A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana/Indian Nations
A
CONCISE ACCOUNT
OF THE
INDIAN NATIONS
WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, TO THE ROCKY
MOUNTAINS.
Little has been known of these nations until very lately. The following information is principally derived from the accounts given of them by Captain Lewis, when on his tour to the western ocean, communicated to the President of the United States; and by Dr. John Sibley, in his communications, from Natchetoches, to the Secretary of war. The advantages these gentlemen possessed for obtaining knowledge of their names, situations, numbers, and other circumstances respecting them, have been better than those of any others; and their accounts are undoubtedly the best that can at present be obtained.
The Osage nation has already been described. The nation residing next to the Osage, on the waters of the Missouri, is the Kanzas. Their village is on the Kanzas river, about eighty leagues from its mouth. This river comes from the south, meanders, for a great distance, through a fine, rich country, and is two hundred and fifty yards wide, where it enters the Missouri. The Kanzas have about three hundred warriors and thirteen hundred souls. They are commonly at war with all nations, except the Ottoes, with whom they have intermarriages. The limits of the country they claim is unknown; they hunt on the upper part of the Kanzas and Arkansas rivers. They live in their villages, from about the fifteenth of March to fifteenth of May, and again from the fifteenth of August to the fifteenth of October; the rest of the year they devote to hunting. At present, they are a dissolute, lawless, banditti; frequently plundering traders, and committing depredation on people ascending and descending the Missouri.
The Missouri nation live on the south side of the river Plate, fifteen leagues from its mouth. They are the remnant of the most numerous nation, inhabiting the Missouri when first known to the French. Their ancient principal village was situated in an extensive plain, on the northern bank of the Missouri, just below the mouth of Grand river. Frequent wars with the Saukees and Renars, and repeated attacks of the small pox, have reduced them to about eighty warriors, and a state of dependance on the Ottoes. They are about three hundred souls. They have a just claim to an extensive and fertile country, and yet reside in the same village with the Ottoes, and accompany them in their hunting excursions.
The Ottoes, with whom the Missouries reside, were descendants from that nation, but now view them as their inferiors, and sometimes treat them with abuse. They have about one hundred and twenty warriors, and five hundred souls; claim no exclusive possession, and hunt on the Saline and Nimmehaw rivers, and the plains which are westward of them. Their hunting and cultivating the ground is similar to that of the Kanzas and Osage. They raise corn, beans, squashes, pumpkins, and tobacco. These two nations are at war with the Great and Little Osage, Mahas, Poncars, Sioux, Kanzas, and Loups; and at peace with the Panis proper, Saukees, and Ranars.
The Panis proper, reside on the same river, fifteen leagues further up, on the south side. Their number of warriors is four hundred, and about sixteen hundred people. Their hunting ground extends over fertile, well watered plains, interspersed with groves of timber, especially along the water courses, and abounding with game. They are friendly and hospitable to white people; pay great respect to traders, with whom they are punctual in the payment of their debts. They cultivate corn, beans, melons, pumpkins, and tobacco. They are at war with the Great and Little Osage, Panis pique, Kanzas, La Piay, Sioux, and Ricaras; and at peace with the Loups, Mahas, Poncars, Ottoes, and Ayauwais. The Panis republican, or Big Paunch, is a band which has separated from the Panis proper, and established a village on a branch of the Kansas river; but being harassed by their troublesome neighbours, the Kanzas, they have united themselves again with the Panis proper. They have three hundred warriors, and fourteen hundred souls.
Another branch of the Panis proper, is the Panis Loups, or Wolves. They live on Wolf river, which enters into the river Plate. They hunt on Wolf river above their village, and on the river Plate, between Wolf and the river Corn de Cerf, or Elkhorn. They are rarely visited by traders, and carry their firs and peltry to the village of Panis proper. They cultivate corn, beans, and other vegetables. They have two hundred and eighty warriors, and are at war with all other nations near their excursions, except the Panis proper and Panis republican or Big Paunch. They consist of about one thousand people.
The Mahas was a powerful nation until lately, residing on the west bank of the Missouri, two hundred and thirty miles above the mouth of the Plate river. They could boast seven hundred warriors, were warlike, and a terror to their neighbours. But in the autumn of 1802, they were visited by the small pox, which made such ravages among them, as to reduce their warriors to less than three hundred, and to about six hundred souls. This distressing calamity induced them to burn their village and become a wandering people. They were then deserted by traders: and a deficiency of arms and ammunitions, invited aggression from their neighbours, which further reduced them to one hundred and fifty warriors. They rove principally on the head waters of Wolf river, and on the river Quicurre, or Rapid river. This country is high, level, and open, well watered, and a good soil. They are good hunters, and well disposed towards the whites. They were lately attacked by the Tetons Bois Brule, who killed and took about sixty of them.
Poncars are the remnant of a nation, once respectable for its numbers. Their former residence was on a branch of the Red river, of Lake Winnipie; but being oppressed by the Sioux, they removed to the southward, and took up their residence on Poncar river, west of the Missouri, where they built and fortified a village, and remained some years. At length their implacable enemy, the Sioux, pursued them; reduced them to about fifty warriors, and two hundred people; and compelled them to join and reside with the Mahas, whose language they speak.
