The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-04-24
ST. LOUIS, March 81.
INDIAN MURDERS Sc

ST. LOUIS, March 81.
INDIAN MURDERS, &c.
SINCE Christmas last, the following muir
ders have been committed by the Indians in
TINS country fvvo persons near the mines on
the Mississippi, nine in the district of St.
Sharies, within the settlements, supposed to
be Killed by the kickapoos one man at
Fort Madison, on the Sd inst by the Wilma
Dagoes. There were several men who left
foft Madison for this part of the territory,
ABOUT the 18th inst, who are supposed to
nave fallen into the hands of the enemy as
they have not been heard of.
MAN Zoe, the Pottawatimie, is preparing
war party to proceed against the Osage S.
ms fellow has been until lately at Fort
Maiden, and it is thought at the Peorias,
mat he intends to strike at the whites.
We received a few days ago, some ac-
Count OF Governor Harrison's treating with
| some OF the chiefs, who were i'm the late ac-
ton on the Wabash this news may be
correct, but we know from the most authen
nc channels, that those are only squads Of
oands, who are either amusing Governor
Harrison, to avert amerited retaliation, or
wish to secure their individual families from
an expected attack this spring. The off,
GERS OF the garrisons of Chicago and Fort
Madison, U. ). agents on the Mississippi, &
Illinois traders, travellers and spies, ali con-
ans have no idea of making peace with us,
tnat red wampum is passing through all the
upper villages, from the Sioux of St. Peters,
to the head of the Wabash, that at every
Council hre, the Americans are devoted and
prescribed; and in short, that general
Combination is ripening fast. We should
oe sorry that Gov Harrison should be the
dupe ola few rascals, or that we should call
our frontier people to fatal security, by
\ haT ct
! we Know that we have n better opportunity
OF acquiring knowledge of Indian move
ments than can possibly be obtained on the
Wabash, and therefore will sound the alarm
when danger is apprehcnded.
1t is well known fact that most, If not
all the Indians east of the Mississippi have
divided into small bands, some are for peace,
while band OF the same nation are deter
mined on war with the United States thus,
one party of each of the Pottowatimies,
| hickapoos, Puants, &c. are treating with
Gov. Harrison, the others are butcherine
our frontier people, yet the, pacific party
VIII not scruple co engage for the whole na-
ton whom they know 1t is impossible to
restrain as long as there is a British subject
suffered to trade within the lines of our ter
ritories, or receive presents at Maiden, Mr.
Fosters slang to the contrary notwithstand-
| ing.
! In consequence of various and groundless
rumours OF the disaffection of the Louisiana
] Delawares and Shawonees, their chiefs
lately addressed letter to General Clark,
expressive of the most acute modification
In that their fidelity could be doubted, and
demanded that the subject should be brought
before court, in order to confront and pii-
rIsh their calumniators. We are sorry that
the Idle, the vicious, e the talkative, could
not lind some other topic to indulge their ge-
MUS.
The Cherokecs who were exploring that
| tract OF country, between the Arkansas and
Wnite river, have returned home, terrified
Dy the repeated and violent shocks of earth
quake. We understand they intended to ex-
| change with the United States, their coup
try on the +. of the Mississippi for like
quantity on the Arkansas.
The tremendous effects of carthluake in
TINS territory hrs revived an almost obsolete
indian rite, IN the mode of implorng the
DEITY, and to avert the divine displeasurc-
emples are erecting in the Indian villages
To make offerings to the GREAT sp1aIT.-
ihe Shawonces of the Maramec, 40 mics
rom t'is place have finished their religious
deVotlons, The following authentic account
| OF 1t may be interesting tn our readers:
This alarming phenomenon of nature,
struck with such CONSERVATION and dismay.
IitoSc TRIES OF Indians, that live within and
Contiguous to that tract of country on The
Mississippi, where the severity of the earth
lquake appears TO have been the greatest
that they were induced to convene topether
IN order to consult upon the necessity of ha-
J wing recourse to some method of relief. from
so alarming an incident; when it was re-
soHed 10 iail upon the following expedient
TO excite the pity Of the GREAT SPIRIT.
After general hunt had taken place, to
Kill deer enough for the undertaking, small
hgt was buiit torepresent temple orplace
OF Offering a sacrifice.
The ceremony was introduced by a gene
raj cleansing Of the body and face. The no.
veity Of the occasion rendered it unusual
awtdl aud interesting. After nearly skin
ming their deer, they suspended them by the
'oreieet, 50 that the heads might be direct !
ed 10 the heavens, before the temple, as an
offering to The Great Spirit. In this atti-
tudc they remained for three days which |
Interval was devoted to such penance. as
consists in absolute fasting ut night living
on the back upon fresh deer skins turning