countenanced, masculine soldier, who received
us
like a gentleman, and kindly offered civilities to
us, — for which
we acknowledged obligations to
him.
Here are fine banks, well improved. The oldest
orchards appear luxuriant —
apples, peaches, pears,
cherries, &c. But no springs of water, nor
streams
with falls: being obliged to have recourse to wind-
mills to
manufacture their grain. Of these mills
they have a number in sight. The
inhabitants are a
mixture of French, German, English, Irish, Scotch,
Yankees, Indians and Negroes.
Held a conference with Capt. John and se-
veral other Indian chiefs and
principal men; in
which our peaceable mission was more fully
explain-
ed, than heretofore. Notwithstanding our disinter-
ested, and
universal principles of love and good will
to mankind, we are sensible our
path is narrow, and
our situation delicate--the eyes of four different
in-
terests being open towards us;— British, United
States, Indians,
and the reputation of our religious
society.
This afternoon, walked three miles down the west
side of Detroit river, to a spring, at which I was
re-
freshed, not having drank any other than river wa-
ter for ten days.
On our route to the spring, we
called at a French house, to keep out of a
gust of
rain. The family appeared polite, loving, and pleased
to see
us. On our return, we called to see an old
noted Indian trader, Isaac Williams, who is well ac-
quainted with
the Indian affairs, and their disposi-
tions. He related many alarming
circumstances of
Indian cruelty; and said they were at present more
haughty and insolent, than heretofore. He rehear-