USA > New York > Livingston County > Geneseo > A history of the treaty of Big Tree : and an account of the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the making of the treaty, held at Geneseo, N.Y., September the fifteenth, eighteen hundred ninety-seven > Part 2
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RED JACKET
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Treaty of Big Tree
Young King was a brave warrior, a wise counselor and was pos- sessed of high social qualities. He was born at Canandaigua about 1760, and his first experience in warfare was in fleeing to Niagara with his mother before the advancing and victorious hosts of Sullivan's army. At the the time of the treaty he was of lofty stature, and majestic mein, a king, indeed, in personal appearance. After passing through a period of drunkenness and dissipation, he became converted to Christianity, and died on the Buffalo reservation in 1835, greatly regretted by both Indians and whites.
Red Jacket was about 39 years old at the time of the treaty, and was generally regarded as the greatest orator of the whole Six Nations. He had won but little fame as a warrior, but was by no means the coward some have represented him to be. When asked ironically by a white man of his deeds in war, he replied, "I am an orator. I was born an orator." His fame rests mainly on his phenomenal eloquence. His speeches though interpreted by uneducated men, and taken down hastily and carelessly, cannot be read without surprise and admiration at their poetry, grace and strength. He was at the treaty at Fort Stamoix in 1784, at which LaFayette was present. Though not very conspicuous in that council he made one speech that the great French- man always remembered with admiration. The first of his remarkable speeches was delivered at the great Indian council at the mouth of Detroit river in 1786. Red Jacket took a prominent part in the treaty at Buffalo Creek July 8, 1788, unsuccessfully opposing the sale of lands to Messrs. Phelps and Gorham. The first of his speeches that has been preserved was delivered at Pickering's council at Tioga Point in November, 1790 (?). At Colonel Proctor's treaty at Buffalo Creek, when the Senecas were urged to send a delegation to the Miamis, Red Jacket was conspicuous as a spokesman, first for the warriors, and then for the women. He is found next at Colonel Pickering's treaty at Painted Post in June, 1791, and in March of the next year with fifty leading Senecas, he visited Philadelphia and took the chief part in negotiations with President Washington. Next he appeared at the great Indian council at Canandaigua ; then came the Big Tree council ; four years later he made his second visit to the seat of the federal gov- ernment. In 1810 he made his third and last visit to the government officials, which practically closed his public career. Red Jacket's whole life was devoted to unceasing efforts to preserve the nationality
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Treaty of Big Tree
and inheritance of his people. Continually brooding over the misfor- tunes of his race, and wearied with the long struggle, he became des- pondent, too frequently quaffed of the intoxicating cup offered him by unfriendly hands among the whites, and his last years were full of sorrow. He died on the Buffalo reservation January 20, 1830. Near the last he said : "I am about to leave you, and when I am gone and my warnings are no longer heard or regarded, the craft and avarice of the white man will prevail. Many winters have I breasted the storm, but I am an aged tree. I can stand no longer. My leaves are fallen, my branches are withered and I am shaken by every breeze. Soon my aged trunk will be prostrate and the foot of the exulting foe of the Indian may be placed upon it in safety ; for I leave none who will be able to avenge such an indignity. Think not I mourn for myself. I go to join the spirits of my fathers, where age cannot come; but my heart fails when I think of my people who are soon to be scattered and forgotten."
Farmer's Brother did more to facilitate the sale than any other. He was a cousin of Hi-ok'-a-too, the husband of Mary Jemison. He was one of the greatest warriors of the Seneca nation, courageous, vig- ilant, sagacious ; was in the old French war and commanded a party in the bloody battle in which Braddock lost his life. In 1763 he headed a party of Indians from the Genesee at the fearful tragedy of Devil's Hole, and during the Revolution was a faithful ally of the British ; but in the war of 1812, he led the warriors of his nation against the red coats. He was as famous in council as on the warpath. As a speaker his voice was powerful and melodious, his gestures graceful and im- pressive, his manner commanding. He took a conspicuous part in all the more important treaties held in this state, and always endeavored to promote the good of his people. He died in 1815 at the age of 90 years, and was buried with military honors in the old cemetery on Franklin Square, Buffalo. In 1851 his remains were exhumed and re-buried in Forest Lawn.
