The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-06
INDIANS In TuE RED RIVER CouN.
TRY.

Statistical and Geographical Society of New
York. 1t presents an interesting account of
the manners of the Indians in the Red River n
Country. twill amply repay perusal. II
The country embraced within the basin Of
the upper Red river is much irequened by
several tribes of Indians, oil having similar
habits, but speaking different languages. The
most numerous aud warlike of these are the
Cumanches, who are separated into three
distinct local grand divisions, namely, the
northern, middle, and southern. Each OF
these is subdividcd into several bands, com
manded by separate chiefs The northern
and middle Camanches subsist almost entirely
on the flesh of the buffalo, and are generally
found at their heels, migrating with them from
place to place. on those vast and inhospitable
plains, which cannot in the nature of things,
be made available for agriculture; and they
seem 10 be destined in future, as they have
been in former ages, to be the empire OF the
crratic savage.
And it is fact worthy of remark, that
man, in whatever situation he may be placed,
is influenced in his modes of existence, his |
physical and moral condition, by the natural
resources ofciimate, soil and other clr;um-
stances around him, over the operations oil
which he has no control. Fortunately, such
is the flexblity Of his nature, that he soon
adapts himself to the hardest and most unto
ward circumstances, and indeed ultimately
becomes not enly rcconcilod to his lot, but
fancics his condition far preferable to that Of
most others.
The example Of our border settlers is
Al; r,o, e;, thny cIntiuup
remove further and further west as the
settlements encroach upon them, prcterrng
life Of dangerous adventure and solitude to
personal security and the comforts and en-
joymcnts of society; and what was at first
necessity to them, becomes in time source
ofexcitement and pleasure. The nomadlc
Indian Of the prairie den ons,rates the position
still more forciblv. Free the boundles'
plains over which he roams, he knows moi
wants any luxuries beyond what he finds in .h'
buffalo or deer at his door. These serve hin
for food, clo'hinr, and covering for his lodge
and he srhs not for the distinctions whcl
occupy the thoughts and engage the enefgie
of civilized man. His only ambition is tina
he may cope successfully with his enemy il
war, and manage his steed with unfailni
adrotaess. He is in the saddle from boyhoo
TO oil age, and his fpvor.te horse is his constan
companion. 1t is when mounted that tn
Camanchc exhibits himself to the best nd
vantage; he is then at home, and his skill II
the various manGuvres which he make
available in battle, such as throwing himsel
entirely upon one side of his horse, an
dischnrgng his ar. ows with great rapdity il
the opposite direction, from beneath th'
animals neck, while he is at full speed il
truly astonishing. Every warrior has his war
horse, whichis the lectcst thrt can be obtained
lie prizes him more highly than any thing els'
in his possession, and it is seldom that he cal
be induced to part with him at ary price. lie
never mounts him except when going into
battle, for the buffalo chase, or upon state oc
casions. In his return from an excursion
he is met at the door of his lodge by one o
his wives, who takes his stced and attends t;
its wants with the utmost care. The prairie
warrior performs no menial labor; his wives
who are but little dearcr to him than hi
horse, perform all the drudycry. lie follows
the chase he smokes his pipe, he eats an'
sleeps, and thus passing his time, III MS owl
estimation, he is the mostlordly and indepen
dent Of sovereigns.
Such are some ofthc characteristics Of the
prairie Indians; and cannot dismiss the
subject without remarking that, in addition to
the physical simili,udc between the deserts OF
Arabia and the stcpps of Central Asia to the
elevated prairie rieSdS of our country, a
striking resemblance also exist between their
respective inhabitants. The Arabs Of the
desert, the Tartar tribes, and the aboriginal
occupants of the pruires are alike wanderers
having no permanent abiding places, still
living in their travelling lodges, and where
these are pitched making their homes.
They acknowledge no other rule than the
patriarchal, and no other alliance but that OF
fraternity; and they are alike inscnsible to the
wants and comforts of civilization They
know neither poverty nor riches, vice nor
virtue, and they are alike exempt from the
dcplornble vicisstudcs Of fortune. Theirs is
happy state of equality, which knows not
the perpexilies of ambition, nor the crimes
of ayarice. They never cultiy, te L c soil, but
subsist altogether on game, plumber, and
pillage. They are the most expert ho semen
in the world, and cherish the same fond
attachment for the animal.
in their political and domestic relations
there is also similarity. They are governed
by chiefs, whose Office is hereditary SO long
as their administration meets the appreciation
Of their followers. The chief leads them to
war, and presides at their deliberations in
council; but, should he disgrace himself by
any act Of cowardce or mal-adminstra,ion,
they do not hesitate 10 depose him aud place
more competent man in his stead. Their
laws are adapted 20 their peculiar situation,
and are sanctioned by the general voice. The
execution of them is vested in the subordinate
chiefs, or captains, as they are called, aud are
promptly and rigidly enforced.
The only property OF these people, with the
exception Of few articles pertaining to their
domestic economy, consists entirely in horses
ana mules, VI WHICH they pussess gredt NUM-
bers. These are mostly pilagcd from the
Mexicans, aud the man who has been very
successful in their fOrays often owns as many
as one hundred animals In respect to the
rights OF property their code S Spartan.
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