1859 Delegations
President in 1859: James Buchannan
Commissioners of Indian Affairs in 1859: recheck!
James W. Denver; [Charles E. Mix? - signs treaty as CIA and listed as such in newspapers, but NOT listed on BIA's list of commissioners] Alfred Burton Greenwood
[Feb. 21, 1859: Letter from Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, to James W. Denver, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Given the great number of Native Americans coming to Washington, D.C. and the advances in photography, of portrait paintings, Henry wrote:
"The idea has been suggested that photographic likenesses of the individuals of the different Indian deputations which from time to time visit Washington, would form a valuable addition to the interesting collection of portraits already possessed by the Government and deposited in the Smithsonian Institution, and we respectfully ask whether this cannot be accomplished under your direction. Nothing apparently would be more agreeable to the Indians themselves who might be furnished with a copy while the portraits would constantly increase in value."
Nothing came of the suggestion until after a fire at the Smithsonian in 1865 destroyed many of the Native American paintings. At that time he reopened the issue with the new commissioner, Lewis Bogy. While funds were not forthcoming from the BIA, Henry's vision was shared by Ferdinand V. Hayden of the U.S. Geological Survey of the Territories and William Henry Blackmore, a wealthy English philanthropist interested in the American West. The results formed the core of the Smithsonian Institution's vast collection of Native American photographs now in the National Anthropological Archives. These early Indian images formed the first photographic exhibit at the Institution in 1869]
Feb. 1, 1859: Evening Star: [Potawatomi]
Indian Delegation.--A delegation of chiefs of the Pottawottomie tribe of Indians have arrived in Washington on business with the Government. Their home is in Iowa.
Feb. 2, 1859: Sun [Baltimore]: [Potawatomi]
A delegation of chiefs of the Pottawottomie tribe of Indians have arrived in Washington on business with the government. Their home is in Iowa. They have visited some of the Sabbath schools of our city.
Feb. 23, 1859: Sun [Baltimore]: [Seneca, Wyandot]
A delegation of Wyandots and Senecas yesterday waited upon the commisioner of Indian affairs to proffer a request that the Wyandot may be permitted to purchase a strip of the Seneca reservation, immediately west of Missouri and south of Kansas.
March 3, 1859: Daily National Intelligencer: [unid.]
"Lo, the Poor Indian!"--The usual prayer meeting at the Fourth Presbyterian Church (Rev. Dr. J. C. Smith, pastor,) was on Tuesday evening very numerously attended, and among the congregation were eight or ten Indians, who are sojourning in Washington, having come to the seat of government on the business of their tribes in the West and Northwest. Their presence was alluded to by the pastor, who welcomed them kindly as christian brethren, and invited them to an active participation in the exercises of the informal and social services of the occasion. In response to this invitation two of them, Messrs. Cole and Jones, addressed the meeting, commenting upon the difficulties in the way of the Indians, not wholly untutored, but instructed in things averse to christianity; in acquiring right conceptions of its simple truths, and in resisting the influence of the "bad white men," who follow the missionary to undo his work and corrupt the Indian before he has been well grounded in the faith; and they exhorted the "quiet and good people" before them to live in peace, to appreciate their privileges, and to remember the red man in their prayers. Two of these Indians prayed aloud in their own language, which seemed in its tones to be highly expressive of tenderness and reverent devotion. These brethren were finally invited to attend the "monthly concert of prayer for christian missions," at the same place, on Monday evening next.
March 16, 1859: Alexandria Gazette: [Winnebago]
Indians.-- A delegation of eight chiefs and four braves of the winnebago Indians, of Minnesota, have arrived in Washington. They are under the charge of Major Mix, son of the acting commissioner, and col. Cullen, superintendent.
