A Diary of Lord Selkirk’s Expedition on the Banks of the Red River 1816-1817

On the 13th, the messenger finally arrived and announced the imminent arrival of the Sioux. Since they are known to be the cruellest and wildest of the Indian tribes in America, we were curious to see them and prepared for them a festive reception. The English flag was flown and two cannons were displayed. The Sioux approached in a long Indian line, one behind the other. They carried four English flags and several peace calumets. On a slight elevation, the chief paused on his horse. The Indians that were on foot arranged themselves to his right and left, while the men on horseback massed on both flanks and behind him. The chief, a well-proportioned Indian with an energetic-looking physiognomy, was clad in white leather, richly adorned with porcupine quills, as well as horse and bison hairs. Like him, his men were partially clad in leather, or partly wrapped in blankets and bison skins. Others were almost naked. Some were armed with bows and arrows; some with rifles. All had their faces painted in red, black, white, and yellow; some wore duck skins, owls, and so on, as headdresses. The sight of these 100 fantastically adorned and theatrically dressed savages was extraordinary; never again have I regretted so much that I cannot draw. Dixon gave a speech, during which he thanked them for accepting his invitation and also for entering their enemy’s, the Saulteaux’s, country; in order to accompany the great chief, Lord Selkirk, on his journey to the sources of the Mississippi. Hereupon, the peace calumet was smoked. Graham, who had spent the last winter with them, stepped forward and shook hands with an Indian that he was friends with, a brother of a chief who had been murdered by Saulteaux. That same man, who was smeared thickly with grey earth as a sign of his grief, burst into loud howling and at once the other Indians joined in. After numerous gun salutes were fired, order was re-established. The Sioux then went to visit the Saulteaux who had been hiding in fear, shook their hands, and tried to instil trust by stroking them. Now rum was distributed. The impact did not fail to show, although the rum was very diluted. Fortunately, some degree of discipline was maintained to by several elite warriors, who were distinguished by raven plumage worn around their neck. Otherwise, the festivity could have come to a bad end. Those who raged the most were gagged and tied up within bison skins; and dealt many blows. Nevertheless, the uproar in the fort was horrifying: 100 more or less drunken savages howled, danced, and mutually insulted each other. Our men retired to their lodgings, armed and ready, waiting for the imminent start of an atrocious massacre. Luckily, nothing like that occurred. After sunset, it got calmer. One of the Sioux wanted to ride off, displeased for some reason. The chief signalled to one of his elite warriors, who rushed over and smashed the horse’s jaw-bone. Next morning, a festive convocation was held, which we attended standing up, whereas the Sioux and Saulteaux were sitting in a circle. Peace was formally declared, and calumets were passed around. Presents of rifles, ammunition, tobacco, cloth and so on were made. The chief got a scarlet dress adorned with silver braids, a silver medal and a white shirt.