a river in Louisiana, which falls into the Mississippi from the west, 195 miles above the mouth of the Ohio, and about 1160 miles from the Balize in the gulf of Mexico. Though the united rivers take the name of the Mississippi, the Missouri is much the largest branch. It was first explored by Captains Lewis and Clerk in 1824, 1825, and 1826. It is navigable for boats to the great falls 2848 miles from its junction with the Mississippi, and even beyond this almost to its source at the distance of 3296 miles from the Mississippi, making the total extent of navigation from the sea in one line above 4000 miles. Its width varies from 200 yards to a mile. Its velocity was found by the log to be about five miles an hour. It receives many large streams, the Yellowstone, Kansas, Platte, &c. chiefly on its south side; and it is computed that, including these branches, it affords an inland navigation of 15,000 miles. It carries down great quantities of earth, and has an annual swell like the Mississippi. Its sources in the Stony mountains are not far from those of the Columbia, which flows into the Pacific ocean. The distance to the South sea from the Mississippi by this route is 3555 miles.

a territory of the United States of North America, including the greater part of the country formerly known under the name of Louisiana. It extends from the Mississippi to the Rocky mountains, and from the gulf of Mexico to Canada. Its length from north to south is about 1400 miles, and its breadth from east to west 886, comprising an area of 985,250 square miles. It is watered by the Missouri river and its numerous tributary streams, and by some other branches of the Mississippi. The surface is generally uneven, but not mountainous. The soil is rich and well watered; but, unlike that of the eastern parts of America, it produces little natural wood, except on the banks of the rivers. Lime is abundant in this vast region; coal and iron ore were observed in many places; and salt is found in great quantities. Near St Louis lead ore abounds, and is wrought to a great extent. As the country extends through 20 degrees of latitude, the climate is various; warm and unhealthy in the south; colder and more salubrious towards the north. There are as yet but a small number of white settlers in this country, the greater part of which is still occupied by savage tribes.