Autobiography of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, or Black HawkBlack Hawk, Sauk chief
History
Autobiography of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, or Black Hawk
Black Hawk, Sauk chief
Black Hawk War, 1832; Black Hawk, Sauk chief, 1767-1838; Sauk Indians -- Biography
Having got a new guide, a war chief (Maj. Garland), we started for our
own country, taking a circuitous route. Our Great Father being about to
pay a visit to his children in the big towns towards sunrise, and being
desirous that we should have an opportunity of seeing them, had directed
our guide to take us through.
On our arrival at Baltimore, we were much astonished to see so large a
village; but the war chief told us we would soon see a larger one.
This surprised us more. During our stay here, we visited all the public
buildings and places of amusement, saw much to admire, and were well
entertained by the people who crowded to see us. Our Great Father
was there at the same time, and seemed to be much liked by his white
children, who flocked around him, (as they had around us) to shake him
by the hand. He did not remain long, having left the city before us. In
an interview, while here, the President said:
"When I saw you in Washington, I told you that you had behaved very
badly in going to war against the whites. Your conduct then compelled
me to send my warriors against you, and your people were defeated with
great loss, and several of you surrendered, to be kept until I should be
satisfied that you would not try to do any more injury. I told you,
too, that I would inquire whether your people wished you to return, and
whether, if you did return, there would be any danger to the frontier.
Gen. Clark and Gen. Atkinson, whom you know, have informed me that
your principal chief and the rest of your people are anxious you should
return, and Keokuk has asked me to send you back. Your chiefs have
pledged themselves for your good conduct, and I have given directions
that you should be taken to your own country.
"Major Garland, who is with you, will conduct you through some of our
towns. You will see the strength of the white people. You will see that
our young men are as numerous as the leaves in the woods. What can you
do against us? You may kill a few women and children, but such a force
would seen be sent against you as would destroy your whole tribe. Let
the red men hunt and take care of their families. I hope they will not
again raise the tomahawk against their white brethren. We do not wish to
injure you. We desire your prosperity and improvement. But if you again
make war against our people, I shall send a force which will severely
punish you. When you go back, listen to the councils of Keokuk and the
other friendly chiefs; bury the tomahawk and live in peace with the
people on the frontier. And I pray the Great Spirit to give you a smooth
path and a fair sky to return."
I was pleased with our Great Father's talk and thanked him. Told
him that the tomahawk had been buried so deep that it would never be
resurrected, and that my remaining days would be spent in peace with all
my white brethren.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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