54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



daga a chief, and have decorated him with the King's medal, in con- 

 sideration of the proofs he has afforded me of his fidelity," the Onon- 

 dagas being then almost equally divided. In December of that dis- 

 couraging year to the English, an Oneida chief gave up two English 

 medals to the French, saying: 



Father. We can not retain two medals which we have formerly 

 had the folly to accept from our brethren, the English, as a mark of 

 distinction. We acknowledge that these medals have been the true 

 cause of our errors, and that they have plunged us into bad busi- 

 ness. We strip ourselves of them; we cast them from us, in order 

 not to think any more of the English. O'Callaghan, Col. Hist, 

 10:513 



The gorgets are not usually described, but many were given to the 

 Five Nations and Delawares. The following description, given to 

 the French in 1758, seems that of a well known medal: 



The Governor of Philadelphia has held a great council with them, 

 at which he has distributed a great quantity of belts, calumets of 

 peace, and more than 40 silver gorgets. A chief of the Five Nations 

 has carried to the Commandant of Niagara one of those gorgets on 

 which was engraved a Sun, with an Indian and a Squaw feeding a 

 fire, and an Indian smoking a great calumet with an Englishman 

 under the shade of the tree of peace. O'Callaghan. Col. Hist. 10:839 



An affecting incident took place soon after Sir William Johnson's 

 death. Some Onondagas were at Johnson Hall, Sep. 12, 1774, and 

 the Bunt's eldest son produced the various marks of the baronet's 

 regard. 



Then (according to the old custom after such an event) he laid 

 them down consisting of a silver hilted sword, laced hat, medals, 

 flags, &c. before Col. Johnson, observing that his dear friend, being 

 now no more, these things must be restored to Col. Johnson for his 

 disposal. Then a noted Chief and particular friend of Sir Wm 

 Johnson's arose, took off his medal &c. and did in like manner as 

 the former, as did some others. . . Then Col. Johnson put 

 the medals &c. about their necks and returned the several articles 

 they had surrendered. O'Callaghan. Col. Hist. 8:498 



A similar thing occurred at the Canandaigua conference, held by 

 Col. Pickering in 1794. There was a condolence at the opening. 

 Red Jacket said they returned gifts to the donors when any one died, 



