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The Blackhawk War BY HENRY LITTLE, 1875
On the fourth day of November, in 1804, (nine months after the above named date), two Sauk chiefs, with one Fox chief, and one common Indian, without the knowledge or consent of their people, by a treaty ceded that land to the United States government. By the terms of that treaty, the Indians were permitted to occupy said land, and to hunt on the same so long as it was owned by the United States, i. e., until it was sold.
We have no evidence to show that the Indians had ever before the said month of Feb., 1804, offered or contemplated offering to cede their lands to the United States, or to any other government, nor that there was any treaty under consideration, or that such had ever been proposed by the whites or Indians. But on the contrary the Indians had so much love for, and so strong an attachment to their lands, which was their home, that they were decidedly opposed to selling or leaving their land, and to Having it occupied by the whites. I say they were opposed to all this, because of the fact, that Major Stoddard took forcible possession of their land, which he probably would not have done if it could have been acquired by purchase or treaty. So that what could not be effected by a treaty was accomplished by the sword.
It is to be remembered that that act of Major Stoddard was nine months prior to the time of the pretended treaty of the next November.
We are, or claim to be, an enlightened, civilized, educated, refined, Christian nation. We have our laws, make treaties with other nations, and claim to pay great deference to our laws, and treaty obligations. We are also great, and rich, and powerful. But the Indians are unenlightened, uncivilized, ignorant, rough, and uncultivated, and their religion is barbarian heathenism.
Michigan
Page 45
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