by patient forbearance, and by a rigid adherence to that system of improvement, which we have adopted, and the effects of which are already felt in this quarter." In reply to that part of the Secretary's instructions concerning the removal of the Indians, Gov. Cass says:

"Although I am thoroughly persuaded that it would be better for us, and for these Indians, that they should emigrate to the country West of the Mississippi, or at any rate, West of Lake Michigan, yet it was impossible to give effect to that part of the instructions which relates to this subject, without hazarding the success of the negotiation. An indisposition to abandon the country, so long occupied by their tribes; an hereditary enmity to many of the Western Indians, and a suspicion of our motives, are the prominent causes which, for the present defeat this plan. When they are surrounded by our settlements, and brought in contact with our people, they will be more disposed to emigrate.”

On a subsequent occasion, the same just and humane views were advocated by him. In fact his intercourse with these people was always of a character to command their respect and ensure their confidence and friendship for him personally.

A striking instance of this occurred at the treaty of the Chippewas in September, 1819, where six millions of acres bordering on the Saginaw river and tributaries, were acquired. After the treaty, when the Governor had left, the Indians deputed their chief and orator, Washmenondeguet, to overtake him and express to him their entire satisfaction with the arrangement and their thankfulness for the kindness and attention shown to them.

One source of great annoyance and damage to the people of Michigan was the annual assemblage of Indians at Malden, the British post at the mouth of the Detroit river, and at Drummond's Island in the northern peninsula, to receive gifts and presents from the British Government. These two points were the principal stations of the Indian department of the British Government, to which the savages resorted annually by thousands. They had been accustomed to visit those places yearly, long previous to the war of 1812, and after its close continued to do so for several years. In the month of July, generally, they thronged into the town of Malden, to receive their share of the spoils to be distributed. They came from long distances-the Chippewa from Saginaw the Pottawattomie from Lake Michigan-the Fox and Sac from the Mississippi, all met there to receive the bounty of their "Great Father," who lived over the "big water." Presents amounting in value to several thousand dollars were bestowed upon

them. In passing through the settlements of the interior, these Indians, instigated by malice and dislike towards our people, committed depredations upon their property, robbing and plundering whenever they could lay their hands on anything portable. Nor was this the extent of the evil arising from this custom. A feel ing of attachment for those who bestowed upon them valuable and costly gifts, was the natural consequence of this system of subsidy, the effect of which could not be otherwise than injurious to the United States. Even in time of peace the evils were sensibly felt,' and in the event of war, apprehensions of still worse consequences were entertained by those conversant with Indian characteristics. Governor Cass witnessed and dreaded the influence which this practice, which commenced in 1796, exerted upon the minds of Indians, with whom he was so often brought in contact. Several attempts were made by him to dissuade them from visiting Malden, but without success. They could not be persuaded to forego the benefits accruing to them from the liberality of a foreign power. The attention of the government was directed to this important matter, but it appears to have been suffered to pass unattended to; and what seems most singular, is that the English government should have been permitted to retain possession of Drummond's Island, for the purpose of receiving the Indians there, as late as the latter part of the year 1825, its location within the bounds and jurisdiction of the United States, having been long previously settled by the treaty of peace.

These visits were not without their inconveniences to the people who encouraged them. To the citizens of Malden the Indians were almost an intolerable nuisance. They encamped in and around the town; amused themselves with their customary sports and games, and being generally intoxicated were exceedingly troublesome. The greater portion of them were filthy in appearance, and their rags bore evidence of their slothful and indolent <manner of life. Their dress consisted usually of a cotton or calico shirt, leggins and blanket; their feet were protected by moccasins. The Sacs were an exception as to the shirt. That, they considered as exclusively an article of female apparel, and therefore would not wear any; they, however, wore leggins, and covered themselves with a blanket. Their heads were shaved close

to the scalp, except a narrow strip commencing forward of the top and extending down the back of the head. This strip of hair was allowed to grow six inches in length, was made to stand erect, painted red and ornamented with feathers.

