USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > An authentic and comprehensive history of Buffalo : with some account of its early inhabitants, both savage and civilized ; comprising historic notices of the Six Nations or Iroquois Indians, including a sketch of the life of Sir William Johnson, and of other prominent white men, long resident among the Senecas ; arranged in chronologial order > Part 8
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"22d. - This evening reached Niagara, after a most fatiguing journey, having travelled two days and part of one night in the rain. I here found the Infant with his comrade; spent part of the evening with them.
"23d. - Waited on Col. Butler. In conversatien with my friend, received every necessary information with respect to the state of the Indians, &c., &c., and the intelligence I received at Kanadasegea, relative to Mr. D." and Col. M.'st letter were well founded-without the least exageration. The Infant, however, was very soon dismissed and sent back, and advised to go on his hunt, till lie should hear in the course of the winter, the result, of their chiefs.
" It was Col. B.'s opinion that if Government designed another treaty, on condition the one in January should fail, it would be more to the general satisfaction of the In- dians, and less expensive to the State, to hold the treaty at Kanadasegea, or Buffalo Creek, than any other place,
*De Barge.
| tMckinstry.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
and that two or three commissioners would answer every purpose which the State could wish, for a general settle- ment with the Indians.
" Saturday, 25th .- Left Niagara for Buffalo Creek. Was advised to travel on the west side of the river, as some of the Buffalo Indians were expected to be on their way to Niagara, by way of Fort Erie, particularly the chief called Skendyoughwatti, and the second man of influence and character,among the Senecas at the Buffa- loe. This man I was advised by all means to see and have conversation with.
"27th .- Met with the above mentioned chief near Fort Erie, with whom I had an agreeable conversation, and, I believe, to a very good purpose. Here detained several days, by not having a pass. Was obliged to hire an express all the way from this to Niagara, to procure one.
" 31st .- Early this morning reached the capital village on the Buffaloe. The chief sachem, called in English Farmers Brother, (alias Oghwaiyewas) immediately sent off runners to the Onondaga and Cayuga settlements, and assembled the Indians before noon, when I was in- troduced and delivered my message, and continued in council with a small number till near midnight. The Onondagas were desired by the Farmers Brother to at- tend again the next day, early in the morning. To re- move some difficulties that seemed to be in the minds of the Indians, and some unreasonable reflections cast upon the treaty at Fort Stanwix as partial, I thought myself justified in making the following addition to the Governor's invitation belt :
"SACHEMS AND WARRIORS :- Be assured that it was not
105.
JOURNAL OF REV. SAM'L KIRKLAND.
the Governor's intention to call a partial treaty in the month of Jannary, while your chiefs and warriors were at Muskingam. He, and all others, expected their re- turn from that treaty even by this time. His intention has always been for a general treaty, looking upon your prosperity and peace as one. 'Tis now two years since he has had this in mind and proposed it to the Governor of Massachusetts -- which, had it taken place, would have prevented some partial (and what the Governor and his chiefs think as unjustifiable and wicked) treaties with individuals. You all know that his invitation belt reached your ears in this quarter more than once, calling you to his treaty at Fort Stanwix. Whose fault (was it) that a complete representation was not present ?
" Nevertheless, my children, compose your minds and deliberate with care and an open mind. Be assured that the Governor of the State of New York is so concerned for a general adjustment of your affairs, and to secure you a permanent good, establishing your peace, and peace and good order among his subjects - on condition that your chiefs and warriors do not return from the southward by the month of January - be assured, he will meet you at any place you shall point out, from Al- bany to even Buffalo Creek, the next spring, or the be- ginning of summer. But your voice he expects certain- ly to hear. €
" Nov. 1st .- The addition I presumed to make, with some little alterations as to time and place in the Gov- ernor's speech, united all the Onondagos in favor of government, and soon gave them the ascendancy in council. Several Cayugas expressed their approbation to some of the Onondagos, but had no voice in the pub-
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
lic council - their council fire being extinguished, ac- cording to ancient usage, by the late death of Segucayon, their chief. The ceremony of condolence must be per- formed before they can transact any national affairs.
"Towards evening, all matters were adjusted with great peace and unanimity, when the following speech was delivered to the Governor, with three strings, by the Farmers Brother, speaker :
" BROTHER, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK - Let him at- tend :- We have now heard your voice ; we have, in re- ality, heard your voice, at this our own council fire on the Buffalo.
