and leaning upon the knee of the chief, sat his son, a boy of nine or ten years old, whose fragile figure and innocent countenance, afforded a beautiful contrast with the athletic and warlike form and the intellectual though weather-beaten features of his father.  The effect was in the highest degree picturesque and imposing.  The council was opened by smoking the pipe, which was passed from mouth to mouth.  The Secretary then briefly addressed both parties, in a conciliating strain, urging them, in the name of their great father, the President, to abandon those sanguinary wars, by means of which their race was becoming extinct, and to cultivate the arts, the thrift and industry of the white men.  The Sioux spoke next.  The orator, on rising first stepped forward, and shook hands with the Secretary, and then delivered his harangue in his own tongue, stopping at the end of each sentence, until it was rendered into English by the interpreter, who stood by his side, and into the Saukie language by the interpreter of that tribe.  Another and another followed, all speaking vehemently and with much acrimony.  The burthen of their harangue was, the folly of addressing pacific language to the Sauks and Foxes, who were faithless and in whom no confidence could be placed.  ’My father,’ said one of them, ’you cannot make these people hear any good words unless you bore their ears with sticks.’  ’We have often made peace with them,’ said another speaker, an old man, who endeavored to be witty, ’but they would never observe any treaty.  I would as soon think of making a treaty with that child,’ pointing to Keokuk’s little boy, ‘as with a Saukie or Musquakee.’  The Sioux were evidently gratified and excited by the sarcasms of their orators, while their opponents sat motionless, their dark eyes flashing, but their features as composed and stolid, as if they did not understand that disparaging language that was used.  We remarked a decided want of gracefulness in all these speakers.  Each of them having shaken hands with the Secretary, who sat facing the audience, stood immediately before and near to him, with the interpreter at his elbow, both having their backs to the spectators; and in this awkward position, speaking low and rapidly—­but little of what they said could be heard except by the persons near them.  Not so Keokuk.  When it came to his turn to speak, he rose deliberately, advanced to the Secretary, and having saluted him, returned to his place, which being at the foot of the stage, and on one side of it, his face was not concealed from any of the several parties present.  His interpreter stood beside him.  The whole arrangement was judicious, and though apparently unstudied, shewed the tact of an orator.  He stood erect, in an easy, but martial posture, with his robe thrown over his left shoulder and arm, leaving the right arm bare, to be used in action.  His voice was firm, his enunciation remarkably clear, distinct, and rapid.  Those who have had the gratification of hearing a distinguished senator