Voices of the Past

VOICES OF THE PAST

“FOR THIS SPOT I FELT A SACRED REVERENCE, AND NEVER COULD CONSENT TO LEAVE IT, WITHOUT BEING FORCED THERE FROM.” – BLACK HAWK’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

In the spring of 1828, officials of the United States told the Sac and Fox [Mesquakie] people they would have to leave their homes at Saukenuk – near present day Rock Island, Illinois.  Every year, the Sac leader, Black Hawk, and his band continued to return to Saukenuk against the government’s wishes.  Finally, in the spring of 1831, under threat from 1,500 mounted troops of the Illinois militia, Sac and Fox leaders reluctantly agreed to a treaty promising their people a year’s supply of corn and annual cash payments.  In exchange, the Sac and Fox would cross the Mississippi River to Iowa and never return – giving up 51 million acres of land.  Angrily, Black Hawk broke the pen he used to sign the treaty.

In the spring of 1831, Black Hawk and more than two thousand of his followers determined to return home again.  Threatened by starvation and believing that the federal government treated them unfairly, they crossed the Mississippi River and returned to Illinois.

“WHAT RIGHT HAD THESE PEOPLE TO OUR VILLAGE, AND OUR FIELDS, WHICH THE GREAT SPIRIT HAD GIVEN US TO LIVE UPON?  MY REASON TEACHED ME THAT LAND CANNOT BE SOLD.” – BLACK HAWK’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

 

Submitted by

Bryan Arnold

@nanowhiskers