Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-10-31


which occupies great SPACE 10 our Journals.
"To Professor MITCHELL, &c.
From, the Niagara Patriot.
Mr.. SALISBURY
Sir, The following is an extract oil Talk
delivered at Seneca Village, near Buffalo,
on the e9th and 3Oth Of December, 1917,
written by the request of The Council, and
signed by 81 chiefs of the Seneca, Ononda-
ga and Cayuga Tribes, in the presence OF
wilne sses chosen to certify its truth. In
giving it to the public, you give jus, view
Of the feelings and purposes OF our Red
Brothers.
The responsibility OF publishing this do
cument and other facts that may commn-
nicate in relation to these Indians, take
on myself; the Indians have not been con-
suited, and are wholly ignorant OF my pur-
pose. trust a sense Of imperious duty
moves me to bring before the public, a
poor, miserable people, who have no helper
ready to perish.
SENECA INDIANS.
No. |.
Extractofa Talk of the Six Nations, to the
President of the United States, sent by
mail January 4, 1918, TO the secretary of
War, for him to communicate 10 the Pre-
sident
To TIE SECRETARY OF WAR.
Brother:
II is the desire of the Six Nations assem-
bled at their great Council Fire. in their
village near Buffalo, that you would please
to lay the following Talk before our father,
the President of the United States.
Father:
From the fstherly care the Presidents Of
the United States have exercised towards
their Red Children, we speak to our father
in confidence, believing he will not turn
away his ears from his Red Children. Ha-
wing no agent through whom we might
speak, we are persuaded that our father
will not be displeased that we speak direct
ly to him, as il were, face 10 face.
Father:
We need not tell you that we are poor,
ignorant people; unacquainted with the
great affairs and wise management OF our
enlightened white brothers. We are dis
tressed and alarmed-Te have no where
to look but to our father, whom we trust
will bear with his children, should their
fears appear TO him TO be groundless.
Fdtker:
We are alarmed lest we lose our Seats
Those men that say they have right 10
purchase our lands, have been distressing
us for number ofyears with their plans to
possess our lands offering us in exchange
lards to the westward. We decidedly told
themw we did not wish TO part with our lands,
desiring they would be at no more expense
in visiting us on this Grand, if we should
alter our minds we would sc,d them word.
Some months after deputa,iop of cur bro
theirs TO the west visited us, offering us a
large tract of their land free gift. if we
would acceptit. We thanked our brothers
for their generous offer, and promised at
some future time, to send men to view the
land. The war took place the next year-.
nothing more was done or heard of BY us OF
this land, until the spring after the peace,
when our brothers again visited US, making
the same offer. II never entered into our
hearts OF leaving cur present seats and GO
ing to the westward ourselves but as there
were many OF the Six Nations in the Vest
ern country who had no seat TO set on, but
what was liable to be sold from under them
any day the owners chose, We rose up TO
consider the offer of our brothers, that we
might provide for our scattered children
Through the assistance Of our brothers,
Jones and Parrish and another great friend,
who advised and assisted W., we laid our
circumstances and views before our father,
the President OF the United States, acquaint-
ing him with our offer-that with his APP
probation we would accept this land. pro-
vided the United States would make il sure
to us. Our father, the president was pleas
ed to certify his appreciation, and that the
land should BE- made sure TO us agreeable
to our request. On receiving this informa.
ton from our father, the President, we sent
on men to view the land and take its de
mansions. Our brother, capt. Parrish, went
with them 10 do The writing, that it might
be made sure to US, according to the word
of our father, the President. Our men
found no land. Col. Ogden (who is said
to hold the right purchasing our land) re-
commended us to send to Detroit, and Gov.
Cass would put US in way TO find our land.
We sent six men to Detroit, Gov. Cass in
formed our men that in September there
would be large Council Of Indians of diff
ferent nations met at Fort Meigs; the Six
Nations would do vel! 10 have deputa-