The Indian: On the Battle-Field and in the WigwamFrost, John
History
The Indian: On the Battle-Field and in the Wigwam
Frost, John
Indians of North America
RAND-SUN was a chief of the Natchez tribe. Sun was a common name for all
chiefs of that nation; this chief was particularly distinguished in the
first war with the French, in which the Natchez engaged, and the title
of Great-Sun was given him by his people. He was brave, wise, and
generous, and a friend to the whites until the haughty and overbearing
disposition of one man brought ruin upon the whole colony. The affair
occurred in 1729.
Grand-Sun resided in the beautiful village called White Apple, near the
French post of Natchez, the commandant of which was M. Chopart. This
officer had been removed from his post on account of his misconduct and
and abominable injustice towards the Indians, but had been reinstated,
and his conduct had been the same as before. He projected the building
an elegant village, and none appeared to suit his purpose so well as
the White Apple of Grand-Sun. He sent for the chief to the fort, and
unhesitatingly told him that he must give up his village, and remove
elsewhere. Grand-Sun stifled his surprise, and replied, “that his
ancestors had lived in that village for as many years as there were
hairs in his double queu, and, therefore, it was good that they should
continue there still.” This was interpreted to the commandant, and he
became so enraged, that he threatened Grand-Sun with punishment if he
did not comply.
A council of the Natchez was held. They saw that all was hopeless,
unless they could rid themselves of Chopart by some stratagem.
They decided to attempt it. To gain time, an offer was made to the
commandant, of tribute, in case he should permit them to remain on their
lands until harvest. The offer was accepted, and the Indians matured
their plan. Bundles of sticks were sent to the neighboring tribes, and
their meaning explained. Each bundle contained as many sticks as days
before the massacre of the French at Natchez; and that no mistake should
arise in regard to the fixed day, every morning a stick was drawn from
the bundle and broken in pieces, and the day of the last stick was that
of the execution.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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