30th.  Transmit to Washington a plan and estimates for building a dormitory at Mackinack, under the provision of the treaty of March, 1836.  Such a building has been long called for at that point, where the Indians are often sojourners, without a place to sleep, or cook the provisions furnished them.

Feb. 1st.  The Knickerbocker Magazine says:  “That the Indian oratory contains many attributes of true eloquence.  With a language so barren, and minds too free for the rules of rhetoric, they still attained a power of touching the feelings, and a sublimity of style, which rival the highest productions of their more cultivated enemies.”

7th.  Mr. Palfrey, in a letter of this date, observes:  “I have only to repeat that, in the preparation of the article (on Stone’s ’Brant’—­which I hope you will not think of giving up), I trust you will not hesitate to introduce, with the utmost freedom, whatever your respect for the truth of history, and distaste for the tricks of bookmaking, may dictate.”

11th.  General Jessup writes to the department that, “we have committed the error of attempting to remove the Seminoles, when their lands were not required for agricultural purposes, when they were not in the way of the white inhabitants, and when the greater portion of their country was an unexplored wilderness, of the interior of which we were as ignorant as of the interior of China.”  He recommends a line of occupancy west of the Kissamee and Okee Chubbe, which they may be allowed to occupy.

20th.  W. Lowrie, Esq., S.P.B.F.  Missions, in a letter of this date, says:  “I was glad to see your suggestion to the government in relation to a cabinet and library in the Indian office.”

22d.  Charles E. Anderson, Esq., of New York, announces his intention to visit Europe.  “I will not leave here until the 15th of March, at least, when I shall take out my wife with me, and anticipate much gratification in presenting her to such a pattern of goodness and true feminine excellence as Mrs. Cass.  Anything you wish to forward I will attend to with pleasure, and when in Paris will not forget the interesting subject of your letter, and will inform you what books may be obtained respecting the early history of the country.”

26th.  Gen. Scott this day arrived at Detroit, with a view to quiet the disturbances on the lines, and see to the proper disposition of the troops along the chain of lakes to effect this end.  I immediately called on him, and offered him any of the peculiar facilities, which are at the command of the Indian department, in sending expresses in the Indian country, &c.