220 Notice of the Mallecble Irow of Lovisiana. 
on the territory of the Hietans, by one of the Pawnees. The 
mineral could not have been discovered long antecedent to 
that time, as Capt. Glass saw the Indian who claimed the 
honour of the discovery. Capt. G. and several of his par- 
ty went, in company with some Hietans and Pawnees, and 
saw the mass in situ. He does not mention whether the 
natives entertained any particular opinions respecting its 
origin: they however, regarded it with much veneration, 
and ascribed to it singular powers in the cure of diseases. 
They informed him that they knew of two other smaller. 
pieces, the one about thirty, the other about fifty miies dis- 
tant.* ais a 
This intelligence, announced on the return of Captain 
Glass, excited no little curiosity ; and confident hopes pre- 
v: iled that the mineral would prove to be platina, or some- 
thing else of much value. wr 
In 1810, two rival parties were made up for the purpose 
of obtaining this metal—one at Nitchitoches,] consisting of 
-George Schamp, who had been with Capt. Glass, and nine 
associates—the other at Nacogdoches, consisting of John 
Davis, who also had been with Capt. G. and eight or ten 
associates. 
The Nacogdoches party first arrived at the place of des- 
tination; but, having in their burry to anticipate the rival 
party, made no preparations for carrying away the metal, 
they hid it undera flat stone, and went away to procure 
wheels and draught-horses. 
The Natchitoches party arrived a few days afterwards, 
and after searching several days succeeded in finding their 
object. Being provided with tools they made a truck- 
wagegon to which they harnessed six horses, and set off with 
their prize towards the Red River. They crossed the 
Brassos without much difficulty 5 but, a straggling party of 
Indians having one night stolen all their horses, they were 
detained until two of their party could go to Natchitoches 
for more horses. On arriving at the Red River, some of 
*MS.“Journal ofa Tour from Nackitosh into the interior of Louisiana, on 
the waters of Red River, Trinity, Brassos, Colerado, and the Sabine, per- 
formed between the first of July, 1808, and May 1809, hy Capt. ANTHO- 
wy Guass, of the Territory of Mississippi.’’—-M.S pp. 28. 
+ It isscarcely necessary to add, that no person, acquainted with miner- 
alogy, could have expected it to be platina, or any other precious metal. 
{ Pronounced Nackitosh. 
