18th.  I, this day, had an official visit from Magisaunikwa (Wampum-hair), a Chippewa Indian, who, recently, rescued the Inspector of Customs of the place, John Agnew, Esq., from drowning.  This gentleman was returning from Mackinac, on the ice, with a train de glis, drawn by dogs.  Having ascended the straits to the rapids of the South Nebishe channel, he found the ice faulty and rotten, and, after some exertions to avoid the bad places, fell in, with train and dogs.  The struggle to get out only involved him worse, and, overcome by fatigue and false footings, he at length gave over the strife, and, but as a last resort, uttered a yell.

It chanced that Magisaunikwa was encamped in the woods, at a distance, and, with the ever ready ear of the aborigines, caught the sounds and came to his relief.  By this time he had relinquished the struggle, and resigned himself to his fate.  By arts known to a people who are familiar with such dangers, he rescued him from the water, but in an insensible state.  He then put the body on a sled and drew it to his lodge, where he disrobed it, and, placing it before the fire, succeeded in restoring him.

I invested him with a silver medal for the act, and gave him a chief’s flag, with goods and cutlery, &c. to the value of above fifty dollars.

My attention was now turned to Detroit:  “You are elected,” says a friend, “a member of the council.  It is essential you should be here as speedily as possible.  Leave everything to Audrain, and come down.  You can return before the busy season.”

27th.  I left the Sault this day, for Detroit, to attend the Legislative Council.  Patches of snow still lined the banks of the St. Mary’s, and fields of ice were yet in Muddy Lake.  It was not until entering the St. Clair, and passing down beyond the chilling influences of Lake Huron, that spring began to show striking evidences of her rapid advances, and on reaching Detroit, the state of horticulture and fruit trees betokened a quite different and benign climate.  The difference in latitude, in this journey, is full four degrees, carrying the voyager from about 46-1/2 deg. to about 42-1/2 deg..  This fact, which it is difficult to realize from the mere inspection of maps, and reading of books, it is important at all times to bear in mind, in setting a just value on the country and its agricultural advantages.

On reaching the city, and before the organization of the legislature, I received a letter from the Hon. John Davis, President of the Massachusetts Historical Society, suggesting the publication of my researches on Indian language.

“Mr. Pickering concurs with me, that it is very desirable to have this publication effected.  Some tracts of this description have been occasionally published in the collections of our society, and we have no doubt that this course would be pursued with your work, if such should be your wish, and no preferable mode of publication should occur.”