4th July.  Letters from Detroit show that the political agitations respecting Canada still continue.  One correspondent remarks:  “The fourth of July passed off here with more apparent patriotic feeling than I have ever known before.  Canada is still across the river—­the pat-riots have not yet removed any part of it; they are, however, still busy.”

Another says:  “Times look troublesome, but I am in hopes that it will all blow over and peace continue, which should be the earnest wish of every Christian.”

23d.  Public business calling me to Washington, I left Mackinack late in June, and, pushing day and night, reached that city on the 9th of July.  The day of my arrival was a hot one, and, during our temporary stop in the cars between the Relay House and Bladensburg, some pickpocket eased me of my pocket-book, containing a treasury-note for $50, about $60 in bills, and sundry papers.  The man must have been a genteel and well-dressed fellow, for I conversed with none other, and very adroit at his business.  I did not discover my loss till reaching the hotel, and all inquiry was then fruitless.  After four days I again set out for the North in an immense train of cars, having half of Congress aboard, as they had just adjourned, and reached Mackinack about the tenth day’s travel.  This was a toilsome trip, the whole journey to the seat of government and back, say 2,000 miles, being made in some twenty-five days, all stops inclusive.

31st.  I set out this day from Mackinack in a boat for Lake Superior and the Straits of St. Mary, for the purpose of estimating the value of the Indian improvements North, under the eighth art. of the treaty of March 28th, 1836.  The weather being fine, and anticipating no high winds at this season, I determined, as a means of health and recreation, to take Mrs. S. and her niece, Julia, a maid, and the children along, having tents and every camping apparatus to make the trip a pleasant one.  My boat was one of the largest and best of those usually employed in the trade, manned with seven rowers and provided with a mast and sails.  An awning was prepared to cover the centre-bar, which was furnished with seats made of our rolled-up beds.  Magazines, a spy-glass, &c., &c., served to while away the time, and a well-furnished mess-basket served to make us quite easy in that department.  At Sault St. Marie I took on board Mr. Placidus Ord to keep, the record of appraisements.

While here, the notorious John Tanner, who had been on very ill terms with the civilized world for many years—­for no reason, it seems, but that it would not support him in idleness—­this man, whose thoughts were bitter and suspicious of every one, followed me one day unperceived into a canoe-house, where I had gone alone to inspect a newly-made canoe.  He began to talk after his manner, when, lifting my eyes to meet his glance, I saw mischief evidently in their cold, malicious, bandit air, and, looking him determinedly in the eyes, instantly raising my heavy walking-cane, confronted him with the declaration of his secret purpose with a degree of decision of tone and manner which caused him to step back out of the open door and leave the premises.  I was perfectly surprised at his dastardly movement, for I had supposed him before to be a brave man, and I heard or saw no more of him while there.[87]