The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-02
JOSEPH BRANT.
The story of the Great Captain Of the
Six Nations.
Literary Bulletin.

Literary Bulletin.
Most writers on the subject. including
John Fiske and Henry r. Schoolcraft, have
agreed In saying that Joseph Brant was the
greatest of all American Indians of whom
we have authentic records. He was a full
blooded Mohawk; had been educated by
white men; had been attached TO the house.
hold of Sir William Johnson, whose Indian
wife, Mollie Brant, was Joseph's sister, and
was intimately associated with the work of
missionaries among the Mohawk Indians
before he began his interest ting career as
the leader OF the Indians who combined
with the Tories in the revolution In the
work of spreading terrible desolation alon <
the frontier of New York State. Brant was
a man thoroughly Accomplished in all the
arts of Indian warfare, and yet he was
merciful TO his enemies and especially 10
his prisoners. He often said what was
strictly true, that the Tories In that war
fare were more savage than the savages
themselves.
An account of Brants operations, based
on original documents, and containing
matter never before accessible TO the pub
lie. is given in The Old New York From
tier Charles Scribners sons, written by
Francis w. Halsey. Brant was the nspir-
ing genius among the Indians during the
entire conflict, and co-operated with the
British in the most active manner He
well known to all the prominent Eng
lish officers and made two visits TO Lon
don, where he met the distinguished 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 10
George III and declined to kiss the SOW
ereign's hand, on the good American
ground that he. too, was a sovereign. But
he had the grace to kiss the hand of the
Queen. A great ball was given in Brant S
honor, where he presented himself In full
Indian costume, with war paint, feathers
and tomahawk The story is told that the
Turkish ambassador mistook his painted
face for visor. and ventured 10 touch ii,
thus giving Brant an opportunity for sport.
HIM, sounded the war whoop in true native
fashion, glared at the minister, and flashed
his tomahawk I'm the air, 10 the consterna-
ton of everyone present who did not under
stand the capacity OF a Mohawk Indian for
practical Joking. The dissolute Prince OF
Wales who was afterwards George ".
entertained Brant. and went with him 10
many interesting places i'm London. which
Brant afterwards described as very queer
for a Prince TO go to-
In America Brant made the acquaintance
of Washington. Aaron Burr and John Han
cock. He also met Talleyrand, afterwar;i
the war minister of Napoleon. Until the
last years of his life he Kept up corrc-
spondence with the Duke OF Northumber-
land al that time the head OF the British
pearage who in signing one Of his letters
10 Brant, used these words; Believe me
ever TO be. with the greatest truth. your
affectionate friend and brother
Rrant spent his last years on a farm in
Canada and was in receipt or salary from
England a retired captain OF the army.
He cultivated his lands. raised horses and
had thirty or forty negro slaves reduced Z,
a state of complete subjection.. tbs portrait
was PAINTED in London IN iHo by the cele-
hrated Romnev and is reproduced as a
frontispiece TO ..The Old New York From