but to you, because we know you, and we believe you are our friend. We want you to keep them safe; if they are to suffer we do not want to see it. Wait until we are gone before it is done. Father, many little birds have been flying about our ears of late, and we thought they whispered to us that there was evil intended for us, and we now hope they will let us alone." Gen. Street replied: "My children, you have done well. I told you to bring these men to me, and you have done so. I assured Gen. Atkinsou that if these men were in your country, you would find them and bring them to me, and now I can say much for your good. I will go down to Rock Ísland with the prisoners, and I wish you as you have brought them, especially to go with me, with such other chiefs and warriors as you may select."

In pursuance of the treaty to be entered into, on the 10th of September Black Hawk, his two sons, Wishick, Naopope, the prophet, and a number of Winnebago chiefs, were sent down to Rock Island, where Keokuk and his warriors were to meet them. Likewise the remnant of Black Hawk's band also followed him to to the same place. Such was their utter destitution that they excited the compassion of all who saw them, and Gen. Scott, who was as sympathetic as brave, kindly bestowed on them everything that could supply their wants or relieve their suffering. On the 15th a treaty was made with the Winnebagoes, whereby they sold to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi and west of Green bay. As a consideration, the government agreed to give them a large region of country west of the river, to pay them $70,000 in ten annual installments, to maintain schools for the education of their children for a period of 20 years, and to instruct them in agriculture and furnish them with cattle and implements for its practical introduction among them.

To escape from the cholera, which was still raging at Rock Island among the Indians and eastern troops, Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds, with the principal chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes, fell down the river to Jefferson Barracks, where they entered into a treaty with them also. They ceded to the government the tract of land embraced in the present limits of Iowa and a part of Wisconsin, and received in return, besides some minor considerations, an annuity of $20,000 for a period of 30 years. As a reward to Keokuk and his friendly band, a reservation of 40 miles square was made to them in Iowa, including their principal village. It was also proposed to Keokuk to establish schools for the benefit of his tribe, but he rejected the proposition, alleging that it might do well enough for the whites, but he had observed that it made Indians worse to educate them. By these treaties the United States obtained 30,000,000 acres of land, at a cost truly insignificant compared with their real value. Such, however, is the measure usually meted by the stronger to the weaker power, and such is the fate of savage races when brought in contact with the diplomacy of civilized men. Viewed in the light of a commercial transaction, such a disparity of values seems monstrous; but when we consider the Earth is the common heritage of the human family, and that an advanced state of the arts and sciences is essential to its development, we become reconciled to it as a necessity in the onward march of civilization.

The Indian prisoners who were to be retained during the pleasure of the President, were confined in the barracks till the following

spring. Of the hundreds who visited them during the winter, one of them writes:

"We were immediately struck with admiration at the gigantic and symmetrical figures of most of the warriors, who seemed as they reclined in their native ease and gracefulness, with their half naked bodies exposed to view, rather like statues from some master hand than beings of a race whom we had heard characterized as degenerate and debased." Keokuk visited them the following spring, and made great exertions for their release, offering to become responsible for their future conduct, but a message was received by Gen. Atkinson from the Secretary of War, ordering them to be sent to the national capital. Under the escort of an officer of the army on the 22d of April, 1833, they reached Washington, and had an interview with the President. Black Hawk closed his speech, delivered on this occasion, in the following words: "We did not expect to conquer the whites-they have too many houses, too many men. I took up the hatchet for my part, to revenge injuries which my people could no longer endure. Had I borne them longer without striking, my people would have said Black Hawk is a woman; he is too old to be a chief; he is no Sac. These reflections caused me to raise the war-whoop. I say no more, it is known to you. Keokuk once was here; you took him by the hand, and when he wished to return to his home, you were willing. Black Hawk expects, like Keokuk, we shall be permitted to return, too." The president informed them that they must go to Fortress Monroe and remain there till the conduct of their people satisfied him that they intended to comply with the stipulations of the treaty. He also assured them that their women and children, for whom they expressed solicitude, should be protected from their enemies. On the 26th of April, they set off for the Fortress, where they remained until the 4th of July following, when an order was received from the president directing their release and return home. The kind treatment of Colonel Eustice, in command of the prison, had so won the friendship of the captives, that when about to leave Black Hawk waited on the colonel and said: "The memory of your friendship will remain till the Great Spirit says it is time for Black Hawk to sing his death song." Presenting him hith a hunting shirt and some eagle's feathers, he added: "Accept these, my brother; I have given some like them to the White Beaver; accept them as a memorial of Black Hawk. When he is far away they will serve to remind you of him.”

