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 heavens, “the sun is my father, and the earth is my mother; she gives me nourishment,