Therefore, all the land not sold, still belonged to the United States, and the Indians had still a right, by treaty, to hunt and live on those lands.

This right, however, was not allowed them--they must move off.
"In 1830, the principal chiefs, and others of the Sauk and Fox Indians who resided at the old village, near Rocky River, acquainted me that they would remove to their village on Ihoway River.

These chiefs advised me to write to General Clarke, Superintendent of Indian Affairs at this place (St.Louis), to send up a few militia--that the Black Hawk and his followers would then see that everything was in earnest, and they would remove to the west side of the Mississippi, to their own lands.
"The letter, as requested by the chiefs, was written and sent by me to General Clarke, but he did not think proper to answer it--therefore everything remained as formerly, and, as a matter of course, the Black Hawk and his party thought the whole matter of removing from the old village had blown over.
"In the spring of 1831, the Black Hawk and his party were augmented by many Indians from Ihoway River.

This augmentation of forces made the Black Hawk very proud, and he supposed nothing would be done about removing him and his party.
"General Gaines visited the Black Hawk and his party this season, with a force of regulars and militia, and compelled them to remove to the west side of the Mississippi River, on their own lands.
"When the Black Hawk and party recrossed to the east side of the Mississippi River in 1832, they numbered three hundred and sixty-eight men.

They were hampered with many women and children, and had no intention to make war.