Our Hearts Are Sickened Analysis

Although the United States was fighting to become a serious power in the world, trying the make a name for itself, there were demanding issues with the natives over land. Even though in the early 1800s the Native Americans had begun to adapt to the American culture, with tribes dressing like the Europeans and even learning English, there were still disputes over race and which was higher. With Tecumseh’s Letter to William Henry Harrison and John Ross’s Our Hearts Are Sickened, the relationships between these people can be evaluated deeper.
Tecumseh was the chef of the Shawnee tribe, one of the tribes taking a stand against congress. However, when he left his tribe for a period of time in 1810, many members of his tribe, without his authorization

or knowledge, sold land to the whites. In the letter to Governor Harrison, Tecumseh states “They may sell, but all must join. Any sale not made by all is invalid.” The grievance that Tecumseh has is that it is unjust and not right for the colonists to take the Native land, and that any land sold or bought is not owned by anyone. With that, he pressed that any land sold by the Shawnee should be void. In the account, since his tone seems to be polite and respectful, Tecumseh probably has some knowledge of political matters - being rude, especially when you are the underdog, gets you no where.
John Ross, while he shows signs of being respective to the Government, has his moments where he says the US government is manipulative and greedy, as shown in the line “by false and fraudulent representations supplanted in the favor of the Government the legal and accredited Delegation of the Cherokee people, and obtained for this instrument, after making important alterations in its provisions, the recognition of the United States Government.”.

Ross’ grievance, from this letter, was similar to that of Tecumseh. He was unaware of a deal being made that involved him, but this time, instead of simply selling land, the deal was about the movement of Ross’s tribe - the trail of tears.
Tecumseh and Ross show similar and different political views. While Tecumseh shows that he has a respect for power and a grasp of political understanding, Ross thinks respect should be earned, and the people he is addressing definitely did not earn his respect. Overall, however, the wiser approach is taken by Tecumseh. He knew he didn’t have the upper hand one, because his race is seen as lesser, and two, because there were higher powers above him that held his fate. He treated the people above him with respect, and as I said before, being rude, especially when you are the underdog, gets you no

where.