126 | NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
lodges of Nez Percés in the Flathead camp, hunting buffalo, each lodge containing two men. 
That they have a good many more women than men, though probably not double as many— 
not so many as the Blackfeet, but a great many children. 
Finissiant then complained about the Blackfeet waging war against them and stealing their 
horses, but now that I had come he thought that this would continue no longer. I told them 
that the Blackfeet had spoken of how good they were, receiving them in their camp after they 
had warred against them. That their young men were the cause of the difficulties, and they 
were not able to restrain them. Now, however, the Great Father’s voice had been heard in 
the matter, and the Blackfeet had returned to their camp to tell their people so.  Finissiant 
then said that whenever they made peace with the Blackfeet they always commenced war again 
by killing one of their number, for which they were obliged to take revenge. I then showed 
them two Piegans, with whom I said I was willing to trust myself anywhere. I said that I 
believed all their chiefs and principal men were good and honest, and that they will control 
their young men, if necessary.  Finissiant said that when our young men do wrong we talk to 
them and they mind what we say. I then told them that the Blackfeet desired to meet them, 
and the Nez Percés, and the Spokanes, and the Snakes, and other neighboring tribes, in council 
next year at Fort Benton, to make an everlasting peace. That they should all unite to prevent 
any man killing another or stealing a horse. 
Finissiant replied that a word from their chief would prevent any trouble being made by 
their young men. І then asked them if they would go to Fort Benton next year. Finissiant 
replied that this will be a fine country after peace is made. 
I said that they might not be able to say now whether they would go to Fort Benton, but I 
desired to hear their opinion about it. The Blackfeet had confessed that they had acted wrong, 
and I wished all the Indian tribes to hear it and be witnesses.  Finissiant said that they had 
met a party of Blackfeet while hunting, and that they told them that the whites had advised 
them to make peace, which they would be glad to do. "They will all go to the Blackfeet next 
spring. I then said that I would send word to the Great Father about the peace between the 
Flatheads and Blackfeet. When I heard from the Great Father I would send word to Lieutenant 
Mullan, who would inform them when to go to Fort Benton. They replied that they were 
satisfied. That they sometimes went to Fort Benton to trade, and across the mountains to 
hunt. Now they could go oftener, as they do not fear the Blackfeet as they did before. Ithen 
said that I would send word, by the two Piegans, to the Blackfeet that the Flatheads would 
meet them next year. This would please the Blackfeet very much. They then asked me to 
arrange everything for them. I called Mr. Monroe before them and told them that he had 
lived near the Blackfeet nearly thirty years; that he married a Blackfoot woman of the Piegan 
tribe; that he would soon return to the Blackfeet and tell them what he had seen. Mr. Monroe 
then told the two Piegans that the Flatheads promised to meet their people next year to make 
an everlasting peace; that the Flatheads are full of joy, and that they must tell their people 
this when they return. Monroe, at my request, gave them an account of Stanley’s trip to the 
Blackfoot camp and the kind treatment which they received from the tribe. I advised the 
Flatheads to remain until to-morrow, promising to furnish them with provisions and tobacco. 
The Flatheads inquired what should be done in case the Blackfeet came near their camp at 
night. 
They were advised not to attack them unless it was evident that they intended to do mischief. 
Still they must not remain quiet, and see their men killed or horses stolen. It would be best 
% 
