USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 22
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"At the great treaty of Big Tree one of Allen's daughters claimed the land which he had sold to Morris. The claim was examined and decided against her in favor of Ogden, Trumbull and Rogers and others who were creditors of Robert Morris. Allen yet believed that his daughter had an indisputable right to the land in question and got me to go with Mother Farley, a half Indian woman, to assist him, by interceding with Morris for it, and to urge the propriety of her claim. We went to Thomas Morris, and having stated to him our business, he told us plainly that he had no land to give away, and that as the title was good, he never would allow Allen, nor his heirs, one foot, or words to that effect. We returned to Allen the answer we had received, and he, conceiving all further attempts to be useless, went home."
Red Jacket, who had acted a double part throughout, came private- ly to Mr. Morris on the night previous to the signing of the treaty and asked that a place be reserved near the top of the parchment for his signature after the others had signed. He had pretended to oppose the cession, he said, and to be consistent he could not publicly affix his name, but would do so before it went to the President, for it would not answer to have the treaty sent off to Philadelphia without his formal approval to it. as General Washington might think he had lost his rank and influence with the Senecas.
The consideration paid to the Indians doubtless exceeded the ex- pectations of Robert Morris, who had fixed the price in his own mind at $75,000. He had directed his representatives at the treaty to conduct everything on the basis of a "liberal economy." He had himself provided two pipes of wine, which he dispatched overland from Philadelphia to Geneseo by wagons. The presents distributed
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
and the rations supplied, added more than $15,000 to the purchase cost. 1
Nor did this represent the entire expenditure made by Morris be- yond the amount fixed by the terms of the treaty, for it cannot be doubted that, during the interval between Red Jacket's act of cover- ing up the council fire and the renewal of negotiations, Thomas Mor- ris and the representatives of the Holland Land Company were secret- ly bribing the warriors. They not only paid them money but agreed to give them annuities so long as they lived. To what extent, there- fore, the reopening of the council and the decision of the Indians were due to argument and to what extent to venal bargains with the chiefs cannot be ascertained. The researches of Mr. Samson have, however, disclosed the very best evidence that the procedure advised by Robert Morris was effectively. if more generously, employed. It will be remembered that he said in his letter of instructions: "Annuities of $20 to $60 may be given to influential chiefs to the extent of $250 or $300 per annum." And again. "Some dollars may be promised be- fore the treaty and paid when finished, to the amount of $500 or $600, or if necessary $1,000, to the chiefs." Here, for instance, is a receipt acknowledging the payment of one of the annuities:
1. The following were provided as presents:
1,500 rations of beef, one day, at five doll -. per hundred 75
Do of flour, at 212 dolls. per hundred.
Do 11 of whiskey, 25 gallons, at 112 dolls 3,
Do of tobacco. 5
For thirty days would be $4,650
750, 3 ft., blankets at $2 each
$1.500
750, 21. ft., "
at $112 each 1,125 2,625
150 pieces blue strouding, 24 yds. in piece, at ȘI. 3,600
100 = green legging stuff, of 18 yds. in piece twilled, 3 1 wide, at 6 s 1,350
200 pieces com. calico at 4s., 14 yds per. piece
1,370
50 com. Holland at 4s .. 24 yds per piece. 600
500 butcher or scalping knives 35
50 bag- vermillion. ICO
3c0 1b. power. 6co
Soo 1b. lead. 50
Ico small brass kettles, 4 to 6 qt-
100
50 brass kettles of 12 qt« 100
Ico black ·ilk handkerchiefs.
Presents for the chiefs in broadcloth, red or green, of good quality.
$15.300
Several cows were also given to the squaw's.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
"Received of Messrs. Leroy, Bayard & McEvers and Thomas Mor- ris, Esq., by the hands of Erastus Granger, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, being in full for my annuity for the year 1801 due me by agreement with Robert Morris at Big Tree in September, 1797.