" Brother - You have made us fully acquainted with your just and good intentions respecting us in this qnar- ter, and that you regard the ancient usages and cove- nants that have subsisted betwixt our forefathers for a long time - that your eye will be upon them in all your transactions of peace, and brightening the chain of friendship.
" Brother - We thank you that you have made us ac- quainted with your settlement with the Oneidas, and that you are so well pleased with it.
" Brother -- Our minds were much divided respecting the Onondagos' settlement with you at Fort Stanwix. At our first hearing of the voice of the birds, we were much surprised, as though you had not dealt openly and fairly with them, in negotiating with a small part of the nation.
" Brother - Our minds are composed, and we believe you will do right -that justice will mark all your steps, and all our national affairs of peace. will be adjusted and settled in due time.
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JOURNAL OF REV. SAM'L KIRKLAND.
" Brother, attend .- Your invitation string has reached our ear taking us by the hand and leading us to Albany in the middle of winter.
" Brother - Possess your mind in peace ; a few of us only are left at home to watch the council fire. Our chiefs and warriors are gone a great distance on business which concerns our whole island. I mean the congres- sional treaty of Muskingum, where will be deputies from all the Indian nations.
" Brother - If the Great Spirit shall be merciful to them and return them in peace to our council fire at this place, then all these matters shall be carefully laid before them, and with their result you shall be made acquainted. It may be they will deputise a number of young chiefs and warriors to meet you at Albany, agreeably to your proposal in the month of January. Perhaps they will not return seasonably from the Muskingum for this jour- ney ; should it be otherwise, they will appoint a time and place to meet you.
"Brother - The Cayogas are in darkness ; their chief, Tegacayon is no more !
" Brother - This is all we we have to say. (Three Strings.)
"N. B .- This string is not to be considered as a re- turn of the Invitation belt, but that he may know that we have heard his voice.
" 3d, Monday. - About eight o'clock arrived at a vil- lage called Kanondaiough, or the Genesee west branch, about twelve miles north of Kalonghyatilough, the Spruce Carriers town. At the first mentioned village, resides a white man by the name of Thanangeghkon, taken prisoner when a boy, was married into a Cayuga
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IIISTORY OF BUFFALO.
family. He has the entire command of this small vil- lage, and is much respected by the Indians. I thought it necessary to acquaint him with the state of things, and gain his influence. I accordingly related to him with some others, the Governor's message and their answer from Buffalo Creek. Hle expressed his entire approba- tion and returned me many thanks.
"From this I proposed to visit the Spruce Carrier, at Kalonghyadilough, but my horse began to fail me, and the travelling had become extremely bad.
" 4th, -Lodged at the Governor's village. The chief, with all the warriors assembled in the evening, and de- sired to know what had taken place at Buffaloe Creek. I gave them a full and particular account of all that passed there. The Governess had set out for Niagara near a week before my arrival here, that I had not her aid in the council.
"5th. - Called at the Big Trees ; the Little Beard not being at home, was requested to wait a few days for his return.
" 12th. - The Big Tree, with a number of warriors, came to my lodgings, and after some conversation, ad- dressed (me) as follows :
"' FATHER, ATTEND : - And hear my words, and after I have done, write them down with exactness, and send them to the persons to whom I shall speak. My speech is to the chiefs of the thirteen United States, assembled in Congress.
"' Brothers -- Let them hear and attend : your brothers of the Six Nations are in much trouble and perplexity. We are drawn and pulled every way. Our peace is like to be broken ; councils and treaties are held here and
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JOURNAL OF REV. SAM'L KIRKLAND.
held there, and they speak different languages. The Bos- tonians will not be quieted with what we have agreed upon here ; they will not let people settle down peaceably upon lands we have leased them.
"' Brothers -- As you are the great council of the United States, we wish you to interpose betwixt the Bos- tonians and the New Yorkers, and exhort them to speedy settlement of their disputes abont our lands which we have leased.
". Father - Give my compliments to Governor Clin- ton, and tell him I shall receive no more goods, nor money from Kanadasegea, till the disputes are settled, and I hear from him, and then I will take my share.
