Senachwine, 1830

"For more than seventy years, I have hunted in this grove and fished in this stream, and for as many years I have worshiped on this ground. Through these groves, and over these prairies in pursuit of game, our fathers have roamed, and by them this land was left unto us an heritage forever. No one is more attached to their home than myself, and no one among you is so grieved to leave it. But the time is near at hand, when the red men of the forest will have to leave the land of their nativity, and find a home towards the setting sun.

The white man of the east. whose numbers are like the sand of the sea, will over run and take possession of this country. They will build wigwams and villages all over the land, and their domain will extend from sea to sea.

In my boyhood days I have chased the buffalo across the prairies, and hunted elk in the grove; but where are they now?

Long since they have left us; the near approach of the white man has scared them away. The deer and the turkey will go next, and with them, the sons of the forest.

Resistance to the aggression of the whites is useless; war is wicked and must result in our ruin. Therefore let us submit to our fate, return not evil for evil, as this would offend the Great Spirit and bring ruin upon us. The time is near at hand when our race will be extinct, and nothing left to show to the world that we ever did exist.

As for myself I have no re fleetions for the past, nor have I any misgivings for the future; my race is nigh run, and soon I will be gathered to my fathers. My bones will be laid away in that beautiful green knoll, which overlooks the valley of Senachwine, and my spirit will go to that happy hunting ground, where my fathers before me have gone. Our white friend (Paine) has been telling us of a Savior who died to save the world. Of this Savior I know nothing; but this I do know, the monitor within my breast has taught me the will of the Great Spirit, and now tells me that good Indians will be rewarded, and bad ones punished. My friends do not listen to the words of Black Hawk, for he is trying to lead you astray. Do not imbrue your hands in human blood; for such is the work of the evil one, and will only bring retribution upon your own heads."