denig] THE ASSINIBOIN 599 



depredations on whites, respect your chief as a chief, and listen to 

 his words. For this he sends you these presents which will be 

 repeated every year for 15 years, unless by your misconduct you 

 incur his displeasure. I have heard the words; they are true. I 

 have seen his soldiers and know he has the power to punish those 

 who have no ears. 



"A great deal of what you do and say is foolishness, the work 

 and talk of children, not of men. Last fall in despite, you raised 

 war parties, made threats against myself and the whites, gave me 

 trouble. You now see the rashness of your proceedings. Who gives 

 you these goods? 



"Do you pay for them? Have you traded them? Do you intend 

 to recompense your Great Father in any way? If so, listen to his 

 words. It has been said I have sold you to the whites — bartered 

 for your lands. I now tell you it is no such thing. There are no 

 stipulations made for your lands in these papers. They were not 

 even mentioned in the treaty. They are too cold for any persons 

 except Indians, or any animals other than those with heavy hair. 



" The Blackfeet are yet j'our enemies, but are to be spoken to by 

 our Great Father; therefore let us refrain from war upon them to 

 advance the views of our Great Father. Since the treaty I have had 

 a son and a son-in-law killed by these people, and all my horses stolen 

 twice. I can count seven times damage they have done me and my 

 nation, but still I am disposed to remain quiet so that our Great 

 Father may be pleased. All of you do the same. The day is coming 

 when the Blackfeet will have ears given them. 



" There are many poor people in this assembly that will be greatly 

 benefited by this distribution of goods. Indians are born poor; they 

 are always poor. Whatever they get for nothing is a great help and 

 they should be thankful. 



" I now appoint you six men, soldiers, for the equal distribution of 

 these goods. Let all have a fair share. Your duty as soldiers does 

 not end here. In the camp when you hear of war parties being 

 assembled, stop them. 



" If any one breaks the treaty stipulations with regard to the 

 whites or other nations I desire you to punish them. If you are 

 not able to do so you are no soldiers, and such disturbers shall be 

 taken down by the whites in irons. 



" The President of the United States has thought fit to appoint me 

 your chief. Here is my medal; there are my papers. This makes 

 some of you jealous. You should have thought of it before and 

 plucked up coinage enough to be seen at the treaty, that he could have 

 chosen a better man than I, if there be one. As it is, as long as I 



