Obeal,* in the presence of the following Indians: Red-Jacket's son, Corn-planter, John-Cobb, Peter, Young-kings-brother, Tom-the-infant, (Onnonggaiheko,) Blue-sky, (Towyocauna,) John-sky, Jemmy-johnson, Marcus, Big-fire, Captain-Jemmy."

The success this petition met with, it is presumed, was full and satisfactory to him, in respect to one particular; for no ministers, for some time afterwards, were admitted upon the reservation.

In the spring of 1821, a man of Red-Jacket's tribe fell into a languishment and died. His complaint was unknown, and some circumstances attended his illness which caused his friends to believe that he was bewitched. The woman that attended him was fixed upon as the witch, and by the law, or custom, of the nation, she was doomed to suffer death. A chief by the name of Tom-jemmy, called by his own people, Soo-nong-gise, executed the decree by cutting her throat. The Americans took up the matter, seized Tom-jemmy, and threw him into prison. Some time after, when his trial came on, Red-Jacket appeared in court as an evidence. The counsel for the prisoner denied that the court had any jurisdiction over the case, and after it was carried through three terms, Soo-nong-gise was finally cleared. Red-Jacket and the other witnesses testified that the woman was a witch, and that she had been tried, condemned and executed in pursuance of their laws, which had been established from time immemorial-long before the English came into the country. The witch doctrine of the Senecas was much ridiculed by some of the Americans, to which Red-Jacket thus aptly alludes in a speech which he made while upon the stand:

"What! do you denounce us as fools and bigots, because we still continue to believe that which you yourselves sedulously inculcated two centuries ago? Your divines have thundered this doctrine from the pulpit, your judges have pronounced it from the bench, your courts of justice have sanctioned it with the formalities of law, and you would now punish our unfortunate brother for adherence to the superstitions of his fathers! Go to Salem! Look at the records of your government, and you will find hundreds executed for the very crime which has called forth the sentence of condemnation upon this woman, and drawn down the arm of vengeance upon her. What have our brothers done more than the rulers of your people have done? and what crime has this man committed by executing, in a summary way, the laws of his country, and the injunctions of his God!" Before Red-Jacket was admitted to give evidence in the case, he was asked if he believed in future rewards and punishments, and the existence of God. With a piercing look into the face of his interrogator, and with no little indignation of expression, he replied: "Yes! much more than the white men, if we are to judge by their actions." Upon the appearance of Red-Jacket upon this occasion,

*Son of Corn-planter, or Corn-plant.

Information of a gentleman (W. J. Snelling, Esq.,) who was on the spot, and saw him brought to Buffalo. This was the next day after the murder, and the blood was yet upon his hands.

one observes: "There is not, perhaps, in nature, a more expressive eye than that of Red-Jacket; when fired by indignation or revenge, it is terrible; and when he chooses to display his unrivalled talent for irony, his keen sarcastic glance is irresistible."

When Lafayette, in 1825, was at Buffalo, among the persons of distinction who called upon him, was Red-Jacket. Of the old chief, M. Levasseur observes: This extraordinary man, although much worn down by time and intemperance, preserves yet, in a surprising degree, the exercise of all his faculties. He had ever remembered Lafayette, since 1784, at which time he, with others, met a great council of all the Indian nations at Fort Schuyler, when the interest of all those nations, friends and enemies, was regulated with the U. States. He asked the general if he recollected that meeting. He replied that he had not forgotten that great event, and asked RedJacket if he knew what had become of the young chief, who, in that council, opposed with such eloquence the "burying of the tomahawk." Red-Jacket replied, "He is before you." His speech was a masterpiece, and every warrior who heard him was carried away with his eloquence. He urged a continuation of the war against the Americans, having joined against them in the revolution. The general observed to him that time had much changed them since that meeting. "Ah!" said Red-Jacket, "time has not been so severe upon you as it has upon me. It has left to you a fresh countenance, and hair to cover your head; while to me, behold!" and taking a handkerchief from his head, with an air of much feeling, showed his head, which was almost entirely bald.

