Letter VI
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRÉCIS HISTORIQUES, BRUSSELS.
Journey to the Great Desert in 1851.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. LOUIS, January 26, 1852.
M*****:
During the eighteen days that the Great Council lasted, the union, harmony and amity that reigned among the Indians were truly admirable. Implacable hatreds, hereditary enmities, cruel and bloody encounters, with the whole past, in fine, were forgotten. They paid mutual visits, smoked the calumet of peace together, exchanged presents, partook Of numerous banquets, and all the lodges were open to strangers. A practice Occurring but on the most amicable and fraternal occasions was seen - this is, the adopting of children and of brothers on each side. There was a perfect unanimity of views between Col. Mitchell, superintendent of the Indian Territory, and Major Fitzpatrick, and nothing was omitted to foster these germs of peace. The object of the assembly was a distinguished proof of the highest benevolence on the part of the United States Government, as well as of the sincere desire of establishing a lasting peace among tribes hostile to each other, and of obtaining a right of passage through their possessions for the whites, and making the Indians compensation for injuries and losses the latter may have sustained from the whites.
At the opening of the council, the superintendent made known to the savages that the object of the assembly was the acceptation by them of the treaty, such as it had been prepared beforehand, with the consent of the President of the United States. This treaty was read sentence by sentence, and distinctly explained to the different interpreters, that they might have the exact and legitimate meaning of each article. The preamble explains that it is a treaty between the agents named on one side by the President of the United States, and on the other by the chiefs or braves of the Indian nations that reside south of the Missouri, east of the Rocky Mountains, and north of the boundary line of Texas and Mexico, viz.: The Sioux or Dacotahs, the Sheyennes, the Arapahos, the Crows, the Minataries, the Mandans, and Arickaras. The principal articles were:
Art. 1st.-The Indians recognize and admit the right of the United States to form roads and establish military posts in their territory. Art. 2d.-Solemn obligations agreed upon for the maintenance of peace, and for repairing the damages and losses sustained by the whites on the part of the Indians. Art. 3d.-Indemnity accorded to the Indians for the destruction caused in their hunting-grounds, their forests, pasturages, etc., by travellers from the States who cross their lands. The present of $.50,000 is granted to them on this ground. Art. 4th.-During fifteen corning years, $50,000 will be annually paid in objects and gifts which may prove useful or necessary to the Indians.
The treaty was signed by the agents of the United States, and by all the principal chiefs of the different nations who were present. Another treaty in favor of the half breeds and the whites residing in the country was proposed, to-wit : That a tract of country be assigned them for their use, in order to form agricultural establishments and colonies, and that they should obtain the assistance of the Government of the United States in the execution of their project.
This is the sole means of preserving union among all those wandering and scattered families, which become every year more and more numerous, and of establishing them in one or two colonies, with churches and schools, for their general instruction and well-being.
With a few exceptions, all the half-breeds are baptized and received as children of the Church. During twenty years they have petitioned to have Catholic priests, and have manifested their good-will to meet the wants of their missionaries, and to maintain them. If ecclesiastical superiors are not aided to make timely provision, it is to be feared that the care of these new colonies will pass under the direction of men who will spare no exertion to extinguish in the hearts of the courageous and simple people the germs of faith, and the good wishes they entertain in favor of our holy religion. The question, “Shall they have priests ?" involves the salvation of several thousand souls. It must be soon decided ; it is already agitated, and unless Catholic missionaries are sent there, I repeat it, it is to be feared that persons hostile to the true faith may take possession of the ground.
On the second Sunday of September, Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, three days after my arrival, some lodges of buffalo-hides were arranged and ornamented as a sanctuary, on the plain of the Great Council. Under this tent I bad the happiness of offering the Holy Sacrifice, in presence of all the gentlemen assisting at the council, of all the halfbloods and whites, and, of a great concourse of Indians. After my instruction, twenty-eight children (half-bloods), and five adults, were regenerated in the holy waters of baptism, with all the ceremonies prescribed by the Church.
The Canadians, French, and half-breeds who inhabit the Indian territory, treat all the priests who visit them with great kindness, attention, and respect. It is truly afflicting
to meet them in this wilderness, like so many strayed sheep. By the zealous efforts of two good clergymen, fine missions could be founded among them-these would furnish catechists, and these latter would labor in concert with the priests for the conversion of so many benighted pagans, who wander forsaken in the deserts, and destitute of religious hope and consolation.
