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     Presley Muir called over this evening in company with his Father, who has come out on a visit. "A fine old Gentleman, all of the olden time."
     Tuesday, 28.--Rec'd a dispatch from Maj. Moseley, by P. D. Clark, informing me that he had received orders from the Superintendent to repair to St. Louis for the Annuity due his Agency.
     Wednesday, 29.--M^rs W. and I went to Kansas, made some purchases of family stores, medicines, etc.
     Dined at M^r Geer's. F. Cotter died this forenoon. Came home in the evening somewhat fatigued. OCTOBER, 1852.

     Friday, 1.--Wrote to I. C.--on a mystery. 4th Street, St. Louis.
     Went to Kansas and assisted M^r Geer P. M. in making out the Account for his P. 0. Did not get done. Came home in the evening. Cloudy and damp all day.
     M^r Porter commenced work to-day.
     Saturday, 2.--Learned yesterday that my worthy neighbor and present Pastor, D. Dofflemeyer was reappointed to this charge, and Rev. M^r Barker to the Delaware Mission and Rev. John F. Peerey, Presiding Elder.
     At 4 P. M. F. A. Hicks called for Sophia, who owing to ill health, intends spending the winter with her relations in Hardin County, Ohio. Altho' it was raining, yet she and Miss Huldah & Harriet boarded his carriage and put out. Miss Huldah is going to Harrisonville to spend her winter. Sophia will go in company with M^r J. S. Dawson who is going into that County. She will reside with her Uncle and Aunt, M^r and M^rs Smalley.
     Sunday, 3.--Raining. After breakfast the sky became clear. I then concluded I would go to Kansas and attend the dedication of the new Methodist Church by Bishop

Payne. We rigg'd up and set out, Martha accompanying me. The Bishop did not arrive, but a sermon, and an able one was preached by M^r McAnelly, Editor of the St. Louis Christian Advocate. Turned out to be quite a pleasant day.
     Monday, 4.--Went to Kansas and learned that M^r Dawson and Sophia got off this morning at 4 o'clock on board the "Brunette".
     Came home in the evening. John Brown still very sick.
     Tuesday, 5.--Cloudy morning and red in the East.
     Went up in company with M. R. Walker to the Council held at Matthew Mudeater's to make out the Annuity Pay Roll. Adjourned at sunset without completing our Roll. Came home sick; had a high Fever.
     Wednesday, 6.--Went again to M. M.'s to resume the Pay roll, and completed it in the afternoon. J. D. Brown getting better.
     Thursday, 7.--Commenced Copying the triplicate Pay rolls. F. A. Hicks bro't home our Parlor Stove.
     Friday, 8.--Resumed Copying the Pay Roll. Sent Porter to Kansas for some family stores. He came home sick.
     In the evening I had a severe chill which was succeeded by a burning fever, which lasted nearly all night. Oh! such a night! no poor devil suffered more than I did. Continued copying the Pay Roll.
     Saturday, 9.--M^rs W. and Harriet went down to Kansas. On their return, gave us information of an atrocious and bloody recontre between M^r Alfred Dale and a man, name unknown, a stranger, which took place this forenoon. M^r Dale received a horrible gash in the lower part of the abdominal region, letting out his intestines. His wound is regarded by the physicians as mortal. Finished my Pay Rolls.
     Sunday, 10.--M^r Gilmore set out this morning for Kansas,

in company with P. Muir, intending to take, the Stage for Independence; there to remain under the medical treatment of Doctor Twyman for the Intermittent Fever.
     Heard, on the return of M^r Muir, that M^r Dale was alive yet.
     This evening I escaped my chill and passed a quiet and comfortable night.
     Monday, 11.--Cloudy and threatening rain. 1 o'clock P. M., our folks came home in the midst of a shower. They report that M^r Dale is still alive and getting better.
     Tuesday, 12.--M^r Porter tore up our hearth, refilled, reset and contracted the width of the fire place to cure it of its smoking propensity. It has in some degree obviated the difficulty.
     Attended the election for delegate to Congress from Nebraska Territory. A. Guthrie received the entire vote polled.
     Came home chilled and fatigued; took my last dose of quinine and spirits.
     The Doffles got home. Now, stay at home.
     Wednesday, 13. -Wrote to Wm. Flemming on business, and to Lyman C. Draper of Philadelphia on Indian History. M^r Porter set up our Stove in the parlor.
     Doffle off again. What a fellow!
     Thursday, 14.--Expecting Major Moseley to land at Kansas to-day, I went down and waited till evening, but no Boat. While there, I called upon Mr. Dale and found him in a fair way of recovering. Came home after dark.
     Friday, 15.--Armstrong called this morning and informed me that he had seen Major Moseley since his arrival and [that he had] sent word requesting me to send the Pay Rolls over to his House. I accordingly employed Samuel Rankin to go as Messenger. Shortly after Samuel left, Peter D. Clark arrived bearing a dispatch from him to the

