USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people, its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume I > Part 25
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Upon these representations, Congress passed an act in January, 1823, providing for a district court for this locality, to have jurisdiction over all offenses and transactions concerning commerce, and dealings with the Indians, and also the usual jurisdiction of the county courts. Mr. Doty was made judge of the new court.
In March of the same year an act was passed whereby congress made important changes in the form of territorial government, so that legisla- tive power of the territory was vested in the governor and a council of nine persons, these nine to be selected by the president and confirmed by the senate from a list of eighteen to be elected by the people of the territory; and by the same act the judges were given equity as well as common-law powers.
In February, 1825, congress again took action favorable to the set- tlers of the territory and provided for its division into townships, for their incorporation, and for the election of all county officers except judges, justices, sheriffs and elerks; in other words, for the election of all county officers except those connected with the administration of justice.
CASS'S SECOND EXPEDITION
In 1826, to further the interests of the government in the Lake Su- perior regions, General Cass and Colonel Thomas L. McKenna made up another expedition the story of which, as written by McKenna, was pub- lished in Baltimore in 1827 and is entitled "Sketches of a Tour to the Lakes." It treats of the characters and customs of the Chippeway In- dians, and of the incidents connected with the negotiation of the "Treaty of Fond du Lac" negotiated by them. Mr. MeKenna started from Georgetown, District of Columbia, on the first day of June, 1826, by stage to Baltimore; thence by steamboat to New York, up the Hudson to Albany in the "Lady Clinton," a new river barge of that period, which was described as a "floating palace," and was towed by the "Com- merce," "an unusually fine steamboat and of great power." From Al- bany he proceeded through to the Erie canal, which was first opened to travel the year previous, and was reckoned as one of the greatest of boons to the western-bound emigrants of those days, doing much to shorten the period and lighten the burden of the tedious journey. From Buffalo he traveled by steamer "Clay" and landed in Detroit. Michi- gan territory, Friday, June 16, 1826, after a fifteen days' continuous journey from Georgetown.
The party organized for this tour left Detroit, June 23d, on the "Sehnean Ghent," and was composed of Governor Cass, Colonel Thos. L. MeKenna : Colonel Croghan, the newly appointed inspector general of the army ; Captain Hinkley, and a Mr. Porter who was a passenger to Fond du Lac. After a voyage, in which they encountered some rough weather and consequent delays, they came in view of Drummond island, and the highlands of St. Joseph, abont one o'clock in the after- noon of July 2nd, and of which they recorded: "In the west, on our
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left. Michilimackinac and Bois Blanc, looming above the other dark lines that the fogs and vapours make upon the sky." The narrator also recorded that "at five o'clock dropped anchor in the Detour, having an island nearly in the middle of the Detour, about thirty yards from our stern, filled with Indians, drunk, noisy and naked. This sight interested me more than any I had seen. The boat was let down and Colonel Croghan, Mr. Porter and myself went on the island on our way to Drum- mond island, which is abont a mile across from our anchorage. We there learned from an interpreter that these were Indians who had been to Drummond island (principally Chippeways and Ottawas) to re- ceive their annual presents; and that having got them, they had, as usual, given them for whiskey, and were now enjoying the luxury of being drunk and naked."
On landing at St. Joseph they were introduced to the officers of the post by Captain MeIntosh, of the schooner "Wellington," and were in- vited to the officers' quarters and treated with great cordiality; being informed that of three thousand Indians who had been there to receive presents, there still remained about six hundred. On returning to the schooner in the evening the party concluded to again land upon the island and see the drunken Indians by torchlight. To their happy sur- prise, their own party, who had preceeded them from Detroit and had been to Michilimackinac, had returned to meet them here and had drawn their barges up in line, pitched several tents and lighted their camp files.
