Virginia Argus

Indian Affairs

Extract of a letter from Mr. Joseph Barrow, Indian Interpreter, to Governor Posey, dated Vincennes, Oct. 24th, 1814.

'Yesterday arrived here two Indians of the Western tribe, bearing a white flag, viz: Little Eyes and Jacho, the brother of the chief of the Weeas. I immediately received them, and afforded them that friendly assistance which you have enjoined. This morning I invited some of the principal citizens, amongst whom was Judge Parke and the officers of the army, and had a talk with them. They stated that they had been at Piqua, and had signed the treaty—(in evidence they produced a copy of the treaty which had their names annexed)—that their family consisting of about 20 persons, was now encamped east of Fort Harrison, on Little White River, a small stream emptying into the South Fork of White River. That being unassured that friendly relations were reestablished between the children of their Great Father and his Red children they thought it prudent to leave their family behind, and come in themselves for the purpose of ascertaining the fact: That they were now entirely devoted to their Great Father, and were willing to afford any information or assistance in their power against his enemies. That their object in coming in was not the expectation or design of being clothed or fed, but merely with a view of getting near Vincennes, for the purpose of trade and friendly intercourse. They further stated that there were many other families or large parties equally anxious to come in could they only have assurance of being well received, amongst which a camp of Kickapoos, of about 20 cabins, residing north of Tippecanoe.'

'Little Eyes gives information that the friendly Kickapoos already mentioned, are in two parties—one about twelve miles from Tippecanoe, the other about sixteen miles further. And that about sixty miles from thence, on the road to Saint Joseph's, on Yellow creek at a place called the Great Cussaw, is a band of about forty Pottawatamie warriors, under Mainpotte; and that these are the Indians that have killed our men and stole their horses at Fort Harrison and the neighborhood—The information comes through the Kickapoos mentioned, who state that they have a small Prairie "full of horses." That they slip out from their hiding place, sell their horses, come down here, get a re-supply, return with them, &c.'