Page 217 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

Fur Traders, because it would ruin their business, and intro-
duce a class of people (the Yankees) whom they feared and
hated. And lastly by the military authority, that for many
years had things all their own way in this region. If any
attempted to *"squat" upon the- lands, they were forcibly
removed at the point of the bayonet, or prosecuted by the
United States officials as trespassers upon Indian lands. This
condition of affairs continued until treaties were made, and the
lands surveyed and brought into market.
Early in the spring of 1832, hostilities with the Indians,
known as the "Sac and Fox War," or more familiarly ae the
"Black Bawk War," broke out, and spread consternation and
dismay over the whole country. This open outbreak had been
preceded by several less formidable demonstrations of discon-
tent, by several of the bands on the Wisconsinand Mississippi,
attended with no very serious cousequences; but doubtless
leading to the disturbance in 1832, which at one time threat-
ened the destruction of the unprotected settlements, and the
massacre of their inhabitants. It was feared that there was
or would be, a general union of the Northern and Western
tribes, for the purpose of waging a war of extermination
against the whites; for it was well known thad "the war pipe
and wampum" had been sent by BLACK HAWK, the great head
and leader, to the Chippewas, Rfenomonees, Pottawatamies,
and Winnebagoes, inviting them to join the confederacy.
Some declined the invitation, while others hesitated; and there
is but little doubt, that it was owing to the prompt action of
the Government in sending sufficient military force into the
country, and above all to the patriotism and firmn'ess of the
hardy pioneers in defence of their families, that the country wae
saved from desolation. In this year also broke out the "Asi-
atic Cholera," adding by its horrors, to the suffering and feare
of the people. This war for a brief period, retarded emigra-
tion and the sett'lement of the present State of Wisconsin,
but it eventually proved h advantage, as it brought the
country into notice, and developed many of its resources hith-