10 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 



On reaching the Peckagama summit, the channel of the Mis- 

 sissippi was found to flow more directly from the west, with a 

 comparatively sluggish current. But the most distinctive trait 

 of this part of the river was found to consist of a series of ex^ 

 tensive savannahs, through which the river displays itself in the 

 most elaborate windings. The junction of the Leech Lake 

 branch takes place at this plateau, at the computed distance of 

 fifty-five miles above the falls. After passing this point, the 

 course of the river is again, generally, from the north-west, 

 about forty-five miles to Lake Winnipec, a handsome body of 

 clear water, estimated to be ten miles broad. The course of the 

 ascent is then west, for about fifty miles, at which distance the 

 river is found expanded into a more considerable lake, present- 

 ing an area of limpid water of, perhaps, 120 square miles. This 

 sheet, which has subsequently been found to be the largest ex- 

 pansion of the Mississippi, is since denominated Cass Lake. It 

 was the highest point reached. The party entered it on the 

 21st of July. The question of pursuing the stream further, was 

 then submitted by Gov. Cass, to the gentlemen composing his 

 party. Anxious as all were to see the actual source of so cele- 

 brated a stream, their wishes were controlled by circumstances. 

 Inconveniences had been felt from leaving the supplies at so 

 considerable a distance below, and as the waters were found to 

 be low, and the preparations inadequate for a journey of inde- 

 finite extent, a decisive opinion was expressed in favor of a 

 return from this point. This decision was immediately carried 

 into effect. 



From the best information that could be obtained, the Missis- 

 sippi was represented to have its origin in a lake called La Biche, 

 supposed to be sixty miles distant, in a north-west direction. Up- 

 on this estimate, the length of the river was computed to be 3038 

 miles, and by a series of approximate estimates, its altitude pla- 

 ced at 1330 feet above the Atlantic. Numerous rapids and 

 lakes were, however, stated to exist in this remote part of 

 the stream, and a degree of vagueness and uncertainty exhibited 



