An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha Part 7

For the further explanation of his views and wishes, he commended them to General Knox, the secretary of war, and Colonel Pickering; concluding his address with these words:--

"As an evidence of the sincerity of the desire of the United States for perfect peace, and friends.h.i.+p with you, I deliver you this white belt of wampum, which I request you will safely keep."

The president having thus appointed Colonel Pickering and General Knox, to attend to the further conferences with the Indians, Red Jacket's reply to the president's address, was made to them. His address was directed mainly to Colonel Pickering.

Taking in his hand the belt presented by President Was.h.i.+ngton, he spoke very much as follows:

"Your attention is now called to the words of the American Chief, when, the other day he welcomed us to the great council fire of the thirteen United States. He said it was from his very heart; and that it gave him pleasure to look around and see so large a representation of the Five Nations of Indians. That it was at his special request we had been invited to the seat of the general government, with a view to promote the happiness of our nation, in a friendly connection with the United States.

He said also that his love of peace did not terminate with the Five Nations, but extended to all the nations at the setting sun, and it was his desire that universal peace might prevail in this land.

"What can we, your brothers of the Five Nations, say in reply to this part of his speech, other than to thank him, and say it has given a spring to every pa.s.sion of our souls.

"The sentiment of your chief, who wishes our minds might all be disposed to peace,--a happy peace, so firm that nothing shall move it,--that it may be founded on a rock,--this comparison of the peace to a _rock, which is immovable_, has given joy to our hearts.

"The president observed also, that by our continuing in the path of peace, and listening to his counsel, we might share with you all the blessings of civilized life; this meets with our approbation, and he has the thanks of all your brothers of the Five Nations.

"And further, that if we attended to his counsel in this matter, our children and children's children, might partake of all the blessings which should rise out of this earth.

"The president observed again, that what he had spoken was in the sincerity of his heart, and that time and opportunity would give evidence that what he said was true. And we believe it because the words came from his own lips, and they are lodged deep in our minds.

"He said also that it had come to his ears that the cause of the hostilities of the western Indians, was their persuasion that the United States had unjustly taken their lands. But he a.s.sured us this was not the case; that none of his chiefs desired to take any of their land, without agreeing for it; and that the land, given up at the treaty at Muskingum, he concluded had been fairly obtained.

"He said to us that in his opinion the hostile Indians were in error, that whatever evil spirit, or lies had turned them aside, he wished could be discovered, that they might be removed. He had a strong wish that any obstacles to the extension of peace westward, might be discovered, so that they might be removed.

"In conclusion he observed that our professions of friends.h.i.+p and regard, were commonly witnessed by some token; therefore in the name of the United States, he presented us with this white belt, which was to be handed down from one generation to another, in confirmation of his words, and as a witness of the friendly disposition of the United States, towards the peace and happiness of the five confederated nations."

Red Jacket here laid down the white belt presented by the president, and taking up a belt of their own, continued his speech as follows:

"Now let the president of the United States possess his mind in peace. Our reply to his address to us the other day has been brief, for the belt he gave us is deposited with us, and we have taken firm hold of it. We return our united thanks for his address, in welcoming us to the seat of the great council, and for the advice he has given us.

"We have additional pleasure in knowing that you, Con-neh-sauty [Footnote: Col. Pickering.] are appointed to a.s.sist us, in devising the means to promote and secure the happiness of the Six Nations.

"Now open your ears, Representatives of the Great Council, Hear the words we speak. All present of the Great Council, [Footnote: Referring to members of Congress present.] and our brethren of the Five Nations, hear!

We consider ourselves in the presence of the Great Spirit, the proprietor of us all.

"The president has in effect told us we are freemen, the sole proprietors of the soil on which we live. This has gladdened our hearts, and removed a weight that was upon them. This indeed is to us an occasion of joy, for how can two brothers speak freely together, unless they feel they are upon equal ground?

