Martinsburgh Gazette

Cincinnati, March 7.

The Gov. of the Illinois territory writes to a gentleman in this town, under date of Feb. 10th.

"My situation is unpleasant, having the interest and safety of the people much at heart and dependent on me, without my having any adequate means of protecting them. This renders me the more determined to exert myself to leave nothing undone which is in my power to do.

The Winnebagoes, who were in the late action, suffered severely, and to revenge themselves, they lately attacked the trading establishments below Prairie de Chien, plundered them of their property, killed several men, and declared they would kill every American they could find. The number killed and the extent of the injury are not yet ascertained.

Various considerations of weight induced me to send messengers to the chiefs of the Kickapoos and of the Potowatamies near Peoria requesting them to visit me: but the mission has been unsuccessful, the Indians evading my request in a manner that augurs very unfavorably.--Gomo, the principal chief near Peoria, sent me word, however, to be upon my guard against the Winnebagoes, who he says will certainly attack our frontiers as soon as the weather moderates. This I doubt not is true; but he has no merit for the discovery of their hostile intentions, since they had boldly avowed and in part already carried their threats into execution--And I strongly suspect his admonition was designed as a cover to the depredations which he knows his own party will commit.

It is impossible for me to give you a just conception of the terror that pervades this country. People are moving from all quarters--whole settlements are deserted. I saw a gentleman a few days ago, who told me, that in riding from the Ohio to this place, he met in one day upwards of 20 waggons conveying families out of this territory. Every effort to check the prevalence of such terror is ineffectual, and although much of it is unreasonably indulged, yet it is certain we shall shortly be in considerable danger from predatory parties of Indians.

The physical strength of the territory is very inconsiderable at best, and it is daily getting weaker, while it presents numerous points of attack. The Winnebagoes, Kickapoos and Potowatamies composed the principal strength of the Prophet's army. The two former, and a great portion of the latter, reside in this territory, are much irritated and can with great facility make hostile incursions into our settlements.

Under these circumstances I have asked of the administration two companies at least of the regular force for our defence. Unless something is done, I will venture to assert, that in less than 3 months we shall lose more than one half of our present population. At present, notwithstanding the repeated depredations of the Indians, the murders they have committed, and the refusal to deliver up the offenders, or make any satisfaction whatever, though solemnly demanded of them, we cannot legally take any measure of offence against them, but must wait patiently for another attack, not knowing when or where it may be made. This negative state, being neither at peace or war, greatly increases our danger and renders our situation truly mortifying."