The third sent a petition to have the old woman killed, since she was the cause of so much distress.

The fourth desired that the Great Spirit would give them a great deal of game.

The fifth, and last, that the Great Spirit would send them that which would calm and relieve them in distress,

After they had heard these, the strangers left, telling the Indians to wait, and they should know what the Great Spirit should say to each of the petitioners.

Each day of their absence seemed a month. At length they came, and gathered near the eager people, They told them that they must die, as the vine that had connected earth to heaven was broken; but the Great Spirit has sent us to release you, and to tell you what you must do hereafter.

The strangers then gathered up all the flowers from the plains, river and lake sides; and after drying them on their hands, blew the leaves with their breath, and they were scattered all over the earth,-wherever they fell, they sprang up and became herbs to cure all disease.

The Indians instituted a dance, and with it a mode of worship. These few, there met, were the first who composed a Medicine Lodge: they received their charter from the Great Spirit, and thus originated the "Medicine Worship."

The strangers gave them these words, and then left: "There is not a flower that buds, however small, that is not for some wise purpose.

There is not a blade of grass, however insignificant, that the Indian does not require.

Learning this, and acting in accordance with these truths, will work out your own good, and will please the Great Spirit."

The above is universally believed by the North West Indians as the origin of Disease and Death, and the foundation of the Medicine Worship.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE OJIBWAY OR CHIPPEWA RESIDENTS OF

CANADA WEST.

THE Ojibway Nation now occupies land within the bounds of two Governments, the American and the British. The entire, according to Drake, in 1842, was thirty thousand, which is not far from the truth. The best work upon the Indians of North America, is that deservedly popular book written by Col. McKinney, of New-York, a gentleman of extensive information, and an undoubted friend of the red man.

That part of the Nation occupying territory within the United States, inhabit all the Northern part of Michigan, or the South shore of Lake Huron; the whole Northern portion of Wisconsin Territory; all the South shore of Lake Superior, for eight hundred miles; the upper part of the Mississippi, and Sandy, Leach, and Red Lakes.

Those of the Nation living within the British possessions, occupy from Gononaque, below Kingston; all Western Canada; the North of Lake Huron; the North of Lake Superior; the North of Lake Winepeg; and the North of Red River Lake, about one hundred miles. The whole extent comprises over one thousand nine hundred miles East and West; and from two to three hundred miles North and South.

There are about five thousand in the British dominions. In the United States there are about twenty-five thousand; of whom about five thousand receive religious instruction, from missionaries sent by Societies in the States and the Canadas.

The first Mission among them was commenced by the Methodists at Credit River, in Canada West, in 1824, which was followed by a second Mission at Grape Island in 1827.

The conversion of some Ojibways speedily followed the introduction of Christianity. Many of these were sent as native teachers to their brethren in the West.

In 1847, there were twenty-three Methodist Missionary Stations, six of which were in the States, the remainder in Canada. There were four Presbyterian Missions, all of which were within the States; viz.: La Pointe, Bad River, Leach Lake, and Red Lake.

There were seven Episcopalian Mission Stations, six of which were in Canada and one in the United States. Two Baptist Mission Stations; one at Sault St. Marie, the other at Green Bay. The Roman Catholics had Missionaries in nearly all of the principal places.

Numbers are not under religious instruction, though easily accessible, and are wandering about without the restraints and privileges of the gospel. All around the shores of Lake Superior are bands of Indians who have, time after time, called for Missionaries. The Hudson Bay Company adopted a plan which, in my opinion, did them much credit, by the operation of which instructions were given to the Indians and their children, in the principles of Christianity.

Many persons once belonging to other Nations now live with the Ojibways, and conform to their habits and

customs.

The present state of the Ojibways renders them fully ripe and ready for great advancement in religion, literature, and the arts and sciences of civilized life. Multitudes have left their wigwams, their woods, and the attractive chase, and are now endeavoring to tread in the footsteps of worthy white men.

One reason for this change is this—the Chiefs see the necessity of making a "smooth, straight path for their