"We now speak freely, as they are free from pressure, and we join with the president in his wish, that all the evils which have hitherto disturbed our peace, may be buried in oblivion. This is the sincere wish of our hearts.

"Now, Brother, continue to hear, let all present open their ears, while those of the Five Nations here present speak _with one voice_. We wish to see your words verified to our children, and children's children. You enjoy all the blessings of this life; to you therefore we look to make provision, that the same may be enjoyed by our children. This wish comes from our heart, but we add that our happiness cannot be great if, in the introduction of your ways, we are put under too much constraint.

"Continue to hear. We, your brothers of the Five Nations, believe that the Great Spirit let this island [Footnote: The Indians use the term _island_, in speaking of this continent.] drop down from above. We also believe in his superintendency over this whole island. He gives peace and prosperity, he also sends evil. Prosperity has been yours. American brethren, all the good which can spring out of this island, you enjoy. We wish, therefore, that we and our children, and our children's children, may partake with you of that enjoyment.

"I observe that the Great Spirit might smile on one people, and frown on another. This you have seen, who are of one color, and one blood. The king of England, and you Americans strove to advance your happiness by extending your possessions on this island, which produces so many good things. And while you two great powers were contending for those good things, by which the whole island was shaken, violently agitated, is it strange that our peace, the peace of the Five Nations, was shaken and overthrown?

"But I will say no more of the trembling of this island. All in a measure is now quiet. Peace is restored. Our peace, the peace of the Five Nations is beginning to bud forth. But still there is some shaking among our brethren at the Setting Sun; and you, of the thirteen fires, and the king of England know what is our situation and the cause of this disturbance.

Here now, you have an amba.s.sador, [Footnote: Referring to the British envoy to the United States.] as we are informed from the king of England.

Let him in behalf of the king, and the Americans, adjust all their matters, according to their agreement, at the making of peace--and then you will soon see all things settled among the Indian nations. Peace will extend far and near. Let the president and the amba.s.sador use all their exertions to bring about this settlement, according to the peace, and it will make us all glad, and we shall consider both as our real friends.

"Brother: Continue to hear! Be a.s.sured we have spoken not from our lips only, but from our very hearts. Allow us then to say: That when you Americans and the king made peace, he did not mention us, showed us no compa.s.sion, notwithstanding all he said to us, and all we had suffered.

This has been the occasion to us, the Five Nations, of great loss, sorrow and pain. When you and he settled the peace between you two great nations, he never asked for a delegation from us, to attend to our interests. Had this been done, a settlement of peace among all the western nations might have been effected. But neglecting this, and pa.s.sing us by unnoticed, has brought upon us great pain and trouble.

"It is evident that we of the Five Nations have suffered much in consequence of the strife between you and the king of England, who are of one color and of one blood. But our chain of peace has been broken. Peace and friends.h.i.+p have been driven from us. Yet you Americans were determined not to treat us in the same manner as we have been treated by the king of England. You therefore desired us at the re-establishment of peace, to sit down at our ancient fireplaces, and again enjoy our lands. And had the peace between you and the king of England been completely accomplished, it would long before this have extended far beyond the Five Nations.

"BROTHER CON-NEH-SAUTY: We have rejoiced in your appointment, for you are specially appointed with General Knox, to confer with us on our peace and happiness. We hope the great warrior will remember, that though a _warrior_, he is to converse with us about _peace_; letting what concerns war sleep; and the counselling part of his mind, while acting with us, be of _peace_.

"Have patience, and continue to listen. The president has a.s.sured us that he is not the cause of the hostilities now existing at the westward, but laments it. Brother, we wish you to point out to us of the Five Nations, _what you think is the real cause_.

"We now publicly return our thanks to the president, and all the counsellors of the thirteen United States, for the words he has spoken to us. They were good, unqualifiedly good. Shall we observe that he wished that if the errors of the hostile Indians could be discovered, he would use his utmost exertions to remove them?

