Autobiography of Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, or Black Hawk | Page 2

mow-ta-swee-pai che-qua-que.
He-ni-cha-hai poi-kai-nen na-no-so-si-yen, ai o-sa-ke-we-yen, ke-pe-
me-kai-mi-kat hai-nen hac-yai, na-na-co-si-peu, nen-a-kai-ne co-ten
ne-co-ten ne-ka chi-a-quoi ne-me-cok me-to-sai ne-ne wak-kai ne-we-
yen-nen, kai-shai ma-ni-to-ke ka-to-me-nak ke-wa-sai he-co-wai
mi-a-me ka-chi pai-ko-tai-hear-pe kai-cee wa-wa-kia he-pe
ha-pe-nach-he-cha, na-na-ke-na-way ni-taain ai we-pa-he-wea to-to-na
ca, ke-to-ta-we- yeak, he-nok, mia-ni ai she-ke-ta ma-ke-si-yen,
nen-a-kai na-co-ten ne-ka-he-nen e-ta-quois, wa toi-na-ka
che-ma-ke-keu na-ta-che tai-hai- ken ai mo-co-man ye-we-yeu
ke-to-towe. E-nok ma-ni-hai she-ka-ta-ma ka-si-yen, wen-e-cha-hai
nai-ne-mak, mai-ko-ten ke ka-cha ma-men-na- tuk we-yowe,
keu-ke-nok ai she-me ma-na-ni ta-men-ke-yowe.
MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAK Ma-taus-we Ki-sis, 1833.

DEDICATION. [translation]
To Brigadier General H. Atkinson:
SIR--The changes of fortune and vicissitudes of war made you my
conqueror. When my last resources were exhausted, my warriors worn
down with long and toilsome marches, we yielded, and I became your
prisoner.
The story of my life is told in the following pages: it is intimately
connected, and in some measure, identified, with a part of the history of
your own: I have, therefore, dedicated it to you.
The changes of many summers have brought old age upon me, and I
can not expect to survive many moons. Before I set out on my journey
to the land of my fathers, I have determined to give my motives and
reasons for my former hostilities to the whites, and to vindicate my
character from misrepresentation. The kindness I received from you
whilst a prisoner of war assures me that you will vouch for the facts
contained in my narrative, so far as they came under your observation.
I am now an obscure member of a nation that formerly honored and
respected my opinions. The pathway to glory is rough, and many
gloomy hours obscure it. May the Great Spirit shed light on yours, and
that you may never experience the humility that the power of the
American government has reduced me to, is the wish of him, who, in
his native forests, was once as proud and bold as yourself. BLACK
HAWK. 10th Moon, 1833.

ADVERTISEMENT
It is presumed that no apology will be required for presenting to the
public the life of a Hero who has lately taken such high rank among the
distinguished individuals of America. In the following pages he will be
seen in the character of a Warrior, a Patriot and a State prisoner; in
every situation he is still the chief of his Band, asserting their rights
with dignity, firmness and courage. Several accounts of the late war
having been published, in which he thinks justice is not done to himself
or nation, he determined to make known to the world the injuries his
people have received from the whites, the causes which brought on the
war on the part of his nation, and a general history of it throughout the
campaign. In his opinion this is the only method now left him to rescue
his little Band, the remnant of those who fought bravely with him, from

the effects of the statements that have already gone forth.
The facts which he states, respecting the Treaty of 1804, in virtue of the
provisions of which the government claimed the country in dispute and
enforced its arguments with the sword, are worthy of attention. It
purported to cede tot he United States all of the country, including the
village and corn-fields of Black Hawk and his band, on the east side of
the Mississippi. Four individuals of the tribe, who were on a visit to St.
Louis to obtain the liberation of on of their people from prison, were
prevailed upon, says Black Hawk, to make this important treaty,
without the knowledge or authority of the tribes, or nation.
In treating with the Indians for their country, it has always been
customary to assemble the whole nation; because, as has been truly
suggested by the Secretary of War, the nature of the authority of the
chiefs of the tribe is such, that it is not often that they dare make a
treaty of much consequence, and we might add, never, when involving
so much magnitude as the one under consideration, without the
presence of their young men. A rule so reasonable and just ought never
to be violated, and the Indians might well question the right of the
Government to dispossess them, when such violation was made the
basis of its right.
The Editor has written this work according to the dictation of Black
Hawk, through the United States Interpreter, at the Sac and Fox Agency
of Rock Island. He does not, therefore, consider himself responsible for
any of the facts, or views, contained in it, and leaves the Old Chief and
his story with the public, whilst he neither asks, nor expects, any fame
for his services as an amanuensis. THE EDITOR.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BLACK HAWK.
I was born at the Sac village, on