The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-03


Nebraska Territory, accompanied by Major Dennson,
their agent and his daughter who has been adopted by
the tibeD and Samuel Ais, their interpreter, waited
upon Acting Commissioner Mix, in the Indian Office,
upon visit OF ceremony They the representatives
OF bands of the tribe which consists of aggregate
of three four Thousand souls, who live from forty TO
sixty miles west of Omaha City, and the delegation
sisted of principal and second and third chief and
warrior or brave from each band
Mr. ,Allis the interpreter, originally from Massachu-
sets lived twenty three years among those Indians
and is quite familiar with their customs, habits, and
character.
lat The Grand Pawnee band was represented by Pc
tn share principal chief; Nehoc Ia -nasharo and Te
dowa roc, second and third chiefs and iApe da sho
share, brave
I'd The Pawnee Republicans by Na-sharo ted
principal chief Ma share cha kicks and Nasharo
r da second and third chiefs and La ka-
wa brave.
Sd The Pawnee Loups by Ia-itxa-n share principal
chief and La cont share and Scol la ia share,
second and third chiefs and Tncka LATE par, brave
4th The Pawnee Toppages by Ma share had 400, prn
cipal chief and Lieut. cuz ne slaroand Fawneeh k
apig second and third chiefs and Late nesharo shar
brave. fe. fes
The occasion of their present visit promise made
them by Gen Denver last September at the time of the
making of the recent treaty with the tribe that por-
ton of their leading men should soon have an opportu
nifty visit their Great Father the President and
for themselves the great villages of their white brethren
and Judge by actual observation the superior effects of
the white mans civilization in promoting the wealth and
prosperity of u people
There was marked difference between the clfcum-
stances attending this interview and that of any other
which has occurred In the Indian Office 1t has been
usual for the Sons of the Forest to approach their Great
Father in a warke manner, and with stunning and bois
ferrous eloquence if loud and high-sounding periods
absolutely to attract his attention In this
case however the Pawnees and all approached their
Father in a silent and most ateconate manner, substi
tutng hugging kissing and the most endearng looks
gazing ntenty for from ten to fifteen minutes into the
face of the COMMISSIONER for the boisterous sauations OF
other tribes In fact it presented perfect counterpart
of a Quaker meeting in which for two hours 'the
spirit moved no one to utter q word while the recp-
rocal gazing of each delegate and the Commissioner would
have led the casual spectator to suppose that the mes
merc science had expert IN each Pawnee and that ne
essayed to put the wary Commissioner to Sleep with tho
view of taking advantage of his somnolency The suf
locating bestowed by each upon that officer did
not appear discomfort disturb his gravity weary
his patience in the least and the only damaging effect
at all perceptibe was that every time their faces in
contact with his cheeks and shirt collar they impressed
upon both portion of the various kinds OF paint by
which their counenances so highly adorned streake
and beautied 1t take 1t for all In all one OF the
most unique and singular Of the kind that
vcned the monotony of the Indian Office tried the
patience OF its head and it appears, religious cere-
monia arising from the belief of the Pawnees that white
men are the avorites, and distinguished white the
special vortes of the Great Spirit and, such enti
tied to portion of that worship which they extend to
Him. But, to return from this DEPRESSION
delegates and informing them that they here
in compliance with promise made them at the time OF
signing the treaty last September The time of its fulfil
ment had arrived and the promise that they should
zee their Great Father about to be realized but be-
fore taking him by the hand must (said Major d. say
in justice to the delegation that have not heard word
of munnur from any of them during the trip, They
seemed to be constantly buoycd up with the great idea OF
seeing their Great Father Major d. then presented the
principal of the delegation, the head chief OF the
Grand Pawnees, viz
LIST Peta-na-s share who, throwing his arms around
the Commissioners neck and kissing both cheeks placed
his breast close to his and entranced by the meet
ing continued in the position for ten or fifteen
minutes.
The second and third chiefs went through the same
ceremony and each occupied about the time in en-
dearing of the Commissioner The brave OF the
band however, did not make such warm demonstrations
his Chiefs but made up for this in intense and pro-
onged looking after brief embrace into the face OF the
Commissioner He appeared to be perfectly lost and alb
sorbed in ecsatic feeling of pleasure. This brave is
stout fine looking man, and the son-ir-law OF the
head chief.
2d The head chief of tho Republican band WAS next
;ntrotiuccd and went through the ceremonial of
hugging first and looking afterwards with this distinc
ton that owing to his very long arms he entwned the
Commissioners neck with his embraces seemingly more
nconvenient to that officers comfort The second chief
followed suit hugging first mesmeric- gazing next then
ecstasy and relaxing hold, shook hands, CONTESTED,
and parted The third chief did the same, and, after
shaking hands, blew several times in the palms OF his
own The brave Of this band, very fine looking man,
after brief embrace and kissing both sides of the Com
missioner face stood off, looked into his eyes for
siderable time, and then rubbing the Commissioners
arms body and limbs, and going through the same OPP
erations with himself, retired.
3d. Head chief Of the Loup band Rugged the Commits
soner briefly then gazed, If cntrnnced intenty into
his face shook hands, then with his right hand held the
right hand Of the Commissioner shaking it occasionally
for considerable tme then bowed and ended the pan
tomme by taking his leave and resumng his seat lhs
chief had obique green line painted across his face
commencing above the left eye and crossing the bridge
of his nose ending in point under the right ear.
The interpreter in explanation of their silent enthus
asrn remarked that they felt like Simeon Of old, who
having seen his salvation ready to die SO they,
having behed with their eyes the object of so much inter-
est and soictude, now ready to depart hence.]
The second chief of the band embraced shook hands
held to the Commissioner looked entranced as if trying
nesmcrizc that officer, prolonged his gazing attitude
shook hands, looked into the nce of the Commissioner
again. abstracted with downca and motoncss eyes for
several minutes -very trying upon the mpcrturbable
gravity and patience of the head of the Indian bureau
The third chief then Rugged briefly took mcsmeric look
of several minutes shook hands, parted and resumed his
seat Finally the brave of the band quite young man,
and the son Of warrior and celebrated chief greeted the
Commissioner lie did not kiss hug, but took it out
in pantomimc gazing then stroke down with his hands
his Great Father and performed the operation on
himself then rubbed his hands together and again
sued the mesmeric attitude, intensely gazing for long
time into the face Of the Commissioner He concluded
by shaking hands, strokng down the head face, and
breast of Commissioner Mix and doing the same to him.
self resumed his seat
4th The head chief of the Tappah band next appeared
and L;saed In very damaQinQ manner impart