The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-11-28
BY THE MAILS.
From the New-York Journal. I
OSAGE MISSION.

We have seen long letter from one
of the members of the Missionary Fam
lily, dated Aug. goth, 1921. They be-
gan to ascend the Usage river in June
arrived on the 4th of August within A
miles by land, and about IL by water,
of the station where they will be locat-
ed. They were obliged TO stop by rea-
son of low water. Capt. Pixies descrip-
ton of the country is in general correct,
with some small exceptions. The fol-
lowing are extracts from the latter:
81 saw nothing of prairies till within
some small distance OF the Grand Fork,
(about No. 26 on the dam. up the
right branch of the next considerable
fork about or miles by water, on the
north side is our present situation.
Our buildings will be erected on the
rivers bank so far back as to leave a
handsome green, and on the border
of a vast prairie, which is covered with
grass about " aist high, and nearly two
tons to an acre.-There is abundance
of good timber on either side of us, and
on the river, stone coal and lime in
great plenty, clay of the best quality for
brick, and good spring, which is of
the first importance till we can dig a
well, as the river water is getting
"ufnf, unu urr1ASrstvI1y- --s-'-.-. ..@=Ii -
mile below, and just opposite to the
U. S. trading house, which was COM
menced in July last, to be completed
in September. We are within Is miles
Of the Usage village, which is on the
other branch of the river.
Monday, Aug. 13.--Some Indians
appeared for their whole council
They said we came on to the land with
our own choice, without first consulting
them.-Many were out on hunting ex-
curslon, and council could not be
called Immediately: and prudence as
TO our health, demanded that we should
get the family on land. The Indians,
however, say they are satisfied, and
are glad we are pleased in the CHOICE
They appeared grave, sedate, and
solemn in council, and gave the great
est heed to what we said, all the while
smoaking the tobacco we gave them-a
thing indispensable 10 council
"Their chief warriour is a fierce
looking fellow. Al our first interview.
he was quite shrewd He said some
one had told him that our hearts were
bad. On being asked if he would send
his children to school, he wanted TO
know what we would teach them. We
told him-and he replied that he should
like to have his children learn to make
po1oder, but be did not wish them TO
learn any thing else; and added, that
Notwithstanding he talked SO, he might
De the first to give up his children
He wanted we should stay here one or
two years, and then if we were right, he
would send his children to school. Their
worship, which is regular morning and
evening to the Great Spirit, consists of
mourning, singing, and crying. Their
particular ideas know not.
sour habitations are as comfortable
as might be expected. Some make use
of tents. We lay for one week on the
ground with sheets for curtains TO keep
off the mosquitoes, which are very
troublesome-but now | have made a
bedstead of round poles, and roof. to
shelter us from the rain. !. II will be two
or three months before we get our
houses lit to enter. Two of our breth-
rem arc gone to Fort Usage, 10 miles.
10 purchase horses, oxen, and cows,
without which we can do nothing to-
wards our buildings. In the mean time
we are preparing tools, cart, wagon,
scythes, &c. and putting up hay, for the
winter.
Aug. l0.-The Indians appear very
friendly, frequently visit us--and we
feel the assurance that some of their
children will be given us as soon as we
are able to accommodate them. Tn