The petition of the undersigned Chiefs & headmen of the Chippewa & Ottawa Nations, residing in the vicinity of Michilimackinac, respectfully represents. That by the treaty of Granvill (sic) of the 3rd of August 1795, they gave as a gratuity to the United States, over & above the other grants recited in that Treaty the island of Bois Blanc, situated in Lake Huron near the post of Mackinac. This island is twelve miles in extent and is a valuable repository of wood. The petitioners respectfully ask, that a compensation may now be made to them for it stating as a reason their impoverished condition and they suggest for your consideration, that the blacksmith shop at the agency of Mackinac, which they have been notified by the Agent, it is your order to close, on the 31st December next, may be continued open, for the benefit of themselves & their children resorting to that Agency, in lieu of the grant mentioned. Submitting this petition to your clemency, as the great chief of twenty four Fires, we remain in friendship to your government.