March 23, 1859: Evening Star: [Delaware, Winnebago]
Indian Delegation.--For some days past, the appearance of several venerable Indians in the streets has excited attention. They form part of a delegation of eight chiefs and four braves of the Winnebago tribe, now in this city on business with the Government relative to their tribe. They are in charge of Maj. Charles H. Mix, agent, Maj. Cullen, superintendent, and Peter Manaise, U.S. interpreter, and are stopping at the Juniata House, Four-and-a-half street, near the avenue. They are named as follows:
Chiefs--Sho-go-nie--Little Hill; Baptiste Lassellier; Naw-saw-haw-ke-kaw--Rogue; Hoonch-betta-kaw--Big Bear; Co-no-hetta-kaw--Firstborn; Waw-kaw-haw-kaw--Snake Skin; Maw-he-so-chun-ni-she-kaw--One that stands and reaches the Prophet. Braves--O-o-kaw; Hay-zhun-ka-kaw--One Horn; Waw-ho-perne-kaw--Frenchman; Ha-ze-kaw--Yellow Bank.
Their home is in Northwestern Minnesota. They had a preliminary interview yesterday with the U. S. Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Chas. E. Mix, Esq.
The Delaware delegation having about concluded their business, will, we understand, leave for their homes in a few days.
March 26, 1859: Evening Star: [Winnebago]
The Delegation of the Winnebago Indians, now in the city, visited Mount Vernon yesterday, on board the Thomas Collyer. They stopped at Alexandria a few moments, and gave the citizens of that ancient borough an opportunity of gratifying their curiosity.
March 26, 1859: Alexandria Gazette: [Winnebago]
The delegation of Winnebago Indians now in Washington, visited Mount Vernon yesterday on the steamer Thomas Collyer. They stopped at this place for a few moments and attracted considerable attention.
March 31, 1859: Evening Star: [Winnebago]
An Indian Dance.--Yesterday, near dark, the Winnebagoes now at the Juniata House, (Four-and-a-half street, near Pennsylvania avenue,) amused the denizens of that quarter and the passers-by with a genuine Indian dance, on the narrow portico of the house. Many hundreds collected speedily to listen to their monotonous, but by no means inharmonious singing and drum beating, and to see them "whirl about, and turn about, and jump Jim Crow." One old codger of them, as his spirit waxed warm with the excitement of the occasion, suddenly dropped the blanket that he had held up around his haunches; which act served as a signal for the instant dispersion of most of the female portion of the motley crowd standing gaping below. The old fellow, and his brother red-skins, seemed to enjoy the result of his practical joke amazingly. When that embareassing (sic) incident of the entertainment occurred--which, by-the-by, not being down in the bills, was quite unexpected to those not 'au fait' in Indian dances--the yah-yahs! of the colored damsels, as they vamosed the ranch, rang clear and loud above the who-whos and you-yous of their copper-colored brethren.
April 15, 1859: Constitution: [Winnebago]
The Indian Bureau.--Col. Chas. E. Mix, United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs, held talk at his office yesterday morning with a delegation of Winnebago Indians, upon the subject of a final disposition of their lands in Minnesota.
[April 15, 1859: Treaty signed in Washington, D. C. with the Winnebago]
April 16, 1859: Evening Star: [Winnebago]
Indian Treaty. -- Yesterday, the commissioner of Indian Affairs, Chas. E. Mix, Esq., concluded a treaty with a delegation of Winnebago Indians now in this city, by he terms of which each head of a family of the tribe is entitled to eighty acres of the Winnebago reservation in Minnesota, and the remainder of the tract is to be sold for the benefit of the tribe. The treaty was signed by twelve of the Indians and by a number of witnesses. This concludes the business of the delegation in this city, and on Monday it is expected that they will return to their homes. During their stay here these Indians have conducted themselves with strictest propriety, and their Superintendent, Col. Cullen, has strong hopes that the plan of individualizing their interests in the reservation will lead to their becoming industrious and prosperous.
April 17, 1859: Constitution: [Winnebago]
The Winnebago Indians--Military Allies.
We learn that the deputation of Winnebago Indians, now in this city, have nearly completed the purposed objects of their mission to the seat of the general Government, and will soon return to their home in Minnesota.
