hatchet. The women are equally ingenious in the embroidery of their moccasins, a kind of buskin they wear on their legs. Their porcupine-quill work is elegant, and would not disgrace my Catha rine. They dye the soft, new quills of this animal of the most brilliant colours; for their knowledge of the uses of plants enables them to excel in the arts of dyeing, and in curing wounds and some diseases with astonishing success. But of all their attachments, I am most pleased with their expertness in geography. They have no maps or books to explain to them the situation of rivers or provinces ; nor are their children tormented with long lessons of the latitude and longitude of places: yet they can find their way through a country they have never seen before, to a place at a hundred miles distance, without a guide, or sign-post, or any other direction than what is furnished by their own observation. I heard a story of a party of the Creek nation, that proves them capable of this quality. They were travelling from Staunton, a town situated behind the Blue Mountains in Virginia, to Philadelphia. Some of them set out before their companions. When the rest followed, they were attended by a few of the townsmen, who kindly offered to escort them on their way. They proceeded together, for some miles, along the high road, when the Indians suddenly turned into the woods. Their companions in vain pursuaded them to return to the beaten tract. They persisted that they were

Nor were

going the direct way towards Philadelphia, and should presently overtake their friends, who they were sure had chosen the same route. they mistaken. The others had made their way, in the same place, through these pathless woods; and it was afterwards found that they had taken the way to the place of their destination, as direct as if a crow had flown before them.

I cannot resist relating an anecdote of a young Seneka warrior, who came accidentally into a room where Mr. Franklin and I were examining a map of the state of New York. As soon as he looked at the map, he comprehended its design; but being unable to read, he could not discover what part of the country it described, till I gave him a clue, by putting my finger on the spot where we then were, and showing him the situation of Buffalo Creck, where his village stood. In a moment he saw the connection of one part with another, and, sitting down, presently ran over the whole map, and pointed out, by name, every lake and river for more than two hundred miles from the village where he lived.

Some few years ago a treaty of peace was con cluded between the Indians and Americans, with the ceremony of burying the war-hatchet, which was related to us by an Englishman who happened to be present. On this occasion, one of the chiefs arose, and after lamenting that the peace had continued so short a time, proposed that a large oak

in view should be torn up by the roots, and that the hatchet should be buried under it, where it might remain for ever. A second, who was greatly revered, began to speak after the first was silent. "Trees (said he) are liable to be overthrown by storms, and in course of time will certainly decay; therefore I advise, that the hatchet may for ever be at rest, that it be buried under the high mountain which rears its proud head behind yonder forest.” This proposal pleased the whole assembly, till an aged chief, distinguished for his wisdom, arose and delivered his opinion to the following effect: "I am but a poor, feeble old man, (said he,) and have not the irresistible power of the Great Spirit, to tear up the trees of the forests by the roots, or to overthrow mountains, that the hatchet may be concealed beneath them; but that it may be obscured for ever from our sight, I propose that it should be thrown into the Great Lake, where no man can find it, and bring it forth to raise enmity between us and our white brethren." A general murmur of applause ran through the assembly; and the hatchet was cast accordingly, with great solemnity, into the ocean.

My inclination for seeing the world is not abated by indulgence. When I have concluded the tour of America, and had the pleasure of spending a few months with you, I hope you will permit me to go on a voyage of discovery, where I shall endeavour to distinguish myself to your satisfaction,

by

by my good conduct. Be assured, my dear mother, that wherever I am, I can never forget the duty and affection I owe you, and with which I sub.. scribe myself,

ARTHUR MIDDLETON,

LETTER XL.

Mr. Franklin to his Brother.

Michillimakinack.

MY DEAR BROTHER,

WE left Detroit in a small vessel, which conveyed us, in a northerly direction, across Lake Huron, to Michillimakinack, the grand rendezvous of the dealers in furs from all parts. Lake Huron is next in size to Lake Superior, and has a communication with another vast body of water, called Lake Michigan. The Chippaway Indians have many villages scattered around Lake Huron; and amongst the natural productions of its shores are vast quantities of the sand cherry. Some appearances of unfavourable weather drove us into a large bay on the south-west side of the lake, known by the name of Saganaum Bay; but a clear sky soon enabled us to pursue our voyage. The captain pointed out another bay, remarkable for con

nued thunder, a phænomenon not easily explained. To the north-west lie the narrow chain of the Manatralin Isles, believed by the Indians to be the abode of departed spirits. The port of Machilli. makinack stands on an island, in a strait which unites the Lakes Michigan and Huron. Such a busy scene could scarcely be expected in so remote a situation. All is bustle and activity. There are not less than a thousand persons assembled, each interested in making bargains, packing and unpacking bales of furs, and trafficking with the Indians. Arthur is highly amused, and is by no means an idle spectator, being ready to give his assistance to any one who wants it.

When the Europeans first settled in Canada, the Indians hunted only for food and clothing; but their new neighbours soon taught them to put another value on the furs they took, by exchanging for them rum, and other articles, in the way of trade. In these early times, some of the Canadians accompanied the Indians on their hunting expeditions, adopted their savage mode of life, and became a sort of pedlars in furs. These people were called Coureurs des Bois, and were guilty of many great irregularities; which produced such ill consequences, that it became necessary to establish military posts, for the regulation of the trade, at the confluence of the large lakes of Canada.

The Indians, finding themselves often cheated and abused by the random adventurers that penetrated