The Life of BlackHawk

[Chris]

First bunch of questions/comments

How closely were BlackHawk and Keokuk related?

P. 4 He glosses over the war against the Ho-Chunk . I find that interesting considering the extent of alliance and intermarriage in his time. How was this alliance achieved? (I know it was maintained through intermarriage)

P. 5 What is the Muscow nation?

P. 6Cherokee in S. Illinois? In 1787? ??!

P. 8 Two fathers?? Sounds like a lot of free opportunities for trade, real good deal. So Americans demanded exclusive trade deal? This was part of the background with the war of 1812.

P. 9 This was the infamous Treaty of 1804 that Tecumseh was so upset about? BH did not completely understand the situation at the time. What was blocking him from getting the whole story?

P. 14 They had declined participating in Tecumseh's alliance, but when they went to Ft Madison for trade goods, there were none. Therefore they were forced to trade with Brits, and thus felt themselves forced into war. Therefore went to war for goods rather than to stop the whites from taking over land.

That is all for now. Big questions coming up from p. 21, if you want to guess/anticipate.

[Robert Braun]

Chris, presuming you are citing BH's Autobiography--- from which version, edition, etc., etc. are you reading?

We won't be able to match up page numbers unless we're reading from the same material!

Regards, Bob.

[Chris]

Sorry. I thought that there was a limited number of editions available. Dover paperback, 1994, of the original version.

P. 14. Obviously he had a hearing loss. From being too close to cannonfire for an extended peripd of time? When could this have happened, and was it permanent? He was complaining then of a tendency to lose track of what he had said because of hearing loss.

p. 21 Those who wanted to get away from war of 1812 went down to Missouri, like the Absentee Shawnee. They did return to visit, but I assume they did not reunite with the rest of the tribe? They then were removed to Oklahoma and became Sac and Fox of Missouri? Are you aware that Kit Carson was grew up in that era and area?

P. 21Keokuk appears to have been a pacifist without being lily-livered. He chose to check out some panicy gossip, instead of going along with opinion that they ought to go across the river (and possibly go to Missouri). Keokuk, therefore, became chief at home while BlackHawk was traveling. He was proven in his ability to conduct a rational scouting mission, even though he had not killed in battle. He must have been young at the time.

P. 21 very negative attitude about medical knowledge of white people.

P. 29 Two-River country-- In Missouri across river from present Quincy. Has this been confirmed? Does make sense since Ft Johnson was only a short distance north.

P. 30 Simply white desire to control that they told them to not stay all winter? Or more significant agenda? However, they chose to stay all winter. ;D

P. 33 Rapids of Rock river good fishing. Location prized because of that. Location above Des Moines river prized for same reason.

P. 34 Very painful to not be allowed to visit graves of ancestors and relatives. Whites could not understand the nature of this tie to the land. Was this prohibition general?

More later.

[Chris]

Although I have gone further in formulating questions/comments, I'm going to wait for a while. Others here have more access to materials that will answer those questions.

[Chris]

I am still fascinated with this book. It is no wonder that it was later edited to cover up some very subtle clues as to what was really happeining. ;D And his red herrings were brilliant.

*** giggle***

www.native-languages.org/sac-fox.htm

[Robert Braun]

It is no wonder that it was later edited to cover up some very subtle clues as to what was really happening.

Explain, please.

r.

[Chris]

It would not be appropriate at this point to explain any further. I think a lot of it has to do with the cultural context of the reader.

[Larry Koschkee]

Your patience has been noted in giving Mr. Baker a free rein in this "Open Discussion" segment of the message board.

I would be interested in participating in this question and answer thread, but I am not going out to buy a Dover Publications edition of Life Of Black Hawk and secondly, it appears Mr. Baker is not willing to answer questions or explain his opinions.

If Mr. Baker has a cultural perspective and understanding here, I would appreciate him expressing it to help further my understanding of Black Hawk's autobiography. My ideas and opinions on this message board have been challanged occasionaly, but never ridiculed. I am confident Mr. Baker can be assured of the same respect.

Best regards,

Larry Koschkee

[Robert Braun]

Agreed.

Chris-- it's time to be a little less cryptic and a little more forthcoming. This is a "discussion board" after all!

Regards,

Bob Braun
Moderator.

[Chris]

Cliff--- I see by your recent posts that you are getting some insights, too.



How closely were BlackHawk and Keokuk related?
I susspect that the family relationship was close, although tense.

P. 4 He glosses over the war against the Ho-Chunk . I find that interesting considering the extent of alliance and intermarriage in his time. How was this alliance achieved? (I know it was maintained through intermarriage)

Obviously the opposition took advantage of any residual hostility.

P. 9 This was the infamous Treaty of 1804 that Tecumseh was so upset about? BH did not completely understand the situation at the time. What was blocking him from getting the whole story?

Tenskawata obviously wasn't a competneet messenger, with some of his own problems (probable brain damage and alcoholism) Tecumseh should have taken that very important job.


P. 14. Obviously he had a hearing loss. From being too close to cannonfire for an extended peripd of time? When could this have happened, and was it permanent? He was complaining then of a tendency to lose track of what he had said because of hearing loss.

I don't think he really had a significant hearing loss. I think it was an excuse to have what he had already dictated read back to him to insure accuracy in interpretation and transcription.

P. 21 very negative attitude about medical knowledge of white people.

From my reading of the Lewis and Clark expedition, I believe that Native medical knowlege was superior.

P. 30 Simply white desire to control that they told them to not stay all winter? Or more significant agenda? However, they chose to stay all winter.

