ISAAC McCOY in 1828 made two exploring tripsinto the Indian country. On the first of these, accompanied by an interpreter, hetook a party of Pottawatomie and Ottawa Indians to inspect lands west of theMissouri frontier. He left Saint Louis on August 21 and returned October 7. Ofthe second expedition, which left Saint Louis later in October under the commandof Capt. G. H. Kennerly, McCoy was treasurer. This time Chickasaw, Choctaw, andCreek delegations were taken west to the Neosho river and then south to FortGibson and the mouth of the Canadian river. McCoy reached Saint Louis the secondtime on December 24 and the next day started for Washington. Working up hisaccounts while traveling, he arrived in the capital on January 27, 1829, and twodays later addressed to P. B. Porter, Secretary of War, a lengthy reportdescribing his activities, the nature of the country explored, and the value ofthe lands to be assigned to the Indians. The section of McCoy's journal recordingthe first of these expeditions has been published. [1] The documents below areconcerned with the second. They have been arranged as follows: I, entries fromMcCoy's journal; II, McCoy's report; III, the reports of Kennerly, Hood, andBell. A few pertinent letters appear in footnotes.

Monday
Oct. 13.
I returned to St. Louis, and found the Southern Indians, so long looked for. Theyarrived yesterday, Oct. 12. [3]

Tuesday
Oct. 14.
Wherever we find Indians we find a pack of unprincipled whitemen gaping uponthem to devour them. We had good reason to believe that such had been among thesesouthern Indians and had occasioned their vexatious delays. It was hoped howeverthat in coming here they would leave such behind them. In this we aredisappointed. Duncan & Haley, [4] the former appointed to bring on theChickasaws and the latter the Choctaws, appear very destitute of any thing noble.They had on their arrival

taken lodgings with their Indians at the house where I put up. and the secondmeal they ate began to find fault so foolishly that they and the land lordquarrelled, and they by consent of both parties had left and returned and takenlodgings on board the Steam Boat again.

I soon learnt that there had not been agreement among them on the road. Theybothhad said before and after their arrival that unless they could have the handlingof some money they wo'd go back home. They sent for me, pretended they did notcare about money themselves, but said the Indians were dissatisfied. I went tosee their Indians, told them the nature of the case and they appeared satisfied.Some hours afterwards, Duncan brot me a letter sig[ned] by four of the Indiansrequesting me to place in the hands of Duncan $1000. Duncan hurried me for ananswer. I replied I could not answer until I further arranged our monied matters.I endeavored with Genl Clark and Cap. Kennerly [5] to devise some method ofevading a direct denial. I determined not to advance the money. I becamedisgusted with the conduct of the men. We had no doubt that the Indians wereprompted to the demand by the white men. All our party Indians & whites dinedat Genl Clark's Wednesday I wrote them a letter, previous to sending it to themOct. 15. showed to the white men, and Genl Clark & Cap. Kennerly all concurrdwith me. I hoped I had the men entangled, I made them to say they were satisfied,and they would explain it to the Indians. I offered them $250. and more whenevertheir necessities required. But Duncan was too mean to be relied on. The Indianssent for me & said nothing would satisfy but for me to give Duncan $500. ThisI determined not to do, knowing that it was virtually the demand of Duncan andnot of the Indians. But Genl. Clarke at length advised me to give them the money,and upon his advice I did so.

Thursday
Oct. 16.
Busy in preparing for our tour.

Friday
Oct. 17.
Chandonois, [6] my interpreter started for home near Carey -well rewarded forhis time. Near night Duncan, with the Chickesaws started Friday

Saturday
Oct. 18.
Haley with the Choctaws, and Blake [7] with the Creeks set off from St. Louis. Irode out to Browns to adjust my baggage affairs. [8]

Sunday
Oct. 19.
I returned to St. Louis.

Monday and
Tuesday
Preparing to leave-busy with our accounts.

Wednesday
Oct. 22.
All the company having left, at 12 oclock Cap. Kennerly & myself set off in aDearbourn waggon, drawn by two horses and driven by Cap. Kennerly's black man. Wereached St. Charles on the north side of Missouri. Before leaving St. Louis thewhole of the $10,000 for which I had been authorized to draw was more thanexhausted. Genl. Clark, agreably to the regulations of the Sec. War, gave me aDraft for $2,300. more.

It may be supposed that having left my family the 2d July last with the hopeof returning to them about this time, I feel not a little anxiety on theiraccount---instead of returning to them, I am just now setting out on another tourin the woods. But submission becomes such a creature as I.

Thursday
Oct. 23.
Travelled 36 miles to Taylors, [9] having dined at Mrs Bai[MS. illegible]

Friday
Oct. 24.
At 11 oclock we came up with Dr Todson [10] who had

stopped with Harper Lovett the Creek interpreter, who had become too sick totravel and had been left day before yesterday. He had had the measles, and theexposure of travelling & some imprudencies, had rendered him very ill. Wefound him in a sad ho[MS. illegible] and under the prescriptions of a wretchedDoctor.

We paid their enormous bills, put him in our carriage, and rode his horse, andconveyed him 7 miles. [11] Cap. Kennerly took the stage and proceeded. The Doctorand I remained with the sick man. He had been very anxious to accompany us. Buthe now declared himself unable to proceed. The Doctor and I concurring in thisopinion. We agreed with a Mr. Isaac Vanbibber [12] to take care of him as thoughhe had been my own son, and should he sufficiently recover, to send him in thestage to care of Genl. Clark St. Louis.

At same time I wrote to Genl. Clark informing of all done, and requesting himto pay charges, & send him on to the Creek nation, &c.

Gave commendatory letter to Lovett, instructions to family, and left him. Itwas dark when we reached lodgings at McMurtry's. [13] I much regret the necessityof leaving this young man behind, but it was unavoidable, I greatly doubt hisrecovery. [14]

Saturday
Oct. 25.
At 11 took we [sic] Breakfasted at Harrisons, and at night overtook some of ourcompany that had been ahead.

Sunday
Oct. 26.
Cannot rest, being obliged to move with the company Reached Franklin at night,where we found the whole of our company.

Monday
Oct. 27.
Last night I was attacked with bowel complaint, which threatened a CholeraMorbus. I took medicine before day, and thro mercy the disease was checked. TheChoctaws had partly determined to break off from the company and go direct totheir relations on Arkansaw, and Haley who accompanies them, it seems was goingwith them. He ought to have given information of the fact, this he neglected todo. The Indians spoke of it themselves. They were at length prevailed on toabandon the scheme, and all have consented to keep together, and have agreed toshorten the tour as first marked out north & west. In consequence of theseparleys and other strange things none but the two packhorse men of our messstarted today.

Tuesday
Oct. 28.
All except the two topographists, surgeon & myself proceeded. Cap. Kennerlywent with them on horseback, in order to keep them in motion.
We can soon overtake them.

I have been busy today writing-chiefly to members of Congress, on the subjectof the expedition.

Wednesday
Oct. 29.
I left Franklin with a few others. Most of our company being ahead of us. CrossedMissouri & slept at Smith's. [15]

Thursday
Oct. 30.
Dined at Davis'. Rode 40 miles & slept at Hill's.

Friday
Oct. 31.
By sixteen miles ride we overtook the company that had been before. Slept atRennicks. [16]

Saturday
Nov. 1.
Reached the village of Independence. [17]

Sunday
Nov. 2.
The company generally proceeded. [18] I remained to see to a waggon of flour& bacon which had been engaged to

go on for us to the line of the state. I kept with me three of the Chickasaws& one of the Choctaws that I might enjoy a favourable opportunity ofconversation with them. I had also, for similar reason taken Colbert [19] intothe carriage with me for one or two days.

Monday
Nov. 3.
The wagon arrived with flour but no bacon. I sent a man to seek for some. Weproceeded & overtook the company encamped on the line of thestate, near the Shawanoes.

Hon. Peter B. Porter
Secty. of War Sir
In conformity with my Commission to attend an exploring party of Indians west ofthe Mississippi, authorized by act of Congress passed March, 1828, I proceeded tothe performance of the duties assigned me. How far I have succeeded in theiraccomplishment must be for you to decide on examination of the accompanyingdocuments.
Document, No. 1. Exhibits in detail the disbursement of the funds confided to mytrust., Documents Nos. 2 & 3 furnishes vouchers. Document No. 4 containsexplanations. Document No. 5 is a map of the country we explored, and extendingwest to the Rocky mountains, and north beyond what may probably be the limits ofIndian Territory. It also exhibits the claims of the several tribes

now in that country, and the amount of unappropriated lands. Document No. 6.Furnishes a brief history of the expedition a description of the country, and myviews relative to the settlement of the Indian tribes therein-and the subjectsconnected therewith which claim the immediate attention of our government.[21]
A history of the tour was to some extent, necessary for the exhibiting clearly ofthe propriety of some items of expenditure. If in giving this, or if in myremarks, or in the expression of my views relative to measures to be pursued, Ihave transcended, strictly speaking, the limits of duties as required by mycommission, I beg you will attribute it to no motive less worthy than that of adesire to contribute to the information of my government on a subject in which Ifeel the deepest interest.

Washington City
Jan. 29, 1829.
Hon. Peter B. Porter
Secretary of War
Sir,

I have the honour herewith to submit to you my Report of expenditures, &c.ofthe Indian exploring expedition west of the Mississippi authorized by act ofCongress passed March 1828.

It so happened, (the causes for which are explained in Document No. 6) thatmostof the costs of conducting the northern Indians occurred seperately from those inrelation to the southern. The former were six in number including theinterpreter, who was part Potawatomie. The distance they travelled was aboutequal to the average distance travelled by the southern Indians, and on accountof the delay of the latter, the Potawatomies and Ottawas were longer from theirhomes than was requisite for those of the south. Expenditures on account of theformer occurred under my own control. They are distinctly stated in theaccounts.

I was instructed to report myself to Genl. William Clark and in-

formed that from him the party would receive "the necessary detailedinstructionsfor the government of their route and movements." [22] The duties of myappointment not having been particularly pointed out in my instructions, Icheerfully acquiesced in the arrangements of Genl. Clark that Cap. Kennerly, whomhe had appointed leader of the party, should control all expendituressubsequently to those occasioned by the northern Indians. Those expenditures arealso distinctly stated in the account My business was to pay debts as theyoccurred, or to purchase by order of Cap. Kennerly. Hence I am accountable onlyfor the disbursement of those funds. [23]

The out-fit for the expedition, amounting on one bill to $7,695.47, embracingalso sundry smaller accounts, was furnished under directions of Genl. Clark andapproved by him, the amount for which was handed me by Cap. KennerlyThe season was so far advanced before we left St. Louis that it was desireable toleave the state as soon as possible. The Chickasaw delegation was started first,and secondly, as they could be made ready, the Choctaws, and Creeks. Fundstherefore were placed in the hands of the several leaders of the parties todefray

their expenses thro. the white settlements. Cap. Kennerly and myself overtookthem when a little more than half way through the state, after which time I paidmuch of the expense of the whole company. Those advances being greater than thenature of the cases would appear to require, merit an explanation.
Before leaving St. Louis the Chickasaws, through Mr Duncan their conductor, askedfor $1000. to be placed in the hands of Mr Duncan to be applied to their use onthe tour, at his and their discretion. This sum was in addition to $100. I hadpreviously advanced to them, and $600. they had received of Mr Smith their agent.No portion of this sum was necessary for outfit-every needful equipment for manand horse having been furnished as above stated. I declined advancing the moneyuntil Genl. Clark, in order to prevent a more perplexing occurrence, advised meto comply. On compliance with the wishes of the Chickasaws, the Choctawsfollowed with a similar, though less ungenerous and unnecessary demand.
On parting with the delegations subsequently, additional advances were made tosundry gentlemen to enable them to return to their places. The account shows theamount unaccounted for by them severally, and it is expected that each willreport his account without delay. The remarks accompanying the account shows whatdisposition has been made of the publick property.