same effect as that sent verbally by S. Armstrong. He must be in earnest, and in a hurry.
     Saturday, 16.--Went down to attend, by invitation, the Council. The subject up was the Annuity payment. Came home in the evening.
     Sunday, 17.--Sent a dispatch to Major Moseley by Sheriff Gibson.
     Martha and [I] rode down to Kansas to hear Bishop Payne preach the dedication sermon for the new Church. A very large Congregation. The Church being in debt, a subscription was raised, payable the first day of January next, and upwards of One thousand dollars was subscribed. We came home.
     At 8 o'clock P. M. the Sheriff returned with a dispatch from Maj. Moseley, fixing upon Tuesday for the payment.
     Monday, 18.--M. R. Walker returned last night from Cass County.
     I went to the Council House, and finding nobody there, came home again.
     Tuesday, 19.--To-day Major Moseley pays out the Wyandott Annuity. Creditors and debtors have much to do business on hand.
     Went down to the Council House and found Major Moseley on the ground ready with his dust. Commenced 12 M. paying out, and without finishing, adjourned at sunset. Sent Henry Warpole to the Calaboose for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.
     Wednesday, 20.--Resumed the payment of the Annuity and closed the Pay Roll at 2 P. M., and Major Moseley delivered a short valedictory to the Council and the nation not expecting to pay another Annuity.
     M^rs W. went to take a Boat for Richfield to see her Physician.
     The Council proceeded to settle up their public liabilities. Adjourned till next Tuesday.

     Thursday, 21.--I am tortured with the Rheumatism in my left hip. M^rs Dofflemeyer spent the day with us. Writing a long letter to Sophia.
     Friday, 22.--Rode out to M^rs Rankin's to settle up some money matters. Came home and found the Widow Squeendehtee. I settled up my money agency with her also, to her great satisfaction.
     Old Connecticut sick again this evening with what he calls the dumb ague.
     Saturday, 23.--On going out I found that my old ox, Brindle, had broken into my Garden and committed divers mischievous acts upon my fruit trees and shrubbery.
     Sunday, 24.--M^rs W. came home, escorted by James Patton.
     Tuesday, 26.--Went to attend the settling off [of] the public national accounts. Were engaged all day without finishing. Adjourned till to-morrow.
     Wednesday, 27.--Went down to resume the auditing of the public accounts. Closed about sunset.
     Friday, 29.--We, that is, I and M^rs W., have in contemplation a visit to our Estates in Cass County; but the weather being so forbidding that we must wait for a change, as we are both invalids.
     A gloomy day, well calculated to generate ennui in a Frenchman. Blue devils, green devils.
     Sunday, 31.--Our folks gone to Church. M^rs Hannah Norton called in and handed me a letter sent over from the P. 0. It proved to be one from my Agent, Col. Goodin, enclosing a draft for $133.64.
     M^r Guthrie called and dined with us. We discussed politics, especially the election of delegate for Nebraska Territory.

NOVEMBER, 1852.

     Monday, 1.--M^rs W. and I rigged up our horses and set out for Cass County to see to our Estates. Went as far as Westport and staid all night at Wesley Garrett's.
     The Shawnee payment going on.
     Tuesday, 2.--Resumed our journey--a cold morning. Reached M^r Richard Berry's, 18 miles, [and] being fatigued, staid all night. In the morning, the 3rd,* raining; wind from the N. E. Notwithstanding the weather looked so unpromising, we set out on the boundless prairie. In the afternoon the sky became clear and the wind fell, and it became a pleasant afternoon. Reached the Farm about sunset, distance, 23 miles.

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* Here I have committed a Faux pas.

