The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872, 1860-06-09
From Claiborn's Life Of Gen. Sam. Dale.
Tecumseh's Speech.

Tecumseh led, the warriors followed, one in
the footsteps OF the other. The Greeks, in
dense masses, stood on each side of the path,
but the Shawnees noticed no one they marched
to the pole in the centre of the square and then
turned to the left At each angle of the square
Tecumseh took from his pouch some tobacco
and sumach, and dropped it on the ground his
warriors performed the same ceremony. This
they repeated three times as they marched
around the square. Then they approached the
flag pole in the CENTRE encircled around it three
times, and facing the NORTH threw tobacco and
sumach on small fire, burning as usual, near
the base ofthe pole. On this they empted their
pouches. They then marched in the same or
der to the council or kings house, (as it was
termed in ancient times) and drew up before it.
The Big Warrior and leading men were sitting
there. The Shawnee chief sounded his war
whoop-a most diabolical yell-and each of his
followers responded. Tecumseh then presented
to the Big Warrior wampum belt of Eve differ
ent colored strands, which the Greek chief hand
ed to his warriors, and it passed down the line
The Shawnee's pipe was then produced it was
large, long, and prousely decorated with shells.
beads, and painted eagle and porcupine quilts.
1t was lighted from the fire in the centre, and
slowly passed from the Big Warrior along the
line.
All this time not q word had been uttered
everything was still as death even the winds
slept, and there was only the gentle falling
leaves At length Tecumseh spoke; at first
slowly and in sonorous tones, but he soon grew
imprisoned, and the words fell in avelanches
from his lips, his eyes burned with supernatural
lustre, and his whole frame trembled with emo
ton his voice resounded over the multitude
now sinking in low and musical whispers, now
rising to its highest key, hurting out his words
like succession of thunderbolts. His counte-
varied with his speech its prevalent ex-
preston was a sheer of hatred and defiance
sometimes a murderous smile; for a brief inter-
val a sentiment of profound sorrow pervaded it,
at the close a look of concentrated vengeance,
such, suppose, as distinguishes the arch enemy
of mankind.
| have heard many great orators, but never
saw one with the vocal powers of Tecumseh,
or the same command of the muscles of his face.
| Had | been deaf, the play of his countenance
would have told me what he said Its effect on
that wild, superstitious, untutored and warlike
assemblage may be conceived; not a word was
said, but stern warriors, the q stoics of the
woods shook with emotion, and thousand
tomahawks were brandished in the air. Even
the Big Warrior, who had been true to the
whites and remained faithful during the war,
was for the moment visiby affected, and more
than once | saw his huge hand clutch, spas
medically, the handle of his knife. All this was
the effect of his delivery-for though the mother
of Tecumseh was Creek and he was familiar
with the language, he spoke in the northern
dialect, and it was afterwards interpreted by an
Indian linguist to the assembly. His speech has
been reported, but no one has done or can do il
! justice. think | can repeat the substance Of
what lie said, and, indeed, his very words.