An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha, or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830 eBook

“As to religion, we all ought to have it.  We should adore and worship our Creator, for his great favor in placing us over all his works.  If we cannot with the same fluency of speech, and in the same flowing language, worship as you do, we have our mode of adoring, which we do with a sincere heart; then can you say that our prayers and thanksgivings, proceeding from grateful hearts, and sincere minds are less acceptable to the Great God of the heavens and the earth, though manifested either by speaking, dancing, or feasting, than yours, uttered in your own manner and style?” [Footnote:  As quoted by Col.  Stone from MS collections of Joseph W. Moulton.]

CHAPTER XX.

Personal characteristics—­Interview with General Lafayette—­Visit of a French Nobleman—­Col.  Pickering reproved—­Address on launching a schooner bearing his name—­Anecdote of Red Jacket and Capt.  Jones—­His humor—­ Strong memory—­Its cultivation—­Contempt for pretension without merit—­ Love for the sublime—­Portraits—­Acute perception—­Refined sense of propriety—­First bridge at Niagara Falls—­Loss of his children—­Care for his people.

A prominent characteristic of Red Jacket’s mind, was self esteem, which led him to be quite tenacious of his own opinion.  He probably did not underrate his own ability.  He felt conscious of possessing talents, which would enable him to act with dignity and propriety, in any emergency calling for their exercise.  He never appeared to be intimidated or embarrassed at the thought of meeting with great men, but seemed always to be at home in their society, and to feel and act as though he regarded himself on an equality with them.  This was evident in his interview with General Lafayette, in 1825.

On being presented to the general, the orator inquired if he recollected being present, at the treaty of peace with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix, in 1784.  Lafayette replied that he remembered that great council very well.  “And what,” said he, “has become of the young chief, who resisted so strenuously and eloquently on that occasion, the idea of the Indians’ burying the hatchet?”

“He is before you,” was the instant reply.  Upon which the general remarked, that time had wrought very great changes upon them both since that memorable period.  “Ah!” said Red Jacket, “time has not been so severe on you, as it has on me.  It has left you a fresh countenance, and hair to cover your head; while to me,—­behold!”—­And taking a handkerchief from his head, with an air of much feeling, he disclosed the fact that he was nearly bald.  Several persons present could not refrain from smiling at the simplicity of the Indian, who appeared ignorant of the way the white man, was wont to repair the ravages of age in this respect.  His simplicity was enlightened by the fact, that the general was indebted to a wig, for his generous supply of hair.  Whereupon the orator playfully remarked,