The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-06-02
From Me Galena (Illinois) .adv.rtiser.

INDIAN FAITH. There is no class of human
beings on earth, who hold pledge more sacred
and binding than do the North American In
dams: A sample of this was witnessed during
the Winnebage war of 1927, in the person Of
Dek-ker-Te, celebrated chief of that nation,
VINO, among four other Indians Of his tribe, was
taken prisoner at Prairie du Chen. Col Smell
ling, of the 9Th regiment of infantry, who then
commanded that garrison, despatched young
Indian into the nation, with orders to inform
the other chiefs of Dek-ker-re's band, that un-
less those Indians who were the perpetrators
OF the horrid murders of some of our citizens,
were not brought to the fort and given up with
in ten days, Dek-ker-re and the other four In
dams who were retained as hostages, would be
shot at the end of that time. This awful SEN
tence was pronounced in the presence of Dek-
ker-re, who, though proclaining his own inno-
cenee OF the outrages which had been commit
ted by others of his nation, exclaimed that he
feared not death, though it would DE attended
with serious consequences, inasmuch as he had
two affectlonate wives, and large family of
small children who were entirely dependent on
INN Tor their support but, if necessary, he was
willing to die for the honor of his nation. The
young Indian had been gone several days, and
no intelligence was yet received from the MUIR !
derers. The dreadful day being near at hand,
and Dek-ker-re being in bad state of health,
asked permission of the Colonel to go to the
river to indulge in his long accustomed habit of
bathing, in order to improve his health. Upon
which Col. S. told him, if he would promise, on
the honor of chief, that he would not leave
the town, he might have his liberty, and enjoy
all his privileges, until the day of the appointed
execution. Accordingly ne first gave his hand
to the Colonel, thanked him for his friendly Of
fer, then raised both his hands aloft, in the |
most solemn adjuration, promised that he would
not leave the bounds prescribed and said, i'll
he had hundred lives, he would sooner lose
them all than forfeit his word, or deduct from
his pro I'D nation one particle of its boosted hon.
or. de was then set at liberty. He was ad- /
vised to flee to the wilderness, and make his !
escape. But "no," said he, i" do you think |
prize life above honor or that would betray
confidence reposed in me, for the sake of saw. |
ing my life {" He then complacently remained
nntll nine days of the ten which he had to live
had elapsed, and nothing heard from the nation
with regard to the apprehension of the murder |
ers' MS Immediate death became apparent; but
no alteration could be seen in the countenance
OF the chief. 1t SO happened that on that day |
Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from JEFF. |
terson Barracks, and the order for the execution |
was oountermanded, and the Indians permitted !
to repair to their homes.
Where can be found the man among civilized |
nations, taken prisoner by the Indians, and plac-
ed under the same circumstances, who would |
not shrink from death, ard forfeit all pledges, (
rather than yield to a sentence so awful as that |
OF being ultimately precipitated into world of
Spirits?