Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-25
From the 81. Louis Beacon.
INDIAN CHARACTER.
/" Hotci en tQrrO. 20

greet to those who delight to store their minds
with those facts connected with the original pos
SCISSORS of that soil which now opens the bosom
of lis wealth to beings of almost another origin.
Having dwelt some time with and near them,
have used considerable diligence at various times,
in endeayoring to ascertain how and In what
manner, if any, they have preserved the Iemem-
brance of remarkable events among them
Whether they had traditiOnary or Legendary
tales of the origin of their tribes; whether they
knew the time when the country in which they
resided was first occupied by them: whether, in
that case, it was uuoccupied or in the possession
of other Indians, and whether they conquered
or purchased the country so occupied. Ny in
quiries have also extended to their wars-ths
arts and wiles practced by their most distinguish
ed warriors; the nature also of their pretended
intercourse with the Great Spirit; how many
spirits they supposed possessed an influence over
their tribes; what they thought of futurity, and
what their general ideas were of moral and So
cial duties and obligations. have seldom receiv-
ed, to any Of these inquiries, clear and satisfac
tory answer.
They have traditions; bat Of so confused a
nature, and SO mysteriously combined with men
and beasts, extraordinary transformations from
one to the other, and so thoroughly involved in
the clouds Of superstition, that they are rendered
utterly unintetlgible to all but Indians them.
selves.
Their songs constitute their history, but as
dates are entirely neglected (forshey keep no
note Of time," 1t is impossible for the oldest
man among them to fix the events thus narrated
upon any particular period of time. There is
one source, however, Of instructive amusement
among them, and that is 10 sit and listen to the
rehearsal of the warlike achievements that have
been performed within the remembrance of the
narratuc, and possibly by him. He often tells
them with spirit and sprightliness, and can gen.
orally say how many winters are past by since
they were acted. No one but he who has re-
sided among them knows, or can know, the fund
of military anecdote if may so call it, in their
possession.
No one knows, or can know, the surprising
acts of yalOr performed by them, sometimes as a
tribe. but more generally by individuals. I'm
der an excitement particularly after little sue
cess, there are no people on earth Drawer or more
daring, even to rashnes, than they are. Once
under this excitement, alone or among thousands,
an Indian sees nothing but the object of his rage,
if an enemy, or of his love, if friend. In fact,
they are educated for brave men. Influence and
wealth are only for the brave, and the highest
seat at the council fire, or the most important
character in the dance, is always awarded to
him who passes for the bravest man. Indians q
speak of those on the uppss Missouri are under
rated. White men talk, and suppose think
rs they talk, as II twenty common men, well arm
ed. could drive the praires for indians as they
would beat Jungle for deer. This is idle talk.
These Indians have vet to learn who are their su-
periors in their own method of fighting. Perfect
horsemen, they know their strength when we'll
hattie han ha Oh, h.,
believe. No men but mounted men can ever,
except large bodies, safely travel the country
where they live or roam. The morale las Ma
poleon called the impression of strength or force
on the mind is very considerable, and, with in
experienced men, often creates sudden panic
or establishment that proves their ruin, before sufi
cient time elspses for them to recover their self
possession. Painted. almost naked. and at full
speed they rush upon their foes suddenly from
an ambush, with yell apparently of delight at
the prospect OF blood. The hideOus expression
OF their countenance, has, at the time, an APP
palIng effect to those unaccustomed to their mode
ct painting themselves. The first effect is in
tended tor. and often IS, an almost perfect stupe-
faction Here lies their strength on the plain,
or where they can act with celebrity, and they who
can retain self possession at the onset, with toll
cradle adequate force have nothing to fear after
wards. Without retaining that (which the main
effort of the Indians is to Destroy the chances
are against escape. Many white man has gone
to these praries confident of his abilities for self
protection, and been literally cut to pieces BY the
tomahawk whilst on his horse with his loaded RI
fe in his hand. They might have been, proba-
ably, were brave, but they allowed themselves
to be astonished, and all from undertaking their
foes.
There Is another strong trait ofcharaeterin Indi
ans-their singular pride. Squaws frequently CRY
cry Indians into acts of vengeance and retaliation.
but they have stronger influence even than that
over them: a squaw can laugh or shame an Indi-
an TO commit the most wsnton act of murder,
cruelty and inhumanity. Her jeers and taunts,
after an unsuccessful ''to-tong" of war party,
will send an Indian forth alone, without rest or
delay, under the pledge ofthe mort sacred oath
k"own to him, that he will not return without
scalpo' aprisoner, To redeem this pledge, and