An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha, or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830

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.