The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-23

north of the Grand portage route and as it became
my duty to claim that the true route, (haying dis
covered, too, that the British commissioners intended
10 claim by the Fond du Lac route,) returned by
that northern route TO Lake Superior, accompanied
! by Mr.. Whistler; we consequently saw more of the
| country than any others of the party.
AS you are aware, my claim to the northern route
was sustained by the American commissioners, and
became subject of final disagreement
The only other difference in relation TO the
claim made To the st. George island in the river
81 Marys, which was also sanctioned by General
Porter, the American commissioner; and is good
claim, think, by all the evidence in the
As to typographical information, some be had
by reference TO the maps and discussions which
deposited by me in the State Department July "a 1924.
Besides the journal of the toners, also de-
posted the journal of the agent, in detail
tanning all the claims and discussions, &c. at length
The lace OF the country is mountainous, rocky,
and barren, for nearly the whole distance in question.
Throughout my Journeys, may say, saw but little
| except rock and water. My route necessarily
confined TO the waercourses but, whenever |
cended height, 1t was the dreary prospect in
all directions, every valley between such heights be-
ing little lake or the discharge of watercourse.
AS an agricultural district, IL HIS no value inte-
rest, even prospectively, in my opinion. If the eli
mate were suitable, which il is not can only say
that never saw, IN my explorations there, tlable
land enough to sustain any permanent population
sufficiently numerous TO Justify other settlements than
The fur traders there occupied nearly all those places
and the opinion expressed is the only one ever
heard entertained by those most experienced in these
Northwestern regions.
There is, nevertheless, much interest felt by the
fur traders on this subject of boundary. To them it
is of much Importance, as they conceive and il is
in fact OF national Importance. Had the British
commissioner have consented 10 proceed by the Pr
geon river, which is the Long Lake Of Mches
map, 1t is probable there would have been agree
ment. There were several reasons for his pertina-
city, and Tor TINS disagreement, which belong, how
ever, TO the private history of the commission and
can be stated when required. The Pigeon river is
continuous watercourse The St. Georges island, in
the st. Mary's river is a valuable island and wor h
as much, perhaps, as most Of the country between
the Pigeon river and Dog river route, claimed for
the United States, IN an agricultural sense.
Mr.. Ferguson lis, believe in the neighborhood of
Wilmington, ID, aware He can give the desired
typographical information. | have complete and
daily journal, descriptive OF the country passed over,
but have time to refer TO it this evening" it would
confirm my general remarks however.
am now on the eve of dcpartu with my family
| for Suffolk county, Long Island. Be pleased to say
to Mr. Webster, tina, any and all the information
assistance can give is at his command, but that, if
possible hope it may be by correspondence rather
than personal visit, as my engagements here, just
now, are such as to make jaunt TO Washington
| rather inconyenient Should Typographical intorma-
ton only be desired and the present is not sasfac
tory, would refer the Secretary to Mr.. Ferguson
and would myself refer to my Journal | shall be
absent from the city until the 4th of August. UNTIL
say August my address will be at 'Quoque, Sui-
folk county, Long Island" You quite at liberty
to show these hlsty remarks TO Mr.. Webster. In
short is better TO DO so than to repeat them and
would prefer il.
Yours truly,
JOS DELAFlELD.
Major D. FRASER.