nation from the co.amission of a crime, nor punish him after he had committed it! He might persuade or advise, all the good an Indian king or chief can do." This is, generally speaking, a tolerably correct estimate of the extent of the power of chiefs; but it should be remembered that the chiefs of different tribes exercise very different sway over their people, according as such chief is endowed with the spirit of government, by nature or circumstance. There is great absurdity in applying the name or title of king to Indian chiefs, as that title is commonly understood. The first Europeans conferred the title upon those who appeared most prominent, in their first discoveries, for want of another more appropriate; or, perhaps, they had another reason, namely, that of magnifying their own exploits on their return to their own countries, by reporting their interviews with, or conquests over, "many kings of an unknown country."

Contemporary with General M'Gillivray was a chief called the

TAME-KING, whose residence was among the Upper Creeks, in 1791; and he is noticed in our public documents of that year, as a conspicuous chief in matters connected with establishing the southern boundary. At this time one Bowles, an English trader, had great influence among the Lower Creeks, and used great endeavors, by putting himself forward as their chief, to enlist all the nations in opposition to the Americans. He had made large promises to the Upper Creeks, to induce them not to hear to the American commissioners They so far listened to him, as to consent to receive his talk, and accordingly the chiefs of the upper and lower towns met at a place called the Half-wayhouse, where they expected Bowles in person, or some letters containing definite statements. When the chiefs had assembled, Tame-king and Mad-dog, of the upper towns, asked the chiefs of the lower, "whether they had taken Bowles's talks, and where the letters were which this great man had sent them, and where the white man was, to read them." An Indian in Bowles's employ said, "he was to give them the talk." They laughed at this, and said, "they could hear his mouth every day; that they had come there to see those letters and hear them read." Most of the chiefs of the upper towns now left the council, which was about the termination of Bowles's successes. He was shortly afterwards obliged to abdicate, as we have already declared in the life of M'Gillivray. He returned again, however, after visiting Spain and England, and spending some time in prison.*

Mr. Ellicott observes, † that, at the close of a conference with sundry tribes, held 15 August, 1799, in which objects were discussed concerning his passage through their country, that "the business appeared to terminate as favorably as could be expected, and the Indians declared themselves perfectly satisfied; but I nevertheless had my doubts of their sincerity, from the depredations they were constantly making upon our horses, which began upon the Coeneuck, and had continued ever since; and added to their insolence, from their stealing every article in our camp they could lay their hands on." Mr. Ellicott excepts the Upper Creeks, generally, from participating in these robberies, all but Tame-king and his people.

Though we have named Tame-king first, yet Mad-dog was quite as conspicuous at this time. His son fought for the Americans in the last war, and was mentioned by General Jackson as an active and valuable chief in his expeditions. His real name we have not learned, and the general mentions him only as Mad-dog's son.

In the case of the boundary already mentioned, the surveyors met with fre quent difficulties from the various tribes of Indians, some of whom were influenced by the Spanish governor, Folch, of Louisiana. Mad-dog appeared their friend, and undeceived them respecting the governor's pretensions. A conference was to be held about the 4 May, between the Indians, Governor Folch, and the American commissioners. The place of meeting was to be upon Coenecuh River, near the southern estuary of the bay of Pensacola. When

He was confined in the Moro castle in the Havana, with three Cherokees that accompanied him. This was in 1792. It was said that this inveterate enemy of the United States, Bowles, was with the Indians, at St. Clair's defeat.-Carey's Museum, xi. 40 †.

+ In his Journal, 214.

388

WEATHERFORD.

[Book IV. the Americans arrived there, Mad-dog met them, and informed Colonel Hawkins, the Indian agent, that two Indians had just gone to the Tallessees with bad talks from the governor. The colonel told him it could not be possible. Shortly after, Mad-dog asked Colonel Hawkins and Mr. Ellicott, the commissioner, if they supposed that Governor Folch would attend at the treaty ; they said, "Most assuredly." "No," returned Mad-dog, "he will not attend, he knows what I shall say to him about his crooked talks. His tongue is forked, and, as you are here, he will be ashamed to show it. If he stands to what he has told us, you will be offended, and if he tells us that the line ought to be marked, he will contradict himself: but he will do neither; he will not come." It turned out as Mad-dog declared. When it was found that the governor would not attend, the chief went to Colonel Hawkins and Mr. Ellicott, and, by way of pleasantry, said, "Well, the governor has not come. I told you so. A man with two tongues can only speak to one at a time." This observation has reference to the gov ernor's duplicity, in holding out to the Indians his determination not to suffer a survey of the boundary, while, at the same time, he pretended to the Americans that he would facilitate it.*

Mad-dog was an upper town Creek, of the Tuckaabatchees tribe.

