'.^^■ \^-}f^- :• ^^: ^ -*;*„■■ -V -'■ .-••>^^. -^ hJ^'ir ^.^.^ ^*r^ '* '-^c /■sr^ ■Vv,-^- ^^ '-^.. >^' ^f' r* ? _^V^ ^" 7 :i^:^ "^ 1 •-^.. >^ ., ^ i ■St., :?.: ', #: / 3ZSsn3 w in the ©itit of |Urtr ||ax*h r* t1 V(U RED JACKET. CANOGA OCT. 14, d89d. j7e.=^o. (7/^.,- ^n/. y/. UNVEILING OF THE MONUMENT ERECTED BY The Waterloo Library AND iSTORiCAL Society, AS A MEMORIAL OF RED JACKET, SA-GO-YA^WAT-HA. AT CANOGA. N. Y., - THE PLACE OF HIS BIRTH, OCTOBER 14. 1891- EDITED BY S. R. Wt:LLES. PREST W- L. (^ H- SOCIETY. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY. •^S'C-ii-'rr WATFKIOO OBSERVER rRIXriNG CO., 1892. •s?oS^ o v 3^84C6 ^.''?^ RED JACKET Sa-Go-Ya-Wat-Ua, From Stone's " Life of Red Jacket" we learn that several portraits of the Chief were made during the later years of his life. One by Mathies of Rochester in 1820, one by George Catlin and another by Henry Inman, " but the picture by Robert W. Weir, taken in 1828, at the request of Dr. JohnW. Francis," a copv of which appears in this publication, "is of far the highest order of merit and has become the standard likeness of the last of the vSeiieca Orators." UNVEILING OF THE'"^ MOMUMENT TO RED JACKET, C-u— -"l^ ^-^^^^^^^^^^ :-J INTRODUCTORY. With the opening of the second century of the national life, and combined and commingling' with the pride, the as- pirations and the hopes for the Future occasioned by that event, there came thought of the Past, and with it the con- viction that the nation in its dazzling, onward progress, had failed, in great measure, to record the story of the Republic's marvelous growth. History made had not been recorded — traditions had not been preserved — the names of those who had done much to lay strong and deep the foundation of the Republic were for- eotten. With the consciousness of neglect came an ac- knowledgement of the obligation to the century that had passed, and a proper appreciation of the value of its teachings. Gradually there sprang up a feeling of reverence for the Past, stimulating the inquiry: " How can the omissions be supplied?"' This newly arou.sed sentiment, 10 ' pontancoiis. pervasive, earnest, wrou^c^ht out the answer. It fostered the spirit of retrospection; it noted, as well as the dimness of distance would permit, the events and historical landmarks, which, like milestones on life's journey, marked the epoch's of the nation's progress. Animated by this spirit, organizations were formed for the gathering and ])reservation of local records and traditions. Too late, alas, for much of precious historv, but much was saved, and by the good accomplished, by the spirit of re- search generated, by the impulse given to the study of local history, they have justified their existence and proven their value. The Waterloo Historical vSociety has not been an ex- ception to the general rule. Its existence led to the endovv- ment of a library and to the erection of nn appropriate and imposing edifice for the reception of books and historical col- lections. The celebration of the Centennial of the Sullivan cam- paign against the Iroquois in 1779. suggested by, and accom- plished under the auspices of the Society, was an event re- nowned in the annals of Western New York, and the publica- tion, by the Society, of the full and complete history of the campaign contained in the address of the Rev. David Craft, of Wyalusing, Penn., delivered upon that occasion, was a most valuable contribution to Revolutionary history, and was afterward substantially reproduced by the State of New York in the publication of the "Records of the Sullivan Campaign." The village of Waterloo stands on the .site of Skoiyase, an Indian town of the Cavugas, which name, on the authoritv of Hon. Lewns H. Morgan in his " League of the Iroquois," signifies " Place of Whortleberries." In the journals of three of the officers attached to Sullivan's Army, the town is designated " Long Falls" or " Lirgi Falls." It was a fishing place greatly valued by the Cayugas, and at the treaty between the Cayugas and the State made at Albany, February 25, 1789, when certain portions of their lands were ceded to the vState " the fi.shing place in the Seneca river I I at or near a place called Skayes," was reserved.-'' Within the present limits of Seneca County nine Indian towns were de- stroyed by General Sullivan. The addition to this number, of the seven which shared the same fate on the western side of the vSeneca, and the eastern banks of the Cayuga lakes, makes an aggregate of sixteen villages wiped out of existence within a radius of twenty miles of Skoiyase, being more than one-third of the entire number destroyed during the Sullivan campaign. Among them were Kanadesaga, the capital of the vSeneca Nation and the residence of Sayenquenaghta, com- monly called Old Smoke, Choharo, noted for its salt springs, Cayuga Castle, the Capital of the Cayuga Nation, Skoiyase, and Skanayutenate located by Col. Dearborn, on Canoga Creek, probably the Ga-no-geh mentioned by Morgan in his " League of the Iroqucis." vSituated as is the Waterloo Library and Historical Society in the midst of a region replete with Indian associations and traditions, interest and investigation would naturally be at- tracted to the subject of Indian History. Tradition, in this locality had given to Canoga, [Skanayutenate,] the honor of be- ing the birthplace of Red Jacket, and in the summer of 1879, a committee of the Society under the direction of Gen. John S. Clark, of Auburn, N. Y., made an exploration of the lines of march through Seneca County of the Army of General Sul- livan, and the detachment of Col. Henry Dearborn, along the west shore of Cayuga lake. The question of Red Jacket's birthplace was also made a subject of investigation, and the report made by the committee *NoTE — At a subsequent treaty held at Cayuga Ferry, July 27, 1795, the Scoyes Reservation was ceded to the state, By an act passed by the Legisla- ture March 3, 1802, the Commissioners of the Land Office were directed to grant Letters Patent to John McKinstry for a certain lot of land in the town of Junius, Cayuga Co., called the Scoyes Reservation, provided that he execute a bond and Mortgage for the purchase money at the rate of $2.50 an acre payable in ten years with annual interest at six percent. The Patent is recorded Dec. 31. 1807. The land is described as "all that certain tract of land situate in the town of Junius, Seneca Co., known and distinguished by the name of the Cayu- ga Reservation at Scoyes or Scawyase, bounded on the south by the Seneca Rivcted. When it is con.sidered that from this spot, looking lake- ward one sees but a few yards distant a wild grape vine, an offshoot fnmi the same root, and growing on .the same .spot whence .sprang the vine which clung to the old sycamore under 13 which stood the wigwam where Red Jaelcet was born, it can be readily comprehended how gratefully the generous offer was accepted. The Society desires to place (m record, in passing, its grateftil acknowledgement that fnmi the inception of the work until its completion, it has received from the citizens of Canoga only kind interest and valuable aid in the promotion of the enterprise. The site for the mon ument now being definitely fixed, and a design adopted, pro- posals were at once solicited for its erection. Bids were re- ceived from several parties. The contract was aM^arded to Messrs. W. & J. Littlejohn, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., April 23d, 1 89 1. The Trustees of the vSociety acknowledge their in- debtedness to the contractors for the prompt and faithful ful- fillment of the contract, and the artistic execution of the work, as well as for the valuable suggestions made by them, the adop- tion of which added greatly to the beauty and perfection of the design. A public Ceremonial was decided upon and the 14th of October, 1891, named as the day for the unveiling of the monument. The Hon. W. C. Bryant, of Buffalo, kindly accepted an invitation to deliver the oration upon the occasion. Invitations thereto were issued to the Historical Societies throughout the vState, to officials and prominent citizens. To invitations sent to the Seneca Indians upon the Cattaraugus reservation and to the Cayugas upon the reservation near Brantford, Canada, favorable responses w-ere received and delegations promised. The reception of a large number of letters containing strong expressions of approval of the action which the vSociety had taken, and hearty sympathy with the spirit which prompted the movement, was a source of much gratification to the Trustees. 14 RECEPTION On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 13th, the Indian deputationvS from the Cattaraiii^ns reservation and fnjm Canada arrived at Waterloo and were met by a committee from the Society and escorted to the Towsley House, where ciuarLers had been assigned them. The delegations comprised tlie fol. lowing Chiefs. The English and Indian names and the translations are given: 0.