Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-06-05
YELLOW STONE EXPEDITION.


send you some extracts of letter from
a young officer going upon the expedi-
ton. She is called the Western Engi-
neer, and will start from Pittsburgh
about the first of May. 1t is intended
that she shall navigate the western wa
ters as far as the Yellow Stone river,
which will require upwards oftwo years.
1t is not expected that they will do more
than explore the waters of the Missouri
the first season, as the movements will
be gradual, in order to obtain thorough
knowledge fthat section of the country,
with a history of the inhabitants, soil,
minerals and curiosities. The expedi-
ton is under the direction of ma or
Stephen H. Long, Of New Hampshire,
of the Typographical engineers, attended
by Mr.. James Graham, of Virginia, and
Mr.. VIM. H. Swift, of Mass. from the
United States Military Academy Mai.
Thomas Biddle, of Philadelphia, Of the
artillery, and the following gentlemen:
DR.. Jessup, of Philadelphia, Minera-
logist.
DR.. Say, of do. Botanist and Geologist.
DR.. Baldwin, of Wilmington, Del.
Zoologist and Physician.
Mr.. Peale, of Philadelphia, Land
scape Painter and Ornithologist.
Mr.. Seymour, do. do. do.
Major O'Fallon, Indian Agent.
She is well armed, but carries an ele-
giant flag, painted by Mr.. Pcale, repre-
senting a white man and an Indian
shaking hands, the calumet ofpeace and
a sword. The boat is Is feet long, Is
feet beam, draws l9 inches water, with
her engine, which, together with all the
machinery, is placed below deck, en-
tirely out of sight. The steam passes
off through the mouth of the fgurc-hcad
"a large serpent.) The wheels are pla-
ced in the stern, to avoid the snags and
sawyers which are SO common in those
waters. She has mast to ship or not
as may be necessary. The expedition
will depart with the best wishes of the
scientific part of our country.
PITTSBURGH. APRIL %.
The steam boat Western Engineer"
left this ON Tuesday last on an explo-
ring voyage OF 4 most interesting nature.
1t is understood that most of the tribu-
tary streams of the Missouri and Missis-
slppi are to be examined by the gentle
men having the direction OF the expedi-
ton, but more particularly the former
immense river. 1t is intended to ascend
it as high as the falls; this place is in
the same latitude with Quebec, and pro-
badly near 1000 miles from Pittsburgh
by water. The object of the expedition
is principally to make correct military
survey of this river, and to fix upon
site for military establishment, at or
near the junction of the Yellow Stone
with the Missouri; to ascertain the point
where the rocky mountains are inter
sected by the 49th degree of latitude,
which forms the western boundary be-
tween the possessions of Great Britain
and the United States; to inquire into
the trading capacity and genius of the
various tribes through which they may
pass, and, finally, to investigate whatever
may be novel Or interesting in the geo
logy, botany, mineralogy, and natural
history of those yet unknown regions
The officers employed on this duty, are
major S. Fl. Long of the U. S. Engi-
neers, ma jor Thomas Biddle, U. S.
corps of Artillery, and lieutenants Ora
ham and Swift. The boat will be COM
pletely equipped for defence, and will be
manned by few troops; she was bull
here for the purpose, and her draught Of
water is so trifling as to render it per-
fectly practicable to fulfil all the objects
contemplated. She will carry a consi-
derable quantity ofpresents to conciliate
the feelings of the natives, and to esta-
blish friendly intercourse.
We anticipate much useful informa-
ton from the result of this voyage; it
appears to have been arranged by 60
vernment with great conviction of its
and the design bears
strong resemblance to the French ex-
petition into Egypt in which the cause
of science was not lost sight of during
their military operations. Although
the Missouri is not enibellished by such
monuments of art as is the
Nile, her Indian mounds afford much
disquisition and although
no Thebes, nor mutilated statues of a
Memnon may be found, yet some clue
may yet be discovered to assist our his
torical researches into the ancient man
ners of the Aborigines. At all events
the field of science may be much ex-
tended by the pary.-To this object 60
vernment has been particular IN its at