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4aAeDhS ALLASa, upper t,

 August 9th, ls32.

 Dear Sir-Soon after the date of my last letter from the mouth of Yellow Stone, l descended the river in a skiH to this place, where 1 have resided about two weeks, a guest in this subterrane- ous clty-the strangest place in the world, where one sees in the most rapid succession, scenes which force him to mlrth-to pity and compassion; 10 ad- miration-to disgust-to fear and asto- nishment. Hereare subjects and scenes worthy of the pens of Irving, CT Cooper; rich m legends and romances which would require no aid of the imagination for picture.

 The Mandans, or (See- -pohs- ka-nuk ka- kee, "people of the pheasants,' as they Call themselves, are perhaps ono of the most ancient tribes of Indians in our country. They take great pride in re. latlng their traditions with regard to their origin-contending that they were the lirst people created onesrth. Their village is undoubtedly of very ancient origin, and from what l could learn of the tra a'itions, they have, at former period, been a very numerous and pow erfal nation; but by the continual wars which have existed between them and their neighbors, they have been reduced to the number of i6 or lS00 souls.

 Their village is situated on the Bank, Tn one of the most beautiful valleys on sle river. The ground on which 1t is built wasadmirably selected fordefence, being on bank forty or fifty feet above the bed of the river. The greater part Of this bank is nearly perpendicular, and of solid rock. The river suddenly changing it's course to right angle, protects two sides of the village, which Is built upon this promontory or angle ]; they have therefore but one side to pro- sect,whichis etfectuaIly done by strong pquet and high ditch inside of it, of three or four feet in depth. They are undoubtedly secure in their village from the attacks of any Indian nation, and have nothing to fear except when they meet their enemies on the prarie.- Their village has E most strange ap- pearance to the eye of stranger their lodges are closely grouped togeth. CT. leaving but just room enongh for walking and riding between them They appear from without to be built entirely of dirt, but one is surprised, when he enters them, to see the neat ness, comfort, and spacious dimensions of thesecarth hcovered dwellings. The, all have circular form, and are iron fifty to sixty feet in diameter. Their roofs are formed of poles of six or eigh inches in diameter, with the butt end il the ground, and placed so thick as t touch each other-the points nearl. meeting ess the sseP, easing pert T r of four or five feet in diameter, answer ing for chimney and sky light at tn sAme time. These poles are supporte'