Counterpoint

After a week of preliminaries, Tecumseh summarized his position in a long speech on Monday, August 20.  Speaking in his native Shawnee language he said, "Brother, since the peace was made you have killed some of the Shawnees, Winnebagos, Delawares, and Miamis.  You have taken our land from us, and I do not see how we can remain at peace if you continue to do so.  You try to force the Red People to do some injury.  It is you that are pushing them on to do some mischief.  You endeavor to make distinctions.  You wish to prevent the Indians doing as we wish them -- to unite, and let them consider their lands as the common property of the whole.  You take tribes aside and advise them not to come into this measure.  And until our design is accomplished we do not wish to accept your invitation to go and see the President.  You are continually driving the Red People.  When, at last, you will drive them into the Great Lake where they can't either stand or walk.

"Since my residence at Tippecanoe we have endeavored to level all distinctions -- to destroy village chiefs by whom all mischief is done.  It is they who sell our lands to the Americans.  Our object is to let our affairs be transacted by our warriors.

"Brother, this land was sold and the goods that were given for it were only done by a few.  The treaty was afterwards brought here, and the Weas were induced to give their consent because of their small numbers.  The treaty at Fort Wayne was made through the threats of Winamac.  But in the future we are prepared to punish those chiefs who may come forward to propose to sell the land.

"Brother, do not believe that I came here to get presents from you.  If you offer us any, we will not take them.  By taking goods from you, you will hereafter say that with them you purchased another piece of land from us.  I wish you, Brother, to consider everything I have said as true, and that it is the sentiment of all Red People that listen to me." Tecumseh sat down on the grass.

Harrison looked over at Winamac who was lying on the grass a few feet away and saw that he was holding a pistol in such a way as to conceal it from the Indians.  The guard now retired to the shade of some other trees.

Harrison arose and replied to Tecumseh:  "When the White men came to America, the Miamis occupied all the country on the Wabash, and the Shawnees lived in Georgia, from which place they have been driven by the Creeks.  It is ridiculous to say that the Indians are all one nation.  If the Great Spirit had meant it to be so, he would not have put different tongues into their heads. The Shawnees have no right to come from a distant country and control the Miamis in the disposal of their property.  And while other civilized nations have simply taken land from the Red Men by conquest, the United States always has made treaties and made payments for the purchase of land.  It always has been the desire of the White Father of the Seventeen Fires to treat his Red children fairly."     The Governor sat down to allow the interpreter time to explain his words to the members of the different tribes.  But Tecumseh jumped to his feet and, speaking strongly, said, "You do not speak the truth!" Then noticing Winamac, Tecumseh poured a torrent of invective and abuse upon him as a "traitor to all Red Men."     Surprised at the violent gestures, Harrison looked over at Winamac.  The latter was priming his pistol.  John Gibson said to Lieutenant Jennings, "Those fellows intend mischief.  You had better bring up the guard."     Harrison saw the other