Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-04-03

The Gov. OF the Illinois territory writes
70 a gentleman in this town, under date OF
Feb. 10Th.
Ny situatios is unpleasant, having the
interest and safety of the people mucn at
heart and dependent on me, without my
having any adequate means of protecting
them. Ibis renders me the more deter
mlasd to exert myself TO leave uothing un-
done which is in my power TO do.
The Winebagoes, who were 10 the late
action, suffered severely, aud to revenge
themselves, they lately attacked the trading
establishments below Praire de Chien,*
~plandered them of their property, killed
several men, and declared they would k,l!
every American they could hnd. he nun.
Der killed and the extent OF the injury are
not yet sscertained.
Various considerations of weight in
dueed me 10 send messengers to the chiefs
OF the Kick4poos and OF the PotowatAmies
near Pioriat requesting them TO visit me-
but the mission has been unsuccessful, the
Indians evadiGg my request In a manner
that sugurs very unfa, orably.-Gomo, the
principal chief near Peoria, sent me word,
however, TO be upon my guard against the
Winebagoes, who he says viii certainly at.
tack ous frontiers as soon as the weather
modefates. This doubt not is true; but
he has no meritfor the discovery OF their
hostile Intentions, since they had boldly a
vowed and IN part already carried their
threats into execution And | strongly
suspect his sdmonition was designed as a
cover 10 the dspredations which Ge knows
MS own party viii commit.
Il, is impossible for me to give you a
just conception Of the terror that pervadrs
this country. People are moving from all
qaafters-whole settlements are deserted.
saw a gentleman a few days ago, who told
me, that 10 riding from the Ohio TO this
place, he met in one day upwards of 20 wag
CONS convsy ing families ou Of this terrific
~. Every e~fI9ttto check the prevalence
OF such terror is Intellectual, and although
much OF ii IS unreasonably INDUCED, yet Il
is certsin we shall shortly be In considerable
danger from predatory parties of Indians.
The physical strength of the territory is We
~ uncomfortable at best, and il is daily get
ting weaker, while it presents numerous
points cf attack. The Winebagoes, Kicka.
poos and Potowatamies composed the prin-
cipal strength of the Prophets army. The
twoformer, and a great portion Of the latter,
reside IN ,.Is territory, are much irrisated
and can with great facility make hostile in
c~ursions into our settlements.
"Under these circumstance / have asked
OF the administrator two companies az leasl
of the regular force for our defence. Unless
something is done, | will venture to assert,
that 10 less than 8 months we shall loose
more than one half Of our present population.
At present, Notwithstanding the repeated
drpredatious of the Indians, the murders
they have committed, and the refusal to
deliver up the offenders, or make any salts.
faction whatever, though solemnly demand
ed Of we annot legally take any mea-
sure Of offence against them, but must wait
patiently fer another attack, not knowing
when or where il NAV be made. This ne
gasive state, being neither at peace or war,
greatly increases our danger and renders
our situation truly notifying"
Coby eta letter {rom Governor Edwards to
Goveynor Scott Of Kentucky.
Llvirade, Randolph county, Illinois
Territory, Feb. 10, 1912.
SIR,
Governor Howard and myself have re.
Gently received information from various
quarters which convinces both Of US that
formidable combinations of the savages will
very shortly attack the frontiers Of this and
Louisiana territory. Under these eircum.
stances, shall wish (if it shall eventually
appearto be necessary to raise some volun-
,eers in the southern parts of the state OF
Kentucky, provided the measure meets