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

? t'eS. Sorn, Pulnpions, Simlns, Beans
teas, Melons and variety of other vegc,a-
bles, are raised in abundance Tobacco is
not forgotten, this plant is mucl, attended
%, 80 much So rs to form a considerable ar
ticle ot their trade.
Ibe Rees believe in the existence of a
supreme Being, they also believe in the ex.
istence OF an evil spirit whom they Worship
IN order to he on good terms with him. as
they conceive he has power TO spoil their
nuts aad destroy their corn AID vegetables
among the multitude of domestic deitics |
shall ncntion two kinds, number of buf
faine heads are liked on poles in close and
regular order. fantastically painted and de
co",.ed with feathers the other consists of
box filed with small bones, buttons, beads,
hurnt Gathers and a variety of other trash,
winch Is generally in possession of their
cmJurcr and doctor, he visits the sick, per
forns number OF fantasies. such IS swal
lowing knives and arrows blowing Oh and
rubbing the patient while this is perform
ing, the miraculous box is hung over the
SICK; Should his efforts fail in restoring the
pauent, ne IS carried to the margin of the
river in view of the 8uffaloe heads, where
stones are heated and place erected over
| them to lay the diseased, ne i. then covered
with Buffaioe skins or blankets and steam
created by throwing water on the hot stones,
violent perspiration is soon produced in
winch state he IS thrown into the river, this
| is their last trial, which if not efficaciaus.
| the tc!meu,ors cease and the wrstched be
| ing is left to his fate.
HE women are rather handsomer than
otherwise. they are treated in the same
manner az among the other tribes, all the
iabors II the fed, preparing food. DRESSING
SKINS and fur, maxi lg clothes for their bru
tai masters fail 10 their lot; they buy their
wives and consider them as beasts Of bur.
aen the men occupy their time in huneing,
| smoking and che care of their ho~ses The
COMPANY lett a small boat with goods to ex-
change for horses with these people
On the 1+h Of September we left the
Rees for the Mamdan villages, having a sue
cession or Charming weather, went on
shore IN seserai places; the oniv appear.
ancH OF fertility is confined to the low
s.ounds along the bank OF the river; ;, on the
| Mills which in many places approach ,he
shore, l observed in many places the re
mans OF volcanic matter, pumice IS found
! IN abundance, generally OF "A purple and
Drown color. About half way between the
KEGS and Mandans the white bear is first
seen, from information which | received
from the hunters, he is double the size If
the black bear. and extremely ferocious,
being the despotic tyrant of the plains and
! forest.
|
dan village, this tribe had separae ed from
the nation and had removed thirty miles
down the river ; Shehekeh prevailed on
them to return and become friends; here we
discovered that he was only the chief of one
village, where we next day arrived, on our
! approach salute was fred from the barges
and answered by the village in raising the
American flag. the barges were soon crow
ded with the natives, and mutual coDgratu-
lations took place.
he gentlemen being invited to dine by
Shehekeh's brother. we found a plentiful
supply OF good provisions, the latliea had
prepared large stew of meat, corn and
vegetables, and our feast was seasoned by
genuine hospitality. In the afternoon we
| prepared to visit the upper towns, an eIe
giant horse was presented to their travelled
Chief who had put on his full dress uniform
SUIT his horse was not forgot, he displayed
considerable taste in dressing him in scar
let and gold laced housings with a highly
mounted bride and saddle; thus equipped
we set out accompanied by thirty or forty of
the natives on horseback, the sngularity OF
our reception is worthy of notice having
rode to the centre of the village, we remain
ed some time before we were invited to en-
ter the house OF the chief; / was informed
| that It was the custom on all occasions to
1 ~ wv hcoI puDiiC pihCe ana wait the
Invitation OF some of the chiefs. otherwise it
would be considered gross violation of cti
quette to enter the dwelling Of any of these
people without form Of invitation.
| Shehekeh's conduct amused us very much.
his splendid uniform and horse furniture.
his hne figure, his anxiety to appear to ad-
vantage, with the contrast when compared
with his brother chiefs, who appeared I'M
patient TOR the presents which they expect
ed to receive from him. These articles he
received from the American government.
and had rendered him IN his opinion the
greatest man in his Country; il vas ex
! pected by his people that he would be very
liberal in the distribution of some of his va
luables. however their hopes were vain.
ohehekeh vas as anxious to retain his pro
pcrty, as they were 20 receive it, murmur
took the place of mirth, and on our depar
ture from the village his popularity wa I'm
the decline.
A few miles above the upper villages tho
! principal trading house was built, and the
hunting parties amounting 10 ali 10 about
100 men. set out for the three forks of the
! Missouri. Information was received here
| that the Blackfoot Indians who reside ut the
tnot OF the mountains were hostile, that the
/ British had factories all over the country
and mad mpelled them to cut off Mr. Ma
nuel Lisa's party; one of the survivors of
the name of Coulter, who had accompanied
Lewis and Clark says, that he in company
| with another was fred on by these Indians.
~ It his comp9nion whO made resistance was