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Narrative of an Expedition to the Source of the St. Peter’s River, Lake Winnepeek, Lake of the Woods

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Historical Content

An expedition that was ordered by the Honorable J. C. Calhoun the Secretary of War at the time in 1823 to explore the west to the St. Peter's River, what is now the Minnesota River. Stephen H. Long, Major U. S. T. E. was chosen as the leader for the expedition. The trip began in Philadelphia and set out to eplore the St. Peter's River, which had been discovered at the end of the 17th century. The St. Peter's River is a tributary of the Mississippi River near St. Anthony's Falls.

Authors/Contributors:

Major Long was charged with leading the expedition. His contribution to the work included the historical, topographical, descriptive portions of the work. Mr. Calhoun added the astronomical observations. Mr. Say was a zoologist and botanist. In addition, he included descriptions of the Native Indian peoples that the expedition encountered. William H. Keating, "Professor of Mineralogy and chemistry as applied to the arts, in the University of Pennsylvania; Geologist and Historiographer," to expedition made the geographical observations as well as compiling the notes and observations of the other members of the expedition.

Background on Contributors

The compiler and co-contributor of the Narrative on an Expedition to the Source of the St. Peter's River, William H. Keating worked as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania from 1822-1828. He was a co-founder of the Franklin Institute and was very involved in organizations such as the American Philosophical Society and Academy of Natural Sciences. In addition to his participation in the St.Peter's River expedition, Keating also surveyed in Mexico in the 1820s.

Major Stephen H. Long (1784-1864) was a school teacher before entering the US Army in December of 1814. Later, he taught mathematics West Point military Academy in West Point, New York for two years. Major Long had previously been involved in survey of portages of the and Wisconsin river in 1817 and the upper Mississippi, also he was part of the “Yellowstone Expedition” that went from St. Louis to Rocky Mountains via steamboat in 1819.

Summary

Chapter One: Departure from Philadelphia. Geology of Alleghanies. Cumberland Road. Wheeling.

The St. Peter’s River, to which this expedition was intended to explore, was discovered at the end of 17th century. St. Peter’s River flows into the Mississippi near the location of the St. Anthony's falls. The purpose of the expedition was to first discover the magnitude of the fur trade carried on there by the British and American companies. Secondly, determine whether it was possible to easily go from the St. Peter's River to the Red River. Thirdly, there had been differing reports on the agricultural and natural elements of the region and finally, to determine "topographical, latitude and longitude of remarkable points, animal, vegetation, and mineral, and to enquire into the character, customs, &c. of the Indian tribes inhabiting the same."

Chapter Two: Zanesville. Salt and Iron Works. Columbus. Piqua. Indian Atinquities. Ohio Canals. Fort Wayne.

The second chapter covers the crossing of the Ohio River. Next, it chronicles traveling to Zanesville. In addition, the type of rock and geographic information of the region is explained in great detail. This is followed by the account of the arrival in Columbus, which included the addition of Mr. Calhoun, one of the primary contributors, to the expedition. He had left from Washington City to meet the group in Columbus. The text muses, that the “county about the Muskingum appears to have been at a former period the seat of a very extensive aboriginal population” However, the group was unaware as to which specific Native peoples had lived there. One of the most prominent features of Native American life discussed is the presence of mounds. Keating includes a lengthy description of a particular mound in Irville. next, the group traveled to Newark. There they met Captain John Cleves Symes,who wasthought to be partially insane, and quite infamous. On May 21st, left Columbus to head to Piqua, Ohio. They then reached St. Mary’s River and Fort St. Mary’s. While traveling through Ohio they did not confront any Indians. Due to this fact, the expedition determined that the Native Indian numbers were drastically decreasing. Primarily the area was known to include Ottawa, Miamis, Senecas, Wyandot peoples. On the 26th May the expedition arrived at Fort Wayne.

Chapter Three: Description of Fort Wayne and its vicinity. Fur Trade. Potawatomis.

The expedition stayed in Fort Wayne for three days. While they were there they learned about the surrounding Indian's manners and customs. This chapter includes a description of the value of furs and specific prices for the time. Keating explains how the Potawatomis and Miami Indians receive their annuities at Fort Wayne. The expedition was shown “Little Turtle," one of the most celebrated cheifs, who was buried near Fort Wayne. In addition, the group met Metea a Powatomi chief who had gained status due to his eloquence despite the fact that he was not the head chief. Through Metea the expedition learned that the Potawatomis are connected by language, manners, customs and opinions, with Algonquin nations. A description of the native peoples and their customs follows including areas such as: religion, protocol for burial, marriage practices, education, introduction to alcohol, opinions on right and wrong, process of annuity payment, disease, child birth and rearing, and physical appearance.

Chapter Four: Carey mission-house. Lake Michigan. Chicago.

