" [Footnote: Ib.]
He loved to hold communion with the sublime and grand in nature. He never
wearied when viewing the falls of Niagara, and their roar, the baritone of
nature's anthem, stirred within, depths that other harmonies failed to
reach. When Mr. Catlin, the celebrated Indian portrait painter, desired to
obtain the orator's picture, his consent was given, but he must be
represented as standing on Table Rock, "for," said he, "when I pass to the
other world, my spirit will come back, and that is the place around which
it will linger." [Footnote: Catim's North American Indians.]
The artist gratified the orator, and represents him as standing there in
the attitude of deep thought, dressed with much care in complete Indian
costume, a very interesting memorial, presenting evident marks of being
one of nature's noblemen.
Since then Red Jacket has gone to his grave, and this rock where he often
stood and feasted his soul on sublimities unrivalled in nature, has
likewise fallen, while the world, like the impetuous flood, rolls on
unconscious of both.
Of the various paintings of Red Jacket, Col. Stone remarks, "The picture
by Mr. Robert W. Weir, taken in 1828, at the request of Doctor John W.
Francis of New York, is of far the highest order of merit, and has become
the standard likeness of the last of the Seneca orators." To this is
subjoined the following description from the pen of Doctor Francis, of the
orator's appearance on the occasion,
"For this purpose he dressed himself in the costume which he deemed most
appropriate to his character, decorated with his brilliant overcovering
and belt, his tomahawk, and Washington medal.
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