“Hostile appearances among the Creek and Chickasaw Indians”

Date

5-23-1812

Newspaper

Lexington American Statesman

Newspaper Location

Lexington, American Statesman

Serial Number

195

Abstract

Account from Indian factors that the Chickasaw and Creek Indians were warned by Tecumseh that the earth would be convulsed. Seen as cause of Indian uprising.

Transcript

Hostile appearances among the Creek and Chickasaw Indians. By a gentleman immediately from Natchez we have the following: SIR.-From a conversation which I had with a principal Chickasaw Indian, called the Indian Factor, from his having formerly been a kind of Agent for that nation, I am convinced that the Chickasaws with the assistance of their neighbors, intend raising the long buried tomahawk, and are meditating an energetic and destructive blow on the Whites. The Factor states, and the Indians, pretty generally, have given credit to the statement, that the Prophet, previously to the battle of the Wabash, told the Indians, if they would not join him against the whites, he would speak to the Great Spirit, and as a proof of his great displeasure at their disobedience, the earth should be unusually agitated and convulsed and threatened immediate dissolution. This statement gained ground; they believed the Prophet for their disobedience, caused the frequent shakings of the earth, experienced during the last winter. The Factor considers it the duty of every Indian implicitly to adhere to the Prophet; as even the deep foundations of nature tremble at his command. The Chickasaws say that something great will be done when the leaves grow large. While in the neighborhood of Tennessee river, I was informed, and particularly by one who had the best opportunity of knowing what was doing, that between 3 and 400 Indians were embodied on Bear creek, about 30 miles from Colbert's ferry, on Tennessee river. They embrace every opportunity of stealing horses, &c. From what observations I was able to make, I think serious consequences are to be apprehended. I feel very certain, that we cannot escape a conflict with them, unless their fears should be some how made to prevail over their enthusiasm and the malignity which grows out of that enthusiasm.

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