PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTS. 29 



My experience at Indian treaties convinces me that reasonable 

 cessions, upon proper terms, may at any time be procured. At 

 the treaty recently concluded at Saginaw, the Indians were will- 

 ing to cede the country in the vicinity of Michilimackinac, but I 

 did not feel authorized to treat with them for it. 



Upon this subject, I transmit extracts from the letters of Mr. 

 Boyd and Colonel Bowyer, by which it will be seen that these 

 gentlemen anticipate no difficulty in procuring these cessions. 



3. Another important object is the examination of the body 

 of copper in the vicinity of Lake Superior, As early as the year 

 1800, Mr. Tracy, then a senator from Connecticut, was dispatched 

 to make a similar examination. He, however, proceeded no far- 

 ther than Michilimackinac. Since then, several attempts have 

 been made, which have proved abortive. The specimens of 

 virgin copper which have been sent to the seat of Government 

 have been procured by the Indians, or by the half-breeds, from a 

 large mass, represented to weigh many tons, which has fallen 

 from the brow of a hill. 



I anticipate no difficulty in reaching the spot, and it may be 

 highly important to the Government to divide this mass, and to 

 transport it to the seaboard for naval purposes. 



It is also important to examine the neighboring country, which 

 is said to be rich in its mineral productions. 



I should propose that the land in the vicinity of this river be 

 purchased of the Indians. It could doubtless be done upon rea- 

 sonable terms, and the United States could then cause a complete 

 examination of it to be made. 



Such a cession is not unimportant in another point of view. 

 Some persons have already begun to indulge in speculations upon 

 this subject. The place is remote, and the means of communicat- 

 ing with it are few. By timely presents to the Indians, illegal 

 possessions might be gained, and much injury might be done, 

 much time might elapse, and much difficulty be experienced, 

 before such trespassers could be removed. 



4. To ascertain the views of the Indians in the vicinity of 

 Chicago, respecting the removal of the Six Nations to that district 

 of country, an extract from the letter of Mr. Kenzic, sub-agent at 

 Chicago, upon this subject, will show the situation in which this 

 business stands. 