CHAPTER VII.

Message to the Legislative Council of 1826-Boundary line between Michigan and Ohio-Constitutional Convention-Action of Congress in defining boundary as a condition of admission of Michigan into the Union-Action of the two Conventions-Final admission-Democratic tone of Gov. Cass' messages.

Ar the annual session of the Legislative Council in 1826, Gov. Cass, in his message, directed the attention of the Council to the leading subjects requiring their consideration. Notwithstanding his duties, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, occupied the greater portion of his time and attention during the year, and required his personal attendance at different places many miles distant from the capital of the territory, the wants and requirements of his civil jurisdiction were not neglected or overlooked. Among the principal topics of the message, was the boundary line separating the territory from the jurisdiction of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. In defining the geographical limits of Ohio, due regard to the rights of Michigan appears to have escaped attention.

The southern boundary of the territory of Michigan, as run by authority of the United States, was a line running due east from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie. The Legislature of Ohio contended that this line was declared to be the northern boundary of Ohio, by Congress in 1802, and was accepted by the people of Ohio, then about to become a State, with this provision, however, that if the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan, should extend so far south, that a line drawn due east from it should not intersect Lake Erie, or if it should intersect Lake Erie east of the mouth of the Miami river, then in that case, with the assent of Congress, the northern boundary of the State should be established by, and extend to a direct line running from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, to the most northerly cape of Miami Bay, after intersecting the due north line from the mouth of

the Great Miami, as aforesaid; thence north-east to the territorial line, and by said line to the Pennsylvania line.

Upon this subject of so great interest to the people of the territory, the Governor expressed his views clearly and unmistakably. Familiar with every public act, relating to the territory, to its most minute detail, there was no one who so well understood its rightful claims. Although the question is now settled, it may be interesting to know what was the opinion, at the commencement of the controversy, of one who was conversant with every page and line of Congressional enactments affecting the organization of Michigan. The following extract from the Governor's message to the Legislative Council, delivered in November, 1826, will shew in what light he viewed the encroachments made under apparent sanction of law, upon the lawful possessions of Michigan:

"The Legislature of the State of Ohio, has contended that the northern boundary of that State, is a line run directly from the southern extreme of Lake Michigan to the north cape of Miami Bay. The line actually run under the authority of the United States, and in conformity with the various acts of Congress upon the subject, commences at the southern extreme of Lake Michigan, and proceeds due east to Lake Erie. The country north of that line, and bounding upon Ohio, is subject to our jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction can only be changed by the authority of the General Government. A resolution was introduced into Congress at the last session, but not acted on, to provide for a cession to Ohio of the country claimed by her. Although I consider the right of this territory too clear to be shaken, and that our interests are safe where alone they can be affected, still the expression of your sentiments upon the subject, would be useful in the discussion it may produce, and I suggest the expediency of your interference.

"With Indiana, also, our boundary is unsettled. The ordinance of Congress of July 13th, 1787, which formed the basis of the governments north of the Ohio, provided that a line to be run due east and west from the southern extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie and the Mississippi respectively, should be the boundary between the States upon the Ohio, and those north of them, if Congress should find it expedient to establish more than three States. The power thus vested, has been exercised by the admission already of three States into the Union, and by the existing provision for the admission of at least one more. The original arrangement of this matter, is in that part of the ordinance which is declared to be a compact, and unalterable but by mutual consent.

Virginia, by her act of cession, was a party to the arrangement; and her consent, as well as that of the States and Territories to be affected, is essential to the validity of any change in this instrument. The boundary of Indiana has been extended ten miles north of this line, and as the consent of the proper parties has never been given to this measure, we have a right to expect that our just claims will yet be regarded.

"In like manner, the boundary of Illinois has been extended to the parallel of forty-two degrees thirty minutes, probably forty miles north of the line established by the ordinance. How the claims of this territory to the