TIMOTHY ALDEN, of Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa., who visited it in
that year: "Jennesadaga, CORNPLANTER'S village, is on a handsome piece of
bottom land, and comprises about a dozen buildings. It was grateful to
notice the agricultural habits of the place, and the numerous enclosures
of buckwheat, corn and oats. We also saw a number of oxen, cows and
horses, and many logs designed for the saw-mill and the Pittsburg market.
Last year, (1815,) the Western Missionary society established a school in
the village, under Mr. SAMUEL OLDHAM. CORNPLANTER, as soon as apprised
of our arrival, came over to see us and took charge of our horses.
Though having many around him to obey his commands, yet in the ancient
patriarchal style, he choose to serve us himself, and actually went
into the field, cut the oats and fed our beasts. He appears to be about
sixty-eight years of age,[X] and five feet ten inches in height. His
countenance is strongly marked with intelligence and reelection. Contrary
to the aboriginal custom, his chin is covered with a beard three or four
inches in length. His house is of princely dimensions compared with most
Indian huts, and has a piazza in front. He is owner of thirteen hundred
acres of excellent land, six hundred of which encircle the ground-plot of
his little town. He receives an annual stipend from the United States, of
two hundred and fifty dollars. CORNPLANTER'S brother, lately deceased,
(called the Prophet,) was known by the high-sounding name, Goskukewanna
Kannedia, or Large Beautiful Lake."
[X] Mr. ALDEN was deceived by appearances. CORNPLANTER time, about
eighty-four years of age.
Thus, in the altitude and with the authority of an ancient patriarch,
he continued to preside over his people, and promote their prosperity
and improvement, without interruption or molestation, until the year
1822, when the authorities of Warren county, within the bounds of which
he resided, attempted to levy taxes upon him and his clan. The old Chief
had never before been called on for that purpose, and he objected to
their payment. An armed sheriff's _posse_ was called out to enforce the
payment, but arriving near CORNPLANTER'S town, it was deemed prudent to
send forward a few of their number to confer with the Chief. When they
came to his house, they noticed a considerable number of Indians lounging
about, and some of them were partly concealed in the bushes near by.
CORNPLANTER received the committee with great dignity. The interview took
place near his house, and around the sides of it were arranged about one
hundred rifles. When asked for the payment of the taxes, the old warrior
sternly refused, and pointing to the guns, said, "an Indian for each
rifle;" and in response to his call, his clansmen sprang forward to the
house. Whereupon the sheriff and his men withdrew, without enforcing the
claim. CORNPLANTER afterwards, for the sake of peace, went to Warren, and
gave his note for the amount of the taxes. This note was never collected.
The Legislature of Pennsylvania released the taxes, and exonerated him
and his heirs forever, from the payment of taxes on the lands granted to
him by the Commonwealth.[Y] The Governor sent commissioners to explain
the transaction. CORNPLANTER met the commissioners at the court house in
Warren, when he made a characteristic and appropriate address.[Z]
[Y] Journal House of Representatives, 1822-3.
[Z] This address is fully presented in DAY'S Historical Collections, p.
655.
This tax collector's raid would afford a fine subject for a painter: the
romantic scenery of the Allegheny river, the old warrior's wigwam, the
rifles arranged around it, the Indians in the bush, the last war-whoop of
the old Chief as he called his men to the rescue--worthy of perpetuation
as the expiring flash of the warlike fire of the last War Chief of his
tribe.
THOMAS STRUTHERS, Esq., of Warren, was well acquainted with CORNPLANTER;
at my request, he has furnished the following statement of an interview
he had with the Chief in 1831: "In 1831, I accompanied some gentlemen,
residents of Pittsburg and Butler, who desired to pay their respects to
him. It was a pleasant day in May, when we called on him. He talked no
English. I introduced the gentlemen through an interpreter, whom I had
engaged, and informed him that they had called to pay their respects
to him. He seemed much pleased that his white friends were inclined to
pay him such attention. The introduction took place in front of his log
cabin, on the bank of the Allegheny river. He gave orders to some young
Indians, the import of which we soon ascertained, by the fact that they
immediately collected some boards, and placed them for seats around a log
sled, in the form of a hollow square. This done, the old Chief pointed
out to each of the party his seat, and all sat facing inward. He then
took his seat in the centre, and announced that he was prepared to hear
any communications we had to make. I told him we had not come to buy
lands or timber, nor to trade for furs and skins, but had called on him
in the spirit of friendship, to pay our respects to the great Indian
Chief, whom we had learned to admire as a warrior, and especially as the
friend of the United States, who had inculcated the principles of peace
and Christianity among his people. I referred briefly to the schools
established among his people by the Friends of Philadelphia.