\( (NUACA Cnih-F, Cauitdd. John Buck, [Shanawati,] Over the Swamp. Cayuga Chiefs, Canada. Jacob SilvervSmith, [Dutowakon,| Double Cold. William Henry, [ Hojokatek, | Fish Carrier. William Sandy, [Ongadaneten,] Hang tlie Lake. Thomas David, [Oonhyagwagen,| All the Sky. John Holt, I Daskahah,] Over Ten. James Styus, [Thastaji,] Mountain Rock. Interpreter. Skneca Cini:Fs, CaUaraitgus Reservation. NicholvSon H. Parker, [Ga-yen-twa-geh, | Corn Planter. Thomas Kennedy, [vSah-go-oh-gwahs, | He Claims Her. John jacket, | Sho-gyo-an-Jioh,] Holding the Earth. Wm. Jones, | Tho-na-so-wah,] Large Collection of vSand. Wm. Nephew, [Soh-no-Joh-wah,] Large Kettle. C^hester C. Lay, [Ilo-do-an-Jioh,] Bearing the Earth. Accompanying the Seneca delegation was Bethia May Parker, the grand-daughter of Chief Parker. A Reception in their honor had been arranged for the evening, and at .)ric?l vSociety to carry the enter- prise to its completion -are marred by one sad thought. Deeply do we mivSS the presence of one who, if living to-day- would be here with an overflowing heart of gladness at tlie consummation of his earnest longing for a monument at Red Jacket's birthplace. But noble, liberal minded, generous hearted Fred H. Furniss is no more; and we can but drop a tear and add a brief tribute to his memory. The Hon. Lewis H. Morgan, LL.D., in his " League of the Iroquois," published in 1851, a work which has become an ac- knowledged authority, states in the most positive terms that Red Jacket was born near Canoga, and in a letter written in 1878, states that the Seneca Indians always told him that their most famous orator was born there. In the spring of 1829 Red Jacket stopped over night at Waterloo en route to \Vashington. Before leaving Waterloo 29 he made a short speech in front of the hotel, in which he made this declaration : " I was born over there by the big spring," pointing- at the same time in the direction of Canoga. Col. H. F. Gustin and John C. Watkins. both late of Waterloo, listened to Red Jacket's remarks on this occasion, and gave substan- tially the same words as coming from him in regard to his birthplace. Garry V. Sackett, of vSeneca Falls, a life-long friend of Governor Seward, had a personal acquaintance with Red Jacket, and at Judge Sackett's request Red Jacket pointed out to him the spot where he was born near Canoga; and subsequentlv Judge Sackett purchased the ground, and declared his inten- tion to some day erect a monument the];e in honor of the il- lustrious Old Chief. Wm. H. Bogart, of Aurora, in his book of personal recol- lections and reminiscences entitled, " Who Go2S There," re- lates that Judge vSackett told him that when I^ed jacket was questioned as to his birthplace, he would answer, "One, two, three, four above John Harris' ,".bv which he-intended to .-aw four miles above the ferry house of John Harris, who kept a ferry at the foot of Cayuga Lake, where the famr.us old bridge stood. George B. Matthews, of Canoga, who had spent seventy five years of his life near this point, informed the committee t lat he was perfectly familiar with the location marked by Judge vSackett, and, in company with the Hon. Diedrich Wil- iers, he directed our party to the spot. It is about sixty rods northeast from the grist mill on the banks of the creek empty- ing into the Lake, and some rods west of the site of the In- dian town. The wigwain in which Red Jacket was born, ac- cording to Judge vSackett, stood directly beneath a svcamore tree, and was also sheltered by the tendrils of a wild grape vine. Mr. Matthews stated that before Judge Sackett's death some unknown party set fire to the sycamore tree and burned it to the ground. Mr. vSackett offered a reward of $500 for in- formation leading to the discovery of the party causing its de- struction. A wild grape vine thrives there to-day, an offshocjt of the original which sheltered the wigwam in which Red Jacket was born. Henry R. vSchoolcraft, the well known Indian historian, in his I'eport to the vSecretary of vState, 'being his " Notes on the Iroquois," on page 2 15, under date of Aurora, August 1845, amonof other memorandums, uses the foUowiiio- laneuaee: "Red Jacket was born on the opposite bank of the Lake at Canoga." Rev. David Craft, in the historical address delivered^ bv him at Waterloo on the occasion of the celebration of the cen- tennial of wSullivan's campaio-n, alluding to ('anoga, says, " It may be allowed me to say that as the birthplace of Red Jacket the great Iroquois orator, this point (Canoga) must possess peculiar interest to the antiquarian and the student of Indian history." The foregoing is very positive, and in ordinary cases would be entirely conclusive, that Canoga was the birthplace of Red Jacket. Fortunately there is' additional and mo.st con- clusive testimony. In the spring of 1821 an Indian woman, accused of being a witch, was tried by the Indians, convicted and condemned to death. A Seneca Chief, Tommy Jemmy, carried out the exe- cuti'm by cutting her throat. For this he was arrested and tried at Buffalo, and many of the leading vSencca Chiefs, in- cluding Red Jacket, were examined as witnesses. In the course of his direct examination Red Jacket was asked, "How old are you ? " Answer — I don't know, but my mother told me that when Fort Niagara was captured from the French by the British I was just big enough to crawl around the floor." -::- -;v- -::- ]-^g 2^;[gQ Stated at the same time, and on the same authority, that he was born at Canoga, on the west bank of Cayuga lake, where his parents were encamped on a fish- ing excursion." Surely this testimony as to his birthplace is strong enough to convince even 'the most prejudiced mind. Here was Red Jacket, in the midst of the greatest excitement that existed among his people, calm, cool and collected, and acting with so much caution as to be war}^ in his answers to tlie questions that were put to him. to such a degree that not the slightest advantage could be taken of him to the discredit of his evidence. He was in the full vigor of his mind, with all his senses acute to every turn of the trial; and at no time of his life could he have been more himself than he was on this occasion. Drake says: "Before Red Jacket was admitted to give evidence in the case he was asked if he believed in future re- wards and punishments and the existence of a God. With a piercing look into the face of his interrogator, and with no little indignation of expression he replied: " Ves, much more than the white men if we are to judge by their actions." On his cross-examination he was asked what rank he held in the na- tion, and, says Col. vStone " he answered with a contemptous sneer," "Look at the papers which the wliite people keep the 31 most carefully, (meaning the treatie.-; ceding their land 5,) they will tell you what I am. Daring the cour.i^ of the trial, while yet on tlie witness stand perceiving that tlie subject of witch- craft was being ridiculed, he suddenly said : " What ! do you denounce us as fools and bigots because we still believe that which vou yourselves believed two centuries ago? Your black coats thundered this doctrine from the pulpit, your judges pronounced it from the bench and sanctioned it with the formalities of law, and you would now punish our unfor- tunate brother for adhering to the faith of his fathers and vours. Go to Salem, look at the records of your own govern- ment, and you will find that hundreds have been executed for the very crime which has called forth the sentence of con- demnation against this woman, and drawn down upon her the arm of vengeance. What have our brothers done more tlian 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 command of the Great Spirit." " The appearance of Red Jacket," says Col. Stone, wdien delivering this sarcastic Philipic, " w^as noted as remarkable, even for him." When fired with indignation the expression of his eve was terrible, and when he chose to display his powers of irony, wdiich were rarely excelled, the aspect of his keen, sarcastic glance was irresistible. Inasmuch as Red Jacket's father was a Cayuga, (although, according to Indian custom, he derived his rank as a Seneca, of the wolf clan, from his mother), it is very natural that his parents should be at the fishing grounds of the Cayugas, at Canoga, a t that time. The oration by Hon. AV. C. Br3'ant, of Buffalo; a scholar- Iv production, masterly in its grasp and sympathetic in its treatment of the subject followed. Its publication will be cordially welcomed by literary men as a valuable contribu- tion to Indian literature. 32 \\ WILLIAM c. i;R\A.