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 that rose gradually to their
summit, where they stretched out into extensive table lands. These hills,
as we ascend the valley gradually become higher and higher, until we are
brought into the vicinity of mountain elevations, where the scenery
becomes very romantic, and the country much broken. The valley itself is
almost of uniform width from its commencement, a few miles south of the
city of Rochester, to the pleasant and thriving village of Mount Morris.
Here these flats which are quite extensive and exceedingly rich and
beautiful, appear to leave the river and follow its tributary, the
Canaseraga, to a point about sixteen miles above; diminishing somewhat in
width as they ascend, until they come near the present village of
Dansville, where the hills again recede and forming a large basin, enclose
it on the south, presenting the appearance of a magnificent amphitheater.
The Canaseraga is here joined by two streams, Stony Brook and Mill Creek,
which flow down from the highlands beyond, over precipices, and through
gorges deep and wild, where rugged cliffs defying all attempts at culture,
rise abruptly at times, from one to three hundred feet on either side. The
Indian's trail conducted him to these wilds, which still remain the most
unchanged of all his ancient haunts. Here are solitudes seldom visited by
man, where are treasured sublimities that enchain the mind, and inspire a
feeling of devotion in the heart of the beholder. Here the Indian,
undisturbed by other sights or sounds, may yet listen to the voice of the
waterfall as it sounded in the ear of his fathers, or to the gentle murmur
of the stream discoursing now, as it did to them, in passing hurriedly
over its rocky bed. [Footnote: Who would ever suspect that a railroad
would stride across any of these deep chasms? How presumptuous.]
Beyond this point the Canaseraga itself, as it flows from its source among
the hills bordering on Pennsylvania, passes often through deep ravines,
narrow defiles, and overhanging cliffs. The same is true also of the
Genesee river above Mount Morris. Its course is marked by scenery rarely
surpassed in sublimity and grandeur. [Footnote: The High Banks, as they
are called, near Mt. Morris, and a similar formation, together with the
falls, near Portage, have attracted the attention, and are often visited
by the tourist.--J. N. H.]
The Indian as he followed his trail leading up along its banks, paused
often to listen to the thunder of its waterfalls, or to watch its course
while threading its way at the bottom of ravines, hundreds of feet beneath
the jutting point where he was standing. The territory marked by this
river was unsurpassed in the magnificence and beauty of its scenery, and
in the variety and richness of its soil; and the Indian who lived for the
most part in the open world, found here a home congenial to his spirit,
and he loved it. The white man saw and loved it too. But he loved it not
as the Indian, who looked upon it as already complete. The hills brought
him venison, the valleys corn, and the streams on every side abounded in
fish, the beautiful speckled trout, which fairly swarmed in all of these
waters. What could he want more? He loved it as it was; just as it came
from the forming hand of the Great Spirit.
The white man loved it for what he saw he could make of it; but how little
he thought his making, would mar the desirableness and beauty of the
Indian's home. He had already obtained of the Indian a title to all his
land lying on the east side of this river. He had even been allowed to
cross over to the west side, and look upon that generous _Mill Yard_,
twelve miles square, as his own. A very extensive gift it is true, but as
it was proposed to erect at the Genesee falls a saw mill, which was
claimed to be a vastly benevolent institution, and would be useful to the
Indians as well as whites, inasmuch as it would save the immense labor of
splitting and hewing logs for plank, as they were going to make the water
of the river split the logs and hew them at the same time; it was claimed
that this surrender on the part of the Indians, would be but a just offset
against the self-denial, great expense, and severe labor of the whites, in
establishing so benign an institution as a _saw mill_, in these western
wilds. This is one among many instances of the benevolence of the white
man toward the Indian.
If the Genesee country was prized by the Indian, it was regarded with a
wishful eye by the white man. And as he had obtained what was on the east
side of the Genesee river, he was not content without a larger portion on
the west. Already the tide of emigration had brought him to the utmost
limit of his possessions, and he could hardly refrain from looking, with a
wishful eye, upon the fertile fields lying beyond.
