NARRATIVE, Ac. I3fl 



Millc Lac and Sandy Lake borders. Masses of native copper 

 have been brought out of its bed by the Indians, who report the 

 existence of further indications of its presence. The North 

 Weal Company formerly held a post on this river, and it re- 

 mained for several years, a central place of trade 1 for the In- 

 dians of the lower St. Croix. The influence of this company 

 owr the Indiana ry where visible, and so far as this in- 



fluence waa connected with political feelings, it was, as a matter 

 of c r of the British government. As not 



re than twenty years have elapsed, since the authority of the 

 American government began at all to be exercised in this quar- 

 ter, and a much shorter period must be assigned for any active 

 influence from its posts and agencies, it should not excite sur- 

 prise that the elder Indians should, as they do, feel an attach- 

 ment for that government. Nor is it strange, that ambitions 

 and designing men among them, should occasionally form com- 

 binations for open resistance, of the character of that which 

 has recently been witnessed among the Saucs and Foxes. 

 Time, and judicious counsels, will afford the surest corrective. 



In looking back to the condition of the trade, as it existed 

 here, fifty years ago, some striking changes have supervened. 

 A. Mr. Harris, who is still living at the age of about eighty-four, 

 informed me, that about the close of the American war, when 

 he first came to this river, rum was an article in high request 

 among the Indians. When they had purchased a keg of it, 

 it was customary to pour it out into a large kettle and place 

 it over a fire. A hand of tobacco was then put in. After be- 

 ing heated and stirred about for a time, the mixture was drank. 

 The distance from Snake River to Yellow River is about 

 thirty-five miles. We employed the 30th, from about eleven in 

 the morning till eight at night, and the 31st until eight o'clock 

 in the morning, in performing this distance. The water W8J 

 very low, and it frequently required the men to get out and 

 wade. The Kettle Rapids, nine miles in extent, are, 1, 

 the most formidable obstacle. The St. Croix receives, in this 



