1st.--I rose this morning long before daylight, and heard with a
feeling of pleasure the tinkling of cow-bells at the settlements on the
opposite side of the Missouri. Early in the day we reached Mr. Sarpy's
residence; and, in the security and comfort of his hospitable mansion,
felt the pleasure of being within the pale of civilization. We found
our boat on the stocks; a few days sufficed to complete her; and, in
the afternoon of the 4th, we embarked on the Missouri. All our
equipage--horses, carts, and the _materiel_ of the camp--had been sold
at public auction at Bellevue. The strength of my party enabled me to
man the boat with ten oars, relieved every hour; and we descended
rapidly. Early on the morning of the 10th, we halted to make some
astronomical observations at the mouth of the Kansas, exactly four
months since we had left the trading-post of Mr. Cyprian Chouteau, on
the same river, ten miles above. On our descent to this place, we had
employed ourselves in surveying and sketching the Missouri, making
astronomical observations regularly at night and at mid-day, whenever
the weather permitted. These operations on the river were continued
until our arrival at the city of St. Louis, Missouri, on the 17th. At
St. Louis, the sale of our remaining effects was made; and, leaving
that city by steamboat on the 18th, I had the honor to report to you at
the city of Washington on the 29th of October.
Very respectfully, sir,
Your obedient servant,
J. C. FREMONT,
_2d Lieutenant Corps of Topographical Engineers._
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