The Ricaras are the remains of ten large tribes of the Panis, who have been reduced by the small pox and the Sioux, to about five hundred warriors, and two thousand souls, They live in fortified villages, claim no land, except that on which their villages stand, and the fields they improve; and hunt immediately in their own neighbourhood. The country in every direction around them, for several hundred miles, is entirely bare of timber, except on the water courses and steep declivities of hills, where it is sheltered from the ravages of fire. The remains of the ancient villages of these people are to be seen on many parts of the Missouri, from the mouth of the Tetone river, to the Mandans. The rapacious Sioux Tetons, rob them of their horses, plunder their gardens and fields, and sometimes murder them without opposition, claim the country around them, although they are the oldest inhabitants, and treat them as merely tenants at will. Still they maintain a partial trade with their oppressors, the Tetons, to whom they barter horses, corn, beans, and a species of tobacco which they cultivate, and receive in return guns, ammunition, kettles, axes, and other articles, brought from the river Saint Peters. The Ricaras obtain these horses and mules from their western neighbours, who frequently visit them for the purpose of traffic.
The Mandans, consisting of three hundred and fifty warriors, and twelve hundred and fifty inhabitants, are the most friendly, and well disposed Indians who live on the Missouri. They are brave, humane, and hospitable. Several years ago they lived in six villages, about forty miles below their present towns. From repeated visitations of the small pox, and the frequent attacks of the Sioux, they have been reduced to their present number. They live in fortified villages; claim no particular tract of country; hunt only in their own neighbourhood; raise corn, beans, melons, squashes, pumpkins, and tobacco. They barter these articles, and horses and mules, with their neighbours, the Assinniboins, for guns, ammunition, axes, kettles, and many other articles, which are purchased of the Canadian traders, on the Assinniboin river. The traders themselves frequently bring their merchandise to them. The Mandans, again, exchange the articles thus obtained, for horses, leather tents, furs,, and peltry, with the Crow Indians, and many other nations, who visit them for the purpose of traffic. The trade carried on, at these villages, gives them some resemblance of mercantile towns. They reside on both sides of the Missouri, about sixteen hundred miles from its mouth.
The Ah-wah-ha-wa, or Gens de Soulier, is a small nation, very little different from the Mandans, excepting that they carry on a constant and unjust warfare with the defenceless Snake Indians. They have fifty warriors, and two hundred inhabitants. Their village is only three miles above the Mandans, on the south side of the Missouri. They claim to have been a part of the Crow Indians, whom they still acknowledge as relation, but have resided on the Missouri, as long back as their tradition extends.
The Minetares, or Gross Ventres, is a large nation, consisting of six hundred warriors, and two thousand five hundred souls. They claim no particular country, nor assign themselves any limits; their tradition is that they have always resided in their present villages. Their customs, manners, and dispositions, are similar to the Mandans. Their villages are on both sides of Knife river, near the Missouri, five miles above the Mandans. On account of the scarcity of wood, they leave their villages in the cold season, and reside in large bands, in camps, on different parts of the Missouri, as high up as Yellow Stone river, and west of their villages, about Turtle mountain. These people have suffered by the small pox, but have been able to resist the attacks of the Sioux.
The Ayauwais nation, reside forty leagues up the river Demoin, and consist of two hundred warriors, and about eight hundred souls. They are descendants from the ancient Missouri, and claim the country west of them to the Missouri, and to the boundary of the Saukees and Foxes; are a turbulent savage people, who frequently abuse their traders, and commit depredations on those who are ascending and descending the Missouri.
Saukees and Ranars or Foxes, are two nations so nearly consolidated into one, that they may be considered as the same people. They speak the same language, and live near together, on the west side of the Mississippi, one hundred and forty leagues above Saint Louis. Formerly they lived on the east side of the Mississippi, and still claim the land between the Ouiseonsin and Illinois rivers. They frequently hunt west of them, towards the Missouri, but consider both sides of the Mississippi their hunting ground. The Saukees have about five hundred warriors, and two thousand souls; the Foxes three hundred warriors, and twelve hundred souls. They raise large quantities of corn, beans, and melons. They are extremely friendly to the whites, but implacable enemies to those Indians with whom they are at war.
The Sioux is a large nation, but divided into many independent bands. They retain the common appellation of Sioux, but each band has its appropriate name. The number of warriors is two thousand five hundred and ninety, and seven thousand six hundred and ten souls. They are roving bands, without any fixed habitations for any considerable time, and are generally at war with most of the other Indian nations. They claim, as their hunting ground, a very extensive country, on the waters of the Missouri and Mississippi. The following are the principal bands.
Wahpatone band rove on the northwest side of Saint Peters, to the mouth of Chippeway river, and on the head waters of the Mississippi, including the Crow-wing river. Their lands are fertile and generally well timbered. They are only stationary at their village, while the traders are with them, which is commonly from October, to March; treat them with respect, and seldom attempt to rob them.
Mindawawarcarton band extend their hunting ground from the mouth of the Saint Peters, to the Crow-wing river, on both sides of the Mississippi. They live in tents of dressed leather, which they transport by means of horses and dogs, and ramble from place to place during the greater part of the year; and yet are the only band of the Sioux, who cultivate corn, beans, and other vegetables. Their land is level, fertile, and well watered. To their own traders they are friendly, but inveterate to those who carry merchandise to their enemies, the Chippeways.
