INDIAN SPEECH.<lb/> <emph rend="italic">The Speech of <name type ="historical">Sagona Ha</name>, which signifies the <name type ="historical">Keeper Awake</name>, a <name type ="titled">chief</name> of the <name type ="nationality">Seneca Nation</name><lb/> of <name type ="nationality">Indians</name>, known by the white people by the name of <name type ="historical">RED JACKET</name>, in answer<lb/> to a Speech of the <name type ="titled">Rev</name>. <name type ="titled">Mr</name>. <name type ="historical">Alexander</name>, a <name type ="titled">Missionary</name>, from the Mis-<lb/> sionary Society in <placeName>New York</placeName> to that Nation, delivered at a<lb/> Council, held at <placeName>Buffaloe-creek</placeName>, in <date>May</date></emph>, <date>1811</date>.<lb/>

INDIAN SPEECH.<lb/> <emph rend="italic">The Speech of <name type ="historical">Sagona Ha</name>, which signifies the <name type ="historical">Keeper Awake</name>, a <name type ="titled">chief</name> of the <name type ="nationality">Seneca Nation</name><lb/> of <name type ="nationality">Indians</name>, known by the white people by the name of <name type ="historical">RED JACKET</name>, in answer<lb/> to a Speech of the <name type ="titled">Rev</name>. <name type ="titled">Mr</name>. <name type ="historical">Alexander</name>, a <name type ="titled">Missionary</name>, from the Mis-<lb/> sionary Society in <placeName>New York</placeName> to that Nation, delivered at a<lb/> Council, held at <placeName>Buffaloe-creek</placeName>, in <date>May</date></emph>, <date>1811</date>.<lb/> NATHANIEL COVERLY, JUN. BOSTON 1811

BIB Id 305611

Brother. WE listened to the talk you delivered to us from the Council of Black Coats* in New-York. We have fully con- sidered your talk and the offers you have made us, which we perfectly understand, and we return our answer to them, which we wish you also to understand. In mak- ing up our minds, we have looked back, and remembered what has been done in our days, and what our fathers have told us was done in old times.

Brother. Great numbers of Black Coats have been among the Indians, and with sweet voices and smiling faces, have offer- ed to teach them the religion of the white people. Our brethren in the east listened to them---turned from the religion of their fathers, and took up the religion of the white people. What good has it done? Are they more friendly one to another than we are? No brother, they are a divided people; we are united: they quarrel about religion: we live in love and friendship; they drink strong waters, have learnt how to cheat and prac- tice all the vices of the white people which disgrace Indians, without imitating the vir- tues of the white people: Brother if you are our well wisher, keep away and do not disturb us.

Brother. We do not worship the Great Spirit as the white people do, but we be- lieve the forms of worship are indifferent to the Great Spirit; it is the homage of a sincere heart that pleases him, and we wor- ship him in this manner.

Brother. You wish us to change our re- ligion for yours; we like our religion and do not want another. Our friends (pointing to Messrs. Granger, Parish, and Taylor) do us great good: They counsel us in our troubles, and tell us how to make us com- fortable. Our friends the Quakers do more than this, they give us ploughs, and instruct us how to use them. They tell us we are accountable beings, but do not say we must change our religion. We are satisfied with what they do.

Brother. For these reasons we cannot receive your offers; we have other things to do, and beg you to make your mind easy and not trouble us, lest our heads should be too much loaded, and by and by burst.

*The application given to the Clergymen by the Indians. †Mr. Granger is the agent of the United States for Indian Affairs, and resides at Buf- faloe: Mr. Parish is the Indian Interpreter: and Mr. Taylor is the agent in the Society of Friends for improving the condition of the Indians, and resides near the Allegany River.