to some religious intelligence. After the services of the evening, they conversed on the subject proposed to them at the late council. They said, that the result of their deliberations on that subject was, that nine couple of their young men and Chiefs had professed their desire to be married in a lawful Christian manner, for the purpose of putting their own minds at rest, as well as setting an example to the nation. With this request, we have thought it proper to comply, trusting in God, that, if it will not eventually be attended with good, it will effect no evil. They pitched on Wednesday for the solemnization of the marriage. They concluded by asking, whether it would be in our power to gratify their wishes, by preparing a supper for the parties to be married, provided they should find the materials. They were at length told, that we should be disposed to gratify their wishes, as far as it might appear to be proper: that they would, at once, see the impropriety of our devoting any of the funds of the Board to such an object; but as they offered to contribute all the provisions for a supper, I would leave it with our females, on whom the burden would chiefly fall, to say, whether it would be in their power to gratify their wishes, in this respect, or not. The sisters having acceded to their request, they left us, exceedingly pleased. The Marriage. Wednesday, Jan. 8.-The marriage ceremony has this evening been attended, in the presence of an audience, both Christian and Pagan, with some of our friends from Buffalo, consisting in all of nearly two hundred persons. Afterwards, the marriage guests sat down to their supper, and were waited on by the young females of our school, dressed in English fashion. Every thing was conducted with the strictest order and propriety. EXPLORING TOUR. JOURNAL OF THE REV. S. GIDDINGS. [Continued from the 57th page.] Among the Pawnees, there are a set of men who claim superior wisdom, sancti ty, and power of healing diseases. They are styled medicine men, and sometimes men of the medicine Lodge, from their living together in a particular manner. They are consulted by the Chiefs, and others, on all matters of importance, and give directions in matters of religion, which are, however, very few. They are, generally, men of experience, and of more than common understanding among the nation. At their great feasts, these medicine men generally preside, and before they commence eating, make a short speech, in which they thank the great Father of Life, that he has given them game. They thank also the wood, fire, and water, which are employed in cooking their meat. When a number collect together, and commence smoking, the first they draw into their mouths they blow up towards heaven, the next they blow out towards the earth, and sometimes the third whiff is blown in a horizontal direction. Often, when they cook their provisions, a small piece of meat, or a few kernels of corn, are taken from the kettle and placed before the fire, as an offering. The design of this ceremony they do not clearly understand, but perform it rather because their fathers did, and because it is customary, than because they have any definite idea concerning it! On commencing any important enterprise, such as a war, or plundering expedition, they say, "Father of Life, prosper me, and enable me to kill and rob my enemies." Views of the Great Spirit. They differ greatly in their ideas of the Great Spirit; one supposes that he dwells in a buffaloe, another in a wolf, another, in a bear, another in a bird, and another in a rattle snake. Thus, every animal, and almost every reptile, is deified. Each one supposes that his deity made every thing; and no one ever kills his deity, or eats any of it when cooked. lodge, then burned on a scaffold erected for the purpose, and the sacrifice frequently offered to the morning Star. But, through the benevolent exertions of the late Manual Lisa, a trader among them, they have abandoned the practice of human sacrifice. It is about three years since the last victim was sacrificed among the Pawnee Lups. They have since attempted to continue the practice; but the Chief interfered, and prevented it, by rescuing and sending away the intended victims. High Priest. There is always one who officiates as high priest. He practises the most rigid abstinence, and never eats only as he is urged so to do, and fed by the other medicine men. He pretends to a kind of inspiration or witchcraft, and his directions are obeyed. The time of his office and abstinence is only during their residence at their village, which is rarely longer than six weeks at a time. When they go on their hunting excursions, these ceremonies are omitted; and when they return, another commences his fast, and takes the office of chief director. There are many among the Indians who pretend to hold converse with departed spirits, see ghosts, hear them sing and whistle, and see departed friends in a good country. They even pretend to have power to take away life by enchantment and witchcraft. Belief in a future state. They all believe in future rewards and punishments; but their heaven is sensual. They believe the soul after death travels, and if the man was good, according to their ideas of goodness, he travels a smooth, plain road, where there is no gravel or briars, and arrives at a good land abounding with game. They believe, also, that the soul of the bad man travels a rough, thorny, gravelly, road, to a country unhealthy, abounding with venomous beasts and poisonous serpents, and where there is no game. Views of moral goodness. ness. One of their chiefs told me he did not know what constituted a good man; that their wise men did not agree; and that he was not satisfied in his own mind. But the general idea is, that he who is brave, and who provides for his family and friends, although he steal and murder to effect it, is a good man. Giving the name of enemies to those they wish to rob, justifies them in every act, even of the most enormous kind. They are generally friends or enemies, as they view it for their interest. For instance, if to-day you give them presents, they are your friends; but if they think they can procure more, and discover any prospect of escaping with impunity, they will to-morrow plunder and murder you. Hence, the weaker nations are, in a measure, tributary to the more powerful, as they purchase peace by presents. Their war parties are what are called banditti among the Arabs. Stealing of horses and women is the cause of most of their wars. It is seldom the case, that a whole nation is engaged in war. Their chiefs, and most of their warriours, have a war sack, which contains generally