his being in liquor; but such a thing was far from h intention in his sober moments. We are all extremely grieved at it, and are willing to come forward and have it settled, as crimes of the same nature have been heretofore done.

"Brothers-Since this accident has taken place, we have been informed, that by the laws of this State, if a murder is committed within it, the murderer must be tried by the laws of the State, and punished with death.

"Brothers-When were such laws explained to us? Did we ever make a treaty with the State of New York, and agree to conform to its laws? No. We are independent of the State of New York. It was the will of the Great Spirit to create us different in colour. We have different laws, habits, and customs, from the white people. We will never consent that the government of this State shall try our brother. We appeal to the government of the United States.

"Brothers-Under the customs and habits of our forefathers, we were a happy people; we had laws of our own; they were dear to us. The whites came among us and introduced their customs; they introduced liquor among us, which our forefathers always told us would prove our ruin.

66

Brothers-In consequence of the introduction of liquor among us, numbers of our people were killed. A council was held to consider of a remedy, at which it was agreed by us, that no private revenge should take place for any such murder-that it was decreed by the Great Spirit, and that a council should be called, to consider of redress to the friends of the deceased.

"Brothers-The President of the United States is called a great man, possessing great power-he may do what he pleases-he may turn men out of office-men who held their offices long before he held his. If he can do these things, can he not even control the laws of this State? Can he not appoint a commissioner to come forward to our country and settle the present difference, as we, on our part, have heretofore often done to him upon a similar occasion.

We now call upon you, Brothers, to represent theses things to the President, and we trust that he will not refuse our request, of sending a commissioner to us, with powers to settle the present difference. The consequence of a refusal may be serious. We are determined that our brother shall not be tried by the laws of the State of New York. Their laws make no difference between a crime committed in liquor, and one committed coolly and deliberately. Our laws are different, as we have before stated. If tried here, our brother must be hanged. We cannot submit to that. Has a murder been committed upon our people, when was it punished with death?

Brothers-We have now finished what we had to say on the subject of the murder. We wish to address you upon another, and to have our ideas communicated to the President upon it also?

44

'Brothers-It was understood at the treaty concluded by Col. Pickering, that our superintendent should reside in the town of Canandaigua, and for very good reasons: that situation is the most central to the Six Nations, and by subsequent treaties between the State of New York and the Indians; and there are still stronger reasons why he should reside here, principally on account of the annuities being stipulated to be paid to our superintendent at this place. These treaties are sacred. If their superintendent resides elsewhere, the state may object to sending their money to him at a greater distance. We would therefore wish our superintendent to reside here at all

events.

"Brothers-With regard to the appointment of our present superintendent, we look upon ourselves as much neglected and injured. When General Chapin and Captain Chapin were appointed, our wishes were consulted upon the occasion, and we most cordially agreed to the appointments. Captain Chapin has been turned out, however, within these few days. We do not understand that any neglect of duty has been alleged against him. We are told it is because he differs from the President in his sentiments on government matters. He has also been perfectly satisfactory to us; and had we known of the in

1

1

1

4

ention, we should most cordially have united in a petition to the President to continue him in office. We feel ourselves injured-we have nobody to look to-nobody to listen to our complaints-none to reconcile any differences among us. We are like a young family without a father. "Brothers-We cannot conclude without again urging you to make known all these our sentiments to the. President."

Speech delivered over the grave of Black Buffalo, principal Chief of the Teton tribe of Indians, by the Big Elk Maha Chief.

Do not grieve. Misfortunes will happen to the wisest and best men. Death will come, and always comes out of season. It is the command of the Great Spirit, and all nations and people must obey. What is past and cannot be prevented should not be grieved for. Be not discour aged or displeased, then, that in visiting your father here you have lost your chief. A misfortune of this kind may never again befall you, but this would have attended you perhaps at your own village. Five times have I visited this land, and never returned with sorrow or pain. Misfortunes do not flourish particularly in our path. They grow every where. (Addressing himself to Governor Edwards and Colonel Miller.) What a misfortune for me, that I could not have died this day, instead of the chief that lies before us. The trifling loss my nation would have sustained in my death would have been dou bly paid for, by the honours of my burial-They would have wiped off every thing like regret. Instead of being covered with a cloud of sorrow, my warriors would have felt the sunshine of joy in their hearts. To me it would have been a most glorious occurrence. Hereafter, when I die, at home, instead of a noble grave and a grand pre cession, the rolling music and the thundering cannon, with a flag waving at my head-I shall be wrapped in a robe (an old robe perhaps) and hoisted on a slender scaf

old to the whistling winds, soon to be blown to the earth -my flesh to be devoured by the wolves, and my bones rattled on the plain by the wild beasts.

(Addressing himself to Colonel Miller.)

CHIEF OF THE SOLDIERS,-Your labours have not been in vain. Your attention shall not be forgotten. My nation shall know the respect that is paid over the dead. When I return, I will echo the sound of your guns

Speech of Red Jacket.

[In the summer of 1805, a number of the principal Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations, principally Senecas, assembled at Buffalo Creek, in the State of New York, at the particular request of the Rev. Mr. Cram, a Missionary from the State of Massachusetts. The Missionary being furnished with an Interpreter, and accompanied by the Agent of the United States for Indian affairs, met the Indians in Council, when the following talk took place.]

First, by the Agent.

"Brothers of the Six Nations-I rejoice to meet you at this time, and thank the Great Spirit that he has preserved you in health, and given me another opportunity of taking you by the hand.

He

Brothers-the person who sits by me, is a friend who has come a great distance to hold a talk with you. will inform you what his business is, and it is my request that you would listen with attention to his words." MISSIONARY. My friends-I am thankful for the opportunity afforded us of uniting together at this time. I had a great desire to see you, and inquire into your state and welfare for this purpose I have travelled a great distance, being sent by your old friends, the Boston Missionary Society. You will recollect they formerly sent missionaries among you, to instruct you in religion, and labour for your good. Although they have not heard from you for a long time, yet they have not forgotten their brothers, the Six Nations, and are still anxious to do you good.

"Brothers-I have not come to get your lands or your money, but to enlighten your minds, and to instruct you how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to his mind and will, and to preach to you the gospel of his Son Jesus Christ. There is but one religion, and but one way to serve God, and if you do not embrace the right way, you cannot be happy hereafter. You have never worshipped the Great Spirit in a manner acceptable to him; but have all your lives been in great errors and darkness. To endeavour to remove these errors, and open your eyes, so that you might see clearly, is my business with you.

"Brothers-I wish to talk with you as one friend talks with another: and if you have any objections to receive the religion which I preach, I wish you to state them; and I will endeavour to satisfy your minds, and remove the objections.

"Brothers-I want you to speak your minds freely; for I wish to reason with you on the subject, and, if possible, remove all doubts, if there be any on your minds. The subject is an important one, and it is of consequence that you give it an early attention while the offer is made you. Your friends, the Boston Missionary Society, will continue to send you good and faithful ministers, to instruct and strengthen you in religion, if, on your part, you are willing to receive them.

"Brothers Since I have been in this part of the country, I have visited some of your small villages, and talked with your people. They appear willing to receive instruction, but as they look up to you as their elder brothers in council, they want first to know your opinion on the subject.

"You have now heard what I have to propose at present. I hope you will take it into consideration, and give me an answer before we part."

[After about two hours' consultation among themselves, the Chier commonly called by the white people Red Jacket, (whose Indian name is Sa-gu-yu-wha-hah, which interpreted, is Keeper Awake, rose and spoke as follows:]

"Friend and Brother-It was the will of the Great Spirit that we should meet together this day. He orders