YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

rev. pieree-jean de smet, s. j.

LIFE, LETTERS AND TRAVELS
OF
Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, S. J.
1801-1873

Missionary Labors and Adventures among the Wild Tribes of the
North American Indians, Embracing Minute Description of Their
Manners, Custoims, Games, Modes of Warfare and Torture,
Legends, Tradition, etc.. All from Personal Observations
Made during Many Thousand Miles of Travel,
with Sketches of the Country from St. Louis
to Puget Sound and the Altrabasca

Edited from the original unpublished manuscript Journals
and Letter Boohs and from his Printed Works with
Historical, Geographical, Ethnological and other Notes;
.Also a Life of Father De Smet

MAP AND ILLUSTBATIONS

HIRAM MARTIN CHITTENDEN
Major, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A,
AND
ALFRED TALBOT RICHARDSON

FOUR VOLUMES
VOL. IV

NEW YORK
FRANCIS P, HARPER
1905

Copyright, 1904,
BY
FRANCIS P. HARPER
All rights reserved

CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV.
CHAPTER XIV.
PAGI.
Miscellaneous Letters Relating to the Indians , , 1213-1227
PART VIII,
MISSIONARY WORK AMONG THE INDIANS.
CHAPTER L
The Flathead and other Missions  1228-1249
CHAPTER II,
Letters from the Resident Missionaries .... 1250-1261
CHAPTER III.
Tributes to the Flatheads and other Tribes . , , 1262- 1278
CHAPTER IV,
Plans for a Sioux Mission  1279-1304
CHAPTER V,
Miscellaneous Missionary Notes  I30S-I344
PART IX.
MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS.
CHAPTER I.
Notes on the Western Country  I34S-I3S4
CHAPTER II.
The Missouri River  13SS-1387
[V]

VI CONTENTS,
CHAPTER III. PAGE.
Fauna and Flora  1388-1401
CHAPTER IV.
The Mormons  1402-1415
CHAPTER V,
Indian Anecdotes  1416-1420
CHAPTER VI.
Observations upon America  1421-1450
CHAPTER VIL
Religious Persecution  1451-1462
CHAPTER VIII.
Unclassified Letters, Largely Personal . . , , 1463-1548
CHAPTER IX.
Selected Letters Received  IS49-IS9I
CHAPTER X.
Funeral Oration on Father De Smet . . , , 1592-1600

CHAPTER XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS RELATING TO THE INDIANS,
Difficulties in the way of missionary work — Deaths of baptized chil
dren — Polygamy and drink — Thanks an informant — The Grattan
Massacre — Indians must be industrious and rely on Providence —
Testimonials to the mountain tribes.
SEE more plainly every day that a good store of virtue
is required, and the assistance of many prayers, to over
come the difficulties and obstacles -which seem to multiply
w^ith our efforts to advance the greater glory of God. The
demon does not sleep, and seeing that some portion of his
prey is escaping him, " tanquam leo rugiens circuit, qucerens
quern devoret." He employs all his snares and ruses to at
tach his devotees to their infamous debauches, and to the
grossest superstitions. If a baptized child dies, the medi
cine men, true ministers of Satan, put the -whole village in
uproar to make us the cause of its death. " It is the medi
cine (the -water of baptism) that they poured on his fore
head ; it is the medal or cross that they have hung around
his neck, and nothing else, that have caused his death."
By such speeches they increase the fears of these poor
people. Marriage also, which hampers them, and the prevalent
practice of polygamy, form powerful obstacles to their con
version. The Indian is naturally light and inconstant ; con
sequently to attach himself for life to a woman, and have
but the one, seems to him impossible and insupportable.
I should explain further that marriage is a species of specu
lation with them; a father who has several daughters is
rich among the Indians, for he can sell them for one, two
1 Extract from a letter (in French) to the Father- General (in 1839?).
[1213]

12 14 VAGABOND AMERICANS AND LIQUOR,
or three horses each. Frequently, after they have followed
and relished our instructions for a long time, as soon as we
touch upon this article they go away, like the disciples of
the Lord, saying, " Burns est hie sermo, et quis potest eum
audire? " and we have the grief of seeing persons escape us,
who, in all other respects, were giving us great hopes,
A still greater obstacle, and one which will, I fear, end in
the total ruin of the nation, is drink; which brings in its
train war, famine and pestilence, all together. The country
is overrun by vagabond Americans; and the Government,
which alone could put a stop to this abominable traffic, in
spite of the severity of its laws, pays no attention to the
matter. The Potawatomies, by their treaty with the Gov
ernment, receive $50,000 per annum; this payment having
been omitted last year, they received double in 1839. Such
a sum, well placed, would procure for the savages victuals
and goods in abundance, and would render them happy in
regard to temporal things. But alas! all this money goes
for liquor. As long as it lasts they neither work nor hunt :
and they now have enough to keep them going from New-
Year's day to the end of December. They quarrel and
fight from morning to night ; their bodies become veritable
furnaces, full of foul humors, which cause them all sorts
of maladies. Their love for liquor is really inconceivable;
one must see it to be able to form any idea of the thing.
It is a regular tarantula to them ; as soon as they are bitten
by it, all their blood flames in their veins, and they are
crazy for more. If they get it, " More, more ! " is their
war-cry, until, as the flame consumes them, they fall over,
drunk, like animals. And when the fumes of drink evapo
rate from their brains, their first and only cry is " Whisky !
whisky ! whisky 1 " as if it was a matter of life and death.
While they are drunk, their passions control them abso
lutely. At first they are moved to joyous songs, but these
are soon succeeded by yells and roars. Disputes and quar
rels follow, and then the knives, lances and tomahawks
come out, and murders finally crown their abominable or-

INDIANS DRUNK AND SOBER, I215
gies, A great many are dead already, and others are hor
ribly mutilated. The other day I counted nine bitten-off
noses in a single group of Indians. In their rage, this
little member is the principal object of their attack; and a
drunken Indian who deprives a comrade of his nose, boasts
of it as much as a brave soldier of having carried off a flag
from the enemy. When they are sober, no one would rec
ognize them; they are mild, civil, quiet and attentive; but
there is no safety in the presence of a drunken savage.
Several times already our lives have been in the greatest
danger; but fortunately by gentle and moderate words we
have managed to appease the rage of these barbarous
drunkards, who were breathing only blood.

Sept, 30, 1852,
Mr, Denig, Fort Union:
My Dear Friend. — At my return home this evening, I
found a card in the parlor with the well-known name of
our good friend Mr. Culbertson, and understood at the same
time that he is to leave on to-morrow for the Upper Missouri.
I cannot let him start without charging him with a few lines
for you. I do not know how to express my gratitude for
your very interesting series of narratives concerning the
aborigines of the Far West. A thousand thanks are due
to your precious and valuable labor and are hereby given,
though language fails to express the feeling which a treasure
like your pages has awakened within my breast. Nothing
could be more gratifying to me than the beautiful and
graphic details which you have given me of the religion,
manners, customs and transactions of an unfortunate race
of human beings, toward the amelioration of whose sad
condition I have in some measure contributed and am still
anxious to contribute whatever I possibly can. Please read
these sublined words to the Crazy Bear, whose speech has
wonderfully pleased me and whose petition, were it to de-

12 16 A FIRST-HAND INVESTIGATOR.
pend on me, I would most assuredly grant. Explain this
well to him. By the next steamer he shall hear from me,
and I shall send him the words of the big Black-robe (the
Bishop), for I have forwarded a copy of his speech to him.
The lot of the Indian; his severance from the hallowed
influences of Christian civilization ; his profound ignorance,
only exceeded by his grosser superstitions; the deep and
often unmerited contempt, into which prejudice has thrown
him; all call upon the humane and philanthropic to do for
him what ordinary charity requires of man.
In telling his tale in unvarnished colors to the unknow
ing world by delineating his character and by painting the
scenes with which he is habitually surrounded, you, dear
friend, will soften into sympathy the public heart and stimu
late it to active exertion for bettering his future situation;
and you will further awaken an interest in the circumstances
and events which surround the posts, plains and wigwams
of the Indians,
Think that your researches can be spent most profitably
to the Indian and most agreeably to me. Show me this
acknowledgment, for your beautiful manuscript tells me
that I may claim a large share in your friendship and re
membrance, and for which I feel truly grateful to you. You
are filling up the broken, but important, history of a race of
men whose career, I deem, is well nigh run on this conti
nent, but whose character, deeds and fate will increase in
interest as generations descend the stream of time. We
shall soon look in vain for the survivors of a once fierce
and dreaded people, but shall find them again on the his
toric page which you and others shall have helped to swell
with faithful accounts of their savage life, rude customs
and untutored manners. I have read the present series
with absorbing attention and growing interest. My imag
ination has often carried me back to scenes long familiar
to my experience and to others of a general and kindred
nature which your pen has so well portrayed, in your valu
able descriptions of their religious opinions, of their great

the GRATTAN MASSACRE, 12 17
buffalo hunt, their war expeditions, and in the histories of
old Gauche and of the family of Gros Frangois,
********* Mr, Culbertson will bring you all the news of the civil
ized world and a little remembrance from me, consisting
of a couple of good razors and penknife.
Believe me to be, etc.

The Grattan Massacre.
Bardstown, Ky., April 17, 1855,
My very DEAR GUSTAVE AND Marie :
I have received your good letter of the 4th of October last
in response to mine of September 12th, Thank you for it
most sincerely, I cannot express to you how much good
your letters, going into such details and so full of family
news, do me. I shall keep them most carefully ; I find only
one fault with them — their dates are rather too far apart ;
let them be closer together, and I promise you, dear friends,
to make it up to you, I rejoiced at the announcement of
the birth of your first-born and I implore the Lord daily to
keep him for you, for your mutual happiness and the con
solation of your dear parents on both sides.
I told you in my last letter that I proposed to return to
the desert in the course of this spring. That was sincerely
my desire and I regret that serious difficulties have come up
which compel me to put off my visits to the savages to more
favorable times and circumstances. For you must know,
that the grand and glorious Republic is going to appear
on the stage of the great Indian desert to give a representa
tion of the lovely fable of La Fontaine (always old and al
ways new) of the Wolf and the Lamb, The moral is,
" The wicked and the strong always find plenty of pretexts\
to oppress the innocent and the weak; and when they lack
77

12 18 A WOLF, A LAMB AND A COW.
good reasons they have recourse to lies and calumnies,"
An unpardonable offense, it appears, has been committed
in the eyes of our civilized people* by the Indians, They
had repaired, to the number of 2,000, to the appointed
spot at the time fixed by the Government agent to receive
their annuities and presents. They waited several days
for the commissioner to arrive and in the meantime they ran
out of provisions. Then- a Mormon wagon-train, on its
way to the Territory of Utah, came peaceably by the Indian
camp. One of the party was dragging after him a lame
cow hardly able to walk. A famished savage, out of pity
for his wife and children, and perhaps, also, from com
passion for the suffering animal, killed the cow and offered
the Mormon double value for it in a horse or a mule.
Such an act with such an offer under such circumstances
passes for very honest, very fair and very polite, in a wild
country. Still the Mormon refused the proffered exchange
and went and filed a complaint with the commandant of
Fort Laramie, which is in the neighborhood. Like the wolf
who leaped upon the lamb to devour it, crying : " I know
very well that you all hate me, and you shall pay for the
rest," the illustrious commandant straightway sent out a
young officer with twenty soldiers ai^med to the teeth and
with a cannon loaded with grapeshot. He was absolutely
determined to capture the so-called robber and make an
example of him. The savages were astonished at the men
acing turn that the affair of the cow, so frivolously begun,
had taken; they begged the officer to take one, two, three
horses in exchange, a hundred times the value of the cow,
if necessar)'. They wished at any price to " bury " the af
fair, as they express it; that is to arrange it peaceably and
quietly, but without giving up to him their brother, innocent
according to their code. The officer was inflexible, refused
all offers ; he must absolutely have his prisoner ; and when
the latter did not appear, he fired his cannon into the midst
of the savages. The head chief, whom I knew well, the
noblest heart of his nation, fell mortally wounded and a

FRESH WAR OF EXTERMINATION, 12 19
number of his braves beside him. At this unexpected mas
sacre the Indians sprang to arms; and letting fly hundreds
of arrows from all sides they instantly annihilated the ag
gressors and provocators. Will you in Europe believe this
tale of a cow? And yet such is the origin of a fresh war
of extermination upon the Indians which is to be carried out
in the course of the present year. An army of 3,000 to
4,000 men is being got ready in Missouri at this mo
ment to penetrate into the desert. A very large number of
whites will lose their lives without a doubt, but in the end
the savages will have to yield, for they are without fire-arms,
without powder and lead and without provisions.*
Since the discovery of America a system of extermination,
of moving the Indians, thrusting them farther back, has
been pursued and practiced by the whites, little by little, at
first — more and more as the European settlers multiplied
and gained strength. At this day this same policy is march
ing with giant strides ; the drama of spoliation has reached
its last act, both east and west of the Rocky Mountains,
The curtain will soon fall upon the poor and unhappy rem
nants of the Indian tribes, and they will henceforth exist
only in history. The whites are spreading like torrents over
* This is what is known as the Grattan Massacre, from the name of
the officer in charge of the detachment sent after the thief. There is
no doubt that the Indians were already in bad temper over their gen
eral situation before this incident occurred, and that it required but
little provocation to make trouble. But the unfortunate affair could
probably have been prevented if the commanding officer at Fort
Laramie had understood the gravity of his action and had sent an
officer of sound judgment and experience. The conduct of Lieutenant
Grattan showed him to be lacking in both these qualities. The massacre
took place August 19, 1854.
A little over a year later, September 3, 1855, General Harney, who
had been sent out with a military force to punish these Indians, met
them in battle on the north shore of the north fork of the Platte op
posite the place known on the Oregon Trail as Ash Hollow. The In
dians were completely defeated. General Harney then went overland
to Fort Pierre where he succeeded in bringing about a general pacifica
tion of the tribes.

I220 HUNDREDS OF TRIBES HAVE DISAPPEARED,
all California and the Territories of Washington, Utah and
Oregon; over the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa,
Texas, and New Mexico, and latterly over Kansas and
Nebraska, which have just been incorporated into the great
American confederation. At a very recent epoch, within
my own knowledge, all these first-named States and Terri
tories were occupied by Indian nations, and just as fast as the
whites settle and multiply there the natives disappear and
seem to fade away. To-day the very names are hardly
known of hundreds of tribes that have entirely disappeared.
The immense regions that I have just named contain sev
eral million square miles of land. The Territories of Kansas
and Nebraska alone are forty times as large as all Belgium,
When I began this letter I had no idea of saying so much
about the savages, which can be of very little interest to you,
I speak, no doubt, from the abundance of my heart — it is
my favorite subject — and most willingly would I conse
crate the remnant of my days to their spiritual and tem
poral happiness, I recommend them most urgently to your
good prayers.

St, Louis University, September 7, 1868,
Dear Colonel:
Your kind and most welcome favor of the 8th ultimo
was received yesterday and has afforded me a great deal of
pleasure and consolation to be remembered by you. Major
Galpin called thrice on me during his stay in St, Louis, He
kept very busy all the time, I occasionally visited his wife
and children at the hotel. They enjoyed good health but
seemed to prefer Fort Rice. The major gave me all the
news from Fort Rice and mentioned you often, I intro
duced him to General Sherman with whom he had long
conversations. He met General Harney at the Southern
Hotel, I did not see the major before his departure from

WANT OF BUFFALO ALREADY FELT, 122 1
St, Louis, and was informed by Captain Haney that he
was hurried off to Sioux City, by a telegram from Harney.
I recommended the major in strong terms to both gener
als, I hope he has found some honorable employment and
in accordance with his wishes. His long experience among
the Indians might make him a very efficient man, and
with the co-operation of his good wife, he might render
great service to the Indians, particularly the hostiles, under
the existing circumstances. It is my candid opinion that
he may be very favorably employed and to very good pur
pose, by the commissioners and the commanding officers
at the various upper posts on the Missouri.
The news you give me from my adopted brother Two
Bears, truly affects me and I am sorry to hear of the dis
tress and sufferings of his people. The advice you have
given him is the only true one. His actual trials should
not make him despond and omit his prayers. He should
rather redouble in fervor and pray oftener, doing all the
good he can among his own people, to keep them in the
straight path. Trials received with patience and resigna
tion will render us more pleasing in the sight of the Great
Spirit and more worthy of receiving his favors and assist
ance, whereas murmurs make things often worse than
before. As you so well advised him, he should continue
to pray, be industrious in hunting, fishing and digging
roots. He must, meanwhile, rely on the kind providence
of the Lord, on whom our dependence must rest altogether,
I join him daily in my poor supplications to God.
What I have foreseen for several years past is now ap
proaching. The buffalo are fast disappearing from the
country and their time is well-nigh spent. Their want is
already severely felt. Under these trying circumstances,
the Great Spirit has moved the heart of their Great Father,
the President, to lend his red children a fatherly hand in
their actual sufferings. They must avail themselves eam-
nestly of the opportunity he offers and follow the advice
given them by the commissioners. They must set to work

1222 WAR A PROFITABLE INDUSTRY,
in due season in the cultivation of the soil and the raising
of domestic cattle and animals. Under the providence of
God, it is to be hoped that their labors will prove successful
in time, and before long their children may live in compara
tive abundance, by the labor of their own hands. Our great
maxim in all things must be : "To do what we can, to ask
God's blessing in what we cannot, and if we are deserving,
the Lord will help us in our need," He commands us to
" ask " and promises " we shall receive." All this, of
course, is intended for my friend Two Bears. I hope Frank
will make him understand it well. He may add that the
actual want the Lord permits may be a warning to his
red children to make strong exertions and efforts to suc
ceed in the new life they are about entering. I place great
confidence in my brother and friend Two Bears, He will
tell his people, particularly the chiefs and orators, not to
despond, to have courage and hope in the future. Industry
and perseverance must crown their efforts, I remain truly
attached to my red children of the upper country. The
summer has been very severe and long, I have suffered
much, and though it is much cooler at present, I still con
tinue to feel the effects of the previous heat. Should my
health permit, I intend to return to the upper country in
the course of next spring, I have received some encour
agement for the erection of a mission among the Sioux and
I sincerely hope that it may be realized.
From the news I read yesterday, in the Missouri Re
public, the Sioux on the waters of the Platte and its tribu
taries have refused to join the Cheyennes and Arapahos
in the new depredations and murders. I have been assured,
on good authority, that reckless endeavors are made in the
new western settlements to continue the war with the In
dians. " It brings them money in abundance, and they are
determined to have it !"
A letter from you, dear Colonel, will be always most
welcome. Please present my best respects to the officers
of Fort Rice.

INVITATION TO A NEW YORK CONFERENCE, I223
St, Louis University, May, 1870,
Honorable Sir:^
I received your favor of the 27th ultimo. Permit me
to express to you my sincere thanks for the kind senti
ments you entertain in my regard and which I shall ever
gratefully remember. You reiterate to me the invitation,
in the name of the " Honorable Committee of the United
States Indian Commission " to assist at your meetings in
New York on the i8th instant. Even apart from the
great honor yoti are pleased to confer on me, nothing could
be more pleasing to my personal feelings than to be ad
mitted in the presence and at the deliberations of the most
highly esteemed gentlemen of the country to whom the
administration has confided in its wisdom the important
Indian question as to the future welfare of the remaining
Indian tribes. I stated in my previous letter that my health
is rather declining, and must add that my hearing, par
ticularly, is failing fast and makes my presence in meet
ings rather unpleasant. Besides, the invitations I have
received from the Upper Sioux Indians and the promises
I have made to thera, if in my power to comply -with their
requests, make me humbly decline your very kind and hon
orable invitation, for which please receive again my sin
cere and heartfelt thanks.
You do me the honor to ask me some account as to my
personal experience among the Indians and my conviction
as to their capacity for civilization and receiving religious
instruction, etc. Though pressed for time, I take great
pleasure in reviewing some of my early experience among
the Indian tribes, accompanied with a few simple illustra
tive occurrences, showing the Indian character in its primi
tive nature where it had remained uncontaminated by the
contact of vicious whites.
You allude in your letter to the anecdote I related to the
honorable commissioners at Fort Leavenworth (1868) to
* Letter to Hon, S. F. Tappan,

1224 STORY OF THE CHAPEL TRUNK,
wit : to the chapel trunk I had left among the Rocky Moun
tain tribes at my departure from them, as an assurance of
my promise to return to the mountains. For nearly a year
they had carried it with the greatest care in all their expe
ditions and returned it to me intact and in the best state
of preservation, I may here add a short statement of what
occasioned my visit to these Indians, The Rocky Moun
tain tribes, Flatheads, Kalispels, Cceur d'Alenes, Kootenais
and others had heard of the Savior and of his holy laws
to mankind, by means of a few Christian Iroquois from
Canada who had come to the mountains as engages of the
Hudson Bay Company, and who had finally settled among
the above tribes. They had aroused the minds of the
mountain Indians with a religious feeling to which they had
been hitherto strangers, and in a council they resolved to
send a deputation to St, Louis of some of their wisest men,
to obtain Black-robes (priests) from the Bishop, I always
looked upon it as a particular favor to have been appointed
to accompany this deputation and with pleasure I can bear
witness, that during the long and tedious traveling at that
time (1840) their conduct toward me was one continued
act of kindness and of attention.
After some two or three months' travel to the appointed
rendezvous in the plains of the Green river, we met great
numbers of the above-mentioned tribes who had come hun
dreds of miles from their habitual hunting grounds to meet
us and welcome us to their country. Their kindness, at
tention and zeal exceeded my expectations. From the very
start of my missionary operations they listened with the
utmost anxiety and earnestness to the holy word of God
and put in practice immediately what they were made to
understand. In this first visit I remained with the Indians
about three months. They daily attended at the morning
and evening prayers and instructions, which holy practice,
as I learn, has never been discontinued among them. They
keep the Lord's day in the highest veneration. As soon as
it became practicable they abandoned polygamy and with-

INTEGRITY OF THE KOOTENAIS, I225
out the least ill will or trouble, I always remarked great
love and attachment of the parents toward their children,
great regard for each other, for quarrels were of the rarest
occurrence and no stranger could come amongst them with
out meeting with a kind reception and finding hospitality.
They were strictly honest toward one another and likewise
toward strangers. Even any object found was carefully
remitted to the chief, who proclaimed it aloud at the camp
ing place to return it to the owner. My mission-house was
of necessity often left alone, but nothing was ever missed.
My friends, the Kootenais, had a trading post on their
lands provided with goods for their use. The trader (Mr.
Berton) was sometimes absent for weeks or months. The
Indians went in and served themselves according to their
wants ; replaced in furs and skins for the goods taken out ;
and upon the testimony of the trader (I use his words),
" his confidence in their honesty was never abused," Their
moral conduct was admirable and commendable. Every at
tempt at seduction, either by young men or by adults, was
punished with a severe flogging. During my several years'
intercourse and experience with these mountain Indians, I
never heard of an adulterer.
I had an adopted Indian brother, named Moses, sur
named The Brave of the Braves. His exemplary conduct
took pace with his renowned bravery and he was generally
looked up to and esteemed. I was with him when he called
upon the chief who had just performed his duty after his
morning prayer and as justice of peace in flogging a guilty
young Nez Perce, who had recently arrived amongst them
and was ignorant of their laws and customs. Moses took
off his buffalo robe, exposed his bare back, shook hands with
the judge, and stipulated, himself, to receive twenty-five
well-laid-down lashes. I here interposed and inquired into
the motive and cause of his action. He answered me with
a smile, equally admirable for his simplicity and sincerity:
" Father, the Nez Perce here present was whipped because
he talked foolishly to a girl. My thoughts are sometimes

1226 BROTHER MOSES DISCIPLINES HIS THOUGHTS,
bewildering and vexing and I have prayed to drive them
from my mind and heart," I consoled him with a few
words of advice and encouraged him to persevere manfully
in the service of the Great Spirit, who would have pity on
him and help him in his tribulations, and he was not
flogged. As to agriculture and other manual-labor work, it was
easily introduced amongst them and they set joyfully to
work as far as the few plows and other instruments we
had would allow them. Each family had its field of weed
[wheat?] and its garden of vegetables. Each mission was
provided with a mill and carpenter and blacksmith shops,
I might here adduce many more characteristic traits of
the mountain Indians. I shall rejoice if I have not ex
ceeded the limit of my letter and if, in any way, I have
come up to your intention and expectation in these some
what hurriedly written pages. Please accept my good will
in what I have the honor to address to you, with my best
wishes and prayers in the deliberations you are about to
assume for the welfare of the Indian tribes.
Permit me to add the following testimonies, confirming
what I have said of the religious dispositions of the moun
tain Indians, In the Explorations and Surveys (of Gov
ernor Stevens) for a Railroad from the Mississippi River
to the Pacific Ocean, Vol. i, page 308, Captain John Mullan,
of said expedition, writes, September 14, 1853 : " When the
guide and myself had reached their camp (Flathead) three
or four men met us at the entrance and invited us to enter
the lodge of their chief. They very kindly took care of
our horses, unsaddling and watering them. As soon as the
camp had heard of the arrival of a white man among them,
the principal men of the tribe congregated in the lodge of
the chief. When they had all assembled, by a signal from
their chief they offered up a prayer. This astonished me,
it was something for which I had not been prepared.
Every one was upon his knees, and in the most solemn and
reverential manner offered up a prayer to God. For a

SOME PUBLIC TESTIMONIALS, I227
moment I asked myself, was I among Indians? Was I
among those termed by every one savages? I could
scarcely realize it. To think that these men should be thus
imbued, and so deeply too, with the principles of religion,
was to me overwhelming,"
From the late (1869) Report of the Commissioners of
Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior I take an
extract from McConley's letter, U, S. Indian Agent, page
254, speaking of the Flatheads and Pend d'Oreilles, says :
" These people possess strong religious feelings as the well-
filled and commodious church of the Reverend Fathers of
St, Ignatius' Mission on every Sabbath testifies. The mis
sionary labors of the Reverend Fathers have not been in
vain, for many of them are exemplary Christians. I may
here remark that the labors of the Reverend Fathers have
been very arduous and difficult. Poor and unaided, they
have established their mission, built their church and school,
arid maintained themselves solely by their own exertion.
Not only this, but they have been, at the same time, priest,
physician and benefactor to these tribes. * * * Still
more, in conjunction with the noble Sisters of Charity they
educate, clothe and feed the orphans of these tribes with
out fee or reward. * * * Without their aid and in
fluence, the wrongs inflicted upon these people would long
since have driven them to war."
I give the above extract of McConley to draw your at
tention to these missions and take the liberty of recom
mending them to you, should the opportunity present itself.
I have visited and traveled among most of the Indian
tribes of the upper Missouri river and its tributaries and
plains, during the space of about thirty years. I am happy
to be able to bear testimony that I have been on all occasions
kindly received and entertained by them and have ever
found them attentive to religious instruction. It is my
candid opinion that much good might have been, and can
still be, effected among the Indians, if they are properly
and justly dealt with by the whites.

PART VIII.
MISSIONARY WORK AMONG THE INDIANS.
(When not otherwise noted, the letters in this part are here pub
lished for the first time,)
CHAPTER I,
THE FLATHEAD AND OTHER MISSIONS,^
The Kalispel church — Virtues of Standing Grizzly — Victor and
Insula — Beginning of present St. Ignatius Mission — American and
European savages — Indian uprising feared — Object to parting with
their lands — The little news of a remote mission.
To the Editor of the Precis Historiques, Brussels:
University of St, Louis, April, 1856.
Reverend and Dear Father:
?If INCLOSE you a letter of Reverend Adrian Hoeken,
¦¦ brother of Christian, whose death you announced in
your volume of 1853, page 394.
Father Adrian Hoeken was one of my earliest traveling
companions in the missionary journeys to the Flatheads,
He has ever labored, and still continues to labor here, with
the greatest zeal and the most plentiful results,
I have this month dispatched a perfect cargo to him, by
a steamer which was about to ascend the Missouri. It con
sisted of tools, clothes and provisions of all kinds. The boat
will go 2,200 miles ; then the goods will be transported by
a barge, which will have to stem the rapid current about 600
miles; there will then remain 300 miles by land with
wagons, through mountain defiles; so that the objects
shipped in April can arrive among the Flatheads only in the
month of October,
1 From Western Missions and Missionaries, p. 295.
[1228]

A FERVENT CONGREGATION, I229
We hope that other evangelical laborers will soon go to
assist Father Hoeken, The savages request missionaries.
We shall perceive that this mission and that of the Pend
d'Oreilles continue to flourish,
" Flathead Camp in the Blackfeet Country, Oct, i8,
1855-
Reverend and Dear Father:
" You will thank God with me for the consoling increase
he has given, through the intercession of Mary, to the mis
sions which you began in those remote parts. During the
many years that I have passed among the Kalispels, though
my labors have not been light and my trials have been nu
merous enough, God has given me in abundance the conso
lations of the missionary, in the lively faith and sincere piety
of our neophytes. We have found means to build a beauti
ful church, which has excited the admiration of even Lieu
tenant Mullan, of the United States army. This church is
sufficiently large to contain the whole tribe, and on Sundays
and festival days, when our Indians have adorned it with
what ornaments of green boughs and -wiild flowers the woods
and prairies supply ; when they sing in it their devout hymns
with fervor during the holy sacrifice, it might serve as a sub
ject of edification and an example to quicken the zeal of
many an old Christian congregation. There is among our
converts a universal and very tender devotion to the Blessed
Virgin, a most evident mark that the faith has taken deep
root in their souls. Every day, morning and evening, the
families assemble in their lodges to recite the rosary in com
mon, and daily they beg of Mary to thank God for them for
having called them from the wild life of the forest, spent
as it is in ignorance, rapine and bloodshed, to the blessings
of the true religion and its immortal hopes,
" The Kalispels have sustained a great loss in the death of
their pious chief, Loyola, with whose euphonious Indian
name, Etsowish-simmegee-itshin, " Standing Grizzly," you

1230 DEATH OF LOYOLA, THE KALISPEL,
are familiar. Ever since you baptized this excellent Indian
chieftain, he was al^vays steadfast in the faith. He daily
made progress in virtue and became more fervent in the
practices of our holy religion. He was a father to his peo
ple, firm in repressing their disorders and zealous in exhort
ing them to be faithful to the lessons of the missionaries.
In the severe trials to which divine Providence subjected
his virtue in his latter years, when within a short space of
time he lost his wife and three of his children, he bore the
heavy stroke with the edifying resignation of a Christian.
During his last illness, of several weeks' duration, he seemed
more anxious to do something still for the promotion of
piety among his people, than to have his own great suffer
ings alleviated. His death, which occurred on the 6th of
April, 1854, was lamented by the Indians with such tokens
of sincere grief as I have never before witnessed. There
was not that false wailing over his tomb which Indian usage
is said to prescribe for a departed chieftain ; they wept over
him with heartfelt and heartrending grief, as if each one
had lost the best of fathers, and their grief for the good
Loyola has not died away even at this day. Never ha.d I
thought our Indians capable of so much affection.
" As Loyola, contrary to Indian customs, had not desig
nated his successor, a new chief was to be chosen after his
death. The election, to which all had prepared themselves
by prayer, to lead them to a proper choice, ended in an al
most unanimous voice for Victor, a brave hunter, whom you
as yet must remember as a man remarkable for the generos
ity of his disposition. His inauguration took place amid
great rejoicing. All the warriors, in their finest costumes,
marched to his wigwam, and ranging themselves around it,
discharged their muskets, after which each one went up to
him to pledge his allegiance and testify his affection by a
hearty shaking of hands. During the whole day, numerous
parties came to the mission-house to tell the Fathers how
much satisfaction they felt at having a chief whose good
ness had long since won the hearts of all, Victor alone

CHARACTER OF MICHAEL INSULA, I23I
seemed sad. He dreaded the responsibility of the chieftain
ship, and thought he should be unable to maintain the good
effected in the tribe by the excellent chief Loyola.
" In the following winter, when there was a great scarc
ity, and almost a famine among the Kalispels, Victor gave
an affecting proof of his generous self-denying charity. He
distributed his own provisions through the camp, hardly
reserving for himself enough to sustain life, so that on his
return from the annual chase, when yet at a considerable
distance from the village, he fell exhausted on the ground,
and had to be carried by his companions, to whom on that
very day he had given all the food that had been sent up
to him for his own use,
" The Indian is often described as a being devoid of kind
feelings, incapable of gratitude, and breathing only savage
hatred and murderous revenge; but in reality he has, in
his untamed, uncultured nature, as many generous impulses
as the man of any other race, and he only needs the soften
ing influence of our holy religion to bring it out in its most
touching forms. We need no other proof of it than the
grateful remembrance of all the Indians of their late chief
Loyola, the generous character of Victor, and the affection
ate feelings of all our converted tribes for their missionaries,
and especially for you, to whom they look up as to their
great benefactor, because you were the first to bring them
the good tidings of salvation.
" Among our dear Flatheads, Michael Insula, or Red
Feather, or as he is commonly called on account of his small
stature, ' The Little Chief,' is a remarkable instance of the
power which the Church has of developing the most amiable
virtues in the fierce Indian. He unites in his person the
greatest bravery with the tenderest piety and gentlest
manners. Known amid his warriors by the red feather
which he wears, his approach is enough to put to flight the
prowling bands of Crows and Blackfeet, that have fre
quently infested the Flathead territory. He is well known
and much beloved by the whites, who have had occasion to

1232

THE SITE OF ST. IGNATIUS.

deal With him, as a man of sound judgment, strict integrity,
and one on whose fidelity they can implicitly rely. A keen
discerner of the characters of men, he loves to speak especi
ally of those whites, distinguished for their fine qualities,
that have visited him, and often mentions with pleasure the
sojourn among them of Colonel Robert Campbell, of St.
Louis, and of Major Fitzpatrick, whom he adopted, in ac
cordance with Indian ideas of courtesy, as his brothers. He
has preserved all his first fervor of devotion, and now, as
when you knew him, one can hardly ever enter his wigwam
in the morning or evening without finding him with his
rosary in his hands, absorbed in prayer. He cherishes a most
affectionate remembrance of you and of the day he was bap
tized; he longs ardently to see you once more before his
death, and but yesterday he asked me, when and by what
road you would return. In speaking thus he expressed the
desire of all our Indians, who all equally regret your long
absence. " It was proposed, during the summer of 1854, to begin
a new mission^ about 190 miles northeast of the Kalispels,
not far from the Flathead lake, about fifty miles from the old
mission of St, Mary's, among the Flatheads, where a con
venient site had been pointed out to us by the Kalispel chief,
Alexander, your old friend, who often accompanied you in
your travels in the Rocky Mountains. Having set out from
the Kalispel Mission on the 28th of August, 1854, I arrived
at the place designated on the 24th of September, and found
it such as it had been represented — a beautiful region, evi
dently fertile, uniting a useful as well as pleasing variety of
woodland and prairie, lake and river — the whole crowned
in the distance by the white summit of the mountains, and
sufficiently rich withal in fish and game. I shall never for
get the emotions of hope and fear that filled my heart,
when for the first time I celebrated mass in this lonely
spot, in the open air, in the presence of a numerous
band of Kalispels, who looked up to me, under God,
* The present St Ignatius, Montana,

GATHERING IN THE TRIBES. I233
for their temporal and spiritual welfare in this new
home. The place was utterly uninhabited — several bands
of Indians live within a few days' travel, whom you
formerly visited, and where you baptized many, while others
still remain pagan. I was in hope of gathering these around
me, and God has been pleased to bless an undertaking begun
for his glory, even beyond my expectation. In a few weeks
we had erected several frame buildings, a chapel, two
houses, carpenter's and blacksmith's shops; wigwams had
sprung up at the same time all around in considerable num
bers, and morning and evening you might still have heard
the sound of the axe and the hammer, and have seen new
comers rudely putting together lodges.
"About Easter of this year, over 1,000 Indians of
different tribes, from the Upper Kootenais and Flat-Bow
Indians, Pend d'Oreilles, Flatheads, and Mountain Kalis
pels, who had arrived in succession during the winter, when
they heard of the arrival of the long-desired Black-gown,
made this place their permanent residence. All these In
dians have manifested the best dispositions. Besides a
large number of children baptized in the course of the year,
I have had the happiness to baptize, before Christmas and
Easter, upwards of 150 adults of the Kootenai tribe, men
of great docility and artlessness of character, who told me
that ever since you had been among them, some years ago,
they had abandoned the practice of gambling and other vices,
and cherished the hope of being instructed one day in the
religion of the Great Spirit,
" By the beginning of spring, our good Brother McGean
had cut some 18,000 rails; and placed under cultiva
tion a large field, which promises to yield a very plen
tiful harvest. Lieutenant Mullan, who spent the winter
among the Flatheads of St. Mary's, has procured me much
valuable aid in founding this mission, and has all along
taken a lively interest in its prosperity. I know not how to
acquit the debt of gratitude I owe this most excellent officer,
and I can only pray, poor missionary as I am, that the Lord
78

1234 MANY SUPPLIES NEEDED.
may repay his generosity and kindness a hundredfold in
blessings of time and eternity. We are still in want of a
great many useful and important articles — indeed, of an
absolute necessity in the establishing of this new mission.
I am confident, many friends of the poor Indians may be
found in the United States, who will most willingly contrib
ute their mite in such a charitable undertaking — we will
be most grateful to them, and our good neophytes, in whose
behalf I make the appeal, will not cease to pray fpr their
kind benefactors.
" Please make arrangements with the American Fur
Company to have goods brought up by the Missouri river to
Fort Benton, whence I could get them conveyed in wagons
across the mountains to the missionary station,
"The Right Reverend Magloire Blanchet, Bishop of Nis-
qually, who in his first visit to the Mission of St. Ignatius
near Lake De Boey, confirmed over 600 Indians, although he
arrived unexpectedly, when a great many families had gone
to their hunting grounds, among the Kalispels and our
neighboring missions, intended to give confirmation here
this summer. I was very desirous of the arrival of this
pious prelate, who has done so much good, by his fervent
exhortations, to strengthen our neophytes in the faith. It
had already been agreed upon that a party of Indians should
go to meet him as far as the village of the Sacred
Heart, among the Coeur d'Alenes, about 200 miles from
St. Ignatius' Mission, when our plans were broken up by a
message from Governor Stevens, summoning all our In
dians to a council to be held some thirty miles off, in St.
Mary's or Bitter Root valley, at a place called Hellgate,
whence a number of chiefs and warriors were to accompany
him to a Grand Council of Peace among the Blackfeet. I
was absent on a visit to our brethren among the Coeur
d'Alenes, the Skoyelpis, and other tribes, when I received
an invitation from the Governor to be present at the coun
cils. I had found, in my visit, all our missions rich in good
works and conversions, though very poor in the goods of

SOME VACCINATION STATISTICS. I235
this world — all the Fathers and Brothers were in the enjoy
ment of excellent health. Father Joset, among the Skoyel
pis, at the Kettle Falls of the Columbia, had baptized a
large number of adults and children. During the late preva
lence of the smallpox, there were hardly any deaths from it
among the neophytes, as most of them had been previously
vaccinated by us, while the Spokans and other unconverted
Indians, who said the ' medicine (vaccine) of the Fathers
was a poison, used only to kill them,' were swept away by
hundreds. This contrast, of course, had the effect of in
creasing the influence of the missionaries,
" With mingled feelings of joy at all the good effected,
and of sorrow at the miserable death of so many of God's
creatures — thankful to God for all his blessings, and sub
missive to the mysterious judgments of his Providence, I
set out, accompanied by my neophytes, for the Blackfeet
territory. The grand council took place in the vicinity of
Fort Benton, Our Indians, who were in great expectation
of seeing you with Majors Cummings and Culbertson, were
indeed much disappointed at not finding you. The Black
feet, although they are still much given to thieving and
^lave committed more depredations than ever, during the
last spring, are very anxious to see you again, and to have
missionaries among them. Governor Stevens, who has al
ways shown himself a real father and well affected toward
our Indians, has expressed a determination to do all in his
power to forward the success of the missions. The estab
lishment of a mission among the Blackfeet would be the
best, and indeed the only means to make them observe the
treaty of peace which has just been concluded. Until mis
sionaries are sent, I intend, from time to time, to visit the
Blackfeet, so as to do for them what good I may, and pre
pare the way for the conversion of the whole tribe. I hope
a new mission may soon be realized, for it is absolutely
necessary, both for their own sake and for the peace of our
converted Indians on the western side of the Rocky
Mountains.

1236 GENERAL DESIRE FOR BLACK-ROBES,
" From all I have seen, and from all I have learned dur
ing this last trip, I may say that the Crows and all the
tribes on the upper waters of the Missouri, as well as the
various bands of Blackfeet, where so many children have
already been regenerated in the holy waters of baptism, by
you and by Father Point, are anxious to have the Black-
robes permanently among them, and to learn ' the prayer of
the Great Spirit,' The field seems ripe for the harvest.
Let us pray that God may soon send zealous laborers to this
far-distant and abandoned region.
" The Kalispel chief Alexander, Michael Insula and the
other Flathead chieftains, the leaders of the Kootenai and
Flat-Bow bands, and all our neophytes, beg to be remem
bered in your good prayers — they, on their part, never for
get to pray for you. Please remember me,
" Your devoted brother in Christ,
"ADRIAN HOEKEN, S. J,"

The following extract from a letter of Reverend T, Con-
giato, superior of the Missions of the Society of Jesus in
California and Oregon, written since the commencement of
Indian hostilities, and dated Santa Clara, 29th of last No
vember, will perhaps prove not uninteresting to those who
take an interest in the success of our Catholic mission. Rev
erend T, Congiato writes :
" On my return from our missions among the Rocky
Mountains, which it took me three months to visit, I found
here a letter of yours full of edifying news, for which I am
very thankful. Our college here is progressing. The num
ber of members of our Society is on the increase, and
reaches nearly forty. All over California, our holy religion
is making great progress, and priests and churches are mul
tiplying. In the Oregon missions our Fathers are doing
much good. At the mountains Father Adrian Hoeken, a
worthy brother of Father Christian Hoeken, the apostle

INFLUENCE OF MISSIONS FOR PEACE. I237
and zealous missionary among the Potawatomies, who died
in 1 85 1, while on his way to the Upper Missouri tribes, has
succeeded in bringing three nations and a part of the Flat-
heads to live under his spiritual guidance. Everything
seemed to be going on well when I left Oregon, but now
the country appears on fire. All the Indians living on the
banks of the Columbia, from Walla Walla down to the
Dalles Mountains, together with the Indians of North Cali
fornia, are in arms against the whites, and commit great
depredations. One of the Father Oblates, Father Pandory,
has been killed. Please pray, and make others pray for our
brethren in Oregon. The last accounts I received from St.
Paul's Mission, at Colville, stated that our Indians disap
proved highly of the depredations committed by the other
Indians, and showed no disposition whatever to join them."
It may, indeed, be confidently anticipated that the Indians
of the Catholic missions of the mountains, who have always
shown great kindness to the whites, and have always lived
in peace with them, will continue to listen to the good coun
sel and advice of the missionaries, and will abstain from any
act of hostility. Moreover, they are removed from the seat
of war, and have seldom had any intercourse with the
hostile tribes. Most Respectfully, etc.

University of St. Louis, August 4, 1857.'
Reverend and Dear Father:
You will find inclosed in this letter a recent letter from
Reverend Adrian Hoeken, S. J. I hope that it will merit a
place in your Precis Historiques. In Holland I am sure
it will afford pleasure.
********* 3 To the editor of the Precis Historiques, Brussels. From Western
Missions and Missionaries, p. 306.

1238 MORE SAVAGE THAN THE SAVAGES.
The expression of the sentiments of the poor Indians hi
my regard fill me with confusion, and I would not have
sent the letter entire, but that you insisted on my sending
each piece entire. For the rest, we must never forget that
these wretched Indians, deprived of everything, and neg
lected by other men, experience an excessive joy for the least
benefit, and feel grateful to any one who treats them with a
little attention, A great lesson for our fellow countrymen.
Among those whom infidel and revolutionary writers in
Belgium style savages and barbarians, you could not find
one enough so to figure in the bands of Jemappes, or even
in the rioters of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Mons, Here
the Black-gown is respected, loved. The Indians perceive
in him the emblem of the happiness that the missionary
brings him in presenting him the torch of faith.

Letter of Reverend Father Adrian Hoeken.
Mission of the Flatheads, April 15, 1857.
Reverend and Beloved Father:
Before entering into a few details, I beg you to excuse
the want of order in this letter. Much time has elapsed
since I had the pleasure of receiving news from you, who
have so many titles to my love and gratitude, and whose
name is frequently on the lips, and always in the hearts, of
each of the inhabitants of this remote region. Your letter of
the 27th and 28th of March reached us toward the end of
August; it was read, or rather devoured, with avidity, so
dear was it to our hearts. It was remitted to us by our chief,
Alexander, who accompanied Mr, R, H, Lansdale to the
Cceur d'Alenes, Scarcely had we cast a glance at the ad
dress and recognized your handwriting, than, not being able
to contain our joy, all with one consent cried out : " Father
DeSmet! Father DeSmet!" You cannot imagine the

DE SMET REMEMBERH) BY THE INDIANS, I239
delight your letters afford us and our dear Indians, God be
praised ! Your name will be ever held in benediction among
these poor children of the Rocky Mountains, Ah! how
often they ask me these questions : " When, oh when ! will
Father De Smet come to us ? Will he ever again ascend the
Missouri ? Is it true that he will not come to Fort Benton
this fall ? " These, and many other similar questions, show
how dear to them is the remembrance of their father in
Christ ; of him who first broke to them the bread of eternal
life, and showed them the true way to happiness on earth
and bliss hereafter. It is not strange, then, that your letters
should have been read several times, and that every time
they gave us new pleasure and excited new interest.
I can never cease admiring Divine Providence, which pre
sides over all, and which in particular takes care of our
beloved missions. Among the unnumbered proofs of its
continual protection, your assistance in our late distress, and
the liberality of our benefactors, are not less remarkable nor
less worthy of our gratitude. Our storehouses were empty,
and the war between the Indians nearest the seaboard took
away all hope of procuring other resources. Never, never
was charity more appropriate nor received with greater joy.
May heaven prolong your days and those of our bene
factors! May you continue to foster the same interest to
ward us that, until the present moment, you have never
ceased to testify ! Yes, beloved father, let the recollection of
our missions be ever equally dear to you. They are the
fruit of your own heroic zeal, fatigues and labors. Ah!
never forget our dear Indians; they are your children in
Christ, the offspring of your boundless charity and your
unwearied zeal !
During the months of June, July and August, disease
raged cruelly in our camp, as well as in that of the Flatheads.
However, there were few victims of its terrible attacks.
Father Menetrey, my colaborer, visited the Flatheads,
where he had been asked for by the chief, Fidelis Teltella
(Thunder) , whose son was dangerously ill. Later, I visited

1240 GENERAL RISING FORESEEN,
them myself in their camas prairies. A second time, in the
opening of the month of June, I remained some days with
them, at Hellgate, and I distributed medicines to all those
who had been seized with the epidemic, and a little wheat
flour to each family. Victor, the great chief, Ambrose,
Moses, Fidelis, Adolphus, and several others, came here of
their own accord, to fulfill their religious duties. Since last
spring there has been a notable amelioration in the whole
nation, Ambrose has effected the most good. He had con
vened several assemblies, in order to arrange and pay off
old debts, to repair wrongs, etc. The Indians appear, how
ever, very reluctant to part with their lands; they will
scarcely hear of the dispositions to be taken.
Father Ravalli labored as much as he could to pacify the
tribes which reside toward the west, namely: the Cayuses,
the Yakimas, the Palooses, etc. As Qur neophytes hitherto
have taken no part in the war, the country is as safe for us
as ever. We can go freely wheresoever we desire. No one
is ignorant that the Black-gowns are not enemies; those,
at least, who are among the Indians, Almost all the Cceur
d'Alenes, in order to shield themselves from the hostilities
of the Indians, and to avoid all relations with them, are gone
bison hunting. A few days since, Father Joset wrote me
that Father Ravalli had already written to him several
weeks before : " I fear a general rising among the Indians,
toward the commencement of spring. Let us pray, and let
us engage others to pray with us, in order to avert this
calamity. I think that it would be well to add to the ordi
nary prayers of the mass, the collect for peace."
If the less well-intentioned Indians from the lower lands
would keep within their own territory, and if the whites, the
number of whom is daily augmenting in St. Mary's valley,
could act with moderation, and conduct themselves pru
dently, I am convinced that soon the whole country would
be at peace, and that not a single Indian would hencefor
ward imbrue his hands in the blood of a white stranger.
Were I authorized to suggest a plan, I would propose to

SUCCESSFUL AGRICULTURE, I24I
have all the upper lands evacuated by the whites, and form
of it a territory exclusively of Indians; afterward I would
" lead there all the Indians of the inferior portion, such as the
Nez Perces, the Cayuses, the Yakimas, the Coeur d'Alenes
and the Spokans, Well-known facts lead me to believe that
this plan, with such superior advantages, might be effected,
by means of missions, in the space of two or three years.
Our Indians here are doing well. Last spring we sowed
about fifty bushels of wheat, and planted a quantity of po
tatoes, cabbages and turnips. God has graciously blessed
our labors and our fields. Here all generally like agricul
ture. We give the seeds gratis to everybody. Our plows
and our tools are also free to be used by them. We even
lend our horses and oxen to the poorest among the Indians,
and we grind all their grain gratuitously. But our mill,
which goes by horse-power, is very small, and we are not
able to build another,
Mr. R. H. Lansdale, agent of the Government, a very just
and upright man, has assumed his functions at the Plum-
trees, a place situated quite near the place where we cross
the river, a few miles from this. We gave him all the
assistance of which we were capable, I had indulged the
hope that the Government would come to our aid, at least
for the building of a small church ; but so far my expecta
tions have been frustrated, Alas! are we never to cease
deploring the loss of our little church among the Kalispels ?
Several of these latter named, and among others, Victor, on
seeing the chapel, formerly so dear to them, but now for
saken and neglected, shed tears of regret.
When, oh when! shall the oppressed Indian find a poor
corner of earth on which he may lead a peaceful life, serv
ing and loving his God in tranquiUity, and preserving the
ashes of his ancestors without fear of beholding them pro
faned and trampled beneath the feet of an unjust usurper?
Several among the Kalispels, Victor and others, already
have possessions here. However, they have not yet re
nounced those which they own in the country lower down.

1242 EASY DAYS AT ST, IGNATIUS,
Twelve very poor habitations are the beginning of our town
called St, Ignatius. Our little abode, although very modest,
is sufficiently comfortable. To any other than you, this
word comfortable might sound singular ; but you. Reverend
Father, who understand perfectly what it means when ap
plied to a poor missionary, will comprehend the relative
application of the word. Our community numbers six mem
bers. Father Joseph Menetrey, who is missionary, prefect
of out chapel, and inspector in chief of our fields, etc. ;
Brother McGean, farmer; Brother Vincent Magri, dis
penser, carpenter and miller ; Brother Joseph Specht, black
smith, baker and gardener; Brother Francis Huybrechts,
carpenter and sacristan,
I intend going to Colville after the harvest and during the
absence of the Indians,
Father Menetrey, of his own free will, went to Fort Ben
ton with a pair of horses. The distance by the great road is
294 miles. He took horses because we could with difficulty
spare our oxen, and also because, according to information
received from Mr, Lansdale, the road is impassable to oxen
which have not, like horses, iron shoes. Father Menetrey
arrived at the fort on the 17th of September, and was very
favorably received by the occupants ; but he was obliged to
wait some time for the boats. He speaks with high eulogi-
ums of the Blackfeet, and regrets that he has not jurisdiction
in that part of the mountains. He returned on the 12th of
November. How express to you, Reverend Father, the joy that filled
our hearts, when we opened your letters and the different
cases which you had the charity to send us ? We each and
all wept with grateful joy ! In vain, the night following, I
strove to calm the emotions that these missives, as well as
the liberality of our benefactors, had produced in my heart ;
I could not close my eyes. All the community, yes, the
whole camp, participated in my delight. In unison we ren
dered thanks to Divine Providence, and that day was a per
fect holiday. The next day, having a little recovered from

SUPPLIES FOR THE MISSION, I243
my excitement, I was ashamed of my weakness. You who
know what it is to be a missionary; you who know so well
his privations, his trials, his pangs, you will easily forgive
my excessive sensibility,
I had agreed with Father Congiato that he would send
your Reverence my lists, as well as the money that he might
allow me. I was bolder in soliciting your charity and your
benevolence in our favor, because I knew the love and inter
est that you bear to our missions; and that, on the other
hand, I only executed a plan that yourself had conceived and
suggested, when, in consideration of the circumstances, it
would have appeared to every one else illusory and incapa
ble of execution.
Scarcely had Father Menetrey gone than I received a let
ter from Father Congiato, in which he said to me : " If you
think that your supplies can be furnished at a more reason
able price from Missouri, order them thence, I will pay the
cost. Write on this subject to Reverend Father De Smet."
Had I received this letter somewhat later, I scarcely know
what would have been my decision; for it is very doubtful
that we should have been able to find any one who would
return to Fort Benton. I entreat you, be so good as to ex
cuse the trouble that we give you ; our extraordinary situa
tion is the sole excuse that I can offer in favor of our
importunity. A thousand thanks to you, and to all our
benefactors who concurred so generously in the support of
our missions, I also thank our kind brethren in St. Louis,
for the very interesting letters that they had the kindness to
write me. Receive, too, our grateful sentiments, Reverend
Father, for the catalogues of the different provinces, the
classical books. Shea's Catholic Missions, the works of con
troversy, etc., etc, I should never conclude did I attempt to
enumerate all your gifts, which we were so overjoyed to '
receive. Brother Joseph was beside himself with gladness
when his eyes fell on the little packages of seeds, the files,
scissors and other similar objects. Accept, in fine, our
thanks for the piece of broadcloth you sent us ; by this favor

1244 0^^ FRIENDS REMEMBRANCE.
we continue to be Black-robes. Ah! with my whole heart
I wish that you could have seen us as we were opening the
boxes. Each object excited new cries of joy and augmented
our grateful love for the donors. All arrived in good order.
The snuff had got a little mixed with the clover seed, but no
matter ; my nose is not very delicate. It is the first donation
sent into these mountains, at least since I have been here.
We bless God, who watches over all of his children with so
much care and liberality, even over those who appear to be
the most forsaken.
On the following day I sent Father Joset his letters, I
found an opportunity that very day.
It would have been very agreeable to me to receive a copy
of all your letters published since 1836, The portraits were
very dear to me. I could not recognize Father Verdin's, but
Brother Joseph knew it at the first glance. Yours was also
recognized at once by a great number of the Indians, and on
seeing it they shouted " Pikek an !" * It made the tour of
the village, and yesterday again, an inhabitant of Kootenai
came to me with the sole intention of " paying a visit to
Father De Smet." This did them an immense good, only
seeing the portrait of him who was the first to bear them the
light of faith in these regions, still overshadowed with the
darkness of moral death ; and who first dissipated the mists
in which they and their progenitors during untold ages had
been enveloped. Believe me. Reverend Father, not a day
passes, without their prayers ascending to heaven for you.
In what manner can we testify our gratitude in regard to
the two benefactors who so generously charged themselves
with the care of transporting and delivering to us our cases
without consenting to accept the slightest recompense ? Un
doubtedly they will reap a large share in the sacrifices and
* The venerable Father J. D'Aste, of St. Ignatius' Mission, thus ex
plains this expression : " ' Pikokan ' means White Head, being com
posed of the word ipik (white) and the final kan, which in composi
tion stands for ' head.' But there must be a mistake here, because when
Father De Smet left the mountains forever, he had not yet white hair."

EXECUTING TREATY STIPULATIONS, 1 245
prayers that daily rise to heaven for all our benefactors,
and which are with a grateful heart and the remembrance
of their beneficence toward us, the only tokens of our thank
fulness that we can offer them. How noble the sentiment
which prompted them gratuitously to burden themselves
and their boats with the charitable gifts, destined by the
faithful to the destitute missionaries of the Indians!
Heaven, who knows our poverty, will reward them with
better gifts than we could have imagined suitable to their
liberality. The package destined for Michael Insula, the "Little
Chief," lies here for the present. He has not yet opened
it. The good man is abroad on a hunting excursion; bur
we expect him back in a few days. I doubt not that he will
be very sensible to these marks of friendship, or, as he usu
ally expresses it, " these marks of fraternity." He set out
from here, when he had harvested the grain he had sowed.
Always equally good, equally happy, a fervent Christian, he
is daily advancing in virtue and in perfection. He has a
young son, Louis Michael, whom he teaches to call me papa.
It is a real pleasure to him to be able to speak of your Rev
erence and of his two adopted brothers, Messrs. Campbell
and Fitzpatrick. I will give him the packet directly after
his return, and will inform you of the sentiments with whicli
he will have received it, as well as his reply.
Here in our missions, we already observe all the condi
tions stipulated in the treaty concluded last year by Gov
ernor Stevens, at Hellgate. Our brothers assist the Indians,
and teach them how to cultivate the ground. They distribute
the fields and the seeds for sowing and planting, as well as
the plows and other agricultural instruments. Our black
smith works for them : he repairs their guns, their axes, their
knives; the carpenter renders them great assistance in con
structing their houses, by making the doors and windows ;
in fine, our little mill is daily in use for grinding their grain,
gratis; we distribute some medicines to the sick ; — in a word,
all we have and all we are is sacrificed to the welfare of the

1246 '.WEALTH NOT THE MISSIONARY'S AIM,
Indian. The savings that our religious economy enables
us to make, we retain solely to relieve their miseries. What
ever we gain by manual labor and by the sweat of the brow,
is theirs! Through love of Jesus Christ, we are ready to
sacrifice all, even life itself. Last year we opened our
school ; but circumstances forced us to close it. Next spring
we shall have a brother capable of teaching, and we intend
opening it a second time; but in the interval we shall not
earn a cent. During last October, the snow forced Fathers
Joset and Ravalli and Brother Saveo to return to the Coeur
d'Alenes, We have done, and shall continue to do, all that lies in
our power for the Government officers. Still our poor mis
sion has never received a farthing from the Government,
Do not think. Reverend Father, that I complain — oh no !
you are too well assured no earthly good could ever induce
us to work and suffer as we do here. As wealth itself could
never recompense our toils, so privations are incapable of
leading us to renounce our noble enterprise. Heaven,
heaven alone is our aim; and that reward will far exceed
our deserts. On the other hand, we are consoled by the
reflection that he who provides for the birds of the air will
never abandon his tenderly loved children. Yet it is not less
true, that, if we had resources (humanly speaking), our
missions would be more flourishing; and that many things
that we now accomplish only with great patience and sore
privations, and which again frequently depend upon contin
gencies, could be effected more rapidly and with less uncer
tainty of success.
In our mission there are persons of such a variety of
nations, that we form, so to speak, a heaven in miniature.
First, our community is composed of six members, all of
whom are natives of different lands. Then we have Creoles ;
Genetzi, whose wife is Susanna, daughter of the old Ignatius
Chaves; Abraham and Peter Tinsley, sons of old Jacques
Boiteux; Alexander Thibault, a Canadian, and Derpens.
There are some Iroquois : old Ignatius is settled here, as well

DISPOSITION OF THE BLACKFEET.l I247
as the family of Iroquois Peter. The death of this venerable
old man is a great loss to the mission. Then we have Cre
oles from the Creek nation ; Pierrish, and Anson, with his
brothers; then some Flatheads; Kalispels; two camps of
Pend d'Oreilles; then several Spokans; some Nez Preces,
Kootenais, Coeur d'Alenes, and Kettle-Falls Indians ; a few
Americans, settled a few miles from here ; and some Black
feet. All, though of different nations, live together like
brethren and in perfect harmony. They have, like the primi
tive Christians, but one heart and one mind.
Last spring, and during the summer following, we had
several Blackfeet here. They behaved extremely well.
Among others, the Little Dog, chief of the Piegans, with
some members of his family. They entered our camp with
the American flag unfurled, and marching to the tones of
martial music and an innumerable quantity of little bells.
The very horses pranced in accordance with the measure,
and assumed a stately deportment at the harmony of the
national hymn.
We held several conferences with the chief concerning
religion. He complained that the whites, who had been in
communication with them, had never treated this so import
ant affair. So far the best understanding reigns between us,
and it would appear that all the old difficulties are forgotten.
May heaven keep them in these favorable dispositions. Last
summer the Crows stole about twenty horses from our na
tion, A few days after, others visited our camp. The re
membrance of this theft so excited the people that, forget
ting the law of nations, which secures protection to even
the greatest enemy as soon as he puts his foot within the
camp, they fell upon the poor guests, and killed two of thera
ere they had time to escape.
May God bless the Government for establishing peace
among the Blackfeet ! However, as hitherto the means have
not proved very efficacious, I fear that the quiet will not be
of very long duration. I trust that our Society will one day
effect a more enduring peace. A raission among them

1248 EPIDEMICS OF MAN AND BEAST,
would, I am persuaded, produce this blessed result. And
if to bedew this hitherto ungrateful soil requires the blood
of some happy missionary, it would bring forth a hundred
fold, and the Blackfeet would respect our holy religion,
I am much distressed at learning that an epidemic disease
is making terrible ravages among the Blackfeet, Accord
ing to the last news, about 1 50 Indians had perished in one
camp alone, near Fort Benton, When the malady had
ceased scourging men, it fell upon their horses. Many are
dead already, and many are dying. We have lost five. Our
hunters are forced to go to the chase on foot ; for, according
to their account, all the horses are sick. If the Nez Perces
lose their horses in the war with Government, horses will
be very dear here.
Michael, the Little Chief, has arrived. I presented him
the gracious gift of Colonel Campbell, He was astonished
that the colonel should think of him, and was much moved
at this mark of attachment. Then he cited a long list of
kindred, dead since his last interview with Colonel Camp
bell, and entertained rae at length with the great nuraber of
Americans that he had seen annually passing Fort Hall. He
told me with what solicitude and anxiety he sought his
friend among those successive multitudes, and when at
length he could not discover hira, he believed that he was
dead. Our Indians are bison hunting, and quite successful. Five
Spokans have been killed by the Bannocks, and six of these
last killed by the Spokans and Coeur d'Alenes. The Flat-
heads have had a man killed by the same Bannocks. Louis,
Ambrose's son, was killed last fall by the Grosvaitres. All
last winter a good understanding prevailed araong the
Blackfeet. Many of them will come, I think, and reside
with us.
The Nez Perces and the Spokans endeavor to spread a
bad spirit among the Indians who reside in the country be
low. They endeavor to communicate their hatred of the
Americans; but our chiefs are firm, and will in no wise

ILL FEELING BETWEEN TRIBES. 1 249
acquiesce in the desire of their enemies, Victor, the great
chief, and Ambrose, are here again, in order to accomplish
their spiritual duties. Unfortunately a great antipathy pre
vails among these tribes.
Mr, McArthur, formerly agent of the Hudson Bay Com
pany, has now settled at Hellgate,
To conclude. Reverend Father, I entreat you to believe
that, notwithstanding your reiterated exhortations to as
sure me, it is not without a feeling of restraint that I inclose
you anew the list of things we need this year. I am aware
that you are weighed down with business ; but who, as well
as yourself, can know and understand our position ?
I entreat you to present my respects to all my kind friends
who are at the university, at St, Charles, and elsewhere.
Your reverence's most respectful servant,
A, HOEKEN, S, J,

CHAPTER II.
LETTERS FROM THE RESIDENT MISSIONARIES,^
Adventures of a missionary — Sufferings and danger — A Dakota
blizzard — Charles Larpenteur — Needs of the Sioux — Iowa in 1851 —
Dangers of delay. The Sioux.
Ta the Editor of the Precis Historiques, Brussels:''-
Paris, November 17, 1856,
Reverend and Dear Father:
?If FIND with pleasure in your number of the 15th inst,,
" the interesting letter of Father Adrian Hoeken, writ
ten to me frora the Flathead camp, which I sent you from St,
Louis before I started for Belgium,
Herewith are four letters of his brother. Father Chris
tian Hoeken, which will, I think, be found as interesting
as Father Adrian's, In a few days I shall see you at
Brussels,

First Letter of Father Christian Hoeken to Father De Smet.
Sioux Country, Fort Vermilion, Dec, 11, 1850.
Reverend and Dear Father:
You have doubtless learned by Father Duerinck's let
ters that I set out last June for the Sioux country. The
season was quite favorable when I left Kansas, but I had
a pretty cold time as I crossed Missouri, Iowa and Minne
sota till I got to the post of the American Fur Com-
* From Western Missions and Missionaries, p. 263.
[1250]

ADRIFT IN A BLIZZARD. I25I
pany, called Fort Vermilion. My inability to find a good
guide to lead me to Fort Pierre, the great post of the Mis
souri, made me lose five days of excellent weather.
At last I succeeded in finding a companion who had
crossed backward and forward, for the last thirty-three
years, every plain, mountain, forest and prairie of the
West. I set out the day before the weather changed. On
the third day the snow overtook us. On reaching James
river we found it impassable ; the water was too high and
too cold for our horses to swim it. We had to ascend it to
find a ford. We traveled eight or nine days without find
ing any place or means to cross. A violent north wind set
in, so that we were nearly frozen to death. We accord
ingly began to descend the valley of the river, but had not
made over five or six miles when night surprised us, and we
had to encamp in a spot which offered scarce wood enough
for one night. We had hardly encamped when the north
wind began to blow with horrible violence; the snow fell so
thick and fast, that you would have said the clouds had burst.
You may imagine our position, and how much we pitied
each other. Sleep was out of the question. The next
morning we struck our camp. The snow and wind raged
with unabated fury for two days and two nights. In some
spots there were six, fifteen, and even twenty feet of snow.
Conceive our position if you can, as we raade our way along
the valley of James river, which runs between two chains
of mountains, with deep ravines near each other.
We were almost out of provisions, entirely alone, in a sad
desert, where we could see nothing but snow; we had no
one to encourage us, except the spirit of divine charity, at
whose voice I had undertaken this painful journey. The
snow grew high around us, our horses would not proceed.
The gloomy thought that we could never cross the river
crushed out all courage ; but I was consoled when I remem
bered the words of divine wisdom : " It is good for you to
suffer temptation." To fill up our misery, rheumatism
seized both my knees, so that I could not set one foot before

1252 WORST IN THIRTY-FIVE YEARS,
another. One of our horses fell lame and was no better
than myself. Moreover, the keen norther froze my ears,
nose and feet, and ray companion's feet. The poor man
complained of violent pains in the bowels, caused doubtless
by fatigue and hunger. The elements seemed to conspire
against us ; and it is only by a special assistance of heaven
that we did not perish in this strait, " I never saw anything
like it, I have lived, wandered, traveled, for thirty-five years
all over the upper Missouri, but never, never was I in
such a scrape as this." Such were the frequent exclama
tions of my guide. For my part, I was forced by a dire
necessity to march against my inclination, or rather to drag
myself along as best I could. I gathered up what little
courage I had left, I walked on in the snow from morning
to night, praying and weeping in turns, making vows and
resolutions. The aspirations of the prophets and apostles
were the subject of my communications with heaven,
" Confirm me, O Lord, in this hour. Rebuke me not in
thy fury, and chastise me not in thy wrath." This I re
peated at almost every instant. When I sank to my waist
in snow, I cried : " Have mercy, Lord, have mercy on us.
For thee and for thine have we come unto this hour.
Stretch out thy arm to lead us. Lord, we perish."
Meanwhile, we advanced painfully over the mountains
of snow, till night summoned us to plant our tent, which
consisted, be it said here, of a square piece of a skin tent-
cover. We set to work with courage, clearing away the
snow, getting down a framework and wood enough for our
fires at night. The fire is kindled ; we have finished our night
prayers ; we have only a morsel to eat. Now, then, repose
for a few hours. Impossible, Sleep has fled our eyelids;
the smoke blinds and stifles us, at almost every instant we
had to cough ; my companion said that it was impossible to
distinguish one object from another, the smoke had so
blinded him. How sleep, with the wolves howling and
prowling around us! The snow and sometimes rain and
hail fell on us all night long. Often, while listening for

BAD LANGUAGE OF THE GUIDE, I253
any noise, the prayer, " From all danger, rain and hail, de
liver us, O Lord !" escaped my trembling lips involuntarily.
Thank heaven, the Almighty heard our humble supplica
tion ; every day he gave us fine weather, though bitter cold.
My greatest fear every morning was that my companion
would bring word that our horses were dead of cold or
hunger in those bleak and sterile tracts. Had this loss
befallen us, our misfortune would have been complete. I
put myself and all belonging to me under the special pro
tection of our good and amiable patroness, the Blessed Vir
gin Immaculate, and I often reminded her, with filial con
fidence, that we had been comraitted to her care at the foot
of the cross.
From day to day, my guide was the more urgent that we
should abandon the lame horse so as not to be frozen for
him. We had to lose a good part of the day in unloading
and reloading him, because he fell at almost every step on
the slippery snow; yet by care, pain, fatigue and patience,
we arrived with our two horses at Fort Verrailion. Fam
ished and almost dying as we were (having had nothing to
eat for ten days, but a little bread and a prairie-hen that my
companion killed by chance), sleepless and wearied to death,
we reached Vermilion on the 8th of December, the feast of
the Iramaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To express the joy that overflowed my soul on that happy
day I would need write in tears, not in ink, and you could
trace ray feelings better than if delineated with a pen. I
was at the end of hunger, cold, snow, rain, hail, traraping,
and blasphemy that filled me with horror every time my
corapanion vented his wrath on the horse or the evils we
experienced. I rebuked him frequently and begged him to
refrain, but in vain ; the poor man had always the same ex
cuse : " It was a second nature with him, and he meant no
harm," Wretched excuse! I suffered more from his
troubles and raurraurs than from all the other miseries put
together. To my prayers of blended hope, and fear, and
anguish, succeeded now hymns of gratitude and joy. In-

1254 CHARITY OF CHARLES LARPENTEUR,
stead of my ordinary aspirations : " Enough, Lord, it is
enough. Command the winds and there shall be a great
calm. Lord, thou hast said: Ask and you shall receive.
Give us this day our daily bread," and so on, I now ex
claim : " We praise thee, O Lord ! great is thy power. Lord
God of hosts,"
, Mr, Charles Larpenteur, whose hospitality you have
often enjoyed when traveling in the desert to visit the
Indian tribes, is now in charge of the post, and he received
us with all the goodness of a father. He procured us all
that he could. May the Lord bless him, for he deserves it,
" The Samaritan in the Gospel," said he, " took care of an
unfortunate man, and poured oil and wine into his wounds.
Sir," he added, " you are welcome, I offer you all I have ;
I wish to treat you as well as is in my power," The dignity
and worth of charity are never better felt than on similar
occasions, and by beggars like us.
I shall spend some days instructing and baptizing a score
of people who live around here, I shall endeavor to recover
from ray unusual hardships before I start. In the mean
while the snow will melt, the roads become better, and I
will resume my journey.
Receive the assurance of my respect. Present my re
spects to the Fathers and Brothers, and believe me.
Reverend and Dear Father,
Your devoted servant and brother in Christ,
CHRISTIAN HOEKEN, S. J,
You see. Reverend Father, by this letter of Father Hoe
ken, that the consolations of heaven are constantly tem
pered by the desolations of earth. This is the support of
the laborers in the vineyard of the Lord.
I have corae to Europe for missionaries. Belgium has
already furnished many. St, Francis Xavier asked for Bel
gians. Shall I succeed in getting some? Cannot I count
on my own land as much as on Holland, France, or Italy?

IMPECUNIOSITY AND HORSE-TRADING. 1255
Second Letter of Father Christian Hoeken. — To Father
Elet.
Territory of the Platte, Dec, 28, 1850,
Reverend and Dear Father Provincial:
According to ray express proraise in ray letters, I write
to tell you where I have been, and what I have done since
I left the Kansas, till ray return from the Upper Missouri,
I traveled by the way of Weston, without a cent in my
pocket, I had to trust entirely to Providence, A draft of
ten dollars on Father De Smet enabled rae to get the actual
necessaries for ray journey, I should have drawn more,
but it was all they could let me have.
On the way I met several old friends, whose liberality did
not improve my poverty, I reached St. Joseph at the foot
of the Black-snake Hills, My horse could not stand the
hard travel. Others were of ray opinion, among them was
Mr, Scanlan, who offered me an Indian horse to go as far
as Bellevue, and also to take charge of mine. I accepted his
kind offer. In two days I was quite disappointed. The
horse was very lazy, and weak in the bargain, I changed
him at the Great Pacoa [ Platte ?Tarkio?] river for a good
horse, whose exterior promised better in the long journey
before me, I gave the man a draft on Mr, P. A, Sarpy to
pay the difference.
On reaching Bellevue, I learned from Mr. Sarpy that
Messrs. Bruyere and Argot had started the day before, and
that I could easily overtake them; that there was no guide
for me, and they knew none about there. I bought the
necessary utensils, a little pot, tin-pans, provisions, etc., and
started in pursuit of the gentlemen, who live about thirty
miles below Fort Vermillion at the mouth of the Great
Sioux. I overtook them next day at Boyer River. I trav
eled in their company seven days, when we reached the
Great Sioux.

1256 INDIANS DESIRE A MISSION.
I spent three days there instructing the people, and bap
tized fourteen persons. They treated rae with great kind
ness, and expressed their extrerae delight at the prospect of
the establishment of a Sioux mission. They promised to
pay for their children's board. They are not only full of
good will, but capable of acting.
As for the mixed race of the Santees (a Sioux tribe),
they receive frora Government about $1,000 a head, accord
ing to the treaty made last year at St. Peter's River in the
Upper Missouri. You see, then. Reverend Father, that if
we defer founding a raission among them, they will send
their children elsewhere. Do not imagine that the number
of these poor children, all baptized by Father De Smet and
others, is insignificant. The half-breeds exist in great num
bers everywhere, with thousands of Indians, Must all
these children, of whom several thousand have already re
ceived holy baptism, perish for want of instruction? Are
they doomed to remain sitting in the shadow of death?
May I not announce to them all, the precious tidings of
vocation to grace? I trust, in God's mercy, the day of
their deliverance is at hand; that they will soon perceive
the aid of the Saviour and Redeemer, My daily prayer is
(above all at the holy altar) that their expectations and
frequent appeals may at length find a term.
I forgot to say, that on arriving at Linden, a village situ
ated eight miles below the river Nishnabotna, I found
Major Matlock very dangerously ill with dysentery. He
recognized me at once, and cried out : " Father Hoeken, I
atn extremely glad to see you. I wished to see you much
a long time ; but I am so indisposed at this moment that I
cannot converse with you. Could you not come a little
later?" " Most willingly," I replied; " I will see you by
and by." An hour after I returned to his room in the
hotel; I found him half asleep. He heard my voice, and
after having dismissed those who were with him, he spoke
to me of his religious convictions. He informed me that
he had been brought up in the Methodist sect, but that he

OLD SARPY AND LOGAN FONTENELLE. I257
did not believe in their views, and that his raost ardent
desire was to become a Catholic, He then made his con
fession to me; after which, I baptized him conditionally.
He appeared to me to be perfectly contented and resigned
to die. I have since learned that he did not long survive
his baptism. May he rest in peace.
I commend myself to your prayers and sacrifices. Rev
erend Father Provincial, Your most humble servant,
CHRISTIAN HOEKEN, S, J,

Third Letter of Father Christian Hoeken. — To Father
Elet. St. Joseph's, Jan. 3, 185 1,
Reverend and Very Dear Father Provincial:
I was obliged to wait in order to regulate ray account
with Mr, P. A. Sarpy, who was absent when I arrived at
Council Bluffs. That time was not lost. I had the happi
ness of baptizing a great number of children of the Omaha
tribe, and I met the young chief, Logan Fontenelle. He is
a spiritual child of Father De Smet. He is very worthy of
the post he fills in his tribe, and will do all in his power to
convert his people and bring them to the true faith.^
I quitted Council Bluffs on the 27th of December, I
arrived on the river Nishnabotna at a place called French
Village, It is occupied almost exclusively by Canadians,
by half-breeds, and a mixture of Indians united among
themselves. I was received with much kindness, and em
ployed Saturday and Sunday in confirming and strengthen
ing them in the faith,
2 He fell, in 1855, in a combat against a great war-party of the Sioux.
— {Note by Father De Smet.)

1258 PRACTICAL MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE,
As soon as my arrival was known, the people collected on
all sides, in order to secure to their children the grace of
baptism. You can easily imagine what a consolation it was
to me after the fatigues of the late journey. On examin
ing the state of things, I found that those people needed in
struction in regard to the sacrament of marriage. They
listened to me with profound attention, and followed my
advice on this point. I baptized sixteen persons, among
whom was one converted from Mormonism and one Sioux
squaw. I gave the nuptial benediction to three couples.
In the midst of a meeting held in a private house, the con
versation fell on the construction of a village church; each
one offered his services, and promised to approach the sac
raments. How great and plentiful is the harvest, but alas,
how few are the reapers! We must, in truth, but in sad
ness, repeat with the prophet Jeremiah : " The children ask
bread and there is no one to break it to them," What a
vast field for them of whom the scripture says : " How
beautiful upon the mountains are the footsteps of those who
proclaim the glad tidings of peace and salvation,"
A month's traveling in the desert through which these
people are wandering depri^red of instruction, would bestow
on our missionaries greater experience of the evils of ig
norance and of superstition, than many years passed in
studying thera in books and writings, and one hour of con
versation would inspire Christian hearts with sentiments of
more real compassion, than all the discourses of rhetoric
and all the artifices of eloquence could ever produce. If
the Catholics of civilized countries, and provided with all
the advantages that civilization offers for the soul and for
the body, could, during one single week, experience what
is endured in the midst of the ravages and violence of this
poor Indian country, their hearts would open to the senti
ments of a truly active corapassion, and they would extend
a charitable hand to relieve the misery and mitigate the bit
terness of their wretched and afflicting condition.

TROUBLES OF THE INDIANS, I259
There are in human life certain marks of degradation
which, at first sight, awaken the tender sentiments of a
Christian heart ; there are interior trials and sorrows which
need to be related to excite charity toward those who suffer
them. Such are, my dear Father, the troubles and suffer
ings of the Indians. Deprived of civilized society, destitute
of all the advantages of social life, ignorant of the very ele
ments of individual duty, they are a prey to exterior de
ceptions, to interior illusions, and their days are counted by
overwhelming evils and misfortunes as numerous as the
hours which mark their duration. But when it pleases a
wise Providence to permit that they be visited by other and
extraordinary trials, as it happened to the Potawatomies,
who lost their harvest, their ills are increased a hundred
fold, and nothing but the consolations of the gospel are
capable of ameliorating the hard lot of barbarism and the
anguish of ignorance. May heaven deign to inspire a
large number of worthy ministers of the Church with a
zeal in conformity with the will of God, and inspire also
a great number of Christians with that charity which covers
a multitude of sins, in order that they may come to their aid
amid the painful sufferings which they are at this moment
undergoing. My respects to all.
Reverend Father Provincial,
Your most humble servant,
CHRISTIAN HOEKEN, S, J,

Fourth Letter. — To Reverend Father Elet.
Bellevue, December 23, 1850,
Reverend and Very Dear Father Provincial:
I left Fort Verrailion on the third Sunday of Advent;
I descended the Great Sioux as far as its confluence. There

I26o PROMISES AND FULFILLMENT,
I met with Major Halton, who is agent for the Upper Mis
souri. He employed all his eloquence to persuade me to accom
pany him as far as Fort Pierre, which is the post of the
Little Missouri, He will probably stop there, at about the
middle of January, God alone knows what the weather
will prove at that time. He presented us a beautiful buf
falo-robe, and told me, that if we would establish a mission
in these sections, he would contribute annually $ioo. An
other gentleman added, I have three children to educate;
I will furnish $300 per year, and be assured, con
tinued he, that every white man residing in this locality
that has a family of mixed race (and there are a great num
ber of them), will assist you to the best of their ability —
one in one manner and another in another, according to
their means. The Brules, and Yanktons, and the other
Sioux tribes assembled in council said : " The missionaries
shall not perish with hunger among us ; we will bring them
an abundance of buffalo-robes and buffalo-meat, so that they
can purchase clothes for the children who will be confided
to them,"
For the love of God and of souls, I conjure you. Rev
erend Father, not to defer any longer. All the good that
Father De Smet and others have produced by their labors
and visits will be lost and forgotten, if these Indians are
disappointed in their expectations. They weigh men's
characters in the balance of honesty; in their eyes whoso
ever does not fulfill his promises is culpable; they do not
regard or consider whether it be done for good reasons, or
that there is an impossibility in the execution. Some of
them have sent their children to Protestant schools, and they
will continue to do so as long as we form no establishments
araong them.
From all this you may easily conclude that there is apos
tasy and all its attendant evils. Immortal souls are precious
in the sight of God, You are acquainted with my dis
positions — arrange everything according to your own

IMPORTANCE OF PROMPT ACTION, I261
good will and pleasure. My sole desire is to endure fatigue
and suffering, as much as I can with God's assisting grace,
and as long as I shall live, I have deposited my hopes in
the bosom of my God; I expect ray recompense from his
goodness, not in this life, but in the next.
Yours, etc,
CHRISTIAN HOEKEN, S. J,
These four letters of Reverend Father Hoeken show suf
ficiently, my dear and reverend Father, the spiritual wants
of these nations and their desire of being assisted. Apos
tasy is more frequent than is generally believed in Europe,
Oh! if the zealous priests of the Continent knew what we
know, had they seen what we have witnessed, their gen
erous hearts would transport them beyond the seas, and
they would hasten to consecrate their lives to a ministry
fruitful in salutary results. Time passes; already the sec
taries of various shades are preparing to penetrate more
deeply into the desert, and will wrest from those degraded
and unhappy tribes their last hope — that of knowing and
practicing the sole and true faith. Shall they, in fine, ob
tain the Black-robes, whom they have expected and called
for during so raany years?
Accept, Reverend Father, the assurance of my sincere
friendship,
P. J, De SMET,

CHAPTER III,
TRIBUTES TO THE FLATHEADS AND OTHER TRIBES,*
Testimony of Lieutenant Mullan and Governor Stevens — Progress
in agriculture and useful arts — Pious devotions — Stolen horses re
turned — Advancement of the Cceur d'Alenes — The Indian outbreak.
Brussels, Feast of St. Xavier, December 3, 1856,
Reverend Mother:
'^'HE festival of to-day renews in my mind the recoUec-
^¦^ tion of the pleasant time I spent at Erps, last Monday,
I must again thank you for the kind reception I received
at your convent and academy.
The repeated invitations you have extended to me, since
my return to Belgium, through Father Terwecoren, who
took me there, made it a duty on my part to go. I owed
you this visit also personally. Reverend Mother, on account
of the ties which always have existed, and still exist, be
tween your family and mine. This recommendation was
made to me at Termonde. It was, indeed, pleasant for me
to meet you, after thirty-five years' absence, and especially
to find you consecrated to God by the vows of religion.
During my long travels over the world, I have always found
in religious communities the greatest amount of happiness
to which man can aspire here below.
But independent of this personal motive, the Academy of
the Servants of Mary would leave, in my mind, a most
pleasing recollection. I shall never forget this little family
festival, the charitable and pious words addressed to me by
one of your scholars, in the name of her companions; the
1 To the Mother Superior of the Convent and Academy of Erps-
Qiierbs, between Brussels and Louvain. From Western Missions and
Missionaries, p. 275. [1262]

MULLAN's TRIBUTE TO THE FLATHEADS, I263
earnest attention paid by them to my accounts, and the
prayers they promised me for my poor Indians ; that beau
tiful hymn in honor of St, Francis Xavier, the patron of
missionaries; the happiness of the little village children,
gathered in the day-school, where their hearts learn to love
God and serve him by labor ; the respectful deference of all
the sisters, and of your worthy director.
I thank you, then. Reverend Mother, for this welcome;
and, in the name of the Indians, I thank you especially for
the alms which the convent has confided to me for them,
and the vestments which you prepare. The Indians pray
for their benefactors ; they will pray especially for the Ser
vants of Mary, and for their young pupils, as soon as I tell
them all.
As an anticipated testimony of their gratitude, and that
the remembrance of this day may abide, your community
ever prosper more and raore, your young ladies, when they
come forth from that house of the Lord, preserve preciously
the inappreciable gift of piety and the pure lustre of all
virtue, I propose to give to the first little Indian girls that
I baptize after ray return, the Christian names of the reli
gious and pupils whom I saw assembled, that they may pray
for their benefactresses. Please to prepare a list, and send
it to Father Terwecoren, who is collecting all that is offered
for the mission.
I add to this letter a copy of the tributes of admiration
paid to the Flatheads, as well as the Pater and Ave in
Osage. It is a little souvenir for the Academy of Erps-
Querbs. I. Tribute of admiration rendered to the Flatheads, by
an officer of the United States army, sent with Governor
Stevens to explore St. Mary's valley. These lines are
drawn from a report recently issued by order of Govern
ment. Explorations, etc., from the Mississippi to the PaciHc
ocean, p. 308. Lieutenant Mullan says :
" When I arrived at the camp with my guide, three or
four men came out to meet us, and we were invited to enter

1264 TESTIMONY OF GOVERNOR STEVENS,
the lodge of the great chief. With much eagerness they
took care of our horses, unsaddled them, and led them to
drink. As soon as the camp had been informed of the
arrival of a white man among them, all the principal men
of the tribe collected at the lodge of the chief.
" All being assembled, at a signal given by the chief,
they prayed aloud. I was struck with astonishment, for I
had not the least expectation of such conduct on their part.
The whole assembly knelt. In the most solemn manner,
and with the greatest reverence, they adored the Lord. I
asked myself : Am I among Indians ? Am I among people
whom all the world call savages ? I could scarcely believe
my eyes. The thought that these men were penetrated with
religious sentiments, so profound and beautiful, over
whelmed me with amazement,
" I could never say enough of those noble and generous
hearts among whom I found myself. They were pious and
firm, men of confidence, full of probity, and penetrated at
the same time with a lively and religious faith, to which
they remain constant. They never partake of a repast with
out imploring the blessing of heaven. In the moming,
when rising, and at night, when retiring, they offer their
prayers to Almighty God, The tribe of the Flatheads
among the Indians is the subject of their highest esteem;
and all that I witnessed myself justifies this advantageous
opinion," Here is another testimony from the Hon. Isaac I, Stevens,
Governor of Washington Territory, Giving orders to Lieu
tenant Mullan, he says :
" Tell those good Flatheads that the words of Father De
Sraet in their behalf have been received by their Great
Father, the President of the United States, and that all
good people are devoted to thera. I would like to rebuild
St. Mary's. Let thera know that I am attached to them,
and ready to aid their old benefactors in their well-being.
This would be most pleasing to me,"

SAME WITH THE OTHER TRIBES, 126$
He wrote to the Indian agent :
" You are already aware of the character of the Flat-
heads. They are the best Indians of the mountains and the
plains — honest, brave, and docile, they only need encour
agement to become good citizens — they are Christians, and
we are assured that they live up to the Christian code."
This passage is from the message to the President in
1854. You see, Reverend Mother, that my eulogium at
Erps-Querbs, on the Flatheads, is also in the mouths of the
Americans, It is the same with the other Indians. The
sisters of the pupils may then rely on the prayers and grati
tude of the little girls who bear their names. May these
children of the desert have the sarae means of salvation as
the children of Belgium.
Accept, Reverend Mother, this trifling horaage of my
gratitude, and express the sarae sentiments to your worthy
Director, community, and pupils. Your servant in Christ, etc.

