Journey from New Harmony on the Wabash to St. Louis on the Mississippi and Stay There
Mount Vernon – Shawneetown – Cave-in-Rock – Mouth of the Wabash – Cumberland and Tennessee River – Mouth of Ohio – Mississippi – Commerce – Cape Girardeau – Grand Tower – Devil’s Bake Oven – Kaskaskia River and Indians – Ste. Genevieve – Selma – Herculaneum – Merrimac River – Jefferson Barracks – Vide Poche – St. Louis – The Sauk (Sac) and Meskwaki Indians1 – Black Hawk – Meeting with the prisoners – Preparations for continuing journey
March 31, 1833
At seven thirty in the morning, 5 1/2°R [44.4°F, 6.9°C]. Sunday. At about noon, visit to Mr. Chouteau, Jr., and Mr. McKenzie. At twelve o’clock, 16 1/2°R [69.1°F, 20.6°C]. The day was very warm and nice. I wrote to Mr. McKenzie and informed him of my plans and wishes in regard to the Missouri journey.
Dreidoppel crossed the river. He saw a species of duck someone had shot that we do not yet own. On the left bank opposite us, a muddy creek discharges in which [there] were many frogs. The small species of tree frogs; [there] were also kingfishers along its banks. He found several dead turtles, probably the [Emys] geographica. On a log about six were sitting, which he shot at; he killed one, which belonged to the species Emys picta. Two miles from the river, he saw numerous high old Indian burial mounds, of which the highest one seemed to be rectangular. We intend to visit them soon.
Today the sun set on a hazy, dusky horizon like a blood-red ball. I had seen this every day here; perhaps this is a peculiarity of the prairies? Today was Sunday, and elegant society made its appearance. A large number of persons strolled about the city. Even the Negroes, of whom there are very many here, almost all slaves, are seen dressed in the best possible manner; they complain, however, that they must also work on this day. There are very many Catholics here in St. Louis, but one does not hear church bells on Sunday as one does in Europe; probably [there] are no bells here.