Hon. Peter B. Porter
Secretary of War

Sir,

     It is in obedience to instructions connectedwith my appointment to accompany an exploring party of Indians west of theMississippi, agreeably to act of Congress passed March 1828, that I ask leaverespectfully to submit the following report. [24]
     That portion of my duties which related to thedisbursement of

the appropriation of Congress for purposes of the expedition, is reported onin documents accompanying this.
     At Carey, near Lake Michigan on the 30th June last,I had the honor to receive from the Dept. instructions to proceed with allpossible expedition, to St. Louis and to take with me three Potawatomies & aninterpreter. There were at that time in waiting three Ottawas anxious toaccompany me on that expedition, and, as the interests of those tribes, and theirrelation to our country and settlements, were, to a great extent, identified asthose of one tribe, I conceived it to be right & within the spirit of myinstructions to take them, together with two Potawatomies, and an interpreter,who also was part Indian. [25]
     We left Carey, 7in number, with eight horses, July 2d and reached St. Louis the 16th at whichplace Dr Todson, surgeon had arrived a few days previously. On the 21st July aman was sent from St. Louis to ascertain when the southern Indians would arrive.Aug. 13. Four Creeks conducted by Mr. Blake arrived at St. Louis. On the 16th themessenger to the southern Indians returned, with a written communication from aprincipal Chief of the Chickasaws, informing that, for reasons therein assigned,they had determined to postpone the tour until next March. The Choctaws wereexpected of course to imitate their example. As the arrangements for the tour,which were already considerably advanced, would sustain damage by so long adelay, it was desireable to complete the excursion the present season, theexpedition having been ordered chiefly for -the benefit of the Chickasaws,another messenger was sent to them, who left St. Louis the 18Aug.
     The Potawatomies & Ottawas had not expected tobe so long absent from theirplaces as would be necessary to await the issue of these arrangements, nor was itdesireable that they should. I therefore obtained permission, in lieu of theexpense and vexation of lying idle with a company of Indians, at St. Louis,during the absence of the messenger, to make the tour with the Potawatomies &Ottawas. This plan being the most economical, and the only one likely to producea favourable result in relation to those Indians, or to prevent an unfavourableone, we doubted not that it would receive the approbation of our government.
     With our six Indians and two hired hands, I leftSt. Louis Aug. 19.

Having with us 12 horses. We travelled on the south side of Missouri,inclining to south of West, and passed out of the state where its western linecrosses Osage river. Near that place we took in a half-breed Osage as aninterpreter to Osages and Kanzas. [26] The Osages at the village we passed herewere altogether friendly.
On leaving the state of Missouri we proceeded westwardly up the Osage river,generally on the north side. Passing the sources of Osage we Bore southwestacross the upper branches of Neosho until we intersected the main stream at apoint eighty miles south & one hundred and twenty seven west of the mouth ofKanzas river, and about 25 miles southeast of the road leading from the uppersettlements on Missouri to Santa Fe. We then bore northwest until we reached theroad which was at a point about sixty miles from Arkansas river, and 140 due westof the state of Missouri. These estimates are made according to measurement onthe map, and not ac cording to distances travelled, survey of the road, &c.Having spent five days on the waters of Neosho we turned to the eastward, andtravelled along, or near to the Santa Fe road, until we reached a point due southof the upper Kanza village. We then bore north to the village, which is on thesouth bank of Kanza river, 125 miles on a direct line west of the State ofMissouri.
After leaving the Osage village on the river of the same name, we had seenseveral trails of companies of Indians, some of which had occasioned uneasinessto our Osage interpreter, who supposed they might have been made by war partiesof their enemies. But the one which deserved most attention, I found, on closeexamination had been made by a hunting party and therefore supposed them to havebeen Kanzas or Osages. On the 18th September we fell in with a Kanza hunter andon the evening of the same day reached his vil lage. Coming in sight of twohouses about two miles from the main village the inhabitants became alarmed. Someof the women & children fled to the woods, while a man almost wholly divestedof clothing, with his implements of war, came in great haste to a grove which wewere entering. I supposed his object was to ascertain who we were. But I soondiscovered that it was to secure a couple of horses which were grazing in thewood, and of which we were within 100 paces when he reached them. I sent ourinterpreter to speak to him, who at once allayed his fears, so that he approachedcheerfully and took us by the hand, being in a profuse perspiration from His racefor the protection of his horses. He conducted us to water at which

     I halted, and sent him forward to inform themain village that I would presently be with them for the purpose of smoking. Iwas much gratified to hear from him that 16 Pawnees were at the village incounsel with the Kanza. Greatly to my disappointment, however when I came intothe assembly of the Kanzas, I ascertained that all the Pawnees except three hadhastily left on our approach. These three who, I suppose, had been left toascertain the object of our visit were in haste to be gone and could only bedetained long enough for me to give them a brief talk, and a liberal present oftobacco, to which they replied in the usual complimentary way. Our interview withthe Kanzas was also indicative of much friendly feeling.
I had been instructed to cross the Kanza river and to return on the north side.But the Indians informed me that there was not a canoe or other craft on theriver. My time was so far consumed that I deemed it unadvisable to incur thedelay that would be occasioned by crossing on rafts. I therefore proceededeastwardly near to the southern limits of the Kanzas' lands, and came down to theShawanoe villages recently settled near the mouth of Kanzas river on theMissouri. Here our Indians were again received with much friend ship. I had thesatisfaction to see that these Shawanoes were erecting neat hewed log cabins, andin other respects preparing for their future comfort. Our Indians remained withthem the greater part of two days, and were by them encouraged to settle in thecountry and even invited to settle near them.
     We had found Elk, Deer & Bear plenty, and hadseen a few Antelopes. Our Indians were delighted with the abundance of game, butregretted that, contrary to our former expectation, we had not fallenin with Buffalos. Our Osage interpreter supposed that we had been within a fewmiles of Buffalos, but at the time said nothing lest, as he afterwards declared,we should be induced to go farther west. He was exceedingly afraid of falling inwith Pawnee war parties. We afterwards ascertained that we had been within 75miles of the place where the last attack of the Pawnees was made on the firstparty defeated on the Santa Fe road, which happened in September while we were inthat country.

versally limestone. The soil on those rivers, which is exceedingly fertile,possesses the mellowness peculiar to limestone lands. Most of the creeks andsmaller water courses pass over limestone, and along the larger streams aresometimes seen steep and high cliffs of limestone rocks. The Hill sides arefrequently washed until the stone is quite uncovered, in those places it isgenerally thin flag stone. Bottom land is in width somewhat proportioned to thesize of the stream passing thro. it. That of the Osage 40 miles west of the stateof Missouri is about a mile in width. In addition to this we usually find on oneor both sides of the water courses, and proportioned somewhat to their size, agentle ascent of land, extending in the case above mentioned of Osage from threeto five miles back, and terminating at the base of hills which may rise 100, or150 feet, their sides sometimes abrupt, but oftener more gentle. There are seenmany hills detached from their kindred, conical, oblong, and of many a differentshape, so regular in their structure that the ob server can scarcely forbidconviction that they are artificial. These isolated hills are little else thanheaps of limestone.
     Ascending above the stony sides of hills of moresocial character, land gently rolling spreads out with a delightful countenance.Not a stone to annoy the plowman would be found on a tract of 500 acres, nor asingle break abrupt beyond convenience, and yet the country not flat. Elevationsof similar character often occur a second or third time as we pass back from acreek, until we reach the summit between the neighbouring streams.
On the Kanzas and its waters, stone is equally plenty, and is in the same wayhappily placed for convenience without annoyance to man. But it is mostlysand-stone. For two days in the neighbourhood of the upper Kanzas villages I sawscarcely any except sand stone. As we came lower down the river we saw somelimestone as well as sand. On Kanzas the soil of course corresponds with thequality of the stone. It is somewhat sandy, not so black as the limestonelands of Neosho and Osage, & in many instances less fertile. The face of thecountry is the same with that we have been describing, except that, as might beexpected within six or ten miles of the river the country is more broken, thehills along the rivulets higher, and more abrupt and rocky.
     This country which is generally prairie, differsgreatly from most prairie lands in Ohio, Indiana & Illinois. In thosecountries prairie lands are usually too flat with too little stone, oftenaccompanied with quagmires & ponds, and consequently unfavourable tohealth.

     Here it is quite the reverse, scarcely aquagmire is to be found. The season for two or three months has been remarkablydry, yet we found no scarcity of water. Water courses of suitable size for millsand other water works, are numerous. But, as it happens generally in the state ofMissouri, most of these streams so far fail in the dry seasons, that mills andother machines would stand still. In this respect the country resembles the stateof Missouri and the middle & upper counties of Kentucky.
     A degree of unhealthiness attends all large watercourses in the western country. This will be the case in the immediate vicinityof Kanzas river. Osage river is too small to produce any deleterious effectbeyond the distance of 30 or 35 miles west of Missouri state, and not even thatfar except on its very banks. With these exceptions which doubtless are asinconsiderable as those of similar character of any portion of the westerncountry, not a doubt can exist of the healthiness of those regions.
     Timber is too scarce. This is the greatest defectobserveable. Wood is chiefly confined to the water courses and the width of thestreak of timber is generally proportioned to the size of the stream passingthrough it. Some exceptions, however occur, where the timber stretches back on tothe uplands, or exists on the high lands at the sources of the streams. But woodis not so scarce as most travellers thro. those countries have represented it.The business of few, if any has hitherto required them to examine this subject.Being uninterested in the matter of timber beyond the amount necessary for fuelon their journey, they have avoided the water courses as much as possible becauseof the difficulty of travelling near them on account of the brush & the steepand rocky breaks, the prairies back from the water courses, affording morepleasant ways for the traveller than could be found, perhaps, in any othercountry destitute of roads. The uplands being almost universally prairie, thesight unobstructed passes to its utmost stretch over lands of similar height, sothat the country at a little distance around the observer appears to be morelevel than it really is. These upland prairies over which they look, rise higherthan the tops of the trees in the bottom lands, and often twice or three times ashigh, and conceal from the sight most of the timber, while the travellerascribing to the lands a mile or two from him, a degree of levelness which doesnot exist, supposes he sees almost every grove within the reach of his sight, andhence mistakes to the discredit of the country.

