t 237 ] 68 



nificent scenery which he will enjoy in ascending the river through its 

 long, narrow, and deep v.illey. At the confluence of the St. Peter's and 

 the Mississippi, there is an extensive and fertile plateau reaching far to the 

 west, and presenting to the delighted gaze a level country, interrupted 

 by moderate undulations of the surface, and beautified by intervening 

 prairies, tracts of wood-land, and lakes. Fort Snelling is located on the 

 rocky point at this confluence of the two rivers, the sight of which in- 

 spires a sentiment of self-protection in the civilized man thus confronted 

 with the wilderness. Looking to the right of the fort, we behold a con- 

 tinuation of the valley of the Mississippi, whilst to the left begins that 

 of the St. Peter's. The former has a character of sternness, produced 

 by the denuded and abrupt escarpments of its banks, the wear of which 

 forms rude taluses at their bases. The latter is more graceful, having 

 gently sloping borders, divided into natural terraces, covered by a luxu- 

 riant grassy sward. Three miles from Fort Snelling, and 'on the right 

 bank of the Mississippi, there is a very pretty cascade. Four miles fur- 

 ther, we reach the celebrated Falls of St. Anthony, which, examined in 

 detail, with the noisy boiling of its waters, rebounding in jets from the 

 accumulated debris at its foot, its ascending vapors, and the long and 

 verdant island that separates the two portions of the falls, with the soli- 

 tary rocky island that stands in front, altogether form a grand and imposing 

 spectacle. 



From St. Anthony's Falls may be visited the Lake of the Isles, Lake 

 Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and other lakes. Then, crossing the St. Peter's 

 near its mouth, the traveller ascends the Pilot Knob, from the summit of 

 which he enjoys a magnificent view, embracing the whole surrounding 

 horizon; and if he will conclude his excursion by going to two natural 

 grottoes in the vicinity, should his journey have commenced under the 

 auspices of a bright rising sun, he may flatter himself that it has been most 

 actively and pleasurably performed. 



The name of St. Peters, (the St. Pierre of the French,) it appears, has 

 been immemorially given to the spot or landing at the mouth of the 

 river St. Peter's ; but whence the name is not known. Father Hennepin, 

 who was the first to visit the Falls of St. Anthony, in 1680, makes no 

 mention of this river; but his book is written very confitsedly, and, as he 

 gives no details of his route, perhaps had no occasion to visit it, and was 

 also molested by the Sioux, the omission is explicable. On the other hand, 

 Lesueur, in the journal of his third journey, in 1700, names the St. Pe- 

 ter's as familiarly known and acknowledged by traders. As for my part, 

 I have no hesitation in assigning its origin to a Canadian by the name 

 of De St. Pierre, who resided for a long time thereabouts. Carver, in. 

 referring to the supposed fortifications which he visited below Lake 

 Pepin, nientions a Mr. De St. Pierre; but this- was sixty-four years after 

 the travels of Lesueur. However, waiving any further inquiry into the 

 origin of this name, it is desirable that it should not be changed, because 

 it is an important link in the hibtory of the geographical discoveries made 

 in this region, as well as a constant point of reference by travellers over it ; 

 so that any change would throw additional obscurity upon the early his- 

 tory of the country. 



The name which the Sioux give to the St. Peter's river is Mini sotah; 

 and to St. Peters as a station, Mdote mini sotah. The adjective solafi 

 is of difl^cult translation. The Canadians translate it by a pretty equiva- 