Signed his Corn X Planter"
In presence of Jasper Parrish. , mark
"It is clear from this that Cornplanter's price was $250 a year so long as he lived, in addition to the cash payment at the treaty. Al- together, therefore, he received about $10,000 for his share in this transaction. Doubtless Thomas Morris felt that Cornplanter's ser- vices were worth the price, for it was Cornplanter who conducted the negotiations for the Indians after the council fire had been rekindled. Of course he was not the only one who was paid. Young King, the 'bearer of the smoking brand,' received an annuity of $100, or a total of $3,800. In later years, as he thought of the power he could have wielded at the treaty, it is probable that he marvelled at his own moderation. Little Billy was another who sold himself. His price was the same as Young King's-$100 a year-and as Little Billy lived till 1834 he received $3,700. Pollard received 850 a year or $2,200. Even the haughty Red Jacket consented to receive money. and drew $100 a year.' And so we might go on, if it were necessary. with these unpleasant details.
"An interesting and unpublished anecdote regarding these annuities is furnished by William C. Bryant, Esq., the scholarly Indianologist of Buffalo, It seems that the annuities we're not always paid exactly on time and the Indians were often worried. Millard Fillmore, sub- sequently President of the United States, said to Mr. Bryant: 'I don't remember seeing Cornplanter but on one occasion. He came to my office on Court street, soon after my return from Washington, after Congress had adjourned. He was a bowed, wrinkled and decrepit old man. He was attended by two or three younger Indians. Ile pro- duced a capacious bag, similar in size to an ordinary mail bag, and took out a venerable treaty, which he explained to me. He said that soon after the treaty was made, the annuity was promptly paid, first it came when the tender blades of the corn broke from the mould; then it came when the stalks were as high as a child's knee; next
219
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
it lingered till the grain was full and filled with milk, and now the stalks are dry and rustling and the Indians are very hungry for their money. ' "1
It is much to be deplored that a faithful chronicle of this transac- tion must contain matter impugning the good faith of the purchasers and the loyalty of some of the warriors to the interests of their people. We cannot, nevertheless, withhold from the Indians that charity which is aroused by a contemplation of the allurements held out to these untutored people by the avaricious, importunate and cunning whites.
The Indians went away satisfied that Washington would guard their interests securely, and that the purchase price of their lands and its earnings would be faithfully applied to their use. . Everything did go well until 1811, when there was a failure on the part of the Govern- ment to pay. Then the anxious Indians held a council at Buffalo Creek, and Farmer's Brother. Young King, Pollard, Chiet Warrior and other Seneca chiefs agreed upon the following letter, which was sent to the seat of Federal Government by special messenger:
"To the Honorable William Eustis, Secretary at War:
"The sachems and chiet warriors of the Seneca nation of Indians understanding you are the person appointed by the great council of your nation to manage and conduct the affairs of the several nations of Indians with whom you are at peace and on terms of friendship, come, at this time, as children to a father, to lay before you the trouble which we have on our minds.
"Brother, we do not think it best to multiply words; we will there- fore tell you what our complaint is. Brother, listen to what we say : Some years since we held a treaty at Big Tree, near the Genesee liver. This treaty was called by our great father, the President of the United States. He sent an agent, Colonel Wadsworth, to attend this treaty for the purpose of advising us in the business and seeing that we had justice done us. At this treaty we sold to Robert Morris the greatest part of our country. The sum he gave us was $100, 000. The commissioners who were appointed on your part advised us to place this money in the hands of our great father, the President of the United States. He told us that our father loved his red children and would take care of our money, and plant it in a field where it would bear seed forever, as long as trees grow, or waters run. Our money has heretofore been of great service to us. It has helped us to sup- port our old people and our women and children; but we are told the
1. From W. H. Samson's address.
.
220
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
field where our money was planted is become barren. Brother, we do not understand your way of doing business. This thing is very heavy on our minds. We mean to hold our white brethren of the United States by the hand; but this weight hes heavy. We hope you will remove it. We have heard of the bad conduct of our brothers toward the setting sun. We are sorry for what they have done; but you must not blame us. We had no hand in this bad business. They have had bad people among them. It is your enemies have done this. We have persuaded our agent to take this talk to your great council. He knows our situation and will speak our minds. '
Immediately upon the receipt of this letter at Washington $8.000 was appropriated and the Indians once more received their money. This $8,000 was "in lieu of the dividend on the bank shares held by the President of the United States, in trust for the Seneca nation, in the Bank of the United States."
