Also, Americans were very interested in the Mandans. It was widely believed that they were descendents of Welsh who sailed to North American in the 11/12th century. Supposedly some had fairer hair and gray eyes.
I've read pros and cons about Amherst's guilt, but the letters I read seemed to indicate that he was guilty.
Yeah, George Catlin thought they were descended from Prince Madoc of Wales.
They don't look Welsh to me, but what do I know? My grandmother was part Welsh, but still . . .