This tribe consists of about two thousand men, women, and children, of whom very favorable accounts have usually been received for several years past. In the last annual report of the agent, Mr. Charles e. Mix, they are described as "uniformly peaceable and inoffensive." But two or three instances of drunkenness had of late been known among them; and in these--whatever may be thought of such rules in more enlightened communities--the white venders of the "fire-drink" were promptly and justly punished by the imposition of heavy fines. The agent states further that these Indians have applied themselves with earnestness to the pursuits of agriculture, the necessity of which they have been made to feel most keenly by the almost total disappearance of the buffalo and other profitable game from their prairies and forests. Model farms have been established by the agency; farming implements have been provided for the Indians; manual-labor schools are conducted for the benefit of their children; and in every respect the true welfare of the tribe is sought to be promoted by the United States Government, and not without gratifying evidences of success.
Among the duties committed to this delegation was that of endeavoring to establish the claims of a number of their warriors to bounty land for military services rendered to our Government. These claims have been presented heretofore; but the absence of the company rolls and all other recorded evidence has presented obstacles apparently insurmountable. Conscious of their right, however, these men persist in their demands, and appear determined to rest them upon the equity of their cause. On the 2d instant they held a highly interesting "talk" upon the subject with Charles E. Mix, esq., Commissioner of Indian Affairs, at the Department of the Interior, General _____ [sic] Lowry acting as interpreter, assisted by Peter Menaige.
Wah-con-de-cor-ah, the chief, and ancient orator of the tribe, aged about eighty-four years, said the story he was about to tell would be partly about himself; but he would try and not be too fond of it, nor make it too long. When he was a young man his village was near to Prairie du Chien, and the white men came and built a village near. They were quiet in their villages, when the news came that the Sacs and the Foxes were at war with the whites--that a battle had been fought and a great many killed; and soon they heard that another battle had been fought and a great many whites had been killed. He had no friendship for the red men who had done these things, for he was then mourning for a member of his family whom they had slain. The agent and one of the white soldier-fathers then talked to him about these troubles. He had white blood in his veins, and listened with pleasure. The soldier-father gave him a flag of the United States and a military dress, and told him the words of the Great Father at Washington, who wished him and his people to dig up the tomahawk and use it against the Sacs, side by side with the white soldiers. He went from that council to his village, called his young men around him, and started on the trail of the enemy. When he had got near to where Governor Dodge was, he encamped and sent word to the Governor, who soon came with forty soldiers and placed them among the Indians. With these they overtook their enemies, and fought them, but lost twelve men in the battle. The Winnebagoes followed Governor Dodge on the trail until the battle of Bad-axe, when they were in the thickest of the fight. Afterward Governor Dodge sent word that he had whipped the Sacs and Foxes, and wished the Winnebagoes to whip all who should attempt to cross the river; which they did, killing many of them. The Winnebagoes were all summer on the war trail. Their crops were neglected, and they suffered much. The sacs wasted the crops as they retreated over the fields, and this made the Winnebagoes fight the harder for their Great Father. They delivered to General Atkinson and Gov. Dodge more prisoners than these officers could take care of, and the prisoners were therefore sent to Rock Island.
The Winnebagoes were then told by Gov. Dodge that their Great Father wanted the bi warriors taken--such men as Black hawk and the Prophet--and they soon heard that Black Hawk and his men were on the Keesick river, near fort Winnebago. The Prophet was taken by the whites; but Black Hawk was taken by the Winnebagoes. Nee-no-hum-pee-kah was the man who did it. The war was then over; but when the Winnebagoes went to their home they found their crops had all been destroyed; and so they went back to the fort and received flour and other things to live upon.