BIG TREE-KALAUDAWAREA, Three Strings.'
" To the above, for the sake of the warriors present, I made the following reply :
" MY So: - I may ask you if you are in earnest, in what you have now delivered for Congress ? That you are ignorant of the ground of these disputes and differ- ernt sentiments among yourselves, cannot possibly be. The Governor of New York hath expressly told you of a full and most amicable settlement betwixt his State and that of Massachusetts, with regard to pre-emption right, &c., and whose subjects have been disobedient.
" He here interrupted me with a smile, and said, 'He did not care, that was no matter, let the speech go just as it was, with Big Tree's compliments to Governor Clinton, and tell him he would receive no more money from Kanadasegea till he heard from him.'
" There is now a general expectation among the In- dians that the Governor of the State of New York will
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
at all events hold a treaty with them the ensuing spring, if not effected this winter.
" 25th. - Received a message from the Oneida chiefs, . earnestly requesting a visit from me before I left those parts. Good Peter brought the letter and informed me of some uneasiness subsisting betwixt the warriors and their agents, at the treaty, and wished they might be im- mediately treated for the peace of the nation.
"Dec. 1st. - Spent most of the day with Beech Tree Gahsaweda, Big Bear and others; towards evening parted with them."
CHAPTER VI.
FARMERS BROTHER.
It would be an important omission not to notice the celebrated Seneca Chief, Farmers Brother, (Ho-na-ye-was). who after the death of Old King, (Guay en guah-doh,) became the most influential chief of the Senecas. IIe maintained this position up to the time of his death, in 1815.
He was a warrior and rose to distinction by his skill and bravery in war. He was the cotemporary of Corn Planter, perhaps a little his senior in years. He was in all the military enterprises of the Senecas.
The first public notice of him, as a warrior, is in connec- tion with the massacre at the Niagara carrying place, in 1763, when it is said he led the Senecas. He was prob- ably not over thirty years of age at that time, as it is said that expedition was gotten up by the young war- riors ; not being approved by the old men, and sachems. It is not unlikely that he and Corn Planter were both engaged in that expedition, as well as those of Cherry Valley and Wyoming, at a later period. The first notice of Farmers Brother, as an orator, was at a great council held at Niagara, in the spring of 1793, in relation to the hostilities then existing between the western Indians and the United States. No report of the speech of Farmers
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
Brother, delivered at this council, has been preserved, but it is spoken of as having been one of " great eloquence and power," occupying three hours in its delivery. It was in favor of peace. He also, in 1798, advocated a dona- tion of lands to Messrs. Parish and Jones, the well known Indian interpreters. They had been taken pris- oners in childhood, adopted by the Senecas, and now, as a mark of the interest and affection still entertained to- wards them, they wished to grant each of them a tract of land. The policy as well as the laws of the State were against these donations. Hence, this speech is ad- dressed to the sachems and chiefs assembled about the great council fire of the State of New York, by the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Seneca nation :
" BROTHERS : - As you are once more assembled in council, for the purpose of doing honor to yourselves and justice to your country, we, your brothers - the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Seneca nation -re- quest you to open your ears and give attention to our voice and wishes
"Brothers - You will recollect the late contest be- tween you and your father, the Great King of England. This contest threw the inhabitants of this whole island into a great tumult and commotion, like the raging whirl-wind which tears up the trees and tosses to and fro the leaves, so that no one knows from whence they come or where they will fall.
" Brothers -- This whirl-wind was so directed by the Great Spirit above, as to throw into our arms two of your infant children, Jasper Parrish and Horatio Jones. We adopted them into our families, and made them our children. We loved them and nourished them. They
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FARMERS BROTHER'S SPEECH.
lived with us many years. Again the Great Spirit spoke to the whirlwind, and it was still. A clear and uninter- rupted sky appeared. The path of peace was opened, and the chain of friendship was again made briglit. Then these adopted children left us to seek their rela- tions. We wished them to return among us, and prom- ised, if they would return and live in our country, to give each of them a seat of land for them and their children to sit down upon.
