57 



auspices were projected, and to his liberal 

 views are to be ascribed, the various expe- 

 ditions which we now propose to notice. 



The travels of Heniiepin, Hearne, M'Ken- 

 sie, and more recently those of Lewis and 

 Clarke, and Pike, had thrown much light on 

 the history of the Indian tribes, their man- 

 ners, customs, and religion ; and some pro- 

 gress had been made in determining geo- 

 graphical outlines and boundaries. The 

 natural productions, antiquities, &c. had 

 been almost entirely neglected, and it was 

 to supply this deficiency that an Expedition 

 through the JYorth Western regions of the United 

 States was proposed by Governor Cass, and 

 warmly seconded and patronized by the 

 Secretary of War. A Mineralogist (Mr. 

 Schoolcraft) was attached to the party. 

 Leaving Detroit, the party coasted in ca- 

 noes along the southern shores of Lakes 

 Huron and Superior, ascended the St. Louis, 

 and by a short portage of six miles entered 

 into Sandy Lake. This is one of the many 

 tributaries of the Mississippi, from which it 

 is but two miles distant. The party then 

 ascended the Mississippi to Cassina Lake, 

 which terminated their journey in that di- 



H 



