Rocky Mountains. 89 



In 1816 thirty families only of whites, were settled on the 

 left side of the Missouri, above Cote Sans Dessein. In three 

 years, their numbers had increased to more than eight hun- 

 dred families. 



The Missouri bottoms about Franklin are wide, and have 

 the same prolific, and inexhaustible soil as those below. 

 The labor of one slave is here reckoned sufficient, for the cul- 

 ture of twenty acres of Indian corn, and produces ordinari- 

 ly about sixty bushels per acre, at a single crop. In the 

 most fertile parts of Kentucky, fifteen acres of corn are 

 thought to require the labour of one slave, and the crop be- 

 ing less abundant, we may reckon the products of agricul- 

 ture there, at about one third part less than in the best lands 

 on the Missouri. Franklin is the seat of justice for How- 

 ard county. It stands on a low and recent alluvial plain, 

 and has behind it, a small stagnant creek. The bed of the 

 river near the shore, has been heretofore obstructed by sand 

 bars, which prevented large boats from approaching the town; 

 whether this evil will increase or diminish, it is not possible 

 to determine, such is the want of stability, in every thing 

 belonging to the channel of the Missouri. It is even doubt- 

 ful, whether the present site of Franklin, will not at some fu- 

 ture day be occupied by the river, which appears to be at 

 this time encroaching on its bank. Similar changes have 

 happened in the short period, since the establishment of the 

 first settlements on the Missouri. The site of St. Anthony, 

 a town which existed about thirteen years since, near Bon- 

 homme, is now occupied by the channel of the river. Op- 

 posite Franklin is Boonsville, containing at the time of our 

 visit eight houses, but having in some respects a more ad- 

 vantageous situation, and probably destined to rival, if not 

 surpass its neighbour. 



Numerous brine springs are found in the country about 

 Franklin. Boon's Lick, four miles distant, was the earliest 

 settlement in this vicinity, and for some time gave name to 



VOL. 1. 12 



