434 ON THE ETHNOGRAPHY AND PHILOLOGY OF THE 
seldom taken from other tribes, for the reason that they usually speak a different language, 
and the consequence is, that a degree of relationship runs through the whole village, which 
perhaps is the cause of their living more harmoniously together than the roving tribes. 
Quarrels very seldom occur, and no great division of feeling or rule is observed, but the 
ultimate effect of this interconnection is a disregard of the natural barrier of blood rela- 
. tionship, which in its progress, and sanctioned by custom, results in actual incest. 
About the time that the Mandans left the lower village, the Arikaras came and took 
possession, the former readily consenting to this arrangement, because it placed a large 
body of strangers between them and the Dakotas, with whom, in their now feeble state, 
they were unable to contend. 
The Mandans at this time (1855) number about thirty-five or forty huts, perhaps nearly 
three hundred souls, raise corn, squashes, beans, &c., same as the Minnitarees and Ari- 
karas, and hunt the buffalo when these animals are near their village. The destroying 
and humbling effects of the disease referred to could not change their indomitable spirit of 
pride and independence. They will not join with the other nations near whom they re- 
side, connect themselves with them by marriage, nor practise any customs but those of 
their ancestors. Their religious rites and ceremonies are preserved entire, and the system 
of self-inflicting tortures is practised at the present day. Being too few in number to form 
war-parties, they remain at home and defend themselves. 
All of their noted chiefs are dead, and sketches of their lives would be interesting, but 
will not be related in this place, though they exhibited many amiable features. While 
living their laws were seldom infringed upon by the claims and pretensions of other as- 
pirants to power. They were respected for their judgment, and loved for the patriarchal 
care they took in the general welfare, and not feared on account of their personal bravery 
or extensive relationship, as is the case with the migratory bands. Old age in both sexes 
is held in veneration and made comfortable. The Mandans deposit their dead on scaffolds 
near the village, and this also has a tendency to produce diseases in warm weather; but 
every attempt to induce them to inter the bodies has proven unsuccessful. ‘They cultivate 
the soil to some extent, raising corn and beans, but seldom more than they need for their 
own consumption. ‘Their destiny seems tending toward final extinction. 
The most complete and accurate history of the Mandans ever published, is given in the 
excellent work of Prince Neuwied, who spent one winter among them, under the most 
favorable circumstances for obtaining reliable information. His vocabulary is also quite 
full, and he has exhibited the grammatical structure with considerable detail. Catlin, 
also, in his account of the North American Indians, enters quite minutely into their his- 
tory, manners, and customs, which, though highly colored, are, for the most part, correct. 
The notion which he entertained that the Mandans are of Welsh origin has been so 
