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Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed to Erastus Granger. ...
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Description
Thomas Jefferson Thanks his Former Indian Agent for Sending Him a Copy of Red Jacket's Famous Speech
Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed to Erastus Granger.
One page, 7.75" x 10"; Monticello; January 23, 1810. A letter to
Erastus Granger, whom Jefferson had appointed as agent to the Six
Nations in 1804. Jefferson here responds to a letter from Granger
(retained copy included) where Granger had sent Jefferson two
Indian speeches. Jefferson writes in the third person as was common
at the time: "Th. Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr.
Granger with his thanks for the two specimens of Indian eloquence
which he was pleased to send him, & are safely received. They are
both of a very high order of merit & especially that of Red
Jackett. He is very sensible of this mark of attention from Mr.
Granger & of the kind sentiments expressed in his letter & prays
him to accept the assurances of his great esteem & respect. /
Monticello Jan. 23 1810 / Mr. Erastus Granger.''Granger's retained copy reads in part: ''... I take the Liberty (as a small testimony of respect) of enclosing for your amusement two Indian speeches...the speech of Red Jacket was delivered in my presence - I wrote it down, sentence by sentence, and know it to be correct.'' Granger continues offering praise for Red Jacket's speech, ''These speeches go very far in confirming the opinion, contended for by you, that Nature has been as bountiful, in bestowing rational faculties upon the human species in this part of the globe, as she has to those in any other part...''
Red Jacket's famous speech, ''Religion for the White Man and the Red'', was initially delivered in 1805, at which time Granger would have heard it in person as Jefferson's agent. It was then printed in 1809 within ''Indian Speeches Delivered by Farmer's Brother and Red Jacket, Two Seneca Chiefs'', a copy of which Granger sent to Jefferson. In the speech, Red Jacket responds to missionary Jacob Cram, who proselytized among the Seneca. Red Jacket minced no words, stating, ''There was a time when our forefathers owned this great island...The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for food...If we had any disputes about hunting grounds, they were generally settled without the shedding of much blood. But an evil day came upon us; your forefathers crossed the great waters, and landed on this island. Their numbers were small; they found friends, and not enemies; they told us they had fled from their own country for fear of wicked men, and come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat; we took pity on them, granted their request, and they sat down amongst us; we gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison in return...At length, their numbers had greatly increased; they wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy. Wars took place; Indians were hired to fight against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed. They also brought strong liquor among us; it was strong and powerful, and has slain thousands...''
Red Jacket continues, ''...you have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets; you have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion upon us...How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?...if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it?...Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion, or take it from you; we only want to enjoy our own...''
While Red Jacket's speech is considered one of the greatest orations in American history, it was predictably incendiary at the time, with one of the missionaries even refusing to shake his hand. This letter proves however, that Jefferson had a rather different view, complimenting the eloquence and merit of Red Jacket's speech.
Condition: Folds, and a few spots of discoloration, with light creasing throughout and areas of foxing along the edges. Granger's letter has light foxing throughout and a few light stains. With tiny bits of paper loss not affecting any text.
Auction Info
2022 June 4 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6247 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2022
4th
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