cil fires, but
shed one drop of white men's blood, our young warriors, as thick as the
stars of the night, will leap aboard of our great boats, which fly
on the waves and over the lakes--swift as the eagle in the air--then
penetrate the woods, make the big guns thunder, and the whole heavens
red with the flames of the dwellings of their enemies. Brothers, the
President has made you a great talk. He has but one mouth. That one has
sounded the sentiments of all the people. Listen to what he has said to
you. Write it on your memories, it is good, very good.

"Black Hawk, take these jewels, a pair of topaz earrings, beautifully
set in gold, for your wife or daughter, as a token of friendship,
keeping always in mind, that women and children are the favorites of the
Great Spirit. These jewels are from an old man, whose head is whitened
with the snows of seventy winters, an old man who has thrown down his
bow, put off his sword, and now stands leaning on his staff, waiting
the commands of the Great Spirit. Look around you, see all this mighty
people, then go to your homes, open your arms to receive your families.
Tell them to buy the hatchet, to make bright the chain of friendship,
to love the white men, and to live in peace with them, as long as the
rivers run into the sea, and the sun rises and sets. If you do so, you
will be happy. You will then insure the prosperity of unborn generations
of your tribes, who will go hand in hand with the sons of the white men,
and all shall be blessed by the Great Spirit. Peace and happiness by the
blessing of the Great Spirit attend you. Farewell."

In reply to this fine talk, I said, "Brother: We like your talk. We like
the white people. They are very kind to us. We shall not forget it. Your
council is good. We shall attend to it. Your valuable present shall go
to my squaw. We shall always be friends."

The chiefs were particular in showing us everything that they thought
would be pleasing or gratifying to us. We went with them to
Castle Garden to see the fire-works, which was quite an agreeable
entertainment, but to the whites who witnessed it, less magnificent than
would have been the sight of one of our large prairies when on fire.

We visited all the public buildings and places of amusement, which, to
us, were truly astonishing yet very gratifying.

Everybody treated us with friendship, and many with great liberality.
The squaws presented us many handsome little presents that are