The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-07
A Matter OF, Diplomacy. /.


were, in 1906. strong enough to wage
war against the government, with
chances for frequent victories. At
that time the government made trea-
ties with Indian tribes, which were
to last as long as water continued to
run and grass to grow; but often the
terms Of the treaty were broken be-
fore the ink upon it was dry. Per-
haps President Jefferson had sent for
these Indians to visit Washington in
order to impress upon them the fulfil
tty Of a fight against a people SO
strong. His letter indicates as much,
for he calls their attention to the
greatness and the strength Of the
white people-to the great distance
ments, and reminds them that the
white man was a newcomer at that.
Here is the letter just as it is writ
ten, the quaint spelling Of the Indian
names being given just as they appear
in the manuscript:
Osages, Missouris, Kansas, Otoes, Pants,
Ayowas Undoubtedly, Iowas), Sioux,
Poutewattomies, Foxes and Sacs:
Your visit to us at this place has given
mo great pleasure and am very thankful
for your having taken the trouble Of so
long journey for this purpose. But I
hope 1t will turn out as useful to your
own people as to us.
Agriculture Is Advocated.
I lament 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 sub
nit. My children, you have had oppor-
| tunities Of seeing many things among us.
You have seon how, by living in peace cul-
tivating the earth and practicing the use
full arts we, who were once but a few
| travellers landing on this island, are now a
great people and growing daily greater.
You. too, possess good land, and abund-
ance Of it. BY cultivating that and living
| in peace you may become as we are You
have seen here some Of the Cherokees and
Chickasaws, who are just now beginning
to follow our advice, to raise food in plenty
from the earth, to make their own clothes,
to learn the useful arts, and to live In
peace. Instead Of lessening in their num-
bers, as they did while they followed war
and hunting. they now begin to increase
to live In ease, peace and plenty. It will
give me great pleasure to see all the other
nations Of red men following their ex.
ample and advancing in knowledge pros.
perity and happiness. We shall do every
thing in our power, my children, to en-.
courage and aid them in this. We can.
not do it at once and to all, because they
are many nations, but we will proceed az
fast as we can in furnishing them what l.
| most useful.
This is the advice, my children, which
I wish you to carry to your nations, tel
them that their father here receives then
all into his bosom as his children. THAI
he wishes to live always in peace and
friendship with them, doing to them al
the good in his power; that above al
} things he wishes to see men all live il
} peace with one another; that their wives
and children may be safe in their houses
that they may have leisure to provid'
food in plenty from the earth, and t.
} make clothing for themselves, that the.
may raise children and become strons
and happy.
A Desire for Peace.
Tell them how many days. journey 20,
have Travelled among your white brethren
from St. Louis to this place, from thi
place to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New
York, Boston and back again, that every
where they received you as brethren an
J have shown to you a sincere friendship
. Tell your chiefs, your warriors. your wo
men and children that they will find In m
, an affectionate father, DESTROYS to main
tain peace and friendship among all hi
) children, and like every good father, un
willing to see quarreling and wranglin
and fighting among his children that W
, will endeavor to put our trade with ther
. on a fair and just footing, and so proven
lstheir being cheated aud tmpQSed ON p