     This country, which is of peculiar character,often practices another deception upon the traveller. Streaks of timber seen at adistance and even at no great distance, amidst the vast prospect which theopenness of the country affords, appear much narrower than they really are.
     Wood immediately along the Kanzas river, and thatbranching off along the numerous smaller streams, is sufficient to sustaintolerably a dense population to the distance of 8 or 10 ten miles from the river.On Osage river, say 30 miles west of Missouri state the woodland is about a milewide. Woodlands of greater or less magnitude extend along every tributary watercourse, some of which are little inferior to the main river. Unlike the idea wedrew from many of our maps, water courses, from the largest to the smallest, onKanzas, Osage and the upper regions of Neosho, are numerous, and interlocking attheir sources, and proportionably numerous are the groves of woodland. There ismuch valuable timber, such as oak, ash, walnut, hickory, & mulberry. We alsofind Hackberry, Lint, &c. There is almost a total absence of the sugar tree.I regretted that my time was so limitted that I had none to spare in search ofcoal, but from appearances, and the fact that it exists abundantly a shortdistance east, and southeast of the tract of which I am speaking, I have no doubtthat this part of the country also possesses abundantly that valuable article.This fact goes far towards obviating difficulties which would arise from thescarcity of timber.
     I hardly need to say that the whole country isclothed with grass, this on the dry fertile uplands is short and more suitablefor grazing than for the scythe. Nearer to the water courses, & even to theirvery sources, it is well adapted to mowing. In Indiana, the eastern parts ofIllinois and Michigan Territory grass of suitable length for mowing is seldomfound except on wet land. In the country which we are describing scarcely any wetland exists, yet nature has provided therein well clothed meadows.
     I did not discover any of those ancient mounds andfortifications which are so abundant in some parts of the western country. On thesummits of high natural mounds, and hills, which were so situated as to attractthe notice of the traveller, I frequently found a heap of stones formed by thehands of man. In one or two instances their construction indicated the existenceof reasons for their formation similar to those which led to the formation ofartificial mounds mentioned above. Heaps of stone are often made

over the bodies of the deceased among the Indians of these regions. But theheaps of which we speak appear to be the result of amusement of the traveller,who invited to the elevation by its gaity or grandeur, leaves a monument of a fewstones thrown together to advertise a subsequent visitant that a human being hadbeen there. To this heap each successive visitant, invited thither by curiositycontributes a stone or two. It was amusing to see our Indians in good humour,contributing their portion to the increase of the social heap.
     On our return we arrived at St. Louis the 9thOctober, after an absence of forty nine days. [27] On the 10th I crossed theMississippi with our Indians, and travelled with them until the 12th at whichtime they proceeded being supplied with the means of returning comfortably totheir homes.
     It affords me great satisfaction to be able toassure you that those Potawatomies & Ottawas returned to their places wellsatisfied with the usage they had received from the servants of government, whilea still more favourable impression had been made on their minds by their friendlyinterviews with Osages, Kanzas, Pawnees, & Shawanoes, the three former ofwhom they had previously reckoned among their enemies. They were well pleasedwith the country they had seen. All agreed that it was well adapted to thepurposes of Indian settlement, and, excepting one expressed a strong desire tosettle therein. When about parting with them I was requested to become the bearerof a communication to the President on this subject. It is only because theprotracted length of the expedition has denied me the opportunity of passing bytheir place that I have not this communication now to submit. Measures howeverhave been adopted to afford them an opportunity of making known their wishes,which I expect will come to hand in a few days. So far as the subject hasprogressed the objects of the government in relation to those tribes, are fullyattained. I returned to St. Louis Oct. 13th and found that the Chickasaws andChoctaws had arrived the preceding day. On the 17th the Chickasaws moved off fromSt. Louis, on the 18th the Choctaws and Creeks followed. [28] Cap. Kennerly &myself, having been by our business, thrown into the rear, set out on the 22d.[29]
On the 24th we found Harper Lovett the Creek interpreter sick, and DoctorTodson

attending him. Before leaving St. Louis he had been attacked with measles fromwhich he had not sufficiently recovered to endure the journey. Cap. Kennerly tookthe stage and followed the company, while Dr. Todson and myself remained with thesick man. He was exceedingly anxious to make the tour & begged us not toleave him behind. We conveyed him in a carriage seven miles, when he became fullyconvinced as well as ourselves, that he was unable to proceed further. He diedfive days afterwards and was decently buried. [30]We overtook the foremost of our company on the 26th 180 miles from St. Louis. Thecompany proceeded on the 28th and reached [49] the western line of the state ofMissouri the 2d Nov. For the purpose of obtaining an interpreter we remained hereone week. In which time our Indians & the Shawanoes had several friendlytalks. While here, the Agent for Indian affairs at Fort Leavenworth [31]communicated to us information that 1500 Pawnees, it was reported, had gone on awar expedition, intending to watch the Santa Fe road or if unsuccessful there toproceed farther southeast. He warned us to be on our guard, and, should we comein contact with Pawnees apparently friendly, not to permit them to mingle with usin camp, or at any other time. We resumed our march on the 8th. Our company beingnow complete consisted of Cap. G. H. Kennerly, leader, Lieut. Hood Topographist,Mr. John Bell assistant topographist, and G. P. Todson surgeon. [32] To me hadbeen intrusted the monied matters. The Chickasaws Delegation consisted of 12Indians, and an interpreter, accompanied by three white men chosen by themselves,in all 16, with Mr. John B. Duncan Sub. Agent, as their leader. The Choctawdelegation was composed of six Indians, and lead by Mr. D. W. Haley. The Creekdelegation consisted of three, and was lead by Mr. Luther Blake. [33] We had oneinterpreter to Osages and Kanzas, seven hired men, and a black servant belonging[to] a Chickasaw Chief. [34] In all 42. We had with us upwardsof

     We proceeded a little west of south, [35]crossed Osage river [36] about 20 miles west of the state of Missouri [37] andfell on to the Neosho about 14 miles farther west [38] We then proceeded downNeosho to the Osage Agency, [39] in the neighbourhood of the upper Osagevillages, about 33 miles west of the western limits of the state of Missouri, atwhich place we arrived the 17th November. [40] Here we re-

mained four days, and afforded Indians of our party and the Osages anopportunity to reciprocate expressions of friendship. [41] The Osages andChoctaws were once enemies. Within two years past pipes of peace had beenexchanged and each tribe considered peace restored. This having been done thro.the mediation of others, it was gratifying that a personal interview at this timeafforded an opportunity of confirming the peace. [42]

     From the Osage villages [43] we took the road tothe Creek agency on the Verdigris river, within four miles of its junction withthe Arkansaw. [44] Here and near Fort Gibson we remained five days. [45] Leavingthe Creek delegation with their countrymen on Verdigris [46] we again took up theline of march the 2d of December. [47] We crossed Arkansaw and continued ourcommon course, a little west of south, crossed the north fork of Canadian river,and six miles farther crossed the main Canadian, and encamped a mile above at themouth of the south fork. This was the most westwardly point that we made on thistour, which was about 48 miles west of the Territory of Arkansaw, and 260 milessouth of the mouth of Kanzas river, 255 from where we went out of the state ofMissouri. In coming to this point after leaving the state we travelled about asdirect, with slight exceptions, as is usual in making a journey of the same

length The first 40 miles was across the lands assigned the Shawanoes, andPiankeshaws, the next 48 miles was thro. unappropriated lands. Then 50 milesacross Osage lands, then 77 miles thro lands assigned the Creeks and Cherokees.Thence 40 miles thro. Cherokee lands, and at this point viz the mouth of thesouth fork of Canadian river, we entered the Choctaw lands.
     Here it was resolved to turn eastwardly towardsFort Smith with a view to the termination of the expedition. We left this placethe 5th Decr. travelled two days down the Canadian, and on the 7th Deer. weseparated. [48] The two southern delegations were expected at that instant toproceed to Fort Smith, but one of their company having killed a Buffaloe thepreceding day, they concluded to remain a day or two and hunt that animal.Buffaloe on Arkansaw approach within 30 miles or less of the settlements, invitedby the cane. Farther north they range more remotely, & on Missouri riverthere is none within many hundred miles. They were furnished with the means ofreturning comfortably to their places to which they were nearer than when at St.Louis, having travelled after leaving the state of Missouri a distance nearlyequal to that travelled west of the same line in September. We had been only twodays within the Choctaw lands. One of them who was a man of influence, expresseda desire to remain longer time, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with thatcountry, and solicited some assistance, which was granted.

     Cap. Kennerly Lieut. Hood, Mr. Bell, Dr. Todson,& myself made the best of our way back passed Fort Gibson, and reached 4s St.Louis the 24th Decr. The pack horses and men were a little in the rear and wouldarrive the 25th or 27th. It was the 10th December when on our return we passedthe Creek agency. There we again saw the Creek delegation. On that day they setoff for their homes. They had not explored much of their country, but hadcontented themselves with spending the time in the neighbourhood of theirrelations. The Creeks now in this country are chiefly or all of the McIntoshparty. The delegation was from the opposite party. This interview of the partieswas characterized by expressions of friendship from both, and an agreement thatall former grudges should be forgotten. The emigrants invited the others to cometo their country, and spoke greatly in its praise. This was seconded by a writtencommunication from Chilly McIn-

tosh to his countrymen in the south. The feelings with which the delegationset off for their places justify the hope of a favourable result. [50] In everyarrangement in relation to the removal of the Creeks, I would respectfullysuggest the propriety of placing out of sight as far as possible everything ofparty character.
     It had been desirable to pass out of the state ofMissouri on the north side of Missouri river, to cross that stream above themouth of Kansas, and generally to have borne farther to the west. But the Indianswere averse to this course. From the place where we passed out of the state ofMissouri to the crossing of Osage river, a distance of about 70 miles, we weretravelling thro. the country of which I have already given a description. Thenext 20 miles being still on the waters of Osage, was of similar character. 20miles farther which brought us to Neosho led us across a country becoming morelevel, with fewer water courses. This continued to be the case for the next 100miles. Limestone was less abundant and in many instances mingling with, andsometimes giving place to sand stone and flint. The prairies not so fertile asthose at the sources of the river. Nature here has not observed the sameregularity in decking the watercourses with wood as in the country farthernorthwest. Here timber is oftener seen on the hills, and the groves along streamsare less regular in their width, and more frequently detached. Timber alongNeosho river in the neighbourhood of the Osage villages may be from three hundredyards, to three miles in width. The next 40 miles which brings us to the mouthsof Neosho and Verdigris (only four or five miles apart) is better timbered morehilly, & has less limestone, generally sand-

