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Jacob Hamblin, a narrative of his personal experience, as a frontiersman, missionary to the Indians and explorer, [microform] disclosing interpositions of Providence, severe privations, perilous situations and remarkable escapes. Fifth book of the faith-p - Page 102 |
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Show 100 GREAT PEACE TALK, his interpreter, and Brother Ammon M. Tenhey were also there. Major Powell led the way by introducing nie to the council as a representative of the people who lived on the west side of the Colorado River, called " Mormons." He stated that he had lived and traveled with these people, and, by acquain-tance, had formed a very favorable opinion of them. He said that they were an industrious people, who paid their quota of taxes in common with other citizens of the United States, from which the Navajoes were paid their annuities. At the close of his introductory remarks, I arose and spoke about an hour. I stated that the object of my visit was to have a talk with them, and endeavor to bring about a better understanding between them and my people the " Mormons," and establish peace and friendship. I explained to them some of the evils of the war which had commenced by killing two men and driving off their stock ; that while they had taken from us many horses and mules, they had lost twenty or thirty of their men. That our young men had wanted to come over into their country and kill and drive them, but had been told to stay at home until all other means for obtaining peace had been tried and had failed. I told them I had been acquainted, more or less, with the Indians on their side of the great river for many years, and I found that the Moquis were obliged to watch their stock, or the Navajoes would steal it; and the Navajoes were under the same necessity. Neither party could trust their sheep out of sight, through fear that they would never see them again. They dare not send their flocks out into the mountains where grass was abundant, and the result was, that they ate poor meat, and many times not enough of that. Continuing, I said : " If you will reflect on your affairs, you will see that this is very bad policy, and that it would be much better to be at peace with your neighbors and with all men. I see much grass and many watering places on each side of the river. If we would live at peace with each other, we could take advantage of all the land, grass and water, and become rich or have all we need. Our horses and sheep |