244 EXPEDITION TO THE 



proved ; no doubts are entertained, however, that such au 

 object is attainable. 



The importance of this pass appears the more striking, 

 when viewed in connexion with the easterly arm of Lake 

 Huron, which extends far into the interior of Upper Ca- 

 nada, and to which munitions of war and naval stores of 

 every description may be easily conveyed from the depots 

 of both Canadas. An enemy designing to attack the west- 

 ern country might here prepare an armament in complete 

 security, and operate to great advantage through the straits. 

 Not only the practicability, but the efficacy of an attack in 

 this direction, has been fully demonstrated in some of the 

 events of the late war. 



2d. Of the Indians inhabiting the country traversed by 

 the Expedition. 



A few remarks on this subject, in addition to those here- 

 tofore made in the narrative, will here suffice. 



The march of civilization, which has been carried tri- 

 umphantly nearly to the sources of the Scioto, Miami, and 

 Wabash, has been almost uniformly attended by the retreat 

 of the nations formerly inhabiting in that quarter. The 

 Shawnees, Delawares,Miamis, Potawatomis, and Kickapoos, 

 who once overran the extensive region that now embraces 

 the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, are now nearly 

 extirpated ; small remnants of these once powerful nations 

 are scattered through the northerly and westerly parts of 

 this region, all of whom begin to be convinced, that the 

 lapse of a few years more must bring about their utter ex- 

 termination, unless they resort to agriculture as a means of 

 prolonging their existence. 



A similar destiny awaits the Otawas, Menomones, Win- 

 nebagoes, Sauks, Foxes, and lawas, who now inhabit th^* 



