This important Henry Rowe Schoolcraft work, first issued by Michigan State University Press in 1953, is now available as the second title in MSU Press's Schoolcraft Series. The book was originally published in 1821 under the long and pretentious title Narrative Journey of travels through the Northwestern Regions of the United States, extending from Detroit through the Great Chain of American Lakes to the Sources of the Mississippi River, Performed as a Member of the expedition under Governor Cass, in the Year 1820; it recounts Schoolcraft's participation in the John C. Calhoun-sponsored 1820 expedition to explore the cast, uncharted territory stretching from the upper Great Lakes into what is now northern Minnesota.
This volume, a marvelous blend of reportage, scientific findings, and the author's personal observations, contains a wealth of information about geography and topography woven together with vivid descriptions of scenic beauty, Native American culture, and day-to-day life as a member of an exploring expedition.
CONTENTSForewordPrefaceEditor's IntroductionTEXT OF THE NARRATIVE JOURNALIntroductory RemarksChapter I.Preliminary Tour from the City of New York to Detroit,Chapter II.Journey from Detroit to Michilimackinac,Chapter III.Six Day's residence at Michilimackinac,Chapter IV.Journey from Michilimackinac to the Sault de St. Marie,Chapter V.Journey from the Sault de St. Marie to the Ontonagon river,Chapter VI.Visit to the Copper Mines,Chapter VII.Journey from the Ontonagon river to the Fond du Lac,Chapter VIII.Journey from the Fond du Lac to Sandy Lake,Chapter IX.Journey from Sandy Lake to the Sources of the Mississippi,Chapter X.Journey from Sandy Lake to the American Garrison at St. Peter's,Chapter XI.Journey from St. Peter's to Prairie du Chien,Chapter XII.Journey to the Lead Mines of Dubuque,Chapter XIII.Journey from Prairie du Chien to Green Bay,Chapter XIV.Journey from Green Bay to ChicagoChapter XV.Journey from Chicago to Michilimackinac,Chapter XVI.Return to DetroitAppendicesA.Letters and Documents Relating to the Problems of the FrontierB.Letters Recording the Organization of an Expedition to the Northwestern Region of the United StatesC.The Reports and Letters of Lewis Cass Relating to the Expedition of 1820D.The Reports and Letters of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft on the Expedition of 1820E.The Journal, Reports, and Letters of David Bates DouglasF.The Journal and Letters of James Duane DotyG.The Journal and Letters of Charles Christopher Trowbridge. Expedition of 1820H.Miscellaneous Items Relating to the Expedition of 1820BibliographyIndex