I joined a party in visiting one of the camps.  We had several carioles in company, and went down the river about eight or nine miles to Mrs. Johnston’s camp.  The party consisted of several officers and ladies from the fort, Captain Thompson [34] and lady, Lieutenant Bicker and lady and sister, the Miss Johnstons and Lieutenants Smith [35] and Folger.  We pursued the river on the ice the greater part of the way, and then proceeded inland about a mile.  We found a large temporary building, surrounded with piles of ready split wood for keeping a fire under the kettles, and large ox hides arranged in such a manner as to serve as vats for collecting the sap.  About twenty kettles were boiling over an elongated central fire.

[Footnote 34:  Killed in Florida, at the battle of Okechobbee, as Lt.  Col. of the 6th U.S.  Infantry.]

[Footnote 35:  Died at Vera Cruz, Mexico, as Quarter-Master U.S.A.]

The whole air of the place resembled that of a manufactory.  The custom on these occasions is to make up a pic-nic, in which each one contributes something in the way of cold viands or refreshments.

The principal amusement consisted in pulling candy, and eating the sugar in every form.  Having done this, and received the hospitalities of our hostess, we tackled up our teams, and pursued our way back to the fort, having narrowly escaped breaking through the river at one or two points.

27th.  I received a letter of this date from G.W.  Rodgers, a gentleman of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in behalf of himself and associates, proposing a number of queries respecting the copper-yielding region of Lake Superior, and the requisites and prospects of an expedition for obtaining the metal from the Indians.  Wrote to him adversely to the project at this time.  Doubtless the plan is feasible, but the Indians are at present the sole owners and occupants of the metalliferous region.

28th.  Dies natalis.—­A friend editing a paper on the seaboard writes (10 Jan. 1822)—­“I wish you to give me an article on the geology and mineralogy of Manhattan Island, in the form of a letter purporting to be given by a foreign traveler.  It is my intention to give a series of letters, partly by myself and partly by others, which shall take notice of everything in and about the city, which may be deemed interesting.  I wish to begin at the foundation, by giving a geographical and geological sketch of the island.” [36] He continues:—­

[Footnote 36:  Furnished the article, as desired, under the signature of “Germanicus.” Vide “N.Y.  Statesman.”]

“I have read Ontwa, the Indian poem you spoke of last summer.  The notes by Gov.  Cass are extremely interesting, and written in a superior style.  I shall notice the work in a few days.”  “I inform you, in confidence, that M.E., of this city, is preparing a notice of your ‘Journal’ for the next number of the Repository, which will appear on the first of next month.”