36 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST. 



six feet. It consists of several chains of ledges, to each of 

 which the navigators of the river have given distinct names. 

 The depth of water in some places, at the lowest stages, 

 does not exceed three feet. The current is so rapid at one 

 point near the head of Rock Island, and at one or two other 

 points, that a boat, in ascending, cannot be perceived to make 

 any progress. 



The Des Moines Rapids begin at three or four miles above 

 the mouth of Des Moines River, and extend upward about 

 eleven miles. The whole fall is about twenty-two feet. 

 The descent is more regular, and consequently the current 

 more uniform than on the Upper Rapids. Boats of moderate 

 burden pass over both of these rapids at all stages ; and at 

 some times the river may be passed by any boats to St. An- 

 thony's Falls. The national government have long had it in 

 contemplation to improve the navigation over these rapids ; 

 but it can never be done properly, until the system of log- 

 rolling is laid aside, and the sectional jealousy that withholds 

 the needful appropriation, doling out a scanty modicum at a 

 time, and riding upon it a hundred other appropriations for 

 as many different objects. 



The Upper Rapids may be improved at a very trifling cost, 

 by letting in Rock River through the Marais D'Osier, or 

 Willow Swamp (sometimes called Marais D'Ogee, and 

 Meredosia), which extends from that river to the Missisippi, 

 and through which, at high stages, the waters of the two 

 rivers actually mingle ; or, by bringing the same stream upon 

 the Missisippi about ten miles above its present embouchure, 

 over an intervening low and level tract of only tliree miles in 

 width. 



From Gen. Victor Collot, former Governor of Gaudeloupe, 

 who travelled in the United States in 1793, the following 

 description of this river is taken : 



