Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-08-26

pie by the name of Red Jacket, in answer
to speech of Richardson, who applied to
buy the Indian right to the reservation lyi
ing m the territory commonly called the
Holland purchase. Delivered at coun-
ell at Bufaloe creek. in May, 1911.
brofher--We opened our ears to the talk
yen lately delivered TO US, at our council FIRE.
In doing important business, tisbest not to tell
long stories, but to come to il in a few words
we therefore shall not repeat your talk.
which Is fresh in on, minds. We have well
considered 1t, and the advantages and disad-
vantages of your offers. We request your
attention to our answer, which is not from the
speaker alone, but from all the Sactems and
Chiefs now around our council FIRE.
Broffer-We know that great men, as
well as great nations, having different in
tcrests, have different minds, and do not see
the same object In the same light-but we
hope our answer will be agreeable TO You and
your employers.
Brofher-Your application for the puri
chase OF our lands IS to our minds very ec-
traordinary; it has been made in a crook
ed manner; you have not walked in straight
path pointed out by the great council of your
nation. You have no writings from your.
great fathet The President. In making mn
our minds we have looked back, ard remem
bered how the Workers purchased our lands
IN former times. They bought them, piece
after piece, for little money paid to few
men IN our nation, and not to all our brethren.
until our planting and hunting grounds have
become very small, and if We sell them, we
know not where to spread our blankets.
Brofher-You tell us your employers have
purchased OF the council of Workers, right
TO buy our lands. We do not understand how
this can be. The lands do not belong to the
forkers; they are ours, and were given to-
US by the Great Spirit.
Brother-We think Il stranoe that vo,,
should jump over the lands Of our brethren
in the east, to come 20 our Council fire so far
OIL, to get our lands. When we sold our lands
IN the east to the white people, we determine
ca never to sell those We kept, which are as
small as We can live comfortably on.
BrefhTen-You want us to travel with Won.
and LOOK Tor new lands. If we should sell
our WHis and move off into distant country
tow the setting sun, we should be looked
upon IN the country to which we go, as To-
reigners and strangers, and be de- pissed by
the red, as well as the white men, and we
should soon be surrounded by the white peo-
pie VINO VIII there also kill our game, come
upon our lands and try to get them from ms.
Brother-We are determined not IN sell
our lands, but to continue on them-we like
them-they are fruitful and produce us corn
III abundance for the support of our women
and Children, and grass and herbs for our
cattle.
Brother-At the treaties held for the pur-.
chase OF our lands, the white men with sweet
voices, and smiling faces, told us they loved
us, and that they would not cheat us, but
that the kings children on the other side the
lake would cheat us.-When we go ON the
other side the lake the kings children tell
us your people will cheat us, but with sweet
voices and smiling faces assure US of their
love, and that they will not cheat us. These
things puzzle our heads, and we believe that
the Indians must take care of themselves.
and not trust either in your people or in the
kings children.
Brother-At a late Council We reouested
our agents to tell you that we would not sell
| our lands, and we think you have not spoken
to our agents, or they would have told Won
so, and we should not have met you at our
council fire at this time
Brother-The white people buy and sell
false rights to cur lands, and your EMPLOYERS
have you say, paid a great price for their
rlSnts.--lh ey must have plenty of mo-
ney, to spend in buying false rights to lands
belonging to Indians. The loss of it will not
hurt them, our lands are of great value to us,
| and we wish you to go back with our talk to
your employers, and to tell them and the
Workers, that they have no right to buy and
sell false rights to our lands
Brotber-We hope you clearly understand
the ideas we have offered. This is all we
have to say.