Speeches

I now request the attention of the president of the United States, by his agent.  Colonel Pickering, now present.  A few days since, when the American chief had spoken to us, he gave us to understand that General Knox and Colonel Pickering should be the agents to negotiate with us, on things which concern our welfare.  Let me call for your compassion, as you can put all down upon paper

What is there more desirable than that we, who live within hearing of each other, should unite for the common good?  This is my wish.  It is the wish of my nation, although I am sorry I can't say so of every individual in it.  For there are differences of opinion among us, as well as among the white people.

Brother, Possess your mind in peace.  You are sensible that in affairs of importance, omissions may be made, and that a person is allowed afterwards to correct them.

You have greatly encouraged us, by promising to watch over our peace, and to provide for our welfare.  It is probable, that when we have completed our business here, some bad men may break over the fence you have set around us

As my younger brother of the New-England Indians, who have settled in our vicinity, are now going to visit their friends, and to move up part of their families that are left behind, we send this belt by them, to open the road wide, clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit their friends, and return to their settlements here in peace.

We Oneidas are induced to this measure

To the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory:

A meeting of the Executive Council was held at Tallequah, on the 14th and 16th insts., to take into consideration the disturbed state of affairs growing out of the painfully large number of murders and acts of violence which have been recently committed.  The deeds demoralize the country, spread more or less apprehension among the people, endanger our most valuable rights, and bring shame

Blackrobe, this is the happiest day of our lives.  Today for the first time we see among us a man who comes so near to the Great Spirit.  Here are the principal braves of my tribe.  I have bidden them to the feast that I have had prepared for you, that they may never lose the memory of so happy a day.

Brother Con-neh-sauty: Yesterday, when you made your proposals, the Oneidas accepted them, and thanked you.  They spoke for those Oneidas, Onondagas, and Tuscaroras who all lie under one blanket. We, the Senecas, have considered them, and are now going to speak.

Yesterday, when you proposed four establishments, and that there should be three men for each, you mentioned the rewards to be given to a certain number who should learn

In 1807, Captain William Wells sent a messenger to deliver a message to Tecumseh and his band of people that were staying in Greenville, OH. Tecumseh responded with the following response: "Go back to Fort Wayne, and tell Capt. Wells that my fire is kindled on the spot appointed by the Great Spirit above ; and if he has any communication to make to me, he must come here."

The following is a speech delivered by A-she-non-qua, a leader of the Wea people, who are a branch of the Miami people.  This speech was delivered in 1811, during a general council at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

You now tell us that we are on a wrong road, a road that will lead us to destruction. You are deceived. When I was walking along, I heard you speak respecting the Shawanoe

Fathers, after the insinuations of the commandant of Detroit, I accepted your invitation with distrust, and measured my route with trembling feet toward this 'Council of Fire.'  Your reception proves his falsehood, and that my fears were groundless.  Truth and him have been a long time enemies.

My heart laughs for joy on seeing myself before thee; we have all of us heard the word of peace which thou have sent us: the hearts of our whole nation laugh for joy on that occasion; the women, forgetting that instant all that passed, have danced; and the children have leapt like young roe-bucks.

"I have seen two generations of my people die. Not a man of the two generations is alive now but myself. I know the difference between peace and war better than any man in my country. I am now grown old, and must die soon; my authority must descend to my brothers, Opitchapan, Opechancanough and Catatough; then to my two sisters, and then to my two daughters. I wish them

My warriors and my children! Hear! It is cruel, it is very cruel! A heavy burden lies on my heart, it is very sick. This is a dark day.  The clouds are black and heavy over the Oneida nation and a strong arm is heavy upon us, and our hearts groan under it.  Our fires are put out, and our beds are removed from under us.  The graves of our

In this solemn and important council, rising up before the wisdom and experience of so many venerable Sachems, and having the eyes of so many heroic chieftains upon me, I feel myself struck with that awful dissidence, which I believe would be felt by any one of my years, who had not relinquished all the modesty of his nature.

Nothing, O ye Creeks! could enable me to bear the

Brother, As you pleased to mention the Almighty, who has the Care over all things, and whom it has pleased, that we should see one another. All the tribes are come with a good design, and we hope that GOD will strengthen the Peace & Unity.

My heart laughs for joy on seeing myself before thee; we have all of us heard the word of peace which thou hast sent us: the hearts of our whole nation laugh for joy on that occasion; the women, forgetting that instant all that passed, have danced ; and the children have leapt like young roe-bucks. Thy words shall never be forgotten, and our descendants will remember it as long

Brothers! McIntosh is dead. He broke the law of the nation. The law which be made himself. Hie face was turned to the white men, who wish to take our land from us. His back was to his own people. His ears were shut to the cries of our women and children. His heart was estranged from us. The words of his talk were deceitful. They came to us I

"The very leaves of the forest drop tears of pity on us as we walk beneath."
 

 

You call the Great Spirit Jesus In your language; we call him in the Crow language E-so-we-wat-se.  I am going to light the pipe and talk to the Greit Spirit. (He lighted the pipe, and, looking up reverently, said:)

"The Great Spirit has made the red man and the white man, and sees all before Him today. Have pity upon us!  May the white man and the Indian speak truth

I do not care so much about the part on the Yellowstone and in the mountains, but above, in the valley, it is good. I am going to tell yen I treat my friends good. When you speak to me I say, yes! yes! Along the Muselc-Shell and Teton Mountains is Judith Basin. Many men go into that country wolfing; they kill game. We thought, when we saw them, that

"Head-men, Chiefs, Braves and Warriors of the Sauks: For more than a hundred winters our nation was a powerful, happy and united people.  The Great Spirit gave to us a territory, seven hundred miles in length, along the Mississippi, reaching from Prairie du Chien to the mouth of the Illinois river.  This vast territory was composed of the finest and best land for the home and use of the

"Head-men, Chiefs, Braves and Warriors of the Sauks: I have heard and considered your demand to be led forth upon the war-path against the palefaces, to avenge the many wrongs, persecutions, outrages and murders committed by them upon our people.  I deeply sympathise with you in your sense and construction of these terrible wrongs.  Few, indeed, are our people who do not mourn the death of some near and loved

Black Kettle, chief of the Cheyennes, after shaking hands with the commissioners, said: The Great Father above hears us, and the Great Father at Washington will hear what we say.  Is it true that you came here from Washington, and is it true what you say here today?  The Big Chief he give his words to me to come and meet here, and I take hold and retain what he

My Father: I have something to say, and I wish you to believe that what I shall say is the truth.

We have made peace, and have a good understanding with all the tribes here present; but a part of these are always the first to undo what is done.  When we address our great father, we like to speak the truth; we wish to be at peace, but these

My father: I have heard the few remarks yon have made to your children.  You have heard the words of those sitting around you, and you now know the way in which the hearts of the Sioux are placed.

You will now hear how my heart, and the hearts of my chiefs and braves, standing around me, are placed.

I should like to know who can make these people, who