Cornplanter, who took a prominent part in the Big Tree treaty, was born at Canawagus, about 1726. He was a half-breed, his father being one John Abul, a Dutchman from Albany, who traded much with the Senecas, carrying his pack on his back, exchanging trinkets for furs. Cornplanter became a thorough Indian, and has passed into history as one of the bravest, wisest and most highly esteemed
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Treaty of Big Tree
of the Seneca nation. He was a warrior at Braddock's defeat, was a firm ally of the British during the Revolution, but in later years became the friend of the Americans and an earnest advocate of peace, differing radically in that respect, from Red Jacket, and the two were constant, and sometimes bitter opponents. In 1784 he was at Fort Stanwix, and took a leading part in the treaty. He was also present at Phelps and Gorham's treaty with the Indians at Buffalo Creek, in 1788, always claimed that the Indians were cheated upon that occasion, and appealedconstantly, and generally in vain, for justice from the whites. He was greatly troubled when he remembered the disgraceful way in which from the very beginning, the whites had deceived and cheated the Indians. In many instances he was opposed to both Brant and Red Jacket. He died on the reservation in Pennsylvania, February 18, 1836.
Horatio Jones was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1763. At 18 years of age he enlisted in the Revolutionary army and the same year was taken prisoner by the Indians. Enduring many hardships on the march, he was taken to the Genesee country, made to run the gauntlet, it is claimed by the best authorities at O-wa-is-ki (Wiscoy). He was adopted into an Indian family, accommodated himself to the situation, made himself as happy as the circumstances would permit, learned their language thoroughly, and was much employed as interpreter. Natur- ally ingenious, he made himself useful in repairing their hunting imple- ments and weapons. To all intents and purposes he became a thorough- bred Indian, was successful in the chase, a prodigy almost, on the race course, temperate in his habits, cheerful in disposition, and a general favorite with the Indians, with whom he came to have great influence, being frequently chosen to settle their disputes. Often by his interven- tion the lives of prisoners were saved. At one time the renowned Major Moses VanCampen's life was saved by his friendly interposition and great presence of mind. His Indian name was Ta-e-da-o-qua. Presi- dent Washington appointed him Indian interpreter, and he held this office till after 1830. He died at Sweet Briar, his residence on the Genesee, in 1836.
Jasper Parish was born in Connecticut in 1766. The family moved to Luzerne county, Pa., and when he was 11 years old he was taken prisoner by some Delaware Indians. He was released soon after the treaty at Fort Stanwix, but during his captivity had made himself so
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Treaty of Big Tree
familiar with their language as to be appointed interpreter and sub- agent of Indian affairs by the United States government and discharged his duties in a manner satisfactory at once to the government and the Indians. He settled in Canandaigua in 1792, and died in 1836.
Joseph Brandt was expected by Robert Morris to have been present, and render valuable assistance, as is inferred from his letter of in- structions. His name does not appear in the proceedings, but as he was not much given to speech making, he may have been there and rendered important service notwithstanding. He was a noted warrior, but not being a Seneca will here and now be no further noticed.
Mary Jemison, the white woman of the Genesee, was another of the notables present at the treaty.
Doty says : "A large and temporary council house, the exact site of which it is now difficult to determine, was at once prepared for the occasion. Overhead it was covered with boughs and branches of trees, to shelter the assemblage from the sun. An elevated bench was pro- vided for the commissioners and other benches for spectators." James and William Wadsworth had a log house so nearly completed as to admit of occupation by the commissioners and some others, and it was accordingly hired for the purpose. This house has long since disap- peared, but upon its site has been erected a moderate-sized stone building, it is supposed mainly for the purpose of permanently marking the place.
