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The fize and ornaments of the calumets, which 

 are prefented to perfons of diftinction, on occafions 

 of importance, are not fo particular that we need 

 fearch far for their motives. When men begin to 

 have ever fo little commerce together, or to enter- 

 tain mutual refpect for one another, they are foon 

 accuftomed to have certain regards for one another, 

 chiefly on occafions when pubiick affairs are in agi- 

 tation, or when they want to engage the good -will 

 of thofe with whom they have bufinefs to t ran fact, 

 and hence proceeds the care they take to give a 

 greater magnificence to the prefents they make one 

 another., But it is to the Panis, a nation fettled on 

 the banks of the Miffonri, who extend themfelves a 

 good way towards New Mexico, that it is pretended 

 the Sun gave the calumet. But thefe Indians have 

 probably done like a great many other people, en- 

 deavoured to ennoble by the marvellous, a cuftom 

 of which they were the authors ; and all that can 

 be concluded from this tradition, is, that the Panis 

 paid the Sun a more ancient and diftinguifhed wor- 

 ship than the other nations of that part of the con- 

 tinent of America, and that they were the fir ft who 

 thought of making the calumet a fymbol of alli- 

 ance. In the laft place, if the calumet had been 

 in its inftitution the caduceus of Mercury, it would 

 have only been employed in affairs relating to peace 

 or commerce, whereas it is certain, that it is u fed in 

 treaties that have war for their object. 



Thefe hints, Madam, I thought neceffary, in or- 

 der to give you a perfect knowledge of what relates 

 to the wars of the Indians, about which I mall en- 

 tertain you in my next letters till I have exhaufred 

 the fubject ; at leaft, if they are digreffions, they 

 are not altogether foreign to my defign. Befides, 

 X 2 a 



