APPENDIX, 281 



The general route wliicli we pursued was from this place to 

 Michilimackinac by the southern shore of Lake Huron. From 

 thence to Drummond's Island and by the Eiver St. Mary's to 

 the Sault. We there entered Lake Superior, coasted its southern 

 shore to Point Kewena, ascended the small stream, which forms 

 the water communication across the base of the point, and, after 

 a portage of a mile and a half, struck the lake on the opposite 

 side. Fifty miles from this place is the mouth of the Ontonagan, 

 upon which have been found large specimens of copper. 



"We ascended that stream about thirty miles, to the great mass 

 of that metal, whose existence has long been known. Common 

 report has greatly magnified the quantity, although enough re- 

 mains, even after a rigid examination, to render it a mineralogical 

 curiosity. Instead of being a mass of pure copper, it is rather 

 copper imbedded in a hard rock, and the weight does not probably 

 exceed five tons, of which the rock is the much larger part. It was 

 impossible to procure any specimens, for such was its hardness 

 that our chisels broke like glass, I intend to send some Indians 

 in the spring to procure the necessary specimens. As we under- 

 stand the nature of the substance, we can now furnish them with 

 such tools as will effect the object. I shall, on their return, send 

 you such pieces as you may wish to retain for the Government, 

 or to distribute as cabinet specimens to the various literary insti- 

 tutions of our country. Mr. Schoolcraft will make to you a 

 detailed report upon this subject, in particular, and generally^' 

 upon the various mineralogical and geological objects to which 

 his inquiries were directed. Should he carry into effect the 

 intention, which he now meditates, of publishing his journal of 

 the tour, enriched with the history of the facts which have been 

 collected, and with those scientific and practical reflections and ^^ 

 observations, which few men are more competent to make, his ) ) 

 work will rank among the most important accessions which have- / 

 ever been made to our national literature. 



From the Ontonagon we proceeded to the Fond du Lac, passing 

 the mouths of the Montreal, Mauvais, and Brul(^ Rivers, and en- 

 tered the mouth of the St. Louis, or Fond du Lac River, which 

 forms the most considerable water communication between Lake 

 Superior and the Mississippi, 



The southern coast of the lake is sterile, cold, and unpromis- 



