m 
VIEWS OF LOUISIANA, 
ing to the same standard. Game of all kinds is brought in by 
the neighbouring Indians, or the poorer inhabitants, and sold for 
a mere trifle; as venison, turkeys, geese, ducks, swans, prairie, 
liens, See. Upon the whole, provisions are no higher than in the 
towns of the Ohio. 
The manners of the inhabitants are not different from those 
in other villages; we distinctly see the character of the ancient 
inhabitants, and of the new residents, and a compound of both. 
St. Jhouis, however, was always a place of more refinement and 
fashion, it i§ the residence of many genteel families, both French 
and American. 
A few American mechanics, who have settled here, within a 
short time, are great acquisitions to the place; and there is still 
ample room for workmen of all kinds. There is a French school 
and an English one, 
St. Louis, will probably become one of those great reservoirs 
of the valley between the Rocky mountains and the Alleghany, 
from whence merchandise will be distributed to an extensive- 
country. It unites the advantages of the three noble rivers, Mis¬ 
sissippi, Illinois and Missouri. When their banks shall become 
the residence of millions, when flourishing towns shall arise, can 
we suppose that every vender of merchandise, will look to New 
Orleans for a supply, or to the Atlantic cities ? There must be 
a place of distribution, somewhere between the mouth of the 
Ohio and the Missouri. Besides a trade to the northern parts of 
New Spain will be opened, and a direct communication to the 
East Indies, by way of the Missouri, may be more than dreamt; 
in this, St. Louis will become the Memphis of the American 
Nile, 
ST. GENEVIEVE, 
Is next in consequence to St. Louis. It is at present the prin¬ 
cipal deposit of the lead, of Mine la ^lotte, the Mine a Burton, 
New Diggings,the mines on Big river, with several others; and 
is the store-house, from whence those engaged in working the 
mines are supplied with a variety of articles. This town was 
commenced about the year 1774. 
It is situated about one mile from the Mississippi, between 
die two branches of a stream called Gabpurie, on a flat of about 