Wahpacoota band rove in the country west of Saint Peters, from a place called Hardwood to the mouth of the Yellow Medicine river: never stationary only when their traders are with them, which is not at any fixed time; a great portion of their country is open plains, and tolerably fertile. They barter the articles they receive from the traders, with the Yanktons and Tetons, who live west of them, for horses, robes, and leather tents or lodges.
Sissatone band hunt on Saint Peters and upper portions of Red river of Lake Winnipie, which is a level, plain, fertile country, free of stones, and intersected with small lakes. It abounds with fur animals, the beaver, otter, and marten, which enables them to purchase more merchandise, in proportion to their number, than their neighbours. An Indian fair is attended in the month of May, at a place agreed upon, on the waters of James river, where this band repair and meet the Tetons, Yanktons of the North, and Ahnah. Here a considerable traffic is carried on, and merchandise exchanged for horses and other articles. These people are devoted to the interests of their traders.
Yanktons of the North inhabit a country which is almost one entire plain, destitute of wood, but a good soil and well watered.
Yanktons Ahnah are considered the best disposed Sioux, who rove on the banks of the Missouri; but they will suffer no trader to ascend the river if they can prevent it: they arrest the progress of all they meet with, and generally compel them to sell their merchandise at a price very nearly what they themselves fix upon it; but they do not often commit any other acts of violence on the whites. Their country is very fertile, consisting of wood land and prairie.
Tetons Bois Brule, Tetons Okandandas, Tetons Minnakineazzo, and Tetons Sahone are four bands which rove over a country, almost entirely level, where a tree is scarcely to be seen, unless it be by water courses, or steep declivities of a small number of hills. It is from this country that the Missouri derives most of its colouring matter; the earth is strongly impregnated with glauber salts, allum, copperas, and sulphur, and when saturated with water, large bodies of the hills are precipitated into the river. On this account the waters of the Missouri have a purgative effect on those who are not accustomed to use them. These four bands are the pirates of the Missouri, and considered the vilest miscreants of the savage race. They receive their regular supply of merchandise from the river Saint Peters, and treat the traders on the Missouri with the utmost contempt, whom they never fail to plunder, when it is in their power. Supplication, or submission renders them the more rapacious. They say, the worse they treat the traders, the more merchandise they will bring them, and will dispose of their articles on the better terms.
The Chyennes, la Chien Indians are the remnant of a nation once respectable for their numbers; formerly resided on a branch of Red river of Lake Winnipie, which still is called la Chieon, or Dog river. Oppressed by the Sioux, they removed to the west side of the Missouri, about fifteen miles below the mouth of Warricunne creek, where they built and fortified a village, but being pursued by their ancient enemies, the Sioux, they fled to the Black Hills, about the head of Chien river, where they wander in quest of the buffaloe, having no fixed residence. Their number of warriors is computed to be about three hundred, and about twelve hundred souls. They do not cultivate, but bring to market buffaloe robes of the best quality, and are well disposed towards the whites.
The We-te-pa-ha-to or Wetepahatoes are a wandering nation, live on the Paduca fork of the river Plate, in an open country; and raise a great number of horses, which they barter to the Ricaras, Mandans and other nations, for articles of European Manufactures. Including the Kiawas who often live with them, they have about two hundred warriors, and seven hundred souls. They are a well disposed people, are at peace with all their wandering neighbours, to the west, and particularly with the Ricaras, Mandans, Minetares, and Ahwahhaways, whom they occasionally visit for the purpose of traffic, but have a defensive war with the Sioux.
The Kiawas do not materially differ from the Wetepahatoes, who live near, and often with them, in perfect friendship.
The Kenenavish, or Gens de Vache, reside on the heads of the Paduca's forks of the River Plate, and on the forks of the Chien river. They rove in an open country, like that of the Wetepahatoes, and carry on the same traffic. Their number is about four hundred warriors, and fifteen hundred souls.
The Staetan, or Kites, reside on the head waters of the Chien river, and frequently with the Kenenavish; and very nearly resemble them in all respects. They consist of about one hundred warriors, and four hundred people.
The Kata is a small nation, who have only about seventy-five warriors, and three hundred souls. They live between the head waters of the north and south forks of the River Chien.
The Nemausin, or allebome, are a small people, having about fifty warriors, and two hundred souls, and are on the head waters of north fork of Chien river. The principal difference between this nation and the Wetepahatoes, Kiawas, Staetan, and Kataha is, that they never visit the Ricaras, but carry on defensive war with them and the Sioux.
The Dotame is a still smaller nation, having only thirty warriors, and about one hundred and twenty people, inhabiting the heads of the river Chien. They wander over an open country; raise great numbers of horses and mules; are a friendly, well disposed people.
The Castahana is a larger nation, who live between the sources of the Padoca's forks of the rivers Plate and Yellow Stone. They have thirteen hundred warriors, and five thousand souls. Like the Dotame, rove in an open country, and raise great numbers of horses and mules; are friendly and peaceable, but have a defensive war with the Sioux and Assinniboins.
