80 ADDRESS. 



to be the principal streams heading opposite to the waters of 

 the Missouri, and running southwardly. Whether the dividing 

 grounds, between the Missouri and them, are mountains or flat 

 lands, what are their distance from the Missouri, the character of 

 the intermediate country, and the people inhabiting it, are worthy 

 of particular inquiry. The northern waters of the Missouri are 

 less to be inquired after, because they have been ascertained to a 

 considerable degree, and are still in a course of ascertainment by 

 English traders and travellers ,' but if you can learn any thing 

 certain of the most northern source of the Mississippi, and of its 

 position relatively to the Lake of the Woods, it will be interesting 

 to us. Some account too, of the path of the Canadian traders from 

 the Mississippi, at the mouth of the Ouisconsin to where it strikes 

 the Missouri, and of the soil and rivers in its course, is desirable. 

 "In all your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the 

 most friendly and conciliatory manner which their own conduct 

 will admit; allay all jealousies as to the object of your journey; 

 satisfy them of its innocence ; make them acquainted with the 

 position, extent, character, peaceable and commercial dispositions 

 of the United States ; of our wish to be neighbourly, friendly, and 

 useful to them, and of our disposition to a commercial intercourse 

 with them ; confer with them on the points most convenient as 

 mutual emporiums, and the articles of most desirable interchange 

 for them and us. If a few of their influential chiefs, within prac- 

 ticable distance, wish to visit us, arrange such a visit with them, 

 and furnish them with authority to call on our officers on their en- 

 tering the United States, to have them conveyed to this place at 

 the public expense. If any of them should wish to have some 

 of their young people brought up with us, and taught such arts 

 as may be useful to them, we will receive, instruct, and take care 

 of them. Such a mission, whether of influential chiefs, or of 

 young people, would give some security to your own party. 

 Carry with you some matter of the kinepox ; inform those of 



