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Show subsisted principally on tneat, with which onr guns have supplied us amply, and have thus been enabled to reserve the parched meal, portable soup, and a considerable proportion of pork and flour, which we had intended for the more difficult parts of our voyage. If Indian information can be credited, the vast quantity of game with which the country abounds through which we are to pass, leaves us but little to apprehend from the want of food. We do not calculate on completing our voyage within the present year, but ex:pect to reach the Pacific ocean, and return as far as the head of the Missouri, or perhaps to this place, before winter. You may therefore expect me to meet you at Montachello in September, 1806. On our return we shall probably pass down the Yellow Stone river, which, from Indian in .. formation, ·waters one of the fairest portions of this continent. I can see no material or probable obstruction to our progress, and entertain, therefore, the most sanguine hopes of complete success. As to myself, individually, I never enjoyed a more perfect state of good health than I have since we con1menced our voyage. My inestimable friend and companion, captain Clarke, has also enjoyed good health generally. At this moment every individual of the party is in good health and excellent spirits, zealously attached to the enterprize, and anxious to proceed ; not a whisper of discontent or murmur is to be heard among them ; but all in unison act with the most perfect harmony. With such men I have every thing to hope, and but little to fear. Be so good as to present my most affectionate regard to all my friends, and be assured of the sincere and unalterable attachment of Your most obedient servant, MERIWETHER LEWIS, Captain of 1st U. S. regiment ifirzfantry., TH : JEFFJ!:RSON, ' President of the United States. -A STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE INDIAN NATIONS I N1IAI3IT I NG rfl-IE TERRITORY OF LOUISIAl\'A AND THE COUNTRIES ADJACENT TO ITS NORTHERN .AND WESTERN BOUNDARIES. EXPLANATORY REFERENCES. A. T he names of the Indian nations as usually spelt and pro .. nounccd in the English langua~e. B. Primitive Indian names of nations and tribes, En~Iish orthography, the syllables producing the sounds by which the Indians themseh·es express the name of their respective nations. C. Nick-n.nnes,ot· those which have generally obtained among the Canadian traders. D. The language they speak, if primitive, marked with a ·• otherwise derived from, and approximating to the E. ~umber of villages. F. Number of tents or lodges of the roving bands. G. Number of warriors. H. The probable number of souls. I . The rivers on which they rove, or on which theit• villages are situated. J. The names of the nations or companies with whom they maintain their principal commerce ot· trafftc. K. The place at which their traffic is usLially carried on. L. The amount of Merchandise necessary for their annual consumption, estimated in dollars at the St. Louis prices. M. The estimated amount in dollars, of their annual returns at the St. Louis prices. N. The species of peltries, furs and other Olrticles which they annually snpply or furnish. 2 |