Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-08-22
From the National TntelIigeucer, July 10Th :
AN INDIAN PARTY IN WASHING
t TON. ffsaFF '..' @

~ sS~"44s N,tA'EAAN a a ~ AN- WAS
TON.
AT an early hour yesterday morning
the Office of Indian Affairs was surround
ed by crowd of persons. in the midst of
whom were several highly ornamented,
yet almost nude Indians, who had just ar
arrived in the city by the cars from the
West. They proved to be a. party of
four men, a lad about seventeen, profess
ing to.be an interpreter. woman and a
little girl, about four or Eve years old.
They were promptly admitted into the
reception room of the Office, and on the
arrival Of Acting Commissioner Mix, they
presented themselves before him, and
claimed to be a delegation from their
tribe but owing to the very imperfect
knowledge which Ben. Losson, their in
terpreter. possessed Of the English lan>
guugc, 1t was difficult to understand the
precise objects of their visit.
Wadepgoh, who appeared to be the
leader said he wished his Great Father
would invest him with the dignity OF
great principal chief of the tribe, and give
him military coat, with epauletts, a
horse, bride. spurs, and a pair of saddle
bags, as we'll as money, alleging as
reason that such things had been done
for the Sacs and Foxes when they visited
their Great Father at Washington. He
said: "IfyOu will give me money or other
things, will take them home" He was
poor; the Kaws were all poor and wants
cd money. ln fact, money was the bur-
den oI his song. He then presented
the Acting Commissioner with head
dress Offeathers. which he desired to have
hung up in the Office and exhibited to
those who desired TO see it.
Egoshabee, then addressed the Acting
Commissioner, urging that the request OF
his leader might be granted, and expa
ttatIug on the poverty Of their tribe and
their want Of money.
Adekanay addressed the Acting Com.
missioner 10 the same effect, and was fol-
lowed by
Theagemoy, who desired that his lead
er's request might be granted, and that
their Great Father woulI give him big
money heap" to carry home.
Acting Commissioner Mix. then asked
them upon what authority they came to
the city. What sort of paper they had
brought with them.
Wadengoh said the paper they had got
from their agent they had lost in the riv-
er while on board of The steamboat that
it was lost gone in water. 1t was, he
said, good paper, and it wanted the
Commissioner 10 make him a chief He
go: a paper from Choteau (their trader,
also, which was lost at the same time.
This was also good paper.
The Acting Commission, said as their
Great Father did not send for them, they
should not have come. He regretted
their presence here without the authority
of the Department, or the permission of
their agent. AS to the chief making,
their Great Father would leave that to
the tribe. The kaws were alone author
ized to confer that tile upon such mem
bers of their tribe as they might prefer.
When they have selected the man of their
choice as their chief, their Great Father
would then give him the appropriate med
ais and recognize him as the choice Of the
people. If WAdengoh by his behaviour
and conduct, shall merit the favor and
confidence Of his people, and show by his
conduct that he is deserving. then his
Great Father will recognize his position.
He then desired 10 know from the inter-
ing Washington than to make Wadengoh
their chief.
They had none but that and others al
read y expressed.
The Acting Commissioner then asked
them when they intended to so home.
Interpreter. Whenever our Father
says SO.
Acting Commissioner. What is the
name of your agent?
The interpreter, after asking the dele
gates, said they did not know, except
that he was called " Major" was small
man. and had light hair. (This de-
scribes agent Clarke.) ..'s
The Acting Commissioner again asked
what they wanted? Did they not come
on other business besides that of making
achief?
Wadengoh. I want an epaulet and a
coat, a big coat and epaulets! The Kaws
have too many head chiefs, and want to
be made the principal chief of the tribe.
come to see you all, and want to be
paid for it. want to see all the chiefs
IN laJIli tins city. If you have any more, 1
want to see them. want horse and
saddleoags, and when go home, want
tobe called chief. - .-..
Egoshabee. We want to have a chief
made otthat man, ,[pointiug to Wadengoh1 !
We want him to look like the soldiers.
We want him to have a hat and epaulets,
like the men we met to day. TAlluding
70 an association which had recently pass:
ed. We know, father, whatever you
say you viii make good.