When the Winnebaoes were going down with their prisoners they met Governor Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, at St. Louis, who accompanied them to Rock Island, saying that he was much pleased at what they had done, and that they would be rewarded by their Great Father. They also saw General Scott at Rock Island. He drew his sword and put it back into its scabbard, saying he had no use for it; his red brethren had made it of no use. He said their Great Father had heard of what had been done--"had heard of me," and the old chief; and General Scott thanked the Winnebagoes, in Governor Dodge's name, for the help they had given in the war. He said our Great Father always gave money and land to his own soldiers, and he would tell him of the services of the Winnebagoes, and he would then treat them in the same way; and the Winnebagoes have always believed this their Great Father, after whipping the Sacs and Foxes, made peace with them; but there was no peace made between the Winnebagoes and the Sacs and Foxes. The sacs hated the Winnebagoes for helping their Great Father, and when peace was made with the whites they struck at the Winnebagoes, first at the family of the speaker. When he was away from home they stole upon his lode and killed his wife and children1 For ten years the sacs and Foxes struck at the Winnebagoes with their war parties, and at Red Cedars they killed men, women and children, and destroyed all they could. This all came because the Winnebagoes had listened to the words of their Great Father. But the old chief thought the Commissioner must have something about these things in the papers of his office. He could not name the officer with whom he and his party left Prairie du Chien. He had between thirty and forty warriors with him then. His brother, who is still living, left Pierre la Crosse with more than sixty warriors.
The Prophet said there were many Winnebagoes in that war, and that some of them have left children who are now poor. The old man had told the truth. The Prophet was then very young, but was with the old chief in that war. Other tribes which he named had done little or nothing, yet they had been paid. The Winnebagoes did not ask to be paid for all their losses and sufferings, but thought the promises made to them should be performed.
The Commissioner explained that the names of the other Indians in the service of the United States had been sent to the War Department, and that this was the reason why they had been rewarded; but the old Chief replied that all Governor dodge's papers had been burned up at Fort Winnebago. The Winnebagoes had served three months, and had received nothing except some captured horses General Scott had turned over to them.
Little Hill arose and declared the words spoken to be all true. His uncle had, in the battle of the Bad-axe, killed one of the Sacs and turned his scalp over his eyes. Others now here could tell the names of the warriors who fought with Governor dodge. Little Hill had not reached the field until the battle was over; but Governor Dodge was pleased with the bravery of the Winnebagoes, and thanked them. None of their names are forgotten. The man who took Black Hawk was a relation of Little Hill, and ever since has been called Black Hawk. Little Hill's brother was killed in that war. The Winnebagoes had lost a hundred scalps in it.
The commissioner finally promised to cause a search to be made for documentary evidence in their favor, and the delegation retired.
April 17, 1859: Constitution: [Winnebago]
The delegation of Winnebago Indians, now in this city, visited this morning the President of the United States, and were introduced to the Chief Magistrate by Commissioner Mix, of the United States Indian Office.
April 18, 1859: Evening Star: [Winnebago]
Funeral of a Winnebago Chief. -- On Saturday last, a brave named, "Pa-ser-ich-kwa," or Prophet died at the Juniata House, in this city, of pneumonia. He was one of the delegation of Winnebagoes with which the treaty has just been concluded by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Chas. E. Mix, Esq. Prophet was probably about 55 years of age, and was a brave and active warrior. He was with the war party of Winnebagoes who under Wah-con-de-cor-ah took part with the whites in the Black Hawk war, and took that chief prisoner. His title of "Prophet" was given him by the whites, for what cause we are not informed. He was buried yesterday*, at the Congressional burial ground, and the funeral was numerously attended. The ceremony was simple and brief, and the silence of his brother chiefs better expressed their grief than language could have done. Among those present at the funeral we observed Senator Rice, Commissioner Mix, of the Indian Bureau, nearly all the clerks employed in that Bureau, the Superintendent, Agents and Interpreters now in the city and a number of distinguished gentlemen connected with the General Government. This death will delay the departure of the Indians until to-morrow or next day, and they evince deep feeling on account of their loss having occurred so far from their homes.
