An account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha Red Jacket and his people, 1750-1830

opment of his genius-Opinion of Capt. Horatio Jones-Customs of his people-Thei

The occasion of this notoriety was the rare fact that, though a rude and unlettered son of the forest, he was distinguished for the arts and accompli

ich was once the home of his fathers. And though linked with a melancholy association, as connected with the waning history of a people that once laid

s in all of those great transactions, in which they gradually relinquished a title to their old hunting grounds, and gave place to the intrusive white man. And he lived to see his nation pass from the pride of their an

ged, and gave him a right to become great among her sons. His birth is a matter of fact, its time and place, circumstances of conjecture. Some affirm th

s the honor of his birt

the Cayuga lake. [Footno

some treasured fragment, and then recedes to mingle with its parent waters, so the

wers of his genius began to be developed, or as to the steps by w

ure, accompanied by a proud ambition, and an unyielding purpose, he reached, like Demosthenes, the summit of his aspirations; or, assisted more by nature than by art, emerge

f the Seneca nation, was accustomed to speak of him as the greatest man that ever lived. "For," said he, "the great men of our own and of other times, have become so by education; but RED JACKET WAS AS NATURE MADE HIM. Had he enjoyed their adva

us; yet his admiration sprang from an intimate knowledge of him, seen under circumstances, that afforded the best opportunity o

owed but in answer to repeated toil; curiosity would inquire by what means one, who was reputed a barbarian, gained the highest distinction ever awarded to civilized man. It is not enough to reply simply, "that nature made him so," or to receive, wit

eans to mature and perfect them. As the young oak is strengthened by warring with the storm, so the faculties of his mind gained force by entering freely into conflicts of opinion. Accustomed to canvass in private the questions which

e habit of meeting in public assemblies, to discuss those questions that pertained to the interests, or destiny of their nation. Around their council fires their chiefs and warriors gathered, and entered freely, so far as their dignity, consideration, or power of debate admitted, into a deliberation on public affairs. And here were manifested an ability and decorum which civilized nations even, have viewed with admiration and surprise. For though we might sup

ius, might compare favorably, with the men of any age or clime. The names of Garangula, A

tion: KIN

n, whose powers of mind would not suffer in comparison

f the brave," and possessing altogether the best qualities of a

ovable integrity united, he excelled all the aboriginal inhabitants of the United St

bered for a saying of his to one who visited him toward the close of life; "I am," said he, "an aged hemlock, the winds of an hundred winters have whistled through my branches. I am dead at the top. The generation to which I belonged has run away and

the white men, after the extirpation of his family

civilized world, as worthy of a place with

est masters. Red Jacket did not rely upon his native powers alone, but cultivated the art with the same assiduity that characterized the great Athenian orator. The Iroquois, as t

d old of both sexes were accustomed to resort, and, assembled at their national forum, listened with profound attention and silence to each word spoken by their orators. "The unvarying courtesy, sobriety and dignity of their

of thought, and to express vehement manifestations of passion; admitting of greater and more sudden variations in pitch, than is permissable in English oratory, and encouraging pantomimic gesture, for greater force and effect. In other words it was not a cold,

ds of bravery, there was an inviting field opened to one, who could ch

y, as was Red Jacket's, by the gifts of nature, would fail to perceive the path in which lay the true road to eminence among his