“The Mandans are certainly a very interesting and pleasing people in their personal appearance and manners; differing in many respects, both in _looks_ and customs, from all other _tribes which I have ever seen_. They are not a warlike people, for they seldom, if ever, carry war into their enemies’ country; but when invaded, show their valour and courage to be equal to that of any people on earth. Being a small tribe, and unable to contend on the wide prairies with the Sioux and other roaming tribes, who are ten times more numerous, they have very judiciously _located themselves in a permanent village, which is strongly_ fortified, and ensures their preservation. By this means they have _advanced further in the arts of manufacture, and have supplied their lodges more abundantly with the comforts and even luxuries of life than any Indian nation I know of. The consequence of this is that the tribe have taken many steps ahead of other tribes in manners and refinements_ (if I may be allowed to use the word refinement to Indian life); and are, therefore, familiarly (and correctly) denominated by the Traders and others, who have been amongst them, the ‘polite and friendly Mandans.’ “There is certainly great justice in the remark, and so forcibly have I been struck with the peculiar _ease and elegance_ of this people, together with the _diversity of complexions_, the various colours of their hair and eyes, the singularity of their language, and their peculiar and unaccountable customs, that I am fully convinced that they have sprung from some other origin than that of the other North American tribes, or that they are an amalgam of natives with some civilized race. “Here arises a question of very great interest and importance for discussion; and after further familiarity with their character, customs, and traditions, if I forget not, I will eventually give it further consideration. Suffice it then for the present, that their _personal appearance_ alone, independent of their modes and customs, pronounces them at once as more or less than savage. “A stranger in the Mandan village is first struck with the _different shades of complexion_ and colours of hair which he sees in a crowd, and is at once almost disposed to exclaim that ‘_these are not Indians!_’ “There are a great many of these people whose complexions appear as _light as half-breeds_; and amongst the women particularly, there are many whose _skins are almost white, with the most pleasing symmetry and proportion of features; with hazel, with gray, and with blue eyes; with mildness and sweetness of expression, and excessive modesty of demeanour, which render them exceedingly pleasing and beautiful_!”