Red Jacket ever cherished a watchful regard over the interests of his people, and was always ready to speak in their behalf.
At the trial of an Indian for burglary, himself and other chiefs were present to render any aid in their power, to their brother in bonds. The prisoner was found guilty of having broken into a house and stolen a few silver spoons. The crime of petit larceny, was thus merged in the greater one of burglary.
At a fitting opportunity Red Jacket arose and spoke eloquently in his brother's defense; urging the independence of his nation, the existence among them of laws for the punishment of theft, and boldly demanding the surrender of the prisoner, assuring the court that the prisoner should be tried by these laws, and suffer the penalty they demanded. His effort though regarded as able and brilliant, did not avail to rescue the prisoner from the white man, whose sentence in the case being for burglary instead of theft, Red Jacket regarded as unnecessarily severe.
When the proceedings were over, Red Jacket, who happened to be standing with a group of lawyers, took the following method of expressing his dissatisfaction.
Beholding on the sign of a printing office near by, an emblematic representation in large figures and characters, of Liberty and Justice; he asked in broken English, pointing to one of them, "What-him-call?" It was answered, Liberty. "Ugh!" was his significant and truly aboriginal response. Pointing then to the other figure, he inquired, "What-HIM-call?" It was answered, JUSTICE. Whereupon his eye kindling with animation, he asked with evident emotion, "WHERE-HIM-LIVE- NOW?" [Footnote: Geo. Hosmer, Esq., to Col. Stone.]
If the sincerity of Red Jacket's regard for the welfare of his people was ever questioned, it was by those who knew not his inner self. In guarding the interests of his people, he was in the habit of closely watching strangers, not only, but even his own friends.
Owing to slanderous reports that had been circulated, he at one time began to suspect that his friend Captain Jones, was actuated by motives of self- interest, and did not property regard the interest of the Indians.
Jones soon after met Red Jacket with his usual cordiality of manner, but was received with evident marks of coldness and distrust. "After the lapse of a few minutes, during which time the questions of Jones were answered in monosylables, the captain asked an explanation of the orator's conduct. Fixing his searching glance upon him, as if reading the secrets of his soul, Red Jacket told him of the rumor circulated, in reference to his fidelity to the Indians, and concluded by saying with a saddened expression, 'And have you at last deserted us?' The look, the tone, the attitude of the orator, were so touching, so despairing, that Jones, though made of stern materials, wept like a child; at the same time refuting the calumny in the most energetic terms. Convinced that Jones was still true, the chief, forgetful of the stoicism of his race, mingled his tears with those of Jones, and embracing him with the cordiality of old, the reconciled parties renewed old friendship over a social glass." [Footnote: W. H. C. Hosmer to Col. Stone.]
CHAPTER XXI
Views at the close of life—Incident—His life work—Unfavorable influences—Advance of the Christian party—Conversion of Red Jacket's wife—He leaves her—His return—Red Jacket deposed—Journey to Washington —His restoration—Rapid decline—Regards his end as near—Talks with his people—Endeavors to unite them.