Daily National Intelligencer

MISSIONS TO THE OSAGES.

FROM THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY REGISTER.

The following letter to the Secretary for Foreign Correspondence, will be perused with interest. It contains important information in relation to the physical and moral state of the Osage Tribes, and to the soil and climate of the country they inhabit. It also presents a strong and interesting appeal to Christians in behalf of these long neglected children of the forest:

Dear Sir: I now write you, agreeably to promise in relation to the Osages of the Missouri.

I have delayed doing so till now, hoping to find a map of their country, and a historical sketch which I once had, but they have eluded my search, and I must proceed therefore, without them, trusting to my recollection, and to such incidental helps as I shall be able to avail myself of as I go along.

The Osages of the Missouri are so called to contradistinguish them from the Osages of the Arkansas. They are divided into two parts, one is called the Great, the other the Little Osages.

But this distinction is nominal only, their habits and interests being the same. It may serve to gratify curiosity, however, to assign some reasons for this distinction of titles.

Upwards of a hundred years ago, (say one hundred and twenty years,) this tribe constituted one band; but hoping to improve themselves, and to reach out after new settlements, it was agreed in general council, that a colony should move off in the direction of the Missouri. The movement was made accordingly; but of what number this colony was composed I had no means of ascertaining. The emigrants were but a few years on their new domain, before, being pressed by their enemies, they returned, by permission of those from whom they had separated, and putting themselves under their protection, settled about six miles from the old establishment in the plains below. Perhaps at this period arose the distinction: and the colonists, if they may be so termed, conceiving of those from whom they had separated, as to consider their protection worth seeking, might have, and with some justice, perhaps, given them the title of "Great Brothers," or Great Osages: and it would be no difficult matter for the party thus addressed to return the compliment by addressing these grateful people by the title of "Little Brothers," or Little Osages.

Nor is it reasonable to suppose, under the circumstances of the case, that any exception would be taken by those thus denominated "Little."

But another reason may be assigned for this distinction of titles, and that is, the Great Osages have always been the most numerous. Putting the two together, there is some reason why one should be called Great, and the other Little, although the Little Osages are admitted to be more skillful and daring in war; and more dexterous and successful in the chase; and they are said to be finer looking men, generally speaking, & even superior in strength, and vigour of intellect, than their titled brothers, which sometimes happens to be the case in the orders of civilized society.

This however by the way.

But there is another reason assigned for this distinction of titles; and it is entitled to some respect, as it is derived from one of the Great Osage deputation at Washington: and that, the Great Osages having their village upon a height, from whence the prospect is fine and commanding, they are called "Great"—that is, their view is great—the great world appears spread out before them, and all the majesty of nature presents itself to the eye; whereas the Little Osages, living on level ground, they see but little, and therefore they are called Little. But, however this reason may be the current one at this time of day, yet I think these titles were originally conferred for other and more suitable reasons. It is very certain that the Little Osages, with all their superiority of skill, and intellect, and form, occupy, in the estimation of the Great Osages, that level in their relations of power and policy, which their name imports; for, when Lieut. Pike, (since General Pike, whose death, during the late war occasioned to his country so much just cause for mourning,) returned to the Osages a number of their captive brethren, in 1806, their incidental and unintentional arrival at the village of the Little Osages, first, called forth a rebuke from Cher-e-cux Blauche, the chief of the Great Osages, to the Wind, the chief of the Little Osages, in these words: "I am shocked at your conduct, Tuttas-uggy, you who have lately come from the states, and should have been wise; but you led the redeemed captives, with an officer of the United States, to your village, instead of bringing them through my town in the first instance." To this the Wind made no reply. Lieut. Pike considered the speech as having been intended to show to him and his party the superiority of the one, and the inferiority of the other.

