Produced by Anne Soulard, Richard Prairie, Juliet Sutherland
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
AN ACCOUNT OF SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA
OR RED JACKET AND HIS PEOPLE,
1750-1830.
BY
JOHN N. HUBBARD
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.
THE AUTHOR.
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 superintendence of
Thayendanegea, or Brant, it could not have reflected more truly the animus
of that distinguished character. Red Jacket in his day was the subject, at
different times of much angry feeling, and jealousy. The author has not
taken pains to embalm it, in these memorials of the great orator of the
Senecas. Much that was the subject of criticism during his life, admits of
a more charitable construction, and the grave should become the receptacle
of all human resentments.
The author acknowledges his indebtedness to the labors of Col. Stone, and
by an honorable arrangement, liberty was obtained for the use made of
them, in the following pages. Acknowledgments are due also to others,
whose names will appear in the course of this work.
TRACY, CAL., _April 12th_, 1885.
CONTENTS.
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.
CHAPTER II.
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--
Story of their origin--Singular romance.
CHAPTER III.
Name Red Jacket, how acquired--Indian name--Name conferred--Singular
superstition--Red Jacket during the war of the Revolution--Neutrality of
the Indians proposed--Services sought by Great Britain--Sketch of Sir Wm.
Johnson--Red Jacket's position--Taunt of cowardice--Testimony of Little
Beard--Charge made by Brant--Red Jacket's indifference--Anecdote--Early
love of eloquence--Interesting reminiscences.
CHAPTER IV.
Early struggles--Red Jacket's opportunity for trial--Council at Fort
Stanwix--Office of Sachem--His opposition to the treaty--Excitement
produced by his speech--Part taken by Cornplanter--His influence in
deciding the treaty--How it affected him.
CHAPTER V.
United States claim to Indian lands--Conflicting claims between states--
Manner of adjustment--Attempt to acquire by a lease--Attempt defeated--
Lands acquired by New York--From Onondagas, Oneidas, Cayugas--Indian
destitution--Indications of trouble--Design of severing western New York
from the rest of the state--How defeated--Phelps and Gorham purchase.
CHAPTER VI.
Union of the western Indians--Hostile influence of the British Indian
department in Canada--Ambitious project of Thayendanegea or Brant--Visits
England, desiring British aid in the event of war with the United States--
Council at Tioga Point--Indian ceremonies--Visit of Cornplanter and others
at the seat of government--Fresh occasion of trouble.
CHAPTER VII.
Expedition under General Harmar--Its failure--High expectations of the
Indians--Colonel Proctor visits the Indians at Buffalo creek--Red Jacket's
speech--Indian deputation refused--Interference of the matrons--Council at
Painted Post--Chiefs invited to Philadelphia.
CHAPTER VIII.
Expedition to the Indian country under General St. Clair--Washington's
charge--Approach to Indian villages--Sudden surprise--Disastrous battle--
Indian victory--Retreat of American force to Fort Jefferson--Boldness of
the Indians--Friendly Indian deputation--Welcome of the governor of
Pennsylvania--Red Jacket's speech in reply--Address of President
Washington--Red Jacket's reply--Cause of Indian hostilities.
CHAPTER IX.
Indian appropriation--Deputation to the west promised--Instructions--
Silver medal given to Red Jacket by the president--Military suits--
Washington's address at parting--Thayendanegea's visit--Council at Au
Glaize--Another Indian council--Delegation--British control--Washington's
letter--Army under General Wayne--Successful campaign--Treaty concluded.
CHAPTER X.
Canandaigua at an early day--Facts in the early settlement of Bloomfield--
Indian council--Its object--Indian parade--Indian dress--Opening of the
council--Speeches--Liberal offers of the government--Mr. Savary's journal
--Conclusion of treaty--Account of Red Jacket by Thomas Morris.
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.
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 women--Young King's dissent--Final settlement--
Charge of insincerity.
CHAPTER XIII.
Council at Canawangus--Interesting reminiscence of Red Jacket--Address of
Farmer's Brother--Jasper Parish--Horatio Jones--Red Jacket's visit at
Hartford, Conn.
CHAPTER XIV.
Cornplanter in disrepute--Effort to regain his standing--Red Jacket
charged with witchcraft--His defense--Further notice of Cornplanter--Early
recollections--With the Indians who defeated Gen. Braddock in 1755--With
the English in the war of the Revolution--Takes his father a prisoner--His
address--Release of his father--Address to the governor of Pennsylvania--
Visit of President Alden--Close of his life.
CHAPTER XV.
Change in Red Jacket's views--Causes producing it--Unfavorable to any
change in the habits of his people--Opposes the introduction of
Christianity among them--Visit of a missionary--Missionary's speech--Red
Jacket's reply--Unpleasant termination of the council.
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 to be given the Senecas--His adherence to the United States--
Hostilities encouraged by British agents--Warriors gathered at the
Prophet's town--Visited by General 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--Part taken by Red Jacket.
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.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Pre-emptive right to the Indian reservations, sold to the Ogden Company--
Council to obtain an extinguishment of the Indian title--Red Jacket's
reply to Mr. Ogden's speech--Indians refuse to sell--Another council
called--Account given 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.
