136 THE LIFE OF

as a future refuge for a general colonization of the Ojebwa
Nation, comprising the scattered Tribes in Canada West;

FATH ER—-And that these lands may now and for everbe open-
ed to all the Tribes ; that whenever any tribe is disposed to move,
that they may have nothing to fear, but have access to any of
the good lands to settle upon ;

FATHER——You have settled your white children on those
lands that once were our fathers 3 we ask now to let us have the
only remaining land we have, to ourselves, unmolested ;

F ATHEn——This is the prayer of your red children ; and feeling
confident that you will give it every important consideration
which it requires, your red children will listen to hear the
answer of their Great Father. And they, as in duty bound, will

ever pray.

F orty-seven names, besides that of the President,
were attached to this petition.

Never was I more delighted than with the appearance
of this body. As Isat and looked at them, I contrasted
their former (degraded) with their present (elevated)
condition. The Gospel, I thought, had done all this.

If any one had told metwenty years ago,that such would
be their condition,I should have ridiculed the idea, and

set the narrator down for a fool or a maniac. This
assembly was not convened for the purpose of devising
schemes of murder ; plans by which they could kill their
enemies ; but to adopt measures by which peace, har-
mony, and love, might be secured, and a “smooth
and straight path” made for their children. I see
nothing at present, to hinder them from increasing in
knowledge, happiness, and usefulness, except the con-

duct of the Government Agents, many of whom are
inimical to our nation, and often prove a curse to her.

Several other papers were drawn up, and signed by