Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 11: Jonathan Cabvbb, the First British Traveler at Falls of Saint Anthony, 1882

Chapter 11: Jonathan Cabvbb, the First British Traveler at Falls of Saint Anthony

Carrer'k Early Life. - In the Battle near Lake Georise. - Arrives at Mackinaw. - Old Fort at Green Bay. - Winnebago Tillage. - Description of Prairie du Chien. Earthworki on Banks of Lake Pepin. - Sioux Bands Described. - Cave and Burial Place m Soburba of St. Paul. - The Palls of Saint Anthony. - Burial Ritat of tLe Sioux. - Speech of a Sioux Chief. - Schiller's Poem of the Death Song. - Sir John Horschcl's Traifllation.~-Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's Version. - Correspondence of Sir William Johnson. - Carver's Prefect for Opening a Route to the Pacific - Supposed Origin <^ the Sioux. - Carver's Claim to Lands Examined. - Alleged Deed. - Testimony of Rev. Samuel Peters. - Communication from Uen. Leavenworth. - Report of U. S. 8enat« Committee.

Jonathan Carver was a native of Connecticut His grandfather, William Carver, was a native of Wigan, Lancashire, England, had a captain in King William's army during the campaign in Ireland, and for meritorious services received an appointment as an officer of the colony of Connecticut.

His father was a justice of the peace in the new world, and in 1732, the subject of this sketch was bom. At the early age of fifteen he was called to mourn the death of his father. He then commenced the study of medicine, but his roving disposition could not bear the confines of a doctor's office, and feeling, perhaps, that his genius would be cramped by pestle and mortar, at the age of eighteen he purchased an ensign's commission in one of the regiments raised during the French war. He was of medium stature, and of strong mind and quick perceptions.

In tlie year 1757, he was captain under Colonel Williams in the battle near Lake George, where Saint Pierre was killed, and narrowly escaped with his life.

After the peace of 1763, between France and England was declared. Carver conceived the project of exploring the Northwest. Leaving Boston in the month of June, 1766, he arrived at Mackinaw, then the most distant British post, in the month of August. Having obtained a credit on some French and English traders from Major Rogers, the officer in command, he started with them on the third day of September. Pursuing the u«iuil route to Green Bay, they arrived there on the eighteenth.

The French fort at that time was standing, though much decayed. It was, some years previous to his arrival, garrisoned for a short time by an officer and thirty English soldiers, but they having been captured by the Menominees, it was abandoned.

In company with the traders, he left Green Bay on the twentieth, and ascending Fox river, arrived on the twenty-fifth at an island at the east end of Lake Winnebago, containing about fifty acres.

Here he found a Winnebago village of fifty houses. He asserts that a woman was in authority. In tiie month of October the party was at the portage of the Wisconsin, and descending that stream, they arrived, on the ninth at a town of the Sauks. While here he visited some lead mines about fifteen miles distant. An abundance of lead was also seen in the village, that had been brought from the mines.

On the tenth they arrived at the first village of the " Ottigaumies" [Foxes] about five miles before the Wisconsin joins the Mississippi, he i)erceived the remnants of another village, and learned that it had been deserted about tliirty years before, and that the inhabitants soon after their removal, built a town on the Mississippi, near the mouth of the " Ouisconsin," at a place called by the French La Prairie les Chiens, which signified the Dog Plains. It was a large town, and contained about three himdred families. The houses were built after the Indian manner, and pleasantly situated on a dry rich soil.

He saw here many houses of a good size and shape. This town was the great mart where all the adjacent tribes, and where those who inhabit the most remote branches of the Mississippi, annually assemble about the latter end of May, bringing with them their furs to dispose of to the traders. But it is not always that they conclude their sale here. This was determined by a gen eral council of the chiefs, who consulted whether it would be more conducive to their interest to sell their goods at this place, or to carry them on to Louisiana or Mackinaw.

At a small stream called Yellow River, opposite Prairie du Chieu, the traders who had thus far accompanied Carver took up their residence for the winter.

From this point he proceeded in a canoe, with a Canadian voyageur and a Mohawk Indian as companions. Just before reaching Lake Pepin, while his attendants were one day preparing dinner, he walked out and was struck with the peculiar appearance of the surface of the country, and thought it was the site of some vast artificial earth-work. It is a fact worthy of remembrance, that he was the first to call the attention of the civilized world to the existence of ancient monuments in the Mississippi valley. We give his own description :

*' On the first of November I reached Lake Pepin, a few miles below which I landed, and, whilst the servants were preparing my dinner, I ascended the bank to view tlie country. I had not proceeded far before I came to a fine, level, open plain, on which I perceived, at a little distance, a partial elevation that had the appearance of entrenchment. On a nearer inspection I had greater reason to suppose that it had really been uitended for this many centuries ago. Notwithstanding it was now covered with grass, I could plainly see that it had once been a breastwork of about four feet in height, extending the best part of a mile, and suflaciently capacious to cover five thousand men. Its form was somewhat circular and its flanks reached to the river.

" Though much defaced by time, every angle was distinguishable, and appeared as regular and fashioned with as much military skill as if planned by Vauban himself. The ditch was not visible, but I thought, on examining more curiously, that I could perceive there certainly had been one. From its situation, also, I am convinced that it must have been designed for that purpose. It fronted the country, and the rear was covered by the river, nor was there any rising ground for a considerable way that commanded it; a few straggling lakes were alone to be seen near it. In many places small tracks were worn across it by the feet of the elks or doer, aud from the depth of the bed of earth by which it was covered, I was able to draw certain conclusions of its great antiquity. I examined all the angles, and every part with great attention, and have often blamed myself since, for not encamping on the spot, and drawing an exact plan of it. To show that this description is not the offspring of a heated imagination, or the chimerical tale of a mistaken traveler, I find, on mquiry since my return, that Mons. St. Pierre, and several traders have at different times, taken notice of similar appearances, upon which they have formed the same conjectures, but without examining them so minutely as I did. How a work of tliis kind could exist in a country that has hitherto (according to the generally received opinion) been the seat of war to im tutored Indians alone, whose whole stock of miUtary knowledge has only, till within two centuries, amoimted to drawing the bow, and whose only breastwork even at present is the thicket, I know not. I have given as exact an accoimt as possible of this singular appearance, and leave to future explorers of those distant regions, to discover whether it is a production of nature or art. Perhaps the hints I have here given might lead to a more perfect investigation of It, and give us very different ideas of the ancient state of realms that we at present believe to have been, from the earnest period, only the habitations of savages."

Lake Pepin excited his admiration, as it has that of every traveler since his day, and here he remarks : " I observed the ruius of a French factory, where it is said Captain St. Pierre resided, and carried on a very great trade with the Naudowessies, before the reduction of Canada."

Carver's first acquaintance with the Dahkotahs commenced near the river St. Croix. It would seem that the erection of trading x)osts on Lake Pepin had enticed them from their old residence on Eiun river and Mille Lacs.

