8 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 



The true source of the Mississippi, which forms the third 

 topic of inquiry, was brought into discussion at the same pe- 

 riod. And immediately after the acquisition of Louisiana, the 

 American government sent an officer, with a suitable body of 

 men, to determine it. Lieut. Pike, who was selected for this 

 service (who, nine years afterwards lost his life as a general in 

 the service, at the taking of York) did not, however, set put 

 early enough in the season (1805) to accomplish the object. 

 After the selection and purchase of the site, on which the fort 

 near the Falls of St. Anthony, is now situated, he encountered 

 delays in ascending the rapids characteristic of that part of the 

 Mississippi. Winter overtook him before reaching the junc- 

 tion of the De Corbeau. He prepared for its severities by 

 erecting a block house, for the security of his provisions and 

 men. He then proceeded with a small detachment, on snow 

 shoes to Sandy Lake, and Leech Lake ; two points of central 

 influence, which were then occupied by the North West Fur 

 Company. As the partners of this company consisted of for- 

 eigners, and their operations were continued after the legal 

 transfer of the country to the American government, Lieut. 

 Pike would have been justified in making a seizure of the valu- 

 able furs then in their possession. He did not, however, adopt 

 this course, and exhibited a magnanimity in relation to it, which 

 is in accordance with his subsequent acts of disinterested intre- 

 pidity. He collected the geographical data, which are embodied 

 in his published map and journal, and returned from his wintry 

 station, on the opening of navigation in the spring. 



No further effort was made to explore the sources of the Mis- 

 sissippi, for several years. In 1820, Gov. Cass, then adminis- 

 tering the government of Michigan Territory and exercising 

 jurisdiction over Indian affairs, obtained the sanction of the 

 general government to visit the region. He left Detroit, with 

 a party of thirty-eight men, including the gentlemen composing 

 his suit, during the latter part of May. He was supplied for 



