“From Fort Madison...”

Date

5-16-1812

Newspaper

Reporter

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 3

Newspaper Location

Lexington, Kentucky

Serial Number

281

Abstract

Report from La Haut Missouri that the New Madrid earthquakes had caused peace top break out among the Indians.

Transcript

ST. LOUIS, April 18. From fort Madison, we learn, that the Paunts constantly hover about the garrison, they lately shot a centinel and the same day one of them was killed by a shot from the fort. Gomo's party who arrived here a few days ago, have met gov. Edwards at Cahokia, the result of the conference has not yet transpired. Gomo reports that the Indian who killed Mr. Cox, on Woodriver, is now at Peoria; he belongs to the St. Joseph's band of Putawatomies, has numerous connections, who would attack and destroy him if he delivered the murderers to the whites, he promises to point him out to any party government may send. Accounts from la haut Missouri announces a general peace among the Indians, it is said that the earthquakes has created this pacification. April 25.--We learn from unquestionable authority, that governor Howard has received evidence so satisfactory to him that the late murder of O'Neil's family, on the Mississippi, was perpetrated by a party of Kickapoos, that he has made a demand of them from governor Edwards, and transmitted to him the evidence of their guilt. Thus every day developes more and more of the system on which those savages act; while one part is making the most humble professions of friendship; another part of the same band or tribe is glutting its sanguinary vengeance upon our defenceless women and children; and unless this insidious course be arrested by the co-ercive arm of government we can expect nothing less than to witness and mourn over multiplied instances of such savage and brutal fury. A short time since another of our soldiers at fort Madison, was mortally wounded by the Indians, having been shot through a port hole, and is since dead. The succeeding night the Indians made further attempts on the fort, and had one of their party killed, and another wounded. They were constantly waylaying the fort, and seeking ever opportunity to do mischief. All the Americans, except two, have fled from Pairie du Chien, leaving their property behind, in consequence of the avowed hostility of the savages towards them. Some are arrived here, having miraculously escaped with their lives; among them are Maj. George Wilson, lately of Kentucky, and Mr. Pryor, late an officer in the U. States army.-These gentlemen bear ample testimony not only to the hostile views of the Winebagoes and others, but they state circumstances which prove that the Shawnoe Prophet has been engaged during the winter most assiduously in exciting the hostility of various tribes of Indians towards us.-Further particulars will be given hereafter. The British traders boast that they have the exclusive trade of the Mississippi, above the Missouri, and that before the expiration of another year no American will be permitted to trade up the Missouri, or its tributary streams! The Winebagoes now assembled at the mouth of Rock river say, that every boat passing up and down will be examined for Americans, that their papers shall denominate their country. Americans they will tomahawk or burn-the French attached to the American government, shall have the same fate; but the English and Canadian French shall be protected, and shall have exclusive trade-thus the British and their rascally agents arrest our commercial enterprise in the interior of our country, as well as on the ocean-little did we expect that the Paunts would have been the next power, who should have contended for the right of search, plunder and impressments!!! The Winebagoes or Paunts have two Canadian Frenchmen to examine the lading and crews of such boats as they may capture.

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