CORNPLANTER, it is well known that the hostilities commenced on the
north-western frontier of Virginia, by the cruel and unprovoked war
waged against the Indians by the land-jobbers, under the direction of
the notorious Captain MICHAEL CRESAP, had a decided effect upon the Six
Nations, in determining on which side they would take in the conflict
which soon followed. The atrocious murder of the family of LOGAN, by
CRESAP, is well known, and need not be repeated on this occasion.
LOGAN was the son of SHIKELLIMUS, a distinguished Cayuga Sachem. JAMES
LOGAN, an eminent member of the Colonial Council of Pennsylvania, was
the friend of SHIKELLIMUS; the Sachem had named his son for Mr. LOGAN.
CONRAD WEISER, the well known Indian agent and interpreter, writing from
Tulpehocken, in Berks county, under date of July 6, 1747, to Secretary
PETERS, says: "SHIKELLIMUS gives his respects to his; old friend, Mr.
LOGAN. He intends to see him in Philadelphia before next fall."[M]
SHIKELLIMUS had been sent by the Six Nations to preside over and govern
the Delawares, Shawanees, Conoys, Nantikokes, Monseys and Mohicans.
This interesting fact shows the superior power and authority of the Six
Nations, and that these tribes were subordinate to them. SHIKELLIMUS
resided at Shamokin, a large Indian village near the junction of the
North and West Branches of the Susquehanna river, the site of the
present borough of Sunbury, in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. This
memorable Sachem, governed these tribes with ability and integrity, for a
great many years.
[M] Colonial Records of Pennsylvania.
LOGAN had a temporary residence on, Kishicokelas creek, a beautiful
limestone spring, a mile or two above the wild gorge where the creek
passes Jack's mountain, (now in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania). Here he
lived several years. This was before the year 1768, when, by the treaty
of Fort Stanwix, the Indians relinquished to the proprietary government
all that region of country. He then moved with his family to the country
beyond the Ohio, and fixed his cabin below Wheeling, where, a few years
later, his whole family were barbarously murdered. On the Sciota, in
1774, he delivered his well known speech to Lord DUNMORE, first published
in Mr. JEFFERSON'S notes on Virginia. A careful historian, Mr. DAY,
says: "That it is now well authenticated that LOGAN, himself, composed
the speech, and that the common supposition, that Mr. JEFFERSON was the
author of it, is an error."
It is well known that LOGAN, born at Shamokin, where the Moravians had
a missionary station, received some rudimental education from them, and
was baptized; his father, SHIKELLIMUS, giving him the name LOGAN, after
his friend JAMES LOGAN, the Secretary of the Province. LOGAN'S speech,
on the occasion referred to, though often published, I insert here. It
was as follows: "I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered
LOGAN'S cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came naked,
and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody
war, LOGAN remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my
love for the whites that my countrymen pointed, as they passed, and said,
'LOGAN is the friend of white men.' I had even thought to have lived with
you, but for the injuries of one man, Colonel CRESAP, the last spring
in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of LOGAN, not
even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in
the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have
sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my
country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that
mine is the joy of fear. LOGAN never felt fear. He will not turn his heel
to save his life. Who is there to mourn for LOGAN? Not one."
