■APPENDIX. 365 



lava probably carried along in its course tlie aforesaid body of 

 copper, that had formed into one collection, as fast as it was heated 

 enough to run, from all parts of the mine. The united mass was 

 probably borne in this manner to the place where it now rests in 

 the soil. The crystallized form, observable everywhere on the 

 original surface of the metal that has been left untouched or un- 

 disturbed, leads me to presume that the fusion it has sustained 

 was by a process of nature ; since this crystallized surface can 

 only be supposed to have been produced by a slow and gradual 

 cooling, whereby the copper assumed regular figures as its heat 

 passed into other substances, and the metal itself lay exposed to 

 the air. 



"As to the properties of the copper itself, it may be observed 

 that its color is a clear red ; that it is peculiarly qualified for roll- 

 ing and forging; and that its excellence is indicated by its re- 

 semblance to the copper usually employed by the English for 

 plating. The dealers in copper call this sort Peruvian cop2oer to 

 distinguish it from that of Sweden, which is much less malleable. 

 The specimen under consideration is incomparably better than 

 Swedish copper, as well on account of its brilliant color as for the 

 fineness of its pores and its extreme ductility. Notwithstanding, 

 before it is used in manufactures, or for the coining of money, it 

 ought to be melted anew, for the purpose of purifying it from 

 such earthy particles as it may contain. The examination of the 

 North American copper, in the sample received from his excel- 

 lency the minister, by the operation of the cupel and test by fire, 

 has proved that it does not contain the smallest particle of silver, 

 gold, or any other metal." It is a coincidence worthy of remark, 

 that the suggestions offered by the assayer respecting the volcanic 

 origin of these masses of copper, are justified by the leading fea- 

 tures of the Porcupine Mountains, and by the melted granites 

 found upon the heights called Grande Sables and Ishpotonga. 



2, The second and third inquiries of the resolution relate to 

 '''■the names of the Indian tribes ivho claim the mines, and the practi- 

 cability of extinguishing their titleP By the treaty concluded at 

 this post on the 16th of June, 1820, the Ojibwai* Indians cede 

 to the United States four miles square of territory, bounded by 



* For the different names applied to this tribe of Indians, see Appendix H. 



