Mare-Pu-Ah-Nasiah, Standing Cloud, 1837

My father: Looking round at your children, you think all their ears are open to what you say; but I think part of them are deaf; they act like men that have no ears at all.

I have heart and ears, and take into them all I hear from you.  These people have struck us often, but we have sat with our arms folded: still they strike, and we remain quiet.

What I say I do not say with a forked tongue; we are willing to hold back, as you have counselled us; our agent has given us the same counsel, and has partly held my hands.

We have been struck many times, without revenging ourselves; but we have refrained from fear.  We are numerous enough, but we do not wish to do any thing to offend our great father.

Many of your children are here to-day, to listen to your counsels.  Their brethren whom they have left in their own country, will remain at peace.  But our friends here, who also listen to you, I fear some of their young men may be doing mischief at home to-day.

We live at a great distance.  When we are struck upon, it is long before you hear it.  Before our story reaches you, you hear another, which makes you think we have been to blame; but these people here have always been the aggressors.

I am ready to make any arrangement to keep quiet: but they first take the war-club, and strike us.  I can't depend upon their word, unless their hands are tied by their great father.

It is useless to give us much counsel.  Our agent, who has been with us a long time, has always given us good advice, and kept us at peace.  I hope you will make these people remain quiet.  We never strike, unless they strike first.  Fourteen times (throwing fourteen sticks upon the table) have they struck us, myself and the Sussetons of the plains.