EXPEDITION 



FROM 



PITTSBURGH TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Departure from Pittsburgh— -North-Western slope of the Al- 

 leghany mountains — Rapids of the Ohio. 



Early in April, 1819, the several persons constituting the 

 exploring party had assembled at Pittsburgh. It had been 

 our intention to commence the descent of the Ohio, before the 

 middle of that month; but some unavoidable delays in the 

 completion of the steam boat, and in the preparations neces- 

 sary for a long voyage, prevented our departure until the 

 first of May. On the 31st March the following instructions 

 were issued by the commanding officer, giving an outline of 

 the services to be performed by the party, and assigning 

 to each individual the appropriate duties. 



" Pursuant to orders from the Hon. Secretary of War, 

 Major Long assumes the command of the expedition about 

 to engage in exploring the Mississippi, Missouri, and their 

 navigable tributaries, on board the United States steam boat 

 Western Engineer. 



" The commanding officer will direct the movements and 

 operations of the expedition, both in relation to military and 

 scientific pursuits. A strict observance of all orders, whether 

 written or verbal, emanating from him will be required of all 

 connected with the expedition. The prime object of the ex- 



vol. i. 1 



