From Thomas Jefferson to Dog Soldier, 16 July 1804
To Dog Soldier
July 16. 1804.
My son the Dogsouldier
2d chief of the Little Osages
You have heard the words which I have this day spoken1 to your great chief White hairs. they are meant for you and your people also. I consider his towns and your towns as forming one nation, and shall bear equal friendship to both. but in whatever concerns your towns separately we shall always treat them separately according to your desire.
As to yourself2 personally we shall always consider you as our friend, and entitled to be distinguished by us, as your own people distinguish you. the medal which we have given you will testify to your people and to all others the esteem we bear you, and the confidence we repose in you.
Th: Jefferson
RC (CSmH). PoC (DLC); salutation, signature, and date added separately to RC and PoC. Tr (DLC); in French, entirely in TJ’s hand. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 75, LSIA); in a clerk’s hand; undated, but follows Dearborn to the Osages, 18 July.
have this day spoken: see TJ to White Hair and Others, 16 July. In each case, TJ’s French text of his address was probably for reading aloud at his meeting with the Osage leaders.
1. Tr: “que je viens de parler.”
2. Tr: “Quant a vous, mon fils.”