During the two weeks that I passed in the plain of the Great Council, I paid frequent visits to the different tribes and bands of savages, accompanied by one or ?.pore of their interpreters. These last were extremely obliging in devoting themselves to my aid in announcing the gospel. The Indians listened eagerly to my instructions. Each time that I addressed them concerning the particular vices which I knew reigned among them, they owned their faults with admirable simplicity and candor, free from all human respect. During an instruction in the camp of the Ogallallahs, a Sioux tribe, in which I explained to them the ten commandments, when I arrived at the sixth and seventh, a general whispering and embarrassed laugh took place among my barbarous auditory. I inquired the reason of this conduct, and explained to them that the law I came to announce to them was not mine, but God's, and that it was obligatory on all the children of men that the word of God required all their attention and respect: that those who observe his commandments will have eternal life, while the prevaricators of his holy law shall receive hell and its torments as their lot. The great chief at once rose and. replied : " Father, we hear thee ; we knew not the words of the Great Spirit, and we acknowledge our ignorance. We are great liars and thieves; we have killed; we have done all the evil that the Great Spirit forbids us to do; but we did not know those beautiful words; in future we will try to live better, if thou wilt but stay with us and teach us:"
They besought me to explain baptism to them, as several of them had been present when I baptized the half-blood children. I complied with their request, and gave them a lengthy instruction on its blessings and obligations. All then entreated me to grant this favor to their infants. The next day the ceremony took place ; 239 children of the Ogallallahs (the first of their tribe were regenerated in the holy waters of baptism, to the great joy and satisfaction of the whole nation. I held daily conferences on religion, sometimes with one band of Indians, sometimes with another. They all listened with great attention, and unanimously expressed the wish to be supplied with Catholic missionaries.
Among the Rapahos, I baptized 305 little ones; among the Sheyennes, 253 ; and among the Brules and Osage Sioux, 280; in the camp of the Painted Bear, 56. The number of the half-bloods that I baptized in the plain of the Great Council and on the River Platte, is 61: In the different forts on the Missouri, I baptized, during the months of June and July last, 392 children. Total number of baptisms, 1586. A great number died shortly after, in consequence of diseases which reigned in the Indian camps.
I witnessed, for the first time, a singular rite, to which the Sheyennes attach as much importance as the Asiatic tribes do to circumcision ; this is the " ear-Cutting of the children." This custom appears to be common among all the tribes of the Upper Missouri, and probably in other places, though there may be perhaps some variety in the form of the ceremony. Among the Sheyennes, the mother chooses the operator, and puts the knife into his hands. She extends the child on the skin of some animal, carefully prepared and painted, and which the Canadians call pare-fleche. While one of the relations or friends holds the infant in a quiet posture, the operator makes five incisions in the rim of each ear. These incisions are destined to receive and carry ornaments. The mother makes a present of a horse to the operator, and another present to each one of the assistants.
In the same place, rudely arranged for the occasion, and composed of six lodges, each lodge consisting of twenty hides of bison cow, we witnessed another ceremony. The Soshonies, or Snake Indians, had scarcely quitted` the Rocky Mountains to repair to the Great Council, when they were pursued and attacked by a party of Sheyennes, who 'killed two of their men, and carried away their scalps. The Sheyennes must pay, or "cover the body," which is a satisfaction required by the savages on such occasions, before they can accept the calumet of peace, or smoke it together. On this day the principal braves of the Sheyenne nation, and forty warriors of the Soshonies, were assembled. Several orations were delivered as preliminaries of peace.
Then followed a feast, of which all partook. It consisted simply of corn, crushed and thoroughly boiled. The clogs were spared this time, for the Soshonies are an exception to the common rule among the Indians; that is, they never eat dog-flesh. The feast over, the Sheyennes brought suitable presents of tobacco, blankets, knives, pieces of red and blue cloth, and deposited them in the centre of the circle. The two scalps were also exposed, and then returned to the brothers of the two wretched victims, who were seated at the head of the circle, between the two chiefs of their nation. The brothers were solemnly assured that the "scalp-dance"* did not take place. They wore, however, a very sombre air,
· This ceremony, which is an essential condition, consists of dances and songs. The latter recount all the exploits of the braves. The ceremony is renewed every day, and often lasts several weeps. Women, old and young, as well as children, can take part ; and, in fact, the women make most noise and exertion.
·
and on accepting the scalps were deeply affected. However, they embraced the murderers, received the donations and distributed the larger portion of them to their companions. After this, the usual signs of peace and amity, presents and reciprocal adoptions of children, were interchanged their orators employed all their eloquence to strengthen the good-feeling which appeared to reign in the assembly, an, to render it lasting. The next night the Sheyennes visited the lodges of the Soshonies, who were encamped beside my little tent. Songs and dances were prolonged till daylight and prevented me from sleeping. These amusements among the Indians are perfectly innocent. I have never been ab1E to detect the slightest gesture that could offend modesty During my waking hours that night I reflected on the excel lent dispositions of these pagans, and thought, could the clergy of Europe but know diem, they would eagerly hasten hither to gladden our Holy Mother, the Church, with thou sands of new children.
