The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-27
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
(From our regular correspondent,
Fairs Sf. CRoix, w. T., Aug. 7, ls4

i
II (From our regular correspondent,
II Fairs ST.. CRoiS, w. T., Aug. 7, ls45
We left La Poipte on the afternoon OF The day on
4 which my last letter was dated We had about ~
miles English or 50 Of French voyageurs miles, 70
travel westward on the lake. before reaching the
Brue river which we were to ascend for 10 miles,
70 make the portage 10 the ST. Crox the latter river
being from its source to the Mississippi river, m
GLIDING the Lake ST. Croix at its mouth, about 300
miles long-thus making a journey before us OF
about 445 miles to reach the Mississippi. To La
i Pointe we had already coasled from Saalt 81,
Marie, including the curves bends, bays, DC, with
the entire circuit of Keweeha point the distance OF
at least 500 miles. The two added together, give
GAS miles of travel, in open boats by day, and under
tents by night with The exception of the three miles
portage between the two rivers. We lett the SAUL
on the tth July, and reached this place within 50
/ miles of the Mississippi, making the whole time
consumed one month and about three or four days,
by the time we will have reached the "father Of
| waters" .,s.
The distance, 10 direct line. from the head dfthe
bay Opposite LII Foinie to the portage at the head
of the Brule by land, is only 80 miles; while BY
the lake and river, il is about las, The whole dis
lance, in direct line, by land, from La Pointe to
the falls of St Anthony, or 10 the mouth OF the 81
Peters, does not exceed, by the Indian trail alluded
to, over 900 miles.
The frst day we left La Pointe we were only emu
bed 10 reach Raspberry river, small stream empty
ing into the lake Is miles west OF La Pointe, inside
i the group of slanda,
4 We first encountered prodisious thick fog, with
a head wind. We had no sooner landed and raised
our tent than thunderstorm, with heavy rain,
4 burst upon The voyageurs, as rs their custom,
had pulled the bark canoes cut Of the water, and
turned them over, placing provisions and other afti-
Giles under them for shelter. The Indians, in travel
ling with their canoes, invariably pull them oh Of
the water at night turn them bottom upwsrds, and
in bad weather sleep under them; as our voyageurs
Especially Jocko, our Indian voyageur) did on the
night in, question. In such eases, they turn water
like the roof Off house, we he'd late In the after
noon, doubled some frowning sandstone cliffs al
luded in my other letter, with the grooes, caves,
and excavations wrought out near the waters
edge, by the combined action of the waves and
frost Another high sandstone promonory still lay
just ahead Of us, which Ribedoux, our head man,
said extended for six miles without affordng a
landing-place for boat ., M .,s
\ Next morning we found severe gale blowing
from the north-northeast, accompanied with rain.
4 This compelled to remain where we were till
about or O'Clock in the afternoon, when we set
out. The wind had died away but the sea was
running very high, over which our canoes danced
along at grent rate--riding them, however, like
swans. The heaviest rolls would be mounted and
slid oter With much ease ab though ths canoes
were feathers, as they were propelled forward by
the and paddles Of our skiful voyageurs.
II One canoe being small, only admitted OF the use
TO be used IN front, while a paddle was employed
4 IN inc sterh, me usuai pan OF woIhihg Canoes rs
70 nave Only TWO persons 10 at'ena 70 one canoe.
lhey are always sseefed WIN paddle. one voya-
gcur seats n'msei ~ the DOW, WINE announcer aoes
the same thing in the stern-the baggage provis-
ions, passengers, &c. being stored ainitships, low
i in the hull. Thus arranged, the men apply their
paddles with great skin, driving the forward
at pretty rapid speed.
i Inc iholahs oispiay oeai OF skii N me con-
slruction OF Their bark canoes. Their hulls have
great symmetry OF FORM; anu under careful handling,
which the indians perfectly understand and prac-
tlse, they are very ight ana very strong.
4 Inc plrch park, from winch they are Principally
made, Is found o. excellent quality on the shores
ana tributaries OF Lake SUPERIOR ana is extensively
USED ~ me iquiahs ior pui'ding their lodges, &c
rs well as Tor canoes IN the latter application, the
inside OF me bark IS exposed to the water and
weather; while IN the former case the outside Of the
bark IS turned 70 inc weather. Their lodges are OF
/ hemisphencal shape, with an opening at the top
Tor the escape OF smose, win door opening on one
side OF them, before which a blanket IS usually sus-
pended. ne moor o. the lodge, with the wealthler
class Is usually covered with hne large rIchly-coor-
ed rush mats, on winch the indians recne or sit
IKE turks on them Inc men, when at home, DO
little else thah REGIME on me mats ana smoke, while
the squaws ana haifgrown children perform all the
necessary manual labor ~ an Indian brings IN
game or hsh, ne throws ~ down near ms lodge, and
troubles himself no more aooutl Drill It be trouble-
some 70 carry ne leaves ~ IN me woods, returns 10
the e., lodge, ana sends ms squaw ior y.
Inc iemaies among me INDIANS invariably ex-
hioit the most modest ana ret'ring department.
equally as much so, ! have thought, as IS seen or
e, ~. nu,af. o M Whites
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