The many moons and sunny days we
have lived here will long be remem-
bered by us. The Great Spirit has smiled
upon us and made us glad. But we
have agreed to go. We go to a country
we know little of. Our home will be
beyond a great river on the way to the
setting sun. We will build our wigwams
there in another land . . . The men we
leave here in possession of these lands
cannot say Keokuk or his people ever
took up a tomahawk . . . In peace we
bid you goodbye . . .If you come see us,
we will gladly welcome you.

-KEOKUK, A SAUK TRIBAL LEADER,
WHO SIGNED A NUMBER OF TREATIES WITH THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT GIVING IT VARIOUS
TRACTS OF LAND IN EXCHANGE FOR RESERVATION
LAND AND NECESSITIES FOR HIS PEOPLE. THIS
SPEECH WAS GIVEN WHEN HIS PEOPLE WERE
TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RELOCATE WEST OF
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, SEPTEMBER 26, 1833.