The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-02
General Cass's Energy of Character.
FRoM MIcHIoAN)-August II, 1915

(tROM NIlCHlCAN)--Aumusll !, 1913.
Monday July 10, 1926, left the Sault St Marie for
Fonddu Lac, which is an old Indian trading establish
ment situated the St Louis river, miles from the
north end of lake Superior, and 553 miles from the
Saut, IN company with Governor Cass and Colonel
Mckinney, Commissioner OF Indian Afiars-they being
appointed commissioners to treat with the Indians by the
President of the United States, at that place, ond dn
Lac) Governor c, and Colonel Mckinney made the
voyage in bark canoe, and the other persons in com
pany with them in Mackinaw boats, "a small batteau
arrived at Fond Lac the 2Sth July, having been de-
tanned several days the way, account of tempesu
weather notice from journal kept during the
voyage, that travelled, distances were estimated,
day in the morning. and travelling until dark in the
evening, and sometimes when the weather was very
bosterous, The canoe with the Governor. Colonel
Mckinney, and MIR. Schoolcraft, leading the way from
point to point projecting into the lake, it frequently
the case that were from ten TO fifteen miles from
land recolect during an afternoon, in crossing from
the Huron islands to point kewenaw, traverse OF
than twenty miles, that directly after commenced this
traverse violent storm of wind came up which greatly
agtated the much that the whole party in
imminent danger The canoe was IN the lead, and when
would go down into the trough of the sea, not par
tice of it could be seen until raised by the next
Several times heard some one OF the party excaim,
sWell, they gone now when about the same time
would make its appearance on mountain wave. This
traverse was never before made with birch bark
canoe. When we approached the shere of point Kewe
nav, found the sea breaking on the Shore and, TO
tra vessels, we were compelled to leap into
the water and convey them to the land THIS was no
ordinary occurrence ; The Prlvaon and bodily endn
beyond description Yet while performing this service
under the orders of the War Department, to hold an
important treaty with Indians almost from the north
pole. and in compliance with an article in previous
treaty, he is accused with drawing from the Treasury
Department ION the floor of Congress) large sums Of
money, as extra compensation governor of Michigan
The charge for this service of the items referred
to by Mr. Stewart, in his attack against the Governor
The number of Indians collected at Fond-du-Lac was
terms agreed upon, under large bower made Tor the
occasion; the chiefs and warriors occupying twohlfis
OF it, and the other part by the commissioners and their
secretary and interpreter Many questions OF much in
tees and of exciting character to be brought
before the Indians; was, the demand of an Indian
then supposed to be present, and who was sitting with
the chiefs of them, who charged with being
with the party of Indians that few years before had
murdered, on lake Pepn, Findey and some men in his
employ The chiefs were seated fronting the commits
sioners with several hundred warriors in their AT
the commencement OF the council, the Governor dis
covered the chiefs had suspended on their breasts
the British medal, and brought with them into
council the British flag The Governor directed Mr. H.
Conner the interpreter to take from the chiefs the medals
they had on, and to bring them with the coors to him
He did and the Governor took them and put his feet
them, and told Conner to tell the Indians that the
way he treated that kind of medal and coors and then
directed the interpreter to say he would give them the
kind of medal wear and the coIors hoist at their
villages when they returned This bold step of the Gov
ernor six hundred miles from our nearest military post
and in the presence of thousand warriors and only
handful OF his own countrymen near him, produced no
little surprise, assure you, amongst them. After this
matter got along WITH and the business OF the coun
Gil nearly finished, the Governor told them there
other matter of serious nature to be disposed Of He
directed the Interpreter say to them that he had been
informed that of the party that murdered Fndley and
his then present. and sitting in council as one
of their Chiefs if proved to be So he should take him
with him, and have him punished as we punished our
citizens for such offences. The Governor spoke with
such illusions to the chief present, that all under;
stood him; and the chiefs up in boiy and walked
up before the Governor The man accused said he was
the with the party of Indians tina, killed Fndley,
&c. but that he had part in the matters that he urged
them to desis but they would not listen to him. that the
chief that led them not there; and he called upon
the Great Spirit to witness what he said, and referred to
the chiefs if he had not told them the same to which
they assened They were then directed to take their
seats and the council closed alter they had stipulated to
deliver up the murderers TO the civil authority at Macki
nav.
The Governor had wonderful tact of managing the
Indians He seemed to look into their true character at
glance and was never deceived When we left Fond
du- Lac the Indians lined the shores OF the river and
saIuted our boats as they passed-the chiefs calling out
to their Father to and them Often and bring
pentyof milk that they had never been treated so well
Syc Re-