he saw nothing
bad in this great war chief, General Gaines, who was now near Rock
river. That his object was merely to frighten us from our village, that
the white people might get our land for nothing. He assured us that
this great war chief dare not, and would not, hurt any of us. That the
Americans were at peace with the British, and when they made peace, the
British required, and the Americans agreed to it, that they should never
interrupt any nation of Indians that was at peace, and that all we had
to do to retain our village was to refuse any and every offer that might
be made by this war chief.

The war chief arrived and convened a council at the agency. Keokuk and
Wapello were sent for, and with a number of their band were present.

The council house was opened and all were admitted, and myself and band
were sent for to attend. When we arrived at the door singing a war song,
and armed with lances, spears, war clubs, bows and arrows, as if going
to battle, I halted and refused to enter, as I could see no necessity or
propriety in having the room crowded with those who were already there.
If the council was convened for us, why then have others in our room.
The war chief having sent all out except Keokuk, Wapello and a few
of their chiefs and braves, we entered the council in this warlike
appearance, being desirous of showing the war chief that we were not
afraid. He then rose and made a speech. He said:

"The president is very sorry to be put to the trouble and expense of
sending so large a body of soldiers here to remove you from the lands
you have long since ceded to the United States. Your Great Father has
already warned you repeatedly, through your agent, to leave the country,
and he is very sorry to find that you have disobeyed his orders. Your
Great Father wishes you well, and asks nothing from you but what is
reasonable and right. I hope you will consult your own interests, and
leave the country you are occupying, and go to the other side of the
Mississippi."

I replied:

"We have never sold our country. We never received any annuities from
our American father, and we are determined to hold on to our village."

The war chief, apparently angry, rose and said

"Who is _Black Hawk_? Who is _Black Hawk_?"

I replied:

"I am a _Sac_! My forefather was a SAC! I and all the nations call me a
SAC!!"

The war chief said:

"I came here neither to beg nor hire you to leave your village. My
busines