PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTS. 31 



I request tliat you will communicate to me, as early as convenient, 

 your determination upon tins subject, as it will be necessary to 

 prepare a canoe during tlie winter, to be ready to enter upon the 

 tour as soon as tlie navigation of the Lakes is open, should you 

 think proper to approve the plan. 



Very respectfully, &c. 



LEWIS CASS. 

 Hon. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of ^Yar. 



IL 



Department of AVae, January 14, 1820. 



Sir : I have received your letters of the 18th and 21st November 

 last. The exploring tour you propose has the sanction of the 

 Government, provided the expenditure can be made out of the 

 sum allotted your superintendency for Indian affairs, adding thereto 

 one thousand dollars for that special purpose. 



The objects of this expedition are comprised under the five 

 heads stated in your letter of the 18th of November, and which 

 you will consider — with the exception of that part which relates to 

 holding Indian treaties, upon which you will be fully instructed 

 hereafter — as forming part of the instructions which may be given 

 you by this Department. 



Should your reconnoissance extend to the western extremity of 

 Lake Superior, you will ascertain the practicability of a commu- 

 nication between the Bad, or Burntwood Eiver, which empties 

 into the Lake, and the Copper, or St, Croix, which empties into 

 the Mississippi, and the facility they present for a communication 

 with our posts on the St. Peter's. 



The Montreal rivers will also claim your attention, with a view 

 of establishing, through them, a communication between Green 

 Bay and the west end of Lake Superior. 



To aid you in the accomplishment of these important objects, 

 some of&cers of Topographical Engineers will be ordered to join 

 you. Perhaps Major Long, now here, will be directed to take 

 that route to join the expedition which he commands up the 

 Missouri. In that event, a person acquainted with zoology and 

 botany will be selected to accompany him. Feeling, as I do, great 

 interest in obtaining a correct topograpical, geographical, and 

 military survey of our country, every encouragement, consistent 



