Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-12-31


"a spot which has become classic ground
to the American. as The residence of tina,
rxcelIen, man. and distinguished states.
man aud soldier. the venerable and la
men.ed Harrison. The fort was garris.
oned by small party Of soldiers. com.
manded by captain, who was almos, az
insulated from the rest Of The world as
Alexander Selkirk in the Island Of Juan
Fernandez.
A. this seques.ered spot treaty was to
be held by commissioners appointed by
the President, with The Shawanoes, a mi
gra,ory and gaIan, nation, which had
fought from South Carolina to Pennsyl-
vania. along the whole line Of the western
frontier. and whose eveniful history. I'M
less i, has been lately collected by an in
genious writer who is about to publish
life Of Tecumseh, remains to be written.
|. is enough to say Of them here, that no
western tribe has produced 80 many dis
lingu.shed individuals, or carried on so
cons.an. series Of daring enterprises.
For several days previous 10 that ap-
pointed for holding the council, parties Of
Indian warriors we're seen arriving and
erecting their temporary lodgings a.
shor, distance from The fort An unwon,.
ed hustle disturbed the silence which
reigned at this retired spot. Groups Of
savages. surrounding their camp fires.
passed the hours in conversation and in
Teasing; The tramp Of horses and the bark.
ing Of dogs was heard in every direction.
The number Of Indians assembled was
much greater than was necessary. or was
expected; and their disposition seemed
anything bu, pacific. Irri.a,ed by recent.
events, and pulled up by delusive promis-
es Of support, they wore an offended and
insolent air. Their glances were vindic-
tive. and their ,hirs. for vengeance scarce
ly concealed No one acquainted with
the savage character could doub. their in.
tenlions, or hesitate for moment TO be-
lieve. they only waited to ripen their plan
Of treachery. and at moment. which
should be the most favorable TO their pur-
poses. 10 butcher every white man in their
power.
The situation of The garrison was very
precarious. The fori was slight work.
which might be readily Sc. on fire. and
the number Of Americans was too small
to afford The slightest chance Of success in
open 6gh. sgains, the numerous force of
The Shawanoes. The only hope for safety
was in keeping them at a distance, hu,
this was Inconsistent with the purposes of
meeting them in Council, 10 trea, for
peace.
Both parties held separate councils on
the day previous to that appointed for the
treaty. That of The Indians was declama-
tory and boisserous. The caution with
which they usually feel their way. and the
secrecy that attends all their measures.
seemed TO have been abandoned. They
had probably decided on their course. and
deeming their enemy too weak TO oppose
any serious opposition. were declaiming
upon their wrongs. for the purpose Of
lashng each other in,n tina. state Of fury
which would give relish for the horrible
banque, a, hand. by whetling the appetite
for blood. The American commissioners
saw with gloomy farebndings these nau.
spirious movements, and hesitaed as 10
the proper course TO be pursued. To
treat with s,vages thus numerically supe-
rior, ben, on reachery, and intoxicated
with expected triumph seemed to be mad.
ness. To meet them in council. would be
tn place themselves a. the mercy Of ruth :.
included every species Of s,ralagem. how.
ever disngrnuons. To close the gate Of
the fortress. and break The negotiation,
would be al the same time declaration nf
war. an acknowledgement Of weakness.
which would produce immediate hos,iIi-
Ties. In either case thi. little band of
Americans stood alone. dependent on their
own courage and sagacity only. and Gu.
off from all hope Of support.
They were far beyond the reach Of
communication with any American pos,
or settlement Under these circums.an-
ces, it WAS purposed TO postpone the .rea-
~. upon some plausible preience. and 10
endeavor tn amuse The Indians. while the
utmost diligence should be used in pre-
pairing the fort for siege; and in this
opinion all concnrred save one; and hap.
PLY that one as n master spirit. the Pro.
me,hean fire Of whose genius seldom
courage tina. glowed in his own. That
man was Col. GEORGE RooERs CLARKE.
Clarke was Virglnisn Of high spirit
and consummate skill as military leader.
A series Of daring exploits. eyincing a
brilian, genius in their conception. exc
cu,ed with accuracy and energy, and ter
minating in terrible results. had placed his
name in the first class Of our revolutiona.
~ heroes.
Ii was said Of him. by one who had fol.
lowed him in battle. He was the oravesl
man ever knew; his courage was gov.
erned by wisdom tina, bore him through
wha,ever he undertook. in security and IN
triumph. and one could only see after the
event, tina, it partook not Of rashness OF
presumption, though j. bore that appear
ance.' The truth was that this remarka-
5le man, 10 the gallant spirit which be.
lonped to him as native Of Virginia, ad
ded knowledge Of human nature, tina
enabled him TO read and control the minds
around him. and promptness and energy
of purpose tina. no ordinary obstacle
could obsiruct.