JOURNEYS IN RUPERTS LAND. 99 
III. Mayor 8. H. Lona. 
1823.—It was determined by the American Government to explore St. Peter River, and 
“the country situated on the northern boundary of the United States, between 
the Red River of Hudson’s Bay and Lake Superior.” 
On April 30 a party, under Major Long, with W. H. Keating, geologist and historio- 
grapher, left Philadelphia, passed through the country to Ohio, and thence went 
to Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi. 
On July 6 they arrived at St. Anthony Falls, leaving Lake Travers, which the Indians 
call Otter Tail; on the 26th. This lake is one of the sources of the Mississippi 
and of Red River. On Aug. 8, the flag of the United States was hoisted on 
an oak post at Pembina, on the boundary line, 49° N. On the north side of the 
post were letters, G. B., and on the south, U.S. 
The intention of the explorers had been to follow the boundary to Lake Superior, but 
dense swamps rendered this impossible. 
On the 9th, the expedition left Pembina to descend Red River. They reached Fort 
Douglas, the centre of Selkirk Colony, and site of present city of Winnipeg, on 
the 11th, leaving on the 17th to descend Red River. On the 19th, Red River 
having been left behind, and Lake Winnipeg crossed, the party arrived at the 
mouth of Winnipeg River. On the 25th they gained the head of Winnipeg 
River. They crossed on the 28th the Lake of the Woods and entered the mouth 
. of Rainy River, gaining Fort William, on Lake Superior, by Sept. 13, thus 
making eight hundred and twenty miles in twenty-seven days. The party left 
Sault Ste. Marie, Oct. 3; descended Lakes Huron, St. Clair and Erie; entered Erie 
Canal, and haying reached Albany, proceeded homeward. The expedition 
reached Philadelphia on the 26th, having accomplished this marvellous voyage 
in less than six months. 
(6) Str JoHN FRANKLIN. 
One of the first efforts to explore the country to the north of Rupert’s Land was 
begun by Capt. John Franklin. He was accompanied by Dr. Richardson, surgeon of the 
Royal Navy, and Mr. George Back, both of whom afterwards commanded important 
expeditions. 
1S19.—May 23.—The party embarked in the Hudson’s Bay Company ship “ Prince of 
Wales” at Gravesend. Capt. Franklin, before leaving England, had conferred 
with Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the veteran explorer. | 
Aug. 30.-—“ Prince of Wales” arrived at York Factory. 
1820.—Jan. 17—Having come inland, the party reached Fort Cumberland, on the 
Saskatchewan, 690 miles from York. 
On March 26, Dr. Richardson having remained at Cumberland House, Capt. Franklin 
and Back arrived at Fort Chippewyan, 857 miles from Cumberland. Dr. Richard- 
son overtook the party here on July 13, and on the 18th the party left Fort 
Chippewyan for the Polar Sea. On Oct. 6 the party entered the winter quarters 
they had built, calling them “ Fort Enterprise.” 