"BROTHER! You and the king of England are the two governing powers of this island. What are we? You both arc important and proud; and you cannot adjust your own affairs agreeably to your declarations of peace. Therefore the western Indians are bewildered. One says one thing to them, and another says another. Were these things adjusted, it would be easy to diffuse peace everywhere.

"In confirmation of our words, we give this belt, which we wish the president to hold fast, in remembrance of what we have now spoken."

[Footnote: This speech, given by Col. Stone from a ma.n.u.script of J. W.

Moulton, Esq., on account of its importance, is presented almost entire. A few changes have been made, but the ideas of the orator, and the language mostly in which they are given, have been strictly maintained, while the changes are no greater than would have been made, had two reporters taken the words as they came from the lips of the orator.]

A very touching reference is made in this speech, to the manner in which the Indians had been treated by Great Britain, when peace was concluded with the United States. Notwithstanding the promises and high expectations held out to them, at the commencement of the war, and their sacrifices and services during its continuance, no notice was taken, no mention made of them in the treaty of peace. In the expressive language of Red Jacket, "_the king showed them no compa.s.sion_." They had for years fought side by side with the soldiers of Britain, they had, with stealthy tread, come down upon our settlements far removed from the seat of war, surprised peaceful inhabitants, slain defenseless women and children, plundered and burned their dwellings, and wrought in the hearts of the American people a sense of wrong, that cried for redress. What could be their position, now that the armies of Britain are withdrawn? The armies of Britain defeated, could they, single handed, cope with the American army? These were questions that weighed deeply on their minds. Did they expect the hand of friends.h.i.+p to be extended toward them? To be invited to councils of peace, --to the intimacies, hospitalities, and kindly feeling manifested on this occasion? The orator was deeply impressed by it, and notes the contrast apparent in the conduct toward them, of Britain and America. "_You Americans were determined not to treat us in the same manner, as we had been treated by the king of England. You desired us at the re- establishment of peace, to sit down at our ancient fire-places, and again enjoy our lands_." He further very significantly refers to the occasion of the hostile feelings among the Indians at the West. It was because the peace between England and America "_had not been fully accomplished_." In other words, hostile feelings were still cherished, and their _outward manifestation_ could be seen, in the plundering and ma.s.sacres, still carried on among our frontier settlements. The establishment of a _true peace_ between the two countries,--the existence and cultivation of genuine amicable relations between them, would, in his view, end all this trouble, and "_diffuse peace everywhere_."

We have already had occasion to notice the unfriendly feeling, cherished by the British Indian Department in Canada, toward the United States; and evidence will be afforded further on, of their being deeply implicated in the hostilities endured, coming from the Indians on our western border.

CHAPTER IX.

Indian appropriation--Emba.s.sy sent West--Instructions--Medal presented to Red Jacket--Military suits--Close of conference--Was.h.i.+ngton's parting words--Visit of Thayendanegea--Council at Au Glaize--Result--Another commission--Indian diplomacy--Was.h.i.+ngton's letter to Mr. Jay--Commission goes West--Various interviews--Result of council--Re-organization under General Wayne--Ready for action--Advice of Little Turtle--Wayne's battle and victory--Treaty of peace.

While these Indian chiefs were at Philadelphia, a bill was pa.s.sed by Congress, and ratified by the president, appropriating fifteen hundred dollars annually, for the benefit of the Iroquois, in purchasing for them clothing, domestic animals, implements of husbandry, and for encouraging useful artificers to reside in their villages.

