Original subtitles

It's a simple question, Captain Borgnine.

What right does the government have

to suddenly change the terms of the treaty?

Ma'am, that's a question you'll have to take up

with the Board of Indian Commissioners in Washington.

I'm only a messenger.

The Cheyenne have always hunted there.

Since my grandfather's time,

every winter we follow the elk to the south.

All I know is the railroad is coming through this pass.

You can't travel there anymore.

And what are his people supposed to do for food?

I understand President Grant has a new peace plan,

turns them into farmers.

If you ask me, it's a waste of good seed.

You're right. It would be a waste.

Where you have put my people nothing will grow.

Well, maybe you aren't trying hard enough.

You can't be lazy

and expect the government to come in and take care of you.

They aren't lazy.

That new reservation land is worthless.

I disagree.

And how would you know?

You've never even ridden out there to see it.

I've seen enough, enough to know that all this land

is far too valuable to leave in the hands of savage nomads.

The peaceful relations between the Cheyenne Nation

and the Army are far too valuable to be left in the hands

of biased and uncivil officers.

Well, you've been informed of the new boundaries.

I strongly urge the Cheyenne Nation to abide by them.

Captain, wait. We're not finished here.

We have nothing more to discuss.

Then we're going to formally protest this decision

and demand a hearing.

Dr. Quinn, you're wasting your time.

If you think you and that half-breed

are going to change a federal mandate, you're quite mistaken.

And you're quite contemptuous.

The only solution for this Indian question

is extermination.

I can complain to your superiors and --

and I refuse to deal with you anymore.

Ma'am, you can complain all the way

to President Grant himself, for all I care,

but you have to get used to dealing with me.

I could never get used to dealing with a man like you.

Since I'm going to be appointed one

of the district Indian agents for Colorado Territory,

I'm afraid you don't have a choice.

Good day, ma'am, Dr. Quinn.

How can a man like that become an Indian agent?

He's got a lot of powerful friends in Washington.

And do they know he hates Indians?

I'm sure that's why they picked him.

I thought that they were just appointin' church people.

Some of them are missionaries,

but most of the agents are in the military.

What's going to happen to Cloud Dancing and Snow Bird?

Well, President Grant and the folks in Washington

are decidin' it right now.

But if they're all the way in Washington,

how do they know what the Indians need here?

Why don't we go there and tell them?

Go to Washington?

Well, yes. We could take the entire family.

What do you think you can do in Washington?

Well, I could testify before the confirmation hearings.

I could try to stop them from appointing agents

who are racist.

I could tell them about Cloud Dancing

and what his people have done for us.

I could ask them to restore the hunting grounds to the Cheyenne.

Why don't we take Cloud Dancing with us?

Let him speak for himself.

He'd never go.

Would you?

Well, I'd have to think about it.

Well, think hard, Sully,

because tomorrow morning I'm buying tickets for Washington.

- Get it up there. - Ready, Tom?

That's the last one.

That's it. Thanks.

Over yonder!

Here's the keys to the clinic,

and here's the hotel where we'll be staying.

I'm not sure you should be going.

I mean, what if something happens?

I appreciate your concern, Jake,

but I'm sure our journey will be uneventful.

I'm talking about us.

Who's gonna do the doctorin' with you gone?

It's starting to seem like you care more about them Indians

than you do about our town.

Those Indians saved this town from sickness and starvation.

The least I can do is go to Washington

and try to save what future they may have left.

Hey, uh, the driver says that we can wait for Sully.

No, he's not coming.

- Get, get! - Bye.

- Good-bye. - Bye.

- Have a good trip. - Good-bye.

Her going was a waste of time, if you ask me.

I would not want to waste my time.

I told her that.

I said you wouldn't want to go.

If you would not go, I would not go.

Well, I didn't say I wouldn't go.

I just said it's a waste of time.

I hear the Oglala and the Paiute

have sent men to speak for them.

Is that so?

Hyah!

Whoa!

What is it?

I don't know. I can't see anything.

Aho.

Sully! Cloud Dancing!

- We knew he'd come. - Hey, Sully.

Hey, stagecoach driver tells us you have room for two more.

That's if, uh, you folks will have us.

Well, how far are you going?

Me and my friend would like to see Washington.

Well, in that case, you're more than welcome to join us.

We've arrived in Washington...

Service from Washington and...

Which one of you is the doctor?

I am.

- You are? - Yes.

And we're tired and hungry.

We've been on a train for three days.

We'd like to see our rooms.

Is the Indian with you?

He's with me. We're roomin' together.

Well, if he does any damage, he'll have to pay for it.

