THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Gravier's Voyage Down the Mississippi
In: Jesuit Relations, 1700, Vol. 65, p. 107.
p. 107.
There are a great many Islands and Shoals along the course of the Mississipi river. From the Tamarouha to the Oubachi River; this river keeps its course well from North to South, but, as a distance of 3 or 4 leagues from Ouabachi it begins to turn to the North-Northwest, and does nothing but meander. We were enabled to judge of its course by the route that we followed on the 15th. Father Marquette (who was 1st to discover it, nearly 30 years ago) puts it in his journal as being, at a distance of 3 leagues from Ouabachi, at 36 degrees and 47 minutes. We encamped in sight of that River, which flows from the South and discharges into the Mississipi. At its Mouth it forms a wide basin, 2 arpents from Its discharge. It is called by the Ilinois and by the Oumiamis the River of the Akansea, because the Akansea formerly dwelt on it. It is said to have 3 branches; one coming from the Northeast, which flows at the rear of the country of the Oumiamis, called the River St. Joseph, which the savages properly call Ouabachi; the 2nd comes from the Iroquois country, and is what they call the Ohio; the 3rd from the South-Southwest, on which are the Chaouanoua. As all 3 unite to fall into the Mississippi, the stream is commonly called Ouabachi; but the Illinois and other savages call it the River of the Akansea. Its water is Clear; it does not appear to be very rapid. It flows gently into the Mississipi, which loses a little of its muddy color, given it by the River of the Missouris.
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