-NORTH- AMERICAN INDIANS.         237


WEM, SPEECH OF RED JACKET. tHE SENECA COIEF
                TO A MISSIONARY.

  Governor De Witt Clinton, in his most valuable dis-
course before the Historical Society of New York, thus
wfices Red -Jacket :" Within a few years an extra-
ordinary orator has risen among the Senecas; his real
name 'is SaguAha.  Without the advant3ges of il 1ustri-
ous descent, and with no extraordinary talents for war,
he has attained the first distinctions in the nation by-the
force of his eloquence."
  After the missionary had done speaking, the Iudi ns
conferred together about two hours, by themselves, when
they gave an answer by Red-Jacket, which follows, and
whic is, perhaps, the chef d'ceuvre of Indian oratory.
  "Friend and Brother, it was the will of the= Great
Spirit .that we should meet together this day. He orders
ll *h-ings, and he has given us a fine day for our coun-
ciI,  He has taken his garment from before the Sun,
atpeansed it to shine with brightness on us. Our eyps-
ate 6pened, that we see clearly: our ears are unstopped
that we have been able to hear distinctly the words that
you have spoken for:X  all these favors we thank the
Great Spirit, and him only.
  "Brother, this council fire was kindled by you; it
was at yourntrquest that we came together at this .: ;-
we have listened with attention to what you have said;
yow requested us to speak our minds freely; this gives
us areat joy, for we now consider that we stand up*
right before you, and can speak what we think; all
have heard your voice, and all speak to you- as one man;
our minds are agreed.
  "Brother, you say you want an answer to your talk
before you leave this place. It is right you should
hA* one, as you are a great distance from home, and
we do not wish to detain you; but we will first look

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