stone, also some flint. The hills are more stony and poor, yet abundance ofgood prairie lies among them.
*     From the neighbourhood of the Creek Agency andFort Gibson, the whole distance that we travelled until we returned to that placeit may be said that the country is pretty well timbered. On the south of Canadianriver the general arrangement of woodlands and prairies is precisely the reverseof that of the Osage and Kanzas country. Here the hills, which are usually stonyand poor, are covered with wood, mostly post oak and black oak, of moderate size,and often brushy, while between the hills are beautiful vales of fertileprairies. Sand stone almost universally prevails on the south of Arkansas. In oneinstance for a few miles I discovered slate. The bottom lands of Arkansawappeared to be from three to five miles wide, well clothed with timber, and inmany places covered with cane ten or 12 feet high, and so dense that considerableresolution & effort are necessary to enable a man to force a passage thro.it. The bottom land of Canadian is one or two miles wide, similar to that ofArkansaw, the latter more subject to inundations. Verdigris, Neosho, ArkansawCanadian, North Fork, and South fork, all mingle their waters in the samevicinity. On this account this part of the country is more hilly than some otherswe have described.
     The country the whole route south of Osage river,like that on the north wears a healthy countenance, with such exceptions as wemade in our remarks on that, relative to lands contiguous to large water courses.As the country now under consideration in its southern parts, is remarkable forthe multiplicity of its large streams, a greater proportion of fevers and aguesmust be looked for among it [s] future inhabitants, than at the sources of Neosho& Osage. And the more so because the hills, commonly poor and stony, whichwill occasion settlements to be made more extensively along the rivers.
We saw coal on Neosho at the Osage Agency, farther south we crossed a creek whichran over a bed of coal. The south bank of Arkansaw, where we crossed it near FortGibson abounded with coal. From other specimens of less note, and the concurrenttestimony of all acquainted in the country there can be no doubt that coal existstherein in great abundance.
     The Cherokees own, on the east side of Neosho riverlead mines which promise to become very productive. I saw specimens of the orewhich was inferior to none in the western lead mines. They also

own valuable salt springs on Neosho, and farther south, some of which I saw,and one of which they were profitably working.
     The whole region appears to be well watered.Neosho, and the smaller streams we saw 30 miles east and lower down the Arkansaw,were transparent. But Kanzas, Virdigris, Arkansaw, north fork, Canadian &South fork, are all of muddy colour. South of Arkansaw we Saw no clear water inCreek or rivulet, except a few springs. Osage is tolerably clear though inSeptember last, we saw many places where the water was sluggish &discoloured. Kanzas river was at that time little less muddy than Missouri.Arkansaw and the North fork of Canadian, are rather less muddy-Virdigris stillless, and the south fork of Canadian river is of similar character. Canadianriver is more deeply stained, and is of a reddish yellow, almost as highlycoloured as if nature had intended its waters for a dye. Banks washed by waterdisclose strata of coloured earth. Hence it is easy to account for the appearanceof those waters. South of Arkansaw, & in the vicinity of Canadian riverespecially, the earth generally is tinged with a reddish purple.
     We forded the Arkansaw both going out andreturning, tho. the water was on my horses sides. About half the bed of the riveronly was at that time, covered with water, the other half sand beach. I measuredthe sand part at one place 270 yards-making the whole width of the river betweenits banks 540 yards. In the dry season of the year water is rather scarce forSteam boats of common burden. But this will nevertheless be found a valuableriver for navigation as far west as the country in other respects will admit ofsettlement.
     Kanzas river, where I examined it, appearedsomething narrower than Arkansaw, and was at that place deep. Its banks, and itsappearance in other respects greatly resembles the Missouri.
     Water of Canadian river, where we crossed it, wasabout 60 yards wide, of average depth 2 feet, with a gentle current. I measuredthe sand beach at this same place, 150 yards, making the river between its banks210 yards wide. Its low lands are chiefly sand.
     We crossed the North fork of Canadian at a rockyrapid, where in the distance of 50 yards is a fall of about three feet. Most ofthis descent is abrupt over sand rocks. The river here is deeper than I hadexpected to find it from the appearance of the deeper parts I had seen above. Itis about 150 yards wide. The water where we crossed immediately below theprincipal pitch was sometimes to our horses knees, with a strong current. At thattime

it sent down more water than the Canadian, tho. it is to be reckoned a riverof considerably less magnitude.
     The south fork empties into Canadian only a fewmiles above the entrance of the north fork. It is less than the latter, and doesnot extend a long distance west as most of our maps indicate. It comes from thesouth west, is short, and interlocks its sources with those of the Kiamisha,which runs of[f] southeastwardly and emp ties into Red river near Fort Towson.The country at the sources of these two streams, is mountainous, and offers tothe traveller few convenient passes across it.
     The Choctaws own all the country between Red river& Canadian river and west of the Territory of Arkansaw. The delegation hadseen so little of it, when we parted with them that it could not be expected theyshould be able to form any opinion respecting it. On the whole route they and theChickasaws were reserved in conversation on the subject of country, their removal&c. They were not wanting in expressions of friendship, but chose to saylittle on the objects of the expedition, tho. all had plainly enough expressedtheir dislike of the country we had seen previous to our arrival at Fort Gibson.The evening before I parted with the Chickasaws I informed them that I should begratified to hear from them on this subject. The next morning the followingcommunication, written by one of their party, and signed by them all, was handedme.

Canadian river, 7th Decr. 1828

To Mr. McCoy
Friend & Brother
     In reply to your requests we have to say to youthat from the situation of affairs at home, we are not able to give you anyaccount of the present tour. When we return home, and find our affairs settledwith the general government satisfactorily to us, we will then make our report toour great father the president of the U. States.

We are with great respect
Your friends and Brothers
X X X X X X [51] &c

     I think that when they left their homes they didnot expect to be pleased. It was unfortunate that there was a necessity forpressing on them to make the tour the present season. They were induced to feelthemselves on the occasion more independent, and to take

greater liberty in dictating the route, than was to the advantage of theexpedition. Nevertheless their conduct was at all times marked with civility anddecorum greatly to their credit as gentlemen, and such, I am confident as wouldnot suffer by comparison with american citizens on any similar expedition.They were utterly averse to going north of the state of Missouri, and withavidity seized upon every pretext for shortening the route. I am not prepared torecommend at this time a repetition of the expedition for the benefit of thesepeople, yet I am confident the present has been made under so many disadvantages,that it ought not to be considered a fair trial in the case. I would hererespectfully suggest that should another exploring expedition be ordered forsimilar purposes in relation to any of the tribes, the fewer the number ofpersons, so it be sufficient for their security and convenience in travelling,and the more simple and unostentatious, that every movement connected therewithcan be, the better. In confirmation of this idea I need only refer to theexpenditures incurred on the late expedition, in relation to the Potawatomies andOttawas, and which might have been less had they been less associated with thewhole, and to the favorable impression made on the minds of those Indians. These,remarks imply not the smallest censure of men. They relate only to measures,which, though the result of the best of motives, may be dictated too remotelyfrom the scene of action for the most honorable wisdom to secure them defects,and which the servants of government must obey even under a full conviction oftheir inutility.
     Those southern delegations were composed chiefly orentirely of agricultural men, and were no doubt, good judges of country in theregions where they have always resided. But every country has its peculiarfeatures, indicative of its fitness, or unfitness for the comfortable abode ofmen. Instances abound of the want of skill in emigrants from the eastern andsouthern states, in the selection of lands in the western country. On the watersof Osage, when travelling over prairie lands which (excepting timber) equalled insituation & fertility of soil, the excellent lands in the neighborhood ofLexington & Georgetown, Kentucky, they complained of its poorness. It seemednot easy to correct their errors. On one occasion after reasoning some time withfive persons who were riding with me, I alighted and excavated the earth thatthey might judge from the blackness, depth, and mellowness of the soil. Butaltho. reason could not furnish a reply to this kind of argument, yet I had notthe satisfaction to suppose that those rich prairies were esteemed much

better than sterile plains while lands of inferior quality were often remarkedas the richest in the country. There was nothing mysterious in this beyond whatoften happens in relation to those of our own citizens when required to form anopinion of lands in a country where they are ignorant of the characteristics ofits good and bad land. There is perhaps no subject agitated among men, apparentlyso obvious upon persons equally tenacious of truth which so widely differ.Liability to mistake in this respect becomes the greater where one whosepossessions have been found in a timbered country, is required to judge of whatmay be termed a prairie country. Pardon me for suggesting that in ordering allsimilar exploring expeditions in future this fact ought to be borne in mind. Theseason had so far advanced before we could leave St. Louis, added to the littleinclination of the Indians to make the tour before next spring, that I almostdespaired of a favourable issue of the expedition. My discouragements wereaugmented on passing out of the state of Missouri. That country in September hadbeen the most delightful to the eye, of any that I had ever seen. From thesplendid elevation, the unbounded prospect of high rolling prairies, clothed withgrass of Autumnal gray, spotted, and streaked with woodlands in cheerful green,describing the course of every stream, was beautiful beyond description. But nowthe woods were in winter dress. The grass of the prairies burnt, or burning, thedust rising from the recently burnt prairies, agitated by our horses' feet,exceedingly troublesome. The atmosphere so smoky that sight was limited to alittle sphere. The prairies black, and every thing apparently clad in mourning,the whole agravated by winds which sometimes blew incessantly in our faces for awhole day's journey. Autumn gives to a timbered country, especially if it befertile an air of pleasantness delightful to him who explores, for the purpose ofbecoming acquainted with it. Precisely the reverse is the case with a prairiecountry. In autumn the traveller does not feel the cold of winter, the wet ofspring, the annoyance of insects and the heat of summer. He travels on firm land,and finds food plentifully, nevertheless in no season of the year does a prairiecountry appear so little inviting to one who likes it, or so forbidding to onewho is inclined to dislike like, as in the fall about the time of the burningof
the grass on the prairies.     As might be expected our southern delegationsmanifested less inclination to settle in the more northern parts of the countryunder consideration than in the more southern. It therefore became the

more perplexing on the tour, that almost all the country of Arkansaw and itswaters had been previously assigned to other tribes so that there remained, in amanner, none vacant for the examination of the Chickasaws. The Choctaws own agreat deal of excellent country. The better parts are severed by the chain ofmountainous land mentioned above, at the sources of the south fork of Canadian,and the Kiamisha. A valuable tract lying east and west along Red river, andanother extending in the same direction along Arkansaw and Canadian. Very few ofthe tribe are located in that country, and these mostly on Red river. They couldspare country fully sufficient for the use of the Chickasaws on Arkansaw &Canadian rivers, north of the broken poor regions that divide the better parts oftheir country. They would still retain in the southern parts as much as would benecessary for them of excellent quality, while that given to the Chickasaws wouldperhaps not be inferiour. Such is the obvious excellence of that country that theChickasaws could not possibly plead its defects as an objection to their removal.The countries now owned by the Choctaws, Creeks and Cherokees, are sufficientlyextensive to accommodate the Chickasaws also-& even more. Those tribes areaccustomed to neighbourhood relations, & the climate is such as they haveever enjoyed. In these remarks I include the whole of those tribes, wherever theymay at present exist.
     I may not be so fortunate as to meet with many whoconcur with me in opinion relative to the country under consideration (I mean thewhole described in our remarks) yet I hesitate not to pronounce it in myestimation very good, and well adapted to the purposes of Indian settlement. Ithink I risk nothing in supposing that no state or territory in the unionembraces a tract of equal extent and fertility, so little broken by lands nottilable, with that lying south of Kanzas, & on Osage and the upper branchesof Neosho, the extent of which I have not yet been able to ascertain. Thiscountry also has its defects, the greatest of which is the scarcity of timber,but by a judicious division among the inhabitants of woodland and prairie therewill be found a sufficiency of the former, in connexion with coal, to answer thepurposes in question with tolerable convenience.
     The navigation of the Missouri river will always beattended with difficulty and hazard. Arkansaw & perhaps Red river will bebetter. But the privileges of navigation will nevertheless be very moderate.Should the territory prosper the time will come when this circumstance will befelt as a serious inconvenience. At present it is perhaps no disadvantage and maynot be for many years hence.

