Soon after the transfer of the Louisiana province, and the establishment of the United States authority therein, it was determined at Washington to ascertain the nature of the country, the sources of its large rivers and the general character of the climate. Accordingly, in the summer of 1806, a small expedition was equipped, and dispatched under the command of Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike, who, for his skillful services, was, on his return, promoted to the rank of major. On the 15th of November, Major Pike and his small company beheld the prominent and stately mountain which, in honor of the commander, was named Pike’s Peak. Major Pike, in his diary, thus refers to this peak: “This mountain was so remarkable as to be known to all the savage nations for hundreds of miles around, and to be spoken of with admiration by the Spaniards of New Mexico, and was the bounds of their travels north-west.” Directing his march with the course of the mountains, Major Pike continued his explorations. Failing to discover the object of his search--the source of the Red River--he retraced his steps, and proceeded in a south-westerly direction. Determined to find the head-waters of that important stream, and unconquered by the fearful severities of winter in the midst of the mountains, the little party of explorers pursued their way. Their discoveries were, however, brought to a close by an untoward event--the capture of the whole party by the Spaniards, who held a military post in the San Juan country. This arrest would hardly have occurred had the boundaries between New Spain and Louisiana been definitely known. In the year 1819 another and larger expedition was prepared, and ordered to explore this section of the Rocky Mountains. The party engaged in this enterprise had advanced a considerable distance into the Indian country without molestation, when its further progress was checked by the loss of their horses, which had been stolen by the Pawnee Indians. This mischance detained the expedition for a whole year. In June, 1820, Col. S. H. Long, the commander, all losses having been repaired, resumed his march. Early in the summer they reached the South Platte, and followed its course until the mountains came in sight. The massive giant peak, which stood out boldly and grandly before them, was, in honor of Col. Long, called Long’s Peak. Col. Long made a careful examination of the mountains from Long’s Peak to Pike’s Peak, and of the plains lying along their base. A very full exploration of the Rocky Mountains was made, in 1832, by Captain Bonneville, who commanded a party fitted out by the American Fur Company.