"The old Chief replied in a speech, which would compare well with many
of our best State papers. His manner was dignified and eloquent, and
his eye lit up, as if by inspiration; so that it was very interesting
to listen to what he said, although we could not understand it, until
the interpreter rendered it to us. He spoke of the relations between the
white men and the red men--the war and bloodshed caused by the former, to
displace the latter from their hunting grounds--the peace effected with
the Six Nations--dwelt particularly on the virtues of General WASHINGTON,
the great and good White Father. He brought forth from a well covered
valise, in which they were carefully wrapped in linen cloth, two or
three "talks," as he termed them, on parchment, to which was appended
the autograph of WASHINGTON. He said he had met WASHINGTON a number of
times, and treated with him. His _single eye_ sparkled with animation,
when his name was mentioned. And in conclusion, he thanked the Great
Spirit that there were now no wars or blood-shedding going on, but that
peace and good will existed amongst all men and all nations, so far as he
could hear. He spoke as a statesman and philanthropist, whose mind was
occupied with the weighty interests of mankind, rather than with merely
the affairs and concerns of a family or tribe. He thanked us for our call
upon him, and invited us to dine with him, which we accepted. The bill
of fare was jerked venison and corn mush; the latter was prepared in the
Indian manner; each guest having a tin pan about half-full of hot water,
in which the Indian meal was mixed at the pleasure of the guest."
The personal appearance of CORNPLANTER, towards the close of his long
and eventful life, is well described by Judge THOMPSON, now of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in an article written in 1836, and
re-produced in DAY'S Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, p. 657. I
had a professional interview with the aged Chief, in the summer of 1835,
to which I have already briefly referred. His personal appearance was
therefore known to me. I agree with Judge THOMPSON, in his description of
him, and as the article contains other interesting remarks, I insert it
here, as follows:
"I once saw the aged and venerable Chief, and had an interesting
interview with him about a year and a half before his death. I thought
of many things, when seated near him beneath the wide spreading shade
of an old sycamore, on the banks of the Allegheny; many things to ask
him; the scenes of the revolution; the generals that fought its battles
and conquered the Indians; his tribe; the Six Nations, and himself. He
was constitutionally sedate; was never observed to smile, much less to
indulge in the luxury of a laugh. When I saw him he estimated his age
to be over one hundred years. I think one hundred and three was about
his reckoning of it. This would make him near one hundred and five years
old at the time of his decease. His person was much stooped, and his
stature was far short of what it once had been--not being over five feet
six inches at the time I speak of Mr. JOHN STRUTHERS, of Ohio, told me,
some years since, that he had seen him near fifty years ago, and at
that period he was about his height, viz: six feet, one inch. Time and
hardship had made dreadful impressions upon that ancient form. The chest
was sunken and his shoulders were drawn forward, making the upper part
of his body resemble a trough. His limbs had lost their symmetry, and
become crooked. His feet, too, (for he had taken off his moccasins,) were
deformed and haggard by injury. I would say that most of his fingers
on one hand were useless; the sinews had been severed by a blow of the
tomahawk or scalping-knife. How I longed to ask him what scene of blood
and strife had thus stamped the enduring evidence of its existence upon
his person. But to have done so, would, in all probability, have put an
end to all further conversation on any subject. The information desired,
would certainly not have been received, and I had to forego my curiosity.