They were engaged also to go on a pacific emba.s.sy to the hostile Indians of the West, and a.s.sure them of the friendly disposition of the United States toward them;--that they want nothing which belongs to the hostile Indians;--that they appointed commissioners to treat with them for their lands, and give them a large quant.i.ty of goods;--that a number of chiefs signed the deeds, and from the reports of the commissioners, it was supposed the lands had been fairly obtained;--that under this supposition large tracts had been sold, and hence difficult to restore again; but as the United States desire only what is just, they will attentively hear the complaints of the western Indians;--they will re-examine the treaties, and inquire into the manner in which they were conducted;--and if the complaints of the western Indians, appear to be well founded, the United States will make them ample compensation for their lands. They will do more;--so far from desiring to injure, they would do them good; they would cheerfully impart to them that knowledge, and those arts, by which they propose to increase the happiness, and promote the welfare of the Six Nations.

It was during this visit that President Was.h.i.+ngton, in token of his friends.h.i.+p and esteem, gave Red Jacket a large silver medal bearing his likeness, which he ever after preserved with much care, and took great pride in wearing.

[Ill.u.s.tration: GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON PRESIDENT. 1792.]

General Knox, the secretary of war, directed also that a military suit of clothes be given to each member of the deputation, including a c.o.c.ked hat, as worn by the officers of the United States army. When Red Jacket's suit was presented to him he eyed it carefully, and rather admiringly, but requested the bearer to inform General Knox that the suit would hardly become him, as he was not a war-chief but a sachem, the sachems being civil, rather than military officers. He desired therefore that another suit be prepared, which would accord better with the relation he sustained to his people; at the same time declaring the one sent very good, and manifesting a disposition to retain it, until the other was prepared. A plain suit was accordingly prepared and brought to him, and with this he seemed to be highly pleased. The bearer tarrying a little, and manifesting a readiness to carry back the other suit, Red Jacket coolly and rather playfully remarked, that though the present suit was more in keeping with his character as sachem, it nevertheless, occurred sometimes, in cases of emergency, that the sachems also went to war, and as it would then be very becoming and proper for him to wear it, he was happy to have one in case a circ.u.mstance of this kind should occur.

These Indian chiefs were all highly gratified with the attention shown them, during this visit to the general government. They were especially pleased with the interest that had been taken in the improvement of their people, and the pledges they had received of aid in carrying out the benevolent designs entertained toward them. And they all, Red Jacket with the rest, were favorably impressed with the views of Was.h.i.+ngton, in desiring to introduce among them the improvements of civilized life.

These conferences were brought to a close on the thirtieth of April, and President Was.h.i.+ngton in a concluding speech, said to them,--"When you return to your country, tell your nation that it is my desire to promote their prosperity, by teaching them the use of domestic animals, and the manner that the white people plough and raise so much corn, and if upon consideration, it would be agreeable to the nation at large, to learn those arts, I will find some means of teaching them at some places within their country, as shall be agreed upon." [Footnote: Irving's Life of Was.h.i.+ngton.]

The government had taken special pains also to secure the attendance of the celebrated Thayendanegea or Brant, with this deputation of friendly chiefs. The invitation, though a pressing one, was declined, and not without reason. For besides the powerful influence exerted over him by the officers of the British government in Canada, who strenuously opposed his coming, it has since been ascertained that he was the leading spirit who directed with so much success to the Indians, the onslaught upon General St. Clair's army, the preceding fall. Hence his own feelings could not have been of the most friendly character. He was, nevertheless, induced to visit the seat of government during the month of June following, and pledged himself to exert his influence in an effort to secure peace for the United States, with the Indians at the West.

A very large Indian council, composed of delegates from many and some of them very distant nations, was held at Au Glaize, on the Miami of Lake Erie, in the autumn of 1792. A large delegation from the Six Nations, friendly to the United States, was present and took part in the deliberations. Red Jacket was the princ.i.p.al speaker, and strenuously advocated the settlement of their difficulties, by peaceful negotiations instead of war.

The Shawanese as strenuously advocated the continuance of hostilities.

They taunted the Six Nations with having induced them to form a great confederacy, a few years before, and of having come to the council now, "with the voice of the United States folded under their arm;"--referring to the belt which was significant of their emba.s.sy.