The cruel murder of the family of LOGAN, (himself a distinguished Chief,
and the friend of the whites and of peace,) made a deep impression upon
the Six Nations, and was probably one of the causes which induced them
to take up the hatchet for the King of England. The final decision, as
already stated, was made at Oswego, where the representative Chiefs and
warriors were assembled, being, drawn thither by the united exertions
of Sir JOHN JOHNSTON and Colonel JOHN BUTLER, aided by BRANT, the
indefatigable and bitter enemy of the united colonies. The British
commissioners promised the Indians an ample reward if they would assist
the English to subdue the rebel colonies. The Chiefs, in reply, stated
that they were bound, by the treaties at German Flats and Albany, to be
neutral to the war. Their objections, however, were overcome, by the
commissioners telling them, "that the people of the colonies were few
in number, and would be easily subdued; and that, on account of their
disobedience to the King, they justly merited all the punishment that
it was possible for white men and Indians to inflict upon them." "The
King," they said, "was rich and powerful, both in money and subjects. His
rum was as plenty as the water in Lake Ontario, and his men as numerous
as the sands upon its shore. And the Indians were assured that if they
would assist in the war, and persevere in their friendship for the King,
until its close, they should never want for goods or money." Overcome by
these importunities, and by a recital of the injuries they had received
from some of the people of the colonies, aided by a display of a large
quantity of trinkets, blankets, clothes, guns, and other articles and
implements, the Indians concluded a treaty of alliance with Great
Britain, and took up the hatchet against the united colonies. At the
close of the treaty, each Indian was presented with a suit of clothes,
a brass kettle, a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a quantity of
ammunition and a piece of gold. MARY JEMISON, from whom we quote this
statement, says, "as late as 1823, the brass kettles received at Oswego,
were in use by the Senecas." Here CORNPLANTER, no doubt, secured the
"gun and kettle" which he had, in vain, expected from his father. And the
contrast between these munificent gifts, and the fact stated by BRANT,
that General SCHUYLER, at the treaty of German Flats, was not able to
afford to the Indians the smallest article of clothing, no doubt assisted
to turn the scale in favor of the King.
During the military operations which followed this important transaction,
CORNPLANTER fought against the United States. It is said that he was in
the bloody battle of Wyoming, which occurred on the 3d of July, 1778. It
is considered to be a doubtful point, whether the celebrated BRANT was in
that battle. There is high poetical authority[N] in favor of it, and some
corroborative evidence of the fact. But there is no evidence that has
come under my notice, that CORNPLANTER was present.
[N] CAMPBELL'S Gertrude of Wyoming.
CORNPLANTER was with his tribe, in endeavoring to resist the advance of
General SULLIVAN into the country of the Six Nations, in the year 1779.
He was present and took part in the battle of New Town, the present
site of Elmira, New York, where the Indians and British troops, the
latter under the command of Colonel JOHN BUTLER, were signally defeated.
CORNPLANTER and RED JACKET were with the Senecas. We do not know which
of these Chiefs had the immediate command of the warriors of that tribe.
It is known, however, that BRANT, who had by general consent a superior
authority, charged RED JACKET with being the principal cause of the
disaster of that day, and said that although he was a great orator, he
was no warrior; on the contrary, he was a coward. In a council held some
years afterwards, CORNPLANTER made a similar charge against RED JACKET,
to which the latter replied, "I am an orator--I was born an orator."
This decisive action on the Chemung, was followed by the devastation of
the Indian towns and settlements throughout the country of the Senecas
and Cayugas. They had several towns and many large villages laid out
with a considerable degree of regularity. They had framed houses, some
of them well finished, and painted and having chimneys. They had broad
and productive fields, and in addition to abundance of apples, they
had orchards of peaches, pears and plums. But after the battle of New
Town, terror led the van of the invader, whose approach was heralded by
watchmen stationed upon every height, and desolation followed weeping
in his train. The Indians every where fled, as SULLIVAN advanced, and
the whole country was swept as with the besom of destruction. Towns
were burned, fields laid waste, cattle destroyed and the orchards cut
down.[O] CORNPLANTER was a sad witness to the destruction of his own
home and village, and that of his people. He refers to these scenes
most eloquently, in his address to WASHINGTON, in 1792. "When your
army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you the "town
destroyer;" and to this day, when that name is heard, our women look
behind them, and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks
of their mothers. Our councillors and warriors are men, and cannot
be afraid, but their hearts are grieved with the fears of women and
children."
[O] STONE in his Life of BRANT.
This expedition of General SULLIVAN'S, was followed by numerous
retaliations by the Indians. The most prominent of which was the invasion
of Schoharie and its destruction, together with the towns and settlements
in the valley of the Mohawk. Whilst Sir JOHN JOHNSTON and BRANT had the
principal command, CORNPLANTER led his tribe in this invasion, and was in
the battle of Klock's Field, on the Mohawk river; the result of which was
a decided check upon the Indians and their allies, and compelled them to
fall back to Oswego.
