The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27
LETTER
PRESERVED BY INDIANS
Written Advice Kept by Them
Through All Their Wanderings.

Hubert DarmaE. now living on farm
near Jones City. oklahoma. has an in
teresting relic which he obtained from
the Indians prior to the opening Of Okla
homa to settlement. The relic is an au-
tograph letter written by Thomas JEFF
ferson, April II, 1906, and given to
delegation Of Indians which had visited
Washington to see Mr.. jefferson. who
was then President
1t is not remarkable that a letter writ
ten by Thomas Jefferson should be ex-
tant for Mr.. Jefferson wrote letters by
the thousand, and at a time. too. when
his fame would cause them to be treas
ured. but 1t is remarkable that a fragile
sheet of paper could be kept for so many
years by rowing band of Indians. who
had no other habitation than bark huts
The letter was addressed to the Pom
cas-. Otoes Iowas. Osages. Sacs. Foxes
Pottawatomies. and Sioux by President
Jefferson. The Indians from whom Mr.
Darman obtained IL seemed to have no
knowledge Of its import, but were keep
ing IL among other papers OF little or no
historic value.
Mr. Darman lived among the Indians,
and learned to talk their language flu
emily, and il was while he was living
among the Sacs that he found the let
Ger. The fact that it is addressed to
the only inhabitants, at that time. Of
Oklahoma, gives additional interest
to it,
Here is the letter just as it is writ
ten. the quaint spelling of the Indian
names being given as they appear in
the manuscript:
My Friends and Children, Chiefs Of
the Osages. Missouris, Kansas Otoes.
Panis. Ayowas. Undoubtedly Iowas).
Sioux, Poutewattomies. Foxes, and
Sacs:
Your visit to US at this place has
given me great pleasure and / am very
thankful for your having taken the
trouble of so long a journey for this
purpose. But 1 hope it will turn cut as
useful to your own people as to us.
II lamented indeed the loss of several
Of your chiefs by sickness. Accident and
the change In diet and manner of living
has probably occasioned this, and the
will Of the Great Spirit to which we
must all submit My children. Won
have had opportunities of seeing many
things among US. You have seen how.
by living in peace. cultivatinK the
earth, and practicing the useful arts we.
who were once but few travellers
landing on this land. are now a great
people and growing daily greater. You.
too. possess good land. and abundance
OF IT, BY cultivating that and living in
peace you may become as we are
You have seen here some of the Cher
okees and Chickasaws. who are lust
now beginning to follow our advice. to
raise food in plenty from the earth. to
make their own clothes. TO learn the
fTf1 re
stead Of lessening in their numbers. as
they did while they followed war and
hunting. they now begin TO Increase. TO
live in ease, peace. and plenty. 1t will
give me great pleasure to see all the
other nations Of red men following their
example and advancing in knowledge.
prosperity, and happiness We shall do
everything In our power. my children,
20 encourage and aid them in this We
cannot do It at once and TO all, be-
cause they are many nations, but we
will proceed as fast as we can I'm fur
nishing them what is most useful
This is the advice. my children, which
wish you 10 carry to your nations, tell
them that their father here receives
them all into his bosom as his children.
That he wishes TO live always in peace
and friendship with them. doing 70 them
all the good in his power; that above
all things he wishes to see men all live
ia peace with one another. that their
wives and children may be safe In their.
houses; that they may have leisure to
provide food in plenty from the earth.
and TO make clothing for themselves
that they may raise childish and he
come strong and happy.
Tell them how many DAYS journey
you have Travelled among your white
brethren from st. Louis to this place.
from this place to Baltimore, Phladel-
phia. New York. Boston. and back
again. that everywhere they received
you as brethren and have shown TO you
a sincere friendship Tell Your chiefs,
your warriors. your women. and chill
dren that they will find I'm me an affec-
tionate father DESTROYS to maintain
peace and friendship among all his chill
dreu. and ike every good father, un-
willing 70 see quarreling and -..angling
and fighting among his children, and
that we viii endeavOr 10 put our trade
with them on a fair and just footing
and so prevent their being cheated and
imposed on by bad men. And may the
Great Spirit take you, my chi dren, by
the hand, conduct you back In health
and safety TO your families. and give
you 10 find them in health and happiness
after your long absence
II give you my words in writing that
you may have them read 20 your peO-
pie. Preserve them in your towns, re-
mesh your memories with them from
time to time. 50 that the remembrance
Of them may never be lost, but may b.
handed down 20 your children:
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
April II. 1906"
Mr.. Darman p opposes to exhibit this
letter at the worlds Eaii IN St Louis
next year.-<ans as Times.