PflSLIMH \KY OBSKRYATlOlffl 1 1 



in relation to it, which evinced, that the traders, who were re- 

 lied on for information, either, had seldom fi d it, or 

 preserved an indefinite recollection of raphical features. 



Such was the state of public information on this point in 1 820. 

 A veil of obscurity was still cast about the actual source of the 

 Mississippi, which th no further attempt to remove for 



ten or eleven vears. In 1880, the writer of these sheets was 

 directed to | into the Chippewa country, north-west of 



Lake Superior, in the execution of duties connected with In- 

 dian affairs. Hut the instructions were received so late in the 

 season, that their execution became impracticable until the next 

 :\ In the mean time, means for more extensive observation 

 were provided, a physician and botanist engaged, and a small 

 detachment of troops, under the command of a subaltern, or- 

 dered to form a port of the expedition. 



This expedition numbering twenty-seven persons, exclusive 

 of guides and Indian auxiliaries, employed on the purtnges, left 

 St. Mary'< at the foot of Lake Superior, late in June 1831. 

 After entering, and coursing around the shores of Lake Supe- 

 rior to Lapointc, it was found, from every representation, that 

 the low state of the water on the Upper Mississippi, would ren- 

 der it difficult, if not impracticable, to reach the bands at its 

 sources, during the drought of summer. Public reasons were, 

 at the same time, urgent for visiting the interior bands, located 

 between the groupe of islands at the head of Lake Superior, 

 and the Mississippi — where a useless and harrassing conflict 

 WSJ kept, up between the Sioux and Chippewa nations. 



The expedition returned eight miles on its track, and entered 

 the mouth of Mushkigo, or Mauvais river of Lake Superior. 

 This stream, which carries down the waters of an extensive 

 slope of highlands, is embarrassed with permanent rafts of flood 

 wood, and with numerous rapids, presenting an arduous ascent. 

 The axe, the canoc-polc, and the carrying-strap, were alternately 

 employed in the ascent, and they were employed under the influ- 

 ence of the midsummer's heat, and the annoyance of the hordes 



