Commissioner Dole held an interview recently at Leavenworth with the chiefs of the Seminole, Creek, Iowa and Delaware tribes of Indians, in which they all agreed to fight for their Great Father if he wished their services. The conversation between Mr. Dole and the noble Opothleyholo [sic] was so characteristic of Indian eloquence, drawn as it is from similes, that we give a portion of it:
Mr. Dole – Government did not expect the Indians to enter this contest at all. – Now that the rebel portion of them have entered the field, the Great Father will march his troops into your country. Col. Coffin and the agent will go with you on Monday and will assist you in enlisting your loyal men. Your enlistment is not done for our advantage only; it will [inure] to your own benefit. The country appreciates your services. We honor you. You are in our hearts.
One party tells us that John Ross is for the Union, and one that he is not.
Opothleyoholo – Both are probably right. Ross made a sham treaty with Albert Pike to save trouble. Rose is like a man lying on his belly, watching the opportunity to turn over. When the Northern troops come within hearing he will turn over.
Dole – You did not, and our people remember you. But we hope you will manifest no revenge.
Opoth. – The rebel Indians are like a cross, bad slut. The best way to end the bred is to kill the slut.
Dole – The leaders and plotters of treason only should suffer.
Opoth. – That’s just what I think. Burn over a bad field of grass and it will spring up again. It must be torn up by the roots, even if some good blades suffer. The educated part of our tribes is the worst. I am glad General Lane is going down with us. He knows our wants. I hope the government money will be paid us.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2
Mr. Dole – Government did not expect the Indians to enter this contest at all. – Now that the rebel portion of them have entered the field, the Great Father will march his troops into your country. Col. Coffin and the agent will go with you on Monday and will assist you in enlisting your loyal men. Your enlistment is not done for our advantage only; it will [inure] to your own benefit. The country appreciates your services. We honor you. You are in our hearts.
One party tells us that John Ross is for the Union, and one that he is not.
Opothleyoholo – Both are probably right. Ross made a sham treaty with Albert Pike to save trouble. Rose is like a man lying on his belly, watching the opportunity to turn over. When the Northern troops come within hearing he will turn over.
Dole – You did not, and our people remember you. But we hope you will manifest no revenge.
Opoth. – The rebel Indians are like a cross, bad slut. The best way to end the bred is to kill the slut.
Dole – The leaders and plotters of treason only should suffer.
Opoth. – That’s just what I think. Burn over a bad field of grass and it will spring up again. It must be torn up by the roots, even if some good blades suffer. The educated part of our tribes is the worst. I am glad General Lane is going down with us. He knows our wants. I hope the government money will be paid us.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 11, 1862, p. 2
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