Quotes from Zebulon Pike

You have already disarmed my men without my knowledge, are their arms to be returned or not?

At the lodge the chief gave me many particulars which were relative to the late visit of the Spaniards.

Why cannot we correct the baneful passions, without weakening the good?

The preparations for my new voyage prevented the possiblity of my paying that attention to the correction of my errors, that I should otherwise have done.

American agents... are the only persons authorized to hold councils of a political nature.

Smoke the pipe of peace, bury the tomahawk, and become one nation.

May Heaven be propitious, and smile on the cause of my country.

You have already disarmed my men without my knowledge, are their arms to be returned or not?

On no further occasion present a flag or medal to an Indian.

May Heaven be propitious, and smile on the cause of my country.

A discontented young fellow, filled with self pride; he certainly should have considered it an honor to be sent on so respectable an embassy as he was.

If we go to Chihuahua we must be considered as prisoners of war?

He was a man, he always performed his promises.

In my proper character, I am an officer of the United States Army.

Give immediate instruction to all your posts in said territory, under your direction, at no time and on no pretence to hoist, or suffer be hoisted, the English flag.

If success attends my steps, honor and glory await my name-if defeat, still shall it be said we died like brave men, and conferred honor, even in death, on the American Name.

I was informed... that some... were dreaming and wished to return.

I cannot consent to be led three or four hundred leagues out of my route, without its being by force of arms.

Strict justice would demand total confiscation of your property, personal imprisonment and fines.

It was the wish of the Americans that their red brethren should remain peacefully round their own fires, and not embroil themselves in any disputes between the white people.

Few Indians only had breech cloths, most being wrapped in buffalo robes, otherwise quite naked.

Owing to the difficulty of obtaining horses, Mr. Henry returns from this place. In descending the Mississippi I will request him to pay his respects to you.

I differ materially from Capt. Lewis, in my account of the numbers, manners, and morals of the Sioux.

A young man who is here speaks the Panis language, and in many other respects, is preferable.