It is one of the local causes which will secure the Indians in the possessionof that country:
     The prevailing business of this country will be theraising of cattle, sheep, horses, and mules. This state of things will arise outof the fitness of the country for such purposes on account of the plentifulgrazing, the natural meadows for mowing, and the abundance of salt, and out ofthe paucity of navigable privileges. Livestock can be exported to market withoutnavigation. This fact also diminishes the difficulties which would otherwisearise out of the scarcity of timber. If the inhabitants should be inclined togrow grain extensively for market, the more fencing &c would be necessary. Asit is, the extent of fields will be proportioned to the immediate wants of theinhabitants, and an account of natural grazing & meadowlands, pastures &meadows on farms may be less.
     From actual observation, and information fromothers on which I can rely, I think I have formed a pretty correct opinion, sofar the data upon which it is predicated are correct, of the regions whichnature, and our western settlements, have described for the purposes [of]permanent Indian habitation. In fixing the boundaries of states and smallerdivisions of our country, nature is usually consulted. I shall adopt the samecourse, by your permission to express, respectfully my views respecting theproper limits to be allowed for Indian settlement.
     A strip of valuable country lies from Missouririver along the western line of Missouri state, to its North west corner, one 100miles, bounded on the south west by Missouri river. This tract is about 50 mileswide at its northern extremity, and comes to a point at its southern. A few Iowasand Sauks have recently been located there, but nature seems to have designedthat the Missouri, which from the line of the state bears greatly to the north aswe ascend, should be the line between the whites and the Indians. Farthernorthwest the river will doubtless form this division, and it would appear aninjudicious arrangement which should require us hereafter in the use of thatportion of the Missouri river, to pass thro. the Indian territories. Howeverexcellent must be this gore of land of which we are speaking, our first thoughtsfurnish many reasons for supposing that an Indian settlement, severed from itskindred by the navigation of Missouri, and lying along side of white settlements,would not flourish. [52]

     From where the western line of the state ofMissouri crosses the Missouri river, the general direction of the latter as weascend is northwest for the distance, on a direct line, of 260 miles. It thenturns to the west 100 miles. Then it again bears to north west, and north leavingthe smaller streams of Runningwater and Puncah rivers, to mark the westwardlydirection towards the Rocky moun tains. I hope, sir, that a glance at some of thelater maps will procure an apology for my supposing that Running water &Puncah rivers and the Missouri should form the northern boundary of the IndianTerritory, the latter river the north eastern. The state of Missouri &territory of Arkansaw, the eastern, Red river (which is here our southernboundary) the southern, and the uninhabitable regions stretching nearly north andsouth on this side of the rocky mountains, should form the western limits of theterritory.
     This tract would be six hundred miles long fromsouth to north. This distance we may believe there is habitable country of theaverage width from east to west of 200 miles, with some exception at its northoccasioned by the inclination of Missouri river to west on the line of 260 milesmentioned above. West beyond the distance of about 200 miles we may suppose thecountry to be uninhabitable in consequence of the absence of timber, and, asreports say, the poverty of the soil. This tract is supposed to be fully adequateto all the purposes which the case will require. It can hardly be thought toomuch when we consider that 340 miles of the six hundred, has already beenassigned to different tribes, notwithstanding the work is scarcely begun.
     It was an excellent design which led to theextinguishment of Indian title to all the country north of Red river as far thedividing lands between Kanzas river & the great river Platt (Kanza &Osage reservations excepted) But I beg leave to express less admiration ofcircumstance of giving to the tribes who now have claims there, more-a great dealmore than was requisite. These and subsequent remarks on the same subject, implynot the smallest censure of those officers of government who have made thoseassignments of lands. They had their instructions, or were guided by reasons wellunderstood by themselves and in many instances no doubt they were influenced bycircumstances not under their control. In the country under consideration landshave been assigned to the Choctaws, Cherokees, Creeks, Quapaws, Osages, Kanzas,Shawanoes, Piankeshaws, and Delawares. Farther north live the Ottoes, Pawnees,and Omahas. From Red river on the south, to the north-

ern boundaries of the Kanzas reservation, is a distanceof 395 miles on a direct line. All these lands have been given away except astrip along Osage and the upper branches of Neosho, which in its narrowest partat the east is about 40 miles wide, and in its broadest about 75, and a stripextending north and south between the line of Missouri & the Osagereservation, &c. 25 miles wide, and about 80 miles long.
     The assignments of these lands were not made, Isuppose, with a view to an Indian Territory, the right to which should besecured to them. The two following considerations contribute to this conclusion.1st. To give to every tribe proposed to be removed, with similar liberality,would be to spread them so widely that they would not come within the spirit ofthe design, and moreover room would not be found without taking in much of thecountry north of the state of Missouri. 2d. Government has not yet said that thatcountry should be given to them for a permanent home. The only treaty with any ofthose tribes, that I have noticed, which seems to involve the principle of asecure home to them under the guarantee of government, is that which wasconcluded with the Cherokees of Arkansaw, the 31st May last. In that treaty everyassurance that could be desired, is given to the Indians that the lands thereinassigned shall be theirs forever. But this is a matter relating to a single tribeonly. Great embarrassment was felt on the late expedition because almost all thelands we saw in what we will term the Indian country, had previously been givenaway.
It is a fact which need not be concealed that, if our Indian tribes are to beremoved to that country, some millions of acres must be re-purchased for theiruse, and there is too much ground to fear that such lands will be purchased withgreater difficulty than they were at former treaties.
     Facts already stated, together with some which willappear hereafter, induce me to beg leave respectly, further to suggest that asuperintendency of Indian settlement, with a view to all matters relatingthereto, cannot be too soon established within the contemplated Indian territory.The superintendency of Indian affairs at St. Louis should doubtless be sustained,business apart from the Indian territory would be fully sufficient to justify it.But this argues nothing against our proposal. In support of this opinion I offerthe following considerations. 1st. The business of the Indian Agents is limitedto their several spheres, for which, as is natural they undesignedly and withoutcrime contract partialities. The matter of In-

than settlement in the territory requires concert and harmony in theoperations of all the parts. The superintendency in St. Louis is 300 miles fromthe nearest point of the Indian territory, and consequently too remote to manageall to advantage.
     2d. In a country like this where in formingsettlements, the amount of woodlands,the number of the tribe &c. have to be consulted, a personal acquaintancewith these things is necessary to their judicious arrangement. Information onthese points obtained at a distance comes from those whose duty it is for eachmerely to speak of his own district without any one to report on them conjointlywho is personally acquainted with the whole, and alike interested in all thecircumstances of Indian settlement. It is in this way only that we may hope thata judicious apportionment of lands can be made.
     3d. The seven millions of acres of land ceded tothe Cherokees of Arkansaw lastwinter, runs over a valuable portion of lands previously granted to the Creeks.This mistake in the assignment of Indian lands owned for want of correctinformation of the geographical situation of the country. It is impossible fora just distribution of land to be made by a mere reference to our maps. To meit appears evident that the difficulty above mentioned originated in the absenceof a superintendency, extending with equal interest to all parts-to all tribes,and informed of all.
     4th. The superabundance of the several claims andthe clashing of claims, are notthe only defects of this character in the present system of operation. I supposethat the circumstance of giving to each tribe "an Out-let" so called, is entirelysuperfluous and calculated to lead to perplexing difficulties. By out-lets isunderstood, a slip of land extending from that more particularly stipulated inthe treaty as being designed for settlement, west into the uninhabitable regionsof the desert and the mountains. The Choctaw out-let is about 100 miles wide.The width of that of the Creeks is not yet settled on account of the clashing oftheir claims with those of the Cherokees. But that which belongs to both is about120 miles wide. The Osage Out-let is 50 miles, & that of the Kanzas 30.The object of these Out-lets is that each may have access to hunting lands in thewest. But why not make those uninhabitable regions a common hunting ground forall the several hunting parties will not be able to distinguish the particularslip of land allowed for hunting purposes to the tribe to which the partybelongs. And even if they could the hunter nevertheless will roam wherever thegame is to be found. If

metes and bounds be fixed to those hunting lands trespasses will inevitably befrequent, and may lead to unpleasant consequences.
     In the allowance of those out-lets there issometimes ceded away to the tribe agreat deal more valuable country than by the face of the treaty is intended. As,for instance in the Cherokee treaty mentioned above, there is in the first placegranted to them several millions of acres, and then in addition there is given tothem all the lands west of this 7,000,000 tract & south of the 36 degree ofN. Latitude. If we suppose the country of the Choctaws to be valuable from thedistance of 200 miles west of their eastern limits, they in that case claim ofgood country, 19,600 square miles, or 12,544,000 acres, and in addition to this,the whole region west as far as the boundaries of the U States' territoriesextend.
     5th. This superintendency for which we respectfullyplead, is [neces] sary inorder to the establishing of such a central point in the Territory as will giveto the inhabitants the idea of civil government, and in which all the parts willbecome united in one common bond of interest, for the preservation of peace andharmony.
     6th. The greatest defect in this country, (and I amsorry that it is of soserious a character) is the scarcity of timber. If fields be made in the timberedland, which most persons who have been accustomed to timbered countries areinclined to do, the Indians more especially because often unprepared with teamsfor breaking prairies, timber will Soon become too scarce to sustain thepopulation which the plan under consideration contemplates. I trust that I needoffer no apology for supposing that measures ought to be immediately adopted, formarking off to each settler, or class of settlers the amount of timbered landreally necessary for their use severally and no more. The timber generally is sohappily distributed in streaks and groves, that each farm may be allowed theamount of timber requisite, and then extend back into the prairie lands forquantity. The prairies being almost universally rich, and well situated forcultivation, afford uncommon facilities for the operation of such a method. Bypursueing this plan, wood after a few years will increase in quantity annually,in proportion as the grazing of stock, and the interests of the inhabitants shallcheck the annual burning of those prairies. These regulations, essential to thefuture prosperity of the territory, cannot be made without the existence of thesuperintendency of which I Speak. Let it be said that the country within such andSuch defined boundaries shall be given to the Indians for the purposes underconsideration-next establish such a course