To the Editor of the Precis Historiques, Brussels.^
Oregon Missions.
University of St, Louis, July 16, 1857,
Reverend Father:
Since my return to St. Louis I have been very busy, and
not very well, in consequence of the sudden transition from
a cold climate to one where the therraoraeter stands at 90°
Fahrenheit, I have not been able, thus far, to send you
any interesting article, I have lately received a long and
beautiful letter frora Father A, Hoeken, in the Rocky
Mountains, It appeared, on the i ith instant, in the Free
man's Journal, which you receive regularly, I shall try and
send you a translation,
2 From Western Missions and Missionaries, p, 280,
80

1266 SOME ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS,
I inclose to-day a short notice of Father Eysvogels, If
you give it a place in your Precis, it will give pleasure to
the friends and acquaintances of that good Father in North
Brabant, As you propose terminating a volume. of my letters, you
would do well, perhaps, to add, if there is time, a letter to
the St. Louis Leader, dated June 19, 1855, which you can
have translated, St, Louis, June 19, 1855,
Mr. Editor:
From a letter received from the Rocky Mountains about
two months ago, I learn that the Indians, in our different
missions in Oregon, continue to give great satisfaction to
their missionaries, by their zeal and fervor in the holy prac
tices of religion, " I hope," writes Father Joset, " that
the holy sacrament of confirmation, which many have lately
received, will add still more stability to their good resolu
tions. The arrival of Monseigneur Blanchet, of Nisqually,
had been announced only a few hours before, yet, notwith
standing that one-half of the neophytes Were absent on their
hunting grounds, the zealous prelate gave confirmation to
over 600 persons. He expressed the greatest satisfaction at
the flourishing condition of the missions, and the exemplary
and Christian conduct of the Indian faithful,"
The conversions to our holy faith, if you consider the
small number of our missionaries, are very consoling and
encouraging. Father Joset says, that in the Mission of St.
Paul's alone, among the Skoyelpis or Kettle Falls In
dians, he had 163 converts in the course of the year.
He further states in his letter, that Lieutenant Mullan,
of the United States army, visited the Flatheads, and
several others of our missions, by order of Governor
Stevens, of the new Territory of Washington, and that the
distinguished officer had expressed great delight at all he
saw among the Indians, promising withal to favor them and
to speak well of them in his report. Governor Stevens him-

ST, IGNATIUS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE. I267
self, in his report to the President of the United States,
commends them highly, and calls upon the Government for
aid and assistance, " They are," says he, speaking of the
Flatheads, " the best Indians of the mountains and the
plains — honest, brave and docile — they only need encour
agement to become good citizens ; they are Christians, and
we are assured that they live up to the Christian code," etc.
Most respectfully. Dear Sir,
Your humble and obedient servant,
P. J, De smet, S, j.

You see. Reverend Father, that I have cited the testimony
of Governor Stevens, as to our Indian missions. The de
tails which I shall give you in this letter emanate from the
same source, as honorable as it is truthful. They form part
of an official report on the State of Oregon, sent by that
magistrate to the President of the United States, in 1855,
and published by order of Government,
Speaking of the tribe of Pend d'Oreilles, the Governor
says: " I ara indebted to Doctor Suckley for raany interesting
facts in relation to the raission of St. Ignatius, established
among the lower Pend d'Oreilles ; it would be difficult to find
a more beautiful example of successful missionary labors.
The mission was established nine years ago, by Reverend
P. J, De Smet, the whole country at that time being a vast
wilderness, " For the first two years the missionaries lived in skin
lodges, accompanying the natives on their periodical hunts
and visits to their fishing grounds,
" During this time they found it very hard to live. Their
food consisted principally of camas-roots and dried berries,
which at best contain very little nourishment. They raised
sorae wheat, which they boiled in the beard, for fear of
waste ; parching sorae of the grains to raake a substitute for

1268 achievements OF THE MISSIONARIES,
coffee. After this, they slowly but steadily increased in
welfare. Each year added a small piece to their tillable
ground. They then obtained pigs, poultry, cattle, horses,
agricultural impleraents, and tools. Their supplies of tools,
seeds, groceries, clothing, etc, are shipped direct from Eu
rope to the Columbia river. There are two lay brethren at
tached to the raission. One of them. Brother Francis, is a
perfect jack-of-all-trades. He is by turns a carpenter, black
smith, gunsmith and tinman; in each handicraft he is a
good workman. The other. Brother McGean, superintends
the farming operations. They both worked hard in bring
ing the mission to its present state of perfection, building
successively a windmill, blacksmith's and carpenter's shops,
barns, cowsheds, etc., besides an excellent chapel, in addi
tion to a large dwelling-house, of hewn timber, for the
missionaries. " The church is quite large, and is tastefully and even
beautifully decorated. I was shown the handsomely carved
and gilded altar, the statue of our ' Mother,' brazen crosses,
and rich bronzed fonts — work which at sight appears so
well executed as to lead one to suppose that they raust all
have been imported.
" Works of ornament are not their only deeds, A grind
stone, hewn out of the native rock, and modeled by the
same hand which made the chisel which wrought it, tin
ware, a blacksmith's bellows, plow-shares, bricks for their
chimneys, their own tobacco-pipes, turned with the lathe
out of wood, and lined with tin, all have been raade by
their industry. In household economy they are not excelled.
They make their own soap, candles, vinegar, etc., and it is
interesting and amusing to listen to the account of their
plans, shifts and turns, in overcoming obstacles at their
first attempts, their repeated failures and their final tri
umphs. The present condition of the mission is as follows :
"The buildings are: The house, a good, substantial,
comfortable edifice; the chapel, a building sufficiently large

IMPROVEMENT IN THE INDIANS. I269
to accommodate the whole Kalispel nation, A small build
ing is attached to the dwelling-house; it contains a couple
of sleeping-rooms, and a workshop, a blacksmith's shop,
and a storeroom for the natives. These are all built of
square or hewn timber. Besides these there are a number
of smaller outbuildings, built of logs, for the accommoda
tion of their horses and cattle during the winter, and an
excellent roothouse.
" The mission farm consists of about i6o acres of cleared
land: wheat (spring), barley, onions, cabbages, parsnips,
peas, beets, potatoes and carrots. Father Hoeken says, that
if the children see carrots growing, they must eat some.
Says he, ' I must shut my eyes to the theft, because they can
not resist the temptation. Anything else than carrots, the
little creatures respect.'
" The Indians are very fond of peas and cabbages, but
beets, and particularly onions, they dislike. The other pro
ductions of the farm are cattle, hogs, poultry, butter and
cheese. Around the mission buildings are the houses of the
natives. These are built of logs and hewn timber, and are
sixteen iA number. There are also quite a number of mat
and skin lodges. Although the tribe is emphatically a
wandering tribe, yet the mission and its vicinity are looked
upon as headquarters.
" When the missionaries came araong the Indians, they
found them to be a poor, miserable, half-starved race, with
an insufficiency of food, and nearly naked ; living upon fish,
camas and other roots, and, as the last extremity, upon
the pine-tree moss. They were in utter misery and want.
The whole tirae was occupied in providing for their bellies,
which were rarely full. They were of a peaceable disposi
tion, brave, good-terapered and willing to work.
" Of spiritual things they were utterly ignorant. Unlike
the Indians east of the mountains, they had no idea of a
future state or of a Great Spirit, neither had they any idea
of a soul ; in fact, they had not words in their language to
express such ideas. They considered themselves to be ani-

1270 MISSIONARIES LOOKED UP TO,
mais, nearly allied to the beaver, but greater than the beaver,
' because,' they said, ' the beaver builds houses like us, and
he is very cunning; true, but we can catch the beaver, and
he cannot catch us, therefore we are greater than he.'
" They thought that when they died, that was the last of
them. While thus ignorant, it was nothing uncommon for
them to bury the very old and the very young alive, because,
they said, ' these cannot take care of themselves, and we
cannot take care of thera, and they had better die,'
" The missionaries had an arduous labor before them.
They coraraenced by gaining the good will of the inhabit
ants, by means of small presents, and by manifesting great
interest in their welfare, in attendance upon the sick, and by
giving the poor creatures food, seeds and instruction as to
farming, " The Indians could not help seeing that no hopes of
temporal or personal benefit induced the missionaries thus
to labor among them,
" The missionaries told them that they had a Creator,
and that he was good. They told them of their Savior, and
of the manner of addressing hira by prayer. To this they
listened, and believed.
" The people look up to the Father, and love him. They
say that if the Father should go away, they would die,
" Before the advent of the missionaries, the inhabitants,
though totally destitute of religious ideas, still believed that
evil and bad luck emanated frora a fabulous old woman or
sorceress. They were great believers in charms or medi
cine. Every raan had his particular medicine or charm, and
from it they expected either good or ill. With some it
would be the mouse, with others the deer, buffalo, elk, sal
mon, bear, etc. ; and whichever it was, the savage would
carry a portion of it constantly with hira. The tail of a
mouse, or the fur, hoof, claw, feather, fin, or scale, of what
ever it might be, became the amulet. When a young raan
grew up, he was not yet considered a raan until he had dis
covered his raedicine. His father would send him to the

INDIANS ARE WILLING TO WORK, 1 27 1
top of a high mountain in the neighborhood of the present
mission; here he was obliged to remain without food until
he had dreamed of an animal; the first one so dreamed
about becoming his medicine for life. Of course, anxiety,
fatigue, cold and fasting would render his sleep troubled,
and replete with dreams. In a short time he would have
dreamed of what he wanted, and return to his home a man.
" The missionaries say that these Indians are industrious,
and not lazy, as compared to other Indians; that they are
willing to work ; but the land is so poor, and so little of it
is susceptible of cultivation, that they cannot farm enough,
" The mission farra, as already stated, contains about i6o
acres. This is kept up for the natives, as but a few acres
would be amply sufficient for the missionaries. Each Indian
who wishes it, is allowed a certain amount of land to culti
vate for his own use, and is provided with tools and seeds.
" Before reaching the Mission of St. Ignatius, Doctor
Suckley found four lodges of the Pend d'Oreilles about half
a mile above the outlet of Lake De Boey. These lodges were
all built after the fashion of the Sioux lodge, with the single
difference that they were covered with mats of reeds, in
stead of skins. These mats are made of rushes laid parallel,
and fastened together at their ends. For convenience in
traveling, the mats are rolled into cylindrical bundles, and
are thus easily carried in canoes. Doctor Suckley's provi
sions being out, he concluded to lodge all night with All-ol-
stargh, the head of the encampment. The other lodges were
principally occupied by his children and grandchildren.
' Shortly after our entrance,' says Doctor Suckley, ' AU-oI-
stargh rung a little bell; directly the lodge was filled with
the inhabitants of the camp, men, women and children,
who iramediately got on their knees, and repeated, or rather
chanted, a long prayer, in their own language. The repeti
tion of a few pious sentences, an invocation, and a hymn,
closed the exercises. In these the squaws took as active a
part as the raen. The promptness, fervency and earnest
ness, all showed, was pleasing to contemplate. The partici-

1272 AN INSTANCE OF HONESTY AND COURAGE,
pation of the squaws in the exercises, and the apparent foot
ing of equality between them and the men, so much unlike
their condition in other savage tribes, appear remarkable,' "
The following trait, mentioned by Mr, Doty in his report,
attests their good faith and decision of character :
" On the 1st of November, six Pend d'Oreille Indians
came to this post, and delivered up all the horses that were
stolen. It appears that they were taken by two young Pend
d'Oreilles, and run to the Pend d'Oreille camp, then hunting
beyond the Muscleshell, under the command of a chief of
that nation, Alexander. The horses were recognized, by the
stamps, as belonging to the whites, and the young men con
fessed having stolen thera at this post, A council was held,
and it was determined that it was a great sin to steal horses
from the white men who were friendly to them; that the
wishes of the ' Great Soldier Chief,' who had been at St,
Mary's, were known to them, and they had promised com
pliance with them ; that stealing these horses would give the
Pend d'Oreilles the name of liars and triflers ; that they had
always borne a good name, and were ashamed to have mean
things said of them now ; therefore the horses must be taken
back by the great chief and five principal men of the tribe.
Accordingly, they came boldly to the fort and delivered up
the horses, without asking any reward, but, on the contrary,
expressing much sorrow and shame that they had been
taken. " Thus the six Indians proved themselves not only honest,
but brave in the highest degree, coming, as they did, five
days and nights into an enemy's country, simply to do an act
of justice to strangers. They remained here two days, and
on departing were accompanied by Mr. Clark and myself
fifteen or twenty railes on their journey."
In regard to the Flatheads, the Governor says :
" Lieutenant Mullan, in his journal of September 20th,
relates the following incident, illustrative of their noble
character : ' We had to-night a great luxury, in a string of

THREE NOBLE RED MEN. I273
mountain trout, brought into carap by one of our Flathead
friends. Our Indians displayed, on this occasion, a trait
worthy of notice. They were without meat or anything to
eat. We were without meat, but had a little flour left from
our small stock of provisions. These being the first fish
caught by any of the party, they insisted on our taking
them. This we refused, but they insisted, until we were
corapelled to accept them.' He continues : ' I cannot say
too much of the three noble raen who were with us. They
were firm, upright, reliable raen, and, in addition thereto,
entertained a religious belief, which they never violated.
They did not partake of a meal without asking the blessing
of God ; they never rose in the morning or retired at night
without offering a prayer. They all knew the country well,
and were excellent guides and hunters. When they could
not find fresh meat, they accepted the remnants from our
scanty table with the greatest contentedness,'
" The Flatheads recognize Victor as their chief, an Indian
of the same name being the chief of the lower Pend
d'Oreilles. These two tribes usually accompany each other
in their great hunting expeditions east of the Rocky Moun
tains. The heroism of the Flatheads in battle, and their
good faith toward others, have been the theme of praise,
both from priest and layman."
Speaking of the Coeur d'Alenes, the Governor says :
" The Coeur d'Alene Indians are under-estimated by all
the authorities. They have some seventy lodges, and num
ber about 500 inhabitants. They are much indebted to the
good Fathers for making considerable progress in agricul
ture. They have abandoned polygamy, have been taught
the rudiments of Christianity, and are greatly improved in
morals and in the comforts of life. It is indeed extraordi
nary what the Fathers have done at the Coeur d'Alene mis
sion. It is on the Coeur d'Alene river, about thirty miles
from the base of the mountains, and some ten miles above
the Coeur d'Alene lake.

1274 AGRICULTURAL PROGRESS OF INDIANS,
'¦ They have a splendid church, nearly finished by the
labors of the Fathers, brothers and Indians; a large barn;
a horse-mill for flour; a small range of buildings for the
accommodation of the priests and brothers ; a storeroom ; a
milk or dairy-room; a cookroom, and good arrangements
for their pigs and cattle. They are putting up a new range
of quarters, and the Indians have some twelve comfortable
log cabins. The church was designed by the superior skill
of the mission. Father Ravalli, a man of skill as an architect,
and undoubtedly, judging from his well-thumbed books, of
various accomplishments. Father Gazzoli showed me his
several designs for the altar, all of them characterized by
good taste and harmony of proportion. The church, as a
specimen of architecture, would do credit to any one, and
has been faithfully sketched by our artist, Mr, Stanley, The
massive timbers supporting the altar were from larch trees
five feet in diameter, and were raised to their place by the
Indians, with the aid simply of a pulley and a rope,
" They have a large, cultivated field, of some 200 acres,
and a prairie of frora 2,000 to 3,000 acres. They own 100
pigs, eight yokes of oxen, twenty cows, and a liberal pro
portion of horses, mules and young animals,
" The Indians have learned to plow, sow, till the soil
generally, milk cows (with both hands), and do all the
duties incident to a farm. They are, some of them, expert
woodcutters; and I saw at work, getting in the harvest,
some thirty or forty Indians, They are thinking of cutting
out a good trail to St. Mary's valley, over the Coeur d'Alene
Mountains (on the route passed over by me). They need
agricultural impleraents and seeds.
" The country generally, on both sides of the Coeur
d'Alene river and lake, is rolling and beautiful. It is inter
spersed with many small prairies, all affording excellent
grazing, and most of them adapted to crops. The rolling
country could be easily cleared, and would yield excellent
wheat and vegetables. I have no question that all the coun-

GOVERNOR STEVENS PROMISE I275
try, from the falls of the Cceur d'Alene to some distance
above the mission, and thence to near Clark's Fork, a region
of 3,000 or 4,000 square miles, is adapted to grazing and
culture. A small portion will be overflowed by the melting
of the mountain snows, and another portion will be occupied
by the mountain spurs or isolated peaks, capable simply of
furnishing timber and fuel,
" The Fathers state that a better site for the mission is
furnished by a river flowing frora the southeast into the
western end of the Coeur d'Alene lake, and called by them
St, Joseph's river. It is said to be larger than the Coeur
d'Alene river, to have many prairies along its banks, and the
country generally to abound in wood, grass and water,
" On the return of the Indians from the field above spoken
of, I talked to thera in these words :
" ' I ara glad to see you, and to find that you are under
such good direction, I have corae four tiraes as far as you
go to hunt the buffalo, and have come with directions from
the Great Father to see you, to talk with you, and to do all
I can for your welfare, I see cultivated fields, a church,
houses, cattle and the fruits of the soil — the works of your
own hands. The Great Father will be delighted to hear
this, and will certainly assist you. Go on ; and every family
will have a house and a patch of ground, and every one will
be well clothed. I have talked with the Blackfeet, who
proraise to raake peace with all the Indian tribes. Listen to
the Good Father and to the good brothers who labor for
your good."
These details are drawn from the Message of the Presi
dent of the United States to Congress, 1854-5, p. 416.
Accept, dear Father, my respectful homage, and believe
me. Your devoted servant and brother in Christ,
P. J. De SMET, S, J,

1276 THE PEACE COUNCIL OF 1855.
Indians of the Rocky Mountains.
To Editor of the Precis Historiques, Brussels.^
St, Francis Xavier, Feb, 4, 1856,
Reverend Father:
I have just received a letter from Father Adrian Hoeken,
dated October i8th, at the united camp of the Flatheads
and Pend d'Oreilles, in the region of the great plains, east
of the Rocky Mountains, The Indians had gone there to
attend a peace council, held by order of the United States
Government, Father Hoeken attended, at the express re
quest of Governor Stevens of Washington Territory, who
shows every regard to the Fathers, and whose reports to the
President evince the lively interest which he feels in the
improvement of the material condition of the Indians under
our care.
The Blackfeet, Crows, Flatheads, Pend d'Oreilles, Koo
tenais, and a great number of chiefs of other tribes attended
the council. It is to be hoped that the stipulations of the
new treaty will be ratified by Government. On the one hand,
the Indians proraise to reraain at peace with each other;
on -the other, the whites and the Govemment to aid them
by subsidies in educating their children, and by farming
implements to encourage them to leave their nomad life
and settle in a convenient spot on their own lands. It is to
be hoped that the council will succeed in realizing this lauda
ble plan.
Father Hoeken tells me that the Indians of our missions
west of the Rocky Mountains (the Flatheads, Pend
d'Oreilles, Coeur d'Alenes, Kootenais, Kettle Falls Indians),
continue, by their regular and religious conduct, to give the
missionaries great consolation. He speaks also of the good
dispositions of the Crows, Blackfeet and others east of the
mountains. These Indians earnestly solicit missionaries.
Colonel Cummings, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, who
s From Western Missions and Missionaries, p. 292.

DURING THE OREGON WAR. 1 277
presided at the great Indian council, assured rae, on his
recent return to St. Louis, that all the tribes of the upper
Missouri are devoted to us. He would gladly use his in
fluence with Governraent for the success of our missions
among them. Before setting out for the council, he ex
pressed the wish that I should accompany him to the great
Indian assembly.
In a letter from Father Congiato, dated at Santa Clara,
November 29th, that superior of the missions of California
and Oregon, speaks of his visit to the missions in the moun
tains. It lasted three months. The following is an extract :
" The Fathers do much good in that remote region. Like
his venerable brother, who died on the Missouri in 185 1,
Father Hoeken does the work of several men. He has suc
ceeded in uniting three nations and a part of the Flatheads
to live together under his spiritual direction.
"All was going on wonderfully well when I was in Ore
gon ; now all is on fire. The Indians who live on the banks
of the Columbia, from Walla Walla to the Dalles, have
joined the Indians of northern California to make war on
the Americans or whites, and commit great depredations.
One of the Oblates (Father Pandory) has been massacred.*
The last tidings which I received from the Mission of St,
Paul at Colville, inform me that your Indians express their
horror for the excesses comraitted by the Indians, and show
no disposition to join them in the war. Pray for your fel
low missionaries in Oregon."
Several papers in this country ascribe the origin of this
war to the cruelties perpetrated by sorae whites on a peace
ful and tranquil band of Indians. I do not think that our
Indians will take the least part in the difficulties which have
arisen between the Americans and the Indians of the Colum
bia. They will doubtless follow the advice of their mission
aries, who will divert them from such a great danger and so
sad a misfortune. Moreover, they are at some distance frora
* This was a false report. — Editor, Western Missions and Mission
aries.

1278 TRIBES IMPLORING AID.
the actual seat of war, and have had but trifling intercourse,
if any, with the hostile tribes.
Do not forget me in your prayers, and obtain prayers for
the wretched, I have just received a second letter from
Father Hoeken from the Flathead village of St, Ignatius,
He has several nations there. The conversions araong the
Indians have been very consoling and nuraerous in the
course of last year.
In the name of all the Indians east and west of the moun^
tains, he implores rae to revisit them. The Blackfeet, Crows,
Assiniboins, Sioux and others incessantly implore our aid.
These nations are still very numerous. They nuraber over
70,000 souls. Religious should, before all else, be children
of obedience. It is the affair of our superiors. We shall
never cease to aid them by our prayers, and commend them
in a special manner to the remembrance of the pious.

CHAPTER IV.
PLANS FOR A SIOUX MISSION,
An excursion among the Yanktons — Quarters assigned — Talks all
day and wrestles with the enemy all night — Baptism of head chief —
His experience with a miraculous medal — A good Indian — Repulses
sectarians — Letter from chiefs — The Indian Bureau consulted in re
gard to formation of a mission — Letters to public men — Nomination
of Indian agents — Statistics of mountain tribes.
St. Louis University, March 22, 1866,
Major-General Sully,
Headquarters District Upper Missouri, Clinton, lozva:
Dear General. — I received your kind favor of the 28th
ultimo. You will excuse me for not answering it sooner.
I had to postpone it till the arrival of the Superior of the
Board of the University, who has been on a long absence.
He has now just returned and your propositions, concerning
Indian missions, have been taken up for consideration.
Allow rae to return my sincere thanks for the kind and
favorable feelings you express in your letter toward the
Catholic missions in general. Your suggestion of establish
ing a mission at Fort Berthold among the three united
bands of Mandans, Aricaras and Grosventres, and among
the Sioux near Fort Randall, was highly approved and will
be looked to. Owing to our numerous establishments and
the great want of personal means, the design could not im
mediately be acted upon. It will, I hope, be done before
long and as soon as practicable and when the proper persons
can be prepared for carrying out the views proposed and
with the permission of the proper civil and military au
thorities, [1279]

I28o HOSPITALITY OF THE YANKTONS
I intend leaving St. Louis on the 7th of April, on the
Fannie Ogden. I hope I shall have the honor of meeting
you on my way up the river. Should I meet the head men
of the Santee tribe and the chiefs at Fort Berthold I shall
do my best to encourage them.
With sentiments of the highest consideration of respect
and esteem, I have the honor to be, dear General, etc.

Tribe of the Yanktons, in the vicinity of
Fort Randall, July, 1866,^
Very Reverend Father Provincial:
In this letter I shall give you a faithful statement of my
mission among the Yanktons, I do not doubt in the least
that your Reverence and the consulting Fathers will take
under consideration the position of these good savages and
their admirable disposition toward the faith. Permit me
to go into minute details concerning all my relations with
thera. If the consolations are soraetiraes great in the holy
rainistry araong the savages, I have also, at the station from
which I write, shared in a good portion of human misery.
The more fruitful were the days, the more miserable and
exhausting have the nights been. The following recital will
give you a faithful account of it.
Upon ray arrival araong the Yanktons, Indians and half-
breeds welcomed me among them with the utmost good
will. Every one expressed in particular his desire that I
should come and share his lodge or cabin, as the case raight
be. As the farailies are usually quite numerous and their
quarters rather cramped, and in order that I might have
raore free use of ray time araong them, I expressed ray in
tention of occupying sorae little private abode, in whatsoever
condition, where I might discharge in quiet my spiritual
1 From the French of the Linton Album, p. 94.

AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE RATS, I281
duties ; say my early morning mass and recite my breviary.
They had the very thing for me — a poor cellar (fifteen
feet square) built of hewn timbers and covered with earth
and long abandoned. It was serving as a junk shed for all
the community and -wlas full of rags, pieces of rusted iron,
chips, planks, etc. This was all cleared away and the place
swept out. My little effects were quickly transported
thither, and in less than an hour I took possession, without
the least doubt that I would spend several agreeable days
there in the instruction of the Indians, and several tranquil
nights in reposing after the fatigues and the great heats of
the day. I had a long conference with the chiefs and their
subjects concerning the motives of my visit ; I answered all
their questions, and it was prolonged well into the night.
At last I said prayer with my new community, we smoked
one last calumet together, and then every one, thanking
me joyfully for my presence, withdrew to give himself up
to repose under his own roof.
Worn out by the heat of the day and the fatigues of the
journey, I expected to enjoy a good sleep, I had reckoned
without my hosts. I had been perhaps ten minutes in bed
and was almost asleep, when I was awakened with a start.
The dugout was swarming with famished rats; they came
and laughed in my very face. Night is their particular
domain and they make the best use they can of it in their
own behalf. They carried on at a shocking rate. They
were rummaging all ray bags of provisions, and were about
to begin in earnest the transportation of such of their con
tents as suited their purposes into their caves, when I stopped
them short. To prevent the depredations of the rats, I hung
my sacks to the posts of my mansard out of reach of any
attempts on the part of these highwaymen. During this
labor I felt myself assailed by another enemy, the flea. If
he is not so formidable as the rat, he is more importunate
and he attaches himself to his prey in a most tenacious man
ner. Often one is deceived into the consoling belief that he
has put his finger upon him, but  "he is not there," To
81

1282 FRUITS OF THE YANKTON MISSION.
be brief, I was awake and up all night, making play with my
hands, fingers and nails to defend myself against the fleas
and their comrades in evil-doing, the mosquitos, the bed
bugs, the ants, the spiders, et omne genus muscarum. As
you will perceive, dear Father, all is not gold that glitters.
The more beautiful and consoling had been the day, among
those good Indians, who lent such earnest attention to my
words, the more sorry and troubled was the night. Take
what precautions I would for the night, during my fort
night among the Yanktons, and with all my fruitful and
consoling relations with them on each day — I spent all my
hours instructing them and baptizing their little ones and
those about to die — still each night I must go on the war
path afresh against the common enemy, the veritable
scourge of this region. But of course, putting miseries and
consolations in the balance, the latter outweigh as much as
light surpasses darkness.
The results of my mission among the Yanktons have
been very happy. I have baptized all the little children that
were in the carap, about 100 in number, together with some
fifteen adults, araong whom I count the head chief of the
tribe with his spouse. I think a little notice of the life and
character of this head chief may please you. I will tran
scribe it from the notes in my journal.
On the 6th of this month (July) I baptized solemnly the
head chief of the Yankton tribe, named Pananniapapi, or
Man that Strikes the Ree. His tribe nurabers in the neigh
borhood of 450 lodges, say 3,000 souls. He is a remark
able man, the descendant of a long line of chiefs recognized
for their bravery in war against their enemies, but still more
for their wisdom in the councils of the Dakota nation, which
numbers 35,000 to 40,000 souls. I met Pananniapapi first
in 1844. He recalled all the circumstances to me, I had
at that time, he says, long talks with him regarding our
holy religion, I exhorted him to pray the Master of Life to
make him worthy to enter some day into the bosom of
Jesus Christ, and become a worthy child of his Church. He

CHOLERA MIRACULOUSLY HEALED. I283
has remained faithful ever since to the words I spoke to him
upon religion, and has kept them carefully in his mind and
heart. He has preserved with care and respect the large
miraculous medal and has always worn it, full of confidence
in the protection of the Mother of God, and he and all his
tribe have participated in her mighty favors.
He recounted to rae with primitive simplicity the bene
fits obtained from heaven by the intercession of Mary.
Once, in 1853, he and all his camp were buffalo hunting in
the vast plains of the West. It was the cholera year, and the
frightful scourge of God broke out among the Indians,
where its ravages were terrible. Thousands of them fell
victims to it. Pananniapapi's camp was attacked in its
turn and in one day thirty died. There was universal
mourning and nothing but groans and weeping was to be
heard anywhere. In the consternation of the moment, the
head chief exhorted his people to have trust in God and
apply to Mary. He placed the miraculous medal upon a
new white parfleche, neatly painted. Surrounded by his
people, he implored the succor of the Holy Virgin, the good
Mother of the children of God. Pananniapapi embraced
the wonder-working medal devoutly, and amid their pious
invocations to Mary, which penetrated heaven, all the
Yanktons, 3,000 in number, full of trust, kissed the medal
after the example of their head chief. At the same instant
every symptom of the malady disappeared and the cholera
left them.
It gives me pleasure to add to this little tale the universal
testimony which I have received to the character of the
great and good chief Pananniapapi. He leads an ex
emplary life among his people. His charity is boundless.
His position as chief brings him certain remunerative fa
vors from the Govemment which would put his family in
easy circumstances. He accepts them, and makes use of
them solely to relieve the distress of the poor members of
his tribe. He shares with resignation, nay, I may say with
joy, the general needs. He wears no mark of distinction.

1284 A MODEL FOR INDIAN CHIEFS,
He has adopted the costume of the whites; his garments
are humble, but clean. His bearing is at once modest and
imposing. In his speech he is grave and imposing, and he
is quick to take a point. His example is a model and les
son to all. Although sixty-five years of age and almost
blind, he is always the first at work, whether in the field, the
forest or the garden. The men, women and children of
his tribe need no other encouragement. With axe, pick and
shovel on their shoulders, they follow him everywhere
eagerly, either to the forest or to the field. Such an ex
ample is rare, especially in a head chief among the Indians,
so little accustomed to labor. They have over 800 acres^
under cultivation. The vast field was admirably tended,
and promised a good ample crop.
The longer I stayed among the Yanktons, the more I was
struck with the manners and bearing of Pananniapapi, His
modest exterior, his words full of wisdom and prudence,
brought to ray mind an ancient Patriarch or Nestor of the
wilderness. During his younger years, he distinguished
himself in war by deeds of valor. He bears the honorable
marks upon him, but without ostentation, A three-inch
arrowhead remained in the small of his back for sixteen
years. But he has distinguished himself still more by his
wise and moderate counsels upon the most important affairs
of his nation. At the death of him who was head chief
before him, he was chosen unanimously to fill his place, and
he has ever discharged the duties of it with honor and for
the best interests of his people.
My arrival in the thirty-mile square Yankton reserva
tion was a real day of rejoicing for Pananniapapi, He re
ceived me with all demonstrations of the sincerest joy, and
eagerly renewed his invitation of twenty-two years before,
that we should come and establish ourselves on his land and
open a raission there for the instruction of children and of
the raembers of his tribe. He has often had to resist the
artifices of Government agents and employees, who have

NO USE FOR MINISTERS, I285
sought, unasked, to impose missionaries of their own par
ticular sect upon his tribe, by force and against his remon
strances, Pananniapapi has always resisted all their at
tempts. When they asked hira his reason for refusing his
consent to their benevolent and charitable intentions toward
his tribe, he replied modestly, " I am thankful for the occa
sion you give me to tell you all my thought with reference
to this important matter. My opposition to your plans is a
sincere and conscientious duty to the Great Spirit, which I
desire to discharge. I raade up my mind on this subject
twenty-two years ago. I wish to put the instruction of the
youth of my tribe into the hands of the Black-robes ; I con
sider them alone the depositaries of the ancient and true
faith of Jesus Christ, and we are free to hear and follow
them," The ministers answered hira : " The religion of
the Black-robes may be good, but ours is the best ; why not
rather accept ours? " The chief replied, " I have told you
that my resolution goes back a great many years. In the
old Church the Mother of Jesus Christ is honored. When
the cholera attacked us in the desert, all ray carap was put
under the protection of Mary. She deigned to come to our
rescue; I always wear her medal." And he told them the
story of the miraculous occurrence in the plain. He con
tinued : " Besides, like ourselves you have your wives and
children; they possess your hearts and are your principal
preoccupation. You wish to come and settle among us.
That is to gather wealth and enrich your wives and children
at our expense. The Black-robe has neither wife nor chil
dren. His heart is undivided. All his care is for God and
the happiness of the people that surround his cabin and the
house of prayer. Since my first talk with the Black-robe
I have had no other thought but to embrace the ancient
religion of Jesus Christ, if I can make myself worthy. My
mind is made up." His answer has always been the same
to all renewals of the question. Pananniapapi has re
mained imperturbable as to his choice of a religion for
twenty-two years. To-day he enjoys the distinguished

1286 IMPORTANCE OF A YANKTON MISSION,
happiness of having been regenerated in the holy waters of
baptisra with his wife Mazaitzashanawe under the patron
age of St, Peter and St. Anne.
As soon as I came he renewed his petition with ardor, to
obtain a Catholic mission among the Yanktons, In my long
experience with Indians, I have never seen so durable and
admirable a persistency. He spent all the tirae he could
spare with me. We had long talks together upon religion,
and he was most attentive.
May all the tribe of the Yanktons, after the example of
their great chief, become worthy to enter hereafter into the
sweet fold of the Divine Shepherd! May the long-desired
Catholic mission be established among these children of the
desert, under the illustrious patronage of the Holy Virgin,
to be led to the knowledge of the word of her Divine Son,
the only door of salvation !
Come, Reverend Father, to the aid of the Indians by your
holy sacrifices and prayers, for the fulfillment of their de
sire — a mission among thera. The land which the Yank
tons occupy is the doorway to the vast territories of the
Dakotas or Sioux, who are 35,000 to 40,000 in number. In
my various meetings with the Sioux tribes, they have al
ways treated me with much respect and kindness and given
close attention to my words,
I have the honor to be, with the deepest respect and the
most sincere esteem
Very Reverend Father Provincial, Revse Vae Servus in
Christo,

Copy of Letter of Yankton Chiefs.
Greenwood, D. T., July 26, 1866,
Reverend Dear Father De Smet:
I send you a few lines from the chiefs of the Yanktons,
They say when they were at Washington their Great

PETITION OF YANKTON CHIEFS, 1 287
Father promised them a school and teachers, and now it is
seven years and they have seen nothing as yet. Doctor Bur
leigh had a school for his children. There is another re
ligious [teacher] that wants to come and remain with us.
He wants to teach us the Santee language, but we do not
want them. We want no other but you and your religion.
The other wants to learn us how to read and sing in the In
dian language and which we all know how to do in our own
way. What we want is to learn the American language and
their ways. We know enough of the Indian ways. I am
now very old and before I die I want to see a school and
the children learn how to read and write in the American
language, and if you will try and get with us, I will be very
happy. Our agent has not arrived as yet, but when he
comes I will have a long talk with him and will send you
an answer to what he says,
I will say not much until the agent arrives and then I
will tell him what I have to say and what I want and then
I will send you a few lines. After you had gone, all my
Indians have had plenty of buffalo. We have made a sur
round from this place. I think the Great Spirit will take
pity on us and grant all our requests. Hoping that we raay
hear and see you soon, we remain, ever yours,
THE MAN THAT STRIKES THE REE, X
LITTLE SWAN, X
FEATHER IN THE EAR, X
MEDICINE COW, X
JUMPING THUNDER, X
''(I write this for the Chiefs, who have requested me so
to do,) J. B, CHARDON, for Indians,
2 Note in parenthesis by Chardon.

1288 MORE ABOUT A YANKTON MISSION,
St, Louis University, Nov, 24, 1866,
Honorable Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the " Re
port of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the year
1865," which you had the great kindness to forward to me,
and for which I return you my most sincere thanks,
I avail myself of the present occasion to lay respectfully
before you a little incident of my late missionary visit
araong the Indian tribes of the upper Missouri, At the
special request of Pananniapapi, or " The Man who Strikes
the Ree," the head chief of the Yankton tribe and several
of his braves who reside at the Yankton Agency below Fort
Randall, I reraained some time amongst them. During my
whole stay, I found them all very attentive and respectful.
Since my first interview with Pananniapapi, in 1843, he
had nourished a longing desire, as he expressed it, " to see
the old Black-robes (the priests) reside among his people,
to instruct the Indian youth and to teach them the saving
truths of Christianity," On my recent visit last sumraer he
manifested anew this his old desire with an urgent request
to come and locate on the land reserved for his tribe. The
chiefs, having made up their minds, in regard to the reli
gious profession of the teachers of their children, had been
opposed hitherto to the establishing of schools by teachers
of other denominations contrary to their own choice,
I could not give at that time a positive promise to Panan
niapapi, the affair having first to be proposed to our o-wn
Board of Missions in St. Louis, and the practicability of its
execution having first to be discussed. The Yankton In
dians are under treaty with the Government, and a school
fund, if I have been well informed, has been established in
favor of their tribe consisting, I am told, of about 450
lodges, or 2,500 souls.
I would feel grateful for information on the following
points: First. Should our Board of Missions agree to
grant a Catholic missionary establishment, as expressly de-

UNPRECEDENTED HOT WEATHER, I289
sired by the chiefs of the Yankton tribe, will it meet with
the approbation of the Indian Bureau in Washington?
Second. In case it meets with the consent of the proper
authorities, I would beg to be informed as to the conditions
and stipulations of the Yankton Treaty in regard to the
formation and allowances for aforesaid schools.
With sentiments of the highest consideration of respect
and esteem, I have the honor to be, etc.
Honorable L. V. Bogy,
Com'r of Indian Aifairs,
Washington, D. C.

St. Louis University, July 30, 1868.
Dear General:
According to promise you have a right to a letter frora
me. I shall ever remember your extraordinary kindness to
me whilst in the upper country. Since I left Fort Sully I
suffered greatly from the unprecedented atmospheric heat.
I had made up my mind, after my arduous trip to the hostile
bands on the Yellowstone river, to take a few days' rest at
St. Mary's Mission, among the Potawatomies, in Kansas,
The thermometer at that place and in the shade, ranged
from 104 to 109°. Of course, I availed rayself of the
coolness after the first good shower, to proceed hastily to
St. Louis, which I reached a few days ago. I find the heat
here more moderate, still it continues to be excessive and I
am under great sufferings and in real danger. Deaths from
the heat are very comraon and are of daily occurrence.
At Omaha I had the pleasure of entertaining the Right
Reverend Bishop O'Gorman last mission in the upper Mis
souri, principally among the various Indian tribes. I have
exposed to him the great need and want of a Catholic chap-
Iain to visit the various military forts along the river and
attend to the spiritual welfare of the nuraerous Catholic

1290 LETTER TO GENERAL STANLEY,
soldiers they contain. He felt moved at the representation
made, but owing to the great scarcity of priests in his ira-
raense district, I doubt much whether he will be able to
grant any assistance in this respect. At this moment the
Archbishop is absent from St, Louis, At his return I shall
expose the case to him in earnest terms and at your par
ticular request. With some certainty, or at the least, good
hope, I can announce to you that a mission of our Society
will be established on the new contemplated Indian reserva
tions, in all probability among the Yanktonnais (the Two
Bears band) who number over 700 lodges, Frora this es
tablishment, in case of no regular chaplain being appointed,
a Father will be able to visit yearly all the military posts
on the Missouri, Should any suggestion occur to your mind
on this subject, please inforra rae. I shall do my best and
take great pleasure to bring it about. When last at Fort
Sully, I informed you of my intended trip to Europe,
Under urgent circumstances two Fathers have left a month
ago to perform. the duties intended for me. Should you
have any coraraands or orders for the Old World, I shall
with pleasure communicate them to my friends, who will
promptly and readily fulfill the requests. Any other com
mands from here in books, etc., I shall, with pleasure,
attend to.
I intend shortly to write to good Captain Duffy and
family. I procured two little libraries of very interesting
books for his dear young children and shall send them by
the safest and best occasion. I have carefully kept the ad
dress of his son. Master James, and shall soon vi^rite to hira.
A beautiful prayer-book and other books are bundled up
and ready to be forwarded to Rhode Island.
Please present ray best respects to Mrs. Stanley and re
member me to your dear little daughters.
Most respectfully, etc..
General D. S. Stanley,
Fort Sully, D. T.

GENERAL HARNEY AND THE SIOUX. I29I
St, Louis University, Sept, 9, 1868,
Dear General:
I heard to-day of the arrival of General Sherman and
paid him a visit at his office. I represented to him the case of
removing the Upper Missouri tribes in the vicinity of Forts
Sully and Rice, to the neighborhood of Fort Randall, add
ing its objections and difficulties. The general showed me
the map intended for the Indian reservation. It is about
as large as the whole State of Missouri and extends from
Fort Randall, above Fort Sully. The upper Indians, he
added, " may select any spot, even opposite Fort Sully, if
they choose," I learned that General Harney has the entire
control of the reservation and that $200,000 have been
placed at his disposal, to help the Indians through the com
ing winter. Of course, you will see General Harney.
Your great experience, advice and direction will be of great
service to him and result in the welfare and happiness of
the Indians.
Try your best to induce my brother, Two Bears, to make
a good selection, not far away from Sully. Should a
Catholic mission be established, and I have good hopes it
shall, I would like it to be in his neighborhood, according
to the promise I made him. From a letter I received lately
from Colonel Otis Two Bears appears to me in great dis
tress, as few animals are found in the prairies. Should you
see him, try to console him. In my answer to the colonel I
inserted a long paragraph to him.
Present my best respects to Mrs, Stanley, to Captain
Duffy and family. I received a very fine letter of his son,
Jaraes, frora Rhode Island,
Should you find out a good locality for a mission, confer
on the subject with General Harney and give me informa
tion and advice in due tirae. I hope we shall not raeet with
any opposition in Washington, if the sentiraents of the
Indians are well known and duly represented by yourself
and Harney. On the subject of raissions, as far as my ex-

1292 LETTER TO GENERAL PARKER (?),
perience goes, the Indians have always pronounced in favor
of the Black-gowns, or Catholic missions. I truly hope and
pray that their expectations may be soon realized and that
the light of faith may redound upon them.
Most respectfully, etc,
D, S, Stanley, Brevet Major-General,
Fort Sully, D. T.
P, S, — I hope my letter of the 4th instant has reached you.

St. Louis University, July 16, 1869,
Honorable Sir:
In writing the other day to Mr, John B. Motley, solicitor
of patents, etc, I requested him in case of meeting you to
present you my kindest respects and regards and my most
sincere congratulations for the high and important office to
which our worthy President has called you, I entertain
the fullest convictions that the appointment will redound to
the general welfare of our red brethren throughout the
Union, and particularly among the numerous tribes of the
Far West, I shall always remember with true satisfaction
and pleasure the honor I have had of visiting the Sioux
tribes in your company and that of General Sully, in the
sumraer of 1867, Accept my sincere thanks for the many
favors and great kindness you bestowed on me on that
occasion. The answer I received from my friend Motley, in regard
to his kind compliance with my request, encourages me to
address this letter to you to let you know my future inten
tions in regard to a visit to the Sioux tribes in the Upper
Missouri country. In my visits last year among the friendly
and among the hostile bands on the Yellowstone river I
was everywhere received with marked tokens of kindness,
respect and confidence. Two Bears and other principal

PLAN FOR THE UPPER RIVER TRIBES. I293
chieftains in their speeches at the council at Fort Rice, ex
pressed the desire of ray forming a missionary station in
their midst. In particular they entreated me to that effect.
I raade no formal promise to them and have answered sim
ply, " that I would do ray best to bring it about." I learn
frora various sources that Two Bears, chief of the Yank
tonnais, and several others have been anxiously expecting
me. I arrived in St, Louis on the 7th ult,, leaving
the cool climate of Belgium and stepping so suddenly into
the fullest heat of our Missouri summer, that I have been
rather suffering ever since. However, I have not abandoned
the intention of visiting the Sioux tribes in the neighbor
hood of Forts Sully and Rice as soon as I shall be able and
feel strong enough for the trip.
The situation of affairs in the upper country having some
what changed in regard to missionary establishments, per
mit me to lay before you my plan, if admissible. Your
views on the subject will be gratefully received. My visit
to the upper country would be to select a place where a mis
sionary station may be coraraenced early next spring and
where raanual-labor schools may in time be erected. In
ray visits last year I found all the half-breeds, who are
mostly Catholics, very sanguine on the subject and several
of the most prominent chiefs in the council at Fort Rice
made the same request to the comraissioners.
Honorable Sir, I have another iraportant matter to lay
before your consideration — a letter from the Reverend
Father Dielo, which I just received from St. Mary's Mis
sion, Kansas. I feel particular interest in said mission be
cause it was the Potowatomies, now of St. Mary's, among
whom I first coraraenced my missionary career. This rais
sion has been in a flourishing condition for about thirty
years. At various times the establishment has been visited
by most distinguished and eminent men of the United
States. Senators Doolittle, Foster and Ross, General
Ewing and a host of others, have at various tiraes honored
it with their presence and pronounced the establishraent "A

1294 CONSULTS ROBERT CAMPBELL,
model mission " and the schools " a perfect success," The
Friends or Quakers now threaten to replace Doctor Palmer,
for many years the efficient and qualified agent of the
Potawatomies, who has given satisfaction to the greatest
nuraber of Indians in his agency. The schools of the rais
sion continue (The rest of the letter not copied in Press
Book.)

St. Louis University, Jan, 6, 1870,
Honorable R, Campbell, St. Louis, Mo.:
Honorable Sir. — Having the honor of your acquaint
ance for these several years past in my capacity of mis
sionary among the Indian tribes; knowing the deep in
terest you take in the welfare of the Indians, and in your
present capacity as raeraber of the Board of Coramis-
sioners instituted by the Government for the interest and
civilization of the Indians, allow me the liberty of laying be
fore you my intention of establishing a mission araong the
upper Sioux tribes, should it meet with the approbation of
the Board of Commissioners,
A few words of explanation may be here necessary, I
visited various bands of Sioux in the summer of 1868,
Several considerable portions of Indian tribes about Fort
Sully and Fort Rice were friendly and entertained peace
able dispositions toward the Government and the whites.
The presence of the hostile Sioux bands being highly de
sirable and necessary, to meet the commissioners at Fort
Rice, in order that a treaty of peace might be concluded, I
offered my services which were accepted. Accompanied
by Mr. C. E. Galpin, in the capacity of interpreter and a
band of friendly Indians as scouts, we proceeded across the
plains in a western direction. After about fifteen days'
travel we found the hostile bands to the number of several
thousand, encamped on the banks of the Yellowstone river
ten miles above the mouth of Powder river. They had

EXPLAINS WISHES OF INDIANS, I295
been apprised of my approach by some of the scouts and I
was met by hundreds of warriors clad in their finest apparel
and war ornaments. They welcomed rae into their coun
try and amidst the greatest rejoicings conducted me to their
comraon camp, consisting of about i,ooo lodges and com
posed of Ogallalas, Brules, Blackfeet-Sioux, etc. The day
after my arrival I held a council with the Indians, attended
by thousands — a space of over an acre was surrounded by
Indian lodges and served as the council hall which was filled
to its utmost. I raade known to thera the benign intentions
of the Government, in their regard. I was listened to with
apparent great attention and received the answers from the
various orators appointed for the occasion. On my return
to Fort Rice I was accompanied by a nuraber of deputies
frora the hostile bands. They attended the great council
of the Government comraissioners and signed the treaty
of peace.
Several of the chiefs present at the council, in their
speeches to the coraraissioners expressed a desire to be at
tended by Black-robes or Catholic priests for their instruc
tion and that of their children. For years past, during ray
missionary visits to them, and more particularly in the sum
mer of 1868 at Fort Rice, have I been earnestly requested
by the chiefs to make a missionary establishment in their
midst — I made them a formal promise to that effect, if
in my power, to interest myself in their behalf. I enter
tained the hope of seeing them the following summer in
1869, but being called to Europe on business and on ac
count of subsequent sickness on my return to the United
States, I have been compelled to postpone my visit until
next spring.
In conformity with the wishes of numerous Indians and
half-breed families, I feel desirous to establish a mission
for their welfare in some well-suited locality, I must
here humbly observe that our means for such an undertak
ing are very limited and inadequate. Should we be able
to bring the design about and should our services be ac-

1296 GOOD DONE BY MISSIONS.
ceptable, ray principal object in addressing you. Honorable
Sir, is to humbly beg you to present our case to the honorable
board of commissioners of which you are a distinguished
member. Should means be accorded for the undertak
ing of our contemplated mission, it shall be gratefully re
ceived and conscientiously applied in accordance with the
views of the Government and in favor of the Indians,
Allow me to make the observation, that our Catholic mis
sions among the Potawatomies and Osages, during their
whole existence for over twenty years, have always been in
a flourishing condition and have merited the approbation
and praise of the various superintendents and agents of the
Government, The usefulness and good done by our mis
sions in the Rocky Mountains (Montana and Idaho) are
highly spoken of in late letters I received from General
Sully, Should reference be necessary, allow me to name General
Sherman, Commissioner Parker, Generals Stanley, Harney,
Terry and Sully,
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, I have
the honor to be. Honorable Sir, etc.

St. Louis University, Sept, 15, 1870,
Honorable Sir:
1 received your very kind favor of the 9th instant. Please
accept my most sincere gratitude. Your letter has been
for two days on my table, but [has been delayed] owing to
bodily indisposition and very urgent matters to attend to,
and hoping the return of my Superior to confer with him
on the subject in question. He is still absent, but I can
no longer defer my answer.
A simple statement of our intention to erect a mission
among the Upper Missouri Sioux tribes early next spring
may here be necessary, I passed the months of June and
July in visiting the various military posts and Indian reser-

LOCATIONS FOR SIOUX MISSION, I297
vations from below Fort Thompson to Grand river, I was
kindly and well received by the various Sioux tribes and
bands, I had to listen to their usual little complaints and
apprehensions, but upon the whole they appeared to me
pretty well pleased and peaceable. Generally they seemed
anxious to have me establish missions among them. On
the occasion, I answered all their queries and gave them the
best advice in my power with the promise of doing what I
could to return soon among them to establish a mission for
their welfare and the education of their children.
At my return to St, Louis, in the beginning of last month
I gave an expose, to my Superior and his consultors of my
visit and mission among the various Sioux tribes. They
readily approved and resolved on the establishment of a
mission among the aforesaid tribes, without deciding about
the locality. During the consultation a letter was read from
General Stanley, in which he advised, stating his motives,
establishing the mission in Peoria Bottom, where General
Harney raised buildings fifteen miles below Fort Sully and
where the little band of Yellow Hawk habitually resides.
(North side of the Missouri river,)
I will here state that, personally, I am in favor of estab
lishing the mission on the Grand River reservation, from
the fact that it will bring the missionaries in closer contact
with a greater number of Indians and give them more facil
ity to visit the hitherto hostile bands in the interior, I was
assured while at Grand River that the bottom lands four
miles above and six miles below the agency are susceptible
of cultivation, with plenty of timber and good grazing
around. My proposition will, no doubt, meet with the ap
probation of the Superior and his board of whom I ara a
member. My health has been rather feeble for some time past, ow
ing to the excessive summer heat in the upper country, T
trust the coming cool weather will again brace me up and
prepare me for the new Sioux mission which for years has
been dear to my heart,
82

1298 DE SMET ASKED TO NAME AN AGENT,
I feel truly grateful, and find no words to express my
gratitude and heartfelt thanks for your extraordinary kind
ness and confidence in allowing me to propose " some suit
able person, who will be acceptable to myself and the So
ciety I belong to, for appointment by the President as
United States agent at Grand River," The motive you
express is highly appreciable, paternal and just. Certainly
a good understanding between the agent and the mission
ary will always produce the happiest results among the peo
ple for whose welfare they devote themselves.
********** With sentiments of the highest consideration, etc.
Honorable E. S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D. C.

St, Louis University, Sept, 27, 1870,
Honorable Sir:
On the 1 2th instant I received a very kind letter from the
Honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in which he
desired me, " to name some suitable person, who will be ac
ceptable (to myself and to the Society I am a member of)
for appointment by the President as United States Indian
Agent at Grand River, on the Missouri ;" stating as a reason
and motive : " it seeming very desirable that any agent sent
by the Government to the care of those Indians should be in
full harmony and sympathy with the local missionary or
teacher." Previously to the reception of the Commissioner's letter,
it was decided upon by the Board of Fathers regulating the
affairs of the missions of the Society, to establish a mission
among the upper Sioux tribes in Dakota, early next spring.
The reservation at Grand River, containing the greatest
number of Sioux bands, it is likely this point will be selected
for our future establishment.

CONSULTS GENERAL PARKER AGAIN, I299
I felt highly honored and most grateful for the confidence
and kindness expressed in the honorable Commissioner's
letter, to wit : in allowing me to make the proposal of the
agent of Grand River reservation. On the raost estimable
and highly-prized authority and recomraendation I proposed
to the honorable Coraraissioner, as agent for Grand river.
Doctor Wm. F. Cody. His profession, his talents, qualifica
tions and services, no doubt entitle him highly to the posi
tion and I hope he may be willing to accept.
In the absence of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, per
mit me to renew my first application and request and to
place the matter directly under your consideration, with
the hope that it may prove acceptable.
With sentiments of the highest consideration, etc.
Honorable Secretary Cox,
Washington, D. C.

St, Louis University, March 27, 1871,
Honorable E, S, Parker, Commissioner Indian Affairs,
Washington, D. C:
Honorable Sir. — This letter I intend both as personal
and official. Ever since we traveled in company in 1867, to
promote the welfare of the Indians, you have inspired me
with the highest regard and respect,
I need advice and direction as to the course and endeavors
in starting our future mission on Grand River agency.
From reports I have received, I understand that the locality,
may be changed. The land at Grand river is rather poor
for farming purposes, with hardly any timber around, I
have little means at my disposal. What assistance raay be
expected frora the Government ? or how may it be obtained ?
We have nothing else in view than to promote the spiritual
and temporal welfare of the Indians,

1300 SKETCHES OF MOUNTAIN MISSIONS,
My health, for some tirae past, has been rather on the de
cline, I hope, however, I shall be able to undertake the
trip, toward the loth or 12th of next month, and introduce
two reverend companions among the various bands at
Grand River,
When I was in Washington, January last, I was not suffi
ciently posted as to the actual situation or statistics, of some
of the Catholic missions in Idaho, Montana and Washing
ton Territories. I then promised to forward to you, what
information I should be able to obtain. The Superior of
Indian Missions, the Reverend Joseph Giorda, Society of
Jesus, has sent me a sketch, with some remarks, as to the
nuraber of converts araong the various tribes, under his
charge, which I consider as implicitly reliable and beg to be
allowed to present it to your kind attention and considera
tion, I hope, that as soon as practicable, the benevolent in->
tention of the President will be established in favor of these
missions, to wit : " That the agent and the missionary or
teacher, raay work in unison, for the welfare of the people
under their charge and care,"
In Montana Territory, I commenced the missionary work
thirty years ago. All the missions and missionary visits to
the various tribes of that extensive territory, have been at
tended exclusively by Catholic clergymen.
In the Flathead agency, we have two regular mission es
tablishments. One of these is among the Flatheads, in Bit
ter Root Valley. The total number of these Indians is about
450 — all CathoHcs, The agent, Mr, Jones, is well liked,
and merits the confidence, both of the Indians and mis
sionaries. The Indians possess some very good farms and
are fencing in considerably. It is hoped the treaties be
tween Governor Stevens and the Flatheads in 1855, and in
1869 with General Sully, may be strictly carried out. Hith
erto, these treaties have been rather disregarded, or have
remained unfulfilled. Father D'Aste, one of the mission
aries, writes to me : "As to the removal of the Flatheads
from Bitter Root valley, I think it may be obtained without

FLATHEADS, RLACKFEET AND CCEUR d' ALINES. I3OI
great difficulty, by granting the Indians an iraraediate com
pensation. They have been often disappointed, and place
no reliance whatever on promises of agents. Their removal
to Jocko reservation, among the Upper Pend d'Oreilles or
Kalispels, would best suit the Flatheads, having a common
language, but precautions should be taken to prevent the
whites from settling on the reservation."
The second mission of the Flathead agency is on the
Jocko reservation (Montana Territory), for the Upper
Pend d'Oreilles and numbers about 1,500 Indians, all
Catholics, including some Kootenai Indians.
The Sisters of Charity have opened a manual-labor school
for girls, on the reservation. The average number of
teachers is twenty. The Government used to pay $1,200
a year for the maintenance of the teachers and their pupils
— for several years past this allowance has been withdrawn
by previous agents.
In the Blackfoot agency (Montana Territory), the
Catholic missionaries are the only ones who have paid mis
sionary visits to the Indians. I commenced the work thirty-
two years ago, which has been continued ever since. Over
2,000 Catholics are scattered among the various Blackfoot
tribes. The Catholic agent, McCullow, was removed when
about commencing a school and church. He was succeeded
in the agency by Jesse Armitage, strongly opposed to the
Catholic religion, who preached to the Indians. As I learn
from good authority his repute in Montana has been far
from enviable.
In Idaho, I commenced the Coeur d'Alene mission over
thirty years ago ; it numbers over 400 Catholics and all are
very exemplary. They are industrious and cultivate the
soil, but lack instruraents of agriculture. If the mission
aries had the means at their disposal they would soon have
flourishing schools, for the Indians express a great desire
to have their children educated. Seltis, their chief, wrote an
interesting letter on the subject a few months ago to the
Sisters of Providence in Walla Walla,

1302 VARIOUS TRIBES AND SUB-TRIBES,
The Nez Perces nuraber a good many Catholics, but on
account of the fact that the mission was first commenced
by missionaries of the Presbyterian denomination, the
agency was assigned to them.
At Colville the Kettle Falls Indians number 606 Catho
lics, The missionaries of said section attend the Spokan
Indians, who number over 300 Catholics, The former
agent at Colville, Mr. Harvey, though not a Catholic, aided
the missionaries in their efforts to promote the welfare of
the Indians and was highly popular and beloved by them.
They beg that he may be reappointed. His successor
among the Spokans gives no satisfaction, neither to the
missionaries nor to the Indians, The chief, in his effort to
prevent the spread of licentiousness among his people, was
threatened with jail.
The Lower Kalispels number 403 Catholics; the Okina-
gans number 107 Catholics; the Snaiclist [?] number 229,
The above are principally attended from Colville Mission,
The Kootenais and some of their allied tribes, along the
northwestern line of the British dominions are visited by
Catholic missionaries and number several hundred converts.
They are generally very tractable people and are very at
tentive to religious instruction.
In the Yakima reservation (Washington Territory) we
have another mission attended by over 500 converts. Some
fourteen small tribes are visited from that mission and come
generally under the appellation of Yakimas am.ong the
whites : They are : the Tyapenish, Wishgam, Stockamzin,
Klikitash (Goilgoilpam), Uniapam, Uinnachapam, Sipam,
Chamnapam, Nagchespam, Silapam, Winash, Pshuan-
napam, Kookchentla and Enteaktla. They are about 4,000
in number.
In connection with the Yakima mission Father Giorda
writes to me : " It is truly painful to state, that the present
agent. Reverend Mr, Wilbur, will not allow the Catholic
missionary to stay with his flock on the reservation. In
consequence the priest is located outside the reservation,

YAKIMAS, Sioux AND OTHERS, I303
and even Wilbur, though unsuccessfully, tried to order him
from the place," The missionary. Father Caruana, is per
sonally known to me and is highly estimable for zeal and
talent in the noble cause to which he has devoted himself
for years past.
It must be here noted that about twenty-nine years ago
the Yakima mission was first undertaken by Catholic mis
sionaries and remained under their control until the Indian
war broke out in Oregon, during which the mission was
burned by the militia, an act highly disapproved by the
public at that tirae. Is not this a parallel case with the Nez
Perce mission, which was restored to the Presbyterian mis
sionaries because it was first coraraenced under their di
rection ? Might not the sarae favor be asked frora the Gov
ernment in regard to the Yakima Catholic mission? The
number of Catholic converts among the Yakimas exceeds by
far those of Wilbur,
Though Dakota Territory, along the Missouri river, has
been divided into several sections or agencies, bestowed on
the Episcopalian missionaries, this, I suppose, will not pre
vent me or my companions from visiting my Catholic In
dian brethren and friends to give them the consolation of
their religion. Among the Yanktons raany are Catholics,
including their principal chief Pananniapapi, At Wetstone,
Cheyenne and all the stations along the river most of the
half-breeds are Catholics and under instruction, and num
bers of Indians of the Sioux bands along the Missouri, in
my yearly visits to them, have always been very attentive to
religious instruction and have often asked for Catholic
teachers.* The Aricaras, Mandans and Grosventres have recently
made application to be attended by us. From my acquaint
ance with them for many years past I feel inclined to attend
to their request as soon as I shall be able, and in the hope
it may meet with your approbation.
31 have baptized several thousand of their children. — Author's Note.

1304 THIRTY YEARS LABOR AT STAKE,
Pardon me. Honorable Sir, in addressing this long letter
to you for your kind attention, consideration and advice.
For these thirty years past we have labored among the
benighted tribes of the Far West with the only view of
promoting the knowledge of God amongst them and to add
to their temporal welfare. We have divided with them the
little means placed at our disposal, and often have we joy
fully shared their poverty and privations.
We hope and trust that, in accordance with the benevo
lent views and intentions of our worthy President, in the
above-mentioned missions of Montana, Idaho and Wash
ington Territories, "Agents and teachers might work in
unison, in promoting to the best of their power, the welfare
and happiness of the peoples confided to their care."
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, I have
the honor to be
Note by Father De Smet on letter-press copy, — I have
given a copy of this letter to the commissioners of the In
dian tribes. It has received no response from them nor
from the Indian authorities in Washington,

CHAPTER V.
MISCELLANEOUS MISSIONARY NOTES.
Some remarks on Protestant apostles — A plea to the Council of
Bishops — Promises made to the Indians — Appeals from the tribes —
The soliciting of alms — Transportation of mission supplies — Black
feet repel a Presbyterian — Colonel Vaughan on Catholic missionaries
— One Jesuit mission secured — Protestant tricks — The Potawatomies
in Kansas — Routes to the mountains — A report to the Commissicner
of Indian Affairs — Agents and missionaries — Victor, the Flathead
chief — His invitation to the Pope — Failing health and remembrance
of early days and old friends.
"I PI OUR Paternity will observe that the Indian Territory,
c^ compared with others, is well filled with this sort of
apostles; the reason is very siraple.^ These nations having
exchanged their lands with the United States and the Gov
ernment has made treaties with them containing stipula
tions providing for the education of their children. It is to
enjoy the favors of these treaties, which give $500 to $600
per year to each minister, that such great crowds of these
people are hastening thither. They have other great tem
poral advantages besides, for the Protestant propaganda of
New York, Boston, etc., furnish them means to erect houses,
schools and everything necessary. These gentlemen keep
school for a small number of children, and speak now and
then of the gospel to those who may sometimes come, from
curiosity or by chance, to listen to thera. Aside frora this,
they work hard — but for what ? To fill their coffers and
storehouses. They raise cattle in large numbers, get a fine
crop and sell their produce at a high price. After spending
1 From letter of 1839 to the Father-General, referring to a table from
the American Almanac of 1838, showing seventy-four Protestant min
isters among reservation tribes, and none among the others.
[1305]

1306 NATIONAL COUNCIL OF BISHOPS,
a few years in such a way as to amass a good competency,
these gentlemen retire, disgusted apparently with their lack
of success in the conversion of the Indians, and go else
where for the rest of their days to repose in peace and
abundance.

Most Reverend Archbishop.^
As the Right Reverend Prelates of the United States are
about to assemble in the first National Council in Baltimore,
it appears to me a fitting occasion to address to your Grace
a few lines on a subject which, in my humble opinion, is of
the highest importance, since on it depends the salvation of
thousands of our poor, bereft and benighted brethren of the
wilderness. The spiritual destitution of these poor children
of nature attracted the attention of the Right Reverend
Bishops in one of the early councils; and their paternal
solicitude thought fit to place several of the Indian missions
under our care. To carry out an undertaking so highly
recomraended, the Fathers, at four different periods, raade
collections in several dioceses. These raeans, together with
the yearly allowance made by the Association for the Propa
gation of the Faith at Lyons (continued up to last year but
now suspended), as well as what we derived from our own
private funds in Europe, enabled us to establish the fol
lowing missions : First, araongst the Flatheads and Moun
tain Indians are two Fathers and four Brothers engaged;
second, among the Poinced Hearts or Coeur d'Alenes are two
Fathers and two Brothers; third, among the Kalispels or
Ear-rings [Pend d'Oreilles] and Kettle Falls Indians on
the Columbia are two Fathers and two Brothers; fourth,
among the Carriers, Okinagans and Sioushwaps in New
Caledonia are two Fathers and one Brother; fifth, in the
Willamette valley at St. Francis Xavier's mission-house
2 Addressed to Archbishop Eccleston of Baltimore. Dated St. Louis,
April 26, 1849.

INDIANS READY FOR THE RELIGION. I3O7
and other stations two Fathers and three Brothers. Besides
the missions of the Far West three missions are in operation
in the Indian Territory east of the Rocky Mountains, to
wit: Among the Osages, the Potawatomies and the
Miamis — the two first have each an academy directed by
nuns. Ladies of the Sacred Heart and Sisters of Loretto,
seven Fathers and six Brothers are engaged in these three
establishments. These three establishments receive moneys
from the education fund for the Indians — $50 for every
child (clothing and boarding included) being granted by
Government to these various schools. The Governraent
pays likewise for the erection of schools to a certain amount.
If these Fathers had more means at their disposal they might
increase their operations among the Indians to a greater
advantage, A Father left St. Louis eight days ago to estab
lish a mission among the Winnebagoes in the diocese of
Monseigneur Loras — another Father and two Brothers are
shortly to follow him. This mission will likewise draw
frora the education fund.
In addition to these already established missionaries will
leave next May for the numerous tribes of the Upper Mis
souri. Here, as in Oregon, the missionaries raust be left
to their own private and scanty resources — the Sioux, the
Poncas, the Mandans, the Aricaras, the Assiniboins, the
Crows, the Blackfeet, the Snake Indians, etc., have asked
repeatedly for Black-gowns. I have resided about ten
years araong the Indians. I have visited the tribes I here
mention, I deem it a duty incumbent upon me to state, that
I have the full conviction that our holy religion would be
readily embraced by thousands of these, our benighted
brethren, if timely assistance in missionaries and in tem
poral means were afforded them, Europe in its actual con
dition cannot help the missions, or at raost very slightly.
The holy work having been thus prosperously advanced
hitherto and the deraand for missionaries yet so frequently
made by these poor Indians, I have taken the boldness, Most
Reverend Archbishop, to address these few lines on this

1308 PROMISES TO INDIANS NOT FULFILLED,
important subject to your Grace, particularly at this favor
able raoraent, when the spiritual fathers of the Church of
the United States are about to assemble for the well-being
of their spiritual children, spread far and wide over the
land. The Indians at all times have been dear to their
paternal hearts. Permit me. Most Reverend Archbishop, to
observe, that in order to maintain the actual number of
missionaries and missions and to establish new ones, wher
ever they may be most needed, it would be advisable to
devise some plan of obtaining the necessary funds, either
by establishing an association for the propagation of the
faith among the Indians, or such, should it be thought ex
pedient, as the wisdom of the Right Reverend Bishops may
think most proper to adopt,
I ara with profound respect and esteem, etc.
St, Louis, April 26, 1849,

St, Louis University, Feb, 2, 1850.
Very Reverend Father-General:
The approach of the months of April and May always re
minds me of the promises that I have made to the Blackfeet
and Crows, and some two years ago, as well, to the Poncas
and the numerous tribes of the Sioux, This year again
(1849) at various times, these poor unhappy tribes have
gotten word to me of the pain they feel at having their
hopes frustrated and their ardent desire of at least an early
accomplishment. On the other hand, your Paternity is but
too well aware how poor in subjects is the vice-province
of Missouri, and how impossible it is for it to furnish the
missions, when it has barely sufficient for itself. It is there
fore men that we need. You know better than I, Very
Reverend Father, what their qualities should be; but as I

ALWAYS READY FOR THE ROAD, I3O9
am somewhat acquainted with the ground, I will take the
liberty of pointing out a few, A fair judgment and a firm
will to suffer much, though without gaining much ground,
since, in the new lands which it is proposed to evangelize,
the obstacles are greater and raore nuraerous than araong
the nations on the west of the Rocky Mountains. It is not
a conquest but a painful labor — raany sufferings, few con
solations. If you had at your disposal any subjects whom
such a prospect might terrify, we might still keep them for
our colleges and send out sorae of our men who are able to
endure such fatigues.
Your Paternity, in writing me on the 29th of August
last, had the kindness to inquire regarding the state of my
health. I am well, thanks be to God. I suffer but little
from my rheumatism of late, and I feel fit to undertake and
endure afresh all the privations connected with such ex
peditions. A sign from your Paternity will make me take
incontinent the road to the plains of the West, where so
raany thousands of souls are groaning under the erapire of
Satan, The hope of baptizing so many thousands of poor
little children, and of preparing for death so many poor old
people, whose dispositions are generally adrairable, inspire
me with the necessary courage to return to a post which I
have always regretted.
The establishment of missions seems so rauch the more
urgent to-day, when the Mormons (a sect of fanatics) and
the French socialists under the lead of Cabet are proposing
to go and form new States in the midst of the great desert.
The Mormons are there already, 50,000 to 60,000 in num
ber, Cabet is negotiating at this moment to go and oc
cupy a large territory east of the Rocky Mountains, The
poor simple savages will be their dupes, unless we forestall
them and implant as much as possible the truths of our
holy religion in their hearts.

I3IO CROWS ANXIOUS FOR BAPTISM,
St, Louis University, Sept, 19, 1852,
Right Reverend Doctor Miege, S, J,, St. Mary's Pota-
watomi Mission:
Right Reverend and Dear Father, — I hope you will have
received my letter of the 17th ultimo, and we are expecting
your answer, on which depends the sending of good Father
Van Hulst, He is detained in St. Joseph's College, where
he is to give a retreat to the clergy of Kentucky, It has
been promised to give another to the seminarians in Caron-
delet. Mo., so that he might be ready to leave here toward
the end of October, together with a good brother. Let us
know your wish in due time. Your long-lost trunk, as you
may have been told already, has been recovered. It was
received a few days ago in St. Louis and placed in charge
of Mr. Duncan MacDorvell of Weston, who will forward it
to St. Mary's in one of his wagons. The cape you bor
rowed at St. Xavier's College, Cincinnati, has been re
turned ; they missed it greatly. You will find in the trunk
an instrument for Brother DeVriend, a gift from Cincin
nati; some papers belonging to Father Duerinck; several
late numbers of the Civiltd Cattolica, and Dr, Bragg's mus
tang liniment with the prescriptions, said to be very good
and recommendable.
As the Father of the Indian tribes west of the Rocky
Mountains, I must acquaint you with the letters I have re
ceived from the upper country, all speaking most favorably
of the dispositions of your far-distant children and of their
anxiety to be instructed. Mr. Meldrum, the Crow inter
preter, and considered as a chief in the nation, having re
sided over thirty years in their midst and having become
fully identified with them, writes as follows : " The Crows
speak of you frequently and are anxious to be baptized and
to become Christians. I consider them candid and we fre
quently converse on the subject."
Zephyr [Rencontre], the great Sioux interpreter, in the
name of the different bands of Sioux Indians, numbering

FUNDS CAN BE OBTAINED. I3II
thousands, begs most earnestly, and urges the arrival of
raissionaries among that powerful nation : " Remeraber,"
says he, " the holy waters of baptisra have flowed on the
foreheads of hundreds of our children." Several other let
ters from the gentlemen of the American Fur Company
speak to the same effect and in equally strong terms in favor
of missions araong the Sioux.
The great chief of the Assiniboin nation sent me a
lengthy and beautiful speech, in which he chiefly aims to
urge our arrival amongst thera, promising withal, " that
should means be wanting, if he has it in his power, a portion
of the annuities due the Assiniboins shall be set apart for
that purpose." " I ara convinced," he adds, " that buffalo
are getting scarcer, and if ray people do not learn soraething
and get the knowledge of the word of the Great Spirit, they
will vanish with their game and disappear from the face of
the earth. I am getting old, and would like to see your
good works commence before I die. I shall then die con
tented. My people wish you to come and invite you with
all speed. I know you wish the ignorant Indian well, and
hope you will act up to our expectations, and think about
us and how we are situated."
Right Reverend and Dear Father in Christ, in giving you
these extracts, I am performing a duty. I have endeavored
by word of mouth to explain to you the forlorn and unhappy
situation of these poor people and how ardently thousands
among them are desirous to receive instruction. You know
my own personal feelings on the subject; " non recuso
laborem," if, perchance, I am not judged unfit to labor in
so holy an undertaking. I believe ample means could be
obtained. The Association of Lyons would, no doubt, yearly
contribute toward it. The Government, as General Mitchell
assured me, would make a grant out of the yearly annuities,
and the American Fur Company and all the whites in the
Indian country can and are willing to contribute. It is in
deed high tirae to think seriously about this affair, for ere
long Protestants will take it in hand and crush the good

I3I2 THE 185I JOURNEY REVIEWED,
dispositions of the Indians and trample under their foot the
scattered seeds sown in that benighted region.
We are all well, I recommend myself, etc.

Dear Sir,^ — After many joumeys in the deserts of North
America I am at last in my native land, happy to be able to
express to the benefactors of the poor Indian all the grati
tude of the missionaries.
Since my last departure from Belgium I have traveled
prairies where no mission had ever been established — in
deed, where- no European probably had ever been.
We ascended the Missouri for about 730 leagues, and
crossed a plateau of over 100 on the upland that separates
the waters of the Yellowstone from those of the Missouri,
From the Yellowstone we proceeded southwest marching
about 300 leagues to the Black Hills and Wolf Mountains,
spurs of the Rocky Mountains, We left these hills at the
great road leading from the Rocky Mountains to California,
On the 2d of September, 185 1, we were on this highway
trodden by the whites hastening these latter years to the
gold mines. The road is fine, broad, and perhaps the long
est in the world. On the track of the emigrant caravans
you can travel easily from the frontier settlements to the
Pacific. This immense avenue is like a barn-floor swiept by
the winds. No blade of grass springs up, so unceasingly is
it trodden by the feet of thousands of Americans and Euro
peans hastening to California, Our Indians, who had seen
only pathless wastes, crossed at most by a hunter's trail,
thought, on beholding it, that the whole nation of the whites
had passed over it, and that the land of the sunrise must be
depopulated. They could hardly believe me when I told
' Letter I, Second Series, Western Missions and Missionaries. To
the Chevalier DieudonnS Stas, Editor of the Journal de Bruxelles,
Brussels, June 30, 1853.

LITERARY UNDERTAKINGS, I3I3
them that the multitudes who had gone were scarcely
missed. Providence has supported my feeble courage, guided my
steps, fructified the seed of the gospel in lands which had
not yet received them. After traveling many hundred
leagues I saw what good could be done among these wan
dering tribes, always at war, without consolation in misery,
because they scarcely know of the hopes of eternity. With
the grace of God I hope to return next spring with Bishop
Miege, the vicar-apostolic We will be able tOi found mis
sions for those nomad tribes on a soil fertile enough to sup
port thera, and thus removing occasion of war, let civiliza
tion, with the light of the faith, dawn on these wastes.
The limits of a journal do not permit me to enter into
details on this expedition to the Great Desert, on which I
have yet published but one letter; but I intend to publish
more in the Precis Historiques, published by Reverend E.
Terwecoren, at the College of the Society of Jesus, Brussels.
Besides a notice on the Mormons, a new sect, dating from
1826, but threatening to play in America the part of the
Moslem in Asia, I am preparing notes to develop to Euro
peans the alraost unknown state of religion in that vast por
tion of the world, and to leave authentic documents on the
rising church of the wilderness. I will vary these historical
details with notes, written in the desert, on geology,
zoology, botany, the manners, religion, and language of the
Indians. This will show what civilized Europeans are too apt to
forget, that Catholicity, by the very force of her missions,
contributes to the civilization of nations and the develop
ment of science. The Government of the United States
knows it and encourages our labors. The good to be accom
plished is in every- respect iraraense. The Catholics and
recent converts need priests to preserve the faith, the pagans
to learn the good tidings of the gospel. The sraall number
of ministers of the Lord there does not suffice for the
4,000,000 Catholics, and for all the Indians who desire
83

I3I4 HEART STILL WITH THE INDIANS,
ardently the visit of a Black-robe, to instruct and baptize
them, I have come to Europe to appeal to generous hearts,
I will express one more desire, and express it frankly. I
come, too, to solicit alras. I ara not unaware that Belgium
is constantly visited by raissionaries frora Araerica, the
Indies, and the East. I am conscious that the benevolent can
scarcely satisfy these repeated solicitations. But Europeans
cannot conceive the immense want of succors experienced
in these countries, to prevent defections, convert the heathen,
form missionaries, establish schools, build churches, etc.
Consent, Sir, to contribute by your estimable paper, which
has elicited so many generous works, to make known this
two-fold object of ray coraing to Europe, where I shall prob
ably remain till the close of September,
Your obedient servant, etc.

St. Louis University, Jan. 12, 1855,
W, A, Smets, Esq,, Utica, N. Y.:
Dear Friend, — * - * * *
I have been, thank God, in the enjoyment of good health
ever since I had the pleasure of seeing you in New York.
My heart, I must acknowledge, remains still with the In
dians, I frequently receive moving messages from them in
which they urge my return. I am happy that even here I
can be of some service to thera, at least temporally, by pro
viding our missionaries with all the necessary articles they
may stand in need of to carry on the good work among the
various tribes they are evangelizing. Our number being
proportionably small in St. Louis I have not been able
hitherto to be replaced in the station I now hold. However,
like the coraraodore of old, " I do not give up the ship,"
and I fervently pray, if it be God's will, to be allowed to pass
the remainder of my days in the Far West, with the poor,
abandoned and much-abused children of nature. Thousands

LETTER TO SUPERINTENDENT CUMMINGS, 13 1 5
still roam over the plains and in their native forests without
expectations for the future and without spiritual consolation
and comfort.
Please present my best respects to all, etc.

St, Louis University, April 9, 1856.
Colonel Alfred Cummings, Superintendent of Indian Af
fairs, St. Louis, Mo.:
Honorable Sir. — I have taken the liberty of addressing to
you, as Commissioner of Indian Affairs in St, Louis, a fev.'
lines regarding the Indians, in whose welfare I have seen
you invariably manifest so much devotedness and fatherly
care. Indeed, I feel the more assured in taking this liberty
from having experienced on several occasions the kind as
sistance which you have always shown yourself ready to
give to our missionaries, who labor in the midst of this poor
benighted people in order to promote their happiness.
The missions in the Rocky Mountains need no word of
praise at my hands. The Honorable Governor Stevens and
the gentlemen of his party, in their report to the Govern
ment, speak of these missions in the most flattering terms.
They say that these tribes are by far the best and most peace
able Indians of the great desert ; and in their reports prom
ise to promote the interests of these tribes with their (jreat
Father in Washington, You have yourself, no doubt, wit
nessed the happy influence which our missionaries exercise
over the minds of these rude, uncivilized Indians, For
years they have shown a great predilection in our favor and
have constantly expressed a wish and desire to see us in
their midst. Major Culbertson knows well their feelings
in this regard. In the course of the year I feel confident
we may be enabled to gratify [them] in a matter so dear
to their hearts.

13 16 TRANSPORTATION OF MISSION SUPPLIES,
Some time ago I received a catalogue of goods ordered
by the Reverend Adrien Hoeken, one of the missionaries
who attend to the united bands of the Flatheads, Kalispels,
Flatbows and Kootenais, settled at present in the vicinity of
the great Flathead lake. The settlement is not far distant
from Fort Benton and there is a good wagon road to it.
The goods ordered will probably cost about $i,ooo. Of
this amount, however, I regret that it is not in my power
to furnish more than $300, For want of means, therefore,
I find myself necessitated to select only those articles which
are most needed for the raission, I would feel very grate
ful indeed should you secure the permission of sending
these goods to Fort Benton along with those designed to be
sent by the Government to the upper Indian tribes. Had
the idea occurred to me, while in Washington City, I would
have applied for this permission to the Honorable Mr,
McClelland, Secretary of the Interior, and to the Honorable
Mr, Manypenny, Coraraissioner of Indian Affairs, We
are under the greatest obligations to these gentlemen for
their constant attention and kindness in whatever regards
the missions under our care.
With the greatest respect and esteem, I remain, etc.

*In February of last year the Government made us very
advantageous offers for the erection of one or several estab
lishments among the Blackfeet or other tribes. Not receiv
ing any positive response from the superiors, some Calvin
ists or Presbyterians later accepted the Government's propo
sition, and a minister, attracted by the money, even started
off for the distant mission with his wife and children. These
last were the proof for the Indians that the minister did
not belong to the genuine Black-robes, and so they would
¦* Extract from letter in French to Father-General, June, 1857.

TESTIMONY OF BLACKFOOT AGENT, I317
not receive him nor have anything to do with him, and that
gentleman and his suite lost no time in getting back to the
States. Below is the translation [into French] of the letter writ
ten me lately by Colonel Vaughan, the Government agent.
It is dated May 20th. The colonel is a Protestant,
" Reverend and Dear Sir. — Before ray departure for
the Blackfoot territory, where I have been appointed agent
by the Government, I take the liberty of writing you upon
a subject of vital importance to the welfare of the Indians
intrusted to me, and to the progress of civilization. You
are aware that I have filled the office of agent of the United
States Governraent araong the Indians for fifteen years.
During all this time I have noticed with the greatest interest
that the efforts raade by good Christians to establish rais
sions and schools, to instruct the Indians in spiritual and
temporal matters, have contributed the most to civilizing
and pacifying thera. Furtherraore, I take pleasure in testi
fying that the Catholic Church, to which you belong, has
everywhere obtained the raost pre-eminent success. The
Catholic missionaries have always succeeded in gaining the
Indians' hearts, in controlling their brutal outbreaks and
ameliorating their condition in every respect,
" Being fully convinced of this, the object of this letter
is to obtain your intercession with your superiors for the
formation of a raission among the Blackfeet. Such a rais
sion I am sure would advance the interests of the Govern
ment and those of the Indians at the same time.
" You know also that the Government's treaty with these
Indians on Judith river in the Blackfoot territory makes
ample provision for the support of the establishment by
yearly money payments. Hoping that ray request may be
successful, I have the honor to be, etc.,
"ALFRED VAUGHAN,"

13 18 GOVERNMENT MONEY IN SIGHT,
St, Louis University, April i, 1858.
Reverend F, Congiato, S, J,
P. C:
Reverend Dear Father. — I received your kind letter with
the inclosed of Father Menetrey — I sincerely thank your
Reverence for all the kindness you express in it, I have
only a few minutes to write you and on a subject highly
important to the Rocky Mountain missions, I just re
ceived a letter from Lieutenant Mullan, a Catholic and very
much in favor of our Indian missions. He tells me " I
have seen the chairman of the Indian Committee and he
says that all the Indian treaties made by Governor Stevens
are to be confirmed, and that in these treaties the most
ample provision has been made for schools, farms, utensils,
etc. All of which, in the mountains, will be under the eye
of the Jesuits. They are going to establish a farm and
manual-labor school on Sun River, for which there will be
near $45,000, and from all appearances Father Hoeken will
have all to do with it, if he will avail himself of it ! " I
begged the lieutenant to call on Father Accolti in San Fran
cisco and to let you know iramediately of the whole of this
affair. Father Hoeken should be authorized to accept; the
Blackfeet and Crow Indians would be thus secured to the
Catholic cause. He has all jurisdiction from Bishop Miege
on this side of the mountains, I hope my letter on this sub
ject will have reached him long ago.
Should this affair be neglected, Protestants will try im
mediately to obtain all the advantages which the Govern
ment now offers so abundantly for the progressing of those
poor missions. Orders came to St, Louis last evening
frora Washington to send up by the first boats to the Black
foot country oxen, cows, plows and other farming uten
sils, all to be placed in the hands of the Fathers, should the
thing be accepted. All the agents in that region are also
in our favor. Some three months ago I wrote to his
Paternity in favor of the new missions east of the Rocky
Mountains, I hope to obtain a favorable answer, I will

LIEUTENANT MULLAN FRIENDLY. I3I9
try all [I can] that one or two Fathers and a few Brothers
might be sent on that expedition. It will at once secure
the Indians on the western side. Father Hoeken being on
the ground and in the neighborhood of the Blackfeet should
be allowed at once to proceed in this glorious undertaking.
Lieutenant John Mullan can tell you more about it. Please
see him and confer with him on the subject; or should you
be unable. Reverend Father Paresce will take, no doubt, all
the interest in this great offer from Government, and which
will make the missions on both sides altogether independent
in a temporal view,
I am trying my best at present to obtain some little things
in St, Louis for the missions in the mountains, which I will
forward by the first boats in the course of the present month,
I will probably accompany one of the boats and pay a visit
to the Indian tribes of the Plains, Several of the officers
of the army have asked me to accompany the expedition to
Utah, Should the application come from headquarters, I
will accept. The Provincial, who is now absent, has already
granted permission.
Remember me to all the Fathers in California and pray
for me, etc.
P. S. — Excuse the great hurry in which this has been
written. I should have added the following, from the let
ter of Lieutenant Mullan : " Suffice it for me to say that
the day is nigh at hand when we shall be enabled to see
carried out our most sanguine wishes and hopes regarding
these raany little bands of Indians in the mountains," etc.

