254 APPENDIX. 



English, became infected with the disease, and but few of the 

 party survived to reach their homes — It does not appear, although 

 they made a precipitate retreat to their own country, that the 

 disease was at this time communicated to any others of the 

 tribe. 



About the year 1770, the disease appeared a second time 

 among the Chippewas, but unlike that which preceded it, it was 

 communicated to the more northern bands. 



The circumstances connected with its introduction are related 

 nearly as follows. 



Some time in the fall of 1767 or 8, a trader, who had ascended 

 the Mississippi and established himself near Leech Lake, was 

 robbed of his goods by the Indians residing at that lake; and, 

 in consequence of his exertions in defending his property, he died 

 soon after. 



These facts became known to the directors of the Fur Company, 

 at Mackinac, and each successive year after, requests were sent to 

 the Leech Lake Indians, that they should visit Mackinac, and make 

 reparation for the goods they had taken, by a payment of furs, at 

 the same time threatening punishment in case of a refusal. In 

 the spring of 1770 the Indians saw fit to comply with this request ; 

 and a deputation from the band visited Mackinac, with a quantity 

 of furs, which they considered an equivalent for the goods which 

 had been taken. The deputation was received with politeness by 

 the directors of the company, and the difficulties readily adjusted. 

 When this was effected, a cask of liquor and a flag closely rolled 

 were presented to the Indians as a token of frendship. They 

 were at the same time strictly enjoined neither to break the seal 

 of the cask nor to unroll the flag, until they had reached the heart 

 of their own country. This they promised to observe ; but while 

 returning, and after having travelled many days, the chief of the 

 deputation made a feast for the Indians of the band at Fond du 

 Lac, Lake Superior, upon which occasion he unsealed the cask 

 and unrolled the flag for the gratification of his guests. The 

 Indians drank of the liquor, and remained in a state of inebria- 

 tion during several days. The rioting was over, and they were 

 fast recovering from its effects, when several of the party were 

 seized with violent pain. This was attributed to the liquor they 





