University of Virginia Library

July 18th.. Wednesday 1804—

a fair morning the river falling fast. Set out this morning
at Sun rise under a Gentle Breeze from the S E. by S passing
over the Prarie, at about 3 Miles we passed the head of the
Island L. S. called by the French Chauve or Bald pate opposit
the middle of (1) this Island the creek on the S. S. is nearest
the river. In high water an Island is formed in the bend
above the last (2). Measured the Current and found that in
forty one Seconds it run 50 fathom but little timber is to be
Seen except in the Low points on Islands & on creeks, the
Groth of timber is generally Cotton Mulberry Elm Sycomore
&c. &c. passed a Island on the 2d. point to the S. S. opposit
the water (3) when high passes out in the Plain, oppsed this
Island on the L. S. the hills jut to the river (4) this Hill has
Sliped from the top which forms a Bluff above & 200 foot
above the water, about 3/4 of a mile in length & about 200
feet in Depth, has Sliped into the river, it is Composed of
Sand Stone intermixed with an indiffert. Iron ore near the
bottom or next to the water is a Soft Slate Stone, Some
pebble is also intirmixt. We passed a verry bad Sand bar and
incamped on the L. S. at the lower point of the Oven Islands
& opposit the Prarie, Calld. by the french Four le tourtere
[Baker's Oven]. Saw a Dog nearly Starved on the bank, gave
him som meet, he would not follow, our hunters killed 2
Deer to day.

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Course distance & reffers. July 18th

The Creummoter too Slow 6 minits 51 seconds & 6/10 altitude of
the North Star * last night at 10 h - 23 m - 18 s was 81° - 9′ - 15″.