THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 155 



-would be able to avert the calamity that awaits his declining nation — to resist the 

 despoiling hand of mercenary white man, that opens and spreads liberally, but to 

 entrap the unwary and ignorant within its withering grasp. 



This talented old man has for many years past strenuously remonstrated both to 

 the governor of New York and the President of the United States against the en- 

 croachments of white people, whom he represented as using every endeavor to wrest 

 from them their lands — to destroy their game, introducing vices of a horrible character, 

 and unknown to his people by nature, and most vehemently of all has he continually 

 remonstrated against the preaching of missionaries in his tribe, alleging that the 

 M black coats * (as he calls the clergymen) did more mischief than good in his tribe, 

 by creating doubts and dissensions amongst his people, which are destructive of his 

 peace and dangerous to the success and even existence of his tribe. * * * [See 

 also Iroquois, p. 125, herein.] 



RED JACKET'S OFFICIAL NAME AND RANK!. 



When Red Jacket was elevated by election as a chief his name 

 Otetiani, "Always Ready" (original name), was taken from him, and 

 Sagoyewatha, " Keeper Awake," given him in allusion to his powers of 

 eloquence. See Mr. Horatio Hale's views as to this in Transactions of 

 Buffalo Historical Society, Buffalo, !N. Y., vol. 3, 1884 ; also a letter from 

 General Ely S. Parker, of date February 17, 1885, in same volume, 

 (Printed herein, under the title "Iroquois," page 180.) 



HIS BIRTH AND DEATH. 



Red Jacket was born at Old Castle, near the foot of Seneca Lake, N. 

 Y., in 1752. He died on the Seneca Reserve, near Buffalo, K". Y., Jan- 

 uary 20, 1830, the year after Mr. Catlin saw him. 



Mr. Catlin's details as to Red Jacket's love of " fire-water" and his 

 abuse of it are here omitted. 



HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 



Red Jacket in 1820 was described as being then apparently sixty 

 years old : 



He was dressed with much taste in the Indian costume throughout, but had not a 

 savage look. His form was erect and not large, and his face noble. He wore a blue 

 dress, the upper garment cut after the fashion of a hunting shirt, with blue leggings, 

 very neat moccasins, a red jacket, and a girdle of red about his waist. His eye was 

 fine, his forehead lofty and capacious, and his bearing calm and dignified. * * * 



The medal * which Red Jacket wore he prized above all price. It was a personal 

 present made in 1792 from General Washington. He was never known to be without 

 it. He had studied and comprehended the character of Washington, and placed upon 

 this gift a value corresponding with his exalted opinion of the donor. — McKenny & 

 Hall, vol. 1. pages 11 and 13. 



An intelligent gentleman, who knew this chief intimately in peace 

 and war for more than thirty years, speaks of him in the following 

 terms : 



Red Jacket was a perfect Indian in every respect — in costume, in his contempt for 

 the dress of the white men, in his hatred and opposition to the missionaries, and in 

 *A copy of this is now in the National Museum. 



