The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-12

cbis Indians particularly in regard to habits Of industry
heir total ignorance Of al things beyond the pre-
slate q earthly existence and NEST remaraable their
pstu, al love virtue applied t. the female This
latter quality seems hardly consistent wi the general
character Vt savage life but it is nevertheless Of
tbem ~ The IA ~ from The Vncennes had MANY oopor-
tuniries and sufficient means If knowing.
they depeno almost entirely upon the hard earned
fruits Of the chase tor SUBJ seemingly having but
little ase oesre for the Injuries that might be
aimed om The Russians in exchange for valuable furs.
Az intervals, he ortupate caplor of blue otter
exchanges h prize for knives and tobacco but further
than this they appear to have desire trade with
the ussiaps Ihsir principal article of oet is whales
heh, which they preserve for months by simply buryng
il in the frozen Garth. They i've in communities usually
contisng # iour men aud their families Having no
Of ming their habitation- they sleep ham
mocts If suflciont capacity TO accommodate d whole
family The hsmmocks are composed Of skins and SO
suciod form very comfortable quarters in tne
coldt weather Their COVE nmept consists Of two
chiti, as-a iiitary and civil chief During season
III. her will not permit Of the chase the
81 e, Who - ALSO chief Of the hunt assemblies his
TIER movements, which, according TO the description
gwen by informant resembles, In every particular,
he outdoor performances Of tho fan Francieo Tom
VeIen society. This exercise IL deemed necessary to
hearth and also ~ keep the In coidion for
Our INF nant relates some remarkable instances Of
pedestrian pei f.rmances by the natives. On occa
SOD party alter day o. hard exercie acc Emphasized
the distance Of and half miles in eight minutes
rough grouDa; fur this feat they presented
with plug tobacco to be divided ny the party,
and they entirely satisfied with the compensation.
tie oress ct the II en- Is made 70 fit quite close, and
Rom some sketches In water co'ors, executed by Mr.
Kern, Hey appear to display very commemorate dc.
gee 81 'ase in the fashion Of their apparel The wat
dress IL composed of whalebone and layers of well
dressed Sims securely fastened with the sinews Of
email animals, forming coat OF mail quite impene
trahle to an arrow their only weapon OF warfare and In
fact the sole implement OF offence defence employed
in battle in hunting by the tribes Of this region
Although they have regularly dedicated cemetery for
remains are laid upon the surface and covered with
rocks to prevent their being disturbed by Wild beasts
It msy be hsrdly necessary to state that vegetation in
t-nst, discovered some dwarf species OF tile ,wiIow,
growing at average height Of aud hiatt inches
considerable quantity OF these reesu were gathered
ard eaten salad. Some other species of tim
found, none # which exceeded when full grown the
height OF Two or three inches The scarcity Of fuel Il
perl APPS the Only why the natives eat heir 70
raw they - prefer cooked fool and will expend
much time and exertion in the procurement Of a few
dry shrubs viii which to build fire. Their favorite dish
stew Of green herbs and whales flesh, but, ~ pre-
vously stated their principal de- consists Vt raw whales
fest, which they eat with the same apparent relish
when newly killed or after it has sbeen buried in the
grt uno for sever al months.
Lieutenant Brooke endeavored, by many devices, to
in mind of the old chief ideas regarding
the existence Of Supreme Being-he Creator of The
Universe--snd finally succeeded al hough not without
having 10 overcome many serious Obstacles in presenting
theory to the perception Of one 80 utterly destitute of
knowledge hey ond that acquired BY the exercise f
animal sense The Indian evidently became Interested
in the conversation OF Lieutenant Brooke and me lay
vixen they had be sitting long time in argument upon
this subject, the savage exclaimed, in tone of voice
vhieh sufficiently inoics,ed tbs birta Of new, though
whales" Lieutenant Brooke carefully followed up his
method Of instruction by simple illustration, and before
lie lett sevsne he had the satisfaction that
hi labors the brain Of the old chief had not been
tn own away.
Iuing The whole period of their stay among the ma.
tves 81 seni,are the Vincennes party had evidence
intention the part OF the natives Of chat place
to NJ, irst hem Tn one occasion party Of whale hunt
ers belonging to tribe living near East Gaze visi ed
seDvane harbor, and some Of the party permitted
to 'lte, ieut broobe's carp After they had remained
he apartment they ordered retire, and all
.ne surly looking fellow, cbecrfui1y complied with
The order. The others remained outside, looking
with great interest, apparently wat hing TO take
sides wih the refractory Indians in the Of any
s,hb iipn Of Intimidation the part If white
Tie IN, ment was one OF intense iu crest to the lat
Ter, hnriounded by savages, and entirely unpreparei
to offer ectual resistance in case Of an attack. The
scene one Of short duration, however; the Semi
II tie camp limits, but their interference in be-
ali 6f the whites could not be counted upon aad d.
te' mined to proceed in manner which, If su ,cessf,
wonid leave lasting imp sion Lieut. Brooke and Mr.
hein deliberately shouder.d their rifles and with
suled srids marched up % ae lndian on each side,
and seisg him I'll My by the shoulders hn along
qui.t with military dignity and precision to be-
ycid The hi,a ef she camp The Ipdians then in
IL me ii III the first man who cared to eros the line de-
hh'nf the limits Of the camp, would be Instantly shot
dcao. After this occurrence there trouble,
the lnciane never Offering 10 within he escsibed
experience The party under Lent Brooke
the eScco Of the moral well physical courage
ottskty TO orcl me bend al ssvaes, ttAche.ous by
ia'uIe, under such circumstances would be u doubtful
Undertaking. The foruer expeljeD at Mr.. Kern emil
Denily suited him for .id.n-e among the Indians at
sarieaIe. Il viii lie r.meu beted thu Nc. Kern
OF Col Ircmons party in the overland expedition
IL California in ls45. The famous " Kern iNern Is
named after him.
lie ,af.y # the party left at Senivane perhaps
in degree owing 10 the fact that Comm odore
Rodgers threatened t. destroy the place 1t upon his
he should find any Of compliant against
natives. THIS undoubtedly had the effect aeep then
in Subsection at Gst but informant believes taa ~
ter the many exhibitions Of mutual good feeling between
TIE whites and the natives an American any consie
rate white n an might pass whole Life among the IN
sns at s.niyane without danger OF uoestaton. One of
the marines attached to Lieut.. Brookes party very
dtsrous of being left among the Indians lie stated his
dore TO olen school at sepivAne, and instruct the
yes in such branches Of education could be made
Iiicable TO their understanding. Commodore Rodgers
considered hnse Unauthorized to grant the request Of
the marine, although he would have been glad
brace surh Opportunity to benefit a OF people
whose native intelligence and virtue seem to demand
in mediate exerton la behalf OF their enlighen-
ment. No greater opportunity favorable mas
offered missionary labor and 81 il % be hoped
that the subject will excite such interest shall lead 10
Itdem Etion Of this from the gloom ignorance
IN form features and moral iinent il that Term may
b. tfed in speaking Of people benighted, they
arc greatly superior to many of Ihe human that
have received enlightenment from missionary teaching
and certainly their claims equal with the rest OF
maLlind.