422 Ex. Doc. No, 41. 



Myrtini 



and cleome integrifolia. The pods of the first mentioned plant are 

 often used for pickles, and the latter plant is one of the most beau- 

 tiful that meets the eye of the prairie traveller, covered as it is 

 with rich clusters of pink flowers. 



To day a number of Cheyennes visited the fort, amongst them 

 were Old Bark, his son "Ah-mah-nah-co," and Yellow Wolf, "O- 

 cum-who-wast." The latter is a man of considerable influence, of 

 enlarged views, and gifted with more foresight than any other man 

 in his tribe. He frequently talks of the diminishing numbers of 

 his people, and the decrease of the once abundant buffalo. He 

 says that in a few years they will become extinct; and unless the 

 Indians wish to pass away also, they will have to adopt the habits 

 of the white people, using such measures to produce subsistence as 

 will render them independent of the precarious reliance afforded 

 by the game. 



He has proposed to the interpreter at Bent's fort, to give him a 

 number of mules, in the proportion of one from every man in. the 

 tribe, if he would build them a structure similar to Bent's fort, 





He 



quish the delights of the chase, and then the old men and squaws 

 might remain at home cultivating the grounds, and be safely secured 

 in their fort from the depredations of hostile tribes. 



The Cheyennes are among the few tribis for whom the United 

 States has not done anything, and they are, among the most deserv- 

 ing of assistance. Of late they appear to be getting discontented 

 with such treatment; they say, '«we have not robbed or stolen from 

 you, and you take no notice of us, nor do you make us any pre- 

 sents, while you are continually doing benefits to the Pawnees, who 

 both kill and rob your people, and who are our enemies." 



A--?-J^^\^ ^^e reputation of conducting themselves well, of tra- 

 ding liberally, and of committing fewer depredations up.on the 



7nn f^j*" ^"^ °*^^^ nation. Seventeen years ago they numbered 

 400 lodges, but they are now reduced to one half that number. 

 Last year they sufi'ered great ravages from the measles and the hoop- 

 ing cough, and what was to them a still greater calamity, they were 

 suliering from hunger, not having seen any buffalo, except now.and 

 then a single bull. This year they did not see any droves, from 

 January, when they were hunting in company with Mr. William 

 k** i crossing of the Arkansas, until the early part of this 

 """"* As the people of the United States have been, and are, the 

 o-- duse of the diminution in the quantity of game, \)y continu- 

 ally travelling through the country, by multiplying roads, and thus 

 destroying the quiet ranges where the animals breed; by killing 

 many of them, and by the immense numbers that they induce the 

 Indians to destroy for their robes, it seems but fair that the United 

 states should assist these Cheyennes. At this moment .a very 

 oenehcial influence-might be exerted upon them, as they have their 

 minds now full of this plan of O-cum-who-wast's, of forming per- 



month. 



