[Illustration: 9338]
HE famous Red Jacket was a chief of the Senecas. His Indian name,
Sagouatha, or, _one who keeps awake_, was affixed to many of the
important treaties concluded between the Senecas and the white people,
and he became renowned among both races for his wisdom and eloquence.
Without the advantages of illustrious descent, and with no extraordinary
military talents, Red Jacket rose to a high position in the esteem of
the red men. In the year 1805, a council was held at Buffalo, New York,
at which many of the Seneca chiefs and warriors were present. At this
council, Red Jacket made a speech, in answer to a missionary from
Massachusetts, which in force and eloquence was worthy of the great
orators of antiquity. The following is the most remarkable portion of
this great effort:
“_Friend and Brother_: It was the will of the Great Spirit that we
should meet together this day. He orders all things, and he has given
us a fine day for our council. He has taken his garment from before
the sun, and caused it to shine with brightness upon us; our eyes are
opened, that we see clearly; our ears are unstopped, that we have been
able to hear distinctly the words that you have spoken; for all these
favors we thank the Great Spirit, and him only.
“Brother, this council-fire was kindled by you; it was at your request
that we came together at this time; we have listened with attention to
what you have said; you request us to speak our minds freely; this gives
us great joy, for we now consider that we stand upright before you, and
can speak what we think; all have heard your voice, and all speak to you
as one man; our minds are agreed.
“Brother, you say you want an answer to your talk before you leave this
place. It is right you should have one, as you are a great distance from
home, and we do not wish to detain you; but we will first look back a
little, and tell you what our fathers have told us, and what we have
heard from the white people.
“Brother, listen to what I say. There was a time when our forefathers
owned this great island. Their seats extended from the rising to the
setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians. He had
created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for food. He made the
bear, and the beaver, and their skins served us for clothing. He had
scattered them over the country, and taught us how to take them. He had
caused the earth to produce corn for bread. All this he had done for
his red children because he loved them. If we had any disputes about
hunting-grounds, they were generally settled without the shedding of
much blood: but an evil day came upon us: your forefathers crossed the
great waters, and landed on this island. Their numbers were small; they
found friends, and not enemies; they told us they had fled from their
own country for fear of wicked men, and come here to enjoy their
religion. They asked for a small seat; we took pity on them, granted
their request, and they sat down amongst us; we gave them corn and
meat; they gave us poison in return. The white people had now found our
country, tidings were carried back, and more came amongst us; yet we did
not fear them, we took them to be friends; they called us brothers; we
believed them, and gave them a larger seat. At length their numbers had
greatly increased; they wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our
eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy. Wars took place; Indians
were hired to fight against Indians, and many of our people were
destroyed. They also brought strong liquors among us: it was strong and
powerful, and has slain thousands.”
The effect of this speech was such that the missionaries who had called
the council, were forced to give up all attempts at making converts
among the Senecas. Red Jacket took part with the Americans in the war
of 1812, and on all occasions displayed a cool and deliberate bravery,
which contrasted well with the rashness of Tecumseh and other great
chiefs. He became attached to some of the American officers, and after
the war regretted much to part with them.
Like Tecumseh, Red Jacket made a skilful use of superstition to obtain
an influence over his tribe. Having, in some way, lost the confidence
of his red brethren, he prevailed upon his brother to announce himself
a prophet, commissioned by the Great Spirit to restore his countrymen
to their lost land and power. By skilful reasoning, Red Jacket persuaded
the superstitious Indians to believe in his brother’s infallibility.
Good resulted from this deception. The Onondagas were at that period the
most drunken and profligate of the Iroquois. They were now persuaded to
abstain from ardent spirits, became sober and industrious, and observed
and obeyed the laws of morality. But the imposture was at length
exposed by the extremes into which it led many of the red men. Many were
denounced as possessed by evil spirits, and would have been burned by
the superstitious, if the whites had not interfered.
[Illustration: 0344]
In a council of Indians held at Buffalo creek, Red Jacket was denounced
as the author of these troubles, and brought to trial; but his eloquence
saved his life and greatly increased his fame. In a speech of three
hours’ length, he completely overthrew the accusations of his enemies,
and was triumphantly acquitted. This was one of the most remarkable
displays of eloquence to be found in history.
Many anecdotes are related of Red Jacket, which illustrated his
qualities of head and heart. When at Washington he visited the rotunda
of the capitol, and was shown, the panel which represented the first
landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth, with an Indian chief presenting
them with an ear of corn, in token of welcome. Red Jacket said, “That
was good; he knew they came from the Great Spirit, and was willing to
share the soil with his brothers.” But when he turned to view another
panel, representing Penn’s Treaty, he said, “Ah’! all’s gone now!” These
few words expressed a deal of truth and a feeling of regret.
When Lafayette was at Buffalo, in 1825, among those who called upon
him was Red Jacket, who resided near that town, and by years and
intemperance had been much worn down. He remembered Lafayette, having
seen him at an Indian council held at Fort Schuyler, 1784. He asked the
general if he recollected that meeting. The general replied that he had
not forgotten it, and asked Red Jacket if he knew what had become of
the young chief, who, in that council, opposed with such eloquence the
burying of the tomahawk. Red Jacket replied, “_He stands before you!_”
The general observed that time had much changed them since that meeting.
“Ah,” said Red Jacket, “time has not been so severe upon you as it has
upon me. It has left you a fresh countenance, and hair to cover your
head; while to me--behold!” And taking a handkerchief from his head, he
showed that it was entirely bald.
Red Jacket always opposed the introduction of missionaries among his
people, and with a force of reasoning, the white agents could not
resist. He believed that the whites should first practice the virtues
they preached to the red men; and he had seen too much evil follow in
the white man’s steps to wish his men to tread the same path.
Not long before his death, Red Jacket was visited by Mr. Catlin, the
celebrated author of a most complete work upon the Indians of North
America. He then resided near Buffalo, and was the head chief of all the
remaining Iroquois.
[Illustration: 0349]
Mr. Catlin painted his portrait, and represented him as he wished,
standing on the Table Rock, at the Falls of Niagara; about which place
he thought his spirit would linger after his death. Red Jacket died in
1836. A handsome and appropriate monument was erected over his grave,
by Mr. Henry Placide, the comedian; and more lasting monuments, in
historical form, have been written by distinguished authors. As an
orator, this gifted chief was equal to any of modern times. His speeches
display the greatest sagacity and sublimity of ideas, with the greatest
force and condensation of expression. His gestures while speaking are
said to have been singularly significant; and the features of his face,
particularly his piercing eyes, full of expression. He was in truth, a
“forest-born Demosthenes.”
[Illustration: 0351]