466 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [BTH. ANN. 40 



The gun is a useful though not an indispensable implement. The 

 loss of an Indian horse is easier replaced than that of his gun, as 

 he could at any time steal the former from his enemies, and to get 

 the latter would require means to purchase, which have been de- 

 stroyed by its loss. Also the accident might happen when skins 

 were of no value or unseasonable. Anfether advantage in having 

 a gun is that the means of making a fire are thereby possessed, 

 which on the plains is a matter of great consequence, and a gun 

 often saves the lives of several travelers. In short, an Indian with 

 a gun has double the chances of support that one without has. 

 Should his horse be stolen he can use his gun, and if that is broken 

 he can use his horse. By firearms a great many smaller animals 

 are killed, and skins traded which would not otherwise be the case, 

 though in hunting in bodies or large camps the gun is not much 

 used, except when there are but few horses that they can catch. 

 The possession of firearms has unquestionably promoted war. Many 

 arrows may be shot, perhaps all the Indian has, without doing any 

 damage unless at very close quarters, whereas at a distance or in 

 the night guns are effective. It also facilitates waylaying and kill- 

 ing their enemies, a manner of which they are remarkably fond, and 

 could not well be accomplished with arrows, lances, etc., without 

 nearly equal danger to both parties. Guns and ammunition are 

 considered the soul of warfare, more so than of the chase, and a 

 few Indians thus armed are more efficient than a crowd with bows, 

 lances, and war clubs. So much is this the case that the want of 

 a sufficient number of guns often delaj's, and sometimes entirely 

 stops, a war party. 



There is only one way we know of by which the trade could be 

 placed on a better basis, and that being inconsistent with the prin- 

 ciples of our Government, is scarcely worth considering. It is 

 that it should be a monopoly. A charter granted to a body of ef- 

 ficient people who could give bond to a large amount for their law- 

 ful prosecution of the trade, and their operations subject to the 

 revision and examination of a competent board of directors. 



Education 



There are no serious or valid objections on the part of any Indians 

 with whom we are acquainted to the introduction of schools, agri- 

 culture, the mechanical arts, or Christianity. We have examined 

 the subject in all its bearings for upward of 20 years; counseled 

 with Indians about it; and it appears to us very singular that as 

 yet the Department or some charitable persons have done nothing 

 in this respect for the Indians. It is the only way they can be 

 really benefited, saved, recompensed for territory bought, or ren- 



