264 ST LOUIS. 



nor skilful to erect such works, from which some people argue 

 the antiquities belonged to a different race, which preceded 

 the Indians. It is of no consequence to the existing portion 

 of the human race by what beings these remains were erected ; 

 and the grounds for believing the Indians to have decreased 

 in numbers, and retrograded in civilisation, are much stronger 

 than those for conjecturing them to have been preceded by a 

 distinct and more skilful people. 



St Louis stands on the west bank of the Mississippi, 1200 

 miles above its junction with the sea, 200 above the conflu 

 ence of the river Ohio, and 18 miles below that of the Mis 

 souri. Its situation is sufficiently elevated above the river, 

 the banks of which are limestone. There is a row of stores 

 fronting the river, built of stone, and the town consists chiefly 

 of two streets of brick-houses, running parallel to the river, 

 the outskirts being mean wooden houses. This is a place of 

 extensive trade, being the chief depot of lead, which is fur 

 nished in vast quantities by the states of Illinois and Missouri. 

 Grist-mills and other machinery are propelled by steam. I 

 counted sixteen steam-boats on the river, exclusive of one plying 

 as a ferry-boat. 



The city was founded by the French in 1764, and about one- 

 third of the inhabitants are their descendants. The American 

 population now preponderates, but there are numbers of all 

 nations, including many Spaniards. It is the chief place of 

 wealth and trade on the Mississippi, with exception of New 

 Orleans, and may justly be considered the metropolis of the 

 valley of the Mississippi. 



I visited the market night and morning, which was abun 

 dantly supplied with every necessary, brought forward by 

 farmers from all parts of the country, and not retailed by 

 stall-keepers. Many well-dressed white ladies, and blacks of 

 both sexes, carried baskets over their arms, and were making 

 purchases, but I did not observe a white gentleman. Here I 

 first saw the egg-plant. For hen eggs 9Jd. a-dozen, and for 

 skinned squirrels l^d. each, sterling money, was asked. 