And you tell him there's no cooking in the room.

Tell him if the hotel food is good, I will not have to.

Please sign your names here.

Thanks a lot.

That lieutenant said that the hearing started 2 days ago.

I hope it's not too late.

Why don't you go on ahead? I can take care of things here.

Stop that!

Excuse me, ma'am. Where do you think you're going?

Are the Indian hearings in this room?

Yes.

Well, then, that's where I'm going.

- What's your name, please? - Quinn. Dr. Quinn.

Not on the list.

Please look again.

Aho.

- Aho. - You are Cheyenne?

I am Cloud Dancing. What tribe are you?

My name is Hasanoanda. I am Seneca.

Your name's Parker, isn't it? I heard of you.

You were on Grant's staff in the war.

Yes, Ely Parker is the name.

Now I'm Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

I'm Sully.

Have you come for the hearings?

We have come to speak the truth.

I'm afraid you won't get the chance

if you're not on the agenda.

The only lady scheduled to testify this afternoon

is a Mrs. Elizabeth Thornhill.

Thornhill?

- Oh, well, that explains it. - Explains what?

You have the wrong name.

You told me your name was Quinn.

Yes, I did.

But, you see, Quinn is my maiden name.

Well, then, I'm glad we straightened this out.

It looks like we just got on the agenda.

I know I speak for all of us

when I thank you for your kind words.

And I assure you, Father, for every Indian soul

we give the Episcopalians to convert,

we'll give one to the Catholics, as well.

All right. Who's next?

Excuse me, Senator.

Yes, madam, what is it?

I suppose I should begin by telling you

that I'm not Mrs. Elizabeth Thornhill.

That, madam, is something we all can see.

My name is Dr. Michaela Quinn,

and I've come here from Colorado.

You're a doctor?

My friends Mr. Byron Sully and Cloud Dancing

have come with me to make sure that you know

how the Cheyenne have been treated in the past

and to tell you how we hope

they'll be treated in the future.

Dr. Quinn, we shall be happy to listen to you

at some other time,

but our agenda is full for today.

Please, it will only take a few minutes.

I'm sorry.

But there's no one waiting to testify.

May I continue until they arrive?

No, you may not. And now I must ask you to leave.

At least let Cloud Dancing speak.

He can tell you what's --

Ma'am, you are disrupting these proceedings.

Sergeant at Arms, remove these people.

- Take your hands off of her! - Hey.

No, stop, please.

We're going.

We shall recess for a half-hour.

What is it?

You look as if you've seen a ghost.

I have, name of Byron Sully.

- I thought he was dead. - If necessary, he will be.

Find out what he's really doing here.

Excuse me, Dr. Quinn.

There is a reception tonight in the Rotunda.

- I'd like you to attend. - Tonight?

I know it's short notice,

but there will be some people there you should meet.

What kind of people?

The wives of some members

of the Board of Indian Commissioners.

I'd like you all to come.

I use a lot of the Cheyenne's native medicines.

The teas and herbs have done wonders and saved lives.

Cloud Dancing has been my teacher, as well as my friend.

We have learned much from each other.

How nice.

And now she can help you learn to be a citizen.

He already is a citizen, ma'am, of the Cheyenne Nation.

Mrs. Howard, has your husband said anything

about how the Indians will be treated

under the President's peace plan?

I believe they are going to create something

like the, uh, Freedmen's Bureau.

What is this Freedmen's Bureau?

It's an organization

that was formed to help ex-slaves become model citizens.

It gives them places to live, as well as apprenticeship training

and educational programs.

The Bureau is going to teach them to be farmers?

Oh, yes! And masons and carpenters and --

- Mrs. Howard! - Oh, she's here!

Oh, Louise, I thought I would never get here.

But the wife of the Secretary of War

would not stop gossiping and, of course,

I wanted to hear everything that she had to say.

Mrs. Grant, allow me to introduce you to Dr. Quinn,

Mr. Sully, and Mr. Cloud Dancing.

Aho.

You're the one that -- that was thrown out of the hearing!

You know about that?

There are few secrets in Washington, Dr. Quinn,

that the First Lady doesn't know.

Tell me, Where would I find the freedmen?

Mrs. Grant, I have never seen you look more lovely.

Whatever do you want, General?

You see, in this town, flattery always precedes the request.

As you may have heard, Dr. Quinn and her friends

have an interest in testifying

before the Commission of Indian Affairs.

I venture it a rather strong interest.

Well, I suppose if Mrs. Howard were to speak to her husband

and I speak to mine,

we might encourage them to take the time

to listen to your concerns.

- Thank you. - Oh, don't thank me.

