CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

CHAPTER I.

PUBLIC OFFICE-ITS DUTIES, DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS.

First appointment to office-System of government trade with the Indians-Tra-

ding companies and individuals—Contrast between the two systems-American

Fur Company-John Jacob Astor-Missouri Fur Company-Difficulty of sup-

plying the factories during the war-Unsuitable stock on hand at its close-

Loss in disposing of it-Satisfaction of the Indians on receiving the new sup-

plies-Clerks in the office-Miles, the trusty messenger-Inestimable value of

competent and faithful clerks-Folly and wickedness of proscription-Transfer

of the property of the Indian trade establishment-Increase of the capital-As-

sailed by Mr. Benton-The reply-Mr. Monroe's opinion-Payment of Indian

annuities Caution in keeping the accounts-Charged with defalcation-Mys-

terious disappearance of vouchers-Duplicates produced-Accounts settled-

Charges of defalcation reiterated-Rules adopted in purchasing articles for the

Indians-Anonymous charges of favoritism-Discomforts of office-Accounts

kept open....

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CHAPTER II.

IMPROVEMENT, MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL, OF THE INDIANS. PRESIDENT MONROE.

ANECDOTES ILLUSTRATING HIS CHARACTER.

Fourth of July address-Subsequent reflections-Wrongs of the Indian-Corres-

pondence with Mr. and Mrs. Gambold-The Cherokees-Their reluctance to

intercourse with the Whites-Capacity for improvement-Plan for elevating

their condition-Appropriation by Congress for this purpose-Effects of this

plan-David Brown's letter-Progress of civilization among the Cherokees-

Commission annulled-Re-appointed-Fourth Auditor Treasury, almost—Mr.

Monroe's scruples-His sensitiveness to reproach-Interview with him just

before his death-Charged with undermining General Armstrong-Facts in

the case-The British forces in the Chesapeake-Affair of Bladensburg—

General Armstrong vindicated-Mr. Monroe's personal efforts and sacrifices in

1814-The General Post-office-Mr. M'Lean's appointment-What led to

it...

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CHAPTER III.

THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. COMMISSIONS TO TREAT WITH THE INDIANS.

VOYAGE ON THE LAKES. GREEN BAY. BUTTE DE morts.

Organization of the Bureau of Indian affairs—Dilatory legislation—Living on half

pay-Effects of severe labors upon health-Appointed commissioner to negotiate

a treaty with the Indians at Fond du Lac-Other commissioners to the Choc-

taws, Chickasaws and Creeks-Arrival at Detroit, and departure for Green

Bay-First steamboat ascent of the Neebish Rapids-Sault de St. Marie-

White fish, and the fishery-Canadian voyagers-Gale on the Lake—Sea-

sickness Boat aground-Detention at Green Bay-Le Petit Butte de Morts-

Return to Mackinac-A patient-Doctor Monroe and lady-A contrast-A

romantic wife-Return to Green Bay-Hazardous voyage—A night on shore—

Another patient-The medicine-man superseded-A cure-Arrival at Green

Bay-Alarm in the fort-Allayed by the arrival of General Cass-Apprehen-

sions of an attack-The big gun brought up-Portage at the Grand Kockalas

-"Short guns”—An experiment-Lighting an Indian's pipe with the sun—

Firing at a target in the lake-Indians coming in-Toils of the women—An

exception-An Indian's gratitude-Passage of the Rapids of the Grand Kock-

alas-Talk with the Winnebagoes-Anecdote of General Leavenworth... 56

CHAPTER IV.

INCIDENTS OF THE COUNCIL AT LE PETIT BUTTE DE MORTS.

Sabbath amid Nature's solitudes-Christian Indians engaged in worship-Open-

ing of the Council-A contrast-Treaty adjusted and signed-An alarm-Le

Grand Butte de Morts-Indian tradition-Death of a medicine-man-Funeral

ceremonies-Distribution of presents among the Indians-Breaking up of the

encampment—Brutal attack upon a woman-Chargeable to whiskey-The

man transformed to a woman-Moral effects of this punishment-Awful evils

of the whiskey trade-Embarkation-Ascending the Fox river-Dangers of

the way-Some of my party return-Number of our men-Incidents by the

way-A chase..

.. 80

CHAPTER V.

EXPEDITION AGAINST THE WINNEBAGOES.

SURRENDER, RECEPTION, AND APPEAR-

66
ANCE OF RED-BIRD."

Encampment at Rush lake-Windings of the Fox river-Major Whistler and

Rolette-A successful mediation-Remarkable celestial phenomenon—An

omen—The snake and the bear-Ceremony of taking them-A fine position on

the Fox river-Shooting a crane-Arrival at the portage—Encampment—

Disarming and detention of a party of Winnebagoes-Object of the expedi-

tion-Indian diplomacy-Surrender of the murderers--Heroism of the act—

Their arrival and reception-Noble appearance and dignified deportment of

"Red-Bird"-Solicitude of his people for him-His brief talk-Miserable ap-

pearance of We-kau, his accomplice-Mode of catching the rattle-snake-

Preventive against his bite-Portage of the Ouisconsin....

99

CHAPTER VI.

PASSAGE DOWN THE OUISCONSIN AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS.

