78 NARKATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 



The Sault (from the Latin Saltus, through the French) or Falls 

 of St. Mary, is the head of navigation for vessels on the lakes, and 

 has been, from early days, a thoroughfare for the Indian trade. 

 It is equally renowned for its white fish, which are taken in the 

 rapids with a scoop-net. The abundance and excellence of these 

 fish has been the praise of all travellers from the earliest date, 

 and it constitutes a ready means of subsistence for the Indians 

 who congregate here. 



The place was chiefly memorable in our tour, however, as the 

 seat of the Chippewa power. To adjust the relations of the tribe 

 with the United States, a council was convened with the chiefs on 

 the day following our arrival. This council was assembled at 

 the Governor's marquee^ which was graced by the national ensign, 

 and prepared for the interview with the usual presents. The 

 chiefs, clothed in their best habiliments, and arrayed in feathers 

 and British medals, seated themselves, with their usual dignity, 

 in great order, and the business was opened with the usual cere- 

 mony of smoking the peace pipe. When this had been finished, and 

 the interpreter* taken his position, he was directed to explain the 

 views of the Government, in visiting the country, to remind them 

 that their ancestors had formerly conceded the occupancy of the 

 place to the French, to whose national rights and prerogatives the 

 Americans had succeeded, and, by a few direct and well-timed 

 historical and practical remarks, to secure their assent to its reoc- 

 cupancy. The utmost attention was bestowed while this address 

 was being made, and it was evident, from the glances of the hearers, 

 that it was received with unfriendly feelings, and several chiefs 

 spoke in reply. They were averse to the proposition, and first 

 endeavored to evade it by pretending to know nothing of such 

 former grants. This point being restated by the American com- 

 missioner, and pressed home strongly, was eventually dropped 

 by them. Still, they continued to speak in an evasive and desul- 

 tory manner, which had the effect of a negative. It was evident 

 that there was a want of agreeihent, and some animated discus- 

 sion arose among themselves. Two classes of persons a^jpeared 



• James Riley, a son of the late J. V. S. Riley, Esq., of Schenectady, N. Y., 

 by a Saganaw woman ; a man well versed in the language, customs, and local tradi- 

 tions of the Chippewas. 



