The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19
New Book Discusses
the Greatest Of
American Indians.
Joseph Bnnt. Brilliant AIIy sf The
Tories, and stories Of His Presenta.
tiOn at the British q

Francis w. Sialsey has written an inter.
esting story, I'm his THE Old New York
Frontier published by scribner's. Of 10
seph Brant, whom John F1ske and Henry
r.. Schoolcraft nave designated as "ths
greatest Of all Americans Indians Of whom
We have record"
Brant was q full -biooded Mohawk: had
been educated by white men: had been 1t.
tached to the household Of Sir Winian
johnson whose Indian wife. Moiiie Brant,
was Joseph's sister. and was intimately
associated with the work Of missionaries
among the Mohawk Indians before he began
his interesting career as the leader Of ths
Indians who combined with the Tories m
the Revolution in the work Of spreading
terrible deMIation along the frontier Of
New York State. Brant was . man thor.
oughly accomplished in all the arts Of In
dian warfare, and yet he was merciful 70
his enemies and especially to his prisoners:
He often said what wal strictly true. that
the Tories in that warfare were more saw
age than the savages themselves.
Brant was the inspiring genius among the
Indians during the entire conflict. and CO.
operated with the British In the most nc.
tive manner. He was well known to all the
prominent English Officers, and made two
visits to London. where HI met the dis.
tinguished men and women Of that time.
He had interviews with Cabinet officers
in London and dined in houses where at
the same table were seated Burke. Fox and
Sheridan. He paid a formal visit to George
III and declined to kiss the sovereign's
hand. on the good American ground that
he. too. was q sovereign. But b. had the
grace to kiss the hand OF the Queen. A
great ball was given in Brants honor,
where he presented himself in full indian
with war paint, feathers and TOM
ahawk.
The story Is told that the Turkish Am.
bassador. mistook his painted face for a
visor. and ventured to touch II, thus giving
Brant an opportunity for sport. He sprang
back from the company near him, sounded
tho war whoop in rue native fashion.
siared at the Minister. and flashed hfs
tomahawk in the AIR. to the condemnation
OF every one present, who did not under.
stand the capacity Of . Mohawk Indian for
Joking. That absolute Prince Of
Wales. who was Afterwards George ~. en-
Brant. and went with him to
S AnseAeetn8 pb9CoU IN AOu0Oup WHICH
Brant afterwards described a. very Quesel
for a Prince to 70 to-"
In America Brant made the acquaintance
OF Washington. Aaron Burr and John Ham
cock. He also met ralleyrand. Afterwards
the War Minister Of Napoleon. Until the
last wears Of his life he kept up . corr
with the Duke Of Northumber-
land. at. that time the head Of the British
pserage. who. In signing one Of his letters
Brant. used these words: believe me,
EVER to be. with the greatest truth, your af-
friend and brother"
.Brant spent his last years on 4 farm in
Canada, and was In receipt Of . salary
England az = retired Captain Of the
He cultivated his lands, raised
horses and had thirty or forty negro slaves
to q state Of complete subsection.
His portrait was painted in London in l77s
BY the celebrated Romney and IL repro
duced Al Z frontispiece to The Old New
York Frontier" A direct descendant Of
Mr.. ]. o. Brant-sero. now living in
Canada, went to South Africa during the
In the Transvaal and served in .
civilian capacity, but was unable to take
part in the fighting. because only men Of
European ancestry were permitted BY Eng
land to do so.