The residence of JOHN ABEEL, the father of CORNPLANTER, was in the
vicinity of the recent battle ground. Before retiring with his warriors,
CORNPLANTER made a detour in the direction of his father's residence, and
took him prisoner. After taking him a few miles into the forest, he made
to him the following address: "My name is JOHN ABEEL, commonly called
CORNPLANTER. I am your son. You are my father. You are my prisoner, and
subject to the customs of Indian warfare. But you shall not be harmed.
You need not fear. I am a warrior. Many are the scalps I have taken. I
am your son. I was anxious to see you, and greet you in friendship. I
went to your cabin and took you by force; but your life shall be spared.
Indians love their friends and their kindred, and treat them with
kindness. If you choose to follow the fortunes of your red son, and live
with our people, I will cherish your old age with plenty of venison, and
you shall live easy. But if it is your choice to return to your friends,
and live with your white children. I will send a party of my trusty
young men to conduct you back in safety. I respect you, my father. You
have been friendly to Indians. They are your friends." This address
shews the magnanimity of CORNPLANTER, and that he could forget his
father's neglect to supply him with a "gun and kettle," on the occasion
hereinbefore mentioned. The elder ABEEL declined the offer. His son
fulfilled his word, and gave his father a suitable escort. He returned to
his dwelling in safety. The proud Seneca and his warriors moved off to
their own wilds.[P] These events transpired in 1780. Of the subsequent
military career of CORNPLANTER, little is known. He probably participated
in the skirmishes and expeditions during the subsequent years of the
Revolutionary war and until its close. He never spoke in after life of
his career as a Chief or warrior; and history gives us no details of
these expeditions and skirmishes, except as to the second invasion of the
Mohawk valley, and the battle of Durlagh, in 1781, in which there is no
mention of CORNPLANTER being present.
[P] This anecdote is related in MARY JAMISON'S narrative, and is cited
by Mr. STONE, in his interesting life of BRANT, wherein the author says
"In every instance in which he has had an opportunity of testing by other
authorities, the correctness of MARY JAMISON'S statement, they have
proved to be remarkably correct." Mr. STONE adds: "CORNPLANTER was an
able man, distinguished in subsequent negotiations; he was an eloquent
orator and a great advocate for temperance."
The United States successfully maintained by the sword the principles
announced on the 4th of July, 1776, at Philadelphia; and England, at
the close of the war in 1783, acknowledged their independence. From
that period CORNPLANTER became the friend of the United States, and
the uniform and consistent advocate for peace. He put forth, on all
occasions, his best efforts to secure the friendship of the United
States, and to preserve his nation from the destruction which seemed so
eminently impending. England, in her treaty of peace, made no provision
for her allies of the Six Nations. Many of the Chiefs of the latter were
disposed to make common cause with the other Indians of the continent,
and continue the war. But the sagacious mind of CORNPLANTER led him
to the just conclusion, that a continuance of the war would be the
destruction of his nation and tribe. He was the chief instrument in
effecting the treaty of peace at Fort Stanwix, in 1784.
There had been a former treaty at Fort Stanwix, namely: on the 5th of
November, 1768, between the Proprietors of Pennsylvania and the Chief of
the Six Nations. The territory granted to Pennsylvania, is particularly
described in the second volume of SMITH'S Laws of Pennsylvania, page
122-3. At the second treaty of Fort Stanwix, held in October, 1784, the
Pennsylvania commissioners inquired what creek was meant by Tiadaghton,
also the Indian name of Burnett's hills, which was left blank in the deed
of 1768. The Indians then said that Tiadaghton, is the same creek which
the whites called Pine creek, (now in Lycoming county). As to BURNETT'S
hills, they called them the "Long mountains," and knew them by no other
name. The boundaries established by the treaty of October 23, 1784, made
the said Pine creek the line, and down the same to its mouth, on the
West Branch of the Susquehanna; thence up the south side thereof to the
fork of the same river, which lies nearer to a place on the Ohio river,
(Allegheny,) called Kittanning, and from the fork by a straight line to
Kittanning, and thence down the said river Ohio, to where the western
bounds of Pennsylvania crosses the same river.
