182 THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



He would, therefore, in accordance with this old usage, ask the distinguished visitors 

 on the x)latform to join him in smoking the pipe of peace. The pipe was accordingly 

 lighted by the chairman, and each present took a puff as a token of their amicable 

 iutentions. The chief then proceeded to explain the reasons why the Mohawks hap- 

 pened to be now on the reserve, and went back to the earliest treaties of England 

 with his nation — treaties which had been faithfully observed by both parties. Prior 

 to r-he American Revolution the Mohawks had dwelt in the valley of the Mohawk 

 River, New York, where they occupied a large territory, having fine farms and pros- 

 perous villages. When the colonists rebelled, 1775, the Indians remembered their 

 treaty and remained loyal, and with a small minority of colonists stood to their col- 

 ors (i. c, the Crown). When the independence of the 'colonies was acknowledged 

 the question came up whether they would remain, or go to Canada and commence 

 life again. The Six Nations remained true to King George, gave up homes, fields, 

 and everything beside, and came to Canada, being led by the great Tyendinaga 

 (Thayeudanega) and John Deseronto. They crossed the Saint Lawrence and came 

 to Lachine, near Montreal, where they remained seven years. With the U. E. Loy- 

 alists they were informed that grants of land would be given them in lieu of what 

 they had lost, and in any j)lace they should choose. They proceeded west to Cata- 

 raqui, where it was agreed around a council fire to dispatch the chiefs to explore and 

 select a proper place. Captain Brant went up the lakes to Grand River, near Brant- 

 ford, and Chief Deseronto came up the Bay of Quinte" to Tyendinaga. They returned 

 and reported, and it was decided that the nation should divide, and accordingly fif- 

 teen families came up the bay and landed at a spot near what is now known as Mc- 

 Cullouglf s Dock, in May, 1784. The rest of the nation passed up the lake and settled 

 at Grand River. To these fifteen families, whose landing they were celebrating, 

 George III, in a deed dated April, 1783, granted the Tyendinaga Reserve. They had 

 prospered fairly, had two churches, one of which had cost $7,000, the other $4,000, 

 and had tour school-houses for the instruction of their children. The fifteen families 

 who had landed had increased to a community of over one thousand souls. He 

 thanked his audience for joining iu their celebration, and that there was no enmity 

 now between white and red men. * * * The chief took his seat amid loud ap- 

 plause, the choir singing " Rule, Britannia." 



Rev. J. C. Ash, of Shannonville, * * * said that it was exceedingly appro- 

 priate to sing " Rule, Britannia," for the Indians had never been enslaved. The past 

 history of the Mohawk Nation, ho stated, afforded an illustration of the unswerving 

 loyalty which had never been surpassed, if indeed ever equaled. They had given up 

 their magnificent territories and had come to Canada in order to be under the old flag. 

 Britain had always protected and remained true to the aboriginal tribes, and always 

 evinced a parental regard for the aboriginal people who come under her dominion. 

 When he came to Canada, thirteen years ago, it was said that the Indian races were 

 doomed to extinction, but the remarks of their chief, showing that they had grown 

 from fifteen families to 1,000 people, contradicted such an assertion. Under the 

 benign influences of religion and the absence of the cursed fire-water they were cer- 

 tain to prosper and enjoy greater blessings to come. * * * 



Rev. R. H. Harris, of Brighton, spoke, referring the principle of loyalty which 

 actuated the Mohawks, said that the Mohawk Nation had left a mark, broad and 

 deep, on the history of the country. 



. John White, esq., M. P., on coming to the front, was loudly cheered. He referred 

 to the fact that there were 100,000 Indians in the Northwest (Canada), and that 

 these were ever ready to yield obedience to the British flag. * * * He had been 

 cordially welcomed on his recent visit to the West, because ho came from the home 

 of the great Mohawk Nation. Referring to the fact that the Indians had, as tenants, 

 many white men who acknowledged that their landlords were good fellows. One 

 thousand mounted police could not keep the peace in the Northwest were it not for 

 the respect paid l>y the Indians to the British flag. * * * 



