orders of the commandant were, in all cases, to respect "private
property." Consequently, that the disrespect of such orders might
make the commander or his troops personally liable to
amercement; but the government is not justly liable. Certainly, that
officer is to be pitied whose sovereign will not stand by him in the
execution of written orders! Nor do I see how the strict legality
and morality of the question is to be got along with. May the
government turn pirate with impunity? Does it war against women and
children, and the ordinary private and domestic rights guaranteed to
the citizen by the original rights of society defined in Blackstone?
14th. A soldier, in garrison at Fort Mackinack, writes to me,
wishing, on the expiration of his term of enlistment, to become "a
soldier of Christ," and to enter the missionary field. That is a
good thought, Sergeant Humphrey Snow! Better to fight against human
sins than to shoot down sinners.
18th. Dr. C.R. Gilman inquires, "Is the rock at Gros Cap
granite? Can you give me particulars about the Indian fairies?"
27th. I am requested, from a high quarter, to furnish an
article for the Southern Literary Messenger. "You are in for
a scrape," says a gay note on the subject. "I have told Mr. White
all about it. I am greatly obliged to you for relieving me." Truth
is, I have never regarded the employment of literary time as thrown
away. The discipline of the mind, induced by composition, is
something, and it is surprising what may be done by a person who
carefully "redeems" all his time. It does not, in the least,
incapacitate him for business. It rather quickens his intellect for
it.
Feb. 1st. My former agreeable guest at Mackinack (Rev. Geo.
H. Hastings) writes me from Walnut Hills, Ohio: "There is a
missionary spirit in our institution (Lane Seminary) that responds
to the wants of the world. The faculty have pressed upon the minds
of us all the duty of examining early the question, 'Ought I to be a
missionary?'"
16th. My brother James writes from St. Mary's, foot of Lake
Superior: "The month has been remarkably cold, the thermometer
having ranged from 13 deg..23 to 38 deg. below zero. Snow we have
had in great abundance."
17th. Hon. Lewis F. Linn, U.S. Senator, writes respecting the
scientific character and resources of Missouri, in view of a
project, matured by him, for establishing a western armory: "Your
intimate knowledge of the Ozark Mountains, its streams descending
north and south, and those passing through to the east, with its
unequaled mineral resources, would be, to me, of infinite service,
to accomplish the purpose I have in view, should you be so kind as
to communicate them, in reference to this particular measure, and by
so doing you would confer a lasting obligation."
The resources of Missouri in iron, lead, and coal, to which I first
called attention in 1819, are of such a noble character as surely to
require no bolstering from the effects of particular measures.
March 4th. Mr. J.O. Lewis, of Philadelphia, furnishes me
seven numbers of his Indian Portfolio. Few artists have had
his means of observation of the aboriginal man, in the great
panorama of the west, where he has carried his easel. The results
are given, in this work, with biographical notices of the common
events in the lives of the chiefs. Altogether, it is to be regarded
as a valuable contribution to this species of knowledge. He has
painted the Indian lineaments on the spot, and is entitled to
patronage--not as supplying all that is desirable, or practicable,
perhaps, but as a first and original effort. We should cherish all
such efforts.
9th. A shrewd and discriminating judge of literary things in
New York, writes: "Have you seen the last number of Hoffman's
Magazine? There is a pretty thing of his in it about Indian corn,
and an Indian story by the author of 'Tales in the North-west,'
which I do not, think good. The number generally is indifferent.
Some one recently told me, that the true orthography of Illinois is
Illinwa, like Ottawa, &c. Do you think that the fact1?
By the way, why have you, and all other Indian travelers, used the
French word 'lodge,' instead of the Indian wigwam? Don't you think
the latter the better term? I do, and if my book was to print again,
I would always use wigwam instead of lodge. We have so few
relics of the poor Indians, that I am unwilling to part with any
one, even so trifling as adopting the red man's name for the red
man's house."
We have no news here. Paulding's book on slavery has been little
noticed. Dr. Hawk's 'History of Episcopacy in Virginia' is
good--very good, so they say, for I have not read it. Some Jerseyman
has written a bad novel called "Herbert--" something or other--I
forget what. What do they say at Washington, and what do you say
about Gen. Macomb's 'Pontiac2?' Is the
Indian Prince, who was traveling in these parts a while ago, one of
the getters up of this affair? I suspect him. Does the prince go to
'profane stageplays and such like vanities,' as the dear old
Puritans would say?
