"The strong liquor was first sold to us by the Dutch; and they were were blind, they had no eyes, they did not see that it was for our hurt

"Brother, the Governor of Maryland, when you spoke of the condition of the country yesterday, you went back to old times, and told us you had been in possession of

At a council of the chiefs, head men, and warriors of the Creek nation, convened by authority, the talk of the president was communicated by the agent. After a profound

"For more than seventy years, I have hunted in this grove and fished in this stream, and for as many years I have worshiped on this ground. Through these groves

You then told us that we were in your hand, and that by closing it you could crush us to nothing, and you demanded from us a a great country

Brothers of the Wyandots: You have invited me to this council, and you see me standing before you. I address myself to all present.  I have heard all that has

Brothers of the Six Nations: We heard you yesterday.  You shall soon hear our reply.  We are pleased that the council fire is established at this place by our

Brothers of the Council — Listen!  You must recollect that a few years since some delegates from your elder brethren, the Six Nations, came to you.  That council fire was

Brothers: We are happy to meet you both at our council. We of the Six Nations transact all our business openly, and not under the curtain.  I have observed with

I suppose you think I have left our big house. No, I am not a child. I went below to see the chief, who treated me well. I did not

Take away all these things and give me such as you see fit, and don't think I am a child who can be seduced with trinkets.

Brothers: We have been preserved in health, strength and spirit, to meet you again at our council fire. The Great Spirit has protected us, and we are

Brother: We understand that you have been appointed by our great father the president to make these communications to us.  We thank the Great Spirit for this pleasant day given

We, the Mississauga Indians of St. Francis or Abenaki Tribe have inhabited that part of Lake Champlain known by the name of Misiskoui, Time unknown to any of us here

The following speech was an exchange of compliments, given by Corn Planter at the beginning of a counsel meeting, April 27th, 1791 at Buffalo Creek.

Brother Listen! It is usual

Brother from Pennsylvania: You that are sent from General Washington, and by the Thirteen Fires: you have been sitting side by side with us every day, and the Great Spirit

Brother Onas Governor: Open unprejudiced ears to what we have to say!  Some days since you addressed us, and what you said gave us great pleasure.  This day the Great

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Father: What you say, and what our great father says, I always hear with open ears.

When I received the invitation from our agent, I determined, when I came

"We love you white men, but we have fear of your success because it is so dry.  This is a pretty country but you white men take it away from

Forty years ago my mother died.  She captured by Comanche, nine years old.  Love Indian and wild life so well no want to go back to white folks.  All same

"Brothers...As you are once more assem- bled in council for the purpose of doing honor to yourselves, and justice to your country; we, your brothers, the sachems, chiefs and warriors

The Indian's speech, translated from the Latin, is as followeth.— "Since the subject of his errand is to persaude is to embrace new doctrines, perhaps it may not be amiss

Father & Brothers Hurons! Brother Hurons.  You say you were employed by our Father and your own Chiefs to come and have some conversation with us and we are happy

My father, my father, this spring Monsieur de La Mothe sent us word that he barred the great river [to us], that he set a barrier there as high as

We salute our Father & our Brethren & return thanks to the Great Spirit who has been pleased to allow them to meet at this council.

General Harrison desires me

My Father,

When I heard the good news which my father the Red Head communicated to me I took the same road as my deceased Father used to take to

My Father, I present myself this day before you this day to talk which gives me much pleasure, I speak of War I For I have already begun, I have

My Father, It is a long time past that you know us who are called Manominies, & I suppose you are acquainted with our behaviour towards the whites, & particularly

My Father, I thank you for your words to day, which instruct us how to live happy, I am also sincerely thankful for the trouble you have taken to save

My Brother, according to your desire and Treaties with us, I have consulted with our Chief Warriors in respect to this Belt of Wampum which you discovered to be in

Our Elder Brethren, We are well pleased with the message you bring us from, our Governor General Johnson. Lo, this is the first time, that we have the pleasure to

Acouestchichika by four branches. Warriors & my brothers listen to what I have to say in this place.  My father, give attention if you please, to what I say to

Chaminitawaa, Village Chief of the Odawas then rose up and said:

Father!  I am chosen to speak the sentiments of the Odawas, Chippewas and Potawatomies.

Father!  I beg you will

Ouandarong (or old Baby) then rose up and spoke as follows:

Father! we can have but little to say besides returning you thanks in the name of Sastakaritze, what I

Father! I hope you will listen to your children that come from the town situated between the two Creeks. We are of the same mind with our brethren who have

Father, We the chiefs of the Chippewa Nation of Indians, inhabiting and owning the lands on the West and North of the Great Water, called Lake St. Clair, now waite

Speech of the Four Bears a Mandan Warrior to the Arricarees and Mandans, 30th July 1837. My Friends one and all, Listen to what I have to say. Ever since

Great Queen, We have undertaken a long and tedious Voyage, which none of our predecessors could ever be prevailed upon to undertake.  The Motive that induced us, was, that we

By this time we began to think that our own religion was a great deal the best, and we made another trial to establish ourselves in it, and had made

We have, and we believe it is best for us and for our brethren.  We have no wish to be involved in a war with our father, the Long Knife

Brothers, the red men, who are engaged in fighting for the British king, listen!  These words are from me, Tarhe, and they are also the words of the Wyandots, Delawares

Brothers, the Wyandots from the Americans, we have heard your talk, and will not listen to it.  We will not forsake the standard of our British father, nor lay down