1837

Speech of the Four Bears a Mandan Warrior to the Arricarees and Mandans, 30th July 1837. My Friends one and all, Listen to what I have to say. Ever since I can remember, I have loved the Whites, I have lived with them ever since I was a boy, and to the best of my knowledge, I have never wronged a white man. On the Contrary, I have always protected them from the insults of others, Which they cannot deny.

My Father: What you say, and what our great father says, I always hear with open ears.

When I received the invitation from our agent, I determined, when I came, to keep my ears open.

What I say is all true. Once I acted a little foolishly, but no lives were lost then.

My ears are always open to good counsel; but I think my great father should take a stick and bore the ears of these people.  They appear to shut their ears when they come here into the council.

My father: Looking round at your children, you think all their ears are open to what you say; but I think part of them are deaf; they act like men that have no ears at all.

I have heart and ears, and take into them all I hear from you.  These people have struck us often, but we have sat with our arms folded: still they strike, and we remain quiet.

What I say I do not say with a forked tongue; we are willing to hold back, as you have counselled us; our agent has given us the same counsel, and has partly held my hands.

My father: I have heard the few remarks yon have made to your children.  You have heard the words of those sitting around you, and you now know the way in which the hearts of the Sioux are placed.

You will now hear how my heart, and the hearts of my chiefs and braves, standing around me, are placed.

I should like to know who can make these people, who have brought that bunch of sticks, speak so as to be believed.  If I were to count up every thing that has taken place, on their purl, it would take several days to cut sticks.

My Father: I have something to say, and I wish you to believe that what I shall say is the truth.

We have made peace, and have a good understanding with all the tribes here present; but a part of these are always the first to undo what is done.  When we address our great father, we like to speak the truth; we wish to be at peace, but these people are the first to commence war.  If you will stop them, my father, all will be well.