of things as will render it possible to make a fair distribution of it amongitsinhabitants in view of their numbers and circumstances, and which will secure tothem the possibility of future prosperity.Please to indulge me in expressing an opinion on another [point] deeply affectingthe interests of this territory, and which I am confident claims the earliestattention of our government.
     The Osages are avowedly engaged in an unnecessarywar with Pawnees, Kamanches,and others who wander in the regions west of them. Several skirmishes occurredthe last summer and fall. Osage hunting parties are frequently attacked andsometimes the enemy approaches quite to their villages. A few months ago a houseerected for the Osage Chief Walking-Rain,- [53] at a considerable expense to theUnited States, was scarcely completed, and had not been occupied by the ownerwhen it was visited by a company of their enemies who spent the night in theirbuilding, the destruction of which had been entirely within their power. Theowner and his party are in constant fear of such incursions of their enemies.The Osages in return go on war expiditions against their foes. I saw twoprisoners among them recently taken from the Pawnees, and some scalps, andhorses. This state of warfare tends greatly to the neglect among the Osages, ofhunting and the employment of other means for their subsistence and comfort.The mischiefs of the Pawnees, & Kamanches, &c. affect others also besidethe Osages. I remarked to the Shawanoes that they had settled too near the lineof Missouri. I was answered, "they were aware of the inconvenience to be expectedfrom their proximity to white settlements, but they were afraid to go fartherback," on account of mischievous Indians. For the same reasons the Potawatomiesand Ottawas who desire to settle in that country, would be afraid to locate onthe most eligible site. Other cases of similar character could be pointed to.It seems exceedingly necessary to the improvement of the territory to adoptmeasures that will give to the inhabitants of that country, and especially toemigrants, an assurance of safety.
     At a considerable expense to the U. States a roadhas been laid out from thestate of Missouri to Santa Fe in the Mexican territories. [54] Such has been theimprovement of trade to that country that this has become a plainly beaten wagonnroad. Our enterprising citizens have often returned from the mexican territoriesrichly

leaving Santa Fe are there known, and opportunity afforded for making timelypreparations for mischief. They are watched from their outsetting until afavourable opportunity offers for the attack.
     In order to put a stop to these alarming raids, Iwould advise that from theOsages, who are the only Indians avowedly engaged in this war, a delegation besent into the country where those Pawnees and Comanches, and others might befound, for the purpose of making peace with them. [56] Let them be conducted bysuchcommissioners of government as would be necessary, and one company of soldiers,with say, two light field pieces. The Spring season would be the best time tocommence the expedition. Leave the state of Missouri at the mouth of Kanzasriver, and proceed westwardly. Ten days journey might bring them in contact withsome, by whom messages of peace could be forwarded to others, and runners sentstill farther after hunting or war parties, and places would be agreed on fromtime to time for meeting the several bands. Four or five months would besufficient for the purposes of the expedition, which would terminate by a moresouthern route. Meat for subsistence could be obtained abundantly in every place,and the costs of the expedition might be very [trifling?].
     I am in possession of facts communicated to me by arespectable trader, [57] notlong since acquainted with those Indians, and capable of conversing with them,which fully convince me that such a visit would be successful in inducing them tobe peaceable with Osages and other Indians in that country and to cease theirdepredations on the Santa Fe road. I have reason to believe that those Indianswould eagerly avail themselves of such a state of things should the subject belaid before them in its proper light. Peace once established could be preserved,because the stipulations would be immediately followed by the establishment oftrading houses as far as our boundaries extend, and in other respects they wouldbe brought within the ken and influence of our government. This done they wouldgive us in future no more trouble. While in our acquaintance with them we shouldfind our account in matters of trade. Instead of being robbers they would becometrappers, and the trade of the

mountains, already lucrative, could be carried on without molestation.     The plan has not been disclosed to the Osages, butwhile I was in their countrysuch enquiries were made and such answers returned by some Osages of influence,that I have no doubt that the nation could readily be brought into themeasure.
     I have the honor to be with Very great Respect,Sir
          Your ObedientServant
               Isaac McCoy
     During the whole of both tours I kept a dailyjournal. It was of importance onboth that we had a map [prepared for the occasion?], of the country betweenArkansaw Territory and state of Missouri, and the Rocky mountains, and extendingfrom our southern boundaries north beyond the Territory proposed for the Indians.I regret that I have not had time since I returned from the woods to prepare sucha map, corrected, for the use of the Department.
     It only remains for me to obtain leave to express,with much confidence my opinion that the country under consideration is adequateto the purposes of a permanent and comfortable house for the Indians, andwhatever may be the obstacles which at present oppose, they may, nevertheless belocated there without recourse to any measure not in accordance with the mostrigid principles of justice and humanity. In such a location only can be foundhopes of their future prosperity-and here their prospects would not be shaded bya doubt.
     Washington City
          Jan. 29, 1829.

side of the Missouri. Finding that the deputations were averse to going as farnorth as the instructions required, I was induced in some measure to change thecontemplated route, and bear to the south. For our course, I would beg leave torefer you to the topographical sketch, herewith, taken by Lieutenant Hood and Mr.Bell; for a description of the general appearance and face of the country,together with the character of soil, &c., I would also refer you to the notestaken on the route, herewith enclosed.
     The Chickasaws and Choctaws being at war with theOsages, I thought it advisableto go to their villages, and effect, if possible, a peace. After consulting withthe deputations, and finding they were of my opinion, we concluded and went tothe Osage villages, where we were well received and hospitably treated. I inducedthem to make a peace satisfactory to both parties.
     There is a sufficient quantity of well timbered andwatered land on the Arkansasand its tributaries for the whole of the southern Indians, if a properdistribution be made.
     The Creek deputation expressed themselves in highterms of the country assignedto them by the Government, and will make a favorable report to their nation, andmake use of their influence in getting their people to emigrate to it.As is customary with Indians, the Choctaws and Chickasaws were very guarded inthe expression of any opinion about the country, or of their removing to it. I aminclined to believe, however, that, if the United States will procure from theChoctaws a sufficient portion of their lands, lying on and south of the Canadianfork of the Arkansas river, and make an offer of it to the Chickasaws, they willaccept it. This opinion is predicated upon some conversations I had with thedeputation at various times, but upon no positive assurance from them.
     The Chickasaws being in a great measure under theprotection of the Choctaws, inconsequence of the number of the latter tribe, I think it would be the bestpolicy to keep the two tribes together, as they are, and always have been,friendly towards each other, and also connected by the tie of a common language.I deem it unnecessary to say any thing more, as the notes, &c., accompanyingthis, will explain every thing necessary to be known, and more in detail.

Hon. P. B. PORTER,
Secretary of War.

     In compliance with orders received from theHonorable Secretary of War, theexploring expedition, composed of deputations from the Chickasaw, Choctaw, andCreek tribes of Indians, under the command of Capt. George H. Kennerly, left St.Louis on the 21st of October, 1828, for the purpose of examining the land to thewest of the State of Missouri, together with that situated between the Canadianforks of the Arkansas River.
     As topographers to the expedition, Lieut.Washington Hood and John W. Bell wereappointed to accompany it; which having done, they have the honor to make thefollowing report:
     The country from the western boundary line of theState of Missouri, as far asthe waters of the Arkansas, with but few exceptions, is prairie; the soilgenerally deep and rich, although it varies as it is situated at a greater orless distance from the streams watering the country; that, of course, being thebest which approaches nearest the creeks and rivers;, it is mostly of a darkbrown color, and doubtless, if put to the test, would produce abundantly.The prairie, with respect to appearance, differs a good deal between the twopoints mentioned; in some places it is quite rolling, even approaching to hills,and at others almost a plain surface; that, however, which lies in the vicinityof the State line has the latter appearance, whilst that which is on the watersof the Neosho, may be almost classed with the former. As the former howeverprevails, the soil becomes more sterile, on account of the rains washing it fromthe summits and sides of the hills into the valleys below. This, in some measure,accounts for the numerous quantities of small fragments of lime and sand stonewhich is met with on the ridges and sides of the hills of the prairie country.These hills, or more properly natural mounds, stand isolated very often,sometimes in clusters of from three to five, at different distances from eachother; they are often of a conical form, and again forming extensive ridges, theextremities of which are rounded off so as to present the appearance of asemitone. They vary in height from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet, but areseldom of greater altitude; their bases of different dimensions, according to theform.
     The country situated between the forks of theCanadian, after passing the mouthof the Little North fork, or Deep Fork as it is sometimes called, presents a verydifferent appearance. At the

distance of from seven to nine miles from the junction of the main Canadianwiththe Arkansas, it is in many places quite hilly; between these hills, however, weoften meet with very handsome valleys of considerable extent, well timbered. Thelatter is applicable to the hills also.
     The soil is here mixed with a great portion ofsand, no doubt arising from thedisintegration of the sand stone, which abounds in this part of the country. Itdiffers from that met with on the Neosho and Osage rivers, having, generally, avery dark cast, approaching almost to a purple color.
     It is said that the bottom land laying near themouth of the Canadian, andcontinuing up for the distance of four or five miles, is very fine and level,containing much, and capable of producing every thing which would render thesituation a delightful one. The margins of the different water courses in thisvicinity are generally pretty extensive, and must, in time, become thicklypopulated.
     The country from Missouri on as far as the CreekAgency on the Verdigris, restson an extensive bed of limestone; from this, continuing south, it appears to besandstone.
     The majority of the streams passed by theexpedition have always a number ofsmall branches acting as feeders; ravines, also, passing off from the prairies,the sides of which are ofttimes rocky, render the land in many placesconsiderably broken.
©    The current of these streams could not beconsidered as very rapid; probably, atthis season, being quite low, their tendency to rapidity is decreased; but, fromall accounts, the most of them, even the smallest branches, which, in some partsof the year, are completely dry, when swollen by the rains and the melting of thesnow in the Spring, render their velocity so great as to carry every thing beforeit. At this period, of course, the waters rise to a great height, inundating allthe country around, and sometimes to a considerable distance.
©    The Arkansas river is the largest of the streamspassed by the expedition afterleaving Missouri. It rises in the Rocky Mountains, and pursues a winding coursein a southeasterly direction, passing through a vast extent of country, until itdischarges itself into the Mississippi.
©    The banks of this stream are not high at either ofthe points where theexpedition forded it, and from the appearances presented, we would not supposethey were of any great height in its whole course. The width is between five andsix hundred yards at the