     Wednesday, 3.--Rained and stormed the whole day. I had no chance of riding out and visiting the neighbors. We kept close quarters all day. Our tenant has raised a fine crop of Corn and plenty of vegetables. I am better pleased now than before, with my farm.
     Thursday, 4.--The storm continues furiously. I was desirous of visiting my Grand River land, but to ride out on such a day would be martyrdom. Kept housed up all day. Entered into another bargain with M^r Shipley for two year's farming at $40. per annum, he keeping the land clear of taxes.
     Friday, 5.--Started for home. A cold, raw, windy morning. Suffering with Rheumatism. Came to Berry's and staid all night.
     Our Host is a Case-quisical, jocular, garrulous and humorous: a man well fitted for a frontier life.
     Here I have committed an egregious blunder. Thursday and Friday we staid at the Farm, and, as already stated, it stormed all the time. We did not start home on Friday, as stated above, but on ---

     Saturday, 6.--And [we] came to M^r Berry's.
     Sunday, 7.--Reached home at 4 P. M. Found all well. Truly glad to get home.
     Friday, 19.--I learned on yesterday that Doctor Clipper, the Northern Preacher, and his lady arrived on Tuesday last. He succeeds Rev. James Witten as preacher in charge of the pitiful faction here. I hope the Doctor will demean himself, as a preacher of the Gospel, better than his degraded "predecessor," who rendered himself notorious as wanting the jewel, veracity. Poor degraded man he is sent to another field of labor. He could not be tolerated here any longer. He became known, hence he was shipped to another field,--whence he could, at least, for twelve months impose upon the ignorant, his "base coin." ¹
     Saturday, 20.--Went to Kansas in company with A. Guthrie. Rain, snow, sleet. In the evening the storm increased in violence, and I came home in the midst of a perfect "pour down," after dark. DECEMBER, 1852.

     Wednesday, 1.--This day at 2 o'clock P. M., my old and tried friend, James Washington², departed this life--aged 65.

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     ¹ This is an injustice to Mr. Witten. He was a good man of more than average ability. He was a Virginian (born in Tazewell County), and his family was closely related by blood to that of Lord Baltimore. He was a close kinsman to William Cecil Price of Springfield, Mo.; his mother was a Cecil. He remained in the M. E. Church, after the division, and this caused many of his relatives, who were slave-holders, to condemn him. His brother Thomas was one of the founders of Portland, Oregon.
     ² The following biographical sketch was written by Governor Walker. The friend that gave him the information was John Hicks, who died a little latter. (see note 1, page 373). Governor Walker was mistaken in his statement that Washington was a full-blood. He was a descendant of the famous Chief, Half King, and was not more than a half-blood:
     "Died of pneumonia at his residence in Wyandott, December 1, at the hour of 2 P. M., James Washington, one of the oldest Councilors of the Wyandott Nation, in the 65th year of his age. The subject of this brief sketch was a full-blooded Wyandott belonging to that subdivision of the nation into tribes or clans known as the 'Beaver tribe', From my first acquaintance with him as an official member of the Church I found him a firm, inflexible and consistent Christian. Rarely if ever, cast down with discouragement and as rarely carried away with any excess of excitement--not on the hill top

     Tuesday, 7.--Rec'd a summons from the Principal Chief, ordering a meeting of the Legislative Committee.
     The Committee convened and organized by the appointment of Jacob White-Crow as Chairman, and then proceeded to the usual preliminary business.
     Saturday, 11.--Went to attend the Council, and there learned that a murder had been perpetrated the night before, in a drunken brawl, by John Coon, Jr. and Martin Big-Arms, upon the person of Curtis Punch. Both [were] committed for trial. John Hicks, Jr. was elected to supply the vacancy in the Council caused by the death of James Washington. Wrote to A. Guthrie.

