226 Expedition to the 



that, on its summit, supported a white flag, has no longer ex- 

 istence. 



This chief appears to have possessed extraordinary men- 

 tal abilities, but he resorted to the most nefarious means, to 

 establish firmly the supremacy of his power. He gained 

 the reputation of the greatest of medicine men, and his me- 

 dicine, which was no other than arsenic itself, that had been 

 furnished him for the purpose, by the villainy of the traders, 

 was secretly administered to his enemies or rivals. Those 

 persons who offended him, or counteracted his views, were 

 thus removed agreeably to his predictions, and all opposition 

 silenced, apparently by the operation of his potent spells. 



Many were the victims to his unprincipled ambition, and 

 the nation stood in awe of him, as of the supreme arbiter of 

 their fate. 



With all his enormities he was favourable to the traders, 

 and although he compelled them to yield to him one half 

 of their goods, yet he commanded his people, to purchase 

 the remainder at double prices, that the trader might still 

 be a gainer. 



He delighted in the display of his power, and, on one oc- 

 casion, during a national hunt, accompanied by a white man, 

 they arrived on the bank of a fine flowing stream, and al- 

 though all were parched with thirst, no one but the white 

 man, was permitted to taste of the water. As the chief 



whom he has bled, but from an unwillingness to displease you, whom he 

 conceives to be a man of truth. 



At our village on Rock river, and encampment at the De Mojen, we 

 have five Oto prisoners, whom I will promise to deliver up, when you send 

 for them. 



My brother, — 1 only regret that my nation was not present on this oc- 

 casion, to have heard your words. The wisdom of my nation, all the re- 

 flecting men are for peace, but we have many young men difficult to re- 

 strain, whose ears, (I believe,) would open to words coming from your 

 mouth, when mine, for the want of strength, may fail. 



My brother, — 1 wish you to pause — I wish you to forbear until I disclose 

 your words to my people, and you hear from them. 



My brother, we receive you as the son of the red head, and in as much 

 as we love him, we love you, and do not wish to offend you. 



