Page 52

THE RED MEN OF IOWA.

Lau-le-was-i-kaw, became the Prophet. After he assumed that office he was called Lensk-wan-la-wa. Under the influence of his celebrated brother he became a potent agent in arousing the superstition of the Indians, and in promoting his plan for the union of the tribes against the whites. According to some accounts Tecumseh himself could read and write, but this is doubtful. He had for his confidential secretary a half-breed, known in Indian annals by the name of "Billy Caldwell," who subsequently became head chief of the Pottawattamies, and died in Iowa, near Council Bluffs, in 1841.

From 1806 until 1811, Tecumseh and his brother were constantly engaged in strengthening their scheme, the former by visiting and personally conferring with the various tribes, north, south and west. The Creeks and Cherokees of the south listened to his persuasive oratory, while the Osages far in the west beyond the Mississippi, and the tribes on the borders of the Missouri and the banks of the Des Moines heard his voice with favor. His brother, the Prophet, claimed to be favored with a divine commission, and to be instructed by the Great Spirit in dreams and visions concerning the great work in which they were engaged. It was in this way he wrought upon the superstitious minds of the ignorant savages, and succeeded in arousing a fanaticism which spread to distant tribes. His fame as a prophet was known about the shores of the northern lakes, beyond the Mississippi, and among the tribes in the far south.

In the meantime, Governor Harrison, suspecting the designs of Tecumseh and his brother, was not inactive in preparing to meet the expected emergency. There were

Page 53

THE TECUMSEH WAR.

indications too that British influence was being exerted upon the savages, and that they were encouraged in their hostility toward the Americans by British officers and traders. It was known that the Indians of the Wabash were making frequent visits to the British agents at Malden, and that large quantities of goods from that post were being distributed among them. This unusual profusion of bounties from the king's agents seemed to Governor Harrison conclusive evidence that the purpose was to instigate the Indians to acts of hostility against the Americans.

It was Tecumseh's ambition to renew and carry out the magnificent scheme of his illustrious predecessor, Pontiac, in bringing about a union of all the western tribes against the Americans, to compel the United States to surrender their title to the lands purchased, and to establish the policy of no future relinquishment of Indian title except by a council representing the united tribes as one nation. His scheme contemplated the establishment of a grand Indian confederacy.

In August, 1810, Tecumseh, with forty of his principal warriors, visited Vincennes for the purpose of conferring with Governor Harrison, when an attempt was made to hold a council in a grove near the governor's house. Tecumseh opened the council with a speech in which he boldly avowed his determination to resist any further intrusion of the whites. He recited in a manner well calculated to arouse the vindictive feelings of his followers the great wrongs that the whites had inflicted upon the Indians from the Revolutionary War down to that time. Governor Harrison replied, and his speech was explained

Pages 54 - 55

Chapter Four

Introductory Page| Portrait of MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAH (Black Hawk)| Title Page| Page 2|

Preface (pages 3 - 6)| Illustrations (page 7)| Contents (pages 8 - 17)

Chapter One| Chapter Two

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