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DEDICATION
DEDICATION
To the Hon. Henry G. Hubbard, of Middletown, Conn. DEAR SIR: Your name, associated with many pleasant memories in the past, and in later years with substantial tokens of esteem, is held in grateful recollection; and the hope that these pages may serve to interest an occasional leisure hour, has led to their being inscribed to you, by your friend and relative....
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
The "Life and Times of Red Jacket" by Colonel William L. Stone, has been before the public for many years. The industry and ability of the author have made it a work of great value, and his extensive researches have left but little room for anything new to be said, by one coming after him. Yet the fact need not be concealed that many, who were intimately acquainted with Red Jacket, were disappointed when they came to read his biography. If it had been prepared under the direct influence and supe
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Red Jacket—Name widely known—Interest connected with his history—His origin—Development of his genius—Opinion of Capt. Horatio Jones—Customs of his people—Their councils—Love of eloquence—Distinguished names— Eloquence an art among them—Peculiarity of their language—Field opened for his genius. Glance at the early history of the Iroquois—Territory they occupied— Location of the different tribes—Strength of their Confederacy— Tuscaroras—Traditions—Probable course of their migrations—Senecas— Stor
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PLATES.
PLATES.
Portrait of Red Jacket Portrait of King Hendrick View of Johnson Hall Portrait of Sir John Johnson Portrait of Barry St. Leger Portrait of Joseph Brant Facsimile of Washington's Medal View of Seneca Mission Church View of Red Jacket's House...
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Name widely known—Interest naturally awakened in his history—His origin —Development of his genius—Opinion of Capt. Horatio Jones—Customs of his people—Their love of eloquence—Distinguished orators among them—The inviting field opened. Among the aborigines of this country, few names have excited a deeper interest, or have been more widely and familiarly known than that of RED JACKET. The occasion of this notoriety was the rare fact that, though a rude and unlettered son of the forest, he was dis
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Glance at the early history of the Iroquois—The territory occupied— Tuscaroras—Original strength—Traditions—Probable course of migration— The Senecas—Story of their origin—Singular romance. Rising up from the obscurity of the past, we find a people, singular in their habits and character, whose history has been strangely, and in some respects sadly interwoven with our own. They were the original occupants of the soil, claiming to have lived here always, and to have grown out of the soil like the
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CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III
Name Red Jacket, how acquired—Indian name—Conferred name—Singular tradition—Red Jacket during the war of the Revolution—Neutrality of the Indians—Services sought by Great Britain—Sketch of Sir William Johnson— Position of Red Jacket—Taunt of cowardice—Testimony of Little Beard— Charge made by Brant—Red Jacket's indifference—Anecdote—Early love of eloquence—Interesting reminiscences. The name Red Jacket, so familiar to the whites, was acquired during the war of the Revolution. He was distinguishe
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Early struggles—Red Jacket's opportunity for trial—Council at Fort Stanwix—Red Jacket's office of Sachem—Red Jacket's opposition to the proposed treaty—Excitement created by his speech—Allayed by Cornplanter —His influence in deciding the treaty—How it affected him. How long and toilsome the way, ere the ambitious aspirant passes from the low grounds of obscurity, to the dazzling heights of fame! How many hours of anxious toil, through wearisome days and nights, protracted through months and yea
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Claim of the United States to Indian lands—Conflicting claims of different States—Difficulty settled—Attempt to acquire the land by a lease—Purchase by Phelps and Gorham—Further purchase by Robert Morris. At the close of the war of the Revolution, the territory ceded by Great Britain to the United States, included large tracts of country occupied by the Indians. In ceding these lands, she ceded only the right claimed by herself, on the ground of original discovery, which was simply a priority of
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Union of the Western Indian Tribes contemplated—Hostile influence of the agents of Great Britain in Canada—Ambitious project of Thayendanegea or Brant—Council at Tioga Point—Indian Ceremonies—Visit of Cornplanter and others at the seat of government—Kindly feeling of Washington—Fresh occasion of trouble. When Red Jacket, at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, in 1784, projected the bold idea of the union of all the Indian tribes on the continent, to resist the aggressions of the whites, he may not have
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Expedition under Gen. Harmar—Its failure—High hopes of the Indians—Col. Proctor's visit to the Indians at Buffalo Creek—Red Jacket's speech— Indian deputation refused—Interference of the matrons—Council at Painted Post—Chiefs invited to Philadelphia. The efforts of our government to secure peace with the Indians, were but partially successful. As our settlements extended westward in Pennsylvania, and along the Ohio and Kentucky borders, Indian hostilities and depredations continued to multiply.
