sive the Indian embassy to the commissioners may
prevent the proposed treaty. We wrote a letter to
colonel McKee

, and an epistle to the Indians, to be
forwarded the first opportunity.

Here we observe a species of Indian slaves called
Pawnees

, or Punins, — who are captives taken by
the Chipaways from the Suse, or Pawnee nations.
It is sorrowful to think that a nation so famed for
liberty, should hold them, and a number of the Afri-
can race, in a state of bondage during life. The go-
vernment here, we understand, has made some essay
towards their enlargement, which, it is hoped, will,
in time, amount to a total abolition.

16th.

Had a solid opportunity with captain El-
liot

, deputy agent for Indian affairs, and again ex-
pressed our anxious desires to him, that a solid peace
might take place; we also queried if it would be
proper for us, or any of our company, to visit the In-
dians in their present council at the Rapids, where
he was now about to return. He told us, he thought
in the present state of things, it would not be eligi-
ble to move that way. He gave us to understand,
that the Indians were generally acquainted with our
being here, and our views towards them; and hoped
on the return of the Indian embassy, some way would
open for our relief. For the present, we concluded
to forward the letters to and the M'Kee Indians, by
Elliot, and as our having a personal interview with
the Indians appeared doubtful, we forwarded Friends'
Address to them, to be read by M'Kee in case we
should fail of an opportunity ourselves.

17th.

The people are very busy in their harvest,
having good crops: but in some places the grain is