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Six Nations General Council Seneca Document 1833 [154167]

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Six Nations General Council Seneca Document 1833 [154167]
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This original document was penned on September 22, 1833 at the Onondaga Council House by the General Council of Six Nation. (The formal organization of the six Iroquois peoples: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora). It is signed by chiefs: Big Kettle, Little Johnson. White Seneca, Tall Petes, and Daniel Two Guns. The document is attested by James Young as the formal author of this document exhibiting fine educational prowess and diplomacy. He had been a teacher on the Seneca Mission Reservation six years earlier and therefore trusted by these chiefs. The main body of the document places a conflict of white people encroaching on reservation lands, and the Six Nations wants it permanently stopped. The second purpose of this document is to make it formally known that several of the existing chiefs were permanently relieved of their duties because they did not share the SIx Nations philosophy of being stewards of the land. The importance of this document cannot be understated as the unity of these Six Nations ended decades long wars between the independent nations and could not be sacrificed. The deposed chiefs were: Young King(?), Captain Pollard, Captain Strong, Captain Billy, Destroy Town, Seneca White, James Stephens, Henry Two Guns, John Snow, and Job Pierce. This is the only existing document to have survived nearly two centuries.

Seneca Council of the Six Nations letter to the Government. 1833

Fred N. Holabird, Kingston Wolff, c2023.



“The Chiefs belong to the Nations, and not the Nations to the Chiefs”

-This is unquestionably one of the most important quotes of the nineteenth century

This original document was penned on September 22, 1833 at the Onondaga Council House by the General Council of Six Nations. (The formal organization of the six Iroquois peoples: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora). It is signed by chiefs: Big Kettle, Little Johnson. White Seneca, Tall Petes, and Daniel Two Guns. The document is attested by James Young as the formal writer of this document on behalf of the General Council of the Six Nations, exhibiting fine educational prowess and diplomacy.

The main body of the document is in regard to a Government request to acquire more lands, and offering to move the Nation’s People west (west of the Mississippi, to land now called Oklahoma.) The purpose of the document is to instruct the Government agent that the Nations have no interest in granting any more land to the Government, and that they have enough for now and generations to come, and want to stay on the land of their father’s - their birth right.

Strong language is used to further their points.

The second purpose of this document was to make it formally known that several of the existing chiefs were permanently relieved of their duties in treaty negotiation because they did not share the SIx Nations philosophy of being stewards of the land. It was a long stated principal that “Chiefs belong to the Nation, and not the Nation to the Chiefs.” In short, certain chiefs had set out to make a deal with the Government outside of the Council of Six Nations.

The document well illustrates the internal conflicts inherant during the post-Revolutionary War period, in which the Six Nations lost tens of thousands of acres (perhaps more than 100,000- the records are incomplete and needs more research) to Anglos in exchange for many promises of land, food, money and infrastructure – much that was never met.

The importance of this document cannot be understated as the unity of these Six Nations ended decades long wars between the independent nations and could not be sacrificed. The deposed chiefs were: Young King(?), Captain Pollard, Captain Strong, Captain Billy, Destroy Town, Seneca White, James Stephens, Henry Two Guns, John Snow, and Job Pierce.

This is the only existing original copy of the final document of this important event and period in American history to have survived nearly two centuries. It appears to have been intended for publication in the Buffalo Journal and General Advertiser. If it was ever published, as were similar “agreements,” it was not picked up by other newspapers. The Buffalo Journal of 1813-1828 is available digitally. The Buffalo Journal and General Advertiser (1829-1835) is rare and not available digitally.



The Original Document with Editorial Comment

– Bold sections are placed by me for emphasis.

(Buffalo Journal)

Seneca Council Oct. 15, 1833

In the General Council of the Six Nations at the Onondaga Council House on the 22nd day of Sept. last: the subject of emigration as proposed in former council by the Government Agent and the Indian Commissioner was again submitted for our consideration:

We then as before diligently sought to acquaint ourselves with the facts, propositions, and views spread before us, and believe from all the different lights in which this subject has been presented to our understandings from time to time that we fully comprehend it;

After mature reflection and patiently discussing the principal questions arising upon a matter so momentous to us as a people; we found ourselves once more guided by the general sense of the Nations to the same conclusion which had been previously communicated through our agent; and which is still the decided resolution of the Senecas, Oneidas and Onondagas viz: “to part with no more of our territory”;