\r jMr. President, Ladies and (xentlemen: — The history of any country, discovered and settled by Arj-an peoples, would he incomplete without some account of the indigenous races whom they met and displaced, Fortunately, so far as our own continent is concerned, the materials for writino; that interesting and pathetic chapter are copious, and readily ac- cessible. It may be doubted, however, whether the historian himself is yet vSufhciently projected out of the distorting mists of prejudice and passion, which the struggle engendered, to do justice to the untutored natives who can furnisli no chron- iclers of their own to record their wrongs, celebrate their virtues, and lament their cruel fate. In New England, despite the kindly reception accorded the Pilgrim fathers by the red men, the latter soon grew to be regarded by the growing colonists as heathen outcasts, de- servinof no kinder consideration than that which the ancient inhabitants of Canaan received at the hands of the followers of Joshua. At the close of a bloody and lurid revolt, in which their council fires were quenched in blood, their cabins con- verted into funeral pyres, the wife and children of their slain Sachem, King Philip, were transported and sold as slaves to the West Indies. Everywhere the same pitiful story is rehearsed. The scene of the event is a majestic and shadowy land in the new world, the heritaofe of a native race of hunters and fishermen who are but little advanced beyond the stone age. Acute of intellect, symmetrical in form, and lofl\- in mien, beyond most savages, it wT)uld seem that there was re- served for them, in God's good time, a happy and prosperous career amonu" the enlightened nations of the earth. But that was not to be. Pale men, feeble in number, and fleeing from religious oppression in their native land, across the great waters, seek and arc granted an asylum among these 3} generous barbarians, and the new land seems by common consent consecrated to holy freedom and brotherly love. Soon, as the intruders wax strong- and grow covetous, thev do not disguise their contempt for their savage neigh- bors and begin to regard them in the light of an obstruction or nuisance. Wanton insults and injustice follow, and are met in return by violent acts of reprisal. A bloody revolt ensues, certain to be stamped out by the well armed borderers with pitiless severity. A desperate war succeeds. It can have but one issue for the red men. The survivors, a peeled and shattered people, are driven from their ancestral seats in- to distant wilds, which, ultimately, as the pale face settlements expand, furnish a theatre for a like dismal tragedy. The poor Indians needed Christian, or humane treatment, wise tutelage, gentleness, kindness, justice. All these were denied them; so the path of the hunted red men across the continent was sprinkled with tears and crimsoned with blood. The opening chapter in the history of our new world communities is mainly confined to a recital of the frenzied efforts of the brave, but ill armed Indians, to preserve their ancient inheritance. With grim irony, the early white his- torians strive to heap upon the victims of their cupidity, every species of ignominy, while lauding unstintedly their own patriotic and Christian valor. So far as the average families, or tribes of the red men can be said to have left their impress upon the future, or des- tinv of the colonies, little more may be added; unless the bit- ter curse which the survivors hurled behind them, in their flight, shall eventually blight the land which witnessed their humiliation and despair. But one exception to this wide generalization is to be not 2d, and that instance refers to the confederacy of the Iro- quois, or Five Nations. Let us give a brief glance at this rude buthi.storic race, its origin and genius, and what it did to stamp the plastic material of what was to become the ma- jestic empire of the new world; in which, however, thee gifted barbarians were doomed to share no portion, either of substantial weal, or evanescent glory. An unlettered people, the Iroquois had no annals. Only by the dim light of tradition, — tales repeated over their cabin fires through unnumbered generations. — can we gather, though dimly, the salient points of their ante-Columbian his- torv. Some hundreds of vears ago, before tlie white winircd 34 bark of the renowned Genoese was deseried on the horizon (jf the Atlantic, a little native band of stranj^e and unknown stock, dwelt near the present sites of Quebec and ^Montreal, surrounded far and wide by Alo-onquin tribes with whom they were in a clironie state of irritation. At that time they were but one feeble nation, and may be designated as the Huron, or Huron-Iroquois family. In course of time they in- creased in numbers until they aroused the jealousy of the surrounding tribes. A struggle ensued, characterized bv the usual ruthlessness of Indian contests, and which resulted in the discomfiture and expulsion of the Hurons. The sur- vivors, to escape extermination, fled in their birchen canoes; ascending the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, and coasting its eastern shore to the mouth of the Oswego river, thev entered, through this channel, the central parts of New York. Here, for a, time, the wanderers found repose and an opportunity to recuperate. They increased; and from the parent tribe sent forth new^ sw^arms, the nuclei of independent though kindred nations, afterwards to be known by the French sobriquet, the Iroquois, and by the English, the Five Nations. '- The immigrants, w4th an Indian's keen sense of the bounties of nature, apportioned among the nascent tribes of Mohawks, Onondagas, and Senecas, and their budding off- shoots, the Oneidas and Cayugas, broad belts of fertile terri- tory, spangled with crystal lakes and embroidered, and inter- woven wnth laughing streams, which led to the heart of a con- tinent. These shaded and full brimmed rivers murmured a prophesy of future conquest and glory to the exiled and brooding w-arriors. In time, separations produced estrangement and mutual jealousies. The different cantons were not onlv at war with their old Algonquin enemies, but frequently embroiled with each other. Their villages became fortified camps, laborious- ly intrenched and palisaded, with the aid of the clumsy im- plements of the stone age. How long the five kindred, but independent tribes, remained isolated and estranged is un- certain. Tradition affirms that the situation increased in peril and gave occasion to grave and manifold discussion. The Mohicans, a powerful Algonquin people, whose settle- ments stretched eastward from the Hudson into New Eng- land, waged a desperate war against them. A greater peril *N'oTE. — I do not speak here of the fragfrnents of the Hurons who took up their abode in ()ntario, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania. 03 b:i.set them from within. The central Nation, the Onondag-as, were then imder the control of a dreaded chief po^se.s::>ed of an immitigably satanic nature, known as the .Vtotaharo. The Indian mythoiogy depicts him as adorned with a crest of writhing serpents. There was at this time in the same na- tion, a chief of high rank, whose name was Hiawatha, or, translated into English, " He who seeks the Wampum Belt." Longfellow, relying for his auth'^rity upon the inventive vSchoolcraft, has absurdly wrenched this heroic name from its true place in aboriginal history, and bestowed the honor of his birth and lineage upon the far western Algonquins. He was a man past middle age, and was greatly esteemed for his wisdom and benevolence. He had long beheld with grief the misery which afflicted not only his own nation, but all the other tribes around them, through the continual wars in which they were engaged; and the hTisgovernment and sorrows which followed in their train. .After long meditation, he liad elaborated in his mind the scheme of a vast confederation which should insure universal pea.e. It was not to be a loose and transitory league, but a permanent government. While each nation was to retain its own council, and the man- agement of its internal affairs, the national control was to be lodged in a federal senate, composed of representatives elected by each nation; holding office during good behavior, and ac- knowled as ruling Sachems throughout the w^hole Confeder- acy. It is affirmed by the Iroquois chroniclers that his aim embraced the whole Indian family, which he sought to usher into a reign of universal peace. Hiawatha, with his snowy garniture of wampum, and Atotaharo, with his crest of .ser- pents, represented, perhaps, in the mythology of this imagina- tive people, the two warring elements of good and evil. Naturally the reformer's first endeavor was to enli-st his own nation in the cause. Accordingly he .summoned a meeting of the Onondaga Chiefs and warriors, who as:^embled in a large concour.se; but Hiaw^atha's eloquence was in vain. The malign appxrition of Atotaharo awed and chilled the assem- blage. DcS miring, after persistent effort, and at the immi- nent ri.sk of his life, to win his tribesmen over to his views, against the virulent opposition of their ruler, he determined to abandon his own nation, and appeal to the other cantons. With this intent he wrapt his blanket about him, and, pai'suing his pilgrimage, in a few days, came within sight of the paliWded capital of the Mohawk Sachem, DeKaniwita. 