I have seen Mr. Catlin’s collection of Indian Portraits, many of which were familiar to me, and painted in my presence at their own villages. I have spent the greater part of my life amongst the tribes and individuals he has represented, and I do not hesitate to pronounce them correct likenesses, and easily recognised; also his sketches of their manners and customs, I think, are excellent; and the landscape views on the Missouri and Mississippi are correct representations.
K. M‘Kenzie, of the Am. Fur Co., Mouth of Yellow Stone.
We hereby certify that the portraits of Seminoles and Euchees, named in this catalogue, were painted by George Catlin, from the life, at Fort Moultrie; that the Indians sat or stood in the costumes precisely in which they are painted, and that the likenesses are remarkably good.
P. Morrison, Capt. 4th Inft.
J. S. Hathaway, 2nd Lieut. 1st Art.
H. Wharton, 2nd Lieut. 6th Inft.
F. Weedon, Assistant-Surgeon.
Fort Moultrie, Jan. 26, 1838.
In addition to the above certificates, nearly every portrait has inseparably attached to its back an individual certificate, signed by Indian agents, officers of the army, or other persons, who were present when the picture was painted. The form of these certificates is as follows:—
No. 131, BLACKFOOT, PE-TOH-PE-KISS (THE EAGLE-RIBS).
I hereby certify that this portrait was painted from the life, at Fort Union, mouth of Yellow Stone, in the year 1832, by George Catlin, and that the Indian sat in the costume in which it is painted.