Col. Stone, on the authority of the Hon. Albert Tracy, mentions a treaty
held for this same purpose in 1822 or 1823, in which Red Jacket replied to
a speech made by the commissioner, and also by Governor Ogden, entering,
as in the preceding speech, upon a regular and connected history of the
transactions of the Indians with the whites, up to that time, and in the
course of his speech, used the language very happily alluded to by Mr.
Bryant, in his memorial address.
At the close of the speech that has been quoted almost entire, some of his
people desired him to apologize for one or two utterances he had made,
regarding them as rude, and adapted to awaken unpleasant reflections. He
refused, saying, "NO, IT HAS GONE FORTH, LET IT STAND." A circumstance
doubtless alluded to, in the words which immediately follow: "Often the
fierceness of his temper, the righteous indignation that swelled his
bosom, impelled him to hurl defiance at his foes, and to use language, the
possible consequences of which, caused the more timid and abject of his
followers, to tremble with apprehension. But Red Jacket would retract not
a single word, although a majority of the chiefs, would sometimes secretly
deprecate the severity of his utterances."
"Again on other occasions, sorely beset and almost despairing, he would
essay to melt the hearts of the pitiless pursuers of his people, and give
utterance to such touching words as these:
"We first knew you a feeble plant, which wanted a little earth whereon to
grow.
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