The Indian on the other hand, began to feel uneasy about having sold so
much of his land. He regretted very much the permission he had given the
white man to own one foot of ground, on the west side of the Genesee
river. Natural boundaries with him weighed more than with the white man;
and had the white man's possessions been confined strictly to the east
side of the river, he would have felt better satisfied though it had cost
him a larger area of ground. The white man's mode of running lines and of
measuring land, he did not comprehend or appreciate. But when the line was
made by a creek, river, or mountain, he understood it, and it harmonized
better with his views of fitness, in dividing up the surface of this great
earth. He was utterly unschooled in the art of computing by acres and
roods. But the water's edge he had traversed with his light canoe, and
with every point and islet on the lakes he was familiar. He had followed
the rivers to where they came bubbling up from their rocky bed amid
mountain elevations, and there was not a tributary stream or run, by whose
side he had not rested, or by whose music he had not been charmed, keeping
pace with it, as it went innocently busying and babbling along on its
downward way. With any or all of these landmarks he was familiar, and when
fixed upon as boundaries, he could readily recur to, and religiously keep
them; for they had been made by the Great Spirit, and it was his life-
study to know them.
Not satisfied with the large purchase already made, the white man
contemplated still greater acquisitions of Indian land. Little did the red
man suspect, while roaming unmolested over his native hills, that in
civilized circles, the advantages and disadvantages of his cherished home
were canvassed, and made the subject of negotiation and purchase. And it
awakened his deepest surprise when assured, that without his knowledge or
consent, his land had been sold. He was not aware that his ignorance of
the value of his country, for the purposes of civilization, was made a
subject of barter among his superiors in knowledge, and that men of
enterprize were willing to pay for the privilege of making a bargain with
him for his lands.
This right, as we have seen, was claimed by the government; Massachusetts
holding the right of buying the Indian lands in Western New York. This
right, under sanction of which the Phelps and Gorham purchase was made,
was in part sold, as related in a preceding chapter. The pre-emptive right
to the remainder was bought by Robert Morris in the spring of 1791. He re-
sold soon after, to a company of gentlemen in Holland; pledging himself to
survey the entire tract, and extinguish the Indian title. Thirty-five
thousand pounds sterling of the purchase money were retained, as a
guaranty of his fulfilling these engagements.
It became an object therefore for Mr. Morris to obtain, at as early a
period as practicable, a conference with the Indians, and their consent to
sell this land. Owing to their extreme reluctance to part with any more
land, he had not been able to persuade them to appoint a council for this
purpose, and committed the further prosecution of this to his son Thomas.
Hence the occasion given to notice the presence of Thomas Morris at the
Indian councils, particularly that at Tioga Point. For several years he
had been cultivating an acquaintance with the Indians, residing in their
midst, attending their councils, and making himself generally agreeable;
and by means of his own personal influence with the chiefs, and unwearied
exertions he gained their permission to hold a council, which assembled at
Big Tree, the present site of Genesee, in August, 1797.
This had already become the residence of the white man. James and William
Wadsworth, from Durham, Conn., had emigrated hither as early as the year
1790. Under their auspices a new settlement had been commenced. On rising
ground which commanded a fine view of the flats, stood their large block
house. The same site has still its attractions, for what at a later day,
was the old Wadsworth mansion.
The coming of the Wadsworths into this region, which was still in
possession of the Indians, and their prominence in its subsequent history,
would seem to justify a more extended notice.
In the spring of 1790, James Wadsworth, then a young man of twenty-two,
was debating with himself the question of his future calling in life. He
had graduated at Yale College in the fall of '87:--had spent the winter of
'87 and '88, at Montreal, Canada, teaching school. He had no thought of
teaching as his life-work, and what would he do next? was his earnest
inquiry. Some one suggested that he should study medicine; but this did
not suit him. As he had received a liberal education, it was further
intimated that he should lead a professional life and become a lawyer, or
a minister.
After duly considering the matter, choosing for this purpose the
retirement of a neighboring wood, he returned the answer,--"I am not
satisfied with either of these professions."
"What will you do, then?" was the inquiry. He replied, "I know God has
made me for something, and I am trying to find out what that is."
