Colonel Davenport of the United States army, then in command of Fort Armstrong, next arose, and taking Black Hawk by the hand, remarked that he was glad to meet him, that once he was his enemy, but now he met him as a friend; that he was there by the command of the President, and should always be glad to see him; and, would at all times be ready to give him any advice which he might need:  that during his absence he had held frequent talks with the Sacs and Foxes, who were anxious for his return, and he felt authorized to say, that the nation entertained for him and his party, the most friendly feeling.  Black Hawk listened with much apparent interest to the remarks of Colonel Davenport.[14]

Major Garland now arose and told Black Hawk he was at liberty to go where he pleased;—­that the people of the United States, as well as himself, were pleased with the uniform good conduct of all the captives while among them—­that they were convinced their hearts were good, but they had listened to bad counsels:  Having now seen the power of the white men, and taken their great father by the hand, who had restored them to their families, he hoped there would be no further difficulties; but that peace and harmony would long exist between them.

Black Hawk, rose in reply, cool and collected, and remarked, that having reflected upon what he had said, it was his wish that if his speech had been put upon paper, a line might be drawn over it—­he did not mean it.

Wapellar, the chief of the Foxes, rose up to say that he had nothing to say.  “I am not in the habit of talking—­I think—­I have been thinking all day—­Keokuk has spoken:  am glad to see my brothers:  I will shake hands with them.  I am done.”  The chiefs all arose, a general shaking of hands, followed by an interchange of civilities, ensued, and the council finally adjourned.

In the evening, Maj.  Garland invited the principal chiefs, together with Black Hawk, to his quarters, as it would afford a good opportunity to ascertain explicitly, the feeling which existed among them towards their fallen foe.  About seven o’clock they arrived.  They took their seats in silence, passed the pipe for all to take a whiff, and in return, quaffed a glass of champagne, which seemed to have a peculiar relish.  Pashepahow, shook hands with all present, and commenced:—­

“We met this morning:  I am glad to meet again.  That wine is very good; I never drank any before; I have thought much of our meeting to-day:  it was one that told us we were brothers:—­that we were Sacs.  We had just returned from a buffalo hunt, we thought it was time for our brothers to be here, as our father at St. Louis told us this was the moon.  We started before the rising sun to meet you; we have met, and taken our brothers by the hand in friendship.  They always mistrusted our counsels, and went from the trail of the red men, where there was no hunting grounds nor friends; they returned and found the dogs howling around their wigwams, and