[*The headstone at Congressional Cemetery is inscribed: "Prophet American Indian Winnebago Tribe September 3, 1862"]
April 19, 1859: Alexandria Gazette: [Winnebago]
The Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Chas. E. Mix, esq., has concluded a treaty with a delegation of Winnebago Indians, by the terms of which each head of a family of the tribe is entitled to eighty acres of the Winnebago reservation in Minnesota, and the remainder of the tract is to be sold for the benefit of the tribe.
April 20, 1859: Constitution: [Winnebago]
A "talk" with the Winnebagoes.
The delegation of Winnebago Indians now in this city having concluded a treaty, and thus despatched, the business which brought them here, signified a wish to have another "talk" with Commissioner Mix. The interview took place on Monday [April 18] afternoon, at the room of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. A few strangers, including several ladies, mingled with the group of clerks in the department that had gathered to witness the interesting scene.
The Winnebagoes seated themselves in a semi-circle around the commissioner, and Gen. Lowrey, who volunteered to act as special interpreter, took a seat near him.
Baptiste Lasallire addressed the Commissioner on behalf of the delegation. He expressed the joy they felt at meeting the Commissioner again and being allowed to express to him their wants. The delegation would leave behind them one of their chiefs and go back to the forest paths of their fathers. They wished ere they left to say a few words in regard to the treaty they had just concluded. The tribe had sold their great father a great deal of land; they had very little left them, and would need the money agreed to be paid as soon as possible. They had already told the great father, the President, that they wished him to apply the $360,000 for their benefit in such way as he thought best for them at home. The tribe desired it to be remembered that they were about to abandon their old life and begin a new one, and that such a change required a great deal of money. The delegation desired that funds should be placed in the hands of the agent to be expended for the benefit of the family of the old man who died on Saturday. He was a good man--an example to the tribe--and never drank whiskey. The superintendent had told them that their great father would help them. He has done so, and they would go back and rejoice the tribe by the news. The tribe desired that in expending the money for their benefit the President would regard the wishes of the tribe. The tribe were poorer than ever, and needed a great deal of money. They believed that their brothers would heartily ratify what the delegation had done in the matter of the treaty, and hoped that the commissioner would allow them $1,000 of their money to carry home to the tribe. When braves returned from a long hunt they brought back presents to their children; the delegation hoped that they might be permitted to carry back to their families some token of their visit. They wanted, also, that presents would be sent to the family of the man who died, to enable his friends to make the customary mourning. The delegation made, also, allusion to the case of a Winnebago boy killed by the Sioux and hoped that proper reparation would be required. They were anxious that the friends of the man who was killed should be satisfied. They wished to depart, and only waited the bidding of the commissioner.
Commissioner Mix said that he had listened to their words attentively, and had had their desires put upon paper, that they might not be forgotten. He had heard if from the lips of the great father and the Secretary of the Interior, and knew that the treaty would be carried out in good religious faith. His own lips had assured them of his good intentions. To guard against accident, all this had been written down, that the deaths of the officers might not change the good intention of the government.
Twelve moons must pass before the tribe could expect the payments stipulated in the treaty. He was glad to see that the delegation understood that the matter had yet to be sanctioned by their great father's great council. They had very properly left to the President's discretion the appropriation of the money provided for their benefit in the treaty. The $300,000 would be used, if the President deemed it necessary to extend their improvements. Their representations in relation to the Sioux should be noticed, but, in the meanwhile, the chiefs must permit their young men from attempting to avenge the wrong themselves. He had directed that upon their arrival at new York each of the delegation should be furnished with fifty dollars, to buy presents for their friends at home, and that a like amount should be expended for the family of the old man who died on Saturday.
The remarks of the Commissioner, as well as Baptiste, were frequently responded to by that guttural exclamation by which the red men manifest their assent. The interview lasted about an hour, and was very satisfactory to all parties.
April 20, 1859: Constitution: [Winnebago]
Departure of the Winnebagoes.
The Winnebago delegation which have been in this city, sojourning at the Juniatta House, took their departure yesterday afternoon for their homes in the far West. They were accompanied to the depot by commissioner Mix, and will spend a short time in the city of new York on their homeward way.