"Brothers - They have returned, and have for several years past been serviceable to us as interpreters. We still feel our hearts beat with affection for them, and now wish to fulfill the promise we made them, and to reward them for their services. We have, therefore, made up our minds to give them a seat of two square miles of land, ly- ing on the outlet of Lake Erie, about three miles below Black Rock, beginning at the mouth of a creek known by the name of the Scoy-gu-quoy-des Creek, running one mile from the River Niagara up said creek; thence northerly, as the river runs, two miles ; thence westerly one mile, to the river ; thence up the river, as the river runs, two miles to the place of beginning, so as to con- tain two square miles.
" Brothers - We have now made known to you our minds. We expect, and earnestly request, that you will permit our friends to receive this our gift, and will make the same good to them, according to the laws and cus- toms of your nation.
"Brothers - Why should you hesitate to make our minds easy in regard to this our request? To you it is but a little thing. And have you not complied with the request and confirmed the gift of the Oneidas, the Onon-
8
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
dagas and Cayugas, to their interpreters ? And shall we ask and not be heard ?
" Brothers -- We send you this our speech, to which we expect your answer before the breaking up of your great council fire." *
"This brief speech has been uniformly regarded as one of the most interesting specimens of Indian eloquence, from its boldness of figure. The gentleman who wrote down the transaction at the time, in furnishing it for publication, remarked, in a note to the editor, that for one expression, Longinus would have given him credit for the truly sublime - 'The Great Spirit spoke to the whirl-wind, and it was still.'" *
Farmers Brother was a man of commanding presence, and as he practiced abstinence from intoxicating drinks during his whole life, he escaped, in a great measure, the marks of decay and infirmity that were so visible in others of his race. He was pre-eminent in all the char- acteristics that could give him influence over his people. He was brave and skillful in war, wise and eloquent in council. His ambition ran in a different channel from that of either Cornplanter or Red Jacket. Always dig- nified, self-possessed, he was looked up to as a safe coun- selor, and not only enjoyed the confidence and respect, but the love of his people.
Mary Jemison, the white woman, says that it was by the advice and influence of Farmers Brother that she married her second husband, with whom she lived in great harmony and love many years, and until his death.
Farmers Brother is remembered by our older inh abit-
* Stone's Life and Times of Red Jacket.
115
FARMERS BROTHER.
ants as a man of high character and commanding influ- ence. His voice has rung through our streets, as he called his chiefs and warriors to council, in tones never to be forgotten. One of our own citizens," now deceased, thus speaks of him :
" He was every way a great man-truly one of na- ture's noblemen-
* * * "' The front of Jove himself ; An eye like Mars, to threaten and command A station like the herald Mercury.'
"None who ever saw him, will fail to recollect his majestic mien and princely bearing ; much less will they who have heard him in council, forget the power and deep- toned melody of his voice-his natural and impressive gestures, and the unaffected but commanding dignity of his manner-unrivalled as a warrior, and only equalled by Red Jacket in eloquence. Speaking in the verity of sober prose, it may be said that he was-
"'A combination and a form, indeed, *
* * * * * *
To give the world assurance of a man.'
" With such attributes, it is not surprising that his- influence with his nation, though its form of government. is essentially democratic, was controlling ; nor is it less to his true glory that his open-heartedness, his fidelity to. truth, and his generous magnanimity, secured for him the admiration and esteem of every white person who- had the honor of his acquaintance."
* Hon. A. H. Tracy-See Stone's Life of Red Jacket,
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
It was principally through the influence of Farmers Brother, that Mary Jemison, the white woman was con- firmed in her title to the lands at Guardeau, on the Gen- esee River, the grant being opposed by Red Jacket.
After the battle of Lundy's Lane, in which several of the American officers were wounded, among them Capt. (afterwards General) Worth, severely, he was removed to Buffalo, where he lay confined to his bed for a long time. The Indians, with whom Capt. Worth had be- come a favorite, visited his quarters frequently, manifest- ing the greatest solicitude in regard to his recovery. None were more attentive and kind than Farmers Brother, spending, it is said, some hours almost every day at his bedside.