The Osages of the Missouri live in two villages, which are, as has been stated, six miles apart, on the waters of the Osage river, and about one hundred and twenty leagues from its junction with the Missouri. The number of their warriors bears a much larger proportion to the number of souls, than is known in any other tribe. Of warriors they have certainly not less than 1500. Perhaps the two villages could number 2000, which would give them, computing one warrior for every ten souls, as is usual, with most tribes, 15 or 20,000 souls; whereas, by returns from Governor Clarke, made to me in 1817, they stand thus: Number of persons of the Great Osages 6000—probable number of children, 3500—Towns, 3. Little Osages, 2000, probable number of children, 1000—Towns, 2. In all 8000 souls; and these embrace both the Arkansas and the Missouri Osages. I should estimate the number of the Great and Little Osages of the Missouri at 6000, allowing two-thirds for the Great, and one-third for the Little, or 4000 for the former, and 2000 for the latter.

Their country is said to be beautiful. It lies in latitude 37 degrees, west longitude 92°. I shall have occasion to refer to this branch of the subject in another part of this letter, and will proceed with other points.

They subsist on corn, pumpkins, beans, and the flesh of wild fowl, and buffalo, and deer, and such other eatables as the forests furnish, and on fish. Their commerce is carried on by the exchange of furs, and peltries, for blankets, strouds, and such other articles as are in use amongst them. Their peaceful habits, especially the cultivation of this interesting trait in their character towards the government and people of the United States, is remarkable. How far this friendship may owe its confirmation to the interest manifested by the government in the redemption and return of upwards of fifty of their fathers, and wives, and children, and brothers, and sisters, in 1806. I cannot determine: but the effect produced on those who came out to meet them, and on those who again greeted their native village, their homes, and their friends, warrants the conclusion that the United States is indebted to that one act of justice and of mercy, for much of the friendship which has ever since been shown towards us by that people. The account given of that meeting by the distinguished youth, (for he was then but a youth,) to whom had been entrusted the expedition, is worthy of insertion; as is also the address delivered on the occasion by Sans Orielle, a distinguished Osage chief. "Lieut. Wilkinson informed me," says Lieut. Pike, "that their meeting (the meeting of the redeemed captives & their friends) was very tender and affectionate. Wives throwing themselves in the arms of their husbands, parents embracing their children, and children their parents, brothers and sisters meeting, one from captivity, the other from the towns—they at the same time returning their thanks to the good God for having brought them once more together; in short, the tout ensemble, he continues, was such, as to make polished society blush, when compared with those savages, in whom the passions of the mind, either joy, grief, fear, anger, or revenge, have their full scope. Why, he emphatically asks, can we not correct the baneful passions, without weakening the good?"

It was on that occasion of joy and gratitude, that Sans Orielle spoke thus: "Osage you now see your wives, your brothers, your daughters, your sons, redeemed from captivity. Who did this? Was it the Spaniards? No. Was it the French? No. Had either of these people been governors of your country, your relatives might have rotted in captivity, and you never would have seen them. But the Americans stretched forth their hands; and they are returned to you!" What can you do in return for all this goodness? Nothing: all your lives would not suffice to repay their goodness." Thus did Sans Orielle mingle his joy with the redeemed and their friends, when at the same time he had children in captivity not one of whom could be obtained!

What deep impressions of good will do not such acts of the government and such speeches as this make, under such circumstances, on the minds of destitute and helpless men! Kindness, my dear sir, is destined to conquer at last; and missionaries are ordained as the distinguished and honored agents to unfurl before the eyes of this people the flag of benevolence, and, under its hallowed and peaceful waving, to proclaim the true liberty. And here I find myself, suddenly, within the limits of your pavilion, and must stop a moment to survey the preparations which you, and your brethren, and the government, are all united in making, to carry in amongst these very Osages—not the death-dealing engines of war and destruction; not the excitements of speculators and avaricious contenders for wealth—no: but the mild whisperings of kindness, and the means of intellectual and social and moral improvement. Doubts have hitherto darkened this interesting subject; but they are all dissolving. The light of experience has broken forth from Springplace, from Brainard, from Elliot, from Cornwall, from Wapakonnetta; and soon shall we see it issuing from the Arkansas, and from the villages of the Osages, and thence onward, West and North, till the whole region of aboriginal darkness will be full of light and peace and harmony. Experience warrants this conclusion at last, if other things did not. But we have evidences by the thousand, any of which (experience out of the question) would demonstrate the practicability of civilizing and christianizing our Indians; and who doubts the obligation to engage in the work? Who are the Indians?

