“Indian Murders etc...’

Date

4-20-1812

Newspaper

Virginia Argus

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 2 and 3

Newspaper Location

Richmond, Virginia

Serial Number

1074

Abstract

Long article that details supposed Indian reaction to the New Madrid earthquakes.

Transcript

ST. LOUIS, (U. L.) March 21. INDIAN MURDERS, &c. Since Christmas last, the following murders have been committed by the Indians in this country: Two persons near the mines on the Mississippi, nine within the district of St. Charles, within the settlements, supposed to be killed by the Kickapoos; one man at Fort Madison, on the 3d instant, by the Winebagfoes,--There were several men who left Fort Madison, for this part of the territory, about the 17th instant, who are supposed to have fallen into the hands of the enemy, as they have not been heard of. Main Poc, the Pattowatomie, is preparing a war party to proceed against the Osages; this fellow has been, until lately, at Fort Malden, and it is thought at the Peorias, that he intends to strike at the whites. We received a few days ago, some account of Governor Harrison's treating with some of the Chies, who were in, the last action on the Wabash. This news may be correct; but we know from the most authentic channels, that those are only squads of bands, who either are amusing Gov. Harrison to avert a merited retaliation, or wish to secure their individual families from an expected attack this spring. The officers of the garrisons of Chicago and Fort Madison, United States' agents on the Mississippi, and Illinois traders, travelers and spies, all concur in the same story, that the Indians have no Idea of making peace with us; that red wampum is passing through all the upper villages, from the Sioux of St. Peters, to the head of the Wabash; that at every Council-fire, the Americans are devoted and proscribed; and, in short, that a general combination is ripening fast. We should be sorry, that Governor Harrison should be the dupe of a few rascals, or that he should call our frontier people to a fatal security, by giving them a soporific from Vincennes. We know, that we have a better opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of Indian movements than can possible be attained on the Wabash, and therefore will sound the alarm when danger is apprehended. It is a well known fact, that most, if not all, the Indians East of the Mississippi, have divided into smaller bands; some are for peace, while a band of the same nation are determined on war with the U. States; thus, one party of each of the Pattowatomies, Kickapoos, Puants, &c. are treating with Governor Harrison-the others are are butchering our frontier people; yet the pacific party will not scruple to engage for the whole nation, whom they know it is impossible to restrain, as long as there is a British subject suffered to trade within the lines of our territories, or receive presents at Malden. In consequence of various and groundless rumors of the disaffection of the Louisiana Delawares & Shawanoes, their chiefs lately addressed a letter to Gen Clark, expressive of the most acute mortification, in that their fidelity could not be doubted, and demanding that the subject should be brought before court, in order to confront and punish their calumniators. We are sorry that the idle, the vicious and the talkative could not find some other topic to indulge their genius. The new company of rangers, now doing duty in the district of St. Charles, are, perhaps, as find a body of hardy woodsmen as ever took the field; they cover, by constant and rapid movements, that tract of country form Salt river, on the Mississippi, to the Missouri, near Loutre. The Cherokees, who were exploring that tract of country between the Arkansas and White river, have returned home, terrified by the repeated and violent shocks of earthquakes. We understand, they intended to exchange with the United States their country on the East of the Mississippi, for a like quantity on the Arkansas. The tremendous effects of Earthquake in this Territory, has revived an almost obsolete Indian rite in the mode of imploring the Deity, and to avert the divine displeasure. Temples are erecting in the Indian villages, to make offerings to the Great Spirit. The Shawanoes of the Maramec, [40 miles from this place,] have finished their religious devotions. The following authentic account of it may be interesting to our readers. The Indian mode of worship, as happened in consequence of the late Earthquake: This alarming Phenomenon of nature, struck with such consternation and dismay, those tribes of Indians, that live within and contiguous to that tract of country on the Mississippi, where the severity of the Earthquake appears to have been greatest, that they were induced to convene together in order to consult upon the necessity of having recourse to some method of relief, from so alarming an incident-when it was resolved to fall upon the following expedient to excite the pity of the Great Spirit. After a general hunt had taken place to kill deer enough for the undertaking. A small hut was built to represent a temple, or place of offering sacrifice. The ceremony was introduced by a general cleansing of the body and face, the novelty of the occasion rendering it unusually awful and interesting. After neatly skinning their deer, they suspended them by the fore feet, so that their heads might be directed to the Heavens, before the temple, as an offering to the Great Spirit. In this attitude they remained for three days; which interval was devoted to such penance as consists in absolute fastings; at night lying upon the back upon fresh deer skins; turning their thoughts exclusively upon the happy prospect of immediate protection; that they may conceive dreams to that effect, the only vehicle of intercourse between them and the Great Spirit; the old and young men observing most rigorous abstinence from a cohabitation with the women, under the solemn persuasion that, for a failure thereof, instant death and condemnation agaited; and lastly, gravely and with much apparent piety, imploring the attention of the Great spirit to their helpless and distressed condition; acknowledging their absolute dependence on him; entreating his regard to their wives and children; declaring the fatal consequences that must inevitably caused by withholding his notice; namely, the loss of their wives and children; and their total disability to master their game, arising from their constant dread of his anger; and concluded in asserting their full assurance, that their prayers are heard, their object is accomplished by a cessation of terrors, and game becoming again plenty and easily overcome. On the lapse of the three days, thus dedicated, believing themselves, forgiven for every unwarrantable act of which they were sensible, that the offering was accepted; they finally begin with a mutual relation of their respective dreams; the scene is changed to joy and congratulation, by proceeding ravenously to devour the sacrificed deer to alleviate their fast. We are informed from a respectable source that the old road to the post of Arkansas, by Spring river, is entirely destroyed by the last violent shocks of earthquakes; chasms of great depth and considerable length cross the country in various directions, some swamps have became dry, others deep lakes, in some places hills have disappeared. By letters from Fort Madison of the 9th inst, we learn, that the Winebagoes constantly hover about the garrison and fire on those who venture beyond the limits of the public ground. On the 3d, a soldier (corporal Leonard) who was permitted to go out to hunt, was cut to pieces about 2 miles from the Fort. They have endeavored to shoot the sentry but was discovered before they could obtain a proper distance. Friendly Indians say, that the Winebagoes, Pottowatomies and Kickapoos, intend to storm the fort as soon as the ice breaks up.

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