116 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
wish to carry a message of peace from you to them. Your Great Father has sent me to bear 
a message to you and all his other children. It із, that he wishes you to live at peace with 
each other and the whites. Не desires that you should be under his protection, and partake 
equally with the Crows and Assiniboines of his bounty. Live in peace with all the neighboring 
Indians, protect all the whites passing through your country, and the Great Father will be your 
fast friend." 
To this, Low Horn, the principal Piegan chief, replied in behalf of the Indians. Не first 
spoke of the Indians west of the mountains, and said that many years ago they had formed a 
treaty of peace, and for along time were on excellent terms with them, meeting each other 
and hunting together on the Missouri plains. He said that the prominent chiefs of all the bands 
had adhered to that treaty, and had done all they could to restrain their young men; but their 
young men were wild, and ambitious, in their turn, to be braves and chiefs. "They wanted by 
some act to win the favor of their young women, and bring scalps and horses to show their 
prowess. He added: “Тһе Blackfeet are generous and hospitable. They always forgive 
injuries. Some years since, after a Blackfoot had been killed by a Gros Ventre, several Gros 
Ventres fell into our hands. These Gros Ventres all expected to be put to death, but we fed 
them, treated them kindly, and gave them horses to carry them home." 
I then interrupted him and said: “I know this to be true, for the Gros Ventres told me of 
it themselves. When they told me this, I said it was a reason why they should not go to war 
to avenge the insult from you of which they complain." І then said to them: 4 Why is it 
that you have two or three women to one man? Is it not because your young men go out on 
war parties, and thus the flower of your tribe is cut down? And you will go on diminishing 
every year until your tribes are extinct. Is it not better that your young men should have 
wives and children and that your numbers should increase? Won't your women prefer husbands 
to scalps and horses? The Gros Ventres desire to meet you in council and have the difficulties 
between you arranged. Will you meet them in council?" They answered, ‘‘ We will." I 
continued: “What words shall I take to the Flatheads, the Nez Percés, and other tribes with 
whom you have difficulties on the buffalo plains?" They answered that they would meet 
them in council, and desired to live on terms of peace with them. I asked them if they would 
cease to send war parties into the Flathead country before the council was held. They said 
they could not speak for those of their tribes who were not present, but would promise for 
themselves, and carry my words to other members of their tribes. 
In conclusion, I told them ‘that I had learned much of them from Mr. Culbertson, who had 
married one of their women. I go west to see the other tribes; but Mr. Culbertson, whom 
you know to be your friend, will go down the Missouri and tell the Great Father what you have 
promised. І leave with you Mr. Doty, who will mingle with your bands and get acquainted 
with your people. This young man’s father, (Governor Doty,) who was a great chief, spent a 
long life among the Indians and always treated them with justice. You will be a friend to this 
young man, as his father was a friend to your people." 
Before the breaking up of the council I distributed presents of the value of about six hundred 
dollars, with which they were greatly pleased. 
While in the council, Low Horn, the principal chief and speaker, made all his replies without 
rising from his seat, and in a quiet conversational tone. After the council he assembled his 
braves and resumed the lofty bearing of a chief. He addressed them with great fervor and 
eloquence; commanded them henceforth to cease sending out war parties, and threatened them 
with severe punishment if they disobeyed. 
