“Brothers, it is not our wish to hurt you:  if we did, we certainly have power to do it; look at the number of our warriors to the east of you, above and below the Great Miami,—­to the south, on both sides of the Ohio, and below you also.  You are brave men; but what could you do against such a multitude?—­but we wish you to live in peace and happiness.

“Brothers, the citizens of this country are alarmed; they must be satisfied that you have no design to do them mischief, or they will not lay aside their arms.  You have also insulted the government of the United States by seizing the salt that was intended for other tribes; satisfaction must be given for that also.

“Brothers, you talk of coming to see me, attended by all your young men; this, however, must not be so; if your intentions are good, you have no need to bring but a few of your young men with you.  I must be plain with you; I will not suffer you to come into our settlements with such a force.

“Brothers, if you wish to satisfy us that your intentions are good, follow the advice that I have given you before; that is, that one or both of you should visit the President of the United States, and lay your grievances before him.  He will treat you well, will listen to what you say, and if you can show him that you have been injured, you will receive justice.  If you will follow my advice in this respect, it will convince the citizens of this country and myself that you have no design to attack them.

“Brothers, with respect to the lands that were purchased last fall, I can enter into no negotiations with you on that subject; the affair is in the hands of the President, if you wish to go and see him, I will supply you with the means.

“Brothers, the person who delivers this, is one of my war officers; he is a man in whom I have entire confidence:  whatever he says to you, although it may not be contained in this paper, you may believe comes from me.

“My friend Tecumseh! the bearer is a good man and a brave warrior; I hope you will treat him well; you are yourself a warrior, and all such should have esteem for each other.”

Tecumseh to the governor of Indiana, in reply: 

“Brother, I give you a few words until I will be with you myself.

“Brother, at Vincennes, I wish you to listen to me whilst I send you a few words, and I hope they will ease your heart; I know you look on your young men and young women and children with pity, to see them so much alarmed.

“Brother, I wish you now to examine what you have from me; I hope that it will be a satisfaction to you, if your intentions are like mine, to wash away all these bad stories that have been circulated.  I will be with you myself in eighteen days from this day.

“Brother, we cannot say what will become of us, as the Great Spirit has the management of us all at his will.  I may be there before the time, and may not be there until the day.  I hope that when we come together, all these bad tales will be settled; by this I hope your young men, women and children, will be easy.  I wish you, brother, to let them know when I come to Vincennes and see you, all will be settled in peace and happiness.