He says: "Near the river St. Croix reside bands of the Naudowessie Indians, called the Kiver Bands. This nation is composed at present of eleven bands. They were originally twelve, but tlie Assinipoils, some years ago, revolting and separating themselves from the others, there remain at this time eleven. Those I met here are termed the River Bands, because they chiefly dwell near the banks of this river, the other eight are generally distinguished by th» title of Nadowessies of the Plains, and inhabit a country more to the westward. The names of tlie former are Nehogatawonahs, the Mawtawbftuntowahs, and Shashweeutowahs.

AiTiving at what is now a suburb of the capital of Mimiesota, he continues: About tliirteen miles below the Fulls of St. Anthony, at which I arrived the tenth day after I left Lake Pepin, is a remiukable cave, of an amazing depth. Tlie Indians term it Wakon-teebe [Wakan-tipi]. The entrance into it is about ten feet wide, the height of it five feet. The arch within is fifteen feet liigh and about thirty feet broad; the bottom consists of fine, clear sand. About tliirty feet from the entrance begins a lake, the water of which is transparent, and extends to an unsearchable disttmce, for the darkness of the cave preents all attempts to acquire a knowledge of it.] I threw a small pebble towards the nterior part of it with my utmost strength. I could hear that it fell into the water, and, notwithstanding it was of a small size, it caused an astonisliing and terrible noise, that reverberated through all those gloomy regions. I found in this cave many Indian hieroglyphics, which appeared very ancient, for time had nearly covered them with moss, so that it was with difficulty I could trace them. They were cut in a rude manner upon the inside of the wall, which was composed of a stone so extremely soft that it might be easily penetrated with a knife; a stone everywhere to be found near the Mississippi.

" At a little distance from this dreary cavern, is the burying-place of several bands of the Naudowessie Indians. Though these people have no fixed residence, being in tents, and seldom but a few months in one spot, yet they always bring the bones of the dead to this place.

"Ten miles below the Falls of St. Anthony, the river St. Pierre, called by the natives Wadapaw Menesotor, falls into the Mississippi from the west. It is not mentioned by Father Hennepin, though a large, fair river. This omission, I consider, must have proceeded from a small island [Pike's] that is situated exactly in its entrance."

When he reached the Minnesota river, the ice became so troublesome that he left his canoe in the neighborhood of what is now St. Anthony, and walked to St. Anthony, in company with a young Winnebago chief, who had never seen the curling waters. The chief, on reaching tlie eminence some distance below Cheever's, began to invoke his gods, and offer oblations to the spirit in the waters.

*'In the middle of the Falls stands a small island, about forty feet broad and somewhat longer, on which grow a few cragged hemlock and si)ruce trees, and about half way between this island and the eastern shore is a rock, lying at the very edge of the Falls, in an oblique position, that appeared to be about five or six feet broad^ and tliirty or forty long. At a little distance below the Falls stands a small island of about an acre and a half, on which grow a great number of oak trees."

From this description, it would appear that the nttle island, now some distance below the Falls, was once in the very midst, and shows that a constant recession has been gomg on, and that in ages long past they were not far from the Minnesota river.

" The country around them is extremely beautiful. It is not an imuitermpted plain, where the eye finds no relief, but composed of many gentle ascents, which in the summer are covered with the finest verdiure, and interspersed with little groves that give a pleasing variety to the prospect. On the whole, when the Falls are included, which may be seen at a distance of foiu^ miles, a more pleasing and picturesque view, I believe, cannot be found throughout the \xm> verse."

On the twenty-fifth of November, he had returned to the place opposite the Minnesota, where he had left his canoe, and this stream as yet not being obstructed with ice, he commenced its ascent, with the colors of Great Britain flying at the stem of his canoe. There is no doubt that he entered this river, but how far he explored it cannot be ascertained. He speaks of the Eapids near Shakopay, and asserts that he went as far as two himdred miles beyond Mendota. He remarks:

Sioux Bubial Oration Versified By Schiller

After speaking of the upper bands of the Dahkotahs and their allies, he adds that he left the habitations of the hospitable Indians the latter end of April, 1767, but did not part from them for several days, as I was accompanied on my journey by near three hundred of them to the mouth of the river St. Pierre. At this season these bands annually go to the great cave (Dayton's Bluff) before mentioned.

When he arrived at the great cave, and the Indians had deposited the remains of their deceased friends in the burial-place that stands adjacent to it, they held their great council to which he was admitted.

When the Naudowessies brought their dead for interment to the great cave (St. Paul), I attempted to get an insight into the remaining burial rites, but whether it was on account of the stench which arose from so many dead bodies, or whether tiiey chose to keep this part of their custom secret from me, I could not discover. I found, however, that they considered my curiosity as ill-timed, and therefore I withdrew. * *

One formality among the Kaudowessies in mouining for the dead is very different from any mode I observed in the other nations through which I passed. The men, to show how great their sorrow is, pierce the flesh of their arms above the elbows witli arrows, and the women cut and gash their legs with broken flints till the blood flows very plentifully. *

After the breath is departed, the body is dressed in the same attire it usually wore, his face is painted, and he is seated in an erect posture on a mat or skin, placed in the middle of the hut, with his weapons by his side. Ilis relatives seated around, each in turn harangues the deceased; and if he has been a great warrior, recounts his heroic actions, nearly to the following purport, which in the Indian language is extremely poetical aud pleasing

*' You still sit among us, brother, yom- person retains its usual resemblance, and continues similar to ours, without any visible deficiency, except it has lost the power of action! But whither is that breath flown, which a few hours ago sent up smoke to the Great Spirit? Why are those lips silent, that lately delivered to us expressions and pleasing language? Why are those feet motionless, that a few hours ago were fleeter than the deer on yonder mountains? Why useless hang those arms, that could climb the tallest tree or draw the toughest bow? Alas, every part of that frame which we lately beheld with admiration and wonder has now become as inanimate as it was three himdred years ago I We will not, however, bemoan thee as if thou wast forever lost to us, or tliat thy name would be bmied in oblivion; thy soul yet lives in the great coimtry of spirits, with those of thy nation that have gone before thee; and though we are left behind to perpetuate thy fame, we will one day join thee.

" Actuated by the respect we bore thee whilst living, we now come to tender thee the last act of kindness in our power; that thy body might not lie neglected on the plain, and become a prey to the beasts of the field or fowls of the air, and we will take care to lay it with those of thy predecessors that have gone before thee; hoping at the same time that thy spirit will feed with their spirits, and be ready to receive ours when we shall also arrive at the great country of souls."

For this speech Carver is principally indebted to his imagination, but it is well conceived, and suggested one of Schiller's poems, which Gcothe considered one of his best, and 'wished he had made a dozen such."

Sir E. Lytton Bulwer the distinguished novelist, and Sir 'John Herschel tlie eminent astronomer, have each given a translation of Schiller's " Song of the Nadowessee Chief."

It appears from other sources that Carver's visit to the Dahkotahs was of some effect in bringing about friendly intercourse between them and the commander of the English force at Mackinaw.