Thomas Morris arrived on the 22d of August and found the Indians all collected and waiting for him. On the 23d he called them together and addressed them, bidding them welcome to the place where he had kindled the council fire, and apologized for the non-appearance of the commissioners, which he attributed to the bad weather, and warned them against the attempts of some white men whom he said he sup- posed were present while he spoke, and attended the treaty for the purpose of leading astray and deceiving the Indians; that such conduct in those people was in contempt of the laws of their country, and that if they did not desist, he would see those laws put into execution. Cornplanter immediately arose, recapitulated the heads of his speech to the Indians and expressed his satisfaction at being informed that mischief-makers would be prosecuted. Saturday, August 26th, late in the afternoon, the commissioners arrived and found the Indians receiv- ing their annual presents, which were being distributed by Mr. Chapin.
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Treaty of Big Tree
On Sunday, the 27th, the Indians held a council for condolence with Mr. Chapin on the death of his daughter, to which they invited the commissioners and all the gentlemen from a distance. On Monday, the 28th, the council was formally opened. Cornplanter, addressing himself to Mr. Morris, acknowledged the receipt of his speech of invi- tation by Jones and Parish, observed that on their part they had been punctual in attendance, and was sorry the gentlemen who had come to meet them had met with delays on the road. He then handed back the string of wampum which had been delivered to him by the inter- preters.
The United States commissioner, Colonel Wadsworth, then ad- dressed the Indians, telling them that he was the commissioner of the United States, appointed by the president to hold a treaty with them, and stating that the treaty is "held agreeably with the law, on the petition of Robert Morris, Esq., and its object is to effect a purchase, if agreeable to you, of a parcel of your lands," concluding by intro- ducing General Shepard, the commissioner from Massachusetts, and Mr. Morris and Capt. Williamson, the son and friend of Robert Morris, who are his representatives and have full power to ask for him "in treating with you for the purchase of the lands in question. Brothers, I rejoice with you that the Great Spirit has brought us together, let us so conduct ourselves as not to offend him, lest he withdraw his protec- tion from us."
Colonel Shepard then addressed them, saying in part : "Brothers : Your brother, the governor, and the executive council of the state of Massachusetts, desirous that justice should be done to people of every color, and particularly to their brothers of the Seneca nation, have sent me with power to attend this treaty on their behalf.
And I shall make it my business to to see that the negotiation between you is carried on upon principles of justice and fairness. Brothers, I am an old man, much accustomed to do public business for the state to which I belong. I have always observed when thus employed, that a spirit of harmony and conciliation was attended with happy effect among us, therefore, brothers, I hope that your minds will be united, and that the voice of one will express the sentiments of all. Brothers, I have now said all that I have to say to you at present. May the Great Spirit take you under his protection, and give wisdom and unan- imity to your councils."
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Treaty of Big Tree
Thomas Morris, then, in a short address, informed them that as the Great Spirit had prevented the attendance of his father at this treaty, he had appointed him and Charles Williamson, Esq., agents to treat with them on his behalf, as would appear by the power he then handed to them, and had directed the delivery of a speech which he had written to them from Philadelphia. Robert Morris's speech was then read to them. I will read the following excerpts : "Brothers of the Seneca Nation : It was my wish and my intention to have come into your country and to have met you at this treaty, but the Great Spirit has ordained otherwise, and I cannot go. I grow old and corpulent, and not very well, and am fearful of traveling so far during the hot weather in the month of August." Then, after referring to his appointment of his son and Captain Charles Williamson as his agents and saying some other good things, tending to create a confi- dence in his agents, he very adroitly proceeds to say : "Brothers, it is now six years since I have been invested with the exclusive right to acquire your lands, during the whole of which time, you have quietly possessed them without being importuned to sell them, but I now think that it is time for them to be productive to you; it is with a view to render them so, that I have acquiesced in your desire to meet you at the Genesee river. I shall take care immediately to deposit in the Bank of the United States whatever my son and my friend may agree to pay to you in my behalf." Then, after some well-chosen words of flattery for their chiefs, with some of whom he had become acquainted, and expressing the hope that for their sakes the wise men now at the head of their affairs would so fix their business (by which of course he meant the disposal of their lands), that it would not be left in the power of wrong-headed men in the future to waste the property given to them by the Great Spirit for the use of themselves and their poster- ity, and making no definite proposal, closed by bidding them farewell and invoking the Great Spirit to ever befriend and protect them. Mr. Morris's speech was a masterpiece in its way, was well calculated to make a favorable impression upon the Indians, and he declared that he "desired nothing but fair, open and honest transactions."