The Kee-hat-sa, or Crow Indians, or Gens-des Corbeau is large, having nine hundred warriors, and three thousand five hundred people. They live on each side of the river Yellow Stone, about the mouth of Big-horn river. Their country is said to be fertile, well watered, and in most parts well timbered. These people are divided into four bands, called by themselves, Ahah-ar-ro-pir-no-pah, Noo-ta, Pa-rees-car, and E-hart-sar. They annually visit the Mandans, Minetares, and Ahwahaways, to whom they barter horses, mules, leather lodges, and many articles of Indian apparel, for which they receive guns, ammunition, axes, kettles, awls, and other European manufactures. When they return to their country, they are, in turn, visited by the Paunch and Snake Indians, to whom they barter most of the articles they have obtained from the nations on the Missouri, for horses and mules, of which those nations have a greater abundance than themselves. They also obtain of the Snake Indians, bridle bits, blankets and some other articles, which those Indians purchase of the Spaniards.
The Al-la-ka-we-ah, or Paunch Indians, or Gens de Pause, reside on each side of the Yellow Stone river, near the Rocky Mountains, and heads of the Big-horn river. They have eight hundred warriors, and two thousand three hundred souls. These are said to be a peaceable, well disposed nation. Their country is variegated, consisting of mountains, vallies, plains, and wood lands, irregularly interspersed. These people, as well as the Crow Indians, inhabit a country, which produces an abundance of the most valuable furred animals. They are rovers, and have no idea of exclusive right to the soil.
The Assinniboin nation consists of three bands, who, like the bands of the Sioux, are entirely independent, one of the other; they claim a national affinity, and never go to war with each other. They are the descendants of the Sioux, and partake of their turbulent and faithless disposition; frequently plundering, and sometimes murdering their own traders. The name by which this nation is generally known, was borrowed from the Chippeways, who call them Assinniboin, which signifies Stone Sioux, and are sometimes called Stone Indians.
Manetopa band, or Gens des Canoe, live on Mouse river, between the Assinniboin and the Missouri. They have two hundred warriors, and seven hundred and fifty souls. They do not cultivate; but dispose of buffaloe robes, tallow, dried and pounded mint, and grease, skins of the large and small fox, small and large wolves, antelopes, or cabree, and elk in great abundance; some brown, white, and grizzly bear, deer and lynx.
Oseegah band, or Gens des Tee, consist of two hundred and fifty warriors, and eight hundred and fifty people; reside about the mouth of the Little Missouri, and on the Assinniboin, at the mouth of Lapelle river. These people do nothing at cultivation, although the country in which they rove is tolerably fertile, open, and free of stone. They traffic in buffaloe meat, dried and pounded, and grease in bladders: the skins of wolves, a few beaver and buffaloe robes.
Mahtopanato band, or Gens de Grand Diable, rove on the Missouri, about the mouth of the White Earth river, and on the head of Assinniboin, at the mouth of Capelle river. Their number of warriors is about four hundred and fifty, and sixteen hundred people. Their traffic is nearly the same with the other bands.
The Chippeways, or Ojibaway are divided into three principal bands, which are distinguished by Chippeways of Leach lake, who reside on an island in a small lake, called Leach lake, formed by the Mississippi river. They claim the country on both sides the Mississippi, from the mouth of the Crow-wing river to its source, and extending west of the Mississippi, to the land claimed by the Sioux, with whom they still contend for dominion; and the country east of the Mississippi, as far as Lake Superior, including the waters of the River Saint Louis. They consist of four hundred warriors, and sixteen hundred souls. They do not cultivate the land, but live principally on the wild rice, which they procure in great abundance on the borders of Leach lake, and the banks of the Mississippi. They trade with beaver, otter, black bear, rackoon, marten, mink, fisher and deer skins. Their numbers have been reduced by wars and the small pox.
Chippeways of Red lake consist of about two hundred warriors, and seven hundred people, they live on the head of the Mississippi, and about Red lake. They hunt the same animals as the preceding band, and make and sell bark canoes.
Chippeways of Pembena river reside on the Red river, of Lake Winnipie, and about the mouth of Pembena river. The number of this band is about one hundred warriors, and three hundred and fifty souls. They hunt principally beaver, and kill some wolverine and lynx, live by hunting, and do not claim any particular extent of ground. The Chippeways are well disposed towards the whites, but excessively fond of spiritous liquors.
Algonquins consisting of two bands;
Algonquins of Rainy lake are computed to have one hundred warriors, and three hundred souls. They live about Rainy lake. Rainy lake river and the Lake of the Woods. They live very much in detached small parties; are well disposed towards the whites, and deal principally in birch canoes.
Algonquins of the Portage de Prairie have two hundred warriors, and about six hundred people. They are emigrants from the Lake of the Woods, and live in a low, flat country, on Red river, and the Assinniboins, where there is an abundance of game.
The Christenoes, or Knistenaus, or Cree Indians, are a wandering nation, on the heads of Assinniboin, and towards the Saskashawan river; do not cultivate, but take and traffic in beaver, otter, lynx, wolverine, mink, marten, wolf, small fox or kitts, dressed elk, and moose deer skins. They have three hundred warriors, and one thousand souls. Their language differs but little from the Chippeways, and have probably an affinity to that nation. These people sometimes visit Fort Dauphin mountains; are not esteemed good beaver hunters; are well disposed to the whites, and treat their traders with respect.
The A-lan-sar, or Fall Indians, are supposed to have six hundred and sixty warriors, and two thousand five hundred people; reside on the south fork of the Saskashawan river, and streams supposed to be branches of the Missouri. They trade with the northwest company; the country over which they rove is not much known.
