I am aware of your capacity to judge the merits of the work, and will consider myself highly honored if I have had the good fortune to meet your approbation. Moreover, I shall rejoice if I have contributed in any degree toward opening a course of policy on the part of Government that may result in the amelioration of the sad condition of the savages. Should the facts herein recorded ever be published or embodied in other works, it is hoped the errors of language may be corrected, but in no instance is it desired that the meaning should miscarry. Should any references be required by the department for whom this is written I beg leave to name as my friends and personal acquaintances in addition to your Excellency, Col. D. D. Mitchell, Kenneth Mackruger, Esq., Rev. P. I. De Smet, Messrs. P. Chouteau, Jr., & Co., and Alex. Culbertson, Esq., all of St. Louis, and Dr. John Evans, United States geologist, any of whom will satisfy inquiries on this head. Permit me, my dear friend, to remain with great respect and high consideration, truly your most obedient servant, EDWIN T. DENIG. [Illustration: BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT PLATE 62 FORT UNION AS IT APPEARED IN 1833] [Illustration: BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT PLATE 63 EDWIN THOMPSON DENIG AND MRS. DENIG] INDIAN TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI By EDWIN T. DENIG THE ASSINIBOIN[2] [2] Consult Preface for etymologic analysis of this word and for its objective meaning. HISTORY