“Beltrami was six feet high, of commanding appearance and some forty-five years of age; proud of bearing, and quick of temper, high spirited, but always the gentleman. He expressed an earnest wish to explore the sources of the Mississippi. I gave him a passport to go where he pleased, and instructed the Chippewas of Otter Tail, and other lakes, to see him safely through their country, should he seek assistance. Shortly after this desire, Major Long, of the Topographical Engineers, with his corps, arrived. Beltrami was introduced to Major L. and permission granted Mr. B. to accompany the party to Pembina. At Pembina, a difficulty occurred between Major Long and Beltrami, when the latter sold his horse (my horse) and equipments, and in company with a half breed, passed near the line of 49° to the sources of the Mississippi. His sufferings were of no agreeable nature. Here, near Leech Lake, he fell in with a sub-chief, the ‘Cloudy Weather,’ most fortunately, who knew Mr. B., having seen him in one of my councils at the agency. This old man was given, by signs, to know that white man wanted to descend the river. The chief took our Italian friend in his canoe, and turned down stream. Indians are proverbially slow, hunting and fishing on the way; Beltrami lost all patience,—abused his Indian crew,—made many menaces, &c. The ‘Cloud’ tapped him on the hat with his pipe stem, as much as to say, ‘I will take you to my father safe if you will be still.’ The old chief told of this temper of my friend, but Mr. B. never made allusion to it, but was very grateful to his kind Pillager friends. “Beltrami had been in the military service;—was judge of a court. I touched him at times with the appellation of Count; ‘Who is your dear Countess to whom you address many affectionate letters?’—‘Not my wife,’ said he; ‘but a lovely woman; and if you would replace the G in your name, [Tagliaferro] and come with me to Italy—the home of your ancestors—I would make you happy in her company.’ “That the tour of Mr. B. was not altogether abortive, I have full reason to believe. He explained by his notes to me his whole route, put the discovery of the true sources correctly, as others have since done,—including the distinguished Nicollet. To learn the habits of the Indian tribes was almost a mania with him. He had every facility;—his greatest anxiety was, before he left Italy, as he stated to me, to explore the wildest portion of the continent, north and west,—to see as many of the noble North American Indians as possible. He seemed fond of adventure. I saw he was dispirited for the lack of means;—he did not deny it when questioned delicately on this point. “In conversing of Italy and Italian affairs, he hesitated not to speak very broadly about the highest ecclesiastical dignitary, touching whom he often lost his patience. Beltrami was a patriot, and undoubtedly of note, and had suffered persecution.” § 5. CONCLUSION.