P
supports Georgia “the name of this nation, hitherto
the sweet omen of religion and liberty, will stink to
the world.” Emerson’s angry words will do nothing
to dissuade Jackson from his commitment to the
Removal policy.
Artist George Catlin begins painting
western Indians.
Perhaps inspired by McKenney’s “Indian Gallery”
(see entry for 1821), George Catlin, a 34-year-old
Pennsylvania artist, travels west to make a picto-
rial record of Indian life. Over the next seven years,
Catlin will travel more than 1,800 miles and visit
scores of tribes living along the Missouri River, on
southern Plains, and in the Great Lakes region. In
thousands of sketches and hundreds of paintings, he
will document the ceremonies and customs of the
Indians he meets. Among his most famous works
will be his portraits of noted Indian leaders, includ-
ing Black Hawk (see entry for APRIL TO AUGUST
1832) and Tenskwatawa (see entry for APRIL 1805).
(See also entry for 1841.)
April to August
The Black Hawk War breaks out in Illinois.
After being forced from Saukenuk, his old village
in Illinois (see entry for JUNE 1831), the Sac leader
Black Hawk attempts to create an Indian alliance
to fight the settlers who have moved into his home-
land. He is inspired by the teachings of Winnebago
prophet White Cloud and his own experience fight-
ing alongside Tecumseh (see entry for JUNE 19,
1812). With 600 warriors, he returns to the site of
Saukenuk. Almost immediately, a force of regular
army troops and fresh militia recruits (including the
young Abraham Lincoln) are sent out to repel the
Indians.
For fifteen weeks, Black Hawk’s followers try
to elude the American army. On May 12, at the
Battle of Stillman’s Run, the warriors turn on the
untrained militiamen and cause them to retreat in
a panic. Despite this early victory, the Indians are
quickly worn down. On August 1, they are desper-
ately trying to cross the Mississippi River to safety
when they are attacked by soldiers led by General
Henry Atkinson. The Indians attempt to surrender,
but the troops open fire. During the Battle of Bad
Axe about 150 Indians are killed. Black Hawk flees
to the Winnebago village of Prairie du Chien to the
north, where he surrenders and is led to prison in
chains. In the treaty that ends the Black Hawk War,
the Sac, Fox, and Winnebago are forced to cede 6
million acres of land in what is now eastern Iowa.
(See also entry for 1833.)“Farewell, my nation! Black
Hawk tried to save you, and
avenge your wrongs. He drank
the blood of some of the
whites. He has been taken pris-
oner, and his plans are stopped.
He can do no more. He is near
his end. His sun is setting, and
he will rise no more. Farewell
to Black Hawk.”
—Black Hawk, surrendering to U.S.
authorities at Prairie du ChienMay 9Seminole leaders sign the Treaty of
Paynes Landing.
Pressured by U.S. officials, several Seminole lead-
ers sign a treaty at Paynes Landing, in present-day
Florida, in which they agree to consider relocating
to Creek lands in Indian Territory. Most Seminole
are opposed to the treaty terms. Though they once
had been part of the Creek tribe, few want to settle
among the Creek, because the Seminole now regard
them as their enemies. The document also grants
the Seminole only about $15,000 for their Florida
territory and requires them to pay $7,000 in com-
pensation for runaway slaves who have joined the
tribe.