SOURCE OP ST. PETER S RIVER. 93 



united to a great spirit of conciliation among themselves, 

 and to an indifference as to the final result of any measure 

 which they advocate in their councils. The success of a 

 measure depends altogether upon the personal influence of 

 the man who brings it forward. If he be one whom they 

 deem wise in their generation, or if he be supposed to be 

 gifted with supernatural talents, they will yield to his. 

 suggestions without opposition, if on the contrary he be pos- 

 sessed of but little weight, he meets with no support, and his 

 good sense probably induces him to relinquish his scheme. 

 When the Miamis first met with the Potawatomis, they 

 applied to them the title of younger brothers ; but this was 

 afterwards changed, and their seniority acknowledged, 

 from the circumstance that they resided further to the 

 west ; as those nations which reside to the west of others 

 are deemed more ancient. This was settled in a council 

 of the two nations, held some time after their first meet- 

 ing ; the Potawatomis being at present acknowledged 

 and styled elder brothers, and the Miamis younger bro- 

 thers : but the council fire is always held with the Mia- 

 mis. By some it is mentioned, that they have no recollec- 

 tion of the Potawatomis having ever assisted at any coun- 

 cil fire but one, which was held on the St. Joseph, (of 

 Lake Michigan?) and at which the Chippewas, Potawato- 

 mis, and Ottowas were present.* 



* This statement is taken from a valuable manuscript of observations 

 concerning the Indians, communicated to the party by Dr. Thomas P. 

 Hall, Surgeon U. S. A. Dr. Hall was stationed at Chicago at the time 

 we visited that post. His opportunities of obtaining information were 

 sucli, as to render liis notes valuable, and they are particularly so in 

 the medical parts, from which we have made many extracts. As the 

 observations, which he made, relate principally to the Potawatomis, it 

 has been thought proper to connect them with those made at Fort 

 Wayne. 



