An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha | Page 5

speech before the Buffalo Historical Society on the occasion
of the re- interment of Red Jacket's remains.]
"Their language was flexible and sonorous, the sense largely depending
upon inflection, copious in vowel sounds, abounding in metaphor;
affording constant opportunity for the ingenious combination and
construction of words to image delicate, and varying shades of thought,
and to express vehement manifestations of passion; admitting of greater
and more sudden variations in pitch, than is permissable in English
oratory, and encouraging pantomimic gesture, for greater force and
effect. In other words it was not a cold, artificial, mechanical medium
for the expression of thought or emotion, or the concealment of either,
but was constructed, as we may fancy, much as was the tuneful tongue
spoken by our first parents, who stood in even closer relations to
nature." [Footnote: Ib.]
Hence, though the Iroquois were a warlike people, and delighted in
deeds of bravery, there was an inviting field opened to one, who could
chain their attention by his eloquence, and sway their emotions at will.
Such advantages being presented for the exercise of the powers of
oratory, it can hardly be supposed that a mind endowed as richly, as
was Red Jacket's, by the gifts of nature, would fail to perceive the path
in which lay the true road to eminence among his people. And his
subsequent career indicates but too clearly, the choice he made of the
field in which to exercise his noble powers.

CHAPTER II.

Glance at the early history of the Iroquois--The territory occupied--
Tuscaroras--Original strength--Traditions--Probable course of
migration-- The Senecas--Story of their origin--Singular romance.
Rising up from the obscurity of the past, we find a people, singular in
their habits and character, whose history has been strangely, and in
some respects sadly interwoven with our own. They were the original
occupants of the soil, claiming to have lived here always, and to have
grown out of the soil like the trees of the forest. Scattered over this
continent were various Indian tribes, resembling each other in their
general features and habits, but in some instances exhibiting stronger
and more interesting traits of character than the others. Among these
were the Iroquois, and if Red Jacket was distinguished among his own
people, his own people were not less conspicuous among the North
American Indians.
He sprang from the Senecas, and was accustomed to speak of his origin
with feelings of conscious pride. For the Senecas were the most
numerous and powerful of the six nations, of whom they were a part.
Such was the title given to that celebrated Indian confederacy which,
for a length of time unknown to us, inhabited the territory embraced by
the State of New York.
Here they lived in a line of settlements extending from one end to the
other, through the middle of the State, and their domain as thus
occupied, they were accustomed to style their Long House. It was a
shadowy dome, of generous amplitude, covered by the azure expanse
above, garnished with hills, lakes, and laughing streams, and well
stored with provisions, in the elk and deer that bounded freely through
its forest halls, the moose that was mirrored in its waters, and the trout,
those luscious speckled beauties, that nestled cosily in its crystal
chambers.
The eastern door was guarded by the Mohawks, who resided at one,
and its western by the Senecas, who dwelt at the other extremity of this
abode.
When ever a messenger from another nation came to them on business,

or knocked, as it was termed, at the eastern or western door of their
long house, it was the duty of the nation to which he came, to give him
entertainment, and examine into the nature of his embassy. If it was of
small importance, it was decided by their own council; but if it was
such as to demand the united wisdom of the tribes, a runner was sent
with a belt of wampum to the nearest nation, which would take the belt
and send a runner with it to the next, and so on, and thus with but little
delay, a general meeting was summoned of all the tribes.
This confederacy at one time consisted of five nations, but afterward
embraced six, by the addition of the Tuscaroras, a tribe that once
occupied the territory of North Carolina.
This tribe is said to have belonged at an early day to the Iroquois family,
and to have inherited the enterprising and warlike character of the
parent stock. They fought successfully with the Catawbas, Cowetas,
and the Cherokees, and thought to exterminate by one decisive blow,
all of the white inhabitants within their borders. Unsuccessful in the
attempt, pressed sorely by the whites, who resisted the attack, and
unwilling themselves to submit, they removed to