He had but one eye, and even the socket of the lost organ was hid by the
overhanging brow resting upon the high cheek bone. His remaining eye was
of the brightest and blackest hue. Never have I seen one, in young or
old, that equalled it in brilliancy. Perhaps it had borrowed lustre from
the eternal darkness that rested on its neighboring orbit. His ears had
been dressed in the Indian mode, all but the outside had been cut away;
on the one ear the ring had been torn asunder near the top, and hung
down his neck like a useless rag. He had a full head of hair, white as
the driven snow, which covered a head of ample dimensions and admirable
shape. His face was not swarthy, but this may be accounted for from
the fact, that he was but half Indian. He told me that he had been at
Franklin, more than eighty years before the period of our conversation,
on his passage down the Ohio and Mississippi, with the warriors of his
tribe, on some expedition against the Creeks or Osages. He had long been
a man of peace, and I believe his great characteristics were humanity and
truth.
"It is said that BRANT and THE CORNPLANTER were never friends after
the massacre of Cherry valley. Some have alleged, because the Wyoming
massacre was, in part, perpetrated by the Senecas, that THE CORNPLANTER,
was there. Of the justice of this suspicion, there are many reasons for
doubt. It is certain that he was not the Chief of the Senecas at that
time.
"As he stood before me--the ancient Chief in ruins--how forcibly was
I struck with the truth of the beautiful figure of the old aboriginal
Chieftain, who, in describing himself, said 'he was like an aged hemlock,
dead at the top, and whose branches alone were green.' After more
than one hundred years of most varied life--of strife--of danger--of
peace--he at last slumbers in deep repose on the banks of his own beloved
Allegheny."
Pennsylvania has acted with liberality and kindness to this venerated
Chief. She granted to him three valuable tracts of land; on one of which
he had fixed his residence. It is the place where he now rests in the
quietude of the grave.
The first report on the subject of these grants to CORNPLANTER, is dated
March 24, 1789. It is contained in a communication from General MIFFLIN,
then President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, to
RICHARD PETERS, Speaker of the General Assembly, in which he encloses
General RICHARD BUTLER'S letter, recommending the grant of fifteen
hundred acres of land to THE CORNPLANTER, a Seneca Chief.[AA] General
BUTLER'S letter is dated March 23, 1789. In it he says: "I beg leave
to mention, that Captain ABEEL, _alias_ THE CORNPLANTER, one of the
principal Chiefs of the Seneca tribe of the Six Nations, has been very
useful in all the treaties since 1784, inclusive, and particularly to
the State of Pennsylvania; this he has demonstrated very fully, and
his attachment, at present, to the State, appears very great. This has
induced me to suggest to your Excellency and Council, whether it may
not be good policy to fix this attachment by making it his interest to
continue it. This, from the ideas he possesses of civilization, induces
me to think if the State would be pleased to grant him a small tract of
land within the late purchase, it would be very grateful to him, and have
that effect. This may be done in a manner that would render him service
without lessening his influence with his own people. The quantity need
not be large; perhaps one thousand or fifteen hundred acres. My wishes
for the quiet and interest of the State, as well as the merits of the
man, induced me to mention this matter."[AB]
[AA] Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, volume I, p. 37.
[AB] Pennsylvania Archives, 1786-90, p. 562.
The Great Founder of Pennsylvania established his government on "deeds
of peace." He has the unquestioned pre-eminence of having treated the
aboriginal inhabitants with greater justice and rectitude than any other
Proprietor or Founder of an American State.--"The settlement of this
Province (Pennsylvania) was founded on the principles of truth, equity
and mercy, and the blessings of divine Providence attended the early
care of the first founders to impress these principles on the minds of
the native inhabitants; so that when their numbers were great, and their
strength vastly superior, they received our ancestors with gladness,
relieved their wants with open hearts, granted them peaceable possession
of the land, and for a long course of time gave constant and frequent
proofs of a cordial friendship."[AC] It is, therefore, an appropriate
testimonial to the character of PENN, as well as to that of CORNPLANTER,
that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should, by her constituted
authorities, cause the erection of this monument to the memory of this
worthy and distinguished Indian Chief. And it is the only monument, so
far as my knowledge extends, erected by public authority in the United
States, either national, or sub-national, to the memory of an Indian
Chief.
