Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-10-10
For the Wing and Intelligencer.
THE GOVERNOR, AND AGENT FOR THE p,
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MORE

IAWATAMlES-ONCE MORE.
MEssRs. EDITORS: In the Randolph Free
Press, of the Oath ult., we find Mr.. Il ]. v.
Owen, Indian Agent for the Potawntamies. once
more figuring. By an extract, which he prefixes
| to his valedictory, taken from letter of Adj.
Gen. Gait, it would seem that call investigation
results in perfect acquittal of the Potawotamies
Of any participation in the recent hostities''-
This shews," Mr.. Owen says, ':clearly that the
Governor, to say the least of it, was greatly mis-
taken in his opinion."-Mr. Owen has somewhat
cooled in the temper of his expressions in regard
to the matter, so far as they refer to the ExeclI-
tive. In his manifesto of July 5, he speaks of
the 'idle fears Of our heroic governor'-the
misrepresentation of the Governor" &c, Sc.
congratulate the country, Mr.. O's friends.
particularly, and the cause of literature upon the
improved style, slightly improved as it is, which
he now uses in his communications; whether he
has been persuaded by some hints of your CORES
pondent Q to adopt this suauiter in modo, or by
some other considerations, of course, he knows
best
Mr.. O., General Gait, and any body else that
undertakes it, will find i: difficult Job to per-
suade the people of this state that the Potawota,
mics entitled to an entire acquitta!, whatever
conclusions such an investigation as has been
instituted may lead to. Potawoame Indians
are known TO have been among the party that
attacked Stillman-the scaps of white persons
have been found in the possession of them---une
OF them was taken prisoner, and brought into the
camp of General Atkinson, while on his route IN
the southeastern side of Rock river--and some
OF them were found with Black Hawk, up the
Ousconsin, when he was taken. A II these facts
have been asserted, repeated and, so far as have
observed, never disproved, satisfactorily ex-
planned. They are universally received as true.
The Potawotamie nation generally may not have
participates; but when their rancorous hostility
during the last war with G. Britain is consider
ed, these facts might certainly justify an unfavor-
able opinion of their fidelity & opinion was all
that the Governor expressed. He did not author
ize, in his proclamation, any steps to be taken by
our troops against these Indians; but suspectipo
their treachery, upon reasonable grounds, as
events have shown, it was his duty to apprize the
people OF 1t, in order that they might be aware,
to It's fullest extent, of the dangers which menac-
ed the frontier, and the possible power of the
enemy which our volunteers might have to en-.
counter. And this was the head and front of the
Governors offence-an offence which h. s pro-
voked an officer of the general government to lose
sight OF all decorum, and overlap all the barriers
which wise policy has interposed for the pre-
servalon of harmony in our federal and state re-
iations.
stand advised by him that Mr. Owen will in
future take ono notice of anonymous publications
let the character of the charges be what it NAV q
as he holds it to be an act of the most contempt
BILE cowardice to assail the reputation of another
without having the magnanimity or independence
to afiiX his own proper signature to the charges 81
Mr. Owen esteeming anonymous publications
thus contemplate and cowardly, the disdainful
Indifference, which he affects, but which mos,
people would dislike to acknowledge as to their
regulations, may be in him the less unbecomng
and the less inconsistent with the sensibilty, as
felt by him, of man, and confidential public
officer. But, in truth, the relation between Mr.
o. and an anonymous scribbler, like myself, NAV
not place the latter on more reduced SCALE than
the relative position of the Executive of state
and that of an agent to a band of savages NAV
establish for the agent. Mr.. O. has not, hope
) now to learn, that the best results have followed
Ito the public from the structures of anon.
ymous writers upon the conduct, and official char
acter of as great men as himself. He, even
NAV be taught lesson, therefore. At all events
my chagrin at his contempt will be greatly lessen
ed, if the people, they for whose benefit intent
my comments, will deign to notice them; and i
my feow-citizens can derive any wholesome
fruit from my abors, it will matter but little t,
the author what Mr.. Owen thinks of him, or hi
productions.
October 4, 1922. X.
CONVENTIONS.