St, Louis University, Feb, 24, 1862.
Bishop TiMON :
Right Reverend Bishop. — I returned to St. Louis on the
22d instant. Your kind favor of the 12th was handed me
and agreeably to your request I answer it. The number of

1320 PROTESTANT UNSCRUPULOUS CUNNING,
Catholic Indians in Kansas among the Osages and Pota
watomies, etc., is approximately, I should think, not far
below 4,000. I have written to the Superior of the mis
sions to be correctly informed on the subject and shall for
ward his answer to your Lordship when received. The
Catholic Magazine, Baltimore, of 1849-50, edited by the
Very Reverend C, White, D, D., published a number of
letters of Reverend Fathers Bax and Gailland, missionaries
among the Osage and Potawotami Indians, giving de
tailed accounts of their labors and of their success. Since
about fifteen years, the agents of the Government in their
yearly published accounts, though Protestants, have always
reported most favorably and coramendably of the Catholic
missions in Kansas. The piety, fidelity and zeal in the St.
Mary's Potawatomi mission have always been conspicuous
araong a great nuraber of the Christian Indians. Since
Kansas has becorae a State and since civilization has crept
in and with it vice and drunkenness and all mischief, there
is great danger for the existence and continuation of those
missions ; and " the Protestant trick of damning by faint
praise," as your Lordship says, may be again renewed on
this occasion. " It is easy to show that Protestant un
scrupulous cunning worked whatever failure there was."
As far as my own experience has gone in regard to Protest
ant missions, east and west of the Rocky Mountains, they
have proved a complete failure. Nothing remains of their
raissions in Oregon and Washington Territory but rich and
extensive tracts of lands, enriching the ci-devant mission
aries, their better halves and their little ones, o is their
number of converts, and mighty little do they care.
I raust make a rough guess at the number of Christian
Indians west of the Rocky Mountains. Including all that
has been done under the Right Reverend Bishops and by
the secular clergy, by the Oblate Fathers and by the Jesuits,
over 6,000 must have been regenerated in the holy waters
of baptisra. The Coeur d'Alene raission numbers between
600 and 700 souls. The Pend d'Oreille and Kalispel mis-

MISSIONS IN GREAT DANGER, I32T
sion numbers from 1,200 to 1,500. The Flathead tribe
contains about 600; the Kootenai tribe number about 1,000,
nearly all baptized, and though for sixteen years since
their baptism without a resident missionary, the zeal and
fervor of the Kootenai Indians as true Christians has never
abated. Their Christian simplicity, their sincere piety, their
charity and their love of justice, are admired by all who
frequent the mountains.
This day, I take the liberty to forward to your Lordship
Les Missions de I'Oregon. Letters Nos. Ill, XVII, XX,
XXII, XXXII and others may contain some edifying points.
Governor Stevens of Oregon, in his report to the Govern
ment, published in 1854-55, upon his explorations and
surveys for a railroad route to the Pacific ocean, speaks most
highly and favorably of our Rocky Mountain missions, of
the Flatheads, Kalispels, Pend d'Oreilles, Coeur d'Alenes
and Kootenais,
These missions are all in great danger. The rich mines
are now greatly attracting attention and thousands of whites
will soon be on the move to take possession of them. In
my Oregon Missions, published in 1847, page 125, I said:
" Poor, unfortunate Indians ! They trample on treasures
unconscious of their wealth. They would tremble, indeed,
could they learn the history of those numerous and ill-fated
tribes (in South Araerica, etc.) that have been swept frora
their land to make place for Christians who have made the
poor Indians the victims of their rapacity." Unhappy times,
I am afraid, may befall the Indians of the raountains before
long. Two years ago, whilst I was with the army in
Oregon, the transportation of liquor toward the newly-dis
covered mines of Colville on the Columbia was immense
and the baneful effects on the poor, simple savage were soon
felt. The reports which I receive now and then from our
Fathers east and west of the mountains are satisfactO'ry and
consoling. The improvements which they make at their
respective stations are slow, but yet they have been unin-

1322 ENDEAVORS NOT FRUITLESS.
terrupted. The missionaries are at present more comfort
ably lodged than they were formerly ; their arduous labors,
however, allow them but little time to enjoy the sweets of
a convenient dwelling. The churches too are now more
commodious and more substantially built, so that the se
verity of winter is less dreaded. Their fare is not always
of the most delicate kind, but it is nourishing, abundant and
wholesome. The Indians are in general good and tractable
and after baptism often zealous and fervent ; yet their early
habits and their roving disposition make it difficult, if not
impossible, to accustom thera to the manners of a more civil
ized life. Their nature should, perhaps, be less blamed
for this than the circumstances of their location.
The Indian, like every other being, stands in need of food
to support life and of raiment to protect him against the in
clemency of the weather. If these accessories cannot be
found in the neighborhood, he is obliged to go in search of
them elsewhere; and until by some means or other this ob
stacle is removed, the same difficulties will continue to ex
ist and produce the sarae baneful results; for it can easily
be iraagined that it is impossible for the missionaries to
maintain at their own expense whole tribes of Indians,
Consequently they raust see their flocks scattered and ex
posed to the ravenousness of the wolves without enjoying
the benefit of that spiritual aid so necessary to a Christian's
life. Our endeavors, however, have certainly not been fruitless.
The great nuraber of souls that are every year cleansed in
the regenerating waters of baptism; the sick who are at
tended in their dying hour and strengthened with the holy
sacraments for their journey to the other life, and finally
the hardships and destitution of the missionaries endured
for the love of him who laid down his life for his breth
ren: all this, I say, is fruit enough (whatever Protestants
may say of the " no permanent result of Catholic missions ")
and prepares the missionaries, if not for a reward in this
life, for imperishable laurels in the next world.

PRESENT STATE OF POTAWATOMIES, 1 323
Mr, John G. Shea of New York intends to publish
shortly a little biography of the life and death of a holy
Coeur d'Alene woman, with several edifying letters on the
mission Indians of the Rocky Mountains. If applied to
by your Lordship, he raight give a great deal of inforraa-
tion such as you may require.
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, I have
the honor to remain, etc.

St, Mary's Mission, August 30, 1866.^
Reverend Father:
On ray return from my mission among the Indians of
the plains, upon the upper Missouri, or in the new Terri
tories of Nebraska and Montana, I have visited the Mission
of St, Mary among the Potawatomies. I have found my
dear brothers in Jesus Christ in good health. There are four
Fathers and ten Brothers of thera. The mission stretches
several hundred miles westward, and they water this vast
vineyard of the Lord with their sweat, and cultivate it
with the greatest zeal and with much success. Every year
thousands of emigrants are coraing and settling in this
fertile and beautiful region. In the last four years. Rev
erend Father Duraortier has established twenty-four sta
tions among them, and built four stone churches. He
makes regular visits over a distance of 150 railes every six
weeks. The flourishing condition in which I have found
the two Indian schools has filled me with consolation and
joy. That for boys is under the care of the Brothers and
contains 150 boarders, that for girls is under the maternal
care of the respectable Ladies of the Sacred Heart and con
tains over 100 boarders. They are considered the two
model schools of the State of Kansas. I propose to give
you here an idea of the present position of St. Mary's and
5 From the French of the Linton Album, p. 99.

1324 INSPECTION BY HIGH OFFICIALS,
of the salutary influence which it continues to exert in the
land under the new regime which governs it,
St. Mary's does not offer any very great news items.
It continues its little march, without making much noise;
tranquil amid the rapid changes at work, both within itself
and among the surrounding population. The Potawato
mies, who profess Christianity, are faithful to their re
ligious duties — their assiduity at the divine office is the
admiration of all who know them. They take particular
pains with the instruction of youth ; the two schools are ac
cordingly very flourishing. Last year, the Vice-President
of the United States, Mr. Foster, and Senator Doolittle,
honored them with their presence; examined diligently the
greater part of the pupils, and sent to Washington a testi
monial which is no less the faithful expression of an up
right and magnanimous heart, than it is glorious for the
Catholics. The Americans are so well aware of the value
of the religious education that we give young people, that
they constantly importune the directors of the schools for
the admission of their children. All the places are taken,
and if the houses were doubled they would be filled at once.
The use of liquor, which is generally the curse of the
Indian tribes, seems to moderate in proportion to the ease
with which it can be obtained. In the last three or four
years no noteworthy crimes have been committed among
them. A good number of families are living in easy cir
cumstances — their farras and dwellings raay be corapared
with those of the Araericans around thera. The railroad
which is in a few years to unite the States of the Orient to
those of the Occident, crosses the Potawatomi territory.
It brings them several great advantages ; it raises the price
of land, facilitates the exchange of products and furnishes
openings for remunerative work to the industrious young
men. Many American and European colonists are settling
among the mission Indians. Some marry their daughters,
some buy their surplus lands. Sorae have built close to the
mission, attracted principally by the vicinity of the church

PROVISIONS OF NEW TREATY, I325
and schools, St, Mary's, as I have already observed, is
the centre of a vast field of missionary operations; their
apostolic labors, among the Catholics, Indian and white,
extend upward of 150 miles from the residence.
Divine Providence seems to have shown itself always
favorable to the Mission of St, Mary, especially amid the
tempests which have seemed to threaten its existence.
Lately, at the most critical moment perhaps in the nation's
history, it has given the establishment, in the person of their
excellent agent, Mr. Palraer, not only a sincere friend but
also a wise and devoted protector. By means of his care,
the nation has just concluded a treaty with the Governraent ¦
which seeras to confirm the residence of the Potawatomies
in this country. By the provisions of this treaty, each In
dian has received his portion of land. Those who wish to
become citizens and are found worthy by a coramission
established for the purpose, may do so imraediately — minors
are obliged to wait until they are twenty-one — meanwhile
they are prohibited from selling their lands, and have a
right to the school privileges. Those who are of age,
but who, either from misbehavior or frora lack of industry,
are deemed unworthy to be citizens, are obliged to wait some
time and to deserve this honor by industrious life and irre
proachable conduct. May the Imraaculate Virgin, whom
the Potawatomies have chosen for patroness, continue her
puissant aid to them, amid the difficulties and dangers to
which they are constantly exposed on the part of their ene
mies. Accept my most humble respects and believe me in union
of your holy sacrifices and prayers,

University of St. Louis, Nov, 11, 1866,
My Reverend and Dear Father:
I received yesterday your kind letter of the 4th of this
month, I think the holy providence of the Lord, who sent

1326 THE JOURNEY OF 1863,
three more raissionaries to this iraraense portion of his
vineyard, where the needs are indeed great and where you
will be received with open arras by our dear brothers in
Christ. You ask me for information upon the continuation of
my voyage to the Rocky Mountains. I will give you here
briefly the details of my last two long voyages to those
remote missions :
In 1863 I tried to return to Benton by steamer with a
large cargo for the missions in the mountains, at the special
desire of our dear missionaries in these places. The water
in the upper part of the Missouri was low this year and the
steamer was obliged to discharge all her cargo and put the
passengers off in a forest about 300 railes from Benton,
An express was sent to Benton and I wrote to the Rev
erend Fathers Giorda and Imoda, then in the raission of
St, Peter araong the Blackfeet, to come and take care of
the cargo and the charge of two Italian Brothers, We
waited about three weeks for a response amidst the great
est dangers frora savage bands, eneraies of the whites.
Every day we were on the alert and in an attack from a
large number of Sioux, two of our raen were severely
injured, I finally received a response from our reverend and dear
Fathers, who announced to me that it was an impossibility
to send rae help. I was obliged then to do my best to get
the effects to them and to accompany the two good Brothers
to the mission of St. Peter.
The season advancing, and not wishing to return by way
of the Missouri because of the great dangers from the In
dians, I was obliged to take the sea voyage of the Pacific,
pass the Isthmus of Panama and return by way of New
York to St. Louis.
My journey this year, as far as the stage of water is
concerned, was more favorable. We reached Benton where
I hoped to find Father Giorda or some one of the Fathers
to take care of a precious cargo that I had made great ef-

PRICE OF STEAMBOAT FARE, I327
forts to procure for them. A new war of the Blackfeet
against the whites had compelled the missionaries of St.
Peter to abandon that raission and repair to the mission
of St. Ignatius, on the west slope of the Rocky Mountains
200 miles distant. They told me the circumstances and
the condition of the country in which they were and stated
that it was impossible for thera to take possession of the
effects and begged rae to dispose of the cargo at the house
of sorae inhabitant of Benton. The cargo contained ob
jects precious to the churches and were for the use of the
Indian raissions. Altogether their value araounted to a
large sum of money. I have never yet received the least
news whether these objects have reached their destination,
I enter into these details to give you the uncertainties
of the route of the Missouri for reaching Benton and the
missions in the mountains.
I shall not return to Benton next spring. If the good
Lord will grant me health, and with the permission of
my superiors, I will make a visit araong the Yanktons, a
tribe of 3,000 Indians, belonging to the Sioux nation, which
is very numerous. They are on this side of the mountains
about 1,800 miles from Benton.
As to the price of passage upon the steamers from St.
Louis to Benton, it araounts to $300 for each passenger;
and for all that he brings beyond fifty pounds he pays from
fifteen to twenty cents per pound.
Until this year I have always had my passage with ray
effects gratis upon the steamers of the Fur Company of St.
Louis. This corapany is to-day dissolved and it is, conse
quently, very doubtful if I shall raeet again with such a
favor inasmuch as the companies are constituted principally
of Protestants. I cannot, at this tirae, give you the least
assurance that there will be a diminution in the price, nor
do I yet know the names of the steamers that propose to
risk the voyage to Benton the coming spring (1867).
The voyage from New York to Idaho and Montana, by
way of Panama, San Francisco and by the Columbia river.

1328 THE OVERLAND AND PANAMA ROUTES.
is long, but it is easier and raore sure and is made in less
tirae than by the Missouri river. The voyage by way of
the Missouri, if made favorably and without the least ob
stacle, takes ordinarily three months. By way of the
Pacific it takes from New York to Panama ordinarily nine
days ; frora there to San Francisco, twelve days ; frora San
Francisco to Vancouver, on the Columbia river, four days ;
from Vancouver to Walla Walla, three to four days; from
Walla Walla to the Mission of the .Sacred Heart among
the Coeur d'Alenes, six days. If I have been well informed
on the subject of this journey, they grant a diminution in
price upon the steamer from San Francisco to Walla Walla,
The Reverend Fathers Accolti or Congiato will be able to
give you information upon this point,
********** I recommend to your holy sacrifices and prayers the new
mission which I hope to be able to establish next spring
immediately after the opening of navigation of the Mis
souri. My raission araong these Indian tribes last summer
has been for rae a source of consolation, I visited prin
cipally the Yanktons, belonging to the Sioux nation, the
Minnetarees, the Aricaras, the Mandans and the Assini
boins. I had the happiness to regenerate in the holy waters
of baptisra over 500 little children and a good number of
adults, among the latter Pananniapapi, head chief of the
tribe of the Yanktons, composed of 450 lodges or nearly
3,000 souls. He asked urgently that a mission be per
manently established among them. Pray the Lord to grant
a good personnel and the necessary funds for this new en
terprise. The country of the Yanktons is the key to the entrance
of the numerous Sioux nations which number from 35,000
to 40,000 souls.
In union with our holy sacrifices and prayers, I have the
honor to be, etc.

EXPENSES AS PACIFICATOR, 1 329
St, Louis University, St, Louis, Mo,, September, 1867,
Honorable Sir:
I hope my second letter from Sioux City in July last
has been received, I arrived in St, Louis on the 13th
ultimo, after an absence of four months. At Leavenworth
(i2th ultimo) I had the honor to meet the Peace Com
missioners and hold a conference with thera, and was kindly
requested by all the honorable members to accompany the
expedition. Sickness has prevented me of accomplishing
the request and fulfilling my promise.
At my return to health, I avail myself of the first oppor
tunity to write to you and to render my account of expenses
and outlays of my visit among the Indian tribes of the
Missouri, as recommended in the commission I received
from the Department of the Interior on the 2d of March of
the present year.
When in Washington last February I received from the
department the sum of $2,500 to defray my necessary ex
penses and outlays for the men who accompanied me on the
expedition, I herewith account for the money I have ex
pended on ray trip, to the best of my knowledge and recol
lection; the sum amounts to $1,576.70, This balance in
favor of the Department of the Interior I am ready to re
fund upon the presentation of the order I shall receive.
All the recommendations I received, in my commission
from the Honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs, I have
tried to carry out faithfully and to the best of my power
and I trust may prove available to the Indian tribes I
have visited.
-Allow me to add a few lines on ray late expedition among
the Indians of the Upper Missouri, at Yankton agency and
its vicinity. I met most of the Indians of the Yankton
tribe, numbering about 2,500, They are all true friends
of the whites. They are in a prosperous condition with re
gard to agriculture. The chiefs begged me to establish
schools amongst them, for which a proper yearly outlay
84

1330 A CURE FOR INDIAN TROUBLES,
will have to be established before it can be undertaken. At
Fort Thompson I found over 100 lodges encamped, com
posed of Brules, Yanktonnais and Two Kettles. At old
Fort Sully, over 200 lodges were encamped, composed prin
cipally of Blackfeet-Sioux, Two Kettles, Briiles, Yankton
nais, Yanktons, Sans-arcs, Minniconjous and Ogallalas,
At Fort Rice over 500 lodges awaited the arrival of Gen
erals Sully and Parker and myself. The remainder of the
tribe of Yanktonnais were here assembled, together with
bands of Tetes-coupees, Hunkpapas and Blackfeet-Sioux,
At Berthold we met the three united and friendly bands of
Aricaras, Grosventres [of the Missouri] and Mandans, who
have always remained faithful and have strictly adhered to
the Laramie Treaty, held in 185 1. At Buford we met a
good number of chiefs and braves, belonging to various
bands of Assiniboins.
General Sully did me the favor to communicate to me his
reports to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs before he
forwarded them and I concur in every statement he has
made concerning our intercourse with the various tribes of
Indians, The Indians in all their speeches and in the private
conversations I held with the chiefs who frequently visited
me possessed friendly dispositions toward the whites and
a strong determination to keep aloof from ^ the war bands.
Their complaints have been faithfully noted down for trans
mission to the Department of the Interior. It is my candid
opinion, should due regard be paid to the just complaints
of the Indians, should their annuities be delivered in due
and proper time, and implements of agriculture be supplied
to thera and should they be dealt with honestly and kindly
by agents and other persons in the employ of the Govern
ment, the bands above mentioned will be kept friendly to
the whites, and the warrior bands in the Upper Missouri
plains will gradually and soon join the peaceable tribes.
As to placing them on one or two great reservations,
patience, on the part of the Government will.be necessary.

A SLOW TRANSFORMATION. I33I
It must be the work of tirae, or at least of a few years. The
Indians we met were disposed, together with their agents,
to select suitable reserves for farming on their own ground
or country they claim. A good number of families among
each band showed favorable dispositions to go to work at
once. Should their efforts prove successful, in the first,
second and third years, the example of the working class
will then be followed by the greatest number or the entire
tribe, and once understanding the great advantages of agri
culture and the raising of stock and subsisting and tasting
of the fruits of their labor, they might later be more easily
induced to go on one or two great reservations, in imitation
of the Choctaws, Cherokees, etc.
From old Fort Sully I sent out several Indian expresses
to the hostile bands to come and see me. Over loo warriors
of the Hunkpapas (a great war band) came to Fort Rice
and awaited the arrival of Generals Sully and Parker and
rayself during ten days. Their families being in want of
provisions, they returned to the plains for their buffalo hunt.
They left word for me, in particular, with Messrs. Galpin
and I,^a Framboise (interpreters) that they were very
anxious to confer with me, and showed, as reported by the
two gentlemen, strong dispositions toward peace.
Should ray health permit it is my intention and desire to
return to the Upper Missouri country early next spring and
to visit principally the war-parties, I shall do my best to
carry out the views of the Government in regard to the In
dian tribes and to dispose these deluded and unhappy people
to measures of peace with the whites. To promote my pur
pose and intention, a simple permit, on the part of the Cora
raissioner of Indian Affairs, would be very acceptable to rae.
With sentiments of the highest consideration of respect
and esteem, I have the honor to be, etc.
To the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D. C.

1332 FRIENDLY TRIBES STEADFAST,
St, Louis University, Sept. 4, 1868,
Dear General:
I received your very interesting letter of the 14th ultimo
and return you ray sincere thanks for your kind remem
brance of me, I am happy to learn that your dear family
are in the enjoyment of excellent health. If your dear lit
tle daughters were to visit St. Louis they would be noticed
with admiration, and all the mammas would wish for
their children a climate like that of Fort Sully and its
neighborhood. A word on the " Cannon Ball " you launched from your
headquarters. It has been rolling and rolling all over the
country and was noticed in all the Catholic papers, both
American and German, As I learn, the ball is now rollick
ing among my acquaintances in Belgium and Holland and
by this time must have reached Rome, I must make you
accountable and be grateful at the same time. The great
praise you gave me was truly little merited on my part.
The article has been extensively read and has been well re
ceived b)"^ all parties. No doubt it will do much good to the
Catholic missions.
I dread the consequences of the new outbreak along the
Platte and its tributaries and fear it may extend anew
among the upper tribes of the Missouri and Yellowstone
plains. I place, however, great reliance on the numerous
friendly bands of Indians in the vicinity of Forts Sully and
Rice, They have been always so well cared for and so well
advised by their respective and fatherly commanders, I hope
their example will be imitated and followed by their wilder
brethren of the plains,
I read to-day in the Missouri Republican, that the Sioux
in the upper Platte country have refused to join the Chey
ennes and Arapahos in their actual depredations and mur
ders against the whites.
General Sherman is still absent from St, Louis, At his
return I shall lay all your reasons before him, regarding the

HARNEY UNDERSTANDS THE CASE. 1 333
Indians in your district and around Fort Rice. Their going
to Fort Randall cannot reasonably be expected. I think
General Harney does understand this affair fully well and
I hope will attend to it, if in his power. He had left
St, Louis before I received your letter,
I hope. General, you will keep your proraise of honoring
me now and then with a letter. Your letters will be always
most welcome, I shall continue to remember you in the
holy sacrifice of the altar and all that is 4ear to you and
daily offer up to the Lord your good desires and resolu
tions. Renew them often and always with a full confidence
and reliance on the goodness, mercy and grace of our Lord
and the powerful protection and assistance of the ever
blessed and imraaculate Virgin Mary, the refuge of all who
invoke her in their need.
The same day your letter arrived I received one from our
worthy friend. Captain Duffy. I was happy to learn that
his lady and children are well. I intend, shortly, to write to
him. I trust the package of books forwarded by Mr. Fox
has reached him by this time. Two of the books I have in
scribed to you.
Please present ray best respects to Mrs. Stanley and to
Captain Duffy and family.
Most respectfully, dear General, your humble and obedient
servant, Major-General D. S. Stanley,
Fort Sully, Dakota.,

St. Louis University, Nov. i8, 1870.
Hon, E. S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Wash
ington, D. C:
Honorable Sir. — I have been closely and intiraately con
nected with the Potawatomi Mission in Kansas ever since

1334 NAMES A POTAWATOMI AGENT,
its existence, and was one of the founders of said mission,
always taking the deepest interest in its success, I see from
a recent paper that " but twelve or fifteen agents remain to
be selected, and these will be named as soon as the various
religious bodies consulted have presented their choice,"
Under the above consideration and under the newly-adopted
method of the President of the United States in regard to
the Indian agencies, to wit : " That there should be a good
understanding between the acting agent and the missionary
or teacher for the welfare of the Indians under their con
trol," etc., I have been very particularly requested by the
missionaries who superintend St. Mary's Mission among the
Potawatomies in Kansas to propose to your kind considera
tion the nomination of Doctor Palmer for that station. Doc
tor Palmer, as agent, has always been very efficient and ac
ceptable to the great majority of the Potawatomies and
their missionaries. I doubt not his reappointment to the
agency would be a source of great joy to thera and accepted
as a great favor.
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, etc.

St, Louis University, Dec, 6, 1870,
Honorable E, S, Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D. C:
Honorable Sir. — Pardon me the liberty I take in send
ing you some coraraunications I have just received frora my
brethren in the Catholic missions west of the Rocky Moun
tains, Having been the founder of several of these mis
sions, over thirty years ago, I take deep interest in their
welfare. In regard to the Pend d'Oreille and Flathead agency, the
missionaries desire me to inform you that they are well
pleased with the appointment of the actual agent, Mr. T. C.
Jones, and express great hope that he may be continued in

a reminiscence of PARIS, 1335
his office for which he has all the requisite qualities, and in a
religious view he exercises great influence on the minds of
the Indians.
The Yakima Indians in Washington Territory have had
an established Catholic mission for a number of years, and
many of the Indians are merabers of the Church and desire
the re-establishraent of their old mission, and to receive the
consolation of their rehgion and the instructions of the
former teachers, the priests. I ara informed that the actual
agent, Wilbur, forbids the Catholic missionary " to set his
foot on the Yakima reservation."
The Spokan Indians have been visited by our mission
aries for a great number of years and are nearly all practical
members of religion. It is most desirable for the welfare of
these Indians that an agent in full harmony and sympathy
with their missionaries raight be appointed.
With sentiments of the highest esteera and respect, etc.

St. Louis University, Feb. 11, 1871.
Reverend Dear Father D'Aste:
I received your kind favor of the 20th ultimo, I remem
ber the circumstances you allude to in your letter, " of mak
ing a show in an Indian dress in one of ray visits to Paris "
— a providential mark, as you express it, " of your future
destiny; the evangelizing the poor Indians." I am much
obliged to your Reverence for the news you give me con
cerning the Flatheads and the good and dear Fathers at the
mission. I am very sensible to the kind remembrance you
sent me in their name and daily pray that the Lord may
prosper your holy undertaking for the welfare of the In
dians. Please remember me to all and beg their prayers in
my favor.
I have been called to Washington by the Secretary of the
Interior where a great council has been held on Indian af-

1336 FLATHEADS TO BE REMOVED,
fairs in general. I then learned that forty-three Indian sta
tions were to be divided among different denominations in
the various sections of the country inhabited by the Indians,
of which only four are assigned to the Catholics, viz, : one
in Dakota (the mission we intend to establish in the spring
among the Sioux), one in New Mexico, another in Mon
tana (Flathead) and a fourth in Idaho. In the whole of
this affair the Indians have not been consulted as to the re
ligion they desired to belong to. I have given all the infor
mation I could give concerning our missions in Montana
and Idaho; but I had no statistics to present from any of
the Fathers as to the number of Indians converted, the
schools and the various Indian tribes visited and attended
by our Fathers. I have frequently called for such accounts
and I stand much in need of them to render myself useful to
the missions. I hope the Fathers will forward them at their
earliest opportunity. They ought to be written as present
able to the Government, Please inform Reverend Father
Giorda on this important subject, that he may inforra the
Fathers at St. Mary's, at St. Ignatius, at the Sacred Heart
at Colville, etc., naraing all the tribes converted or under
instruction and the localities they inhabit. Upon the in-
forraation given the Governraent may and will modify its
plan of christianizing and civilizing the Indians,
I am instructed to raake the same request of the very
Reverend Mr. Brouillet, Vicar-General at Walla Walla, and
of the Archbishop and Bishop Blanchet in favor of their
Indian missions, if they have any.
From what I understand in Washington, " it is the inten
tion of Governraent to reraove the Flathead Indians from
the Bitter Root valley — volens vel nolens." If volens, it
would be a happy thing. I dare give no advice on the sub
ject. Reverend Father Giorda must know what is best un
der existing circumstances. I think the Government is re
solved. I have done what I could to obtain the approval of
the name of Agent Jones by the Senators. McConley as
agent of the Blackfeet did not pass the Senate. My en-

VICTOR, THE FLATHEAD CHIEF, 1 337
deavors to the contrary had no success, as we have no resi
dent mission among the Blackfeet, The same in regard to
the Crow Indians,
My health is not good. I thank your Reverence for your
kind invitation to pay a visit to the Rocky Mountain mis
sions, I would gladly perform the trip, if in my power to do
it, I may be directed by my superiors to accompany the Fa
thers and to comraence the new raission at Grand River
among the Sioux. However, I do not give up the hope of
seeing the Rocky Mountain missions once more. I feel a
great interest in doing what I can for their continuance,
********* Please give my best respects to Father Giorda and the
whole community at St, Mary's Mission, Bitter Root valley,
I have the honor to be, etc.

St, Louis University, March, 1871,
Colonel S, F, Tappan, 436 K Street, Washington, D. C:
Dear Sir. — I received your kind favor of the 17th ultimo.
Bodily indisposition has retarded my answer. You men
tion in your letter McKenney's history of the Indian tribes
of America, published in splendid style by the firm of
Messrs. Rice & Butler, who call on you for additional
portraits and among these, you express a desire to add the
portrait of Victor, chief of the Flatheads,' whom you style
" a truly representative man, a representative of the re
ligious element." During his long career as the leader of
his tribe, he gained the good will, the confidence of all,
even the admiration of his enemies by the suavity and dig
nified simplicity of his manners and his bravery and cour
age when called into action, I shall ever remember with
the deepest sentiments of consolation the day on which
Victor received baptism, the joy and happiness he expressed
when together with a great number of other adults of his

1338 victor's death REGRETTED,
tribe he was admitted into the " Fold of the Lord," of
which he has ever been a bright example.
An extract from the " Explorations and Surveys," etc,
(of Governor Stevens), from the Mississippi river to the
Pacific ocean (vol, i, p. 308) calls to mind the " rehgious
element " of Victor and of his people. Captain Mullan says :
"When the guide and myself had reached the Flathead
camp, three or four men met us at the entrance, and invited
us to enter the lodge of the chief, Victor. They very kindly
took care of our horses, unsaddling and watering them.
As soon as the camp had heard of the arrival of a white man
among them, the principal raen of the tribe congregated in
the lodge of the chief. When they had all asserabled by a
signal frora their chief they offered up a prayer. This
astonished me ; it was something for which I had not been
prepared. Every one was upon his knees and in the most
solemn and reverential manner offered up a prayer to God.
For a raoraent I asked rayself, was I araong Indians ? Was
I among those termed by every one savages? I could
scarcely realize it. To think that these raen should be thus
imbued and so deeply too with the principles of religion,
was to rae overwhelming."
(Page 311, Mullan continues) "I cannot say too much
in favor of these noble men; they were pious, firm, upright
and reliable men ; in addition thereto they entertained a re
ligious belief which they never violated. They partook not
of a meal without asking a blessing of God ; they never rose
in the morning or retired at night without offering a prayer
to God. These Flatheads have always been held in the
highest estimation and this I can fully confirm from actual
observation." In the summer of last year (1870) the Montana news
papers announced as a public calamity the death of Victor,
the Nestor of the Rocky Mountains, great chief of the
Flatheads. The above quoted captain, on learning the death
of his old friend, addressed to all the Flatheads the follow
ing tribute in commemoration of their illustrious and old

CAPTAIN MULLAN S TRIBUTE. 1 339
chieftain. From MuUan's following tribute and the above
quotations an appropriate little sketch may be compiled to
accompany Victor's portrait,
" To the Indians of the Flathead Nation in Montana Ter
ritory :
" Your friend. Captain Mullan, has learned with great
sadness and regret the loss you have sustained in the death
of your great and good chief, Victor.
"As the long and oft-tried friend of the white men, Victor
had no superior among the red men of America. Mild and
gentle as a woman and innocent of wrongs as a child, he
commanded his people for near a half century.
" Your friend, while residing among your people, knew
Victor well. He has eaten and slept and smoked at his
camp fires, traveled with him to the hunt ; has seen him help
the widow and orphan of his tribe, and go in person on
raissions of peace to the Blackfeet, to the Crows, to the
Sioux and to the Bannocks, endeavoring to raaintain with
thera friendly relations. Brave in battle and generous in
peace, he has set an exaraple worthy of iraitation to all In
dian tribes. To his many and constant acts of kindness do
I chiefly attribute the fact, that while I resided in your
mountains I never had any of mine injured or any of my
horses stolen.
" Victor's record as your chief is on file in the archives
of the Governraent at Washington, and I shall use ray best
endeavors to have the Indian Department erect a monument
to his memory, to commemorate his worth and his acts, and
at the same tirae to teach all Indians that their good deeds
shall never die.
" In reading the death of Victor I feel that the white raan
has lost a friend and I could not do less than say as, rauch
to your people.
" In the selection of Victor's successor, may you choose a
chief that possesses, if possible, all his virtues, and raay the
mantle of his widespread greatness fall on his shoulders.

1340 VICTOR INVITES THE POPE.
" Victor to-day is resting from his labors in the home
which the Great Spirit has prepared in eternity for all his
children whq do right. May it be our good fortune to meet
him again among the happy spirits of the celestial abode,
" Father De Smet, Mullan and all your friends among
the whites have many reasons for feeling exceedingly sad
to hear of the death of the great and good chief, Victor,"
This tribute to the memory of Victor, given by Captain
Mullan, is highly deserving of the chief of the Flatheads,
and I am happy to be able to subscribe to it fully and bear
him testimony, I have been intimately acquainted with
Victor for years during my missionary residence and visits
to the Rocky Mountain missions. In their hunting ex
peditions I used to pass the beautiful summer and autumnal
evenings seated on the grass and flowery meadows of their
lovely mountain valley, surrounded by my dear neophytes.
They took the liveliest interest in my narratives of holy
writ — on the creation, on the deluge, the ark of Noah,
the Maccabees, Samson, Joseph and his brethren, etc, I
occasionally entertained them on American and European
events and wars, on Washington and his great country, on
the battles of Napoleon I, his struggles and his final over
throw at Waterloo; on the long list of sovereign pontiffs,
successors of St. Peter, to whom Christ has promised " that
the gates of hell shall never prevail against his Church,"
adding that the attempts to overthrow the Church and its
supreme pastors had lasted for over 1,800 years and the
Church had gloriously survived all her enemies. At this
Victor hastily rose, full of animation, and said : " Should
our Great Father, the Great chief of the Black-robes, be in
danger, — you speak on paper (or write) ; send him a mes
sage in our name, and invite him to our mountains. We
will raise his lodge in our midst ; we will hunt for him and
keep his lodge provided, and will guard him against the
approach of his enemies." As this last trait belongs to
Victor, I have taken the liberty of adding it to the little
biography of our great Rocky Mountain chieftain. It is a

THE POPE TAKES IT SERIOUSLY, I34I
proof of his filial and religious affection and the generosity
of his heart.
In 1843 I found myself for the first time at Rome, and
the very Reverend Father-General Roothaan had the kind
ness to present me to Gregory XVI. The Pope lent a
paternal attention to my little narrative of the missions and
my account of the good dispositions of the Indians of the
Rocky Mountains. He smiled at Victor's proposition and
invitation ; but then he said, with a seriousness of tone which
has always lingered in my mind, " Truly, the tirae is at
hand when we shall be forced to quit Rome, Whither shall
we go ? — God alone knows — Give those good savages my
apostolic benediction,"
Please present my best respects to Mrs, Tappan, I shall
anxiously expect a copy of her valuable poem and wish for
it a far-spread and great success,
I have the honor to be, etc.

St, Louis University, October 25, 1872,
(HiCKEY.) Dear Sir, — I take great interest and pleasure in sending
you some extracts of letters from Reverend Father Giorda,
S, J,, Superior of the missions in the Territories of Montana
and Idaho, known by the name of the Rocky Mountain
[missions]. These letters were written in Italian in the years
1863, 1864, 1865 and were never published on this side of
the Atlantic.
I consider amongst the happiest days of my life when in
1840 I was sent out by ray superiors on a visit to the Rocky
Mountain Indians to sound their dispositions and, if found
favorable, to establish raissions araong them. They ex
ceeded all ray expectations and in the course of a few years
the following missions and missionary stations were erected :
1st, St, Mary's Mission among the Flatheads in the Bit
ter Root valley.

1342

LIST OF MOUNTAIN MISSIONS,

2d, Sacred Heart Mission in the Coeur d'Alene country,,
3d. Mission of St. Paul near Colville on the upper
Columbia. 4th, St. Ignatius Mission among the Kalispels, or Pend
d'Oreilles, near Flathead lake.
5th. St. Peter's Mission for the Blackfeet near the Mis
souri Falls.
6th. The Mission of St. Joseph among the Yakimas in
Oregon Territory.
7th. The Mission of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
at Helena City.
Besides, the Spokans, the Kootenais and a great number
of other tribes have each their stations where they are regu
larly visited by the Fathers of the various missionary estab
lishments. The missionaries are thirty-three in. nuraber, of
whora sixteen are priests and seventeen are lay brothers,
raostly of the Society of Jesus from Turin (Italy), to whom
the missions of the Rocky Mountains were transferred and
where they have continued their apostolic labors with great
fervor and zeal until this day.
The extracts I now send you will go to show some of the
hardships the missionaries encounter in their visits and ex
cursions among the Indians; but at the same time the
spiritual consolations and fruits they reap repay them a
hundredfold. It is truly an encouraging scene to behold
the happy and good dispositions of the Indians and the zeal
and fervor they manifest on hearing the holy word of God
and the consoling truths of salvation ; which, with the grace
of God, they edifyingly embrace, when understood.
With regard to the Indians in general allow me to add a
few words from my own experience. The farther I find
thera frora any intercourse with the whites, the better were
they disposed to listen to the word of God. As the Indians
approach the frontiers of our so-called civilization and raeet
with the first intruders on their land, they soon become con
taminated and fall victims to all its vices and sins. The

A NOT TOO CONSOLING DOCTOR. 1 343
use of liquor is the first step and it is poured into them until
their nature is changed and altogether brutalized. They
sin, but they are more sinned against. " This prac
tice of the destruction of a people of whom Providence has
given us the guardianship, originating in such cases, is un
worthy of the civilization of the age in which we live, and
revolting to every sentiment of humanity." (McClelland,
Secretary of the Interior.)
Very respectfully, etc.

St. Louis University, Oct. 27, 1872.
Reverend P. P. Giorda and Guidi :
• Reverend Dear Fathers. — I was truly happy in receiving
your letter and am very thankful for all the news it con
tains. I am particularly grateful for your kind invitation
and would gladly make the journey if ray health permitted.
I may decide this question early next spring. However, I
must add that the doctor who attends rae gives me but very
little hope and calls me a bird for the cat. It has afforded rae
a great deal of consolation to have been able to assist good
Father Guidi and his two companions, who are now prepar
ing to enter the great vineyard of the Lord in Montana and
Idaho, I wish them every success in the great work before
them. Many thanks for the pious remembrances of the good
Indians, I sympathize with the Flatheads in their sorrows
and the injustices done them. Their separation from the
whites and their baneful influence may, I hope, be in time a
service to thera, I trust the Fathers will not abandon these
good people whom General Stevens considered the model
tribe among all the American Indians, Remeraber me to
them, I daily offer up my prayers to God for their perse-

1344 WHITES slander the INDIANS,
verance in the faith, their happiness and welfare, as likewise
of the Pend d'Oreilles, the Coeur d'Alenes, Kootenais, etc. I
have seen all the calumnies against the Flatheads in the
newspapers and I knew them to be a pack of lies. It is the
rule the whites follow when their interests are at stake. The
Indians are everywhere their victims, I have full confidence
that their good Fathers will not abandon them.

PART IX.
MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS,
(Descriptive, Personal, etc)
(Unless otherwise noted, the letters in this part have not before
been published.)
CHAPTER I.

The Rocky Mountains and the Prairie Ocean — Scarcity of timber —
A deposit of alabaster — Independence Rock — Chimney Rock — The
Platte and some other rivers — A tornado on the plains — An ode.
I Sweetwater River, July 14, 1841.
Very Reverend and Dear Father Provincial:
^ LREADY two long months have elapsed since we
^^ began our journey; but we are at length in sight of
those dear raountains that have so long been the object of
our desires. They are called Rocky, because they are almost
entirely formed of granite and silex, or flint stone. The
length, position and elevation of this truly wonderful chain
of mountains have induced geographers to give to it the
appellation of " the back-bone of the western hemisphere."
Traversing almost the whole of North America, frora north
to south, containing the sources of some of the largest
streams of the world, this chain has for its branches, toward
the west the spur of the Cordilleras, which divide the Em
pire of Mexico, and toward the east the less known but not
less wonderful mountains of the Wind river, where are
1 From Father De Smet's narrative of his joumey in 1841. Letters
and Sketches, p. 76.
85

1346 SKETCH OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
found the sources of the large streams that empty them
selves into the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The Black Hills
and the table lands, called Prairie Hills, which separate
the sources of the upper Missouri from those of the Missis
sippi, the Ozark and the Masserne ridges may all be
considered as so many collateral chains of the Rocky
Mountains. According to trigonometrical calculations and observa
tions made by means of the barometer, Mr, Bonneville, in
his raeraoirs, asserts that the suramits of some of these
mountains are 25,000 feet high,^ This height would appear
much exaggerated if we consulted only the testimony of the
eyes, but it is well known that the mountains which are
found in immense plains are not unlike ships seen on the
ocean; they appear much less elevated than they are in
reality. Whatever may be the height of these colossal
mountains, it was at their base that we hoped to meet our
dear neophytes. But a messenger we had sent to acquaint
thera with our arrival has just returned and informed us
that the Indians who lay encamped there about a fortnight
ago went in a southerly direction to hunt the buffalo. We
know not whether those Indians were Flatheads or belong
to another nation, and it is to obtain information on this
subject that we are going to dispatch a second messenger.
In the meantime I shall continue my journal. The nu
merous notes which, on account of our slow progress, we
have been enabled to take on the spot will warrant that ex
actness of description which is the more desirable, as it is
a quality frequently wanting in the accounts given of
these distant regions. Not to exceed the bounds of a
lengthy letter, I shall say but little concerning perspectives,
flowers, birds, animals, Indians and adventures.
With the exception of the ridges which run parallel to
2 Bonneville's " calculations " and " observations " were all practically
worthless from a scientific point of view.
As elsewhere stated the highest of the northern mountains is less
than 14,000 feet high.

SCARCITY OF WOOD ON THE PLAINS, I347
each other on both sides of the Platte river, and which, after
passing under the Black Hills, disappear at the base of the
Rocky Mountains, the whole plain which we traversed for
1,500 miles after we had left Westport might be called the
Prairie Ocean. In fact, nearly the whole of this territory
is of an undulating form and the undulations resemble the
billows of the sea when agitated by the storm. On the
tops of some of these elevations we have seen shells and
petrifactions, such as are found on several mountains in
Europe. No doubt some impartial geologists raay discover
here, as they have done elsewhere, incontestible proofs of
the deluge. A petrified fragment which I have in my pos
session, seems to contain a number of these shells.
In proportion as one removes frora the banks of the Mis
souri or penetrates into the western regions, the forests
lose rauch in height, density and depth, in consequence of
the scarcity of water. Soon after only the rivers are lined
with narrow skirts of wood, in which are seldom seen any
lofty trees. In the neighborhood of creeks and rivulets
we generally find willow bushes, and where there is no
water it would be vain to look for anything but grass, and
even this grass is only found in the fertile plains that lie
between Westport and the Platte River.
This intimate connection between rivers and forests is so
striking to the eye that our beasts of burden had not jour
neyed more than eight days through this desert when we
saw them in some manner exult and quicken their pace at
the sight of trees that appeared at a distance. This was
chiefly observable when the day's journey had been rather
long. This scarcity of wood in the western regions, so
much at variance with what is seen in other parts of North
America, proceeds from two principal causes : In the plains
on this side [south of] the Platte River, from the custom
which the Indians who live here have adopted, of firing their
prairies toward the end of autumn, in order to have better
pasture at the return of spring; but in the Far West, where
the Indians do not follow this practice (because they fear to

1348 A QUARRY OF ALABASTER.
drive away the animals that are necessary for their sub
sistence, or to expose themselves to be discovered by the
strolling parties of their enemies), it proceeds from the
nature of the soil, which, being a mixture of sand and hght
earth, is everywhere so very barren that with the excep
tion of the absinth that covers the plains, and the gloomy
verdure that shades the mountains, vegetation is confined to
the vicinity of rivers, — a circumstance which renders a
journey through the Far West extremely long and tedious.
Over considerable areas, chiefly between the Kansas and
Platte rivers, are found blocks of granite of different sizes
and colors. The reddish or porphyry is the most common.
In some of the stony parts of the Black Hills are also seen
numberless quantities of small pebbles of all shades. I have
seen some that were united into solid masses. If these were
well polished they would present the appearance of fine
mosaics. The columns of the House of Representatives in
Washington, which are deemed very handsome, are made of
similar concretions.
On June 29th, the feast of St. Peter, a remarkable occur
rence took place. We discovered a curious quarry which,
at first, we took for white marble, but we soon found it
something more valuable. Astonished at the facility with
which we could fashion this kind of stone into any shape,
most of the travelers raade calumets of it. I had several
made myself with the intention of offering them as pres
ents to the Indians, so that for the space of forty-eight
hours our camp was filled with lapidaries. But the greater
nuraber of these calumets could not withstand the action of
the fire and broke. It was alabaster.
The first rock which we saw, and which truly deserves
the name, was the famous Independence Rock. It is of
the sarae nature as the Rocky Mountains. At first I was
led to believe that it had received this porapous name frora
its isolated situation and the solidity of its base; but I was
afterward told that it was called so because the first travel
ers who thought of giving it a narae arrived at it on the

INDEPENDENCE AND CHIMNEY ROCKS. 1 349
very day when the people of the United States celebrate the
anniversary of their emancipation from Great Britain, We
reached this spot on the day that immediately succeeds this
celebration. We had in our company a young English
man, [Romaine] as jealous of the honor of his nation as the
Americans ; hence we had a double reason not to cry " Hur
rah for Independence." Still, on the following day, lest it
might be said that we passed this lofty monument of the
desert with indifference, we cut our names on the south
side of the rock under initials (I. H. S.) which we would
wish to see engraved everywhere, and along with a great
number of others, sorae of which perhaps ought not to be
found anywhere. On account of all these names, and of
the dates that accompany thera. as well as of the hiero
glyphics of Indian warriors, I called this rock on my first
journey " the Great Record of the Desert."
I shall add a few remarks about the buttes that are seen
in the vicinity of the Platte River. The most remarkable
of all, at least that which is best known to the generality of
travelers, is the one to which they have given the name of
" Chimney." It is called so on account of its extraordinary
form ; but instead of applying to it an appellation which is
rather unworthy this wonder of nature, just because it bears
some resemblance to the object after which it is named, it
would have been more proper to call it " the inverted fun
nel," as there is no object which it resembles raore. Its
whole height, including the base, body and column, is scarce
less than 400 or 500 feet; the coluran or chimney is only
about 130 feet high, so that there is nothing striking in the
loftiness of its diraensions. But what excites our astonish-
raent is the raanner in which this reranant of a mountain
composed of sand and clay has been so shaped, and how it
has for such a length of time preserved this form in spite
of the winds that are so violent in these parts. It is true
that this mound, and all those that are found near it, is com
posed of a successive number of horizontal and perpendicu
lar strata, and has about the middle a zone or belt, consist-

1350 OTHER FEATURES OF THE PLATTE,
ing of a vein of petrified clay. If from these two facts it
would be inferred that at a certain height the substance
of which the horizontal and perpendicular strata are
formed is susceptible of being hardened so as to approach
the nature of stone, then we might perhaps account in sorae
raanner for the wonderful formation of this curious orna
ment. Yet the main difficulty would still remain, and we
would at last be compelled to have recourse to the systera
of occult qualities. The existence of the chimney is there
fore a problem, and if any scientific person should wish to
solve it, I would advise him to repair to this monuraent
without delay, as a cleft which is seen at the top, and which
in all probability will soon extend to the base, threatens to
leave nothing of it but the remembrance of its existence.
The Chimney is not the only remarkable mound to be
met with in this vast solitude. There are many others of
various forms. One is called " the [Court] House," an
other " the Castle," a third " the Fort," etc. And, in fact,
if a traveler were not convinced that he is journeying
through a desert where no other dwellings exist but the
tents put up at night and removed in the raorning, he would
be induced to believe them so many ancient fortresses or
Gothic castles, and with a little imagination, based upon
some historical knowledge, he might think himself trans
ported amid the ancient mansions of knight errantry. On
one side are seen large ditches and high walls ; on the other,
avenues, gardens and orchards; farther on, parks, ponds
and lofty trees. Soraetiraes the fancy presents a castle of
the raiddle ages and even conjures up the lord of the raanor ;
but instead of all these raagnificent reraains of antiquity
we find only barren mounds on all sides, filled with cliffs
formed by the falling of the waters and serving as dens
to an infinite nuraber of rattlesnakes and other venoraous
reptiles. After the Missouri, which in the Far West is what the
Mississippi is in the North, the finest rivers are the Kan
sas, the Platte, the Yellowstone and the Sweetwater. The

THE PLATTE HAS ITS GOOD POINTS. I35I
first of these falls into the Missouri and receives the waters
of a great number of tributary streams. Of these tribu
taries we counted as many as eighteen before we reached
the Platte. Hence we may infer that the country abounds
in springs, and that the soil is compact and covered with
verdure. The reverse raay be said of the neighborhood
of the Platte, where springs and verdure are seldom sefen.
Even on the bluffs that run parallel to its banks the waters
that fall from the clouds upon a sandy and porous soil run
down into the valleys. But the prairies that receive the over
flowing waters of the river are extremely fertile and ap
pear beautiful in spring, being enaraeled with a great va
riety of flowers.
Here I cannot but speak again of the Platte, although
I have described it in the account of my first journey. The
sight of the river itself is still more pleasing; though in
spite of all its beauties, it has, like the most remarkable of
its bluffs, received a vulgar name. This proceeds from the
custora which some travelers have of applying to objects the
names of things with which they are well acquainted. They
have called it Platte or Flat river, on account of its width
and shallowness : the former often exending 6,000 feet,
whilst its depth is but from three to five feet, and sometimes
less. This want of proportion destroys its utility. Canoes
cannot be used to ascend it, and if barges soraetiraes come
down from Fort Laramie to the mouth, it is because they
are so constructed that they may be converted into sledges
and pushed on by the hands of raen. The author of As
toria has properly defined it " the most magnificent and
most useless of rivers." Putting, its defects aside, nothing
can be more pleasing than the perspective which it presents
to the eye ; though besides the prairie flowers and the ranun
culus, its banks bear only the eglantine and the wild vine;
for on account of the fires made in the autumn the lofty
vegetation is entirely confined to the islands that stud its
surface. These islands are so numerous that they have the
appearance of a labyrinth of groves floating on the waters.

1352 AN EARLY NEBRASKA TORNADO,
Their extraordinary position gives an air of youth and
beauty to the whole scene. If to this be added the undula
tions of the river, the waving of the verdure, the alterna
tions of light and shade, the succession of these islands
varying in form and beauty, and the purity of the atmos
phere, some idea raay be formed of the pleasing sensations
which the traveler experiences on beholding a scene that
seeras to have started into existence fresh from the hands
of the Creator,
Fine weather is comraon in this teraperate climate. How
ever, it happens sometimes, though but seldom, that the
clouds floating with great rapidity open currents of air so
violent as suddenly to chill the atmosphere and produce
the most destructive hail storms. I have seen some hail
stones of the size of a turkey's egg.^ It is dangerous to be
abroad during these storms. A Cheyenne Indian was lately
struck by a hailstone and remained senseless for an hour.
Once as the storm was raging near us, we witnessed a sub
lime sight. A spiral abyss seemed to be suddenly formed
in the air. The clouds followed each other into it with
such velocity that they attracted all objects around them,
whilst such clouds as were too large and too far distant to
feel its influence turned in an opposite direction. The noise
we heard in the air was like that of a tempest. On behold
ing the conflict we fancied that all the winds had been let
loose from the four points of the compass. It is very
probable that if it had approached much nearer, the whole
caravan would have raade an ascension into the clouds;,
but the Power that confines the sea to its boundaries and
has said : " Hitherto shalt thou come," etc, watched over
our preservation. The spiral column moved majestically
toward the North, and alighted on the surface of the Platte.
Then another scene was exhibited to our view. The waters,
agitated by its powerful action, began to spin round with a
^ This is one of the first and best descriptions of the cyclonic sum
mer storms which have become so dreaded in the central prairies since
that country has become filled with population.

THE PILGRIMS SING AN ODE. I353
frightful noise, all the river boiled, and, more quickly than
a rainstorm falls from the clouds, it rose toward the whirl
in the form of an iraraense cornucopia whose undulous
movements were like the action of a serpent endeavoring
to raise itself to the sky. The column appeared to measure
a mile in height; and such was the violence of the winds
which came down in a perpendicular direction that in the
twinkling of an eye the trees were torn and uprooted and
their boughs scattered in every direction. But what is vio
lent does not last. After a few minutes the frightful visita
tion ceased. The column, not being able to sustain the
weight at its base, was dissolved almost as quickly as it had
been forraed. Soon after the sun reappeared; all was calm
and we pursued our journey.
In proportion as we proceeded toward the sources of
this wonderful river, the shades of vegetation became raore
gloomy and the brows of the mountains more cragged.
Everything seemed to wear the aspect, not of decay, but of
age, or rather of venerable antiquity. Our joy was ecstatic
as we sung the following ode composed for the occasion :
Non, ce n'est plus une ombre vaine,
Mes yeux ont vu, j'en suis certain,
Dans I'azur d'un brillant lointain,
Des Monts Rocheux la haute chaine, &c.
Oh no! — It is no shadow vain,
That greets 'my sight — yon lofty chain
That pierces the ethereal blue;
The Rocky Mounts appear in view.
I've seen the spotless, virgin snow,
Glist'ning like gems upon their brow —
And o'er yon giant peak now streams
The golden light of day's first beams.
How from their ice-clad summits, steep.
The living waters joyous leap!
And gently on thro' vallies gay.
Sweeter than honey wend their way.

1354 TH£ REST OF THE ODE,
It is because on yon proud height,
The standard floats of life and light:
It is, that there th' Omnipotent
Hath pitched his everlasting tent —
The God whose love no tongue can tell,
Among his children deigns to dwell.
All hail! majestic Rock — the home
Where many a wand'rer yet shall come;
Where God himself, from his own heart.
Shall health and peace and joy impart.
Sorrow adieu — farewell to fear, —
The sweet- voiced hymn of peace I hear;
Its tone hath touched the red-man's soul:
Lo! o'er his dark breast tear-drops roll.
O! soon the silent wilderness
Shall echo with his song of praise;
And infant lips, from morn till ev'n.
Shall chant thy love — great King of Heav'n,
Father and God! how far above
All human thought thy wondrous love!
How strange the path by which thy hand
Would lead the tribes of this bleak land.
From darkness, crime and misery.
To live and reign in bliss with thee!

CHAPTER II,

The Three Forks — The cataracts — Tributary streams — Gate of
the Mountains — Resources of the valley — Scenery — Purity of the
air — Bad Lands — Fate of the Elkhorn Steeple — Headquarters of the
wolves — Some beaver stCTies — Lake Eustis and the wonders of the
Yellowstone — Geological curiosities — A disastrous gorge — Wanity — ¦
Some tribal traditions — Prairie fires.
^3 S I have been speaking of rivers I shall give you a
^^ short geographical description of the Missouri, which
I am inclined to call my river, as I have so often ascended
and descended it during the last four years, traveled along
its banks and crossed alraost all its tributaries frora the
raouth of the Yellowstone to the place where the mighty
river mingles its turbid stream with that of the peaceful
Mississippi. I have drunk the limpid waters of its sources
and the muddy waters at its mouth, distant more than
3,000 miles from each other. The prodigious length of its
course, the wildness and impetuosity of its current, have
induced the Sioux to call it " the Furious." Whenever I
crossed this magnificent river the sensations which I ex
perienced bordered on the sublime, and my imagination
transported me through the world of prairies which it fer
tilizes to the colossal mountains whence it issues.
It is in the heart of the Rocky Mountains that the Mis
souri takes its rise, together with many other raagnificent
streams; such as the Father of Waters, into whose bosom
it flows after having fertilized its own borders to a vast
extent; the Arkansas and the Red river, both, like itself,
majestic tributaries; the Columbia, which becomes the reser
voir of all the waters of the Oregon territory, and the Rio
1 Part of Letter IV, Letters and Sketches, p. 85.
[1355]

1356 THREE FORKS TO GREAT FALLS,
Colorado which, after winding its course through a gloomy
and rocky desert, invigorates the most beautiful part of
California. The Missouri, properly so called, is formed by three
considerable forks that unite their waters at the entrance
of one of the passes of the Rocky Mountains, The north
[west] fork is called the Jefferson, the south [east], the
Gallatin, and the one between them the Madison. Each
one of these is subdivided into several small arms that
flow from the mountains and almost mingle their sources
with those of the upper forks of the Columbia on the west
ern side. I have drunk of both, distant only about fifty yards
from each other; for the same field of snow supplies both
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
After the junction of the forks, the Missouri for a con
siderable distance becomes an impetuous and foaming tor
rent. Below this its bed is more spacious and its course
more tranquil. Steep rocks of a black hue jut and rise
above its current to a height of nearly 1,000 feet. The
mountains along whose base it runs are shaded by pines,
cedars, fir and turpentine trees. Some of these mountains
present a solitary aspect and wear a look of unspeakable
grandeur. The river, for the space of seventeen miles, is
seen raging and foaming, rolling from cataract to cataract
with a roaring noise that is repeated by echoes from all the
neighboring cliffs. The first of these cataracts measures
ninety-eight feet in height ; the second, nineteen ; the third,
forty-seven, and the fourth, twenty-six.* Below the falls,
2 The series of cataracts and rapids here referred to commence at the
city of Great Falls and continue about twenty miles; but the larger
falls, of which there are four, Rainbow, Black Eagle, the Great Falls,
and another, are included within a distance of ten miles. The total fall
is upward of 500 feet. The lower, or Great Fall, is about eighty-four
feet high, and may be properly called the Niagara of the West. The
magnificent water power afforded by these cataracts is being extensively
used for industrial purposes.

MARIAS TO YELLOWSTONE, 1 357
the beautiful river of Marias,' flowing from the north
[west] adds its peaceful waters to those of the rapid and
impetuous stream. Still lower, but on the opposite side,
the Dearborn* and the Fancy disembogue themselves
through mouths respectively 150 yards in width.
After many other rivers of considerable width and ex
tent, we come to the Yellowstone,^ the largest but one of
all the tributaries of the Missouri, resembling the latter in
many respects. This river too has its source in the Rocky
Mountains and is 850 yards wide at its mouth. Its bed is
spacious and its current rapid; its length is about 1,600
[750] miles, and at its confluence with the Missouri it
appears to be the larger of the two. For a considerable
distance above the mouth its banks are well wooded and its
bottom lands are extensive and very fertile. The grey and
3 Maria's river (Lewis and Clark), named for a lady acquaintance of
one of these officers. Modern usage drops the apostrophe and makes
it simply Marias. The stream is a large one, and drains an extensive
tract of country. Lewis and Clark were in doubt, when they came
to it, whether it was not the main stream.
* Error. The Dearborn river joins the Missouri from the west above
the Great Falls.
^ The Yellowstone river is one of the most noted rivers on the con
tinent. It is not only a great river, in itself worthy of high comparison,
but it comes from a region which in recent times has acquired celebrity
throughout the world as that singular place where nature seems to be
still engaged in finishing the work of manufacturing a planet. The
river comes mainly in its upper course from the Yellowstone National
Park. It flows through the beautiful Yellowstone lake, over the Great
Falls, and through the Grand caiion, and exhibits within a distance of
fifty miles a combination of grandeur and beauty unparalleled upon
any other river in the world.
From its source it flows north 150 miles to the great bend of the
Yellowstone, where it turns abruptly to the east. It then flows nearly
due east for about 100 miles, when it turns gradually to the north and
finally flows northeast to its junction with the Missouri. It receives
no tributaries worthy of mention from the north, but many important
ones from the other side. Of these the principal one is the Big Horn
river, which, in its upper course, bears the name of Wind river.

1358 LARGE FAMILY OF RIVERS
black bear, the bighorn, the antelope, the buffalo, the stag
and the common deer frequent these regions, whilst coal
and iron mine^ are in such abundance that for fifty years
they might supply fuel and materials to a countless num
ber of steam engines.
After the Missouri has received the Yellowstone river,
its bottom lands become more extensive; yet as little or no
wood is found on them, it may be long before attempts will
be made to cultivate them. The White Earth river coming
frora the north, and the Goose river frora the south, are
not very considerable. The width of each at the raouth is
300 yards. The Little Missouri, though shallow, has a
rapid current, and has its sources in the south, as also thei
following streams : Cane [Knife] river, near the village of
the Mandans; Cannon Ball river; Winnipenhu [Grand],
Sewarzena [Moreau] and Cheyenne river, which is navi
gable for 400 miles, a rapid and muddy stream, 400 yards
wide at the mouth; Teton river and White river (so called
on account of the color of its waters) which are unwhole
some. The latter is navigable for 300 miles, has a rapid
current, and measures about 300 yards at its mouth.® The
lands which it waters in the upper country are barren, and
abound in animal and vegetable petrifactions, whilst its
banks have everywhere a fantastic appearance.
Next and on the same side we meet the Ponca and Run
ning Water [Niobrara] river, the latter of which has a fine
current. Medicine [Creek] and Jacques rivers [James
river] enter the Missouri from the opposite side ; the latter
is also a rendezvous of the beaver hunters and runs nearly
parallel with the Missouri. After the White Stone [?]
and the Vermillion, we find the Big Sioux river, on which is
found the fine red stone quarry explored by the Indians to
make their calumets. The Floyd and the Rodger [Boyer],
the Maringoin, the Nishnabotna and the Nadowa fall into
the Missouri on the northern side.
* All of these distances are vastly overstated. Navigation refers
only to canoes and bullboats.

AND OTHERS NOT SPECIFIED. 1 359
Its chief tributary, the Platte, rises like itself in the Rocky
Mountains and extends its course nearly 2,000 [1,000]
railes. Though it is a mile wide at the mouth yet it is
shallow, as its narae indicates, and is not navigable.'^ The
two Nemahas flow from the south and the Little Platte
frora the north. The Kansas, on the south side, is about
1,000 railes long and is navigable to a great distance.
Grand river frora the north is a wide, deep and navigable
stream. The two Charitons are found on the same side,
while the Osage and Gasconade rivers enter from the south.
The former is an important stream, navigable for 600
[300] miles, and has its sources near the waters of the Ar
kansas ; whilst the latter, though navigable only for sixty-
six miles, is equally important, on account of the fine
large pine forests that supply St, Louis and the adjacent
country with lumber,
I shall say nothing of the many other less remarkable
tributaries of the Missouri, such as the Blue, the Mine, the
Bonne Femme, the Manitou, the Muddy, the Loutre, the
Cedar, the Buffalo, the St. Johns, the Wood river, the
Charette, Bonhomrae, Ferarae Osage, etc. The length of
the Missouri, from its sources to the Yellowstone, is 880
[1,100 miles from Three Forks] miles, from the Yellow
stone to its junction with the Mississippi, is about 2,200
[1,760]. I subjoin a list of the forks of its great tributaries
which I have seen and crossed.^

"^ It was navigated in canoes and bullboats, like the Cheyenne, White,
and other streams which Father De Smet classes as navigable.
8 Father De Smet's list of rivers is omitted here and the subjoined
list given instead.
Following is a table of the more important streams of the great
Missouri Basin, so often referred to by Father De Smet:
Mississippi-Missouri river, length, 4,221 miles.
Missouri proper, length from Red Rock lake, source of the Jeffer
son, 2,945 tniles ; from the Three Forks, 2,547 miles.

1360 CATALOG OF TRIBUTARIES,
I left off my narrative on Sugar river, [the Sweetwater]
otherwise called Eau Sucree ; I must interrupt it to listen to
the good tidings that are brought frora the mountains,
I remain. Rev, and Dear Father,
Your Dutiful Son in Christ,
Tributaries.
(Distances are above mouth of Missouri.)
Gasconade river, enters Missouri from south (right bank), no miles.
Osage river, a large and important stream, enters from the south
(right), 142 miles.
Grand river (Missouri), from the north (left bank), 261 miles.
Kansas river is a large stream entering from the west (right) at
the site of Kansas City, where the Missouri makes its great bend to
the east, 390 miles. Formed by the junction of the Smoky Hill and
Republican rivers. Has been navigated by steam to this point. Larg
est tributary, the Big Blue, from the north.
Little Platte, from the east (left), 411 miles.
Nadowa river, from the east (left), 499 miles.
Big Nemah, from the west (right), 529 miles.
Nishnabotna river, from the east (left), 588 miles.
Platte river, largest tributary of the Missouri, except the Yellow
stone, enters from west (right), 635 miles. Formed by junction of
North and South Forks in western Nebraska. Principal tributaries of
North Fork are Laramie river from south (right) and Sweetwater from
the north (left) bank. The principal tributaries of the Platte below the
junction of the North and South Forks are the Loup Fork and the
Elkhorn rivers.
Big Sioux, from the east (left), 810 miles.
Vermillion, from the east (left), 854 miles.
James, from the east (left), 888 miles.
Niobrara, from the west (right), 941 miles.
White, from the west (right), 1,055 miles.
Bad river (formerly called Teton or Little Missouri), from the west
(right), 1,172 miles.
Cheyenne, from the west (right), 1,222 miles. A large stream
formed by two forks which completely encircle the Black Hills of
Dakota. Little Cheyenne, from the east (left), 1,268 miles.
Moreau, from the west (right), 1,293 miles.
Grand, from the west (right), 1,316 miles.
Cannon Ball, from the west (right), 1,399 miles.

A TABLE OF RIVER DISTANCES. I361
Extract from a Letter dated St. Louis, January i, 1847.
I shall close this letter by giving you a geographical de
scription of the great river which I have just descended, ac-
corapanied by only two men, for about 2,500 miles.
Heart, from the west (right), 1,446 miles.
Big Knife, from the south (right), 1,514 miles. 
Little Missouri, from the south (right), 1,582 miles. Rises in the
northern foothills of the Black Hills.
White Earth, from the north (left), 1,646 miles.
Yellowstone, largest tributary of the Missouri, from the south .(left),
1,760 miles. (See earlier note.) Principal tributaries, all from the
south : Powder, Tongue, Rosebud, Big Horn, Pryor, Clark. Of these
the Big Horn is the largest, and bears the name Wind river in the upper
third of its course. Its principal tributaries are the Shoshone (old
Stinkingwater) and Grey Bull, from the west or left bank.
Poplar, from the north (left), 1,858 miles.
Milk, from the north (left), 1,937 miles.
Muscleshell, from the south (right), 2,076 miles.
Judith, from the south (right), 2,196 miles.
Marias, from the west (left), 2,263 miles. See earlier note.
Sun, from the west (left), 2,334 miles.
Three forks of the Missouri, 2,547 miles. The Gallatin is the eastern
most and the Jefferson the westernmost, the Madison lying between
the two. The Jefferson is the largest, its two principal tributaries
being the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers.
The following table of distances is from one of Father De Smet's
unpublished letters.
" Here are the supposed correct distances from St. Louis to the
mouth of the Yellowstone river. I give the principal names known in
that country, but hitherto unheard of outside." [The second column
of distances is from the surveys of the Missouri River Commission.]
Table of Distances.
From St. Louis to Bellevue, above the the mouth of ^^^^^- '""®^-
Nebraska or Platte river  800 646
Hence to old Council Bluffs  85 36
Hence to Little Sioux river  75 40
Hence to Black Bird's Hill and tomb  45 31
Hence to Big Sioux river  56 59
Hence to Fort Vermillion  60 49
Hence to Jaques or James river  50 27
86

1362 BEGINS AT THE SOURCES AGAIN
The Missouri rises in the Rocky Mountains between the
forty-third and forty-ninth degrees of north latitude." The
springs which give birth to several of its branches, are not
a mile away from a large number of springs whose waters
flow to the Columbia. I have stood upon snow banks that
contribute innumerable torrents to both rivers. One runs
west into the Pacific Ocean ; and the other, which merits the
title of the largest river of North America, by the abun
dance of its waters and the length of its course, but which
was not explored until after the Mississippi and thence
carae to be considered its tributary, has its mouth twenty
miles above St. Louis. The Missouri takes that name after
the junction of three branches, the Jefferson, the Gallatin
and the Madison. The place called the Gate of the Moun
tains is 441 [160] miles above the highest point of naviga
tion on the Missouri and presents a magnificent and pic-
Miles. Miles.
Hence to Niobrara or L'Eau qui Court river  80 54
Hence to the Grand Tower  40 ....
Hence to White river  100 113
Hence to Medicine river  80 71
Hence to Fort Pierre  65 48
From Fort Pierre to Cheyenne river  60 48
Hence to Moreau river  g6 71
Hence to Cannonball river  130 106
Hence to Heart river  50 47
Hence to Fort Clark (among the Aricaras and Man
dans)  65 60
Hence to Fort Berthold or Grosventres  65 52
Hence to White Earth river  90 89
Hence to the mouth of the Yellowstone, river, three
miles below Fort Union  .__  150 114
2,322 1,760
The number of bends of the Missouri river, from Bellevue to the
mouth of the Yellowstone river, is 256. In the same distance the
number of its islands is 42.
s Red Rock lake, the ultimate source, is about in latitude 48° 30'.
The junction of the Three Forks, where the name Missouri first ap
plies, is about 46°.

AND DISCUSSES NAVIGATION. 1 363
turesque view. For a distance of six miles the rocks rise
perpendicularly from the bed of the river to the height of
1,200 feet. Here and there in crevices are bunches of ver
dure, firs, cedars and lone pine trees, watered by an infinite
number of springs, which channel the sides of the rock.
Here the river is compressed within a bed 150 yards wide;
and only one place, a few feet square, is visible where a
man might stand between the cliff and the water. From
the entry of the Rocky Mountains to the Great Falls is no
miles; to the junction with the Mississippi it is 2,685 miles.
The Great Falls of the Missouri are not as sublime as
those of the Niagara, but they may hold second place for
grandeur among all the waterfalls of this vast continent.
In a distance of sixteen and a half railes the river descends
357 feet by a succession of rapids and falls. The greatest
fall has a perpendicular height of eighty-seven feet, the sec
ond is nineteen, the third forty-seven and the fourth twenty-
six; a succession of rapids and cascades of frora three to
eighteen feet fill the distance from one to another. The
upper course of the river to the mouth of the Yellowstone
[Marias] lies toward the north.
The Yellowstone, which has a raouth 800 yards in width,
and which at that point seems as large as the main river,
is probably the greatest of the tributaries of the Missouri.
It comes in from the southwest, 1,216 [about 750] miles
from its source and 1,880 miles from its junction with the
Mississippi. Steamboats corae thus far up and could go
higher in both branches.
The length of the Missouri river frora its source to its
raouth is therefore 3,096 railes; add 1,353 rniles frora its
mouth to the Gulf of Mexico and you have a total of 4,449
railes. It is without doubt the longest river of the globe.
Frora the gulf to the Great Falls there is no insurraount-
able obstacle to its navigation. Its principal tributaries are
navigable for distances of 100 to 800 railes. The alluvial
soil along this river and its tributaries is fertile, but nar
row and subject to occasional, overflows. Leaving these

1364 IMMENSITY OF MISSISSIPPI VALLEY,
bottom lands you enter the immense high plains covered
with verdure and inclosed here and there with thickets and
forests. The upper region traversed by the Missouri is
sterile and arid. The current of the river is rapid and turbid
in the greater part of its course. It is a half-mile wide at
its mouth; at several other places it is much wider. Al
though all the waters of this immense region and of so
many great tributaries unite in the Missouri, it is notwith
standing so low at certain seasons of the year that steam
boats can scarcely find passage. This lack of water is at
tributed to the dry, open country traversed by the river and
to its great evaporation.
The resources which the Mississippi and Missouri may
offer to commerce are incalculable and have not yet been
sufficiently appreciated. For thousands of years these mag
nificent American rivers rolled their waters peacefully
through the vast forests, fertile prairies and most pictur
esque mountains, reflecting the varied scenes of a capricious
nature; they were then unknown save to the wandering
savage of the West or to the animals that fed upon their
banks. At last they drew the attention of civilized man
and now they have begun to satisfy both their needs and
their desires. All parts of this vast region, watered by the
main stream and its tributaries, may be penetrated by steam
boats, and but for a small district in the plains of the upper
Missouri, there is not a single point more than 100 miles
from a navigable branch. One boat may take its cargo at
Lake Chautauqua in the State of New York, another in the
interior of Virginia, a third can start from Rice lake, at
the source of the Mississippi, and a fourth, laden with the
furs of the Rocky Mountains, can descend the Missouri
2,800 miles, and all meet at the 'mouth of the Ohio, to go
down together to the ocean.
Reader, you live in Europe, where the commerce of every
seaport, where all interior branches of navigation have been
carried to the last perfection; where superior inteUigences
consume themselves in vain for lack of a career in which

A FORECAST OF POPULATION, 1 365
they can develop themselves. But here, on these vast rami
fications of navigable streams, an endless, limitless field for
commercial speculation is opened.
The first steamboat arrived at St. Louis in 1819.''
To-day the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and their tributaries
are covered with steamboats and craft of all kinds, and pop
ulous cities have arisen on their banks. There are now in
the centre of the American continent ports and coraraercial
cities whereof each one by itself already does more business
than many of the most celebrated ports of the Old World.
The valley of the Mississippi, one of the most astonish
ing marvels of nature, contains at least 1,300,000 square
miles. It may some day possess a population almost as
great as that of all Europe and supply all its needs abun
dantly. If its population becomes as dense as that of Eng
land, which already counts 207 souls to the square mile, the
number of its inhabitants will amount to 179,400,000. But
should it come to equal that of Belgium, as the fertility of
the soil seems to warrant, its area will maintain a population
of 200,000,000. What a subject for reflection to the philan
thropist and the Christian!
I have the honor to be, etc.

Let us descend the Missouri together." You shall ad
mire with me the length of its course, its breadth, its
marvels and its dangers. Upon that portion of its banks
already occupied by civilization, some 2,653 miles, you shall
admire the proud cities and flourishing villages, whose
grandeur and importance grow day by day; the splendid
10 They have since ascended the Missouri to the foot of the Great
Falls, and the Yellowstone to a point a little above the mouth of the
Big Horn.
11 From the French of the third Belgian edition, vol. V. Dated " On
board the Yellowstone, June 4, 1864, in the Cheyenne river country,
1,515 miles from the mouth of the Missouri."

1366 REMINISCENCES OF THE HEIGHTS,
chateaus, the dark ancient forests, the smiling manors, the
model farms, the prairies specked with flowers, supporting
innumerable herds and scattering abundance and happiness
as far as its entrance into the Gulf of Mexico, ^^
Often have I rested by banks of perpetual snow, or beside
little lakes and marshes, a fall or noisy cascade or some fair
and abundant fountain, whose tutelary spirit (to adopt an
Indian idea) seeras to invite the solitary passer to rest in
the cool by its swift crystal flow. I have spread my bear
skin and my buffalo robe, which forraed my bed, and passed
many nights in profound slumber, after the fatigues of a
long day's travel, now at the sources of the Athabasca,
Saskatchewan or Missouri, now at those of the Columbia,
which in some cases are not more than a mile asunder, and
then depart to opposite points of the compass, the one to the
east and the other to the west, toward the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans. In that elevated region, the atmosphere is
of remarkable purity ; by night, in the blue-black firmament,
the moon and stars shine with wonderful brilliancy. Here,
as everywhere, one cannot but repeat the beautiful words of
Thomas a Kempis : " Lord, all that we have in the order
of nature, it is thou that hast given it ; and thy benefactions
reraind us without ceasing of thy goodness and tenderness,
and the immense liberality thou usest toward us, thou from
whom Cometh every good. Speak, Lord, for thy servant
heareth. Give rae understanding, that I raay know thy
testimonies." Excepting possibly the great Amazon river in South
America, the Missouri is considered the longest stream on
the globe. Its sources are in the Rocky Mountains, at 45"
north latitude and longitude no'' 30' west. Its three upper
branches are the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin, Thou
sands of rainers are flocking thither at the present time,
12 Father De Smet, like every other person who knows the Missouri
river intimately, considered it a river of great natural beauty, and
came to form an ardent attachment for it and for its unique character
among the rivers of the globe.

BEGINS ONCE MORE AT THE FORKS, I367
drawn by the attraction of the gold hidden in the bosom of
that remote land. There are three cities with names there
already, namely, Bannock, Virginia and Gallatin. All that
country, for an immense distance east of the mountains, has
recently been admitted into the Union under the name of
Montana Territory,
The sources of the Three Forks, as well as those of the
Yellowstone, Dearborn and Sun rivers, are interlaced with
the sources of several tributaries of the two great branches
of the Colurabia, Lewis' and Clark's Forks, known by their
primitive names of Snake and Flathead rivers,
Frora the sources of the Three Forks to the Great Falls
of the Missouri, about 500 railes, the waters incline north
ward; then, taking an east-north-east direction, they reach
their northernmost extension at the mouth of White Earth
river, at 48° 20' north latitude. Thence the general course
of the river is southeast, until its junction with the Missis
sippi, in latitude 38° 50' north and longitude 90° 10' west.
At about 411 railes from its first sources, the Missouri
passes through the Gate of the Mountains, where it is com
pressed into a width of 150 yards. The floods rush turaul-
tuously and swiftly along for a distance of six miles; the
cliffs rise perpendicularly frora the water's surface to a
height of 1,200 feet, with a sort of jutting edge, where a
raan can hardly stand erect. This channel, scoured out by
the impetuosity of the water, resembles the remarkable
Dalles of the Colurabia,
The Missouri proper commences at the confluence of the
Three Forks, which come down from the mountains at al
most equal distances and parallel with one another.
Between the Gate of the Mountains and the Great Falls
(no miles) the first tributaries of the Missouri are the
Prickly Pear, Beaver, Camas, Dearborn and Sun rivers,
with some other smaller streams or mountain torrents. The
two last-named rivers are the raost considerable.
The Great Falls of the Missouri are in the raidst of a
desolate and sterile region; they give it an aspect of gran-

1368 DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT FALLS,
deur, beauty and interest well worthy of remark. They cora-
mence nine railes below the mouth of Sun river, and reach
for sixteen miles, in very rapid currents, falls and cascades,
making a total descent of 380 feet. The last fall is the
highest ; the water drops a height of eighty- four feet. The
river is 480 yards in width. One-half falls in a mass over
a perpendicular rock, and the other half rolls its tumultuous
water through a series of cataracts, falls and capricious
cascades, into the basin at the foot. From an elevated point
which coraraands the river frora the north, there is a ravish
ing view. The water, the rocks slightly covered with a veil
of foam, the lofty cliffs which frame it all, that succession
of rapid currents, the deafening noise of the fall and the
cataract, spreading into the distance, the coluran of vapor
rising and presenting to the sun all the vivid colors of the
rainbow, make a scene very beautiful and very wild at the
sarae time. The Falls of the Missouri are among the most
important in North America; they are 3,100 miles above
its raouth.
Leaving the falls, we pass the Belt river and some minor
water-courses, and arrive at Fort Benton, the highest post of
the St. Louis Fur Corapany, 3,000 miles above the mouth of
the river, a distance which has been reached by steamboats,
under the conduct of the excellent and brave Captain
Charles Chouteau. Thanks to the discovery of gold in the
Territories of Idaho and Montana, Benton has become a
great centre of commerce east of the Rocky Mountains.
Farther down, the Missouri receives the pretty Marias
river, with its pure water, and the little rivers called Island
Thirty-four, Sandy and Eagle. Here we are at the en
trance of the " Bad Lands " of the Missouri, or rather let
us say of its marvels.
At a distance of some fifty miles, we pass within sight of
some scenes as fantastic as they are wonderful ; nature seems
to have produced them for her diversion, and to have
exerted herself to vary them. There are evident indications
that this passage through this sterile volcanic region has

CURIOSITIES OF BAD LANDS, 1 369
been formed by the might of water. To give an accurate
idea of it would require an able pen and a most active imag
ination. I will try, however, to express something of it.
Like all the other travelers, I was in continual transports of
wonder and astonishment, from one end to the other, under
the influence of this varied succession of picturesque scenes
and views, which are at the same tirae curious and sublime,
with the beautiful and grand often mingling with the fan
tastic. They pass before us as if a magnificent panorama
were presenting thera successively and rapidly to our eyes.
The bust of Washington appears at a distance — a large
nuraber of the passengers observe it siraultaneously and call
out the name with one voice. There is no mistake about it ; we
watch and wonder. As the boat proceeds and changes posi
tion, this same bust presents a fine lady in crinoline and then
a shapeless mass. The great man par excellence of the last
century here finds himself joined, in one and the same block
and on the same pedestal, with one of the queerest types of
present fashion.
Once engaged in this astonishing passage, one cannot
prevent his imagination from seeing a great many things
in it. On both banks of the river you think you see ruined
cities; especially remarkable is a succession of blackened
walls, several hundred feet in height. It seems incredible
that stich regular workmanship should not be artificial pro
ductions; but at the same tirae one is corapelled to admit
that an architect capable of executing them would surely
rank as a great genius in his profession. One of these re
markable walls, called the " Hole in the Wall," has a round
opening representing an ancient cathedral window. In an
other place appears a porte cochere, wide, lofty and of regu
lar shape, cut frora the living rock; it is like the entrance
to an iraraense monumental cemetery, with its statues, busts,
obelisks, columns, vases and urns, tables, entablatures,
mortuary frescoes and monuments of every sort, which, in
their structure and arrangement, appear like the antique and
venerable remains of the remotest ages. We pass by the

1370 AN EVER-RENEWED INTEREST,
foot of the Citadel, an immense solitary rock. Another
represents a steamboat. There follows a succession of an
cient manors and convents, castles, cathedrals, bastions and
forts, surmounted by towers and parapets and surrounded
by sentinels motionless at their posts.
On either side cedars and pines, singly and in groups,
spread their verdure and add to the beauty of the land
scape. They clasp the rocks by the little crevices which
afford them a few handfuls of earth and dust, and they
crown the sides and tops of the hills. In the absence of any
other wood, we are obliged to cut them down to feed the
greedy furnaces of the boat; and soon the vandal axe will
have destroyed one of the fairest ornaments of this marvel
of the Missouri.
From time to time one is agreeably surprised to see, rising
in the distance, the blue tips of the Little Rocky and Bear
Paw Mountains; the latter are the higher. They are two
isolated chains in the high plains of this region.
Lovers of the wonders of nature and those who travel
with scientific objects in view will not neglect to come and
visit a place so remarkable and which promises such rich
discoveries from the point of view of geology. The Bad
Lands of the Missouri will some day take their place among
the great wonders of the American hemisphere.
In my various voyages, this remarkable spot has always
charmed and interested me in the highest degree. One
cannot view this succession of scenes without an ever-grow
ing curiosity and pleasure always new. The hand of man
has not touched as yet these astonishing works of nature;
they are still intact, subject only to the atmospheric changes
of this elevated region, under which, however, they doubt
less change continually in aspect and in form.^*
Passing out from the Bad Lands, the river Judith comes
to pay its tribute to the Missouri. It is followed by three
little nameless creeks, then by the two Calf rivers. Island
13 See footnote, p. 852.

