The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-02

twas spent in consultation by the chiefs and
sGomo, the principal chief. was selected as
their speaker for the next day. -..'9
a He manifested much humility, made ma
ny professions OF friendship, stated recent
attempts of the British to induce them to
commence immediate hoStilities upon us, &
the offer of arms, ammunition, &c. to be
delivered at fort Maiden for the object
He stated the hostile Intentions of the Wine
bagoes; but he endeavored to wave the
demand for the murdsrers, by saying that
they were not TO be found, and if they could
be fourd, that the chiefs had not influence
enough to deliver them up; and admitted
that three of the murderers were of his
own party.
The governor Immediately replied to him
in such manner as to give them no ground
to suppose that they could make any calcu-
lations upon his credulity. ~
he stated TO them, that he positively
knew that they had left some of the muir
derers at Peoria, that they were present
when he demanded them at that place last
year, and had continued to reside there e.
yer since. That long time had been al
lowed for their delivery, because we were
unwilling hastily to make war. and that the
Outrages were so atrocious, that he would
not trust to or-belieVe the sincerity of their
1iiCuuty pfoiCSSiOuSS unless tCGy' COrTOOOra-
ted 1t by some act of Justice He reminded
them, that if it we're hard for them to pun
ish their offenders. it would b. equally hard
tor us to submit to such injuries without sa-
tisfaction! He insisted that the murderers
whom they acknowledged to be of their
party, should be punished, recommended
that the chiefs and warriors should consult
together. and told them that he would re-
ceive their answer at St. Louis. The re-
suit OF all which was, that Como in behalf
OF all the rest, and in their presence, pro-
missed, that they would either deliver up
the murderers or kill them themselves &
the impression of the governor, and, all of
the most intelligent persons who were pre-
sent at the council, is, that they intend to
comply with their promise. Should this be
done, it will be a strong. Indication of
the determination of those Indians to
be at peace with us. which will GER
tainly be great point gained, as they
have it very much in their power to do us
considerable injury. But there is no secu-
rity afforded by it for general peace-tor
those chiefs in a private conference after
wards, with governor Edwards told him
that the Prophet had returned to, and was
rebuilding his town; that he was regaining
his influence, that he was again collecting
his followers, that . number of the. Wine
bagoos and Kickapoos were now with him,
ana CIomo candidly acknowledged that a
number of his own party of Putaw atomies
had joined him but said, he would try to
prevail upon them to abandon him. Thus
it appears that those who composed the
principal strength of the Prophets army,
lviz: the Winnebasoes, Putawatomies and
kickapoos,) have again rallied to his stan
dard, all his and their professions, to the
contrary notwithstanding.
These chiefs also told governor Edwards,
that the Winebagoos were, when they left
home, embodying their forces; that they
were determined to attack the frontiers
and that nothing could stop them from COM
uniting hostilties upon us. They also sta
ted, that bad Indians from other tribes,
would join the Winnebagoos, and that
they would attack our frontiers at different
points.
. Information from other sources, iustifes
the calculation, that we are to have a seri-
Gus Indian war, which will be carried on
under the name of the Winnebagoo war,
although many individuals from other tribes
will Cooperate. Nothing but very emerge
tic measures on the part of government,
will be sufficient to meet the combination
with which we are threatened, for no cal
culalion or account, that has been given of
the Winnebagoos, makes their number less
than between 700 and 1000, and in point
OF desperate bravery there never was any
savage nation to which they are inferior.