Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-05-22

gah, was next called. He stated,
through interpreters, that he was with
the prisoners near Fort Armstrong, when
two men were killed; that when they
discovered these soldiers they were
about one half or three-fourths Off mile
from the fort; that Che-wa-cha-rah and
Who-rah- in-kah crept up within eight
or ten yards, and fired; they ran up to
the soldiers, scalped, and he believes
struck one of them with an axe.
The case was ably argued to the Jury
by William l.. d. Ewing, Esq. for the
prisoners, and Col. Leavenworth for the
prosecution.
The jury retired from the bar, and,
after an absence of half an hour, return
ed with verdict oil Guilty.
On Saturday the prisoners were
brought to the bar, and received the fol-
lowing sentence: That they should be
closely and safely confined in some pri-
son in this District until the l4th day of
July next; on which day, between the
hours of O'Clock, A. M. and o'clock,
p. M. they should be taken to some place
for execution, and respectively hung by
the neck until they are dead.
These unfortunate Indians were
brought down from Fort Armstrong, last
fall, by Col. Leavenworth, late comman-
dant of that post, and delivered to the
civil authority at Edwardsville, and from
that place were transferred to the Belle
vile Jail. At that time they were hear
ty, robust men---now they are scarcely
able TO stand or move. So great was
the difference in their present and former
appearance, that Col. Leavenworth con-
sidered it his duty to inquire into the
cause. This was done in the presence
Of Henry Connar, Esq. Marshal of this
District, Major Biddlc, of the army, and
a number of the most respectable CHI
zens of this town. Upon being interro-
gated, the Indians complained very much
Of their treatment while at Belleville !:
they stated that, during the last inclc-
ment winter, they had no fire; that no
bedding of any description had been fur
nisi1ed them; and that they had been
compelled to lie upon the hard floor,
with only their blankets for covering.
| According to their account, they have
generally received, for their daily al
lowance, only small piece of corn bread
Of the size oil a small biscuit, and hall
that quantity Of meat; and at one time,
| for three aaya and nigAta, received nei-
tier food mar zvater.-Do we call our
selves Christian nation Do we boast
of our humanity-or justice? Were
these men in the custody of American
people and American laws ? IF this is
true, in what do our prisons differ from
those of the Spanish Inquisition, or our
selves from those nations which we arc
pleased to call barbarous and unciviliz
, ed Should we be weighed in the ba
lance, we are fearful in this instance oil
our humanity we should be found want
ing. For the honor of our country, fol
the honor ofbuman nature, we trust this
) statement is exaggerated; and for the
honor OF ST. Clair county, we hope thai
some inquiry will be made upon this
proceeding.
After Judge Pope had pronounced
sentence upon the prisoners, Cah-rah-
mah-ree, an aged chief, who, with fv,
of his tribe, had attended the trial, came
forward and addressed the court in sub
stance as follows:
/ Father--I came down from my ma
! ton to this place, TO attend the trial Of
Che-wa-cha-rah and Who-rah- jin-kah.
You are an American, Father, claim
to be an American also. When | give
my hand to you, | give it to our Grea
Father (the President,) and call the
Great Spirit to witness the sincerity OIL
my desire that peace may exist amongst
US; but | have not the same power in
my nation, as you, Father, have over
your children here pointing to the null
titude,) which causes me great sorrow.
Wherever Cah-rah-mah rec Is, there
shall always be clear sky, no clouds
to disturb our peace. When l came
down here, had hoped to find that Che
wa-cha-rah and Who-rah-j in-kah had
been better treated, but my heart is op-
pressed at the cruelty that they have re-
ceived ] did hope that pity would have
been found for them, and that mercy
would be shown them. But let peace
be between us. look up to our Great
Father as l do to the Great Spirit for pro-
lection.
Ny Father-I came here to see JUS
tice, but find none-Cah-rah-m ah-ree
is honesa-he speaks what he thinks
he shakes you for the last time by the
hand.
| Nashville, Ahrl 25.
| Melancholy Catastrohhe.-On the