The Cattanahaws is a wandering nation, near the Fall Indians; their number is not assertained.
The Tut-see-was or Flat-head Indians live on the west side of the Rocky mountains, on waters supposed to run into the Columbia river. The most that is known of the Flat-heads, is from the Minetares, or Grossventres, who are at war with them, and often take prisoners. They say that this nation resides in one village on the west side of a large and rapid river, which runs from south to north, at the foot of Rocky mountains. Their number is not ascertained; are a timid, inoffensive people, and possess an abundance of horses.
The Aliatans are divided into three bands; of which there are several subdivisions.
Aliatans, So-so-na, Snake Indians, or Gens des Serpent, are a very numerous, well disposed people, inhabiting the Rocky mountains on the head of the Missouri, Yellow Stone, and Plate rivers. This band is divided into three large tribes, who wander at a considerable distance from each other; and are called by themselves, So-so-na, So-so-bu-bar, and I-a-kar. A part of these Indians live at, and near the falls of the Missouri. They raise a number of horses and mules, and often steal them from the nations who live east of them. These they sell to the Crow Indians; they also carry on a partial trade with Spaniards, from whom they receive many articles of clothing and ironmongery, but the Spaniards never supply them with warlike instruments. Their numbers are not known, but are numerous.
Aliatans of the West, A-li-a-ta, live among the Rocky mountains, and on the plains at the heads of the Plate and Arkansas rivers. They have more intercourse with the Spaniards of New Mexico, than the Snake Indians, and receive many articles of merchandise from them; but the Spaniards take the precaution not to furnish them with arms, and yet, in their unarmed state, they frequently commit hostilities. They are said to be very numerous, but the number unknown; are a warlike people, though badly armed. They have large numbers of horses, asses, and mules, and considerable quantities of buffaloe, deer, elk, black bear, antelope, and large horses, as well as the skins of many animals of the fur kind.
Aliatans, La Plays, principally inhabit the rich plains, from the head of the Arkansas, embracing the heads of Red river, and extending to the mountains on the borders of New Mexico. They possess no fire arms, but are warlike and brave; for the Spaniards fear these people, and take care not to furnish them with the implements of war. Their country abounds with wild horses, and raise immense numbers of horses, asses, and mules themselves. The number of these people is great, but not ascertained. These, as well as all the other Aliatans, are wandering people, and have no fixed place of residence.
The Caddo, or Caddoques, residing on Red river, have already been mentioned. These people, some years ago, left their ancient villages, called Caddo old towns, and settled on another part of Red river, nearer to Natchitoches, where they were visited with sickness, particularly the small pox and measles, by which nearly one half of them died. They had the small pox in the winter season, and as soon as the eruption appeared, they plunged into the water, which often proved fatal, in a few hours. The number of warriors of the ancient Caddo is reduced to about one hundred, who are viewed as a distinguished military order of men; they have many old men and strangers, who live amongst them, amounting to nearly an equal number with the Caddos. This nation has great influence over the Yattassees, Nandakoes, Nabadaches, Inies, Nagogdoches, Keychies, Adaize, and Natchitoches, who all speak the Caddo language, look up to them as their fathers, intermarry among them, and join them in all their wars. They cultivate corn, beans, pumpkins, melons, and tobacco.
The Yattasees live on Bayau Pierre or Stony creek, which falls into Red river fifty miles above Natchitoches. Their village is in a large prairie fifty miles above Natchitoches, and about midway to the Caddos. They are surrounded by a settlement of French families; but the Spanish government exercises jurisdiction over this settlement, where they keep a guard of a non-commissioned officer, and eight soldiers. The French formerly had a station and factory here, and another on the Sabine, about one hundred northwest of this settlement. Of the ancient Yattassees, there are about eight men remaining, and twenty-five women, besides children; but a number of men of other nations have intermarried, and live with them. They live on rich land; raise plenty of corn, beans, tobacco, and other vegetables: have horses, cattle, hogs, and poultry.
The Nandakoes live on the Sabine river, sixty or seventy miles to the westward, near where the French formerly had a station and factory. A few years ago they suffered very much by the small pox, and are reduced to about forty men. They consider themselves the same as the Caddos, with whom they intermarry; visit one another in the greatest harmony; have the same manners, customs and attachments.
The Adaize live about forty miles from Natchitoches, on a lake called Lac Macdon, which communicates with the division of Red river, that passes by Bayau Pierre. They live where their ancestors have lived, time immemorial; the nearest nation to the old Spanish fort, or Mission Adaize; only twenty men of them remain, but there are more women. Their language differs from all other, and is said to be so difficult to speak or understand, that no nation can speak ten words of it; but they all speak Caddo, and most of them French; to whom they were always attached, and joined them against the Natchez Indians, after the massacre of Natchez, in 1728. While the Spaniards occupied Adaize, some priests attempted to proselyte them to the Roman Catholic religion, but without the smallest success.
The Aliche, pronounced Eyeish, reside near Nacogdoches. They were some years ago a considerable nation, and lived on a bayau of the same name, about twelve miles west of the Sabine river, but the small pox destroyed the most of them. The nation is now almost extinct, having only twenty- five souls remaining. Their native language is spoken by no other nation, but they speak and understand Caddo, with whom they are in friendship.
