Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-10-31
From the Detroit Journal, Sept. 26.

RETURN OF THE NORTH w EsTERN ExpEDI-
TONNE. Schoolcratt arrived in our city on
Saturday last, having recently returned from a
tour to the northwest.
From an interesting conversation with him, e.
from such notes as he has been kind enough to
furnish us, we are enabled to give the annexed de-
tails
From the head of Lake Superior they passed,
by the route Of the ST. Louis and Sewanne port
age, to the Upper Mississippi They found the
waters in fine state for ascending, being so high
in some places that large tracts OF prairie land
were passed over in canoes, which, in the expedi-
ZION 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 ear
ler in the season than the light canoes of Gov.
Cass reached this Lake in 1890 The waters be-
ing favorable for tracing this stream to its source
the principal part of the party including the de-
tachment of the fifth Infantry, under the COM
.mand of Lieut. Allen, here encamped. Indian
guides and the smallest class of Indian canoes
were procured-such as would contain but one
person with his bed, besides two men who are re
quired to navigate it. With these they proceed
ed through channel sometimes expanding into
lakes about fifty miles. Here the Mississippi
has its ultimate forks. Their guide led them up
the left or western branch, through 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 Biche or Elk Lake, The alb
solute source of he principal, or north western|
fork Of the Mississippi. This is pleasant sheet
of clear water OF Irregular shape, about seven
miles long, They named il ltasca lake, being an
eision of the eXpresson--ueritds capM. 1t has
an island upon which they landed, caused some
trees to be fclled cut some cane, and hoised the
American flag; they secured the flag staff with
braces, aud left the flag flying. In descending,
they found the stream very rapid, often compress
sed and narrow, then widening out into savannas
They computed the distance back to Cass lake
about $50 miles. Courses and distances were ac-
curatey kept; and map is in preparation which
will exhibit the true character of the source oil
this stream. From Cass lake they pursued Sc
ries of portages and lakes, to Leech lake; and
from the latter, another series of portagcs and
lakes into the head of the river De Corbeau.
which they followed to its junction with the Mis-
sissipp, about 24O miles above the Falls of s.
Anthony. They reached 81. Peters the last week
in July, and retired through the rivers ST. Croix
and Broule, into Lake Superior.
AT every Indian village, councils were held
WIN 'hO Ahui"hS, ouu uC oDJVCts VI ule uOVorn-
Inent explained. They were vaccinated ur der the
recent act of Congress. Much statistical and
geographical information has been obtained, and
interesting facts respecting the natural history
The party were received with respect, g. friend.
ly feeling manifested to the Government. No
evidences of connexion with the Black Hawk
party were discovered, and the political influence
of the visit is believed to be beneficial. Reports
in detail, sc. will be made to the Governments
All The party returned in health-no accident of
serious character having befalen single indi-
vidnal
lNDIANA.-For the satisfaction of our friends
at d distance we can state with confidence, that
out OF fifty five counties III the state, Mr.. Clay
cannot hope to receive majorities IN more Than
TEN This is no visionary statement; but derived
from close observance Of the politics of the diff.
ferent counties for the past eight years--lndiana
Democrat.
WORKING News MEETEG.--At meeting of
the Working Mems Association last evening, it
was resolv -, by considerable majority, to drop
Richard NJ johnson, and substitute Martin Van
Buren,, as candidate for the Vice Presidency.