been ill-treated and abused, and
every additional outrage to one tribe is locked up in the memory of all,
who wait for the moment of retaliation revenge. In the Wisconsin war
(Black Hawk, 1832), even after the poor starved warriors had surrendered
themselves by treaty, after a noble struggle, more than two hundred old
men, women, and children were forced by the Americans to cross the river
without boats or canoes. The poor things endeavoured to pass it with the
help of their horses; the river there was more than half a mile broad,
and while these unfortunates were struggling for life against a current
of nine miles an hour, they were shot in the water.

This fact is known to all the tribes--even to the Comanches, who are so
distant. It has satisfied them as to what they may expect from those who
thus violate all treaties and all faith. The remainder of that brave
tribe is now dwelling on the west borders of Iowa, but their wrongs are
too deeply dyed with their own blood to be forgotten even by
generations, and their cause is ready to be espoused by every tribe,
even those who have been their hereditary enemies; for what is, after
all, their history, but the history of almost every Indian nation
transplanted on the other side of the Mississippi?

This belt of Indian tribes, therefore, is rather an unsafe neighbour,
especially in the event of a civil war or of a contest with England.
Having themselves, by a mistaken policy, collected together a cordon of
offended warriors, the United States will some day deplore, when too
late, their former greediness, and cruelty towards the natural owners of
their vast territories.

It is among these tribes that Joe Smith wishes to lay the foundation of
his future empire; and settling at Independence, he was interposing as a
neutral force between two opponents, who would, each of them, have
purchased his massive strength and effective energy with the gift of
supremacy over an immense and wealthy territory. As we have seen, chance
and the fortune of war have thrown Smith and the Mormons back on the
eastern shores of the Mississippi, opposite the entrance of Desmoines
river; but when forced back, the Mormons were an unruly and turbulent
crowd, without means or military tactics; now, such is not the case.
Already, the prophet has sent able agents over the river; the Sacs and
Foxes, the same tribe we have just spoken of as the much-abused nation
of Wisconsin, and actually residing at abou