THE PLATTE COUNTRY.

THIS tract of country, recently acquired, and embraced within the boundaries of Missouri, by extending the northern line of the state due west until it strikes the Missouri river a little below Council Bluffs, is much greater in extent than it had been supposed. It contains a sufficient number of square miles for six counties. It is well watered with the main branch of the Little Platte river, Nodawa, Tarkeo, and Nish-na-bot-ta-na ("the place where we make our canoes"), and the numerous branches of these streams. On the borders of the Missouri, and on all these streams, the country is rich and well timbered; and the woodland extends up all the small tributaries of them. On the higher grounds between these small rivers there is rather too large a proportion of prairie, the soil of which is rich, and the face of the country beautifully undulating, presenting to the mind of the observer very forcibly the idea of ocean waves. There are on

the Platte two great cascades, furnishing eligible sites for the application of hydraulic power to an infinite amount of machinery. On the other streams of this district of country, which have not been examined, there may be similar advantages. The Indian title having been recently extinguished, the Platte country has not been surveyed, and it may be one or two years before it can be brought into market; but, when settlements are permitted here, the country will be peopled with almost magic celerity. The Platte district is in that parallel of latitude which is sufficiently high to suit the views of those who migrate from the eastern and middle states. The advantages secured by the navigation of the Missouri can be enjoyed here; the highest point on this river, within the Platte country, being only about six hundred miles

above St. Louis--a distance not seriously regarded by the inhabitants of the great west, who dwell amid navigable rivers of three or four thousand miles in length. That portion of the map (forming a part of this work) embracing the Platte country, not having been made from actual survey, may be a little inaccurate in some of its details; but it gives the general features and extent of the district. The most authentic information that

could be obtained, as well as personal observation, have been used in extending the map of the state to include this newly-acquired territory.

TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW

OF TOWNS, VILLAGES, RIVERS, &c., IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

Apple Creek, a stream running along the southern boundary of Perry county, empties into the Mississippi near the foot of a high bluff, that rises abruptly from the river-bank. There is a mercantile house and a warehouse at this place, and the landing is good.

Arrow Rock is a flourishing new town in Saline county, fifteen miles above Booneville. The landing is good. There is a good ferry at this point.

Arrow Creek, a small stream that rises in the prairies of Saline, and empties into Missouri near Arrow Rock.

Bainbridge is a town situate in the county of Cape Girardeau, on the right bank of the Mississippi, twelve miles above the town of Cape Girardeau, and fourteen miles east of Jackson. At the ferry here the travellers between Kentucky and the upper end of Arkansas cross.

Bates's Creek, or Fork, a small stream in Washington county, that empties into Mineral fork of Big river.

Bayou Pemisco, a small stream. It runs eastwardly, and empties into the Mississippi not far from New Madrid.

Bear Creek, a small stream in Marion county, empties into the Mississippi a little below Hannibal.

Bellefontaine flows out at the base of a hill on which the cantonment of that name was formerly situated. The barracks have crumbled into dust, and the ploughshare has passed over the promenade of the sentinel. Bellefontaine is four miles above the mouth of Missouri, on the right bank of that river.

Bellefontaine, near the mouth of Missouri river, is a new townsite laid out on the high grounds.

Bellevue is a rich valley in Washington county, ten miles southwest of Potosi. This tract has the advantage of being near to a lead and iron mineral tract of country, and is well settled.

Big Bone, a small stream running a northerly course, and emptying into the Osage river on the right side. On this stream are found mammoth bones.-(Dr. Beck.)

Big Bonne Femme river (big good woman) rises in Randolph county, and runs through Howard and New Franklin, and empties into Missouri, two miles beyond this town. Burckhardt's salt-works are on the bank of this stream.

Big Muddy (or Rivière au Vase), a considerable stream in Callaway county. This river is a good mill-stream.

Big North Fork, or White river, rises in that southern part of Missouri which it is in contemplation to erect into White county.

Big river rises in Washington, takes a turn in St. François, runs through Jefferson county, and empties into the Merrimac, on the boundary of this last-mentioned county.

Big Black river is one of the principal branches of White river. It runs through the county of Wayne, nearly the whole length of the county from north to south; and, continuing its course into the State of Arkansas, there receives the Currents, Eleven Point and Spring rivers, which form White river proper, one of the great tributaries of the Mississippi.

Big Blue river is a considerable stream in Jackson county, on which one excellent mill is already erected. Doctor Beck says there is gypsum in great abundance found on this stream.

Bon homme (good man) Creek, a small stream, runs a north course through St. Louis county, and empties into Missouri about forty miles above the mouth. It waters a very fertile district of farming land, which is held under confirmed Spanish grants. (Dr. Beck.)

Bourbeuse (muddy) river, running an easterly course, empties into the Merrimac, on the left side, in Franklin county. This is a good mill-stream, and some of the sites on it are improved.

Buffalo Creek, a small stream in Pike county. Its course is

northeastwardly, and it falls into the Mississippi a few miles below the mouth of Salt river.

Buffalo river (Rivière au Bœuf,) a considerable stream, rises in the county of Gasconade, and, running thence through the northwest part of Franklin, empties into the Missouri in township forty-four north, range two west of the fifth princ gal meridian, a few miles above Charette river. It waters a district of country in some places high, hilly, and steril, in others low, level, and fertile. (Beck's Gazetteer.)

Caledonia, a town in Bellevue, Washington county. It is made flourishing by the rich mineral country in its vicinity, and by the fertile district of farming land by which it is surrounded.

Centre Creek, one of the tributaries of Six Bulls, that rises in Barry county, and runs out of the state across the west line, near the southwest corner of Missouri.

Calumet Creek, a small stream of Pike county, runs a northeasterly course, and falls into the Mississippi opposite the lower junction of Chenail ecarte.-(Dr. Beck.)

Camden, a town near the site of old Bluffton, situate on the Missouri river, in Ray county.

Cape Girardeau, a post-town, and formerly the seat of justice of the county of the same name.

Cape Cinq Hommes (Five men) Creek falls into the Mississippi river at the Grand eddy. This eddy is made by the short turn in the river here, caused by the Cape Cinq Hommes, a rocky point of land, jutting out below the mouth of the creek.

Cardinal river, a small tributary of the Osage, emptying in from the south.-(Beck's Gazetteer.)

Carondelet (nom de nique, Vide Poche), a village five miles below St. Louis, on the river-bank.

Castor river, one of the head branches of St. François, rises in Madison county, and is a dividing line between the counties of Cape Girardeau and Wayne.

Cave Creek, a small stream of Ripley (formerly Wayne) county, falls into Current river. Its name is derived from the number of caves found on its banks. The largest and most interesting that have as yet been discovered, are situated eighty or ninety miles