The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-05-05
fnr TIT Eeps anh &irIs.
RED JACK EFT.

him BY the whites.
cannot tell You m ch about the youth Of
,hi, Indian. because no records OF his bov-
hood exist lie was born in the State Of
New York, where his tribe belonged. nearly
hundred wears since. There. in the once
spacious grounds Of the Senecas. like all
Young Indians, he learned TO use the how and
arrow, to WELD the tomahawk. to hunt the
buffalo and the deer TO catch fish, to sing
war-sonos. and to minole in the war-dances
Of his people. lie became warrior when
quite Young. but was better known az an ora
tor than as a soldier both among the Indians
anil the whites. Some one inquired Of him
one day concerning the number Of sca'ps he
had taken from the enemy. and Of other war
like deeds Of which milan warriors are usu
allv 50 proud Red Jacket cazci on his
1ucstiOncr with contempt. and replied "a
warrior. am an orator. was harm an ora
tor" In this preference for oratorv, think
Red Jacket was right. 1t is better to use
the tongue than the sword. even in a good
cause
1t does not appear that Red Jacket was
horn a chief. The blood in his veins had not
flowed through long line of chiefs His
tribe chose him for a chief because of the
force of his character and the power of his
Oratory.
The leading chief of the Senecas during the
youth of Red Jack was called Corn Plant
er. lie h,l been esteemed very highly hv
the Indians both as warrior and speaN err.
But having aided in ce.lnc some Of the hunt
ing grounds of the Senccas TO the Americans
he became quite unpopular. Hoping TO re-
gain bis influence. he pretended to he pro-
phet. The Great Spirit. he said. Rad ap-
pointed him to restore the Indians to their an
ricnt greatness Jealous OF the rising inhu-
enre Of Young Red Jacket, he charged him
with witchrraft, and great Council was
called to listen to his accusation.
This was placing young Red Jacket in a
trying position. The age. the character and
the pretens,ons Of Corn Planter gave him a
great advantage over his young adver<arv.--
But. nothing daunted. Red jacket stood up
in the Council, made a great speech nearly
three hours in length, boldly charged Corn
Planter with b,ing cheat and an i'm
po.tor, ard was acquitted. lie was then only
thirty years Of aye.
On another occasion he spoke in a grand
Council against the cession of more lands to
the whites The Council was nearly ended
and the chiefs we're ready to sign contract
to sell their lands Red Jacket then rose up.
with ma ieSty in his manner and fire in his
eyes: wrapping hi self in his blanket. he
quietly surveyed the assembly for minute.
until it grew silent as the grave Then he
began 10 speak in low and solemn tones
Warming with his The mo. his voice grew
louder. and more loud lie painted the for
mcr greatness Of the Six Nations. the coming
OF the whites AMI The growing weakness of
his people. in such colors. that his hearers
were melted to tears, or reused to almost ir-
resistible wrath. One word more, and the
lives of the white men present would have
been sacrificed TO milan vengeance Bu,
lsetl Jacket took his seat; some oII chiefs in
,erposed; the Council was broken up =
and the fury Of Tie people ca'mel down.
Yet Red Jacket became so popular thar he
was elected chief, and became thcnccforth
the leader Of his nation, almost to the end
OF hiS lite.
After Red ia :ket became chief he was
very active in exciting the Senccas TO rcsis.
the Americans. He was anxious TO promote
the independence Of the Indians. and p, even,
their being rooted ont by the white men,
Hence he fought for our enemies in the wa,
of the revolution, and for some wears after.
wards Bnt the whites finally seat an army
into the Seneca territory and compelled that
naughty race 10 submit
Toward the close of the war OF the rcyo-
luton. Red Jarkct was present at a Council
held at Fort Stanwix. Genera! LAFAYETTE
was there too. Red jacket made speech
which the General never forgot Many lonu
years afterwards. the General and the chief
MET at Bnilalo; the former spoke of that
Council. and asked;
where is the Young warrior who so clio.
quently opposed the b,,ryin. Of the toma-
hawk ~
lie is before you" replied Red jacket,
rrou'l'v: and strippinc handkerchief from
:Hs bald head, he added in melancholy tone.
".tl, Time has made bad work with me-
But yon, perceive" he gazcl earnest
" at L'fayettr's wig as he spoke" Iou have
hair enough left vet
Red Jacket was once introduced to Gen.
Washington. who gave him silver medal.
and called him the Flower Of the Fcrcst. y
The chief was proud of W:>hincton's Gift.
and wore it en- his person to the end OF his
life.
This country. as Won know, perhaps, was
atwar with England again in 1912. In this
war. Red Jacket aud his braves took sides
with u.s. They fought well. did good service.
and refraine1 from the ancient II dian Gus
tom of scaipnG their enemies. There Is no
proof that Red JACKIE. ever rncoura ged those
crueltes and barbara. nr.e,.rs in war. for
which the Indian races have been % celebra.
A.,l