[AC] Address to Governor MORRIS by the "people called Quakers," April 12,
1756. Manuscript Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
The character of the venerable CORNPLANTER has been exhibited, though
I fear imperfectly, in this sketch of his life and services. We have
seen that he was a brave warrior and chieftain, an able statesman and
an eloquent orator. In the latter part of his life, especially, his
prominent characteristics were a love of peace and temperance. And it
is believed by those who knew him best, that the Truths of Christianity
had made a deep impression on his mind. A circumstance which occurred
about the year 1822, has been cited by several writers as an evidence of
his return to the superstitions of his race. I refer to his destroying a
sword and pistols, and some other military accoutrements which had been
presented to him by WASHINGTON, and a gold laced hat which was given
him by Governor MIFFLIN; also a French flag and superb belt of wampum,
trophies of valor, which had been for several generations in his family,
in honor of some of his mother's ancestors, who won them in battle from
the French. It is alleged that he did this act in a moment of alarm,
as if the Great Spirit had moved him to destroy the memorials of his
friendly relations with the whites. On the contrary, it clearly appears
that under the influence of Christianity, particularly as evinced in the
teachings of the Society of Friends, who had established schools in his
nation, he became so firm an advocate of peace, that he wished to remove
from him all the memorials that re-called to his recollection the scenes
of war and blood through which he had passed. He carefully preserved the
memorials of peace of which he was in possession. I myself noticed, for
he exhibited them to me, how great a regard he had for the parchment
documents which he possessed, that were subscribed by WASHINGTON; and
with what scrupulous care and painstaking he had preserved them. These
papers, and others of a like character, are now in the possession of the
family of CORNPLANTER, and are most interesting historical memorials.
Their preservation, in such manner as may be agreeable to the descendants
of the Chief, is a matter of interest and solicitude to all persons who
properly appreciate such materials of history.
Those who knew CORNPLANTER personally, had the greatest respect for him.
Dr. IRVINE, of Brokenstraw, a son of General C. IRVINE, an intimate
friend of the Chief, in a letter to me, says: "I frequently heard my
father say, that CORNPLANTER was one of the most honest and truthful men
he ever knew, whether white or red." Judge JOHNSON, of Warren, under
whose direction this (CORNPLANTER) monument is erected, states to me,
"so far as he was personally known to residents in this section of
country, he was regarded as a living example of integrity, truthfulness,
purity, temperance, fatherly affection for his tribe and race, and a
generous Indian hospitality to all. He possessed the universal affection
and veneration of his tribe and of all men who knew him."
Such was the life and career of CORNPLANTER; and such his character as
shown from history, from the testimony of contemporaries, and of living
witnesses. He died in this Indian village, (Jennesadaga,) on the 18th of
February, 1836, aged about one hundred and five years.
This is no ordinary occasion. A great Commonwealth, by a solemn act of
legislation, and by her agents here this day, honors the memory of the
distinguished Indian Chief, whose mortal remains lie mouldering in this
grave. We this day dedicate this monument to the memory of CORNPLANTER,
an Indian Chief of the Seneca tribe and of the Six Nations--and may we,
both white men and red men, and our children's children, as long as this
beautiful river bears its waters to the ocean, venerate his memory and
emulate his virtues.
ADDENDUM.
I have recently examined Mr. KETCHUM'S history of Buffalo and the
Senecas. The _facts_ he presents corroborate the views I have presented
of the character and services of CORNPLANTER. I am surprised, however,
to notice that he expresses an _opinion_ adverse to our Chief. He does
him great injustice when he says; "There is no doubt that CORNPLANTER was
at heart in the British interest, up to the period of WAYNE'S victory in
1794." He also makes the extraordinary assertion, that CORNPLANTER acted
in concert with BRANT, during the period of the Indian troubles in Ohio,
after the Revolutionary war!
The contrary most clearly appears by the whole course of conduct of our
Chief; as well as by his speeches, his letters and his participation in
treaties. With BRANT, CORNPLANTER never was on friendly terms, and after
the war of the Revolution, their policy, and even personal relations,
were adverse and hostile. Mr. KETCHUM, himself, shows that there existed
between these Chiefs "a personal dislike."
While CORNPLANTER was aiding WASHINGTON and his agents, Colonels PROCTOR
and PICKERING, and others, to preserve peace with the hostile Indians
of the west, and conciliate the Six Nations, BRANT was the agent of the
British to keep up the war, and he even sent some of his warriors to
join the enemy, when they took up the hatchet; he made his home with
the British, and was in constant communication with Colonels GORDON and
M'KEE, the commanders at Niagara and Detroit, and with other British
officers.