At this interview, was fully confirmed what we have before stated. Levasseur continues: Red-jacket obstinately refuses to speak any language but that of his own country, and affects a great dislike to all others; although it is easy to discern that he perfectly understands the English; and refused, nevertheless, to reply to the general before his interpreter had translated his questions into the Seneca language. The general spoke a few words in Indian, which he had learned in his youth, at which Red-Jacket was highly pleased, and which augmented much his high opinion of Lafayette.

The author of the following passage is unknown to us; but presuming it to be authentic, we quote it. "More than thirty years have rolled away since a treaty was held on the beautiful acclivity that overlooks the Canandaigua lake. The witnesses of the scene will never forget the powers of native oratory. Two days had passed away in negotiation with the Indians for a cession of their lands. The contract was supposed to be nearly completed, when Red-Jacket arose. With the grace and dignity of a Roman senator, he drew his blanket around him, and, with a piercing eye, surveyed the multitude. All was hushed. Nothing interposed to break the silence, save the gentle rustling of the tree tops under whose shade they were gathered. After a long and solemn, but not unmeaning pause, he commenced his speech in a low voice and sententious style. Rising gradually with his subject, he depicted the primitive simplicity and happiness of

his nation, and the wrongs they had sustained from the usurpations of white men, with such a bold but faithful pencil, that every auditor was soon roused to vengeance or melted into tears. The effect was inexpressible. But ere the emotions of admiration and sympathy had subsided, the white men became alarmed. They were in the heart of an Indian country, surrounded by more than ten times their number, who were inflamed by the remembrance of their injuries, and excited to indignation by the eloquence of a favorite chief. Appalled and terrified, the white men cast a cheerless gaze upon the hordes around them. A nod from the chiefs might be the onset of destruction. At this portentous moment Farmers-Brother interposed. He replied not to his brother chief, but, with a sagacity truly aboriginal, he caused a cessation of the council, introduced good cheer, commended the eloquence of Red-Jacket, and, before the meeting had reassembled, with the aid of other prudent chiefs, he had moderated the fury of his nation to a more salutary review of the question before them. Suffice it to say, the treaty was concluded, and the western district, at this day, owes no small portion of its power and influence to the counsels of a savage, in comparison with whom for genius, heroism, virtue, or any other quality that can adorn the bauble of a diadem, not only George the Fourth, and Louis le Desire, but the German emperor and the Czar of Muscovy, alike dwindle into insignificance."

Red-Jacket was of the number who visited Philadelphia in 1792, at which time he was welcomed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to that city, and addressed by him in behalf of the commonwealth, in the council-chamber. The following is the closing paragraph of the governor's speech: "Brothers, I know the kindness with which you treat the strangers that visit your country, and it is my wish that, when you return to your families, you may be able to assure them that the virtues of friendship and hospitality are also practised by the citizens of Pennsylvania." He had before observed that the government had furnished every thing to make them comfortable during their stay at Philadelphia. This was on the 28th of March, 1792, and on the 2d of April following they again met, when Red-Jacket spoke in answer to the governor as follows:

"Brother, Onas* Governor, open unprejudiced ears to what we have to say. Some days since you addressed us, and what you said gave us great pleasure. This day the Great Spirit has allowed us to meet you again in this council-chamber. We hope that your not receiving an immediate answer to your address will make no improper impression upon your mind. We mention this, lest you should suspect that your kind welcome and friendly address has not had a proper effect upon our hearts. We assure you it is far otherwise. your address to us the other day in this ancient council-chamber, where our forefathers have often conversed together, several things

In

*Onas was the name the Indians gave William Penn, and they continue the same name to all the governors of Pennsylvania.

struck our attention very forcibly. When you told us this was the place in which our forefathers often met on peaceable terms, it gave us sensible pleasure, and more joy than we could express. Though we have no writings like you, yet we remember often to have heard of the friendship that existed between our fathers and yours. The picture to which you drew our attention brought fresh to our minds the friendly conferences that used to be held between the former governors of Pennsylvania and our tribes, and showed the love which your forefathers had of peace, and the friendly disposition of our people. It is still our wish, as well as yours, to preserve peace between our tribes and you, and it would be well if the same spirit existed among the Indians to the westward, and through every part of the United States. You particularly expressed that you were well pleased to find that we differed in disposition from the Indians westward. Your disposition is that for which the ancient Onas governors were remarkable. As you love peace, so do we also; and we wish it could be extended to the most distant part of this great country. We agreed in council, this morning, that the sentiments I have expressed should be communicated to you, before the delegates of the Five Nations, and to tell you that your cordial welcome to this city, and the good sentiments contained in your address, have made a deep impression on our hearts, have given us great joy, and from the heart I tell you so. This is all I have to say.'

