Elkswatawa : $b or, The prophet of the west. A tale of the frontierFrench, James Strange
General
Elkswatawa : $b or, The prophet of the west. A tale of the frontier
French, James Strange
Tippecanoe, Battle of, Ind., 1811 -- Fiction
“Brother, I give you a few words until I be with you myself.
“TECUMSEH.”
“Brother at Vincennes, I wish you to listen to me while I send you a
few words, and I hope that they will ease your heart; I know you look
on your young men, and your women, and children with pity, to see them
so much alarmed.
“Brother, I wish you to examine what you have from me, I hope it will
be a satisfaction to you, if your intentions are like mine to wash
away all these bad stories that have been circulated. I will be with
you myself in eighteen days from this day.
“Brother, we cannot say what will become of us, as the Great Spirit
has the management of us at his will. I may be there before the time,
and may not be there until the day. I hope that when we come together
all these bad tales will be settled; by this I hope your young men,
your women and children will be easy. I wish you, brother, to let them
know when I come to Vincennes and see you, that all will be settled in
peace and happiness.
“Brother, these are only a few words to let you know that I will be
with you myself, and when I am with you, I can inform you better.
“Brother, if I find I can be with you in less time than eighteen days,
I will send one of my young men before me, to let you know what time I
will be with you.
“July 4th, 1811.”
Tecumseh's letter having been forwarded to Gen. Harrison, the brothers
again met in conference. It seemed that their wishes had been
anticipated, and they determined to visit Vincennes, and if deemed
practicable after their arrival there, to seize the Governor and
massacre the inhabitants. The journeying there would at least afford
employment for a time for the Prophet's followers, and if nothing
could be effected, Tecumseh resolved to continue on from there to the
south and leave Elkswatawa to return to Tippecanoe. The Governor had
objected to their visiting him with a large retinue, and to obviate
this they agreed to set out with but few followers, and let their
warriors come on and join them at Vincennes in roving parties, they
themselves professing at the time utter ignorance of their coming. The
determination which they had now formed, only served to excite them
still more, and they proceeded at once to prepare for their visit. The
moment had now arrived when they were about to place the success of
those schemes which they had so long been maturing upon a single
chance. Yet with all this they blended prudence, for their designs
were not communicated to their warriors, who armed, were ordered to
move forward and attend a meeting which was to be held at Vincennes,
nor were they to be made acquainted with them unless it was desirable
to do so after their arrival. They well knew that in their present
excited condition, if the object of their visit was known, no power
could restrain them, and that an attempt would be made upon the town,
however impolitic it might be. Between themselves, they agreed that no
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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