CHAPTER IX.

Black Hawk at the capture of Fort Erie--At the battle of the Thames--His

account of the death of Tecumthe--His residence and mode of life after

his last visit to the east--His Fourth of July speech at Fort

Madison--His death and burial.

Since the three first editions of this work were published, the death of

Black Hawk has occurred; and a few additional particulars of his life

have been collected. These, it is proposed to embody in a new chapter.

In the course of the preceding pages, the difficulty of procuring full,

and always exact information, in regard to the lives of a people having

neither records nor historians, has been alluded to. This difficulty

will be encountered by any one who may attempt to chronicle the annals

of the aborigines in their aggregate condition, or to portray their

individual history. In the compilation of this volume, much pains were

taken to obtain all the prominent events in the life of Black Hawk, and,

it is supposed, as much success attended the effort, as is usual in

similar cases. Since its publication, however, it appears that all his

military movements have not been narrated, and we proceed to supply the

omission.

At page 82 of this volume, it is stated that Black Hawk was only in two

engagements in the late war with Great Britain, and that the last of

these was the assault upon Fort Stephenson, in August 1813, then under

the command of Major Groghan. It is true that he and his band were with

the British army in the attack upon this post, but his connection with

that army did not cease until after the capture of Fort Erie. The

authority for this fact is to be found in the "Book of the Indians,"

page 145. The author of that work, in narrating the incidents of Black

Hawk's return to the north-west, in 1833, after his imprisonment at

Fortress Monroe, says: "Having arrived at Buffalo, on Friday the 28th of

June, they (the party returning with the old warrior) remained there

until Sunday morning. The day after their arrival, they rode over to

Black Rock, where they viewed the union of the grand canal with the lake

at that place. From this point they had a full view of the Canada shore,

and Black Hawk immediately pointed out Fort Erie, and seemed well

acquainted with the adjacent country; he having been there in the time

of the last war with England, in the British service; and at the time

'when the Americans walked into Fort Erie,' as he expressed the capture

of it." Of the extent of his participation in the events attendant upon

this capture, there is no satisfactory information.

Black Hawk was likewise in the battle of the Thames, a fact not

previously stated in this work, and which is now given on the authority

of a writer in the Baltimore American, to whose respectability the

editor of that paper bears testimony. We have, indeed, no reason to

doubt the accuracy of this statement, which will be read with the more

interest, from the circumstance that it embraces Black Hawk's account

of the death of Tecumthe in regard to which much has been written and

published. It is not proposed, on the present occasion, to compare the

relation given by Black Hawk, of the fall of Tecumthe, with the

testimony of others who have appeared as historians of this event, but

shall content ourselves with simply quoting the article to which

reference has been made. The writer professes to have been intimately

acquainted with Black Hawk, and in the brief sketch which he has

presented of the life of this warrior, we find corroborating evidence of

the truth of many of the traits of character, which, in the course of

this volume, has been assigned to him both as a man and a warrior. The

article is in these words:

"MESSRS. EDITORS--Hearing of the death of the celebrated Sauk

chieftain, BLACK HAWK, I am induced to make you the following

communication, which may be interesting to some of your readers.

"During a residence of several years in what is now the Territory of

Iowa, I had many opportunities of seeing and conversing with this noted

warrior, and often look back with feelings of great pleasure to the many

tokens of good will and friendship that he has frequently bestowed upon

me. His lodge was always open to a stranger, and he was ever ready to

share that with him which he might most want, either his furs and

blankets for a couch, or his corn and venison for a repast. He always

spoke in terms of high regard of the whites, saying, that in war he

fought like a brave man, but in peace he wished to forget that his hand

had ever been raised against them. His career as a warrior commenced at

a very early age; when he was but fourteen years old, his father,

Pawheese, led a war party against the Osages, in which expedition he

accompanied him. They succeeded in reaching the village of Osages, which

they attacked, and after a very severe encounter, they routed their

enemies and burnt their town. In this battle Black Hawk's father was

killed, but he revenged his death by killing and scalping the Osage who

had slain him. He was fond of recounting his earlier exploits, and often

boasted of his being at the right hand of Tecumthe, when the latter was

killed at the battle of the Thames. His account of the death of this

distinguished warrior, was related to me by himself, during an evening

that I spent in his lodge some winters ago. In the course of our talk, I

asked him if he was with Tecumthe when he was killed. He replied--

"'I was, and I will now tell you all about it.--Tecumthe, Shaubinne, and

Caldwell, two Potawattimie chiefs, and myself, were seated on a log near

our camp fire, filling our pipes for a smoke, on the morning of the

battle, when word came from the British general, that he wished to speak

with Tecumthe. He went immediately, and after staying some time rejoined

us, taking his seat without saying a word, when Caldwell, who was one of

his favorites, observed to him, 'my father, what are we to do? Shall we

fight the Americans?' 'Yes, my son,' replied Tecumthe, '_We shall go

into their very smoke_--but you are now wanted by the General. Go, my

son, I never expect to see you again.' Shortly after this, (continued

Black Hawk,) the Indian spies came in, and gave word of the near

approach of the Americans. Tecumthe immediately posted his men in the

edge of a swamp, which flanked the British line, placing himself at

their head. I was a little to his right, with a small party of Sauks. It

was not long before the Americans made their appearance; they did not

perceive us at first, hid as we were by the undergrowth, but we soon let

them know where we were by pouring in one or two volleys as they were

forming into a line to oppose the British. They faultered a little, but

very soon we perceived a large body of horse (Colonel Johnson's regiment

of mounted Kentuckians) preparing to charge upon us in the swamp. They

came bravely on, yet we never stirred until they were so close that we

could see the flints in their guns, when Tecumthe springing to his feet,

gave the Shawnee war cry, and discharged his rifle. This was the signal

for us to commence the fight; but it did not last long; the Americans

answered the shout, returning our fire, and at the first discharge of

their guns, I saw Tecumthe stagger forwards over a fallen tree near

which he was standing, letting his rifle drop at his feet. As soon as

the Indians discovered he was killed, a sudden fear came over them, and

thinking that the Great Spirit was displeased, they fought no longer,

and were quickly put to flight. That night we returned to bury our dead,

and search for the body of Tecumthe. He was found lying where he had

first fallen; a bullet had struck him above the hip, and his skull had

been broken by the butt end of the gun of some soldier, who had found

him, perhaps, when life was not yet quite gone. With the exception of

these wounds, his body was untouched; lying near him, however, was a

large, fine looking Potawattimie, who had been killed, decked off in his

plumes and war paint, whom the Americans no doubt had taken for

Tecumthe; for he was scalped, and every particle of skin flayed from his

body. Tecumthe himself, had no ornaments about his person save a British

medal. During the night we buried our dead, and brought off the body of

Tecumthe, although we were within sight of the fires of the American

camp.'

"This is somewhat different from the account which is commonly given of

Tecumthe's death, yet I believe it to be true; for after hearing Black

Hawk relate it, I heard it corroborated by one of the Potawattimie

chiefs, mentioned by him. I asked him if he had ever fought against the

whites after the death of Tecumthe. He said not--that he returned home

to his village on the Mississippi, at the mouth of Rock River, and there

he remained until driven away by the whites, in the year 1832. The wish

to hold possession of this village, was the cause of the war which he

waged against the whites during that year. He told me that he never

wished to fight; that he was made to do so; that the whites killed his

warriors when they went with a white flag to beg a parley, and that

after this was done, he thought they intended to kill him at all

events, and therefore he would die like a warrior.

"In speaking of his defeat, he said it was what he expected; that he did

not mind it; but what hurt him more than any thing else, was our

government degrading him in the eyes of his own people, and setting

another chief (KEOKUK) over him. This degradation he appeared

to feel very sensibly, still he continued to possess all his native

pride. One instance that came under my observation, I recollect well, in

which it was strongly displayed. He happened to be in a small town in

Iowa, on the same day in which a party of dragoons, under Captain ----

arrived: and in paying a visit to a friend with whom he always partook

of a meal, whenever he stopped at the village, he met with the Captain,

who had been invited to dine. Black Hawk remained, also expecting the

usual invitation to stay and eat with them: but when the dinner was

ready, the host took him aside, and told him the Captain, or rather the

white man's chief, was to dine with him that day, and he must wait until

they had finished. The old chief's eye glistened with anger as he

answered him, raising the fore-finger of one hand to his breast, to

represent the officer, 'I know the white man is a chief, but _I_,'

elevating the finger of the other hand far above his head, 'was a chief,

and led my warriors to the fight, long before his mother knew him. _Your

meat,--my dogs should not eat it!_' Saying this, he gathered the folds

of his blanket about him, and stalked off, looking as proudly as if he

still walked over ground that he could call '_my own_.'

"Black Hawk possessed, to a great degree, one fine trait which it is not

usual for us to concede to the Indian--kindness and affection for his

wife. He never had but one, and with her he lived for upwards of forty

years; they had several children, three of whom still survive, two sons

and a daughter. The eldest son is now one of the most promising young

braves of the nation, and bids fair to be one of its most noble men. The

daughter is still quite young, and is considered to be the most

beautiful maiden belonging to her tribe.

"He has now departed on his long journey, to join those of his people

who have gone before him to their happy hunting grounds, far beyond the

setting sun. May the Great Spirit grant him a clear sunshine, and a

smooth path."

For the particulars, given below, of the last days and death of Black

Hawk, we are indebted to a highly respectable gentleman, W. Henry Starr,

Esq. of Burlington, Iowa Territory. His communication, under date of

March 21st, 1839, is given entire, that the interest of the narrative

may be preserved.

"Your letter of the 2nd of January came to hand in due course of mail,

in which you make some enquiries concerning the old chief of the Sac and

Fox tribes--the venerable BLACK HAWK. I should have replied to

it sooner, could I have done so satisfactorily either to you or myself.

I knew much by report of the old chief, and something from personal

acquaintance; but my knowledge was not so accurate as to be serviceable

to a faithful biographer. I have, therefore, taken sometime to make the

necessary enquiries, and satisfy myself of their accuracy.