April 20, 1859: Evening Star: [Winnebago]
Left the City.--The delegation of Winnebago Indians, who have been here for some three weeks past, left the city yesterday afternoon, accompanied by their Agent, Maj. Mix, Their [sic] Superintendent, Col. Cullen, is to leave to-day, together the Maj. J. R. Brown, agent for the Sioux.
April 21, 1859: Alexandria Gazette: [Winnebago]
Funeral of a Winnebago Chief
[reprint of April 18, Evening Star article]
May 20, 1859: Constitution: [Potawatomi]
A delegation of Pottawatomies, from Wisconsin, on business with the Indian Office, are at Mrs. Bates'.
May 21, 1859: Constitution: [Potawatomi]
The Pottawatomies.
A party of Pottawatomies called upon the commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday morning to solicit his aid in the matter of a claim against the United States, growing out of the Black Hawk war. They were pleasantly received by the commissioner, and remained some time at the Indian Office, explaining the nature of their claim.
May 22, 1859: Constitution: [Potawatomi]
Indians.--The Pottawatomies, whose arrival in this city we announced a few evenings since, had a second interview and "talk" with the Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday morning. Their business having been placed if a far way for settlement, they left the city yesterday afternoon.
May 29, 1859: Evening Star: [Potawatomi]
Arrival of Indians.--A delegation of Pottawatomies, from Wisconsin, have just arrived in this city, on business with the Indian Office, and are stopping at Mrs. Bates's, southwest corner of Pennsylvania avenue and Ninth street.
Aug. 15, 1859: Daily National Intelligencer: [Dakota: Yankton & prob. others, Omaha, Ottawa,
Pawnee, Ponca, Potawatomi, Sauk & Fox, Stockbridge and Winnebago]
Interesting visit.
For the National intelligencer.
I happened on business some time ago [has to be 1858 these delegations incl. Smutty Bear and several others were in DC] to be at Mr. Crutchett's "Mount Vernon Cane Factory", near the Capitol. This is a large manufactory which Mr. C. has erected wherein to manufacture canes, picture frames, &c from timber he has purchased growing on the Mount Vernon estate, from the sale of which Mr. Crutchett hopes to largely aid in the erection of the "Washington National Monument," which at present has only attained a height of about one hundred and seventy feet towards the five hundred feet originally intended.
While at the factory I understood that a number of the "red children of the forest" were soon expected on a visit to Mr. Crutchett and to see the factory in operation, and I was invited to stay awhile. I did so. A few minutes before 11 'clock there were seen coming toward Capitol Hill long retinue of persons. The line was peculiarly singular, owing to many brilliant colors of clothing, feathers, arms, and faces too. They soon arrived at Mr. C's residence, where they were politely received and welcomed by him and some friends present. They seemed soon to make themselves at home by their hearty shaking of hands, gesticulations, and expressions of pleasure, readily occupying seats, chairs, &c., many on carpets, showing their curiosity and admiration of various pictures, busts, statuettes, and other curious little ornaments and works of art, so numerously distributed through this well known cottage.
