Bargaining with Tecumseh

The white frontiersmen were certainly suspicious of what seemed to be the observer - Tecumseh's peaceful settlement in central Indiana.  Daily warlike exercises were reported and rumors spread that the tribes far and wide were near rebellion.  Even Governor Harrison who didn't frighten easily, was apprehensive and called Tecumseh to conference in Vincennes.

The conference went on for two weeks where both sides showed goodwill along with firmness of mind.  Harrison himself wanted peace, orderliness, and industry.  Tecumseh had a desire to be a friend to the United States and requested that the sale of whiskey to the natives be stopped.  All seemed to be on good terms. It wasn't until Harrison negotiated the land cession of 1809 which cost the natives the last valuable hunting grounds in Indiana territory, that the powerful Wyandot joined Tecumseh's union and war was inevitable. 

Tribe after tribe in Indiana and Illinois elected Tecumseh their chief over the next two years.  Harrison called another conference in Vincennes in 1810, requesting not more than 30 natives attend - over 400 came, fully armed.  Tecumseh basically told the settlers to return to their own country. (Sound familiar?) 

"The Great Spirit had looked over a land with no whites.  It was a happy race, and belonged to them.  Only the white man had made it miserable, driving the natives from hunting grounds, over mountains, away from water.  The natives would go no further.  The only way to stop this evil was to commit to an equal right in the land.  The land should belong to all as it was at first.  No divisions " Tecumseh said. 

Harrison replied that the natives were not one tribe, but spoke six languages.  He argued that lands had been purchased, not taken,  and deferred to the President to decide.  The clash and crisis was temporarily averted.  In 1811, Tecumseh promised to visit President Madison and settle with him the issue, but first he needed to travel to southern tribes to unite them in the confederacy.

As soon as Tecumseh started south to the Creek tribes, Harrison began his preparations to end "this menace."  Troops were sent to  the new acquisitions and 24 companies of regulars were brought together at present day Terre Haute.  Purpose?  To destroy the Tippecanoe settlement.

Next time...Harrison wars with the Tribes
__________________________
Today in Pioneer History: "On May 9, 1964, Louis Armstrong, age 63 broke the Beatles stronghold on the U.S. pop charts with the #1 hit, "Hello Dolly." *My dad rejoiced!) The Beatles had held the spot for almost four straight months starting in February 1964 with "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."