The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-30
rHE INDIAN DELIBERATIONS.

Al
,.,i,us Of the Ponca tribe, embracing Wagosoppee,
.,Ths Whip, principal chiefD Geshthouwago, or
ina strong Walker !" Michael Cerre, eWashko-
no0ny. the Hard Walker" Dishmonickagahe, or
'rh. Lone Chief; Showcabbee, or ''The Threatening
Glands . and Fantmganoghee, on 'rhe Standing Buf
eop waited upon Charles Il. Mix Acting Commits
omar Of Indian Affairs This tribe at the present
lime numbers between eight and nine hundred souls
rha delegation was accompanied by its agent Gen.
/ B. Robertson, and by Henry FontneIle and Fran
cos Roy Interpreters. Shortly after their appear
,oce General Robertson spoke as follows
,.In accordance with instructions received from this
once directing to visit the Poncas, have discharged
,hat duty Turning TO the Indians) My children OF
%e ponca tribe you win remember the banks of the
Rnuung Water, when made you visit, that informed
van that your father ut Washington had kind word to
Oeak To YOU. You will remember that informed yon
hat would bring you TO Washington to your Great
Ther ON business In which You interested Ito make
some arrangement with the government 10y which you
viii be placed an equal footing with other tribes.
am happy inform you that now In the
f your Great Father to whom ana about to give you
an introduction with full assurance my part that he
has the good Of the Indians at heart that he desires TO
make them comfortable hope you will listen To his
counsels, and all will be right
The Commissioner was then introduced TO the In
dians, shaking hands with them severaly; after
which he addressed them as follows:
"you are here this morning by the invitation of your
Great Father He had heard OF your having expressed
drJre TO visit his numerous villages That desire has
len accorded YOU The Great Spirit has protected
YOU upon your long journey and IL is my fervent hope
hat He will protect you while here and permit you to
return to your friends Now, wish you to understand
and that distinctly, that the present interview Is one more
al ceremony than of business wish to understand
I wei al
vur homes and that of the objects in inviting you
10 this city, the part of your Great Father Ia to enter
into arrangements that will have tendency TO benefit
your condition and wish you to understand also, that
mon YOU depends whether not this arrangement Is car
RED into effect At future time shall be willing to
receive any proposal that you have to make with reference
% the objects contemplated and in that connexion,
take this occasion say to YOU that whatever measures
con may conceive necessary to the contamination OF this
ibed Won cannot remain in your present position
.You have travelled long distance. During the
time occupied in that travel you have had opportnn
~ Of seeing how your white brothers live and let their
mode and manner Of living be impressed upon your minds
50 that when you return to your villages you can inform
your brothers how the white men live
In the arrangements to which have referred wish
vo 10 bear IN mind that you must have concentration
Il YOUR peoplethat You must be village and cu
tvate the soil In common parlance You are termed
children and why, IL is because of your condition,
being of that character that you require father to pro-
tect guide, and direct you.
Wagosoppee, or 'lhe Whip, fepneu mat ne
would like very well to talk, but was not entirely
ready lust at that moment. The Commissioner then
informed them that they might retire to their lodge
for consultation adding that they must continue
while here in that lodge, and behave themselves
properly towards their brothers the Pawnees the
Pottawatomies, and the Sacs and Foxes.
The Pottawatomies also had an interview with
the Commissioner This tribe numbers about three
thousand souls The delegation consists of Mazhoe,
Wahwahsuc, Waubseh, or white Skin,'' Ottawa
Nahsekah, Sinsemazewon, Waubsohr, or white
Day. and Waubchechank, or white Crane" 1t
was accompanied by Anthony J. Navarro, principal
interpreter and John I. Jones, assistant The OBJ
jec of their visit is simply to represent to the gov
eminent that they had had talk with their people
at home Cor the purpose Of finding out what their
standing is with the government and how they stand
in respect to former treaties.
The Commissioner told them that he understood
perfectly well their condition at home and did not
require to be informed Of it. He understood, too,
that they did not represent the whole Pottawatomie
tribe, but only the prairie branch of it. He should
have administered reprimand had it not happened
that they met with GEN Denver, and obtained his
permission to come but, as they were here, what
ever good grounds of complaint they should present
would be considered, and whatever remedy there
was in his power should be applied for their relief