point where we first struck the river; the taste of the water is slightlybrackish; the banks are composed of a reddish clay, mixed with sand. This streamhas a milky appearance, corresponding in some degree with the color of its banks;it flows over a bed consisting of lime and sandstone, the latter predominating.The shores are a mixture of sand and gravel; the former of which, when the windis high, presents at a distance the appearance of a storm. This river is easilyforded in the vicinity of Cantonment Gibson, on the Neosho, at this season of theyear.
©    Into its waters are discharged those of someconsiderable streams; the Neosho,Verdigris, Illinois, and Canadian, are the principal ones. Their junctions withthe Arkansas are not far from each other, the whole being contained in thedistance, forty miles. The three first enter from the east, and the latter fromthe west of the Arkansas river.
©    The margins of these streams, as also of thetributaries, are generally timbered,sometimes continued along its whole course, and at others merely in groves; thisis the case on some parts of the Neosho or Grand River. The timber on this, aswell as the Osage, is very good, being large and of an excellent quality in manyplaces. The great fault to be found with it is on account of its scarcity, notextending at any point but a short distance from the water courses.
©    It consists generally of the following kinds, viz:walnut, hickory, elm, ash,black and white oak, coffee nut, hackberry, mulberry, &c. &c.
©    The Canadian country, from the distance of four orfive miles from its mouth, maybe considered as well timbered for seventy or eighty miles up the stream, andbetween the branches of the main river. In fact, this part appears to be coveredwith it; but, on continuing up towards its head waters, we are told very littleis met with, except on the small branches, tributaries to the Canadian. &c.,until we arrive at what is called by hunters "The Cross Timbers," passing betweenthe head waters, not only of this river, but also those of the Arkansas and itsbranches.
     Its width is from ten to thirty miles. Afterpassing beyond this, no timber ofany consequence is met with, the whole being a vast prairie country.On some parts of the Neosho, as we approached the Arkansas, canebrakes were seenupon the margins of this stream. These, however, in comparison with those moresouth, are but small; the common height of the cane being from seven to ten feet,the diameter in

proportion. In a number of places on the Arkansas and Illinois rivers, itgrows so close as to impede, in a great measure, the progress of any onetravelling through them.
©    The country ceded to the Osages, and continuingsouth, appears to abound in coal.In the bank of the Neosho river, near the Agency, and on the same side, there isa fine bed, having the same appearance, and possessing the same properties withthat found in the vicinity of Pittsburg. The bank of this stream, at thisplace, is exclusively sandstone, of a light red color, varying, however, toyellow and grey. Shell limestone is found also in the different little creeksand ravines about this agency.
©    The extent of this bed is not known; but itprobably continues for a greatdistance. At the point where the expedition forded the Riviere la Bate, or Riverof Reptiles, its entire bed, for the distance of from three to four hundredyards, was found to be of stone coal, of a similar kind with that mentionedabove.
©    In the southern bank of the Arkansas, just on theleft of the point at which westruck and forded the river, near Cantonment Gibson, there is a bluff composed ofstrata of slate and sandstone, the former of which is combined with a greatquantity of coal; in fact, it is found in a number of the small streams wateringthe country; from which we conclude, that, although there is a scarcity of fuelof one kind, yet nature has provided another in great quantities.A specimen of crystallized and transparent gypsum was received during the route,which was found on the smoky fork of the Kanzas river; it has a handsomeappearance, quite soft; the Indians procure, burn, and use it as a paint; whenburnt, it loses its transparency, becomes brittle, &c.; in what quantities itoccurs is not known.
©    Galena is said to occur in the different smallbranches in and about the landceded to the Osages; one specimen only was obtained, which was found in Flagriver, a small branch of the Neosho; it is crystallized, and would yield from 50to 60 per cent. of pure lead.
©    Near Mr. Cheauteau's trading house, on theNeosho, [59] between two and three milessoutheast from it, there is, apparently, a very fine salt spring; the water risesthrough a number of apertures made by the spring in a limestone rock which coversa space of about two acres.
     The quantity of salt which could be obtained from acertain quantity of the wateris not known, as the experiment has never been

made; from its taste, however, we would suppose that, if worked, it wouldprovevery productive.
©    From this spring at all times rises greatquantities of sulphuretted hydrogen; apiece of silver being placed in one of the apertures mentioned above, was turnedblack, thereby clearly indicating the presence of that gas.
For other information respecting the country passed through by the expedition, wewould respectfully refer to the notes which follow. And here we beg the libertyto observe, that on account of the short time which elapsed during the tour, wehad but little opportunity to give the country such an examination as it merits;particularly the part laying on the Canadian, and between the forks of the sameriver. It cannot be expected that the map accompanying this sketch is in everyrespect correct, as, upon such an expedition as has been made, there are but fewconveniences to enable us either to give satisfaction to ourselves, or thoseconcerned with the expedition. Enough, however, has been said, to give, ingeneral, a view of the country between the waters of the Blue, and those of theSouth Fork of the Canadian river.

CAPT. GEO. H. KENNERLY,
Washington City, D. C.
©    The following notes are taken from the originalones made on the expedition,commencing at the western boundary line of the State of Missouri, five milessouth of the mouth of the Kanzas, and concluding at a point of the same linesituated between the Osage Agency and the Harmony Mission, on the Osage river:[61]

Course: From line to < No. 1, S. 45 W.
Miles from one point to another: ½
Total distance from qr. line: ½

     The face of the country moderately rolling, soilvery rich, well timbered, black and white oak, red and slippery elm, walnut,hickory, hackberry, black and honey locust, ash, lynn, some cherry-treeunderwood, red bud, pawpaw and hazel; six or eight hundred yards from line,crossed near the head of a small branch running to left, [62] winding its way tothe Big Blue river.

Course: No. 1 to 2,
Miles from one point to another: 4
Total distance from qr. line: 4½

     No. 1 entered prairie at a projecting point,woods on right and left for half a mile, where the timber on left disappeared;that on the right continued to No. 2, at a distance varying from 100 yards tohalf a mile from course, which was over the points of ridges making down to theBlue river, tributary to Missouri, which runs here parallel with course betweenone and two; face of country gently rolling, soil rich.

Course: No. 2 to 3, S. 20 W.
Miles from one point to another: 3
Total distance from qr. line: 7#189;

     Country generally rolling, soil rich, course alittle to left; Perry and Comstalk's (Shawnee) village to right, on an eminence,at the foot of which winds the waters of a branch of the Blue river. [63] Thegeneral course of this creek, a little beyond this point, west. At No. 3 crossedthe Santa Fe road; timber at this point just in sight on right; none in view onleft of course.

Course: No. 3 to B.C.S.
Distance from one point to another: 3
Total distance from qr. line: 10½

     Half a mile, passed over a moderately elevatedridge, which divides the waters of the Little and Big Blue; [64] from its summitno timber in sight, nothing in fact but an extensive rolling prairie; half a milefrom point B, a small rivulet, on which is a handsome grove of timber; this headsabout two and a half miles above where we crossed it; its general course fromwest to east, joining the Big Blue a short distance below; proceeding half a mileover level and well timbered land to point B, we struck the waters of the BigBlue; the timber on this stream, at point B, is near a mile in width, of the samekind as that which is found at the line; this however decreases as you approachits source, which is distant 10 or 12 miles, a little south of west; it is hereabout ten yards in width, banks 10 or 12 feet high, water clear, of a bluishgreen appearance where it is deep; its taste corresponds with that which is foundpassing over (as this stream does) a bed of limestone; soil from No. 3 to thispoint generally good.

Course: B. to No. 1, C.S.
Distance from one point to another: 4
Total distance from qr. line: 14½

     Nov. 10.-After passing this river and continuinghalf a mile through oak, walnut, and hickory timber, ascending a longgentle slope from the stream, entered prairie; from the top of this rise we had acom manding view of the surrounding country; a continued rolling prairie onright; on left, the appearance was beautiful; numerous small streams, theirmargins timbered, were seen winding their courses in the valleys of this rollingcountry generally to E. and N. E.; continuing on for two miles, crossed a smallbranch running nearly at right angles with course; its banks are timbered, thewidth of the timber about 300 yards; after leaving it, we touched upon a prairieto the right; shortly after crossed another branch running from southwest tonortheast, which intersects the former a short distance below our crossing place;the water of both is clear, and corresponds with the waters of the Big Blue, asit respects color and taste; both are tributaries of this stream. From this weascended a gently rising hill; on reaching its summit we had another view of thecountry around; this elevation is at < No. 1; groves of timber were seen to thesoutheast, at some distance from course; country, as usual, rolling, soil good.

Course: No. 1 to C, 4 18#189; C. S. 45 W.
Distance from one point to another: 4
Total distance from qr. line: 18½

     Half a mile from this crossed the Main Santa Feroad; two miles further, crossed a small creek, three miles from its head,containing clear running water, its course from northwest to southeast; masses oflimestone are found on the summits and sides of the small ridges leading to thisbrook; near its margin there are a few scattering trees, which are low andscrubby; country rather hilly near this creek. Continuing one and a half mile,came to another creek, at point C; the course of this is from southwest tonortheast; it forked just below point G [C?]; the left branch winds off in asoutherly direction; its banks are of limestone, in some places perpendicular,the limestone in horizontal layers. The face of the country in this vicinity isgenerally rolling, but, as an approach is made to the creeks, it becomes brokenand hilly, sometimes (as it is at this point) with steep and rocky cliffs. Verylittle timber on this creek; soil generally good.

Distance from one point to another: 10
Total distance from qr. line: 28#189;

     Nov. 11: Crossed the left fork of this creek,with banks of limestone, as before;from this we ascended for two and a half miles, until we arrived at the dividingridge between the waters of the Blue and Grand rivers, the latter a branch of theOsage; from the top of this ridge no timber was seen in any direction; the courseof this ridge from northwest to southeast; half a mile, crossed what is generallycalled in this part of the country, "a dry creek," leading to the Grand river,its course S. 40 W.; at the distance of 7 or 8 miles, it increases; as itapproaches Grand river, its margins in some places timbered slightly; we passeddown the northern side of this stream, crossing numerous drains from the prairie,which is rolling; these drains from the prairie render the land near the streamquite broken; at No. 1, the timber on the creek to the left, which continues for3 or 4 miles back, disappears; a little after, we met with a small grove oftimber on right. The soil of this part of the country has been washed from itsoriginal situation in many. places, showing a part of the extensive bed oflimestone on which it rests; soil very good.

     Course for a short time changed to left, windinground some steep rockyhollows; timber to the west and northwest, down the hollows; country very rollingto south of course; soil, when uninterrupted, good.

