236 APPENDIX. 



as trophies on the late excursion, were danced with the ceremo- 

 nies peculiar to the occasion, on an eminence adjacent to, and 

 within sight of, my encampment. This painful exhibition of bar- 

 baric triumph was enacted without consulting me. 



Finding it practicable, in the existing state of the waters, to 

 visit the principal and most remote source of the Mississippi, 

 above this lake, I determined to encamp my men, and leave my 

 heavy baggage and supplies on the island, and to accomplish the 

 visit in small canoes, with the aid of Indian guides. As the 

 details of this expedition afford no political information of a char- 

 acter required by my instructions, beyond the observation of some 

 evidences of a Sioux inroad in former years, and the statistical 

 facts heretofore given, they are omitted. It will be sufficient to 

 remark that the object was successfully accomplished, under the 

 guidance of Oza Windib. I planted the American flag on an 

 island in the lake, which is the true source of the Mississippi, 

 149 years after the discovery of the mouth of this stream by La 

 Salle. I was accompanied on this expedition by Mr. Johnston 

 of the Department ; Dr. D. Houghton ; Lieut. Allen, U. S. A.; and 

 the Rev. W. T. Boutuell. 



On returning to my encampment on the island in Cass Lake, I 

 explained to the Indians, in a formal council, the object of my in- 

 structions from the Department, so far as these relate to their 

 hostilities with the Sioux. I invested Oza Windib with a flag 

 and medal, finding him to be looked up to as the principal man 

 in the band, and there being, at present, no one who claimed, or 

 appeared to be as well entitled, to the authority of chieftainship. 

 Neezh Opinais, or the Twin Birds, who received a medal from 

 Gov. Cass, through the intervention of his principal guide, in 

 1820, was formerly resident at this lake, but is now incorporated 

 with the band at Red Lake. I sent him a flag, accompanied with 

 a formal message, by his son, and acknowledged the receipt of a 

 peace pipe and stem, from Waiwain Jigun of Red Lake, sent out 

 by him through another hand. These attentions to the ceremo- 

 nial messages of the Indians are of more importance, so far as 

 respects their feelings and friendship, than might be inferred. 



Cass Lake is about 15 miles long, in the direction that the 

 Mississippi passes through it, and may be estimated to be twelve 



