The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-13

HIsToRICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
This association held its regular stated meet
ing last Light at their hall, IN the Athengum
Building, corner OF Sixth and Adelphi streets,
Dr. Benjamin III. Coates, Vice-PTesident, in
the chair, who, after calling the meeting to
order, announced that the Corresponding Secre-
tary, Colonel James Ross Snowden, would read
the address which he had prepared and de-
liyered by request of the members OF the Society
upon the occasion Of the dedication OF monu-
ment erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
vana TO Cot1planter, the noted Chief of the Six
Nations OF Indians, at Oennesedaga Warren
county, on the 18th OF October last.
colonel Snowden then read lengthy aud in
terestlng address, comprising complete biogfa-
pny OF the lire and character OF Cornpanter,
which was inteTspersed with many character
isuc anecdotes, and throughout highly eulo.
CYSTIC OF that great chief.
Cornplanter had learned from observation as
well as experience, the influence and power OF
the whites; and an able statesman and friend
OF his race, he yielded to the superior force, and
endeavored 10 preserve the existence of his
family and nation by securing to his people land
ana other property where they would not be
disturbed by the encroachments OF the whites.
il is noticeable tact, and highly illustrative
OF his iar-seeing policy, that In the treaties in
which he took part as chief or representative
of his tribe, he declined 10 stipulate for or re-
ceive goods or money, but asked for well.de-
hned boundaries to their tern ories, or for title
IN fee simple for himself and his brethren. He
had the sagacity to perceive that ii his nation
anu p6bple uepbUueu upon IUeT6 uu0l6IS' TlRnL
to roam over section Of country, they would
be driven, like other Indian tribes, from plpce
to place. and at length be exterminated, or
removed to distant lands where they would be
regarded as new comers, and be oppressed or
destroyed by the Indians who had prior claim
TO the territory.
After giving an exhaustive account of the
Indian League, or Coniederacy, known origi-
nally as the FIVE Nations, called by the French
lroquois, and afterwards known as the Six Ma
tions, of which the tribe of Cornplanter-the
Senecas-was the most numerous and powerful,
the lecturer referred to the prediction of Gov
ernor Dewitt Clinton, IN his address before the
Historical Society of New York, December l6
1911 in which he id:--"The minister of destruc-
ton is lowering over them, and before the pass
sing away of the present generation not single
Ioquois will be seen in this State"
This sad picture, although true TO some eX-
! tent, was somewhat ovcrdrawn in consequence
of the agitations and disputes which preceded
the war with England, in 1872 the Indian tribes
| beng divided on that question: some of them
| taking up the hatchet for England, and others,
among whom were the Six Nations, for the
Uuited States. But Governor Clinton's pro-
phecy has utterly failed. The influence and
example OF Cornplanter, aided by other good
men, white as well as red, leading their people
to agriculture and habits of industry and tenn
! peranCe has saved tIOm destruction a remnant
Of the brave and once powerful nation who
! lived on the rivers and lakes, and peoped the
! land both tar and near.
Those who knew Cornplauter personally had
| the highest regard for himes a living example
| OF integrity, truthfulness, purity, temperance,
| fatherly affection for his tribe and race, and
! generous hospitality to all. He possessed the
| universal affection and veneration of mis- tribe,
and all who knew hlm. He died at his Indian
! village, near Franklin, Pa, on the 18th OF Feb
| ruary, 1885, aged about l05 years.
/ Mr.. John w. Wallace, in a few remarks, COM
| pllmented Colonel Snowden, and moved
That the thanks of the Society be presented
TO Colonel j. Ross Snowden for his interesting
| lecture; and
That, after he had made such use ofthe manu-
script as he desired, ii should be deposited in
the archives of the Society.
Both these motions were unanimously adopted.
Colonel Snowden thanked the Society for these
complimentary resolutions.
| The Secretary announced the donations to the
| Society during the past month:-To the library,
| LOG Volumes 3l8 titles, 20 wit: - Books, l39
volumes; magazines, 26; newspapers, IA; broad
| sides, 80.
Mr.. Fales exhibited the original gold medal
presented by Congress to Colonel de Fleury for
hls gallantry at the storming of Stony Point,
July 5, 1879.
MIR. Samuel Croft exhibited a painting, very
handsomely executed, OF the old London Coffee
! House. erected at the corner OF Front and Market
streets in the year 1902.
Colonel Snowden exhibited the original docu-
ment signed by Washington aud Jefferson, De-
cember 29. 1880, containing the reply of the
President to the speech or talk" of Corn
planter, Half Town, and the great chiefs and
counsellors of the Seneca nation OF Indians
This is very ancient writing, on dressed
sheepskn.
The Colonel also exhibited very elegantly
engraved copy of this singular document. Also
photographs of Polly Logan and Charles OBail
daughter and son OF Cornplanter.
In consequence of the length of the address
much of the usual business was dispensed with
and the meeting adjourned near 10 O'clock.