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Show zu JOUHNAL OF A VO\AGE Its appearance from a distance, struck tny mind with the same effect as a fleet of the flat botton1cd boats, which arc scC'n in the spring and fall seasons, descending the Ohio river. There arc two churches, the n1agnificence of whose steeples form a striking contrast to the miserable appearance of the houses. On the north side of the town is the square of solJiers houses, equal to 120 or 140 on each flank. The public square is in the centre of the town ; on the north side of which is situated the palace (as the term it) or governn1ent house, with the quarters for guards, &c. The other side of the square is occupied by the clergy and public officers. In general the houses have a shed before the front, some of which have a flooring of brick ; the consequence is, that the streets arc very narrow, say in general 25 feet. The supposed population is 4·,500 souls. On our entering the town, the crowd was great, and followed us to the government house. When we dismounted, we were ushered in through various i·ooms, the floors of which were covered with skins of bufralo, bear, or some other animal. We waited in a chamber for some time, until his excellency appeared, when we rose, and the following conversation took place :in French. Governor. Do you speak French? Pike. Y cs sir. Goverrwr. You come to reconnoitre our country, .do y.ou? Pike. I marched to reconnoitre our own. G()vcrnor. In what character arc you? Pike. In my proper character, an officer of the United States army? Governor. And this Robinson, is he attached to your party? Pike. No. TUROUGII TilE INTERIOR PHOVINCES, &c. 21·.> GO'Uernor. Do you know him ? Pike. Yes, he is from St. Louis. [I haJ under~ ~tood the doctor was sent 45 leagues frmn Santa Fe, under a strong guard, and the haughty and unfriendly reception of the governor induced n1e to believe war n1ust have been declared, and that if it was known l)r. Robinson accompanied n1e, he would be treated with great severity. I was correct in saying he was not attached to my party, for he was only a volunteer, he could not properly be said ~o be one of my command. J Governor. I-Iow many 1nen have you ? Pike. Fifteen. Governor. And this Robinson makes sixteen. Pike. I have already told your excellency that he docs not belong to my party, and shall answer no 1norc interrogatories on that subject. Governor. When did you leave St. Louis? Pike. 15th July. Governor. I think you marched in June. Pike. No, sir ! Governor. \V ell! return with Mr. Bartholemew to :his house, anJ come here again at seven o'clock, and bring your papers; on which we returned to the house of my friend Bartholerncw, who seen1ed n1uch hnrt at the in- 'tcrvicw. At the door of the government house, I tuet the old h·enchman, to whom I had given the scrap of paper on the 27th February. lie had ]eft us in the n1orning, and as I suppose, hurried in to n1ake his report, and I presun1e had presented this paper to his excellency. I demanded with a look of conte1npt, if he had made his report? to which he made reply in an humble tone, and began ~to excuse himself, but I did not wait to hear his excuses. At the hour appointed we returned, when the governor demand- |