Carver'S Project For A Route Tc The Pacific

The earliest mention of the Dahkotahs, in any public British documents that we know of, is in the correspondence between Sir William Johnson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the CJolony of New York, and General Gage, in command of the forces.

On the eleventh of September, less than 8i>: months after Carver's speech at Dayton's Bluff, and the departure of a number of chiefs to the English fort at Mackinaw, Johnson writes to Genei-al Gage: "Though I wrote to you some days ago, yet I would not mind sa3ring something again on the score of the vast expenses incurred, and, as I understand, still incurring at Michilimackinac, chiefly on pretense of making a peace between the Sioux and Chippeweighs, with which I think we have very little to do, in good policy or otherwise."

Sir William Johnson, in a letter to Lord Hillsborough, one of his Majesty's ministers, dated August seventeenth, 1768, again refers to the subject :

"Much greater part of those who go a trading are men of such circumstances and disposition as to venture their persons eveiywhere for extravagant gains, yet the consequences to the public are not to be slighted, as we may be led into a general quarrel through their means. The Indians in the part adjacent to Michillmackinac have been treated with at a very great expense for some time previous.

"Major Rodgers brings a considerable charge against the former for mediating a peace between some tribes of the Sioux and some of the Cliippeweighs, which, had it been attended with success, would only have been interesting to a very few French, and others that had goods in that part of the Indian country, but the contrary has happened, and they are now more violent, and war against one another."

Though a wilderness of over one thousand miles intervened between the Falls of St. Anthony and tiie white settlements of the English, Carver was fully impressed with tlie idea that the Stale now organized under the name of Minnesota, on accoimt of its beauty and fertility, would attract settlers.

Speaking of the advantages of the country, he says that the future population will be "able to convey their produce to the seaports with great facility, the current of the river from its source to its entrance into the Gulf of Mexico being extremely favorable for doing this in small ciaft Thin might also in time he facilitated by canaU or sliorlcr cuts, and a cmnmunication opened by water witli New York by way of the Lakes^

The subject of this sketch was also confident that a route would be discovered by way of the Minnesota river, which would open a passage to China and the English settlements in the East Indies."

Carver having retumed to England, interested Whitworth, a member of parliament, in the northern route. Had not the American Revolution commenced, they proposed to have built a foi*t at Lake Pepin, to have proceeded up the Minnesota imtil they found, as they supposed they could, a branch of the ^iissouri, and from thence, journeying over the summit of lands until they came to a river which they called Oregon, they expected to descend to the I'acific.

Carver, in common with other travelers, had his theory in relation to the origin of the Dahkotahs. He supposed that tliey came from Asia. He remarks: "But this might have been at different times and from vaiious parts - from Tartary, China, Japan, for the inhabitants of these places resemble each other. *

"It is very evident that some of the names and customs of the American Indians resemble those of the Tartars, and I make no doubt but that in some futm-e era, and this not far distant, it will be reduced to certainty that during some of the wars between the T;irtars and Chinese a part of the inhabitants of the northern provinces were driven from their native country, and took refuge in some of the isles before mentioned, and from thence found their way into America.

"Many words are used both by the Chinese and the Indians ' which have a resemblance to each other, not only in their sound, but in their signification. The Chinese call a slave Shungo; and the Noudowessie Indians, whose language, from their little intercourse with the Europeans, is least corrupted, term a dog Shungush [Shoankah.J The former denominate one species of their tea Shoushong; the latter call their tobacco Shousas-sau [Chanshasha.] Many other of the words used by the Indians contain the syllables chc, chaw^ and chu, after the dialect of the Chlnase."

The comparison of languages has become a rich - source of historical knowledge, yet many of the | analogies traced are fanciful. The remark of Humbolt in " Cosmos'^ is worthy of remembrance. "As the structure of American idioms appears remarkably strange to nations speaking the modem languages of Western Europe, and who readily suffer themselves to be led away by some accidental analogies of sound, theologians have generally believed that they could ti'ace an affinity with the Hebrew, Spanish colonists with the Basque and the English, or French settlers with Gaelic, Erse, or the Bas Breton. I one day met on the coast of Peru, a Spanish naval oflBcer and an English whaling captain, the fonticr of whom declared that he had heard Basque siK)ken at Tahiti; the other, Gaelic or Erse at the Sandwich Islands."

Carver became very poor while in England, and was a clerk in a lottery-office. He died in 1780, and left a widow, two sons, and five daughters, in New England, and also a child by another wife that he had married in Great Britain

After his death a claim was urged for the land upon which the capital of Minnesota now stands^ and for many miles adjacent. As there are still many persons who believe that they have some right through certain deeds purporting to be from the heirs of Carver, it is a matter worthy of an investigation.

Carver says nothing in his book of travels in relation to a grant from the Dahkotahs, but after he was buried, it was asserted that there was a deed belonging to him in existence, conveying valuable lands, and that said deed was executed at the cave now in the eastern subiurbs of Saint Paul.

Deed Purpotitinq To Have Been Given At The Cave In The Bluff Below St. Paul

" To Jonathan Carver, c chief under the most mighty and potent George the Third, King of the English and other nr.tions, the fame of whose warriors has reached our ears, and has now been fully told us by our good brother Jonathan, aforesaid, w^hom we rejoice to have come among us, and bring us good news from his country.

''We, cliiefs of the Naudowessies, who have hereunto set our seals, do by these presents, for ourselves and heirs forever, in retxun for the aid and other good services done by the said Jonathan to ourselves and allies, give grant and convey to him, the said Jonathan, and to liis heirs and assigns forever, the whole of a certain tract or territory of land, bounded as follows, viz: from the Falls of St. Anthony, running on the east bank of the Mississippi, nearly southeast, as far as Lake Pepin, wliere the Chippewa joins the Mississippi, and from thence eastw^ard five days travel, accounting twenty English miles per day; and from thence again to the Falls of St. Anthony, on a direct straight line. We do for ourselves, heirs, and assigns, forever give imto the said Jonathan, his heirs and assigns, with all the trees, rocks, and rivers therein, reserving the sole liberty of hunting and fishing on land not planted or improved by tlie said Jonathan, his heirs and assigns, to which we have affixed our respective seals.

The original deed was never exhibited by tlie assignees of the heirs. By his English wife Carver had one child, a daughter Martha, who was cared for by Sir Richard and Lady Pearson. In time she eloped and married a sailor. A mercantile firm in London, thinking that money could be made, induced the newly married couple, the day after the wedding, to convey the grant to them, with the understanding that they were to have a tenth of the profits.

The merchants despatched an agent by the name of Clarke to go to the Dahkotahs, ajid obtain a new deed; but on his way he was murdered in the state of New York.

In the year 1794, the heirs of Carver's American wife, in consideration of fifty thousand poimds sterling, conveyed their interest in the Carver 'grant to Edward Houghton of Vermont. In the year 1806, Samuel Peters, who had been a tory and an Episcopal minister during the Revolutionary war, alleges, in a i)etition to C-ongress, that he had also purchased of the heirs of Carver their rights to the grant.

