53 



the great Rapids. Near the village Ouiatan, it is 

 said a silver mine has been discovered, which it 



is apprehended will prove valuable. About forty 

 miles below the village comes in the river Ver- 

 million Jaune. On this river is the residence of 



the much famed Indian Prophet. The town in 

 which he lives is large for an Indian village, and 

 has received the name of the Prophet's town. 

 Much of the land on the Wabash is rich and well 

 timbered, but towards the head .waters there is 

 less timber, and very fertile and extensive prairies. 

 A white and blue clay of an excellent quality is 



' said to abound on this river. There are many 

 salt springs, and plenty of lime and free stone. 



Saint Vincennes is a handsome town, about an 

 hundred miles from the mouth of the river, situ- 

 ated on the east bank, upon a beautiful,, level, 

 and rich spot of ground. It is the largest town 

 in the Territory, and is made the seat of govern- 

 ment. This was an ancient French fortress, called 

 Post Saint Vincennes. Since the American rev- 

 olution the town has been repaired and enlarged, 

 and is now a very thriving place, but the inhabi- 

 tants still are mostly French. There are more 

 than an hundred houses, some of which are built 

 of free stone, in a handsome style, a considerable 

 number of merchantile stores, a post office and 

 printing office. Here, a profitable trade is carried 

 on in furs and peltry. The situation is healthy, 

 the winters mild, and the rich and highly culti- 

 vated lands around it are delightful. 



