st be the feelings of
those who should recognize amidst those wet & muddy articles, some well
known garment, of relative or friend, whose body in death lies sleeping
beneath the turbulent waters & sands, of the Mississouri [_sic_]. Passed
the town of Kanzas,[18] here was some 60 waggons of the Sante Fee
traders. Saw several indians here, one squaw on a beautiful white pony.
This is a pretty place, we also passed Ft. Levenworth[19] which is
pleasantly situated on an elevated plain, which affords a fine view,
this as its name indicates is a military station. Saw several of the
black war dogs[20] standing around there, but I guess they have very
little to bark at now.

[April 28--15th day[21]] Arived at St. Josep[h] this evening, the banks
of the river & all around the town were white with waggons, & tents;
while the people came running down to the wharf by hundreds, a great
many came on board for their families, or to look for some expected
friend; they would come to the cabin door, & with an anxious looks
survey all within, but if the ones they sought were there, it was but
for a moment, before the eye of affection would recognize, the wife her
husband, the daughter her father, the father by his whole family all
rushing up to him to see who should be first caressed. They soon all
left the boat excepting a few I was one as it was now dark, & it was
reported that the tavern were all full.

[April 29--16th day] I left the boat this morning with a family with
whom I had formed an agreeable acquaintance, who were going to
California, & they having accertained that it was impossible to get
boarding in town, concluded to cross the river, & pitch their tent, &
having a good sheet iron cooking stove & they would board themselves; &
as their teems were coming by land & not expected for several days I was
invited to go over with them which I accordingly did. We proceeded to
the ferry, but could not cross for 2 hours for the crowd of teams which
were in before us; while waiting there, some 200 indians of the
Pawtawattimees & Winewbagoes[22] came down the street, affording me one
of the strangest sights I ever saw. They were verry dark complected,
quite black, half clothed, & some few were ornamented; they had some 30
or 40 ponies which were laden as I should judge by the variety; with
every thing that they possessed; for there were fastened on the top of
the enormous loads which they carried, dogs, puppies, paupooses,
chickens, &