was more than a hundred miles off in another direction.  Lewis and Clarke had ascended the river previously.  In 1820, General Cass, accompanied by Mr. Schoolcraft, explored the river to Cass Lake; being obliged to stop there on account of the low stage of water which they heard existed a few days’ journey beyond.  Again, in 1832, Mr. Schoolcraft, then superintendent of Indian affairs, made another expedition, which resulted in his discovery of the true sources of the river; it being a lake which he named Itasca.  It has been said that he manufactured this beautiful word out of the last syllables of veritas and the first syllable of caput (the true head).  But I have been told that the word was suggested to his mind by an Indian word signifying breast.  Dr. Johnson says, that a traveller in order to bring back knowledge should take knowledge with him.  That is, that he should have posted himself up to some extent on the country he visits.  I hope it will not require an affidavit for me to prove that I availed myself of the suggestion.  But I must say I have found great pleasure and profit in perusing Mr. Schoolcraft’s narratives of both his expeditions.  Though he had the encouragement of the government, his undertaking was surrounded by many obstacles and some dangers.  His account of the whole country is pleasant and instructive to the reader, and shows that all he saw produced on his mind a favorable impression.  The arduous services of this gentleman as an explorer have been of great advantage to the country, and his fine literary talents have given his adventures an historic fame.  Not less deserving of applause either have been his efforts to promote the welfare of the Indians.  He now lives in affluent circumstances at Washington, and, though suffering under some bodily infirmities, appears (or did when I saw him) to enjoy life with that serene and rational happiness which springs from useful employment, and a consciousness that past opportunities have been improved.

  “For he lives twice who can at once employ
   The present well and e’en the past enjoy.”

There have been other explorations of this part of the country at different times by Messrs. Long, Nicollet, and Pope.  M. Nicollet was accompanied and assisted by Mr. (then Lieutenant) Fremont.  The reports made of these explorations afford information which, if extensively known among the people, would tend to direct a larger emigration into the upper part of the territory.  They often launch off into exclamations as to the beautiful surface of the country; while their account of native fruits and the bracing climate and fertile soil picture to the imagination all the elements of a home.