Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-09-26

~ of 5S Blackfoot Indians. They came up
boldly and smoked and remained with MS du-
ring that night, making every profession of
friendship and in the morning after making
them presents OF such articles as I'VE could
spare, they parted with us apparently well
tlsGed, having first invited MS tn come and cs--
tablish al the mouth of the Maria river, as they
said they had been Informed was our inteution.
They were in possession ofevery information in
regard 10 the boats being ut the mouth of
the Yellow Stone, aud of their determination
TO ascend the Missouri To the Falls. This in-
formation must have been derived from the
British traders, who have, most probably, ia
stlgated them 10 commit this outrage, and by
them no doubt from some faithful correspon-
dent at ST. Louis. We did not suffer ourselves,
however, 10 be- lulled into false ideas Of security
by their friendly professions, but commenced
direct and preciptate retreat from the coun-
try, keeping out a strict guard every night,
and using every possible vigilance at all times.
This party of SO had returned To their village,
which was very close, and recruited TO the
number ofbstween three and four hundred
men /; these had Intercepted us IN the Vel
low Stone where they arrived two days be-
fore us-they lay in ambush for us on the side
of a steep hill. the base ni " hich was washed
by the river along which we had To pursue the
intricate windings OF a Bulfaloe trace among
rocks, trees, sc. by means of which they had
secreted themselves. Atthis place the men were
of course much scattered for a considerable
distance, as two horses could not pass abreast.
Al this unfortunate moment, and under cir
cums,auces SO dsadvaniage0us, they rushed
upon us with their whole force, pouring down
from every quarter. Messrs. Immll ard Jones
fell early m the engagement. con1ct thus
unequal could not long be maintained. The
resul; was the loss of five other men killed,
four wounded, the entire loss of all our horses
and equipaga, traps, and every thing. The
balance OF the party succeeded in escaping, by
making raft and crossing the Yellow Stone.
This took place on the $751; of May, just below
the mountains on the Yellow Stone. Not
knowing to what extent the loss OF the horses,
traps, Sc. might affect any future plan of
operation. came with all possible expedition
10 tins place 10 acquant you with the circum-
stance. left MIR. kermle and the par, Y
near mouth of Pryor's Fork, making skin
canoes to bring down the falls hunt. Four 81
MIR. H"nry's men have also been killed near
the falls Ii appears from Information derivsd
from the Blackieet themselves, that the British
have two trading houses in their country on
the American Territory, and from some Snake
Indians we learned that they have several
on the South Fork of the Columhia-snihe-
thing decisive should be done. Believe me
to he your sincere friend
WIN. GORDON
From the foregoing letter you will perceive
| that the commerce ofthe Missouri under ex
isting circumstances, however valuable, is tru-
iy prrcarious. This our second adventure Ia
the mountains, had surpassed my most san
gulne expectations /: success had been com
a'ctr and my views fulfilled in every respect
Mr.. lmrne and Mr. Jones had conducted
fhes" expeditions with the. greatest skill and
ability, and proved themselves worthy of my
confidence. The loss of property is severely
felt Yet it is little compared tn the loss oil
those valuable men la whom stand indebt-
ed for the accomplishment of my views-In
consequences of their hate departure last sum
mfr from Council Bluffs, il became necessary
fur them To c0niine their operations last Fall
10 The Yellow Stone and its tributary waters,
and winter al the mouth of the Big Horn
The party originally consisted of forty three
persons, including Themselves and Messrs.
Gordnn and Keemie, two young gentlemen
attached 10 the expedition. ard to HON am
much indebted for their activity in bringing of
the remainder of the party, and securing the
property which had been left on the Yellow
Stone ut the time the expedition moved Ia the
three forks early in the Spring. The party
had been reduced To thirty; part Of the men
having deserted their wrntering post at the
Big Horn, with these they penetrated the
country, as mentioned in Mr. Gordon's letter.
am happy 10 say their defeat is not TO be
attributed 10 negligence, mistaken confidence
oftheIr own ability, or of the good will of the
Indians. Three hours more would have TAX
en- them To the Crow nation, where they would
have been perfectly secure, this tribe being at
In s..
TO the whites. But the Blackfeet had marked
their route, they knew the country and ad
van'ages Of the position selected by them for
The attack there they intercepted them and
awaited their arrival-nothing but defeat could
be expected under such circumstances and II
rs wonderful how any should escape from such
an overwhelming furce when attacked in
such an unfav0rdble p0siiIon-many crcum-
stances Justify the opinions expressed in Mr.
Gordon's letter, which will hereafter relate,
time will not allow me To do so at present.
Mr.. Keemle arrived nj The Mandans ia a
short time after Mr.. Gordon left him on the
CHOW Stone, and in letter to me under da;e
of 10Th of lie present month, he expresses
himself as follows: +" Permit mr., sir. here to
remark, that the present affair with the RIGA
rces is the subject sfdaily conversation wibthe
eros yentfes and Nanddus and I am Of Opin
ion, from many remarks made by the prnci-
pal men of both nations, that much of the fI-
ture welfare and interest of persons engaged
in the business Of the Missouri depends upon
the course of conduct pursued towards that
band of savage villains" In another letter
from him Of the llth instant, he gives me the
following information: 4" council was held
by the Mandans ON The 10Th inst in which
they have determined to send fOrihe Ricarres
IN enter their village. in order to protect them
las they say from the whites similar pro
position was made to the Gros venires by the
former nation, but they shut their ears against