[29] Etienne Vényard, Sieur de Bourgmont (Bourmont, Boismont, Bournion), the builder of Fort Orleans, just below the mouth of Grand River, the first post established on the Missouri (1722 or 1723), undertook an expedition therefrom during the summer of 1724, under instructions from the government of Louisiana, for the purpose of making treaties of friendship with the tribes of the plains. For his journal, see Margry, _Découvertes et Etablissements des Français_, vi, pp. 398-448.—ED. [30] St. Peter's was the former name of the Minnesota River.—ED. [31] See Dorsey, "Migrations of Siouan Tribes," in _American Naturalist_, xv, p. 211; also Nuttall's _Journal_, in our volume xiii, note 84.—ED. The Oto nation of Indians is distinguished by the name of _Wah-toh-ta-na_. The permanent village of this nation is composed of large dirt lodges, similar to those of the Konzas and Omawhaws, and is situate on the left bank of the river Platte, or Nebraska, about forty miles above its confluence with the Missouri. Although this nation distinguish themselves by the name of Wahtohtata, yet when questioned respecting the signification of the word, they say it ought to be pronounced Wah-toh-ta-na, or Wa-do-tan, which means those who will copulate. This singular designation which they have adopted, was applied to the nation in consequence of their chief, at the period of their separation from the Missouries on the Mississippi, having carried off a squaw from that nation. The nation is, however, only known to the white people by the name of Oto, Otto, or Othouez. It thus appears, that their name has been adopted subsequently to the migration and partition of the great nation of which they were formerly but a band. This great nation, they say, originally resided somewhere to the northward of the great lakes; and on their emigration southwardly, after performing a considerable journey, a large band of them, called Ho-ro-ge, or Fish Eaters, from their fondness of fish, separated from the main body, and established their residence on the margin of a lake. This band is now known by the name of Winnebagoe.[32] [32] On the Winnebago, see J. Long's _Voyages_, in our volume ii, note 86.—ED. During the journey of the great nation, another band separated from them on the Mississippi, and received the name of _Pa-ho-ja_, or Gray Snow, which they still retain; but are known to the white people by the name of Ioways, or Aiaouez. They have, {62} however, been distinguished by the name of _Pierced-noses_, as this was erroneously believed to be the meaning of the word Pahoja; and it will be confessed that the distinction is somewhat nice, when we learn that the true word for pierced nose is _pa-o-ja_.