The native American., 1840-07-18
a VISIT TO THE PAWNEE INDIANS.
From Murray's Travels in North America.

| we I'lSIleu forward, ana III ABOUT SIX flOtlTS
came up with the rear guard, among whom
were the great chief of the Grand Pawnces
the great chief of the Tapages Pawnees and
the great chief of the Republicans, called by
the French Capot-bleu
A circle was made, consisting of all the
chiefs; when we were formally introduced by
the interpreter, shook hands with them all,
and werelpresented with the pipe ofhospltali-
ty. remarked the wonderful self possession
of these men, who are in fact the most curious
and inquisitive in the world and yet, on the
return of their party from the settlements la
den with all the articles which they prize
most highly, not the slightest expression of
surprise, pleasure, or interest is apparent; bro
ther met brother, aud father met son, with
the well-knoWn short and simple universal
Indian greeting, which no language can give
in writing, and no observer could have known
that their absence had been of two days du-
ration.
LII return for their friendly reception, and
in consumation of the alliance, | gave them
il weak glass of brandy and water all around.
They seemed quite pleased, though could
not help thinking what a wry face Jack Oh
board H. M. S. would have made, if
the said ten-water grog had been served ont to
him in cup holding less than quarter of Il
pint. It's so well known that, as soon as any
Indian tribe becomes accustomed to whis-
Key their speedy and total degredalions in
every physical and moral quality is a sure
properly FORBIDDEN all their troops and ira
iers to sell them spirituous liquors under
aeavy penalty; in spite of this law, however,
i great quantity OF whlskey finds its way to
those Indians who have much commerce with
The whites; the temptation is too strong for
he traders, many Of whom are Canadian
French and men without either princi pie or
*'duca,ion. They frequently get opportuni-
les of selling a pint Of spirits for fifty or a
hundred times its value in beaver and other
kins. The cravings of the savages increase
n proportion to their acquaintance with this
atal liquor, and they will part with any thing
aey have for dram.
found that very few Of the Pawnecs had
yer tasted whiskey, and still fewer expressed
ny strong desire or liking for it; therefore,
elt it my duty, both towards myself and the
authorities of the United States, under whose
rejection was making my tour, not to- be
! the smallest degree Instrumental in giving
he Pawnees relish for liquor which be-
omesin their handsnothing less than poison.
Accordingly, whenever gave a brandy and
water draught to any of the chiefs; which
id very rarely, took care to make it SO ex
remedy weak that the spirits could scarcely be
ssted, and they were sufficiently pleased
With the honor of drinking the white mans
Iquor
1t was not little amusing to see how rea-
i1x7 tho Dau,,,on Eroroh into anforol
nto my views on this subject / once or
vice lent him my small pocket flask and al
owed him to serve out the weak toddy to the
hiets. He talked most gravely of the perni-
ous effects of spirits among "les savages,"
arefully mixed for them at least nine portions
{ water for one of brandy, and then with
quail gravity helped himself to dram, in
which he exactly reversed the aforesaid pro-
'ortlonS. .....
AS soon as this Introductory feast was con-
lnded, we accompanied the chiefs to the vii i
,ge which was about twelve miles ahead Of
is; at length we came in sight Of it, and
nore interesting or picturesque scene never
eheld. Upon an extensive prairie, gently
Looping down creek, the winding course of
which was marked by broken line of wood,
ere and there interspersed with fine cump
t trees, were about five thousand savages,
nclusive of women and children; some were
itting under their buffalo lodges lazly smol-
ng their pipes while the women were stoop-
lg over their fires, busily employed i'll pre-
airing meat and maize for these indolent lords
f the creation. Far as the eye could reach,
yere scattered herds Of horses, watched (or
s we would say in Scotland, "tended,") byI
rchns, whose whole dress and equipment
vas the slight bow and arrow, with which
hey exercised their infant archery upon the
- ~eads of the taller flowers, or upon any luck
.ass blackbird perched near them. Here and
here might he seen some gay young warrior
,mbling along the heights, his painted form
partially exposed to view as his bright scarlet
blanket waved in the breeze; while his small
.retful horse was scarcely to be recognized
;lnder the variety of trapping with which the
vanity of his rider had tricked him out; near
'lim might be seen another naked savage,
Without saddle, and his only bride a thong
wound the horses head, gaIloping at full speed,
l.. i 4 fl-