Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-04-22

wouit nave been hisiAy grailiyHg 10 the
Union, AMI particularly % the Western
country, it this TIED patriot and s0i,iied
had consented to serve in that Office.
iraalJOt lrgts.
Communicated far tke Freeman's Jcaia.u
PHiLADsLPEE, April Sih, i6lI
SIR,
'rhc aborigines OF this continent
(when first known ~ Europeans had Few
arts 4; and those icw were confined 10 the
construction OF ARTICLES of primary neceS-
siiy. With the exception of,he MeNicaus
and PeruvIans, the native tribes existed
IN the lowest state of savage lie. The
plastic and mechanic arts were unknown
the plough anti wheel had not been dis
covered, nor had the conquest Of ruuli-
nant animals, the first object OF civiiizati-
OF. been elected. 4 small species OF the
dog was the only animal man had asscci-
aied with him. 4 slight tent cabin, or
~lgwan, formed The ir;insi;0rv dwellings
OF the inrn,an Species, over IN extent u.
more than elsht millions OF square
mics.
The use of lie aorse, tue Introduction
ot sire-arm>, 5nd he cultivation Of tcT
vegetables, are The only great changes
hitherto made 30 anyeXtont in the moral
l
ineir poiiii al relations remain nearly sim
liar, to What they we're three centuries a.
20. Letters, he allotment OF individual
landed property, and consequent perma-
nent residence, are vet with very partial
executions, unknown-thcy are iaeid'y
disappearing from the earth ami their
language and arts are perlshne with
them.
:, is phenomenon al, this dark and
rude theatre, where ma,,, and the regions
in which he exists, appear III pri,n@yal
| wlIdness, to behold, on the persons. the
clothing and trinkcts of savages, colours
| more brilliant and more durable than are
exhibited amongst the most civilized iHii-
ons of the world. Whether the art Of
dyeing was OF foreign origin or an iudi-
genons discovery, know not but its ex-
iStence, III high state OF perfection, !
cannot donbt-having frequently seen ar
'ieles dyed or painted elegantly, as far as
colour WAS concerned.
or The two kinds OF leather made and
used by mankind, the savages of America
have dis vel only made HAT soft and elias
TIC species, which may he denOminaicd
parchment; wli!Ithe tanning principle in
vegetables they were, when first discover
cd by Europeans, entirely ignorant, and
are vet but very impertectly acquainted
with IFS properties. 1t is curious fact,
that the indians IN almost every instance
make parchment leather, for use, but pre-
serve II afterwards by ian. Il is a very
common circumstance 10 see them i'm
mersiHg their lcggins and mocasins, in
detection of oak bark an art no doubt
learned from tkc white hunters or ira
dcrs.
THE skins from which their leather is
made are, the lIuflaloe, elk, moose and
necr. The buffaIoe skin is split by
very laborlous operation, aud, as well as
all Other domestic artsamongst American
savases, is performed ~ their females
the inside or f'eslly part is thrown away,
and the outside epilermis uScd. TIL
renderthe parchment very plable and e
lastic, and give it property not very
common 10 thai species of leather, of re-
tanning IFS soft elastic texture, alier being
wei and dried.
II is upon this delicate, well prepared
parchment, that the paintings mentioned
by DR.. 5. L. Mitchili, and those | have
| mvseli seen. are drawn. The ant of pre-
paring ihe leather, and staining il with
colours permanent in tint, as is the sub
stance fthe leather itself, is known from
the Panis vlilag s, on Red River, TO tie
most remote Northwest part ON. Amcri
ca. The Southern and Southwestern ma
I tlOns, contiguous 10 the United State.
such rs The CherokeeS, Gil ckasaws, Chloe
flaws, AlnsCoseeS or Greeks, and The Ca
dos, know nothing Of The arts in question.
In ascending the waters of tie Mississippi,
the Pdnis or Jowlache Indians, ON Red
River, present The first instance where
tie painted skins are found 10 be prepa-
red. The Pants migrated from the wa
iers OF the Missouri, about acentury ago.
beyond them are the ti,eians, WHO rove
over the whole vast space from the Panis
10 the Chlppewan Missouri mountains.
The llletans have domeSicaled the horse.
ana have seen some OF their bride or
! uaments Ingenious III high gree but
peculiarly remarkable for the strength of
the yellow and red coiors, with wllicb the
hair, leather, and other materials were
stained.
Many things respecting the colors in
question, may be laid down as posuiata:
he materials are Indigenous, widely dis.
scmiDa ed, ofeasy and speedy application
10 use !; and am induced 10 believe that
their exclusive use by orr indians, NAV be
added. Though the art of dyeing being
almost confined 10 the n. w. tribes. would
favor tie idea Of Asiatic origin. vet we
must conclude, If so, that reasonably
speaking, some other more obviously use
tnl Aslaiic art wouid he known by the A.
merlcan sa'ages, which is not the case.
Plants Ot tie SyngeneSia class. are very
abundant on all s0iis from The mouth Ia
the mead OF the Mississippi. Some Of
these radiated flowers are every where
~ ri % az IN. 49,