In the autumn of 1871, Major Powell concluded to go east, by way of
Fort Defiance, and desired me to accompany him. As this appeared to be
an opening for the much-desired peace talk with the Navajo Indians, I
readily accepted the invitation.
We started for Fort Defiance in October. Three men who were strangers
to me, accompanied us, and Brothers Ammon M. Tenney, Ashton Nebeker,
Nathan Terry and Elijah Potter; also Frank, a Kibab Indian.
We packed lumber on mules over the Kibab, or Buckskin Mountain, to
the crossing of the Colorado, now known as Lee's Ferry. With this we
constructed a small boat, in which we conveyed our luggage across. Our
animals crossed over by swimming.
We traveled at night most of the way, to preserve our animals from the
Indians. We visited all the Moqui towns, seven in number, and had much
interesting talk with the people. Professor Powell took much interest
in their festivals, dances, religious ceremonies and manner of living.
Arriving at Fort Defiance, Major Powell rendered me much assistance in
bringing about peace with the Navajos. About six thousand of them were
gathered there to receive their annuities.
All the chiefs of the nation were requested to meet in council. All the
principal chiefs but one, and all the subchiefs but two were there.
Captain Bennett, Indian agent, his interpreter, and Brother Ammon M.
Tenney were also there.
Major Powell led the way by introducing me to the council as a
representative of the people who lived on the west side of the Colorado
River, called "Mormons." He stated that he had lived and traveled with
these people, and, by acquaintance, had formed a very favorable opinion
of them. He said that they were an industrious people, who paid their
quota in taxes in common with other citizens of the United States, from
which the Navajos were paid their annuities.
At the close of his introductory remarks, I arose and spoke about an
hour. I stated that the object of my visit was to have a talk with
them, and endeavor to bring about a better understanding between them
and my people the "Mormons," and establish peace and friendship.
I explained to them some of the evils of the war which had commenced by
killing two men and driving off their stock; that while they had taken
from us many horses and mules, they had lost twenty or thirty of their
men. That our young men had wanted to come over into their country and
kill and drive them, but had been told to stay at home until all other
means for obtaining peace had been tried and had failed.
I told them I had been acquainted, more or less, with the Indians on
their side of the great river for many years, and I found that the
Moquis were obliged to watch their stock, or the Navajos would steal
it; and the Navajos were under the same necessity. Neither party could
trust their sheep out of sight, through fear that they would never see
them again. They dare not send their flocks out into the mountains
where grass was abundant, and the result was, that they ate poor meat,
and many times not enough of that.
Continuing, I said: "If you will reflect on your affairs, you will see
that this is very bad policy, and that it would be much better to be at
peace with your neighbors and with all men. I see much grass and many
watering places on each side of the river. If we would live at peace
with each other, we could take advantage of all the land, grass and
water, and become rich or have all we need. Our horses and sheep would
be fat. We could sleep in peace, awake in the morning and find our
property safe. You cannot but see that this would be the better way.
"I hope you will listen to this talk. What shall I tell my people, the
'Mormons,' when I return home? That we may expect to live in peace,
live as friends, and trade with one another? Or shall we look for you
to come prowling around our weak settlements, like wolves at night? I
hope we may live in peace in time to come. I have now gray hairs on my
head, and from my boyhood I have been on the frontiers, doing all I
could to preserve peace between white men and Indians.
"I despise this killing, this shedding of blood. I hope you will stop
this, and come and visit, and trade with our people. We would like to
hear what you have got to say before we go home."
As I took my seat, I noticed the tears start in the eyes of Barbenceta,
the Spanish name of the principal chief of the Navajos.
He slowly approached, and put his arms around me, saying, "My friend
and brother, I will do all I can to bring about what you have advised.
We will not give all our answer now. Many of the Navajos are here. We
will talk to them tonight, and will see you on your way home."
The principal chiefs spent much of the night talking with their people.
Captain Bennett, the agent, and a U. S. army officer, said that I
could not have talked better to bring about peace with the Navajos. He
manifested much good feeling, and furnished us liberally with supplies
for our journey home.
This council was held on the 2nd of November, 1871, The blessings of
the Lord were over us in our efforts for peace.
This was probably the first time that the chiefs of the Navajo nation
ever heard a gospel discourse adapted to their circumstances; as
well as the first time they had heard, from the lips of a white man,
a speech that carried with it the spirit and power of a heartfelt
friendship. The hearts of many of them were open to reciprocate it.
We spent three days at Fort Defiance, endeavoring to create a good
influence, and in getting our supplies ready. Brother A. M. Tenney,
being able to converse in Spanish, accomplished much good.
On our way home we called at a Moqui town. There we met the principal
chief of the Navajos, those chiefs who were not at Fort Defiance, and
some minor chiefs who did not consider themselves as belonging to the
United States agency at Fort Defiance.
We met in a room belonging to the principal man of the village. The
Navajos, through their chief, told us that they had not come to talk
any different from what was said at Fort Defiance, but to confirm what
was said there. They never had heard better talk. They had a great
desire to have what was said, carried out.
They said, "We have some bad men among us, but, if some do wrong, the
wise ones must not act foolishly, like children, but let it be settled
according to the spirit of your talk at Fort Defiance.
"Here is Hastele (one of the principal chiefs); I wish you to take a
good look at him, so you will not be mistaken in the man. He never lies
or steals. He is a truthful man; we wish all difficult matters settled
before him. He lives on the frontier, nearest to the river; you can
find him by inquiry."
The peace treaty talk here closed by the Navajos saying, "We hope we
may be able to eat at one table, warm by one fire, smoke one pipe, and
sleep under one blanket."
One of them gave me a note from the United States agent, stating that
the bearer wished me to try and recover some sheep that were stolen
from him, and were in one of the Moqui towns; and that two attempts had
been made to recover them, which had failed.
We lay down to sleep about midnight, and were on our way at early dawn
to the town, a few miles distant, where the Navajos said we should find
the sheep.
Arriving at the residence of the man having the sheep, I found him
to be a former acquaintance of mine. He appeared in a surly mood. We
talked to him for some time, but could get no answer.
I then said, "You are the first man I traded with twelve or thirteen
years ago. You told me then that before your father died, he took you
in his arms, and told you that you would live to see white men come
from the west--good men, men of peace; and that it would be but a short
time after they came until you could sleep in peace, eat in peace, and
have peace in all things. You told me that you believed we were the men
your father meant, and I hope you will not prevent peace coming into
your country for the sake of a few sheep."
"Well," said he, "I will not; I will give up the sheep."
They were counted out, and the Navajo offered us one or two to eat on
our way home. We told him we could get along without taking any of his
sheep; he had but few, and would want them.