1307. 
they feem to enlarge every year, in con- 
fequence of the fires which overrun them 
in autumn. Theletires are kindled either 
by the Indians or the white hunters, 
fometimes by accident, and at a seek 
for the purpofe of favouring their hunt- 
ing. 
‘The water of the Miffouri is turbid, 
and depofits afediment of very fine fand, 
which readily falls to the bottom. This 
admixture, which renders it unpleafant 
to the fight, diminithes not in the leaft 
its wholefomenefs. Experience has prov- 
ed it to be more falubrious than that of 
the Ohio and the Upper Miffiffippi. 
The rivers and ttreams that empty 
into the Miffouri below the Platte, are 
clear and limpid; but above that river 
they are as turbid as the Miffouri itfelf. 
This muddinels is caufed by the fandy 
banks or hills of white earth through or 
down which they run. The bed of the 
Miffouri is interrupted by fhoals, fome- 
times of fand, and fometimes of gravel, 
which frequently change place, and con- 
fequently always render the navigation 
uncertain. Its general courfe is north, a 
quarter north-welt. 
To give a precife idea of the incalcu- 
lable riches feattered along the fides of 
the Miffourt, would reguire unlimited 
knowledge. The low bottoms are co- 
vered with huge trees, efpecially the 
poplar and cotton trees, large enough for 
firft-rate canoes; the fugar-maple; the 
red and black walnut, fo ufeful to join- 
ers; the red and white elin; the three- 
thorned acacia, of which impenetrable 
hedges may be made; the ofer ; the red 
and black mulberry ; the lime-tree,- and 
the horfe-chefnut: all of which are very 
plentiful. Red and white oak, ft for 
velfels, and all other forts ot timber, pine, 
and (on the ftony mountains) cedar, are 
common productions. 
I find it impotlble to enumerate all 
the trees which are yet unknown in other 
countries, and with whofe ules and qua- 
lities we are as yet unacquainted. ‘The 
fmaller plants are {till more numerous : 
J, however, touch that article fuperfi- 
cially, for want.of fuficient botanical in- 
formation. The Indians know the vir- 
tues of many of them. Some are ufed 
to heal wounds, others to poifon arrows ; 
fome again for dyeing colours; and they 
einploy certain vegetable fimples to cure 
radically and promptly the venereal dif- 
eale. They conceal from us, with great 
gare, a plant which renders them for 
fome moments infenfible of the moft ve- 
iron, lead, and coal; 
Back Settlements in North America. 195 
hement fire. I have feen them take hold 
of red-hot irons and burning coals, with- 
out iuffering any inconvenience. 
The lands in the neighbourhood of the 
Miffouri are excellent; and, when cul- 
tivated, are capable of yielding all the 
productions of the temperate climates, 
and even fome, of the hot ones: fuch as 
wheat, maize, and every kind of grain: 
common and fweet potatoes; hemp, 
which feems to be an indivenous vegeta- 
ble: even cotton fucceeds | there, though 
not fo well as farther fouth; and the 
railing of it anfwers a good purpofe 
for the families already fetiled on the 
river, for from a field of about two acres 
they obtain a crop futiicient to clothe 
a family. 
The natural meadows are a great re- 
fource for them. Thefe atford excellent 
patture, and require but little labour to 
clear them. After one year’s exertion, a 
man may enjoy his fields duly prepared 
for crops. Brick and potter’s earths are 
very common; and the true Chinefe 
kaolin is reported, by good judges, to be 
there,—that fubflance to wluich Oe 
owes its peculiar finenefs. And there 
exift on the borders of this grand river 
falt-{prings enough to furnith falt tor the 
country when it thall become inhabited, 
and a great deal to fpare. 
Saltpetre is found very abundantly in 
numberlefs caverns near the Miffouri. 
The rocks are generally calcareous ; 
though there 1s one whichis peculiar te 
this river. It is of a blood-red colour, 
compact, yielding to a tool, hardening in 
the air, and receiving the neatelt poli. 
The natives make their pipes of it. The 
firata are fo extenfive, that there is any 
quantity that may be wanted for other 
purpofes. There are alfo quarries of 
marble; but we know as yet little more 
than its colour, which is vee ted...) It 
is faid there is a body of gypfum there ; 
and this would not be daca to explore. 
Volcanic productions are alfo found, 
evincme the exiftence of burning moun- 
tains in former times, or in {fituations 
now unknown. 
The fhort ftay ufually made among the 
favage nations, has hitherto been unfa- 
vourable to the ‘acquirement of correét 
information concerning the mines. and 
ores near the Miffouri: we know with 
certainty of none other than thofe of 
but from the ace 
potines given by fe Tndians, there can 
be no doubt that tin, copper, and filver, 
are found in thofe parts; and particles 
of 
