Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca
This is a reply of Red Jacket to the missionaries who came to convert
the Senaca of New York before the American Revolution.
Red Jacket On The Religion Of The White Man And The Red Man
(1805)
Born about 1752, died in 1830; his Nation, the Senecas, his home, near
Geneva; his real name, Sogoyewapha, the name "Red Jacket" coming from an
embroidered scarlet jacket presented to him by a British officer during
the revolution; saw service on the American side in the War of 1812.
Friend and Brother: - It was the will of the Great Spirit that we
should meet together this day. He orders all things and has given us a
fine day for our council. He has taken His garment from before the sun
and caused it to shine with brightness upon us. Our eyes are opened that
we see clearly ; our ears are unstopped that we have been able to hear
distinctly the words you have spoken. For all these favors we thank the
Great Spirit, and Him only.
Brother, this council fire was kindled by you. It was at your request
that we came together at this time. We have listened with attention to
what you have said. You requested us to speak our minds freely. This
gives us great joy ; for we now consider that we stand upright before you
and can speak what we think. All have heard your voice first we will want
to look back a little and tell you what our fathers have told us and what
we have heard from the white people.
I Delivered at a council of chiefs of the six Nations in the summer of
1805 after Mr. Cram, a missionary, had spoken of the work he proposed to
do among them.
Brother, listen to what we say. There was a time when or
forefathers owned this great island. Their seats extended from the
rising to the setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for the use of
Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for
food. He had made the bear and the beaver. Their skins served us for
clothing. He settled without the shedding of much blood.
But an evil day came upon us. Your forefathers crossed the great
water and landed on this island. Their numbers were small. They found
friends and not enemies. They told us they had fled from their own
country for fear of wicked men and had come here to enjoy their
religion. They asked for a small seat. We took pity on them, granted
their request, and they sat down among us. We gave them corn and meat;
they gave us poison in return.
The white people, brother, had now found our country. Tidings were
carried back and more came among us. Yet we did not fear them. We took
them to be friends. They called us brothers. We believed them and gave
them a larger seat. At length their numbers had greatly increased. They
wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened and our
minds became uneasy. Wars took place. Indians were hired to fight
against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed. They also
brought strong liquor among us. It was strong and powerful, and has
slain thousands.
Brother, our seats were once large and yours were small. You have
now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread
our blankets. You have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want
to force your religion upon us.
Brother, continue to listen. You say that you are sent to instruct
us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to His mind; and, if we do
not take hold of the religion which you white people teach we shall be
unhappy hereafter. You say that you are right and we are lost. How do
we know this to be true? We understand that your religion is written in
a Book. If it was intended for us, as well as you, why has not the Great
Spirit given to us, and not only to us, but why did He not give to our
forefathers the knowledge of that Book, with the means of understanding
it rightly. We only know what you tell us about it. How shall we know
when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?
Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great
Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so
much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?
Brother, we do not understand these things. We are told that your
religion was given to your forefathers and has been handed down from
father to son. We also have a religion which was given to our
forefathers and has been handed down to us, their children. We worship
in that way. It teaches us to be thankful for all the favors we receive,
to love each other, and to be united. We never quarrel about religion.
Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all, but He has made a great
difference between His white and His red children. He has given us
different complexions and different customs. To you He has given the
arts. To these He has not opened our eyes. We know these things to be
true. Since He has made so great a difference between us in other
things, why may we not conclude that He has given us a different religion
according to our understanding? The Great Spirit does right. He knows
what is best for His children; we are satisfied.
Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion or take it from
you. We only want to enjoy our own.
Brother, you say you have not come to get our land or our money, but
to enlighten our minds. I will not tell you that I have been at your
meetings and saw you collect money from the meeting. I can not tell what
this money was intended for, but suppose that it was for your minister;
and, if we should conform to your way of thinking, perhaps you may want
some from us.
Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white
people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted
with the answer to your talk, and this is all we have to say at present.
As we are going to part, we will come and take you by the hand, and hope
the Great Spirit will protect you on your journey and return you safe to
your friends.
Submitted by:
Mark Geary -Gearym@mail.firn.edu
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