The writer referred to adds the following: "As a warrior, whatever may be
thought or said by whites, CORNPLANTER, in the estimation of the Indians
who were their contemporaries, was the superior of BRANT. The Senecas
were a nation of warriors; and it will be admitted that they did the most
of the fighting for the Six Nations, during nearly two centuries of their
history, with which we are conversant. From the time CORNPLANTER came on
the stage, (and he entered upon the war path early,) down to the close of
the Revolutionary war, he had no superior, and few equals as a warrior.
His other qualifications will be judged by the record he has left in
his speeches and letters, and in the archives of our State and National
Government."--Vol. 1, p. 411.
I am content to let the personal and political character of our Chief
be judged by the records thus referred to. And I think I have shown in
this MEMORIAL, _from these records_, that CORNPLANTER was not only a
distinguished warrior, statesman and orator, but that he was, after the
close of the Revolutionary war, the active, faithful and devoted friend
of the government and people of the United States. And that he also well
deserves the inscription on the monument erected by Pennsylvania to his
memory, "Distinguished for talent, courage, eloquence, sobriety and
love for his tribe and race, to whose welfare he devoted his time, his
energies and his means, during a long and eventful life."
There is one trait in the character of CORNPLANTER, not heretofore
noticed, which is referred to by Colonel PROCTOR in his narrative, and
which I think ought to be presented here. Colonel PROCTOR was sent by
WASHINGTON, to visit CORNPLANTER, to engage him and other Chiefs, to
go on an embassy of peace to the Western Indians. He traveled by way of
Wyoming and the Susquehanna. I quote from his narrative, under the date
of March 20, 1791.
"This day we set forward for Captain Waterman Baldwin's, above
Wilkesbarre; arrived there in the evening, halted for him part of two
days, as I had orders to take him with me to the residence of THE
CORNPLANTER, at which place he was intended to act as instructor to
the Indian youth, as also a director in the mode and management of
agriculture, for the use and benefit of the Indians. This gentleman was
made prisoner by CORNPLANTER during the late war, (Revolution,) _and was
treated by him with remarkable tenderness, until legally exchanged_."
ADDRESSES
OF
JOHN LUKE AND STEPHEN S. SMITH.
The following addresses were then made by the Indians herein mentioned;
they were translated by HARRISON HALFTOWN and BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, both
Senecas. Mr. SNOWDEN took notes of these addresses, and has written them
out as follows:
JOHN LUKE, a councillor of the Seneca nation, said: Brothers! White men
and Indians:--It has been laid upon me to say a few words. We were well
pleased when we heard that the State of Pennsylvania had directed that a
monument should be put up to the memory of CORNPLANTER, at his grave. And
we were pleased when word came to us that the white people and Indians
should be here to-day to see the monument set in its proper place, and to
hear what our white brothers should say on the occasion. We are thankful
for what has been done by Pennsylvania, and for the good words we have
heard this beautiful day. The occasion will long be remembered by us.
This monument, more enduring than the wampum which our forefathers used
to record events and keep them in remembrance, will remind us of the
kindness of Pennsylvania to our great and good Chief, and keep bright the
chain whose links have united us to the Quaker State even from the time
of ONAS (WILLIAM PENN) to the present day. Brothers! THE CORNPLANTER was
known to us to be an honest man, and without deceit, and we are glad to
hear, by the words spoken this day, that our white brethren so regard
him, and respect his memory. He made the treaties and speeches referred
to this day, and I now say that it is proper that all the people should
remember that every word that has been said, so far as I understand them,
are words of truth. We always understood that CORNPLANTER desired his
children, and his nation, to follow the example of the white people in
cultivating the land. It lies upon our hearts that we should remember the
words of THE CORNPLANTER.
Friendship was established between the red men and the white men by
treaties, and we wish them to stand permanent. This is all I have to say
in behalf of my people. Farewell!
STEPHEN S. SMITH, a Seneca Indian, and a Chief of the Six Nations, then
rose and said: Friends and Brothers! We are grateful for what is done
and said here this beautiful day. The sun shines upon us, and we are
here as brothers to do honor to the memory of old CORNPLANTER. It is in
accordance with the laws and customs of the Six Nations that the people
should meet to commemorate the memory of the dead.