GEOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR. 229 
and a half feet in depth, in a winding course of seventy-five (75) miles to its origin in Leaf 
lake, from which, to Otter Tail lake, the source of Red river, is less than two miles. Above 
the mouth of Crow Wing river the course of the Mississippi is straighter, and changes sud- 
denly toa NE. and SW. course. For 75 miles only one rapid is met with, and here is the 
outlet of Sandy lake emptying from the east, from which to the navigable part of the St. Louis 
river which empties into Lake Superior at Fond du Lac is but 30 miles in a direct line. 
A number of small rapids occur above this lake, but it is believed that navigation can be 
made by steamboats for at least 35 miles further, to Pakegon Falls, about 200 miles by the 
numerous windings of the stream from its source in Itasca lake. 
On the west side the principal branch to the north is the Crow Wing, through which there 
is the best connexion with Red river. South of this occur the smaller streams called Karishon 
or Crow river and the Sauk, each navigable for considerable distances. The distance between 
the navigable waters of the Mississippi and the Red River of the North—I am now referring 
to the upper branches of the Mississippi, those above St. Paul—is but one or two miles; and 
the whole country, in that general region, has great facilities for canoe communication. 
Numerous lakes and streams are found upon its surface, many of which discharge, during high 
water, in both directions, so that the early voyageurs found no difficulty in moving on many 
lines in their light canoes, with comparatively inconsiderable portages. 
Many of the branches are navigable at present for a considerable distance, thus affording 
excellent access to the fine timber which abounds in this region. 
From the eastern side the principal branches are: the Rum, or Iskodewabo, and the St. 
Croix rivers; the latter, emptying fifteen miles below St. Paul, is continuously navigable for 
sixty miles towards the northeast, when its falls occur. Above these it is probably navigable 
for small steamers for seventy-five or eighty miles, or within sixty miles of Lake Superior. 
Near St. Paul the Mississippi receives the waters of the Minnesota, which have their source 
near those of the southern branch of the Red River of the North. Big Stone lake, the source 
of the Minnesota, is only three miles from Lake Traverse, the source of the Bois de Sioux, 
tributary of Red river. Then, about latitude 45° 10’, its course suddenly changes at a right 
angle, and for the remainder of its course from its origin several falls and rapids occur. The 
Minnesota is now navigable by steamers to three hundred miles from its mouth; and it is 
believed that its upper portions can be so improved that, by a through-cut from Big Stone lake 
to Lake Traverse, there may be continuous navigation from the waters of the Mississippi to the 
Red River of the North, and thence to Lake Winnipeg. North of our boundary the existing ' 
communication from Fort William to Lake Winnipeg is one essentially by water; but the gov- 
ernmental party which made the examination last year, and which are now continuing their 
exploration in that country, recommend, in their official report, the establishing a communica- 
tion between Fort William, on Lake Superior, and Fort Garry, on the Red river, partly by a 
wagon road and partly on the waters of the line referred to; which, in their estimation, will 
cost some $200,000. This view will show how extraordinarily well supplied with available 
streams and waters of communication is the country between the great lakes and the upper 
Mississippi, and thence to the waters of the Red River of the North. The State of Minnesota, 
in soil, salubrity of climate, and ability to support population, is not surpassed by any other 
portion of the North American continent. Its water advantages, in enabling its people to carry 
everything to market, are extraordinary. Its people are enterprising, and have taken up in 
good earnest the moving westward of the great lines of railroads which have not yet reached 
