31st.  Col.  Whiting called at my office to get the loan of an elementary work on conchology.  Dr. Pitcher stated that the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan had adopted a plan of buildings to be erected at Ann Arbor.  Four Saginaw delegates are sent in by Ogema Kegido, to ascertain the time and place of their annuity payments.

Nov. 4th.  The Regents of the University of Michigan adopt resolutions respecting the establishment of branches in the counties, which are apprehended to be rather in advance of their means; but the measure is stated to be popular.

3d.  Mr. James Lawrence Schoolcraft, the acting agent of Indian Affairs at Michilimackinack, writes respecting the additional claim of the estate of John Johnston, an Irish gentleman of the upper country, whose name is mentioned in a prior part of these memoirs:  “I have looked over the old books belonging to the estate, and find the following result upon the most critical examination.

“William’s account of the beaver skins due was 7,221.  Mr. Edmonds’ account was 4,313.  My own 6,043.  William’s account exceeded mine 1,178.  Mine exceeds Mr. Edmonds’ 1,730.  In my account I have cast out all debts (or skins) charged for liquor.  William did not.  Mr. Edmonds did.

“I found all the books but one in the box, which one, according to William’s account, contained five hundred and sixty skins.  From these five hundred and sixty, I made deductions corresponding with the skins found to be charged in all the other books, so that the difference can be but very trifling, and, by the liberal discount made, I think, will be in favor of the claim.”

The account stands thus:—­

Due 6,043 beavers at $4 = $24,172 00
Average loss on four years’ trade, from 1813 to 1816,
  at $2,014 per annum = $8,056 00

Add:—­

Item 2 as allowed in 1836. $6,040 00 " 6 " " . $9,192 00 " 7 " " . $1,141 00 " 8 " " . $44 90 = $10,384 72
                                       ----------
                                       $42,612 72
Allowed in 1836. = $32,436 72
                                       ----------
                                       $10,176 00

“Books are shown from 1816 to 1828, a period of twelve years; consequently twelve divided into 24,172 will give the average loss for the four years’ trade, for which no books are shown.  Mr. Edmonds made an error in computing the number of skins due; the other difference was, of course, in consequence.  I am inclined to think Mr. E. was prejudiced against the claim, as I cannot see how he could so much reduce the number of skins due.”

6th.  The Rev. Mr. Potter, a missionary for sixteen years among the Cherokees, called and introduced himself to me.  He said that he thought the Cherokees had received enough for their lands; that they were peaceably emigrating west, but had been delayed by low water in the streams.  While thus waiting, about five hundred persons had died.