Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-09-27

BtGcH fatck---N IS a TACT very generally
known, that our Indian treaties are generally
compulsory, that is, much urgency is used TO
iDducethe natives 20 negotiate: and they of
ten accept the terms offered them, because
they fear worse usage IN case OF noncomph
ance. We are assured by person who has
had some opportunities Of knowing the truth,
that such has been peculiarly the case with
the Saques aud Foxes, a very bold and high
spirited tribe.
We are assured by the same authority
which is confirmed by ictte. from IA gentle
man Of the west, which has been going the
rounds Of the newspapers, that Black Hawk
was with s,reatdificuliy induced TO sign the
treaty which conveyed the lands of the Sa
ques and Foxes east Of the Mississippi to, the
United States. He believed that his own
lands would not be included in the bargain.
Again, it's the immemoiral custom TO permit
Indians to occupy 'ceaed lands, till they are
occupied 10y persons authorized by govern
ment. Black Hawk and his band did SO oc
cupy the lana they had eeded. The frontier
settler. sqliatted On these lands, 10 the great
displeasure Of the Indians, who. as the above
mentioned letter states, destroyed their fen
ces, and committed other outrages on their
property, or rather on what was not their
property. These whites retaliated by killing
several Indians, and a force of two Thousand
men was called into the field by the Governor
OF Illinois, before one drop OF blood had
been shed on the Indian side. The old "a
gent, who was acquainted with the Sacues
and Foxes, and might have arranged matters
amicably, was removed by President Jack
sou, and aaother, an inexperienced person,
was in his place. The consequence are
known TO all men.
The Detroit Journal gives the particulars
OF the examination OF the prisoners. Ma
Pope says that he anu other Saques and
Foxes moved across the Mississippi in coa
pIience with the treaty made 10y General
Gaines. Black Hawk remained on his lands,
(where he believed he had right so remain }
In the course of the winter, the Prophet sent
him hack to Black Hawk, "whose party
would have shaken hands with the Amerl
cans, and would have removed peaceably,
had they peaceably been hidden so to do
On the contrary, they were attacked by a
party of Americans, (squatters) who were
repaEsed, after having killed several indians
This was the first blood shed Black Hawiz
and his party Immediately took up the toma
hawk. NO effort was made on the part of
the government to accommodate. The word
was quartet, burn and slay"
u
Black Hawk, a considerable number of
whom died Of the cholera. AT last, after
having been driven from fastness to fastness,
weakened by hunger, and worn out with ia
tsue, the devoted Saoues and Foxes found
themselves hemmed ia between the conquer
ing army and the Mississippi, the passage of
which was barred by an armed steam boat:
IN other words, between the devil IA mercl.
less devlD and the deep sea. In this strait,
says the prisoner, Black Hawk, moved TO ri,
ty by the sufferings of his followers, would
have surrendered he hoisted white flag
and hailed the steam boat twice, in vain. He
was answered with grape and round shot
Thus compelled to fight, the ladians did
fight, and were totally dispersed.
A party ofiawless squatters attack e peace
able band OF Indians The Indians res,st.-
The only person who couLI have settled the
difficulty is removed, by the proverbial wis
dom of Andrew Jackson. Congress orders
an addition OF five hundred mounted yolun.
teers to our standing agmy. A miilson ofdol
lars are expended. Two hundred men are
slain in battle. Men, women and children,
an unknown number, perish OF want and
hardship. The Sioux aud Winnebagoes are
encouraged TO war upon their own race.
gallant tribe is annihllaIed. The nation is
in the eyes Of the natives. After
all il appears that the Indians are right and
the United States wrong. Such are the be au
lies oil JaeksonIsn.
Surely it would have been as Just, and
qmie as economical, TO have held the exam
'halion before beginning the war, as after it,
horrible termination But men 'born to com
Luduu are not amenabIe to ordinary rules