Volume 1

Narrative of an expedition to the source of St. Peter's River, Lake Winnepeek, Lake of the Woods, etc. Performed in the year 1823, by order of the Hon. J.C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, under the command of Stephen H. Long. U.S.T.E / Compiled from the notes of Major Long, Messrs. Say, Keating, and Colquhoun, by William H. Keating.

Date:: 1825

Credit: Narrative of an expedition to the source of St. Peter's River, Lake Winnepeek, Lake of the Woods, etc. Performed in the year 1823, by order of the Hon. J.C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, under the command of Stephen H. Long. U.S.T.E / Compiled from the notes of Major Long, Messrs. Say, Keating, and Colquhoun, by William H. Keating. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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therefore, that has many, is respected as being a better or more favoured hunter than he that has but one wife. Dr. Hal] observes that polygamy exists in the proportion of twenty-five per cent., that some men have three, four, or five wives, and one man was known to have eight. They appear tobevery attentive to the proper education to be given to children, in order to impart to them those qua- lities both of the mind and body, which shall enable them to endure fatigue and privation, and to obtain an influ- ence, either in the councils of the nation, or during their military operations. When questioned on this subject, Metea replied, that while he was yet very young, hisfather began to instruct him, and incessantly, day after day, and night after night, taught him the traditions, the laws and ceremonies of his nation. ‘* This he did,” said Metea, “that I might one day benefit my country with my counsel.” Theeducation of boys generally commences at ten or twelve years of age; they accustom them early to the endurance of cold, by making them bathe every morning in winter. They likewise encourage them to habituate themselves to the privation of food. In this manner, children are observed to acquire, more readily, the qualifications which it is desirable for an Indian to possess. Parents use no compulsory means to reduce their children to obedience, but they generally succeed in obtaining a powerful influence over them, by acting upon their fears; they tell them that if they do not behave themselves as they are bid, they will irritate the Great Spirit, who will deprive them of all luck as hunters, and as warriors. This, together with the con- stant and never ceasing importance, which the children observe, that their parents attribute to luck in all their pursuits, is found to have the desired effect upon the

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