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In this historically significant address, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft discusses the political and social organization of the Iroquois Confederacy. An important resource for students of Native American culture and history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

In this book, the author presents the narratives of two expeditions authorized by the United States to discover the sources of the Mississippi River, offering a concise summary of the important facts and information gathered over a period of twelve years. The author explains the definition of a river's true source and asserts that the combined narratives prove that the Itasca Lake is the source of the Mississippi River. The book also sheds light on the domestic organization and social habits of the expedition parties, adding to the historical and cultural significance of the expeditions. This book provides a comprehensive and informative account of the expeditions and their contributions to scientific knowledge and exploration.

In the winter of 1818 Henry Rowe Schoolcraft set out from Potosi, Missouri, to document lead mines in the interior of the Ozarks, then a wilderness of near-virgin forests, limestone cliffs, prairies, and oak savannahs. Intending only to make his fortune by publishing an account of the area's mineral resources, he became the first skilled observer to witness and record frontier life in the Ozarks. The journal he kept as he traveled ninety days in the rugged terrain of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas was originally published in 1821 and has become an essential record of Ozark territorial society and natural history. In it we meet some of the earliest American settlers of the region - M'Gary, the Cokers, the Yocums - and experience the excitement of a bear hunt, the joy of discovering a honey tree, the difficulties of passing over the Bull Shoals of the White River, the beauty of large open prairies, and the wealth of wildlife once found in the Ozarks. In Rude Pursuits and Rugged Peaks, Milton Rafferty places Schoolcraft's journal in its historical context and makes it, and the traveler's route, more accessible to the modern reader. Rafferty describes the geologic processes which formed the Ozarks, the major natural features of the region, and the great changes that have been made to the landscape by the recent growth of population.

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793-1864) was an explorer, Indian agent, and early ethnologist of Native American culture who joined an expedition organized by Governor Cass of Michigan in 1819. Its purpose was to locate the Mississippi River's sources, to explore the Great Lakes region, and to describe its significant topographical features, natural history, and mineral wealth. Schoolcraft joined the expedition as a mineralogist, and this is the journal of his participation. He describes his preliminary journey from New York to Detroit, where the expedition embarks for Michilimackinac and presses on to Sault de Ste. Marie and Fond du Lac. Eventually the explorers locate Lake Itasca in Minnesota, where the Mississippi originates. Schoolcraft also highlights St. Peter's, Prairie du Chien, the lead mines at Dubuque, and Green Bay, and devotes a whole chapter to the Ontagenon River and its nearby copper mines. His journal blends narrative with historical, ethnographic and statistical information.

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's 'The Indian Fairy Book' is a captivating collection of Native American folklore and myths. Written in a clear and accessible style, Schoolcraft delves into the rich oral traditions of various Indigenous tribes, presenting a diverse array of tales filled with magical creatures, heroic feats, and moral lessons. This book serves as an important contribution to the preservation of Indigenous cultures and showcases the cultural richness of Native American storytelling. Schoolcraft's meticulous research and respect for the source material shine through in his retelling of these enchanting stories. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a renowned American ethnologist and historian, dedicated his life to studying and documenting Native American culture. His deep reverence for Indigenous traditions is evident in 'The Indian Fairy Book,' where he carefully selects and retells stories that provide insight into the beliefs and values of different tribes. Schoolcraft's commitment to preserving these tales for future generations underscores the significance of Indigenous storytelling in the American literary landscape. 'The Indian Fairy Book' is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American folklore or seeking to expand their knowledge of Indigenous cultures. Schoolcraft's collection offers a mesmerizing journey into the mythological world of Indigenous peoples, highlighting the beauty and complexity of their storytelling traditions.