Like Tecumseh, Red Jacket made a skilful use of superstition to obtain an influence over his tribe. Having, in some way, lost the confidence of his red brethren, he prevailed upon his brother to announce himself a prophet, commissioned by the Great Spirit to restore his countrymen to their lost land and power. By skilful reasoning, Red Jacket persuaded the superstitious Indians to believe in his brother’s infallibility. Good resulted from this deception. The Onondagas were at that period the most drunken and profligate of the Iroquois. They were now persuaded to abstain from ardent spirits, became sober and industrious, and observed and obeyed the laws of morality. But the imposture was at length exposed by the extremes into which it led many of the red men. Many were denounced as possessed by evil spirits, and would have been burned by the superstitious, if the whites had not interfered.
[Original]
In a council of Indians held at Buffalo creek, Red Jacket was denounced as the author of these troubles, and brought to trial; but his eloquence saved his life and greatly increased his fame. In a speech of three hours’ length, he completely overthrew the accusations of his enemies, and was triumphantly acquitted. This was one of the most remarkable displays of eloquence to be found in history.
Many anecdotes are related of Red Jacket, which illustrated his qualities of head and heart. When at Washington he visited the rotunda of the capitol, and was shown, the panel which represented the first landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth, with an Indian chief presenting them with an ear of corn, in token of welcome. Red Jacket said, “That was good; he knew they came from the Great Spirit, and was willing to share the soil with his brothers.” But when he turned to view another panel, representing Penn’s Treaty, he said, “Ah’! all’s gone now!” These few words expressed a deal of truth and a feeling of regret.
When Lafayette was at Buffalo, in 1825, among those who called upon him was Red Jacket, who resided near that town, and by years and intemperance had been much worn down. He remembered Lafayette, having seen him at an Indian council held at Fort Schuyler, 1784. He asked the general if he recollected that meeting. The general replied that he had not forgotten it, and asked Red Jacket if he knew what had become of the young chief, who, in that council, opposed with such eloquence the burying of the tomahawk. Red Jacket replied, “He stands before you!” The general observed that time had much changed them since that meeting. “Ah,” said Red Jacket, “time has not been so severe upon you as it has upon me. It has left you a fresh countenance, and hair to cover your head; while to me—behold!” And taking a handkerchief from his head, he showed that it was entirely bald.
Red Jacket always opposed the introduction of missionaries among his people, and with a force of reasoning, the white agents could not resist. He believed that the whites should first practice the virtues they preached to the red men; and he had seen too much evil follow in the white man’s steps to wish his men to tread the same path.
Not long before his death, Red Jacket was visited by Mr. Catlin, the celebrated author of a most complete work upon the Indians of North America. He then resided near Buffalo, and was the head chief of all the remaining Iroquois.