"I hear nothing of Mr. Gallatin and his Indian languages. Do you? I
see, by the English magazines, that Willis and his 'pencilings' get
little quarter there; they deserve none. The book is not yet
published here. Walsh, they say, will kill it, unless it should
chance to be still-born. Hoffman is a friend of it, or rather he has
made up his mind to join hands with the 'Mirror' set. I think he has
made a mistake. They will sink him before he raises them. I suppose,
however, if he will praise them they will praise him, and praise is
sweet, we all know."
9th. Rev. William McMurray writes, from the Canadian side of
Sault St. Marie: "Our excellent governor, Sir John Colbourne, has
resigned his situation, which is at present filled by Sir Francis
Head, who has recently arrived from England. As far as I can learn,
he is rather a literary character, and is the same person who, some
years ago, visited South America on a mining expedition. The most
correct intelligence I have received respecting him is by an express
from Toronto. From it I learn that he is disposed to be kind and
good towards the poor Indians. As an instance of which, he intends
visiting every Indian mission next summer, in order that he may see
for himself their secret wants, and how their condition may be best
ameliorated."
My brother James gives a somewhat amusing account of Indian matters
at the Sault after the leaving of their delegates for Washington.
"Since Whaiskee's departure, the whole Sault has been troubled; I
mean the 'busy bodies,' and this, by the way, comprises nearly the
whole population. A council has accordingly been held before the
Major-Agent, in which the British chief, Gitshee Kawgaosh, appeared
as orator. The harangue from the sachem ran very much as follows:--"
'Father, why and for what purpose has the man Whaiskee gone
to the home of our great father? Why did he leave without
notifying me, and the other men of influence of my
tribe, of the nature of his mission? Why should he, whose
totem-fathers live about Shaugawaumekong (La Pointe), be, at his
own will, made the representative of the ancient band of the red men
whose totem is the lofty Crane? Say, father? Father, we ask
you to know; we ask of you to tell why this strange man has
so strangely gone to smoke with the great chief of the "long
knives?" Kunnah-gakunnah!'
"Here the chief, drawing the folds of his blanket with perfect
grace, and extending his right arm with dignity to the agent, seated
himself again upon the floor, while, at the same time, a warrior of
distinction, whose eagle-plumed head spoke him the fiercest of his
tribe, gave to the sachem the lighted pipe. The eyes of the red men,
like those of their snowy chief, were now riveted to the floor."
'Sons of the forest,' answered the American agent, 'I, like
yourselves, know nothing of this strange business! I, the
father of all the red men, have not been consulted in this man's
going beyond the lakes to "the great waters!" I am the man
through whom such messages should come! I, the man who should
hand the wampum, and I, the man to whom the red men should
look for redress! Friends, your speech shall reach the ears of our
great father, and then this strange man of the far-off totem
of Addik shall know that the Crane totem is protected by me,
the hero of the Southern clime! Men of the forest, I am done.'
"Tobacco was then distributed to the assembly, and, after many
hoghs, the red men dispersed."
24th. Mr. Bancroft, bringing a few lines from the Secretary
of War, came to see me to confer on the character of the Indians,
which he is about to handle in the next volume of his History. This
care to assure himself of the truth of the conclusions to be
introduced in his work, is calculated to inspire confidence in his
mode of research.
28th. Washington. My reception here has been most cordial,
and such as to assure me in the propriety of the step I took, in
resolving to proceed to the capital, without the approval of the
secretary and acting governor (Horner), who was, indeed, from his
recent arrival and little experience in this matter, quite in the
dark respecting the true condition of Indian affairs in Michigan.
