him, and a mortgage had to be given on the land which the Government
had given her. The Indian's oath and evidence are not regarded in this
country, and he stands a very poor chance before the law. Although they
are citizens of the State, they are continually being taken advantage
of by the attorneys of the land; they are continually being robbed and
cheated out of their property, and they can obtain no protection nor
redress whatever.

Before Mr. Hamlin, my cousin, left Italy, he was asked by the
authorities if William had any younger brother in America of a fit age
to attend school. He told the authorities that the deceased had one
brother just the right age to begin school--that was myself. Then there
was an order for me to be sent to Rome to take the place of my brother;
but when my father heard of it, he said, "No; they have killed one of
my sons after they have educated him, and they will kill another."
Hamlin came home soon after my brother's death, and some time after the
Treaty of 1836 he was appointed U.S. Interpreter and continued to hold
this office until 1861, at which time I succeeded him.



CHAPTER VI.

Account of the Indians' Roving Disposition, Their Feasts and Their
Customs--Saluting Arbor Croche Every Spring of the Year--How the
Catholic Religion was Introduced Among the Ottawas--The Missions--
Signing of the Treaty, March 8, 1836.


I will again return to my narrative respecting how the Ottawas used to