Zebulon Pike Quotes

He was a man, that he always performed his promises, that he had never said he would return.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Should I be the happy mortal destined to turn the scale of war, will you not rejoice, O my father?

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

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

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

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

Your former Fathers the Spaniards have now no further Authority over you.

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

In my proper character, an officer of the United States army.

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

They were conspiring to desert us in the night and steal some of our horses... we engaged a spy.