The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-01-29
THE MISsO1fRI.

derived from actual obiervation. The view,
which they pretent of the products OH that
freaD, win be gratifying TO 81 our readers,
and peculiarly intcrefting to the mercantile part
OF the community, by o-eaingto them a new
fource of trade, that Promiies amply TO reward
their enterprife.
The Miiouri, with whole fources we are fill
unacquainted, is notwithstanding already rank
CO among the lafget rivers. II is an object of
saoniihment TO the whole world. The unin-
formed man admires It's rapidity, it's lengthy
conrie, the falubrity of its waters, and is alto
niihed at.its colour: while the rejecting mird
admircs the innumerable riches fcattered on its
banks, and foreieeiug the future, oeholds alrea-
dy this rival the Mile flowing through coun-
tries as fertile, as populous, and as extenfve
As thofe ofEgypt.
a traveller, however intelligent he may be,
can give but faint idea of the innumerable
riches accumulated on its banks. This Retch
will bearly point out the mott important; hap
PLY for our age, forDe intelligent travellers are
engaged, under the aufpices of an enlightened
government, in tracing this river even to its
fources. What gratitude will not the whole
world owe TO thoie men, who expofng them
ielves to the greateit fatigues, and even TO the
sreateit dangers, to enlarge the circle of human
knowledge, will Gf we may be allowed the ex-
preiiion) give to the world anew country.
The Miliouri joins the MiiIilippi 5leagues
ABOVE INC toWH OF OF. Louis, ABOUT the fOth
deg. of north lat. 1t is neceifary to oh{crve
that after uniting with the MifIiiippi, it flows
through fpace of 1900 miles, before it empties
itfelfinto the Gulph of Mexico. As this part
of its courfe is well known, | fall fpeak of the
Miiiour only. / Attended about 600 leagues
without perceiving dmnution either in its
width or rapidity. The principal rivers which
empty into the Mitfouri are, as you afcend the
Gafconade, the river of the Ofages, the two
CnaFafnnc the Grsat 4.
nips, Nichinan, Ba;oney, the Great and Little
NiB1aha, the river Plate. the river de Sioux, the
L Eau Qui court, SC. &c.
AS far as 25 leagues above its junction with
the NIiiiiiippi to be found different fettle-
ments of American families, viz. at Bonhome
and Feme Oiage, &c. beyond this, its banks
are inhabited only by favage nations-the great
and little Oiages lettled 100 leagues on the RI
yer OF that name, the CAMPS, tie OftoJ, the Pa
ms, toe LoutS, or PaniJ MabRJ, the Mahas, the
Poukas, the Riceras, the Mandanes, the Sioux:
this laf nation is not fixed on the banks of
the Minouri but habituaiy come there to
hunt.
The banks of the Mifiouri are alternately
woods and nrairies it is remarked thu. The
higher you afcend this river, the more common
are thefe praires, and they feem to increafe ev-
cry year by the fires which are kindled every
autumn by the tavages or white hunters, either
bychSnce or with the defgn of facilitating their
hunting. The waters of the Miffouri are mud
dy, and contain throughout its courfe fedi-
ment Of very fiRe fand which foon precipitates
bit this clrcumfsnCe, which renders il difagree-
able to the hight, takes nothing from their iau-
brity.
Experience has proved that the waters of
the Mltlour are more wholefome than thofe of
the Ohio, and the upper MifiifIippi. The RI
vers and firearms, which empty into the Mflou-
n, below the river Plate, are clear and limped,
but above this river, they are as muddy as thote
OF the Mifiouri itfelf. This is occalioned by
beds Of tand or hills of very fine white earth
from whence they take their rife. The bed of
the bed of the Mifouri is obfructed with banks
fometimes of fand and fometimes of gravel,
which frequently change their place, and con-
frequently render the navigation always uncer-
tam. lis courie is generally Wen by North
Wen.
To give precife idea of the incalculablerich-
esfcattered on the banks of the MiHour would
REQUIRE nnhounded knowledge
The Hats are covered with huge trees, the
Lard or Poplar. The Sycamore out of one
piece of which are made Canoes, which car
ry almof $4,000 VT. The maple which af-
tords the inhabitants an agreeable and whole
fome lugar.
The wild cherry tree, and the red and black
walnut, 70 uieful in joners work.
Tie red and white elm 10 ncceGary to Cart
wrights.
The hiacantboJ, which, when well trimed,
forms impenetrabe hedges.
The water willow, the white aud red mulbe-
ry tree.
The linden tree, the horfe chef1ut of India,
70 much priced in the European gardens, &c.
Or the flores are found in abundance, the
white and black oak, proper for every kind OF
hp wright, and carpenters work.
The pine, 70 eafily worked, and on the fony
mountains, the durable cedar.
1t would BE- inpoiihleto detail all the fpecies
of trees, even tbofe unknown in other coun-
tries, and of the ufe that can be made of which
we are Gill ignorant.
The plants are Fill more numerous I will
pats lightly over this article, for the want Of
a fuffcert Botanical knowledge. The Indians
are well acquainted with the virtues of many of
them, they make ufe Of them to heal their
wounds & to potion theirarrows, theyaIfo make
ufe Of different kinds ofiaUaragn<J, to dye differ
ent colors /; they have one which is 2 certain
and prompt cure FOR the venercal difeafc, in
Jbort they carefully couS, al from us plant,
which readers them for few moments infrnG-
bic to the heat Of the moG ardent FIRE. have
feeu them icize AIRED hot iron or burning coal
without tutoring.
The lands on the borders of the MifIouri are