the skin of a bird which has a green plumage, or some other object which they imagine has some secret virtue. When they open this, they swear they will take vengeance on their enemies, and never return till they have shed blood. If they do not find their enemies, they will sometimes kill the first person they meet, if it be even their best friend. Some traders have been killed in this way, but of late years they are becoming less scrupulous in regarding such vows, and so far as relates to the nations which I visited, there would be no danger from this source. Vindictive temper of the women. The females possess a much more vindictive temper than the males. They often set on foot a war dance with a view of exciting the men to war, by reproaching them with cowardice, swinging an old petticoat in their faces, and telling them to wear it, and let them take the war club and tomahawk. More particularly is this the case when any of their friends have been killed by war parties. National visits. It is customary for one nation to visit another when friendly, and dance for presents, which are always conferred on ted. visiters, and frequently to a great amount. But the visiters, soon after their return, are sure to be visited, and to give presents in their turn; and where they apprehend there is a want of liberality, war often follows. In these visits, the different tribes mingle together in the most friendly manner, and appear like one tribe; but there is, generally, more or less theft commitAs a specimen of their integrity and gratitude, I mention an occurrence which took place last spring. The Pawnee Nation visited the Mahaw tribe, and received many presents. Soon after the Mahaws, in their turn, visited the Pawnees, and were hospitably entertained, and rewarded with presents. After they set out on their return, and had proceeded ten miles, several young men returned, and, in the night, stole five horses, and made the best of their way to their village. The Chief of that tribe sent word to the Chief of the Pawnees, by my company, that his young men had stolen five horses without his knowledge, and that he might have them by sending for them. This measure prevented a war. Such acts are not uncommon. No one tribe puts any confidence in the promises of another, and rarely will one Indian trust another farther than he can see him. They appeared to have much respect for the American people; they view them as a superior race of beings, and consider it for their interest to live in peace and friendship. They have the impression, that the Americans are brave and terrible in war. The men appear mild and peaceful in their deportment towards each other, and quarrels seldom happen; but among the women there is daily contention, and .often the severest fighting. Neither the men nor women of the Pawnee nation, are so fond of jewels in their ears and noses, as other Indians; and I scarcely saw one, whose ear or nose was slit. It is more common among the Mahaw and Otto Nations; but by no means universal among them. They are very filthy in their persons and habits. The stench of an Indian village is almost insupportable; and they have no regard to cleanliness about their habitations. VOL. IV. 11 Practice and consequences of Polygamy, Polygamy is common, and indeed almost universal, and is attended with all the evils with which it is connected in other countries, where it is practiced. Their wealth consists principally of their women and horses. Some have no less than six or eight wives. The Chief of the Mahaws, about six years since, had sixteen living at the same time. They remark, that if they have many horses, they can pack in large quantities of meat; and if several wives, they raise a large quantity of corn. They always purchase their wives, and the Chiefs and principal men take great pains to marry into powerful and wealthy families, that they may thereby increase their influence. When a man marries the eldest daughter of a family, the remaining daughters, when they become marriageable, are considered as his, if he will purchase them. He always has the preference, though he is not under obligation to take them, nor is there any compulsion in case of refusal on the part of the women. Extent, and causes of their Ignorance. These Indians appear to have less information, and some would say less intellect, than any I have before seen. Certain it is, that they are far behind those on the Mississippi, and those adjoining the Lakes, in knowledge, and in the arts and customs of civilized life. The cause is obvious. They are farther removed from the abode of civilization. They have had far less intercourse with white people, and the few with whom they have associated have been of a class not calculated to communicate to them any useful knowledge. I am confident, the same opportunities of gaining information would show, that these nations are equal to their neighbours in point of intellect. They appeared conscious of their ignorance, on matters of morality and religion, and rather averse to say any thing, about them. Mode of curing Diseases. As Physicians, they are very singular. In some instances, they draw blood by cupping. In almost all cases of sickness, they use what is considered magic. I was a witness, in several instances, of their skill. The medicine man, and sometimes others, converse with the sick, and ascertain the part affected. They then put their mouth to the part, and blow upon it, making strange gestures. They also make strange noises; imitating with their voice and gestures wild beasts, and particularly the white bear, which they suppose has great efficacy in healing. They rarely use herbs or medicines of any kind. Desertion and exposure of the aged. They generally expose the old and infirm, when unable to follow in their hunting expeditions, on some island, or leave them behind, that they may perish, and that the friends may thus be relieved of the trouble of supporting them. I saw an old man, probably more than ninety years of age, who made his escape from an island in the Platt, and came to the garrison, where he has been supported for about eight months, by the officers and soldiers. The characteristics which I have mentioned, apply to all the Indians on the Missouri, with only this difference, that as you ascend the Missouri, and proceed to the west, the nearer to a state of nature they approach, the more savage they appear. Account of the Otto and Missouri Tribe. The Otto and Missouri nations are united, and form but one nation at present. Their number is about eighteen hundred. They live in several small villages on the south side of the River Platt, distant about twenty-five miles from the fort. I