1760-1763.] DELAWARE PROPHET. 179 



the representations of the French, were yet farther 

 wrought upon by influences of another kind. A 

 prophet rose among the Delawares. This man 

 may serve as a counterpart to the famous Shawanoe 

 prophet, who figured so conspicuously in the Indian 

 outbreak, under Tecumseh, immediately before the 

 war with England in 1812. Many other parallel 

 instances might be shown, as the great suscepti- 

 bility of the Indians to superstitious impressions 

 renders the advent of a prophet among them no 

 very rare occurrence. In the present instance, the 

 inspired Delaware seems to have been rather an 

 enthusiast than an impostor; or perhaps he com- 

 bined both characters. The objects of his mission 

 were not wholly political. By means of certain 

 external observances, most of them sufficiently friv- 

 olous and absurd, his disciples were to strengthen 

 and purify their natures, and make themselves 

 acceptable to the Great Spirit, whose messenger 

 he proclaimed himself to be. He also enjoined 

 them to lay aside the weapons and clothing which 

 they received from the white men, and return to 

 the primitive life of their ancestors. By so doing, 

 and by strictly observing his other precepts, the 

 tribes would soon be restored to their ancient great- 

 ness and power, and be enabled to drive out the 

 white men who infested their territory. The pro- 

 phet had many followers. Indians came from far 

 and near, and gathered together in large encamp- 

 ments to listen to his exhortations. His fame 

 spread even to the nations of the northern lakes ; 

 but though his disciples followed most of his 



