Since writing the last epistle, some considerable time has elapsed,
which has, nevertheless, been filled up and used to advantage,
as I have been moving about and using my brush amongst different
tribes in this vicinity. The Indians that may be said to belong
to this vicinity, and who constantly visit this post, are the
Ioways—Konzas—Pawnees—Omahas—Ottoes, and Missouries (primitive), and
Delawares—Kickapoos—Potawatomies—Weahs—Peorias—Shawanos, Kaskaskias
(semi-civilized remnants of tribes that have been removed to this
neighbourhood by the Government, within the few years past). These
latter-named tribes are, to a considerable degree, agriculturalists;
getting their living principally by ploughing, and raising corn, and
cattle and horses. They have been left on the frontier, surrounded by
civilized neighbours, where they have at length been induced to sell
out their lands, or exchange them for a much larger tract of wild lands
in these regions, which the Government has purchased from the wilder
tribes.
Of the first named, the Ioways may be said to be the farthest
departed from primitive modes, as they are depending chiefly on their
corn-fields for subsistence; though their appearance, both in their
dwellings and personal looks, dress, modes, &c., is that of the
primitive Indian.
The Ioways are a small tribe, of about fourteen hundred persons, living
in a snug little village within a few miles of the eastern bank of the
Missouri River, a few miles above this place.
The present chief of this tribe is Notch-ee-ning-a (the white cloud,
+plate+ 129), the son of a very distinguished chief of the same name,
who died recently, after gaining the love of his tribe, and the respect
of all the civilized world who knew him. If my time and space will
admit it, and I should not forget it, I shall take another occasion to
detail some of the famous transactions of his signal life.
The son of White Cloud, who is now chief, and whose portrait I have
just named, was tastefully dressed with a buffalo robe, wrapped around
him, with a necklace of grizzly bear’s claws on his neck; with shield,
bow, and quiver on, and a profusion of wampum strings on his neck.
_Wy-ee-yogh_ (the man of sense, +plate+ 130), is another of this tribe,
much distinguished for his bravery and early warlike achievements. His
head was dressed with a broad silver band passing around it, and decked
out with the crest of horsehair.
[Illustration: 129 130]
[Illustration: 131 132]
Pah-ta-coo-che (the shooting cedar, +plate+ 131), and Was-com-mun
(the busy man, +plate+ 132), are also distinguished warriors of the
tribe; tastefully dressed and equipped, the one with his war-club on
his arm, the other with bow and arrows in his hand; both wore around
their waists beautiful buffalo robes, and both had turbans made of
vari-coloured cotton shawls, purchased of the Fur Traders. Around their
necks were necklaces of the bears’ claws, and a profusion of beads and
wampum. Their ears were profusely strung with beads; and their naked
shoulders curiously streaked and daubed with red paint.
Others of this tribe will be found amongst the paintings in my Indian
Museum; and more of them and their customs given at a future time.
The Konzas, of 1560 souls, reside at the distance of sixty or eighty
miles from this place, on the Konzas River, fifty miles above its union
with the Missouri, from the West.
This tribe has undoubtedly sprung from the Osages, as their personal
appearance, language and traditions clearly prove. They are living
adjoining to the Osages at this time, and although a kindred people,
have sometimes deadly warfare with them. The present chief of this
tribe is known by the name of the “White Plume;” a very urbane and
hospitable man, of good portly size, speaking some English, and making
himself good company for all white persons who travel through his
country and have the good luck to shake his liberal and hospitable hand.
It has been to me a source of much regret, that I did not get the
portrait of this celebrated chief; but I have painted several others
distinguished in the tribe, which are fair specimens of these people.
Sho-me-cos-se (the wolf, +plate+ 133), a chief of some distinction,
with a bold and manly outline of head; exhibiting, like most of this
tribe, an European outline of features, signally worthy the notice
of the enquiring world. The head of this chief was most curiously
ornamented, and his neck bore a profusion of wampum strings.
Meach-o-shin-gaw (the little white bear, +plate+ 134). Chesh-oo-hong-ha
(the man of good sense, +plate+ 135), and Wa-hon-ga-shee (no fool,
+plate+ 136), are portraits of distinguished Konzas, and all furnish
striking instances of the bold and Roman outline that I have just
spoken of.
