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Show i46 BASIS OP AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1700 Notwithstanding the fact that the region occupied by these Indians of the plains had been visited as early as 1541 by De Soto and Coronado, but little was known of them until the early part of the nineteenth century. A certain amount of trade had been carried on with the southern tribes from the French settlements on the lower Mississippi, and the Sioux and other northern groups had been visited by French traders shortly after the discovery of that great waterway. N It was not, however, until after the Louisiana Purchase that the whites entered the region in any numbers. Following that transaction the first to come were the fur- traders, and within a few years numerous posts were founded and regular routes of travel established to the mountains beyond the plainsX The Indians were not averse to trade, and usually welcomed the traders because of the opportunity afforded to obtain hitherto unheard of luxuries. No great difficulties arose at first, though there were some losses, both of property and lives, through hostile bands, or because of rash or unjust acts on the part of the whites. As the immigrants began to pour into and through the country matters became more serious. The opportunity thus offered to the Indians to revenge injuries, fancied or real, and to acquire great wealth without much danger to themselves, was often too tempting to be resisted by the hot- headed younger element, even when opposed by the sager counsels of the old men; and even the older Indians |