"In the year 1774, 1 arrived there (London), and met Captain Carver. In 1775, Carver had a hearing l>efore the king, praying his majesty's approval of a deed of laud dated May first, 1767, and sold and granted to him by the Naudowlssies. The result was his majesty approved of the exertions and bravery of Captain Carver among the Indian nations, near the Falls of St. Anthony, in the Mississippi, gave to said Carver 1371^. 13s. Sd. sterling, and ordered a frigate to be prepared, and a transport ship to carry one hundred and fifty men, imder command of Captain Carver, witli four others as a committee, to sail the next June to New Orleans, and then to ascend the Mississippi, to take i)Ossession of said territoiy conveyed to Captain Carver ; but the battle of Bunker Hill prevented."

In 1821, General Leavenworth, having made inquiries of the Dahkotahs, in relation to the allied claim, addressed the following to the commissioner of the land office :

" Sir: - Agreeably to your request, I have the honour to inform you what I have imderstood from the Indians of the Sioux Nation, as well as some facts within my own knowledge, as to what is conamonly termed Carver's Grant. The grant purports to be made by the chiefs of the Sioux of the Plains, and one of the chiefs uses the sign of a serpent, and the other of a turtle, purporting that their names are derived from those animals.

"The land lies on the east side of the Mississippi. The Indians do not recognize or acknowl edge the grant to be valid, and they among others assign the following reasons:

"1. The Sioux of the Plains never owned a foot of land on the east side of the Mississippi. The Sioux Nation is divided into two grand divisions, viz: The Sioux of the Lake; or perhaps more literally Sioux of the River, and Sioux of the Plain. The former subsists by himting and fishing, and usually move from place to place by water, in canoes, during the summer season, and travel on the ice in the winter, when not on their hunting excursions. The latter subsist entirely by hunting, and have no canoes, nor do they know but little about the use of them. They reside in the large prairies west of the Mississippi, and follow the buffalo, upon which they entirely subsist; these are called Sioux of the Plain, and never owned land east of the Mississippi.

" 2. The Indians say they have no knowledge of any such chiefs as those who have signed the grant to Carver, either amongst the Sioux of the

River or the Sioux of the Plain. They say that if Captain Carver did ever obtain a deed or grant, it was signed by some foolish young men who were not chiefs and who were not authorized to make a grant. Among the Sioux of the River there are no such names.

" 3. Tliey say the Indians never received anything for the land, and they have no intention to part with it without a consideration. From my knowledge of the Indians, I am induced to think they would not make so considerable a grant, and have it to go into full effect without receiving a substantial consideration.

4. They have, and ever have had, the possession of the land, and intend to keep it. I know that they are very particular in making every person who wishes to cut timber on that tract obtain their permission to do so, and to obtain payment for it. In tlie month of May last, some Frenchmen brought a large raft of red cedar timber out of the Chippewa River, which timber was cut on the tract before mentioned. The Indians at one of the villages on the Mississippi, where the principal chief resided, compelled the Frenchmen to land the raft, and would not permit them to pass imtil they had received pay for the timber, and the Frenchmen were compelled to leave their raft with the Indians until they went to Prairie du Chien, and obtained the necessary articles, and made the payment required."

On the twenty-third of January, 1823, the Committee of Public Lands made a report on the claim to the Senate, which, to every disinterested l)erson, is entirely satisfactory. After stating the facts of the petition, the report continues:

" Tlie Rev. Samuel Peters, in his petition, further states that Lefei, the present Emperor of the Sioux and Naudowessies, and Red Wing, a sachem, the heirs and successors of the two grand chiefs who signed the said deed to Captain Carver, have given satisfactory and positive proof that they allowed their ancestors' deed to be genuine, good, and valid, and that Captain Carver's heirs and assigns are the owners of said territory, and may occupy it free of all molestation.

The committee have examined and considered the claims thus exhibited by the petitioners, and remark that the original deed is not produced, nor any competent legal evidence offered of its execution ; nor is there any proof tliat the persons, who it is alleged made the deed, were tlie chiefs of said tribe, nor that (if chiefs) they had authority to grant and give away the land belonging to their tribe. The paper annexed to the petition, as a copy of said deed, has no subscribing witnesses ; and it would seem impossible, at this remote period, to ascertain the important fact, that the persons who signed the deed comprehended and * understood the meaning and effect of their act.

" The want of proof as to these facts, would interpose in the way of the claimants insuperable difficulties. But, in the opinion of the committee, the claim is not such as the United States are under any obligation to allow, even if the deed were proved in legal form.

" The British government, before the time when the alleged deed bears date, had deemed it prudent and necessary for the preservation of peace with the Indian tribes under their sovereignty, protection and dominion, to prevent British subjects from purchasing lands from the Indians, and this rule of policy was made known and enforced by the proclamation of the king of Great Britain, of seventh Octobw, 1763, which contains an express prohibition.

Captain Carver, aware of the law, and knowing that such a contract could not vest the legal title in him, applied to the British government to ratify and confirm the Indian grant, and, though it was competent for that government then to confirm the grant, and vest the title of said land

" The territory has since become the property of the United States, and an Indian grant not good against the British government, would appear to be not binding uoon the United States government.

" What benefit the British government derived from the services of Captain Carver, by his travels and residence among the Indians, that government alone could determine, and alone could judge what remuneration those services deserved.

One fact appears from the declaration of Mr. Peters, in his statement in writing, among the papers exhibited, namely, that the British government did give Captain Carver the sum of one thousand three hundred and seventy-five pounds six shillings and eight pence sterling. To the United States, however, Captain Carver rendered no services which could be assumed as any equitable ground for the support of the petitioners^ claim.

"The committee being of opinion that the United States are not bound in law and equity to confirm the said alleged Indian grant, recommend the adoption of the resolution:

Lord Palmei-ston stated in 1839, that no trace could be found in the records of the British office of state papers, showing any ratification of the Carver grant.

Explorations By Lieutenant Z. M. Pike Ciiaptee Xti

"*15nB rosta at the beginning of nineteenth Oentary. - Snnrty Lake Fort. - ueech Uke Feat. - William Monison, before Schoolcraft at luwca LaJte. - Divi- »loa of Northwest Territory. - Organization of Imliuna, Michigan and Upper LocdaiaDa. - Notices of Woml, Krazer, Fisher, Cum< ron, Faribault. - Early Traden. - Pike's Cooncll at Month of Minnesota River. - Grant for Military Posts. - Encampment at Palls of St. Anthony. - Block Uouse near Swan River. - TiiJt to Sandy and Leech Lakes. - British Flsg Shot at and Lowered - Thompson, Topographer of Northwest Company. - Pike at Dickjwn's Trading Post. - Retnrns to McndoU^ - Falls to find Carver's Cave. - Conlorence with UtkU Crow. - Cameron sells Liquor to Indians.

At the beginning of the present century, the region now known as Minnesota, contained no white men, except a few engaged in the fur trade. In the treaty effected by Hon. Jolm Jay, Great Britain agreed to withdraw her troops from all posts and places within certain boundary lines, on or before the first of June, 1796, but all British settlers and traders might remain for one year, and enjoy all their former privileges, without being obliged to be citizens of the United States of America.

