Status
Available
Call number
Call number
B BLA
Genres
Collection
Publication
University of Illinois Press (1990), Edition: Prairie state books ed, 192 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. History. Nonfiction. HTML: A controversial figure in his day, Black Hawk was the leader of the Sauk American Indian tribe in the early 1800s. The son of the tribe's medicine man, Black Hawk's exploits as a warrior aided his rise to the status of tribal war leader. Here, Black Hawk chronicles his life as well as the story of his tribe, who were forced from their lands in Illinois during a series of skirmishes with American settlers in what came to be known as the Black Hawk War..
Original publication date
1834
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Vicki_Weisfeld
This short book—the full title of which is Autobiography of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, or Black Hawk, Embracing the Traditions of his Nation, Various Wars In Which He Has Been Engaged, and His Account of the Cause and General History of the Black Hawk War of 1832, His Surrender, and Travels
Black Hawk was born in 1767 on the Rock River in Illinois, as a member of the Sauk (Sac) tribe, which at that time populated lands east of the Mississippi River, in Illinois and Wisconsin. His reminiscences were edited by a local newspaper reporter, J. B. Patterson, and recount Black Hawk’s experiences with the French, the British, the American settlers, and other tribes.
What turned him against the Americans was an 1804 treaty, which an unauthorized group of Sauks signed, that unilaterally gave away their lands, providing American settlers the legal right (as if such niceties mattered) to appropriate them, and forcing the Indians to resettle to the west.
I found by that treaty, that all of the country east of the Mississippi, and south of Jeffreon [the Salt River in northern Missouri, a tributary of the Mississippi] was ceded to the United States for one thousand dollars a year. I will leave it to the people of the United States to say whether our nation was properly represented in this treaty? Or whether we received a fair compensation for the extent of country ceded by these four individuals?
Because of this opposition, Black Hawk fought with the British during the War of 1812. Twenty years later, when he was 65 years old and after a trail of broken promises, he led a band of Sauk warriors against settlers in Illinois and Wisconsin in the 1832 Black Hawk War.
Eventually, he was captured and gave up the warrior life. He traveled extensively in the United States on a government-sponsored tour, marveling at the size of the major cities, the railroads, the roads. In his attempts to negotiate with military leaders, provincial governors, and even the Great Father in Washington, he interacted personally with many of the leading politicians and military men of the day. President Andrew Jackson (a major character in Steve Inskeep’s recent book about another betrayal of the Indians) desired that Black Hawk and other chiefs see these sights, in order to convince them of the might of the United States.
Black Hawk provides his point of view quite clearly and compellingly. To no avail, of course. According to the University of Illinois Press, “Perhaps no Indian ever saw so much of American expansion or fought harder to prevent that expansion from driving his people to exile and death.” His prowess as a warrior chief is now honored by the U.S. military, which has named several ships after him, as well as the Black Hawk helicopter.
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Through the United States. Also Life, Death and Burial of the Old Chief, Together with a History of the Black Hawk War—was the first autobiography of an American Indian leader published in the United States and therefore something of a phenomenon when it appeared in 1833. Black Hawk was born in 1767 on the Rock River in Illinois, as a member of the Sauk (Sac) tribe, which at that time populated lands east of the Mississippi River, in Illinois and Wisconsin. His reminiscences were edited by a local newspaper reporter, J. B. Patterson, and recount Black Hawk’s experiences with the French, the British, the American settlers, and other tribes.
What turned him against the Americans was an 1804 treaty, which an unauthorized group of Sauks signed, that unilaterally gave away their lands, providing American settlers the legal right (as if such niceties mattered) to appropriate them, and forcing the Indians to resettle to the west.
I found by that treaty, that all of the country east of the Mississippi, and south of Jeffreon [the Salt River in northern Missouri, a tributary of the Mississippi] was ceded to the United States for one thousand dollars a year. I will leave it to the people of the United States to say whether our nation was properly represented in this treaty? Or whether we received a fair compensation for the extent of country ceded by these four individuals?
Because of this opposition, Black Hawk fought with the British during the War of 1812. Twenty years later, when he was 65 years old and after a trail of broken promises, he led a band of Sauk warriors against settlers in Illinois and Wisconsin in the 1832 Black Hawk War.
Eventually, he was captured and gave up the warrior life. He traveled extensively in the United States on a government-sponsored tour, marveling at the size of the major cities, the railroads, the roads. In his attempts to negotiate with military leaders, provincial governors, and even the Great Father in Washington, he interacted personally with many of the leading politicians and military men of the day. President Andrew Jackson (a major character in Steve Inskeep’s recent book about another betrayal of the Indians) desired that Black Hawk and other chiefs see these sights, in order to convince them of the might of the United States.
Black Hawk provides his point of view quite clearly and compellingly. To no avail, of course. According to the University of Illinois Press, “Perhaps no Indian ever saw so much of American expansion or fought harder to prevent that expansion from driving his people to exile and death.” His prowess as a warrior chief is now honored by the U.S. military, which has named several ships after him, as well as the Black Hawk helicopter.
