

CHAPTER^XXI 



tNT)IAN ELOQrENCE. 



Their natural eloquence is acknowledged by every 

 person who has heard their orators speak. In order > 

 therefore, that the reader may be convinced of this, 

 I shall offer a few specimens, the authors of some 

 of which were personal acquaintances of my own : 



SPEECH OF CORNPLANTER. 



The Speech of Cornplanter to President Washington, at Philadelphia, 

 in the jear 1790. 



Father : the voice of the Seneca nation speaks to 

 you, the great counsellor, in whose heart the wise 

 men of all the thirteen fires have placed their wis- 

 dom. It may be very small in your ears, and we 

 therefore entreat you to hearken with attention ; for 

 we are able to speak of things which to us are very 

 great. 



When your army entered the country of the Six 

 Nations, we called you the Town Destoyer ; to this 

 day, when this name is heard, our women look be- 

 hind and turn pale, and our children cling close to 

 the necks of their mothers. 