10000

CHAPTER VI.

WEATHERFORD-His character and country-The corner-stone of the Creek confederacy-Favors the designs of Tecumseh-Captures Fort Mimms-Dreadful mas sacre- -Subjection of the Creeks-Weatherford surrenders himself—His speechesM'INTOSH-Aids the Americans-Battle of Autossee-Great slaughter of the Indians -Battle of the Horse-shoe-bend-Late troubles in the Creek nation-M'Intosh makes illegal sale of lands-Executed for breaking the laws of his country—MENAW WAY -TUSTENUGGE-HAWKINS-CHILLY M'INTOSH, son of William-Marriage of his

sister-LOVEtt.

his own.

WEATHERFORD, one of the most conspicuous war chiefs of the Creek nation, demands an early attention, in the biographical history of the late war. Mr. Claiborne, in his NOTES ON THE WAR IN THE SOUTH, informs us that, "among the first who entered into the views of the British commissioners was the since celebrated Weatherford;" that he was born in the Creek nation, and whose "father was an itinerant pedler, sordid, treacherous, and revengeful; his mother a full-blooded savage, of the tribe of the Seminoles. He partook (says the same author) of all the bad qualities of both his parents, † and engrafted, on the stock he inherited from others, many that were peculiarly With avarice, treachery, and a thirst for blood, he combines lust, gluttony, and a devotion to every species of criminal carousal. (Fortune, in her freaks, sometimes gives to the most profligate an elevation of mind, which she denies to men whose propensities are the most vicious.) On Weatherford she bestowed genius, eloquence, and courage. The first of these qualities enabled him to conceive great designs, the last to execute them; while eloquence, bold, impressive, and figurative, furnished him with a passport to the favor of his countrymen and followers. Silent and reserved, unless when excited by some great occasion, and superior to the weakness of rendering himself cheap by the frequency of his addresses, he delivered his opinions but seldom in council; but when he did so, he was listened to with delight and approbation. His judgment and eloquence had secured the respect of the old; his vices made him the idol of the young and the unprincipled." "In his person, tall, straight, and well proportioned; his eye black, lively, and penetrating, and indicative of courage and enterprise; his nose prominent, thin, and elegant in its formation; while all the features of his

* Ellicott's Journal, 203, &c.

The reader should be early apprized that this was written at a time when some prejudice might have infected the mind of the writer.

face, harmoniously arranged, speak an active and disciplined mind. Passionately devoted to wealth, he had appropriated to himself a fine tract of and, improved and settled it; and from the profits of his father's pack, had decorated and embellished it. To it he retired occasionally, and, relaxing from the cares of state, he indulged in pleasures which are but rarely found to afford satisfaction to the devotees of ambition and fame. Such were the opposite and sometimes disgusting traits of character in the celebrated Weatherford, the key and corner-stone of the Creek confederacy!"

It is said that this chief had entered fully into the views of Tecumseh, and that, if he had entered upon his designs without delay, he would have been amply able to have overrun the whole Mississippi territory. But this fortunate moment was lost, and, in the end, his plans came to ruin. Not long before the wretched butchery at Fort Mimms, General Claiborne visited that post, and very particularly warned its possessors against a surprise. After giving orders for the construction of two additional block-houses, he concluded the order with these words:-"To respect an enemy, and prepare in the best possible way to meet him, is the certain means to ensure success." It was expected that Weatherford would soon attack some of the forts, and General Claiborne marched to Fort Early, as that was the farthest advanced into the enemy's country. On his way, he wrote to Major Beasley, the commander of Mimms, informing him of the danger of an attack; and, strange as it may appear, the next day after the letter was received, (30 August, 1813,) Weatherford, at the head of about 1500 warriors, entered the fort at noon-day, when a shocking carnage ensued. The gate had been left open and unguarded; but, before many of the warriors had entered, they were met by Major Beasley, at the head of his men, and for some time the contest was bloody and doubtful; each striving for the mastery of the entrance. Here, man to man, the fight continued for a quarter of an hour, with tomahawks, knives, swords and bayonets: a scene there presented itself almost without a parallel in the annals of Indian warfare! The garrison consisted of 275: of these only 160 were soldiers; the rest were old men, women and children, who had here taken refuge. It is worthy of very emphatical remark, that every officer expired fighting at the gate. A lieutenant, having been badly wounded, was carried by two women to a block-house, but when he was a little revived, he insisted on being carried back to the fatal scene, which was done by the same heroines, who placed him by the side of a dead companion, where he was soon despatched.

