n 



but covered with tail grass, and continue, with 

 little interruption, Far towards the borders of New 

 Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains. 



Fifteen miles below the mouth of the Missouri, 

 is Saint Louis, delightfully situated on elevated 

 ground, upon the bank of the Mississippi. It is 

 considered to be the most healthy and pleasant 

 situation known in this part of the country. The 

 settlement of this village was began by a few 

 French people, who came over from the east side 

 of the river, about the year 1765. It became the 

 residence of the Spanish Commandant, and of 

 the principal Indian traders. ' The trade of the 

 Indians on the Missouri, part of the Mississippi, 

 and Illinois, was chiefly drawn to this village. 

 Before the purchase of Louisiana by the United 

 States, it contained one hundred and twenty 

 houses, mostly built of stone, but large and com- 

 modious dwellings. It contained about eight 

 hundred inhabitants, who were mostly French. 

 Since this purchase was made, numbers have em- 

 igrated to this village from different parts of the 

 UVited States. There are now more than two 

 hundred houses, a post office, and a printing office, 

 issuing a Weekly Gazette. There are many 

 mercantile stores, and a flourishing trade in furs 

 and peltry. It is made the seat of territorial gov- 

 ernment for Upper Louisiana. 



Saint Genevieve, or Missire is sixty-four miles 

 lower down, on the bank of the Mississippi, and . 

 nearly opposite the village of Kaskaskia. It is a 



