SPEECH
TO THE DELAWARES [1812]
The
Commissioners appointed to meet in Council the Indian tribes of
the western frontier of the united states-
To
the Chiefs head men & Warriors of the Delaware tribe --
Children:
Your Father the President when he heard that some of the Indian
tribes had listened to the Messages of the British exciting to War,
against his people -- had broken the bond of Friendship & violated
the Treaty of Greenville, their conduct would have Justified him
in Stretching out the Strong Arm of the United States for their
destruction: But having regard for their welfare of all his Children,
not willing to punish the Innocent with the guilty, & desirous
that those who have been seduced by bad advice should have an opportunity
to save themselves from that destruction that inevitably awaits
them, in case of hostility, has sent us to his Red Children with
good advice.
Children:
listen, we speak the words of your Father the president, live at
peace with your white and red Bretheren pursue your usual employments,
Provide for your Women and Children, The Americans love peace, but
do not fear war, they are able to fight their own Battles -- Your
father does not ask your assistance in the War in which he is now
engaged with the british -- The red people have no concern in the
dispute between the Americans and the British - They do not understand
the causes of the war, and why should they take part in it? Consider
well who are your best friends, the Americans, upon great chief,
has sent you the good advice, to live in peace; or the British,
who advise, you to lake war against your white brethern & excite
the red people to war among themselves.
Your
old men can remember the conduct of them in a former War, after engaging
the red people on their side, when they were defeated they left them
to the mercy of the conquerors, without their names, being mentioned
in the Treaty of Peace. Children your Father has authorised his Commissioners
to assure you that if you follow his advice to live in peace with
his people, & act the part of true friends, to the Americans,
he will take you by the hand, will brighten the chain of friendship,
& protect you against the enemies of the United States when you
desire it -- that your Annuities shall be paid according to treaty
- Your lands held sacred, & shall not be taken from you, or purchased
without you express desire, & consent -- Children: To
preserve the chain of Friendship and entitle yourelves to the advantages
of a lasting peace, you must watch over and be responsible for the
peaceable conduct of your young men, and in case they Join the enemies
of your white bretheren, you must deliver them up for Punishment --
You are to give notice, when the enemy are coming to attack our settlement,
and by no means, to harbor in your towns the hostile Indians, in their
approach or retreat from War -- Children It made our hearts glad to
hear your determination to live in peace We will communicate your
speeches to your father the president -- Every thing he has promised
by us will be performed, we have smoaked the pipe of Peace, you have
promised a lasting peace & friendship, we call the great spirit
to witness the sincerity of your professions
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