Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-11-13
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The POttavvatOfnies.
THEIR VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT.

! THEIR VISIT 70 THE PRESIDENT.
! A delegation from the Pottawato.
| ME tribe of Indians, under charge O
their agent, Col. R. S. Elliott, have
| been in this city several days. The,
made their visit of form to the presi.
| dent yesterday, by appointment, at IL
O'Clock. The President received the
| delegation and their friends in
his usual business-room; and the
customary shaking of hands, incident
to an Indian council, Immediately in
troducad the great orator of the tribe,
'Optee kee-shik, orr Half Day. who
rendered the salutation of his people
TO the Chief Magistrate, whom, it is
generally known, the wild Indians call,
and believe to be, the great father of
the red man. There are seven chiefs
and braves, comprising the delegation,
of the pure Indian blood; and to those
who neverwitnessed meeting between
the untutored children of Nature and
their 'pale-faced father this interview
was highly interesting. 1t presented
a scene which painter might make
moreof, than struck the eye or imagi-
nation of those who yesterday looked
upon it. There stood the chief ruler
of the greatest nation upon earth-ed-
ucated and reared in such manner as
to qualify him to adorn the highest civ
il Office in Christendom; he had beside
him his war minister and his attorney
general, with several other officers of
his government. Immediately in front
Of him stood 'Optee-kee-shik the Pot
tawatomie orator-a square built, hale
looking Indian, Of about forty-fve
years Of age, unlettered. entirely igno-
rant of our manners and customs, una
Bile to pronounce or understand sylla.
bic of our language;-ihere he stood,
the genuine 'native-.Americon,' his
face painted, and head decorated in
true Indian style. With his calico
shirt, his buckskin leggings, his breech
cloth and moccasins, with his eye firm
ly fixed on the President, and as proud
in his way, as the, greatest monarch in
the world. After the delegation were
seated, the orator rose and approached
the President, who took standing po-
sition at the head of the room. He
shook the President heartily by the
hand; and then, retiring few steps,
addressed him, in substance,as follows:
| my great father: you see before you
small number Of your Pottawatomle
children. We have come long journ-
ey to take you by the hand, and tell
| you what has troubled us at home, land
brought US here to see you. There sit
my chiefs and braves. They hear
what l say, their hearts feel glad that
they have now taken their great father
by the hand a 81
This greeting was interpreted by
Pierre Leclerc, very intelligent half
breed Pettawatomie, who is attached
as interpreter to the delegation. The
Indian speaker. then resumed his seat
and the President responded in the
kindest, and, to them, most gratifying
manner, which was signiied by thei1
Ugh! ugh!!' uttered very loud, which
is sure sign of their appreciation
Half Day then again took the floor, ant
made another talk il which he APP
preached slightly the object Of thei
visit here; but he touched the subjec
cautiously, and exhibited skill in Clip.
lomacy in Which some Of our white dip
lomatists have been found wanting
His speech may be summed up as fol
/ lows:
my great father, | have told 20,
that we have come long journey tt
see you. Our present home, you know
is far beyond the great river that rise
at the head ofthe big lake. We hav'
left there our old men and women, ant
our little children who are waiting gu
return. Father, our hearts are gla'
now that you have taken US by tn
hand. Our people have signed a grea
many treaties with you, and you hay
Iatlast got al our lands on this side Q
the Mississippi. About eleven year
ago we gave you a large country-a'
the lands we had on Lake Michigan
Father, our hearts were sad when yoV
asked US to part with that land; but "
answered YES when you asked for il
We have never refused to give anything
to our great father when he wanted il
AT The treaty made at the head Of on
flake, at Chicago, we gave you tia
country; it is the best land now owne
Thy our pale-faced brothers. Weprom
ised TO give it, and we did 50. I'll