11th.  A chief from St. Mary’s, called Iawba Waddik (Male Reindeer), visited the office.  This man’s name affords an evidence of the manner in which a noun or adjective prefix is joined to a noun proper, namely, by the interposition of a consonant before the noun, whenever the latter begins, and the former ends, with a vowel.  We cannot say, iawba-addik—­male deer; but euphony requires that, in these cases, the letter w should precede, and soften the sound of the initial a.

This chief was first introduced to me in 1822.  His tall and lithe form, his ease of manners, and a certain mild and civilized air, made me notice him.  He turned out to be the youngest son of a noted war chief, called the White Fisher—­Wa-bo-jeeg.  He had, however, never been on the war path, but addressed himself early to the art of hunting, in which he excelled, and furnished his family with a plentiful supply of food and clothing.  He had had twelve children by one wife, giving an impressive lesson, that peaceful habits and a plentiful supply of the means of subsistence, are conducive to their usual results.

He is now about 45 years of age.  The seventeen years during which I have known him, have not detracted from his erect figure, his mild and easy manners, or his docile and decidedly domestic disposition.

12th.  The payment of the Indian annuities, which commenced on the 3d instant, was continued till the 10th, and, skipping the 11th (Sunday), finished this day.  These payments were made as usual, in specie, and per capita—­man, woman, and child faring alike.  The annuities in provisions, tobacco, salt, &c., were, in conformity with custom, turned over to the chiefs of bands in bulk; and by them divided, with scrupulous care, among their people.  The payments and deliveries have engaged the whole force of the department for seven or eight days, and have ended satisfactory to the Indians, who have been subsisted, meantime, on the public provisions, without trenching on their own stock.

13th.  The Maumee Ottawas arrive at Louisville, Ky., on their way to the west.  Among this band there are two chiefs, Anto-kee, the head chief, and Petonoquette, a much younger man.  Anto-kee is a son of the celebrated chief Tushquaquier, who was looked upon by the Ottawas as the father of the tribe.  Petanoquette is half French, son of Louisan, a distinguished chief, who was killed, when Petonoquette was a mere child, by that most barbarous and ferocious of all warriors, Kish-kau-go, who afterwards committed suicide in the Detroit jail, in which he was confined for murder.  Anto-kee and Petonoquette are represented as very good men, well informed, and not much inclined to barbarity.  The former is said to be a relative of the great Pontiac.

14th.  Leave Mackinack for Detroit.

27th.  Return from an official visit to the office at Detroit.