LONELY PLAINS AND PRAIRIES, 1 37 1
Fifty-eight river, the Upper Rocky, the Cadotte, the Big
Dry Fork, Miik river, the Porcupine, the Harvey, the Little
Dry, the Wolf Point, the Poplar, the Elkhorn, the Upper
Muddy, the Mackinaw and the Little Muddy, The princi
pal ones are the Upper Muddy and Milk river.
The Judith is 2,768 and the Yellowstone 2,136 miles
from the mouth of the Missouri. They are 632 miles apart.
Singular formations of great isolated rocks are seen, on
high hills, soraething in the style of those in the Bad Lands.
The principal one is the monument of Napoleon the Great,
called by this name, and no doubt saluted, by some vieux
grognard of the grande armee, to recall to all travelers in
this desert the memory of the grand homme.
The alluvial portions of the river present interesting
views of another sort. They are a series of plains, stretch
ing to the limit of vision, often interspersed with volcanic
lands, producing nothing but cactus, Adam's needle (the
proper narae of which is yucca), with their pretty flowers,
and sagebrush. Then it will be a series of pleasing prairies,
which in spring are adorned with a rich carpet of verdure
spangled with flowers. These plains and prairies are, for
the raost part, covered with forests of poplars, but these,
greater or smaller, are lined, along the river, with vast wil
lows. There is little or no underbrush in these forests, the
trees stand at some distance frora one another, and though
irregular, seem as if planted by some ingenious forester.
One notes especially wide and straight avenues, and smil
ing paths cutting them almost at right angles. Herds of
buffalo, deer and antelope, and here and there sundry
grizzly bears, the terror of the raountaineers, animate in
their turn these silent forests. One would think himself in
great parks and lovely parterres, such as one raay see in the
domain of some opulent European nobleman. Only the old
donjon-keep seems lacking.
Seventeen railes below the Judith you come to what is
called the Monumental Elkhorn Prairie. So far as I know,
it is the only place in all this part of the country which has

1372 FATE OF THE ELKHORN STEEPLE.
possessed a true monument, erected by the hands of the
Indians, A tower had been constructed here, composed
exclusively of elks' antlers; it was of remarkable height.
Its base formed a great square. After every campaign
against the elk and deer, so abundant in this region, the
Indians would come here to deposit religiously the trophies
of their hunt, that is, the skulls of the animals surmounted
by their antlers. The most ancient of the Assiniboins (it
is on their land) could not give me any account, either of
the epoch nor of the circumstances which gave rise to the
erection of this unique monument. The cupidity of a
modern vandal has caused the demolition of this strange
savage structure, which* had resisted all the tempests, wind
storms, stern winters and other vagaries of the atmosphere
in this strange region. He took his capture to St. Louis
and sold it, and there the antlers were transformed into
handles for knives, forks and daggers. Wolf Point, thirty-
one miles lower down, deserves a small notice. Here is the
rendezvous par excellence of the wolves, those animals so
cruel, but timid and cowardly at sight of man. They will
attack together a calf or a cow, which they have managed
to separate from the herd; they watch for buffalo to cross
the river and try to climb steep and difficult places ; the poor
animals get mired in the mud, and often entire herds
perish. The wolves throw theraselves on them and devour
them. On these occasions, these rivals of the jackals and
hyenas express their joy in their own raanner, in a kind of
concert of terrifying bowlings, as if a pandemonium had
been convoked. I have several times found m)rself close
to these carnivorous animals in cases of this kind. To
prevent being kept awake all night, we had to fire a few
shots from tirae to time, which reduced the frightened
wolves to silence.
Frora the Yellowstone to Benton, there are rapid currents
at intervals, of which there are ten that are difficult to as
cend and very dangerous to go down. The whole power
of the engines and all the strength of the capstan have to

BEAVER ALL ALONG THE RIVER, 1 373
be applied, and the entire crew are put on the tow-rope to
overcome the current. If in descending a point of rock or
a loose boulder be touched, the shock is generally fatal to
the boat. The hull is crushed in, despite the strongest fram
ing. These rapids generally bear the name of some individ
ual or other who has lost his life there, or undergone
shipwreck. In all this stretch of 632 miles, and as far up as the
sources of the Missouri, the whole length of the bank dis
plays the ravages of numerous beavers. These industrious
animals, of whom so many wonderful things are related,
seem to be more plentiful there now than ever; for the
number of hunters has fallen off with the decadence of
beaver hats, which have given way before head-coverings
of silk. The presence of beavers is detected by the destruc
tion which they make in the forests and among the willows
along the bank. It is surprising to see the nuraber of trees,
large and small, which they have cut down. With their
teeth these skillful animals cut branches with tender bark
into four-foot lengths; these furnish their favorite food.
and they transport them into their lairs. On the Missouri,
they dig holes in the cut or vertical banks of the river, raak-
ing them large enough to lodge a number of thera. The
interior resembles a cave, and can contain a whole family,
that is, the old beaver and his old companion, and usually
four or five little ones. I have been assured that sometimes
they contrive different apartments, larger or smaller. All
the inside is lined with willow branches, picked clean and
interwoven. The entrance to the cavity is obstructed care
fully with a mass of twigs, mingled and heavily plastered
with clay. They raake a coraraunication or passage-way
which ends beneath the outer water, and also leave an open
ing overhead to adrait air.
I have spoken of their ways and works in other letters.
I will therefore not touch upon them here, but I should like
to tell a story which I had from one of my traveling com
panions, a trustworthy man, an intrepid hunter, and who

1374 STORIES OF THE INTELLIGENCE
saw these things himself. Happening one day to be above
a beaver lodge, he heard the young ones crying, very much
like the wailing of babies. The old beaver it appeared did
not like so much noise, and to restore silence in his young
family he took them one at a tirae and thrust them again
and again under the water until they stopped. The observer
was amazed.
Another time, a large beaver was caught in a trap. In
such circumstances, they do not hesitate to bite off the foot
that is caught, to release themselves. Wishing to be sure
of his prey, our hunter had so arranged that the beaver
could easily pull up the stake and drag off the trap to
gether with its chain. The floating wood would serve as
a buoy. He soon saw the beaver struggling near the bank ;
he pulled his prey out of the water and took up a club to
knock the creature on the head. The poor animal instinct
ively put up his paw to protect his head, uttering lamenta
tions and cries like a human being. The hunter raade a
motion several times as if to strike him; each tirae, thes
beaver put up his paw to save himself and repeated his com
plaints. The man told me that if he could have got the
animal out of the trap, he would have let hira go; but he
dreaded, and with reason, the beast's terrible teeth, whicb
cut like a carpenter's chisel.
Beaver are still found all along the river, even in places
quite near the new settlements of the whites ; but in the end
they disappear frora such places. The beaver's instinct
makes him seek the most retired spots, and it is on the least
frequented forks of the rivers that their lodges are found
in the greatest numbers. There they are more regularly
built than on the banks of the great river. The streams
are dammed with strong and high dikes, which malce fine
ponds for the animals. Instinct moreover warns thera of
spring droughts and of scarcity of rain and snow in the
raountains ; then they redouble their activity and triple their
dikes, to make sure of having a sufficient quantity of water
for sumraer. This is, to the Indians and people acquainted

AND CUSTOMS OF THE BEAVER. 1 375
with the country, a certain sign that the river will be low in
the season of high water, and they govern theraselves
accordingly. To conclude, I raust tell you that in spring, toward the
period when the female is carrying her young, she takes
sole possession of the lodge. The father, with his young
progeny, amuses himself elsewhere and spends the pleasant
season around the neighborhood ; notwithstanding, he takes
care to provide his companion with victuals in abundance.
There is a belief commonly held among the hunters, that
just as araong raen there exist indolent persons who arouse
scorn rather than pity, so there are lazy individuals found
among the beavers; they refuse to do any work, go and
come, eat and live at the expense of the others; but when
one of these loafers comes and tries to mingle with the rest,
he is received with their teeth; his presence seems to in
spire the others with horror, and he bears the marks of it
in his slit ears and his long tail lacerated and torn by bites.
Repulsed everywhere, miserable and wretched, he passes
his sad days apart, in some heap of driftwood or abandoned
lodge. The Indians, as well as the hunters, regard the beaver as
the animal who most nearly approaches man, as they say,
" by his sense, his instinct, his manners and customs." The
Absharokays or Crows treat them as brothers, because, as
they claim, the beavers gave birth to their first father and
mother. The region of the upper Missouri as far as the Yellow
stone, of which I have been telling you, contains more than
one interesting reminder of another nature. It is the coun
try ranged by the Assiniboins, the Crows, the Blackfeet,
and at the present day by the Sioux, and whither the tribes
from west of the raountains, the Flatheads, Pend d'Oreilles,
Kootenais, Nez Perces, Bannocks and Snakes come down
for the buffalo hunt ; where all contend for the possession of
those animals, and which has been the theatre of an infinity
of battles, encounters and combats. It is the land to which

iJ76 A BUFFALO HUNT AS A SPECTACLE,
Tchatka was accustomed to lead his people, and whither so
many other renowned chiefs have conducted their tribes,
whether to war or to the chase, A multitude of tolerably
high hills, and of plateaus and prairies bear the names of
some brave or other who distinguished himself near thera.
It is here especially that the greatest and finest hunting,
of buffalo, elk and deer, is found.
I have often taken part in these, either riding with them
in the chase or simply as a peaceable onlooker, Soraetiraes,
motionless at my post, seated on my horse or on the flowery
sward of the plain or on some height, I would watch the
vast and variegated scene and the admirable skill of the
Indians. I would share in spirit in all their ardor and their
movements, as if I had really been one of the actors. There
is no raore charming nor more interesting view. The desert,
whose profound solitude is usually silent and monotonous,
is now transformed into a vast arena, full of life and move
ment; the air resounds in all directions with the bellowings
of the furious buffalo, flying with all their might to escape
destruction. The ground trembles under the dull sound of
their formidable footfalls. It is a chorus of cries of hunters
animating their ardent coursers to attack the fat beast they
have selected; it is sudden, confused and irregular gun
shots ; it is columns and clouds of dust raised by the buffalo
and the horsemen. Taken as a whole, it is a spectacle of
the highest interest to hira who witnesses it, and it recurs
afterward to the memory with always fresh pleasure.
I was once present at a great hunt in which upward of
600 buffalo were laid low by about 200 Flathead and Pend
d'Oreille hunters. In the same spot I saw all the Indians
in the camp prostrated in adoration, with eyes and hands
raised toward heaven, offering their thanksgivings to the
divine and paternal providence of the Lord, who had
granted them, in his goodness, so abundant a chase.
In this kind of hunt, or carnage, the entire animal is used
up, even to the bones; these are cracked and broken open
for soup. The marrow of the bones is the finest part of

THE YELLOWSTONE PARK REGION, I377
the whole animal and the most agreeable to the taste. The
meat is cut into long strips and dried in the sun. When
the chase is over, one horse easily carries the spoils of an
entire buffalo. The savages break camp, and go away full
of joy. They follow and practice literally the axiom,
" sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
But I am wandering too far away from ray subject, it
appears ; let us return to the river and its tributaries. We
had reached the mouth of the Yellowstone, the most im
portant river of the Upper Missouri. It has a width of 800
j"ards at its entry. Among its numerous tributaries are the
Big Horn and Tongue and Powder rivers. Its course is
nearly parallel with that of the Missouri. It issues from
Lake Eustis,^* and its principal sources are in the springs
and snowbanks upon the icy summits of the Rocky Moun
tains and Black Hills, one of their numerous chains. I
suppose the Yellowstone to be navigable for steamboats for
about 1,000 miles above its mouth. Abundant gold mines
have lately been discovered at its sources, and thousands of
whites are flocking in to-day, who will have to measure
their strength with that of the Crow and Snake Indians,
hitherto peaceful possessors of those mountains.
The Yellowstone and its upper forks have also their won
ders, or one might say their Bad Lands. A volcanic region
is especially noteworthy, where underground noises are
often to be heard at a great distance. Jets of steam, like the
exhaust of steamboats, are seen issuing from the soil, and
there are mounds and broken hills in the strangest of shapes,
which appear to have been thrown up by volcanic forces.
The Indians pass these places in profound silence and with
superstitious dread. They regard them as " the abode of
underground spirits, always at war with one another, and
continually at the anvil forging their weapons." They
1* Yellowstone lake was long known by this name. It was given for
William Eustis, secretary of war, after the existence of the lake was
made known by John Colter.
87

1378 SOME BIG MEDICINE PLACES,
never pass without leaving some offering on a conspicuous
point of that mysterious region.
In the same section I have observed, in the side of a
steep cliff, a wide and high opening, supposed to be very
deep. The unfortunate savage points it out to you as " the
place of coming-out and going-in of underground spirits,"
and to render them propitious, at each visit he throws in
one or more arrows with his hand. Whoever hits the mark
is sure of the success of the expedition, whereas he who
misses the hole altogether will usually turn around and
go horae, abandoning for the time being the project that
he had in view, whether it were of war or the chase. At
the foot of the rock a heap of arrows or offerings that went
wrong may be seen. No Indian, however much he might
be in need of thera, would dare to touch one of these objects,
much less to take them away ; they are sacred.
Between the Yellowstone (2,136 miles) and the Big
Cheyenne, 1,515 miles from the mouth of the Missouri,
there are eighteen creeks, which reach far into the interior
on both sides, north and southwest. It is 400 yards wide
at its mouth, coraes from the Black Hills and traverses a
rolling region of beautiful plains and prairies. The great
ammonite that I sent to Father Catoir, professor at St.
Ignatius Institute, came from this region. In this distance
of 621 miles the principal rivers are the Big Muddy and
White Earth, coming from the north; the Little Missouri,
the Heart, the Cannonball, Upper Grand river and the
stream called Moreau, coming from the south.
Upon Heart river, on one of its lofty hills, overlooking
the whole region, there is a rather remarkable geological
curiosity. At the top of the hill there is a large and wide
stone, flat and level as a table, called Record Rock. It
bears distinct imprints of feet of men and children, tracks
of bears, bisons, elk, deer and antelope, all mingled in con
fusion. The tradition of the Aricaras, that is, the " primi
tive people," speaks of a deluge that covered all the country ;
and this rock is the place where men and animals, forget-

A MISSOURI GORGE AND FLOOD, 1 379
ting all animosity and fear, met in the face of the comraon
danger; there it was that all found safety at the tirae of
the flood, separating afterward, when the waters sub
sided, each going his way and resuming his former habits
or work, to increase and multiply and replenish the desolate
earth. Cannonball river is interesting by reason of its numerous
stone " balls," of all sizes, which gave it its name. These
balls abound on the high rocky hills near and above the
raouth of the river, for a distance of several miles. This is
another curiosity for the geologist to explain. There are
tiny balls as big as marbles, and others gradually larger
until you come to masses weighing 200 pounds.
All along the river are a great number of eminences
bearing names which recall Indian memories. Such is the
Horsehead Butte.
A rise, both sudden and unexpected, in the Yellowstone
and other rivers coming frora the south, once lifted the ice
in the Missouri and broke it up into large, strong and com
pact cakes. This rise took place on a dark night in the
winter. These ice-blocks made a formidable dike in a bend
of the river just below a large Indian camp. The dike
built itself up on either bank as far as the bluffs which
terminate the low alluvial bottoms. This vast gorge,
swollen more and more by the ice and the immense increase
of water, rose to a height of forty feet, until at last the
formidable dam across the Missouri yielded to the pressure
of the water, which rushed through impetuously and irre
sistibly. A large number of Indians perished in the flood,
with all their horses and other property. The whole affair
took only a few hours. The furious waters of the night
had carried the ice out of sight, and before sunrise the river
had resumed its ordinary even flow. The valley where this
frightful and deplorable catastrophe took place resounded
for a long time with the weeping of the poor unhappy sav
ages who had escaped the wreck; and long afterward it
bore the marks of their mourning.

1380 THE RENOWNED CHIEF WANITY.
Some buttes reserable in shape animals or birds, and bear
their names ; among others. Eagle's Head and Calf Buttes.
The Wanity Butte brings to mind that renowned chief,
who was always fortunate in the chase and in war. He had
raised a young crow, his pet, or " familiar tutelary spirit,"
according to the Indian calendar. The bird flew with the
chief on all his expeditions, and to it Wanity attributed all
his success and good fortune. The crow went and came
according to the chief's pleasure, and was often absent a
day or two at a time. When he came back his master
watched him closely, and interpreted to his companions the
cries and motions of his faithful little favorite. " The bird
had discovered buffalo, or he had seen enemies." When
they broke carap the crow took flight, and the band followed
the direction which he indicated. Such fables are common
among the savages, and they tell thera as actual facts.
Opposite Old Fort Clark, on the Missouri, appears in the
distance White Bear Butte. It bears the name of an Ari-
cara chief, who was accustomed to go thither, to fast and
torture hiraself. He went there every year, at certain
periods, or before setting out on the warpath or the chase.
He would spend whole days there without taking the
slightest nourishment. He would cut off a joint of his
fingers, or passing leather thongs through wide incisions
cut to the quick under his shoulder-blades or in his breast,
he would attach one or two buffalo heads and drag thera a
mile or so to the summit of the hill. On one of these occa
sions he was surprised and slain by the enemy.
An entire tribe will sometimes give itself up to the prac
tice of the most austere macerations. There are few men
advanced in age who have not raade the sacrifice of several
joints of their fingers and covered all the fleshy parts of
their bodies with scars. The two fingers needful to draw
the bow and fire the gun are always spared.
These poor wretches are still plunged in the maddest and
most superstitious errors of paganism. Still, at every op
portunity, they implore the aid of the Black-robe, to come

ORIGIN OF CERTAIN TRIBES, 1 38 1
and instruct their children in the true way of salvation, I
hope that this happiness will soon be granted thera, and
that they will become good children of God, worthy of the
early days of Christianity. I shall be among them in a few
days, and I propose to reraain sorae time to attend to their
instruction. At 220 miles from the raouth of the Yellowstone, on a
high hill near a large and beautiful plateau, are the three
united tribes, the Aricaras of whom I have been telling you,
the Grosventres or Hidatsa, " People of the Willows," and
Mandans. There are about 3,000 of thera, living all to
gether in a single large perraanent village. Their houses
are covered with earth, and resemble mounds twenty-five
to thirty feet in height. Light enters and smoke passes
out through a round opening left in the top. Although
these tribes speak different languages, and though each has
its own lands, the comraon and continual danger from the
formidable Sioux, who carry on a war of extermination
against them, has compelled them to join their forces to
assurae the defensive and protect themselves mutually.
The tribe of the Grosventres and that of the Crows have
the same origin. A trifle, a senseless dispute over the car
cass of an old buffalo, separated the carap into two portions.
The Crows won the land of the Yellowstone and the Black
Hills, The Mandans and Winnebagoes, to judge from the re
semblance of their two languages, seem to come of the same
stock. However, neither of them has any tradition on the
subject. The Aricaras and Pawnees speak the same dialect, and
parted in consequence of a simple refusal by the chief of
one of the tribes, insolently expressed to that of the other.
The latter had asked for some laces to mend his shoes and
clothing; upon receiving a refusal, he went away, and ad
vanced with his people very far into the desert. The two
branches of the nation have never met since.

1382 SCRAP OF ASSINIBOIN HISTORY,
The Assiniboins are direct descendants of the Sioux
tribes. What separated them was this. The famous buf
falo was in this case also the apple of discord. In a cora
mon chase, a great number of the animals were brought
down. The old men, women and children were butchering
them. Each family has its own mark and can recognize
the arrows of its hunters. Two women, the wives of two
chiefs, claimed the same animal and quarreled over the
mark on the arrow, each one asserting that it was her hus
band's mark. As usual, from words they came to acts, and
to hair, which they pulled out, and then to fists and teeth
and woundings. One " fixed " the other in the most barba
rous raanner. In the meantime the two chiefs arrived to
gether on the field of battle. At the sight of the disar
ranged and lacerated features of their dear spouses, each
one took the side of his own. Here they too go, into the
stupid quarrel. The conflict soon became general and
wound up in a fight to the finish, which left dead and
wounded. The Assiniboin band had the worst of it, and
parted forever from the others. Since that day they never
meet save as mortal enemies.
From Cheyenne river to Fort Randall, 320 miles, the
physiognomy of the country, on both sides of the Missouri,
is so monotonous as in the end to depress the observer and
weary the sight. Wooded points are rare, and with the
exception of some bottom lands, the land is generally dry
and arid. Large herds of buffalo, antelope and deer are
seen from time to time at a great distance, and seem then
to animate the sad desert and lend it a fleeting interest.
Take away the animals, and for days and weeks together
there is nothing to be seen but an endless succession of
plateaus, bluffs and hills, which all resemble one another
and seem drawn up like a long file of brothers and sisters,
representing the same types.
I have traversed these regions in all seasons of the year.
I have seen the prairies in spring, covered with a rich and
supple mantle of verdure, waving and bowing under every

THE GRASS, THE FIRES AND THE SNOW. 1 383
breeze; they were enameled with flowers, as varied in form
as in color. But at every bend or twist of the river, you
see the sarae prairie, the same bluffs and the same hills,
following the same type and in the same positions, and in
spite of their uniformity, they are beautiful yet. I have
admired them after the burning sumraer sun had trans
formed the vivacious green into a greyish yellow and the
supple plant had become hard, dry and crisp, waiting only
for the match of a careless hunter or a spark from the
lightning to become the prey of flames. These aspects are
disagreeable to the sight. I have seen this country on fire
by day. The sun seemed to intensify the flame, and thick
clouds of smoke rose above hills, uplands and bottoms, until
the light of day was obscured. By night the spectacle is
very different. The column of smoke becomes a column
of fire ; you see fire in all its forms. Here, it is solitary bra-
siers and, snaky flames winding from branch to branch;
there, it is a moving wall, a long train of fire, which
lengthens, advances and devours everything upon its line
of passage. I have passed these places again after the fire
had devastated thera, leaving not the slightest trace of ver
dure. These plateaus, these prairies, these bluffs and hills
then offered the image of a land of desolation, which it
makes one sick to look at. Finally the snows of winter
come and cover with a mournful shroud all this strange
nature. This is its last and gloomiest transformation; it
gives us an idea of the instability of all worldly things.
From the Cheyenne to the mouth of the Platte it is 800
miles, in which distance there are twenty-three tributaries.
The principal ones are — White river on the south, 300
yards wide at its mouth; the Niobrara {L'Eau qui Court)
on the south; James river {Riviere d lacques) on the north,
and the Big Sioux on the north, no yards wide at the
mouth. The Platte, on the south, is 600 yards wide at its mouth
and enters the Missouri 716 (635) miles above the raouth
of the latter stream. Its bed is composed of moving sand

1384 SUNDRY TRIBUTARY STREAMS
which extends far above the junction of the two forks. Its
channel is wide but very shallow. It waters an immense
region and serves as its sewer, ^^
The Platte has its several sources in the Black Hills, the
Wind River Mountains and other ranges north and south.
It flows through a great valley whose tributaries connect
with those leading into Colorado, the valley of Great Salt
Lake and to the Rocky Mountains, From its valley one may
pass by connecting routes to Utah, Nevada, California, Ore
gon and the Territories of Washington, Idaho and Mon
tana. The valley of the Platte has becorae the Golden
Gate, or the great highway which leads to the gold mines of
those several countries.
The White river flows out of the Black Hills and drains
the Bad Lands of Dakota of which I have given a descrip
tion in a former letter,
L'Eau qui Court, or the Niobrara, owes its name to its
rapid current. It also rises in the Black Hills and finds its
ultimate source in an elevated peak called Rawhide Butte,
toward the plains of Fort Laramie. It flows through a
sterile, sandy region called the Sand Hills.
Jaraes river, Dakota, and the Big Sioux rise in groups
of lakes on the high prairies, in the region of Devils' Lake,
latitude 48° north. ^^
The most remarkable butte along that portion of the Mis
souri now under consideration is Blackbird Hill, named
IB This is perhaps the only instance in literature where the two op
posite functions so often ascribed to streams are predicated in the
same sentence. It is practically a paradox to state, as is constantly
done in all descriptive writing, that streams water their valleys. Their
function is exactly the reverse, — that of drainage. Only on their im
mediate shores is any watering effect apparent, except in low, flat lands,
generally near the outlets, where they frequently convert extensive
areas into swamps.
16 This is true only of the James river. The Big Sioux rises much
farther south, near the sources of Minnesota river and Red River of
the North.

OF THE LOWER MISSOURI. I385
for a great Omaha chief, and situated on the west bank of
the river 177 [118] miles above the mouth of the Platte. ^'^
From the Platte to the mouth of the Missouri the dis
tance is 716 miles. In this distance there are thirty-two
tributaries, the chief of which are : the Nishnabotna on the
north; the two Nemahas on the south; the Nodowa on the
north ; the Kansas on the south, 235 yards wide at its mouth
and navigable by stearaboats several hundred miles ; Grand
river on the north, 190 yards wide ; the Osage on the south,
400 yards wide and navigable for a great distance ; and the
Moreau and Gasconade flowing from nearly the sarae
country. I shall add a last little stream, the Coldwater, a
little above the mouth of the Missouri. It waters the clear
ing grounds of St. Stanislas near Florissant where stands
the Jesuit Noviciate of Missouri.
The tributaries of the Missouri which have been given
names number 123. The number of islands between the
mouth and Fort Benton is 219.
From the mouth of the Missouri to the source of its three
forks is 3,700 [2,945] miles. Add to this 1,253 [i)276]
miles, the distance from the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico
and you have a length of 4,953 [4,221] miles. From the
mouth of the Mississippi to Fort Benton, 4,253 [3,561]
railes, steara navigation is practicable.
The current of the Missouri is rapid and its water a
muddy yellow. Throughout its whole course, in spring
and autumn, the principal obstacles to navigation are its
sandbars and snags against which the boats strike and are
either wrecked or suffer great damage. Other difficulties
are the rapids above the mouth of the Yellowstone, which
are insurmountable in low water. There are neither falls
nor rocks in this entire part of its course.
The raagnificent prairies formed by the alluvial lands
1'' Sketch of Blackbird omitted because already given in greater de
tail in other parts ,of this work.

1386 THE QUESTION OF PRIORITY
that border the river are generally of extraordinary fertility
and comprise what is called the Missouri basin. In the
matter of fertility, there should be excluded a large portion
of the upper watershed of the river in the neighborhood of
the mountains; the land is sterile and arid, subject to long
droughts and frequent frosts which destroy the harvests.
The total extent of the territory watered [drained] by the
Missouri is [considerably more than] 500,000 square miles.
The task which I imposed upon myself is accomplished,
I dare not flatter myself that I have succeeded well, or have
done credit to my subject; but I have at least the assurance
of having tried to give you an idea of our great American
river and its attributes by the aid of my recollections and
impressions. There would remain, indeed, much raore to
say, if one wished to enter into all the details ; but that
would exceed the liraits of a letter already very long. I
will say in closing that at the mouth of the Platte, one is
now in the midst of modern civilization and progress.
One never ceases to adraire, along the banks of the river,
the succession of beautiful towns and villages, forges and
mills, and manufactories of all kinds. Everything is in a
state of transformation. There are new manors by the
side of ancient forests, vast fields and smiling prairies, with
innumerable herds of domestic cattle. Such is the aspect
of things even to the Gulf of Mexico.
If it were possible to have a trial between the Mississippi
and the Missouri to determine which has the right to be
called the great and long river (le grand et long Heuve), it
seems to me that the Missouri would win. At the place
where the two rivers unite, it is larger [smaller] than its
rival. The Missouri is the longer; it exceeds in length
[the Mississippi above the mouth of the Missouri] by more
than 2,000 [1,669] miles; it is the Missouri which furnishes
the greater [smaller] abundance of water ; in short it is this
river that gives the Mississippi its current, its color, its
salubrious and beneficial waters and all its other character-

AND A MORE MODERN VIEW. I387
istics. The name has remained with the Mississippi, be
cause at the tirae of its discovery by Marquette the Mis
souri was, so to speak, unknown,^®
1* Father De Smet here advances a very common argument that the
name of the lower Mississippi should have been carried to the Mis
souri because it is the longer stream.
From this very general view there is excellent reason to dissent.
It is not clearly a logical rule that the name of a stream should follow
the longest tributary. The size and importance of a river may be
more rationally gauged by the volume of flow than by the length of
channel. From this point of view the Ohio has the strongest claim
to the name and the Missouri the weakest, for the latter stream dis
charges less water than either of the others. But there are other rea
sons why neither the length of the stream nor the volume of flow
should in this case control, and why the name as it actually applies is
exactly right. The Mississippi river flows nearly south through its
entire course ; it is obviously the trunk stream and all others merely
laterals. It divides the country into two great sections, the east and the
west. On one side the streams come mainly from the Alleghenies, on
the other side from the Rockies. The Mississippi is the great central
water-course which gathers up the drainage from both sides and con
veys it to the sea. Political divisions are based upon it. For almost
its entire length it is a boundary between States. The phrases
¦" trans-Mississippi " and " beyond the Mississippi," so well established
in our national literature, would have no meaning if either of the great
tributaries carried the name. In fact the naming of this stream is one
of those striking instances where the common sense of the multitude is
better than the wisdom of the wise, for no doubt if the matter had
¦been left to some learned geographer or society of savants the name
would have been placed on the Missouri river to the perpetual incon
venience of future generations. — American Fur Trade of the Far West.

CHAPTER III,

FAUNA AND FLORA.^

Father Point's nosegay — Flowers — Shrubs — Trees — Birds — Rep
tiles — Insects — Fishes — Quadrupeds.
St. Ignatius' River, Sept. lo, 1841,
Reverend and Dear Father Provincial:^
?IT INFORMED your Reverence that flowers are found in
" abundance near the rock called the Chimney. Whilst we
were there P'ather Point culled one flower of every kind.
and made a fine nosegay in honor of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus on the day of the Feast. As we proceeded toward
the Black Hills, the flowers diminished in number, but now
and then we found some which we had not seen anywhere
else. I have taken notice of many of thera for the amuse
ment of amateurs. Among such as are double, the most
common and those that are chiefly characteristic by the soil
on which they grow, are to be found on this side of the
Platte river. The rose-colored Lupine flourishes in the
plain contiguous to the Platte as far as the Chimney. Be
yond it grows a medicinal plant, bearing a yellow flower
with five petals, called the prairie epinette; and still farther
on, where the soil is extremely barren, are seen three kinds
of the prickl3'^-pear ; the flowers of these are beautiful, and
known among botanists by the name of Cactus americana.
They have already been naturalized in the flower gardens
of Europe.
The colors of the handsomest roses are less pure and
lively than the carnation of this beautiful flower. The ex
terior of the chalice is adorned with all the shades of red
^Letters and Sketches, p. no. Addressed in French edition to M.
Rollier, avocat a Opdorp, pres de Termonde.
[1388]

FLOWERS OF THE PLAINS, 1 389
and green. The petals are evasated like those of the lily.
It is better adapted than the rose to serve as an emblem of
the vain pleasures of this nether world, for the thorns that
surround it are more numerous, and it alraost touches the
ground. Among the simples, the most elegant is the blue
bell of our gardens, which, however, far surpasses it by the
beauty of its form and the nicety of its shades, varying
from white to the deepest azure. Adam's needle, found
only on the most barren elevation, is the finest of all pyra-
raidals. About the raiddle of its stem, which is generally
about three feet high, begins a pyramid of flowers, grow
ing close to each other, highly shaded with red and dimin
ishing in size as they approach the summit, which termi
nates in a point. Its foot is protected by a number of hard,
oblong, ribbed and sharp leaves, which have given it the
name of Adam's needle. The root is commonly of the
thickness of a man's arm, its color white and its fornt
resembles that of the carrot. The Indians eat it occasion
ally and the Mexicans use it to manufacture soap.
There are many other varieties of flowers, some of them
very remarkable and rare even in America, which are still
without a name even among travelers. To one of the prin
cipal, distinguished by having its bronzed leaves disposed
in such a manner as to imitate the capital of a Corinthian
column, we have given the name of Corinthian. Another,
a kind of straw color, by the form of its stem and its divi
sion into twelve branches, brought to our minds the famous
dream of the Patriarch Joseph, and we have called it the
Josephine. A third, the handsomest of all the daisies
{Reines Marguerites) that I have ever seen, having a yel
low disk with black and red shades and seven or eight rays,
any of which would form a fine flower, has been named by
us the Dominical, not only because it appeared like the
Lady and Mistress of all the flowers around, but also be
cause we discovered it on Sunday.
Shrubs. The shrubs that bear fruit are few. The
raost common are the currant and gooseberry of various

1390 BERRIES, FLAX, THE QUAKING ASP.
sizes and colors, the hawthorn, the raspberry, the wild
cherry and the service-berry. Currants, white, red, black
and yellow, grow everywhere along the mountains. The
best are found on the plains, where they are exposed to be
ripened by the sun. I have classed the wild cherry and the
service-berry among shrubs, because they are generally of
low growth and do not deserve the name of trees. The
service-berry (cornier) grows on a real shrub, and is a
delicious fruit, called by travelers the mountain pear,
though it bears no resemblance to the pear, its size being
that of a common cherry. The mountain cherry differs
much from the European cherry. The fruit hangs in
clusters around the branches, and is smaller than the wild
cherry, whilst its taste and color and the form of the leaves
are nearly the same as those of the latter. Cherries and
service-berries constitute a great portion of the Indian's
food whilst the season lasts, and they are dried by them to
serve for food in the winter. I may perhaps mention other
fruits, plants and roots, that grow spontaneously in differ
ent parts of the Far West, and are used as food by the
Indians for want of better sustenance.
Flax is very common in the valleys between the moun
tains. What must appear singular is that the root of it is
so fruitful that it will produce new stems for a number of
years. We examined one of thera, and found attached to
it about thirty stems, which had sprung from it in former
years. Hemp is also found, but in very small quantities.
Trees. There are but few species of trees in the regions
which we lately passed. Scarcely any forests are found
[except] on the banks of rivers, for which I have already
assigned a reason. On the plains we find bushes, and now
and then the willow, the alder, the wax tree, the cotton-
wood or white poplar, whose bark is used for horse feed
in winter, and the aspen, whose leaves are always trembling.
Some Canadians have conceived a very superstitious idea
of this tree. They say that of its wood the cross was made
on which our Savior was nailed, and that since the tirae

BIRDS, REPTILES AND INSECTS. I39L
of the crucifixion, its leaves have riot ceased tn tremble 1
The only lofty trees found on the raountains are the pine
and the cedar, which is either white or red. The latter is
chiefly used for furniture, as it is the raost resistible wood
of the West. There are several species of the pine : the
Norwegian, the resinous, the white and the elastic, so-called
because the Indians use it to make bows.
So great is the violence of the winds in the vicinity of
the Black Hills that the cottonwood, which is almost the
only tree that grows there, displays the most fantastic
shapes. I have seen sorae whose branches had been so vio
lently twisted that they becarae incorporated with the trunk,
and after this, grew in such strange forms and directions
that at a distance it was impossible to distinguish what
part of the tree was immediately connected with the roots.
Birds. I shall say but little of the birds. They are
various in form, color and size; from the pelican and the
swan to the wren and the humraing-bird. Muratori, speak
ing of the last, compares him to the nightingale and is as
tonished that such shrill and loud sounds should proceed
from so small a body. The celebrated author must have
been mistaken, unless the humming-bird of South Araerica
be different frora that of the Rocky Mountains. The latter
does not sing, but raakes a humming noise with his wings
as he flies from flower to flower.
Reptiles. With respect to reptiles, they have been fre
quently described and I mention them only to give thanks
to God by whose Providence we have been delivered from
all such as are venomous, chiefly from the rattlesnake.
Neither men nor beasts belonging to our caravan have suf
fered from them, though they were so numerous in places
that our wagoners killed as many as twelve in one day
with their whips.
Insects abound in these regions. The ant has often
attracted the notice of naturalists. Sorae have seeraed to
doubt whether the wheat stored up by this little insect
serves for winter provisions or for the construction of its

1392 OBSERVATIONS ON ANTS AND MOSQUITOES,
dwelling. No wheat grows in this country. Yet the ant
piles up small pebbles of the size and form of grains of
wheat in hills a foot high and three or four in diameter,
which inclines me to believe that they use both for the con
struction of their cells. In either case the paternal provi
dence of God is manifest. They display as much fore
sight in providing dwellings that are out of the reach of
humidity and inundations as in laying up food for future
wants. It is probable, however, that here they find food of
another kind, and this might easily be ascertained. Fleas
are not known in the mountains, but there is another sort of
vermin nearly allied to it, to which I have alluded in one
of ray former letters.
-And what shall I say of mosquitoes ? I have suffered so
much frora thera, that I cannot leave them unnoticed. In
the middle of the day they do not trouble the traveler, if he
keep aloof frora the shade and walk in the burning sun.
But at nightfall they light on hira, and hang on him till
morning, like leeches sucking his blood. There is no de
fense against their darts, but to hide under a buffalo skin,
or wrap one's self up in some stuff which they cannot pierce,
and run the risk of being smothered. — When green or
rotten wood can be procured, they may be driven away by
smoke, but in such case the traveler hiraself is smoked, and
in spite of all he can do his eyes are filled with tears. As
soon as the smoke ceases, they return to the charge till other
wood is provided and thrown on the fire, so that the trav
eler's sleep is frequently interrupted, which proves very
annoying after the fatigue of a troublesome journey.
Another species of insects, called frappe d' abord or buffalo
gnats, are found by myriads in the desert, and are not less
troublesome than the mosquito. They are so small that
they are scarcely perceptible, and light on any part of the
body that is uncovered, penetrating even into the eyes, ears
and nostrils. To guard against them the traveler, even in
the warmest weather, wears gloves, ties a handkerchief over
his forehead, neck and ears, and smokes a short pipe or a

A VERY GOOD CATCH OF CARP. 1 393
cigar to drive them from his eyes and nostrils. The fire
fly is a harmless insect. When they are seen in great num
bers, darting their phosphoric light through the darkness,
it is a sure sign that rain is at hand. The light which they
emit is very brilliant, and appears as if it proceeded from
wandering meteors. It is a favorite amusement with the
Indians to catch these insects, and after rubbing the phos
phoric matter over their faces, to walk around the camp,
for the ptirpose of frightening children and exciting mirth.
Fishes. As our hunters were scarcely ever disappointed
in finding game, we have seldom had recourse to fishing,
except on fast days ; hence our acquaintance with the finny
race is rather limited. On some occasions, when provisions
were becoming scarce, the line had to supply the place of the
gun. The fish which we generally caught were the mullet,
two kinds of trout, and a species of carps. Once, while we lay
encamped on the banks of Snake river, I caught more than
100 of these carps in the space of an hour. The anchovy,
the sturgeon and the salmon abound in the rivers of the
Oregon Territory. There are six species of salmon.,
They come up the rivers toward the end of April and after
spawning, never return ; but the young ones go down to the
sea in September, and it is supposed that they re-enter the
rivers the fourth year after they have left them.
Quadrupeds. The beaver seems to have chosen this
eountry for his own. Every one knows how they work and
what use they make of their teeth and tail. What we were
told by the trappers is probably unknown to many. When
they are about constructing a dam they examine all the
trees on the bank and choose the one that is most bent over
the water on the side where they want to erect their fort.
If they find no tree of this kind they repair to another
place, or patiently wait till a violent wind gives the requi
site inclination to some of the trees.
Sorae of the Indian tribes believe that the beavers are a
degraded race of huraan beings, whose vices and criraes
liave induced the Great Spirit to punish them by changing

1394 valuable furs and the liquor traffic,
them into their present form ; and they think, after the lapse
of a nuraber of years, their punishment will cease, and they
will be restored to their original shape. They even believe
that these animals use a kind of language to communicate
their thoughts to each other, to consult, deliberate, pass
sentence on delinquents, etc.
The trappers assured us that such beavers as are unwill
ing to work are unanimously proscribed and exiled from the
republic, and that they are obliged to seek sorae abandoned
hole, at a distance from the rest, where they spend the
winter in a state of starvation. These are easily caught,
but their skin is far inferior to that of the more industrious
neighbors, whose foresight and perseverance have procured
them abundant provisions and a shelter against the sever
ity of the winter season. The flesh of the beaver is fat
and savory. The feet are deemed the most dainty parts.
The tail affords a substitute for butter. The skin is sold
for nine or ten dollars' worth of provisions or merchandise,
the value of which does not amount to a single silver dollar.
A gill of whisky, which has not cost the trader more than
three or four cents, is sometimes sold for three or four
dollars, though the chief virtue which it possesses is to kill
the body and soul of the buyer. We need not wonder then
when we see wholesale dealers in this poisonous article
realize large fortunes in a very short time, and that the re
tailers, of whom some received as much as $800 per annum,
often present a raost miserable appearance before the year
expires. The Hudson Bay Company does not belong to
this class of traders. By them the sale of all sorts of liquors
is strictly forbidden.
The otter is an inhabitant of the mountain rivers. His
color is dark brown or black. Like the beaver, he is in
cessantly pursued by the hunters, and the nuraber of both
these animals is yearly diminishing. Among other am
phibious animals we find two species of the frog. One does
not differ from the European, but the other offers scarcely
any resemblance. It has a tail and horns and is only found

OPOSSUMS, BADGERS AND PRAIRIE DOGS. 1 395
on the most arid soil. By some of our travelers it was
called the salamander.
Opossums are common here. They are generally found
near marshes and ponds that abound in small crawfish, of
which they are extremely fond. To catch them he places
hiraself on the bank, and lets his long hairless tail hang
down in the water. The crawfish are allured by the bait,
and as soon as they put their claws to it, the opossura
throws thera up, seizes thera sideways between his teeth,
and carries them to some distance from the water, where
he greedily but cautiously devours his prey.
The badger inhabits the whole extent of the desert; he
is seldom seen, as he retires to his hole at the least approach
of danger. Some naturalists refer this animal to the gen
uine [genus?] Ursus. Its size is that of the dormouse; its
color silver grey; its paws are short, and its strength pro
digious. A Canadian having seized one as he entered the
hole, he required the assistance of another man to pull him
out. The prairie dog, in shape, color and agility, more re
sembles the squirrel than the animal from which it has
taken its name. They live together in separate lodges, to
the number of several thousands. The earth which they
throw up to construct their lodges, forms a kind of slope
which prevents the rain from entering the holes. At the
approach of man, this little animal runs into his lodge, ut
tering a piercing cry, which puts the whole tribe on thfeir
guard. After some minutes, the boldest show a part of
their heads, as if to spy the eneray, and this is the moment
which the hunter chooses to kill them. The Indians in
formed us that they sometimes issue in a body, apparently
to hold a council, and that wisdora presides over their de
liberations. They adrait to their dwellings the bird of
Minerva, the striped squirrel and the rattlesnake, and it is
impossible to determine what is the cause of this wonder
ful sympathy. It is said too that they live only on the dew
and grass roots, a remark founded upon the position of

1396 A FATHER CAPTURES A PET,
their village, which is always found where the ground is
waterless and barren.
The polecat, or Mephitis Americana, is a beautifully
speckled aniraal. When pursued, it raises its tail and dis
charges a large quantity of fluid, which nature has intended
for its defense. It repeats these discharges in proportion
as the pursuer comes near it. So strong is the fetid odor
of this liquid that neither man nor beast can bear it. It
happened once near St. Louis that Reverend Father Van
Quickenborne saw two of these cats. He took them for
young cubs, and pleased with the discovery, he alighted
from his horse, and wished to catch thera. He approached
thera cautiously, and was just ready to put his large hat over
one of them, when all at once a discharge was made that
covered him all over. It was impossible to go near him
for several days — all around him was infected. His
clothes could no longer be used, and the poor raan, though
rather late, resolved never again to attempt to catch young
bears !
The cabri (antelope) resembles the deer in form and
size; the antlers are smaller and have but two branches;
the color of the animal reserables that of the stag; the eyes
are large and piercing; and its gait in the wilderness is a
kind of elegant gallop. Sometimes the antelope stops short
and rears his head to observe his pursuer; this is the most
favorable moment to kill him. When startled or shot at
and missed, he darts forward with incredible swiftness,
but curiosity induces him to halt and look back. The
hunter tries to amuse his curiosity, by holding up and wav
ing some bright-colored object : the animal approaches, and
curiosity becomes the cause of his death. The flesh is
wholesome and easily digested, but it is used only where
deer and buffalo meat are wanting. The antelope hunt is
a favorite sport with the Indians. They choose a spot of
ground from fifty to eighty feet square, and inclose it with
posts and boughs, leaving a small opening or entrance, two
or three feet wide, Frora this entrance they construct

HOW THEY ATE BUFFALO MEAT, 1 397
two wings or hedges, which they extend for several miles,-—
After this they form a large semicircle, and drive the ante
lopes before them till they enter between the hedges, where
they press so hard upon thera that they force them into the
square inclosure, in which they kill them with clubs. I
have been told that the number of antelopes thus driven
into the inclosure, often amounts to more than 200.
The meat of the buffalo cow is the raost wholesome and
the most common in the West. It may be called the daily
bread of the traveler, for he never loses his relish for it.
It is more easily procured than any other, and it is good
throughout. Though some prefer the tongue, others the
hump, or some other favorite piece, all the parts are excel
lent food. To preserve the meat it is cut in slices, thin
enough to be dried in the sun ; sometimes a kind of hash is
made of it, and this is mixed with the marrow taken from
the largest bones. This kind of mixture is called bull or
cheese, and is generally served up and eaten raw, but when
boiled or baked it is of more easy digestion, and has a raore
savory taste to a civilized palate.
The form and size of the buffalo are sufficiently known.
It is a gregarious animal, and is seldom seen alone. Sev
eral hundreds^ herd together, the males on one side, the
females on the other, except at a certain season of the year.
In the month of June we saw an iraraense herd of thera on
the Platte. The chase of this animal is very interesting.
The hunters are well mounted; at a given signal, they fall
upon the herd, which is soon dispersed ; each one chooses his
own animal, for he who slays the first is looked upon as the
king of the chase — his aim raust be sure and mortal, for
the animal, when wounded, becomes furious, turns upon
his hunter and pursues hira in his turn. We once witnessed
a scene of this kind. A young Araerican had the irapru-
dence to swira over a river and pursue a wounded buffalo
with no other weapon but his knife. The aniraal turned
2 Fr. thousands.

1398 DEXTERITY OF JOHN GRAY.
back upon him, and had it not been for the young English
man, whom I have already mentioned, his imprudence
would have cost him his life. The greatest feat of a
hunter is to drive the wounded animal to any place he thinks
proper. We had a hunter named John Gray, reputed one
of the best marksmen of the mountains; he had frequently
given proofs of extraordinary courage and dexterity, es
pecially when on one occasion he dared to attack five bears
at once. Wishing to give us another sample of his valor,
he drove an enormous buffalo he had wounded, into the
midst of the caravan. The aniraal had stood about fifty
shots, and been pierced by more than twenty balls ; three
times he had fallen, but fury increasing his strength, he had
risen after each fall, and with his horns threatened all who
dared to approach him. At last the hunter took a decisive
aim, and the buffalo fell to rise no more.
" Approaching " is carried on without horses. An ex
perienced hunter, though on foot, may attack a whole herd
of buffaloes ; but he must be skillful and cautious. He must
approach them against the wind, for fear of starting the
game, for so acute is the scent of the buffalo that he smells
his enemy at a very considerable distance. Next, he must
approach them as much as possible without being seen or
su.spected. If he cannot avoid being seen, he draws a skin
over his head, or a kind of hood, surmounted by a pair of
horns, and thus deceives the herd. When within gunshot,
he must hide himself behind a bank or any other object.
There he waits till he can take sure aira. The report of
the gun and the noise made by the fall of the wounded
buffalo, astound, but do not drive away the rest. In the
meantime the hunter reloads his gun and shoots again, re
peating the manoeuvre till five or six, and sometime more
buffaloes have fallen, before he finds it necessary to abandon
his place of concealment.
The Indians say that the buffaloes live together as the
bees, under the direction of a queen, and that when the
queen is wounded, all the others surround and deplore her.

HOW THE WOLVES LIVE AND MOVE, I399
If this were the case, the hunter who had the good fortune
to kill the queen, would have fine sport in dispatching the
rest. After death, the animal is dressed, that is, he is
stripped of his robe, quartered and divided; the best pieces
are chosen and carried off by the hunter, who, when the
chase has been successful, is sometimes satisfied with the
tongue alone. The rest is left for the wolves. These
voracious prowlers soon come to the banquet, except when
the scene of slaughter is near the camp. In such cases they
remain at bay till night, when all is still. Then they come
to the charge, and set up such howling that they frighten
the inexperienced traveler. But their yells and bowlings,
however frightful, have little or no effect upon those whose
ears have become accustomed to such music. These sleep
with as little concern as if there were not a wolf in the
country. Of wolves we have seen four varieties, the grey, the
white, the black and the bluish. The grey seeras to be the
most common, as they are the most frequently seen. — The
black wolves are large and ferocious aniraals. They sorae
tiraes mingle with a herd of buffaloes, and at first appear
quite harmless, but when they find a young calf strayed
from its dam, or an old cow on the brink of a precipice, they
are sure to attack and kill the former, and to harass the
latter till they succeed in pushing it down the precipice.
The wolves are very numerous in these regions. The
plains are full of holes, which are generally deep, and into
which they retire when hunger does not corapel thera to
prowl about, or when they are pursued by the huntsman.
There is a small sized wolf [coyote], called the medicine
wolf, regarded by the Indians as a sort of manitou. They
watch its yelpings during the night, and the superstitious
conjurers pretend to understand and interpret thera. Ac
cording to the loudness, frequency and other raodifications
of these yelpings, they interpret that either friends or foes
approach the carap, etc., and if it happens that on some
occasion they conjecture right, the prediction is never for-

1400 FATHER DE SMET, BEAR HUNTER.
gotten, and the conjurers take care to mention it on every
emergency. There are also four kinds of bears, distinguished by the
colors white, black, brown and grey. The white and grey
bears [grizzlies] are what the lion is in Asia, the kings of
the mountains; they are scarcely inferior to the lion in
strength and courage, I have sometimes joined in the
chase of this animal, but I was in good company, safe from
danger. Four Indian hunters ran around the bear and
stunned him with their cries ; they soon dispatched hira. In
less than a quarter of an hour after this another fell beneath
their blows. This chase is perhaps the raost dangerous of
any; for the bear, when wounded, becomes furious, and
unless he be disabled, as was the case in the two instances
mentioned, he attacks and not unfrequently kills his pur
suers. Messrs. Lewis and Clark, in their expedition to the
sources of the Missouri, adduce a striking proof of the
physical strength of this animal, which shows that he is a
most formidable enemy. One evening, the men who were
in the hindmost canoe discovered a bear, crouched in the
prairie, at a distance of about 300 yards from the river.
Six of them, all skillful hunters, left the canoe and advanced
to attack him. Protected by a little eminence, they ap
proached without being perceived, till they were but forty
steps from the animal. Four of the men discharged their
guns, and each one lodged a ball in his body — two of the
balls had pierced the lungs. The bear, frantic with rage,
started up and rushed upon his enemies, with wide extended
jaws. As he approached, the two hunters who had kept
their fire, inflicted two wounds on him; one of the balls
broke his shoulder, which for a few moments retarded his
progress, but before they could reload their guns, he was
so close upon them that they had to run with the greatest
speed to the river. Here he was on the point of seizing
thera ; two of the raen threw theraselves into the canoe and
the four others scattered and hid themselves among the wil
lows, where they loaded and fired with the greatest expedi-

NEW FACTS CONCERNING BEARS AND TIGERS. I4OI
tion. They wounded him several times, which only served
to increase his fury; at last he pursued two of them so
closely, that they were compelled to provide for their safety
by leaping into the river from a perpendicular bank nearly
twenty feet high. The bear followed them, and was but
a few feet frora them, when one of the hunters who had
come from his lurking place, sent a ball through his head
and killed him. They dragged him to the shore, and there
ascertained that not less than eight balls passed through his
body. All the mountain Indians confirm the statement that in
winter the bear sucks his paw and lives on his own fat.
They say furthermore that before going into winter
quarters, namely into the hollow of a rock or of a tree or
into some underground hole, he purges himself, then fills
himself up with dry seeds, which he does not digest at all.
Then he remains lying upon one side for some weeks with
the heel of one paw all the time in his mouth, and turns
over only four times in the course of the winter.
Tigers [mountain lions?] are very numerous in the
regions whence I am writing; but it appears that the fear
of man is upon them not less than upon the other animals.
Only a few days ago an Indian hunter came back to camp
with three fine skins, eight to nine feet in length from the
tip of the tail to the nose. He had come upon their tracks,
and though armed only with a bow and arrows and ac
companied by two sraall dogs, he had boldly followed thera
until he found them in a tree, where he had succeeded in
killing thera with arrows. These animals have extraordi
nary strength in their tails, and make skillful use of them
to choke to death deer, bighorn, elk and other animals
which serve them for food.
I remain, etc.

CHAPTER IV,i

THE MORMONS,

Rapid settlement of the West — A forecast — Salt Lake Valley —
What the Mormons have accomplished there — Proposed emigration to
Sonora — Their rise, doctrine and present status.

'TT RULY, the United States is a region where marvels of
^*' every sort fellow one another so swiftly that one can
scarcely follow them or believe what he hears. Towns and
villages appear as if by enchantment. In 1837^ I traversed
a desert of some hundred and fifty leagues in which there
was neither a house nor a cabin to give shelter to the trav
eler; once in a great while I met an Indian out hunting.
Will you believe it? to-day that desert contains upwards of
fifty cities, towns and villages, and thousands of the finest
farms that one could ask to see.
The first civilized man who set up his tent amongst the
Indians on the spot where now stands St. Louis, has just
recently died. He built the first house; he leaves a city
which contains already 90,000 to 100,000 inhabitants,
and which will have 200,000 before i860. I have just
been down and up the Mississippi and the Ohio for
more than 400 leagues. I know, plenty of people here
who remember the tirae when the Indian was lord
of those waters and the whites only navigated them in
secret, or else in large nurabers and well armed; to-day,
on those two rivers and their tributaries, over 700 steam
boats, like floating palaces, sail majestically in all their
1 Extract from a letter to his nephew Charles, March, 1851 (in
French). 2 This date is wrong. It was probably 1838.
[1402]

AN INHOSPITABLE REGION. I403
splendor, employing 25,000 sailors and carrying 140,000
tons of every kind of produce and raerchandise. These
boats are valued at $12,000,000, and expend $10,000,000
annually, while the value of the merchandise that they
transport in the course of a year from city to city and from
one State to another, may be estimated roundly at $250,-
000,000. Of the lands watered by these great rivers, not
one acre in ten is cultivated. What will it be like when the
nine that remain are subjected to culture? Then 7,000
steamboats will be required to carry the products and the
merchandise. The time is not far distant when on the
banks of the Mississippi and the Ohio, from St, Louis and
Cincinnati to New Orleans, there will be seen but a single
unbroken village, surrounded with fair gardens and lovely
fields. At another time I will speak to you in detail of the
immense resources of this country, which could with ease
employ and nourish all the inhabitants of the British Isles,
France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Spain.
But I forget myself ; I started to tell you of a recent and
genuinely American occurrence. It has to do with the new
Territory of Utah. In 1846* I found myself involved with
a single companion in some very difficult and dangerous
mountain passes. The character of the region appeared to
me at that time very singular ; its situation is different from
that of any other section of North America. The summits
of these precipitous and rocky mountains are covered with
perpetual snows; the valleys are very narrow, sterile and
arid ; the earth and rocks are covered with bitter and saline
incrustations; no other vegetation is to be seen than sage
brush of large growth, sufficient in that region for firewood
for the lone traveler in those parts. As soon as one is
through these passages, always arid in summer and choked
with snow through five months of the year, he comes into
a lovely and very extensive valley, which is the only habit-
3 This is probably a slip for 1841, when the Father did have an ex
perience, like that here related, in the country now occupied by the
"Mormons. — See p. 303.

1404 THE GREAT SALT LAKE COUNTRY.
able part ; it is called to-day the Great American Basin, and
it lies sorae 5,000 feet above sea-level. This basin is 560
miles in diameter ; it has its own system of lakes and rivers,
and has no apparent communication with the ocean. It is
possible that gulfs may exist in the Great Salt lake, through
which its waters discharge themselves into the Pacific, or
it may communicate with other lakes in the regions of
Lower California. The Great Salt lake, which is about
300 miles in circumference, lies in the northern part of the
Great basin. It is rather shallow in the portions thus far
explored; but is supposed to be very deep in the central
parts. The water of the lake is more salty than sea-water.
Three gallons of it yield a gallon of salt of the greatest
purity, whiteness and fineness. On the northeast of the lake
is the termination of the valley of Bear river. This valley
is thirty miles long by twenty-two wide, and communicates
with another valley ¦w'hich is fifty miles by eight.* It is in
this first valley, inclosed by picturesque raountains, which
has taken the name of the Valley of the Mormons, that
their capital stands, called by some Great Salt Lake City,
and by others Mormonville. These two valleys contain the
principal' body of emigrants belonging to this sect (a species
of socialism and communism), more than 30,000 in nura
ber. They are capable of supporting in tirae a population
of over 1,000,000.
In the fall of 1846, as I drew near to the frontiers of the
State of Missouri, I found the advance guard of the Mor
mons, numbering about 10,000, camped in the territory of
the Omahas, not far from the old Council Bluffs. They
had just been driven out for the second time from a State
of the Union (Illinois had received them after their war
with the people of Missouri). They had resolved to winter
on the threshold of the great desert, and then to move on-
* Cache Valley, one of the most beautiful of all the mountain valleys,
and now occupied by a dense Mormon population with some thirteen
flourishing villages which can all be seen at once from any vantage
point in the surrounding hills.

SETTLEMENT OF SALT LAKE CITY, I405
ward into it, to put distance between theraselves and their
persecutors, without even knowing at that time the goal of
their long wanderings, nor the spot where they should once
more build for themselves permanent dwellings. They
asked me a thousand questions about the regions I had ex
plored and the spot which I have just described to you
pleased them greatly from the account I gave them of it.
Was that what deterrained them? I would not dare to
assert it. They are there. In the last three years Utah has
changed its aspect, and from a desert has become a flourish
ing territory which will soon become one of the States of the
Union. It is bounded by California, Oregon, New Mexico
and the region called of old the Great Western Territory.
In 1847, iri the month of April, the first Mormon pioneers
left the place of their winter quarters at Council Bluffs ; on
the 22d of July of the same year they entered this valley
and halted at the place which forms to-day the centre of
the city. In the afternoon of the same day they were at
work with three plows and a harrow, and had begun the
first ditch for the irrigation of the field. On the 24th they
planted five acres in potatoes. On the 28th they laid out
the plan of the future city. It is divided into ten-acre blocks
with eight lots to each block and a vast garden and yard
to each lot. The streets are eight rods in width and
the sidewalks on each side twenty feet. There are to
be shade-trees alofig the sidewalks. Each block is sur
rounded with a stream of limpid water, coming down in
abundance from the mountains. Every house stands
twenty feet frora the street line, and no two houses
are built opposite each other, so that a man in his own
front door cannot look into that of his neighbor, but has
a fine view of his garden. There are four great public
places, which will be adorned with beautiful fountains and
trees brought from the four quarters of the globe. The
square of the temple will have a fine garden. Already their
missionaries have made arrangements in the Eastern States,
in England, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany and the

1406 HIEROGLYPHICS AND ROCK SALT,
islands of the sea, to make collections of the choicest seeds
and fruits, or anything else that can serve for the embellish
ment of this garden. By the first plan the city contained
135 blocks; since then there have been added 65 blocks on
the east and 60 on the west of the city. The University
place is a mile square.
It is barely three years since the first house was built in
this city and to-day there are several thousand comfortable
houses, built of sun-dried bricks, and they have an abun
dance of all the necessaries of life. In the vicinity of the
city there are a great number of springs of all temperatures,
mineral, sulphurous and pure water. The fields have to be
irrigated to render them productive. The city lies twenty-
two railes southeast of the Great Salt lake. Southward
from it, at a distance of fifty miles, are Utah lake and valley,
where the Mormons have built the city of Provo on the
bank of a river which bears the sarae narae. The water of
this lake is pure; it is eight railes by four and abounds in
fish. A hundred railes south of this valley a colony of
sorae 200 farailies have settled in a place called San Pete,
where ruins have been found covered with hieroglyphics,
and a raountain, strange to say, of rock salt. While I was
at St. Mary's, araong the Flatheads, in 1844-1845, I sent
several times to this mountain for salt.
For five months of the year there is no communication
with the north, east or west, by reason of the snow, which
renders the passage of the mountains impracticable. The
capital of the Mormons is in" west of Greenwich.
Such is the change that has come over this desert in so
short a time, and such the spot chosen by these new sec
tarians for a shelter against the tyranny and persecutions
that other sectarians have brought upon them. In the midst
of the desert they have added a new star to the grand and
beautiful American constellation. The Mormon sect has not
been in existence thirty years. Already they have 200,000
converts or adepts, all of whora propose to go out and join
their Utah brethren. The locality is well chosen, and will

THINKS MORMONS WILL EMIGRATE. I4O7
be able to render immense services as a place for rest, re
freshment and provisioning for the army of emigrants who
pass year after year on their way to settle in California or
Oregon; and when the great railroad is built, which is to
join the Atlantic to the Pacific, this territory will be of great
assistance, and will serve as a great support, or station by
the way.

University of St. Louis, December 12, 1857.
Very dear Francis :
Things are going on very easily in America. It will take
a long time to restore confidence among the people. A
whole new banking system is projected with assured guar
antees. Hitherto these kinds of establishments have, for
the most part, been nothing but regular traps, arrangements
for smart scoundrels to get hold of the people's money with
impunity. There is a good deal of talk just now about war with the
Morraons. These polygaraous fanatics have lately been cora-
mitting infamous atrocities upon the poor peaceable emi
grants. A war of extermination is being prepared for them.
The Mormons could raake it a long and hard one in their
alraost inaccessible raountains. I think that the Morraons
will pass the winter in doing the Araericans all the damage
they can, and early in the spring take up their march and
take possession of the province of Sonora in Mexico. They
have a political system that is inadmissible in a republic,
and a religious system still less admissible, which is the
" abomination of abominations," invented in the present
century. The place where they live, the Great Salt lake
country, is most raiserable. Wood, fresh water and grass
are scarce. The region would never allow a heavy settle-

1408 HISTORY OF JOSEPH SMITH.
ment. The climate is not wholesome, Sonora offers all
kinds of advantages, and the Morraons, after they have done
all the harm they can, will take refuge there, "^

University of St. Louis, Jan, 19, 1858.
Reverend and Dear Father:^
I propose to give you in this letter a short sketch of the
fanatic sect of Mormons, against whora the Governraent of
the United States has just sent troops, in order to subject
thera to the laws, or force them to leave the country. The
facts which I will relate on the origin and history of this
singular people are chiefly drawn frora a recent work by
John Hyde, who had been an elder or minister of the
Mormon sect.
The founder of the Mormons was onejoseph Smith, born
of an obscure faraily, December 23, 1805, at Sharon, Wind
sor county, Vermont. The whole Hfe of this man, from
youth up, was marked by fanaticism, fraud and vice. More
than fifty persons of good reputation and in every way
worthy of respect, who knew him at Palmyra, New York,
where he had settled with his family, have testified under
oath that Joseph Smith was regarded as a man of no moral
character and given to vicious habits. In 1820 Smith em
braced Methodism. In April of that year he pretended to
have had a revelation from heaven, while praying in the
5 The general outcry against the Mormons at this time had its
influence upon Father De Smet, as is evidenced by his change of view
in the six years between the dates of this and the preceding letter.
Perhaps his ready acceptance of the report that the Mormons con
templated an exodus to Mexico was a case of " the wish is father to
the thought." That would, indeed, have been an effective solution of
the Mormon question in the United States.
^ To the editor of the Precis Historiques, Brussels.

ORIGIN OF BOOK OF MORMONS, I409
woods. He said that God the Father and Jesus Christ his
Son had appeared to him, and had declared to him that his
sins were forgiven, that God had chosen him to restore his
kingdom on earth and propagate anew the truth of the
gospel which all Christendom had lost. In 1S23 Smith,
forgetting his revelations and his pretended divine mission,
plunged as deep as ever in blasphemy, fraud, drunkenness
and other vices. Then, he said, an angel appeared to him
and revealed the existence of a book written on gold plates
and containing the history of the ancient inhabitants of
America. This is the origin of the "Book of Mormon," or
Golden Bible, the Koran of these Mahometans. The next
day Smith visited the spot designated by the angel as the
spot where the book was. This was on the slope of a hill
between Palmyra and Manchester. There he pretended to
find in fact golden plates in a stone box; but this time his
efforts to raise thera were vain. There was, he says, a great
contest between the devil and the angels as to it; but al
though the devil was beaten, the angel did not give the
book to Smith, who received it only four years after, on
the 22d of September, 1827.
The Book of Mormon, like the Koran, is a tissue of con
tradictory plagiarisms and absurd inventions. The whole is
interlarded with passages fromthe Bible. It has been proved
that the portion given as historical is merely a plagiary of a
romance of Solomon Spalding whose raanuscript had been
stolen by Sraith. Spalding had written, under the title of
The Discovered Manuscript, a romance on the-origin of the
American Indians. He died before pubhshing it. After his
death his widow removed to New York and Smith is known
to have worked near her house. Some time after the publi
cation of the Book of Mormon she discovered theloss of her
husband's manuscript. Many of Spalding's relatives and
friends detected T/i^ Discovered Manuscript, slightly altered,
in Sraith's book. Spalding had been in the habit of reading
long passages frora his novel; the singularity of the facts,
names and style, which was biblical, had so struck them
89

I4I0 HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY,
that they did not forget it. Now, the Book of Mormon had
the same characteristics, the same strange names, the same
incredible facts, the same style, John Spalding, the author's
brother, thus expresses himsielf on the point : " My brother's
book was entitled The Discovered Manuscript, It was an
historical novel on the first inhabitants of America. Its
object was to show that the American Indians were de
scended from the Jews, or the lost tribes. There was a de
tailed description of their voyage, by land and sea, from
their departure from Jerusalem to their arrival in Araerica,
under the orders of Nephi and Lehi. I have recently read
the Book of Mormon, To my great astonishment I have
found almost the sarae historical matters, the same names,
etc., such as they were in my brother's writings." Many
other persons, who knew Solomon Spalding well, and who
for the most part knew nothing of Joseph Smith, gave
similar testimony under oath.
The Book of Mormon probably derives its name from one
of the chapters of this novel. A descendant of Lehi ob
tained the plates of gold, brass, etc., on which the prophets
had engraved the history of the voyages and wars of their
race, and this descendant was called Mormon. He abridged
this history, and gave it to his son Moroni. The latter, hav
ing added a sketch of the history of Jared, inclosed all in a
box, which he buried on a hill, A. D. 400. Smith, declar
ing himself chosen to give this wonderful book to the world,
pretended to have received the gift of understanding and
translating it. He did not write this translation himself, but
dictated it. During the dictation he was concealed behind a
curtain made of a bed-quilt, forthe plates were so sacred that
he did not even permit his secretary to gaze on them. To
give a still higher idea of his golden bible, he explained the
title after his own fashion. According to him, the word
Mormon comes from the Egyptian mon, signifying good,
and the English wordmor^;so thatMormon mesLXis Better!
Now, the bible, says Smith, in its widest signification, means
good, since our Lord says in the gospel, " I am the good

RISE AND PROGRESS OF MORMONS. I4II
shepherd." The ignorant and fanatical believe all those
fables. The Book of Mormon, although most known, is not the
chief book of the sect. The Book of Teachings and Cove
nants, containing some of the revelations which Smith pre
tended to have received from heaven, is regarded by his
disciples as a book of the law which God has given this gen
eration. Smith also published other revelations, which are
contained in a little book called The Pearl of Great Price.
Much of the doctrine of Smith is a mere repetition of the
works of various Protestant sects. He has imitated Ma
homet in his infamous immorality by permitting polygamy.
To all this his successor has added abominable doctrines
on the nature and attributes of God.
Smith organized his new religion in 1830. He could
then number only six disciples. The next year, having ob
tained new adherents, he sent elders, two by two, to preach
the new doctrine. When the nuraber of his disciples had
sufficiently increased, he founded a colony in Missouri, but
their conduct induced the people of that State — first those
around Independence, where the Mormons had first settled,
and then those of Liberty — to expel them from the State.
In 1834 the Mormon sect adopted the pompous title of
" Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," and thence
the Mormons called themselves Latter-Day Saints, or
simply Saints.
Sraith and his adepts having acquired, in 1839, ^ large
tract in Illinois, in a beautiful section on the banks of the
Mississippi, built a flourishing city, which they called Nau-
voo, erected a raagnificent temple, now in ruins, and lived
there till 1844, when they rendered themselves odious to the
people of that State. They were attacked by an ungovern
able mob, and the false prophet and his brother, Hyrum,
were massacred in prison at Carthage.
In 1845 these persecutions continued and the Mormons,
driven at last from Nauvoo, resolved in council to seek a
solitary and permanent abode in some fertile valley at the

I4I2 OBSERVATIONS ON FORESTRY.
foot of the Rocky Mountains. They carried out this project
in 1847, penetrated into the desert some 1,200 miles, and
founded a new city on the banks of the Great Salt lake, at
the foot of a lofty chain of mountains forming a portion of
the eastern limits of the Great basin. Brigham Young,
Smith's successor as prophet and chief, was their leader in
this long and painful march.
The valley of the Great basin is about 500 miles long
frora north to south, and 350 from east to west. It is
formed by the Sierra Madre bounding it on the east, and
by the Goose creek and Humboldt Mountains on the west.
Utah Territory, thus occupied by the Mormons, contains in
all 187,923 square miles. (The lake, which is now only
seventy miles long and thirty-five wide, probably filled, at
a remote epoch, the whole valley. On all sides, on the slopes
of the raountains, at a uniform height, are traces which
water alone could have made.) In 1841 I traversed much
of this valley in my rambles in the Rocky Mountains. The
country was then wooded and agreeable, watered by springs
and streams, winding through the valley. Since the Mor
mon emigration the forests have disappeared on the slopes
of the hills and raountains, and, as the snows are more ex
posed to the rays of the sun and melt quicker, the springs
dry up, and the streams give scarcely water enough in the
spring to irrigate the cultivated fields and supply the do
mestic animals.
Salt Lake City contains at present 15,000 inhabitants.
They are mostly English, Scotch and Swedes. Hardly one-
fourth of the Mormons are Americans by birth. They are
scattered up and down in the villages and towns of all
the plains and valleys of Utah, so called from an Indian
tribe of that region. The Territory is bounded on the north
by Oregon, on the west by California, on the east by the
Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, and on the south by
New Mexico. The total number of the inhabitants of the
Territory is less than 50,000, although the Mormon leaders,

SKETCH OF BRIGHAM YOUNG, I413
for ends of their own, represent it as much higher. The
nurabei of Mormons in different countries is estimated at
300,000, They send their emissaries to all parts of the
globe. These take good care not to present Mormonisra in
its true colors to those who are not as yet prepared to accept
it such as it is. Many of the Morraons at Salt Lake, it is
said, adopted the new sect only in hopes of finding there an
earthly paradise, with unlimited abundance for every want.
Once in Utah, it is no easy matter to escape the snares and
despotic power of the leader.
Brigham Young, president of the Mormon church, and
now rebellious Governor of Utah Territory, enjoys absolute
authority over his people. This man is, like Joseph Smith,
a native of Vermont, born at Whittinghara, June i, 1801.
Having embraced Mormonisra in 1832, he soon became
Smith's intimate friend. Since he became chief of the Mor
mons, he has displayed boundless ambition and talents far
superior to Smith's. He labors to establish Mormonisra
all over the American continent. As to the Territory which
he governs, he wishes to make it an independent State in the
confederation. He has often declared that he will permit
no one else to be Governor of Utah. He defies the author
ity of the President and of all the Union. The judges and
other officers appointed by the General Government for the
civil adrninistration of Utah have been expelled from the
Territory, after seeing it useless to attempt to exercise their
functions. Young has set up tribunals of his own, and in
the United States courts which he tolerated before his rebel
hon, the juries gave verdicts according to his direction. The
Government at last resolved to resort even to force to raake
him respect its authority. Accordingly, last fall (1857), a
detachment of 2,500 men was sent to the Territory to raain
tain the new Governor and his suite.
On this Young prepared to resist. The troops have al
ready entered Utah, but the severity of the winter arrests
thera about 150 railes from the Mormon capital. The Mor-

I414 MILITARY SERVICE AMONG THE MORMONS.
mons are not idle. They have surprised a train of seventy-
six wagons, pillaged and burned them, carrying off all the
aniraals, horses, raules and oxen. This loss is estimated at
a million of dollars. The troops, ill-lodged ahd ill-fed, will
suffer terribly if the winter is severe, as it is usually in the
elevated parts which they occupy. As soon as the spring
opens large reinforcements will be sent. There is a great
diversity of opinion here on the matter. Many think that
the war will be long and bloody, and that the Mormons will
resist to the death. A great manifestation on the part of the
Governraent will, doubtless, be necessary; and I think that
as the new forces approach the rebel territory, the Mormons
will retire after setting fire to their towns, and march to
occupy sorae new district — Sonora, perhaps, or some other
thinly-settled tract in the vast Mexican territory. This
fanatical sect will find repose only outside of all other civil
jurisdiction. It will master and subject all, unless it is
mastered and expelled in season.
One more word on the Mormons and I have done. A
new organization has been given to the Mormon troops. In
1840 Smith organized the Nauvoo Legion, and compelled
all his disciples from the age of sixteen to fifty to enter it.
This little troop has continually increased, and preserves its
old name. No effort is spared to render the soldiers perfect
in military discipline and exercises. They have at their
head officers who served under General Scott in the Mexican
war. Young's whole army might, in case of necessity, be
brought up to 8,000 men. This number would not be for
midable, were they not all animated with a spirit of fanati
cism which will make them fight, if it comes to that, with
an obstinacy like that of the first Mahometans. Besides the
community of religion and interest there exists among them
another bond. A great number of them are bound to the
president and Prophet Young by horrible oaths. There
exists among this people a society called the Mormon En
dowment, into which members are admitted amid cere-

BLIND OBEDIENCE AND DEATH PENALTY. I415
monies most capable of inspiring superstitious terror. The
initiated take an oath of blind obedience, as understood by
the secret societies of Europe, The penalty of death awaits
him who violates his oath. If the Mormons wish war, as
they so loudly proclaim, they will have a chance this year,
but they cannot long resist the troops of the United States,
I have the honor to be, etc.

CHAPTER V.
INDIAN ANECDOTES,
Principle governing courtships — The minister and the vowing sav
age — Brotherhood — Lying — A Blackfoot episode — A cherry-tree
feud — On the destination of Calvinist ministers.
^'HERE^ was an old Indian chief, who was a great ob-
^^ server. He had spent several years araong the whites,
and he said that the Indians not only had quicker ways of
getting a wife, but were at the same time more certain of
getting a good one. " Because," said he, in his bad French,
" white man spark, spark, long time — maybe whole year,
maybe two years, before marry. All right! Maybe wife
good — maybe heap bad ; maybe scold. Suppose wife
scold; get up in raorning, scold, all day scold, scold till go
to sleep. Maybe scold, maybe not scold — all same thing ;
white man have to keep her long as live. How Indian do?
Indian, see girl plenty work — go up to her, show her two
finger right hand, heap close — two finger all same one —
Indian look at girl, see girl smile — all right ! Girl say yes.
Then make feast and live together. No danger wife scold
— wife know what husband do when wife scold. Husband
run off, hide ! Indian woman like heap buffalo meat, deer
meat — no husband, no buffalo, no deer. Wife heap try
please husband — husband heap try please wife — all live
happy together, all sarae fingers on hand."

Once a Protestant dorainie was preaching to the Indians,
and took for his text " Make vows to the Lord your God,
and keep those vows." As soon as the preaching was over,
1 From a letter in French to his niece, Rosalie, July, 1855.
[1416]

vows, KINDRED AND LIARS. I417
an Indian who had been present accosted hira, saying,
" Dorainie, rae raake vow to go home with you." No ready
evasion occurring to him, the preacher answered, "All right,
come along." When they reached home, the Indian said
further, " Me make vow to eat supper with you." It was
so done, to the not very great pleasure of the minister's
wife. Supper over, the Indian went on " Me make vow to
stay all night in your house." The Indian's vows might
have gone much further, if the Dominie had not cut them
short by saying, " You can make all the vows you please,
but I make a vow in ray turn that you shall get out of my
house early to-morrow morning." The Indian judged
from his host's tone that there was no use in his making
any further vows, and left the house the next day with
out ceremony.

A white raan one day raet an Indian and honored hira
with the title of Brother, The redskin stopped, and in
quired disdainfully how and since when they had been
brothers ? The white raan answered, " Oh, through Adara,
I suppose." The Indian thereupon expressed his heartfelt
gratitude to the Great Spirit that the relationship was no
closer.

The Indians have a horror of lying. Here is a case in
point. An Indian courier came to a village of his tribe,
and iramediately called together all the chiefs and braves,
having need of a prompt reply to an important raessage.
They asserabled accordingly, but after the messenger had
discharged his errand and was waiting for the response,
none was given him, and he soon became aware that his
hearers were departing one by one and that he would shortly
be left alone in the council lodge. A stranger who had been
present inquired of the head chief the reason of this strange
proceeding. " It is," he replied, " because he lied to us
once,"

I418 STRONG MEDICINE OF A TRAPPER,
^The Blackfeet are generally accounted brave, though
instances have been known of three or four whites defeat
ing a large party of them. On one occasion, three trappers
fell into an ambuscade of these Indians, and two of them
were instantly shot from their horses, but the third was left
untouched, and spurring his horse to the height of its
speed, broke through the whole throng and was soon out
of reach.
Four mounted Indians immediately started in pursuit,
and gained rapidly upon him until they came within shoot
ing distance, when the lone trapper turned upon them, and
with his double-barreled rifle picked off two of their num
ber, and again fled.
Confident of securing their intended victira, now that
they supposed his fire-arms were uncharged, the remaining
two hurried after hira, and in a few minutes were within
range of pistol-shot. The trapper then again halted, and
the discharge of a pistol brought the third to the ground.
Drawing forth a second from his belt, the work of
slaughter would have been complete, had not the terrified
savage, in his turn, fled with the utmost precipitancy. The
trapper pursued, but was far in the rear when the Black
foot regained his comrades, and hurriedly exclaimed :
" Haste ye ! flee ! It was the Big Medicine we pursued,
and at his word three of our warriors breathe not, and of
four I only have escaped! His single medicine-iron twice
spoke the death-word, and at the same time; then with
his pipe-stera he bade a third one go to the Spirit Land;
and, as he drew forth his butcher-knife to shoot me, I had
fled beyond reach, that I might tell you how to escape!
Haste ye, flee! It is the Big Medicine that comes from
yon ! Flee, lest he kill us all ! "
Following his advice, the astonished savages immediately
fled with the greatest consternation, fully persuaded it was
2 From the published work of Rufus B. Sage, entitled Rocky Moun
tain Life.

REVENGE WAS MUTUAL. I4I9
their only mode of escaping frora certain destruction at the
hands of the Big Medicine !

Last suraraer a great Assiniboin brave or chief left his
tribe and came down to attend the Great Indian Council
that was held in the Platte valley, near Fort Laramie,
When he returned to his own country they told hira that
several members of his family had eaten too many cherries
and died, having been attacked by cholera. The bereaved
chief at once loaded his gun with fine shot and went out
against some cherry trees, full of fruit, that were near the
place. Then he addressed thera, as if the fruit and the trees
had been alive, and accused thera of being the raurderers
of his children and relations. "And now," he said, " it is
the hour of my vengeance, I shall kill you also," and there
upon fired several times into the trees. " Now that you are
dead," says he, picking up the fruit that had fallen, " I will
finish you by eating you up." But unfortunately he ate
too much — the cholera seized him and in a few hours he
too was dead.

^ Now if you want something about Indians to fill a corner
with, here is an anecdote, not altogether savage. I doubt
in fact if your Precis Historiques contain many better,
Araong the converted Indians on the Canadian frontier
there was once a certain Jean Baptiste, whose further ap
pellations are unknown to rae; doubtless he was the owner
of other vowels and consonants, forraing one of those terri
fying names, well called by the Americans " jaw-breakers."
Jean Baptiste it appears had done a little thieving in his
tirae, and when he was converted the Black-robe enjoined
upon hira to restore two dollars to the Calvinist minister of
the neighborhood. Jean Baptiste accordingly presented
3 From a letter to Father Terwecoren, December 6, 1854.

I420 FAR-SEEING JEAN BAPTISTE,
himself before the minister, and the following dialogue
ensued :
" Well, what do you want ? " said the preacher to the
native, " Me, one time, rob you. Black-robe tell me, Jean Bap
tiste, you give that money back,"
" What money is that? " inquired the reverend,
" Two dollar. Me, bad Indian, rob you ; now, me good
Indian, got water on forehead — me, heap child Great Spirit
— here your money."
" All right — don't steal any more — good bye, Jean Bap
tiste." " Ah — good bye no good ; rae want soraething else."
"What do you want?"
" Me want receipt."
" A receipt ! What do you want a receipt for ? Did the
Black-robe tell you to ask for one?" said the surprised
minister. " Black-robe say nothing. Jean Baptiste (pointing to hira
self) want receipt."
" But why do you want a receipt ? You stole the money,
and you have given it back ; that is all there is about it."
"That not all about it; listen. You old — me young;
you die first — after while, me die. Understand? "
" No, I don't. What is it you mean ? "
" Listen — me mean heap. Me go heaven after while, go
knock on gate. Great Chief Saint Peter come open — say
' Hello, Jean Baptiste, what you want ? ' ' Me want come in
Great Spirit's lodge.' ' How about your sins, Jean Bap
tiste ? ' ' Black-robe forgive sins all right.' ' How about that
two dollar you stole from minister? You give him back?
You show me your receipt ! ' Now then, poor Jean Baptiste,
poor old Indian, got no receipt; have to run all over hell
to find you ! "

CHAPTER VI,
OBSERVATIONS UPON AMERICA,^
On gold in California — Bigness of the Republic — Inland navigation
— Thrift and loftier motives — Chances not good for young foreigners
of the better class — Nothing stops the Americans — Missouri in war
time — Brigandage and terror — The Mason and SHdell affair — Scenes
at the firing on Sumter — Essay on the causes of the war — Both sides
of the quarrel — The North and the South on slavery — Situation at
the close of hostilities — The Missouri Test Oath — Persecution of
Catholics — Grant's election.

?ITN the last two months thousands of emigrants have passed
" through St. Louis, going to the California mines ; every
day some of them come to see me to ask counsel and advice.
I have succeeded in curing some of them of the gold fever.
Imagine thousands of adventurers of all countries, desert
ers, sailors, robbers, murderers, the scum of the States, of
Mexico, Peru, Chile, the Sandwich Islands (with some honest
men among them, no doubt), all living lawless and unbridled
lives, and that is the condition in California at this time.
The news of the abundance of gold seeras to have shaken
the United States to the foundation. The fever seems to
be slackening a little. Twenty million dollars in values and
specie has been sent to California.
********* P- S. — In 1840 I chrabed a lofty mountain a few days'
travel from the Sacramento. The bed of a stream that came
down from it seemed to me to be of gold sand. It was so
abundant that I could not believe the thing was real, and I
1 Extract from a letter in French to his brother, Charles, April 26,
1849. [1421]

1422 AN ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL,
passed on without examining it. To-day I have little doubt
that it was really the precious metal,^

St, Louis University, Nov, 2, 1849,
Dear Charles:
I received your kind letter of the i8th of August last.
All you tell me and all your good father mentioned of you
to rae in his own letter has been most pleasing and wel
come to me. I now begin a long epistle, which will be fol
lowed by several others, according to the leisure left me, on
the actual position and progress of this country. I will
endeavor in the series of letters I purpose to send you to
give a succinct idea of what has happened and of what is
taking place daily in this great country. Henceforth I will
write to you in English to encourage you not to neglect that
beautiful and at present most important language. You
will please to translate whatever I write to you to your
good parents — this certainly will be a most pleasing and
agreeable passetemps in the long winter evenings in which
we are now entering.
, I have sent to you many a long letter from the great
American desert, speaking of its wild inhabitants, of its ani
raals, its flowers and trees, its rivers and lakes, its wastes,
its mountains and plains. I have said little of its civilized
portion. I now enter upon a lofty and vast subject, a sub
ject which I hope you shall find full of interest, on which
I will give you my thoughts, my feelings, what I have heard
and read and know to be true. I will generalize in this, my
first letter ; I will enter into particulars in my next.
What nation on earth presents such a spectacle as the
United States of North Araerica, of a confederated Gov-
2 In 1840 Father De Smet passed very near, if not exactly over, the
site of the famous Alder Gulch, Montana, the richest of all gold placers.
It was more than " a few days' travel " from the Sacramento, however.

overwhelming statistics, 1423
ernment, so complicated, over such a vast extent of terri
tory, with so many varied interests, and yet moving so-
harmoniously? I went within the walls of the Capitol at
Washington, and there^ under the star-spangled banners
that wave amid its domes, I found the representatives of
eight Territories and of thirty States or nations — nations,
in many senses, they may be called — that have within them
all the germ and sinew to raise a greater people than many
of the proud, now tottering, principalities of Europe; all
speaking or learning one and the same language, all acting
with one heart and all burning with the same enthusiasm —
the love and glory of the Great Republic — even while par
ties do exist and bitter domestic quarrels now and then
arise. I take my map and I mark from whence the representa
tives come. What a breadth of latitude and longitude, and
that too in the fairest portion of North America! What
a variety of climate, and then, what a variety of production I
What a stretch of sea coast on two oceans, with harbors
enough for all the commerce of the world ! What an im
mense national domain, unsurveyed, of extinguished and
unextinguished Indian tribes, within the States and Terri
tories and without, estimated in the aggregate to be
worth the immense sum of $1,500,590.70, [ ?] of which
lands 760,000,000 acres are without the bounds of the States
and Territories and are yet to make new States and to be
admitted into the Union! The revenue now, from the
sales of public lands, is over $6,000,000. The national
debt may be considered more than extinguished; and
yet within seventy-five years, starting with a population of
about 3,000,000, they have fought the war of independence ;
again struggled, not ingloriously, with the greatest naval
power in the world, with fresh laurels won on sea and land
— ¦ and now the Union has a population of over 23,000,000
souls. One cannot feel the grandeur of this Republic unless he
surveys it in detail. For example, two senators may soon

1424 AN ENRAPTURED TRAVELER.
be expected on their way to Washington, one from Cali
fornia, the other from Oregon, They must be constantly
moving for months before they arrive at their journey's
end, I never shall forget the rapture of a traveler who
left the green parks of New Orleans early in March — that
land of the orange and the olive, then teeming with verdure,
freshness and life, and, as it were, raocking him with the
midsuraraer of his own northern home. He journeyed
leisurely toward the region of ice and snow, to watch the
budding of the young flowers and to catch the breeze of
the spring. He crossed the lakes Pontchartrain and
Borgne; he ascended the big Tombigbee in a comfortable
steamboat. From Tuscaloosa he shot athwart the wilds of
Alabama, over Indian grounds that bloody battles have ren
dered memorable. He traversed Georgia, the Carolinas,
ranged along the base of the mountains of Virginia; and
for three months and more he enjoyed one perpetual, one
unvarying, ever coming spring — that most delicious season
of the year — until, by the middle of June, he found him
self in the fogs of the Passamaquoddy where tardy sum
mer was even then hesitating whether it was time to come.
And yet he had never been off the soil of his own country !
The flag that he saw on the sumrait of the fortress on the
lakes near New Orleans was like that which floated from
the staff on the hills of old Fort Sullivan, in the eastern-most
extremity of Maine ; and the morning gun that startled his
slumbers among the rocky battlements that defy the wild
tides of the Bay of Fundy, was not answered till many min
utes after on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and hours
after on the shores of the Bay of San Francisco in Cali
fornia, The swamps, the embankments, the cane-brakes of
the Father of Waters (the Mississippi), on whose muddy
banks the croaking alligator displayed his ponderous jaws;
the cotton fields, the rice fields of the low southern country
and the vast fields of wheat and corn in the regions of the
mountains, were far, far behind him, and he was now in a
hyperborean land, where nature wore a rough and surly

INLAND NAVIGATION OF UNITED STATES, I425
aspect, and a cold soil and a cold clime drove man to launch
his bark upon the ocean, to dare wind and wave, and to seek
from the deep the fisheries, and from freights the treasures
his own horae will not give him.
Indeed such a journey as this, in one's own country, to
an inquisitive mind, is worth all " the tours of Europe,"
He who wishes to feel the full importance of an American
congress must make such a journey. Let hira take an ex
cursion on the Sacraraento which drains the far-faraed and
new Eldorado of the West. Let hira stand upon the levee
at New Orleans and count the numbers and the tiers of
American vessels that lie there, four, five and six thick
along its embankraent. Let him hear the puff, puff, puff of
the high pressure steamboats that come sweeping in almost
every hour, perhaps from a port 2,000 miles off, from the
then frozen winter of the north, to the full burning sum
mer of the south — all inland navigation — fleets of them,
as large as the world can show ; with their elegant rooms,
neat berths, spacious saloons and costly pianos, it may be,
so that travelers can make their way to Louisville (Ken
tucky), as if they were on a party of pleasure. Let him
survey all these, as they come in with products from the
Red river, 1,200 miles in one direction, or from Pittsburg
(Pennsylvania), 2,000 miles in another direction; frora the
western tributaries of the vast Mississippi, the thickets of
the Arkansas or White river, frora the muddy, far-reach
ing Missouri and its hundreds of branches. * * * Let
liim see the adventurous flatboats of western waters on
which, frail bark! the daring backwoodsman sallies forth
frora the Wabash, or rivers hundreds of railes above, on a
voyage of Atlantic distance, with hogs, horses, oxen and
cattle of all kinds on board, corn, flour, wheat — all the
products of rich western lands. * * *
Take the traveler where the clear, silvery waters of the
Ohio become tinged with the mud from the Missouri, and
where the currents of the mighty rivers run apart for miles,
as if indignant at the strange embrace. Ascend with him
90

1426 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE YANKEE
farther to St, Louis, where, if he looks upon the map, he
will find that he is about as near the east as the west, and
that already thousands upon thousands of emigrants, who
are borne on the wave of population that beats at the base
of the Rocky Mountains, are now overleaping its summits.
They will speak of him as he now speaks of New England,
as far in the east. And then tell hira that far west as he
is he is but at the beginning of steam navigation; that the
Mississippi itself is navigable about a thousand miles up
ward; and that steamboats have actually gone on the Mis
souri, on that mad and muddy stream, 2,200 miles above its
mouth, and that they can go 500 miles farther still ! Take
him then from this land where the woodsman is leveling
the forest every hour, across the rich prairies of Illinois
where civilization is throwing up towns and villages, pointed
with the spire of the church and adorned with the college
and the school; then athwart the flourishing fields of In
diana to Cincinnati, well called " The Queen of the West "
— a city of over 100,000 inhabitants, * * * — and
this in a State of 2,000,000 souls, * * * where the
fierce savages, even within the memory of young men,
made the hearts of their parents quake with fear. * * *
Show him our immense inland seas, from Green bay to
Lake Ontario, not inconsiderable oceans, encompassed with
fertile fields. Show him the public works of the Empire
State (New York) as well as those of Pennsylvania [and
Ohio] — works which are the wonder of the world, such
as no one people in modern times have ever equaled. And
then introduce hira to the busy, huraming, thriving popula
tion of New England, from the Green Mountains of Ver
mont, the Switzerland of America, to the northern lakes
and wide sea coast of Maine. Show him the industry, en
ergy, skill and ingenuity of those hardy people, who let not
a rivulet run nor a puff of wind blow without turning it to
some account; who mingle in everything wherever a cent
of money is to be earned; whose lumbermen are found
not only in the deepest woods of the snowy wilds of

AND HIS LOFTY PATRIOTISM, I427
Maine, * * * ; hut on the banks of the St, Lawrence, and
* * * streams whose names geographers hardly know.
^Hi ^ ^a ^ ^ ^ >^ ^ /At,
Then lift him above considerations of a mercenary char
acter and show him how New England raen are perpetuat
ing their high character and holy love of liberty, and how,
by neat and elegant public buildings that adorn every vil
lage; by comfortable schoolhouses that appear every two
miles or oftener upon alraost every road, free for every
body, high-born and low-born, and by acaderaies and col
leges that thicken even to an inconvenience; by asylums
and institutions munificently endowed for the benefit of the
poor. And let him see too with what generous pride their
bosoms swell when they go within the consecrated walls of
Faneuil Hall, or point out the heights of Bunker Hill or
speak of Concord and Lexington where their bitter enemies,
the British, were crushed.
Dear Charles, if you come to America, you raay make
such a tour as this — the best that can be made — and I am
sure your young heart will beat quick when you will see the
proud spectacle of the assemblage of the representatives of
all these people and all their interests within a single hall.
You will revere the offspring of those revolutionary patriots,
who not only left us such a heritage, won by their suffer
ings and their blood, and such a constitution, such a Gov
ernment here in Washington regulating all the national
concerns, but who left us also, in effect, thirty-four other
governments, with territory enough to add twenty-four to
them by and by, that regulate all the minor concerns of the
people acting within their own sphere. Now, in the win
ter, assembling within their various capitols, frora San
Francisco on the Pacific ocean * * * to Augusta on
the Kennebeck. Show me a spectacle more glorious, raore
encouraging, than this, in the pages of all history — a con
stellation of free States, with no public force but public
opinion, moving by well-regulated law, each in its own
proper orbit, around the brighter star in Washington ; thus

1428 YOUNG MEN SHOULD STAY IN EUROPE
realizing, as it were, on earth, almost practically, the beauti
ful display of infinite wisdom that fixed the sun in the
centre and sent the revolving planets on their errands.
God grant it may end as with them !
In my next I will enter into details — meanwhile I will
expect a long letter from you. Present my best love to your
good father and mother ; kiss little Paul for me ; and tell a
thousand things from my part to the whole family and to
my best friends and acquaintances.
I am, etc..