Let the affection displayed, and the tears, the eloquent testimonials of humanity, shed, in 1806, at the meeting of the redeemed captives, tell. Who are the Indians? Pierce their veins, witness their sorrows, mark their joys, listen to their eloquence. Are they not men? And, if men, are they not our brothers? See them in the winter's frost. Do they not feel, and shiver? Look at them exposed to the solar ray. Do they not burn? Have we never seen them weep? Aye—it is at this point we should oftenest see them, did not their fortitude make it unmanly—for they have cause to weep. Yes, here we should see them, pouring forth their tears, to be measured only by the gauge of their despair. Now and then we see an enlightened and Christian spirit animating the weather-beaten face of these hitherto neglected men. In a moment of all others the most important to man, have we heard the aged and instructed Skenandoah say—"Lay me by the side of my minister and friend, that I may go up with him at the great resurrection!" And is all this embraced in the Indian character? And shall we not be their friends? Shall the means, in such a highly favored country as this, be wanting, to convey to these untaught men the knowledge out of which we derive our blessings, our comforts? Shall they be permitted, under the impulses of nature, to roam over the wilds, gathering their often-times scanty, and always uncertain, subsistence from the chase, when the earth under their feet is ready, by the application of less toil, to produce the certain and abundant means of living? Shall they be permitted to cover themselves with the skins of the beasts they have slain, and often suffer for want of clothing, too often, indeed, from the actual exposure of their bodies to the rigors of the year, when a few looms and wheels, and a little friendly instruction, would teach them how to manufacture comfortable garments for themselves? And shall they be left alone, to listen to the roar of the elements, and feel their native mountains shake beneath them, and to remain ignorant of the God who rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm?

Shall they be left, crudely to conceive of that Holy Being as they may gather his uncertain likeness from what they behold around them, and be permitted to remain ignorant of all the vast concerns of the future, and blind to their consequences, and none go forth to make all this important and deeply interesting subject plain to them? Wherefore withhold from them the knowledge of the best and most important things which are known to and cherished by us, whether they be viewed in relation to the present or future? Why should we enjoy all that has reference to the perfection of our nature, and our brethren of the same country, and but a few weeks travel from us, be left to struggle on amidst clouds and darkness and suffering, with a dread uncertainty resting on all the future? But to whom am I addressing myself? Happy for the Osages, to one who needs none of these desultory reflections to excite in him those feelings which, to the honor of our country, are beginning to be cherished by thousands. Yes, happy Osages—the days of your gloom are about to close. Already does the light gleam across and fringe the skirts of the clouds which have so long hung over you. It is so, my dear sir, and I congratulate these people, I congratulate the government and citizens of my country, that you made a visit to Washington, and offered your services, and had your plans of kindness recognized by the Osages of the Missouri. No longer will our Indians be considered in the light of the beasts of the forests. Our government, long anxious to serve them, has at last arrived at the era when Indian civilization may be registered; and, whilst it aids by such resources as the Congress has put in its power, (and which, I trust, will be multiplied,) and countenances and strengthens all it can those generous and noble doings of associated bodies of our fellow-citizens, who are emphatically the best friends of the Indians, you will have reason to take to yourself, as will your brethren and friends, in this great work, much of the luxury which those enjoy who do good.