The custom of shaving the head, and ornamenting it with the crest
of deer’s hair, belongs to this tribe; and also to the Osages, the
Pawnees, the Sacs, and Foxes, and Ioways, and to no other tribe that
I know of; unless it be in some few instances, where individuals have
introduced it into their tribes, merely by way of imitation.
With these tribes, the custom is one uniformly adhered to by every man
in the nation; excepting some few instances along the frontier, where
efforts are made to imitate white men, by allowing the hair to grow out.
In +plate+ 135, is a fair exhibition of this very curious custom—the
hair being cut as close to the head as possible, except a tuft the
size of the palm of the hand, on the crown of the head, which is
left of two inches in length: and in the centre of which is fastened
a beautiful crest made of the hair of the deer’s tail (dyed red) and
horsehair, and oftentimes surmounted with the war-eagle’s quill. In
the centre of the patch of hair, which I said was left of a couple
of inches in length, is preserved a small lock, which is never cut,
but cultivated to the greatest length possible, and uniformly kept in
braid, and passed through a piece of curiously carved bone; which lies
in the centre of the crest, and spreads it out to its uniform shape,
which they study with great care to preserve. Through this little
braid, and outside of the bone, passes a small wooden or bone key,
which holds the crest to the head. This little braid is called in these
tribes, the “_scalp-lock_,” and is scrupulously preserved in this way,
and offered to their enemy if they can get it, as a trophy; which it
seems in all tribes they are anxious to yield to their conquerors,
in case they are killed in battle; and which it would be considered
cowardly and disgraceful for a warrior to shave off, leaving nothing
for his enemy to grasp for, when he falls into his hands in the events
of battle.
Amongst those tribes who thus shave and ornament their heads, the crest
is uniformly blood-red; and the upper part of the head, and generally
a considerable part of the face, as red as they can possibly make it
with vermilion. I found these people cutting off the hair with small
scissors, which they purchase of the Fur Traders; and they told me that
previous to getting scissors, they cut it away with their knives; and
before they got knives, they were in the habit of burning it off with
red hot stones, which was a very slow and painful operation.
With the exception of these few, all the other tribes in North America
cultivate the hair to the greatest length they possibly can; preserving
it to flow over their shoulders and backs in great profusion, and quite
unwilling to spare the smallest lock of it for any consideration.
The Pawnees are a very powerful and warlike nation, living on the river
Platte, about one hundred miles from its junction with the Missouri;
laying claim to, and exercising sway over, the whole country, from its
mouth to the base of the Rocky Mountains.
The present number of this tribe is ten or twelve thousand; about one
half the number they had in 1832, when that most appalling disease, the
small-pox, was accidentally introduced amongst them by the Fur Traders,
and whiskey sellers; when ten thousand (or more) of them perished in
the course of a few months.
The Omahas, of fifteen hundred; the Ottoes of six hundred; and
Missouries of four hundred, who are now living under the protection and
surveillance of the Pawnees, and in the immediate vicinity of them,
were all powerful tribes, but so reduced by this frightful disease,
and at the same time, that they were unable longer to stand against
so formidable enemies as they had around them, in the Sioux, Pawnees,
Sacs, and Foxes, and at last merged into the Pawnee tribe, under
whose wing and protection they now live.
[Illustration: 133 134]
[Illustration: 135 136]
The period of this awful calamity in these regions, was one that will
be long felt, and long preserved in the traditions of these people. The
great tribe of the Sioux, of whom I have heretofore spoken, suffered
severely with the same disease; as well as the Osages and Konzas; and
particularly the unfortunate Puncahs, who were almost extinguished by
it.
The destructive ravages of this most fatal disease amongst these poor
people, who know of no specific for it, is beyond the knowledge, and
almost beyond the belief, of the civilized world. Terror and dismay
are carried with it; and awful despair, in the midst of which they
plunge into the river, when in the highest state of fever, and die in a
moment; or dash themselves from precipices; or plunge their knives to
their hearts, to rid themselves from the pangs of slow and disgusting
death.
Amongst the formidable tribe of Pawnees, the Fur Traders are yet doing
some business; but, from what I can learn, the Indians are dealing
with some considerable distrust, with a people who introduced so fatal
a calamity amongst them, to which one half of their tribe have fallen
victims. The Traders made their richest harvest amongst these people,
before this disease broke out; and since it subsided, quite a number
of their lives have paid the forfeit, according to the Indian laws of
retribution.[2]
The Pawnees have ever been looked upon, as a very warlike and hostile
tribe; and unusually so, since the calamity which I have mentioned.
