Cook County IL Archives History - Books .....Chicago Antiquities - Part 2 1881
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Book Title: Chicago Antiquities

FIRST THINGS IN CHICAGO.
The first negro slave in Chicago, of which we have heard, was "Black Jim," 
owned by John Kinzie, and brought here by him in 1804.

THE first coroner's inquest was over the body of a dead Indian.

THE first civil execution among the whites, here, was that of John Stone, who 
was hanged July 10, 1840, for the murder of Mrs. Thompson. The place of 
execution was the racecourse, some three miles south from the river, near the 
lake shore, back of Myrick's tavern. A portion of Col. Beaubien's 60th 
Regiment was improvised as a guard for the occasion, the command of which Col. 
B. transferred to Lieut. Col. Seth Johnson. The return of the procession 
brought back the body of Stone, which was given by the sheriff to the doctors 
for dissection. [We will here refer to what was probably the last execution at 
this place of an Indian by his comrades. It occurred in the fall of 1832, or 
the ensuing winter, after a council, or their form of a trial. Being adjudged 
worthy of death, the man was taken outside, into the brush, south of Randolph 
street, near where Market street is now, and executed, probably by shooting. 
Our informant, who was an early settler here, says such was the statement 
confidently told at the time, though he had no personal knowledge of the 
matter beyond the assurance of others.]

THE first map of Chicago was by James Thompson, the surveyor employed by the 
State Canal Commissioners to lay out the town, or rather, village. This map 
bore date August 4, 1830, and the original was in the Recorder's Office, and 
was probably burned. It is understood that the first plat of the village gave 
to Chicago a public levee upon the plan of the western river towns. Our levee, 
accordingly, was located on the south side, from South Water street to the 
river. But the lake vessels could not find it expedient to conform to the ways 
of the shallow craft of the Mississippi valley waters, and so the Chicago 
levee was abandoned, and the ground was sold, docked, and built upon.

THE first street leading to Lake Michigan, was laid out April 25, 1832; it 
commenced at where was called the east end of Water street, and is described 
by Jedediah Wooley, surveyor, as follows: "from the east end of Water street" 
(at the west line of the Reservation, or State street?) "in the town of 
Chicago, to Lake Michigan; direction of said road is south 88 1/2 degrees 
east, from the street to the lake, 18 chains 50 links. Said street was laid 
out 50 feet wide. The viewers on this occasion also believe that said road is 
of public utility and a convenient passage from the town to the lake."

The first extended highway regularly laid out in Chicago, was "The Green Bay 
Road," in 1835, under the direction of Gen. Scott, U. S. A.

THE first white man's tannery, was that of John Miller. It stood (1831) near 
to and on the north side of, his brother Samuel Miller's tavern, near the 
Junction.

The first regularly appointed auctioneer was James Kinzie.

THE first debating Society formed here, was organized during the winter 1831-2 
comprising nearly all the male population, mostly within the Fort. Col. J. B. 
Beaubien was chosen President.

The first Druggist was Philo Carpenter, who arrived in Chicago in the month of 
July, 1832; his store was a small log-building, near where is now the east end 
of Lake Street Bridge. Mr. C. next occupied a log-building, just vacated by 
Geo. W. Dole, who had removed into his new store.

The first steamboat fuel furnished by Chicago, was in 1832, when Captain 
Walker of the "Sheldon Thompson" bought an old log-cabin and took it on board 
for his return down the Lake.

The first printed list of Advertised Letters was in number seven of Mr. 
Calhoun's paper, the Chicago Democrat, Jan. 7, 1834. The list comprised one 
letter, namely, for Erastus Bowen.

The first Fair was held by "the ladies of the Protestant Episcopal Church of 
this Town," on the 18th June, 1835, and is referred to in the village 
newspaper, as "a novelty in Chicago."

NOT in 1835, (as stated Dec. 5, 1875 in one of the Chicago Times articles, 
headed “By-Gone Days” those pleasantly told stories, even though occasionally 
marred with typographical, accidental, or sensational errors, which we shall 
notice hereafter,) but July 4, 1836, was the first spadeful of earth thrown 
out in the digging of the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

The first ferryman was Mark Beaubien.

The first rock for the harbor piers was furnished by John K. Boyer.

The first dray in Chicago was shipped from the Hudson, by Philo Carpenter; we 
think, also, that the first specimen of that renowned pleasure-vehicle of New 
England, "the one-horse shay," which appeared here, was when that gentleman 
and his bride rode into the village in one, in the spring of 1834.

The first two-wheeled pleasure carriage seen here was that owned by Col. J. B. 
Beaubien, and brought from the East. It is said that the villagers, upon its 
arrival, paid it distinguished honor, "turning out in procession and parading 
the streets."

THE first engraver on wood or metal was S. D. Childs, senr.

The first church bell was placed upon the Unitarian Church edifice, 87-93 
Washington Street, January, 1845.

The first vessel larger than a "shell" built here was the "Clarissa" launched 
May, 1836.

The first public edifice erected by the County of Cook, was an Estray Pen.

The first "balloon" built in Chicago or elsewhere, (a popular style of spike-
fastened light frame buildings, which astonished by their firmness the old-
fashioned mortise and tenon builders,) was erected in the fall of 1832 by Geo. 
W. Snow, and stood near the Lake shore. It was but a slight affair, yet served 
for the while, as his place of business, and to protect his goods or freight 
received by vessel. The greater share of said freight, we may here add, was 
made up of whisky or other kinds of the ardent.

The first steam engine built in Chicago, was made and put up by Ira Miltimore. 
It was used to run a saw-mill located on the north branch, near the residence 
of the late Archibald Clybourn.

The first suggestion we think on record (or off) by a Chicagoan or indeed "any 
other man" for the establishment, in each of our Collegiate Institutions, of a 
Professorship to occupy "a Chair of Integrity," for the teaching of that 
ancient and important accomplishment honesty, now so rare in our public men or 
officials, (not to speak of others,) was contained in an address by the late 
Hon. Wm. B. Ogden, not long since, before the Board of Trustees of the Chicago 
University.

The first book printed in Chicago was consumed by fire, in the bindery, late 
in 1840. Scammon's Reports, vol. I. Four incomplete copies were not in that 
fire.


WILDERNESS LETTERS OF WILLIAM-BURNETT, THE FUR TRADER. — 1786-1803.
We have in our possession a manuscript copy of the letter-book of a gentleman 
who, for many years, was engaged in the Indian trade in the neighborhood of 
Lake Michigan. Though these letters pertain to business matters almost 
entirely, we have yet supposed that, independent of their dry details, they 
possess considerable interest to the historical student as well as others of 
the lake region of to-day. They will, if but in a slight measure, assist to 
answer the questions as to what was doing, who did it, and how was it done, in 
those transition years, here in the old Northwestern Territory, more than 
three-fourths of a century ago.

As William Burnett has identified himself with this locality, for he was a 
house-owner at Chicago, for occasional occupation, for storage or trade, as 
early as 1798, we are particularly led to say something of him and his letter-
book. The letters, we may state, include a term of eighteen years of Mr. 
Burnett's residence in the wilderness; but according to the information we are 
favored with, from a relative of the family, he abandoned a civilized abode 
for the wildwoods and prairies long before that; the year 1769 is given as the 
one in which he arrived in Michigan.

Though he had sojourned for some time previously at Mackinaw, Mr. Burnett's 
headquarters, during some of the early years of the period embraced within the 
dates of these letters, were, it is believed, where now is the village of 
Bertrand, Mich. We have thought so from various indications, within as well as 
outside of these letters, though lacking positive evidence. From there, after 
crossing the river, was reached, by a portage of no great extent, the 
headwaters of the Kankakee, which at certain times of the year afforded canoe 
navigation leading to the Illinois and Mississippi. The explorer, LaSalle, and 
his party, after building a fort at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, passed 
by this route down to Lake Peoria in December, 1679; but the same path had 
doubtless been a familiar one to the  Indians long before LaSalle appeared 
thereabout.

Mr. Burnett's residence, upon the banks of the St. Joseph however, was mostly 
a few hundred yards above its mouth. In this article, we shall present a 
number of the letters in full, and various extracts from others, taken from 
the letter-book referred to, and to which we have appended a few occasional 
notes. Here follows the first communication recorded therein:

St. Josephs, May the 14th, 1786.
Dr. Sir—I take this opportunity, by Mr. Tabeau, to acquaint you that I have 
here two hundred and twenty bushels of corn; and as I have no canoe nor 
Batteau to send the corn to Makina, you will please endeavor to get what I 
have here put into the vessel if she is to come back again. Or, if she is to 
come to Chicago, you can very likely get her to stop at the mouth of the 
river. However, I leave it entirely to you, as you will best know how to act 
in this case. Mr. Ducharme leaves this in a few days, and will write you more 
fully by him, and remain, in the meantime, Dr. Sir, your humble servant.
WM. BURNETT. 

To Mr. George Meldrum,
Merch't, Michilmakina,
fav'r Mr. Tabeau.
In 1785, the year previous to the above first letter of the series, the 
writer, Mr. Burnett, was arrested by British soldiers upon American soil (at 
Mackinaw), and sent, a prisoner, to Montreal. Though released soon after his 
arrival there, he was not allowed a pass to go up again via the lakes. But 
British forces, notwithstanding the treaty, held possession of the military 
posts, and virtually of a good portion of the country and waters along the 
northern frontier, eleven years after that, for the posts were not surrendered 
until the summer of 1796.