36 Here the voluntary exile paused on the shore of a lonely little lake to gather up and string into necklaees, handfuls of the minute white shells which bestrewed its sands, and which he disposed about his neck and breast as a token of his peaceful intentions. Soon word reached the JMohawk ruler that a benignant and solitary stranger, whose bosom was whiter than driftino- snow, tarried on the outskirts of the village; and forthwith messengers were dispatched to invite him to De- Kaniwita's lodge. Here the exile found a kindly welcome, nor was the wise and mild ruler of the Mohawks long in an- nounciuij; his conversion to the views of his honored guest. The adhesion of the Mohawk nation having been se- cured, DeKaniwita despatched Embassadt^rs to the nearest tribe, the Oneidas, to lay the project before them. In the course of a twelve month, with the usual Indian dcliberale- ress, the Oneidas yielded. A'n other effort was then made to secure the adhesion of the redoubtable Atotaharo, and was again coldly repulsed. Not yielding to discouragement, the adv^ocates of peace journeyed through the woods to the Cayuga capital, where they met the forest senate of a people, described by the Jesuit ^lissionaries as the most mild and tractable of the Iroquois. This tribe proved complaisant, and readily consented to join the proposed league. Their chief, Akahonyonk, " the wary spy," joined the IMohawk and Oneida representatives and set out as a new Embassy to the Onon- dagas. Bv dint of flattery and concessions, gratifying to the haughty pride of Atotaharo, that vSachem was at last induced, or we might say compelled, to give his adhesion to the scheme. These concessions in voh-ed the primacy of Atota- haro and the Onondaga nation, — their chief town should be the site of the council fire of the confederation, — the nation should be represented by fourteen senators, while no other nation should have more than ten; and Atotaharo should be the presiding Sachem with two high chiefs to attend him and do his bidding. To guard against the abuse of power, a provision was, however, incorporated into their unwritten constitution. to the efl^ect, that absolute unanimity of the Sachems, repre- senting collectively the Five Nations, should be essential to the validity of every enactment affecting the league; so that in national affairs each sachem of the league possessed the right of veto. The adhesion of the remaining nation, the Senecas, was, with the added and all-iiowerful influence of the Onoii- J)/ daga Sachem, speedily obtained. If these statesmen of the stone age had paused here, the result would have been a confederacy, or compact, which, sub- jected to any unusual or severe strain, would have proven a rope of sand. The futility of such experiments has been often demonstrated. How to preserve the autonomy of the several nations, and yet weld their elements into one indis- soluble whole, was the problem which confronted Hiawatha, Dekaniwita and Atotaharo. In the elementary stages of Society, the family ties as- sert themselves most strongly; the laws which seek to bind men in wider and more complex relations having little force, and being but vaguely comprehended. Thi.; law givers of the stone age knew no better method to bind the people of the different cantons together than by the ties of blood and family relationship; and no better method could have been devised for that period. The gens, or family groups, among the several nations, were divided into three tribal subdivis- ions, — the Turtle, Wolf and Bear,— and distributed throughout the five separate nations. So that, for instance, every IMohawk Wolf was accounted a brother to the Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca Wolves; And so with the totems of the Bear and Turtle. The Deers, Snipes, Herons, Hawks, etc., appear to have been a later creation, or, most probablv, were introduced with the masses of captives from conquered tribes. To intermarr}^ into the same tribe would con.stitute a re- volting example of incest. Their wives must belong to differ- ent trib'js from the husbands. The children belonged to the tribe of the mother. Brothers and sisters were of different tribes, extending throughout the whole league; and so it came to pass that you could not wound a iSIohawk Wolf, Tur- tle or Bear vvithout causing a common nerve-thread to twinge and throb throughout the bounds of every nation. In this wav the hearts of the people were knit together, and such a thing as tribal or national jealousy and estrangement became impossible. Blood was thicker than water. The Iroquois nations fused together in 1450, became a homogeneous peo- ple, preserving their political autonom^y as States; with dis- tinct territorial limits; governed by separate local chieftains; managing their internal affairs without interference, and having a" prescribed number of grand, hereditary Sachems who were members of and entitled to a potential voice in the 38 supreme parliament of the nation at lar^-e. There has- been a o^reat miseoneeption reg-arding the status of women in the Ir()([uois eonfederacy. When we have to admit, what is an undeniable fact, that the ehildren belonged to the tribe of the mother, and that she had the undis])ULed right to them; that the ownership of the home, and the lands surrounding it, was conceded to her; that the chief matron had the exclusive prerogative to nominate the principal chief- tains; and that the women were invested with authoritv to select an orator to champion their interests, and to express their views in the legislature of the nation, what reason have we, proud Caucasians, to bjast of our superior chivalry, as evidenced bv our treatment of the weaker sex? Nor did Hiawatha, and his fellow legislators, omit any precautions, permissible in that rude age, to prevent a re- lapse, or falling away from their teachings. Their whole scheme, the titles of their fifty grand sachems, with the lead- ing incidents attending the birth of the league, accompanied by impressive warnings and many sound maxims of polity and morality, were incorporated into rude verse, and required to be chanted as a kind of ritual whenever the Iroquois la- mented the death of a Sachem, and selected another in his place. The manual of rites, prepared by Hiawatha, is called in their language the Great Peack, and is still sung or re- cited by the more conservative Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Mohawks, and by a few among the other nations. Soon after, when, by the influence of the British (xovern- ment. Missionaries of the National church were sent to the Mohawks, the sagacious Indians employed them, as they be- came masters of the Indian tongue, to commit to writing these Iroquois Vedas. Tradition affirms that Chief David, or Captain Da\-id of Schoharie, was the interpreter. I have sought to catch a glimpse, out of the darkening past, of this ancient warrior. I know that he was a gallant chieftain, -strange to sav the owner of a numl)er of negro slaves, -an attached friend and relative of Brant, the kind inaster of the captive, jasper Parrish, whom he adopted as his son, -and a man remarkable for his humane instincts. Permit me to give you a pen and ink sketch which will show you wdiat an Iroquois Chief was like in the earlier days of Red jacket. The writer was a young ICnglish lad\' wlio followed in the 39 train of the ill-fated Irish patriot, Lord Fitzgerald, son of the Duke of Leinster, and who visited Brant's Mohawks in Can- ada, after their exile in the war of the revolution. " I was very much struck with the frgures of these Indians as thev approached. They w^ere tall and finely made, and walk with a dignity and grace you can form no idea of. Our beaux looked quite insignificant beside them. One man re- cilled to m/ mind the description of one of Homer's hen^es. I \va- told he was a Chief of distinction, and spoke English, and that if I pleased, he should be introduced to me. I had some curiosity to see how a Chief of the Six Nations would pay his compliments, but little did I expect the elegance with which he addressed me. The Prince of Wales does not bow with more grace than Capt. David.* He spoke English with propriety, and returned all the compliments paid him with ease and politeness. As he was not only the handsomest, but the best dressed man I ever saw, I will endeavor to describe him. His person is tall and fine as it is possible to imagine, his fea- tures hand.some and regular; with a countenance of much soft- ness; his complexion is not disagreeably dark; and I really be- lieve he washes his face, for it appeared perfectly clean and free from paint. His hair was shaved off, except a little on the top of his head, to which his ornaments were fastened; and his head and ears were painted a glowing red. Round his head was fastened a fillet of highly polished silver. From the left temple hung two straps of black velvet covered with silver beads and broaches. On the top of his head was placed a fox-tail feather, which bowed to the wind, as did two black ones, one in each ear. A pair of immense ear-rings, which hung below his shoulders, completed his head dress, which, I as.sure vou, was not unbecoming, though, I must confess, somewhat fantastical. His dress was s shirt of colored calico, — the neck and shoulders covered so thick with silver broaches as to have the appearance of a net, and his sleeves were much like those the ladies wore when I left England, fastened about the arm with a broad bracelet of highly polished silver, engraved with the arms of England,; four smaller bracelets around his wri.sts, of the .same material; and round his waist a large scarf of very dark colored stuff, lined with scarlet, which hung to his feet. One