been greater or more frequent; but it is conceived that the record of such injustice would neither render mankind wiser nor the author happier. The "crooked" cannot be made "straight," and he who attempts it will often find that his inordinate toils only vex his own soul. He who does the ill in society is alone responsible for it, and if he chances not to be rebuked for it on this imperfect theatre of human action, yet he cannot flatter himself at all that he shall pass through a future state "scot free." The author views man ever as an accountable being, who lives, in a providential sense, that he may have an opportunity to bear record to the principles of truth, wherever he is, and this, it is perceived, can be as effectually done, so far as there are causes of action or reflection, in the recesses of the forest, as in the area of the drawing-room, or the purlieus of a court. It is believed that, in the present case, the printing of the diary could be more appropriately done, while most of those with whom the author has acted and corresponded, thought and felt, were still on the stage of life. The motives that, in a higher sphere, restrained a Wraxall and a Walpole in withholding their remarks on passing events, do not operate here; for if there be no- thing intestimonial or faulty uttered, the power of a stern, high- willed government cannot be brought to bear, to crush independence of thought, or enslave the labors of intellect: for if there be a species of freedom in America more valuable than another, it is that of being pen-free
It is Sismondi, I think, who says that "time prepares for a long flight, by relieving himself of every superfluous load, and by cast- ing away everything that he possibly can." The author certainly would not ask him to carry an onerous weight. But, in the history of the settlement of such a country and such a population as this, there must be little, as well as great labors, before the result to be sent forward to posterity can be prepared by the dignified pen of polished history; and the writer seeks nothing more than to furnish some illustrative memoranda for that ultimate task, who- ever may perform it.
He originally went to the west for the purpose of science. His mineralogical rambles soon carried him into wide and untrodden. fields; and the share he was called on to take in the exploration of the country, its geography, geology, and natural features, have thrown him in positions of excitement and peril, which furnish, it is
supposed, an appropriate apology, if apology be necessary, for the publication of these memoirs.
But whatever degree of interest and originality may have been connected with his early observations and discoveries in science, geography, or antiquities, the circumstances which directed his attention to the Indian tribes-their history, manners and customs, languages, and general ethnology, have been deemed to lay his strongest claim to public respect. The long period during which these observations have been continued to be made, his intimate relations with the tribes, the favorable circumstances of his position and studies, and the ardor and assiduity with which he has availed himself of them, have created expectations in his case which few persons, it is believed, in our history, have excited.
It is under these circumstances that the following selections from his running journal are submitted. They form, as it were, a thread connecting acts through a long period, and are essential to their true understanding and development. A word may be said. respecting the manner of the record which is thus exhibited :-
The time is fixed by quoting exactly the dates, and the names of persons are invariably given wherever they could, with propriety, be employed; often, indeed, in connection with what may be deemed trivial occurrences; but these were thought essential to the proper relief and understanding of more important matters. Indeed, a large part of the journal consists of extracts from the letters of the individuals referred to; and in this way it is conceived that a good deal of the necessarily offensive character of the egotism of journalism is got rid of. No one will object to see his name in print while it is used to express a kind, just, or noble sentiment, or to advance the cause of truth; and, if private names are ever employed for a contrary purpose, I have failed in a designed cau- tiousness in this particular. Much that required disapprobation has been omitted, which a ripening judgment and more enlarged Chris- tian and philosophic view has passed over; and much more that invited condemnation was never committed to paper. Should circumstances favor it, the passages which are omitted, but ap- proved, to keep the work in a compact shape, will be hereafter added, with some pictorial illustrations of the scenery.
