An account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha Red Jacket and his people, 1750-1830

day-Facts in the early s

ject-Indian parade-In

l offers of the governm

ccount of Red Jacke

y. It was at the head of navigation. Parties coming from the east could transport their goods by water from Lon

concluded his treaty of purchase with the Indians. By means of them a log store-house was constructed, near the outlet of the lake. The family of a Mr. Joseph Smith took possession of it in th

ear quite a nucleus for a town had gathered here. In 1794, Mrs. Sanborne, an enterprising landlady, whose eye kindled with the recollection of those days, served up in a tea saucer the first currants produced in the Genesee country. [Footnote: Conversation of the author with Mrs.

th the early associations of those who contributed to make this an abode of elevation and refinement. The cow-boy, often startled while on his way by the appearance of a bear, went timidly forth on his evening errand, inspired with courage by the thought that he might, for his protect

to a Mrs. Parks, how neighbor Codd

. How did

nd to take up his axe to cut a sliver, don't you believe he saw a great bear s

us! What

nto the old bear's head. But the axe glanced and only cut into the flesh, wit

re getting to be! Husband says they

er night and got hold of a hog in Asahel Sprague's hog-pen, and

e and tackled one of their hogs right in their own door yard; but Mrs. Sperry and the children screa

n driving him out of his corn field, just as he was climbing over the fence." [Footn

ances entire flocks of sheep, so that there was not a farmer in t

ished the inhabitants with an ample supply of their delicious meat. The Indians while ass

the Indians at the West. The influences from this source were of such a nature as to render many among these friendly tribes exceedingly bold. In some instances on entering the houses of settlers

o happened that a company of settlers in passing by, paused to view with astonishment what was going on. From a feeling of insecurity they had just abandoned their new locations in this region, and had come thus far on their way, having resolved to return to the more safe and quiet homes t

ans generally were stimulated with the idea that they might form and maintain in the North-west an independent nationality, that would reflect once more the pride and glory of the ancient dominion of the Iroquois. But when the news of this signal victory was circulated among them, their spirits were humbled and broken. They seemed to relinquish this dream of grea

, and a part of the Senecas, led by Farmer's Brother, came in on the fourteenth. Cornplanter at the hea

s halted, carefully decorated themselves after their manner, and then marched to meet those appointed to confer with them on the part of the government, and after passing around and encircling them, with t

their uniform, and having received their welcome, salutes being fired and returned, they marched all together and formed in a circle around the commissioners, when

lves civilized, it was the same in its essential elements, and this council was ushered in with as true a military spirit as th

tary coat was of paint of different colors with which he was striped in a distinguishing manner, he regarded it no doubt as gorgeous and gay. Instead of the gracefully waving plume he was bedecked with the fea

nd resounded with the wild yell and deafening war-whoop of the Indian. It was his gala day, and highly fitting that before surrendering these grounds forever to the dominion and usages of another race, he should come forth once more from his native

lages, and constructing their camps in the woods, upon the lake shore, and around the court-house square. The little village of whites was invested, overrun with the wild natives. It seemed as if they had deserted all their villages, and transferred even their old men, women and children to the feast, the carousal, and the place of gifts. T

as, Cayugas, Tuscaroras and Delawares, some of whom were present, on account of the death of a number of their chiefs since the last meeting.-

ded at the time, beautiful address, presenting belts and strings

appointed a council of condolence on the following Monday for the De

by violence,-of covering it with stones and pulling up and planting over it a pine tree, so that in after years it should never be disturbed; of wiping the blood from the head o

n this country. He referred to the manner in which they had been received, to the friendship, that had existed before the controversy of the United States with Great Britain, and to the negotiations that had taken place since that time, the grievances they had suffered, dwelling particularly upon the dissa

t of a long and bloody war, and as they had been victorious the Six Nations ought not to blame them for feeling a little proud

uncil, and their address being read and interpreted,

by some of the Indian women, who desired that their views might be h

all that had been said, and they desired it to be understood that their views were in accordance with those of their sachems and chiefs. They felt that the white people had caused them a great deal of suffering. The white people had pressed and squeezed them together until their hearts were greatly pained, and they thought t

he had a high respect for the women, and would be hap

ointed out the limits agreed upon in their treaties, and by a distinct statement of the negotiations and treaties that had been made at different times with them, and afterward confirmed, proving that the claims of the United States were just, he declared himself ready to stipulate concerning their grievances, that they should still have the privilege of hunting upon the lands they had ceded, and that their settlements thereon should remain undisturbed. He further assured the

n deliberating among themselves, inviting to their councils the Quakers, a deputation of whom, as we remarked were

tty children, who in all the activity and buoyancy of health, were diverting themselves according to their fancy. The vast number of deer they have killed, since coming here, which they cut up and hang round their huts inside and out to dry, together with the rations of beef, which they draw daily, give the appearance of plenty to supply the few wants to which they are subjected. The ease and cheerfulness of every countenance, and the delightfulness of the afternoon, which the inhabitants of the woods seemed to enjoy

had brought to see us. They were exceedingly well clad, in their manner, and the best behav

ribed, and the United States engaged never to claim these lands, or disturb the Six Nations in the free use and enjoyment of them. The Six Nations pledged themselves also not to claim any other lands within the boundaries of the United States, nor disturb the people of the United States in the free use and enjoyment thereof. It was stipulated also tha

se of Colonel Pickering.-The money thus pledged was to be expended yearly forever in purchasing clothing, domestic animals, implements of h

ade by the injured party to the nation to which the offender belonged, and that such measures were then to be pursued as should be necessa

uois as remained in their ancient seats, were but partially reconciled to the United States, and were oscil

ttention of this large body of Indians with their warriors, who had

uite a number of the chiefs dined with Colonel Pickering. He says,-"Much good humor prevailed on this occasion. The Indians laid aside their stoicism, indulged in many repartees, and manife

e looking man. He was the most graceful public speaker I have ever known; his manner was most dignified and easy. He was fluent, and at times witty and sarcastic. He was quick and ready at reply. He pitted himself against Colonel Pickering, whom he sometimes foiled in argument. The col

d Red Jacket of his promotion. -'Ah!' said he,-'We began our public career about the same time; he knew how to read a