Chapters 14-15 Summary and Analysis

"Native Genius" provides background on the Shawnee leader Tecumseh, who is exciting Southern Indians to war against the whites. Emerging from the shadow of his charismatic brother, "The Prophet," who preaches Indian self-sufficiency, Tecumseh travels village-to-village forming military alliances among tribes long cheated and corrupted by whites. Only a few are reticent to join, but these inform Gov. William Henry Harrison that Tecumseh is being armed in Canada. Harrison warns Tecumseh that the redcoats cannot protect themselves, let alone the Indians. In August 1810, Tecumseh leads a delegation representing various tribes to Vincennes, the capital of Indiana Territory, where speaks for all "red men," vowing to kill any chiefs who sell land to whites. As Harrison defends U.S. treatment of Indians, Tecumseh declares him a liar and departs. They meet more coolly the next day and Tecumseh agrees to...