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LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
For this history, this is a worthwhile needed read, but I can't say that I enjoyed it. It does go quickly, but it's difficult to look at America's early history from such a straightforward view as Black Hawk's. As a modern reader, I want him to be cynical and enraged--his calm hopeful outlook is
On a side note--I'd recommend a different edition; there's no historical or introductory material here comparable to what's provided in other editions, and would be helpful. There are also quite a few typos.
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hard to take the further into his story one gets.On a side note--I'd recommend a different edition; there's no historical or introductory material here comparable to what's provided in other editions, and would be helpful. There are also quite a few typos.
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LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
For this history, this is a worthwhile needed read, but I can't say that I enjoyed it. It does go quickly, but it's difficult to look at America's early history from such a straightforward view as Black Hawk's. As a modern reader, I want him to be cynical and enraged--his calm hopeful outlook is
I do strongly recommend this edition, though it might be a bit more expensive than others. The historical material and introductory material is well worth the while. The only complaint I have with this edition is that the type is a bit small for comfortable reading over a long length of time.
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hard to take the further into his story one gets.I do strongly recommend this edition, though it might be a bit more expensive than others. The historical material and introductory material is well worth the while. The only complaint I have with this edition is that the type is a bit small for comfortable reading over a long length of time.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
Black Hawk dictated his autobiography through amanuenses Antoine LeClair which was originally published in 1833. He was a Sauk leader and in his own words describes the conflict in 1832 as Americans came into the land east of the Mississippi and took the land away from his people. Black Hawk gives
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a good description of the Native American Culture as well as the trouble with trying to do business with the US government. Of course the citizens weren't admirable in their behavior either which was probably fear driven. It was interesting to learn about this area of Illinois and Wisconsin. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cecrow
Reading this served as a sort of coda to a history I read of the War of 1812. The resolution of that war began with the British proposing a Native American buffer state between themselves and the burgeoning United States that would have changed the face of the North American map forever. Black
This memoir was the first widespread perspective shared among whites from the native side and came directly on the heels of Black Hawk's famed tour of many US cities, but appears to have had little influence or at least none that extended to the political sphere. The destruction of the 500 Nations continued to be viewed as something inevitable, like a fad passing out of style rather than outright theft, racism and massacre. This memoir is not entirely noble either, however, ending on a sour note as Black Hawk outlines his opinion of what can be done to control the black slave population. Apparently he didn't see the parallels between another oppressed people and his own.
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Hawk's dictated memoir is a sad portrait of what happened instead. Couched in politeness he outlines the travesties and injustices perpetrated against his people as they were sacrificed to Manifest Destiny. This memoir was the first widespread perspective shared among whites from the native side and came directly on the heels of Black Hawk's famed tour of many US cities, but appears to have had little influence or at least none that extended to the political sphere. The destruction of the 500 Nations continued to be viewed as something inevitable, like a fad passing out of style rather than outright theft, racism and massacre. This memoir is not entirely noble either, however, ending on a sour note as Black Hawk outlines his opinion of what can be done to control the black slave population. Apparently he didn't see the parallels between another oppressed people and his own.
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LibraryThing member Michael.Bradham
“I explained to them the manner the British and Americans fought. Instead of stealing upon each other, and taking every advantage to kill the enemy and save their own people, as we do, (which, with us, is considered good policy in a war chief,) they marched out, in open daylight, and fight,
Firsthand account from Black Hawk. Originally published in 1834.
Shines a light on many weaknesses of that time that still exist today:
Inability to see how actions affect others.
Projecting problems unto others in an unbalanced way.
Making oneself out to be the victim.
Unworthy entitlement to land ownership.
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regardless of the number of warriors they may lose! After the battle is over, they retire to feast, and drink wine, as if nothing had happened; after which, they make a statement in writing, of what they have done – each party claiming the victory! and neither giving an account of half the number that have been killed on their own side. They all fought like braves, but would not do to lead a war party with us. Our maxim is, “to kill the enemy and save our own men.” Those chiefs would do to paddle a canoe, but not to steer it.” (page 20)Firsthand account from Black Hawk. Originally published in 1834.
Shines a light on many weaknesses of that time that still exist today:
Inability to see how actions affect others.
Projecting problems unto others in an unbalanced way.
Making oneself out to be the victim.
Unworthy entitlement to land ownership.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bicyclewriter
Interesting historical perspective, and I did enjoy that aspect of it. But it's pretty dry reading. Also, this was clearly translated as it was written 100 years ago, since the writing style and language bears no similarity to anything other than English spoken in those days. I suspect this was
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standard fare for that time and place, so I don't want to be too critical. It's just that the use of a language imparts the real story, and translating the words into "high English" means the heart and soul of what might have been the story of Black Hawk is lost. Still, history weanies like me still enjoy it a bit. Show Less
Pages
192