St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Ky., Dec. 6, 1852.
Dear Alexander (Bardemaeker) ?
I received your good letter just as I was starting from
St. Louis. I was at the moment writing to my brother
Francis, and he will no doubt already have coraraunicated
to you ray opinion concerning your son William's com
ing to America, Since then I have given the matter care
ful thought, but am only the more confirmed in ray view,
I would not think I was doing right by you, nor by the
friendship which I owe you on so many accounts, if I gave
the slightest encouragement to William to leave his native
land and come to seek his fortune in the United States. I
will tell you just what I think. I conjure you, do not send
your son to America. Ten to one it would be his ruin. He
would find himself in raisery, practically a galley-slave ; that
is what usually happens to young raen of education who
come to this country, provided they find employment at all.
The business-houses, the banks, the city and State offices,
the colleges, the schools, all have their employees, and when
a place becoraes vacant, or a new house is opened, the num
ber of applicants is legion. How could it be otherwise in
a city of 100,000 souls, where three-fourths of the inhab
itants are newcomers, and this number growing every day?
3 From the French.

UNLESS THEY ARE PREPARED TO ROUGH IT, I429
It is just the same with lawyers and doctors; the city is
siraply encumbered with them; everywhere the walls and
doors are covered with their signs.
Who are the ones that succeed then? The merchants
employ their own children or the children of their near rela
tives and friends, and of the public employees ninety-nine
per cent, are Americans, and they raake great efforts to keep
foreigners out of these positions. European merchants suc
ceed in America, when they have means at their disposal.
They can readily obtain credit then, and establish business
houses. Poor and honest young men succeed in America
if they have some education, but they have to begin by
sweeping the floor and running on errands and carrying
customers' bundles. Liltle by little they become clerks,
sometimes even partners, though these cases are infrequent.
Workingmen of all kinds, especially machinists, stonecut
ters, brickmakers, masons, street and railroad laborers, car
penters, blacksmiths, all get good wages in America, and
with industry and perseverance a great many of them come
to be pretty well off.
People in Europe have illusions concerning America. The
greater part of the young men, who can justly claim to be
something, and who know nothing of the miseries of life
from experience in their families, who have received a
good education, do not succeed in the least. Accordingly
we see very many of them, if they have the means, go back
to the old country, and that is the best thing they can do, and
T tell them so every chance I get.
*:ic:|::)es|cjje^5}:3lc I presume I will have told you in Belgium that I won
dered that the Belgian merchants and business houses were
so slow in extending their commerce and establishing branch
houses abroad, especially in the United States. The Eng
lish, Germans, French are doing so and in general they
succeed. Then later they can employ in such houses as this
their sons or the sons of their friends, and success is reason
ably certain for the latter. St. Louis has no Belgian houses.

1430 THE IRREPRESSIBLE AMERICAN.
New York probably has some, connected with firms in Ant
werp. You should make inquiries in this line and find one
of these houses, where William would be sure of being re
ceived, before you allow him to come to America. To do
otherwise would be iraprudent in the extreme.
Give my love, etc.

St. Louis University, March 12, 1853.
My dear Francis :*
I have just received your good letter of the 9th of Feb
ruary and I thank you for it most sincerely. The news that
you gave me of the indisposition of our dear brother
Charles disturbs rae greatly. I pray and hope that nothing
bad will corae of it. My malady is leaving rae gradually,
and I have been able to resume my little tasks and to make
my customary journeys. There are no less than twenty-
five letters on my table which I have to answer. My post
of Procurator-General of the Province of Missouri de
mands much time and gives me a great deal to do.
********* The great news of the day in Araerica is the inauguration
of the new President, which has just taken place in Wash
ington with a blaze of glory. This raorning the papers an
nounce that three large banks in our neighborhood have
failed. There will be a great panic in the city, where thou
sands of inhabitants will find theraselves ruined at a blow.
But all this will not prevent the railroad to the Pacific from
being begun. It is a strange people in the midst of whora
we live. Nothing frightens them ; they will undertake any
thing. Soraetiraes they halt — stumble once in a while —
but they get up again and march onward. Several great
new territories are about to be formed in the Indian country,
and soon the steam-engine will go out and give a shock to
the buffalo and the bear of the desert ; and the poor unhappy
* From the French.

WAR censorship AND THE MAILS. I43I
savages, what will becorae of thera? They will no doubt
be turned out and pushed back anew, farther into the sterile
regions,_ where they will find only misery and death,
********* I will write you again early in the month, at the tirae set
for my departure — provided, as I hope, nothing comes up
to prevent my starting. Once more I must beg you not to
speak of my journey to Europe to any one in Belgium
whomsoever, unless to our brother Charles.
In the sweet expectation of seeing and embracing you,
believe me for hfe, etc.

St. Louis University, Dec. 4, 1861,
My very dear Francis :"
I am on the eve of a rather long journey and very busy,
and as the winter besides is very severe, I have little time for
writing letters. I am still without replies to several of
mine, but I feel sure that you have written me and I at
tribute their failure to reach rae to the unhappy circura-
stances in which we find ourselves since ray return to
America in April. Your letters may have gone astray, or
been suppressed, which is the more probable; or perhaps
mine have been held up. Who knows? I have received
letters frora Felix and Elmire, with ample news of the fam
ily, which have given me the utraost pleasure and consola
tion araid the sad and confused spectacles that surround us.
The American newspapers are placed under the strictest
police supervision, for good motives, doubtless, and can
give only false or mutilated reports, frora which you will
obtain but a faint idea of the state of the war. I will say
nothing in regard to this, you will easily guess why. But I
will give some details concerning what is happening in Mis
souri, where the horrors of civil war seem deeper than else
's From the French.

1432 HORRORS OF CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI.
where. It would be impossible to describe them in extenso
and in all their blackness.
Sensible men prophesied at the coramencement of our
civil troubles that the people might expect horrible scenes,
but without foreseeing probably the full extent. You have
read of the horrors of the first French Revolution, histories
of civil wars in various ages and countries, where every
thing was turmoil and confusion and robbers and assassins
had free and open field for murder and devastation of prop
erty. All this will give you but a faint idea of the horrible
situation to which Missouri finds herself reduced. Her own
children, divided between the two great parties, the North
and the South, are dipping their hands in blood and cutting
one another's throats, burning and sacking one another's
dwellings; while eneraies from outside enter the State to
glut their insatiable vengeance, and to aid eagerly in the
diabolical work of devastation and heighten still further
the horrors and the misfortunes of the country. To-day it
is a Federal leader who is taken and put to death ; to-morrow
it may be a judge, sympathizing with the South, who will
be assassinated in spite of his having a guard to protect
him. At present there is little or no union among the citi
zens of Missouri ; there is only hate and suspicion, and hence
brigandages and vengeances without number and of every
sort. The general-in-chief of the rebels in Missouri has
just issued a manifesto in which he promises $200,000,000
in spoils to 50,000 brigands who will enlist under his
standard. Means will be found I hope to withstand this
wild Secessionist; but in any case he will do much harm.
At this moment hundreds of families, poor, miserable and
in want of everything are leaving the interior of the State
and coming to take refuge in our city, or crossing into Illi
nois, having been forced to leave their sacked and burned
houses and fields. This is what the detestable secession
has brought Missouri to, and we are yet only at the first
page of its history.

SHADOW OF THE WAR CLOUD, I433
If I have time I will write you from Washington or New
York before long, to which places I am called by some little
business matters. You absolutely must write me as soon as
you can ; when I don't hear from you it raakes me sad and
gloomy. If you have not received my long letters I will
copy them off again.
Your devoted brother, etc.

December 23, 1861,*
The universal aspect of our country is really sad and
mournful. A year ago here was a great united nation,
prosperous and fortunate, and from a raaterial point of view
full of hope for its future glory ; to-day we see it in a man
ner dislocated and reduced to fragments, and a beautiful
land, once rich in the flowers and fruits of a peaceful agri
culture, is now splashed with blood and blackened by de
vastating fires. Examine the map of the United States that
I left at St. Michael College ; throughout the great expanse
from the Potomac to the Rio Grande and from the Atlantic
to the Missouri, the voice of legal justice is dumb, replaced
by the incessant sound of the beating drum and the deafen
ing noise of artillery. In all this vast space the power of
the law is de facto annulled. The law has had to make way
for arms. Let us, however, take comfort; a piece of good
news, coming from the highest source, announces that the
calamities with which the land is afflicted are rapidly draw
ing near their close; that the same almighty arm that sus
tained the cause of Washington and his brave soldiers, to
establish the glorious Constitution, will not be withdrawn
frora their children in a not less difficult war for its raain-
tenance. For the moment, assuredly, we live in the shadow
of a very heavy cloud, black and gloomy, which seems to
envelop the entire nation as in a shroud. But please God,
^ Extract from letter in French to Father Boeteman of Brussels.

1434 THE MASON AND SEIDELL AFFAIR.
the eye of faith and patriotism may soon discern in the
sombre cloud the bow of the promise, already announced to
us, which is to envelop under its beautiful arch the coming
of a calmer and more serene day. The hope of a speedy
return to peace, order and law encourages and comforts
us, in spite of our doubts and deep apprehensions.
Just at present all eyes are turned toward England,
What will she do in the Mason and SHdell affair? The
characteristic motto of that nation toward America has al
ways been "divide et inipera." For a long time past, and
doubtless with this design, she has contributed largely to
maintain abolitionism by annual contributions. The secret
thought and all the efforts of la perUde Albion have always
leaned toward overturning and breaking the Great Republic,
whether in two fragments or raore, in order afterward to
keep the new governments in endless disputes and quarrels,
if not in open warfare one against another ; exploiting them
meanwhile for her own interest.
From the first indication of actual separation, England
has never ceased to sympathize with the South, as the most
effective means to succeed in her plans. She has encouraged
the rebels in all ways, except formal recognition of their in
dependent sovereignty, and it is only too evident that she
lacks but a pretext to do that, or anything else that raay
tend to dissolve the Union.
Her indignation, apparently so virtuous and sincere, at
the capture of Mason and Slidell, need not astonish any one ;
nothing less was to be expected. If the English do not carry
out their threats and engage in war with the United States,
it will be because, after a sober second thought, they have
corae to the conclusion that after all, in view of their own
interests, it is better to let the Northern States alone.
Altogether, judging by what one sees and hears, it is safe
to say that our Americans feel easy with respect to Eng
land, and show not the least fear. The substance of the
English ultimatum, sent to Washington concerning the
Mason and Slidell affair, is not yet known — sed quid quid

HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT, I435
sit, those two gentlemen will not be set at liberty, neither
will any apology be made for the taking of the Trent. If
the English want to fight, why, they will fight. Where one
volunteer presents himself to defend the flag against the
rebels of the South, twenty will come forward with eager
ness to march against the English.
I am expressing to you the pure American thought. With
regard to France joining with England — which seems
likely enough — it should not be forgotten what France was
able to do alone against the European coalition. Not only
did she manage to defend herself against all the countries
united, but she beat them on their own ground and besieged
them in their capitals. " Surely," say our Americans, " we
need not be frightened nor discouraged at the idea of a
coalition of two powers who will have to send their armies
3,000 miles across the ocean to attack us."

St. Louis University, February, 1863.
Mr, Jos. Van Jersel, Utenhout, Holland:''
Very Worthy and Respectable Monsieur. — " Better late
than never " says the old proverb. I shall say little by way
of excuse for my delay in writing you. My occupations
have been numerous and my journeys long; that is all that
I can advance as an appeal to your indulgence and charity.
To atone for my apparent negligence, I propose to write
you a rather long letter. A few details regarding political
matters in the United States, which the entire world is now
watching, may perhaps be agreeable to you. * * *
I will begin at the beginning : that is, since I had the honor
of paying you a visit at Utenhout, in the midst of the snow
toward the end of December, i860. On the 27th of March,
1 86 1, I said farewell to my brothers in religion and to my
^ From the French.

1436 THE FIRING ON FORT SUMTER,
family and acquaintances and left Belgium. My journey to
Paris and thence to Havre was agreeable and without ac
cident. On the 30th I took my place on board the steamer
Fulton, with my three companions. On Easter Sunday I
had the consolation of offering the holy sacrifice of the mass,
to commend us especially to God in the long and dangerous
journey by land and sea that we had before us. On the 2d
of April about noon the vessel ran in to Southampton, where
it lay at anchor a good part of the day waiting for pas
sengers and the mail. In the evening of the 4th we lost the
coasts of England from view. It was still winter on the
Atlantic and we had rough weather, but everything passed
off favorabl}'^ and without accident. The days passed agree
ably on board, in the society of very intelligent people,
among whom I had the happiness of finding several old and
good acquaintances. Nothing especially noteworthy came
up to break the habitual raonotony of a long ocean voyage.
I will only mention that in latitude 42° 11' and longitude
65° 39' we passed near an immense solitary iceberg, which
resembled an ancient cathedral in ruins or an old chateau
with dilapidated towers. So novel a sight, in the absence
of any other, was certainly not without interest. We
reached New York during the night of the I4th-i5th of
April. A few hours before the arrival of the Fulton the great
American metropolis had been thrown into the utraost con
fusion and consternation by the news that Fort Sumter, in
South Carolina, had been captured and the great star-
spangled banner of the Union lowered and torn to pieces by
the Southern rebels — an irremediable and ineffaceable insult
in the eyes of all America.
********* When the insulting and arrogant outrage to the national
flag was known, a nuraber of the Araerican passengers on
the Fulton wept with rage, uttering imprecations and threats
against the South. The scenes of which I was an eye-wit-

THE UPRISING OF THE NORTH. I437
ness on landing moved me deeply ; but my career is not that
of earthly weapons, and I abhor war. Mine are spiritual
arras. I humbly offered my poor prayers to heaven that the
aroused passions might be soothed and peace come anew to
cement the old Union and restore tranquillity and happiness
to a country forraerly so happy and prosperous.
But " there is no peace." I left New York on the 17th
of April and reached St. Louis on the 19th. Throughout
that 1,000-mile journey nothing was heard save the rattle of
arms and cries of war, repeated from one end to the other, in
every town, city and village that we passed through, and
from every height, steeple and housetop floated the insulted
banner. Frora the statistics that have thus far been published, it
is safe to assurae that half a million of men have already
been killed or have died in the hospitals. The property
sacked and destroyed on both sides, amounts to a great many
millions of dollars. The cost of the war cannot be less than
two to three millions a day, and it has been going on for
nearly two years. God alone, in his raercy, can put an end
to these bloody and deadly corabats. Thus far no one is
able to see any outcorae for it, and the numerous battles
have not had the slightest definite result. They seem urged
on by hatred, without seeing that Union by force would be
but a wliited sepulchre. It is a raost deplorable and hor
rible war, in which brothers are called on to cut each others'
throats and battles are often the merest butcheries.
Whence has this war arisen, and in the midst of a pros
perity incomparable on earth? The man who answers this
question in all its details will have a long and difficult task.
I will give you the iraraediate cause, as it appeared to me at
the outbreak of the war.
Two principal causes brought it about. The first is the
question of the extension of negro slavery into the new ter
ritories. The second is the tariff question. The South has
always been more favorable to free trade than the North.
I am persuaded that the tariff question counts for Httle in

1438 SLAVERY THE CAUSE OF THE WAR,
the present rupture. The question of slavery is the prin
cipal, perhaps the only one. The South wishes and declares
that slavery must be protected like any other property-right
in all the Territories belonging to the United States. The
North opposes this doctrine and wishes to confine slavery
to its present limits, and that is the great difficulty and the
ostensible cause of the war.
Senator Douglas and his party advocated that the decision
concerning the introduction of slavery into the Territories
and its protection there should rest with the citizens of
those Territories. The ultra-South declared against this doc
trine. The Cotton States wanted slavery protected in the
Territories whether the citizens of those Territories (that is,
the majority) desired it or not. This was the great cause
of the division in the Democratic Convention at Charleston,
which led to the nomination of two Democratic candidates
for the presidency — Douglas and Breckenridge.
The South, or the Breckenridge party, knowing that the
Republican party would never consent to have slavery thus
forced upon the Territories, and desiring to find a pretext
for separation from the Union, insisted upon this question
being decided in their favor, as a condition sine qua non of
their fidelity to the Union. The consequence was that the
two Democratic candidates were defeated in the election,
and Mr. Lincoln, the Republican, elected upon the platform
" that slavery should be protected where it existed, but
should not be extended to the new Territories."
After Lincoln's election South Carolina at once withdrew
frora the Union, even in defiance to the Constitution of the
United States. Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Texas followed this rebellious course. Afterward came Vir
ginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas. In fact
it is probable that all the slave States would withdraw if
they had the strength; namely, Maryland, Kentucky and
Missouri. How has this question of slavery been able to produce re
sults so surprising and deplorable, considering especially

A QUARREL OF LONG STANDING. I439
that all the Territories suitable for slave labor were already
in the hands of the advocates of slavery ? Slavery exists in
the fifteen Southern States, which are the only ones, by the
admission of the South itself, where it can exist advan
tageously. Moreover the Territories of New Mexico and
Arizona, the ones, as both parties agree, adapted to slave
labor, were already in the hands of the Southerners. The
Northern Territories, Washington, on the Pacific slope,
Colorado, Dakota, Nevada, were and are unsuitable for slave
labor, and no one has ever thought of introducing slavery
into them. But the South insisted absolutely upon that
privilege ; that is, upon the right to introduce slavery, even
though it were useless and unreasonable. The South was
striving for a point of honor, ridiculous and unreasonable —
a point which she had no idea of carrying into effect.
" What," you will say, " are the two great sections of the
Union quarreling over a trifle?" I reply that this is only
the pretext of the quarrel. The two sections were in bad
humor against each other. The extreme party in the North,
or the Abolitionists, whether orators, preachers or news
paper editors, had covered the South with insults and op
probrium. The South took offense at their insults; the
Southern slaveholders were indignant at being called " bar
barians, sinners, dealers in huraan flesh," etc. The South
was deeply stirred over these accusations and at seeing the
possession of slaves ranked as an iniquity. They therefore
deterrained to break all the bonds which had united them
for a great many years, and separate from a people who
slandered them and their institutions, particularly that of
slavery. Excited by passion, and in bad humor, the South
ern States have abandoned the Union.
That in ray hurable opinion is the origin and coramence-
raent of the great quarrel or war which is now desolating
the North and South of the United States.
Whatever may be the original history of secession, and
whether or not the South be right in having broken the bonds
which attached it to the Union, a large number of our pro-

1440 NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE.
found statesmen grant her the right to act thus, in the name
of the national sovereignty proclaimed by 8,000,000 of free
men, and she has maintained this right by existing for two
years as a nation.

St, Louis, April 24, 1863.
Most Dear Paul:
I raust essay to write to you a letter in English. I wish
you to study and apply yourself to acquire the knowl
edge of that beautiful and almost universal language. Let
me know how you make it out, which will decide the course
of my writing. I will here sketch you a little view of the
actual state and condition of the country and the principal
cause of the war without entering into minor details.
As I have written before, slavery is the undoubted cause
of the war at present raging in the country. Perhaps no
other cause could have produced it ; for though there have
been sharp disputes between the different sections of the
Union on the subject of the tariff, they were easily settled.
Not so with slavery. Here, what one party looked upon
as of divine origin and every way right, another party re
garded as barbarous and wrong. There was and is no room
for compromise on such a question-. Still the institution of
slavery in the slave States was in no immediate danger, for
the Constitution of the United States guaranteed its pro
tection and the General Government would never have set
the Constitution aside — indeed it has no power to do so.
But the difficulty was about the Territories belonging to
the United States. There is an immense territory sufficient
to form several large States yet unsettled. The anti-slavery
party, or Freesoil party, as it is called, concluded that slavery
should not be extended to the Territories, though protected
in the already formed States, The pro-slavery party de
manded the right of carrying slavery to every foot of the

STATE RIGHTS AND THE TERRITORIES. I44I
Territory, The anti-slavery party, for the first time since
the organization of the Government, triumphed in the elec
tion of Mr, Lincoln to the presidency, and the pro-slavery
party seceded from the Union, or rather I should say, ten
or eleven of the fifteen slave States seceded and set up what
they call a Confederate Government for themselves. What
are called the border slave States, as Missouri, Kentucky,
Western Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, have declared
for the old Union; but they are made the battle-ground of
the contending parties. It is evident that, according to the
Constitution of the United States, no State has the right to
secede frora the Union, The Union was intended to be
perpetual. But the Secessionists contend that the States, as
separate peoples, have, at any rate, the right of revolution
when sufficient cause exists ; and they further contend that
a sufficient cause does exist in the hostility of the free States
to the institution of slavery. But I have already remarked
that the General Government was bgund by the Constitution
to protect slavery in the States where it existed. This is
true ; but the slave States regarded the hostile feelings of
the Northern people as a sufficient cause for the act of seces
sion. They regarded the fact that they were excluded from
the Territories as a sufficient cause.
The truth is that the present state of the country is due
to an angry controversy, long ago begun, on the subject of
African slavery. Several compromises between the parties
had been entered into, looking to the settlement of the dif
ficulty; but the feeling reraained with the one party that
slavery is right, and with the other that slavery is wrong.
These two hostile feelings have culrainated in a revolution,
or rebellion, the raost forraidable that the world has ever
seen. What will be the end of it ? No one can say. One
thing seems evident, namely, that slavery will be extin
guished ; for though the General Government does not claim
any constitutional power to interfere with the Constitutions
in the States, yet, as a war power, as a means of putting
91

1442 UNION WILL TRIUMPH IN THE END,
down the rebellion, the General Government does claim the
power of liberating the slave; and hence the emancipation
proclamation of the President more than six months ago.
Thousands of slaves are raaking their escape from bondage
and are now scattered over the free States.
But how long the war will continue no one can tell. The
General Governraent is greatly stronger than the revolted
States, but these latter can defend their own soil against
superior numbers. The General Government has an im
mense fleet but the seceded States have strong fortifications.
The resources of the General Government for sustaining
armies in the field are vastly superior to those of the slave
States, but the latter seera prepared for desperate extremes,
Norfolk, Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans have been
already captured by the Union forces, but many strongholds
remain in the possession of the insurgents at this raoraent.
According to the telegraph Charleston, South Carolina, is
being bombarded anew ; the result is in great doubt.
The bloodshed and the suffering caused by the war so
far have been great. How could it be otherwise when the
contending forces are counted by hundreds of thousands?
God only knows what and when the end will be. Yet as
the resources of the General Government are vastly superior
to those of the seceded States, it is reasonable to conclude
that the rebellion will finally, perhaps many years hence,
be put down. One thing appears certain, either slavery or
freedom must triumph in this gigantic contest. There will
not be apt to be any more comproraises. Should the re
bellion be subdued, slavery raay for a while linger in some
of the States, but it will cease to be a great power and will
gradually pass away. Slavery must either triumph in this
war or be left in a condition which will insure its final ex
tinction. Already the State of Missouri is on the eve of
enacting eraancipation laws, and I have no doubt that the
State convention, which I understand will shortly meet,
will effect this object. The friends of the human race every-

CALM RETURNING TO THE LAND, I443
where must feel a deep interest in the fate of the Great
Republic and of African slavery. Your devoted uncle,
PETER JOHN,

St, Louis University, Sept, 23, 1865,
My Very Dear Gustave:^
I have received your good letter of the 22d of June last,
I think I have answered it in part. If I can trust my raera-
ory, I believe I have sent you photographs of Lincoln and
Johnson, You ask for details concerning political affairs
in America, I am not in the habit of mingling in matters
of this sort ; still I am glad to give you a little account of
the course of the Governraent in emerging from a most ter
rible and disastrous crisis, as it appears to ray mind.
I will begin with my arrival in this country last June. On
the 19th of the month we were in sight of Sandy Hook.
The Araerican pilot had corae on board the night before
with his bundle of newspapers. As soon as he set foot on
deck he was besieged by the curious multitude eager to
learn the recent great events. The papers were devoured
and discussed with avidity, for we had many politicians on
board, of both heraispheres, and a great nuraber of inter
ested raerchants.
I learned then, with consolation, and later events con
firmed me in the thought, that calm and reflection were be
ginning gradually to take hold of the masses, after the sad
dest and most unfortunate of wars, and that law and order,
with the total extinction of slavery, were being re-estab
lished by degrees in the States where secession had caused
so much destruction and so many misfortunes. The spon
taneity of the Southern people, which had precipitated so
great a number of States into rebellion, has produced like-
8 From the French.

1444 JOHNSON THE MAN OF THE HOUR.
wise a general return of Union sentiment. No one in the
South seems now to think of hostile undertakings against
the Government, The majority of the people want nothing
but a chance and raeans to get on their feet again. True
statesmanship must tend to insure a solid peace and a dura
ble prosperity. It is to be hoped that President Johnson, in
his wisdom, will set aside the vengeful agitators (the radi
cals) and then ere long the return to the Union will render
this country more beautiful, prosperous and great than it
ever has been. The war has been a great shock to the nation
and very disastrous in its effects, but the wisdom of the
President and the people will overcome it in the end, John
son is beginning to inspire the greatest confidence. He ap
pears to be the chosen man par excellence in these tiraes of
agitation and political divisions, to impose, like his prede
cessor, Andrew Jackson, his own individuality upon the
administration of the Government. He will succeed in
destroying the demarcation of the political parties, which
have hitherto been too much in vogue in this country, and
the hope is already felt that he will call to his aid a great
national party, the motto of which will be " Solidity,
Strength and Glory," for the reconstruction of the (for
merly) United States. It is evident from all his acts that
he has resolved to maintain the national union, honor and
credit. Always in sympathy with the great masses and the
nation's heart, there are good grounds for hoping that he
will administer the Government upon large and real prin
ciples, seeking the greatest good of the greatest number.
Any attempt on the part of the radicals, who are seeking
by any means to put obstacles in the way of his adminis
tration, will end in their own confusion.
The old proverb says sunt bona mixta malis, and that
is the case to-day in Missouri. Upon emerging from the
war and at the beginning of the return of peace we find our
selves in fresh trouble and in a state of cruel uncertainty.
This is the way of it. The radical party has installed itself,
per fas et nefas, at the head of the State Government. The

THE INIQUITOUS TEST OATH, I445
new Constitution, which has been adopted by a slender ma
jority and which is publicly denounced as fraudulent, re
quires the clergy of all denominations, all professors of semi
naries and colleges and all school teachers of either sex (in
cluding nuns) to take the following oath : " That they have
at no time in the past uttered a word nor sympathized in
any manner in favor of the rebellion," etc. Preaching and
performing the marriage ceremony are expressly forbidden
to the clergy by this law. The priests are generally agreed
that, on principle, such an oath cannot be taken, because our
authority does not emanate from the State and we cannot,
without coraproraising the ecclesiastical estate, consent to
take such an oath. No Catholic priest in Missouri will take
it; the Protestant rainisters have generally done so. The
penalty for those who refuse to take this abominable ex post
facto oath is a fine of $500 and iraprisonraent. The Gov
ernor has announced in a speech " that he has had the State
prison enlarged and that the law shall be executed." If
this cruel law is really enforced our churches will have to
be closed and our schools and colleges will be ruined.
We have thus far been left in peace at St. Louis, but in
the interior of the State, in places where the radicals are
in a majority, religious persecution is beginning to seethe.
Four priests have been cited before their tribunals " for
having preached the gospel " contrary to their iniquitous
law. One of the priests is actually in prison, the other three
have given bail. Two Sisters of Charity have also been
cited before these famous judges " for having taught chil
dren " and have been released under bail. Serious as this
matter is, it has also its curious side; it is wonderful that
a land so proud and jealous of its liberty can hatch so many
tyrants of the lowest and most detestable kind. This law
is at the same time so absurd that I am inclined to believe
that the odious act, after a few vain efforts, will be
smothered and expire after having seen the light of day.
This black and infamous blemish in the Constitution of Mis
souri will, it is hoped, react promptly upon its contrivers.

1446 FEARS OF FURTHER TROUBLE,
The sad circurastances in which we find ourselves do not
in the least interfere with our ordinary tranquillity. Each
one keeps at his work as if nothing was plotting around us.
This tyrannical law of Missouri being ex post facto is un
constitutional and therefore null and contrary to the Con
stitution of the United States, which prohibits laws of that
sort. Meanwhile our churches remain open and we preach
and administer the sacraraents as usual. Our college opened
on the very day of the proraulgation of the law (the fourth
of this raonth) with an attendance of about 600 pupils. We
pray and keep our patience under the wings of the eagle,
the emblem of the Constitution of the United States — or
rather we repose without uneasiness under the safeguard
of the Lord! May his holy will be accomplished in re
gard to us !
********* Your devoted uncle, etc.

*

®A11 the world seeras ready to go to war. In the United
States the agitation just at present is very great. There
is a gleara of hope that President Johnson may succeed in
the peaceable reconstruction of the Southern States; the
elections in November will decide it. Among clear-sighted
persons serious fears are felt that the radical party will move
heaven and earth to keep itself in power, and that the shock
will be terrible and fearful in its results. In Missouri we
continue to be in a very critical state. The horrible test-
oath, which forbids our preaching the gospel without taking
it, continues in force. There are constant arrests and im-
prisonraents. ********* 8 From letter in French to Terwecoren, August 24, 1866.

FUTURE OF THE GREAT REPUBLIC, I447
"You say that you read with pleasure my Httle tales of
missionary adventure araong the Indian tribes. A new
volume (the fifth) is soon to gO' to press in New York; I
will raake it my business tO' send you a copy as soon as it
appears, I am working in my leisure moments on the his
tory of the Potawatomi tribe, which will appear probably in
the course of the next year and which shall likewise be
sent you.
You speak with enthusiasm of all that you hear and read
of America and express a great desire to visit this beautiful
region some day. Really, I do not think your travelers can
give you any proper idea of what is going on in this coun
try, nor of its progress toward grandeur and toward the
lofty position which it must occupy one day among the na
tions of the earth. The starry banner of the United States
bears above it the emblera of grandeur, the American eagle,
the same that the ancient Romans put upon their military
standards, I have seen an old geographical chart, which
shows the eagle soaring in the air above the great extent of
North America, with the numerous islands adjacent to both
coasts. He is casting a penetrating and greedy look over
the vast Canada and all its dependencies, and his open beak
seeras ready to snatch thera up. All those iraraense regions
of which the United States occupy the centre rest under his
shadow. His fine widespread tail covers all of Mexico and
the adjoining regions as far as the Gulf of Darien and the
Bay of Panaraa. And the two tips of his wings are dipped
in the two oceans beyond San Domingo and the Sandwich
Islands. And that is the grand future, perhaps not far off,
to which the great American republic aspires, and which she
will attain if she is wise. In Mexico, where the Emperor
Napoleon improvised his celebrated comedy at a time when
10 Extract from letter in French to Henri and Clemence, November
3, 1866.

1448 TYRANNY OF THE RADICALS,
he thought the United States permanently divided, it has
come to a farce in spite of hira, and much more promptly
and swiftly than he had intended. The " chez nous " will
be " chez eux " in la belle France before the New Year ; and
It is stated as a fact that Mexico will be put under a Yankee
protectorate as a preliminary move to being joined to the
States, The Irish Fenians in their great hatred for la perUde
Albion are extremely active, and this at the very moment
when the United States are claiming damages from Eng
land for all the harm done their commerce during the war
by the famous Alabama and her mates. This thorny ques
tion must be decided soon and favorably, else the English
will have all the Fenians on their hands in Canada, backed
by the bayonets of 100,000 Yankee veterans. They would
start to-morrow if the Government said the word.
But the United States have one very dangerous weak
side; they are too much led by party spirit, and they go in
" neck or nothing." If they are not careful this party spirit
must bring them to anarchy, toward which the radicals
seem to-day to be traveling in haste. Things are at such a
point here that our deep thinkers are looking for another
civil war, which may become more disastrous than the first;
should that calamity take place, the Great Republic will take
long strides toward the ruin which she has so barely es
caped. The radicals, without the least" patriotism, are deter
mined to risk everj^hing, at any price, to maintain them
selves in power. They are now working for the disfran
chisement of all the conservatives opposed to their party,
and to give votes to the recently enfranchised negroes who
are still in a species of semi-barbarism, and to this end they
are employing the most tyrannical and unjust measures. In
the city of St. Louis they wish to proscribe 10,000 voters.
If they succeed in erecting their infernal yoke, there are
plenty of papers that proclaim that proscription of the
Catholics will soon follow. We are already proscribed in

PEACEFUL ELECTION OF GRANT. I449
Missouri, according to the Constitution of the State. We
can no longer preach the gospel here without taking an im
pious and iniquitous oath. It seems to date from the time
of Nero, of Henry IV, of Germany, or Henry VIII, of
England. All our churches, cemeteries, charitable institu
tions, have to support enormous taxes, while all the sectarian
establishments, including those of the Jews, are exempt frora
taxation. That is what the much vaunted liberty of our
grand and famous Republic has corae to. It is strange and
startling to see the great number of tyrants and monsters
she has been able to bring forth in so short a time. In Mis
souri we are surrounded by German raagistrates of '48.
Your devoted uncle, etc.

Noveraber 10, 1868."
On the 3d of this raonth we had the happiness of see
ing the end of our great political agitations in the election
of the new President. For raonths and weeks previous it
seeraed as though we were on the eve of another civil war
and as if the whole land would be deluged with blood. The
day of the election arrived, a lovely day; the civil authorities
closed all the drinking places and a vigilant police was on
foot. To everybody's surprise the great day of the election
was in St, Louis the quietest day of the year ; the next day
the city reserabled raore a Belgian convent. Ever since the
election an unparalleled tranquillity has succeeded the num
berless menaces and all apprehensions of mobs and violence.
I have never felt the least doubt of Grant's election. He
is the future President and the choice of the people by a
vast majority, and all seem now to accept hira cheerfully.
Grant has already announced his motto, " Let us have
peace," and it is hoped that he will apply himself with firm-
11 Extract from letter in French to Ch. DeCoster, Belgium.

1450 RADICALS MAY SHOW MODERATION,
ness to re-establishing and conserving the old Constitution
in all its integrity. The Democrats seera to expect this and
it is quite possible that the radicals, who to-day fill all the
lucrative offices with the assurance of holding them until the
end of Grant's administration, will gradually let things drop
back into their regular constitutional course. Let us wait
patiently and hope.

CHAPTER VII,
RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION,
Turbulent foreigners — The boasted liberty and tolerance of America
— Anarchy has arrived — Mobs and violence — Predicts annexation of
Cuba, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada — Contrasts material and moral con
dition — The Know-nothings — The Church and party politics — Test
Oath in bad odor — Supreme Court decision — Inequality of taxation.
St. Xavier College, Cincinnati, Aug, 2, 1854,
Dear Francis •}

v

HAVE just received your good letter, etc,
*******

I am at present accompanying the Father Provincial in
his visits to our establishments in Ohio and Kentucky. I
shall be back in St. Louis about the 20th of this raonth.
The heat has been excessive in Cincinnati for the last raonth,
A very large nuraber of people have died from sunstroke,
twelve yesterday. For ray part I suffer greatly, and find no
solace save in the bathtub.
There is much excitement everywhere in the United
States against our holy religion, and as fast as the radicals
and reds arrive from Europe the excitement increases.
Several churches have been set on fire already and there is
open talk of murder and pillage. Every day the papers tell
of attacks on Catholics, especially on the Irish. It is cer
tain that a priest cannot appear on the streets in Cincinnati
without being insulted by renegade Germans, Swiss and
Italians. These gentleraen are in their element in the States.
As soon as they are able and can gather the force, a system
of persecution unknown as yet in America will be estab
lished,
*p Sp ^C SfC S|£ 3^ 3jC 3|C 3|C
1 From the French.
[1451I

1452 AN INVITATION TO NEW MEXICO,
St, Louis University, Nov, 28, 1854,
My dearest Elmire:"
I have received your dear letter, etc,
********* I have no great personal news to impart just at present,
I am quite well, I thank God, I am now in Ohio, now in
Kentucky, sometimes in the extreme western part of the
State of Missouri. Our colleges, residences and missions are
very far apart, and I have to go with the Father Provincial in
all his visits. Though I have my head and hands always
full of business, it is not of a nature to overburden rae and
I ara always happy araong my brothers in all the different
districts. There is one thing, however, that gives me
anxiety from time to time. I hold the general or comraon
purse and have to supply all needs ; and this purse is never
full; the greater part of the time it is flat; while I receive
demands from all sides, especially from our poor Indian
missions. Those poor Indians are always present to my
thoughts, I frequently receive letters and very pressing in
vitations from them to return among them.
Last September the Bishop of New Mexico, on his re
turn from Rome, was absolutely determined to take me
along with hira araong the tribes of the Pueblos, Comanches
and Navajos, who occupy a great territory in his vast dio
cese. He had been authorized to that effect by our superiors
in Europe; but I could not at that moment leave my post
here. It is probable, and I hope, that in the course of com
ing spring I shall be able to return once more among the , , ,
Indian tribes, especially those who have been thus far most
forsaken. Poor unfortunates ! They are deprived of all re
ligious succor, of all instruction and consolation. They are
indeed deserving of pity. Pray often for their conversion.
I cannot say much of the United States. This vast land,
with all its advantages, must grow great and mighty. No
doubt the European papers speak of it often ; but the Ameri-
2 From the French,

AN OUTRAGE IN KANSAS. I453
can liberty and tolerance, so highly boasted, exist less in
this Great Republic than in the most oppressed country of
Europe, Catholic churches are burned and those who try
to prevent it are assassinated. In the city of Ellsworth they
snatched one of our Fathers from his abode; despoiled him
of all his coats; tarred and feathered hira and afterward
rode him upon a rail. He was borne up the principal streets
of the place, with the most outrageous and indecent in
sults. All the city applauded it — this horrible scene. They
made it a crime to this priest to come and preach and say
mass to the Catholics !

St, Joseph's College, April 19, 1855.
Dear Charles and Mimi :'
It is really a long time since I have received a letter from
you, I have written you often, too, and to Sylvie, Elmire
and Rosalie, and I am waiting impatiently for some news
from the family. I fear that your thoughts and those of my
nearest and dearest nieces turn but seldom toward America,
where you have a brother who thinks of you constantly and
never ceases to form vows for your happiness and theirs.
An expedient has occurred to me, which I hope may prove
successful. In January I wrote to our correspondent in
New York to send you by the first boat for Antwerp, in
Mr. Key's care, the latest and handsomest map of the
United States, It has been on the way since February, and
Gustave Van Kerkhove has been charged with looking
after it when it arrives.
Well, then, you are to hang this map somewhere in your
house where it will be in plain sight, and I am sure you
will think oftener of me, who have lived for so raany years
in this country, and have ranged over this vast region from
New York to the mouth of the Columbia, and from New
Orleans to Halifax in Nova Scotia and as far as the glaciers
3 From the French.

1454 ANARCHY AND EXCESSES,
of the Athabasca north of the Rocky Mountains. You
will let your eyes travel over what I have traveled in reality,
in many different fashions and araid thousands and thou
sands of dangers ; in ocean vessels, in stearaboats, in skiffs,
in bark canoes, in dugouts ; in vehicles of every description,
on railroads, on horseback and on foot.
Last year I had planned to resume my travels in the desert
in the course of the present spring ; but a war* of extermina
tion against the Sioux and several other tribes is soon to
take place, which obliges rae to defer my journey until better
times. Poor, unfortunate Indians ! They will have a ter
rible adversary to raeet with; their chances are but sraall;
they are drawing near their last scene. It matters not how
great the provocations and wrongs of the whites against the
Indians ; the latter are always the dupes and victims. It is
thus in this present case,
I lately wrote to Francis that we were advancing rapidly
toward anarchy; we are there already. Everything indi
cates a violent persecution of our holy religion. Our
churches are being burned ; Catholics, priests and nuns are
publicly insulted; preparations are being made in certain
places for more terrible excesses. Mobs are the order of the
day, Poole, a prizefighter, is murdered by a tough of his
own species, in New York, and demonstrations and honors
are paid this wretch at his interment, such as no President
of the United States has ever received. It was a true ova
tion, in which thousands tumed out to take a part. It is
evident that such a state of things cannot last long. Liberty,
in this country, is a perversion of the word ; it is rather pure
license which has got the upper hand and is advancing with
head in air. The unhappy land is flooded with crimes and
misdeeds of every sort. Every honest man's heart bleeds,
but they are in a great minority. The Protestant min
isters in general, and the Presbyterians or Calvinists es-
* The Harney campaign against the Sioux as a result of the Grattan
Massacre. See footnote, p. 1216.

AMERICA TENDS TO EXTREMES, I455
pecially, are the great instigators and promoters of all sorts
of outrages and of an open persecution of the Catholics,
Your devoted brother, etc.

St, Louis University, July lo, 1855.
Conway :

Most Honorable Sir. — Owing to my long absence from
St. Louis I have delayed answering your very kind favor for
which indeed I feel very grateful and thank you sincerely. I
learned with the greatest pleasure, that both you and your lady
are in the enjoyment of good health, and am happy to know
that the raaps of the United States, etc., have reached you.
It would afford me at all times the greatest satisfaction to
render you any service in my power, either in the trans
mission of information or otherwise, as may be raost accept
able to you. Coramand rae, I shall consider it as a great
honor and a very agreeable task.
A few passing reflections on Araerica, by one who has
been an inhabitant of it since 1821, and a quiet observer of
passing events, who never raeddled, but with his poor little
raissions and their cares around hira, raay perhaps afford
you a raoment's pleasure; and with this alone in view,
though grieved myself at the actual aspect of affairs in this
country — for we live in a state of uneasiness, hanging
between hope and fear — I send them to you.
Nowhere on the globe is the spirit of progress so rife;
the go-ahead, railroad, and lightning principle in such full
operation, and popular opinion so omnipotent as in this
country. Nowhere else on earth are to be found, in the
same comraunity, so raany elements of discord, so many
isms ; and ultraisra is the culmination of all other isms, and
the besetting evil of the day. In politics, raorals, social
intercourse, religion, everything, the tendency is to ex
tremes. The United States would truly be the wonder of
the world, if the moral condition of the country were to

1456 RISE AND GROWTH OF TOWNS.
correspond with the marvelous unfolding of its material
resources ; with the astonishing increase of its inhabitants ;
with its iraraense and almost unbounded territory which
threatens eventually to swallow Cuba and its numerous
islands around, and the Sandwich Islands in the Pacific.
In the long run, it must incorporate the whole of Mexico
and will not rest till the two Canadas have been added to
the mighty confederacy. Add to all this the wonderful
prosperity of its ever-increasing commerce and wealth.
Scarcely seventy years have rolled by since the whole
country west of the Alleghany Mountains, now filling up
with a dense population, was one continued wilderness,
the abode of numerous Indian tribes, which, like the snow
before the rising sun, have melted and disappeared at the
approach of their ever dreaded foes, the pale-faced Euro
pean settlers or their descendants. — On the waters of the
lakes and rivers which drain the middle or great Missis
sippi valley, on which at present are seen hundreds of
beautiful steamers and thousands of crafts of various di
mensions, crowded with passengers and laden with the
rich produce of various climes, a few years ago was raet
the solitary Indian canoe, descending or slowly ascanding
the rivers and crossing the lakes, with its small band of
savage painted warriors adorned with eagle feathers and
armed with bows and war clubs. How wonderful the
change ! Now, along these same waters, hundreds of cities
and villages are springing up with the utmost speed and
rapidity, as if by enchantment. I have known St. Louis,
Cincinnati, Pittsburg, when comparatively small villages;
the number of inhabitants in each will soon reach over
200,000. Ten years ago Chicago and Milwaukee were
only little trading posts, hardly thought of or known; the
first counts already 80,000 and the latter 40,000 inhabitants.
All these great cities are perfect bee-hives, filled with in
dustry. As you travel along these waters, or penetrate into
the interior, you find the forests fast disappearing and
large and beautiful parks and fields taking their place, with

THE KNOW-NOTHING PARTY. I457
their farms and barns filled with grain, well stocked with
numerous herds of horned cattle, or with sheep and large
bands of horses. Railroads and macadamized roads are
crossing in all directions, English, Irish, German, French,
emigrants from every country and from every clime, have
come here in the hope of bettering their condition in life,
a prospect which they could never realize in the country of
their birth, owing chiefly to its dense population.
The moral aspect, however, of this country differs widely
from the picture drawn of its raaterial prosperity ; for here
all the European vices and crimes are found, I dare say,
more deep and dark. The depraved, the criminals let loose,
or who have escaped from justice, the vagabonds and scum
of every country come here to find a congenial home and
only serve to increase that moral disorganization which
the numerous American Protestant sects, Mormonism in
cluded, were fomenting already so much by their destruc
tive principles.
In a country which prides itself on its unbounded lib
erality and liberty we might have hoped that the Catholic
religion, if not protected, would at least have been screened
from persecution. This is no longer the case. A party
has arisen under the name of " Know-nothings," the prin
cipal aim of which appears to be, should they be able to
reach it, to crush our holy religion throughout the land.
The members of this secret society are bound by abominable
oaths and extend their innumerable branches through every
State. It may be said, in general, that the ministers of all
the different Protestant sects belong to it; many have be
come notorious by exciting the rioters in various parts to
burn churches; to insult publicly priests and even religious
ladies [sisters, nuns, etc.] ; they are trying every nerve to
bring forward a code of anti-Catholic blue laws; and
threaten to establish inquisitorial tribunals wherever their
power might extend.
This picture, sad and shameful as it may appear in this
nineteenth century, is not, however, without its better side,
92

1458 EXCITEMENT WILL ABATE
The American nation is a great, imitative people ; they can
not live without some or other great excitement. In their
time Fanny Elssler, the dancer, and Jenny Lind, the singer,
were idolized by them and called divine, Kossuth was the
idol during six months; he tried with success his fortune
at it, and he issued bonds and gathered a good round purse
while his excitement lasted. In short, he returned to Eu
rope incognito, leaving his dupes ashamed of themselves
for having been so craftily humbugged by that greatest
humbug of the age, as he now stands here acknowledged
by even his once greatest admirers. The present anti-
Catholic excitement, though of a very different nature from
the above facts, can possibly not last long; other matters
may soon present themselves that will attract more and all
their attention. The anti-Catholic movement of England
is only aped at, at present, in the United States. Witness
the ridiculous nunnery questions in both countries, Eng
land had the wisdom to leave it alone and the Yankee leg
islating parsons of Boston burned their fingers at it and are
now held forth to scorn by their very adherents who placed
them in office.
At first I feared that the Know-nothing movement would
prove disastrous to the Catholic church. I feared that the
great majority of the American people, constituted as it is
by Protestants and quasi infidels and those in general who
take no thought of religion, would unite to put down the
Church. This fear was increased by the recollection of the
facts that mobs had burned convents and churches with
impunity in some of our eastern cities, I saw no hope for
Catholicity but in the promise : " Lo ! I am with you all
days," etc. But now, even humanly speaking, I feel con
fident that instead of being injured, the Church will be bene
fited by this Know-nothing warfare against it. Political
parties are generally tolerably equally divided. Recent
State elections have shown that Know-nothingism is not all-
powerful and it is raore than probable that the majority of
the American people will be found on the side of those prin-

AND PROTESTANTISM SUFFER IN THE END, I459
ciples with which Catholicity in this country has been identi
fied. The Church identifies itself with no political party,
but her enemies, the Know-nothings, have assailed all who
are opposed to them as the tools and minions of the Pope
and Church, Know-nothingism includes Protestantism in
all its shades and degrees, from Episcopalianism to the most
inconsiderable sect. Its fundamental principle is opposi
tion to the Church, opposition to foreigners is a secondary
malice. A Protestant foreigner raakes the best, or rather
the worst sort of a Know-nothing.
Now I firmly believe that the result of this political agita
tion will be that thousands will become Catholics, and that
tens of thousands will have their prejudices removed, who,
but for the present state of things, would remain enemies
of the Church because ignorant of her claims. Already I
perceive a disposition on the part of the great party op
posed to the Know-nothings, to defend the Church with
which they have been nolens volens identified. The Derao-
crats (for they constitute the raajority of the anti-Know-
nothing party) will feel bound to look into the question of
Catholicity in order to meet the objections, arguments and
misrepresentations of their opponents. Moreover they will
sympathize with the Catholics; they will becorae hostile to
Protestantisra in general ; it will be their interest and pleas
ure to expose its frailties and follies. Woe to Protestantism
when men of sense begin to examine it with the disposition
to find fault with it! Woe to it when fact and logic and
ridicule are brought to bear upon it ! It is needless to say
that all that is necessary in order to conviction to the supe
rior claims of the Catholic Church is that these claims be
exarained without prejudice. These claims will be thus
examined, now perhaps for the first time, by vast masses of
the people, and be assured that the result will be a glorious
one for the cause of truth. The conflict which the preach
ers mainly have brought on will well-nigh annihilate their
influence and strengthen the Catholic Church in the United
States, For such a result I confidently look.

1460 INTERESTING DETAILS OF A DUKE,
Permit me, on the present occasion, to express to you my
most sincere thanks and gratitude for the many favors you
have so kindly bestowed on me during my visits to my
native land, I shall never forget the interview you pro
cured me with his highness, the Duke of Brabant, We
pray daily at the holy altar, during the sacrifice of mass,
that the Lord raay preserve this most Christian Prince, and
his august family, for the welfare and happiness of Bel
gium, and may continue to grant them his choicest bless
ings. We receive regularly the Precis Historiques of
Father Terwecoren, which frequently gives very interesting
details of the Duke and Duchess, and which we always
peruse with the greatest pleasure.
Please present my kindest regards and respects to Mrs.
Conway, and believe me to be, etc.

November 26, 1866,'
¦•I* *!* 3(C 3|C ^ 5fC S|C y^ ^C
My personal views are not worth speaking of. You
know the routine of our houses — we get up early in the
morning ; about ten o'clock in the evening we go to bed ; in
the meantime every one works at his little tasks.
My health is, thank God, pretty good just at present, I
seldom have recourse to the doctor and still less often to his
drugs. Two little bottles have stood full on my mantel for
the last three months to bear witness that the druggist has
been appealed to in my behalf. Thus far I have done noth
ing but look at them and take care that they do not evapo
rate, for perhaps I might want them later. I shall soon enter
upon my sixty-seventh year, an age when ordinarily the
overcoat covers a multitude of infirmities. I shall end in
believing that I bear my years pretty well, for everybody
B Extract from letter in French to Nephew Paul,

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTORS RESTRAINED, I461
tells me so, and I only make them laugh when I try to
assure them that my end is drawing near.
********** You ask me about the political situation in the United
States. I gave you some details in my last letter. Since
then the elections have taken place, and despite the for
midable opposition of a pronounced majority, the radical
minority has won a signal victory. Nobody wonders at it ;
the radicals hold the power and make use of it per fas et
nefas without the least scruple, and risk and dare every
thing regardless of the consequences to the country to per
petuate their odious power.
The thing that is especially agitating the Union at this
moment is the tendency of the radicals to try at any cost
to crush the South entirely. The Southerners risked every
thing in their efforts to separate from the Union while pre
serving their honor intact, and to-day, conquered and yield
ing, they have returned heart and soul to the Union,
attached to the Government and desiring only peace; and
the radicals seek to impose conditions upon their return so
humiliating and impracticable that the South looks on them
with horror and will never accept them.
Should the radicals succeed in their schemes, it is evident
that the land is making rapid progress toward anarchy and
all the inevitable miseries that it brings with it. As far as
religious persecution is concerned, what I think is this : The
radicals will not find it easy to bring it about in a land where
the spirit of liberty of conscience established by Washing
ton is still held in great honor. Every one fears, and with
reason, that after the Catholics his own turn would corae.
At the last Missouri elections the radicals must have seen
that the impious test-oath which the priests refuse to take,
is in very bad odor even among the greater part of our
Protestant sectarians. But for the unjust and iniquitous
disfranchisement of 25,000 conservative voters, the new

1462 DISCRIMINATION IN TAXATION,
State Constitution with all its impious, anti-Christian, un
just and tyrannical laws would be already overturned and
trampled under foot. Opposition to this radical persecution
is so strong in St. Louis that up to the present they have not
dared to invoke their impious laws against the Catholics, etc.

January 26, 1867,®
********* Minds are still very much agitated in the United States.
You will have learned from the papers that a radical ticket
was elected, by means of fraud at the last Missouri elec
tions and that we are at the mercy of these gentlemen, A
good case has just been decided finally by the Supreme
Court, Five judges out of nine pronounced against the
execrable test oath; so to-day we can preach the Lord's
gospel without hieing exposed to fines or imprisonment.
Taxes, however, continue to weigh heavily upon Catholic
institutions, while those of the Protestants and Jews are
exempt. Our University of St. Louis has had to pay an
enormous tax, about $6,000, whereas the Presbyterian uni
versity alongside of us does not pay a cent. Our orphan
asyluras, hospitals, poor-schools, suffer greatly in this way.
That is how matters stand with us in the great and famous
Republic, But we do not despair of a better future,
6 Extract from letter in French to Ch. De Coster, Heyndonck, Bel
gium.

CHAPTER VIII,
UNCLASSIFIED LETTERS  LARGELY PERSONAL,
First aspirations for mountain travel and labor — Bad Hand Fitz
patrick — A glimpse of Ireland in 1843 — Writes Dr. McLoughlin about
missions — Charles Larpenteur about his soul — Zephyr Rencontre
about the Sioux — Draws his own portrait — The devil and jokeS —
Advice to an intending Oregon emigrant — A puzzling letter to a Pro
vincial — Answers charges made against his writings — Denig's studies
— Bridger's children — A relaxation — Old friends up the river — Has
drawn some maps — Dining with the great — An interview with Presi
dent Lincoln — Gold in the mountains — Pleads for Sioux murderers —
The Jesuits and the war-draft — Tells at last what he knows about
gold — The southwestern Indians — Gratitude and a meerschaum —
About authorship of his letters — Early Nebraska history — The Church
and Indian agents — Last plans.
Reverend and Very Dear Father in Jesus Christ:^
RECEIVED your letter of July early this month. I was
beginning to fear that you too had deferred your an
swer to the Greek calends. Will you believe it, Reveren<l
Father? Since the month of June, I have filled up a score
of sheets; I have written to fathers and brothers whom I
cherish the raost in the world, at St. Louis and roundabout.
Well, I have received in return, aside from your letter, Hve
lines. Ah ! how gladly would I attribute this afflicting delay
to the negligence of the postal authorities. Here, in this
veritable corner of the world, remote frora our brothers and
friends, surrounded with all sorts of miseries, poor as hair
less rats, constantly witnessing the most revolting scenes,
which are at the same time irremediable, in the midst of
strangers and infidels, I will tell you plainly, every letter
that we receive makes a great feast-day for us. Ah ! if they
knew the joy and consolation, which news from them brings
1 Unaddressed letter (in French) dated Dec. 18, 1839.
[1463]

1464 TALES OF MOUNTAIN TRAVELERS.
us, and how, after we have received them, our ardor and
zeal revive, in the most arduous functions of the ministry,
I am sure that each one of them would take pains to con-
• tribute his mite to aid us so effectually. I have only a few
minutes to give you to-day, the courier is waiting impa
tiently ; but you shall soon receive a longer letter.
I notice in your letter, with very real satisfaction, that
you still persevere in your good resolution of devoting your
self wholly to the conversion of the savages. Perseverance,
Father, will bring you to your goal. I think, however,
that for the moment you are fulfilling your real raission, I
would not dare nor wish to have any hand in withdrawing
you frora it. If it were a question of opening a mission in
the mountains, for example, then I should say to you, try to
get there as soon as possible, for the Protestants are pre
paring for that campaign; thousands of well-disposed sav
ages are awaiting you, and the contamination of the whites
has not yet spoiled these people ; they will listen to you with
pleasure, they will follow your precepts with docility and
willingly fall in line under the standard of Jesus Christ, It
is a healthy country ; sickness is unknown ; a sick man would
soon regain his health there; no one dies except from
famine, force or fire. Is it not thus that our predecessors
died? What I tell you is merely what I have heard from
mountain travelers. But here things look very different.
I would not dare advise any one to corae here. The great
profit that there is in the liquor traffic, and the ease with
which it can be brought in, throws the dregs of all the States
upon us. They flood the country with this veritable scourge
of the Indian, and are turning the heads of all of them.
I do not mean to say that we are doing absolutely nothing ;
by baptizing children, we doubtless open the gate of salva
tion to a large number. I have often noticed that many of
them seem only to await the holy rite of baptism to go and
take possession of their eternal happiness, for they die al
most as soon as they receive it. Enough about this,
(Letter not complete.)

ENDORSES CAPTAIN FITZPATRICK, 1 465
St, Louis, May lo, 1849,
Colonel McKay :
Dear Sir, — When I had the honor of calling at your
house, before your departure for Fort Leavenworth, I re
gret that the thought did not strike me of speaking and
recoraraending to you. Captain Fitzpatrick, Were he to be
attached and to accorapany the expedition to Fort Hall, he
would indeed be a great acquisition to the party. — The
captain is identified with the whole of that region, having
spent the greater part of his life in it. He knows the lo
calities well, and is acquainted with all the tribes who re
side in it. — Captain Fitzpatrick is too well known to need
any recoraraendation. I had the pleasure and happiness of
traveling in his corapany during the whole summer of 1842,
being ray second expedition to the mountains, and every day
I learned to appreciate hira raore and more.
The captain arrived in St, Louis two days ago. He would
willingly accompany the expedition, should the Government
approve of it. He is still in its service as Indian agent over
the whole upper region of the Platte river. — His attendance
would, in my humble opinion, be of the greatest advantage
to the expedition.
Colonel, please to excuse my boldness, in writing to you
on such a subject, I do it from the best of motives and
with the best of intentions, I need scarcely add, that,
should you approve of this suggestion, a note immediately
addressed to the proper authorities here, and thence tele
graphed to Washington would enable you to secure the
valuable services of Captain Fitzpatrick in time to meet
you at Fort Laramie,
I remain, etc.

Liverpool, July 7, 1843,
Reverend and Most Dear Father:
No doubt your Reverence must feel anxious to receive a
letter from your poor unworthy servant. I will not enter

1466 a LANDING IN IRELAND,
into the minute details relating to our journey, for we had an
editor of the State of New York with us, and the papers will
reach you before this. I was as usually pretty much indis
posed and the same evening of the day I left York I paid
ray tribute to the sea. We had the best of captains, the
most poHte cabin passengers as usual of all nations, and
upward of 150 quiet steerage passengers. Every Sunday
we had a sermon and attended by all, showing the greatest
attention and respect. Our progress at sea for the first
twelve days was cheering in the highest degree, during
which we made more than two-thirds of our joumey; next
followed some eastern winds, and at last we found our
selves becalmed in the channel. Passengers became im
patient ; they left the vessel in crowds in small fishing boats,
and I followed the bishops in a ship to a most delightful
little village called Court McSherry on the southern shore
of Ireland. In an instant the whole little village was in
commotion; the news of the landing of two American
bishops and two priests spread like the fires of the far
western prairies, among the should-be happy and peaceful,
but oppressed inhabitants of the village and its neighbor
hood. An English officer shortly after our landing waited
on us. Though very cautious and polite, uneasiness was
very perceptible in his countenance, the more so as it had
been spread about that French officers were expected to
land under the disguise of priests. A few days afterward
the London Times had a whole rigmarole on the subject.
The morning after our landing, being the Feast of St.
Peter, we celebrated the holy sacrifice to return thanks to
God for our preservation and to call for blessings upon
Ireland while she is so nobly struggling for her rights and
liberty. The church was crowded, and more sincere piety
and devotion I never beheld. At the elevation of the sacred
host the whispering prayers of the prostrated hundreds
struck me with awe and veneration, and the expressions
that caught my ear replenished with the most holy faith,
drew tears from my eyes.

SENSATIONS ON MEETING O'CONNELL, I467
After mass we proceeded to Cork, via Randon, in a jaunt-
ing-cart, a distance of about twenty-six railes. It was in Ran
don that the celebrated Doctor England performed his first
mission in his native land. Judge of the old prejudices of
the place when Orangemen wrote on its gates : " Here Jew,
idolater and pagan raay enter but not a Papist." The dis
tich the servant of Dean Swift wrote underneath you know
too well for me to repeat it. The country between Court
McSherry and Cork is most delightful and highly culti
vated; it is undulating and regularly divided into squares
representing a checker-board. We had the inexpressible
pleasure of shaking the hand of the second apostle of Ire
land, the celebrated Father Matthew, I asked him whether
there was any truth in the rumor spread in the United States
of his visiting that country. His answer was that he hoped
next Spring to visit it. I paid my respects to the Right
Reverend Doctor Murphy, Bishop of Cork, a most apostoli
cal man and founder of many monasteries. His library con
sists of upward of 30,000 volumes.
On Friday evening we proceeded to DubHn by stage,
where we arrived the next day at four in the afternoon. I
proceeded to the house of our Fathers and was received with
the greatest kindness and politeness. On Monday I visited
Daniel O'Connell in company of Bishop Hughes. What a
man ! I cannot express my sensations and feelings on that
occasion ! Never did I behold a brighter eye, a more benev
olent face and a raore iraposing and coramanding person.
His words flow like honey from his lips; he enraptures
and captivates and places you at your ease in a moment,
just like an old friend and acquaintance. As we expressed
a desire of assisting at the repeal meeting in Dublin he
offered us to ride with him in his own carriage, which we
gladly accepted. The procession which passed by his house
lasted for three hours. It was supposed that upward of
160,000 people attended. We were literally carried to the
place where this immense multitude were to meet. The
sight was sublirae, the order perfect, and Irish eloquence

1468 NEAR VIEW OF THE LIBERATOR.
flowed like torrents and cataracts from raany an orator.
The most conspicuous speakers were Daniel O'Connell,
Mr, Grattan, son of the famous lawyer of that name, and
John O'Connell, The meeting lasted for five hours and
thousands must have gone home with sore throats for they
kept up a constant roar of applause and hurrahs,
I will relate to you two little incidents as a sample of
the warm feeling of that nation. An old woman had come
many a mile to look at the Liberator. She had forced her
way with difficulty through the immense crowd; she had
even climbed on the platform from whence O'Connell
spoke, I stood near him ; she asked me, " Is this the
man ? " At my answering yes, she pulled his coat exclaim
ing — "Sir, let rae look at you!" He turned with a
smile and a bow. A gift of a thousand pounds could not
have been more welcome to her. Another old man had
reached the carriage. He took the hand of the Liberator
and with tears in his eyes he exclairaed — "I have corae
far to see you. Sir, and to touch this hand ; now I am happy
and return home rejoiced." As the man retired O'Connell
whispered aloud " What a nation! " his broad chest heaved.
No doubt his benevolent heart answered to his whispering
— " They must be free."

St. Ignatius' Mission, July 18, 1845,
To the Honorable Mr, McLoughlin, Esq. :
Most Dear Sir. — I received your kind favor at the Dalles
and I return to you ray sincere thanks for the good news
and information you gave me concerning New Caledonia,
Having preceded Father Nobili to Walla Walla I left a let
ter with the very kind and good Mr. McKinlay, for him,
with a request to follow the brigade and to pass the winter
among those interesting Indians. Next summer or spring
he is to return to make his report, and I hope arrangements
will be made to establish a permanent mission in that quar-

MCLOUGHLIN GOING TO ENGI,AND, I469
ter. Father Nobili in his letter to rae appeared to be very
desirous to undertake the task. May the Lord bless his en
deavors, and bless all the gentlemen of the honorable cora
pany who have taken so warra a part on the subject,
I arrived on the 12th instant at the raission of St. Igna
tius a few miles below the Kalispel Bay, Since the com
mencement of the present year about 600 Indians of the
upper and lower Kalispel tribes have been baptized, I will
probably leave to-day to visit the Flatbow and Kootenai In
dians, who have expressed a desire to see me for these three
years past. My next thoughts are to proceed to the numer
ous and treacherous Blackfeet; the moment appears to be
rather unfavorable on account of a late battle which has
taken place between them and the Flatheads and Kalispels,
The Blackfeet lost five chiefs and sixteen warriors, and
raany were wounded. The Kalispels or Pend d'Oreilles had
five killed, the Flatheads only one. The Indians think it a
raost dangerous expedition at present, though all are will
ing to accompany me thither. If I succeed in my visit to our
most implacable enemies and penetrate their country to the
hunting ground of the friendly Crows, I may thence once
more proceed eastwardly to the civilized world for the in
terest and strengthening of our different raissions (this last
point I tell you confidentially and as not as yet altogether
certain). In case of your going to the old continent, I wish you
beforehand a raost happy and prosperous voyage. Your
visit to England will certainly benefit in a great measure the
cause of our holy religion in Oregon. I will write from
St. Louis to Father Jenkins in London, where you will find
a letter concerning the missions of this country. We are
happy indeed to have found in you so kind a benefactor and
protector, and certainly your endeavors to promote the in
terests of religion and morality among the different classes
of inhabitants in the country will assuredly meet with its
deserved reward in this world and hereafter. Probably you
may hear of some reports as coming from the Reverend Mr,

1470 LETTER TO CHARLES LARPENTEUR,
Soderini, I deem it necessary to acquaint you that I have
found myself in the unhappy necessity of dismissing him
from our Society, I learned with great grief of the death of
the Honorable Mr, Rae ; it must greatly afflict his numerous
friends, and bring deep mourning in his faraily; raay the
Lord have pity on his soul, and let us take. Dear Sir, in the
spirit of religion and with resignation the painful visitations
the Lord permits to befall us, keeping our eyes constantly
attached toward heaven.
Please, Dear Sir, to give my best respects to your good
lady, to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and to the gentlemen at
Vancouver. I reraain with the profoundest esteera and respect.
Most Dear Sir, etc.
P. S. — The Reverend Father Hoeken requests me to send
his best respects to you. Father Ravalli is here daily ex
pected. I wrote rather in a hurry. The Indians are saddling
my horses.
If any letters from Belgium for me should arrive at Van
couver to your address, please to leave orders to have them
sent to the Reverend Father Hoeken,

St. Louis University, Dec, 17, 1849,
Mr. Ch. Larpenteur, Baltimore, Md.:
My Dear Sir. — I received your very kind and interesting
favor of the 4th instant two days ago, I am indeed sorry
to hear of the continuance of your indisposition, the conse
quence of your many exposures, no doubt, in times past, I
hope it will not be permanent. I also begin to suffer from
the same cause, with my share of provocation during scvt
eral years, for such attacks. In fact, disguise it as we raay,
old age, like the cholera, has its premonitory symptoms, and
will creep slowly but persistently into our entire frame, I

PROJECTED HALF-BREED SETTLEMENT, I47I
read with the greatest pleasure the edifying sentiraents you
have expressed to rae in your letter; permit me to say a
few words in reply on so important a subject, I doubt not
but you will receive my poor little advice as coming from
a friend who sincerely loves and esteems you, and who, like
Father Point, has always thought, since he had the pleasure
of making your acquaintance, " that it would take but a
little time and exertion on your part to become a good and
perfect Christian,"
You tell me " that you visited several of the churches in
Baltimore, and you admire their beauty of structure and the
holy and divine services performed in them." Only one step
more is necessary for you, dear friend; join with heart and
mind in those latter; approach with a contrite and humble
heart the holy tribunal of penance; partake of the bread of
angels, now that you have so favorable an opportunity and
are surrounded by many good and zealous priests; and be
assured beforehand, you shall find an inestimable treasure,
a source of consolations and delights, a peace of soul and
mind which you would in vain look for in the world. You
lived for many years far away from all opportunities of
practicing the duties of your holy religion; avail yourself
of the present occasion and make a sincere return.
For the good of your little children, you express a wish
and desire to accorapany us and to settle near us in the In
dian country. I appreciate highly your offer, raore for us
than for yourself, and I hope it may at some future day be
realized. We contemplate starting out next spring for the
Indian Territory, but have not as yet determined the spot
where we shall establish ourselves. The wjiole season may
probably be spent in visiting the various tribes and sounding
their dispositions, before any decision will be taken on this
subj ect. Once determined upon, we will then take the necessary
measures to form a settlement, and most of the half-breed
families on the upper Missouri have promised me already
that they are willing to join with us in the undertaking.
Your presence and experience among the Indians will, no

1472 LETTER TO ZEPHYR HENCONTRE,
doubt, further our own endeavors in converting and civiliz
ing the heathen nations — such being the principal and chief
object we have in view in penetrating and settling on their
lands. In due time I shall let you know our proceedings
and deterrainations on this subject,
I have the honor to be, etc.

Dear Monsieur Zephyr •?
I hasten to reply to your good letter of the 6th from
St. Joseph, I am really very sorry that I am unable
again this spring to come araong my good friends in
the Sioux country; but I have so milch business on my
hands here, with nobody to take my place, that my
superiors have put off my departure to the Indian country
to some other tirae; when, I cannot say. There is nothing
that I have more at heart, and I feel a great desire and
plenty of courage to return to a post which I regret con
stantly, and to spend my days in laboring for the happiness
and salvation of the Indians, But I dare not make any
positive promises; it depends upon my superiors. I hope
that before long they will be able to replace and release me,
I thank you very cordially for having so well discharged
my commission, and for all that you have said to the Sioux,
Dear Zephyr, continue still to give good advice and counsel
to the savages and the good Lord will give you credit for
it. Tell them from me that I often think of them; that I
desire ardently to see them again ; that I pray daily for their
happiness ; that they must take care not to offend the Great
Spirit, who always takes pity on his good children, and who
will send them Black-robes to instruct them in the word and
the prayer which alone can make man happy on earth and
happy for eternity in heaven.
You tell me, dear Zephyr, in your letter that you came to
2 To Zephyr Rencontre, June II, 1850,

PEN PORTRAIT OF HIMSELF. I473
St. Joseph at my request, and that you received the commis
sion from me by a Mr. Entoine. This is really some rais-
take, I have never given such a comraission to anybody.
In future don't believe reports of this kind. When I have
any request to make, I shall make it by letter. Adieu ! All
sorts of good wishes from me to all your faraily, to all ray
friends and acquaintances, and to the Indians whom I had
the pleasure of meeting on my last journey.
Your devoted Father and friend.

October, 1850.
My Very Dear Silvie:*
I have just received your dear letter of the 15th of July,
and I hasten to reply to it. You announce to your Uncle
Pierre one more consolation : he is so inclined to share
the happiness of those who are happy, especially when
it is a question of a little niece called Silvie. So then,
praise be to the Good Lord for all that has been done,
for I have a solid hope that it is his holy will that has
been accomplished, I am glad, very glad, of your union
with Mr, Edmond De Bare, and my only regret is that 1
was not there to bless you both, and to share with your
dear parents and friends the joys of the occasion.
Since I now love my nephew, Mr. De Bare, as much as I
love my niece Silvie, you must be careful to give him a
faithful description of your uncle, so that if I should hap
pen in on him in your absence, he could recognize me with
out ever having seen me. Uncle Pierre, tell him, is a man
of medium size, with gray hair, tending to white. The
centre of his wide face (a foot, or near it), is occupied by
a nose with which a Greek or a Roman would not find
much fault. Its nearest neighbor is a mouth of ordinary size,
which hardly ever opens save to laugh or to make others
laugh. It makes people love the Good Lord in that manner,
3 Extract from a letter in French to a niece.
93

1474 NO BITTERNESS AGAINST VERCRUYSSE.
The rest resembles a man of fifty years, who weighs 210
pounds. If ever you build a new house, give the door of
my chamber six inches extra width, because I don't like
to be bothered in getting into a room. Joking aside, a
thousand compliments to my dear nephew, etc.

*I have just received your letters of the 14th of last Sep
tember. The Reverend Father Provincial, being somewhat
indisposed at this moment, asks me to reply.
As far as the order for sending Father L' Vercruysse back
to Belgium is concerned, on the strength of what you say re
garding this good Father, the Reverend Father Provincial
will leave this affair entirely to the discretion of the superiors
of Oregon, and gives his consent to his remaining in the rais
sions. You tell rae " that he suspects rae of the blow that
has struck him." He is very much mistaken. If a blow
has struck him, it has certainly not emanated from me in
any way. If he will just reflect and look around a little,
he will not have far to go to find the guilty party. Enough
on this subject. Assure Father Louis that everything was
forgotten and forgiven years ago ; that no bitterness against
any one whomsoever ever entered my heart. There have
been misunderstandings, there are discords, and many
wretched little things that have had sad enough results. I
have attributed all these things to the devil, jealous of the
good disposition of the Indians and of the great good that
was being done in the missions. Courage, dear Father, do
not abandon the post that has been intrusted to you. The
Good Lord will come to your aid, I hope, before long.
Our Indian missions east of the Rocky Mountains are
very flourishing; everything is going well enough in the
various houses of our Province. I have read the note and
* Extract from letter of January 21, 1851, to Father Joset in Oregon.

THE YEAR OF TRIALS, 1475
the Gazette that the Reverend Father Accolti sent me. I
have brought the affair of the respectable Doctor McLough
lin to the attention of Senator Benton,

St. Louis University, Nov. 13, 185 1,
Reverend Father Helias, S. J., St. Xavier's Church, P. C:
Reverend and Very Dear Father in Christ. — Dear
Father, since last I wrote to your Reverence I have suffered
much and lost much. I lost my good companion. Father
Hoeken, and was left alone like an orphan to find my way
through the wilderness, surrounded by a thousand dangers.
At my return I found my superior buried, in whora I lost
not only a father and brother in Christ, but a faithful
friend and a true and sure guide, by his good counsels and
examples. The Lord be praised — both died like saints —
this consoles and strengthens me in my loss.
Whilst traveling in the plains and raountains, kind Provi
dence has watched over me. I escaped from a dangerous
illness, from the attacks of wild beasts and enemies, from
the smallpox and cholera. I passed through a camp where
people were dying and rottening, alive, unhurt and un
touched. I slept araong the dying and dead for over a
raonth, handling and attending on the cholera patients, and
returned safe and sound. I had the happiness to place the
holy waters of baptism on the foreheads of 1,586 children
and adults, of whom many have since fallen victims of the
two mentioned diseases, and are now forever happy.
Let us be friends. I will be more serious in my letters
for the future, as I have perceived that they have not been
taken as I meant them (in a joke) ; for I certainly could
not and would not act against your Reverence for whom
I shall ever entertain the highest esteera and respect.
Reverend and Dear Father, etc.

1476 ADVICE TO OREGON EMIGRANTS.
St. Louis University, Feb. 27, 1852.
Mr, George Thompson, Chapel Hill, Perry Co., Ohio:
Dear Sir. — I acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 15th instant, in which you ask me some information
concerning Oregon. As it is asked by way of advice which
may decide you and eight or ten more families, as you say,
to emigrate to that country, I am indeed at a loss what to
say, and I raust acknowledge that till now I have never
taken it upon me to encourage any one to undertake the jour
ney. Oregon, no doubt, has great advantages, several of
its valleys are beautiful and rich ; the grazing, even in win
ter, is fine and abundant; and the great discoveries in Cali
fornia have opened up a large market for its products. In
no country are cattle easier raised, and its wheat is most
beautiful. The climate may be put down as fair, if you
except the rainy season, which lasts between three and four
raonths. I must say, at the same time, that it can bear no
comparison with most of our Western States, all things
well considered. The richness of the lands in general, with
all the other advantages connected with it, are much greater
here than there.
I left Oregon in the fall of 1846, and since that time ex
tensive emigrations to that country have taken place; so
that I think by this time the best and most suitable spots
must have been taken up.
Besides, the great difficulty is to get there, for the road
is long and dangerous. Last summer I paid a visit to the
different Indian nations as far as the Rocky Mountains,
and returned to the States by the Oregon route, which I
struck in the neighborhood of Independence Rock, about
200 railes above Fort Lararaie. The scene we witnessed on
this road presented indeed a raelancholy proof of the un
certainty which attends our highest prospects in life. The
bleached bones of animals everywhere strewed along the
track, the hastily erected mound, beneath which lie the re
mains of sorae departed friend or relative, with an occa-

the plan of retiring to EUROPE, I477
sional tribute to his memory roughly inscribed on a board
or headstone, and hundreds of graves left without this
affectionate token of remembrance, furnished abundant evi
dence of the unsparing hand with which death has thinned
their ranks. The numerous shattered fragraents of the
vehicles, provision, tools, etc., intended to be taken across
these wild plains, tell us another tale of reckless boldness
with which many entered upon this hazardous enterprise.
It is rashness to undertake this long trip except with very
good animals, with very strong vehicles and with a good
supply of light provisions, such as tea, coffee, sugar, rice,
dried apples, peaches, flour and peas or beans,
I remain. Dear Sir, etc.

St, Louis University, March 12, 1852,
^Reverend Father Provincial, Holland:
P,C.:
Very Reverend Father. — Perhaps your Reverence may
already have received the letter of the Reverend Father Pro
vincial, of Missouri, in which he announces to you his inten
tion, in concert with all his consulters, of sending me to
Europe as Procurator of the Vice Province of Missouri, and
of the Indian missions ; and by which he desired beforehand
to consult your Reverence. The plan is one that Reverend
Father Elet had formed in the time of his provincialate, and
seems to have already received the approbation of his
Paternity, In so far as this plan regards rae, I will speak openly to
you. I have nothing whatever to do with their choice, nor
with the adoption of the plan. I affirm, nevertheless, that
I am ready to execute in all things the will of ray superiors.
I will even admit to you, that in my secret soul, and after
mature reflection and much prayer, I desire that the plan
''From the French.

1478 FEELS NEED OF QUIET LIFE,
should be accoraplished ; and for the sole reason that I would
be glad to be able to spend the few years that reraain to
me, should the Lord grant me any, in the strict observance
and practice of all our holy rules, and in perfect submission
to the orders of my superiors, I feel the need of it, after
having passed so many years in these remote American
missions. The beautiful death of the Reverend Hoeken,
whom the Lord has seen fit to recompense on the field of
battle, and that of the worthy Father Elet, who has been
to rae for so many years not only a brother in Christ, but
also a guide by his good counsels and his example, make
me sincerely desire this.
I venture to assure you in advance. Very Reverend
P'ather, that I shall give you entire satisfaction in every
thing, and if the Reverend Father Provincial's request is
granted by your Reverence, I shall personally be under the
greatest obligations to you. To live as a good religious,
submissive and obedient to my superiors, and if occasion
should present, to be still useful to America, always subject
to the good pleasure of my superiors, is, before God, my
sole desire.
Believe, me, etc.

St. Louis University, May i, 1852,
Right Reverend Bishop Van De Velde, at the Council, Bal
timore:
P, C:
Right Reverend and Most Dear Father in Christ. — I
received your kind and most welcome favor of the 22d in
stant. It relieved my mind, which had been uneasy by not
receiving an answer to three letters, pretty much about the
same subject, which I had the honor of writing to you.
******** When you were my superior, you frequently corrected me
for being too easily affected and dejected when things were

ANSWERS CERTAIN CHARGES, I479
said against rae, to which I must plead guilty. Something
of the kind has occurred again, and from headquarters,
which has brought me low, indeed — the raore so, as I have
the full conviction in my heart that the charges against me
are untrue, false and unjust, and bring along great evil
in their consequences — the neglect, in a great measure,
of Indians, for whom I would have gladly sacrificed the
remainder of my days. I stand accused of the following :
First, That my letters have done a great deal of harm in
America. Second. That my letters are only imagination
and poetry, false and untrue. Third. That I have lost the
missions by over-liberality to the Indians, and by promises
to them which the Fathers have -been unable to fulfill,
I pardon, from my heart, the men who have made these
false accusations. The letters written from Oregon for
several years in succession by the Fathers on the good dis
positions of the Indians, after I had left the missions, are
alone sufficient to cover the calumniators with shame and
confusion. Many of these letters I have sent to Rome in
the very handwriting of those Fathers, and culled [others]
from the newspapers as they had been published ; but to all
of which no answer has been returned. All my letters have
been written by special requests of my superiors, chiefly
Very Reverend Father-General. I declare to have written
them all with uprightness and sincerity, and that I have
never exaggerated, at least not willfully, in speaking of the
dispositions of the Indians, and of the good which was done
in their midst ; and of this in particular, most of the Fathers
have said, spoken and written more highly than I ever did
(Fathers Point, Joset, Mengarini, Ravalli, Hoeken, Accolti,
De Vos, Nobili, etc.). I have many of their letters still in
my possession. They have zvritten the truth and so have I.
Even as late as the ist of Noveraber, 1851, Reverend
Father Joset writes to rae as follows; and his letter was
published in the Shepherd of the Valley: " You will learn
with pleasure that the Pend d'Oreilles, the Cceur d'AJenes,
the Kettle Falls Indians and the tribes of the lakes of the

1480 PROSPECT OF LEAVING AMERICA,
Columbia river are giving the greatest satisfaction and con
solation to their missionaries, and I may say, have never
behaved better," etc., etc, I could fill sheets of paper with
extracts of the letters of the Fathers of Oregon, filled with
praise of the Indians, and that for years after I had left
them. In the spring of 185 1 the Flathead mission was aban
doned. The why and the how I could, I think, pretty easily
guess at, I left it in a flourishing condition in 1846; the
testimonials and letters of Fathers Joset, Mengarini, Ravalli,
Point, and Accolti, bear testimony to my assertion. It is
abandoned five years later and I am accused of being the
cause of this " by my liberalities and promises to the In
dians, which they have been unable to sustain." Liberal in
what ? Promises of what ? I am at a loss to imagine.
Let the above suffice. I have given you this little state
ment, because I have no doubt that Very Reverend Father-
General, for whom I have always had the highest esteem,
respect and veneration, will allude to sorae of these points,
and I ardently wished to acquaint you with it, " lest blarae
be imputed, where no blame is due." (The writing I took
this from has wonderfully pleased us. Thank you. )
There is some appearance of ray being sent to Europe
as Procurator of the Vice Province. Should this come to
pass, it will be a struggle for me to leave America, with
many dear brethren and many happy recollections. The
thought of being still useful to it, though at a distance,
encourages me in the strict practice and observance of our
holy rules, and in a perfect submission to the orders of my
superiors. I feel and am sensible oi the necessity of this,
after having passed so many years in the wild and distant
missions of America, in which all my thoughts and en
deavors have, as it were, so long been centred, in the midst
of great struggles and contradictions. The examples of the
beautiful death of Father Hoeken, whom the Lord has
deigned to crown on the very battle-field ; and the death of
our worthy Father Elet, so edifying to all, have made a

THE CULBERTSON BROTHERS, I481
deep impression upon my mind, by which I hope I shall
profit till the end. May God's will be done.
Remember me, etc.

St, Louis University, May — , 1852,
Edwin T, Denig, Esq., Fort Union :
Dear Sir and Friend, — Your welcome letter of the 28th
of January reached rae in due tirae. I was glad to learn of
the safe arrival of our good friend Mr, Culbertson at Fort
Union, but how the great pioneer could be found raanceuv-
ring sorae tirae between the waters of the Missouri and
those of the Colurabia, I am truly astonished at, I hope he
has kept a journal, and J would be glad to have a peep at it,
as his mishap would considerably improve my great map,^
Tell him that I read with the greatest pleasure and profit
to myself the ably written journal of the expedition to the
Upper Missouri of his worthy brother Thaddeus, in which
he so frequently and honorably refers to so many names
that I shall always remember with a grateful heart.
I communicated your favor to Colonel D, D, Mitchell,
who read with delight your statement of the actual disposi
tions of the Indians, Your remarks are certainly just and
true. The colonel is well convinced of it and he has re
peatedly urged upon the Government the ratification of the
treaty. What a pity that so little is known in high quar
ters of the nature and character of the Indians — they would
not be so slow in their decisions. It is hoped, however, that
the treaty will ere long be ratified by Congress and carried
out in full without further delay. I thank you likewise for
the view you kindly give me of the future formation of
missions on the upper Missouri, and for your good feelings
toward me, my brethren and the religion we profess. I
am truly grateful to learn that even the Crazy Bear and his
* Literally copied, but exact meaning of last two sentences is obscure.

1482 PROVIDES DENIG WITH BOOKS,
people have commenced appreciating the value of such es
tablishments. You are well convinced that nothing but the
propagation of the principles of the Christian religion, and
motives of charity toward the aborigines could induce us
to embark in such undertakings. Dear Sir, I have not lost
sight of this object, and I am allowed to state that we have
it in contemplation, and that great hopes are entertained
that before long a mission will be established within, or
in the vicinity of, your district. Should such a task
devolve on me I shall certainly look out for a spot suf
ficiently convenient [for us] to meet occasionally, where
we might quietly and pleasantly pass a few hours in friendly
discourse on religious topics, on politics, on socialism, red
republicanism and Kossuth, and the manners and customs
of the Indians. Let me here express my gratitude for the
manuscript you have had the great kindness to prepare for
me, and which I shall be most glad to receive and to peruse,
I see you are still perusing Mochler's Symbolism and
you look upon him as an able writer. The book is calcu
lated to be the instrument of much good, particularly at the
time like the present when men's minds are turned to the
consideration of religious controversy with an earnestness
and activity unexampled at any other period. Cardinal
Wiseman, whose very name is an authority, calls it " the
most profound work upon the Philosophy of Divinity which
our time has produced."
I send you by the steamer another book, in reading
which I will venture to say that you will think some of your
leisure hours well spent, so various are its topics, so rich
are its views and suggestions. Balmes is a Spanish priest,
but one of the best known and most influential of the con
temporary political and philosophical writers of his country,
enjoying a high European reputation, and deservedly rank
ing among the first authors of our times. He is at once
learned and philosophical, profound and popular, a man of
the nineteenth century and a rigidly orthodox pious Catho
lic, You will pronounce him, I know, not the worse for it.

bridger's BOY AND GIRL. I483
I have not forgotten the locust sprouts and shall do my
best to send thera by the steamer. Assuredly I shall not for
get a dozen of H. S. [?], and I hope they will not be
" swooped," as the previous have been, but will be enjoyed
by yourself and friends.