From Fortress Monroe they were taken to Baltimore, where they had another interview with the President, who informed them that Gen. Atkinson and Keokuk their principal chief were anxious for their return home, and that he had ordered Major Garland, who would accompany them thither, first to conduct them through some of the principal cities, that they might witness the power of the United States and learn their own inability to cope with them in war. "Go back," said he, "and listen to the counsel of Keokuk and other chiefs; bury the tomahawk and live in peace with the frontiers, and I pray the Great Spirit to give a smooth path and a fair sky for your return."

Leaving Baltimore they reached Philadelphia on the 10th of June, and remained long enough to see the principal objects of interest in the city and exhibited themselves to the curious thou

sands who flocked to see them. Black Hawk in referring to his conduct with the United States, said to the multitude about him: "My heart grew bitter against the whites and my hands strong. I dug up the tomahawk and led my warriors on to battle. I fought hard and much blood was shed, but the white men were mighty; they were many and my people failed." On the morning of the 14th they started for New York and arrived at the Battery, in the midst of a vast assemblage of people who had been drawn together to witness the ascent of a balloon. This novel spectacle greatly astonished the Indians, and one of them asked the prophet if the æronaut was going to the Great Spirit. On landing, the press of the multitude which crowded to see them was so great that they could not reach the hotel till they were placed in carriages and committed to the care of the police. While in the city they were treated with marked civility, being conducted with ceremony to theatres, public gardens, and other places of interest, and receiving many handsome presents.

Major Garland had been directed to conduct the prisoners as far north as Boston, but while in New York he was ordered to ascend the Hudson and proceed with them directly to their home in the West. In pursuance of the arrangements, on the 22d of June the party started westward, to the great disappointment of the Bostonians, who wanted an opportunity to see and lionize the savage disturbers of the Northwest. At Albany, Buffalo, Detroit, and other places along the route, the attentions paid them rendered their progress through the country a triumphal procession, instead of the custody of prisoners in the hands of an officer. In passing the site of the old Sac village at the mouth of Rock river, Black Hawk became melancholy and expressed many regrets at the causes which compelled him as an exile to leave it. The host of warriors whom he delighted to lead to battle were now no more; his village was reduced to ashes, his family was dispersed among strangers, and he a suppliant for a home in a foreign country. Finally, about the 1st of August, the party reached Rock Island, which had been selected by Major Garland as a suitable place for the liberation of the captives. The river at this place is a beautiful sheet of clear, swift running water, a mile wide and divided near the centre by Rock Island, which rises to a considerable height above the surface and stretches several miles up and down the river. It originally produced nuts and a variety of other wild fruits, and being in the rapids, it was a favorite resort for Indian fisherman who caught large quantities of excellent fish in the swift, pure waters that wash its rocky base. There was an Indian tradition that the island was inhabited by a good spirit which dwelt in a cave among the rocks. It had a plumage white as snow, wings much larger than those of the swan, and its voice in the Sac language was the sweetest music. The good spirit had sent it to teach the Sacs and Foxes wisdom and goodness and as a guardian divinity to preside over the destinies of the nation. In former times it had frequently been seen, but alarmed at the building of Fort Armstrong and the wickedness of the white men, it spread its snowy pinions and was seen no more.

The white-washed walls of the fort loomed up from the high bluffs at the lower extremity of the island, giving to the fortress the appearance of an enchanted castle when seen from a distance

in the beauty of the surrounding scenery. From its towers could be seen the blue hills, which rising by a gentle acclivity from the river follow its meandering course and bound the valley through which it flows. The valley is several miles in width, and at that time was interspersed with groves of timber, which gave it a vernal sweetness and beauty rarely equalled. Rock river could be seen in the distance, forcing its pure waters over a rocky rapid into the floods of the Mississippi. On the north bank of the former was the site of the Sac village, and directly opposite, on the west bank of the latter, that of the Foxes, which time had consecrated as the Jerusalem of these tribes. No other locality could have awakened in the mind of Black Hawk so many painful memories. Here he had gamboled away his youth in its wooded haunts; for half a century it had witnessed his power and influence, and now it was to become the scene of his submission to a hated rival.

