The latter, Governor De Witt Clinton, sent them a reply worthy of his name
and office. It is as follows:
"All the right that Ogden and his company have to your reservations, is
the right of purchasing them when you think it expedient to sell them,
that is, they can buy your lands, but no other person can. You may retain
them as long as you please, and you may sell them to Ogden as soon as you
please. You are the owners of these lands in the same way that your
brethren the Oneidas, are of their reservations. They are all that is left
of what the Great Spirit gave to your ancestors. No man shall deprive you
of them without your consent. The State will protect you in the full
enjoyment of your property. We are strong and willing to shield you from
oppression. The Great Spirit looks down on the conduct of mankind, and
will punish us if we permit the remnant of the Indian nations which is
with us to be injured. We feel for you, brethren; we shall watch over your
interests. We know that in a future world we shall be called upon to
answer for our conduct to our fellow creatures."
Col. Stone refers to the Hon. Albert H. Tracy, as having furnished the
notes of the council we have just been considering. The same authority
speaking of the eloquence of Red Jacket, says: "It is evident that the
best translations of Indian speeches, must fail to express the beauty and
sublimity of the originals; especially of such an original as Red Jacket.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244