Below we give further extracts from the letter-book, the first of which 
describes his interview with General St. Leger, etc.:

St. Josephs, May the 25th, 1786. Dr. Sir—My last to you is per Mr. Tabeau, for 
Michilmakina, in which I promised to write you more fully for Detroit. I will 
now begin to let you know how I was received at Montreal when I went down as 
prisoner last fall. When I arrived there, I waited upon General St. Ledger,* 
who was then commander-in-chief, to let him know that I was the person that 
was sent down by Captain Robertson, from Michilmakina. "What," says he, "is 
your name Burnett?" I answered him it was. He then asked me in what manner I 
came down as a prisoner; if it was with soldiers and fixed Bayonets. I told 
him no soldiers came down as a guard over me, But was delivered at every Post 
as a prisoner, from one Commanding officer to another, to be forwarded down to 
Montreal. He then said, "By G—d, sir, I now release you from being a prisoner; 
but you shall not have my permission to go up to Makina again, as Captain 
Robertson has wrote me you are a dangerous man in exciting sedition amongst 
the Indians." I told him it was a false and malicious accusation, and 
endeavored to represent everything in its true light to him. "But the fellow, 
or rather the Tyrant, being drunk and mad together, would not hearken to me, 
as he said there was a sufficient number of witnesses against me to support 
every complaint made against me by Capt. Robertson. He then told me as he had 
nothing to say with the Civil line, I must go down to Quebec if I wanted a 
pass and get one from the Lieut. Governor, Mr. Hamilton,** and would write 
down at the same time the complaint made

*Col. Barry St. Leger, a British officer, was with Wolfe at Quebec, and 
afterward commanded the expedition in 1777, via Lake Ontario, Oswego River, 
and Oneida Lake, intending, after victoriously sweeping the Mohawk Valley, to 
join Burgoyne at Albany. But Gansevoort, Willett, and Fort Stanwix stood in 
his path, and the militia of the Mohawk, too, gathered to oppose his progress. 
St. Leger's white force, however, was too meagre for the undertaking, and his 
savage allies became demoralized and inconstant from the determined bravery of 
General Herkimer and his militia at the battle of Oriskany. These 
circumstances led to the abandonment of the siege of Fort Stanwix, and St. 
Leger's inglorious retreat. St. L. died in 1789.—H.

**Col. Henry Hamilton was an officer of the British army, and was Lieut.-
Governor at Detroit early in the Revolution. In December, 1778, we may say, he 
laid siege to Fort Vincennes, for he arrived before that post with a large 
force and demanded its surrender. The fortress was then occupied by a force of 
two men only, a Captain Helm, from Virginia, and one private. Their single 
cannon, however, was hastily loaded, and with linstock at hand the gun was 
ready for destruction to the foe. Capt. Helm met the invader with a stern 
order to stand, and in reply to the summons, suggested to Hamilton that he 
should state the terms to be granted in case of surrender. The Governor, it is 
said, agreed to grant to the garrison the usual honors of war, and Captain H. 
thought it prudent to give up the post; it was one of the most ludicrous 
incidents of the war. To extend this note a little farther, we add that Col. 
Geo. Rogers Clarke, in the month of February ensuing, recaptured the post, 
(then called Fort Sackville) and sent Hamilton, a prisoner, to Virginia. Col. 
Hamilton left the British army in 1783, but was Lieut.-Governor of Quebec in 
1785, and afterwards Governor of Dominica; he died 1796.—H.


by Captain Robertson. Accordingly I went down and waited upon Hamilton, who 
received me very politely, and told me he had received a letter from General 
St. Ledger in consequence of giving me a pass for Detroit. He said he did not 
see the least difficulty of granting me a pass for that place provided I would 
give the usual security, and that he would write to General St. Ledger in 
consequence of granting me one upon those conditions. This was all that passed 
between him and me upon this subject, and now asked what I was sent down for. 
Relying upon what he had told me, I comes up to Montreal again and waits upon 
General St. Ledger. "Well," says he, "has the Governor given you a pass?" I 
told him he had not, but was to have wrote him to grant me one upon those 
conditions of giving him proper security. "The Governor has wrote me," says 
he; "but since he has not given you a pass, I may be d----d if I do, and you 
may get along, sir." Finding no satisfaction amongst these Tyrants and hell-
hounds, I left h-ll and ascended round to heaven—I mean New York and 
Philadelphia—from whence I arrived here the 26th of last month only.

With respect of what I wrote you in my first letter, which was for an 
assortment of goods for this season, I have, in consequence, inclosed to you a 
memorandum of what things I may want, and which, if you think it convenient, 
and lays in your power to compleat, let me know your answer by the bearer of 
this, Ducharme. Should the above take place, I would have all the dry goods 
brought by pack-Horses, and as for the heavy articles, I would wish to have 
them sent round by Mackina, such as the rum, powder, and ball. You can easily 
have them sent in a vessell to Mackina, and from that sent in a boat to 
Chicago in your name, as the little Bashaw at Mackina would not grant anything 
to come here in my name; and as you will be at Mackina, I suppose you will 
endeavor to get me four Winterers, which you will send per the boat. As I have 
an opportunity of making a good deal of Indian corn, I would wish you could 
contract with somebody at Mackina to furnish them two or three hundred 
bushels. Or, otherwise, if you should want it yourself, I will deliver it at 
the bottom of the river as reasonable as possible; and let me know your price 
at the same time. Meldrum and Parke has not used me well this last year in my 
absence, I mean last fall. This is the only reason that I would not wish to 
have any more business with them.
I remain, Dr. Sir, your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT.

N. B. You will see per the memorandum what things there is to be sent per the 
boat. Should there be a probability of those things coming late by water, I 
would have some of them brought by land. 
To Mr. Wm. Hands,
Merch't, Detroit, per
Ducharme.


Extract from a letter to John Sayers, Michilmakina, dated St. Josephs, June 
26th, 1786:

A few days ago, five unhappy Americans were taken by the Miamis, four of which 
was killed upon the Spott, and one brought to their town, where they burnt him 
at the stake. This happened about thirty leagues from this.

The following is a postscript to a letter dated June 30, 1786, to William 
Hands, Detroit:

About an hour ago, arrived here an Indian from Saguina with a Belt to this 
nation. The purport of it is to let them know that the road between this and 
their town is neat and clean, and would be glad to see them. My opinion of it 
is, it is an invitation of them to mischief. However I may be mistaken.

St. Josephs, Jan. 20th, 1787.

Last spring, on my way home from Fort Pitt, I stopped at St. Tuskey*; was 
three days there at one Elliottt** and McDonald's; they charged me seven 
pounds for lodgings, for which I gave them an order upon Meldrum and Park; and 
as I have reason to suppose it is not paid, I have sent you five otters, which 
you will please pay them with. If they are not at Detroit at present, they 
will be there in the spring, and do not forget to pay them. For I would much 
sooner owe anybody else as many hundreds. With this goes at the same time 
another otter, which you will send me tea for. I must here be under the 
necessity of troubling you with a particular favor: that is to send me some 
garden seeds, and particular turnip seed and cabbage. I enjoy a very pleasant 
winter in one respect, and a very lazy one in another, not having anything to 
do. While I was writing this letter, I have been informed with a bad piece of 
news by a Frenchman just arrived from the Kaskaskia. He says when he left,

* Sandusky.—H.
** We have not positive proof, yet we believe the senior member of this firm 
was the notorious Matthew Elliott, who years before that date, as well as 
afterward, exerted an evil influence with the Indians toward their American 
white neighbors. Matthew Elliott was one of that trio of wretches, Girty, 
McKee, and Elliott, yet he held a captain's commission from the British 
authorities. In 1793, he was living on the Canada side, at the mouth of 
Detroit River, in trade as well as farming. In a list of the inhabitants of 
Detroit in 1806, (collections Pioneer Society of Mich., vol. I.) we notice the 
names of both Alexander McKee and Captain Matthew Elliott. After Perry's 
victory in September, 1813, a force of a hundred Kentucky soldiers, on their 
way to Detroit, (so we are told in Luther Harvey's Memoirs in Collections 
Pioneer Society, Mich.) landed near Malden, and destroyed the house and 
furniture of Col. Matthew Elliott, British Indian Agent, who, together with 
Simon Girty, was considered the main instigators of the massacre, by the 
savages, at River Raisin in January of that year.—H.


that an Indian arrived there which told him that there had an Englishman with 
his (a word missing) had been killed at Lafourche* on the Illinois River, on 
his way from Illinois to Detroit, but cannot learn who it is. Please make my 
humble respects to Mr. and Mrs. May, and hope they are very well; and am, with 
regard, 
Dr. Sir, your obdt. servant,
WM. BURNETT. 


Mr. W. Hands,
Detroit.
St. Josephs, February 19th, 1787. 
D'r Hands:
I had the pleasure yesterday of receiving your favor of the 6th inst. with the 
tea and paper, for which I am very much obliged to you.

I am happy having so early an opportunity of answering.

I am now to confirm that bad piece of news mentioned in my first letter, I 
mean with respect to the Englishman that was killed at the river of the 
Illinois. It appears not to be an Englishman, but a Frenchman; the difference 
in the name is immaterial. It seems there were three of them together, on 
their way for Detroit. All that we can learn by the villain that done the act 
(which is only within fifteen leagues of **au Pi), that he happened to meet at 
their Campment and spoke with the master, who told him he was going to Detroit 
to see the Big Swan, meaning Meldrum; that he left them, and came at midnight 
and shot one of the three, but says not the Trader, and that the other two 
fled. However, let it be as it is, they had the misfortune to have a bag of 
money with them containing, nearly as I can learn, four hundred dollars, and 
between two and three hundred guineas. This, with five horses and several 
other things, is now in the possession of the monster, which he keeps in 
defiance of all those that will attempt to take anything from him. He says he 
intends to go and see his English father and tell him what he has done, and 
that he is sorry for it, and expects he will give him a little of his wealth, 
as he is a brave man. <Is it possible that England, so famed for justice and 
humanity, can bear such murder committed without ever demanding any hind of 
satisfaction.***> The dollars and guineas are flying about among the 
cormorants as if a Spanish Galleon had been taken. However, between you and 
me, they are no less d----d rascals for doing so, as it only encourages the 
Indians to do the like again on some poor unfortunate traveller.

*Lafourche, it is believed, was situated at junction of the Kankakee and 
Desplaines.—H.
**Name indistinct and not recognized; possibly it is an abreviation, and 
intended for our Portage.—H.
***The italics are ours; the crime was committed in the Illinois, yet none 
other than British jurisdiction appears to, have been recognized here in those 
days.—H.


