Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. BY THE PUBLISHER OF THE FIRST EDITION. OF the various publications which unite amusement and information, few can be justly held in higher estimation than the Journals and Narratives of Travellers and Voyagers; and in our own highly favored country, the diffusion of general knowledge, the enterprizing spirit of the people, their commercial pursuits and habits of emigration, render such works particularly valuable and interesting; while the vigorous and unrestrained mind of the free American, by amplifying and embellishing the scenes presented to his view, enjoys the choicest luxuries of the entertainment they are calculated to afford. If it is conceded that discoveries made in North America are more important to the people of the United States than those made elsewhere, it will not be difficult to show that none could have been made of so much importance to them in any part of the world as in the large tracts of country through which the late expedition, under the command of captain Lewis and captain Clark, passed. For if we take a view of the different discoveries and settlements previously made, we will find that those tracts through which the Missouri and Columbia rivers, and their branches flow, xlviii Preface to tbe First Edition commonly called unknown regions, were the only parts remaining unexplored, which could be considered valuable. The first discovery of the Western World by Europeans, of which we have any authentic account, being near the southern extremity of North America, drew, as might be expected, their attention to that quarter; and the rage which this grand discovery excited for other enterprizes of the same nature; the avidity with which avarice was stimulated to seize the precious metals, known to exist in...