In the year 1800, the trading posts of Minnesota were chiefly held by the Korthwest Company, and their chief traders resided at Sandy liake, Leech Lake, and Fon du Lac, on St. Louis River. In the year 1794^ this company built a stockade one hundred feet square, on the southeast end of »Sandy Lake. There were bastions pierced for small arms, in the southeast and in the northwest comer. The pickets which surrounded the post were thirteen feet high. On the north side there was a gate ten by nine feet ; on the west side, one six by five feet, and on the east side a third gate six by five feet. Travelers entering the main gate, saw on the left a one story building twenty feet square, the residence of the superintendent, and on the left of the east gate, a buildmg twentyfive by fifteen, the quarters of the voyageuis. Entering the western gate, on the left was a stone house, twenty by thirty feet, and a house twenty by forty feet, used as a store, and a workshop, and a residence for clerks. On the south shore of Leech Lake there was another establishment, I little larger. The stockade was one hundred and fifty feet square. The main building was sixty by twenty-five feet, and one and a half story In height, where resided the Director of the fur trade of the Fond du Lac department of the Northwest Company. In the centre was a small store, tw elve and a half feet square, and near the main gate was flagstaff fifty feet in height, from which used to float the flag of Great Britain.

William Morrison was, in 1802, the trader at Leech Lake, and in 1804 he was at Elk Lake, the source of the Mississippi, thirty-two years afterwards named by Schoolcraft, Lake lUisca.

The entire force of the Northwest Company, west of Lake Superior, in 1805, consisted of three accountants, nineteen clerks, two interpreters, eiglily-five canoe men, and with them were twenty-nine Indian or half-breed women, and about fifty children.

On the seventh of May, 1800, the Northwest Territory, which included all of the western country east of the Mississippi, was divided. The portion not designated as Ohio, was organized as the Territory of Indiana.

On the twentieth of December, 1803, the province of Louisiana, of which that portion of Minnesota west of the Mississippi was a part, was oflicially delivered up by the French, who had just obtained it from the Spaniards, according to treaty stipulations.

President Jefferson now deemed it an object of paramount importance for the United States to explore the country so recently acquired, and make the acquaintance of the tribes residing therein ; and steps were taken for an expedition to the upper Mississippi.

Expl0Beb8 And Pioneers Of Minnesota

As the old settlers, on the tenth of March, saw the ancient flag of Spain displaced by that of the United States, the tears coursed down their cheeks.

On the twentieth of the same month, the territory of Upper Louisiana was constituted, comprising the present states of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, and a large portion of Minnesota.

The first American officer who visited Minnesota, on business of a public nature, was one who was an ornament to his profession, and in energy and endurance a true representative of the citizens of the United States. We refer to the gallant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, a native of New Jersey, who afterwards fell in battle at York, Upper Canada, and whose loss was justly mourned by the whole nation.

When a young lieutenant, he was ordered by General Wilkinson to visit the region now known ae Minnesota, and expel the British traders who were found violating the laws of the United States, and form alliances with the Indians. With only a few common soldiers, he was obliged to do the work of several men. At times ho would precede his party for miles to reconnoitre, and then he would do the duty of hunter.

During the day he would perform the part of surveyor, geologist, and astronomer, and at night, though hungry and fatigued, his lofty enthusiasm kept him awake until he copied the notes, and plotted the courses of the day.

On the 4th day of September, 1805, Pike arrived at Prairie du Chien, from St. Louis, and was politely treated by three traders, all bom under the flag of the United States. One was named Wood, another Frazer, a native of Vermont, who, when a young man became a clerk of one Blakely, of Montreal, and thus became a fur trader. The third was Henry Fisher, a captain of the Militia, and Justice of the Peace, whose wife was a daughter of Goutier de Verville. Fisher was said to liave been a nephew of Presdent Monroe, and later in life traded at the sources of the Minnesota. One of his daughters was the mother of Joseph Rolette, Jr., a member of the early Minnesota Legislative assemblies. On the eighth of the month Lieutenant Pike left Prairie du Chien, in two batteaux, with Sergeant Henry Kennerman, Corporals William £. Mack and Samuel Bradley^ and ten privates.

At La Crosse, Frazer, of Prairie du Chien, overtook him, and at Sandy point of Lake Pepin he found a trader, a Scotchman by the name of Murdoch Cameron, with his son, and a young man named John Budsdell. On the twentyfirst he breakfasted with the Kaposia band of Sioux, who then dwelt at the marsh below Dayton's Bluff, a few miles below St. Paul. The same day he passed three miles from Mendota the encampment of J. B. Faribault, a tarader and native of Lower Canada, then about thirty years of age, in which vicinity he contmued for more than fifty years. He married Pelagie the daughter of Francis Kinnie by an Indian woman, and ills eldest son, Alexander, bom soon after Pike's visit, was the founder of the town of Faribault.

Arriving at the confluence of the Minnesota and the Mississippi Eivers, Pike and his soldiers encamped on the Northeast point of the island which still bears his name. The next day was Sunday, and he visited Cameron, at his trading post on the Minnesota Biver, a short distance above Mendota.

On Monday, the 23d of September, at noon, he heia a Council with the Sioux, under a covering made by suspending ^ils, and gave an admirable talk, a portion of which was as follows : Brothers, I am happy to meet you here, at this council fire which your father has sent me to kindle, and to take you by the hands, as our children. We having but lately acquired from the Spanish, the extensive territory of Louisiana, our general has thought proper to send out a number of Ills warriors to visit all his red children ; to tell them his will, and to hear what request they may have to make of their father. I am happy the choice fell on me to come this road, as I find my brothers, the Sioux, ready to listen to my words.

" Brothers, it is the wish of our government to establish military posts on the Upper Mississippi, at such places as might be thought expedient I have, therefore, examined the country, and have pitched on the mouth of the river St Croix, this place, and the Tails of St. Anthony ; I therefore wish you to grant to the United States, nine miles square, at St. Croix, and at this place, from a league below the confluence of the St. Peter's and Mississippi, to a league above St. Anthony, ejrtending three leagues on each side of the river ; and as we are a people who are accustomed to have all our acts written down, in order to have them handed to our children, I have drawn up a form of an agreement, which we will both sign, in the presence of the traders now present. After we know the terms, we will fill it rfp, and have it read and interpreted to you.

Brothers, those posts are intended as a benefit to you. The old chiefs now present must see that their situation improves by a communication with the whites. It is the intention of the United States to establish at those posts factories, in which the Indians may procure all their things at a cheaper and better rate than they do now, or than your traders can afford to sell them to you, as they aie single men, who come from far in small boats; but your fathers are many and strong, and will come with a strong arm, in large boats. There will also be chiefs here, who can attend to the wants of their brothers, without their sending or going all the way to St. Louis, and will see the traders that go up your rivers, and know that they are good men. * * * * "Brothers, I now present you with some of your father's tobacco, and some other trifling things, as a memorandum of my good will, and before my departure I will give you some liquor to clear your throats.^

The traders, Cameron and Frazer, sat with Pike. His interpreter was Pierre Rosseau. Among the Chiefs present were Le Petit Corbeau (Little Crow), and Way-ago Enagee, and L'Orignal Leve or Rising Moose. It was with diflculty that the chiefs signed the following agreement ; not that they objected to the language, but because they thought their word should be taken, without any mark ; but Pike overcame their objection, by saying that he wished them to sign it on his account.

