The transfer from old to new Mackinack seems to have been gradual with the inhabitants.  Among the reasons for it, I was told, was the fear of disturbance from the American war.  The main reason doubtless was the superiority of the island as a strong military position against Indian attacks.

Captain Thorn told me that he had sailed to old Mackinack seven years after the massacre.  The inhabitants did not go all at once.  They dismantled their houses, and took away the windows, doors, &c.

Aug. 19th.  Ningwegon (or the Wing) visited, with his band, consisting (by the bundles of sticks) of ten men, twelve women, and six children.

Asked him where he was when the British took possession of this island in 1812.  He said at Detroit; that he had gone there previous to the taking of the fort by the party from St. Joseph’s; that he remained at Detroit during the war; formed an acquaintance with Gov.  Cass, who was then commanding officer at that post, and had promised that his services should be remembered.[66]

[Footnote 66:  This chief received an annuity under the treaty of 28th March, 1836.]

He said his father was a native of Detroit, having lived a little above the present site of the city.  He was an Ottawa.  He emigrated, with his father and grandmother, to Waganukizzi (L’Arbre Croche), when young, and he had since lived there.  His father died, not many years since, a very old man, at Maskigon River.  He is himself seventy-six years of age, and gray headed—­the little hair he has (his head being shaved after the Indian fashion).  His eyesight fails in relation to near objects, but is good in viewing distant ones.  He bears his age well, looks firm, and is erect of body, face full, and voice unimpaired.  He is a man above six feet in height, and well proportioned.

In speaking of the Seneca nation, he called them As-sig-un-aigs, a term by which they are distinguished from the general Algonquin term of Na-do-wa, or Iroquis.

Of the establishment of the present military post of Mackinack, he said that, when young, he had come over from the main with his father, along with the party of British officers who came to reconnoitre the place for the purpose of establishing a post on it.  The party dined under the trees (pointing to some large sugar-maples then standing in the military garden, under the cliffs).  The British officer, who had led the party, then asked the Indians’ consent to occupy it.  This was not immediately given; they took time to consider, and the removal of the fort was next year.

Presented him a nest of kettles (twelve), two pieces of factory cloth, two guns, five pounds of net-thread, and two hoes, together with a requisition for provisions.