184 
VIEWS OF LOUISIANA 
the name of Evans, ascended the Missouri, in company with 
Makey, and remained two years in that country; he spoke both 
the ancient and modern Welsh, and addressed himself to every 
nation between that river and New Spain, but found no Welsh¬ 
men. When we reflect upon the difficulties that such a colony 
would have to encounter amidst ferocious savages, is it proba¬ 
ble, that isolated and unassisted, they could have been able to ex¬ 
ist? The history of all the European establishments, inform us, 
that they were opposed by the natives with great ferocity. The 
Welsh would certainly either form considerable establishments, 
or be totally annihilated; to exist in a distinct and separate tribe', 
without preserving any of their arts, and without gaining a supe¬ 
riority over the Indians, but on the contrary adopting their man¬ 
ners, is absolutely impossible. 
Besides the fortifications, there are other remains scattered 
throughout the western country, much more difficult to account 
for, and to which the Welsh can lay no claim It is worthy of 
observation, that all these vestiges invariably occupy the most 
eligible situations for towns or settlements; and on the Ohio 
•and Mississippi, they are most numerous and considerable 
There is not a rising town or a farm of an eligible situation, in 
whose vicinity some of them may not be found. I have heard a 
surveyor of the public lands observe, that Wherever any of these 
remains were met with, he was sure to find ah extensive body 
tif fertile land. An immense population has once been support¬ 
ed in this country. These vestiges may be classed Under three 
different heads—l, the walled towns or fortifications, of which 
have already spoken; 2, barrows, or places of interment; 3', 
mounds or pyramids. 
2. Barrows, such as described by Mr. Jefferson, are extreme* 
ly numerous in every part of the western country. The traces 
©f a village may be always found near them, and they have been 
Used exclusively, as places of interment, at least of deposit for 
the dead. The height is usually eight or ten feet above the sur¬ 
rounding ground, the shape manifesting little or no design.— 
These accumulations may be attributed to the custom prevalent 
Amongst the American tribes, of collecting the bones of such as 
~&xpif$;d at a distance, from their homes, in battle, or otherwise, 
