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"On this land there is a great deal of
timber, pine and oak, that
are
of much use to the white man. They send it to foreign countries, and it
brings them a great deal of money.
On the land there is much grass for cattle and horses, and much food
for the hogs.
On this land there is a great deal of tobacco raised, which likewise
brings much money. Even the streams are valuable to the white man, to
grind the wheat and corn that grows on this land. The pine trees that
are dead are valuable for tar.
All these things are lasting benefits. But if the Indians are given
just a few goods for their lands, in one or two seasons those goods are
all rotted and gone for nothing.
We are told that our lands are of no service to us, but still, if we
hold our lands, there will always be a turkey, or a deer, or a fish in
the streams for those young who will come after us.
We are afraid if we part with any more of our lands the white people
will not let us keep as much as will be sufficient to bury our dead."
Words of Doublehead - Creek
Chief
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