The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-10

such an attempt. there are thousands and
hundreds OF thousands beyond the mountains
VINO VIII not hold theirs. Corrupt as The ma
'ion has become in some things, sense OF
gratitude TO the defenders of the country, is
yer warmly glowing In their bosoms, and
deeply impressed ON their hessts; and it is
possible that the gentleman and ~ psusy,
may yet discover that attacks like ehese
though harmless as 10 the object Of them.
sometimes recoil with fearful power upon
those who make them. Yes, sir, they will
be visited and repaid with vengeance. by an
indignant community. Sir. did indulge my
feelings on this occasion, should quote from
no books, should consult no musty records
No man in Ohio, no man in the West---in all
the West-wants book 10 speak of General
Harrison; for it was well snid by gentle
man in the other end of this building, (Rich-
ard M. Johnson.) that /" the history of the
West is his history" But the gentleman
has compelled me, and though it be almost
work of supererogation, must be permitted to
refer to some historical authorities, which
shall do presently, and which may show how
the standing of that officer may compare with
that Of ihe gentleman from Michigan. being
no military man, will not undertake TO say
AND here iei me remark, for the benefit Of
ths -gsassenan from Miehisaa and his Gsisnds,
that am not quoting from Wing historian
the author Of this book is Moses Dawson, of
Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the leading friends
Of Mr.. Van Buren,, us he was before that,
warm and decided supporter Of Gen. Jackson.
General Harrison needs not the partial testi-
mony Of friends, to bolster up his reputation,
but may boldly challenge his bitterest and
most decided enemies.
And, now viii commend to the gentle
mans attention, still further, the same histori.
cal authority. The gentleman, speaking
about the number of Indians present in the
battle OF Tippecanoe, stated il as being only
four hundred and fifty. do not know where
he found his warrant for that estimate, but |
will give him the testimony Of Moses Daw-
con again on that point:
The Indians left thirty eight warriors dead on the
held, and buried !severa others in the town, which,
With those who must have died Of their wounds, would
make their loss al least great that Of the Amer
;ans The troops under the command Of General Har.
son, OF every description, amounted the day before
ne battle TO something more than 500 The ordinary
orce iha; had been at the Prophets Town. through the
preceding summer, was about 450: but they were
oned few days before the action, by all the Kicka-
zoos OF the Prairie and by many bands Of Poawata-
MES from the Illinois river, and the ST. Joseph's, of
lake Michigan. They estimated their number after
he battle, to have been six hundred but the traders
Who had good opportunity Of knowing, made them at
eaSf eight hundred and many as one thousand
however, It is certain. that victory ever before
btaned over the Northern Indians where the numbers
.ere any thing like equal. The number Of INDIANS
illed, too was greater than before known
Ia he wad u. 49,. N
T. Glars defeat, and still fewer Braddocks 1t is
aeir custom always to avoid close action At Tippe-
anoe, they rushed up TO the bayonets Of our menu
'a'eson's Life Of Gen Harrison, page GIG
cahtthsaiy MXiffm Baa aMeea. tho 6fas rPftcdHoe,
has been computed, on good authority, that
ull as many Indians were killed and wound
ID, as there were of the American forces. 1t
; admitted by all, that more obstinate bat
lie never was fought-that Indians never lett
heir covert, and came on with more deter
mined fury, and more unfiinching perseve-
ence. 1t is well known, that in general, an
indian force will not stand to receive charge,
tut here they rushed upon the bayonets; and
[ is stated, that one savage warrior, brayey and
.droily thrust aside the bayonet, and with his
war club, crushed in pieces the head of his
adversary.
But il has been asked,by the gentleman from
Michigan, why did General Harrison wait un-
Ill be was attacked by the Indians at all
Why did he not push on upon the sixth, and
At cnce attack their towns, and cut them to
pieces reply, that if any man will look at
The circumstances as they then stood, he will
at once perceive, that this was impossible, and
that had General Harrison attempted IT, he
would have exposed himself to far greater
censure than is now attempted to be heaped
upon him; and what is now the censure, would
have been deserved Let it be Remembered,
that General Harrison was directed to act on
the defensive, and on the sixth there had been
no open declaration Of hostihties. The In
dians coming up peaceably to his camp,
injured why he had brought so many troops
with him ? That for themselves, they wished
for peace, and, as proof OF It, had sent an
embassy to him, proposing terms OF perma-
nent pacific arrangement, but unfortunately
their embassy had failed to meet him. having
gone down on the opposite side OF the river.
Could General Harrison, IN the lace OF
such u declaration, have advanced into their
towns and used his bayonets on their women
and children If gentlemen complain so loud
ly now, what would they have said had he
pursued conduct like this Z 1t was not IN his
nature. He could not do ii, and he ought not
to have done it. But did he rely on these
specious declarations OF the Indians Did
he trust their profiers Of peace and, being
gulled by their wiley protesiations, DID ne
walk into the snare which they had prepared
for him! Hear, on this point, the voice oil
history:
IAN idea was propagaed by the enemies Of Coy
Harrison, after the battle OF lippecanoe 'ha' 'no ="
d,ans had forced him to cncamp on place chosen by
Them as suitable for The attack they intended. Inc
chnsen by Majors laNoT anu