40 SPEECH OF THE GREAT CHIEF. 
ment and at peace with the Comanches. As 
an earnest of our friendly disposition, we then 
produced some scarlet cloth, with a small 
quantity of vermilion, tobacco, beads, etc., 
which being distributed among them, they 
very soon settled down into a state of placid- 
ness and contentment. Indeed, it will be 
found, that, with wild Indians, presents are 
always the corner-stone of friendship. “We 
are rejoiced,” at last said the elder chief with 
a ceremonious air, “our hearts are glad that 
you have arrived among us: it makes our 
eyes laugh to see Americans walk in our 
land. We will notify our old and young men 
—our boys and our maidens—our women 
and children,—that they may come to trade 
with you. We hope you will speak well of 
us to your people, that more of them may 
hunt the way to our country, for we like to 
trade with the white man.” This was de- 
livered in Comanche, but translated into 
Spanish by the interpreter, who, although a 
full Indian, had lived several years among the 
Mexicans and spoke that language tolerably 
well. Our ‘big talk’ lasted several hours, after 
which the Indians retired to sleep. The next 
morning, after renewing their protestations of 
friendship, they took their departure, the prin- 
cipal chief saying, “ Tell the Capitan Grande 
that when he pleases to call us we are all ready 
to go to see him.” ¥ 
The project of bringing — of the chiefs 
of these wild prairie tribes to Washington 
city, has been entertained, but never yet car- 