"After Black Hawk's last return from the eastern states, he passed the

winter of 1837-8 in the county of Lee, in the south-eastern portion of

this territory, on a small stream called Devil-creek. The white

settlements extended for forty miles west of him, and the tribe to which

he belonged, with the exception of a few old braves, and his family,

resided on the frontier. From his tribe he was isolated in position and

feeling. His family consisted of a wife, two sons, Nasheaskuk and

Samesett, (as they are pronounced here,) a daughter and her husband.

They passed their time principally in hunting deer, wild turkies, and

the prairie hen, which are abundant in that quarter of the territory.

For hunting, Black Hawk is said to have displayed no fondness; but chose

to spend his time in improving his place of residence, and exercising

his ingenuity with mechanic tools. In the spring of 1838, they removed

to the frontier, and settled upon the Des Moines river, about eighty or

ninety miles from its mouth, near to a trading post, and in the

immediate vicinity of the villages of the other chiefs of the tribe.

Here he had a very comfortable bark cabin, which he furnished in

imitation of the whites, with chairs, a table, a mirror, and mattrasses.

His dress was that of the other chiefs, with the exception of a

broad-brimmed black hat, which he usually wore. In the summer he

cultivated a few acres of land in corn, melons, and various kinds of

vegetables. He was frequently visited by the whites, and I have often

heard his hospitality highly commended.

"On the 4th of July last, he was present at Fort Madison, in Lee county,

by special invitation, and was the most conspicuous guest of the

citizens assembled in commemoration of that day. Among the toasts called

forth by the occasion was the following:

"'_Our illustrious guest, Black Hawk_.--May his declining years be as

calm and serene as his previous life has been boisterous and full of

warlike incidents. His attachment and present friendship to his white

brethren, fully entitle him to a seat at our festive board.'

"So soon as this sentiment was drank, Black Hawk arose and delivered the

following speech, which was taken down at the time by two interpreters,

and by them furnished for publication.

"'It has pleased the Great Spirit that I am here to-day--I have eaten

with my white friends. The earth is our mother--we are now on it--with

the Great Spirit above us--It is good. I hope we are all friends here. A

few winters ago I was fighting against you--I did wrong, perhaps; but

that is past--it is buried--let it be forgotten.

"'Rock river was a beautiful country--I liked my towns, my cornfields,

and the home of my people. I fought for it. It is now yours--keep it as

we did--it will produce you good crops.

"'I thank the Great Spirit that I am now friendly with my white

brethren--we are here together--we have eaten together--we are

friends--it is his wish and mine. I thank you for your friendship.

"'I was once a great warrior--I am now poor. Keokuk has been the cause

of my present situation--but do not attach blame to him. I am now old. I

have looked upon the Mississippi since I have been a child. I love the

Great River. I have dwelt upon its banks from the time I was an infant.

I look upon it now. I shake hands with you, and as it is my wish, I hope

you are my friends.'

"In the course of the day he was prevailed upon to drink several times,

and became somewhat intoxicated, an uncommon circumstance, as he was

generally temperate.

"In the autumn of 1838, he was at the house of an Indian trader, in the

vicinity of Burlington, when I became acquainted and frequently

conversed with him, in broken English, and through the medium of

gestures and pantomime. A deep seated melancholy was apparent in his

countenance and conversation. He endeavored to make me comprehend, on

one occasion, his former greatness; and represented that he was once

master of the country, east, north, and south of us--that he had been a

very successful warrior,--called himself, smiting his breast, 'big

Captain Black Hawk,' 'nesso Kaskaskias,' (killed the Kaskaskias,) 'nesso

Sioux a heap,' (killed a great number of Sioux.) He then adverted to the

ingratitude of his tribe, in permitting Keokuk to supersede him, who, he

averred, excelled him in nothing but drinking whiskey.

"Toward Keokuk he felt the most unrelenting hatred. Keokuk was, however,

beyond his influence, being recognized as chief of the tribe, by the

government of the United States. He unquestionably possesses talents of

the first order, excels as an orator, but his authority will probably be

short-lived on account of his dissipation, and his profligacy in

spending the money paid him for the benefit of his tribe; and which he

squanders upon himself and a few favorites, through whose influence he

seeks to maintain his authority.

"You enquire if Black Hawk was at the battle of the Thames? On one

occasion I mentioned Tecumthe to him, and he expressed the greatest joy

that I had heard of him: and pointing away to the east, and making a

feint, as if aiming a gun, said, 'Chemokaman (white man) nesso,' (kill.)

From which I had no doubt of his being personally acquainted with

Tecumthe; and I have been since informed, on good authority, that he was

in the battle of the Thames and in several other engagements with that

distinguished chief.

"Soon after this interview with Black Hawk, he set out for the frontier,

where a payment was soon to be made to the tribe, of a portion of their

annuity.

"The weather was both hot and wet, and it is supposed, that, on this

journey, he imbibed the seeds of the disease which soon after terminated

his existence. This journey was in September. Early in October, the

commissioner for adjusting claims with the Sac and Fox tribes, was to

meet them at Rock Island, and most of the Indians were there on the

first of that month. Black Hawk was taken sick and was unable to

accompany them. A violent bilious fever had seized upon him, and on the

3d of October, after an illness of seven days, he died. His only medical

attendant was one of the tribe, who knew something of vegetable

antidotes, and was called doctor. His wife, who was devotedly attached

to him, mourned deeply during his illness. She seemed to have had a

presentiment of his approaching death, and said, some days before it

occurred, 'he is getting old--he must die--Monotah calls him home.'

"After his death, he was dressed in the uniform presented to him at

Washington, by the President or Secretary at War, and placed upon a rude

bier, consisting of two poles with bark laid across, on which he was

carried by four of his braves to the place of interment, followed by his

family and about fifty of the tribe, (the chiefs being all absent.) They

seemed deeply affected, and mourned in their usual way, shaking hands,

and muttering in guttural tones, prayers to Monotah (their deity) for

his safe passage to the land prepared for the reception of all Indians.

The grave was six feet deep and of the usual length, situated upon a

little eminence about fifty yards from his wigwam. The body was placed

in the middle of the grave, in a sitting posture, upon a seat,

constructed for the purpose. On his left side the cane given him, as I

am informed, by Mr. Henry Clay, was placed upright, with his right hand

resting upon it. Many of the old warrior's trophies were placed in the

grave, and some Indian garments, together with his favorite weapons. The

grave was then covered with plank, and a mound of earth, several feet in

height, was thrown up over it, and the whole enclosed with pickets

twelve feet in height. At the head of the grave a flag staff was placed,

bearing our national banner; and at the foot there stands a post, on

which is inscribed, in Indian characters, his age.

"I do not know the exact age of Black Hawk, but understood from him,

that he was seventy-two. His virtues commanded the respect of all the

whites who knew him. He possessed much magnanimity of soul, and under

all the mortifications to which he has been subjected, and the insults

that have been heaped upon him by his tribe, and especially by the

haughty Keokuk, he maintained, until the last years of his life, a

uniform cheerfulness and resignation of mind, which bespoke a conscious

superiority."

* * * * *

With this sketch of the last days of Black Hawk, our narrative of his

life is closed. After an eventful and restless career of "three score

and ten years," this celebrated Sac has been "gathered to his fathers."

His name cannot be forgotten, for his deeds are a part of the history of

this country. If not distinguished for a high order of talent, or

renowned for great warlike achievements, he has not often been surpassed

in the history of his race, for those less dazzling virtues, humanity,

courage, and love of country. "He was an Indian who had a sense of

honor, as well as policy; a man in whom those who know him

confided."[15] In the last speech which he made in the last year of his

life, in alluding to his difficulties with the whites, he says, "Rock

river was a beautiful country--I liked my towns, my cornfields, and the

home of my people;--I fought for it,"--a declaration as creditable to

the heart of the speaker, as it is important to a just estimate of his

conduct, in resisting the removal of his tribe from their native land.

The love of country is not confined to civilized life, but swells the

heart and nerves the arm of the untutored man of the woods. "I LIKED

MY TOWNS, MY CORNFIELDS, AND THE HOME OF MY PEOPLE;--I FOUGHT FOR

IT," should be inscribed over the humble grave of Black Hawk.

* * * * *

NOTE.--Since writing that portion of the foregoing narrative

which treats of the causes of the late war with the Sacs and Foxes, the

following article, from the able pen of judge Hall, has met our

observation. It was published in the Western Monthly Magazine in 1833,

one year after the termination of that conflict. The writer was then a

resident of Illinois, and intimately acquainted with the relations

existing between the whites and Indians. His remarks are valuable. They

embrace a graphic description of the region inhabited by the Sacs and

Foxes, and fully sustain the position which we have taken in this

volume, that the "Black Hawk war" was the result of unprovoked

agressions made by the American people upon the Indians.

"I have just returned from a delightful voyage. I have explored a

portion of the exquisitely beautiful shores of the upper

Mississippi; and am ready to confess that until now, I had little

idea of the extent, the grandeur, or the resources of the west. The

world cannot produce such another country as this great valley of

ours. Yet to understand its value, one must ascend the Mississippi

and the Illinois, and see the noble prairies of the two states

which are destined to eclipse all others. I cannot convey to you in

adequate language, my admiration of this attractive region. The

traveller who visits the western country, and fancies he has

acquired _any_ knowledge of it--I say _any_, by simply tracing the

meanders of the Ohio, or spending weeks, or years, if you please,

at Cincinnati or Louisville, is very much mistaken. There is much

to admire in western Pennsylvania and Virginia; Kentucky and Ohio

are full of attraction; but the man who is really an admirer of

nature, and would witness the most splendid exhibitions of the

creative power, must go to Illinois and Missouri.