I hope against this time you have got the Garden seeds, which I beg you will 
send me by the bearer of this letter. If there is any such things as wire 
seives at Detroit, do send me one. In your next, let me know if Mr. Williams 
is at St. Tuskey.* I thank you for your kind offer for my commands on you for 
Montreal. I have none but one; that is, when I left Montreal, I owed a balance 
of one halifax shilling to Campbell, the tavern-keeper. If you remember it, I 
beg you will pay it. As he is a prattling fellow, he may make a noise about 
it. I offered him payment, but he had no change. No more. A prosperous voyage 
to you. I am sincerely
yours,	
WM. BURNETT.

Wm. Hands, at Detroit.
N. B. The fellow has delivered up the papers to Mr. Tabeau, amongst which I 
had a letter from Arundel, wherein he recommends to me one Mr. Janise. By this 
it appears that Mr. Janise was one of the three.

St. Josephs, August 22, 1787.
Sir—When Mr. Lalime was in Detroit last, you was pleased to tell him verbally, 
that if I should want anything at your house, it should be at my service. Upon 
which I take the liberty of addressing you this letter, to acquaint you with 
my desire of having an assortment of Indian goods this fall (if convenient to 
you) to the amount of a thousand pounds' worth. If this should meet your 
approbation, please to let me know by the bearer of this. As I have horses of 
my own, I would have everything brought by land. And at the same time, would 
wish to have made up calico and linen shirts: twelve dozen of calico shirts, 
twelve dozen of men's linen shirts of twelve-penny linen, and six dozen of 
women's and children's shirts. If you have any powder, please to send me a 
hundred weight by the bearer, and remain,
Sir, your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

To Mr. John Casity,
Merchant, Detroit.
St. Josephs, April 3, 1788.
Sir—Understanding you being at Makina, and desirous to venture once on the 
wheels of fortune, has thought proper to enclose to you a memorandum for an 
assortment of Indian goods for this place.

As Mr. Graham is acquainted with your trade of this country, I have given him 
directions to settle with you as to the price of the goods.

You will endeavor to expedite the whole off in two canoes, soon as possible, 
for reasons which Mr. Graham will tell you of. Three men in each canoe will be 
enough; let them be indebted as little as pos-

*Sandusky.—H.


sible. Another thing I am to observe: as I am a stranger at present to the 
prices of peltries, you will note down the prices you will give for them, as 
it will be at the same time a guide to me how to dispose of the goods. The 
peltries here, in general, are all very good, and in particular the raccoon 
and otter, and of course deserves a better price than those that comes from 
any other country. Very possibly it may lay in your way to want Indian corn, 
Grease, and Sugar. Should you want any of those articles, let me know the 
prices you will give for any of them delivered at the entrance of the river. I 
am, Sir,
Your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

To Mr. Charles Patterson,
Merch't, Michilmackina.
From letter dated St. Josephs, April 11th, 1788:
I had a very fine harvest last fall, among which I had a hundred bushels of 
wheat. I leave this tomorrow for Detroit, with an expectation of getting a 
mill; for further particulars I refer you to our friend Graham.	

St. Josephs, Feb. 2, 1790.
D'r Hands: My last to you is dated 10th of December. 

I must now give you an account of my departure from this to the Kinkeki. I 
left the source the 11th December, and with a good deal of trouble breaking 
the ice now and then, (as the river is very narrow) got down to my wintering 
quarters the 16th of the same month. Upon my arrival, we sat about building a 
small house, and notwithstanding the bad weather, we got it up in eight days 
with two men and myself. So that upon the whole, considering my bad luck in 
getting my goods so late, have been very fortunate in getting into the 
Kinkeki, as the season of the year being so very far advanced. As to the trade 
of ye the Kinkeki, it goes on but very slowly as yet owing to the mild winter 
we have here. But am still in hopes what I have taken with me there will 
dispose of against the spring.

The day before my departure from source of the Kinkeki, one of my men left me 
in the night, and has made his way to the Oahiya.* I have wrote to Mr. J. 
Abbott, at the Aumies,** that should he see the fellow there to have him sent 
to Detroit directed to your care. His name is Jems, and owes me four hundred 
and fifty livres. I hired him at Makina to winter and return back again, so 
that it is needless to explain to you how much the rascal is out of my way.

If possible, I must desire you will get me made a plough shear, as the French 
calls it en bardeau, about five and twenty pounds weight. Should I not send to 
Detroit, you will send above to the Mies.** As to the wheat, you will send it 
to Makina.

*Ohio, doubtless.	
**The Maumee.


Chevelleur of the Teppeconno was pillaged of a bale of dry goods by the 
Indians of the place, which is the Poutwatamies. The only reason for their 
behavior is this, that he would not give some of them credit. I saw him the 
other day, and told him he would wish that the above should be made known to 
Mr. Robinson, of Detroit, as he is equiped by him. There ought to be some 
example made of those rascals, as it is a matter that concerns all in this 
country. For if there is no notice taken of this, it will be a matter of fact 
that they will do the same again, if not to him to some other poor devil.

My respects to Mr. and Mrs. Graham, Mr. May and family, and am sincerely yours,
WM. BURNETT.

P. S. I leave this to-morrow for my house in the Kinkeki.

Ducharme that has been here lately, says that some of the Traders from Makina, 
going down the Illinois river last fall, was pillaged by a band of 
Poutwatamies.

Let me know if you have had any news of the prices of Peltries, and what 
appearance there is of sales. 

Mr. Wm. Hands,
Merch't, Detroit.
St. Josephs, May 6th, 1790. 
D'r Hands:
This is the third letter since I saw you last fall, at LaGlaize, and has not 
been favored with any from you. I have nothing to write you in particular at 
present, but only to let you know that I am safe arrived from my wintering 
quarters, and all very well. I have missed a very great opportunity of doing 
well for the want of goods this spring. About ten days ago, I sent a canoe off 
for Makina loaded with corn for Mr. Todd. Should not the canoe find Todd 
there, I have wrote Mr. Barthe to receive it for him. I wrote to you about 
getting a plough share made; send it Makina with three bushels of fall wheat, 
provided you have not sent it to the Aumies already. Let me hear from you by 
the first opportunity, and what appearance there will be of the sale of 
peltries.

I received a letter yesterday from Chicago, wherein it is said that nothing is 
made in the Mississippi this year. I remain sincerely yours,
WM. BURNETT. 

Mr. Wm. Hands,
Detroit.
To the same at Detroit:
MICHILMAKINA, Aug. 14, 1790.
Dear Hands:
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor by the vessel, dated Detroit, July 
10th, the contents of which I have paid particular attention to. I brought 
here fifty-six packs, which I sold Mr. Todd for 25,400 livres.* I have settled 
with him for his last year's amount, which is 13,592 livres, and for yours 
also amounting to 3900 livres, the whole of which comes to 19,492 livres, for 
which amount I have paid him and has his receipt for the same.


Makina, Aug. 25, 1790.
Sir: A few days after your departure from this, the schooner Nancy arrived 
here.

Lafromboir** arrived here the 22nd inst. His canoe goes off this evening, and 
as it is the last canoe that goes off from this for Montreal this year, I have 
enclosed to you my order for the ensuing year. As Mr. McTavish does not come 
in here this year, will have no other opportunity to write you but by the way 
of Detroit. I propose to leave this in four days. I have got all my men and 
every thing else but blankets and strouds.
I am sir your humble
servant,	WM. BURNETT.


Mr. ANDREW Todd,
Montreal.
Makina, Aug. 30, 1790. 
Gentlemen:
Since my last, of the 25th inst., I have purchased from Mr. Charles Morrison 
blankets and strouds at 100 per cent, for the amount of which I have given him 
a draft on you for sixty-three pounds, one shilling and six pence, New York 
currency, which you will please place to my account. Fear of any accident that 
might happen to the order, I sent down by the Grand river by Lafromboir's 
canoe. I have enclosed a copy of the same, in this, with some small additions 
to it. As Mr. Barthe is selling rum here at nine livres per gallon, I have 
taken four kegs more. The two kegs of nails mentioned in the inclosed 
memorandum you will endeavor to send up by the way of Detroit. Should any 
thing occur with respect to the change of peltries before the winter express 
to Detroit, be kind enough to write me. I go off from this in the evening. I 
remain, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

Messrs. Todd,
McGill & Co.,
Montreal.

*The dealings between Mr. Burnett and the merchants appear to have been 
reckoned and kept, generally, in the French money of account—livres and sous; 
a livre was 18 1/2 cents, or 20 sous.—H.
**Probably Lafromboise, from Milwaukee.—H.