saw several of that nation, and had some conversation with them on the subject of Missions and schools, to which they appeared friendly; but I saw none of their Chiefs. Three Chiefs, and about half the warriours of the nation came into the garrison, while I was absent on my tour to the other tribes. They told the agent, Major O'Fallon, that they would be in again on the last week in June; but I have since learned, that on their return to the village, they were so destitute of provisions that they were obliged to go out on a hunting expedition immediately, to prevent their families from starving; and that they would not return to their village until fall. My interpreter, who is well acquainted with them, said he was confident that they would be as favourably disposed towards the object as any of the other tribes, and probably much more so, as they understood much better the advantages resulting from civilization. The traders who were acquainted with them, confirmed this opinion. Major O'Fallon kindly offered to propose the objects of the Society to them, on their arrival at the fort, and to communicate the result to me. I concluded, therefore, that it would be of little benefit to the Society for me to tarry till fall of the year; and as it would be attended with considerable expense, I thought it expedient to return as soon as possible to St. Louis. Circumstances favourable to a Missionary establishment. Very few of the Indians appeared in any degree opposed to such an establishment as the one contemplated by the Society. All allowed that it would be a very fine thing, if it could be effected. They acknowledge, that it would be very good to learn to read, and write, make cloth, and knives, &c. if it were practicable. It is so far beyond what they ever saw an Indian perform, that they considered it utterly impossible. You will see, from their speeches, that they are fatalists, and deem themselves incapable of improvement. This idea prevails, with few exceptions. Most of them, however, appeared willing to make the experiment. I am persuaded that many children might be obtained for a school establishment, in what the Indians would consider a safe place. There are about twenty children at the two trading houses, who are half breeds. There are also about twelve or thirteen Frenchmen, living with the Pawnees, who have Indian wives, several of whom have families, and are anxious that a school should be established, that their children might be taught. Most of the traders of note told me that they were satisfied there would be no difficulty in obtaining children for the school. Several families of the Otto tribe came and encamped near the trading houses, last week, begging for subsistence. They would gladly have given their children to be educated in a Mission family. Even the Sieux nation sent one child this Spring to St. Louis, to be educated; and a Chief sent one of his to a trading house, for the same purpose. Reasons for omitting to make a Covenant. I have made no treaty, or covenant, with any particular tribe, for the follow ing reasons: 1st. I do not think it expedient to establish a Mission among any particular tribe at present. 2d. A Mission family would, probably, be so much exposed to be interrupted by the banditti from the Sieux nation, that it would not be safe. Sd. The Indians have so little confidence in Indians, that, were the mission established in a particular tribe, and under its protection, none of the other nations would send their children, fearing that they would be slain. 4th. No eligible situation can be found near the Mahaw nation, nor nearer the Pawnees than ten miles; and, indeed, none that is well calculated for such an establishment nearer than eighty miles. There are the same difficulties in regard to the Ottos. 5th. A situation on the Missouri, not very remote from the garrison, would possess many advantages besides simply protection. Such a situation would secure the confidence of the several nations, and many of their people would send their children to school. These children, by being educated together, would contract a friendship, and form a similarity of character and manners, which would have a tendency to banish prejudice, promote peace, and inspire mutual confidence among the different tribes. The traders inform me that they could easily obtain a number of children for education from the nations high up the Missouri; and that they would cheerfully do it, if the school was established near the fort. The expense of conveying things necessary for the mission to this vicinity would be much less than to any place at a distance from the river. At the garrison there is a good grist-mill and saw-mill, the use of which has been kindly tendered to the mission family, until they could be furnished with mills of their own. Site for a Missionary Establishment. These considerations, and others which I shall mention, have led me to select a station for the mission, should the society establish one in this region. It is within a few miles of the garrison, and not very remote from two trading houses, comprising a bend in the Missouri, having a bluff on the west, which is about 140 feet high, and which, excepting at two or three places, is very steep. One mile of fence would enclose at least 1500 acres of first rate land, about one third of which is well timbered, and most of the other has considerable timber upon it. One half might be ploughed, and the other produces good grass. On the bluff is a tract of land, extending about half a mile up and down the river, and about 60 rods wide, which is level and very rich, with a fine growth of walnut, oak, hackbury, elm, mulberry, ash, and basswood. Back of this is a second bluff of gentle ascent. The country is timbered for some miles around. At the foot of the first bluff is a never failing spring, which is nearly sufficient to turn a mill. The water is pure and good. From a handsome site on the bluff to the spring is about six hundred yards, and a gentle ascent, so that a good road might be made. The spring comes out of the bluff at least fifteen feet above the bottom, and might be carried to any part of the fifteen hundred acres. There is, also, about two acres of land, adjoining the spring, and below the bluff, which is about ten feet higher than the other part of the bottom. Not much of this bottom ever overflows. This is the handsomest site for a Missionary Establishment I have yet seen, and it embraces more advantages than any other in the country. The soil is superior, and the establishment may be carried on to any extent; and from this, other establishments may be extended to particular tribes, as opportunity may present. |