Immediately after his arrival, Major Garland sent out runners to summon the neighboring Indians to meet him in council. Keokuk and his braves had been out on a buffalo hunt, and were about 20 miles below on their way to the fort in anticipation of meeting the captives. He informed the messengers that he would be at Rock Island at noon the following day, and accordingly, at the appointed time his fleet was seen ascending the river, the wild songs and shouts of his men echoing from shore to shore. A large craft, covered with a spacious canopy and bearing the American flag, moved in the van, carrying Keokuk and his three wives. About 20 more canoes in the rear, each containing several warriors, completed the imposing pageant which gallantly moved over the still waters. After ascending the stream some distance above the fort and returning, a landing was effected on the eastern bank opposite the encampment of Black Hawk, where the warriors spent several hours in painting their faces and equiping themselves with implements of war. These preparations being completed, the party passed directly across the river, and Keokuk landing first turned to his warriors and said: "The Great Spirit has sent our brother back to us, let us shake hands with him in friendship. Then fully armed he slowly approached and saluted Black Hawk, who was leaning on his staff in front of his lodge. His followers, in like manner, having taken the old man by the hand, the pipe was introduced, and after an hour of pleasant civilties, Keokuk and his braves arose and took leave of the captives, promising to see them again at the council. The fort in the meantime had been fitted up for this purpose. A grand convocation of Indians assembled the next day to witness the liberation of the prisoners. At ten o'clock in the morning Keokuk and 100 warriors proceeded to the fort and were shown seats in the council rooms. Not long after the captives made their appearance, and as they entered the room the chiefs who had preceded them gave them a cordial greeting. Black Hawk and his son, who had previously objected to the council as unnecessary and painful to their feelings, seemed much dejected. In the midst of the profound silence, which for a time prevailed in the hall, Major Garland arose and said to the assembled chiefs that he was much pleased at the fraternal feeling which they had extended to the prisoners since their arrival, and he trusted that this would continue, and there

after they would dwell together in harmony and peace. He then caused a letter from the President to be read, admonishing the captives to cultivate the friendship of their neighbors, to hunt and support their families, and threatening the severest penalties if they again disturbed the frontiers. Keokuk replied: "We receive our brothers in friendship. Our hearts are good towards them. They have listened to bad counsel; now their ears are closed. I give my hand to them; when they shake it they shake the hands of all. I will shake hands with them and then I am done."

Major Garland, to be more explicit, again arose and stated that it must be distinctly understood that the two bands of the Sacs and Foxes must now be merged into one; that Black Hawk must listen to the council of Keokuk, and that the President would hereafter recognise the latter as the principal chief of the nation. When Black Hawk understood that he was required to conform to the advice of his rival, he became deeply agitated and his excited passions burst forth with uncontrollable violence. With intense indignation of countenance and the vehemence which characterizes the savage when roused to action, as soon as he could control his feelings sufficient to articulate, he exclaimed: "I am a man; I will not conform to the counsel of any one. I will act for myself; no one shall govern me. I am old; my hair is gray. I once gave counsel to my young men; am I now to conform to others? I will soon go the Great Spirit where I shall be at rest. What I said to our great father in Washington I say again. I will always listen to him. I am done." Keokuk apologized for his indiscretion, say ing: "Our brother who has come to us has spoken, but he did it in wrath; his tongue was double and his words were not like a Sac. He knew they were bad. He trembled like the oak whose roots have been wasted by many rains. He is old; what he said let us forget. He says he did not mean it; he wishes it forgotten. I have spoken for him. What I have said are his own words." Major Garland now informed the humbled chieftain that he was satisfied that his conduct in the future would be acceptable to the people of the United States, and that he and his fellow prisoners might now consider themselves at liberty. The council then adjourned, and early the next morning the Indians crossed the Mississippi and dispersed to their respective homes in the forest.

A violent war having subsequently broken out between the Sacs and Foxes and Sioux, in the autumn of 1837 Black Hawk again visited Washington with a deputation of chiefs who had been invited thither by the President, for the purpose of adjusting their difficulties. After their return he settled in what is now Lee county, Iowa, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1838 he moved his family to the Des Moines, and built him a dwelling near the village of his tribe, 20 miles above the mouth of the river. He furnished his new wigwam after the manner of the whites, cultivated a few acres in corn, melons and other vegetables, and when visited by the Americans entertained them with true Indian hospitality. The following autumn he visited an Indian trader, near Burlington, and as the result of exposure, on his return he contracted a disease which terminated his life. His countrymen with the reverential respect which they had for the dead, assem