A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

My people were divided about surrendering.

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.

Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30 days to go back home, collect all their stock, and move onto the reservation.

The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them.

I know that my race must change.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

We ask to be recognized as men.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.

I want the white people to understand my people.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated.

I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land.

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.

We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end.

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.

Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.

Good words will not give me back my children.

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.

I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.