Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

HISTORY OF TOWNSHIP OF SHELBY, MACOMB COUNTY.

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until it intersects a line run due east and west from said north branch,
which line is the northerly boundary of a tract of land granted to
John Askin and others, thence east on said line to the north branch
of said river Huron, thence easterly by a line of marked trees to the
southwest corner of a tract of land granted to J. Porlier Banack, thence
northeasterly by a line of marked trees in the rear of said tract and
in the rear of a small tract granted to Henry Tucker, thence easterly
to Lake St. Clair, thence north and easterly along the edge of the lake
to place of commencement." The consideration was to be six thousand
dollars, or bucks, to be paid by James May, Patrick McNeff and Jacob
Harson. This was also signed by six of the principal chiefs of the
Chippewa nation: Nongue Totem, Keask Totem, Pecheekee Totem,
Wetaney Totem, Messkiass Totem, Chachawenepish Totem. The release
being for a term of 990 years for the sum of fifty dollars and other
valuable things and clothing made the day before the sale. A statement was also appended affirming that the chiefs were sober when they
signed the paper. This document was registered by Peter Audrain in
book No. 1, pages 16 and 17, March 17, 1797.
This transaction was followed by another agreement with the Chippewa chief. by which the leasors bind themselves as follows: " For and
in consideration of the lease and sale to us made by Nongue, Keask,
Pecheekee, Wetaney and Messkiass, chiefs of the Chippewa nation of
Indians as by their deeds of lease and release to us made, and bearing
date the 3d and 4th day of February, 1797, of a certain tract of land
situated on the northwest side of Lake St. Clair, in the county of
Wayne, as by said deeds will the more fully appear.
"We for ourselves our heirs and assigns agree and promise to pay or
deliver unto the aforesaid chiefs, or any, three of them, or their heirs,
for use of themselves and respective families, or tribes,. the sum of one
hundred dollars, or butts, in clothing or other necessaries independent
and clear of what we have already given or advanced to them, yearly
and every year for the term of ten years, commencing on the first day
of January, 1800; provided the said tract and every part thereof conformable to said lease and release be confirmed to us by and under the
government of the United States of America, but no payment to be made
before such a confirmation takes place. We also agree and promise to
deliver unto the said chiefs, and their heirs, every year for the term
of thirty years, one-half bushel of Indian corn for every farm of two
hundred acres that may be improved on said tract, and every year
from thence forward to the full end, a term of 960 years to be fully
completed and ended, one quart of corn for every such farm that may