Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-05-06
SPEECH OF COL. COBB.

we PHPiIsh III as a composition worthy 10 De pre-
served
SPEECH OF COL. COBB.
Head Ningo of the Chottatcs east Of the Nissis
sippi, IN reply 10 the Agent of the United
+ States.
Brother: We have heard YOU talk as from the
lips Of our father, the great White Chief al Wash
ingfon. and my people have called upon me to
speak - you. The red has books, and
when he wishes to make known his views, like
his fathers before him. he spenks from his mouth
He IS afraid Of trritng. When he speaks, he
knows what he says; the Great Spirit hears him.
Writing Is the invention OF the pale faces; 1t
gives birth 10 error and to feuds. The Great
Spirit tdlhs-we hear him in the thunder-in the
rushing winds, and the mighty waters-but he
never lcrites
Brother: When you young were
strong; We fought bv your side; but our arms are
broken. You hive grown large My peo-
Pile have become small.
Brother: Ny voice Is weak; you can scarcely
hear me; il IS not the shout of warrior, but the
wall OF infant. | have lost II IN mourning J.
yer the mistoruues at my people. These are
their graves, and in those aged pines you hear the
ghosts OF the departed. Their ashes here,
and we have been left to protect them. Oar war.
rIors nearly all gone TO the far country west
hut here are our dead. Snail we 90 too and give
their bones 10 the wovesi
Brother: Two sleeps have passed since we
ask 10 leave our c0uary, a:.d tell US 1t is YOUR
country, and tell US II Z cur Fathers WISH We
would not Ga-i7e dIsplease Father. We
respect him, and you his child. But the Choc-
law always thinks. We want time TO
Brother, our hearts full. Twelve winters
ago chiefs sold our couatry. Every warrior
that YOU hore opposed 10 the treaty. II
the dead could have been counted, 1T could never
have been made; but alas. though they stood
round, they could not be heard. Their
tears came in the rain-drops and their voices IN
tn, ~ ..I..-.s hat the paie faces knew II MOI
and our land was taken away.
Brother: We do not now complain The
Choctaw suffers, bat ne never wceps. You have
the strong arm, and We cannot resist. l5It the
pale face worships the Great Spirit. So does The
red man. The Groat ) 1Irit loves truth. When
yon took our country, sou promised rs land
There IS your promise in the book. Twelve times
have The treas dropped the leaves, and yet we
have received no land. Our houses have been
taken from The white mans plough turns
up the bones Of our fathers. we dare not kindle
our fires; and yet you said might remain aud
you would give rs land.
Brother: i this trmt9 Bat we believe, now
our Great Father knows eur condition. he viii
listen TO rs. We az mourning orphans in oar
country; bat our Father wll take US by the hand.
When he fuifls his promise. viii answer his
talk. He mans well. We know It, But we
cannot think now Grief has made children Of
US. When our business IS settled shall be
men again, and talk 10 Great Father about
what he has proposed
Brother You stand in the mocasins Of great
chief; you speak the words of mighty nation
and your talk was long. NV people are SMALL
their shadow scarcely reaches your knee; they
are scattered and gone; when | shout hear my
voice 10 the depths OF the woods, bu.
ing shout comes back Ny words, therefore, are
few. | have nothing more to say, but to tell what
have said TO the tail chief of the paio faces
whose brother stands by your side.
william Tyler. Virginia, brother the President Of
the Unite States, recently appointed Of the Chocta
CommissIoners
Illinois and Michigan Cdnat.--Mr. OAKLEY,