NARRATIVE OF AN EXPEDITION THROUGH THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI TO ITASCA LAKE, THE ACTUAL SOURCE OF THIS RIVER ; EMBRACING AN EXPLORATORY TRIP THROUGH THE ST. CROIX AND BURNTWOOD (OR BROULE) RIVERS IN 1832

SCHOOLCRAFT, HENRY R.

Published by Published By Harper & Brothers, 1834., New York, 1834

About this Item

First edition. 8vo. Original cloth, titles stamped on a paper label affixed to the spine, vi, 7 - 307 [1] pp., preface, uncut, five maps (two folding), errata. Includes the author's explorations on the St. Croix and Burntwood Rivers. "This is an account by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793-1864) of his discovery of the Mississippi River's source, Lake Itasca, in 1832. Schoolcraft was an Indian agent for the region, and he assembled an expeditionary party of thirty, including Ozawindib (an Ojibway guide and interpreter), an army officer, a surgeon, a geologist, and interpreter, and a missionary. They set out with instructions from Secretary of War Lewis Cass to effect a permanent peace among the region's Native Americans, persuade them to be vaccinated against smallpox, acquire demographic and scientific information, and establish definitively the origin of the Mississippi. Expedition Through the Upper Mississippi contains anecdotes and observations about the beliefs, customs, and history of the Chippewa [Ojibway] as well as the Sioux [Dakota], the Fox [Mesquakie], the Sauk, the Menominee, the Mandans, and various other Native American groups. The narrative proceeds chronologically along the route the expedition followed, with detailed descriptions of geographical features. This volume also includes a short account of a trip along the St. Croix and Burntwood (Brule) River, and has an appendix containing statistical and linguistic data, a list of shells collected by Schoolcraft in the West and Northwestern territories, official reports, a speech by six Chippewa chiefs about the war delivered at Michilimackinac in July 1833, and a discussion of the Upper Mississippi's lead mining country." Howes S187 says "On this trip was discovered what later proved to be the real source of the Mississippi." Field 1367 says "Most of this narrative is occupied with interesting incidents of Indian life and character, extracts from manuscript journals of the fur-traders, and traditions of the aborigines." The excellent maps are of the upper Mississippi Valley, Cass Lake, and other local regions. Bookplate of The Library Company of Baltimore on front pastedown sheet, inked library numbers at foot of cloth spine, internally clean with no other markings, maps in very good to fine condition. Overall a very good copy. Seller Inventory # 38983

Bibliographic Details

Title: NARRATIVE OF AN EXPEDITION THROUGH THE UPPER...

Publisher: Published By Harper & Brothers, 1834., New York

Publication Date: 1834

Binding: Hardcover

Edition: First edition.