I Went Formerly
To The English, And They Gave Me A Medal And Some Clothes:
When I Went To The Spaniards They Gave Me A Medal, But Nothing
To Keep It From My Skin:
But now you give me a medal and clothes.
But still we are poor; and I wish, brothers, you would give us
something for our squaws.'
When he sat down, Mahtoree, or White Crane, rose:
" `I have listened,' said he, `to what our father's words were yesterday;
and I am to-day glad to see how you have dressed our old chief.
I am a young man, and do not wish to take much; my fathers have made me
a chief; I had much sense before, but now I think I have more than ever.
What the old chief has declared I will confirm, and do whatever
he and you please; but I wish that you would take pity on us, for we
are very poor.'
"Another chief, called Pawnawneahpahbe, then said:
" `I am a young man, and know but little; I cannot speak well,
but I have listened to what you have told the old chief,
and will do whatever you agree.'
"The same sentiments were then repeated by Aweawechache.
"We were surprised," the journal says, "at finding that the first of
these titles means Struck by the Pawnee, and was occasioned by some blow
which the chief had received in battle from one of the Pawnee tribe.
The second is in English Half Man, which seemed a singular name for a warrior,
till it was explained to have its origin, probably, in the modesty
of the chief, who, on being told of his exploits, would say, `I am
no warrior, I am only half a man.' The other chiefs spoke very little;
but after they had finished, one of the warriors delivered a speech,
in which he declared he would support them. They promised to make peace
with the Ottoes and Missouris, the only nations with whom they are at war.
All these harangues concluded by describing the distress of the nation:
they begged us to have pity on them; to send them traders; that they
wanted powder and ball; and seemed anxious that we should supply
them with some of their great father's milk, the name by which they
distinguish ardent spirits. We gave some tobacco to each of the chiefs,
and a certificate to two of the warriors who attended the chief We
prevailed on M. Durion [interpreter] to remain here, and accompany as
many of the Sioux chiefs as he could collect to the seat of government.
We also gave his son a flag, some clothes, and provisions, with directions
to bring about a peace between the surrounding tribes, and to convey
some of their chiefs to see the President.
"The Indians who have just left us are the Yanktons, a tribe of the great
nation of Sioux. These Yanktons are about two hundred men in number,
and inhabit the Jacques, Des Moines, and Sioux Rivers.
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