The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-14
Faom the Boston Atias, Or. 81.
THE INDIANS.

The INDIANS.
Yesterday was made general holiday, and near
ly all the citizens, with great numbers from The
neighborng towns turned out TO witness the recep-
ton of the Indians at the State House. and their per-
formance Of the war dance ON the Common The
whole proceedings we're uncommonly Interesting.
Al ten o'clock in the forenoon they held lcvee
In Faneui Hall for the ladies only, and were visited
by crowds OF the fairer portion OF creation. They
then were escorted the Representatives. Hall in
the State House by the National Lancers, and re-
ceived by the Governor in the presence OF nearly all
the State and city officers, great numbers Of ladies
in the galleries, which presented very brilliant APP
pearance, and large concourse of gentlemen on the
hoor.
They took their seats on the centre benches, and
were addressed by the Governor as follows
Chiefs and warriors of the united SacS and
Foxes. You are welcome to our hall Of council.
You have come far way from your homes in the
west to visit your white brethren. We are glad to
take you by the hand. We have heard before Of the
Sacs and Foxes; our travellers have told us the
names Of their great men and chiefs We, brothers,
are called the Massachusetts, "-It was the name OF
the red men who once lived here In former times
the red mans wigwam stood on these fields and his
council fire was kindled on this spot When our
fathers came over the great water, they were small
band. The red man stood on the rock by the sea
side and looked at them. He might have pushed
them into the water, and drowned them, but took
hold of their hands and said welcome white men!"
Our fathers were hungry and the red men gave them
red men spread his blanket over them and made
them warm-We are now grown great and power
full but we remember the kindness of the red man to
our fathers. Brothers, our faces are pale and yours
are red-but our hearts are alike. The Great Spirit
made his children Of different compilations, but he
loves them all. Brothers, you dwell between the
Mississippi and the Missouri-they are mighty
streams. They have great arms-one stretching out
east and one away of to the west far as the Rocky
Mountains-but they make but one river, and run
together into the sea-Brothers, dwell at the east
and you live in the far wes-but we of one fami
ly; II has many branches, but one head. Brothers,
as you passed through the hall below YOU stopped
to look at the image of our great father Washing
ton. II is but cold stone and cannot speak to you !;
but our great father Washington loved his red chill
dren and babe us love them also. He is dead but
his words have made great print in our hearts like
the step of strong buffalo the clay Of heprairie
My brother addressing Keokuck) perceive BY your
side your young child whom saw sitting between
your knees. May the Great Spirit preserve the life
tender sapling by The side of the mighty oak May
you long flourish together and when the mighty oak
Is fallen in the forest may the young tree take its
place and spread out its branches over the tribe.
Brothers, make you a short talk, and bid you well
come once more to our council hail."
This address was translated to the Indians by the
interpreters, and received BY them with the usual
cultural EXPLANATIONS.
Kso-kMek replied to his excellency in the follow
ing words
am very much grained 10 nave the pleasure OF
shaking hands with the great chief Of the State and
the chiefs who surround him. The remark you
made Just that the Great Spirit made both Of us
though your skin is white, and mine red, is true
He made our hearts alike. The only difference is
that he made you speak one language and me
another. He made us hands TO take each other by,
and eyes to see each other Brother, lam very hap
Ply to be able to say before die, that have been 10
the house where your fathers used to speak with
as we now do with you, and hope that the Great
Spirit is pleased at this sight hope he will long
keep friendship between the white and red men. l
hope that he us, and that hearts friendly
to each other My remarks are short and shall say
no more, but take all our friends here by the hand
and hope that the Great Spirit will bless them"
Wopslla, a principal chief, followed Keokuck.
He said .##.
II am very happy TO meet my friends in the land
of our forefathers. recollect when little boy, Of
hearing my grandfather say that at this place the
red man first took the white man by the hand am
very happy that this island can sustain so many
white men as have come on to it | am glad that
they can find living, and happy that they can be
contented with living on it. am glad to hear the
white man call us his brethren-i is true that he is
the eldest of the two but where live my tribe is
the eldest among the red men. have shaken hands
with many different tribes of people, and am very
much gratifed that have lived to come and talk
with the white man of his fathers in this great house.
shall go home and tell my brethren that have been
to this great place, and it shall not be forgotten by
me or my children"
Wao-ca-Shaa- shce said ~
81 have Just listened to the remarks made by you
and my chiefs about our forefathers have been
wishing see the shore where my fathers took the
white man by the hand and shall not forget it
My friends are much pleased with your greeting
May the Great Spirit take pity on all OF us, and may
we live brothers as did my fathers and yours when
they first landed on this shore"
Po,eesheek, principal chief, said
"You have heard what my chiefs have to say
faJ fhasr
They were invited to the councilhouse ofmy brother
on Saturday. and to-day they are brought to this great
council hall. They are much pleased with these
attentions, and will not forget them. Though am
hope the Great Spirit will reward you for them This
is the place where our tribe once lived. have of
ten heard my father and grandfather say that they
once lived by the sea-coast where the white man first
came. wish had book and could read in it all
these things have been told that that is the way
you get all your knowledge As far as | can under
stand the language Of the white people, il appears
to me that the Americans have reached high stand
power them. II is the same with regard to us
though say ii. Where live am looked up to by
others, and they all respect me- ! very happy
hat two great men like you and should meet and
shake hands together"
The remaining chiefs of the villages ther shook
hands with the Governor, and afterwards the war
chiefs, who are entirely distinct from the former.
One Of the latter-we forget his Indian name, but it
was the one who wears the buffalo skin and horns
said to the Governor
:" am much pleased with the conversation our
chiefs have had with you. l am glad that you no
ticed Musanwont, Keo-kuck's son--he will succeed
to his father and be chief The chiefs who have
spoken to you are all village chiefs-for my part
have nothing to do with the villages but 60 to war
and fight for the women and children"
Appano@okemar, principal chief said
:" am very happy 10 shake hands with you'll do
II with all my heart. have long wished TO come to
the village where once the red and white men used
to speak together. My brother who spoke last has
told you the truth-he has nothing to do with the
villages, but fights for the women and children
Although we have paper to put your words down
we shall not forget this good council nor the re-
marks of our friends. In my tribe am ranked