198 EXPEDITION TO THE 



fitting out an expedition to ascend the Mississippi two 

 thousand miles, for the sole purpose of collecting green 

 earth on the St. Peter, had they spent the same amount in 

 France, in working the mines that have since been opened 

 there, they would have rendered an essential service to 

 their country and benefited their fortunes. Whereas, by 

 the course which they were led to pursue, they added but 

 little to science, at the same time that they ruined them- 

 selves. ' 



These observations are offered with the more hesitation, 

 as they are not founded on an extensive acquaintance with 

 the localities of native copper, &c. but rather upon a gene- 

 ral, perhaps some may think a hasty and superficial, in- 

 spection of the features and resources of that section of 

 country, which many have considered as destined to be- 

 come the seat of future mining operations on a great scale. 



After remaining twenty-four hours encamped, we re- 

 sumed our voyage, though with the disadvantage of a high 

 sea, and cold and snowy weather; but the wind being fa- 

 vourable we proceeded with facility, coasting along the 

 eastern shore of Michipicotton Bay ; after travelling twenty- 

 seven miles, we reached CapeGargantua which we doubled, 

 and which may be considered as the entrance of the bay. 

 We stopped for a meal at what appeared to be a very safe 

 harbour near to the point. The name of this place is sup- 

 posed to be derived from a high rock, which rises in a'dis- 

 connected manner at the entrance of the harbour. To a 

 fanciful imagination it might appear a Colossus. The spot 

 has in truth a very beautiful and characteristic appearance; 

 the rock, which is an amygdaloid, having but little solidity, 

 appears to be fast wasting away under the destructive in- 

 fluence of the waves, producing a number of picturesque 

 and irregularly shaped masses, projecting to a small height 