No sooner was the Indian title extinguished than preparation was made for careful surveys of the whole tract. Joseph Ellicott, a gentle- man eminently qualified professionally and otherwise to superintend the work, had been commissioned in July preceding the treaty by the Company's agent to send forward supplies of provisions during the fall for his surveying parties, and was prepared in the spring of 1798 to run the principal lines. David Rittenhouse, the eminent American philosopher, had personally attended to the preparation of the com- pass and other instruments for use in the survey. It had been decided to divide each township of six miles square into sixteen subdivisions to be called sections, and the latter into twelve lots each, three- fourths of a mile long and one-fourth of a mile in width and contain- ing about 120 acres; but the surveyors soon found that the location of the larger streams and other causes would render this course im- practicable. The plan was therefore early abandoned, and the lots were laid out into farms of three hundred and sixty acres each, as nearly as was practicable.
This done the Holland Company lost no time in developing the rich country which had come into its possession. Roads were con- structed, mills erected, and encouragement offered to actual settlers by a fair adjustment of terms of payment. The investment of the Holland Company in Western New York proved more fortunate for the development of the region than for the capitalists themselves, for it is understood that when the affairs of the association were finally
Gansons
Geneses
Road
Great Spring
Calıdona
Z
CANNEWAGUS RES ?
Harforu
Big Tree Road
RIG TREE&' LITTLE BEARDS
CiCRESCO
Williamsburg
NILLAFS.^
Mount Monis
GARIDO
RESERVATION
From Joseph Ellicott's Map of 1800.
221
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
settled, their investment had paid them a profit of no more than five per cent.
The conduct of the several great purchasers was eminently wise, and Turner justly concludes that Western New York "could have hardly fallen into better hands. Both the English and the Dutch companies, under whose auspices as proprietors, three-fourths of the whole State west of Seneca lake was settled were composed of capitalists who made investments of large amounts of money in the infancy of the Republic, when its stability was by no means a settled point. They were satisfied with reasonable returns for their vast out- lays, and patient under the delays of payment, as all must concede. Their correspondence reveals no disposition to oppress the settlers, or wish to have their business conducted in any other than a fair, honest or liberal manner."
On the 15th day of September, 1897, the one hundredth anniversary of the making of the treaty of Big Tree, which practically terminated the Indian occupation in Livingston County, was celebrated with suitable ceremonies at Geneseo, under the auspices of the Livingston County Historical Society. A brief reference to this interesting in- cident, which transports the reader at once over the interval of a cen. tury, and shifts the scene from the council house in the forest resound- ing with the oratory of Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother and Corn- planter to late nineteenth century surroundings in the Genesee Valley, may not be inappropriate.
Among the guests of the Society present were Mr. Gouverneur Mor- ris, of Detroit, the eldest male descendant and great grandson of Robert Morris, and Mr. A. Sim Logan and Andrew John, eminent members of the Seneca Nation of Indians, in the Cattaraugus Reser- vation, each representing their ancestors, the contracting parties to the treaty. After a business meeting at the Society's log cabin, a visit was made to the cobblestone house, previously mentioned in this chapter, and the site of the Council House. Exercises were held in the afternoon in the Normal School building consisting in part of an admirable historical address by John S. Minard, Esq., of Fillmore, N. Y., the exhibition of valuable historical documents by Dr. George Rogers Howell, Archivist of the New York State Library, brought by him from Albany, and the presentation to the Society, by Dr. Howell, on behalf of Mr. Gouverneur Morris, of a photographic copy of
222
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Rembrandt Peale's portrait of Robert Morris, which is here reproduced.
At the banquet which occurred in the evening, Mr. Morris paid a fine tribute to his ancestor, who was so conspicuous a figure in the events recorded in this chapter. Mr. John and Mr. Logan, both eloquent men, spoke as follows:
Mr. John said:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is the greatest pleasure to me that the Managers of the Livingston County Historical Society, extend their invitation to our Indian people to participate at this commemoration of one hundred years ago to-day of our forefather's signing, known as "The Treaty of Big Tree. " and the Seneca Indians responded who are now present at this occasion of which I am proud to be one of the members, whom represented now of the said party of the first part to this great Treaty. Though the people who signed this treaty have passed away to the happy hunting grounds, and their descendants now to-day gathered here-the very grounds where our ancestors negotiated which involve a large amount of land.