"Whereas, at a conference held between the United States of America and the Sioux nation of Indians, Lieutenant Z. M. Pike, of the army of the United States, and the chiefs and wnrriors of said trihe* have ftorreed to the following articles, which, when ratified and approved of by the proper authority, shall be binding on both parties:

Art. 1 . That the Sioux nation grant unto the United States, for the purpose of establishment of military posts, nine miles square, at the mouth of the St. Croix, also from below the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Peter's, up the Mississippi to include the Falls of St. Anthony, extending nine miles on each side of the river ; that the Sioux Nation grants to the United States the full sovereignty and power over said district forever.

Art. 3. The United States promise, on their part, to permit the Sioux to pass and repass, hunt, or make other use of the said districts, as they have formerly done, without any other exception than those specified in article first.

In testimony whereof, we, the undersigned, have hereunto set our hands and seals, at the mouth of the river St. Peter's, on the 23d day of September, 1806.

The following entries from Pike's Journal, descriptive of the region around the city of Minneapolis, seventy-five years ago, are worthy of preservation:

"Seit. 26th, TTiMrsday. - Embarked at the usual hour, and after much labor in passing through the rapids, arrived at the foot of the Falls about three or four o'clock ; unloaded my boat, and had the principal part of her cargo carried over the portage. With the other boat, however, full loaded, they were not able to get over the last shoot, and encamped about six yards below. I pitched my tent and encamped above the shoot. The rapids mentioned in this day's march, might properly be called a continuation of the Falls of St. Anthony, for they are equally entitled to this appellation, with the Falls of the Delaware and

Explobebs And Pi0Neeb8 Of Minnesota

Sept. 27th, Friday, Brought over the residue of my loading this morning. Two men arrived from Mr. Frazer, on St. Peters, for my dispatches. This business, closing and sealing, appeared like a last adieu to the civilized world. Sent a large packet to the General, and a letter to Mrs. Pike, with a short note to Mr. Frazer. Two young Indians brought my flag across by land, who arrived yesterday, just as we came in sight of the Fall. I made them a present for their punctuality and expedition, and the danger they were exposed to from the journey. Carried our boats out of the river, as far as the bottom of the hill.

Sept. 28th, Saturday. - Brought my barge over, and put her in the river above the Falls. While we were engaged with her three-fourths miles from camp, seven Indians painted black, appeared on the heights. We had left our gims at the camp and were entirely defenceless. It occurred tome that they were the small party of Sioux who were obstinate, and would go to war, when the other part of the bands came in; these they proved to be ; they were better armed than any I had ever seen ; having guns, bows, arrows, clubs, spears, and some of them even a case of pistols. I was at that time giving my men a dram ; and giving the cup of liquor to the first, he drank it off ; but I was more cautious with the remainder. I sent my interpreter to camp with ihem, to w^ait my coming ; wishing to purchase one oi their war clubs, it being made of elk horn, and decorated with inlaid work. This and a set of bows and arrows I wished to get as a curiosity. But the liquor I had given him began to operate, he came back for me, but refusing to go till I brought my boat, he returned, and (I suppose being offended) borrowed a canoe and crossed the river. In the afternoon got the other boat near the top of the hill, when the props gave way, and she slid all tlie way down to the bottom, but fortunately without injiuing any person. It raining very hard, we left her. Killed one goose and a racoon.

Sept. 29th, Sundny. - l killed a remarkably large racoon. Grot our large boat over the portage, and put her in the river, at the upper landing ; this night the men gave sufficient proof of their fatigue, by all throwing themselves dowTito sleep, preferring rest to supper. This day I had but fifteen men out of twenty-two ; the others were sick. This voyage could have been performed with great coiivenience, if we had taken our departure in June. But the proper time would be to leave the Illinois as soon as the ice would permit, when the river would be of a good height.

Sept. 30th, Monday, - Loaded my boat, moved over and encamped on the Island. The large boats loading likewise, we went over and put on board. In the mean time, I took a survey of the Falls, Portage, etc. If it be possible to pass the Falls in high water, of which I am doubtful, it must be on the East side, about thirty yards from shore ; as there are three layers of rocks, one below the other. The pitch off of either, is not more than five feet; but of this lean say more on my return.

On the tenth of October, the expedition reached some arge island below Sauk Rapids, where in 1797, Porlier and Joseph Renville bad wintered. Six days after this, he reached the Rapids in Morrison county, which still bears his name, and he writes: ''When we arose in the morning, found that snow had fallen during the night, the ground was covered and it continued to snow. This, indeed, was but poor encouragement for attacking the Rapids, in which we were certain to wade to our necks. I was determined, however, if possible to make la riviere de Corbeau, [Crow Wing River], the highest point was made by traders in their bark canoes. We embarked, and after four hours work, became so benumbed with cold that our limbs were perfectly useless. We put to shore on the opposite side of the river, about two-thirds of the way up the rapids. Built a large fire ; and then discovered that our boats were nearly half full of water; both having sprung large leaks so as to oblige me to keep three hands bailing. My sergeant (Kennerman) one of the stoutest men I ever knew, -broke a blood-vessel and vomited nearly two quarts of blood. One of my corporals (Bradley) also evacuated nearly a pint of blood, when he attempted to void his urine. These unhappy circumstances, in addition to the inability of four other men whom we were obliged to leave on shore, convinced me, that if I had no regard for my own health and constitution, I should have some for those poor fellows, who were kill- ing themselves to obey my orders. After we had breakfast and refreshed ourselves, we went down to our boats on the rocks, where I was obliged to leave them. I then informed my men that we would rettun to the camp and there leave some of the party and our large boats. This information was pleasing, and the attempt to reach the camp soon accomplished. My reasons for this step have partly been already stated. The necessity of unloading and refitting my boats, the beauty and convenience of the spot for building huts, the fine pine trees for peroques, and the quantity of game, were additional inducements. We immediately unloaded our boats and secured their cargoes. In the evening I went out upon a small, but beautiful creek, which emptied into the Falls, for the purpose of selecting pine trees to make canoes. Saw five deer, and killed one buck weighing one hundred and thirty-seven pounds. By my leaving men at this place, and from the great quantities of game in its vicinity, I was ensured plenty of provision for my return voyage. In the party left behind w^as one hunter, to be continually employed, who would keep our stock of salt provisions good. Distance two himdred and thirty-three and a half miles above the Falls of St. Anthony.

