Historical Speeches

The following speech was delivered in a public council at Genesse River, November 21, 1798, by Ho-na-ya-wus, commonly called Farmer’s brother; and, after being written as interpreted, it was signed by the principal chiefs present, and sent to the legislature of the state of New-York.

Dohasan II, the greatest chief in the history of the Kiowa tribe, in 1833 succeeded A‛dáte, who had been deposed for having allowed his people to be surprised and massacred by the Osage in that year. It was chiefly through his influence that peace was made between the Kiowa and Osage after the massacre referred to, […]

Source: Public Domain Documents “We are vanishing from the earth, yet I cannot think we are useless or Usen (God) would not have created us…. For each tribe of men Usen created, He also made a home.” “When Usen created the Apaches, He also created their homes in the West. He gave them such grain, […]

Source: Ten Bears, Yapparika Comanche Chief
Public Domain Document

I heard of your coming when I was many sleeps away I knew that you had come to do good to me and my people. I looked for the benefits which would last forever, and so my face shines with joy as I look upon you.

My people have never first drawn a bow or fired a gun against the whites. It was you who sent out the first soldier, and it was we who sent out the second.

This version of Chief Seattle’s oration at the Treaty of 1854 originally appeared in the Seattle Sunday Star on Oct. 29, 1887, in a column by Dr. Henry A. Smith.