After the introductory salutations general socially seemed to pervade the whole, and the gentlemen agents and interpreters of the various tribes assembled in the library, where the names of the tribes and individuals composing each delegation were written down, together with the English signification of most of them. Among them were Messrs. P[aaneapaepu?] (signifying Struck by the Reed;) Takonkaweeden, (Angry Bull;) Pichese-chaukened, (Jumping thunder;) Heawewechass, (The Old Man;) Etakahoe-heet, (Elk, with a bad voice;) Noomeathpa, (One who knocks two down;) Tatongonashee, (Standing Buffalo;) Peternesharo, (Man and Chief;) [Takale..k...], (Man who has plenty of horses;) Lequontstaweconisoralecharo, (Hawk Chief;) Letakutsonesharo, (Eagle Chief;) Matosahecia, (Smutty Bear;) and a great many other hard and singular names; the whole forming ten delegations, representing as many tries thousands of [days?] away to the West and Northwest. Some of these are said to have thousands of warriors, and are at present at war with each other in their native wilds; but here were their chiefs and braves mingling among hostile delegations in the same house, talking in various tongues, and trying to give expression to the fullness of their hearts, and playing with a number of little children who had assembled to see them, and presenting a sight novel and full of interest. Here were congregated the old and young, the chief and brave, dressed, painted, and ornamented to the utmost; some on chairs and sofas, others preferring the carpet floor and elsewhere, some bringing their weapons of death, others having them beside them on the floor. Conspicuous among their arms was the well known tomahawk, of various styles, finish, and ornament; some highly burnished, others serving the purpose of a pipe and weapon, which, besides a number of curious pipes, were kept busy in operation with tobacco, bark, &c. The Indians in general were particular in their dress, ornaments, and cleanliness, several of the tribes making it a point every day to bathe their entire persons. All were in full dress and color, from the pale yellow, through various tints and shades, down to [...] purple hue, the majority wearing an immense number of (to them) rare and valuable ornaments, feathers, beads, teeth, grizzly bear claws, charms, wheels, &c in abundance. Many of their countenances were an honest, manly, and open aspect. Many faces were strongly marked, indicating great and peculiar differences of the tribes and races; others seemed to indicate that a little excitement would demonstrate fearful temperaments; but all the tribes preserved in their manner and actions perfect respect and propriety as guests on a visit to some friend.
After a kind of general talk they were invited to examine the "Mount Vernon Cane Factory," to which a short walk through the garden brought them. For this occasion the furnace fires had been lighted, and the simmer of the long boiler seemed just dosing, waiting to be called to awaken the ponderous "iron horse." The untutored "children of the forest" seemed first desirous of examining him while "fast asleep," they said. After which they certainly did not conceal the feelings of Nature, (a quality usually attributed to them.) but watched minutely and carefully the engineer's mode of waking up and putting to sleep again the iron-horse, which was many times repeated to their gratification by the turning on and off the steam; but their gesticulation, expressions, sounds, grunts, and "good" were numerous and emphatic as the heavy fly-wheel put into motion the long lines of massive [...], pullies, saws, lathes, and [...] They watched curiously the operations of sawing up the logs into plank, these into strips, and these again being put in lathes and the knives rapidly converting the square piece of wood into the ordinary walking cane, &c; then the marking, polishing, stamping, and numbering.
While these operations were in progress Mr. Cruthett was engaged some time in filing up the printed certificates, containing an account of the purchase of the timber at Mount Vernon, and its being a relic from the home of the great father, the first President, &c. Each Indian was presented with a "Washington cane," warranted from Mount Vernon;" each cane was numbered by being stamped; the corresponding number was filled in the certificate; each Indian's name was filled in also and most of their English significations; the canes were also mounted, and each tribe supplied as fast as the number for each was completed. They received them gladly, and, through their interpreters, talked much of the pleasure of having such a relic from the "Home of Washington". During occasional delays they freely used the pipe of "peace and friendship;" and, after becoming somewhat familiar with the hum of wheels and machinery, many felt themselves sufficiently at east to resort to the use of the vice, benches, and grindstone to file and sharpen, cut and polish their favorite weapons, &c.
After about two hours at the factory they again assembled at the cottage, seemed delighted with their visit, spoke of the remembrances the "Mount Vernon canes" could call up in their native homes, and the pleasure it would be to show the pale face traveller the "Mount Vernon cane" and the certificate accompanying them, in which were their Indian and English names, which they found could be called out in reading them.
I would say that the visit of these ten tribes, representing scores of thousands of the Sacs and Foxes, Sioux and Ponkas, Omahas and Pawenee, Ottaways and Winnebagoes, Stockbridge and Pottawattomie Indians, will long be remembered by all assembled at the little cottage, not excepting the little ones. The Indians whole deportment was most correct, friendly, and entertaining; in fact, nothing could pass off more agreeably. --Spectator