With his mind thus unsettled, he determined to visit his uncle, Colonel
Jeremiah Wadsworth, of Hartford. This uncle had pursued a sea-faring life,
entering upon it at first for the benefit of his health, and following it
afterward, from a love for the employment. From a sailor before the mast,
he came to be mate, and captain, and at the breaking out of the
Revolutionary war he had retired from the sea, and had settled at
Hartford, Conn. He was appointed commissary of the Connecticut line, and
subsequently had important trusts committed to his charge, by his own
State, and also by the Congress at Philadelphia, having reference to the
pay, clothing and subsistence of the Continental troops.
In the discharge of his official duties he had formed an acquaintance with
Oliver Phelps; and after Mr. Phelps had secured an interest in the Genesee
country, he represented its advantages to Colonel Wadsworth in such
glowing colors, as led him to purchase a considerable tract of land in
that region. Being a man of wealth and advanced in life, he had no thought
of emigrating thither, but designed to provide for his interests by
employing an agent.
As soon as James Wadsworth arrived at the house, he was met at the door by
his uncle, who eagerly grasped his hand and exclaimed,--"James, I am glad
you have come, you are the very man I have been wanting to see."
It was not long before they were deeply engaged in discussing the Genesee
question, this becoming the chief topic of conversation during the visit.
As the result, James purchased on advantageous terms a part of the tract
at Big Tree, and became agent for the remaining lands, qualified by the
condition that his brother William would consent to accompany him in the
proposed emigration. [Footnote: Conversation of the author with Nehemiah
Hubbard, Esq., of Middletown, Conn., and statements in Turner's History.]
The two brothers jointly entered upon the undertaking, and commenced
preparations for their journey into this, at that time, far-off
wilderness. An ox cart, and ox team, are in wide contrast with the
conveniences of travel enjoyed at present. Yet with these, and two or
three hired men, and a colored woman, a favorite slave belonging to the
family, William set forth to encounter the vicissitudes and dangers
involved in the enterprise. It was a slow and wearisome journey, most of
the way rough, and some of the way requiring to be opened and prepared for
travel.
James, with provisions and a small supply of household furniture, went by
the sound, the Hudson, and the head of navigation on Canandaigua outlet.
He arrived at Canandaigua three days in advance of his brother.
From this point their journey was comparatively easy. They pursued the
route taken by Sullivan in '79, yet not without having frequently to cut a
way for their team and cart. They arrived at their point of destination on
the 10th of June, 1790.
Captain Horatio, and John H. Jones preceded the Wadsworths, and other
families came into the region soon after. But the country was full of
Indians. Their villages swarmed with life in every direction. Ken-de-wah
or Big Tree, as principal chief was at the head of a numerous clan,
located on the bluffs near by. Not far from them on the river was a
village of the Tuscaroras. Two miles below was Oneida Town, a large
village of Oneidas. Near the present site of West Avon was another
principal village, whose chief was Ga-kwa-dia, or Hot Bread. Above was
another large village called Little Beard's Town, occupying the present
site of Cuylerville. Further on were Allen's Hill, Squaky Hill and
Gardeau, the residence of the "White Woman." Her husband was principal
chief of the clan at this point. Further on at Nunda, was another village,
its principal chiefs were Elk Hunter and Green Coat. Still higher up on
the river at Caneadea, was another considerable village, whose chief was
John Hudson. [Footnote: It was here the author's grandfather, as an Indian
prisoner, had to run the gauntlet in the spring of 1782.
The author remembers Hudson very well. Often visiting his grandfather's
house in Angelica, N. Y. When a boy he often sat on Hudson's knee, whom he
regarded as a very pleasant, kind Indian.]
These villages were mostly in the vicinity of Big Tree, a region which at
that time was not without its charms, and has since been regarded as
possessing attractions in soil and scenery, unsurpassed by any in the
State.
It was here the council, solicited by Thomas Morris, assembled.
The unfinished block house of the Wadsworths was engaged for the
accommodation of those particularly interested with Mr. Morris in
conducting the council; and a large tent covered with boughs, and prepared
with rows of seats, and a platform, furnished a place suited to their
deliberations.
The United States, though not directly concerned as a party in this
council, were interested in the welfare of the Indians, and appointed a
commissioner to watch over their rights, and see that no injustice took
place. Massachusetts reserved this right in the sale of her pre-emptive
title. Accordingly Colonel Wadsworth of Connecticut, appeared as
commissioner on the part of the United States, and General Wm. Shepard in
behalf of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. William Bayard of New York
represented the interests of the Holland company, and Mr. Morris, appeared
through his agents, Thomas Morris and Colonel Williamson. The engagements
of Mr. Williamson calling him away, the responsibility of conducting the
treaty devolved upon Thomas Morris.