part of this scarf he generally drew over his left arm, which had a very graceful effect when he moved. And his legs were covered with blue "XoTi'",. — The " tirst srenlleman in Euroj^e." cloth, made to tit neatly, with an ornamental garter bound be- k)\v the knee." "I know not what kind of a being your imagination pre- sents to you, but I sincerely declare that, altogether, Capt. David made the finest appearance that I ever saw in my life." This would seem like a school girl's effusive enthusiasm, did we not remember how a sight of the yotmg JNIohawk Apollos once kindled the imagination of Sir Joshua Reynolds. The far-reaching foresight of I liawatha and Dekaniwita soon became manifest. The jealousies which distracted the different cantons were put to slumber, and in their place sprang a feeling of nationality, pride and confidence. The old circu- lar intrenchments were suffered to fall to decay; a rr.mpart (^f strong arms and loyal hearts took their place, and the , Capital of Onondaga, whither their Sachems and warriors wended from all parts of the country, to legislate for the common weal, became an object of lively interest and loval pride. The Indians became more and more imbued with the love of letiis- lation. Oratory, as a means of influencing legislation, be- came an object of assiduous cultivation, and the People-of-the- Long-House, grew to be a quick witted, alert and eloquent race of orators and statesmen. The new Federal ofovern- ment, with its peculiar blending of oligarchy, democratic ele- ments and interwoven tribal ties, begot a marvelous, awaken- ing energy that w\as unknown to all the other tribes. The Ho-de-no-sawn-ee became literally; among their fellow-bar- barians, what they vaunted themselves, the On-gue-hon-we, or, " People surpassing all others;" as Parkman characterized them, they were "the Indians of Indians." The early Jesuits not inaptly termed them the " ko.ma.xs OF THE WEST." A comparison of their crania with average specimens of other tribes, obtained by Morton and others, attest their striking superiority in intellectual power. If, as many of the Iroquois affirm, the founder of the con- federacy aimed to put an end to warfare among the Indian tribes, and to enfold them all in his expansive and beneficent system, he failed deplorably to achieve that result. The mili- tary ardor and love of conquest which the League inspired and nurtured, proved irrepressible. Hut to fragments of con- quered nations, and in a few rare instances, to whole tribes, like the Tuscaroras and Tuteloes, the doors of the Long House were hospitably swung open. The waste of war was replen- ished liy the ademption of captives. 41 With this i^rowing sense of power, memories of humilia- tions tamely submitted to when they dwelt on the St. Law- rence, at the hands of the Adirondacks; stinging recollections of insults and wrongs inflicted by the Mohicans, Delawares, the separated Hurons and other tribes, arose like wrathful ghosts, demanding expiation. The Iroquois entered upon a career of conquest which embraced a continent, and this path- way was marked with fire and blood. Had our aboriginal predecessors confined their martial ardor to subduing foes of their own race, the result would not have perceptibly affected the future of this continent. It was fated that the Iroquois should be a most potent factor in de- termining which of the two great competing civilizations, French or English, should rule the continent. The causes which led to French colonization in America were widely dif- ferent from those which impelled her great rival. The French movement was encouraged by the government with all the resources it could spare from other ambitious enterprises; the masterful and tremendous enginery of the Jesuits was en- listed on its .side; it had the ardent sympathy of the nobility and educated classes. It enlLsted all the chivalnms, romantic and adventurous elements of Young France. Its patron was, in fact, the Knight-errant of the European nations. The English colonies, as is well known, were planted to escape the tyranny of a Cjovernment, from whom they received ill-grudged recognition, until the fruits of their frugality and patient toil, amid the most di.scouraging environment, .sug-- gested to the parent government the fatal blunder of taxing the colonies and yet withholding from them the privilege of representation; a mistake which deprived England of her proudest jewel, and led to the establishment of the great republic. When the English were confined to a few colonies, having little cohesive power, and few ties of sympathy, — Puritan and Cavalier, Dutch and Scotch-Iri.sh, — France had already mapped out a gigantic dominion stretching from the ice locked regions around Hudson's Bay to the tepid waters of the Mexican Gulf . Her tireless explorers and hardy voyageurs were ascending the principal rivers, seizing every avenue leading to the rich fur trade; erecting forts and planting the tri-color at the most commanding points. Her missionaries, animated by a relig- ious fervor that no peril or hardship could damp, were plant- ing" the cross in the most forbidding and inaccessible regions. intent on winning souls to God and loyal subiec's to la lelle France. The prixe seemed an easy conquest tO the enterpris- ing and gallant French; but, with all their proverbial astute- ness, they had left out of their calculation one verv im])ortant factor, — the Confederacy of the Iroquois. " Samuel de Cham- plain," says Parkman, " has been fitly called the Father of New France. In him were embodied her religious zeal and roman- tic spirit of adventure. Before the close of his career, purged of heresy. New France t(jok the posture which she held to the day of her death, — in one hand the crucifix, in the other, the sword." Cham plain committed a gigantic blunder. In \Cog, Champlain, having ascended through the lake which n(>w bears his name, into Lake (jeorge, accompanied by the ancicnr enemies of the Iroquois, the Adirondacks, fell in with a party of the Mohawks, numbering about two hundred, and an en- gagement ensued between them on the western shore of the lake. This was the first battle between the Iroquois and the Europeans, and the first time the former heard the sound of fire arms, by the marvelous power of which thev were then easily vanquished. The French having allied ihtmselves with the Adirondacks and Hurons, giving them arms and assist- ance, a vspirit of hatred was aroused against them which never ceased to burn until the final subjugation of Canada by the English in 1760. The Adironracks were the old oppressors of the Iroquois, — the Hurons, were a numerous and sedentary nation, kindred but hostile to the Iroquois, living in what is now known as the peniuvsula of Ontario, and the peculiar ob- jects of the Jesuits care. " As the rival colonies of France and England were for many years equally balanced." remarks Dr. Morgan. " the enmity and power of the Hodenosawnce were sufficient to turn the scale against the former. To this Indian League, France must chiefly ascribe the final over- throw of her magnificent schemes for colonization in North America." During the same period, or rather from about the year 1640 to the year 1 740.a constant warfare was maintained between the Irocpiois and the French, interrupted oeca.sionally by negotia- tions and brief intervals of peace. The French settlements were in a constant state of siege and alarm. The fur trade upon which the prosperity of the colony depended was eontinuallv inter- rupted. The war cry of the savages rang through all the arches of the woods; their canoes lurked in o\-er\' inarshv 43 covert, and darted fn^m out every sedgy brink. A wild screech, a flight of feathered arrows, or ringing report of musketry, and the mischief was done; a few bleeding scalps a few agonized captives. On both sides, red and white, re- taliation, cruelty, treachery. Attempts were made on both sides to arrest this slaughter and usher in a reign of peace. Parkman relates an affecting incident of an Onondao^a Chief named Scadwati, who was lured by the French Indians to visit the French country; he accepted their overtures of friend- ship, and finally established in behalf of his nation, with great rejoicing and high solemnities, terms of peace. Learn- ing soon afterwards that while his own nation proved true, their allies, the Mohawks and Senecas, refused to be bound by the treaty, in mortification and chagrin he deliberately took his own life. One of Scadwati's two colleagues had set out for Onondaga with a deputation of six Hurons. This partv was met by a hundred ]\Iohawks, who captured them all and killed the six Hurons, but spared the Onondaga, and compelled him to j'un them. Soon after they made a sudden onset on about three hundred Hurons journeying through the forest from the town of St. Ignace; and, as many of them were women, they routed the whole party, and took forty prisoners. The Onondaga bore part in the fray, and captured a Chris- tian Fluron girl; but the next day he insisted on returning to the Huron town. " Kill me if you will I " he said to the Mo- hawks, " but I cannot follow you; for then I should be asham.ed to appear among my countrymen, who sent me on a mes.sage of peace to the Hurons; and I must die with them, sooner than to seem to act as their enemy." On this, the Mohawks not only permitted him to go, but gave him the Huron girl whom he had taken; and the Onondaga led her back in safetv to her own countrymen. " Here then," exclaims Parkman. •' is a ray of light out of Egyptian darkness. The principle of honor was not extinct in these wild hearts." The desolatinof war went on. At one time as manv as eight hundred warriors attacked Frontenac, a strono-hold on the site of Kingston, and dCvStroyed and laid waste the sur- rounding settlements. In July of the ensuing year, about 1689, a band of 1,200 Iroquois struck a blow at Montreal, from which the French never recovered. Time will not here per- mit us to survev the long: and bloodv contest lasting for over a century, in which the Iroquois sought to cripple the power or conquer the dominion of Xcw France. 