36 THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY: 
neers who have, for our benefit, planted the seeds of a better 
civilization in this magnificent valley. I have brought down 
my historic sketch within the memory of living men, and 
there leave it for other and abler hands to complete. The 
forms of those lately passed and now passing away, are too | 
palpable —they touch too nearly the clashing interests of 
to-day; they need the softening hand of Time to develop 
the permanent value of their works.— 7’hey, and we, must 
wait. 
