173
TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1844-1845
your meat off that would hurt you. I hope soon to hear from the President and hear his talk and hope it will be good. The reason I came here was to bring the white prisoner and deliver him up to you as soon as possible, as I know his people are anxious about him, and I am aware that according to our treaty with our white bretheren it is our duty to give up our prisoners as soon as we find out that they are with us. I do not keep my words hid nor tell lies, but what I say is true, and I am anxious and so are all my tribe to make peace, and what I say now I will stick to as long as I live. My people are now gone to the Spanish Country for foolish- ness and when they get the'ir fill of foolishness they will come back here. If the President will send me word in his talk when he wishes to see me and appoint the time and place then I will come and see him. When Col Eldredge came to me and told me that Texas wishes to make peace with me I was glad and listened to his talk good, and I have told Buffalo Hump that he must not forget what he heard at the last counc'il, but hold fast to it and never give it up. When I was a. young man we were accustomed to go among the white people and trade, and I am anxious that that time should return as we wish to be at peace with all and raise our children in peace and my war chief "Tuna woora quashi." "The Bear with a Short tail" is brave but prefers peace to war and has come in to see that the peace is good. He is next War Chief to Buffalo Hump. Now we love our white Bretheren the same as our Red Bretheren. Three of the Wichita and Waco Captains have joined us and are friendly to Texas, but the balance do not wish peace with Texas and have joined the Osage. When my brother came back from the coun- cil we were all glad to hear his words for they were good. All the other tribes of Indians know me, and know that I wish for peace with all. You that are listening to me now, may think thc1.t I am telling lies but the Great Spirit who looks upon me now knows that I speak truth. Whenever any of my men, or chiefs come in to see you you must give them presents. so that when they return home the people may see that the whites are friendly. The Spaniards when they send for us to make peace ste.al our horses, but we believe that what the white people tell us is true.
Powered by FlippingBook