The expedition met Captain Riley at Fort Wayne. Captain Riley was responsible for forming a settlement on St. Mary River called Willshire in honor of British consul who had redeemed him from captivity in Africa. The expedition acquired a guide named Bemis and left Fort Wayne May 29th. The surrounding land, temperature, and vegetation are described in detail. The group experienced a lot of difficulty with feeding and maintaining their horses. Recount the travel along Elkheart river and it’s junction with St. Joseph of Lake Michigan. On this portion of the trip, the expedition encountered traces of Indian and French settlements. “The very names of the villages mark the difference between their former tenants; those of the Indians were designated by the name of the fruit which grew abundantly on the sport or of the object which they coveted most; while the French missionary has placed his village under the patronage of the tutelary saint in whom he reposed his utmost confidence." The expedition visited the Carey Missionhouse which encompassed a farm, schoolroom, and a blacksmith shop. After the Carey Missionhouse, the expedition took the Chemin Riviere to Lake Michigan, which reminded them of an ocean; described the lake and its contents in great detail. They reached Chicago and were disappointed that it did not reach the expectations set by past travelers: “too much uniformity in scenery; the extensive water prospect is a waste unchecked by islands, unenlivened by the spreading cavass, and the fatiguing monotony of which is increased by the equally undiversified prospect of the land scenery." The Indian agent to Chicago: Dr. Wolcott described the Indian population surrounding Chicago:Intermixed, mainly Potawatomis, Ottawas, and Chippewas.

Chapter Five: Rock River. Menomones. Geology of the country of west Lake Michigan. Prarie du Chien. Sauks and Foxes.

On June 11th, the expedition had the option to enter the Mississippi at For Armstrong or at Dubuque’s lead mines. A French engagé, Le Sellier directed the party. Le Sellier had lived with Indians for 30 years and had Winnebage wife at Rock River. On this portion, the expedition met a few Menomones Indians. The Fox River is described. On July 14 the expedition reached Rock River which they considered the“most important tributary of Mississippi”. The Native hunting grounds are described as “Division between the hunting grounds claimed by the Potawatomis, on the eastern side, and those of the Sauks, Foxes, and Winnebagoes on the west” . Keating relates an interview with a Sauk warrior who describes the life, habits, and culture of the Sauk people.

Chapter Six: Prairie du Chien. Indian remains. Division of the party. Mississippi. Dacota villages. Fort St. Anthony. Falls. River St. Peter (235)

The expedition encountered the Mississippi River for the first time. The group arrived at Prairie du Chien, a small village along the Mississippi River, "four or five miles from the mouth of the Wisconsan River," and across from Pike's Mountain. Native American tribes would travel to Prairie du Chien to trade their furs and goods at the end of May every year. Many mounds and indications of former Native populations surrounded the area of Prairie du Chien. To travel to Fort St. Anthony, the group split into a group to travel by water and one to travel by land. June 29th the group reconvened at the village of Redwing and met the chief Shakea.

Chapter Seven: Geology of the Mississippi. The Expedition ascends the St. Peter. Character of the Country. Arrival at Lake Travers. (

The seventh chapter discusses Brown's Falls. Next, it covers meteoric rock and the inquiry of whether Native Indians had observed them. There is an extensive discussion of the geology around St. Anthony's falls and the type of life that inhabits the river. On July 9th, the expedition left St. Anthony's. They had brought on a new guide/interpreter, Joseph Renville. Renville's heritage is discussed. The expedition arrived at the source of the St. Peter's River. The origin of the name is due to its turbid appearance which was in contrast to the calm appearance of the Mississippi River. A small island is located near the mouth. A description of the French discovery of St. Peter's River is included. Next the expedition traveled along the Lake Travers which discharges into Lake Winnepeek via the Red River. While on the Prairie near the St. Peter's River the expedition ran into a group of Indians who were fist disguised as Buffalo. The war party was a Wahkpatoan tribe that were part of the Dakota. The Wahkpatoan invited the expedition to their village.

Chapter Eight: Account of the Dacotas or Sioux Indians. Their divisions into tribes. Their numbers, language, manners and customs. Notice of Wanatan, principal chief of Yanktoanan tribe. Description of the Columbia Fur Company’s establishment on Lake Travers.

Chapter eight describes the Dacotas as "a large powerful nation of Indians distinct in their manners, language, habits, and opinions, from the Chippewas, Sauks, Foxes, and Naheawak or Kalisteno, as well as from all nations of the Algonquin stock" This is followed by a synopsis of each of the tribes: Keoxa, Easbonandata, Kaboja, Oanoska, Taoapa, Weakaote, Meakechakesa, Wahkpatoan, Kahra, Yanktoanan, Yanktoan, and the Tetoans.