At that time our people, the Indians, ceded a large tract of land known as Western New York for a mere nominal sum of money for the consideration, excepting and reserving to the Indians certain privileges and reservations mentioned in treaty. This sale of land from the Indians to Robert Morris contained a large tract of land, for one hundred thousand dollars. The Seneca Indians are getting only six thousand dollars interest per annum at present, while the white people occupying the land mentioned in said Big Tree Treaty are getting millions and millions of dollars interest. From the stand- point of my race many incidents of the most disgraceful tricks and robberies perpetrated upon the poor untutored sons of the forest. Still the Seneca Indians are happy and clinging upon the agreements and solemn obligations mentioned in the treaties under which they are protected and are now enjoying within the borders of this great Empire State.
The League of the Six Nations or Iroquois, as the French termed them when they spoke of this Indian Confederacy, was the most re- markable people in wisdom, oratory, political and the knowledge of the country during the early days when their glory was in full blast. The vast territory of country upon which they had immediate control comprises north by St. Lawrence, east by Atlantic Ocean, south by Tennessee, west by Mississippi river, from this vast territory of coun- try reduced that the control now at present by the Seneca Nation of Indians in the western part of this state about fifty-five thousand acres of land.
In speaking of the "Treaty of Big Tree" on the part of the party of
Gouverneur Morris.
223
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
the first part of which we are now represented here to-day are now enjoying upon one of the reservations reserved and the interest money from the United States treasury annually to the Senecas, in pursuance to the agreements of this Treaty, in relation to this Big Tree Treaty of which we are now celebrating to-day a Centennial, I will now show and hold up in my hands an original letter from the United States to the Senecas, the same reads as follows:
War Department, May 14. 1798.
Brothers :-- By the Indenture made between you and Robert Morris, Esquire, under the authority of the United States at Genesee, in the County of Ontario in the State of New York, on the 15th day of September, 1797, in consideration of One Hundred Thousand Dollars, to be by the said. Robert Morris, vested in the stock of the Bank of the United States, and held in the name of the President of the United States, for the use and behoof of the Seneca Nation of Indians. You bargained and sold a large tract of country mentioned in the said Indenture to the said Robert Morris, excepting nevertheless, and always reserving out of this Grant and Conveyance all such pieces or parcels of the aforesaid tract and such privileges thereunto belonging, as therein afterwards particularly mentioned, which said pieces or parcels of land so excepted, are by the parties to the presents clearly and fully understood to remain the property of the Seneca Nation in as full and ample a manner as if the presents had not been executed. It being also provided by the same instrument, as understood by the parties, that all such pieces or parcels of land as are thereby re- served, and are not particularly described as to the manner in which the same are to be laid off, shall be laid off in such a manner as shall be determined by the Sachems and Chiefs residing at or near the re- speetive villages where such Reservations are made, a particular whereof to be endorsed on the back of the deed and recorded with the same.
I write this letter by order of the President of the United States, to inform the Seneca Nation of Indians that the one hundred thousand dollars, being the consideration money in the Indenture mentioned has been vested conformably to the intention of said instrument, and that the President being thereof satisfied, hath by and with the consent and advice of the Senate, accepted, ratified and confirmed the Convention or Treaty aforesaid. And that Joseph Ellicott, a beloved man, skilled in surveying has been employed to lay off the Reserva- tions, excepted and made in the aforesaid Deed. To him, therefore, the Sachems and Chiefs concerned will give their directions for laying off the same.
I am also to assure the Seneca Nation that Joseph Ellicott is a gentleman of integrity, and that the Nation may confide to him the
224
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
laying off of the Reservations aforesaid, having no doubt he will exe- cute the trust with fidelity and impartial justice.
