The Evansville journal., 1846-10-01
WHITE INDIANS.

SCENES IN THE Rocky MOUNTAINS, IN Oregon,
California. &c. by New Engander has just
been published. This book is composed OF the
Notes OF a Traveller during an excursion OF
three years, with description of the countries
through which he passed, including their Ge-
ograPhy, Geology, Resources. &c
While the writer sat Untah, trapping
party from Gila arrived at that post, who gave
the following description of a small tribe Of
White Indians called the Munchies:
The Munchies are a nation of white aborig-
ines, actually existing in valley among the
Sierra de los Mimbros chain, upon one OF the
affluenrs of the Gila. IN the extreme North
western 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 spacious apartments neatly excat
waited In the hill sides, and are frequently Gu
in the solid rock.
They subSist by agriculture, and raise cattle,
horses, and sheep. Their features correspond
with those of Europeans, though with a COM
pexion, perhaps, somewhat falrer, and a form
equally II not more graceful.
Among them are many OF the arts and com
forts of civilized life. They spin and weave,
and manufacture butter and cheese, with many
of the luxaries known 10 more enlightened ma
tions.
Their political economy. though much after
the patriaTchiai order, is purely republican IN
its character. The old men exercise the Su-
preme control in the enactment and execution
OF laws. These laws usually of the most
simple form. and tend TO promote the general
welfare of the community. They made by
a concurrent majority Of the seniors in cOun-
cil-each male individual, over a specified age,
being allowed a voice aud vote.
Questions Of right and wrong are heard and
adjudged by committee selected from the
council of seniors, who are likewise empower
ed TO redress the in ured and pass sentence up
on 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 common thing. oppose
resistance to the hostile incursions OF surround
ing nations. On the appearance OF an enemy,
they Immediately retreat, with their cattle,
horses, sheep and other valuabl les. to mountain
caveTnS, fitted at all times for their reception
where, by barricading the entrances. 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 like
ly 10 have happened had they been the progeny
OF Europeans at any late periOd-that s, since
the time of COlumbus,) neither do their charac-
terS, manners, customs, arts, or government sa-
vOr of modern Europe.
Could a colony party Of Europeans in the
short period of three centuries and half, lose
alIstrace of their origin, religion, habits, arts,
civilization and government? " no, for mo-
1nent would entertain an idea so esiraEged to
probability
And yet the Mnnchies cannot be real Indians;
they must be of European descent, though cir
cumstances other than complexion afford ev-
jdence of identity with either race. Where,
then, shall we place them? Whence is their
origint
We are forced to admi, the weight of circum-
slancial testimony to their having settled
upon this continent prior to its discovery by
Columbus. Here are led TO. 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 operative causes
combined. may have transformed the Munchies
from the habits, customs, character, relig ion
arts, civilization aud language of the Romans,
30 the condition in which they are at present
f0und