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INCIDENTS AT THE 
Ponce. — Yes, but you took our captives from us 
without beforehand cautioning us. We were ignorant 
of this promise to restore captives. They were made 
prisoners in lawful warfare. They belong to us. They 
are our property. Our people have also been made 
captives by the Mexicans. If we had known of this 
thing, we should not have come here. We should not 
have placed that confidence in you. 
Commissioner . — -Our brother speaks angrily, and 
without due reflection. Boys and women lose their 
temper, but men reflect and argue ; and he who has 
reason and justice on his side, wins. I have no doubt 
but that you have suffered much by the Mexicans. 
This is a question in which it is impossible for us to 
tell who is right, or who is wrong. You and the 
Mexicans accuse each other of being the aggressors. 
Our duty is to fulfil our promise to both. This 
opportunity enables us to show to Mexico that we 
mean what we say ; and when the time comes, we will 
be ready and prompt to prove the good faith of our 
promises to you. 
Ponce . — I am neither a boy nor a squaw. I am a 
man and a brave. I speak with reflection. I know 
what I say. I speak of the wrongs we have suffered 
and those you now do us. (Very much excited.) 
You must not speak any more. Let some one else 
speak (addressing himself to Mr. Cremony, the inter- 
preter). 
Commissioner . — I want you to understand that /am 
the very one to speak; the only one here who can 
speak (peremptorily). Now do you sit down. I will 
hold no more talk with you, but will select a man 