44 Parkman, ^^iorgan and other writers have attempted to do justice to these rude but loyal allies of England. At a critical period, Count Frontenac became for the second time Governor of Canada; and, during the short resi- due of his life, devoted himself, with untiiinir eneruv, to re- storing its declining prosperity. The Iroquois, though un- conquered, suffered severely from the blows inflicted by this energetic and able ruler. Every school boy remembers Garangula's speech, and the circumstances which gave rise to it; how the boastful French Governor, General de La Barre, with a powerful army, in- vaded the Iroquois country, to chastise or crush the exaspera- ting Iroquois. How, when he arrived at a striking distance, his army was attacked and made helpless by fever. Flow, in this crippled condition, he summoned the Onondaga vSachems to meet him in council; and how. when thcv had obeyed the summons, he scolded them lustily, particularly for ill-using tlic Indian allies of the French, and threatened dire vengence un- less they repented and did better in the future. During the delivery of his harangue, Garangula sat silent and attentive, his eyes fixed upon the bowl of his pipe When the interpreter had ceased, he rose, walked gravely two or three times around the lines of the assembly, then stopped before the Governor, looked steadih- athim, stretched out histawnv arm, and uttered himself as follows: " Gnondio, I honor you, and all the warriors who are with me honor you. Your interpreter has ended his speech and I now begin mine, listen to my words. " Gnondio, when you left Quebec, you must have thcught that the heat of the sun had burned the forests that make our country inaccessible to the French, or that the lake had over- flowed them so that we could not escape from our villages. " You must have thought so, Onondio, and curiosity to see such a fire, or such a flood, must have brought you to tliis place. Now your eyes are opened; for I and my warriors have come to tell you that the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas and Mohaws are all alive. I thank \ ou in their name for bringing back the calumet of peace whicli they gave to your predecessors; and I give you joy that you have not. dug up the hatchet which has been so often red with the blood of your countrymen. Listen. Onondio, I am not asleep. My eyes are open; and bv the sun that gives us light I see a great captain at the head of a band of soldiers, who talk^ like 45 a man in a dream, I see that he came to knock us on the head if so many of his Frenchmen were not too weak to fight. I see Onondio raving in a camp of sick men whose lives the Great Spirit has saved by smiting them with disease. Our women had snatched war clubs, and our children and old men seized bows and arrows to attack your camp, if our warriors had not restrained them, and your messenger, Akouessan, appeared in our village. " We were born free; we depend neither on Onondio nor Corlear. We may go where we please, and carry with us whom we please, and buy and sell what we please. If your allies are your slaves or children, treat them like slaves or children, and forbid them to deal with anybody but vour Frenchmen." The earlier speeches of Red Jacket, in lofty pride and elevation, and in biting sarcasm, reminds us of Garaneula. The former, however, when the dark clouds began to brood over his nation, mingled the most touching pathos with the irony and invective so natural to him. The tiine had arrived at last for the final encounter, or death struggle, between the French and English powers in America.* Its opening was not propitious to England. A fatal imbecility characterized her military leaders abroad, —the sure reflection of a torpid and corrupt adminis- tration at home. France was fortunate in having at the head of her Atnerican forces a brilliant Captain, the Marquis de Montcalm. That loyal, heroic race, the Iroquois, which had stood a wall of fire between the English colonies and their Gallic foes, keeping the French at bay until the the young English giant had grown virile and strong, — had spent itself in many a bloody contest. The war of 1755 went on, Mont- calm winning new victories, new prestige, while England's course in America seemed approaching an ignominious end. Suddenlv, a change like a lightning flash! A statesman, named Pitt, brilliant, electric, with calm equipoise and teles- copic vision, is at the helm. A new life stirs England. A new leader, — a dying yet dauntless young man, Wolf, organ- izes and leads her armies to victory. A battle of the Titans follows, and England's victory, France's defeat, is sealed with the hearts blood of both the great rival leaders. Wolf and Montcalm. America is saved for its august and beneficent destinv. To whom was the inestimable service due? A few months since, I stood on the plains of Abraham, 46 near the eitadel of (Quebec, on Lhc sile of that final, -jvcr- memorable contest. A noble granite shaft, erected by the Eno-lish, generously commemorates the glory of both victor and vanqiiished, Wolf and ^lontcalm. No one can view that monument, and ponder its lessons, without emotion. Another monument erected by the French, publishes, in the speech of old Gaul, the legend, "Honor to Montcalm; Destiny, in de- priving him of \'ictorv, compensated him with a glorious death." The place seemed hushed, holv, and consecrated to the heroic dead. I cast my eyes around, expecting, hoping, to see some slight token of grateful recognition,— .scmie modest mcnKnial to the ancient lords of the continent, — the rude but generous warriors of the League of the Iroquois. But no, the braves had noiselessly vanished, and. a]-i\ar- entlv, left on the sands no print of their moccasins. But little more remains to be told. New France was en- gulfed in disaster, but she left a virile, prolific race stranded on the St. Lawrence, and which to-day is a .standing menace to Enirlish rule in America. In the meantime, another strug- gle was impending in which the Grand Monarque had little concern. It related to the mother country and her revolted colonies. That mother, with her usual eager selfi.shness, be- sought the aid of tomahawk and scalping knife from her wasted red children. The latter, influenced by their Sachem, the Old King, had entered upon a marvelous career of pro- gress, and were disinclined to again take up the hatchet. Partly by cajolery, and partly by treachery, but all in loyalty and honor, the Indians allowed themselves to be entrap]X'd into the contest, only to be deserted in the end by their cruel allies. a\ few fled to Canada, — a larger number remained here, and made peace with the Yankees, but on terms which they failed to comprehend, and which proved in the end false and illusory. Their once proud independence, and their lordly heritaire were both gone forever. The haughtv Irociuois were no longer lords but vassals. They were permitted to return to their ancient haunts by the grace of Washington, but humiliated and despairing. The greatest of the Iroquois, -greater than Gaiangula, Connestoga or the Old Kino- returned with them, and to the dav of his death remained to counsel, cheer and protect his ]KM)plc. The last of his peerless raee, The Iroquois of Iroquois, ^vith a front like Jcn^e, a brow which has been likened to that of Shakespeare, endowed with matchless eloquence, dauntless courag^e, undvinc^ patriotism, he spent a long- life in unavail- ino" efforts to preserve the nationality and inheritance of his people. He died despairingly, believing that after his de- parture the " craft and avarice of the white man would pre- vail," and that his doomed people would not long survive. His gloomy prophecy is fast approaching its fulfilment. Do we' of the pale race, who have succeeded to the red min's heritage; who fill the space where he once roamed from sea to sea; who boast so much of what, after all, was purchased by his blood and valor; while we carelessly drive our plow- shares over his neglected grave, — do we need to apologize to our descendants for rearing this white stone to the memory of THE LAST OF THK IkOOUOIS? The presence of Hon. Thcs. M. Howell, of Canandaigua, upon the occasion of the dedication was a source of much grat- irication