16th.  Major Joseph Delafield, with his party, report the Boundary Survey as completed to the contemplated point on the Lake of the Woods, as called for by the Treaty of Ghent.  The ease and repose of the major’s manners contrast rather favorably with the fussiness of the British subs.

26th.  Mr. Felix Hinchman, of Mackinac, transmits returns of the recent delegate election, denoting the election of Major Biddle, by a rather close run, over the Catholic priest Richard.

October 9th.  Mr. W.H.  Shearman of Vernon, New York, writes that my boxes of minerals and fresh water shells are irretrievably lost; that Mr. Meech, of Geneva, remains mum on the subject; and that they have not arrived at Utica.  Hard fate thus to be despoiled of the fruits of my labor!

14th.  Mr. Ebenezer Brigham of Springfield, Illinois, an honest gentleman with whom I embarked at Pittsburgh, in the spring of 1818 for the great West and the land of fortune, writes a letter of friendly reminiscences and sympathies at my success, particularly in getting a healthy location.  Brigham was to have been one of my adventurous party at Potosi, in the fall of 1818, but the fever and ague laid violent hands on him.  He managed to reach Potosi, but only to bid me good-by, and a God-speed.

“In this country,” he says, “life is at least fifty per cent, below par in the months of August and September.  I have often thought that I run as great a risk every season which I spend here, as I would in an ordinary battle.  I really believe it seldom happens that a greater proportion of an army fall victims to the sword, during a campaign, than there was, of the inhabitants of Illinois, falling victims to disease during a season that I have been here.”

“I have little doubt but the trade of this part of the State of Illinois will pass through that channel (the northern lakes).  Our produce is of a description that ought to find its way to a northern market, and that, too, without passing through a tropical climate.  Our pork and beef may arrive at Chicago with nearly the same ease that it can at St. Louis; and, if packed there and taken through the lakes, would be much more valuable than if taken by the way of the South; besides, the posts spoken of (Chicago, Green Bay, &c.) may possibly be supplied cheaper from this than any other source.”

“Moses Austin, I presume you have heard, is dead, and his son Stephen is acting a very conspicuous part in the province of Texas.  Old Mr. Bates, and his son William, of Herculaneum, both died last summer.”

“I should like to know if the same warlike disposition appears amongst the northern Indians that does amongst those of the west.  Nearly, or quite every expedition to the west of the Mississippi in the fur trade, this season, has been attacked by different tribes, and some have been defeated and robbed, and a great many lives have been lost.  Those in the neighborhood of this place, to wit, the Kickapoos and Potawattomies, are getting cross and troublesome.  I should not be surprised if a war with the Indians generally should take place soon.  The troops at the Council Bluffs have found it necessary to chastise one tribe already (the Aurickarees), which they have done pretty effectually, having killed a goodly number, and burnt their towns.”