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Show LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. CHAP. the southern tribes in the same enterprise. This they II. believed to be of much importance ; as, by assailing ~the whole line of our frontiers at the same time, they would be able, at once, to gratify their vengeance, and enrich themselves with plunder. An artful impostor had, about this time, sprung up amongst the Shawnees, who, by passing for a pro~het, commissioned by "the Great Spirit," to commumcate his mandates and assurances to his red children, had acquired, among his own and the neighbouring tribes, the most astonishing influence. Clothed, as they believed him to be, with such high powers, they listened to his most extravagant doctrines, and in them fully confided. In a little time, he succeeded in kindling a phrenzy and rage against tl1e Anglo-Americans, which soon after burst forth in acts of destructive violence. Tecumseh His brother, Tecumseh, who became so famous during ~[.~'';;':e!k the war, was despatched to the southern tribes, to exn~ tion. cite the same temper. To the Creeks, as by far the most numerous and powerful, as well as the most liable from their situation ·and habits, to be influenced by 'his suggestions, he directed his principal attention. Having entered their nation, some time in the spring of 1812, he repaired to Tookaubatcha, where he had several conferences with the chiefs ; but not meeting with the encouragement he expected, he returned to the Alabama, which he had previously visited, and commenced his operations. Finding here several leaders of great influence, who readily entered into his views, he was enabled to carry on his schemes witl1 great success. Deriving his powers from his brother, the Prophet, whose extraordinary LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. 117 commission and endowments were, before tllis, well CHAP. understood by all t h e ne1. g h boun. ng tn'b e s m. t h e sou•w'- ;I~I. his authority was regarded with the highest veneration. He strongly interdicted all intercourse with ·the whites, and prevailed on the greater part of tl1e Alabamians to tlrrow aside the implements and clotl1ing which that intercourse had furnished, and return again to tlleir savage state, from which he represented them as highly culpable for having suffered themselves to be estran-ged. In a word, no means were left untried· to ex-cite them to the most deadly animosity and cruel war. To give additional weight to his councils, tllis designing missionary gave assurances of aid and sup-port from Great Britain ; whose power and riches he represented as almost without limits, and quite suffi-cient for t:Qe subjugation of the United States. So great an influence did his intrigues and discourses ob-tain over the minds of many, that it was with dilliculty the most turbulent of ti;em could be restrained from running immediately to arms, and. committing depre-dations on the exposed frontiers. This hasty measure, however, he represented as calculated to defe.'lt the great plan of operations which he was labouring to concert ; and enjoined the utmost secrecy and quiet-ness, until the moment should arrive, when, all their preparations being ready, they might be able to strike a general and decisive blow; in the mean time, tl1ey were to be industriously employed in collecting arms and ammunition, and ot~er necessary implements of war. Having ordained a chief prophet, whose word was to be regarded as infallible, and whose· directions were |