Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-11-23


OF hem,h they would practise it as long had; that
my intentions towards them OF the friendly kind;
and that in the country where lived bTdUe never
allowed their Squaws TO frighten them with their foolish
whms, stories, &c. they all edacly arose, shook
by the hand and dressed themselves Tor their pictures
/ There difficulty atirI that about sitJings, all
were ready to sitihe squaws were sentand my paint
ing continued resort Tor them, where they waited
win lmpatcnce To see the completion OF each picture
that they could laugh, sing song, sc. sc. 1 was
then often taken by the arm by the Chiefs and led TO
their lodge, where feast was prepared for me in tn cir
best style In this taken from one lodge TO
another, aud treated in the most cordial There
is an universal disposition in the Indian character
nre curious works of art and particularly for paintings,
10" winch hey seem to have the greatest passion: is not
therefore, to be wondered that they asoned at
an operation novel aud uuhOughtO 10y them, and that
should for once IN life, have been considered great
Hlan and a great painter.
These people singular in their manner Of treating
their dead; they all lodged Scaolds little dis.
lance from their village after having been envelopeG i'm
many folds OF skins aud closely laced with cords from
head to loot These scailods built simply with four
posts and pales across just high enough be above the
reach OF hands On these the body thus enclosed is laid
and remains to decay. They often place the costly
sacrifices OF the richest CLOTHS; robes, dresses sc. over
them which are held sacred by the living, aud left 10
decay with the body.
They generally iastca wooden dish to the scafold tina,
the deceased may be able TO drink when he thirsty;
and the squaws who nearest related the deceased
regularly carry meat and water and place them the
scattod that they may not suffer from hunger thirst
Whenever the scaold decays the bones fall the re-
laves take the skull, which perfectly bleachcd and
carry TO aplace little distance from the scaod, where
the skulls are collected and arranged the ground in
the form OF circle, 10 very great number. In this
ros arrangement the greatest precision has been obser
cd IN placing them in circle, and equal distances
with their iaces all looking into the centre. The squaws
who recognize here the skulls OF their husbands their
children, &c regularly pay 10 them their devoons.-|
They are to be seen lying atupon their faces, embracing
these skulS-shedding upon them and offering them
something 10 eat Each of them esed on bunch of
wild sage, which is always removed and renewed as
willis and decays These skulls and their order
preserved with the greatest religious veneation and
are perfectly protected; for their superstition is that
/ nytf,ln Of
ment.
spent many hour in this interesting study for the
Cranologist and Phrenologist. made many notes and
variety OF drawings, which for the curous-of
wmch may speak in future cpstc, but for which
! have not room at present.
About three miles distant from the Mandan VILLAGE il
what is called ''The Little Mandan Village, containing
forty fifty lodges, built in the same manner and the
inhabitants in all respects the same being part of the
same nation Seven eight miles up the three
villages OF Grosventres Mnatarees their villages are
bwt IN the same manner as that OF the Mandans, yet
they are nation entirely distinct from the Mandans
speaking different language The two nations live,
however, IN perfect harmony and friendship, and al
ways ready TO join in the OF mutual de-
fence These are the largest and best built Indian village.
on the river They very warlike nation and their
number OF men rapidly diminishing from their continued
efforts to sgnalize themselves in battle. They were for
mery part OF the Grow nation. They speak the same
language aud still initiate them considerable degree
| IN the richness and elegance of their dress
spent several days in these villages with great deal
| OF interest and amusement.
would that were in my power to describe the beauty
I . i
lett the MAataree village. 1t reported in the village
that large band of buaoes were in sight and in few
minutes about one hundred young men were mounted
with hows and arrows in their hands and ready for the on
set They Invested Of all their dress except small
light robe which is kept exclusively for that purpose
| thrown around the waist and carclessy tied.
| An old Chief offered fine horse TO ride, which
mounted aud swept of in the flying throng TO see the
sport We in sight of the unsuspec citing herd
who knew not of their danger until they were completely
surrounded by their enemy; here, then, scene
equal to any military man@uvre. The animals alfghed
ed m hOI Init Tho nnat 81,
pidy III front OF them, waving their small robe in their
hands aud raising their lghtfu yes that they turned
about in confusion, and bent their course in different d.
ecuon where they also met their yelling foes advancing
in the They recOed again. during wh ch time they
were so closely hemned ill., that they rushed together in
mass, IN the greatest coniuSon being able in
no other form than in circle The Indians then COM
menced riding around them in a ring, and having close
y hemmed them n, the whiz2ing arrows began TO nv
! aud the work OF death commenced. Then commenced
a scene worthy the poets pen, the pencil of the ar
! uS-no mere scene OF Slaughter but battle scene
OF the most spirited kind Tor the bulls exasperate and
enraged at their assailants, would often turn upon them
wih The greatest fury imaginable, in which their OH
w safety was by flight | often saw the Indians dis
mounted IN The midst OF the heat and confusion the
sruggle and the Instant their upon the ground
me small robe from their waist waving in their hands
in readiness for the BULL which he expects is pIungin
upon him, and quicker than lightning, (yhen the animal
has made his last leap, which crush his asailant TO
DEATH this robe is thrown his horns and face The
Indian leaps by his side, and quicker than thought his
arrow flies TO the heart. About fifteen minutes closed
this scene, all was silent; about 800 Slain and not
spirited and picturesque that looked upon il with riveed
feelings OF delight, yet could not look upon this field of
SLAIN who had nOby died. without feelings of pity and
regret
/ In my next letter, will cndeavor TO give YOU some
idea oil the religious ceremonies OF these misguided s.
perslous people, at annual ceremony TO which was
witness for four days. in which they fast and abstain
from drinking and then commence nilictng tortlres IN
on themselves by cutting their bodies and limbs in man
ner too shocking 10 descrbepasng sticks through them
hanging themselves by these mountaineering heavy
weights, &c &c Though shocking the feelings of hui
mainly yet description OF it may be interesting TO the
people OF the East who ignorant of what is ranspr-
ing III this Western World Yours, &C.
GEORGE CATLIN.
BdIioon Sdtistics.-Fcw people are aware of the ex
Pe,e OF balloon, or the tear aud TO which il is in
clch Inc air-sIlp which Mr. Green launched in Dunn.
es Is Is eet from top TO bottom and I03 feet i'm circum
ference When the car is attached the height is eactv
bO ce 10 m to the bent would require 25 600 feet of
gas This, however rarely DONE as the gas EXPANDS
greatly when the air becomes rlrcied converting every
thing Ike slackncss TO degree of tension that might lead
oNcy dangerous results in the absence OF pilot 10 rep
atc Tie valve When Mr.. Green landed in the neigh
Dourhood OF Whitehayen, the lower part of the balloon
ad become so much collapsed that his companions thought
npOssIbe he could ascend, and were only dsabuse
oil their error when he weighed anchor second time and
screwed the high heavens till lost in the blue" The
material oil The machine composed Of double sarsnet
WHICH, even III the state, costs PA To fashion
~ properly requires great deXteriiy and art and is
VII" d" so tedious an operation, that Mr.. Green's
present alr-shtP was than five months on the
STOCKS, WIN the carpenters working at il the whole
u"e nt TIE SIX must be vanished as well a. seyed:
he nculng, which weighs about cwt , is composed of
le h'es' i'dlan henP and altogether the OF an air
snip, such as we saw here, is above 5OOf STERLING
ho lie lii.