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

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Indians at Buffalo Cr

d-Interference of the ma

invited to P

ilities and depredations continued to multiply. From the year 1783 when peace was concluded with Great Britain, until October, 1790, when the United States commenced offensive operations against them,

transactions; and our government finding protection for her citizens could not b

fifty men, three hundred and twenty from the regular army, and the balance made

on, the present site of Cincinnat

d retired. Seizing a favorable opportunity, they fell suddenly upon a detachment of the main army

force, fled. The regulars stood their ground bravely

d sixty regulars, gave battle to the Indians. They fought near the junction of St. Joseph and St

of Colonel Proctor, with a deputation from the Iroquois was not given up, and when spring opened he repaired to their

e Americans, and nothing was wanting but the united action of all the Indian tribes, to secure the broad lands of the North-west, where they could spread their blankets in peace, and dwell securely forever. The Senecas, particularly, were urged

r, arrived at the council fire kindled at

tter had now an acknowledged pre-eminence among his people, and took a leading part in t

We all address you, and our chief warrior, Cornplanter; and we thank the Great Spirit for his and your safe arrival,

g, thwart your business, and cause you to lose your way. The great waters might have prevented your coming; the wars might have stopped you; sickness and death might have overtaken you, for we know not what is to happen till it comes upon us. T

have come. We now place you upon a seat where you can sit erect, a seat where you will be secure fr

r hearts, and we remove the seal from your lips, that you may open them and speak freely without obstruction. Your ears too have been clos

of Buffalo Creek, to you and to our great warrior, the Cornplan

imself and Col. Procter, reciprocating the kindness

hem a deputation of peace, to visit with him the hostile Indian tribes at the West; and assured

ould be done without consulting their British friends at Fort Niagara. They desired the colonel to go with them there. His business not being

m, and after a little private consultation with him, they se

d been holding a consultation with these chiefs, and had no doubt be

return, and expressed his regret in having to carry back an unfavorable repo

and immediately a change took place in their proceeding

ington an unfavorable reply. To them was conceded the right, in things pertaining to the safety of their homes, of reversing, if they th

t that a sufficient deputation, for which they had obtained volunteers, should accompany Col. Proctor, at the same time advising him of the dange

unwilling to perform it with their canoes, the case was decided by

the month of June following. The British officers at Niagara, and runners from the western tribes, exerted their influence to prevent the Iroquois from coming into alliances of peace with the United States. But throug

rations of this council. It was well attended by the Indians, as also by several American gentlem

ndship of the leading chiefs to the United States, and it served also to interest the minds of the yo

ciety; and the happy influences that would arise from the introduction among them of the arts of civilized life. He assured them of the kind interest felt by General Washington and others in their welfare, and promised to aid them in any eff

osed this council, gathered amid distracting influences, the Indians returning home better satisfied with their frie