The Life and Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock, K.B.: Interspersed with notices of the celebrated Indian chief, Tecumseh, and comprising brief memoirs of Daniel De Lisle Brock, Esq., Lieutenant E.W. Tupper, R.N., and Colonel W. De Vic TupperBrock, Isaac, Sir
History
The Life and Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock, K.B.: Interspersed with notices of the celebrated Indian chief, Tecumseh, and comprising brief memoirs of Daniel De Lisle Brock, Esq., Lieutenant E.W. Tupper, R.N., and Colonel W. De Vic Tupper
About the year 1804, the brother of Tecumseh proclaimed himself a
prophet, who had been commanded by the Great Spirit, the Creator of the
red, but not of the white, people, to announce to his children, that the
misfortunes by which they had been assailed arose from their having
abandoned the mode of life which He had prescribed to them. He declared
that they must return to their primitive habits--relinquish the use of
ardent spirits--and clothe themselves in skins, and not in woollens. His
fame soon spread among the surrounding nations, and his power to
perform miracles was generally believed. He was joined by many, and not
a few came from a great distance, and cheerfully submitted to much
hardship and fatigue, that they might behold the prophet, and then
return. He first established himself at Greenville, within the boundary
of the United States; but the inhabitants of Ohio becoming alarmed at
the immense assemblage of Indians on their frontier, the American
authorities insisted on his removal. Accordingly, he proceeded, in 1808,
to the Wabash, and fixed his residence on the northern bank of that
river, near the mouth of the Tippecanoe. Here his popularity declined,
but, through the influence of Tecumseh, he was again joined by many
among the neighbouring tribes. The prophet's temporal concerns were
conducted by Tecumseh, who adroitly availed himself of his brother's
spiritual power to promote his favourite scheme of a general
confederacy.
In 1811, Tecumseh, accompanied by several hundred warriors, encamped
near Vincennes, the capital of Indiana, and demanded an interview with
the governor of that state, Major-General Harrison, the same officer
who, in 1813, commanded the victorious troops at the battle of the
Thames, in which Tecumseh lost his life. The interview was agreed to,
and the governor inquired whether the Indians intended to come armed to
the council. Tecumseh replied that he would be governed by the conduct
of the white people; if they came armed, his warriors would be armed
also; if not, his followers would come unarmed. The governor informed
him that he would be attended by a troop of dragoons, dismounted, with
their side arms only, and that the Indians might bring their war clubs
and tomahawks. The meeting took place in a large arbour, on one side of
which were the dragoons, eighty in number, seated in rows; on the other
the Indians. But besides their sabres, the dragoons were armed with
pistols. The following incident is said to have occurred at this
interview. Tecumseh looked round for a seat, but not finding one
provided for him, he betrayed his surprise, and his eyes flashed fire.
The governor, perceiving the cause, instantly ordered a chair. One of
the council offered the warrior his chair, and, bowing respectfully,
said to him: "Warrior, your father, General Harrison, offers you a
seat." "My father!" exclaimed Tecumseh, extending his hand towards the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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