The Keyes, or Keychies, live on the east band of Trinity river, a small distance above where the road crosses from Natchitoches to Saint Antoine. They consist of only sixty men; have their peculiar language, but speak Caddo; intermarry with them, and live in great harmony. They plant corn and other vegetables.
The Inies, or Tachies, live about twenty-five miles west of Natchitoches, on a small river, which is a branch of the Sabine. This nation, like all their neighbours, is diminished, having only about eighty men; speak the Caddo language, and live in amity with them. They possess rich land and raise corn to sell.
The Nabedaches reside about fifteen miles above them, on the same river; consist of about the same number of men; speak the same language; improve the best of land; raise corn in plenty; and have the same customs and habits.
The Bedies are on the Trinity river, about sixty miles southward of Nacogdoches. They have about one hundred men, who are good hunters of deer, which are very large and plenty about them. Their language differs from all others, but speak Caddo; are a peaceable, quiet people; and have an excellent character for their honesty and punctuality. They plant and raise large crops of corn.
The Accokesaws live in a rich and beautiful country, over which they rove, often changing their place of residence; but their ancient town, and where they principally reside, is on the west side of Colerado or Rio Rouge. The deer they kill are said to be remarkably large and fat, of which they have an abundance. Their number of men is about eighty; they have a language peculiar to themselves; but they converse much by dumb signs, which they can all readily understand.
The Mayes live on a large creek, called Saint Gabriel, on the bay of Saint Bernard, near the mouth of Guadaloupe river. They are at perpetual war with the Spaniards, but very friendly to the French. Their number of men are computed to be two hundred. They have a language of their own, but speak the Attakapa, and likewise converse by signs.
The Carankouas, inhabit an island, or peninsula, in the bay of Saint Bernard. They are always at war with the Spaniards, and kill them whenever they find them; but kind to the French. They are said to be five hundred men strong; speak the Attakapa language, and are friendly to all other Indians.
On one side of this peninsula is a high bluff, or mountain of coal, which can be seen some distance at sea. It has been on fire for many years; affording a light by night, and a thick smoke by day, which has deceived and endangered vessels approaching the shoal waters on this coast. There is emitted from this burning coal, a gummy substance, which the Spaniards call cheta; it is thrown on the shore by the surf, and collected in considerable quantities; it has a strong aromatic smell, and not disagreeable to the taste. It is collected for the purpose of chewing, for which the Spaniards have a particular fondness.
The Cances are very numerous, consisting of a large number of different bands, occupying different parts of the country, from the bay of Saint Bernard, cross the river Grand, towards La Vera Cruz. They are unfriendly to the Spaniards, and kill them when they have opportunity; but are strongly attached to the French. They principally use the bow, and are good hunters. These people are very particular in their dress, differing from most of the other Indians. The dress of the men is straight leather leggins, which resemble pantaloons, and a leather hunting shirt, or frock. The women dress in a long, loose robe, which so entirely covers them, that nothing but their heads and feet are to be seen. No estimate can be made of the numbers of this nation. The Spaniards made slaves of these Indians, and sold numbers of them to the French at Natchitoches; but this practice was prohibited by the King of Spain, and those made slaves were emancipated; after which some of the women who had been servants in good families, and taught spinning, sewing, and household work, married, and became respectable, well behaved women. Some of them are still living, and have brought up decent families of children. They have a peculiar language, and are understood by signs, in conversing with others. They are at peace with all nations except the Hietans.
The Tankaways or Tanks, claim no exclusive right to any tract of land; are always roving, and have no particular place of abode. They wander over the country watered by the Trinity, Braces, and Colerado, towards Saint a Fè. Their number of men are estimated at about two hundred; are one horde or tribe; dress like the, Cances; are good hunters with the bow; and raise the best breed of horses. They are sometimes enimies, and at others, friends to the Spaniards. They plant nothing, but live on meat and wild fruit; are a strong athletic people, and excellent horse men.
The Tawakenoes, or Three Canes, reside on the west side of the Braces, and make their usual place of aboad, about two hundred miles west of Nacogdoches, towards Saint a Fè; but make their excursions as low down as the Great Prairies about the Turtle mountain. They are estimated at about two hundred men; are good hunters, principally with the bow, but have some guns. They speak the language of the Panis, and claim the same ancestors.
