The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-12-06

oil inese MangS as would I'LL Inc crater Oh
Vesuvius-a place, or one Of equally high
in which they should be
compelled TO take up their abode.
Senator Geyer, of Missouri, has polite
ly presented, through Geo. w. Earring
ton. Esq, some valuable maps and charts
to the Minnesota Historical Society.
While on flying visit up here, the past
summer, Mr.. Gcyer became enraptured
with the beauty, natural advantages, soil,
climate, Sc, OF our Territory; and we
feel assured he will prove one of her
warmest friends in Congress.
ALEAF FROM HISTORY.
The origin of the natives Of the Ameri-
can continent is subject that has attracted
the attention of the world since the days
of Columbus, and will probably continue
to be discussed, without tie knowledge of
man arriving at any definite conclusion, in
all time TO come. The following narrative
Of all attempt made more than century
ago, by one of the race, to solve The prob
lem, we copy from note which we find
in Winne's ''History Of the British En-
pire in North America published in
London, in the year 1869. The story of
old Moncacht-are is SO straightforward,
and his description Of the geography Of the
northwestern Pacific coast SO correct,
that we have no doubt lie performed the
journey from the prairies Of Illinois 10
point somewhere in the vicinity of Van
couvcr's Island. The river St. Louis"
is, of course, the Mississippi; and we
are inclined to think the '.whi;e men with
boards" were Spaniards instead of Japan
csc.
M. LIE Page du Pra'z, being extreme
ly DESTROYS to inform himself OF the origin
oil the American nations, was continually
enquiring of the old Indians concerning it,
and was at last SO fortunate as to meet
with an Old man, belonging to the nation
Of the Jazous, called Moncacht-ape, who
was a man OF sense and genius and hav-
ing been possessed with tie same curl
osity as himself, had spared no pains nor
fatigue, to get information Of the country
from whence tie North American nations
came. With this view he travelled from
nation to nation, expecting TO discover the
country from whence their fathers had
come, or to approach SO near ii, as to get
some further intelligence and more par
ticular traditions concerning their origin.
In this expedition, he Spent eight years !;
and Nj. LIE Page du Pralz, having insin-
uated himself into his good grace, by all
sorts of kindness, had from him the follow
ing account.
Having lost my wife and children,
resolved TO travel, in order 10 discoy err
our original country, notwithstanding all
the persuasions Of my parents and rcla-
lions to tie contrary.
81 took my way by the backgrounds
that are on the eastern bank of The river
St. Louis, that l might only have the riv-
err Ouabachc to cross, in order to Join the
Illinois, at the village OF Tamaroua, con-
siderable settlement of the Canadian
French. As the grass was short, | ar
rived there in little time. Istayed there
eight days 10 rest myself, and then con-
tnucd my route along the eastern bank of
the same river ST. Louis, till was little
above the place where the river Mis-
souri, falls into it.
81 then made Il raft of canes or reeds,
and crossed the river St. Louis, and when
| was near the opposite side, suffered
my raft to be carried down the stream, till
| came to the conflux of the two rivers.
Here l had the pleasure OF seeing the riv-
ers mix, and of observing how clear the
waters Of the river St. Louis are, before
they receive the muddy streams of the
Missouri. landed here, and travelled
along the north side of the Missouri, for
Il great many days, till, at last, l came to
the nation of the Missouris with them
| stayed a considerable time, not only TO
repose myself after my fatigue, but also
to learn their language, which is spoken
or understood by great many nations.
In this country one scarce sees any thing
but large meads, above days journey,
and covered with large cattle. The Mis-
souris seldom eat any thing but flesh )
they only cultivate as much maize as may
serve for change, and prevent their be-
ing cloyed with beef and game, with which
their country abounds. During the win
ter, which | spent with them, the snow
fell TO the depth of six feet.
GAS soon as the winter was over, re-
sumed my journey along the banks of the
Missouri. and travelled TILL came TO the
nation of the west. There was told.
that it was long journey to the country,
from whence both they and we came that
must yet travel during the space of a
moon a month towards the source of the
Missouri, that then should turn to the
right, and 90 directly north. and at Tho