to the Trus, ees of tne Society. Upon invitation of the Chairman Mr. Ho vvell made a brief address congratulating and commending the vSociety upon the praiseworthy work ac- complished by it in the erection of the memorial to the re- nowned orator. It had been his privilege to know and listen to the unique chief and to see him dressed in his red jacket and wearing his large silver medal presented him by Gen. Washington. He n counted many pleasant reminiscences and anecdotes of Red Jacket, which, it is to be regretted, were not reported. Speaking of the site of the monument he said: " No more appropriate wild and romantic location within the territorv inhabited by the Six Nations could have been selected for the location of a monument to perpetuate the memorv of the historic Indian Chief." He also stated that he had personally interviewed several Chiefs, and had got from them — as he had, in writing, before obtained from Gen. Ely S. Parker — the true spelling and pn^iunciation of Red Jacket's Ir dian narr.e, thus: " Sa-(;()VA-\\ A'1-la." 4'^ Upon the conclusion of Judge Howell's remarks, Miss Bf/phia May Parkkr — the seven-year-old grand-daughter of vSiichem N. II. l^arker — upon a signal being given — pulled a cord and released the veil enveloping the monument. As it fell gentlN- to the earth disclosing to view the mi\- jestic structure which is to perpetuate to future generati(jns the memorv of the gifted Orator of. the Iroquois the " Friend and Protector of his People," the shouts of the assembled mul- titude filled the air. The Indian maiden was loudly greeted as she was borne to the platform and ])laced in full view of the cheering throng. Dl'.SCRII' riOX OF 11 IK MOM'MI'IN r. The monument is built of Concord granite, a block of which, seven feet in diameter by five feet in height forms the base, from which rises the shaft, admirably carved to represent the trimk of an Oak, fourteen feet in height with a diameter of three feet at the base and two feet at the top. Clustering about the base are six small bowlders (two feet, to two and one-half feet in diameter) repre- senting, and bearing the names of, the Six Nations of Iroquois. Four bronze tablets are placed upon the base, the one on the east face Ijears the following inscription: RED JACKET. SA-GO-VA-WA'l-IIA. Jfp A'eepii Them An'- daueh- ter, who is described by Mrs. Asher Wright as an estimable queenly and beautiful woman. John was christened ])\- the Missionaries " John jacket Big P'ire," but the Indians generally were fond and proud of him on account of liis lineage, and in- sisted on calling him Jacket only, dropping the Big Fire. John Jacket has always been a most exemplary man, and a sincere Christian. He bears a most striking likeness to his great an- cestor, but did not inherit the ancestral eloquence and olorv, a common fate with the posterity of the great, jolm rcnieni- •J. u f 2 X < X x ■J-'. or. y. 3J hers Red Jacket well, who looked upon the little Seneca boy as the last of his family, and which he truly is. Thomas Kennedy, Sah-go-ah-gwahs, [He Claims Her]. Comes from a long line of Chiefs by that name. The family and tribe had their village formerly on the opposite bank of the (jenesee from Mt. Morris, known as Squhkie Hill (Saukie Hill,) from whence they migrated to Buffalo Creek, thence to Cattaraugus. They were originally Sauks, or Sacs, and Foxes, captured and adopted about one hundred and fifty years ago. '• Buffalo Tom " Tall Chief and Kennedy were the most noted Chiefs. The Sauk language was spoken in the old village, to- gether with the Seneca, .seventy years ago. Kennedy is an enterprising Indian farmer, but, all the same, is as proud and fiery tempered a warrior as ever raised a whoop or swung a hatchet. [Mr. Lay, in his speech at Canoga, spoke of Kennedy as " President of our Nation ." — Ed.] Wm. Nephew, Soh-no.Jo-ivah, [Large Kettle]. A grandson of the noted Chief, Governor Blacksnake, other- wise designated on the old treaties as "The Nephew." The family is descended from Shawnee captives. Blacksnake was a friend of the white man, although he fought with Brant in the revolution, and was a leader of his people in council and on the war-path. Like his grandson he was tall and commanding, but of a benignant aspect. He died at Allegany twenty-five years ago, aged about one hundred and twenty years. Wn.LiAM Jones, Tho-na-so-ioah, [Large Collection of Sand]. A son of Wm. Jones, a favorite interpreter of Red Jacket — the half breed son of the famous captive, Horatio Jones. Our guest is three-quarters Indian, although of rather fair complexion. He is one of the two hereditary military Sachems of the Iroquois League, which were always selected from the Seneca nation. 54 Chestkr C. Lay, Ho-do an-Jioh, [Bkarini; the Eakjh]. United States Interpreter for the Reservation, is a youn^^ Seneca of fine presence, well educated, a superior musician and the organizer and leader of the Cattaraugus Indian Band, which has the reputation of being one of the finest bands in Western New York. ' , Wm. Hknrn, Hojiikatek, [Fish Cakrikk]. A Cayuga Chief, and a lineal descendant of the renowned Fish Carrier, a favorite of Washington, and the most celebrated Sachem of the Cayuga's, unless we except Logan. He has in his possession a massive silver medal presented to his grand- father by Gen. Washington, a counterpart of the one worn by Red Jacket. Nicholson H. P.arker, (ra-i/en-tioa-ge/i, [CdUN Pi.antek]. A brother of Oen. Ely S. Parker, | Do-ne-ho-ga-wa], The Par- kers, on their father's side, were Wyandot's, or Hurons. Their mother was a vSeneca of princely blood, a near relative of Red Jacket. Their residence at Tonawanda Reservation was the favorite stopping place of Red Jacket on his way to the sev- eral Indian .settlements, to Washington, etc. Parker holds the Sachemship filled by Cornplanter. Bkthia May Parkkk, Minnehaha. A grand-daughter of Chief Parker; the little Indian fairy or wood nymph who unveiled the monument. Although de- scended from a celebrated Iroquois Chief, she is yet, like her namesake, the Minnehaha of Longfellow, an Algonquin, her mother being a member of the historic tribe of Abenaquis, who dwelt on the shores of St. Francis and the Penob.scot. Indian children belong to the tribe of their mother, and her tribe is fast disappearing from its old haunts in the mossy woods of ]\laine and Ouebec, 55 In their picturesque garb, and with their dignified bear- ing, I have never met a more interesting group than these visitors at Canoofa. t^' OlI-'XEH. T H E \' A R E CrO I N G A \\' A \' I DEATH OE CIIIEE PARKER. Since the foregoing sketches were received from Mr. Bryant, Sacliem Parker has been summoned to his long home. He died suddenlv at his residence on the Cattaraugus Reservation on Saturday, May 14th, 1892, The subjoined ac- countof his life, and just tribute to his worth, is compiled from press notices published at the time of his death. Nicholson H. Parker, who was possessed of high intelligence and educa- tion, and had long been a man of force and influence among the historic Six Nations of the State of New York, was born on the Tonawanda Reservation in 1822. Having received a good common school education at home, he entered the State Normal School at Albany, from which institution he graduated with honor at the age of twenty-seven, and coming soon after to the vSeneca Mission near Versailles began work under the American Board, as interpreter and translator for the Rev. Asher Wright, whom he assisted in his translation of the four Gospels into the Seneca language, and in the preparation of an edition of the Seneca Hymn book, as well as in the publi- cation of various tracts and papers in the same language. He al.so held the position of United States interpreter for ten or twelve years. Mr. Parker was a remarkable man, and a mem- ber of a remarkable family. His education and special abil- ities fitted him for business and official positions to which he was often invited, but his thorough sympathy with, and devo- tion to the interests of his own people led him to remain on the Reservation, and by influence and example promote the 5^ advancement and well bein<^ of his Nation. He had a large farm which he managed successfully, employing the most ap- proved methods and the T^est and latest agricultural imple- ments. He was a sincere Christian, liberal and broad in his charities to Christian or Pagan, Indian or White alike. His funeral took place from his residence, and was largely attended; all the officials of the Seneca Nation belonging on the Reser- vation being present. The services were conducted by Rev. George Runciman, assisted by Rev. M. F. Trippe. The choir of the Presbyterian Mission Church, and Lay's Cornet band were present and participated in the service. Mr. l^ar- ker's death leaves among the New York Indians a \'acant place not easily filled, the rare combination existing in him of old race feeling, and knowledge of, and experience in modern affairs rendered his assistance and council invaluable to the Indians around him. Among the distinguished guests present and seated upcm the platform, besides the Indian delegations and others who participated in the proceedings, were