294 



REMARKS INTRODUCTORY TO THE 



cure supplies, which can always be had at La Pointe, sufficient for the remainder of 

 the season. 



In pursuance of this plan, we ascended the Mississippi to Sandy Lake, and crossed, 

 by way of the West and East Savannah Rivers, to St. Louis River, which wc 

 descended to Fond du Lac Village. At this place, Colonel Whittlesey remained 

 for the purpose of making astronomical observations, while I proceeded to examine 

 the geology of Left-hand and Black Rivers. I then returned to Fond du Lac, and, 

 with Colonel Whittlesey and Mr. R. B. Carlton, descended the Lake, along the 

 north shore, as far as Two Island River. Between that point and " Fond du Lac 

 Superieure," as full a reconnoissance was made among the trap and metamorphic 

 rocks, and for as great a distance from the Lake shore, as my instructions required, 

 and the time allowed me permitted. 



On our return to St. Louis River, we were joined by Mr. Basil H. Beaulieu, in 

 the capacity of assistant and interpreter. After making arrangements with Colonel 

 Whittlesey for the exploration of Aminekan and Poplar Rivers, I started to La 

 Pointe, on the 31st of July. At that place, I obtained provisions sufficient to last 

 the corps for three months, and then returned to Fond du Lac Village, where I was 

 rejoined by Colonel Whittlesey ; and on the 12th of August, we began to ascend 

 St. Louis River. This stream was followed up to the mouth of Upper Embarras 

 River, where we left it, and ascended the last-named stream to a point where the 

 Indian trail, which crosses the highlands separating the waters of Hudson's Bay 

 from those of Lake Superior, strikes it. By this trail, which is six miles in length, 

 we reached the head-waters of Vermilion River, and descended that stream, through 

 Vermilion Lake to Rainy Lake. Thence, we descended Rainy Lake River as far 

 as the mouth of Big Fork River, the largest tributary of that stream. 



We began to ascend the Big Fork, on our way south, on the 10th of September. 

 Two days' journey from the mouth, Opimabonowin River, which heads in the 

 direction of Red Lake, comes in from the west. It had been our intention to 

 reach one of the northern tributaries of Red Lake, by ascending Opimabonowin 

 River to a portage path used by the Red Lake Indians in their journeys to Rainy 

 Lake and Lake of the Woods. At its mouth, however, we met an Indian who had 

 j ust descended it, and the information derived from him satisfied me that, with our 

 large canoes, the route was an impracticable one. It was determined, therefore, 

 to continue up the Big Fork to one of its sources, and then reach Lake Winibe- 

 goshish by one of the northern tributaries of the Mississippi. 



On the 19th of September we arrived at Lake Winibegoshish. Leaving one of 

 the canoes at the Trading-House, in charge of a disabled voyageur, we proceeded 

 by way of Cass Lake, Turtle River, and the chain of lakes described by Beltrami, 

 to Red Lake. 



From Red Lake we returned by the same route to Lake Winibegoshish ; and 

 thence descended the Mississippi to the mouth of Mud River. From that point I 

 sent one of the canoes, with all the collections and most of our baggage, down the 

 Mississippi, in charge of Mr. Beaulieu, with instructions to wait for me at the 

 mouth of Rum River ; while I, accompanied by Colonel Whittlesey, left the Missis- 

 sippi, for the purpose of examining the Mille Lacs country. 



