NARRATIVE OF AN EXPEDITION TO THE SOURCE OF THE ST. PETER'S RIVER, LAKE WINNEPEEK, LAKE OF THE WOODS, &c. PERFORMED IN THE YEAR 1823, BY ORDER OF THE HON. J. C. CALHOUN, SECRETARY OF WAR, UNDER THE COMMAND OF STEPHAN H. LONG, U.S.T.E. COPILED FROM THE NOTES OF MAJOR LONG, MESSRS. SAY, KEATING AND COLHOUN (TWO VOLUMES BOUND IN ONE)

Octavo, 8.5 in. x 5.3 in., pp. 1-458 (Volume I), [3], vi, 1-248 (Volume II), 1-146 (appendix), [10] (Vocabulary of Indian Languages). Illustrated with engraved frontis, fold-out map (11.25 in. x 21 in.), and six additional engravings. Full calf wiith decorative gilt frame to front and back. Gilt title on red panel, gilt fleurons, and six raised bands to spine. Marbled edges. Light rubbing to extremities; a few chips to back board. Previous owners' signatures to front pastedown. Light olive-green library tape repairs to front and rear hinges. Map in VG+ condition. Tight textblock. (Howes K20). William Hypolitus Keating (1799-1840), scientist, educator, and attorney, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1816. Having continued his studies for a time in Europe, he returned to his alma mater in 1822 as professor of mineralogy and chemistry as applied to agriculture and the arts, a position he retained until 1828. A secretary of the American Philosophical Society, 1823-27 and 1832, and councilor, 1831 and 1836-40, Keating discovered roughly ten minerals during his career. In 1823 he accompanied a United States Army expedition to explore the Minnesota and Manitoba regions, and a year later he helped found and taught chemistry at the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts. After a four-year stint in Mexico working for a mining company, Keating returned to Philadelphia, held a seat in the state House of Representatives, 1832-34, and was admitted to the bar. He died suddenly on a business trip in London, England at age 41.…