1896-97.] BRANT IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 261 



This despatch was not received by Haldimand before the second week 

 of September when he promptly repHed with characteristic shrewdness 

 and penetration, " I have received his Majesty's commission for Joseph 

 Brant and Your Lordship observes very justly that his conduct merits 

 every mark of our attention and regard, but Joseph's situation amongst 

 the Six Nations is very different from the idea those who are not 

 acquainted with it, must, from his superior talents, conceive. To speak 

 in their style, he has been very lately known on the war path. He is 

 now distinguishing himself in that line, but it will be some time before 

 he is acknowledged by them even upon a footing with very many (as 

 they conceive), more experienced and greater warriors, besides the 

 notice that has been taken of him by us, in consequence of his connec- 

 tion with Sir William Johnson, his being civilized, and now particularly 

 for his good services, has from a jealousy paramount in the Indians, 

 procured him as many enemies of his own people as friends. Amongst 

 this number is Schenderachto, King of the Senecas, and by many 

 degrees, the most leading, and the man of the most influence in the 

 whole of the Six Nations, and by whose interest and intrigues, Major 

 Butler has been able to carry through many essential points. He is brave, 

 prudent, and perfectly attached to Government, more willingly so since the 

 alliance with the French, to whom he has a most unconquerable aversion. 

 Were so great a mark of distinction, as is proposed for Joseph, to pass him> 

 it might, and I am sure it would, be productive of very dangerous conse- 

 quences, for which reason, I must take it upon me to suppress the com- 

 mission and likewise the pictures until I have His Majesty's further 

 pleasure. I should hope this affair has not been so publicly mentioned 

 at home as to reach Joseph's knowledge, which from the part I find 

 necessary to adopt, would equally prejudice the service. 



" Every favour and attention in my power, Joseph has experienced, 

 and always shall, but, for the above reasons, I am obliged to do it with 

 address. His sister, who lived many years with Sir William Johnson^ 

 by whom he had many children, and to whose influence he was much 

 indebted in his successful management of the Six Nations, was driven 

 from her home and took refuge at Niagara. Her situation there not 

 being as comfortable as could be wished, she brought her family to 

 Montreal by my desire where I .settled her to her satisfaction ; but upon 

 hearing of the rebels advancing into the Indian country, thinking she 

 might be of use in encouraging the Indians to preserve their fidelity, she 

 returned to Niagara." 



At Carleton Island, Brant was overtaken by Walter Butler also 

 returning to Niagara from Quebec. Thanks to the Governor's soothing 