Dr.Joseph C.Greene, Pres- ident of the Buffalo Historical Society; Cyrus K. Remington, of Buffalo, Geo. H. Harris of Rochester, Hon, A. |. Williams, of Cleveland, Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mount Alorris, i)r. Lincoln, of Hobart College; Reporters of the Pre.ss. etc. I.KTTKKS. From the large number of responses to the invitations to be present at the ceremonies of the day, the following are subjoined as evincing the general character, tone and spirit of the answers received. Asiii-iKi.i), Mass., October 9th, 1891. I)i;ak Sir: — I am sincerely obliged to you for the invita- tit)n to the ceremonies at Canoga on the 14th, and wish that it were possible for me to accept it. The erection of such mem- orials is a public service in which all New Yorkers are inter- ested. We who occupy the territory of the great Indian I*^m- 57 pire of Central New York may well commemorate, even if in- directly, the most powerful and advanced political organiza- tion achieved by our predecessors. Very truly yours, GEORr.F. William Curtis. New York, October 8th, 1891. Dear Sir: — Be assured that I feel highly honored by the " formal invitation to the unveiling of the Red Jacket monu- ment at Canoga " on the 14th inst., v\hich you had the kind- ness to send me. ]\Iy duties here are such, however, as to make it impracticable for me to be with you on that occasion. This dedication of the birth-place of the great vSeneca Chief and Orator, Sagoyawatha, is an eminently praise-worthy act, and one deserving the warmest gratitude of the remnants of the Ir'oquois in this State. Please accept for yourself, and tender to your collabora- tors in executinof this work, mv individual and sincere thanks for so honorable and appropriate a memorial to a true son of the forest. I am very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Ely S. Parker, or Doxehogawa, Iroquois Sachem Varick, N. Y., October 12, 1891 Dear Sir: — I acknowledge, with thanks, the invitation of the ^Vaterloo Library and Historical Society, to attend the un- veiling of the monument to the Indian Chieftain, Red Jacket, on the 14th inst, and regret that the condition of my health forbids acceptance of the same. An American, traveling in foreign lands, cannot fail to notice in almost every town and city, some monument or his- torical tablet erected to mark the place of birth or of burial, of some person of local ''renown, and to perpetuate his heroic deeds and achievements, or his fame acquired perhaps in the more quiet work and pursuits of life. In our own country, much yet remains to be done to place us in line in this respect, with the older countries of the world. I am glad that the Waterloo Library and Historical Society has erected t\yo memorial and historical monuments — in fact, three — for its Librarv building is a worthv and abiding mem- orial to one of the foremost citizens of the town. It is fitting and proper that there should be erected upon 5« the soil of v^eneca County, a monument to mark the birth-place of the great vSeneca Chieftain, Warrior, (Jrator and vStates- man Red Jacket — belongini^ to the celebrated Confederation of the wSix Nations — the strength, organization and form of ofovernment of which has been the wonder and admiration of scholars and statesmen, in all parts of the world. Wishing you a succesful completion of your labors in tliis matter, and a bright future for your v^cx:ietv, I am Very truly yours, DlKDRFCll Wll.l.KKS. Schoharie, N. Y..()ct. 7th, 1891. My Dkak Sn-i: — We are in receipt of your cordial and gen- erous invitation to be with you on (October 14th. We realize that men who strive to preserve the ancient landmarks of our country are in some sense national educators and national benefactors, and deserving of aid and encourage- ment from all who hold the future of our people in esteem. Allow me to thank you again for your kind and beautiful card of invitation, and brotherly recognition of our voung Society. Most respectfullv vours, M. W. Stevens, Pres. Brantford. OxTA Kin, October 12th, 1892. Dear Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a card of invitation, to be present at the unveiling of a Monument to Red Jacket, at Canoga, on the 14th inst. It was my wish to be with you upon so interesting an oc- casion, but I have been so unwell, it would be imprudent to leave home. I regret it the more, as I take a deep interest in all that pertains to the Indians, having been intimately and officially associated with the Six Nations for near thirty years, and, of which confederation, Red Jacket was a leading warrior and Chief; and, when I resided at the Town of Niagara, I remem- ber of hearing of the Chief's lamented death. The meiTiorial to Brant, erected in a Park of this small city in 1886, has proved a most attractive object of adm iration and, I doubt not, your successful effort, as well, that in Buffalo, in recognition of so distinguished a Representative of a line and noble race, will be duly appreciated by a thinking public. Another disappointment I feel in being deprived of the deligiit in hearing my friend. Mr. Br3'ant of Buft'alo, upon a siibiect for which no one is more able to discant. T am, dear sir," Yours sincerely, J. GiLKISOX. Courteous and congratulatory replies were received from Vice-President Morton, Gov. Hill, Lieut. Gov. Jones, Sec'y of vState Rice, Hon. H. H. Rockwell, Hon. J. Sloat Fassett, W. H. Eole, State Librarian, Pennsylvania; W. vS. vStryker, Adjt. Gen., New Jersey, Buffalo Historical Society, Oneida County Historical Society, C. W. Darling, Utica; President Potter, Hobart College: W. W. Pasko, New York; S. R. Mumford, Detroit; Rev. Dr. Lewis Halsey, Farmer Village; Rev. Albert Cusick, ( )nondaga Castle; Rev. J. W. Sanborn, Naples; Rev. L. A. Lambert. Scottsville; Rev. James O'Connor, Seneca Falls; Mrs. Harriet ^Maxwell Converse, New York; Hon. C. A. Sew- ard. New York; Hon. Thos. M. Howell. Canandaigua; Fred- erick Carman, Albany; (ien. George M. Guion, Chicago; Dr. C. C. Wyckoff, Buffalo; Edward F. DeLancey, New York; \V. Fn)thingham, Fonda; John L. Minard, Fillmore; Hon. C. ^V. Hutchinson, Utica; Norman vSeymour, Mount Morris; Rev. \V. 'M. Beauchamp, Baldwinsville; Cyrus K. Remington. Ihiffalo. and others. The presence of Cliief John Jacket, the grandson of the great orator, of Chief John Buck, the Fire-Keeper and Cus- todian of the Wampum Belts, the records of the confederacy ofthe Iroquois, and the number of prominent chiefs, including representatives ofthe Senecas, the Onondagas and the Cayugas, marked the event as important in its .significance a^d historic in its character. TiiK Wajeki.oo Lii!K.\rv AM) H isToRK A 1. SociETV in prc- .senting this report of the proceedings at the Unveiling and Ded- ication of the ^Monument erected by the Society to the memory of the Indian Chief, Red Jackkt. at Canoga. October 14th. 1 89 1, takes the opportunity of tendering its thanks to all who hfmored the occasion with their presence. The tratherin''- of the va^^t thronir then and there assembled 6o may be justly reg-arded as an expression of ap])rova] of the vSociety's work — an indieation Ihat the popular mind is in touch with the o-enerous instinets and impulses of humanitv that in all times, and with all people, have prompted homage to exalted genius. In honoring this man, tlie Demos- thenes of his raee, to whom all eonteJiiporaneous testimony awards a gift and power, most marvelous to swav and eontrol. to arouse orealm the minds of all who heard him, the\- were honoring themselves. The presence of the vast concourse of people upon lliis o:jcasion, was also a tribute to loyalty and patriotism. In the museum of the Buffalo Historical vSoeiety is ])re- served the marble slab placed by Henry Placide, the actor, at the head of Red Jacket's grave. On it are inscribed the words "He was the Friend and Protector of his People." Most befittingly, the great orator now lies in the beautiful cemetery at Buffalo, and, under the auspices of the Buffalo Historical vSociety, is to be reared over his resting place a noble structure of marble, surmounted bv a bronze statue of the Chi^'f. But neither granite, nor marble, nor bronze, the fame of oratory, or renown of leadership, so touches the human heart as the simple words, " The Friend and Protector of liis People." His last words indicate how beloved them. ( )n his dying bed, he made this pathetic utterance: " I am an aged tree and can stand no longer, mv leaves are fallen, and my branches are withered, and I am shaken by every l^rcezc. Think not that I mourn for myself. I go to join the s])irits of my fathers, where age cannot come, but my heart faints when I think of mv people who are soon to be scattered and forgotten." While gazing on the tree of granite here erected, imagina- tion suggests the thought, that the utterance of the d\ing Chief might be interpreted as a prayer that his memor\' might live long in the hearts of men; and that this tree turned to stone, is the answer vouchsafed b}- the (jrcat Spirit to the dy- ing Chieftains su]i])lication. COI UMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES 0315021661 iff ~ ■' * *>.>^ : ;x-^y^ ^^\^ •■-, .4??^-' • ■ A.^ ^ , ^ ./'^>^^- 1- ^"T^ r::^