The period referred to, is one of considerable interest. It is the thirty years that succeeded the declaration of war by the United
States, in 1812, against Great Britain, and embraces a large and important part of the time of the settlement of the Mississippi Valley, and the great lake basins. During this period ten States have been added to the Union. Many actors who now slumber in their graves are called up to bear witness. Some of the number Red and white men
were distinguished men; others the reverse. alike express their opinions. Anecdotes and incidents succeed each other without any attempt at method. The story these inci- dentally tell, is the story of a people's settling the wilderness. It is the Anglo-Saxon race occupying the sites of the Indian wig- wams. It is a field in which plumed sachems, farmers, legisla- tors, statesmen, speculators, professional and scientific men, and missionaries of the gospel, figure in their respective capacities. Nobody seems to have set down to compose an elaborate letter, and yet the result of the whole, viewed by the philosophic eye, is a broad field of elaboration.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 12th, 1851.
Brief reminiscences of scenes from 1809 to 1817-Events preliminary to a knowledge of western life-Embarkation on the source of the Alleghany River-Descent to Pittsburgh-Valley of the Monongahela; its coal and iron-Descent of the Ohio in an ark-Scenes and incidents by the way- Cincinnati-Some personal incidents which happened there
Descent of the Ohio River from Cincinnati to its mouth-Ascent of the Mississippi, from the junction to Herculaneum-Its rapid and turbid character, and the difficulties of stemming its current by barges-Some incidents by the way
Reception at Herculaneum, and introduction to the founder of the first American colony in Texas, Mr. Austin-His character-Continuation of the journey on foot to St. Louis-Incidents by the way-Trip to the mines -Survey of the mine country-Expedition from Potosi into the Ozark Mountains, and return, after a winter's absence, to Potosi
Sit down to write an account of the mines-Medical properties of the Mis- sissippi water-Expedition to the Yellow Stone-Resolve to visit Wash- ington with a plan of managing the mines-Descend the river from St. Genevieve to New Orleans-Incidents of the trip-Take passage in a ship for New York-Reception with my collection there-Publish my memoir on the mines, and proceed with it to Washington-Result of my plan- Appointed geologist and mineralogist on an expedition to the sources of the Mississippi
Set out on the expedition to the northwest-Remain a few weeks at New York-Visit Niagara Falls, and reach Detroit in the first steamer-Prepa-
rations for a new style of traveling-Correspondents-General sketch of the route pursued by the expedition, and its results-Return to Albany, and publish my narrative-Journal of it-Preparation for a scientific account of the observations
Reception by the country on my return-Reasons for publishing my narra- tive without my reports for a digested scientific account of the expedition— Delays interposed to this-Correspondents-Locality of strontian-Letter from Dr. Mitchell-Report on the copper mines of Lake Superior-Theo- retical geology-Indian symbols-Scientific subjects-Complete the publi- cation of my work-Its reception by the press and the public-Effects on my mind-Receive the appointment of Secretary to the Indian Commission at Chicago-Result of the expedition, as shown by a letter of Dr. Mitchell to General Cass 55
Trip through the Miami of the lakes, and the Wabash Valley-Cross the grand prairie of Illinois-Revisit the mines-Ascend the Illinois-Fever- Return through the great lakes-Notice of the "Trio"-Letter from Profes- sor Silliman-Prospect of an appointment under government-Loss of the "Walk-in-the-Water"-Geology of Detroit-Murder of Dr. Madison by a Winnebago Indian
New-Yearing-A prospect opened-Poem of Ontwa-Indian biography- Fossil tree-Letters from various persons-Notice of Ontwa-Professor Silliman-Gov. Clinton-Hon. J. Meigs-Colonel Benton-Mr. Dickenson -Professor Hall-Views of Ex-presidents Madison, Jefferson, and Adams on geology-Geological notices-Plan of a gazetteer-Opinions of my Narrative Journal by scientific gentlemen-The impostor John Dunn Hunter -Trip up the Potomac - Mosaical chronology-Visit to Mount Ver- 76
Appointed an agent of Indian affairs for the United States at Saint Mary's- Reasons for the acceptance of the office-Journey to Detroit-Illness at that point-Arrival of a steamer with a battalion of infantry to establish a new military post at the foot of Lake Superior-Incidents of the voyage to that point-Reach our destination, and reception by the residents and Indians-A European and man of honor fled to the wilderness 87
« ZurückWeiter » |