the instruction and civilization of the natives. For this purpose he called a meeting of the chiefs, in which he informed them of the wish of their great Father at Washington, that they should have schools and teachers among them, and that their children should be instructed like the children of white men. The chiefs listened with their customary silence and decorum to a long speech, setting forth the advantages that would accrue to them from this measure; and when he had concluded they begged the interval of a day to deliberate on it.
On the following day a solemn convocation was held, at which one of the chiefs addressed the governor, in the name of all the rest. My brother, said he, we have been thinking over the proposition of our great father at Washington, to send teachers and set up schools among us. We are very thankful for the interest he takes in our welfare; but, after much deliberation, we have concluded to decline his offer. What will do very well for white men, will not do for red men. I know you white men say we all come from the same father and mother, but you are mistaken. We have a tradition handed down from our forefathers, and we believe it, that the Great Spirit, when he undertook to make men, made the black man — it was his first attempt and pretty well for a beginning; but he soon saw he had bungled: so he determined to try his hand again. He did so, and made the red man. He liked him much better than the black man, but still he was not exactly what he wanted. So he tried once more, and made the white man, and then he was satisfied.
