Pawnee chiefs and warriors; I wish to know whether or not you are able to punish the offenders; {294} whether or not there are good people enough amongst you to punish them. Our soldiers are anxious to march against you, but the chiefs restrain them, lest they injure the innocent. That is the reason why I wish to know if you are not able to punish the bad. Our people do not wish to spill innocent blood. Therefore I desire to place their punishment in your own hands.
I have come to this land, not to spill blood, but to prevent its flowing. I have come to give you rest, and peace, and happiness, not to make war. If your arms are not strong enough, come forward and say so; if you are not chiefs, say so.
Pawnees, If I were to see our troops marching towards your nation, tears would fall from my eyes; because I believe that there are some good men among you, whose blood would immediately flow. Red Skins have called us cowards when we have hesitated to spill blood, when it ought to have been spilt. Even some of your chiefs have insulted our people, thinking they would not resent it. I tell you, Pawnees, that we are tired of submitting to insults. My nation is most powerful, and that is the reason why the Great Spirit restrains our arm.
Come forward, you chiefs, and let me know what is the strength of your arm; my ears are anxious to hear; say, before it is too late, whether you can govern your people or not.
Pe-ta-le-sha-roo, Republican chief.
Father, I am not afraid of these people, these Pawnees you see here. They have never struck me with a whip; (meaning, that when he has chastised his people they have not retaliated upon him.)
Father, I have travelled through all the nations below; they have not injured me.
Father, I have seen people travel in blood. I have {295} travelled in blood myself, but it was the blood of Red Skins, no others.
Father, I have been in all the nations round about, and I have never feared a Red Skin.
Father, I have seen the time when blood flowed upon the ground. It drew tears from many eyes. But I went down to visit my father, (Governor Clarke,) and returned contented.