I think that I recall hearing that this letter was created by a fairly
modern writer rather than from Chief Seattle.
James Michael Craven wrote:
>
> Letter from Chief Sealth to President Franklin Pierce--1855
>
> " The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our
> land. How can you buy or sell the sky--the warmth of the land. The
> idea is strange to us. Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or
> the sparkle of the water. How can you buy them from us. Every part of
> this earth is sacred to my people.
>
> We know that the White Man does not understand our ways. One portion
> of the land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who
> comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The
> earth is not his brother but his enemy, and when he has conquered it
> he moves on. He leaves his father's graves and his children's
> birthright is forgotten.
>
> There is no quiet place in the White Man's cities. No place to hear
> the leaves of spring or the rustle of insect wings. But perhaps
> because I am savage and do not understand--the clatter only seems to
> insult the ears. And what is there to life if a man[sic] cannot hear
> the lonely cry of the whipoorwill or the arguments of a frog around
> the pond at night.
>
> The Whites too, shall pass--perhaps sooner than other tribes.
> Continue to contaminate your bed and you will one night suffocate in
> your own waste. When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses
> tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many
> men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by talking wires. Where
> is the thicket. Gone. Where is the eagle. Gone. And what is it to say
> goodbye to the swift and the hunt. The end of living and the
> beginning of survival. "
>
> Chief Sealth 1855
>
> *------------------------------------------------------------------*
> * James Craven * " For those who have fought for it, *
> * Dept of Economics * freedom has a taste the protected *
> * Clark College * will never know." *
> * 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd. * Otto von Bismark *
> * Vancouver, Wa. 98663 * *
> * (360) 992-2283 * *
> * [EMAIL PROTECTED] * *
> * MY EMPLOYER HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH MY PRIVATE/PROTECTED OPINION *
--
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 916-898-5321
E-Mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
