Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-11-14


Scenes IN The Rocky Mounfains,
in Oregon California, &c. b. New
Highlander, has just been published IN
a neat and cheap volume of over 800
pages, by Carey & Hart, Philadelphia.
The book is composed Of the Notes Of
Traveller during an excursion OF three
years, with "A description of the coun-
tries through which he passed, inclu-
ding their Geography, Geology, Re-
sources, &c. and some remarks on the
principal characteristics Of the people
inhabiting them. The sketches will
generally be found 10 be both instruc-
tive and amusing.
While tie writer was at Uintah,
trapping party from ella arrived at
that post, who gave the following de-
scrption of a small tribe oil White In
dams called the Munchies:
The Munchics are nation of 1Ohitc
a6origines, actually existing in val
ley among the Sierra de los Mimbros
chain, upon one of the ahluemeuLs of
the Gila, in the extreme Northwes-
tern part Of the Province Of Sonora.
They number about eight hundred
in all. Their country is surrounded
by lofty mountains at nearly every
point, and is well watered and very
fertile, though Of limited extent
Their dwellings are spacious apart
ments neatly excavated in the hill
sides, and are frequently cut in the sol
id rocks.
They subsist by agriculture, and
raise cattle, horses, and sheep. Their
features correspond with those of Eu
ropeans, though with a complexion,
perhaps, somewhat laircr, and form
equally il not more graceful.
Among them are many Of the arts
and comforts of civilized life. They
spin and weave. and manufacture but
Ter and cheese, with many of the lux
mics known to more enlightened ma
tons.
Their political economy, though
much after the patriarchal order, is
purely republican in its character.--I
The old men exercise the supreme con-
troll in the enactment and execution OF
laws. These laws are usually of the
most simple form and tend to promote
the general warfare Of the community.
They are made by concurrent ma
lority of the seniors 10 council-each
male invidual, over a specified age,
being allowed a voice and a vote.
Questions of right and wrong are
heard aud adjuged by committee Sc
lected from the council of seniors, who
are likewise empowered to redress the
injured and pass sentence upon the
criminal
In morals they are represented as
honest and virtuous. In religion they
differ but little from other Indians.
They are strictly men of peace. and
never go TO war, nor even, as a com
mon thing, oppose resistance to the
hostile iucursions Of surrounding ma
tions. On the appearance Of an cne-
my, they Immediately retreat, with
their cattle, horses, sheep aid other
TO mountain caverns, t,tui
al all times Tor their rcception-whcre
by barricading the entrance, they are
at once secure without a resort to
arms
In regard TO their origin they have
lost all knowledge or even tradition,
"a thing not likely to have happened
had they been lhe progeny OF Europe
ans at any late period-that is, since
the time Of Columbus,) neither do their
characters, II tanners, customs, arts, on
government SAVIOR of modern Europe.
Could a colony or party of Europe
ans in the short period of three ccntu-
ries and half lose all trace Of their
origin, religion, habits, arts, ci,iliza-
ton aud government? Who, for "A
moment, would entertain an idea SO es-
tranged - probability?
And yet the Nuuehies cannot be
real Indians; they must be of Europe
an descent. though circumstances other
than complexion afford no evidence OF
identity with either race. Where.
then, shall we place them? whence is
their origin!
We are forced TO admit the weight
of circum>tantial testimony as to their
having settled upon this continent pri-
or to its discovery BY Columbus. -
Here we arc led 10 inquire. are they
not the remote descendants of some
colony OF ancient Romans?
That such colonies did here exist in
former ages, there is good reason for
believing The great lapse of time and
other OneratiNe canscs chmbined. may