St. Josephs, February 6th, 1791. 
D'r Hands:
My last letter to you is dated at Makina, since which I have not been favored 
with any from you. I received a letter the 2nd inst. from Mr. Wm. Todd at the 
Illinois, and under cover for his brother Andrew Todd at Montreal. It is his 
desire to me, that upon the receipt of his letter, I should hire an Indian and 
send off, immediately, the letter that is for his brother. According to 
desire, I have enclosed to you the above letters, with several others, which 
you will forward by the first opportunity. I received a letter last fall from 
Mr. Graiter, with one enclosed from you, which you have here with the rest. I 
believe it is for Todd. There is no appearance of doing any thing here this 
year, as fear keeps the Indians from hunting. They continually imagine that 
the Americans are coming upon them. Add to this, we have more traders here 
this year than what we had last. I wintered in the Kinkeki this year myself, 
again, and came here only a few days ago. This cursed war that subsists 
between the Americans and Indians does us more hurt in this country than what 
is generally imagined. The Indians say here that they beat the Americans that 
came against them last fall at the Aumies.* How far they are in the right I 
cannot tell, but they behave in such a manner as to confirm it. For I never 
saw them so impertinent as they are at present. Those that has any property in 
the country are in a very precarious situation, and will be until times take a 
change, which I hope will be soon. The Pouwatamies, at Chicago, has killed a 
frenchman about twenty days ago. They say that there is plenty of frenchmen. 
If you tell them that their father will be angry with them, they will tell 
you, for answer, what will he gain by that. It is surprising with what disdain 
they do talk of the English; language too insulting. This the thanks for the 
millions squandered away upon these rascals; and if things was to take a 
change, they will be the first to fall upon you. Let me know if provisions 
will be scarce this year at Detroit, and in particular if Indian corn will be 
worth anything. When I left Makina, last fall, there was no great appearance 
of any great crop at Larbroroche. The bearer of this letter is Mr. Lapence, 
one of the principal senators** of this province. Give him plenty of 
provisions for him and another young man that is with him when they are to 
come off. As I do not intend to sow any wheat this year, as very likely others

*Referring, no doubt, to Harmer's defeat.—H.
**A playful compliment, probably, to the gentleman-half-breed, as well as a 
recognization of an important branch of the new American government.—H.


might reap for me, for fear of such an accident, you will be good enough to 
send me a thousand weight of flour, in the spring, to Makina. Send me, by the 
bearer, a three gallon keg of good white wine, half-pound of Hyson tea, and 5 
lbs good loaf sugar. I am, with the utmost regards,
Yours sincerely,
WM. BURNETT.

N. B. Todd writes me in his letters that the letter that is for his brother is 
of consequence, and to have it sent to Montreal soon as possible. There is one 
for Levy Solomon, which came with the above, which you will likewise forward. 
Send me two dozen black ostrich feathers, and one gross of small metal 
buttons. Send me, to Makina, as much black silk as to make me two black 
cravats, and small black edging, and five yards of Blue cassimere. 

Mr. Hands,
Merch't, Detroit.

To same, dated
St. Josephs, April 11, 1791.

I am at present moving down to the Lake; fear of any accident, as the Indians 
report here that the Americans are coming again against them. If you have any 
newspapers or magazines by you send me some, if you can spare any. I hope 
there is a good prospect of the sale of peltries. No packs here this year. I 
am sincerely yours,
WM. BURNETT. 

Mr. Wm. Hands,
Detroit.
Give the young lads some Bisquet for their voyage.

Makina, Aug. 15, 1792. 
Gents: You will please complete the inclosed memorandum' as soon as possible 
upon the arrival of your spring goods. The rum you will have put up in nine 
gallon kegs, and the salt likewise, which you will have sent up by the way of 
the Lakes, for this place, by the first spring navigation. Also, you will have 
sent up, by the same conveyance, some part of the ball and shot, or any other 
heavy article that may mar the loading of the canoe. As it may happen very 
possibly that there may be more bales than what a canoe may hold, you will 
therefore have the remainder sent up in some canoe upon freight. I am, Gents,
your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

McTavish & Frobisher,
Merch'ts, Montreal.
St. Josephs, Oct. 7, 1792. 
D'r Young:
With pleasure I received your letter per the Speedwell, and has given 
particular attention to the contents thereof. The things that Mr. Potier sent 
by the vessel have likewise arrived in good order. I am sorry it is out of my 
power to procure you the racine of Grand River, as all the Indians are gone 
out to winter; and another thing, would not have time to dry the roots against 
the time the vessel would be ready; therefore, will endeavor to get what you 
want against the spring. McKenzie was telling me you had a pleasant dance 
before he left Makina. All I am sorry for is, that I was not one of the party. 
I have twenty packs here at present, and would have sent them by the vessel 
but were not made up. If not too much trouble, I beg you will have the 
enclosed memorandum added to the first. I am sorry you did not send me a keg 
of good wine, as I soon will be out. I am happy to hear that Sayer has settled 
with the gentlemen you make mention of. With this goes a letter for Sayer, 
which you will send with the first opportunity. Do me the favor to give Patt 
McGulphin sixty livres for me. No certain news to write you. We hear nothing 
of the Americans advancing as yet. The Indians are in hopes they will not come 
this year. If not, it certainly will be better for trade; but be it as it 
will, there is but poor hopes owing to the too many traders here this year; 
but all for the best. Wish you would write to some friend for a good spy-
glass. Give my respects to Miss Peggy, and to John Reid. I am, in wishing you 
a pleasant and happy winter, yours sincerely,
WM. BURNETT. 

Mr. G. Ed'rd Young,
Michilmakina.
St. Josephs, March 25, 1794. 
Gents: I received your letters, with invoice and other papers, etc., the 27th 
of December last. But I am very sorry to inform you that I received all the 
goods in very bad order; all damaged, and some entirely lost. The vessel, by 
the misconduct of the master, was drove on shore on the point of Mosquigon 
River. When the vessel struck she filled full of water, and the goods remained 
ten days after in the hold, from which you must judge in what situation the 
goods must have been. In the goods arriving so late, left it entirely out of 
my power to send out; will, therefore, have 2/3 of my goods remaining on hand, 
the best part of which much damaged. As I do not know rightly what time I will 
go to Michilmakina this spring, I have enclosed to you two notes, which you 
will endeavor to get paid. You will remember that I left one with Mr. Pothier 
last fall belonging to Reaume, which he is to pay on his arrival, answered by 
him for Caltos, which last you have his note here for the balance of what he 
owes me. I am surprised I received no letter from Mr. Young, since he went 
down to Montreal, with respect to the sale of my peltries. The bearer of this 
letter is the Reverend Mr. Ledrue, missioner, formerly at the Illinois. He 
wintered here with me, and beg you will assist him he gets settled at Makina, 
which I believe he intends to do if there is good business for his trade. I 
am, dear sir,
your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 


Messrs. Chaboillier & Young,
Makina.
Old Fort,* August 2, 1794. 
D'r Young:
I am sorry, before I came away, we forgot to settle about the corn. However, 
by the first opportunity, let me know the price you will give per bushel, 
taking it at the entrance of St. Josephs river, next spring. In the precarious 
situation we are all in at present, with respect to this country, makes me a 
little dubious how to act in regard to ordering up any goods for next year. It 
strikes me that there will come a vessel to St. Josephs this fall. Should this 
be the case, I beg you will send the following articles: a box of window-
glass, four hundred weight of flour, and two barrels of white lime. If you can 
procure me a piece of white scarlet without paying too dear for it, I beg you 
will send me a piece by the same opportunity, or by Mr. Durocher, who is to 
pass our way this fall. If any thing else occurs to my memory on the way, will 
write you if any opportunity affords. I remain, in the meantime, with esteem,
Gentlemen,
Your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

Messrs. Chaboillier & Young,
Merch'ts, Makina.
Old Makina, Aug. 3, 1794. 
Dear Sir: Since I came away, I have taken into consideration the subject we 
were talking about the other day with respect to getting me a house built. If 
you can get the half of Mr. Meldrum's lot for five or six hundred livres, at 
most, you will then have a house built upon it on the following plan: The 
House to be thirty foot in front, and twenty-five foot wide. Between the two 
floors within to be eight foot. The front door to be in the middle, and one on 
the back right opposite the front door. Two windows to be in the front, one to 
be on each side of the door, and two windows to be on the back, one on each 
side of the door, the same as the front. A window to be on each gable end of 
the house, to be in each front-room.

*The locality "Old fort" was probably at or near old Mackinaw.—H.


You will have the house covered with bark. The window-lights to be on the same 
model of those of Mr. Young's house. Should the above take place, I expect you 
will, according to promise, have it built on the cheapest terms as possible. 
When I came away, I forgot the kettle, the roll of Bark, and the Cod line 
which the men brought from St. Josephs, which I beg you will have put up in 
some safe place till the Spring. The men eat eighty pounds of flour on their 
way to St. Josephs, which I think they have a right to pay, as they refused to 
take corn from Mr. Augustin Chabollier when he met them on their way. You 
forgot to charge the 2 M weight of flour. Inclosed you have Thomas' account, 
at least the amount, including the skins he lost when he deserted. He is not 
charged with the lost time. 
I am, sir, your humble serv't,
WM. BURNETT. 

Mr. Pothier,
Makina.
St. Josephs, Nov. 15, 1794.
Dear Sir: When at Makina, I did not determine whether I would order up any 
goods or not, owing to the news then circulating at Makina, that the Americans 
were to take possession of the posts.

The two first Canoes I received from your House, that is last year, was very 
well satisfied with, as everything was very well assorted. But upon the whole, 
I was a loser of ten thousand livres upon those two Canoes, owing upon the 
extraordinary advance upon the goods at Montreal; the rise of the woolens, add 
to this the receiving the goods so late in the season, put it out of my power 
to send out. And another extraordinary thing, not a single winterer in the two 
Canoes, a circumstance of the kind I never saw before at Makina. I will want 
six this year, that is, three in each Canoe. I do not doubt but what they may 
be had with a little trouble, as the men in general give preference to this 
Post, more so than any other part of the upper country.
I am, sir, your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

Mr. John Gregory & Co.,
Montreal.
Complete the loading of the Canoe with spirits.
Michilmakina, July 21, 1797.
Dear Sir : Upon my arrival, which was the 5th inst.,

Arrived some canoes yesterday from the Illinois which says that the Spaniards 
are all very quiet at St. Louis.
W. BURNETT. 


James May, Esq.,
Detroit.
Makina, July 20th, (?) 1797.
As I am under the necessity of leaving this to-morrow for St. Josephs, and 
cannot wait the arrival of the vessel any longer, I have delivered my packs, 
which is eighty-four in number, to Mr. Porteous, and he has promised me to see 
them safe shipped, which I hope will arrive safe at Montreal. Upon their 
arrival, I make not the least doubt that you will dispose of them to the best 
advantage. As the peltries are good, and every appearance of their selling 
well, I make not the least dispute but what they will fetch between forty-
seven and forty-eight thousand livres. If they should fall much shorter than 
what is said above, then you will have them shipped to London. However, I mean 
at the same time that you will act according to the circumstances of the 
times, that is you will do for the best. Inclosed you have an invoice of the 
whole. Therefore, I have concluded to inclose you one for the ensuing spring 
which I hope will be in your power to accomplish, which in part you will have 
sent up in one canoe by the Grand River,* and the next in a Batteau by the way 
of the Lakes. The heavy articles that cannot lightly be put into a Canoe, 
must, of course, be put into the Batteau. As the Canoe cannot bring all the 
Blankets and Strouds mentioned in the memorandum, you will have a few bales of 
these articles put into the batteau. You will endeavor to send three winterers 
in the Canoe and three in the batteau. I need not urge the necessity of making 
choice of a good guide, as you know very well that accidents happen at the 
Grand River very often for want of such.
I am, Gents, your humble servant,
W. BURNETT. 


