The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-08-01
DAVENPORT, THURSDAY. AUGUST |, 1850

knees, perhaps necklace, earring may be allowed
to set off the description, and have before you an
full dress lady of the Yumas nation.
But am glad Antonio has come in with the melons
or l might have been led into difficulty in my
descriptions. might for instance in Philosophic
mood of attempt TO trace 10 the YHms ladies'
the origin of article of dress that but few years
since made such buse in the civilized world, but l
must now attend to my melons.
The melons furnished, seemed TO have exhiliara-
ting effect on the company, and for want Of under
standing one snother's language we talked by eye.
Our boards and skin seemed engross the most atten
tion, as it seemed 10 be point in dispute. whether
both were natural-to convince them ofthe former my
companion pulled mine most Justify, till the tears
came bat they still seemed in doubt whether our faces
true specimens Of the rest of our bodythis too
was 1t length settled by Of the more resolute lay
ing open the bosom OF my companion to the wonder of
all present. Having In this way agreeably satisfied
our curiosity we returned to camp.
The Yumss are one Of perhaps the lower class Of
those interesting tribes, which living the waters
ofthe Colorado and its tributaries, maintain semi
civilized character, support tvating
the soil, indisposed to war, and the Precarious
pursuits of hunting, occupy limited areas, and in fine
are such might expect to find, in country
whose climate calls for little exeron to procure the
mount Of labor command the exras-saught to regard
personal rights, and submit to authority, as matter
of policy, their government is simple; gifted with
health and subject to few Diseases they live on,
generation succeeding another, one foot advanced,
but taking another step the road to ciyiliza
tion.
Ono other point is deserving OF notice-they not
superstitious most Of the North American tribes
they to be scarcely occupied with any ideas
Of Supreme Being, future state their er to
all such questions is ssquen sabe," (who knows
having had means Of learning, they have reached
the state Of contented ignorance
They subject to few vices, among these gaming
and RIGHTEOUSNESS are the most conspicuous The
former in some cases growing into passionate
IRENE. The evils Of intemperance unknown,
though it is to be feared they will in with inter
course with the whites. Already their Chief
acquiring aase but the majority be induced TO
taste the intoxicating ingredient. As people they
are remarkably cheerful, good naured nd hospitabe.
They have long had intercourse with the Mexicans,
by whose authority their Chiefs have been elected.
Their language is dialect, vary ing little from the
neighboring tribes, with some of whom they live on
terms Of friendly intercourse they recognize nstn
raj enemies the Maricopas Of the Gla, and the Apa
ches, the Arabs Of Western North America.
Living in country oflimited natural resources and
brought into intercourse with others only by the tran
sent medium Of travel, much may be done for them
by wise maintenance of their personal Independence
and wholesome encouragements in those pursuits that
may better their physical and moral condition and
nurse into sigor the budding germs of civilization.
What riH be remains to be seen. o~
Monterey, Csl., May ed 1859.