"I visited this region for the first time four years ago, while the

Sacs and Foxes were at peace with the whites, and before Black Hawk

had got to be a great man. They were friendly and well-disposed,

and the white people residing near them, would almost as soon have

distrusted or disturbed each other, as those peaceful red men. I

took great interest in noticing their dwellings, and remarking

their deportment, as it was the first occasion I had ever enjoyed

of seeing the savage in his own wild home. I had embarked on board

a steamboat at St. Louis, intending to take a pleasant excursion

to the falls of St. Anthony. The weather was very delightful, only

a little too warm; and the river was unfortunately so low, that on

arriving at the _Des Moines_ rapids, we found it difficult to

ascend them, and above that point, our progress was continually

impeded by the difficulty of the navigation. This circumstance,

though vexatious to such of the passengers as had business ahead,

or families at home, was not disagreeable to one who, like myself,

travelled only for amusement, as it afforded opportunities of

exploring the romantic shores. We spent a day at the Lower Rapids,

and I have seldom seen a more attractive country. The land is high

on both sides, and rises gradually in beautiful swells. I saw

hundreds of acres covered with the native buckeye, the most

beautiful tree of the forest--if, indeed, any can be entitled to

that distinction among so great a variety of noble and majestic

trees. Beneath, was a rich undergrowth of wild gooseberry bushes.

Add to these the beautiful creeper, and the wild honeysuckle, which

were occasionally seen, and it is impossible to imagine a

vegetation more splendidly luxuriant and ornamental. The whole

country is based on rock, and the springs which burst out from the

hill sides are clear as crystal and delightfully cold. The shores

of the river are plentifully strewed with crystalizations and

petrifactions. We picked up some fine specimens of cornelian, and

saw a vast number of geodes of every size, from one inch in

diameter to fifteen.

"It was Sunday. Have you ever experienced the singular and pleasing

associations connected with a sabbath passed in the wilderness? I

have often enjoyed these feelings, but never felt them with such

force as on this day. It was calm and sultry. The brilliant

sunbeams were brightly reflected from the broad bosom of the

Mississippi, and the deep green outline of the forest was

splendidly illumined, while the deep shadows underneath the foliage

afforded an attractive appearance of coolness and seclusion. The

passengers and crew were scattered about singly or in small

parties, so that when I wandered but a small distance from the

vessel, and seated myself on a hill which commanded a view of the

river and its banks, I found myself perfectly alone. Not a living

object was visible, not a sound was heard, not a leaf or a limb

stirred. How different from the streets of a city upon a sabbath

morn, when crowds of well-dressed persons are seen moving in every

direction; when the cheerful bells are sounding, and the beautiful

smiling children are hurrying in troops to Sunday school! Here I

was in solitude. I saw not the laborer resting from toil, nor the

smile of infancy, nor the christian bowing before his God; but

Nature proclaimed a sabbath by the silence that reigned abroad, and

the splendor with which she had adorned her works.

"It is natural that these recollections of my first visit to the

frontier should mingle with the observations made in my recent tour

through the same scenes; I shall therefore not attempt to separate

the remarks made on either occasion, but give some of the results

of both voyages.

"I can scarcely describe the sensations with which I first saw the

solitary lodge of an Indian hunter, on the shore of the

Mississippi. In my childhood I had read with thrilling interest,

the tales of border warfare; but I had not learned to hate an

Indian with mortal hatred. I verily believe they have souls. People

may think differently in certain places, which shall be nameless,

but I cannot be persuaded to the contrary. You cannot imagine any

thing more frail than an Indian wigwam--a mere shelter of poles and

mats, so small, so apparently inadequate to any purpose of

security or comfort, that it is hardly possible to believe it to be

intended for the residence of human beings. In such habitations

reside the Indian warrior, whose name is a terror to his enemies;

and the dark maiden, whose story supplies the poet with rich

materials, with which to embellish the page of fiction. In such

wretched hovels reside the aboriginal lords of the soil.

"I _have_ seen in this region, evidences of persecution perpetrated

by our people upon this unhappy race, such as the American people

would scarcely believe; and I am satisfied that if the events of

the late war could be traced to their true source, every real

philanthropist in the nation would blush for his country.

* * * * *

"I could relate many anecdotes, to show the friendly feelings

entertained towards our government and people by the Sacs--feelings

which, whether of fear or of kindness, have rendered them wholly

submissive, and which nothing but the most unprovoked aggression on

our side, could have kindled into hostility. I will only, at this

time, repeat one, which occurred during my first voyage, reserving

others for a future letter.

"One day, when the boat stopped to take in wood, some of us

strolled up to the house of a Mr. D., a respectable farmer from

Pennsylvania. He had been living here several years, at a spot

distant from any settlements, and without a single neighbor. Upon

our inquiring whether he felt no alarm in residing thus alone in

the vicinity of the Indians, he replied that his family had

formerly experienced much uneasiness, but that they had long since

become satisfied that there was no ground for apprehension. He was

convinced that the Sacs, their nearest neighbors, so far from being

disposed to injure the whites, were cautious and timid of giving

offence. In support of this opinion, he related the following

anecdote.

"His house stands on a high bank of the Mississippi, and the family

were one day much alarmed by discovering a large number of Indians

passing up the river in canoes. They passed along in a most

disorderly manner, some paddling their little vessels, and others

strolling along the shore, but the majority evidently intoxicated.

It was the latter circumstance which caused alarm. The Indians had

been to St. Louis to receive their annuities, and had procured a

sufficient supply of whisky to render them unsafe visitors. They

continued, however, straggling along in larger or smaller parties

all day, without stopping. At night, one of them, a young warrior

of prepossessing appearance, came to the house, and in the most

respectful manner, asked permission to sleep upon the floor of the

cabin. Mr. D., although by no means pleased with his guest, knew

not how to refuse. The Indian warrior was invited to supper. A

plentiful meal, such as composed the ordinary repast of the family,

was placed before him, and having satisfied his hunger, he wrapped

himself in his blanket, threw himself on the floor before the fire,

and went to sleep. In the course of the night, Mr. D. happening to

go out, discovered some Indians lying in the bushes not far from

the house; without disturbing them, he proceeded in a different

direction, where he found another party; they were strewed, in

short, entirely around his dwelling. The fact of being thus

surrounded, the concealment, and the silence of the Indians, all

conspired to awaken suspicion, and he passed the night in no small

degree of uneasiness. He rose early in the morning; his Indian

guest also started up, gathered his blanket around him, and took

leave; first, however, explaining to Mr. D. that he belonged to a

party of Sacs who were returning from St. Louis, and that many of

them being intoxicated, it had been thought proper to station a

guard round Mr. D.'s house, to protect him and his property from

injury. He added, that if any depredation should be discovered to

have been committed by the Indians, the chiefs would pay Mr. D. the

full amount. Such an example of the care taken by the chiefs of

this tribe to avoid giving umbrage to the whites, affords the

highest testimony, either of their friendship for our people, or

their respect for our power.

"The Sac and Fox tribe inhabited, at that time, a beautiful tract

of country in Illinois, upon the borders of Rock river. These two

tribes are usually mentioned in conjunction; because the Foxes,

many years ago, having been nearly exterminated in a war with some

of their neighbors, the remnant of the nation, too feeble to exist

as a separate tribe, sought refuge in the Sac villages, and have

remained ever since incorporated with the latter people. They are a

fine looking race of people, and are well disposed towards the

whites. They have long been divided, however, into two parties, one

of which is friendly towards our government, while the other,

called the _British band_, is under the influence of the British

traders. It has always been the policy of the latter, to keep the

Indians upon the western frontier in a state of disaffection

towards the American people, and by these means, to secure to

themselves an undue proportion of the fur trade. So long as it

should remain difficult upon our part to gain access to the tribes,

and our intercourse with them be liable to interruption, jealousy,

and distrust, so long would the British trader possess an advantage

over us in relation to this traffic. The British fur companies,

whose agents are numerous, intelligent, and enterprising, have

always acted upon this policy, and the English officers in Canada,

both civil and military, have given it their sanction. Almost all

the atrocities which have been committed on our frontiers by the

Indians, within the last fifty years, have been directly or

indirectly incited by the incendiary agents of that mercenary

government. The _British band_ of the Sacs and Foxes have been in

the habit of visiting Malden annually, and receiving valuable

presents--presents, which being made to a disaffected portion of a

tribe residing not only within the United States, but within the

limits of a state, could be viewed in no other light than as

bribes,--the wages of disaffection. Black Hawk, though not a chief,

is one of the most influential individuals of the _British band_."

* * * * *

In a late number of the American Museum, we find the following article.

It bears intrinsic evidence of coming from the same pen, and presents in

a striking point of view the rapid extension of our settlements, and the

consequent recession of the Indians.

Most of our readers have become familiarly acquainted with the

name of the redoubted Black Hawk, whose adventures are detailed in

this volume and whose fame has been spread from Maine to Florida.

There was a time when he shared the eager attention of the public

with Fanny Kemble and the cholera, and was one of the lions of the

day; and as regularly talked about as the weather, the last new

novel, or the candidates for the presidency. The war in Illinois,

though of brief duration, and not marked by any stirring events,

came suddenly upon us after a long series of peaceful years upon

the northwestern border. The savages, weary of fruitless conflicts,

or quelled by the superior numbers of a gigantic and growing foe,

seemed to have submitted to their fate, and the pioneer had ceased

to number the war-whoop among the inquietudes of the border life.

The plains of Illinois and Missouri were rapidly becoming peopled

by civilized men. A race less hardy than the backwoodsmen were

tempted by the calm to migrate to those delightful solitudes, that

bloomed with more than Arcadian fascinations of fruitfulness and

beauty. The smoke of the settler's cabin began to ascend from the

margin of every stream in that wide region, and the cattle strayed

through rich pastures, of which the buffalo, the elk, and the deer,

had long enjoyed a monopoly--an unchartered monopoly--wondering, no

doubt, at their good luck in having their lives cast in such

pleasant places.

