“Hostile appearances among the Creek & Chickasaw Indians”
Date
5-19-1812
Newspaper
Lexington Kentucky Gazette
Page and Column
Page 2, Column 3
Newspaper Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Serial Number
236
Abstract
A report from Natchez detailing the effect of the New Madrid earthquakes among the Creek and Chickasaw Indians. Mentions that the Prophet(an Indian leader) had predicted the New Madrid earthquakes as a sign of displeasure for the Indians disobedience.
Transcript
Hostile appearances among the Creek & Chickasaw Indians. By a gentleman immediately from Natchez we have the following: TO THE EDITOR, 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 gaining ground, they believe 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 was informed, and particularly by one who had the best opportunity of knowing what was dong, that between 3 & 400 Indians were embodied on Bear Creek, about 80 miles from Colbert's Ferry on Tennessee river. They embrace every opportunity of stealing horses &c. From what observation 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.
Recommended Citation
"“Hostile appearances among the Creek & Chickasaw Indians”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 229.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/229
