The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-12-02
THE OMAWII.NW INDIANS.

The following interesting traits of the
Omawhaws, are extracted from journal 81
tue expedition to the rocky Mountains Tic
Omawhaws are Il small tribe of Indians in
habiting one of the inferior tributaries Of the
Missouri il little above the river Platte.
They are represented rs more pacific than
thcr neighbours, almost unacquaintcd with
spirituous liquors, and preserving Ill an IN
common degree, the most valuable part Of
the Indian character. Their IDEAS Of the
hospitality due to stranger, will be found
tc be of d lofty description, and to partakc OF
a delcacy, worthy of the most refined civil
lied society. 1t is to be deeply dcploYcd,
that no means have yet been adopted tor
preserving to these simple, and in many re-
spects noble people, those habits Of which
we, as white men, might we'll be proud, and
to prevent the loss of those hereditary viz
tues they have derived from an unlettcrcd
but venerable antiquity, and which are
daily wasting away, and passing from their
hands, like the fields and rivers OF their
| fathers.
"rhc Omawhaws consider themselves
superior in the scale Of beings, to all other
animals, and appear to regard them rs hay
ing been formed for thci benefit. ihcy viii
some time say, when speaking Of a bad per-
1
"In their opinion, the Waconda, (Suprcmc
Being,) has been more profusc in his distii-
button Of gifts to the white people, than tt
the rcd skins, particularly in imparting t.
us the knowledge Of letters, Whereby the rc-
suit Of experience is 50 readily transmitce
from ono person TO another, 50 as to seen
like the operations Of some mystic mcdi
cine.
" But they claim superiority in ratura
intelligence and readily perceive that they
are more active, have greater capacity tol
undergoing with for,tudr the many evils Il
Which they are subject, in every Situation
and season, such as exposure to great lcd
and cold, hunger, thirst, and pain. The!
appear to esteem themselves more brave
more generous and hospitablc 10 stranger!
than the white people and these beniiicen
virtues, with them Ike tho mental opera
| tions Of faith, hope and cha!ty oi the Chris
+ tians, mark the perfect man.
"They regard the white people as yer,
deficient in one Of these cardinal Filtues
t They have been told by Indians Who hart
visited our settlements that, on entering tn
lodge Of a white man, they viii By intormc'
! that he has eaten his dinDcr--hc will net, a
/ least, set any food before them; and il the,
remain i'll the house, uUthlng viii be oi!cret
! them till night, and even thcn probably
2 stinted port0n.-ihc mcanncss OF such de
. laeanor they dcspisc.
5 "lf white man, or any stranger, enter
I the habtaton OF an Indian, he is not askc
if he has dincd, or if he is hungry but, indc
o pendantly OF the time OF day or night, til
$ pot is put upon the fire, and ifthcre is a sin
5 gle pound of meat in possession OF the tamii
that pound is cooked and set before him, an
: even ifhe has Just arisen FROM atea,t, he nm
c taste of the food, or offence is given. ,iistt
}, ~ has recorded with high commendatio
: the name Of dcthrongod Christian monarc
e who shared his last loaf Of bread with a SUI
: plant stranger and surely, 4 similar net
e the Indian, although it be Influenced by c(
d ucation and custom, is entitled TO rcspc,
e and applause.
d "Thcy look upon the traffic in the uccc
l. sarics Of life, such as meat and maize,
le mongst the individuals Of nation, as col
d temptiblc. Such commerce they consid,
ID as very unfavorablc trait in the charact,
of the white men: they however ava
10 themselves of it in their dealings with hin
e provided he wants considerable quant
10 of those necessaries.
Is 1.-The food which is set before guest
c, in every respect considered as exclusive
in his own. He may give it to whom he m;
Iy think proper, either within or without Il
Or lodge he may even take it with him to Il
is lodgings, but the including vessel must,
+ every case, be returned. Much more fo'
" is usually served up to a guest than he C;
a possibly cat and when he has satisfied /
al hunger, if he returns the remainder to Il
s. host, the latter thanks him for it as if he hi
is received a favour.