It was the writer's lot to ramble over that beautiful country while

these interesting scenes were presented; while the wilderness still

glowed in its pristine luxuriance: while the prairie-grass and the

wild flowers still covered the plain, and the deer continued to

frequent his ancient haunts, and while the habitations of the new

settlers were so widely and so thinly scattered, that the nearest

neighbors could scarcely have exchanged the courtesy of an annual

visit without the aid of the seven-leagued boots of ancient story.

But though in solitude, they lived without fear. There were none to

molest nor make them afraid. If they had few friends, they had no

enemies. If the Indian halted at the settler's door, it was to

solicit hospitality, not to offer violence. But more frequently he

stalked silently by, timid of giving offence to the white man, whom

he doubtless regarded as an intruder upon his own ancient heritage,

but whose possession he had been taught to respect, because he had

ever found it guarded by a strong and swift arm, that had never

failed to repay aggression with ten-fold vengeance. Suddenly,

however, a change came over this cheering scene. The misconduct of

a few white men disturbed the harmony of a wide region. The Indians

were oppressed and insulted to the last point of forbearance, and a

small but restless band, regarded as insubordinate and troublesome

even by their own nation, seized upon the occasion to rush to war.

It is wonderful to look back upon this eventful history. The

country over which Black Hawk, with a handful of followers, badly

armed, and destitute of stores or munitions of war, roamed for

hundreds of miles, driving off the scattered inhabitants, is now

covered with flourishing settlements, with substantial houses, and

large farms--not with the cabins and clearings of bordermen--but

with the comfortable dwellings and the well-tilled fields of

independent farmers. Organized counties and all the subordination

of social life are there; and there are the noisy school-house, the

decent church, the mill, the country store, the fat ox, and the

sleek plough-horse. The yankee is there with his notions and his

patent-rights, and the travelling agent with his subscription book;

there are merchandise from India and from England, and, in short,

all the luxuries of life, from Bulwer's last novel down to

Brandreth's pills. And all this has been done in six years--in less

than half the time of Jacob's courtship. In 1832 the Saukie

warriors ranged over that fertile region, which is now (1838)

covered with an industrious population; while the Territories of

Wisconsin and Iowa, and vast settlements in Missouri, have since

grown up, beyond the region which was then the frontier and the

seat of war.

APPENDIX.

SKETCHES OF THE SIOUX.

The Sioux or Dacotas, are a numerous, powerful and warlike nation of

Indians, who have been appropriately called the Arabs of the west.

Between them and the Sacs and Foxes, there has existed, from the

settlement of the two latter tribes on the waters of the Mississippi, a

hostility of feeling that has kept them embroiled in a constant warfare.

The efforts of government to break down their prejudices and make peace

between them, have failed in accomplishing that benevolent end. It is

not, however, against the Sacs and Foxes alone, that their arms are

turned. From time immemorial they have been at war with the Chippeways,

and are also constantly making hostile incursions upon other neighboring

tribes. They usually fight on horseback, and being very superior

horsemen, they are generally more than a match for their antagonists. In

Schoolcraft's Narrative, we find the following account of their numbers,

habits and peculiarities of character.

"The numerical strength of the Sioux nation was stated by the late

General Pike at 21,675, three thousand eight hundred of whom are

warriors. This is the most powerful Indian tribe in North America. It

consists of seven bands, namely the Minokantongs, the Yengetongs, the

Sissitongs, the Wahpetongs, the Titongs, the Mendewacantongs and the

Washpecontongs. These are independent bands under their own chiefs, but

united in a confederacy for the protection of their territories; and

send deputies to a general council of the chiefs and warriors, whenever

the concerns of their nation require it. If one of the tribes is

attacked, the others are expected to assist in the repulsion of the

enemy. They inhabit all the country, between the Mississippi and

Missouri rivers, from north latitude about 46° to the junction of these

rivers near St. Louis, with trifling exceptions in favor of some

scattered bands of Foxes, Sacs and Kickapoos. Their country also extends

south of the Missouri, where the principal part of the Titongs reside,

and east of the Mississippi to the territories of the Chippeways--the

Winnebagoes and the Menominies. The greatest chief of the nation at

present (1820) is Talangamane, or the Red Wing.

"The Minocantongs, or people of the waters, are located at St. Peters,

and along the banks of the Mississippi towards Prairie du Chien. They

reside in four principal villages.

"The Yengetongs and the Sessitongs inhabit the upper parts of the river

St. Peters, and are sometimes called the Sioux of the plains. Their

traffic is principally in Buffalo robes. The Wahpetongs, or people of

the leaves are the most erratic in their dispositions of all the Sioux;

they inhabit the St. Peters between the Prairie de Francois and the

White Rock, during a part of the year, and generally go out to hunt

above the falls of St. Anthony towards the sources of the river De

Corbeau, and upon the plains which give origin to the Crow, Sac and Elk

rivers.

"The Titongs inhabit both banks of the Missouri, and rove in quest of

game over an immense extent of country. They are said to be related to

the Mahas, and some other bands south of the Missouri.

"The Mendewacantongs, or people of the Medicine Lake, the

Washpecontongs, or people of the Leaves, who have run away, and some

other scattered bands, whose names are unknown, inhabit the country

generally, from St. Peters south to the mouth of the Missouri, and are

chiefly located upon the sources of the rivers Ocano, Iowa, and

Desmoines.

"The Sioux are generally represented as a brave, generous and spirited

people, with proud notions of their origin as a tribe, and their

superiority as hunters and warriors, and with a predominant passion for

war. They speak the Narcotah language, which is peculiar to themselves,

and appears to have little affinity with any other Indian tongue. It is

not so soft and sonorous as the Algonquin which abounds in labials, but

more so than the Winnebago, which is the most harsh and guttural

language in America. The Narcotah sounds to an English ear, like the

Chinese, and both in this, and in other respects, the Sioux are thought

to present many points of coincidence. It is certain that their manners

and customs differ essentially from those of any other tribe, and their

physiognomy, as well as their language, and opinions, mark them a

distinct race of people. Their sacrifices and their supplications to the

unknown God--their feasts after any signal deliverance from

danger--their meat, and their burnt offerings--the preparation of

incense, and certain customs of their females, offer too striking a

coincidence, with the manners of the Asiatic tribes, before the

commencement of the Christian era, to escape observation, while their

paintings and hieroglyphics bear so much analogy to those of the Asteeks

of Mexico, as to render it probable that the latter are of Naudowessian

origin."

"From my knowledge of the Sioux nation," observes Lieutenant Pike, "I do

not hesitate to pronounce them the most warlike and independent nation

of Indians, within the boundaries of the United States, their every

passion being subservient to that of war. Their guttural pronunciation,

high cheek bones, their visages, and distinct manners, together with

their own traditions, supported by the testimony of neighboring nations,

put it in my mind beyond a shadow of doubt, that they have emigrated

from the north west point of America, to which they had come across the

narrow streights, which in that quarter divide the two continents; and

are absolutely descendants of a Tartarean tribe."

The following anecdote of a Sioux chief, and of a council held by

Governor Cass, some years since, for the purpose of making peace between

the Sioux and Chippeways, is drawn from a letter from that officer, to

the war department.[16]

"Some years since, mutually weary of hostilities, the chiefs of both

nations met, and agreed upon a truce. But the Sioux disregarding the

solemn compact they had formed, and actuated by some sudden impulse

attacked and murdered a number of Chippeways. The old Chippeway chief

was present at the time, and his life was saved by the intrepidity and

self-devotion of a Sioux chief. This man intreated, remonstrated,

threatened. He adjured his countrymen, by every motive, to abstain from

any violation of their faith: and finding his remonstrances useless, he

attached himself to the Chippeway chief, and avowed his determination to

save him or perish. Awed by such intrepidity, the Sioux finally agreed

that he should ransom the Chippewa. This he did at the expense of all

the property he possessed. The Sioux chief now accompanied him on his

journey, until he considered him safe from any of the parties of the

Sioux, who might be disposed to pursue him.

"Believing it equally inconsistent with humanity and sound policy, that

these border contests should be suffered to continue; and feeling that

the Indians have a full portion of moral and physical evils, without

adding to them the calamities of a war, which had no definite object,

Governor Cass being at Sandy lake, offered his mediation to the

Chippeway chiefs, to which they readily acceded. In consequence, a

deputation of ten of their men descended the Mississippi with him.

"The Chippeways landed occasionally, to examine whether any of the Sioux

had recently visited that quarter. In one of these excursions, there was

found, suspended to a tree, in an exposed situation, a piece of

birch-bark, made flat, by being fastened between two sticks, about

eighteen inches long by fifteen broad. This bark contained the answer of

the Sioux nation, to overtures which the Chippeways had made, on

Governor Cass' offer of mediation:--which overtures had been found and

taken off by a party of the Sioux. So revengeful and sanguinary had the

contest been between these tribes, that no personal communication could

take place. Neither the sanctity of the office, nor the importance of

the message, could protect the ambassador of either party from the

vengeance of the other.

"The preliminaries to a peace being thus settled, the Sioux and

Chippeways met in joint council--smoked the pipe of peace together, and

then in their own figurative language, 'buried the tomahawk so deep,

that it could never be dug up again.'"

Another anecdote is related by Mr. Schoolcraft which we quote as

illustrative of the character, in some degree, of this singular and

warlike race."

"Le Petit Corbeau, a chief of a small band of Sioux, located upon the

banks of the Mississippi, towards the confines of the Chippeway

territory, going out one morning to examine his beaver trap, found a

Sauteur in the act of stealing it. He had approached without exciting

alarm, and while the Sauteur was engaged in taking the trap from the

water, he stood maturely surveying him with a loaded rifle in his hands.

As the two nations were at war, and the offence was in itself one of the

most heinous nature, he would have been justified in killing him on the

spot, and the thief looked for nothing else, on finding himself

detected. But the Sioux chief walking up to him discovered a nobleness

of disposition which would have done honor to the most enlightened of

men. 'Take no alarm,' said he, 'at my approach; I only come to present

to you the trap of which I see you stand in need. You are entirely

welcome to it. Take my gun also, as I perceive you have none of your

own, and depart with it to the land of your countrymen, but linger not

here, lest some of my young men, who are panting for the blood of their

enemies, should discover your footsteps in our country, and fall upon

you.' So saying he delivered him his gun and accoutrements, and returned

unarmed to the village of which he is so deservedly the chief."

