A. Appendix A
For information concerning all the countries of the West which have
not been visited by Europeans, consult the account of two expeditions
undertaken at the expense of Congress by Major Long. This traveller
particularly mentions, on the subject of the great American desert, that
a line may be drawn nearly parallel to the 20th degree of longitude
[1] (meridian of Washington), beginning from
the Red River and ending at the River Platte. From this imaginary line
to the Rocky Mountains, which bound the valley of the Mississippi on the
west, lie immense plains, which are almost entirely covered with sand,
incapable of cultivation, or scattered over with masses of granite. In
summer, these plains are quite destitute of water, and nothing is to be
seen on them but herds of buffaloes and wild horses. Some hordes of
Indians are also found there, but in no great numbers. Major Long was
told that in travelling northwards from the River Platte you find the
same desert lying constantly on the left; but he was unable to ascertain
the truth of this report. However worthy of confidence may be the
narrative of Major Long, it must be remembered that he only passed
through the country of which he speaks, without deviating widely from
the line which he had traced out for his journey.