Messrs. John Ogilvy & Co.,
Detroit. 
N.B. You will have the loading of the boat; whatever may be wanting for the 
completing of it, you will have put up in rum.
At the mouth of St. Josephs river, Nov. 2, 1797.

Gentlemen:
My last to you is dated at Michilmakina, the 21st July.

Inclosed you have a small memorandum of sundries, which I beg

*The Grand River referred to is what is now known as the Ottawa. We are 
indebted to C. C. Baldwin, Esq., of the Historical Society at Cleveland, for 
an  examination of the valuable collection of ancient maps in possession of 
that Society confirming our idea of the identity of those rivers. The route 
was a common one, with the early French traders and others, from the St. 
Lawrence, by the "Grande Riviere" and Lake Nepissing and French River, to Lake 
Huron.


you will add to the first. It is a doubt to me whether every thing can be put 
into the canoe and batteau, which should it be the case, you will endeavor to 
have some pieces put on freight, either by the Grand river or by the way of 
the Lakes to Makina. At all events, you will have fifteen barrels of spirits 
put into the batteau, with the wine, salt, and tobacco,

None of the people that went down to Montreal this summer has passed here as 
yet, and, from the lateness of the season, I do not expect they will.

I am, gentlemen,
your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 

Messrs. Parker, Gerard & Co.,
Montreal.
St. Josephs, Feb. 11, 1798. 
Gentlemen:

The two letters for Mr. Franks and Legothrie is safe come to hand, and 
according to your directions I have hired a trusty hand, and will send off 
with the letters as far as Milwaukie. I have directed them to the care of Mr. 
Francis Lafromboise, to whom I have written to send them off as soon as 
possible. I expect that in eight days the letters will be at Lebay*. As I 
would wish that my assortment should be complete as possible, I have here 
added a few more articles to my order, which I hope you will put up with the 
rest. As I imagine that this will be the last opportunity of writing you by 
the way of Detroit, I will write early in the spring by the way of Makina.
I am, Gent'n, your most humble servant,
WM. BURNETT.


Messrs. Parker, Girard and Ogilvy,
Montreal,
St. Josephs, May 17, 1798.
Dear Sir: As I do not expect to go to Makina this summer, and as I would wish 
to dispose of my peltries at Makina, I would wish to know, by the very first 
opportunity, what prices you will give for peltries. From what I owe you, and 
for the high advances I gave you last year for your goods, I have every reason 
to think that you can afford to give generous prices. Therefore, from what is 
said above, you will not fail to let me know your opinion by the very first 
canoe. I am, sir, your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 


Mr. P. Gabriel Cote,
Michilmakina.

* Green Bay.—H.


P.S. You may be assured that the different sorts of peltries are good; and 
should your prices suit me, I will let you know my answer as soon as possible. 
This is the different sort of peltries I have: Deer Skins, Raccoons, Beavers, 
Otter, Musk-rats, Mink, Cat & Foxes, Bear.


St. Josephs, Tune 16, 1798.
D'r Sir:

I now send off two canoes loaded with eighty packs of furs. Inclosed you have 
an invoice. If this comes to hand before Coursolle goes down to Montreal, 
order me up twelve large silver crosses, some a foot long, and some to be 
smaller.
Your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 


Mr. John Ogilvy,
Makina.
St. Josephs, July 20, 1798. 
Dear Sir: Yesterday I received your most esteemed favor by St. Jean, covering 
some newspapers, which were very acceptable, and for which I am very much 
obliged to you.

I examined your inclosed account, which I believe is very right, and by the 
return of my next Canoe, I will send you an order for the amount upon J. 
Ogilvy & Co., as against that time I expect that Mr. Ogilvy will have arrived 
from the Grand Portage.
Your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT.


Mr. TOUSSAINT POTHIER,
Michilmakina.
St. Josephs, August 24, 1798. 
Gentlemen:
The method of putting the liquor into kegs is certainly much preferable than 
having it in large barrels, as it will be much easier for the men to unload.

For the dry goods, you will have them sent by the way of the Grand River. You 
will endeavor to procure me seven winterers, amongst which, if possible, get 
me a blacksmith; get him for two years.

In the course of last winter, I wrote you that it is expected that there will 
be a garrison at Chicago, this summer, and from late accounts, I have reason 
to expect that they will be over there this fall; and should it be the case, 
and as I have a house there already, and a promise of assistance from head 
quarters, I will have occasion for a good deal of liquors, and some other 
articles, for that post. Therefore, should there be a garrison at Chicago this 
fall, I will write for an addition of articles to my order. I am, gentlemen, 
your humble
servant,	
WM. BURNETT.


Messrs. Parker, Girard & Ogilvy,
Montreal.
Mouth of St. Josephs River, Dec. 20, 1798. 
D'r Sir:

You make mention in your letter that you had not received your goods which you 
expected from England. McKenzie, of this place, tells me that when he left 
Detroit that you had stored them at his brother's for the winter.

As I learn that there is actually no goods at the Illinois, and no appearance 
of any being there until next summer, and as I think a few Indian goods will 
sell there in the spring, if you are inclined to sell me those you have in 
Detroit at a living price, I will take them for the above purpose. I will have 
them taken up, by the first open navigation, to fort Wayne; from that overland 
to this. From this I can run down in a few days to the Illinois. As it appears 
to me that I can sell these goods either for cash or peltries, I imagine I 
will be at Makina with the returns against August.

I would not wish to take any rum, tobacco, or ball, as these articles are of 
no consequence in that country. I am, with much esteem, D'r Sir, yours 
sincerely,
WM. BURNETT. 


Mr. Robert McKenzie,
Montreal.
St. Josephs, Oct. 21, 1799.
Sir: The sloop Russell, Capt. Ruff, master, sailed from this yesterday in the 
evening, on board of which I have shipped twenty-four packs of Deerskins, 
containing 1220 skins, all marked I. O., for Mr. J. Ogilvy, at Montreal, which 
I have addressed to your care.

With this, I have sent in four horses to get a small assortment, which I hope 
will be in your power to complete.

You will have the Bales made up of eighty pounds each, as they will be more 
convenient for the horses.

You will please give the men a little pork and bread for their return.
I am, sir, your humble servant,	
WM. BURNETT.

P.S. You will oblige me very much if you can possibly procure me a few quarts 
of Timothy seed.

You will give a gun-lock to one of the Indians I send in. 


Mr. Robert Innes,
Detroit.
St. Josephs, Oct. 21,* 1799. 
Gentlemen:

I wrote for 15,000 of wampum and only 1500 was sent up. I wrote for Rifles, in 
place of which Guns were sent up, an article very seldom made use of at 
present in this quarter. The former is only in demand. The Gunpowder sent up 
is very good of its kind, but the grain is rather too large for rifles. That 
which is called the double F is the most preferable. With respect to the Iron 
work, it will be necessary to get good axes made, for what has heretofore come 
up is nothing more than patch up. When an Indian buys an axe, and should it 
break shortly after—which commonly is the case—he insists upon having another 
in its place. Therefore, it will be much cheaper to pay a few more pence upon 
each axe in order that they may be good. The tomahawks are rather too large 
towards the edge; two inches and a quarter will be sufficient, and six inches 
long. You will have the musk rat spear made with a socket, which the French 
call en dorville.

Should the goods arrive early in the spring to Montreal, and sent off by way 
of the Lakes, so that they might get to Detroit before or against the latter 
end of August, it will then be time enough for them to come here, provided a 
small vessel like the Russel could be chartered to bring them; which I imagine 
there will be no difficulty to get one, as there is at present a great plenty 
of vessels upon these Lakes. Should there not be enough to load one of these 
small craft, there will always be freight enough at that time of the year from 
Detroit to Makina; and from her return, from this or Makina, cannot fail of 
getting freight back again, which will nearly pay the hire of the vessel. This 
method of conveyance will certainly answer me much better, as it will be so 
much safer and much cheaper than getting goods by the way of the Grand River.
I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT.


Messrs. Parker, Gerard & Ogilvy,
Montreal.
St. Joseph, March 27, 1801. 
D'r Sir:
Kinzie told me, some time ago, that he received a letter from his 
correspondent at Detroit, wherein they inform him that there is a possibility 
that all those that took goods from Detroit last fall for this place, which 
had not paid the duties, will be obliged to pay for them this spring. If any 
thing of this kind is in contemplation, please let me know it.

*This date should probably be in November.—H.


You will send me by the bearer of this (an Indian,) five carrots of good 
tobacco, and three pounds of good tea. An order was sent to me some time ago, 
by the Indian agent at fort Wayne, to tell the Indians to seize the property 
of those that had no license to trade. What will be the consequence I cannot 
say. I remain, D'r Sir, your humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 


Mr. John McGregor,
Detroit.
St. Josephs, [no date.] Gentlemen:
Yours of the 8th February last per Mr. Patterson came to hand, and was glad to 
hear that a general peace has taken place in Europe; but on the other hand, I 
am sorry to understand that peace will hurt the sale of peltries, and what is 
still worse, it will fall upon those that comes from this country. You say 
that the Montreal people prognosticate the downfall of peltries. I never knew 
them to be otherwise; for this has been the language when peltries were 
selling at the highest rates in England, and that for five or six years 
running. Had I any advice to give the Montrealers, I would advise them to keep 
their goods and not send them to the Indian country, for I am pretty sure it 
will take a ship load of our peltries to pay a batteau load of their Indian 
goods. I received a note from Mr. Patterson, wherein he mentions that it is 
your desire that I should get me some juniper berries. If they can be got, you 
may rely upon my endeavors to procure you all I can get.
I am, with esteem, gentlemen, your humble
serv't,	WM. BURNETT.


