Rocky Mountains. 22 o 



The power of some of the former rulers of the Omawhaws 

 is said to have been almost absolute. That of the celebrated 

 Black-bird Wash-ing guh-sah-ba, seems to have been actually 

 so, and was retained undiminished until his death, which 



agitated my mind for some time past. Yes, Saukees, for some time pasl 

 I have wished to speak to you on a subject, that even now makes the blooti 

 run warm in my veins. 



In addressing you upon this important subject, I shall not speak to 

 please your ears, but to strike your hearts. 



Saukees, you must recollect to have seen me frequently, but you do not 

 know me, and I know you well — I recollect when I first visited your land, 

 your balls whistled round my ears. I was then a boy and wished to be a 

 man — I am now a man, with a heart as strong' as my strength — 



A few winters since, I was a chief to the red skins of the upper Mississip- 

 pi, (Sious and Foxes.) I am now chief to the red skins of Missouri, some 

 of whose blood you have spilt. Listen that you may hear me, dispose your 

 minds to understand me, and remember well what I am going now to tell 

 you, and carry my words to your nation — that they may not deceive 

 themselves. 



When I first climbed the rapid Missouri, I found the red skins as wild 

 as wolves. Without ears they roved through the plains, only thirsting for 

 each others' blood — They could only see the storm as it gathered aroumi 

 them. They could only see the clouds when they obscured the sun, and heat 

 it thunder when it rained. But when I sat down on their land, they as- 

 sembled around me, they listened to my words, I settled the difference 

 that existed between them, and gave peace to the land. They then sal 

 down to rest, but they could not rest long for the Saukees of the Mississip- 

 pi, you, whom the Big Knives, like fools have suffered to live, came 

 and disturbed them in their sleep. When disturbed, not like women 

 did they mourn their misfortunes, but like men they rose in arms and 

 came to me; I did not consult my feelings, I consulted the feelings of 

 my nation, and I was for peace — I told them to sit down, and they did so. 

 Keep your ears open that you may hear me, and raise your eyes that you 

 may see me. for I have saved your blood — Yes, Saukees I restrained their 

 arms, and they sat down in tears — But you were not satisfied, you pre- 

 sumed upon their forbearance, and came again, but they were not asleep, 

 and you did not spill their blood, but you stole their horses; you stole horses 

 from the whites, who like fools had still suffered you to live, and you mur- 

 dered some traders, who were also white. They again raised their arms, 

 every body who were there at the time, both whites and red skins, raised 

 their arms, and looked around them, but they could not see you, for like 

 the timid wolf you had sought the wood, where they could not follow you, 

 until they had consulted me. I, whose blood began to boil in my veins. 

 Saukees, my heart was for war, but my nation was too much for peace, 

 and it was my business to promote peace; therefore, I gave them some tobac- 

 co, and told them once more to sit down, and endeavour to restrain their 

 feelings; they did so, and I left them smoking their pipes, and came away 

 to see the great American Ch>ef. After I left them, you returned again 

 to their land; you found them asleep, you stole their horses, murdered theii 

 women and children, took their scalps, and carried some of them prison- 

 ers to your villages. — 