The defenders of the garrison being now nearly all slain, the women and children shut themselves up in the block-houses, and, seizing upon what weapons they could find, began, in that perilous and hopeless situation, to defend themselves. But the Indians soon succeeded in setting these houses on fire, and all such as refused to meet death without, perished in the flames within!! Seventeen only escaped of all the garrison, and many of those were desperately wounded. It was judged 'that, during the contest at the gate, near 400 of Weatherford's warriors were wounded and slain.

The horrid calamity at Fort Mimins, in the Tensau settlement, as it is called, was not the commencement of the bloody war with the Creek Indians. The motions of the Shawanee Prophet had been scrutinized by people upon the frontiers of several states, and memorials from Indiana and Illinois had been sent to the president of the United States by some of their principal inhabitants, in 1811, calling on him to send out an armed force for their security.

In the summer of 1812, some families were cut off near the mouth of the Ohio, and soon after, upon the border of Tennessee, two other families, consisting of women and children, were butchered in a manner too shocking for description! Georgia was also a sufferer in the same kind.

The

In respect to the bloody affair at Fort Mimms, a different aspect has been thrown around it from that generally given in the histories of the war. severe, though probably just reflections of Judge Martin upon the conduct of the unfortunate Beasley, has passed without contradiction. Not only had that officer been warned by General Claiborne of his danger, as already stated, but a Creek Indian informed him in a friendly manner that he must

390

WEATHERFORD SURRENDERS.-HIS SPEECH.

[BOOK IV expect an attack in less than two days. When he had made his communica tion, he left the place, "and was hardly out of sight, when 20 or 30 of his countrymen came in view, and forcibly entered the fort. In the attempt to shut the gate, Beasley was killed: the garrison revenged his death by that of all the assailants. This first party was, however, soon followed by a body of about 800: the garrison was overpowered, the fort taken, and every man, woman and child in it, slaughtered, with the exception of four privates, who, though severely wounded, effected their escape, and reached Fort Stoddard."* Beasley himself was carried into the kitchen of one of the houses within the fort, and was there, with many others, consumed in the burning ruins! †

When the news of this affair was circulated through the country, many cried aloud for vengeance, and two powerful armies were soon upon their march into the Indian country, and the complete destruction of the Indian power soon followed. The Indians seeing all resistance was at an end, great numbers of them came forward and made their submission. Weatherford, however, and many who were known to be desperate, still stood out; perhaps from fear. General Jackson determined to test the fidelity of those chiefs who had submitted, and, therefore, ordered them to deliver, without delay, Weatherford, bound, into his hands, that he might be dealt with as he deserved. When they had made known to the sachem what was required of them, his noble spirit would not submit to such degradation; and, to hold them harmless, he resolved to give himself up without compulsion. Accordingly, he proceeded to the American camp, unknown, until he appeared before the commanding general, to whose presence, under some pretence, he gained admission. General Jackson was greatly surprised, when the chief said, "I am Weatherford, the chief who commanded at the capture of Fort Mimms. I desire peace for my people, and have come to ask it." Jackson had, doubtless, determined upon his execution when he should be brought bound, as he had directed; but his sudden and unexpected appearance, in this manner, saved him. The general said he was astonished that he should venture to appear in his presence, as he was not ignorant of his having been at Fort Mimms, nor of his inhuman conduct there, for which he so well deserved to die. "I ordered," continued the general, "that you should be brought to me bound; and, had you been brought in that manner, I should have known how to have treated you." In answer to this, Weatherford made the following famous speech:

"I am in your power-do with me as you please-I am a soldier. I have done the whites all the harm I could. I have fought them, and fought them bravely. If I had an army, I would yet fight—I would contend to the last: but I have none. My people are all gone. I c can only weep over the misfortunes of my nation."

