270 APPENDIX. 



I illustrate my report of this part of the route by a map pro- 

 tracted by Dr. Houghton. On this map our places of encamp- 

 ment, the sites and population of the principal Indian villages, the 

 trading-posts, and the boundary lines between the Sioux and 

 Chippewa, are indicated. And I refer you to it for several details 

 which are omitted in this report. 



The present state of the controversy between the Sioux and 

 the Chippew r as will be best inferred from the facts that follow. 

 In stating them, I have deemed it essential to preserve the order 

 of my conferences with the Indians, and to confine myself, almost 

 wholly, to results. 



Along the borders of Lake Superior, comparatively little alarm 

 was felt from the hostile relation with the Sioux. But I found 

 them well informed of the state of the difficulties, and the result 

 of the several war-parties that had been sent out the last year. 

 A system of information and advice is constantly kept up by run- 

 ners ; and there is no movement meditated on the Sioux borders, 

 which is not known and canvassed by the lake bands. 



They sent warriors to the scene of conflict last year, in conse- 

 quence of the murder committed by the Sioux on the St. Croix. 

 Their sufferings from hunger during the winter, and the existence 

 of disease at Torch Lake (Lac du Flambeau), and some other 

 places, together with the entire failure of the rice crop, had pro- 

 duced effects, which were depicted by them and by the traders in 

 striking colours. They made these sufferings the basis of fre- 

 quent and urgent requests for provisions. This theme was stren- 

 uously dwelt upon. Whatever other gifts they asked for, they 

 never omitted the gift of food. They made it their first, their 

 second, and their third request. 



At Chegoimegon, on Lake Superior (or La Pointe, emphati- 

 cally so called), I held my first and stated council with the In- 

 dians. This is the ancient seat of the Chippewa power in this 

 quarter. It is a central and commanding point, with respect to 

 the country lying north, and west, and south of it. It appears 

 to be the focus from which, as radii from a centre, the ancient 

 population emigrated ; and the interior bands consequently look 

 back to it with something of the feelings of parental relation. 

 News from the frontiers flies back to it with a celerity which is 