I think this was a blockade, to isolate the tribe from some of their allies.

P. 34 Very painful to not be allowed to visit graves of ancestors and relatives. Whites could not understand the nature of this tie to the land. Was this prohibition general?

This is linked to the question I just answered.

[Robert Braun]

Chris said:

P. 21 very negative attitude about medical knowledge of white people.

From my reading of the Lewis and Clark expedition, I believe that Native medical knowlege was superior. In 1804 there was a medical clinic across from the mouth of the DesMoines, run by a Scottish doctor and his Sauk wife. I believe that this may have been a key location for the spread of smallpox vaccination technology to allied tribes. I would imagine that the whites were angered by this loss of an important weapon.

Chris... this board does not shrink from discussion of sensative topics. However, I'm going to have to ask you to provide factual documentation or other supports for your outrageous suggestion that smallpox was used as "an important weapon" by "whites."

I will give you a short time to present your case on this thread.

Personal opinions are fine... however on this board I must insist on some sort of factual basis for posted opinions. In the past, I have been rightly challenged to produce factual bases for my thoughts and opinions, as have others.

Opinions not based on facts or otherwise substantially supported risk be regarded as "bomb throwing" and may be deleted.

Bob.

[pshrake]

I have always had a problem with the charge that smallpox was purposely spread to the Indians by the federal government. It simply does not jive with the evidence I have seen in correspondance of the Office of Indian Affairs. Take for example this act of Congress in 1832 found in the U.S. Stautes at Large (4 Stat.514-515)


"An Act to provide the means of extending the benefits of vaccination, as a prevention of the small-pox, to the Indian tribes, and thereby, as far as possible, to save them from the destructive ravages of that disease."

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, that it shall be the duty of the several Indian agents and sub-agents, under the direction of the Secretary of War, to take such measures as he shall deem most efficient, to convene the Indians tribes in their respective towns, or in such other places as numbers, and at such seasons as shall be most convenient to the Indian population, for the purpose of arresting the progress of small-pox among the several tribes by vaccination."

"Sec. 2. And it shall be further enacted, That the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is, empowered to employ as many physicians or surgeons, from the army or resident on the frontier near the point where their services shall be required, as he may find necessary for the execution of this act; and, if necessary, two competent persons to conduct the physicians to the remote Indians who are infected, or may be in immediate danger of being infected, with the small-pox, whose compensation shall be six dollars per day, and six men, whose compensation shall be twenty-five dollars per month."

"Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War, to cause all Indian agents to be supplied with genuine vaccine matter; and all agents and subagents shall use all proper means to persuade the Indian population to submit to vaccination."

"Sec 4. And be it further enacted, That all agents, sub-agents, physicians and surgeons, employed in the execution of this act, shall make monthly returns or reports of their proceedings to the War Department. And the Secretary thereof shall submit to Congress, on or before the first of February next, a general report of all proceedings in the premises."

"Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That, to carry this act into effect, the sum of twelve thousand dollars be appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated."

"APPROVED, May 5, 1832"

Pete Shrake

[pshrake]

Chris,

Take also into account this letter from John Kinzie Agent at the Portage:


Fort Winnebago, Aug 27th 1832
Hon:
Lewis Cass
Secty of War
Washington
Sir.
I had the honor to receive your communication of May 10th, accompanied by the copy of an “Act for the Vaccination of the Indians.”
On hearing that the Small Pox had reached Green Bay, last fall, I made every exertion in my power to prevent its introduction among the Winnebagoes. I was obliged to send to Chicago for vaccine matter, and a Mr Paquette and myself vaccinated upwards of six hundred Winnebages and Menomonees.
Many of the former have been taught by now how to vaccinate and I presume that nearly al the Indians in this agency have, in this way, received its benefits, of which, they all seem desirous. The Physician at this post, will not vaccinate the Indians for the sum of $6. each 100 person, as proposed un your communication – the ordinary price being from 50.c to $1.00 each individual. Should any more of the Indians apply to be vaccinated, I shall be obliged to do it myself.
Many Indians come to me for medical aid, and the Physician at the post will not, except in extreme cases, prescribe for them. I have no funds allowed me for this object – an appropriation of from one to two hundred dollars per annum, to pay a Physician, would relieve much suffering.
Very Respectfully, Sir
Yo. Obt. Sevt
Jno H. Kinzie, Sub. Agt. Ind. Aff.



For good measure I could throw in another two letters written by Samuel C. Stambaugh, Agent at Green Bay, detailing his efforts at vaccination but you see my point.

The Federal Government can be criticized for many things regarding Indian Affairs but how can you justify the charge of the use of small pox as a weapon when there is strong evidence that the government was doing all it could to eliminate the disease amongst the Indians?

Pete

[Cliff Krainik]

Thank you for your excellent research, Pete.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chris,

You wrote -


"I believe that this may have been a key location for the spread of smallpox vaccination technology to allied tribes. I would imagine that the whites were angered by this loss of an important weapon."

I don't think there is historical evidence to support this position.

O. N. Eddins, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and historian of the American West wrote -

"There is little doubt that unscrupulous land-grabbers and some military leaders used any means available to get rid of the American Indians. Government treaties, bureaucratic bungling, the Wanuts a, Sand Creek, and Bear River massacres as well as others created the darkest chapters in this country’s history. However, this does not mean that the United States Government used the smallpox virus to conduct a systematic and planned extermination of the American Indians."

For additional information about smallpox and Native Americans please refer to -

[ftp]http://www.thefurtrapper.com/indian_disease.htm [/ftp]

Cliff Krainik

[Chris]

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