Ed: During the 1820s and possibly earlier, Washington politicians, greatly influenced by business interests, were on a move to acquire Indian lands in north central America held by various tribes, owned in some cases by “birth right” and others by former treaty. Between 1831 and 1832, there were at least three “treaties” between segments of the “Six Nations” and the Government. These included 2/28/1831 between Seneca and Govt (grants 60,000 ac); 4/6/1832 between Senecas and Shawnees (move them to land west of the Mississippi); 12/29/1832 between Govt and Seneca and Shawnee (move west of Mississippi river); 6/8/1833 agreement between Seneca, Onondaga and Govt for “survey” of lands at Green Bay and possible relocation. Note- this same agreement is also listed as June 18th. Surprise! Typos existed in 1833 too. Which date is correct?

Ed: on Sept. 23, 1833, the Knoxville Republican carried a story taken from Poulson’s Advertiser about a formal announcement from the Annual Council of the Chiefs meeting June 8, 1833 at the Council House in Buffalo, where the Chiefs resolved to not accept the propositions of the Government to survey land of Green Bay and turn over the land to the Govt. This was the vote by the Seneca and Onondaga “previously communicated.” (see above, re: date.)

Ed: It unclear to me when the “Six Nations” council was formed, but it appears that it was in early to mid 1833. Prior to that, we see “agreements” between specific segments of the Six Nations, but not the whole Six Nations, as we see in this important Oct 15, 1833 document presented herewith.

We hope our white brothers will not feel dissatisfied with us for this determination, and looking back upon the vast patrimony which was once our fathers; and there around upon the scattered fractions which remain to us, cannot doubt but that they are willing to see these descend on an diminished inheritance to our children: and we believe the Great Spirit who permits us to assemble this day will make that inheritance sufficient. We have found it equal to our sustenance, and are therefore content to abide by the graves of our fathers; and await the will of the Great Spirit upon our present possessions;

What benefits are we to expect from our exchange of situations? More land? We have enough – better land? --Ours is good – we seek a better title, how can that be?

Ed: The Govt was clever in playing games with the “title” concept. They didn’t agree to the “birth right” concept, or the right to ownership through historical occupation. The Govt tried to push a round peg into a square hole by forcing tribal recognition of Anglo “title” concepts.

Still, we are not yet so happy but that we can be benefitted; nor yet so wise but that we can learn much that we should know -- ; But for the present, the above is our answer; “to part with no more territory” is the voice of the Nations; there be some amongst us, however, of a different opinion;;

Let the public not be misled by a few, and in order that it may not, we call its attention to the published proceedings of a former council, when certain of our former chiefs were deposed;

The causes that lead us to that measure still subsist in full force;

It is still, as then, a leading policy with us, not to bargain any more about our birth right;

It is still, as then, a long settled principal that the Chiefs belong to the Nation; and not the Nation to the Chiefs – and because certain ones neglected these things and forgot the small authority, but the great duties of Indian Chiefs, we deposed them;-- we (burn) to this matter here not by (burn)reproach to those whom we name (d?) in order in order to apprise all who(burn) interest or curiosity in our purposes; that Young King (?), Capt Pollard, Capt strong, Capt Billy, Destroy Town, Seneca White, James Stephens, Henry Two Guns, John Snow and Job Pierce, are henceforth by the proper authority of the Nation regarded as private individuals forever;

And finally the efforts of these individuals and their friends towards restoring them to their former authority will not only be lost and useless, but will be looked upon as regards our white neighbors as a gratuitous concern about interests, which we feel competent to arrange for ourselves; and which have long since been confer to by a majority of the Nations to the care and management of the undersigned;

Attest Big Kettle

James Young Little Johnson

White Seneca

Tall Petes

Daniel Two Guns

Backstory:

The backstory of the Oneida, Onondaga and other regional tribes and cultures has only been told in part. It remains of great importance that the present day members have written so well of their ancestors, and thankfully have taken some of their stories and history to the internet. Without many of these stories (see onondaganation.org), much is lost, particularly to those of us who understand the importance of cultural history and how mankind developed through time, history and geography. The Anglo written history is simply a history written from one “side.” The other “side” had not developed a parallel written history mechanism, yet they never lacked in intelligence, a factor rarely understood by most Anglos.

