556 APPENDIX. 



years since any Sioux had visited the mill ; and that the latter 

 was owned by persons at Prairie du Chien. 



The rapids of the Red Cedar River extend (according to the 

 estimates contained in my notes) about twenty -four miles. They 

 commence a few miles below the junction of Meadow River, and 

 terminate about two miles below the mills. This extension of 

 falling water, referred to in the treaty as a fixed point, has led 

 to the existing uncertainty. The country itself is of a highly 

 valuable character for its soil, its game, its wild rice, and its wood. 

 We found the butternut among those species which are locally 

 included under the name of Bois fi-anc, by the traders. The land 

 can, hereafter, be easily brought into cultivation, as it is inter- 

 spersed with prairie ; and its fine mill privileges will add to its 

 value. Indeed, one mile square is intrinsically worth one hun- 

 dred miles square of Chippewa country, in some other places. 



The present saw-mills (there are two), are situated 65 miles 

 from the banks of the Mississippi. They are owned exclusively 

 by private citizens, and employed for their sole benefit. The 

 boards are formed into rafts ; and these rafts are afterward at- 

 tached together, and floated down the Mississippi to St. Louis, 

 where they command a good price. The business is understood 

 to be a pi'ofitable one. For the privilege, no equivalent has been 

 paid either to the Indians or to the United States. The first mill^ 

 was built several years ago, and before the conclusion of the 

 treaty of Prairie du Chien, fixing boundaries to the lands. A 

 permit was given for building, either verbal or written, as I have 

 been informed, by a former commanding ofiicer at Prairie du 

 Chien. I make these statements in reference to a letter I have 

 received from the Department since my return, but which is 

 dated June 27th, containing a complaint of one of the owners of 

 the mill, that the Chippewas had threatened to burn it, and re- 

 questing me to take the necessary precautionary measures. I 

 heard nothing of such a threat, but believe that the respect which 

 the Chippewas have professed, through me, for the American 

 government, and the influence of my visit among them, will pre- 

 vent a resort to any measures of violence; and that they will wait 

 the peaceable adjustment of the line on the rapids. I will add 

 that, iclierever that line may be determined, in a reasonable pro- 

 bability, to fall, the mill itself cannot be supplied with logs for 