The Hietans or Comanches have neither towns nor villages, nor any fixed place of residence. They are divided into so many bands or tribes, that they have scarcely any knowledge of one another. No estimate of their numbers can be made. They never reside in the same place more than a few days, but constantly follow the buffaloe, which afford them their principal food. They carry their tents with them, which are made of neatly dressed skins, in the form of a cone; they are large enough for a family of ten or twelve persons; those of the chiefs are larger, and are some of them sufficient for fifty or sixty people. When they encamp, their tents are pitched in very exact order, so as to form regular streets and squares, which in a few minutes has the appearance of a handsome town, raised, as it were, by enchantment; and they are equally dexterous in striking their tents and preparing to march, when the signal is given. They allot two horses or mules to every tent, one to carry the tent, and the other the poles used in setting it up, which are neatly made of red cedar. They all travel on horse back. They never turn their horses loose to graze, but keep them tied with a long halter; and every two or three days they are obliged to move, to find grass for the support of their horses; for they have always a large number. They have fine horses, and are excellent horse men. Most of their horses are bred by themselves, and by handling them when very young they are remarkably docile and gentle. Sometimes wild horses are caught and tamed, which are every where amongst them in large droves. They hunt down the buffaloe on horse back, and kill them either with the bow, or a sharp wooden spear, which they carry in their hands. They are said, when they kill a buffaloe, to catch and drink the blood, while it is warm; they likewise eat the liver raw, before it is cold, and use the gall for sauce. They are, for savages, uncommonly neat and clean in their persons and dress. The women wear a long, loose robe, which reaches from the chin to the ground, with a fancy sash or girdle around the waist, all made of neatly dressed leather, on which they paint figures of different colours and significations. The dress of the men is close leather pantaloons, and a hunting frock, made of leather. They cultivate no vegetables, but they season their food with a small cayenne pepper, which grows spontaneously in the country, and some wild herbs. They also make use of wild fruits, particularly a bean, which grows in great plenty on a small tree, resembling a willow, called masketo. With these articles the women will cook their buffaloe beef in a manner highly grateful to the taste. They occupy alternately a vast extent of country from the Trinity, Braces, the head of Red river, and Arkansas, to the Missouri, River Grand, about Saint a Fè, and over the mountains, to the waters of the western ocean. They say, they have seen big peroques, with masts, which they describe by drawing a ship and the sails and rigging. Their language sounds different from that of any other nation, and none can either speak or understand it; but they have a language by signs, whch can be understood by all Indians; and which they use much in conversing among themselves. They are generally at war with the Spaniards, and often commit depredations on the inhabitants of Saint a Fé, and Saint Antoine; but have always been friendly to the French or Americans, who have been among them. They have a number of Spanish men and women among them; who are slaves, and who were made prisoners when they were young.
The following story is related by an elderly gentleman, living at Natchitoches, who formerly carried on a trade with this nation. A number of years ago, a party of these Indians passed over the River Grand, to Chewawa, the residence of the governor-general of what is called the five internal provinces; lay in ambush for an opportunity, and made a prisoner of the governor's daughter, a young lady, as she was going in her coach to mass, and brought her off. The governor sent a message to this gentleman, with a thousand dollars, for the purpose of recovering his daughter: he immediately dispatched a confidential trader, then in his employ, with the amount of the thousand dollars in merchandise, who repaired to the nation, and after he had found her, purchased her ransom; but to his great surprise, she refused to return with him to her father, and sent by him the following message: that the Indians had disfigured her face, by tattooing it according to their fancy and ideas of beauty, and a young man of them had taken her for his wife, by whom she believed herself pregnant; that she had become reconciled to her mode of life, and was well treated by her husband; and that she should be more unhappy by returning to her father, under these circumstances, than by remaining where she was. Which message was conveyed to her father, who rewarded the trader by a present of three hundred dollars more for his trouble and fidelity; and that, at the time of relating this account, his daughter was living with her Indian husband, in the nation, by whom she had had three children.
The Natchitoches nation formerly lived, where the town of Natchitoches is now situated, which took its name from them. About one hundred years ago, when the French began their settlement in this town, this nation had six hundred men. They became attached to French people, and have ever been their steady and faithful friends. After the massacre of the French inhabitants of Natchez, by the Natchez Indians, in 1728, those Indians fled from the French, after the French were reinforced, and came up Red river, and camped about six miles below the town of Natchitoches, near the river, by the side of a small lake of clear water, and erected a mound of earth, of considerable size, where it now remains. Monsieur Saint Dennie, a French Canadian, was then commandant at Natchitoches; the Indians called him the Big Foot, were fond of him, for he was a brave man. Saint Dennie, with a few French soldiers, and what militia he could muster, joined by the Natchitoches Indians, attacked the Natchez Indians in their camp, early in the morning; they defended themselves desperately for six hours, but were at length totally defeated, and what were not killed in battle, were drove into the lake, were the last of them perished, and the Natchez, as a nation, became extinct. This lake is now called Natchez lake. Since that time the Natchitoches nation have decreased, until their remains only twelve men, and nineteen women, who live in a village about twenty-five miles above the town, near a lake called by the French Lac de Muire. The small pox has been their great destroyer. Their original language is the same as the Yattassee, but speak Caddo and French. The French inhabitants highly respect this nation, and a number of decent families have a mixture of their blood in them. They still preserve their Indian dress, and habits; raise corn and the other vegetables common in their neighbourhood.
