h
returned and encamped near the village, a short distance below it, and
did not come up that day, nor did any one approach their camp. They
appeared to be dressed in fine coats and had medals. From these
circumstances we were in hopes that they had brought good news. Early
the next morning the Council Lodge was crowded, Quashquame and party
came up and gave us the following account of their mission:

On our arrival at St. Louis we met our American father and explained to
him our business, urging the release of our friend. The American chief
told us he wanted land. We agreed to give him some on the west side of
the Mississippi, likewise more on the Illinois side opposite Jeffreon.
When the business was all arranged we expected to have our friend
released to come home with us. About the time we were ready to start our
brother was let out of the prison. He started and ran a short distance
when he was SHOT DEAD!

This was all they could remember of what had been said and done. It
subsequently appeared that they had been drunk the greater part of the
time while at St. Louis.

This was all myself and nation knew of the treaty of 1804. It has since
been explained to me. I found by that treaty, that all of the country
east of the Mississippi, and south of Jeffreon was ceded to the United
States for one thousand dollars a year. I will leave it to the people of
the United States to say whether our nation was properly represented in
this treaty? Or whether we received a fair compensation for the extent
of country ceded by these four individuals?

I could say much more respecting this treaty, but I will not at this
time. It has been the origin of all our serious difficulties with the
whites.

Sometime after this treaty was made, a war chief with a party of
soldiers came up in keel boats, encamped a short distance above the
head of the Des Moines rapids, and commenced cutting timber and building
houses. The news of their arrival was soon carried to all our villages,
to confer upon which many councils were held. We could not understand
the intention, or comprehend the reason why the Americans wanted to
build homes at that place. We were told that they were a party of
soldiers, who had brought great guns with them, and looked like a war
party of whites.

A number of people immediately went down to see what was going on,
myself among them. On our arrival we found that they were building a
fort. The soldiers were busily engaged