8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



stroyed. Chief Jacket gave it to Henry Stevens and Chief Stevens 

 passed it on to Chief Cornplanter who after he had memorized the 

 teachings became careless and lost the papers sheet by sheet. Fear- 

 ing that the true form might become lost Chief Cornplanter in 1903 

 began to rewrite the Gai'wiio' in an old minute book of the Seneca 

 Lacrosse Club. He had finished the historical introduction when 

 the writer discovered what he had done. He was implored to finish 

 it and give it to the State of New York for preservation. He was 

 at first reluctant, fearing criticism, but after a council with the lead- 

 ing men he consented to do so. He became greatly interested in 

 the progress of the translation and is eager for the time to arrive 

 when all white men may have the privilege of reading the " wonder- 

 ful message " of the great prophet. 



The translation was made chiefly by William Bluesky, the native 

 lay preacher of the Baptist church. It was a lesson in religious 

 toleration to see the Christian preacher and the " Instructor of the 

 Gai'wiio' " side by side working over the sections of the code, for 

 beyond a few smiles at certain passages, in which Chief Corn- 

 planter himself shared, Mr Bluesky never showed but that he 

 reverenced every message and revelation of the four messengers. 



