An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha | Page 9

legend was derived many years ago from a
Seneca chief of some note, named Chequered Cap, and was
communicated to me by W. H. C. Hosmer, Esq., of Avon. On the top of
Genundewa the remains of an Indian orchard are visible, a few
moss-grown and wind-bowed apple trees still linger, sad, but fitting
emblems of the wasted race by whom they were planted."]
Let us return to the inquiry we were pursuing. Of the origin of the
Iroquois confederacy, some traditionary accounts have been given,

which represent the different tribes as dwelling for a time, in the
separate locations assigned them, independent of each other. Here they
increased in valor, skill and knowledge, suited to their forest home. At
length becoming numerous, rival interests arose among them, which
did not exist when they were small and feeble. They fell into contention,
and wasted and destroyed each other. Each tribe fortified his own
position, and dwelt in constant fear of being surprised and overcome by
his neighboring foe.
At length one of their sachems, distinguished for his wisdom and
address, proposed that they should cease from a strife, which was only
destroying themselves, and unite their energies against the Alleghans,
the Adirondacks, the Eries, and other ancient and warlike tribes, who
were their superiors in their isolated and divided condition. Already
weary of their unprofitable conflicts, the proposal was received with
favor, and Ato-tar-ho, an Onandaga chieftain, unequalled in valor, and
the fame of whose skill and daring was known among all the tribes,
became the leading spirit of this confederacy, and by common consent
was placed at its head. So fully did experience demonstrate the wisdom
of this arrangement, that they used every means to strengthen the bands
of their union, and by the most solemn engagements of fidelity to each
other, they became the Ko-nos- hi-o-ni, or United people. [Footnote:
Schoolcraft's Report.]
How long this confederacy had existed before their discovery by the
whites, is unknown. There is a tradition which places it one age, or the
length of a man's life, before the white people came to this country.
[Footnote: Pyrlaus, a missionary at the ancient site of Dionderoga, or
Fort Hunter, writing between 1742 and 1748, gives this as the best
conjecture he could form, from information derived from the Mohawks.
It is thought however that this time is too short, to account for the
degree of development attained by the Iroquois, in their united capacity,
at the time of their first discovery by the whites.]
The union of these several tribes was the means of securing their pre-
eminence over the other Indians in this country. Their individual traits
are thus very fittingly represented;--"in their firm physical type, and in

their energy of character, and love of independence, no people among
the aboriginal race have ever exceeded, if any has equalled the
Iroquois." [Footnote: Schoolcraft.] They occupied a region surpassed
by no other on the continent, for grandeur and beauty united, and
inherited from this or some other source, a mental constitution of noble
structure, which placed them in the fore-front of their race, and when
united, no tribe on this continent could stand before them. This has
served to render their history, a matter of earnest and interesting
inquiry.

CHAPTER III
Name Red Jacket, how acquired--Indian name--Conferred
name--Singular tradition--Red Jacket during the war of the
Revolution--Neutrality of the Indians--Services sought by Great
Britain--Sketch of Sir William Johnson-- Position of Red Jacket--Taunt
of cowardice--Testimony of Little Beard-- Charge made by Brant--Red
Jacket's indifference--Anecdote--Early love of eloquence--Interesting
reminiscences.
The name Red Jacket, so familiar to the whites, was acquired during
the war of the Revolution. He was distinguished at this time as well as
afterward, for his fleetness on foot, his intelligence and activity. Having
attracted the attention of a British officer by the vivacity of his manners,
and the speedy execution of those errands with which he was intrusted,
he received either in token of admiration, or for services rendered, or
both, a beautifully ornamented jacket of a scarlet color.
This he took pride in wearing, and when worn out, he was presented
with another, and continued to wear this peculiar dress until it became a
mark of distinction, and gave him the name by which he was afterward
best known. At a treaty held at Canandaigua in 1794, Captain Parrish,
who was for many years agent of the United States for the Indians,
presented him with another red jacket to perpetuate a name of which he
was particularly fond. [Footnote: McKenney's Indian Biography
Politely favored by Alfred B. Street, Esq., and assistant Mr. J. H.

Hickox, of the State Library, Albany, N. Y.]
His original name was Oti-ti-ani, always ready. Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, the
title conferred upon him at his election to the dignity of Sachem, has
been