nto it; but while here in the world we take pleasure in building
great houses and towns, and make good bread to eat.

"We are trying to teach them to do the same things, so that they may be
as well off as we are. Here [pointing to Commissioner Parker] is the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who is a chief among us. He belonged to
a race who lived there long before the white man came to this country.
He now has power, and white people obey him, and he directs what shall
be done in very important business. We will be brethren to you in the
same way if you follow his good example and learn our civilization."

_Red Cloud_ responded, "I don't blame him for being a chief. He ought
to be one. We are all of one nation."

_Secretary Cox._--"Those Indians who become chiefs among us do so by
learning the white man's customs, and ceasing to be dependent as
children. I was glad to hear Red Cloud say he would not go away angry,
General Smith will see that you get good presents. But these are small
things compared with the arrangements that will be made to make you
prosperous and happy. Some of the Peace Commissioners will go to your
country to see that you are well treated. I do not want you to think
the days coming are black days. I want you to think they will be bright
and happy days. Be of good spirit. If you feel like a man who is lost
in the woods, we will guide you out of them to a pleasant place. You
will go home two days from now. One day will be spent by General Smith
in New York to get you the presents."

_Red Cloud_ replied, "I do not want to go that way. I want a straight
line. I have seen enough of towns. There are plenty of stores between
here and my home, and there is no occasion to go out of the way to buy
goods. I have no business in New York. I want to go back the way I
came. The whites are the same everywhere. I see them every day. As to
the improvement of the red men, I want to send them here delegates to
Congress."

Secretary Cox said he would be guided by General Smith as to the route
homeward. He was not particularly anxious the Indians should go to New
York. This ended the interview. The Indians shook hands with the
Secretary and Commissioner Parker, and then hurried from the room,
followed by the crowd of persons who had gathered at the door.

_Little Swan's Speech._

Little Swan, a Sioux chief, said to the President about the Indian
situation:

"What my Great Father asks for, peace, is all very