After the speech of Mr. Morris had been read, the speeches of the commissioners, which were in writing, and a string of wampum, were laid on the table, and they were informed by Thomas Morris that they had nothing further to say for the present, and the council fire was
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Treaty of Big Tree
covered for that day. Nearly all of the 29th was consumed in councils among the Indians alone. Late in the afternoon, all were summoned to their public council, when Red Jacket noticed the speeches of the day before, and thanked the Great Spirit for his care of the commis- sioners, and stated that they were "satisfied with the appointments made by the president, governor of Massachusetts, and this friend who called for this council fire." Then turning to Thomas Morris, he observed that it appeared from the speeches delivered that there was something kept back, but that from his expressions of fairness and candor they hoped all would be fairly laid before them. Mr. Morris replied that it was his intention "to act with fairness and sincerity, and he was then ready, if they were ready to hear him, to lay before them, more particularly, the business which had called them together. It was then suggested by Red Jacket, that as the sun was nearly down, it would perhaps be well to leave it for tomorrow, and the council fire was covered over.
On the 30th the council was opened in the morning and Mr. Morris delivered an artfully written speech, in which he dwelt largely upon the advantages which would accrue to them, from the sale of their lands, as they would have a larger sum of money than had ever before been offered them for land; that it would be enough to make them all happy, clothe all their naked and feed all their hungry; that by placing it in bank and drawing out the income yearly, not only themselves but their children, and their children's children, would be benefitted by the sale, for they would be allowed reservations at each of their villages, amply sufficient for their support for all time to come ; in addition to which he represented that they could reserve the right to hunt and fish, which the white settlers and their settlements would in no wise inter- fere with, illustrating this point by alluding to the fact that although they had nine years before sold the lands upon which they were then holding the council, they still killed more game upon it than upon the tract for which they were now treating. He refrained from making a definite offer, however, but took occasion to say that in case no pur- chase of their land was effected at this treaty, that his father, nor no one for him would ever again offer to buy, or ask for a council to be called for the purpose. He then sat down, and after a few moments one of the chiefs arose and stated that if he had nothing more to say to them at present they would like to be left alone to their private con-
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Treaty of Big Tree
sultations. The council fire was then covered over for the day. The- whole of the last day of the month was consumed in counciling on Mr. Morris's speech, without arriving at any conclusion.
Early in the morning on September 1st, Farmer's Brother came to Mr. Morris, making complaint that a person in the neighborhood of their camp had been selling whisky to the Indians, and many of them were drunk, Red Jacket among the number, and wished to know what could be done, as the man was still selling out the whisky. He was advised to go and seize the barrel and knock it in the head, which he immediately did. Red Jacket was greatly irritated by this wanton de- struction of the whisky and many of them fell to fighting, pulling hair and biting each other like dogs, wherever they could get hold, and no progress was made in the business of the treaty. Mr. Morris and Cap- tain Chapin went and forbid all the people residing near the Indians selling them whisky. There was great danger of a rupture at this juncture and it required all the coolness and wisdom the commission- ers and Mr. Morris could command, supplemented by the good offi- ces of Messrs. Jones and Parish, the interpreters, to prevent an out- break which might have resulted in the destruction of the lives of all the whites.
On the afternoon of September 2d the sachems sent for the com- missioners and Mr. Morris to come to their council fire, Farmer's Brother then arose and stated that they then proposed to answer Mr. Morris's speech. Then Red Jacket arose and very plainly stated that they had no more lands than they wanted to set down upon; that they had been told that a great deal of money would be offered them for their lands but they could not learn how much, as Mr. Morris had not told them, but he supposed he would now bring forward a great deal of money to show them, but requested that he would hold his fists close, as they would rather have their lands than money. In the even- ing a private conference was held with the principal chiefs and sach- ems, when Mr. Morris offered them $100,000 for the whole of their lands and suggested that they invest it in stock of the United States, and it would bring them at least $6,000 yearly forever. The Indians requested him to make this offer in public council and the conference ended.