The self-constituted Ottawa delegation of chiefs from the lower
peninsula had preceded me a few days. After a conference between
them and the Secretary of War, they were referred to me, under
authority from the President, communicated by special appointment,
as commissioner for treating with them. It was found that the
deputation was quite too local for the transaction of any general
business. The Ottawas, from the valley of Grand River, an important
section, were unrepresented. The various bands of Chippewas living
intercalated among them, on the lower peninsula, extending down the
Huron shore to Thunder Bay, were unapprized of the movement. The
Chippewas of the upper peninsula, north of Michilimackinack, were
entirely unrepresented. I immediately wrote, authorizing deputations
to be sent from each of the unrepresented districts, and
transmitting funds for the purpose. This authority to collect
delegates from the two nations, whose interests in the lands were
held in common, was promptly and efficiently carried out; and, when
the chiefs and delegates arrived, they were assembled in public
council, at the Masonic Hall, corner of 4-1/2 street, and
negotiations formally opened. These meetings were continued from day
to day, and resulted in an important cession of territory,
comprising all their lands lying in the lower peninsula of Michigan,
north of Grand River and west of Thunder Bay; and on the upper
peninsula, extending from Drummond Island and Detour, through the
Straits of St. Mary, west to Chocolate River, on Lake Superior, and
thence southerly to Green Bay. This cession was obtained on the
principle of making limited reserves for the principal villages, and
granting the mass of Indian population the right to live on and
occupy any portion of the lands until it is actually required for
settlement. The compensation, for all objects, was about two
millions of dollars. It had been arranged to close and sign the
treaty on the 26th of March, but some objections were made by the
Ottawas to a matter of detail, which led to a renewed discussion,
and it was not until the 28th that the treaty was signed. It did not
occur to me, till afterwards, that this was my birth-day. The Senate
who, at the same time, had the important Cherokee treaty of New
Echota before them, did not give it their assent till the 20th of
May, and then ratified it with some essential modifications, which
have not had a wholly propitious tendency.
Liberal provisions were made for their education and instruction in
agriculture and the arts. Their outstanding debts to the merchants
were provided for, and such aid given them in the initial labor of
subsisting themselves, as were required by a gradual change from the
life of hunters to that of husbandmen. About twelve and a half cents
per acre was given for the entire area, which includes some
secondary lands and portions of muskeegs and waste grounds about the
lakes--which it was, however, thought ought, in justice to the
Indians, to be included in the cession. The whole area could not be
certainly told, but was estimated at about sixteen millions of
acres.
About the beginning of May a delegation of Saginaws arrived, for the
purpose of ceding to the government the reservations in Michigan,
made under the treaty of 1819. This delegation was referred to me,
with instructions to form a treaty with them. The terms of it were
agreed on in several interviews, and the treaty was signed on the
20th of May, 1836.
A third delegation of Chippewas, from Michigan, having separate
interest in the regions of Swan Creek and Black River, presented
themselves, with the view of ceding the reservations made to them by
a treaty concluded by Gen. Hull, Nov. 17th, 1807. They were also
referred to me to adjust the terms of a sale of these reservations.
The treaty was signed by their chiefs on the 9th of May, 1836.
As soon as these several treaties were acted on by the Senate, I
left the city on my return. It was one of the last days of May when
I left Washington. A new era had now dawned in the upper lake
country, and joy and gladness sat in every face I met. The Indians
rejoiced, because they had accomplished their end and provided for
their wants. The class of merchants and inland traders rejoiced,
because they would now be paid the amount of their credits to the
Indians. The class of metifs and half-breeds were glad, because they
had been remembered by the chiefs, who set apart a fund for their
benefit. The citizens generally participated in these feelings,
because the effect of the treaties would be to elicit new means and
sources of prosperity.
I reached Mackinack on the 15th of June, in the steamer "Columbia."
I found all my family well and ready to welcome me home, but
one--Charlotte, the daughter of Songageezhig, who had been brought
up from a child as one of my family. Her father, a Chippewa, had
been killed in an affray at the Sault St. Marie in 1822, leaving a
wife and three children. She had been adopted and carefully
instructed in every moral and religious duty. She could read her
Bible well, and was a member of the Church, in good standing at the
time of her death. A rapid consumption developed itself during the
winter of my absence, which no medical skill could arrest. She had
attained about her fifteenth year, and died leaving behind her a
consecrated memory of pleasing piety and gentle manners.
A forest
flower, but few so well could claim
A daughter's,
sister's, and a Christian's name.
1: No.
2: Fudge!
This site includes some historical
materials that may imply negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language
of a particular period or place. These items are presented as part of the
historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that the WebMasters in
any way endorse the stereotypes implied.
Personal Memoirs of a Residence of Thirty Years with the
Indian Tribes on the American Frontiers, 1851
Thirty
Years with the Indians
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