Onondaga in the 1700s sided with the British during the Revolutionary War because of brutal attacks by “Americans.” Many Onondaga and nearby tribes moved to Ontario, some west of the Great Lakes, but many remained in their ancestral homeland in the areas along and near the Great Lakes from Buffalo to Wisconsin. At least one historian wrote that General Washington ordered their “termination” in 1779 through “an operation known as the Sullivan Expedition.” (onondaganation.org/history/us-presidents-hanadagayas/)

The first major treaty appears to be Nov. 11, 1794 in which the Govt acknowledged the Onondaga homeland. Over time, Onondaga and geographically nearby tribes worked together, creating a form of democracy not known by that term at the time. They formed important alliances, yet struggled among themselves in a seemingly never-ending battle for personal gain versus Tribal gain, as Anglos offered up sumptuous bribes, payments and other things to influence tribal leaders and tribes for the benefit of Anglo acquisition of Indian land. These conflicts run rampant in human society, and are well evidenced in this Oct. 13, 1833 document herewith.

Onondaga were known for building long houses constructed of bark covered wood beams and infrastructure. Onondaga land has dropped from about 100,000 acres historically to less than 10,000 acres today, only 15.6 square miles.

This document is only known through a fragment of a draft of this same Agreement held by the Buffalo History Museum Research Library (Maris B. Pierce papers), available digitally through UCLC and the New York Heritage Digital Collection. They have four pages of an original incomplete working draft with many crossed out sections as James Young and the Chiefs sought a stronger final document. Young had been a teacher on the Seneca Mission Reservation from 1819 until 1824 when the New York Legislature broke up the Mission, and was therefore trusted by these Chiefs. Young’s life has not been well chronicled, and it appears he remained a steadfast friend to the Seneca and Onondaga. Some of his papers may exist, as he was quoted in W.C. Sturdevant’s Three Centuries of Woodlands Indian Art, 2007, p132.

Post-Document:

Little is found in the published digital newspaper records until 1837. (Britannica is noticeably lacking in information.) It becomes clear that there is internal discordance among tribes and Chiefs of the Six Nations. Bribes were offered by Anglos to further their interests; war broke out between tribes, especially with “unprincipled men.” Anglos began stealing timber from Six Nations land, only to see the Govt fine the guilty, collect the money, but none of the money went to the Nations, creating more conflict. “They are selfish and cannot get enough” wrote a Chief as published in the Buffalo Speculator June 24, 1837.

An article in the New York Evening Post suggests a treaty was signed by White Seneca and other Chiefs of the Six Nations with the Govt in regards to “emigration” (relocation) west of the Mississippi. (Evening Post, Feb 27, 1837)

In February, 1838, the Govt proposed to give the Six Nations 1,824,000 acres of land “west of the Mississippi”. It also agreed to many concessions: subsistence for a whole year; “erect churches, council and school houses, saw and grain mills, blacksmith shops, gunsmith shop, furnishing coal, iron and steel, support teachers, millers and blacksmiths for the term of ten years or longer or forever as the President may deem proper”, plus monies, agents, etc in exchange for the Six Nations “to remove in five years.” Only fifty percent of the Seneca Chiefs signed. The Cayuga and Tuscarora agreed. Some Onondaga signed. Further research is warranted in regard to this document.

Tricks were used to discredit Chiefs. White Seneca, one of the six chiefs of the Six Nations, along with two others, were charged with embezzlement of Indian annuity funds in Buffalo in 1839. By February of 1840 they were acquitted of all charges. (Phila Inquirer, Oct 30, 1839 and Republican Framer and Democratic journal Feb 12, 1840)

Chiefs changed through tribal succession methods, and some noted passings were published in newspapers, such as when Big Kettle died at the age of 55 in October, 1839. It remains an interesting puzzle if Big Kettle was the father of Black Kettle, one of the all-time great Chiefs, and of the appropriate age to be Big Kettle’s son. With the interplay of moving some tribal members to the “lands west of the Mississippi” (Oklahoma), and the probable back and forth travel of members during the early years, the question of paternity gets interesting…

Much more may be written through dissertations and other advanced research mechanisms, but these potential works were not easily found on the web. More published well researched work is greatly needed, and documents such as this greatly add to our understanding of real history.
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