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LIFE

LIFE, LETTERS AND TRAVELS OF PIERRE-JEAN DE SMET, S. J. 1801-1873.

CHITTENDEN, HIRAM M. AND ALFRED T. RICHARDSON First Editions. Four Volumes. Green Cloth. Vol. I: xv.,402pp.---Vol.II: p.403-794.---Vol.III: p.795-1211.---Vol.IV: p.1212-1624. Frontispiece in each volume, and 12 additional Plates. Large Folding Map in pocket at rear of Vol. IV. "Missionary Labors and Adventures among the Wild Tribes of the North American Indians, Embracing Minute Description of Their Manners, Customs, Games, Modes of Warfare and Torture, Legends, Traditions, etc., All from Personal Observations Made during Many Thousand Miles of Travel, with Sketches of the Country from St. Louis to Puget Sound and the Altrabasca. Edited from the original unpublished manuscript Journals and Letter Books and from his Printed Works with Historical, Geographical, Ethnological and other Notes; Also a Life of Father De Smet." De Smet was born in Belgium in 1801, came to the United States in 1821, becoming a Jesuit Missionary. He went west in 1840 with a fur trade expedition to the rendezvous at Green River, after which he went further west, often traveling with trappers and fur traders. This set is a major scholarly work, publishing his journals for the first time, and numerous letters; some published before, the majority published here for the first time. Tweney-The Washington 89-8:"Father De Smet, gave more than thirty years' service to the American Indian in his post as Superior of the Indian Missions in the Pacific Northwest. He traveled assiduously, wrote voluminously, and treated the Indians with sympathy and understanding. His writings, mostly in the form of letters, were published in both the United States and Europe. On numerous occasions he acted as chief negotiator between the Indians and the government, and he was influential in the formation of what eventually became the national Indian policy. These four volumes are the most complete collection of his letters available, and the accompanying life of Father De Smet make them both authoritative and indispensable." A beautiful set. Some very light occasional wear to edges and corners, and a few minor scuffs and spots. Some discreet, professional reinforcement to inside hinges of Vol.IV. Map in fine condition. In all, a bright, tight near fine set of this very scarce and important work.
  • $1,500
  • $1,500