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Expedition to the Indian Country—Washington's charge to Gen. St. Clair— Approach to the Indian villages—Sudden surprise—Disasterous battle— Indian victory—Retreat of the Americans—Boldness of the Indians— Friendly Indian deputation—Welcome of the governor of Pennsylvania—Red Jacket's reply—Address of President Washington—Reply of Red Jacket— Cause of Indian hostilities. Indian hostilities still continued to destroy the peace and safety of our frontier settlements. And Congress with a view to pro
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Indian appropriation—Embassy sent West—Instructions—Medal presented to Red Jacket—Military suits—Close of conference—Washington's parting words—Visit of Thayendanegea—Council at Au Glaize—Result—Another commission—Indian diplomacy—Washington's letter to Mr. Jay—Commission goes West—Various interviews—Result of council—Re-organization under General Wayne—Ready for action—Advice of Little Turtle—Wayne's battle and victory—Treaty of peace. While these Indian chiefs were at Philadelphia, a bill was
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Canandaigua at an early day—Facts in the early settlement of Bloomfield— Indian Council—Its object—Indian parade—Indian dress—Opening of Council—Speeches—Liberal offers of the government—Mr. Savary's Journal —Treaty concluded—Account of Red Jacket by Thomas Morris. Canandaigua at an early day was the objective point for all who were seeking what was called the Genesee country. It was at the head of navigation. Parties coming from the east could transport their goods by water from Long Island Sou
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Valley of the Genesee—Indian misgivings—Mill yard—Effort to obtain their land—Council at Big Tree—Coming of the Wadsworths—Indian villages —Refusal to sell—Discussion between Red Jacket and Thomas Morris— Breaking up of the Council. The valley of the Genesee was a favorite resort of the Indian. His trail led along its banks and brought him at short intervals to Indian villages, or the head-quarters of Indian chiefs. Its flats were broad and beautiful, and were bordered on either side by hills th
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
Interview between Farmer's Brother and Thomas Morris—Mr. Morris addresses the women—Distributes presents—Negotiations continued—Treaty concluded with the women and warriors—Manner of payment—Inquiries about a Bank— Their reservations—White woman—Young King's dissent—Charge of insincerity. The Indians appeared to regard the breaking up of the council at Big Tree, with great satisfaction. Their joy was unbounded; they made the forest ring with their wild yells, inveighing loudly and insultingly ag
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CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIII
Council at Canawangus—Interesting reminiscence of Red Jacket—Address of Farmer's Brother—Jasper Parrish—Horatio Jones—Red Jacket's visit at Hartford, Conn. A council of the Iroquois was held at Ca-na-wau-gus, near West Avon, in the autumn of 1798. Connected with it is a reminiscence of Red Jacket of much interest, as an item of history, and it serves well to illustrate the orator's mental habit. His conduct was such on this occasion, as to excite the observation as well as curiosity of Captain P
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Cornplanter in disrepute—Effort to regain his standing—Red Jacket charged with witchcraft—His defense—Further notices of Cornplanter— Early recollections—At the defeat of General Braddock in 1755—With the English in the war of the Revolution—Takes his father a prisoner—His address—Releases him—Address to the Governor of Pennsylvania—Visit of President Alden—Close of his life. Not long after the large sale of their domain to Robert Morris, which had been negotiated at Big Tree, the Senecas began
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Change in Red Jacket's views—How caused—His opposition to Christianity— Visit of a Missionary—Missionary's speech—Red Jacket's reply—Unpleasant termination of the Council. As time advanced, the mind of Red Jacket gradually receded from the favorable opinion he had entertained, with respect to the introduction among his people, of the customs of civilized life. Before this he regarded with favor the philanthropic designs of Washington and others, which contemplated such a change. But henceforth h
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
Tecumseh and Indian confederation—Aid given by Elskawata—Doings at the Prophet's Town—Great Indian Council at the West—Red Jacket's claim for precedence of the Senecas—His adherence to the United States—Hostilities encouraged by British Agents—Warriors gathered at Prophet's Town—Visited by Gen. Harrison at the head of his troops—Hostilities disclaimed— Surprised by a sudden attack—Indians defeated—War proclaimed against England—Indians take sides—Unfavorable commencement—Different successes —Par
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
Taking of Fort Erie—Battle of Chippewa—Service rendered by the Indians— General Porter's account of the campaign—Red Jacket commended—Withdrawal of Indian forces—Other successes—Conclusion of peace. Directly across from Buffalo, at the head of Niagara river, on the Canada side, stood Fort Erie. Chippewa, at that time head-quarters of the British army, was eighteen miles below, on the same side. Fort Erie was garrisoned by about one hundred and seventy men; at Chippewa and within available distan
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CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XVIII
Pre-emptive right to the Indian Reservations sold to Ogden and Company— Council to obtain the lands—Mr. Ogden's speech—Red Jacket's reply— Indians refuse to sell—Another Council called—Account of it by Hon. Albert Tracy—Various utterances of the orator on that occasion—Indians' appeal to the governments of the United States and New York—Noble response of Governor De Witt Clinton of New York—Final success of the Ogden Company. Though the Indian lands within the state of New York, had now been nar
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Witchcraft—Lease of Tom-Jemmy—Testimony of Red Jacket—Red Jacket's Philippic—Finding of the court—Remarkable interview of Dr. Breckenridge with Red Jacket—Further expression of views. In the spring of 1821, a man belonging to Red Jacket's tribe, fell into a languishing condition, and after lingering for some time, unable to obtain relief, died. The medicine men were unable to divine the cause of his malady; the circumstances of his sickness and death, were thought to be very peculiar, and his fr
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
Personal characteristics—Interview with General Lafayette—Visit of a French Nobleman—Col. Pickering reproved—Address on launching a schooner bearing his name—Anecdote of Red Jacket and Capt. Jones—His humor— Strong memory—Its cultivation—Contempt for pretension without merit— Love for the sublime—Portraits—Acute perception—Refined sense of propriety—First bridge at Niagara Falls—Loss of his children—Care for his people. A prominent characteristic of Red Jacket's mind, was self esteem, which led
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CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXI
Views at the close of life—Incident—His life work—Unfavorable influences—Advance of the Christian party—Conversion of Red Jacket's wife—He leaves her—His return—Red Jacket deposed—Journey to Washington —His restoration—Rapid decline—Regards his end as near—Talks with his people—Endeavors to unite them. With the views entertained by Red Jacket, the objects that met him on every side, as he drew near the close of life, were far from pleasant. Yonder hillside, exposed to the gaze of the world, its
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