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Show 114 JOUHNAL 01~ A VOYAGE 26th September, Friday.-Finding our encampment not eligible as to situation, we moved. down on to th~ prairie hill, about thre -fourths of a m1le nearer the village. We sent our int"'rpreter to town to trade for provision. About three o'clock in the afternoon twelve Kans arrived at the village, and informed Baroney that they had come to 1neet us, hearing we were to be at the Pawnees village. W e pitched our camp upon a beautiful eminence, from whence we had a view of the town, and all that was transacting. In the evening Baroney, with the chief, came to camp to give us the news, and r eturned together. 27th September, Saturday.-Baroney arrived from the village about one o'clock, with Characterish "fc and three other chiefs, to all of whmn we gave a dinner. I then n1ade an appropriBte present to each, after which lieutc. nant Wilkinson and myself accompanied them to town, where we remained a few hours, and returned. Appointed .. to-n1orrow for the interview with the Kans and Osage. 28tb September, Sunday.-I-Ield a council of the Kans and Osage, and made them smoke of the pipe of peace. Two of the Kans agreed to accompany us. \¥" e received a visit from the chief of the village. Made an observation on an cmersion of one of Jupiter's satellites. 29th September, M onday.-Hcld our grand council with the Pawnees, at which were present not less than 400 warriors, the circumstances of which were extremely interesting. The notes I took on tny grand council held with the Pawnee nation were seized by the Spanish government, together with all my speeches to the differe~1t nations. But it may be interesting to observe here (m case they should never be returned) that the Spaniards • C haractcri sh 's commission from the governor of New lV1c:;.ico was dated S.:~nt:t F , 15th ~uur, J 8o6. TO TllE SOUHCES OF THE .ARKANSA ,V, &:c. had l~ft several of the their flags in this village; one of which was unfurled at the chief's door the day of the grand council, and that amongst various demands and cbargcs I O'ave them, was, that the said flag should be deliver ed to m~, and one of the United States' flags be r eceived and hoisted in its place. This probably was carrying the pride of nations a little too far, as there h.ad so late!y been a large force of Spanish cavalry a~ the VIllage, which had made a great impression on the mmds _of the young men, as to their power, consequence, &c. which my appearance with 20 infantry was by no means ~alculated to. remo~e. After the chiefs had r eplied to vanous parts of my chs· course but were silent as to the flag, I again r eiterated the demand for the flag, "adding that it was impossible for c' the nation to have two fathers; that they must either be " the children of the Spaniards or acknowledge their " American father." After a silence of some time, an old man rose, went to the door, and took down the Spa· nish flag, and brought it and laid it at my feet, and then received the American flag and elevated It on the s taff, which had lately borne the standard of his Catholic majesty. This gave g reat satisfaction to the Osage anJ Kans, both of whom, decidedly avow themselves to be und~r the American protection. P erceiving that every face In the council was clouded with sorrow, as if some great na .. tional calamity was about to befal them, I took tip the contested colors, and told them " that as they had now shewn " themselves dutiful children in acknowledging thair great " American father, I did not wish to embarrass them " with the Spaniards, for it was the wish of the Americans " that their r ed brethren should remain peaceably round c' their own fires, and not embroil themselves in any dis ... " putes between the white people: and that for fear the '~ Spaniards mio·ht return there. in force again, I returne<t r |
