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Show 66 APPENDIX TO PAl{T III; similat· establishment, and will obtain the consent of the Indians fot• their erection, informing them that they arc intended to increase theit· trade, and ameliorate tlJei1· condition. You will proceed to ascend the main b1·anch of the river until you reach the source of it, or the season may forbid your ful'ther pro~rcss without endangering your return, before the watt::rs are frozen up. You will endeavor to ascertain the latitude of the most remarkable places in your route, with the extent of the navig·ation and the direction of the different rivers which fall into the Mississippi, and you will not fail to procure specimens of whatever you may find curious, i~ the mineral, vegetable, or animal kingdoms, to be rendered at this place. In your course you are to spare no pains to conciliate the In( lians and to attach them to the United States, and you may invite the great chit:/8 of such distant nations as have not been at this ftlace, to pay me a visit. Your own good sense will regulate: the consumption of your proYisions, and direct the distribution of the trifling presents which you may carry with you, particularly yout' flag s. 1 wish you a speedy, plea::.ant, and safe tour, and am, sir·, with sentiments of respect and esteem, Yom· obedient servant, (Signed) JAMJ.o~S \VILKINSON. 1'. S. In nddjtion to the preceding ordct·s, you will be pleased to obtain permission ft·om the Indians who claim the ground, for the erection of military posts and trading houses, at the mouth of the ri\'et· St. Pierre, the fulls of St. Anthony, aml every other critical 11oint which may fall under your observation ; these permissions to be granted in fol'mal conferences, regulady recorded, and the ground marked off. J. \V .* L ieutenant Z M Pike, 1st regt. infantry. -·- /Vm· D ejwrtment, February 24, 1808. !::nn, In answer to your letter· of the 22d instant, I can with plea· sure observe, that although the two exploring expeditions you have 11erformed, were not previously ordered by the pre!!ident of the * 17or general Wilkinson's further instructions, sec P:ut 11. page I07· APPENDIX TO PART III. 67 United States, there were frequent communications on the subject of each, ~etwecn gcneJ·al Wilkinson and this department; of which the prestdent of the United States was, from time to time, acquainted; and it wi~ be no more than what justice t·cquires, to say, t~at yout· conduc_t, m e ach of those expeditions, met the approbatwn of the president ; and that the information you obtained and communicated to the executive, in relation to the solll·c<:: of the !\lississippi and the natives in that quarter, and the country generally, as well on the Upper Mississippi, as that between the Arkansaw and the Missouri, and on the borders of the latter extensive rivet· to its som:ce a~d the .c?untry adjacent, has been consicle rccl highly intcJ'estwg, 111 a pollucal, gcogr~phical, and historical view And you may res~ assured, that your services arc held in high estimation by the presrdcnt of the United States; and if any opinion of my own can afford you any satisfaction, I very frankly declare that I consider the ~ub_Ii~ much indebted to you for the enterprising, persevering and JUdiciOus manne1·, in which you have pcl'lormcd them. I am, very respectfully, sir, Your ol>cdicut servant, Cajltain Zc:bulon l l-1. Pikt·. II. DEAURon-.. -·- RETURN O.F PERSONS EMPLOYED ON A TOUR 01•' DISCOVI•;ny A !-. D F. Xl'I,O I!A TION TO THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSil!r£, J N T H E 'EA H S 1805 AND 1806, Lieutenant Z. M. PIKE, Interpreter PIERRE ROSSEAU, Serjeant HENRY KENNERMA::\, Corporals S \VILLIAM E. MEEK, ~SAMUEL BRADLEY) Jeremiah Jackson, John Boley, John Brown, PHIVA'fES. Jacob Carter, Thom~~s Dougherty~ Hugh Menauglt. Alcxundet· Roy. John Sparks, Patrick Smith, Ft·ccgi l't !:> tolifc , |