On the 3d of September, Red Jacket sent a private note to Mr. Morris, stating that the speech he made the day before was not his own
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Treaty of Big Tree
sentiments, but was made to please some of his people, that his next speech would not be so harsh, and that he would finally answer his purpose if he persevered in the business. This looked like an intima- tion that he was "open to conviction," and Mr. Morris, no doubt, at once took in the situation. In the afternoon in public council Red .Jacket arose and said in substance: "We told you yesterday, and we tell you now, that our seat is not too large for us to sit down upon comfortably. Once the Six Nations were a great people, had large council fire at Onondaga, but now at Buffalo. Soon may have to move again. Now the Onondagas are nobody; have no lands of their own, but we are kind to our brothers, and let them sit down in our lands. We are still respected as a great people, all owing to our lands. You want to buy all our lands, except suchi reservations as you might make for us to raise corn on. It would make us nobody to accept such res- . ervations, and where you might think proper. If this should be the case we could not say we were a free people. Brothers, this matter is of great magnitude, and we thank you for putting us in mind of this, and hope you will stick to the same advice you give us. Brothers, we wish you to put your speeches in writing, so that we can read them when we are old. There are a great many of our people who cannot remember long, but if they are all wrote down they can be read to them when they are old, and we shall know what has been said to us."
Mr. Morris then delivered a speech, framed substantially in these words: "Brothers, as you request, I will hereafter hand you my speeches in writing. I will attend you for that purpose as early tomorrow as you please. Brothers, you asked yesterday to know what price I would give you for your lands. I will tell you, but first I have something to say to you, which I wish you to give your serious attention to, so that you may understand well, and impress on your minds what I have to say. Brothers, if you do not sell your lands at this treaty, you will never have another opportunity of making a bar- gain in the presence of the whole nation, because my father will never, either in person or by agent, again meet you. Brothers, I now offer you $100,000, which is more than you ever have been or ever will be again offered. I propose to you to make reservations round your towns and retain the right to hunt and fish on the lands sold, but your reser- vations must not be large. This sum is greater than was ever offered . to you for lands; it would require at least thirty horses to bring it to
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Treaty of Big Tree
you from Philadelphia; it will fill several barrels. I would advise you to invest it in bank stock of the United States, where it will be safe, and forever bring you an amount of income of at least $6,000, which will be sufficient to clothe you every year, which the game taken on your lands will not do if sold, but if you sell your lands you will not only have all the game you now have, but a very handsome sum of money annually also." This speech seemed to be well received and closed the business for the day.
On the afternoon of the 4th the council was again convened, and Mr. Morris delivered the speech of the day before in writing. Then Cornplanter arose, and said that the sachems had taken the whole busi- ness on themselves; that they had never made Mr. Morris an answer to the speech he (Mr. Morris) had made at Buffalo Creek, and he hoped they would not trifle away time, and finally give their friend, Mr. Morris, no more satisfaction than they had given him before. He should start for home tomorrow and whatever was done be it on them- selves. Was very glad the President had sent on a person to see that business was fairly transacted, and concluded by thanking him for his care and attention to them. Colonel Wadsworth then expressed him- self as sorry that a division in their councils had taken place; that it was no uncommon thing among the whites, and was the source of all their difficulties; but when national matters were before them, and the interests of the nation concerned, they ought to be united in their en- deavors to effect that which would be for the public good. He represented the United States, and was there to see that justice was done; he did not want to buy their lands ; he did not ask them to sell their lands, and should not ask them, but he hoped they would unite in their councils and do what would be for the interests of their nation, and expressed a desire that they would come to a speedy conclusion of the business.
Farmer's Brother then arose and expressed himself to the effect that "It was the first he had heard of a division in their councils, and that if it was so, it ought not to have been mentioned here; the white people ought not to have known it." After speaking at some length upon topics not immediately connected with the treaty, he sat down and Colonel Wadsworth repeated his advice as to unanimity said that great and brave men always, in cases of this kind, forgave each other and sat down and counciled together for the general good; he did not want
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