Major Dougherty, of whom I have heretofore spoken, has been for
several years their agent; and by his unremitted endeavours, with
an unequalled familiarity with the Indian character, and unyielding
integrity of purpose, has successfully restored and established,
a system of good feeling and respect between them and the “pale
faces,” upon whom they looked, naturally and experimentally, as their
destructive enemies.
Of this stern and uncompromising friend of the red man, and of justice,
who has taken them close to his heart, and familiarized himself with
their faults and their griefs, I take great pleasure in recording here
for the perusal of the world, the following extract from one of his
true and independent Reports, to the Secretary at War; which sheds
honour on his name, and deserves a more public place than the mere
official archives of a Government record.
“In comparing this Report with those of the years preceding, you will
find there has been little improvement on the part of the Indians,
either in literary acquirements or in agricultural knowledge.
“It is my decided opinion, that, so long as the Fur Traders and
trappers are permitted to reside among the Indians, all the efforts
of the Government to better their condition will be fruitless; or, in
a great measure checked by the strong influence of those men over the
various tribes.
“Every exertion of the agents, (and other persons, intended to carry
into effect the views of the Government, and humane societies,) are
in such direct opposition to the Trader and his interest, that the
agent finds himself continually contending with, and placed in direct
and immediate contrariety of interest to the Fur Traders or grossly
neglecting his duty by overlooking acts of impropriety; and it is a
curious and melancholy fact, that while the General Government is using
every means and expense to promote the advancement of those aboriginal
people, it is at the same time suffering the Traders to oppose and
defeat the very objects of its intentions. So long as the Traders and
trappers are permitted in the Indian country, the introduction of
spirituous liquors will be inevitable, under any penalty the law may
require; and until its prohibition is certain and effectual, every
effort of Government, through the most faithful and indefatigable
agents, will be useless. It would be, in my humble opinion, better to
give up every thing to the Traders, and let them have the sole and
entire control of the Indians, than permit them to contend at every
point, with the views of the Government; and that contention made
manifest, even to the most ignorant Indian.
“While the agent is advising the Indians to give up the chase and
settle themselves, with a view to agricultural pursuits, the Traders
are urging them on in search of skins.
“Far be it from me to be influenced or guided by improper or personal
feeling, in the execution of my duty; but, Sir, I submit my opinion to
a candid world, in relation to the subject, and feel fully convinced
you will be able to see at once the course which will ever place the
Indian Trader, and the present policy of Government, in relation to the
Indians, at eternal war.
[Illustration: 138]
[Illustration: 139]
[Illustration: 140]
[Illustration: 141]
[Illustration: 143]
[Illustration: 144]
“The missionaries sent amongst the several tribes are, no doubt,
sincere in their intentions. I believe them to be so, from what I
have seen; but, unfortunately, they commence their labours where they
should end them. They should teach the Indians to work, by establishing
schools of that description among them; induce them to live at home,
abandon their restless and unsettled life, and live independent of the
chase. After they are taught this, their intellectual faculties would
be more susceptible of improvement of a moral and religious nature; and
their steps towards civilization would become less difficult.”
The Pawnees are divided into four bands, or families—designated by the
names of Grand Pawnees—Tappage Pawnees—Republican Pawnees, and Wolf
Pawnees.
Each of these bands has a chief at its head; which chiefs, with all the
nation, acknowledge a superior chief at whose voice they all move.
At the head of the Grand Pawnees, is _Shon-ka-ki-he-ga_ (the horse
chief, +plate+ 138); and by the side of him, _Haw-che-ke-sug-ga_ (he
who kills the Osages, +plate+ 139), the aged chief of the Missouries,
of whom I have spoken, and shall yet say more.
_La-doo-ke-a_ (the buffalo bull, +plate+ 140), with his _medicine_ or
_totem_ (the head of a buffalo) painted on his breast and his face,
with bow and arrows in his hands, is a warrior of great distinction in
the same band.
_Le-shaw-loo-lah-le-hoo_ (the big elk, +plate+ 141), chief of the Wolf
Pawnees, is another of the most distinguished of this tribe.
