| 1053 "Half day," the Pottawatomie orator, replied; whose answer, being interpreted, was as follows:-
My brethren: The Pottawatomies were much pleased with the doings of the last general council of the Cherokee nation. The advise you and other Indians, who had adopted the habits and customs of the whites gave them was good, and had been impressed on their memories. They would not forget what you told them of the importance of at all times looking up to the government of the United States as their most reliable friend, and to its agent as their best adviser, which was the only certain way of avoiding trouble with their white neighbors. A letter from your people, too, repeating the same things said in your speech, has been communicated to us through our clerk, who received it from yours, and it had received much attention from the Pottawatomies. I was much pleased with it, and so were all the chiefs and headmen of our nation. It was immediately translated, and sent on wampum by a runner to the Chippewas, our kindred, with a request from us that they would hearken to its words in favor of general peace, and earnest efforts for the civilization of the various tribes. This was done about the time we started on our journey to this city.
When their answer is received by our brethren at home, that, and the letter, together with a "talk" from us, will be sent on wampum to the Delawares, and when we again meet in the spring, in council, we hope to be able to bring answers from both of these tribes, to tell you that your letter has had the effect of teaching us the importance of looking up to our fathers, the United States agents, and also of cementing peace and good will among red men, and between them and the whites. My brethren, the Pottawatomie chiefs, now here, wish me to assure you that when we return, we shall strive to induce as many nations as possible to unite with us in council next spring; and, according to your advise with us, as we place great confidence in their friendship and wisdom. The talk which you have just given us is good. We like it.
Mr. John Ross answered, that what they had done was well, and would doubtless have good effect if the other tribes would harken to the substance of the wampum containing his speech and letter, which he trusted, through their efforts, would be widely circulated. The pipe of peace was then lighted; and after it had been passed around the council, Mr. Ross again spoke: saying, that at the time of the council he had heard of the bad feeling existing between the Pottawatomies and Sioux, which had given him much distress; and that after it (the council) had broken up, he had sent a runner to the latter, urging them strenuously to make peace, and pointing out the folly and impropriety of wars between red men, when so many causes were combined to sweep them from the face of the earth. He now wished to know if peace had been made?
Half day answered, through the interpreter, that when he reached home after the council broke up, acting upon the advice of the Cherokee chief, (Mr. Ross) he, too, had endeavored to bring about a peace between the two nations, and had sent to the Winnebagoes to urgo [urge] their friends (the Sioux) to bury the hatchet; and that, up to within a few days of their departure on this journey, the Sioux had given them no trouble; but just before they left, a Sioux war party had made their appearance in their country, laden with plunder they had taken elsewhere. As soon as the alarm was given in the Pottawatomie village their young men assembled and went out to meet the enemy, whom they came in sight of at a place about twelve miles west of their town. When the Sioux discovered them advancing, they retreated, dispersing in different directions, and the Pottawatomies only followed them until satisfied that they had left their country. He was glad that they had not come to blows; but his young men went prepared to make peace, or to fight if necessary. The manner in which they had retreated and were equipped, proved that they came with no good intentions, however. He hoped, however, that at a future general council, the difficulties between the two nations would be satisfactorily settled. At the next council there would doubtless by many more tribes represented, who would lend their efforts to bring the Sioux and Pottawatomies to a good understanding.
Le Clere, the half breed interpretor [interpreter], next said, that, on his way to the town of their great father, (Washington city.) he had met the United States agent stationed among the Sioux, and had asked him whether or not they were disposed for peace. The agent told him that the main body of the tribe were anxious to bury the hatchet, and had proposed to send a proposition to the Pottawatomies, but that he had advised them to defer it until his return to the nation, when he would attend himself to the matter. The agent also said that the Creeks had complained of depredations and murders committed by the Sioux or Pawnees on their people, who, if it was not stopped, would certainly be revenged. They had sent
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