When Red-Jacket had finished, another chief, called Agwelondongwas, (and sometimes Good-Peter,†) addressed the assembly. His speech is much in the style of Red-Jacket's, and was chiefly a repetition, in other words, of it. It was short, and contained this passage: "What is there more desirable than that we, who live within hearing of each other, should unite for the common good? This is my wish. It is the wish of my nation, although I am sorry I can't say so of every individual in it; for there are differences of opinion among us, as well as among our white brethren."

Since we have here introduced Dominie-Peter, we will so far digress as to relate what follows concerning him. He was one of those who took part against the Americans in the revolutionary war, and when hostilities commenced, he retired and joined the remote tribes towards Canada. Colonel John Harper, (one of the family from whom Harpersfield, New York, takes its name,) was stationed at the fort at Schorrie, in the State of New York. Early in the spring of 1777, in the season of making maple sugar, when all were on the look-out to avoid surprise by the Indians, Colonel Harper left the garrison and proceeded through the woods to Harpersfield, thence by an Indian path to Cherry-valley. In his way, as he was turning the point of a hill, he saw a company of Indians, who at the same time saw him. He dared not attempt flight, as he could expect no other than to be shot down in such attempt. He therefore determined to advance and

* A fine picture representing Penn's treaty with the Indians. † And often Dominie-Peter. 2 Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc. 74.

meet them without discovering fear. Concealing his regimentals as well as he could with his great-coat, he hastened onward to meet them. Before they met him, he discovered that Peter was their chief, with whom he had formerly traded much at Oquago, but who did not know him. Harper was the first to speak as they met, and his words were, "How do you do, brothers?" The chief answered, "Wellhow do you do, brother? Which way are you bound?" The colonel replied, "On a secret expedition. And which way are you bound, brothers?" They answered without hesitation or distrust, thinking, no doubt, they had fallen in with one of the king's men, "Down the Susquehanna, to cut off the Johnstone settlement." This place, since called Sidney Plains, consisted of a few Scottish families, and their minister's name was Johnstone, hence the name of the settlement. The colonel next asked them where they lodged that night, and they told him "At the mouth of Scheneva's Creek." After shaking hands, they separated. As soon as they were out of sight, Harper made a circuit through the woods with all speed, and soon arrived at the head of Charlotte river, where were several men making sugar. This place was about ten miles from Decatur hill, where he met the Indians. He ordered them to take each a rope and provisions in their packs, and assemble at Evan's Place, where he would soon meet them; thence he returned to Harpersfield and collected the men there, which, including the others and himself, made fifteen, just equal to Peter's force. When they arrived at Evan's Place, upon the Charlotte, Harper made known his project. They set off, and before day next morning came into the neighborhood of the Indians' camp. From a small eminence, just at dawn of day, their fire was seen burning, and Peter, amidst his warriors, lying upon the ground. All were fast asleep. Harper and his companions each crept silently up, with their ropes in their hands, man to man, and each standing in a position to grasp his adversary, waited for the word to be given by their leader. colonel jogged his Indian, and as he was waking, said to him, "Come, it is time for men of business to be on their way." This was the watchword, and no sooner was it pronounced, than each Indian felt the warm grasp of his foe. The struggle was desperate, though short, and resulted in the capture of every one of the party. When it was sufficiently light to distinguish countenances, Peter, observing Colonel Harper, said, "Ha! Colonel Harper! Now I know you! Why did I not know you yesterday?" The colonel observed, "Some policy in war, Peter." To which Peter replied, "Ah! me find em so now." These captives were marched to Albany, and delivered up to the commanding officer. By this capital exploit no doubt many lives were saved.

The

As has been noted, Red-Jacket died at his residence near Buffalo, on the 20th of January, 1830, aged about eighty years. In 1833, a grandson of his was chosen chief of the Senecas.

The famous Seneca chief, called the Farmers-Brother, is often mentioned in the accounts of Red-Jacket. His native name was Ho-na-ya-wus.