James Mackay: a man to cherish 1761-1822

James MacKay is a sweeping Historical Narrative of the 18th Century's most experienced Exlorer of North American Rivers. He was a Canadian Fur Trader, Explorer and Author of the first detailed map of the Missouri River which was used by the Lewis and Clark Expeditation. He was the first man to write about Roche Juene or the Yellowstone River. He was the first English speaking Official under the Spanish Rule and could speak and write in Gaelic, his native language, English, French and Spanish as well as speaking many Indian Dialects. His Journals, used by Lewis and Clark contained some of the earliest notes on the Indian Nations and their culture. He introduced the Mandan Indians to Melon seeds. Melons grown from those same seeds were served to Lewis and Clark during their stay with the Mandans. He left directions in Latitude and Longtitude of how to follow the Rocky Mountains to the crossing that would take future explorers to the Columbia River and to the Pacific Ocean. There was no river that ran from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. He was Captain-Commadant of the upper Missouri River (St. Charles District) under the Spanish Rule. Under the American Rule he was a Missouri Judge and Member of the State Legislature. The Original Map MacKay drew is in the Library of Congress and is known as The MacKay-Evans Map. MacKay was married in 1800 to Elizabeth Long who was known as Isabella MacKay. James was known as Jacque MacKay, under the French and Don Santiago MacKay under the Spanish. James and Isabella were the parents of Nine Children.