The manuscripts here translated from the French originals in the Library of Congress include a diary of Nicollet's 1836 trip to the source of the Mississippi River, a brief account of a journey up the St. Croix River in 1837, and numerous notes on the customs and culture of the Chippewa Indians. An informative introduction and annotation supplied by the editor shed news light on Nicollet's life and on his place in the 19th-century scientific world. A number of sketch maps from Nicollet's pen have also been faithfully reproduced.