COLONIZATION OF THE INDIANS.

The plan, now in progress of execution, for the removal of all the

Indians, within the limits of the United States, to a region of country

west of Missouri and Arkansas, will of course, when carried out, greatly

modify our relations with them. New laws must be enacted by Congress,

and new treaties formed between the Indians and the United States.

From the organization of the federal government to the present time, our

relations with the Indians have been the subject of frequent

legislation, and the statute book bears many evidences of benevolent

action towards this ill-fated race. If the laws enacted by Congress for

the protection and civilization of the aborigines of this country, had

been regularly and rigidly enforced, and a more impartial interpretation

of the treaties made with them, had been observed, their condition would

have been far better than it now is--they would have passed from the

hunter to the pastoral state, and have grown in numbers, virtue and

intelligence. But these laws and these treaties, have been year after

year violated by our own people, and the result has been a constant

deterioration of the Indians. This is especially true of those laws

intended to prevent our citizens from hunting on the Indian lands,

residing in their country, and trading with them without a license from

the United States. These have generally been a dead letter upon the

national statute book, and the encroachments of the lawless

frontiers-men, the trader, the land speculator, and the vender of

spirituous liquors, have impoverished degraded, and vitiated, more or

less, every tribe within the limits of the United States. It is to this

intercourse, with these classes of persons, that the bad faith, the

savage barbarities, and border-wars, of which so much complaint is made

against the Indians, are to be mainly attributed. The rapacity of our

people, for their peltries and their land, the feeble execution of laws

made for their protection, and the loose morality which has governed our

general intercourse with them, have wasted their numbers, debased their

character, and tarnished the honor of that nation, which, from the very

organization of its government, has claimed to be their benevolent

protector.

The plan of removing the Indians beyond the limits of the United States

is not new. If not original with Mr. Jefferson, it was commended by him,

and has been approved, we believe, by each successive administration

since his day. It looked of course to a peaceable not a forcible removal

of them. Whether the details of the original plan corresponded with

those of the law, under which this removal is going on, we do not know.

The substance of the present plan may be gathered from the following

provisions:

1st. To secure the lands on which they are placed to the several tribes

by patent, with only such restrictions as are necessary to prevent white

men from purchasing them, or encroaching upon them.

2d. To establish a territorial government, all the offices of which,

(except those of the governor and secretary,) are to be filled with

Indians, wherever competent natives can be obtained.

3d. To provide for a general council of delegates, chosen by and from

the tribes, with legislative powers; their enactments not to be valid

till they have been approved by the President of the United States.

4th. To have a delegate, always a native, remain at Washington, during

the sessions of Congress, to attend to the affairs of the territory,

who shall be allowed the pay and emoluments of a member of Congress.

5th. To encourage, by liberal annual payments of money provided for in

treaties, the establishment of schools and colleges; in which competent

native teachers are always to be preferred when they can be had.

The power and influence of the United States are to be directed in

protecting them from the whites; in preserving peace among the different

tribes, and in stimulating them, by rewards and emoluments, in acquiring

the habits of civilized life. The efforts of the benevolent to carry

christianity among them, if made in conformity with the regulations of

the territory, are to be cherished. These are the leading features of

the new system of Indian regulations, established by government for the

civilization of the Indians. The territory set apart for this object,

lies west of the states of Arkansas and Missouri, running north from the

Red river about six hundred miles, and west from the western boundaries

of these states about two hundred miles. The number of Indians within

the territory of the United States is estimated to approach to near half

a million of souls.

It must be obvious to every one familiar with the Indian character, and

with the history of our past relations with this people, that the

success of this plan, will depend, in a very great degree, upon the

manner in which its details shall be executed by the government. A

failure will inevitably ensue, if white men are permitted to come in

contact with the Indians. The strong arm of the military power of the

United States, will be requisite to stay the encroachments of our

people, whose love of adventure and whose thirst for gain, will carry

them among the Indians, unless arrested by more cogent considerations

than a sense of duty, or the prohibitions of the statute book.

Instead of attempting to supply them with goods by licensing traders to

reside among them, they should be encouraged to sell their furs and

peltries and to make their purchases in the United States. On the former

system they are liable to constant imposition, and the very articles

which the traders carry among them, are worthless in kind and poor in

quality; but if the Indians traded with us, within the limits of the

United States, they would have the competition arising from a number of

buyers and sellers, they would obtain better prices for their furs and

procure more valuable articles, upon fairer terms, in exchange. They

would also be benefitted by observing our manners and customs, adopting

our style of dress, learning the value of property, and gaining some

knowledge of agriculture and the use of mechanical tools, and implements

of husbandry. But the most important advantage to be gained by their

trading within the United States, would be in their protection from

imposition. It has been truly and forcibly remarked,

"Humanity shudders at the recital of the nefarious acts practised by the

white traders upon the Indians. Yet not half of them are known or

dreamed of by the American people. We refer again, to Mr. Tanner's

Narrative, which every man who has a vote on this subject ought to read.

Here we find the traders sometimes taking _by force_, from an Indian,

the produce of a whole year's hunt, without making him any return,

sometimes pilfering a portion while buying the remainder, and still

oftener wresting from the poor wretches, while in a state of

intoxication, a valuable property, for an inadequate remuneration. In

one place, our author tells of an Indian woman, his adopted mother, who,

"in the course of a single day, sold one hundred and twenty beaver

skins, with a large quantity of buffalo robes, dressed and smoked skins,

and other articles, _for rum_." He pathetically adds, "of all our large

load of peltries, the produce of so many days of toil, so many long and

difficult journeys, one blanket and three kegs of rum, only remained,

besides the poor and almost worn out clothing on our bodies." The

sending of missionaries, to labor by the side of the miscreants who thus

swindle and debauch the ignorant savage, is a mockery of the office, and

a waste of the time of these valuable men. If the Indians traded within

our states, with our regular traders, the same laws and the same public

sentiment which protects us, would protect them."

This is no exaggerated picture. Fraud, oppression and violence, have

characterized our intercourse with the Indians, and it is in vain to

hope for any amelioration of their savage condition, so long as an

intercourse of this kind is permitted. In the very nature of things, the

plan of civilizing the Indians, by forming a confederacy of them, beyond

the limits of the United States, will prove unsuccessful, unless they

are surrounded by a cordon of military posts, and the whites are stayed,

by physical force, from entering their territories for any purpose

whatever.

It is to this intercourse that the Indian wars, which have so frequently

caused the blood of the white and the red man to flow in torrents, upon

our frontier, are mainly to be attributed. It has been asserted, even by

those who claim to be the grave historians of this unfortunate people,

that these wars are almost without exception, the result of that cruelty

and insatiable thirst for blood which belong to the Indian character.

One of these writers, the Rev. Timothy Flint, in his "Indian Wars of the

West," says, "We affirm an undoubting belief, from no unfrequent, nor

inconsiderable means of observation, that aggression has commenced, in

the account current of mutual crime, as a hundred to one, on the part of

the Indians." We do not question the sincerity of this belief, but we do

question, entirely, the correctness of the conclusion to which the

writer brings his mind: we affirm without hesitation, that it is a

conclusion that cannot be sustained by testimony. If the individual

making it, had looked less superficially at the case, and had gone to

the primary causes that have produced the bloody collisions between his

countrymen and the Indians, he could never have made so great a mistake

as the one he has committed in the paragraph quoted above. If kindness,

good faith and honesty of dealing, had marked our social, political and

commercial intercourse with the Indians, few, if any of these bloody

wars would have occurred; and these people, instead of being debased by

our intercourse with them, would have been improved and elevated in the

scale of civilization. The history of the early settlement of

Pennsylvania and its illustrious founder, affords the strongest

testimony on this point. The justice, benevolence and kindness which

marked the conduct of Penn towards the Indians, shielded his infant

colony from aggression, and won for him personally, a generous

affection, that would have been creditable to any race of people.

Upon this point it has been well and forcibly remarked by a

philanthropic writer,[17] of our country, that,

"The American Indian is sometimes regarded as a being who is prone to

all that is revolting and cruel. He is cherished in excited

imaginations, as a demoniac phantasm, delighting in bloodshed, without

a spark of generous sentiment or native benevolence. The philosophy of

man should teach us, that the Indian is nothing less than a human being,

in whom the animal tendencies predominate over the spiritual. His morals

and intellect having received neither culture nor developement, he

possesses on the one hand, the infirmities of humanity; while on the

other the divine spark in his heart, if not blown into a genial warmth,

has not been extinguished by an artificial polish. His affections are

strong, because they are confined to a few objects; his enmities are

deep and permanent, because they are nursed in secret, without a

religion to control them. Friendship is with him a sacred sentiment. He

undertakes long and toilsome journeys to do justice to its object; he

exposes himself, for its sake, to every species of privation; he fights

for it; and often dies in its defence. He appoints no _fecial_ messenger

to proclaim, by an empty formality, the commencement of war. Whilst the

European seeks advantages in the subtle finesse of negociation, the

American pursues them according to the instincts of a less refined

nature, and the dictates of a less sublimated policy. He seeks his enemy

before he expects him, and thus renders him his prey."

No better evidence need be adduced of his capacity for a lively and

lasting friendship, than the history of Pennsylvania, during the life

time of the founder. It is refreshing and delightful to see one fair

page, in the dark volume of injustice and crime, which American annals,

on this subject present. While this page reflects upon the past an

accumulated odium, it furnishes lessons for the guide and edification of

the future. Let me invite the philanthropist to this affecting story.