Of the condition of those Indians, and the situation as pertaining to them, Mr. McKenna wrote: "It is not possible to give a description of the looks of those staggering and besotted Indians, when seen by torch- light. The torch is made of birch bark and emits a large flame, and much smoke. The glare from one is vivid, but a hundred, all lighted at once, and flaring about in all directions, and reflecting upon naked and painted savages, with bells rattling from their long and painted locks. and who every now and then fall into a thicket, and letting go their grasp of a torch, send it flaming and smoking along the ground, produce an effect which it is not easy to describe; whilst its fittest resemblance is that hell of which we read, where the wicked are said to gnash their teeth, and from whenee the smoke of their torment ascends; while the Indians yell and make cries of the most appalling soit. All the evil comes from whiskey. We saw a log house on the island, where a settler had fixed himself, and I counted on the shore seventeen empty barrels. For their contents these poor wretches had exchanged their fine Mich- ilimackinac blankets, and kettles, and knives and calicoes that had been distributed to them at Drummond Island, where the British govern- ment sqnanders, annually, a sum a little short, if any, of one hundred thousand dollars."
And this pen-picture of Mr. MeKenna's represents conditions within our peninsula only eighty-five years ago. Of the party as here reor- ganized the author continues: "Our company is now composed of Mr.
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Cass and myself, as commissioners; Colonel Edwards, secretary, and G. F. Porter, assistant secretary; Colonel Croghan; Major Whipple, com- missary ; Christian Clemens, who has charge of the public goods; Henry Conner, interpreter ; Joseph Spencer, in charge of the boats; J. O. Lewis, James W. Abbot, assistant in delivering provisions to the Indians, and E. A. Brush, together with thirty-one engagees, or voyageurs; one baker, and one cook; making a total of forty-three, besides the three voyageurs we have left to mend and bring in our canoe.
"The Detonr soon widens into an expense of waters of four miles and is studded with islands, all of them green and beautiful, and of a cireu- lar form, and which are from fifty yards to a mile in circumference, and in the distance are seen the highlands of St. Joseph, and the island of that name, just before us; whilst the Indian canoes are in motion, skim- ming this beautiful expanse of waters, in all directions, conveying to their villages those who have been at Drummond Island; whilst behind us the schooner 'Ghent' is seen getting under way for Michilimackinac. Our barges, dressed off with the flags of our country, look like a little fleet. The whole together would make a beautiful panorama."
As the party proceeded up the river, they perceived a canoe filled with Indians, following, and all apparently plying their paddles, with the result that the colonel was soon overtaken. In it was Ole Nequegon, or the Wind, and his family, who had been to Drummond island to get their presents from the British king, and having heard that "his father, Governor Cass, had passed," had come on to see him and shake hands, and, of course, to get more presents. He was given salt, pork and to- bacco, and an order on the agent at Michilimackinac for other articles for his family. He was an Ottawa and lived well and his canoe was well filled. He was one of the few Indians who remained friendly to the United States, during the war of 1812. "By his side was his aged and wrinkled squaw, and ranged in the order in which people are forced to sit in bark canoes, were his two sons and four daughters. The old man was asked if he knew the person who had just given his daughter the bends, Colonel Croghan. He seemed in doubt. The governor told him he was the same who whipped the red coats at Sandusky, when he in- stantly recognized him, and to show us that he did. put a hand upon each of his own shoulders to indicate the places where his epaulets were worn."
THE SOO AND COLONEL CROGHAN (1826)
The party landed at Sault Ste. Marie at two o'clock in the morning of July 4th, cold, wet and hungry, but were soon lodged in a house kept by a Mr. Harris, where as Mr. MeKenna writes, it took him an honr be- fore a large fire, and with his great coat on, to get warm. Refreshments were prepared, including a whitefish, and the governor, who had re- tired, on hearing they were to have one of these fish, got up and joined in the repast. The fish is described as the finest that swims and with nothing to equal it.
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During the day Colonel Croghan reviewed the troops and the party was cordially received and hospitably entertained by Colonel Lawrence, the commanding officer, and by the entire garrison; by Mr. Johnson, the patriarch of the Sault, Mr. Schoolcraft and others. Here, all prepara- tions had been made for the further journey of the commissioners, "six hundred miles beyond the limits of civilization" and a detachment in charge of Captain Boardman, an experienced officer in the service, was assigned as escort, with Lieutenant Kingsbury second in command, and Dr. Pitcher as surgeon.