A large number of Indians were present, brought together by the prospect
of good cheer, no less than their interest in the object of their
assembling.
The council being duly opened, the commissioners offered their
credentials, and explained the reason of their appointment; after which
Mr. Morris presented in a speech of some length, the object for which they
had been convened. Representing the desire of his father to obtain by
purchase a part, or all of their lands, and how much better it would be
for them to dispose of all, except what were actually needed for
settlement, and place the money at interest, than to retain in their
possession uncultivated wastes, whose only value to them could be such as
were derived from the chase; and that this advantage would not be lost,
for they could still use it for hunting, the same as before. He concluded
by offering them the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, for the entire
tract that remained to them in the State, allowing them such reservations
as might be needed for actual use.
The Indians after deliberating for a time returned an unfavorable answer;
saying "they did not wish to part with any more of their land."
Mr. Morris replied, urging them to reconsider the case, that they ought
not to decide hastily, setting before them in various ways the favorable
terms he had proposed.
After deliberating once more, they returned the answer they had already
given.
Meetings and speeches thereupon succeeded; Farmer's Brother, Cornplanter,
Little Billy, Little Beard, and Red Jacket, taking part in the discussion,
the chief burden of which fell upon the latter.
When Mr. Morris urged upon their attention the liberal sum he had proposed
to pay for their lands:--
Red Jacket replied,--"We are not yet convinced that it is best for us to
dispose of them at any price."
"But," said Mr. Morris, "what value can they be to you as they now are,
any further than the consciousness that you own them?"
"Yes," said Red Jacket, _but this knowledge is everything to us. It
raises us in our own estimation. It creates in our bosoms a proud feeling
which elevates us as a nation_. Observe the difference between the
estimation in which a Seneca and an Oneida are held. We are courted, while
the Oneidas are considered as a degraded people, fit only to make
_brooms_ and _baskets. Why this difference_? It is because the
Senecas are known to be the proprietors of a _broad domain_, while the
Oneidas are _cooped up in a narrow space_."
"Ah," said Mr. Morris, "you presume too much in regard to the consequence
of your nation. It is far from being as great as you seem to suppose; and
in proof of this let me refer you to the manner in which your deputation
to the Miamis was received in 1793. Though large and composed of many of
the first men of your nation, it had but little influence."
"Very true," replied Red Jacket, "_and why_? It was because we were in
_bad company. We went with the pale faces_. Had we gone alone, we
should have been treated with the _dignity which belongs to the Senecas
throughout the world_."
While Red Jacket was still standing some one interposed the remark,--
"_he's a coward_." Turning round with a look of contempt, and in tone
and manner expressing the deepest sarcasm, he said,--"YES, I AM A COWARD."
And then waving his hand over the broad and beautiful lands that were
spread out before them, added: "_assure me that you can create lands like
these, which the Great Spirit has made for us his red children, so that
you can give us lands like them in return, and I will be brave:_ UNTIL
THEN, I AM A COWARD,--I DARE NOT SELL THESE LANDS." [Footnote:
Conversation of the author with Wm. Jones.]
The commissioners together with the agent of the Holland company, who had
been looking on and anxiously observing the proceedings for about two
weeks, began to regard the undertaking as hopeless, and urged Mr. Morris
to use more decisive means with them, and bring them to terms one way or
the other.
Though contrary to Mr. Morris' convictions from his knowledge of the
Indian character, as to its being the best method to pursue, he yielded to
their solicitations; and when the Indians presented him the offer of a
single township on the line of Pennsylvania, at one dollar an acre, Red
Jacket assuring him that he could sell this at a sufficient advance, to
pay for the trouble and expense of the treaty, he told them if that was
all they could offer, they might return to their homes, for the sooner
their conference was ended the better.
Red Jacket thereupon sprang to his feet and said, "You have now come to
the point to which I wished to bring you. You told us in your first
address, that even in the event of our not agreeing to sell our lands, we
would part friends. Here then is my hand." Mr. Morris taking his hand, he
then added; "I now cover up the council fire."