<​I had an​> Interview <​with several Pottowatamie chiefs, who came to see me during my absence, and remained until the present​> between Joseph Smith & the Potowotamie Chiefs

<​Note from s Journal​> Several of the potowatomie chiefs came to for the purpose of Having an interview with the Prophet Joseph Smith, at the time of their arival He had gone to upon a visit, was kidnapped, while there, & efforts made to run him to “The Indians Chiefs <​who​> remaind at untill the prophet returned & had his trial during their stay thay had a [illegible] talk with in the basement of the & some others were present they were not free to talk & did not wish to Communicate their feelings until they could see the great Prophet At length on the 2nd day of July 1843 Joseph Smith <​& Councellors & some of the ​> met those Chiefs in the Chamber of his <​Court room​> with about 20 of the the followig is a synopsis of the conversation which took place as given by the interpeter who accompanid them. The Indian Orator arose & asked the prophet if those <​the​> men who were present were all his Friends. Answer yes. He then said “we as a people have long been distressed and oppressd we have been driven from our lands many times we have been wasted away by wars until there is <​are​> but few of us left the white man has hated us & shed our blood until it has appeared as though their would soon be no Indian Left. we have talked with the great spirit & the great spirit has talked with us we have asked the great Spirit to save us & Let us live and the great spirit has told us that he had raised us up a great Prophet a Chief & Friend unto us who would do us great good & tell us what to do and the great Spirit has told us that you are the man (Pointi[n]g to the Prophet Joseph) we have now come a great ways to see you & to hear your words & to have you tell us what to do, our Horses have become poor traveli[n]g & we are hungry, we will now wait & hear your words” the Spirit of God rested upon the esspecially the orator who spoke. Joseph was much affected & shed tears. He arose & said unto them “I have heard your words they are true, the great Spirit has told you it truth, I am your friend & Brother & I wish to do you good your Fathers was <​were​> once a great people they worshipd the great Spirit the Great Spirit done <​did​> them good He was their frind but they left the great spirit & would not hear his words or [p. [1]]