Messrs. John & James McGregor,
Merchants, Sandwich.
St. Josephs, June 24, 1803. 
Gentlemen:
Could I have sold all my goods, I make no doubt but what I might have cleared 
off my account with you. But I cannot think of throwing away my goods to a 
loss as some people has done in this country. Blankets and strouds has been 
given all winter for two skins; and even fine cloth has been given for three 
skins which cost seven shillings a yard. You are very well convinced that it 
was not in my power to sell at these prices. It might be said that the loss 
upon those articles might be made upon some others, but I assure you it is not 
the case at present, for these very articles that was usually sold to the 
greatest advantage to the Indians, is now given away to sell the blankets and 
strouds. However, from the new arrangements that is to take place, it is to be 
hoped we will not have so many peddling traders in the country as formerly, 
which were the very people that ruined all the trade; and I am sorry to say 
that some of the principal traders were as guilty of this, as those I have 
above described. And another thing which was against me last fall, was my not 
getting the liquor I depended upon. For mostly all the skins that was made at 
this post, was in part for rum. Consequently had I mine, I might have got my 
share of what was going, and that for the best peltries.
I am, gentlemen,
your humble servant,
Wm. Burnett
Messrs. J. & J. McGregor,
Sandwich.

The following letter to Governor Wm. H. Harrison is the last one we give, and 
is the last one in the letter-book. It details some attempts to regulate the 
Indian trade, but the final course which the Governor's action took, whether 
voluntary or a necessity on his part, aroused the indignation of Mr. Burnett; 
the communication is tart, and rather interesting. We will add, that the 
letter speaks not only of our historic characters—Captain Wells and John 
Kinzie—but of Harrison at Tippecanoe, though the battle there, where he fought 
and repulsed the savages, did not happen till eight years later; and it was 
twenty-nine years after that when, with the rallying cry of "Tippecanoe," he 
was elected president of the nation.

St. Josephs, Sept. 10, 1803.
Sir: Upon the receipt of your Excellency's letter, dated at the mouth of the 
Tepeconno this last spring, requesting my attendance at fort wayne, I then 
could not immediately attend, owing to some business in trade I then had on 
hand at the time. However, shortly after I repaired to fort Wayne in 
expectation of finding you there, but was told upon my arrival that you had 
left for Detroit, but soon expected back again.

The next day of my arrival, Messrs. Lafontaine and Abbott came to my lodgings 
and told me that your Excellency had been pleased to appoint them, with 
myself, as a kind of Committee to fall upon some expedient in order to put the 
Indian trade upon some respectable footing to what it had been heretofore. 
And, that whatever was agreed upon by us to that end, if agreeable to your 
wishes, should be supported by your authority.

When at first these gentlemen had opened this business to me, I was, for my 
part, at a loss what expedient to fall upon, well knowing that the trade of 
this country was equally free, and open to all citizens and foreigners alike, 
and according to law, good and bad had a right to a licence, provided good 
securities were given for the same to conform to the laws laid down for the 
Indian trade, which I believe has been pretty much the case since the laws at 
first has been published, down to the present time. And further, thought there 
was no meliorating the trade from the state it actually existing in. But 
Messrs. Lafontaine and Abbott told me they had the out lines from your 
Excellency, in what manner you thought the trade might be carried on to the 
advantage of the fair trader, in excluding at the same time all bad characters 
out of the country. And in order to accomplish this, that your Excellency had 
appointed these gentlemen with myself to examine what number of packs each 
post, place, and river, might produce in this territory. And that, according 
to the number that each place might furnish, only a certain number of traders 
should be permitted to trade at those places.

These proposals of your Excellency met with our approbation, which we thought 
the most eligible of putting the trade on a respectable footing, to what it 
had been. Accordingly it was proposed and agreed upon amongst us, that every 
place that produced between forty and fifty packs, that one trader was 
sufficient for such a place. And next it was proposed to know what number of 
packs was made at each post. To ascertain this, it was agreed that each of us 
should take such parts of the country as we were best acquainted with, to 
particularize the number of packs that was generally made at each river and 
place. Lake Michigan, upon this side of the Lake, and the Illinois river was 
allotted to me. The Wabash, and the country about fort Wayne, was allotted to 
Messrs. Lafontaine and Abbott. When each had finished his report, it was put 
down upon paper, at the same time inclosing a few lines to your Excellency, 
making you acquainted with what we had done.

Two or three days after this, you had all the traders called together at your 
quarters. When met, you told us that some traders had most willfully violated 
the laws by acting contrary to those made for the Indian trade. For which 
crime, your Excellency said you had shown a great deal of lenity; and finding 
that some persons still persisted in committing the same over again, that you 
was resolved for the future to put a stop to it; and more effectually to 
prevent any encroachments of the kind, that only a certain number of licences 
should be granted for each post. To facilitate the convenience of traders for 
procuring licences, you had, you told us, appointed three different places to 
get them at, and that each place was to have a certain space of country 
allotted to each district. These districts were as follows: Detroit to be one 
where an agent was residing, and his district was to extend round the limits 
and dependencies of Detroit as far as the straits between Lakes Michigan and 
Huron; one at fort Wayne, the limits of which was to extend around that 
country and Lake Michigan as far as the straits of the said Lake; one at 
Vincennes, which district was to comprehend the greatest part of the Wabash 
and Illinois rivers. That the Agents of one district was not to give licences 
to any individual to trade in the district of another. That in whatever 
district any person wished to trade in, that the person was to apply to the 
Agent of said district. This, sir, I believe was something near to what you 
told us. And I can assure you the greatest part of the auditors were happy to 
hear what you had announced to them, thinking you was really in earnest, and 
apparently to us that you was resolved to support what you had said at that 
time; at least for my part, I firmly believed it.

In consequence of these arrangements, and upon the faith of which, I took such 
measures as a private individual in trade, to make a large demand of goods, 
sufficiently to supply the places I had demanded licences for. Which places I 
then thought, (at least some of them.) I had an exclusive right to. However, 
my faith in the above arrangement has not been long lived, as will appear from 
what I am going to relate.

About the 10th of last month, arrrived here one Mr. Coursolle, from Makina, on 
his way to the Illinois river. Mr. Coursolle inquired if the attorney General 
(Mr. Jones) had sent licences for him according to request. I told Mr. 
Coursolle that I believed licences were granted for him, but only for four 
months. When I told him this, he began to smile, and produce me four permits 
which he got at Makina from Mr. Whiley. I told Mr. Coursolle that I thought 
that these permits were not to be depended upon, by reason of the late 
arrangements which took place at fort wayne this spring. Mr. Coursolle said 
that Mr. Whiley had no contradictory orders to what he had received last year 
from your Excellency. In this case, I told him Mr. Whiley's permits were very 
good, and as good as any licence whatever. But, added Mr. Coursolle, you will 
be more surprised when I tell you that a quantity of licences were sent, by 
the Agent of Detroit, to one Mr. Henry, of Makina. That this Mr. Henry will 
give licences to any body that asks for them, that is to say, either to good 
or bad characters, no matter who they are, provided they can give two dollars 
and security which is required by law. I then inquired of Mr. Coursolle, if 
Mr. Henry gave licences to any body for the east side of Lake Michigan. Mr. 
Coursolle answered, upon any side that any body wished to have them.

This piece of news surprised me not a little. But what added more to it, was a 
letter I received, a few days ago, from a merchant at Sandwich, wherein he 
says, "In my answer to yours dated at fort wayne, I then told you to be on 
your guard against the late arrangements your governor had made; that they 
were not to be depended upon, as it is not in his power to make any other 
regulations than those made by congress. You said that there was to be only a 
certain number of traders at each trading place, and no more. This, as I have 
said before, was not in your Governors power to do. Nor can he hinder any body 
from going into the Indian country, nor refuse any body any number of licences 
he may want. All (I predicted to you,) relating to this business, you do now 
find, against this time, I expect, to be nothing more than mere bombast."

This Sir, I must confess, is a very severe reflection against your Excellency. 
Yet, notwithstanding these severe remarks against you, I could not altogether 
give to them in my own mind, until convinced by better authority. This 
happened to be the case within these two days, which was by the arrival of 
Captain Wells, from Fort Wayne, on his way to Chicago. I inquired of Captain 
Wells if he gave more licences than what was agreed upon at the late 
arrangements. Captain Wells gave for answer, that he gave licences as usual to 
everybody that asked for them, adding that your Excellency had not given him 
any orders to the contrary.

When I had received this answer, comparing it with other circumstances, I was 
more fully convinced that your Excellency was not sincere in those pretended 
arrangements which you made mention of to the body of traders at fort wayne 
this spring. And Sir, give me leave to say, that you have deceived some 
people, not a great many, for the greatest many had no confidence in what you 
said. As for my part, I had rather too much confidence in what you told me and 
others; and what confirmed me more in my duplicity, was, your telling of us 
Sir, that no man should have more than four licences. This, Sir, you told Mr. 
Kinzie before me, and Mr. Kinzie, at the same time, did not seem to be pleased 
that he would not get more than four licenses. But after a little reflection, 
Mr. Kinzie told me that he was perfectly satisfied of getting four licences, 
by reason of the late arrangements taking place, which he said would tend to a 
general good to the Indian trade. This was the opinion of a great many. But 
now what a sudden change. Mr. Kinzie, which had twenty licences last year, and 
which your Excellency thought was too many for one trader, can now have a cart 
load of them, provided he pays two dollars apiece for them. It was hinted in a 
letter I received some time ago from Vincennes, that your Excellency would not 
give licences to anybody without first being very well informed of his 
character. What a mighty difference in this quarter of the Territory. For a 
man, or any man, goes and gets a licence, and no questions is asked about his 
character. Indeed, if Tripolitans, which is the only enemies the United States 
has at present, were to come to Detroit and Makina, I make not the least doubt 
of their getting licences to winter amongst the Indians, though absolutely 
against the interest of the United States for granting such.

