LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25258

Seneca Nation Document Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Seneca Nation Document Signed
<B>Seneca Nation Document Signed.</B></I> RED JACKET, CORNPLANTER, YOUNG KING, BLACKSNAKE, CAPTAIN BILLY, AND OTHERS. Rare Manuscript Document signed with marks "x", one page, 8" x 12.75", Buffalo, [NY], June 9, 1827. During the American Revolution, the Seneca sided with the British, with disastrous consequences. The treaties at Fort Stanwix in 1784 and Canandaigua ten years later, reduced their territory to a small group of reservations in the extreme west of New York. In return, the tribes received an annuity to assist in their transition to an agricultural existence. The document reads: "We the Chiefs and Warriors of he Seneca Nation of Indians do acknowledge to have received of Jasper Parrish the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, in full for the Annuity due us for the present year, agreeable to a certain writing or agreement made at a Treaty held at Buffalo in the State of New York by Daniel t. Tompkins Governor of said State on the 13th day of September 1815..." Below each recipient has signed with their mark "x", including RED JACKET (c. 1750-1830), and CORNPLANTER (1740-1838) and GOVERNOR BLACKSNAKE. Of interest are the signatures of many of the others, who became identified with the "Christian Party" which openly split with the followers of the traditional religion in 1819. Red Jacket nominally led the "Pagan Party" and openly opposed the efforts of Christian missionaries believing that their influence further weakened an already vulnerable culture. Chief among the Christian faction who signs is YOUNG KING who was one of the more powerful chiefs among the Seneca at this time as well as CAPTAIN POLLARD. The two parties became further embroiled as pressure mounted upon the tribes from white settlers trying to purchase more land. Indeed Jasper Parrish, the Indian agent named in the document, was also in the employ of the Ogden Land Company which had been trying to purchase many of the remaining Seneca tracts. Young King and his followers favored the sale, while Red Jacket opposed it. The sale concluded in 1826 and Red Jacket traveled to Washington to plead his case to President John Quincy Adams, who promised an inquiry. The inquiry ultimately upheld the sale, and Red Jacket, now very old and quite cognizant of the power of the Christians, acquiesced and reconciled with them. Red Jacket (1758-1830) Seneca chief and orator who supported the British during the American Revolution and became a spokesman for his nation in negotiations with the United States. He was present at treaty negotiations in 1794 and 1797 in which the Seneca ceded large portions of land to the United States. During this period, Red Jacket also became an outspoken opponent of Christianity advocating the retention of traditional culture. His efforts culminated in the temporary expulsion of all Christian missionaries from Seneca territory in 1824. Red Jacket and his followers were soon undermined by accusations of witchcraft and Red Jacket's own problems with alcohol. The Christian faction deposed Red Jacket as a Seneca chief in 1827 but later reinstated him when he offered to reconcile. He died three years later, after his own family had converted to Christianity. Jasper Parrish (c. 1767 -1836) U.S. Indian Agent. At age 11 Parrish was captured by Monsie Indians and held in captivity. He was soon traded to the Delaware and later to the Mohawk. He spent four years with the Mohawk becoming conversant in both their language and culture before being released in 1784 at Fort. Stanwix. Owing to his specialized knowledge, Parrish was employed by Timothy Pickering in 1790 to act as a translator during negotiations between the United States and the Six Nations. Two years later Parrish became an official translator and he interpreted the negotiations resulting in the Treaty of Canandaigua. In 1803, Parrish became both sub-agent and Interpreter for the U.S. with the Six Nations, a position he held until his death in 1836. Extremely light soiling, a few minor corner creases and tears, else fine condition. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:<
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