deavour to inform yourself, by inquiry, of the character
and extent of the country watered by its branches, and especially
on its southern side. The North river, or Rio Bravo, which runs
into the gulf of Mexico, and the North river, or Rio Colorado,
which runs into the gulf of California, are understood to be the
principal streams heading opposite to the waters of the Missouri,
and running southwardly. Whether the dividing grounds between the
Missouri and them are mountains or flat lands, what are their
distance from the Missouri, the character of the intermediate
country, and the people inhabiting it, are worthy of particular
inquiry. The northern waters of the Missouri are less to be
inquired after, because they have been ascertained to a
considerable degree, and are still in a course of ascertainment by
English traders and travellers; but if you can learn any thing
certain of the most northern source of the Missisipi, and of its
position relatively to the Lake of the Woods, it will be
interesting to us. Some account too of the path of the Canadian
traders from the Missisipi, at the mouth of the Onisconsing to
where it strikes the Missouri, and of the soil and rivers in its
course, is desirable.

"In all your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the most
friendly and conciliatory manner which their own conduct will
admit; allay all jealousies as to the object of your journey;
satisfy them of its innocence; make them acquainted with the
position, extent, character, peaceable and commercial dispositions
of the United States; of our wish to be neighbourly, friendly, and
useful to them, and of our dispositions to a commercial intercourse
with them; confer with them on the points most convenient as mutual
emporiums, and the articles of most desirable interchange for them
and us. If a few of their influential chiefs, within practicable
distance, wish to visit us, arrange such a visit with them, and
furnish them with authority to call on our officers on their
entering the United States, to have them conveyed to this place at
the public expense. If any of them should wish to have some of
their young people brought up with us, and taught such arts as may
be useful to them, we will receive, instruct, and take care of
them. Such a mission, wheth