A chief object of Penn, in the settlement of his province, was neither

land, gold nor dominion, but "the glory of God, by the civilization of

the poor Indian." Upon his arrival in Pennsylvania, the pledge contained

in his charter was redeemed by a friendly compact with the "poor Indian"

which was never to be violated, and by a uniform and scrupulous devotion

to his rights and interests. Oldmixon and Clarkson inform us, that he

expended "thousands of pounds" for the physical and social improvement

of these untutored and houseless tenants of the woods. His estate became

impaired by the munificence of his bounty. In return for benevolence so

generous and pure, the Indians showed a reality of affection and an

ardor of gratitude, which they had on no previous occasion professed.

The colony was exempted from those calamities of war and desolation,

which form so prominent a picture in the early annals of American

settlements. During a period of forty years, the settlers and natives

lived harmoniously together, neither party complaining of a single act

of violence or the infliction of an injury unredressed. The memory of

Penn lived green and fresh in their esteem, gratitude, and reverence, a

century after.

The tribe thus subdued by the pacific and philanthropic principles of

Penn, have been untruly described as a cowardly and broken down race.

They were a branch of the great family of Indians, who, for so many

years, carried on a fierce and bloody strife with the Alligewi on the

Mississippi, and waged a determined hostility with the Mengwe. At one

period they were the undisputed masters of the large tract of country,

now known as the territory of the middle states. On the arrival of the

English, their number in Pennsylvania was computed at thirty or forty

thousand souls. Their history spoke only of conquest. They were a brave,

proud and warlike race, who gloried in the preservation of a character

for valor, descended from the remotest times. The confederacy of the

Six Nations, by whom they were finally vanquished, was not formed until

1712, and their defeat, as evidenced by their peculiar subjugation

occurred within a few months antecedent to the demise of the

proprietary. The same people annihilated the colony of Des Vries, in

1632, formed a conspiracy to exterminate the Swedes, under Printz, in

1646; and were the authors of the subsequent murders which afflicted the

settlements, before the accession of the English colonists.

"Such an example furnishes some insight into the elements of Indian

character. Little doubt can exist, if the subject were fairly examined,

that most of those sanguinary wars, of which history speaks with a

shudder, would be found to have arisen less from the blood-thirsty

Indian, than from the aggressions of the gold-thirsty and land-thirsty

defamer."

INDIAN DANCING CEREMONIES.

In a historical memoir of the Indians, published in the North American

Review and attributed to the able pen of our present minister to France,

there is a description of a war-dance, from which the following extract

is made.

"An Indian War Dance is an important occurrence in the passing events of

a village. The whole population is assembled, and a feast provided for

all. The warriors are painted and prepared as for battle. A post is

firmly planted in the ground, and the singers, the drummers and other

musicians, are seated within the circle formed by the dancers and

spectators. The music and the dancers begin. The warriors exert

themselves, with great energy. Every muscle is in action: and there is

the most perfect concord between the music and their movements. They

brandish their weapons, and with such apparent fury, that fatal

accidents seem unavoidable. Presently a warrior leaves the circle, and

with his tomahawk or casse-tete, strikes the post. The music and dancing

cease, and profound silence ensues. He then recounts, with a loud voice,

his military achievements. He describes the battles he has fought--the

prisoners he has captured--the scalps he has taken. He points to his

wounds, and produces his trophies. He accompanies his narrative with the

actual representation of his exploits; and the mimic engagement, the

advance and the retreat, are all exhibited to his nation as they really

occurred. There is no exaggeration, no misrepresentation. It would be

infamous for a warrior to boast of deeds he never performed. If the

attempt were made, some one would approach and throw dirt in his face

saying, "I do this to cover your shame; for the first time you see an

enemy, you will tremble." But such an indignity is rarely necessary:

and, as the war parties generally, contain many individuals, the

character and conduct of every warrior are well known. Shouts of

applause accompany the narration, proportioned in duration and intensity

to the interest it excites. His station in the circle is then resumed by

the actor, and the dance proceeds, till it is interrupted in a similar

manner.

"In the poem of Ontwa, a scene like this is so well described, that we

cannot resist the temptation to transfer it to our pages. Of all who

have attempted to embody in song, the "living manners" of the Indians,

the anonymous author of that poem has been the most successful. His

characters, and traditions and descriptions, have the spirit and bearing

of life; and the whole work, is not less true to nature than to poetry.

A hundred warriors now advance,

All dressed and painted for the dance;

And sounding club and hollow skin

A slow and measured time begin:

With rigid limb and sliding foot,

And murmurs low the time to suit;

Forever varying with the sound,

The circling band moves round and round.

Now slowly rise the swelling notes

When every crest more lively floats;

Now tossed on high with gesture proud,

Then lowly mid the circle bow'd;

While clanging arms grow louder still,

And every voice becomes more shrill;

Till fierce and strong the clamor grows,

And the wild war whoop bids it close.

Then starts Skunktonga forth, whose band

Came from far Huron's storm-beat strand,

And thus recounts his battle feats,

While his dark club the measure beats."

Major Long of the U.S. army, in his Expedition up the Missouri, gives an

account of a council which he held, at Council Bluff, with a party of

one hundred Ottoes, seventy Missouries, and fifty or sixty Soways. The

Otto nation is known by the name of Wah-toh-ta-na. Their principal

village is situated on the river Platte, about forty miles above its

junction with the Missouri. At the period of this visit, these Indians

had held little if any intercourse with the whites. After the council

was over, they performed a dance, in honor of their visitors, the

description of which will convey to the reader a very vivid picture of

this ceremony. We give it, in Major Long's own words.

"The amusement of dancing was commenced by striking up their rude

instrumental and vocal music; the former consisting of a gong made of a

large keg, over one of the ends of which, a skin was stretched, which

was struck by a small stick, and another instrument, consisting of a

stick of firm wood, notched like a saw, over the teeth of which a small

stick was rubbed forcibly backward and forward. With these, rude as they

were, very good time was preserved with the vocal performers, who sat

around them, and by all the natives as they sat, in the inflection of

their bodies, or the movements of their limbs. After the lapse of a

little time, three individuals leaped up, and danced around for a few

minutes; then, at a concerted signal of the master of ceremonies, the

music ceased and they retired to their seats, uttering a loud noise,

which, by patting the mouth rapidly with the hand, was broken into a

succession of similar sounds, somewhat like the hurried barking of a

dog. Several sets of dancers succeeded, each terminating as the first.

In the intervals of the dances, a warrior would step forward, and strike

a flag-staff they had erected, with a stick, whip, or other weapon, and

recount his martial deeds. This ceremony is termed _striking the post_,

and whatever is then said, may be relied upon as rigid truth, being

delivered in the presence of many a jealous warrior and witness, who

could easily detect, and would immediately disgrace the _striker_ for

exaggeration or falsehood. This is called the _beggar's dance_--during

which, some presents are always expected by the performers; as tobacco,

whiskey, or trinkets. But on this occasion, as none of these articles

were immediately offered, the amusement was not, at first, distinguished

by much activity.

"The master of the ceremonies continually called aloud to them to exert

themselves, but still they were somewhat dull and backward. Iëtan now

stepped forward, and lashed a post with his whip, declaring that he

would punish those that did not dance. This threat, from one whom they

had vested with authority for this occasion, had a manifest effect upon

his auditors, who were presently highly wrought up, by the sight of two

or three little mounds of tobacco twist, which were now laid before

them, and appeared to infuse new life.

"After lashing the post, and making his threat, Iëtan went on to narrate

his martial exploits. He had stolen horses seven or eight times from the

Kanzas; he had first struck the bodies of three of that nation slain in

battle. He had stolen horses from the Iëtan nation, and had struck one

of their dead. He had stolen horses from the Pawnees, and struck the

body of one Pawnee Loup. He had stolen horses several times from the

Omawhahs, and once from the Puncas. He had struck the bodies of two

Sioux. On a war party, in company with the Pawnees, he had attacked

the Spaniards, and penetrated into one of their camps; the

Spaniards--excepting a man and a boy--fled, himself being at a distance

before his party; he was shot at and missed by the man, whom he

immediately shot down and struck. 'This, my father,' said he, 'is the

only material act of my life that I am ashamed of.'

"After several rounds of dancing, and of striking at the post, by the

warriors, Mi-a-ke-ta, or _The Little Soldier_, a war-worn veteran, took

his turn to strike the post. He leaped actively about, and strained his

voice to its utmost pitch, whilst he portrayed some of the scenes of

blood in which he had acted. He had struck dead bodies of individuals of

all the Red nations around; Osages, Konzas, Pawnee Loups, Pawnee

Republicans, Grand Pawnees, Puncas, Omawhaws, Sioux, Padoucas, La Plain,

or Bald heads, Iëtans, Sacs, Foxes, and Ioways. He had struck eight of

one nation, seven of another, &c.

"He was proceeding with his account, when Iëtan ran up to him, put his

hand upon his mouth, and respectfully led him to his seat. This act was

no trifling compliment to the well-known brave; it indicated, that he

had so many glorious achievements to speak of, that he would occupy so

much time, as to prevent others from speaking; and, moreover, put to

shame the other warriors, by the contrast of his actions with theirs.

"Their physical action in dancing is principally confined to leaping a

small distance from the ground, with both feet, the body being slightly

inclined, and, upon alighting, an additional slight but sudden

inclination of the body is made, so as to appear like a succession of

jerks; or the feet are raised alternately, the motion of the body being

the same. Such are the movements in which the whole party correspond;

but, in the figures--as they are termed in our assembly rooms--each

individual performs a separate part, and each part is a significant

pantomimic narrative. In all their variety of action, they are careful

to observe the musical cadences. In this dance, Iëtan represented one

who was in the act of stealing horses; he carried a whip in his hand as

did a considerable number of the Indians, and around his neck were

thrown several leathern thongs, for bridles and halters, the ends of

which trailed upon the ground behind him. After many preparatory

manoeuvres, he stooped down, and with his knife, represented the act

of cutting the hopples of horses. He then rode his tomahawk, as children

ride their broomsticks, making use of his whip, as to indicate the

necessity of rapid movement, lest his foes should overtake him.