Considering the part played by Colonel Croghan in the war of 1812, and thereafter in connection with the affairs of this peninsula, it is but
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fitting that we make mention of him, and we can not better do so than in the language of his friend and companion, McKenna, written just after witnessing his review of the troops: "I believe there was not a man in the quarters, from the Colonel to Sergeant Snow, and from Ser- geant Snow to the most unobserving private, who did not feel the con- viction of Croghan's powers and his exact fitness for the place. Indeed, few men have more, either of the gait or expression of the soldier. His face is altogether a military one. There is something in his eye that passes from it, in command, like fire. He never blunders. He knows the forms and the order, and is gifted with a voice and language to com- mand, and is a most soldierly person. He is about five feet ten inches high, straight as an arrow, with a fine breadth of the shoulders and
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chest, and is compact and well-made in all respects. There is a spring and elasticity in his movements and a quick and penetrating spirit about him, that makes his presence felt. No man carries a warmer or more generous heart. It is the very fountain of benevolence; and his eye which flashes so in command, is soft and expressive when he mingles in society. If Croghan had not the heart 1 have described, he would not be worth anything, nor be where he is. It was this generous heart of his that operated upon him at Sandusky; for show me a generous man and I will show you a brave one. Show me a cold, calculating, cruel man, and I will show you a treacherous man and a coward. A brave man is mild in peace; but in war and in a righteous cause, he is a lion. These are the characters who are fit for private friendship or the public serv- ice, who adorn and honor both; and Croghan is one of these."
To introduce here, copious extracts written at that time by Mr. Mc- Kenna scems to be the best method of picturing the then conditions of the country, its people, business, trades and the relations of the white men and the Indians, as well as the diversity of character found in both Indians and traders. He writes, further, as follows:
"Sault de St. Marie, July 6, 1826.
"It was not my intention to have ommited, in my notice of the inspection, a reference to this hospital and this school; yet I believe I said nothing of either. Were I a surgeon, I would adopt as a model this hospital and its entire arrangement -except that the building is too small, and rather low pitched. Every possible at- tention had been paid by the officers charged with it, toward making it a sweet and even inviting place. The appartments are in the nicest order and well ventilated. The sick are as well provided for, even to a nice linen nightcap, which is carefully placed under every pillow, as if these essential preparations were made by the hands of a provident and affectionate friend.
"The cases I saw were generally inflammatory and rheumatic, in the production of which whiskey has no inconsiderable agency; and in which the lancet is, as it ought to be, freely used. It does appear to me that this part of a soldier's rations might be dispensed with, or commuted. It is notorious that many persons enlist, to whom whiskey at the commencement is nauceous, but it is part of their supplies. They receive it, taste it, and taste it again, until at last it becomes agreeable and the use of it is continued until they are afflicted with inflammatory diseases, or turn out to be confirmed drunkards.
"The school is kept by a Mr. MeCleary, a non-commissioned officer of the post, and a most interesting appendage, truly, it is to the post. The system is Lancashirian in part, but is, in my opinion, in some particulars, at least, an improvement upon it. For example; the pupil is not only required to spell the word correctly, but to give its derivation, or meaning. A given number of words being written on a slate, they are called over by the monitor, when the meaning will be given by the dictator until the meaning of every word is comprehended by each member of the class. The mode of acquiring the definition along with the correct orthography is important. The examinations in geography and astronomy were highly creditable, indeed striking, there being only two of the twenty-four scholars over ten years of age.
"This school, which is within the fort, is under the direction of a committee of officers who prepare or revise the rules for its government, and visit it, etc .; the whole subject to the approval of the commanding officer. Mr. MeCleary, besides being well qualified to conduct so important and interesting an establishment, is a man of genius. We were shown two emblematical transparencies which he had prepared in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of our independence. One of them represents a soldier of the United States army embracing a Chippeway Indian chief dressed in the costume of his nation, and in the center of the picture is an eagle, with a seroll from his beak, having on it Washington and Lafayette, and this motto:
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"We are a firm and solid brotherhood, Which neither treachery from within, nor Assaults from without, can dissolve."
