Post by Cliff Krainik on Jul 11, 2009 22:18:53 GMT -5
Keokuk writes to Illinois governor, John Reynolds dispelling rumors of renewed warfare - November, 1832
Niles' Weekly Register, Baltimore February 9, 1833 pp. 390-391
North Western Indians - From the Vandalia Whig, January 2 (1833)
The following talk was sent us by a gentleman at Rock Island, with a request that it might be inserted in the Whig. The accompanying letter states that it was brought by a runner from Ke-o-Kuck's camp at Racoon river, and is given as nearly as possible in the words of the chief himself. Its object seems to be to correct the stories of the village criers (editors) in Illinois. We are not informed to which of them the chief of the Sac nation refers; nor are we aware that stories have been told by any of them implicating the peaceful disposition of the remnant of this nation.
Racoon Fork of Desmoines river, Nov. 30, 1832.
To the great chief of Illinois.
My FATHER: I have been told by a trader that several of your village criers (editors) have been circulating bad news, informing the whites that the Indians are preparing for war, and that we are dissatisfied.
My father, you were present when the tomahawk was buried, and assisted me to place it so deep, that it will never again be raised against your white children of Illinois.
My father, very few of that misguided band that entered Rock river last summer remain; you have humbled them by war, and have made them friendly by your generous conduct to them after they were defeated.
Myself and the greater part of the Sacs and Foxes, have firmly held you by the hand; we followed your advise, and did as you told us. My father, I take pity on those of my nation that you forgave, and never mention the disasters of last summer; I wish it to be forgotten.
I do not permit the criers of our village or camps to proclaim any bad news against the whites, not even the truth. Last fall an old man, a Fox Indian, was hunting on an island a short distance below Rock river for turkey, to carry to Fort Armstrong; he was killed by a white man.
My father, we passed it over! We have only spoken of it in whispers; our agent has not heard of it. We wish to live in friendship with the whites; if a white man comes in our camp or village, we give him a share of what we have to eat, a lodging if he wants it, and put him on the trail if he has lost it.
My father, advise the criers of your villages to tell the truth, respecting us, and assist in strengthening the chain of friendship, that your children may treat us friendly when they meet us; and be assured that we are friends, and have feelings as well as they have.
My father, that is all I have to say at present.
KE-O-KUCK, chief of the Sac nation.
Niles' Weekly Register, Baltimore February 9, 1833 pp. 390-391
North Western Indians - From the Vandalia Whig, January 2 (1833)
The following talk was sent us by a gentleman at Rock Island, with a request that it might be inserted in the Whig. The accompanying letter states that it was brought by a runner from Ke-o-Kuck's camp at Racoon river, and is given as nearly as possible in the words of the chief himself. Its object seems to be to correct the stories of the village criers (editors) in Illinois. We are not informed to which of them the chief of the Sac nation refers; nor are we aware that stories have been told by any of them implicating the peaceful disposition of the remnant of this nation.
Racoon Fork of Desmoines river, Nov. 30, 1832.
To the great chief of Illinois.
My FATHER: I have been told by a trader that several of your village criers (editors) have been circulating bad news, informing the whites that the Indians are preparing for war, and that we are dissatisfied.
My father, you were present when the tomahawk was buried, and assisted me to place it so deep, that it will never again be raised against your white children of Illinois.
My father, very few of that misguided band that entered Rock river last summer remain; you have humbled them by war, and have made them friendly by your generous conduct to them after they were defeated.
Myself and the greater part of the Sacs and Foxes, have firmly held you by the hand; we followed your advise, and did as you told us. My father, I take pity on those of my nation that you forgave, and never mention the disasters of last summer; I wish it to be forgotten.
I do not permit the criers of our village or camps to proclaim any bad news against the whites, not even the truth. Last fall an old man, a Fox Indian, was hunting on an island a short distance below Rock river for turkey, to carry to Fort Armstrong; he was killed by a white man.
My father, we passed it over! We have only spoken of it in whispers; our agent has not heard of it. We wish to live in friendship with the whites; if a white man comes in our camp or village, we give him a share of what we have to eat, a lodging if he wants it, and put him on the trail if he has lost it.
My father, advise the criers of your villages to tell the truth, respecting us, and assist in strengthening the chain of friendship, that your children may treat us friendly when they meet us; and be assured that we are friends, and have feelings as well as they have.
My father, that is all I have to say at present.
KE-O-KUCK, chief of the Sac nation.