Wa-sa-ha-jing-ga, or _Little Black Bear_, after a variety of gestures,

threw several arrows in succession, over his own head--thereby

indicating his familiarity with the flight of such missiles. He, at the

same time, covered his eyes with his hand, to indicate that he was blind

to danger. Others represented their manoeuvres in battles, seeking

their enemy, discharging at him their guns or arrows, &c. &c.

"Most of the dancers were the principal warriors of the nation--men who

had not condescended to amuse themselves or others, in this manner, for

years before. But they now appeared in honor of the occasion, and to

conciliate, in their best manner, the good will of the representative of

the government of the _Big Knives_. Amongst these veteran warriors,

Iëtan, or _Sha-mon-e-kus-see_, _Ha-she-a_ (the Broken Arm), commonly

called Cut Nose, and _Wa-sa-ha-zing-ga_ (or Little Black Bear), three

youthful leaders, in particular, attracted our attention. In consequence

of having been appointed soldiers on this occasion, to preserve order,

they were painted entirely black. The countenance of the first indicated

much wit, and had, in its expression, something of the character of that

of Voltaire. He frequently excited the mirth of those about him, by his

remarks and gestures. _Ha-she-a_, (called Cut Nose, in consequence of

having lost the tip of his nose, in a quarrel with Iëtan,) wore a

handsome robe of white wolf skin, with an appendage behind him, called

a _crow_. This singular decoration is a large cushion, made of the skin

of a crow, stuffed with any light material, and variously ornamented. It

has two decorated sticks, projecting from it upward, and a pendent one

beneath; this apparatus is secured upon the buttocks by a girdle passing

round the body. The other actors in the scene were decorated with paints

of several colors, fantastically disposed upon their persons. Several

were painted with white clay, which had the appearance of being grooved

in many places. This grooved appearance is given by drawing the

finger-nails over the part, so as to remove the pigment from thence in

parallel lines. These lines are either rectilinear, undulated, or

zigzag; sometimes passing over the forehead transversely, or vertically;

sometimes in the same direction, or obliquely over the whole visage, or

upon the breast, arms, &c. Many were painted with red clay, in which the

same lines appeared. A number of them had the representation of a black

hand, with outspread fingers, on different parts of the body, strongly

contrasting with the principal color with which the body was overspread;

the hand was depicted in different positions upon the face, breast, and

back. The face of others was colored, one half black, and one half

white, or red and white, &c. Many colored their hair with red clay, but

the eye-lids and base of the ears were generally tinged with vermilion.

"At the conclusion of the ceremony, whiskey--which they always expect on

similar occasions--was produced, and a small portion was given to each.

The principal Chiefs of the different nations who had remained passive

spectators of the scene, now directed their people to return to their

camp. The word of the Chiefs was obeyed, excepting by a few of the

Ioways, who appeared to be determined to keep their places,

notwithstanding the reiterated command of the Chiefs. Iëtan now sprang

towards them, with an expression of much ferocity in his countenance,

and it is probable a tragic scene would have been displayed, had not the

chiefs requested him to use gentle means; and thus he succeeded; after

which, the Chiefs withdrew."

CHAPTER II.

SALE OF WHISKEY TO THE INDIANS.

In tracing out the causes which led to the late war with the Sac and Fox

Indians of Rock river, reference was made to the violations of the laws

of Congress in the introduction of whiskey among them by the white

traders. The opinion, moreover, was expressed that the licensed traders

of the United States, among these tribes, were in the habit of selling

this article to them, and under circumstances which must have brought

home the fact to the knowledge of our Indian agents. Black Hawk with

other chiefs of the band to which he belonged, earnestly remonstrated

against the introduction of whiskey among his people, because of its

debasing effect upon their morals, and the danger of its provoking them

to acts of aggression upon the whites, while in a state of intoxication.

One of the facts, set forth in the memorial which the white settlers on

Rock river, presented to Governor Reynolds, in 1831, and upon which he

declared the state to be actually invaded by the Sac and Fox Indians,

and ordered out the militia to repel it, was the destruction, by Black

Hawk, of a barrel of whiskey, which the owner was retailing to the

Indians. The violation of the laws of Congress and of express treaty

provisions, in the sale of ardent spirits to the Indians, winked at, as

they undoubtedly were, by the public agents, mainly contributed to bring

about a war, which resulted in the destruction of a great part of the

band of Black Hawk. That the allegations, in regard to the sale of

intoxicating liquors, to the Indians, by the regularly licensed traders

of the United States, may not be supposed to rest upon gratuitous

assumptions, the following letter, is quoted, which places the matter

beyond all question.

_St. Peters, July 25, 1832_

GEN. JOSEPH M. STREET, }

Indian Agent, Prairie du Chien. }

SIR--I arrived at this place yesterday from the sources of

the Mississippi, having visited the Chippewa bands and

trading-posts in that quarter. Much complaint is made respecting

the conduct of the persons licensed by you last year, who located

themselves at the Granite Rocks, and on the St. Croix. No doubt can

exist that each of them took in, and used in their trade, a

considerable quantity of whiskey. And I am now enabled to say, that

they each located themselves at points within the limits of my

agency, where there are no trading-posts established. My lowest

trading-post on the Mississippi, is the Pierced Prairie, eighteen

miles below the mouth of the De Corbeau. It embraces one mile

square upon which traders are required to be located. On the St.

Croix, the posts established and confirmed by the Department are

Snake River and Yellow River, and embrace each, as the permanent

place of location, one mile square. I report these facts for your

information, and not to enable you to grant licenses for these

posts, as the instructions of the Department give to each agent the

exclusive control of the subject of granting licenses for the

respective agencies.

Much solicitude is felt by me to exclude ardent spirits wholly from

the Chippewas and Ottowas, the latter of whom have, by a recent

order, been placed under my charge. I am fully satisfied that

ardent spirits are not necessary to the successful prosecution of

the trade, that they are deeply pernicious to the Indians, and that

both their use and abuse is derogatory to the character of a wise

and sober government. Their exclusion in every shape, and every

quantity, is an object of primary moment; and it is an object which

I feel it a duty to persevere in the attainment of, however traders

may bluster. I feel a reasonable confidence in stating, that no

whiskey has been used in my agency during the last two years,

except the limited quantity taken by special permission of the

Secretary of War, for the trade of the Hudson's Bay lines; and

saving also the quantity clandestinely introduced from Prairie du

Chien and St. Peters.

I know, sir, that an appeal to you on this subject cannot be lost,

and that your feelings and judgment fully approve of temperance

measures. But it requires active, persevering, unyielding efforts.

And in all such efforts, judiciously urged, I am satisfied that the

government will sustain the agents in a dignified discharge of

their duties. Let us proceed in the accomplishment of this object

with firmness, and with a determination never to relinquish it,

until ardent spirits are entirely excluded from the Indian country.

I am sir,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT.

P.S. Capt. Jouett, commanding at this post, has recently seized

sixteen kegs of high-wines. His prompt, decisive, and correct

conduct in this, and other transactions relating to Indian affairs,

merits the approbation of government.

The Petite Corbeau has requested that no trader may be located at

the mouth of the St. Croix.

The following picture of the present condition of the Winnebagoes, given

in the St. Louis Bulletin, shows the deplorable results of the

intercourse of the whites with the Indians--the baneful effects of

spirituous liquors upon their morals and habits. The Winnebagoes were

neighbors of the Sacs and Foxes, and long intimately associated with

them. Twenty years ago, all of these tribes, raised annually more corn,

beans and other vegetables, than were needed for their own consumption.

Now they are miserable, squalid beggars, without the means of

subsistence. The faithlessness of the Government, the perfidy and

avarice of its agents and citizens, have brought this race of people to

the horrible condition, in which they are represented in the statement

that follows.

An agent of the Temperance Society, in a journal of a late tour to

the region of the Upper Mississippi, presents a picture, melancholy

indeed, of the present condition of the Indian tribes in that

quarter, which must deeply rouse the commiseration of every

benevolent man. From our own personal observation one year since,

we would corroborate the assertion, that were the world ransacked

for a subject in which should be concentrated and personified

injustice, oppression, drunkenness, squalid filth, and degradation,

one would point to the straggling Indian on the banks of the Upper

Mississippi for the aptest exemplification.

There were some two or three hundred of these

stragglers--Winnebagoes, chiefly, about Prairie du Chien--men,

women, and children, many of whom had scarcely the fragments of a

filthy blanket to hide their nakedness or screen them from the

cold--strolling and straggling about in squads of from two to a

half dozen each, begging for whiskey, or cold potatoes, or crusts

of bread. One old female, doubtless turned of threescore and ten,

half naked, was gathering up from the dirt and ashes about the

boiler of the steam boat, a few pieces of dried apples that had

been dropped and trodden under foot, which, with her toothless

gums, she attempted to masticate with all the eagerness of a

starving swine. Little children, from one to four years old, were

crawling about in a state of nudity, and almost of starvation,

while their own mothers and fathers, were staggering, and fighting,

and _swearing_. It is a fact, that while these poor creatures

cannot articulate a word of any thing else in English, the most

awfully profane expressions will drop from their lips in English,

as fluently as if it had been their vernacular tongue. When the

whites first settled in that neighborhood, the Indians raised corn

and other provisions enough, not only for their own use, but also

for the fur-traders and settlers.

Now they are altogether dependent for even the scanty subsistence

by which they are dragging out the remnant of a miserable life,

upon the whites. And what has been the cause of so great a change

in a few years in the circumstances and habits of a whole people!

The answer is plain to every one at all acquainted with Indian

history. It is the perfidy and avarice of the whites, and

WHISKEY, WHISKEY has been the all potent _agent_ by which

it has been effected. By selling and giving them whiskey till they

become drunk, they are soon filched of the little annuities

received from government; and then treated the rest of the year

like so many dogs.--As an illustration of the feeling towards them,

a merchant at Prairie du Chien expressed the very humane wish, that

there might soon be another Indian war to kill them all off.