There are the remains of several more nations,who are become nearly extinct, inhabiting in different parts of this country, who are mostly emigrants from the eastern side of the Mississippi. The Boluxas, from Pensacola, live on Red river, at the mouth of Rigula de Bandieu, who are reduced to about thirty men. They are an honest, harmless, and friendly people. The Appalaches from West Florida, live above bayau Rapide, and consist of only fourteen men. The Allibamis came from West Florida, consist of seventy men, of whom thirty have settled near the Caddoques, and forty in Appelousa district. Conchattas are from West Florida, call their number one hundred and sixty men, and are settled on the River Sabine. Several families live in detached settlements, which they say will make their number two hundred men. Pacanas are also emigrants from West Florida, are a small tribe of about thirty men, and live on the Quelqueshoe river. Attakapas, a name which is said to mean maneater, but no more applicable to this tribe, than that of any other Indians. Their number, including some Tunicas and Humas Indians, who have intermarried and live with them, is about eighty men. They are peaceable and friendly to every body, and are settled between Attakapa church and the Quelqueshoe river. The Appelousa, which means black head or black skull, have about forty men, are natives of the district called by their name, and live west of Appelousa church. Tunicas do not exceed twenty-five men, and live at Avoyall. Pascagolas from West Florida, have only twenty-five men, and live in a small village on Red river. Tenisaws are emigrants from Tenesau river, which falls into the bay of Mobile, are reduced to twenty-five men, and live on bayau Beauf. Chactoos live on the same bayau; are aborigines of the country where they live, and are diminished to about thirty men. Washas are reduced to two men and three women, and live in French families. The Chactaws have two villages, one consisting of thirty, and the other of fifty men, in the district of Appelousa, besides rambling hunting parties, in different parts of the country. They are at war with the Caddoques, and not liked by either red or white people. The Arkansas, who claim three hundred miles on that river, but live in three villages, are supposed not to exceed three hundred men. They speak the Osage language, but are at war with that nation. They raise corn to sell, and are called an honest and friendly people.
These Indian nations reside, or rove in their hunting and trading excursions, within what has been conjectured to be the limits of Louisiana. In ascertaining their numbers, it was unavoidably necessary, in many instances, to depend on Indian information; but it is presumed that the number of warriors, which is generally given in even numbers, is not far from being correct; and calculating on the best data that could be obtained, the souls are probably estimated rather below, than above their real number.
In constructing the following table, for the purpose of giving a collected view of the number of each nation, and an aggregate of the whole of those nations which are so numerous, and so divided and subdivided into bands and parties, that their numbers could not be known by any information the Indians were able to give, are presumed to be, at least, equal to the Great and Little Osage nation, and their numbers are assumed; and those nations of whom only the number of men are ascertained, the number of souls are calculated in about the same proportion to the number of warriors, with those of the other nations.
| Indian Nations. | Warriors. | Souls. |
|---|---|---|
| Great and Little Osage, | 2000 | 8000 |
| Kanzas, | 300 | 1200 |
| Missouris, | 80 | 300 |
| Ottoes, | 120 | 500 |
| Panis Proper, | 400 | 1600 |
| Panis Republican, or Big Paunch, | 300 | 1400 |
| Panis Loups, or Wolf Indians, | 280 | 1000 |
| Maha, | 300 | 600 |
| Pancars, | 50 | 200 |
| Ricaras, | 500 | 2000 |
| Mandans, | 350 | 1250 |
| Ahwahhawa, | 50 | 200 |
| Minetares, or Grossventres, | 600 | 2500 |
| Ayauwais, | 200 | 800 |
| Saukees, | 500 | 2000 |
| Renars, or Fox Indians, | 300 | 1200 |
| Sioux, (ten bands) | 2590 | 7610 |
| Chien, or Dog Indians, | 300 | 1200 |
| Wetepahatoes and Kiawas, | 200 | 700 |
| Kenenavish, | 400 | 1500 |
| Staetan, or Kites, | 100 | 400 |
| Kata, | 75 | 300 |
| Nemousin, or Allebome, | 50 | 200 |
| Dotame, | 30 | 120 |
| Castahana, | 1300 | 5000 |
| Keehatsa, or Crow Indians, | 900 | 3500 |
| Allakaweah, or Paunch Indians, | 800 | 2300 |
| Assinniboin consisting of three bands, | 900 | 3100 |
| Chippeways, three bands, | 700 | 2650 |
| Algonquins, two bands, | 300 | 900 |
| Christenoes, or Cree Indians, | 300 | 1000 |
| Alansar, or Fall Indians, | 660 | 2500 |
| Cattananaws, (supposed to be) | 600 | 2000 |
| Tutsee, or Flat Head, | 300 | 900 |
| Alitans, or Snake Indians, (supposed,) | 2000 | 8000 |
| Caddoques, | 100 | 400 |
| Yattasees, | 8 | 57 |
| Nandakoes, | 40 | 160 |
| Adaize, | 20 | 85 |
| Aliche, | 5 | 25 |
| Keyes, | 60 | 240 |
| Inies, | 80 | 320 |
| Indian Nations. | Warriors. | Souls. |
|---|---|---|
| Nabedaches, | 80 | 320 |
| Accokesaws, | 100 | 400 |
| Mayes, | 80 | 320 |
| Carankouas, | 200 | 800 |
| Cances, (numerous supposed to be,) | 2000 | 8000 |
| Tankaways, or Tanks, | 200 | 300 |
| Tawakenoes, or Three Canes, | 200 | 800 |
| Hietans, (numerous supposed to be,) | 2000 | 8000 |
| Natchitoches, | 12 | 65 |
| Boluscas, | 30 | 120 |
| Appalaches, | 14 | 56 |
| Allibamis, | 70 | 280 |
| Conchattas, | 200 | 800 |
| Pacanas, | 300 | 1200 |
| Attakapas, | 80 | 300 |
| Appelousa, | 40 | 160 |
| Tunicas, | 25 | 100 |
| Pascagolas, | 25 | 100 |
| Tenisaws, | 25 | 100 |
| Chactoos, | 30 | 120 |
| Washas, men 2, women 3, | 2 | 5 |
| Chactaws, | 80 | 320 |
| Arkansas, | 300 | 1200 |
| 25,741 | 94,403 |