Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-12-13
TECUMSEHS HONOR.
An Indians Word and Gratitude.


A correspondent Of the Detroit Free Press,
gives the following among other deeply inter-
estlng anecdotes Of the great Indian warrior
and prophet, Tecumseh:
awhile the enemy was in full possession of
the country around Monroe and Detroit, Tecum-
sch, with large band of his warriors, visited
the river Raisin. The inhabitants along the
river had been stripped of subsistence. Old
Mr.. Rivard, a Frenchman, who was lame ard
unable to procure living for himself and fam
lily, had contrived to keep out Of sight of the
wandering bands Of savages, pair Of oxen,
with which his son was able to procure scanty
support for the family. It so happened that
while at labor with the oxen, Tecumseh, who
had come over from Maiden, met him in the
road, and walking up to him said
amy friend. must have these oxen. Ny
young men are very hungry, and they have moth
ing to eat. We must have these oxen
"Young Rivard demonstrated. He told the
chief that if he took the oxen, his father would
s'arve to death.
"sWell,' said Tecumseh, we are are the
conquerors, and everything we want is ours.
must have the oxen; my people must not starve,
but will not be so mean as to rob you of them,
will pay you one hundred dollars for them,
and that is far more than they are worth; but
we must have them
"Tecumseh gota white man to write an order
on the British Indian Agent, Col. Elliott, who
promptly refused to pay it, saying, I'VE are en-
titled to our support from the country we have
conquered. | will not pay it,
The young man, with a sorrowful heart, re-
turned with the answer to Tecumseh, who said,
{ Tomorrow we will go and see.'
In the morning he took young Rivard ana
went to see the Colonel On meeting him he
said, Do you refuse to pay for the oxen
bought?'
"' Yes said the Colonel and he reiterated
the reason for refusal.
al bought them,' said the chief, for my young
men who were very hungry. Ipromised to pay
for them, and they shall be paid for. have al
ways heard that the white nations went to war
with each other, and not with peaceful individu.
als that they did not rob and plunder poor
people. | will not
"'Well,' said the Colonel, Il will not pay
for them
"' You can do as you please, said the chief
but before Tecumseh and his warriors came to
fight the battles Of the great king, they had
enough to eat, for which they had only to thank
the Master of Life and their good rules. Their
hunting grounds supplied them with food
enough, and TO them they can return
This threat produced sudden change in
the Coones mind. The detection of the great
chief, he well knew, would Immediately with.
draw all the nations of the red men from the
British service; and, without them, they were
nearly powerless on the frontier.
"Well,' said the Colonel, If must pay,
will
90 Give me hard money! said Tecumseh, moi
rag money! (army bills.)
"The Colonel then counted out hundred
dollars in coin, and gave them to him. The
chief handed tho money to young Rivard, and
then said to the Colonel, give me one dollar
more. II was given, and handing that also tc
kivard he said, Take that it will pay you fol
the time you have lost In getting your money"
fellow in the jail wishes he had the small
pox, so he could .break OUT" He has tried ev.