He also
speaks of seeing a number of oxen, cows and horses; and many logs designed
for the saw mill, and the Pittsburgh market. "Cornplanter had for some
time been very much in favor of the christian religion, and hailed with
joy such as professed it. When apprised of Mr. Alden's arrival he hastened
to welcome him to his village, and to wait upon him. And notwithstanding
his high station as a chief, having many men under his command, he chose
rather, in the ancient patriarchal style, to serve his visitors himself;
he therefore took care of their horses, and went into the field and cut
and brought oats for them." [Footnote: Drake's book of the Indians.]
He died at his reservation March 7th, 1836, a hundred winters having
passed over him, and was buried beneath the sheltering branches of a noble
tree standing in his field. No other monument marks his grave.
CHAPTER XV.
Change in Red Jacket's views--How caused--His opposition to Christianity--
Visit of a Missionary--Missionary's speech--Red Jacket's reply--Unpleasant
termination of the Council.
As time advanced, the mind of Red Jacket gradually receded from the
favorable opinion he had entertained, with respect to the introduction
among his people, of the customs of civilized life. Before this he
regarded with favor the philanthropic designs of Washington and others,
which contemplated such a change. But henceforth his influence and
energies were uniformly exerted, in resisting any innovation, upon the
anciently established usages of the Iroquois.
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