CHAPTER XIX.
Witchcraft--Case 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.
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 of the sublime--Portraits--Acute perception--Refined sense of
propriety--First bridge at Niagara Falls--Loss of his children--Care for
his people.
CHAPTER XXI.
Views at the close of life--Incident--His lifework--Unfavorable influences
--Advance of Christian party--Conversion of Red Jacket's wife--Leaves her
--His return--Red Jacket deposed--Journey to Washington--His restoration--
Rapid decline--Regards his end as near--Talks with the people--Endeavors
to unite them--Sickness and death.
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
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 distinguished for the arts
and accomplishments of the orator. His life marks an era in the history of
his nation and his name like that of Demosthenes, is forever associated
with eloquence.
Other circumstances however, impart interest to his history. His was the
last great name of a nation, and he is entitled to remembrance, on the
soil which was once the home of his fathers. And though linked with a
melancholy association, as connected with the waning history of a people
that once laid a claim to greatness, but are now fast passing into
obscurity, it is not on this account the less attractive, but presents
another reason for our regard.
Such was the name of SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA, or, as he has more commonly been
called, Red Jacket. Having risen, by the force of his eloquence, from an
obscure station to the highest rank among his people, he became
conspicuous in all of those great transactions, in which they gradually
relinquished a title to their old hunting grounds, and gave place to the
intrusive white man. And he lived to see his nation pass from the pride of
their ancient dominion, to so humble an inheritance, that his last days
were embittered with the thought, that the _red men_ were destined to
become extinct. With him has ceased the glory of their council fire, and
of their name.
His origin, as we have intimated, was obscure. He must be introduced, as
he has come down to us, without rank or pedigree. His pedigree nature
acknowledged, and gave him a right to become great among her sons. His
birth is a matter of fact, its time and place, circumstances of
conjecture. Some affirm that he was born at the Old Seneca Castle, near
the foot of Seneca lake, not far from 1750. [Footnote: Hist. of North
American tribes by Thos. L. McKenney.]
Another tradition awards the honor of his birth to a place at, or near
Canoga, on the banks of the Cayuga lake. [Footnote: Schoolcraft's Report.]
Who were his parents? and what, his early history? As the wave casts upon
the shore some treasured fragment, and then recedes to mingle with its
parent waters, so their names, and much of his early history have been
lost in the oblivion of the past.
So likewise it is uncertain, as to the time when the wonderful powers of
his genius began to be developed, or as to the steps by which he arrived
at the high distinction of orator among his people.
Whether by dint of study he gained the requisite discipline of mind, and
acquired that elegance of diction for which he was distinguished; whether
by repeated trial and failure, accompanied by a proud ambition, and an
unyielding purpose, he reached, like Demosthenes, the summit of his
aspirations; or, assisted more by nature than by art, emerged, like
Patrick Henry at once, into the grand arena of mind, and by a single
effort attained distinction and fame, is to be gathered more from
circumstances than from facts.
It is generally conceded, however, that the powers of his intellect were
of the highest order. Captain Horatio Jones, the well known interpreter
and agent among the Indians, and than whom no one was more intimately
acquainted with this orator of the Seneca nation, was accustomed to speak
of him as the greatest man that ever lived. "For," said he, "the great men
of our own and of other times, have become so by education; but RED JACKET
WAS AS NATURE MADE HIM. Had he enjoyed their advantages, he would have
surpassed them, since it can hardly be supposed that they, without these,
would have equalled him." [Footnote: Conversation of the author with Col.
Wm. Jones, of Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., son of Capt. Horatio Jones.]
Some allowance should be made for this statement, perhaps, on the ground
that Mr. Jones was a warm admirer of the orator's genius; yet his
admiration sprang from an intimate knowledge of him, seen under
circumstances, that afforded the best opportunity of forming a just
opinion of his talents; and these, he maintained, "_were among the noblest
that nature ever conferred upon man_."
But genius, while it may have smoothed the way, may not have spared him
the pains, by which ordinary minds ascend to greatness. For since it is so
universally the fact, that the path to eminence, is rugged and steep, and
the gifts of fame seldom bestowed but in answer to repeated toil;
curiosity would inquire by what means one, who was reputed a barbarian,
gained the highest distinction ever awarded to civilized man. It is not
enough to reply simply, "_that nature made him so_," or to receive,
without qualification, his own proud assertion, "I AM AN ORATOR, I WAS
BORN AN ORATOR." The laws of mind are the same for peasants, and princes
in intellect; great minds as well as small, must take measures to compass
their object, or leave it unattained.
It does not appear that his genius was sudden, or precocious in its
development. It is said that his mind, naturally active and brilliant,
gradually opened, until it reached its meridian splendor. Nor did his
powers grow without any means to mature and perfect them. As the young oak
is strengthened by warring with the storm, so the faculties of his mind
gained force by entering freely into conflicts of opinion. Accustomed to
canvass in private the questions which agitated the councils of his
nation, he began to ascertain the reality of his own power, and by
measuring his own with other minds, he gained the confidence that flows
from superior wisdom. [Footnote: Conversation with Col. Wm. Jones.]
