" `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.
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