554 APPENDIX. 



knowledgment was their getting tobacco to smoke when they 

 visited the mill ; that the Sioux claimed it to be on their side of 

 the line, but the Chippewas contended that their line ran to a cer- 

 tain bluff and brook below the mill. I asked him to draw a map 

 of the lower part of Chippewa River, with all its branches, show- 

 ing the exact lines as fixed by the treaty at Prairie du Chien, and 

 as understood by them. I requested him to state the facts re- 

 specting the murder of the Meuomonie, and the causes that led to. 

 it ; and whether he, or any of his band, received any message 

 from the agent or commanding officer at Prairie du Chien, de- 

 manding the surrender of the murderer ? To the latter inquiry 

 he answered promptly, No. He gave in his actual population at 

 142 ; but it is evident that a very considerable additional popula- 

 tion, particularly men, resort there for the purpose of hunting a 

 part of the year. 



The day after my arrival, I prepared for and summoned the 

 Indians to a council, with the usual formalities. I opened it by 

 announcing the objects of my visit. Neenaba and his followers 

 listened to the terms of the message, the means I had adopted to 

 enforce it, and, finally, to the request of co-operation on the part 

 of himself and band, with strict attention. He confined his reply 

 to an expression of thanks, allusions to the peculiarity of his 

 situation on an exposed frontier, and general sentiments of 

 friendship. He appeared to be mentally embarrassed by my 

 request to drop the war-club, on the successful use of which he 

 had relied for his popularity, and whatever of real power he pos- 

 sessed. He often referred to his young men, over whom he 

 claimed no superiority, and who appeared to be ardently attached 

 to him. I urged the principal topic upon his attention, present- 

 ing it in several lights. I finally conferred on him, personally, 

 a medal and flag, and directed the presents intended for his band 

 to be laid, in gross, before him. 



After a pause, Neenaba got up, and spoke to the question, con- 

 necting it with obvious considerations, of which mutual rights, 

 personal safety, and the obligation to protect the women and 

 children, formed the basis. The latter duty was not a slight one. 

 Last year, the Sioux had killed a chief on the opposite shore of 

 the lake, and, at the same time, decoyed two children, who were 

 in a canoe, among the rice, and killed and beheaded them. He 



