216 EXPEDITION TO THE 



The country, through which these rivers pass, is inhabit- 

 ed by the Menomones, Winnebagoes, Sauks, and Foxes, 

 but principally by the two first mentioned nations ; the Me- 

 nomones being chiefly found near the mouth of Fox river, 

 and the Winnebagoes near the portage road, and in the 

 vicinity of the lake which bears their name. The latter are 

 considered as being of distinct origjn from the Algonquin 

 tribes ; their language is said to present much greater diffi- 

 culties. It abounds in harsh and guttural sounds, and in tlie 

 letter r, which does not appear to be common in the Al- 

 gonquin languages. We have already had occasion to ad- 

 vert to the termination in r«, added to many of the words 

 by the Winnebago whom we saw on the Pektannon. It 

 is difficult to obtain correct information concerning their 

 manners and characters, as a strong prejudice appears to 

 prevail against them. They are considered unfriendly to 

 white men, and this, instead of being viewed in the light 

 of a favourable trait in their character, as indicative of a 

 high spirit, which can resent injustice and oppression, and 

 which will not crouch before the aggresssor, has been the 

 occasion of much ill will towards them ; they have been, 

 probably without cause, charged with many offences which 

 they did not commit. If we can place any dependence 

 upon the character given to them by Carver, we should 

 consider them as no worse than other Indians ; indeed his 

 acquaintance with them appears to have left a favourable im- 

 pression upon his mind. Their appellation in their own 

 language, is believed to be Otchagras ; whence the term 

 Winnebago has been derived we have not been able to as- 

 certain, not having met with it in any author prior to Car- 

 ver. By the French they were called Puants or Stinkers, 

 which name is attributed by Charlevoix, to their feeding 

 principally upon fish. " I judge," says he, "it was there. 