Having left his large boats and some soldiers at this point, he proceeded to the vicinity of Swan River where he erected a block house, and on the thirty-first of October he writes: ''Enclosed my little work completely with pickets. Hauled up my two boats and turned them over on each side of the gateways ; by which means a defence was made to the river, and had it not been for various political reasons, I would have laughed at the attack of eight hundred or a thousand savages, if all my party were within. For, except accidents, it woiild only have alTorded amusement, the Indians having no idea of taking a place by storm. Found myself powerfully attacked with the fantastics of the brain, called ennui, at the mention of which I had hitherto scoffed ; but my books being packed up, I was like a i)erson entranced, and could easily conceive wiiy so many persons who have been confined to remote places, acquire the habit of drinking to excess, and many other vicious practices, which have been adopted merely to pass time.

During the next month he hunted the buffalo which were then in that vicinity. On the third of December he received a visit from Robert Dickson, afterwards noted in the history of the coimtry, who was then trading about sixty miles below, on the Mississippi.

On the tenth of December with some sleds he contuuied his journey northward, and on the last day of the year passed Pine River. On the third of January, 1806, he reaclied the trading post at Red Cedar, now Cass Lake, and was quite indignant at finding the British Hag floating from the staff. The night after tliis his tent caught on fire, and he lost some valuable and necessary cl( thing. On the evening of the eightli he reached Sandy Lake and was hospitably received by Grant, the trader in charge. lie writes .

" Jan. 9th, !Z7m7>(Z«?/. - Marched the corporal early, in order that our men should receive assurance of our safety and success. He carried with him a small keg of spirits, a present from Mr. Grant. The establishment of this place was formed twelve yeara since, by the North-west Company, and was formerly imder the charge of a Mr. Charles Bnisky. It has attained at present such regularity, as to permit the superintendent to live tolerably comfortable. They have horses they procured from Red River, of the Indians ; raise plenty of Irish potatoes, catch pike, suckers, pickerel, and white fish in abundance. They have also beaver, deer, and moose ; but the provision they chiefly depend upon is wild oats, of which they purchase great quantities from the savages, giving at the rate of about one dollar and a half per bushel. But flour, pork, and salt, are almost interdicted to persons not principals in the trade. Flour sells at half a dollar ; salt a dollar; pork eighty cents; sugar half a dollar; and tea four dollars and fifty cents per pound. The sugar is obtained from the Indians, and is made from the maple tree."

He remained at Sandy Lake ten days, and on the last day two men of the Northwest Company arrived with letters from Fon du Lac Superior, one of which was from Athapuscow% and had been since May on the route.

On the twentieth of January began his journey to Leech Lake, which lie reached on the first of February, and was hospitably received by Hugh

A Mr. Anderson, in the employ of Robert Dickson, was residing at the west end of the lake. While here he hoisted the American flag in the fort. The English yacht still flying at the top of the flagstaff, he directed the Indians and his soldiers to shoot at it. They soon broke the iron pin to which it was fastened, and it fell to the groimd. He was informed by a venerable old Ojibway chief, called Sweet, that the Sioux dwelt there when he was a youth. On the tenth of February, at ten o'clock, he left Leech Lake with Corporal Bradley, the trader McGillis and two of his men, and at sunset arrived at Red Cedar, now Cass Lake. At this place, in 1798, Thompson, employed by the Northwest Company for three years, in topographical surveys, made some observations. He believed that a line from the Lake of the Woods would touch the sources of the Mississippi. Pike, at this point, was very kindly treated by a Canadian named Roy, and his Ojibway squaw. On his return home, he reached Clear River on the seventh of April, where he foimd his canoe and men, and at night was at Grand Rapids, Dickson's trading post. He talked until four o'clock the next morning with this person and another trader named Porlier. He forbade while there, the traders Greignor [Grignon] and La Jennesse, to sell any more liquor to Indians, who had become very drunken and unruly. On the tenth he again reached the Falls of Saint Anthony. He writes in his journal as follows :

April 11th, Friday, - Although it snowed very hard we brought over both boats, and descended the river to the island at the entrance of the St. Peter's. I sent to the chiefs and informed them I had something to commimicate to them. The Fils de Pincho inmiediately waited on me, and informed me that he would provide a place for the purpose. About sundown I was sent for and introduced into the council-house, where I found a great many chiefs of the Sussitongs, Gens de Feuilles, and the Gens du Lac. The Yanctongs had not yet come down. They were all awaitmg for my arrival. There were about one hundred lodges, or six himdred iwople; we were saluted on our crossing the river with ball as usual. The council-house was two large lodges, capable of containing three hundred men. In the upper were forty chiefs, and as many pipes set against the poles, alongside of which I had the Santeiur's pipes arranged. I then informed them in short detail, of my transactions witli the Santeurs; but my interpreters were not capable of making themselves understood. I was therefore obliged to omit mentioning every particular relative to the rascal who fired on my sentinel, and of the scoundrel who broke the Fols Avoins' canoes, and threatened my life; the interpreters, however, informed them that I wanted some of their principal chiefs to go to St. Louis; and that those who thought proper might descend to the prairie, where we would give them more explicit information. They all smoked out of the Santeur's pipe, excepting three, who were painted black, and were some of those who lost their relations last winter. I invited the Fils de Pinchow, and the son of the Killeur Rouge, to come over and sup with me; when Mr. Dickson and myself endeavored to explain what I intended to have said to them, could I have made myself understood; that at the prairie we would have all things explained; that I was desirous of making a better report of them than Captain Lewis could do from their treatment of him. The former of those savages was the person who remained around my post all last winter, and treated my men so well; they endeavored to excuse their people.

"April 12th, <Sar«r(2ay. - Embarked early. Although my interpreter had been frequently up the. river, he could not tell me where the cave (spoken of by Carver) could* be foimd; we carefully sought for it, but in vain.' At the Indian village, a few miles below St. Peter's, we were about to pass a few lodges, but on receiving a very particular invitation to come on shore, we landed, and were received in a lodge kindly; they presented us sugar. I gave the proprietor a dram, and was about to depart when he demanded a kettle of liquor; on being refused, and after I had left the shore, he told me he did not like the arrangements, and that he would go to war this summer. I directed the interpreter to tell him that if I returned to St. Peter's with the troops, I would settle that affair with him. On our arrival at the St. Croix, I found the Pettit Corbeau with his people, and Messrs. Frazer and Wood. We had a conference, when the Pettit Corbeau made many apologies for the misconduct of his people; he represented to us the different maimers in which the young warriors had been inducing him to go to war; that he had been much blamed for dismissing his party last fall; but that he was determined to adhere as far as lay in his power to ^ our instructions; that he thought it most prudent to remain here and restrain the warriors. He then presented me with a beaver robe and pipe, and his message to the general. That he was determined to preserve peace, and make the road clear; also a remembrance of his promised medal. I made at' reply, calculated to confirm him in his good intentions, and assured him that he should not be the less remembered by his father, although not present. I was informed that, notwithstanding the instruction of his license, and my particular request, Murdoch Cameron had taken liquor and sold it to the Indians on the river St. Peter's, and that his partner below had been equally imprudent. I pledged myself to prosecute them according to law; for they have been the occasion of great confusion, and of much injury to the other tradera. This day met a canoe of Mr. Dickson's loaded with provisions, under the charge of Mr. Anderson, brother of the Mr. Anderson at Leech Lake. He politely offered me any provision he had on board (for which Mr. Dickson had given me an order), but not now being in want, I did not accept of any. This day, for the first time, I observed the trees beginning to bud, and indeed the climate seemed to have changed very materially since we passed the FaUs of St. Anthony."