The other is an emblematic scroll having on it:
"NATIONAL JUBILEE Fiftieth ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE"
"From a feeble infancy she has grown to a giant size, and a giant's strength. Here may the oppressed of every country find a refuge, and the industrious a home. Our agriculture has reduced the wilderness to submission."
This is supposed to have been the first American school at the Sault, and illus- strates the high standard of patriotism represented by the pioneer teacher and officials.
After writing further of his inspection of the Military be comments as follows: "The Indians who live about here in summer, and who subsist on the fish taken by them from the rapids, but who go in winter into the interior to hunt, assembled to witness our maneuverings. It is easy to see that they had yielded the contest for supremacy. They looked as though they believed the white men had got the ascendency. They sat in groups on the green, upon their hams, as is their custom, their bodies naked, with a blanket round their hips, smoking their pipes, silent, but watchful. We spent the evening-I mean the Governor, Colonel Croghan, and my- self, at Mr. Schoolcraft's-where we met Mr. Johnson, the patriarch of the place, and his family, except his wife, who though not of the party this evening, I have seen. "Mr. Johnson is by birth an Irishman, and his connections in the old country are among the nobility. He has been in this country nearly forty years. His wife is a woman of the Chippeway, or, as it should be called O-jib-way nation, and daughter of the famous Wa-ba-jick, the great chief formerly of Le Pointe, of Lake Superior, a man of renown and one who ruled both in wisdom and valor, and proved himself, in every emergency, to have been worthy of the station he held as chief of his band (the same as referred to in the history of the Indians as Waub- ojeek). A personal acquaintance with Mr. Johnson and his family, I esteem to be among the most interesting circumstances of my, so far, agreeable travels. Al- low me to make yon acquainted with this family.
"Mr. Johnson is in his sixty-fourth year, and Mrs. Johnson in her fifty-fourth. He is feeble and decrepid. A free liver in earlier life, he now feels the burden of sixty-four winters to be great. His education and intercourse with polished society up to his thirtieth year have given him many very striking advantages over the in- habitants of those distant regions, and indeed fit him to shine anywhere; whilst the genuine Irish hospitality of his heart has made his house a place of most agreeable resort to travelers. In his person, Mr. Johnson is neat; in his manners affable and polite; in conversation, intelligent. His language is always that of thought; and often strikingly graphie. He is always cheerful, even when he is afflicted the most. Mrs. Johnson is further and quite fully described in the chapter on the Chippewas.
"Governor Cass, the commissioner, was made fully sensible of her power at the council in 1820, for when every evidence was given that the then pending negoti- ation would issue not only by a resistance on the part of the Indians to the proposi- tions of the commissioners, but in a serious rupture, she, at the critical moment, sent for some of the principal chiefs, directing that they should, to avoid the obser- vation of the great body of Indians, make a circuit, and meet her in an avenue at the back of ber residence, and then, by her luminous exposition of their own weak- ness and the power of the United States, and by assurances of the friendly dis- position of the government towards them, produced a change which resulted, on that same evering, in the conclusion of the treaty. I have heard Governor Cass say that he felt himself. then, and does yet, under the greatest obligations to Mrs. Johnson for her cooperation at that critical moment; and that the United States are debtor to her, not only on necount of that act, but many others. "
"Of the children," he says, "they have seven, three sons and four daughters. Of Mrs. Schoolcraft you have heard. She is wife, you know, of H. R. Schoolcraft, Esq., Author of Travels and other works of great merit, and Indian agent at this place.
"The old gentleman, when in Edinburgh, had several propositions made to him to remain. The Duchess of Devonshire, I think it was, would have adopted Mrs. Schoolcraft; and several propositions besides were made to settle upon her wealth
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and its distinctions, and his own friends and connections joined to keep him among them, by offers of great magnitude. But he told them he had married the daugh- ter of a king in America, and although he appreciated and was grateful for their offers to himself and his Jane, he must decline them, and return to his wife, who through such a variety of fortune had been faithful and devoted to him.