This, Sir, is a large field laid open to the enemies of our country, in which 
they find matter enough at this present time to set their invention at work. 
And when they do begin, they seem to have very little mercy. They go as far as 
to say, that the Officers of the Civil department of this Territory, has 
neither resolution nor fortitude to execute the duties of their office. Others 
say again, that all species of crimes is committed in the Territory, and that 
the Guardian of the laws has not courage to punish the culprits. This, Sir, is 
the language held out against the Government of our Territory, for which I am 
heartily sorry that its enemies has had such an opportunity of displaying 
their enmity. And what is most unfortunate, that nothing can be said in its 
defence.

Some time ago, a peddling trader came to my house with a view to banter me 
with respect to the arrangements that was to have taken place this spring. I 
told this peddler, upon my return from Fort Wayne, what good regulations was 
to take place respecting the Indian trade, and how much it would attend to the 
advantage of the trade in general, etc. But since, things has taken another 
turn, and the peddler being very well acquainted with the circumstances of the 
change, asked me, in an ironical manner, where was the Governor and his fine 
regulations which he made this spring. All the answer I made the fellow, and 
indeed all that was in my power to make, was, that your Excellency was at 
Vincennes, and as for the regulations, they were carried over our heads by a 
strong southerly wind.

I have thought proper here to introduce these different circumstances, which 
has occurred to me rather late, in order to show your Excellency with what 
contempt these different characters has for the laws and regulations of our 
Territory, and even for the officers of the civil department. This disrespect 
(if I am not mistaken in opinion,) arises from too much lenity shown by the 
officers of the different departments, and very likely the want of firmness in 
persevering to enforce the laws and regulations so necessary to make a 
government respected, particularly with respect to this part of our Territory, 
where its principal inhabitants is chiefly composed of foreigners.

Sir, not wishing to serve any more in the capacity of a justice of the peace, 
I therefore enclose herein the commission that you had been pleased to honor 
me with.
I am, with great respect,
Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
WM. BURNETT. 
His Excellency Wm. H. Harrison, Vincennes.


We will add that our informant, previously referred to, has understood that 
Mr. Burnett came from New Jersey originally, but does not know the date or 
place of his birth, or where his youth was passed. Indeed, he admits that 
there is a mystery enveloping the history of his early years, and little is 
known of the matter beyond what is given above. Yet, without positive 
knowledge, we are inclined to believe that Mr. Burnett came from Scotland 
rather than New Jersey; we have heard him spoken of, by an individual whose 
home more than seventy-five years since was on the shore of Lake Michigan, 
as "William Burnett, the Scotchman." He had a sister, possibly an invalid, at 
a hospital in Montreal in 1793. The wife of Mr. Burnett (we are not aware that 
he ever had but one,) was Kaw-kee-me; she was of the red race, and whom he 
wedded, according to the Indian mode, not long after he became a denizen of 
the Michigan woods. She was the sister of the Pottawatomie chief To-pay-nah-
bay* of the St. Jo' branch or band. She was "my Indian woman," of whom he 
speaks in one of his letters, complimenting her business capacity. Of this 
marriage there were two daughters, Nancy and Rebecca, and three sons, John, 
James, and Abraham. The father, in one of his letters, speaks of "a fine 
little boy;" and again, of "the boys," whom he hopes "will in time make good 
members of society." The children were sent away early for education, at 
Detroit or Montreal, and we conclude that the daughters, at least, never 
returned to the wigwam. Of the sons, John, the eldest, lived in Detroit in 
1806, and we have heard he was at Chicago at the time of the evacuation and 
massacre; probably he was the "Mr. Burnett, a trader from St. Josephs," 
referred to in Mrs. Kinzie's "Waubun," who, after the action of August 15th, 
was looked for at the boat, in which were a part of the Kinzie family, by a 
furious Indian with dire intent from some former grudge. John was here at the 
time of the Indian treaty, in 1821, and by it he was to receive two sections 
of land. James and

*We write this name as it was pronounced to us by a chief of the 
Pottawatomies. To-pay-nah-bay had a brother "Chee-bass."

Abraham Burnett, by same treaty, were to receive each one section, and the 
daughters, also, a reservation of land.

John Burnett, we have heard, at one time officiated as sheriff of Wayne 
County, when that county extended from Detroit to Lake Michigan. As for James 
Burnett, he, like the sons of many other parents, hardly filled the schedule 
of hopes written down by his father. Says my informant, "I was personally 
acquainted with James; he was the only son living at the time I went to St. 
Joseph, in 1829. He was very much of a gentleman when sober, but it was seldom 
you found him in that condition; he preferred the whiskey and Indian." James 
was the owner, at one time, of much land upon the Wabash River and elsewhere, 
but which, we are assured, "he had but little trouble to spend before his 
death; he died in 1831 or '32, near Niles, Mich."

[Near thirty years since, the compiler met in a town upon the Wabash, a Miss 
Burnett, an intelligent young woman of lady-like manners, and evidently of 
Indian extraction. She had come from her home in Kentucky or Missouri, to 
consult legal counsel for the purpose of recovering some lands formerly in 
possession of her family. It has occurred to us, that she was probably a 
granddaughter of William Burnett. What was the result of her mission, we never 
heard.]

William Burnett, it would appear, had been educated for business—probably as a 
merchant—and his dispatches indicate, perhaps, the discipline of good training 
as well as natural ability. His orthography is generally correct, though his 
sentences are sometimes otherwise faulty in grammatical construction. 
Occasionally, names written in the letter-book (hastily, as it would seem, and 
probably intended for the convenience of no eyes but his own,) appear 
indistinct and uncertain. We have endeavored to follow the originals, but now 
and then are left in doubt whether a word means one thing or another, or 
possibly not either. He was familiar with the French language, and of 
necessity in his business and social intercourse, must have acquired various 
Indian dialects. How much wealth Mr. Burnett had amassed by the Indian 
traffic, at any time, we are not informed; but it is quite evident that he 
encountered, at various periods, the not unfrequent vicissitudes and 
embarrassments of men in trade. He complains, now and then, of paying too high 
prices for goods. He speaks of damaged freights, of dull sales, of poor hunts, 
of short corn crops, of low water, and of war and its threats. He encountered 
competition in the field, tricky agents or servants, hard-faced creditors, and 
small prices for peltries in the market. We may, perhaps, reasonably infer, 
that in some of the years of those days the Indian trade was rather overdone; 
more traders and more goods found their way to the shores of Lake Michigan 
than always met with profitable sales.

Mr. Burnett owned, occupied, or claimed a large amount of land at his home, 
near the outlet of the St. Joseph River. After the action following the 
abandonment of Fort Dearborn, in 1812, Captain Heald, who was taken to St. 
Joseph, found a temporary home at the house of Mr. B. The relative before 
named informed us that both Mr. Burnett and his wife died there in 1814, she 
having survived him but about two weeks. They were buried a few feet north of 
where was since the "Hoyt House," upon the bluff overlooking the lake; the 
spot, a beautiful one for a burial-place, was selected by the Indians, vainly 
trusting that it would remain without desecration. He says that Mr. B., a 
short time before his death, had been preparing to build a large storehouse 
near the mouth of the river; and that the ground in the woods thereabout was 
to seen, when he was at St. Joseph fifteen years afterward, (in 1829,) strewed 
with the timber, "moss-covered, decayed, and decaying," once designed for that 
structure. "In the woods and marshes around St. Joseph, at that day, (1829,) 
were many wild ponies, mules, hogs, etc., the last remnant of the Burnett 
estate." We may add, that this wild game disappeared very quickly after the 
tide of emigration set in.

Something over a hundred letters appear in the book from which we have here 
copied. We learn, however, that there was another book of like-size containing 
copies, probably, of the later letters of Mr. B., but of its whereabouts, if 
now in existence, we are not advised.


EARLY SHOW.

A writer in the Chicago Tribune, August, 1877, gives some account of what he 
supposes, for this locality, was "the first exhibition of professional 
actors." It was a circus, and believed to have been called "The Grand 
Equestrian Arena." This was in September or October, 1836, and their single 
tent was located on a vacant lot on Lake Street, where now, 1877, stands the 
store of William Blair & Co., Nos. 172, 4, 6. The New York House, (afterward 
bearing the number 180 Lake Street,) said to be the third hotel in importance 
here, stood just west, and its barn in the rear, accommodated the nags of the 
circus, when they retired at the various changes in the performance. One rider 
is referred to, whose name was Stone, and who was "put forward by the 
management, as the greatest living equestrian."

[It is a very common weakness of humanity, to love to quote our early and 
intimate acquaintance with great men; so the compiler of this book desires to 
say, that he knew Oscar Stone a half dozen years before he astonished the 
juveniles of Chicago. Stone was then a tailor boy and a good workman, in a 
little village in Rensselaer County, N.Y.; but his aspirations were of a 
loftier cast than those of making button-holes and stitching upon the 
broadfalls unmentionables of that age; it was before the day of sewing-
machines. So he left the shop-board, and mounted Bucephalus in a ride for 
fame. Erecting a rustic tent, and gathering about him some kindred spirits and 
a few docile steeds of the valley, they, for days, and weeks, and months, 
without music or an audience, labored and practised the "ground and lofty." We 
believe Stone became what was called a good rider, but whether he 
was "greatest," or whether the term great, when applied to him, was not rather 
a sarcasm, we will not attempt to decide. In person, Stone was not bigger 
than "a pint of cider," but he was lithe and wiry, all muscle and whip-cord; 
he would have wriggled out of the clutch of the devil-fish. So, though not a 
very huge giant, he still had a perfect right to be famous.]


