Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-02


VIII not involve ourselves in the troubles of tn,
-"uscosees. We are separate people, and have
nothing TO do with them
we came, brother. not to see the Muscorees
out 10 hold talk with our Great Father OH our
own affairs. and 10 claim of him more land in our
OWN country. Most of US were born on the land
we now inliabii and that we CLAIM, 10 he su,r.n--
uefeu 10 us--here our navel strings were frs; cut
anu 'he blood from them sunk into the earth and
MADE Inc country dear to US. We have heard that
Inc Spaniards sold this country to the Americans.
MS they had no right to do: The land was not
,heirs' but belonged to the Seninoes. Brother, we
nave come here, where we should find SPANISH
t.heiSh, French and Americans, TO talk with our
Hieat ather abon, this matter, and have it put
Iish' We have. not yet seen our Great Father
| We nave come many days travel 10 see him. and
him.
You tell US, Brother, that our great Father has
heard that we have runaway slaves in our country
and that many of our people hide them from their
owners. 1t is true, that some slaves, who run
away rom the whites, have come into our country;
most oil them, however, were given up before we
lett home, and we think that by this time the rest
OF them are with their owners. We left orders
with some Oh our chiefs, 10 have them taken and
Drought 10 the agency We do not like the story
dat our people hide the runaway negroes from
their masters 1t is true talk our people have
not done this We do not consider ourselves bound
oy the treaty, 10 take up any runaway slaves, but
those who have entered our country since the max
ing OF the treaty. But we have never prevented
the whites from coming into country and talk
Ing their slaves wherever they could find them, and
we will not hereafter opposetheir doing So but will
give them all the assistance we can.
Brother, we are glad 10 hear that our negroes,
held by the whites, TO be claimed for U.s. This
Is right, and we hope that our Great Father will
put It IN the power oil our Agent see Justice done
us in this matter. We do not know # the white
people will mind his talks when he demands our
property, for they not always willing to do
right, when they can avoid it. The laws of our
nation are strong, and obge man, having the
property OF another in his possession to give it UP
to the right owner. The laws OF the whites, who
have so much better sense than tie red men ought
not TO be less powerful and just.
Brother, you say that some Of our young men
are not always good and that they 20 amon, the
whites, and kill their stock A ler of them, we
know, have done this, and ,ye have punished them
for 1T; and we have lately made such laws as we
think will prevent their doing so any more. 1t is
not our wish to disturb white neighbours Lut
to live in friendship with them.
Brother You tell us that our Great Father
wishes TO place a school in oul Nation, 10 teach
our children TO read and write. We DO not wish
one at all We do not believe the Great Spirit in
tended should know how 10 read and write:
for if he had intended this, lie would have given Us
/ the knowlege as early as he gave it TO the white
| people. Now 1t Is too late; the white people have
gained an advantage we can never recover, and il
! Is better Tor us 10 remain are, red men, and
live in our own way. BroILer, among our people
1t is thought that at the time when there were but
| two kinds OF people, the red and the white on the
earth, book was placedby the Great Sprit.in the
hands OF an old man, blind, and with long beard
who Told the red and the white man that he who
killed the first deer should receive TIE hool, as his
reward, and lie learnt 10 read it. Both went out
to hunt. different ways. The white nan, after
going little way, found a sheep, which being not
so wild as the deer, lie easily killed. he tool; this
sheep to the blind man, and told him it was deer.
The old man believed him, and gave him the book
and learnt him how 10 read it. The red man soon
after brought IN deer; but lie was too late; The
white man he'd got the book. II this cheat had not
been practIsed, the red man would have been now
as the white man is, and he the red man. Bro
Their, if the Great Spirit had intended that the red
men should know how 10 read. lie would no,
have allowed The white man 10 take this adgan.
tage OF us.
Brother The business we have corr here upon
- very important 10 cur Nation. we wish &c
have 1t settled soon, that may return to our
homes. and make the hearts Of our people glad, by
telling them what have done.
Brother We send you this talk, and take the
hand you Offer us, and will hold it I'LL we get your
answer.
/ TUKASEE MATILDA, or HICKS, Head
Chief his mark
MTCO NOPY, his mark.
HOLATA MICO, lis x mark
TULCEE MATILDA, his X mark.
FOKEE LCSrEE HALO, his mark,
EEA MATHIA, bis x mark.
ITCHA TUSTENNUGGY, his K mark.
G. HU0iPHREYs, Agent.
I Washington, May n, 1896.
Subsequent TO this talk, the Delegation was in
iroiuced o Tie President OF the United States :, he
received them with much cordialty, and eyinee,
such desire 10 promote their real interests, iha
the Chiefs, after this interview, expressed them
iraly ia e. g.