The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-27


The Commander of the expedition inform
ed them. that the goods did not belong 20
their great father, that they were the
sole property of those ndeidua,s who
were present, that they were rs able
to protect themselves, as willing 70 cultivate
the friendship of the Souex The gentle
men conceiving it their interest, establish
ed trading house here during our STAY.
the Chiefs had stationed SIX men to guard
the barges from pillage. These people
subsst entirely on the Bnifaloe, except some
times dog; they resemble the Arabs, ia
wing no fixed place of residence, following
the cutfaloe as the seasons change. without
any wish or desire To raise corn. or vegeta
bles; they hunt On horse back armed wi,h
bows and short guns-thev have heir ma
ton Parceiied ou. in tribes. viz: Yantans
Iitons, Chions, Punka's, &c. &c. whether
they acknowledge these appelIations am
not positive. but rather think they received
them from those traders who have been in
the habit of visiting them; they are the ter
ror, and in fact the iordlv masters of all
heir neighbors, claiming trio,'e (presents)
from all The other tribcs-their dress con-
sisrs of the skins of the Deer, Elk. Buffl!oe
and Beaver, Handsomely decorated with
porcupinc quilts AS they remain but a
snort period IN one place. they have very lit.
tie baggage. few kettles their arms and
cloathing are prepared in small bundles. suf
hciently large for dog to drag along by a
sled-these animals are of the wolf breed.
and know by instinct when the band is in
motion; on strippingthe huts, which are ca
vered with skins. they set up a most piteous
howl. and endeavored TO escape their in
tended labor by hiding from their owners.
On the Goth, we sat out, and the next day
thGS pllE al -. u"
band OF the SoueX, called the Bunka's s, resort
to this river to hunt; few miles above the
Lukakon or running water puts in with the
greatest velocity; this river is about $50
yards wide at it's mouth, being navigable a
considerable distance for small trading boats,
here We met with several bluffs of coal,
chalk, pigments, slate, &c &c. and for the
first time observed the Goat, Prairie DOGS
and number of Magpies.
On the goth, we arrived at an eacamp
ment of the Titons, another band Of the
oouex, amounting to one hundred lodges,
where the same transactions took place AS
at the Yantans; promised them a trader
who was left at Fort Loisel, on Cedar Island.
a lew days journey above the village, near
Whlte river, gentle stream which puts in
on the south side, about one hundred and
htty yards wide, at its confluence with the
the great bend, which performs circuit of
forty or fifty miles, and approaches within
two miles Of the ommence ment of the cir
Gle 1t forms. From this place to the Richa-
rec villages, we had brisk wind from the
right quarter, which enabled us to use the
sails every day we passed several imnor-
tant rivers and brooks, which to MS were
nameiess, except the Chen on the south
side, on which branch of the Souex, called
Chiens, reside, it is upwards of 200 yards
wide at the mouth
On the 18th Sept. we arrived at the villa
ges OF the Richarees, who appeared much
alarmed, and refused to come to council on
that DAYS or at all, unless hostages were ex-
changed.
Having agreed with the Rees Cor an ex
cnaDge or hostages, their fears were some
what aiiayed, and friendly intercourse
took place. In the Council they were asked,
why they had attacked the party on the for
mer expedition. under the command of 1t.
priorf They replied. thai they were in
formed by Frcnchman who resides with
them, that the goods and bargcs were sent
TO them by their great father the President of
Tue Onited states as presents, that Lieut.
fflCr only gave them Medals, which they
at FIRST accepted, but OH discovering that the
goo:s were detained they stamped upon the
Medals and attacked the boats; these cir.
cumstances, together with the solicitations
OF the aforesaid Frenchman to fire on the
white people, was the cause of the unhappy
Misunderstanding.
The commander of the expedition, Mr..
Pierre Chcutcau, demanded the French
man he was informed, that he lived with
tribe OF their nation called the Soions, about
% miles south, that he was married and
mad tamiy-on Mr.. Chouteau's insisting
on having him delivered up, they agreed to
SEND party ot their young men to accompa.
ny Mr. Us detachment to the village -
however, when the party was prepared 10
set out, they refused to send the escort. so
tue affair was abandoned for the present.
We found that the Richarces and Man.
oahs were at peace, q party of the latter
were on visit a the village, who were
much pleased to see their country man (She
nek'n) return safe. in the council, the
kees' demands were similar to the Souex !:
they expressed extreme sorrow at the re
collection OF their differences with Lieut
Prior, and their profuye hospitality in giving
corn and meat, eviDced their Satisfaction
at the return of friendly intercourse. Twn
OF the principal Souex Chies having &C
companied rs to the villages. also made
peace with the Rees however, the latter
expressed their sentiments very freely nj
the SoucX-they sad, they only come TO
beg presents and smoke for horses, that they
would pay httle attention to their engage
ments, that they you'd break tie treaty
when opportunity offered, Shehek,h appear
cd perfectly at hone he handed the ca
Iumet round the council room with all the
mi M i.f,ssa. 4 &C..