Suppose a white man should come to me and say, "Joseph, I like your horses, and I want to buy them." I say to him, "No, my horses suit me, I will not sell them." Then he goes to my neighbor, and says to him: "Joseph has some good horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell." My neighbor answers, "Pay me the money, and I will sell you Joseph's horses." The white man returns to me, and says, "Joseph, I have bought your horses, and you must let me have them." If we sold our lands to the Government, this is the way they were bought.
–"An Indian's Views of Indian Affairs,"
Chief Joseph, 1879
Why does Chief Joseph include this story in his speech?
To outline the terms for a new treaty
To explain why an old treaty was not valid
To describe the territory that belonged to the Nez Perce people
To show that the Nez Perce were careful with their animals
Answer: To explain why an old treaty was not valid.
