Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-07
INDIAN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT.


for the purpose Of giving an audience to the OMA-
HA INDIANS now in Washington, they first pro-
ceeded to the Indian Bureau, whence they were ac-
companied to the Presidents by the COMMISSIONER
OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Col d. ID. MITCHELL the
Superintendent, and others in charge. The PREsI-
DENT met his red friends in his Office up stairs.
Col LEA, the Commissioner, introduced them in
the usual manner The Indians shook hands with the
President and with Mr.. CONRAD Secretary Of War; who
was in the at the time of their entrance.
COL LEA having briefly explained to the President the
object of their visit to Washington the President said he
happy to meet his red brethren this occasion.
The Great Spirit had blessed them all with clear day,
and if they had any thing say he the President would
be most happy to hear them.
Tai-thau, the White Buffalo, then rose to speak, but
for few moments anticipated by the INTERPRETER,
who apoogized for his imperfect acquaintance with the
English language. He thanked the Government for the
Kindness it had shown him in afording him the oppor-
tunity to learn the English language by putting him to
school, and he regretted that he should be able
quit himself he could wish. He was much better ac-
quainted he sad with the Omaha than with the English
but would endeavor to do his best, and make himself
understood.
To this the PRESIDENT remarked that he would make
his language very simple that every word might be well
understood.
Tdhau then addressed his Great Father interpreted
by saying that he and his friends had here with
out business. They lived great way off, their homes
were very distant He had heard of their Great Father
many times; ever since he boy he had heard of
him. His Great Father had red children and white chil
dren The Omahas went the law of their Great Father
and whatever he said they would endeavor to obey
nearly as they can. He had been wishing to come here
for two or three years. but had He had looked
about him, at his people and his country but he
means to come. He could not have come but for his
friends the friends that had with them here to
their Great Father When he was little boy he had
out to to his Great Father but he could not find
the way, and turned back. 1t his friends Messrs.
Wheeling and Johnson that had brought them here to-
day. .,r.
looking for what is good could not find it. We are here
to have talk will tell you all feelings, and viii
speak out came here of myself; my people did not
send me here am glad am here to talk with you Our
people at home, know thinking about and look
ing for us, and when return they will ask how
Great Faherhas acted with Ihave travelled good deal
on account of my people have done good but still
will travel round till do good, and will not STOP
speak only for myself but for my nation these chiefs
here not very old; but they men, and they will
have influence with nation of these days. We
know of ourselves we do nothing for ourselves we
here to get help of you great many of the red
skins will make treaty day and break the next
that is not the way with will make it stand will
tell you my grievances now.
When return home will tell my people that have
spoken to my Great Father above Ever since can
recoect the Kaws have been stealing horses from me
feel it very bad There is another nation Osages living
close by thought them friends but they have been
enemies sorry they not here to hear my speech
wish all here before Great Father together
will tell you of another nation, (Ottoes Every time
60 out to hunt they dig out caches take horses
and sell them to the white These people 1.-THE Of
toes have ears they do not listen to what you say
You gave them new heart medals but they do not lis
ten to what say When they go home from here they
disregard you.
49, 49, A.
hunt they to country and take what we
leave behind and steal horses There four bands
of them There is another tribe Sioux who do worse
things than that As travel my country find it
scattered all with the bones of my people, killed by
the Sioux.
IL could do the same things but l will not. wanted
to hear what you would say about it hoped to hear
from you about it. but could not. wanted your word
These all the Indians that have been playing this
me.
will commence pale face friends, your
children. Before they passed through country,
lived happy we starving and people starving
passing we did not know where they were going. We
thought you would know something about it, and we
thought to come here and you about it. They travel
two three months before they get through with their
travel Our friends, the Mormons, gave permission
to live on lands and they agreed when they went
away TO leave every thing to But when they went
away could nothing that they left behind but
stumps of trees, and no trees there.
Another thing have to say, and that is about the
treaty We sold only part of the country east of the
Missouri know the line all the way myself They that
living it better hunters than they catch
game by hundreds cannot do that This country l
talking of is very plain; sold lower down towards
the Missouri the land north did sell. have not
to beg in what have said to-day, but to get
rights l come to tell you that you may know it
yourself.
have something to say about my father, the Agent.
When had pretty good locking mule he would say
"Ah all, / will give you much for this mule" This is
what my father does and he does the the Paw
Our father made other people obey him, and
dered them to give the 0mahas good hickory whipping
and many of people have suffered and been panied
When go to complain to father the Agent, he
knows how to do he picks up stick, and whites it,
and viii not listen to Our father had his brothern
law trade with US, but father the partner with
him, and the principal trader. thing that made
feel very bad this those Indians that last here
us, and letter here to you saying
proper to here and Great Father We have
heard it has been said had been showing ourselves
and saying the best looking Indians, and have
gone about to show ourselves have not here for
any such purpose, but to have q talk with you. The
friends that have brought here best friends
have done, and glad that have been able to speak
to my Great Father
MonckooaeJd, Yellow Snake spoke next. He repre-
scented the confidence he felt in speaking to his Great
Father and asked if he had right for when had he
stolen a coat horse blanket from his Great
Father lie spoke of the nakedness and poverty Of his
tribe; the clothing they had bought by the
said the of their coming TO help and redress
in their extremity not to show themselves off, to do
any thing wrong.
Each Of the party in his turn made q brief address,
differing nothing, however, in substance from what
said for them by the first speaker.