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T R E A T Y A T L E S S E R S L A V E L A K E 55
appointed, almost defrauded. It was not what was expected,
what we believed we had a right to expect, after so much
waggoning and tracking and drenching, and river turmoil
and trouble. This woeful shortcoming from bygone days
attended other aspects of the scene. Instead of fiery oratory
and pipes of peace— the stone calumets of old— the vigorous
arguments, the outbursts of passion, and close calls from
threatened violence, here was a gathering of commonplace
men smoking briar- roots, with treaty tobacco instead of
weed," and whose chiefs replied to Mr. Laird's explanations
and offers i n a few brief and sensible statements, varied
by vigorous appeals to the common sense and judgment,
rather than the passions, of their people. It was a disappointing,
yet. looked at aright, a gratifying spectacle.
Here were men disciplined by good handling and native
force out of barbarism-— of which there was little to be seen—
and plainly on the high road to comfort: men who led
inoffensive and honest lives, yet who expressed their sense
of freedom and self- support in their speech, and had in
their courteous demeanour the unmistakable air and bearing
of independence. If provoked by injustice, a very
dangerous people this; but self- respecting, diligent and
prosperous in their own primitive calling, and able to adopt
agriculture, or any other pursuit, with a fair hope of success
when the still distant hour for it should arrive.
The proceedings began with the customary distribution
of tobacco, and by a reference to the competent interpreters
who had been appointed by the Commission, men who were
residents, and well known to the Indiaus themselves, and
who possessed their confidence. The Indians had previously
appointed as spokesman their Chief and head- man, Keenoo-shayoo
and Moostoos, a worthy pair of brothers, who speedily
exhibited their qualities of good sense and judgment, and,
Keenooshayo i n particular, a fine order of Indian eloquence,
which was addressed almost entirely to his own people, and
which is lost, I am sorry to say, in the account here set
down.
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| Title | Page 63 |
| OCR | T R E A T Y A T L E S S E R S L A V E L A K E 55 appointed, almost defrauded. It was not what was expected, what we believed we had a right to expect, after so much waggoning and tracking and drenching, and river turmoil and trouble. This woeful shortcoming from bygone days attended other aspects of the scene. Instead of fiery oratory and pipes of peace— the stone calumets of old— the vigorous arguments, the outbursts of passion, and close calls from threatened violence, here was a gathering of commonplace men smoking briar- roots, with treaty tobacco instead of weed," and whose chiefs replied to Mr. Laird's explanations and offers i n a few brief and sensible statements, varied by vigorous appeals to the common sense and judgment, rather than the passions, of their people. It was a disappointing, yet. looked at aright, a gratifying spectacle. Here were men disciplined by good handling and native force out of barbarism-— of which there was little to be seen— and plainly on the high road to comfort: men who led inoffensive and honest lives, yet who expressed their sense of freedom and self- support in their speech, and had in their courteous demeanour the unmistakable air and bearing of independence. If provoked by injustice, a very dangerous people this; but self- respecting, diligent and prosperous in their own primitive calling, and able to adopt agriculture, or any other pursuit, with a fair hope of success when the still distant hour for it should arrive. The proceedings began with the customary distribution of tobacco, and by a reference to the competent interpreters who had been appointed by the Commission, men who were residents, and well known to the Indiaus themselves, and who possessed their confidence. The Indians had previously appointed as spokesman their Chief and head- man, Keenoo-shayoo and Moostoos, a worthy pair of brothers, who speedily exhibited their qualities of good sense and judgment, and, Keenooshayo i n particular, a fine order of Indian eloquence, which was addressed almost entirely to his own people, and which is lost, I am sorry to say, in the account here set down. |
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