230 EXPEDITION TO THE 



SO highly that we would not part with them while life en- 

 dures. True, some of us did, at one time, at the instigation 

 of the Shawanese prophet, (Tecumseh's brother,) throw 

 them away, but this proved to us the source of many 

 heavy calamities, it brought on the death of all who 

 parted with their bags. To this cause do we attribute the 

 great mortality which we experienced, during the late war 

 against the Americans. He, (the Shawanese prophet,) 

 came to us, and by artifice induced us to throw away our 

 medicine, a circumstance which we have since had cause 

 to regret. His artifice was this ; he convened all our chiefs, 

 and told them that he had been favoured with an inter- 

 view with the Great Spirit, who had imparted to him ex- 

 tensive powers ; that he could recall the dead to life, and 

 perform many such astonishing deeds; that he could re- 

 store youth to the aged, Sz.c. that the medicine in our bags, 

 which had been good in its time, had lost its efficacy ; 

 that it had become vitiated through age ; he added that if we 

 would throw away our medicines, he would execute, in our 

 presence, the miracles which he had spoken of, and that if 

 we followed him, he would ensure us a victory over our 

 enemies. Induced by these promises and flattering expec- 

 tations, many of our chiefs cast away their bags, a circum- 

 stance much to be regretted. It is true, that some who 

 were then assembled, challenged the Prophet to work the 

 miracles which he had announced. There, said they, are 

 the bodies of many who have been killed in battle, restore 

 them to life, as thou say est that thou canst do. But he evaded 

 their challenge by sayingto them, I cannot achieve these won* 

 ders for you, unless you previously comply with my request 

 to throw away your medicine bags ; such of you as shall do 

 so will, on your return, find your children or your friends, 

 that have long since been dead, restored to life. Many 