I detest Senator Steward.

You see, he's been very critical of my husband,

and I would love it if you would give him some grief.

Mrs. Grant, may I introduce you to someone?

Oh, yes, please. Excuse me.

I have learned where these freedmen live.

I think in the morning I will go there

and see what this government has done for them.

- I'll go too. - We'll all go.

They call this place "Murder Bay."

These are all ex-slaves,

come North looking for work.

How can this be going on here, within miles of Congress?

Homeless, starving people.

What's the matter?

I don't know! He won't stop cryin'.

May I look at him?

What for?

Perhaps I can help. I'm a doctor.

- What has he had to eat? - Nothing.

Just some milk I got this morning.

Maybe it was spoiled.

Please, hold him for a moment.

I'll give him some medicine.

This should settle his stomach.

Ma'am.

My girl is not feelin' so good.

Could you take a look at her?

Either of y'all think that lady's a real doctor?

What's your name?

You're restricting the hunting grounds

and forcing them onto desolate, unworkable land.

We are protecting them.

You are setting them up to fail.

They'll fail because of lack of ambition,

not because of lack of opportunity.

I've seen this Capitol's vision of opportunity, Senator.

And frankly, I'm deeply concerned

about what the future holds for my friends, the Cheyenne,

and all the other Indian Nations.

But Black Kettle, the Chief of the Cheyenne,

has told me that as long as there's even a little hope,

there's a chance.

I urge you to re-examine every Indian agent appointment

to ensure that these men will make decisions

for the survival of the Indians and not their annihilation.

Thank you for your comments, Dr. Quinn.

We shall take them under advisement.

Since it is getting rather late, we shall adjourn.

We'll reconvene tomorrow morning, 10:00.

Do you think they heard anything I said?

We did.

Thank you for making this possible.

My pleasure.

Oh, and it's also my pleasure to inform you of an invitation

to dinner tonight at the White House.

- Mr. President. - Mm.

May I introduce Dr. Michaela Quinn?

- Dr. Quinn. - A pleasure, sir.

Mr. Byron Sully.

- Mr. Sully. - Mr. President.

- Cloud Dancing. - Aho.

Cloud Dancing, a pleasure.

General Parker's told me all about you, Dr. Quinn.

I could use you on my Cabinet.

Hey, Ma. Can I go see Jesse's room?

This is my youngest, Brian.

And this is my boy, Jesse.

You sure got a big house here.

Well, it's not really my house, Brian.

It belongs to the people of the United States,

but, uh, well, they let me stay here.

Gentlemen, may I offer you a drink?

I want to show him my new telescope.

May I?

Well, dinner won't be for at least a half-hour.

Thanks, Ma.

They seem to be getting along very well.

And they're not the only ones.

Nellie is a very attractive young woman.

Thank you.

But I do believe that young cadet only has eyes for Colleen.

General Prentiss and his men

were driven into a peach orchard, here.

It was in full bloom.

As the Confederate bullets hit the trees,

the petals fluttered down like snow,

covering the bodies of the dead...

and only a few of his men survived.

But the general's actions gave me time to rally,

and we recaptured our camp and pushed the rebels back.

I wanted to pursue, of course,

but I feared being insubordinate, so I didn't.

I should have.

In reflection, it was a turning point in the war.

It was a victory when this nation needed one.

It was a spectacle of gross carnage.

- Ulysses? - And Shiloh!

Oh, Shiloh said it in no uncertain terms.

This was no longer a war of defeating armies.

No, no. No, this was a war

where victory would only come

with a complete annihilation of an entire society.

My dear, I think we've relived enough of the war this evening.

Eh?

Well, gentlemen, you'll...excuse me.

General Parker, will you assist me, please?

Yes. Let me get you some coffee, sir.

No, no.

Would you like a game, Mr. Sully?

Why not?

Would you, uh...

Oh, you break.

Mother, I was wondering.

May Colleen stay overnight?

Oh, Nellie, I think --

That's very kind of you, but...

Well, Jesse wants Brian to stay, too.

Well, why don't you stay? All of you.

There's plenty of room,

and we've so enjoyed your company.

May we? Please.

Well, if you're certain that we'd be no trouble.

Oh, no. No trouble at all.

Yes, we did.

Well, then I suppose I should say yes.

Good.

Oh.

Oh, it's such a wonderful fragrance.

Oh, you needn't keep worrying, you know.

I'm sorry. I keep thinking about the committee.

They'll be voting soon.

Perhaps I should try to speak to them again.

Why don't you go and speak to my husband this morning?

He's down in the stables.

Go and tell him of your concern.