Dividends upon the Stock of the Bank of the United States pur- chased with the one hundred thousand dollars, for the use and behoof of the Seneca Nation of Indians, will be paid half yearly, the first dividend about the middle of July next, which will be remitted to the Seneca Nation in such manner as they shall direct, and their orders for the remittance of future dividends when they are paid, will be always attended to.
Wishing you health, I am, Brothers, Your friend and obedient servant, James Mellenry, See's of War.
To the Chiefs and Sachems of the Seneca Nation.
We perceive by the foregoing letter how careful and watchful by the President of the United States for the welfare and interest for the Seneca Indians. In review just a few out of many unpleasant inci- dents that happen along about the 16th century, how dark and gloomy must have been over the people of this country, even one hun- dred years ago to-day this country was owned by the Seneca Nation of Indians, and it was in a wild state, unimproved, uncultivated and un- settled excepting small spots here and there, villages, by Natives. By signing the Big Tree Treaty by Indians made this country a great change ; to-day we see most magnificent farms all over this country, and the civilization prevails among the people where one hundred years ago everything was wild. To-day the Seneca Indians are enjoying the fruits of civilization as well as the white people, especially when they are participating in this great Centennial Celebration.
1 will now conclude my short speech by extending my sincere thanks to the managers of the Livingston County Historical Society for the honor extended to me in making this address.
Mr. Logan said:
Mr. Toastmaster and Gentlemen: As a representative of the Seneca Nation of the Iroquois Indians, I come before you on this occasion as a representative of the people who once held sway over this entire continent, and as I have consented to make a short speech on this joyous occasion, I do so with a proper sense of the obligation I am under to my own race. We have laid aside all those feelings of animosity which actuated our forefathers when they saw that the vast country over which they roamed must give way to the civiliza-
225
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
tion of the white man, and we have learned that it is better for us to settle down and cultivate well a small piece of ground rather than to roam over all creation, and we have learned also that our children must take their places in the grand procession of progress, and, in order to do this, we must have elementary and high schools where our young men and women may be equipped for a successful career. It is well known to those who have studied my people that when we get the better of your civilization, we thrive under it, and our children take equal rank with yours in the acquisition of knowledge. It has been said, Mr. Toastmaster, that the only good Indian is a dead one. Give us your schools and your Christianity, and a fair chance in life, and do not treat us as dogs, and we will show by our love for our white brothers, and by our improvement that there are good Indians who are not dead.
The Indians are not decreasing in this country ; they are increasing, and so Mr. Toastmaster, you are likely to have the Indian problem on your hands for some time to come, and the only proper settlement of the Indian problem is to educate and Christianize my people. And it is a great deal cheaper to do this than to exterminate us. Presi- dent Grant stated that it has cost this government two millions of dollars to kill an Indian, but it costs only about $200 on the average to educate and Christianize an Indian, and an educated Indian is more glory to your race and to your civilization than a murdered one.
Your Centennial celebration is a great event, and I am bere to-day, not to glory over the departure of my people from this region, but to assure you that, though we have parted with our fertile lands, and gone from your immediate midst, with a good heart we rejoice in the improvement which God has spread over this land, and we unite with you on this great occasion out of respect for our white brother and his government and for our great white father at Washington who recognizes the Indians as wards of his government, to look with a father's interest after the welfare of us, who, like you, are the children of the Great Spirit.
Although, Mr. Toastmaster, my people are increasing in the United States, our ancient customs are gradually fading away, and we shall, under the influence of the progress of the age, in taking our places in the procession with you, lay aside the customs of our fathers, but we hope to prove ourselves worthy of the advantages which our white brothers have brought us, and act well the part which the Great Spirit created us to perform.
226
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
CHAPTER IX.
1 T WAS fortunate for this county that the earliest settlers here represented the enterprise, the culture and refinement, as well as the patriotisin of the three States of Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland, coupled with the proverbial independence, religious spirit and forecast of the Scotch emigrants. The Wadsworth brothers, and the Finleys, Jones, Fitzhughs, Carrolls and Rochesters, and the Scotchmen of Caledonia, may be mentioned as types of those who were first to establish their homes in this new country. Ireland, Germany and England were soon represented, and every Atlantic State added its quota to the daily growing settlements within the boundaries now prescribed to this prosperous shire.
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