CORNPLANTER "very well knew," says Mr. STONE, in his life of RED JACKET,
that by assenting to the large cessions of territory exacted by the
treaty, he was jeopardizing his popularity with his people. But if others
had not, he had the sagacity to perceive, that although he and his
people had served the crown of Great Britain with all fidelity, they had
nevertheless been abandoned to their fate by their more powerful ally,
and the alternative was presented to them of giving up as much of their
territory as the United States demanded, or of yielding the whole of
it. His course, and it was also the course of wisdom, was prescribed by
the necessity of the case, and by the energy and ability with which he
conducted the negotiation, he yet retained for his people an ample and
beautiful territory. He was the most prominent Indian Chief in the treaty
of Fort Harmer, in 1789.
By this treaty other grants of land were made. The cession of the
Presque Isle lands, is dated January 9, 1789, in which the signing
Chiefs acknowledge the right of soil and jurisdiction over that tract of
country, ceded by New York and Massachusetts, on the margin of Lake Erie,
including Presque Isle, and the bays and harbors above the margin of Lake
Erie. This territory was afterwards, namely, on the 13th of April, 1791,
purchased from the United States, by the State of Pennsylvania, for the
consideration of $151,640 25, paid in Continental certificates of various
descriptions.
CORNPLANTER was present as a prominent Chief, at the treaty held with
the Indians, in Marietta, Ohio, in the year 1789. On this occasion, an
elegant entertainment was provided The utmost satisfaction appeared to
prevail among all the parties to the treaty. Good wine was served after
the dinner, and CORNPLANTER being called on for a toast, took up a glass
and said: "I thank the Great Spirit for this opportunity of smoking the
pipe of friendship and love. May we plant our own vines, be the fathers
of our own children, and maintain them."
The services of CORNPLANTER on this, and other occasions, were highly
appreciated by the Ohio Land Company. This company was formed in 1786,
by officers of the army of the Revolution. At the close of the war of
1783, the officers and soldiers were paid in Loan Office certificates,
worth, in specie, about 2_s._ 6_d._ in the £. On the 16th June, 1783,
a large number of them, with the approval of WASHINGTON, memorialized
Congress for lands to settle on north-west of the Ohio river. The action
of the Government in this matter does not very clearly appear, although
it seems that the officers of their Treasury recognized the validity of
an arrangement to receive loan certificates in payment for the land. In
1786, the Ohio company was organized, and by their agents contracted
with the Government for 1,500,000 acres of land, in the North-Western
territory, for $1,000,000, in Loan Office certificates, reduced to specie
value.
At a meeting of the directors and agents of the company, held at Campus
Martius, (Marietta,) Ohio, February 9, 1789, the following proceedings
were had:
"_Whereas_, GYANTWACHIA, or THE CORNPLANTER, Chief of the Seneca nation,
has since the treaty of peace, made in the year 1784, between the United
States and the Indian nations, in many instances, been of great service
to the United States; and the friendship he has manifested to the
proprietors of hind purchased by the Ohio company, has been of particular
service to them; therefore,
_Resolved_, That one mile square of the donation lands be granted to
GYANTWACHIA, and his heirs forever, in such place as the committee
appointed to examine proper places of settlement shall assign; and that
the duties, conditions and limitations required of other settlers on
such land, shall in this grant be dispensed with. And the said committee
of five are directed to give him a deed accordingly."--[_Ohio Company
Records, p, 54._]
The above interesting transaction was communicated to me by W. S. WARD,
Esq., of Marietta, Ohio. He says, however, that there is no evidence,
so far as he can learn, that the committee or agents ever selected this
"mile square," donated to CORNPLANTER; consequently he received no deed
for the land. Probably there may be some documents on this subject among
the papers of CORNPLANTER. The Chief always carefully preserved his
important papers, and they are now in the hands of his descendants at
Jennesadaga.
