Mr. Ball, a representative in the local legislature from Kent County, called this day to inquire into the propriety of establishing a sub-agency at Grand Rapids, on Grand River, for the ostensible benefit of the Ottawas in that quarter.  The question of the division of funds between schools established for a part of the same people at Gull Prairie, under the care of Mr. Slater, and the separate school at Sault Ste. Marie, in Chippewa County, in the care of Mr. Bingham, both of which are under the general direction of the Baptist Missionary Board at Boston, was considered and approved, and letters written accordingly.

These efforts, at detached points, to improve the race must, we are inclined to believe, eventually fail.  Two races so diverse in mind and habits cannot prosper together permanently; but the hope is that temporary good may be done.  An Indian who is converted and dies in the faith, is essentially “a brand plucked out of the fire,” and no man can undertake to estimate the moral value of the act.  A child who is taught to read and write is armed with two requisites for entering civilized life.  But the want of general efficient efforts, unobstructed by local laws and deleterious influences, cannot but, in a few years, convince the Boards that the colonization of the tribes West is the best, if not the only hope of prosperity to the race as a race.

9th.  Lieut.  E. S. Sibley, U.S.A., sets out to pay the Grand River Indians.  I commissioned Charles H. Oakes, Esq., to witness the pay rolls.  Mr. Conner returns the same day from attending the payments of the Swan Creek and Black River bands.  He reports the Indians on the American side of the lines not disposed to engage in the present unhappy contest in the Canadas.  Exertions, he affirms, have been made by the British authorities to induce the Chippewas living in Canada, opposite to the mouth of Black River, to engage in the conflict against their revolted people, but without success.  They threatened, if matters were pushed, to flee to the American side.  He states, also, that a council to the same effect had been held with the Canada Indians opposite Peach Island, at the foot of Lake St. Glair, which resulted in the same declaration.

12th.  The appraisement rolls transmitted to Washington by Messrs. Macdonnel & Clarke, the appraisers appointed under the 8th article of the treaty of 28th March, 1836, were judged to be too high; and the subject was referred for revision to Maj.  Garland and myself.  I this day transmitted a joint reply of the major and myself, stating how impossible it would be to revise so complex a subject without opportunities of personal examination in each case—­a business which neither of us desires.

16th.  Received the first winter express from Mackinack, transmitting reports from the various persons in official employ there.  They report a great storm at that place on the 8th and 9th of December, 1837, in the course of which the light-house on Boisblanc was blown down, and other damage done by the rise of water.