F353 Southern District of New-York, ss, Seal. BEIT REMEMBERED, That on the seventh day of April, A. Da 1825, in the forty-ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America, Henry R. Schoolcraft, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit "Travels in the Central Portions of the Mississippi Valley; comprising observations on its Mineral Geography, Internal Resources, and Aboriginal Population. (Performed under the Sanction of Government, in the Year 1821.) By Henry R. Schoolcraft, U.S.I.A. Hon. Memb. of the American Geological Society; Memb. of the American Antiquarian Society; Hon. Memb. of the New-York Historical Society; Corresp. Memb. of the NewYork Lyceum of Natural History; Correspondent of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philad., &c." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching histori cal and other prints." JAMES DILL, Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. AIMBOTLIWO TO HIS EXCELLENCY LEWIS CASS, GOVERNOR OF THE TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN. SIR, WITHIN the last twenty-five years, the immense fertile region lying west of the Alleghanies, has assumed a totally new aspect. In the moral and physical changes which have produced this result; in the migrations of its inhabitants; the improvements of its soil; and the establishment of its political and literary institutions, few persons have alternately been placed in the attitude of so zealous an actor, so dispassionate a spectator, or so enlightened a ruler, as yourself. In the progress of this extraordinary change, much is due to the kind protection and fostering aid of government, in promoting the settlement, exploring the limits, and eliciting the latent resources of this portion of America. But the slightest reflection will make it evident, that still more is due to collective enterprise, individual hardihood, or personal exertion. In this personal devotion, many estimable persons have rendered themselves conspicuous, of which it M1.32972 will be sufficient to repeat the names of Boon, Putnam, and Austin. The active part you have taken in the work of exploration; your zeal and services in extending the dominion of science, over the natural features and physical resources of the Mississippi valley; in carrying the national flag over wastes and morasses unvisited before; and the researches which you have directed, and continue to devote, to the history and condition of its traduced native population, are generally known and appreciated by the public. Most of the following remarks, have been made under your personal inspection; some of them have resulted from your own suggestions; and all of them relate to portions of country, or subjects of inquiry, which are more or less intimately known to you from personal observation. Few persons, therefore, will be better qualified to judge of the degree of value, or accuracy, which may be due to my statements and conclusions, especially where they relate to the political history, the general resources, or the Indian tribes. In offering this feeble testimony to the merits of your public life and executive administration, permit me also to express my respect and regard for your private character. H. R. SCHOOLCRAFT. CONTENTS. UNIV OF General Objects of the Journey. Route. Mode of Travelling. Departure. Scenery along the Detroit River. Encounter a Gale on Lake Erie. Enter Maumee Bay. Notices of Natural History. Native Lead. Tide in the Lakes. Maumee River. Fort Maumee. Anecdote of its Reconnoisance by General Wayne. Fort Meigs. Facts re- specting its Siege. Maumee Village. Dudley's Defeat. Mineralogy. Historical Observations on the Indian Wars. Gen. Harmer's Cam- Farther Account of the Indian Wars. Expeditions of Generals Scott and Wilkinson. St. Clair's Campaign and Defeat. General Wayne is ap- pointed to succeed him. His Campaigns and Victory. Anecdote of the Chief Little Turtle. Treaty of Greenville. Secret History. Sketch of Presque Isle. Notices of Mineralogy. Settlements: Climate: Timber. Roche de Bout. Trait of Hospitality in the Indians. A Night Fort Defiance. Fort Winchester. Events of the late War. Notices of Scenery and Natural History. Anecdote relating to the Building of Fort Defiance. Ride to Fort Wayne. Wild Turkey. Honey Dew. Notice of Fort Wayne. Visit an Indian School. Captain Riley. Willshire. Junction of the St. Joseph's and St Mary's. Conchology." Proceed across the Portage between the Maumee and Wabash. Diffi culties caused by the low State of Water. Pass a Night in an Indian Wigwam. An Indian Breakfast. Dumb Boy. Proceed on Horseback to the Forks of the Wabash. Notices of the Soil and Productions.* Indian Village. Synoptical View of the present State of the Indians Leave the Forks of the Wabash. Notices of Natural History and Scenery Mississinniwa Village,-its Capture during the late war. Indian Mills. Fire Hunting. A nocturnal Visit from a Party of Pottowattomies. Village of Winnemac. Geology: Conglomerate. Calcareous Tufa. Assault and Robbery of the Canoe, containing Indian Reach the Mouth of Tippecano River. Facts respecting the Battle of Tippecano. A Biographical Sketch of the Life of Tecumseh. Notices of Natural History. Reach Settlements on the Wabash. Village of Proceed down the Wabash. Fort Harrison. Terre Haute. Natural History. Reach Merom. Trait of National Character. Pass the Boundary between Indiana and Illinois. Reach Vincennes. Anec- dote. Conchology Pass White River. Notices of Mineralogy. In- |