67 [ 237 ] 



bands, on the St. Francis river, near the Jssantis, named TiiUonivatis, or 

 " village of the prairies," but which must not be mistaken for the Titon- 

 wans cited above, the name of which means " village of the large lodge, 

 or large habitation." 



We find still some confusion on the maps as regards the name of M'msi- 

 sagaigon-ing. Some have it laid down as M'llle Lacs ; others as Spirit 

 lake ; and on others, again, it appears as two lakes, with (separately) both 

 names. The ambiguity arises from the fact that the same lake has been 

 named by two nations. The one v/hich I have adopted is from the Chip- 

 peways ; that by which it is known to the Sioux is Miniionkan — meaning, 

 literally, water spirit ; but, in this case, intended to signify ardent spirits. 

 The river that issues from this lake has been named Rum river by the 

 traders; which appellation the Chippeways have translated into Ishkode- 

 wabo, or ardent spirits ; and the Sioax into Mdote-miniwakan^ or outlet 

 of the ardent spirits. 



As coming events will most probably render it necessary for the United 

 States to establish, on the Upper Mississippi, a military post more distant 

 than that of the present Fort Snelling, I might, perhaps, suggest the mouth 

 of the Wabezi, or Swan river, where Major Pike had his encampment, 

 as an eligible strategic position. By placing the post on the right bank 

 of the Mississippi, it would command this great river, and overlook the 

 portages that are in the rear, by which marauders coming from the north 

 might make incursions upon the St. Peter's. The mouth of Kagi-ivig wan, 

 or "Crow-wing river, might also be used ; but as it is necessary to occupy 

 the right bank of the Mississippi, (which cannot be the case if the Crow- 

 wing be selected,) this circumstance, added to others, deprives this place of 

 its military importat^ce. 



When 1 arrived at the St. Peter's, on my return from the sources of the 

 Mississippi, there came on a spell of cold weather, which threatened to ice- 

 bind both rivers. It seemed that the winter was about to set in, in earnest, 

 and I had made up my mind to remain in the country. Accordingly, I 

 gladly took advantage of M^jor Taliaferro's offer of a room in the small 

 building used by him as an office, located near his dwelling, and a quarter 

 of a mile from Fort Snelling. We were then only in the beginning of 

 October, and the Indian summer (which is beautiful in the valley of the 

 Mississippi) soon brought around several weeks of mild weather, that re- 

 opened the navigation. It was not until the 10th of November that it be- 

 came entirely impeded by ice, 1 might have escaped from this enchanted 

 spot ; but felt myself so much at home, that I occupied myself in the study 

 of the Chippeway and Sioux languages. As these two nations were on 

 peaceable terms, St. Peter's, the headquarters of the Sioux, became a gen- 

 eral rendezvous lor both, when I had the most favorable opportunities of 

 continuing my observations on the customs of the Indians, assisting at all 

 their medicine dances, and their winter and spring ceremonies. I enjoyed, 

 besides, all the pleasures arising from the friendly intercourse with the offi- 

 cers of the fort, and the families in the neighborhood. And although, at 

 one spell through the winter, the thermometer fell as low as 10^ and 20° 

 below zero, and once as low as 30°, my time was, nevertheless, thanks to 

 my good quarters, most agreeably spent. 



St. Peter's is, in my opinion, the finest site on the Mississippi river ; 

 the natural beauties of its environs adding to its importance and grandeur. 

 Upon reaching this place, the traveller is already premonished of the mag- 