Course: No. 2 to D, 60 W.
Distance from one point to another: 1
Total distance from qr. line: 30½

     A few hundred yardsfrom < No. 2, entered timber, which continued to a creek, another branch of theGrand river; country gently declining from the edge of the timber to creek; thesoil mixed with nu-

Course: D to No. 1, S.
Distance from one point to another: 10
Total distance from qr. line: 40#189;

     Nov. 12.-Proceeded three or four hundred yards;entered prairie; country nearlylevel; a moderately elevated ridge to right; continued 3 miles, and crossed themain branch of Grand river; its course appeared to be from northwest tosoutheast, and joined the one last mentioned about half a mile below; it is 15 or20 yards in width, banks varying, 10 or 12 feet general height; beautiful groveof timber upon it, width 5 or 600 yards; the country is more rolling on the souththan on the north side; this stream, like all we passed, is at present very low;the water corresponds in appearance, &c. with that of the Blue; continuing afew hundred yards, enter prairie, nearly level about one mile; then ascend aridge which divides the creek just passed and that in front; country on thisridge and S. S. E. and S. W., rather hilly and broken; limestone exposed in manyplaces on the summits and sides of hills, and also in the prairie; passed fromthe ridge into an extensive valley, running from west to east, in which is alittle timber, which is on a small dry creek; at the distance of one mile,crossed another creek, running from southwest to northeast; country rolling, soilgood; in a number of places, however, the soil contains the mixture of fragmentsof lime stone; after leaving this, in a short time we crossed the dividing ridgebetween the Grand and the Osage rivers. The country from the summit of this ridgeto the east and west appears hilly and broken, but to the south rolling, withsome extensive valleys; passed half < No. 1, in a valley.

Course: No. l to 2, S.25 W.
Distance from one point to another: 3
Total distance from qr. line: 43#189;

     Between Nos. 1 and 2 the country is gentlyrolling; no timber, but good soil;about half way between the two points is a detached hill of a conical form, tothe right of course; between 6 and 800 yards circumference of base, and altitude90 or 100 feet.

Course: No. 2 to E, S. 45 W.
Distance from one point to another: 3
Total distance from qr. line: 46#189;

     At point E there is a small ridge, the ends ofwhich are rounded off; rollingprairie to the Osage river at point E, a few small streams or branches, with afew scattering trees on them, wind their courses toward this river in sight fromcourse; before arriving at the bank of the Osage, we crossed a small branch atthe edge of the timber; the wood is on the northern margin of the Osage, at thispoint in width half a mile,

the river 60 or 70 yards wide, water clear, banks 25 or 30 feet in height, andcomposed of the rich alluvial soil of the country to irregular depths, thensucceeds a bed of sand and gravel, of a reddish brown color to the water's edge;over a bed of this the Osage winds its course, which course, in general, appearsto be from W. N. W. to E. S. E. The width of timber varies on this stream from ahalf to two miles; the soil near and in the vicinity of the river is of the bestquality.

Course: E to No. 1, S. 30 E.
Distance from one point to another: 5
Total distance from qr. line: 41#189; [65]

     November 13th.-Crossed the Osage, [66] which isat this time easily forded, being quite low; a few hundred yards from thepoint, at which we struck the opposite bank, enter prairie in the valley runningto the river; small hills to left of course, which divide the waters of the mainOsage from another branch three or four miles south; its junction with the mainstream is four or five miles from the place where we forded the river; continuingthree miles, again strike the Osage; a high craggy bluff at this point; sometimber on the ridges, and also on the bluff, which is near 200 feet in height,the country very rolling south, between this and the last creek spoken of.Limestone still predominates, making its appearance in horizontal strata in thebluff, and sides and summits of the hills.

Course: No. 1 to F, S.
Distance from one point to another: 3#189;
Total distance from qr. line: 45

     Continued one mile; passed into a valley inwhich ran a dry creek with a few scattering trees; its course is from E. to W.;somehills on the south side of this creek; kept down the creek some distance, andcrossed at a point of hills on the east; about a mile S. W. of this point westruck the creek, and passed up it about half a mile; on the north side of thisstream there are some high hills, the summits of which are bold; large masses oflimestone in layers, projecting a short distance in some places over the sides ofthe hills; at this point there is another beautiful grove of timber; the courseof creek appears to be from W. S. W. to E.N.E. to the Osage; the soil generallygood. The creek just mentioned is 25 or 30 yards wide, and banks 15 or 20 feethigh; at present this stream is very low.

Course: F to G, S. 30 W.
Distance from one point to another: 15
Total distance from qr. line: 60

     November 14, 1828. Passed up a valley and bottomofthis branch; there is a range of hills to left during the whole distance, pointsof which frequently come within a short distance of the creek, but sometimesrecede to such distances as to form extensive valleys and bottoms.

     These bottoms and valleys are generally welltimbered, particularly the former;the summits and sides of the hills are generally capped with large uncoveredbeds, or rather masses of limestone, the layers of which are horizontal; they arein height from 50 to 150 feet; the sides are mostly covered with the usual kindsof upland timber, such as post-oak, black jack, &c.; the country at somedistance from the creek is prairie, hilly, and broken; rendered so by thenumerous ravines or drains which serve to carry off the water from the prairie tothe creek mentioned above, which we ascended. About three miles below G crossedthe creek to the west side, and proceeded about 300 yards to prairie; this isrolling, which continues for a great distance; in fact, as far as the eye candistinguish any object, the horizon bounding the view; the soil of this valley isof the first quality; it is also very good in all the prairie country in thisvicinity, except where the land has been laid bare by the rains.

Course: G to No. 1, S. 50 W.
Distance from one point to another: 6
Total distance from qr. line: 66

     November 15, 1828. Proceeded up the valley ofthe creek on the west side; face of the country almost level on course to < No.1; prairie on right gently ascending for one or two miles, then became rolling;crossed a branch, on which is a few scattering trees' about half way betweenthese two points; branch courses from W. to E., soil varying, near the branchgood, but a little removed; stony.

Course: No. 1 to 2, S.
Distance from one point to another: 10
Total distance from qr. line: 76

     Creek here approaches course; very little timberon thewest side of it at this point; the east side is hilly and broken, with sometimber on points of ridges, as well as on the numerous tributaries of thisbranch; the creek here takes an easterly direction; little or no timber on thebranches leading to it from west, continuing seven or eight miles, and pass thedividing ridge between the waters of the Osage and Neosho; country rolling; thesoil mixed with numerous small and large fragments of limestone, flint, andgravel, &c.; from the descending point the country becomes less rolling;continued to < No. 2, at which we crossed a drain, which we descended to another,winding its course from east; these branches met just below where we crossed; alittle timber in the fork; soil across the dividing ridge poor and stony.

Course: No. 2 to H, S. 50 W.
Distance from one point to another: 3
Total distance from qr. line: 79

     The country to H is gently rolling in our courseboth toright and left; some sandstone of a reddish cast was found here, mixed in beds oflimestone; soil generally good; crossed the creek to west side again, where thereis a handsome grove of timber.

Course: H. to No. 1, S. 50 W.
Distance from one point to another: 6
Total distance from qr. line: 85

     November 16, 1828: Continued 300 yards; enteredprairie, rolling in alldirections to No. 1, except in the valley of the creek which we passed; this runsto the left nearly parallel with course. The soil here, as well as for somedistance back, in many places, is mixed, as has been before stated, withlimestone in small fragments; here is also fragments of sandstone, flint,&c.; where this is not the case, the soil is good; timber of the Neosho tothe west in sight.

     Crossed the creek again at this point; here is aconical hill north side of thecreek; half a mile below the crossing place it wound around with course, runningparallel with it; face of the country nearly level to the S. and E. side of thiswater course for a mile or two, then changes to rolling three miles; crossed acreek running east, joining the former on right, a short distance below;tributary of the Neosho; half a mile further, continuing one mile from thiscreek, we struck the Neosho river; coming in from the N. W., rolling prairie toleft, on east of river; to point I the soil very rocky in some places near themargin; with this exception, the soil is good.

Course: I, to Osage Agency. S. 40 E.
Distance from one point to another: 19
Total distance from qr. line: 114

     November 17, 1828.-The appearance of thecountry, from this as far on as theOsage Agency, is rolling; a few miles east of the river, between these twopoints, there are several small creeks tributaries of the Neosho; two miles fromI, there is one running general direction N. N. E. to S. S. W., on which is agrove of timber nearly half a mile in breadth; at present no running water;another branch is eight or ten miles below this, with timber; its course from N.N. E. to S. S. W.; [67] about half a mile this side of the Agency there isanother,running from N. E. to S. W. [68] This is not so large as the former, nor does it,after a distance of one mile and a half from river, afford as handsome groves oftimber; the face of the country between these creeks varies from level pieces ofland to rolling prairie, and especially in the bend of the Neosho at the Agency;the timber of the river is generally confined to the east side of the followingkinds, viz : black and white oak, overcup oak, walnut, hickory, hackberry, redand slippery elm, black and honey locust, lynn, ash, a little cotton wood, andnear the margin, birch, willow, and sycamore; soil between the two pointsmentioned generally good; the Osage Agency is on the west side of the river, on amoder-

ately elevated rise, which extends near the Neosho, and forms here a bluffbank. [69]

     The Neosho river at the agency is between 50 and60 yards in width; the height ofthe bank varies from 15 to 25 feet on the east side; the bluff bank is of muchgreater height, and is composed of sandstone of various colors, generally of alight grey cast, often red. The bed of the river is gravel, the water clear; thedepth at this season 3#189; to 4 feet at the point mentioned above. In thebluff, on the western side of the river, there is a formation of stone coal; itcontains a great deal of bitumen; when burnt, gives out a dark smoke; burns witha reddish brown flame; in fact, it appears to possess the properties of the coalwhich is found in such abundance in the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa. The specimenobtained was from near the surface; of course not so good as that which is moredeeply imbedded. The extent of this formation is not known, but it is probablethat it extends to a great distance in this country, as it will be seen, as weadvance, that this is not the only place it is to [be] met with. The sandstonehere appears to predominate, and doubtless from this as far as the expeditionproceeded may be considered a sand stone country.

     From the agency to White Hair's village is arolling prairie country. [70] About three miles from the former there is a creekrunning to the Neosho on left, with a few scattering trees; east, half a milethis side, or north of the village, there is another; both, however, small.Sandstone is found in the sides, or rather composing the sides of the drainsleading down to the river; soil good. Timber on Neosho from #189; mile to 2 inwidth.

     From this village for 3 miles the course was S.30 E., change to S. 20 E. for 3 miles; crossed a small dry creek, which forksjust above this point; half a mile below it joins the Neosho; a few scatteringtrees on it; on the points of the ridges which make to it above the forks, thereis some post oak and black jack; continuing 3 miles crossed another creek withsome scrubby timber on it; its course from W. by N. to E. by S. Course from this,for 8 or 10 miles, nearly due S., crossing the heads or near the heads of severalhollows or drains which lead to the Neosho on left; from this, S. W. for 5 or 6miles, to a creek called the

River of Reptiles at K [J.?]. [71] The general course of this creek appears tobefrom N. W. to S. E., and heads opposite the Osage Agency; it is about 20 yardswide, banks of clay 15 or 20 feet high. Throughout the season there is