The strife of political parties growing out of the French Revolution, and the declaration of war against Great Britain in the yeai* 1812, postponed the military occupation of the Upper Mississippi by the United States of America, for several years.

Dickaon and other traders hostilo - American iitockade ut PrHirie da Chicu---Fort Shelby snrrenders to Lt. Col. William McKay-'Ljyal traders I^roveucallc and VMiftoult - Rising MooM or Ou»«7ed Sioux - Cqit. Bulger evacuates Fort McKay - bitelliganc* of Poaoe.

Kotwithstanding tlie professions of friendship made to Pike, in the second war with Great Britain, Dickson and others were found bearing arms against the Kcpublic.

A year after Pike left Prairie du Chien, it was evident, that imder some secret influence, the Indian tril>es were combining agamst the United States. In tlie year 1809, Nicholas Jarrot declared that the British traders were furnishing the savages with guns for hostile purposes. On the first of May, 1812, two Indians were apprehended at Chicago, wlio were on their way to meet Dickson at Green Bay. They had taken the precaution to hide letters in their moccasins, and bury them in the ground, and were allowed to proceed after a brief detention. Frazer, of Prairie du Chien, who had been with Pike at the Coimcil at the mouth of the Minnesota River, was at tlie portage of the Wisconsin when the Indians delivered these letters, which stated that the British flag would soon be flying again at Mackinaw. At Green Bay, the celebrated warrior, Black Hawk, was placed in charge of the Indians who were to aid the British. The American troops at Mackinaw were obliged, on the seventeenth of July, 1812, to capitulate without firing a single gun. One who was made prisoner, wites from Detroit to the Secretary of War :

" The persons who commanded the Indians are Robert Dickson, Indian trader, and John Askin, Jr., Indian agent, and his son. The latter tw^o were i)ainted and dressed after the manner of the Indians. Those who commanded the Canadians are John Johnson, Ci-awford, Pothier, Annitinger, La Croix, Rolette, Franks, Livingston, and other traders, some of whom were lately concerned in smuggling British goods into the

Indian coimtry, and, in conjunction with others, have been using their utmost efforts, several months before the declaration of war, to excite the Indians to take up arms. The least resistance from the fort would have been attended with the destruction of all the persons who fell into the hands of the British, as I have been assured by some of the British traders,"

On the first of May, 1814, Grovemor Clark, with two hundred men, left St. Louis, to build a fort at tlie junction of the Wisconsin and Mississippi. Twenty days before he arrived at Prairie du Chien, Dickson had started for Mackinaw with a band of Dahkotahs and Winnebagoes. The place was left in command of Captain Deace and the Mackinaw Fencibles. The Dahkotahs refusing to co-operate, when the Americans made their appearance they fled. The Americans took possession of the old Mackinaw house, in which they found nine or ten trunks of papers belonging to Dickson. From one they took tlie following extract :

A fort was immediately commenced on the site of the old residence of the late H. L. Dousman, which was composed of two block-houses in the angles, and another on the bank of the river, with a subterranean communication. In honor of the governor of Kentucky it was named "Shelby."

The fort was in charge of Lieutenant Perkins, and sixty rank and file, and two gunboats, each of which carried a six-pounder; and several howitzers were commanded by Captains Xeiser, Sulhvau, and Aid-de-camp Kennerly.

The traders at Mackinaw, learning that the Americans had built a fort at the Prairie, and knowing that as long as they held possession they would be cut off from the trade with the

Loyalty Of Faribault And The One-Eyed Sioux

The captain was an old trader by the name of McKay, and imder him was a sergeant of artillery, with a brass six-pounder, and three or four volunteer companies of Canadian voyageurs, officered by Captains Griguon, Rolette and Anderson, with Lieutenants Brisbois and Duncan Graham, all dressed in red coats, with a nmnber of Indians.

The Americans had scarcely completed their rude fortification, before the British force, guided by Joseph Eolette, Sr., descended in canoes to a point on the Wisconsin, several miles from the* Prairie, to which tliey marched in battle array. McKay sent a flag to the Fort demanding a surrender. Lieutenant Perkins replied that he would defend it to the last.

A fierce encounter took place, in which the Americans were worsted. The officer was wounded, several men were killed and one of their boats captured, so that it became hecessary to retreat to St. Louis. Fort Shelby after its capture, was called Fort McKay.

Among the ti-aders a few remained loyal, especijrily Provencalle and J. B. Faribault, traders among the Sioux. Faribault was a prisoner among the British at the time Lieut. Col. Wm. McKay was preparing to attack Fort Shelby, and he refused to perform any service, Faribault's wife, who was at Prairie du Chien, not knowing that her husband was a prisoner in the hands of the advancing foe, fled with others to the Sioux village, where is now the city of Winona. Faribault was at length released on parole and returned to his trading post.

nation, he ascended the Missouri under the protection of the distinguished trader, Manual Lisa, as far as the An Jacques or James River, and from thence struck across the country, enlisting the Sioux in favour of the United States, and at length arrived at Prairie du Chien. On his arrival, Dickson accosted him, and inquired from whence he came, and what was his business ; at the same time nidely snatching his bundle from his shoulder, and searching for letters, The " one-eyed warrior " told him that he was from St. Louis, and that he had promised the white chiefs there that he would go to Prairie du Chien, and that he had kept his promise

Dickson then placed him in confinement in Fort McKay, as the garrison was called by tlie British, and ordered him to divulge what information he possessed, or he would put him to death. But the faitliful fellow said he would impart nothing, and that he was ready for death if he wished to kill him. Finding that confinement had no effect, Dickson at last liberated him. He then left, and visited the bands of Sioux on the Upper Mississippi, with which he passed the winter. Wlien he returned in the spring, Dickson had gone to Mackinaw, and Capt. A. Bulger, of the Royal New Foundland Regiment, was in conunand of the fort.

On the twenty-third ot May, 1815, Capt. Bulger, wrote from Fort McKay to Gov. Clark at St. Louis : " Official intelligence of peace reached me yesterday. I propose evacuating the fort, taking with me the guns captured in the fort. * * * * I have not the smallest hesitation in declaring my decided opinion, that the presence of a detachment of British and United States troops at the same time, would be the means of embroiling one party or the other in a fresh rupture with the Indians, which I presume it is the wish of both governments to avoid."

The next month the " One-Eyed Sioux," with three other Indians and a squaw, visited St. Louis, and he informed Gov. Clark, that the British commander left the cannons in the fort when he evacuated, but in a day or two came back, took the cannons, and fired the fort with the American fiag flying, but that he rushed in and saved it from being burned. From this time, the British flag ceased to float in the Valley of the Missisr sippi.