Primary Source Documents

Tecumseh Confronts Governor Harrison^*

Alarmed by the Prophet's and Tecumseh's efforts to form an Indian confederacy, Governor William Henry Harrison sent a communication in July 1810 urging peace and warning them of the danger of any war with the United States. Tecumseh told the bearer of the message.

The Great Spirit said he gave this great island to his red children. He placed the whites on the other side of the big water. They were not contented with their own, but came to take ours from us. They have driven us from the sea to the lakes. We can go no farther. They have taken upon themselves to say this tract belongs to the Miamis, this to the Delawares, and so on. But the Great Spirit intended it as the common property of all the Tribes, nor can it be sold without the consent of all. Our father tells us that we have no business on the Wabash, the land belongs to other Tribes, but the Great Spirit ordered us to come here and we shall stay.

Soon afterward Tecumseh journeyed to Vincennes to meet with Harrison. In this conference on August 20 and 21, 1810, Tecumseh outlined the Indians' grievances and demands. His speeches were taken down by an American participant.

Brother…after we agreed to bury the Tomahawk at Greenville…the Americans…told us they would treat us well.…Since the peace was made you have killed some of the Shawnee, Winnebagoes, Delawares, and Miamis and you have taken our lands from us and I do not see how we can remain at peace with you if you continue to do so.…You wish to prevent the Indians to do as we wish them to unite and let them consider their land as the common property of the whole.…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 work.

Brother…Since my residence at Tippecanoe [i.e., Prophetstown] we have endeavored to level all distinctions [in order] to destroy village chiefs by whom all mischief is done; it is they who sell our land to the Americans and our object is to let all our affairs be transacted by Warriors.

Brother. This land that was sold and the goods that were given for it [in the Treaty of Fort Wayne] was only done by a few.…These tribes set up a claim [to the land that was sold] but the tribes with me will not agree to their claim. If the land is not restored to us you will soon see when we return to our homes how it will be settled. We shall have a great council at which all the tribes shall be present when we will show to those who sold that they had no right to sell the claim they set up and we will know what will be done with those Chiefs that did sell the land to you. I am not alone in this determination. It is the determination of all the warriors and red people that listen to me.

Now wish you to listen to me. If you do not it will appear as if you wished me to kill all the chiefs that sold you this land. I tell you so because I am authorised by all the tribes to do so. I am at the head of them all.…It has been the object of both myself and [my] brother from the beginning to prevent the lands being sold.…I am alone the acknowledged head of all the Indians.

At this point, Harrison asked Tecumseh if government surveyors in the lands ceded by the Treaty of Fort Wayne would be resisted. Tecumseh replied:

Brother. They [his followers] want to save that piece of land. We do not wish you to take it. It is small enough for our purposes. If you do take it you must blame yourself as the cause of trouble between us and the Tribes who sold it to you. I want the present boundary line [of the Treaty of Greenville] to continue. Should you cross it, I assure you it will be productive of bad consequences.

From Logan Esarey, ed., Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison.

1		Give three specific complaints by Tecumseh about American policy toward the Indian tribes. What examples does he refer to in support of each of these points?
2		How does Tecumseh envision a different relationship between the Indians and the American government? Why is this new relationship unacceptable to American officials?
3		What does Tecumseh see as the ultimate result if the Indian tribes do not unite? Was he correct in this belief?
4		How should Harrison have interpreted Tecumseh's remarks and intentions? Does he seem to be threatening war unless American policy is changed? Is he clear about his intentions?
5		What sense of Tecumseh's character emerges from this document? Does he seem particularly insightful? Does he seem forthright in his remarks? Why do you think whites were so impressed with him?