1812

Round Head at Brownstown, 1812

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 the hatchet we have raised.  I speak the sentiments of all now present, and I charge you, that you faithfully deliver our talk to the American commander, and tell him it is our wish he would send more men against us, for all that has passed between us, I do not call fighting.  We are not satisfied with the number of men he sends to contend, against us.  We want to fight in good earnest.

Walk In The Water, Wyandot, 1812

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, for we know by experience that we have nothing to gain by it, and we beg our father, the British, not to force us to war.

We remember, in the former war between our fathers, the British and the Long Knife, we were both defeated, and we the red men, lost our country; and you, our father, the British, made peace with the Long Knife without our knowledge, and you gave our country to him.

Tecumseh Speech with Shawnee, Kickapoos, Winnebago, 1812

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 to see you and to hear your and our Fathers speech.  We heartily thank you both for having taken the condition of our poor women and children to your considerations: We plainly see that you pity as by the concern you show for our welfare; and we should deem ourselves much to blame if we did not listen to the Counsel of our Father and our Brothers the Hurons.

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