APPENDIX. 435 



left. Even we could not misunderstand that. Like our own eagle 

 with the olive-branch and arrows, he was desirous of peace, but 

 prepared for war. 



The Sioux party contained fifty-nine warriors, and this number 

 was indicated by fifty-nine guns, which were drawn upon one 

 corner of the bark. The only subject which occasioned any dilfi- 

 culty in the interpretation of the Chippewas, was owing to an 

 incident, of which they were ignorant. The encampment of our 

 troops had been removed from the low grounds upon the St. 

 Peter's, to a high hill upon the Mississippi ; two forts were there- 

 fore drawn upon the bark, and the solution of this enigma could 

 not be discovered till our arrival at St. Peter's. 



The effect of the discovery of this bark upon the minds of the 

 Chippewas was visible and immediate. Their doubts and appre- 

 hensions appeared to be removed, and during the residue of the 

 journey, their conduct and feelings were completely changed. 



The Chippewa bark was drawn in the same general manner, 

 and Sandy Lake, the principal place of their residence, was repre- 

 sented with much accuracy. To remove any doubt respecting it, 

 a view was given of the old northwest establishment, situated 

 upon its shore, and now in the possession of the American Fur 

 Company. No proportion was preserved in their attempt at de- 

 lineation. One mile of the Mississippi, including the mouth of 

 the St. Peter's, occupied as much space as the whole distance to 

 Sandy Lake ; nor was there anything to show that one part was 

 nearer to the spectator than another; yet the object of each party 

 was completely obtained. Speaking languages radically different 

 from each, for the Sioux constitute one of three grand divisions 

 into which the early French writers have arranged the aborigines 

 of our country, while the Chippewas are a branch of what they 

 call Algonquins, and without any conventional character esta- 

 blished between them, these tribes thus opened a communication 

 upon the most important subject which could occupy their atten- 

 tion. Propositions leading to a peace were made and accepted, 

 and the simplicity of the mode could only be equalled by the 

 distinctness of the representations, and by the ease with which 

 they were understood. 



An incident like this, of rare occurrence at this day, and throw- 

 ing some light upon the mode of communication before the in- 



