New-York tribune., 1867-10-02
THE MORTALITY IN NEW -OELEANs.
SEw-YoEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The regular monthly meetings OF this society
resumed last evening large and Intelligent audi
tory assembled 10 listen 10 the reading Of
paper on the Explorations OF the Sources OF the Red
river by Col James r. McDe The speaker said there
rot less than I'VE considerable streams III North
America each Of which bore the name Of Red River None
these less than 500 miles In length How many
smaller streams bear that same tc, IT is Impossible o
determine The one 10 when ne wished 10
having its origin in the Cordleras OF NewMeXico ana
flowing into the Mississippi IT isa curious crcnlnstce
in the heart OF North America has been known Ia
Europeans than three centuries II j. only within
few wears that It's true source has been definitely known
The first absolute attempt to determine this point was
scientific expedition was fitted out by the French author
Ities of louisiana and sent with INSTRUCTIONS 10 Oo" UP
the cr,e of the river 10 its source What utterly m
adequate idea tho projectors Of that expedition had oi
the task which they proposed shown by le iaci thht
ms evnedit;on was gupplied with stores for trip Of
800 or, at most miles In length. The length OF
the Red River. shown by subsequent cAPtora-
tons isfrom its mouth to thfresen town oi fresOn IN
Texas COO miles and from Thence Ia the confluence of
It's chief branch $50 miles or 2,loO miles Tor Inc mann
stream. THIS expedition, after experiencing various
hndrances being opposed by hostile Indians and per
picked by the ntncaces Of the great raft beyond which
fhey finally penetrated with difficulty, at last
peed to abandon object their search and retaru 10
The settlements Another expedition, sem out 10 edch
the head waters OF the river 10y overland Journey from
the Nj ssour st0ok the stream OF the Northern Red
Canadian River the of which they were ~ search
and followed II 10 its Junction with the Arkansas.
Soon after this last the ownership OF the territory
of Louisiana passed INTO the hands OF the United states
The lecturer gave highly interesting sketch OF some
curious attending the cesson OF tins terri
tory by France shortly after our Government Ma
somewhat unexpecfedy obtained control OF an almost
UNLIMITED almost totally unexpored territory, II set
about endeay ayOring TO become acquainted win s new
possession Expeditions were dispatched 10 explore ~,
VARIOUS directions Among others, party WAS sent with
directions to follow the course of the Red kver to the
mountains. hut meantime, the Spanish authorizes IN
Mexico had become alarmed al the intelligence OF these
various movements, aud they dispatched an armed
force which compelled this party TO return.
Al the SANE time an overland movement had been
planned from the headwaters Of the Missouri to reach
the head ~ the Red River, and follow NE course
10 its mouth. This expedition, conmanded ny Lcut.
Pike after enduring almost incredible hardsps, were
also met by the Spaniads aud forced TO abandon their
purpose In 1919 Major Long started with party in a
small steamer Pittsburgh proceeded Ia the Upper
Missouri, aud thence overland until he reached ~ he
supposed. the Upper Red River but after following its
cour for nearly 500 ines e ID 10 he the Northern
Red or Canadian Thus in spite OF all the efforts that
were made, extending through nearyn hundred years
Tic source VI To IeQ E.ygr gs.ns.aod ycsy. Al es