.ODkx.NTU5ODE

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July 31/st At the close of the afternoon the Commissioner delivered the following answer to the Deputation, viz:

             The Speech of the Commissioners of the U.S. to the Deputies of the Con=

federated Indian Nations assembled at the rapids of the Miami river-

"Brothers- you yesterday addressed us, mentioning a former deputation who

met us at Niagara. At that meeting you said we did not come to a right understanding: that your Deputies did not fully explain your meaning to us nor we ours to them: that you desired we might rightly understand each other: & therefore thought it best that what you had to say should be put into writing.. Then handing us a paper you Said."Here is the meaning of our hearts." "Brothers. That Paper is directed to the Commissioners of the U. S. & speaks to them these words , viz: [Here is repeated their written address as transcribed in the preceeding pages] "Brothers, The Deputies here present- We have now repeated the words contained in the paper which you delivered to us, & those words have been interpreted to you We presume the interpretation agrees with your idea of the contents of the paper. It is expressed to be signed by the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Miamis, Min= goes, Pattawatamies, Ottawas, Connoys, Chippewas & Munsees in behalf of themselves & the whole Confederacy & agreed to in ^a full Council.~

"Brothers- We are a little surprized at the Suggestion that in the conference at Niagara,

we did not come to a right understanding; & that your Deputies did not fully ex= plain your meaning. Those Deputies appeared to be men of good understanding and when we saw them they were perfectly sober. In short we never saw men, in public council more attentive or behave with more propriety. We could not there= fore suppose they could mistake your meaning or ours. Certainly we were Suffi= ciently explicit for in plan terms we declared, "that in order to establish a just & permanent peace, some concessions would be necessary on your part as well as on