He'll listen. He likes you.

He does?

Mother! Mother!

What do you think? It's one of my old ones.

Perfect, isn't it?

Oh, it's lovely.

I told you so.

You have to wear it to the ball.

What ball?

There's a military ball here tonight.

And Colleen is going to be escorted

by the second most handsome cadet in his class.

Mine, of course, is the first.

Nellie, he hasn't even asked me.

Why, he will. He doesn't dare say no

to the daughter of the President.

Come on. Let's see how we can curl your hair.

All right.

I never imagined my daughter would be going to a dance

at the White House.

Oh, why don't all of you come?

Oh, thank you, but I didn't bring a ballgown.

Oh, we'll find one for you.

Besides, it's a chance for you to meet people.

The Department of the Interior

has been made aware of the corruption in the past,

and President Grant and I

are determined not to allow it to continue.

How are you gonna do that?

I think we're going to start by getting rid of Jacob Cox,

the Secretary of the Interior.

Does your tribe live on a reservation?

- No. - Why not?

Well, not enough Senecas are left here

who practice the old ways.

They've all become citizens.

Mr. President, I was wondering if I might speak with you?

Well, can it wait?

I was just about to ride my new stallion.

He's a very handsome horse, Mr. President.

Mm.

Good conformation.

Oh, do you ride, Dr. Quinn?

Yes, sir, I do.

She's won a few races.

Oh, well, I'd ask you to join me,

but you can't ride in that dress.

Can you?

All right.

Ready?

Set.

Jesse Grant, what are you doing?

We're having a race.

Have you finished your schoolwork yet?

No, ma'am.

Well, you know you can't come to the party tonight

and spy on all the guests if it isn't done.

Understand?

I hate homework.

Yeah, me, too.

- Especially mathematics. - Hmm. I like mathematics.

Then you do my homework.

No, you've got to do it yourself.

How else are you going to learn?

You do it, and I'll show you a secret passage

to my father's office.

- Really? - Yeah.

Nobody knows about it except me, not even my sister.

Deal.

How did you learn to ride like that?

- Out of necessity. - Ah.

So what was it you wanted to speak to me about?

Earlier this week, I was taken to a slum near here,

a place where a number of black freedmen live.

- Murder Bay. - Yes.

Frankly, Mr. President, I was appalled.

So was I when I first saw it.

The Freedmen's Bureau lost government funding

before I took office.

I'm hopeful now that private donations

will help eradicate places like that slum.

But before you think this program is a total failure,

I'd like the opportunity

to show you one of its continuing successes.

Just pass it over here.

They earn money for their work,

and they get to buy the clothes they make at a discount.

What if the Cheyenne don't want to become tailors?

Well, if the Indians are willing to work hard,

they can be anything.

Just look at what General Parker has done.

I'm sorry.

Captain Grant? It's Captain Grant!

Now, this is what the Cheyenne can expect, Dr. Quinn --

solutions that work for all concerned.

- Hello, how are you? - Nice to see you.

Nice to see you.

- Ladies. - Nice to see you, sir.

Good to see you, again, too.

And he regrets that this illness

prevents him from attending.

- Do you believe this? - I'm sorry.

I've been stood up.

Maybe my father can have him executed.

Nellie!

You can share my date.

I'd rather share your brother.

- Matthew? - He's very attractive.

Oh, he's engaged to be married.

That doesn't mean he can't dance with me, does it?

Oh, Matthew, I have a proposition for you.

Now you've got to swear you'll never tell anyone.

- I swear! - Come on, then.

Senator, you simply must do a little dancing.

Just wall of fire, right in front of us.

And then what happened?

I drove the cattle right through the fire.

It was the only thing I could do to save the herd.

Oh, I'm sure they were as grateful as I am

that you came to the rescue.

I mean, you saved me from an embarrassing situation.

You are a true gentleman.

Thank you.

A very handsome gentleman

whose fiancée is a very lucky woman.

Yes, she is.

I mean, I am, too.

I'm hoping to get stationed in Colorado after I graduate.

You couldn't pick a prettier place to be.

Or a prettier girl to come visit.

Oh. -

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to...

I would think you're told that so often.

Not by someone like you.

I hope you finish medical school by then

so you can take care of me.

Take care of you?

You could nurse me back to health

should I get wounded fighting Indians.

Well, why would you want to fight Indians?

I need some experience under fire.

It's the fastest way to advance.

But President Grant promised that there won't be any fighting

if the Indians stay on the reservations.

Between you and me,

General Sherman and General Custer

think Grant is a sentimental old fool.

And what do you think?

Unjust as it might seem,

the Indians will have to accept their fate.