It was during this confinement of Capt. Worth that a British Indian came over from Canada, professing to have deserted, with a design to join the Americans. He remained some time, mingling freely with the Senecas, not entirely without suspicion, however, of the truth of his professions. One day, the Indians having indulged rather freely in drinking, the warriors, becoming excited, recounted their warlike exploits, boasting of the number of scalps they had taken, or how many British red-coats and Indians they had killed, when the pretended desert- er, forgetting for the moment the character he had as- sumed, held up his fingers to indicate the number of Yankee soldiers and Indians he had killed, which roused the blood of the Seneca warriors to the highest pitch of exasperation against the revealed enemy and spy who stood in their midst. Farmers Brother, who was at the bedside of Capt. Worth, near by, immediately repaired to the spot. Being confronted by the stern, piercing eye
117
INDIAN EXECUTION.
of the stalwart chief, the pretended deserter confessed himself a spy. The warriors demanded his immediate execution. Some of the leading citizens, attracted to the spot, advised a delay, but the Indians were clamorous ; and, although their chief hesitated, it was thought best by both the military and civil authorities, that the Indians should be allowed to dispose of the matter in their own way. While these discussions were being held, the cul- prit had taken advantage of the circumstances, and walked some distance away without being noticed. No sooner than this was observed by Farmers Brother than his stentorian voice brought him to a stand, and he re- turned and submitted to his fate with the calm stoicism of a philosopher.
This execution took place upon the east side of Main street, a little below Swan street. The buildings having been burned, most of the lots remained vacant.
This tragical event occurred only a few days after the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane. The public mind was so occupied with these events that very little notice was taken of this Indian execution.
The Buffalo Gazette of August 2d, 1814, contains the following short notice of the event :
" A British Indian was detected, on Sunday last, in the village of Buffalo, as a spy. On being examined, he confessed his crime, and was immediately executed by our Indians."
The following notice of this event, taken from a paper furnished the Buffalo Historical Society by Gen. Asa Warren, who was an eye-witness, may be relied upon :
"For two months from July 25th, 1814, I was a sub- altern officer stationed at Buffalo and Black Rock.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
During this time, I was passing, one day, near night, from Black Rock to Aurora. As I came into Main street, (in Buffalo) I saw a crowd gathered, and on com- ing to the place, I saw a number of Indian chiefs of the Seneca nation whom I knew -- Farmers Brother, Pol- lard, Young King, Major Berry, and others whom I do not now recollect. They appeared to be in consultation, and I inquired of a bystander the cause. He pointed me to an Indian who was on trial as a spy from Canada, and who had been boasting during the day, in the vil- lage, (of Buffalo) how many scalps he had taken from our people and Indians. The Indian lay near the wall of one of the burnt buildings, on his right side, and his left arm covering his face and eyes. Soon a gun was handed to. Farmers Brother, who deliberately walked to him, putting the muzzle of the gun near the region of the heart, shot him dead. The young men of the nation soon took him from the place."
The Senecas were organized and entered the military service of the United States during the war of 1812 - Farmers Brother being commissioned as their leader, with other chiefs as his subordinates - and they did ex- cellent service ; and, although Farmers Brother was at that time above eighty years of age, he took the field with all the spirit and vigor of a young warrior.
At one time during the war, when an attempt was made by the British to cross the river at Black Rock and they were driven back, Farmers Brother was seen to wade into the water up to his arm-pits, to get a good shot at the retreating foe.
He died March 2d, 1815, and was interred with mili- tary honors in the old burying ground, between Franklin
119
FARMERS BROTHER.
and Delaware streets, now occupied by the city build- ings. When the remains were removed from those grounds to Forest Lawn, those of Farmers Brother were recognized by the mark upon the lid of his coffin, and removed with the rest, where no monument marks the resting place of " one of nature's noblemen," a great and brave man.
At the beginning of the war, fears were entertained lest the influence of the British, which had controlled the Senecas long after the close of the Revolutionary war, should induce the Indians to take sides with their old friends and allies. To allay this feeling, Mr. Granger, who was then Indian Agent, held a council with them ; the following is his report of the result furnished for the Buffalo Gazette :
"TO THE EDITORS OF THE BUFFALO GAZETTE.
" GENTLEMEN : - I have this day been in council with the principal chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations of Indians, and I find them as heretofore, determined to remain at peace with the United States. Their profes- sions of friendship towards us are strong, and I believe them sincere. I cannot discover any cause the people have to appreliend any danger from the Indians in this quarter, and do recommend it to the inhabitants, not to leave their homes on account of any supposed danger or injury they are apprehensive of receiving from the In- dians.
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