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Show 18 APPENDIX TO PART 11. ous uuknown uations on the N. This nation altr.ough enlll'ely iu om tenitorics, is claimed exclusively by the Spaniards, and may be said to be decidedly in their interest, notwithstanding the few who lately paid a visit to Nutchitoches. They are the only nation who border on the Spanish settle· ments, which that nation treat as an independent people. They arc by the Spaniards reputed brave, indeed they have given them some very strong evidences of it; for when I first entered the pro· vincc of New Mexico, I was shewn various deserted villages and towers beat down, which had been <lestt·oyed by the Tctaus in an invasion of that province, when they were at war with the Spaniards about ten years since. From the village Agua Caliente, (see chart) they carried off at one time 2,000 head of horses, but they now have an excellent understanding with the Spaniards, which Don Facundo Malagure's late expedition has ~rved very much to increase. He personally related his rencountcr with the Tetaus in the following manner: " Having been personally apprised of each other's approximation, " and appointed a time for the Indians to •·eceive him on an exten· " sive prairie, he sallied forth from his camp with 500 men, all on '' white horses, excepting himself and his two principal officers, " who rode j(.;t black ones, and was received on the plain by I 500 of " those savages, dressed in their gay robes, and displaying their va· •' rious feats of chivalry." I leave this subject to the judicious, whether the circumstance would not be handed down to the latest })OStcrity, as an instance of the go.od will and r espect which the Spaniards paid their nation ; as no doubt Malgare had policy eufficient to induce them to believe that the expcditicn principally was fitted out with a view to pay them a visit. As I was not in their country, and did not meet with any of the wandering parties, I :.hall not attempt to describe their manners, customs, &c. but in my statistical tables, I shall include them <:~grceably to the best in!onnation obtained of their nation. I shall here COllclu<le my accouut uf the nations with which I became acquaiuted in our bonndurics; as 1 conceive the Spanish Indians require a different di:.cus!\ion aud attentio{} in a different point of view, as theit· missionaries have succeeded with their na· tions beyond what we cau fol'tn an idea of. My diary will present nun1crous additional circumstances, to form au idea of those sa> .tge::~, thsir manners, customs, principles, and biases, political ancl local. Z. :~I. PIKE, Capt. 1st U. S. Regt. Infty. lVasiJington City, J anua ry lSOH. . . THE following R eport was written by lieutenant Wzlkmson, at a time when it was expected I had been cut off by the savages ; it consequently alluded to transaction .. r.e lative t o th e exped 1' t·1 0n prevt·o us to our separation, which I have since corrected: but the adventures of his party~ after our separation, are given in his own words. |
