OCR Text |
Show were not buying captives but friends and were coming to give them presents. On the next day some teamsters whom we met asked Piu-tuts who we were, the Indian replied that we were Americans. They told him that we were cats-ut (not good). He told them they were fools and passed on. Now I am satisfied Sirthat you cannot approve of such conduct and may easily imagine how awful the consequences might have been to our little party when we unsuspectingly drove up to their village and camped for the night, had it not been for the interposition of our faithful friend and guide in behalf of our innocence. Soon after commencing my labors among the Indians of this Territory, I learned that they made a distinction between Mormons and Americans, which I thought was not altogether compatible with correct policy believing that it would ultimately operate to the prejudice of our other party. And I have not been backward in expressing my views on all suitable occasions to the people in regard to this matter, and have almost invariably, as my interpreters will certify took occasions in my intercourse with the Indians to teach them that there is no distinction between the two classes but that we were all the Great father's people. If they believe me, they will accuse the opposite party with lying and attempting to deceive him and them. How easily it will be for one to imagine that I am stirring up prejudices among the Indians against the people, and the foul aspersions of slander will brand me and I am to be hunted down for crimes of which they themselves are the guilty perpetrators. I am not mindful of the delicate position I occupy as a mediator between the two races in this Territory yet I am not unwilling that my official conduct |