CHAPTER I. 
Remarks regarding the localities , numbers , modes of subsistence , <&c., of various tribes 
upon the route. 
Op all the collateral branches to which our attention was directed by instructions from the 
department, the one now under consideration seems the most remotely connected with the main 
object of the exploration. Nevertheless, a knowledge of the inhabitants of the various dis¬ 
tricts traversed, and their usual mode of subsistence, whether by agriculture, by hunting, by 
gathering wild fruits and roots, or by plunder of neighboring countries, will tend to elucidate 
many facts regarding the characteristics and resources of that region, which our hasty recon¬ 
naissance could not determine more directly. Besides, a comparison of the various tribes within 
our borders, showing the effect produced upon each by the policy heretofore adopted by the 
government, may be useful in determining the course to be pursued towards them in future. 
In our dealings with this race, it is necessary to understand the peculiarities of their character, 
and the motives that govern their actions. If it be found that they construe gifts received 
from agents of the government as tribute paid from fear of their depredations upon emigrants 
and settlers, that mode of dispensing favors will have to be discontinued. If pride appear to 
be one of their characteristic traits, care must be taken not to trample upon it. If they pos¬ 
sess manliness of spirit, are sensitive to expressions of contempt, and are grateful for consider¬ 
ate kindness bestowed, our mode of intercourse should be regulated accordingly. If it should 
be proved that those tribes, whom we have fostered for years with uniform consideration and 
substantial benefits, have considerably progressed in civilization, we shall be encouraged, for 
the sake of humanity, to extend the system which has produced such gratifying results ; and, 
if this can be done at less cost to the national treasury than is required to chastise their aggres¬ 
sions, or to govern them by the fear of a military force, another inducement will urge on the 
benevolent work of enlightening this remnant of a numerous race. Many thousands of 
benighted beings now exist under our government without realizing its benefits. When this 
fact can be faithfully presented to the American people, much of the sympathy now bestowed 
upon negroes will be turned toward the Indians, who have none of the religious privileges, 
nor experience the careful protection, that the African enjoys. The aborigines are, upon every 
side, hemmed in by descendants of a foreign race. Year by year their fertile valleys are appro¬ 
priated by others, their hunting-grounds invaded, and they themselves driven to narrower and 
more barren districts. The time is now arrived when we must decide whether the3 r are to be 
exterminated: if not, the powerful arm of the law must be extended over them, to secure their 
right to the soil they occupy ; to protect them from aggression ; to afford facilities and aid in 
acquiring the arts of civilization, and the knowledge and humanizing influences of Christi¬ 
anity. 
The material collected, and briefly presented in the following pages, is not as full and precise 
as could be desired. We passed through the territory of the lvaiowas and Comanches when 
