Traits Of American-Indian Life And Character.

Ogden, Peter Skene

Publication: Smith, Elder and Co, 1853, London

First Edition. Original Red Blind-stamped Cloth, vii-xiv, 218 pp. + 16 pages of advertisements by the publisher. Introduction. "Among the first individuals to penetrate the vast wilderness of the American Far West were rugged trappers and traders. Many, in their dealings with Native Americans, witnessed a broad spectrum of tribal life. Peter Skeene Ogden (1794-1854), explorer, author, and Hudson's Bay Company employee, was one such observer ... astute, immensely literate for his time, and knowledgeable in a number of regional Indian languages. This fascinating volume, attributed to Ogden, provides an illuminating and sometimes startling account of day-to-day life among the original inhabitants of the Oregon Territory ... Ogden presents intimate sketches of tribal life collected over two decades of encounters with Indians of the Northwest. More than just brief glimpses into warlike habits, this book describes in graphic and often touching prose a wealth of customs, traditions, beliefs, rituals, and daily activities of Indian life ... even including scenes of domestic tragedy." "This book consists of sketches of life in old Oregon, most concerning the Indians, with incidental information on the fur trade."---Wagner-Camp 232. The author, "By A Fur Trader," was once a subject of controversy but it's now generally agreed to have been authored by Peter Skene Ogden, noted British fur trader of the Hudson Bay Company. "[The Author] rescued the Whitman massacre captives and tells us most of what we know about Jedediah Smith's 1828 Oregon Journey."---Streeter Sale 3717. Thirteen of the 16 sketches relate the authors' experiences as a fur trader in British Columbia or along the Columbia River. Included is the story of the massacre of Jedediah Smith's men on the Umpqua River in 1828, which is told as in Smith's own words. "Peter Skene Ogden was one of the leaders of the Hudson's Bay Company operations in the Oregon Country and along the Snake River. He witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in early Oregon history, helping to rescue the survivors of the Whitman Massacre and assisting Jedediah Smith after the latter lost most of his men in an Indian ambush on the Umpqua River in 1828. In fact, the story of this debacle seems to be told in Smith's own words, and Ogden may have had some direct manuscript source for his published version. The rest of the book consists of sketches of life in Oregon, mainly concerned with Indians there, but also including notes on the fur trade."--Bill Reese, The Best Of The West,129. Ex-library copy with 1.5" library stamp on verso of title page and in the lower fore-corner of 3 other pages. Previous owners name and date at top edge of front free endpaper. Some very slight sunning to spine, else a fine copy of this important work. A rare work in exceptional condition. Laid-in is a copy of F. W. Howay's essay, "Authorship of TRAITS OF INDIAN LIFE", presenting his conclusion of attribution to Ogden. Protected in a custom slipcase.