The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-10-31
COMMUNICATED.
Sketch Of the Life and Explorations of
Capt. Jonathan Carver.
MI MBE2 /.

! The next explorer in the northwest, was
jonathan Carver, native OF Connecticut,
and Iineal descendant of John Carver, a
native of England, who landed from the
May-Flower in $50, and was the first Gov.
ernor of Plymouth Colony.
His parents designed him for the profess
sion Of medicine; but, cherishing love for
military life, he quilted it, accepted an Off
GERS commission, and served with distinc-
ton till the treaty of peace Mt Versailles be-
tween France and England. in 1863 Pos
sessIDg an active and vigorous mind and
accute powers of observation, he cherished
desire to explore those don,inons which
England had acquired by the treaty, and
hoped to facilitate the discovery ola north
west passage, or of a communication be-
tween Hudson's Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
In addition, hedesired to gain a knowledg of
the habits, manners, customs, and languages
of the Indian tribes of the Upper Mississp-
pi, and to examine the soil and naturaI pro-
auctions Of a region, concerning which such
glowing accounts had been given by pre-
vious explorers.
With these objects in view, he left Bos-
tor in June 1866, and proceeding by the
way of Albany and niagara, reached Fort
Michl!imacinac, the most distant post Of
the English in the northwest. in September
of the same year On the third day Of the
same month, having been furnished by the
Governor of the post with small quantity
of goods for distribution among the the diff
ferent tribes of Indians he might visit, he
left Mackinac, attended by some traders,
and reached Green Bay on the 18Th of Sep
TENDER.
This post was established by the French
t for the protection of their trade, at which
missionary was located. AT the entrance
of Green Bay string of islands called
/, the Grand Traverse, the largest of which
he visited, and on it found village Of the
Oitawas, the chiefs Of which received him
with every mark of distinction that lay in
their power. For the distinguished manner
, in which they received him, and the militia
, ny salute with which they greeted his land
ing, somewhat to his fears at first, be pre-
sented them, under a mistaken sense of du
ty, some spirituous liquors, with which they
soon became intoxicated. Upon this island
, he remained over night. and on his depart
ure next morning, the head-chief gave him
his blessing and offered up prayer that the
"Great Spirit would favor bin with pros
. porous voyage; that He would give him an
unclouded sky, and smooth waters, by day,
! and that he might lie down, by night, on a
| beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted sleep,
and pleasant dreams: and also that he
, might find continual protection under the
!. great pipe Of peace.'' On the twentieth Of
, September he departed from Green Bay,
I attended by some traders and Indians, and
+ proceeding up Fox River, arrived at the
largest village of the W innebagoes, situated
on an island al the east end of Winnebago
Lake, on the twenty-fith day Of the same
month. Here he found Queen presiding
over this tribe, who, he says, ''entertained
me in very distinguished manner, during
: the four days continued with her." While
residing at this village, he endeavored to
obtain a knowledge of their origin, Ian
e guage, and customs; and from the inquiries
; and observations made, he came to the con-
!, clusion 'sthat the Winnebagoes originally re-
" sided in some of the Provinces belonging te
g New Mexico; and being driven from them
! native country, either by extensive division:
: or by the extension of the Spanish con
quest, they took refuge in those more north
ern parts about "A century ago.
e ''My reasons" ne adds, ''fOr adopting
|. this superstition, are, first from their ina!
!. ienable attachment to thej Naudowessit
(SiouX) Indians, (who, they say, gave ther,
e the earliest succor during their emigration
notwithstanding their present residence. il
! more than six hundred miles distant from
r that people"
: Secondly, that their dialect totally differ
;, from every other Indian nation yet discov
cred it being a very uncouth cultural Jar
" gon, which none of their neghbors will at
tempt to learn"
! They converse with other nations in tn,
Chippcway tongue, which is the prevailing
= language throughout all the tribes, from tn,
!" Mohawks of Canada to those who inhabi
!. the borders Of the Mississippi, and from the
. Hurons and Illinois to such as dwell neal
- Hudson's Bay
:, Thirdly. from their inv eterate hatred t6
=, the Spaniards." Having made some pres
;, ents TO the Winnebagu Queen, for which
:, he received her blessing, be left their vii
!, lage on the twenty-nintb Of September, ant
;. ascending the Fox River, reached thu
!, "Great Carrying Place." or Portage. on til,
y seventh of October.
On the eighth, his campanions Launched
Is their canoes in the Wisconsin River, an,
: the next day reached the Great village o
q the Sacs.
% "Ihis," he says, sis the largest aud hes
built Indian town l ever saw. 1t contain
about ninety houses, each large enough 70
several families. They are built of bew,
plank neatly jointed, aud covered with bar
so compactiy rs to keep out the most pene
tratng rains. Before the doors are place
j. comfortable sheds, in which the inhabitant
I. sit, when the weather will permit, an
n smoke their pipes. The streets are regula
E. and spacious; so that it appears more like
n civilized town than the abode of sayages."
N "Ihe Saukies can raise about three hun
h dred warriors, who are generally employee
e every summer in making incursions into tn
pr territories of the Illinois and Pawnee ma
,e tons, from whence they return with gre,
, number Of slaves"
nj While remaining here, he made an es
= animation of the lead mountains, situate
e. about fifteen miles south of the Sacs, Vi
re lage; and says he 'saw large quantities ,
n. it lying about the streets in the town, and
q seemed to beas good as the produce of oil
d. er countries" This is the famous lead r.
.. gion Of Wisconsin.
- On the 10Th of October he pursued h
nd Journey down the river, and reached ii
he Mississippi on the 18TH He then aseen
nd ed the latter to the village of Prairie d
IN Chien, switch signifies the Dog Plains p
This "town,n eighty-fise years ago,
-. Thus lescrfhps. Ssit .rpt,.,, cb... H.