Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-25

tual hostility against the U. States. and, as has
recently come TO light, have been active Tor
the last year in trying 70 persuade many other
tribes Of Indians to Join them-such as the WIN
nebagues, pottawattamies, Kickapoos, &c. and
have even sent runners throughout all the south
western tribes as far as Texas. There is now
| abundant evidence of the fact; and vet such has
been the secrecy with which they have proceed
ed that nobody suspected that Black Hawk de-
| pended upon any other resources than the exer-
tons of his own band.
Such was the situation of things. when the Go
vernon of Illinois conceived it his duty to order
out seven hundred militia for the protection OF
the frontier settlers. We consider the step oil
the Governor, without amy previous consultation
with the commanding general OF the western
Department of the army, as premature: lnasmucn
as General Gaines. as we understand from good
authority, had the subject then under cOnsidera-
ton. and was about making such arrangements as
to afford relief to the citizens OF Illinois. and pro
lection against any fhTthertdisturbance-not sup
posing the emergency so great. as to require IN
mediate 0fens,re operations before advising the
President of the U. States Of the situation OF
things. which he was desirious OF doing, ana re-
ceiying his instructions relative thereto. The pre-
mature step of the Governor OF Illinois, lett HIM
no other alternative than to anticipate the netes-
sity of a call upon the militia. by promptly or
dering to that point six companies OF the w.
troops stationed at Jefferson barracksT-a force
which was deemed quite sufficient to restore tran
guilty. and to effect Il removal OF the hostile IN
dians TO the west of the Mississppl,in compliance
with the treaty.
In several councils which were held at Rock
Island, after the arrival Of the troops. by Gen.
Gaines, after fully explaining to them the above
,n,,,;o,oI tra,ticC ha rpnu,rpu them tn act in
pursuance therewith. and to remove 20 the left
bank Of the Mississippi; but, with few excep-
tons, they obstinately refused. and declared their
resolution to live or die on the ground where
their fathers slept.
1t was not until things had progressed thus far,
that undoubted evidence was received OF tie act
i've e~xettinns which thew had been making, for
the last twelve months to enlist in their cause
many other tribes; and that they had actually
been ioIned by considerable numbers Of the Win
nebasoes. Kickapros, sc. with additional pros
poets of speedy assistance IN case they were at
lacked, making their numerical force at least
double that of the United States on that frontier,
aided withal bv the natural strength OF their pc.
sition. jnder these circumstances. and ANXIOUS.
no doubt. TO spare the efusioh of blood. if posi-
bic, Gen. Gaines made a requisltion upon the
Governor of Illinois for a detachment OF mount
ed militia, the first order for militia having been
countermandcd. Shortly after the appearance ct
the mounted militia. fifteen hundred strong. Black
Hawk, with his whole band, removed 10 the west
of the Mississippi, sent over a white Nag OF truce
and sued for peace.
Il is probable, in case the Indians had been at
tackled previous to the arrival OF the militia. that
the United States troops might have succeeded
in driving them from their village; but this would
Ii 81 Io,- a.. 49,, -
as the Indians were we'll armed with rifles and
other weapons. and were entrenched in ravines
secure from the fire of artillery. 1T would, more
over, in all probability, have increased the very
evil which It was SO desirable to prevent; for
Black Hawk and his band, thus liberated, and
being for the most par, mounted, would have com.
mitted the most terrible outrages on the Illinois
frontier, which, for three hundred miles IN ex-
tent, was totally unprovided with rifles or muskets,
or any temporary Notifications as places OF refuge,
nor was there a single mounted company on the
line which might have afforded protection, and
presented a formidable barrier to the encroach.
ments of the Indians. Black Hawk would,
moreover. have been joined by a number OF other
disaffected tribes, and thus a general hostility
would inevitably have been provoked throughout
the whole northern and western frontier. They
afterwards confessed, that nothing would have
restrained them but the appearance OF forces tar
exceeding their own combined strength. The
sudden appearance of the mounted militia had
the effect to awe Black Hawk and his band into
immediate submission, and at once to break the
contederacy, howev extensive, between that
and other Indian tribes.
A treaty was finally concluded with them. by
General Gaines aud Governor Reynolds, on the
part of the United States, by which several i'm
portaut objects have been effected:
/. Hitherto this band has in a great degree
been isolated from the other tribes of the Sac
nation friendly 10 the United States, aud have
annually visited the British posts and traders in
Canada. where no doubt that rancorous hostility,
which they have evinced towards the United
States since the conclusion Of the late war. has
been kept alive aud cherished. By the conditions
Of the treaty recently concluded, they are re-
qaircd 10 submit peaceably to the authority of
the friendly chiefs ard braves of the Sac nation,
and to reside and hunt with them hereafter upon
their own lands west of the Mississippi. Being
thus incorporated with the other tribes the whole
nation will become responsible for the acts of a
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