UNITED STATES. 



131 



a Dahcotah, a Chippeway, a Winnebago, &c. can readily distinguish the tribe by the individual. 

 The Indians in the territories of the United States are divided into several great families. The 

 Algonquin or Chippeway race is widely spread ; all the tribes of New England had identity 

 of language and customs with this. The Delaware race, or the Lenni-Lenape, the Kniste- 

 neaux or Crees, and the Sacs and Foxes are of the same great family. The Iroquois or 

 Six Nations, Wyandots, &,c., form a distinct race. The Sioux or Dahcotah is another great In- 

 dian race. Their language is radically different from that of the Algonquin family. The branches 

 of this tribe are the AVinnebagoes, Otoes, loways, Missouries, Assiniboins, Omawhaws, Kansas, 

 and Osages. The Assiniboins are sometimes called the Stone Indians, and they have but re- 

 cently seceded from the Dahcotah stock. All these tribes speak dialects of the Dahcotah tongue. 



Tlie Winnebagoes are very jealous of the whites, and have little intercourse with them. 

 They permit no persons to come among them vi'ithout understanding their motives. They are 

 remarkably provident, and cultivate corn, potatoes, pumpkins, squashes, and beans. Their 

 number is considerably on the increase. 



There are, besides these tribes, others of less note, on this side the Rocky Mountains, but 

 they are not powerful or peculiar. In all there are perhaps several hundred tribes of separate 

 names. The Indian population is decreasing, as the wild animals diminish. The small pox 



has at times heretofore, as well as recently, mane extensive rav- 

 ages ; and want and exposure carry off many of the natives. They 

 often live in a state of profusion, or of want, dependent on accident 

 for food, and many of them yearly die of famine. In times of 

 scarcity the old and helpless are left to perish. The articles of 

 dress are nearly the same, though there is considerable difference in 

 shape. They consist in moccasins, leagins, trowsers, cloth, or 

 dressed skin, tied around the middle, and a blanket, when it can be 

 had. In winter, furs constitute a part of the dress ; and near the 

 trading ports it is of various cloths. 



In describing the Indian manners and customs, the nature of the 

 subject precludes minute accuracy. Generally speaking, all the tribes 

 between the Alleghanies and the Rocky Riountains are active and 

 supple, but not so strong as the whites. They live, many of them, 

 in a state of warfare. Questions of war, as all others of general 

 importance, are decided in assemblies of the tribe, which are held 

 with a gravity and deliberation unknown in other political assemblies. 

 The most perfect attention is paid to a member while he is speak- 

 ing, and a difference of opinion is calmly expressed. The chiefs 

 are generally chosen from their ascendency in war or council. The 

 Indian speeches contain a natural and figurative eloquence that has 

 been much admired. Even their diplomacy is figurative, and at the 

 close of a war, when reconciled, they " bury the hatchet and plant 

 the tree of peace." In their treaties and talks with the agents of 

 the United States, the President is slyled, ^\i^h somewhat loo great 

 a license of speech, their " Great Father." 



The gravity of the Indians is imperturbable, and they are equally 

 distinguished for taciturnity. They are seldom gay. Men arc 

 ashamed to express emotion, but women among them give way, on 

 the loss of friends, to every exj)ression of grief, tearing their hair, 

 &c. Hospitality is ever to be found in huts and tents, and it is one 

 of the most distinguishing traits of the Indians. They cany it, in- 

 deed, somewhat further than propriety warrants. It offends them if 

 the stranger refuses to partake of the food they prepare for him. 

 Though the Indians have much hospitality for a stranger, they have little mercy for a captive. 

 Some few are adopted in tribes, but rnany are tortured, and killed with every device of bar- 

 barity. The religion of the tribes generally includes a belief in a Supreme Being, and somt 

 notion of another existence hereafter. They believe also in sorcery, and the " medicine 

 men " or jugglers and pri sts have a consideration little inferior to that of the chiefs. The 

 most general diseases seem to be rheumatic, and they are principally cured by the vapor bath^ 

 in which the Indians indulge both for health and pleasure. These baths are very smal' m • 



Indian Warrior. 



Indian in full Dress. 



