Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-01-30
lf' : Dollars Per .daanm-paiais Aa,ance.l

lN'Sf-~y D>toiS uiuhTC COuNClt was
held with Mr.. Chouteau for the pur.
lpose of requesting trader to reside
|among them and to beg presents, in
which the Mandaa preserved the dig.
nifty OF a superior; indeed Shehek chs
manners would grace any circle. he
took great pains to copy the manners
OF the first characters of the Uni
ted States whom he was acquainted
with.
On the 18th we left the village and
a few miles up met with three Soaex
wao informed us that party OF Their
nation were waiting for us about so
miles up the river. Twelve miles
further we passed Floyd's river. cal
led after one of the followers of Lew.
IS aud Clark, who was buried on an
commence in its neighbcrhood the
Indians had mounted a flag over his
grave; on our way we passed several
banks Of coal and chalk.
On the 18th, we arrived at the Yan-
tans, a branch of the Souex, containing
800 lodges their huts were placed on
the north bank, and were saluted in
the following manner: so warriors
arranged themselves on the shore, and
discharged their pieces loaded with
bali into the water at the bows of the
barges having brought too near the
shore, the officers landed and were.
carried to the council house BY six In
dams IN BaRaloe robes in the coun.
Gil their demands were similar to th-
Maha's; they were given to under
stand that no trader could be left with
them, and that they could have no
presen;s; menace took the place OF
supplication; the principal chief ad-
dressed the gendeAen in nearly the
following words: Sc The Missouri has
always ran muddy water which occs
sions the white peoples refusing our
demands, that if it was made to run
blood, they would be adhered to-"
The commander of the expedition in
formed them that the goods did not be
long to their great fatner, that they
were the sole property Of those indivi-
deaiS who were present that they were
as able to protect Themselves as will
ling to cultivate the friendship of the
Souex. The gentlemen conceiyinr it
their interest, established a trading
house here; during oar stay the chiefs
had stationed 6 men to guard the bar.
gcs from pillage. These people subsis,
entirely on the Bldaloc, except SONG
lines adog; they resemble the Arabs,
having no fzei place Of residence
following the Buifaloe as the seasons
change, without any wish or desire to
raise corn or vegetables; they hunt on
horseback armed with bows and short
guns; they have their nation parceiled
out in tribes, viz. Yantans, Titons,
Chians, Punkas, &c. &c.-whether
they acknowledge these appellations
an not positive, but rather think they
received them from those traders who
have been intae habit ofvlsiting the n /;
they are the terror and in fact the
lordly masters of all their neigabors.
claiming tribute (presen.) from ali
The other tribes; their dress consist
# the skins of tn. Deer, Elk, Blffl-
~ "hA bSdFSi, HduIoOHkSlf OSCOTdLSQ
With porcupine quilts, As they remain
but short peuol in one place they
nave very li.tle bag gage few kettles,
heir arms and clothing arr prepared
ia nall bundles suicien ly large for a
log to drag along b. sled; these an
Inals are of the wolf breed and know
ny instinct when the oand is in motion,
on stripping the huts which are CO.
vcred with skins they set up. most
piteous howl, and endeavor 20 escape
their intended labor by hiding from
! sheir owners.
On the 10th we sat out and on the
next day passed the Punka river on
the north side bsnd Of the Ssucx,
called the Punkas, resort TO this river
20 hunt, few miles above the Luka
,oa or running water puts in with the
greatest velocity this river is abouf
$50 yards wide at its mouth, being
aavigable considerable distince for
small trailing boats; here we met with
cveral bluffs Of coal, chalk, pigments,
slate. &c. &c. aud for the 6rst time
! observed the goat, prairie dogs, and a
number of magpies.
1 a., fIr Ogfh enc a-r.,,.J - -. -