134 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST 



south these differences diminish ; and on following the Mis- 

 souri the land is perhaps equal to the best on the Missisippi. 

 The land first described is that portion east of the ridge which 

 divides the waters of the Missisippi from the tributaries of 

 the Missouri. It is about one degree in width between the 

 ridge and the Missisippi, and extending from the Missouri 

 River to the north line of the state, a little less than two de- 

 grees. The four main branches of the Chariton, and the 

 eight or ten of the Grand River, pouring down their streams 

 in nearly parallel courses, from north to south, and in very 

 close contiguity, the whole dozen or fourteen streams being 

 within the range of a degree and a half, or about a hundred 

 miles, forms a peculiar feature in the topography no less than 

 in the hydrographic character and agricultural capacities of 

 this region. It is needless to say that such a country pos- 

 sesses fine farming lands : and beyond the Grand River 

 westerly to the Missouri, particularly the Platte valley, is 

 equal to any other, and presents strong allurements to emi- 

 grants. 



A great difference in the social condition of this portion of 

 the tract exists, in the institution of slavery : and a conse- 

 quent difference is produced in the industrial pursuits, which 

 everywhere distinguishes free from slave labor. This is 

 the only portion touched by our notes where slavery is 



allowed. 



St. Charles' county lies between the Missisippi and the 

 Missouri, extending back fifty miles, and being, in greatest 

 breadth, about twenty. At the point of confluence of the 

 two rivers, is a large tract of low bottom land, extremely 

 fertile, but subject to overflow at the occasional high waters 

 of the river. The upland above is rolling, being in nearly 

 equal parts prairie and timber, watered by Cuivre, Big Creek, 

 McKoy's, Femme Osage, and Dardenne : the land pretty 



