New-York daily tribune., 1857-10-24
THE IrDIANs OF THE GRzAT BAS
II a, Esgsv Of N " y. TyAsss

ire Utan Territory, ard presumipg taa. ofei "c
ecutt Of tbose interesting ,bes will be acceptable
your resderr, / offer the following:
crosst d the Sierra Eevaia Mountains in the Spring
of 1852, 10 explore the geogrspi, and mineral char
scter Of the country, and Of the trst 20 ds'
cover gold in Carson Valley. Finding so little vss
known, either Of the couoIry or Of lie people, DC
voted myself wholly to explorations For this pur-
pose followed the ccurse Of four different rivers, be-
eide the Humboldt which. ike it, termins e IN s'nk'
bot which have not yet been marked upon any map OF
the untry. remarkable feature OF this sece'oo s,
that the smales streams flow through the largest val
leys, which always most fertile and beautiui a.
then esd among the mountains. These valleys abound
10 gIass and Indigenous fruits, particularly In goose
berries and CUT auts several kinds Of which are eae
bert ever ssw.
Elk, deer and antelope with various birds and h'h,
are abundant. Those who have Travelled the usual
road. along the Humboldt have formed no sds-
qus,e conception OF the capacity of this country Tor
civilized hfe-its fertility Increasing we diverse
each siGe from the river
From my researches, have every reason to know
that the mineral riches of this country are great
found cosl and lead IN various localities. There s
ato an abundance Of iron and some gold and silver
California, with the altitude of the mountains Bat l.
was in the primitive and unpervered natives OF these
secluded valleys and mountains that felt the deepest
interest. From much travel and a scjoun Of years
among the three tribes which occupy what Fremont
denoninstes the Great Basin, sm satisfied that Their
numbers cannot be less than from sixty to seventyve
thousand. The Great Bssin is divided between the
Piote,, Sboshorees and Utahs by well defined iues.
k1a taftta sof fha
bluff and prominent mountains-
The Piotes occupy the country from the Sierra Ne
vada Mountains 10 the Sink OF the HUMBOLDT, including
the whole length Of the Carson River Valley. The
Shoshorees mot Shswnees) occupy from the Sink
to Goose Creek Mountain. The Utabs from the
mountains to the iiver where the domains Of the Crow
Indians commf nee.
There is distinguishing difference between these
Tribes the Potes berg somewhat superior to the Cali.
foma Diggers but yet variable both IN physiological
and Intellectual endowDents. Some Of them are par
ticularly athletic. saw one who was seven feet high
and proportionably strong while others are only on
par with the Diegers. They differ also from the other
tribes in not using any paint upon their persons,
although they adorn themselves with variety Of or
nsnenfs consisting of thels and feathers lived
with this tribe one yea, other white person being
amorg them, ard during the whole time met With
potbipg but uniform kindness and hospitality. The
Utahs ale generally fnclookiug people bat as they
are in closer contact with the Mormons, they are
losing much Of their primitive marnerd
Omahaw inquired of me wbat the white men wanted
to 90 to war with white men for l learned from MIN
that Brigham Young Rad tried to engage him and his
people in a prospective war.
The MOrmons are wise in their policy toward those
In6sEs, rot allowing their people to destroy any OF
Il cir game, but purchasing al they want, for which
they pay in four-thus establishing trade OF great
value and mutual advantage. They also prepare
skins, of which they manufacture eggngs and boots,
both for sale and their wear They are quite in-
dustrious, ard with proper encouragement would read
iy adopt habits Of true civIs atiop. Notwithstsnd.
ing they are noted being thieves they are strictly
honest among themselves, asd conceive that they
have right 10 get what they can from those who get
all that can be got from them. The Chief Informed
mo that five years ago Spaniard in the neighboriog
Meaicsn territory, proposed to give him twenty-five
choice horses on condition that he would not steal any
more The bars ain WAS made but after ward repented
of by the Chief, yet, his honor being at stake, no
temptation could induce him to forfeit that 50 the
SpaniaId lost no more horses.
passed through their country about $50 miles on
among them and could lot but observe ths although
they have derived advantage from trade with the
MormoIs, yes there is considerable deterioration in
their manners in consequence OF ioentiousress aud
multiplied diseases. They were strictly chase, and
still allow Of but wife. Adultery insures disgrece
ard loss of hacter and but for its introduction by
those who assume to be their superios, they would
still have been virtuous people As yet they have
Dot been cursed with the introduction of whsky nor
disturbed in their bunting grounds.
The Shoshonees (the name signifies light-,f-foot)
occupy the center and principal part Of the Gres.
Dssn and beieve that So 900 is not estimate
of their number. have visited them several times
and passed great portion Of three years among them
Thousands of them had pever seen white man until
my scjourn with them. They are the moet pure and
unoorrupted sborigines upon this continent They
are strong and well oporioned-particulary toe
warriors who are selected for their msoiy bearing and
stature. Yet they are not a wailke people. Having
q fine country, with plenty Of game, roo.s, fsh
and fruit, they have no incentive bat for
peace, and only prsctice war for ietfprotec.ion
and to maintain the supremacy Of their laws.
They are scrupulously clean in their psrsons and
chase in their habits Prostitution and ilregitimacy
are III known, and while attachments are commonly
{, rmed when young, they are not permitted to marry
until eighteen or twenty years old and 80 jealous s
this ration Of the purity of blood that It is capital
oerse 10 many any Of another nation without specsl
sanction from their council and head chief They al
low Of but ore wife, and all the females both old and
young, are treated with consideration and respect
And ,uch is their uniform observance Of lsw that il
grows With their gro Sth that their youths from the
age Of fourteen or fifteen s.em to require no parental
re straipt, for they become law to Themselves They
iet no penalties for minor oenses, eIcep. loss of
characer ard dis{elloxship, ard though whole fam.