January 4, 1806 — 200 years ago today — was the day of an important diplomatic exchange between the President of the United States and some of the Indian nations Lewis and Clark had encountered in the interior of the rapidly expanding nation. On their way westward Lewis and Clark had convinced some Indian leaders they met to journey to Washington to speak with Thomas Jefferson — their new “father.” The Corps of Discovery was wintering on the West Coast at this time, and would begin the return trip East in the Spring.

Jefferson’s speech to the Indian leaders was probably about 10 minutes long. He greeted his guests warmly, explained who he was and what the American nation had become, and thanked them for aiding the Corps of Discovery. He gave them some advice and suggested they visit the ocean and other eastern cities over winter before returning to the West. He also informed them they would not necessarily be dealing with him directly in the future — the Secretary at War would speak for him, and see to their needs. He didn’t mention the Secretary at War would be sure to give them tours designed to display the military might of the U.S.

Here are some excerpts from Jefferson’s speech to the Indian delegation, as prepared in his own hand, and preserved by the Library of Congress: “My friends & children, Chiefs of the Osages, Missouris, Kanzas, Ottos, Panis, Ayowas, & Sioux. I take you by the hand of friendship and give you a hearty welcome to the seat of the government of the United States...”

“My friends & children. We are descended from the old nations which live beyond the great water: but we & our forefathers have been so long here that we seem like you to have grown out of this land: we consider ourselves no longer as of the old nations beyond the great water, but as united in one family with our red brethren here…”

“We are become as numerous as the leaves of the trees, and, tho' we do not boast, we do not fear any nation. We are now your fathers; and you shall not lose by the change…”
“I felt the desire of becoming acquainted with all my red children beyond the Mississippi, and of uniting them with us, as we have done those on this side of that river in the bonds of peace & friendship. I wished to learn what we could do to benefit them by furnishing them the necessaries they want in ex-change for their furs & peltries. I therefore sent our beloved man Captain Lewis one of my own family, to go up the Missouri river, to get acquainted with all the Indian nations in it's neighborhood, to take them by the hand, deliver my talks to them, and to inform us in what way we could be useful to them…”

“My friends & children. I have now an important advice to give you. I wish you to live in peace & friendship with one another…”

“My children, we are strong, we are numerous as the stars in the heavens, & we are all gun-men. Yet we live in peace with all nations; and all nations esteem & honour us because we are peaceable & just…”

“My children, it may happen that while you are here, occasion may arise to talk about many things which I do not now particularly mention. The Secretary at War will always be ready to talk with you: and You are to consider whatever he says as said by myself. He will also take care of you & see that you are furnished with all comforts here.”

The words of President Thomas Jefferson…200 years ago today.

Tune in to Dakota Datebook tomorrow for some excerpts from the Indian leaders’ response to Jefferson.

Sources:
Transcription from: Donald Jackson, editor. Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with Related Documents 1783-1854. Volume 1. Urbana, Chicago, London: University of Illinois Press, 1978.
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lewisandclark/lewis-landc.html#46

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