The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-11-21
WASHINGTON. Nov. II, ls45.
Negotiation with the hdians-7heir Diplomacy.

Negotiation With the htdians-7h Their Diplomacy.
There have been some rich scenes enacted here
within the last few days, which seem to have es-
capped the argus eyes of your otherwise watchtul
correspondent alude to the council OF the Pota-
watame Indians with Gen. Gibson and Major An
drews, Commissioners appointed by the government
to confer with them. II has hitherto been the prac-
tce to hold these conferences within the Indian H.
mits, and by all accounts the agents of the govern
ment held a carte Diane to mystify the red men by
all the ingenious means they could devise, and
value was put upon service in efiectng treatiesand
purchasing Indian lands according TO the degree of
asueness shown in making the bargains has been said
that Maj Andre has gone through his noyciae in a
ar OF TINS for that reason vas selected Be that
as may appears he mas missed his mark this time
The indians, now In question, upon reviewing former
treaty which they hal made with the United States
found out that the representations made at the time
were not borne out by the facts and further. dis.
covered want of promptitude on the part Of the
made it necessary for them 10 look more narrowly to
their interests, in any future negotiation With this
view and feeling they could not compete with the cum
ning white man, but by using his own weapons-they
under the conduct of Major Elliott and
instructed him to advocate their claims with all his ab
Iy This selection proved extnguisher to the esta
blshed diplomacy in Indian matters and the Commits
soners discovered that csolery not to be relied
this conclusion until after the experience two three
interviews forced it upon them At first there the
usual attempt dazzle the oil 'Savages by
than ordinary display of gold lace, cooked hats
and gaudy epaulets-and to calm observer it
moot point to determine which party made the most u
dicrous display. Under the opportunities for enghten-
ment the lndnns, in all their paint and feathers
tanly had the advantage the stiff metal embroidery
OF the military gentleman for all pictorial purposes
would have borne the palm. II was however, fair
competition in taste, and the old saying of de susfibs
est dsPutandum, would apply here, and leave the
of brains as much as ever an unsettled question
Upon the of intelligence the Commissioners were
more mystihed than the Indians The Indians through
q w Tho Cnrnvr tcosn lkora
construed the simplicity Of Indian phrases and the exhb
ton orude haolments to tho homage of intellect
and they condescendngy bring down their
own phraseology in adaptation to their ideas OF the
Indians want ofcapacity The and appearance
crease their mystfcatiop. Although of family,
the Majors personal appearance is youthful and his
manners suoaued ana quiet with voice pitched some
es to believe that they had before them unpracsed
clients led on by maiden advocate. They little knew
that this apparent neophye had tried his mette upon adj
versaries Of infinitely weight in the contest of wits
than they could boast of. To those who knew Major
Elliott the mischevous twinkle of his eye betray that
he felt his victims within the reach Of his lance,
Notwithstanding their upright collars and military bro
cade, and rather how unconsci ously
they came to the sacrifice
Their opening speech of the stereotypes in
which the Indians were addressed sucking babies
this In their chamber councils afterwards subject
of much merriment bst it resolved that fashion
thus set should be followed out The Indians ssid let
play out the play and their advocate advised to
draft his replies in conformity with the "court sye,
wherever the force Of the argument would lose by it.
commissioners lOund, at each inter-
view, they had to elevate their tone Although bound
down by what they aeemed custom, they found it diff
cult to do and whal they could keep pace with
the information force reach Of thought and strength of
argument upon the part of the Indians and at length
they were compelled to throw up the game and abruptly
break OF the conference. Before dong this, finding
their puere talk repudiaed they attempted to to
one of their modes which amongst the simple and unn-
struced had doubt been found eicacous in former
times They made the paltry offer of six cent. per
for lands which the Government would sell for 25
and then offered old Wabousch bride Of $780, thinking
him the head Of the nation. Afterwards learning that
Miahmis was the leader, they visited him at his quar-
ters and amended their offer with like bride to him.
This the highmnded brave old chief laughed at and
asked IT. suppose they had quintupled the sum, they
had provided for him squaw and papooses, for if he
accepted, he would not dare to go to the old one.
Bafled in these attempts to overreach the simple In.
dians carefully attended they by Elliott, the
Commissioners to excuse their want of tact committed
the gross error OF departing from their dignity in the
last interview and strove to impugn the motives of MIR
Elliott, charging him with being disappointed politi.
clan. This was promptly and triumphantly repealed
upon the spot, and there was unanimous feeling
amongst the spectators that the Commissioners
driven to the wall 10 seeking 10 question motives in
stead Of answering arguments. 1t was considered
miserable covering under which they were to effect
their retreat and immediate appeal to the people
hE ll 1l