Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-08-07
MAJ. FIGG. rs. COL. JOHNSON.

The Kentucky leman declares that the "Figg cor.
respondeace,p which was supposed 10 settle the long
aytsted question: who killed Tecumsehl" is anpeth.
er hoax. II declares that Col. johnson does not nos
live a, the Great Crossings, at which place the letter
purporling 10 have been written by him to Maj. Figg
was dated and that the Colonel was at that time en-
route TO Washington city, Il even expresses doubt
whether Lewis Fsg, who seeks 10 deprive "Rampsey
Dumpsey" o tic honor OF having "ked Tecumsel p
is not himself "a man Of straw" We confess thai we
in fog about this grave historical problem. On the
hand, We admit that tie int sfhdi erdeaces of the
letter Fig, signed 'R NJ. Johnson, against
Authenticity, and thought from the frst-or, al.
though we had never given 10 that gallant gentleman
credit for more than average supply of brains. yet
DO not SUPPOSE him be quite suI eton as, fhe
that letter. he is unqueStonaby But them on the 9th
hand. the correspondence published in the Barjs
town (Ky) Sentinel. embodied in long address TO the
people Of Nelson, in which Lewis Figg announces him
self candidate for the State Legislature. aud in which
his claims forth in minute detail and urged with
great simplicity well force. For example in rea-
renee to this Tecumseh Affair." he says:
81 will not deia il the privaiiuns and larlships en-
.dured on thai occasion, but will only aude a few of
the scenes that most fresh my recollection
Tine first engagement If any importance that in.
was the battle OF the Thames, in which that willy and
subtle foe, Iecumseh, slain, many suppose, by
Col. Johnson-bnt | will easily convince you that III
credit belongs exclusively 10 myself Col. johnson aud
myself were messmates in this campagn. and were
T%lh severely and dangerously wounded in the above
bate--we We're both nursed in the tent, and
tended by the same surgeon Soon alter The battle, and
after we were both convalescent, the Colonel and
sell lying, talking the of the battle and
the death Of Iecumseh. The Colonel. knowing that il
was that killed Iecumseh, remarked to me-fs never
expect 10 become public man, must let him have the
credit of killing Tecum H. il would be of essential
service TO him in his intend political canvassing.
replied to him. that would do So but should ever he
come candidate 1t sary for my success, that
The truth must be told this the Colonel readily assencd
TO-"
Now whether there be such mar as Lewis Fgg or
motor whether if there be, he is the real Tecumseh
kler-and il he is, whether Col johnson wrote the
letter in which the honor Of that achievement is with 50
must be left for and the editor of the Bardsown pa
per to disclose. If Col. johnson really the letter
published by Figg, it is very obvious he did intend
it for publications. but merely designed give permission
TO his old comrade to claim his long relnqusted credit
for achievement which had rendered such essential
ms 10 have been that probably he nst
ing with entire proprety in publishing the Colones let
ter-r in another part Of his address, he expresses
-rr'res"" that might be thought "a breach of
coaIidence'and he therefore that he submitted
the question to his old friend John Pope who advised
him that IL could not be considered in that light We
await, with intense anyiery,'' farther developments