What do we know of the manner of the laws and customs of the white people? They might buy our bodies for dissection, and we would touch the goose quill to cinfirm it, without knowing what we were doing. This was the case with myself and my people in touching the goose quill the first time.

     We can only judge what is proper and right by our standard of right and wrong, which differs widly from the whites, if I have been correctly informed. The whites may do bad all their lives, and then, if they are sorry for it when they are about to die, all is well!

     But with us it is different: We must continue throughout our lives to do what we conceive to be good. If we have corn and meat, and know of a family that has none, we divide with them. If we have more blankets than are sufficient, and others have not enough, we must give to them that want.

 

 

 

     Brothers, money to us is of no value, and to most of us unknown; and as no consideration whatever can induce us to sell the lands, on which we get sustenance for our women and children, we hope we may be allowed to point out a mode by which your settlers may be easily removed and peace obtained.

     Brothers, we know that these settlers are poor, or they would never have ventured to live in a country that has been in continual trouble ever since they crossed the Ohio. Divide therefore this large sum of money that you have offered to us amoung these people ... and we are persuaded they would most readily accept it in lieu of the lands you sold to them ...

 

 

 

     Tell your people that since the Great Father promised that we should never be removed we have been moved five times. I think you had better put the Indians on wheels so you can run them about wherever you wish.

 

 

 

     I know that robes, leggings, moccasins, bear claws, and so on are of little value to you, but we wish you to have them and to preserve them in some conspicous part of your lodge, so that when we are gone and the sod turned over our bones, if our children should visit this place, as we do now, they may see and recognize with pleasure the things of their fathers, and reflect on the times that are past.

 

 

 

     I will follow the white man's trail. I will make him my friend, but I will not bend my back to his burdens. I will be cunning as a coyote. I will ask him to help me understand his ways, then I will prepare the way for my children. Maybe they will outrun the white man in his own shoes.

     There are but two ways for us. One leads to hunger and death, the other leads to where the poor white man lives. Beyond is the happy hunting ground where the white man cannot go.