366 Expedition to the 



ders, frequently robbing them of their goods, but since the 

 establishment of the upper posts on the Missouri, they have 

 become very friendly. They are at war with most of the 

 other tribes and nations herein enumerated, except the Osa- 

 ges and Otoes, with the last of whom they have lately made 

 peace, through the agency of Major O'Fallon, Indian agent 

 for the Missouri. Several Indians of the Missouri tribe re- 

 side with them. 



The Osages are divided into three bands or tribes, called 

 the Grand Osage, the Little Osage, and Clermo's band. 

 The two former of which reside in permanent villages, situ- 

 ated on the head waters of Osage river, and the last, upon 

 the Verdigris, about sixty miles from its confluence with the 

 Arkansa. According to Pike, whose estimate of their num- 

 bers is probably near the truth, the Grand Osages amount to 

 one thousand six hundred and ninety -five. The Little Osages 

 to eight hundred and twenty-four, and Clermo's band to fif- 

 teen hundred souls, making an aggregate of about four thou- 

 sand. These Indians are not accounted brave by those in- 

 habiting the country to the north and east of them, but are 

 the dread of those west and south of them. Although they 

 have occasionally been chargeable with depredations committed 

 against the whites, they have been provoked to the perpetra- 

 tion of them, by aggressions or trespasses on the part of the 

 latter, or else the depredations have been committed by mal- 

 contents of the nation, who will not be governed by the council 

 of their chiefs. These Indians hold the people and government 

 of the United States inthe highest estimation, and have repeat- 

 edly signified their strong desire, to be instructed by them in 

 the arts of ci\ ilization. The United States have purchased from 

 them large and valuable tracts of country for mere trifles, — 

 which the Osages have been the more willing to relinquish, 

 under the prospect and encouragement given them, that the 

 Americans would become their neighbours and instructors. 

 They are in a st.ste of warfare with all the surrounding tribes 

 and nations of Indians, except the Konzas. It is said that 

 they are about forming an alliance with the Sauk and Fox 

 Indians of the Mississippi, and that the latter are preparing 

 to remove to their country. Thev have recently driven the 

 Pawnees of Red river from their place of residence, and 

 compelled them to seek an abode upon the head waters either 

 of the Brassis or Colorado. 



The Konzas atvl Osages, are descendants from the same com- 

 mon origin, with the Otoes, Missouris, laways, Omawhaws, 



