the United States, as lords paramount, to the lands of all extinguished or decayed tribes, to the exclusion of all recent settlers.  Upon this principle, the Miami nation are the only rightful claimants of all the unpurchased lands from the Ohio to the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.  But, sir, the President may rest assured that the complaint of injury, with regard to the sale of lands, is a mere pretence suggested to the Prophet by British partisans and emissaries.”

Early in July, some of the Prophet’s followers descended the Wabash to a point below Terre Haute, and stole several horses.  A few days afterwards, governor Harrison ascertained from a party of Indians who were on a visit to Vincennes, that the Sacs and Foxes had taken up the hatchet, and declared themselves ready to act with the Prophet, whenever it should be required.  It was further stated, that a Miami chief, who had just returned from his annual visit to Malden, after receiving his usual stipend of goods, was addressed by the British agent, Elliot, in these words:  “My son, keep your eyes fixed on me—­my tomahawk is now up—­be you ready, but do not strike till I give the signal.”

About the same time, the governor, in the hope of staying the movements of the Prophet, or at least of ascertaining the amount of his forces, forwarded to him by a confidential interpreter, the following speech: 

“William Henry Harrison, governor and commander-in-chief of the territory of Indiana, to the Shawanoe chief, and the Indians assembled at Tippecanoe: 

“Notwithstanding the improper language which you have used towards me, I will endeavor to open your eyes to your true interests.  Notwithstanding what white bad men have told you, I am not your personal enemy.  You ought to know this from the manner in which I received and treated you, on your visit to this place.

“Although I must say, that you are an enemy to the Seventeen Fires, and that you have used the greatest exertions with other tribes to lead them astray.  In this, you have been in some measure successful; as I am told they are ready to raise the tomahawk against their father; yet their father, notwithstanding his anger at their folly, is full of goodness, and is always ready to receive into his arms those of his children who are willing to repent, acknowledge their fault, and ask for his forgiveness.

“There is yet but little harm done, which may be easily repaired.  The chain of friendship which united the whites with the Indians, may be renewed, and be as strong as ever.  A great deal of that work depends on you—­the destiny of those who are under your direction, depends upon the choice you may make of the two roads which are before you.  The one is large, open and pleasant, and leads to peace, security and happiness; the other, on the contrary, is narrow and crooked, and leads to misery and ruin.  Don’t deceive yourselves; do not believe that all the nations of Indians united, are able to resist the force of the Seventeen Fires.  I know your warriors are brave, but ours are not less so; but what can a few brave warriors do, against the innumerable warriors of the Seventeen Fires?  Our blue coats are more numerous than you can count; our hunters are like the leaves of the forest, or the grains of sand on the Wabash.