INDEX.

A

Armstrong fort built, 96.

Atkinson, General, ordered to Rock Island, 140

directs Black Hawk to return to the west side of the Mississippi, 140

takes command of the Illinois militia, 141

proceeds to Dixon's Ferry, 141

attack on Black Hawk at Bad-axe, 156

official account, 158

his letter of approval from War Department, 179.

B

Black Hawk's account of the treaty of 1804, 58.

Black Hawk Purchase, in 1832, 70.

Black Hawk, birth and early adventures, 74

his battle with the Osages in 1786, 75

with Cherokees, 75

with Chippeways, Kaskaskias and Osages, 76

his account of Pike's visit, 77

his attack on Fort Madison, 78

joins the British army, 80

his return, 80

murder of his adopted son, 81

battle of the sink-hole near Cap au Gris, 83

his attack upon boats going to Prairie des Chiens, 86

makes peace with the United States, 86

death of his eldest son, 90

visit to the Ioway village, 89

visit to Malden, 90

whipped by some Americans, 91

refuses to remove to the west side of the Mississippi, 92

whites encroach upon his village, 93

burning of his lodges, 96

interview with Governor Coles and Judge Hall, 96

agrees to remove for six thousand dollars, 100

interview with Gaines, 103

removes to west side Mississippi, 104

treats with Gaines and Reynolds, 104

causes which led to the war, 108

his attempted alliance with other tribes, 111

discontented on west side of the Mississippi, 138

sends messenger to Keokuk, 138

collects his band at Fort Madison and crosses to east side

of the Mississippi, 139

proceeds to the prophet's village up Rock river, 140

ordered back by General Atkinson, 141

makes his camp at Kisk-wa-cokee, is attacked in his camp

by Maj. Stillman, 145

his flag of truce fired upon, 145

defeats Stillman, 146

attack upon Buffalo Grove, 149

his battle on the Wisconsin, 151

flies to the Mississippi, 152

attacked by the steam boat Warrior, 153

his white flag fired upon, 153

his defeat at the Bad-axe, 156

escape, 161

capture, 162

causes leading to this war, 171

at Jefferson Barracks, 189

sent to Washington city, 192

confined at Fortress Monroe, 193

interview with the President, 192

speech to Col. Eustis, 193

released, 195

visit to Norfolk, 196

to Baltimore, 196

interview with President, 197

visit to Philadelphia, 199

to New York, 200

to Albany, 202

to Buffalo, 202

interview with Senecas, 203

visit to Detroit, 203

reaches fort Armstrong, 206

refuses to submit to Keokuk, 209

his final speech in the council, 215

visit in 1837 to Washington, 216

visit to Boston, 217

to Cincinnati, 217

his character and personal appearance, 218

number of his warriors in campaign of 1832, 220.

C

Cahokias conquered, 16.

Clark, George Rogers, relieves St. Louis, 24

sends troops into the Indian country, 25.

Cole, Governor, meets Black Hawk, 96.

Clark, General, letter to War Department, 107.

Cap au Gris, battle of, 83.

Cholera among Scott's troops, 166.

Cass, Lewis, report to the President, 178.

Cass' letter to Gen. Atkinson, 179.

Cass' account of Sacs and Foxes, 181.

Colonization of the Indians, 228.

D

Drakeford's battle near Cap au Gris, 84.

Dodge, General, kills 29 Indians, 149

his battle of the Wisconsin, 151.

Davenport, Col. Wm., speech to Black Hawk, 210.

E

Everett, Governor, speech to Keokuk in Boston, 131

makes them presents, 135.

F

Fort Armstrong built, 87.

Foxes, party of, murder 28 Menominies, 137

G

Good spirit of Rock Island, 87.

Galland's description of Sac village, 94.

Gaines, General, letter to Reynolds, 102

orders troops to Rock Island, 102

interview with Black Hawk, 103

takes possession of Sac village, 103

treats with the British Band, 104

his letter to War Department, 106.

Garland, Maj., takes charge of prisoners, 197

his release of Black Hawk, 211.

H

Harrison, General, account of the conquest of the Illinois tribes, 26

his treaty with the Sacs and Foxes in 1804, 50.

Hall, Judge, account of Sac village, 28

his interview with Black Hawk, 96

his account of the Sacs and Foxes at Washington, 127.

I

Illinois tribes conquered, 15.

Indians, power to sell lands, 59.

Johnson, John, letter to Secretary at War, 63.

Illinois militia, flight at Sycamore creek, 146.

Irving, Washington, account of Black Hawk, 191.

Indian dancing ceremonies, 237.

K

Kaskaskias conquered, 16.

Keokuk removes west of Mississippi, 92

his birth, 114

age, 115

admitted to the council-lodge, 116

bold adventure with the Sioux, 117

his interview with the Menominies, 119

in peril with his tribe, 122

removed from his post of head chief, 123

re-instated, 124

delivers up his nephew to be tried for murder, 125

his letter to Governor of Illinois, 125

visit to Washington city in 1827 and council with Secretary at War, 127

visit to Philadelphia, New York and Boston, 132

speech in reply to Gov. Everett, 133

return to the west, 135

character, 135

his visit to Jefferson barracks, 190

his speech on the liberation of Black Hawk, 208

final speech in the council, 213

his visit to Washington in 1837, 216

conduct to Black Hawk, 217.

L

Lewis and Clark's account of Sacs and Foxes, 45.

M

Minneway tribes, 15.

Mascontins, battle with Sacs and Foxes, 17.

Memorial to Gov. Reynolds, 102.

Menominies, murdered by the Foxes, 138.

Macomb, Gen., report to Secretary at War, 178.

N

Naopoke's visit to Malden, 138

captured, 165

his testimony before Scott, 166

at Jefferson barracks, 189.

O

Osages, battle with Sacs and Foxes, 75.

P

Peorias conquered, 16.

Primm's account of the attack on St. Louis in 1779, 18.

Pike's account of Sacs and Foxes, 44.

Posey, Col., at Buffalo grove, 150.

Prophet, Wabokieshiek, 168.

Pashepahow's speech, 212.

Q

Quashquame, account of treaty of 1804, 58.

R

Reynolds, Governor, letter to Clark, 101

to Gaines, 102

declares the state to be invaded, 101

letter to War Department, 106

orders out the militia and joins Atkinson, 141

makes a treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, 170.

S

Sac and Fox Indians, origin of, 13

Identity of the tribes, 14

residence, 14

removal to the west, 14

conquest of the Illini tribes, 15

their attack on St. Louis in 1779, 18

their village, 28

their war and peace chiefs, 30

division into families, 31

mode of burial, 35

idea of a future state, 36

in regard to the creation of the world, 37

social relations, 41

musical instruments, 41

Pike's account of them, 45

their character for courage, 48

treaty with the United States in 1789, 49

ditto at St. Louis in 1804, 50

they are excited to hostilities by British agents, 62

offer to fight against England, 63

part of them join the British standard, 64

treaty with them 13th Sep. 1815, 64

ditto 14th Sep. 1815, 64

ditto with British Band, 64

relinquish lands in Missouri, 66

treaty of Prairie des Chiens in 1825, 65

treaty for mineral region in 1828, 68

Black Hawk purchase in 1832, 70

their present residence, 71

sale of their lands on Rock river, 99

treaty with Scott and Reynolds, 170

described by Gov. Cass, 181.

Stillman, Maj., proceeds to Sycamore creek, 141

attacks Black Hawk and is defeated, 142

fires upon Black Hawk's flag of truce, 145.

Stephenson, J.W., kills some Indians, 149.

Scott, General, arrival at Rock Island, 165

treaty with Sacs and Foxes, 170.

Senecas, their speech to Black Hawk, 203.

Sioux Indians, sketches of, 222.

Sale of whiskey to the Indians, 245.

W

Wabokieshiek, advice to British Band, 93.

Warrior's attack on Black Hawk, 153.

Wapellar's speech, 211.

FOOTNOTES

[1] Schoolcraft's Travels, p. 347.

[2] Published in the Illinois Magazine under the head of "History of St.

Louis."

[3] James Hall, Esqr.

[4] Chronicles of the North American Savages, No. 4. page 53.

[5] History of the North American Indians, by James Hall, Esq.

[6] James Hall, Esq.

[7] Judge Hall.

[8] Patterson's Life of Black Hawk, dictated by himself.

[9] See Adjutant W. W. Woodbridge's statement.

[10] "The Book of the Indians of North America," p. 127.

[11] This class is admirably described by the author of "Legends of the

West."

[12] See St. Louis Times of 13th April, 1833.

[13] "The Book of the Indians of North America," by Samuel G. Drake of

Boston, containing much interesting matter about the aborigines of this

country, and from which we have copied several of the speeches made upon

the liberation of Black Hawk.

[14] Black Hawk seems to have entertained a warm friendship for Colonel

Davenport. On another occasion, speaking of this council, he said, "I

here met my old friend, a great war chief, [Colonel William Davenport]

whom I had known for eighteen years. He is a good and a brave chief. He

always treated me well, and gave me good advice. He made a speech to me

on this occasion, very different from that of the other chief. It

sounded like coming from a _brave_." He adds, "If our great father were

to make such men our agents, he would much better subserve the interests

of our people, as well as his own, than in any other way; and had the

war chief alluded to, been our agent, we never should have had the

difficulties with the whites which we have had."

Those who have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with Colonel

Davenport will join in Black Hawk's spontaneous tribute to his character

as a _brave_, and a gentleman of humane and noble feelings.

[15] Colonel Whittlesey, of the Geological Corps of Ohio. See Hesperian

for February, 1839, in which this gentleman has given valuable

recollections of a tour through Wisconsin in 1832.

[16] See Traits of Indian Character, by G. Turner.

[17] See a "Discourse on the Surviving Remnant of the Indian Race in the

United States," by Job R. Tyson, Esq. of Philadelphia.

End of Project Gutenberg's Great Indian Chief of the West, by Benjamin Drake