The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-25

EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
From our regular Northern corresPondentl
La PoINrE, LAKE SUPERIOR,
July %. l845 (

ELI IN % wi = . = " ~ - - ~ - -
From our regular Northern eorespondsntl
La PoNrE, LAKE SUPERIOR,
July %, l845.
In what said in my last letter OF this dste IN re-
ation to the extent value, and prospects OF the cop
per-u,ines opened on Lake Superior, had no wish
to dampen the ardor wound the feelings or inure the
interest of any one concerned. My only wish Is 10
state facts This, in all cases, feel it my duty TO
do; although, in so doing, in the present case, my
individual interest suffers thereby. Could have
yielded to the impulses and influences prevailing in
the copper region, might have been greatly bene-
fitted in pecuniary point of view by pursu-
ing different course but, knowing those
whom | represented, as well as the public and
the press for which write, wanted The truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, could do
nothing less than make the statement did Pre-
vious to visiting the country, | could, of course,
know nothing Of its real character had to Judge,
like Others from published reports Of its mineral
wealth, accompanied with specimens, &c, which
appeared very fattering; but which, am now con-
yinced have been rather overdrawn, and the mineral
region set out larger and richer than il really u.s.
The authors of the reports were, doubtless, actuated
by pure motives. They, no doubt, had a wish, in
laying down the boundaries OF the mineral region,
to extend as to leave out no knoll or range of
trap-rock or other formation, If any indicative of
mineral depostes, which usually appear in connex-
ion with them, occurred.
consider, in conclusion that the result thus far
is this: that the mines opened may possibly, in
their prosecution lead to rich and permanent peins and
probably pay or yield something, in some cases,
while exploring them But, however rich the speci-
mems of one raised, at present there is nothing in
them, geologiealy speaking, that indicates, conciusipe
that they have reached ren that the mines will
continue permanently as rich they at present.
This would be my testimony, according to the best
of "ny knowledge and belief" on the WITNESSES stand,
under oath.
That the region, as before said, is rich in copper
and silver ores, cannot be denied. And think the
indications that peins may or do exist somewhere
in great richness, sufficiently evident to justify
continued explorations in search Of them, by those
who have the means and leisure to follow them up
for several consecutive years. To find the peins,
and most permanent deposites, must be the ioork Of
time; and as the season is short, on Lake Superior,
for such operations several years may be necessary
before proper and practical examination can be
made of the country. q
The general features of Lake Superior are very
striking, and differ very much in appearance from
what / have ever met with in any other part of
the continent. The vastness and depth of such a
body of pure fresh cold water far within the
tnent, is an interesting characteristic. When we
consider it is over 900 feet Deep with an area of
over $4,000 square miles, and yet that, through
out swhole extent, presents pure and rs fresh
tasted water though it were taken from noun
tain brook, the question naturally arises, Where
can such vast supply of pure water come from
1t is true, it has great many streams flowing
into it, but they are nearly all quite small, and
vast mass Of water, and preserve it in such state
of purity. The water supplied by most Of the
rivers is far less pure than that in the lake itself
East of Keweena point, we found the water Of the
rivers discolored, being tnged by pine and other
roots, clay, &C., often resembling the hue of New
seem to be inadequate to supply such vast guam
tty of pure clear water fills this inland ocean!
1t is possible that this great lake is freely sup
piled with water from subterranean springs open
ing into it from below. The river ST. Mary's also
seems inadequate, from its size, to discharge as
much water as comes into the lake from the rivers
which it receives. In this case evaporation may be
SO great as TO diminish the water that would other
wise pass out at it,
As relates to tides in the other lakes, we have
nothing to say; but, as far Lake Superior is con-
cerned, we feel assured, from observation, as well
from the reports of others upon whom we can rely,
that there are tides in it-variousy estimated at
point of observation, and the of the year at
which such tides are noticed.
What strikes the poyageur with the most interest,
in the way Of scenery is the wild, high, bold, and
precptous coast of the southern Shore for so much
of the whole distance between Grand Sable and La
La Pointe; the picturesque appearance of which
often SCENE heightened TO us, as on clear morn
ing or late afternoon, poyagetrs would conduct
our boat for miles near their bases. Above us, the
cliffs would rise in towering heights, while the bald
eagle would be soaring in grand circular flights
about their SUBMITS; our voyageurs, at the same
time, chanting in chorus many Of their widest boat
songs, as we glided along on the smooth and silent
bosom Of the lake. | have heard songs among
various nations, and in various parts of the world;
but, whether it was the wild scenery resting in
solemn grandeur before me, with the ocean-like
waste Of water around us, which lent wildness to
the song, | never listened to any which appear
ed to sound more wild than the curious boat songs
Of the lake voyageurs. The usual practice was for
10 sing in solo, and then repeat chorus,
in which the whole crew would join. This
would often be continued for several miles at time,
as the boat glded forward over smooth water, or
danced along over the gentle swells of moderate
sea; the voyageurs, at the same moment keeping
time with their oars.
Jean Baptiste, our pilot, had an excellent voice.
full, loud, and strong. He generally led off,
in singing; the others falling in at the choruses. All
their songs were in French, sometimes sentimental
or pathetic, sometimes comic, and occasionally er-
tenpore made, as sung from the occurrences of the
preceding day, or suggested by passing scenes.
The Chippewa Indians are poor singers; yet they
have songs (such as they are) among them; one Of
which is monotonous air repeated at their moccasn
games.
Next to the love Of liquor, many Of the Indians
have a most unconqucrabe passion for gambling
While at La Pointe, | had an opportunity Of
seeing them play their celebrated moccasin game
They were to the number Of two or three aside
seated on the ground opposite to each other with
blanket spread out between them, on which were
placed four or five moccasns. They had two lead
bullets, one Of which was made rough, while the
other remained smooth. Two Of the gamesters
were quite young men, with their faces painted
with broad horizontal red and blue stripes, their
eyelashes at the same time being dyed of dark
color. They played the game, won and lost, with
as much sang Jroidas old and experienced gamblers
Those who sat opposite, especially one of them
was much older, but by no means match, at the
time of my visit, for the young rascals, his antag
onists. One takes the balls in his hands, keeps his
eye directly on the coun:enance of the opposite
party, at the same time tossing the balls in his
hands, and singing, in changing voice, words which
sound somewhat like "He-he- hy-er-he-he-hy-er
observation-disclosures. He-hc-hy-er," &c. During
which he keeps raising, shifting, and putting
hands, having succeeded in concealing the balls