General Jackson was pleased with his boldness, and told him that though he was in his power, yet he would take no advantage; that he might yet join the war party, and contend against the Americans, if he chose, but to depend upon no quarter if taken afterward; and that unconditional submission was his and his people's only safety. Weatherford rejoined, in a tone as dignified as it was indignant,-" You can safely address me in such terms now. There was a time when I could have answered you—there was a time when I had a choice -I have none now. I have not even a hope. I could once animate my warriors to battle-but I cannot animate the dead. My warriors can no longer hear my voice. Their bones are at Talladega, Tallushatches, Emuckfaw and Tohopeka. I have not surrendered myself without thought. While there was a single chance of success, I never left my post, nor supplicated peace. But my people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation, not for myself. I look back with deep sorrow, and wish to avert still greater calamities. If I had been left to contend with the Georgia army, I would have raised my corn on one bank of the river, and fought them on the other. But your people have destroyed my nation. You are a brave man. I rely upon your generosity. You will exact no terms of a conquered people, but such as they should accede to. Whatever they may be, it would now be madness and folly to oppose them. If they are opposed, you shall find me

* Martin's Hist. Louisiana, ii. 316.

Perkins's Late War, 198

amongst the sternest enforcers of obedience. Those who would still hold out, can be influenced only by a mean spirit of revenge. To this they must not, and shall not sacrifice the last remnant of their country. You have told our nation where we might go and be safe. This is good talk, and they ought to listen to it. They shall listen to it." And here we must close our present account of Weatherford, and enter upon that of a character opposed to him in the field, and, if we can believe the writers of their times, opposite in almost all the affairs of life. This was the celebrated and truly unfortunate

General WILLLIAM M'INTOSH, a Creek chief of the tribe of Cowetaw. He was, like M'Gillivray, a half-breed, whom he considerably resembled in several particulars, as by his history will appear. He was a prominent leader of such of his countrymen as joined the Americans in the war of 1812, 13, and 14, and is first mentioned by General Floyd, in his account of the battle, as he called it, of Autossee, where he assisted in the brutal destruction of 200 of his nation. There was nothing like fighting on the part of the people of the place, as we can learn, being surprised in their wigwams, and hewn to pieces. "The Cowetaws," says the general, "under M'Intosh, and Tookaubatchians, under Mad-dog's-son, fell in on our flanks, and fought with an intrepidity worthy of any troops." And after relating the burning of the place, he thus proceeds: "It is difficult to determine the strength of the enemy, but from the information of some of the chiefs, which it is said can be relied on, there were assembled at Autossee, warriors from eight towns, for its defence; it being their beloved ground, on which they proclaimed no white man could approach without inevitable destruction. It is difficult to give a precise account of the loss of the enemy; but from the number which were lying scattered over the field, together with those destroyed in the towns, and the many slain on the bank of the river, which respectable officers affirm that they saw lying in heaps at the water's edge, where they had been precipitated by their surviving friends, [!!] their loss in killed, independent of their wounded, must have been at least 200, (among whom were the Autossee and Tallassee kings,) and from the circumstance of their making no efforts to molest our return, probably greater. The number of buildings burnt, some of a superior order for the dwellings of savages, and filled with valuable articles, is supposed to be 400." This was on the 29 November, 1813.

M'Intosh was also very conspicuous in the memorable battle of the Horseshoe-bend, in the Tallapoosie River. At this place the disconsolate tribes of the south had made a last great stand, and had a tolerably regular fortified camp. It was said that they were 1000 strong. They had constructed their works with such ingenuity, that little could be effected against them but by storm. "Determined to exterminate them," says General Jackson, "I detached General Coffee with the mounted, and nearly the whole of the Indian force, early on the morning of yesterday, [March 27, 1814,] to cross the river about two miles below their encampment, and to surround the bend, in such a manner, as that none of them should escape by attempting to cross the river." "Bean company of spies, who had accompanied Gen. Coffee, crossed over in cano; to the extremity of the bend, and set fire to a few of the buildings which wer› there situated; they then advanced with great gallantry towards the breastwork, and commenced a spirited fire upon the enemy behind it." This force not being able to effect their object, many others of the army showed great ardor to participate in the assault. "The spirit which animated them was a sure augury of the success which was to follow." "The regulars, led on by their intrepid and skilful commander, Col. Williams, and by the gallant Maj. Montgomery, soon gained possession of the works in the midst of a most tremendous fire from behind them, and the militia of the venerable Gen. Doherty's brigade accompanied them in the charge with a vivacity and firmness which would have done honor to regulars. The enemy was completely routed. Five hundred and fifty seven were left dead on the peninsula, and a great number were killed by the horsemen in attempting to cross the river. It is believed that not more than twenty have escaped.

"The fighting continued with some severity about five hours; but we cont Tuckabatche Bartram, 447 These are the general's italics; at least, Brannan so prints his official letter.

Brannan's official letters.