The country of the Osages of the Missouri is delightful. The Mission family who may be honored with a commission to go to these people will have every thing to enjoy that a fine climate and soil can furnish, and they may repose confidently in the friendship of the Osages. Their chief business will be to adopt those measures which shall set forth to them in the truest light an exhibition of their generous object. Once let the Indians see that they are disinterested friends, and have demonstrated to them their usefulness, and no power will be permitted to harm them but at the cost of the blood of those whom they go to serve. Nothing could have been more happily contrived, even if it had been the result of contrivance, than for the two missions to the Osages to follow each other in such quick succession.—The Arkansas Osages and the Osages of the Missouri are not on friendly terms. Out of the schism which sundered them originated much bad blood. And, like most other difficulties with which our aborigines have to contend, this schism was the result of intrigue on the part of rival traders; a cause of affliction to our Indians, to arrest which will require the strong arm of the government, and the passage of that excellent law, or one like it, for the regulation of Indian trade, which originated in, and obtained the sanction of, the Senate, at the last session of Congress; but which, for want of time, was not called up in the House of Representatives. This, however, may not be the place for the illustration of this branch of the subject. The Osages of the Missouri, I was going on to remark, think they are the aggrieved party in this schism—and perhaps they are. If the school now organizing on the Arkansas had got under way, and nothing had been seen doing in favor of the Osages of the Missouri, consequences, arising out of the jealousy which this aspect of things must needs have excited, and out of despair, might have proved serious, as well to the white population bordering their domain as to the tribes themselves. But, as this business has resulted, there will be no grounds for jealousy. I doubt not but the most harmonious and friendly consequences will result to these Indians; and, I shall not be at all surprised if, in the course of a few years, they give to each other the hand of fellowship, and consent to a mutual forgetfulness of the past, and bind themselves together, once more, by the ties of brotherhood and love. And how easy, by the extension of such peaceful posts, would it be to unite the tribes which inhabit the country from the Arkansas to the Council Bluffs. This could be accomplished by the establishment of a school and Mission family at Fort Clark, and at the Council Bluffs, on the Missouri. The moral effect which such a line of operations would produce would be more decisive in harmonizing the frequent commotions that agitate and afflict the Indians in those regions, especially if seconded by a judicious, system for the regulation of trade, than would the erection of a battery of cannon, though it should extend from the Arkansas to the Rocky Mountains. Upon this part of the subject your agents, to whom will be entrusted the establishment of the Mission amongst the Osages of the Missouri, will be better able to give you the necessary information.

An enlargement and multiplication of schools are called for, not only by the public sentiment, but by the Indians themselves. These schools must form the foundation of this great work; and, if properly aided by suitable laws for the correction of evil doers, and the proper regulation of a liberal commercial intercourse with all the tribes, there need be no doubt as to the result. It needs only that this system be properly arranged, and set vigorously and harmoniously in operation, to prove to the world how comparatively easy it is to "train up children (though they be the children of savages) in the way they should go;" and how they, too, when they become old, will adhere to this early training.

The day, I am delighted to think, is at hand, when an Indian war will be as rare an occurrence as was, half a century ago, a general Indian peace. And kindness will accomplish the work at last, and not force. Force may do where there are no agencies for the promotion of moral influences, and it is prudent to provide the one in the absence of the other. But the time must come, when a military force will be as useless in the Indian country, for the purposes of war upon the sons of the forests, as it would be at this time in the City of Washington or New-York, for the purposes of war upon the inhabitants of those cities.

Yet, it will be no less necessary amongst the Indians, that laws should be established for their government, than it is that laws should be enacted for the government of our own citizens; nor less necessary that all infractions of their provisions should be visited with their appropriate punishments in the one case than in the other.

I sincerely wish you success in the noble work in which you are engaged, as I do all others who have undertaken its promotion. I know that any aid which it may be in the power of the President to afford, and which will be furnished through the Secretary of War, whose good feelings and hearty co-operation in this benevolent design are known to you, will be most cheerfully granted.

As for myself, if I can help in my feeble way to forward this cause of suffering humanity, I promise you the best services I may have the ability to render; and these you are authorized at all times freely to command.

Accept assurances of my respectful and friendly regards.

THO. L. McKENNEY.