Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-12-18
ihe addressed the assembled chiefs:

tongue Hear me then for once offer my
own life as hostage for the white stranger
| know he has spoken the truth. Let him
be unbound till my words can be tested; bind
me, if you will, in his stead and fhe proves
false, the treachery, be upon my head. And
ifhe is true man, and not a liar, you will
thank the White Fawn for saving you from
the vengeance of the English, whose friend
ship you are seeking. Do not speak words
of wisdom %
Her words were scarcely finished, when a
powerful chief, seeing that they had a favor
able impression upon the listeners, cut the
bonds of the prisoner, and hurried him away
! in the darkness.
Then spoke Black Bird for the first time
al call you all to witness what say. |
have loved the White Fawn since when, like
pale flower of the prarie, she was brought
among US. adopted her as my daughter, |
have watched over her as the child of my af-
fectIon. If any should lay finger on her
to give her pain, his scalp should ornament
my girdle. But she has given herself hos
tage for one have thought betrayer. It is
well !; let her be watched; and if the white
prisoner prove false, she dies! have said
it."
When the Chiefs and braves separated, it
was with the agreement thata council should
be proposed with the Americans, when during
the " talk" the American officers were to be
assassinated, and an immediate attack made
on the fort
While these things were taking place a.
mong the Indians, Capt. Head and his Off
GERS were debating the propriety of evacua-
ting the fort and attempting to make their
way to Fort Wayne. The subordinate Off
GERS finding that their commander called no
council, waited on him in body to know his
determination. He was resolved to abandon
the fort. And all the remonstrance on the
part of his subordnates was of no avail
They appealed to the fact, that the potta-
watomies through whose country they must
pass, were already on the point of open war
that the fort was well supplied with provis-
ions and ammunition, and that all things in
dicated that it was far better to trust them
selves, the soldiers, and the women and chill
dren in the fort, with the prospect of succor
from the other side of the peninsula, than to
trust for single hour to the t-eacherous
savage. But Captain Heald replied that he
believed it his duty to retire from the post in
obedience to the order from Gen. Hull; and
added that he had sufficient confidence in the
Indians to believe that they would give him
safe escort to Fort Wayne Finding the
commander immoyeable, the officers held
themselves aloof from further advice on the
subject.
Captain Head then appointed the 18th of
August for a council with the Indians. The
chiefs were all present, and there is but little
doubt that they were only prevented from put
ting their scheme of treachery into execution
ton by the proper action of the officers, who
declined attending the council with their cap
tain; but remained in the fort and pointed
the loaded cannon SO as to command the whole
council.
Captain Head told the Indians that he was
going to abandon the fort, and that he should
distribute the ammunition and property which
it contained among the Indians. He also
asked them for an escort to Fort Wayne
promising them valuable presents on their ar
rival there. The treacherous Pottawatomies
agreed to furnish the escort, while they Sc
cretly determined to massacre the whole gar
rison.
After the council was over, a Mr.. klnsie,
who was and long had been trader among
the Indians, warned Captain Heald of the
madness of placing spirits, and especially am
munition, in the hands of the Indians, and ac-
cordingly it was resolved to destroy the spI-
rits. and throw the ammunition into the river.
At length, on the 18th, the Indians assem-
bled to receive the goods which were to be
distributed among them; but they were ever
on the watch, and had already learned of the
destruction of the ammunition and spirits
and they openly charged it on Captain Heald.
But although 1t was evident from the conduct
and bearing of the savages that they medta-
ted something terrible, they had now learned
that the Americans would soon be out of the
protection of the fort, and they restrained
little longer their appetite for blood.
On the next morning, Capt Wells arrived
from Fort Wayne. He had heard of General
IIull's order to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and
with few friendly Miamies, he had boldly
passed, by a rapid march, through the wilder
ness, 10 the fort, in the hope of being able to
prevent the exposure of the troops, and of his
sister, Mrs. Head, to certain destruction,
But he came toe late! The ammunition was