"You may be curious to know how a gentlemen of Dublin or Belfast, should find his way up to Lake Superior; and what led him to unite his destiny to the daughter of Wa-ba-jick. He meditated no step of the sort when he landed in America; but it occurring to him, when at Montreal, that he would take a trip up the lakes, he procured an outfit, and, following the impulse, pursued his way until he arrived at St. Michael's Island; thence he went over io Wa-ba-jiek 's village. His outfit was such as to enable him to make occasional exchanges with the natives. which his independence led him to do in preference to being dependent on his family. This resulted in his becoming a trader. Wa-ba-jick's daughter had been solicited by, and refused to other traders; but to Mr. Johnson Wa-ba-jick said; 'I have noticed your behavior. It has been correct. But, white man, your color is deceitful. Of you may I hope better things? You say you are going to return to Montreal; go, and if you return, I shall be satisfied of your sincerity, and will give you my daughter.' He went to Montreal, returned and married her. She was then delicate, and, as Mr. Johnson tells me, very beautiful."
Of the population and the village, Mr. MeKenna records there were at the Sault at that time forty seven men, thirty women and seventy- five children making a total of one hundred and fifty-two; and of the buildings, there were twenty-four occupied and thirty-three nnoccupied, ineluding one cooper shop, four warehouses, four storehouses, three re- tail stores and two grocery stores; and he says that among the residences there were but three or four comfortable ones, the best of which was occupied by Mr. Johnson. The buildings were principally located along the river shore, with a street about ninety feet wide between them and the river, but a few buildings were upon a level plain at an elevation above the river bank. Most of the small buildings were occupied by "voyageurs, and their Indian families, and their dogs." The fort was then picketed, and was defended with blockhouses but no mounds, and was garrisoned by about two hundred effective men.
The staples of the place were then whitefish and maple sugar, and a few furs, and he says that but for the beneficent provision of the white- fish by a kind Providence it would be impossible to live there. Of the method of taking the whitefish Mr. MeKenna says: " It is taken by both whites and Indians with a scoop net, which is fastened to a pole about ten feet long. Two of the men go ont in a bark canoe, that you could take in your hand like a basket, and in the midst of the rapids, or rather just below where they pitch and foam the most. One sits near the stern and paddles; the other stands in the bow, and with the dexterity of a wire dancer balances this eggshell that you or I would be certain to turn over in our attempts to keep it steady. When a fish is seen through the water, which is clear as crystal, the place is indicated by the man with the net. when, by a dexterous and quick motion of the paddle. by the Indian hohling it, he shoots the canoe to the spot, or within reach of it, when the net is thrown over the fish, and it is scooped up, and thrown into the eanoe. Meanwhile the eye of the person in the stern is kept steadily fixed upon the breakers and the eddy, and whirl, and fury of
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the current; and the little, frail bark is made to dance among them, lightsome as a cork; or is shot away into a smoother place, or kept sta- tionary by the motion of that single paddle as circumstances may re- quire. It is not possible to look at these fishermen, Indians and Canada French, and even boys and girls, flying about over these rapids without a sensation of terror. These fish are caught in great abundance, and sold as low as two and three cents apiece. The brook trout are taken here also in great abundance."
Of the maple sugar Mr. MeKenna says: "Three families in the neighborhood, of which my old friend Mr. Johnson is one, make, gen- erally, four tons of sugar in a season. Some of it is very beautiful. I have some mococks of it given to ine by Mrs. Johnson, of her own make. It is as white as the Havana sugar, and richer. A mocock is a little re- ceptale of a basket form, and oval, though without a handle, made of birch bark." He also tells us that the Indians often live wholly upon maple sugar, and are said to grow fat thereby. Also that potatoes of the finest quality, and oats grow here, and the show of vegetables is much more abundant than he expected. He also mentions that on the Cana- dian side of the river there was the Northwest Fur Company's establish- ment, and along down the river for a distance of about two miles were about eighty buildings of every kind.
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