The grants of lands made at these treaties, gave offence to many of the
Senecas and others of the Six Nations, led on by the opposition of RED
JACKET and BRANT. He was not only vilified and misrepresented, but his
life was even threatened. He resolved to present to _his_ friend, and the
friend of the human race, WASHINGTON, the condition of his nation and his
own peril.
CORNPLANTER came to Philadelphia, by the way of Fort Franklin and Fort
Pitt, traveling with his party down the Allegheny river in canoes. At
Fort Franklin, ensign JEFFERS, of the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, was in
command. He furnished our Chief with a letter of recommendation, in which
he says: "The bearer hereof, CYENTWOKEE, the head Chief of the Seneca
nation, is an undoubted friend of the United States. When the Indians
have stolen horses and other things from our people, I have known him,
with the greatest dignity, to give orders for them to be returned. I
never knew his orders to be disobeyed. When the people of Cussewago (now
Meadville) were about to fly on account of unfavorable reports about
some of the Southern (Western) Indians, he sent a speech to me, in which
he said, 'he wished the people to keep their minds easy, and take care
of the corn fields, that the Six Nations were friends; that should the
Western Indians invade the settlements, he would gather his warriors and
help to drive them to the setting of the sun.' In consequence of this,
the people rested easy. On his arrival here, he told me that should I be
invaded, so that I could not get provisions, that he and his warriors
would clear the way; he said that at the Council at the Muskingum the
great men asked him which side he would die on? He told them on the
side of the Americans. He says he is of the same mind yet. Sundry other
things might be said, but as he is now on his way to attend the Assembly
at Philadelphia, I will only recommend him to the particular attention
of the good people of Pennsylvania, between here and that place. They
may depend upon it, that they not only entertain a friend, but a friend
of great consequence, for the Seneca nation is so much governed by him,
that if he says _war_, it is _war_; and if he says _peace_, it is
_peace_. He is, therefore, a man worthy of the greatest attention. The
other Chiefs with him, second him in every thing, and are men worthy of
great attention."
This interesting letter was addressed "To the good people between here
(Fort Franklin) and Philadelphia." It was of great service to CORNPLANTER
on his journey; and when he arrived in Philadelphia, he placed it in
the hands of Governor MIFFLIN. The paper is among the archives of
Pennsylvania, and is endorsed "1790, recommendary letter from I. JEFFERS,
ensign of the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, commanding Fort Franklin, on
French creek, in favor of CYENTWOKEE, or CORNPLANTER."[Q]
[Q] Pennsylvania Archives, 1790, p. 86.
It appears that from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, CORNPLANTER and his
party were accompanied by Mr. JOSEPH NICHOLSON, the interpreter. Dr.
JOHN WILKINS, Sr., writes from Shippensburg, to Gov. MIFFLIN, under
date October 14, 1790, as follows: "I have just met at this place,
CORNPLANTER, and the other Indian Chiefs, invited by Council. The
reasons they assign for being detained, are such as I hope will induce
Council to exert themselves in doing every thing in their power to
give them satisfaction. CORNPLANTER says when he was preparing to come
down, agreeably to the invitation from Council, his nation was excited
to great tumult, by the killing the two Chiefs, on Pine creek, and he
was obliged to stay to pacify them. The Shawanese Indians, who are the
most troublesome, sent a message to the Seneca nation, telling them,
that unless they declared war against the white people, they should be
cut off. This message had to be taken into consideration by a general
Council of the Nation, and this required time. The subject of this
visit of the Chiefs of the Seneca nation is of great consequence to
the people of the western country. The conductor and interpreter, Mr.
JOSEPH NICHOLSON, has brought them thus far at his own expense, but his
money being exhausted, I have advanced him a sum sufficient to pay his
expenses to the city. I need not give you a character of the CORNPLANTER;
his friendship for the people of Pennsylvania, his pacific temper and
integrity are sufficiently known."[R]
[R] Pennsylvania Archives, 1790, p. 321.