154 JOHN C. FREMONT. 



ries of the Upper Mississippi, under the guidance 

 of M. Nicollet, a French savan of ability and dis- 

 tinction. 



The years of 1838 and 1839 were employed by 

 Fremont in the active duties of his appointment. 

 He explored the greater part of the vast region 

 lying between the Missouri and the upper rivers. 

 After his return, a year was occupied in preparing 

 for publication the abundant materials which his 

 extended and acute observation had placed at his 

 command. A labored narrative, accompanied with 

 maps and illustrations, was completed, to the accu- 

 racy and value of which Fremont's labors contri- 

 buted no insignificant share. In 1841, he received 

 an order from Government to make a thorough 

 examination of the river Des Moines, in Iowa, on the 

 banks of which the Fox and Sac Indians still re- 

 tained their simple and primeval abodes. He suc- 

 cessfully performed his task ; and immediately on 

 his return to Washington he married the daughter 

 of Senator Benton, of Missouri, to whom he had 

 been for some time engaged. The ardent and 

 youthful lovers thus united their destinies, in spite 

 of the most strenuous opposition of the parents of 

 the beautiful and determined bride. 



A few months only were appropriated by the 

 happy pair to the enjoyment of hymeneal bliss ; for 