St, Louis University, Sept, 27, 1852,
Reverend P, J. Verhaegen, S. J., St. Charles:
Reverend and Dear Father. — I will thank your Rever
ence for an immediate answer to^ the following. Cap
tain Bridger,'' an old Rocky Mountain friend of mine, has
sent his two' children (half-breeds) toi the States to be edu
cated. One is a girl about seven years old; the boy is a
little over eight. They have never been baptized, at least
I think so, and shall inquire on the subject. He has left
means with Colonel Robert Campbell for their education and
clothing. Inquire of Madame Hamilton whether she will ad
mit the little girl ? and at what price ? Will Madame Barada
admit the boy as a boarder, pay for his schooling at your
school, and for how much a year? Please answer without
delay. I am afraid Protestants will try to get them; the
sooner they are away from here the better.
Pray for me, etc.,
^ James Bridger was one of the most widely known of the pioneers
of the fur trade and emigration periods. He was born in Richmond,
Va., March 17, 1804, and died in Westport, Mo. (now a part of Kansas
City), July 17, 1881. He first went to the Indian country in 1822 as
a member of the Ashley Expedition of that year. He visited Great
Salt lake in the winter of 1824-1825 and, so far as now known, was
the first white man to see that body of water. He was a member of
the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, the founder of the celebrated Fort
Bridger, a trusted guide in many Government and private expeditions,
and altogether one of the most quaint and romantic, yet important, char
acters in the early history of the West.

1484 bridger's children AT SCHOOL,
St. Louis University, Sept. 30, 1852.
Mr, [Robert] Meldrum, Upper Missouri:
Dear Sir. — I received your kind favor of the 29th of last
July, I had received previously the garnished buffalo robe,
the elk-horn bow and the dressed sheep skin, which you
had the kindness to send me, and for which I return to you
my sincere thanks, I learned to-day that Mr, Culbertson
had arrived in St. Louis and would leave the city immedi
ately. I could not let him depart without sending him
these few lines. The news you gave me about the Crows
and their happy and religious dispositions has greatly
pleased rae. Please remember me to them; assure them
that they are not forgotten in my heart and mind and that
I long to visit them once more. When this shall be I am
not able, at present, to tell you. Should I receive good
news in the course of this fall or winter concerning an es
tablishment or a visit araong the Crows, I will let you
know in due time. Meanwhile, endeavor to continue, as
far as lies in your power, to keep up a good religious spirit
among them, which will greatly lead to their advantage
and welfare.
Believe me to be, etc.,

St, Louis University, April i, 1853,
Mr. J, Bridger, Fort Bridger and Vasquez:
Dear Friend. — Our good friend. Colonel R, Campbell,
acquainted me yesterday that a departure for the moun
tains was about to take place and I avail myself of this
opportunity of writing a few lines to you. A few days
ago I had the pleasure of paying a visit to your children
who reside at present in St. Charles. They appeared to be
well pleased and are certainly well taken care of. Felix
frequents our school and is making progress. His sister
lives in the Academy and under the iraraediate care of the

SENDS WEAPONS TO INSULA, I485
Ladies of that well-conducted establishment, who have every
regard for her that good Mothers could have for their own
children. Both have been somewhat sickly during the
winter, but are now doing well. You may rest assured that
all shall be done to raake thera corafortable and happy.
You have proraised rae a letter with regard to the Flat-
heads, and I have anxiously expected it during the whole
course of last year. Should you see them remember me to
them and assure them that I daily address my prayers to the
Lord for their welfare and happiness ; but to attain this end
they must remain faithful to God and not listen to bad coun
sel, and to ill-disposed persons. It would be for me the
height of happiness to learn that they still cherish the idea
of seeing a Black-gown in their midst, and were this the
case, of which I wish to be informed, I would do all I can to
see this their desire accomphshed. I send you by this oc
casion a couple of pistols and a knife, as a present to my
dear friend Insula, whose remembrance I shall always
cherish, Reraember me to all, etc.

April 22, 1853.
Mes Tres Cheres Sylvie Elmire et Rosalie :^
Exilement, even when it is voluntary, or when, rather, it
is imposed by conscience or religion, cannot destroy in a
man's heart the sweet sentiraents there iraplanted by kin
ship or love of country. Hence the vacancy that I feel
within me, frora not having received for so long a time any
of your letters, always so good and interesting and so con
soling to your American exile. Still, I am not in a position
to complain; if reproaches were in order, it is, I presume,
upon me that they ought to fall. So if you should require
a big " mea culpa " from me, a resounding one shall fall
upon my broad breast, I will admit, in fact, that I ought
8 From the French.

i486 LOVES NATURE AND THE RED MEN,
long ago to have sent you a full account of my very long
journeys in our great American deserts, because I made you
that positive promise long ago.® I would have liked noth
ing so well as to have let you follow, step by step, without
danger to yourselves, ray wanderings as missionary, trav
eler and observer. You would have seen many lands,
traversed many deserts, sailed upon many rivers. Exposed
to the uncertainties of the weather and to the rigors of the
climate, you would have spent many somewhat chilly nights
under the open sky or the tent of the savage, victims to a
thousand devouring insects. Lovely nature, sublirae na
ture, terrible nature — the plains, the valleys, the hills, the
mountains hiding their snowy summits among clouds —
nature in all her forms would have roused in you a thousand
reflections, each more philosophic than the rest. And then
the forlornness, the misery, the brutalization of the poor
natives of our country, would have moved your tender
hearts and lifted them to heaven in prayer. — Yes, you can
imagine what a comfort it would have been to me, to talk
to you about these things so dear to my heart. The best
part of my existence has been devoted to the savages, these
sorry waifs of our race. I have in days gone by had the
happiness to dry a few tears among thera ; to bind up some
wounds, those of the soul in especial ; to guide them toward
the only true destiny of mankind. My hair has whitened
at it, and my vigorous health has received some small
shocks. But I am straying; I meant to tell you how much I would
have liked to keep my promise ; how much my friendly feel
ing for you and my good will to my poor Indians inclined
me that way. But for the last few years I have been worked
to death, and have had frequent and long journeys to make,
I have put off the fulfillment of my promise from week to
week and from month to month, until to-day I find myself
9 Another of the numerous examples in Father De Smet's writings
of his fancy for excessive repetition of certain words.

ALSO HIS YOUNG NIECES, I487
still your debtor, I know that you will lay my apparent
neglect of you to these causes, and that you have never
doubted my good will. My hair may turn gray, my sight
become dim, ray strength fail me, but I can say in all truth
fulness that my affection for you, my dear Sylvie, Elmire
and Rosalie, remains to me in its full vigor. Every day at
the altar I implore the aid and blessing of heaven upon you
and all the family. The only thing that I expect from you
in return, is that I may always hold the same place in your
affections, and that sometimes you will address to God your
good prayers for your Uncle Pierre and for the conversion
of his poor savages.
You must not despair, though I am not able even yet to
pay the debt that I owe you. Who knows if I may not
repay you the whole with interest, one of these fine days,
and in currency more available than paper money. There
is, however, my good nieces, nothing to prevent your scold
ing me as roundly as you please. I would even consider
this a mark of affection on your part, as showing how rauch
you think of my poor correspondence. And then let us
leave it to time, or rather to Providence, to arrange every
thing for the best and for the greatest satisfaction of us all.
I hope Papa will have received my letter of the 24th of
March. Please remember me, and say a thousand things
from rae, to your dear parents, to your Uncle Frangois, to
Charles, Paul, Clemence and all the family at Termonde
and Antwerp.
And now I have only to wish you every one increased
prosperity, hoping that the Lord will grant the ardent vows
that I form to that end.
Your devoted, etc.

St. Louis University, Feb. 4, 1854,
W. S. ROSECRANS:
Dear Sir. — I received your kind favor of the 21st ultimo,
a few days ago. In answer to your letter, I would counsel

1488 GENERAL ROSECRANS SEEKS A PATENT,
you to Open a correspondence with Mr, Philip Van der
Maelen, Founder and Director of L'Etablissement Geo
graphique de Bruxelles. He is known all over Belgium
and Holland and I may add, Europe in general. Should
he accept of your proposal, you will find in him a most re
sponsible business correspondent and at the same time a
most worthy Catholic, Should his occupations prevent him
from accepting your proposals, he will, no doubt, indicate
a person in every way competent and willing to open a cor
respondence, and to whose care you might safely intrust the
applications you may have to make for the procuring Bel
gian Brevets d' Invention for American clients,.
As I have the honor of being well acquainted with Mr.
Van der Maelen,. and visited several times his great and in
teresting establishment, it may perhaps be good to tell him
in your letter the circumstance of my recommending hira.
Anything in the way of new inventions and of natural curi
osities interest him exceedingly and I am inchned to think
your proposal will be gladly accepted, and that your ac
quaintance will be highly appreciated by him.
I have the honor to be, etc.

St. Louis University, March 11, 1854.
Reverend Father Verhaegen, S. J. :
Reverend and Dear Father. — We are all enjoying good
health at the University and Father O'Loghlin has recov
ered. I spoke to Mr. Campbell the other day about little
Rocky Mountain Felix and told him that I had written to
your Reverence to procure the necessary clothes for the
child, for which he thanked me and said it was aH right.
His father will probably soon arrive in St. Louis and may
again proceed to the raountains, taking his two children
along with him. All expenses incurred for Felix, up to the
day of his departure, Mr. Campbell has promised shall be
settled, but, in the doubt that he raay perhaps not be left in

BRIDGER VISITS HIS CHILDREN, I489
St, Charles, does not like to pay in advance. This much
was said to Mrs. Barada, but has not been well understood
by her. You may assure her that all is right,
I hope Major Bridger wiH find his children in good
health at his arrival in St, Charles. He has spent upward
of thirty years among the Indians and is one of the truest
specimens of a real trapper and Rocky Mountain man. He
has been always very kind to us, and as he has much in
fluence among the various tribes of the Far West he may
still continue to exercise it in our favor — I hope he will call
on your Reverence,
********* Remember me, etc.

One of Father De Smet's Relaxations.
St, Louis Spiritual Rolling-mill,^** April 12, 1854.
Reverend Father Horstmann, S. J.,
P. C:
Reverend and Dear Father and Friend of the Roll-offs, — :
Your two last short rolls put me into a rolling huraor once
more, for the particular benefit of all the reverend rollers of
St. Xavier College, who rolled out, as you say, a rolling
laugh and a rolling shout, at my first endeavor at rolling off
an epistle. Our old folks, however, know full well that I
was not a bad hand at a log-rolling party in our first days
of fervor at St. Stanislaus — indeed we rolled thousands of
logs out of sight to make the rolling land look decent all
around. How proud Father Rolloff raust be of his rolling
name — to see it roll in and roll out, roll up and roll down,
in a perpetual rolling motion !
10 A new priest, named Roeloff, had it seems arrived at St. Xavier's.
Father Di Maria and his mare, and her colt that bit off Father Truyens'
thumb, and his law-suit with a St. Louis dentist over a set of teeth,
were the theme of a good deal of good-humored badinage about this
time. 94

1490 FATHER DE SMET BECOMES HUMOROUS.
Now let US roll for a raoraent into business. Your
twenty-nine intentions of the 24th ulto and the seventeen of
the 1st instant, I have all rolled out to good quarters. The
old corn-crackers, I think, do well to roll in on your rolling-
mill, to obtain pious roHs — Father Di Maria paid dear
enough for his two new sets of corn-crackers [false teeth].
He wants silver rollers to keep them sharp and to keep hii?
old mare in corn and in good humor, lest she, too, like her
angry little one, cracks off another Father's thumb, and
like Truyens would make him feel the loss of the thing.
Roll out of course a part of your kind intentions to the old
corn-crackers, it will keep them in a good rolling, corn-
cracking mood.
We rolled everything in good order in our Bishop's room,
for we expect the second High Priest of the Upper Corn-
crackers will roll in on us soon after Easter. The second
cook is already engaged in baking hot rolls for the occasion
— his friends know what he is rolling after and will be, no
doubt, prepared to furnish him a goodly roll of shin-plas
ters, to enable his Lordship to erect the corn-cracking cathe
dral of Covington.
Roll on with your accounts with your usual prudence;
they will roll into a happy conclusion at last, and St.
Xavier, I trust, will roll and roll smoothly forward for many
a happy year to come. The silver rolls alone ought not al
together to absorb our thoughts. Robinson-like, you must
keep them rolling in and out, for to be rolled about is their
nature. — Your church is your chief rolling mill and a great
deal of good rolls out of it. Upward of 30,000 sinful
rolls yearly, of which many are generals, are there unroHed,
and the dark rolling consciences, being freed and made
clean, roll toward home in peace and joy. And again, how
many are there in the Queen City, who are yearly rolled into
a happy eternity by Father Rolloff & Co., whose names find
a place on the celestial roll. Roll on patiently and cau
tiously with your teraporal rolls, so that the spiritual roll-
ing-raill may be kept in a constant rolling operation.

HAPPIEST YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS, I49I
The clock has struck half-past eleven, and my eyes begin
to roll — before I roll under my blanket and roll my head in
my pillow, allow rae. Dear Father, to beg you to roll forth
another good prayer for me, and obtain in my behalf, from
each Father and Brother, a short pious roll. I rolled out of
my retreat a few days ago with a store of good and resolute
roHs — I wish to make them roll faithfully as long as my
breath is rolling within me, and when this rolls off, may I
roll out of this world as a true son of St. Ignatius. — Roll out
my best respects to Father Rolloff & Co. — Most respectfully
rolling, Reverend and Dear Father,
Your devoted roller in Xst,
P. J. De SMET, S. J.

[About May 25, 1854.J
E. T. Denig, Mouth of the Yellovustone:
My Dear Friend. — I received your very kind letter of the
20th of December, and I sincerely thank you for your kind
remembrance of me. I shall anxiously be on the lookout
tor the return of the boat and hope I shall be favored again
with one of your interesting epistles, which I consider as
most agreeable treats and which I always peruse with the
greatest pleasure and with great advantage to myself.
Nothing, dear friend, could come nearer to my heart than
to be again employed in the midst of the Indians and to
spend all ray time for their spiritual and temporal welfare.
The several years I passed among them I call the happiest
of my life and nothing shall efface frora my memory the
many tokens of sincere affection and kindness I have re
ceived from this benighted people, and their great willing
ness to listen to my instructions and to put them into prac
tice. I remember to have told you that a good and faith
ful Jesuit is a soldier of Jesus Christ. He has his Gen-

1492 NEED OF AN UPPER MISSOURI MISSION,
eral and his other subordinate and immediate superiors,
who employ him in the service of the Lord wherever his
services may be best required, for his own good and to pre
pare him for a happy eternity, and for the better promot
ing of his neighbor's welfare. My station at present is in
St, Louis, and I am satisfied and pleased. My next may be
araong the poor aborigines again, and I should rejoice
indeed if it came within the limits of your jurisdiction; and
that for several reasons. You know the Indian nature and
character so well; you truly sympathize with them in their
forlorn situation and sincerely wish to promote their hap
piness and welfare. I for my part value your friendship
highly and would assuredly profit by your advice in further
ing the great end, the conversion and civilization of the
Indian tribes.
Allow rae to make a request of you, which will, I think,
advance the object we have so often spoken of, and which
you take so much to heart, the establishment of a Catholic
mission on the upper Missouri. I would ask of you to ad
dress a statement and request to that effect to the Right
Reverend Bishop Miege, residing at present among the Pota
watomies in the Nebraska Territory, stating the necessity
and advantages to be derived from such an establishment,
the actual disposition of the Indian nations, and particularly
the great desire of the chiefs to promote it. Send it to me
and I will forward it rayself to the Bishop. I doubt not he
win give it all due consideration and attention and use every
exertion to carry it into effect.
Last year I entertained some hope of going to the upper
country again to accompany the Right Reverend Bishop in
his first contemplated visit to the upper Indian tribes. We
were both called to Europe on business, which alone broke
up our plans. This year the agitation of the Nebraska
question does not permit him to leave the Potawatomi and
Osage Missions, for the whole of that beautiful region will
soon be taken possession of by white settlers. Rest assured.

MESSAGES TO INDIAN FRIENDS. 1 493
and you may tell the Indians so, that the idea of establish
ing raissions among them has not been abandoned by their
friends the Black-robes, but has only been postponed, and
that perhaps for only a short period.
You may not forget to tell Crazy Bear, the Three Bears
and others, that the old Black-robe thinks frequently of
them, and begs daily of the Great Spirit to bless and pro
tect all his Indian friends, to make them happy here in this
world and grant them the favor of knowing him, of loving
hira, of serving him in this world, to be made happy with
him in heaven for all eternity. I will always take great
interest in their welfare.
I give you no news either frora the States, or from Eu
rope. I covild only take it from the papers, which of course
you will read, and with eagerness, I dare say, for the
Eastern war will procure us very thrilling and interesting
subjects. Major Vaughan will bring you a great deal of news. I
had the pleasure and happiness of seeing him several times
in St, Louis. You will not lose, I hope, by your kindness
toward him. The razors I now send you by the present
occasion will, if anything, I think shave cleaner [than those
sent before] ^^ and assist you for many long years to corae
as you very beautifully express it in your letter, " to shave
and lather the inner raan occasionally." We cannot often
enough think of this and we ought to prepare for the life
to corae.
I beg of you as a great favor, not to forget to write to rae
as often as you conveniently can — If you have an elk-horn
bow to send with a quiver of arrows, I would greatly thank
you for it. I promised to procure one to a friend in
Europe. I remain with great respect, Dear Friend,
11 Presumably religious instruction of some sort. Some eighteen
months before Father De Smet had sent him two razors and a penknife.

1494 DENIG HAS MARRIED HIS WIFE,
St, Louis University, August 23, 1855.
Mr. E. T, Denig :
My Dear Friend, — I must write in a great hurry and be
short. Mr. Rolette, our good friend, just arrived frora
Canada and tells me he must be off to-day for St. Paul and
Red river, in order to meet you in due time and to continue
together your trip to Fort Union. I cannot see hira start
without giving him a few lines for you. He will give you
verbally the contents of our long conversation and all the
news concerning me, I rejoiced greatly indeed in meeting
with him, the raore so as he lives with you under the sarae
roof and in a country so dear to my heart. I need not tell
you how sadly I was grieved that while you were in St.
Louis circumstances prevented me from seeing you and
communicating with you. I can assure you, it has been a
serious trial and sacrifice on my part. I hope my friends.
here will have explained well to you the particular situation
in which I found rayself, for according to our rules and cus-
toras, the religious exercises once begun, cannot be inter
rupted. Mr, Rolette understands these matters well and
wiH give you further satisfaction on the subject. I can
assure you that in these religious exercises I have not for
gotten you and daily have I remerabered you in a raost
particular manner in my poor prayers to God. O dear
friend, as long as I live I will not cease to offer a prayer
for you to the Lord that he may grant you his choicest
blessings and favors, I was happy to learn that during my
absence you still consented to be married by Reverend
Father Daeman and that your children have been baptized.
At the end of my religious exercises, on the 19th inst., I
proceeded imraediately to St. Louis and to the Virginia
Hotel, in the expectation of still finding you. To my great
sorrow I arrived about two hours after your departure and
had to forego the pleasure and happiness of embracing you.
I hope I shall see you perhaps in the course of the next year.
Assure the Indians that the Black-robe has not forgotten
them and try your best to prepare the way.

TRIBUTE TO CULBERTSON, I 495
Mr, Rolette will present you sorae books in my name,
which I know you will peruse with pleasure in your leisure
moraents. You will present ray best respects to Mr, Culbertson and
his good and kind family, to Mr, Meldrura and all other
good friends and acquaintances,
I reraain, etc.

St. Louis University, June 13, 1856.
E, T, Denig, Esq. :
Most Dear Sir and Friend. — Major Culbertson, I hope,
will already have reached Fort Union in good health and
safety. I arrived in St. Louis only in time to shake hands
with him and to wish him a happy and prosperous journey.
He had the kindness to take charge of a short letter to you,
which I scribbled out in a great hurry, to give you sorae
token of life and of ray continued esteera and attachraent,
I shall never forget the unbounded kindness and charity
I have received frora our good and great friend, the raajor.
He has most liberally taken under his care all the little
effects I have been able to collect to assist poor Father
Hoeken and brethren in their missionary labors among the
Flatheads and Rocky Mountain Indians. Please be ray
interpreter in returning hira again ray most sincere thanks.
If time had allowed me I would have sent you a little
remembrance by the major. I rejoice for the present op
portunity. Mr. Mackenzie tells me he wiH see you and I
avail rayself of the occasion to present you a few books
from me. I know you will read them with pleasure in your
leisure hours. I feel proud indeed for my country to have
so able a raan as Hendrick Consciens. He is one of those
men whom God sends only at distant intervals and for
the general elevation and glory of the human race. His
tales are intensely national, they are characteristic to- a T
and altogether Belgian ; but you will find them at the same

1496 NEVER MEDDLES WITH POLITICS,
time universal, appealing to what is deepest, truest, and
purest in the universal human heart. He is doing more for
Belgium than Scott did for Scotland. Brownson says of
hira, " that no competent judge can deny the author a much,
higher order of genius than was possessed by the Wizard of
the North," I have added Louis Napoleon's life. I have
no doubt you will read it with pleasure. The author over
rates perhaps a little too much his hero. It is certainly well
written, and full of interest and valuable information, and
I think you will find it so.
As I am no politician and never meddle in such affairs
you cannot expect any news from me on the subject. For
some time to come the papers will afford a great deal of
interest and these, no doubt, you will occasionally receive.
I hope, dear friend, that you will continue to favor me with
your interesting letters ; they are always a treat to me and
most welcome. I would also feel raost grateful for an oc
casional Indian legend, or something on their manners and
customs. My kindest regards to Mr. Rolette, The Rever
end Fathers Murphy and Daraen wish to be remembered
to you. Remeraber rae also to your kind family and all
other friends and acquaintances at Fort Union ; likewise to
Crazy Bear and the other chiefs I may happen to have seen
in the country.
Most respectfully, etc.

St, Louis University, August 22, 1856,
Dear Friend :''^^
I received your kind favor of the 12th ultimo and thank
you most sincerely for your kind remembrance of me. I
see with great pleasure in your letter that you take the
greatest interest in the spiritual welfare of the poor be
nighted Indians. Continue to encourage them. I have
12 Letter to Joseph Rolette at Fort Union.

FORTIFIES ROLETTE AGAINST CALUMNIES. I497
little doubt that in the course of next spring either myself
or some other Black-robe of my friends will leave St. Louis
for the Upper Missouri with the intention to carry out the
long-projected missions. By the first occasion that will
present itself I will send you some good controversial works,
which will enable you to resist and confound all the enemies
and opposers of the old and true Church of Christ. All
their objections are only quibbles, ¦ calumnies or lies and
are easily refuted. I am sorry indeed to be so much occu
pied at present; I would like to write to you a long letter.
In a few days I will leave for Europe and may be back in
St, Louis about New Year.
I hope my friend, Mr. Denig, will have received the let
ters and books I forwarded to him by Mr. Mackenzie before
he left for Red river. Please remember me raost kindly to
him in your letters and let me know his address, so that I
may communicate with him directly. Remember me to all
kind friends at Fort Union and in the upper country. As
sure the good Indians who know me that I do not forget
them and pray often for their welfare.
Rest assured, etc.

St, Louis University, July i, 1857,
Sirs: I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your
letter of the 9th of April ultimo,. My absence in Europe,
until recently, will account for the lateness of this acknowl
edgment. In answer to your request for information on the
important question proposed, I refer you to the map which
I constructed at the request of Colonel D. D. Mitchell in
185 1, which was sent to Washington together with the
treaty. What reliance you can place on that map, you can
best judge from a simple statement of facts. During the
ten years I spent in the Indian country I occupied myself
occasionally in drawing maps of the countries through

1498 THE MAP HE MADE FOR MITCHELL,
which I passed, I availed myself of the best information
I could obtain from trappers and intelligent Indians who
were well acquainted with the mountain passes and the
course of the rivers. Not having had instruments with me,
the maps were necessarily only an approximation to the
true position. When I was at the council ground in 185 1,
on the Platte river, at the mouth of the Horse creek, I was
requested by Colonel Mitchell to make a map of the whole
Indian country, relating particularly to the upper Missouri,
the waters of the upper Platte, east of the Rocky Moun
tains and of the headwaters of the Columbia and its tribu
taries west of these mountains. In compliance with this re
quest I drew up the map from scraps then in my possession.
The map, so prepared, was seemingly approved and made
use of by the gentlemen assembled in council, and subse
quently sent on to Washington together with the treaty
then raade with the Indians. In my humble opinion, there
fore, it can be of very little service for your purposes, in
which accuracy of instrumental measurement and observa
tion seems to be absolutely necessary. Again, since that
time, several scientific exploring parties, sent out by Gov
ernment, have given the most reliable and accurate infor
mation on these subjects.
Should it ever be in ray power to afford you any useful
information, I not only deem it a duty but also an honor
able as well as an agreeable task.
Most respectfully, etc.
Honorable Messrs. Albert and Campbell,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

St. Louis University, Jan. 13, 1858.
Mr. E. T. Denig, Red River of the North, British America:
Dear Friend.— It is useless to make an apology ; I must
plead guilty, for I should have written to you long ago.

more good reading for denig. 1499
Surely I have not suspended like the banks. I shall be raore
prompt, however, for the future.
Ever since my return from Europe, where I spent about
eight months among ray relations and friends, not a week
has passed but I determined writing to you; and now an
excursion and then some urgent business made me post
pone this truly dear obligation and pleasure. Your kind
favor of the ist of December ultimo reached me yesterday.
I read it with the greatest pleasure and feel truly grateful
for your kind and affectionate reraembrance of rae which
I sincerely reciprocate in your regard. I rejoice greatly at
your success and in the welfare of your family. With the
first opportunity I will send you some fine pictures for your
children, at the Sisters' Academy. You could not have
placed them in better hands and I am sure they will be a
pleasure and consolation to you. I will add some books for
yourself and you may soon expect a periodical. I shall
look out for a good and interesting one.
After having read your letter I visited Colonel R. Camp
bell in regard to your request. I think you will have no
trouble to come to a good understanding with him in ob
taining the goods you may stand in need of. Mr. Campbell
stands among the highest in St. Louis and is not surpassed
for probity and honesty. He read to me the letter he wrote
you. Should Mr. Morgan come to St. Louis, please tell
him, he must absolutely come to see me.
You receive the newspapers and so you are up in all that
is stirring and going on in this Great Republic. Charles
Primeau was here for some time with his wife and children.
He followed your example and was lawfully married to his
wife, I baptized her with all her children. I likewise bap
tized the three children of Bouis and two of Alfred Beeman.
All have been well provided for and placed in various re
ligious establishraents.
If I can possibly do it I will take another trip to the plains
and visit the various Indian tribes early in the spring. I
received invitations frora various quarters to that effect.

1500 CULBERTSON MAY MARRY HIS WIFE,
Most willingly would I spend the remainder of my days in
endeavoring to promote the welfare of the poor abandoned
savages. I have been strongly invited to coramence an es
tablishment either among the Crows or Blackfeet; this
would greatly strengthen our missions among the Flatheads
and Pend d'Oreilles.
About a fortnight ago I received a visit from Major Cul
bertson; he is now settled with his family near Peoria, Illi
nois ; he requested me to visit him and to remain some days
with him, to enable him to arrange matters and things. I
think he intends to marry his wife and to have her in
structed and baptized. I intend to visit him soon. He
placed his daughters at a convent in St. Louis, '
I beg you, as a favor, dear friend, tO' write to me as often
as your leisure will permit. I promise you I shall be raore
punctual in answering all your letters. I wish you a most
happy New Year with all the benedictions from above, I
shall ever remeraber you and your family in my poor
prayers. Your humble servant, etc.

St, Louis University, March 31, 1858,
Lieutenant John Mullan, U. S. Army:
Dear Sir, — I just received your kind and interesting
letter of the 26th instant. I thank you most gratefully for
the great interest you have always taken in the welfare of
our missions in the mountains, and particularly for all you
have lately effected for them on your late visit to Washing
ton. Not a fortnight ago I received a nuraber of letters
frora Fathers Hoeken, Gazzoli, Menetrey, Joset, Ver
cruysse and Ravalli, in several of which you were most
highly spoken of. They keep your name in benediction.
The Fathers and the Indians will hail your return amongst
them and your visit, I ara sure, will be of the greatest ad-

mission news for mullan, 1 501
vantage to all. The raissions of Father Hoeken, near the
Flathead lake, of Father Joset among the Coeur d'Alenes,
of Father Ravalli at the Kettle Falls, were getting on slowly
but prosperously. They do all they can for the welfare of
their poor people. Father Menetrey gave several missions
or visits among the Flatheads and brought them all round
again with regard to the holy practice of religion.
In a teraporal way the Fathers are sorely pinched and
they sent me long lists of objects that are much needed.
I am sorry that our private means in St. Louis, owing to
the hard times, are in a condition that we are unable to
relieve them fully. Two thousand dollars would hardly
buy what they call for. I shall, however, do what I can
to come to their assistance, and the little I shall be able to
collect I will forward by the boats of the American Fur
Corapany, I will avail myself of your kind offer and for
ward all mail matter for the mountains to Governor Stevens
in Washington. I will probably accompany the boats as
far as the Yellowstone river and pay a visit to the Indians
in the plains, the Blackfeet, Crows, Assiniboins, Sioux, etc.
I wish you. Dear Sir, a most happy and prosperous journey.
I shall daily pray for you at the holy altar during mass.
Please present my best respects to all the fathers and breth
ren you raay meet with in your long journey.
Most respectfully, etc..

St. Louis University, Oct. 7, 1859.
Reverend Father Congiato, S. J., Superior of the R. M.
Missions:
Reverend and Dear Father:
I promised your Reverence a letter upon my arrival in St,
Louis — here it is. I avail rayself of this first opportunity
to renew my sincere and grateful thanks to your Reverence
for your exceeding great kindness in my regard, as likewise

1502 LETTER TO FATHER CONGIATO,
to all the fathers and brethren in the Rocky Mountain mis
sions. It will remain a source of consolation to me. Dear
Father, to have been allowed once more to revisit those dis
tant missions. Continue to be their promotor and protector,
I shall do all in ray power to help and assist you in your
arduous task. Write frequently and let me know how and
in what I can be particularly of service.
Did you find a suitable place among the Blackfeet?
What is your final resolution with regard to the establish
ment of a mission among the tribes ? Please send me your
notice on Reverend Father De Vos, according to promise,
together with your other writings on the missions. I will
try my best to make good use of them for the furtherance
of the good cause.
I shook hands with your Reverence on the 3d of Au
gust. I reached St. Louis on the 23d of September. My
long trip has been favorable, happy and pleasant. I had
a good set of young men to manage the skiff for upwards
of 2,300 miles, when we met with a steamer on its way
down. We found plenty of game, which served us as a
relief and recreation both to body and mind. I met with
thousands of Indians — Assiniboins, Minnetarees or Gros
ventres of the Missouri, Mandans, Crows, Aricaras, Sioux,
Poncas, etc. Everywhere I was received with the greatest
kindness and affection by these poor, unhappy and long-
abandoned tribes, still longing to hear and know the word
of God, and, at every distant chance they get, listening
with the utmost attention. I had the great consolation to
regenerate hundreds of their little children in the holy
waters of baptism. I may later, when time will aHow me,
give your Reverence the little details and incidents and my
dealings with the various Indians of this my last and long
trip. Dear Father, I recommend myself, etc..

BECOMES HUMOROUS TWICE MORE, I503
St, Louis University, Oct. 23, 1859.
R, P, Miege, S. J., St. Stanislas:
Dear Father in Christ. — I learned with grief that my
friend and brother in Christ, Bishop Miege, had become
bilious. Without a minute's delay I applied to the great
Doctor El Sol, renowned all over the world, who commis
sioned his agent, Jose Cresencio Borges, to send by me to mv
friend a box of most exquisite pills, with the following direc
tions : These pills are not to be swallowed or chewed. One
end is to be placed between the lips and the teeth; the
patient must draw in his breath slowly; blow it out again
majestically; he must sit in his room in the rays of the sun,
and admire whilst he is puffing the ascending curling clouds,
till the whole pill has melted to his very lips. A strict
attendance to these prescriptions will have a most salutary
effect on the patient and he will soon be rid of his bile.
Believe me to be with profound respect and esteem. Dear
Father in Christ, etc..

Another Relaxation.
St. Louis University, Nov. 21, 1861,
Reverend Father De Coen :
P. C.
Reverend Dear Father. — ¦ I received your kind favor of
the 1 2th instant. I bought Wooster's Svo dictionary, upon
the advice of Reverend F. Murphy, a man well versed in
the English language. He says, and he ought to know,
that it contains thousands of words more than Walker ever
dreamed of. Walker died long ago and Wooster walked
into his dictionary, and as he walked along supplied all
Walker's deficiencies. Your Reverence, of course, accord
ing to the advice of our Reverend Father Provincial, will

1504 VISIT TO WASHINGTON IN 1862,
better walk with Wooster than with Walker, to show your
fine English walking-staff,
********

******** ^^I dare not express to you my concern regarding our
present situation. It is very unhappy and we raay expect to
undergo all the horrors of war. In Missouri, especially, the
division is greater than elsewhere. The devastations are
terrible here and calamities multiply daily. Pray rauch and
often for us.
In all probability I shall go and spend the summer among
the nuraerous Indian tribes of the great desert east of the
Rocky Mountains. They beg me urgently to come and see
them. The upper Missouri river will be open by the ist of
May and I expect to start on the first boat leaving here for
the Great Falls, 3,000 miles distant from St. Louis,
I returned two days ago from Washington whither I
had been called by business of the Society, The Belgian
ambassador, Mr. Blondeel, was very nice to me. I dined
at his house with the ambassadors of France, Russia and
Spain. I had a long conference with President Lincoln,
At this moment the capital is guarded by an army of
200,000 men. The daily expenditures of the Govemment,
we are assured, exceed $3,000,000.
*********

University of St. Louis, Feb. 27, 1862.
Reverend and Very Dear Father (Boeteman) ¦}^
P. C.
I have received your good letter of the 19th of January
last. Your good news concerning your interesting raission
13 Extract from letter in French to brother Francis, February 12,
1862. 1* From the French.

MEETS LINCOLN AND OTHER GREAT MEN, I505
of Calcutta and the schools of the Orient have given me the
utmost pleasure,
********* I have had a good deal of running around to do in the
interest of our missions in January and February. I have
been back in St. Louis since the 22d of this month. In
Washington I had the honor of being presented to our
President, Lincoln, and I talked with him for over an hour,
Mr. Blondeel, the Belgian ambassador, showed me a
great deal of affection ; he is very well disposed toward us.
He obliged me to dine with him, together with the am
bassadors of France, Russia and Spain. They all had their
grands cordons, and I had a frock coat well worn and with
two buttons gone. However, it all went off very agreeably.
I did the best I could among these great personages ; but I
reraain of the opinion that I shall always be raore at ray
ease sitting on the grass and surrounded with savages, each
one raaking his jokes and at the same time eating with good
appetite a fair rib or roasting piece of buffalo or fat dog.
I succeeded very well in the settlement of my business in
Washington, insuring the existence of several of our rais
sions, which had been in some danger for lack of pecuniary
aid, due from the Governraent, for the support of four large
schools, in which more than 400 Indian children are being
educated, boarded, lodged and clothed.
On the 22d, Washington's birthday, I reached St. Louis
and found the city all in movement. It was estimated that
more than 40,000 citizens took part in the procession. It
was three full hours in its passage. It was the greatest
manifestation ever made in St. Louis, and all in favor of
the Union " as it was." You will already have learned from
the papers of the recent Union victories ; I will not go into
any political details to-day — the " Hat lux " is still a long
way off.
In a good and consoling letter lately received from His
Paternity, he permits me to return next spring among the
numerous tribes of the great desert, east of the Rocky
95

1506 NOT AFRAID OF THE REBELS,
Mountains. Pray, and have many prayers offered for me,
and for the success of this important mission. In my leisure
moraents I am working at my long letter for the Reverend
Father Terwecoren ; he will get it soon, I hope. Meanwhile
assure the good Father that my legs are still in good order,
ready to perform a few raore little errands of a few thou
sand miles or so, Deo dante. I stagger and fall sometimes
on our slippery sidewalks, but I have always managed to
pick myself up safe and sound and with nothing broken;
you may add that I have not been threatened with burning
alive by the Rebels, I do not think they will ever hate me
as bad as that.

St. Louis University, March 15, 1862.
Very Reverend Father-General:^^
I have had the honor and happiness of receiving your
Paternity's kind letter of the 14th of December and am
very grateful for it. The Very Reverend Father Visitor and
Vice Provincial do not seem opposed at present, if circum
stances permit, to my going to spend the summer months
in missionary work among the numerous pagan tribes of
the great plains east of the Rocky Mountains, in accord
ance with the desires expressed in your letter. Whenever
I have passed them these poor, unhappy people have always
been very respectful and attentive to me, and each spring
they look with eager longing for the Black-robe to come
and confer baptism on their little ones. A very great num
ber of little Indians and many adults owe their salvation,
after God, to your Paternity, for I suppose that three-
fourths of them die before they reach the age of reason,
********* i^From the French.

LINCOLN WELL DISPOSED TOWARD MISSIONS. I507
Toward the end of last February, as in July, I had to go
to Washington to arrange the accounts of our Indian rais
sions among the Potawatomies and Osages. Since the out
break of the war and the great expenditures which it occa
sions, the Government is necessarily delayed in the payment
of its contracts with the Indian tribes, the motto for to-day
being " the expenses of the war before everything else." A
sum of over eighteen [thousand?] dollars was due the mis
sions. I presented ray request to the superintendent of In
dian affairs, with the remark that a refusal or delay on the
part of the Government, of its debt and promise, would
singularly disarrange the ideas of our Indians, who have thus
far been loyal and attached to the Union side; that if we were
obliged by lack of means to send some 400 children back to
their poor parents, they would conclude " that their Great
Father, President Lincoln, had taken the money that ought
to have gone to the support of their children, and used it for
other purposes," and that they might be led in consequence to
lend a favorable ear to the secessionists. This ail-but casus
belli made the superintendent smile and pleased him greatly,
and he promised to do his utmost to satisfy our good sav
ages. He gave me also some good advice and indicated
several influential persons who might aid me in my just de
mand upon the Government.
During my short stay in the capital I had the honor of
being presented to President Lincoln, and of talking with
him about the present state of our Indians and our mis
sions. He showed himself very affable and very well dis
posed toward us, and promised me that he would favor and
aid us in our efforts to ameliorate the unhappy lot of the
Indians. The Secretaries of the Interior and Treasury and
the Attorney and Postmaster-General were likewise very
favorable to me. I succeeded in obtaining a sum of over
$11,000, with the promise that the balance due the missions
should be forwarded at an early date.
I called several times on the Belgian ambassador, Mr.
Blondeel Van Cuelenbroeck, who seems very rauch attached

1508 ADVICE TO A GOLD HUNTER.
to the Society. He did me the honor to invite me, together
with Reverend Father Maguire, to dine with the ambassa
dors of France, Spain and Russia. These kinds of dinners
raake a great contrast with the Indian feasts in which I
have so often taken part; where they offer you with their
hands a chunk of roast dog or bear or a stew of meat hashed
with their teeth. I will adrait that I am more at my ease
among the latter.
When I was in Washington the city and its environs
were filled with military movements and occupied by an
army of 200,000 soldiers. Battles and skirmishes are very
frequent at present, and the losses of men are very large on
both sides. It is " everything or nothing " in this war. The
consequences raust be terrible, but it is impossible to foresee
them. The secession moveraent is evidently on the decline.
I beg your Paternity to excuse rae for mentioning these
little matters about Washington. The Reverend Father
Provincial suggested that they raight interest you.

St. Louis University, March 28, 1862,
Mr, B, G. Caulfield:
Dear Sir. — I received your kind favor of the 26th. Your
health, I have no doubt, raight be greatly iraproved by a
trip across the plains and Rocky Mountains. As to the es
tablishing of a trading post in those distant regions, indeed,
I would not venture an advice on the subject, I feel con
vinced that great opposition in trade from California, Ore
gon, Washington Territory and the east of the mountains,
will meet at the mines on Salmon river. Thousands must be
on their way to these mines at present. Should you apply to
Doctor McParlin, U. S. A., he will tell you rauch about the
Salmon river mines which may be relied upon. The moun
tains will now be thoroughly searched ; the results may reach
the expectations of the gold hunters, and the massacres in

KEEPS HIS SECRET FOR INDIANS SAKE, I509
California of Noraecult valley, of Matole near Cape Mendo
cino, of Humbolt bay, etc., will be once more renewed
among the Indian tribes of the Rocky Mountains. For
their safety I have kept ray secret for these twenty years
past. My trip among the Indians is not as yet decided; it
depends on circumstances. In case I can leave St. Louis I
intend tb give missions among the numerous tribes east of
the Rocky Mountains. Should you corae to the determina
tion of raaking the trip, I shall be happy to raake a long
portion of it in your agreeable corapany. Of course, I will
see you in St. Louis, where we shall have full leisure in
conversing on the Far West and its great prospects.
Please remember me to the Right Reverend and Worthy
Bishop of Chicago. I shall soon write to his Lordship about
the promise I have raade to him. Present my best respects
to your good lady.
Most respectfully, dear sir, etc.

St. Louis University, April 23, 1862.
Honorable Sir:
I take this occasion to return to you ray raost sincere
thanks for the raany favors and the kind services you
have so often rendered rae, and for which I shall ever be
grateful. My present object in writing is to acquaint you
with ray departure for the plains and my visit to the nu
merous Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri. Feeling, as
ever, much attached to the Union of ray adopted country,
the United States, I shall do all I can to promote it among
the Indians, to the best of my power. The thought came to
my mind, that if I could go in some official capacity from
the Government (I ask for no emoluments) my object
might be strengthened by it and be more efficacious. I pro
pose leaving in the beginning of May.
I hope the two little friends on whom I had the honor and

1 5 10 HAS KNOWN OF GOLD FOR TWENTY YEARS,
happiness to invoke a blessing, are doing well — may they
ever be the joy and happiness of their worthy parents.
Please present my kindest respects and regards to Mrs. Blair
and to her mother.
With sentiments of the highest consideration of respect
and esteem I have the honor to be. Honorable Sir, etc.
Hon, Frank P, Blair, Washington City, D. C.

A^® great number of passengers are going up on the sarae
boat (the St. Louis Fur Corapany's stearaboat) and on sev
eral others, bound for Fort Benton on the upper Missouri,
The mines of the Rocky Mountains on Salmon river and
tributaries of Lewis river and in the Kootenai country,
which I have known for twenty years, have been discovered
anew and thousands of miners are going up at present to
take possession of them.

St. Louis University, Dec. 12, 1862.
Honorable Sir:
You will pardon me the liberty I take in addressing you
these few lines. I do it under a particular conviction and
with the assurance that it will meet with your approbation.
I read in the public prints, the other day, that thirty-nine of
the Indian prisoners in Minnesota would be executed on the
20th instant, on account of the numerous murders and cruel
ties they have comraitted against the white settlers along
the frontiers. Surely they deserve no better lot. The con
sideration, however, of the lot of the white prisoners, chil
dren, women and raen, who are still alive among the band
16 Extract from letter to Belgian Ambassador Blondeel, May 4, 1862.

DECLINES TO TELL WHERE GOLD IS, I5II
of Santees and other tribes of the Sioux, and of whora I
heard not later than yesterday, makes me shudder, I fear
that cruel and savage vengeance will be taken on the inno
cent and unhappy white people as yet under their control.
If I were allowed to express an opinion, I would say : Let
the Sioux prisoners be kept as hostages ; let it be known to
the whole nation that, for every white man they kill one of
the prisoners shall atone for the murder. The murderer
or murderers would thus become answerable before their
own people for the execution of the hostage.
With sentiments of the highest consideration and respect
I have the honor to be, honorable sir, etc.
Honorable Mr. Mix,
Indian Department, Washington.

Frora^'^ recent accounts received frora the Rocky Moun
tains, the mining prospects in that region appear fair and
enticing, and in consequence it is supposed there will be a
great emigration for the upper country early next spring.
You ask me for information and maps of certain gold locali
ties in the mountains, should I be at liberty to make disclo
sures on the subject. You can, dear friend, appreciate ray
motives and reasons for the silence I have hitherto kept
on this matter. They still exist and I could not in con
science deviate from the course I have hitherto pursued. In
all probability I shall take another trip on the Missouri early
in the coming spring. I visited a great number of Indians
on my return to St. Louis last summer and baptized hun
dreds of children. Remember me to Hugh and pray both
for me. I shall not forget you. Most respectfully, dear
sir, etc.
1'^ From letters to W. H. Campbell, Sacramento River, February 4,
1863.

1 5 12 REFORM IN MORALS AT BENTON.
St, Louis University, March 6, 1863.
Reverend Dear Father Hoeken :
I received your letter of the 13th ultimo and am most
thankful to your Reverence for it, I fully concur in all you
advanced in it in regard to the Osage Mission, As to my
neglect of writing to you, I must acknowledge it has been
apparent, though not real. What with excursions and other
occupations I have postponed it from week to week, and the
guilt, if any, is altogether on my side. I must confine ray
self to a few words w.ith regard to ray last trip among the
Indians. Fathers Giorda and Imoda have, in my opinion, done
wonders at Benton and have raised a beautiful little congre
gation at the fort itself. Several of its inhabitants have
been married by them and the women have become very
pious. I married Clark to his young wife. I brought the
Fathers about seventy boxes, bags and barrels, several
plows, a wagon and an ambulance, all free of charge.
This included at least $1,000 over and above their allow
ance which I had scraped together, Dawson, Clark, Cham
pagne family, indeed, all were anxious to see your Reverence
and made several inquiries concerning you. In the course
of last winter the Fathers had baptized over 700 children
(principally) and adults, A war between the Grosventres
and other Blackfeet bands rendered traveling in the country
soraewhat unsafe.
In my visits among the Missouri tribes I baptized over
900 little children, I was prevented from pushing in the
interior on account of the hostile dispositions of the Sioux,
whose war bands infested the plains in all directions. How
it will be this spring it is hard telling. It may be worse
than last year on account of the hanging of thirty-nine Sioux
in Minnesota, who, of course, will be revenged, if they can
accomplish it. Harney is to go out against them with a
large force. I will leave in all probability by the ist of
May, and may be accompanied by two or three Italian

PLANS FOR AN UPPER RIVER MISSION, 15I3
Brothers, who are awaiting the good season to leave Mary
land for Missouri. The same boat will contain a colony of
nuns under Reverend M. Brouillet, Vicar General of Wash
ington Territory, destined, I should suppose, for Vancouver.
With regard to any change taking place for the establish
ment of missions, on this side of the Rocky Mountains and
under the superintendence of the Provincial of Missouri, no
decision has been taken on the subject, neither by the Visitor
nor Provincial ; this must be arranged by the General and
must abide its time. I would be most happy if it could be
brought about, and if one or two missions could be estab
hshed for the benefit of the numerous Indian tribes of the
upper plains. I have written on this subject to his Paternity
and spoken of it to the Visitor and Provincial.
Mr. Dawson may soon be here; he will surely expect a
letter from your Reverence ; you will not disappoint him, I
hope. Father Visitor intends shortly to leave for Cali
fornia; he will be accompanied by Father Kenny. Father
Provincial may soon be on his way to the Osage Mission,
He read your letter attentively and will see you on the sub
ject, I would feel happy indeed if arrangements could be
made of your going up the Missouri river next May, We
might pick upon a spot where a raission might be com
menced in the course of the sumraer of 1864 — central
enough for visits to the Crows, the Assiniboins, the Ari
caras, the Grosventres of the Missouri, and the Mandans,
If not in Missouri, raeans and men might be obtained in
Europe. Please write to me again and remember me, etc.

St. Louis University, April 11, 1863.
Honorable and Dear Sir:^^
In all probability, I shall leave St. Louis during the first
week of next May, to make a missionary excursion among
18 Letter to Thuriow Weed.

1 5 14 ASSURES THURLOW WEED OF PATRIOTISM
the various tribes of the Upper Missouri, including, if I can,
the warlike Sioux, to promote among all, religion and
friendly dispositions toward the Government and its white
travelers through their countries, I shall be happy indeed
if I can effect any good by my humble endeavors. My
adopted country, for these forty years I have lived in it, has
been always truly dear to me. Its welfare has been the con
stant and uppermost wish of ray heart and the end of my
poor prayers. I have sworn obedience to it and from this
sacred duty I have never and shall never swerve. If I take
the liberty to address you, it is owing to the great kindness
I have always received at your hands, and because I have
the full conviction that I can do it with all openness of heart
and mind, and the firm persuasion, that if it be in your
power, I shall receive comfort from you, and shall go on
my long trip rejoicing and consoled.
There is an important matter on which I raust beg leave
to ask your counsel. You are aware that the Jesuits are a
body of priests and brothers, devoted, by solemn vows, ex
clusively to the service of God and the spirtual good of
their fellow-men. In the West here we number about 200
members, some of whom would fall within the limits of the
conscription law lately passed by Congress. Our members
are stationed in various cities — Cincinnati, Chicago, St.
Louis, Milwaukee, Bardstown, Ky., and in other places —
all laboring in one way or in another for the good of souls.
We have been here for nearly forty years, devoting our
selves entirely to the education of youth, thousands of whom
have been trained in our schools and colleges, or attending
the numerous churches intrusted to our care, or laboring for
the civilization of Indian tribes in the Far West. And we
have thus labored purely for the good of our fellow-men,
without ever having received any aid from State or General
Government, satisfied with that support which the liberahty
of our patrons has prompted them to afford us.
As I have stated, we are bound to God by solemn vows,
which our conscience forbids us to violate. These vows.

AND PROTESTS AGAINST WAR DRAFT, 1515
recognized and accepted by the Catholic Church, separate
us from the world, consecrate us to a life different from that
of other members of our Church, and subject us to the
canon law of the Church which strictly forbids priests and
religious men, who have taken these vows, from taking up
arms in any cause whatsoever. We are ministers of peace,
and in all ages this sacred character has been regarded as
opposed to war and bloodshed. Such is the law of the
Church, and this law binds our consciences. We cannot
violate it without doing violence to our duty to God; and
therefore we cannot obey any law which would require us
to violate that duty. You perceive the predicament in which
this places us at the present moment, and from which I de
sire your advice to enable us to extricate ourselves.
As to the remedy of paying $300 for each member that
may be subject to the draft, I must say that it is scarcely
fair to require this of us, who are really not subject to mili
tary service, by reason of the life we have embraced and of
the conscientious obligations it imposes upon us. And be
sides this, such a sum paid for all those who might be called
upon among us, would prostrate all our establishments and
leave us destitute of the means for carrying on the works
we have undertaken for the good of our countryraen. We
are struggling hard to keep these up; the war has inflicted
severe losses upon us, as upon raany others ; and if we can
not escape the conscription without paying what the act
prescribes, I do not see how we shall be able to continue
our exertions.
Please give this matter your serious consideration, and
if you can suggest any means of extricating ourselves from
this perplexity, you will confer an infinite obligation upon
me, by informing me of it. We have here a conflict of du
ties; we desire as far as possible to comply with both; but
we cannot sacrifice our conscience, and our resources are
too limited to aHow us to comply with that condition on
which alone the act of Congress will recognize our exemp
tion.

I516 SENDS MISS WEED A PHOTOGRAPH.
With sentiments of the highest consideration and esteem,
I have the honor to be
Honorable and Dear Sir,
Your very humble and obedient servant,
P. S. — When passing through Albany, some six or eight
months ago, I paid a visit to Miss Weed, who did me the
honor of asking a photograph of my poor self, to place in
her beautiful album. I remeraber to have left one, bearing
but a small resemblance. Allow me, Dear Sir, to substitute
the inclosed, with my best respects to your kind and good
daughter.

St. Louis University, December 24, 1863.
My very dear Brother (Francis) and my very dear
Charles and Paul:^®
I wish you a very happy New Year, filled with all the
benedictions of heaven. I have just reached St. Louis after
a long journey of about eight raonths and after having cov
ered a distance of nearly 4,000 leagues. I have passed
through raany dangers, the details of which I will give you
later. I set out frora St. Louis at the beginning of last
May. I went up the Missouri river for 2,400 miles, as far
as the mouth of Milk river. I then continued my route on
horseback for some 1,200 miles, visiting our various mis
sions east and west of the Rocky Mountains. During my
mission I had the consolation of baptizing upward of 400
Indians. At Walla Walla, a city of some 2,000 souls, in
the Territory of Washington, I embarked upon the Colum
bia river for Portland, the principal city of Oregon — dis
tance 400 miles. From Portland I went to Victoria, the
capital of Vancouver Island; thence to San Francisco in
California; thence to Acapulco in Mexico, and thence to
19 From the French.

some INDIAN RELICS FOR FRIENDS. I517
Panama; distance, 4,500 miles. I crossed the Isthmus of
Panama, forty-seven miles; at Aspinwall I took ship for
New York, 2,000 miles, and from New York came to St,
Louis, 1,200 miles. Upon arriving in St. Louis I found
your good, dear letters of the 29th of July and 23d of
November. I am very grateful to you for them. My health
is not good, but that is generally the case after each long
journey that I raake. The cessation of fatigues uses me up
more or less and it takes me some little time to get back into
my ordinary equilibrium. I will w.rite you more fully later.
Upon my arrival in New York I forwarded a box to Gus
tave van K.'s address. It contains two beautiful buffalo
robes of extraordinary fineness, like silk; one painted deer
skin, some moccasins or Indian shoes (ray dear Alice is to
choose the prettiest pair for herself), seasheHs frora Aca
pulco and Panaraa, and some photographs of Pierre Jean.
I wrote Gustave to divide them with Charles and Paul.
In the same box are three copies of Western Missions and
Missionaries and six of New Indian Sketches, recently
printed in New York. Please have a copy of each work
sent to M. le Chanoine de la Croix and to Reverend Father
Terwecoren at Brussels,
********* In all probability I shall return to the mountains some
time in April next. I ardently hope to hear from you soon
and often.
Believe me, etc.

St. Louis University, February 26, 1864.
^"Dear Francis:
I wrote you on the 24th of December, iramediately after
my return to St. Louis, in reply to your good letters of July
and November. I was very much indisposed at that time
and ray letter was necessarily short by reason of my indis-
20 From the French.

I518 THE SCRAMBLE FOR GOLD.
position. It is only in the last three days that I have begun
to recover a little strength and to go out, I hope my
strength may return and enable me to return araong the
plains Indians in April, Insensibly the years pass on, I
find rayself already in my sixty-fourth year, and I feel a
conviction that my end is near — Hat voluntas Dei.
What is troubling me greatly at present is that I do not
receive any letters from the family, nor any reply to mine of
the 24th, It should have reached you by the loth or nth
of January, and for the last fortnight I have been sending
to the post-office in hopes of finding something from you.
Charles and Paul called for a long letter from me ; you can
assure them that I ara working at one in all my leisure mo
raents, and in spite of the numerous occupations that have
accumulated during my long absence and my sickness, ray
letter will be ready before long. * * *
Mr. De Coster will tell you all about the sad and fearful
Araerican war : it is going to be horrible this year.
********* Your devoted brother, etc.

The^^ nuraerous gold mines that have been discovered in
this new Eldorado in the last three years are drawing thou
sands of inhabitants and their number is continually grow
ing. To-day the miners are spread over the country from
the Gila to the Fraser and from the Pacific Ocean to the
sources of the Columbia, the Missouri, the Colorado and
the Rio Grande del Norte. While some, starting from the
shores of the Pacific, push their search eastward, others
begin at Pike's Peak and the Rocky Mountains and advance
toward the West. From both sides they come together in
21 Extracts from a letter in French to Father Terwecoren, S. J., dated
at St. Louis, March 26, 1864, describing Father De Smet's visit to the
Rocky Mountain Missions in 1863.

RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF IDAHO, I519
Oregon, in the Territories of Washington, Nevada, Idaho
and Utah, in the Caribou Mountains and in Arizona, and
an iraraense population is sure to come to fill up all these
countries. " On to Idaho ! " is the great cry of the day,
the magnum Hadium of our miners,
I have known of the existence of the precious metals in
this region for many years past, and the thought has always
filled me with apprehensions for the future of our Indian
tribes who inhabit it. On the 3d of September, 1845, while
I was on missionary duty among the mountain Indians, I
wrote (page 125 of the Oregon Missions) " Poor, unfortu
nate Indians ! they trample on treasures, unconscious of their
worth, and content themselves with the fishery and chase.
When these resources fail, they subsist upon roots and
herbs; whilst they eye, with tranquil surprise, the white
man examining the shining pebbles of their territory. Ah I
they would tremble, indeed, could they learn the history of
those numerous and ill-fated tribes that have been swept
from their land to make place for Christians who have
made the poor Indians the victims of their rapacity." When
I wrote this paragraph, I did not think the discovery so near.
To-day it is upon us ; and this ceaseless current of immigra
tions, foHowing one another like the waves of the sea, will,
I think, be the sorrow and the ruin of our poor Indians.
Here is a little of what is going on to-day in Idaho. This
Territory embraces the mineral and gold-bearing regions
of the Beaverhead and Stinking Water rivers, upon which
the towns of Bannock (East) and Virginia City have been
built, east of the Rocky Mountains. West of the mountains,
the main immigration is flowing into the Deer Lodge val
ley, on Salmon river, the Boise valley, the Orofino, the War
ren mines and a large number of other mineral localities
recently discovered. The principal new towns in this part
of Idaho are Lewiston (the capital) situated at the junction
of the Clearwater and Snake rivers ; Orofino City, south of
Lewiston ; Elk City, Florence, Placerville and Bannock City
(West). All these places are already of significant com-

1520 HAS GOT MONEY FROM GOVERNMENT,
mercial importance, and each has a population of about
1,500 inhabitants. A considerable trade has been developed
also at Forts Boise, Benton, Owen, Lemhi, Hall and Bonne
ville. Some of these forts contain garrisons, or rather a
few soldiers to protect the emigrants against the depreda
tions of the numerous bands of Indians that roam all over
the immense territory. These statements in regard to new
towns have reference only to 1861. That sarae year the
production of gold was valued at $5,000,000; in 1862 it
araounted to over $20,000,000.

St. Louis University, Oct. 5, 1864.
Very Reverend Father-General^^
I hope your Paternity will have received my long letter
of the 20th of August last. In it I gave you a little out
line of my missionary work and my latest excursion araong
the Indians of the Upper Missouri, Immediately after my
return to St. Louis the Reverend Father Provincial sent me
to Washington to look after the Society's interests. The
Government had withheld for eight months the payments
due, by treaty, to the Indian schools among the Potowat
omies and Osages, amounting to the sum of $13,810.60,
The urgencies of the war required all the public funds ; but
upon my request, backed by several of the cabinet ministers,
I was able to obtain the sum of $10,197.06, with the as
surance that the balance, $3,613.54, should be aHowed the
respective missions in the course of a month.
There was another affair that was disquieting us greatly
— the universal conscription from which neither priests nor
raerabers of religious orders are exerapt. Father Verdin
and Brother Flanigan, in Kentucky, had already fallen
under the lot and been drafted. I addressed myself to the
Secretary of War, and by the Lord's favor, through the
22 From the French.

AND OBTAINED EXEMPTION FROM DRAFT, 1 52 1
intercession of the Holy Virgin and the prayers of ray
brothers, I was able to obtain their liberty, with the forraal
proraise of the Secretary " that hereafter he would exerapt
all our people who raight be called on for military service."
In order to evade the law the Secretary orders our con
scripts " to stay at their homes until he calls for them ;"
and this call, according to his promise, shall not be issued
so long as the war lasts.
The Reverend Father Provincial has made knowln to me
his request to your Paternity, to be allowed to send me to
Europe in the interest of the Province of Missouri, and the
reply which your Paternity has deigned to make. Since the
season is advancing I shall set out toward the middle of
this month. I implore, as a most particular favor, your
permission to proceed as far as Rome, in the interest of
the poor, nuraerous Indian tribes, who have been for so
many years imploring the succor of the Black-robes to come
and announce to thera the word of the Lord. This would
procure rae at the same time the aid of your paternal advice
and the benediction of the Sovereign Pontiff and that of
your Paternity. I shall await your response at Brussels.
I have the honor to be with the most profound respect and
the most sincere esteem

St. Louis University, Aug. 22, 1865,
Major-General Pleasonton, Milwaukee:
Dearest General. — I received your kind letter and am
very sensible indeed to the continuation of your kind re
membrance. All the letters I have received frora you are
carefully preserved and serve me as memorials of the happy
days I have enjoyed from the time I had the honor and
pleasure of making your acquaintance.
With regard to the inquiries you make in your letter, on
the Pointed Arrow or Flint creek, I shall openly state to
96

1522 tells PLEASONTON THE GOLD SECRET,
you all I have heard about it. I think the time has come
that I may do so, without injury to the Indians. I must
add, that ray sole authority rests on an old (to rae) reliable
Indian, whose narae I do not now remember. When he
saw the first gold dust and examined it, he smiled and ex
clairaed, " Is this the yellow sand the whites are in search
of? I know a place," he added, " where all the sand in the
hollows of the rocky creek looks like it." I interrogated
hira on the locality. He described the head of Pointed
Arrow creek as being a very rough and elevated region,
with rapid torrents, deep ravines and high water-falls,
which can only be reached by scrambling on foot, at least
for some distance. As to the different branches of said
creek, no mention was made, and this leaves the direction
of the yellow sand greatly in the dark. I proposed to my
old Indian friend to take m.e to the spot he had spoken of.
He readily accepted my request, and on the very instant
showed great willingness to serve rae as guide to his " yel
low sand " region. This promptness, in my opinion, added
strength to the information he had given.
Several causes prevented me at the time from executing
my first design. First, there was then as yet much snow-
in the mountains; second, I feared my excursion raight be
come known to the whites and half-breeds then in camp and
might be detrimental to the Indians, and lastly, I was in
hope that by hurrying on my journey toward Fort Benton
(we were then in the beginning of July) I raight arrive in
time to raeet the boat of the American Fur Company. I
carae four days too late.
Here I give you the whole account of the Pointed Arrow
creek, as far as I heard of it. It may arouse curiosity and
excitement ; people may run in fruitless search of the coveted
dust; they raay run great risks and undergo great fatigues
and privations in examining the numerous mountain tor
rents of that rough and broken region, and they may be
long (should they find it at last) before they raay discover
the identical rich spot the Indian had spoken of. Was his

SEEKING PARDON FOR GENERAL FROST. 1 523
information truthful? I own I believed him; he is con
sidered among his people as an upright and good man.
Should I be able to reach the mountains once more — I
may perhaps try it next spring — I shall do my best to meet
the same Indian, and so I might, and would be raost willing
to, be of service to your friends. I give you candidly boch
sides of the medal. The success of the affair appears rather
doubtful. I would be sorry, indeed, to have been the in
strument of useless and great trouble, to those you take in
terest in recommending so warmly. I have stated the for
and against ; I hope meanwhile, sincerely, that your friends
may meet with full success.
Sorae days ago I received letters from General Frost, now
in Canada, to obtain permission to return to his family in
Missouri. He has taken the prescribed oath of allegiance
and he writes to President Johnson. I have been round to
obtain signatures of some of our most influential citizens,
who signed a petition to the President for the return of
General Frost. I have forwarded all the papers to Major-
General Jas. Hardie with a request that he will take an
interest in the matter. Should you know him, may I make
bold enough to entreat you to drop a fev\^ lines to General
Hardie, or to any other influential gentleman you know in
Washington, to obtain the desired pardon in favor of Frost.
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, I have
the honor to be, etc.

St. Louis University, St. Louis, Feb. 26, 1866.
Governor Gilpin, Denver, Colorado:
Dear Governor. — I received your most friendly letter of
the 2d instant. I shall ever be grateful for your very kind
remerabrance of rae and shall daily pray for your success,
happiness and welfare. I read your raessage with the deep
est interest and pleasure. Henceforth the bright star of

1524 AID FOR SOUTHWESTERN INDIANS.
Colorado must shine lustrous among the stars of our great
Union. The graphic and beautiful description you give me of
your great estate in Colorado, with its primitive Catholic
population, is truly very interesting and encouraging. The
people, no doubt, are every way worthy to be looked to in
a religious and temporal view. If my avocations permitted
I would assuredly visit you. What I cannot do, for I am
called to Montana on urgent business, another of the Fathers
may more profitably and better be able to undertake. In
all probability Reverend Father De Blieck may shortly leave
on a visit to Santa Fe, where he has been invited by the
Right Reverend Bishop Lamy, to give missions in his ex
tensive diocese. On his way thither he might pass through
Colorado, pay you a visit at Denver City and confer with
you on the subject of your letter — on what raight best be
done for the welfare of the 6,000 Spaniards living on your
estate. He speaks the Spanish well, which will be of great
advantage. I hope the whole affair will raeet with the full approval
of our friend, the Very Reverend Mr. Macheboeuf. As the
ruraor will have it — and it is assuredly a most favorable
and happy one — he will be appointed first Catholic Bishop
of Colorado. As you well know already, you will find him
a raost worthy and efficient gentleman, well worthy of your
kind attention in assisting you to carry out your Christian
and benevolent views. He will assuredly accomplish a great
deal of good in Colorado, among his Catholic brethren and
his Protestant friends.
At ray return from Montana in the fall, should it be in
my power, I shall make an effort to reach Denver City ahd
shall be most happy to pay you a visit. As to the welfare
of the numerous Catholic Spaniards settled on your estate,
I see the possibility, with proper aid, of conferring a great
benefit upon them by establishing a raission and schools in
their raidst. Three or four Spanish Fathers might, I think,
be obtained from Europe, and sorae raembers of our estab-

WOULD NOT BE BISHOP OF MONTANA. 1 525
lishments in St, Louis, Remark well, I only express here
first and private thoughts, for I am not the Superior, I
see in it a great act of charity and kindness on your part,
and feel most inclined to urge the matter, by counsel and
advice, to the best of ray power,
I will leave St. Louis in the beginning of April next.
Should this reach you in due time, I shall consider it a
great favor to receive another 'letter frora you before my
departure. Should you have any commissions for Montana,
forward them to rae, and I shall faithfully attend to them.

The^^ Reverend Father Provincial tells me that there are
rumors relative to the nomination of a Vicar Apostolic for
the Territory of Montana. He has received letters on this
subject from Father Daraen of Baltimore and Father Hill
of Cincinnati. He tells me that together with Fathers
Giorda and Grassi, I appear on the list. I will explain to
your Paternity all that I know in regard to this matter.
Some four months ago Monseigneur the Archbishop of St,
Louis informed me that Monseigneur the Bishop of Ne
braska and Montana had sent him a letter from Father
Giorda, wherein the Reverend Father urgently recom
mended the establishment of a new vicariate for Montana,
where great numbers of Catholics are gathering, their num
bers increasing from day to day. Monseigneur the Arch
bishop asked for information concerning Father Giorda,
and has often expressed the desire that a vicariate should
be conferred upon a Father of the Society. From informa
tion received by the Reverend Father Provincial, he thought
the nomination will be made before long and I am assured
that the thing will be decided at the approaching General
Council, to take place in Baltiraore in September of this year.
Between now and then there will no doubt be great raodifi-
23 Extract from letter in French to Father-General in March, 1866.

1526 LETTER TO GENERAL MEAGHER,
cations. If my name appears on the list of Monseigneur of
St, Louis, as the Reverend Father Provincial assures me,
it is, I take it, with the idea of filling up the list, on which
ordinarily three names are entered. In sincere conviction
of my lack of virtues and talents for such a task, and be
lieving that your Paternity will be consulted in so important
an affair, I consider rayself perfectly safe against such a
danger. Nothing in the world, with God's favor, could
part me from my vocation and from obedience to my su
periors in which my only desire is to live and die.

St. Louis University, Nov. 6, 1866.
Dear General Meagher :
******T** After I left you at Fort Benton my occupations have been
somewhat arduous and laborious. I made several long visits
and stays araong the various Indian bands I raet along the
Missouri, particularly at Fort Berthold, at Sully and at the
Yankton agency, near Fort Randell. The result of ray in
tercourse with the Indians has been very consoling to me.
I baptized over 500 children and a good number of adults.
Among these was the old chief of the Yankton Sioux, sur
named Pananniapapi, or the Man Who Strikes the Ree.
His band consists of about 3,000 souls. Should ray health
permit I intend to establish a mission araong these Indians,
in the coming spring, and if possible and practicable, shall
visit most of the Sioux tribes in the interior north and south
of the Missouri, in company with Pananniapapi and some
of his braves. I have made all preliminary regulations with
them to that effect.
I learn with the greatest pleasure and interest the pleasant
and agreeable visit you have raade with Mrs. Meagher to
St. Ignatius Mission and rejoice that my wagon has thus
been of some use to you. I am sorry indeed to hear of the

ABOUT WANTS OF MISSIONS, 1 527
indispositions of our worthy and good Giorda. I trust and
pray that the rest he is enjoying at St. Ignatius, after his
laborious missionary excursions, may soon restore him. I
am thankful, at the same time, for all the good news you
give me of my other dear brothers in Christ and concern
ing the good Sisters of Providence. I hope ere this all
the goods I brought over to Benton will have safely reached
them. As I have heard nothing of them since, I must own
I feel somewhat uneasy.
The letter you had the great kindness to write for me on
the prospects of Montana was published in the Guardian
of St. Louis and was extensively copied by the other Catho
lic papers in the Union. I forwarded the number contain
ing said letter to your address in Virginia City, which, I
hope, will have reached you. Your long and interesting let
ter on the Rocky Mountain missions, I sent to Very Rev
erend Father Weld, Provincial of the Society of Jesus in
England, immediately after my arrival in St. Louis toward
the middle of August. I confided it to the care of a friend
on his way to Europe, together with several letters of my
own on my late missionary excursion. I learned a few days
ago that they did not reach their respective addresses.
I would gladly comply with your request, in your last let
ter, if I were in a condition to do it. For the present time
I find it impossible. I am kept very much occupied with
the perforraances of the numerous duties imposed upon me
by my office, and together with indispositions and necessary
excursions I find it indeed difficult to attend to all of them.
After a little while I may probably have to proceed to
Washington in the interest of our missions araong the Pota
watomies and Osage Indians, which will occupy me for a
good while. I shall not orait the occasion to recoramend
Strongly our missions in Montana and Idaho. I regret ex
ceedingly not to have a full knowledge and statement of
their position and their wants. What you have written to
me in your letter of the i8th of September last will, how-

1528 A CATHOLIC INDIAN SUPERINTENDENT.
ever, be of iraraense service and I intend to use it the best
way I can. I ara fully persuaded that it is now the best
time to raake proper application and to obtain redress.
Colonel Bogy, who entered on the office of superintendent
of Indian affairs on the first of the present month, and with
whom I have been well acquainted for years, is a most con
scientious and practical Catholic and determined, I feel con
fident, to do full justice to the Indians, On all occasions
you have feelingly shown a particular and great interest in
the prosperity of our Rocky Mountain missions. This
would be the proper raoraent to present to the superintend
ent a stateraent of your views on this important subject. I
am confident it will meet with the best of results. I have
likewise informed the fathers of the appointment of Colonel
Bogy and advised them to act without delay. I have com
municated to General Sherman the paragraph of your letter
relating to the military localities on Judith and Sun rivers,
I see from the papers that the general will soon leave for
Mexico to place the country under the protectorate of the
United States until its future will be decided by the general
elections. ********* With sentiments of the highest consideration of esteem
and respect, I have the honor to be, etc.

********* I^ have a special favor to ask of you, as follows : In my
recent raission in the Indian country I stopped for three
weeks at Fort Buford, opposite the mouth of the Yellow
stone, The commandant of the fort. Colonel Rankin, en
tertained me at his private table for three weeks, I was
awaiting there deputations from the Crows, Assiniboins and
24 Extract from letter in French to Reverend Father Coosemans,
September 3, 1867,

A MEERSCHAUM FOR COLONEL RANKIN. 1 529
Santees to confer with us concerning the proposals which
the Government sent them through me. During all my
stay at the fort the colonel did everything possible for rae,
and I have thought it ray duty, in a spirit of gratitude, to
raake him a return (American fashion) ; and knowing that
a good meerschaum pipe would be very acceptable to him,
may I venture to ask your Reverence, while you are in
Europe, to give some connoisseur-amateur-smoker the com
mission of procuring me a meerschaum to present to the
worthy colonel ?
I should have written you in my last letters especially
about the good dispositions of the Yanktons, of whora
Pananniapapi is the chief. All the children of his tribe are
now baptized. They desire raost ardently to have a rais
sion of our fathers ; the raoney granted them for schools by
their treaty with the Government has been pilfered from
them by their previous agents. The principal chiefs of the
tribe authorize me to assure you that they are willing to
devote two to three thousand doHars a year to the establish
ment and maintenance of the raission.

St. Louis University, August 30, 1867,
Very Reverend Father (Roder) ^^
I have often proposed writing to you, but as the affair
is so personal to me and seems to have so little claim
on your attention, I have always put it off. But as the
motives which seem to urge me to it are on the increase,
after having recourse to prayer and consultation, I have
concluded to send you these few lines, confiding wholly in
your indulgence and charity. I will try to lay ray case
clearly before your Reverence.
I have been more or less engaged in the Indian missions
for something like thirty years. The Reverend Father
25 From the French.

1530 UNFRIENDLY GERMAN CRITICS
Roothaan, of blessed memory, imposed it upon rae as a
duty to write very fully in regard to thera and to enter into
minute details upon everything that concerned the Indian
missions, the diverse countries inhabited by the Indians,
the manners, customs, beliefs, etc., of these strange and un
fortunate tribes. My nuraerous letters consisting of five
volumes bear witness that I have at least endeavored to
discharge the duty laid upon me, and with humility and as
surance, I hope that I can add that I have tried to do it
faithfully. The present Very Reverend Father-General en
courages me by his letters to continue to give the details of
my missionary labors year after year. All the superiors and
provincials of Missouri have also called for them, and I
have always been submissive to their requests in the spirit
of obedience. Pardon me this long preamble, Very Rev
erend Father, which I have thought necessary to bring the
case before you.
For some years past I have been subjected to criticisms,
often personal and malevolent, on the part of several Ger
man priests, who are saying in America, on the testimony of
one or several Fathers of your province, that my name is
only an assumed name in the letters which are printed and
the books that are published afterward bearing my name.
The reverend and good Father Hasard, after his arrival at
St. Louis, declared that it was the opinion in fiis province
that I merely lent my name to the letters that were pub
lished. In the course of last month, in the Upper Missouri
and during my mission among the savages, I met and made
the acquaintance of the Reverend Joseph Anthony Maria
Gaes of Freiburg in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Gerraany,
cousin of the Reverend Father Augustus Grarara, S. J.
During our familiar and fraternal conversations and inter
views, I read him copies of three long letters upon the mis
sion among the Indians in which I was then engaged. The
reverend gentleman expressed his gratitude, accompanied
by an admission which surprised me ; this was " that the

AND THE CHARGE OF LITERARY FRAUD. 1 53 1
reading of ray letters had rid him of the unfavorable im
pression concerning me which he had received frora the
Reverend Father Rothenflue before his departure for Amer
ica. That this reverend and very worthy Father (whose
name is held in high esteem among us) had assured him
in confidence that I was not the author of the letters that
were published in my name," etc.
Pardon me for having thought that I might bring this
little complaint to your Reverence's consideration. I will
admit that I am sensitive to a personal attack which I have
in nowise deserved and which has cost me much labor. My
personality is a very small matter and deserves little atten
tion, but our province of Missouri is more or less com
promised. It would not permit such a fraud or imposture.
Regarding the letters printed in my name and with my
superior's permission, I am alone responsible for thera. In
the mortuary notices of some of our brethren, I have asked
for and received information and in accordance with the
desire of my superiors I have compiled and had them
printed. In all my long journeys and extended missions
I have got information where I could obtain it, and have
given it for what it was worth, always indicating the source.
In my missions among the savages I instruct, question and
examine them, and then give the result with anything edify
ing that belongs with it. Everything has been written ad
majorem Dei gloriam and under the impression of a duty
toward my superiors. I declare, Very Reverend Father, that
the printed letters bearing my name are due to no other per
son, and permit me to protest to your Reverence against
those of your province who advance the contrary. Reverend
Father Rothenflue, whom I cite, is very well known to us
by his works and we hold him in the highest esteem and
veneration. What he advances regarding me is upon hear
say ; that hearsay is false. The whole province of Missouri,
if need were, would subscribe to my declaration.
Pardon me for having written so long a letter upon so

1532 BIG ELK AND LOGAN FONTENELLE.
poor and painful a subject. I am weak and sensitive and
have been insulted several times upon the false reports I
mention. The thirty-sixth chapter of the Imitation (book 3)
consoles me and I try to profit by it. As Thomas a Kempis
tells us, " St. Paul sometimes justified hiraself, lest his si
lence should be a cause of scandal to the weak."
In union of your holy sacrifices, etc.

I^ have read with pleasure in your nuraber [Precis His
toriques] of Septeraber 15th the extract from the Courrier
des Etats-Unis upon the death of the Omaha chief, Logan
Fontenelle, At the time of my first mission at St, Mary's
near the Council Bluffs among the Potawatomies, I was
very intimate with his father, a fur trader among the In
dian tribes. I gave him the last sacraments at the hour of
his death. In 1838 I baptized his four children together
with their mother, the daughter of the chief of the Omahas,
Dngpatongha, or Big Elk. Logan, the oldest of the chil
dren, was ray godson. Later, in his extrerae old age, I also
conferred baptisra on Big Elk, After this chief's death
Logan succeeded his grandfather and raade himself liked
and respected by all his nation, both by his bravery and by
his wisdom. He ardently desired to have a mission of
Black-robes for the instruction of his tribe, but for lack of
men his wishes were never fulfilled, and others naturally
came in and settled in the field.
The chief, Ongpatongha, always deserved and kept
throughout his long career the respect and esteem of the
whites, of his own people and of his neighbors. He was a
man of peaceable disposition, in his dealing with others of
exemplary honesty and rare intelligence. He was considered
the ablest speaker of all the tribes of the plains.
26 Extract from letter in French to Terwecoren, October 11, 1867.

LOCATION OF FORT ATKINSON. I 533
St. Louis University, December 9, 1867.^^
Mr. N. Raney, Secretary of the Historical Society of St.
Louis:
Dear Sir. — I received your kind favor of the 5th instant
and your kind invitation of the i6th ultirao. I intended to
answer by attending your meeting of the Historical Society
of St. Louis on the 7th. This being Saturday I was much
occupied at St. Francis Xavier's Church, and I regret I was
unable to accomplish my desire on this occasion.
The question of locality which has arisen about old Fort
Atkinson, or Council Bluffs, built in 1819, I think I can
answer satisfactorily. During the years 1838 and 1839 I
resided opposite what is now called the city of Omaha. In
1839 I stood on the bluff on which the old fort was built in
1819; some rubbish and remains of the old fort were still
visible, and some remaining roots of asparagus were still
growing in the old garden. Fort Atkinson was located
where now stands the town of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska
Territory, about sixteen railes in a straight line above the,
city of Omaha, and forty miles by river, Mr. Cabanne's
trading post was ten railes by land above where now stands
Omaha city. Manual Lisa had a trading post one mile
above Cabanne's, I met Captains Joseph and John La
Barge, and proposed the question of the former site of Fort
Atkinson, in order to test the accuracy of my memory, and
they confirmed it in every particular.
Most respectfully, etc.

St, Louis University, December 26, 1867.
Mr, A. D. Jones, Secretary Old Settlers' Association,
Omaha, Nebraska:
Dear Sir, — My absence from St. Louis has delayed my
answer. You have the kindness to inform me that we are
^ This and the following letter are from vol. I, Nebraska State His
torical Society's reports.

1534 FORT CALHOUN, CAMP CROGHAN AND OMAHA,
Still entitled to a reserve of land on which the old mission-
house and graveyard were located in New Council Bluffs,
All I could learn on the subject is : Several years after the
last missionary araong the Potawatomies left that location
he was applied to by the Catholic bishop of Dubuque, and
ceded to him all the right to the raission claira. How the
bishop has acted upon this cession in his favor I have never
been informed. I would feel obliged to you to obtain
further information on this subject.
To the best of my personal knowledge, and assisted by
Captain Joseph La Barge, the old explorer of the Missouri
river, I will here answer your various queries : First,
" Where was old Fort Calhoun located ? " Fort Calhoun
was never located ; it took the name of Fort Atkinson, which
was built on the very spot where the council was held by
Lewis and Clark, and was the highest and first military post
above the mouth of Nebraska [Platte] river. Second,
" Where was old Fort Croghan? " After the evacuation of
Fort Atkinson or Calhoun, either in 1827 or 1828, or there
abouts, the troops came down and made winter quarters on
Cow island — Captain La Barge states it was called Camp
Croghan. The next spring the flood disturbed the soldiers
and they came down and established Fort Leavenworth.
Colonel Leavenworth was commandant at the breaking up
of Fort Atkinson. Third, " There is an earthen remain of
fortifications on the east bank of Omaha; do you know
who built it? " The remains alluded to must be the site of
the old trading post of Mr. Heart. When it was in exist
ence the Alissouri river ran up to the trading post. In
1832 the river left it, and since that time it goes by the
name of " Heart's Cut-Off," leaving a large lake above
Council Bluffs city. Fourth, " Do you know of either sol
diers or Indians ever having resided on the Omaha plateau?"
I do not know. A noted trader by the name of T. B. Roye
had a trading post from 1825 till 1828, established on the
Omaha plateau, and may be the first white man who built
the first cabin on the beautiful plateau where now stands

LETTER TO MRS. GENERAL SHERMAN. 1 535
the flourishing city of Omaha. I cannot call to memory the
signification of the word Omaha.
My time is much occupied at present. Should I find later
any point worthy of communication in reference to our old
mission, the New Council Bluffs, or the early history of
Omaha and Nebraska, I shall take great pleasure in for
warding it to you.
Very respectfully, etc.

St. Louis University, Sept. lo, 1869.
(Mrs. General Sherman.)
Most Honorable Madam. — Your very kind favor of the
15th ultimo, concerning 3'our charitable gift for our Indian
missions, came duly to hand. I must on this occasion rely
upon your great indulgence and trust you will, in your
kindness, overlook my deficiency and fault in not answering
sooner. I expected Father Converse to leave soon for the
East, together with some of our young Fathers and scholas
tics, destined for the scholasticate of our Society in Mary
land. It was my intention to hand him my letter and hence
in part my delay.
I have had immediate use for your kind and charitable
gift and have bestowed it in your name on our Indian mis
sions in the Rocky Mountains, learning from recent letters
that some of the Fathers needed assistance.
I took this occasion, Madam, to recommend you, the gen
eral and your whole dear family most earnestly to the pray
ers of the missionaries and their good neophytes. I pray
daily at the holy altar for the pious intentions expressed in
your two letters. I shall offer up once each week the holy
sacrifice of mass for your private intention and that the
Lord may favor you all with his choicest blessings. Allow
me to recommend myself to your good prayers and to those
of your dear children.

1536 ASKS PASSPORT FROM GENERAL SHERMAN,
Since my return from Europe, my health has not been
very good, owing particularly to the excessive summer heat
from which we have now just escaped. Should I feel
strong enough before the end of this month I intend to
make an endeavor to reach Fort Rice before the great cold
sets in. With this object in view may I ask you the great
favor to obtain from the general a letter or note to be used
if necessary as a passport in the upper Missouri country.
On former occasions the kind recommendations of the gen
eral have been of a great avail to me among the military
gentlemen in the forts who were always very obliging in
favoring and aiding my intercourse with the Catholic
soldiers. I have consulted General Parker, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, on my intended trip among the Sioux of the upper
Missouri country. My views have been most favorably re
ceived by him and have met with his best approbation and
good will.
Please present my best respects to our worthy and great
general and recomraend me to the pious remerabrances of
your dear children,
I have the honor to be. Madam, etc.

My^ health leaves much to be desired. The heat of July
and August has been very oppressive and I continue to be
under the influence of a general languor and feebleness. I
have a more and more sincere and serious conviction that
my end is near. Do not forget me in your good prayers,
I have just made a little test of my strength and have suc
ceeded so well that I have hopes, Deo dante, of being able
to accomplish my visit and mission to the Indians of the
Upper Missouri. Upwards of 10,000 savages whom I visited
28 To Nephew Paul and Niece Augusta, Oct. 7, 1869, in French.

LETTER TO GOVERNOR OF DAKOTA, 1 537
in the course of the year 1868 have gone to the reservations
appointed for thera by the Government. My adopted
brother (and consequently your uncle). Two Bears, head
chief of the Yanktonnais at the head of 800 lodges or about
7,000 souls, invites me to come and is awaiting me im
patiently. I am just back from Omaha whither I have escorted six
Sisters of Charity and I feel stronger. Those zealous sisters
are on their way to Helena, the capital of Montana. I am
glad to have been able to participate in their undertaking
and to furnish all the funds for their long journey.

St. Louis University, October 4, 1869.
Governor Burbank, Yankton City, D. T.:
Honorable Sir. — Though personally unknown to you, al
low me to address you these few lines. I have been par
ticularly and earnestly requested, by very respectable gen
tlemen in St. Louis, who take great interest in the welfare
and affairs of Mr. F. F. Gerard, a trader among the In
dians in the upper Missouri country, who applies for a re
newal of his license to trade in that section. I have known
Mr. Gerard and have been intimately acquainted with him
for upward of twenty years, and with full confidence and
assurance, I hesitate not and readily give him the following
testimonial. In my long intercourse and visits to the Indian tribes
on the Missouri river I have often had occasion of meet
ing Mr. Gerard, particularly araong the Aricaras, the Gros
ventres and Mandans at Fort Berthold. I have always
considered Mr. Gerard as a true friend to the Indians, as
sisting thera in their need and advising them to keep up
peace and quiet toward the whites. I hesitate not in adding
that it is particularly due to Mr. Gerard and to his well-timed
advice and persuasion that the three united bands of Indians
97

1538 recommends trader GERARD,
at Fort Berthold did not go over to the hostile bands of
Sioux who (the Sioux), to my certain knowledge, made
strong endeavors and tempting promises to seduce the
above three tribes from their allegiance to the Government,
This occurred whilst the Berthold Indians were under severe
sufferings from various sources which I need not here
mention. As regards the trade of intoxicating liquors to the Indian
tribes, it has been my constant conviction, as far as ray ex
perience and inforraation raay tend, that Mr, Gerard araong
all the traders has been araongst the foreraost to oppose the
infamous and iniquitous trade.
Pardon me for the liberty I take in addressing you on
the present subject, I write under a strong and sincere per
suasion that Mr, Gerard is well worthy of your kind at
tention, I owe him great personal gratitude for the kind
assistance he has given me on all occasions during my inter
course with the Indians around him and found him always
their true friend and benefactor.
With sentiments of the highest regard of respect and
esteem, I have the honor to be. Honorable Sir, etc.

