Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-30

tie stream which puts IN on the south
side about $50 yards wide at its con.
aucnce with the Missouri. A few mile,
further we got into the great bend
(which performs a circuit of 40 or sc
n les, and approaches within 9 miles
tof the conmencement Of the circle i
losns. From this place to the Rich.
aree villages We had abrisk wind from
the right quarter, which enabled us to
use the sails everyday we passed Sc.
yeral important rivers and brooks
lwhichto US were nam elcss, except the
1ChieD on the south side, on which a
branch of the Souax called Chiens re-.
lside; it is upwards OF 200 yards wide
at the mouth. .
On the 18th Sept. we arrived at the
villages of the Richarees, who appear
led much alarmed aud refused to come
TO council on thas day or at all unless
hostages were exchanged.
Having agreed with the r ees for al
exchange OF hostages, their fears we're
somewhat allaYed, and afriendly inter
course took place. In the council they
we're asked why they had az, acked the
party on the former expedition
Iunder the command of Lieut.. Prior !:
rhey replied that they were iniormel
10y Frenchman who resides with
them, that the goods and barges were
sent to them by their great. father the
President of the u. States as presents,
that Lieut.. Prior only gave the n me-
ials, which they a. FIRST accepted, but
On discovering that the goods were de-
Saihed they stamped upon the medals
and attacked the boats these circum
stances together with the solicitations
Of the aforesaid Frenchnan to fire on
the White people was the cause of the
unhappy misunderstanding.
The commander of the expedition,
Mr.. Pierre Choueeau, demanded the
French nan, he was informed, that he
lived with tribe of their nations call
ed Scions, about 50 miles south. that
ne was IN fried and had family; on
In. Caouteau's insisting on having
linn delivered up they agreed to send
party or their young mento accompa-
Ivy Mr.. C's detachment to the village
however, when the party was pre-
pared to set out, they refused to sen
their escort: 50 the afflir was aban.
!oned for the present.
We founi that tn. Richarees and
Maudans WIRE at peace, a party of the
latt,r were on visit at the village, who
were much pleased to see their coun.
trymen, (Shehekeh) return safe. L.
che council, the Rees demands were
similar to the Soucx, they exDresse !
extreme sorrow as the recoll .ction of
their diff with Lieut.. Prior, &
their profuse hospitality in giving corn
and meat, evinced their satisfaction at
the return of friendly intercourse
Two of the principal Souex Chiefs
having accompanied us to the villages,
also made peace with toe Rees-how-
ever the latter expressed their senti-
Inents very freely of the Souex; they
said they only came to beg presents
and smoke for horses-that they wo ild
pay little attention to their engage.
ments, and that thew would break the
treaty when opportunity offered -
ohehekeh appeared perfectly at home
he handed the calu net round the coun.
Gil room with all the gravity of an a1ori.
g1nal Statesman and Warrior.
The Richaree towns are built on 2
handsome prairie, on the south side, a.
bout 500 yards apart, having a small
river between, which puts into IN,
Missouri their lodges are built some.
what similar to the Mahas, with the
addition of having a covered entrance
ut 9, 10, or Is yards they appear t.
live much more comfortable than an,
Of the otherstribes, having their hut,
divided into Chambers with a neatnes,
IN their construction Which we hal
not witnessed before their corr field.
which border the Missouri are wei
fenced and better cultivated than nany
farms on the frontiers Of the u. States
Corn, Pumpkins, Simlins, Beans. Peas
Melons, and variety Of other vegsta
oles are raised in abundance. Tob1c
co is not forgotten, this plant Is nue.
ate nded n, 80 much so as to form
eonsidera5le sricls of their trade.
The Hees believe IL the existenc