"Tuesday, June 16, [1840]
We are now in a region where the geologists begin to work. We have parted company with the sandstone, and got among hills as high and as rocky as those of New England. About two miles from Chocolate River we ascended a hill [possibly Mt. Mesnard], and spent all the forenoon examining it. It is composed of primary rock, not granite. At the base of the rock is found talc-slate, horn-blende and several other minerals. The top of the rock is composed almost entirely of white quartz, and is elevated near three hundred feet above the lake.
In the afternoon we traveled two miles farther and fixed our city at the mouth of "La Rivere des Morts," or dead river -- so called because its banks have long been a place of burial for the Indians. Here we had great sport catching trout.
Wednesday, June 17
We have had another rainy day. The storms here seem to be accompanied with more thunder than in any other portion of the state. The doctor says it is a thundering country. We have been confined to our tents the greater part of the day, but caught some trout and killed a duck. We have also seen some red deer, but as they were never known to be in these parts we are not provided with a rifle or ball to shoot them. Heretofore the caribou, or reindeer have been the only kind seen in so high a latitude.
Friday, June 19, 1840
Our encampment has not been changed today. In the forenoon the geological corps went onto Presque Isle and remained until 2 o'clock examining the different strata of rock. The examination is not yet completed, but they found, in what is called the lower sandstone, lead, iron, and sulphate of copper and brought off many very good specimens."
- Selections from North to Lake Superior: The Journal of Charles W. Penny, 1840
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