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.

 






Steamboat
                    Adventure
Made possible by the Rivers Institute and the
History Department of Hanover College.

 

How to cite this article:  "Indian Affairs," Louisiana Gazette (St. Louis, Louisiana Territory), 13 June 1812, pg. 2, available at http://history.hanover.edu/texts/1811.