INCIDENTS IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF ST JOSEPH, MICH

The following is related by Mr. D. A. Winslow, in his historical sketch of 
Berrian County.

"During the war of 1812, and in that year, John B. Chandonai was in the 
service of the United States, and was engaged in carrying dispatches from 
Detroit to Chicago. On one of his trips from Chicago, in company with the 
elder Robert Forsythe, he stopped near the mouth of St. Joseph River, and 
camped near the upper end of the Burnett orchard. His uncle, of the same name, 
then stationed at Mackinaw, that place being in the possession of the British, 
was sent by the commandant of that post, with a force of some thirty Indians 
in canoes, to intercept John B. with the dispatches, and to take him prisoner 
to Mackinaw. This force arrived in the night, and early in the morning his 
uncle called on John B., and made known his business. John B. had a double-
barrel gun in his hands, and told his uncle he should not go with him or be 
taken prisoner. He then drew a line on the ground, and told his uncle he must 
not cross it; but the uncle, determined on his victim, drew his sword and 
advanced. As he stept over the line, he was shot dead by the nephew.

The report of the gun aroused the Indians, who went to John's camp. He met 
them as he did his uncle, and speaking their language, pointed to his uncle's 
dead body and to the dead line; said he had shot his uncle to save his own 
life; that he was sorry he had to do it, but if taken prisoner, he himself 
would be killed; that he would not be taken alive, and the first one that 
attempted to cross the line was a dead Indian. The Indians held a council, and 
terms were agreed upon. The Indians were to have ten gallons of whiskey the 
next morning,—were to help John B. bury his uncle immediately,—he and his 
traveling companion were to be allowed to depart in peace. Arrangements were 
made with Mr. Burnett, by which the Indians were to have the whiskey as agreed 
upon. John B. buried his uncle on the hill back of his camp, and, after 
raising a cross over his grave, he and Mr. Forsythe immediately departed for 
Detroit. The next morning, Mr. Burnett gave the Indians the ten gallons of 
whiskey, and they started for Mackinaw."
	
	
NAUTICAL.
Upon the walls of the library of a private dwelling, in the West Division of 
the City, there hangs a picture frame which embodies a history, could it now 
be recited, of more than usual interest. But the vicissitudes and fateful 
untowardness attending the conservation of its story are at least noticeable. 
We may briefly say, that something over thirty years ago, there came to the 
West from the Empire State, considerably advanced in the journey of life, a 
physician, a man of science, with tastes literary and antiquarian, in short a 
good deal of a virtuoso. Among his household paraphernalia, or furniture 
equipments brought hither, were curious and beautiful articles of old 
furniture, rare and valuable specimens of early engravings, etc., etc. The 
crowning article in age and association in his possession however, as the 
doctor said, was a picture frame; it was then filled, for the time, by a 
cheap, simple print, bearing no affinity to the frame. The frame, in size 
within, is some 16 by 20 inches, apparently made of oak, dark, massive, very 
heavy; it is fitted and dowelled in old-world style, with a front of stucco 
and gilt. From a sad bereavement in his family, and his own ill-health, the 
doctor concluded to return to New York, and he parted, by sale and gift, with 
the furniture and curious things referred to. Of the frame, the doctor said he 
knew its genealogy, and had verified its history; he could furnish vouchers of 
every claim for validity in its story; and he added, "It is a rare piece of 
antiquity, once a part of an old ship, of no little celebrity in historic 
legend;" and just then the conversation was interrupted, and so the 
particulars about the very old frame, and of the old ship away back in the 
centuries, were not learned by the present possessor, for the matter for the 
time was forgotten. A few months only intervened, when it was told that the 
doctor had bid adieu to earth, and was therefore beyond all human questioning.

It will be sufficient to say, that since that "thirty years-ago," an 
occasional rhymester, together with an amateur artist, having met the old 
relic, entered into a conspiracy regarding it. The outcome of this was the 
perpetration, on the part of the first-named, of nearly two dozen stanzas, 
which the amateur artist, in old English black letter, copied on a paper-board 
panel and placed within the frame. We give the lines below. Our artist, also, 
for his further contribution, decorated the margin of the panel, encircling 
the stanzas, with a representation of capstan, oars, compass, telescope, lead 
and line, etc. There is a picture, too, of Neptune and his trident, and the 
prow of an old Roman galley; a ship of the early Saxons; the ship of Columbus; 
a junk of the Celestials; a zebec of the Mediterranean; English ships of the 
14th and 15th centuries; not to omit, of a later day, Fulton's "Clermont," or 
the still earlier "Perseverance" of Fitch, on the Delaware, the pioneer and 
first of all steamboats.

In one sense a Chicago antiquity, so we have been inclined to bring out the 
old relic, on which hobby-horse we will suppose the bard to be mounted for a 
short gallop. If the song hobbles considerably, it must be his own fault and 
not that of the steed.
Chicago, March, 1876.

THE ANCIENT SHIP.
" Moored safely in harbor, close by the mole,
By side of the sea, in some old world mart; 
In some 'quaint old town of traffic and toil;' 
In some 'quaint old town of song and of art;'

" Lay a maimed old ship, brigantine, or galliot,
Whatever they called her, so battered and worn; 
All that was left her, whether argosy or shallop,
'Of larboard or starboard, stem, gunwale or stern.'

" A renowned old bark, was this ancient craft,
For many score years she had plowed the main; 
She had braided the woof of a chapter bright, 
In the nation's history, fadeless in fame.

" From far and from near, to look at the ship,
Came a crowd of the great, as well as the small; 
For memory they begged a splinter or chip,
The stranger, the dweller, the burgher and all.

"An artisan came, with handsaw and axe,
And out of her sides, from a piece of brown oak, 
From a dark, rusty section of one her planks, 
He worked up and fashioned this storied yoke.

" It was moulded and gilt, as a border quite fitting
The head of some great man, some sailor of old, 
Whose hair had been bleached, o'er the seas he had sailed in, 
'A picture of silver in a casket of gold.'

" But who was that sailor, or which was that vessel, 
In vain we may ask the wise ones to say; 
Neptune's lieutenants, told of in chronicle,
Are many as the barks that are strewed by the way.

" We need not go back to the earlier days, 
To the time of the simple Ionian tars, 
When the seamen knew nothing of rudder or sails, 
And guided their yawls by the course of the stars.

" We must not suppose this ship was the Argo,
Which Jason embarked in, for the Golden Fleece; 
For whether that wool became a part of her cargo, 
We 've little to look for in the myths of old Greece.

" The far-famed Bucentaur, State galley of Venice,
That pompous old row-barge, all sculptured and etched, 
With gilding and blazon, with music and banners, 
Out in the offing, once yearly she swept;

" One day in the year, for six centuries full,
They dropped in the Gulf a ring of fine gold; 
'Twas a type of a marriage, the seal of espousal, 
The 'City of Commerce' with Adriatic of old.

" We pass by the ships of Rome and Assyria,
Of Phenicia and Egypt, Carthage and the Moors; 
Whether commerce or conquest, crusade or discovery, 
Gave breeze to their sails, or strength to their oars.

" Of those Spanish caravols, world-wide is the fame,
Of the 'Nina' and the 'Pinta' with the admiral's own, 
Which sailed from the Pillars bearing Hercules' name, 
Into seas of the west, through an ocean unknown.

" 'Land ho!' was the cry, from the Pinta's mast-head, 
First blast for Columbus, fame's clarion blew; 
In 'the course of empire,' it's the watchword still sounded, 
Faded hopes in the old world revived in the new.

" We might refer to the barks of those noted voyagers, 
The Pinzons and Ojeda, and Velasco Nunez; 
Amerigo Vespucci, Grijalva, and Velasquez,
Ponce de Leon, Nicuesa, de Soto, and Cortez.

" Nor should we forget the ships of the Cabots, 
Or de Gama, or Raleigh, Gosnold or Cartier, 
Cavendish or Behring, Magellan or the Gilberts, 
Frobisher or Smith, Cortoreal or Dampier;

" Or that French bark, 'the Dolphin,' of John de Verrazano, 
Or the yacht of old Lief, son of Eric the Red, 
The 'Zoutberg' of Van Twiller, (Gov. Walter 'the doubter,') 
Or the ship of famed Tromp, with a broom at mast-head.

"There was 'Great Harry,' of England, first ship of their navy, 
Drake's 'Golden Hind' and Hudson's 'Half-Moon,' 
Volckertsen's 'Nachtegael,' the 'Scheld,' and 'de Vriede,' 
With stanch 'de Brand Van Trogen' from the city of Hoorn.

" The ships of the Indies, built of lasting teak boards, 
And the junk and polacca, quinquereme and ark; 
The craft of the red man, of American woods, 
Whose bark's a canoe, whose canoe is of bark.

" Last but not least were the emigrant ships,
With people of Old England to settle the New; 
And history makes record, with a smile on her lips,
Of a long list of worthies, though we quote but a few:—

"The 'Mayflower' preceded, in the glorious aims, 
The 'Fortune' and 'Ann,' the 'Susan and Ellen;' 
With the 'Lion' and 'Pied Cow' led by 'Little James,'
Came 'Love' and 'Defence,' 'Increase,' and a 'Blessing.'

" But adieu, ancient ship, thine own secrets keep,
Long since were thy colors hauled down from the mast; 
And the gales which around thee swept o'er the deep, 
Have died away in echoes, on the shore of the past."

Additional Comments:
CHICAGO ANTIQUITIES:
COMPRISING ORIGINAL ITEMS AND RELATIONS, LETTERS, EXTRACTS, AND NOTES.
PERTAINING TO EARLY CHICAGO;
EMBELLISHED WITH VIEWS, PORTRAITS, AUTOGRAPHS, ETC.

BY

HENRY H. HURLBUT,
Member of the Chicago Historical Society; Corresponding Member of the 
Wisconsin State Historical Society.

CHICAGO: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR.

1881.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by HENRY H. HURLBUT, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/cook/history/1881/chicagoa/chicagoa82gms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

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