280 APPENDIX. 



for his popularity, and whatever of real power he possessed. He 

 often referred to his young men, over whom he claimed no supe- 

 riority, and who appeared to be ardently attached to him. I 

 urged the principal topic upon his attention, presenting it in several 

 lights. I finally conferred on him, personally, a medal and flag, 

 and directed the presents intended for his band to be laid, in gross, 

 before him. 



After a pause, Neenaba got up, and spoke to the question, con- 

 necting it with obvious considerations, of which mutual rights, 

 personal safety, and the obligation to protect the women and chil- 

 dren, formed the basis. The latter duty was not a slight one. 

 Last year the Sioux had killed a chief on the opposite shore of 

 the lake, and, at the same time, decoyed two children, who were 

 in a canoe, among the rice, and killed and beheaded them. He 

 said, in allusion to the medal and flag, that these marks of 

 honour were not necessary to secure his attention to any requests 

 made by the American government. And after resuming his seat 

 awhile (during which he overheard some remarks not pleasing 

 to him, from an Indian on the opposite side of the ring), he finally 

 got up and declined receiving them until they were eventually 

 pressed upon him by the young warriors. Every thing appeared 

 to proceed with great harmony, and the presents were quickly dis- 

 tributed by one of his men. It was not, however, until the next day, 

 when my canoes were already put in the water, that he came 

 with his entire party, to make his final reply, and to present the 

 peace-pipe. He had thrown the flag over one arm, and held the 

 war-club perpendicular in the other hand. He said, that although 

 he accepted the one, he did not drop the other ; he held fast to 

 both. When he looked at the one, he should revert to the coun- 

 sels with which it had been given, and he should aim to act upon 

 those counsels ; but he also deemed it necessary to hold fast the 

 war-club ; it was, however, with a determination to use it in de- 

 fence, and not in attack. He had reflected upon the advice sent 

 to the Chippewas by the President, and particularly that part of 

 it which counselled them to sit still upon their lands ; but while 

 they sat still, they also wished to be certain that their enemies 

 would sit still. And the pipe he was now about to offer, he offered 

 with a request that it might be sent to the President, asking him 