During this assembly, as on other occasions, I frequent], remarked the skill and facility with which the Indians communicate their ideas by signs and gestures. Their movements are highly expressive, and appear to be reduced to language as perfect and communicable as that of the deaf and dumb among us. By means of these signs an Indiai will relate the chief events of his life. This mute speech may be styled a language of precaution and defence, for when they meet in the desert, in their excursions, they make signs while yet very far apart, before they approach. They immediately know with whom they have to deal, and c what there is in question. They have, however, still more remarkable modes of communicating thought. The large figures displayed on their buffalo-robes are hieroglyphics, as easily understood by an intelligent Indian as written words are by ourselves; and they often contain the narrative of some important event. This is not, however, because words are wanting in their various dialects, which are quite copious and expressive.
I attended the council from the outset to the close. As I have already stated, ten thousand Indians, belonging to different tribes, many of which had been' at war from time im memorial, met on the same plain. During the twenty-three days of the assembly there was no disorder: on the contrary, always peaceable and tranquil, which is saying much for Indians. They seemed all to form but a single nation. Polite and kindly to each other, they spent their leisure hours in visits, banquets, and dances; spoke of their once interminable wars and divisions as past things, to be absolutely forgotten, -or 11 buried," according to their expression. There was not a remark in all their conversations to displease ; never did the calumet pass in peace through so many hands. To convey an idea of the importance of this action, I must observe, that smoking the calumet together is equivalent to a treaty confirmed by oath, which no one can contravene without dishonoring himself in the eyes of all his tribe. It was really a touching spectacle to see the calumet, the Indian emblem of peace, raised heavenward by the hand of a savage, presenting it to the Master of life, imploring his pity on all his children on earth, and begging him to confirm the good resolutions which they had made.
Notwithstanding the scarcity of provisions felt in the camp before the wagons came, the feasts were numerous and well attended. No epoch in Indian annals, probably, shows a greater massacre of the canine race. Among the Indians the flesh of the dog is the most honorable and esteemed of all viands, especially in the absence of bison and other animals. On the present occasion it was a last resource. The carnage then may be conceived. I was invited to several of these banquets; a great chief, in particular, wished to give me a special mark of his friendship and respect for me. He had filled his great kettle with little fat dogs, skins and all. He presented me, on a wooden platter, the fattest, well boiled. I found the meat really delicate, and I can vouch that it is preferable to sucking-pig, which it nearly resembles in taste.
The Indians regaled me several times with a dish highly esteemed among them. It consists of plums, dried in the sun, and afterwards prepared with pieces of meat, like a stew. I must own that I found it quite palatable. Put hear what I learned subsequently, as to their manner of preparing it. When an Indian woman wishes to preserve the plums, which grow in profusion here, she collects a great quantity, and then invites her neighbors to her lodge to pass an agreeable afternoon. Their whole occupation then consists in chatting and sucking the stones from the plums, for they keep only the skins, which, after being sun-dried, are kept for grand occasions.
The wagons containing the presents destined by the government to the Indians, reached here on the 20th of September. The safe arrival of this convoy was an occasion of general joy. Many were in absolute destitution. The nest day the wagons were unloaded and the presents suitably arranged. The flag of the United States floated from a tall staff before the tent of the superintendent, and a discharge of cannon announced to ,the Indians that the division of the presents was about to take place. Without delay, the occupants of the various camps flocked in,-men, women, and children,-in great confusion, and in their gayest costume, daubed with paints of glaring hues, and decorated with all the gewgaws they could boast. They took the respective places assigned to each particular baud, thus forming an immense circle, covering several acres of land, and the merchandise was displayed in the centre. The view of such an assembly would give an interesting theme to a Hogarth or a Cruikshank.
The great chiefs of the different nations were served first, and received suits of clothes. You may easily imagine their singular movements on appearing in public, and the admiration which they excited in their comrades, who were never weary inspecting them. The great chiefs were, for the first time in their lives, pantalooned ; each was arrayed in a general's uniform, a gilt sword hanging at his side. Their long, coarse hair floated above the military costume, and the whole was crowned by the burlesque solemnity of their painted faces.
Colonel Mitchell employed the Indians as his agents in distributing the presents to the various bands. The arrangements were characterized by benevolence and justice. The conduct of this vast multitude was calm and respectful. Not the slightest index of impatience or of jealousy was observed during the distribution ; each baud appeared indifferent until its portion was received. Then, glad, or satisfied, but always quiet, they removed from the plain with their families and their lodges. They had heard the good news that the bison were numerous on the south fork of the Platte, three days' march from the plain, and they hastily turned their steps in that direction, resolved to make the buffaloes atone for the hunger they had recently suffered on the great council plain.
This assembly will form an era among them, and I trust will be ever dear to their memories. It closed on the 23d of September.
The happy results of this council are, no doubt, owing to the prudent measures of the commissaries of government, and more especially to their conciliatory manners in all their intercourse and transaction with the Indians. The council will doubtless produce the good effects they have a right to expect. It will be the commencement of a new era for the Indians-an era of peace. In future, peaceable citizens may cross the desert unmolested, and the Indians will have little to dread from the bad white man, for justice will be rendered to him.
Accept, &c.,
P.J. DE SMET, S.J.