The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-27

The Indian chiefs and their families are always fine
specimens OF the genus h0m0-we made, of good
height, regular features, full faces. and generally
of fairer complexion than the rest. This may be
accounted for in the same manner as 700 would
for the superiority or infer ority of people in every
nation i. e. their mode Of life The Indian chiefs
are rich-they always have the best to eat and to
wear. Their wigwams, too, are always the best
But those of inferior grade are generally half
starved-many are without wigwams or blankets,
and but scanty covering for the body. Hence
you see disproportioned limbs, lank bodies, shrunk
en- skins, and inferior muscular development.
My portraits are generally Of the chiefs, as they
are prominent men in position as well os in intel-
gence. Many have figured in war or treaty nego-
tiations, and hence possess an historic interest.
have in my journeyngs found three classes OF
frat. The wild tribes living by the chase or by
plumber. like the Apaches, without villages or fixed
places of abode.
Second The semi civilized tribes, or those which
cultivate the soil after their manner raise cat
tie, and spin and weave-as the Plinos, Coco Mari
copas, and Navajos, or Navahoes.
Third. Those tribes which reside among or near
the Mexicans and Californians, who are have
been under the influence of missionaries, and have
imbibed many OF the customs of the whites. This
class embraces certain tribes in Mexico and all
those in California south of San Francisco, along
the coast and about ten miles back, which 10 as lar
as the missions extended
The second class have not received their know
ledge from foreign sources, but it has grown up
with them. ,..s.. ~. ... .t. 49,. ..,. .
In addition to the portraits named, I have quite
number of drawings, illustrative of their man.
ncrs and customs, arts, &c, groups about their
villages, interior OF their wigwams, religious
scenes, &c.; also their bows, arrows, lances,
dresses, specimens Of pottery basket work, blan.
kets, and variety of other articles Of their man
ufacture. But the manufacturing tribes are very
few; and, as their wants are few, there 10 but little
variety in their productions. ! hope, however, II
no accident or unforeseen obstacle prevents, that
] shall BIO able 10 present to the Government at
Washington such collection as may be creditablc
to the obtained, too, at little or no ex-
pense. g.. .r. ...l.|
1t was my desire, on coming out with the Com
mission, TO bring with me a ANAL corps Of natu-
ralists, in order to investigate and make collec-
tons in the departments Of geology, mneralogy,
preparation asked for, and have therefore been
compelled TO do the best could without their as
distance. Fortunately tor me, in the organization
Of the Commission, ! selected two gentlemen well
versed in the departments of botany and mineral
ogy, who, when not engaged in other duties, have
devoted themselves assiduously to those branches
ofscicnce, and have made very good collections
Zoology, too, has not been forgotten, though was
not provided with the necessary means for preserv-
ing specimens, and hence found it impossible to
do as much ns wished. ] have, however, some
novelties in the order reptiiia The barren regions
between the Gulf Of Mexico and the Pacific, via FL
Paso and the ella, are quite rich in reptiles. OF
thcse We have quitea collection, though many were
thrown away on the desert, where, from the loss
of our mules it became necessary to abandon their
loads. Gladly would and the others who collected
them have logged them on our backs rather than
lose them but We were not with the party which
had them in their charge, and they doubtless
thought such hdeous creatures as serpents, lizards,
horned frogs, centipedes, scorpions, tarantuIas,
Sc, might better be dispensed with than some
other articles. ! hope that on our return journey
we may be enabled to procure specimens of the an
mals lost. If get them safe to FL Paso, there
is no danger from thence
In physical science more has been accomplished,
being so directly connected with observations ne
cessary for our surveys Our instruments, too, for
these purposes were ample and of the best descrip-
ton. Hence in tables of observations for mag
netic declination, inclination, and intensity, in
astronomical and meteorological observations, all
thorough and satisfactory manner. These results
reflect great credit the officers charged with
them, and am sure will be appreciated by the
learned world.