MACKINAC MISSION.—­Towards the close of the session, a movement was made against the Mackinac Mission by an attempt to repeal the law exempting the persons engaged in it from militia and jury service.  A formal attack was made by one of the members against that establishment, its mode of management, and character.  This I resisted.  Being in my district, and familiar with the facts and persons implicated, I repelled the charge as being entirely unjust to the Rev. Mr. Ferry, the gentleman at the head of that institution.  I drew up a report on the subject, vindicating the institution, which was adopted and printed.  This was a triumph achieved with some exertions.

NAMES OF THE OFFICERS WHO SERVED WITH GEN.  WAYNE.—­Gen. Brady gave me, during this session, a list of the names of the officers who had served reputably in the Indian campaigns conducted by Gen. Wayne in 1791-2-3.  I proposed to retain them in naming the townships, the possession of the territorial area of which we owe to their bravery and gallantry.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MICHIGAN.—­This institution was incorporated at the first session of the Third Legislative Council, in 1828.  The bill for this purpose was introduced by me, after consultation with some literary friends.  It contained the plan of constituting the members of the Legislative Council members ex-officio.  This, it was apprehended, and rightly so, would give it an official countenance, and serve, in some things, as a convenient basis for meetings during the few years that precede a State government, while our literary population continues sparse.  My experience in the East had shown me that quorums are not readily attained in literary societies, which is a sore hindrance to the half dozen efficient laborers out of a populous city, who generally hold the laboring oar of such institutions.

The historical incidents of this section of the Union are quite attractive, and, while general history has cognizance of the leading events, there is much in the local keeping of old men who are ready to drop off.  There is more in the aboriginal history and languages that invites attention, while the modern history—­the exploration and settlement of the country, and the leading incidents which are turning a wilderness into abodes of civilization—­is replete with matter that will be of deep interest to posterity.  To glean in this broad field appears an important literary object.

Gov.  Cass gave us this session the first discourse, in a rapid and general and eloquent review of the French period, including the transfer of authority to Great Britain, and an account of the bold and original attempted surprise of the English garrison at Detroit, by Pontiac.  This well-written and eloquently-digested discourse was listened to with profound interest, and ordered to be printed.[59]

[Footnote 59:  Vide Historical and Scientific Sketches of Michigan, 1 vol. 12mo; Wells and Whitney, 1834.]