Conference with the Chiefs of the Choctaw Nation December [undecipherable] 1796 [Steilichoepua] The great talks were answered to [General] [undecipherable] at Hopannah, [then] presented him with [an] [undecipherable] belt, [at] now arrives in like manner to the Secretary of War. I give this in remembrance, and as the renewal of the old friendship which I made with the United States. My first speech was delivered when I was a young man, I am now grown old and I think it right and proper to renew my talk before I die, I have not spoken to any of the officers of the United States since the first treaty, nor have I among them. I am the same, still as I was grown old and I hope what I [undecipherable] will be kept in mind and remembered by the United States as yet unborn. The Great Spirit who has given us a blessing has [brightened] [undecipherable] that I may again speak. I hope what I say may [rest in] remembrance [and] that the United States and my Nation may [live or] remain in peace. I hope that the United States may raise [on] their families their women and children in peace and that [our own] [undecipherable] may also be raised in peace, for the time [undecipherable] again and [undecipherable] on both heights. [The] United States cannot [undecipherable] itself [by] [undecipherable] Promises for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] have made and you will find that they have been kept. [undecipherable] is no occasion to use many words about friendship. A Man who has never acted otherwise than as a friend has no [undecipherable] to [undecipherable]. If many professions [undecipherable] [undecipherable] some [who] this [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] another. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [hands]. I do not [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] There is a town called [undecipherable] that was [undecipherable] my nation and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] there. The claims on that town belong [on] [undecipherable] rights they [undecipherable] never be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [but] [force me] for our own [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The [boundary] line is from where the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from the [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] they near the head of it, from thence to the [boundary] ridge of [undecipherable] and the Alabama [undecipherable] along [undecipherable] line [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ridge from the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] and the [Oklahoma] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and take the dividing ridge between the Alabama and [undecipherable]. Thence to the junction of the two [undecipherable] and [up] [undecipherable] for miles from Mobile a branch called the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] within a [undecipherable] to about [undecipherable] or near the [undecipherable], and [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] a town called [undecipherable] the [Chickasahee] there also [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] at the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] from that [undecipherable] on to a [undecipherable] called [undecipherable] which comes into the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] to the mouth of the [undecipherable] on to another large [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] where at a [undecipherable] over the [undecipherable] there is a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of a little [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a branch called [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Town [undecipherable] to a place called the [undecipherable] on the [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] in part of our country [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] by Waters [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] than none of the country in that [undecipherable] [Natches] there is a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] and goes out at his [undecipherable] [undecipherable] acquires the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at the mouth of [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. There is a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at the United [undecipherable] that was established by consent of [one of the] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I do not know how much [land was purchased] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] on to [undecipherable] and I have [undecipherable]. Do I am not certain of the quantity of land [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] by the [undecipherable]. I have now done [describing] my [boundaries] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and always go [undecipherable] and all as [mentioned] in [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I have [sent] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] people [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] lands [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and that [undecipherable] they may [undecipherable] in peace. In the [undecipherable] with the United States [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] visit him. I hope to inform my nation [that] all the [undecipherable] as [if] our father loves us as well as if we were [near] him. It [is] needless to use many words my meaning is that I hope our father [undecipherable] consider us as his Children and not let us [return] home [undecipherable] ashamed. Pashenahile. I speak to you to day. I am in a low state of health — my spirits are low. Ten Years ago the Spaniards made an encroachment and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] from us without the consent of the whole Nation. The Whites and the Americans are friends, they ought to be as one people, they all live upon the same soil and breath the same air — I hope that the Americans may consider us as Brothers. It was never known that our land was stained with the blood of the whites, we are a great Nation. [undecipherable] there is no occasion for two people that [undecipherable] [undecipherable] near our fires — The land we now possess belongs to our forefathers. The [country] we [undecipherable] always belongs to us. I do not speak for myself, neither does [undecipherable] speak for