286 APPENDIX. 



in his journal his supposed rate of travelling. This, whenever it 

 is possible, should be checked by the distance as estimated by 

 traders and travellers. By a comparison of these data, and by a 

 little experience, he would soon be enabled to ascertain with 

 sufficient precision, the length of each course, and to furnish 

 materials for combination, which would eventually exhibit a per- 

 fect view of the country. I do not know any additional expense 

 which it would be necessary to encounter. An ordinary compass 

 is not worth taking into consideration. A necessary supply of 

 provisions, a small quantity of powder, lead, and tobacco, to pre- 

 sent occasionally to the Indians, and a little medicine, are all the 

 articles which would require particular attention. Officers 

 employed upon such services should be directed to observe the 

 natural appearances of the country; its soil, timber, and produc- 

 tions ; its general face and character ; the height, direction, and 

 composition of its hills ; the number, size, rapidity, &c., of its 

 streams; its geological structure and mineralogical products; and 

 any facts which may enable the public to appreciate its import- 

 ance in the scale of territorial acquisitions, or which may serve 

 to enlarge the sphere of national science. 



It is not to be expected that officers detached upon the duties 

 can enter into the detail of such subjects in a manner which their 

 importance would render desirable. But the most superficial 

 observer may add something to the general stock ; and to point 

 their inquiries to specific objects, may be the means of eliciting 

 facts, which in other hands may lead to important results. The 

 most important tributary stream of the Upper Mississippi is the 

 Saint Peter's. The commanding officer at the mouth of that river 

 might be directed to form an expedition for exploring it. 



It is the opinion of Captain Douglass, and it is strongly forti- 

 fied by my personal observation, and by the opinion of others, 

 that Lieut. Talcott, of the Engineers, now at the Council Blufis, 

 would conduct a party upon this duty in a very satisfactory 

 manner. He might ascend the St. Peter's to its source, and from 

 thence cross over to the Red River, and descend the stream to 

 the 49th parallel of latitude, with directions to take the necessary 

 observations upon so important a point.* Thence up that branch 

 of the Red River, interlocking with the nearest water of the 



* This is the origin of Major Long's second expedition. 



