Lake Superior Copper Mines.—­“I have written to Colonel Benton fully on the subject of the copper country, and I have referred him to you for further information.”

25th. Expedition of 1820.—­Professor D. B. Douglass, of West Point, returns a portfolio of sketches and drawings of scenery, made by me on the expedition to the sources of the Mississippi, in 1820, with several of which he has illustrated the borders of his map of that expedition.  “Have you,” he says, “seen Long’s Second Expedition? We have only one copy on the Point, and I have only had time to look at the map.  It makes me more than ever desirous to consummate my original views of publishing relative to that country.  I have never lost sight of this matter; and, if my professional engagements continue to engross as much of my time as they have done, I will send my map to Tanner, and let him publish it, hap-hazard.”

CHAPTER XXII.

Parallelism of customs—­Home scenes—­Visit to Washington—­Indian work respecting the Western Tribes—­Indian biography—­Professor Carter—­Professor Silliman—­Spiteful prosecution—­Publication of Travels in the Mississippi Valley—­A northern Pocahontas—­Return to the Lakes—­A new enterprise suggested—­Impressions of turkeys’ feet in rock—­Surrender of the Chippewa war party, who committed the murders in 1824, at Lake Pepin—­Their examination, and the commitment of the actual murderers.

1825. January 1st.  New Year’s day here, as among the metif, and also the pure descendants of the ancient French of Normandy in Michigan, is a day of friendly visiting from house to house, and cordial congratulations, with refreshments spread on the board for all.  As this was also the custom of the ancient Hollanders, who, from the Texel and Scheldt, landed here in 1609, it affords a species of proof of the wide-spread influence of the customs of the Middle Ages in Western Europe, which is remarkable.  And it would form an interesting topic of historical inquiry.

4th.  Home and its scenes.  The sympathy kept up by domestic letters when absent from home is one of the purest supports of the heart and mind.  Mr. John Johnston, of St. Mary’s, writes me one of his warm-hearted letters of friendship, which breathes the ardor of his mind, and shows a degree of sympathy that is refreshing, and such as must ever be a great encouragement in every noble pursuit.  The how-d’ye-do, everyday visitor is satisfied with his “how d’ye do;” but there is a friend that “sticketh closer than a brother.”