Indian
Affairs:
Hostile Appearances among the Creek and Chickasaw
Indians
By a gentleman immediately from Natchez,
we have the following:
To the editor,
Sir - -
From a conversation which I had with a principal Chickasaw
Indian, called the Indian Factor, from his having formerly
been a kind of Agent for that nation, I am convinced that
the Chicasaws with the assistance of their neighbors,
intend raising the long buried tomahawk, and are
meditating an energetic and destructive blow on the
Whites.
The Factor states and the [Indians?] pretty [generally
have given] [illegible] the statement, that the Prophet
[Tenskwatawa] previously to the Battle of the Wabash told
the Indians if they would [illegible] him against the
Whites, he [would speak] to the Great Spirit, and
[illegible] of his great displeasure at their
[disobedience], the [Earth?] should be [unusually?]
agitated and convulsed and threatened immediate
[dissolution?]. This statement gaining ground they
believe the Prophet, for their disobedience caused the
frequent shakings of the Earth experienced during the last
winter.
The Factor considers it the duty of every Indian
implicitly to adhere to the Prophet; as even the deep
foundations of Nature tremble at his command. - -
The Chickasaws say that something great will be done when
the [illegible] grow larger.
While in the neighborhood of Tennessee river I was
informed, and [illegible] by one who had the best
opportunity of knowing what was done that between 3 &
400 Indians were [embarked?] on [Bear?] Creek, about [30?]
miles from Colbert's Ferry on Tennessee river. They
embrace every opportunity of stealing horses &c.
From what observations I was able to make, I think serious
consequences are to be apprehended.
I feel very certain that we cannot escape a conflict with
them unless their [fears?] should be some how made to
prevail over their enthusiasm and the malignity which
grows out of that enthusiasm.
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