Red Jacket, April 10th, 1792

Brother Con-neh-sauty: Yesterday, when you made your proposals, the Oneidas accepted them, and thanked you.  They spoke for those Oneidas, Onondagas, and Tuscaroras who all lie under one blanket. We, the Senecas, have considered them, and are now going to speak.

Red Jacket, March 23rd, 1792

I now request the attention of the president of the United States, by his agent.  Colonel Pickering, now present.  A few days since, when the American chief had spoken to us, he gave us to understand that General Knox and Colonel Pickering should be the agents to negotiate with us, on things which concern our welfare.  Let me call for your compassion, as you can put all down upon paper, while we have to labor with our minds, to retain and digest what is spoken, to enable us to make an answer.

Red Jacket, March 28th, 1792

Brother Onas Governor: Open unprejudiced ears to what we have to say!  Some days since you addressed us, and what you said gave us great pleasure.  This day the Great Spirit has allowed us to meet you again in this council chamber.  We hope that your not receiving our immediate answer to your address will make no improper impression upon your mind.  We mention this lest you should suspect that your kind welcome and friendly address has not had a proper effect upon our hearts.  We assure you it is far other wise.

Red Jacket, May 14th, 1791

Brother from Pennsylvania: You that are sent from General Washington, and by the Thirteen Fires: you have been sitting side by side with us every day, and the Great Spirit has appointed us another pleasant day to meet again.

Now listen, Brother! You know what we have been doing so long, and what trouble we have been at; and you know that it has been the request of our head warrior, that we are left to answer for our women, who are to conclude what ought to be done by both sachems and warriors.  So hear what is their conclusion.

Red Jacket, May 3rd, 1791

Tell him, (said he to the interpreter), Tell Colonel Proctor that some of his language is soft, but that other parts of it are too strong.  The danger before us is great.  Our enemies are drunk, and they will not hear what we say like a man that is sober; and we consider that, whatever number of the Six Nations accompany him (Colonel Proctor), will be in the same danger with himself, and it is likely that we shall not live long when the bad Indians shall see us.

Red Jacket near Cleveland, July 9th, 1816

Brother: We understand that you have been appointed by our great father the president to make these communications to us.  We thank the Great Spirit for this pleasant day given us for our reply, and we beg you to listen.

Red Jacket near Cleveland, 1816

Brothers: We have been preserved in health, strength and spirit, to meet you again at our council fire. The Great Spirit has protected us, and we are thankful again to meet you.  You will recollect, brothers, that we listened with attention to what the com missioner said, and to the words of our great father through his mouth.  As this council was called by the voice of our great father, you barely told us of his care for his red children.  You further promised us that the Yorkers (meaning the preemptioners), had communications for us.

Red Jacket, 1816, #2

Brothers: We are happy to meet you both at our council. We of the Six Nations transact all our business openly, and not under the curtain.  I have observed with what attention you have listened to me. I hope you will be willing to unite with us in bringing back our friends from beyond the water, and making us one band.  Then we shall become one great family of children, under our great father, the president.

Red Jacket, 1816

Brothers of the Council — Listen!  You must recollect that a few years since some delegates from your elder brethren, the Six Nations, came to you.  That council fire was kindled at Browns-town, by the mutual consent of the Six Nations; but we then requested that all important business should thereafter be transacted at this place.  A few years after this, another delegation came to this council fire from your elder brethren, the Six Nations.  We then thought appearances looked squally.

Red Jacket at Buffalo Creek, 1805

"Friend and brother; it was the will of the Great Spirit that we should meet together this day.  He orders all things, and he has given us a fine day for our council.  He has taken his garment from before the sun, and caused it to shine with brightnes upon us; our eyes are opened, that we see clearly; our ears are unstopped, that we have been able to hear distinctly the words that you have spoken; for all these favors we thank the Great Spirit, and him only.
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