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one day and in 'the slough of despond' the next. In his religious profession he was truly like an even spun thread.
     "I have been kindly furnished by an intimate friend of the deceased with a Biographical sketch; from which I will make [excerpts]. 'I became acquainted with my friend in the summer of 1814. He did not manifest a disposition to take part in the councils of the nation, but on the contrary shun'd public notice, prefering his former pursuit, the chase, to that of listening to the eloquence of chiefs and councilors or making any attempts at public speaking himself--prefering the quite camp fire with a few of his friends in the deep dark forest to the noise and bustle of the council fire. He was, however frequently elected by the chiefs of that day as confidential messenger or bearer of important speeches in their diplomatic intercourse. The old chiefs looked upon him as, (to use their own peculiar expression,) he was a discreet and prudent young man. Sometime in the winter of 1822 & 23, he was bro't under serious awakenings thro' the ministry of Rev. J. B. F. and sometime after was rec'd into the Church. At what time he experienced a change of heart and obtained the evidence of his acceptance I know not. As the first I knew of the change that had taken place in my friends life was at a prayer meeting at a private house. As I approached the house I was astonished and amazed at recognizing my friend's Lion like voice employed in the delivery of an animated and stirring exhortation. He gave indisputable evidences of genuine piety and was at the proper time placed in charge of a class, and continued [in] that position the remainder of his life. In 1832 he was elected a councilor and served one term as principal Chief of the nation. Afterwards continued as Councilor of the nation till his death. I have been associated with him in public life for twenty years and can say with truth, he was a man you could with safety confide in. I have seen him often placed in situations the most trying to a man's integrity and veracity, situations which would determine the stuff and material he is made of, but Washington invariably came out triumphant and at the same time came unscathed. He was one of nature's noblemen, hallowed and purified by the Christian religion.' Such briefly is the account given by his friend of his early history. Washington died as he lived enjoying the confidence in peace with God and his fellow men. He exhorted all who visited him to perseverance and faithfulness especially Brother J. D. Brown. the present principal Chief, who called to see him when very low. He committed his poor blind wife and his family to the God of the fatherless and widow, gathered up his feet and departed from among men to enter upon his reward."

     Monday, 13.--Old Connecticut sick again. Attended a night session of the Legislative Committee. Came home at 11 o'clock.
     Tuesday, 14.--By my nocturnal labors and exposures I have bro't my old complaint back again. I have a most acute Rheumatism in my right shoulder. Attended the joint meeting of the Council and Legislative Committee and elected Nicholas Cotter Ferryman for 1853. I notified Bryan Shehea, a roving, vagabond Irishman to leave the Territory
     Wednesday, 15.--Went over and notified Jonny O'Bludgeon to leave the territory within fifteen days.
     M^rs Mary Ann Garrett and Miss Sarah Zane spent the afternoon with us.
     Friday, 17.--Went to attend the trial of John Coon. Was appointed by the Council public prosecutor, and S. Armstrong was retained as counsel for the defence. The case was submitted to the Jury about dusk, and I came away.
     Saturday, 18.--Staid at home all day. Quarterly Meeting, commenced to-day.
     Sunday, 19.--The old widow Mononcue¹ died last night.
     Went to Church. There learned that the verdict of the Jury was, "murder in the first degree." This was wrong, It is not in accordance with the evidence. He could not be convicted of anything more than "Manslaughter." But such is the verdict.
     Monday, 20.--M^r Duffle[meyer], M^r Barker & Son, Jonny O'Bludgeon, John Pipe and M^rs Guthrie called upon us this Morning. Company enough for one morning. Sent my letters by Jonny to the Westport P. 0. Went down in the evening to attend the session of the Legislative Committee. No quorum appearing, we adjourned at 9 o'clock.

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     ² The wife of the Monocue spoken of so often by Finley in his "History of the Wyandot Mission."

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     Sunday, 26.--Old Connecticut was found by our niggers lying in the mud about fifty rods from the House stiff and nearly dead. M^r Garrett and M^r Cox yoked up the Oxen and hauled him down to the House. He was then placed before the fire and thawed out. It took the whole night to bring him to consciousness. And then the impudent beast denied being drunk--said he had a fit. I being absent at the time, M^rs W. ordered him to leave the house--he refused to go; she thereupon made complaint to the Principal Chief, who ordere[d] the Sheriffs to take him and set him across the line, which was accordingly done. So ended our connection with Old Connecticut.¹ He is without exception the greatest glutton--beast, and the most uncivilized white man I ever saw.
     Monday, 27.--Attacked violently with the winter fever. Dr. Wright attending on me--blisters, nauseating doses. JANUARY, 1853.

     Sunday, 9.--Went to Church to hear M. Scarritt's funeral sermon on James Washington.
     Monday, 10.--Went up to write John Hicks' will. He is fast sinking and cannot survive much longer.
     Tuesday, 11.--Drew up a petition to the Council praying that body to restrain Dr. Clipper from opening a Missionary Establishment in our territory as unnecessary and useless.
     Thursday, 13.--When shall we behold the sun again?
     Friday, 14.--Cloudy as usual. Well, I incline to the opinion that the sun has taken his departure and located himself on the other side of the Sierra Nevada, in the region of California, attracted thither no doubt by the Gold that abounds in that country. We had a new moon on last Sunday, but it has not been seen. What has become of it? gone too?
     Went and spent the evening with M. R. W. Clear night and for the first time, got a sight of Old Luna.

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     ¹ A Mr. Porter.

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