10 EXPLORATION OF THE COUNTR¥ BETWEEN 
The bottom lands on the Missouri, along the western boundary of 
Towa, as well as the prairie lands on either side, are very fertile. The 
valley of the Big Sioux, above its mouth, forms the continuation in 
direction of that of the Missouri below, and is said to be fertile. The 
Hupan Kutey prairie, lying between this stream and the Vermilion, 
is low and fertile, and is about the last of the continuous fertile country 
as you advance up the Missouri, which here comes from the west 
Above this the bottom lands of the Missouri are sometimes one and two 
would furnish a handsome site for a military post. The same is true 
of the right bank of the Missouri, from White river to the Great 
Bend, at the former situation of old Fort Aux Cedres and Fort Look- 
out. Another éligible site is on the point ten to fifteen miles below 
the Shyenne. It is my opinion that no point above the Vermilion 
could be relied upon for many years to come to raise corn for the sup- 
port of a cavalry post; above this it must be transported. 
me It cannot-easily be fo-ded, and shoals would prevent a boat 
from floating across, except :he be of very light draft and small 
dimensions. I am convinced, however, from what I have seen during 
a season of unparalleléd difficulties to navigation, that, with suitable 
preparation, the Missouri can always be relied upon as a channel to 
convey any necessary amount of supplies. The removal of some of 
the snags and boulders would greatly improve it, but even as it is, 
with a better knowledge of the channel on the part of those navigating 
it, and more suitably constructed boats, this stream would lose much 
_of its terror to them. . 
_  L’Ban qui Court, during floods, throws out large quantities of sand, 
and leaves a bad bar in the Missouri. Another j 
. . ? 
were men to cut it in the autumn, and haul it to good landings in the 
My trip was made in the steamboat Clara, drawing 54 feet of water. 
She had to be lightened at the mouth of Eau qui Court, and again at 
the bar above the mouth of White river, and at the foot of the Great 
Be She was 39 days from St. Louis to Fort Pierre. 
The Clara was so hard to handle when the wind blew strong, that 
she frequently could not be kept in the channel. The requisites of a 
good steamboat for Missouri navigation are, a strong bottom, a boiler 
that burns the minimum amount of wood, as little as possible of top — 
The crossing of the Missouri at low water is very difficult by any 4 
ans.® 