I see no reason to put off that grim day of extermination

we all know is coming.

- Senator, are you all right? - I...

I can't catch my breath.

You need to lie down.

Sully, my medical bag's in my room.

- Please go get it. - Okay.

- What is it? - I think it's his heart.

Is there somewhere he can lie down?

Yes, right over here.

Someone tell the President what happened.

And here's the final list we'll be voting on.

They have my committee's endorsement.

We'd like to have yours, as well.

What kind of a man would want to be an Indian agent

for $1,500 a year?

You should pay them more to keep them honest.

Their reward is in serving their country, sir.

Oh?

Bishop Whipple said an agent needs to be an idiot

not to retire with a fortune in just three years.

Half those appointments are clergy, Mr. President.

I'm sure you don't what to suggest that --

Sir.

Something's happened to Senator Moses.

We'll talk about this later.

I'll gather up my things and be right there.

You'd think he, of all people, would understand

that we're only wasting time.

He does. He does.

He just doesn't want to admit it.

Well, we'll be rid of Parker soon enough.

Then Grant won't be able to stand in our way.

And if he tries?

We'll buy him a box seat in Ford's Theatre.

- You want to sit in his chair? - Sure!

I forgot my glasses.

You go on. I'll get them.

Somebody's coming.

Get in here.

If anyone is in here, I would suggest they come out now.

Come on.

Come on!

Is he gonna make it?

He'll be all right.

Hey, watch it. Watch it.

- Sorry. - Sorry.

Where's your Ma?

Uh, she's upstairs looking at butterflies.

Where's Colleen?

She wanted to look at more of that pickled stuff in jars.

Hey, Brian, what were you and Jesse doin' last night?

Nothin'.

Playin'.

Why'd you come running in the room

like somebody was chasin' ya?

Did you see him?

Nope.

Neither did we.

From where we were hiding, we could just see their boots.

You were hiding?

Jesse and me, we were hidin' in his Pa's office.

We heard these men talkin'.

They left, and we came out.

Then one of them came back, and he chased us.

What were they talkin' about?

Something about President Grant,

about how he's not doing what he should be doing.

Remember anything else?

One of them said something about buying President Grant

a ticket to Ford's Theatre.

That's where President Lincoln got shot, ain't it?

Yeah.

And you didn't get a good look at him?

No.

Well, of course the President receives threats.

For some people, the war isn't over.

If the Army is no longer responsible,

who's looking out for him?

Well, the Metropolitan Police.

They travel with him.

They patrol the grounds.

They make certain nobody enters the White House

without being on the guest list,

even searched if necessary.

The President is quite safe.

So, you think what I'm saying isn't serious?

The boy does not lie.

I know we all have a list of enemies in this town,

enemies we've wished were dead.

If Brian heard something, I'm sure it was said in jest.

But, even so, I thought it wise

for you to tell someone else what was overheard.

May I introduce Detective Simpson,

Metropolitan Police?

- On the second floor. - All right.

Two doors on your left.

Any word yet on a vote?

No, ma'am, but there is a letter for you.

Thank you.

"Dear Dr. Quinn, It gives me great pleasure

to inform you that President Grant

has nominated you for a position in his administration."

They want me to supervise the medical care

of the reservations.

I'd be in charge of all the physicians

hired by the government.

Would we have to move to Washington?

I don't know.

Well, why would you even be considerin' it?

Shouldn't I?

If we want to help the Indians, what better way?

Your home's in Colorado.

I'm buildin' it, remember?

Sully, couldn't we just think about doing this?

At least talk about it?

It could be a great experience for all of us.

We'd be closer to Grandma.

Ingrid and I'll come visit you.

Train will be runnin' all the way through by then.

And it won't be forever.

Two years, four years at the most.

I could never live here.

You can't say no without at least giving it

some consideration.

Can't you see what they're doing?

They're makin' you into one of them.

They're giving me a chance

to make a better life for the Indians.

What about our life?

How does movin' here make our life better?

I don't know, Sully.

That's something we should all talk about as a family.

Perhaps it won't.

Perhaps I won't even get approved for the job.

I'm sure they're going to want you, Ma.

You'd be great!

Carriage.

I'm glad we can count on your votes.

Thank you.

Why did Byron Sully come back now?

I'm sure he only came to testify.

Or crucify.

He can't connect you to anything.

I can't take that chance. I've got to do something.

He'll go home after the vote.

Why take any action at all?

Because he knows what happened.

It was a mistake letting him live.

Now fate has given me the opportunity

to correct that mistake.

Good afternoon gentlemen, I got your message.