189-2-93.] NINTH MEETING. 233 



They held 3,120 acres under cultivation. Their crops were 4,269 bushels 

 of grain and 1,300 tons of hay. The fish taken by them were valued at 

 $18,500 and furs at $5,205, and their revenue from other sources was 

 $5,850. The charter under which the Canadian Indians claim their 

 rights is the Royal proclamation of King George III. in 1763, after the 

 Treaty of Paris. Their lands were to be alienated only at public meet- 

 ings presided over by the governor or his deputy. Care and control 

 over them is exercised by the Dominion Government. The Algonquins 

 of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay are divided into fifteen bands, settled 

 on as many reserves on the shores of lake and bay. Most of them are 

 now Christians, but a remnant of the old superstition is often found 

 lingering among them. They meet yearly on a chosen place to dance 

 and shoot Matci Manito, the evil spirit. They live in tribes, the regula- 

 tion of their affairs being in the hands of councils chosen by themselves ; 

 the oldest system of government on the continent is in operation in their 

 council houses. Their code of rules, when adopted and approved by the 

 Governor-General, forms an excellent quasi-municipal system, including 

 the management of roads, fences, schools, and pounds. They exhibit 

 laudable interest in education and have many Public schools, and also 

 send many of the children to the Roman Catholic schools and convent 

 at Wikwemikong, on Manitoulin Island, and to the Protestant Shingwauk 

 and Wawanosh Homes at the Sault Ste. Marie. Mr. Hamilton then 

 eave an interesting account of several famous Indians of this region; 

 of Chingalaco.se, the Small Pine, the noted Chippewa chief who aided 

 Capt. Roberts in taking F'ort Mackinack in 18 12, and was afterwards for 

 many years leader of his tribe in their wars with the Sioux, but was con- 

 verted to Christianity under the ministration of Rev. Dr. McMurray 

 when missionary at Sault Ste. Marie. His .son, Augustine Shingwauk, 

 gave his name and aid to the Home there established for the education 

 of Indian children, x^ssikinack was a noted Ottawa chief, and under the 

 name of the " Black Bird " figured at the taking of Fort Dearborn in 

 18 1 2, and in the defence of Mackinack from American attack in 18 14 



His son Francis was, in 1840, when a lad, brought to Upper Canada 

 College, where he developed good scholarly powers, and attained high 

 places in his classes. He became Indian interpreter to the department, 

 and in 1858 and 1859 read several learned papers before the Canadian 

 In.stitute as to Indian history and customs. He unfortunately died in 

 1863. Mr. Hamilton then discussed the "Manaboyho" legends, and 

 showed that these, as found in various forms among our Algonquins, are 

 the substance of the " Song of Hiawatha," which latter name is the On- 

 ondaga or Iroquois name for the same demigod or national hero. Several 



