"This conversation had much effect upon him. He grasped my hand and said
if that were the case it was new to him. He also said he would lay it up
in his mind (putting his hand to his noble forehead), and talk of it to
the chiefs, and the people.
"It is a very striking fact that the disgraceful scenes now passing before
the public eye over the grave of Red Jacket, so early and so sadly fulfil
these predictions; and I cannot here forbear to add that the thanks of the
nation are due to our present chief-magistrate, [Footnote: The President
alluded to is Mr. Van Buren.--W. L. S.] for the firmness with which he has
resisted the recent efforts to force a fraudulent treaty on the remnant of
this injured people, and drive them against their will, and against law
and treaties sacredly made, away from their lands, to satisfy the rapacity
of unprincipled men.
"It may be proper here to say likewise, that I do by no means intend to
justify, all that possibly may have been done by the missionaries to the
Senecas. It is probable the earliest efforts were badly conducted; and men
of more ability ought to have been sent to that peculiar and difficult
station. But it is not for a moment to be admitted, nor is it credible
that the authors of the charge believe it, that the worthy men who at
every sacrifice went to the mission among the Senecas, had any other than
the purest purposes. I visited the station, and intimately knew the chief
missionary.
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