10th.  Mr. Stringham, of Green Bay, reports that he had recently visited the scene of a battle or affray between the Sioux and Chippewas, on Lake St. Croix, near the mouth of the St. Croix River, Upper Mississippi.  One or two Sioux, it seems, had been killed by some thoughtless young men of a party of Chippewas, about three hundred strong.  This party encamped on the south shores of Lake St. Croix.  They were secretly followed by the Sioux, who, watching their opportunity, fell on the camp while they were asleep, near daylight.  One hundred and twenty were killed in the onset.  As soon as the Chippewas discovered their position, and recovered their self-possession, they rallied, and, attacking the assailants, drove them from the field, killed twenty, and chased them to near their village.  Hearing of this, the captain of the steamer, on board of which Mr. S. was, went into the lake, and they viewed the dead bodies.

24th.  Returned to Mackinack, after a trip of eight days to Detroit.  The Iowa papers give accounts of the recent shocking murders committed by the Sioux.  “We learn,” says the Burlington Patriot, “from Governor Lucas and another gentleman, who came passengers on the ‘Ione,’ last evening, that two hundred and twenty Indians were killed in the upper country about the 1st inst.  The facts, as they were related by a young gentleman who was at the treaty, are as follows:  The Sioux had invited the Chippewas to meet them at St. Peter’s, for the purpose of making a treaty of everlasting friendship.  The Chippewas assembled accordingly—­the pipe of peace was smoked—­and they parted apparently good friends.  A large party of the Chippewas was encamped at the Falls of St. Anthony, and a smaller party encamped on the St. Croix, on their way home, without the least suspicion of treachery on the part of the Sioux.  While they were thus peaceably encamped, they were surprised by the Sioux, who commenced their butchery.  They immediately rallied, but before the battle terminated the Chippewas lost one hundred and fifty at the Falls and twenty on the St. Croix.  The number of Sioux killed on the occasion amounted to about fifty.  We do not much wonder at the hostility that has been exhibited by the Sauks and Foxes against the Sioux, if this latter tribe has always been as treacherous as they were on the above occasion.”

Sept. 3d.  A remarkable and most magnificent display of the Aurora Borealis occurred in the evening.  It began a quarter before eight, as I was sitting on the piazza in front of my house, which commands a view of the lake in front, and the whole southern hemisphere.  From the zenith points of light flared down the southern hemisphere.  The north had none.  For five minutes the appearance, was most magnificent.  Streaks of blue and crimson red light appeared in several parts.  At ten minutes to eight, long lines began to form on the east, then west, and varying to north-west, very bright, silvery and phosphorescent.  Before nine, the rays shot up from the horizon north-east, and finally north—­the southern hemisphere, at the same time, losing its brilliance.  This light continued in full activity of effulgence to ten, and, after my retiring from the piazza, its gleams were visible through the windows the greater part of the night, till two o’clock or later.