Rare work on the Osage Nation and other Native American tribes in the Midwestern United States. The present work was written by Paul Vissier on the occasion of a visit of six Osage people, namely Mohongo, her husband, and four other members of their tribe, to France in 1827. This "visit" probably came to be under false pretences; it is unclear if the Osage people were invited to take part in a voyage to France or were tricked onto a ship with Le Havre, France as its - for the Osage people undisclosed - destination. Practically immediately since their arrival in France on July 27, 1827, they were glorified as "noble savages" and subsequently paraded around France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerlands, and Italy before ending back up in Paris. The interest in the Osage people seriously declined, resulting in neglect as they were left to survive on their own without being able to communicate and without the means to return home. Eventually in 1830, the Osage people received help and were able to return to the US. Sadly, at least two of the party died of smallpox at sea.
In the first chapters of the present work, Vissier speculates on the origin of Native American people, with special attention to the Osage Nation, and provides a general view of their customs, agriculture, food, social structure, law system, arts, religion, commerce, wars, etc. The last two chapters describe the voyage of the six Osage people to France, including their visit to the French king, and give some additional information on their personal backgrounds.
The wrappers are worn, the leaves are uncut resulting in wide margins as well as uneven and somewhat frayed edges throughout, foxed throughout. Howes V133; Sabin 100607; not in Chadenat.