In addition to the above, I have also painted of this tribe,
for my Museum, _Ah-shaw-wah-rooks-te_ (the medicine horse);
_La-kee-too-wi-ra-sha_ (the little chief); _Loo-ra-we-re-coo_ (the
bird that goes to war); _Ah-sha-la-couts-a_ (mole in the forehead);
_La-shaw-le-staw-hix_ (the man chief); _Te-ah-ke-ra-le-re-coo_
(the Chayenne); _Lo-loch-to-hoo-la_ (the big chief);
_La-wah-ee-coots-la-shaw-no_ (the brave chief); and _L’har-e-tar-rushe_
(the ill-natured man).
The Pawnees live in four villages, some few miles apart, on the banks
of the Platte river, having their allies the Omahas and Ottoes so near
to them as easily to act in concert, in case of invasion from any other
tribe; and from the fact that half or more of them are supplied with
guns and ammunition, they are able to withstand the assaults of any
tribe that may come upon them.
Of the Ottoes, _No-way-ke-sug-ga_ (he who strikes two at once, +plate+
143); and _Raw-no-way-woh-krah_ (the loose pipe-stem, +plate+ 144),
I have painted at full length, in beautiful costumes—the first with
a necklace of grizzly bear’s claws, and his dress profusely fringed
with scalp-locks; the second, in a tunic made of the entire skin of a
grizzly bear, with a head-dress of the war-eagle’s quills.
Besides these, I painted, also, _Wah-ro-nee-sah_ (the surrounder);
_Non-je-ning-a_ (no heart); and _We-ke-ru-law_ (he who exchanges).
Of the Omahas, _Ki-ho-ga-waw-shu-shee_ (the brave chief, +plate+ 145),
is the head chief; and next to him in standing and reputation, is
_Om-pa-ton-ga_ (the big elk, +plate+ 146), with his tomahawk in his
hand, and his face painted black, for war.
Besides these, I painted _Man-ska-qui-ta_ (the little soldier), a
brave; _Shaw-da-mon-nee_ (there he goes); and _Nom-ba-mon-nee_ (the
double walker).
Of these wild tribes I have much more in store to say in future, and
shall certainly make another budget of Letters from this place, or from
other regions from whence I may wish to write, and _possibly, lack
material_! All of these tribes, as well as the numerous semi-civilized
remnants of tribes, that have been thrown out from the borders of
our settlements, have missionary establishments and schools, as well
as agricultural efforts amongst them; and will furnish valuable
evidence as to the success that those philanthropic and benevolent
exertions have met with, contending (as they have had to do) with the
contaminating influences of whiskey-sellers, and other mercenary men,
catering for their purses and their unholy appetites.
[Illustration: 145]
[Illustration: 146]
[2] Since the above was written, I have had the very great pleasure
of reading the notes of the Honourable Charles A. Murray, (who was
for several months a guest amongst the Pawnees), and also of being
several times a fellow-traveller with him in America; and at last
a debtor to him for his signal kindness and friendship in London.
Mr. Murray’s account of the Pawnees, as far as he saw them, is
without doubt drawn with great fidelity, and he makes them out a
pretty bad set of fellows. As I have before mentioned, there is
probably not another tribe on the Continent, that has been more
abused and incensed by the system of trade, and money-making, than
the Pawnees; and the Honourable Mr. Murray, with his companion,
made his way boldly into the heart of their country, without guide
or interpreter, and I consider at great hazard to his life: and,
from all the circumstances, I have been ready to congratulate him
on getting out of their country as well as he did.
I mentioned in a former page, the awful destruction of this tribe
by the small-pox; a few years previous to which, some one of the
Fur Traders visited a threat upon these people, that if they did
not comply with some condition, “he would let the small-pox out of
a bottle and destroy the whole of them.” The pestilence has since
been introduced accidentally amongst them by the Traders; and the
standing tradition of the tribe now is, that “the Traders opened a
bottle and let it out to destroy them.” Under such circumstances,
from amongst a people who have been impoverished by the system of
trade, without any body to protect him, I cannot but congratulate
my Honourable friend for his peaceable retreat, where others before
him have been less fortunate; and regret at the same time, that
he could not have been my companion to some others of the remote
tribes.
LETTER—No. 35.