The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-25

are alike. He believed that all were different and
II II had not been tor the lying and treachery of
The red men, he should not have killed them and
there was no Tribe but what he could wnlp.
have large piece OF land ON the other side of he
rlver, and wtsh " was IL rger that might have all
The whites 10 come and settle on IT. and should
be coniented. lie had worked for the Great Pa.
'heT great many years. and had sent him great
many presents, but never received as much as
butcher knife. He told the treacherv of the Oma-
has, and OF the bad treatment he had received
from them while over there mt this time. He
would protect the whites this side OF the Big Sioux,
but beyond that he could not vouch for, on account
Of so many other tribes. He liked the whites
very much for their kind treatment, and should al
ways, cons der them first. He had not come to
be very glad oft, 10 kill his animals, On Buffalo
Afterwhich some conversation in regard to their
making peace with other tribes, took place be-
tween Mr.. Williams and the old Chief. Some re-
feshments, powder and lead were furnished the
chiefs and braves, and they Immediately started
Tor their own lands.
We learned by the Interpreter that they had
very good luck in hunting tins season, having
The disposition of the Indians while among US APP
peared of the most friendly nature, and they went
away with the best of feelings, and with the desire
TO be taught IN all the arts and sciences Ere long
the Lamanites will blossom as rose, and ia
cob flourish in the wilderness, and all rejoice to-
gether.
A correspondent of the Philadelphia Ne,os,
writing from St. Paul's. Minnesota, under date of
ton, says The Raposa village on the west side
OF the Mississippi numbers 400 or 500 inhabitants,
many OF whom may be seen dscked oil with paint
and feathers on fair day, struttlng through the
streets of st. Paul, with as much vanity as a
Chestnut street dandy. Though missionary of
the American Board of Foraign Missions resides
among them, with the most important portions Of
the Bible printed in their language, they not
whit less attached to all their savage customs and
fites than their ancestors.
One night. while visiting the missionary and
physician residing there. a low dull music was
heard, and 1t was stated that scalp dance was
going on. A few weeks previous. Dakota band
had been attacked by some Winnebagoes and
Foxes. After severe fight, the Sioux or Dakotas
lost eighteen men, women, and children. but
brought away from the battle field four of their
enemies scalps. These scalps are carried from
village to village, and dances are continued until
the falling of leaves. The night that we were
present the scalp was not hung up as usual, having
men stood up in double file, beating Indian drums,
and shouting at the top OF their voices a song,
which, to the unlnitated, seemed no more musical
than the " oh ali" OF some sweep confined to a
narrow chimney. In front of these was a circle
OF dancers, who kept most admirable time. Among
them were many children, who at these night
scenes witness everything that Is disgusting and
debasiDg. Though the scalp dance was originally
intended to inspire the young men with bravery,
1t is now used as an occasion tor gratifying the
worst passion OF man.
To enumerate all the heahenish rites of the Da-
kota would be tedious but as Dr. Williamson has
prepared account Of what is called the " eating
of raw fish, we close this sheet with ATTRACT.
The day Of the ceremony, an oval space, twenty
five feet long, and thirteen wide, was inclosed by
bushes. About the middle were placed two large
fishes, weighing ten or fifteen pounds At one
end Of the elpse was tent, filled with band OF
singers and musicians AT last there came from the
tent men and three boys, with their faces bent
TO the ground, and keeping time TO the music.
Now an old appears in the distance, descending
hill. He is blackened with charcoal, and endea-
vors 10 initiate the actions and voice of bear.
Gradually he approaches the fishes, and soon two
others draw near, daubed over with white clay.
" One of these" says the doctor, carried in each
naDd stick, about fifteen inches long, the ends of
whIe5 he applied to the ground, as the wolf would
his iore-.eet. To lengthen his face, hollow stick,
nearly foot long, was suspended by leather straps
from his neck, and to his breech cioth-his only
article Of cloihipg-was attached the tail Of
fox. At last of the men representing the
bears, seized one of the fish with his teeth, and
began to chew. the piece he had bitten Off" The
other bear and the fox began, after this, to seize
the fish with their teeth, and it is said they did
not stop until they had devoured flesh, intestines,
and even the bones. The design of this hornd
festival was 10 produce a change Of weather, and
was an act of worship to one Of the spirits.