Father, There was a time when our hands were red with the blood of your people, but since we have been below, it has been washed off. Father, We visited our father below; he told us, when we met a white man to treat him well, and let him never fear. Father, I see you are looking on me; I am poor; I have nothing on me of the make of the whites; I have even turned my buffaloe robe to hide its tarnish. Father, I came here to listen to your words, to hear what you have told us. {293} Father, You say there is a God above; I know it; when he is angry I hear him speak (alluding to the thunder). Father, I consider you equal to him. You are the same to me. Father, All you see here are your children; they are poor. Father, That is all I have to say. _Major O'Fallon_ Pawnee chiefs and soldiers; I called you here to adjust the difference that is between us. I called you here to bring the articles which were stolen from my people. I have not yet seen them. I called you here to bring the dogs that stole them; but I have not seen them; I hope that you have brought them. My eyes have been looking for them, and my ears have been listening, but I am not satisfied. * * * * * (The following articles were now given up. One buffaloe robe, one horse, one pair double-barrelled pistols, one bird-bag, one tomahawk, one axe, one powder-flask, one shot-bag. Fool Robe's son said, there are many articles lost, which my people took from you, and two of the horses gave out on the road, a few miles from this place.[160]) [160] One of the horses has been since found.—JAMES. _Long Hair_ Those who did the mischief did not come. They were afraid. Here are two of their chiefs. _Major O'Fallon_ Pawnee chiefs and warriors; I wish to know whether or not you are able to punish the offenders; {294} whether or not there are good people enough amongst you to punish them. Our soldiers are anxious to march against you, but the chiefs restrain them, lest they injure the innocent. That is the reason why I wish to know if you are not able to punish the bad. Our people do not wish to spill innocent blood. Therefore I desire to place their punishment in your own hands. I have come to this land, not to spill blood, but to prevent its flowing. I have come to give you rest, and peace, and happiness, not to make war. If your arms are not strong enough, come forward and say so; if you are not chiefs, say so. Pawnees, If I were to see our troops marching towards your nation, tears would fall from my eyes; because I believe that there are some good men among you, whose blood would immediately flow. Red Skins have called us cowards when we have hesitated to spill blood, when it ought to have been spilt. Even some of your chiefs have insulted our people, thinking they would not resent it. I tell you, Pawnees, that we are tired of submitting to insults. My nation is most powerful, and that is the reason why the Great Spirit restrains our arm.