Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-29

escape, he lay three days and three nights
in the woods, and Col. James, with all his
lisposabe force, including 500 Indians, in
search for him, and reward of S 500 to be
given to the first Indian that would take
his scalp. The Colonel's disappointment
was so great at the escape OF his victim,
that it appears he has undertaken to de-
fame the character of Capt: MD. with the
view, as it is supposed, prejudicing it in
the eyes OF the American people inasmuch,
rs he has accused him of the crime of muir
der, for which Capt. MD. brings his suit.
| Ii a. pears that the Col. came over ON an
invitation to dine with Gen. M'Comb and.
| as soon as he touched the shore, was arr
rested. The Gen. was greatly mortified,
at the occurrence happening upon such an
occasion. Capt. M'D. was equally so, Tn
account of the Generals unpleasant feel
| ing; but it appears that Col. James would
| not come to the American side upon any
other occasion, and Captain M'D. thought
/ that the injury he received justified the
| proceeding. The above account of Col.
James's conduct, was the most prominenr
| transaction in his career, stree he became
| our neighbOr, towards Americans--aItho'
| 1t appears to be entirely omitted in publ.
cation inserted in the Buffalo Gazette of
last September, by some pretended patri-
OF, who undertook to give minute detail
| of the Colonel's conduct"
Letter from q gentleman at Detroit to the
Editor Of the albany .9rgus, dated
APRIL %, 1916.
SlR-There is circumstance, which
believe is not generally known, in rela-
ton to the Treaty. held BY Generals Har-
rlson, M'Arthur, and Mr.. Graham. at this
place last fall, with the Indians, the conse-
quence OF which may, at some future day,
become important. will i've the history
OF 1t as conclsely as possible.
The famous Shawanese Prophet, is lite
rally qualified for his profession, so far as
single eye is requisite, having lost his right.
lie is about 40 years old, & is a brother of
the late celebrated Tecumseh; his counte-
nance is rather too ferocious for a man of
God--in OratOry. his matter is strong
and flgurative, and his manner brilliant
and animated. [ have had conside-
rabie conversation with him through an
interpreter, and he appears we'll versed in
the traditional history of his people. Some
years past, he became famous among his
| Nation. Tor his knowledge in the healing
art, which led them to believe he had direct
communication with the 50 Great Spirit.''-
From such standing, it was both easy and
natural for him TO assume the more diqui-
he'd title of 60 Prophet" of which he took
advantage, and, like the ancient Priests.
took both soul and body under his charge.
1t need not be mentioned how well such
Savage instrument would suit an English
| a n no.. e
striving to collect the different Indian
tribes OIL the Wabash, under the ostensible
pretext OF reforming their morals though
with a real design of attempting the con-
quest of all lands, which had been sold in
this quarter to the U. States. The first
overt act OF hostility, was on Gen, Harri-
sons army ct Tippecanoe, in Nov. 1911,
wneTe nothins but the intrepidity Of the
Atm U. ,. Reg't could have saved the army.
Inc defeat that the indians there received,
shook their confidence in his Prophetic Or
thodoxy, and especially as his brother, Te-
cumseh, blamed him for attacking before
his arrlval-being thus exiled from his
own nation, he wandered among others.
which led him to form the combination
from different tribes, which now adhere to
him, which is well known by the appelIa-
ton OF the g Prophets party" consisting
OF sacks, NlnnebagOes. Delawares. Kick
apoos, and Shawanese, amounting to about
400, including women and children. The
Prophet, with his party, were invited by
our Commissioners last fall; the Prophet
with few Chiefs, did come over from
Maiden, and attend, till the Treaty was
nearly ready for signing, when, without
assigning any reason, they withdrew over
the River; they were again notified that
the treaty was ready for them to sign, but
they did not come over, and they have not
signed it to this day, and have remained at
Maiden ever since.
-Four days past, the Prophet sent over q
Chiefs with an interpreter, to ask leave nf
the Governor OF this territory, to make him
vIslt-accordingly los came over. The
Prophet wanted to hold council-the Go.
vernon met them-after long and uninte.
resting speech, they named their obiect.
winch was to obtain permission to come
over on the American side. and form a eli.
lage, and they had tie audacitv TO name
the river Ralsin 20 the place-Thev seem
10 De well aware that by rot signino the
treaty, they had waved the stipuiatio6s in
their iavOr contained in the treaty az
Ghent. After hearing them for two dsvs
tne Governor told the Prophet that he adj
known his character for Is years past.
and although he pretended to receive ina
instructions from tbs Great Spirit, he had
that moment been telling direct lie. in as
signing the reason for not coming over and
signing the treaty; that he bad ALWAYS