ritish Father, and asked
him if the Americans could force us to leave our village. He said: "If
you had not sold your land the Americans could not take your village
from you. That the right being vested in you only, could be transferred
by the voice and will of the whole nation, and that as you have never
given your consent to the sale of your country, it yet remains your
exclusive property, from which the American government never could force
you away, and that in the event of war, you should have nothing to fear,
as we would stand by and assist you."

He said that he had called at the prophet's lodge on his way down, and
there had learned for the first time, that we had left our village. He
informed me privately, that the prophet was anxious to see me, as he had
much good news to tell me, and that I would hear good news in the spring
from our British Father. "The prophet requested me to give you all the
particulars, but I would much rather you would see him yourself and
learn all from him. But I will tell you that he has received expresses
from our British Father, who says that he is going to send us guns,
ammunition, provisions and clothing early in the spring. The vessels
that bring them will come by way of Milwaukee. The prophet has likewise
received wampum and tobacco from the different nations on the lakes,
Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottowattomies, and as to the Winnebagoes he has
them all at his command. We are going to be happy once more."

I told him I was pleased that our British Father intended to see us
righted. That we had been driven from our lands without receiving
anything for them, and I now began to hope from his talk, that my
people would once more be happy. If I could accomplish this I would be
satisfied. I am now growing old and could spend the remnant of my time
anywhere. But I wish first to see my people happy. I can then leave them
cheerfully. This has always been my constant aim, and I now begin to
hope that our sky will soon be clear.

Neapope said:

"The prophet told me that all the tribes mentioned would fight for us
if necessary, and the British father will support us. If we should be
whipped, which is hardly possible, we will still be safe, the prophet
having received a friendly talk from the chief of Wassicummico, at
Selkirk's settlement, telling him, that if we were not happy in our own
country, to let him know and he would make us happy. He had received
information from our British fa