St. Louis University, April 8, 1870.
Honorable E, S. Parker, Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D. C:
Honorable Sir, — Hereby I acknowledge the receipt of
your valuable report to the Secretary of the Interior for the
year 1869, together with the report of the appointed Indian
commissioners, for which accept my most sincere thanks.
Allow me to add a few personal words. Age is bringing
on a decline of health, I am now in my seventieth year and
somewhat suffering. Though I have not as yet been able
to resolve on my trip to the Upper Missouri Indians with
any degree of certainty, I am, however, desirous about it

A TRUE FRIEND TO THE INDIANS, 1 539
and hope the advancing spring will soraewhat renovate ray
strength and perrait me to accomplish my wish. The wel
fare of the Indian has been for thirty years the dearest
object of my heart. Should I be able, I intend to leave St,
Louis for the upper country shortly after Easter,
Permit me most earnestly to recommend to your kind
attention, my friend F, F. Gerard, who for a great number
of years has been a trader among the Missouri tribes and
with whom he has in great measure become identified. I
have always considered Mr. Gerard as a true friend to the
Indians, particularly at Berthold, and by his wise counsel
and advice he has prevented these Indians on various oc
casions frora joining the Sioux on the war-path. If in your
power, and should you approve his bond and license as a
trader, it shall be very gratefully reraembered.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant, etc.

St. Louis University, Dec. 20, 1870,
Dear General:
I wrote this morning to Doctor Cody in answer to his
recent letter and insinuations against young Mr. Keller. I
am afraid there is something doubtful or wrong in the case ;
and feel happy that it is placed in your hands for exaraina-
tion and with the full conviction that justice w'ill be done,
I hope there is nothing very serious on either side,
I will give you here, verbatim, a copy of my letter to Doc
tor Cody, which perhaps may be of sorae use, knowing ex
actly what I have written :***"! ara sorry to hear of
the troubles you raet with at the agency and particularly of
the iraplication of Mr. Keller, which astonishes me greatly
on account of my previous opinion of him. * * * j
have had no particular acquaintance with the young man.
I know him only from report. I know his worthy parents
to whora he has ever been a true and filial child, assisting

1540 LETTER ABOUT ONE KELLER,
them in their need as far as his means would allow him.
At our college in St, Louis he has merited the esteem of all
his professors by his conduct and application. General Har
ney during his stay in the Upper Missouri country valued
highly his services, and so did the worthy Major Hearn
until his departure from the agency. It is on those testi
monies that I have particularly recommended Mr. Keller
to you, and in so doing I acted under the persuasion that
he would be of great service to you on account of his ex
perience in the country and his knowledge of the people
and their language. I never intended my recommendation
of Keller as an obligation on your part to keep him in your
service and I beg you to pay no further attention to it. Gen
eral Stanley has written to me on the subject. In my an
swer I have let the general know the sort of relation or
sympathy existing between Keller and me, I am confident
that the case, having been referred to the general, will be
strictly examined into and Keller will be treated accord
ingly. " Dear Sir, allow me to state on this occasion that in my
long missionary career of over thirty years I have made it a
rule not to lend myself or interfere in any differences that
may occur between parties. I try my best to attend solely
to my spiritual ministry for the welfare of my white breth
ren and that of the well-disposed Indians who may desire
to receive my services. In the case of Keller he should not
be kept in office on my account as stated in your letter."
The rest of my letter to Mr. Cody has no reference what
ever to Mr. Keller.
You will pardon me, General, if I trouble you with such
little matters. Should Keller prove guilty do not spare him ;
if innocent protect him. Please let me know the result as I
have innocently been somewhat mixed in the affair and
both parties have had recourse to me, the one to dismiss
under vague accusations, the other for the protection of his
good name.
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, etc.

THE CHURCH AND INDIAN AGENTS, 154I
St, Louis University, June 19, 1872,
Honorable Secretary C. Delano, Washington, D. C:
Honorable Sir, — I received yesterday a letter from the
Honorable D, Wood, Governor of Utah, of which the fol
lowing is a faithful extract : " Having been informed that
the Fort Hall Indian Agency had been taken from the
Catholics, I had a conference with Honorable C. Delano,
Secretary of the Interior, when he was here (Salt Lake
City) recently, relating to the matter; and he informed me
that he desired to make reparation in the premises. I sug
gested and strongly recomraended that there should be a
Superintendent of Indian Affairs appointed for Utah Ter
ritory, and urged the appointment of Major M. P. Berry,
the late Indian agent at Fort Hall, a Catholic and a good
man, thoroughly competent, and in every way worthy of
the place, and stating that in my judgment the Catholic
Church would be much better satisfied with the superintend-
ency than with the agency. He consented to create the su-
perintendency and said that if the Catholic Church would
ask the appointment of Major Berry, he would appoint him.
During my administration as Governor of Oregon Major
Berry was an appointee of raine and I know him to be in
every way worthy of your confidence."
The Governor states : " That in his judgment the Catho
lic Church would be much better satisfied with the super-
intendency than with the agency." On this point allow me
to observe Governor Wood labors under a great raistake.
The Catholic Church exercises no pretensions whatsoever
of this sort. All that the Catholic bishops and mission
aries aim at, in this country of religious liberty, is to be
allowed to foHow on their right, in accordance with their
call frora above, to evangelize the Indians who have received
them with joy, and not be turned out of the missions where
they have labored for years with zeal and fervor for the
welfare and salvation of the Indians, as has been the case
in several sections.

1542 RESIGNS RIGHT TO NAME AGENTS,
Governor Wood urges me to write at once to the Indian
Department and ask the appointment of Major Berry as
Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Utah. The Governor
speaks in terms of the highest commendation of the major
and I have no doubt he is a very competent gentleman. In
this I feel as if interfering in an affair entirely out of my
sphere and can only offer in excuse for my writing that I
am complying with the request of the worthy Governor
Wood. Allow me to observe upon this occasion, with regard to
my appointment in December, 1871, to represent the Indian
Catholic missions in the United States, with the consent of
several Archbishops; that this appointment should with all
propriety belong to those bishops in whose dioceses Indian
Catholic missions exist, or some representative they may
name, and who may be consulted when occasion requires.
My health and age and want of competent knowledge of the
various districts in which Catholic missions exist, render
me altogether unable to fill the important office with the
due attention it requires and I humbly send in my resig
nation. With sentiments of profound respect and esteera, I have
the honor to be, etc.
Note. — This letter remained unanswered.

St. Louis University, Sept. 4, 1872.
Reverend and Dear Father:
P. C.
I must acknowledge the receipt of your very interesting
letter from Elra Dale and wish your Reverence great suc
cess in the erection of a raonuraent and chapel to the meraory
of our glorious Father Jogues.
The extract frora Father Boeteraan's letter, concerning
Theophile Wickers, was literally copied. The boy, no doubt,
resides either in Brooklyn or Williarasburg, in the one

ABOUT SOME OF HIS WRITINGS, 1 543
where Meserole street exists. Father Boeteraan's Apostoli
cal College will not be opened before  7,  ; there
is, of course, plenty of tirae to send him the required in
formation. As you say, the letters of Mr, Hickey have cleared up
my doubts and I have since sent him a supply from ray
little Indian paper shop. My weak state of health does not
permit rae to write and to occupy myself with my former un
printed letters on this side of the Atlantic. I lack a good
number of them. However, a new edition of all ray letters
(five or six volumes) is now under progress of publication
in Belgium. When out I shall procure a copy of them for
Mr. Hickey. He will find in the last volume all he may
need. I learn with pleasure from your letter that Mr, Hickey
will tend to the translation. As regards the copyright,
please arrange the affair with him, I am not versed in any
such matters and cannot imagine that any importance can
be attached to such a production. Should it meet with suc
cess, as translator, let him have the principal benefit of it.
All I would expect would be a charitable remerabrance in
favor of our poor Indian missions, actually in the utmost
want, I have a series of letters on my expedition, as chaplain
in the army under General Harney, during the Indian war
against the Government in Montana and Idaho, in 1858-59.
The contents, pretty much, of the two first letters were pub
hshed in the New Indian Sketches (by Sadlier & Co.)
shortly after my return from the expedition, I wrote them
somewhat later in French, and I think more fully, for the
Precis Historiques. Some little changes may make them
suitable for the Catholic Review and would make the other
letters of the same series more clear and readable. I note
this to have your opinion, if it be not putting your Reverence
to too much trouble, I would like to spare Mr. Hickey as
much trouble as possible, and I am sorry to be rather un-

1544 THE GRANT AND GREELEY CAMPAIGN.
able, on account of my infirmities, to attend to these matters
myself. In union with your holy sacrifices and prayers, believe me
to be, etc,
^^I have just received your good, dear letter of the 21st —
a most agreeable surprise for me ; for in these days it is an
occasion of consolation, every time any family news reaches
me. I shall continue to feel most grateful to all those who
write to me and remeraber me. I pray especially for them
every time that I have the happiness of being able to ascend
to the altar and offer the holy sacrifice of the mass. En
courage them all to write to me often, though it be only a
few lines. I ara not well, dear Emile, Since last March,
when I had my first attack at Brussels, I have had several
severe recurrences, and ray strength is leaving me very per
ceptibly day by day. Since my retum to St, Louis I have
hardly left my room, and my cane has become my support
and my constant companion. " Usque Quo F " Is it hard to
guess? I pray to God every day to obtain his holy grace,
that he may grant rae great patience in my little miseries and
ailments. * * *
This is a really curious time here, and amusing for a
neutral onlooker. The city of St, Louis, and it is just the
same everywhere, is flagged from one end to the other, for
Greeley and for Grant. Every night brass bands with their
banners tramp the streets, accompanied by thousands of par
tisans uttering hurrahs, waking everybody up and burning
enormous quantities of powder. It is a nuisance — and still
I have come to find it amusing ; the world has to go on and
be busy. And after all there is no great harm in it, whether
it be for Greeley or for Grant. One is about as good as the
other. Europe, you say, is in suspense to know which of them
is to win : it seems just as difficult to decide here. The
individual majority is in favor of Greeley; but Grant has
* Extract from letter in French to Nephew Emile, Sept. 6, 1873.

ESTIMATE OF CERTAIN PERSONAGES, 1 545
all the raeans of corruption and seduction on his side, and
is ready with all his adherents in office to raake use of this
means to achieve his re-election to the presidency. You can
consider it as a settled thing : it will even be hard hereafter
to get Grant out of the White House. Grant is * * *
a cipher in himself, a plaything and very humble servant of
our American radicals, exactly as WiHiam of Prussia is the
valet of Bismarck,

St, Louis University, Feb. i8, 1873.
Major J, C. O'Connor, Grand River Agency:
Dear Major. — I received your very kind favor of the
loth instant, from New York, announcing your iraraediate
departure, via Chicago, for Grand River, I would have
been very happy, as well as raany of your friends, to have
received a visit from you in St. Louis. I feel most grate
ful for the interest you take in ray health. The severe
winter we have had has rather gone against me and I have
hardly been able to leave my room and I constantly remain
under severe sufferings and pain. The fact is, together
with sickness, old age is coming fast on me. I hope the
approaching spring may be of some service in regaining
lost strength and general health. In regard to ray prospects
of seeing the Indians in the spring later, it is difficult to
determine beforehand and tinder my present indispositions.
Should there be any prospect on my part, I shall certainly
inform you in due time. It is probable that Captain Joseph
La Barge will make a trip to Benton during the coming
spring. I know he would grant me comfortable quarters,
and if my health any ways allows of the trip I shall feel
desirous of giving it a trial. I receive frequent letters
from the Indians of Montana and Idaho entreating me to
come to see them once more.
If you meet General Stanley and family, please present
them my best respects. Remember me most kindly to my

1546 NEWS OF GRAND RIVER AGENCY,
friend, Mr, D, Keller, to Captain Hammon and lady and
to Mrs. Galpin and her young daughter,
I obtained a fine photograph of Two Bears and Running
Antelope, made in Washington, which I intend to send to
my relatives in Europe where they wiH be highly prized, as
I made mention of them in my letters.
Please remeraber rae to all my Indian acquaintances and
friends. I often think of them and remember them daily in
my prayers, begging the Lord to bless them all.
Please write at your earliest convenience.
Most respectfully, etc.

St. Louis University, March 24, 1873.
Major J. C. O'Connor, Grand River Agency:
Dear Major. — I received your very kind favor of the ist
instant and am truly grateful for your kind and friendly
remerabrance. I ara happy to learn that you reached Grand
River agency in good health and found all the Indians un
der your charge quiet and well-disposed. I sympathize
sincerely with my good Indian friends who have been very
severely visited by sickness this last winter and lost many
of their dear children. I pray for them daily that the Lord
may have pity on them and take them under his holy pro
tection. Among the whites in and around St. Louis, hun
dreds of children and adults have died and are still dying
of a raging sickness in our midst. The Fathers are con
stantly on the go night and day to visit and console the
sick and prepare them for a happy eternity. I add this
particularly that you may acquaint our Indian friends with
our pitiful situation here,
I learn with the greatest pleasure, and for the advantage
of the Catholic missions, that you have great prospects of
being appointed one of the five inspectors. You are well
worthy of the honor and I sincerely hope and pray that you
will be charged with the important office, and trust our

LAST MESSAGE TO THE INDIANS. 1 547
Fathers in Montana and Idaho will be highly pleased with
your appointment. This will open a chance to our dear
friend Dan Keller, You speak of him in the most recom
mendable manner and as well worthy of succeeding you in
the Grand River agency.
As you have learned, I have sent in my resignation to the
Secretary of the Interior and can no longer present the name
for any Catholic agency. I am, however, confident that
your own recommendation will bring the matter about and
with good results, having been an eye-witness of Mr. Kel
ler's good adrainistration of the affairs of the agency during
your various absences, and of the confidence and popularity
he has acquired araong all the Indian bands by the incessant
interest he has taken in their welfare. Should you think it
opportune, you might speak in favor of Mr. Keller to the
worthy General Stanley, whose recommendation would be
of the greatest service. General Ewing in Washington
might also favorably be appealed to, as he takes great in
terest in the Catholic missions.
The coming photographs of our Indian friends, as prora
ised in your letter, I shall raost gratefully receive. Accept
my sincere thanks. I thank you for the interest you have
taken in settling my account and promise to Bazile Clement.
When you see General Stanley and family please present
hira my best regards, as likewise to Major Clark and lady.
Captain La Barge's boat (De Smet) is advertised for
Benton and wiH leave St. Louis on the 12th of April. My
room is kept ready and at my disposal. Should my health
permit I shall gladly undertake the trip. I had of late a
very severe attack of sickness. I am again convalescent and
in good hope.
Please present my kindest regards to Mr. D. KeHer, to
Captain Hammond and lady, to Mrs. Galpin and young
daughter and to all other acquaintances. Remember me
most kindly to all the Indian chiefs and friends.
Most respectfully, etc*"
^ Apparently Father De Smet's last message to his "' dear Indians,"

1548 END OF HIS CORRESPONDENCE.
St. Louis University, May 12, 1873,
Reverend Dear Father Ward :
Please accept of twenty-eight intentions, to be said at
your earhest convenience (dantium).
My best respects to all, particularly my old friend Father
Gailland. I would be happy to receive a letter and to let me
know the exact dates of St. Mary's Mission and when es
tablished on Sugar creek?
When on Kansas river?
How many churches were built by the Fathers? By
whora ? In what counties ? To what saints dedicated ? Of
what material built?
When was the college built ?
When was the convent built, etc. ?
In my sickly moments I collect materials which may be of
great service for the future history of the Missouri province.
Pray for me. Rae Vae Servus in Xto,^^
P, J, De Smet, S. J,
31 Father De Smet's last letter.

CHAPTER IX,
SELECTED LETTERS RECEIVED,
Nicollet on his plans — Demers to the unknown priests — McLoughlin
on transportation — On cattle — On deserters — Harriote on Blackfeet
and interpreters — Rowand on Americans — Some bishops and others
on De Smet — Benton on De Smet's services to the nation — Stevens
asking assistance — Correspondence from army people — Schoolcraft,
Thuriow Weed, Seward and Lincoln — General Stanley's estimate of
what De Smet accomplished in 1868 — Letters from Indian men.
Washington City, March 18, 1840.
Reverend and Dear Friend:
MOW much I thank you for the good letter you wrote
me on the 5th of February last; it reached me in
thirty-five days. The news you gave me interested me
greatly, particularly poor Dixon's sketches relating to the
Big Sioux. There was a difficulty about the lower portion
of that river regarding which he and old Dorion, who lives
at Fort Pierre, could not agree. One claimed that Broken
Kettle river emptied into the Missouri, and the other said
into the Big Sioux, and Dixon was determined to clear the
point up. It turns out that Dixon was right, according to
his sketch, which I ara very glad to get and for which I
thank you really with all my heart. Your zealous pains to
help me arouse my profound gratitude. As to the mistake
about the lakes higher up on the Sioux, that is aH settled,
because I explored that region completely two years ago.
Poor Dixon ! May God keep his good soul. He is a man
whom I truly regret.
I write in great haste, to take advantage of the departure
of Mr. Sanford, whO' leaves in a few hours for St. Louis, in
[1549]

1550 NICOLLET BUSY PLANNING,
order to go up the Missouri with the company's steamboat,
as he did last year. He wiH have the pleasure of seeing you
and handing you my letter. I am very sorfy not to be of
the party, but I am forced to remain here three or four
months yet to put all ray works in safety, publish my maps'
and a long report before I start on any other expeditions in
which some accident might destroy everything. But I have
a plan which will permit me to see you again at your mis
sion, and it is not impossible that I might spend the winter
not far frora you, so as to be ready to make a dash for the
mountains as soon as the season opens. I am also very sorry
about Mr. Fontenelle whora I had hoped to have with me.
If you should happen to see Mr, Gauss, please remember
me to hira and tell him about my plans and tell him to write
me, I should be happy to learn that he still entertains the
idea of making such a campaign with me. You must try
to go as far as Fort Pierre this year where your apostolic
zeal would be quite necessary. Then if you see Louison
Fresniere, tell him too that I depend on having him with
me for two or three years, and that when the time comes I
shall come after him,
I would have liked to send you some souvenirs, but Mr.
Sanford's departure allows me no time to attend to it. You
will lose nothing by waiting ; I shall bring you what I can
not send. I shall be really grateful if you can give me the
information asked for in my last letter, as you offered to
do. You see that we can correspond with security and that
our letters come through all right. Mr. Chouteau is very
careful to forward thera when they come to his hands.
Adieu, dear and excellent friend. Think of me, as I never
cease doing of you, and thanking you.
Present my respects to your dear partner in the mission
and to good Mr. Papin. Wholly yours in respect and at
tachment,
J, N, NICOLLET,

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS, 1551
Camp of the Pend d'Oreilles, August 6, 1840,
Reverend Missionaries:^
Though I have not as yet the pleasure of knowing your
names, I eagerly take the opportunity which is presented
to send you news of the two poor missionaries of the Co
lumbia, knowing that I am writing to Catholic priests,
ministers of our holy religion, who have generously corae to
sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the savages. With
what joy and contentment have I learned of your arrival
among the Flatheads ! I thought at first that you had been
sent to our assistance to share the immense task which we
have on our hands. For from the upper waters of the Co
lumbia to the wild tribes scattered far down the Pacific
Ocean is what we have tO' cover and visit, without mention
ing the two Canadian establishraents — one on the Wil
lamette river and the other on the Cowlitz, It is at these
two places that we have our principal residences. You have
no doubt heard that we were sent hither in 1838 by way of
the canoes of the Honorable Hudson Bay Company, which
gave us our passage gratis. It was not long before we were
aware of the need of help. We have written to Canada, but
we have the grief of being still but two, to make head
against everything, especially to arrest the progress made
by so many Presbyterian and Methodist ministers, who are
in occupation of the principal posts of the region because
they got here before us. It would take too long to tell you
all that they say to the Indians against us and our holy re
ligion. We ought to have eight more priests, besides our
selves, to occupy various posts; there is a chance to dO' a
great deal of good. I have left Fort Vancouver to make a
missionary excursion in the upper region of the river, as I
did last year.
I have come thus far this year. I am at no great dis
tance from you, but I do not hope to have the pleasure of
1 Addressed " Reverends Pretres, Missionaires Catholiques, Aux
Tetes-Plates."

1552 NICOLLET, GEYER AXD FREMONT,
seeing you before I leave, I shaU, however, wait at Kettle
Falls for the retum of Mr. ^IcLean's people, who I hope
may bring me word from you. \A'hile I am here, Mon
seigneur the Grand Vicar, Francis Xorbert Blanchet, is oc
cupied in visiting the posts below the river. I must hasten.
I wish you health, strength and prosperity in your noble
but laborious undertaking. You will succeed better than
we among the savages, because you have no enemy to op;-
pose you. I have heard to-day from an Indian that you are
to come to ColviHe. In that case I should have the satis
faction of seeing you, since I do not expect to leave that
place before the 21st or 22d of this month. Meanwhile
receive the most affectionate respects and salutations of
your Yery humble and obedient servant,
ilODESTE DEMERS,
Ptre Miss.

Baltimore, March 12, 1841.
Reverend and Dear Friend^
I have received in the course of the year the interesting
communications which you have sent me, I need not teU
you how agreeable they have been to me. They had only
one fault, that of being too short. I would have been es
pecially glad to have news from you since your retum, but
I suppose you are vers- busy making ready for your new
campaign. Fortunately Mr. Geyer has been able in some
measure to make up for this by teUing me about your inter
view. I should be ver\- happy, reaUy, to be able to start out
in the spring to continue my work to the other side of the
raoimtains and to have you for a traveling companion. But
I cannot get away this season. It is indispensable that I
shoidd stay here to finish my geographical works, which are
by order of Congress to be published as soon as possible.
^Ir. Fremont is finishing a large map to give it to the en-
2 In French.

DE SMETS SCIENTIFIC OBSERVATIONS, 1 553
graver and I am busy with a volume to accompany the
map. We hope the whole thing raay be finished for the next
session of Congress. Then we will be able to turn our eyes
toward the Far West and entertain the hope of coming out
to meet you there. Congress has just voted the necessary
funds for a new expedition to continue the geographical
work which I have brought as far as the Missouri river.
I do not know whether the new administration will cast its
eyes upon rae to direct this great affair, though the general
opinion seems to leave no doubt on the subject; nor do I
know whether ray health, which has been greatly shattered
by excessive labor, will permit me to accept when the time
comes. In any case I do not disguise how greatly I should
love to see the prairies once more and to cross the moun
tains. If, therefore, all these probabilities together should
come to realization, I shall find myself in St. Louis in the
latter part of next fall to make preparations for the expedi
tion and to get it in motion as early as possible. Then, my
dear and honored friend, I shall not forget the various rec
ommendations that you have made me, both in the inter
est of my own enterprise and with a view to being of use
to those whom you honor with your protection.
If you can, I beg of you to give me word of yourself be
fore you start. Have you kept your instruments? I hope
to be able to bring you others more numerous and more
complete. The observations that you raade for me at Coun
cil Bluffs are of inestimable value. You wiH see some day
what I have said about them.
********* Adieu, dear and honored friend, etc.,
J. N. NICOLLET,

Vancouver, Sept. 2^, 1841.
To Reverend P, S, De Smet, Flathead Camp:
Reverend Sir. — I have the honor to acknowledge the re
ceipt of your esteemed favor of the 17th ultirao by my
98

1554 MCLOUGHLIN GLAD TO BE OF SERVICE,
friend, Mr, Ermantinger, and I beg to congratulate you on
your safe return and to assure you, I am extremely happy
to find that you and your worthy associates are to be resi
dents in this part of the world and intend to devote your
selves to the laudable object of teaching the doctrine of the
Christian religion to these poor deluded savages and that
the Almighty may vouchsafe to bless your endeavors in
this world and reward you in the world to come is my
prayer to our heavenly Father and with such sentiments as
these I presume it is unnecessary for me to assure you it
will be my great happiness to have an opportunity of af
fording you the least assistance in furthering your pious
object and we will be happy to furnish you with anything
our stores contain and to assist you as much as we can to
transport it to the interior, but I beg to observe our means
of transport as you raay have been informed are limited
and the packages ought not to be too bulky so as to go
conveniently into a boat nor above ninety pounds weight
so as to be easily handled and as our raeans of conveyance
are not always at command it would be necessary you sent
us your list of demands in the month of January for what
you require in the spring in the month of March for what
you require in June and in the month of July for what you
may require in the fall and winter — and as I already ob
served our means of conveyance is limited I do not think
we would be able to transport for you in one year more than
thirty packages (though if we can we will do it) and per
haps some years not that quantity as far as the post of Walla
Walla from whence your people will have to take them with
horses to your place — the cost and expense of which you
will have to pay by bill on London, and if there is anything
else in which I can be of use to you, please command rae as
I am, with the greatest esteem and regard.
Your obedient humble servant,
JOHN McLOUGHLIN.

ADVISES MISSION ON THE 'WILLAMETTE, I555
Vancouver, Sept. 2.J, 1841,
To the Reverend Mr, De Smet :
Reverend Sir. — I am pressed for time as I cannot detain
my courier any longer and I can only observe that after
mature consideration for these several years I am fully con
vinced that the most effectual mode to diffuse the doctrines
of the Roman Catholic Church in this part of the world is
by establishing it on a good foiimdation in the Willamette
and Cowlitz among the settlers — as the Indians will form
themselves on what they see done by the whites the Rev
erend Messrs. Blanchette and Deraers have done and are
doing an incalculable amount of good among the whites and •
Indians, but they are too few indeed there is more than
sufficient employment for you all in this quarter — but of
course this could not be — " the harvest is great, but the
laborers are few." But if one of you with one or two of
the lay brothers could come to assist Messrs. Blanchette and
Demers till their reinforcement came from Canada it would
be an immense benefit to religion and the only apology I
can give for thus obtruding my opinion is that from my long
residence in the country I have a right to claim some knowl
edge of it — and I am certain from your zeal in the cause
you only require information to act up to it if in your power..
It is my intention to go this fall to the Sandwich Islands and
next spring, please God, I hope to have the pleasure to see
you here. Allow me to return to you my thanks for the
pictures and chaplets for Mrs. McLoughlin and Mrs. Rae
and kind respects to yourself and colleagues and my fervent
prayers to our heavenly Father for the success of your
labors, I am, etc.,
JOHN McLOUGHLIN.

1556 MCLOUGHLIN ABOUT CATTLE AND DESERTERS.
Vancouver, Sept. 28, 1841,
To the Reverend P, J, De Smet :
Reverend Sir. — As I do not know in what part of the
country you raay be and as it may be convenient for you to
get cattle from the Snake Country I da myself the pleasure
to inclose you the accompanying orders — if you take the
cattle I will to replace thera purchase the like number on
your account from the settlers here — and I beg to observe
as next year it is probable I raay order down to this place
the supernuraerary cattle at those establishraents it is neces
sary you let rae know by first opportunity if you will take
any so as to enable me to decide on the number to have,
and I also beg to observe that you will not be able to get
these cattle this season, but will next summer.
I am, etc.,
JOHN McLOUGHLIN,

Vancouver, Oct, 12, 1844,
To the Reverend Father De Smet :
Reverend and Dear Sir. — I beg to return you my thanks
for your kind note by Doctor Barclay.
There is a raan called Brown who deserted frora Mr,
McDonald at Colville sorae years ago and I understand is
now at the Jesuit mission about the Flatheads or Pendant
D'Oreilles bay. I beg to observe that you ought not on any
account allow deserters to receive any employraent or as
sistance directly or indirectly from the mission. These de
serters are all bad men and make up plausible stories by
which they work on the feelings of the good Fathers who
often believe all that these men say take pity on them and
give them shelter and the consequence is, the Fathers incur
the ill will of others and excite opposition to the cause to
which they devote themselves and all this to oblige men who

SUGGESTS SITE FOR A MISSION. 1 557
are not deserving of any favor. If I may presume to give
you an opinion allow none of these men about any of your
missions and praying that our heavenly father may Bless
and prosper your labours, I am, etc.,
JOHN McLOUGHLIN,

Vancouver, Opt. 14, 1844,

Reverend Father De Smet :

Reverend and Dear Sir. — I forgot to mention to you
that we have a trading establishment on the Umpqua about
200 miles to the south of this. The country is fine, the
plains extensive, and we have forty head of cattle there and
raise abundance of grain for the use of the establishment
and there is a fine place for a mission on the banks of a river
(we are going to place the establishment there) about eighty
miles from the ocean and to which we believe vessels of 100
tons may come, taking it altogether from situation, means
of living and population (there are about 150 persons)
which is quite manageable — from a long intercourse with
our people — It appears the best situation for a raission that I
know and besides this you can establish a mission in another
place farther south from which you can open a communica
tion with California at once and where you are so desirous to
penetrate and where I am certain you and your worthy
colleagues would do a great deal of good — besides the great
advantage it would be to those missions to have a communi
cation through the country and with California. But be
sides the places to which I allude there are several small
rivers along the coast between the Columbia and San Fran
cisco which are accessible to small vessels and afford ex
cellent situations for missions. I regret much it did not
occur to me to mention this to you when you were here,
but your sickness and occupation and my occupation pre-

1558 ABOUT A LOWER OREGON MISSION,
vented my seeing you as much as I wished and other sub
jects drove this frora my mind the short time I had the
pleasure to see you and praying our heavenly father that
he may assist protect and Bless you and your worthy col
leagues in your pious labour
I am. Dear Sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
JNO. McLOUGHLIN,

Endorsement to " Reverend Mr. P: De Vos, Catholic Mis
sion, Willamet."
I have just received this letter, which I forward to you,
from the worthy and excellent Mr. McLoughlin. If our
[force] was double or triple and our means proportionate,
establishments might be started in various parts of this vast
territory with the greatest advantage to our holy religion.
We must obtain information. Messrs. Blanchet and
Demers can give you a great deal, but before deciding any
thing the different places must be visited and personal in
vestigations made. Much good will, I hope, be done in
Lower Oregon ; the Reverend Father-General desires that it
be not neglected, but the raountains also will require rauch
care and money. The good Lord will provide. Thank Mr,
McLoughlin in my name. Yours,
P. J. De smet, S. j.

Rocky Mountain House, March 30, 1846,
The Reverend Pere De Smet :
My Dear Sir. — The arrival of Vellenuer yesterday put
me in possession of your kind favor of 13th March. I was
extremely happy to learn that you had recovered from your
indisposition, but am still anxious that you will have sorae
difficulty in accoraplishing the voyage you have undertaken.

LETTER FROM HARRIOTE, 1 559
I sincerely hope that you may overcome them all and have
a happy meeting with your friends who must naturally be
very anxious for your welfare.
I am sorry to inform you that I am still in bed but have
some hopes of improving when the fine weather sets in. I
do not suffer as I did some time ago.
We have seen a great number of Blackfeet and Surcees
since I last wrote, but nothing of Bird or Munro. I am
very doubtful whether we shall see them, from what the
Assiniboin who saw them last say about thera.
I have delivered your two horses and three mules with
your little property to Lambert as per accompanying ac
count. There are a few loose articles which Lambert may
perhaps make use of which he promises to account for, and
there were sorae articles that I retained to be deducted from
your account with the company, a copy of which I shall
transmit to you by the first conveyance.
I regret rauch not having the pleasure of seeing you be
fore you took your final departure irom us, but I must beg
you accept of my most profound esteem and may the Al
mighty God, whom you serve, forever protect and preserve
you, is the sincere wish of dear sir,
Your humble and affectionate friend,
J. E, HARRIOTE.
P. S. — The mule you left at Bow river was found by the
Blackfeet and purchased from them by Larabert with some
difficulty; they were very loath to give her up.
J. E. H,

En Route, Trading ground between the South Branch, go
ing up, September 2, 1846.
Pierre De Smet :
My Dear Sir. — I pray sincerely to God that these few
lines may find you in the land of the living in the full en
joyment of health and happiness.

1560 letter FROM ROWAND,
Many is the time I have been speaking of you since we
parted. Sir George Simpson I met at Red River would
liave been delighted to give you a shake of the hand. My
poor daughters often mention your narae, your ways and
that of the Reverend Mr, Thibault are so very different.
They cannot have the same regard for him. You know
how often he coraes to Edraonton in the course of a winter,
when he is sent for only. At one time I had almost de
termined in my own mind to make the Willamette my
home, but now that the Americans are to have the Colum
bia and every part worth anything, it will not do for British
subjects. What will our friend the doctor think of that
arrangement between the two Governments, I hope he will
lose nothing by it. Perhaps the Hudson Bay Corapany may
enter upon some sort of arrangeraent with the Araerican
Government. We will know more about this in due time.
We have troops coming up now for Red River, I left five
boats to assist to bring them up. Mr. Francis is to be one
of the conductors to bring them up as far as Harvey House.
It is supposed he will not go home this season.
My daughters will be disappointed after what I said to
them of the Columbia and of the good nuns at the Willa
mette, They and myself esteem and respect those remarkable
fine women who have given everything in this world to
raake Christians, etc., of the poor natives. Were I this mo
ment in Columbia I cannot say what I would do for the
sake of my faraily. I was at Red River this spring, from
there went down to the Factory.
What a summer for sickness ! I had as many as thirty-
five of ray men sick at one time ; we were not able to stir ;
but thank God none have died, whereas many belonging to
the other different brigades are gone. The natives about
Factory, Oxford House, Harvey House and Red River
House have suffered greatest ; no less than 300 died at Red
River. At all the places I mention they have been dying;

tribute FROM BISHOP PURCELL, 1 56 1
also about Cumberland House twenty-four are dead. I do
not know if the sickness has reached the posts on the Sas
katchewan yet, I expect to be at Carlton in five or six days
when I expect to get news from above,
********* Your sincere friend and obedient servant,
J, ROWAND.

Cincinnati, Feb. 22, 1847.
Would that I had words to express, or that we who
love God, and who' knowi what it is to save innu
merable souls, could feel how exceedingly interesting to
faith and to charity should be the Indian tribes of Oregon
and Nebraska! Never, since the days of Xavier, Brebeuf,
Marquette and Lallemand, has there been a raissionary more
clearly pointed out and called and sent for this great work,
than Father De Smet, who is requested to present this testi
mony to the friends of our missions. His plans, I sincerely
believe, are all heaven-inspired — as his labors have been
sustained by heaven — and they who have the means and
the will to aid in so glorious a cause of God and of religion
will surely see in heaven the souls they shall have thus been
rendered instruraental in placing there.
Should there be any in England, France or Belgium, who
chance to be acquainted with or who may favorably regard
anything to which my name is attached, to such I beg most
earnestly to recommend the Indian missions, west of the
Mississippi, in behalf of which Father De Smet again is
willing to risk a life which has been too often already ex
posed, with a martyr's heroism, in the same sacred cause.
X JOHN B. PURCELL,
[seal,] Bishop of Cincinnati.

1562 COMPLIMENTARY LETTERS FROM
Baltimore, March 12, 1847,
Reverend and Dear Sir:
I cheerfully comply with your request that I should give
you a few lines in behalf of the great missionary undertak
ing which induces you again to seek across the ocean addi
tional means of prosecuting it to a successful issue. Al
though I must say that your modesty alone could have
suggested the request; as your long and perilous labors
araong the ferocious savages of Oregon are known to the
whole Catholic world and will commend you to the venera
tion and charity of all who shall have the happiness of
seeing you.
You can the more confidently appeal to the friends of
religion and humanity; inasmuch as looking for no earthly
reward yourself, save privations and hardships, your only
wish is to " spend and be spent " in the service of thousands
of benighted and degraded souls who demand at your hands
the blessings of faith and civilization.
You have my most earnest prayers for your success in
your eminently good and heroic work. And I shall be
happy to avail myself of any opportunity to shew you with
what sincerity, I am your faithful and affectionate servant
in Christ,
SAMUEL Abp. Bait,
Reverend P, J, De Smet, S. J,

My Dear Father De Smet :
Will you allow rae press on you the acceptance of the
accompanying statement, not for you but for the object you
have most at heart, with a request that if by chance it should
be useful for your neophytes of the Rocky Mountains, you
will not hesitate to use it.

BISHOPS OF BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK. 1 563
The undersigned cannot allow the Reverend Father De
Sraet, S, J., to erabark for England without doing himself
the pleasure of stating, for the information of the friends
of the Catholic Church in Europe, how greatly the bishops
of the Province have been consoled by the wonderful suc
cess which has attended the labors of this devoted mission
ary and his colleagues among the savage tribes of the Rocky
Mountains, It is now several years since the bishops of the United
States urged the good Fathers of the Society of Jesus to
charge themselves with the apostolic work of evangelizing
the red children of the forest on the eastern shores of the
Pacific. Almighty God seems to have blessed the under
taking. If the zealous Father De Smet could only find means to
extend the good work to the new missions which invite
him, and to consolidate what has been so happily begun in
the others, there is every prospect that many hundreds and
even thousands of souls would be thereby brought to the
knowledge of Christ, and aggregated to the one fold of
his holy church. It would be, of course, superfluous for
me to recomraend to the friends of religion, a missionary
so well known and so justly revered as the indefatigable
apostle of the Rocky Mountains, Father De Smet.
X JOHN HUGHES,
Bishop of Neiv York.
New York, April 22, 1847,

P have reason to believe. Very Reverend and Dear
Father, that a brief sketch of the present state of the rising
church in Oregon will prove acceptable to your Reverence.
There are now the following establishments :
3 Extract from letter from Father De Vos to editor of the News
Letter, October 19, 1847.

1564 LIST OF WESTERN MISSIONS,
I, The cathedral of St, Paul at Willamette or Oregon
city, 2, The church of St. John the Evangelist in Willamette.
3. St. Francis Xavier at Cowlitz.
4. The chapel of St. James at Fort Vancouver.
5. The new church of the Willamette prairie.
6. The Catholic school of St. Joseph at Willamette
(Oregon city).
7. The chapel, convent and female academy of St.
Mary's, Willamette,
8, The residence of St, Francis Xavier, Willamette,
9, The residence and church of St. Mary's among the
Flatheads, 10. The mission and church of the Sacred Heart among
the Coeur d'Alenes.
II. The mission and church of St. Ignatius among the
Kalispels of the Lake.
12. The station and chapel among the Chaudieres.
13. The station and church of St. Francis Regis araong
the half-breeds, between the Kalispels and Chaudieres,
14. A church built by the Indians at Stuart's lake. New
Caledonia. 15. A church built by thera at Fort Alexandria, New
Caledonia. 16. A church built by them at the Rapids, New Cale
donia. 17. A church built by them at Appatoka, New Caledonia.
18. The station of St. Peters, upper lake of the Co
lumbia. 19, The station of St, Francis Borgia among the upper
Pend d'Oreilles.
20. The station of the Assumption among the Arcs a
Plats. 21. The station of the Immaculate Heart of Mary among
the Kootenais.
22. The station of St. Joseph's among the Okinagans,
This is the result of what Almighty God has already done

A COMMISSION FROM MITCHELL, 1 565
and stiH does in this distant corner of the world, since the
year 1838, when the first missionaries, the present Bishop
and Reverend Mr, Demers, arrived in Oregon, There is
not the least doubt that if we had a greater number of apos-
toHc laborers, raen endowed with humble and docile minds,
with disinterested and prudent zeal, with sound judgment
and robust health, and above all with solid and exemplary
piety, incalculable good could and would be done araong the
settlers, but more especially among the native tribes.

Office Supt. Ind. Affairs,
St. Louis, April 19, 185 1.
Rev. P. J. De Smet, Present :
Dear Sir. — Understanding that you will shortly start for
the upper Missouri country on your missionary labors, and
intending, as you are aware, to hold a treaty or treaties with
the various prairie Indians at Fort Laramie in September
next, you will do me a favor by informing such of the upper
tribes as you may see, of the intentions of the Government,
which are more particularly set forth in the circulars here
with, which I will thank you to distribute to any persons
that would be likely to make known their contents to the
Indians. Should your other engagements permit I shall be
rejoiced to see you at Fort Laramie. Any sketches that
you can take and the outlines of maps of this prairie and
mountain country will be of great importance and would be
highly appreciated by the Government, as well as any in
formation with regard to the habits, history or other inter
esting matters appertaining to the upper Indians.
Wishing you a pleasant and prosperous journey, I re
main. Dear Sir, Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
D. D. MITCHELL,
Superintendent Indian Affairs.

1566 WARM TRIBUTE FROM BENTON.
St. Louis, April 7, 1852,
My Dear F'ather De Smet :
I have just received a letter from Lieutenant Beale, of
the United States navy, who was lately appointed a Super
intendent of Indian Affairs for California, under a special
law, and on account of his knowledge of those Indians and
his just and humane conduct toward them, Mr. Beale de
sires me to enable him to make your acquaintance, and to
obtain your co-operation in doing the best for these tribes,
he having understood that your labors might extend to Cali
fornia, and being so well acquainted with your character as
to believe that, in co-operation with the civil authority, you
could do more for these poor people — more for their wel
fare and keeping them in peace and friendship with the
United States, than " an army with banners." I can add
that this is not only his opinion, but that of the authorities
at Washington, and my own. When I was there this win
ter I had a conversation with the Secretary of the Interior
(the head of the Indian service) and also with the Cora
raissioner of Indian Affairs, on this subject, and they con
curred in the views of Lieutenant Beale which I have stated
to you. In fact it was I, myself, and in consequence of my
knowledge of your meritorious services in the missionary^
field, and upon some intimation a year ago that you might
go to California, that brought this point under the notice of
the authorities, and I shall be happy to be of any further ser
vice in carrying it out. I shall write to Lieutenant Beale,
and give hira whatever answer that I may receive from you,
and can assure you that if you raeet with him you find a
warm and generous heart, and one who duly appreciates
your character and services. He has been much with
Colonel Fremont in California, in whom, also, you know,
you will always find a friend — the more so since your con
solatory ministration in my house.
Affectionately,
THOMAS H, BENTON.

commodore WILKES' INDEBTEDNESS. I567
Father De Smet and Oregon Territory.
At the meeting of the National Institute, held at Wash
ington on Monday evening, March 19th, Mr. Wilkes, in
the course of sorae very interesting remarks on upper Cali
fornia and Oregon, took occasion to express his indebted
ness to the Jesuit Father De Smet for much valuable in
formation obtained from him in relation to the course of
the rivers in Oregon and other matters, which he had in
corporated in his map of that Territory, recently published
in his narrative, and which was exhibited for the inspection
of the merabers of the institute.
This acknowledgraent for scientific information frorn so
high a source does not derive its value from its personal
connection with Father De Smet, but from the circum
stances that it furnishes another example of the devotion to
the cause of humanity which has always characterized the
disciples of Ignatius of Loyola. At a moment when Europe
is attempting to eject from its bosom these ardent cultivators
of science, to whom it is indebted for so much of what is
valuable in civilization, we find its members unostentatiously
engaged, very far beyond the confines of civilization, in
treasuring up those valuable observations which are to be
come the landmarks of the unlettered pioneers in the wilder
ness beyond the Rocky Mountains. It must be gratifying
to Father De Smet to know that when that country shall
have been peopled by an industrious population, his ex
plorations will be spoken of as those of his predecessors
now are in the valley watered by the Father of Rivers and
upon the borders of Lake Superior. — Newspaper clipping.

Reverend and Dear Father:
Inclosed you will find a small sum of twenty francs which
I have been commanded by the Duke of Brabant to send
you for your missions. Will you have the kindness to re-

1 568 STEVENS HAS READ DE SMET
turn me the receipt of said sum, signed by you, I hope to
have the pleasure of meeting you to-morrow at W, Donnets,
Ever most respectfully and affectionately yours,
J, H. CONWAY,
19 Oct, '52,

Washington, D, C, April 11, 1853,
Dear Sir:
The exploration of a railroad route from the sources of
the Mississippi river to Puget's sound has been placed in
my charge, and I am now busily engaged in making the
necessary arrangements and collecting all possible informa
tion in reference to the route. Starting from St. Paul's
about the middle of May, my intention is to keep to the
northward of the Missouri and, passing through the country
of the Blackfeet Indians, explore carefully all the passes
in the Rocky Mountains between the sources of the Mis
souri and the forty-ninth parallel. From your work enti
tled " Oregon Missions " I have derived great pleasure and
much information ; but I understand that since its publica
tion you have journeyed extensively in the western country,
particularly between the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.
The object of my writing at this time, therefore, is to ask
of you such additional information as you may be able to
give me. The geography of the country, the Indian tribes,
their numbers and character, the missionary and trading
posts, I am particularly anxious to receive information
about. The labors of the missionaries in that country I
feel a great interest in and should be glad to receive from
you letters to such as I shall probably meet upon my route,
I shall hardly be in St. Louis before the ist of May, but I
promise myself the pleasure of raaking your acquaintance
then. My agent, however. Lieutenant Saxton of the army,
precedes rae to make arrangements and will reach St, Louis
in a week's time, I have requested him to call upon you to

AND WANTS HIM TO GO WITH HIM, 1 569
get your suggestions in reference to matters of transporta
tion, etc, and shall feel under great obligation for any sug
gestions you make make.
Yours very respectfully and truly,
ISAAC I, STEVENS,

Telegram.
St. Louis Telegraphery, April 22, 1853,
The following dispatch has just been received, dated
Washington city, April 21, 1853:
To Father P, J, De Smet :
Sir, — Is it an absolute impossibility for you to go with
my expedition ? It will be a great opportunity to meet your
friends among the Indian tribes, and you would render
great service to thera and the country.
Answer by telegraph paid here iraraediately.
Yours, etc.,
ISAAC L STEVENS,

War Department, Washington, May 13, 1858.
Sir:
The President is desirous to engage you to attend the
army for Utah to officiate as chaplain. In his opinion your
services would be important in many respects to the public
interest, particularly in the present condition of our affairs
in Utah, Having sought information as to the proper per
son to be thus employed his attention has been directed to
you, and he has instructed me to address you on the subject,
in the hope that you may consider it not incompatible with
your clerical duties or your personal feelings to yield to his
request, 99

1570 THE MATTER OF THE CHAPLAINCY,
It is proper that I should apprise you that the existing
laws do not authorize the President to appoint and commis
sion chaplains; but should you consent to join the expedi
tion for Utah and remain soraetirae with the troops there,
you will be allowed a reasonable compensation for expenses
and services. When the law authorized the employment of
chaplains, as it formerly did, the pay and eraoluments were
$1,000 or $1,200 per annum. This amount would be readily
allowed, together with expenses of traveling to and return
ing from the army.
Should you conclude to accept this invitation you are re
quested to advise me of the fact, and proceed to the head
quarters of General Smith at Fort Leavenworth, to receive
frora him such suggestions as he may have to offer.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN B, FLOYD,
Secretary of War.
Reverend P, J, De Smet,
St. Louis, Mo.

St, Louis, Mo., August 10, 1858.
Father De Smet :
My Dear Sir, — General Harney desires rae to state to
you, that he has just received orders to repair to Washing
ton to report to the War Department, From the announce
ments in the newspapers, the general is under the impres
sion he is to be placed on service in Oregon, and in such an
event, there is no one whose aid could be more valuable than
your own, in the capacity of your profession.
The general proposes, therefore, that you continue your
comraission with the array and accompany him to Oregon
in case he is sent, due notice of which he will telegraph to
you on his arrival in Washington,

PLEASONTON S GOOD WISHES, I57I
The general begs to assure you that every facility and en
couragement will be given to the advancement of the good
work you have already so successfully coraraenced in that
country. With the highest considerations of respect and esteem, I
remain, my dear Father, Your sincere friend,
A, PLEASONTON,

( Private. )
My Dear Father:
I send you your letter and also the orders for the officers
of the different posts, through which you will pass, to de
liver on your arrival.
I shall always look back upon the agreeable moraents
we have passed together as among the most pleasant
of my life and if you will accept the best wishes of so
humble an individual as myself, for your health and suc
cess through life, rest assured they will always remain
with you.
With sentiraents of the highest esteera and regard I re
main. Father, Your sincere friend,
A, PLEASONTON,
To the Reverend P. J. De Smet, S, J., etc., etc.

Headquarters, Department of Oregon,
Fort Vancouver, W, T.,
October 28, 1858,
To t^ie Reverend Father P, J. De Smet, Chaplain, etc. :
Dear Sir. — The general commanding instructs me to
say, that he most cordially approves of your proposition to

1572 ADVICE AND THREATS FOR THE INDIANS,
visit the Coeur d'Alene Mission this winter; for he con
ceives the happiest results from your presence among the
Indian tribes of that vicinity. He has directed that every
facility shall be furnished you to enable you to perform in
safety the inclement and trying journey you are about to
undertake, A copy of his instructions is inclosed herewith.
The general desires you to impress upon the Indians you are
to counsel the strong necessity existing for them to live up
to the conditions to which they have so lately subscribed in
the treaties they have made, more especially in the surrender
of such persons as were demanded of them. Two of these
persons, Kamiakin and Schloom, it is reported, have gone
away among the Flatheads, but that circurastance must not
prevent the tribes concerned from using every endeavor to
obtain possession of them for the purpose above indicated.
While informing the Indians that the Government is al
ways generous to a fallen foe, state to them that it is, at the
same time, determined to protect its citizens in every part of
its territory ; and that they can only expect to exist by im
plicitly obeying the commands they receive.
The same troops are permanently stationed in the country
who met them in the field the past summer, and these will
most assuredly be placed upon their trail in the spring with
instructions to give no quarter, should they again turn a deaf
ear to what has been told them.
I am instructed to say you will communicate freely with
these headquarters. The best wishes of the general wiH
attend you in the holy mission of charity to which you have
devoted yourself in so generous a manner, I remain,
Father, most respectfully, Your obt. servant,
A. PLEASONTON,
Captain 2d Dragoons, Asst. Adjt.-Genl.

ORDERS FROM GENERAL HARNEY. 1 573
Headquarters, Department of Oregon.
Fort Vancouver, W. T.,
October 28, 1858,
Special Orders,
No, 4,
I, The Reverend P, J, De Sraet, chaplain, etc., being
about to proceed to the Cceur d'Alene Mission under in
structions from the general comraanding ; officers coraraand-
ing posts and stations in his route are directed to furnish the
reverend father with every facility and raeans for prosecut
ing his journey securely, and in an expeditious manner.
Orders will, therefore, be given to provide such guides, in
terpreters, escorts and animals to Father De Sraet as will
attain the object of this order.
2. The assistant quarterraaster at Fort Walla Walla will
defray the expenses of such expressraen as may be sent to
that post, from time to time, by Father De Smet.
By order of Brigadier-General Harney,
A, PLEASONTON,
Captain 2d Dragoons, A. Asst. Adjt.-Gen'l.
Rev, P, J. De Smet, Chaplain, etc.

Headquarters, Department of Oregon.
Fort Vancouver,
January i, 1859,
My Dear Father:
Your communication of the 9th ultimo, from the Coeur
d'Alene Mission, has been submitted to the general who
desires me to express to you the great gratification it has
given him to learn of your safe arrival at the raission.
The interesting inforraation you have furnished relative
to the Indian tribes of your vicinity confirras the statements
which have been tendered the general from every quarter,
more especially the reports of the Reverend Fathers Con-

1574 INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING INDIANS,
giato and Ravalli, who have lately returned from that
country. The confidence you feel in the peaceful desires of the
Indians toward the whites is shared by the general. They
have only to act up to these desires to obtain the good will
of the whites toward them.
The general approves your proposition of permitting
sorae of the chiefs of the various nations to accompany you
to this place to pay him their respects. He will be glad to
see them and to explain to them the intentions of the Gov
ernment as far as they are concerned. Their expenses and
food will be provided them during the journey to and from
their homes, but they must not expect presents for the
general has none to give.
It would be well that you return as early in the spring as
practicable, for some contingency may arise requiring the
general's presence elsewhere.
I am most sensible of the kind feelings you have been
pleased to entertain toward myself, and tender you the as
surance of an unworthy but devoted regard and friendship.
May you always enjoy the blessings you so generously
solicit for others.
Your letters have been duly forwarded,
I remain. Father, with the highest respect.
Your obedient servant,
A, PLEASONTON,
Captain 2d Dragoons, Asst. Adjt.-Gen'l.
Reverend Father P, J., De Smet, S, J.,

Chaplain, U. S. A., Cceur d'Alene Mission.
Fort Vancouver, W, T,,
May 28, 1859,
My Dear Father:
The general desires me to say he has notified Agent Owen
not to interfere in any way with the Indian chiefs now at

PLEASONTON SENDS BOOKS. 1575
this place. He wishes you to inform the Indians of this,
and that they are now solely under his orders,
I send you a package of books, which I pray you, my dear
Father, to accept for the benefit of your red children of the
mountains. With the best wishes and prayers of your sin
cere and hurable friend,
A. PLEASONTON.
Father De Smet. >

Headquarters, Departraent of Oregon,
Fort Vancouver, W. T.,
June I, 1859,
Sir:
I have the honor to report, for the information of
the general-in-chief, the arrival at this place, on the 28th
ultimo, of a deputation of Indian chiefs from the upper
Pend d'Oreilles, lower Pend d'Oreilles, Flatheads, Spokans,
Colville, and Cceur d'Alene Indians, on a visit, suggested
by myself through the kind offices of the Reverend Father
De Smet, who has been with these tribes the past winter,
and has counseled them, both as an agent of the Govern
ment and in his clerical capacity, as to the advantages ac
cruing to them by preserving peaceable and friendly rela
tions with the whites at all tiraes.
These chiefs have all declared to me the friendly desires
which now animate them toward our people, and they assure
me that their own several tribes are all anxiously awaiting
their return, to confirm the peace and good will they are
hereafter determined to preserve and maintain. Two of
these chiefs, — one of the upper Pend d'Oreilles and the
other of the Flatheads, — report that the proudest boast of
their respective tribes, is the fact that no white man's blood
has ever been shed by any one of either nation. This state
ment is substantiated by Father De Smet, The chiefs of

1576 HARNEY ABOUT THE CHIEFS,
the Other tribes mentioned state their people now regret they
had been so deceived and deluded as to go to war with the
whites the past year. They tender the raost earnest assur
ances that such will never be the case again. All of these
chiefs assert there will be no difficulty for the future as
regards the whites traveling through their country, or in
the occupation of it.
They request the Governm.ent to secure a reservation to
their people, upon which they desire to live and be protected,
Kamiakin, the noted chief of the Yakimas, came in with
these chiefs as far as Fort Walla Walla, with the intention
of surrendering himself to my custody, but in consequence
of an officious interference with these Indians on the part of
Mr. T  , agent for the Flatheads, Kamiakin became
alarmed, and returned to his people. No censure is to be
attached to Karaiakin for this act, and I have caused him to
be notified that I am satisfied with his present peaceful
intentions, * * * *
I have also the honor to inclose a copy of Father De
Smet's report as to the Indian tribes he has visited the past
winter, which shows that peace exists among themselves
as well as with the whites ; and from my own observation I
am convinced that with proper care, another Indian war of
any magnitude cannot soon occur in this department.
It gives rae pleasure to commend to the general-in-chief
the able and efficient services the Reverend Father De Smet
has rendered, I am. Sir, very respectfully.
Your obedient servant,
W. S. HARNEY,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Headquarters of the Army, N. Y. City.

TRIBUTE TO DE SMET's SERVICES, 1577
Letter of Captain Pleasonton.
Headquarters, Department of Oregon.
Fort Vancouver, W, T,,
June I, 1859,
My Dear Father:
The general commanding instructs rae to inclose a copy of
his special order. No. 59, of this date, authorizing you to
return to St. Louis, through the different tribes of the in
terior, which you are so desirous to visit once again, for the
purpose of confirraing thera in their good disposition
toward the whites, as well as to renew their zeal and in
telligence in the eleraents of Christianity, — the means so
signally productive of good-will and confidence, in your
labors of the past winter, requiring such self-denial and
resolution. On your arrival in St, Louis, the general desires you to
report by letter to the adjutant-general at Washington, when
your relations with the military service will cease, unless
otherwise ordered by the War Department.
The general is anxious that I should communicate to you
the deep regret with which he feels your separation from
the service, and in making the announcement he is assured
the same feeling extends to all those who have in any way
been associated with you.
By the campaign of last summer submission had been
conquered, but the embittered feelings of the two races, ex
cited by war, still existed, and it remained for you to supply
that which was wanting to the sword. It was necessary to
exercise the strong faith which the red man possessed in
your purity and holiness of character, to enable the general
to evince successfully toward them the kind intentions of the
Government, and to restore confidence and repose to their
minds. This has been done; the victory is yours, and the
general will take great pleasure in recording your services

1578 HARNEY ON DE SMET's REPORT,
at the War Department ; for such services no one feels more
sensibly than yourself the proper acknowledgment is linked
with the hopes that are cherished in the fulfillment of a
Christian duty.
Satisfied that all necessary blessings will be bestowed
upon you, in whatever sphere of duty you may be called to
serve, the general will always be happy to tender to you the
evidences of his esteem and friendship, I remain. Father,
with the highest respect.
Your most obedient servant,
A, PLEASONTON,
Captain Second Dragoons, A. Adjt.-Gen.
Reverend P. J. De Smet, S. J.,
Chaplain, etc.. Fort Vancouver, W. T.

Headquarters, Department of Oregon.
Fort Vancouver, W, T,,
June 3, 1859.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose, for the information of
the general-in-chief, an interesting report from the Rev
erend P. J. De Smet, describing the country of upper Wash
ington Territory, in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountains,
now occupied by various Indian tribes.
This report is valuable from the rare advantages Father
De Sraet possessed for many years, in his position as rais
sionary araong those tribes, to obtain accurate information
of the country ; and his purity of character will always give
respect and importance to his statements.
The description he gives of the upper Clarke's Fork, the
St. Mary's or Bitter Root valley, the valley of Hell's Gate

A RATIONAL RESERVATION SCHEME. 1 579
Fork, the upper valleys on the headwaters of Beaver river,
and the Kootenai country, in connection with his suggestion
of collecting the remnants of the Indian tribes in Oregon
and Washington Territories in that region upon a suitable
reservation, is well worthy the serious consideration of the
Government, The country spoken of will not be occupied by the whites
for at least twenty years; it is difficult of access, and does
not offer the same inducements to the settler that are every
where presented to him on the coast.
The system adopted in California of placing large nura
bers of Indians upon a single reservation, and causing them
to adopt summarily the habits of life of the whites, failed in
consequence of the abrupt transition brought to bear upon
these simple and suspicious people. The plan proposed
by Father De Smet is not open to this objection; it places
the Indians in a country abounding with game and fish, with
sufficient arable land to encourage them in its gradual culti
vation; and by the aid of the raissionaries at present with
thera, that confidence and influence will be established over
their minds, by degrees, as will induce them to submit to
the restraints of civilization, when the inevitable decree of
time causes it to pass over them.
From what I have observed of the Indian affairs of this
department the raissionaries araong them possess a power of
the greatest consequence in their proper government, and
one which cannot be acquired by any other influence. They
control the Indian by training his superstitions and fears to
revere the religion they possess, by associating the benefits
they confer with the guardianship and protection of the
Great Spirit of the whites. The history of the Indian race
on this continent has shown that the raissionary succeeded
where the soldier and civilian have failed ; it would be well
for us to profit by the lessons its experience teaches, in an
instance which offers so raany advantages to the white as

1580 MUCH MISSED IN THE ARMY,
well as to the red man, and adopt the wise and humane
suggestion of Father De Smet,
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
W, S, HARNEY,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Headquarters of the Army, New York City.

Fort Vancouver, Nov. 9, 1859.
My Dear Father:
Your very kind and interesting letter of October 5th from
St. Louis University was received by the last mail; and
what may appear a little singular to you, I was discussing
in my mind the propriety of writing to you when your good
ness in sending me your letter relieved me from all doubts
on the subject of your safe arrival at the end of your long
trying journey. Permit m.e to assure you that no one has
taken a deeper interest in your welfare and success than
rayself; it has been tinged with regret that I was unable to
do so little in promoting the one or advancing the other;
but now that you have triumphed over all your difficulties
my satisfaction is the greater from the signal proofs you
have shown how thoroughly you have understood the divine
mission of charity intrusted to your keeping. How pleas
ant it raust be for you to view all your good works and
observe their benefits to others? For such were the labors
our Saviour referred to when he spoke of " The one thing
needful " to Martha.
We all miss you so much; I have not met an officer of
your acquaintance who has not expressed great regret at
your departure, and we all feel indebted to you for the good
understanding that exists between the poor Indians and
the whites at this time. No disturbance of any kind has oc
curred and I feel confident there will not be any.

THE MAPS TO BE PUBLISHED. I581
Fathers Congiato and Brouillet dined with us yesterday ;
they both desired to be most kindly reraerabered to you.
Father Congiato is to spend the winter in California and
will return to the raountains in the spring,
I have sent the raaps to Washington and Governor Ste
vens has promised to have them published. Your sketch of
the Coeur d'Alene Mission I inclose; pardon me for having
retained it so long.
The general desires me to express his warraest reraem-
brances of the good offices you accoraplished for his com
mand and he assures you of his highest esteera and friend
ship always. For myself, I felt in separating from you the
loss I incurred, for your benevolence and goodness deeply
impressed me and disposed my waywardness to desire the
same. Let me then cultivate your friendship in the hope of
realizing from my honest intentions the unspeakable benefits
that fixed principles of virtue and religion always confer.
With my humble prayers to God, to continue his bless
ings to you, I reraain, my dear Father, with the kindest feel
ings of consideration and esteera.
Your sincere friend,
A. PLEASONTON.
The Reverend P. J, De Smet, S. J.,
St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.

Headquarters, Department of Oregon,
Fort Vancouver, W, T,,
June I, 1859,
Special Orders No. 59.
I, The Reverend P. J. De Smet, chaplain, etc., hav
ing accomplished in a highly satisfactory manner the
important duties confided to his charge in Special Orders
No. 4 of October 28, 1858, from these headquarters, and

1582 FAVORITE OF SCHOOLCRAFT AND WEED,
being now desirous of returning to his clerical station at
Saint Louis, visiting the various Indian tribes of the in
terior in his route ; he is authorized to do so. Commanders
of posts and others belonging to this Department will af
ford every facility and assistance to the Reverend Father,
when called upon by him to aid in his mission of peace to the
unfortunate race whose confidence he has always most
generously maintained,
********* By order of General Harney,
A. PLEASONTON,
Captain Second Dragoons, A. A., Adjt.-Gen.
Reverend P, J, De Smet,

My Dear Governor:
This will be presented by the Reverend Father De Smet,
the heroic missionary of the Indians among the Rocky
Mountains. He was a great favorite of poor Schoolcraft
and Mr. Weed on our voyage across the Atlantic in 1843,
He is the same guileless Indian missionary now as he was
then. Ever yours faithfully,
X JOHN,

Hon. William V. Seward,
New York, July 14, 1861,

Abp, of New York,

New York, Aug, 28,
Dear Sir:
My friend, Father De Smet, whom I think you saw a
year ago, has just returned from a visit to his Indians beyond
the Rocky Mountains and can impart useful information to
you.

INTRODUCED TO LINCOLN BY WEED. 1 583
No white man knows the Indians as Father De Smet, nor
has any man their confidence in the same degree.
I hope that you have sufficient leisure to give Father De
Smet an audience. Very truly yours,
THURLOW WEED,
President Lincoln,

Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs,
March 21, 1864,
Reverend P, J, De Smet, St. Louis, Missouri:
Sir. — This department has raade arrangeraents with P,
Chouteau, Jr,, & Co., of your city to transport the annual
supplies for the Indians bordering upon the Missouri river,
and it is expected that the boat with them will leave St,
Louis between the ist and loth of September next.
Referring to our conversation at the last interview, I
have now to state that I ara desirous of availing myself of
your experience upon the subject of our relations with the
Indians generally, and your knowledge of the character and
habits, as also of your influence over the particular bands
of the Sioux who have given us so much trouble in Dalcota,
and to solicit you to accompany the expedition with the hope
that they may be induced to lay down their arms and estab
lish peaceful relations with the Government.
It is believed that you can safely visit them in their camps
and convey to them any message that the Government may
wish to send them either from the Interior or War Depart
ments. You will be accompanied by the agents of these
people. It is also believed that an expedition under orders
from the War Departraent will either accompany you or be
in the country during your stay so that you may be able with
the agent Latta to confer and co-operate with the com-
raander of said expedition as to the best course to be pur-

1584 GENERAL STANLEY'S TRIBUTE.
sued to put a stop to the depredations of the Indians and to
secure a permanent peace with them,
********* Tell them how good it is to be at peace with the Govern
ment, whereas their utter extermination will be the result if
they continue in hostility to the white people,
I have very great confidence in your prudence and capac
ity for this mission and therefore forbear to give you specific
instructions for your guidance.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W, P, DOLE,
Commissioner.

Fort Sully, Dakota Territory, July 12, 1864.*
H. G. Monseigneur Archbishop Purcell :
Monseigneur. — Herewith I send you a testimonial which
the Peace Commission, lately sitting at Fort Rice, has given
to our well-beloved missionary, Father P, J. De Sraet.
Probably you are informed in regard to the work of this
commission during the last year. In the month of May of
the current year the coramission succeeded in convoking at
P'ort Laramie, on the Platte river, a certain number of chiefs
belonging to the most formidable and most warlike tribes.
The Hunkpapas, however, still refused to enter into any ar
rangement with the whites, and it is unnecessary to say that
no treaty with the Sioux was possible, if this large and
hostile tribe was unwilling to concur in it. In this condition
of affairs, the Reverend Father De Smet, who has conse
crated his life to the service of the true religion and of
humanity, offered himself, despite his great age, to endeavor
to penetrate to the hostile camps and to use his influence
with the chiefs to induce them to appear before the com
mission at Fort Rice. As the letter of the members of the
* From the French of the third Belgian edition. The original of Gen
eral Stanley's letter was not available to the editors.

ONLY MAN THE INDIANS HAVE LOVED, 1 585
commission will inform you, there is reason to believe that
his iriission has been wholly successful,
I could give you only an imperfect idea of the privations
and dangers of this journey, unless you were acquainted
with the great plains and the Indian character, which is
naturally inclined to vengeance. Father De Smet, alone of
the entire white race, could penetrate to these cruel savages
and return safe and sound. One of the chiefs, in speaking
to him while he was in the hostile carap, told hira, " if it had
been any other raan than you. Black-robe, this day would
have been his last,"
The Reverend Father had with him, as interpreter, Mr.
Galpin, who is married to an Indian woman of the Hunk-
papa tribe. This lady is a good Catholic and an excellent
person, a striking example of what the influence of religion
and civilization can accomplish for the welfare of the In
dian. On leaving Fort Rice, Father De Smet had to direct
his course straight west. The eneray had pitched his carap
a little above the raouth of the Yellowstone river, near
Powder river. The distance to be traveled, going and com
ing, was 700 miles. The country is a barren desert.
Nothing in the way of vegetation is to be seen save sage
brush, the artemisia of the plains. No buffalo are to be
found except along the Yellowstone, where they are very
numerous. The Reverend Father is known among the Indians by the
narae of " Black-robe " and " Big Medicine Man." When
he is among them he always wears the cassock and crucifix.
He is the only man for whom I have ever seen Indians
evince a real affection. They say, in their simple and open
language, that he is the only white man who has not a
forked tongue; that is, who never lies to thera. The re
ception that they gave him in the hostile camp was enthusi
astic and magnificent. They came twenty miles to raeet
him, and the principal chiefs, riding beside him, conducted
him to the camp in great triumph. This camp comprised
more than 500 lodges, which, at the ratio of six persons to

1586 SITTING bull's PROMISE,
the lodge, gave a total of 3,000 Indians, During his visit,
which lasted three days, the principal chiefs. Black Moon
and Sitting Bull, who had been redoubtable adversaries of
the whites for the last four years of the war, watched con
stantly over the safety of the missionary; they slept beside
him at night, lest some Indian might seek to avenge upon
his person the death of some kinsman killed by the whites.
During the day time, multitudes of children flocked to his
lodge, and the mothers brought him their new babies that
he raight lay his hands on thera and bless thera.
In the gathering of the Indians the head chiefs promised
to put an end to the war. Sitting Bull declared that he had
been the most mortal enemy of the whites, and had fought
them by every means in his power ; but now that the Black-
robe had come to utter the words of peace, he renounced
warfare and would never again lift his hand against the
whites. The chiefs delegated several of their principal war
riors, who, in corapany with Father De Smet, arrived at
Fort Rice on the 30th of June.
The arrival of the Reverend Father with the Indian dele
gation gave rise to great rejoicings among the friendly tribes
assembled at the fort. They escorted him thither with great
ceremony. The warriors formed a long file and marched
with true military precision. It was a really remarkable
spectacle, though little in accord with the tastes of the good
Father, who does not love the sound of trumpets and the
glare of parades.
Not in fifty years, very likely, had there been seen so
nuraerous an asserably in our country as that which had
come together at Fort Rice. The interests at stake were
far above anything that our friends can imagine. The first
chiefs or representatives of nine bands of the Sioux nation
were present. I do not think it necessary to mention the
strange names of these different bands, which are besides
for the most part unknown to you ; suffice it to say that the
tribes represented at the meeting cover with their habita
tions an extent of territory equaling in area six times that

DE smet's disinterested DEVOTION, 1 587
of the State of Ohio; and any one who is at all acquainted
with the Indian question, is aware that no peace with the
Indians can be worth anything if it does not comprehend the
Sioux, who are the most nuraerous of all the tribes with
which we have had to treat down to this day, and the most
warlike as well, and the one that has had the raost to com
plain of on the part of the whites. The treaty signed by
all the principal chiefs now needs only the sanction of the
Senate to becorae a law.
I am persuaded that it is the most complete and the
wisest of all the treaties thus far concluded with the Indians
of this country. Without going into details, by the provi
sions of this treaty the Indians are to be abundantly pro
vided with victuals, clothing and agricultural and mechan
ical implements. No money payments have been stipulated,
as unfortunately money excites the covetousness of more
than one and often converts comraissioners, governors of ter
ritories, superintendents, agents and traders into a band of
thieves. Without doubt the fulfillraent of the provisions
of this treaty will assure peace with the Sioux, The ira-
portance of this result will be understood, if it is consid
ered that a distinguished general [Sherraan] stated, last
fall, that a war undertaken with the object of exterminat
ing the Indians of the plains (and he thought it would
have to come to that extremity) would cost the country
$500,000,000. I will say in passing that this method of
pacification seeras to rae altogether too much like violence.
The same general, at the time of the Rebellion, said that
not less than 200,000 men would be required to bring Ken
tucky and Tennessee back to their duty; his words seeraed
at the time to be wild, but later events showed the contrary.
But it is time to close this long letter. Whatever may
be the result of the treaty which the commission has just
concluded with the Sioux, we can never forget nor shall
we ever cease to admire, the disinterested devotion of the
Reverend Father De Smet, who, at the age of sixty-eight
years, did not hesitate, in the raidst of the heat of suraraer.

1588 LETTER FROM GENERAL SULLY,
to undertake a long and perilous journey, across the burn
ing plains, destitute of trees and even of grass ; having none
but corrupted and unwholesorae water, constantly exposed
to scalping by Indians, and this without seeking either
honors or remuneration of any sort ; but solely to arrest the
shedding of blood and save, if it might be, some lives, and
preserve sorae habitations to these savage children of the
desert, to whose spiritual and teraporal welfare he has conse
crated a long life of labor and solicitude. The head chief of
the Yanktonnais, Two Bears, said in his speech : " When we
are settled down sowing grain, raising cattle and living in
houses, we want Father De Smet to come and live with us,
and to bring us other Black-robes to live among us also;
we will listen to their words, and the Great Spirit will love
us and bless us,"
DAVID S. STANLEY,
Major-General, U. S. A.

Helena, M. T.,
Dec. 8, 1869.
Dear Father De Smet :
Your very welcome letter dated November loth I re
ceived two days ago on my return from the Yellowstone,
where I had been for the last three weeks attending to my
Crow children. You know I have built this year an agency
for them. I went to visit them to see about their receiving
their annuity goods according to the treaty. They were not
very well pleased with the treaty, and far less with the class
of goods they received, which certainly were ill-fitted for
Indians as wild as the Mountain Crows are. It will take
many years before they begin to be civilized. Yet as a
nation they are friendly and well disposed toward the
whites, but bitter enemies to the Sioux and other Indians,
and very superstitious. The young officer they have there
is I fear not fitted for the position. They require some one

INTEREST OF THE INDIANS, 1 589
of more character to control them. I believe there is a good
opening for your Society there and if you think the matter
worthy of the trial, I will do all in my power to assist you,
I hope to be able to visit the East before spring and shall
of course take in St, Louis on my way, but I have much here
to do before I leave. In the first place I will try and regu
late the present difficulties with the Blackfeet. The chiefs
are on the Teton and will meet me. Then I go again to the
Flathead country to try and effect a treaty with the
[illegible]. In making that treaty I will do all I can for
the Mission of St. Ignatius. For the good they have done
these Indians they deserve every consideration on the part of
the Government. I find my duties here very arduous. I
have to travel most of the time, and when I return ray stay
here for a few days is occupied at the desk attending to ray
papers and accounts,
I thank you for your kind attention to ray stepdaughter,
I write to you with much trouble on my mind. My wife is
very sick and troubled with the complaint that was near
causing her death last February. I shall always be happy to
hear from you when you have time to write.
Truly your friend,
ALF. SULLY.

Cheyenne Agency, D. T.,
March 13, 1870.
Reverend P, J. De Smet, St. Louis, Mo.:
Reverend Father. — It is no idle raotive which prompts
me to address you. I have been asked so often by the In
dians what has become of you that to satisfy myself and
thera I have taken this liberty. The " Log," an Indian who
accompanied you and Major Galpin to the hostile camps,
speaks daily of you. He says he is in the same good road
you put him in and he and a number of his people intend
planting corn this spring. He is one of the most anxious to
hear from you. He tells me to write to you that the death

1590 INDIANS MEAN TO KEEP PEACE
of Major Galpin has left him as an orphan, that the only
hopes of the Indians were in Major Galpin and you; and
one being dead their hopes are now solely in you. He says
they know you are their friend and wish them all well and
that you will do all in your power to help them ; he and all
the Indians wish to hear from you in response to this.
The Indians of this agency and Grand River have be
haved exceedingly well all winter, and most of thera intend
farming this spring and it is my opinion that if let alone
by the hostile Indians and treated fairly by their agents and
the whites in the country they will get along well enough.
Trusting that I may get an early answer from you as to
when the Indians may expect to see you, I am. Father,
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
GUS. GUELBERTH,

Sioux City, May i, 1870,
Reverend P. J. De Smet :
Dear Father. — I left Fort Berthold April 13th in a macki-
naw boat and arrived at this place on the 28th ultimo, I
have made several trips at this season but this one was the
severest I have experienced. I left the Indians at Berthold
in a good condition; there have been less suffering from
hunger and fewer deaths this last winter and spring than
the two previous, and they are better satisfied than they have
been for years. The Sioux from Grand River have been a
little troublesome the past winter, killing several of the In
dians at Berthold. Our Indians do not intend to go to war
until another raid is made against them. White Shield and
Son of the Star told rae to tell you that they would like very
rauch to see you. On my way down I found two mission
aries at Yankton agency, Episcopal and Methodist, and
there is some talk of their coming up to Berthold and at
other points. I sincerely hope you will endeavor to have

AND WANT TO SEE DE SMET, 1 59 1
at least one Catholic mission soraewhere in the upper
country. The Berthold Indians have been expecting you
for the last two seasons. I should like very much to see you
on this subject and was in hopes of having that pleasure,
but on arrival here I found it would not be necessary to go
on to St, Louis so I return from here on the Emilie La Barge
when she arrives.
Should it be decided that you establish a missionary for
these Indians, the most eligible place that I could suggest is
opposite the Little Missouri where there is a point of land
from half to three miles wide between the two points of
timber, and seven miles bottom land to the hills, heavy tim
ber on the opposite side of the river, and the same in the two
points above and below on the Berthold side. Lignite
is in abundance on the Little Missouri side opposite the site.
The Indians would readily move frora Berthold and with
very little inducement I think the Assiniboins might be pre
vailed upon to join them at that point. It will be advisable
to act promptly before the Indian agent goes to too much ex
pense at Berthold. Since he has to build, I think it would
be preferable to be nigher to timber and fuel. Around
Berthold everything is ruined in the way of timber, grass,
etc. My cousin tells me he thinks, if our troubles are ended,
that it was through your influence with the official, for
which, dear Father, please accept my sincerest thanks. Your
kind and friendly interference in my behalf shall never be
forgotten. Beauchamp and son were well when I left ; they intended
opening a woodyard. Pierre Garreau is still at Berthold;
he is declining very fast, although not sick.
Please write me at Fort Stevenson and if there is any
thing I can do for you up there please comraand rae. I do
not think that I will be down to St. Louis before next spring,
when I intend to bring ray children up to see their mother,
I should like to hear where Mrs. Meaker is at ; she has for
gotten her godchild at Berthold. Good-bye. Your friend,
F. F. GERARD,

CHAPTER X,
FUNERAL ORATION ON FATHER DE SMET,
By Bishop Ryan,
Onias, that truly good and gentle man, so modest in his
countenance, so regular and moderate in his ways, so agree
able in his speech and who had practiced all kinds of virtues
from his youth up. Mace II,
i^UCH were the eminent qualities of that Onias, high
*^ priest of Judea, whom the Jews so bitterly bewailed
and whose loss was regretted by even Antiochus himself,
mindful of the amenity of character of the great priest and
of the upright life which he had led. These words, my
brethren, are admirably suited to the apostolic man whose
mortal remains are here exposed to your view before the
holy altars. He was, as you all know, of a lovable and
simple nature, and he served God in faithfulness frora his
infancy. It is right that we should be met together to pay
to his memory the homage of our veneration. Wherever
the name of the zealous missionary is known, not only
throughout the United States but in Europe as well, wher
ever the renown of his great and noble labors has spread,
the news of the raournful event which has brought us to
gether and occasioned our grief, will be received with pro
found sorrow, and all men who have come in contact with
this godly man, regardless of the creed to which they may
belong, cannot but adraire and exalt the virtues and merits
of this worthy priest of the Lord, Yes truly, in the tent of
the poor Indian as in the heart of our populous cities, people
will speak with love and respect for a long time to come of
1 From French version.
[1592]

STATUE OF FATHER DE SMET IN TERMONDE.

CHILDLIKE INNOCENCE. 1 593
the Revenend Father De Smet, whom death, alas! has just
taken from us.
Despite the lustre which his apostolic labors shed over his
person, and all the meritorious works which marked his life,
this man of God displayed in all his conduct the simplicity
of a child; he. was kindly, candid, modest, and even showed
the timidity of tender years, and the language of Tertullian
may be applied to him, which he was wont to use in speak
ing of the old servants of Christ in his time : " They are
old raen, but at the same time they have the graces and
simplicity of youth. The purity of their lives and the
cleanliness and uprightness of their souls enable them to pre
serve to the close of their lives the springtime freshness of
their earlier years." Our divine Master, my brethren, sig
nalized this innocence and childlike candor as a character
istic token of the heavenly vocation, saying, " Except ye be
come as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of
heaven," Such was our regretted and venerable friend : he was at
the evening of his life what he had been at the dawn of his
career and at the noonday of manhood. It was his rare
qualities of rectitude and siraplicity that won hira the con
fidence of so raany friends, and it was the support of this
confidence, with God's help, that enabled him to effect such
great things. Nearly fifty years of his existence were spent
in the fulfillment of the mission for which God sent him
into the world. Yes, my brethren, this zealous priest busied
himself for a half-century, with the raost perfect purity of
intention, in the service of God, in saving souls, in propa
gating the glory of the Master of heaven and earth: —
what a noble life ! And think that he expended his strength
in behalf of the poor savages, those outcast, disinherited
children of the desert, and this despite the fact that they
were mere strangers to him, wholly unknown to him — he
had never seen thera, and would naturally feel no syrapathy
for them. Yet almost the whole of his life was passed in
the service of the great cause whose invincible champion he

1594 HE LOVED THE SAVAGES
made hiraself, namely, the civilization of the wild and
nomadic Indians, It was for their sake that he so often
visited Europe, in quest of auxiliary missionaries and of
financial and other aid, needed for the establishment and
maintenance of missions among the red men.
He loved these unhappy savages as the apple of his eye;
he studied to win them to himself, to deserve their con
fidence ; he defended thera against their detractors, with that
calra energy and continuity of action that we knew in him,
I once heard some one say in my presence to Father De
Smet, " But, Father, how is it possible for you to be so con
tented among these frightful savages ? " " Frightful sav
ages ? " he replied. " You don't know what you are saying.
You do not know those simple, kindly people, I have met
more savages in the great cities of America and Europe
than I have ever seen in my life in the plains and deserts of
the United States." And indeed, brethren, the Father was
right. The civilized man to whom the truths of the gospel
have been revealed, but who, despite the light that he has
received, abuses the Lord's gifts, that man more rightfully
deserves the name of savage, than those miserable Indians
who have never enjoyed the same advantages.
Consider the works and deeds of these so-called civilized
men. Have they not in these last days horrified the whole
world with their unheard-of crimes? Look at the horrors
of the Paris commune, the massacre of Archbishop Darboy
and the other hostages. Are not the monsters in human
form who committed these misdeeds, raore hideous in their
perversity than the worst araong the savages ? Taking into
account on the one hand the raeans of intellectual and raoral
culture which the scoundrels of the Coramune had at their
disposition to be honest raen, and on the other the absence
of even eleraentary notions of civilization araong the In
dians, unfortunate race, whom the scriptures depict to us
as " sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death," —
raust we not conclude that the most blameworthy are found
in our great cities, and that they have not even the excuse

AND ALWAYS TOOK UP THEIR DEFENSE. 1 595
for their unnatural instincts, of the almost invincible ig
norance of every law of decency which seems to be the lot
of our unfortunate red men ?
" I have been in a position," said our dear friend, " to
appreciate these poor Indians. A band of tli'^m once came
to me to receive holy baptism. I gave them the proper in
struction, and made thera children of heaven. Then they
besought rae earnestly to come again to them the following
year, and I promised to do so. I returned at the appointed
time, and as they showed an eager desire to approach the
sacraments, I asked them what faults they had been guilty
of since my last visit. They looked at me with astonish
ment and a kind of stupor, and said, ' do you suppose.
Father, that after all the benefactions we have received from
God, those of creation, redemption, the knowledge of the
true son of God, Jesus Christ, and your coming to us, do
you suppose that we could be so wicked as to offend the
Lord and appear before you charged with sins or crimes ? ' "
You see, brethren, those unhappy Indians were hurt, at the
thought that any one could think them capable of ingratitude
toward God. Admirable sentiments! which explain why
they had no faults upon their consciences to reproach them
selves with. — How many Christians, even among our prac
ticing Catholics, could say as much ?
Always, yes, always, brethren, our missionary took up the
defense of his Indians. He suffered for them, he sym
pathized with them, and he used to say that in order to
judge them justly one must live araong them and be able
to put himself in their place. The Indians have often
shown themselves, it is true, embittered against the whites
and inclined to revolt; but the reason of their behavior is
easily understood. Have they not been hunted and driven
like wild beasts? Do they not know that they have been
thrust back by successive degrees from the shores of the
Atlantic to the edge of the Pacific ocean? They have
learned from their forefathers, and experienced it them
selves, that they are to be despoiled of their lands, foot by

1596 RECORD OF THE MISSIONARIES.
foot. It irritates them to have to leave the land of their
birth, where the ashes of their fathers repose.
Let me tell you, brethren, a story related by Lord Erskine,
the celebrated Scottish lawyer. An American Governor,
in quest of Indian lands, once asked the chief of a certain
tribe, " Tell me : why is it, that this river has its source in
those lofty mountains and comes down to empty into the
sea? Who is it that puts in motion these furious winds
which rage in winter, but blow with only a feeble breath in
sumraer ? What hand planted the century-old trees of your
forests, so thick that the sun's rays cannot penetrate thera?
Tell rae, what is this mysterious power that launches the
thunderbolt and is able to put the whole world ablaze?
Who is the author of these wonders ? " " It is the same
Supreme Being," the Indian replied, " who gave you the
vast lands on which you live on the other side of the water ;
but he it is also who had made us masters of the land we
dwell in and which you covet ; it is he who caused us to be
born here, and it is under this title that we shall defend
our homes." When he had said thus, the savage bran
dished his tomahawk and .struck up with enthusiasm his
nation's hymn of war. — Such, my brethren, are the sen
timents by which the savages of our America are animated.
Let us not judge them too severely, and let us see to it that
we are just toward them. Let us remember that one of the
effects of Christian civilization is to make the human heart
incline toward forgiveness.
A remarkable fact, brethren, in the annals of the Catholic
Church, is this ; the conversion of rude and uncultured peo
ples has always been due to the zeal of our missionaries.
Look at the Indians of South America, of Canada, and the
savages of other countries; they have been led away from
their sensual and barbarous habits to a clean, regular and
peaceable life, by apostles like Father De Smet. It is the
bright beams from the Cross that have dissipated the dark
ness of error and vice which had hitherto enveloped these de
graded populations; it is the preaching of the gospel that

LAS CASAS AND DESMET. 1 597
has brought forth these fruits of salvation and effected the
astonishing changes in their raanners of which we in our
day are witnesses. It is under the shadow of the standard
of Christ that this so profound moral revolution has its be
ginning and ending. These phenomena belong to history
and are undeniable. But whence comes this efficacy and
this civilizing power of the Catholic apostolate ? No doubt,
my brethren, we must first attribute it to the action of God,
that is, to grace ; but we raust also remark this : the Catho
lic pastor identifies himself with his flock, he loves his sheep
with his whole heart, he is devoted to them under all cir
cumstances, and if need be, he is capable of defending them
at the peril of his own life. A Protestant, as impartial as he
is learned, Mr. Arthur Help, tells us that when the Spaniards
had conquered the New World, they set about torturing the
poor Indians. Well, would you know what energetic in
fluence it was that neutralized the unjust aggressions of the
Spanish invaders? It was the devotion of the illustrious
sons of St. Dominic. Those were the first raissionaries who
evangelized the uncultivated field of America and watered
it with their sweat, — In speaking of the persecutions which
the Indians suffered from the Spanish conquerors, I must
not forget to add that their raost intrepid defender was
that admirable bishop, Bartoloraeo de las Casas, the Father
De Smet of his day. He and his it was who protected the
Indian inhabitants of the forests and deserts.
********* Our dear and regretted dead friend followed the same
line of conduct ; he loved the poor savages from the bottom
of his heart, and he had a mother's tenderness and devo
tion for thera. He made allowances for their weaknesses,
attributing them to their nomadic habits of life, to which
they are so madly atttached. " What is there strange,"
said our wise and peaceful colonizer, " in the fact that the
Indians have but an indifferent opinion of the benefits of our
pretended civilization, when they can only judge of it from
the examples of perversity and vice which the whites dis-

1598 HUMILITY IN LAST MOMENTS.
play to their eyes? What criterion have they to examine
the conduct of the emissaries or agents of the Americans,
other than the memory of having been often duped and
robbed by them?" Father DeSmet was guided in his
apostolate by very different motives ; his views were super
natural. How many times have I heard him utter this
wish : " Oh ! how I should like to pass my life and end it,
among our dear Indians ! "
When he felt his end at hand, one of his greatest con
solations was to think of the many little children whom he
had regenerated in the holy waters of baptism, and whose
prayers would, at the supreme moment, be of such great
aid to hira. He had also the greatest trust in the merits
of the adult savages who had persevered in their faith, and
who would be praying for him also. When I saw Father
DeSmet last, on Wednesday, the 21st of May, two days
before his death, I found him full of courage and hope,-
He said to me, " I have served the good God for raany
years ; I am going to come before him pretty soon, and my
heart is very full of confidence and of real consolation. I
have the greatest hope," he said further, " in the efficacy
of the prayers of all those to whom the Lord has sent rae
in times past; I count especially on the merits of Jesus
Christ, poor sinner that I am, and I love to think that the
Lord will have pity on rae in the hour of ray agony." — Tell
me, my brethren, could a man who had passed fifty years
of his life in crime, and in whora remorse for his sins had in
spired the deepest repentance, have spoken of himself with
greater humility and contrition? Forgetting his stern toil
and his incontestable merits, the good Father thought only
of turning lovingly toward the infinite satisfactions of
Jesus Christ, and of reposing upon the Lord's inexhaust
ible mercy. Such should be the sentiments of every tme
Christian, The more nearly we approach God by the exer
cise of virtues, the more also we become convinced of our
own infirmity or weakness; the more too does our con
science become enlightened and delicate, and the more do

WHY THE INDIANS LOVED HIM, 1 599
we deplore our slightest faults and dread the effects of
divine justice, and the more, finally, do we put our hope in
God, leaning upon the Lord's kindness and his merciful
promises. Learn, then, my brethren, from the exaraple of Father
De Sraet, to practice piety and to display in your own be
havior Christian simplicity, and while amid your tears you
offer your prayers for him to the Lord, purify your hearts
at the same tirae and remeraber that in all your acts you
should seek alone the glory of your Creator.
The scene of this world is quickly past. If you practice
this purity of intention, it will bring with it that other
Christian virtue, uprightness of heart. Walking under
the eye of God, you will have nothing to conceal ; there will
be nothing in your conduct to resemble duplicity or intrigue.
A man who works for God has no other object than God;
his works are all manifest, they bear the stamp of sincerity ;
he goes forth full of light and truth; his conduct can be
known and judged by aH the world. It was thus that when
the red man of the forest saw Father De Smet, he judged
favorably of that countenance upon which such frankness,
honesty and innocence were imprinted. The Indian felt
instinctively drawn toward this man of God, whose behavior
was dictated by no motive of self-interest. The savages
understood perfectly well that the zealous missionary came
among them, not to make a fortune, not to win renown or
acquire standing, but purely to labor for the salvation of
their souls. This is why they instantly understood what
ever the Father said to them ; they read in the features of
the worthy priest the uprightness of his life, and they fell
prostrate at his feet; they iraplored the aid of his sacred
ministry, and asked to be taught. It is a remarkable thing,
brethren ; Father De Smet never needed, so to speak, but to
show himself, and on the instant a current of active sym
pathy was established between him and those he approached.
The red raen felt theraselves fascinated by his gaze, by his
expressive speech and his raasculine energy. We admit

l600 GOD WORKED THROUGH THE MAN,
that Father De Smet was fortunately endowed by nature —
but nature, my brethren, is God; he it was who fashioned
the instrument, and shaped it to the work for which he
destined it. Religion perfected nature and lent lustre to
the natural gifts of this gentle, generous man. Religion
will likewise perfect you, and teach you how to act for God ;
it will gain you the grace of living in conformity to the
nobility of your origin and the grandeur of your destiny;
and thus prepare for you a happy and holy death.

