The life of Col. John Charles Fremont, and his narrative of explorations and adventures, in Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon and California / the memoir by Samuel M. Smucker.

  • John C. Frémont
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of Col. John Charles Fremont, and his narrative of explorations and adventures, in Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon and California / the memoir by Samuel M. Smucker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    141/520 page 129
    Je plus, les chefs sont les porteurs de ce billet, qui vous defendent de partir dvant le retour des guerriers. “ Je suis votre obfiissant serviteur, “JOSEPH BISSONETTE, “ Par L. B. CHARTRAIN. “ Les noms de quelques chefs.—Le Chapeau de Loutre, le Casseur de FIbches, la Nuit Noir la Queue de Bceuf.” [Translation.] “ Fort Platte, July 21, 1842. “ Mr. Fremont:—The chiefs having assembled in council, have just told me to warn you not to set out before the party of young men which is now out shall have returned. Furthermore, they tell me that they are very sure they will fire upon you as soon as they meet you. They are expected back in seven or eight days. Excuse me for making these observations, but it seems my duty to warn you of danger. Moreover, the chiefs who prohibit your setting out before the return of the warriors are the bearers of this note “ I am your obedient servant, “JOSEPH BISSONETTE, “ By L. B. CHARTRAIN. “ Names of some of the chiefs.—The Otter Hat, the Breaker of Arrows, the Black Night, the Bull’s Tail.” After reading this, I mentioned its purport to my compan- ions ; and, seeing that all were fully possessed of its contents, one of the Indians rose up, and, having first shaken hands with me, spoke as follows : “You have come among us at a bad time. Some of our people have been killed, and our young men, who are gone to the mountains, are eager to avenge the blood of their relations, which has been shed by the whites. Our young men are bad, and, if they meet you, they will believe that you are carrying goods and ammunition to their enemies, and will fire upon you. You have told us that this will make war. We know that our great father has many soldiers and big guns, and we are anxious to have our lives. We love the whites, and are desirous of peace. Thinking of all these things, we have de- termined to keep you here until our warriors return. We are glad to see you among us. Our father is rich, and we expect- ed that you would have brought presents to us—horses, guns,
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3