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

He may have had some pride also in having his name appended to a document, which he knew the white people regarded, as of much importance, and were very careful to preserve.

It is related of him as having transpired at a later period, when Mr. Greig of Canandaigua, acting for the Ogden Company, was holding a council with a view to purchase some of the smaller Indian reservations, lying along the Genesee river, he was opposed step by step, by the persistent efforts of Red Jacket.  Yet notwithstanding the opposition, Mr. Greig was successful in securing the extinguishment of their title, to about eighty thousand acres of their land.  When the time came for signing the deed, Mr. Greig said to Red Jacket,—­“As you have been opposed to the sale of the land, you need not have your name attached to the deed.”  But he would hear to nothing of the kind, and insisted upon signing it, seeming to take pride in having his name appended to the paper. [Footnote:  Conversation of the author with the Hon. John Greig of Canandaigua.  Some years ago a story illustrating the eloquence of Red Jacket went the rounds of the papers, in which Mr. Greig was represented as arguing a case in opposition to and as being defeated by Red Jacket.  Not happening to see it at the time, the author sought for a copy, but learning that its principal statements were fictitious, he relinquished the undertaking.  Mr. Greig never argued the case as represented, but took down a speech from the interpreter which he read to the orator, who was much pleased with its correctness and bestowed on him an Indian name, signifying—­“a ready writer.”]

CHAPTER XIII

Council at Canawangus—­Interesting reminiscence of Red Jacket—­Address of Farmer’s Brother—­Jasper Parrish—­Horatio Jones—­Red Jacket’s visit at Hartford, Conn.

A council of the Iroquois was held at Ca-na-wau-gus, near West Avon, in the autumn of 1798.  Connected with it is a reminiscence of Red Jacket of much interest, as an item of history, and it serves well to illustrate the orator’s mental habit.

His conduct was such on this occasion, as to excite the observation as well as curiosity of Captain Parrish, who related the occurrence.

For the first few days of the council, he uttered not a word.  He appeared to be in deep thought, and was exceedingly reserved.—­The expression of his countenance was severe, and there was much hauteur in his manner.  He ate scarcely anything, and his appearance was so remarkable, as to excite the wonder of all present.  At length on the third or fourth day of the council, he arose with great dignity, and solemnity of air, and commenced speaking.  His exordium was for the most part a beautiful and highly wrought enconium on the character and history of the Indians; particularly of his own people, in the past.  They were taken back, as by a magic spell, to primitive times.  The days