UNITED STATES. 



Indiaii Council. 



the extremes of cruelty. 

 When not engaged in war 

 or hunting, they are hstless 

 and indolent. Nothing can 

 excite them but violent 

 emotions. They are vin- 

 dictive above all men, and 

 seldom forget an injury. 

 They are, however, equal- 

 ly mindful of a benefit, 

 and cannot be accused of 

 ingratitude. Many cus- 

 toms pervade all the 

 tribes ; others are local. 

 It is universal to take the 

 scalps of enemies in war, 

 and to smoke the calumet 

 as the sign or ratification 

 of peace. The pipe is 

 with them what salt is 



with the Arabs. They are hospitable, and will share their last morsel with a stranger. The 

 different tribes of nations communicate with each other by a language of signs, which has 

 grown up into a copious system. 



The Ottawas^ Winnebagoes, Jlliamis., Potawatomies, Menomonics., and /owx/s, living near 



the whites, have lost much of their an- 

 cient character. The forest has been 

 thinned of game, and agriculture is not 

 followed with success ; so that the tribes 

 are often in want. The Sacs and Fox- 

 es, the Cliippewas and the Sioux, or 

 Dahcotalis, are composed of numerous 

 tribes, occupying a wide extent. The 

 Sioux are divided into many tribes, and 

 they are a distinct people. They are 

 brave and warlike. Of this race are 

 the several tribes of Yanktons and Te- 

 tons, the Wappatones, the Wahpatoo- 

 tas, the Sisatoons, and the proper Sioux, 

 about the Falls of St. Anthony. The 

 Chippewas have been more described 

 by travelers. They are tall and thin, 

 well formed and active, though not strong ; and distinguished from the Missouri Indians by 

 the absence of the aquiline nose. They are boastful, and consider themselves created for the 

 noblest purposes, and that white men are doomed to trade and manufacture for the use of the 

 Indians ; " As stupid as white men," is a common saying. Chastity is a virtue much es- 

 teemed among them. It is peculiar to them, and a few tribes connected with them, to have 

 totems or figures of objects, as a family or tribal name ; such as deer, swans, &c. They never 

 marry within the same totem, and all who bear the same are considered as relations. Like all 

 Indians they trust in dreams. They have various feasts. They have also tales and songs.* 



Sioux Horseman. 



* The following is an apolotrue. 



" A man from the North, gfray-haired and leanincron his 

 staff, went roving over all countries and climes. Looking 

 round him one day, after having traveled without any in- 

 termission for four moons, he sought a spot on which to 

 recline and rest himself. He had not been long seated be- 

 fore he saw before him a young man, very beautiful in his 

 exterior, with rosy cheeUs, sparkling eyes, and his head 

 crowned with flowers; and from between his Hps he blew 

 a breath that was sweet as the wild mountain flower. Said 

 he old man to him, as he leaned upon his staff, his heard 



reaching low down upon his breast, 'let us repose here 

 awhile and converse a little. But first we will build a 

 fire, and we will bring together much wood, for it will be 

 needed to keep us warm.' The fire was made, and each 

 took his feat by it, and began to converse, each telling tlie 

 other where he came from, and what rirrunistances had 

 befallen them by the way. Presently the voung man felt 

 cold. He looked round him to see what lirid produced the 

 cliange, and pressed his harids acainst his cheeks to keep 

 tliein warm. At this moment the old man spoke, and 

 said. — ' Wiien I wish to cross a river, 1 blow upon it and 



