Notwithstanding the Prophet appears in all these recent transactions, to be the prominent individual, it is certain that a greater one was behind the scene.  In the junction of the Wyandots with the Prophet, may be seen the result of Tecumseh’s visit to that tribe, in the previous year, at Sandusky, an account of which has been already given.  In regard to the salt annuity, the Prophet knew not what course to pursue, until he had consulted with his brother.  Tecumseh, burning the governor’s letter, and the threat, that if he were present he should meet the same fate, were acts in keeping with his bold character, and well calculated to maintain his ascendancy among the Indians.  While the Prophet was nominally the head of the new party, and undoubtedly exercised much influence by means of his supposed supernatural power, he was but an agent, controlled and directed by a master spirit, whose energy, address and ceaseless activity, were all directed to the accomplishment of the grand plan to which he had solemnly devoted his life.

The information which flowed in upon governor Harrison, from different quarters, relative to the movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet, and the number of their followers, were such as to induce him to make the most active preparations to meet the impending storm.  A meeting of the citizens of Vincennes was held on the subject, two companies of militia were called into active service, and the rest were directed to hold themselves in readiness for the field.  Alarm-posts were established, and other measures adopted, especially for the preservation of Vincennes, which appeared to have been fixed upon as the first point of attack.

Toward the close of June, Winnemac, at the head of a deputation of Potawatamies, visited the governor at Vincennes, for the purpose of informing him of the decision of a council, held at the St. Joseph’s of lake Michigan, which had been attended by all the tribes of that quarter, and by a delegation from the Delawares.  This deputation was present for the purpose of dissuading the Indians from joining the Prophet.  The duty appears to have been faithfully performed by them.  They protested in strong terms, against the schemes of the Prophet and his brother, and induced, it is believed, these tribes to give up all idea of joining them.  Winnemac was directed to inform the governor, of the determination to which they had come, and also, to lay before him the plans of the Prophet.  According to the information before the council, Detroit, St. Louis, fort Wayne, Chicago and Vincennes, were all to be surprised.  Efforts were making to persuade the tribes residing on the Mississippi, to unite in the confederacy.  It further appeared, that the followers of the Prophet, drawn as they were from all the tribes, embraced but few, if any of the peace chiefs, while not a few of the war chiefs, or the leaders of small parties, were enrolling themselves under his standard.  Winnemac stated to the governor, that the Prophet had actually suggested to his young men, the expediency of murdering all the leading chiefs of the surrounding tribes, on the plea that their own hands would never be untied until this was done.  They, he said, were the men who sold their lands, and invited the encroachments of the whites.