31st.  Mr. Featherstonehaugh expresses a wish to have me point out the best map extant of the eastern borders of the Upper Mississippi, above the point visited by him in his recent reconnoissance, in order “to avoid gross blunders—­all I do not expect to avoid!” Why undertake to make a map of a part of the country which he did not see?

31st.  Rev. Alvan Coe, of Vernon, O., expresses his interest in the provisions of the late treaty with the Ottawas and Chippewas, which regards their instruction.

June 1st.  Mr. W. T. Boutwell, from Leech Lake, depicts the present condition of the Odjibwas on the extreme sources of the Mississippi.

“There has been nothing, so far as I have discovered, or been informed, like a disposition to go to war this spring.  There is, evidently, a growing desire on the part of not a few, to cultivate their gardens more extensively and better.  These are making gardens by the side of me.  I have furnished them with seed and lent them hoes, on condition that they do not work on the Sabbath.  From fifteen to twenty bushels of potatoes I have given to one and another to plant.

“The Big Cloud has required his two children to attend regularly to instruction; others occasionally.  The Elder Brother has procured him a comfortable log house to be built—­bought a horse and cow.  I have bought a calf of Mr. A. for him.

“I am making the experiment whether I can keep cattle here.  They have wintered and passed the spring, and we are now favored with milk, which is a rarity and luxury here.

“Mr. Aitkin is establishing a permanent post at Otter Tail Lake.  G. Bonga had gone with a small assortment of goods to build and pass the summer there.  The Indians are divided in opinion and feeling with regard to the measure.  Those who belong to this lake, or who make gardens in this vicinity, are opposed to the measure.  Those who pass the summer in the deer country and make rice towards the height of land, are in its favor.  It is on the line dividing us and our enemies—­some say, where we do not wish to go.  Whether he has consulted the agent on the subject, I know not.

“The past winter has been severe—­the depth of snow greater, by far, than has fallen for several years.  Feb. 1 the mercury fell to 40 deg. below zero.  This is the extreme.  Graduated on the scale I have—­it fell nearly into the ball.”

9th.  The Secretary of War writes me a private letter, suggesting the employment of Mr. Ryly, of Schenectady, in carrying out the large deliveries of goods ($150,000) required by the late treaty, and speaking most favorably of him, as a former resident of Michigan, and a patriotic man in days when patriotism meant something.

14th.  My brother James writes in his usual frank and above-board manner:  “If the Indians are to audit accounts against the Indians (agreeably to the Senate’s alteration of the treaty), there will be a pretty humbug made of it; then he that has most whisky will get most money.”