Town (see entry for 1808). Believing Tecumseh’s
foot caused the quake, many Creek become fanat-
ical in their faith in his confederacy.
1812New Jersey v. Wilson affirms nontaxable
status of Lenni Lenape (Delaware) land.
Deciding to move west, the Lenni Lenape (Dela-
ware) sell their lands in New Jersey to non-Indians,
including a man named John Wilson. The state
tries to collect taxes from Wilson, who refuses,
because New Jersey declared the land nontax-
able when it granted it to the Lenni Lenape. The
Supreme Court rules in favor of Wilson. It holds
that according to New Jersey’s contract with the
Lenni Lenape the land is not taxable, whether or
not it is owned and occupied by tribe members.
Russians establish a post in California.
Russian traders found Fort Ross, near what is now
California’s Bodega Bay, in Pomo Indian terri-
tory. As they have been in Alaska, the Russians in
California are brutal in their treatment of the indig-
enous population. Through threats and violence,
they force the Pomo to labor for them. For the next
30 years the Pomo will resist their enslavement with
periodic attacks on the Russians.
June 19
The War of 1812 breaks out.
After continued clashes between American and
English frontiersmen, the United States declares
war against England. The conflict, known as the
War of 1812, forces the Shawnee rebellion leader
Tecumseh to abandon his efforts to build an In-
dian confederacy to help his British allies fight
American troops. Tecumseh and his followers
will fight alongside the British in a series of en-
gagements, including the Battle of Monguagon
(1812) and the siege of Fort Meigs (1813). (See
also entries for OCTOBER 5, 1813, and for DE-
CEMBER 24, 1814.)
DecemberAn earthquake kills 40 Indians at San
Juan Capistrano.
The great stone church at the San Juan Capistrano
mission is destroyed during a mass by an enor-
mous earthquake. In the rubble, the bodies of 40
Indian neophytes are discovered. The remains of
the building, the most elaborate of all California
mission churches, are abandoned by the mission
fathers.1813July 27The Red Stick Creek are attacked at Burnt
Corn Creek.
Led by Peter McQueen, a faction of Creek Indians
known as the Upper Creek or Red Sticks travel to
Pensacola to meet with Spanish officials and try
to convince them to give the Indians weapons and
ammunition to battle American settlers and their
opponents among the Creek (also known as the
White Sticks). On their way back to Creek terri-
tory, the Red Sticks are attacked by militia troops
at Burnt Corn Creek, a tributary of the Alabama
River. Though surprised by the assault, the Creek
are soon able to drive off the Americans, with few
casualties on both sides. The Battle of Burnt Corn
Creek signals that the civil conflicts among the
Creek have escalated into a war between the Red
Stick Creek and the United States. (See also en-
tries for AUGUST 30, 1813, and for MARCH 27,
1814.)August 30Fort Mims is attacked by Creek rebels.
Fearing a retaliatory attack by the Red Stick Creek
(see entry for JULY 27, 1813), hundreds of White
Stick Creek, American settlers, and their African-
American slaves take refuge at Fort Mims on the
Alabama River. On August 29, several slaves warn