ier, long after they were officially notified of the
peace, continued to excite the Indians to acts of violence against the
United States; and, indeed, participated in them likewise. It was in the
spring of this year that they captured the garrison at Prairie du Chien,
and instigated Black Hawk and his party to attack some boats, which were
ascending the Mississippi to that point, with troops and provisions. In
this attack, Black Hawk was the leader. One of the boats was captured
and several of the crew killed. They were compelled to return, and
dropped down to the fort at the mouth of the Des Moyens river. As a
reward for their attack upon these boats, the British agents distributed
rum among the Indians engaged in the affair, and joined with them in
dancing and feasting.

In May, Black Hawk and his party, having been again summoned by the
Americans, to make peace, concluded to descend the Mississippi to
Portage des Sioux, to meet the American commissioners who were there for
that purpose. On the 13th of May, 1816, a treaty of peace was signed by
Clark, Edwards, and Choteau on behalf of the United States, and the
chiefs and warriors of the Sacs of Rock river and the adjacent country.
To this treaty Black Hawk was a party. It recognizes the validity of the
treaty of St. Louis, of November 1804.

CHAPTER IV.

Building of Fort Armstrong--The good Spirit of Rock Island--Death of
Black Hawk's children--Young Sac offers to die in place of his
brother--Black Hawk's visit to Malden--Whipped by some whites--Whites
settle at his village--Black Hawk's talk with Governor Coles and Judge
Hall--Sale of the lands on Rock river--Indians ordered to
remove--Agreement to remove for six thousand dollars--Memorial of the
white settlers to Governor Reynolds--The Governor's letters to General
Clark and General Gaines--The latter leaves Jefferson Barracks with
six companies of the United States troops for Rock Island--His
interview with Black Hawk--Calls upon the Governor of Illinois for
militia--The Indians abandon their village--treaty of peace made with
them--Official letters to the war department--Summary of the causes
which brought on this disturbance--Black Hawk's attempt to form an
alliance with other tribes.

From the treaty of peace, between the United States and the Sac Indians
of Rock river, in 1816, to the commencement of hostilities between these
parties in 1832, the life of Black Hawk seems