APNEMDIX. 278 



in fsPWMSblc terms* He is hmt f td at the most advanced point 

 towards the Sioux borders, ami, although 001 in the line of ancient 

 chiefs, upon linn i. itfl - Itentially the conduct of affairs in this 

 quarter. 1 therefore deemed it important to acquire his confi- 

 dent :iilluence, and held frequent conversations 

 with him. His manner was frank and hold, equally free from 

 -( rvility and repulsil eness. I drew his attention U) U veral sub- 

 jects. 1 asked him whether the sawmill on the lower part of the 

 Red Cedar WSJ located on Chippewa lands? He said, ^ . . 

 Whether it was huilt with the consent of the Chippewas ? He 

 said. No ; it had heen built, as it were, by stealth. 1 aekad him 

 if any thing had been subsequently given them in acknowledg- 

 ment of their right to the soil I He said, No ; that the only ac- 

 knowledgment was their getting tobacco to smoke when they 

 visited the mill : that the Sioux claimed it to be on their side of 

 the line, but the Chippewas contended that their line ran to a 

 certain bluff and brook below the mill. I asked him to draw a 

 map of the lower part of Chippewa River, with all its branches, 

 showing the exact lines as fixed by the treaty at Prairie du 

 Chien, and as understood by them. I requested him to state 

 the facts respecting the murder of the Menomonie, and the causes 

 that led to it ; and whether he or any of his band received any 

 message from the agent or commanding officer at Prairie du 

 Chien, demanding the surrender of the murderer ? To the latter 

 inquiry he answered promptly, No. He gave in his actual popu- 

 lation at 142 ; but it is evident that a very considerable additional 

 population, particularly in men, resort there for the purpose of 

 hunting a part of the year. 



The day after my arrival, I prepared for and summoned the 

 Indians to a council, with the usual formalities. I opened it by 

 announcing the objects of my visit. Neenaba and his followers 

 UStened to the terms of the message, the means I had adopted to 

 enforce it, and, finally, to the request of co-operation on the part 

 of himself and baud, with strict attention. He confined his reply 

 to an expression of thanks: allnsions to the peculiarity of his 

 situation on an exposed frontier ; and general sentiments of friend- 

 ship. He appeared to he mentally embarrassed by mv re.ji- 

 to drop the war-club, on the successful use of which he had relied 