Passage down the Ouisconsin-An accident-Scenery of the Ouisconsin—A

parley with the Indians-Visit to their village-Distribution of presents—

Meeting with General Atkinson at Le Petit Roche-Difficulties of naviga-

tion-Changes in the river-Junction with the Mississippi-Prairie du Chien

-Origin of the name-Description of the Prairie-Scene and story of " the

murders"-Apprehensions of another attack-Mystery of "Red-Bird's" outrage

explained-Passage down the Mississippi-Grave of Julian Du Buque-Galena

-The lead-mines-Trespass upon Indian lands-Causes of the Black Hawk

and Seminole wars-Rents at Galena enormously high-Rock Island-Ex-

ceeding beauty of the place-Boundary between civilized and savage life-

Familiar sounds-Wrecks in the river-Fort Edwards-Encampment on an

Island-Visit to the farm-house of a settler-A peep at the newspaper-Peli-

can Island Shooting-Panic of the inhabitants-The milk-sickness..... 117

CHAPTER VII.

SOJOURN AT ST. LOUIS. PASSAGE DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI.

MEMPHIS TO CHICKASAW BLUFFS.

HARD JOURNEY FROM

Mouth of the Missouri-A toast-The French count-Meeting of the waters-
St. Louis-General Clark-Hospitalities-Sudden illness of the count-Kind-
ness of Mrs. Clark-Departure and destination-Compagnons de voyage-
Screw-mills-The channel ever shifting-Abrasion of the banks of the Missis-
sippi-A town falling into the river-The cause explained-Sawyers-Plant-
ers-Duty of government to remove them-Profits of two acres of onions-
Memphis Journey to the Chickasaw bluffs-Missionary stations-Drunken
Indians-Power of General Jackson's name-Halt in the middle of a stream—
Ti-esh-ka-Tockshish-Monroe-Barren tract of country-Arrival at Col-
bert's-An Indian's gratitude and regard-Designs of the government at that
time-Different principles afterwards adopted-Jeremiah Evarts, and his pa-
pers, signed "William Penn”—A “ blow-gun"-Counting time—" Red-sticks"
--Anecdote of Tecumthé-Preparations for the grand council................... ... 142

66

CHAPTER VIII.

INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL FROM THE CHICKASAW BLUFFS, THROUGH THE CHOCTAW

COUNTRY TO TUSCALOOSA-THENCE, THROUGH THE CREEK COUNTRY, HOME.

Opening of the council at Colbert's house-Its results-On the way to the Choc-

taws-Beauty of the Prairie-A Choctaw "rain-maker"-Espy out-done-

The secret of the art—A thunderbolt wrapped up in a blanket-The sorcerer—

On the wrong track-Ben in a prairie-An Indian camp surprised-A bar-

gain-In difficulty-A false guide-A night among the cane-brake—A copper-

head-snake for a pillow-A new guide-Safe arrival at Folsom's-Opposition

of Indians to selling their lands-Colonel James Johnson-His brother, Rich-

ard M.-Proof that Tecumthé was killed by R. M. Johnson-Result of the

Choctaw council-A burnt child-Great Indian ball-playing-Columbus-A

beautiful sufferer-Governor Adair-Passing by the Cherokees-Horrible

roads-Woods on fire-Guide to Tuscaloosa-A Sabbath of rest-Journey to

the Creek agency on the Chattahoochee-Results of conference with the

Creeks-Two Indian boys adopted-Home-sickness-Effect of a change of

dress-Scene at a public house-Subsequent history of the Indian boys... 167

CHAPTER IX.

RETURN TO WASHINGTON.

CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION.

POLITICAL EXCITEMENT.

CORRUPTION AND FAVORITISM IN HIGH PLACES.

Arrival at Washington-Mr. Barbour's estimate of my services-Adjustment of

my accounts-Political agitation-Personal abuse-Duff Green's account-

His "mark"-The work of proscription going on-Pledges honestly given-

How fulfilled-Duff Green's first appearance at Washington-How he went

ahead-Strife for office-Interview with President Jackson-Charges-Satis-

factorily answered-Result-A call at my office-An office not wanted-The

office of Indian affairs-General Eaton and Duff Green-General Houston-

Proposal"-A second and third interview-Proposals for contracts to supply

the Indians Ben Hawkins, alias General Houston-A rat behind the curtain-

"Bids"-Actual cost of rations, and removal of the Indians-Extracts from

documents-Bold favoritism-General Houston in a rage-A scene with my

clerks Almost displaced......

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CHAPTER X.

PLANS FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF THE INDIANS. HINDRANCES IN THE

WAY OF THEIR EXECUTION.

Organization of " the Indian Board" at New York-Address before the Indian

Board--Claims of the Indians presented-Massasoit-Pocahontas-Benevolent

designs of the Pilgrims-Obstacles to be overcome-The Indian vindicated—

The Indian a victim to the vices of civilization-Some of the obstacles to his

improvement removed-His anticipated progress-Destiny of our country-

Duty to the Indians-Views of President John Quincy Adams-Different

views of emigration-Diminution of the tribes-Some wholly exterminated-

An erroneous impression corrected-Terms of the proposed removal—Imagin-

ary talk with the Indians-Conclusion-Letter of "the Indian Board" to the

Executive Reply by General Eaton-Comment upon this correspondence—

Total failure of the objects of this organization-The causes of this failure-

Protection promised the Indian-Promise fulfilled by force..

224