An Account of Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha, or Red Jacket, and His People, 1750-1830 by Elbert Hubbard
page 34 of 265 (12%)
page 34 of 265 (12%)
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the conflict, though this is altogether uncertain. He lived to see the
gathering of the storm that swept away most of his great possessions. On the death of Sir William, his son John Johnson succeeded to his titles and estate. The office of General Superintendent of the Indians, fell into the hands of Col. Guy Johnson, a son-in-law, who appointed Col. Claus, another son-in-law, as his deputy. Into their hands fell the property, and a large share of the influence over the Indians, possessed by Sir William Johnson. This influence was exerted in favor of Great Britain. When the Indians heard of the uprising in Boston, and of the battle of Lexington, they were told, that these out-breaks were the acts of disobedient children, against the great king, who had been kind to them, as he had to the Six Nations. That their "_great father over the water_," was rich in money and men; that the colonists were poor, and their numbers small, and that they could easily be brought into subjection. At a council of the Iroquois convened at Oswego, by Sir John Johnson and other officers and friends of the crown, they were informed that the king desired them to assist him in subduing the rebels, who had taken up arms against him, and were about to rob him of a part of his great possessions. But the chiefs one by one assured the British agents that they had the year before, in a council with General Schuyler, pledged themselves to neutrality, and could not without violating their promise, take up the hatchet. But they were assured that the rebels justly merited all the punishment |
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