The tastes and regulations of his own people favored very much, the
promptings of his genius. They were lovers of eloquence, and their form of
government fostered its cultivation. This though differing but little from
the simplicity found in rude states of society, presented a feature
peculiar among a people not far advanced in civilization, which served
greatly to promote elevation of mind, and advance them far above a
condition of barbarism. They were in the habit of meeting in public
assemblies, to discuss those questions that pertained to the interests, or
destiny of their nation. Around their council fires their chiefs and
warriors gathered, and entered freely, so far as their dignity,
consideration, or power of debate admitted, into a deliberation on public
affairs. And here were manifested an ability and decorum which civilized
nations even, have viewed with admiration and surprise. For though we
might suppose their eloquence must have partaken of rant and rhapsody,
presenting a mass of incoherent ideas, depending for their interest on the
animation of gesture and voice, with which they were uttered, yet we would
do injustice to their memory, if we did not give their orators the credit
of speaking as much to the purpose, and of exhibiting as great a force of
intellect, as many who would claim a higher place than they in the scale
of intelligence and refinement.
Many of their orators were distinguished for strength of mind, and in
native power of genius, might compare favorably, with the men of any age
or clime. The names of Garangula, Adario, Hendrick, Skenandoah, Logan and
others, might be mentioned with pride by any people.
[Illustration: KING HENDRICK]
GARANGULA, has been styled the very Nestor of his nation, whose powers of
mind would not suffer in comparison with a Roman, or more modern Senator.
[Footnote: Drake.]
ADARIO is said to have been a man of "great mind, the bravest of the
brave," and possessing altogether the best qualities of any Indian known
to the French in Canada. [Footnote: Charlevoix.]
It has been remarked of HENDRICK, that for capacity, bravery, vigor of
mind, and immovable integrity united, he excelled all the aboriginal
inhabitants of the United States, of whom any knowledge has come down to
the present time. [Footnote: Dr. Dwight.]
SKENANDOAH in his youth was a brave and intrepid warrior, and in his riper
years one of the best of counsellors among the North American tribes. He
possessed a most vigorous mind, and was alike active, sagacious, and
persevering. He will long be remembered for a saying of his to one who
visited him toward the close of life; "I am," said he, "an aged hemlock,
the winds of an hundred winters have whistled through my branches. I am
dead at the top. The generation to which I belonged has run away and left
me." He was a sincere believer in the Christian religion, and added to the
above "why I live the Great and Good Spirit only knows. Pray to my Jesus,
that I may have patience to wait for my appointed time to die." [Footnote:
Annals of Tryon County.]
And Mr. Jefferson regarded the appeal of LOGAN to the white men, after the
extirpation of his family, as without a parallel in the history of
eloquence.
These were men who have been revered by the civilized world, as worthy of
a place with the distinguished and great among mankind.
"Oratory was not alone a natural gift, but an art among the Iroquois. It
enjoined painful study, unremitting practice, and sedulous observation of
the style, and methods of the best masters. Red Jacket did not rely upon
his native powers alone, but cultivated the art with the same assiduity
that characterized the great Athenian orator. The Iroquois, as their
earliest English historian observed, cultivated an Attic or classic
elegance of speech, which entranced every ear, among their red auditory."
[Footnote: Mr. Bryant's speech.]
Those public games, entertainments, religious ceremonies and dances,
common among the Indian tribes, added interest to their council
gatherings, and made them a scene of attraction for the entire nation.
Thither the young and old of both sexes were accustomed to resort, and,
assembled at their national forum, listened with profound attention and
silence to each word spoken by their orators. "The unvarying courtesy,
sobriety and dignity of their convocations led one of their learned Jesuit
historians to liken them to the Roman Senate." [Footnote: W. C. Bryant's
speech before the Buffalo Historical Society on the occasion of the re-
interment of Red Jacket's remains.]
"Their language was flexible and sonorous, the sense largely depending
upon inflection, copious in vowel sounds, abounding in metaphor; affording
constant opportunity for the ingenious combination and construction of
words to image delicate, and varying shades of thought, and to express
vehement manifestations of passion; admitting of greater and more sudden
variations in pitch, than is permissable in English oratory, and
encouraging pantomimic gesture, for greater force and effect. In other
words it was not a cold, artificial, mechanical medium for the expression
of thought or emotion, or the concealment of either, but was constructed,
as we may fancy, much as was the tuneful tongue spoken by our first
parents, who stood in even closer relations to nature." [Footnote: Ib.]
Hence, though the Iroquois were a warlike people, and delighted in deeds
of bravery, there was an inviting field opened to one, who could chain
their attention by his eloquence, and sway their emotions at will.
Such advantages being presented for the exercise of the powers of oratory,
it can hardly be supposed that a mind endowed as richly, as was Red
Jacket's, by the gifts of nature, would fail to perceive the path in which
lay the true road to eminence among his people. And his subsequent career
indicates but too clearly, the choice he made of the field in which to
exercise his noble powers.