The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-01
INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT.

dent Of the United States The meeting took place in
the favore East Room of the White House, in the pres
of large number OF interested spectators, among
whom recognised Hon Howell Cobb Secretary OF the
Treasury, and Hon John D. Floyd, Secretary OF War.
The Indians were accompanied by Hon. j. Thompson,
Secretary OF the Interior, Charles T. Mix, Acting Com
missioner of Indian Affairs and their agents and inter
prefers
The President, after the Indians had been separately
introduced to him, said
very glad to you here, my children of the Far
West have felt deep interest IN your welfare.
You have great way to and give cor
dial welcome and should be glad If you should explain
10 what desire to do for you, and should be
glad to hear your suggestions.
The Presidents remarks received frequent marks of APP
proyal from the Indians.
Iasharo arl-a- 90, the Big Chief of the Pawnee
delegation spoke rs follows:
Nv Grand Fathes / have come long ways to you
to-day and am glad well you We would
like to make haste and give what promised
in the treaty that may not be poor | very
glad you in the situation that you areo your
fine dwelling house and that you not poor. do not
think will be poor and you will be the of it,
am in hurry tn get back and tell the that will
not be poor.
ma share or the Little Chief also Of the
Pawnees, addressed the President MS follows:
Ny Grand Father You see me to-day. / am poor. You
the of my coming here you gave an inyi-
ation to come. We have been hunting for You long
ways on the road and when We came here were told
that this the place in which you resided think it
is splendid mansion think like the Great
Spirit Everything the white man makes is wonderful
to When YOU and all these curiosities,
feel if not poor expect to hear all you have
to say and retain it all in head and when get back
to my people will tell them all | have heard.
Na-sharo-ce-ted-a-co, also of the Pawnees, next
came forward and spoke as follows
The principal chief OF all Of Sick and not here
to see YOU For that asked the other chief to
speak for him. What he had said true have
nothing to say but that, since have you,
think will not be poor hereafter l come here to-day,
and look about and your splendid mansion and it
surprises me but still know white do any
thing and make anything, and hope we will be put in
the way to do these things and not be poor We have
been long time coming here to you, and now that
have you, it looks If the Great Spirit smiling
M on us, alluding to the sunshine and clear sky)
hope you will take pity that may not be poor
and may get all that is promised in the treaty.
Nahock tara share, also of the Pawnees WAS the
next speaker, AS follows:
1t is true what you have heard, my Grand Father,
very glad. / have come long ways to you.
The further part of the road bad and got my
casins muddy, but still encouraged to hasten
1t is the will of the Great Spirit that should you
to-day and think will not be poor hereafter | AIN
young man--not quite man, for you my naked
skin which is smooth and hope you will take pity on
have the prospect Of being made white man II
ain spared 1t makes me have big heart to-day to see
you and think will not be poor hereafter.
Wac gah-sahpi or The Whip" chief of the
Ponca tribe, said
My Grand Father | call you Grand Father for no
other than this God made of color and
you another but God partial to you and made
you of better color You into existence and SO
did 1t the will OF the Great Spirit that we both
into existence We have had chance to see
Grand Father until this time and am very glad you
slai II, visit 4 fba will of FL,
Spirit that made you powerful than me it was the
will Of the Great Spirit that you should take this land
from this land that you stand day belongs to me-
You man, my Grand Father, and so am l. Every
thing that you have made Grand Father is worthy of at
entionis worthy Of looking at There in thing that
attracts the eye more than anything else and hope you
will give me plenty of itmoncy We want money
my Grand Father With it get anything we want
We do not want goods but ii you give us money we can
buy what we please and il lasts longer My Grand Father
we want all the tools OF the white want the
backsmths the farmers, the mille &C., to live with
u.s. and hope you will open your heart to o.day NV
Father do not speak from the end Of my tongue ; it
comes from the bottom of my heart and / hope that
what you say will from the bottom Of your heart
Me-she- ke-ah, Of the Pottawatomie Indians, said
You said you were pleased to Finally, we have
reached this city, and glad of it. The Pottawat-
omes have in times past--lnany times-spoken to you
and had councils with the government and these are the
you have spoken to- For years past you have been
advising people to REFORM and to other habits
from what before, ana give themselves to
work and initiate the white people This has been your
advice to for years past Prosperity has been with
you. We wish prosperity to live with people The
government has been advising to take up the habits
the white We have been listening, and we have
been convinced of the truth of what you have been adj
yisng and business with the government now is to
get those things which will enable us to 20 on in our
work. We have with the full intention of getting
those things which within treaty stipuations to ena
bic us to go with work. We have been now SO
far advanced in civilization to be convinced that
this is the best way Of doing-that is going To work
OF course, this business for which we have come win
be laid before you and the department in such form az
We hope will get encouragement from the government
We have brought two men with who are now acting in
behalf of people, and who have been educated and
putin work in their hands that it may be done lust
ly and equtaby between yon and We are now de
termned for the time to to take the advice
of the President, and go to work in earnest We are
in want of things to do with and have come to pro
those things which within treaty stipuations
am going to lay down my gun, and pursue something
else for livelihood We have heretofore been receiy
ing annutcs year. but by means or other
II has been divided into two payments. We request the
government and the President to receive il but once n
year II great deal Of trouble coming TO get
II twice year We want receive il in one payment
IL avoids great deal Of trouble II was the promise
of the government when they made this treaty that We
should receive annual payments a year
The Indians having nothing further to say, the Presi
dent spoke in substance, as follows
glad to you all on this bright aud beautiful
day, and hope the Great Spirit Is smiling on our meeting
and that hencefoth this meeting may be the Sign of peace
between the red children and the white children and The
Great Spirit above. In former times the red man had