Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-10
NATIONAL lNTELLIGENCER.
INDIAN U.,TERvIEw AND PRESENTATIONS


fhEs' DENT of the United States, they were first
iooe'.ved by Col LEA, Commissioner of Indian
a. airs, at the Indian Bureau, being conducted by
daJor FITZPATRICK, Indian Agent for the Upper Platte
accompanied by interpreters Mr. JAMES s. SMITH for the
1rrapahoes and Che yennes, and Mr.. JOSEPH lesson
hoNoRE for the Siou's and ottoes.
having entered the Commissioners room, the Indians,
men ana women distributed around it, and address
ed oy Col LEA the subject of their visit TO the Pres
aen with other remarks incidental thereto but generally
appropriate to business which brought the delegation
TO Washington
before proc eedng further it will be well enough TO
give The name IS of Indians many Of them stik-
ngy picture sque and expressive The delegations
consist OF from distinct nations, the Arrapdhoes
anu chye' mes living about the Upper Arkansas; the
oouz, alon the foot of the Rocky Mountains and the
oaoe of the plains of the Missouri river Besides
eese tn ire Iowas, who were induced by some
"hle M en- to leave their homes and into the white
se'tem' ants where they abandoned. 1t is to be
hoped that Congress will long, for humanitys sake
take matter hand and by Legislative restriction put
sto abuses of this Sort which have been the cause
81 anoh suffering to the unsuspecting children of the
wiz Is who have in been taken Europe
an there at length left the mercy of circumstances
There three Arrapahoes.-Nea Netha, Eagle
Crow
Three Cheyennes vokomast, White Antelope !;
the cloud.
Iuta, the Red Plume; Ponkesko Wechasa the made
of Shells Echakaha Keekta the Wary Elk; and Mahgs
the Corn Nubbin.
The male Ottoes -Wahdoshomanye, the faith
ful Partisan; Observation-Disclosures the Partisan that killed
his enemy on his return.
The two male Iowas are-Lowwayee, Little Beaver and
Wohchitchie, the Hunter
There are three Otto women squaws wives Of some
of the foregoing Their Pahtookekrehmee the
Cedar Tree Enokopee, the Wife, and Howepee, Good
Day Fhara Sc Iayva yyhn u1p in The
euphonous and poetic designation of Mahwemee the Bud
ding Leaf.
having been represented that jealousy and con-
siderable discussion had arisen amongst the delegation
for few days previous the interview account the
alleged inequality of rank of Manga who belongs to the
Seosapa Blackeet band of the Sioux, and who had
furnished evidence of his being accredited by his band
beyond his testimony Col Lea addressed the Indians
He said that understood that had
arisen amongst them, to whether the Sioux then pre-
sent all equal He sorry for it. but at the
time deemed proper all accounts that for all the
poses of their mission they should and here be
sidered equal matter what might be the difference Of
position they held at home. Neither the Commissioner
{Col Lea himself, their Great Fat the President
would inquire into that matter. They would all be
sidered fully and fairly representing before the Govern
ment Of the United States thei- respective tribes Here
the Indians uttered their satisfied response of Ugh
he hoped tins would be satisfactory and that eaousies
or heartburnings would be entertained this subject
any more. They be treated with in their
official capacity; it in this light they would
by their Great Father the President The hour is
arrived Continued Col Lea) wait the President
whom you have all before. You know how to be
have before him. If any desire speak him he will
gladly hear you; he will listen you attentiyely and
you may speak without fear and in the utmost confidence
Speak freely to him of whatever in your hearts
win give you and your words the kindest consideration
The Indians then left the Bureau for the Presidents
House. where after waiting short time in the East
room, they conducted into the circular reception
ROOM considerable party of ladies and gentlemen being
gathered to witness the interview. Amongst them we
noticed Mrs. FILLMORE, Madame KossuTH who at Mrs
Flmores side and the Countess PUkzsKY Mr. Secretary
stuart, Postmaster General HALL, Attorney General
CRITTENpES and others.
Col. ID. ID. MITCHELL, of St Louis Superintendent Of
Indian Affairs present and assisted in the business
(. of the interview
Mr. Commissioner LEA apprized the President of the
object of the Indians call upon him. They were soon
going home and had called pay their parting respects
TO him; and the Indians he intimated that had they
any thing say, the President would listen at
tentivelyto them.
The PREsIDESTremarked that he was happy this
sion to meet his red children more, and would be
glad TO hear whatever they might have to say.
Here some movement made by the Indians for
smoke, which declined present, they were in
formed, because the ladies who there might be
convenienced by it. To this they seemed very readily
assent.
dressed the President. His speech brief. He had
his Great Father and indeed glad to see
him. He would not say than how glad he was !;
he would wait till the others had spoken and would speak
last The President replied by saying he also glad
to meet his red friend he hoped the Great Spirit had
smiled upon him and blessed him since he had been in
Washington with good health and happiness; he would
gladly hear him after the others had done.
Ndconbatta advanced, and said he had come to his
Great Father from long, very long, distance. He had
TO shake hands, to be friendly be peace The
Arrapahoes poor they had nothing in their coun-
Crest Father would take pity spon them He hoped his
Great Father would give him some embems in order TO
show his people when he got home that his Great Father
would do something for their nation He was glad TO see
many meeting here friends who had formerly been
enemies, and hoped that the Ssperintendet and Agent
would be able TO keep peace hereafter After his long
here his people would be very glad to have him home
again.
Wa1bdlape Lua, Sioux, SAID that he did not come
here of his accord This probably hat M moor
/. Manga He invited here He had been we'll 20
ceved and kindly treated and he would in own conn
try return this Kindness 70 the whites he might meet there
treaty had been made-a treaty peace All the IL
dams had shaken hands they longer each
enemies lie poor, had no learning but be was some
body in his own country; he had made peace and he
hoped il would be good He hoped he would sent back
horseback and have something given him to show thu
he had been here lie hoped he would find bis children
alive, and that all would be well when he got home II,
repeated his wish for something to take home
Voki Votomost under many obi cations the plea
Of this interview lie proud rejoiced 10 nee
much company He had idea Of the distance lie had