A Voyage to Sitka. — HistorLal and Descriptive. ^Ilf 



Tlic (Icscriptitin wtiirli I liavc now given yiui, will answer, with sunie unim- 

 portant (lificroncc's fur the native houses as th'v ore foun-l elsewhere. Ttie nii;ht 

 t'ollowin'' \\ e were 



AT Foin' \VK \n(;ki. again. 



The next day, July 4th, wc resumed our vvork, making the acquaintance of 

 persons who were well-informed respecting the country and the natives, anil 

 gatlieriiig additional stores for future use.. 



Till". 1;N rKKJ'.MN.MKNT .\ f TO\V-A H- ATT's. 



liy previous invitation, the missionaries and tlieir guests assembled at the 

 house of Tow-ah-att, a tyhee or chief of the Slahkeen tribe. An exhibition of 

 manners and customs had been prepared for us, to show us what Indian life 

 had been — a state even now about terminated. We were notified to come by 

 the discharge of cannon, the first boom sounding the note of preparation, 

 the second to begin our march. On our arrival a salute was fired, and dis- 

 charges were kept up at intervals during the afternoon. The gun was exclu- 

 .sively managed by natives, a noticeable circumstance. 



The insignia on Tow-ah-att's house were the eagle and wolt, marking the 

 union of two families. A brief address of welcome introduced the entertain- 

 ment. Among the customs shown to us by the dramatic representation, were a 

 warrior with blackened face, with spear and helmet, and with belt containing a 

 two-edged knife or dagger ; a chief in full (h^ess, made of skins and a robe 

 made of the wool of mountain shee]). Each of these presented an impos- 

 ing appearance. 



After these, masks and effigies appeared, next a potlach dance, in which a 

 large number of the natives of both se.xes engaged. This was followed by 

 dances which were used only upon notable occasions, which might be called 

 sacred or religious. These dances and the chants were regarded by the natives 

 with a species of veneration. We were struck with the comparative ex- 

 cellence of the singing, which accompanied these dances, displaying a consider- 

 able amount of culture. Evidently much practice had been bestowed upon the 

 art, as the large number, young and old, that engaged in them, observed the 

 musical rests and parts with great precision. A large number of whites and 

 Indians were present at this entertainment, and the house was not crowded. 

 Our entertainers observed some formalities, which could do no discredit to 

 the most enlightened assemblies. After an address of welcome, and short 

 speeches from visitors, one of the chiefs, Tow-ah-att, delivered a formal dis- 

 course, a portion of which is here reported. 



T0\V-AU-ATT'S SI'EfXH. 



■'.My dear brothers: .My heart i.-> very glad since you have come so far to sec 

 us and help us. I intend, to-day, to show how ^we used to do, and what we 

 have given up since wc learned about Jesus Christ. 



In old times we Indians knew how to hunt, and fish, and how to provide 

 for our families, and some of us were rich. But there were many things we 



