The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-10-24
WESTERN COUNTRY.

-
Mr.. ScHooLcRAFT arrived in our city on
Saturday last, having recently returned from
tour to the north west He describes the
country visited by him ms highly interesting
IN its geographical features. From an in
ierestlng conversation with him, and from
such notes as he has been kind enough to
furnish US, we are enabled to give the an
neXed details. From the valuable aids
which this gentleman has already given to
the cause of science, we anticipate much
additional light relative TO the Typographical
and geological features of the country he
has SO lately explored. Assisted as he has
been by DR.. Houghton and Lieut.. Allen, we
have no doubt that when their joint obser-
vatons are submitted TO the public, they
will afford mass of information highly de-
sirable to the lovers of science. In the
mean time we give the following brief out
line of the tour:
From the head Of Lake Superior, they
passed by the route Of the ST. Louis and
Sewanne portage, to the Upper Mississippi.
They found the waters in fine state for as
eendlng, being so high in some places that
large tracts of prairie land were passed over
in canoes, which, in the expedition of 1920,
displayed intricate and circuitous channels.
Several days journey were saved in this
way. They reached Red Cedar or Cass
Lake on the 10th of July. being eleven DAYS
earlier IN the season than the light canoes
of Gov. Cass, reached this Lake in 1920.
The waters being favorable for tracing this
stream to its source, the principal part of
the party, including the detachment of fifth
infantry, under command of Lieut.. Allen,
| were here encamped. Indian guides and
the smallest class of Indian canoes were
procured-such rs would contain but one
! person with his bed beside the two men who
were required to navigate il. With these
they proceeded through a channel some
times expanding into lakes, about fifty miles.
Here the Mississippi has its ultimate forks.
Their guide led them up the left or western
branch, through a number of lakes and
stream, continually lessening in size, to the
source of the fork in Usawa Lake. From
this, portage of about six miles was made
in north course, into La Diche or Elk
Lake, the absolute Source of the principal,
or northwestern fork of the Mississippi.
This is pleasant shee! of clear water, of
irregular shape, about seven miles long.
They named it Itasca Lake, being an els
ion ofthe expression-ceritaS c0put. 1t has
an Island, upon which they landed, caused
some trees to be fellcd, cut some canes, and
hoisted the American flag they secured
the flag staff with braces, and left the flag
flying. In descending. they found the stream
very rapid, often compressed and narrow,
then widening out into savannas. They
computed the distance hack to Cass Lake,
about $50 miles. Courses and distances
were accurately kept; and map is in prep
aration which will exhibit the true charac-
ter of the source of this stream. From Cass
Lake they pursued series of portages and
Lakes, to Leech Lake and from the latter
another series of 'portnges and Lakes, into
the head of The River De Corbeau, which
they followed to its junction with the Mis-
sissipi, about 240 miles above the Falls of
St. Anthony. They reached st. Peters the
last week in July, and returned through the
river st. Croix and Broule, into Lake Su-
perior.
At every Indian village councils were
held with the Indians; and the objects of
the Government explained. They were
vacciDnted under the recent act Of Congress.
Much statistical and geographical informa-
iion has been obtained and interesting
facts respecting the natural history. The
party were received with respect and n
/ friendly feeling manifested to the Govern
ment. No evidences Of connection with the
Black Hawk party were discovered. and the
| political influence Of the visit is believed to
have been beneficial. Reports in detail.
&C., will be made TO the Government. All
the party returned in health--no accident
Of serious character having befallen sin.
| gle Northumberland.