The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-10-02
From the Washington Republic.
The Visit of the Chippewas to the Pres
ident.

|
The Visit of the Chippewas to the Pres
! ident.
On Saturday morning, al ten O'Clock, the
delegation of Chippewas, from Minnesota
Territory, accompanied by the Hon. Luke
Lea, the Commissioner of India Affairs, pro-
ceeded to the Presidents House, in accor.
dance with previous arrangement. The
Indians, in their wild, native costume, ap-
peared with extra trimmings, including
profusion Of gay colored rbands, having
procured them for this occasion, as they
were TO be admitted into The presence of
their great father, of whom they had heard
so much, but had never seen.
The Indians having been conducted 10 an
upper chamber and seated, the President of
the United States shortly afterwards entered,
when MIR. Lea introduced to him John john
son, the interpreter who introduced each of
the delegation by name: Crossing Sky, Safe
guide, Stand Before, Spirit Seen, (the herd
warrior,) and Breast. They severaliy shook
hands with their grea; father, and resumed
their seats and seemed to be highly pleased
The Commissioner remarked 10 the Pres
ident that those Indians were Chippewas,
and that they had called TO pay their respects
him.
The President made inquiries as TO their
country and condition. In the course of the
conversation it was stated that their band is
what is called the Mississippi band, and that
over forty different bands constitute The Chip
pewa tribe in the United States. There is
no pricipal chief having authority over all
the banls, but the chiefs in each band bind
the whole nation. Although jealousies and
disturbances may exist among themselves,
they are all united against "ousiders."
Crossing Sky arose, and, after shaking
hands with the President and the Commls.
sioner OF Indian affairs, spoke as follows,
the address being interpreted by John John
son.
My Great Father want 10 say few
words to you, and ask you 10 listen 10 me-
have travelled in strange country TO Get
good, and to form all idea of how the whites
live. | mentioned our special business 10
our father, 0he Commissioner and wish TO
say little more.
My great father lou see how am how
many men are here. We are poor, poor in
deed. You Se strong your nation is s,s,np
have one psicuar request TO make n unr-
great father. WesvaHt a saw-mll waTIyat.f 4
70 improve. = We like the ways bf the
whtes-what we have seen. feel conf.
dent that our father and our great father will
have mercy on US, aud give us our request
] know, my great father, that there is no way
we can get along in the world. Game is
getting scaTce; we must go 10 the ground
| and till the ground.
Let me be permitted TO ask you, my great
father, what makes you great and power
! tul nation? 1t is that white book on the
stand (the Bible) We want schools tha,
we may learn TO read that book, and do good
and be wise.
am very much pleased that have been
permitted to see and talk 10 our great father
l am happy that our father will send US
back home. have one request more 10
make-that when we land in our territory,
we wish our great father 10 aid US that we
may get home safely. Our children are
anxious, and wait for our return from our
great ialher-They expect that we will car
ry them something that will satisfy Them.
AS have said before, we are very glad,
and we shall long remember our interview
with our great father.
Another request, my great father, I wish
you 10 give me white paper, to show 10
my friends when Iget home.
Tho orator then presented the President
with wampum; and, after further proceed
ings,
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES re-
sponded 10 the address:
1t gives your father great pleasure to meet
his.red children on this occasion. He is
much gratifedto learn that you have taken
a long journey among strangers for the pur-
pose of seeing how white people live. The
Indians listened with marked attention, and
responded by hearty "a.ugh," which they
repeated at the conclusion of every sentence
as it was interpreted 10 them.] Many years
oso tio iou VI SOuHuy CONeEcu
the whole face of it. The whites then came
among them, very weak band, depending
IN some measure on their red brethren for
support-But the whites have grown great
and strong, as you say, while our red breth-
eren have grown weak and few. One cause
of this difference between the white man
and the red man is, that the whites culti-
vate the ground while the red man seek
living by the chase hope, therefore, when
you return 10 your people in the wilderness,
you will tell them of the Improvements of
the white men, their numbers and strength,
and encourage them TO pursue the same oc-
cupations and cultivate the soil.
Though the white man may be strong and
the red man be weak. the white man feels
bound to protect the red man and do justice |
by him. And this is the chief desire of
your great father.
In regard TO your request for means Ao
build saw-mill, it will give your great faith
er pleasure 10 aid you in the laudable UNDER
taking. .
Your great father is much gratifed 10
learn fiom you that you desire education,
and to be taughtto read and write, and to
know the great truths Of the Bible. This
education is another means Of happiness
and strength 10 my red children.