VI PREFACE. 



explain to the Indians the advantages of vaccination, 

 and endeavor to persuade them to submit to the pro- 

 cess. You will keep and report an account of the 

 number, ages, sex, tribe, and local situation of the In- 

 dians who may be vaccinated, and also of the preva- 

 lence, from time to time, of the small pox among them, 

 and of its effects as far as these can be ascertained. 

 " Very respectfully, &c. 



ELBERT HERRLNG." 



In the execution of these orders, the summer season 

 of two years was devoted. All the bands of the Chip- 

 pewa nation, located north of the mouth of the Wis- 

 consin, and some bands of the Sioux were visited. 

 Councils were held with them at various points, for the 

 objects above specified, and no opportunity was omit- 

 ted to acquire statistical and other information suited 

 to aid in the formation of correct opinions respecting 

 their condition, and the policy to be pursued respecting 

 them. 



The portion of country situated between the bands 

 of Lake Superior and the Mississippi, south of St. An- 

 thony's falls, occupied the summer of 1831. The area 

 extending thence north, to the source of the Missis- 

 sippi, and the Hauteur des Terres, forming the eleva- 

 tion separating its waters, from the steams received by 

 Hudson's bay, constituted the object of the expedition 

 of 1832. So much of this area, as lies north of a lati- 

 tude line passing through Cass lake, and west of about 

 its parallel of longitude, comprehends the principal to- 

 pic of description in the following work. And it is thus 

 distinguished, from other portions of the western coun- 

 try, brought into discussion, in my two previous vol- 

 umes of travels. 



HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT. 



Detroit, October 10, 1833. 