INDEX

Absaroka, Absharokay, Indians
(see also "Crows"), 238, 277,
629, 1 1 09
Acapulco, Mexico, 735, 807
Accolti, Rev. Michael, 408, 451
Adolphe, Red Feather, Plathead
chief, 766, 1240
Agriculture among Indians, 286,
342, 347. 366, 452, 471, 480, 491,
S09, 567, 571, 60s, 627, 651, 689,
I'^-J, 760, 798, 830, 870, 878, 883,
88s, 9S9, 974, 994, 997, 1190,
1 199, 1220, 1241, 124s, 1274
Alabaster in Black Hills, Wyo.,
1348
Alexander, Kalispel chief, 1238,
1271
selects site St. Ignatius, 1232
Allis, Samuel, 165, 177
Ambrose, a Flathead, see " Sechel-
meld "
American Fur Co., 179, 201, 207,
244, 2S4, 260, 266, 276, 541, 607,
62s, 639, 664, 772, 783, 1234,
1311
Ampajoot Indians, 192
Anarchy, 14S4
Anecdotes, Indian, 539, 565, S97,
1 108, 1 176, 1340, 1416
Annuities, Indian, 175, 676, 877,
885, 1200, 1207, 1213
Antelope, 204, 849, 905, 1396
Anti-Catholic movement, see " Per
secution "
Ants, 1391
Antwerp, 408, 709, 923
D. dines with burgomaster, 710
Appetite, open-air, 564, 6s8, 758
Arapaho Indians, 674, 676, 688, 721,
8S9
Arcs-a-plats(see also "Flatbow '),
487
Aricara Indians :
customs (from Irving), 247
massacre Assiniboins, 1839, 1137
loi

Aricara Indians — Continued :
meetings with, 1840, 246; 1846,
606; 185 1, 6so; 1862, 785; 1864,
828, 830; 1866, 857; 1867, 882
notes on, 245, 269, 309, S12, 666,
1279, 1381, IS37
Peace Council, i8si, 674, 676
thieves and murderers, 606
wizards, 250
Armadilloes, 479
Arrow Lakes, Columbia river, 549
Arrowstone Fork, 582
Ash Hollow, Neb., 685
Indian fights, 29, 290, 1218
Ashiganes Indians, 53s
Askow river (also Bow), 506
Aspinwall, 733, 807
Assiniboin, name, 1141
Assiniboin Indians :
cowards, 245
Crazy Bear's letter, 934
customs, 1 141
hunting pen, 1027
meetings with, 1840, 243, 245,
269 ; 1846, 605 ; 1862, 78s ; 1866,
8s7; 1867, 883
notes on, ,399, S39, 658, 666, 1176
Peace Council, i8si, 6S3, 674
separation from Sioux, 1382
story of Tchatka, 1108
Assiniboins of the Forest, 508, 513,
S17, S3S
Mountains, 517
Plains, 512
Assiniboin river, 534
Assumption, station of, 491
Astoria, 441, 442, 741
Athabasca, Elk, a la Biche, river,
S17, 534, 538, 540, 543
Atlantic ocean, 411
voyages, 696, 703, 710, 732, 762,
782, 808, 841, 923, 1436
Atnan Indians, 477
Attayes (?) Indians, 387
Aurora borealis, 503
Avalanches, 538, 543

l602

INDEX,

B
Bad Lands, 622, 624
of the Missouri, 602, 851, 1368
Bad, Teton, Shicka, river, 622, 649
Bad Rock, 348, 745, 746
Baker's Bay, 438
BakeweU, Robert A., translates D.'s
work, >I5
Bannock Indians, 305, 312, 314, 323,
365, 572, 574
Baptism, alleged cause of death,
1212, 1464
surreptitious, 185
Baptisms, 158, 164, 168, 177, 178,
18s, 187, 190, 226, 240, 244, 261,
318, 331, 338, 340, 346, 347, 351,
354, 359, 370, 371, 376, 379, 382,
383, 387, 392, 402, 470, 471, 477,
478, 480, 481, 494, 499, 510, 519,
522, 537, 539, S8o, 586, 604, 607,
609, 610, 632, 649, 650, 651, 652,
677, 678, 679, 685, 722, 766, 784,
788, 793, 798, 809, 810, 820, 825,
826, 829, 830, 831, 847, 856, 857,
858, 868, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874,
876, 878, 879, 881, 882, 888, 901,
902, 920, 921, 932, 947, 949, 950,
955, 963, 990, 1 191, 1233, 1258,
1282, 1475, 1499, 15 12
Baptist Berland river, 534
Barclay, Dr. Forbes, 447
Bartleson, John, 276, 296, 309
Bature, Great, 540
Bay, Pend d'Oreille, see "Kalis
pel"
Beale, Lieut., desires D.'s acquaint
ance, 1566
Bear Paw mountains, 793, 1370
Bear river, 296, 301, 302
Bears, 167, 235, 496, 502, 582, 602,
605, 655, 940, 1022, 1400
Beauchamp river, 602
Beaver, 304, 503, 512, 529, 533, 535,
604, 665, 1373, 1393
Beaver Head river, 304
Beaver Hunter Indians, 517
Belcourt, Rev., 522, 652
Bellevue, Council Bluffs, Neb., 154,
171, 176, 177, 517, 612, 617,
1000, 1255, I2S7
Benton, Senator Thomas H. :
presents D. to President Pierce,
66, 693
letter to, on Oregon Question,
1849, 486

Benton — Continued :
letter from, 1852, 1566
Berland, Flatbow trader, 490, 494
Beschor, Rev., see " Watomika "
Bibliography of D.'s writings, 144,
1543
Bidwell, Gen. John, quoted on
1841 Journey, 114, 276, 295,
296, 300, 312, 313
Big Dry river, 602
Big Elk, Ongpatongha, Omaha
chief, 1532
Big Face, Paul, Tjolizhitsay, Flat
head chief, 223, 234, 263, 305,
32s
Big Hole river, 582
Bighorn, 601
Big Horn river, 239, 660
Big Lake, Omakzikinne, Piegan
chief, 590, 595, 599, 952
Big Muddy river, 604
Bird, treacherous Blackfoot inter
preter, 523, 526, 528, 1559
Bird Island, 601
Birds, see " Fauna "
songs on plains, 648, 875
Birnie, James H., Astoria, 441, 442
Bitter Root, Coeur d'Alene, moun
tains, 390, 464, 568, 770, 798
Bitter Root, St. Mary's, river, 315,
316, 343, 344, 390, 550
Blackbird, Omaha chief, 187, 611,
1385
Blackbird Hills, it;4, 188, 1384
Black Eagle lake, 534
Blackfeet Indians, see also
"Bloods," "Piegans," "Little
Robes," " Grosventres," " Sar-
cees "
chapter on, 946
bands, 949
early bad character, 318, 363, 996
cruelty, ferocity, etc., 233, 328,
363, 372, 398, 470, 508, 523,
1004
fights, 220, 261, 293, 319, 365, 473,
521, 524, 573, 574, 773, 1012,
1 127, 1469
dreaded by missionaries, 313, 339,
342, 36^, 506
old chief baptized in Flathead
camp, 1841, see " Nicholas "
F. Point desires to go among,
1842, 391

INDEX,

1603

Blackfeet Indians — Continued :
meetings with, 1842, 364; 1845,
523, 572
D. in search of, 1845, 482, 495,
S06, 518, 526, 528, 530
hunting with Flatheads, 1846,
574, 584
D. meets and travels with, 1846,
584, 946
D. joins Big Lake's camp, 1846,
591
visit F. Hoeken, 1856, 1247
Alfred Vaughan, agent, 1857,
1317
general notes, 345, 391, 393, 399,
512, 517, 520, 524, 533, 601, 654,
666, 772, 785, 857, 858, 8S9,
1037, 1235
Blackfeet-Sioux, Sihasapa, 251, 688,
85s, 881, 1 109
Blackfoot chant composed by D.,
594
Blackfoot Forks, 582
Black-gown, Priest, river, 550
Black Hills, Wyo., 213, 645, 670,
1346
Blackroot, cure for snake-bite, 210,
663
Blacksnake Hills (St. Joseph,
Mo.), 151, 125s
Blacksnake Indians, destruction,
612
Blair, Hon. Frank P., letter to,
1509
Blanchet, Bishop Francis Norbert,
48, 196, 339, 387, 443, 447, 453,
460, 477, 554, 1552
Blanchet, Bishop Magloire, 805,
1234, 1266
Blondeel Van Cuelenbroeck, Ed
ward, Belgian minister, dines
with, 1504, 1505, 1507
letter to, 1007, 1510.
Blood Indians (see also "Black
feet"), 593, 597, 859, 949
Boat Encampment, Columbia river,
541, 543, 546
Bogy, Colonel L. V., Com. Ind.
Affairs, 1528
letter to, 1866, 1288
Bolduc, Bishop, 476, 510
Bonneville, Captain B. L. E., 300,
1346
Boucane river, 534
Bourassa, Rev., 516, 532

Bow, Askow, river, 506
Bozeman Pass, 234
Brabant, Duke of, interview, 1460
'Bravest of the Brave, Flathead
chief, see " Stiettiedloodsho "
Breadroot, psoralea esculenta, 655
Bridger, James, 182 (?), 661, 1012,
1489
children, 1483, 1484, 1488
letter to, 1484
Brigade, Hudson Bay Co., 540, 541,
546
Brouillet, Rev., vicar-general
Washington, 1513
Brown's Hole, 301
Briiles (see also "Sioux"), 632,
855, 859, 872, 873, 1260
Bruyere, Mr., Fort Berthold, 605
Buffalo, approaching extinction,
934, 948, 995, 1 188
general notes, 20S, 210, 512, 532,
603, 657, 666, 828, 850, 872, 948,
1 126
hunting, 206, 231, 360, 362, 391,
588, 658, 723, loii, 1025, 1376,
1397
meat as food, 515, 588, 1377, 1397
trade in robes, 179, 207, 517, 63s
Buildings, mission and church, 158,
168, 184, 306, 316, 330, 331, 339,
444, 451, 467, 476, 478, 483, 551,
570, 760, 795, 796, 962, 1268,
1274
Bullboat, 222, 308

Cabanne's trading post, 1533
Cabinets, The, 378
Cache Valley, 1404
Cactus, 665, 1388
Calais light, 411
Caldwell, half-breed Potawatomi
chief, 157. 178
California, rush to in 1849, 1421
view in 1858, 737
Calkobin Indians, 1019
Callao, Peru, 428
Calumet, cult of, 165, 190, 211, 217,
251, 284, 312, 314, 326, 363, 394,
519, 566, 581, 585, 591, 599, 60s,
606, 626, 632, 634, 675, 681, 688,
900, 914, 938, 979, 1004, 1008,
1018, I I'I?
Calumets presented by D., 1008

i6o4

INDEX,

Camas Prairie, 345, 347, 972
root, 345, 356, 467, 561, 991
description of, 488
Camp Croghan, 1534
Campbell, Colin, Fort Lookout,
609. 628
Robert, 674, 1232, 1245, 1248,
1483, 1488, 1499
letter to, 1294
W. H., letter to, 1511
Canada, annexation predicted, 1448,
1456
Canadians, 187, 221, 230, 251, 262,
270, 27s, 338, 343, 371, 373, 389,
448, 452, 455, 476, 490, 498, 526,
540, 545, 547, 553, 610, 639, 649,
677, 684, 820, 824, 857, 871, 872,
946, 1257
Cannonball river, 904, 906
name, 1379
Canoe river, 546
Canoe and skiff travel, 190, 2=;7,
270, 344, 378, 386, 401, 474, 547,
550, 554, 601, 636, 758, 764, 774
Cape Disappointment, 436, 438, 485,
740
Cape Horn, Columbia river, 454
South America, 418
Cape Verde Islands, 413
Carcajou, 344, 603, 1024
Carrier Indians, 477, 535, 539, 1005
Cart river, 582
Caruana, Father, 799, 1303
Cascade Mountains, 555, 742
Cascades of Colorado, 454, 555, 742
Catholic church and Indian agents,
1541
Indians, 1862, 1319
Ladder, 460
missionary methods considered,
122
Catlin, George, 25, 1135, 1177
Caulfield, B. G., letter to, 1508
Cayuse Indians, 387, 393, 480, 748,
991
Chalax, Peter, Kalispel chief, 318,
321, 346, 368 (?), 472
Champoeg, Oregon, 475
Chapelle creek, 608
Chaplain U. S. Army, appointment,
715, 718
duties, 719
seeks to resign, 730, 732, 762
expense account, 775, 893

Chardon, J. B., Yankton interpre
ter, 1287
Charles, Flathead interpreter, 355,
381, 383, 387, 389, 575
Chaudiere Indians, see " Kettle "
Cheyenne, Wyo., 1868, 901
Cheyenne Indians, 211, 260, 312,
399, 674, 676, 679, 688, 859
Cheyenne river, 607
Chicago in 1855, 1456
in 1867, 861
Chile, visit to, 421
Chimney Rock, 209, 685, 1349, 1388
Chinook Indians, 387, 441, 451, 1014
Chippewa Indians, 1047
Chivington massacre, 844, 912, 1201
Cholera, 640, 650, 1283, 1419, 1475
Chopunnish, name, 23
Chouteau, Charles P., 126, 783, 803,
819, 836, 1368
Cigars prescribed for biliousness,
1503
Cinq Poil Indians, see " Simpoil "
Civil War, 76, 132, 842, 1431, 1433,
1436, 1442
causes of, 1437, 1440
Claessens, Brother William, 278,
762
Clark, Malcom, 81
married by D., i;i2
Clark, Gen. William, and Flathead
embassy, 21
Clark's Fork or Flathead river,
34a, 345, 346, 347, 465, 473, 484,
549, 764, 798, 972
navigation, 378
Clatsop Indians, 387. 440
Coal deposits, 493, 514, 529, 647,
659, 668, 907, 959
Cody, Dr. W. F., Sioux agent,
1299, 1539
Coeur d'Alene, name, 997
Coeur d'Alene, Pointed Heart, Skit-
suish, Skizoumish, Indians :
ask to be taught, 1841, 317
visits to, 1842, 374, 390; 1844,
464; 1846, 56s; 1858, 760; 1859,
769
Sacred Heart Mission (which
see), 1842, 377
apologize for misbehavior, 1844,
461
in 1858-59, 731, 744, 967
methods of hunting, 1021

INDEX.

1 60 =

Cceur d'Alene — Continued :
story of Louise Sighouin, 1143
Gov. Stevens on, 1273
best Indians in mountains, 1891,
notes, 563, 970, 992, 997
Coeur d'Alene latce, 374, 456, 562,
746, 756, 801
mountains (see Bitter Root),
798
river (St. Ignatius r.), 757, 769,
798
war, 748
Colorado river, 299
Colter's Hell, 660
Columbia or Oregon river, bar, 436,
437, 439, 740, 806
dalles, see " Dalles ''
incidents of travel, 386, 474, 546,
547, 554, 557
lakes, 548, 549, 801
source, 495, 497, 538, 543
scenery, 384, 442, 446, 454, 482,
495, 547, 555
aspect in 1858, 737; in 1863, 804
Comanches, intention to visit, 774,
1452
Comcomly, Chinook chief, 442
Commissioner Indian Affairs, Re
port, Sept., 1867, 1329
Commissioners, Peace, 887, 889,
891, 893, 899, 919, 921
Committee's Punch Bowl, 534
Congiato, Father, superior Rocky
Mountain missions, 317, 716,
744, 763, 769, 771, 816, 1581
letters from, 1236, 1277
to, 1318, 1501
Conway, J. H., letter from, 1568
to, 1455
Cottonwood Springs, Neb., 722
Councils, lowas and Otoes, 1838,
176
Horse river, 1851, 675, 1177
Gov. Stevens, 1855, 1234
North Platte, 1868, 900
Sioux, 1868, 921
Council Bluffs, for Bellevue, 1257
Old, Neb., 611, 636 (?), 1533
Iowa, 1838, IS, 158
1840, 258
mention, 517, 1087
Cow Island, 1534
Cox, Ross, quoted, loio

Crazy Bear, Fool Bear, I'Ours Fou,
Assiniboin chief, 510, 933, 1108,
I2I4, 131 1, 1481, 1493, 1496
Cree Indians, 371, 483, 517, 519,
524, 526, 528, 533
Cross of Peace, 500, 504, 505
Crow country, 238
Crow, Absaroka, Absharokay, In
dians, meetings with, 1840,
237, 266; 1842, 393; 1846 (at
tempted), 579, 583; 1862, 785;
1863, 791
massacre Little Robes, 1845, 524
fight with Flatheads, 1846, 576,
584
defeat Ogallalas, 1848, 629
attend 185 1 Council, 653, 674, 676
sketch, 1854, 103s
condition, 1869, 1588
general notes, 300. 512, 575, 665,
773, 857, 883, 1 183
Cuba, annexation predicted, 1456
Cuhute (Oregon City?), 453
Culbertson, Alexander, 653, 1063,
1214, 1235, 1315, 1481, 1495,
1500
his Indian family, 1500
Thaddeus, journal, 1481
Cummings, Colonel Alfred, Supt.
Ind. Affairs, 1276
letter to, 13 15
Curtis, Rev. Samuel, 154, 177

Dakota, Dacotha, meaning, 608
Dalles, Columbia, 384, 454, 479, 556,
558, 742
Colville, 550
Little, 548
of the Dead, 547
Okinagan, 386
Dalles City in 1863, 805
D'Aste, Rev. Jerome, S. J., Ill,
1244, 1300
letter to, 1335
Dawson, " Cheyenne," 312
Dawson, Supt. Fort Benton, 1859,
772, 774
Dearborn river, 772, 1357
De Boey, lake, 457, 562
Deer, anecdotes, 191, 243, 257, 344,
467. 535, 545, 1021
Deer Lodge, St. Ignatius, creek,
307

i6o6

INDEX.

Deer Skin Indians, 517
De Kock, Brother, 762
De la Croix, Canon Charles, 198,
284, 1517
Delano, Columbus, Secretary of
the Interior, letter to, 1541
Delaware Indians, 279, 1009, iioo,
1 105
Demers, Rev. Llodeste, meeting,
1842, 388; 1844, 443
missionary work in New Cale
donia, 380, 389, 477
first bishop of Vancouver, 554
mention, 355, 364, 381, 449, 476
letter from, 1840, 1551
DeNef, Lake, 463, 563
Denig, Edwin T., Assiniboin
trader, 1063, 1108, iiii, 1497
letters to, 1214, 1481, 1491, 1494,
1495, 1498
sends books to, 1482, 1495
Denominations, religious, and U. S.
Government, ly^S
DesAutels, Mr., at Fort Mandan,
1846, 606
Des Avirons river, 534
Des Chutes river (Canada), 492
De Semalle, Rene, questions, 1202
Des Gens Libres river, 534
De Smet, Rev. Pierre-Jean, S. J. :
family and birth, 1801, 9
comes to America, 1821, 12, 147
removes to Missouri, 1823, 5, 12,
147
ordained priest, 1827, 12, 148
visits Europe, 1833, 13, 148
returns to America, 1837, 14, 149
missionary to Potawatomies,
1838, 14, 149, 157. 818
excursion to Sioux country, 1839,
16, 149
sees fourth Flathead " embassy,"
1839, 29
journey of 1840, 31, 201
raises funds, 39, 273
journey of 1841-42, 39, 275
travels in Europe, 1843, 44, 403
voyage around Cape Horn, 1844,
45, 408
travels in mountains, 1844-46, 48,
454, 612
visit to Sioux, 1848, 60, 617
official duties in St. Louis, 58,
528, 815

De Smet — Continued :
attends Indian council, 1851, 61,
638
planned retirement to Europe,
1852, 65, 1477, 1480
presented to Pres. Pierce, 1853,
66, 693
European journey, 1853, 66, 693
invited to New Mexico, 1854,
1452
takes last vows, 1855. 67
European travels, 1856-57, 67,
69s
Chaplain, U. S. Army, 1858, 69,
715, 1569
crosses Isthmus of Panama, 72,
733
winters among Cceur d'Alenes,
72, 759
European travels, 1860-61, 76,
777
visits Fort Benton, 1862, 79, 783
last visit to mountains, 1863, 83,
788-811, 1326, 1516
peace mission to Sioux, 1864, 86,
812
European travels, 1864-65, 86,
836, 838
reception on return, 844
visits Fort Benton, 1866, 87, 845,
1326
Peace Commission, 1867, 89, 887,
889, 921
Major U. S. Army, 94, 881
penetrates to Sitting Bull's camp,
1868, 96, 903, 1584
last journey to Indian country,
1870, 104, 9^2
European travels, 1868-71, 104,
923
physical decline, 105, 813, 814,
900, 920, 1343, 1460, 1518, 1538,
1544, 1545
death, May 23, 1873, 107
funeral oration, 1592
personal appearance, 13, iii, 543,
1473
character and temperament, 108,
1473
Itineraries, 147, 193, 403, 613, 693,
777, 926
an observant traveler, 137
knowledge of the West, 136

INDEX.

1607

De Smet — Continued :
makes maps, 561, 662, 1497, 1565,
1581
bibliography, 144, 1543
literary methods, 139, 638, 715,
81S, 817, IS30, 1543
his writings, 59, 138, 1447, 1479,
1530, 1543
answers charges agamst them,
1478
services to country, 1577, 1578
science, 1553, 1567, 1568
Indians, 1566, 1572, I575, 1577,
I 1580, 1583, 1584, 1593
missionary cause, 122, 1561,
1562
relations with Indians, 115, 816,
834, 838, 893, 1239, 1244, 1314,
i486, 1539, 1585, 1595
on the Indian Question, 118 (see
general index)
on the Oregon Question, 129,
48s, 486
on America, 127 (see "United
States ")
attitude toward Union, 77, 132,
15 14
love for adopted country, 486,
1514
on liberty of belief, 132 (see
" Persecution ")
threatened with episcopacy, 1525
compared to St. Nicholas, 802
names U. S. Indian agents, 1298,
1334, 1541, 1547
exposes life, 625, 649, 791, 809,
816, 833, 903
plan for Indian reservations,
1579
plans history Missouri Province,
1548
De Smet, Lake, 668
Mount, 5?8
another (Father Pierre moun
tain), 383
De Smet, Missouri river steam
boat, 107, 1547
Des Prairies river, 534
Des Roches river, 534
DeVelder, J. B., D.'s companion
in 1840, 221, 234, 241, 268
Devil, the, 158, 165, 293, 331, 340,
343, 358, 373, 392, 5 15, i .74
Devil's Gate, Wyo., 298, 343

Devil's Lake, Mine-wakan, 788
Devil's Rake, 153, 343
De Vos, Rev. Peter, S. J., 44, 444,
453, 476
letter from, 1563
Digger, Dignes de Pitie, Poor
Devil, Soshoco, Indians, 216,
301, 990, 1032 (see also
" Snakes ")
Distances, St. Louis to Missouri
river points, 1361
Dog-meat as food, 212
Dog river, 602
Dog-sleds, 533
Dole, W. P., Com. Ind. Affairs,
letter from, 1583
Dorion, "Old," Fort Pierre, 1839,
1549
Dougherty. Major John, 171, 172
Douglas, James, Fort Vancouver,
447
Dragoons drowned in Platte, 1839,
. 175
Drips, Andrew, 193, 201, 260
Droughts, great, 793, 830
Duerinck, Father, death, 67, 1194
Duke of Brabant, contributes 20
francs, 1567
Du Milieu river, 534
Dunbar, Rev. John, 165, 177
Du Vieux river, 534

Eagle river, 602
Eau qui court, coule, river (see
"Niobrara"), 610, 645
name, 1384
Eccleston, Archbishop, Baltimore,
letter to, 1306
Edmonton, Alberta (see " Fort
Augustus"), 530, 531
Elet, Rev. Jean, S. J., Provincial
to America with D., 11
plan to return D. to Europe, 1477
death, 185 1, 65, 1475, 1478
Elkhorn Steeple, 604, 137L
Eneas, see " Ignace "
Ensyla, see " Michael "
Ermatinger, Ermantinger, Frank,
294, 310, 542, 1554
Eustis, Lake (Yellowstone 1.), 1377
Expenses of 1867 journey, 1329

i6o8

INDEX,

Falkland Islands, 418
Farnham, Thos. J., 276
Fathers' Defile, 307
Fauna and Flora, 167, 181, 186, 199,
213, 221, 344, 349, 478, 488, 496,
501, 622, 655, 721, 792, 795, 798,
906, 1025, 1371, 1388
Fevers, 177, 202, 240, 260, 640
Fidelis, Teltella, Flathead chief,
1239
Fires, forest, 506, 799
prairie, 257, 659, 864, 1347, 1383
Fisgard, British war vessel, 486
Fish and fowl, curious ocean, 411-
418, 436
Fish in Indian country, 385, 482,
487, 505, 532, 533, 536, 550, 556,
798, 998, I?93
Fitzpatrick, Thomas, on 1841 Jour
ney, 276, 311, 312
at 1851 Council, 675, 688
recommendation, 1465
mention, 1232, 1245
Flatbow, Skalzi, Indians, 483, 484,
489, 491, 957, 998
Flatbow, Arcs-a-plats, Kootenai,
river, 487
Flathead Indians :
name, 19
religious bent, 19
" embassies," 21, 290, 1223
visit, 1840, 216, 220, 223, 261, 573,
992, 1004, 1224
in 1841-42, 289, 304, 316, 319, 390
in 1845, 524
in 1846, 571, 574, 584, 591, 993
mission abandoned, 1851, 1480,
1485
m 1853, 1226, 1485
in 1858, 731, 967, 1501
in 1869, 1226
removal to Jocko, 1871, 1336
D.'s last message to, 1872, 1343
tributes to, 1263, 1264. 1267
Flathead lake, 372, 550, 958
river, 345, 372, 484, see also
"Clark's Fork"
Flatside Dog Indians, 517
Fleury island, 608
Floods, Coeur d ,rt.lene country, 465,
997
Kootenai river, 487
Missouri river, 639, 848, 852, 1379

Florissant, Mo., founding of no
vitiate, 6
D., buried, 107
Floyd, John B., Secretary of War,
letter to, 716
letter from, 1569
Fontenelle, Logan, Omaha chief,
1257, 1532, 1550
Fort Alexander (of the Crows),
517, 664
Assiniboin, 531, 534, 542
Atkinson, Neb., 1819, 1533, 1534
Augustus (Edmonton), 526, 530,
531, 542
Benton, 772, 793, 836, 858, 1242,
1368, 15 12
Berthold, 517, 605, 651, 828, 857,
882, 884, 1279
Blackfoot, see " Lewis," 517
Bouis, 609, 628, 636, 649
Buford, 868, 883, 885
Calhoun, 1534
Clark or Mandan, 250, 517
Colville, 342, 356, 380, 384, 457,
551
Croghan, 1534
des Montagues, Rocky Mountain
House, 518
George (Astoria), 441
Hall, 289, 294, 304
Jasper, Jasper House, 531
Kearney, 158, 687, 688
sketch in 1858, 721
Laramie, 212, 517, 654, 673. 1217
• Lewis, 517, 584, 595, 598, 946
Lookout, 517, 609
Madison or Mandan, 606
Mandan, Alexander, Clark, Mad
ison, 517, 606, 647
Maragnon, see " Lewis," 584
of the Crows, see " Alexander,"
240, 266, 517
Okinagan, 387, 553
Pierre, 254, 270, 517, 607, 628,
649, 1251, 1260
Randall, 825, 1279
Rice, 857, 881, 884, 889, 890, 902,
920
Simcoe, 748
Sully, 825, 855, 857, 876, 881, 884,
921, 1332
Thompson, 873, 875, 884
Union, 244, 401, 517, 604, 638, 652,
853. 8S7i 1132, 1 184

INDEX,

1609

Fort Alexander (of the Crows) —
Continued :
Vancouver, 339, 387, 443, 445,
447, 454, 475, 541, 553, 554, 744,
769
Vermillion, 256, 270, 517, 610,
125 1
Walla Walla, 387, 389, 455, 474,
479, 553, 560, 744
William, 652
Four Bears, Minnetaree chief, 651
Fourchette river, 602
Fox Indians, 1087
Fox river, 654
Fraeb, Captain, 300
Francis (Xavier) Saxa or Le-
mousse, Flathead, 29, 292, 303,
766
Fraser, Colin, Fort Jasper, 537,
538
Frazer nver, 534, 538, 543
Freighting, plains, 725
Fremont, John Charles, 180, 1552,
1566
French Village on Nishnabotna,
1257
Frost, General, D. labors for
pardon, 1523
Fulton, Atlantic steamer, 693, 695
Fur Trade, 179, 517, 54i

Gabriel, Cree half breed, 399, 401
Gailland, Rev. Maurice, 690
Galitzin, Mme. de. Provincial
Sacred Heart, 517
Gall, Sioux chief, 918
Gallatin Fork, 234
Galpin, C. E., Fort Rice, 888, 890,
894, 898, 903, 1219, 1294, 1585,
1590
Game, wild, 191, 201, 231, 243, 356,
372, 401, 457, 467, 496, 532, .=¦'5,
537, 561, 601, 602, 604, 654, 656,
658, 674, 775, 872, 908
Gardiner river, 661
Gate of the Mountains, 1362, 1367
Gazzoli, Father, 758, 760, 762, 799,
803, 1 174
General of Society of Jesus, letters
to, 1308, 1316, 1506, 1520, 1525
Gens de Colets river, 534
Gens du Lac, see "Lake Indians"

Geological notes, 154, 181, 202, 223,
228, 244, 390,555, 601, 623, 625,
646, 656, 059, 662, 849, 907,
1347, 1378
Gerard, F. F., Fort Berthold, 895,
898, 1537
letter from, 1590
Gerry, Spokan chief, 766, 969
Geyer, Charles A., with Nicollet,
180, 186, 1552
Gilpin, Governor, Colorado, letter
to, ic;23
Giorda, Father, 317, 510, 600, 786,
797
letter to, 1343
Giou, Alexis, Sioux interpreter,
867, 869
Glacier, Great, 540, 541
Godfathers, 333
Goitres in mountains, 529
Gold, see " Precious Metals "
Goule, clerk American Fur Co., 607
Government schools, 716, 857
Grande Traverse of the Athabasca,
540
Grand Prairie, Oreg., 553
Grand river, 607
Grant, President, views of, 1449,
1545
Grass band, Yankton society, 1059
Grasshoppers, 511, 1033
Grassi, Father, 510, 796, 803
Grattan massacre, 1216
Graves, Indian, violated, 558
Gray, John, hunter, 312, 1398
Great American Basin, 1404, 1412
Great Ameiican Desert, 618
Great Bend of the Missouri, 609,
647, 648, 649
Great Falls of the Missouri, 772,
1356, 1363, 1367
Great Salt Lake, 301, 1404, 1407
Great Slave Lake, 543
Great Western Slope, 544
Greenock Islands, 418
Green river, 216, 221, 294, 299, 561
Gros Franijois, Assiniboin chief,
1 176, I- 16
Grosventres of the Missouri, see
also " Minnetarees," 245, 269,
277, 605, 651, 828, 857, 1537
of the Plains, see also " Black
feet," 510, 593, 701, 949
Growth of West, see " Immigra
tion"

i6io

INDEX,

Guelberth, Gus., Cheyenne Agency,
letter from, 1590
Guidi, Father, 1343
Guyelpitoeg river, see " Kettle "
H
Halifax, visit to, 705
Halton, Mai or. Agent Upper Mis
souri, 1850, 1260
Hamilton, Fort Vermillion, 1846,
610
Iowa agent, 1839, 176
Hardships of missionary life, 57,
183, 203, 241, 257, 270, 315, 353,
358, 361, 400, 463, 465, 492, 513,
526, 528, 543, 545, 554, 567, 620,
623, 641, 6S4, 666, 669, 757, 767 .
770, 793, 119''. 1251, 1267, 1281
Harney, Gen. William S.. fight at
Ash Hollow, 1855, 1218
commands Utah Expedition, 1858,
69, 723
commands Oregon War, 1858-9,
71, 731, 762, 968
invites D. to go as chaplain, 715,
719, 1570
transmits D.'s reports, 1859, 1576,
1580
Peace Commissioner, 1868, 900,
920,, 922, 1291, 1333
gives D. his big tent, 791
Harriote, J. E., Rocky Mountain
House, 518, 519, 526, 527, 543
letter from, 1559
Harvey, Mr., from Blackfoot
country, 527
Havre, adventure, 1853, 702
Hawaiian Islands, proposed to sail
for, 1844, 437 _
annexation predicted, 1447, 1456
Helias, Father, 160
Hell Gate, Montana, 308, 582
Hell Gate, St. Ignatius, river, 343
Henry's Fork, 228
Lake, 229
Hickey, letter to, 1341
Hidatsa, Minnetarees, 1381
Hoeken, Rev. Adrian, S. J., sketch
of, 444
to mountains, 1843, 44, 444
meets D., 1844, 457
at first St. Ignatius mission, 474
attends Gov. Stevens' council,
1276

Hoeken — Continued :
missionary notes, 471, 482, 483,
551, 600, 1277
mention, 563, 762, 764, 772, 13 18
letters from, 1229, 1238, 1276
Hoeken, Rev. Christian, S. J., at
Council Bluffs, 1840, 258
death, 185 1, 61, 641, 1475, 1478
letters from, 1250, 1255, 1257,
1259
Honey, wild, 636
Horned toads, see " Salamanders "
Horse Plains, 347, 358, 371, 472,
972
Horse river, 673
Hudson Bay Co., 294, 355, 357, 373,
384, 389, 478, 518, 528, 541, 542,
552, 553, 554, 960, 1394, 155 1
posts, 531, 554
Huet, Brother Charles, 278, 309,
377
Hughes, Bishop, letters from, 1562,
1582
Humboldt, voyage, 1853, 702
Hunkpapas, 859, 881
Huybrechts, Brother Francis, 408,
759, 762, 799, 1242, 1268

Icebergs, 418, 841
Idaho, name, 788
in 1864, 15 19
Ignace, Old, Flathead, 20, 28, 29,
290
Ignace, Young, Flathead, 29, 198,
290, 292
Ignatius, Iroquois, 399, 401, 1246
Illinois and Iowa in 1867, 861
Immel river, 662
Immigration, European, 647, 685,
698, 707, 710, 925, 1428, 145 1,
1457
western, 199, 230, 276, 557, 644,
671, 719, 740, 810, IIII, 1 192,
1206, 1402, 1421, 1476, 1518
Imoda, Father, 600, 786, 793, 834
Independence, Mo., 200, 258
Independence Rock, Wyo., 214,
.1348
Indian characteristics, social cus
toms, etc. :
abandon aged and infirm, 219,
975, 1270

INDEX,

161I

Indian characteristics — Cont'd :
abstinence from liquor, 165, 397,
802, 913, 1085
adoption, 585, 675, 680, 903, 994,
1232
adultery, 943, 993, 1074, 1162,
1224
agriculture, see General Index
amusements, 156, 282
bathing, 225, 373, 524, looi
berdache, 1017
cannibalism, 509, 989
child murder, 326, 559, 572, 649,
1270
children, treatment, 151, 155, 156,
281, 321, 326, 572, 630, 649, 789,
829, 87s, 918, looi, 1006, 1093
clothing, 15s, 217, 247, 283, 321,
539, 556, 580, 596, 683, 789, 999
cookery, 490, 511, 535, 558, 1002,
1 141
corporal punishment, 324, 767,
1086, 1 162, 1 180, 1225
dances, 165, 178, 190, 566, 580,
590, 596, 606, 680, 917, 938,
105s, 1058
dogs, 156, 361, 509, 556, 633, 680,
682, 829, 938, 964
dreams, 945, 1017, 1119, 1122
dwellings, 155, 162, 168, 191, 201,
246, 255, 281, 347, 558, 605, 651,
974, 1271
eating, 156, 246, 282, 357, 372,
559, 90s
eclipses, 940, 1067
epidemics, 188, 245, 269, 451, 475,
S08, 524, 649, 650, 785, 856, 994,
113s, 1235, 1248, 1283
eye diseases, 1013
faculty of observation, 235, 654,
1015
familiarity, 441, 523
famine, 361, 376, 489, 535, 820,
856, 857, 123 1
feasts, 189, 212, 239, 246, 261, 469,
489, 605, 633, 680, 682, 909, 938,
979, 1061, 1094
ferocity of women, 220, 524, 578,
1043
fishing, 385, 441, 480, 482, 487,
525, 556
food, 156, 192, 212, 345, 358, 375,
467, 488, 499, 509, 511, 535, 558,
S6i, 633, 655, 680, 682, 757, 938,
959, 1390

Indian characteristics — Cont'd :
gambling, 156, 227, 370, SS9, 667,
1004, 1233
girls sold for horses, 572, 1007,
1092, 1212
gratitude, 745, 1231, 1238
hair, 282, 285, 590, 1012
honesty, 227, 542, 765, 797, 960.
993, 1223, 1272
horses, property, stealing, etc.,
157, 202, 217, 238, 349, 363, 480,
509, 512, 520, 576, 597, 991,
1247, 1272
hospitality, 227, 253, 373, 394, 539,
605, 607, 797, 1058, 1273
idiots, 633
idleness, 157, 441, 559, 667, 1093
industry, 760, 959, 1271, 1284
inebriety, 158, 163, 172, 184, 258,
512, 1213, see also " Liquor " in
General Index
influence of chiefs, 322, 458, 575,
878, 994, 1004, 1087, 1 124
languages, 163, 212, 261, 283, 338,
381, 512, 594, 627, 651, 952,
1005, 1381
lovemaking, 153, 1092, 1416
marriage, 459, 572, 955, 1130,
1212, 1416
modesty, 321, 460, 580, 680, 960,
1061
monogamy, 596
mortuary, burial, etc., 205, 219,
245, 382, 454, 521, 556, 558, 619,
649, 722, 908, 941, 989, 1019,
1047, 1091, 1 141
mourning, 219, 237, 285, 398, 511,
579, 941
murder, 943, 1071
mutilation, 219, 237, 398, 579, 629,
667, 947, 1380
native arts, 246, 250, 558, 959,
1002, 1003
nomadic life, 163, 877
noses, bite off, 173, 176, 1214
oratory, 829, 832, 880, 915
paying for murder, 171, 190, 598,
625, 679, 1019, 1090
picture-writing, 681, 1099
poisoning, 172, 187, 1089, IC95,
1 1 13, 1 134, 1 140
polygamy, 157, 163, 332, 370, 559,
572, 596, 952, 1212
sale of children, 173, 990
self-command, 1014, 1088

l6l2

INDEX.

Indian characteristics — Cont'd :
sensuality, 667
sign language, 237, 589, 681
singing, 178, 363, 580, 581, S9i,
905, 908, 1059
skunk-scent, 1000
slavery, 1004
smoking, 156, 165, 211, 217, 251,
252, 280, 324, 37S,.ioi9, 1058
surgery and medicine, 524, 573,
663, 785, 1012, 1013, 1055, 1094
tattooing, 980
thieving, 154, 396, 512, 561, 625,
943, 954, 1039, 1073
truthfulness, 227, 944, 1417
uncleanliness, 155, 441, 510, 558,
1002, 1012
utensils, 155, 489, 558, 1002
wampum, 1018
women, treatment of, S09, 525,
649, 955, 1012, 1018, 1020,
1091, 1092, 1272
excess, 952
Indian legends :
Arrow lakes, 549
Beaver, 665, 1375, 1393
Calumet, 1009
Cascades of Columbia, 555
Chain of Rocks, 876
Chipiapoos, 1046, 1080
Creation, 525, 1014, 1065, 1079,
1099
Deluge, 975, 1079, 1 105, 1378
Grand medicine, 1083
Heaven, 526
Kitchechaonissi, 1095
Morning star, 976
Nanaboojoo, 1080, 1098
Piasa bird, 1088
Porcupine and beaver, 512
Rainbow, 840, 1105
Sacred fire, 1047
Separation, Aricaras and Paw
nees, 1381
Assiniboins and Sioux, 1142,
1382
Crows and Grosventres, 1381
Thunder, 936, 945, 1083, 1099
Wanity Butte, 1380
Wawanosh, iioo
Woman in moon, 1094
Indian lore, value of, 1218
missions. Catholic, confid&il to
Society of Jesus, 8
relics, 1008, 15 17

Indian Question, D.'s relation to,
118
in 1838, 166
184s, 486
1846, 948
1849, I 186
185 1, 646, 684, 1202
1853, 143 I
1854, 935, 1 1 10, 1201
1855. 1454
1858, 726, 731, 740, 748, '758,
1 195
1859, 972
1863, 785
1864, 789, 792, 795, 820, 833
186s, 844
1866, 856, 858, 1200
1867, 860, 874, 877, 879, 88s
1868, 895
1872, 1342
Irving on, 208
Captain Mullan on, 800
Indians, religious ideas, pagan:
animal worship, 559, 565, 940
baptism, notion of, 953
blasphemy, 162, 459, 944, 1074,
1088
calumet, see General Index
conjuring, juggling, etc., 250, 938
Creator, reverence, etc., 219, 243,
253, 265, 267, 560, 936, 1003,
1064, 1079
De Smet's essay on, 1062
divination, prophecy, etc., 204,
473, 663, 1094
ear cutting, 679
evil spirit, 1065, 1079
fire worship, 1044
future life, 382, 522, 525, 526, 665,
942, 975, 1003, 1075, 1084, 1091,
1 120, 1270
ghosts, 941, 1075, 1161
human sacrifice, 171, 559, 976
" medicine," medicine-men, etc.,
170, 250, 522, 566, 672, 692, 942,
1028, 1064, 1068, 1082, 1093,
1112, 1147, 1148, 1150, 1212,
1270
medicine dance, 566, 939, 1055
morning star, 976
oaths, 944, 1074
prayer, 285, 326, 473, 490, 682,
937, 1085
reverence, 284, 632, 667, 874

INDEX.

1613

Indians, religious ideas, pagan —
Continued :
sacrifice, 604, 606, 666, 936, 947,
1066, 1074
spring medicine lodge, 937
sun and moon worship, 595, 606,
666, 939, 947, 1069
superstitions, 163, 218, 256, 322,
520, 559, 565, 634, 945, 1017,
1036, 1 141, 1378
thunder, 936
Indians, religious notes. Catholic :
Arapahos, 679
Aricaras, 857
Assiniboins, 510, 857, 934
Bannocks, 314
Blackfeet, 338, 364, 391, 528, 579,
593, 599, 600, 635, 772, 786, 947,
1235, 1301, 1316, 1318, 1337
Briile Sioux, 679
Carriers, 539
Cheyennes, 211, 260, 679
Coeur d'Alenes, 317, 346, 374, 377,
392, 444, 461, 464, 471, 565, 744,
761, 764, 799, 1143, 1301
Crees, 371, 519
Crows, 239, 240, 266, 395, 793,
955, 1236, 1310, 1318, 1337
Diggers, 990, 1032
Flatbows, 483, 490
Flatheads, 19, 220, 224, 234, 240,
263, 290, 293, 328, 338, 359, 361,
367, 391, 470, 579, 765, 795, 1300,
1480, 1 50 1
Gens du lac, 482, 549, 801
Kalispels, 346, 354, 356, 358, 370,
373, 458, 480, 801, 1302
Kansas, 285
Kettles, 339, 357, 381, 382, 480,
542, 551, 801, 1235, 1266, 1302
Kickapoos, 151, 162
Kootenais, 346, 371, 483, 494, 519,
765, 796, 961, 1233, 1302
Mandans, 857
Minnetarees, 652, 857
Nez Perces, 19, 230, 338, 787,
1302
Ogallalas, 678, 722
Okinagans, 381, 383, 481, 483, 801,
1302
Omahas, 166, 1257
Osage Sioux, 679
Otoes, 162
Palooses, 745
Pawnees, 165

Indians, religious notes. Catholic —
Continued :
Pawnee Loups, 722
Pend d'Oreilles, 220, 263, 318,
392, 468, 472, 797, 801, 1301
Poncas, 626
Potawatomies, 157, 164, 168, 517,
928
Saulteurs, 522
Sinpoils, 339, 483, 801
Sioux, 190, 252, 256, 517, 608, 609,
629, 63s, 856, 932, 1303
Snakes, 218, 262
Spokans, Zingomenes, 379, 483,
1302
Winnebagoes, 820
Yakimas, 1302
Yankton Sioux, igo, 1280
Indian . tribes, see "Absaroka,"
"Ampajoot," "Arapaho," "Arcs-,
a-plat," "Aricara," "Ashiganes,"
"Assiniboin," "Atnan," "At
tayes," " Bannock," " Beaver
Hunter," "Blackfeet," "Black
feet Sioux," " Blacksnake,"
"Blood," "Brule," "Calkobin,"
" Carrier," " Cayuse," " Chau
diere," " Cheyenne," " Chi
nook," "Chippewa," " Cho
punnish," " Cinq Poil," " Clat
sop," " Cceur d'Alene," " Co
manche," " Cree," " Crow,"
" Dakota,'' " Deer Skin,"
"Delaware," " Digger," " Dign
es de Pitie," " Flatbow,"
" Flathead," " Flatside Dog,"
" Fox," " Gens du Lac,"
" Grosventre," " Hidatsa,"
" Hunkpapa," " Iroquois," " Ito-
aten," " Iowa," " Kalispel,"
" Kameloup," " Kansas,"
"Kettle," "Kickapoo," "Koo
tenai," " Kettle Sioux," " Ltao-
ten," "Lake," "Little Robe,"
" Mandan," " Minnetaree,"
" Montagnes,'' " Nez Perce,"
"Navajo," " Otae," "Omaha,"
" Okinagan," " Ogallala,"
" Osier," " Osage," " Pawnee,"
" Paloos," " Pend d'Oreille,"
" Pondera," " Potawatomi,"
" Pointed Heart," " Porteur,"
" Piegan," " Ponca," " Pah-
ute," " Poor Devil," " Pueblo,"

i6i4

INDEX.

Indian tribes — Continued :
"Sapetan," "Saulteur," "Shaw
nee," " Shoshone," " Sinpoil,"
"Sioux," "Snake," "Spokan,"
" Soshoco," " Skoyelpi," " Skal
zi," " Shouwapemoh," " Shoo-
swap," " Slave," " Sock," " San
tee," " Sans-arc," " Sarcee,"
" Sauk," " Sampeetche," " Sin-
pavelist," " Sihasapa," " Two-
kettle," " Utah," " Ute,"
" Walla Walla," " Winnebago,"
" Yakima," " Yam-pah-Ute,"
" Yankton," " Yanktonnais,"
" Ziarzapa," " Zingomene."
Indian visits to civilization, 691,
767, 1 177
Indian warfare:
anecdotes, 220, 256, 261, 287, 320,
323, 36s, 399, 520, 573, 629, 721,
773, 1037, 1 128, 1 136, 1 183
asylum for enemy, 285, 597, 1040,
1247
coups, 578, 629
cruelty, 248, 628, 860, 1128
eagle- feathers, 282, 789, 860, 1034
fasting, 247, 629
fighting-ground, 399, 1375
martial law, 878
sacrifice, 248, 666
scalping, 171, 217, 247, 285, 399,
628, 679, 827, 1039, 1 128
scalp-dance, 256, 399, 629, 1061,
1 128
self-torture, 248, 256, 629, 666
Sioux tactics, 827
treachery, 314, 323, 365, 597, 1039,
1132
treatment of prisoners, 220, 249,
1037
vengeance, 398, 508, 519, 573,593,
598, 625, 911, 1014, 1038, 1 181
war-dance, 248, 1059
war-parties, 219, 245, 398, 582,
606, 628, 791, 1034, 1 122
women and boys fight, 578
Infaiigable, brig, voyage 1844, 408,
428, 440, 452
Inscriptions by D., 230, 299, 545,
670, 1349
Insula, see " Michael "
Iowa Indians, 152, 162, 612
Ireland, visit to, 1843, 1466
Irish Blackfoot chief, 592
Irish, tribute to, 862

Iroquois Indians, tell northwestern
tribes of Blackrobes, 19, 289,
327, 366
early savagery, 286, 319, 366
individuals in northwest, 29, 230,
257, 344, 371, 380, 387, 399, 455,
536, 547, 1246
Irrigation, 571, 994
Irving, W., quoted, 20, 188, 207,
211, 215, 247, 27s, 283, 1346,
135 1
Islands, Lake of, 537
Itineraries, 147, 193, 403, 613, 693,
777, 926
Itoaten Indians, see " Carrier," 539

Jackson's Hole, 221
Jackson's Little Hole, 221
James, Dr. Edwin, 178
Jasper House, 531, 542
Jasper, Lake, 534
Jefferson river, 231, 582
Jocko reservation, 317
Johnson, Pres. Andrew, view of,
1444
Joset, Rev. Joseph, S. J., comes to
America, 1843, 444
in Coeur d'Alene war, 749
letter 'from, 801
letter to, 1474
missionary notes, 316, 471, 565,
567, 756, 762, 764, 1235, 1246,
1266
Judith river, 590, 602
K
Kalispel, see also "Pend d'Oreille,''
Indians
visits to, 1840-42, 277, 346, 349,
358, 370,, 373
spends winter 1844-45 among,
466
in 1858 war, 731, 755, 967
notes, 354, 356, 457, 524, 563, 995,
1241
Kalispel bay, 457, 461, 472, 474, 480,
562
lake, 355, 484, 550
mountain, 562
Kameloup Indians, 477
Kamiakin, Yakima chief, 748, 7(6,
968, 1572, 1576

INDEX,

l6ls

Kansas, 1854, iiio, 1208
1858, 1 192
settlement, 720
Kansas (City), 691
Indians, 201, 280
river, 279, 645, 689, 1359
Kearny, Gen. Stephen W., 158,
176
Keokuk, Kickapoo prophet, 151,
108s
son kills white man, 175
Kettle Falls, 480, 548, 801
Kettle, Guyelpitoeg, Sioushwaps
river, 551
Kettle (Falls), Chaudiere, Skoy
elpi, Indians, 339, 356, 357, 381,
382, 482, 542, 551, 967, 1005
Kettle Sioux, 825
Kickapoo Indians, 1085
village, 1838, ISO, 161
King Hill, 612
Kipp, James, 269
Knife river, 606
Know-nothings, 131, 1457
Kootenai, Skalzi, Indians :
visited, 1842, 371; 1845, 493;
1859, 76s
in 1858 war, 731, 967
notes, 346, 483, 491, 957, 998,
1005, 1224
Kootenai, McGilvray, Arcs-a-plats,
river, see also " Flatbow," 487,
493, 501, 549, 958
Kossuth, 1458, 1482

La Barge, Capt. Joseph, 106, 126,
638, 1533, 1534, 1545
La Framboise, Fort Rice, 890, 894
Lake Indians, Gens du lac, 356, 482,
548, 1005
Lake of Souls, 347
Lamy, Bishop, Santa Fe, invites
D., 1452
Langlois, Rev., 476
Lansdale, R. H., Flathead agent,
1238, 1241
Laramie Fork, 210
Larpenteur, Charles, 596, 1 108,
1254
letter to, 1470
Leavenworth (also Fort), Kansas,
ISO, 175, 637, 719, 817, 818
in 1858, 720
Lee, Revs. Jason and Daniel, 449,
455

Leopold, King, decorates D., 87
Leopold I., voyage, 696, 710
D. thanks captain, 713
Lewes, John Lee, Fort Colville,
552, 553, 557
Lewis and Clark, 343, 1176, 1400,
1534
Lewis Fork, see also " Snake
river," 306, 455
Life in open air, 544, 560, 563, 627,
77^, 90s, 993
Lima, Peru, 430
Lincoln, President, inter-view, 1862,
1504, 150S, 1507
introduced by Thuriow Weed,
1863, 1583
Linton, Dr. Moses L., 142, 923
Liquor traffic, Indian, 152, 158, 172,
175, 184, 397, 595, 722, 795, 802,
929, 948, 1088, IIIO, 1206, 1213,
1321, 1324, 1394, 1538
Lisa, Manuel, trading post, 1533
Little Blue river, 721
Little Cheyenne river, 607
Little Chief, Flathead, see "Mi
chael "
Piegan, 597
Little Medicine river, 636, 649
Little Missouri river, 908, 1358
Little Robe band, Blackfeet, 593,
595, 949
destruction, 524
Little Rocky mountains, 793, 1370
Little Sioux river, 643, 864
Little Wolf mountains, 666, 668
Lizette the mule, 348, 351, 371, 381
Log, Soliveau, Sioux chief, 904,
1222, 1589
Lolo Fork, St. Francis Borgia, St.
Francis Regis, river, 343, 569,
769, 798
Loras, Bishop, Dubuque, 517
Louise Sighouin, Cceur d'Alene,
story, 771
Loyola, Standing Grizzly, Kalispel
chief, 771, 1 174, 1229
Ltaoten Indians, see " Carrier "
Lyons Association for Propagation
of Faith, 277, 354, 392
Lyons, Brother, 565
M
Macdonald, Archibald, 357
Mackenzie river, 517, 538, 543
Madeira island, 411
Madison Fork, 231, 340, 391, 393

i6i6

INDEX,

Magri, Brother Vincent, 444, 565,
762, 772, 1242
Maline river, 534
Mallet Brothers, name Platte river,
27s
Mandan Indians, destruction, 189,
269, 1 135
visits to, 245, 651, 78s, 790, 828,
857
notes, 666, 676, 832, 882, 1135,
1279, 1381, 1537
Manitou, St. Anne, lake, 516
Mankizita Watpa river, see
"White Earth"
Manson, Donald, 557
Maps by D., 561, 662, 1497, 1565,
1581
Marias river, 601, 793, 1357
Marriages, 164, 170, 177, 178, 332,
341, 359, 470, 499, 537, 870, 880,
882, 1258, 1499
Martin, Dr. W. T., 803
Martin's Rapid, 547
Mason and Slidell affair, 1434
Mauvaise Anse, 602
Maximilian of Wied, 604, 663, 1108
May-poles, 545
Mazelli, Brother, 157, 161, 168
McBean, William, 560
McGean or McGill, Brother J. B.,
44, 444, 478, 762, 1233, 1242,
1268
McGilvray river, see also " Koote
nai," 493
McKenzie, Fort Union, 1132, 1495
McKenzie, Owen, murder, 81
McKinlay, Archibald, Fort Walla
Walla, 455, 560, 1468
McLeod's Fork, 534
McLoughlin, Dr. John, sketch, 355
friendship and advice, 41, 196,
388,443
D. brings case to Senator Ben
ton's notice, 1475
mention, 294, 339, 447, 476, 542
letter to, 1468, 1560
letters from, 1553, 1555, 1556,
1557
Meagher, General, letter to, 1526
Medicine river, 534
Meldrum, Robert, Crow interpreter,
1063, 1310, 1495
letter to, 1484

Menetrey, Rev. Joseph, S. J., 444,
762, 961, 1239, 1242, 1318, 1501
Mengarini, Rev. Gregory, S. J. :
crosses plains, 1841, 278, 301; 309
introduces useful arts, 572
missionary notes, 316, 330, 334,
338, 392, 452, 455, 466, 470
Merrill, Rev. Moses, 154, 176
Metals, precious, knowledge of, 51,
1421, 15 10, 1519
declines to tell, 1508, 15 11
tells Gen. Pleasonton, 1521
discoveries, 83, 1321, 1377
notes, 493, 514, 529, 671, 959
Meteor seen at sea, 416
Mexico in 1866, 1448
annexation predicted, 1456
Mormons to emigrate to, 1408
Mica, 668
Michael, Insula, Red Feather, Little
Chief, Flathead chief, 28, 267,
304, 322, 366, 766, 1231, 1236,
1245, 1248
D. sends pistols to, 1485
Michael, Kootenai chief, 964
Miege, Bishop, 689, 693, 702, 703,
70s, 817, 1 199
D. sends cigars to, 1503
Miette river, 534, 539
Milk river, 602, 793
boat unloaded at, 1863, 791, 809
Mill creek, 356
Mine-wakan, Devil's lake, 788
Minnetarees, Hidatsa, Osiers, see
also " Grosventres of the Mis
souri," visits, 277, 651, 785
at Council, 1851, 653, 674, 676
notes, 399, 667, 882, 1279
Miraculous occurrences, 359, 362,
577, 631, 773, 831, 866, 1283
Missions, Canada, decay, 1209
mountain, view, 1839, 1464
see "Sacred Heart," "St. Igna
tius," " St. Mary's," " St, Paul,"
" St. Francis Xavier," " St.
Stanislaus," " St. Francis
Borgia," " St. Francis Regis,"
" St. Peter "
Mississippi, dangers of navigation,
709
traffic, 1402, 1425
valley, 1365, 1403
or Missouri, main stream? 1386

INDEX,

1617

Missouri in war-time, 1431, 1504,
1505
after war, 1444, 1446, 1449, 1462
Missouri river, name, 1355
scenery, 161, 181, 199, 639, 644
sketch, 848, 1355, 1362, 1365
canoe navigation, 190, 257, 270,
343, 401, 601, 636, 774
steam navigation, 153, 161, 198,
279, 402, 612, 639, 774, 783, 790,
817, 846, 866, 869, 881, 901, 1363
Mitchell, D. D., Superintendent In
dian affairs, 615, 674, 675, 683,
687, 688, 934, 1481
letter from, 1565
Mix, Hon. Mr., letter to, 1510
Modeste, British war brig, 486
Molelis, name for Mt. Jefferson,
450
Monroe, Munroe, Canadian inter
preter, 527, 528, 1559
Montagnes Indians, 535, 536
Monumental Elkhorn Prairie, 604,
1371
Moreau river, 607
Morigeau family, 51, 498
Mormons at Winter Quarters,
1846, 56, 611, 1404
settlement on Niobrara, 610
rebellion, 68, 717, 1413
returning to States 1858, 727
chapter on, 1402
religion, sketch, 1408
notes, 686, 1217, 1258, 1309, 1313,
. 1457
Mortality in Northwest, 389
Moses, Flathead chief, see " Stiet
tiedloodsho "
Mosquitoes, 621, 657, 1392
Mosquito lake, see " Red Rock
lake "
river, 612
Mountain lion, 1401
Mt. Calvary (Bitter Root chain),
390, 46s, 770
Mt. Hood, 450, 479
Mullan, Capt. John, aids missions,
1233, 1318
on Indian Question, 799
on Flatheads, 1225, 1263, 1266,
1272, 1338
letter to, 1500
MuUan's Pass, 772 (?), 795

Multnomah river, see " Willa
mette," 475
Muratori, historian Paraguay mis
sions, 306, 328, 329, 1391
Musselshell, Muscle-shell, river,
584, 602, 853
mountains, 586 N
Names, geographical, given by D.,
307, 343, 383, 456, 457 (?), 463,
499, 562, 563, 772
for D., 377, 383, 538, 668
Napoleon IIL, D. sees, 695
Navajo Indians, D. invited to, 1452
Nebraska, name, 203, 275
City, 158
State Historical Society reports,
154, 1533
territory, 1851, 1202; 1854, mo,
1208
Neptune, 414, 644
tribute, 410, 696, 703, 711, 732,
841, 924
Nerinckx, Rev. Charles, brings D.
to America, 10
New Caledonia, 380, 389, 444, 472,
477, 534, 551, 1019
Nez Perce, Sapetan, Indians, name,
19
meetings, 1840-42, 277, 337, 338,
390
in Flathead camp, 1846, 572, 574,
58s, 593
in war, 1858, 752, 1248
notes, 318, 323, 362, 365, 464, 480,
991
Nez Perce river (Snake river), 455
Niagara Falls and theology, 114
Niagara, Atlantic steamer, 706
Nicholas, Blackfoot chief, 338, 363,
587
Nicollet, Jean N., 16, 179, 186, 276,
618
letters from, 1549, 1552
furnishes D. instruments, 1553
Niobrara, Eau qui court, river, 610,
618, 622, 625, 635, 645, 1358,
1384
Nishnabotna river, 154, 177, 612,
1257
Nobili, Rev. John, 408, 475, 477,
539, 551, 1469
Nodaway river, 612

i6i8

INDEX,

North Fork of Platte, crossing, 309
North Platte, council 1868, 900
North Sea, 409

O'Connell, Daniel, seen by D., 45,
1467
O'Connor, J. C, Sioux agent, let
ters to, 1545, 1546
Ode to Rocky Mountains, 1353
Ogallalas, see also " Sioux," 629,
678, 722, 85s
Ogden, Peter Skeen, 384, 389, 485
O'Gorman, Bishop, Omaha, 818
Okinagan Indians, 381, 383, 481,
482, 731, 1005
lake, 383
Old Man, Napi, Wizakeschak,
Blackfoot creator, 525
Omaha (City), 774, 818, 899
antiquities, 1533, 1534
Indians, 1838, 165, 166, 172; 1839,
188, 191; 1848, 628, 1 188; 1851,
651
Ontario, voyage, 1866, 846, 1062
Opossums, 1395
Oregon City, 453, 476, 553
Oregon, opinion of, 1852, 1476
Question, 129, 438, 485, 486, 1202,
1560
river (for Columbia), 482
Territory, settlement and religi
ous progress, 476
Trail, Great, 671, 1312, 1476
war, Indian, 1858, see " Yakima "
Osage Indians, 651, 720
Osier Indians, see " Minnetarees,"
651
Otoe Indians in 1838, 154, 162, 17G
notes, 517, 617, 688, 1091, 1188
Owen, Major, Flathead agent,
1859, 967
Owl (Head) Buttes, 659, 662

Pacific ocean, 419, 428, 807
Pah-Utes, 989
Palladino, quoted, 23, 28, 39, 45,
261, 267, 316, 360, 386, 388, 444,
474, 510, 592
Paloos Indians, 455, 561, 731, 745,
748, 991
Panama, Isthmus, 733, 762, 807

Pananniapapi, Strikes the Ree,
Yankton chief, 826, 865, 868,
870, 884, 1059, 1282, 1526
Pandosy, Father, 748
Papin, Bellevue, 612
Papillon river, 612
Paraguay, ancient system, 283, 306,
317,. 327, 328, 330, 366, 469, 917
Paris, visits, 695, 702
Parker, Gen. E. S., Peace Commis
sioner, Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, 879, 1536
letters to, 1292, 1296, 1299, 1333,
1334, 1538
Parker, " Iconoclast," Rev. Samuel,
27, 267, 380
Parmentier, Mrs. S., 445, 470, 562,
1 192
Patagonia, 419
Patakojec, Potawatomi chief, 611,
1078
Paul, Flathead chief, see " Big
Face"
of Wurtemberg, Prince, 685
Pavilion river, 561
Pawnees in 1838, 165; 1841, 287
Council, 1851, 687
a fight, 1858, 721
chapter on, 974
notes, 204, 285, 517, 651, 1188,
1381
Peace river, 516, 517, 518, 534, 538,
543
Peacemaker, D.'s work as, 190, 257,
575, 599, 606, 630, 743, 763, 766,
812, 859, 874, 967
Pembina river, 534
Pend d'Orielle, Pondera, Indians,
see also "Kalispels," in 1840,
220, 263; 1841, 318, 342, 357
notes, 277, 365, 572, 573, 765, 967,
992, 1271
Pend d'Oreille lake, 349, 550
traverse, 356
Perkins, Rev. H. K. W., 45s, 559 ( ?)
Persecution, religious, 131, 705, 706,
935, 1448, 14s I
Peru, visit to, 428
Peter, Iroquois, 293, 1247
Pend d'Oreille chief, see "Cha
lax "
Petrifactions, 244, 659, 669, 907
Picotte, Honore, 607, 608
Piegans, see also " Blackfeet," 587,
593, 595, 790, 949

INDEX,

1619

Pierce, President, D. meets, 66,
693
Pierre, le Gaucher, 29, 30, 198, 216,
290
Pierre's Hole, 223, 228
Pilchimo, Flathead, 292, 314, 320
Piney Fork, 668
Pipestone Quarry, 1358
Plain of Prayer, 383
Plains, western, sketch, 1347
Platte river, name, 203, 275, 135 1
navigation, 135 1
scenery, 203, 686, 724, 1349, 1383
incidents of travel, 207, 308, 309,
311, 612, 644, 686, 721
Pleasonton, Gen. Alfred, friend
ship, 7z
letters to, 966, 1521
from, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1573,
1574, 1575, 1577, 1580, 1582
Plymouth, England, 411
Point, Rev. Nicholas, S. J., at
Westport, 1840, 258
on 184 1 Journey, 278, 280, 282,
301, 306, 311
work among Flatheads, 240, 330,
337, 354
on buffalo hunt, 360, 390, 391
at Sacred Heart, 377, 464, 471,
565, I 147
to Blackfeet, 567, 600, 773, 949,
1236
drawings, 39
mention, 510, 590
Pointed Arrow creek, gold on
1522
Pointed Heart Indians, see " Coeur
d'Alenes "
Poisoning among Indians, 172, 187,
1089, 1095, 1 1 13, 1 134, 1 140
Pomme blanche, 253, 906
Ponca Indians, 625, 651, 1188
Ponderas, see " Pend d'Oreilles "
Poor Devil Indians, see " Dig
gers," 1032
Pope Gregory XVI, 45, 87, 1341
Pius IX, 628, 634, 836
Poplar river, 604, 909
Porcupines, 503, 509, 511, 512
Porcupine creek, 604
Portage mountains, 492
river. Great, 544, 546
Porteur Indians, see " Carrier,'' 539
Portland, Oregon, 1863, 805
Portneuf river, 303

Potawatomi Indians, in 1838, 172;
in 1846, 611; in 1847, 1087; in
1858, 720, 1 194; in 1870, 928
legends, 382, 1078
mission at Council Bluffs, 14, 157,
258, 1463
on Sugar Creek, Kan., 517,
689, 928, 1548
Powder river, 669, 910
Prairie de la Messe, 262
Prairie dogs, 205, 622, 872, 1395
Presents to Indians, 682, 687, 900
Priest lake and river, 550
Princess, German-Indian, 891
Protestant missions and clergy, 26,
123, 152, 154, 165, 167, 230, 279,
284, 286, 296, 318, 339, 347, 379,
388, 449, 453, 454, 456, 559, 677,
801, 991, 121 1, 1285, 1305, 1316,
1320, 1416, 1419, 1445, 1454,
1457, 155 1
Provencher, Bishop, 652
Prudhomme, Gabriel, 226, '264, 292,
575, 583
Pueblo Indians, D. invited to, 1452,
1524
Pumpkin Buttes, 669
Purcell, Bishop, letter from, 1561
Purgatory, souls in, obtain clear
sky, 712

Quille or Quilax, Mary, Flathead
heroine, 578 R
Railroads, dangers of, 1853, 708
Rankin, Col., Fort Buford, meer
schaum for, 1528
Rapids of Columbia, Great, 547
Rattlesnakes, 210, 622, 663, 1391
Ravalli, Rev. Anthony, S. J., 84,
317, 408, 476, 483, 760, 796,
1240, 1246, 1274, 1501
Ravoux, Bishop, 790, 1192
Record Rock on Heart river, 1378
Red Buttes, Wyoming, 213, 670
Red Cloud, Sioux chief, 904, 908
Red Deer river, 514
Red Fish, Ogallala chief, and fam
ily, 630, 791, 809, 83s
Red river, 516, 520
Red Rock lake, 229, 231
Reduction, the term, 306

l620

INDEX,

Rencontre, Zephyr, Sioux interpre
ter, 891, 1310
letter to, 1472
Rendezvous, fur trade, 216, 261,
294, 299
Reservations, Indian, 676, 748, 820,
886, 972, 1200, 1203, 1241, 1291,
1330, 1579
Rocky Mountains, 213, 1345
Rocky Mountain House, 513, 518
Roeloff, Father, humorous letter
concerning, 1489
Rolette, Joseph, Fort Union, 1494
letter to, 1496
Romaine, an Englishman, 1841,
276, 280, 295, 1349, 1398
Roothaan, Lake (Priest lake), 550
Rosati, Bishop, 23, 29, 30
Rosebud river, 665, 667
Rosecrans (General?), W. S., let
ter to, 1487
Rothenflue, Rev., charges literary
fraud, 1531
Roubidoux, Joseph, 151
Roubidoux' Trading-post, 684
Routes to Pacific coast, 1327
Rowand or Rowan, John, 527, 528,
530, 531, 533, 543
letter from, 1559
Rules for Indians at missions, 328,
332
Ryan, Bishop, funeral oration, 1592

Sacred Heart, Ladies of, 517
mission to Coeur d'Alenes, 377,
456, 464, 565, 759, 764, 769, 799,
1 174
Sage, Rufus B., quoted, 610, 1418
St. Ange, voyage, 1851, 638
St. Anne, Manitou, lake, 516, 532
St. Francis Borgia (or Regis)
river, see "Lolo Fork''
station, Pend d'Oreilles, 472, 572
St. Francis Regis station, Crees,
483, 562
St. Francis Xavier creek, 307
mission, Cowlitz valley, 449
Willamette, 450, 453, 454, 475,
478, 553
St. Ignatius creek, see " Deer
Lodge " and " Hell Gate "
reduction, first, 461, 471, 474, 483,
551, 560, 562

St. Ignatius creek — Continued :
mission, present, 122, 444, 474,
765, 771, 795, 967, 1267, 1589
founding, 1232, 1242
river (Coeur d'Alene r), 456,
464, 562, 567, 757
St. James' church, Vancouver, 553
St. John's church, Oregon City,
553
St. Joseph, Mo., 151, 612, 636, 818,
1255
Potawatomi mission, 15, 29, 157,
168, 171, 183
river, 456, 464, 562, 757, 1275
St. Louis University, founding,
1829, 7
D. obtains equipment, 1834, 14
St. Mary lake, Montana, 772
of the Willamette, 453, 553
St. Mary's (Flathead) mission,
316, 358, 360, 390, 444, 464, 508,
570, 582, 765, 796, 1480, 1485
(Potawatomi) mission at Coun
cil Bluffs, see "St. Joseph"
Sugar Creek, Kas., 689, 729,
787, 1 194, 1293, 1320, 1323
river, see " Bitter Root "
St. Paul des Sauteux, 523
mission on Willamette, 389, 443,
448, 454
Station, Colville, 483, 801
St. Paul's (Assiniboin) mission,
510
St. Peter Station, 483, 548
St. Peter's (Blackfoot) mission,
600, 787, 793, 858, 1327
St. Stanislaus' mission, 450
Salamanders, 479, 663, 1395
Salmon, Columbia river, 385, 390,
482, 496, 558
Salt, deposits, 514 .
D. sends to Salt Lake for, 1406
Salt Lake City, 1405
Sampeetche Indians, 989
Sanborn, CJen. John B., 900, 920,
922
Sandstone Buttes, 607
Sandy river, 601
San Francisco, 1858, 737, 763
Sans Arcs Indians, 859
Santee Sioux, 833, 855, 883, 1256
Santiago, Chile, 421, 423, 492
Sapetans (see also " Nez Per
ces"), 277, 456

INDEX.

162 1

Sarcees, see also " Blackfeet," 949
Sarpy, Peter A., 1255
Sarpy's Post, 611
Saskatchewan river, 504, 520, 529,
538, 543, 549
Sata, a Blackfoot, 587, 590, 596, 599
Sauk Indians, 152, 162, 172, 612,
1087
Sauteux, Saulteur, Indians, 521
Saveo, Brother, 1246
Schloom, Yakima chief, 968, 969,
1572
Schoolcraft, H. R., charged with
plagiarism, 1047
friendship with D., 1582
Seals in Columbia river, 385
Sea-sickness, 410, 696, 704, 711, 924
Seattle in 1858, 743
Sechelmeld, Ambrose, a Flathead,
320, 766, 1240, 1249
Selpisto, Pend d'Orielle head
chief, 472
Settlement of country, see " Immi
gration "
Seward, W. H., Secretary of State,
issues passport to D., 13
Shawnee Indians, 279
Shea, John G., publisher, 1323
Sheridan, Gen. Philip, 1868, 900
Sherman, Gen. W. T., passport to
D., 1866, 84s
Peace Commissioner, 895, 898,
900
letter to, 892
mention, 1219, 1291, 1332, 1536
Mrs. General, letter to, 1535
Shetland Islands, 418
Shicka, Bad, Teton, river, 649
Shipwreck, Humboldt, 704
Shonkin, Chantier, creek, 601
Shooswap Indians, 500, 1005
Shoshone Indians, see " Snakes "
Shouwapemoh Indians, 477
Sibley, Gen. H. H., 80
Sighouin, Louise, story, 1143, 1323
Sihasapa Indians, Blackfoot-Sioux,
1109
Simon, a Flathead, 291, 324
Simpson, Sir George, 357, 531,
1560
Sinpavelist Indians, 1005
Sinpoil Indians, 339, 356, 387, 482,
483
Sioushwaps river, see " Kettle "
Sioux City, 1867, 860, 86s

Sioux Indians, see also " Black
foot-Sioux," " Brules," " Da
kota," " Hunkpapas," " Ket
tle," " Ogallala," " Santee,"
" Sihasapa," " Two-Kettle,"
" Yankton," " Yanktonnais "
name, 608
make peace with Potawatomis,
1838, 178, 190
D.'s first visit to, 1839, 189
meetings with, 1840, 251, 256
visit, 1848, 617, 628
outbreak, 1862, 79, 785
plea for murderers, 15 10
war 1863, 788, 792, 1512
1864, 812, 822
1866, 85s
1867, 859, 1330
1868, 122 1
Council 1868, 890 et seq., 914,
1294
war tactics, 827
anecdotes, 821, 823, 885
notes, 255, 399, 512, 517, 607, 609,
648, 674, 676, 688, 785
Sioux mission, plans for, 609, 635,
835, 857, 932, 1221, 1256, 1260,
1279, 1482, 1492, 1497, 1591
Sisters of Charity for Helena, 928,
IS37
of Montreal, 796, 810
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur,
408, 410, 411, 420, 421, 430, 435,
442, 447, 451, 452, 453, 476, 553
Sitting Bull, Sioux chief, 912, 1586
Skalzi Indians, see also " Flat
bow " and " Kootenai," 491,
957-
Skarameep lake and river, 382
Skoyelpi Indians, see " Kettle," 731
Skunks as food, 656, 674
essence as perfume, 1000
anecdote of a Father, 1396
Slave Indians, 517
lake, 517
Slavery Question, 1438, 1440
Smallpox among Indians, 188, 245,
269, 565, 649, 651, 952, 1 135,
1235, 1475
Smets, W. A., Utica, letter to, 1314
Snake, Shoshone, Indians, 216, 262,
295, 301, 393, 572, 674, 679
Snake, Nez Perce, river, Lewis
Fork, 222, 306, 310, 455, 560

l622

INDEX,

Snake stories, 622, 664
Snowshoes, 541, 543, 759
Socialists, French, plan a colony,
1309 . . ,
Society of Jesus, historical
sketch, I
first novitiate in U. S., 4
second novitiate, at Florissant, 6
and war draft, 77, 15 14, 1520
prejudices against, 705, 706
in Paraguay, 306
in Peru, 430
in Chile, 424
Sock Indians, 535
Soda Springs, Idaho, 295, 302
Sohon Pass, 390, 568, 770, 798
Soshoco Indians, see " Diggers "
South America, notes on, 428
Southern Cross, 417
South Fork Platte, ciossing, 308
South Pass, 193, 215, 298
Spalding, Rev. H. H., 27
Specht, Brother Joseph, 278, 309,
762, 1242
Spokan desert, 379, 480, 561, 746,
970
Zingomenes, Indians, 318, 379,
390, 731. 744, 751, 801, 967, 991,
1248
name, 992
river, Z7%, 456, 463, 561, 563
falls, 563
Spotted Tail, Brule chief, 900
Springs, thermal, 295, 302, 307, 347,
373, 497, 514, 660
Stanley, Gen. D. S., 1297, 1545
letters to, 1289, 1291, 1332
from, 1584
Staten Island, South America, 418
Steamboat, description, see also
" Missouri River," 846
rates, 1866, 1327
Steptoe, Col., in Yakima war, 730,
744, 750, 967
Stevens, Gov. I. I., 748, 1234, 1264,
1266, 1267, 1276, 1318, 1501,
1581
letters from, 1568, 1569
Stiettiedloodsho, Bravest of the
Brave, Moses, Flathead, or
Pend d'Oreille chief, 305, 472,
576, 766, 1224, 1240
Stinking Water, Puante, Shoshone
river, 660

Storms at sea, 419
on land, 402, 636, 654, 724, 879
Platte river tornado, 1352
Sublette & Campbell, 1183
Suckley, Dr., on Flatheads, 1267
Sugar Creek, Kansas, 517
Sully, Gen. H. H., 80, 779, 879
letter to, 1279
from, 1588
Sun river, 772
Sweetwater, Sugar, Eau Sucree,
river, 214, 297, 1360

Table Creek, Neb., 158, 612, 688
Tadini, Father, 762
Tapon, Francis, a crank, 706
Tappan, Hon. S. F., letters to,
1222, 1337
Tarkio river, 612, 636
Taylor, N. G., Commissioner In
dian Affairs, letters to, 8g6, 897
Tchatka, le Gaucher, Assiniboin
chief, story, 1 108
mention, 1216
Teaching Indians at missions, 329,
376
Tecumle (?), famous chief, 442
Telgawee, Telgawax, Paloos chief,
748, 751, 968
Termonde, D.'s birthplac(!, 9
revisited, 13, 104, 148, 61-3
statue of D., 107
Terry, Gen. Alfred H., 900, 920,
922
Test oath, Missouri, 133, 1445,
1446, 1449, 1461
Teton mountains, 228, 306
Pass, 222
Bad, Shicka, river, 622
Tetons of the Yellowston<!, 655
Texas, emigrants Belgium to,
1844, 409
Thibault, Rev., 516, 5x9, 532, 533,
536, 1560
Three Buttes, 306
Three Forks of the Missouri, 231,
582, 1356, 1367
Tigers, 1401
Timmermans, Father, 147
Timon, Bishop, letter to, 1319
Timotsen, hostile chief, 1858, 750
Tobacco as visiting-card, 908
Tobacco Prairie, 493, 958, 962

INDEX.

1623

Tongue river, 667
Tournhout-torrent, 563
Traders, Indian, 175
Traverse of Snake river, 745
Treaties, Indian, 172, 676, 687, 754,
921, 1205, 1300, 1318, 1481
Trees, big, 349, 442, 464, 513, 544,
568, 739, 798, 995
Trou nver, 534, 540, 541
Twenty-Five Yard river, 393
Two Bears, Yanktonnais chief,
1220, 1291, 1293, 1537, 1546,
1588
adopts D. as brother, 903
Two-Kettle Sioux, 825, 855, 873
U
United States, see also " Civil
War," " Immigration," " Per
secution," " Test-oath "
greatness and prospects, 645,
I 198, 1422, 1447, 1455
chances for young Europeans,
1428
Government, business with, see
also " Chaplain," 808, 812, 835,
859, 893, 897, 1329, 1507, 1520
notes on public affairs in 1853,
1430
1854, 145 1, 1452
1855, 1454, 1455
1861, 1431, 1433
1862, 1507
1863, 1435, 1440
1865, 842, 1443
1866, 1446, 1447, 1461
1867, 1462
1868, 896, 1449
1872, 1544
Utah Indians, 990
Ute Indians, 989

Vaccination at missions, 1235
Valparaiso, Chile, 420, 426
Vancouver Island, 554, 806
Wash., 742, 805
Van Cuelenbroeck, M., Belgi.'in
minister, letter to, 1007
entertains D., 1504, 1505, 1507
Van Quickenborne, Rev. Charles,
S. J., 5, 147, 151, 1396

Vaughan, Alfred, Blackfoot agent,
1493
letter from, 1317
Vavasour, Vavasseur, Captain,
485, 542
Vercruysse, Rev. Louis, S. J., 408,
410, 421, 435, 476, 759, 762,
1474
Verhaegen, Rev. Pierre J., S. j.,
sketch, 160
to America with D., 11
first pres. St. Louis University, 7
pamphlet on missions, 144
mention, 168, 638
Vermillion river, 644
Verreydt, Rev. Felix, S. J., to
America with D,, 11
at St. Joseph mission, 150, 157,
161, 164, 170, 178, 258
Verses by D., 506, 594
Victor, Flathead chief, 368, 576,
592, 628, 1240, 1249, 1273, 1337
Alamiken, Kalispel chief, 766,
1230, 1273
Vincent, Coeur d'Alene chief, 751,
754
Violin river, 534
Voyageurs, iiii W
Walker, William, Wyandot chief,
22
Walking Bear, Pend d'Oreille
chief, 265
Walla Walla (City), 1863, 804
Indians, 387, 748, 991
river, 479, 560
Wanity Butte, story, 1380
Ward, Warre, British officer, 485,
542
War-draft, 1514, 1520
Warm Springs, Mont., 307
Washington, D. C., visits to, 147,
148, 613, 693, 694, 777, 779,, 77g,
780, 808, 1507
Watomika, lOio, 1047, 1105
Weed, Thuriow, friendship, 1582
letter to, 15 13
introduces D. to Lincoln, 1583
Western Emigration Society, 276
Westport, Mo., 200, 258, 260, 279,
285, 612, 691
White Bear Butte, story, 1380
White Cloud, Iowa chief, 152, 162

1624

INDEX,

White Earth Country of the Yel
lowstone, 660
White (Earth) river, 622, 646,
.1358
White Plume, Kansas chief, 283
Whitman, Dr. Marcus, 27, 129, 267,
486
Wilkes, Commodore, quoted, 552
indebted to D., 1567
Willamette, Multnomah, river, 355,
389, 448, 450, 475
Valley in 1858, 740
William of Prussia, valet of Bis-
marck, 1545
Wind River mountains, 215, 584,
68s
Winnebago Indians, 820, 1087, 1381
Winnipeg, Lake, 504, 516, 543
Winter Quarters, Mormons at, 56,
1404
Wistilpo, a Flathead, 291
Wolf mountains, 668
Wolves, 167, 207, 347, 603, 940,
1372, 1399
Wright, Col., in Coeur d'Alene war,
754, 966
Wyeth, "Captain" N. J., 479

Xavier, St. Francis, 333

Yakima Indians, 731
mission, 1303, 1335
war, 71, 730, 743, 748, 1237, 1277
Yam-pah-Ute Indians, 989
Yankton (City), 822
chiefs, letter from, 1286
Indians, see " Sioux," 648, 784,
855, 857, 867, 883, 1058, 1260,
1280
Yanktonnais Indians, see " Sioux,"
825, 8SS, 873, 881
Yellowstone Park region, 182 (?),
661, 1377
river, 234, 243, 399, 561, 580, 647,
910, 1357, 1363, 1377
Yellowstone, voyage, 1864, 817
York Factory, 540, 541
Young, Brigham, sketch, 1413
meets D., 1846, 611

Zerbinati, Rev. Peter, 444, 470
Ziarzapas, Blackfoot-Sioux, see
" Sihasapa "
Zingomenes, see "Spokans," 482,
483

3 9002 00592 2860 '^

^