The Indians of Wisconsin, p. 5

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points, for the conversion of these savages to the Christian religion, a work of which they made but little progress. They also established and maintained military forts, at points equally numerous ; the first at Green Bay by Tonti in 1681 ; others were at Checaqua (Chicago) the mouth of Checaqua creek ; Fort St. Nicholas, at the mouth of the Ouisconsing ; St. Antoine, at the mouth of the Chippewa river ; Beauharnois, on the north side of Lake Pepin ; and, doubtless others, at other prominent points of which we have no record. These military stations were deemed necessary for the protection of the missionaries and traders from the savage and lawless Indians.

It was on the 10th day of November, 1699, that one John Buisson de St. Comes, having coasted along the west shore of Lake Michigan in a small boat (no Goodrich line of steamers yet !) landed at what was then, doubtless, a prominent Indian settlement called Melwarck, one of the ancient forms of the name of our goodly city of Milwaukee. To what Indian tribe these settlers of Milwaukee belonged, does not appear.

Only three tribes are known to have been established at Milwaukee, the Menonomees, the Potawatomies, and the Ottawas -- the possessions of the first named extending northward ; those of the others towards the south. The Ottawas were here as early as 1762. That the Sauks and the Foxes were ever here seems quite doubtful.

Trade with the Indians had already assumed so much importance, that it became a matter of controversy between the people of Green Bay and Mackina, as to which should be allowed the privilege of its monopoly. That Indian complaints of a want of honesty and fair dealing on the part of the traders, are not entirely of modern date, is shown in the fact that a delegation was sent to Green Bay to seek relief at the hands of the British commander, from the impositions of the trader at Milwacky.

When Jonathan Carver, and J. Long travelled in Wisconsin