himself, but we speak for our [offspring] for [undecipherable] that are to come hereafter, [undecipherable] will use every effect to preserve peace and I hope that the white People will [undecipherable] [undecipherable] so be [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to the Great [undecipherable] the father of us all for [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that I might [undecipherable] speak to my father who [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] my father will take [into] consideration the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] it appears like a black blood, and that the black [undecipherable] blood may be scattered and driven away by the [wind], that the [undecipherable] may [undecipherable] again on the [land] and that all may appear bright. I now [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in another [undecipherable]. I now wish to [inform] my father of services [undecipherable] to the United States. [About] two years ago I arrived at [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at [General] [undecipherable] with a party of [undecipherable] and from thence was [conducted] to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] General [Wayne]. General [Wayne] made promises for the service of [myself] and [undecipherable]. I went [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] and told me that when [undecipherable] my father he would [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] years would make a [undecipherable] of my friendship [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] their [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] the other, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] general [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] as well [undecipherable] for it, [undecipherable] I hope my [undecipherable] [undecipherable] into [its] consideration and [undecipherable] me and my [undecipherable] [undecipherable] those like this [undecipherable] has shown friendship and [undecipherable] me [undecipherable] would never. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] my [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] they [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] who [undecipherable] [undecipherable] not in [undecipherable] I do not know that the General has [undecipherable] my father of [undecipherable] I have [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] at [undecipherable] have. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and placed [undecipherable] and medals for my inferior Officers and [undecipherable] with feathers and a [two] feather in the [bonnet] to distinguish [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] for this country. There was a party here [undecipherable] [undecipherable] who were with me at General [Wayne's] who received [undecipherable] [undecipherable] presents. There were eleven [undecipherable] less than the number of [undecipherable] General [Wayne] said that each of my Officers, twelve in number [undecipherable] to have a pipe [Mallet] to be allowed to each of them [as is right] [undecipherable] proper. When I left home I told the [undecipherable] who had not received [undecipherable] that I would mention it to my father and that if he gave [undecipherable] and I would bring them [undecipherable] me. I hope my father will do as is right. There are [three] [undecipherable] who did not receive their [undecipherable] I hope my father will take it into consideration and [grant me this] since I may satisfy them when I return. I hope my father will consider [is] [undecipherable] matter [undecipherable] and that he [undecipherable] us as well as he does the other [undecipherable] people. [undecipherable] a few young Men [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of his Nation. [He is] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I do not expect to be [so] long. I hope they will [undecipherable] [undecipherable] his friendship. One of them is [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] a [Nephew] or perhaps [undecipherable] who is [undecipherable] and who [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The other is [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] who is an [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] the army has been [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I hope you will be [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I have a few words to say not [undecipherable] but my Nation. [undecipherable] Take hold of one end of these beads. I have been directed by the [undecipherable] [masters] and [undecipherable] of my nation to take these beads and to request my father to take hold of them and never be [undecipherable] but always to have them remain bright. [undecipherable] are old men not able to bear any [undecipherable] they [undecipherable] me to come, and I request the President would look upon me as if they were here present. One of them perhaps you are acquainted with — he was here once, he was then old, he is now older, he is unable to bear fatigue and desired me to shake hands. I understand that the Americans are [undecipherable] [undecipherable] this my country, as I understand that they now have the Navigation of the River [Mississippi]. I hope that neither the River nor its [undecipherable] may be obtained but always kept clean and that the Eagle's [undecipherable] may for ever remain pure as a proof of our friendship. The Great [undecipherable] of our nation desired me to ask for a flag to be hoisted on the mission to show [undecipherable] there was a friendship [undecipherable] [undecipherable] between us and the United States, that your citizens travelling [undecipherable] [undecipherable] country may not be afraid. I hope that the [undecipherable] may [undecipherable] be received once presented. [undecipherable] A white man married [undecipherable] and came into our Country and after some time [undecipherable] went away and took with him a [undecipherable] woman a [undecipherable] of mine [undecipherable] whether by force or by her own [undecipherable] I know not. They are settled on the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. I would request my father to write to the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] that I may obtain [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] happy that I may [undecipherable] see [undecipherable] let her [undecipherable] go.